Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Parker Welling; President & CEO, WCM Nashville, Ben Vaughn; Songwriter Nicolle Galyon

After extensive renovations, Warner Chappell has christened its new space at 21 Music Square East on Music Row.

The two-story building includes state-of-the-art writer rooms, bright and refreshed office spaces, a swanky bar, a snack station, and plenty of gathering areas for writers and publishers. The property has two areas that can house performances, with a stage near the bar and an outdoor gathering area—perfect for future No. 1 parties.

Pictured: Writer room inside Warner Chappell Nashville

Perhaps most impressive is the mark that the Warner Chappell songwriters made on the space. Not only are there plaques on the walls to display the writers’ achievements, but their favorite books are situated on shelves in a sitting area and their hit song titles and lyrics are written on the walls. Warner Chappell, along with designer Michael Cronin, even included innovative features such as lockers for writers to use.

For entertainment, the Warner Chappell office has a basketball hoop, a Led Zeppelin pinball machine, and WCM-branded pool table layered into the design.

“We’re so grateful,” President & CEO, WCM Nashville, Ben Vaughn tells MusicRow. “When we started this process, we really wanted to do it with songwriters in mind. We asked songwriters to be a part of the design process. They wanted a warm, fun building.

“It’s great to have writers in the building just being creative,” he adds. “There’s a lot of people who put a lot of time into this very specific type of building. To see the first reactions we get, especially from writers, that’s the best feeling.”

Pictured (L-R): Vaughn, Red Light Management’s Shawn McSpadden, songwriter Brett James, Co-Chair and Chief Executive Officer of Warner Chappell Music, Guy Moot

Pictured: Songwriters hanging out at Warner Chappell

Pictured: Outside the Warner Chappell Nashville office

Breakout artist and multi-Platinum songwriter Ryan Griffin is set to release his latest album, Slow Down Sunrise, on May 6 via Red Street Records.

The lead single, “Salt, Lime & Tequila,” soared to No. 1 on Sirius XM The Highway’s Hot 30 Countdown, was one of the most added songs at country radio upon its debut, and has tallied nearly 14 million global streams. The rising star returns with a renewed sense of purpose on the new, 6-song project, whether it’s to encourage fans through hard times or to remind them to soak up the sun while it shines.

Ramping up for the release, Griffin has been tapped to play Stagecoach Music Festival on April 29, Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam on June 3, and CMA Music Fest at Ascend Park on June 11.

He is also gearing up for an intimate performance on Breakthrough Live From Amazon Music, a weekly livestream series highlighting up-and-coming artists on the Amazon Music’s channel on Twitch and in Amazon Music mobile app on April 26.

Slow Down Sunrise Track List:
1. Summer On It
2. Salt, Lime & Tequila
3. Beer Like That
4. Slow Down Sunrise
5. Closing Time
6. Salt, Lime & Tequila (Acoustic)

Loretta Lynn. Photo: Les Leverett

Country icon Loretta Lynn turned 90 today (April 14).

Sony Music Entertainment and Legacy Recordings are celebrating the Country Music Hall of Famer’s birthday by dedicating a blossoming magnolia tree located outside the Frist Learning Center on the Cheekwood Estate & Gardens grounds in Nashville in her honor. The tree bears a bronze tribute plaque with the inscription: “Loretta Lynn (b. April 14, 1932) / Coal Miner’s Daughter / Music Icon / Celebrating Her 90th Birthday.”

“For generations of fans, Loretta Lynn is the heart and soul of American country music, the woman who showed us the untapped possibilities of the genre through the genius and direct perspectives of her songs and the integrity of her performances,” said Richard Story, President, Commercial Music Group, SME. “Please join me and everyone in the Sony family in wishing Loretta the happiest of birthdays along with a deep appreciation for all the magic, truth and beauty she’s shown us through her music over the years.”

Additionally, many of Lynn’s fellow artists and friends including Dolly Parton, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Reba McEntire, Carrie Underwood, Maren Morris, Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, and more, have come together for a special birthday greetings video.

“I am getting so many big birthday wishes!” Lynn shared in a statement. “Thank you, friends, for thinking of me. I’m so happy I get to spend a little more time with you all. My family and I are planning a big dinner and, of course, cake! I love you!”

It was also announced that Lynn is donating items from her personal archives to the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History. Among the artifacts are a 1960s yellow gingham dress sewn by Lynn and a photograph of her wearing the dress while signing autographs; the red gown designed by Lynn’s longtime dressmaker Tim Cobb and worn by her as an honoree at the 26th Kennedy Center Honors in 2003; Lynn’s original handwritten lyrics to her hit single “Fist City;” and the first edition copies of her autobiographies—Coal Miner’s Daughter (1976) and Still Woman Enough (2002)—and more.

“As a little girl, I could never have imagined that I’d write books and wear dresses that would wind up in the Smithsonian. These are the kinds of things that make me realize what an amazing life I’ve been given and grateful for what I’m able to share with the world,” Lynn offered.

Black River Records Adds Whitney Nevitt As Marketing Manager

Whitney Nevitt

Black River Records has added a new face to its marketing team with the addition of Whitney Nevitt as Marketing Manager.

Prior to joining Black River, the Indiana University alumna worked at Premiere Networks for nearly seven years where she most recently served as the Manager, Talent and Brand Integration. In that role, Nevitt worked with Premiere Networks’ national radio shows, including The Bobby Bones Show, CMT After MidNite/CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan, and Most Requested Live with Romeo.

“Whitney brings a seasoned yet fresh approach to music marketing, and her reputation precedes her in all the best ways,” notes Black River Records’ VP of Marketing Tanya Schrage. “I can’t wait to see what she brings to the team!”

“I’m so excited to be joining the Black River team,” adds Nevitt. “Having seen firsthand through my experiences in radio the meteoric rise of Kelsea Ballerini‘s career over the years, I can’t wait to contribute to the success of the rest of their incredible roster of rising artists, including Ray Fulcher, MaRynn Taylor, and Josiah Siska. I want to thank Tanya for believing me to be the right fit for this role, and I look forward to working with her and the rest of the Black River family.”

Nevitt reports to Schrage and works out of Black River Entertainment’s Music Row offices. Reach her at wnevitt@blackriverent.com or by phone at 615-780-3070.

Gene Watson Celebrates 60 Years Of His Artistry At The Grand Ole Opry

Gene Watson with Dan Rogers, Vice President/Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Stephen Shepherd

The Grand Ole Opry recently honored member and legendary vocalist Gene Watson, who is celebrating 60 years in the music business.

During a performance on April 8, Dan Rogers, Vice President/Executive Producer of the Grand Ole Opry, presented Watson with the plaque after his show-stopping rendition of “Farewell Party” to commemorate his six decades as an artist, receiving a standing ovation from the packed Opry House audience.

Watson’s single “If It’s That Easy” was released to radio in 1962 via Sun Valley Records. Since then, he has charted 75 titles including 23 top 10 hits, six No. 1 country singles and five No. 1 gospel records.

Watson will release his new album, Outside the Box, this fall, as well as hit the road throughout 2022, adding more dates to his “60th Anniversary Tour.” For a full list of tour dates, click here.

Vanessa Beeswanger Joins Soundstripe As VP, Marketing

Vanessa Beeswanger

Soundstripe, a provider of high-quality, royalty-free music, video, and sound effects for creators, has hired music and tech industry veteran Vanessa Beeswanger as VP of Marketing. In this role, she will bring her experience from Splice, Kobalt Music, Microsoft, and more, overseeing all of the company’s marketing efforts, including brand and product marketing, customer acquisition, content marketing, PR, and communications.

Prior to joining Soundstripe, Beeswanger held multiple leadership roles in both music and tech for startups and large corporations. She most recently served as VP of Marketing at Splice, a leading platform for music creators, driving all aspects of the company’s brand, product, content, and performance marketing. Previously, Beeswanger was VP of Marketing at creator-centric music company Kobalt, where she led marketing efforts for AWAL’s music distribution services, helping to position the division for its eventual acquisition by Sony Music Entertainment. Beeswanger also served at Microsoft as a Marketing Communications Manager and later, a Technical Audience Marketing Manager.

“Vanessa brings an exciting breadth of marketing experience within the creator, music, and tech space to Soundstripe, and has an exciting vision for empowering even more creators through the Soundstripe brand,” says Drew Weaver, Chief Operating Officer at Soundstripe. “Her experience leading cross-functional marketing teams will be instrumental as we continue our rapid growth by providing high-quality music, sound effects, and video clips to creators at all stages, from solo social media influencers to teams within Fortune 500 enterprises.”

“I am thrilled to join Soundstripe, as I share a deep passion for the company’s mission to ‘Keep Creators Creating,’” adds Beeswanger. “The creator economy is booming and Soundstripe has established a name for itself as a provider of high-quality music and other fully licensed media, becoming an essential resource for YouTube and Instagram creators, video filmmakers and editors, Twitch streamers, podcasters, and more. I am excited to help the brand continue to grow and expand its reach to empower even more creators worldwide.”

Anthem Hosts “Songs & Stories” Writer’s Round With Kelly Archer, Trea Landon, More

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Archer, Dan Hill, Trea Landon and Adam Hambrick

Anthem Entertainment brought together award-winning songwriters Dan Hill, Kelly Archer, Trea Landon and Adam Hambrick last Thursday (April 7) to perform at Novel Edgehill in support of the W.O Smith School of Music. The event served as part of Anthem’s “Songs & Stories” program.

Throughout the evening, over $1,500 was raised and a new songwriter mentorship program blossomed to help bring music education to underprivileged kids in the Nashville community.