Shane Stevens
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
Shane Stevens is a Grammy and ACM nominated singer-songwriter who has written for a variety of country and pop acts, including Walker Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Sara Evans, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap, Jo Dee Messina, Jordin Sparks, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor.
The South Carolina native achieved his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2010 with “American Honey,” performed by Lady A and co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe. After achieving much success in writing country music, Stevens wanted to broaden his songwriting horizon and moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a new direction as a writer, vocal producer, and artist developer in the pop and R&B world.
While in Los Angeles, Stevens contributed songs to several pop artists, such as “Super Bad” and “Goodie Bag” by Jesse McCartney, “Everlasting Love” by Fifth Harmony, “Paper Doll” by Bea Miller, “Step On Up” by Ariana Grande, “Love Me or Leave Me” by Little Mix, “Woman Up” by Meghan Trainor, “Nobody” by Selena Gomez, and “I’ll Chase The Sky,” “No Better Feelin’” and “Neighsayer” on the 2017 My Little Pony soundtrack.
Stevens’ most recent accolades includes selling a country music musical movie to Paramount Pictures for which he wrote all original compositions alongside childhood friend Karyn Rochelle. He also co-wrote Walker Hayes‘ blockbuster hit “Fancy Like.”
MusicRow: Where did you grow up? What led you into music?
I was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was raised in a little town called Calabash, North Carolina, right on the state line. My dad was a shrimper and my family worked in the restaurant business. My parents led praise and worship in church, so that’s how I fell in love with music. But I hated country music—because my parents loved country music!
My sister and I were obsessed with Michael Jackson. My fourth grade school teacher was the first person to ever play me George Michael, which became a massive influence for me. She said, “One day you’re going to be just like him. You’re gonna write songs!” She was talking to this little gay kid who was being cast out and bullied by everybody else, reassuring me that I was going to be okay.
When did you learn to love country music?
Around 1994, I was in high school. My best friend Tina got her driver’s license first, so I would ride with her in her Subaru to school. We had a deal that if she would listen to Mariah Carey, George Michael, Paula Abdul, and Whitney Houston on the way there, I would listen to her crappy country music on the way back. (laughs)
She turned me onto Wynonna Judd. She played me “Is There Life Out There?” by Reba, and some Dolly stuff. It’s Tina’s fault, because she made it cool for me. And then I became obsessed with the storytelling.
Shane Stevens, Karyn Rochelle
How did you get to Nashville?
I had started doing karaoke contests and stuff like that. I would sing Clint Black‘s “Put Yourself In My Shoes” and Alan Jackson‘s “Here In The Real World.” I just got really into it. I went to Opryland auditions in Myrtle Beach and I met who would become my best friend, Karyn Rochelle.
When I was done with school, she asked me if I wanted to go to Nashville with her. So I was 17 when I came to Nashville.
What happened when you got here?
[Karyn and I] were writing and I [decided to go] to hair school, for my “just in case career,” and ended up working for Earl Cox and their team at Trumps [Salon] doing hair extensions. We did Sara Evans, Tammy Wynette, everybody. All these women that I wanted to write songs for, I ended up being their hairdresser.
At the same time, Karyn had been at Crutchfield [Music Publishing] for three or four years, and then she got signed with Pat Finch over at Famous Music. By then I had several songs that I really was proud of and an artist project going. She took my music to Pat and I got a phone call from Pat. He said, “Come over, I want to meet you.” And then he signed me [to my first publishing deal].
After some time in Nashville, you moved to New York, before moving back to Nashville in 2006. What brought you back?
[While in New York], I ended up sending [a song I wrote] to my friend Beka Tischker, who worked at Major Bob. She gave it to Bob Doyle and then he wanted to hear more songs. So I sent some other songs that I had, he loved it, and then I got a phone call. I was sitting at the Good Enough to Eat [restaurant] on the upper west side, across from the bar that I worked in called The Raccoon Lodge. Mike Doyle called and said, “Hey Shane, this is Mike Doyle. I want to offer you a publishing deal.” That was in 2006, and that was the last time I did hair—other than for fun.
I was free as a bird in New York City. I got so much energy from it and I loved creating there, but I would come back to Nashville and stay for a few weeks at a time. Jesse Frasure was my day to day publisher, and they just put me with the right people.
Shane Stevens, Hillary Lindsey
You had your first country hit with Lady A’s “American Honey” in 2019. What was that like?
Blew my freaking mind. Hillary, Cary and I went to Gatlinburg together for the first time and we started writing that song there. We didn’t finish it, we just had a bunch of different ideas. We brought them all home and Jesse Frasure was like, “Y’all have got to finish that song. That’s the one.” That opened the floodgates and then everything really started to happen.
You co-wrote one of the biggest hits of 2021, “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes. How fun has that ride been?
I knew [it was going to be a hit]. I knew it in my soul, and I knew it in my spirit. I told everybody in the room that day.
Walker says we wrote [“Fancy Like”] for people that go to strip malls; and we really did. We also wrote it for people like us, just normal country people [who feel like] going to an Applebee’s is an upgrade.
When you’re the songwriter, you’re not on the stage usually, so you’re not seeing the reaction of a crowd. But because of Instagram and TikTok, when a lot of that stuff can be so bad and hurtful, watching the joy from people and getting to experience it that way has been the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.
Selena Gomez & Shane Stevens in the studio.
In addition to your success in country music with songs recorded by Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Ronnie Milsap, and more, you’ve had a lot of success in the pop space as well, writing songs with and for Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Little Mix, and Jesse McCartney. Who have been some of your biggest champions?
Jesse Frasure, Mike Doyle, and Bob Doyle. Leslie Roberts gave me my first cut over at RCA, and then she went to BMI and she’s still been my champion. Whitney Daane really loves me and I really love her. Stephanie Wright and Allison Jones [are some more]. I have really great relationships with people. I’m not fair-weathered, I’m in it with ’em when it’s low, I’m in it with ’em when it’s high.
Pictured (top row, L-R): Bob Doyle (Owner, Purplebeat), Eric Daigle (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat), Mike Doyle (GM Purplebeat); (bottom row, L-R): Graham Kothman (Artist Relations Coordinator, Purplebeat ), Shane Stevens and Andy Friday (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat)
Now you’re back with Bob Doyle at Purplebeat.
Now I’m back with Bob. He hired my husband, Eric Daigle, to help run Purplebeat. It feels like I’m back with family and having this ride with “Fancy Like”—which came out the week that I signed my deal at Purplebeat. So we’re all winning together. It feels good to be on that team.
What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
There’s just too many. Most people would say their first No. 1 party or something, but I sang at Carnegie Hall a long time ago. I sang a solo on the stage of Carnegie Hall and Elaine Stritch introduced me. There was a snowstorm and what’s so crazy is I had holes in both bottoms of my shoes because I couldn’t afford to get new dress shoes. They were super cute, you would never know, but my socks were soaked. And I was singing this beautiful song on the Carnegie stage. That probably sounds silly to most people, because I had nowhere near made it, but being on a stage of that size was the biggest dream come true.
CMHOF To Feature Rodney Crowell In Upcoming Installment Of Poets And Prophets
/by Lydia FarthingThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature Rodney Crowell in its ongoing, in-depth interview series Poets and Prophets. The program is presented in support of the museum’s exhibit Outlaws & Armadillos: Country’s Roaring ’70s.
Taking place on Saturday, March 19 from 2:30-4 p.m. CT at the Museum’s Ford Theater, the program will include a performance and interview with Crowell, and will be illustrated with photos, film and recordings from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive.
Crowell started his career in Texas, playing drums in his father’s honky-tonk band at age 11. He has written more than a dozen No. 1 songs and a collection of hit songs, including “’Til I Gain Control Again” (Emmylou Harris, Crystal Gayle), “I Ain’t Living Long Like This” (Waylon Jennings), “Leaving Louisiana in the Broad Daylight” (Oak Ridge Boys), “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” (Rosanne Cash), “Shame on the Moon” (Bob Seger), “Ashes by Now” (Lee Ann Womack), “Please Remember Me” (Tim McGraw), “Song for the Life” (Alan Jackson) and “Making Memories of Us” (Keith Urban).
As a recording artist, Crowell’s 1988 album Diamonds & Dirt yielded five No. 1 singles, including “After All This Time.” The song, which he also wrote, took home a Grammy for Best Country Song.
Admission to Poets and Prophets is included with museum admission and free to museum members. For more information, click here.
The Poets and Prophets series features a variety of songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music. Previous songwriters featured include Bill Anderson, Gary Burr, Wayne Carson, Buzz Cason, Roger Cook, Sonny Curtis, Bob DiPiero, Tom Douglas, Dallas Frazier, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Roger Murrah, Paul Overstreet, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Jim Weatherly, Jimmy Webb, Craig Wiseman, and more.
Verge Records, ONErpm Team With 16camino For Radio Promotion Support
/by Lorie HollabaughVerge Records and parent company ONErpm have formed a new venture with indie artist development company 16camino. The partnership will provide country radio support exclusively for all Verge and select ONErpm artists.
The new partnership pairs Verge President/COO Mickey Jack Cones, ONErpm Founder/CEO Emmanuel Zunz and their staffs with 16camino co-founders and industry veterans John Ettinger and Ryan Barnstead.
The combined team will roll out songs from various Verge acts this year, including new music from Trace Adkins and newcomers Jay Allen and Scott Stevens.
Ettinger and Barnstead have both notched more than 30 No. 1 singles. Ettinger helped Bon Jovi secure a No. 1 on the country charts with “Who Says You Can’t Go Home,” guided three of Shania Twain’s albums to No. 1, and was instrumental in launching Sugarland, Billy Currington and Love & Theft, among others.
Barnstead has worked with numerous artists ranging from Miranda Lambert and Gretchen Wilson, where he earned the fastest-rising debut single for Wilson in chart history, to rock icons John Mellencamp and Bruce Springsteen.
“John and I have worked together for almost two decades. Having him and Ryan aboard to activate our all-in push with country radio is the perfect partnership,” shares Cones. “They work smart and effectively, always bringing the positive energy, are highly respected in the business and deliver results—all attributes we strive for at Verge and ONErpm.”
“I immediately contacted Mickey Jack when he and Emmanuel relaunched Verge,” adds Ettinger. “I saw they were after quality before anything else, quality music and quality relationships. We’re so happy and proud to join in that effort.”
Nashville Songwriter Kerry Chater Passes
/by Robert K OermannSinger-songwriter Kerry Chater has died at age 76.
Chater is best known as the co-writer of such chart-topping hits as “You Look So Good in Love” (George Strait, 1984), “I Know a Heartache When I See One” (Jennifer Warnes, 1979), “You’re the First Time I’ve Thought About Leaving” (Reba McEntire, 1983) and the Grammy nominated “I.O.U.” (Lee Greenwood, 1983).
Born in Vancouver, Canada in 1945, Kerry Michael Chater was trained as a keyboardist and arranger. In 1966 in San Diego, he became a founding member of the hit pop band Gary Puckett & The Union Gap (“Woman, Woman,” “Young Girl,” “Lady Willpower,” etc.). Chater played bass in the group, was its bandleader and co-wrote some of its album tracks.
He left the Union Gap in 1970 to pursue a solo career. Chater studied musical theater and wrote several shows that were produced in Los Angeles in the 1970s.
Signed by Warner Bros. Records, he debuted as a solo artist with the 1976 LP Part Time Love. Its title track appeared briefly on the pop charts in 1977. Love on a Shoestring was issued as his second album in 1978.
“I Know a Heartache When I See One” launched his hit-making career as a songwriter in 1979. In addition to its pop and country hit version by Jennifer Warnes, the song was recorded by Jo Dee Messina, Anne Kirkpatrick, Lisa Brokop, Charlotte Whitted, Donna Fargo, Sandy Posey and a number of others.
The big hits by Strait, McEntire and Greenwood ensued in the 1980s. The Strait hit “You Look So Good in Love” has also been sung by such artists as Blake Shelton, Craig Wayne Boyd and Jamie Foxx.
Kerry Chater also co-wrote Alabama’s 1989 No. 1 hit “If I Had You.” Other notable titles by him include Michael Martin Murphey’s “What She Wants” (1985), Charlie Rich’s “Even a Fool Would Let Go” (1980), Paul Brandt’s “I Meant to Do That” (1997) and Jessica Andrews’ “You Go First” (1999).
Among the others who have recorded his songs are Kenny Rogers, Joe Cocker, Mindy McCready, Restless Heart, Highway 101, Loretta Lynn & Conway Twitty, Anne Murray, Eddy Raven, Dolly Parton and Lorrie Morgan.
A resident of Music City since 1987, Chater married songwriter Lynn Gillespie, who became his composing collaborator. In recent years, they have been co-writing with bluegrass star Donna Ulisse.
The couple also wrote books. The Chaters have published three thrillers, Kill Point, Blood Debt and Fortune’s Web. In addition, they have collaborated on a musical and produced four Kerry Charter solo CDs.
Kerry Chater is an alumnus of Leadership Music. He passed away on Feb. 4. No cause of death has been disclosed.
He is survived by his wife Lynn Gillespie Chater, by daughter Jesse Kirchhoff, by sons Kerry Jr. and Christopher and by four granddaughters. Funeral arrangements were handled by Heritage Funeral Home in Columbia, Tennessee.
Spirit Music Group Acquires 90% Of Jason Aldean’s Recorded Music Catalog
/by LB CantrellJason Aldean
Spirit Music Group has announced the acquisition of the recorded music catalog of multi-Platinum recording artist, Jason Aldean.
The acquisition includes 90% of Aldean’s recorded music catalog and encompasses nine albums in total, including 24 No. 1 songs, 34 Top 10 songs, and six RIAA certified Platinum albums. Covering Aldean’s discography, starting from his self-titled debut Platinum album in 2005 through his ninth album, 9, the acquisition also includes neighboring rights and SoundExchange royalties. Aldean retains an income interest.
BBR Music Group still owns their portion of the catalog, as well as certain distribution rights with respect to Aldean.
After 17 years of recording, Aldean has established himself as one of music’s biggest superstars. Named ACM Artist of the Decade, the BMG/Broken Bow artist has made his own lane with his country music with rock sensibilities.
“It’s cool that a company like Spirit, that’s been around so long, has taken on my music catalog. It’s something really important to me, so I’m glad it’ll be looked after,” offers the country superstar.
“Jason Aldean has been a consistent hitmaker and trailblazer in country music for nearly two decades. His recordings have helped define the sound of modern country music. Spirit Music Group is excited to partner with Jason and we look forward to further championing these important recordings to the world,” adds Frank Rogers, CEO, Spirit Music Nashville.
“Jason Aldean is one of country music’s elite headliners and the breadth and depth of his work is undeniable,” says Jon Singer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group. “We welcome Jason’s impressive collection of works to the Spirit Music Group catalog and are committed to being an active partner in safeguarding and building upon the success of these recordings.”
Aldean was represented in the deal by Kent Marcus from Marcus & Colvin LLP. Spirit was represented by Reed Smith.
Kelly Clarkson Joins ACM Performance Lineup For Special Dolly Parton Tribute
/by Lydia FarthingOn top of an already star-studded lineup of performers and award nominees, two-time ACM award-winner Kelly Clarkson has joined the lineup for the upcoming 57th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Clarkson will perform a tribute to this year’s host and country icon Dolly Parton. The American Idol alum first shared the news on her nationally syndicated The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Clarkson, who has received five ACM Award nominations, has previously performed on the ACM stage at the 2019, 2018, 2013, and 2007 shows.
Previously announced performers include Parton with Kelsea Ballerini, co-hosts Gabby Barrett and Jimmie Allen, Jason Aldean, Breland, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Jordan Davis, Walker Hayes, Maren Morris, Brothers Osborne, Parmalee and Blanco Brown featuring Brooke Eden, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, Thomas Rhett, Brittney Spencer, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood, and Chris Young featuring Mitchell Tenpenny.
The 57th Academy of Country Music Awards will livestream exclusively on Prime Video, Monday, March 7 at 7 p.m. CT. The two-hour show, featuring more than 20 performances, will take place live without commercial interruption from Allegiant Stadium in Las Vegas.
My Music Row Story: Shane Stevens
/by LB CantrellShane Stevens
Shane Stevens is a Grammy and ACM nominated singer-songwriter who has written for a variety of country and pop acts, including Walker Hayes, Carrie Underwood, Lady A, Sara Evans, Kellie Pickler, Ronnie Milsap, Jo Dee Messina, Jordin Sparks, Fifth Harmony, Little Mix, Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande and Meghan Trainor.
The South Carolina native achieved his first No. 1 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart in 2010 with “American Honey,” performed by Lady A and co-written with Hillary Lindsey and Cary Barlowe. After achieving much success in writing country music, Stevens wanted to broaden his songwriting horizon and moved to Los Angeles in 2014 to pursue a new direction as a writer, vocal producer, and artist developer in the pop and R&B world.
While in Los Angeles, Stevens contributed songs to several pop artists, such as “Super Bad” and “Goodie Bag” by Jesse McCartney, “Everlasting Love” by Fifth Harmony, “Paper Doll” by Bea Miller, “Step On Up” by Ariana Grande, “Love Me or Leave Me” by Little Mix, “Woman Up” by Meghan Trainor, “Nobody” by Selena Gomez, and “I’ll Chase The Sky,” “No Better Feelin’” and “Neighsayer” on the 2017 My Little Pony soundtrack.
Stevens’ most recent accolades includes selling a country music musical movie to Paramount Pictures for which he wrote all original compositions alongside childhood friend Karyn Rochelle. He also co-wrote Walker Hayes‘ blockbuster hit “Fancy Like.”
MusicRow: Where did you grow up? What led you into music?
I was born in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. I was raised in a little town called Calabash, North Carolina, right on the state line. My dad was a shrimper and my family worked in the restaurant business. My parents led praise and worship in church, so that’s how I fell in love with music. But I hated country music—because my parents loved country music!
My sister and I were obsessed with Michael Jackson. My fourth grade school teacher was the first person to ever play me George Michael, which became a massive influence for me. She said, “One day you’re going to be just like him. You’re gonna write songs!” She was talking to this little gay kid who was being cast out and bullied by everybody else, reassuring me that I was going to be okay.
When did you learn to love country music?
Around 1994, I was in high school. My best friend Tina got her driver’s license first, so I would ride with her in her Subaru to school. We had a deal that if she would listen to Mariah Carey, George Michael, Paula Abdul, and Whitney Houston on the way there, I would listen to her crappy country music on the way back. (laughs)
She turned me onto Wynonna Judd. She played me “Is There Life Out There?” by Reba, and some Dolly stuff. It’s Tina’s fault, because she made it cool for me. And then I became obsessed with the storytelling.
Shane Stevens, Karyn Rochelle
How did you get to Nashville?
I had started doing karaoke contests and stuff like that. I would sing Clint Black‘s “Put Yourself In My Shoes” and Alan Jackson‘s “Here In The Real World.” I just got really into it. I went to Opryland auditions in Myrtle Beach and I met who would become my best friend, Karyn Rochelle.
When I was done with school, she asked me if I wanted to go to Nashville with her. So I was 17 when I came to Nashville.
What happened when you got here?
[Karyn and I] were writing and I [decided to go] to hair school, for my “just in case career,” and ended up working for Earl Cox and their team at Trumps [Salon] doing hair extensions. We did Sara Evans, Tammy Wynette, everybody. All these women that I wanted to write songs for, I ended up being their hairdresser.
At the same time, Karyn had been at Crutchfield [Music Publishing] for three or four years, and then she got signed with Pat Finch over at Famous Music. By then I had several songs that I really was proud of and an artist project going. She took my music to Pat and I got a phone call from Pat. He said, “Come over, I want to meet you.” And then he signed me [to my first publishing deal].
After some time in Nashville, you moved to New York, before moving back to Nashville in 2006. What brought you back?
[While in New York], I ended up sending [a song I wrote] to my friend Beka Tischker, who worked at Major Bob. She gave it to Bob Doyle and then he wanted to hear more songs. So I sent some other songs that I had, he loved it, and then I got a phone call. I was sitting at the Good Enough to Eat [restaurant] on the upper west side, across from the bar that I worked in called The Raccoon Lodge. Mike Doyle called and said, “Hey Shane, this is Mike Doyle. I want to offer you a publishing deal.” That was in 2006, and that was the last time I did hair—other than for fun.
I was free as a bird in New York City. I got so much energy from it and I loved creating there, but I would come back to Nashville and stay for a few weeks at a time. Jesse Frasure was my day to day publisher, and they just put me with the right people.
Shane Stevens, Hillary Lindsey
You had your first country hit with Lady A’s “American Honey” in 2019. What was that like?
Blew my freaking mind. Hillary, Cary and I went to Gatlinburg together for the first time and we started writing that song there. We didn’t finish it, we just had a bunch of different ideas. We brought them all home and Jesse Frasure was like, “Y’all have got to finish that song. That’s the one.” That opened the floodgates and then everything really started to happen.
You co-wrote one of the biggest hits of 2021, “Fancy Like” by Walker Hayes. How fun has that ride been?
I knew [it was going to be a hit]. I knew it in my soul, and I knew it in my spirit. I told everybody in the room that day.
Walker says we wrote [“Fancy Like”] for people that go to strip malls; and we really did. We also wrote it for people like us, just normal country people [who feel like] going to an Applebee’s is an upgrade.
When you’re the songwriter, you’re not on the stage usually, so you’re not seeing the reaction of a crowd. But because of Instagram and TikTok, when a lot of that stuff can be so bad and hurtful, watching the joy from people and getting to experience it that way has been the coolest thing that has ever happened to me.
Selena Gomez & Shane Stevens in the studio.
In addition to your success in country music with songs recorded by Sara Evans, Carrie Underwood, Ronnie Milsap, and more, you’ve had a lot of success in the pop space as well, writing songs with and for Selena Gomez, Ariana Grande, Little Mix, and Jesse McCartney. Who have been some of your biggest champions?
Jesse Frasure, Mike Doyle, and Bob Doyle. Leslie Roberts gave me my first cut over at RCA, and then she went to BMI and she’s still been my champion. Whitney Daane really loves me and I really love her. Stephanie Wright and Allison Jones [are some more]. I have really great relationships with people. I’m not fair-weathered, I’m in it with ’em when it’s low, I’m in it with ’em when it’s high.
Pictured (top row, L-R): Bob Doyle (Owner, Purplebeat), Eric Daigle (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat), Mike Doyle (GM Purplebeat); (bottom row, L-R): Graham Kothman (Artist Relations Coordinator, Purplebeat ), Shane Stevens and Andy Friday (Co-Head of Creative, Purplebeat)
Now you’re back with Bob Doyle at Purplebeat.
Now I’m back with Bob. He hired my husband, Eric Daigle, to help run Purplebeat. It feels like I’m back with family and having this ride with “Fancy Like”—which came out the week that I signed my deal at Purplebeat. So we’re all winning together. It feels good to be on that team.
What is one of the proudest moments of your career?
There’s just too many. Most people would say their first No. 1 party or something, but I sang at Carnegie Hall a long time ago. I sang a solo on the stage of Carnegie Hall and Elaine Stritch introduced me. There was a snowstorm and what’s so crazy is I had holes in both bottoms of my shoes because I couldn’t afford to get new dress shoes. They were super cute, you would never know, but my socks were soaked. And I was singing this beautiful song on the Carnegie stage. That probably sounds silly to most people, because I had nowhere near made it, but being on a stage of that size was the biggest dream come true.
Magnolia Music Group Launches With Randy Houser As Flagship Artist
/by LB CantrellA new label, Magnolia Music Group, announced its launch on Wednesday (Feb. 23) with Platinum-selling country artist Randy Houser as its flagship artist.
Heather Propper and Kimmie Trosdahl join the Magnolia Music Group team as Co-VPs of Radio Promotion; Emily Hoch signs on as Coordinator; and Kyleigh Roberts joins as Director of Content.
Randy Houser. Photo: Rachel Deeb
“We are thrilled to have Heather and Kimmie onboard, as they personify the passion, experience, work ethic and talent that will position Magnolia to thrive,” shares Nick Hartley, Steadfast founder and manager for Houser. “The timing couldn’t be better for Magnolia to ramp up radio, streaming and visual roles as Randy gets ready to deliver the best music of his career, all while preparing for an aggressive touring schedule and roles in two major feature films due later this year.”
“I couldn’t be more excited about the creation of Magnolia Music Group and feel like it’s time to be more present than ever,” shares Houser. “Magnolia’s commitment to artistry is very important to me and has been a cocoon of safety for me while writing and recording new music. I can’t wait to emerge and share what we’ve been creating!”
Propper spent five years at KMLE/ Phoenix, followed by over a decade at Stoney Creek/BMG and Warner Music Nashville. Trosdahl was most recently with Warner Music Nashville, with prior stops at Wheelhouse/BMG and Bigger Picture, while Roberts’ previous stops include Roy Orbison’s Still Working Music Group.
Magnolia will leverage data and new technologies as it positions itself for long-term sustainability across label, publishing and catalogue divisions. Magnolia will be distributed by Empire and utilize Thinkswell’s marketing services.
Magnolia is currently hiring additional positions in radio, streaming and visual departments, with new team members to be announced soon.
Reach Propper at heather@magnoliamusicgroup.com, Trosdahl at kimmie@magnoliamusicgroup.com, Hoch at emily@magnoliamusicgroup.com, and Roberts at kyleigh@magnoliamusicgroup.com.
JUST IN: CRB Announces 2022 Country Radio Hall Of Fame Honorees
/by Lydia FarthingThe Country Radio Broadcasters have announced the Class of 2022 Country Radio Hall of Fame honorees. Multi-Platinum recording artist Jason Aldean revealed the new inductees during CRS Honors on Wednesday (Feb. 23) at CRS 2022.
Becky Brenner and Barry Mardit will be honored as off-air radio broadcasters, while Whitney Allen, Debbie Conner, Cathy Martindale, and Rachel & Grumwald will be inducted as on-air radio personalities.
CRB’s Country Radio Hall of Fame Committee Chairman, Joel Raab, says: “This Radio Hall of Fame Class has made us all proud! Congratulations to this esteemed group of dedicated professionals who have given so much of themselves to country radio.”
The Country Radio Hall of Fame serves to recognize individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format.
The new class will be inducted during the annual Country Radio Hall of Fame Ceremony on June 30 at the Virgin Hotel in Nashville. Exact times and ticket information will be released closer to the event.
About the 2022 Honorees:
Becky Brenner is a 45-year industry veteran and one of the most respected programmers in country radio. Currently, she is a Consulting Partner with Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists. Her combined 26 years at KMPS/Seattle, handling on-air, promotions, music, programming and Dir./Operation duties, led KMPS to win two CMA Station of the Year Awards. She is the recipient of the 2011 Lifetime Achievement Award in Programming from the MIW Organization, a 20-yearlong CRB Board member and past President of the organization, and has served on the CMA Board since 2005.
Barry Mardit has spent 47 years in the radio industry. His successful career includes major market programming stops at WEEP/Pittsburgh and WWWW/Detroit. During his 12-year tenure at WWWW, he earned Billboard, CMA Program Director, and Station of the Year honors, and a NAB Marconi Award. Mardit is still active in radio with Barry Mardit Consulting and he services on the CRB/CRS Agenda Committee.
Whitney Allen began her career in 1979 and quickly segued to country radio in 1982. After spending two years at Country KCBQ/San Diego, she jumped to the Los Angeles market at Top 40 Pirate Radio, followed by KIIS. After joining the nationally syndicated After Midnite in 1995 where she handled weekends for eight years, she was hired for afternoons at KZLA/Los Angeles (2003). She since has created and hosted the nationally syndicated weekend show America’s Hot List (2005) and expanded to night shows The Big Time and Big Time Saturday Night. Whitney holds multiple CMA and ACM Personality of the Year nominations, is a Radio Hall of Fame nominee, and a 2018 Gracie Award recipient.
Debbie Conner began her radio career in 1966 and soon become a pioneering female broadcaster and programmer. She’s left her mark in many markets throughout her career, including stops at KHAK/Cedar Rapids, IA, WMPS/Memphis, WSAI/Cincinnati, WCAO/Baltimore, WYCT/Pensacola, and WIL/St. Louis. She spent 12 years at WIL/St. Louis, where she earned multiple ACM and CMA Personality of the Year nominations and won the Billboard Personality of The Year award. She previously served as a midday host on the Sirius Satellite Roadhouse Channel and has hosted Country Oldies Hall of Fame Segments since 2014.
Cathy Martindale is a trailblazing female figure in radio. She began her country radio career in 1974 at KSCS/Dallas, where she served as PD, APD, and MD. In 1983, she took a job with WSM AM/FM, which she held for 17 years, doing mornings, afternoons, and even working as the Music Director. She became the first female to achieve the No. 1 rated drive-time show on Nashville radio during that time. From 1984 to 1994, she hosted Nashville Network (Video PM, Country Beat), and in 1993, she began co-hosting Racing Country/Racing Country Classic, which is heard in roughly 200 markets. She is a three-time finalist for CMA Large Market and/or Syndicated Personality of the Year and is a member of the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame.
Rachel & Grunwald have been a part of the morning team at WYCD/Detroit since 2005 and are both deeply embedded in community service efforts. Rachel is a 2013 Gracie Award recipient and Grunwald is a part-time police officer in his community. They received the NAB Marconi Award in 2012 and 2016 as well as Best Morning Show from the Michigan Association of Broadcasters in 2017 and 2019. Additionally, they have received multiple CMA and ACM Personalities of the Year nominations.
Spotify Announces ‘Run, Rose, Run’ Bookcast With Dolly Parton & James Patterson
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman
Spotify has announced a new immersive audio experience with Dolly Parton and author James Patterson that blends storytelling with original music for the Run, Rose, Run Bookcast.
Beginning on Feb. 23, the bookcast will be available exclusively on Spotify with multiple episodes releasing weekly. In partnership with Parton and Patterson, it will combine excerpts of their co-authored fiction novel with its original soundtrack written, produced, and recorded by Parton.
Set in Nashville, Run, Rose, Run centers around an aspiring female artist who comes to country music’s capital to pursue her music-making dreams. Behind the inspiration of her songs is a secret she has done everything to conceal, but she soon learns that her past is threatening the future she is trying to build.
Run, Rose, Run pairs Patterson’s character-building and dramatic skills with Parton’s unparalleled insight into the music world’s star-making machinery.
“I’ve been a fan of Dolly Parton’s storytelling for years, so I was thrilled to collaborate with her on Run, Rose, Run and bring these characters to life,” explains Patterson. “The music she’s created around this project is incredible, and I’m grateful that Spotify has given us the opportunity to bring listeners a new experience of the book and album.”
“I still can’t believe that I get to launch Spotify’s first ever Bookcast with my buddy James Patterson. What a great way to reach out to listeners all around the world,” adds Parton. “When we wrote this book together, I felt I could contribute best by sticking to my first love, music. James and I hope that listeners will be able to feel the connection between the book and the album as we work to bring this story and these characters to life, as only two storytellers can.”
Following the Bookcast premiere, Parton will release the Run, Rose, Run soundtrack on March 4 through Butterfly Records in partnership with Ingrooves/UM. The album will also mark the first-ever soundtrack for a novel. On March 7 the novel will be released simultaneously with the last six episodes of the Bookcast.
“We are honored to partner with Dolly Parton and James Patterson on Run, Rose, Run, a trailblazing audio experience from two of the world’s most prolific creators, that combines Spotify’s core elements–music and spoken audio,” says Dawn Ostroff, Spotify’s Chief Content and Advertising Business Officer. “This unique audio experience exemplifies the limitless potential of audio and Spotify’s commitment to partnering with exceptional creative talent on new innovative formats.”
Why&How Launches New Philanthropy-Focused Sector
/by Lorie HollabaughArtist management and entertainment company Why&How has launched a new philanthropic arm, Why&How Impact.
With a focus on giving back, Why&How Impact pairs each of its two dozen artists with an organization of their choosing, providing aid both monetarily and through volunteered time in the community.
Current organizations involved with the initiative include Best Friends Animal Society, CASA, CCK, Cotton Fest Fund, The Independence Fund, Nashville Humane Association, Hungry Heroes, National Fallen Firefighters Foundation, HDEU, No Kid Hungry and Stand Up 4 Health.
Spearheaded by newly-appointed Impact/Event Coordinator Mclane Rosen, Why&How Impact aims to create a ripple effect throughout the industry and place a new emphasis on giving back. The personalized approach to selecting organizations allows each artist to get involved with a cause they’re passionate about, with more charities to be announced in the coming months.
“We have built a company with a passion for upholding three core values: family, faith, and philanthropy,” Why&How CEO and Founder Bruce Kalmick shares. “The heart and soul behind this vision allows us to combine our resources and influence to help facilitate a wide variety of philanthropic endeavors for our clients. Just as we can’t preach about being family first and then miss a game, we wanted to realize our desire to give back and brought in Mclane to lead our new Impact division. We all have to find faith in something, and for us it is continuing to make a difference in lives across the world.”
In addition to the organizations paired with each artist, Why&How will choose a charity to focus on each yea. For 2022, the company has selected No Kid Hungry, which works to end child hunger in America. Those interested in donating can do so here.
For more information on Why&How Impact, click here.