Kenny Chesney. Photo: Danny Clinch
Hipgnosis Song Management has acquired a catalog from Kenny Chesney.
The acquisition includes 80% of Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering his discography from his critically acclaimed 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
Chesney’s catalog includes 22 albums, 15 of which are certified Platinum—including five multi-Platinum certifications—and 20 of which that are certified Gold. His catalog includes nine No. 1 all-genre Billboard 200 albums, 17 No. 1 Billboard Country Albums and 18 Top 10 Billboard Country albums.
Also included in this acquisition are his future greatest hits, live and/or acoustic albums, as well as Sound Exchange and Neighboring Rights royalties for every album in Chesney’s catalog, including two additional No. 1 albums: 2018’s Songs for the Saints and 2020’s Here and Now. This deal signals an ongoing relationship with the star.
Chesney has been one of country music’s most prolific voices over the last two decades. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, with 34 country No. 1 records. The eight-time Entertainer of the Year is a highly regarded artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and steward of country music.
This is the first acquisition made by Hipgnosis Song Management since its recently announced partnership with Blackstone to acquire music rights and manage catalogs.
“To know that this music has a home that views the work as a collective body, something that builds on itself and captures the heart of No Shoes Nation, was important to me,” Chesney shares. “How these songs live going forward is critical, and I believe Merck [Mercuriadis, Founder of Hipgnosis Song Management] has the best interests of not just the recordings but the people who love them as his driving interest. For the people who love these songs and albums, this is a scenario that allows the music to grow and reflect who those of us living inside these songs truly are.”
Chesney was represented in the deal by his longtime manager Clint Higham at Morris Higham Management and lawyer Jess Rosen at Greenberg Traurig.
“Kenny Chesney is one of the truly great American artists. He has been bringing joy to music fans all over the world for almost 30 years,” says Mercuriadis. “His incredible success of more than 30 million records sold including nine No. 1 albums on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and 17 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Country chart tells you everything you need to know. Add in his unparalleled success as a touring artist and the juggernaut that is No Shoes Radio, and you realize Kenny is genuinely a phenomenon. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to welcome Kenny and Clint to the Hipgnosis Songs family and we are delighted to launch our new Blackstone backed fund with this landmark acquisition.”
Higham adds, “Kenny has put his life into amassing the collected body of work contained here, and it’s something we have all taken very seriously throughout his unprecedented career. There is no deal that is more important than protecting the legacy of these songs. Working with Merck and his team to secure this deal, we found people who are as serious about the recordings as we are, and that suggests there is an incredible future for Kenny’s recorded music through the Hipgnosis team.”
Justin Moore Slates Headlining Arena Run To Kick Off In April
/by Lorie HollabaughMulti-Platinum entertainer Justin Moore will embark on a 12-date arena tour, called the “Country On It Tour,” beginning April 22. Granger Smith will join as direct support with the Reeves Brothers, Scott Stevens, Heath Sanders, Lucas Hoge, and Sean Stemaly joining on various dates throughout.
Criss-crossing across the country, the tour will visit Knoxville, Pensacola, and more through September before wrapping at Spokane’s First Interstate Center on Sept. 17. Tickets for the dates will go on sale this Friday (Jan. 21) at 10 a.m. local time.
Moore’s latest single, “With a Woman You Love,” is currently climbing up the charts, and a new studio album is expected later this year. The Arkansas native also recently joined as a regular co-host on 103.7 The Buzz’s sports talk show, Morning Mayhem. Through the show, the singer-songwriter outs his sports knowledge on display on-air every weekday morning.
“C0untry On It Tour” Dates:
Apr. 22 | Pensacola Bay Center | Pensacola, FL –
May 5 | Knoxville Civic Auditorium | Knoxville, TN +
May 6 | Mountain Health Arena | Huntington, WV +
May 12 | Angel of the Winds Arena | Everett, WA ^
May 13 | Toyota Center | Kennewick, WA ^
May 14 | Ford Idaho Center | Nampa, ID ^
May 19 | Hartman Arena | Park City, KS #
May 20 | Ralston Arena | Ralston, NE #
May 21 | Mayo Clinic Event Center | Mankato, MN #
Sept. 15 | First Interstate Arena | Billings, MT ~
Sept. 16 | Butte Civic Center | Butte, MT ~**
Sept. 17 | First Interstate Center | Spokane, WA ~
Additional Openers:
– Reeves Brothers
+ Scott Stevens
^ Heath Sanders
# Lucas Hoge
~ Sean Stemaly
**No Granger Smith
Hipgnosis Song Management Acquires Kenny Chesney Catalog
/by LB CantrellKenny Chesney. Photo: Danny Clinch
Hipgnosis Song Management has acquired a catalog from Kenny Chesney.
The acquisition includes 80% of Chesney’s recorded music royalties, covering his discography from his critically acclaimed 1994 debut In My Wildest Dreams through 2017’s Live in No Shoes Nation.
Chesney’s catalog includes 22 albums, 15 of which are certified Platinum—including five multi-Platinum certifications—and 20 of which that are certified Gold. His catalog includes nine No. 1 all-genre Billboard 200 albums, 17 No. 1 Billboard Country Albums and 18 Top 10 Billboard Country albums.
Also included in this acquisition are his future greatest hits, live and/or acoustic albums, as well as Sound Exchange and Neighboring Rights royalties for every album in Chesney’s catalog, including two additional No. 1 albums: 2018’s Songs for the Saints and 2020’s Here and Now. This deal signals an ongoing relationship with the star.
Chesney has been one of country music’s most prolific voices over the last two decades. He has sold over 30 million albums worldwide, with 34 country No. 1 records. The eight-time Entertainer of the Year is a highly regarded artist, songwriter, entrepreneur, and steward of country music.
This is the first acquisition made by Hipgnosis Song Management since its recently announced partnership with Blackstone to acquire music rights and manage catalogs.
“To know that this music has a home that views the work as a collective body, something that builds on itself and captures the heart of No Shoes Nation, was important to me,” Chesney shares. “How these songs live going forward is critical, and I believe Merck [Mercuriadis, Founder of Hipgnosis Song Management] has the best interests of not just the recordings but the people who love them as his driving interest. For the people who love these songs and albums, this is a scenario that allows the music to grow and reflect who those of us living inside these songs truly are.”
Chesney was represented in the deal by his longtime manager Clint Higham at Morris Higham Management and lawyer Jess Rosen at Greenberg Traurig.
“Kenny Chesney is one of the truly great American artists. He has been bringing joy to music fans all over the world for almost 30 years,” says Mercuriadis. “His incredible success of more than 30 million records sold including nine No. 1 albums on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and 17 No. 1 albums on Billboard’s Country chart tells you everything you need to know. Add in his unparalleled success as a touring artist and the juggernaut that is No Shoes Radio, and you realize Kenny is genuinely a phenomenon. It’s a pleasure and a privilege to welcome Kenny and Clint to the Hipgnosis Songs family and we are delighted to launch our new Blackstone backed fund with this landmark acquisition.”
Higham adds, “Kenny has put his life into amassing the collected body of work contained here, and it’s something we have all taken very seriously throughout his unprecedented career. There is no deal that is more important than protecting the legacy of these songs. Working with Merck and his team to secure this deal, we found people who are as serious about the recordings as we are, and that suggests there is an incredible future for Kenny’s recorded music through the Hipgnosis team.”
Robert Earl Keen To Retire From The Road In 2022
/by Lydia FarthingRobert Earl Keen. Photo: Nick Doll
Renowned singer-songwriter Robert Earl Keen has announced that after Sept. 4, 2022, he will no longer be touring or giving public performances.
He shared the news on Friday (Jan. 14) with a heartfelt message on his website and social media platforms entitled “Time Flies.”
“I have been blessed with a lifetime of brilliant, talented, colorful, electric and magical folks throughout my life,” Keen wrote. “It’s with a mysterious concoction of joy and sadness that I want to tell you as of Sept. 4, 2022, I will no longer tour and perform publicly. I plan to continue to write songs, and interview a wide variety of celebrities and contributors for our Americana Podcast. I also embrace this as an opportunity to further support the musical community and the ever expanding body of young talent on our horizon.”
He continued, “As much as I love what I do, it’s more important that I do it well or not at all. I’m not sick or experiencing any existential crisis. I feel that making a decision and quitting the road while I still love it, is the way I want to leave it. I’ve witnessed first hand the alternative and promised myself I would go out feeling all the love for music and performing the same way I entered—with passion and enthusiasm.”
The 66-year-old entertainer will continue performing up until Sept. 2022, including a stop at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 18. The rescheduled date was originally part of his “Road To Christmas Tour,” slated for last December.
Keen will wrap up his touring career with multiple performances at Floore’s Country Store in Helotes, Texas. Following the final performance, he will also host a fan-appreciation party on Sept. 5. Details will be announced in the coming weeks.
A native of Houston, Keen celebrates a nearly four decade-long career and a number of successful songs, including “The Front Porch Song,” which he wrote with Lyle Lovett; his signature “The Road Goes on Forever,” recorded for 1989’s West Textures on Sugar Hill Records; “I Gotta Go;” “Feelin’ Good Again;” and the holiday classic “Merry Christmas From The Family.”
Throughout his career, he has released 12 studio albums and seven live albums.
Gorley Starts 2022 Atop MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAshley Gorley
Like he did for much of 2021, Ashley Gorley sits atop the first MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart of 2022.
Gorley is a co-writer on a whopping eight charting songs, including “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), and “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland).
Jesse Frasure follows Gorley at No. 2. His current singles include “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown), “If I Was A Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert), and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).
Rhett Akins (No. 3), Michael Hardy (No. 4) and Eric Church (No. 5) round out MusicRow‘s first Top Songwriter Chart of 2022.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Weekly Register: Maren Morris’ ‘Circles Around This Town’ Adds To Growing List Of Achievements
/by Lydia FarthingMaren Morris. Photo: Claire Schaper
Maren Morris continues to make waves with her first taste of new music in nearly three years. Her latest release, “Circles Around This Town,” debuts at No. 2 on the country streaming song chart this week as she earns 6.9 million first-week streams, according to MRC data. The track has also broken a handful of first-day streaming records and was the most added at country radio last week.
Walker Hayes‘ “Fancy Like” remains in the top spot with 7.6 million streams, while Taylor Swift‘s “All Too Well (Taylor’s Version)” falls to third as it adds an additional 6.7 million streams. “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) stays in fourth with 5.8 million streams and “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown) drops down one to fifth as it earns 5.1 million streams.
Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album continues to be the most consumed album this week, with 43K in total consumption (2.2K album only and 51 million song streams), according to MRC data. He also claims No. 4 as If I Know Me sees 14K in total consumption. Swift maintains her spot at No. 2 with Red (Taylor’s Version) earning 33K in total consumption. Luke Combs takes up the remaining third and fifth positions as What You See Is What You Get adds 17K and This One’s For You adds 14K in total consumption, respectively.
MusicRow Promotes LB Cantrell To Director Of Operations & Content
/by Sherod RobertsonLB Cantrell
MusicRow magazine’s LB Cantrell has been promoted to Director of Operations & Content.
Cantrell will now oversee, manage, and help execute company operations, while continuing to guide all MusicRow and MusicRow-related content.
“LB quickly became an integral part of our MusicRow team after joining the publication,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “The combination of her skillset, work ethic, and enthusiasm created the perfect alignment for this new expanded role. I have no doubt that our team, as well as our readers, will benefit having LB serve as our Director of Operations & Content.”
Cantrell has been a part of the inception of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, the launch of the publication’s updated website, the expansion of the MusicRow Awards, and more.
The Georgia native and graduate from the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University began her music career at MusicRow as an intern in the beginning of 2018.
Cantrell can be reached at LBcantrell@musicrow.com.
Wasserman Music Signs Madeline Edwards
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Wasserman Sr. VP, Lenore Kinder; Madeline Edwards; Wasserman VP of Branding, Chappel McCollister; Sam I Am’s Samantha Borenstein
Wasserman Music has signed rising singer-songwriter Madeline Edwards to its talent roster. She will be represented by Wasserman Sr. VP, Lenore Kinder.
Edwards has been recognized for her unique sound that incorporates jazz, soul, gospel and country influences. She made her national television debut at the 2021 CMA Awards, joining Mickey Guyton and Brittney Spencer onstage to perform “Love My Hair.”
Edwards was recently named a 2022 Spotify Hot Country Artist To Watch, and is currently working on her debut album. Her latest single, “The Road” has garnered over 1 million streams.
She is managed by Samantha Borenstein at Sam I Am Entertainment.
New Date Announced For Grammy Awards, CMT Music Awards Shifts Date
/by LB CantrellThe 64th annual Grammy Awards will now take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3. The show moved from its original date of Jan. 31 amid growing concerns surrounding the Omicron variant.
Along with the Grammy Awards shifting date, the CMT Music Awards will move from its originally scheduled date of Sunday, April 3 to a later date in April. Information about the date and location of the awards show will be announced in the coming weeks.
“Once we realized the need to move the Grammy Awards to a later date due to current health concerns, we came together quickly with our partners at the Recording Academy and CMT, to strategically reschedule these two incredible music events and utilize the full power of the ViacomCBS ecosystem to promote them,” says Jack Sussman, Executive Vice President, Specials, Music, Live Events & Alternative Programming, CBS. “Coming out of an exciting month of college basketball on CBS, we’re thrilled to continue our programming momentum with these two big live events for television in the spring.”
“We are excited to take the Grammys to Las Vegas for the very first time, and to put on a world-class show,” adds Harvey Mason Jr., CEO of the Recording Academy. “From the moment we announced the postponement of the original show date, we have been inundated with heartfelt messages of support and solidarity from the artist community. We are humbled by their generosity and grateful for their unwavering commitment to the Grammy Awards and the Academy’s mission. We appreciate the leadership CBS has shown during these challenging weeks and the flexibility of the CMTs and others who worked toward this solution.”
“What better way to introduce the CMT Music Awards to CBS than aligning with the Grammys during the network’s biggest month of music this April,” shares Margaret Comeaux, John Hamlin and Leslie Fram, executive producers, CMT Music Awards. “Our fans can expect another unforgettable night of music, and we look forward to announcing our new date and sharing more of what we have in store for this year very soon.”
The Grammy Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on April 3 (8:00-11:30 PM, live ET/5:00-8:30 PM, live PT) on the CBS Television Network, and will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+. Trevor Noah will return as master of ceremonies for the evening.
Click here to view the nominees for the 64th annual Grammy Awards.
Former Grand Ole Opry Drummer Jerry Ray Johnston Passes
/by Lorie HollabaughJerry Ray Johnston
Jerry Ray Johnston, a former staff drummer for the Grand Ole Opry, passed away on Jan. 9 in Franklin, Tennessee from complications with COVID pneumonia. He was 65.
Jerry is the father of The Cadillac Three frontman Jaren Johnston, and the father in law to ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston.
Jerry Ray Johnston was born in Monroe, Louisiana and moved to Nashville at 24 to pursue a career in music as a drummer. Over the span of 40 years, he played with numerous country stars, had a recording contract with Warner Bros. with the group Bandana, and eventually became the staff drummer at the Grand Ole Opry, which was his dream when he left Louisiana.
He was known for encouraging many other musicians to move to Nashville, then guiding them and introducing them to the network they needed to get gigs. Jerry also donated time to play drums at his church whenever needed.
Jerry Ray Johnston is survived by his wife of 45 years, Karen Roark Johnston; children, Jaren Ray Johnston (Evyn) and Texa Rae Johnston; one grandson, Jude Daniel Johnston; brothers, Jody Lane Johnston (Judy), Randy McKnight (Diane) and Jimmy Johnston (Deborah); and special uncles Billy Johnston (Irene) and Clifford Johnston (Novis). Also mourning Jerry are four brothers-in-law, sister-in-law and their spouses; along with numerous nieces and nephews. He was preceded in death by his parents Jimmy Johnston and Dorothy Johnston, and his grandparents, Clarence and Mae Johnston, who raised him from a small child.
Private services were held in West Monroe, Louisiana with Jerry’s brother-in-law officiating. A memorial service will be held in Tennessee in a few weeks.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to MusiCares, St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Wounded Warriors Project, or the charity of your choice.
Online condolences may be sent to the family at kilpatrickfuneralhomes.com.
ASCAP’s Sundance Music Café Returns Virtually With Brandy Clark, Este Haim, More
/by Lorie HollabaughASCAP’s 24th annual Sundance Music Café will return in virtual form for a second year this year from Jan. 21-24 on the festival’s online platform, beginning each day at 4 p.m. CT. The Café will feature special performances and interviews with ASCAP songwriter and composer members throughout the event.
Artists performing this year include Grammy nominee Brandy Clark; singer-songwriter and co-founder of LA punk band X, John Doe; award-winning actor/singer Evan Rachel Wood and Grammy-nominated guitarist/singer-songwriter Zane Carney as Evan + Zane; singer-songwriter and actress Hayley Sales; emerging R&B singer-songwriter Jordan Hawkins; and Zimbabwean-American singer-songwriter and record producer Shungudzo.
On Jan. 23 and 24, viewers can tune in for special ASCAP Screen Time conversations with top ASCAP composers and their collaborators. The ongoing interview series will host conversations with Brainwashed: Sex-Camera-Power composer Sharon Farber and the film’s director Nina Menkes; Neptune Frost co-director/composer/
“Our long partnership with the Sundance Film Festival continues its mission to showcase the magical relationship between music and film,” says Loretta Muñoz, ASCAP AVP, Membership. “Every year, we highlight some of our talented ASCAP members and create those special connections for songwriters, composers and filmmakers. Whether in-person or virtual, we offer an intimate space for the discovery of captivating performances and conversations with creators whose music resonates with the Sundance Film Festival audience and beyond.”
To view a complete schedule of performances and for more information, click here.