Today marks Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. This day serves as a day of giving and MusicRow has rounded up a selection of some of the charities and organizations that support the Nashville music community.
See below for a list of organizations and how to donate.
ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. With donations and support from artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives funds music health programs while also serving members of the music community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. With generous donations and the support of artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives has funded national music therapy programs serving various mental and physical health organizations. Since 2006, the organization has given more than $9 million to more than 150 worthy causes.
ACM Lifting Lives also responded to the growing needs in the country music industry from COVID-19 by creating the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. This fund helps to alleviate the burden that many of the behind-the-scenes professionals, such as touring personnel, musicians, songwriters, and developing artists, are facing. To donate to ACM Lifting Lives or its COVID-19 Response Fund, click here.
Americana Music Association Foundation
Launched in 2020, the Americana Music Association Foundation (AMAF) aims to preserve and educate people about Americana music. Since its founding, the organization has raised COVID-19 funds in collaboration with The Bluegrass Situation. They have also formed a partnership with NYU Steinhardt by launching a special edition of WORDS & MUSIC, which featured guests Lori McKenna and Jonathan Taplin in virtual interviews. In October, Rosanne Cash was unveiled as the first Americana Artist-In-Residence at NYU Steinhardt where she will work with students in a series of lectures, workshops and classroom visits throughout the 2021-22 academic year.
The Foundation is in conversations with major museums and educational institutions around the country to create programming in line with its mission. To contribute to the Americana Music Association Foundation, click here.
CMA Foundation
Birthed from the passion of artists and industry professionals who first fell in love with music within the four walls of a classroom, the CMA Foundation began investing in music education in 2006. The Foundation, through partnerships within the country music community, provides students with the opportunity to participate in music education programs all across the country.
The CMA Foundation believes that music is an integral part of brain development, human connection, and stress relief. For students, music is an effective and invaluable tool to help improve academic achievement and social development, increase student participation and classroom engagement, and enhance social and emotional development. Throughout the last 15 years, the organization has been able to invest more than $27 million into the enrichment of music education programs. To donate to the CMA Foundation, click here.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
At the heart of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s mission is education. During a time when music and music education are needed more than ever, the Museum doubled down on its commitment to connecting people everywhere with the art of songwriting. From curriculum-based school programs for students and teachers to music-making experiences for families, Museum educators offer unique resources across the United States, in Nashville neighborhoods, and inside the Museum’s walls.
Through giving from the country music industry and fans, many of these unique resources are available to participants at no cost. To donate to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and its music education initiatives, click here.
International Bluegrass Music Association
The IBMA is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. The IBMA Trust Fund was established in 1987 as a means to offer financial assistance to bluegrass music professionals and has given over $800,000 in direct aid to professionals in emergency need. The Fund helps eligible bluegrass professionals who are currently or have previously been significantly involved in the industry, including artists, composers, broadcasters, media representatives, event producers, agents, educators, managers, and employees of record companies. To donate to the IBMA Trust Fund, click here.
The IBMA Foundation helps individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations work together in supporting the future of bluegrass music. Through grant-making, philanthropy, and planned giving, the foundation aims to share bluegrass with future generations. To donate to the IBMA Foundation, click here.
Music Health Alliance
Founded in January of 2013, Music Health Alliance aims to provide music industry members access to healthcare through services that protect, direct, and connect music professionals with medical and financial solutions. With this model, MHA allows the focus of the healthcare solution to be based solely on the client and their specific needs.
MHA has served over 13,000 music industry professionals and their families, and secured over $63 million in health care cost reductions to Heal the Music. To donate to Music Health Alliance, click here.
MusiCares
Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares aims to help the people behind the music that gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. The organization assists music professionals through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. To donate to MusiCares, click here.
This holiday season, MusiCares is also hosting a Peer-2-Peer fundraising campaign. Through this initiative people are able to start their own personal fundraisers in support of Help for the Holidays. For more information, click here.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum serves to honor all great musicians and technicians, regardless of genre or instruments, through exhibiting the actual instruments that were used to record some of the most iconic songs in recorded history. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum also educates its visitors about the musicians who played on the sound tracks of their lives.
Through its patrons donations, the Hall is able to support dynamic exhibits and award-winning interactive features, education programs for children and youth, public programs featuring live performances by national and local artists, and interviews with music industry icons. To donate to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, click here.
Musicians On Call
Musicians On Call is the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals. For over 20 years, MOC has brought live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities for children, adults, VA hospitals and hospices. Throughout COVID-19, MOC has launched and expanded its Virtual Bedside Performance Program and Music Pharmacy to serve the populations most in need during the pandemic.
MOC believes that all patients, families and caregivers should have access to and benefit from the healing power of live music. It has been demonstrated that music has a direct effect on people and can improve blood pressure, manage stress, alleviate pain and improve pain tolerance, and improve outlook and overall mood. To donate to Musicians On Call, click here.
Nashville Musicians Association Crisis Assistance Fund
As part of the Nashville Musicians Association, the Crisis Assistance Fund seeks to assist professional musicians in the Nashville area who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially created after the 2010 Nashville Flood, the program was reactivated in early 2021 and distributed its first round of funds in August.
With hopes of a second distribution in the coming months, donations will go towards helping musicians who have lost work and need financial assistance. To donate to the Crisis Assistance Fund, click here.
Nashville Songwriters Foundation
Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has enshrined some of the greatest writers to put words to music in Music City. Operated by the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Foundation, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Nashville’s rich songwriting legacy through preservation, celebration and education. In 2013, the Hall opened its Hall of Fame Gallery, located on the first floor of Nashville’s Music City Center. In addition to songwriting memorabilia, the gallery features interactive touch screens that allow visitors to access audio, video and other digital information about the history of Nashville songwriting and members of the Hall of Fame.
Through donations, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame continues its mission to honor and preserve songwriting excellence. To donate to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, click here.
National Museum of African American Music
Opened in fall of 2020, the National Museum of African American Music is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. NMAAM strives to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
In 2016, NMAAM created programs to further educate the community on the achievements and influences of African American music, reaching over 132,000 individuals across the country. To donate to the National Museum of African American Music and to support its education initiatives, click here.
Opry Trust Fund
Started in 1965 by the Grand Ole Opry, the Opry Trust Fund’s mission is to help those in the country music industry by offering financial assistance during their time of need. The Opry Trust Fund provides financial assistance in time of extraordinary need, emergency or catastrophe to individuals who are or have been employed full time in a facet of the country music industry, whether that’s as a performer, songwriter, publisher, radio, session musician, etc.
Since its inception, the Opry Trust Fund has distributed more than $4.8 million to assist with medical bills, living expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and more. To donate to the Opry Trust Fund, click here.
Porter’s Call
Porter’s Call is a non-profit based in Franklin, Tennessee that has provided recording artists free counsel, specifically attuned to their unique profession for over twenty years.
Today (Nov. 30) the organization announced Friends of Porter’s Call, a recurring giving program that invites donors to support the mission of Porter’s Call. Starting now, individuals are able to contribute donations ranging from $15 to $250 or more monthly. As a core component of the nonprofit’s ongoing fundraising initiatives, the program offers an accessible way for community members to give back. Donations ensure that the services of Porter’s Call can strategically meet the heightened need for free counseling and support.
To learn more and donate to Porter’s Call, please visit porterscall.com/friends.
Touring Professionals Alliance Relief Kitchen
The Touring Professionals Alliance (TPA) includes over 200 Production Managers, Tour Managers, Coordinators, Vendors, Accountants, and other committed industry professionals, all working together to find solutions for the music industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TPA strives to address the unique needs of the music community, specifically the touring industry, including assistance in finding aid for crew members facing economic hardship, health insurance, mental health issues, and more.
The Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen program was launched last year as a direct result of the pandemic that left tens of thousands of touring professionals out of work. Through a grant from BMI, the Kitchen was able to provide over 100 music industry members with chef-driven, high-quality meals. To donate to the Touring Professionals Alliance or the Touring Professionals Alliance Relief Kitchen, click here.
It’s Giving Tuesday: How Can You Give Back?
/by Lydia FarthingToday marks Giving Tuesday, the Tuesday after Thanksgiving in the United States. This day serves as a day of giving and MusicRow has rounded up a selection of some of the charities and organizations that support the Nashville music community.
See below for a list of organizations and how to donate.
ACM Lifting Lives
ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. With donations and support from artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives funds music health programs while also serving members of the music community who face unexpected hardships through its Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund. With generous donations and the support of artists and fans, ACM Lifting Lives has funded national music therapy programs serving various mental and physical health organizations. Since 2006, the organization has given more than $9 million to more than 150 worthy causes.
ACM Lifting Lives also responded to the growing needs in the country music industry from COVID-19 by creating the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund. This fund helps to alleviate the burden that many of the behind-the-scenes professionals, such as touring personnel, musicians, songwriters, and developing artists, are facing. To donate to ACM Lifting Lives or its COVID-19 Response Fund, click here.
Americana Music Association Foundation
Launched in 2020, the Americana Music Association Foundation (AMAF) aims to preserve and educate people about Americana music. Since its founding, the organization has raised COVID-19 funds in collaboration with The Bluegrass Situation. They have also formed a partnership with NYU Steinhardt by launching a special edition of WORDS & MUSIC, which featured guests Lori McKenna and Jonathan Taplin in virtual interviews. In October, Rosanne Cash was unveiled as the first Americana Artist-In-Residence at NYU Steinhardt where she will work with students in a series of lectures, workshops and classroom visits throughout the 2021-22 academic year.
The Foundation is in conversations with major museums and educational institutions around the country to create programming in line with its mission. To contribute to the Americana Music Association Foundation, click here.
CMA Foundation
Birthed from the passion of artists and industry professionals who first fell in love with music within the four walls of a classroom, the CMA Foundation began investing in music education in 2006. The Foundation, through partnerships within the country music community, provides students with the opportunity to participate in music education programs all across the country.
The CMA Foundation believes that music is an integral part of brain development, human connection, and stress relief. For students, music is an effective and invaluable tool to help improve academic achievement and social development, increase student participation and classroom engagement, and enhance social and emotional development. Throughout the last 15 years, the organization has been able to invest more than $27 million into the enrichment of music education programs. To donate to the CMA Foundation, click here.
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
At the heart of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum’s mission is education. During a time when music and music education are needed more than ever, the Museum doubled down on its commitment to connecting people everywhere with the art of songwriting. From curriculum-based school programs for students and teachers to music-making experiences for families, Museum educators offer unique resources across the United States, in Nashville neighborhoods, and inside the Museum’s walls.
Through giving from the country music industry and fans, many of these unique resources are available to participants at no cost. To donate to the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum and its music education initiatives, click here.
International Bluegrass Music Association
The IBMA is the non-profit music association that connects, educates, and empowers bluegrass professionals and enthusiasts, honoring tradition and encouraging innovation in the bluegrass community worldwide. The IBMA Trust Fund was established in 1987 as a means to offer financial assistance to bluegrass music professionals and has given over $800,000 in direct aid to professionals in emergency need. The Fund helps eligible bluegrass professionals who are currently or have previously been significantly involved in the industry, including artists, composers, broadcasters, media representatives, event producers, agents, educators, managers, and employees of record companies. To donate to the IBMA Trust Fund, click here.
The IBMA Foundation helps individuals, organizations, foundations, and corporations work together in supporting the future of bluegrass music. Through grant-making, philanthropy, and planned giving, the foundation aims to share bluegrass with future generations. To donate to the IBMA Foundation, click here.
Music Health Alliance
Founded in January of 2013, Music Health Alliance aims to provide music industry members access to healthcare through services that protect, direct, and connect music professionals with medical and financial solutions. With this model, MHA allows the focus of the healthcare solution to be based solely on the client and their specific needs.
MHA has served over 13,000 music industry professionals and their families, and secured over $63 million in health care cost reductions to Heal the Music. To donate to Music Health Alliance, click here.
MusiCares
Founded by the Recording Academy in 1989, MusiCares aims to help the people behind the music that gives so much to the world. Offering preventive, emergency, and recovery programs, MusiCares is a safety net supporting the health and welfare of the music community. The organization assists music professionals through direct financial grant programs, networks of support resources, and tailored crisis relief efforts. To donate to MusiCares, click here.
This holiday season, MusiCares is also hosting a Peer-2-Peer fundraising campaign. Through this initiative people are able to start their own personal fundraisers in support of Help for the Holidays. For more information, click here.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum serves to honor all great musicians and technicians, regardless of genre or instruments, through exhibiting the actual instruments that were used to record some of the most iconic songs in recorded history. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum also educates its visitors about the musicians who played on the sound tracks of their lives.
Through its patrons donations, the Hall is able to support dynamic exhibits and award-winning interactive features, education programs for children and youth, public programs featuring live performances by national and local artists, and interviews with music industry icons. To donate to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, click here.
Musicians On Call
Musicians On Call is the nation’s leading provider of live music in hospitals. For over 20 years, MOC has brought live and recorded music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities for children, adults, VA hospitals and hospices. Throughout COVID-19, MOC has launched and expanded its Virtual Bedside Performance Program and Music Pharmacy to serve the populations most in need during the pandemic.
MOC believes that all patients, families and caregivers should have access to and benefit from the healing power of live music. It has been demonstrated that music has a direct effect on people and can improve blood pressure, manage stress, alleviate pain and improve pain tolerance, and improve outlook and overall mood. To donate to Musicians On Call, click here.
Nashville Musicians Association Crisis Assistance Fund
As part of the Nashville Musicians Association, the Crisis Assistance Fund seeks to assist professional musicians in the Nashville area who have been adversely affected by the COVID-19 pandemic. Initially created after the 2010 Nashville Flood, the program was reactivated in early 2021 and distributed its first round of funds in August.
With hopes of a second distribution in the coming months, donations will go towards helping musicians who have lost work and need financial assistance. To donate to the Crisis Assistance Fund, click here.
Nashville Songwriters Foundation
Since 1970, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame has enshrined some of the greatest writers to put words to music in Music City. Operated by the non-profit Nashville Songwriters Foundation, the Hall of Fame is dedicated to honoring Nashville’s rich songwriting legacy through preservation, celebration and education. In 2013, the Hall opened its Hall of Fame Gallery, located on the first floor of Nashville’s Music City Center. In addition to songwriting memorabilia, the gallery features interactive touch screens that allow visitors to access audio, video and other digital information about the history of Nashville songwriting and members of the Hall of Fame.
Through donations, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame continues its mission to honor and preserve songwriting excellence. To donate to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, click here.
National Museum of African American Music
Opened in fall of 2020, the National Museum of African American Music is the only museum dedicated to preserving and celebrating the many music genres created, influenced, and inspired by African Americans. The museum’s collections share the story of the American soundtrack by integrating history and interactive technology to bring the musical heroes of the past into the present. NMAAM strives to educate the world, preserve the legacy, and celebrate the central role African Americans play in creating the American soundtrack.
In 2016, NMAAM created programs to further educate the community on the achievements and influences of African American music, reaching over 132,000 individuals across the country. To donate to the National Museum of African American Music and to support its education initiatives, click here.
Opry Trust Fund
Started in 1965 by the Grand Ole Opry, the Opry Trust Fund’s mission is to help those in the country music industry by offering financial assistance during their time of need. The Opry Trust Fund provides financial assistance in time of extraordinary need, emergency or catastrophe to individuals who are or have been employed full time in a facet of the country music industry, whether that’s as a performer, songwriter, publisher, radio, session musician, etc.
Since its inception, the Opry Trust Fund has distributed more than $4.8 million to assist with medical bills, living expenses, rent or mortgage payments, utilities, and more. To donate to the Opry Trust Fund, click here.
Porter’s Call
Porter’s Call is a non-profit based in Franklin, Tennessee that has provided recording artists free counsel, specifically attuned to their unique profession for over twenty years.
Today (Nov. 30) the organization announced Friends of Porter’s Call, a recurring giving program that invites donors to support the mission of Porter’s Call. Starting now, individuals are able to contribute donations ranging from $15 to $250 or more monthly. As a core component of the nonprofit’s ongoing fundraising initiatives, the program offers an accessible way for community members to give back. Donations ensure that the services of Porter’s Call can strategically meet the heightened need for free counseling and support.
To learn more and donate to Porter’s Call, please visit porterscall.com/friends.
Touring Professionals Alliance Relief Kitchen
The Touring Professionals Alliance (TPA) includes over 200 Production Managers, Tour Managers, Coordinators, Vendors, Accountants, and other committed industry professionals, all working together to find solutions for the music industry during the COVID-19 pandemic. The TPA strives to address the unique needs of the music community, specifically the touring industry, including assistance in finding aid for crew members facing economic hardship, health insurance, mental health issues, and more.
The Touring Professionals Alliance Kitchen program was launched last year as a direct result of the pandemic that left tens of thousands of touring professionals out of work. Through a grant from BMI, the Kitchen was able to provide over 100 music industry members with chef-driven, high-quality meals. To donate to the Touring Professionals Alliance or the Touring Professionals Alliance Relief Kitchen, click here.
Scott Hamilton CARES Foundation Names Pete Fisher As Chairman Of The Board
/by Lydia FarthingPete Fisher
The Scott Hamilton Cares Foundation, which funds innovative research that treats cancer while sparing the patient, has elected music industry veteran Pete Fisher as its new Chairman of the Board.
Throughout Fisher’s 30-plus year professional career, he has touched many facets of the music industry, such as music publishing, A&R, and artist management. His career has included a stop as VP/GM of the Grand Ole Opry, where he is largely credited with transforming the legendary institution over his 17-year tenure. Most recently, he served as CEO at the Academy of Country Music. Currently, he is President of Fisher Entertainment Consulting and serves as Entertainment Industry Consultant for Valiant Wealth Family Office.
He also serves on the board of Music Heals International and was previously on the board of MusiCares, ACM Lifting Lives, The Store (Brad Paisley and Kimberly Williams-Paisley’s non-profit grocery store) and Grand Ole Opry Trust Fund. His committee service also includes Corporate Walk Chair Light the Night for Leukemia and Lymphoma Society, and he is the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Team Captain.
“Pete is a dear friend and an incredible leader who shares our commitment to turning cancer upside down. We are blessed to have his leadership and commitment to continue the impactful work of the foundation to fund research that treats cancer while sparing patients,” says Hamilton, Olympic gold medalist and Cares Founder.
“Scott Hamilton is a true champion and his gold medal winning commitment to changing the lives of those diagnosed with cancer is inspirational to everyone whose life he touches,” Fisher adds. “I’m honored to assume the role and to help foster his legacy.”
Taylor Swift Leaps To The Top Of The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellTaylor Swift. Photo: Beth Garrabrant
Upon releasing the re-recorded version of her 2012 album, Red, Taylor Swift leaps to the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. Swift has charted an astounding 21 of the 30 tracks from Red (Taylor’s Version).
Ashley Gorley takes the No. 2 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. He is a co-writer on “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy) and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).
Jesse Frasure, Jonathan Singleton and Michael Hardy complete the top five.
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.
Chris Stapleton Adds Canadian Leg To ‘All American Road Show’ Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
Chris Stapleton will return to Canada with his “All-American Road Show” tour next spring. Stapleton will also play two rescheduled shows in Nashville at Bridgestone Arena Dec. 10-11.
The Canadian leg of the tour will include stops at London’s Budweiser Gardens, Ottawa’s Canadian Tire Centre, Montreal’s Centre Bell, Regina’s Brandt Centre, Saskatoon’s Sasktel Centre, Winnipeg’s Canada Life Centre, Edmonton’s Rogers Place, Calgary’s Scotiabank Saddledome, and Vancouver’s Rogers Arena.
Tickets for the tour, which will feature special guests Elle King, Margo Price, Sheryl Crow, The Dirty Knobs, Mike Campbell, and Dwight Yoakam on various dates, go on sale this Friday (Dec. 3).
The new dates add to a notable past few weeks for Stapleton, who will perform during tonight’s 2021 CCMA Awards. Additionally, Stapleton is nominated in three categories at the upcoming 64th Annual Grammy Awards, including nods for Best Country Album (Starting Over), Best Country Song (“Cold”) and Best Country Solo Performance (“You Should Probably Leave”).
Weekly Register: Robert Plant & Alison Krauss ‘Raise The Roof’ With Top Country Album Debut
/by Lydia FarthingRobert Plant & Alison Krauss jump onto the scene this week as their duet album, Raise The Roof, debuts at No. 3 on the top country albums chart. The Rounder Records project earns 40k in total consumption, according to Nielsen.
Taylor Swift continues her reign atop the country albums chart as she bookmarks the top five with Red (Taylor’s Version) at No. 1 and Fearless (Taylor’s Version) at No. 5, racking up 159k and 20k total consumption this week, respectively. Morgan Wallen remains in second as Dangerous: The Double Album earns 48k, and Luke Combs also remains in fourth with What You See Is What You Get gaining 24k.
Swift also continues to take up three of the top five country streaming songs this week: “All Too Well” at No. 1 with 23 million streams, “Enchanted” in No. 4 with 6.6 million streams, and “I Bet You Think About Me,” featuring Chris Stapleton, at No. 5 with 6.3 million streams, according to Nielsen. “Fancy Like” (Walker Hayes) jumps back up to the second position as it adds 9.6 million streams, and “Buy Dirt” (Jordan Davis & Luke Bryan) takes third with 7.2 million streams.
Kyndal Inskeep Inks With Cornman Music, Warner Chappell Music Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ryan Beuschel (WCM), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Nate Lowery (CM), Inskeep, Jessi Stevenson (WCM), Brett James (CM)
Rising pop songstress Kyndal Inskeep has signed a global joint publishing deal with Cornman Music and Warner Chappell Music Nashville.
Originally from Indianapolis, Inskeep relocated to Nashville in 2015 to attend Belmont University’s commercial voice program. She made her national debut as a contestant on season 17 of NBC’s The Voice, where she was coached by Gwen Stefani. Upon her return to Nashville, Inskeep has released a couple of singles–“Letter” and “Ghost Town”–and continues to perform around Music City.
“Kyndal is a gifted songwriter and performer who lights up every stage she’s on,” shares Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “Her eclectic pop sound and unique vocal tone immediately caught our attention and we can’t wait to see her career blossom.”
“Kyndal is an absolute superstar in the making,” adds Brett James, Owner/CEO, Cornman Music. “Her voice is surreal and her songwriting and performances are next level. We are beyond excited to be on her team as she takes over the world.”
Lindsay Ell, Brett Kissel, More Among Honorees At 2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala
/by Lydia FarthingLindsay Ell. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA
The Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) celebrated wins in 29 categories at the CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards last night (Nov. 28).
The 2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner & Awards, presented by Music Canada, celebrated the best in the industry, including industry executives, artist-driven companies, recognized songwriters, and performers. Hosted by Don Amero, JoJo Mason and Jess Moskaluke, the evening included performances from Jade Eagleson, Genevieve Fisher, Aaron Goodvin, Corb Lund with Katie Rox & Brandi Sidoryk (Nice Horse), Sacha, and Tim & The Glory Boys.
Brianne Deslippe. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA
This year, Lindsay Ell won the honor for Interactive Artist or Group of the Year. Big Loud Records’ Brianne Deslippe took home her first CCMA Award for Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP, while Stephano Barberis collected his twelfth win in the Video Director of the Year category. The ceremony also saw Ben Bradley and Matthew Atkins tie for a win in the Drummer of the Year category and Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In win the inaugural Live Innovation Award, which celebrates a virtual event or concert series that shared live Canadian country music during the global pandemic.
The evening’s Gala marked the first of two awards ceremonies being held in London, Ontario. The 2021 CCMA Awards, hosted by Lindsay Ell and Priyanka, will livestream exclusively on the Global TV App and Prime Video on Monday, Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. CT.
As announced last night, Calgary will host the 2022 CCMA Awards. Scheduled for next fall, Country Music Week 2022 will culminate with the CCMA Awards Show taking place at the Scotiabank Saddledome.
Dallas Smith. Photo: Courtesy of CCMA
“We are thrilled that the Canadian Country Music Awards and Country Music Week will be returning once again to Calgary in 2022,” says Jeff Hessel, Senior Vice President of Marketing at Tourism Calgary. “Building on the success of the 2019 event, we are excited to showcase Calgary’s diverse music scene and growing reputation as the ultimate host city.”
2021 CCMA Music Industry Gala Dinner + Awards Presented By Music Canada Winners:
Drummer of the Year: (Tie)
Matthew Atkins
Ben Bradley
Fiddle Player of the Year:
Tyler Vollrath
Specialty Instrument Player of the Year:
Mitch Jay
Creative Director(s) of the Year:
Bronwin Parks, Emma-Lee – Everbound (Album)
Country Music Program or Special of the Year:
Brett Kissel – Live at the Drive-In
Management Company of the Year:
MDM Artist Management Services
Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year presented by Music Canada:
Timeless — Dallas Smith
Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year:
“Can’t Help Myself” — Dean Brody and The Reklaws
Recording Studio of the Year:
MCC Recording Studio (Calgary)
Music Publishing Company of the Year presented by CMRRA:
Warner Chappell Music Canada
Music Director of the Year (Medium or Small Market):
Paul Ferguson (CHCQ-FM)
Music Director of the Year (Large Market):
Amanda Kingsland (CKBY-FM)
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year:
Paul Biro (Sakamoto Agency)
Interactive Artist or Group of the Year:
Lindsay Ell
Booking Agency of the Year:
Sakamoto Agency
Industry Person of the Year presented by MNP:
Brianne Deslippe (Big Loud Records)
Country Personality(ies) of the Year:
Jennifer Campbell (CIKZ-FM)
Radio Station of the Year (Medium or Small Market): (Tie)
CHCQ-FM (Bellville)
CKGY-FM (Red Deer)
Radio Station of the Year (Large Market):
CFCW (Edmonton)
Alternative Country Album of the Year:
Agricultural Tragic — Corb Lund
Record Company of the Year presented by MRC Data:
Warner Music Canada
Songwriter(s) of the Year presented by SOCAN:
Patricia Conroy, Ester Dean, Andrew DeRoberts, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, Shane McAnally, Madeline Merlo, Tina Parol, Hillary Scott, Ryan Tedder, Dave Thomson — “Champagne Night”
Record Producer(s) of the Year:
Danick Dupelle (“Sometimes I Don’t, But Sometimes I Do,” Tyler Joe Miller)
Retailer of the Year:
Apple Music
Video Director of the Year:
Stephano Barberis
PRS Guitars Video of the Year:
“Make A Life, Not A Living” — Brett Kissel
Live Innovation Award:
Brett Kissel: Live At The Drive-In
Gary Slaight Music Humanitarian Award:
CP Holiday Train
CCMA Hall of Fame Inductions:
Patricia Conroy (Artist Inductee)
Randy Stark (Stan Klees Builder)
Reba To Open New Restaurant, Bar & Live Music Venue In Oklahoma
/by LB CantrellReba McEntire
During a show in her home state of Oklahoma this weekend, Reba McEntire revealed she is developing Reba’s Place, a restaurant, bar, live music venue and retail store set to open in Atoka, Oklahoma in 2022.
Rendering of Reba’s Place
Reba’s Place is being constructed in a century old Masonic Temple, and will feature two stories of dining space that opens up to a central stage which will regularly host live music performances. The style of the venue is influenced by Reba’s western heritage and includes a curated collection of memorabilia from the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s personal archives. Reba’s Place is created in partnership with the Choctaw Nation of Oklahoma and the city of Atoka.
“I’m very excited to be opening a place so close to my roots,” shares Reba. “The Choctaw Nation and the city of Atoka are wonderful partners and I can’t wait to welcome our first guests to Reba’s Place. We are working very hard to create something not only for the local community, but that will also bring in folks from across the country.”
As for the menu, Reba’s Place is set to include the “Fancy” steak dinner, street tacos, chicken fried steak and Reba’s personal favorite, pinto beans and corn bread. The menu also includes scratch-made versions of many of the dishes most popular in the region, alongside favorites from other areas including Nashville, New Orleans and Mexico.
The retail space will feature a combination of merchandise created just for this new venture alongside established Reba favorites.
Chris Buck Signs With Anthem Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Buck
Canadian artist Chris Buck has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Anthem Music Publishing.
Buck debuted in 2017 with his self-titled album, Chris Buck Band, and rose up the Canadian country charts with the release of the track “That’s When You Know,” featuring fellow Canadian country artist Kira Isabella. The single skyrocketed with over 7 million streams, earning CRIA-Gold certification and a Canadian Country Music Association nomination for Video of the Year.
In 2019, he released “All In’,” which garnered 13 million streams. Over the years, he has performed at some of Canada’s biggest festivals, including Boots and Hearts, Rockin’ River Music Fest, The Calgary Stampede, Manitoulin Country Fest and more.
“Chris is one of the most genuinely capable country artists and songwriters I’ve heard in recent memory,” says Tim Wipperman, President of Anthem Music Publishing Nashville. “He’ll be a great addition to our crew.”
“I’m so excited to join such a great team,” adds Buck. “Looking forward to writing with their amazing staff and getting a plaque up on the wall!”
Records Nashville Adds Erin Kinsey To Roster
/by Lydia FarthingErin Kinsey. Photo: Sara Kauss
Records Nashville, the Music City division of Barry Weiss‘ label Records, has added singer-songwriter Erin Kinsey to its roster.
Kinsey’s single, “Just Drive,” first debuted on TikTok and quickly went viral. Written by Kinsey along with Michael August and Josh Ronen, and produced by Ronen, the song continues to connect online with over 27 million streams to date. After teasing her next track, “Better On Me,” Kinsey is gearing up to release the song this Friday, Dec. 3.
The Texas native has been hard at work since she was 11 years old. Now 21, she has established herself in Nashville, having moved from Texas to Tennessee the morning after her high school graduation. She has received close to ten million views after posting “Just Drive,” and the track has been featured on SiriusXM The Highway’s On The Horizon.
“Erin is exactly the kind of young, fresh artist we’re looking for at Records Nashville,” says Weiss, Partner and Co-Founder of Records. “A great musician, accomplished songwriter beyond her years, super hard-working and well versed in today’s required acumen on social media platforms, she’s a total home run and winner. We couldn’t be more excited to add this young Texan to the roster.”