Industry Ink: Lauren Daigle, Niko Moon, CMHOF

/by

Lauren Daigle Receives Global Impact Honor

Amy Grant & Lauren Daigle

Prior to her sold-out performance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 19, two-time Grammy award-winning singer-songwriter Lauren Daigle was recognized for the impact that both her music and philanthropy has had on millions of people worldwide. The Global Impact Honor, presented by Amy Grant, distinguished Daigle as a genre trailblazer and ambassador.

Worldwide, Daigle has sold over one million concert tickets on three continents, including 170 sold out headline performances, and has donated over $2,000,000 to 25+ organizations from those sales alone. Her music has been streamed over 5 billion times and she has performed on nearly every network morning, daytime, and late-night show, as well as multiple awards shows, and competition shows.

Daigle has spent 100 weeks at No. 1 with her Grammy award-winning album, Look Up Child, as well as 132 weeks at No. 1 with her 4x Platinum selling single “You Say.” She recently earned RIAA certifications for several songs from her first Platinum selling record, How Can It Be: the album’s title track and “First” have been certified Platinum, “Trust In You” is recognized as 2x Platinum, and “Come Alive (Dry Bones),” and “O’Lord” have been certified Gold & Platinum.

Grant said: “I’m so thrilled to be here tonight, and so proud of you. You have literally impacted millions of people around the world. This is the last night of the tour that has taken 20 months to wrap up and during that time you’ve shared your faith and you’ve done it tirelessly. So for using your platform to share your faith in such an open way and welcoming millions of people around the world, for the work you’ve done having children sponsored, and just using your gifts in such an amazing way I’m proud to give you this honor.”

 

Niko Moon’s “Good Time” Goes Double Platinum

Pictured (back row, L-R): Make Wake Artists’ Tyler Corrado; Sony Music Nashville’s Lauren Zimmerman, Ken Robold, Jennifer Way, Alaina Vehec, and Tracy Fleaner; Make Wake Artists’ Haley Janese; (front row, L-R): SMN’s Nicole Marinake; RIAA’s Jackie Jones; SMN’s Caryl Atwood; Niko Moon; SMN’s Randy Goodman, Liz Cost, and Taylor MacKenzie; Make Wake Artists’ Randi McFadden. Photo: Alan Poizner

RCA Nashville’s Niko Moon has earned an RIAA double-Platinum certification for his No. 1 debut single “Good Time.” Commemorating U.S. sales of over two million, “Good Time” is the only debut single to impact country radio and achieve 2x Platinum status during the COVID-19 era after hitting airwaves March 13, 2020.

The track has earned more than 414 million streams globally and was the first debut single to simultaneously top the Billboard Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts since Sam Hunt’s “Leave The Night On” in 2014. Moon’s debut single was also nominated for “Breakthrough Video of the Year” at the 2021 CMT Music Awards.

Staff from Sony Music Nashville, Make Wake Artists, and RIAA surprised Moon with the news on Friday (Nov. 19) ahead of the sold-out kick-off of his “Good Time Tour.” Moon’s first headlining trek features support from Kylie Morgan and will continue this weekend in Kansas City and Columbia, Missouri.

Moon was named SEASC 2021 Songwriter of the Year. With seven No. 1 songwriting credits, Moon has co-penned five chart-toppers for Zac Brown Band, plus Dierks Bentley’s most recent No. 1 “Gone,” as well as cuts for Rascal Flatts, Ashley Monroe, and more.

 

Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum Elevates Two

Alaina Fouse & Bret Pelizzari

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted Alaina Fouse to director of operations and sustainability, and Bret Pelizzari to creative design director.

In her new role, Fouse heads daily operational activities, including dock operations, housekeeping, event and public programming set-up, and employee volunteering. She also provides oversight of the museum’s ongoing sustainability efforts to reduce waste and minimize its carbon footprint. During her nine-year tenure with the museum, Fouse has served as senior manager of operations, senior manager of operations and sustainability, and associate director of operations and sustainability.

As creative design director, Pelizzari oversees the museum’s design team. He previously served as senior graphic designer, creative design manager, and senior creative design manager. In the seven years Pelizzari has been with the museum, he has worked on a variety of exhibitions, book designs, educational and marketing initiatives, advertising campaigns, motion graphics and video productions. Before joining the museum, Pelizzari spent nine years as art director of The City Paper in Nashville and 20 years running his own design company with a wide array of clients.

Tracy Lawrence Reflects On 30 Years With ‘Hindsight 2020’ Project [Interview]

/by

Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Jon-Paul Bruno

Since his first single entered the country charts in 1991, traditionalist Tracy Lawrence has sold more than 13 million albums, charted 18 No. 1 songs, and garnered numerous CMA and ACM awards and nominations. His distinctive country twang has delivered timeless hits such as “Sticks and Stones,” “Paint Me A Birmingham,” “Time Marches On,” and “Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

Lawrence is celebrating the last 30 years with a reflective three-part project, Hindsight 2020. Volume 1 of the project, released in the spring, featured all new material from Lawrence, who penned 9 of the 10 songs. Tracks like “Lonely 101,” “Water” and “Struggle Struggle” earned praise from fans.

“‘Struggle Struggle’ was probably my favorite song on [the first] record,” Lawrence says. “It’s a little dark, but it was written from some personal stuff going on inside my family. It’s got a personal overtone to it, so there’s something very special about that record.”

Volume 2 of Hindsight 2020 features more new material from Lawrence, plus some hits like “If The World Had A Front Porch,” “Stars Over Texas,” and “Your Find Out Who Your Friends Are.”

Of the new songs on Volume 2, “The Price Of Fame,” a track featuring Eddie Montgomery, stands out. “All these dreams, no they don’t come cheap / everything you sew you may never reap / the price of fame’s an expensive thing,” sing the two country stars.

“The things that people see with the accolades, the rush of being on stage, getting to travel and all the things that go into all that, but [what they don’t see] is the sacrifices that you make,” Lawrence says. “The time being away from your family, the ballgames you miss, the birthdays you miss. There’s personal heartache that you go through. I’m not whining about things, it’s just the reality of the things that you sacrifice for this career.

“Eddie’s lost his dad, [his partner in Montgomery Gentry] Troy, his sons… He’s been through heartache and loss. I felt like he could really sink his teeth into the lyric, and he really did. I love his voice on the song.”

YouTube video

Another track on Volume 2 finds Lawrence collaborating with another old friend, Tracy Byrd. The two sing a honky tonk tune, “Holes In The Wall.”

“I love Byrd so much,” Lawrence says. “We were such close friends for a long time and I’m loving seeing him back out on the road a little bit. I hope our paths get to cross more because I sure do miss him. He was probably my best friend in the industry for a long time.”

Lawrence’s third and final volume of Hindsight 2020, out early next year, will build on the nostalgia with his big hits, “Paint Me A Birmingham,” “Time Marches On,” “Sticks And Stones,” “Alibis,” and “Texas Tornados,” in addition to more new songs.

Fans can hear Lawrence sing the old and the new songs when he takes the stage in Nashville tonight (Nov. 23) at his 16th Annual Mission:Possible Turkey Fry and Benefit Concert, which supports the work of the Nashville Rescue Mission. Dustin Lynch, Michael Ray, and Lainey Wilson are also on the bill for tonight’s show, and tickets are still available here.

Bluegrass Community Mourns Sudden Loss Of Musician Jason Moore

/by

Jason Moore

Jason Moore, bass player for the IBMA-winning bluegrass group Sideline, has passed away from a heart attack. He was 47.

Moore was a founding member of Sideline. They released their latest full length album, Ups, Downs and No Name Towns, in September of 2021. In 2019 Sideline won the IBMA Song Of The Year Award for their hit single, “Thunder Dan.”

Moore was instrumental in bringing Sideline to Mountain Home Music Company in 2017, and his easygoing manner and passion for the music quickly made him and the band an integral part of the bluegrass label. His talent contributed not only to Sideline’s music, but to Mountain Heart’s during his long tenure there, with the James King Band before that, and to a broad range of foundational bluegrass recordings made over the past quarter century.

In a statement Mountain Home said: “Moore was a man of whom it can truly be said that he was a friend to all in bluegrass, whether a long-time veteran or an aspiring newcomer. He will be deeply missed. Our thoughts and prayers go to his wife, Mollie, and their family, to his friends and colleagues in Sideline, and to the entire community devastated by his loss. Rest In Peace, Jason Moore.”

Moore is survived by his wife Mollie and their children and grandchildren. Services will be held at 2 p.m. Saturday at the Fair Funeral Home Chapel in Eden, North Carolina. A T-shirt has been designed by Elizabeth Bowman for sale to aid the family and is available here.

‘CMA Country Christmas’ To Feature Plenty Of Holiday Favorites

/by

The upcoming 12th annual CMA Country Christmas special will be packed full of holiday favorites and plenty of must-see moments when it airs on Nov. 29 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

First-time host Gabby Barrett will perform “Silent Night” and co-host Carly Pearce will give her version of “O Holy Night,” while also joining forces on a special collaboration of “Sleigh Ride” that will also feature Truman Eltringham, 17, a student from Nashville School of the Arts, and Carter Hammonds, an 8-year-old student at FH Jenkins Preparatory School The pair will join Barrett and Pearce as part of CMA’s longstanding commitment to support equity in music education.

Other numbers include Jimmie Allen with Louis York and The Shindellas on “What Does Christmas Mean,” Breland singing “The Christmas Song,” Brett Eldredge on “Merry Christmas Baby,” Lady A performing “Christmas Through Your Eyes,” Pistol Annies doing “Snow Globe,” Carrie Underwood performing “Mary, Did You Know?” and Lainey Wilson on “Christmas Cookies.”

Gorley, Frasure, Akins Take Top Three On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Ashley Gorley. Photo: Josh Ulmer

For the seventh consecutive week, Ashley Gorley remains at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. He is a co-writer on the currently charting songs: “New Truck” (Dylan Scott), “You Should Probably Leave” (Chris Stapleton), “Sand In My Boots” (Morgan Wallen), “Give Heaven Some Hell” (Hardy), “Beers On Me” (Dierks Bentley, Hardy & Breland), “Steal My Love” (Dan + Shay), “Take My Name” (Parmalee), and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).

Jesse Frasure keeps his place at No. 2 this week. He is a co-writer on “If I Was A Cowboy” (Miranda Lambert), “Whiskey And Rain” (Michael Ray), “One Mississippi” (Kane Brown) and “Slow Down Summer” (Thomas Rhett).

Rhett Akins (No. 3), Michael Hardy (No. 4) and Eric Church (No. 5) round out the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

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: Taylor Swift Dominates Country Streaming Charts

/by

Taylor Swift. Photo: Beth Garrabrant

Taylor Swift shows her wide-sweeping musical power this week as her record-breaking Red (Taylor’s Version) impacts both the top country streaming songs and albums charts. The re-recorded version of Red debuts at No. 1 on the country albums chart and No. 1 overall with 605,000 first-week streams, according to Nielsen. Swift also claims the fifth album this week as Fearless (Taylor’s Version) adds 23,000 streams.

Additionally, Swift sweeps all of the top five country streaming songs. “All Too Well” claims the No. 1 country song, as well as the No. 1 song overall, with an astounding 43 million streams. She follows in second with “Red” earning 14 million streams, “Nothing New” with Phoebe Bridgers racking up 11 million streams, “I Bet You Think About Me” featuring Chris Stapleton garnering 11 million streams, and “Treacherous” earning 9.8 million streams. Zooming out, Swift had the top six streaming country songs this week, as well as No. 8-No. 23.

Morgan Wallen falls to No. 2 on the top streaming country albums this week as Dangerous: The Double Album earns 45,000 streams. Jason Aldean‘s Macon debuts at No. 3 with 37,000 first-week streams. Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get takes fourth with 23,000 streams.

Red Light Management’s Gaines Sturdivant II & Son Author Children’s Book

/by

Pictured (L-R): Gaines Sturdivant III, Gaines Sturdivant II. Photo: Courtesy Waffle House, Inc.

Red Light Management’s Gaines Sturdivant II, who guides the careers of artists such as Craig Morgan, King Calaway, and LoCash, co-authored a children’s book with his son, Gaines Sturdivant III.

The book, titled A Waffle Can Change the World, was inspired by the kind atmosphere the father and son have enjoyed at their local Waffle House #473 in Nashville, specifically from two associates, Terrie and Dawn. Through the lens of the observant first grader, readers come to know the enchanting touch of Terrie and Dawn. Through their example, young Gaines comes to understand that individual acts of kindness can truly change the world.

“Working with my son was incredibly special,” Gaines tells MusicRow. “Not only was it a bonding experience, but also a lifetime memory I’ll forever cherish. While I expected him to learn a lot from the process, I undoubtedly learned more through his eyes than I ever imagined. I can attest that any chance we have to slow down and see the world through a child’s lens is time well spent.”

Net profits from the sale of the book will benefit the “A Waffle Can Change the World Fund” via The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, which honors associates of Waffle House #473 by supporting non-profit organizations engaged in youth enrichment services and education on a local and national level.

Gaines says that the experience will undoubtedly impact the way he does business with his management clients going forward.

“Having now made the journey from light bulb idea to finished product in the marketplace, I have learned that much of my music business skillset can be applied to other mediums,” he adds. “More importantly, it reinforced the entrepreneurial nature of management and the significance of diversification as I build artist brands. Most importantly, it demonstrated that authentic, true-life storytelling resonates loudly.

“Like many, the pandemic challenged my way of thinking and forced us all to generate ideas that weren’t solely dependent on an artist being physically present. I was fortunate to land on some ideas that could live and breathe on their own, but that I will now steer into artist careers. You will see a book project from Craig Morgan in late 2022, albeit not a children’s project, but the principle applies. In addition, I always remind clients that they have a unique platform and that with it comes some responsibility to give back. I wanted this project to serve that same mission and I’m excited to see where it goes.”

Published by The Nautilus Publishing Company, A Waffle Can Change the World is available now at awafflecanchangetheworld.com and on Waffle House’s online shopping site.

Luke Combs’ ‘What You See Ain’t Always What You Get’ Makes History With Seventh Chart-Topper

/by

Luke Combs. Photo: Zack Massey

Luke Combs keeps breaking records and adding to his growing list of career accolades as his latest single, “Cold As You,” tops the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts this week. The feat makes history as Combs’ deluxe album, What You See Ain’t Always What You Get becomes the first album in history to produce seven No. 1 singles at country radio.

The achievement not only breaks the record for most No. 1s to come from the same album, but also marks his twelfth consecutive No. 1 single overall. The accomplishment adds to yet another monumental few weeks for the 6x CMA, 3x ACM and 3x Billboard Music award-winner, who won Entertainer of the Year at The 55th Annual CMA Awards.

What You See Ain’t Always What You Get debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart as well as Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart last fall. The deluxe edition features all 18 tracks from Combs’ double Platinum-certified No. 1 album, What You See Is What You Get, as well as five new songs. Combs reached No. 1 on Rolling Stone’s Top 200 Albums chart, Top 100 Songs chart and Artists 500 chart with the release, making him the first country artist ever to lead all three charts in the same week and the first to top the Artists 500.

Combs also recently made history as the first artist to have their first two studio albums spend 25 weeks or more at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, breaking Taylor Swift’s previously held record of 24 weeks. The achievement came as What You See Is What You Get topped the chart for the 25th time last summer, while his 2017 debut, This One’s For You, had spent 50 non-consecutive weeks at No. 1—tying the record for the longest reign atop the chart with Shania Twain’s Come On Over in 1997.

Maddjett Management Announces Staff Expansions, Promotion

/by

Pictured (L-R): Dan Wise, Lindsey Speyer, Kimberly Hopkins

Maddjett Management has expanded its Nashville team to include Brand Manager Dan Wise and Executive Assistant Lindsey Speyer. In addition, long-time Maddjett staffer Kimberly Hopkins has been promoted from assistant to day-to-day manager.

Wise brings over 20 years of industry experience to his new position, including 8 years in artist management across pop, rock, hip hop, reggae, country, and Christian music.

Speyer graduated from Auburn University in 2019 and worked with BMI on the works registration team from 2020-2021 before making the jump to personal assistant in summer 2021.

After graduating from Belmont University in 2016, Hopkins got her start as an executive assistant at WME from 2016-2019 before joining Maddjett in 2019 as an assistant.

“We are so excited to add Dan Wise and Lindsey Speyer to our team; and to give a well-deserved promotion to Kimberly Hopkins,” says Leigh Holt, founder and CEO of Maddjett. “Each of them has unique skills and are dedicated to the success of our artists’ vision. Dan brings a wealth of experience in artist management and sponsor development; and Lindsey has great understanding of the area of administration and collaboration. Kimberly is the glue that holds our artists together, navigating their daily schedules and movements earning her the title of day to day manager. We have a team-based management approach at Maddjett, and I could not be more proud of the team we have built.”

Founded in 2013 by  Leigh Holt, Maddjett celebrates wins for several clients this month, including two-time Grammy winning and multi-Platinum artist Lauren Daigle on the completion of the sold-out “Lauren Daigle World Tour,” Provident Entertainment recording artist Ryan Ellis and his release of the rising single, “Heart of the Father,” and Lizzie Morgan’s latest collaboration with TRIBL Records.

Maddjett’s roster of clients and projects has included Oprah’s The Life You Want Weekend, Lauren Daigle, Warner Music Nashville, Pepsi MidAmerica, Sony Music Nashville, Harper Collins Publishers, the Museum of the Bible, and more.

Industry Ink: Deana Carter, Chris Janson, Charli Adams, Julia Casey

/by

Deana Carter Headlines First Show At Ryman Auditorium, Earns 2x Platinum Certification For ‘Strawberry Wine’

Deana Carter at the 25th Anniversary Show for Did I Shave My Legs For This? held at the Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 18, 2021. Photo: Curtis Hilbun

CMA award-winning artist Deana Carter recently headlined Ryman Auditorium for the first time, performing an intimate 90-minute set for the sold-out crowd, with special guests Charles Esten and Breland, as well as friends and collaborators Terri Clark, Kylie Morgan and Brandon Heath.

Celebrating the release of the 25th Anniversary Edition of her 5x Platinum debut album Did I Shave My Legs for This?, Carter was surprised before the show by Universal Music Group President Cindy Mabe with a 2x Platinum plaque for her mega-hit and CMA award-winning debut single “Strawberry Wine.”

“My 25th anniversary show at the Ryman last night was like a dream,” Carter reflects. “So many friends and family, the faithful fans and I felt so much love in the room in my favorite community, in the best sounding venue on earth! Such an honor and a celebration. I am still floating! Thanks to UMe/Capitol Nashville, all my very special guest artists, the staff, the crew, my band and team. Everyone from the 90s to today, I am just so grateful! Thank you to everyone who made every dream I ever had come true and for making such a remarkable milestone possible. THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart!!”

 

Chris Janson, Bass Pro Shops Raise Over $300,000 For Families Of Disabled Service Members

Pictured (L-R): Georgia and Jesse Janson, John Paul Morris, Chris Janson, Colonel John Nemecek (Folds of Honor), Johnny Morris (Bass Pro Shops Founder and CEO), Mike Kehoe (Missouri Lieutenant Governor). Photo: Bass Pro Shops

Warner Music Nashville’s Chris Janson commemorated Military Family Appreciation Month and Veteran’s Day by joining Bass Pro Shops for an in-store “round-up at the register” campaign. Together, they raised over $300,000 for life-changing scholarships for the spouses and children of fallen and disabled service members.

“I am so thankful for the generosity and support from everyone who donated to Bass Pro Shops ‘round-up at the register’ campaign that my dear friend Johnny Morris (Founder and CEO of Bass Pro Shops) put into action,” says Janson. “It does my heart good to know that we raised $300,000 for Folds of Honor and we are able to provide so many scholarships. I look forward to one day being able to meet some of the recipients and tell them personally what their ultimate sacrifice means to me and my family.”

The Janson-led initiative was inspired by his current single “Bye Mom,” a tribute to his friend and co-writer’s mom, who passed away late last year. He will embark on his “Halfway To Crazy Tour” on Feb. 10 with stops across the country running through April 16.

 

Concord Music Publishing Adds Charli Adams To Songwriter Roster

Charli Adams. Photo: Luke Rogers.

Concord Music Publishing has added rising indie-pop singer-songwriter Charli Adams to its roster. The worldwide agreement, effective immediately, will cover Adams’ full catalog, including her recently released debut album, Bullseye.

Adams is a Nashville-based singer-songwriter who blends genres spanning alternative, indie pop and indie singer-songwriter, while also pulling from ’80s rock and influences such as Tom Petty, Neil Young, Fleetwood Mac, The 1975 and The Paper Kites. She has had cuts for Chloe Moriondo, Peach Pit, Valley and Addison Grace.

“We are so excited to have Charli join Concord’s roster,” states Jen Hubbard, Director, A&R at Concord Music Publishing. “I’ve been following Charli’s career for some time now and knew I had to work with her. She leaves her thumbprint on any song that she’s a part of, with her distinct pop sensibility layered with authentic and raw songwriting. This album is just the beginning of an amazing career for Charli as both an artist and songwriter.”

“Signing with Concord felt very natural and inevitable. Jen and the rest of the Nashville team have been unbelievably supportive since the very beginning,” says Adams. “They’re like family at this point. I’ve had the chance to travel and meet the Concord team all over the world and there’s a universal sense of community and care for the creative that you don’t find everywhere. I feel extremely supported in my vision and understood for who I am as a writer and artist. I’m very thankful to have Concord in my corner and on my team, and I’m excited for what’s to come.”

 

Big Feat PR Adds Julia Casey As VP

Nashville-based Big Feat PR has added Julia Casey to their staff as Vice President.

Prior to joining Big Feat, Casey ran the publicity department at Verve Label Group in New York City, where she worked with artists including Jon Batiste, Bettye LaVette, Max Richter, Shabaka Hutchings, Sons of Kemet, The Comet Is Coming, Olafur Arnalds, as well as led campaigns for albums such as John Coltrane’s Both Directions At Once, Blue World, and Thelonious Monk’s Palo Alto, among others. She is the recipient of two Clio Awards for Max Richter’s Sleep and Jon Batiste’s winning video “I Need You.”

Casey states, “I am so honored to join forces with Doug, he has cultivated an incredible roster of artists who I respect and admire, artists who have something to say. I’m looking forward to building upon our shared passion for great music, artists and their stories.”

Big Feat PR CEO Doug Hall adds, “Julia is one of the most dedicated, professional and knowledgeable publicists I have ever met in my entire career. She is the smartest person in any room with so many years of experience and countless successful campaigns under her belt. She will be a vital asset to Big Feat PR as we build the agency into all we know it can be. We share a collective vision to work with a select group of renowned and emerging artists and clients, that we genuinely love both musically and personally. I’m beyond excited for all that lies ahead.”

Big Feat PR represents artists including Yola, Marcus King, Robert Finley, S.G Goodman, Arlo McKinley, Liza Anne and Christone “Kingfish” Ingram and works with labels including Universal Music Group, Verve, Decca, Concord, Easy Eye Sound, Rounder, Fantasy, Thirty Tiger, Oh Boy and New West.