Luke and Beth Laird. Photo: Spencer Combs
When Luke Laird, a young songwriter with a new publishing deal, met his future wife Beth at the receptionist counter at BMG Nashville in 2005, it was the start of a long and beautiful partnership.
It was Beth’s first real music industry job out of college, and she was worried that a relationship with a songwriter would be unprofessional. Lucky for them, she soon moved to Windswept to be a song-plugger before landing at BMI, where she would remain for the next five years. The two then began dating and were married a few years later in 2010. They now have two children, Jake (8) and Mack (5), and a successful 10-year old publishing company, Creative Nation.
“It’s been exciting because from the very beginning, with him having no cuts yet and me literally being at my first day on the job, we’ve gotten to grow in the music business together. We’ve been through the highs and lows together, that’s really been fun,” Beth says.
Beth and Luke Laird in 2010. Photo: Courtesy Beth Laird
The two say they never dreamed of starting a publishing company together. The idea came about at a meeting with the couple’s business manager, when Luke was nearing the end of a publishing deal.
Once the wheels were turning, Beth and Luke were able to take their experiences as a songwriter and a music publishing professional and design a company that they would want to work at. “The main thing that we knew we really wanted that we weren’t really feeling at that time in the music business was a publishing company that was really creative and really writers first. [We wanted to build a company] where you felt like the writers were the bosses of their careers and the publishers came alongside them to help fulfill their dreams and to help them along their path,” Beth says.
Luke adds, “When I first signed a publishing deal, and I think this is probably a similar story for a lot of writers at that time and years before, writers were looked at as ‘we are hiring you to do a job,’ but really that’s not how those contracts work. In reality, the publisher works for the writer. You can have ideas and plans for a writer, but you’re in a partnership. That’s one thing I want our writers to know is we, as a publisher, work for you. So what are your goals?”
Goal-setting is a paramount part of the business ethic at Creative Nation, which now boasts a roster that includes lauded songwriters Lori McKenna and Barry Dean, as well as country hitmaker Casey Brown, artist-songwriters Steve Moakler and Kassi Ashton, and more.
When new writers come in, the staff at Creative Nation help them make a goal sheet for themselves, which becomes a big part of the plan for success for each writer. Any one writer’s goals can range from having a No. 1 country hit, getting nominated for a song of the year award, or getting a cut from a specific artist. “If what we’re doing does not serve your goals, then we shouldn’t be doing it,” Beth says. “That is the basis of where to start. It lets them be the CEO of their career and their business, and it feels more like we are helping manage their business, but we’re not in control telling them what to do.”
In addition to putting writer’s goals first, Creative Nation also makes the family-owned aspect of their business part of the company culture.
Luke says, “We are so involved with our families. A lot of times the music business almost feels like two separate things, but we like to have things like a Creative Nation pool day where everyone can bring their kids. We hope that our staff and writers feel that we value more than just what they can do for our business.”
Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Luke Laird, Del Bryant, Beth Laird, Clay Bradley at the 59th Annual BMI Country Awards in 2011. Photo: Jason Kempin for BMI / Courtesy of Beth Laird
Their writer and staff-friendly environment has proved fruitful for Creative Nation. Since getting started in 2011, the company has worked with some of country music’s biggest performers, including Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Eric Church, and has released more than 20 No. 1 songs and 60 radio singles, including Sam Hunt’s “Hard to Forget” and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar.”
Beth says there are two moments from the beginning of Creative Nation when she felt most validated. The first being when she went to her first pitch meeting as Creative Nation and pitched “Pontoon,” which became a blockbuster hit for Little Big Town. The second is when they received their first BMI publisher award, presented to them from Beth’s former BMI boss, Jody Williams.
“At BMI, I was the one that had handed up the awards to Jody to hand out to publishers, so when I got to go up and Jody handed me one, it was like ‘You’re a real publisher. You’re getting an award on stage,'” Beth says. “Even now it makes me feel emotional because it made me feel like a real publisher.”
Moments like those, and the many more that have followed as Creative Nation has become a flourishing indie publisher, have made the risk of going out on their own worth it for the husband and wife team.
As for the next 10 years, the Lairds are most concerned with maintaining the creative, relational, and positive environment they’ve established at Creative Nation.
“One of my ultimate goals sounds generic, but it’s to love what I do and to love who I’m working with. I actually really value every Monday morning when I wake up; I get excited to come to work,” Beth shares. “I’m never bored. I’m always excited about the next songwriter. I’m always excited about the song that’s going to come in today or getting to strategize with my team. My goal is to always make sure I keep that spark and that we are constantly surrounded by good people who are creative.”
Jessica Rosenworcel Nominated As First Female Chair Of The FCC
/by Lydia FarthingJessica Rosenworcel. Photo: Courtesy of the FCC
On Tuesday (Oct. 26), President Joe Biden announced his nomination of Jessica Rosenworcel to lead the Federal Communications Commission. If approved by the Senate, she would become the first woman to serve in the role in the agency’s nearly 100-year history.
Rosenworcel has been a commissioner at the FCC since 2012 and is currently the acting chairwoman, of which she’s the second woman to do so. She served as senior communications counsel for the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation under the leadership of Senator John D. Rockefeller IV and Senator Daniel Inouye before joining the FCC.
“It’s the honor of a lifetime to be designated to serve as FCC Chair,” Rosenworcel shared on Twitter. “I wouldn’t be here without those who came before and paved the way.”
In a statement announcing Rosenworcel’s formal nomination, the White House said that during her time at the FCC, she has “fought to protect an open internet, to ensuring broadband access for students caught in the Homework Gap through the FCC’s Emergency Connectivity Fund, to making sure that households struggling to afford internet service stay connected through the Emergency Broadband Benefit program, she has been a champion for connectivity for all.”
Rosenworcel has worked to develop new ways to support wireless services from Wi-Fi to video and the Internet of Things. She has also fought to combat illegal robocalls and enhance consumer protections in the FCC’s telecommunications policies.
“I am deeply humbled to be designated as Chair of the Federal Communications Commission by President Biden. It is an honor to work with my colleagues on the Commission and the agency’s talented staff to ensure that no matter who you are or where you live, everyone has the connections they need to live, work, and learn in the digital age,” Rosenworcel added in the statement.
Rosenworcel also displayed her excitement to be nominated with two other newly announced nominees–Gigi Sohn, a nominee for commissioner of the FCC, and Alan Davidson, the nominee to be an assistant secretary for Communications and Information at the National Telecommunications and Information Administration at the Department of Commerce.
Spotify Q3 Results: Podcasts, Advertising See Best Quarter To Date
/by Lydia FarthingSpotify has announced its third quarter financial results, showing a 27% growth in revenue year-over-year (Y/Y), while Monthly Active Users increased 19% Y/Y to 381 million. Premium subscribers also grew 19% Y/Y to 172 million.
Spotify CEO and founder, Daniel Ek, says: “We had a very strong quarter. The business is doing really well and I’m pleased that we continue to deliver across the areas that are fundamental to our growth and long term strategy. Audio is our right to win. While we have been relentless in our pursuit of being the world’s largest audio platform, it’s still early days and we are just getting started.”
Podcast Monthly Active Users continued to show increases from Q2 with consumption trends remaining strong at 20% Y/Y. Consumption hours for podcasts reached an all-time high during the quarter.
Overall, Monthly Active Users, Gross Margin, and Operating Income all increased in revenue. Additionally, advertising business had its best quarter to date, growing 75% Y/Y.
View the full earnings report or see the infographic.
Country Star Rose Lee Maphis Dies At Age 98
/by Robert K OermannRose Lee Maphis. Photo: Courtesy Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Singer, songwriter and guitarist Rose Lee Maphis, noted for country hits and TV appearances in the 1950s, passed away on Oct. 26. She was 98.
She rose to stardom in a duo with husband Joe Maphis (1921-1986). In 1953, they wrote and recorded “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (and Loud, Loud Music),” which is now a honky-tonk standard. Generations of Nashville tourists knew her as the elderly greeter at the door of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum.
She was born Doris Schetrompf in Baltimore on Dec. 29, 1922. Billed as “Rose of the Mountains,” she had her own radio show at age 15 in Hagerstown, Maryland. The singer-guitarist then joined the “all-girl” country band The Saddle Sweethearts.
Using that same billing, she joined “The Old Dominion Barn Dance” in Richmond, Virginia as a duet with Mary Klick in 1948. The show aired locally on WRVA and nationally on the CBS radio network. Others in the cast included Flatt & Scruggs, Mother Maybelle & The Carter Sisters, Mac Wiseman, Wilma Lee & Stoney Cooper, Reno & Smiley Clyde Moody and Grandpa Jones.
The host of the show was Sunshine Sue (Workman), whose band included hotshot guitarist Joe Maphis. Joe and Rose Lee dated and fell in love at WRVA.
Rose Lee and Joe Maphis. Photo: Courtesy Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
In 1951, he decided to relocate to California at the urging of fellow guitarist Merle Travis. She followed Joe to the West Coast, and they married in 1952.
Known as “The King of the Strings” and regarded as one of the greatest pickers in country-music history, Joe Maphis played on hundreds of recordings by both pop and country stars. In addition, he contributed to movie and TV soundtracks in Los Angeles.
With Rose as harmony singer and solid rhythm guitarist, the husband and wife duo also became top entertainers. Billed as “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music,” they rose to stardom on the Town Hall Party radio and TV series.
In addition to “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke,” the couple popularized such barroom laments as “Whiskey Is the Devil in Liquid Form” and “Where Honky-Tonk Angels Spread Their Wings.” They recorded a dozen albums together. On the West Coast, Rose Lee served as a mother figure and mentor to younger performers, notably fellow singers/instrumentalists Barbara Mandrell and Lorrie Collins.
Rose Lee Maphis issued her first, and only, solo LP on Columbia Records in 1960. But she increasingly devoted her time to raising the three Maphis children, Dale, Lorrie and Jody.
The family moved to Nashville in 1968 and resumed recording albums. Joe Maphis died of lung cancer in 1986. His guitar hero was Mother Maybelle Carter, so June Carter Cash arranged for him to be buried in the Cash family plot next to his idol. June and Johnny Cash have since joined him there.
Rose Lee was a talented seamstress, so she went to work in the costume department of the Opryland theme park following Joe’s death. In later years, she became a kindly greeter at the Hall of Fame, a volunteer job she enjoyed even into her ninth decade.
Her 90th birthday celebration in 2012 remains an available video on YouTube. Attendees included host Louise Mandrell, Bobby Bare, Barbara Mandrell, Thom Bresh, Lynn Anderson, Mark Jones, Mentor Williams, Irlene Mandrell and Casey Anderson.
Son Jody Maphis became a popular Nashville musician. He has played drums and/or guitar behind such stars as Marty Stuart, Johnny Cash, Gary Allan, Johnny Rodriguez and Earl Scruggs.
The Joe & Rose Lee Maphis co-written classic “Dim Lights, Thick Smoke (And Loud, Loud Music)” has been revived by dozens of country and bluegrass artists. Among them are Dwight Yoakam, The Flying Burrito Brothers (with Gram Parsons), Conway Twitty, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Flatt & Scruggs, Daryle Singletary, Tom T. Hall, John Prine, Larry Sparks, Frankie Miller, Barbara Mandrell, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Benny Martin & Bobby Osborne, Vern Gosdin, The Derailers, IIIrd Tyme Out, Ricky Skaggs, Jack Ingram, Porter Wagoner and Marty Stuart.
Industry Ink: Cody Johnson, Jordan Davis, Tyler Braden, Brandon Davis
/by Lydia FarthingCody Johnson’s Debut Album, ‘Ain’t Nothin’ To It,’ Earns Gold Certification
Pictured (L-R): Trent Willmon (Producer, Ain’t Nothin’ to It), Missy Iredell (Sr. Dir. Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Ben Kline (EVP/General Manager, Warner Music Nashville), Cody Johnson, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Howie Edelman (Durango Artist Management). Photo: Alan Poizner
Cody Johnson’s debut major-label release from COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville, Ain’t Nothin’ to It, has officially been certified Gold by RIAA.
Upon its release in 2019, the album reached Top 10 on the all-genre Billboard 200 chart and made history as the third-highest pre-added album of all time in country music on Apple Music.
The Ain’t Nothin’ to It certification comes on the heels of the success of his COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville sophomore album, Human The Double Album, which debuted as the top new country album release last week. All 18 tracks topped half a million streams each in week one alone while the album itself has remained within the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Album chart since release.
The lead single, “‘Til You Can’t,” is also climbing the country charts, earning more than 40,000 track equivalents this week alone.
Jordan Davis’ Goes Gold With Newest Single “Buy Dirt”
Pictured (L-R): Jacob Davis, Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, and Matt Jenkins. Photo: Caleb Cockrell
Multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Jordan Davis was presented with a plaque for his Gold-certified hit single “Buy Dirt,” featuring country superstar Luke Bryan.
Davis shared the moment with co-writers Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins, and his brother Jacob Davis. The track is currently the No. 4 streaming song in country music, amassing over 120 million streams to date. “Buy Dirt” has been in the Top 5 on the country songs chart for five consecutive weeks, No. 3 in track sales, and No. 14 on the country radio charts.
“Buy Dirt” received a nomination for Musical Event of the Year for the upcoming 55th Annual CMA Awards, marking the first CMA nomination in Davis’ career.
Tyler Braden Raises Funds For First Responders Through Inaugural Golf Tournament
Pictured (L-R): Pete Olson, WHY&HOW; Lieutenant Mike McCutcheon; Engineer Dave Bass; Tyler Braden; Firefighter Justin Rossano; Doyle Harris, Tap in Golf Events. Photo: Marisa Taylor
Rising country recording artist Tyler Braden wrapped his first charitable golf tournament which raised money for National Fallen Fighters Foundation (NFFF) and Hungry Heroes. His Engine Co. 18 Golf Tournament amassed a total of $10,000 for first responders, veterans, and families of fallen heroes.
The day of festivities was followed by a night of live music presented by Nashville’s Whiskey Jam, where Braden played alongside friend Joey Hyde and singer-writer Randy Montana.
The Alabama native spent seven years as a firefighter and first responder, all the while working his way to Nashville. He has released several tracks as a major label recording artist on Warner Music Nashville, and was nominated for MusicRow‘s 2021 Discovery Artist of the Year.
TikTok’s Brandon Davis Signs With Big Yellow Dog Music
Brandon Davis
TikTok artist Brandon Davis has signed with Nashville-based label, artist development and publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music. Following the news, Davis has also released his first song through Big Yellow Dog Music, “The Kitchen,” available everywhere now.
Written entirely by Davis, “The Kitchen” comes after a near-death experience from a head-on car collision in 2019 when Davis, a father of four, realized the brevity of life. Following the accident, his wife Destiny encouraged him to pursue his love for songwriting and music, sharing his recordings on TikTok. Since then, Davis has seen success on TikTok with 1.5 million followers and 10.8 million likes.
“When Jacee Badeaux (Creative Director) brought Brandon to our attention, we knew we had to sign him,” says Big Yellow Dog Music co-owner and CEO Carla Wallace. “First, we loved his songs and his performance, but we all fell for his charm and his passion once we met the Chattanooga boy and his family, which consists of four kids, wow!”
Davis has a run of shows through the rest of the year in his local city of Chattanooga. He’ll also join artists like Caylee Hammack and Dylan Scott at Trucks & Tunes – Colorado in 2022.
Old Crow Medicine Show Signs With ATO Records, Partners With Sally Williams & Red Light Management
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Morgan Jahnig, Mason Via, Ketch Secor, Jerry Pentecost, Cory Younts, Mike Harris. Photo: Kit Wood
Old Crow Medicine Show has signed with ATO Records; the label that released their 2012 album Carry Me Back and their 2014 breakthrough Remedy, which won a Grammy for Best Folk Album in 2015. The band joins Black Pumas, Brittany Howard, My Morning Jacket, and more at ATO Records.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor says, “We are very happy to be coming home to the ATO family. Their passion for music shows in everything they release and we’re just so excited to relaunch our partnership and recommit ourselves to making great records together.”
Jon Salter, President of ATO Records, adds, “OCMS is one of the great and important American bands. They have always challenged themselves creatively and this new project is testament to that. We’re so thrilled and proud to welcome the band back with open arms to the ATO family and we are committed to continue to build their legacy.”
The Nashville-based band has also partnered with Red Light Management and Sally Williams for management. “Old Crow has influenced countless artists and built a devoted following over the years due to their energetic live shows and relatable music,” shares Coran Capshaw, founder of Red Light Management. “Red Light is proud to be partnering with Sally Williams to continue the growth of this great band.”
Over the last year Old Crow Medicine Show has released three tracks that all speak to the current state of the world, including “Nashville Rising,” a song written after Nashville’s tornadoes that directly benefited relief efforts; “Quarantined” a cheeky, classic country-inspired tune about not being able to kiss your lover while quarantined; and “Pray For America,” which was commissioned by NPR as an inspirational piece for listeners coming out of COVID. They also appeared on a duet with Keb’ Mo’ titled “The Medicine Man,” and recently teamed up with filmmaker Julia Golonka to create a video for their 2008 track “Motel In Memphis,” raising funds for Nashville’s community-based grassroots organization Gideon’s Army.
Old Crow Medicine Show is currently on tour, returning to the Ryman for their annual New Years Eve performances on Dec. 30 and 31.
Brittney Spencer Slates “In A Perfect World Tour” Kicking Off In December
/by Lorie HollabaughBrittney Spencer. Photo: Nicki Fletcher
Brittney Spencer is launching her first-ever headlining tour. The “In A Perfect World Tour” will kick of on Dec. 2 at Rockwood Music Hall in New York City. Sam Williams, Abbey Cone and Camille Parker will join Spencer as special guests along the way.
The 16-date tour will make stops along the east coast and includes performances in Washington D.C., Philadelphia, Charlotte, Indianapolis, Memphis, and her hometown of Baltimore, along with a Nashville date at The Basement East on Dec. 9.
“I couldn’t be more excited to headline my first tour,” says Spencer. “We’ll not only be showcasing songs that I’ve released over the last year, but we’re also planning to debut a lot of new material as well. I truly hope everyone enjoys what we’ve got cooking up–from those who have been on this journey with me since the very beginning, when I was just posting cover songs online, to the newer fans who have seen me on tour with some of my absolute heroes. And to top it off, I’m so thrilled to have Sam Williams, Abbey Cone and Camille Parker supporting on this tour as well! See ya’ll on the road!”
A 2021 Spotify Hot Country Artist to Watch, Pandora 2021 Artist to Watch, and member of CMT’s Next Women of Country, Spencer is currently opening for Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit this fall. She is also opening for Brett Eldredge’s “Good Day Tour” through mid-November, and is set to open a run of shows for Reba McEntire in 2022.
Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Chris Stapleton, More Added To CMA Awards Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean & Carrie Underwood, Luke Combs, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Chris Stapleton, and Chris Young & Kane Brown have been added to the list of performers for The 55th Annual CMA Awards on Nov. 10, airing live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Two-time CMA Award winner Aldean will take the stage with 2021 CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee and seven-time CMA winner Underwood for the world premiere TV performance of their chart-topping collaboration “If I Didn’t Love You.” Also taking the stage are five-time CMA Awards winner and reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year Combs, who’s a three-time nominee this year, including Entertainer of the Year; and Lambert, the all-time female record holder for most-ever CMA nominations and three-time 2021 nominee, including CMA Entertainer of the Year.
Reigning and three-time consecutive CMA Vocal Group of the Year Old Dominion, nominated again this year, will bring their hit “I Was on a Boat That Day” to the CMA Awards stage; while ten-time CMA Awards winner and five-time nominee this year, including CMA Entertainer of the Year, Chris Stapleton performs “Cold” from his CMA Album of the Year-nominated Starting Over. Young, a three-time nominee this year, and Brown, also a three-time nominee this year, will join forces for their chart-topping hit “Famous Friends.”
Previously announced performers include Jimmie Allen, Brothers Osborne, Eric Church, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton featuring Brittney Spencer & Madeline Edwards, Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, and Blake Shelton.
Additional performers and presenters for The 55th Annual CMA Awards will be revealed in the coming weeks.
Brandi Carlile’s ‘Right On Time’ Shifted To Pop Category For 64th Annual Grammy Awards
/by Lydia FarthingAfter the release of the preliminary ballots for the upcoming 64th Annual Grammy Awards, it has been revealed that Brandi Carlile‘s single, “Right On Time,” has been shifted to the best pop performance category rather than the American Roots division.
“Right On Time” was the lead single off of Carlile’s recently released studio album, In These Silent Days, which topped the Billboard Top Americana/Folk Albums and Top Rock Albums. A celebrated singer, songwriter, performer, and producer, Carlile has earned 12 Grammy nominations and six wins throughout her career.
Carlile took to social media to express her disappointment for this decision saying, “Americana/American Roots music is more than a genre to me. It represents my community, my family, my friends and my beautiful island of misfits. I am also proud that it represents a great number of people actively working to platform marginalized people—LGBTQIA, women, and people of color (who, of course, actually built the genre).”
She continues, “While I’m incredibly flattered to be considered ‘pop’ as a 40 year old crooning lesbian mother, I would be lying if I said I wasn’t a bit surprised and disappointed to learn the Recording Academy decided to move ‘Right On Time’ out of the American Roots genre and into the pop category.” She concludes, “Being recognized by the Grammys—in any form—is a great honor. I just want folks to know this wasn’t my decision. Regardless, it doesn’t change who I am or what my Americana community continues to mean to me.”
This news follows another controversy surrounding the Recording Academy’s screening committee which deemed Kacey Musgraves‘ Star-Crossed not eligible for inclusion in the Country Album of the Year category.
Final nominees for this year’s awards will be revealed on Tuesday, Nov. 23. The 64th Annual Grammy Awards will be held at MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2022.
Music Row Power Couple, Beth & Luke Laird, Celebrate 10 Years Of Creative Nation [Interview]
/by LB CantrellLuke and Beth Laird. Photo: Spencer Combs
When Luke Laird, a young songwriter with a new publishing deal, met his future wife Beth at the receptionist counter at BMG Nashville in 2005, it was the start of a long and beautiful partnership.
It was Beth’s first real music industry job out of college, and she was worried that a relationship with a songwriter would be unprofessional. Lucky for them, she soon moved to Windswept to be a song-plugger before landing at BMI, where she would remain for the next five years. The two then began dating and were married a few years later in 2010. They now have two children, Jake (8) and Mack (5), and a successful 10-year old publishing company, Creative Nation.
“It’s been exciting because from the very beginning, with him having no cuts yet and me literally being at my first day on the job, we’ve gotten to grow in the music business together. We’ve been through the highs and lows together, that’s really been fun,” Beth says.
Beth and Luke Laird in 2010. Photo: Courtesy Beth Laird
The two say they never dreamed of starting a publishing company together. The idea came about at a meeting with the couple’s business manager, when Luke was nearing the end of a publishing deal.
Once the wheels were turning, Beth and Luke were able to take their experiences as a songwriter and a music publishing professional and design a company that they would want to work at. “The main thing that we knew we really wanted that we weren’t really feeling at that time in the music business was a publishing company that was really creative and really writers first. [We wanted to build a company] where you felt like the writers were the bosses of their careers and the publishers came alongside them to help fulfill their dreams and to help them along their path,” Beth says.
Luke adds, “When I first signed a publishing deal, and I think this is probably a similar story for a lot of writers at that time and years before, writers were looked at as ‘we are hiring you to do a job,’ but really that’s not how those contracts work. In reality, the publisher works for the writer. You can have ideas and plans for a writer, but you’re in a partnership. That’s one thing I want our writers to know is we, as a publisher, work for you. So what are your goals?”
Goal-setting is a paramount part of the business ethic at Creative Nation, which now boasts a roster that includes lauded songwriters Lori McKenna and Barry Dean, as well as country hitmaker Casey Brown, artist-songwriters Steve Moakler and Kassi Ashton, and more.
When new writers come in, the staff at Creative Nation help them make a goal sheet for themselves, which becomes a big part of the plan for success for each writer. Any one writer’s goals can range from having a No. 1 country hit, getting nominated for a song of the year award, or getting a cut from a specific artist. “If what we’re doing does not serve your goals, then we shouldn’t be doing it,” Beth says. “That is the basis of where to start. It lets them be the CEO of their career and their business, and it feels more like we are helping manage their business, but we’re not in control telling them what to do.”
In addition to putting writer’s goals first, Creative Nation also makes the family-owned aspect of their business part of the company culture.
Luke says, “We are so involved with our families. A lot of times the music business almost feels like two separate things, but we like to have things like a Creative Nation pool day where everyone can bring their kids. We hope that our staff and writers feel that we value more than just what they can do for our business.”
Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Luke Laird, Del Bryant, Beth Laird, Clay Bradley at the 59th Annual BMI Country Awards in 2011. Photo: Jason Kempin for BMI / Courtesy of Beth Laird
Their writer and staff-friendly environment has proved fruitful for Creative Nation. Since getting started in 2011, the company has worked with some of country music’s biggest performers, including Kacey Musgraves, Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett, and Eric Church, and has released more than 20 No. 1 songs and 60 radio singles, including Sam Hunt’s “Hard to Forget” and Harry Styles’ “Watermelon Sugar.”
Beth says there are two moments from the beginning of Creative Nation when she felt most validated. The first being when she went to her first pitch meeting as Creative Nation and pitched “Pontoon,” which became a blockbuster hit for Little Big Town. The second is when they received their first BMI publisher award, presented to them from Beth’s former BMI boss, Jody Williams.
“At BMI, I was the one that had handed up the awards to Jody to hand out to publishers, so when I got to go up and Jody handed me one, it was like ‘You’re a real publisher. You’re getting an award on stage,'” Beth says. “Even now it makes me feel emotional because it made me feel like a real publisher.”
Moments like those, and the many more that have followed as Creative Nation has become a flourishing indie publisher, have made the risk of going out on their own worth it for the husband and wife team.
As for the next 10 years, the Lairds are most concerned with maintaining the creative, relational, and positive environment they’ve established at Creative Nation.
“One of my ultimate goals sounds generic, but it’s to love what I do and to love who I’m working with. I actually really value every Monday morning when I wake up; I get excited to come to work,” Beth shares. “I’m never bored. I’m always excited about the next songwriter. I’m always excited about the song that’s going to come in today or getting to strategize with my team. My goal is to always make sure I keep that spark and that we are constantly surrounded by good people who are creative.”
Dierks Bentley Extends His “Beers On Me Tour” Into 2022
/by Lorie HollabaughMulti-Platinum singer-songwriter Dierks Bentley has revealed details behind the winter run of his upcoming 2022 “Beers On Me Tour.” After recently wrapping the first leg, Bentley will continue the tour with a 21-city run launching Jan. 6th in London, Ontario.
The shows will include openers Jordan Davis, Tenille Arts, and Lainey Wilson. Tickets for the new dates go on sale to the public beginning Friday, Nov. 5 at 10 a.m. local time.
“People think we are crazy to go to Canada and the northwest in January, but we’ve learned from previous tours that it’s a great time to bring a party up there,” Bentley says. “For me personally, I don’t mind that there is plenty of ice, snow, and mountains for some adventure between shows.”
Bentley also dropped the video for the tour’s namesake today, featuring Bentley, Hardy and Breland ambushing unsuspecting bystanders across Nashville with free beer and plenty of high fives and selfies.
“Beers On Me Tour” Dates:
01/06/2022 London, ON – Budweiser Gardens*
01/08/2022 Oshawa, ON – Tribute Communities Centre*
01/09/2022 Ottawa, ON – Canadian Tire Centre*
01/13/2022 Winnipeg, MB – Canada Life Centre*
01/14/2022 Saskatoon, SK – SaskTel Centre*
01/15/2022 Regina, SK – Brandt Centre*
01/19/2022 Lethbridge, AB – ENMAX Centre*
01/20/2022 Calgary, AB – Scotiabank Saddledome*
01/21/2022 Edmonton, AB – Rogers Place*
01/28/2022 Kelowna, BC – Prospera Place*
01/29/2022 Vancouver, BC – Rogers Arena*
02/04/2022 Missoula, MT – Adams Center**
02/05/2022 Billings, MT – MetraPark**
02/10/2022 Yakima, WA – SunDome**
02/11/2022 Eugene, OR – Matthew Knight Arena**
02/12/2022 Tacoma, WA – TacomaDome**
02/24/2022 Columbus OH – Nationwide Arena**-
02/25/2022 Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena**
03/03/2022 Grand Rapids, MI – Van Andel Arena**
03/04/2022 Bloomington, IN – Simon Skjodt Assembly Hall**
03/05/2022 Toledo OH – Huntington Center**-
*with Jordan Davis and Tenille Arts
**with Jordan Davis and Lainey Wilson