Robert Carlton
Robert Carlton is Sr. VP of Development at SMACK, the Nashville entertainment company that now involves a successful publishing house (SMACKSongs), management firm (SMACKManagement), and a recently launched influencer marketing service (SMACKTok).
A Nashville native and MTSU graduate, Carlton began his career at Black River. In 2014, he moved to SMACK and has since ascended to run the artist management division, which represents Shane McAnally’s television projects (including NBC’s Songland), Monument Records artist Walker Hayes and UMG artist Kylie Morgan. Carlton also works with SMACK’s publishing roster.
Carlton and the SMACK team have had a whirlwind few months as Hayes has experienced monumental success with his hit “Fancy Like,” from his recent EP Country Stuff.
The tune, co-written by Hayes, Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens and Josh Jenkins, has charmed the hearts of listeners across the world with its lyrics about a cheap date night at Applebee’s. Hayes sings “We fancy like Applebee’s on a date night, got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake / Get some whipped cream on the top too, two straws, one check, girl, I got you.”
Once Hayes and his daughter Lela uploaded a TikTok of the two of them dancing to the song, “Fancy Like” took off, with other creators and celebrities sharing their own TikToks of the dance. Just a month later, the TikTok has been viewed over 30 million times and “Fancy Like” ventured into the zeitgeist, hitting No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country streaming chart. On the country radio front, “Fancy Like” flew up the charts, making the biggest jump into the Top 10 on the Mediabase Country chart since Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” in early 2004. It also hit No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart on Friday (Oct. 15).
“People just gravitated towards the ordinary with Walker,” Carlton tells MusicRow of the song’s success. “[Taking it to TikTok] was obvious from the jump. The dance idea was just him and his daughter… It wasn’t strategized in a real specific way.”
Now “Fancy Like” backs an Applebee’s commercial, a collaboration we all saw coming. Carlton says that the restaurant chain wasn’t interested at first, but once the song took off, they re-considered. After the release of the track, CNN reported that Applebee’s sales grew 102% in the months following. “It was a no brainer at that point, they just had to pay a little more than they would have on the front end,” Carlton quips.
Walker Hayes and Kesha. Photo: Adam Battaglia
Hayes also partnered with pop artist Kesha on a remix for the tune. “We were trying to find someone who made sense, that you thought might go to Applebee’s,” Carlton says. “Walker and Kesha had a call about it. She said ‘I actually got thrown out of an Applebee’s because my friend got in a fight there.’ He was like, ‘Perfect. You’re it!'”
Although Hayes has been experiencing what seems like an overnight success with “Fancy Like,” the singer-songwriter has been putting the work in for 10 years. Fans have long-gravitated to Hayes’ very specific musical style, with songs like the double-Platinum “You Broke Up With Me,” and popular “90s Country” and “Don’t Let Her” creating a buzz with listeners.
When it comes to the titanic success of “Fancy Like,” Carlton says that it’s been a long time coming.
“Walker has an incredible ability to connect with his fans and build his base 1 by 1 but having this massive moment happen so suddenly is sometimes hard to appreciate and accept,” Carlton admits. “I think I’m too close to it to really allow myself enjoy it although I’m constantly telling myself to do so. It seems like every day something else amazing happens with this song and Walker and I are in disbelief asking each other ‘WHAT IS HAPPENING?’ It’s really been special to see this happen first hand with an artist and individual that is as talented and as genuine as they come.”
Garth Brooks To Honor Charley Pride With RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award At NMAAM
/by Steven BoeroCharley Pride. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Late country music icon Charley Pride will be honored at the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) with the RIAA Lifetime Achievement Award presented by Garth Brooks on Oct. 25.
Pride’s son, Dion, will accept the honor from the RIAA on behalf of his father who passed in December 2020. RIAA Chairman & CEO, Mitch Glazier and COO Michele Ballantyne will be presenting a plaque to Pride’s family and to NMAAM.
“Sometimes the greatest honor you can receive is being part of honoring someone else—this is an honor,” says Brooks.
As part of the celebration of Pride, his music and legacy, Brooks will sit down with songwriter, author and Vanderbilt University faculty member Alice Randall for a live Q&A discussing Pride’s influence on him and on country music. Brooks will perform his duet with Pride, “Where the Cross Don’t Burn,” penned by the late Troy Jones and the late Phil Thomas.
Pride and Brooks recorded “Where the Cross Don’t Burn” in September 2020 for Brooks’ Fun album, which was released in November 2020. Brooks traveled to Pride’s studio in Dallas to record the duet, which chronicles the friendship between a young white boy and an older Black man during segregation. Brooks had held the song “Where The Cross Don’t Burn” for 10 years hoping to collaborate with Pride.
Pride’s impact on the country world was profound in both his music and the move towards wider inclusion and representation in the genre. He helped set the stage for countless artists and his influence continues to be felt today.
[Updated] Beloved Engineer Joe Palmaccio Dies
/by LB CantrellJoe Palmaccio
Grammy Award-winning mastering engineer, Joe Palmaccio, died while recovering from a motorcycle accident on Saturday (Oct. 16).
A native of rural South Carolina, Palmaccio began his formal music training at age eight after moving to a small town outside Chicago. First as a trumpet player and later as a drummer, he recorded his first demo at Hedden West Studio as a teenager. After completing a B.A. in Telecommunications with a minor in Religious Studies from Indiana University, he went on to work as a mastering engineer for Bonneville Broadcasting, PolyGram Records, Sterling Sound and Sony Music Studios.
Throughout his career, Palmaccio was nominated for six Grammy awards and won four in the Best Historical Album category for such projects as 1998’s The Complete Hank Williams, 2003’s Martin Scorsese Presents the Blues: A Musical Journey, 2004’s Night Train to Nashville: Music City Rhythm & Blues 1945-1970, and 2014’s Bill Withers: The Complete Sussex and Columbia Albums
Palmaccio also spent time as an audio hardware design consultant, musician, public speaker and musical instrument craftsman. He was extremely well versed in a large variety of musical styles, genres, and technologies as both a business professional and creative. A veteran of the New York mastering community, Palmaccio founded The Place…For Mastering in Nashville in 2006, where he was president and chief engineer. He was also an adjunct instructor at Belmont University.
Among the recent projects Palmaccio mastered were records for The Eagles, BeBe Winans, Keith Urban, Gwen Sebastian, The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, David Cook, Josh Kelly and Jim Oblon. He was part of the Leadership Music Class of 2011. Palmaccio joined the Sony Music Nashville staff in April of 2019 as Specialist, A&R Administration, where he assisted with managing recording costs and trafficking and archiving all of Sony Music Nashville’s audio and video masters.
Palmaccio was known to be a loving family man. He and his wife of 28 years, Alex Rockafellar, were devoted partners in life and business.
Those wishing to express condolences may email alex@theplaceformastering.com.
There will be a celebration of life for Palmaccio on Saturday, Oct. 23 at the Vanderbilt Dyer Observatory from 3:00 p.m. – 6:00 p.m. More details here.
CMA Extends Contract With Executive Producer Robert Deaton Through 2026
/by Lydia FarthingRobert Deaton
The Country Music Association has extended its partnership with Executive Producer Robert Deaton. The new deal, which includes the annual CMA Awards in addition to CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas, puts Deaton in the producer’s chair through 2026.
The two-time Emmy Award-winning producer and director has overseen CMA’s television properties since 2007. Deaton’s career has evolved from launching a pioneering video production company, in which he created more than 200 music videos for a variety of chart-topping artists, to producing some of the most successful properties on network television. He produced Sports Illustrated: 50 Years of Beautiful on NBC as well as the “Soul to Soul” Las Vegas residency for Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. He was executive producer of The Passion with Tyler Perry for Fox Broadcasting and currently serves as executive producer of the Billboard Music Awards on NBC.
The Nashville-based entrepreneur has expanded into film and record production, as well. He helmed the Michael W. Smith & Friends: The Spirit of Christmas collection featuring guests Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Amy Grant, Carrie Underwood, Bono and Michael McDonald. He made his feature film directorial debut in 2018 with Benched.
“The passion Robert Deaton has for country music and the genre’s history is truly special,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer, Sarah Trahern. “His extraordinary vision continues to elevate the CMA Awards, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas, providing one-of-a-kind television moments to music fans throughout the year. I love to see the music come to life through his eyes and I am incredibly grateful for another five years with such a terrific partner.”
“Any gig you have with Robert Deaton, you know, as an artist and as a viewer, it’s gonna be killer!” adds Garth Brooks, seven-time CMA Entertainer of the Year. “I have had the great fortune of sharing some magical moments throughout the years with Robert. He is a gift to all of us within country music and beyond. Congratulations my friend!”
“I could not be prouder and more honored to plant my flag long-term with my family at CMA,” shares Deaton. “This is home for me, these are my people. I’m blessed beyond measure.”
CMA also renewed its contract with network television partner ABC through 2026 earlier this year.
CDX Nashville Launches CDX Records, Adds Paulette Carlson As Flagship Artist
/by Lydia FarthingMusic distributor CDX Nashville has announced the launch of CDX Records, a new boutique imprint for unique custom projects. Artist Paulette Carlson—best known for being part of the ACM and CMA Award-winning band Highway 101—is the label’s flagship artist.
Joe Kelly, President of CDX Records says: “While CDX Nashville’s core business remains music distribution to radio and influencers on behalf of all labels, in today’s music business we saw an opportunity to use our collective years of relationships and experience in label operations to help artists further by actually getting their music into the hands of the consumers. We are thrilled and excited that Paulette has chosen CDX Records to be the company that will bring her new music to the world. Paulette Carlson has a proven track record of hits, an active fan base, and the track shows how she still sings amazingly… Paulette is preparing to hit the road for a 2022 tour and while crossing the country will be visiting her friends at country radio. CDX Records will be there every step of the way.”
Carlson started performing in a club band, writing music, and playing her guitar at 18. She moved to Nashville and eventually put together the band Highway 101. Within 18 months she and the band were at the top of the charts, winning Vocal Group of the Year awards from the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
Carlson’s new release, “Branded Soul,” will be available everywhere on Oct. 29. Written by Carlson, the track was produced and mixed by Mark Capps and recorded at Soundstage Studios.
“CDX Nashville has been known for a long time to be a very reputable company. I’ve known Joe Kelly for many years, and he’s just a really good guy. I feel very confident in his new CDX Records label division and their people, and I am very happy to be working with them,” Paulette says. “I like to call this song ‘Montana Americana’ because Montana remains a beautiful bastion of outlaw country, remnants of a culture idolized and sorely missed by America’s free spirits. This Montana Americana song, ‘Branded Soul,’ will bring out the free spirit in all of us.”
Double Down Music Partners With Pump House Music To Sign Lewis Brice
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Erin Kidd, Creative Director, Double Down Music: Lewis Brice; Dallas Davidson, Founder, PIA Music Group; Ryan Dokke, CEO, PIA Music Group
Lewis Brice has signed with Double Down Music in partnership with Pump House Music.
Brice’s debut self-titled EP, produced with brother Lee Brice, was released via Pump House Music in 2017. Tracks from the EP were featured on SiriusXM’s The Highway, CMT Music, and Spotify’s New Boots & Wild Country playlists. The project’s lead single, “Best Ex Ever,” reached the Top 40 of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Radio Chart. His single, “It’s You,” amassed more than 18 million streams upon its release, adding to his nearly 33 million overall career streams.
“Over the years, I’ve known Lewis as a hell of a singer!” says Double Down Music Founder, Dallas Davidson. “He is also a terrific writer, and the Double Down team and I are excited that we get to work with a talented guy like Lewis.”
Robert Carlton Talks Walker Hayes’ Red-Hot Hit, “Fancy Like” [Interview]
/by LB CantrellRobert Carlton
Robert Carlton is Sr. VP of Development at SMACK, the Nashville entertainment company that now involves a successful publishing house (SMACKSongs), management firm (SMACKManagement), and a recently launched influencer marketing service (SMACKTok).
A Nashville native and MTSU graduate, Carlton began his career at Black River. In 2014, he moved to SMACK and has since ascended to run the artist management division, which represents Shane McAnally’s television projects (including NBC’s Songland), Monument Records artist Walker Hayes and UMG artist Kylie Morgan. Carlton also works with SMACK’s publishing roster.
Carlton and the SMACK team have had a whirlwind few months as Hayes has experienced monumental success with his hit “Fancy Like,” from his recent EP Country Stuff.
The tune, co-written by Hayes, Cameron Bartolini, Shane Stevens and Josh Jenkins, has charmed the hearts of listeners across the world with its lyrics about a cheap date night at Applebee’s. Hayes sings “We fancy like Applebee’s on a date night, got that Bourbon Street steak with the Oreo shake / Get some whipped cream on the top too, two straws, one check, girl, I got you.”
Once Hayes and his daughter Lela uploaded a TikTok of the two of them dancing to the song, “Fancy Like” took off, with other creators and celebrities sharing their own TikToks of the dance. Just a month later, the TikTok has been viewed over 30 million times and “Fancy Like” ventured into the zeitgeist, hitting No. 1 on Billboard‘s Hot Country streaming chart. On the country radio front, “Fancy Like” flew up the charts, making the biggest jump into the Top 10 on the Mediabase Country chart since Gretchen Wilson’s “Redneck Woman” in early 2004. It also hit No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Radio Chart on Friday (Oct. 15).
“People just gravitated towards the ordinary with Walker,” Carlton tells MusicRow of the song’s success. “[Taking it to TikTok] was obvious from the jump. The dance idea was just him and his daughter… It wasn’t strategized in a real specific way.”
Now “Fancy Like” backs an Applebee’s commercial, a collaboration we all saw coming. Carlton says that the restaurant chain wasn’t interested at first, but once the song took off, they re-considered. After the release of the track, CNN reported that Applebee’s sales grew 102% in the months following. “It was a no brainer at that point, they just had to pay a little more than they would have on the front end,” Carlton quips.
Walker Hayes and Kesha. Photo: Adam Battaglia
Hayes also partnered with pop artist Kesha on a remix for the tune. “We were trying to find someone who made sense, that you thought might go to Applebee’s,” Carlton says. “Walker and Kesha had a call about it. She said ‘I actually got thrown out of an Applebee’s because my friend got in a fight there.’ He was like, ‘Perfect. You’re it!'”
Although Hayes has been experiencing what seems like an overnight success with “Fancy Like,” the singer-songwriter has been putting the work in for 10 years. Fans have long-gravitated to Hayes’ very specific musical style, with songs like the double-Platinum “You Broke Up With Me,” and popular “90s Country” and “Don’t Let Her” creating a buzz with listeners.
When it comes to the titanic success of “Fancy Like,” Carlton says that it’s been a long time coming.
“Walker has an incredible ability to connect with his fans and build his base 1 by 1 but having this massive moment happen so suddenly is sometimes hard to appreciate and accept,” Carlton admits. “I think I’m too close to it to really allow myself enjoy it although I’m constantly telling myself to do so. It seems like every day something else amazing happens with this song and Walker and I are in disbelief asking each other ‘WHAT IS HAPPENING?’ It’s really been special to see this happen first hand with an artist and individual that is as talented and as genuine as they come.”
Industry Ink: Zac Brown Band, Cindy Watts, Paul Ebersold
/by Lydia FarthingZac Brown Band Wraps Up “The Comeback Tour” In Nashville
Pictured (L-R): Kristen Williams (SVP Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville), Zac Brown, Shane Tarleton (EVP Artist Development, Warner Music Nashville), Tom Martens (VP Radio & Streaming, Warner Music Nashville), Patrick Sabatini (SVP Legal & Business Affairs, Warner Music Nashville)
CMA Awards Vocal Group of the Year 2021 nominee Zac Brown Band closed out “The Comeback Tour” at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sunday night (Oct. 17).
The band released their new album, The Comeback, via Warner Music Nashville/Home Grown Music on Friday (Oct. 15), which features their Top 10 single, “Same Boat.”
Journalism Veteran Cindy Watts Joins CMT.com
Cindy Watts
Nashville-based veteran journalist Cindy Watts has joined the CMT.com editorial team.
Watts joins CMT.com alongside writer Marcus Dowling, who was appointed to the editorial staff in February 2020. Both report to Melissa Goldberg, CMT’s Senior Director of Digital & Social.
She joins CMT following a 20-year career with The Tennessean where she covered country music and celebrities.
She can be reached at Cindy.Watts@cmt.com.
Paul Ebersold Joins Rock Ridge Music For Management
Grammy-winning producer Paul Ebersold has signed with Nashville-based management company Rock Ridge Music.
The Platinum-selling producer, mixer and songwriter got his start at Ardent Studios. His extensive list of studio credits include The Weeks, Drew Holcomb, 3 Doors Down and Third Day, among others.
Most recently, Ebersold joined long-time collaborator Sadler Vaden to co-produce Morgan Wade’s album, Reckless, on Arista Nashville, as well as co-writing three tracks on the project.
Elvie Shane Scores First No. 1 With Debut Single “My Boy”
/by Lorie HollabaughWheelhouse Records artist Elvie Shane is celebrating his first No. 1 with his debut single “My Boy,” which rises to the top of both the Mediabase/Country Aircheck Singles chart and Billboard’s Country Airplay chart this week.
Co-written by Shane with Russell Sutton, Nick Columbia and Lee Starr, the chart-topping track was inspired by Shane’s stepson.
“I read a quote by Walt Disney the day I signed with my record label that said ‘Whatever we accomplish belongs to our entire group, a tribute to our combined effort,’” says Shane. “That still rings true today. I’m so thankful that group has grown to include country music radio. For such a personal debut song like ‘My Boy’ to go number one means the world to me and my family. Huge thank you to all my champions out there.”
Shane’s upcoming debut full-length album Backslider, is set for release on Oct. 29.
Curb | Word Music Publishing, Pump House Anthem Publishing Sign David Tolliver
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Lee Brice, David Tolliver, Curb | Word VP of Country Publishing Colt Murski
Curb | Word Music Publishing and Lee Brice’s Pump House Anthem Publishing have signed a joint publishing deal with songwriter David Tolliver.
The Kentucky native has had cuts by Tim McGraw, Chris Young, Brantley Gilbert, Jerrod Niemann, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Edwin McCain, Joe Diffie, Neal McCoy, and many others.
Tolliver broke into country music in 2007 as part of country-rock duo, Halfway To Hazard, with their debut Top 40 hit “Daisy.” That year, the duo hit the road opening for McGraw and Faith Hill on the “Soul2Soul Tour.” They later toured with McGraw and Jason Aldean on the “Live Your Voice Tour.”
“I have known David Tolliver since the early years and all I know is he works like no other, he cares, and he gets it done,” shares Brice. “So many intangibles separate him from so many other writers. From writing the lyrics, the guitar riffs or the melodies, he can sing it all and has every tool you could ever ask for in a writer. I am so looking forward to this new chapter.”
Curb | Word VP of Country Publishing Colt Murski says: “We are so excited to add David Tolliver to our roster of talented writers. Lee, David and I have been working together for so many years now and have always been close friends, which makes this partnership so awesome. I can’t wait to see all of the success that comes out of this team!”
“I’ve been working with the writers, artists, Colt and the publishing staff for so many years now that I’ve always felt like I was part of the family; now I really am,” adds Tolliver. “Being able to partner with my long-time friend, Lee Brice, is a blessing. I’m excited for all the opportunities that Lee and Curb can provide and I’m so happy to be a part of this team!”
Garth Brooks Announces Two Ryman Shows For November
/by Lorie HollabaughGarth Brooks has announced that he will play two intimate back-to-back shows at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium on Nov. 19-20.
“Just Garth, The Ryman and You” will give fans a chance to hear the stories behind the songs in a historic setting following the postponement of his Nashville Nissan Stadium show this summer due to severe thunderstorms in the area.
Brooks ultimately cancelled his remaining stadium dates this summer due to COVID concerns, and has not yet been able to reschedule the Nissan Stadium date.
Tickets for the Ryman shows go on sale this Friday (Oct. 22) at 10 a.m. CT and are limited to four per person. Proof of COVID-19 vaccination or negative test is required for entry.