Maren Morris’ “The Bones” Certified 4x Platinum
Maren Morris. Photo: Alan Poizner
Grammy-winning recording artist Maren Morris recently celebrated her smash hit, “The Bones,” being certified 4x Platinum.
The song, which lives on her 2019 LP Girl, saw incredible success in 2020, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 19 consecutive weeks and becoming the first solo female multi-week No. 1 at country radio since 2012.
The reigning Female Vocalist of the Year earned three nominations for this year’s 55th Annual CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Chasing After You,” her first official duet with husband Ryan Hurd.
Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde Team Up For “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Two powerful songstresses, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, have combined forces on their brand-new single “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” The third track from 29: Written In Stone, which expands Pearce’s original seven-song 29, hits country radio today (Sept. 15) via Big Machine Records and Warner Music Nashville.
Written by Pearce, McBryde and Shane McAnally, the track is sung from the perspective of two women–the single girl thanking the guy who helped change her flat tire and the wife at home–discovering the man they’re involved with has someone else. The truth of the situation finds the two reeling as they consider the sobering moments.
“Carly isn’t afraid to face the less potable subjects,” McBryde offers. “As a writer she’s willing to get in there and get very honest. Writing this song together with Shane strengthened our friendship and taught us more about one another and ourselves. Seriously, nobody wants to be the other woman. And when you find you are… damn. It’s such a gut punch.”
“Ashley is such a great drop-into-the-moment writer, she was able to bring that reality bomb truth to what we were doing,” says Pearce. “She’s fearless, and she understands human nature in a way that let us both really write to the hurt of realizing we’ve been lied to by someone we’re intimate with.”
The full 29: Written In Stone project releases worldwide on Friday (Sept. 17) via Big Machine Records.
The Isaacs Become Newest Grand Ole Opry Members
The Isaacs Opry Induction with Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Photo: Chris Hollo
The multi-Grammy-nominated family band, The Isaacs, were officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry last night (Sept. 14) by Opry members Ricky Skaggs and The Whites: Buck, Sharon and Cheryl.
Comprised of Becky, Ben, Lily, and Sonya, the family closed their set with a rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul” and were joined at the end of the show in an all-cast performance of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
“When we think of all the people there are in the whole world, we feel we must be the most loved by God because this is such a wonderful night,” said Sonya. “We’ve already felt like family in our hearts and tonight it becomes an official wedding.” Mother Lily expressed, “What more could we ever ask for than to become a part of this family” and later Ben shared his gratitude for parents who brought them up in music. “The Isaacs are so much better at giving than receiving so this night is so humbling,” said Becky.
“The Isaacs have brought so many great performances and so much joy to the Opry over the course of the 25 years they’ve been visiting us,” said Dan Rogers, Opry vice president and executive producer. “Whether they are sitting in the auditorium, standing on stage, or watching from the wings, every single person here tonight is thrilled they’ve come home to the Opry to stay.”
The Mayor of the Isaacs’ hometown of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Jamie Clary, recently declared Sept. 14 “The Isaacs Day.”
Sony Music Nashville Names Nicole Hunt As Director, Marketing
/by Lydia FarthingNicole Hunt. Photo: Alan Poizner
Nicole Hunt has been appointed Director, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville, effective immediately. Hunt will report directly to Senior Vice President of Marketing Jennifer Way.
In her new role, Hunt will oversee the strategy, development, and execution of targeted marketing campaigns to drive consumption and audience growth for her portion of the Sony Music Nashville artist roster.
“Nicole brings a wealth of marketing knowledge and experience to our team, along with an infectious energy and collaborative spirit that will suit her well in this role,” comments Way. “I’m excited to watch her grow with our team and I am delighted that she chose to write her next chapter with Sony Music Nashville.”
Since 2016, Hunt had worked at Big Machine Label Group, most recently in the role of Project Manager, Big Machine Records. Prior to that, she served as Promotion Coordinator, Big Machine Records.
A 2015 magna cum laude graduate of Suffolk University, Hunt received a Bachelor’s Degree in Advertising. While in school, she began working with iHeartMedia, Live Nation Entertainment, WKLB-FM, and local stints with entertainer Andy Grammer.
“I am more than thrilled to join Sony Music Nashville in this new role. I’m so thankful to Jen and the SMN leadership team for believing and investing in me, and I’m excited to grow with the entire team and help share the visions and extraordinary music of our artists,” Hunt shares.
Hunt can be reached at nicole.hunt@sonymusic.com.
Darcie Van Etten Exits Country Radio Seminar, Creative Director Position Opens
/by LB CantrellDarcie Van Etten is exiting her position at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) after four years with the company. She is joining management company Roundhouse Entertainment.
CRS is looking to fill a Creative Director position following Van Etten’s departure.
“CRS has a tremendously rare opportunity for the next rising star in our industry to step into a dynamic, versatile role as Creative Director/Digital Content Mgr, and impose their creative will on this organization. On behalf of our board and staff, congratulations to Darcie on her exciting career opportunity; we thank her for the many contributions to our organization,” says CRS/CRB Executive Director RJ Curtis.
This role reports directly to Curtis, who is looking to fill the position straightaway. The Creative Director will be responsible for brainstorming, planning, and executing all of the organization’s marketing, digital, and creative efforts.
For more details about the position, click here. Resumes can be submitted to Curtis at rj@crb.org.
Reliant Talent Agency Expands Roster With Everclear, Lit & Saliva
/by Lorie HollabaughEverclear
Everclear, Lit, and Saliva have all joined the expansive and diverse Reliant Talent roster.
Lit
“Everclear, Lit, and Saliva have impacted millions of fans worldwide and accomplished significant success,” says Reliant’s Steve Lassiter. “Our team is energized by these bands and we look forward to many shows and tours together.”
Reinforcing Reliant’s vision for representing artists across the musical spectrum, the company’s roster includes talent in Americana, Comedy, Country, Rock, Jazz, and more. Travis Tritt, Kenny Loggins, Rodney Carrington, Phil Vassar, Yacht Rock Revue, Take 6, Average White Band, and Sister Hazel are among other artists signed. Additional artists will be announced in the coming weeks.
Saliva
Steve Wariner Reimagines Christmas Classics On New Holiday Album
/by Lorie HollabaughSteve Wariner. Photo: David Abbott
Steve Wariner is getting in the holiday spirit early this year with the release of his new Christmas album, Feels Like Christmas Time, on Oct. 15.
The album features re-imagined arrangements of familiar Christmas classics including “Silent Night,” “The First Noel,” and “It Came Upon a Midnight Clear,” along with six original holiday tunes, all written by Wariner.
Warner will chat about the new project, answer questions, and play music during a TalkShopLive #WarinerWednesday pre-order event on Sept. 22 at 7 p.m. CT. A limited-edition white vinyl of the album with a signed poster as well as a bundle that contains the limited edition vinyl, signed poster, playable vinyl postcard, ornament and shirt are also available for pre-order now on SteveWariner.com.
Feels Like Christmas Time Track List:
1. Feels Like Christmas Time – Rick Carnes, Steve Wariner
2. Silent Night – Traditional, Arr. Steve Wariner
3. It Came Upon a Midnight Clear – Traditional, Arr. Steve Wariner
4. Christmas in Your Arms – Bill Anderson, Steve Wariner
5. Medley: Away in a Manger/O Little Town of Bethlehem/We Wish You a Merry Christmas – Traditional, Arr. Steve Wariner
6. On Christmas Morning – Lisa Silver, Steve Wariner
7. God Rest Ye Merry Gentlemen – Traditional, Arr. Steve Wariner
8. The First Noel – Traditional, Arr. Steve Wariner
9. Our Savior is Born – Steve Wariner
10. Tennessee Snowfall – Steve Wariner
11. It Won’t Be Christmas – Jim “Moose” Brown, Steve Wariner
Artist Action: Maren Morris, Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde, The Isaacs
/by Lydia FarthingMaren Morris’ “The Bones” Certified 4x Platinum
Maren Morris. Photo: Alan Poizner
Grammy-winning recording artist Maren Morris recently celebrated her smash hit, “The Bones,” being certified 4x Platinum.
The song, which lives on her 2019 LP Girl, saw incredible success in 2020, topping the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart for 19 consecutive weeks and becoming the first solo female multi-week No. 1 at country radio since 2012.
The reigning Female Vocalist of the Year earned three nominations for this year’s 55th Annual CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, and Musical Event of the Year and Music Video of the Year for “Chasing After You,” her first official duet with husband Ryan Hurd.
Carly Pearce & Ashley McBryde Team Up For “Never Wanted To Be That Girl”
Two powerful songstresses, Carly Pearce and Ashley McBryde, have combined forces on their brand-new single “Never Wanted To Be That Girl.” The third track from 29: Written In Stone, which expands Pearce’s original seven-song 29, hits country radio today (Sept. 15) via Big Machine Records and Warner Music Nashville.
Written by Pearce, McBryde and Shane McAnally, the track is sung from the perspective of two women–the single girl thanking the guy who helped change her flat tire and the wife at home–discovering the man they’re involved with has someone else. The truth of the situation finds the two reeling as they consider the sobering moments.
“Carly isn’t afraid to face the less potable subjects,” McBryde offers. “As a writer she’s willing to get in there and get very honest. Writing this song together with Shane strengthened our friendship and taught us more about one another and ourselves. Seriously, nobody wants to be the other woman. And when you find you are… damn. It’s such a gut punch.”
“Ashley is such a great drop-into-the-moment writer, she was able to bring that reality bomb truth to what we were doing,” says Pearce. “She’s fearless, and she understands human nature in a way that let us both really write to the hurt of realizing we’ve been lied to by someone we’re intimate with.”
The full 29: Written In Stone project releases worldwide on Friday (Sept. 17) via Big Machine Records.
The Isaacs Become Newest Grand Ole Opry Members
The Isaacs Opry Induction with Ricky Skaggs and The Whites. Photo: Chris Hollo
The multi-Grammy-nominated family band, The Isaacs, were officially inducted into the Grand Ole Opry last night (Sept. 14) by Opry members Ricky Skaggs and The Whites: Buck, Sharon and Cheryl.
Comprised of Becky, Ben, Lily, and Sonya, the family closed their set with a rendition of “It Is Well With My Soul” and were joined at the end of the show in an all-cast performance of “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.”
“When we think of all the people there are in the whole world, we feel we must be the most loved by God because this is such a wonderful night,” said Sonya. “We’ve already felt like family in our hearts and tonight it becomes an official wedding.” Mother Lily expressed, “What more could we ever ask for than to become a part of this family” and later Ben shared his gratitude for parents who brought them up in music. “The Isaacs are so much better at giving than receiving so this night is so humbling,” said Becky.
“The Isaacs have brought so many great performances and so much joy to the Opry over the course of the 25 years they’ve been visiting us,” said Dan Rogers, Opry vice president and executive producer. “Whether they are sitting in the auditorium, standing on stage, or watching from the wings, every single person here tonight is thrilled they’ve come home to the Opry to stay.”
The Mayor of the Isaacs’ hometown of Hendersonville, Tennessee, Jamie Clary, recently declared Sept. 14 “The Isaacs Day.”
Lauren Daigle, CeCe Winans, Zach Williams To Perform On 52nd Annual Dove Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Gospel Music Association has announced the first round of performers for the 52nd Dove Awards, which will feature Lauren Daigle, Elevation Worship, KB, CeCe Winans and Zach Williams. This year’s show will air exclusively on TBN on Oct. 22 at 7 p.m. CT. The event will also take place live and in person in Nashville on Oct. 19.
Dove award-winning artists Natalie Grant and Jonathan McReynolds have been tapped to co-host this year’s awards. This will be McReynolds’s first time hosting as he joins Grant, who first hosted in 2010. Both artists are current nominees and will perform live on the show.
Top nominees for the upcoming awards, as previously announced, include Steven Furtick with ten nominations, Chris Brown with nine, and Wayne Haun with eight. Elevation Worship and Brandon Lake received seven nods each, six to For King & Country, and five for Winans, Ed Cash, Tiffany Hammer (Hudson) and Williams.
WMBA To Host First Annual Fun Day
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) is hosting its first annual WMBA Fun Day at Edwin Warner Park in Nashville to kick off its recruitment season. The event will be held on Oct. 2 at 4 p.m. CT in Pavilion 9.
The afternoon will be filled with food, games, and prizes from stores and artists in Music City. The event is open to all members, alumni, and women in the music industry who are interested in joining or learning more about the organization.
Due to the pandemic, masks are advised to be worn in order to keep everyone safe. RSVPs for WMBA Fun Day are open through Sept. 28.
Additionally, applications to join the WMBA for 2022 open on Monday, Oct. 3. For more information, click here.
The nonprofit organization is dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, and community service. The WMBA is led by Chairwoman Brandi Simms (MooTV, Moo Creative & The Steel Mill), Lindsey Clark (DeatonFlanigen Productions), Amery Fridenstine (Above Board Consulting), Cameo Carlson (Mtheory Nashville), Mary Catherine Kinney (Spotify), and Legal Counsel Lauren Spahn (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley, & Norton LLP).
NOW ACCEPTING: Applications For MusicRow’s N.B.T. Music Industry Directory
/by LB CantrellApplications are now open for the N.B.T. (Next Big Thing) Music Industry Directory, which will be featured in MusicRow‘s Touring/N.B.T. print issue which comes out on December 1.
MusicRow‘s N.B.T. Music Industry Directory is the first and only list of its kind, showcasing Nashville music business professionals who are rising through the ranks. This class of industry members occupy mid-level roles at their respective companies, and are on a trajectory of excellence to become future leaders in the Nashville music industry. Applicants should ideally have a minimum of 5 or more years experience in the music industry.
This Touring/N.B.T. print edition also includes the annual Next Big Thing artists listing, with editorial features focused on the touring segment of our industry.
To apply for inclusion in this year’s edition of the N.B.T. Music Industry Directory, please click here to access the application form. (Please note that not all submissions are guaranteed to be listed in the directory.)
Note: If you are submitting multiple candidates, you will need to click on SUBMIT at the bottom of the form before entering another candidate. Head shots can be sent to art@musicrow.com.
New submissions for the directory close on Friday, September 24, 2021. For questions, email lbcantrell@musicrow.com.
NSAI Virtually Honors 2021 Nashville Songwriter Awards Winners
/by LB CantrellThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the winners of the 4th annual Nashville Songwriter Awards. The winners were honored by NSAI and presenting partner City National Bank through an online presentation this afternoon (Sept. 14).
The Song of the Year honor was awarded to Luke Dick, Natalie Hemby and Miranda Lambert for their song “Bluebird.” This hopeful tune was nominated for Song of the Year at the 54th CMA Awards, the 56th ACM Awards, and for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song at the 63rd Annual Grammy Awards.
Ethan Hulse, a three-time Grammy nominated and Dove Award winning songwriter, was honored with Songwriter of the Year. Hulse, who wrote the recent Christian hits “Rescue Story,” “Stand In Your Love” and “The Father’s House,” also recently took home Songwriter of the Year at the BMI Christian Awards.
Country hitmaker Luke Combs was awarded with Songwriter-Artist of the Year. Combs achieved his eleventh consecutive No. 1 hit, “Forever After All,” this year and was recently revealed as a nominee for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Song of the Year (“Forever After All”) for the upcoming 55th CMA Awards.
NSAI also honored many songwriters in the highly-coveted ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ category, which are voted on by Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI honoring the work of their songwriter peers. Songs eligible for the award have at least one Nashville-based writer and charted in the Top 20 of Billboard Airplay chart in the Christian, country, mainstream top 40, and/or rock genres during the eligible period. The NSAI Song Of The Year is the highest vote-getter.
The ’10 Songs I Wish I’d Written’ winners include:
“7 Summers” – Written by: Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Morgan Wallen
“Ain’t Always The Cowboy” – Written by: Brandon Kinney, Josh Thompson
“Chasin’ You” – Written by: Jamie Moore, Morgan Wallen, Craig Wiseman
“Die From A Broken Heart” – Written by: Taylor Dye, Maddie Marlow, Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton
“Hell Of A View” – Written by: Casey Beathard, Eric Church, Monty Criswell
“I Called Mama” – Written by: Marv Green, Lance Miller, Jimmy Yeary
“I Hope” – Written by: Gabby Barrett, Zachary Kale, Jon Nite
“I Hope You’re Happy Now” – Written by: Luke Combs, Randy Montana, Carly Pearce, Jonathan Singleton
“One Night Standards” – Written by: Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally, Ashley McBryde
“Starting Over” – Written by: Mike Henderson, Chris Stapleton
Viewers who missed the premiere have the opportunity to revisit the awards on the Bluebird Cafe’s official YouTube channel or NSAI’s official Facebook page.
Greenberg Traurig Expands Entertainment Practice, Adds Jeff Biederman
/by Lydia FarthingCharles J. “Jeff” Biederman. Photo: Dennis Trantham at Westside Studio
Global law firm Greenberg Traurig, LLP is expanding its Entertainment & Media Practice as it adds music attorney Charles J. “Jeff” Biederman as a shareholder in its Los Angeles office. He joins the firm from Manatt.
Biederman has worked on more than $1 billion in music catalogue deals in recent years and represents a wide variety of artists, including Dierks Bentley and the estate of Miles Davis. His practice includes representation of artists, entrepreneurs, and companies in the areas of music, television, film, digital media, fashion and branding, and advertising.
“Jeff’s arrival highlights our commitment to meeting the needs of our clients in a rapidly changing marketplace and ensuring that we remain the preeminent global law firm in the entertainment and media sector,” says Bobby Rosenbloum, chairman of the firm’s global practice group.
Biederman’s recent work includes representing Round Hill Music Royalty Fund Ltd. in the acquisition of a publishing catalogue valued at $363 million. He also represented Downtown Music Holdings in its sale of 145,000 copyrights to Concord Music, capturing Downtown’s entire owned and co-published music catalog.
“We continue to strategically expand our team with best in class lawyers who have noted reputations in the entertainment sector,” shares Daniel H. Black , vice chairman of the firm’s global practice and chairman of the West Coast Entertainment and Media Practice. “Jeff’s extensive experience and connections will help us continue to strengthen and expand the capabilities of our Los Angeles office and our global entertainment team.”
“The entertainment marketplace is a global marketplace,” Biederman comments. “We all work in a global media space. When I’m doing licensing deals in Europe or Asia, having experienced colleagues in markets like London and Milan, is incredibly helpful. I know that for any question that comes up, there’s a Greenberg Traurig lawyer somewhere in the world who can answer it.”
Biederman earned his B.A. from Cornell University and his J.D. from the Vanderbilt University School of Law.