Jesse Willoughby, Stephanie Cox
Kobalt has announced the promotions of Jesse Willoughby as SVP of Business Development and Stephanie Cox as General Manager of the company’s Nashville office. Willoughby will be responsible for the strategic growth of Kobalt’s catalog via acquisitions, partnerships, and high-value direct signings across all genres and markets. In her new position, Cox will oversee and manage Kobalt’s Nashville creative team and the office’s daily operations.
Willoughby joined Kobalt in 2014 as Director of Business Development for Kobalt Neighbouring Rights out of their LA office, growing the business significantly over the next two years with signings including Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Shakira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lukas Graham, A$AP Rocky among many others. After relocating to the Nashville office in 2015, he transitioned into the GM role of Kobalt Nashville in 2016, overseeing the day to day operations and management of Kobalt’s Nashville business.
Under Willougby’s leadership, Kobalt’s Nashville footprint experienced incredible growth, securing such high profile deals and partnerships including Dierks Bentley, SMACK Songs, Little Louder Music founded by Eric Church and Arturo Buenahora, Young Guns, Ben Simonetti, Gordie Sampson, Tommy Lee James, Michael Hardy through Relative Music, and BOOM Music with Keith Urban and Ross Copperman. In addition, Willoughby secured deals with up and coming artists such as Patrick Droney, Petey Martin, Jillian Jacqueline, Devon Gilfillian and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among others.
“Jesse has been instrumental in establishing Kobalt as a top publisher in the Nashville community. We are excited for him to take on this new role where he will undoubtedly use his expertise and relationships to continue to drive Kobalt’s roster on a global level,” says Chief Experience Officer of Kobalt, Jeannette Perez.
“It’s been an honor to head the Nashville office for the last 5 years, I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve during that time,” Willoughby shares. “I am looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to further Kobalt’s growth and impact on a global scale.”
Cox started her career at Little Big Town Music, where she learned the art of developing songwriters and identifying career-defining songs for artists. She continued honing her skills at Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment where she was instrumental in establishing the successful career of Grammy award-winning Mark D. Sanders. She went on to run the creative team at MCA Music and helped them win ASCAP’s prestigious Publisher of the Year award. After, Cox branched out to form Larga Vista Music where she achieved success with multiple No. 1 records with George Strait, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and The Band Perry.
Previously, Cox was SVP, Creative where she helped build the company’s presence and roster in Nashville. Most recently she was instrumental in the signing and development of hit songwriter and recording artist Hardy.
“Since joining Kobalt in 2011, Stephanie has been a key player in the growth and success of Kobalt Nashville. Stephanie is known in the community to be a creative force,” says Perez. “We’re confident her leadership will be critical in the further growth of Kobalt Nashville for our team, songwriters and partners.”
“I am thrilled to continue my career with one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world,” says Cox. “Getting to work with our amazing global creative staff and lead our Nashville office is an amazing opportunity and I am excited for the future.”
Kobalt Music Ups Jesse Willoughby, Stephanie Cox
/by Lydia FarthingJesse Willoughby, Stephanie Cox
Kobalt has announced the promotions of Jesse Willoughby as SVP of Business Development and Stephanie Cox as General Manager of the company’s Nashville office. Willoughby will be responsible for the strategic growth of Kobalt’s catalog via acquisitions, partnerships, and high-value direct signings across all genres and markets. In her new position, Cox will oversee and manage Kobalt’s Nashville creative team and the office’s daily operations.
Willoughby joined Kobalt in 2014 as Director of Business Development for Kobalt Neighbouring Rights out of their LA office, growing the business significantly over the next two years with signings including Calvin Harris, Bruno Mars, Ariana Grande, Shakira, Carly Rae Jepsen, Lukas Graham, A$AP Rocky among many others. After relocating to the Nashville office in 2015, he transitioned into the GM role of Kobalt Nashville in 2016, overseeing the day to day operations and management of Kobalt’s Nashville business.
Under Willougby’s leadership, Kobalt’s Nashville footprint experienced incredible growth, securing such high profile deals and partnerships including Dierks Bentley, SMACK Songs, Little Louder Music founded by Eric Church and Arturo Buenahora, Young Guns, Ben Simonetti, Gordie Sampson, Tommy Lee James, Michael Hardy through Relative Music, and BOOM Music with Keith Urban and Ross Copperman. In addition, Willoughby secured deals with up and coming artists such as Patrick Droney, Petey Martin, Jillian Jacqueline, Devon Gilfillian and Rainbow Kitten Surprise, among others.
“Jesse has been instrumental in establishing Kobalt as a top publisher in the Nashville community. We are excited for him to take on this new role where he will undoubtedly use his expertise and relationships to continue to drive Kobalt’s roster on a global level,” says Chief Experience Officer of Kobalt, Jeannette Perez.
“It’s been an honor to head the Nashville office for the last 5 years, I’m incredibly proud of what we were able to achieve during that time,” Willoughby shares. “I am looking forward to this new challenge and opportunity to further Kobalt’s growth and impact on a global scale.”
Cox started her career at Little Big Town Music, where she learned the art of developing songwriters and identifying career-defining songs for artists. She continued honing her skills at Reba McEntire’s Starstruck Entertainment where she was instrumental in establishing the successful career of Grammy award-winning Mark D. Sanders. She went on to run the creative team at MCA Music and helped them win ASCAP’s prestigious Publisher of the Year award. After, Cox branched out to form Larga Vista Music where she achieved success with multiple No. 1 records with George Strait, Tim McGraw, Miranda Lambert, and The Band Perry.
Previously, Cox was SVP, Creative where she helped build the company’s presence and roster in Nashville. Most recently she was instrumental in the signing and development of hit songwriter and recording artist Hardy.
“Since joining Kobalt in 2011, Stephanie has been a key player in the growth and success of Kobalt Nashville. Stephanie is known in the community to be a creative force,” says Perez. “We’re confident her leadership will be critical in the further growth of Kobalt Nashville for our team, songwriters and partners.”
“I am thrilled to continue my career with one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world,” says Cox. “Getting to work with our amazing global creative staff and lead our Nashville office is an amazing opportunity and I am excited for the future.”
Chris Young To Bring His ‘Famous Friends’ On Fall Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young. Photo: Jeff Johnson
Chris Young is heading back on tour this fall on his newly-announced headlining Famous Friends Tour 2021, which will include 13 arena and amphitheater dates from October through December.
Kicking off Oct. 21 in Little Rock, the tour will visit Baton Rouge, Louisiana; Rochester, Minnesota; Green Bay, Wisconsin; New Braunfels, Texas and more through Dec. 5 , and will feature special guests Mitchell Tenpenny and Callista Clark for the dates. Tickets go on sale beginning Friday, Aug. 6 at chrisyoungcountry.com and all shows will comply with local COVID-19 guidelines.
“Everybody’s been asking me when’s the tour announce – well now you have your answer and I couldn’t be more excited about it,” said Chris. “I’m pumped to be able to share some of this new music on tour!”
Young is gearing up for the release of his eighth studio album Famous Friends this Friday, Aug. 6. Led by the multi-week chart-topping title track with Kane Brown, the 14-song project also includes collaborations with several more of Young’s famous friends, including Tenpenny and Lauren Alaina, plus backing vocals from Sarah Buxton and Hillary Lindsey.
Logan Mize Takes Fans To ‘Prairieville’ On New Project
/by Lorie HollabaughLogan Mize has announced his upcoming album, Welcome to Prairieville, is due out Oct. 1. He’s offering up the first taste of the project today (July 30) with “George Strait Songs,” a track that pays homage to his roots, highlighting all the best aspects of Middle America that made him who he is.
The album not only celebrates Mize’s rural upbringing, but also showcases his storytelling abilities that have shaped his career. Mize spent nearly a decade developing the concept behind the new album, and co-wrote all but one song on the project.
“My buddy Blake Chaffin and I have been writing together for several years. Early on in our careers, we came up with this concept where we’d basically write songs about an imaginary place that we came to know as ‘Prairieville’,” Mize explains. “Growing up in middle-of-nowhere towns, we took all the characters we’ve encountered over the years, stories that stood out to us and just our life experiences overall, and from there, we painted our own versions into this tiny town. When it’s all said and done, it isn’t exactly a place you can pinpoint on a map, but I like to think it’s a representation of all the one-stoplight towns across the nation. At the very least, we’ve all driven through a Prairieville.”
2. Welcome To Prairieville (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
3. River Road (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Tyler Johnson)
4. Wine at the Church, Beer at the Bar (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Jason Blaine)
5. Follow Your Heart (Lynn Hutton, Logan Mize)
6. I Need Mike (Blake Chaffin)
7. If You Get Lucky (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Daniel Agee)
8. Tell the Truth (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
9. We Ain’t Broke (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize)
10. I Still Miss You (Blake Chaffin, Logan Mize, Jill Martin)
11. It’s About Time (Logan Mize)
MusiCares, The Onsite Foundation To Host ‘The Key Of C’ Workshop
/by Lydia FarthingThe Onsite Foundation location
The Onsite Foundation, a non-profit public charity and leader in emotional health education and resources, has partnered with MusiCares to create and host a first-of-its-kind workshop for music industry professionals titled “The Key of C.” The three-day scholarship-based workshop is designed to help music industry professionals process the trauma and sense of loss from the past year, break the cycles that keep them stuck and unable to move forward, and provide a new sense of clarity, freedom, and direction.
The “Key of C” workshop will take place Sept. 1-4 at Onsite Workshops in Cumberland Furnace, Tennessee, and will be available to musicians, singer-songwriters, engineers, stagehands, managers, tour bus drivers, A&R, agents, make-up artists, venue managers, live crews, and anyone else in the music industry who has been affected by the recent pandemic.
According to a Wellness in Music survey launched by MusiCares in October 2020, 51% of survey respondents indicated they had low to very low levels of confidence in being able to afford basic living expenses during the pandemic and 62% indicated experiencing moderately high to very high levels of financial stress, on a daily basis. Music people have also experienced increased levels of mental health struggles, with 26% of respondents experiencing moderate to severe levels of depression, 34.9% of respondents indicated seeking counseling for depression, anxiety, and stress, and 53.5% of those respondents said they were unable to get counseling because they couldn’t afford it.
“The music industry was greatly affected by COVID-19, as individuals lost their sense of security and identity, experienced tremendous loss and grief, and struggled to cope with the loss of control over their own destiny,” says Laura Hutfless, president of The Onsite Foundation Board of Directors. “We are so thankful that MusiCares has stepped up to help us meet this overwhelming need with financial resources.”
“As the leading music charity, MusiCares is dedicated to supporting music people in times of crisis and beyond,” says Laura Segura, executive director of MusiCares. “We’re excited to partner with The Onsite Foundation and create these important tools as part of our continued efforts to help music people recover and come back stronger after the pandemic.”
MusiCares will also be underwriting scholarships for qualifying music industry professionals who qualify to attend any other programs through The Onsite Foundation, including Triumph Over Tragedy, Life After Loss, Support in Service, and Haven for Healers.
Applications for The Key of C are now open. For more information on how to apply, click here.
The Oak Ridge Boys To Headline Show After Big Machine Music City Grand Prix
/by Steven BoeroThe Oak Ridge Boys. Photo: by Chris Hollo
Country Music Hall of Fame inductees The Oak Ridge Boys are set to headline the Grand Ole Prix show following the NTT IndyCar Big Machine Music City Grand Prix on Sunday, Aug. 8. Alan Jackson was originally set to headline the show but had to dropout due to tour-related travel logistics.
“We are honored and, to be quite honest, very excited about performing in Nashville after the Grand Prix,” says The Oak Ridge Boys’ Joe Bonsall. “Thank you Grand Ole Opry for inviting us to take part in this historical event. Let’s go racing, Nashville!”
The Nashville-based Opry has rarely in its history taken its iconic show outside its home venue and is proud to include The Oak Ridge Boys in such a special night. Danielle Bradbery, Callista Clark, Riley Green, and Justin Moore are also scheduled to perform. The Opry show at the Big Machine Music City Grand Prix will close out the three-day festival, where fans and attendees will get a chance to experience the true heart of Nashville, as the Opry has been home to country music for 95 years.
Sunday night’s show will start at 7:00 p.m. and will take place on the Main Stage, adjacent to the Fan Zone and sponsor display area near the pedestrian bridge. All concerts are included with individual tickets and three-day passes. Limited single-day grandstand tickets, general admission tickets, and festival add-ons can still be bought on the Grand Prix’s website.
The Oak Ridge Boys’ new album Front Porch Singin’ is available now from Lightning Rod/Thirty Tigers. This is the group’s fourth collaboration with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb. The Oak Ridge Boys also recently released the music video for their single “Love, Light, and Healing” from their new album which premiered on CMT and was directed by Brandon Wood of IndieBling.
Chart Action: Jason Aldean & Carrie Underwood Duet Excels At Country Radio
/by Alex ParryAfter teasing his new single with a secret duet partner, Jason Aldean released “If I Didn’t Love You” featuring Carrie Underwood last Friday (July 23). Ahead of its impact date on Aug. 2, the single gathered early support from country radio. On the Billboard Country Airplay chart, Aldean and Underwood earned 86 station adds, +1,604 spins, and debuted at No. 20. On Mediabase, the duo landed at No. 31 with 88 new stations and +1,642 spins. On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, they debuted at No. 52 collecting +353 spins from 25 stations.
This is the lead single to Aldean’s forthcoming 10th studio album. Aldean shares, “We were pretty close to finishing up this album, but this song came in and we knew we had to record it. I went ahead and put my vocals down while we asked Carrie in the meantime. Luckily she loved the song and it was kind of like a rocket from there. She did her thing like only Carrie can…and I don’t know how, but she made it sound even better than what we expected. It’s a really special song to start this album.”
“If I Didn’t Love You” was written by Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Morgan and Lydia Vaughan and produced by Michael Knox.
For more chart data, view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Michael Ray Celebrates The Hard Knocks Of Life On ‘Higher Education’
/by Lorie HollabaughMichael Ray. Photo: Sean Hagwell
Michael Ray is ready to share some of the lessons he’s learned on Higher Education, his first new project since 2019’s Amos, set for release Aug. 27 via Warner Music Nashville.
The latest song to be released from the project is “Just The Way I Am,” a Michael Hardy, Ben West, and Josh Miller-penned track. Other writers contributing to the album include Josh Thompson, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Frank Rogers, Corey Crowder and more.
“I’ll never forget that time in my life when I was fresh out of high school, working a trade I expected to do all my life — splicing cable — and Amos, my grandfather, recognized how much I loved writing and singing country music,” says the Eustis, Florida native. “He said, ‘you can either look back and say ‘Damn, I wish I would have,’ or ‘Damn, I’m glad I did,’ and the latter is a whole lot easier to live with.’ With that, my band and I made the move to Music City. The next five years I leaned on the insanely talented writers, musicians and touring artists I knew, and the five+ after that I have leaned on this town. I am proud to know them the way I do, to have learned from them, and for them to know me.
“Higher Education is about going through life and the hard knocks that make you who you are … coming out of it stronger, having let it change you without hardening you. This album reminds me that even though we all go through hard times, we grow and we’re better for it.”
Higher Education also features Ray’s current single “Whiskey And Rain,” which is Top 25-and-climbing at country radio as it tops 40 million on-demand streams. Earlier this summer Ray previewed the new project with perhaps his most personal song to date, “Picture,” which he co-wrote the day of his Uncle Terry’s memorial following his untimely passing.
Higher Education Track List:
1. Whiskey And Rain (Josh Thompson, Jesse Frasure)
2. Just The Way I Am (Michael Hardy, Ben West, Josh Miller)
3. Holy Water (Ashley Gorley, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson, Michael Hardy)
4. Picture (Michael Ray, David Garcia, Michael Hardy)
5. Higher Education feat. Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Billy Gibbons and Tim Montana (Tim Montana, Derek George, Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Frank Rogers)
6. Live Without You (Michael Hardy, Jessi Alexander, Corey Crowder)
7. Didn’t Know I Was Country (Michael Ray, Taylor Phillips, Ashley Gorley)
Billy Strings Looks For ‘Renewal’ This Fall With Upcoming Project
/by Lorie HollabaughBilly Strings. Photo: Jesse Faatz
Billy Strings is set to release his new album, Renewal, Sept. 24 via Rounder Records. Ahead of the release, Strings is debuting a new track, “Fire Line,” available everywhere now.
Produced by Jonathan Wilson, Renewal incorporates a wide range of influences with elements of bluegrass, classic rock, metal, psychedelic music, and more. With the record’s sixteen tracks, Strings shares a personal and honest perspective through his songwriting.
The record features Strings’ band—Billy Failing (banjo, piano, background vocals), Royal Masat (bass, background vocals) and Jarrod Walker (mandolin, guitar, background vocals,) as well as special guest musicians Spencer Cullum (pedal steel), John Mailander (violin) and Grant Millikem (synth).
“A lot of people call us a bluegrass band and I don’t even know if that’s what we are anymore,” says Strings. “You’ve got to let the song do its thing. So that’s what I try to do—write songs and let them come out however they do. I listen to it now and it’s emotional. I’ve always doubted myself, and I still do, but this album makes me think, ‘Hey, you’re doing all right, kid. You just need to keep going.’”
Strings will make his debut on PBS’ Austin City Limits as part of the program’s upcoming 47th season and will continue his extensive headline tour through the end of this year.
Billy Strings
Renewal Track List:
1. Know It All
2. Secrets
3. Love and Regret
4. Heartbeat of America
5. In The Morning Light
6. This Old World
7. Show Me The Door
8. Hellbender
9. Red Daisy
10. The Fire On My Tongue
11. Nothing’s Working
12. Hide and Seek
13. Ice Bridges
14. Fire Line
15. Running The Route
16. Leaders
Old Dominion Tops MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart In 10 Weeks
/by Alex ParryOld Dominion’s “I Was On A Boat That Day” rises to No. 1, earning 1,733 spins this week and 11,639 cumulative spins in just 10 weeks on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Band members Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Brad Tursi, Whit Sellers, and Geoff Sprung co-wrote the single alongside Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.
Old Dominion was recently featured on the cover of MusicRow’s 2021 Artist Roster print issue. Lead singer, Ramesy spoke about their new single saying, “When you listen to ‘I Was On a Boat That Day’ you are hearing us in the full joy of making music together. From the moment I counted the band off we were smiling from beginning to end. The tequila was flowing, the laughter was loud, and we knew in that moment we were creating something that would bring people as much joy as it was bringing us.” Pick up the latest edition of MusicRow Magazine here.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Keith Urban Joins ACM’s Party For A Cause 2021 Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban
Keith Urban is the latest artist to join the ACM’s Party for a Cause lineup set for Aug. 24 at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.
Urban announced the news on his Instagram this morning and will be joining previously announced performers Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion with special guests, Tenille Townes, Trisha Yearwood and more to be announced. The night will be hosted by SiriusXM’s The Highway host, Storme Warren.
The event will precede the 14th Annual Academy of Country Music Honors celebration, which takes place on Wednesday, Aug. 25 at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Proceeds from ACM Party for a Cause will directly benefit ACM Lifting Lives, the charitable arm of the Academy of Country Music which works to lift lives through the power of music.