Grammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, publisher, educator, speaker, and author Jim Femino passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 3). He was 69.
Before becoming a music industry executive, Femino spent twenty-five years as a country, rock and soul recording artist, touring the eastern hemisphere for crowds big and small. Along the way, he built Road Records, an independent record label, and its accompanying merchandising and sponsorship arms.
After his career as an artist, Femino launched his own publishing company and recording studio in Nashville, and he began to write songs professionally for Music City’s recording artists. Among artists who have recorded his songs are Toby Keith, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, Jamie O’Neal, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Azar, and others.
His biggest hit was James Otto’s 2008 single, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.” The song boasted a list of achievements, including a nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Billboard‘s 2008 Most Played Country Song of the Year, and being named to Billboard‘s Greatest 100 of All-Time Country Songs.
For the last 30 years Femino was President of Songstarters!, Inc., an award-winning publishing, production, artist development, and online songwriter/music education company. He was a board member of the CMA, The Recording Acadmey and various other trade organizations.
Earlier this year, Jim’s wife, Leslie Thola Femino, passed away at the age of 69 due to cancer. Femino is survived by his children Kristie Weidner (Tom Rhoads), Arthur Femino (Michelle), Adam Holcomb (Nicole Nocito) and Matthew Femino; five granchildren Kaitlin Weidner (Keegan Kling), Jacob Weidner, Tori Femino, Sarah Femino, and Jimmy Femino; and one great grandchild Kinsley Kling.
Funeral arrangements for Jim Femino have not yet been announced.
James Otto, who recorded Femino’s biggest hit, posted a tribute to the songwriter, saying that Femino had recently survived a heart attack.
Nashville Venues Enforce New COVID Requirements Amidst Growing Case Numbers
/by Lydia FarthingPhoto: Courtesy City Winery
Following the rapid spike in COVID-19 cases across the United States and beyond over the last couple of weeks, the CDC has recently revised their guidelines for vaccinated individuals. Included in this new guidance is the return of mask-wearing under certain conditions and restricting international travel.
However, with the rampant Delta variant currently circulating in the United States, some states and businesses are bringing back the conversation of vaccination and/or testing requirements for their staff and patrons, such as New York City which will require vaccines for entry into certain establishments beginning in the next few weeks. Since the CDC’s announcement, companies like Walmart, Disney, Apple and Google, among others, have enforced a similar requirement, while President Joe Biden also announced new vaccination rules for federal employees.
As Tennessee continues to see COVID-19 case counts rise each day, some of Music City’s businesses and venues have announced that they will be requiring proof of vaccination or a negative COVID-19 test to enter their establishments. Among those who have made the leap are City Winery, which has multiple locations across the northeast, and The 5 Spot in East Nashville.
“At this stage in the pandemic, with the Delta variant on the rise, the remarkable roll-out of vaccines, and the overwhelming numbers of our customers now fully inoculated against COVID-19, we can create an environment that is as safe as possible moving forward. Our recent July survey indicated that more than 75% of our patrons are already vaccinated,” says City Winery’s Founder Michael Dorf in a letter to its patrons. “Given this, our decision to move forward with creating an environment where we request that all patrons are vaccinated, and wear masks when moving indoors, will allow even more psychological comfort that our facility is as safe a place to be as possible. Of course, we respect that if a person does not want to get vaccinated for any reason, be it religious, health or other, they can get tested showing a negative result within 72 hours to gain admission. All guests are welcome on our outdoor patios, however masks will be required when entering the building.”
The 5 Spot took to social media to share their new rules saying, “After due consideration we’ve decided to require proof of vaccination as a condition of entry into our venue beginning Saturday, Aug 7. In times such as these we must behave as reasonably and responsibly as possible.” The post continues, “Before you come party with us, please make sure you have your vaccination card (or a photo of it) at the ready. We will be verifying vaccination status before admission to The 5 Spot is granted.”
These decisions, coupled with artists like Garth Brooks announcing he will be reassessing the state of COVID before continuing his nationwide stadium tour, begs the question of what will happen to the just-reopened touring industry as we move into the changing of seasons and cases continue to rise.
For more information on the CDC guidelines and the Delta variant, click here.
Big Loud Records Launches Rock/Alternative Imprint, Big Loud Rock
/by LB CantrellBig Loud Records, the home to country acts Morgan Wallen, Jake Owen, Chris Lane, Hardy and many more, has announced the formation of a new rock/alternative imprint, Big Loud Rock.
The emerging label will bring on A.J. Kasen as Senior Vice President of A&R. Kasen started his career at Lava Records in 2011, where he worked with artists Lorde, Jessie J and Black Veil Brides. In 2015, he joined Better Noise Music as the Director of A&R, then bumped up to Vice President in 2017, working directly with artists including Motley Crüe, AWOLNATION, Dirty Heads, Five Finger Death Punch, The Hu, and more. He now joins President and Partner, Greg Thompson, and fellow SVP, Lloyd Aur Norman.
A.J. Kasen. Photo: Lara Schweller
“We’re honored to have A.J. join the Big Loud family,” says Thompson. “It’s exciting to have someone with his pedigree to continue and grow our commitment in the Rock world. Having him team up with Lloyd will give us the best leadership we could imagine.”
Big Loud Rock recently announced its first signed act as Blame My Youth— a new band fronted by former rock band Empires member, Sean Van Vleet. The group’s current single, “Fantastic,” just hit the Top 30 on both the MediaBase Active Rock and BDS Mainstream Rock charts, with a debut EP due this fall.
Meanwhile, Hardy’s cover of the Puddle of Mudd classic, “Blurry,” was released on Big Loud Rock earlier this year.
UMPG Nashville Signs Adam James To Worldwide Publishing Agreement [Exclusive]
/by LB CantrellAdam James. Photo: Jonathan Sherwood
Universal Music Publishing Nashville has signed songwriter Adam James to an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement.
James has co-written songs recorded by Dierks Bentley, Zac Brown Band, The Cadillac Three, Charlie Worsham and Filmore. He co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s current single, “Knowing You,” which is climbing the country charts.
Ron Stuve, VP A&R, UMPG Nashville, says of James: “Adam is a dual threat – strong lyrically and melodically. He has a deep appreciation and reverence for the past, but he is completely focused on the future. Terry Wakefield and I, along with the entire UMPG team, are thrilled to represent him and his songs.”
James adds, “UMPG is one of the best buildings left on Music Row, filled with some of the best publishers to ever do it. I’m so excited to join forces with these folks and get to work!”
Sony Group Corporation Q1 Results: New Acquisitions, Streaming Revenue Show Increases
/by Lydia FarthingFor Sony’s music segment, specifically, Q1 sales increased a significant 44% year-over-year as sales increased in all categories driven primarily by growth in streaming. For the rest of the fiscal year, both sales and operating income are expected to increase.
Streaming revenue, which is Sony’s largest growth driver, grew considerably due to strong paid streaming and a recovery in advertising-supported streaming negatively impacted by COVID-19. During the quarter, streaming revenue increased significantly, 53% year-on-year in recorded music and 70% year-on-year in music publishing. In this quarter, Sony had an average of 36 songs in Spotify’s global top 100 songs ranking, and debut songs from new artists are increasing in ranking.
Sony also completed the acquisition of the DIY artist service business AWAL in May 2021 to strategically complement The Orchard in the growing indie market. In June, Sony also acquired Somethin’ Else, a major British podcast production company, and Alamo Records, a music label focused on hip hop in the U.S. The company also formed an alliance with the rapidly growing online game platform Roblox in July to provide our artists the opportunity to connect with the Roblox community through virtual events and other means.
To read the full report, click here.
Tim McGraw And Faith Hill Tapped To Star In Upcoming ‘Yellowstone’ Prequel
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Sam Elliott (Courtesy of Deadline/REX/Shutterstock); Faith Hill; Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are set to star in the Paramount + prequel to the Emmy-nominated series Yellowstone, in a new series called 1883. 101 Studios and Bosque Ranch Productions will serve as production partners on the new drama.
Created by Taylor Sheridan, 1883 follows the Dutton family as they embark on a journey west through the Great Plains toward the last bastion of untamed America. The episodes offer a stark retelling of Western expansion, and a study of one family fleeing poverty to seek a better future in America’s promised land of Montana.
Academy Award-nominated actor Sam Elliott will star alongside McGraw and Hill in the prequel as Shea Brennan, a tough-as-nails cowboy with immense sadness in his past who has the task of guiding a group from Texas to Montana including James and Margaret Dutton, portrayed by McGraw and Hill.
“This is truly a dream job,” says McGraw. “Taylor has found a way of storytelling that brilliantly creates these epic dramas and family sagas with so much depth and creativity. The Duttons are tremendous characters and it’s so thrilling to be able to bring them to life. As a kid growing up riding horses, you think about dream jobs like this and I am just so excited to work with this amazing cast and crew.”
“This is the opportunity of a lifetime,” says Hill. “The Duttons are a formidable family and it is an absolute dream to bring such a strong female character like Margaret Dutton to life. I am humbled and honored to work with Taylor and his entire team.”
“Yellowstone is a massive hit show with tens of millions of fans – with 1883, we are taking those fans back to the origin story, and in the process, turning the Yellowstone world into a global hit franchise to fuel the growth of Paramount+,” says Chris McCarthy, President/CEO, MTV Entertainment Group. “We are thrilled to have Sam, Tim and Faith as the stars of Taylor Sheridan’s new series exclusively for Paramount+ around the world.”
Beloved Songwriter & Producer Jim Femino Passes
/by Lydia FarthingGrammy nominated singer, songwriter, producer, publisher, educator, speaker, and author Jim Femino passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 3). He was 69.
Before becoming a music industry executive, Femino spent twenty-five years as a country, rock and soul recording artist, touring the eastern hemisphere for crowds big and small. Along the way, he built Road Records, an independent record label, and its accompanying merchandising and sponsorship arms.
After his career as an artist, Femino launched his own publishing company and recording studio in Nashville, and he began to write songs professionally for Music City’s recording artists. Among artists who have recorded his songs are Toby Keith, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, Jamie O’Neal, John Michael Montgomery, Steve Azar, and others.
His biggest hit was James Otto’s 2008 single, “Just Got Started Lovin’ You.” The song boasted a list of achievements, including a nomination for Best Male Country Vocal Performance at the 51st Annual Grammy Awards, Billboard‘s 2008 Most Played Country Song of the Year, and being named to Billboard‘s Greatest 100 of All-Time Country Songs.
For the last 30 years Femino was President of Songstarters!, Inc., an award-winning publishing, production, artist development, and online songwriter/music education company. He was a board member of the CMA, The Recording Acadmey and various other trade organizations.
Earlier this year, Jim’s wife, Leslie Thola Femino, passed away at the age of 69 due to cancer. Femino is survived by his children Kristie Weidner (Tom Rhoads), Arthur Femino (Michelle), Adam Holcomb (Nicole Nocito) and Matthew Femino; five granchildren Kaitlin Weidner (Keegan Kling), Jacob Weidner, Tori Femino, Sarah Femino, and Jimmy Femino; and one great grandchild Kinsley Kling.
Funeral arrangements for Jim Femino have not yet been announced.
James Otto, who recorded Femino’s biggest hit, posted a tribute to the songwriter, saying that Femino had recently survived a heart attack.
Applications Now Open: MusicRow’s 2021 Publisher Issue Directory
/by LB CantrellNew applicants for inclusion in the Publisher company directory for the upcoming MusicRow Publisher Issue print magazine are now being accepted through Aug. 13. Along with the directory with contact information for Nashville’s publishing community, the issue also features exclusive editorial content focused on this essential segment of our business.
To submit your company for consideration, complete and submit this form.
For questions, please contact LB Cantrell at lbcantrell@musicrow.com. To reserve ad space in the 2021 Publisher issue, contact srobertson@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.
Become a subscribed member of MusicRow here to make sure you don’t miss the annual Publisher Issue.
The Mechanical Licensing Collective Releases Updated Educator Toolkit
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Mechanical Licensing Collective has released the second version of its Educator Toolkit. This free resource is designed to help college educators teach their students about the landscape of digital audio mechanical rights in the U.S. and The MLC’s role in it following passage of the Music Modernization Act of 2018.
Created by Serona Elton, The MLC’s head of educational partnerships and a long-time university professor, the Toolkit provides instructors with a range of materials they can seamlessly incorporate into their existing syllabi or employ in the creation of new course modules.
“As an educator myself, I understand the importance of having up-to-date teaching materials, particularly with a subject matter that is as inherently complex and rapidly evolving as mechanical licensing,” notes Elton. “The updates we’ve made to the Toolkit–based in part on feedback we received from the educators who are already using it–reflect The MLC’s commitment to continuing to provide instructors with the comprehensive and current resources they need to navigate this complex subject matter and best prepare tomorrow’s music industry professionals.”
Like the original version, this new version of the Toolkit contains an easy-to-understand introductory video, a white-label customizable PowerPoint presentation, suggested classroom activities and exam questions, and a list of informational videos and articles on copyright law and the history of mechanical licensing. In addition, the updated version contains several new enhancements, including:
“The MLC’s Educator Toolkit provides an excellent starting point for teaching about the new world of music licensing brought about by the enactment of the Music Modernization Act and creation of The MLC, and its accessible learning exercises help make sense of those new developments in a straightforward way,” says Sean M. O’Connor of George Mason University’s Antonin Scalia Law School. “I was able to easily customize and augment the Toolkit, which saved me time, and the results were appreciated by a class of law students with music backgrounds.”
For more information about the Educator Toolkit, click here.
Trisha Yearwood’s ‘She’s In Love With The Boy’ Achieves Another Milestone
/by Lorie HollabaughTrisha Yearwood at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021.
Trisha Yearwood was surprised on the stage of The Grand Ole Opry last night (Aug. 3) with the news that her debut hit, “She’s In Love With the Boy,” is the most listened to country song by a female artist in the history of MRC Data, which monitors radio activity that powers Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart.
A perennial hit that’s often found on country radio’s gold playlists, the song has been heard so many times that it’s surpassed all others by women during that period. The latest achievement is not the first time Trisha’s recording of the song has made history–when it reached the top of the charts in 1991, she made history as the first time a female artist’s debut single had gone all the way to No. 1.
Trisha Yearwood celebrates “She’s In Love With The Boy’s” newest milestone at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, Aug. 3, 2021.
“When people come to a show, I see these girls singing ‘She’s In Love With the Boy’ and they’re like 15. I’m thinking, ‘How do you know this song?!’ But now learning that it’s been heard that many times–it’s just such an honor!” said Yearwood backstage at the Opry.
Trisha’s new version of “She’s In Love With the Boy” can be found on her new Every Girl Deluxe album, which is available everywhere on Friday, Aug. 13.
Yearwood was on hand last night to help induct the Opry’s newest member, Carly Pearce. The pair gave a special performance of the 1997 hit single “How Do I Live” before the induction ceremony.
Opry NextStage Names Lainey Wilson As Featured Artist For August 2021
/by Lydia FarthingLainey Wilson. Photo: Alex Berger
Opry NextStage has named BBR Music Group/Broken Bow Records’ Lainey Wilson as the featured artist for August.
Developed by Opry Entertainment Group and the Grand Ole Opry, Opry NextStage invests in the discovery and development of new artists and highlights one up-and-coming artist per month. Initially launched in 2019, the inaugural class included Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes, and Travis Denning. Wilson joins 2021 artists Hailey Whitters and Parker McCollum.
“The Grand Ole Opry has always held a special place in my heart since I was a nine-year-old starry-eyed little girl,” Wilson shares. “I’m truly honored to be named the latest Opry NextStage artist and am so grateful for their unbelievable support of the next generation of country music.”
Wilson has been named as an Artist to Watch by Spotify, MusicRow, and Pandora; has been included in CMT’s “Next Women of Country” and “Listen Up” programs; and was chosen as an iHeartCountry On The Verge artist, a Billboard chartbreaker, and an Apple Music “Up Next” spotlight artist. Throughout her career, she has performed for sold-out crowds throughout the US, UK, and Germany with notable names like Jason Aldean, Justin Moore, Tyler Farr, Ashley McBryde, Randy Houser, Josh Turner and more.
The Louisiana native’s debut album, Sayin’ What I’m Thinkin,’ was released in February 2021 and received critical praise. Her current radio single, “Things A Man Oughta Know,” has garnered more than 130 million on-demand streams, claimed the No. 1 spot on Sirius XM’s The Highway Hot 30 Weekend Countdown, and is continuing to climb through the Top 10 on country radio. Additionally, Wilson is set to take the Grand Ole Opry stage on Tuesday, Aug. 10.
She is nominated for MusicRow’s Discovery Artist of the Year. This year’s winners will be announced on all MusicRow platforms on Aug. 19.
Opportunities for Opry NextStage artists include feature performances on the Grand Ole Opry and Circle’s Opry Live broadcast and livestream; a performance at a special Opry NextStage concert in 2021; content produced by Opry Entertainment’s award-winning content team that utilizes all Opry Entertainment venues including Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium and Ole Red locations nationwide; exclusive content to be distributed via Circle broadcast, streaming, and video-on demand channels; customized marketing and promotion activations utilizing Opry web and social assets; and other opportunities such as outdoor advertising, 650 WSM-AM radio specials, and more.