Dave Matthews Band, The Black Keys, Maren Morris, and Cage The Elephant are among the heavy hitters set to perform when the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival returns to downtown Franklin, Tenn. this year on Sept. 25-26.
For its seventh year at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the celebration of art, culture, and music will also feature performances by Khruangbin, Black Pumas, Amos Lee, Tanya Tucker, Better Than Ezra, Houndmouth, Tank and the Bangas, Valerie June, JD McPherson, Jamestown Revival, Low Cut Connie, Robert Finley, Katie Pruitt, Morgan Wade, Larry Fleet, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Hailey Whitters, Dylan LeBlanc, Anna Vaus, Blessing Offor, Natalie Madigan, and many more.
Pilgrimage will host five stages featuring 50-plus acts on the 200-acre park grounds, including main stages Fender Premium Audio Midnight Sun and Gold Record Road Stage, and local stages Shady Grove, Lil’ Pilgrims Family Stage, and the Americana Music Triangle Experience–built by Mike Wolfe from History channel’s American Pickers.
This year’s festival continues its mission in supporting the region’s makers, distillers, brewers, and food vendors by providing an all-encompassing hometown experience. In its curated VIP Village 70 booths will be stocked with handcrafted works, wares, and wearables, and the grounds will house 35 local restaurants and cafes, alongside the Farm to Turntable Food Truck Park, and the Craft Beer Hall.
Two-day GA and VIP passes go on sale tomorrow, Thursday (4/29) at 10 a.m. CT at PilgrimageFestival.com. A layaway plan option is also available to lock in passes and spread the purchase across multiple payments.
Dualtone Music Group Celebrates Two Decades Of Hits With New Album
/by Lorie HollabaughDualtone Music Group is celebrating its 20th anniversary with the release of brand new album Amerikinda: 20 Years Of Dualtone. Due out Aug. 6, the album features Dualtone artists and alumni including The Lumineers, Brett Dennen, Gregory Alan Isakov, Mt. Joy, Shovels & Rope, and Langhorne Slim covering each other’s songs in celebration of the label’s landmark birthday.
Known for its roster of artists straddling the line between roots and AAA, Dualtone was founded in 2001 by Scott Robinson and Dan Herrington, and joined soon after by Paul Roper, who quickly established the company as a label that would change the paradigm of what a successful indie model could be. Based around a co-operative approach built on fair, transparent partnerships, Dualtone bred a family atmosphere where artists could effectively build and grow with the label.
Inaugural releases from Dualtone included David Ball’s Amigo as well as the pivotal June Carter Cash Grammy-winning album Wildwood Flower. As the label grew, they continued to bring in elder statesmen like Guy Clark and Bobby Bare, while also branching out with younger artists such as Drew Holcomb, Noah Gundersen, The Felice Brothers, Delta Spirit, Shakey Graves, Wild Child, Amos Lee, Robert Earl Keen, The Lone Bellow and Kathleen Edwards.
Even after a tumultuous 2020, which saw the Dualtone headquarters in East Nashville leveled by a tornado and a global pandemic hitting within weeks of each other, the label reports that it is thriving, posting some of its all-time best sales and streaming numbers to date.
“From the very start, we’ve tried to build this safe, encouraging space for artists to experiment and create,” said Robinson, “and it’s just so cool to see how deeply these bands have connected with each other and to hear the influences and friendships that stretch across the whole history of the label. At the end of the day, there’s something special about the energy of Dualtone, and it’s not because of me or Paul or any other individual. It’s because of the way that everyone, artists and staff alike, come together as a community.”
2) Mt. Joy – “Ain’t No Reason” (Brett Dennen)
3) The Wild Reeds – “Younger Days” (Mt. Joy)
4) Gregory Alan Isakov – “Salt And The Sea” (The Lumineers)
5) The Lumineers – “Caves” (Gregory Alan Isakov)
6) Angie McMahon – “Tea, Milk & Honey” (Oh Pep!)
7) Langhorne Slim – “Stubborn Love” (The Lumineeres)
8) Brett Dennen – “Life Is Confusing” (Langhorne Slim)
9) Drew & Ellie Holcomb – “Keep On The Sunny Side” (June Carter Cash)
10) Ivan & Alyosha – “Let Your Heart Hold Fast” (Fort Atlantic)
11) The Lone Bellow – “O’ Be Joyful” (Shovels & Rope)
12) Shakey Graves – “Cheers” (The Wild Reeds)
13) Shovels & Rope – “Dearly Departed” (Shakey Graves)
14) Hayes Carll – “Worry B Gone” (Guy Clark)
15) Radney Foster – “Riding With Private Malone” (David Ball)
BREAKING: ‘MusicRow’ Parent Company Launches New Sports Publication
/by LB CantrellMusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson says, “Last year I asked myself, ‘What if there was a MusicRow-type trade publication for the exploding Nashville sports industry?’ and that idea proved to be one I could never shake off.”
Robertson adds, “After a lot of hard work and planning the last few months, I am pumped to have our new sister publication, The Sports Credential, come to fruition. I personally know that I want to be part of the growing Nashville sports industry and I think many others do to. It’s a natural fit for us because we can use our incredibly successful MusicRow model and apply it to the sports industry here in Nashville and do so successfully. We’ve added great talent to our team who will be laser focused on this venture and my excitement is honestly, hard to contain. Come join The Sports Credential. It’s going to be a fun ride!”
With sports being a dynamic and growing industry, The Sports Credential serves as a helpful resource, the kind of publication that focuses on the sports industry and its decision makers, in order to connect and inform those of who want to be ‘in the know’ and on the front row as Nashville inevitably becomes a national sports hub.
Whether it’s Darius Rucker joining the effort to bring Major League Baseball to Nashville, Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine becoming title sponsor for IndyCar Music City Grand Prix, or the Nashville Sounds affiliating with Milwaukee Brewers, there’s no doubt Nashville’s explosive growth in sports is just beginning.
Since The Sports Credential is a separate publication from MusicRow, those wishing to receive information and news will need to sign up directly to receive its FREE weekly and breaking news emails. Click here to sign up.
The new publication’s website and social media platforms (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter) are live now.
Priscilla Block To Celebrate EP with Live Stream, Opry Debut
/by Sarah SkatesPriscilla Block. Photo: Logen Christopher
Mercury Nashville rising star Priscilla Block will release her self-titled major label debut EP this Friday, April 30. Known for her relatable, candid lyrics, she wrote all six tracks on project (track list below).
On Thursday (April 29), Block will perform live and discuss the songs featured on the project in a countdown to the EP’s release that night. She has partnered with Busch Beer to stream her full band show live from the Hard Rock Cafe in downtown Nashville. Fans can tune in here or on Busch’s Facebook page beginning at 9 p.m. CT.
“I am so, so, so excited to do this livestream,” says Block. “So many people haven’t been able to see me play live, and it has been a long time since I’ve been able to play with my band. And I’m so excited to talk about each song and also give people a taste of what a live show’s gonna look like!”
She will make her Grand Ole Opry debut this weekend. Fans can tune in Saturday, May 1 where she will be live on Circle TV, Circle All Access Facebook, YouTube and Twitter channels.
Priscilla Block EP Track Listing:
1. Wish You Were The Whiskey – Priscilla Block, Sarah Jones, Josh Beale, Kate Hastings
2. Just About Over You – Block, S. Jones, Emily Kroll
3. Heels In Hand – Block, S. Jones, J. Beale, K. Hastings, Robbie Artress
4. Sad Girls Do Sad Things – Block, S. Jones, E. Kroll
5. Bad Part of Good – Block, R. Artress
6. I Bet You Wanna Know – Block, S. Jones, Stone Aielli
Downtown Music Lays Off Nashville Employees
/by LB CantrellDowntown has laid off a portion of its Nashville-based employees following the sale of its portfolio of 145,000 owned and co-published music copyrights to a Concord affiliate.
In an official statement provided to MusicRow, Downtown confirmed that, “a limited number of job functions have been deemed redundant,” and that the company is “looking for opportunities to reassign impacted employees elsewhere within the organization or with other employers.” It was also revealed that Downtown will end their lease in the Nashville office.
Downtown’s official statement in full: “As part of Downtown’s strategic shift towards music services, a limited number of job functions have been deemed redundant. Where possible, we are looking for opportunities to reassign impacted employees elsewhere within the organization or with other employers. We have decided to end our lease in our physical Nashville offices, which were designed primarily for creative operations, and explore our options to support the needs of our ongoing business. We continue to employ Nashville-based executives at Downtown Music Services, Songtrust, and Songspace.”
Billboard reports that executive vp A&R Steve Markland was among those let go, but that has not been confirmed by MusicRow at this time.
Among the works acquired by Concord are songs popularized by Adele, Aretha Franklin, Beyoncé, Blake Shelton, Bruno Mars, Carrie Underwood, David Bowie, Eric Clapton, the Grateful Dead, Jay-Z, Lady Gaga, Madonna, Maroon 5, Marvin Gaye, Mary J. Blige, Mos Def, Mötley Crüe, New Order, Rage Against the Machine, Ray Charles, Santigold, Sam Smith, Stevie Wonder, and The 1975 among many others.
This is a developing story…
Nicole Kasper, Paige Kosinski Announce Odyssey Entertainment Group
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Paige Kosinski and Nicole Kasper. Photo: Acacia Evans
Nicole Kasper and Paige Kosinski have launched Odyssey Entertainment Group in Nashville, offering influencer management as well as music artist management. They will utilize streaming and social media platforms to spur fan base growth, with a cross-marketing strategy that includes brand partnerships both inside and outside the music space, and having influencer clients that can simultaneously promote their roster of music clients.
Odyssey debuts with a growing roster of 25 clients including Enola Bedard, Cindy Chen, Rom’Nya Akia, Becca Bastos, The Williams Fam, Brian Esperon, Ana Gum, Crescent Shay, Sarah Hambly and Brittany Ostofe. Since the company’s formation, it was worked with major brands including HBO, Netflix, Chipotle, Elf, and Instagram.
Kasper and Kosinki met during their time at Warehouse West Entertainment, where they handled publishing/management, and marketing, respectively. According to the announcement, their careers include time at Universal Music Group, Live Nation, Clear Channel Radio, Q Prime Management, ASCAP, Creative Artists Agency, and Big Machine Label Group.
Reach them at nicole@odysseyentgroup.com or paige@odysseyentgroup.com.
Pilgrimage Line-Up Includes Dave Matthews Band, Maren Morris, The Black Keys
/by Lorie HollabaughDave Matthews Band, The Black Keys, Maren Morris, and Cage The Elephant are among the heavy hitters set to perform when the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival returns to downtown Franklin, Tenn. this year on Sept. 25-26.
For its seventh year at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm, the celebration of art, culture, and music will also feature performances by Khruangbin, Black Pumas, Amos Lee, Tanya Tucker, Better Than Ezra, Houndmouth, Tank and the Bangas, Valerie June, JD McPherson, Jamestown Revival, Low Cut Connie, Robert Finley, Katie Pruitt, Morgan Wade, Larry Fleet, Harlem Gospel Travelers, Hailey Whitters, Dylan LeBlanc, Anna Vaus, Blessing Offor, Natalie Madigan, and many more.
Pilgrimage will host five stages featuring 50-plus acts on the 200-acre park grounds, including main stages Fender Premium Audio Midnight Sun and Gold Record Road Stage, and local stages Shady Grove, Lil’ Pilgrims Family Stage, and the Americana Music Triangle Experience–built by Mike Wolfe from History channel’s American Pickers.
This year’s festival continues its mission in supporting the region’s makers, distillers, brewers, and food vendors by providing an all-encompassing hometown experience. In its curated VIP Village 70 booths will be stocked with handcrafted works, wares, and wearables, and the grounds will house 35 local restaurants and cafes, alongside the Farm to Turntable Food Truck Park, and the Craft Beer Hall.
Two-day GA and VIP passes go on sale tomorrow, Thursday (4/29) at 10 a.m. CT at PilgrimageFestival.com. A layaway plan option is also available to lock in passes and spread the purchase across multiple payments.
Lorraine D. Miller Named CFO Of Studio Bank
/by Lorie HollabaughLorraine D. Miller
Lorraine D. Miller is joining Studio Bank as its new CFO.
Miller joins Studio Bank’s executive team after over 20 years in the financial industry at MidSouth Bank and Security Bank as well as regional brokerage firms Robinson-Humphrey and Nashville-based Equitable Securities.
She spent nearly a decade as a senior executive at MidSouth Bank in Lafayette, La. In her most recent role as CFO, she was part of the bank’s executive team that oversaw a successful 2017 capital raise that reduced MidSouth’s energy concentration while maintaining strong liquidity and protecting an attractive low-cost core deposit franchise. Miller helped execute a successful merger between MidSouth and Hancock Whitney in 2019.
“Lorraine Miller is a consummate banking professional with a career that has spanned community banking, mergers and acquisitions, capital formation, and investor relations. She will make an immediate, positive impact on the bank while setting it up for much more success in the years to come,” said Studio Bank Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer Aaron Dorn.
“Nashville is a city with a great deal of opportunity,” Miller said. “It is one of the fastest growing cities in the U.S., and it has so many things that give it a global profile – from the entertainment industry to world-class healthcare innovators and a vibrant creative class. Studio Bank is poised to help Nashville continue to grow, and I am excited to be a part of the leadership team that will work to help the bank take its next steps.”
Spotify’s Q1 Earnings Show Growth in Users, Revenue
/by Sarah SkatesSpotify announced its first quarter results for 2021, showing 24 percent growth year-over-year in Monthly Active Users (MAU) reaching 356 million. Premium Subscribers grew 21 percent in the same time period to 158 million. Though a significant increase, it still fell short of Wall Street’s expectations.
The company’s total revenue was up 16 percent year over year, coming in at €2.147 billion, or approximately $2.59 billion.
There was a strong increase in Q1 podcast consumption hours vs. Q4, with March hitting an all-time high in podcast share of overall platform consumption hours.
Spotify CEO and founder Daniel Ek said, “I’m pleased with the continuing momentum we are seeing across many aspects of our business this quarter, including our subscriber growth. 2020 was a very strong year for Spotify and we believe Spotify is well positioned to continue to extend our leadership globally as we move forward.”
View the full earnings report or see the infographic.
Songwriters Fund To Roll Out New Wave Of Relief
/by Lydia FarthingThis initiative was launched with resources from Songwriters of North America (SONA) and Sony Music Publishing, amongst other private and corporate donations. The Songwriter Fund is directed by an all-woman team of acclaimed songwriters, including Autumn Rowe and Michelle Featherstone with management by Sarah Robertson.
“Everything dried up all at once for the songwriting community: royalties from streaming, as well as the ability to do gig work or be a session player,” says Featherstone. “We were talking to fellow songwriters who were asking, ‘How will I pay this month’s rent? How will I buy groceries? Will I ever work again?’”
“The Songwriter Fund is a resource for our community when there are no other options,” says Rowe. “Many writers who ran out of options received grants, and we were really grateful to help. I’d like the Songwriter Fund to feel like that friend who always has your back. Because there is so little overhead in our organization, the most possible money goes out to songwriters.”
So far, the Songwriter Fund has distributed over $400,000 in grants to songwriters who have been hit hardest by closures during the pandemic. With the repercussions of the pandemic continuing to impact the music industry, the fund is still accepting donations as it gears up to provide its most recent round of relief to songwriters.
Applications will open tomorrow (April 28). To learn more about the fund or to donate, visit www.songwriterfund.com.
Jesse Keith Whitley To Release New Album ‘Breakin’ Ground’
/by Lydia FarthingJesse Keith Whitley has announced his new album Breakin’ Ground, which will be released on May 9.
The 11-track project includes Whitley’s previously released singles “Try To Change My Ways,” “Already Been Crazy,” “Think of Me” featuring Lorrie Morgan, “Feelin’ Comin’ On,” and his upcoming single “Messin’ With the Wrong Man.” The album is produced by Whitley, Bob Etherington, and Kirk Roth, and was recorded at The Rukkus Room by Grammy-winning engineer Jamie Tate.
As the son of Lorrie Morgan and late country great, Keith Whitley, the release of this project marks the anniversary of his father’s passing. With every iTunes pre-order of the album, listeners will also be able to download an instant gratification track of Jesse’s version of “Faithful.” Whitley recorded this version as a Christmas gift for his mom to commemorate his parent’s love story.
Pre-order for Breakin’ Ground is available on iTunes now.