Lindsay Hyslop Promoted To Director Of Marketing At Anthem Records
Lindsay Hyslop
Lindsay Hyslop has been promoted to Director of Marketing for Anthem Records. Reporting to Allison Hamamura (General Manager, West Coast & Head of Anthem Records), Nashville-based Hyslop will continue to oversee all label marketing in addition to working closely with Anthem’s artists and songwriters to build and design opportunities that showcase their creative works around the world. She worked in label and management positions for over 11 years and before joining Anthem managed the marketing, brand partnerships and streaming for RGK Entertainment Group. Prior to that she worked at Universal Music Canada in the digital marketing department.
“Lindsay has proven herself to be a determined, persuasive executive with an abundance of creativity,” says General Manager, West Coast & Head of Anthem Records Allison Hamamura. “She oversees the strategic marketing of Anthem Records’ artists with exceptional aplomb. Her international experience with brand partnerships, digital marketing and ability to pivot has served our roster well to date and will continue to do so as we move forward.”
Ashley Jones And Chris Bates Join NMPA Staff
Ashley Jones, Chris Bates
The NMPA has hired two new staffers, Chris Bates and Ashley Jones. Bates joins the company as SVP, Legal & Business Affairs and Jones has joined as Manager, External Affairs. In his role at NMPA, Bates reports to the EVP & GC Danielle Aguirre. He previously worked at the U.S. Department of Justice in both the Civil Division and Antitrust Division as Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General. Prior to that, Bates was Chief Counsel to Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on the Senate Judiciary Committee where he advised on judicial nominations and led the introduction and passage of several landmark pieces of legislation in the fields of data privacy, criminal law and intellectual property, including the Music Modernization Act. Bates earned his JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was the managing editor of the Harvard Law Review, and a BA summa cum laude in Political Science from Brigham Young University.
Jones reports to the SVP of External Affairs, Charlotte Sellmyer. Prior to joining NMPA, she worked as a Sales Development Representative at a tech startup serving the insurance and financial services industries. She is a 2019 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. At the University of California she received a degree in Media Studies, played NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse, and was an active member of Pi Beta Phi.
The Change Agent-cy Hosts Social Impact Session With ACM, CMT
Pictured (L-R, top row): Lucia Folk, Lisa Chader, TCA; Harper Grae, NWOC; Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives; (L-R, second row): Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives; Chapel Hart, NWOC; Tenille Arts, NWOC; Brooke Antonakos, Rockbrook Entertainment; (L-R, third row): Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment; Colleen Wright, TCA; Leslie Fram, CMT; Hannah Dasher, NWOC; (L-R, fourth row): Ali Marszalkowski, CMT; Rachel Fontenot, UMG; Jeremy Westby, Scott Sexton, 2911 Media
The Change Agent·cy hosted its first social impact session with CMT’s Next Women of Country on April 9, featuring ACM Lifting Lives. Lifting Lives Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz described the organization’s mission of improving lives through the power of music, and offered ways the NWOC artists can support during the session. Throughout the year, TCA and CMT will present industry-oriented meetings designed to educate the 2021 Class of NWOC and help develop their passions for charitable and social change.
Nashville Music Equality To Present ‘A Night With A Legend: Sam Moore’
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville Music Equality is hosting a special virtual Night With A Legend, a conversation with the legendary “Soul Man” Sam Moore of Sam & Dave, hosted by NME’s President, Shannon Sanders on April 20. The evening will feature a discussion exploring Moore’s career and his story navigating the music industry.
Moore is best known for his work with the historic soul duo Sam & Dave, a group that sold more than 10 million records worldwide with hits “Hold On I’m Coming,” “I Thank You,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby,” “Soul Sister,” “Brown Sugar,” “Wrap It Up” and the monster hit “Soul Man,” which catapulted up both the pop and R&B charts. The music and sound of Sam & Dave became so popular that the duo served as the inspiration for The Blues Brothers parody by Dan Aykroyd and John Belushi. Moore has maintained his appeal and his stardom as a solo artist and continues to tour, scoring critical acclaim for his work.
He is also a member of the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, the Grammy Hall of Fame, and the Vocal Group Hall of Fame, and enjoyed success in the country realm with his duet of “Rainy Night In Georgia” with Conway Twitty (Conway’s last recording), which earned them a Platinum record as well as two CMA award nominations.
To attend the event, register here.
Jennifer Nettles Announces New Broadway Inspired Album ‘Always Like New’
/by Lydia FarthingJennifer Nettles. Photo: Shervin Lainez
Multi-Grammy Award-winning recording artist Jennifer Nettles has announced that she will be expanding her musical versatility with a new album that defies genres and includes a collection of American Songbook classics. Nettles’ album, Always Like New, will be available June 25 via Concord Records on CD, vinyl, and digital.
Teaming up with Grammy and Tony Award-winning orchestrator Alex Lacamoire, best known for his work on Broadway’s critically acclaimed shows Hamilton, Dear Evan Hansen, and In the Heights, Nettles has reimagined, arranged, and produced beloved songs from the stage while also infusing her signature sound. Through this album, Nettles hopes to give these timeless works of art a new context and meaning in our current landscape.
“As a child who grew up in musical theatre, this album feels like a homecoming to me. I savored every note of singing and arranging these songs with Alex Lacamoire. It is thrilling to be able to celebrate this amazing songwriting with arrangements and vocals that allow them to be rediscovered anew,” says Nettles.
Executive produced by Adam Zotovich (Dear Evan Hansen, The Color Purple, An American in Paris), this project spans classics from “Oh, What a Beautiful Mornin’” (Oklahoma) and “Wouldn’t It Be Loverly” (My Fair Lady) to contemporary favorites including “You Will Be Found” (Dear Evan Hansen), “Wait for It” (Hamilton) and “It All Fades Away” featuring Brandi Carlile (The Bridges Of Madison County).
Always Like New is available for pre-order and digital pre-save now, and the lead single “Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ The Boat” is also available to stream.
Always Like New Track List:
1. Wouldn’t It Be Loverly from My Fair Lady
2. Sit Down, You’re Rockin’ from The Boat from Guys and Dolls
3. Wait For It from Hamilton
4. Almost Like Being In Love from Brigadoon
5. It All Fades Away featuring Brandi Carlile from The Bridges Of Madison County
6. There’s A Sucker Born Ev’ry Minute from Barnum
7. Oh, What A Beautiful Mornin’ from Oklahoma!
8. Anyone Can Whistle from Anyone Can Whistle
9. You Will Be Found from Dear Evan Hansen
10. Tomorrow from Annie
Taylor Swift Makes Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellTaylor Swift appears at No. 9 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, as “Love Story” and “You All Over Me” from her re-recorded version of her 2008 Fearless appear on the country sales and airplay charts.
Jesse Frasure maintains the No. 1 position this week with credits on Blake Shelton’s “Minimum Wage,” Thomas Rhett’s “What’s Your Country Song,” Jordan Davis’ “Almost Maybes,” and Michael Ray’s “Whiskey And Rain.”
Corey Crowder remains at No. 2 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, and Josh Osborne stays at No. 3.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Chris Stapleton Earns Second No. 1 Song As An Artist
/by Lydia FarthingChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
Chris Stapleton has secured the No. 1 spot at country radio’s Mediabase Chart this week with his recent album’s title track, “Starting Over.” Written by Stapleton and Mike Henderson, “Starting Over” becomes the Kentucky natives’ second chart-topping single as an artist following his 2018 hit “Broken Halos.”
This achievement comes just a week ahead of the 56th ACM Awards where Stapleton leads nominees with a whopping six nominations in four categories: Entertainer of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Album of the Year (Starting Over as both artist and producer) and Song of the Year (“Starting Over” as both artist and songwriter). Stapleton is also slated to perform at the awards ceremony which will air on CBS this Sunday, April 18 at 7 p.m. CST.
These nominations celebrate a monumental year for Stapleton following the release of Starting Over which debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums chart in November of 2020. The fourteen-track record Produced by Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb.
Former 12th & Porter Location Transformed Into New Event Space
/by Lorie HollabaughNightscape
A new event and entertainment space, Nightscape, is slated to open up this fall in the old 12th & Porter location in downtown Nashville.
The transformative event and entertainment space will use built-in 360-degree 3D projection mapping and other sensory elements including surround sound, customizable lighting, unique scents and more to envelop guests in real or imaginary worlds and environments. The idea is the brainchild of entrepreneur Mike Weinberg, who has spent nearly his entire life in the entertainment industry from his early days as a child actor, to his teen years creating and running his own lighting and DJ company in L.A., and his career at CAA following graduation from the University of Michigan.
Nightscape
“Projection mapping is a visual catalyst to create amazing events and experiences,” says Weinberg. “It’s not just a one trick pony, but rather a platform that will redefine how people can see, create, and recreate inside physical spaces. We’re excited to bring this to the market and grow in an industry that has so much potential. When the building became available, I knew it would be a perfect fit for the first location of Nightscape. 12th & Porter has such a rich history as a concert venue in Nashville and putting in a creative concept like Nightscape seemed like such a great way to pay homage to that history while creating a really modern, state-of-the-art venue to carry the space forward,”
Nightscape will offer ticketed public events that will be announced via an online calendar. All private events in the space will be facilitated by a partnership between Nightscape and local events company, Infinity Hospitality. The creative content arm, Nightscape Studios, will be responsible for developing and producing opportunities with brands, bands, artists, chefs, and other creatives looking to take advantage of Nightscape’s unique capabilities.
Nightscape
Country Music Hall Of Fame Unveils Two Online Exhibits
/by Lorie HollabaughCurated specifically for an online audience, “Suiting the Sound: The Rodeo Tailors Who Made Country Stars Shine Brighter” draws from the museum’s exhibit galleries and permanent collection to explore the artistry of Western-wear designers, often known as “rodeo tailors,” whose couture designs helped create the indelible “rhinestone cowboy” image for country music. The exhibit examines the emergence of this unique look in the 1940s and 1950s, largely from the tailor shops of Eastern European Jewish immigrants, who carved a successful niche for themselves by embracing America’s fascination with cowboy culture and Western imagery. Viewers will learn how the creative vision of the early designers, including ”Rodeo Ben” Lichtenstein, Nathan Turk and Nudie Cohn endures today, especially through Cohn’s former apprentices Manuel Cuevas and Jaime Castaneda, each of whom moved from Mexico to Los Angeles.
Today’s designers’ modern spins on classic Nudie suits and vintage stage costumes have been spotted on a wide range of recording artists including Charley Crockett, Jenny Lewis, Post Malone, Midland, Margo Price and Lil Nas X. The exhibit includes detailed color photos of stage wear, tools of the trade and historical photographs and video. Artifacts include a three-piece cowgirl costume designed by Nathan Turk for Rose Maddox, lead singer in her family band, the Maddox Brothers & Rose; Hank Thompson’s boots, featuring a fantastical scene commemorating his career-launching 1948 hit “Humpty Dumpty Heart,” created by Nudie Cohn’s master embroiderer Viola Grae; a Manuel jacket, with fleur-de-lys embroidery and rhinestones, designed for Roseanne Cash, and much more.
Originally presented in the museum’s galleries from 2015-2018, “Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City” has been adapted for an online audience. The exhibit explores Bob Dylan’s Nashville recordings in the 1960s and his impact on the local music industry; the role of Johnny Cash’s groundbreaking TV show in expanding the perception of Nashville as a music center welcoming to all; and the importance of the community of ace session musicians, known as the “Nashville Cats,” whose members included Kenny Buttrey, Lloyd Green, Charlie Daniels, Charlie McCoy, Jerry Reed and Hargus “Pig” Robbins and others. The Cats are featured on many significant recordings of the late 1960’s and 1970’s, including Neil Young’s Harvest, Leonard Cohen’s Songs from a Room, the Byrds’ Sweetheart of the Rodeo, and multiple Dylan albums.
The exhibit features vintage clips from The Johnny Cash Show, and rare archival footage and images of artifacts including a mahogany 1949 Martin 00-17 that Dylan used in the early 1960s; Norbert Putnam’s Fender Precision bass, used on recordings by Linda Ronstadt (“Long Long Time”), Tony Joe White (“Polk Salad Annie”), Joan Baez, Kris Kristofferson, and Elvis Presley; and Cash’s Eaves Costume Company suit, which he wore on his network TV series The Johnny Cash Show.
“As a national history museum and global cultural institution, we are charged to consistently expand access to the museum’s collection and the interpretive work of our curators and historians, while advancing the documentation and preservation of American musical history,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “These online exhibitions, made possible by a grant from the National Endowment for the Humanities, enabled the museum to create this novel exhibit platform. With it, we are not only able to reshare the story of the artists and musicians who helped to broaden Nashville’s reputation as a true Music City, but also to tell a new story, that of the clothiers who created unmistakable designs that are now synonymous with country music.”
Ryman’s Bluegrass Nights Return In July
/by Lorie HollabaughRicky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder, Rhonda Vincent and Dailey & Vincent are set to perform during the Ryman Auditorium’s annual Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman this summer.
Presented by Springer Mountain Farms for three Thursday nights in July, the Nashville tradition will kick off Thursday, July 1, with both limited in-venue and livestream tickets available. Weather depending, all performances will follow a pre-show “Pickin’ on the Plaza” event on the Ryman’s PNC Plaza featuring live music from local bluegrass artists and bands presented by 650 AM WSM, as well as giveaways and raffles including the fan-favorite “Chicken Rich” contest presented by Springer Mountain Farms, a “Bluegrass Nights” title sponsor since 2006.
Series passes for livestream as well as individual show tickets for both livestream and in person are on sale now at ryman.com. Livestream series passes are $30, individual livestreams are $15 and in person tickets start at $45.
All events at the Ryman follow strict COVID-19 operating plans that include physical distancing, limited in-venue capacity, mandatory masks for all guests and staff, as well as enhanced cleaning practices.
Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman 2021 Lineup:
July 1 – Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder
July 8 – Rhonda Vincent
July 22 – Dailey & Vincent
BMI Elevates Leslie Roberts, Josh Tomlinson
/by LB CantrellLeslie Roberts, Josh Tomlinson
BMI announced today (April 12) the promotion of Leslie Roberts to Assistant Vice President, Creative, Nashville.
Roberts, who has been at BMI for 11 years, provides guidance for BMI songwriters both creatively and administratively, and helps coordinate showcases, seminars, and other events in BMI’s stacked calendar. This year, she has been integral in re-signing BMI affiliates such as Parker Welling and Thomas Rhett. She is responsible for planning and hosting the BMI Christian Awards and co-hosting the BMI Country Awards and is involved with college programs and outreach such as Catalog Cast, which has expanded to three additional universities this year. Roberts also oversees record company rosters and represents BMI within the AIMP and the Gospel Music Association.
Roberts will continue to work closely with Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Clay Bradley, and will be responsible for ongoing outreach, support, and career guidance for BMI affiliates and the songwriting community in Nashville. Additionally, she will provide further direction for the office’s team of Creative representatives.
BMI also announced the promotion of Josh Tomlinson to Director, Creative, Nashville.
Tomlinson joined BMI in 2016 after graduating from Belmont University, and since joining the company, has expanded his role from working in the country genre to include the full scope of Nashville’s multi-genre music community. He has also taken over the management of BMI’s ongoing participation in local showcase, 8 Off 8th, and is instrumental in the execution of BMI’s Rooftop on the Row series. Tomlinson also serves as the Nashville liaison for BMI’s Partnership and Events team.
Bradley says, “Leslie’s contributions to our Creative department and her commitment to songwriters is invaluable. She is a highly respected member of our community and has built incredible relationships within the industry. For years, songwriters from all genres coming out of Nashville have benefitted from her experience and expertise, so this promotion is truly well deserved. I’m also excited to recognize Josh’s dedication and passion for our writers. He’s always looking for new ways to support the local creative community and I know he’ll continue that with even more drive and enthusiasm in his new role. I appreciate everything that Leslie and Josh do every day for our affiliates.”
Weekly Register: ‘Cuttin’ Grass 2’ Lands Sturgill Simpson In Top Five Country Albums
/by LB CantrellSturgill Simpson. Photo: Semi Song
Sturgill Simpson is the top debut this week on the country albums chart, with his bluegrass album Cuttin’ Grass 2 taking the No. 5 spot on the chart, and earning 18K in total consumption (7.5K album only/665K song streams) according to Nielsen.
Morgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album takes the top position again, after being dethroned by Carrie Underwood‘s My Savior last week. Underwood shifts to the No. 2 position with 35K in total consumption. Luke Combs take the No. 3 and No. 4 spots with What You See Is What You Get and This One’s For You, respectively.
Chris Stapleton tops the country streaming songs chart, with “Starting Over” earning 7.2 million streams.
The top 5 country streaming songs this week include:
Chris Stapleton – “Starting Over” – 7.2M/171M
Luke Combs – “Forever After All” – 6.8M/187M
Gabby Barrett – “The Good Ones” – 6.8M/165M
Morgan Wallen – “Wasted On You” – 6.4M/121M
Thomas Rhett – “What’s Your Country Song” – 5.7M/73M
Industry Ink: Anthem Records, NMPA, Change Agent-cy
/by Lorie HollabaughLindsay Hyslop Promoted To Director Of Marketing At Anthem Records
Lindsay Hyslop
Lindsay Hyslop has been promoted to Director of Marketing for Anthem Records. Reporting to Allison Hamamura (General Manager, West Coast & Head of Anthem Records), Nashville-based Hyslop will continue to oversee all label marketing in addition to working closely with Anthem’s artists and songwriters to build and design opportunities that showcase their creative works around the world. She worked in label and management positions for over 11 years and before joining Anthem managed the marketing, brand partnerships and streaming for RGK Entertainment Group. Prior to that she worked at Universal Music Canada in the digital marketing department.
“Lindsay has proven herself to be a determined, persuasive executive with an abundance of creativity,” says General Manager, West Coast & Head of Anthem Records Allison Hamamura. “She oversees the strategic marketing of Anthem Records’ artists with exceptional aplomb. Her international experience with brand partnerships, digital marketing and ability to pivot has served our roster well to date and will continue to do so as we move forward.”
Ashley Jones And Chris Bates Join NMPA Staff
Ashley Jones, Chris Bates
The NMPA has hired two new staffers, Chris Bates and Ashley Jones. Bates joins the company as SVP, Legal & Business Affairs and Jones has joined as Manager, External Affairs. In his role at NMPA, Bates reports to the EVP & GC Danielle Aguirre. He previously worked at the U.S. Department of Justice in both the Civil Division and Antitrust Division as Senior Counsel to the Assistant Attorney General. Prior to that, Bates was Chief Counsel to Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) on the Senate Judiciary Committee where he advised on judicial nominations and led the introduction and passage of several landmark pieces of legislation in the fields of data privacy, criminal law and intellectual property, including the Music Modernization Act. Bates earned his JD magna cum laude from Harvard Law School, where he was the managing editor of the Harvard Law Review, and a BA summa cum laude in Political Science from Brigham Young University.
Jones reports to the SVP of External Affairs, Charlotte Sellmyer. Prior to joining NMPA, she worked as a Sales Development Representative at a tech startup serving the insurance and financial services industries. She is a 2019 graduate of the University of California, Berkeley. At the University of California she received a degree in Media Studies, played NCAA Division I Women’s Lacrosse, and was an active member of Pi Beta Phi.
The Change Agent-cy Hosts Social Impact Session With ACM, CMT
Pictured (L-R, top row): Lucia Folk, Lisa Chader, TCA; Harper Grae, NWOC; Lyndsay Cruz, ACM Lifting Lives; (L-R, second row): Taylor Wolf, ACM Lifting Lives; Chapel Hart, NWOC; Tenille Arts, NWOC; Brooke Antonakos, Rockbrook Entertainment; (L-R, third row): Fletcher Foster, F2 Entertainment; Colleen Wright, TCA; Leslie Fram, CMT; Hannah Dasher, NWOC; (L-R, fourth row): Ali Marszalkowski, CMT; Rachel Fontenot, UMG; Jeremy Westby, Scott Sexton, 2911 Media
The Change Agent·cy hosted its first social impact session with CMT’s Next Women of Country on April 9, featuring ACM Lifting Lives. Lifting Lives Executive Director Lyndsay Cruz described the organization’s mission of improving lives through the power of music, and offered ways the NWOC artists can support during the session. Throughout the year, TCA and CMT will present industry-oriented meetings designed to educate the 2021 Class of NWOC and help develop their passions for charitable and social change.