Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Kicks Off Love Harder Campaign
Emmylou Harris with Miranda Lambert. Photo: Westin Heflin
Miranda Lambert‘s non-profit MuttNation Foundation is kicking off its “Love Harder” campaign to help shine a light on dogs that are harder to get adopted, including pit mixes, senior dogs, black dogs and dogs with disabilities.
“The truth is these dogs are the easiest to love, maybe because they need us the most,” Lambert says. “But with so many misperceptions, people sometimes shy away from adopting them. I want to people to see the strong bonds and the special love that can be shared with these harder to get adopted dogs. So, I’m asking anyone who has adopted or is fostering a senior dog, a dog with disabilities, a pit mix or a wonderful big black dog, to send us their pictures and stories and help pave the way for others who may be considering giving one of these great pets a second chance and a forever home.”
Lambert visited Emmylou Harris and her senior dog with special needs, Jeter in a ‘video visit’ to promote the campaign. More ‘video visits’ will follow each month, and a radio and television PSA campaign will launch later in the year.
Fans can upload a photo along with a brief message about why they adopted their “easy to love, harder to get adopted dog” and what makes her or him so special – and fans will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Epiphone guitar signed by Miranda.
PLA Media Promotes Anna Proctor To Publicity Coordinator
Anna Proctor
PLA Media announced it is promoting Anna Proctor to Publicity Coordinator.
Proctor, a graduate of the University of Northern Florida, interned with PLA in May of 2020 before starting her role as the Publicity and Social Media Assistant in August.
“We are delighted to promote Anna to Publicity Coordinator. Over the last year, she has grown as a writer and become an integral part of our team,” says President and CEO Pam Lewis.
Proctor served on the public relations team working directly with notable accounts such as the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF), Tony Stampley, Platinum Planet Records, The Farmer and the Belle Saving Santaland Soundtrack, Dead Horse Branding and Shane Michael Taylor. She will continue working closely with the team on client strategy and brand development.
Blake Brown Signs Management Deal With Rock Ridge Music And Is Set To Record An Album
Blake Brown. Photo: Glenn Ross
Americana artist Blake Brown has signed a management deal with Rock Ridge Music and is recording a new album.
“Working with Rock Ridge Music has been amazing,” says Brown of the partnership. “Truly, for me they’ve been a lifeline. Their hard work, attention to detail, and overall best interest in my career allows me to focus on what’s important to any musician, making music.”
Brown, a West-Texas native, was based in Colorado before moving to Nashville, starting the band, The American Dust Choir and releasing a record in March of 2018. Now, with producer and Wilco drummer, Ken Croomer, Brown is hard at work recording at Coomer’s Cartoon Moon Recording Studio in East Nashville.
“Working with Ken has been so great,” says Brown. “He’s pushing me into new territory while never abandoning the heart and soul of the songs. It’s been such an awesome experience in both personal and artistic growth.”
Clint Black To Host And Co-Produce New Circle Network Series
/by LB CantrellClint Black. Photo: Abby Collida
Grand Ole Opry member Clint Black is set to host and co-produce a new TV series, Talking in Circles with Clint Black, which will premiere on Circle Network on Saturday, May 22 at 10 p.m. ET following Opry Live.
The weekly series will feature a variety of musicians, songwriters and artists including Darius Rucker, Keb’ Mo, John Rich, Sara Evans, Travis Tritt, Steve Wariner and Trace Adkins. Additional guests will be announced at a later date.
“Talking in Circles will be a candid artist-to-artist conversation with some of the top entertainers in the business about songwriting, recording, and performing on the road.” says Black. “I’m excited to let people ‘overhear’ some of the things we artists have to say when we talk shop.”
“The Circle Network is honored to partner with legendary country artist Clint Black for the upcoming Talking in Circles series. Clint will take us inside the minds of musicians and songwriters who make country music what it is today and give fans an exclusive behind-the-scenes look at conversations between artists,” says Evan Haiman, Circle Network’s SVP of Content.
Talking in Circles is produced by Sound Off Productions alongside award-winning music and broadcast veteran Domenic J. Cotter. The show films at Analog, inside of Nashville’s Hutton Hotel.
Chart Action: Dew Pendleton Dominates MusicRow Chart
/by Alex ParryIndependent artist, Dew Pendleton earns the highest debut at No. 62 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Might As Well Be Me.” The single, written by himself, is also this week’s most added with 21 new stations and has the highest spin gain with +214 spins.
Encompassing musical influences from every corner, the singer/songwriter coined his label name HippieRedneckGospeLove. Pendleton feels the brand sums up his heart, his soul and his musical sound. “That’s all one word, with gospel and love sharing the L,” Dew says.
To view more chart data, check out the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly here.
Jameson Rodgers Announces ‘In It For The Money’ EP
/by Lorie HollabaughJameson Rodgers. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Jameson Rodgers is gearing up for the release of his new EP, In It For The Money, out April 23 via Columbia Nashville/River House Artists. He’s released a new track from the project, “Good Dogs,” which he co-wrote with Hunter Phelps, Jake Mitchell, and Brent Anderson.
In It for the Money features Rodgers’ Gold-certified, No. 1 debut “Some Girls,” as well as his latest single “Cold Beer Calling My Name,” featuring label mate Luke Combs. Previously unreleased cuts include the hard-hitting title track, “When You Think of Mississippi;” a nostalgic trip down the dirt roads of Rodgers’ life, “Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones;” and “Desert,” a track to soothe the hurting soul.
In 2010, Rodgers moved to Nashville and started laying the groundwork of his career at a myriad of open mic nights in Music City. Soon, his talent as a songwriter began to get noticed, as he co-penned Platinum-selling hits, including Florida Georgia Line’s top 10 single “Talk You Out of It” and Chris Lane’s No. 1 “I Don’t Know About You,” along with “Camouflage Hat” on Jason Aldean’s most recent album 9 and the title track of Luke Bryan’s latest release Born Here Live Here Die Here.
Rodgers will host Jameson Rodgers & Friends at The Listening Room in Nashville on April 23, with sold-out performances at 6:00 p.m. CT and 8:30 p.m. CT. Benefiting Music Venue Alliance-Nashville, special guests include Carly Pearce (6:00 p.m. show only), Jimmie Allen, Jordan Davis, and Tenille Townes. Due to overwhelming demand both performances will now be available via a ticketed livestream. Tickets are available at ListeningRoomCafe.com and allow viewers access to both performances. One hundred percent of proceeds will go directly to MVAN, a coalition working to ensure no Nashville independent music venue closes its doors permanently due to COVID-19.
In It For The Money Track List:
1. Cold Beer Calling My Name (Jameson Rodgers/Brett Tyler/Hunter Phelps/Alysa Vanderhym)
2. Good Dogs (Jameson Rodgers/Hunter Phelps/Jake Mitchell/Brent Anderson)
3. Some Girls (Michael Hardy/Jake Mitchell/C.J. Solar)
4. In It for the Money (Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell/Hunter Phelps/Brent Anderson)
5. Rolling Rock, Rolling Stones (Jameson Rodgers/Jake Mitchell/Smith Ahnquist/Hunter Phelps)
6. When You Think Of Mississippi (Jameson Rodgers/Smith Ahnquist/Jake Mitchell/Josh Miller)
7. Desert (Jameson Rodgers/Josh Miller/Jake Mitchell/Smith Ahnquist)
Lou Taylor Sells Tri Star’s Nashville Office Building
/by LB Cantrell11 Music Circle S. building. Photo: Courtesy Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group
Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group CEO Lou Taylor has sold the company’s Nashville office building located at 11 Music Circle S. She will be relocating the business management firm to a larger location. Details of the new location have not been released.
According to the Nashville Post, Robins Insurance purchased the building from Taylor.
The 12,000 square feet building was once owned by the late Country Music Hall of Fame member and talent agency owner Hubert Long. It has held Taylor’s Nashville staff since 2013.
Taylor launched Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group 29 years ago, providing business management services to musicians, athletes, actors/actresses, writers, producers and executives. With offices in Nashville and Los Angeles, the Tri Star staff has surpassed 100 employees, 75 percent of which are female. Some of Tri Star’s clients include Florida Georgia Line, Reba McEntire, Bob DiPiero, Chase Rice, Orville Peck, A Thousand Horses, Steven Tyler, Justin Tranter, Jason Derulo, Meghan Trainor, Mary J. Blige, Travis Scott, Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra Jonas and model Taylor Hill.
Industry Ink: Miranda Lambert, PLA Media, Blake Brown
/by Steven BoeroMiranda Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation Kicks Off Love Harder Campaign
Emmylou Harris with Miranda Lambert. Photo: Westin Heflin
Miranda Lambert‘s non-profit MuttNation Foundation is kicking off its “Love Harder” campaign to help shine a light on dogs that are harder to get adopted, including pit mixes, senior dogs, black dogs and dogs with disabilities.
“The truth is these dogs are the easiest to love, maybe because they need us the most,” Lambert says. “But with so many misperceptions, people sometimes shy away from adopting them. I want to people to see the strong bonds and the special love that can be shared with these harder to get adopted dogs. So, I’m asking anyone who has adopted or is fostering a senior dog, a dog with disabilities, a pit mix or a wonderful big black dog, to send us their pictures and stories and help pave the way for others who may be considering giving one of these great pets a second chance and a forever home.”
Lambert visited Emmylou Harris and her senior dog with special needs, Jeter in a ‘video visit’ to promote the campaign. More ‘video visits’ will follow each month, and a radio and television PSA campaign will launch later in the year.
Fans can upload a photo along with a brief message about why they adopted their “easy to love, harder to get adopted dog” and what makes her or him so special – and fans will have a chance to win a one-of-a-kind Epiphone guitar signed by Miranda.
PLA Media Promotes Anna Proctor To Publicity Coordinator
Anna Proctor
PLA Media announced it is promoting Anna Proctor to Publicity Coordinator.
Proctor, a graduate of the University of Northern Florida, interned with PLA in May of 2020 before starting her role as the Publicity and Social Media Assistant in August.
“We are delighted to promote Anna to Publicity Coordinator. Over the last year, she has grown as a writer and become an integral part of our team,” says President and CEO Pam Lewis.
Proctor served on the public relations team working directly with notable accounts such as the DEA Educational Foundation (DEAEF), Tony Stampley, Platinum Planet Records, The Farmer and the Belle Saving Santaland Soundtrack, Dead Horse Branding and Shane Michael Taylor. She will continue working closely with the team on client strategy and brand development.
Blake Brown Signs Management Deal With Rock Ridge Music And Is Set To Record An Album
Blake Brown. Photo: Glenn Ross
Americana artist Blake Brown has signed a management deal with Rock Ridge Music and is recording a new album.
“Working with Rock Ridge Music has been amazing,” says Brown of the partnership. “Truly, for me they’ve been a lifeline. Their hard work, attention to detail, and overall best interest in my career allows me to focus on what’s important to any musician, making music.”
Brown, a West-Texas native, was based in Colorado before moving to Nashville, starting the band, The American Dust Choir and releasing a record in March of 2018. Now, with producer and Wilco drummer, Ken Croomer, Brown is hard at work recording at Coomer’s Cartoon Moon Recording Studio in East Nashville.
“Working with Ken has been so great,” says Brown. “He’s pushing me into new territory while never abandoning the heart and soul of the songs. It’s been such an awesome experience in both personal and artistic growth.”
The Ryman Auditorium Debuts New Outdoor Stage On PNC Plaza
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Gary Levy, Ryman Auditorium General Manager; Scott Bailey, Opry Entertainment Group President; Colin Reed, Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman and CEO; Dr. Paul Kwami, Musical Director for Fisk Jubilee Singers; Mike Johnson, PNC Regional President for Tennessee; Chelsea Peterson PNC VP, Director of Client and Community Relations for Tennessee; and Pete Weien, Opry Entertainment Group SVP and Chief Operating Officer. Photo: Steve Lowry
Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium debuted a new permanent outdoor stage on the venue’s PNC Plaza yesterday (April 8).
The permanent stage is 10 feet deep and 19 feet long, and features several amenities that were not previously available on the PNC Plaza, including the capability to accommodate a five-person band. Positioned on the Fourth Avenue North side of the property, the new stage is part of a multi-year agreement with PNC Bank, which includes the stage naming rights and makes PNC the official banking sponsor of the Ryman. As with prior expansion projects on the property, the outdoor stage addition leaves the original 1892 auditorium untouched.
The new Grammy-winners, the Fisk Jubilee Singers, delivered the inaugural performance on the PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium’s outdoor stage. The Jubilee Singers were one of the first musical concerts to take place inside the Ryman Auditorium. Generations later, they returned to commemorate Fisk University’s 150th Anniversary in 2016.
Pictured: Dr. Paul Kwami and the Grammy-winning Fisk Jubilee Singers take the stage at PNC Plaza at Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Steve Lowry
“Today’s unveiling provides another opportunity for folks to experience the Ryman in a different way as they once again return to Nashville,” said Ryman Hospitality Properties Chairman and CEO, Colin Reed. “Downtown businesses, restaurants and live music venues across Nashville have struggled over the last year, but events like today signal that we are moving in the right direction toward reopening and and welcoming back visitors.”
“The effects of the pandemic have been far reaching across the region, and our arts and culture community has certainly faced their own significant challenges as a result,” said Mike Johnson, PNC regional president for Tennessee. “Arts and music are vitally important to the economic future of Greater Nashville. In fact, research from Americans for the Arts found that, in years prior to the pandemic, event-related spending by local audiences totals as much as $250 million. The goal for PNC Plaza at the Ryman is to connect communities, neighborhoods and generations to create a stronger, more vibrant region.”
Photo: Steve Lowry
Ellie Holcomb To Release New Capitol Christian Music Group Project, ‘Canyon’
/by Lorie HollabaughEllie Holcomb is set to release her third studio LP, Canyon, this summer on June 25 in partnership with Capitol Christian Music Group. The project marks the first label distributed release for the indie artist, and today the title track, “Canyon,” is now available along with a video shot at Santa Elena Canyon in Big Bend National Park.
Holcomb’s album seeks to capture the sounds and melodies from personal experiences and growth since her last studio project, Red Sea Road in 2017. For Canyon, Holcomb teamed with co-writers Natalie Hemby, Bear Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE and Thad Cockrell, and the project was produced by Cason Cooley along with executive producer and her dad, Brown Bannister. The title-track out today was penned by Holcomb, Cockrell and Cooley.
“Canyon is a record about a deeper sorrow and a higher hope,” said Holcomb. “A tornado tore through our neighborhood, Covid-19 shut down our country and canceled all of our touring, racial tension was high in the wake of George Floyd’s death, Christmas morning began with a bomb that went off in downtown Nashville, the capitol was attacked, and we have had so many family friends lose people they love to the virus. In many ways, writing and singing these songs felt like finding my way through a serious season of suffering and sorrow. I have seen Jesus meet me in the wounds in my own story that I tried to hide or bury, and I’ve experienced the kindness and empathy of God in my most painful places in a palpable way, so these songs are written from a new place of wholeness, healing and freedom. This is the first record I’ve ever made that makes me want to run or dance! I hope it makes people want to dance for the joy of knowing they are beloved.”
“We have been massive fans of Ellie and her music for as long as we’ve known her and always hoped for the opportunity to represent her as an artist,” shares CCMG Co-President Brad O’Donnell. “Canyon is a special project, and it reflects Ellie’s heart and creativity perfectly. We are so excited to be a part of bringing it to the world.”
Hudson Plachy, CCMG Co-President adds, “We are honored to partner with Ellie and support her vision and music. We are so excited for everyone to experience this new music.”
Since her solo debut in 2014, Holcomb has garnered two GMA Dove Awards, including New Artist of the Year, became a best-selling children’s author along with accompanying EPs, has more than 157 million global streams, and performed and interviewed on The TODAY Show with Amy Grant for the Faithful Project. She and her husband Drew Holcomb have also partnered with Tennessee Tourism for a campaign featuring two of their songs earlier this year. In 2020, the Holcombs invited their fans into their home virtually nightly for their now-loved Kitchen Covers during the height of the pandemic.
Tim McGraw’s ‘Here On Earth’ Gets Double Deluxe Treatment With Two New Releases
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw is releasing two digital deluxe versions of his No. 1 album Here On Earth – Here On Earth Ultimate Edition and Here On Earth Ultimate Video Edition, which will be available April 16 via Big Machine Records. McGraw also unveiled a brand-new song “God Moves The Pen” out today.
Here On Earth Ultimate Edition features six new tracks, including “God Moves The Pen,” “Undivided” – McGraw’s latest collaboration with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard – and two additional bonus movie tracks, “Keep Your Eyes on Me” with Faith Hill from the 2017 feature film The Shack and “Gravity” from the 2018 Academy Award-winning documentary Free Solo. McGraw wrote the former alongside Hill, Lori McKenna and Shane McAnally and the latter with McKenna.
The Ultimate Video Edition will include all tracks on the Ultimate Edition along with videos for six songs: “Here on Earth,” “I Called Mama,” “Gravy,” “Undivided,” “Thought About You,” and “Neon Church.”
Additionally, a special edition 12” vinyl of “Undivided” will be available on June 12 for Record Store Day. McGraw and Hubbard’s first live performance of the upbeat and heartfelt collaboration came during the 2021 Celebrating America TV special following President Joe Biden’s inauguration in January. Most recently, they released a Director’s Cut version of the song’s music video. An acoustic version of McGraw’s hit single “I Called Mama,” originally released in May 2020, will be on the B-side of the vinyl.
McGraw’s Here On Earth, his 16th studio album, debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country chart upon its August 2020 release, and marked his 4th straight decade with a No. 1 album on the Billboard Country Album chart. The album was his 19th worldwide No. 1 and his 17th U.S. No. 1, tying him for second most No. 1 albums in the U.S., just behind George Strait.
Here On Earth Ultimate Edition Track List:
*indicates video featured on Here On Earth Ultimate Video Edition
1. LA
2. Chevy
3. Here on Earth*
4. Damn Sure Do
5. Hallelujahville
6. Good Taste In Women
7. Hard to Stay Mad At
8. Sheryl Crow
9. Not From California
10. Hold You Tonight
11. 7500 OBO
12. If I Was A Cowboy
13. I Called Mama*
14. Gravy*
15. War of Art
16. Doggone
17. Undivided / Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard*
18. Thought About You*
19. Neon Church*
20. Cuttin’ Onions
21. Truth Is
22. God Moves the Pen
Bonus Movie Tracks:
23. Keep Your Eyes on Me / Tim McGraw & Faith Hill from feature film The Shack
24. Gravity from Academy Award-winning documentary “Free Solo”
Blake Shelton Hits No. 1 On MusicRow Chart In 12 Weeks
/by Alex ParryIn just 12 weeks, Blake Shelton bolts to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart with “Minimum Wage.” The single, co-written by Nicolle Galyon, Jesse Frasure, and Corey Crowder, will appear on Shelton’s latest album, Body Language set for release on May 21.
April 16, 2021 will mark the 20th anniversary of the day Shelton released his No. 1 debut single, “Austin.” To commemorate the occasion, he is releasing limited edition 7″ vinyl on his website featuring “Austin” on the A-side and “Problems At Home” on the B-side.
Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Farris, Self & Moore Promote Five, Add Brittney Schoessel As Operations Manager
/by Steven BoeroPictured (L-R, top row): FSM Operations Manager Brittney Schoessel, Client Managers Gator Pizer, and Hannah Haggerty. (L-R, bottom row): Client Managers Tina Banjo, Sarah Grissom, and Taylor Baird
Business management firm Farris, Self & Moore (FSM) announced the promotion of five current members and welcomes back Brittney Schoessel in a new operations manager role.
Tina Banjo, Taylor Baird, Gator Pizer, Hannah Haggerty and Sarah Grissom, all formerly client bookkeepers, have been promoted to client manager positions. Schoessel was previously with the company from 2017-2019 as a client manager and returned to FSM in January of this year.
“The energy and excitement at FSM is contagious. We are an energetic group with a touch of spark and inspired form,” says Partner Stephanie Self. “We are so proud of all of our staff and how they handled crises during the pandemic. We are especially proud of these promotions and are thankful for such a strong team.”
FSM is one of Nashville’s leading boutique business management firms, providing business management and financial planning services to hit songwriters, major touring acts and national recording artists.
Schoessel can be reached at brittney@fsmnash.com
Pizer can be reached at gator@fsmnash.com
Haggerty can be reached at hannah@fsmnash.com
Banjo can be reached at tina@fsmnash.com
Grissom can be reached at sarah@fsmnash.com
Baird can be reached at taylor@fsmnash.com