Osagie Osarenz. Photo: Mayor Otu
ONErpm, one of the world’s fastest growing independent music companies, announced today (March 23) that it will be opening its new office in Lagos, Nigeria. The Lagos office will join ONErpm’s existing offices in over 20 territories around the globe that have been in operation since the company’s founding in 2010, including New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Mexico City, Madrid, Moscow, Lagos and Kingston.
“We are pleased to introduce our current African roster—which includes Flavour, Timaya, Laycon, Ada Ehi, Bella Shmurda, Reminisce, YCee, Umu Obiligbo, Kcee to name a few—and will continue adding artists under the direction of country manager Osagie Osarenz,” says Martin Price, director of A&R, North America and Afro-Caribbean operations. Osarenza adding, “These artists deserve to be heard. The goal is to consistently and innovatively add value to the African music industry.”
“These artists deserve to be heard,” Osarenz adds. “The goal is to consistently and innovatively add value to the African music industry.”
ONErpm has also recently announced a new, proprietary platform that aims to streamline user interface while also combining daily performance statistics and demographic consumption data. With three levels of service, ranging from DIY to professionally assisted support, the new website allows users to create advertising campaigns on social media and DSPs like Spotify and YouTube.
“With our renewed focus on direct to fan, combined with improved real-time data, we are preparing our company and our clients for what we believe is the next big wave of music consumption.” says ONErpm founder Emmanuel Zunz.
Bill Anderson-Penned ‘Once A Day’ Makes Library Of Congress National Recording Registry
/by Lorie HollabaughBill Anderson
Bill Anderson‘s song “Once a Day,” recorded by Connie Smith, has been inducted into the National Recording Registry of the Library of Congress. Recorded at RCA’s famous Studio B in Nashville, “Once a Day” was Smith’s biggest hit and became her signature song.
Anderson’s song joins other groundbreaking sounds of history and culture to be inducted, including Louis Armstrong’s “When the Saints Go Marching In,” Labelle’s “Lady Marmalade,” Nas’ “Illmatic,” Kool & the Gang’s “Celebration,” and Kermit the Frog’s “The Rainbow Connection.”
“I had the honor of performing at the Library Of Congress in 2015, and while I was there I was privileged to get to see some of the songs housed in the National Recording Registry,” says Anderson. “I saw songwriter names like George Gershwin and Irving Berlin, and now to think that my name will be there alongside those legendary composers is mind-boggling. I am thrilled that Connie Smith’s record and my little three-chord country song …written in the front seat of my car at a four-way stop sign in the Nashville suburbs…is being honored in such a remarkable fashion.”
“The National Recording Registry will preserve our history through these vibrant recordings of music and voices that have reflected our humanity and shaped our culture from the past 143 years,” says Librarian of Congress, Carla Hayden. “We received about 900 public nominations this year for recordings to add to the registry, and we welcome the public’s input as the Library of Congress and its partners preserve the diverse sounds of history and culture.”
The Library of Congress recordings were selected as audio treasures worthy of preservation for all time based on their cultural, historical or aesthetic importance in the nation’s recorded sound heritage. The recordings most recently selected for the National Recording Registry bring the number of titles on the registry to 575, representing a small portion of the national library’s vast recorded sound collection of nearly three million items.
SXSW Announces Dates For 2022
/by Steven BoeroSXSW has announced its 2022 dates for March 11-20 in Austin, Texas, after having its 2021 festival be virtual only.
The festival organizers are staying positive that it will be safe enough to have a live, in-person festival for next year.
“I’m very confident that SXSW will look normal, or near-normal next year,” says Austin Public Health’s Interim Authority, Dr. Mark Escott.
SXSW just finished up its week-long virtual festival which included over 230 online sessions with keynote speakers including Stacy Abrams, Pete Buttigieg, Priya Parker, Charles Yu, Willie Nelson and more.
The music featured at the virtual festival included performances by artists Ximena Sarinana, The Chat, Awich, Black Country, New Road, Indigo Spark and more. These performance took place all over the world, including in a Taoist temple, a cable car in Norway, a Los Angeles freeway overpass, Abbey Road Studios and the 606 Club in London, the historic Leith Theatre in Scotland, suburban and bush backyards across Australia, a café-floriculture in Brazil, The Powerstation in New Zealand, and Austin hometown favorites Hotel Vegas and Empire Control Room & Garage.
‘Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute’ To Air On Netflix In April
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman
Dolly Parton: A MusiCares Tribute will be available to watch on Netflix on April 7.
The special, hosted by Little Big Town, honors Parton and celebrates the unmatched generosity she has shown the music community over her years of performing. The star-studded lineup of performers appearing to pay tribute to the country legend in the special include Garth Brooks, Katy Perry, Leon Bridges, Miley Cyrus, Shawn Mendes, Trisha Yearwood, Yolanda Adams and more, and Parton herself performs as well in the never-before-seen event.
Parton is the first country star to be honored with the award, which has also been bestowed upon musical greats Paul McCartney, Aretha Franklin and Bruce Springsteen.
“We are so excited to share Dolly Parton’s 2019 Person of the Year tribute with music fans all over the world,” Laura Segura, Executive Director of MusiCares, said. “Not only is Dolly one of the greatest musicians of all time, she also has one of the biggest hearts in the industry and is dedicated to helping musicians and people everywhere.”
Viewers will also get an intimate look back into Parton’s life and career, highlighting the moments that have made her the beloved artist and household name she is today.
B.J. Thomas Battling Stage Four Lung Cancer
/by Lorie HollabaughB.J. Thomas
B.J. Thomas has revealed he has been diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. The Grammy, CMA, and Dove award-winning pop, country, and gospel artist is currently receiving treatment in a Texas health care facility, and is hopeful for a complete recovery.
“I just wanted to take this unique opportunity to share my gratitude to Gloria, my wonderful wife and my rock for over 53 years, my family, friends, and fans. I’m so blessed to have had the opportunity to record and perform beautiful songs in pop, country, and gospel music, and to share those wonderful songs and memories around the world with millions of you. I ask all of you for your prayers during this time and that my music can live on with you,” Thomas says.
Thomas has sold over 70 million albums worldwide and achieved eight No. 1s and 26 Top 10s throughout his 50 year-career in the music industry. He is ranked as one of Billboard’s Top 50 Most Played Artists Over The Past 50 Years, and is known for hits like the classic “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ On My Head,” “Hooked On A Feeling,” “I’m So Lonesome I Could Cry,” “I Just Can’t Help Believing,” “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” and “Don’t Worry Baby.” Thomas plans to continue to interact with industry colleagues and fans, and remains optimistic about his availability to make public appearances.
Taylor Lindsey Appointed As Head Of A&R At Sony Music Nashville
/by LB CantrellTaylor Lindsey. Photo: Jessica Amerson
Sony Music Nashville has announced the appointment of Taylor Lindsey to oversee the company’s A&R Department as Senior Vice President, A&R. In her new post, Lindsey will work with the label’s roster, and she will continue to sign and develop talent. She will report to Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO.
The news follows the announcement that Jim Catino would be leaving his post as Executive Vice President of A&R when his contract ends on July 1, 2021.
“It is not often that we can so quickly and naturally look to an internal candidate to succeed a notable executive but there was never any doubt that Taylor Lindsey should fill this role. Since I arrived at Sony Music Nashville, Taylor has become a crucial part of our company. Her early and on-going work with Maren Morris, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Mitchell Tenpenny and most recently Niko Moon gives me great confidence that she is the right executive at the right time to lead Sony Music Nashville’s A&R team to the next level,” Goodman says.
“I’m very excited to step into this new role and am so grateful for the opportunity to further the legacy of A&R at Sony Music Nashville. None of this would be possible without the mentorship and guidance I’ve received from Jim Catino over the course of my career. We have an amazing A&R team and a unique approach to artist development that offers our gifted artist roster unmatched commitment for the next evolution in their careers,” says Lindsey.
Lindsey joined the SMN A&R department in 2013. Prior to taking on this current expanded role, Lindsey was directly involved with the development of artists such as Old Dominion, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Ryan Hurd and Mitchell Tenpenny among others. She has been instrumental in working with Niko Moon on his Platinum-certified “Good Time” and Jameson Rodgers on his Gold-certified “Some Girls Do.” Before joining Sony Music Nashville, Lindsey was at BMG where she signed and developed the careers of songwriters and artists; she pitched the catalogs of 13 chart-topping songwriters, including her award-winning sister, Hillary Lindsey. Moving to Nashville following four years at the University of Georgia, the sister team created Raylene Music which was later acquired by BMG.
Lindsey resides in Nashville with her husband, Grammy nominated songwriter Derrick Southerland, and their daughter, Lyle.
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen’s ‘Dangerous’ Scores 10th Week Atop The Charts
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer
Morgan Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album project has set up camp at the top of the all genre and country album charts for a 10th consecutive week. The album is the top album this year to date on the all genre chart as well, with 1.2 million in total consumption according to Nielsen.
Luke Combs continues to hold steady in the No. 2 and No. 3 spots on the albums chart with What You See Is What You Get earning 27K total this week and This One’s For You earning 17K. Wallen reappears at No. 4 with his If I Know Me and Chris Stapleton rounds out the top five with Starting Over.
Wallen’s single “Wasted on You” also remains the top country streaming song (No. 38 overall) at 7 million this week and 101 million RTD. Gabby Barrett is in second position with “The Good Ones” racking up 6.6 million streams, and Niko Moon comes in at No. 3 with his “Good Time” at 6.5 million. Stapleton’s “Starting Over” and Wallen’s “Sand In My Boots” round out the Top 5 on the chart at 6.2 million and 5.8 million streams, respectively.
Global Music Provider ONErpm Expands Operations To Nigeria
/by Lydia FarthingOsagie Osarenz. Photo: Mayor Otu
ONErpm, one of the world’s fastest growing independent music companies, announced today (March 23) that it will be opening its new office in Lagos, Nigeria. The Lagos office will join ONErpm’s existing offices in over 20 territories around the globe that have been in operation since the company’s founding in 2010, including New York City, Nashville, Atlanta, Miami, Los Angeles, Sao Paulo, Rio de Janeiro, Buenos Aires, Bogota, Mexico City, Madrid, Moscow, Lagos and Kingston.
“We are pleased to introduce our current African roster—which includes Flavour, Timaya, Laycon, Ada Ehi, Bella Shmurda, Reminisce, YCee, Umu Obiligbo, Kcee to name a few—and will continue adding artists under the direction of country manager Osagie Osarenz,” says Martin Price, director of A&R, North America and Afro-Caribbean operations. Osarenza adding, “These artists deserve to be heard. The goal is to consistently and innovatively add value to the African music industry.”
“These artists deserve to be heard,” Osarenz adds. “The goal is to consistently and innovatively add value to the African music industry.”
ONErpm has also recently announced a new, proprietary platform that aims to streamline user interface while also combining daily performance statistics and demographic consumption data. With three levels of service, ranging from DIY to professionally assisted support, the new website allows users to create advertising campaigns on social media and DSPs like Spotify and YouTube.
“With our renewed focus on direct to fan, combined with improved real-time data, we are preparing our company and our clients for what we believe is the next big wave of music consumption.” says ONErpm founder Emmanuel Zunz.
Average Joes Entertainment And The Real Regulators Form New Imprint
/by Lorie HollabaughAverage Joes Entertainment has partnered with TikTok creators @The_Real_Regulators to form the new imprint Regulators Entertainment. The comedy duo will release their debut mixtape, In A World Of OSHA Violations, on April 1.
The new project features songs from a lineup of Average Joes’ new country rap artists interspersed with comedic skits. Skit collaborators include fellow TikTok creators @TheyCallMeToby2, @OG_Taco, @SilverbackMel, @Rebel.The.Scum and @Sloowmoee. The mixtape was curated by Eddie Brown and Bobby Johnson of @The_Real_Regulators, and incorporates some of their favorite country rap songs that resonate with their diverse audience. Featured on the project are Average Joes’ country rappers Camo Brian, Charlie Farley, Austin Tolliver, Shelbykay, Tommy Chayne, Cypress Spring and J Rosevelt.
“We formed this partnership to empower TikTok creators like Eddie and Bobby to connect our music to their rapidly growing diverse audience. The partnership will also accelerate the reach of the brand,” stated Nathan Thompson, Head of Business Development for Average Joes.
In A World Of OSHA Violations Track List:
Brent Cobb And Kendell Marvel To Embark On Country Music For Grown Folks Tour
/by Lydia FarthingBrent Cobb, Kendell Marvel. Photo: Andrew Hutto
Brent Cobb and Kendell Marvel are heading out on the road this spring on the Country Music For Grown Folks Tour. This string of 12 acoustic shows kicks off May 6 at Tulsa, Oklahoma’s Cain’s Ballroom and will include stops in Alabama, Arkansas, Missouri, North Carolina, Tennessee, and Texas.
“Well, the time has finally come. Looking forward to getting back out to y’all with my ol’ buddy Kendell Marvel,” says Cobb.
Marvel adds, “There ain’t a better singer/songwriter than my buddy Brent Cobb. Can’t wait to hit the highway with him in May and throw some country on ‘em!”
Each of these shows will feature acoustic solo sets from both Cobb and Marvel as well as a collaborative stage showcasing songs they’ve written for other artists, such as Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, and many more.
Tickets go on-sale this Wednesday, March 24 at 11 a.m. CST. All health and safety protocols are available at each venue’s website.
Country Music For Grown Folks Tour Confirmed Dates:
May 6—Tulsa, OK—Cain’s Ballroom
May 7—Kansas City, MO—Knuckleheads
May 8—Fayetteville, AR—George’s Majestic Lounge
May 9—Fort Smith, AR—Majestic
May 13—Austin, TX—Antone’s Nightclub
May 14—Houston, TX—The Heights Theater
May 15—New Braunfels, TX—Gruene Hall
May 16—Dallas, TX—The Kessler Theater
May 20—Decatur, AL—Princess Theatre Center
May 21—Chattanooga, TN—The Signal
May 22—Asheville, NC—Grey Eagle
May 23—Nashville, TN—City Winery
‘ACM Wine Down Wednesday’ Weekly Series To Return With New Performers
/by Lydia FarthingThe Academy of Country Music has announced the return of the ACM Wine Down Wednesday Series presented by 1000 Stories Bourbon Barrel-Aged Wine, the Academy’s official wine partner since 2019.
This virtual three-part series is set to stream every Wednesday from March 24 through April 7 and will include wine provided by 1000 Stories Wine, conversations, and intimate performances. These episodes will also highlight stories of the 56th ACM Awards New Artist nominees Jimmie Allen and Tenille Arts, as well as rising country music artist Kameron Marlowe.
Episodes will be available to stream live on the Academy of Country Music and 1000 Stories Wine official Facebook pages at 6 p.m. CST each week. These episodes will also be available for playback on ACM: The Hub for 30 days following the broadcasts.
On behalf of each artist, 1000 Stories Wine will be contributing a $2,000 donation to the ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund for individuals in the country music community who are currently on the waitlist for pandemic relief assistance.
Since its launch in July 2020, the ACM Wine Down Wednesday Series has featured Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Nicolle Gaylon, Maddie & Tae, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, MacKenzie Porter, Tenille Townes, Hailey Whitters, and Lainey Wilson.
The upcoming ACM Wine Down Wednesday Presented by 1000 Stories Wine artist schedule is as follows:
Kameron Marlow – Wednesday, March 24 at 6 p.m. CST
Jimmie Allen – Wednesday, March 31 at 6 p.m. CST
Tenille Arts – Wednesday, April 7 at 6 p.m. CST