Producer, Engineer Brian Tankersley Passes

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Brian Tankersley. Photo: Courtesy Tankersley Family

Grammy-winning producer and engineer Brian Tankersley passed away on Feb. 5, after having fallen sick with an illness in January.

Among his numerous credits are projects by artists including Brooks & Dunn, Israel Houghton, Sawyer Brown, NewSong, Trick Pony, Charlotte Church and Shania Twain.

Gordon Brian Tankersley was born in 1956 in Houston, Texas, and would later pioneer the worship facilities and studios at Lakewood Church in hometown. Loved ones say he was strong Christian, and an encourager who “believed in possibilities more than limits.”

Brian Tankersley. Photo: Courtesy Tankersley Family

Tankersley is survived by widow Suzanne; daughters Amanda, Shelby, and Ashley, and their mother Joan; and many others.

The family is planning a celebration of life, but details have not been finalized. Visit thememorytank.com for more information. Friends can also send remembrances to thememorytank@gmail.com.

In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be made to International Medical Outreach or IC13 Ministry.

Eric Church Hails ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart

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“Hell Of A View” by Eric Church rises to No. 1 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. Written by Church, Casey Beathard, and Monty Criswell, the single will appear on Soul which is part 3 of a collection of albums coming out in April. Click here to read more about Church’s three-album project.

Church teased a 2021 tour recently in a video message to fans: “We are working on a North American tour. We’re waiting for the right timing to officially announce all the details, but I want you to know that a tour is coming, and we are very excited to play new music for our old friends… I cannot wait to see you on the road.”

Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.

Hannah Dasher Inks with Sony Music Nashville

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Hannah Dasher. Photo: Andrew Morton

Hannah Dasher has signed with Sony Music Nashville.

Dasher has been named to CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2021, and she recently surpassed one million followers on TikTok for her viral “Stand By Your Pan” series, where she whips up traditional Southern recipes with a twist. She recently released her latest track “Left Right,” which she co-wrote with Brandon Hood and Wynn Varble.

Raised in Savannah, Georgia, Dasher would spend hours reading album covers front-to-back as a child, all while taking cues from a diverse lineup of influences like Alan Jackson, Hank Jr., Tom Petty, Eric Church, and Aretha Franklin. After graduating from the University of Georgia, Dasher moved to Nashville and took a job selling fishing boats and outboard motors at Bass Pro Shops to make ends meet. She eventually landed her first publishing deal, and her first cut, Brad Paisley’s “Go To Bed Early.” Dasher has since rocked audiences across the country, opening for acts including her hero Bocephus, The Cadillac Three and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

“You think this news is big?! You should see what I can do with a can of hairspray! Can’t wait to share with the world what the Sony Family and I’ve got cookin’,” said Dasher.

On The Row: Kameron Marlowe Is On The Fast Track to Stardom

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Kameron Marlowe. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Columbia Nashville’s Kameron Marlowe moved to Nashville less than four years ago. In what is often called a ‘ten year town,’ the North Carolina native managed to launch himself from struggling singer-songwriter and into the spotlight in seven months.

Marlowe independently released the self-penned “Giving You Up,” which has since seen 15 million streams. Shortly after, while Marlowe was working at General Motors in his hometown, a recruiter from The Voice called offering to take him to the live auditions for Season 15.

While on set at The Voice, Marlowe met some songwriters from Nashville, which helped push him to move. Shortly after landing in Music City, Marlowe met manager Kaitlin Madewell. Now, with a management deal at The AMG, a label deal with Columbia Nashville, and a publishing deal with Sony Music Publishing, Marlowe has hit the ground running.

“When I came off The Voice I didn’t know what I was doing. I was just wanting to write songs because that’s what everybody on the show was doing. I wanted to learn from that. So I would take a write with anybody in this town,” Marlowe told MusicRow in a recent visit. “I just wanted to immerse myself in there. After a couple of years of writing in town is when I started finding my sound and started finding who I was as an artist.”

Marlowe’s charismatic personality, paired with his unique vocal talent, aided him in his first radio tour–done via Zoom. His debut single, “Sober as a Drunk,” impacted country radio on Feb. 8 and was among the week’s most added tracks, just behind Dan + Shay on Mediabase.

YouTube video

Marlowe’s self-titled debut EP was released in November, and included another viral hit, “Burn ‘Em All.” The singer-songwriter co-wrote four of the six tracks. Songwriting heavyweights including Jeff Hyde, J.T. Harding, Justin Wilson, Aaron Eshuis, and more join Marlowe on the EP.

Marlowe sums, “I’m just very blessed and very excited that this is what I get to wake up and do every day. Waking up and going to a job that I absolutely hated everyday just wasn’t worth it to me. Being able to wake up every morning and be like, ‘man, I truly love, what I get to do,’ there’s no price tag that could ever be put on that.”

Quartz Hill Records Partners with Our Motorsports, Nate Barnes to be Featured on #03 Camaro

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Photo: Courtesy Quartz Hill Records

Quartz Hill Records is partnering with Our Motorsports for the opener of the the 2021 NASCAR Xfinity Series season at the Beef. It’s What’s for Dinner 300 at Daytona International Speedway this Saturday (Feb. 13) at 5 p.m. ET.  The race will be televised live on FS1. 

Our’s #03 Camaro piloted by Series Champion, Tyler Reddick, will showcase up-and-coming Quartz Hill Records artist Nate Barnes and the cover artwork for his debut single, “You Ain’t Pretty.” Reddick returns to Daytona for his first NASCAR Xfinity Series action since 2019, when he was crowned Series Champion for the second consecutive season. He’s making his 85th start in the series.

Photo: Courtesy Quartz Hill Records

“NASCAR and country music go hand-in-hand. We’re all part of the same, extended family. Quartz Hill Records is proud to sponsor Our Motorsport’s #03 Camaro on opening weekend of the NASCAR Xfinity Series 2021 season,” says Benny Brown, managing partner of Quartz Hill Records.

“It’s absolutely mind-blowing to think that my face and name will be featured on a professional race car- driven by a two-time Xfinity Series champion!” says Barnes. “I’m so honored to have this opportunity. I love racing and I can’t wait to be onsite this weekend cheering Tyler on.”

Barnes’ “You Ain’t Pretty” has earned over 14 million TikTok streams and half a million lyric video views since the song’s release in late 2020, and officially impacts country radio on Feb. 16.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Matt Stell, Russell Dickerson, Dan + Shay, LANCO

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Today’s listening session was dominated by country’s male up-and-comers.

Troy Cartwright, Canaan Smith, Russell Dickerson, Matt Stell and Cooper Alan are all spinning new tunes. The Disc of the Day competition features Stell and Dickerson duking it out with Chapel Hart. Matt Stell wins in a close decision.

Chapel Hart is one of four groups in the spotlight. The others are Lanco, The Shootouts and our DisCovery Award winners, Restless Road.

RESTLESS ROAD / “Take One Look at Her Momma”
Writers: Andy Albert/Colton Pack/Garrett Nichols/Lindsay Rimes/Zach Beeken; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: RCA Nashville/1021 Entertainment
– Well sung and well played country-rock with a good-time attitude. It’s not too deep, to put it politely.

LAUREN ALAINA & JON PARDI / “Getting Over Him”
Writers: Lauren Alaina/Paul DiGiovanni/Emily Weisband; Producer: Paul DiGiovanni; Label: 19 Recordings/Mercury Nashville
– The song is pretty cool, and Alaina sings it splendidly. The rest of the ingredients don’t quite mix—the screaming rock guitar and Pardi’s strained vocal are a bit jarring.

THE SHOOTOUTS / “Rattlesnake Whiskey”
Writers: Ryan Humbert; Producer: Chuck Mead; Label: Soundly
– This rumbling “spaghetti-western” groovefest is about a moonshine runner. Step right up for lots of exciting rhythm & twang.

DAN + SHAY / “Glad You Exist”
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Ryan Lewis/Tayla Parx/Jordan Reynolds; Producer: Dan Smyers; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Jaunty pop swathed in sweet romance. A smile, for sure.

CHAPEL HART / “I Will Follow”
Writers: Savannah Keyes/Jennifer Hanson/Nick Brophy; Producer: Jennifer Hanson, Nick Brophy & Jeff Glixman; Label: CH
– I am a big fan of this trio. “Jesus and Alcohol” and “You Can Have Him Jolene” were both delights, and so is this tuneful, beautifully harmonized bopper of positivity. The act has deservedly been chosen as one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” for 2021.

CANAAN SMITH / “Mason Jars & Fireflies”
Writers: Canaan Smith/Brian Kelley/Corey Crowder; Producer: Canaan Smith/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley; Label: Round Here Records
– We may be in the dead of winter, but Smith evokes summertime fun on this uptempo thud-romp. The melody is dull and repetitive, but the vibe is in the right place.

COOPER ALAN / “New Normal”
Writers: Seth Mosley/Cooper Alan/Victoria Shaw; Producer: Victoria Shaw; Label: Cooped Up Records
– This guy is a TikTok star, I am told. His new single has finger snaps, deft guitar plucking and a resonant, romantic, baritone vocal. Very listenable.

TROY CARTWRIGHT / “Hung Up on You”
Writers: Troy Cartwright/Solomon Olds/Rebecca Lauren Olds; Producer: David Garcia; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This new release is a stripped-down acoustic version of his debut single. The Texas-to-Tennessee transplant definitely has the goods, and I dig his “woo-hoo” falsetto breaks. Best line: “That damned jukebox is a memory machine.”

MATT STELL / “That Ain’t Me No More”
Writers: Michael Hardy/Hunter Phelps/Smith Ahnquist/Jake Mitchell/Nick Donley; Producer: Matt Stell/Ash Bowers; Label: RECORDS/Arista Nashville
– Nicely done. The deep-twang intro leads to sincere performance of a wailing, loved-and-lost lyric. Matt is a prior chart topper who’s batting a thousand.

RUSSELL DICKERSON / “Home Sweet”
Writers: Casey Brown/Charles Kelley/Russell Dickerson; Producer: Russell Dickerson/Dann Huff/Casey Brown; Label: Triple Tigers
– A sound of joy and celebration. Love has seldom seemed as delirious as this rocking, soaring slab of inspiration. Play it again. And again.

CALLISTA CLARK / “It’s Cause I Am”
Writers: Callista Clark/Cameron Jaymes/Laura Veltz; Producer: none listed; Label: Big Machine Label Group
– Youthful and poppy. Promising, even though it ain’t all that country.

LANCO / “Near Mrs.”
Writers: Brandon Lancaster/Shane McAnally/Jeremy Spillman; Producer: Dann Huff; Label: Arista Nashville
– Exceedingly clever as a piece of songwriting. The stately tempo throws the spotlight on the spiffy lyric as well as Lancaster’s delivery. This act always hits the bullseye.

Superstars Sir Barry Gibb and Brad Paisley Added to CRS 2021

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Barry Gibb, Brad Paisley

Country Radio Seminar will welcome Sir Barry Gibb and Brad Paisley to separate virtual events next week.

Legendary artist, songwriter and producer Gibb will sit for an exclusive interview on Thursday, Feb. 18, 2 p.m. (CT), conducted by Variety’s Chris Willman. “A Conversation with Sir Barry Gibb,” sponsored by BMLG, will scratch the surface of Gibb’s 60-year career filled with commercial and critical success including The Bee Gees, which has sold more than 200 million albums to date. With nine No. 1 singles as a performer, Gibb is also amongst the most successful songwriters of all-time, with 16 No. 1 singles. His new No. 1 album, GREENFIELDS: The Gibb Brothers’ Songbook, Vol. 1, was produced by Dave Cobb at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A.

Immediately following, at 3 p.m. CT, “So Much Cooler Online: A Conversation with Brad Paisley,” sponsored by CT40 with Fitz, will take place. When the pandemic struck in 2020, Paisley emerged as a leader in creatively staying connected with fans. In a rare, guided interview conducted by best-selling author and pop culture pundit, David Wild, and television writer and producer, Phil Rosenthal, the conversation will dive into what inspired Paisley to reinvent how he connects with fans. Over the past 20 years, Paisley’s songwriting and unmatched showmanship have won him numerous awards, including GRAMMYs, CMAs and ACMs. He has written 21 of his 24 No. 1 hits.

CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience will be held Tuesday, Feb. 16, through Friday, Feb. 19. The expanded, four-day agenda offers attendees more than 14 educational sessions, four morning networking events, two lunchtime performances, four interactive workshops, “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley” featuring Thomas Rhett and Guests, and the New Faces of Country Music® show.

Industry Ink: Kelsea Ballerini, Mackenzie Clayburg, Music Row Build With Habitat

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Kelsea Ballerini Gets Golden Surprise

Pictured (L-R): Black River’s Bill Macky, Mike Wilson, Rick Froio, Kelsea Ballerini, Gordon Kerr, and Doug Johnson.

Kelsea Ballerini received a shiny surprise this week during Black River Entertainment’s iHeart Radio presentation. Ballerini was surprised with an RIAA Gold certification plaque for her hit single “hole in the bottle” during the day’s festivities.

 

Mackenzie Clayburg Promoted To Director At Adkins Publicity

Makenzie Clayburg

Makenzie Clayburg has been promoted to Director of Publicity and Social Media at Adkins Publicity. In her new role, Clayburg will supervise and coordinate day-to-day strategy along with President/CEO Scott Adkins, Vice President of Publicity Kelli Wasilauski and Publicity Coordinator Haley Moriva for the firm’s roster of music, film, television, podcast, cannabis and lifestyle clients.

Adkins said, “Makenzie Clayburg has demonstrated tremendous growth as an energetic, unstoppable public relations and digital media professional whose unbridled enthusiasm and experience continues to be invaluable for our clients.”

 

Music Row Build With Habitat Raises Another Home

Pictured (L-R): Kurt Denny, Music Row Build committee member and Habitat for Humanity Supervisor On Site; new home owner Italia Nance and her three children; and Mark Brown, Music Row Build, and Round Hill Music SVP/GM.

The latest Music Row Build with Habitat for Humanity is complete. Italia Nance’s new home was dedicated on Feb. 4 with Italia and her three children, Daniel and DeMonte Nance, and Deandrae Whitson, on hand.

“To complete this build is especially rewarding because we had so many things working against us from the Covid-19 pandemic, which made fundraising more challenging and made getting volunteers to show up extra hard, to a couple of the worst weather days possible—cold, rainy, and very muddy,” said Mark Brown of Round Hill Music, who worked on the build. “But, Habitat says they build rain or shine, as long as there’s no danger from lightening or wind. And they do, and we did. But, in a way, that all made it that much more rewarding and I’m so proud to be a part of it. I want to thank all the volunteers and the dozens of people who stepped up financially to help us out.”

Blake Duncan Joins Combustion Music as Director of Creative & A&R

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Blake Duncan. Photo: Taylor Kelly

Blake Duncan has been hired at Combustion Music as the company’s Director of Creative and A&R.

Prior to Combustion, Duncan’s past stops included working as a Creative Director at Dreamlined Entertainment and at Broken Bow Records. He will assist in all things creative and help oversee Combustion’s writer and artist roster which includes Jameson Rodgers, Matthew West, Kolby Cooper and others. Blake is also part of the team of YNOT Wednesday Songwriter Spotlight, that showcases Nashville artist and songwriters.

“Blake brings a new spin and wealth of energy to our publishing team at a time when the music world is changing fast. We are thrilled to have him on board,” says Combustion President Chris Farren.

“I am grateful for the opportunity at Combustion, and there belief in me! There’s a competitive atmosphere here that can’t be matched,” said Duncan. “I look forward to getting after it with these great writers and artists each day!”

BMLG Promotes Nicole Flammia to VP, Creative Photo & Video Production

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Nicole Flammia. Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Label Group

Big Machine Label Group has promoted Nicole Flammia to Vice President, Creative Photo & Video Production. In her new role, Flammia will continue to work closely with Big Machine Label Group’s full roster of artists and their management teams to produce music videos, photoshoots and additional content.

“Nicole has been a true leader and creative force at Big Machine Label Group,” said BMLG Creative Team Sr. Vice President Sandi Spika Borchetta. “Her dedication, hard work ethic and production mindset has greatly contributed to the success of our creative content. Congratulations, Nicole! We are proud you are a part of the Machine!”

A graduate of Belmont University, Flammia joined BMLG in 2015 with a seasoned background in video production. Her innovative work has resulted in multiple CMA and ACM award wins and nominations for videos such as Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young,” Lady A’s “What If I Never Get Over You,” Carly Pearce’s “I Hope You’re Happy Now” and Sugarland’s “Babe.” Flammia was also included in MusicRow’s 2021 Next Big Thing Music Industry Directory.

“I’m so grateful to be a part of a company that pushes boundaries, embraces creativity and continues to evolve in our industry,” said Flammia. “The creative team at Big Machine is almost a second family to me. I’ve learned and grown so much over these last six years and I look forward to be able to contribute to our future. Thank you to Sandi and Scott Borchetta for this opportunity and their continued support.”