Warner Music Nashville’s Kristen Williams
Warner Music Nashville artists Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Drew Parker, Ian Munsick, Michael Ray, Robyn Ottolini, and Shy Carter brought country radio some tunes at the virtual CRS luncheon showcase today (Feb. 17).
WMN’s SVP/Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams kicked off the showcase, welcoming everyone to the “Warner Music Nashville house.” The rest of the radio and streaming staff took viewers on a tour of the house, with each “room” revealing another WMN artist.
Tom Martens, WMN’s VP Radio & Streaming, introduced the first performance, one from Brett Eldredge. “I hope wherever this song finds you today, it finds you with a smile on your face,” Eldredge said before playing his new song “Good Day,” which impacts radio on March 1. With this song he introduced a new mission, the #GoodDayMovement that promotes kindness. He started the initiative off by donating full registrations to the entire week-long virtual event to a group of deserving radio partners who recently became unemployed.
Brett Eldredge
The windy breezeway with white curtains flowing in the breeze complimented Eldredge’s rich voice on the bright song, which he wrote with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk.
WMN’s Justin Newell introduced the label group’s newest signing, Drew Parker, next. A cowboy hat-clad Parker sang his “While You’re Gone” by the staircase. The traditional-sounding country song has quickly become a fan favorite and gained industry support as a SiriusXM The Highway’s Highway Find.
Chad Schultz, WMN Vice President of Radio and Streaming, Marketing, introduced Cole Swindell next. From a library, Swindell sang his latest release, “Single Saturday Night.” The song is the follow-up to his No. 1 single “Love You Too Late,” and is the hitmaker’s 11th career single.
Cole Swindell
Next, Anna Cage (WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming) was on hand to introduce Robyn Ottolini, who performed from a vibey garage. Ottolini offered her TikTok viral sensation, “F-150,” that helped her land a deal with Warner in October of last year. The track impacted country radio yesterday (Feb. 15), and has garnered over 16 million streams globally.
Michael Ray was up next, introduced by WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming James Marsh. Ray played his steamy breakup song, “Whiskey And Rain,” wearing a leather jacket to further personify the moody song. Currently Top 50 and climbing on the Mediabase and Billboard country charts, “Whiskey And Rain,” written by Jesse Frasure and Josh Thompson, has been streamed over 10 million times since its fall release.
WMN Regional Chris Fabiani introduced the next act, Ian Munsick, saying he’s “bringing the west to the rest.” A smiling Munsick, clothed in traditional western garb, performed his debut single “Long Haul,” with a fiddle accompaniment. The tune is part of his debut album Coyote Cry, due out Feb. 26.
National Directory, Radio & Streaming Michael Chase then introduced Shy Carter, who just seemed to be in the next room. The ever-charismatic Carter performed his debut single, “Good Love.” The Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated songwriter played the keys on his sunny artist debut.
Tom Martens reappeared to introduce WMN hitmakers, Dan + Shay. The duo sang their recent hit “I Should Probably Go To Bed” outside by a pool. Shay’s clear, gorgeous voice shined against Dan’s harmonies and acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Dan + Shay
The duo then performed their new song “Glad You Exist,” which is most added at country radio this week for the second consecutive week.
To end the showcase, Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito appeared on Shay’s phone. “Greetings from Nantucket,” Esposito said. “I know we’re all coming from everywhere around the world but I wish I was in that big ballroom with you.”
The label head closed with a statement that WMN’s mission is to focus and prioritize even more on bringing radio program directors “the best of the best” from the Warner Music Nashville roster.
Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito
Black River Entertainment Signs Hitmaker Ray Fulcher
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R, back row): Terry Wakefield (Universal Music Publishing), Gordon Kerr (Black River), Abby Miller (Black River), Zebb Luster (River House), Doug Johnson (Black River), Neil Mason (Badlands Management), Lynn Oliver (River House Publishing), Ray Fulcher, Mike Wilson (Black River), Rick Froio (Black River), Austin Mullins (WME), Dawn Delvo (Black River), and Chris King (King Business and Financial Management). (L-R, front row): Tali Canterbury (50 Egg), Ron Stuve (Universal Music Publishing), Rebekah Gordon (Black River), Emily Hungate (Black River), Lauren Kilgore (Shackelford, Bowen, McKinley & Norton, LLP), Bill Macky (Black River), Tanya Schrage (Black River), Jordon Petty (270 Media Co), and Jonathan Singleton (Producer).
Black River Entertainment has signed hit songwriter and artist Ray Fulcher, who brings a loyal fanbase which has streamed his music more than 30 million times.
He shared news of the label signing with his fans first, saying, “Fans are the reason I write songs. They are the lifeblood of our industry, and without them, this wouldn’t be possible, so it’s only right for them to know first.”
Fulcher is a frequent collaborator of Luke Combs with writing credits on Combs’ No. 1 singles “When It Rains It Pours,” “Even Though I’m Leaving,” “Does To Me” ft. Eric Church, and “Lovin’ On You.”
Signed to Black River Entertainment in 2021, Fulcher is working with producer Jonathan Singleton and is set to support Combs this fall on the What You See Is What You Get Tour.
Black River joins Fulcher’s team including WME, Universal Music Publishing, River House Publishing, and Badlands Management.
“What a great day for all of us!” said Black River’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr. “What an impressive team we are now partnered alongside. Most importantly, what an artist! We are honored to step into this already impressive journey and can’t wait to see what is in store for Ray!”
Fulcher shared, “I always knew I didn’t want to sign anywhere unless they really believed in our music and vision as much as we did ourselves. They had to really get the songs and what we wanted to do with them and believe that I was the guy to carry them to the masses. With Black River, we have gotten all that and more…and the more I’ve gotten to know the people, the more I see what a great group of not just professionals they are, but humans. Just felt like a real easy decision.”
Growing up in Harlem, Georgia, Fulcher’s biggest influences were Alan Jackson, Keith Whitley, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Eric Church, and George Strait. He moved to Nashville to pursue songwriting after graduating from the University of Georgia in 2014. Soon after, he signed his first publishing deal with River House Publishing. Fulcher has released the EPs Here We Go Again and Somebody Like Me.
Black River Entertainment’s President and CEO Gordon Kerr and Ray Fulcher.
Nick Norman Debut Features Guests Jamey Johnson, Josh Abbott
/by Lorie HollabaughNick Norman is dropping his 11-track, self-titled debut album on Friday, March 5. Norman is the flagship artist signed to Lee Brice’s Pump House Records.
Produced by Brice, songwriter Rob Hatch, and producer/engineer/songwriter Elisha Hoffman, the project features special guests Jamey Johnson (“The Cock Crows”), Josh Abbott (“Rolling in the Grave”), Rebecca Lynn Howard (“Going Through the Motions”), and Brice adding background vocals and guitars throughout.
Norman grew up listening to a soundtrack of home state heroes from his native South Carolina, including Edwin McCain and Hootie & the Blowfish, and icons like Stevie Wonder and The Band. He soaked it all up, mixing the rootsy sounds of the FM dial with the power of the gospel singers he’d hear every Sunday morning at the local church.
A longtime friend and collaborator of Brice, he began recording songs as a teen, working inside a makeshift studio that he constructed with Brice in the pump house of a local church camp. He later moved to Key West and established himself as one of the area’s strongest draws. His newest album brought him back to Nashville to work with his friend.
“From start to finish this has been a labor of love,” said Brice. “I grew up with Nick and it makes sense we’d do this together. I’m proud to make his album the Pump House debut and support his musical introduction on a national level.”
Norman’s debut single is “The Cock Crows,” a French Quarter-esque rouser featuring Jamey Johnson.
Nick Norman Track List:
1. Gypsies, Thieves, Jokers And Me
2. Porch Man
3. Love Don’t Fool Me Again
4. Just For the Record
5. All In
6. The Cock Crows (feat. Jamey Johnson)
7. Adeline
8. Going Through the Motions (feat. Rebecca Lynn Howard)
9. Good Whiskey
10. Life is Good
11. Rolling in the Grave (feat. Josh Abbott)
Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, More Entertain for CRS Warner Music Nashville Lunch Showcase
/by LB CantrellWarner Music Nashville’s Kristen Williams
Warner Music Nashville artists Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Drew Parker, Ian Munsick, Michael Ray, Robyn Ottolini, and Shy Carter brought country radio some tunes at the virtual CRS luncheon showcase today (Feb. 17).
WMN’s SVP/Radio & Streaming Kristen Williams kicked off the showcase, welcoming everyone to the “Warner Music Nashville house.” The rest of the radio and streaming staff took viewers on a tour of the house, with each “room” revealing another WMN artist.
Tom Martens, WMN’s VP Radio & Streaming, introduced the first performance, one from Brett Eldredge. “I hope wherever this song finds you today, it finds you with a smile on your face,” Eldredge said before playing his new song “Good Day,” which impacts radio on March 1. With this song he introduced a new mission, the #GoodDayMovement that promotes kindness. He started the initiative off by donating full registrations to the entire week-long virtual event to a group of deserving radio partners who recently became unemployed.
Brett Eldredge
The windy breezeway with white curtains flowing in the breeze complimented Eldredge’s rich voice on the bright song, which he wrote with Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk.
WMN’s Justin Newell introduced the label group’s newest signing, Drew Parker, next. A cowboy hat-clad Parker sang his “While You’re Gone” by the staircase. The traditional-sounding country song has quickly become a fan favorite and gained industry support as a SiriusXM The Highway’s Highway Find.
Chad Schultz, WMN Vice President of Radio and Streaming, Marketing, introduced Cole Swindell next. From a library, Swindell sang his latest release, “Single Saturday Night.” The song is the follow-up to his No. 1 single “Love You Too Late,” and is the hitmaker’s 11th career single.
Cole Swindell
Next, Anna Cage (WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming) was on hand to introduce Robyn Ottolini, who performed from a vibey garage. Ottolini offered her TikTok viral sensation, “F-150,” that helped her land a deal with Warner in October of last year. The track impacted country radio yesterday (Feb. 15), and has garnered over 16 million streams globally.
Michael Ray was up next, introduced by WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming James Marsh. Ray played his steamy breakup song, “Whiskey And Rain,” wearing a leather jacket to further personify the moody song. Currently Top 50 and climbing on the Mediabase and Billboard country charts, “Whiskey And Rain,” written by Jesse Frasure and Josh Thompson, has been streamed over 10 million times since its fall release.
WMN Regional Chris Fabiani introduced the next act, Ian Munsick, saying he’s “bringing the west to the rest.” A smiling Munsick, clothed in traditional western garb, performed his debut single “Long Haul,” with a fiddle accompaniment. The tune is part of his debut album Coyote Cry, due out Feb. 26.
National Directory, Radio & Streaming Michael Chase then introduced Shy Carter, who just seemed to be in the next room. The ever-charismatic Carter performed his debut single, “Good Love.” The Platinum-selling, Grammy-nominated songwriter played the keys on his sunny artist debut.
Tom Martens reappeared to introduce WMN hitmakers, Dan + Shay. The duo sang their recent hit “I Should Probably Go To Bed” outside by a pool. Shay’s clear, gorgeous voice shined against Dan’s harmonies and acoustic guitar accompaniment.
Dan + Shay
The duo then performed their new song “Glad You Exist,” which is most added at country radio this week for the second consecutive week.
To end the showcase, Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito appeared on Shay’s phone. “Greetings from Nantucket,” Esposito said. “I know we’re all coming from everywhere around the world but I wish I was in that big ballroom with you.”
The label head closed with a statement that WMN’s mission is to focus and prioritize even more on bringing radio program directors “the best of the best” from the Warner Music Nashville roster.
Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito
Niko Moon’s ‘Good Time’ Gets Better With Platinum Status
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R) Liz Cost, Sony Music Nashville VP, Marketing; Dennis Reese, RCA Nashville SVP, Promotion; Steve Hodges, Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion and Artist Development; Alaina Vehec, Sony Music Nashville Sr. Dir., Digital Sales and Streaming; Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO; Jennifer Way, Sony Music Nashville SVP, Marketing; Niko Moon; Lauren Zimmerman, Sony Music Nashville Manager, Digital Strategy; Anna Moon; Lauren Thomas, Sony Music Nashville VP, National Promotion; Eric Berger, Make Wake Artists; Chris Kappy, Make Wake Artists President; Walker Newberry, Make Wake Artists; Randi McFadden, Make Wake Artists. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
Niko Moon‘s debut single “Good Time” has gone Platinum. His label Sony Music Nashville and the Make Wake Artists’ staff recently surprised Moon with the news of his first Platinum certification as an artist.
“Good Time” has earned more than 177 million on-demand streams and is currently No. 6 on the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts. Moon co-wrote the tune with wife Anna Moon, frequent collaborator Joshua Murty, Jordan Minton, and Mark Trussell.
“I can’t believe ‘Good Time’ is Platinum, y’all! I feel such an overwhelming sense of gratitude right now, to everyone from the country music fans who have embraced me, to country radio and streaming platforms who have given me the opportunity to connect with listeners all across the country,” said Moon. “I’m so grateful for my teams at RCA, Make Wake and CAA. It truly does take a village and I’m so inspired that so many people believe in the music that I am making. It’s my calling in life to make people happy through country music, so thank you everyone for letting this Georgia boy live out his dream. Let’s keep the GOOD TIMES rolling!”
Moon recently released a remix version of “Good Time” featuring reggae star Shaggy.
Russell Dickerson Ties Record With 21 Weeks In The Top 10
/by Lorie HollabaughRussell Dickerson, Photo: Spencer Combs
Russell Dickerson has achieved another milestone with his smash single “Love You Like I Used To” as the hit ties the record for the longest run of a country single inside the Top 10. As the song moves into its 21st consecutive week inside the top 10 on Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart, it ties the record set by Lonestar’s “Amazed” back in 1999.
Released in 2020 as the debut single off his sophomore album, Southern Symphony, ”Love You Like I Used To” claimed the No. 1 spot for two consecutive weeks on the Mediabase and Billboard Country Airplay charts. Now, with over 194.3 million global streams, the Platinum single continues to hold in the Top 10.
“Love You Like I Used To” made Dickerson the first artist to release four consecutive career-starting singles (“Yours,” “Blue Tacoma,” and “Every Little Thing,”) to reach No. 1 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart since Luke Combs.
“I don’t think there is a better possible way to kick off a sophomore album than with a song that makes history! All the love to radio and my incredible team!” said Dickerson.
Sara Watkins’ Upcoming Album Welcomes Friends From Nickel Creek and I’m With Her
/by Sarah SkatesSara Watkins, Photo: Jacob Boll
Sara Watkins of the Grammy-winning groups Nickel Creek and I’m With Her will release Under the Pepper Tree on March 26 via New West Records.
The 15-song set was produced by Tyler Chester (Sara Bareilles, Margaret Glaspy) and is the follow up to her critically acclaimed 2016 solo album Young In All The Wrong Ways.
Created with families in mind, Watkins recorded two new songs and also reimagined songs she loved as a child, such as “Pure Imagination” (Willy Wonka & The Chocolate Factory), The Beatles’ “Good Night,” and “Moon River.”
The project welcomes numerous guests, including her Nickel Creek bandmates Chris Thile and her brother Sean Watkins on “Blue Shadows on the Trail” (The Three Amigos), I’m With Her bandmates Sarah Jarosz & Aoife O’Donovan on “Tumbling Tumbleweeds” (Roy Rogers & Sons of the Pioneers), Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes on “Blanket for a Sail” (Harry Nilsson), David Garza on “Beautiful Dreamer” (Roy Orbison), and Watkins now three-year old daughter on The Sound of Music’s “Edelweiss.”
Watkins hopes this album will impact young listeners in the same way the music from her childhood affected her. “I want this album to be a place of calm, imagination, and relief,” she says. “Some days are perfect and things are a dream and make you feel like a superhero. And some days are just… such a challenge. I feel like this record has a place in both of those days, and I really hope that these recordings find a place in kids’ hearts, and become as special as they are to me.”
Under the Pepper Tree Track Listing:
1. Pure Imagination
2. The Second Star to the Right
3. Blue Shadows on the Trail (featuring Nickel Creek)
4. Edelweiss
5. Moon River
6. Under the Pepper Tree
7. When You Wish Upon A Star
8. Night Singing
9. La La Lu
10. Tumbling Tumbleweeds (featuring I’m With Her)
11. Blanket for a Sail
12. Beautiful Dreamer
13. Stay Awake
14. You’ll Never Walk Alone
15. Good Night
Weekly Register: Morgan Wallen’s ‘Dangerous’ Notches 5 Weeks At No. 1
/by LB CantrellMorgan Wallen‘s Dangerous: The Double Album remains at No. 1 on the country and all-genre albums chart this week, for the fifth week, with 150K in total consumption (37K album only/135 million song streams).
Luke Combs follows with What You See Is What You Get earning 30K in total consumption, then Wallen reappears with If I Know Me. Combs takes No. 4 with This One’s For You, and Chris Stapleton rounds out the top five with Starting Over.
Wallen also continues to dominate the country songs top five, with “Sand In My Boots” earning 11 million streams this week and 54 million RTD.
Top 5 Country Songs This Week:
Morgan Wallen “Sand In My Boots” – 11M/54M
Morgan Wallen “Wasted On You” – 10M/62M
Morgan Wallen “Somebody’s Problem” – 8.5M/104M
Luke Combs “Better Together” – 7.6M/248M
Morgan Wallen “7 Summers” – 6.9M/204M
Industry Ink: Lindsay Czarniak, Leadership Bluegrass, Jesse Slack
/by Lorie HollabaughLindsay Czarniak Pairs Music and Sports in New Podcast
Sportscaster and NFL sideline reporter Lindsay Czarniak and Sony Music Entertainment have launched a new podcast, The Artist and The Athlete with Lindsay Czarniak, featuring intimate conversations with some of the biggest names in sports and music. Each episode pairs an iconic sports figure alongside a renowned musician for an intimate, wide-ranging conversation that explores their path to success, their process, and their passions away from the big stage.
The Artist and The Athlete with Lindsay Czarniak kicks off with a conversation between country star Brad Paisley and Los Angeles Dodgers pitcher and World Series Champion Clayton Kershaw. This season will feature conversations between Alanis Morrisette and Danica Patrick, Eddie Vedder and Anthony Rizzo, The Avett Brothers and Jimmie Johnson, Luke Combs and Luke Kuechly, Kirk Franklin and Ray Lewis, with more to be announced.
Leadership Bluegrass Online Navigates The Digital Jungle
The general public can now experience the IBMA’s highly revered Leadership Bluegrass program for the first time ever, via a four-part professional development series: Leadership Bluegrass Online: Navigating the Digital Jungle. The series will stream live on the IBMA Facebook page Thursdays at 12 p.m. CT and feature discussions with industry leaders and performances by international bluegrass bands.
The topics will include: March 4 – The Show Must Go On: Producing Events in Uncertain Times – Performance by Country Gongbang (South Korea); March 11 – The Music Modernization Act: Where Are We Today? – Performance by The Often Herd (UK); March 18 – The Business of Education: 4 Tips to Becoming More Effective & Profitable – Performance by Johnny & The Yooahoos (Germany); and March 25 – The Artist’s Perspective: Sarah Jarosz – Performance by You, Me, Everybody (New Zealand).
Jesse Slack Inks With VibeCity Music
Jesse Slack
Canadian singer-songwriter Jesse Slack has signed with Nashville-based boutique publishing company VibeCity Music. Slack joins Josh Byrd and Kelly McKay on the VibeCity roster.
“We are thrilled to have Jesse join our roster,” said VibeCity co-founders Clay Mills and Marty Dodson. “He has a fresh approach to writing a hook that really stands out and we can’t wait to see where his songwriting and artist career takes him.”
Tim McGraw and More Shine at Amazon Music’s CRS 2021 Country Heat Showcase
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw. Photo: Courtesy De Lux Productions – Scott & Julie De Vos
Amazon Music helped kick off CRS 2021 yesterday (Feb. 16) with its annual Country Heat showcase, which for the first time ever went virtual this year. The fourth annual event included a set of performances by headliner Tim McGraw, as well as Kameron Marlowe, Priscilla Block, Shy Carter, and Track45.
Sibling trio Track45 kicked off the afternoon show with “Met Me Now,” followed by artist-writer-producer Shy Carter, who performed “Good Love.” Emerging star Priscilla Block shared her song, “Just About Over You,” and singer-songwriter Kameron Marlowe wowed with “Sober As A Drunk.” Superstar McGraw closed out the Country Heat showcase with “7500 OBO,” “Shotgun Rider,” “Good Taste In Women,” and a special acoustic rendition of “Gravy.”
Kameron Marlowe. Photo: Courtesy De Lux Productions – Scott & Julie De Vos
Carman, CCM Trailblazer and GMA Hall of Fame Member, Dies
/by Lorie HollabaughGMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame member Carman passed away Feb. 16, 2021 in Las Vegas following complications from surgery on a hiatal hernia. He was 65.
Born Carman Dominic Licciardello in Trenton, New Jersey, Carman began his career playing drums in his mother’s band at 15. He holds the world record for having the largest audience at a solo Christian artist concert, set the record for the largest concert at Texas Stadium with more than 71,000 fans, and led more than 80,000 fans in worship in Chattanooga, Tennessee.
In 1985, he released his first No. 1 song, “The Champion,” and began solidifying his place in music history and defining his career as one of endurance, grit, dedication, and pure talent. Among his many awards, Carman received the House of Hope of Humanitarian Award for his positive influence in the lives of American youth in 2006. Other noted recipients of the award include Ronald & Nancy Reagan and Billy Graham. He was inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2018.
Billboard named Carman Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year in 1992 and 1995, and in 1993, his album, Addicted to Jesus, earned the distinction of Contemporary Christian Album of the Year. Carman was nominated for Grammys multiple times as the Best Pop Contemporary Gospel Artist, and his album, A Long Time Ago in a Land Called Bethlehem, was nominated for Album of the Year by the Recording Academy in 1986.
Those close to Carman know that he counted only this as his greatest lifetime achievement—winning millions of souls to Christ.
“When Carman resumed touring again a few years ago, he was concerned that no one would care that he was back,” said Matt Felts, Carman’s manager. “He was wrong. Every night fans packed out venues and his ministry was as powerful as it ever was. This world has lost a light in the darkness but today Carman saw firsthand the fruit of his labors.”
At the time of his death, Carman was planning to embark on a 60-city tour later this month.
Memorial service details have not yet been announced.