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.”

Natalie Hemby Signs To Fantasy Records, Will Release Solo Album in 2021

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Natalie Hemby. Photo: Alysse Gafjken

Renowned songwriter and member of The Highwomen, Natalie Hemby, has signed a worldwide recording contract with Fantasy Records and will release a new solo album later this year.

Since signing her first publishing deal at age 19, Hemby has earned eight No. 1 country singles, including Lady A’s “Downtown;” Justin Moore’s “You Look Like I Need A Drink;” Jon Pardi’s “Heartache Medication;” Little Big Town’s “Pontoon” and “Tornado;” and Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar,” “Automatic,” and “Bluebird.” Her songs have also been recorded by Kacey Musgraves, Maren Morris, Sheryl Crow, Lady Gaga, Dierks Bentley, Eli Young Band, Kelly Clarkson, Rag’n’Bone Man, Labrinth, and more.

Hemby released her first solo album, Puxico, in 2017. In 2019, she teamed with Brandi Carlile, Maren Morris and Amanda Shires to form The Highwomen.

The upcoming solo album, produced and mixed by her husband Mike Wrucke, will be Hemby’s first for Fantasy. She joins a roster at Fantasy Records that includes Tanya Tucker, James Taylor, Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats, Paul Simon, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, and more.

“Both Mick Management and Fantasy Records have an exceptional and eclectic roster of artists they work with,” said Hemby. “Their teams are some of the most respected in the music business. I’m so proud to be a part of their musical families…it is truly a dream come true for me.”

“Natalie Hemby is a masterful singer-songwriter, a visionary artist, and a dynamic, influential presence among Nashville’s creative community,” said Fantasy Records President Margi Cheske. “We’re thrilled to welcome her to the Fantasy family and look forward to working closely with the great team at Mick Management to bring this incredible new album to the world.”

Taylor Swift’s New Recording of ‘Love Story’ Drops at Midnight

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“Fearless (Taylor’s Version)” album cover. Photo: Beth Garrabrant

Taylor Swift has re-recorded her 2008 album Fearless and the first track from the new sessions, “Love Story (Taylor’s Version)” will be released at midnight.

Fearless (Taylor’s Version) has 26 songs including six never before released songs that she wrote during the same time period, around ages 16 to 18.

Swift shared the news Thursday (Feb. 11) via a video message aired exclusively on Good Morning America. She said, “I’ve now gone back and recorded those so that everyone will be able to hear not only the songs that made the album but the songs that almost made it. The full picture.”

She also revealed the cover artwork for the album and followed the announcement with social media posts, including the one on Twitter (below). In part, she writes, “This process has been more fulfilling and emotional than I could’ve imagined and has made me even more determined to re-record all of my music.” Fans quickly noticed the random capitalized letters which spell out “APRIL NINTH,” and predicted that is the release date of the album.

Swift has long had plans to re-record her first six albums, following the acquisition of her former label home, Big Machine Records, by Scooter Braun’s Ithaca Holdings.

BBR Music Group Promotes Matthew Holmberg

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Matthew Holmberg, Photo: Cody Heckber

Matthew Holmberg has been promoted to Manager of Group Strategy, Syndication & Secondary Promotion at BBR Music Group. Holmberg will continue to report to VP of Radio Syndication & Group Strategy, Renee Leymon.

Holmberg’s responsibilities include assisting Leymon with syndication and radio chain group strategy for the label group, building and maintaining relationships with key syndicated partners, and creating and executing satellite radio tours, live virtual radio tours, syndication/media days and content days for the label group.

“Matthew has been such an integral part of our department and BBRMG as a whole,” said Leymon. “He is an incredibly hard worker and always has a solution to everything. Matthew continues to blow us away daily with his dedication and intelligence he brings to his role.”

Since joining BBR Music Group in April 2017 as Catalog Coordinator for Magic Mustang Music, Holmberg has held the positions of Promotion Coordinator for Red Bow Records and Wheelhouse Records, and Manager of Secondary Promotion. While attending Belmont University, Holmberg interned for BBRMG in 2013 and graduated in 2014 with a Bachelor of Business Administration—Music Business.

Jay DeMarcus’ Red Street Records To Sponsor NASCAR Driver Natalie Decker

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Jay DeMarcus, Jason Crabb, Natalie Decker. Photo: Courtesy Red Street Records / Conduit Media

Jay DeMarcus‘ Red Street Records is sponsoring NASCAR driver Natalie Decker as she joins RSS Racing, managed by Reaume Brothers Racing, for five races in the NASCAR Xfinity Series. The partnership makes history as the first time a Christian label has sponsored a NASCAR driver, and the design of the car features Red Street Records artist Jason Crabb showcased on the hood promoting his new single, “Just As I Am.”

Decker will be running the #23 Chevy Camaro for five races to start the year, and will be making her NASCAR Xfinity Series debut at the Daytona Road Course. She has made significant strides in the last few years racing in the ARCA series and most recently in the NCWTS, where she became the highest finishing female in the NASCAR Truck Series, finishing 5th at Daytona in 2020.

Photo: Courtesy Red Street Records / Conduit Media

“We are thrilled to be partnering with Team Decker,” said DeMarcus, owner of Red Street Records. “Natalie is on the cutting edge of the racing industry; her meteoric rise continues to be amazing and unprecedented! She is the next generation. We here at Red Street view our journey in much the same way: innovation, and “outside the box” thinking, have set us apart, in the same way that Natalie has been set apart as one of NASCAR’s youngest female drivers in history. That makes Team Decker and Red Street Records the perfect combination!”

“First, I have to say thank you, thank you to all my fans that support me and show me so much love! I love you all!,” said Decker. “Thank you to Todd DiBenedetto for connecting Natalie Decker LLC and Red Street Records. Thank you, Red Street Records, for believing in me and wanting to be part of this Journey with me. Our first race is the Daytona road course, and I could not be any happier, we have Jason Crabb and his new single on the hood of the car. This song is so meaningful to me and the inspiration I get from Jason when I hear this song is unbelievable! I’m excited for this journey and I’m so happy I finally get to share it with all of you!”

Morgan Wallen Tells Fans To Stop Defending Him: ‘It’s On Me To Take Ownership For This’

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: John Shearer

A little over a week after a video surfaced of a drunken Morgan Wallen yelling profanities including the N-word outside his Nashville home, the singer-songwriter has released a statement. The five-minute video, posted late Wednesday night (Feb. 10), shows Wallen nine days sober. “The video that you saw was me on hour 72 of 72 of a bender, and that’s not something I’m proud of either.”

Perhaps the biggest takeaway from Wallen’s statement was his call to fans to stop defending him. “I appreciate those who still see something in me and have defended me, but for today, please don’t. I was wrong. It’s on me to take ownership for this. I fully accept any penalties I’m taking.”

Though his music was largely effaced from country radio, with companies like iHeartMedia and Cumulus pulling his music from their hundreds of stations, Wallen’s sales have surged following the incident.

Wallen said that he had accepted invitations from “some amazing Black organizations,” to open a dialogue about the issue.

Noteably, Wallen also commented that when he was made aware of the video shortly before it was posted to TMZ, he issued a larger apology that was not published in full.

Watch Wallen’s full statement below.

YouTube video

FGL to Play Amazon Global Live Stream February 25

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UPDATED: Due to inclement weather in Nashville, the event has been moved to Feb. 25.

“Due to inclement weather in Nashville, we are moving our Amazon Music Global Livestream to Thursday, Feb. 25. The party starts at 7pm CT via the Amazon Music Twitch channel and within the Amazon Music mobile app. Keep on listening to LIFE ROLLS ON and we look forward to performing for y’all next week!” said the band.

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: John Shearer

Florida Georgia Line has partnered with Amazon Music for an upcoming exclusive global live stream concert, “Life Rolls On From The FGL House,” featuring new music from FGL’s brand new album Life Rolls On, on Feb. 25.

CMT’s Cody Alan will host a Q&A before the duo performs live with their full band from their venue in Nashville. The show kicks off at 8 p.m. CT and fans can catch all the action via the Amazon Music Twitch channel and within the Amazon Music mobile app via the new livestreaming functionality by Twitch and Amazon Music. The performance will also be available to watch on the Amazon Music Twitch channel for three days afterwards.

“We’ve definitely been missing the road, our band, and especially our fans,” said FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard. “We can’t think of a better reason to team up with our CMT family and hit the stage at FGL House in support of our fellow downtown Nashville merchants affected by the bombing. With the help of our friends at Amazon Music, we’ll be playing and live streaming tunes from Life Rolls On, and can’t wait to share some good vibes with our community. Tune in y’all!”

For “Life Rolls On From The FGL House,” Amazon Music, Florida Georgia Line, CMT and Big Machine Label Group have each donated to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Nashville Neighbors Fund to support downtown merchants affected by the Christmas Day bombing in Nashville. Grants from the Fund are made available to nonprofits providing services for both immediate and long-term needs for those impacted from the explosion. Fans can learn more about the Fund by visiting cfmt.org/NashvilleNeighbors or donate during the livestream via Tiltify.

John Cantu Appointed GM of RED Creative Records

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John Cantu. Photo: Courtesy RED Creative Group

John Cantu has been named General Manager of RED Creative Records. In this new position, Cantu will oversee day-to-day operations, marketing, distribution, branding, and creative direction for RED’s artist and development roster, including LJ, Noah Hicks, and Baker Grissom.

Cantu comes to RED Creative from Anthem Entertainment, where he worked in a global label and corporate marketing role. He also previously served as Marketing Director for Riser House Entertainment, where he helped launch the careers of artists like Mitchell Tenpenny.

“I am very excited to welcome John to RED Creative Records,” says RED Creative Group’s founder, Jeremy Stover. “His thoughtful vision, business, and creative prowess are great assets that are going to benefit us immensely at RED. He loves artists and working with them to make their vision a success.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful for the opportunity to build upon what Jeremy has created,” said Cantu. “I’m a big fan of the thoughtfulness, creativity, and quality behind everything at RED. Jeremy has an amazing track record and has grown an impressive roster and business. I’m looking forward to helping RED and our artists make some noise.”

Since its inception under Stover in 2014, RED Creative Group has celebrated over 200 cuts and 35 singles on the country charts with songs including “How Not To” by Dan + Shay, “Somebody Else Will” by Justin Moore, “How I’ll Always Be” by Tim McGraw, “Sleep Without You” by Brett Young, and “After A Few” by Travis Denning. The group has also helped secure label deals for their developing acts, including Denning (Mercury) and Adam Hambrick (Capitol Nashville/Buena Vista).