Rhonda Vincent Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry

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Rhonda Vincent. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

Rhonda Vincent became an official member of the Grand Ole Opry Saturday night (Feb. 6) with Opry member Dierks Bentley doing the honors. Vincent’s invitation was first delivered in February of 2020 by Opry member Jeannie Seely, and she was originally supposed to be inducted on March 24, 2020, prior to the pandemic.

“It’s been 343 days, seven hours, three minutes and five seconds,” Rhonda said laughing, sharing how many days it had been since the Opry invitation came last year. “This is a night I will never forget and will cherish the rest of my life. I am proof that dreams really do come true.”

“I’ll never forget the night that our mutual friend Marty Stuart made me an official member of the Opry and I’m so pleased to get to do the same for you tonight,” said Bentley during the induction. “Rhonda, you are now an official member of the Grand Ole Opry! I know you will carry the Opry banner proudly wherever you go.”

Rhonda Vincent performs Merle Haggard’s “Momma Tried” with Dierks Bentley. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry

“It’s great to have the supremely talented and very patient Rhonda Vincent as an official Opry member,” added Dan Rogers, Vice President and Executive Producer, Grand Ole Opry. “She brings with her countless fans, industry respect, and heartfelt passion for keeping the Opry vibrant and entertaining for generations to come. We look forward to Rhonda spending the rest of her career with us as part of the Opry family.”

Additional performers during the special evening included Opry members Riders In The Sky, Jeannie Seely, and Mark Wills as well as special guests Don Schlitz and Parker McCollum, who made his Grand Ole Opry debut.

Triple 8 Management Promotes Six

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Pictured (L-R, top row): Allison Bostrom, Amy Brauchle, Christina Egan; (L-R, bottom row): Chris Fairbank, Mark Noel, Karrie Tatum

Management company Triple 8 Management has promoted six of their 27 staff members.

“We have seen our staff step up and excel in spite of the challenges the pandemic has presented,” says Triple 8 Management founding partner George Couri. “These promotions serve to acknowledge some of those people, who have helped our clients find creative ways to continue to grow and have impact during these dramatically changing times. We are quite proud of how all members of our 27-person team also step up to support each other and truly work collaboratively.”

“It’s very rewarding to look back at a year like 2020 and be incredibly proud of the hustle and resilience our entire staff has displayed,” says partner Paul Steele. “It’s a true joy to elevate from within, and I look forward to more opportunities to do so in the future.”

Together with fellow partner Jesse Atwell, Couri and Steele announced the following staff risings:
Christina Egan rises to Chief Financial Officer, christina@triple8mgmt.com
Chris Fairbank rises to Senior VP of Marketing, chrisfairbank@triple8mgmt.com
Allison Bostrom rises to VP of Marketing, allison@triple8mgmt.com
Mark Noel rises to VP of Management, marknoel@triple8mgmt.com
Amy Brauchle rises to Marketing Coordinator, amy@triple8mgmt.com
Karrie Tatum rises to Marketing Director, karrie@triple8mgmt.com

With offices in Nashville, Tenn. and Austin, Texas, Triple 8 represents country acts including Scotty McCreery, Eli Young Band, and Josh Abbott Band, as well as acts in other genres.

Big Future Music Group Launches With Flagship Artist Abby Robertson

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Pictured (L-R): BFMG VP of Creative Andrea Robertson, BFMG President Ryan Wesley Smith, BFMG Advisor Mike McCloskey, artist Abby Robertson, and BFMG A&R Consultant Tyrus Morgan. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Big Future Music Group

Big Future Music Group, a new Nashville-based record label, publishing, and management company headed by industry member Ryan Wesley Smith, has launched with Christian pop artist Abby Robertson as its flagship artist.

Partnering with Smith in the launch of BFMG are veteran manager and label executive Mike McCloskey (advisor), who has worked with Chris Tomlin, Crowder, and Newsboys, among others, and producer/songwriter Tyrus Morgan (A&R consultant), the writer behind hits “Who We Are” (Courtney Ramirez) and “Good Fight” (Unspoken). BFMG has partnered with Sony’s The Orchard for distribution, and Sony/ATV.

Prior to launching BFMG, Smith was a part of the team at Awakening Events, where he worked with TobyMac, Chris Tomlin, Casting Crowns, and more. He also worked at Story House Collective, where he handled day-to-day marketing operations for Matthew West. In early 2019, he launched Chordwell, an artist development and music marketing company, which boasts clients such as for KING and COUNTRY, Ty James, YoungHeart, Cade Thompson, and labels Curb|Word Entertainment and Loyalty Records.

“I grew up going to concerts with my dad, and dreamed of one day working with artists, songwriters, and creatives. Big Future is the manifestation of those dreams coming to fruition,” said Smith of the new endeavor. “We believe the best days are ahead, and are excited to champion Abby and ensure her incredible talent and heart are shared with listeners globally.”

BFMG flagship artist Abby Robertson’s debut single “Sanctuary” is set for release this Friday (Feb. 12). She has already performed in front of thousands at international festivals in Isreal, Malta, and Ethiopia, and opened for acts like Switchfoot, Jeremy Camp, and The Beach Boys.

Emmylou Harris Inks With Sheltered Music Publishing

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Emmylou Harris

Emmylou Harris has signed a long-term administration deal to the newly formed independent publishing company, Sheltered Music, a division of All Clear Music, LLC.

Harris has been awarded 14 Grammy awards, the Polar Music Prize, a NARAS Lifetime Achievement Award and her induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.

“We are honored and consider it a rare privilege to represent Emmylou Harris’ music,” said Sheltered Music’s EVP Darrell Franklin. “Her iconic contributions to country music are documented and celebrated by fans everywhere, and her songwriting has been a cornerstone to quality that continues to inspire.”

“There is no one more passionate about the song or more committed to the songwriter than Lance [Freed]” Harris said. “ I am so grateful to have him not only as my publisher, but as a longtime friend.”

Said Freed, “She is the embodiment of all things good about music and great songwriting. We all owe her a huge debt of gratitude, and we are extremely proud to represent her songs.”

Sheltered Music is the Nashville Division of All Clear Music. LLC. In its first year, the company has completed deals with music icons Burt Bacharach and Rodney Crowell, and has established a creative development partnership with superstar producer, Dann Huff.

UMG Pulls Catalog From Triller, Cites Non-Payment

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Universal Music Group has pulled its music from Triller, a short-form video platform similar to TikTok.

A UMG spokesperson tells MusicRow: “We will not work with platforms that do not value artists. Triller has shamefully withheld payments owed to our artists and refuses to negotiate a license going forward. We have no alternative except to remove our music from Triller, effective immediately.”

A spokesperson from Triller issued the following statement to MusicRow:

“We can confirm our deal with UMG expired approximately one week ago. We have been negotiating since then in an attempt to renew. The renewal however was just a formality and a courtesy to UMG, as a shareholder of Triller. Triller does not need a deal with UMG to continue operating as it has been since the relevant artists are already shareholders or partners on Triller, and thus can authorize their usage directly. Triller has no use for a licensing deal with UMG.

We categorically deny we have withheld any artist payments (our deal has only been one week expired) and if anything, it is UMG using their artist names as a front to extract ridiculous and non-sustainable payments for themselves and not their artists. They did this exact same thing to TikTok For two years and virtually every other social network.

It is unfortunate UMG decided to use the press as it’s “negotiating leverage” when they realized we aren’t going to be held hostage. UMG is well aware any agreement was just out of respect and courtesy, not necessity. We have been operating without it and there has been no change in our business.”

In late 2020, Wixen Music Publishing filed a $50 million suit against Triller.

According numerous reports, UMG and many other major media companies have stakes in Triller, which is said to be planning an IPO with a valuation of more than $1 billion.

Eric Church Teases 2021 Tour

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Eric Church. Photo: Reid Long

Eric Church hopes to return to the road before the end of the year. In a video message shared with fans, Church said, “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.”

Friday (Feb. 5) Church also dropped a new song, “Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones,” from his forthcoming three-part project, Heart & Soul. The track is featured on the third album in the collection, Soul, set for release Friday, April 23. Meanwhile, Heart will be released Friday, April 16 and the Church Choir exclusive vinyl-only middle album, &, will be released Tuesday, April 20.

Church had this to say about his new story-song ballad, “‘Lynyrd Skynyrd Jones’ was such a tough one for us to get, but it ended up as one of my favorite performances of my career. Casey Beathard had written that song and I first played it laying back on my bed for a guitar vocal. I tried to play it the same way a thousand times after that, but there’s a way that song develops that we never could recapture–something about relaxing and laying back; there’s a lope to that song. I started to worry about the soul going away the more we tried, so Jay Joyce said, ‘let’s let Bryan Sutton have a shot at it.’ We let him hear it one time and then he was feeling it as we went. There’s some extra pauses and spaces in the back of the recording as he figured it out–I think that’s what makes that song. It’s compelling and that’s a lot to do with Brian and Jay.”

Church will take to the field in Tampa Bay on Sunday, Feb. 7 to perform the national anthem with R&B star Jazmine Sullivan ahead of Super Bowl LV. Following the game, he will perform as part of Verizon’s “Big Concert for Small Business” benefit, streaming live at 10 p.m. CT.

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Chart Action: Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley Most Added

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Jimmie Allen & Brad Paisley‘s single “Freedom Was A Highway” impacted country radio this week receiving 79 total adds across the Billboard, Mediabase, and MusicRow charts. Labelmate Parmalee received the highest spin gain on the Mediabase chart with their single “Just The Way” featuring Blanco Brown while “Good Time” by Niko Moon has the highest increase in plays for Billboard.

On the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart, “Freedom Was A Highway” debuted at No. 68. James Robert Webb‘s latest single, “Okfuskee Whiskey” received the most adds with 13 new stations spinning the single. Blake Shelton‘s “Minimum Wage” continues to receive the highest spin gain for a second week with +259 plays moving him to No. 23.

Breakfasts and Workshops Announced for CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience

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Country Radio Seminar has released details on four mentoring breakfasts and four workshops that will take place during CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience. An overview of each breakfast and workshop along with participating mentors are below:

Wednesday, Feb. 17

• Programming Mentoring Breakfast, sponsored by vCreative, 10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. CT: This one-on-one session provides the opportunity for attendees to sit down with experienced PDs and Format Leaders, who can help them build their skill set and learn fresh new ideas. Confirmed mentors for the session are Mark Anderson (Entercom), Gail Austin (iHeartMedia), Carletta Blake (WGAR/Cleveland), Kevin Callahan (Entercom), Johnny Chiang (Cox Media Group Houston), Charlie Cook (Cumulus), Gator Harrison (iHeartMedia), John Foxx (WNSH/New York), Steve Geofferies (iHeartMedia), Rod Phillips (iHeartMedia), Jeff Kapugi (WMXQ/DC + WPOC/Baltimore), Mike Kennedy (Entercom), Bruce Logan (Hubbard Radio), Mike Moore (WHKX/Atlanta), Mike Preston (KPLX/Dallas + KSCS/Dallas), Tim Roberts (Entercom), Cindy Spicer (WFUS/Tampa + WQIK/Jacksonville), and Meg Stevens (iHeartMedia).

• Imaging Workshop, 1:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. CT: Station imaging and recorded promos are a key component on any station. For the first time ever, CRS has assembled a group of top imaging professionals to listen to actual submitted station imaging and provide real-time feedback and tips. Experts will take you into their computer and rebuild station promos using their years of experience and expertise. Panelists are Jake Kaplan (97.1 AMP/Los Angeles), Chadd Pierce (Pierce Voice), and Matt Warren (Gorilla Sound) and moderated by Joey Tack (KNCI/Sacramento)

• Music Scheduling Workshop, 2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. CT: In this workshop, panelists will show off their favorite tips and tricks to scheduling a great log, in an efficient way. Plus, they’ll share some of their favorite software features that you may not be using. Panelists are Kristopher Jones (Merge Music Media), Tom Lorino (Throwback Nation Radio), and Bryan ‘B-Dub’ Washington (Hubbard/B-Dub Radio), and the moderator is Brent Michaels (KUZZ/Bakersfield).

Thursday, Feb. 18

• Believers Breakfast, sponsored by Curb Records, 9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m. CT: Organized by Gator Harrison (iHeartMedia) and Lou Ramirez (Warner Music Nashville), the Believers Breakfast will feature Gator Harrison, Russell Dickerson (Triple Tigers), and Chris Tomlin (Capitol Christian Music Group), who will discuss the stability of Faith and the music industry; celebrity with humility; life balance in an industry that’s 24/7; how to stay Faith-centered in a chaotic, divisive world; fatherhood and leading spiritual lives.

• Label Mentoring Breakfast, 10:00-10:50 a.m. CT: A unique opportunity to meet and greet with some of the industry’s most inspiring record label executives to create a network, gain knowledge, and connect on everything from mentorship to motivation. Together, they will answer the questions: how can radio, records, and all attendees work together to better the music industry as a whole? What key people can you connect with to help move your career forward? And, how can you implement this new knowledge today? Confirmed mentors for the session are Randy Goodman (Sony), Tony Grotticelli (UMG), JoJamie Hahr (BBRMG), Dave Kelly (BMLG), Laurel Kittleson (Curb), Mandy McCormack (Pearl), and Lou Ramirez (WMN).

• Awards Submission Workshop, 1:00 p.m.-1:50 p.m. CT: Submitting for ACM and CMA Awards can be a daunting yet rewarding task! Between choosing the right content to include in the audio and written portions, to archiving content throughout the year, there are many elements to a winning submission. A group of current and past winners have been assembled who will share all their pro tips and tricks to getting nominated and winning these prestigious awards. Panelists are Justin Cole (Entercom), John Shomby (Country Radio’s Coach), and Scott Ward (Scott Ward Voice Pro), and the moderator is Kelly Ford (Entercom).

Friday, Feb. 19

• Women’s Mentoring Breakfast, sponsored by NuVoodoo Media, 10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. CT: Offers attendees the opportunity to approach and chat with some of music’s female “power players.” Confirmed mentors for the session are Stacy Blythe (Big Loud), Marci Braun (WUSN/Chicago), Raffaella Braun (Triple Tigers), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Shanna “Quinn” Cudeck (WMIL/Milwaukee), Kelly Ford (WNSH/New York), Becky Gardenhire (WME), Holly Hutton (WYCD/Detroit), Beth Laird (Creative Nation), Allison Laughter (Red Light Management), Miranda McDonald (MCA), Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media PR), Ashley Stegbauer Morrison (WWKA/Orlando), Ashley Sidoti (Valory Music Co.), Lauren Thomas (Sony/Nashville), Tiera (Singer-Songwriter/Apple Music Country Radio Personality/Host), Candice Watkins (Big Loud), and Kristen Williams (Warner Music Nashville).

• Aircheck Workshop, 11:00 a.m.-Noon CT: Country Radio’s top programmers and consultants will offer a personalized, virtual aircheck and feedback session. Attendees are invited to submit Airchecks to be highlighted and discussed among the panel of experts during the workshop [here]. Panelists are Becky Brenner (Albright, O’Malley & Brenner), Kevin Callahan (Entercom), Bruce Logan (Hubbard), Tracy Johnson (Tracy Johnson Media Group), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Associates), and JoJo Turnbeaugh (iHeartMedia).

For more information on CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience, visit www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or call 615-327-4487.

Chrissy Metz Teams With Dave Aude’ For ‘Feel Good’ Remix

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Chrissy Metz has brewed up a brand new remix of her song “Feel Good” with Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Audé. He added a hypnotic groove element to the tune, written by Metz with Nicolette Hayford, Connie Herrington, Aaron Raitiere and Jake Mitchell.

Audé has landed more No. 1s than any other producer on the Billboard Dance Club Songs charts, currently 135, of which 14 are his own singles as an artist. In 2016, he won a Grammy in the Best Remixed Recording, Non-Classical category for his remix of “Uptown Funk” by Mark Ronson and Bruno Mars.

“Feel Good” was initially released in conjunction with Metz’s 2020 fall fashion collaboration with ELOQUII Elements, and represents the moment she realized she was done living her life for other people and that it was time to put the focus on herself. “I can’t worry about what people are going to say, think, or do,” says Metz. “I’ve got to do what feels good to me.”

Metz spent much of 2020 writing and recording in Nashville, where she further realized her country music dream by making her Grand Ole Opry debut.

Now back in L.A. shooting the award-winning series This Is Us, she is spending much of her time not on set working on her first full-length music project.

JUDAH. Releases Solo Debut

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JUDAH.

JUDAH. released his new project, 7, on Friday (Feb. 5). The seven-track collection is the debut solo effort from Judah Akers, frontman for Judah & The Lion.

7 features guests including Jon Foreman, Amanda Lindsey Cook, Jon Guerra and Aodhan King. Also accompanying the album are select “Live from RHRSL” performance videos, including one video with Foreman and four acoustic clips.

JUDAH. has previously released the tracks “Just Because,” “Don’t Know If I Believe It,” “Fullness of God” and “You’ve Done the Rest,” all of which have amassed a combined 2.4 million global streams.

“This project isn’t about perfection, nor intended to be an impeccable source of theology, but my stories of pain, doubt, brokenness, etc, completely in need of a God who loves and adores me,” said the singer-songwriter. “There came a point this year when a friend’s suicide sent me into a depressed spiral I could not physically pull myself out of. That’s where worship began again for me. A broken human in need of Jesus’ unapologetic, unwavering, constant love, hope, peace, grace for me. And as I pondered all that He’s done for me I came to a place where I had to share it with you.”

7 Track List:
1. Just Because
2. Don’t Know If I Believe It (with Jon Foreman)
3. Fullness of God
4. I Am
5. Remember What It Cost (feat. Aodhan King)
6. The Getting Through (with Amanda Lindsey Cook)
7. You’ve Done the Rest (with Jon Guerra)