Brandy Clark
This year’s Christmas parade of Nashville sounds seems never ending.
I finally bit the bullet this week and wrote down how many folks have submitted holiday tunes. The list went on for four single-spaced pages.
So I decided to narrow it down. With the year’s emphasis on reclaiming female voices, I chose to spotlight only women’s discs today. That left me with only (!) 30+ releases. This column has a baker’s dozen of them, leaving out fine efforts by Stephanie Owens, Taylor Swift, Jessica Lynn, Jessie James Decker, Caroline Jones, Tami Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Karen Waldrup, Jamie Kyle, Paulina Jaye, Chevel Shepherd and more.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to Brandy Clark, and Scarlett Burke wins the DisCovery Award.
BRANDY CLARK / “Only Time Of Year”
Writers: Daniel Crean/Eren Cannata/Justin Tranter/Kennedi Lykken; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Daniel Crean/Eren Cannata; Label: Facet/Warner Records
– Festive and jaunty, with cute sighing backup vocals, whistling and bouncy finger snaps. Sung with a smile. This comes from the soundtrack of the Hulu Christmas movie Happiest Season. Grammy nominee Brandy’s own holiday special premieres on Circle TV on Dec. 22. It’s called Christmas From Here, There and Everywhere. She’s got some cool guests on it: Cam, Ashley McBryde, Reyna Roberts and Melissa Etheridge, for starters.
RUNAWAY JUNE / “Christmas on the Radio”
Writers: Martin Johnson/Sam Hollander; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Brandon Paddock/Martin Johnson/Ron Fair; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The vocal harmonies are delicious and the tempo is boppin.’ The lyric is a dandy, too, name-checking Brenda Lee and Nat King Cole, as well as an assortment of Christmas song titles. Radio ready in the extreme.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD & JOHN LEGEND / “Hallelujah”
Writers: John Stephens/Toby Gad; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Greg Wells; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Underwood has one of this year’s standout new holiday platters, My Gift. This track features two world-class vocalists matching soulful phrasing, terrific harmonies and lustrous soaring. Her soprano leads, but the track truly takes off when Legend joins, alternating a warm, burnished harmony vocal and falsetto scatting. A fabulous listening experience.
ANA CRISTINA CASH / “Mele Kalikimaka”
Writers: R. Alex Anderson; Publishers: none listed; Producer: John Carter Cash; Label: Avondale
– Yes, Hawaii has holiday standards, too. This one was originally popularized by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters in 1950, and the title translates as, “Merry Christmas.” With gentle, acoustic-guitar accompaniment in the Cash Cabin studio, this has a jaunty, simple, tropical vibe that is utterly charming.
DOLLY PARTON / “Holly Jolly Christmas”
Writers: Johnny Marks; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Kent Wells; Label: Butterfly Records/12Tone Music
– If there was ever a time and a year when we need Miss Dolly, it is here and now. She rules the season with her A Holly Dolly Christmas collection. On it, she duets with Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Willie Nelson (”Pretty Paper”) and brother Randy Parton, but goes it alone on this set opener. Only Dolly could make this old ditty sound fresh again. Here’s a bonus: the album is available on red vinyl.
MADDIE & TAE / “We Need Christmas”
Writers: AJ Pruis/Maddie Font/Matthew West/Taylor Kerr; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Very pretty. In fact, this sweet sentiment one of the best newly composed holiday tunes of the year. On top of having their usual excellent vocals, it is a beautifully produced track. Applause for all concerned.
INGRID ANDRESS / “Christmas Always Finds Me”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis; Label: Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville
– The simple piano accompaniment gradually gives way to full orchestral accompaniment as Andress wistfully recalls the warmth of the season. Her soprano wafts and whispers equally effectively.
KELLY CLARKSON & BRETT ELDREDGE & ATLANTIC HOLIDAY / “Under the Mistletoe”
Writers: Aben Eubanks/Kelly Clarkson; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Aben Eubanks/Jesse Shatkin; Label: Atlantic Records
– How about some dance-pop music for Christmas? Clarkson’s scintillating power-soprano vocal leads, with Eldredge’s contribution mixed as a somewhat muted supporting role.
KASSI ASHTON / “Hard Candy Christmas”
Writers: Carol Hall; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird; Label: MCA Nashville/Interscope
– This heartbreaking, melancholy song seems just right for this pandemic and economically devastating year. Ashton sings it superbly, but the pace is rather funereal.
LIZ LONGLEY / “A Little Magic”
Writers: Liz Longley; Publishers: Lukelizz, ASCAP; Producer: Paul Moak; Label: LL
– This Americana favorite has a Christmas EP with this sugar-dusted outing as its title tune. It’s a delightful composition about believing in Santa. Her folk-pop vocal is wonderfully authentic and the piano-and-rhythm accompaniment is just perfect. The set also includes a sad, pandemic-themed holiday song, “One Missing.” Longley always deserves to be at the front of your playlist of Nashville singer-songwriters.
JEWEL / “Winter Wonderland”
Writers: Felix Bernard/Richard Bernhard Smith; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Arif Mardin & Joe Mardin; Label: Craft/Concord
– Jewel’s new Christmas collection is titled Joy: A Holiday Collection. Maybe it comes from her Alaska background, but there is something kinda wintery about her voice. She takes this 1934 classic at a deliberate pace, with slight yodel accents and steel-guitar embellishments. Pretty cool.
RAELYNN / “Jingle Bell Drunk”
Writers: Racheal Lynn Davis/Corey Crowder/Ernest Keith Smith/Rocky Block; Publishers: Queens Write Hits, Songs Of Hit Vibez, and Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI) / Georgia Song Vibez, Big Crowd Publishing, and WC Music Corp (ASCAP) / Becoming Bob Music (BMI) administered by Me Gusta Music / Songs Of Universal, Inc., Big Loud Mountain Music LLC, and Ern Dog Music (BMI); Producer: Corey Crowder; Label: Round Here
– Goofy fun, with plenty of rhythm-happy beats and zany chorus shouts.
SCARLETT BURKE & HAILEY WHITTERS / “Howdy Christmas”
Writers: Jared Gutstadt/Jesse Siebenberg/Scarlett Burke/Hailey Whitters; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jared Gutstadt/Scarlett Burke; Label: Audio Up
– Country-music merriment, with a toe-tapping beat, drawling vocals, stuttering steel notes, echoey atmosphere and general hillbilly good vibes. Sing “Hee-haw.”
Matthew Ramsey Releases New Christmas Song For Charity Fund
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Dominion front man Matthew Ramsey is releasing a new holiday song “It’s Christmas and We’re Still Here,” for a very good cause. One hundred percent of Ramsey’s proceeds from the new Christmas tune will benefit My Hometown Fund: a charity fund held by The Community Foundation serving Western Virginia, that was created by Matthew and his wife Sara.
Ramsey says, “I created this fund to help support rural communities like the one I grew up in. By working with non-profit organizations, we are able to bring music, art, and basic needs to areas where such opportunities are hard to come by.”
Click here to listen to “It’s Christmas and We’re Still Here.”
Old Dominion recently released a new EP, Band Behind The Curtain, with songs penned by Ramsey and other members of the band that previously topped the charts for other artists.
DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Brandy Clark, Dolly Parton, Runaway June, Maddie & Tae, More
/by Robert K OermannBrandy Clark
This year’s Christmas parade of Nashville sounds seems never ending.
I finally bit the bullet this week and wrote down how many folks have submitted holiday tunes. The list went on for four single-spaced pages.
So I decided to narrow it down. With the year’s emphasis on reclaiming female voices, I chose to spotlight only women’s discs today. That left me with only (!) 30+ releases. This column has a baker’s dozen of them, leaving out fine efforts by Stephanie Owens, Taylor Swift, Jessica Lynn, Jessie James Decker, Caroline Jones, Tami Nelson, Kacey Musgraves, Karen Waldrup, Jamie Kyle, Paulina Jaye, Chevel Shepherd and more.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to Brandy Clark, and Scarlett Burke wins the DisCovery Award.
BRANDY CLARK / “Only Time Of Year”
Writers: Daniel Crean/Eren Cannata/Justin Tranter/Kennedi Lykken; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Daniel Crean/Eren Cannata; Label: Facet/Warner Records
– Festive and jaunty, with cute sighing backup vocals, whistling and bouncy finger snaps. Sung with a smile. This comes from the soundtrack of the Hulu Christmas movie Happiest Season. Grammy nominee Brandy’s own holiday special premieres on Circle TV on Dec. 22. It’s called Christmas From Here, There and Everywhere. She’s got some cool guests on it: Cam, Ashley McBryde, Reyna Roberts and Melissa Etheridge, for starters.
RUNAWAY JUNE / “Christmas on the Radio”
Writers: Martin Johnson/Sam Hollander; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Brandon Paddock/Martin Johnson/Ron Fair; Label: Wheelhouse Records
– The vocal harmonies are delicious and the tempo is boppin.’ The lyric is a dandy, too, name-checking Brenda Lee and Nat King Cole, as well as an assortment of Christmas song titles. Radio ready in the extreme.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD & JOHN LEGEND / “Hallelujah”
Writers: John Stephens/Toby Gad; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Greg Wells; Label: Capitol Nashville
– Underwood has one of this year’s standout new holiday platters, My Gift. This track features two world-class vocalists matching soulful phrasing, terrific harmonies and lustrous soaring. Her soprano leads, but the track truly takes off when Legend joins, alternating a warm, burnished harmony vocal and falsetto scatting. A fabulous listening experience.
ANA CRISTINA CASH / “Mele Kalikimaka”
Writers: R. Alex Anderson; Publishers: none listed; Producer: John Carter Cash; Label: Avondale
– Yes, Hawaii has holiday standards, too. This one was originally popularized by Bing Crosby & The Andrews Sisters in 1950, and the title translates as, “Merry Christmas.” With gentle, acoustic-guitar accompaniment in the Cash Cabin studio, this has a jaunty, simple, tropical vibe that is utterly charming.
DOLLY PARTON / “Holly Jolly Christmas”
Writers: Johnny Marks; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Kent Wells; Label: Butterfly Records/12Tone Music
– If there was ever a time and a year when we need Miss Dolly, it is here and now. She rules the season with her A Holly Dolly Christmas collection. On it, she duets with Miley Cyrus, Jimmy Fallon, Michael Bublé, Billy Ray Cyrus, Willie Nelson (”Pretty Paper”) and brother Randy Parton, but goes it alone on this set opener. Only Dolly could make this old ditty sound fresh again. Here’s a bonus: the album is available on red vinyl.
MADDIE & TAE / “We Need Christmas”
Writers: AJ Pruis/Maddie Font/Matthew West/Taylor Kerr; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Label: Mercury Nashville
– Very pretty. In fact, this sweet sentiment one of the best newly composed holiday tunes of the year. On top of having their usual excellent vocals, it is a beautifully produced track. Applause for all concerned.
INGRID ANDRESS / “Christmas Always Finds Me”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis; Label: Atlantic/Warner Music Nashville
– The simple piano accompaniment gradually gives way to full orchestral accompaniment as Andress wistfully recalls the warmth of the season. Her soprano wafts and whispers equally effectively.
KELLY CLARKSON & BRETT ELDREDGE & ATLANTIC HOLIDAY / “Under the Mistletoe”
Writers: Aben Eubanks/Kelly Clarkson; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Aben Eubanks/Jesse Shatkin; Label: Atlantic Records
– How about some dance-pop music for Christmas? Clarkson’s scintillating power-soprano vocal leads, with Eldredge’s contribution mixed as a somewhat muted supporting role.
KASSI ASHTON / “Hard Candy Christmas”
Writers: Carol Hall; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Kassi Ashton/Luke Laird; Label: MCA Nashville/Interscope
– This heartbreaking, melancholy song seems just right for this pandemic and economically devastating year. Ashton sings it superbly, but the pace is rather funereal.
LIZ LONGLEY / “A Little Magic”
Writers: Liz Longley; Publishers: Lukelizz, ASCAP; Producer: Paul Moak; Label: LL
– This Americana favorite has a Christmas EP with this sugar-dusted outing as its title tune. It’s a delightful composition about believing in Santa. Her folk-pop vocal is wonderfully authentic and the piano-and-rhythm accompaniment is just perfect. The set also includes a sad, pandemic-themed holiday song, “One Missing.” Longley always deserves to be at the front of your playlist of Nashville singer-songwriters.
JEWEL / “Winter Wonderland”
Writers: Felix Bernard/Richard Bernhard Smith; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Arif Mardin & Joe Mardin; Label: Craft/Concord
– Jewel’s new Christmas collection is titled Joy: A Holiday Collection. Maybe it comes from her Alaska background, but there is something kinda wintery about her voice. She takes this 1934 classic at a deliberate pace, with slight yodel accents and steel-guitar embellishments. Pretty cool.
RAELYNN / “Jingle Bell Drunk”
Writers: Racheal Lynn Davis/Corey Crowder/Ernest Keith Smith/Rocky Block; Publishers: Queens Write Hits, Songs Of Hit Vibez, and Warner Tamerlane Publishing Corp (BMI) / Georgia Song Vibez, Big Crowd Publishing, and WC Music Corp (ASCAP) / Becoming Bob Music (BMI) administered by Me Gusta Music / Songs Of Universal, Inc., Big Loud Mountain Music LLC, and Ern Dog Music (BMI); Producer: Corey Crowder; Label: Round Here
– Goofy fun, with plenty of rhythm-happy beats and zany chorus shouts.
SCARLETT BURKE & HAILEY WHITTERS / “Howdy Christmas”
Writers: Jared Gutstadt/Jesse Siebenberg/Scarlett Burke/Hailey Whitters; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jared Gutstadt/Scarlett Burke; Label: Audio Up
– Country-music merriment, with a toe-tapping beat, drawling vocals, stuttering steel notes, echoey atmosphere and general hillbilly good vibes. Sing “Hee-haw.”
United Talent Agency Launches Heartland Initiative
/by LB CantrellKathie Lee Gifford, Nick Barnes. Photo: Kathy Hutchins
Leading global talent and entertainment company United Talent Agency (UTA) today (Dec. 17) officially announced the company’s Heartland Initiative, a dedicated practice to identify, develop, and showcase the voices of creators and storytellers from America’s Heartland.
The Heartland Initiative focuses on storytelling rooted in the shared values of community, faith and family. The group will work with emerging and established artists and entrepreneurs, and launches with a roster that includes filmmakers The Erwin Brothers, Rove Productions and Tacklebox Films, Kathie Lee Gifford, Duck Dynasty’s Willie, Korie and Sadie Robertson, podcaster and author Annie F. Downs, writer Holly Gleason, comedians John Crist and Kevonstage, kids media brand GoNoodle, pastor Chad Veach, singer-songwriter John Eddie, and music artists Danny Gokey, Ross Copperman, and Louis York.
The new initiative will be led by Nashville-based UTA agent Nick Barnes. Barnes previously worked with country music artists Eric Church and Brothers Osborne, and as a digital executive at Sony Music Nashville. He joined UTA in 2017, originally as a Digital Strategy agent in UTA IQ, the agency’s research and analytics division.
“We believe there’s an extensive range of stories to be told and audiences eager to hear them—particularly in today’s content-thirsty world,” says Barnes. “UTA’s Heartland Initiative will bring to bear all of our resources into building bigger platforms for this underserved market. Millions of Americans will see themselves reflected in the unique voices and creative visions of our Heartland artists and entrepreneurs.”
UTA’s Heartland Initiative will be based in Nashville, where the agency is preparing to relocate the Nashville headquarters to the historic, original site of the Carnegie Library near the Tennessee state capitol building in the heart of Music City.
SOLID Celebrates Inaugural Year Of SOLID Shares, Announces 2021 Partners
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Al Andrews, Tatum Allsep, Jess Brownsberger, Emilie Gilbert, Alyson Woods, Jonah Rabinowitz. Photo: Jack Carlisle
As 2020 draws to a close, Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) celebrates the inaugural year of SOLID Shares, its new fundraising initiative announced in May. SOLID Shares allows the organization to select four to six nonprofits annually to serve as the beneficiaries of its external fundraising events, simultaneously expanding its reach in the Nashville community while reinforcing the tenets of its mission. 2020 SOLID Shares partners included Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, Music Health Alliance, Porter’s Call, and W.O. Smith.
As SOLID adapted its programming in response to the COVID-19 pandemic, it supported and engaged SOLID Shares partners in innovative and collaborative ways. In lieu of its regular fundraising events, which include the Music Row Madness Topgolf and Turkey Bowl flag football tournaments, it hosted 21 virtual meet and greets for music fans (with a portion of proceeds benefiting SOLID Shares). The organization also held several panels highlighting each nonprofit, covering topics such as mental health and mentorship in the community.
“I am so grateful that SOLID was able to launch SOLID Shares in a year when our partners truly needed our support,” said 2020 SOLID President Nathan Pyle. “Outside of standard fundraising for our partners, we were able to build in programming that helped build awareness around the services our SOLID Shares partners provide to our community. It is the joint partnership that ultimately created a successful launch and set the foundation for SOLID Shares that will last for many years to come.”
The 2021 SOLID Shares partners will be Equity Alliance, MusiCares, the National Museum for African American Music, Notes for Notes and Ryan’s Grove/The Onsite Foundation.
T.G. Sheppard Inks New Nine-Album Licensing Deal With Time Life
/by Lorie HollabaughT.G. Sheppard
T.G. Sheppard has signed a new licensing deal with Time Life and will reissue nine of his albums next year. For the first time ever, these classic albums will be available digitally and include several of his No. 1 hits and many fan favorites.
“T.G. has built such a remarkable career in country music,” said Mike Jason, Time Life Senior Vice President, Live Entertainment, “We’re honored that he’s joining the Time Life family and has entrusted us with so much of his treasured music.”
“I am so happy to be working with the folks at Time Life. I have performed on their cruises, I have had songs on many of their previous country music collections, and now I get to work with them to put out several albums that originally came out on Warner Brothers Records,” says T.G. Sheppard. “I can’t wait for 2020 to be over so we can start enjoying the greatness of what we hope 2021 will become!”
In addition to his new partnership with Time Life, Sheppard recently released a new Christmas single, “Christmas In Mexico,” with Kelly Lang. T.G. Sheppard continues to experience a resurgence in his career with The T.G. Sheppard Show on SiriusXM Radio’s Elvis Channel.
Old Crow Medicine Show Continues Standing New Year’s Eve Show Tradition At Ryman
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Kit Wood
Old Crow Medicine Show will help usher out this crazy year and happily ring in the New Year at the Ryman Auditorium, where they’ll be performing Dec. 30 and 31 to a limited in-venue audience.
Fans around the world will also be able to tune in via Livestream for the band’s Dec. 31, 10 p.m. performance, which will also feature special guests including Marty Stuart with more to be announced soon. In-venue tickets for Dec. 30 and 31 start at $69.50, and tickets for the Dec. 31 live stream are priced at $20. To purchase in-venue tickets visit ryman.com and to purchase livestream tickets click here.
Grand Ole Opry members since 2013 and known for their RIAA double-Platinum hit “Wagon Wheel,” Old Crow Medicine Show has headlined the Ryman more than 20 times, and released Live at the Ryman, a compilation of songs performed at the historic venue between 2013-2019, last year. The band’s standing New Year’s Eve tradition marks their 11th year of celebrating the holiday at the Mother Church.
Old Crow Medicine Show’s latest endeavor is their live YouTube show, Hartland Hootenanny, which airs live on Saturday nights at 7 p.m. Curated and filmed by the band, the show combines music, comedy, and features a special guest each week.
Jake Hoot Reveals Track List, Art For New ‘Love Out Of Time’ EP
/by Lorie HollabaughJake Hoot
Jake Hoot has unveiled the track listing and artwork for his Jan. 15, 2021 debut EP release, Love Out Of Time.
The project was produced by Danny Myrick and features four originals along with Hoot’s recently-released cover of “La Bamba.” Hoot collaborated with an all-star lineup of musicians and songwriters for Love Out Of Time including Dean Sams of Lonestar, Myrick, Jenne Fleenor, Dave Pahanish, Jamie Floyd, and more. The EP will also feature a duet with an artist that will be revealed later this month.
Following his win on NBC’s The Voice, Hoot has gone on to release several tracks including charitable song “Tennessee Strong,” which reached Top 10 in the iTunes Country Singles chart and benefited the survivors of the deadly Middle Tennessee tornadoes, as well as the debut single, “Dangerous Thing,” “The Best Job I Ever Had” and the heartwarming love song, “Nadine.” Drawing inspiration from his childhood in the Dominican Republic, Hoot released a cover of “La Bamba” as his lead-off single from his forthcoming EP on Nov. 6, which landed in the Top 10 on the iTunes Latin charts. Fellow Season 17 The Voice contestant Ricky Duran is featured as the lead guitarist on “La Bamba” along with 8 other contestants who lent their vocals on the track from Hoot’s winning season.
Love Out Of Time Track List:
ACM Weekly Offers Up Special Holiday Edition
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Academy of Country Music is featuring a special holiday edition of “The ACM Weekly” featuring performances of favorite festive classics performed by Lauren Alaina, Danielle Bradbery, Carolina Story, Devin Dawson, Jessie James Decker, Morgan Evans, Filmore, Chris Janson, Runaway June and Track45 available on Thursday, Dec. 17 at 6 p.m. CT. on Facebook.
The special episode will also include Dolly Parton’s official music video for “Cuddle Up, Cozy Down Christmas” (with Michael Bublé). Following the live episode on Facebook, the special holiday edition will be featured and available to watch at TheHub.ACMcountry.com for 30 days.
Fans will get a chance to hear country artists perform songs from their own holiday albums in addition to a few of their favorite holiday classics. Featured songs include “All I Want for Christmas is You,” “Santa Claus is Coming to Town,” “Silent Night,” and many more.
Matt Stell Closes Out The Year With Free “Sunday Sessions” Virtual Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughMatt Stell. Photo: Dustin Haney
Matt Stell is playing a special free virtual concert on Sunday, Dec. 20 at 7 p.m. CT presented in 3D spatial audio exclusively on Lemonade.tv+ powered by SoundFi, as part of their “Sunday Sessions” streaming concert series. Fans can visit lemonade.tv/plus or download the Lemonade.tv mobile app (available on iOS and Android), select “Plus” and log in to watch and participate.
Fans can live chat with Stell throughout the show, and Sony Music Nashville partnered with SoundFi to present Stell and its other artists in a fully immersive environment for both fans and strategic partners like radio stations and digital service providers. The partnership gives artists the ability to perform live in SoundFi for virtual concerts, radio presentations, promotional events and more. Stell’s concert was recorded live with SoundFi’s proprietary 3D sound technology optimized for headphones and gives the listener the feeling as if they are seated front row, center stage at a concert.
“2020 has created significant challenges for all of us, and the immersive audio technology powered by SoundFi has helped us close the gap between artists and fans,” said Sony Music Nashville’s VP of Arista Nashville Promotion, Josh Easler. “We are excited to celebrate two No. 1 singles from Matt Stell and end this year with a bang!”
“We couldn’t be happier about our partnership with Sony Music Nashville and are thrilled to be their exclusive provider in this space,” SoundFi CEO and Founder Chris Anastas added. “Hosting Matt’s end of year celebration on our platform is yet another way we continue to bring fans unique entertainment experiences with our cutting-edge technology. We are excited to be working with talented artists like Matt who are keen on pushing the boundaries to reach their audiences like never before.”
Show Dog Nashville Promotes Rick Moxley, Adds Teddi Bonadies
/by LB CantrellRick Moxley, Teddi Bonadies
Show Dog Nashville VP/Promotion Rick Moxley has been elevated to Senior VP/Promotion, and the company has added accomplished promotion veteran Teddi Bonadies as VP/Promotion. A 12-year company veteran, Moxley continues to report to label founder/owner Toby Keith. Bonadies reports to Moxley.
Moxley’s career began in sports media with franchises including the Golden State Warriors and Oakland A’s. Transitioning to the music business with Warner Bros. Records, he went on to Giant Records, Rising Tide, and BNA. Along the way he championed hits and led campaigns for artists including Hank Williams, Jr., Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Randy Travis, Dwight Yoakam, Travis Tritt, Faith Hill, Clay Walker, Kenny Chesney, and Lonestar. He joined Show Dog Nashville in 2008, and leads promotion efforts for the roster featuring Clay Walker, Krystal Keith, Waterloo Revival and Founder/Owner, Toby Keith.
“Show Dog Nashville is entering an exciting new phase with Teddi’s hire. Our promotion department will kick ass,” says Keith. “And we just signed the talented, chart-topping Clay Walker. Look out 2021.”
“I want to thank Toby for this next opportunity,” Moxley says. “Twelve-plus years with Show Dog, a label owned and operated by a country superstar and Hall of Fame songwriter, has truly been a highlight of my career. We are the Wild, Wild West and I’m looking forward to another year of great country music.”
Bonadies has worked 87 No. 1 country records in her career and has been instrumental in breaking artists including Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Eli Young Band, Granger Smith, and Runaway June. Her prior stops include a substantially successful stay at Arista Records/Nashville. She also held positions at CBS Records, Universal South, and Wheelhouse Records.
“A winner at every stop in her career, Teddi’s unmatched tenacity and thorough knowledge of the music business are traits I’ve admired for years,” Moxley says. “Like me, she cut her teeth during a time of unrivaled growth for country, and she’s been on the front lines of developing many now legendary acts. We share a belief in the importance of teamwork and trust, and her addition is a major asset as we look toward even greater success in 2021.”
“Joining Show Dog Nashville to work with the iconic Toby Keith, a stellar roster, and Rick Moxley is an honor for which I’m deeply grateful,” Bonadies says. “I’ve known and been peers with Mox for years and, even more, appreciate him as a quality human being. Finally having the opportunity to work together is amazing; I can’t wait to get started!”
The moves come as Show Dog Nashville completes its 15th year. 2021 looks to be a promising year for the company, with new music coming from Clay Walker and Krystal Keith, with her father, Toby Keith.