JoJamie Hahr. Photo: Cody Heckber
JoJamie Hahr has been promoted to Senior Vice President of BBR Music Group. Formerly, VP of Marketing for BBR Music Group, Hahr will help guide all non-finance and legal operations for the label. She will continue reporting to President of BMG Nashville, Jon Loba. In her new role Hahr will supervise and coordinate day-to-day operations of the label group and its roster of over 20 artists and imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, and Wheelhouse Records.
“This appointment essentially formalizes the evolution of her role since BMG’s acquisition of the BBR Music Group,” said Loba. Adding, “As my responsibilities have increased, JoJamie has stepped in and stepped up at every turn, to help grow our Nashville division. She is truly a right-hand who thinks and moves like me, while at the same time challenging us all. We have enjoyed so many successes together and I would not want to do this job without her. I will never forget my first conversation with her while she was working at K92 in Orlando. She was one of the most passionate, creative and focused individuals I had ever met, and those qualities have only grown since.”
“It’s truly an honor to move into this role at BBR Music Group/BMG,” added Hahr. “Our extraordinary artists and staff continue to raise the bar, and I’m inspired by them on a daily basis. Thanks to Jon for not only believing in me, but for continuously cheering me on and lifting me up. He is an exemplary leader and I’m proud to be by his side.”
Hahr began her career in radio with WWKA in Orlando, FL. She then made a move to Nashville to work in promotion at WSIX. This led to her job as Promotion Coordinator at MCA Records where she was later promoted to Director of Secondary Promotion for the Universal Music Group imprints. Hahr began working for Loba when he hired her as Southeast Director of Radio Promotion for the BBR Music Group, helping break acts such as future superstar Jason Aldean. When Loba moved to Big Machine to help Scott Borchetta start The Valory Music Company (TVMC), Hahr soon followed and helped launch the careers of Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line, and Thomas Rhett. During her time there, she elevated to Valory’s National Director of Field Promotion. A few years after Loba’s return to BBR Music Group, Hahr returned as well to serve as BBR Management’s VP of Radio Promotion before transitioning to VP of Marketing for BBR Music Group.
Since taking the helm of the then newly created marketing department at BBR Music Group, Hahr has led the department in driving key relationships on behalf of the entire artist roster with partners including Radio Disney, Music Choice, Shazam, VEVO, iHeart Digital, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Madison Square Garden, Triller, and notably Tik Tok whose relationship helped spark Blanco Brown’s worldwide success and Elvie Shane’s latest single, “My Boy” to claim the No. 1 country spot on the platform. Hahr lead marketing efforts for Blanco Brown’s debut hit “The Git Up,” the global hit claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart for 12 weeks and was the top-selling digital country song in the U.S. for 13 weeks resulting in Blanco being named Billboard’s 2019 Top New Country Artist.
Under her tenure, Jason Aldean has achieved ACM Entertainer of the Year three times, has been named the ACM Artist of the Decade, and has been named the No. 1 consumption artist by Billboard. Aldean also achieved Billboard’s No. 1 “Best-Selling Independent Album of 2018” with Rearview Town.
She has been key in helping to build the career of Dustin Lynch who notched his sixth and seventh Country Airplay No. 1 with “Good Girl” (his first No. 1 as songwriter) followed by “Ridin’ Roads” in January. Runaway June became the first female group to achieve a Top 5 single since The Chicks in 2003 and LOCASH returned to the top of the chart with their No. 1 hit “One Big Country Song,” earning them an additional CMT Award nomination. Lindsay Ell topped the country radio charts for the first time, received 2020 ACM and CCMA nominations and delivered a powerful concept album, heart theory, that earned universal praise and media attention and championed a voice for females as well as survivors of sexual violence. Hahr oversaw the campaign of Chase Rice’s launch as a Broken Bow artist resulting in his first career No. 1, massive streaming successes and expanded international presence.
Hahr can be reached at jojamie@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Billy Strings To Offer Encore Presentation Of Red Rocks Livestream Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonTickets for the event are on-sale now with a variety of purchase options including a special bundle with an MP3 download of the full, three-set performance. A portion of all proceeds will benefit Musically Fed, an organization that works with artists and venues across the country to help in the fight against hunger. For all ticket options, visit 2nu.gs/BillyStrings.
Next week’s broadcast is just the latest in a series of unique livestream and socially distanced concerts Strings has performed throughout 2020. Additional recent events include “The Streaming Strings Tour,” where he performed livestream shows from several of Nashville’s most beloved venues, as well as his “Meet Me At The Drive-In Tour,” a series of socially distanced, drive-in concerts.
Grand Ole Opry To Celebrate 75th Anniversary Of Bluegrass With Del McCoury And Ricky Skaggs
/by Lorie HollabaughDel McCoury Band at Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
Ricky Skaggs and Del McCoury will help the Grand Ole Opry celebrate the 75th anniversary of Bluegrass music in a special show on Saturday, Dec. 5. Opry member McCoury is also a member of the Bluegrass Hall of Fame, and Skaggs is a member of both the Country Music and Bluegrass Halls of Fame. The two will be joined by group Sister Sadie, the first female group to ever be named as the International Bluegrass Music Association’s Entertainer of the Year.
After years in its development, bluegrass as we know it today was born on the Opry stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Dec. 8, 1945. On that night that Earl Scruggs made his Opry debut with Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys that included Lester Flatt, and just three months later, the historic lineup that would serve as the prototype for the bluegrass sound was complete: Monroe on mandolin, Scruggs on banjo, Flatt on guitar, Chubby Wise on fiddle, and Howard Watts on bass.
Earlier this month, the Opry resumed Friday night performances and expanded both Friday and Saturday night shows to two hours. In-venue audiences continue in compliance with operating plans developed in collaboration with the Nashville Public Health Department that include socially distanced seating, mandatory masks for all guests and staff, as well as enhanced cleaning practices.
Upcoming performers on the Opry include Opry members Bill Anderson, Trace Adkins, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Jeannie Seely, and Chris Young plus special guests Russell Dickerson, Lady A, Keb’ Mo’, Ashley McBryde, Michael Ray, Chris Tomlin, Brett Young and more.
Brandi Carlile Details Journey From Poverty To Grammy Stage In Upcoming New Memoir
/by Lorie HollabaughThe five-time Grammy award–winning singer, songwriter, performer, and producer examines a life shaped by music in this heartfelt and intimate story that will be published in both hardcover and digital formats by Crown, along with an audio edition of the book, read by the author, simultaneously released by Penguin Random House Audio.
In Broken Horses, Carlile takes readers through the events of her life from her impoverished childhood in a dysfunctional but loving family, to her first break opening for Dave Matthews Band, to many sleepless tours over 15 years and six studio albums with long-time collaborators Phil and Tim Hanseroth — all while raising two children with her wife, Catherine Carlile, along the way.
Kelsea Ballerini Piles Up RIAA Accolades
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini recently added more RIAA hardware to her collection, with her debut album The First Time earning Platinum status, and her three of her singles earning Platinum or better. “Miss Me More” is now 2x multi-Platinum, while “homecoming queen?” and “Yeah Boy” are both now Platinum.
The Black River Entertainment artist’s current single, “hole in the bottle,” the third from her album kelsea, is currently at No. 12 on Mediabase and No. 14 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. The track has earned more than 60 million streams, and recently got a star-studded update when Ballerini debuted a new version of the track featuring Shania Twain.
‘Willie Nelson American Outlaw’ CD And DVD To Release Dec. 11
/by Lorie HollabaughThe concert film and CD features performances by Nelson, The Avett Brothers, Chris Stapleton, Dave Matthews, Emmylou Harris, Eric Church, George Strait, Jack Johnson, Jamey Johnson, Jimmy Buffett, Kris Kristofferson, Lee Ann Womack, Lukas Nelson, Norah Jones and The Little Willies, Sheryl Crow, and many more.
Performance highlights include “Willie Got Me Stoned” (Performed by Jack Johnson) and Nelson classics such as “Whiskey River”(Performed by Chris Stapleton), “Me and Paul” (Performed by Eric Church), “Blue Eyes Crying In The Rain” (Performed by Vince Gill), along with duets “The Harder They Come” (with Jimmy Buffett), “Crazy” (with Dave Matthews), “You Were Always On My Mind” (with Chris Stapleton and Derek Trucks), “After The Fire Is Gone” (with Sheryl Crow), and an All-Star performance of “On The Road Again.” In addition to these star-studded performances, music history was made when Nelson and George Strait performed together for the very first time on “Sing One With Willie” and “Good Hearted Woman.”
“Willie and his songs mean everything to music artists and fans alike. Like Willie, they have inspired us to remain true to ourselves in every possible way. This incredible lineup of artists on this show is a testament to that,” says Blackbird Presents CEO Keith Wortman.
Blackbird Presents/Caroline Records will release the full-length concert film in all audio and video formats including CD/DVD combo, now available for immediate preorder at willieoutlaw.com.
Ryan Beaver, Tiera, Dillon Carmichael Among AIMP Nashville’s Songwriter Series Class of 2020
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s honorees include Ryan Beaver, Dillon Carmichael, Ian Christian, Colin Elmore, Jeff Garrison, LJ, and Tiera. They will perform together in a live songwriters’ round to be held in 2021.
Previous AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series performers have gone on to earn chart-topping hits both as performers and as writers for artists including Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Morgan Wallen, Jimmie Allen, and Matt Stell; win Grammy, CMA, and CMT Awards; and reach No. 1 on the Music Row Top Songwriter Chart, among other accomplishments. Past classes have featured Luke Dick, Jameson Rodgers, Hailey Whitters, Ash Bowers, Hannah Ellis, Ross Ellis, HARDY, Ashley McBryde, Kassi Ashton, Nicolette Hayford, Kylie Morgan, Ben Goldsmith, and more.
“At AIMP Nashville, we pride ourselves on identifying talent before anyone else,” said John Ozier, President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “As independent publishers, we are able to see, identify, and work with songwriters and artists before the rest of the industry. If you look at the success our previous classes of writers have gone on to have, it’s remarkable. The Class of 2020 is, yet again, going to be the future of country music, and we’re proud to give them the recognition they deserve before anyone else.”
All members of the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series Class of 2020 were selected by a special committee made up of music industry professionals, based on submissions from current AIMP Nashville members. Each writer must not have had a song charting higher than a Top 20 on the Billboard or Mediabase charts.
This Year’s Nashville Christmas Parade Goes Virtual, Adds Lauren Alaina, Jimmie Allen, Louis York, for King & Country And More
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Alaina. Photo Credit: Katie Kauss
The 93rd annual Nashville Christmas Parade is going virtual this year due to the pandemic and will be aired on Saturday, Dec. 5 at 9 a.m. on News Channel 2.
CeCe Winans, Danielle Bradbery, for KING & COUNTRY, Jimmie Allen, Louis York and The Shindellas, Oak Ridge Boys, Lauren Alaina, Melinda Doolittle, Mitchell Tenpenny, the Nashville Children’s Theatre, Sandi Patty, Shy Carter, Benita Washington and Runaway June, who will be introduced by Radio Disney Country special correspondent Lindsay Ell, will all perform during the one-hour virtual program. Dolly Parton will also offer a special holiday greeting during the parade program.
In addition to these star-studded appearances, viewers will enjoy historic highlights from previous parades and touching patient stories from the children of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, including that of this year’s Child Ambassador Grace Hamilton, a 12-year-old cancer survivor who battled high-risk acute lymphoblastic leukemia when she was just 5 years old. There will also be memorable moments from local marching bands and a virtual marching band performance from the Golden Rams Marching Band from West Chester University in Pennsylvania.
“We are so glad that we were able to discover a safe way to continue the tradition of the Nashville Christmas Parade this year,” said Julie Carell Stadler, parade co-producer and daughter of the late Monroe J. Carell Jr. and Ann Scott Carell. The parade has brought joy to children and their families for decades and touches even more lives by benefiting Children’s Hospital. It really is the kickoff to the holiday season for locals and visitors to Nashville, and I think people will be really pleased with how we are making it happen this year.”
The Nashville Christmas Parade debuted in 1927 and has been an annual tradition every year, except during the war years. The parade is produced annually in support of Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
EXCLUSIVE: Sony/ATV Nashville Acquires River House Artists Catalogue, Signs Joint Venture
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sony/ATV Chairman and CEO Jon Platt, River House Artists Founder Lynn Oliver-Cline, Sony/ATV Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston.
Sony/ATV Nashville has acquired the River House Artists’ catalogue of top-charting country songs, which includes Luke Combs’ No. 1 hits “Forever After All,” “Beautiful Crazy,” “When It Rains It Pours,” and “Lovin’ On You.” The company also signed a joint venture with River House Artists to provide creative services to its talent.
Indie record label and publishing company River House Artists launched in 2016 under the leadership of veteran industry executive Lynn Oliver-Cline, and is home to some of today’s top country hitmakers, including Combs’ long-time friend and collaborator Ray Fulcher, well known for co-writing beloved songs such as “Does To Me,” “Even Though I’m Leaving” and “When It Rains It Pours” by Combs.
River House Artists also represents Drew Parker, rising artist-songwriter and Sirius XM’s latest Highway Find who has co-written hits including Combs’ “1,2 Many” and “Nothing Like You,” as well as No. 1 single “Homemade” by Jake Owen.
Sony/ATV Nashville CEO Rusty Gaston said, “Lynn’s intuition for identifying singer-songwriters who speak right to the heart of country music is second to none, and she knows how to turn their dreams into reality. We’re proud to partner with Lynn and the River House team as we build a long and successful future together.”
River House Artists Founder Lynn Oliver-Cline said, “When I moved to Nashville in 2013, I wanted to be Rusty Gaston! So being able to ink a deal with him and Sony/ATV, who are already my family, is a dream come true. I can’t think of our writers and artists being in better hands. Rusty’s passion for songs, songwriters and his team is inspiring on every level. I can’t thank Jon, Rusty and Cam [Caldwell] enough for making this happen!”
River House Artists’ roster also includes powerhouse songwriters such as Driver Williams, who has crafted popular hits such as “Smoke A Little Smoke” by Eric Church and “Call Me Country” by Jon Pardi; Nicolette Hayford, best known for co-writing certified gold singles “Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” and “One Night Standards” by Ashley McBryde; and Jordan Rowe, known for his latest single “Good For Nothin.”
BREAKING: JoJamie Hahr Appointed Sr. VP, BBR Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonJoJamie Hahr. Photo: Cody Heckber
JoJamie Hahr has been promoted to Senior Vice President of BBR Music Group. Formerly, VP of Marketing for BBR Music Group, Hahr will help guide all non-finance and legal operations for the label. She will continue reporting to President of BMG Nashville, Jon Loba. In her new role Hahr will supervise and coordinate day-to-day operations of the label group and its roster of over 20 artists and imprints Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, and Wheelhouse Records.
“This appointment essentially formalizes the evolution of her role since BMG’s acquisition of the BBR Music Group,” said Loba. Adding, “As my responsibilities have increased, JoJamie has stepped in and stepped up at every turn, to help grow our Nashville division. She is truly a right-hand who thinks and moves like me, while at the same time challenging us all. We have enjoyed so many successes together and I would not want to do this job without her. I will never forget my first conversation with her while she was working at K92 in Orlando. She was one of the most passionate, creative and focused individuals I had ever met, and those qualities have only grown since.”
“It’s truly an honor to move into this role at BBR Music Group/BMG,” added Hahr. “Our extraordinary artists and staff continue to raise the bar, and I’m inspired by them on a daily basis. Thanks to Jon for not only believing in me, but for continuously cheering me on and lifting me up. He is an exemplary leader and I’m proud to be by his side.”
Hahr began her career in radio with WWKA in Orlando, FL. She then made a move to Nashville to work in promotion at WSIX. This led to her job as Promotion Coordinator at MCA Records where she was later promoted to Director of Secondary Promotion for the Universal Music Group imprints. Hahr began working for Loba when he hired her as Southeast Director of Radio Promotion for the BBR Music Group, helping break acts such as future superstar Jason Aldean. When Loba moved to Big Machine to help Scott Borchetta start The Valory Music Company (TVMC), Hahr soon followed and helped launch the careers of Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Florida Georgia Line, and Thomas Rhett. During her time there, she elevated to Valory’s National Director of Field Promotion. A few years after Loba’s return to BBR Music Group, Hahr returned as well to serve as BBR Management’s VP of Radio Promotion before transitioning to VP of Marketing for BBR Music Group.
Since taking the helm of the then newly created marketing department at BBR Music Group, Hahr has led the department in driving key relationships on behalf of the entire artist roster with partners including Radio Disney, Music Choice, Shazam, VEVO, iHeart Digital, Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, Madison Square Garden, Triller, and notably Tik Tok whose relationship helped spark Blanco Brown’s worldwide success and Elvie Shane’s latest single, “My Boy” to claim the No. 1 country spot on the platform. Hahr lead marketing efforts for Blanco Brown’s debut hit “The Git Up,” the global hit claimed the No. 1 spot on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Chart for 12 weeks and was the top-selling digital country song in the U.S. for 13 weeks resulting in Blanco being named Billboard’s 2019 Top New Country Artist.
Under her tenure, Jason Aldean has achieved ACM Entertainer of the Year three times, has been named the ACM Artist of the Decade, and has been named the No. 1 consumption artist by Billboard. Aldean also achieved Billboard’s No. 1 “Best-Selling Independent Album of 2018” with Rearview Town.
She has been key in helping to build the career of Dustin Lynch who notched his sixth and seventh Country Airplay No. 1 with “Good Girl” (his first No. 1 as songwriter) followed by “Ridin’ Roads” in January. Runaway June became the first female group to achieve a Top 5 single since The Chicks in 2003 and LOCASH returned to the top of the chart with their No. 1 hit “One Big Country Song,” earning them an additional CMT Award nomination. Lindsay Ell topped the country radio charts for the first time, received 2020 ACM and CCMA nominations and delivered a powerful concept album, heart theory, that earned universal praise and media attention and championed a voice for females as well as survivors of sexual violence. Hahr oversaw the campaign of Chase Rice’s launch as a Broken Bow artist resulting in his first career No. 1, massive streaming successes and expanded international presence.
Hahr can be reached at jojamie@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Chris Stapleton Tops Waffle House’s Tunie Awards Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton. Photo: Becky Fluke
Chris Stapleton‘s “Tennessee Whiskey” won the award for the Most-Played Song at this year’s Tunie Awards Show. Stapleton accepted the award during the virtual music awards show that celebrated the top artists and songs played on Waffle House jukeboxes over the past year.
Tracks from Kane Brown, Justin Bieber, Eagles, Rihanna and more made the Top 10 Most-Played Songs, while Luke Combs won Top Country Artist, Zac Brown Band won Top Country Band, Lee Brice took home Top Songwriter, Brice and Carly Pearce‘s “I Hope You’re Happy Now” took Top Collaboration, MercyMe earned Top Christian Artist, and LoCash won Breakout Band of the Year.
See the full list of winners below:
LoCash: Breakout Band of the Year
Luke Combs: Top Country Artist (top country artist played in Waffle Houses this year)
Carly Pearce & Lee Brice: Top Collaboration
Zac Brown Band: Top Country Band
3 Doors Down: Top Alternative Rock Band
Kid Rock: Waffle House Tunie Legend Award
Ivey Asher: Scattered Smothered & Discovered
Mercy Me: Top Christian Artist
Shinedown: Top Cover Song
Lynyrd Skynyrd: Lifetime Achievement Award
Lauren Alaina: Top Country Vocalist
Lee Brice: Top Songwriter
Walker Hayes: 2020 Waffle House Song (it’s called “Waffle House Girl”)
Old Dominion: Associates’ Choice Award
The Waffle House Jukebox Top Ten Songs of 2020 are:
1. “Tennessee Whiskey” by Chris Stapleton
2. “Location” by Khalid
3. “Yummy” by Justin Bieber
4. “Can We Talk” by Tevin Campbell
5. “Can’t Feel My Face” by The Weeknd
6. “Sure Thing” by Miguel
7. “Heaven” by Kane Brown
8. “Hotel California” by Eagles
9. “Love on the Brain” by Rihanna
10. “Hold On, We’re Going Home (ft. Majid Jordan) by Drake