Pictured (L-R, top row): CMA Director, International Relations Bobbi Boyce; U.K. publicist Claire Horton; (bottom row): CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development Milly Olykan
The Country Music Association honored U.K. publicist Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award on Monday, Sept. 28. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of country music outside the United States.
Artist Ashley McBryde surprised Horton via a video message during a virtual CMA U.K. Task Force meeting.
“We are delighted to be presenting Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “She’s been an important contributor to the story of country music’s growth in the U.K., working incredibly hard to help build artists’ profiles in mainstream media, as well as country media. We’re thrilled to see that her efforts have been recognized by the industry.”
Horton began working for Richard Wootton Publicity in the early ’90s. In 2016, she launched Claire Horton PR, focusing on executing publicity campaigns for international artists and U.S.-based country artists in both specialist and mainstream media in the U.K., Horton has worked with artists including Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Luke Combs, Waylon Jennings, Lady A, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and more. Horton has also executed publicity campaigns for international events including Country to Country festival, Country Music Week U.K., the U.K. Americana Awards, as well as CMA’s international CMA Songwriters Series and Introducing Nashville tours.
The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists in five categories, recognizing those who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace.
Earlier this year, CMA awarded Ben Earle of U.K. country duo The Shires with the 2020 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, Ilse DeLange with the 2020 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, and John Esposito with the 2020 CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The CMA International Artist Achievement Award will be presented later this year.
Pilgrimage Music Festival To Return In 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival will return next year, following a one-year hiatus due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The event is set to return on Sept. 25-26, 2021 to its regular venue at the Park in Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee, and the announcement was made as part of a retrospective video that is available to view at PilgrimageFestival.com.
The festival also announced the launch of a special vintage merchandise sale on the website for a limited time with net proceeds to benefit MusiCares.
“We are looking forward to gathering back with our Pilgrimage family at The Park at Harlinsdale in 2021. It will be here before we know it and once again the air will be filled with great music and our fans will be enjoying the local food, artisans and flavor that is unique to Franklin,” said festival producers.
The Pilgrimage Music and Cultural Festival was founded in 2015 and in just five short years has evolved into a boutique festival institution receiving national acclaim. It was nominated in 2019 by Pollstar as one of the nation’s best small festivals, and past headliners have included Wilco, Willie Nelson, Eddie Vedder, Justin Timberlake, Foo Fighters, Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, Mavis Staples, Beck, Chris Stapleton, The Killers, Avett Brothers, Hall & Oates, Steven Tyler, and many more. The festival is also known for its arts and cultural exhibits and for the year-round community works and support provided by the Pilgrimage Foundation.
Bonnaroo To Be Held Sept. 2-5, 2021
/by Jessica NicholsonBonnaroo Music & Arts Festival has shifted its 2021 dates to Sept. 2-5, 2021. Organizers for the Manchester, Tennessee music festival previously announced that the event would be held June 17-20, 2021. The event’s dates for 2020 were canceled earlier this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic; instead organizers held the virtual “Roo-Ality” festival last weekend.
“We want to thank you for being a loyal Bonnaroovian, and we appreciate your patience as we navigate the best options to ensure we can be together on the Farm in 2021,” Bonnaroo organizers said in a statement.
Tickets will rollover to the new 2021 dates, and refunds will be available for those who cannot attend. For more information, visit bonnaroo.com.
Foundry Records Sets Radio Promotion Team
/by Jessica NicholsonFoundry Records, which launched last year in partnership with ADA Worldwide and counts Shenandoah and Austin Merrill as part of its artist roster, has revealed its radio promotion team, including Brad Howell, Pat Surnegie, and Mary Lynne O’Neil as Directors of Regional Promotion. Each will report to Rick Baumgartner, who has been promoted to VP, Promotion. The company is led by GM/manager Cole Johnstone.
Howell’s career includes time at Warner Bros., Broken Bow Records, Valory Music Group and Equity. Surnegie has worked at Warner Bros., Mercury and MCA. O’Neil joined Foundry Records from Cold River Records, while Baumgartner has over two decades of country promotion experience with Warner Bros., Decca, Atlantic, Broken Bow Records and Black River Entertainment.
“I’m excited about the opportunity to oversee and lead the promotion efforts at Foundry Records,” Baumgartner says. “Brad, Pat and Mary Lynne bring years of promotion experience, relationships and vast knowledge to the team. I look forward to furthering our partnerships with country radio.”
Shenandoah recently announced an upcoming collaborations album, spearheaded by the single “I’d Take Another One of Those,” featuring Zac Brown Band, which will be released to radio in October.
Dolly Parton Launches Holiday Baking Collection With Williams Sonoma
/by Jessica NicholsonDolly Parton has teamed with Williams Sonoma for a new holiday baking collection inspired by Parton’s holiday traditions. The collection includes the singer-songwriter’s signature sugar cookie mix, a replica gingerbread log cabin reminiscent of her childhood home in Tennessee, as well as festive aprons and linens.
“Sharing my families’ Christmas traditions is a dream come true, and who better to partner with than Williams Sonoma. We joined together to create a whole bunch of goodies that will fit in perfectly with your family celebration or get you started on creating new traditions that will last a lifetime. My mama always made us feel loved by making us treats in our little mountain cabin around the holidays. Now I get to invite all my nieces and nephews and their kids for what we like to call ‘cookie night’. It’s the perfect way to spend time with the special people on your Christmas list.”
“For over 60 years, William Sonoma has curated products from around the world to help our customers celebrate the holidays and create memories at home with loved ones,” said Williams Sonoma President Ryan Ross. “Our collaboration with Dolly Parton provides everything from cookie kits, aprons and oven mitts to bake and celebrate the holidays at home just like Dolly does.”
The complete Dolly Parton for Williams Sonoma collection will include:
• Holly Dolly Sugar Cookie Mix – This premium mix, inspired by Dolly’s favorite recipe, lets you bake her favorite Southern-Style sugar cookies at home. All you need to do is add butter and an egg to create classic drop or roll-out cookies. $16.95 each.
• Holly Dolly Cookie Baking Kit – Inspired by Dolly’s beloved songs and childhood Christmases spent in the Great Smoky Mountains of Tennessee, this 26-piece set includes 8 cutters in the shapes of musical notes, guitars, and wreaths, 12 icing bags, 4 decorating
tips, plastic coupler and storage box. $29.95 per set.
• Dolly Parton Guitar Cookie – The perfect treat for music lovers, the iced and individually wrapped cookies are inspired by Dolly’s famous white guitar. $10.95 set of two cookies.
• Dolly Parton Log Cabin – Inspired by the one-bedroom log cabin where Dolly grew up – the Tennessee mountain home of her beloved song. Available personalized and non-personalized, $129.95.
• Dolly Parton Adult and Kid Apron – Decorated in a patchwork of vibrant holiday colors, snowflakes and holly berries, these aprons are inspired by Dolly’s coat of many colors. Adult $39.95; Kid $24.95.
• Dolly Parton Potholder and Oven Mitt Set – Durable cotton to keep hands safe while making merry, baking and cooking decorated in a patchwork of holiday colors, snowflakes, and holly berries. $39.95 each.
Norbert Nix Named President At Triple Tigers Records
/by Jessica NicholsonNorbert Nix. Photo: Aislinn Daley Nix
Norbert Nix has assumed the role of President of Nashville-based label Triple Tigers Records. The label, which launched in 2016, is a joint venture with Nix, Thirty Tigers, Sony Music Entertainment, and Triple 8 Management.
Triple Tigers Records’ current roster includes Scotty McCreery, Russell Dickerson and Cam (a recent signing via a partnership with RCA Records New York). Since its launch, the label has earned six consecutive No. 1 hits, including three consecutive chart-toppers each for McCreery and Dickerson. The label previously represented the Colbie Caillat-led band Gone West, prior to the group’s recent breakup.
“Less is more,” Nix said. “We have a talented and experienced staff and a small, but exceptional group of artists who understand that they have our total support. We aren’t stepping on ourselves with a bloated roster. In our fourth year, we are in the black, and things are good—unusually good.”
Nix launched his career in 1987 as a manager with Century City Artist Management, representing the Desert Rose Band. In 1989, he segued to sister venture, the Jim Halsey Company, as a booking agent representing artists including Tammy Wynette, Waylon Jennings, and Clint Black. Nix went on to hold roles at the leading labels and management companies of the day. In 1990, he joined Mercury Records as VP of Promotion and Artist Development where he stewarded the success of Shania Twain, Toby Keith, Billy Ray Cyrus, Sammy Kershaw, Terri Clark, and Kentucky Headhunters. In 2001, he was named VP at Refugee Artist Management.
In 2005, Nix handled music catalog acquisition for ole Rights Management before leaving to join RCA Nashville as Director of National Promotion in 2006. In 2010, he was named VP of Promotion for Columbia Nashville where he helped propel the careers of Maren Morris, Chase Rice, and multi-time Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney, achieving four consecutive No. 1 singles from Chesney’s American Kids project.
Lauren Daigle To Play Hurricane Laura Relief Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughLauren Daigle is holding a special online streaming concert with her foundation The Price Fund to benefit those affected by Hurricane Laura in her home state of Louisiana. Recorded live at the historic Orpheum Theater in New Orleans, the concert will feature stripped down renditions of some of Daigle’s most popular hits, plus a new song.
The broadcast will premiere on Veeps at 7 p.m. CT on Sunday, Oct. 11 and will only be available to watch for 48 hours. All proceeds will go directly to The Salvation Army and American Red Cross. Tickets and VIP opportunities begin at $25 and are now available at laurendaigle.com.
“When I was kid, growing up in Louisiana, we were plagued by hurricanes,” said Daigle. “I know first-hand the devastation they bring. With everything going on in the world right now, I want to invite you to join me in loving on those effected by the hurricanes who have lost their homes and so much more.”
The hurricane, which made landfall Aug. 27, displaced thousands of families and left an estimated $10 billion in damages in its wake.
Daigle founded The Price Fund to honor and memorialize her grandfather, who taught her how to love the world one relationship at a time. Her mission is to instill hope and love among all people, no matter their background. She invests time into people and actively works to heal wounds and injustices experienced by others.
Lee Brice Earns Eighth No. 1 Country Radio Hit With “One Of Them Girls”
/by Lorie HollabaughLee Brice has scored his eighth career No. 1 this week with his latest single, “One Of Them Girls,” which hit the top spot on both the Mediabase and Billboard charts. The tune is also Brice’s third consecutive chart topper, following “Rumor” and “I Hope You’re Happy Now,” a collaboration with Carly Pearce. Brice co-wrote the track with Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson and Ben Johnson.
The singer-songwriter is gearing up for the release of his latest album, Hey World, due out Nov. 20.
“This song was embraced by both fans and radio from the get-go… it has flown,” Brice says. “We felt there was something special about it on the night we wrote it and to see how it has resonated is such a blessing and humbling. We are over the moon!”
Moon Taxi’s Sixth Studio Album ‘Silver Dream’ Coming In January
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville alt-rock band Moon Taxi will return with their sixth studio album Silver Dream on Jan. 22, 2021. The group just released “One Step Away,” the latest track from the upcoming project. ESPN’s SEC Network has adopted the song for this season’s televised games for the next four months for promos, spots, broadcasts, and more.
Moon Taxi guitarist Spencer Thomson said of “One Step Away,” “I think this song represents a side of the album that is more rooted in soul and rock. We wanted to share something that complements what we’ve already put out to give the audience some sense of the variety of what’s on the album. In this day and age, it’s tricky to get a big group of people together to shoot a video, so we came up with a concept everyone could film on their own with their phones. It also allowed each member to get creative with how he filmed his shot. I wanted it to have a dark and grimy, yet playful vibe that matched the song.”
Of the record, Thomson added, “We hope we’re giving people something to look forward to. We’re really excited and proud of the album and can’t wait to share the experience of it.”
Silver Dream Track List:
Weekly Register: Keith Urban Debuts At No. 1 With ‘The Speed of Now Part 1’
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban debuts at No. 1 on the country albums chart this week with his 10th studio album, The Speed of Now Part 1, earning 40K in total consumption, according to Nielsen. The feat marks Urban’s ninth No. 1 album in the United States.
Luke Combs‘s What You See Is What You Get is at No. 2 this week, with 26K, followed by Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me (21K), Combs’s This One’s For You at No. 4 (20K), and Kane Brown‘s Mixtape Vol. 1 (14K). RCA’s Tyler Childers debuts at No. 6 on the country albums chart with Long Violent History earning 13K in total consumption.
Gabby Barrett is at No. 1 on the country on-demand audio streaming chart, with “I Hope” earning 8.2 million streams this week. Jason Aldean‘s “Got What I Got” is at No. 2 with 7.5 million streams, followed by Wallen’s “7 Summers” with 7.3 million. Lee Brice‘s current radio chart-topper “One of Them Girls” is at No. 4 with 7 million streams this week, with Wallen’s “Chasin’ You” rounding out the Top 5 with 6.2 million streams.
The top country song debut this week comes from Luke Combs, featuring Amanda Shires, on “Without You,” which debuts at No. 13 with 5.3 million streams.
Country Music Association Honors Claire Horton With International Media Achievement Award
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, top row): CMA Director, International Relations Bobbi Boyce; U.K. publicist Claire Horton; (bottom row): CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development Milly Olykan
The Country Music Association honored U.K. publicist Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award on Monday, Sept. 28. This award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of country music outside the United States.
Artist Ashley McBryde surprised Horton via a video message during a virtual CMA U.K. Task Force meeting.
“We are delighted to be presenting Claire Horton with the 2020 CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award,” says Milly Olykan, CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development. “She’s been an important contributor to the story of country music’s growth in the U.K., working incredibly hard to help build artists’ profiles in mainstream media, as well as country media. We’re thrilled to see that her efforts have been recognized by the industry.”
Horton began working for Richard Wootton Publicity in the early ’90s. In 2016, she launched Claire Horton PR, focusing on executing publicity campaigns for international artists and U.S.-based country artists in both specialist and mainstream media in the U.K., Horton has worked with artists including Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Rosanne Cash, Luke Combs, Waylon Jennings, Lady A, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley and more. Horton has also executed publicity campaigns for international events including Country to Country festival, Country Music Week U.K., the U.K. Americana Awards, as well as CMA’s international CMA Songwriters Series and Introducing Nashville tours.
The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists in five categories, recognizing those who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace.
Earlier this year, CMA awarded Ben Earle of U.K. country duo The Shires with the 2020 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award, Ilse DeLange with the 2020 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award, and John Esposito with the 2020 CMA Jo Walker-Meador International Award. The CMA International Artist Achievement Award will be presented later this year.