TikTok Inks Distribution Deal With UnitedMasters

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TikTok has struck a deal with music distribution platform UnitedMasters, that will enable TikTok users to distribute music directly from the app. Through the deal, UnitedMasters becomes the first music distribution company to be integrated within TikTok.

The partnership enables TikTok users to distribute their music directly to other music streaming platforms. TikTok will opt all music from its creators who join UnitedMasters into the platform’s Commercial Music Library, with the artist’s permission, giving businesses access to a large catalog of new sounds to use in their content. TikTok will also partner with UnitedMasters in promoting key artists on the platform.

“Creators are the beating heart of the TikTok community, often inspired by the artists who bring their music to the platform, and providing a haven for them to thrive is key to our mission,” says Kevin Mayer, CEO of TikTok. “The new partnership with United Masters makes it even easier for musicians and creators to reach new fans and earn a living doing what they love, directly from the platform.”

“If you are a musical artist, TikTok is the best place for your music to go viral and UnitedMasters is the best place to sustain it while retaining full ownership of your work,” says Steve Stoute, CEO and Founder of UnitedMasters. “By combining the two, we create the platform for tomorrow’s stars who will be famous, fiercely independent and wealthy.”

TikTok recently announced a $1 billion TikTok Creator Fund to help support ambitious artists looking to foster a livelihood through their innovative content. The company has become the go-to staging ground that has helped previously little known or undiscovered artists like Lil Nas X, Ambjaay, StaySolidRocky, Powfu, BENEE, Y2K, bbno$, and many others find mainstream fame and dominate the charts.

Since its launch UnitedMasters has seen its artist-first approach pick up steam launching the careers of chart toppers like platinum-selling rapper NLE Choppa, Billboard charting recording artist Lil Tecca, Tobe Nwigwe, Lil XXEL, and many more. In just 18 months, UM has amassed over 400k artists, 5 billion streams, and over half a million distributed tracks.

MV2 Entertainment, Little Louder Music Sign Joe Whelan

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Pictured, Back Row (L-R): Nicole Sherrill, Jefferson Brown, Mike Whelan, Ben Strain. Front Row (L-R): Arturo Buenahora, Joe Whelan, Tony Harrell. Photo Credit: Lindsey Parrish

MV2 Entertainment and Little Louder Music have signed Joe Whelan to a co-publishing deal.

“Little Louder is very excited to partner with MV2 on the signing of Joe Whelan,” Little Louder’s Offensive Coordinator Arturo Buenahora said. “As a small boutique publishing house, it is paramount that we only sign writers or artists that we can make sure get the focus and attention they deserve. We think this deal could be a special opportunity for Joe and our respective companies.”

“Joe Whelan is an incredibly talented young man at the beginning of an awesome career and we are proud to partner with Little Louder on this venture,” MV2’s GM Tony Harrell added. “Because of his diverse musical taste, great relationships and self-motivation, Joe will be an asset in any writing room.”

Whelan has three songs on Tucker Beathard’s upcoming album, including “Can’t Stay Here,” “How Gone Will I Go,” and “Too Drunk.” Whelan co-wrote Australian artist Pete Murray’s “Found My Place” and is also writing with other Little Louder acts that have recently signed record deals: Boy Named Banjo (UMG) and Jackson Dean (BMLG).

Warner’s John Esposito, Dutch Artist Ilse DeLange Earn CMA International Honors

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Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito was surprised with the 2020 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award by Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) and Milly Olykan (CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development) during a Warner Music Nashville virtual staff meeting on Friday, Aug. 14. Photo Credit: Warner Music Nashville

The Country Music Association recently honored Warner Music Nashville Chairman/Chief Executive Officer John Esposito with the 2020 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award and Dutch country artist Ilse DeLange with the 2020 CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award.

Esposito was presented his award on Friday, Aug. 14 during Warner Music Nashville’s “The Warner Corner” virtual staff meeting. Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) and Milly Olykan (CMA Vice President, International Relations & Development) joined the call to surprise Esposito and join his entire staff in celebrating the honor. The CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award recognizes outstanding achievement by an individual in advocating and supporting country music’s marketing development in territories outside the United States.

“I am teary-eyed,” said Esposito after learning of his award. “I promise you, our commitment to this has only just begun. Thank you thank you thank you.”
Esposito established an international marketing department at Warner Music Nashville over three years ago, in addition to bringing on a U.K.-based consultant to represent the genre to partners in other territories. Under his leadership, artists such as Dan & Shay, Morgan Evans and Ashley McBryde have all seen continued growth and success internationally.

The CMA International Awards honor industry executives and artists who have supported and made a difference towards the growth and promotion of country music in the international marketplace. Nominees are recognized in five categories acknowledging their dedication and efforts in growing opportunities for country music in their local territories.

DeLange was presented the award Wednesday, Aug. 12 through a surprise video message from superstar Carrie Underwood, while being interviewed on German television show Volle Kanne. The CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award recognizes outstanding achievements by a country music artist signed outside of the United States who has furthered the popularity and brought attention to the country music format in his or her foreign-based territory. Underwood and DeLange first worked together in 2018 when Underwood performed at DeLange’s Tuckerville festival in the Netherlands.

As one of the best-selling female artists in the Netherlands, DeLange has spread country music globally since beginning her music career in 1998. In addition to earning over 40 music awards, the 18-time Platinum certified artist has served as a coach on The Voice of Holland and has her own national TV show, Ilse’s Veranda. Following her solo career, DeLange launched the Americana band, The Common Linnets, who participated in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2014 with their song “Calm After The Storm,” which charted at No. 1 in 14 countries. In 2017, DeLange appeared in a reoccurring role on the hit TV show Nashville, and last year she released her album Gravel & Dust, which was produced by T Bone Burnett. Most recently, DeLange has been a featured artist on the seventh season of the German music reality TV show Sing My Song, which was filmed in South Africa.

“Ilse consistently uses her platform to benefit artists in her own country, in addition to providing opportunities for Nashville country artists to reach a wider European audience,” says Olykan. “And Espo has always prioritized his artists’ expansion into territories around the world and recognized that country music can serve a global market. We are thrilled to congratulate them both on winning these awards.”

Earlier this year, CMA awarded Ben Earle of U.K. Country duo The Shires with the 2020 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award. Winners of the two remaining 2020 CMA International Awards categories will be presented with their awards later this year.

Ilse DeLange is awarded the CMA Jeff Walker Global Country Artist Award. Photo Credit: Karim Shawky

Tune In to Learn The 2020 MusicRow Awards Winners Tomorrow

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MusicRow will reveal the winners of the 32nd annual MusicRow Awards in a series of videos on all MusicRow online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter, starting at 9:00 a.m. TOMORROW (Aug. 18).

MusicRow Awards Schedule of Announcements
9:00 a.m.: Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards
9:30 a.m.: Producer of the Year
10:00 a.m.: Label of the Year
10:30 a.m.: Agency of the Year
11:00 a.m.: Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year
11:30 a.m.: Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year
12:00 p.m.: Male Songwriter of the Year
12:30 p.m.: Female Songwriter of the Year
1:00 p.m.: Song of the Year
1:30 p.m.: Robert K. Oermann Discovery Artist of the Year
2:00 p.m.: Breakthrough Artist of the Year
2:30 p.m.: Artist of the Year

Presenting Sponsor of the 2020 MusicRow Awards is City National Bank.

Click here to read about the nominees up for each category.

The Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards will also be announced on Aug. 18, recognizing the industry’s most in-demand studio players.

Morgan Wallen Earns Viral Hit With New Track "7 Summers"

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Big Loud artist Morgan Wallen is notching another smash with his latest song “7 Summers,” which debuted at No. 3 on Apple Music and Spotify.

Currently, only Drake‘s “Laugh Now Cry Later” and Cardi B‘ (ft. Megan Thee Stallion)’s “WAP”  are ahead of “7 Summers” on Apple Music’s Top 100: USA chart (and No. 5 on the Apple Music Top 100: Global chart).

Wallen co-wrote the track with Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne, with production from Joey Moi. He released a snippet of the track, which went viral on TikTok, earning more than 24 million views prior to its official release.

“‘7 Summers’ is a song that originally I didn’t even know if it was going to make my album or if I was ever going to put it out,” shares Wallen. “But when quarantine first started, I was challenged to do a demo on Instagram so I put out the first verse and chorus of ‘7 Summers.’ I heard a lot of good feedback from it on Instagram, and then it started making the rounds on TikTok – I saw how much the song was getting played and how much people were enjoying it, even just the first verse and chorus. Social media played a huge part in me releasing this song, especially this early. It’s a cool thing – me being on the fence about it, then being able to put it out and get people’s feedback. Seeing the response played the biggest part in this release. I think that speaks to just how much fans mean to me and fans mean to music. I’m glad I’m getting to put it out and glad people are loving it, I can’t wait for y’all to hear the full version.”

 

YouTube video

Justin Moore To Release ‘Live At The Ryman’ In September

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Justin Moore is giving fans missing his live shows a taste of that concert excitement on his latest album, Live at the Ryman, due out Sept. 25 via The Valory Music Co. The album’s first three tracks “Country State of Mind (featuring Chris Janson),” ”Small Town USA” and “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” are available now via streaming partners and for digital retail pre-order.

The album was recorded in May 2018 at Moore’s first-ever headlining show at the Ryman Auditorium, which was his first in Nashville since 2000. The sold-out date welcomed some of country music’s rowdiest fans at the Mother Church to celebrate Moore’s top hits, along with tributes to classics like Waylon Jennings, Hank Williams Jr. and others.

“A live album is something I’ve always had a desire to record and have out for our fans. We had the chance to record our Ryman show last year. The crowd was unreal. The venue, as we all know, was great, as it always is. Luckily, I didn’t screw it up,” Moore said. “In all seriousness, the energy we were able to capture that night, was electric. In this strange time with no live music, I thought this could be fun for our fans right now. Crack a cold one around the house, a campfire, deer camp, the beach and enjoy some live music. Hopefully, we have the chance to do it in person soon. Until then, enjoy this live album from my band, my crew, and myself from the Ryman.”

Moore’s latest single “Why We Drink” is currently Top 5 at country radio and climbing, and his recently launched podcast reached Apple’s Top 5 Podcasts in Music and claimed a spot in the New & Noteworthy category.

Live At The Ryman Track List:

1. Hank It
2. Backwoods
3. Flyin’ Down A Back Road
4. You Look Like I Need A Drink
5. Somebody Else Will
6. Bait A Hook
7. Kinda Don’t Care
8. Til My Last Day
9. If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away
10. Lettin’ The Night Roll
11. Bed of My Chevy
12. Country State of Mind (feat. Chris Janson)
13. I Ain’t Living Long Like This (feat. David Lee Murphy)
14. Honey (Open That Door) (feat. Ricky Skaggs and The Whites)
15. Small Town USA
16. I Could Kick Your Ass
17. Point At You

28th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Transitions To Virtual Event

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Like most music-centric festivals, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)’s annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival will transition to a virtual event this year, slated for Oct. 20-24, 2020. For the first time in the festival’s 27-year history, its shows will be free to experience, with a link available to donate to NSAI to help support their work on behalf of songwriters.

“Although the team behind Tin Pan South will miss holding the festival in our beloved partner venues in Nashville this year, we are taking this opportunity to embrace and welcome songwriters from all around the nation—many of whom may not have had the ability to participate in the in-person event—and are taking on a regional approach in order to highlight songwriters from all across the country,” said Jennifer Turnbow, festival director and Senior Director of Operations at NSAI.

The festival, held by NSAI in partnership with Regions Bank, will premiere rounds of performances simultaneously each evening to keep with the festival vibe, with each night highlighting a different region.

For additional information and upcoming announcements about performers, visit tinpansouth.com.

Former BMI Exec Tom Annastas Dies

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Tom Annastas, who served for 39 years as an executive at BMI, died Thursday, Aug. 13.

Tom was born on Feb. 11, 1953 in New York, NY. He eventually moved to West New York, NJ where he attended Memorial High School and met the love of his life, Alice DeGregorio. Tom graduated from Fairleigh Dickinson University. After he graduated, he and Alice married in 1973.

That same year, he joined BMI as Operations Manager in Broadcast Licensing, and was promoted to Vice President, General Licensing in 1986. Two years later he became Vice President, General Licensing. He retired in 2012.

During his tenure at BMI, Annastas was responsible for several innovations in the Licensing department, including the use of direct mail and telemarketing techniques to broaden the company’s customer base. He held a Bachelor of Science degree from Farleigh Dickenson University. He served on the board of the TJ Martell Foundation, where he was active with Country in the Rockies, the Best Cellars event and Honors Gala. He also served on the boards of Vanderbilt Ingram-Cancer Center and the BMI Foundation.

He was a member of Leadership Music’s Class of 2008.

He is preceded in death by his Wife Alice, Father George, and Mother Bertha Annastas. He is survived by his two sons Thomas Annastas Jr. (Becki); Paul Annastas (Karianne); grandson Mattox Annastas; granddaughters Maia Annastas, Sophia Rose Annastas and Willow Annastas; and sister Patricia Joan Annastas Gaeta (Anthony).

A celebration of life is planned (pandemic permitting) is planned for Feb. 11, 2021. In lieu of flowers, the family asks that donations be sent to The American Heart Association:

In Memory of Thomas George Annastas.
American Heart Association/ American Stroke Association
PO Box 840692
Dallas, TX 75284-0692

Drive-In Theater Tour Expands Through Fall With TobyMac, Michael W. Smith, Zach Williams, More

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Awakening Events has expanded the Drive-In Theater Tour through this Fall, adding three live drive-in concert tours featuring TobyMac, triple threat combo Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Mac Powell, and a radio powerhouse double feature with Zach Williams and Big Daddy Weave.

“It has been truly amazing to see the impact of these drive-in theater concerts. Fans and theater owners alike have all told us how much this was needed in their communities, and how much they appreciate us being there, providing this message of hope through music” said Dan Fife, Founder and President of Awakening Events.

The TobyMac Fall Drive-In Theater Tour will feature live concerts beginning September 14 in Mountain View AR and bringing their live show to 17 drive-in movie theaters across OH, VA, TN, and more before concluding on October 11 in Kings Mountain, NC. The Michael W. Smith, Steven Curtis Chapman, and Mac Powell tour will begin on September 20 in Aurora, MO visiting 12 markets before concluding on October 8 in Jesup, GA.  The Zach Williams and Big Daddy Weave tour will kick off on September 10 in Marion, VA visiting 28 markets and concluding on October 30 in Beaufort, SC.

These tours will join Awakening Event’s currently active Drive-In Theater Tour featuring Casting Crowns. To provide the maximum value and safety to fans, the tours will once again feature ticketing by the carload (up to six per car). All dates on the Drive-In Theater Tour will comply with local guidelines related to COVID-19.  A full list of cities and dates for all the tours is available at awakeningevents.com or driveintheatertour.com.

DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Brandy Clark, Mickey Guyton, Sheryl Crow, And More

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photo credit: Chris Phelps

On Tuesday, Aug. 18, we will be celebrating the 100th anniversary of women winning the right to vote.

The Tennessee legislature here in Nashville was the deciding institution in the passage of the constitutional amendment. To celebrate, the downtown public library is dedicating a new exhibit/wing honoring Votes for Women and we are all invited to participate with guest Rosanne Cash online. In person, shoot a video of yourself ringing a bell and saying what you’re ringing it for. Be sure to tag NewsChannel 5 and the Nashville Public Library and use the hashtag “I ring the bell” when you post it to NPL.

Also to celebrate, welcome to this all-female DisClaimer. Any day I get to hear music by Brandy Clark, Mickey Guyton, Sheryl Crow and Lori McKenna is a banner day for me. Brandy Clark has our Disc of the Day.

Intriguing, individualistic Rachel Brooke is the DisCovery Award winner.

JEANNIE SEELY & WAYLON PAYNE/Old Flames Can’t Hold A Candle To You
Writers: Pebe Sebert/Hugh Moffatt; Publisher: Pebe Sebert/BMG Rights Management/Rightsong/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Producer: Don Cusic; Curb
-Seely turned 80 this year, but she sounds as soulful as ever on her new CD An American Classic. She’s joined on the set by bevy of celeb guests — Bill Anderson, Steve Wariner, The Whites, Rhonda Vincent, Willie Nelson, Lorrie Morgan, Vince Gill, Ray Stevens and, in this case, Waylon Payne. This golden-oldie ballad is taken at a slow, deliberate pace with plenty of space for both singers to phrase and harmonize. Now celebrating her 50th anniversary as an Opry member, Seely is in the spotlight on Tuesday (Aug. 18) as the latest star in the streamed “Change the Conversation” series about women in country music.

LINDSAY ELL/Want Me Back
Writers: Lindsay Ell/Kane Brown/Matt McGinn/Lindsay Rimes; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dann Huff; BBR
-Ell is currently a double ACM nominee as Best New Female Artist and Musical Event (for “What Happens in a Small Town” with Brantley Gilbert). This single is drawn from her acclaimed new Heart Theory concept CD about dealing with grief. The track burbles with electronics while she sings with direct aim at an ex. Forceful and fiery. She’ll perform it streamed live from the Ryman on the Today show on Monday (Aug. 17, during the 10 a.m. portion of the show). Also highly recommended from this collection is the courageous and brilliantly written (with Brandy Clark) “Make You” about surviving rape as a teen.

KELLY LANG/Drive
Writer: Ric Ocasek; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; KL
-This is a lustrous, enchanting, atmospheric and superbly listenable revival of the 1994 pop masterpiece by The Cars. Lang employs both a husky whisper and a throaty soar as she gives the tune a nuanced vocal performance. A beautiful change of pace that deserves massive airplay.

SHERYL CROW/Woman in the White House
Writers: Chris DuBois/Sheryl Crow/David Lee Murphy; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Big Machine
– Sheryl rocks out on this feisty, bluesy, feminist bopper. With Joe Biden’s announcement of Kamala Harris as his running mate this week, the song is suddenly super timely. The instrumental fade-out is needlessly cluttered and busy sounding.

HEIDI NEWFIELD & DELBERT McCLINTON/The Blues Is My Business
Writers: Kevin Bowe/Todd Cerney; Publisher: Publisher: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Producers: Heidi Newfield, Jim “Moose” Brown; Notfamousenough
– Noted for her string of hits as the lead singer of Trick Pony, as well as for her “Johnny and June” solo success, Newfield is back with a collection titled The Barfly Sessions. She gets down and dirty on this rhythmic romper, blowing harmonica and wailing a saucy vocal with McClinton. Soulful and cool.

JAMIE O’NEAL/Wreck Me
Writers: Jamie O’Neal/Hannah Bethel/Rachele Lynae; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; JO
-I am always so impressed with this lady’s record productions. As ever, this is a model of sonic clarity and perfect mixing. Also as ever, she sings her face off. The song is a smoldering, sultry stomp about surrendering in romance. This is pure country class.

LORI McKENNA/The Balladeer
Writer: Lori McKenna; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: CN/Thirty Tigers
– The double-tracked vocal took a little getting used to, but the song is a brilliantly written, aching ode about the struggle to make it in music while getting your heart broken in romance. Lilting, poetic and altogether lovely. I am hopelessly in love with this artist.

MICKEY GUYTON/Heaven Down Here
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Gordie Sampson/Josh Kear/Hillary Lindsey; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Karen Kosowski; Capitol Nashville
– Guyton continues her march toward greater artistic excellence with this pristinely sung and exquisitely produced, throbbing track. It’s a plea to God to send down some solace in these troubled times. This woman has the goods, people.

CASSADEE POPE/Rise and Shine
Writers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producers: Cassadee Pope/Todd Lombardo; CP
-Pope’s new sound is stripped down and acoustic. This is the title tune of a collection that showcases her newfound strength as a cowriter, as well as her customary power as a singer. It’s a ballad about finding strength and persevering through difficulties.

BRANDY CLARK & RANDY NEWMAN/Bigger Boat
Writers: Brandy Clark/Adam Wright; Publisher: Highway 508/New House of Sea Gayle/Clearbox/Tiltawhirl/Casa de Casa/Carnival, ASCAP/BMI; Producer: Jay Joyce; Warner
– Love it. It’s wry, jaunty and sideways philosophical. Newman’s drawl is as personality-packed as usual, and Clark’s laid-back, winking delivery is a sheer delight. It fills my heart with joy that this woman makes music. She’s a genius. That’s all. The new album is called Your Life Is a Record. Buy it now.

RACHEL BROOKE/The Loneliness in Me
Writers: Rachel Brooke/Brooks Robbins; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Andy Van Guilder; Mal
-This is the title track to a self-penned collection that drops Oct. 23. She’s a charismatic, drawling low alto with a terrific, conversational delivery on this bluesy strut. There’s a great deal of promise here. The next step should be to come to Nashville and get some production and instrumental finesse behind her.