The voice of the long-haul trucking industry and a Grammy-winning songwriter, Bill Mack was one of the greats of classic country music.
The longtime national broadcast personality passed away at age 91 on Friday (July 31). Mack was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1982, to the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was famed for his all-night broadcasts from Ft. Worth, Texas over WBAP. “The Bill Mack Trucking Show” began in 1969 and continued for more than three decades with its creative programming that featured a diverse musical mix, a wide variety of guests, trucker call-ins and information for long-haul drivers about weather and road conditions.
Mack was a native Texan, born Bill Mack Smith in Shamrock on June 4, 1929. He played guitar and harmonica and formed a band while at Shamrock High School. He began his radio career in the late 1940s as a college student at West Texas State College. He worked at stations in Amarillo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls before arriving in Ft. Worth.
His dulcet speaking voice carried over into a strong singing talent. He signed with Imperial Records in 1951 and recorded such proto-rockabilly numbers as “Sue-Suzie Boogie” and “Play My Boogie.”
On Starday Records, he recorded such rockabilly classics as “Kitty Cat” and “The Cat Just Got Into Town” later in the 1950s.
He subsequently recorded for United Artists, Hickory, MGM, Phillips and other labels. His most successful single was “Ladonna” on Hickory.
But he had more success as a songwriter than he did as a recording artist. Mack’s jazzy “Drinking Champagne” became a big hit for Cal Smith in 1968. The song was revived by George Strait and again became a smash in 1990.
The songwriter’s other major copyright is “Blue.” Originally recorded by Mack in 1959, he intended to pitch it to Patsy Cline, but never did. Following her 1963 death, the song lay fallow for decades until a teenaged LeAnn Rimes launched her career with it in 1996.
It earned Bill Mack a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “Blue” was also named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
His songs have also been recorded by George Jones, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Waylon Jennings, Boxcar Willie, Hank Thompson, Don Gibson, Jim Ed Brown, Johnny Cash and more.
His gospel tune “Clinging to a Saving Hand” has been recorded by Rimes, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, The Chuck Wagon Gang, George Hamilton IV, John Conlee, Dale Ann Bradley and others.
Mack’s overnight trucking show was variously titled “The Bill Mack Trucking Show,” “The Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show,” “The U.S. 1 Trucking Show,” “Open Road” and “The Country Roads Show.” WBAP’s clear-channel signal meant that the broadcaster could be heard in most of the continental United States.
He left WBAP to launch a similar program on Sirius/XM satellite radio in 2001. He remained there until 2011, then returned to terrestrial radio on KSNZ in his hometown, Shamrock, Texas.
In addition to his trucking show, Bill Mack was the host of the nationally syndicated “Country Crossroads.” This gospel-oriented series was launched in 1969 and aired on more than 800 stations at its peak. He also hosted the syndicated “Overtime Top Ten Countdown” show.
In addition, Bill Mack was a television emcee. He hosted such syndicated series as The Buck Owens Show, The Bob Wills Show and Cowtown Jamboree. His radio show was translated into the cable TV series Country Crossroads.
He published an autobiography in 1971 titled Spins and Needles.
His death was due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 virus, with underlying conditions. His wife Cynthia (“Sweet Cindy”) was frequently his collaborator on the air, particularly in later years. She survives him, as do his children Debbie, Misty Dawn, Billy Mack Smith III and Sunday Renee, as well as several grandchildren.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10141839/MR-Obit-Ratio-1.jpg8001200Robert K Oermannhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngRobert K Oermann2020-07-31 13:21:192020-08-05 17:30:04Country Radio Legend Bill Mack Dies At 91
The International Bluegrass Music Association announced the nominees for this year’s IBMA Industry Awards and IBMA Momentum Awards on Friday morning (July 31). The winners will be announced during IBMA’s Virtual World of Bluegrass event, set for Sept. 28-Oct. 3.
“While most genres of music only award high profile artists and recordings, the bluegrass music community also celebrates other industry professionals and rising stars achieving excellence during the year,” said IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “The IBMA Industry Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of those talented professionals behind the scenes who are essential to bluegrass music. The IBMA Momentum Awards were added several years ago to shine a bright light on the many early-stage professionals making a huge impact in bluegrass music and the generous mentors providing them invaluable guidance and support. Congratulations to each and every nominee!”
The IBMA Momentum Awards will take place Tuesday, Sept. 29; the IBMA Industry Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, and will include the presentation of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Specific times and additional details for both events, and for other IBMA World of Bluegrass 2020 virtual events, will be shared in the coming weeks across the organization’s social media platforms, through email notification, and on worldofbluegrass.org and ibma.org.
See the full list of nominees below:
IBMA INDUSTRY AWARDS
The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Nominees in each category are selected by specially appointed committees made up of bluegrass music professionals who possess significant knowledge of that field. The recipient of each award is decided on by the Panel of Electors, an anonymous group of over 200 veteran bluegrass music professionals selected by the IBMA Board of Directors.
The 2020 IBMA Industry Awards nominees are:
Broadcaster of the Year
Barb Heller
Michael Kear
Brad Kolodner
Peter Thompson
Alan Tompkins
Event of the Year
The 2019-2020 Emelin Theatre Bluegrass Concert Series – Mamaroneck, NY
FreshGrass – North Adams, MA
Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival – Farmers Branch, TX
Augusta Heritage Center Bluegrass Week – Elkins, WV
Tell It To Me: The Johnson City Sessions 90th Anniversary Celebration – Johnson City, TN
Graphic Designer of the Year
Grace van’t Hof
Eric Barie
Michael Armistead
Carla Wehby
Lisa Berman
Liner Notes of the Year
Katy Daley – Live At The Cellar Door, The Seldom Scene
Bill Nowlin – The Early Days of Bluegrass, Various Artists
Katie Harford Hogue & Matt Combs – The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1, Various Artists
Craig Havighurst – Bad For You, The SteelDrivers
Ted Olson – Tell It to Me: Revisiting the Johnson City Sessions, 1928-1929, Various Artists
Songwriter of the Year
Ronnie Bowman
Louisa Branscomb
Milan Miller
Jerry Salley
Donna Ulisse
Sound Engineer of the Year
Van Atkins
Adam Engelhardt
Randy LeRoy
Stephen Mougin
Jason Singleton
Writer of the Year
Bill Conger
Thomas Goldsmith
Derek Halsey
Justin Hiltner
Kip Lornell
IBMA MOMENTUM AWARDS
The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.
Starting with recommendations from the IBMA membership, nominees are chosen through a multi-stage process by committees made up of respected musicians and industry leaders in the bluegrass world.
The 2020 IBMA Momentum Award nominees are:
Mentor of the Year
Alan Bibey
Rick Lang
Scott Napier
Annie Savage
Valerie Smith
Industry Involvement
Malachi Graham
Adam Kirr
Kara Kundert
Jonathan Newton
Kris Truelsen
Instrumentalist (2 selected)
Tabitha Agnew
Thomas Cassell
Alex Edwards
Miles Quale
Lauren Price Napier
Liam Purcell
Sullivan Tuttle
Band
AJ Lee and Blue Summit (San Jose, CA)
Colebrook Road (Harrisburg, PA)
Midnight Skyracer (UK)
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run (East Tennessee)
The Slocan Ramblers (Toronto, Ontario)
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10141838/IBMA-Logo-FB-600x315.jpg315600Jessica Nicholsonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngJessica Nicholson2020-07-31 10:47:332020-10-07 02:52:27Nominees For IBMA Industry Awards, Momentum Awards Announced
Avenue Beat (Sam Backoff, Savana Santos and Sami Bearden) skewered the pandemic, social isolation, bad romance, a failed release, and more on their latest track when they stealthily dropped “F2020” on TikTok.
The song has struck a chord with fans, garnering over 14 million video views and 8 million global streams and landing at No. 3 on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart and No. 6 globally, while over 70 Pop radio stations embrace it, including Z100 in New York, KIIS in Los Angeles and Capital FM in the UK. Offering a time capsule of the many ways 2020 has proven a disaster for so many, the tune has definitely hit home with people, and has been endorsed by artists like Maren Morris, Bebe Rexha, Anne Marie and Kristin Chenoweth.
Media outlets from Teen Vogue to the New York Times and Rolling Stone have commented on the timely track, which was produced by lead singer Santos. The group signed a joint venture between The Valory Music Co. and Tape Room Records last year.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10141836/Avenue-Beat.jpg6681000Lorie Hollabaughhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLorie Hollabaugh2020-07-31 10:46:452020-08-05 17:32:06Avenue Beat’s Viral TikTok Hit "F2020" Earns Pop Radio Attention
CMA Hosts Seventh Annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit
The Country Music Association hosted its seventh annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit July 27-28, to engage with college students through professional development and networking opportunities. The two-day event was held virtually for the first time due to the COVID-19 pandemic and welcomed 51 students from 13 schools.
“Building on the established 10-year brand, we felt it was essential for CMA EDU to evolve to better meet the needs of both our students and industry,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director and CMA VP of Community Outreach. “The changes allow for better engagement by fostering connections and learning the fundamentals across the many employment opportunities that exist within the music business. The program will continue to illuminate leadership opportunities and empower members to embrace the uniqueness of the industry. We are most excited to work with such a talented applicant pool, demonstrating relentless drive and ambition.”
Students participated in trainings on topics ranging from communications and brand management to mentorship led by Kerns and CMA Membership Engagement Manager Kate Kaltenbach, in addition to holding peer group discussions.
The summit concluded with keynote speaker John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, sharing career tips along with his journey in the music business, followed by a Q&A session with the students. “Get your foot in the door. Don’t worry about what you’re getting paid. Just get paid and then out-hustle everyone,” advised Esposito.
PLA Expands Staff
Anna Proctor
PLA Media has added Anna Proctor to the team as a Publicity and Social Media Assistant. The Florida native is currently obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Sport Management at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Anna started at PLA in May and will continue to work remotely for the company, assisting the team on client strategy and brand development.
“Anna is an enthusiastic and welcome addition to our PLA team,” says President and CEO Pam Lewis.
Alecia Nugent Adds So Much MOORE Media To Team
IBMA and SPBGMA award-winner and former Rounder Records artist Alecia Nugent is returning to the music scene after a 10-year hiatus as a classic country artist. Her debut single, “They Don’t Make ’em Like My Daddy Anymore,” drops Friday, July 31 with an album coming in September. She has hired Martha Moore of so much MOORE media to handle publicity.
Grammy winner and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin has been one of Contemporary Christian Music’s top-selling artists for nearly two decades, since earning his first No. 1 “How Great Is Our God” in 2005. His songs have been sung by church congregations around the world, and along the way, Tomlin’s earned 16 No. 1 CCM hits, sold more than nine million albums, and earned a Grammy, 21 Dove Awards and two BMI Songwriter of the Year honors.
But when he was a child in Texas, Tomlin grew up with the influence of country legend Willie Nelson.
“All I ever wanted to do was be in country music as a kid,” Tomlin tells MusicRow. “My dad would play country and that’s what I thought it would be and then I started getting really involved with music through my church and found that God had given me a gift to write simple songs that people could sing and the rest is history.”
With Friday’s (July 31) release of his new album, Chris Tomlin & Friends, he bridges that gap in a way, welcoming an array of artists who have been influenced by his own music—and who also just happen to be some of country music’s best-selling artists, such as Florida Georgia Line, Brett Young, Lady A, and Thomas Rhett.
The album evolved from a couple of chance meetings—the first with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard during a Florida vacation.
“We met at the beach in the gym, randomly,” Hubbard recalls. “He came up and introduced himself and we kind of hit it off. That ended up turning into a full day of hanging out and riding bikes and talking about life and music and all that. I just kind of said, ‘Man, I’d love to get in a writing room with you. I’d love for [Hubbard’s Florida Georgia Line bandmate Brian Kelley] to join us and let us also introduce you to some of our people and just write some songs.”
“We were just seeing what would happen if we smashed up the genres, his world and my world kind of colliding,” Tomlin says. “Corey Crowder was the third piece—we all realized it came really easy and there was something inspiring every time we wrote together. After a few months of writing, we started joking around about making a full album together and at first I thought it would just be me and Florida Georgia Line together. Then we started thinking ‘What if we bring in others that have the same heart and want to do this with us?’”
The week before that Florida vacation, during his annual Good Friday concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Tomlin had randomly met another country superstar, Thomas Rhett.
“Every year for the Good Friday show, I try to bring someone out as a surprise—it’s a very Nashville thing to do,” Tomlin says. “I had wanted to bring Thomas out last year. I didn’t know him at the time and I had tried every way to reach out to him. Then on the day of the concert, I’m at soundcheck and I walk backstage and standing back there is Thomas Rhett. So we just talked about loving each other’s music and he said, ‘We should work on some music together.’ So it was probably a few weeks after that that he sent me ‘Be A Light.’ This whole thing started right around those couple of weeks. So we started writing as well, and then Lady A. I knew Dave [Haywood] and Hillary [Scott] for the past several years, but that connection was perfect for this project.”
Country music’s roots have long been intertwined with religious music, from Hank Williams’ signature “I Saw The Light” to religious leanings of the country music standard “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” The list of country artists who have issued Gospel releases is lengthy, from Johnny Cash to Randy Travis, Reba, and Alan Jackson. In 2016, Lady A’s Hillary Scott earned two Grammys for her solo Gospel album Love Remains, and the single “Thy Will.” That same year, FGL earned another country hit with “H.O.L.Y.,” which borrowed a title and snippets of melodies that might come as a familiar refrain to churchgoers. Last year, Tomlin made a surprise performance during a few of FGL’s concerts, including a stop at Atlanta. He also joined Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, Reba and Keith Urban for “Be A Light,” which released earlier this year.
While FGL executive produced the project, producers included Corey Crowder, David Garcia (a songwriter behind numerous CCM hits, as well as FGL’s smash “Meant To Be”) and legendary CCM producer Ed Cash.
“Between us, we learned to trust each other really quick and trust each other’s ear,” Hubbard said. “Having that trust is really, really valuable when you’re working on a project like this that’s so diverse and dynamic and has so many different things going on.”
For many of the artists on the Chris Tomlin & Friends, taking part in the project allowed them to collaborate with someone whose music has influenced them.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Chris Tomlin for so long! I grew up leading worship and that’s how I found music,” said Brett Young, who sang on “Be The Moon,” alongside Cassadee Pope. “To be asked to be a part of this project was such an honor and this song is so special and hits very close to home for me.”
“His music represents so much,” FGL’s Brian Kelley said. “A lot of our youth, our foundation in our spirituality and our faith, based around a lot of his music and a lot of that music growing up on it. Shane & Shane, Casting Crowns, I mean, there’s just so many different artists that we could go on for days. It was a natural move for us, but also inspiring to work with somebody that we’ve clearly looked up to and has been a huge inspiration. This has been truly inspiring because he’s put out a bunch of albums and been crushing it for a long time. To see him still hungry and see him bringing in ideas and continuing to elevate his craft … He’s still hungry. He’s still inspired. He’s still got a fire and fight inside of him for the Lord with that music and for connecting people with his music and the Lord.”
A true collaborative effort, many of the artists brought not just their voices, but their own songs. RaeLynn not only sang on, but co-wrote “Chase Me Down.” Tomlin co-wrote “Who You Are To Me” alongside Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood, who also sing on the track.
“The way a lot of albums go down, let’s be honest, is I’ve got the songs, I’ve got some famous friends, and ‘Will you come sing the second verse?’ That’s just not this. This is a true effort together. On ‘Forever Home,’ with FGL, I sing on the very end on it, barely. It’s them. On ‘Chase Me Down’ with RaeLynn, they brought it to me. I was floored. I just want the best songs—I don’t have to write the songs. And with RaeLynn, her cousin is Leeland and I’ve done so much with Leeland so all these dots just kept connecting in a cool way.”
Another FGL contribution, “Thank You Lord,” was written a few years ago, alongside Thomas Rhett.
“We were kind of waiting for an opportunity for it to live it’s best life. We felt like, ‘Oh, this project,'” Hubbard says. “The whole recorded process was incredible. They brought in a choir in the ocean waves. I actually wasn’t there that day, but apparently, it was just an incredibly spiritual moment. The choir just kind of went in there and was sort of free-styling and doing their thing, and just catching so many awesome moments.”
Another album track, “Sing,” features Russell Dickerson. Before he signed a deal with Triple Tigers and earned three No.1 hits, Dickerson served as Tomlin’s guitar tech for three years.
“He was in the bunk under me on the bus for three years of my touring life, before he was an artist. I instantly thought of Russell for this,” Tomlin says. Even then, Dickerson’s passion for music and worship was apparent—even if it didn’t make him the best guitar tech.
“He was the greatest hang, the most fun guy and at the time he just wanted to be in the music world. He had a love for God and a love for worship. We joked that he was the coolest guy and the worst guitar tech. He would be on the side of the stage, hands raised, just worshiping. One festival we were on stage and it was so hot that our guitarist, smoke was literally coming out the back of his guitar. It overheated and all our sound is going down, the guitars are not working. We are in front of thousands of people and we look over to Russell for help and he’s just over there, singing to God and he has no clue that we were falling apart onstage. It was hilarious.”
The album also includes collaborations with We The Kingdom and NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Rinehart. However, one of the album’s strongest moments is its uplifting denouement “Tin Roof,” featuring former The Voice contestant Blessing Offor, a gifted, Nigerian-born singer-songwriter. The song was penned by Offor and country hitmaker Natalie Hemby.
“You have all these superstars and then the last song on the album, you have this guy that most people have probably never heard of, and it may be the strongest song on the record, honestly. I wanted it to be on this album because he has been here and working hard, and I want people to hear his music. He has so many good songs and is an incredible singer-songwriter.”
“That song is amazing, and that’s just a God thing that this song came in at the time it did, very late in the process,” Kelley says. “It was a no brainer, and, I mean, just powerful. Makes you want to put your hands in the air and just kind of stop, and just breathe for a second. Be thankful, and … it’s just gorgeous. His voice is gorgeous, everything about that.”
Even with a track list filled with collaborators, there is still at least one country artist Tomlin would love to work with.
“Garth would be a dream. If that happened, I would retire—I would be done. There are a lot of guys I love. I love that this was done with so many current superstars of the genre and that’s a privilege. But some of the ones I love like Tim McGraw or Garth would be fun. Eric Church would be on that list, too. That would be fun, who knows?”
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10141831/Chris-Tomlin-Robby-Klein-B.jpg6671000Jessica Nicholsonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngJessica Nicholson2020-07-31 09:47:012020-08-05 17:35:01Chris Tomlin, Florida Georgia Line Share Stories Behind Collaborative Album [Interview]
One Vision Music Group has signed singer/songwriter Cody Belew to its roster.
The Arkansas native competed during the third season of NBC’s The Voice, landing in the Top 8 finalists. He moved to Nashville in 2012 and has co-written with Mike Reid, Deana Carter, Tia Sellers, Waylon Payne, and more. One of his original songs, “The Choice A Lonely Heart Makes,” was featured on The CW series Roswell, New Mexico.
“Cody Belew is a talent that is beyond measure. I am honored to join Cody on his musical journey to share his message with the world.” said Cory B. Savage, CEO Visionary Media Group/One Vision Music Group.
One Vision Music Group’s roster also includes American Idol finalist Kree Harrison.
https://music-row-website-assets.s3.amazonaws.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/07/10141830/Cody-Belew-Press-Image.jpg6671000Jessica Nicholsonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngJessica Nicholson2020-07-30 16:08:302020-08-05 17:36:17One Vision Music Group Adds Cody Belew To Roster
ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews spoke on behalf of the performance-rights organization at the U.S. Department of Justice virtual workshop on Competition in Licensing Music Public Performance Rights that took place on July 28 and 29, 2020, organized by Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, US Department of Justice.
In a recent joint open letter, Matthews and BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill responded to work by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine whether a possible modification or cessation is necessary for the consent decrees that have governed music licensing since 1941.
At the virtual workshop this week, Matthews upheld that modification needs to be made, stating: “One of the primary reasons the marketplace is no longer working for songwriters and composers is that both ASCAP and BMI operate under consent decrees that were entered into in 1941 when the marketplace was entirely different.”
She also pointed out the fact that many of today’s ASCAP licensees are powerful mega-technology and media companies, which themselves face very little regulations.
Matthews said, “Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix & Google, they are smart, savvy, all lawyered up and wildly under-regulated. I have yet to sit in a negotiation with one of these licensees and not feel as though songwriters’ hands were tied behind their backs due to these consent decrees. It’s crazy to think that songwriters are more regulated in 2020 than Facebook.
“Today, ASCAP and BMI are not allowed to compete on a level playing field with their unregulated counterparts like SESAC and GMR, and that has created market wide imbalances and confusion,” Matthews explained. “The consent decrees are wildly outdated and need to be harmonized and simplified. At a minimum, the ASCAP and BMI decrees should be modified to be the same. Today, ASCAP and BMI are not even on a level playing field with one another which distorts the marketplace. To prepare for a new world order of global distribution, live data exchanges, demand and supply side pricing and experimental licensing initiatives, we have to be able to compete and innovate in a global market. All we ask of the licensee community and the DOJ is that you help us modernize our outdated consent decrees.”
Mathews concluded her remarks, “All we ask of the Department of Justice and the licensee community is please don’t leave songwriters and composers back in 1941. Please work with us to modernize these decrees.”
BMI’s O’Neill also attended the virtual workshop and also offered caution to the industry. See MusicRow‘s coverage here.
00LB Cantrellhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngLB Cantrell2020-07-30 16:07:532020-10-07 00:46:43ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews Advocates For Consent Decree Reform
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has announced it will remain closed to the public through Aug. 31, 2020.
“The museum’s top priority is the health and safety of our guests and our staff. That guides our decisions about opening, closing and every other consideration,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “We look forward to the day when guests from all over the world can explore our galleries again, but the continued increase of COVID-19 cases across the nation causes us to feel that it is wise to remain closed at present, to protect employees and visitors.”
Though the museum is closed to the public, there are several programs available online, including Songwriter Sessions (on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. CT via Instagram Live), the museum’s Voices in the Hall podcast led by Museum Senior Director, Producer, and Writer Peter Cooper, and past performances and interviews from the museum’s archives, which are also available on the museum’s website.
00Jessica Nicholsonhttps://musicrow.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/MusicRow-header-logo-Mar19B.pngJessica Nicholson2020-07-30 16:06:222020-10-07 00:48:17Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Extends Closure To The Public Through Aug. 31
The winners for the 5th annual AIMP Nashville Awards were announced Thursday (July 30). This year’s AIMP Nashville Publisher of the Year award went to SMACKSongs, a co-publisher of the song “One Night Standards,” which was named AIMP Nashville Publisher’s Pick. Ashley McBryde, a co-writer of the track as well as its recording artist, was named AIMP Nashville Artist-Writer of the Year, while Hailey Whitters took home AIMP Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year. The AIMP Nashville Songwriter of the Year award went to HARDY, while AIMP Nashville Rising Songwriter of the Year went to Allison Veltz Cruz. The AIMP Song of the Year was “The Bones,” co-written and recorded by Maren Morris, while National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) President and CEO David Israelite was honored as AIMP Nashville Song Champion of the Year.
Though the awards show could not take place in-person this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several artists still celebrated with virtual performances on social media. Whitters performed “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Tenille Townes offered “Prayed for You,” Ryan Hurd played “The Bones,” Kylie Morgan sang “One Man Band,” Matt Stell offered “Heartache Medication,” and Runaway June performed “10,000 Hours.”
“The AIMP Nashville Awards committee would like to congratulate all this year’s winners and nominees on their accomplishments in this unpredictable time,” said Ree Guyer, Vice President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter and Co-Chair of the AIMP Nashville Awards. “While we wish we were celebrating together at the Ryman, we are proud to honor these deserving independent publishers, writers, and artists who created the music that has been getting us through this difficult time.”
“Hearty congratulations go out to all our AIMP Nashville Awards honorees, from executives who have helped pave the way forward for independent music publishers, to artists and writers who have created some truly incredible music, to the publishers themselves who make sure they are paid fairly for their work,” said John Ozier, President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “Here’s hoping we’ll be able to see everyone in person next year!”
See the full list of nominees and winners below:
AIMP Nashville Publisher of the Year
Big Machine Music Publishing
Kobalt Music
Curb Word Entertainment Winner – SMACKSongs
Peermusic
Downtown Music
AIMP Nashville Rising Songwriter of the Year Winner – Allison Veltz Cruz
Alysa Vanderheym
Hunter Phelps
Jameson Rodgers
Jennifer Denmark
Sam Sumser
AIMP Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year Winner – Hailey Whitters
Kylie Morgan
Matt Stell
Runaway June
Ryan Hurd
Tenille Townes
AIMP Nashville Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley Winner – HARDY
Luke Combs
Laura Veltz
Hillary Lindsey
Jordan Schmidt
AIMP Nashville Artist-Writer of the Year Winner – Ashley McBryde
Brothers Osborne
HARDY
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Old Dominion
AIMP Nashville Song Champion of the Year
Alex Heddle
Brad Peterson Winner – David Israelite
Greg Gallo
Lee Krabel
Stephanie Cox
AIMP Nashville Publisher’s Pick
“God And Country Music” (Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird) independently published by Creative Nation. Recorded by George Strait. Winner – “One Night Standards” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally) independently published by SMACKSongs, River House Artists, Canned Biscuit Songs. Recorded by Ashley McBryde.
“Seeing Other People” (Emily Falvey, Jason Afable, Matt McGinn) independently published by SMACKSongs, McGinntellectual Property, Rarespark Media Group. Recorded by MacKenzie Porter.
“Small Town Hypocrite” (Caylee Hammack, Jared Scott) independently published by Plaid Flag Music. Recorded by Caylee Hammack.
“To Hell And Back” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz) independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Yellow Dog, Revelry Music, Kobalt Music. Recorded by Maren Morris.
“Wish For The World” (Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons, Ryan Hurd) independently published by Big Machine Music, Mojo Music & Media. Recorded by Ryan Hurd.
AIMP Nashville Song of the Year
“10,000 Hours” (Dan Smyers, Jason Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber, Shay Mooney) independently published by Big Machine Music. Recorded by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber.
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” (Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs, Randy Montana) independently published by Big Machine Music, 50 Egg Music. Recorded by Luke Combs.
“Heartache Medication” (Barry Dean, Jon Pardi, Natalie Hemby) independently published by Creative Nation, Song Factory, Pulse Nation, MV2 Entertainment. Recorded by Jon Pardi.
“One Man Band” (Brad Tursi, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen) independently published by Wrensong Entertainment, Anthem Entertainment, Twelve6 Entertainment, SMACKSongs. Recorded by Old Dominion.
“Prayed For You” (Allison Veltz Cruz, Ash Bowers, Matt Stell) independently published by Big Deal Music, Wide Open Music, Endurance Music Group. Recorded by Matt Stell. Winner – “The Bones” (Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz) independently published by Big Yellow Dog, Big Machine Music, JRM Publishing, Round Hill Music. Recorded by Maren Morris.
AIMP Nashville Awards winners will receive their awards by mail. Voting was open from July 20 through July 24 for all AIMP Professional members of the Nashville Chapter, as well as AIMP Premier Professional members.
Country Radio Legend Bill Mack Dies At 91
/by Robert K OermannThe voice of the long-haul trucking industry and a Grammy-winning songwriter, Bill Mack was one of the greats of classic country music.
The longtime national broadcast personality passed away at age 91 on Friday (July 31). Mack was elected to the Country Music Disc Jockey Hall of Fame in 1982, to the Texas Music Hall of Fame in 1995 and to the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame in 1999.
He was famed for his all-night broadcasts from Ft. Worth, Texas over WBAP. “The Bill Mack Trucking Show” began in 1969 and continued for more than three decades with its creative programming that featured a diverse musical mix, a wide variety of guests, trucker call-ins and information for long-haul drivers about weather and road conditions.
Mack was a native Texan, born Bill Mack Smith in Shamrock on June 4, 1929. He played guitar and harmonica and formed a band while at Shamrock High School. He began his radio career in the late 1940s as a college student at West Texas State College. He worked at stations in Amarillo, San Antonio and Wichita Falls before arriving in Ft. Worth.
His dulcet speaking voice carried over into a strong singing talent. He signed with Imperial Records in 1951 and recorded such proto-rockabilly numbers as “Sue-Suzie Boogie” and “Play My Boogie.”
On Starday Records, he recorded such rockabilly classics as “Kitty Cat” and “The Cat Just Got Into Town” later in the 1950s.
He subsequently recorded for United Artists, Hickory, MGM, Phillips and other labels. His most successful single was “Ladonna” on Hickory.
But he had more success as a songwriter than he did as a recording artist. Mack’s jazzy “Drinking Champagne” became a big hit for Cal Smith in 1968. The song was revived by George Strait and again became a smash in 1990.
The songwriter’s other major copyright is “Blue.” Originally recorded by Mack in 1959, he intended to pitch it to Patsy Cline, but never did. Following her 1963 death, the song lay fallow for decades until a teenaged LeAnn Rimes launched her career with it in 1996.
It earned Bill Mack a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “Blue” was also named Song of the Year by the Academy of Country Music.
His songs have also been recorded by George Jones, Ray Price, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dean Martin, Waylon Jennings, Boxcar Willie, Hank Thompson, Don Gibson, Jim Ed Brown, Johnny Cash and more.
His gospel tune “Clinging to a Saving Hand” has been recorded by Rimes, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, Bill Monroe, The Chuck Wagon Gang, George Hamilton IV, John Conlee, Dale Ann Bradley and others.
Mack’s overnight trucking show was variously titled “The Bill Mack Trucking Show,” “The Midnight Cowboy Trucking Show,” “The U.S. 1 Trucking Show,” “Open Road” and “The Country Roads Show.” WBAP’s clear-channel signal meant that the broadcaster could be heard in most of the continental United States.
He left WBAP to launch a similar program on Sirius/XM satellite radio in 2001. He remained there until 2011, then returned to terrestrial radio on KSNZ in his hometown, Shamrock, Texas.
In addition to his trucking show, Bill Mack was the host of the nationally syndicated “Country Crossroads.” This gospel-oriented series was launched in 1969 and aired on more than 800 stations at its peak. He also hosted the syndicated “Overtime Top Ten Countdown” show.
In addition, Bill Mack was a television emcee. He hosted such syndicated series as The Buck Owens Show, The Bob Wills Show and Cowtown Jamboree. His radio show was translated into the cable TV series Country Crossroads.
He published an autobiography in 1971 titled Spins and Needles.
His death was due to complications resulting from the COVID-19 virus, with underlying conditions. His wife Cynthia (“Sweet Cindy”) was frequently his collaborator on the air, particularly in later years. She survives him, as do his children Debbie, Misty Dawn, Billy Mack Smith III and Sunday Renee, as well as several grandchildren.
Nominees For IBMA Industry Awards, Momentum Awards Announced
/by Jessica Nicholson“While most genres of music only award high profile artists and recordings, the bluegrass music community also celebrates other industry professionals and rising stars achieving excellence during the year,” said IBMA’s Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “The IBMA Industry Awards recognize the exceptional contributions of those talented professionals behind the scenes who are essential to bluegrass music. The IBMA Momentum Awards were added several years ago to shine a bright light on the many early-stage professionals making a huge impact in bluegrass music and the generous mentors providing them invaluable guidance and support. Congratulations to each and every nominee!”
The IBMA Momentum Awards will take place Tuesday, Sept. 29; the IBMA Industry Awards will take place Wednesday, Sept. 30, and will include the presentation of the 2020 Distinguished Achievement Awards. Specific times and additional details for both events, and for other IBMA World of Bluegrass 2020 virtual events, will be shared in the coming weeks across the organization’s social media platforms, through email notification, and on worldofbluegrass.org and ibma.org.
See the full list of nominees below:
IBMA INDUSTRY AWARDS
The Industry Awards recognize outstanding work in categories including Broadcaster of the Year, Event of the Year, Graphic Designer of the Year, Liner Notes of the Year, Writer of the Year, Sound Engineer of the Year, and Songwriter of the Year.
Nominees in each category are selected by specially appointed committees made up of bluegrass music professionals who possess significant knowledge of that field. The recipient of each award is decided on by the Panel of Electors, an anonymous group of over 200 veteran bluegrass music professionals selected by the IBMA Board of Directors.
The 2020 IBMA Industry Awards nominees are:
Broadcaster of the Year
Barb Heller
Michael Kear
Brad Kolodner
Peter Thompson
Alan Tompkins
Event of the Year
The 2019-2020 Emelin Theatre Bluegrass Concert Series – Mamaroneck, NY
FreshGrass – North Adams, MA
Bloomin’ Bluegrass Festival – Farmers Branch, TX
Augusta Heritage Center Bluegrass Week – Elkins, WV
Tell It To Me: The Johnson City Sessions 90th Anniversary Celebration – Johnson City, TN
Graphic Designer of the Year
Grace van’t Hof
Eric Barie
Michael Armistead
Carla Wehby
Lisa Berman
Liner Notes of the Year
Katy Daley – Live At The Cellar Door, The Seldom Scene
Bill Nowlin – The Early Days of Bluegrass, Various Artists
Katie Harford Hogue & Matt Combs – The John Hartford Fiddle Tune Project, Volume 1, Various Artists
Craig Havighurst – Bad For You, The SteelDrivers
Ted Olson – Tell It to Me: Revisiting the Johnson City Sessions, 1928-1929, Various Artists
Songwriter of the Year
Ronnie Bowman
Louisa Branscomb
Milan Miller
Jerry Salley
Donna Ulisse
Sound Engineer of the Year
Van Atkins
Adam Engelhardt
Randy LeRoy
Stephen Mougin
Jason Singleton
Writer of the Year
Bill Conger
Thomas Goldsmith
Derek Halsey
Justin Hiltner
Kip Lornell
IBMA MOMENTUM AWARDS
The Momentum Awards recognize both musicians and bluegrass industry professionals who, in the early stages of their careers, are making significant contributions to or are having a significant influence upon bluegrass music. These contributions can be to bluegrass music in general, or to a specific sector of the industry. The Mentor Award, in contrast to the other Momentum Awards, recognizes a bluegrass professional who has made a significant impact on the lives and careers of newcomers to the bluegrass industry.
Starting with recommendations from the IBMA membership, nominees are chosen through a multi-stage process by committees made up of respected musicians and industry leaders in the bluegrass world.
The 2020 IBMA Momentum Award nominees are:
Mentor of the Year
Alan Bibey
Rick Lang
Scott Napier
Annie Savage
Valerie Smith
Industry Involvement
Malachi Graham
Adam Kirr
Kara Kundert
Jonathan Newton
Kris Truelsen
Vocalist
Tabitha Agnew
Amanda Cook
Victoria Kelley
Leanna Price
Melody Williamson
Instrumentalist (2 selected)
Tabitha Agnew
Thomas Cassell
Alex Edwards
Miles Quale
Lauren Price Napier
Liam Purcell
Sullivan Tuttle
Band
AJ Lee and Blue Summit (San Jose, CA)
Colebrook Road (Harrisburg, PA)
Midnight Skyracer (UK)
Seth Mulder & Midnight Run (East Tennessee)
The Slocan Ramblers (Toronto, Ontario)
Avenue Beat’s Viral TikTok Hit "F2020" Earns Pop Radio Attention
/by Lorie HollabaughAvenue Beat. Delaney Royer
Avenue Beat (Sam Backoff, Savana Santos and Sami Bearden) skewered the pandemic, social isolation, bad romance, a failed release, and more on their latest track when they stealthily dropped “
The song has struck a chord with fans, garnering over 14 million video views and 8 million global streams and landing at No. 3 on Spotify’s US Viral 50 chart and No. 6 globally, while over 70 Pop radio stations embrace it, including Z100 in New York, KIIS in Los Angeles and Capital FM in the UK. Offering a time capsule of the many ways 2020 has proven a disaster for so many, the tune has definitely hit home with people, and has been endorsed by artists like Maren Morris, Bebe Rexha, Anne Marie and Kristin Chenoweth.
Media outlets from Teen Vogue to the New York Times and Rolling Stone have commented on the timely track, which was produced by lead singer Santos. The group signed a joint venture between The Valory Music Co. and Tape Room Records last year.
Industry Ink: CMA, PLA, Alecia Nugent
/by Jessica NicholsonCMA Hosts Seventh Annual CMA EDU Leadership Summit
“Building on the established 10-year brand, we felt it was essential for CMA EDU to evolve to better meet the needs of both our students and industry,” says Tiffany Kerns, CMA Foundation Executive Director and CMA VP of Community Outreach. “The changes allow for better engagement by fostering connections and learning the fundamentals across the many employment opportunities that exist within the music business. The program will continue to illuminate leadership opportunities and empower members to embrace the uniqueness of the industry. We are most excited to work with such a talented applicant pool, demonstrating relentless drive and ambition.”
Students participated in trainings on topics ranging from communications and brand management to mentorship led by Kerns and CMA Membership Engagement Manager Kate Kaltenbach, in addition to holding peer group discussions.
The summit concluded with keynote speaker John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO, sharing career tips along with his journey in the music business, followed by a Q&A session with the students. “Get your foot in the door. Don’t worry about what you’re getting paid. Just get paid and then out-hustle everyone,” advised Esposito.
PLA Expands Staff
Anna Proctor
PLA Media has added Anna Proctor to the team as a Publicity and Social Media Assistant. The Florida native is currently obtaining her bachelor’s degree in Communication with a minor in Sport Management at the University of North Florida in Jacksonville. Anna started at PLA in May and will continue to work remotely for the company, assisting the team on client strategy and brand development.
“Anna is an enthusiastic and welcome addition to our PLA team,” says President and CEO Pam Lewis.
Alecia Nugent Adds So Much MOORE Media To Team
IBMA and SPBGMA award-winner and former Rounder Records artist Alecia Nugent is returning to the music scene after a 10-year hiatus as a classic country artist. Her debut single, “They Don’t Make ’em Like My Daddy Anymore,” drops Friday, July 31 with an album coming in September. She has hired Martha Moore of so much MOORE media to handle publicity.
Weekly Radio Report (7/31/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Chris Tomlin, Florida Georgia Line Share Stories Behind Collaborative Album [Interview]
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Tomlin. Photo: Robby Klein
Grammy winner and multi-Platinum singer-songwriter Chris Tomlin has been one of Contemporary Christian Music’s top-selling artists for nearly two decades, since earning his first No. 1 “How Great Is Our God” in 2005. His songs have been sung by church congregations around the world, and along the way, Tomlin’s earned 16 No. 1 CCM hits, sold more than nine million albums, and earned a Grammy, 21 Dove Awards and two BMI Songwriter of the Year honors.
But when he was a child in Texas, Tomlin grew up with the influence of country legend Willie Nelson.
“All I ever wanted to do was be in country music as a kid,” Tomlin tells MusicRow. “My dad would play country and that’s what I thought it would be and then I started getting really involved with music through my church and found that God had given me a gift to write simple songs that people could sing and the rest is history.”
With Friday’s (July 31) release of his new album, Chris Tomlin & Friends, he bridges that gap in a way, welcoming an array of artists who have been influenced by his own music—and who also just happen to be some of country music’s best-selling artists, such as Florida Georgia Line, Brett Young, Lady A, and Thomas Rhett.
The album evolved from a couple of chance meetings—the first with Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard during a Florida vacation.
“We met at the beach in the gym, randomly,” Hubbard recalls. “He came up and introduced himself and we kind of hit it off. That ended up turning into a full day of hanging out and riding bikes and talking about life and music and all that. I just kind of said, ‘Man, I’d love to get in a writing room with you. I’d love for [Hubbard’s Florida Georgia Line bandmate Brian Kelley] to join us and let us also introduce you to some of our people and just write some songs.”
“We were just seeing what would happen if we smashed up the genres, his world and my world kind of colliding,” Tomlin says. “Corey Crowder was the third piece—we all realized it came really easy and there was something inspiring every time we wrote together. After a few months of writing, we started joking around about making a full album together and at first I thought it would just be me and Florida Georgia Line together. Then we started thinking ‘What if we bring in others that have the same heart and want to do this with us?’”
The week before that Florida vacation, during his annual Good Friday concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, Tomlin had randomly met another country superstar, Thomas Rhett.
“Every year for the Good Friday show, I try to bring someone out as a surprise—it’s a very Nashville thing to do,” Tomlin says. “I had wanted to bring Thomas out last year. I didn’t know him at the time and I had tried every way to reach out to him. Then on the day of the concert, I’m at soundcheck and I walk backstage and standing back there is Thomas Rhett. So we just talked about loving each other’s music and he said, ‘We should work on some music together.’ So it was probably a few weeks after that that he sent me ‘Be A Light.’ This whole thing started right around those couple of weeks. So we started writing as well, and then Lady A. I knew Dave [Haywood] and Hillary [Scott] for the past several years, but that connection was perfect for this project.”
Country music’s roots have long been intertwined with religious music, from Hank Williams’ signature “I Saw The Light” to religious leanings of the country music standard “Will The Circle Be Unbroken.” The list of country artists who have issued Gospel releases is lengthy, from Johnny Cash to Randy Travis, Reba, and Alan Jackson. In 2016, Lady A’s Hillary Scott earned two Grammys for her solo Gospel album Love Remains, and the single “Thy Will.” That same year, FGL earned another country hit with “H.O.L.Y.,” which borrowed a title and snippets of melodies that might come as a familiar refrain to churchgoers. Last year, Tomlin made a surprise performance during a few of FGL’s concerts, including a stop at Atlanta. He also joined Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, Reba and Keith Urban for “Be A Light,” which released earlier this year.
While FGL executive produced the project, producers included Corey Crowder, David Garcia (a songwriter behind numerous CCM hits, as well as FGL’s smash “Meant To Be”) and legendary CCM producer Ed Cash.
“Between us, we learned to trust each other really quick and trust each other’s ear,” Hubbard said. “Having that trust is really, really valuable when you’re working on a project like this that’s so diverse and dynamic and has so many different things going on.”
For many of the artists on the Chris Tomlin & Friends, taking part in the project allowed them to collaborate with someone whose music has influenced them.
“I’ve been such a huge fan of Chris Tomlin for so long! I grew up leading worship and that’s how I found music,” said Brett Young, who sang on “Be The Moon,” alongside Cassadee Pope. “To be asked to be a part of this project was such an honor and this song is so special and hits very close to home for me.”
“His music represents so much,” FGL’s Brian Kelley said. “A lot of our youth, our foundation in our spirituality and our faith, based around a lot of his music and a lot of that music growing up on it. Shane & Shane, Casting Crowns, I mean, there’s just so many different artists that we could go on for days. It was a natural move for us, but also inspiring to work with somebody that we’ve clearly looked up to and has been a huge inspiration. This has been truly inspiring because he’s put out a bunch of albums and been crushing it for a long time. To see him still hungry and see him bringing in ideas and continuing to elevate his craft … He’s still hungry. He’s still inspired. He’s still got a fire and fight inside of him for the Lord with that music and for connecting people with his music and the Lord.”
A true collaborative effort, many of the artists brought not just their voices, but their own songs. RaeLynn not only sang on, but co-wrote “Chase Me Down.” Tomlin co-wrote “Who You Are To Me” alongside Lady A’s Charles Kelley, Hillary Scott, and Dave Haywood, who also sing on the track.
“The way a lot of albums go down, let’s be honest, is I’ve got the songs, I’ve got some famous friends, and ‘Will you come sing the second verse?’ That’s just not this. This is a true effort together. On ‘Forever Home,’ with FGL, I sing on the very end on it, barely. It’s them. On ‘Chase Me Down’ with RaeLynn, they brought it to me. I was floored. I just want the best songs—I don’t have to write the songs. And with RaeLynn, her cousin is Leeland and I’ve done so much with Leeland so all these dots just kept connecting in a cool way.”
Another FGL contribution, “Thank You Lord,” was written a few years ago, alongside Thomas Rhett.
“We were kind of waiting for an opportunity for it to live it’s best life. We felt like, ‘Oh, this project,'” Hubbard says. “The whole recorded process was incredible. They brought in a choir in the ocean waves. I actually wasn’t there that day, but apparently, it was just an incredibly spiritual moment. The choir just kind of went in there and was sort of free-styling and doing their thing, and just catching so many awesome moments.”
Another album track, “Sing,” features Russell Dickerson. Before he signed a deal with Triple Tigers and earned three No.1 hits, Dickerson served as Tomlin’s guitar tech for three years.
“He was in the bunk under me on the bus for three years of my touring life, before he was an artist. I instantly thought of Russell for this,” Tomlin says. Even then, Dickerson’s passion for music and worship was apparent—even if it didn’t make him the best guitar tech.
“He was the greatest hang, the most fun guy and at the time he just wanted to be in the music world. He had a love for God and a love for worship. We joked that he was the coolest guy and the worst guitar tech. He would be on the side of the stage, hands raised, just worshiping. One festival we were on stage and it was so hot that our guitarist, smoke was literally coming out the back of his guitar. It overheated and all our sound is going down, the guitars are not working. We are in front of thousands of people and we look over to Russell for help and he’s just over there, singing to God and he has no clue that we were falling apart onstage. It was hilarious.”
The album also includes collaborations with We The Kingdom and NEEDTOBREATHE’s Bear Rinehart. However, one of the album’s strongest moments is its uplifting denouement “Tin Roof,” featuring former The Voice contestant Blessing Offor, a gifted, Nigerian-born singer-songwriter. The song was penned by Offor and country hitmaker Natalie Hemby.
“You have all these superstars and then the last song on the album, you have this guy that most people have probably never heard of, and it may be the strongest song on the record, honestly. I wanted it to be on this album because he has been here and working hard, and I want people to hear his music. He has so many good songs and is an incredible singer-songwriter.”
“That song is amazing, and that’s just a God thing that this song came in at the time it did, very late in the process,” Kelley says. “It was a no brainer, and, I mean, just powerful. Makes you want to put your hands in the air and just kind of stop, and just breathe for a second. Be thankful, and … it’s just gorgeous. His voice is gorgeous, everything about that.”
Even with a track list filled with collaborators, there is still at least one country artist Tomlin would love to work with.
“Garth would be a dream. If that happened, I would retire—I would be done. There are a lot of guys I love. I love that this was done with so many current superstars of the genre and that’s a privilege. But some of the ones I love like Tim McGraw or Garth would be fun. Eric Church would be on that list, too. That would be fun, who knows?”
One Vision Music Group Adds Cody Belew To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonCody Belew
One Vision Music Group has signed singer/songwriter Cody Belew to its roster.
The Arkansas native competed during the third season of NBC’s The Voice, landing in the Top 8 finalists. He moved to Nashville in 2012 and has co-written with Mike Reid, Deana Carter, Tia Sellers, Waylon Payne, and more. One of his original songs, “The Choice A Lonely Heart Makes,” was featured on The CW series Roswell, New Mexico.
“Cody Belew is a talent that is beyond measure. I am honored to join Cody on his musical journey to share his message with the world.” said Cory B. Savage, CEO Visionary Media Group/One Vision Music Group.
One Vision Music Group’s roster also includes American Idol finalist Kree Harrison.
ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews Advocates For Consent Decree Reform
/by LB CantrellASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews spoke on behalf of the performance-rights organization at the U.S. Department of Justice virtual workshop on Competition in Licensing Music Public Performance Rights that took place on July 28 and 29, 2020, organized by Makan Delrahim, Assistant Attorney General for Antitrust, US Department of Justice.
In a recent joint open letter, Matthews and BMI President & CEO Mike O’Neill responded to work by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) to determine whether a possible modification or cessation is necessary for the consent decrees that have governed music licensing since 1941.
At the virtual workshop this week, Matthews upheld that modification needs to be made, stating: “One of the primary reasons the marketplace is no longer working for songwriters and composers is that both ASCAP and BMI operate under consent decrees that were entered into in 1941 when the marketplace was entirely different.”
She also pointed out the fact that many of today’s ASCAP licensees are powerful mega-technology and media companies, which themselves face very little regulations.
Matthews said, “Facebook, Amazon, Apple, Netflix & Google, they are smart, savvy, all lawyered up and wildly under-regulated. I have yet to sit in a negotiation with one of these licensees and not feel as though songwriters’ hands were tied behind their backs due to these consent decrees. It’s crazy to think that songwriters are more regulated in 2020 than Facebook.
“Today, ASCAP and BMI are not allowed to compete on a level playing field with their unregulated counterparts like SESAC and GMR, and that has created market wide imbalances and confusion,” Matthews explained. “The consent decrees are wildly outdated and need to be harmonized and simplified. At a minimum, the ASCAP and BMI decrees should be modified to be the same. Today, ASCAP and BMI are not even on a level playing field with one another which distorts the marketplace. To prepare for a new world order of global distribution, live data exchanges, demand and supply side pricing and experimental licensing initiatives, we have to be able to compete and innovate in a global market. All we ask of the licensee community and the DOJ is that you help us modernize our outdated consent decrees.”
Mathews concluded her remarks, “All we ask of the Department of Justice and the licensee community is please don’t leave songwriters and composers back in 1941. Please work with us to modernize these decrees.”
Read Matthews’ full remarks here.
BMI’s O’Neill also attended the virtual workshop and also offered caution to the industry. See MusicRow‘s coverage here.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Extends Closure To The Public Through Aug. 31
/by Jessica Nicholson“The museum’s top priority is the health and safety of our guests and our staff. That guides our decisions about opening, closing and every other consideration,” said Kyle Young, CEO, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “We look forward to the day when guests from all over the world can explore our galleries again, but the continued increase of COVID-19 cases across the nation causes us to feel that it is wise to remain closed at present, to protect employees and visitors.”
Though the museum is closed to the public, there are several programs available online, including Songwriter Sessions (on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. CT via Instagram Live), the museum’s Voices in the Hall podcast led by Museum Senior Director, Producer, and Writer Peter Cooper, and past performances and interviews from the museum’s archives, which are also available on the museum’s website.
Ashley McBryde, HARDY, Hailey Whitters Among AIMP Nashville Awards Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonThough the awards show could not take place in-person this year due to the COVID-19 pandemic, several artists still celebrated with virtual performances on social media. Whitters performed “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Tenille Townes offered “Prayed for You,” Ryan Hurd played “The Bones,” Kylie Morgan sang “One Man Band,” Matt Stell offered “Heartache Medication,” and Runaway June performed “10,000 Hours.”
“The AIMP Nashville Awards committee would like to congratulate all this year’s winners and nominees on their accomplishments in this unpredictable time,” said Ree Guyer, Vice President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter and Co-Chair of the AIMP Nashville Awards. “While we wish we were celebrating together at the Ryman, we are proud to honor these deserving independent publishers, writers, and artists who created the music that has been getting us through this difficult time.”
“Hearty congratulations go out to all our AIMP Nashville Awards honorees, from executives who have helped pave the way forward for independent music publishers, to artists and writers who have created some truly incredible music, to the publishers themselves who make sure they are paid fairly for their work,” said John Ozier, President of the AIMP Nashville Chapter. “Here’s hoping we’ll be able to see everyone in person next year!”
See the full list of nominees and winners below:
AIMP Nashville Publisher of the Year
Big Machine Music Publishing
Kobalt Music
Curb Word Entertainment
Winner – SMACKSongs
Peermusic
Downtown Music
AIMP Nashville Rising Songwriter of the Year
Winner – Allison Veltz Cruz
Alysa Vanderheym
Hunter Phelps
Jameson Rodgers
Jennifer Denmark
Sam Sumser
AIMP Nashville Rising Artist-Writer of the Year
Winner – Hailey Whitters
Kylie Morgan
Matt Stell
Runaway June
Ryan Hurd
Tenille Townes
AIMP Nashville Songwriter of the Year
Ashley Gorley
Winner – HARDY
Luke Combs
Laura Veltz
Hillary Lindsey
Jordan Schmidt
AIMP Nashville Artist-Writer of the Year
Winner – Ashley McBryde
Brothers Osborne
HARDY
Luke Combs
Morgan Wallen
Old Dominion
AIMP Nashville Song Champion of the Year
Alex Heddle
Brad Peterson
Winner – David Israelite
Greg Gallo
Lee Krabel
Stephanie Cox
AIMP Nashville Publisher’s Pick
“God And Country Music” (Barry Dean, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird) independently published by Creative Nation. Recorded by George Strait.
Winner – “One Night Standards” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally) independently published by SMACKSongs, River House Artists, Canned Biscuit Songs. Recorded by Ashley McBryde.
“Seeing Other People” (Emily Falvey, Jason Afable, Matt McGinn) independently published by SMACKSongs, McGinntellectual Property, Rarespark Media Group. Recorded by MacKenzie Porter.
“Small Town Hypocrite” (Caylee Hammack, Jared Scott) independently published by Plaid Flag Music. Recorded by Caylee Hammack.
“To Hell And Back” (Jessie Jo Dillon, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz) independently published by Big Machine Music, Big Yellow Dog, Revelry Music, Kobalt Music. Recorded by Maren Morris.
“Wish For The World” (Aaron Eshuis, Joe Clemmons, Ryan Hurd) independently published by Big Machine Music, Mojo Music & Media. Recorded by Ryan Hurd.
AIMP Nashville Song of the Year
“10,000 Hours” (Dan Smyers, Jason Boyd, Jessie Jo Dillon, Jordan Reynolds, Justin Bieber, Shay Mooney) independently published by Big Machine Music. Recorded by Dan + Shay and Justin Bieber.
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” (Jonathan Singleton, Luke Combs, Randy Montana) independently published by Big Machine Music, 50 Egg Music. Recorded by Luke Combs.
“Heartache Medication” (Barry Dean, Jon Pardi, Natalie Hemby) independently published by Creative Nation, Song Factory, Pulse Nation, MV2 Entertainment. Recorded by Jon Pardi.
“One Man Band” (Brad Tursi, Josh Osborne, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen) independently published by Wrensong Entertainment, Anthem Entertainment, Twelve6 Entertainment, SMACKSongs. Recorded by Old Dominion.
“Prayed For You” (Allison Veltz Cruz, Ash Bowers, Matt Stell) independently published by Big Deal Music, Wide Open Music, Endurance Music Group. Recorded by Matt Stell.
Winner – “The Bones” (Jimmy Robbins, Maren Morris, Laura Veltz) independently published by Big Yellow Dog, Big Machine Music, JRM Publishing, Round Hill Music. Recorded by Maren Morris.
AIMP Nashville Awards winners will receive their awards by mail. Voting was open from July 20 through July 24 for all AIMP Professional members of the Nashville Chapter, as well as AIMP Premier Professional members.