
Music Expo in association with Sound On Sound Magazine has announced a virtual summit series with three live events to inspire and empower music makers. Each one-day summit will feature Grammy-winning producers, engineers, songwriters, artists and music industry professionals who will guide pros and aspiring artists, songwriters and beat-makers through the cycle of music creation, mixing and mastering and final release strategy. One day passes and bundle packages are available by visiting www.musicexpo.co.
MUSIC EXPO CREATE
Friday, August 21, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This live virtual event features masterclasses and virtual networking for artists, songwriters and producers looking to develop riffs, ideas and loops into full songs. Confirmed Speakers include Grammy-nominated Producer ill Factor (Matisyahu, Justin Timberlake, Jason Derulo), Platinum-Certified Billboard Top 10 Producer Decap (Spose, Talib Kweli, Brady Watt), Latin Grammy-nominated Mix Engineer Emiliano Caballero (Bon Jovi, Foy Vance, Elle King) and Artist Justine Blazer, Vocalist/Pianist Eki Shola, Songwriter/Author/Editor Billy Sprague (Debbie Boone, Kathy Troccoli, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Sandi Patty, Susan Ashton) and award-winning Singer/Songwriter/Producer Joe Beck (Michael English, Avalon, The Gaither Vocal Band).
MUSIC EXPO MIX & MASTER
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This one-day summit is devoted to recording, mixing and mastering techniques. Confirmed speakers include Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning Record Producer/Mixing Engineer Robert Venable (Megadeth, Kelly Clarkson, Twenty One Pilots), Latin Grammy-nominated Mix Engineer Emiliano Caballero (Bon Jovi, Foy Vance, Elle King), and Mixing Engineer Frank Socorro (Mary J Blige, Nas, Cee-Lo).
MUSIC EXPO RELEASE
Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This one-day summit focuses on artists, songwriters, and producers looking for effective release strategies and ways to monetize their creativity. Confirmed speakers include Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning Record Producer/Mixing Engineer Robert Venable (Megadeth, Kelly Clarkson, Twenty One Pilots), and author Karen Allen (Twitch For Musicians).
The AMG Adds Brooke Mansfield, Meagan Bennington
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Mansfield, Bennington
Brooke Mansfield and Meagan Bennington have joined the marketing team at Rob Beckham and Bill Simmons‘ management firm, The AMG.
Mansfield will serve as Senior Digital Marketing Manager and lead multi-faceted digital campaigns for AMG’s roster of clients.
Most recently, Mansfield was a digital strategist at Capitol Christian Music Group. She bolstered projects including Chris Tomlin’s country collaboration album Chris Tomlin & Friends and Kari Jobe’s The Blessing. Previously, she managed a roster of social media influencers at Fullscreen Media.
Bennington will serve as Marketing Manager with a focus on partnerships and branding. She will also assist with digital as well as day-to-day management. Bennington joins the AMG from Neste Live! where she assisted with festival marketing, talent buying, social media, and creating influencer campaigns.
“We are thrilled to welcome these women to our team,” said The AMG General Manager Kristy Reeves. “The marketing experience Brooke and Meagan bring with them is just one more way we aim to provide our roster with the best service possible.”
Mansfield can be reached at brooke@theamg.com, while Bennington can be reached at meagan@theamg.com.
Phil Vassar’s ‘Songs From The Cellar’ Returns For Season Two In September
/by Lorie HollabaughPhil Vassar.
Phil Vassar‘s Songs from the Cellar, his popular show filmed from his wine cellar in his home, will return Sept. 10 at 8 p.m. ET for a follow-up season on its new home, Circle Network. Abby Anderson, Brothers Osborne, Kix Brooks, Kyle Daniel, Larry Gatlin, Vince Gill, Kellie Pickler, Dennis Quaid, Steve Wariner, Craig Wiseman and Chingy with Meg & Tyler are season two’s celebrity guests.
New episodes will air every Thursday night, and viewers can catch up on past shows during the first season marathon, which begins at 3 p.m. ET leading up to the premiere. The all-new episodes are filmed in the caverns of Vassar’s Nashville home wine cellar where the award-winning hit-maker collaborates with fellow artists and songwriters, chats about music, and uncorks some bottles from his collection.
In celebration of the new season, Vassar is doing a giveaway on his social media. Fans can enter to win exclusive merchandise from the show, previously only gifted to Songs from the Cellar guests, as well as a chance to win a virtual one-on-one meet and greet with Vassar via Zoom.
19th & Grand Records Adds Rick Young
/by Jessica NicholsonRick Young
19th & Grand Records has added Rick Young as their Regional Promotion Manager, West Coast, where he will begin work on radio promotion work on singles for Zac Brown Band and Tenille Arts. His new role will begin Monday, Aug. 17.
Young succeeds Roger Fregoso, who has joined Riser House Entertainment. Young previously spent almost two decades with Warner Music Nashville.
“When you think of West Coast country promotion, you think of Rick Young. Known for his passion and tenacity, Rick has been a staple in that region for many years and we are thrilled he’s now on our team,” said VP/Promotion Jim Malito.
Young can be reached at youngrick997@gmail.com until his official 19th & Grand email is set up, or he can be reached at (818) 926-8189.
Darby Signs Publishing Deal With Ebach Entertainment, UMPG
/by Lorie HollabaughDarby. Photo: Rachel Deeb
Darby Cappillino (Darby) has inked a publishing deal with Ebach Entertainment and Universal Music Publishing Group.
Darby first made her way onto the music scene in 2016, when she was featured on the song “You” with internet sensation, Matty B. The YouTube video garnered 13 million views and caught the attention of songwriter/ producer Justin Ebach, who first learned about Darby through his little sister.
Darby’s natural passion for chords and harmony was nurtured through watching her mother and father perform in the Inspirational group, Point of Grace. Her father played an array of artists on the car stereo, including Glen Campbell, Dolly Parton, Elton John and others that would shape her into the songwriter she’s grown into today.
She debuted her first project, Trying On Dresses, in January of 2019 and has since released five other tracks, been streamed millions of times, was featured in the CMT Artist Discovery program, and her latest release – ‘New Girl’- was exclusively released on CMT in May.
“I am thrilled to make this official with Darby,” said Ebach Entertainment’s Janine Ebach. “You meet a lot of great singers in this town, but it’s not every day you meet a star in the making. Darby is not just a singer but a songwriter, actress and overall entertainer. There are so many opportunities already brewing for her in music and beyond at such a young age and partnering with Ebach, Missy Roberts, and Troy Tomlinson at UMPG is an added bonus.”
Music Expo Sets Virtual Summit Series
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Expo in association with Sound On Sound Magazine has announced a virtual summit series with three live events to inspire and empower music makers. Each one-day summit will feature Grammy-winning producers, engineers, songwriters, artists and music industry professionals who will guide pros and aspiring artists, songwriters and beat-makers through the cycle of music creation, mixing and mastering and final release strategy. One day passes and bundle packages are available by visiting www.musicexpo.co.
MUSIC EXPO CREATE
Friday, August 21, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This live virtual event features masterclasses and virtual networking for artists, songwriters and producers looking to develop riffs, ideas and loops into full songs. Confirmed Speakers include Grammy-nominated Producer ill Factor (Matisyahu, Justin Timberlake, Jason Derulo), Platinum-Certified Billboard Top 10 Producer Decap (Spose, Talib Kweli, Brady Watt), Latin Grammy-nominated Mix Engineer Emiliano Caballero (Bon Jovi, Foy Vance, Elle King) and Artist Justine Blazer, Vocalist/Pianist Eki Shola, Songwriter/Author/Editor Billy Sprague (Debbie Boone, Kathy Troccoli, BeBe and CeCe Winans, Sandi Patty, Susan Ashton) and award-winning Singer/Songwriter/Producer Joe Beck (Michael English, Avalon, The Gaither Vocal Band).
MUSIC EXPO MIX & MASTER
Friday, Sept. 11, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This one-day summit is devoted to recording, mixing and mastering techniques. Confirmed speakers include Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning Record Producer/Mixing Engineer Robert Venable (Megadeth, Kelly Clarkson, Twenty One Pilots), Latin Grammy-nominated Mix Engineer Emiliano Caballero (Bon Jovi, Foy Vance, Elle King), and Mixing Engineer Frank Socorro (Mary J Blige, Nas, Cee-Lo).
MUSIC EXPO RELEASE
Friday, Oct. 9, 2020 @ 9 a.m. – 6 p.m. PST
This one-day summit focuses on artists, songwriters, and producers looking for effective release strategies and ways to monetize their creativity. Confirmed speakers include Grammy-nominated, Dove Award-winning Record Producer/Mixing Engineer Robert Venable (Megadeth, Kelly Clarkson, Twenty One Pilots), and author Karen Allen (Twitch For Musicians).
MerleFest Moves Festival To September 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughMerleFest has been moved to Sept. 16-19, 2021. Normally held the last weekend of April, the 2020 festival has been canceled this year due to public safety concerns amidst the COVID-19 outbreak. Officials stressed that this would be a one-time only move to the Fall and it will return to the traditional April weekend in 2022.
“We chose to announce this change now to give everyone an opportunity to put this on their calendar and to allow us time to secure all artists and contract the necessary support services,” said Festival Director, Ted Hagaman. “Lineup information and other festival details will be coming soon.
“After months of deliberation and extensive research with leading medical experts we feel it is in the best interest of our fans, artists, staff, college, and community to reschedule the 2021 festival to the fall. We have a reputation for providing a quality, safe, and organized festival and feel this move is necessary to again deliver that type of event. We’d like to express appreciation to many for their ‘can do’ spirit in rearranging schedules and plans to accommodate this move. I’d especially like to thank the organizers of Carolina in the Fall for agreeing to forego their festival next year in order to support our festival. It truly is a team effort in our community.”
Riser House Records Shuffles Promotion Team
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Jeff Davis, Roger Fregoso
Riser House Records has reorganized its promotion staff, with Jeff Davis taking the helm of the East Coast region, and Roger Fregoso taking over the West Coast region. Sally Allgeier remains the Central Region Director and Shannon Edge serves as Coordinator. Each reports to Riser House’s new Sr. VP Promotion, Bob Reeves.
“His love of music & tenacious promotion skills makes him a perfect player for the new Riser House three-regional configuration,” Reeves says of Davis.
Reeves adds, “I’m thrilled to be reunited with my former colleague, Roger Fregoso (who segues from the same post at 19th & Grand) shared time with me and Sally at Reviver/1608/DavMo. His immitigable spirit, passion & dedication to the format will be a boon to the new team and I can’t wait to get started working with them all!”
Davis and Fregoso will begin their new roles on Monday, Aug. 17. Davis can be reached at jeff@riserhouse.com. Fregoso can be reached at roger@riserhouse.com.
19th & Grand will announce their new West Coast Regional soon.
Skillet Sets Drive-In Concerts For October
/by Jessica NicholsonSkillet will lead a two-night Drive-In Concert at Cedar Park, Texas at the H-E-B Center North parking lots, as part of the venue’s Tailgate Series on Oct. 9-10.
This is the multi-Platinum rockers first ever drive in event, which will also feature fellow Atlantic Record’s artist, Colton Dixon.
“It’s been tough to not rock out with our fans over the past 5 months, so we are psyched to do two shows in a row in Texas this October,” said Skillet’s John Cooper. “Come rock with us, panheads!”
Tickets will be available for presale on Aug. 12-13 beginning at 10 a.m. CT, and can be purchased with the code “Victorious.” The H-E-B Center’s presale will launch on the 12th as well, between noon that day and 10 p.m. on the Aug. 13, with the official on sale starting Aug. 14 at 10 a.m. local time via ticketmaster.com and the H-E-B Center box office. Tickets for both nights are available here.
This event date is subject to State of Texas and local government guidelines for helping the community stay safe during the COVID-19 pandemic. Pre-ordered food and beverage Cooler Packages are available for $40 to have delivered to your car upon entry. H-E-B Center Tailgate Cooler Packages come in a commemorative cooler bag and can be added to ticket orders via ticketmaster.com.
All events at H-E-B Center at Cedar Park will include activation of ASM Global’s “Venue Shield”– an advanced environmental hygiene protocol that will also be deployed in more than 325 ASM facilities around the world. Venue Shield reduces physical touch points, increases venue sanitization and cleanliness, and provides various health monitoring guidelines and services.
Skillet recently announced the upcoming Sept. 11 release of their Deluxe Edition project, Victorious: The Aftermath, simultaneously unveiling a pre-sale package that includes the album and their second graphic novel, EDEN II: The Aftermath (9/11/20). Victorious: The Aftermath will feature all 12 original tracks from Victorious, plus eight additional tracks, including two previously unreleased songs, and five reimagined songs.
Weekly Register: Dan + Shay, Chris Tomlin Earn Top Debuts
/by Jessica NicholsonDan + Shay
Dan + Shay earn this week’s top debut on the Country On-Demand Audio Streaming chart, with “I Should Have Gone To Bed” debuting at No. 2, with 7.2 million streams, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” retains the lead on that chart, with 7.8 million streams. Morgan Wallen‘s “If I Know Me” is at No. 3, with 6.7 million streams, while Miranda Lambert‘s “Bluebird” is at No. 4 with 6.6 million streams. Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” rounds out this week’s Top 5 with 6.6 million streams.
Industry Veteran Mark Brown Revives The Music Row Build With Habitat for Humanity
/by LB CantrellRound Hill Music Nashville Sr. VP and GM Mark Brown has revived the Music Row Build with Habitat for Humanity, a partnership between Habitat for Humanity and Music Row companies to build homes from 2003 until 2012 for people in need.
“I needed to find an outlet that was very real, immediate, timely, and measurable. While I am concerned about inequities on a global scale, I thought the best place to start affecting positive change is in our own community. That’s when I thought about Habitat for Humanity,” Brown says.
Brown’s connection to Habitat comes through his good friend, 30-year Music Row veteran and long-time Habitat for Humanity Supervisor-on-Site Kurt Denny. Denny remembers his interest in helping Habitat for Humanity began years ago when he relocated to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1995 and was looking for a way to get involved in the local community. Since, Denny has become a Habitat for Humanity Supervisor-on-Site leading and teaching Habitat volunteers as they build homes.
Pictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Elizabeth Denny, Kurt Denny, Garth Brooks at the Carter Work Project in 2019. Photo: Courtesy Habitat for Humanity
The funding goal of the 2020 Music Row Build is $31,500 to pay for construction materials for the home of future Habitat homeowner Italia Nance. Nance is the mother of three sons and lives in an apartment complex where there are frequent break-ins and gunshots. Italia is attending Habitat’s homeownership classes.
Brown’s goal is to not only revitalize the Music Row Build but to make it an annual event. In addition to raising money to purchase the construction materials for Nance’s home, Music Row Build will need volunteers to work alongside Nance to build her home.
“A stable home is the foundation for so much in life. It is empowering for the parents and stabilizing for the children to have a place to call home. That changes communities and better communities change the world,” Brown says.
Volunteer registration for the Music Row Build will be open soon. For more information or to get involved, go to www.habitatnashville.org/Music-Row. To donate, visit www.habitatnashville.org/music-row-donation.