Concord Music Publishing Inks Deal With Hillary Lindsey

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Photo: Emma McIntyre/ACMA2018/Getty Images for ACM.

Hit songwriter Hillary Lindsey has signed an exclusive, global co-publishing agreement with Nashville-based Concord Music Publishing. Concord has also acquired an interest in Lindsey’s back catalog, which includes 11 No. 1 singles with Carrie Underwood, as well as chart-topping hits for Kelsea Ballerini, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, country trio Lady A, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and others.

Concord and Lindsey have also established an exclusive creative venture to jointly sign and develop a new generation of songwriting talent. The venture benefits from Lindsey’s superstar songwriter talent and collaborative relationships matched with Concord’s broad resources, creative services and first-class administration.

“I am SO excited to be partnering with Concord and am SO grateful for the opportunity to become a part of the family!” Lindsey says. “I know how important it is to surround yourself with great collaborators and I have found that with the team at Concord. I’m looking forward to the next chapter in this musical journey.”

“Hillary is a trailblazer for songwriters in country music,” says Jake Wisely, Chief Publishing Executive at Concord. “Her added success in pop, rock, film, TV and business is an inspiration to songwriters everywhere. Concord is proud to be Hillary’s creative and business partner.”

Brad Kennard, Concord’s Sr. VP of A&R, will oversee day-to-day creative with his Nashville-based team, as well as colleagues in Los Angeles, New York, Miami, London and Berlin.
“Hillary is a world-class talent who sets the bar for songwriters everywhere,” says Kennard. “She is universally respected and admired…quite simply one of the best anywhere. To top it off, she is also one of the best humans on the planet. We are beyond thrilled to welcome her to the Concord family!”

Lindsey has co-written more than 20 No. 1 country music hits including Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take the Wheel,” Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush,” and Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” All three of these songs were recognized as NSAI’s coveted Songs I Wish I’d Written. Lindsey is also a nominee for Songwriter of the Year at the upcoming 55th ACM Awards in September.

Lindsey wrote for Lady Gaga’s album Joanne, including the single “Million Reasons,” and penned songs for A Star Is Born, including “I’ll Never Love Again” which earned a Grammy for Best Song Written for Visual Media.

The trifecta of agreements was negotiated on behalf of Concord by EVP of Legal and Business Affairs, Duff Berschback, who recently joined Concord from Sony/ATV Nashville. Lindsey was represented by Derek Crownover at Loeb & Loeb in Nashville.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Eric Church, Josh Turner, Pryor & Lee, And More

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Eric Church

Country music reasserts its potency in this week’s column.

Some of its finest exponents are here—Josh Turner & Chris Janson, Craig Morgan, Buddy Jewell, C.J. Solar and Rascal Flatts all have outstanding new sounds. Towering above them all is Eric Church. In fact, any time The Chief releases a new single, the rest of the field might as well pack it in. He wins his one billionth Disc of the Day award.

Two newcomer duos are vying for the DisCovery Award. Black River’s Pryor & Lee edge out the youthful Render Sisters to take the honor.

RYAN GRIFFIN/One Prayer Left
Writers: Camero Bedell/Jason Massey/Ryan Griffin/Thomas Finchum; Producer: Jason Massey; Publisher: none listed; Altadena/Warner
– It’s a sweet sentiment, and it’s plaintively well sung. Nothing about the faux r&b track sounds country.

RASCAL FLATTS/How They Remember You
Writers: Josh Osborne/Allen Shamblin/Marc Beeson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I like the drumming pattern that shuffles the tune’s tempo. The reflective lyric is way cool, and the harmony vocals are arguably the finest they’ve ever recorded. Well worth your attention.

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Never Have I Ever
Writers: Danielle Bradbery/Laura Veltz/David Hodges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; BMLG
– This former winner on The Voice displays her impressive range on this ballad. She begins in a warm, enveloping alto, but by the finale she is up in the soprano stratosphere. If only the song were stronger, this single would be undeniable.

ERIC CHURCH/Stick That In Your Country Song
Writers: Davis Naish/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publisher: Hillbilly Science & Research/Do Write/Jeffrey Steele, BMI; EMI
– Eric brings country music back to what it does best, describing the reality of its listeners. It’s gritty, snarling and a little uncomfortable. But, man, is it ever powerful. The Chief tells it like it is. (I particularly liked the verse about our heroic school teachers.)

C.J. SOLAR/Watered Down Whiskey
Writers: Charlie Berry/C.J. Solar/Jeff Middleton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Sea Gayle
– The production sounds bigger and beefier this time around, and he’s singing with renewed vigor. As we’ve come to expect from him, it’s also quite well written.

JOSH TURNER & CHRIS JANSON/Country State of Mind
Writers: Hank Williams, Jr./Roger Wade; Producer: Kenny Greenberg; Publisher: none listed; MCA Nashville
– The title tune of Josh’s upcoming CD is a very cool reworking of Hank Jr.’s 1986 hit. Sung as a duet with Chris Janson, he revives the song’s steamy, bluesy, summer vibe. The whole project is a salute to country influences with Josh singing favorites as collaborations with the likes of Kris Kristofferson, John Anderson and Randy Travis. He also shares the golden tunes with such contemporaries as Allison Moorer, Runaway June and Maddie & Tae, as well as Janson. Above it all, Josh Turner reasserts himself as one of our finest current country singers.

PRYOR & LEE/Y’allsome
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green/JT Harding; Producer: Doug Johnson/Chip Matthews; Publisher: none listed; Black River
– This frothing rocker drops tomorrow, so get ready. It’s a shout-out to country’s party-hearty fans who know how to get down. Pryor Baird and Kaleb Lee were both solo finalists on The Voice. Together, they sure can kick up some dust. This one’s a slam-bang jam.

THE RENDER SISTERS/Lost Boy
Writers: Mary-Keaton Render/Stella Render/Britton Cameron; Producer: Britton Cameron; Publisher: none listed; Render Sisters/Distro Kid
– These Arkansas siblings are still in their teens. Mary-Keaton Render is 16 and Stella Render is 14. Their talent is way beyond their years. The extremely well crafted lyric sounds exactly like the emotions of high school, and their Everly-Sisters vocal harmony blend is awesome. The duo’s striking abilities have attracted the attention of Pam Tillis, who co-directed the song’s video. Can’t wait to hear more.

CRAIG MORGAN/The Mask
Writers: Craig Morgan/Mike Rogers; Producer: Craig Morgan; Publisher: none listed; Broken Bow
– Morgan’s new song is a salute to our front-line first responders, doctors, nurses and other heroes who face this pandemic with such courage and heart. In the lyric, the “mask” is more than a physical object, it’s the brave, smiling face that they put on to hide the fear and heartbreak. It goes without saying that this mighty man sings the fire out of the song.

BUDDY JEWELL/I’m A Ramblin’ Man
Writer: Ray Pennington; Producer: Mitchell Brown; Publisher: none listed; Diamond Dust
– Buddy’s rootsy new CD is Bluebonnet Highway. It is a nice audio salad, combining his earlier hits with nods to oldies like “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down,” “You’re the Best Break This Old Heart Ever Had” and “Georgia on a Fast Train,” plus nifty new tunes like “Willie Gave Up Weed,” “Hillbilly Water” and “Teardrop in the Gulf of Mexico.” The set kicks off with this lively remake of Waylon’s chart-topping 1974 hit featuring a smoothly upped tempo and a focus on hot bluegrassy picking as well as this fellow’s always robust singing.

CMA Summer Stay-Cay Special Announces All-Star Lineup

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CMA Summer Stay-Cay presented by Budweiser Nitro Gold, the multi-hour live stream variety event set for July 1 at at 5 p.m. CT on CMA’s YouTube channel and Facebook page, has revealed its lineup of more than 50 acts.

Hosted by Jimmie Allen and Lindsay Ell, fans can expect unique performances, Q&As, games and much more during the streaming show which features Lauren Alaina, Jason Aldean, Allen, Ingrid Andress, Kassi Ashton, Gabby Barrett, Bobby Bones, BRELAND, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Blanco Brown, Kristian Bush, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Jordan Davis, Devin Dawson, Travis Denning, Russell Dickerson, Brett Eldredge, Ell, Morgan Evans, Everette, Tyler Farr, Brantley Gilbert, Gone West’s Colbie Caillat and Nelly Joy, Caylee Hammack, HARDY, Jillian Jacqueline, Chris Janson, Angie K, King Calaway, Lady A, LANCO, Chris Lane, Tracy Lawrence, Brandon Lay, LOCASH, Dustin Lynch, Maddie & Tae, Ashley McBryde, Scotty McCreery, Midland, Justin Moore, Craig Morgan, Kylie Morgan, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Cassadee Pope, Rascal Flatts, Michael Ray, Jameson Rodgers, Darius Rucker, The Reklaws, The Shires, Granger Smith, Cole Swindell, Mitchell Tenpenny, Tenille Townes, Hailey Whitters, Lainey Wilson, Rita Wilson, Charlie Worsham and Brett Young.

The special promises plenty of fun surprises and can’t miss moments including a CMA Fest Flashback with Eric Church remembering his epic mega-medley performance during CMA Fest 2019, with the never-before-seen full 27-minute acoustic performance available on CMA’s YouTube channel during the live stream, King Calaway hosting a special edition of “Nashville’s House Band Series” with special guest Darius Rucker, a “’90s Country Cover Challenge” with Russell Dickerson & Friends featuring Dustin Lynch and Carly Pearce, and much more.

Fans can join early for The Bud Nitro Room pre-show hosted by WUSY’s StyckMan & Justin Cole, kicking off at 4:30 p.m. CT and featuring special performances and Q&As with artists.

The event kicks off two of the hottest nights of country this summer and is followed by CMA Best of Fest, a three-hour retrospective hosted by Luke Bryan, which airs Monday, July 13 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

Brad Paisley, Loretta Lynn, Kane Brown Partner To Raise Awareness Of First Amendment Rights

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The Free Speech Center at Middle Tennessee State University will welcome nearly two dozen artists, sports figures, authors and other notable figures including Brad Paisley, Kane Brown, Loretta Lynn, Jason Isbell, Darius Rucker, Olympic gold medalist Scott Hamilton, best-selling author/Pulitzer Prize finalist Ann Patchett, and more as part of the “1 For All Campaign for the First Amendment.”

“Over the past few weeks, we’ve seen the First Amendment in action on the streets of America,” said Ken Paulson, director of the Free Speech Center in MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment. “Citizens using their freedom of speech, right to assemble, freedom of the press, the right to petition and freedom of faith have changed America for the better. Our goal is to have Americans better understand the scope and impact of the First Amendment and never take it for granted.”

According to surveys from the Freedom Forum First Amendment Center, one-third of Americans cannot name a single freedom in the First Amendment. The 1 For All campaign aims to help the public learn more about First Amendment freedoms, as well as how to help preserve those freedoms.

“My free speech showed up in songs like ‘The Pill’ and ‘You Ain’t Woman Enough (To Take My Man).’ I always say — and sing — exactly what I mean,” says the text for Lynn’s poster contribution to the campaign.

“We’ve still got some work, but we still got a dream,” Brown says, incorporating lyrics from his hit song “Worldwide Beautiful,” and adding, “Let’s use our freedoms of speech, press and assembly to build understanding and mutual respect. The dream is within our reach.”

Other artists taking part include singer-songwriter Ruby Amanfu, known for penning the Grammy-nominated “Hard Place,” performed by H.E.R., rock band Skillet co-founder John Cooper, Billy Ray Cyrus, Colton Dixon, Mary Gauthier, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Marcus Hummon, Bluebird Cafe founder Amy Kurland, Grammy-winning and Platinum-selling singer Kathy Mattea, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, current Americana Music Association nominee Aubrie Sellers, Carnegie Medal winner Ruta Sepetys, and Thistle Farms founder Rev. Becca Stevens.

“We’re grateful to the artists and authors who support the campaign,” Paulson said. “They’re critical to ensuring that a new generation takes notice. We’re marketing the First Amendment to young citizens who can make history using its freedoms. The 1 for All campaign is nonpartisan and apolitical. Our only positions are that the First Amendment’s five freedoms are at the heart of a great nation and that every American needs to better understand and respect these core liberties.”

The Free Speech Center at MTSU was launched in August 2019.

Music Industry Groups Launch Campaign Seeking Fair Trade For Music In Global Markets

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Several music industry groups have partnered to launch a new campaign, titled For The Fair Trade Of Music, seeking the fair and equal treatment of music creators when their music is performed in international markets. According to a statement from the coalition, U.S. music creators lose more than $330 million in royalties each year without universal national treatment protections.

The coalition includes American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), American Federation of Musicians, Future of Music Coalition, Gospel Music Association, musicFIRST, Music Managers Forum-U.S., Recording Academy, SAG-AFTRA, and SoundExchange.

The coalition is also working toward the inclusion of “national treatment” provisions in a U.S.-U.K. FTA that would ensure United States music creators are paid for the use of their music in the U.K.

“Equal treatment is fundamental to international law, and this principle should extend to all music creators, no matter where they are from, who deserve to be paid fairly for their work,” said SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe. “Our goal is to end discrimination in the global trade of music. That should be a priority for our entire industry, including recording artists and labels on both sides of the Atlantic and around the world. The ongoing negotiations between the U.S. and U.K. present an opportunity to make significant progress toward that goal.”

“Musicians should be paid when their work is used, and their right to be paid fairly shouldn’t depend on which nation they call home.  We have a chance to get this right in the U.S.-U.K. negotiation–it’s one small provision that could make a massive difference for music creators who’ve always deserved equal treatment and now need it more than ever as many of their other revenue streams have disappeared.” said Kevin Erickson, Director, Future of Music Coalition.

“Artists share music that brings people together with a power not subject to international borders. That’s priceless. Ideally, we’d see all countries honor that by protecting the rights of music creators to be fairly compensated for all uses of their work.  But at an absolute minimum, all countries should treat all artists by the same rules under their laws,” added Neeta Ragoowansi, President, Music Managers Forum – U.S.

“Music is universal, and at its best it inspires our best values, including equity, inclusion, and hope. We have an opportunity during the U.S.-U.K. trade agreement negotiations to right a wrong, fix an inequity, and give much needed remuneration to U.S. sound recording artists. The music made by U.S. creators is loved around the world, and the artists who make that music deserve to be paid when it is played. Let’s get this right and get our music creators paid for UK radio airplay,” said Jeffrey Bennett, Chief Deputy General Counsel, SAG-AFTRA

Last week, the U.S. organizations sent a joint letter to U.S. Trade Representative Robert E. Lighthizer, urging him to make full national treatment for sound recordings a priority in future trade agreements, particularly in the ongoing U.S.-U.K. negotiations.

Oak View Group Launches COVID-19 Task Force To Lead Reopening Of Live Entertainment Venues

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Oak View Group, a global venue development, advisory, and investment company for the sports and live entertainment industries, has launched a new task force mandated to safely reopen America’s live entertainment and public facilities as soon as possible.

Comprised of leaders across all facets of facility operations, including sanitization technology and equipment, research and development, design, food and beverage, capital expenditure management, content, and more, OVG’s task force will provide development and operation protocols, guidance, and ongoing auditing of all COVID-19 and other infectious disease mitigation to ensure Americans can return safely to live entertainment facilities.

The team will review and test more than 180 products, solutions, and technologies to see which can be used in the most effective manner to protect all who enter into the facilities. It will develop industry standards to properly sanitize facilities as well as provide guidance on safety protocols for all venues using the most current and medically proven products and procedures. The group will specialize in making sure venues — the seats, concourses, restrooms, concession stands, locker rooms, staffing spaces, and clubs — are sanitized according to government health recommendations. The team will also take extra steps to ensure employees are screened on an ongoing basis for COVID-19 symptoms when they come into work, as well as to implement other security upgrades.

“Our team will be influential in implementing the new standards that will be adopted across the entire live entertainment industry,” said Tim Leiweke, CEO of Oak View Group. “The health and safety of fans, artists, and touring staff, during and after this evolving global pandemic, remains our top priority. By aligning ourselves with global companies, all which I consider the best in their respective fields, we are developing and executing the necessary standards to protect anyone who may enter live entertainment venues.”

To ensure a safe return to live venues during the 2020 calendar year, the task force will focus its attention across five pillars: developing standards along with its newly announced partnership with Delos, the Pioneer of Wellness Real Estate; testing solutions and technology; advising working groups on said standards and technology; advising the working groups on capital expenditure spends; and an auditing system that will lead to certification.

The task force will then develop a program based on the standardization to implement operational standards for all live entertainment and public facilities to follow. To deliver and execute these standards, the task force has developed a three-phased approach for facilities to follow in order to reopen: the creation of minimum operating standards to sanitize and cleanse facilities that align with Delos, a robust multi-day comprehensive training program for all staff and service providers involved in the production of events at facilities, and the development and implementation of an annual audit program and certification process to ensure venues are implementing and directing best practices.

Delta Spirit Inks Label Deal With New West Records, Announces New Album

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Delta Spirit

Delta Spirit returns with the band’s first album in six years, What Is There, due out on Sept. 11, and the announcement of a new label deal with New West Records. What Is There‘s 10-song set was produced by the band and recorded at Sonic Ranch outside of El Paso, Texas, and is dedicated to the memory of their friend and musical inspiration, Richard Swift.

Delta Spirit has released a video for the project’s first single, “How Bout It.” The powerful clip was directed by Michael Parks Randa and shot during the COVID-19 pandemic at over 30 locations throughout North America. After speaking with roughly 70 cinematographers to learn about their particular circumstances, Randa directed 30 individuals across the country to safely document an intimate portrait of Americans in isolation.

The group released its first music in 2006, with the EP I Think I’ve Found It. Their most recent effort was 2014’s Into the Wide.

Delta Spirit What Is There Track List:
1. The Pressure
2. It Ain’t Easy
3. How Bout It
4. Can You Ever Forgive Me?
5. Better Now
6. Home Again
7. Making Sense
8. Lover’s Heart
9. Just the Same
10. What Is There

River House Artists, Tape Room Music Sign Jordan Rowe

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Pictured (L-R, back row): CAA’s Sam Forbert, CAA’s Sabrina Butera, Tape Room’s Kelly Bolton, Tape Room’s Blain Rhodes, River House’s Zebb Luster; (L-R, front row): Tape Room’s Ashley Gorley, Jordan Rowe, River House’s Lynn Oliver-Cline. Photo: Emma Golden

River House Artists and Ashley Gorley‘s Tape Room Music have signed a joint-publishing deal with singer-songwriter Jordan Rowe. Rowe is also managed by River House’s Zebb Luster and signed with Creative Artists Agency for touring representation.

Rowe moved to Nashville in June 2019 and released his debut, self-titled EP one month later. In late 2019, he opened shows for Chris Janson, and performed at 12 of Luke Combs’ Tailgate Party shows.
“We are so pumped to welcome Jordan to the Tape Room family. We knew Jordan was a star from the moment Zebb introduced us. Both his vocals and songwriting instincts blew us away,” shares Tape Room Music general manager, Blain Rhodes. “We are also extremely excited to partner with River House to represent Jordan’s songs and look forward to many successes together.”

“I met Jordan through Zebb Luster and was immediately impressed with his sincere talent and positive attitude,” said River House Artists founder Lynn Oliver-Cline. “I can’t think of a better partner than Ashley and the awesome team at Tape Room to bring Jordan’s amazing young songs and voice to the people!”

“I feel incredibly humbled and blessed to have the people in this picture on my team,” shares Rowe. “One of my favorite Bible verses is Proverbs 16:9 which says, ‘The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.’ This is my first big step since moving to Nashville, and I’m thankful I get to take it with a team that already feels like family.”

Lewis Capaldi, Finneas To Lead iHeartMedia’s "River Under Your Rooftop" Virtual Festival

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iHeartMedia Nashville station 107.5 The River will welcome performances from Lewis Capaldi, Finneas, Jojo, Tones And I, Alec Benjamin and more as part of its virtual music festival “River Under Your Rooftop” on July 9.

This event will replace the station’s annual “River On The Rooftop” concert series and will broadcast live on 107.5 The River’s Instagram page, with each artist participating in a small virtual meet and greet directly after their performance.

“For the last five years, our ‘River On The Rooftop’ concert series has been synonymous with summers in Nashville,” said Jonathan Shuford, Program Director for iHeartMedia Nashville. “We take the health and safety of our listeners very seriously, and unfortunately found it best to cancel the series in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic. However, we’re very proud to be able to bring together this group of talented artists to our listeners’ living rooms, using the power of music to create togetherness even when we’re physically apart.”

Zac Brown Band To Hold "4th With The Family" Livestream Concert

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The Zac Brown Band will hold a special “4th with the Family” live-streamed night of music on Friday, July 3 to celebrate the Fourth of July weekend.

The free event will pay tribute to our nation’s veterans, with donations going to support Camp Southern Ground’s Warrior programs to care for the mental health and wellbeing of veterans. The show is being made possible by presenting sponsor EarthLink, and generous sponsors Lovesac and Johnny Mac Soldiers Fund and is presented in partnership with LiveXLive.

Those wanting to participate can RSVP on Facebook.

A fun limited edition T-shirt is for sale commemorating the event that will help support Camp Southern Ground’s two Warrior programs, Warrior Week and Warrior PATHH, which care for the health and wellbeing of veterans while providing the necessary support in their transition to life after service.