Jim McCormick has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.
The Grammy-nominated songwriter has had two No. 1s on the charts: Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride,” which spent three weeks at No. 1, and Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” He is also a co-writer on Gabby Barrett’s new single, “The Good Ones,” which will be released to radio on June 8. His current releases include Kelly Clarkson’s “Minute,” Luke Bryan’s “All My Dreaming There,” Harry Connick Jr’s “I Do Like We Do,” Jon Pardi’s “Lucky Tonight,” and four songs on the new Samantha Fish record. His songs also have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Smash Mouth, Tyler Farr and more.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Jim, a long-time leader in the songwriting world and a consummate professional,” said Kurt Locher, co-founder of Eclipse. “Jim’s talent and versatility enables him to work with a great range of outstanding artists, and we’re excited for what the future holds.”
McCormick has served as board governor and vice president for the Recording Academy and on the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He is also a 2013 alumnus of Nashville’s Leadership Music.
McCormick is a faculty member at Loyola University in New Orleans where he teaches songwriting. He has lectured extensively on songwriting at Berklee College of Music, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University and Tulane University, as well as at GrammyPro and NSAI events. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. He divides his time between Nashville and New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and three sons.
“I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have had incredible creative and business partnerships with my publishers, and this new chapter with Eclipse Music Group steadily continues that trend,” said Jim. “Kurt Locher and the whoe team at Eclipse display a commitment to excellence, in both the craft and business of songwriting, that makes the company a great fit for a writer like me.”
IEBA Makes Scholarship Donations To Fisk University
/by Lorie HollabaughThe International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) is donating $25,000 from its Educational Outreach Fund to the W.E.B. Du Bois Memorial Scholarship Fund at Fisk University. The organization has also pledged an additional $25,000 towards the creation of a new permanently-endowed scholarship at Fisk.
“At this critical time in our nation’s story, we choose to make an investment in actualizing the potential of promising youth in our community,” explained IEBA Educational Outreach Fund resident Barry Jeffrey. “Fisk has a rich history in music and a commitment to preparing students from diverse backgrounds to make substantive contributions in their fields. We hope our support can help tear down the financial obstacles that may stand in their way.”
Through a mix of programs, IEBA awarded 29 scholarships totaling over $62,000 in 2019. IEBA’s Educational Outreach Fund has permanently endowed over $1.3 million in scholarships at 10 universities: Belmont, John Brown, Lipscomb, MTSU, Murray State, New Mexico State, NYU, University of Delaware, University of Montana, and University of the South.
Established in 1865, Fisk University has played a central role in the shaping of African-American learning and culture in America. Notable figures from Fisk include civil rights icon W.E.B. Du Bois, the world-famous Jubilee Singers, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, and music industry mogul Matthew Knowles.
IEBA, founded in 1970, celebrates its 50th anniversary this year.
Tyler Farr Returns With New Jason Aldean-Produced EP, ‘Only Truck In Town’
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Farr is releasing a new EP, Only Truck in Town, digitally this Friday (June 5). Farr’s first new album since 2015, the EP will feature four songs, including the title track/current single, “Only Truck In Town.” A video for the new single will premiere on CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown on Saturday (June 6).
To celebrate the new project, Farr will be Facebook’s Artist of the Day upon its release on Friday and will go live with Jason Aldean on Instagram, Monday, (June 8) at 7 p.m. CT. Aldean produced the project, and the new single was the first music released on Aldean’s Night Train Records. The two will discuss the new project, what it was like in the studio working together, their friendship, and activities during the COVID quarantine.
The pandemic hit close to home for Farr, whose wife is a critical care nurse working in the COVID unit. Witnessing firsthand the impact of the pandemic, he’s been lending a hand over the past few weeks. In addition to supporting healthcare workers and the staff at the Williamson County Medical, in an effort to thank the essential drivers who have been making sure things get to where they need to be, Farr teamed up with US Xpress to perform for and chat with their drivers on a live stream. He also performed on the Folds of Honor Rock n’ Raise virtual charity concert series last week.
“It’s been five years since I put out the Suffer in Peace album—I love my fans and they have been waiting patiently for new music and now I can finally say that the new music is here…for them,” said Farr. “These songs really speak to who I am—my good buddy, Jason Aldean, produced the EP and knows me better than most people so working with him just felt right. Together we created something very real and that’s exactly what I want my fans to hear from me.”
Only Truck in Town Track Listing:
“Only Truck In Town”— Ben Hayslip, Deric Ruttan, Josh Thompson
“Soundtrack To A Small Town Sundown”— Jonathan Singleton, Jon Nite
“I Wish Dogs Could Live Forever”— Neil Thrasher, Kelley Lovelace
“Heaven On Dirt”— Jeremy Bussey, Taylor Phillips, Jordan Rager, Michael Tyler
A Conversation On Being African-American In The Nashville Music Industry
/by Sherod RobertsonModerated by Beverly Keel, Dean of MTSU College of Media and Entertainment, along with Sekou Franklin, Ph.D., MTSU Department of Political Science, a panel entitled “A Conversation On Being African-American In The Nashville Music Industry” was offered to industry members yesterday on “Black Out Tuesday” to support the African-American community.
Panelists included Charlene Bryant, Founder of Riveter Management; recording artist Mickey Guyton; Gina Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Entertainment One (Nashville); Shannon Sanders, Recording Academy Trustee and Program Director of 102.1 The Ville; Kortney Toney, Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Nashville Symphony, and Candice Watkins, VP of Marketing for Big Loud.
The panelists offered candid and open discussions on what it means to be an African-American member of the Nashville music industry and how all of us can be both collectively and individually become a better ally and supporter.
The conversation proved to be both eye opening and inspiring and gave 600+ listeners actionable items to not only show support of the African-American community, our African-American colleagues and artists we all work with, and the African-American culture, but to help inspire and implement long lasting positive change.
The virtual session (via Zoom) was presented by Entertainment One, Change the Conversation, Digital Divas, MTSU, NABFEME Nashville, The Recording Academy and 102.1 The Ville.
To help foster the candid and personal conversations, the session was not recorded. However, more conversations will be held in the future.
MusicRow Magazine, along with the members of our Nashville music industry, look forward to this first step in listening and learning how to be a better advocate and ally.
Mandy Barnett Revisits Country Classics On Upcoming New Album
/by Lorie HollabaughMandy Barnett is releasing a collection of iconic country and pop standards on her upcoming album, A Nashville Songbook, set for release Aug. 21 on Melody Place.
The project features songs that made Music City famous inspired by Barnett’s popular concert series and produced by Fred Mollin (Jimmy Webb, Johnny Mathis, and Kris Kristofferson), and includes tunes recorded by legendary artists like Ray Price, Roy Orbison, Tammy Wynette and George Jones, Elvis Presley, Hank Williams, Anne Murray, Hank Snow, and Brenda Lee, among others.
To give fans a taste of the brand new project, which is being distributed by BMG, Barnett has already released “End of the World,” and “Help Me Make It Through The Night” from A Nashville Songbook.
“I can tell you one thing – people still want to hear these songs,” said Barnett of the response from fans to the music. “Many of the artists who originally recorded them have passed on, so it’s important to keep these country and pop standards alive. I’m proud to be a modern torchbearer.”
Lynn Anderson ‘Rose Garden’ Collectors Edition Vinyl Due Out This Month
/by Lorie HollabaughLynn Anderson‘s classic hit will be available in a unique new vinyl form that dedicated fans will love when the Rose Garden Deluxe Collector’s Edition is released June 13. The vinyl is being released just in time for Lynn Anderson Day on June 15, when a few other surprises will also be revealed.
This exclusive anniversary release contains never-before-seen notes written to Anderson from Reba McEntire and legendary producer Clive Davis while sporting a unique translucent pink color. Only 1,000 vinyl records have been created for this special release.
Lynn Anderson was recently featured in a special on PBS stations, Iconic Women of Country. The show offered a detailed look at the legendary female artists that shaped an era of country and their stories and songs. Original interviews and classic recordings dive into the sweet southern sense of Lynn Anderson and pay tribute to other icons of country including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Tammy Wynette, Patsy Cline, Brenda Lee and more. The show spotlights live footage of Anderson’s hit, “(I Never Promised You A) Rose Garden,” and includes testimonies from modern country stars who speak of these legendary women as a great source of inspiration.
Sony Legacy Recordings recently re-released four digitally remastered albums of Lynn Anderson’s: Cry, Listen To A Country Song, Singing My Song and Stay There ‘Til I Get There.
“This has been such an exciting year for all things Lynn Anderson,” says Anderson’s daughter Lisa Sutton. “Mom’s career left a lasting mark on country music and this has truly been the year for her to shine, with the re-release of four albums, the 2020 Lynn Anderson Rose, the Iconic Women of Country PBS special and the 50th Anniversary release of ‘Rose Garden’.”
Mark Your Calendar—June 2020
/by Lorie HollabaughSingle Add Dates
June 1
Little Big Town/Wine, Beer, Whiskey/Capitol
Ingrid Andress/The Stranger/Warner/WEA
Waterloo Revival/Something You Ain’t Ever Had/Show Dog
Bobby McClendon/Maybe Tonight/Star Farm
Eric Chesser/Date Night/BigBig Records
Dallas Remington/Uncommon Man/RoadWarrior Records
Runnin’ Shine/The Way You Need Me/Great Heights Recording
June 4
Carvin Walls/Hippie
June 8
Walker Hayes/Trash My Heart/Monument
June 12
Bootsy Collins feat. EmiSunshine/Stars/Bootzilla Records
June 15
Chrissy Metz/Talking To God/EMI Nashville
Austin Hopkins/Right Now/A5H Records
June 18
Canaan Smith/Colder Than You/AWAL/Round Here Records
Album Releases
Ryan Stevenson/Wildest Dreams/Gotee Records
June 12
Larkin Poe/Self Made Man/Tricki-Woo Records
Gone West/Canyons/Triple Tigers Records
Kree Harrison/Chosen Family Tree/One Vision Music Group
Orville Peck/Show Pony/Columbia Records
June 19
Michael Franti/Work Hard and Be Nice/Thirty Tigers
Clint Black/Out of Sane/Blacktop Inc.
Gabby Barrett/Goldmine/Warner Music Nashville
June 26
Chris Colston/Bombs Away
Will Hoge/Tiny Little Movies/Thirty Tigers
Tenille Townes/The Lemonade Stand/Columbia Nashville in partnership with MCA Records
Country Artists Speak Up Following The Death Of George Floyd
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Josie Desmarais/iStock
Several country artists took to social media to speak out following the death of George Floyd by Minneapolis police officers on May 25. Following the incident, protests have taken place across the country as people speak out against systemic racial injustice and police brutality.
See artists’ responses below:
Josh Thompson Enters Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellJosh Thompson moves into the top five on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with credits on the songs: “Ain’t Always The Cowboy” (Jon Pardi), “Be A Light” (Thomas Rhett featuring Reba McEntire, Hillary Scott, Chris Tomlin and Keith Urban) and “One Margarita” (Luke Bryan).
Craig Wiseman remains at No. 1, and Shane McAnally (No. 2), Luke Combs (No. 3) and Jonathan Singleton (No. 4) follow behind.
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
Layoffs, Furloughs Hit Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Hall of Fame has laid off 73 employees and furloughed 101 staffers, effective June 18. The layoffs and furloughs extend across all departments, and represent nearly half of the approximately 400 employees working for the Country Music Hall of Fame and its associated services.
“We were forced to make this difficult decision by a challenging business environment unprecedented in the museum’s history. Since closing March 13, the museum has lost millions of dollars in budgeted revenue,” said Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young. “Our economic setbacks, coupled with the uncertainties of the future related to the pandemic, make it necessary to take these measures now to protect the institution and ensure its future.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently announced it will be closed through the end of June, including ancillary programs such as Hatch Show Print, Historic RCA Studio B, the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the Taylor Swift Education Center. Last year, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum broke an attendance record, with 1,297,433 visitors touring the museum, RCA Studio B and Hatch Show Print in 2019, marking the fifth consecutive year the Hall had welcomed more than 1 million visitors.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently launched an interactive songwriting program, titled the Songwriter Sessions, and also brought its Words & Music program to Instagram Live.
Jim McCormick Signs Publishing Deal With Eclipse Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughJim McCormick has signed an exclusive publishing deal with Eclipse Music Group.
The Grammy-nominated songwriter has had two No. 1s on the charts: Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride,” which spent three weeks at No. 1, and Brantley Gilbert’s “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do.” He is also a co-writer on Gabby Barrett’s new single, “The Good Ones,” which will be released to radio on June 8. His current releases include Kelly Clarkson’s “Minute,” Luke Bryan’s “All My Dreaming There,” Harry Connick Jr’s “I Do Like We Do,” Jon Pardi’s “Lucky Tonight,” and four songs on the new Samantha Fish record. His songs also have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Cody Johnson, Trisha Yearwood, Randy Travis, Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, Smash Mouth, Tyler Farr and more.
“We couldn’t be more pleased to be working with Jim, a long-time leader in the songwriting world and a consummate professional,” said Kurt Locher, co-founder of Eclipse. “Jim’s talent and versatility enables him to work with a great range of outstanding artists, and we’re excited for what the future holds.”
McCormick has served as board governor and vice president for the Recording Academy and on the board of the Nashville Songwriters Association International. He is also a 2013 alumnus of Nashville’s Leadership Music.
McCormick is a faculty member at Loyola University in New Orleans where he teaches songwriting. He has lectured extensively on songwriting at Berklee College of Music, Georgetown University, Vanderbilt University, Belmont University and Tulane University, as well as at GrammyPro and NSAI events. He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English from Georgetown University and a Master of Fine Arts degree in creative writing from the University of New Orleans. He divides his time between Nashville and New Orleans, where he lives with his wife and three sons.
“I’ve been very fortunate in my career to have had incredible creative and business partnerships with my publishers, and this new chapter with Eclipse Music Group steadily continues that trend,” said Jim. “Kurt Locher and the whoe team at Eclipse display a commitment to excellence, in both the craft and business of songwriting, that makes the company a great fit for a writer like me.”