In what they describe as the “best stuff to come out of Nashville from a man band in several decades,” the Hot Country Knights released their debut album The K Is Silent on Friday (May 1).
The Capitol Records Nashville band, comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery, delivered a 10-track record, produced and co-written by country superstar Dierks Bentley.
The album features hit writers Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall, Jon Nite, Chase McGill and more, and ’90s icons Travis Tritt and Terri Clark join the Knights as collaborators on two of the tracks.
Bentley recently talked to MusicRow about his work with the stellar ’90s-influenced band, 30 years in the making.
“My manager realized this is not going to go away,” Bentley said of Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington. “She wanted it to go away, but realized this is not going to go anywhere. So, if you can’t beat them, join them. She just leaned in on it. She just put together this crazy writing retreat in Colorado leading into our Seven Peaks festival, which was really fun.
“We wrote some songs with this project in mind and came back to Nashville and the Hot Country Knights went in the studio and cut these songs. I’ve told everyone from very beginning that this is a seriously fun project. It’s fun but it’s serious, and we put a lot of time into the writing and to the musicianship on the record. We really tried to make sure that the production was such that it felt like the ’90s but also felt contemporary. We wanted people that knew ’90s country and the producers in town [to be in on it]. Some of these songs modulate twice, which is funny. It’s just there—little bits and pieces of production where people hear it and think, ‘Oh my God, it’s so funny that those guys added that little piece of production to some of the songs.’ Some fans might not get that but people that live here would, so it’s a little of something for everybody.”
On songs like the sensual duet with Terri Clark on “You Make It Hard” and the ‘cheeky’ ode to road life on “Asphalt,” Bentley says he doesn’t consider them parody songs.
“We didn’t want to write a parody album. It’s gotta be the kind of stuff where my mom back in Phoenix can listen to it and not get the joke. She hears ‘You Make It Hard’ and she just thinks it’s a beautiful love song. She hears ‘Asphalt’ and thinks it’s just a song about the road, which was the goal,” Bentley says with a laugh. “Someone will say to me, ‘Do you think they got the joke?’ And I’m like, ‘No, it’s so great that they didn’t. That’s perfect.’ With songs on the record like ‘Pick Her Up’ with Travis Tritt that are straight forward with no joke on the inside, that just throws people off a little bit more, like ‘What is this?’ I feel like it was kind of like a mission accomplished on that front. I’m excited about that.”
“You Make It Hard” is another byproduct of Harrington, who is credited as a songwriter on the tune.
“I think that’s her first [songwriter credit],” Bentley said. “When we’re making the album, it wasn’t a checklist but there’s certain colors that songwriters in the ’90s used that we don’t use as much on songs today. With ‘Moose Knuckle Shuffle,’ you’ve got your line dance song, we have ‘The USA Begins With US’ because it’s a great patriotic song. ‘Then It Rained’ has a little bit Garth Brooks’ ‘The Thunder Rolls’ [influence], it’s got the drama. We were just really like missing that Tim and Faith thing. We were in the studio listening to the album, and we just wrote it right there. Jim Beavers spearheaded it. We wrote it in the studio in about half an hour.”
The Hot Country Knights had big plans for the release of their debut project, with a 13-city trek tour, including stops at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and the Talladega Superspeedway. The 2020 One Knight Stand Tour was slated to feature Hannah Dasher, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack and Lainey Wilson as openers for the Knights, but has since been postponed.
“We were allotted to play the ACMs with Travis Tritt,” Bentley said. “Four and half minutes with him on there doing a medley of our stuff and his, and then April 29 was our Ryman gig. Mary had a very ambitious, well thought-out game plan lined up and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get a chance to execute it, but it’s been fun regardless.”
The K Is Silent is available for purchase and streaming everywhere now. Read more of the conversation with Bentley in the upcoming MusicRow Artist Roster print issue.
Dierks Bentley Discusses His Work With Hot Country Knights On Their Debut Album [Interview]
/by LB CantrellIn what they describe as the “best stuff to come out of Nashville from a man band in several decades,” the Hot Country Knights released their debut album The K Is Silent on Friday (May 1).
The Capitol Records Nashville band, comprised of band leader Douglas (“Doug”) Douglason, lead bass player Trevor Travis, lead guitarist Marty Ray (“Rayro”) Roburn, keytar/fiddle player Terotej (“Terry”) Dvoraczekynski, steel guitarist Barry Van Ricky and percussionist Monte Montgomery, delivered a 10-track record, produced and co-written by country superstar Dierks Bentley.
The album features hit writers Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Jon Randall, Jon Nite, Chase McGill and more, and ’90s icons Travis Tritt and Terri Clark join the Knights as collaborators on two of the tracks.
Bentley recently talked to MusicRow about his work with the stellar ’90s-influenced band, 30 years in the making.
“My manager realized this is not going to go away,” Bentley said of Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington. “She wanted it to go away, but realized this is not going to go anywhere. So, if you can’t beat them, join them. She just leaned in on it. She just put together this crazy writing retreat in Colorado leading into our Seven Peaks festival, which was really fun.
“We wrote some songs with this project in mind and came back to Nashville and the Hot Country Knights went in the studio and cut these songs. I’ve told everyone from very beginning that this is a seriously fun project. It’s fun but it’s serious, and we put a lot of time into the writing and to the musicianship on the record. We really tried to make sure that the production was such that it felt like the ’90s but also felt contemporary. We wanted people that knew ’90s country and the producers in town [to be in on it]. Some of these songs modulate twice, which is funny. It’s just there—little bits and pieces of production where people hear it and think, ‘Oh my God, it’s so funny that those guys added that little piece of production to some of the songs.’ Some fans might not get that but people that live here would, so it’s a little of something for everybody.”
On songs like the sensual duet with Terri Clark on “You Make It Hard” and the ‘cheeky’ ode to road life on “Asphalt,” Bentley says he doesn’t consider them parody songs.
“We didn’t want to write a parody album. It’s gotta be the kind of stuff where my mom back in Phoenix can listen to it and not get the joke. She hears ‘You Make It Hard’ and she just thinks it’s a beautiful love song. She hears ‘Asphalt’ and thinks it’s just a song about the road, which was the goal,” Bentley says with a laugh. “Someone will say to me, ‘Do you think they got the joke?’ And I’m like, ‘No, it’s so great that they didn’t. That’s perfect.’ With songs on the record like ‘Pick Her Up’ with Travis Tritt that are straight forward with no joke on the inside, that just throws people off a little bit more, like ‘What is this?’ I feel like it was kind of like a mission accomplished on that front. I’m excited about that.”
“You Make It Hard” is another byproduct of Harrington, who is credited as a songwriter on the tune.
“I think that’s her first [songwriter credit],” Bentley said. “When we’re making the album, it wasn’t a checklist but there’s certain colors that songwriters in the ’90s used that we don’t use as much on songs today. With ‘Moose Knuckle Shuffle,’ you’ve got your line dance song, we have ‘The USA Begins With US’ because it’s a great patriotic song. ‘Then It Rained’ has a little bit Garth Brooks’ ‘The Thunder Rolls’ [influence], it’s got the drama. We were just really like missing that Tim and Faith thing. We were in the studio listening to the album, and we just wrote it right there. Jim Beavers spearheaded it. We wrote it in the studio in about half an hour.”
The Hot Country Knights had big plans for the release of their debut project, with a 13-city trek tour, including stops at Los Angeles’ Wiltern Theater, Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and the Talladega Superspeedway. The 2020 One Knight Stand Tour was slated to feature Hannah Dasher, Tenille Townes, Rachel Wammack and Lainey Wilson as openers for the Knights, but has since been postponed.
“We were allotted to play the ACMs with Travis Tritt,” Bentley said. “Four and half minutes with him on there doing a medley of our stuff and his, and then April 29 was our Ryman gig. Mary had a very ambitious, well thought-out game plan lined up and it’s unfortunate we didn’t get a chance to execute it, but it’s been fun regardless.”
The K Is Silent is available for purchase and streaming everywhere now. Read more of the conversation with Bentley in the upcoming MusicRow Artist Roster print issue.
NSAI To Offer Songwriter Grants Through Newly-Launched Writer Foundation
/by Jessica Nicholson“We created the WRITER Foundation after receiving a generous grant from SONY/ATV,” said WRITER Foundation Treasurer Bart Herbison. “Songwriters are in great need now since the live segment of the global music industry has essentially shut down. Performance royalty income will be dramatically affected. Advertising revenues have dropped precipitously also impacting songwriter royalties. And songwriters who perform or produce songs have witnessed those income streams dwindle.”
To be eligible, a songwriter/composer must qualify as a “professional,” defined as “currently earn the majority of their annual income from songwriting or related activities.” The WRITER Foundation application for the grants will ask writers to provide a written explanation of how their income has been adversely impacted by the Coronavirus pandemic. Due to limited available grant money, the application asks that writers do not apply unless they need the funds to subsist.
The new WRITER Foundation Board of Directors members will review the applications, including Josh Osborne, Lori McKenna, Jennifer Turnbow, Bart Herbison, Tim Nichols, Erika Wollam-Nichols and Jimmy Yeary.
The WRITER Foundation has received donations from the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation and Concord Music Publishing. Sony/ATV CEO Jon Platt made the initial contribution.
Adam Epstein Appointed Head Of A&R At Demolition Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughAdam Epstein has joined Demolition Music Publishing as head of its A&R department. Epstein will focus on artist development, catalog exploitation and new strategic opportunities for the Demolition Music team. He will be based in Nashville but will be covering multiple territories including Los Angeles, New York and some international markets.
Epstein has 25 years of industry experience including publishing, performing rights, marketing and artist management. Prior to Demolition Music, he served as A&R Director at Concord Music where he was involved in client relations for its roster including Mark Ronson, Daft Punk, John Shanks and The Piano Guys. He also held several positions in publishing with stints at Universal Music Publishing, Peer Music, Deston Songs and BMI, where he worked closely with Desmond Child, Lady Antebellum, Maroon 5, Tricky Stewart, Ester Dean and David Foster.
“We were so lucky to find Adam when we did,” said Demolition Music President, Jon D’Agostino. “He and I are a couple of New Yorkers with a love of great music and building relationships. His knowledge, experience, passion, and street savvy bring some exciting ingredients to the Demolition brand, and fits our mission perfectly.”
“This is an exciting time to join the Demolition Music team,” said Epstein. “They have an incredible creative energy and a passion for success. I am looking forward to an amazing future with them!”
The Demolition Music roster includes Joe Leathers, HAVEN, Evan Coffman, Adam Searan, John Milstead, Michael August, and Jon D’Agostino.
Radio Cares Emergency Radiothon Raises $500,000 For Feeding America
/by Lorie HollabaughThe nationwide broadcast event continued its fundraising effort through the weekend, drawing donations from all 50 states. The radiothon closed with a $20,000 donation from Scott and Sandi Borchetta and Big Machine Label Group, putting efforts over the half-million dollar mark of total funds raised. All funds raised go directly to Feeding America’s COVID-19 Response Fund, and will provide five million meals for Americans living with hunger.
The initiative was developed and led by Ron Stone, President/CEO, Adams Radio Group, and Brian Philips, EVP, Content & Audience, Cumulus Media/Westwood One. The movement came together in less than three weeks.
Ron Stone, President & CEO, Adams Radio Group, said, “I will be forever grateful to every broadcaster that made the decision to participate in this historic Radiothon. Together we accomplished something that had never been done before in our 100 plus years, a nationwide radio event to raise money to help those who truly need our help. It is my sincere hope that this is the first of many annual events to come.”
“For us, it is impressive that this money is the sum of so many smaller individual contributions; sacrifices from determined people who made up a democracy of giving, at a time when money is tight,” said Brian Philips, EVP, Content & Audience, Cumulus Media/Westwood One. “Listeners answered the call from their favorite stations, large and small, unified by the cause of American hunger. Our listeners represent the most generous cross-section of America. There exists a bond among them that no crisis can break. Cumulus is always proud when what we do moves people.”
Warner Chappell Music Inks Publishing Deal With Sean Douglas
/by Jessica NicholsonSean Douglas
Warner Chappell Music has signed an exclusive, global publishing agreement with songwriter/producer Sean Douglas. Douglas was a co-writer on Thomas Rhett‘s 6x multi-platinum hit “Die A Happy Man.” He has also worked with Demi Lovato on “Sorry Not Sorry,” Jason Derulo on “Talk Dirty,” and with David Guetta on “Hey Mama,” among other works.
Los Angeles-based Douglas worked closely with Thomas Rhett on his album Life Changes, which became the first country release of 2017 to top the Billboard 200 chart. Douglas also worked on Lizzo’s “Like A Girl” and “Soulmate” from her Grammy-winning album Cuz I Love You, as well as songs including Sia’s “Original” and Selena Gomez’s “Ring.”
Warner Chappell Music Co-Chair and CEO, Guy Moot, said: “I’ve known Sean for quite some time, and I’m constantly impressed by the expanding range and constant growth of his talent. He has the rare gift of writing songs that transcend genre and time. A true collaborator and natural writer, he’s become a trusted and invaluable partner to so many emerging and legendary stars. We’re very proud to have him in the Warner Chappell family.”
Warner Chappell Music President of A&R, U.S., Ryan Press, and Vice President of A&R, Katy Wolaver, added: “We’re thrilled to welcome Sean back to the fold. He’s one of the most authentic songwriters on the scene, quick to embrace new challenges and eager to work with a diversity of artists and fellow songwriters across the music community. There’s no limit to what he can do, and we’re excited to work with him to take his career to new heights.”
Douglas noted: “What I love about being a songwriter is having the freedom to write in a different style every day and to keep growing musically. Guy, Ryan, Katy and the entire Warner Chappell team have been incredibly supportive in that pursuit, going above and beyond to champion my music and create new opportunities for it. I’m thrilled to be back and working with them again.”
Metro Nashville Public Health Department Offering Free Masks
/by Jessica NicholsonThe masks are being provided by Governor Bill Lee’s Unified Command Group and are being made available to follow the introduction of Metro Public Health Order 4, which asks all people who can safely wear a mask to do so in public settings, to help combat the spread of COVID-19. The order also requires businesses and facilities open to the public to post signage requesting those entering the facility to wear a mask.
Guidelines from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention suggest the use of cloth masks can limit the spread of the virus, particularly by those who are infected but do not have symptoms of COVID-19. Cloth masks should not be worn by children under the age of two or by those who would jeopardize their health or safety by wearing one.
According to the Tennessee Department of Health, there have been 3,033 total cases of COVID-19 in Davidson County to date, and 30 deaths. To date, 1,513 people in Davidson County have recovered from from COVID-19.
Amanda Powers Named COO For Dick Clark Productions
/by Jessica NicholsonAmanda Powers has been named Chief Operating Officer for Dick Clark Productions (dcp), producer and proprietor of event programming including The Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards and more.
Powers transitions to dcp from dcp’s parent company Valence Media and will report to dcp’s president Amy Thurlow. Powers will manage, assess and provide strategic direction for dcp and will oversee international distribution, business development and the partnership and licensing teams, as well as multi-channel marketer Direct Holdings Group. She will also lead key initiatives and various projects for the President including collaboration and coordination across dcp, MRC and Billboard-Hollywood Reporter Media group.
“Having had the pleasure of working with Amanda over the course of the past two years in her capacity at Valence Media, I have seen first-hand her leadership, remarkable insights, and strategic counsel and I am so excited to welcome her to the executive team at dcp,” said Thurlow.
Powers most recently served as Vice President of Strategy at Valence Media, where she managed the evaluation, structuring, and launch of new strategic partnerships, investments, and business lines across the film, television and non-fiction divisions. She led collaborations to launch the integration of MRC, dcp and Billboard-The Hollywood Reporter Media Group and was integral to the formation of partnerships with Fulwell 73, Civic Center Media and A-Major Media. Prior to Valence, she served as VP of Corporate Development and Strategy at MRC Studios where she evaluated growth initiatives, strategic partnerships and capital raising opportunities. In this role she also led the evaluation of the international distribution landscape for scripted TV, helped to develop new film and TV underwriting processes, and oversaw post mortems to support continuous improvement.
Powers recently spent four years on the board of Female Executives in Media & Entertainment (“FEME”). Prior to joining MRC in 2015, she worked at Moelis & Company and UBS Investment Bank focusing on mergers and acquisitions, public and private capital raising, restructuring and activist defense. Powers also spent two years with The Clinton Foundation in the Global Pediatric HIV/AIDS team. She earned an MBA from The Wharton School and a Bachelor’s Degree from Georgetown University.
The Outdoor Channel, UMG Nashville Team To Present ‘Country Outdoors LIVE’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Outdoor Channel and Universal Music Group Nashville are teaming up to bring viewers live concerts on the outdoor lifestyle network beginning May 1 with Country Outdoors LIVE. Jon Langston, Caylee Hammack, Travis Denning, Jordan Davis and Brandon Lay will fill the month of May every Friday at 7 p.m. ET on the Outdoor Channel with live music from newly-released songs and albums.
Nick Hoffman, host of Outdoor Channel’s Nick’s Wild Ride, and Mary O’Neill Phillips, host of the Outdoor Sportsman Group podcast Country Outdoors, will introduce the live acts, as well as help viewers learn details behind-the-music during each 30-minute show.
“This is a creative way for two industries – television and music – to join forces during this unprecedented time and provide viewers with new and exciting programming,” Outdoor Sportsman Group President and CEO, Jim Liberatore said. “Because our programming content and audience allies so closely with country music fans, this is a natural development, providing live programming where we don’t have much right now.”
Universal Music Group Nashville and Outdoor Channel’s Country Outdoors LIVE television specials schedule:
May 1 – Jon Langston
May 8 – Caylee Hammack
May 15 – Travis Denning
May 22 – Jordan Davis
May 29 – Brandon Lay
Music Business Association To Hold ‘Music Biz Live’ Sessions
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Music Business Association will hold four Music Biz LIVE presentations (via Zoom) on Monday, May 11 through Thursday, May 14—the week the annual Music Biz Conference was originally slated to be held this year in Nashville. As previously reported, the conference has been postponed to Aug. 16-19 at the JW Marriott Nashville, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.
“With all the uncertainty the ongoing health crisis has presented us with, it’s more important now than ever for us to remain connected, positive and productive—both as industry professionals and as people,” said Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “We’ve been thrilled with the turnout and caliber of programming on our Music Biz LIVE sessions, and look forward to bringing the industry together for this special series as we keep our fingers crossed that we can gather in person in Nashville this August.”
These featured presentations are an extension of the Association’s Music Biz LIVE program, in which Sabin interviews a collection of representatives from around different segments to address how COVID-19 has affected their businesses. On May 11, the guests will include Spotify Global Co-Heads Marian Dicus and Jeremy Erlich. On May 12, Mechanical Licensing Collective CEO Kris Ahrend will be the special guest, followed by Q&A leaders Troy Carter, J. Erving, and Suzy Ryoo on May 13. The sessions will round out on May 14 with Warner Records’ Aaron Bay-Schuck and Tom Corson.
The sessions will be held each day at 4 p.m. ET.
More information on each session is below:
Monday, May 11: Marian Dicus and Jeremy Erlich, Global Co-Heads of Music at Spotify
In their first keynote conversation as Global Co-Heads of Music for one of the most influential companies in the modern music business, this duo will detail how they are leading the charge in their new roles and jointly overseeing programming, editorial, artist & label marketing, industry relations, and overall music initiatives. We will kick off our special presentation series by discussing what the company has worked on since the COVID-19 crisis first hit, including listening trends over the past two months, launching the Artist Fundraising Pick feature, and instituting the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief project which matches dollar-for-dollar up to $10 million for a growing list of organizations offering financial relief to creators around the world.
Tuesday, May 12: Kris Ahrend, CEO of The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC)
The Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) is a new non-profit designated to manage the licensing, administration and payments process for digital audio mechanicals in the U.S. and provide greater transparency to self-administered songwriters and music publishers. Starting in January 2021, The MLC will process and distribute mechanical royalties paid by digital audio services in the U.S. at no cost to songwriters or music publishers. In his first public address since taking his new position, The MLC Chief Executive Officer Kris Ahrend will update viewers on the progress and priorities of The MLC, and lay out his vision for the future of this brand-new, globally recognized data & technology startup.
Wednesday, May 13: Troy Carter, Founder & CEO of Q&A; J. Erving, Founder & CEO of Human Re-Sources & Co-Founder of Q&A; and Suzy Ryoo, Co-Founder, President & Chief Strategy Officer of Q&A
Over the past year, this power trio has built a multifaceted music company that seeks to empower the next generation of artists through technology, tools and services. In response to the COVID-19 crisis, they instituted “The Panel” — a Zoom series featuring industry heavy-hitters that serves as a forum to support one another during this unusual time. Dozens of sessions later, we will turn the tables and interview them to get a first-hand look at what they have learned from their guests.
Thursday, May 14: Aaron Bay-Schuck, Co-Chairman & CEO of Warner Records, and Tom Corson, Co-Chairman & COO of Warner Records
In the 18 months since this power duo jointly took the reigns at Warner Records, the iconic label has seen a name change, a new office location, an investment in exciting new talent, and seemingly, a rebrand. These industry veterans will take us inside what’s new at Warner Records (formerly Warner Bros.), as well as talk about their pivoted release strategy for one of their biggest projects — Dua Lipa’s Future Nostalgia.
To sign up for these special sessions, visit the Zoom registration page.
Blake Shelton And Gwen Stefani’s Duet "Nobody But You" Reigns At Country Radio
/by LB CantrellShelton, Stefani and team members from Warner Music Nashville and Starstruck Entertainment celebrate the No. 1 over the weekend via video conference.
Duet partners Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani remain at the pinnacle of the Billboard Country Airplay chart for a second week, as they rise to No. 1 on Mediabase/Country Aircheck this week with their hit “Nobody But You.” The single marks Shelton’s 27th chart-topper and 33rd RIAA certified single as it earns Gold status with more than 815,000 track equivalent sales, and is Stefani’s first No. 1 country song.
“I’m honored to know that this song is as important to fans as it is to Gwen and me,” Shelton said. “It’s so wild to me every single time one of my songs goes to No. 1, and I know how special it is to hold that spot for more than one week when there are other incredible and important songs on the chart. I’d like to again thank Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne and Tommy Lee James for writing this song and Gwen for helping me make it come to life.”
Stefani shared on social media: “Trying to wrap my head around the fact that I even get to know Blake Shelton – let alone be on such a beautiful, classic duet with him. Thank you, Blake, for taking me along on this ride with you! I’m so grateful and blown away by all the support everyone has shown us!”