Dan + Shay grace the cover of MusicRow Magazine’s 33rd annual InCharge issue, which releases today.
This annual guide, now in its 33rd year, highlights key music industry executives in Nashville’s entertainment community. Each of the 396 profiles includes updated contact information, career biography, and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.
The guide also includes a company appendix, record label staff appendix, and a professional categories appendix which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.
“The many segments of our industry including labels, finance, legal, management, marketing, publicity, PROs, publishing, radio, production and touring are represented in this issue featuring those top executives in each segment who are crucial in continuing the success and the future of the Nashville music industry,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “As the industry rebuilds and realigns once the COVID-19 pandemic is curtailed, it’s these valued and respected people and the many who they represent who will undoubtedly successfully navigate the resilience and fortitude of our industry.”
Global superstars Dan + Shay are an unstoppable force in country music and beyond. The history-making duo has impressively garnered multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, American Music and Billboard Music Award wins and nominations across their explosive career. With more than four billion career streams globally as well as several mega-hit songs, they recently took home a second consecutive GRAMMY for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. In addition to being the fastest country song to reach one million U.S. track equivalents in 2019, their multi-week No. 1 hit “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber) earned the biggest first-week streaming total in country music history and currently boasts 1 billion global streams and over 2.5 million U.S. track equivalents to date. “10,000 Hours” is the first song by a country duo or group ever to debut in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 5 and spent 21 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The worldwide smash has already achieved Double Platinum certification in Australia and Canada, Platinum in the U.S. and Gold certification in more than five other countries.
Continuing into 2020, Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour will play to major markets across the country and includes a stop at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which sold out in under 90 minutes, and two consecutive sold-out nights at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for opening weekend. Their Platinum-certified self-titled album spawned recent chart-topper “All To Myself” (Platinum), multi-week No. 1 “Speechless” (3x Platinum), global smash “Tequila” (4x Platinum, BMI 2019 Country Song of the Year) and more. In the seven years since they formed, Dan + Shay have accumulated 26 total RIAA certifications and achieved seven No. 1 singles at country radio.
LABEL: Warner Music Nashville
LATEST ALBUM: Dan + Shay
LATEST SINGLE: “10,000 Hours”
CURRENT PRODUCER: Dan Smyers
CURRENT PUBLISHER: Warner Chappell
PRO: ASCAP (Dan Smyers), BMI (Shay Mooney)
MANAGEMENT: Sandbox Entertainment, SB Projects
BOOKING: CAA
RECENT HITS: “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber), “All To Myself,” “Speechless,” “Tequila”
AWARDS: (2) GRAMMY, (3) ACM [and an additional (2) wins for Dan Smyers as songwriter and producer], (3) CMA Triple Play [Dan (1), Shay (2)], (2) AMA, (2) CMT Music, (2) Teen Choice, (1) Billboard, (1) CMA
RIAA CERTS TO DATE: (1) Platinum Album, (1) Gold Album, (1) 4x Platinum Single, (1) 3x Platinum Single, (1) 2x Platinum single, (5) Platinum singles, (1) Gold Single
SPECIAL TV APPEARANCES: ACM, Billboard, CMA, CMT, GRAMMY Awards; American Idol, CMA Fest, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Good Morning America, Ellen, FOX Super Bowl LIV Pregame, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Live with Kelly and Ryan, TODAY, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and more
BIRTHDAY: August 16 (Smyers), December 27 (Mooney)
HOMETOWN: Wexford, PA (Smyers), Natural Dam, AR (Mooney)
WEBSITE: danandshay.com
Single copies of InCharge are available for purchase for $110, and are included with yearly memberships at no additional cost. Please note that issues of MusicRow Magazine’s InCharge issue can only be purchased online as the MusicRow building is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19.
Tenille Townes’ Album ‘The Lemonade Stand’ To Debut June 26
/by Lorie HollabaughTenille Townes. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Tenille Townes is set to release her debut album, The Lemonade Stand, on June 26 via Columbia Nashville and RCA Records.
The project was produced by Jay Joyce and includes 12 tracks co-written by Townes, including five songs from her Road to the Lemonade Stand EP as well as her latest release, “The Most Beautiful Things,” which Townes debuted earlier this month to critical acclaim.
The new album also features “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking),” which was recently certified Gold in Canada and reached No. 1 on the BDS Canada and Mediabase Canada country radio charts earlier this year. The song was Townes’ second chart-topping single following her Canadian Platinum-certified “Somebody’s Daughter.” Townes is the only female in Mediabase Canada history to achieve two No. 1 singles.
“The Lemonade Stand is a collection of songs that mean so much to me and are the way I see the world in this season of my life right now,” said Townes. “I want this music to be like a gathering place, where people can come and be filled up. I hope this record reminds people of who they are, that they are not alone, and reminds them of their dreams. This record is the dream that I had when I was a seven-year-old kid singing along in the backseat of the car. She would really be freaking out right now.”
THE LEMONADE STAND TRACK LIST:
1. “Holding Out For The One”
2. “Where You Are”
3. “Jersey On The Wall (I’m Just Asking)”
4. “Lighthouse”
5. “White Horse”
6. “I Kept The Roses”
7. “When I Meet My Maker”
8. “Come As you Are”
9. “The Way You Look Tonight”
10. “Find You”
11. “Somebody’s Daughter”
12. “The Most Beautiful Things”
Facebook To Allow Users To Monetize Livestreams
/by Lorie HollabaughFacebook has introduced a new plan to let users charge for their livestreams, which will provide musicians and creators with the ability to monetize their performances and events.
Facebook and Instagram Live have become a go-to spot for musicians for their livestreams since the coronavirus pandemic canceled all artist tours, but monetizing those streams has not been possible previously, except for donations to certain non-profits.
The company also announced it will be expanding its “Stars” tipping system to musicians in which a performer can receive “tips” when users send them a “Star.”
Ross Ellis Launches Daily Showcase ‘Ross Writes’
/by Haley CrowPhoto: Ross Ellis presents “Ross Writes.” Photo: Jeff Ray
Sony Music Nashville recording artist Ross Ellis launched “Ross Writes” on April 9, to showcase his expansive catalog of songs and offer fans some at-home entertainment while we shelter in place to fight COVID-19. Performing daily at 6 p.m. CT on Facebook and Instagram Live, Ellis shares a different song he’s written during each performance. To check out past episodes and watch new ones, visit his Instagram or Facebook.
“This is something I’d been thinking about for a while, but when this coronavirus mess broke out, I thought it’d be a great way to connect with fans until we can all be together again,” shares Ellis. “I have written so many songs over the years since moving to Nashville. This is a great way to both showcase my ‘day job’ as a writer and highlight some of the incredible songwriters I go to work with every day.”
In the middle of recording his debut album for Sony Music Nashville when the “safer at home” order was released, the singer/songwriter has already notched 17 performances and shows no signs of stopping the daily sessions any time soon.
“I have enough songs to take us all the way through 2025 if we have to,” Ellis laughs. “These live sessions have been great though…seeing the comments. Getting feedback from fans in real time will definitely help us decide what makes this album and what doesn’t!”
“Ross Writes” To Date:
4/9- Ross Writes No. 1 – “Shadows On The Wall”
4/11- Ross Writes No. 2 – “2000 and You”
4/12- Ross Writes No. 3 – “Forever to Me”
4/13- Ross Writes No. 4 – “How Do You Sleep”
4/14- Ross Writes No. 5 – “Love Blind,” “Without You,” “Barefoot Dancer,” “Other Side Of The Phone” and “Neon Church”
4/15- Ross Writes No. 6 – “Wish You Would”
4/16- Ross Writes No. 7 – “While It Lasted”
4/17- Ross Writes No. 8 – “This Road” and “White Picket Plans”
4/18- Ross Writes No. 9 – “Old Fashioned”
4/20- Ross Writes No. 10 – “Doin’ Alright”
4/21- Ross Writes No. 11 – “Let Me Let You Go”
4/22- Ross Writes No. 12 – “Mess We Make”
4/23- Ross Writes No. 13 – “Let It Be Me”
4/24- Ross Writes No. 14 – “Made For”
4/25- Ross Writes No. 15 – “Last Place I Had It”
4/26- Ross Writes No. 16 – “Before And After You”
4/27- Ross Writes No. 17 – “Land of the Lost”
Industry Ink: Ingrid Andress, Lindsay Ell, Brett Eldredge
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Industry Members Surprise Ingrid Andress With No. 1 Celebration
Several friends and supporters from the music community including publishers, agents, record label executives and songwriters surprised Ingrid Andress yesterday (April 27) with a car parade to celebrate her debut single “More Hearts Than Mine” reaching the coveted No. 1 spot on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart. Andress’ co-writers Sam Ellis and Derrick Southerland also joined in the honking and shouting in the parade. The Gold-certified single is featured on her debut album Lady Like, which holds the title of highest streaming female debut album of all time.
Lindsay Ell Raises $165K For Tennyson Center for Children
Lindsay Ell. Photo: Robby Klein
Lindsay Ell was scheduled to host “The 10th Annual Mile High Country Q & Brew” in conjunction with local radio station, KYGO to benefit Tennyson Center for Children. Due to social distancing the decision was made to turn the annual event into virtual concert which took place this past Sunday night (April 26). Ell hosted the event from her home studio. The livestream, via Facebook Live, raised more than $165,000 and reached more than 53,000 fans.
All proceeds from the event will benefit Tennyson Center, which serves Colorado’s most neglected, abused and traumatized children.
Brett Eldredge Celebrates Sunday Drive With Livestream
Pete Fisher Launches Fisher Entertainment Consulting, Inc.
/by Jessica NicholsonPete Fisher.
Pete Fisher has relocated to Nashville and has launched Fisher Entertainment Consulting, Inc., which aims to “connect businesses, brands, TV, film and philanthropy to the power of Nashville entertainment.”
Fisher previously served as the CEO for the Academy of Country Music from 2017 through 2019. Prior to his work at the ACM, Fisher served as VP/GM for the Grand Ole Opry for 17 years, overseeing the Opry through significant transformations over the years, including leading a $20 million renovation of the Opry House following the Nashville flood in 2010.
For more, visit fisherentertainmentconsulting.com.
Universal Music Publishing Group Launches UMPG Music Solutions
/by Jessica NicholsonUniversal Music Publishing Group has revealed UMPG Music Solutions, which blends its network of sync and music offerings for film, television and advertising.
The service aims to provide a single point of access in each local market to the company’s global network of songwriters, composers, producers and sync resources – including its sync division, production music division and bespoke composition offerings – as well as those of select partners.
“UMPG’s Film, TV and Advertising teams strive to provide best-in-class service for our clients. With UMPG Music Solutions, we are highlighting the fact that our capabilities extend far beyond commercial music licensing,” said Tom Eaton, Senior Vice President, Music for Advertising, Film & TV, UMPG. “By harnessing the talents of our world-class roster, as well as our creative partners, UMPG continues to go above and beyond in providing the best results for all of our clients’ needs.”
UMPG Music Solutions will also offer access to works from the company’s global partners, including Elias Music, Green United Music, Decca Publishing, AMP.Amsterdam, DJDTP and Sup3rsonic.
Shawn Pennington Launches GoFundMe Campaign For Angel Flights To Support Those Affected By Coronavirus
/by Lorie HollabaughTriple 8 Management’s Shawn Pennington is raising funds to help rent a new plane to help fly Angel Flights to directly benefit those affected by COVID-19. Pennington’s aircraft was destroyed last month in the Nashville tornados, and he is raising funds through GoFundMe to rent the aircraft needed for the missions.
The aircraft would be used for missions to fly passengers who are directly affected by COVID-19 who otherwise would be unable. These passengers could be patients that have urgent medical needs that have nothing to do with COVID-19 but can’t get to the medical facilities necessary due to travel restrictions, current airline capacity or schedule limitations. This is in addition to transporting medical supplies, lab tests, etc.
Pennington will donate as much time as necessary to fly, but needs help paying for the aircraft rental and fuel, and 100% of donations will go to those two things.
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood To Perform On Grand Ole Opry
/by Jessica NicholsonThe show will be broadcast live on Circle, and Gray TV stations, DISH Studio Channel 102, Sling TV and other TV affiliates in addition to a companion live stream on Circle All Access and the artists’ Facebook pages. Bobby Bones will host the Circle telecast, while Mike Terry will serve as radio announcer for those tuned in to 650 AM WSM and SiriusXM Satellite Radio.
Embracing today’s technology, the Opry will be broadcast and streamed with a very small production team. The show’s artists will perform acoustically.
Those tuning into the livestream on the Circle All Access Facebook channels this week can watch Circle Sessions with Scotty McCreery hosted by Bill Cody at 7:30 PM ET/ 6:30 PM CT immediately prior to the live Opry and catch a special episode of Dolly Week: Backstage at the Opry at 9 PM ET/ 8 PM CT after the Opry.
Over the past seven weeks, artists including Brad Paisley, Bill Anderson, Jeannie Seely, Connie Smith, Mandy Barnett, Vince Gill, Marty Stuart, Amy Grant, Terri Clark, Lauren Alaina, Ashley McBryde, Trace Adkins, Jason Crabb, Ricky Skaggs, Luke Combs, Craig Morgan and T. Graham Brown have performed, sans a live audience.
MusicRow Magazine’s 2020 ‘InCharge’ Issue Features Dan + Shay
/by Jessica NicholsonDan + Shay grace the cover of MusicRow Magazine’s 33rd annual InCharge issue, which releases today.
This annual guide, now in its 33rd year, highlights key music industry executives in Nashville’s entertainment community. Each of the 396 profiles includes updated contact information, career biography, and detailed board and organizational membership affiliations.
The guide also includes a company appendix, record label staff appendix, and a professional categories appendix which lists executives by their areas of expertise, including music publishing, legal, finance, performing rights organizations and more.
“The many segments of our industry including labels, finance, legal, management, marketing, publicity, PROs, publishing, radio, production and touring are represented in this issue featuring those top executives in each segment who are crucial in continuing the success and the future of the Nashville music industry,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “As the industry rebuilds and realigns once the COVID-19 pandemic is curtailed, it’s these valued and respected people and the many who they represent who will undoubtedly successfully navigate the resilience and fortitude of our industry.”
Global superstars Dan + Shay are an unstoppable force in country music and beyond. The history-making duo has impressively garnered multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, American Music and Billboard Music Award wins and nominations across their explosive career. With more than four billion career streams globally as well as several mega-hit songs, they recently took home a second consecutive GRAMMY for Best Country Duo/Group Performance. In addition to being the fastest country song to reach one million U.S. track equivalents in 2019, their multi-week No. 1 hit “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber) earned the biggest first-week streaming total in country music history and currently boasts 1 billion global streams and over 2.5 million U.S. track equivalents to date. “10,000 Hours” is the first song by a country duo or group ever to debut in the Billboard Hot 100’s Top 5 and spent 21 consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Hot Country Songs. The worldwide smash has already achieved Double Platinum certification in Australia and Canada, Platinum in the U.S. and Gold certification in more than five other countries.
Continuing into 2020, Dan + Shay The (Arena) Tour will play to major markets across the country and includes a stop at the iconic Madison Square Garden, which sold out in under 90 minutes, and two consecutive sold-out nights at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for opening weekend. Their Platinum-certified self-titled album spawned recent chart-topper “All To Myself” (Platinum), multi-week No. 1 “Speechless” (3x Platinum), global smash “Tequila” (4x Platinum, BMI 2019 Country Song of the Year) and more. In the seven years since they formed, Dan + Shay have accumulated 26 total RIAA certifications and achieved seven No. 1 singles at country radio.
LABEL: Warner Music Nashville
LATEST ALBUM: Dan + Shay
LATEST SINGLE: “10,000 Hours”
CURRENT PRODUCER: Dan Smyers
CURRENT PUBLISHER: Warner Chappell
PRO: ASCAP (Dan Smyers), BMI (Shay Mooney)
MANAGEMENT: Sandbox Entertainment, SB Projects
BOOKING: CAA
RECENT HITS: “10,000 Hours” (with Justin Bieber), “All To Myself,” “Speechless,” “Tequila”
AWARDS: (2) GRAMMY, (3) ACM [and an additional (2) wins for Dan Smyers as songwriter and producer], (3) CMA Triple Play [Dan (1), Shay (2)], (2) AMA, (2) CMT Music, (2) Teen Choice, (1) Billboard, (1) CMA
RIAA CERTS TO DATE: (1) Platinum Album, (1) Gold Album, (1) 4x Platinum Single, (1) 3x Platinum Single, (1) 2x Platinum single, (5) Platinum singles, (1) Gold Single
SPECIAL TV APPEARANCES: ACM, Billboard, CMA, CMT, GRAMMY Awards; American Idol, CMA Fest, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve, Good Morning America, Ellen, FOX Super Bowl LIV Pregame, Jimmy Kimmel Live!, Late Night with Seth Meyers, Live with Kelly and Ryan, TODAY, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon and more
BIRTHDAY: August 16 (Smyers), December 27 (Mooney)
HOMETOWN: Wexford, PA (Smyers), Natural Dam, AR (Mooney)
WEBSITE: danandshay.com
Single copies of InCharge are available for purchase for $110, and are included with yearly memberships at no additional cost. Please note that issues of MusicRow Magazine’s InCharge issue can only be purchased online as the MusicRow building is currently closed to the public due to COVID-19.
The Gatlin Brothers Team With Time Life For Digital Multi-Album Release (Exclusive)
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Gatlin Brothers—Larry, Steve and Rudy—have joined forces with Time Life to release four of their acclaimed albums digitally in celebration of their 65th anniversary as a group. Through a new recording and distribution agreement with Time Life, many of the songs which were previously unavailable on digital platforms are now being released.
Four albums, including Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers – Family Gospel Favorites, The Gatlin Brothers – Sincerely, Your Ticket to Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers, and Larry Gatlin – In My Life, are now available on Spotify and other streaming services. The projects contain many of the trio’s hits including “All the Gold in California,” “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You),” “I Don’t Wanna Cry,” “Night Time Magic,” as well as classic gospel tunes such as “Amazing Grace,” “Rock of Ages,” “It Is Well With My Soul,” and “I’ll Fly Away.”
“It’s an honor to be working with Larry, Steve and Rudy and to bring these recordings to their fans,” notes Mike Jason, Time Life’s Senior VP, Time Entertainment. “We’re excited to deliver more of their music to the world.”
“Brother Steve, Brother Rudy and I love to sing our music for you folks. We’ve been singing together for 65 years and it never gets old,” says Larry Gatlin. “As long as you will keep listenin,’ we’ll keep singin.’ We hope you like the songs in this collection. Keep the faith.”
Time Life is planning to release additional material from the Gatlins in the coming months.