The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing two of its most popular programs, including the weekly Songwriter Sessions and its education program Words & Music, to Instagram Live. Beginning April 14, the museum will host its weekly Songwriter Sessions, with viewers encouraged to pose questions to the featured songwriters via Instagram. The Songwriter Sessions will begin at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be hosted by the CMHOF’s director of public programs Abi Tapia.
Among the upcoming featured songwriters are Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Caitlyn Smith, Eric Paslay, Brandy Clark and Charlie Worsham.
Words & Music At Home will be an extension of the Words & Music program and will begin Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. Tenille Townes will perform and will participate in an interview about songwriting, led by CMHoF outreach and music programs manager Adam Ollendorff.
“Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” said Lisa Purcell, the museum’s senior vice president, education, development and community engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular songwriting programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.”
Upcoming Songwriter Sessions:
April 14
Laura Veltz, whose compositions include “Bones” (Maren Morris), “Speechless” (Dan + Shay) and “What If I Never Get Over You” (Lady Antebellum).
April 21
Luke Laird, whose compositions include “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney) and “Space Cowboy” (Kacey Musgraves).
April 28
Caitlyn Smith, whose compositions include “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend), “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Country Music Hall of Fame members Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) and her own single “Long Time Coming.”
May 5
Eric Paslay, whose compositions include “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band) and his own hit “Friday Night.”
May 12
Brandy Clark, whose compositions include her singles “Bigger Boat,” which features Randy Newman, “Hold My Hand” and “Who You Thought I Was.”
May 19
Charlie Worsham, whose compositions include “Love You To The Moon” (Kip Moore) and his own singles “Mississippi In July” and “Old Time’s Sake.”
Ebach Entertainment, UMPG Nashville Sign Josh Melton
/by Jessica NicholsonJanine Ebach‘s Ebach Entertainment and UMPG Nashville have signed a publishing deal with Josh Melton.
Melton moved to Nashville in 2014 and alongside working at a nursing home to pay the bills he spent evenings working at Nashville’s FGL House and Luke Bryan’s 32 Bridge Food+Drink, where Ebach first discovered him.
“It’s your classic Nashville discovery story- I heard Josh sing in a bar and was blown away by his rich vocal, original songs and positive attitude,” Ebach said. “Not only has he been hustling in Nashville for a handful of years but he’s a guy you just want to root for. I’m equally as excited to partner with Troy Tomlinson, Missy Roberts and the entire Universal Publishing Nashville team on Josh, along with his manager, Chris Perkins.”
Melton signed with WME for touring representation in 2019 and has opened shows for Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts and Jimmie Allen, among others. His song “Everybody Knows” has earned 1 million streams and he will release new music in May.
“I’m humbled to be a part of this amazing team,” Melton said. “I have the support of some of the best industry professionals in the game, and I cannot wait to see where this crazy thing called a dream takes us!”
Anastasia Brown Named Chief Content Strategist At Visionary Media Group
/by Lorie HollabaughAnastasia Brown has been appointed to Chief Content Strategist of Visionary Media Group.
In her new role, Brown will direct the creation and allocation of all digital and physical content across all platforms for the company’s music, film, television and scoring projects. In addition to steering the content creation for VMG’s flagship recording artist, American Idol finalist Kree Harrison, signed to the subsidiary One Vision Music Group, Brown will also be working on film productions and scores.“Anastasia Brown brings an exceptional level of experience and stature in the music industry to VMG,” says CEO Cory B. Savage. “Her expertise and incredible eye for spotting talent is unmatched. I couldn’t be happier to have Anastasia on our team as we help artists prosper in the entertainment industry.”
Prior to joining VMG, Brown had carved out a path that encompasses music, film and television constructing a creative bridge between Nashville and Hollywood. With a career featuring milestones including DOVE and Emmy wins and Grammy and Oscar nominations, Brown’s traversed a three-decade career honing expertise as a music supervisor, artist manager, music publisher, film/soundtrack/TV producer, author, TV personality, A&R/label executive and content creator.
While heading up Miles Copeland’s Nashville division of Firstars Management and Ark 21 Records, Brown worked with Keith Urban, Waylon Jennings, Peter Frampton and Leon Russell in various capacities to both launch and propel their careers. Serving as distribution consultant and music supervisor for the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation, Brown coordinated the distribution of the documentary For the Love of Music: The Story of Nashville on ABC. As a TV music consultant for Warner Nashville, she made 27 sync placements in a six-month period, including songs by Blake Shelton, the Zac Brown Band, Brett Eldredge and Hunter Hayes.
In the production arena, Brown has developed four TV series and two films including the Sony Classics biopic on the life of Hank Williams, Sr., I Saw the Light. On the other side of the camera, Brown starred as a judge for three seasons of the USA Network talent competition Nashville Star. Brown also led the charge to grow a self-sustaining film, TV, scoring and post-production industry in Nashville establishing Southern Lights, a Content Creation Alliance in 2019.
“My long-term goal is to grow a prolific and self-sustaining film, TV, podcast and gaming production center as well as an audiovisual scoring industry in Nashville, and with VMG’s leadership and dedication, this goal is finally becoming a reality,” says Brown. “Content has been and always will be ‘king.’ VMG will provide the resources to attract and grow content creators, and support innovative production strategies for creative works to be launched from idea through completion. Their unique brand of business strategy will benefit recording artists, songwriters, producers of soundtracks, and the development of authentic films, TV, podcast and gaming entertainment. VMG has cutting-edge technology that will transform the ability to distribute content internationally. My career over these last three decades has encompassed bits and pieces of all that VMG is supporting me to lead, all under one roof.”
MV2 Entertainment Launches Label Imprint
/by Jessica NicholsonMV2 Entertainment has launched the label imprint New Lost City Records, with the flagship artists Nora Collins and Blake Henderson.
Collins has been an artist-writer with MV2 Entertainment since 2016. She recently extended her publishing deal with MV2 and is set to release her new single “Neon Healing” on May 15 under the new label imprint.
Oklahoma native Henderson currently works in the oilfield as a wireline operator. His first single, “Tomorrow’s Problem,” will release April 24.
“New Lost City Records is a bold, exciting step for us to release new music with forward-thinking strategies relevant to today’s market,” said MV2 General Manager Tony Harrell. “We have strong releases on the horizon and an incredible support team behind them.”
“I couldn’t be more excited and grateful to have the opportunity to continue my journey with the amazing MV2 team,” said Collins. “I’m so proud of my upcoming project and can’t wait to release it under New Lost City Records!”
“I’m so excited and blessed to have the opportunity to sign with New Lost City Records,” said Henderson. “I’m looking forward to working with such a driven, professional, and accomplished team. My family and I are thankful beyond measure.”
Ross Copperman Maintains No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart For Six Weeks
/by LB CantrellRoss Copperman is spending his sixth week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. The credits that are holding him in the pinnacle spot are Brett Young’s recent No. 1, “Catch,” as well as Luke Bryan’s “What She Wants Tonight,” Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey’s “The Other Girl,” and Blake Shelton and Gwen Stefani’s duet “Nobody But You.”
Craig Wiseman (No. 2), Ashley Gorley (No. 3), Shane McAnally (No. 4) and Jonathan Singleton (No. 5) round out the top five.
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.
Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Launches Interactive Songwriting Programs
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is bringing two of its most popular programs, including the weekly Songwriter Sessions and its education program Words & Music, to Instagram Live. Beginning April 14, the museum will host its weekly Songwriter Sessions, with viewers encouraged to pose questions to the featured songwriters via Instagram. The Songwriter Sessions will begin at 8:00 p.m. CT and will be hosted by the CMHOF’s director of public programs Abi Tapia.
Among the upcoming featured songwriters are Laura Veltz, Luke Laird, Caitlyn Smith, Eric Paslay, Brandy Clark and Charlie Worsham.
Words & Music At Home will be an extension of the Words & Music program and will begin Thursday, April 16 at 2 p.m. Tenille Townes will perform and will participate in an interview about songwriting, led by CMHoF outreach and music programs manager Adam Ollendorff.
“Music is a powerful gift that unites us, stimulates creativity and provides relief while we stay home and implement social distancing,” said Lisa Purcell, the museum’s senior vice president, education, development and community engagement. “This is why the museum will take our most popular songwriting programs live online and invite the world to participate with us.”
Upcoming Songwriter Sessions:
April 14
Laura Veltz, whose compositions include “Bones” (Maren Morris), “Speechless” (Dan + Shay) and “What If I Never Get Over You” (Lady Antebellum).
April 21
Luke Laird, whose compositions include “Hard to Forget” (Sam Hunt), “American Kids” (Kenny Chesney) and “Space Cowboy” (Kacey Musgraves).
April 28
Caitlyn Smith, whose compositions include “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor featuring John Legend), “You Can’t Make Old Friends” (Country Music Hall of Fame members Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers) and her own single “Long Time Coming.”
May 5
Eric Paslay, whose compositions include “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band) and his own hit “Friday Night.”
May 12
Brandy Clark, whose compositions include her singles “Bigger Boat,” which features Randy Newman, “Hold My Hand” and “Who You Thought I Was.”
May 19
Charlie Worsham, whose compositions include “Love You To The Moon” (Kip Moore) and his own singles “Mississippi In July” and “Old Time’s Sake.”
Billy Ray Cyrus Joins Higher Together Concert Set For April 20
/by Jessica NicholsonBilly Ray Cyrus. Photo: Tish Cyrus
Billy Ray Cyrus will join Ari Lennox, Wiz Khalifa, Joey “CoCo” Diaz and more will take part in the virtual concert Higher Together: Sessions From Home, a 4/20 virtual celebration set for Monday, April 20 beginning at noon PST. Hosted by Weedmaps a tech and software provider for the cannabis industry, the concert will bring together artists, comedians and entertainers to perform exclusive sets from their homes.
Cyrus will debut his new single “Hillbilly Ray,” along with an accompanying music video, as part of his 4/20 set. The track is an update on the 1970s theme song of The Beverly Hillbillies.
“Be a Bogart. If you care, don’t share. Don’t pass your joint or pipe around, it’s just not safe to do right now. Let’s all take a breather, chill out on 4/20 and jam to some new music. We’re gonna have a good time,” Cyrus shared.
The free Weedmaps’ Higher Together: Sessions From Home event can be viewed at weedmaps.com/420 beginning at 12 p.m. (PST) / 3 p.m. (EST) on Monday, April 20.
Weekly Register: Sam Hunt’s ‘Southside’ Debuts At No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Hunt‘s long-awaited sophomore album, Southside, debuts at No. 1 on the Billboard country albums chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Southside, released on MCA Nashville, moved 46K in total consumption, marking Hunt’s second No. 1 debut on the country albums chart and his second Top 5 debut on the Billboard Top 200 albums chart.
Luke Combs‘ What You See Is What You Get shifts down to No. 2 this week (22.5K) followed by Combs’ debut album from 2016, This One’s For You at No. 3 (19K). Morgan Wallen‘s If I Know Me is at No. 4 (17K), followed by Ashley McBryde‘s sophomore album Never Will, which rounds out the Top 5 with 12K in its debut week.
The late John Prine‘s 1999 album In Spite of Ourselves re-enters the country albums chart this week at No. 55.
On the Country On-Demand Streaming Songs chart, Gabby Barrett‘s “I Hope” retains the No. 1 position for a second week, with 8.4 million streams.
Diplo & Julia Michaels with Morgan Wallen’s “Heartless” is at No. 2 with 7.5 million steams. Sam Hunt’s “Hard To Forget” is at No. 3 this week, with 6.9 million streams. Maren Morris‘ “The Bones” is at No. 4 with 6.9 million streams. Old Dominion‘s “One Man Band” rounds out the Top 5 with 6.5 million streams this week.
This week’s top debut on the Country On-Demand Streaming Songs chart also comes from Hunt’s new album, with the track “2016.”
ACM Lifting Lives Encourages Continued Support For COVID-19 Response Fund
/by Lorie HollabaughThe ACM Lifting Lives COVID-19 Response Fund has already raised over $1 million dollars to help individuals in the country music community who are experiencing financial hardship due to the pandemic, and as of April 10, ACM Lifting Lives has already granted $970,000 of the fund, which was only launched last week, giving an average of $138,000 per day.
The fund is helping to alleviate the burden that many behind-the-scenes professionals such as touring personnel and musicians, songwriters and developing artists are facing as the industry has been hit hard with canceled tours, shows, job losses and reduced work opportunities, venue closures, and corporate furloughs. ACM Lifting Lives is currently getting back to people with approvals and checks mailed out within a matter of days.
To continue providing critical support to the country music community, the ACM is asking for help to raise awareness and additional funds for the COVID-19 Response Fund and as a sign of their commitment to the cause, ACM Lifting Lives will match up to an additional $250,000 of incoming gifts. ACM and ACM Lifting Lives will recognize those gifts on its website, its social platforms, and via e-mail communication to members and fans. For more information or to make a contribution visit ACMLiftingLives.org.
Brett Young Earns Sixth Consecutive Chart-Topper With "Catch"
/by Lorie HollabaughBrett Young has achieved his sixth consecutive No. 1 song with his latest single, “Catch.” The track, which he co-wrote with Ashley Gorley and Ross Copperman, landed at the top spot on both the Mediabase/Country Airplay and Billboard country charts.
The song has also received Gold RIAA certifications in the U.S. and Canada, and has over 141 million streams worldwide. Young’s previous No. 1 hits include “In Case You Didn’t Know” (5X Platinum), “Mercy” (2X Platinum), “Sleep Without You” (Platinum), “Like I Loved You” (Platinum), and “Here Tonight” (Platinum).
“I can’t believe we are celebrating another No. 1 with ‘Catch,’” Young shared. “I’m overwhelmed by the continued support I’ve received from my fans and country radio. These always feel good, but in our current situation this one feels extra special to celebrate with my family. Thank y’all SO MUCH!”
Young’s duet with
Ashley McBryde Joins #SingforStJude
/by Jessica NicholsonAshley McBryde and St. Jude patient Alexander
Ashley McBryde is joining the many artists teaming up for #SingforStJude to raise awareness and funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Monday (April 13) at 2:30 p.m. CT, the reigning ACM New Female Artist and CMA New Artist of the Year McBryde will join in for a live performance on her Facebook page, which will be simulcast from St. Jude’s official account as well.
The Warner Music Nashville artist recently released her sophomore full-length album, Never Will.