Holly Zabka
Holly Zabka has been promoted to Sr. Vice President at Essential Music Publishing. Zabka was previously Vice President of Publishing at the company.
Zabka was the first executive hired to run the publishing company in 2008 as Sr. Director of Publishing, and was promoted to VP in 2013. Since the inception of the company 12 years ago, Zabka and her EMP team have more than 15,000 copyrights and over 60 No. 1 songs, including “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, which also went No. 1 on the Mainstream Adult Contemporary Top 40 Chart, Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love,” Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker,” “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns, and “Known” by Tauren Wells, among many others.
Additionally, through Zabka’s leadership, Provident’s Publishing division has received four GMA Dove Awards for Song of the Year (“You Say,” “Reckless Love,” “By Your Side,” and “Give Me Your Eyes”), was named 2019 BMI Publisher of the Year, and is a four-time SESAC Publisher of the Year. Under Zabka’s direction EMP has been responsible for signing and partnering with songwriters such as Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Jonathan Smith, Ethan Hulse, Mia Fieldes, Ran Jackson, and Bryan Fowler, to name a few, and have also signed and represented Provident Label Group artist songwriters including Zach Williams, Tauren Wells, Matt Maher, I AM THEY, Elle Limebear, Vertical Worship, Rhett Walker, and more.
The publishing company is also behind many of today’s country hits, and to date has four No.1’s, three of which were written by Casey Brown for Russell Dickerson: “Every Little Thing,” “Blue Tacoma,” and “Yours.” EMP has also published “Flatliner,” written by Matt Brownleewe and recorded by Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley.
“I am pleased to announce that Holly Zabka has been promoted to Sr. Vice President, Essential Music Publishing,” said Terry Hemmings, President and CEO, Provident Music Group. “In her 10 plus years with us, she has grown our publishing business into a globally impactful entity. Our roster and catalogue represent the very best in our industry. Holly’s role in shepherding the writers and songs necessary to bring us to this position is clear and the contribution to our business is evident in the results. Additionally, since joining our Sr. Leadership Team, she has added valuable insights and ideas, which have contributed to growing the overall business of Provident Entertainment Group. Please join me in congratulating Holly on this significant and well-deserved achievement!”
Carrie Underwood’s New Book Debuts On ‘New York Times’ Best Seller List
/by Lorie HollabaughUnderwood kicked off a multi-city promo tour last week with personal appearances in Brooklyn, Stamford, CT and Nashville, all of which sold out in under a minute. She took over the NBC airwaves on March 3 with appearances on The Today Show, competed in a “Fittest of the Fit” challenge on The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon on March 6, and cooked with Rachael Ray on March 9. Underwood also graces the covers of Women’s Health and Parade Magazine, and was featured in InStyle, People, USA Today, Entertainment Weekly, and more.
She also launched her new fitness app, fit52, on March 2, which is now available for download on iOS, a holistic wellness platform designed to encourage and support users on their personal wellness journey. March also marks her fifth anniversary as founder and lead designer of her fitness and lifestyle brand, CALIA by Carrie Underwood, which launched in 2015 and is exclusively available at DICK’S Sporting Goods nationwide and online.
Industry Pics: Mo Pitney, Laura Veltz, Mitchell Tenpenny, Chuck Wicks
/by Jessica NicholsonMo Pitney Previews Upcoming Album
Pictured (L-R): Modern Management’s Ted Greene, Curb Records’ RJ Meacham, Mike Curb, Mo Pitney, Laurel Kittleson, Benson Curb, Colt Murski, Jeff Tuerff, Bryan Stewart
Mo Pitney recently performed new music from his upcoming album for members of his label home Curb Records on Thursday, March 5 at the Curb Studio. The upcoming album will follow his 2016 project Behind This Guitar.
Laura Veltz Honored During Song Suffragettes Sixth Anniversary Show
Pictured (L-R): Mia Morris, Erin Grand, Song Suffragettes’ Helena Capps, Chloe Gilligan, Jenna LaMaster, Jeannie Seely, Laura Veltz, MTSU’s Dean Beverly Keel, Sarabeth Taite, Candi Carpenter, Kalie Shorr, Vic Allen, Bellah Mae and Song Suffragettes’ Todd Cassetty. Photo: Jordan Merrigan
Nashville’s all-female, singer-songwriter collective, Song Suffragettes, celebrated their sixth anniversary with two songwriter rounds on March 9, featuring nine female singer-songwriters and a special presentation to hit songwriter Laura Veltz who has penned six No. 1 hits in recent years including Maren Morris’ “The Bones” and Dan + Shay’s “Speechless.” Veltz accepted the Yellow Rose of Inspiration Award for her contributions to the songwriting community. Beverly Keel, Dean of Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment moderated a Q&A session with Veltz. Veltz also offered an acoustic performance of Maren Morris’ latest single “To Hell and Back,” which Veltz co-wrote with Morris and Jessie Jo Dillon.
Mitchell Tenpenny, Chuck Wicks Raise Over $73,000 For Tornado Relief
Mitchell Tennpenny & Chuck Wicks + Friends Raise $73,698 Thousand for Hands On Nashville
Nashville native Mitchell Tenpenny and NASH FM’s Chuck Wicks recently teamed to create a benefit concerts to aid those impacted by last week’s Nashville tornadoes. The Band Camino, Chris Lane, Devin Dawson, HARDY, Tyler Rich, The Sisterhood Band, and more came out to show their support. Their partnership resulted in two sold-out concerts held at Dierks Bentley’s Whiskey Row, which together raised $73,698. All ticket sales from the shows, auction item donations and all proceeds from bar sales during the concerts will benefit Hands On Nashville.
Signings: Clay Walker, Sarah Buchanan, Travis Tritt
/by Jessica NicholsonClay Walker Signs With TKO Artist Management
Clay Walker has signed with TKO Artist Management and is prepping for the digital release of his 2003 album A Few Questions on March 27. TKO Artist Management represents The Bacon Brothers, Glen Campbell, Colt Ford, Krystal Keith, Toby Keith, Chris LeDoux, Ned LeDoux, Mac McAnally and Waterloo Revival.
Sony/Provident Signs Sarah Buchanan
Top Row (L-R): Jeff Cruz, Jamie Rodgers, Holly Zabka, Jason Frizzell, Josh Pauley, Kauland Buchanan, Nathanael Kotras, Bottom Row (L-R): Sony/Provident CEO Terry Hemmings, Sarah Buchanan
Sarah Buchanan has signed a recording contract with Sony/Provident, and a publishing agreement with Essential Worship. Buchanan, who leads worship at Nashville’s Church of the City-Sylvan Park, is set to release music later this year and launch a tour in early 2021.
“There have never been truer words to describe how I feel – this means the world to me. I feel incredibly validated and affirmed in what I have felt my heart pulling me towards for several years. It is overwhelming to look around and see so many new faces in my corner that have quickly become like family to me,” Buchanan said. “I am incredibly at peace and feel a new sense of responsibility to steward this new platform as best I can – that is not lost on me. There is no manual on how to navigate the thing that you have been working towards for what feels like forever, which is a weird reality for me now. I am beyond honored to be joining the Provident team and working alongside people I have admired from afar for so long – seriously, someone pinch me.”
Travis Tritt Signs With Big Noise Music Group
Pictured (L-R): Adam Muhlbaum (Big Noise Music Group, Sr. VP of Marketing and Project Management), Mike “Cheez” Brown (Travis Tritt’s Manager), Jon Cohen (Big Noise Music Group, President), Travis Tritt, Nick Gross (Big Noise Music Group, CEO)
Travis Tritt has signed with Los Angeles-based label Big Noise Music Group and is set to release a new full-length album later this year. The project, which is being produced by Dave Cobb (Chris Stapleton, The Highwomen, Sturgill Simpson), will mark Tritt’s first album release in more than 12 years.
Walker Hayes, Teddy Robb, Brandon Ratcliff Revive Triple Play Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughWalker Hayes, Teddy Robb, and Brandon Ratcliff are taking a page from the playbook of ’90s country and hitting the road together on the Triple Play Tour presented by Monument Records. The tour will be visiting major markets across the U.S., kicking off on April 9 in Cincinnati, Ohio, and running through May 16 in Chesapeake, Virginia.
Inspired by the original Triple Play tour that launched the careers of Shania Twain and Toby Keith, Hayes, Ratcliff, and Robb will all be releasing new singles into the marketplace throughout the run and sharing one bus and one band. The trio will be fully investing in these cities with press, radio, college and brand events in addition to the marketplace shows.
Hayes has kept fans and audiences across the globe captivated since the release of his debut album boom., which included the Platinum hit “You Broke Up With Me.” After selling out clubs across the country last year on his Dream On It Tour, and releasing his latest EP, 8Tracks, Vol. 3: Black Sheep, Hayes’ songs have been streamed nearly half a billion times. He has new music set for release this month.
Ratcliff burst onto the scene with his debut single, “Rules Of Breaking Up,” accumulating over 50 million streams. After hitting the road with Kelsea Ballerini and Brett Young, and opening dates for Keith Urban, Ratcliff was selected as a Pandora Ones to Watch artist and topped Rolling Stone’s all-genre Breakthrough Artists chart last summer. On his latest project, Uncovered, Ratcliff digs into his musical influences, releasing covers of Fleetwood Mac’s “Rhiannon,” Stevie Wonder’s “Livin’ For The City,” and Alison Krauss’ “Forget About It.”
Robb released his debut track “Really Shouldn’t Drink Around You” in 2019. Since then, his music has accumulated over 80 million worldwide streams, and he’s played festivals across the country and performed to national audiences. New music will be announced in the coming weeks.
Mercury’s Triple Play Sampler: Three Home-Run Artists was released in 1993, featuring John Brannen, Toby Keith and Shania Twain.
BREAKING: Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Ordered To Close Remainder Of Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThe City of Houston and the Houston Health Department have ordered the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to close the remainder of the festival, and the festival’s organizers have announced they will comply with the city’s order. The grounds will close at 4 p.m. today.
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo launched March 3, and was slated to run through March 22. Among the artists that had been slated to make upcoming appearances through March 22 include Kane Brown, Cody Johnson, Lizzo, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, Gwen Stefani, Khalid, Chris Stapleton, Marshmellow and Luke Bryan.
“The Rodeo is deeply saddened; however, the safety and well-being of our guests and our community is our top priority. Out of precaution, the City has decided that this is the best course of action for our community,” the festival’s organizers said via a statement. Organizers are working on a plan to refund tickets to attendees.
“The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has been a fabric of this community since 1932. Having to close early is extremely difficult as guests, volunteers, exhibitors, rodeo athletes and entertainers look forward to the 20 days of the Rodeo each year. We look forward to the 2021 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo to continue to promote agriculture, education, entertainment and Western heritage. We will provide additional information as it becomes available.”
ACM Awards Are On: The Academy of Country Music To Hold Awards Show Despite Coronavirus Concerns
/by Jessica NicholsonAs cases of the COVID-19 coronavirus continue to rise across the United States, leading festivals and other music events to postpone or cancel shows, the Academy of Country Music and dick clark productions plan to move forward with the upcoming Academy of Country Music Awards show, which is set for April 5 at the MGM Grand Garden Arena.
“We are closely monitoring the situation along with the MGM team, who are in continuous contact with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Southern Nevada Health District, and other agencies and experts for guidance. We will take every precaution to ensure the safety of our artists, staff, crew, guests and attendees,” the organization said via a statement.
The ACM today announced its first round of performers, with a lineup that includes this year’s ACM Awards host Keith Urban and Miranda Lambert. Lambert will perform alongside Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars tourmates Lindsay Ell, Caylee Hammack, Elle King, Ashley McBryde and Tenille Townes for their live television premiere performance of their Music Event of the Year-nominated song “Fooled Around and Fell in Love.
In recent weeks, Nashville-based songwriter festival Tin Pan South announced it will postpone the festival until the summer, while Austin’s massive SXSW festival announced its cancellation. Coachella and its country music-focused counterpart Stagecoach have both been postponed until October.
To date, there have been more than 120,000 confirmed cases of the virus globally, including more than 1,000 in the United States.
Round Hill Music Nashville Promotes Four
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (clockwise, from top left): Emily Corter, Steve Nalbert,
Robbie English, and Kevin Thompson.
Round Hill Music Nashville has promoted four employees within the Sync Licensing, Creative Licensing, and Royalty Services departments. Steve Nalbert has been elevated from Senior Director of Sync & Creative Licensing to Head of Creative Licensing. Kevin Thompson was promoted from Director of Sync Licensing to Senior Director, Emily Corter was promoted from Senior Coordinator of Royalty Services to Manager, and Robbie English was promoted from Senior Coordinator of Sync Licensing to Manager.
Holly Zabka Rises To Sr. VP At Essential Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughHolly Zabka
Holly Zabka has been promoted to Sr. Vice President at Essential Music Publishing. Zabka was previously Vice President of Publishing at the company.
Zabka was the first executive hired to run the publishing company in 2008 as Sr. Director of Publishing, and was promoted to VP in 2013. Since the inception of the company 12 years ago, Zabka and her EMP team have more than 15,000 copyrights and over 60 No. 1 songs, including “You Say” by Lauren Daigle, which also went No. 1 on the Mainstream Adult Contemporary Top 40 Chart, Cory Asbury’s “Reckless Love,” Zach Williams’ “Chain Breaker,” “Only Jesus” by Casting Crowns, and “Known” by Tauren Wells, among many others.
Additionally, through Zabka’s leadership, Provident’s Publishing division has received four GMA Dove Awards for Song of the Year (“You Say,” “Reckless Love,” “By Your Side,” and “Give Me Your Eyes”), was named 2019 BMI Publisher of the Year, and is a four-time SESAC Publisher of the Year. Under Zabka’s direction EMP has been responsible for signing and partnering with songwriters such as Jason Ingram, Matt Maher, Jonathan Smith, Ethan Hulse, Mia Fieldes, Ran Jackson, and Bryan Fowler, to name a few, and have also signed and represented Provident Label Group artist songwriters including Zach Williams, Tauren Wells, Matt Maher, I AM THEY, Elle Limebear, Vertical Worship, Rhett Walker, and more.
The publishing company is also behind many of today’s country hits, and to date has four No.1’s, three of which were written by Casey Brown for Russell Dickerson: “Every Little Thing,” “Blue Tacoma,” and “Yours.” EMP has also published “Flatliner,” written by Matt Brownleewe and recorded by Cole Swindell and Dierks Bentley.
“I am pleased to announce that Holly Zabka has been promoted to Sr. Vice President, Essential Music Publishing,” said Terry Hemmings, President and CEO, Provident Music Group. “In her 10 plus years with us, she has grown our publishing business into a globally impactful entity. Our roster and catalogue represent the very best in our industry. Holly’s role in shepherding the writers and songs necessary to bring us to this position is clear and the contribution to our business is evident in the results. Additionally, since joining our Sr. Leadership Team, she has added valuable insights and ideas, which have contributed to growing the overall business of Provident Entertainment Group. Please join me in congratulating Holly on this significant and well-deserved achievement!”
New Album From Margo Price Coming In May
/by Lorie HollabaughPrice primarily cut That’s How Rumors Get Started at Los Angeles’ EastWest Studios, and tracking occurred over several days while she was pregnant with daughter Ramona. “They’re both a creation process,” she says. “And I was being really good to my body and my mind during that time. I had a lot of clarity from sobriety.”
Price shared a video for her new single “Twinkle Twinkle,” directed by Matthew Siskin that was inspired by a candid, backstage conversation with Marty Stuart about the tough truths of touring and the illusory nature of success. She’ll perform songs from the new project at dozens of shows with Chris Stapleton and The Head & The Heart this Spring and Summer, in addition to festival appearances and more shows to be announced soon.
The album follows Price’s 2017 project All American Made, which landed on several best-of lists, and led to Price’s first Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, as well as three sold-out headlining shows at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Margo also released the 2016 album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, which earned her a spot on Saturday Night Live, and followed with the EP Weakness in July 2017.
BREAKING: Coachella And Stagecoach Officially Postponed
/by Sherod RobertsonAt the direction of the County of Riverside and local health authorities, Coachella and Stagecoach have been postponed due to COVID-19 concerns, according to their statement to media.
Coachella will now take place on October 9, 10 and 11 and October 16, 17 and 18, 2020. Stagecoach will take place on October 23, 24 and 25, 2020. All purchases for the April dates will be honored for the rescheduled October dates. Purchasers will be notified by Friday, March 13 on how to obtain a refund if they are unable to attend.