Pictured (L-R): MCA Nashville’s Katie Dean, KRTY’s Nate Deaton, WKLB’s David Corey, Cox Media Group’s Johnny Chiang, Radio Disney’s Kris Daniels
“2020 needs to be the year of the female artist,” said WKLB program director David Corey, one of a few programmers who assembled for a hot-topic panel session titled “All The Singles, Ladies: Breaking Female Artists” as part of Country Radio Seminar on Thursday (Feb. 20).
Katie Dean, Sr. VP/Promotion for MCA Nashville, moderated two panels that centered on female artists and country music. The first panel included Johnny Chiang, Director of Operations for Cox Media Group; Kris Daniels, Sr. Manager of Music Programming for Radio Disney Country; David Corey, Country Brand Manager/PD, WKLB; and Nate Deaton, General Manager for Empire Broadcasting’s KRTY.
“Right now, in the past six months and seeing what’s coming in the next little while, 2020 needs to be the year of the woman, because the music is great,” said Corey.
The female-positive statements come at a time that could possibly be a turning point in the years-long drought of female voices on country radio. According to recently-released statistics from SongData, only 10% of daily song spins on country radio stations in 2019 were performed by women.
However, 2020 is starting off with Maren Morris’ “The Bones” at the top of the country radio charts for a second week. The feat makes “The Bones” the first multi-week No. 1 by a solo female artist since 2012, representing an eight-year gap between multi-week No. 1s by a solo country female.
Currently, there are a total of five songs by female artists in the Top 20 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, though Morris’ is the only one within the Top 10. Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine” sits at No. 12, while Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” is at No. 14, followed by Carly Pearce’s (with Lee Brice) “I Hope You’re Happy Now” at No. 15, and Kelsea Ballerini’s “Homecoming Queen?” at No. 19.
All of the panelists shared excitement for their favorite female artists, such as Lauren Alaina, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and more.
Chiang referenced “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?,” a song UMG Nashville artist Mickey Guyton performed during the UMG Nashville showcase earlier in the day, earning a standing ovation from the radio programmers in attendance.
“I will play that song today,” Chiang said.
“If you’re not playing Ashley McBryde, wake up,” added Deaton, to thunderous applause from the radio crowd.
Deaton offered his perspective on the lack of new female artists on country radio, saying, “I don’t think it’s just a female artist problem, I think it’s a new artist problem,” drawing applause from the audience.
Chiang agreed that part of the reason for the lack of new female artists—and new artists in general—has been that country radio stations are using “the same old playbook that is 50 years old.”
“When the ratings are down, what’s the first thing we do? We cut the playlists, we stop playing new artists, stop playing new songs. We become a jukebox. We are slaves to [the ratings]. That has an impact on new artists/new female artists. That means we’re competing against other radio stations…that might have been the case 30 years ago but now we are competing against DSPs, Amazon music and so on.”
“I personally think caller research is outdated…when you look at social media you can see how people are streaming, look at Shazam, look at Spotify,” Daniels said. “At Radio Disney Country our goal is to play 60-70% female artists. That doesn’t mean if you are a female artist you just automatically get added. These are good songs by good artists.”
Chiang also questioned the amount of airplay time programmers give to certain songs before they turn to the caller research. “Did you really give the song a chance?,” Chiang asked. “You need to give it 500-600 spins at least to get a real take.” Corey added that songs from females often don’t test as well in research with listeners because though the songs are often “most-added” by stations, those songs will then be played in overnights, with lower listener engagement. “A song that’s played 1,000 times is going to test better than one played 100 times,” he said.
Corey also offered his opinion about separate “female-only” programming.
“I think everything needs to be equal. We were talking backstage about some stations that do specialty female-only shows on Sunday afternoons or whatever. I think that works against what we are trying to do here. When everyone starts doing a female specialty show, that’s where you’re hearing them, but nowhere else, so I think they need to be treated [equally]. Not better, obviously not worse, and I think that’s what’s fair.”
Many on the panel stated that they have heard the unwritten “rule” that radio stations should not play two female artists back-to-back their entire career. None of the panelists indicated that they have such a rule and they all stated they don’t agree that “women don’t want to hear women.”
“We’re in the business of playing hits,” Deaton said.
In the second half of the panel, Marion Kraft, CEO for ShopKeeper Management and longtime manager for superstar Miranda Lambert was featured on the day’s second panel, alongside Damon Moberly (VP, Promotion for Mercury Nashville), and Amazon Music’s Emily Cohen.
Cohen noted the number of voice requests for female country artists on Amazon Music (using Alexa) rose nearly 60% between July 2019 and January 2020.
Kraft laid down the gauntlet, challenging radio programmers to try new things. “We need more shepherds and less sheep,” she said, before asking that programmers make a concerted effort to substantially increase the number of female artists they program into their schedules in 2020.
“We do want to be treated better for just this year. Starting next year, you can treat us the same,” she said, adding, “If you guys don’t have these great females females in your format anymore, you guys are going to be really sad. The fan goes where they play the music they want to hear. If you don’t give them what they want, they have [other] places to go now.”
UMG Nashville Holds 11th Annual “Team UMG at the Ryman” CRS Luncheon
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, first row): EMI’s Mike Krinik, MCA’s Donna Passuntino, UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Carrie Underwood, Reba McEntire, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, Capitol’s Brent Jones, Mercury’s Jeannie Sullivan; (L-R, second row): Mercury’s Jill Brunett, Capitol’s Katelyn Lester, Caylee Hammack, Keith Urban, Mickey Guyton, Mercury’s Jack Christopher, UMG Nashville EVP Promotion Royce Risser, UMG Nashville’s David Friedman, MCA’s Briana Galluccio, MCA’s Michelle Tyrrell, EMI’s Briarman Whitfield, Capitol’s Ashley Knight; (L-R, third row): UMG Nashville’s Chris Schuler, Capitol’s Megan Youngblood, Capitol’s Mara Sidweber, Kylie Morgan, Mercury’s Sally Angeli, UMG Nashville’s Donna Hughes, Capitol’s Annie Sandor, Mercury’s Damon Moberly, Mercury’s Summer Harlow, EMI’s Trudie Daniell, EMI’s Connor Brock, EMI’s Jackie Stevens, Mercury’s Nick Kaper; (L-R, fourth row): Jon Pardi, MCA’s Miranda McDonald, Capitol’s Bobby Young, Parker McCollum, Luke Bryan, John Osborne (Brothers Osborne), Travis Denning, UMG Nashville EVP/COO Mike Harris, Adam Hambrick, Sam Hunt, UMG Nashville’s Chris Fabiani, TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne), EMI’s Jimmy Rector, EMI’s John Trapane. Photo: Peyton Hoge
Universal Music Group Nashville hosted the 11th Annual “Team UMG at the Ryman” luncheon yesterday (Feb. 20) during Country Radio Seminar.
Caylee Hammack offered “Small Town Hypocrite,” while Mickey Guyton previewed “What Are You Gonna Tell Her.” Both were very well received.
Luke Bryan played the title-track off his upcoming album Born Here, Live Here, Die Here. Keith Urban previewed new music with a song “God Whispered Your Name,” while Sam Hunt did as well with an acoustic song called “2016.”
Carrie Underwood made her Team UMG debut at CRS with “Spinning Bottles,” and later returned to the stage to sing “The Fighter” with Urban.
Surprise guest Reba McEntire, who announced her return to the UMG Nashville family, also performed. The newest UMG signee played “How Blue” and “And Still,” before closing with “Fancy.”
The following UMG Nashville artists also offered performances: Hot Country Knights, Brandon Lay, Travis Denning, Jon Pardi, Parker McCollum, Kip Moore, Adam Hambrick, Kylie Morgan, and Brothers Osborne.
Industry Ink: Country Music Hall of Fame, Randy Travis, Shore Fire Media
/by Jessica NicholsonCMHoF’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Honors Bev Paul
Pictured (L-R): Honoree Bev Paul; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director of Public Programs Abi Tapia. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images
Thursday evening (Feb. 20), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum honored Bev Paul at its 13th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum. The museum annually presents the forum to recognize music industry leaders who continue the legacy of Louise Scruggs, a businesswoman and music industry trailblazer who set new professional standards in artist management.
Paul joined Sugar Hill Records in 1991 as a marketing director. She worked with label founder Barry Poss to expand the label’s roster, releasing music recorded by Dolly Parton, Sam Bush, Guy Clark, Doc Watson and more. Paul became General Manager for the label in 1998, leading a staff consisting primarily of young women. Sugar Hill became a known music leader, and partnered with other indie labels that specialized in roots/folk music to create trade organizations in bluegrass, Americana and more.
In addition to her work at Sugar Hill, Paul served as an active member of the board of the International Bluegrass Music Association, and, she participated in the founding of the Americana Music Association. Since retiring from Sugar Hill in 2007, Paul has worked part-time with artist Scott Miller and his record label. Miller performed as part of this evening’s program.
Randy Travis Visits Seacrest Studio At Vanderbilt
Pictured (L-R): Brandon Will; Casey Long, media support specialist, Seacrest Studio at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt; Randy Travis; Mamie Shepherd, program manager, Seacrest Studio at Children’s Hospital; Mary Travis; Ben Fuller. Photo: Donn Jones/Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Country Music Hall of Fame member Randy Travis and his wife, Mary Travis, recently visited Seacrest Studio at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Patients and families filled the studio during the interview that was broadcast live to every room in Children’s Hospital. The pair talked about Randy’s new book and enjoyed performances of his hits by artists Brandon Will and Ben Fuller.
Shore Fire Media Promotes Del Valle
Olivia Del Valle. Photo: Andrea Evenson
PR firm Shore Fire Media has promoted Olivia Del Valle to Junior Account Executive. Del Valle was previously a Publicity Coordinator, and operates out of Shore Fire’s Nashville office. Since joining Shore Fire in August of 2018, Del Valle has worked on campaigns for Justin Moore, Infamous Stringdusters, Steep Canyon Rangers, Paul Cauthen, Waylon Payne, the Bud Light Super Bowl Music Festival, the Dolly Parton’s America podcast and more.
CRS In Pictures: CMA, Rascal Flatts, Warner Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonRascal Flatts On 20 Years Of Music Success
Pictured (L-R): Gary LeVox and Jay DeMarcus of Rascal Flatts with Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer) and Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts following the annual Country Radio Seminar’s keynote event on Wednesday, Feb. 19 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.
Rascal Flatts were Country Radio Seminar’s keynote speakers on Wednesday (Feb. 19). The Country Music Association’s CEO Sarah Trahern led a Q&A with the trio’s Gary Levox, Joe Don Rooney and Jay DeMarcus. Following the keynote interview, a welcome reception was held featuring performances from CMA KixStart Artist Scholarship recipients Angie K, Everette and Kyle Morgan.
Pictured (L-R): Kylie Morgan, Everette, and Angie K perform. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Warner Music Nashville Keeps The CRS Party Going
Pictured (L-R): Hoss Michaels (KXKT/Omaha), Nick Rivers (WIRK/West Palm), Jude Walker (KMDL/Lafayette), Tom Starr (Warner Music Nashville), Tom Martens (Warner Music Nashville), Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville), John Marks (Spotify), Chris Janson, Chad Schultz (Warner Music Nashville), Gator Harrison (WSIX/Nashville), James Marsh (Warner Music Nashville), Erich West (WDRM/Huntsville), Tim Leary (WIRK/West Palm) Tom Hanrahan (WDXB/Birmingham)
Warner Music Nashville’s staff and artists have been meeting and greeting with radio reps all week at Country Radio Seminar. The label had its second annual CRS kick-off luncheon on Wednesday (Feb. 19) and later hosted a “Warner Wednesday” cocktail party downtown at The Bell Tower. On Thursday (Feb. 20), Warner hosted a bourbon tasting with Brett Eldredge as well as a special women’s empowerment dinner. Chris Janson hosted a cigar bar downtown at Red Phone Booth. Later that evening, Ashley McBryde offered guests a performance and hangout at the Omni, previewing songs from her upcoming album Never Will. Two WMN artists will be part of tonight’s (Feb. 21) CRS New Faces of Country Music showcase, including Ingrid Andress and Morgan Evans.
Pictured (L-R): Lou Ramirez (Regional Manager, Radio & Streaming – Southeast, WMN); Gator Harrison (WSIX/Nashville); Cole Swindell; Tennille Hawkins
Pictured (L-R): Dan Smyers; Kristen Williams (SVP Radio, WMN); Shay Mooney; Brett Eldredge; Ashley McBryde; John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Gabby Barrett
CRS: Is 2020 The Year of the Female Artist?
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): MCA Nashville’s Katie Dean, KRTY’s Nate Deaton, WKLB’s David Corey, Cox Media Group’s Johnny Chiang, Radio Disney’s Kris Daniels
“2020 needs to be the year of the female artist,” said WKLB program director David Corey, one of a few programmers who assembled for a hot-topic panel session titled “All The Singles, Ladies: Breaking Female Artists” as part of Country Radio Seminar on Thursday (Feb. 20).
Katie Dean, Sr. VP/Promotion for MCA Nashville, moderated two panels that centered on female artists and country music. The first panel included Johnny Chiang, Director of Operations for Cox Media Group; Kris Daniels, Sr. Manager of Music Programming for Radio Disney Country; David Corey, Country Brand Manager/PD, WKLB; and Nate Deaton, General Manager for Empire Broadcasting’s KRTY.
“Right now, in the past six months and seeing what’s coming in the next little while, 2020 needs to be the year of the woman, because the music is great,” said Corey.
The female-positive statements come at a time that could possibly be a turning point in the years-long drought of female voices on country radio. According to recently-released statistics from SongData, only 10% of daily song spins on country radio stations in 2019 were performed by women.
However, 2020 is starting off with Maren Morris’ “The Bones” at the top of the country radio charts for a second week. The feat makes “The Bones” the first multi-week No. 1 by a solo female artist since 2012, representing an eight-year gap between multi-week No. 1s by a solo country female.
Currently, there are a total of five songs by female artists in the Top 20 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, though Morris’ is the only one within the Top 10. Ingrid Andress’ “More Hearts Than Mine” sits at No. 12, while Gabby Barrett’s “I Hope” is at No. 14, followed by Carly Pearce’s (with Lee Brice) “I Hope You’re Happy Now” at No. 15, and Kelsea Ballerini’s “Homecoming Queen?” at No. 19.
All of the panelists shared excitement for their favorite female artists, such as Lauren Alaina, Ashley McBryde, Carly Pearce and more.
Chiang referenced “What Are You Gonna Tell Her?,” a song UMG Nashville artist Mickey Guyton performed during the UMG Nashville showcase earlier in the day, earning a standing ovation from the radio programmers in attendance.
“I will play that song today,” Chiang said.
“If you’re not playing Ashley McBryde, wake up,” added Deaton, to thunderous applause from the radio crowd.
Deaton offered his perspective on the lack of new female artists on country radio, saying, “I don’t think it’s just a female artist problem, I think it’s a new artist problem,” drawing applause from the audience.
Chiang agreed that part of the reason for the lack of new female artists—and new artists in general—has been that country radio stations are using “the same old playbook that is 50 years old.”
“When the ratings are down, what’s the first thing we do? We cut the playlists, we stop playing new artists, stop playing new songs. We become a jukebox. We are slaves to [the ratings]. That has an impact on new artists/new female artists. That means we’re competing against other radio stations…that might have been the case 30 years ago but now we are competing against DSPs, Amazon music and so on.”
“I personally think caller research is outdated…when you look at social media you can see how people are streaming, look at Shazam, look at Spotify,” Daniels said. “At Radio Disney Country our goal is to play 60-70% female artists. That doesn’t mean if you are a female artist you just automatically get added. These are good songs by good artists.”
Chiang also questioned the amount of airplay time programmers give to certain songs before they turn to the caller research. “Did you really give the song a chance?,” Chiang asked. “You need to give it 500-600 spins at least to get a real take.” Corey added that songs from females often don’t test as well in research with listeners because though the songs are often “most-added” by stations, those songs will then be played in overnights, with lower listener engagement. “A song that’s played 1,000 times is going to test better than one played 100 times,” he said.
Corey also offered his opinion about separate “female-only” programming.
“I think everything needs to be equal. We were talking backstage about some stations that do specialty female-only shows on Sunday afternoons or whatever. I think that works against what we are trying to do here. When everyone starts doing a female specialty show, that’s where you’re hearing them, but nowhere else, so I think they need to be treated [equally]. Not better, obviously not worse, and I think that’s what’s fair.”
Many on the panel stated that they have heard the unwritten “rule” that radio stations should not play two female artists back-to-back their entire career. None of the panelists indicated that they have such a rule and they all stated they don’t agree that “women don’t want to hear women.”
“We’re in the business of playing hits,” Deaton said.
In the second half of the panel, Marion Kraft, CEO for ShopKeeper Management and longtime manager for superstar Miranda Lambert was featured on the day’s second panel, alongside Damon Moberly (VP, Promotion for Mercury Nashville), and Amazon Music’s Emily Cohen.
Cohen noted the number of voice requests for female country artists on Amazon Music (using Alexa) rose nearly 60% between July 2019 and January 2020.
Kraft laid down the gauntlet, challenging radio programmers to try new things. “We need more shepherds and less sheep,” she said, before asking that programmers make a concerted effort to substantially increase the number of female artists they program into their schedules in 2020.
“We do want to be treated better for just this year. Starting next year, you can treat us the same,” she said, adding, “If you guys don’t have these great females females in your format anymore, you guys are going to be really sad. The fan goes where they play the music they want to hear. If you don’t give them what they want, they have [other] places to go now.”
BREAKING: Tim McGraw Returns To Big Machine Label Group
/by Jessica NicholsonTim McGraw has returned to Big Machine Label Group, a rep for the label has confirmed with MusicRow Magazine. McGraw’s return to Big Machine follows his recent exit from Sony Music Nashville. Billboard first reported McGraw’s return to the label.
McGraw was with Scott Borchetta‘s Big Machine Label Group from 2012 until 2017. With Big Machine, he released the albums Damn Country Music, Sundown Heaven Town, and the Gold-certified Two Lanes of Freedom. His Damn Country Music album included the Lori McKenna-penned track “Humble and Kind,” which earned a CMA Award for Song of the Year in 2016, as well as a Grammy for Best Country Song, and an American Music Award for Favorite Country Song. The song was certified 2x multi-Platinum by the RIAA. Two Lanes of Freedom included the No. 1 hits “One Of Those Nights” and “Highway Don’t Care,” featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban. Sundown Heaven Town brought the chart-topper “Shotgun Rider.”
McGraw joined the Sony roster in 2017 and released a long-awaited duets album with wife and fellow artist Faith Hill, The Rest of Our Life. Most recently, McGraw released the tracks “Neon Church” and “Thought About You,” and is set to release a new album, Here on Earth.
McGraw’s Here on Earth tour launches July 10 with openers Midland and Ingrid Andress, and includes two stadium shows with Luke Combs.
McGraw has expanded his portfolio of business ventures recently, partnering with Snap Fitness for the TRUMAV line of boutique fitness centers in 2018, and launching the book Grit & Grace: Train the Mind, Train the Body, Own Your Life in November 2019. He also teamed with historian Jon Meacham to co-write Songs of America: Patriotism, Protest and the Music That Made a Nation.
Willie Nelson Covers Songs From Chris Stapleton, Toby Keith On 70th Album
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson is releasing his 70th solo studio album, First Rose Of Spring, on Friday, April 24, which falls right before the legend’s 87th birthday on April 29.
The project features 11 new studio tracks and original artwork created by Willie’s son Micah, and was produced by Buddy Cannon, who also penned two new songs on the CD with Nelson, “Blue Star” and “Love Just Laughed.” Alongside his new compositions on the album, Willie also pays tribute to a variety of pop and country writers and performers, interpreting songs penned by Toby Keith (“Don’t Let The Old Man In”), Billy Joe Shaver (“We Are The Cowboys”) and Pete Graves (“Just Bummin’ Around” – a song recorded by Jimmy Dean, Dean Martin and others). Among the writers contributing to the project are Randy Houser, Allen Shamblin, Mark Beeson, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Casey Beathard, and Don Sampson.
A key track on First Rose Of Spring is Willie’s heartfelt rendering of “Our Song,” a new song by Chris Stapleton. Willie Nelson & Family will appear as special guests on Stapleton’s “All-American Roadshow” on two big dates this year: Globe Life Field in Arlington, Texas on March 14 and “A Concert for Kentucky” at Kroger Field in Lexington, Kentucky on April 25. The album also includes a moving interpretation of the classic “Yesterday When I Was Young,” which has been recorded by Roy Clark, Bing Crosby, Shirley Bassey, Dusty Springfield, Mel Tormé, Jack Jones, Lena Horne, Andy Williams, Glen Campbell, Julio Iglesias, Johnny Mathis, Elton John and many more.
First Rose Of Spring will be available on CD, vinyl and digital formats as well as part of exclusive merch bundles on Willie’s web store. The album’s title track and the “First Rose Of Spring” music video are being released today.
Blake Shelton Added To iHeartCountry Festival Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughBlake Shelton has joined the lineup for the upcoming 2020 iHeartCountry Festival Presented by Capital One set for Saturday, May 2 at the Frank Erwin Center in Austin. Joining Shelton on the seventh annual show will be Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Dustin Lynch, Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Jon Pardi and Chase Rice, Hot Country Knights, Bobby Bones and more.
“I’m excited to join my friends and fellow country artists for my first iHeartCountry Festival performance,” said Shelton. “It’s always a good time playing to Texas crowds and I’m looking forward to an evening of country music and maybe a little vodka to add to the party!”
The star-studded event will livestream exclusively on livexlive.com and broadcast live across iHeartMedia’s country music radio stations in their local markets and at iHeartRadio.com. As the largest country broadcast radio group in America, iHeartCountry has more than 150 country stations across the U.S. and reaches more than 109 million country music listeners per month on broadcast alone.
Tickets are now on sale to the general public via TexasBoxOffice.com.
Eric Church Recorded 28 Songs In 28 Days For His Upcoming Project
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Lon Helton, Eric Church. Photo: Courtesy AristoMedia
Eric Church revealed that he has been working on new music during an interview with Country Aircheck Publisher/CEO & Host of Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA, Lon Helton at CRS yesterday (Feb. 20).
Church said that following his 2018 Desperate Man album and his 2019 Double Down Tour, he felt the need to push himself further, creatively. He challenged himself to write and record 28 songs in 28 days. Instead of recording his new project at Jay Joyce’s Neon Cross studio in Nashville, Church decamped to Banner Elk, North Carolina, converted a restaurant into a studio, brought out his band and some songwriters and got to writing.
“I felt like it was time to do something nuts,” Church said with a grin. “I would write a song in the morning, we would cut it that night. We removed all the barriers about what people think of the song, and just let it be the most creative thing that day, chase that as hard as you can, and move on. For me, it’s as far out there as I have gotten, creatively. I couldn’t shut it off.”
Pictured (L-R): Lon Helton, Eric Church. Photo: Courtesy AristoMedia
Church talked about a generator—or “genny,” as his crew referred to it—going out and how that inspired the song that he previewed about a girl named, “Jenny.”
“I think by getting that far out there, it really opened up some really great stuff creatively,” Church said. “My antenna was up. Looking back at what came out of it, it was exactly what had to happen.”
John Pierce Signs With Universal Music Publishing Nashville
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): David Crow, Missy Roberts, Cyndi Forman, Terry Wakefield, John Pierce, Troy Tomlinson, Ron Stuve and Travis Gordon
John Pierce has signed an exclusive, worldwide publishing agreement with Universal Music Publishing Nashville.
Pierce has had songs recorded by Chris Young, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Reba McEntire and Trace Adkins, and was a co-writer on the No. 1 hit “Sweet Annie” for Zac Brown.
“John is on such an upward trajectory with his writing and we are thrilled to be representing him at UMPG. His lyric and melody instincts are on point for today’s country market,” said Terry Wakefield, SVP of A&R, UMPG.
“Beyond excited to begin this next chapter with Terry Wakefield, Troy Tomlinson and the entire staff at Universal,” says Pierce. “They are the kind of music publisher every songwriter hopes to have in their career. I can’t wait to see what we accomplish together.”
Weekly Radio Report (2/21/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.