Runaway June perform at CRS New Faces of Country Music Show. Photo: AristoMedia/CRS
This year’s New Faces of Country Music Show at Country Radio Seminar closed out three days of panels, seminars and music from superstars to newcomers, held at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.
On Friday, (Feb. 21), five more newcomers took the stage before hundreds of top country radio programmers from around the country. Each performer has had some traction on country radio, with hopes that some of the songs in their sets will soon add to their musical arsenal. This year’s lineup also highlighted the meld of influences in today’s up-and-comers, from ‘90s-esque country, female harmony groups, sleek pop country and hip-hop.
On a more somber note, several of the evening’s performers dedicated music to loved ones who had passed on.
First up was BMLG Records artist Riley Green.
He stayed close to center stage for his debut No. 1 hit “There Was This Girl,” clad in the requisite modern male country artist “uniform” of ballcap, white T-shirt and jeans.
“I wanted to do a song no one has ever done before, so I wrote a song about a truck,” he quipped, before adding, “I just wanted to write something about what trucks have meant to me,” before launching into “If It Wasn’t For Trucks,” followed by the title track to his album, Different ‘Round Here.
He reminded the crowd that he grew up in small town Alabama and noted that his parents were in the audience.
He ended with his current Top 15 hit “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” which became a viral hit before some radio stations began adding it to their rotations. He also talked of the inspiration for the song.
Riley Green. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
“Last February, I was in Las Vegas for a show, and I got a phone call that my granddaddy has passed away. I got on a flight…and went back to Alabama, got there about two in the morning and I wrote this down. It turned out to be the title, but I don’t know what I really meant for it to be. I started playing it and fans started liking it. We recorded it…and y’all took a hold of it and started playing it on the radio and I can’t tell you how awesome it is to see people sing this back to me. Whatever I come up with and put out, it’s probably never going to mean as much to me as it does every time I hear this song played on the radio.”
Before Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist Ingrid Andress took the stage, the two large screens that flanked either side of the stage flashed video clips of artists including Andress’ future tourmates Tim McGraw and Dan+Shay, as well as Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban all offering their praises for the newcomer.
The singer-songwriter is enjoying a Top 15 hit right now—and with a ballad, no less—on “More Hearts Than Mine.” In song, Andress is polished and sleek, while her unfiltered, off-the-cuff banter between tracks offered a refreshing counterbalance.
“You guys drunk yet?’ she deadpanned to the room.
Andress was all confidence, passion and fire during her performance—though the majority of her four-song set was comprised of slow-to-middle tempo songs, she wrung out the nuanced storylines and soaring melodies in each. Her voice was smoky and poised during “Both,” then soaring and commanding during “Lady Like” (the title track from her upcoming album).
“I wrote this song because I felt like people needed to hear about the stereotypes that women and men feel like they need to fit and I feel like I’ve never been able to fit that. It’s from me being homeschooled and playing street hockey with guys. My parents never told me that being a girl was a disadvantage so I never thought I was at a disadvantage. I moved to the South from Colorado and it turns out there are a lot of rules I didn’t know about. I wrote this song to remind everyone, and myself, that you can be whoever you want and you don’t have to apologize or fit into a box.”
Her performance turned soft and contemplative on the as-of-yet unreleased track “The Stranger.”
“I wrote it because I grew up on Disney movies, and I feel like they raised me and my generation to believe that love was super easy—all you have to do is fall asleep and someone kisses you, and you get married. And it turns out that is not how it works, and if that happens to you, you need to see a therapist immediately. Love when it’s real is really hard and it’s different for everybody and it’s a choice…I write mostly sad songs, so you’re welcome,” she added.
She moved to a keyboard to start her radio hit “More Hearts Than Mine,” which earned a standing ovation for most programmers in the audience as she concluded her set.
In between sets, “New Faces Rewind” video clips highlighted past New Faces of Country Music Show performers who have gone on to become superstars, from Toby Keith (he played in 1994) to Eric Church (2007) and Taylor Swift (2008). In another clip, superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill recalled how their love story began when they met backstage at CRS’ New Faces Show when they played the show alongside Keith in 1994.
For the past few years, Aussie native Morgan Evans has been performing with his “American Band”—consisting on only his acoustic guitar and a pedal loop. For Country Radio Seminar, the Warner Music Nashville artist brought a flesh-and-blood, full American band, with guitar and drums, giving him a fuller sounds on the jangly, jam band-esque “Young Again,” and his breakthrough hit “Kiss Somebody.”
“Everyone that works at a radio station, thank you so much for this song,” he said.
He toned down the guitar-fueled, up-tempo work to sit behind a piano for “Things That We Drink To,” which he dedicated to his late manager Rob Potts, who died in 2017. As the song’s chorus swelled, and Evans moved to center stage, bathed in yellow light, the song took on an almost spiritual essence.
“Right after ‘Kiss Somebody’ came out, about three months after, I lost my manager of 10 years,” he told the audience. “He was the guy that discovered me and the first person ever to believe in me, after my mom and dad. He was the first person that ever brought me to America, too. He took me to the Opry for the first time. He brought me to CRS and New Faces. We didn’t have tickets—we just stood by the door looking in—and he taught me about the significance of this event. I feel like Rob would feel pretty good tonight looking down on all this.”
The ambience lifted again with the introduction of Evans’ sugary track “Diamonds.”
Mitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
Wheelhouse trio Runaway June spent the better part of last year on the road opening 60+ shows for Carrie Underwood, and all that time hitting the stage each night was apparent in their high-energy, skillful performance.
They offered the moody banger “Trouble With This Town,” followed by the flirty “Head Over Heels.” A highlight of the set was the sincere “We Were Rich,” with the screen behind the band illuminated with childhood photos of Runaway June’s Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne.
“We’ve been to CRS for so many years, begging for people to talk to us, and to be invited to this is incredible and to be able to play this with my two best friends, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne,” said Cooke. “This song was a reminder for each one of us girls of what it was like growing up, before any of us knew we went without anything.”
The finished all-too-short performance with their breakthrough hit “Buy My Own Drinks,” which marked the first time a female trio or group broke into the Top 5 on the Mediabase Chart since the Dixie Chicks in 2003.
Columbia Nashville/Riser House’s Mitchell Tenpenny rounded out the evening’s performances, starting with “Anything She Says,” and bringing labelmates, Sony duo Seaforth on the track.
His second song of the evening, “Can’t Go To Church,” was a long time in the making. “I’ve had this title since the eighth grade,” he noted, before launching into the song’s beefy chorus, a perfect match for his powerful baritone. Tenpenny’s brother joined him on “Slow Ride,” offering enlivening rap portions.
Tenpenny was clearly excited to be playing the show, having attended in previous years. “I’ve spent four years sitting at these tables, dreaming of being up here,” he said.
Like Riley and Evans, Tenpenny opted to dedicate a song to a loved one who has passed on, noting that his father, James Mitchell Tenpenny, died in 2014 after a battle with cancer. Tenpenny introduced “Walk Like Him,” a song about all the characteristics of his late father that he sees in himself. A photo of his father shone on the screen behind him as he played.
He took a moment to thank the radio programmers in the audience, before offering his 2x multi-platinum debut hit, “Drunk Me.”
Runaway June, Riley Green, Ingrid Andress, Morgan Evans and Mitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
Carrie Underwood Surprised With Platinum Album Certification
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Cindy Mabe (President, UMGN), Ann Edelblute (Owner, The HQ), Royce Risser (EVP of Promotions, UMGN), Carrie Underwood, Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO, UMGN), David Garcia (Underwood’s Co-Producer), Brian Wright (EVP of A&R, UMGN), Jackie Jones (Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, RIAA). Photo: Country Radio Seminar 2020/Kayla Schoen
Carrie Underwood was surprised with an RIAA Platinum certification plaque for her latest album, Cry Pretty, and four certified singles from the album, on Friday (Feb. 21). Following Underwood’s artist interview as part of the annual Country Radio Seminar, held at Nashville’s Omni Hotel, UMG Nashville CEO & Chairman Mike Dungan and UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe presented Underwood with the latest accolade for her sixth studio album, the first she co-produced alongside David Garcia.
Four singles from Cry Pretty were certified by the RIAA including the Platinum-certified “The Champion” and the Gold-certified “Cry Pretty,” “Love Wins” and “Southbound.”
“Cry Pretty is an album of risk and boundary pushing,” Mabe said. “Carrie put her whole heart, raw emotion and personal story into writing, producing and releasing the music from this album for the world to see behind the curtains. Cry Pretty is Carrie’s artistic evolution and provides a chance for fans to see her at her most vulnerable and raw, so celebrating Platinum status is such an incredible gift that proves big risk gives way to big reward.”
Underwood said, “This means a lot, because I feel like this is the project that I’ve done, and the album that I’ve done, that is the most ‘me.’ I’m honored and I’m humbled, and God is good.”
The critically-acclaimed album debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200 chart, cementing Underwood’s place in history as the only woman to land four country albums at the top of the all-genre Billboard 200 chart. The album was the best-selling all-genre female debut in 2018 and she continues to hold the record as RIAA’s No. 1 certified female artist for Digital Singles.
On March 3, she will release her first fitness lifestyle book, Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life. The book provides a common-sense approach and tips from Underwood on staying active, eating well, and looking as beautiful as you feel, 52 weeks a year.
Carrie Underwood with a plaque for her Certified Platinum Album, Cry Pretty. Photo: Country Radio Seminar 2020/Kayla Schoen
Industry Ink: HARDY, Styx, TobyMac
/by Jessica NicholsonHARDY Sells Out In Nashville
HARDY celebrates his first-ever sold-out Nashville headlining show with Big Loud staffers.
HARDY held his first sold-out headlining Nashville show at Cannery Ballroom on Thursday (Feb. 20). The show featured opener Ashland Craft. HARDY was joined by staffers at his label home Big Loud to celebrate the milestone.
Styx Sets Ryman Auditorium Show For May
Rock band Styx is set to return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Saturday, May 23, as part of the group’s 2020 World Tour. Styx’s catalog of hits includes “Renegade,” “Come Sail Away,” “Too Much Time on My Hands,” “Blue Collar Man,” and more. Their album Paradise Theater peaked at No. 1 on the Billboard albums chart in 1981, while they also earned the Top 5 albums Kilroy Was Here (1983), Cornerstone (1979) and more.
Tickets for An Evening with STYX go on sale this Friday, February 28 at 10 a.m. / CT and will be available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com, STYXWorld.com and the Ryman Auditorium box office.
TobyMac Gives Back On Hits Deep Tour
At a recent tour stop in Phoenix, Arizona, TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour donated a check to a Salvation Army to meet needs in the local community. Pictured (L-R): Dan Fife, Awakening Events; Camelia Gonzalez, Salvation Army; TobyMac
TobyMac has partnered with tour sponsors KLOVE/Air1, Awakening Events and Altrua HealthShare and the Salvation Army to help meet needs in local communities. During each of the 34 tour stops on TobyMac’s Hits Deep Tour, funds are given to a local Salvation Army to help needs within that community.
Country Radio’s Newcomers Take A Turn In The Spotlight At Annual New Faces Show
/by Jessica NicholsonRunaway June perform at CRS New Faces of Country Music Show. Photo: AristoMedia/CRS
This year’s New Faces of Country Music Show at Country Radio Seminar closed out three days of panels, seminars and music from superstars to newcomers, held at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.
On Friday, (Feb. 21), five more newcomers took the stage before hundreds of top country radio programmers from around the country. Each performer has had some traction on country radio, with hopes that some of the songs in their sets will soon add to their musical arsenal. This year’s lineup also highlighted the meld of influences in today’s up-and-comers, from ‘90s-esque country, female harmony groups, sleek pop country and hip-hop.
On a more somber note, several of the evening’s performers dedicated music to loved ones who had passed on.
First up was BMLG Records artist Riley Green.
He stayed close to center stage for his debut No. 1 hit “There Was This Girl,” clad in the requisite modern male country artist “uniform” of ballcap, white T-shirt and jeans.
“I wanted to do a song no one has ever done before, so I wrote a song about a truck,” he quipped, before adding, “I just wanted to write something about what trucks have meant to me,” before launching into “If It Wasn’t For Trucks,” followed by the title track to his album, Different ‘Round Here.
He reminded the crowd that he grew up in small town Alabama and noted that his parents were in the audience.
He ended with his current Top 15 hit “I Wish Grandpas Never Died,” which became a viral hit before some radio stations began adding it to their rotations. He also talked of the inspiration for the song.
Riley Green. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
“Last February, I was in Las Vegas for a show, and I got a phone call that my granddaddy has passed away. I got on a flight…and went back to Alabama, got there about two in the morning and I wrote this down. It turned out to be the title, but I don’t know what I really meant for it to be. I started playing it and fans started liking it. We recorded it…and y’all took a hold of it and started playing it on the radio and I can’t tell you how awesome it is to see people sing this back to me. Whatever I come up with and put out, it’s probably never going to mean as much to me as it does every time I hear this song played on the radio.”
Before Warner Music Nashville/Atlantic Records artist Ingrid Andress took the stage, the two large screens that flanked either side of the stage flashed video clips of artists including Andress’ future tourmates Tim McGraw and Dan+Shay, as well as Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban all offering their praises for the newcomer.
The singer-songwriter is enjoying a Top 15 hit right now—and with a ballad, no less—on “More Hearts Than Mine.” In song, Andress is polished and sleek, while her unfiltered, off-the-cuff banter between tracks offered a refreshing counterbalance.
“You guys drunk yet?’ she deadpanned to the room.
Andress was all confidence, passion and fire during her performance—though the majority of her four-song set was comprised of slow-to-middle tempo songs, she wrung out the nuanced storylines and soaring melodies in each. Her voice was smoky and poised during “Both,” then soaring and commanding during “Lady Like” (the title track from her upcoming album).
“I wrote this song because I felt like people needed to hear about the stereotypes that women and men feel like they need to fit and I feel like I’ve never been able to fit that. It’s from me being homeschooled and playing street hockey with guys. My parents never told me that being a girl was a disadvantage so I never thought I was at a disadvantage. I moved to the South from Colorado and it turns out there are a lot of rules I didn’t know about. I wrote this song to remind everyone, and myself, that you can be whoever you want and you don’t have to apologize or fit into a box.”
Her performance turned soft and contemplative on the as-of-yet unreleased track “The Stranger.”
“I wrote it because I grew up on Disney movies, and I feel like they raised me and my generation to believe that love was super easy—all you have to do is fall asleep and someone kisses you, and you get married. And it turns out that is not how it works, and if that happens to you, you need to see a therapist immediately. Love when it’s real is really hard and it’s different for everybody and it’s a choice…I write mostly sad songs, so you’re welcome,” she added.
She moved to a keyboard to start her radio hit “More Hearts Than Mine,” which earned a standing ovation for most programmers in the audience as she concluded her set.
In between sets, “New Faces Rewind” video clips highlighted past New Faces of Country Music Show performers who have gone on to become superstars, from Toby Keith (he played in 1994) to Eric Church (2007) and Taylor Swift (2008). In another clip, superstars Tim McGraw and Faith Hill recalled how their love story began when they met backstage at CRS’ New Faces Show when they played the show alongside Keith in 1994.
For the past few years, Aussie native Morgan Evans has been performing with his “American Band”—consisting on only his acoustic guitar and a pedal loop. For Country Radio Seminar, the Warner Music Nashville artist brought a flesh-and-blood, full American band, with guitar and drums, giving him a fuller sounds on the jangly, jam band-esque “Young Again,” and his breakthrough hit “Kiss Somebody.”
“Everyone that works at a radio station, thank you so much for this song,” he said.
He toned down the guitar-fueled, up-tempo work to sit behind a piano for “Things That We Drink To,” which he dedicated to his late manager Rob Potts, who died in 2017. As the song’s chorus swelled, and Evans moved to center stage, bathed in yellow light, the song took on an almost spiritual essence.
“Right after ‘Kiss Somebody’ came out, about three months after, I lost my manager of 10 years,” he told the audience. “He was the guy that discovered me and the first person ever to believe in me, after my mom and dad. He was the first person that ever brought me to America, too. He took me to the Opry for the first time. He brought me to CRS and New Faces. We didn’t have tickets—we just stood by the door looking in—and he taught me about the significance of this event. I feel like Rob would feel pretty good tonight looking down on all this.”
The ambience lifted again with the introduction of Evans’ sugary track “Diamonds.”
Mitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
Wheelhouse trio Runaway June spent the better part of last year on the road opening 60+ shows for Carrie Underwood, and all that time hitting the stage each night was apparent in their high-energy, skillful performance.
They offered the moody banger “Trouble With This Town,” followed by the flirty “Head Over Heels.” A highlight of the set was the sincere “We Were Rich,” with the screen behind the band illuminated with childhood photos of Runaway June’s Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne.
“We’ve been to CRS for so many years, begging for people to talk to us, and to be invited to this is incredible and to be able to play this with my two best friends, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne,” said Cooke. “This song was a reminder for each one of us girls of what it was like growing up, before any of us knew we went without anything.”
The finished all-too-short performance with their breakthrough hit “Buy My Own Drinks,” which marked the first time a female trio or group broke into the Top 5 on the Mediabase Chart since the Dixie Chicks in 2003.
Columbia Nashville/Riser House’s Mitchell Tenpenny rounded out the evening’s performances, starting with “Anything She Says,” and bringing labelmates, Sony duo Seaforth on the track.
His second song of the evening, “Can’t Go To Church,” was a long time in the making. “I’ve had this title since the eighth grade,” he noted, before launching into the song’s beefy chorus, a perfect match for his powerful baritone. Tenpenny’s brother joined him on “Slow Ride,” offering enlivening rap portions.
Tenpenny was clearly excited to be playing the show, having attended in previous years. “I’ve spent four years sitting at these tables, dreaming of being up here,” he said.
Like Riley and Evans, Tenpenny opted to dedicate a song to a loved one who has passed on, noting that his father, James Mitchell Tenpenny, died in 2014 after a battle with cancer. Tenpenny introduced “Walk Like Him,” a song about all the characteristics of his late father that he sees in himself. A photo of his father shone on the screen behind him as he played.
He took a moment to thank the radio programmers in the audience, before offering his 2x multi-platinum debut hit, “Drunk Me.”
Runaway June, Riley Green, Ingrid Andress, Morgan Evans and Mitchell Tenpenny. Photo: Aristomedia/CRS
Big Machine Label Group Announces Tim McGraw Signing At CRS Luncheon, Artists Perform
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, CRB’s Kurt Johnson, Big Machine Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, CRB’s RJ Curtis; (L-R, middle row): Avenue Beat’s Sami Bearden, Savana Santos & Sam Backoff, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Payton Smith; (L-R, front row): Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley & Tyler Hubbard, Danielle Bradbery, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott & Charles Kelley. Photo: Danielle Del Valle / Getty Images for Big Machine Records
Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta announced the return of Tim McGraw to its flagship imprint Big Machine Records at their CRS luncheon today (Feb. 21). BMLG also showcased their stars and newcomers with performances from Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Danielle Bradbery, Payton Smith and Avenue Beat.
Pictured (L-R): Tim McGraw, CEO of Big Machine Scott Borchetta. Photo: Danielle Del Valle/Getty Images for Big Machine Records
FGL kicked off the performances with an energized set including their 11x-Platinum hit “Cruise,” record-breaking “Meant to Be,” and other songs “Round Here,” “Blessings” and “Simple.” Pandora also honored the duo with the Billionaire plaque backstage prior to their performance, congratulating them for their 5.6 billion streams on the platform.
CMT’s Next Women of Country Class of 2020 inductees Avenue Beat showcased their harmonies with songs from their self-titled EP (The Valory Music Co.). The trio performed “Delight” and “Ruin That For Me.”
Newcomer Payton Smith amplified the afternoon with his guitar-slinging and songwriting on full display as he performed “Can’t Go Wrong With That,” “What It Meant To Lose You,” “’92” and lead single “Like I Knew You Would,” from his debut self-titled EP.
Danielle Bradbery premiered two new songs with the nostalgic “Girls In My Hometown,” written by Nicolle Galyon and Emily Weisband, and emotive ballad “Never Have I Ever.” She is set to release new music later this year.
Lady Antebellum closed the afternoon with a touching set. The group performed their new BMLG Records single “What I’m Leaving For” and the self-reflective “Be Patient With My Love,” plus fan favorites “Love Don’t Live Here” and “Bartender.” Lady A received a standing ovation for their Gold-certified No. 1, “What If I Never Get Over You.”
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.