Curb Publishing Signs Darren King

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Pictured: ET Brown (SESAC), Darren King, Joel Timen (VP, Publishing and A&R, Curb | Word Entertainment), and Jordan Mattison.

Curb Publishing has inked an exclusive songwriting deal with Darren King. King is a founding member of MuteMath and was one of the creators behind reimagining five of Twenty One Pilots’ songs for MuteMath’s EP TOPxMM.

The Nashville-based King has also co-written and co-produced tracks with Kanye West and Travis Scott and is currently working on his debut album DK the Drummer Presents Lockers: Vol. 1.

“I am beyond excited to welcome Darren to Curb Publishing,” shares Joel Timen, VP, Publishing and A&R at Curb. “He is one of the most talented songwriters and producers I have encountered in my career. Darren is the type of songwriter, artist and producer that inspires me to show up and work hard every day, and is the perfect addition to our already impressive roster of pop writers.”

Darren adds, “I’m honored to join the Curb Publishing team. Joel Timen has earned a reputation amongst the music community as being one of the most affable, trustworthy, and inspiring people you can find. I am thankful that I get to work with him and I’m excited to hear what songs come from our collaborations.”

“We have known Joel for a long time and have been impressed with the work he has done while at Curb,” comments Jordan Mattison of Goodfolk, Darren’s manager. “We are excited to be a member of the family and have a lead who aligns with a big vision and is able to carry out and execute our mutual goals for Darren.”

DISClaimer: John Anderson, Blake Shelton, MacKenzie Porter Top New Tracks

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It’s “welcome home” to an old buddy this week.

Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member John Anderson has teamed up with Mr. Black Keys, Dan Auerbach, plus superstar Blake Shelton. The result is country-music nirvana. Give this man this week’s Disc of the Day award.

Anderson’s runners up represent two opposite wings of the country sound. Nathan Stanley clings to tradition with his effort, while Cam is pushing the pop side of things.

The DisCovery Award goes to MacKenzie Porter. She sounds like a comer, to me.

JEFF BATES/If I Get Drunk Tonight
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Skydancer
-Dark and dramatic. On this ballad, he wonders if he can obliterate her memory with whiskey. If only it weren’t taken quite so s-l-o-w-l-y.

KALIE SHORR/Escape
Writers: Candi Carpenter/Kalie Shorr; Producer: Shorr; Publisher: none listed; KS
– Strikingly mature. In the video, she sits alone on a road case, reminiscing. Intercut home-movie footage of her with her older sister lends a sadly nostalgic tone. The lyric is a touching ode to getting away from your roots, and the video adds the layer of a life cut short by drug abuse. Well written. Well sung. Well done.

JOHN ANDERSON & BLAKE SHELTON/Tuesday I’ll Be Gone
Writers: John Anderson/Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Producers: Dan Auerbach/David Ferguson; Publisher: none listed; Easy Eye Sound
-Anderson’s comeback was nearly scuttled by a health crisis. But he survived. This splendid thumper finds him in fine voice, as distinctive as ever. Shelton chimes in, but this is the legend’s show all the way. Shower this man with praise and glory.

INGRID ANDRESS/Life of the Party
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music
– The title is ironic, since her heart is fully broken. The verses meander a bit, but the choruses bring the song home with oomph. The power in the echoey production is a plus, too.

TYLER FARR/Only Truck In Town
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Deric Ruttan/Josh Thompson; Producers: Jason Aldean/Kurt Allison/Tully Kennedy; Publisher: none listed; Night Train
– Farr’s return is as the flagship artist on Jason Aldean’s new label, Night Train Records. The song is a slow-burn celebration of his hot girlfriend, because, “She makes me feel like I’m the only truck in town.” There’s a screaming rock-guitar solo in the middle of it.

CAM/Till There’s Nothing Left
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: Tyler Johnson/Jeff Bhasker; RCA
– I dig her a lot, and there’s no denying the fabulously layered production and overall sonic splendor of this. Still, as gorgeous as it is, it definitely pushes on the outer boundaries of “country.” Is she in the right format?

WALKER MONTGOMERY/Like My Daddy Done It
Writer: Dallas Davidson; Producer: Davidson; Publisher: none listed; Play It Again
– He’s the son of John Michael Montgomery and the nephew of Eddie Montgomery. He’s good looking, and he sings well. Give him a shot.

DYLAN SCOTT/Nobody
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Very hooky and very romantic. This guy always displays great vocal chops, and this yearning effort is no exception. Deserving of beaucoup airplay.

MACKENZIE PORTER/Seeing Other People
Writers: jason Afable/Emily Falvey/Matt McGinn; Producer: Joey Moi; Publisher: none listed; Big Loud
– This winsome Canadian is touring with Chris Lane and Brad Paisley. She is already award-nominated in her homeland, and this commercial ditty should up her profile, stateside. It’s about the gut-wrenching experience of seeing your ex with somebody else. Her soft soprano is backed by an atmospheric, wafting track with plenty of “air.” In a word, promising.

NATHAN STANLEY/That’s How I Got To Memphis
Writers: Tom T. Hall; Producers: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Orchard
– He’s the grandson of Ralph Stanley, but don’t expect a high, lonesome, Appalachian vocalist. Nathan is just as influenced by Nashville honky tonkers as he is bluegrass folks. That is very much in evidence on this outstanding cover of a Tom T. Hall classic. He sings it with enormous heart and soul, and the backing is replete with steel guitar and deep-bass twang. This is country music as it was meant to be sung.

Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” Earns 8x Multi-Platinum Certification

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Pictured (L-R): Maverick’s Chris Parr, RIAA’s Jackie Jones, Darius Rucker, UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan. Photo: Strange Bird Media

Darius Rucker has gotten a lot of mileage out of “Wagon Wheel.” His 2013 hit, which was originally released by Old Crow Medicine Show in 2004, has now been certified 8x multi-Platinum by the RIAA. The feat makes Rucker the only solo male country artist to reach the milestone of an 8x multi-Platinum song in RIAA history.

Rucker’s label of more than 14 years, UMG Nashville, surprised the superstar with plaques commemorating the accolade during a stop at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Feb. 12.

“I don’t believe you. I don’t believe this!” Rucker responded. “Wow, what a testament to the fans and their love of country music.”

“Wagon Wheel” was penned by Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor, and based on a sketch from Bob Dylan, who is credited as a co-writer on the track. “Wagon Wheel,” featured on Rucker’s Gold-certified album True Believers, earned Rucker the third Grammy of his career, this time for Best Country Solo Performance at the 56th Annual Grammy Awards.

“Even in my wildest dreams for ‘Wagon Wheel,’ the singer was never me or Bob,” Secor said. “It could have been a lot of different people who had the big hit with it. It could have been one of those perfect-smile guys with the made-for-TV personalities. That it was instead a salt of the earth singer like Darius is something divine I’ll leave to the theologians to figure out.”

Mike Dungan, UMGN Chairman & CEO, recalled his conversation with Darius when Rucker decided to record “Wagon Wheel”: “Darius called my cell phone one night and told me that he was in the audience for the talent show at his daughter’s high school. He said, ‘Hey man, do you know that song ‘Wagon Wheel?’ I just watched a band full of kids perform it, and it reminded me of how great that song is, and I want to cut it.’ I said, ‘you’re crazy,’ to which he said, ‘well I’m cuttin’ it! I’ll talk to you later!’ We (the label) thought that this was going to either be huge… or a disaster. He was right, everybody’s happy, life is good!”

“On behalf of RIAA, we’re so pleased to mark such an amazing accomplishment,” said Jackie Jones, Vice President of Industry Relations at the Recording Industry Association of America. “A certification of this magnitude is incredibly rare—occurring only a few times in our organization’s history. Darius, his team and the entire UMG Nashville family should be very proud of this historic moment in music.”

Rick Baumgartner Named National Promotion Director Of Foundry Records

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Rick Baumgartner

Rick Baumgartner has joined Foundry Records as National Director of Promotion. Baumgartner’s previous career stops include Warner Brothers, Decca, Atlantic, Broken Bow and Black River Entertainment.

Over the course of his career, Rick has worked with artists including Randy Travis, Hank Williams Jr., Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Travis Tritt, Craig Morgan, Clint Black, Lee Ann Womack and more.

“Having Rick in the role of National Director of Promotion was an easy decision,” says General Manager Cole Johnstone. “His knowledge of the music industry is an asset and he is respected throughout the community. We are very excited to have him on board and look forward to seeing what the future holds for all of our artists at Foundry Records.”

“It’s an incredible honor to be given this opportunity by Cole, Mark and April,” says Baumgartner. “I continue to hold dear the friendships I’ve made in my years working with country radio, and I look forward to making many new ones as I help this team deliver top-notch new music to country radio. I am beyond grateful for the team’s vote of confidence.”

Nashville Songwriter Awards Set For Sept. 22

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has teamed with City National Bank to present the third annual Nashville Songwriter Awards, set for Sept. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.

The ceremony will honor Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year, Songwriter-Artist of the Year, and celebrate recognition of the “10 Songs I Wish I’d Written.” This year will also include special segments to honor Songwriter and Songwriter-Artist of the Decade, as well as the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award.

Honorees, performers and ticket announcements for this year’s event are forthcoming.

Last year, Loretta Lynn was honored with the Kris Kristofferson Lifetime Achievement Award, George Strait was honored with the President’s Keynote Award, and Luke Combs, Josh Osborne were among those also awarded. Cole Swindell’s “Break Up In The End” was named the 2019 Song of the Year, as the honor went to the song’s writers Jessie Jo Dillon, Chase McGill and Jon Nite.

Spotify Rolls Out Songwriter Pages

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Spotify has revealed the beta launch of the new feature Songwriter Pages, which will highlight the songwriters who craft today’s top hits. “Written By” playlists are also being rolled out in partnership with music publishers and labels. These pages can be accessed while listening to music on Spotify, which lets listeners learn more about the people behind their favorite music.

“Spotify is always working to create new and better ways to promote music discovery—for artists, for songs and, increasingly, for songwriters,” Jules Parker, Head of Publishing & Songwriter Relations at Spotify said via a press release.

“The launch of publicly visible songwriter credits on Spotify in 2018 was merely a first step. Together with the publishing industry, we’ve continued to evolve our data sharing and analytics efforts, and are proud to unveil this next iteration. Clicking on the credits in this pilot will take users to dedicated songwriter pages—providing a home for a songwriter’s work—and present listeners with ‘Written By’ playlists, a new series of playlists dedicated to songwriters.”

Clint Black Sells Out Ryman Date In May

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Clint Black has sold out his upcoming show at the Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, May 17. Black’s last appearance at the historic Music City venue was back in 1999.

“The Ryman holds such a special place in our history, I’m especially thrilled to be playing there. And knowing the fans are going to fill it up for us has us all really excited for May 17th! We’re planning for a very special evening here in Music City!” says Black.

Black rounded out 2019 with the release of his 22nd album project, Still Killin’ Time, which features eight live versions of his hits and two studio recordings, “This Old House” and “No One Here For me” – songs that were originally written for his 1989 debut album, Killin’ Time. “This Old House” pays tribute to country music’s home, the Grand Ole Opry. The song features a host of guest powerhouse performers who are no strangers to the Opry, including Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Cody Jinks, Sara Evans, Michael Ray, Darius Rucker, Travis Tritt, and Steve Wariner.

Frontmen Of Country Team With Kinkead Agency For Select Dates

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Frontmen of Country

The Frontmen of Country, (Richie McDonald, Tim Rushlow, Larry Stewart) have signed with The Kinkead Agency for representation on select dates.

The Frontmen’s three singers were the voices of three of some of the top country bands of the 90’s, Lonestar, Restless Heart, and Little Texas. Stewart, Rushlow and McDonald have collectively sold over 30 million records and have had over 30 major hits between them.

The Kinkead Entertainment Agency roster also includes Billy Ray Cyrus, Jenny Tolman, Mark Wills, Roseanne Barr, and more.

CMA Selects Inaugural Rob Potts International Exchange Program Participants

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The CMA has selected Julie Bowser (United States) and Megan Hopkins (Australia) as the inaugural participants of the Rob Potts International Exchange Program for individuals pursuing a career in the country music industry. Bowser and Hopkins will participate in the four-week, industry-focused program, which honors the memory of late Australian promoter Rob Potts.

The program allows one participant from the U.S. to partake in a work-experience program in Australia, while the participant from Australia will travel to Nashville to complete a work-experience program. Both Bowser and Hopkins will have a primary contact guide them throughout the four-week program, in which they will participate in internships and networking opportunities in the other’s country. Additionally, both participants will take part in power lunches with industry leaders and will have the opportunity to attend CMC Rocks festival in Australia and CMA Fest in Nashville.

Bowser is a recent graduate of Point Park University in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in business management. She has completed internships at multiple artist management companies, served as a production assistant, and worked at various concert venues. Bowser will begin her program in Australia later this month and will meet with music industry leaders and attend a CMA task force meeting, comprised of industry leaders in Australia working to promote country music in their territory.

Hopkins graduated from Monash University in Melbourne, Australia with a bachelor’s degree in business information systems and is currently a Material Coordinator for Nine Network Australia. Hopkins will come to Nashville in May to spend four weeks learning from music industry professionals, making visits to industry leaders and participating in a studio day with award-winning session musician Derek Wells.

“We are excited to see the country music industry in both Nashville and Australia come together to support and educate future leaders in the music business,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Julie and Megan have bright futures ahead of them in the music industry and we are looking forward to providing them a comprehensive look into the business through this program. We appreciate the companies and individuals who have played an integral role in making the Rob Potts International Exchange Program a reality, as we honor Rob’s legacy and contribution to the Country Music community.”

A celebrated Australian manager, promoter, country music champion and CMA Board member, Rob Potts’ career spanned more than 30 years. As CEO of his company Entertainment Edge, Potts helped open doors for Australian country artists including Tommy Emmanuel, Morgan Evans and Keith Urban, in addition to serving as manager for Evans. His success in the touring of U.S. country artists in Australia led to Potts establishing the CMC Rocks festival brand and forging a long-running partnership with Chugg Entertainment Chairman Michael Chugg AM. Their flagship, CMC Rocks Queensland, is now the biggest country festival in the Southern Hemisphere.

“My father worked for decades to break down the barriers between the U.S. and Australian Country Music industries and to back emerging talent on stage and behind the scenes,” says Jeremy Dylan, Potts Entertainment Chief Executive Officer. “The recipients we selected have enormous potential and will take full advantage of the opportunities this scholarship affords to fast track their deep understanding of the industry on an international scale and their place in it. Thanks to CMA for making this concept a reality and something Rob Potts would have been proud to see his name on.”

Nashville Rock Group Country Westerns Inks Deal With Fat Possum Records

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Country Westerns

Nashville rock group Country Westerns have signed with Oxford, Mississippi-based indie label Fat Possum Records and will debut their self-titled project on May 1.

Fellow Nashville-based artist Soccer Mommy also released her 2018 album Clean via the same label, before joining with Loma Vista for her upcoming album, Color Theory.

Country Westerns includes drummer Brian Kotzur, who was previously a member of the band Silver Jews. The band’s singer/songwriter/guitarist Joseph Plunket previously led Brooklyn band The Weight and held a side gig as a bass palyer for Atlanta’s Gentleman Jesse. Plunket and Kotzur met after Plunket moved to Nashville more than a decade ago and opened a bar. They began recording and eventually added bass player Sabrina Rush.

The first recordings with the complete lineup were made in Nashville with engineer Andrija Tokic, but the band later set out to New York to record with Matt Sweeney at Brooklyn’s Strange Weather Studios, alongside Daniel Schlett. Those recordings would find their way to the staff at Fat Possum Records, who offered the band a deal.

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