Pictured: GRAMMY® Nominees Shay Mooney (Dan + Shay), Pistol Annies members Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley, and Ashley Monroe, and Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
Chapter 641
The annual Music Row social calendar always begins with the fabulous Grammy-nominees party, so that’s what transpired on Tuesday eve (Jan. 7) as we welcomed a new year, a new 365 days of schmoozing.
There was actually a lot “new” to celebrate. This is the first year of a new decade. The party was held at a new venue, The Hutton Hotel’s elegant Vista Ballroom. And the event celebrated a newly impressive and seldom-equaled diversity of Music City nominees.
Several attendees lined up to take selfies with enduring star Billy Ray Cyrus, nominated for his Lil Nas X phenomenon. Walking the red carpet and doing press were such other nominated greats as Miranda Lambert, Jerry Salley, Keb Mo, Matthew West, Dan + Shay, for KING & COUNTRY, Tim Menzies and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Pictured: for King & Country’s Luke Smallbone, Steven Curtis Chapman, for King & Country’s Joel Smallbone with wife Moriah Peters. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
The CCM world was out in force, as illustrated by the presence of nominees Andrew Ripp, Chris Stevens, Colby Wedgeworth and Ethan Hulse. Our bluegrass community was represented by nominees Doyle Lawson, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Missy Raines and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
Nashville has an unprecedented number of blues nominees this year, which is why Delbert McClinton, Lenesha Randolph and Larkin Poe members Rebecca & Megan Lovell were there, as well as Keb Mo. Our children’s-music nominee Daniel Tashian attended, as did rock nominees The Rival Sons (but alas not fellow Nashville rock nominees Cage the Elephant).
Among the country attendees were Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley of the nominated Pistol Annies, plus their compatriot Miranda, Dan +Shay and the other country folks mentioned above. That genre’s top nominee is Tanya Tucker, who was a disappointing no-show.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Sam Ashworth and Ruby Amanfu. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
One of the Song of the Year nominees is H.E.R.’s “Hard Place,” co-written by our own Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth. Nominated engineer John Baldwin also attended, as did such stellar secular songwriting nominees as Liz Rose, Bobby Pinson and Hillary Lindsey.
“We are proud that our nominees this year are so diverse,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “Our chapter leads,” added Nashville board president Jennifer Hanson, pointing out that Nashvillians have 118 nominees spread across 34 Grammy categories. By the way, Jennifer is our third female NARAS chapter prez; Katie Gillon served in the role from 1994-1996, while Trey Fanjoy held the role from 2017-2019.
“A Grammy nomination is a true symbol of dedication to your craft,” quoth Jen. “We are so excited to have so many of these nominees with us here tonight.”
Pictured (L-R): GRAMMY® Nominees Matthew West, Liz Rose, Billy Ray Cyrus and Hillary Lindsey. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
This party is always a great way to wish a “Happy New Year” to your pals. Fabulons working the room included Mark Bright, Mark Brown, Chris Keaton, Chris Farren, Christy Walker Watkins, Dan Hill, Dan Rogers, Daniel Miller, Leslie Fram, Leslie DiPiero, Leslie Roberts, David Macias, David Preston, Pat McMakin, Pat Higdon, Terry Hemmings, Terry Wakefield, Fletcher Foster, Troy Tomlinson, Ronna Rubin and Susan Stewart.
Oh, I’m just getting started, gentle readers. Also grooving at the gig were such industry women as Chandra LaPlume, Tracy Gershon, Lisa Harless, Kris Wilkinson, Allison Jones, Marion Kraft, Diane Pearson, Cyndi Forman, Debbie Carroll, Whitney Daane, Susan Niles, Joanna Carter, Carol Ann Ford and Claire Ratliff.
Men of valor working the room included Mason Hunter, Joe Baldridge, Shane Tarleton, Earle Simmons, Frank Liddell, Rod Essig, B.J. Hill, Ed Morris, James Elliott (who has a song on the nominated Steven Curtis Chapman CD), Brad Kennard, Wes Vause, Kos Weaver, Tom Roland, Scott Robinson, Kerry O’Neill and Lightning 100’s Gary Kraen.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Rival Sons, Nashville Chapter President Jennifer Hanson. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
“It would be easier to have a list of everybody in the industry and cross off the names that AREN’T here,” Mark Ford sagely observed.
How about adding some power couples to the mix? Like Erika Wollam & Roger Nichols, Trey Fanjoy & Eddie Perez, Joe & Linda Chambers and Ron & Regina Stuve.
I met Lij Shaw. He’s the guy notable for activism on behalf of home recording studios. Alan Valentine introduced me to the Nashville Symphony’s new CEO Steve Brosvik. Steve was behind the “Violins of Hope” exhibit at the Library, and now those Holocaust instruments are becoming a Symphony recording.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Board President Jennifer Hanson, Pistol Annies members Angeleena Presley, Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and
Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
I greeted Sister Sadie’s Tina Adair, who says that she and bluegrass queen (and fellow bandmember) Dale Ann Bradley are recording a guitar-mandolin “sister duet” album. Can’t wait.
Alecia asked for a round of applause for John Prine, who was not in attendance. Prine is this year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree from Music City.
The Hutton proved more than up to the challenge of feeding the throng. The cocktail-party fare included sliced pork loin, pimento-cheese croquettes, lump crabcakes, a charcuterie spread, mushroom-and-goat-cheese torts and assorted cheeses and veggies. Not to mention sweets.
We were serenaded throughout the gala by the smooth jazz stylings of The Birdsong Trio. Breezy and tasteful, this ensemble was the perfect accompaniment to a luscious event.
Gigantic golden Grammy statues flanked the stage. Guests merrily posed for snapshots with them, as well as in front of the Grammy backdrop in the ballroom lobby. We all got souvenir Grammy posters.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: Celebrating Nashville’s Grammy Nominees
/by Bobby KarlPictured: GRAMMY® Nominees Shay Mooney (Dan + Shay), Pistol Annies members Miranda Lambert, Angeleena Presley, and Ashley Monroe, and Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
Chapter 641
The annual Music Row social calendar always begins with the fabulous Grammy-nominees party, so that’s what transpired on Tuesday eve (Jan. 7) as we welcomed a new year, a new 365 days of schmoozing.
There was actually a lot “new” to celebrate. This is the first year of a new decade. The party was held at a new venue, The Hutton Hotel’s elegant Vista Ballroom. And the event celebrated a newly impressive and seldom-equaled diversity of Music City nominees.
Several attendees lined up to take selfies with enduring star Billy Ray Cyrus, nominated for his Lil Nas X phenomenon. Walking the red carpet and doing press were such other nominated greats as Miranda Lambert, Jerry Salley, Keb Mo, Matthew West, Dan + Shay, for KING & COUNTRY, Tim Menzies and Steven Curtis Chapman.
Pictured: for King & Country’s Luke Smallbone, Steven Curtis Chapman, for King & Country’s Joel Smallbone with wife Moriah Peters. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
The CCM world was out in force, as illustrated by the presence of nominees Andrew Ripp, Chris Stevens, Colby Wedgeworth and Ethan Hulse. Our bluegrass community was represented by nominees Doyle Lawson, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen, Missy Raines and The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys.
Nashville has an unprecedented number of blues nominees this year, which is why Delbert McClinton, Lenesha Randolph and Larkin Poe members Rebecca & Megan Lovell were there, as well as Keb Mo. Our children’s-music nominee Daniel Tashian attended, as did rock nominees The Rival Sons (but alas not fellow Nashville rock nominees Cage the Elephant).
Among the country attendees were Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley of the nominated Pistol Annies, plus their compatriot Miranda, Dan +Shay and the other country folks mentioned above. That genre’s top nominee is Tanya Tucker, who was a disappointing no-show.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Sam Ashworth and Ruby Amanfu. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
One of the Song of the Year nominees is H.E.R.’s “Hard Place,” co-written by our own Ruby Amanfu and Sam Ashworth. Nominated engineer John Baldwin also attended, as did such stellar secular songwriting nominees as Liz Rose, Bobby Pinson and Hillary Lindsey.
“We are proud that our nominees this year are so diverse,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “Our chapter leads,” added Nashville board president Jennifer Hanson, pointing out that Nashvillians have 118 nominees spread across 34 Grammy categories. By the way, Jennifer is our third female NARAS chapter prez; Katie Gillon served in the role from 1994-1996, while Trey Fanjoy held the role from 2017-2019.
“A Grammy nomination is a true symbol of dedication to your craft,” quoth Jen. “We are so excited to have so many of these nominees with us here tonight.”
Pictured (L-R): GRAMMY® Nominees Matthew West, Liz Rose, Billy Ray Cyrus and Hillary Lindsey. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
This party is always a great way to wish a “Happy New Year” to your pals. Fabulons working the room included Mark Bright, Mark Brown, Chris Keaton, Chris Farren, Christy Walker Watkins, Dan Hill, Dan Rogers, Daniel Miller, Leslie Fram, Leslie DiPiero, Leslie Roberts, David Macias, David Preston, Pat McMakin, Pat Higdon, Terry Hemmings, Terry Wakefield, Fletcher Foster, Troy Tomlinson, Ronna Rubin and Susan Stewart.
Oh, I’m just getting started, gentle readers. Also grooving at the gig were such industry women as Chandra LaPlume, Tracy Gershon, Lisa Harless, Kris Wilkinson, Allison Jones, Marion Kraft, Diane Pearson, Cyndi Forman, Debbie Carroll, Whitney Daane, Susan Niles, Joanna Carter, Carol Ann Ford and Claire Ratliff.
Men of valor working the room included Mason Hunter, Joe Baldridge, Shane Tarleton, Earle Simmons, Frank Liddell, Rod Essig, B.J. Hill, Ed Morris, James Elliott (who has a song on the nominated Steven Curtis Chapman CD), Brad Kennard, Wes Vause, Kos Weaver, Tom Roland, Scott Robinson, Kerry O’Neill and Lightning 100’s Gary Kraen.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick, GRAMMY® Nominees Rival Sons, Nashville Chapter President Jennifer Hanson. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
“It would be easier to have a list of everybody in the industry and cross off the names that AREN’T here,” Mark Ford sagely observed.
How about adding some power couples to the mix? Like Erika Wollam & Roger Nichols, Trey Fanjoy & Eddie Perez, Joe & Linda Chambers and Ron & Regina Stuve.
I met Lij Shaw. He’s the guy notable for activism on behalf of home recording studios. Alan Valentine introduced me to the Nashville Symphony’s new CEO Steve Brosvik. Steve was behind the “Violins of Hope” exhibit at the Library, and now those Holocaust instruments are becoming a Symphony recording.
Pictured: Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Board President Jennifer Hanson, Pistol Annies members Angeleena Presley, Ashley Monroe, Miranda Lambert and
Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick. Courtesy of the Recording Academy®/photos by Ed Rode & Frederick Breedon, Getty Images © 2020
I greeted Sister Sadie’s Tina Adair, who says that she and bluegrass queen (and fellow bandmember) Dale Ann Bradley are recording a guitar-mandolin “sister duet” album. Can’t wait.
Alecia asked for a round of applause for John Prine, who was not in attendance. Prine is this year’s Lifetime Achievement honoree from Music City.
The Hutton proved more than up to the challenge of feeding the throng. The cocktail-party fare included sliced pork loin, pimento-cheese croquettes, lump crabcakes, a charcuterie spread, mushroom-and-goat-cheese torts and assorted cheeses and veggies. Not to mention sweets.
We were serenaded throughout the gala by the smooth jazz stylings of The Birdsong Trio. Breezy and tasteful, this ensemble was the perfect accompaniment to a luscious event.
Gigantic golden Grammy statues flanked the stage. Guests merrily posed for snapshots with them, as well as in front of the Grammy backdrop in the ballroom lobby. We all got souvenir Grammy posters.
IBMA Winners Sideline Announce Spring Tour
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): Jamie Harper (fiddle), Jacob Greer (guitar), Jason Moore (bass), Steve Dilling (banjo), Zack Arnold (mandolin) and Skip Cherryholmes (guitar)
Bluegrass band Sideline will hit the road this Spring with a slew of dates in support of their new release, Breaks To The Edge. The reigning IBMA Song of the Year award-winning (for “Thunder Dan”) group will headline shows across the U.S. beginning Feb. 1 in Goodlettsville, Tennessee and running through April 25 in Garner, North Carolina.
Reflecting the North Carolina group’s roots and experiences, Breaks To The Edge, the group’s fifth studio album, includes stories of traveling troubadours, and traditional tunes are interspersed with the more progressive re-make of Steve Wariner’s “Crash Course In The Blues,” and the classic Southern Gospel “I’ll Live Again” featuring Sideline’s four-part harmony.
Tour dates:
CMA Announces Triple Play Awards Songwriter Recipients
/by Jessica NicholsonThis year’s recipients include Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Ross Copperman, Justin Ebach, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Michael Hardy, Shay Mooney, Jon Nite, Josh Osborne, Bobby Pinson, Matthew Ramsey, Jordan Reynolds, Thomas Rhett, Trevor Rosen and Dan Smyers.
Gorley, the most decorated CMA Triple Play Awards recipient, will receive three Triple Play Awards this year for penning nine No. 1 songs over the past year.
UMPG Nashville Chairman/CEO and CMA Board Member Troy Tomlinson will host the industry-only CMA Triple Play Awards luncheon, to be held Feb. 25. That evening, Copperman will host a CMA Songwriters Series performance at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, beginning at 7 p.m., featuring Ebach, Gorley, Nite, Pinson, and Reynolds. In celebration of the Triple Play Awards, $3 of each ticket sold will benefit the CMA Foundation, which supports music education programs across the country.
The CMA Triple Play Awards are based on charts including Country Aircheck, Billboard Country Airplay and Billboard Hot Country Songs.
The 11th annual CMA Triple Play Awards recipients are being recognized for writing the following songs:
Kane Brown
“Lose It” recorded by Kane Brown
“Good As You” recorded by Kane Brown
“One Thing Right” recorded by Marshmello & Kane Brown
Luke Combs
“She Got The Best Of Me” recorded by Luke Combs
“Beautiful Crazy” recorded by Luke Combs
“Beer Never Broke My Heart” recorded by Luke Combs
Ross Copperman
“Woman, Amen” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“Get Along” recorded by Kenny Chesney
“Love Ain’t” recorded by Eli Young Band
Justin Ebach
“Singles You Up” recorded by Jordan Davis
“Good Girl” recorded by Dustin Lynch
“Here Tonight” recorded by Brett Young
Jesse Frasure
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“One Thing Right” recorded by Marshmello & Kane Brown
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Ashley Gorley
“What Makes You Country” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Eyes On You” recorded by Chase Rice
“Love Ain’t” recorded by Eli Young Band
“Rumor” recorded by Lee Brice
“Living” recorded by Dierks Bentley
“I Don’t Know About You” recorded by Chris Lane
“Good Vibes” recorded by Chris Janson
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Ridin’ Roads” recorded by Dustin Lynch
Michael Hardy
“Up Down” recorded by Morgan Wallen featuring Florida Georgia Line
“Simple” recorded by Florida Georgia Line
“God’s Country” recorded by Blake Shelton
Shay Mooney
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
“10,000 Hours” recorded by Dan + Shay with Justin Bieber
Jon Nite
“Break Up In The End” recorded by Cole Swindell
“Knockin’ Boots” recorded by Luke Bryan
“Living” recorded by Dierks Bentley
Josh Osborne
“Kiss Somebody” recorded by Morgan Evans
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
Bobby Pinson
“Burning Man” recorded by Dierks Bentley featuring Brothers Osborne
“Some Of It” recorded by Eric Church
“Rearview Town” recorded by Jason Aldean
Matthew Ramsey
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“Make It Sweet” recorded by Old Dominion
Jordan Reynolds
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Tequila” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
Thomas Rhett
“Sixteen” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Look What God Gave Her” recorded by Thomas Rhett
“Remember You Young” recorded by Thomas Rhett
Trevor Rosen
“Hotel Key” recorded by Old Dominion
“One That Got Away” recorded by Michael Ray
“Make It Sweet” recorded by Old Dominion
Dan Smyers
“Speechless” recorded by Dan + Shay
“Tequila” recorded by Dan + Shay
“All To Myself” recorded by Dan + Shay
Dan+Shay, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, badflower, Ashley Gorley Among iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughCombs is also nominated in the overall Male Artist of the Year category, alongside Ed Sheeran, Khalid, Post Malone, and Shawn Mendes. Dan + Shay are nominated in the overall Best Duo/Group of the Year category, alongside Imagine Dragons, Jonas Brothers, Maroon 5, and Panic! At The Disco.
Big Machine Label Group’s badflower are nominated for Rock Song of the Year (“Ghost”), as are Q Prime South-managed band The Black Keys (for “Lo/Hi”). Cage The Elephant, which recorded their latest album Social Cues in Nashville, are nominated for Alternative Rock Song of the Year (“Ready To Let Go”) and are nominated for Alternative Rock Artist of the Year.
Songwriter Ashley Gorley is nominated in the all-genre Songwriter of the Year category, alongside Finneas, Frank Dukes, Louis Bell, and Savan Kotecha.
Dan+Shay’s collaboration with Justin Bieber, “10,000 Hours,” and Maren Morris’ “The Bones” are nominated for Best Lyrics, while Keith Urban‘s rendition of Taylor Swift’s “Lover,” is nominated for Best Cover Song.
Lil Nas X and Billy Ray Cyrus’ “Old Town Road” is nominated for Best Music Video. The song is also nominated for Best Remix, as is Morris’ “The Bones” ft. Hozier.
Artists receiving multiple nominations include Ariana Grande, Bad Bunny, Billie Eilish, Camila Cabello, Cardi B, Daddy Yankee, Dan + Shay, Drake, Ed Sheeran, El Fantasma, Halsey, J Balvin, Jonas Brothers, Justin Bieber, Khalid, Kygo, Lil Nas X, Lizzo, Luke Combs, Maren Morris, Post Malone, Selena Gomez, SHAED, Shawn Mendes, Snow, Summer Walker and Taylor Swift. A full list of categories can be found at iHeartRadio.com/awards.
The iHeartRadio Music Awards celebrates the most-played artists and songs on iHeartRadio stations and the iHeartRadio app throughout 2019. The event will also be broadcast on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and iHeartRadio, the all-in-one digital music, podcast, on demand and live-streaming radio service.
“The iHeartRadio Music Awards is a true celebration of the music and artists that millions of fans listen to every day on their favorite radio stations across the country,” said John Sykes, President of Entertainment Enterprises for iHeartMedia. “FOX’s young and engaged audience has proven to be the perfect home for our iHeart listeners.”
“It’s always exciting to see who gets nominated for our iHeartRadio Music Awards,” said Tom Poleman, Chief Programming Officer for iHeartMedia. “This year’s nominees represent the music heard all year on our stations and the iHeartRadio app. We can’t wait to bring them together for one incredible night of celebration and see who takes home the award in all thirty-plus categories.”
iHeartRadio Nominations (Selected Categories):
Country Song of the Year:
Country Artist of the Year:
Best New Country Artist:
Rock Song of the Year:
Songwriter of the Year:
Hailey Whitters To Release ‘The Dream’ In February
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger-songwriter Hailey Whitters, known for penning songs including Little Big Town’s “Happy People,” will release her new album The Dream on Feb. 28.
The 12-track album includes 10 songs penned by Whitters, alongside top-shelf female co-writers including Lori McKenna, Hillary Lindsey, Brandy Clark, and Nicolle Galyon. The Dream also includes two cover tracks—renditions of Chris Stapleton’s “The Devil Always Made Me Think Twice,” and Brent Cobb’s “Loose Strings.”
Whitters funded the project herself, with money earned from waiting tables, selling a guitar, touring, and from royalties earned from writing songs recorded by Alan Jackson, McBride and Little Big Town. BMG’s Jake Gear produced the album, with Logan Matheny overseeing engineering and mixing.
“This is the first record that feels 100 percent me. It’s a time capsule of my time in Nashville and coming to terms with dreams and what they mean to you,” says Whitters.
Whitters spent much of 2019 on tour alongside Maren Morris, Cobb, and McKenna. She also released the singles “Ten Year Town” and “Heartland,” and will release her latest, “Janice At The Hotel Bar,” on Jan. 24. Last year, she also inked a co-management deal with Make Wake’s Chris Kappy and BRND MGMT’s Matt Graham.
Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Lizzo To Perform During Grammy Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton and Gwen Stefani are set to perform on the upcoming Grammy awards, marking their first performance together on the Grammy stage. Aerosmith, Billie Eilish, and Lizzo were also named as first-round performers during the The Recording Academy’s announcement Wednesday morning (Jan. 8).
Alicia Keys returns as host for the 62nd Annual Grammy Awards, which will air on CBS on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2020 beginning at 7 p.m. CT.
Shelton is nominated this year for Best Country Solo Performance for “God’s Country,” while Stefani is a three-time Grammy winner.
Eilish will make her Grammy debut performance; the first-time Grammy nominee is up for overall Record of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Album of the Year (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?), Song of the Year (“Bad Guy”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance (“Bad Guy”), and Best Pop Vocal Album (When We All Fall Asleep, Where Do We Go?).
Also a first-time Grammy nominee and performer, Lizzo is nominated for overall Record of the Year (“Truth Hurts”), Album of the Year (Cuz I Love You [Deluxe]), Song of the Year (“Truth Hurts”), Best New Artist, Best Pop Solo Performance (“Truth Hurts”), Best R&B Performance (“Exactly How I Feel”), Best Traditional R&B Performance (“Jerome”), and Best Urban Contemporary Album (Cuz I Love You [Deluxe]).
Rock legends Aerosmith will also be honored during Grammy week as MusiCares Person of the Year, honoring their philanthropic efforts. The group first performed on the Grammys in 1991.
NSAI Adds To Board Of Directors
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville Songwriters Association International has added four songwriters to its board of directors.
J.T. Harding, Josh Kear, Jon Nite and Emily Shackelton have been elected as new members, while current board members re-elected to two-year terms include Steve Bogard, Jeff Cohen, Chris DeStefano, Byron Hill, Liz Rose, Jenn Schott and Jimmy Yeary.
Roger Brown and Lee Thomas Miller were re-elected to one-year terms as “Legislative Co-Chairs,” Rhett Akins and Caitlyn Smith were re-elected to one-year terms to the “Artist Writer” board positions and Brett James was re-elected to a one-year term to the “Industry Liaison” position.
They join existing board members Jim Beavers, Sarah Buxton, Nicolle Galyon, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Rivers Rutherford, Anthony L. Smith, Bobby Tomberlin, Laura Veltz, Troy Verges and Danny Wells whose terms expire in 2021. The board terms begin each year at the May meeting.
NSAI Board President Steve Bogard said, “Once again, NSAI has elected an outstanding Board of professional songwriters that reflects the growing diversity, scope and influence of our organization. We look forward to another great year of progress for songwriters.”
Curb | Word Entertainment Announces PR, Marketing, Promo Staff Changes
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, top row): Maddi Bayer, Brian Day; (L-R, bottom row) James Freshwater, Jessie Lowe
Curb | Word Entertainment has made several new promotions and hirings. Jessie Lowe moves into the role of Director, Publicity, to spearhead publicity efforts on behalf of the country and Christian artist rosters. Lowe has served multiple roles at Curb | Word Entertainment over the past five years, and spent the past three years as Coordinator for the Country Promotion team.
James Freshwater moves to the role of Digital Marketing Manager, where he will implement digital marketing strategies on behalf of the country and Christian artist rosters. The Ohio native most recently served as an A&R representative, and previously spent time as part of the band Lovedrug.
Brian Day joins as Promotions & Marketing Coordinator for Curb | Sidewalk Records. In his role, Day facilitates pop promotion initiatives and marketing efforts for the Curb and Sidewalk Records roster. Day previously worked at Columbia Nashville and in promotions for Hall Communications.
Maddi Bayer joins Curb Records as Coordinator of the Country Promotion team, having previously worked with the Radio & Streaming team at Warner Music Nashville. The Belmont graduate also spent time as an assistant to the President at Musicians On Call.
Curb | Word Music Publishing Hires Ciara Shortridge, Signs Kyle Jacobs And Chris Gelbuda
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Ciara Shortridge, Kyle Jacobs, Chris Gelbuda
Curb | Word Music Publishing has made a round of hiring and signing announcements. Ciara Shortridge has joined as Sr. Creative Director of Country Publishing. Songwriters Kyle Jacobs and Chris Gelbuda have also signed with the publisher.
Shortridge will report directly to Colt Murski; she most recently held the position of A&R Manager and served as the main creative point of Disney’s Nashville-based office. Shortridge’s career at Disney began in 2009 after graduating from Belmont University. She can be reached at cshortridge@curb.com.
Jacobs earned his first significant success as a writer in 2003 with Kimberly Locke’s “8th World Wonder.” In 2007, he penned Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory,” which debuted at No. 1; co-wrote Tim McGraw’s “Still” and Eli Young Band’s “Dust;” and produced four No. 1 singles for Lee Brice including “Hard To Love,” “I Drive Your Truck,” “Drinking Class” and “Rumor,” which is also his latest No. 1 as a songwriter.
Chicago native Gelbuda has had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Frankie Ballard, Darius Rucker, Dustin Lynch, and Meghan Trainor, and produced Trainor and John Legend’s four-time platinum hit, “Like I’m Gonna Lose You.” As a vocalist, writer and producer, Gelbuda also wrote, produced, and contributed vocals to the Platinum-selling “Bad Ideas” by German dance artist Alle Farben. Gelbuda is also a partner at The Attic studios in West Nashville.
K-LOVE Syndicated Radio Show “The Skip & Amy Show” Relocating To Franklin
/by Jessica NicholsonSkip Mahaffey and Amy Baumann
K-LOVE syndicated morning show “The Skip & Amy Show,” will relocate from Indianapolis to Franklin, Tennessee in May.
The show will begin broadcasting on May 18 from Franklin, which coincides with K-LOVE’s annual fan awards, which will be held May 22-24 in Nashville. K-LOVE airs “The Skip & Amy Show” from 5 a.m.-10 a.m. on Monday-Saturday.
Iowa native Amy Baumann has been part of the K-LOVE morning show since 2011. Skip Mahaffey joined K-LOVE in 2016, after being part of the morning show at country station KPLX in Dallas. Mahaffey is a three-time CMA Air Personality of the Year, and has worked at stations including KVOO, WFUS, and WQYK.
K-LOVE CEO Bill Reeves said, “Having personally been a part of the Franklin Christian music and media community for almost 25 years, I believe having K-LOVE’s morning show in the heart of it all will further deepen the network’s relationships with the industry and artists, and ultimately serve our listeners and supporters even better.”