BMI Presents the 5th Annual Maui Songwriters Festival

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Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Bobby Pinson, Sirius XM The Highway’s Storme Warren, Luke Dick and Tim Nichols; (Front Row, L-R): Kevin Griffin, Willie Nelson, Lukas Nelson, Maren Morris, Miranda Lambert, Bob DiPiero, Mike Post and Lily Meola. Photo: Amorphia Photography

BMI recently held the fifth annual Maui Songwriters Festival in Maui, Hawaii on Dec. 5-7. Miranda Lambert and Maren Morris co-headlined this year’s lineup, which also included performances from fellow BMI songwriters Dustin Lynch, Randy Houser, Lukas Nelson and more.

The weekend launched at Fleetwood’s On Front St., with a show headlined by Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin, BMI Icon Bob DiPiero and GRAMMY, ACM and CMA Award-winner Tim Nichols, with support from Kassi Ashton, Emma Kline and Roman Alexander.

Maren Morris led one of the festival’s signature events, “How I Wrote That Song,” which also featured Luke Dick and Lukas Nelson.

BMI concluded the festival with a powerhouse lineup at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center anchored by Lambert and Morris. The event offered in-the-round acoustic performances from Lynch, Houser, Nelson, Maui native Lily Meola and more, as well as a surprise performance from the legendary Willie Nelson.

In addition to being presented by BMI, the Maui Songwriters Festival is supported by Goodfellow Family Foundation, HD Radio, SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse, Twelve6 Entertainment and wine partner Daou Vineyards. Delta Air Lines is the official airline of the festival, with additional support provided by the Fairmont Kea Lani. Additional community sponsors include the Wailea Resort Association, Maui Jim and Tommy Bahama.

Next year’s festival will take place Dec. 3-5, 2020 in Maui.

Pictured: Willie Nelson performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured (L-R): Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin, Bob DiPiero and Tim Nichols perform at Fleetwood’s On Front St. during the Maui Songwriters Festival. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Lukas Nelson performs at “How I Wrote That Song.” Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Dustin Lynch performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Luke Dick performs alongside Maren Morris at “How I Wrote That Song” at The Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Randy Houser performs at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Maren Morris performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photos: Amorphia Photography

Pictured: Miranda Lambert performs at the Maui Songwriters Festival Presented by BMI. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Pictured (L-R): Kassi Ashton and Kevin Griffin perform at the Maui Arts & Cultural Center. Photo: Amorphia Photography

Industry Ink: The Band Camino, Ingrid Andress, David Nail, EmiSunshine

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Tour Slots For The Band Camino, Ingrid Andress

Nashville-based The Band Camino and Warner Music Nashville artist Ingrid Andress will join Dan + Shay‘s The (Arena) Tour in 2020, opening 18 arena shows. Among those new tour dates are two concerts at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on March 6-7.

The Band Camino released an eight-song EP, tryhard, on Elektra Records in August. Andress’ single “More Hearts Than Mine” is inside the Top 20 on the country radio charts. She is also the cover artist for MusicRow Magazine’s 2020 Touring Issue.

 

David Nail Signs With 117 Publicity

David Nail has signed with 117 Publicity for PR representation. The “Whatever She’s Got” singer is set to release new music next year. Nail is also represented by APA for booking and The Vaden Group for business management.

 

EmiSunshine Gets ASCAP Honor

Pictured (L-R): EmiSunshine with Desmond Child. Photo: Gary Gershoff / The ASCAP Foundation

EmiSunshine received The ASCAP Foundation Desmond Child Anthem Award at Lincoln Center in New York City on Dec. 11. The teen country artist recently released a new album Family Wars (produced by Tony Brown) on Little Blackbird Records.

Neil Vance Joins Collective Artist Management

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Photo credit: Jon Mir

Neil Vance has joined Collective Artist Management as a manager. Vance brings with him BMLG/Valory Music Co. recording artist Tyler Rich to the CAM family.

Vance is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University and spent seven years as a full-time musician in a band. In 2006, he began working for the William Morris Agency. After seven years with WME, he joined L3 Entertainment as the day-to-day manager for Dustin Lynch. He was promoted to Vice President of Artist Management at L3 and worked with their entire roster of clients including Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, Tyler Rich, Heath Sanders, Leah Turner, and Scott Stevens. Vance served a two-year term on the Academy of Country Music Board of Directors and is also a member of the Country Music Association and a SOLID alumni.

“Neil’s well-regarded reputation and experience is a welcome addition to our close-knit team. Beyond bringing Neil on board, we’re excited to add Tyler Rich to our roster and look forward to working together,” says Brinson Strickland, President, Collective Artist Management.

“Neil joining our team is a natural fit. He shares the same work ethic, passion, and creative vision that we all share for our artists. I’m looking forward to all of the great things that we will accomplish together,” adds Craig Dunn, Vice President, Collective Artist Management.

Weekly Radio Report (12/13/19)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.

DISClaimer: Sammy Kershaw, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bellamy Brothers Showcase New Music

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Mary Chapin Carpenter. Photo: Jonathan Stewart

Old friends are the best friends.

At least that’s what this listening session feels like. Country classics Sammy Kershaw, The Bellamy Brothers, Mary Chapin Carpenter and Joe Diffie are checking in with new sounds, and in all cases they are better than those by the younger artists in this edition of “DisClaimer.”

In fact, the Disc of the Day winner is “Over the Moon” by the veteran Bellamy Brothers.

Give a DisCovery Award to Cooper Alan. He sure sounds like a keeper to these ears.

Speaking of my ears, several readers pointed out that the “rhythm track” I cited in last week’s review of Home Free is, in fact, one of the a cappella group’s members beat boxing. Which I should have guessed. My bad.

COOPER ALAN/Climate Change
Writers: Cooper Alan/Seth Mosley/Victoria Shaw; Producers: Shaw/Mosley; Publisher: none listed; Cooped Up
– He has a very cool, resonant vocal tone. The clever lyric says that climate change “sucks” because his once-hot love affair has turned cold. Highly listenable and hooky.

KAILEY NICOLE/Diamonds and Coal
Writers: none listed; Producer: Niles Thomas; Publisher: none listed; KN
– Fiery and uptempo, this has vim and vigor to spare. This single will appear on a self-titled EP due on Jan. 24. Nicole is Vegas-born and L.A.-raised, but now calls Music City home.

JOE DIFFIE & MARC BROUSSARD/Pride & Joy
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Diffie
– Diffie and Broussard get bluesy on this rocking reworking of a Stevie Ray Vaughan tune. You’ll find it on his limited-edition, green-vinyl, greatest-hits LP titled Joe, Joe, Joe Diffie.

BELLAMY BROTHERS/Over The Moon
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BB
– Utterly lovely. The romantic ballad is drenched in steel guitar and has a country melody to die for. Howard’s lead vocal is as warm as a blanket.

FILMORE/London
Writers: Filmore/John Luke Carter; Producers: Zach Abend/John Luke Carter; Publisher: none listed; Curb
– Kinda poppy, and undeniably catchy. The breezy tempo and jaunty tone contrast nicely with the guilt in the lyric about seeing the wonders of London without her by his side. Well worth your spins.

RAELYNN/Bra Off
Writers: RaeLynn/Josh Kerr/Emily Weisband; Producer: Corey Crowder; Publisher: none listed; Round Here
– “Breaking up with you is like taking my bra off.” If you say so.

LANCE CARPENTER & RICHIE McDONALD/Last Night in Memphis
Writers: Lance Carpenter/Richie McDonald; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; LC
– This punchy, emotional ballad is about a little girl who is cured of cancer at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis. Baritone Lance delivers the lead vocal with loads of heart.

SAMMY KERSHAW/My Friend Fred
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Hit
– As always, Sammy delivers the goods as a vocalist. The well-written song is a sensitive, thoughtful meditation about the destructive power of drug addiction. Highly recommended.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER/Our Man Walter Cronkite
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jamie Mefford; Publisher: none listed; MCC
– Echoey and hushed, her performance gently muses about the contrast between the news of her youth versus the awfulness of today. An orchestra softly builds around her as the track unfolds like a dream.

THE WILD FEATHERS/Jacksonville to Jackson Hole
Writers: Eric Church/Casey Beathard; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; WF
– This is a fine song, but it sounds kinda under-produced. Besides, I liked them better when they rocked.

Industry Ink: IBMA, BMG, The Press House

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IBMA Adds Casey Campbell To Staff

The International Bluegrass Music Association has added Casey Campbell as Director of Communications. Campbell is a rising mandolin player in the bluegrass music world. He also earned the 2017 IBMA Momentum Instrumental Award, as well as the IBMA Graphic Designer of the Year award. A 2014 Belmont University graduate, Campbell completed Leadership Bluegrass in 2012.

He can be reached at casey@ibma.org or 615-256-3222.

 

Jeffrey East Signs With BMG

Pictured: Courtney Allen (BMG), Jeffrey East and Kim Wiggins.

Singer-songwriter Jeffrey East has inked a publishing deal with BMG. He has had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw, among others.

 

The Press House Adds Tin Pan South To Client List

Public relations company The Press House has added Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival to its list of clients. The Press House will also manage media relations for NSAI’s Nashville Songwriter Awards. The Press House’s roster also includes A2IM, Rory Feek, Gaither Music, Music Business Association, Fireplay, Gloria Gaynor, Monster Energy, Morrison Hotel Gallery, and more. 

Logan Mize, Willie Jones Team For West Coast Tour

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Big Yellow Dog Music’s Logan Mize and 4Sound/Empire’s Willie Jones will hit the road in 2020 for a West Coast tour.

Mize recently released the single “I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up,” while Jones’ recent releases include “Whole Lotta Love,” and “Bachelorettes on Broadway,” a tribute to Nashville’s standing as a top bachelorette party destination.

“We’re excited to announce our  ‘I Ain’t Gotta Grow Up’ tour, and we’re bringing along our pal, Willie Jones!” shares Mize. “We may have a few tricks up our sleeve…stay tuned.”

“Teaming up to tour with Logan to start 2020 is going to be real cool,” adds Jones. “We already got the party started early in Germany a month ago so I already know everyone coming to these shows are gonna catch vibes.”

“I AIN’T GOTTA GROW UP TOUR” DATES:
Fri., Jan. 31 | Whiskey Baron | Colorado Springs, CO
Sat., Feb. 1 | Warehouse 25 Sixty-Five | Grand Junction, CO
Tues., Feb. 4 | Virginia Street Brewhouse | Reno, NV
Thurs., Feb. 6 | Strummer’s | Fresno, CA
Fri., Feb. 7 | The Parish | Anaheim, CA
Sat., Feb. 8 | Voodoo Room | San Diego, CA
Sun., Feb. 9 | Goldfield Trading Post | Sacramento, CA
Tues., Feb. 11 | Mystic Theatre | Petaluma, CA
Thurs., Feb. 13 | Ponderosa Lounge & Grill | Portland, OR
Fri., Feb. 14 | Substation | Seattle, WA
Sat., Feb. 15 | OK Corral | Kelowna, BC
Sun., Feb. 16 | The Pin | Spokane, WA
Thurs., Feb. 20 | Cowgirls | Kuna, ID
Fri., Feb. 21 | DeJoria Center | Kamas, UT
Sat., Feb. 22 | Sundance Steakhouse & Saloon | Ft. Collins, CO
Fri., Feb. 28 | Top Golf | Gilbert, AZ
Sat., Feb. 29 | Dirty Bourbon | Albuquerque, NM

Prescription Songs Signs Bryant Taylorr

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Pictured Back Row (L-R): Zack Cobb (SYZYGY Management); Katie Fagan (Prescription Songs); Bryant Taylorr; Eric Holt (SYZYGT Management); Joe Major (1011 The Beat). Front Row (L-R): Leah Hodgkiss (Prescription Songs); Rachel Wein (Prescription Songs); Christian Conant (Prescription Songs)

Prescription Songs has signed a deal with Bryant Taylorr. The Nashville native is signed to SYZYGY Management, led by co-founders Eric Holt and Zack Cobb.

“It’s a privilege to work with a talent as bright as Bryant Taylorr! He represents the burgeoning urban talent in Music City. SYZYGY Management is committed to partnering with talent like Bryant and teams like Prescription to keep Nashville on its path to a holistic Music City that supports all genres and backgrounds.” said Holt and Cobb.

“Bryant is a master of his craft – a phenomenal songwriter, vocalist, drummer and performer. We could not be more thrilled to welcome him to the team,” says Prescription Songs’ Rachel Wein.

Dolby Atmos Music Coming To TIDAL HiFi

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TIDAL and Dolby Laboratories are introducing a more authentic way to enjoy songs with Dolby Atmos Music, now available on TIDAL HiFi. Beginning today, members subscribing to the TIDAL HiFi tier with compatible Android smartphones or tablets will have access to a growing library of music available in Dolby Atmos from Universal Music Group and Warner Music Group.

The current library includes songs from artists such as The Weeknd, Blondie, Ariana Grande and more. TIDAL is working closely with its artist-owners, including JAY-Z, to mix their catalogs in Dolby Atmos – which are expected to become available in 2020.

“TIDAL members have come to expect the highest quality listening experience from our platform, and it is a priority for us to stay at the forefront of innovation,” said Lior Tibon, Chief Operating Officer, TIDAL. “Dolby Atmos will give music fans the ability to enjoy the best possible audio quality.”

Dolby Atmos lets listeners connect with music at its fullest capacity and creative potential. Listeners can discover hidden details and subtleties with unparalleled clarity. Whether it’s a complex harmony of instruments placed around a listener, the unleashing of a legendary guitar solo, a massive bass drop that washes over you, or the subtle breath a singer takes, Dolby Atmos gives music more space and the freedom to unleash every detail and emotion as the artist intended.

To enjoy Dolby Atmos Music, TIDAL will automatically default to this experience if a Dolby Atmos mix is available. Tracks will be identified by a “Dolby logo” visual badge as well as through a “Dolby Atmos” identifier that will display once a song is selected. Users can also click on the “Dolby Atmos” menu option under the “Explore” tab on the TIDAL app to explore the library of tracks available in Dolby Atmos. Dolby Atmos is now available to TIDAL members subscribing to the HiFi tier, which already features HiFi and Master quality audio.

“Dolby Atmos is redefining how music is created, allowing artists and fans to experience it like never before,” said John Couling, Senior Vice President, Commercial Partnerships, Dolby Laboratories. “Together with TIDAL, we are expanding the reach of Dolby Atmos Music by enabling a more immersive way for people around the world to enjoy their favorite songs and albums.”

Reservoir Signs “Juice” Songwriter Sam Sumser

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Pictured (L-R): Greg Gallo, VP Creative, Reservoir; Sam Sumser; John Ozier, EVP Creative, Reservoir.

Reservoir has signed Grammy-nominated writer and producer Sam Sumser, including rights to Sumser’s catalog, which includes Lizzo’s “Juice” and “Lingerie” from her Grammy-nominated album Cuz I Love You. He also contributed to Anitta’s “Banana,” ft. Becky G, from Anitta’s album Kisses.

“The entire Reservoir Creative team including John Ozier, Greg Gallo, and Donna Caseine are extremely forward-thinking and hard-working. It’s great to have them and the rest of the company in my corner,” said Sumser. “Big things ahead!”

The Nashville-based Sumser co-wrote Lizzo’s catchy hit “Juice,” which has now been certified Platinum by the RIAA. He also contributed to Jason Derulo’s “Be The One,” Chris Brown’s “Overtime,” Shenseea’s “Blessed” ft. Tyga and more. His country collaborations include Mitchell Tenpenny’s “Alcohol You Later” and Chase Martin’s “Say Goodbye.” He has also written and produced with Usher, Austin Mahone, Dawin, and Plain White T’s, and is currently back in the studio with Lizzo, Usher, and Austin Mahone, plus Conrad Sewell, Daniel Skye, Eric Hudson, and R. City.

“Sam is such an impressive talent. Not only is he able to work effortlessly across genres with a tremendous amount of success, but his work ethic is unparalleled,” said John Ozier, Reservoir’s EVP of Creative. “Reservoir is the ideal home for someone as versatile as Sam, given the strength of our Creative offices in LA, New York, London, and Nashville. We’re proud to welcome him to the family and look forward to going to work for him.”

Reservoir’s publishing catalog includes pieces written and performed by greats like Billy Strayhorn, Hoagy Carmichael, and John Denver; the contemporary-classic catalogs of Sheryl Crow and Phantogram; and current hits performed by Lady Gaga, Camila Cabello, Bruno Mars, Cardi B and more. The company’s roster of active writers and producers includes the award-winning James Fauntleroy, Ali Tamposi, and Jamie Hartman, plus popular performing artists 2 Chainz, Young Thug, A Boogie Wit Da Hoodie, and Migos’ Offset and Takeoff.

Reservoir’s collection of film music includes rights to scores created by Hans Zimmer, as heard in the motion pictures The Lion King, the Pirates of the Caribbean series, Gladiator, The Dark Knight Trilogy, and over 150 other titles. The company also represents a multitude of recorded music through Chrysalis Records and Philly Groove Records and manages artists through its venture with Big Life Management.