Warner Chappell Music Extends Deal With Liz Rose

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Liz Rose

Warner Chappell Music (WCM) has extended a worldwide publishing deal with Grammy-winning songwriter Liz Rose and her publishing company, Liz Rose Music. Among her numerous hit songwriting credits are No. 1 singles for  Taylor Swift (“You Belong with Me”), Little Big Town (“Girl Crush”), and Eli Young Band (“Crazy Girl”).

“Words matter and the words that Liz Rose has put into the musical songbook have really mattered,” said Ben Vaughn, President & CEO, WCM Nashville. “She is the force behind so many songs that have won the coveted Song of the Year award at all of the major music award shows. She is unstoppable, unflappable, and we are so happy to continue our partnership.”

“Over the past six years Ben and everyone at Warner Chappell have been the best partners I could have asked for,” added Rose. “I look forward to exploring even more opportunities for my music and for the music from all of our wonderful songwriters at Liz Rose Music.” 

Rose has earned the Song of the Year prize at the 2010 BMI Country Awards for “You Belong With Me” (Taylor Swift), the 2011 ACM Awards for “Crazy Girl” (Eli Young Band), and the 2015 CMA’s for “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town). She has earned multiple Grammy wins including Best Country Song for “White Horse” (Taylor Swift) and “Girl Crush” (Little Big Town), and was named Songwriter of the Year at the 2007 SESAC Awards.

Most recently, Rose co-wrote Miranda Lambert’s single, “It All Comes Out in the Wash” with Lambert, Lori McKenna and Hillary Lindsey as part of the songwriting trio, The Love Junkies. The group is also behind Carrie Underwood’s “Cry Pretty.”

In 2010 Rose launched Liz Rose Music with her son Scott Ponce as a home to burgeoning songwriters. The roster currently includes Joe Fox, Phil Barton, Emily Shackelton, Seth Ennis, Cameron Bedell, Alyssa Micaela, Nick Boyd, Cassidy Daniels, and Caitlin Rose, with writer catalogs from Corey Crowder, Jesse Walker, Jeff Middleton, Chuck Wicks, and Stephony Smith.

All For The Hall Returns To Nashville With Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton, Luke Combs, Lauren Daigle, Blake Shelton

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Keith Urban announced last night (Oct. 3) that the All for the Hall benefit returns to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Feb. 10, 2020. Blake Shelton, Luke Combs, Lauren Daigle, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Ingrid Andress, Tenille Townes and Tanya Tucker will all join Urban for his seventh All For The Hall benefit concert, which to date has raised $3.4 million in support of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s education programs. Additional artists are expected to be named at a later date. Urban made the announcement when he took to the ice to perform between periods of the Nashville Predators’ nationally-televised home opener against the Minnesota Wild Thursday night.

For this year’s special Under The Influence-themed show, Urban and friends will perform a song recorded by an artist who strongly influences them, in addition to one of their own hits. Tickets go on sale Friday, Oct. 18 at 10 a.m. CT for the City National Bank-presented show, and can be purchased at LiveNation.com and the Bridgestone Arena box office. VIP ticketing packages, which include premium seating, meet-and-greet opportunities and more, will also be made available.

“Ken Burns’ documentary has shown us that we are all very much influenced by our heroes,” said Urban. “So this year’s All for the Hall benefit is our chance to acknowledge those that have been an influence on us and helped shape the artists that we are today. Somehow these shows always seem to take on a life of their own. They’re incredibly fun to do, and you never quite really know what’s gonna happen. So we’ll roll with it and turn Bridgestone (Arena) into one huge club!”

Weekly Radio Report (10/4/19)

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

DISClaimer: Collaborations Abound On Duo Day

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It’s Duo Day here at DisClaimer.

This week is a bountiful harvest of collaborations — Tim McGraw & Shy Carter, Colt Ford & Mitchell Tenpenny, Carly Pearce & Lee Brice, Maddie & Tae, Logan Ledger & Courtney Marie Andrews. Gone West & Colbie Caillat sounds like a collab, but it’s really the name of a lovely new four-person harmony ensemble.

But all of them take a back seat to our Disc of the Day. It belongs to Craig Morgan, and it is a breathtaking reminder of just how moving great country singing and songwriting can be.

The DisCovery Award goes to Lower Broadway vet Logan Ledger. I am enthralled by his sound.

JUSTIN MOORE/Why We Drink
Writers: Justin Moore/Casey Beathard/David Lee Murphy/Jeremy Stover; Producer: Stover; Publisher: none listed; Valory
– Romping and rollicking, this is a boatload of boozy fun. Plus, the boy can sing.

CARLY PEARCE & LEE BRICE/I Hope You’re Happy Now
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Big Machine
– I’m a big fan of both of these artists, so I was tickled to see them as a duet. The song is about being completely devastated in a breakup, and they’re both singing their faces off in it. The thumping rhythm is just right. The harmony vocals are mixed a mite soft, as though each one wants to let the other have the total spotlight when it’s their turn to sing lead. A sterling single.

YouTube video

 

GONE WEST & COLBIE CAILLAT/What Could’ve Been
Writers: Gone West/Jamie Kenney; Producer: Kenney; Publisher: none listed; Triple Tigers
– Lustrous. I fell hard for the stacked vocal harmonies and the swirling melody. Heartache has seldom sounded as glorious as this. Top pop Grammy winner Caillat has moved to Music City and formed Gone West as a four-part, two-couples vocal fiesta. This is its captivating, stunning debut disc. What a treat.

MADDIE & TAE/Everywhere I’m Goin’
Writers: Maddie Marlow/Taylor Dye/Josh Thompson/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Mercury Nashville
– Shimmering and sparkly, this twirls and spins like a glittering dancefloor ball. The sound of falling in love.

COLT FORD & MITCHELL TENPENNY/Slow Ride
Writers: Colt Ford/Taylor Phillips/Josh Mirenda/Jared Sciullo/Justin David Bertoldie; Producer: J. Sclullo; Publishers: Average ZJS/Warner-Tamerlane/Mirendawrites/Reservoir Media Management/Riley Payton/Lacey Branch, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC
-Hick-hop rides again. It’s a slow groove with a languid vibe alternating with rapid-fire white-boy rap. It loops back on itself over and over again. Colt’s new CD is We the People, and his other guests on it include Jimmie Allen, Michael Ray and Eddie Montgomery.

TIM McGraw & SHY CARTER/Way Down
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Columbia
– It has a gritty, funky, crunchy guitar/percussion track topped with a spoken-sung vocal about getting Southern-fried in Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama and other Dixie locales. Carter provides a brief rapped breakdown. Repetitive, but ear-wormy.

YouTube video

 

LOGAN LEDGER & COURTNEY MARIE ANDREWS/Oh Sister
Writers: none listed; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publisher: none listed; Rounder
– Drenched in steel and oozing barroom authenticity, this is utterly mesmerizing. Is it about incest? Logan is following the Nashville path of Margo Price and Joshua Hedley, taking a left-field route to remind us what real country music sounds like. His I Don’t Dream Anymore EP drops tomorrow. Sign me up for the fan club.

CRAIG MORGAN/The Father, My Son and the Holy Ghost
Writer: Craig Morgan; Producer: Craig Morgan; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– Powerful. He has always shaken and moved me as a vocalist. Never more so than now, as he pours out his heart in memory of his late son. I was sobbing by the time he hit the finale. So grateful for this artist’s honesty and bravery.

YouTube video

 

CAYLEE HAMMACK/Just Friends
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
– I still say she’s a pop act.

ZAC BROWN BAND/The Woods
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR/Wheelhouse
– As cool and listenable as ever, these guys continue with their one-of-a-kind sound. This tickles the ears with non-stop rhythm, soulful singing and mega-hooky melody. Love them to pieces.

SMACK Promotes Tiffany Young To Sr. VP

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Tiffany Young

SMACK’s Tiffany Young has been promoted to the role of Senior Vice President, Operations. In her new role, Young will be responsible for overseeing the internal operations of the publishing, production and management arms.

Young has spent the past five years at SMACK, first as Operations Manager and most recently as Vice President of Operations. She remains responsible for all day-to-day activities of the SMACK companies and is tasked with achieving goals, advancing the corporate mission and supervising company growth.

“We have so much talent and heart stepping through our doors every day and it amazes me how much we have grown over the last five years,” Young says. “It has been a true honor to learn from some of the most respected and talented in the business and I could not be more proud of the team we have built so far.”

Young will continue to report to SMACK President and Co-Owner, Michael McAnally Baum, who says, “Tiffany has become our internal champion and cheerleader. She has earned the confidence of the staff and the respect of our songwriters. Her leadership has been instrumental in the evolution of SMACK from small independent publisher to one of the most successful music business operations on Music Row. I can think of no one more capable than Tiffany to realize SMACK to its full potential.”

Industry Ink: Jameson Rodgers, Sound Royalties, Dance Party To End ALZ

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Jameson Rodgers Gets Plaqued

Back (L-R) – Sam Forbert (CAA), Chris Farren (Combustion Music), JP Durant (Red Light Management), Lyndsay Church (Columbia), Jameson Rodgers, Courtney Beebe (Sony Music Nashville), Kelly Lyons (Combustion Music), Zebb Luster (River House Artists), Randi McFadden (River House Artists), Kayla Adkins (River House Artists) Front (l-r) – Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music), Kenley Flynn (Combustion Music) Photo courtesy Combustion Music

Jameson Rodgers was surprised recently with two commemorative plaques for “I Don’t Know About You,” which was officially certified Gold, and “Talk You Out of It” (recorded by Florida Georgia Line) which went Platinum. Fresh off his recent debut at the famed Grand Ole Opry, Rodgers is celebrating his first No. 1 as a songwriter as Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” which Rodgers co-wrote with Ashley Gorley, HARDY and Hunter Phelps, and reached the top of the Billboard Country Airplay and Mediabase/Country Aircheck charts this week.

 

Sound Royalties Honors Rudy Perez

Sound Royalties honored producer Rudy Pérez (center, with songwriter/producer Desmond Child and Alex Heiche, Sound Royalties CEO) at a VIP reception in Nashville

Entertainment industry finance firm Sound Royalties hosted a private Nashville reception recently, honoring composer/producer Rudy Perez, one of the most influential figures in Latin Music.

More than 250 industry leaders including recording artists, label executives and representatives of ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC gathered at Nashville’s Icon Ultra Lounge in The Gulch to celebrate Pérez and his memoir, The Latin Hitmaker, written with Robert Noland. The book chronicles the journey of a young Cuban refugee who survived the gritty streets of Miami to ultimately create some of the greatest music of the twenty-first century.

Perez, a five-time Grammy winner, Perez has written or produced hits for artists including Celia Cruz, Beyoncé, Julio Iglesias, Christina Aguilera, Natalie Cole, Ricky Martin, Michael Bolton, Marc Anthony, José Feliciano, Il Divo, Christian Castro, and many others. Together with his lifelong friend and fellow Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee Desmond Child, Perez cofounded both the Latin Grammys and Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame (La Musa Awards) and serves on the Board of ASCAP.

 

Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Storme Warren Host Third Annual Dance Party to End ALZ

Storme Warren, guest Brad Paisley, Kimberly Williams-Paisley and guest attend Nashville’s 80’s dance party to end ALZ benefitting the Alzheimer’s Association on September 29, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by Jason Kempin/Getty Images for Alzheimer’s Association)

Kimberly Williams-Paisley and Storme Warren hosted the third annual Dance Party to End ALZ at Nashville’s Wildhorse Saloon. The star-studded event raised nearly $350,000 for research programs funded by the Alzheimer’s Association. Top artists took to the stage with their favorite hits from the ‘80s while decked out in iconic fashion as a nod to the decade.

Performances included: REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Dave Amato performed their hit anthems “Can’t Fight This Feeling,” “Keep On Loving You,” “Take It On The Run,” and “Roll With The Changes,” Brad Paisley’s renditions of “Dixieland Delight” and “Guitars, Cadillacs,” Sheryl Crow’s spin on favorite “Walking on Sunshine,” Shenandoah with three of their classics “Two Dozen Roses,” “I Got You” and “Sunday in the South,” Chris Daughtry’s electric version of “Rebel Yell,” Ashley Campbell channeled Dolly Parton for “9 to 5,” Hunter Hayes’ bringing the crowd to their feet with “Footloose,” and  A group finale of “Two Tickets to Paradise.”

Kelsea Ballerini, Halsey Announce Nashville Concert For ‘CMT Crossroads’

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Kelsea Ballerini and Halsey will team for an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads, which will be taped during an open-to-the-public performance at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Friday, Oct. 11. The episode will premiere on CMT in early 2020.

“I feel so fortunate to have a friend like Kelsea. She is a spectacular talent and an even better human being. It’s been an honor to watch from the sidelines as she has trailblazed country music the past few years. Her songs make me laugh and cry and put every single window down in the car,” said Halsey. “The first stage Kelsea and I ever shared together was a 3 foot karaoke dance floor right in Nashville. We’ve sang together in my living room, in her kitchen, in the back seat of cars in drive through lines late at night. And this time we get to get on a real stage, one of the most iconic stages in history, and do the thing we love the most in front of a city that is so dear to both of us.”

“From hearing ‘Colors’ for the first time years ago to her playing the first cut of ‘Without Me’ in my living room last year, I’ve always been a superfan of Halsey. Her songwriting has a way of painting the most beautiful pictures and telling the most emotional of stories, and after becoming fast friends over wine and karaoke nights, I can’t think of anyone I’d rather share the CMT Crossroads stage with. We’re going to bring a little pop, a little country, a big love of songwriting, and no doubt some sass to Nashville next week,” shared Ballerini.

The all-ages show will be general admission; ticketing details to be released in the days prior to the event. For more information, visit Crossroads.CMT.com.

Ballerini recently released her new single, “homecoming queen?,” while Halsey’s “Without Me” topped the Hot 100 for two weeks earlier this year.

 

 

Route 91 Festival Shooting Victims To Receive Up To $800 Million In Settlement

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Photo: Courtesy of rt91harvest.com.

MGM Resorts International announced today (Oct. 3) that they have reached a settlement agreement to resolve pending lawsuits involving the October 1, 2017 shooting at the Route 91 Harvest Festival in Las Vegas, Nevada. The total settlement amount is expected to be between $735 million and $800 million, depending on the number of claimants who choose to participate in the settlement. The entire process is expected to be completed by late 2020.

The news comes two years after the event that left 58 dead and hundreds injured in the deadliest mass shooting in modern U.S. history.

“Our goal has always been to resolve these matters so our community and the victims and their families can move forward in the healing process. This agreement with the Plaintiffs’ Counsel is a major step, and one that we hoped for a long time would be possible,” said Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts. “We have always believed that prolonged litigation around these matters is in no one’s best interest. It is our sincere hope that this agreement means that scenario will be avoided.”

“Today’s agreement marks a milestone in the recovery process for the victims of the horrifying events of 1 October,” said Robert Eglet, a lead Plaintiffs’ Counsel. “While nothing will be able to bring back the lives lost or undo the horrors so many suffered on that day, this settlement will provide fair compensation for thousands of victims and their families. MGM Resorts is a valued member of the Las Vegas community and this settlement represents good corporate citizenship on their part. We believe that the terms of this settlement represent the best outcome for our clients and will provide the greatest good for those impacted by these events.”

For more information, visit mgmresorts.com.

Promotions, New Hires At ACM

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Pictured (L-R): Tommy Moore, Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance; Brandon Campbell, Senior Video Manager, Creative & Content Production; Maddy Stessman, Manager, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance; Dayna Poskanzer, Assistant Marketing.

The Academy of Country Music has announced several promotions and new hires.

Tommy Moore has been promoted to Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance; Brandon Campbell has been promoted to Senior Video Manager, Creative & Content Production; Maddy Stessman has been promoted to Manager, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance; and Dayna Poskanzer has joined the staff as Assistant, Marketing. All positions are based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, California.

Moore joined the Academy in 2011 and most recently served as Sr. Director, Governance & Board Administration, a position that will be absorbed into his new, expanded role. As Vice President, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance, he directs the overall Board communication of ACM. Moore also directs and manages ticketing for all ACM events. In this new expanded role, Moore spearheads artist communication and engagement within the Academy. He reports to RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director and can be reached here.

Campbell has been promoted to Senior Video Manager, Creative & Content Production. He previously spent six years freelancing in Nashville on various awards shows and joined Hunter Hayes’ team as a full-time videographer for three years. During his four years at the ACM, Campbell has contributed to media campaigns for the Academy and our partners CBS and dick clark productions to promote the ACM Awards, ACM Honors and ACM Lifting Lives, among other Academy initiatives. In his new role, Campbell will lead the ACM Awards Vegas videography team, while continuing to design in-house animation and graphics for Academy projects. Campbell is also point for capturing video content with artists during their visits to the Los Angeles office.

Stessman joined the Academy full-time in fall 2016, where she served as Coordinator, Events and most recently in 2018, she stepped in as Manager, Administration, a position that will be absorbed into her new, expanded role. Stessman will continue to oversee administrative tasks; additionally, she will provide direct support to the VP, Artist & Industry Relations, Board Administration & Governance with all board and industry communications and outreach. Stessman reports to Moore.

Poskanzer previously interned with the Academy’s Marketing department during the 54th Annual ACM Awards and the 13th Annual ACM Honors. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.

Conner Smith Signs With Valory Music Co.

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(L-R): Back Row –HOMESTEAD/Red Light Management’s Brad Belanger, Producer/ Songwriter Zach Crowell, Big Machine Label Group’s Allison Jones, Big Machine Label Group’s Carly Strickland, Big Machine Label Group’s Darielle Schroeder; Front Row –The Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Conner Smith, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta. Photo: Seth Hellman

Conner Smith has signed with Valory Music Co.

The 19-year-old Music City native spent the past few years balancing homework and baseball while introducing himself to country fans from coast to coast, performing alongside acts including Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, and Kip Moore.  Recently collaborating with an array of esteemed songwriters including Ashley Gorley, Josh Osborne, Jessie Jo Dillon and Hunter Phelps, Conner is currently recording new music with producer/songwriter Zach Crowell.

“Conner’s talent and sophistication far exceeds his age,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “He’s hot-wired his vision, songwriting and artistry and is ready for prime time. This is a very important signing for a very important young new artist.”

“I feel so blessed to be part of the Big Machine and Valory family,” said Conner. “The belief they have in me and my music is something I am so grateful for. Trusting them with the future of my art and career is a decision I couldn’t be more confident in. I can’t wait for the songs and stories we’ll be able to share together.”

Conner is managed by HOMESTEAD/Red Light Management in Nashville.