Amazon Music has launched Amazon Music HD, a new “lossless audio” tier of music with more than 50 million songs in high definition, and millions of songs in Ultra High Definition, the highest quality streaming audio available. HD streaming songs featre a bit depth of 16 bits and a sample rate of 44.1kHz (CD quality), while Ultra HD songs will feature a bit depth of 24 bits and a sample rate of up to 192 kHz.

The new service is available for $12.99/month for Prime members and $14.99/month for Amazon customers, or an additional $5/month for current subscribers to the individual or family plans. Amazon Music HD is available to stream in the US, UK, Germany, and Japan

“We spoke with many artists while developing Amazon Music HD, who were excited about the potential for fans to be able to stream their favorite music, and hear it as it was originally recorded,” said Steve Boom, VP of Amazon Music. “From rock to hip-hop to classical and pop, we believe listening to music at this level of sound will make customers fall in love again with their favorite music and artists. As we usher in a new listening experience for our customers and the industry, we’re combining the convenience of streaming with all of the emotion, power, clarity and nuance of the original recordings.”

Songs like Kendrick Lamar’s “Alright” and St. Vincent’s “Digital Witness”, are also now available in Ultra HD, revealing nuances that were once flattened in files compressed for digital streaming. Legendary albums including Fleetwood Mac’s Rumors and Miles Davis’ Kind of Blue become revelatory new experiences, almost as if the listener is sitting in on these storied studio sessions.

“Earth will be changed forever when Amazon introduces high quality streaming to the masses,” said rock icon Neil Young. “This will be the biggest thing to happen in music since the introduction of digital audio 40 years ago.”

Amazon Music HD is compatible with a wide variety of devices, including desktop, mobile (iOS & Android), select Echo devices, Fire TV, and Fire Tablets. Amazon Music HD is also compatible with many third-party devices, including most products from Denon and Marantz with HEOS Built-in, Polk Audio, Definitive Technology, Sonos, McIntosh, Sennheiser, and more.

Pictured (L-R): Carter Winter, Marathon Talent Agency’s Peter Strickland

Average Joes Entertainment artist Carter Winter has signed a management agreement with Peter Strickland of Marathon Talent Agency.

“When I first heard Carter’s voice I was taken aback by his traditional vocals and modern lyrics,” Strickland commented. “He has an incredibly unique sound that needs to be heard.”

Zach Beebe of OTRMgmt initially recognized Carter’s talent and brought him to Strickland’s attention for management.

“It’s all about finding people who truly believe in you and match your passion and vision for the art you’re creating. I’ve found that in Peter and I’m grateful for the opportunity to join forces and get to work,” Winter said.

Carter is currently in the studio finishing up a new album to be released first quarter 2020.

Photo L-R: Ed Warm, Academy of Country Music Chairman; RAC Clark, ACM Interim Executive Director; Sonya Akins; Rhett Akins; Lauren Akins; Willa Gray Akins; Ada James Akins; Thomas Rhett. Photo Credit: Alex Justice

Rhett Akins was honored with the ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award during a surprise presentation backstage at his son Thomas Rhett’s recent tour stop at the United Center in Chicago.

This honor is one of seven new ACM Decade Awards categories. Factors considered for the ACM Songwriter of the Decade Award include success of body of work at radio, commercial media, sales and streaming, creative integrity, artistic merit and ACM Award recognition.

To that end, Akins was named ACM Songwriter of the Year in 2017 and was nominated in the same category in 2011 and 2013. His first ACM nomination came in 1997 for Top New Male Vocalist. During his 24 years of hitmaking, Akins has had 30 No.1 singles and 36 BMI Awards.

The ACM Decade Awards were ratified by the ACM Board of Directors, following a stringent examination by more than 20 Board members and the ACM Special Awards Committee, co-chaired by Chuck Aly and Kelly Rich.

The ACM Song of the Decade Award was recently awarded to Miranda Lambert, and songwriters Tom Douglas and Allen Shamblin, for “The House That Built Me.” Recipients of the remaining Decade Award categories (Album, Artist-Songwriter, Breakout Artist, Single, and Music Event) will be announced in the coming weeks.

Becky Gardenhire

Becky Gardenhire has been promoted to Co-Head at WME’s Nashville office. She will work alongside current Co-Heads Scott Clayton, Joey Lee and Jay Williams to oversee WME’s day-to-day operations in Nashville.

“I’m diving even deeper into the day-to-day operations of our office, but also thinking bigger along the lines of what can we be doing to improve what we can do for our clients and colleagues,” Gardenhire tells MusicRow Magazine of her new role.

This promotion makes Gardenhire the highest-ranking female executive at an agency in Nashville.

“I’m super excited that I am in this position. I think it’s really important…we need more women in positions that can make decisions,” she tells MusicRow. “I think it’s so important to have a diverse room and diverse perspectives, whether it’s Cindy Mabe at Universal, or Ali Harnell or Sally Williams at Live Nation, it’s so important for more women to be part of leadership teams. But I also have a lot of great male champions and mentors, I wouldn’t be here without them. I’m grateful for the opportunity.”

“Becky has demonstrated time and again her commitment to her colleagues, clients, and the Nashville community,” Clayton, Lee and Williams said in a joint statement. “Becky embodies the spirit of WME’s Nashville office, and we look forward to the perspective and insight she will bring to this role.”

Gardenhire began her career in the Beverly Hills office of the William Morris Agency in 2002, and relocated to Nashville in 2003. Gardenhire was named partner in 2017.

In addition to her leadership role, Gardenhire also oversees touring, television, literary and sponsorship opportunities for artists including Jake Owen, Jordan Davis, LANCO, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire, Tenille Townes, Ingrid Andress, Sara Evans and Trisha Yearwood.

Gardenhire has also spearheaded social impact initiatives for WME and the Nashville music community, such as Talk the Talk, a long-running monthly lecture series that connects women across the Nashville music business.

Last year, Gardenhire was named as one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row honorees, and earned the CMA’s Talent Agent of the Year Award. Gardenhire currently serves on the Board of Directors for the Academy of Country Music, the Board of Directors for TJ Martell’s Nashville chapter and the Board of Directors for the W.O. Smith Music School.

Over the past year, WME’s Nashville office has booked over 14,000 shows, and expanded its offerings to clients through providing resources for film, television, literary, digital and endorsements.