Creative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its second annual application-only networking and professional development summit, THE HUBB, designed to provide diverse internship- and career-ready college students with the tools and resources needed to successfully enter the music business. The event played host to 30 students from 26 universities, including Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Miami University, Morehouse College, Purdue University, Spelman College, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Georgia, and Villanova University, among others, at CAA’s Nashville office on Sunday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 9.
THE HUBB participants had the opportunity to learn from and meet with key executives representing a variety of sectors within the industry, including label operations, business management, A&R, publishing, marketing, artist management, touring, and live production. Recruiters also led workshops, providing attendees with insights into the tools and skills needed in today’s job market.
Among the participating industry leaders were special guests Little Big Town, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan; EVP of Universal Music Group Radio Promotion Royce Risser; CAA Nashville Co-Founder John Huie; CAA Agents Sabrina Butera, Katie Germano, Lindsey Myers, Joe Harris, and Meredith Jones; CEO of Tri-Star Entertainment Lou Taylor; Executive Director at IEBA Pam Matthews; Nashville Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Katie Fagan; Apple Music – Country Music Programming & Editorial Madison Hanten; Loeb & Loeb Associate Farrah Usmani; Safford Motley’s Scott Safford; Earth, Wind, & Fire Tour Accountant David Norman; and the event’s namesake, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard.
Hubb participants visited Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for a session with CEO Lou Taylorand team. Tri Star returned as aPremiere Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“At CAA, we have always believed that growing and developing the next generation of diverse leaders can only positively impact all workplaces,” Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music said. “We’re proud of the amazing doors THE HUBB conference has helped open for students in order to be successful in the music industry and beyond.”
A leader in the promotion of inclusion, CAA has long focused on the issue of diversity, and implemented short- and long-term strategies to ensure a more equitable and robust workplace and create sustainable change, within the agency and beyond.
For more than a decade, CAA has recruited at top-tier colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and women’s colleges, resulting in a significant change to the pipeline of entry-level staff hired at the agency, as well as those whose positions translate into jobs across the industry. The agency has also forged partnerships with national organizations developing current college students from diverse backgrounds to provide greater access to careers across the entertainment industry. Building on the success of these collaborations, the agency launched THE HUBB in 2018, offering diverse internship and career-ready college students an opportunity to gain insights and establish relationships needed to build a career in the music industry.
Several 2018 alumni of THE HUBB are currently full-time employees at top music companies, including CAA, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, among others.
Universal Music Group Nashville’s Executive VP of Radio Promotion Royce Risser conversing with students after their informative session. UMG Nashville returned as a Supporting Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“Not only did THE HUBB introduce me to a wide variety of music industry professionals, but it also helped me forge relationships with other students who are just as curious and eager to learn as I am,” said Brooke Baumgartner, Executive Assistant at Spotify & HUBB Alumna. “THE HUBB expanded my knowledge of the music industry in a way that the classroom couldn’t and allowed me to hear firsthand all of the paths I can take as I navigate my journey as a music professional. My industry skillset and overall confidence skyrocketed following the conference, allowing me to share my unique experiences and insights with prospective employers during my job search.”
Delta Air Lines was the Official Airline Partner for the event, with IEBA and Tristar Sports & Entertainment Group, as well as Universal Music Group and Prescription Songs, serving as Premiere and Supporting Partners, respectively. Additional sponsors included AEG, Babco Entertainment, Bridgestone Arena, City National Bank, Corner Partnerships, Essential Broadcast Media, Event Resources, Fusion Management, Graduate Hotel, Hemphill Brothers, How To Concerts, Loeb & Loeb, Lyft, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, More Music Group, Morris Higham Management, mtheory Nashville, Neste Event Marketing, Premier Global Production, Pretty Polly Productions, Rams Head Live, Safford Motley, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Topgolf, Cambria Hotel, Triple 8 Management, Warner Chappell, and Well Dunn Foundation, among others.
FGL, Dan + Shay, Blanco Brown, Nelly Rock FGL Fest At Indy Motor Speedway
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R:) Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta; Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley; Indianapolis Motor Speedway President J. Douglas Boles. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Florida Georgia Line hosted their own music festival at Indiana’s Indianapolis Motor Speedway over the weekend (Sept. 7-8), and performed for a packed house of over 25,000 eager fans Saturday night. They were joined by a full slate of friends for the festival inside Oval 4 of the historic track, including Blanco Brown, Nelly, Dan + Shay, Canaan Smith, Payton Smith and Mitchell Tenpenny.
The duo then joined Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta on Sunday (Sept. 8) for the Big Machine Vodka 400 at The Brickyard Powered by Florida Georgia Line. They served as Grand Marshals calling drivers to their cars before Borchetta gave the call for drivers to “start their engines!” Joining them at the historic track were label mates Danielle Bradbery, who performed the national anthem, and newcomer Callista Clark, who performed “God Bless America.”
Excitement is already building for next year as the racing event and namesake concert move to Fourth of July weekend in 2020.
Florida Georgia Line performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Nelly performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Blanco Brown performs. Photo: The Holy Mountain
Pictured (L-R:) Big Machine artist Danielle Bradbery, Big Machine SVP of Creative Sandi Spika Borchetta, Big Machine President/CEO Scott Borchetta at the winner’s circle with Big Machine Vodka 400 Winner Kevin Harvick. Photo: IMS
Adam Hambrick Plots Fall Tour In Collaboration With Graduate Hotels
/by LB CantrellRising country artist Adam Hambrick has announced his first-ever headlining tour in partnership with Graduate Hotels. The Capitol Records Nashville/Buena Vista Records artist is also touring supporting LANCO, Chris Lane, Tucker Beathard, and Parker McCollum on select dates. Adam recently released his new track and official music video “Forever Ain’t Long Enough.”
“College was such a blast for me. I loved every minute of it. That’s where I discovered so much of the music that made a mark on me. That’s why, with help from Graduate Hotels, we built my first tour around college towns and made it the theme for this Fall,” states Hambrick.
Prior to select shows, Adam will be collaborating with Graduate Hotels creating an intimate fan experience, including a solo acoustic set and VIP hang. The Graduate Hotel experience is free and open to the public. Tickets and additional information can be found at adamhambrick.com.
2019 Fall Tour Dates:
SEP 19 – The Lyric Oxford Oxford, MS*+
SEP 20 – Druid City Music Hall Tuscaloosa, AL+
SEP 26 – The Foundry Athens, GA*
SEP 28 – Highway 49 Fest Richland, MS+
OCT 3 – The Bourbon Theatre Lincoln, NE*
OCT 4 – Holland PFAC Scott Recital Hall Omaha, NE
OCT 5 – Guitars Rock N’ Country Bar Joplin, MO
OCT 19 – The Stache Grand Rapids, MI
OCT 20 – Blind Pig Ann Arbor, MI*
OCT 27 – First Security Amphitheater Little Rock, AR
OCT 31 – George’s Majestic Lounge Fayetteville, AR*+
NOV 8 – First Avenue Club Iowa City, IA*+
NOV 9 – The Tap Bloomington, IN*
*Graduate Hotel VIP Experience Tour Stop
+Supporting LANCO, Chris Lane, Tucker Beathard, or Parker McCollum
CAA Hosts Second Annual The Hubb Summit
/by Jessica NicholsonCreative Artists Agency (CAA) hosted its second annual application-only networking and professional development summit, THE HUBB, designed to provide diverse internship- and career-ready college students with the tools and resources needed to successfully enter the music business. The event played host to 30 students from 26 universities, including Berklee College of Music, Carnegie Mellon University, Cornell University, Miami University, Morehouse College, Purdue University, Spelman College, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Georgia, and Villanova University, among others, at CAA’s Nashville office on Sunday, Sept. 8 and Monday, Sept. 9.
THE HUBB participants had the opportunity to learn from and meet with key executives representing a variety of sectors within the industry, including label operations, business management, A&R, publishing, marketing, artist management, touring, and live production. Recruiters also led workshops, providing attendees with insights into the tools and skills needed in today’s job market.
Among the participating industry leaders were special guests Little Big Town, CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville Mike Dungan; EVP of Universal Music Group Radio Promotion Royce Risser; CAA Nashville Co-Founder John Huie; CAA Agents Sabrina Butera, Katie Germano, Lindsey Myers, Joe Harris, and Meredith Jones; CEO of Tri-Star Entertainment Lou Taylor; Executive Director at IEBA Pam Matthews; Nashville Head of A&R, Prescription Songs Katie Fagan; Apple Music – Country Music Programming & Editorial Madison Hanten; Loeb & Loeb Associate Farrah Usmani; Safford Motley’s Scott Safford; Earth, Wind, & Fire Tour Accountant David Norman; and the event’s namesake, Barbara “Mother” Hubbard.
Hubb participants visited Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group for a session with CEO Lou Taylorand team. Tri Star returned as aPremiere Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“At CAA, we have always believed that growing and developing the next generation of diverse leaders can only positively impact all workplaces,” Rob Light, Managing Partner and Head of CAA Music said. “We’re proud of the amazing doors THE HUBB conference has helped open for students in order to be successful in the music industry and beyond.”
A leader in the promotion of inclusion, CAA has long focused on the issue of diversity, and implemented short- and long-term strategies to ensure a more equitable and robust workplace and create sustainable change, within the agency and beyond.
For more than a decade, CAA has recruited at top-tier colleges and universities, historically black colleges and universities (HBCUs), Hispanic-serving institutions, and women’s colleges, resulting in a significant change to the pipeline of entry-level staff hired at the agency, as well as those whose positions translate into jobs across the industry. The agency has also forged partnerships with national organizations developing current college students from diverse backgrounds to provide greater access to careers across the entertainment industry. Building on the success of these collaborations, the agency launched THE HUBB in 2018, offering diverse internship and career-ready college students an opportunity to gain insights and establish relationships needed to build a career in the music industry.
Several 2018 alumni of THE HUBB are currently full-time employees at top music companies, including CAA, Universal Music Group, and Spotify, among others.
Universal Music Group Nashville’s Executive VP of Radio Promotion Royce Risser conversing with students after their informative session. UMG Nashville returned as a Supporting Sponsor for The Hubb 2019.
“Not only did THE HUBB introduce me to a wide variety of music industry professionals, but it also helped me forge relationships with other students who are just as curious and eager to learn as I am,” said Brooke Baumgartner, Executive Assistant at Spotify & HUBB Alumna. “THE HUBB expanded my knowledge of the music industry in a way that the classroom couldn’t and allowed me to hear firsthand all of the paths I can take as I navigate my journey as a music professional. My industry skillset and overall confidence skyrocketed following the conference, allowing me to share my unique experiences and insights with prospective employers during my job search.”
Delta Air Lines was the Official Airline Partner for the event, with IEBA and Tristar Sports & Entertainment Group, as well as Universal Music Group and Prescription Songs, serving as Premiere and Supporting Partners, respectively. Additional sponsors included AEG, Babco Entertainment, Bridgestone Arena, City National Bank, Corner Partnerships, Essential Broadcast Media, Event Resources, Fusion Management, Graduate Hotel, Hemphill Brothers, How To Concerts, Loeb & Loeb, Lyft, Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint, More Music Group, Morris Higham Management, mtheory Nashville, Neste Event Marketing, Premier Global Production, Pretty Polly Productions, Rams Head Live, Safford Motley, Tennessee Performing Arts Center, Topgolf, Cambria Hotel, Triple 8 Management, Warner Chappell, and Well Dunn Foundation, among others.
Nashville’s New Year’s Eve Celebration Lineup Includes Keith Urban, Jason Isbell
/by Jessica NicholsonReigning CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban will headline Jack Daniel’s Music City Midnight: New Year’s Eve in Nashville (#Nashville NYE) for a fourth year in a row, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp announced today. Urban will lead an all-star and diverse lineup that includes Americana powerhouse Jason Isbell and The 400 Unit; English rock band The Struts; Americana award winner and 2019 nominee Amanda Shires, who is also a member of The 400 Unit and critically-acclaimed new band The Highwomen; and the Fisk Jubilee Singers. The 11th annual event will take place at the Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and is free and open to the public.
“From the very beginning, our goal was to have a long-term partnership with Keith, and, as we expected, his leadership, talent and involvement has been invaluable to the event’s success,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “As you would expect from a consummate professional like Keith, every year the show is completely different and fresh, and we can’t wait to see what he brings to ring in 2020.”
“Nashville’s New Year’s Eve is hugely successful at drawing visitors from around the globe. Events like this underscore how the hospitality industry adds so much to the local Nashvillian’s quality of life through visitor spending and tax revenues that support city services,” Mayor David Briley said. “And local residents don’t need to fly to London or New York to experience a world-class event; they can simply take a short ride to Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park.”
Last year, the Nashville concert was featured on “NBC’s New Year’s Eve” national broadcast that was live from Times Square in New York City. It was the most successful New Year’s Eve event for Nashville with an all-time high $23 million in direct visitor spending over 2017’s $22.3 million. Attendance was approximately 175,000 to 200,000, a record attendance over 2015’s 150,000.
Gates at Bicentennial Mall will open at 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 31 with DJ Case Bloom providing entertainment before the Music Note is raised. The Fisk Jubilee Singers, an ensemble of students from Fisk University, will kick off the live music with a selection of Spiritual music. The show’s highlight will be the traditional Music Note Drop and accompanying fireworks display to usher in the New Year. GRAMMY-winner DJ Dave Audé also will be part of the lineup.
NBC’s ‘Songland’ Renewed For Second Season
/by Jessica NicholsonNBC has renewed the hit songwriting competition series Songland for a second season. The competition features producer-mentors Ryan Tedder, Ester Dean and Shane McAnally.
The show has produced songs for artists including the Jonas Brothers, Black Eyed Peas, Kelsea Ballerini, will.i.am., Macklemore (ft. IRO), Leona Lewis, John Legend and more.
Songland has averaged a 1.1 rating in adults 18-49 and 5.1 million viewers overall in “live plus seven day” Nielsen ratings. After 35 days of digital and linear delayed viewing, including encores, Songland grows to a 1.9 rating in 18-49 and 7.6 million viewers overall.
The series partnered with BMG for a recording and publishing contract to release the songs written and recorded by the two runners up, and created a strategic song release plan with music distributors such as Apple Music, iTunes, Spotify and Pandora.
Songland is executive produced by Emmy Award-winning producer Audrey Morrissey, director Ivan Dudynsky, Eurythmics co-founder Dave Stewart, Chad Hines, and multi-Grammy-winning recording artist and Maroon 5 lead singer Adam Levine. Josh Gummersall serves as producer along with Ryan Tedder. Songland is produced by Live Animals in association with Universal Television Alternative Studio, Dave Stewart Entertainment and 222 Productions.
Date Set For 55th Annual Academy Of Country Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 55th annual Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 5, 2020, beginning at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
The ACM Party for a Cause events also return on Saturday, April 4, including ACM Lifting Lives’ Topgolf Tee-Off with guest hosts Rascal Flatts and Darius Rucker.
The newly-created Saturday night concert event, the ACM Beach Bash Presented by Dr Pepper at Mandalay Bay Beach will host performances from reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban and 11-time ACM Award-winning trio Lady Antebellum, and more to be announced.
Tickets for The Week Vegas Goes Country® events, including the 55th ACM Awards and Ultimate ACM Fan VIP Packages, will be available for ACM A-List pre-sale starting Wednesday, September 18 and general on-sale beginning Friday, September 20 at ACMAwards.com. Portions of all ACM Party for a Cause proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music.
CJ Solar Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Craig Campbell, Campbell Entertainment; Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling and Logistics; CJ Solar; Mark Roeder, Agent, WME. Photo: Grand Ole Opry, photo by Chris Hollo
Sea Gayle Music’s CJ Solar made his Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday night (Sept. 7). The evening was extra special for CJ and the 100 or so family members and friends in the audience.
CJ and his family visited the Opry while on a Nashville vacation when he was 12 years old. After seeing Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley and Blake Shelton perform on the show, CJ made a decision that night to pursue a career as a country singer and songwriter. Country music Hall of Famer Connie Smith hosted the Opry Saturday night and relayed that story to the packed house.
CJ played his new single, “Coming My Way,” as well as “Watered Down Whiskey.” CJ shared his Opry experience via Facebook video.
Industry Ink: Kelsea Ballerini, Country Radio Broadcasters, O’Neil Hagaman
/by Jessica NicholsonDonovan Public Relations Adds Kelsea Ballerini To Roster
NYC-based Donovan Public Relations has added Kelsea Ballerini as a client.
With her latest single, “homecoming queen?,” Black River Entertainment artist Ballerini recently celebrated the biggest add date of her career. The song is this week’s most-added new song on the Billboard Country Airplay chart, with 107 total adds and debuts at No. 22. The single also opens at No. 32 on the Mediabase country radio chart.
Ballerini was previously repped by Sweet Talk Publicity. Donovan Public Relations also counts Old Dominion among its music clients.
Gabby Barrett Performs For Annual Country Radio Broadcasters Board Breakfast
Warner Music Nashville/WAR artist Gabby Barrett performed at the annual Country Radio Broadcasters board breakfast on Friday (Sept. 6) at the Nashville Vanderbilt Marriott hotel.
O’Neil Hagaman Promotes Lynda Ragsdale
Lynda Ragsdale
O’Neil Hagaman has promoted Lynda Ragsdale to Tax Director. Ragsdale began her career at the firm in 2013, previously acting as Tax Manager.
Cheryl Harris, Managing Partner said, “Lynda has successfully led us through the implementation of the complex and comprehensive 2018 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act. At the same time she and her staff have maintained the highest level of client service in all areas of our tax practice. It is an honor to announce her promotion to Tax Director.”
Chris Tomlin Announces 12-Date Christmas Tour
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“This is going to be an incredible night, an intimate night of remembering what the season is all about, remembering what Christmas is about, remembering why we celebrate and why we worship, and remembering our Savior together,” said Tomlin.
The 12-city tour not only offers an intimate show from Chris but a one-of-a-kind experience of sights and sounds of the season featuring Christmas carols, photos with Santa, Christmas cookies, snow on stage and more. The tour will visit some of America’s most beautiful and historic theaters like the Orpheum Theatre, Tennessee Theatre, Alabama Theatre, the Taft Theatre and more. Tickets will be available this Friday, Sept. 13.
Prior to his holiday tour Tomlin will hit the road on his 2019 fall tour, “An Evening of Worship with Chris Tomlin,” which launches with back-to-back nights in Carmel, Indiana on Oct. 1 & 2.
Chris Tomlin Christmas: Christmas Songs of Worship Tour Dates:
Rory Feek Named Chief Creative Officer At RFD-TV, Inks Deal To Bring Series To Network
/by Lorie HollabaughRory Feek has been named Chief Creative Officer at RFD-TV, where he will develop and oversee all new production for the network.
Feek will also have a new weekly TV series on the network, This Life I Live, based on his personal blog. Five years ago he launched the blog to share stories of his family, including his late wife, Joey, and their daughter, Indiana, and as a way to capture and remember the special moments in his personal life as they were happening. It quickly developed a powerful online presence with nearly 2.5 million followers.This Life I Live will begin airing on RFD-TV the first week of January 2020 and will run weekly on cable and be featured on multiple digital platforms.
The singer/songwriter is no stranger to the TV series format: Feek and his wife Joey were featured in the RFD-TV series, The Joey+Rory Show, that originally ran from 2012 to 2014 and continues to re-run each week. The made-from-home variety show showcased the couple’s music, their family-owned cafe, and their friends and community. It followed their lives for two years as they traveled the world performing together and lived life on their Tennessee farm, and they ended the filming of their show in early 2014 when their daughter, Indiana, was born. Soon after, Rory began writing and sharing his blog.
“We are very proud of our primetime programming on RFD-TV, and we have been looking for a way the last several years to really bring that programming to the next level,” said Patrick Gottsch, Founder and President of RFD-TV. “With Rory joining our team as the Chief Creative Officer, I am confident that both Rory and his team will be the answer that we have been looking for. His creativity and storytelling will really resonate well with our audiences.”
Feek’s plans for the network’s creative direction include shepherding RFD-TV into filling the void left by The Nashville Network (TNN), the now-defunct cable network that offered a platform in the 80s and 90s for the country industry to reach Middle America. In addition to his new role, Feek will continue writing books and playing live shows on his farm and around the country.
“We have the greatest storytellers in the world in town, here on Music Row and in the surrounding communities,” said Feek. “My goal is to find and showcase some of the best stories and offer a platform for the world to see them. In Nashville, the motto has always been, ‘it all begins with a song’… but even before that, I think it all starts with a ‘story’. I don’t actually have cable TV and haven’t had a TV for most of the last fifteen years, but if I did have one, it would mostly be turned to RFD. It’s one of the few networks that has driven programming of values, rather than the monetary value of programming. Although Patrick and I, and our whole team, know there’s still much to do, an incredible foundation is in place for something special to happen. And I’d like to think that this is the time to do it.”