Four-time Grammy Award winner John Paul White has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville. White, a former member of the popular duo The Civil Wars, has collaborated with and written songs for artists including Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Rodney Crowell, Eli Young Band, Ronan Keating, and more.
“JPW is in a league of his own. Aside from his world-class vocals and inventive melodies, he is a diverse and in-demand collaborator, a creative producer, and an astute businessman,” said Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of WCM Nashville, adding, “Really proud to welcome him to the global Warner Chappell family.”
“It was very important for me to find a partner that wholeheartedly believes in me and my work,” said White. “Ben and the entire team at Warner Chappell have a real expertise, dedication, and passion for the music. I’m grateful for their support and look forward to working together.”
The Civil Wars earned Grammy wins for Best Folk Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for Barton Hollow. In 2016, White released his solo album Beulah. Since 2013, he led his own label Single Lock Records, out of Florence, Alabama; the label’s roster has included Lera Lynn and the late Donnie Fritts. White co-produced Fritts’ 2015 Oh My Goodness album and Lynn’s 2018 duets collection Plays Well With Others.
In April, White released his LP, The Hurting Kind, co-produced by Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner with co-writing credits from Nashville songwriters Bobby Braddock and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. White is currently touring throughout America, Europe, and Canada as he writes for his next record.
White is co-managed by Brad Oldham at Vector Management and Michael Goldstone at Mom & Pop.
RIAA Mid-Year Report: Revenues Grew 18% In First Half Of 2019, Driven By Streaming
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic recorded retail revenues in the United States grew 18%, to $5.4 billion, in the first half of 2019, according to the Recording Industry Association of America’s (RIAA) Mid-Year Report for 2019. In 2018, the U.S. music industry’s retail revenues had reached $4.6 billion.
That double-digit growth rate is driven by the number of paid streaming subscriptions totaling more than 60 million for the first time (up 30% from 2018)—this represents an average of more than 1 million new subscriptions per month over the past 12 months.
Streaming revenues alone grew 26% to $4.3 billion in the first half of this year (up from $3.4 billion in 2018), and includes revenues from subscription services, digital and customized radio services including those revenues distributed by SoundExchange, and ad-supported, on-demand streaming services. Paid subscriptions made up 62% of overall industry revenues and account for 77% of U.S. streaming music revenues for the first half of 2019.
Streaming now generates 80% of music business revenues.
“This continued growth lets record companies do more than ever to discover, promote, and protect great artists,” RIAA’s Chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier said in a statement. “Worldwide, labels now spend nearly $6 billion a year to find talent, enable artists to record, cut through the noise, and be heard. Finding and developing new talent is the lifeblood of the business, with 20% of a major label’s roster of artists signed fresh each year. 7 in 10 unsigned artists want a label deal to help them make it in an increasingly complicated and high-tech business.
“Labels have worked for years to build powerful new tools, infrastructure, and teams to help artists navigate the global streaming ecosystem and protect and promote their work. Whether it’s fighting to shut down industrial piracy and stream-ripping operations or standing up to Big Tech platforms that have avoided accountability to exploit artists and grossly underpay for music. And more than anything, it’s a reminder of what we can accomplish when the whole music community—and our music service partners—work together. Collaboration and cooperation work. We’ve proven that by establishing the right to be paid for streaming in the early days of the internet, to the technical and data collaboration that made modern music services possible, to even more recent problem solving like the Music Modernization Act that finally won justice for artists who recorded before 1972. Let’s keep it going,” Glazier said.
Demolition Music Partners With Symphonic Distribution
/by Lorie HollabaughThe boutique company specializes in multi-genre publishing, artist development and label services. In 2018, Demolition also added a sync department in conjunction with Angry Mob Music and Resin8 Music.
Headed by Creative Managers Michael August and Jamie Dryburgh alongside President/Owner Jon D’Agostino, Demolition Music works in the Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and international markets.
“We were looking for a strategic partner to fit our needs as a multi-genre music entity. We have a handful of artists with very unique and dedicated projects, as well as a heavy involvement in the TV and film world,” said D’Agostino. “We needed to find a company that understood our needs and was excited to work with us; we definitely found that in Symphonic. We are looking forward to working with Randall and his awesome team.”
Symphonic Distribution is a 100% independent label services and distribution company founded by music producer Jorge Brea in 2006. Headquartered in Tampa, Florida, with offices in Brooklyn, Nashville, Denver, and Bogota, Colombia, Symphonic provides thousands of new and established artists and record labels with global digital music distribution, playlist pitching, release promotion, and comprehensive label services.
Warner Music Nashville Signs Randall King
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L to R): Shane Tarleton (SVP Artist Development, WMN); Stephanie Davenport (Director A&R, WMN); John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN); Randall King; Scott Gunter (Durango Artist Management); Cris Lacy (EVP A&R, WMN); Ben Kline (EVP / GM, WMN); Clayton Toney (Durango Artist Management)
Warner Music Nashville has added Randall King to its roster.
A West Texas native, King is a fourth-generation hay hauler and brings those experiences to his music. Last year, he released his independent, self-titled album, which garnered more than 11.5 million on-demand streams.
King is a BMG writer and is signed with Durango Artist Management, which also manages King’s WMN labelmate Cody Johnson.
AFM Local 257, Sound Healthcare & Financial Expand Member Benefits
/by Lorie HollabaughVoluntary Group Benefits include: Dental (Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN); Vision (Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN); GapAssist Coverage – Accident, Critical Illness, Inpatient Indemnity (Symetra); Group Life Insurance (Guardian); International Travel Coverage (Crum & Forster); Pet Insurance (Nationwide); Auto and Home Insurance (MetLife); and Complete Identity Theft Protection (Secure CyberID).
“These new benefits are all part of our ongoing commitment to providing maximum value and quality services to AFM 257 members and the Nashville music community as a whole,” said Nashville Musicians Association President Dave Pomeroy. “In addition to promoting respect for musicians and getting them paid fairly for the work they do, we have created numerous ways to save union members far more than the cost of our annual dues, which are less than $300/year. We welcome inquiries from anyone and everyone who wants to learn more about the only organization that looks out for the welfare of Music City musicians.”
“Access to Group Voluntary Benefits at discounted group rates is a first for the independent musicians and music professionals in our creative community,” said Sound Healthcare & Financial Founder and CEO, RJ Stillwell. “Most professionals in music are self-employed independent contractors. We’ve been able to bring some of the biggest names in insurance together to provide Voluntary Group Benefits to AFM 257 members without an employer/employee relationship. We encourage current AFM 257 members to take advantage of these benefits and those in our music community who are not members to consider joining. There’ve never been more reasons to join the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257.”
Enrollment in the AFM 257 Union Member Voluntary Benefits is exclusively available through Sound Healthcare & Financial. More information is available at soundhealthcare.org or at 615.256.8667 / info@soundhealthcare.org.
Monument Records Signs Pop Artist Sam DeRosa
/by Jessica Nicholson(L-R): Monument Co-President Shane McAnally, Sam DeRosa, Monument SVP Katie McCartney, Monument Co-President Jason Owen. Photo Credit: Robert Chavers
Pop singer/songwriter Sam DeRosa has signed to Monument Records, led by Co-Presidents Shane McAnally and Jason Owen. DeRosa releases her first official track off the label, “Pill For This,” today. DeRosa performed the track on NBC’s Songland last night.
Producers McAnally, Ester Dean, and Ryan Tedder, along with guest recording artist Charlie Puth, watched in awe as she belted out the lyrics to the heartbreakingly personal yet universally relatable track.
Working with multi-Grammy Award winning songwriter and producer Shane McAnally on the episode, the two attempted to turn “Pill For This” into something that Charlie Puth might eventually record.
As it turns out, the song was only DeRosa’s to sing. After the performance, everyone in the room knew that she couldn’t give the song away, and McAnally saw a bona fide pop artist. He promptly brought DeRosa in to Monument Records, the record label he is co-president of with Jason Owen, to meet Owen and Monument Senior Vice President Katie McCartney.
“Working with Sam on Songland gave me a front row seat to her ability to write, produce, perform, and connect. I instantly knew I wanted to work with her beyond the show, and have been amazed by her depth and heart,” said McAnally.
Watch DeRosa perform “Pill For This” on Songland.
Shanna Strassberg Joins CMT
/by Jessica NicholsonTalent and production executive Shanna Strassberg has joined CMT as Vice President of Music & Talent, it was announced today by Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President, Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. Strassberg will be responsible for driving music and artist integration efforts and steer strategic direction across multiple CMT brands. Based in Nashville, Strassberg assumes her position immediately and reports to Fram.
“Shanna’s stellar reputation and strong relationships within the music and television communities are unparalleled,” said Fram. “She joins us at an exciting time for the brand including the upcoming 10th anniversary of ‘CMT Artists of the Year’ and I can’t wait for her to lend her talents to this team.”
An award-winning television and music industry executive with decades of experience booking and producing talent, Strassberg comes to CMT to work alongside Fram on all talent bookings and initiatives, including tentpoles and music specials. Her expertise includes booking and producing talent for a multitude of television shows, award programs and red carpets, holding positions as Talent Executive for Pickler & Ben; Co-Producer/Talent Booker for Bluebird: The Movie; Talent Executive, Loretta Lynn Tribute Concert (2019); PBS’ “Sound Field” and more. In 2018, she won an Emmy as producer for Dolly Parton’s “Smoky Mountains Rise.” In addition, she booked talent for almost a decade for Scripps Networks Interactive, encompassing such properties as HGTV, Food Network, GAC, DIY and Travel Channel.
In addition, CMT has promoted Donna Duncan to Director, Music Strategy; and Stacey Cato to Senior Manager, Music & Talent joined by Jordan Walker who was promoted last year to Manager. Also based in Nashville, Duncan, Cato and Walker represent a combined 30+ years of music and talent experience with the network.
She can now be reached at Shanna.Strassberg@viacom.com
Leftover Salmon, Alanna Royale To Lead Nashville’s Dancin’ In The District
/by Lorie HollabaughThe lineup has been announced for this year’s Dancin’ In The District at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on Oct. 10. The free, all-ages, pet-friendly event will feature headliners Leftover Salmon and Widespread Panic’s keyboard-wizard JoJo Herman and his band, Slim Wednesday, will also take the stage. Additionally, disco-funk revivalist Space Capone will make a return to the bandstand, and new powerhouse Alanna Royale will get the party started.
Neighborhood eats like Daddy’s Dogs, 8th & Roast, and King of Pops will be available on site, and local favorites Labcanna, The Dry House Braid Bar, Strings of Hope, Hippies & Gypsies, and Nashville Blanket Project will all be on hand with their goods and services.
Longtime Nashvillians will recall that Dancin’ In The District brought national artists to Nashville’s Riverfront Park from 1993-2005. The event was briefly revived for a few seasons in 2013 under the name Nashville Dancin’.
This year’s one-night-only event benefits Bonaparte’s Retreat, a dog rescue which is dedicated to providing nurturing care for adoptable dogs when their allotted time at the shelter has elapsed, and Music Health Alliance, an organization that helps connect professional musicians with the medical and financial solutions they might need. Toyota is the event’s presenting sponsor.
Carrie Underwood To Share Her Fit52 Program In New Fitness And Lifestyle Book
/by Lorie HollabaughCarrie Underwood is giving us all tips on how to stay fit and build positive habits toward a better life in her brand new book, Find Your Path: Honor Your Body, Fuel Your Soul, and Get Strong with the Fit52 Life. The new book is due out in 2020 on Dey Street Books, an imprint of the William Morrow Group at HarperCollins Publishers.
As the founder and lead designer of the popular lifestyle and fitness brand CALIA, Underwood believes that fitness is a lifelong journey that is not about perfection. She shares her Fit52 program in the new book, a sustainable, common-sense approach to staying active, eating well, and looking as great as you feel 52 weeks a year.
Throughout Find Your Path, Underwood opens up about her personal journey towards optimal health, from her passion for sports as a kid, to the pressure to look perfect and fit the mold as she launched her career after winning American Idol, to eventually discovering the importance of balance and the meaning of true health. For her, being fit isn’t about crash diets or a workout routine that’s dreaded, but about healthy choices, simple meals put together from ingredients in the local grocery store, and making the time every day to move, love your body, and be the best version of yourself. With this book she hopes to help set her fans on a path to health and taking care of their bodies and souls, for life.
“Fitness and healthy living have been a passion of mine for years,” says Underwood. “It took time to find my way and navigate my wellness journey, and this book will provide tips and tools to help the reader find what is practical and sustainable in his or her everyday life for all 52 weeks of the year, and help lead them toward a positive lifestyle.”
John Paul White Inks New Publishing Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonFour-time Grammy Award winner John Paul White has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner Chappell Music (WCM) Nashville. White, a former member of the popular duo The Civil Wars, has collaborated with and written songs for artists including Taylor Swift, Jason Aldean, Rodney Crowell, Eli Young Band, Ronan Keating, and more.
“JPW is in a league of his own. Aside from his world-class vocals and inventive melodies, he is a diverse and in-demand collaborator, a creative producer, and an astute businessman,” said Ben Vaughn, President and CEO of WCM Nashville, adding, “Really proud to welcome him to the global Warner Chappell family.”
“It was very important for me to find a partner that wholeheartedly believes in me and my work,” said White. “Ben and the entire team at Warner Chappell have a real expertise, dedication, and passion for the music. I’m grateful for their support and look forward to working together.”
The Civil Wars earned Grammy wins for Best Folk Album and Best Country Performance by a Duo or Group for Barton Hollow. In 2016, White released his solo album Beulah. Since 2013, he led his own label Single Lock Records, out of Florence, Alabama; the label’s roster has included Lera Lynn and the late Donnie Fritts. White co-produced Fritts’ 2015 Oh My Goodness album and Lynn’s 2018 duets collection Plays Well With Others.
In April, White released his LP, The Hurting Kind, co-produced by Alabama Shakes’ Ben Tanner with co-writing credits from Nashville songwriters Bobby Braddock and Whisperin’ Bill Anderson. White is currently touring throughout America, Europe, and Canada as he writes for his next record.
White is co-managed by Brad Oldham at Vector Management and Michael Goldstone at Mom & Pop.
Randy Travis, James Dupré To Hit The Road This Fall
/by Jessica NicholsonRandy Travis has joined with Outback Presents for The Music of Randy Travis Tour, which features Travis and his The Price co-star James Dupré.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Travis’ longtime touring band, along with tour manager Jeff Davis, will rejoin Travis on the road for the first time since his stroke in 2013. The show will include Dupre and the band performing all 16 of his No. 1 hits including “On The Other Hand,” “Forever and Ever, Amen” and “Three Wooden Crosses.” Travis will make a special appearance and VIP passes are available in most markets that include a meet and greet with Travis himself.
“We are incredibly excited to be back on the road and give Randy’s fans a chance to hear his music live again, and who better to sing his many hits than James Dupré?” said Mary and Randy Travis.
The Music of Randy Travis Tour Dates:
Oct. 16 – Indianapolis, Ind. – The Murat**
Oct. 17 – Evansville, Ind. – Victory Theatre*
Oct. 18 – Macon, Ga. – Macon Auditorium**
Oct. 19 – Gulfport, Miss. – Island View Casino^
Oct. 23 – Augusta, Ga. – The Bell**
Oct. 24 – Spartanburg, S.C. – Memorial Auditorium**
Oct. 25 – Knoxville, Tenn. – Knoxville Auditorium**
Oct. 26 – North Little Rock, Ark. – Verizon Arena*
Oct. 28 – Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium^
Oct. 29 – Atlanta, Ga. – Symphony Hall**
Nov. 1 – Minneapolis, Minn. – TBA^*
Nov. 2 – Green Bay, Wis. – Weidner Center***
Key:
*On Sale Now
^On Sale Fri., Sept. 6 10 A.M.
**Pre-Sale Thurs., Sept. 5 10 A.M. – 10 P.M., On Sale Fri., Sept. 6 10 A.M.
***Pre-Sale Wed., Sept. 4 10 A.M. – 10 P.M., On Sale Thu., Sept. 5 11 A.M.
^*Pre-Sale Thurs., Sept. 12 10 A.M. – 10 P.M., On Sale Fri., Sept. 13 10 A.M.