AWAL Inks Partnership With FGL’s Round Here Records
Pictured (L-R, back row): Adam Romaine (VM Creative Director / Tour Manager); Kyle Avenarius (Associate Director Of A&R, AWAL); Emily Peacock (TVM Creative Director); Sarah Demarco (Senior Director Of Marketing, AWAL); Leslie T. Dipiero (TVM General Manager); Ron Cerrito (President, AWAL North America); Wayne Milligan (Senior Director, Special Services, Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group); (L-R, front row) Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line / Tvm And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner); Canaan Smith; Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line / TVM And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner). Photo: Steve Lowry
AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, has announced a worldwide partnership with Round Here Records, a newly-formed label created by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.
Founded as a new branch of the creative vision which also includes Kelley and Hubbard’s emerging Tree Vibez Music (TVM) publishing house, Round Here Records and its new partnership with AWAL will hit the ground running to launch Platinum recording artist Canaan Smith. As part of the deal, AWAL will provide Smith with a full range of services, including global marketing, campaign coordination, synch licensing and worldwide distribution.
“We continue to grow our presence as well as our commitment to the Nashville music scene,” says AWAL North American President, Ron Cerrito. “Brian and Tyler are incredible musicians, renowned songwriters and extremely business savvy. They are a true creative force in the industry that is surrounded by an incredible team – their business model and artist-first approach are a perfect match with our global capabilities and core values. Canaan is an amazing artist with hundreds of millions of streams and a #1 radio hit, and we’re proud to welcome him to the AWAL family.”
Grayscale Marketing Signs Lynchburg Music Fest
Grayscale Marketing has announced its partnership with Lynchburg Music Fest, Tennessee’s newest country and bluegrass music festival. The two-day multistage event hosted in historic Lynchburg, brings top acts Easton Corbin, Jamey Johnson, Cassadee Pope, Sam Bush, Craig Campbell, David Lee Murphy, Joe Diffie, Keith Anderson, Montgomery Gentry and RaeLynn to the whiskey capital of Tennessee.
The agency has provided a full spectrum of services for Lynchburg Music Fest, including marketing, publicity, creative services, advertising and media buying. Grayscale’s partnership with the festival establishes the agency as an industry leader, equipped to build large scale events from the ground up.
“I’m excited that Grayscale has the opportunity to play a small part in Lynchburg’s rich history,” said Tim Gray, Founder and CEO of Grayscale Marketing. “Helping to build an experience of this caliber from the ground up has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing how the event develops in the years to come.”
The inaugural festival will take place on Aug. 23-24, 2019, adjacent to downtown Lynchburg. For tickets, visit lynchburgmusicfest.com.
Coby James Signs Management Deal With Deep South Entertainment & Announces 31-City U.S. Tour With Danny Gokey
Pictured (L-R): Dave Rose, Deep South President/CEO; Coby James; Sam Fisher, artist manager. Photo courtesy Deep South Entertainment
Nashville newcomer and North Carolina native, Coby James, has signed on with the veteran music management company Deep South Entertainment, who also represents a diverse roster including Stryper, Branan Murphy, Parmalee, and Marcy Playground. James recently released his debut single, “Paradise”, which has already seen impressive numbers on all streaming platforms, and will be releasing his debut EP on Sept. 27 entitled “Space for Theory.”
Sam Fisher will oversee James’ management, along with company founder and CEO Dave Rose.
“From the minute we first heard Coby in a small bar as an opening act, we knew there was something special – and apparently others are hearing it as well. He’s the kind of artist you want to spend the next 20 years of your life working with – an amazing talent with a sincere and convicted heart for his message,” says Rose.
Coby James kicks of his U.S. tour with direct support for Danny Gokey on Sept. 26 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Industry Ink: AWAL, FGL, Grayscale Marketing, Coby James
/by LB CantrellAWAL Inks Partnership With FGL’s Round Here Records
Pictured (L-R, back row): Adam Romaine (VM Creative Director / Tour Manager); Kyle Avenarius (Associate Director Of A&R, AWAL); Emily Peacock (TVM Creative Director); Sarah Demarco (Senior Director Of Marketing, AWAL); Leslie T. Dipiero (TVM General Manager); Ron Cerrito (President, AWAL North America); Wayne Milligan (Senior Director, Special Services, Tri Star Sports And Entertainment Group); (L-R, front row) Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line / Tvm And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner); Canaan Smith; Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line / TVM And Round Here Records Co-Founder/Owner). Photo: Steve Lowry
AWAL, Kobalt’s recording company, has announced a worldwide partnership with Round Here Records, a newly-formed label created by Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard.
Founded as a new branch of the creative vision which also includes Kelley and Hubbard’s emerging Tree Vibez Music (TVM) publishing house, Round Here Records and its new partnership with AWAL will hit the ground running to launch Platinum recording artist Canaan Smith. As part of the deal, AWAL will provide Smith with a full range of services, including global marketing, campaign coordination, synch licensing and worldwide distribution.
“We continue to grow our presence as well as our commitment to the Nashville music scene,” says AWAL North American President, Ron Cerrito. “Brian and Tyler are incredible musicians, renowned songwriters and extremely business savvy. They are a true creative force in the industry that is surrounded by an incredible team – their business model and artist-first approach are a perfect match with our global capabilities and core values. Canaan is an amazing artist with hundreds of millions of streams and a #1 radio hit, and we’re proud to welcome him to the AWAL family.”
Grayscale Marketing Signs Lynchburg Music Fest
Grayscale Marketing has announced its partnership with Lynchburg Music Fest, Tennessee’s newest country and bluegrass music festival. The two-day multistage event hosted in historic Lynchburg, brings top acts Easton Corbin, Jamey Johnson, Cassadee Pope, Sam Bush, Craig Campbell, David Lee Murphy, Joe Diffie, Keith Anderson, Montgomery Gentry and RaeLynn to the whiskey capital of Tennessee.
The agency has provided a full spectrum of services for Lynchburg Music Fest, including marketing, publicity, creative services, advertising and media buying. Grayscale’s partnership with the festival establishes the agency as an industry leader, equipped to build large scale events from the ground up.
“I’m excited that Grayscale has the opportunity to play a small part in Lynchburg’s rich history,” said Tim Gray, Founder and CEO of Grayscale Marketing. “Helping to build an experience of this caliber from the ground up has been exciting, and we look forward to seeing how the event develops in the years to come.”
The inaugural festival will take place on Aug. 23-24, 2019, adjacent to downtown Lynchburg. For tickets, visit lynchburgmusicfest.com.
Coby James Signs Management Deal With Deep South Entertainment & Announces 31-City U.S. Tour With Danny Gokey
Pictured (L-R): Dave Rose, Deep South President/CEO; Coby James; Sam Fisher, artist manager. Photo courtesy Deep South Entertainment
Nashville newcomer and North Carolina native, Coby James, has signed on with the veteran music management company Deep South Entertainment, who also represents a diverse roster including Stryper, Branan Murphy, Parmalee, and Marcy Playground. James recently released his debut single, “Paradise”, which has already seen impressive numbers on all streaming platforms, and will be releasing his debut EP on Sept. 27 entitled “Space for Theory.”
Sam Fisher will oversee James’ management, along with company founder and CEO Dave Rose.
“From the minute we first heard Coby in a small bar as an opening act, we knew there was something special – and apparently others are hearing it as well. He’s the kind of artist you want to spend the next 20 years of your life working with – an amazing talent with a sincere and convicted heart for his message,” says Rose.
Coby James kicks of his U.S. tour with direct support for Danny Gokey on Sept. 26 in Lafayette, Louisiana.
Blackbird Studio Celebrates Official Launch Of Dolby Atmos Music Mixing Room
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Chuck Ainlay (multi-GRAMMY®, Academy of Country Music Award and Country Music Association award-winning engineer/producer/mixer), John McBride (Blackbird founder/owner) and Julian Raymond (Senior Vice President of A&R and Staff Producer at Big Machine/John Varvatos Records). Photo: Courtesy of Blackbird Studio/Marian Mathis
Blackbird Studio held a gala event on July 17 to mark the official launch of the facility’s new Dolby Atmos 9.1.6 reference room (Studio C).
Blackbird founder John McBride stated, “Blackbird has always had an extremely high bar that doesn’t allow us to cut any corners in anything we do. So when it came time to create this unique mixing/listening space, we reached out to the companies I know and have worked with, whom I trust based on their knowledge, their products and their track record for getting the job done. The team that helped create this reference room represents the cream of the crop, and we could not have made this a reality without their unwavering support.”
Attendees included Chuck Ainlay, Ben Fowler, Steve Marcantonio, Julian Raymond, Bob Bullock, Michael Cronin and more. They were treated to a listening session with a wide variety of tracks in Dolby Atmos including Elton John’s “Rocket Man,” Beck’s “Seventh Heaven,” and, for the first time ever, Prince’s “When Doves Cry,” newly mixed by engineer David Leonard, who was on hand to discuss this latest mix of the classic track.
Photo: CJ Hicks Photo
Blackbird’s 9.1.6 Dolby Atmos reference room is a state-of-the-art facility with equipment that includes ATC SCM300ASL Pro speakers (L-C-R), ATC SCM100ASL Pro speakers (six top and six side) and ATC SCM1-15ASL Sub subs (four front, two rear/side); AVID Pro Tools | MTRX audio interfaces (two); Antelope Audio 10MX rubidium atomic master clock; and AVID Pro Tools | SYNC HD.
The open floor plan concept room for Studio C was originally designed by multiple GRAMMY and TEC Award-winner, producer, engineer and inventor George Massenburg and Dr. Peter D’Antonio, founder of RPG Diffusor Systems, Inc.
“Very soon after I started to mix in 5.1 new challenges were quickly revealed,” stated Massenburg. “’Hearing’ a complex multichannel mix required fresh skills; yes, localization is important, but maintaining the perception of the overall context and integrating sources also in the sound field was challenging—I felt a new kind of mix environment was (and still is) essential—I never stopped thinking about it. I was given the opportunity to build a massively diffuse, uniform-response room in the early 2000’s to address these issues, and Blackbird Studio C was born. More than just a multichannel mix room, it offered an ideal context and environment to record live acoustic ensembles, providing artists an unparalleled ability to hear each other really well. Recently outfitted with Dolby Atmos Music monitoring technology, Blackbird Studio C now provides mixers with the tools to inspire them to create extraordinary and breathtaking immersive music mixes.”
Pictured (Front Row, L-R): John McBride (Blackbird Studio), Christine Thomas (Dolby), Bryan Pennington (Dolby); (Back Row, L-R): Dave Mattingly (Sound Construction), Richard Ealey (Blackbird Studio), Paul Simmons (Blackbird Studio), Ceri Thomas (Dolby), David Seal (TransAudio Group), Aleks Bars (TransAudio Group), and Brad Lunde (TransAudio Group). Photo: Courtesy of Blackbird Studio/Marian Mathis
Miranda Lambert’s New Album ‘Wildcard’ Coming Nov. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert‘s seventh studio album, Wildcard, will release Nov. 1 via Vanner Records/RCA Records Nashville.
She has steadily offered fans early peeks at songs from the project, with the latest being “Bluebird,” penned with Luke Dick and Natalie Hemby. She previously released album tracks “Mess With My Head,” “Locomotive,” and her single “It All Comes Out In The Wash.”
“When people listen to this record, I want them to know that I see them and hear them,” said Lambert. “I feel you, because I’m just a girl from East Texas, writing about all the things that go on in my world and in the worlds of people around me. I want people to get along, you know, just be who you are, own it and move on from the moments you couldn’t live in.”
The album marks Lambert’s first collaboration with producer Jay Joyce and follow’s 2016’s double album The Weight of These Wings. Last year, Lambert released Interstate Gospel as part of the trio Pistol Annies. Lambert will hit the road for the Roadside Bars & Pink Guitars Tour this fall, with special guests Maren Morris and Elle King, as well as Pistol Annies, Tenille Townes, Ashley McBryde and Caylee Hammack on various dates.
Phil Vassar Plots Acoustic Tour, New EP
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger-songwriter Phil Vassar will offer fans acoustic renditions of his biggest hits during his The Stripped Down tour, which will visit 14 cities next year. The trek coincides with an EP release by the same title, which features new material as well as a cover of “Postmarked Birmingham,” which was recorded by Blackhawk, and was co-written by Vassar along with Don Sampson.
The EP will release in January, while tickets for the tour go on sale Aug. 16.
“We’re peeling back the music to the core with just a piano and guitar, so we can give fans an intimate evening of conversation and music. It’s how these songs were written and I think it will be a fun, unique experience,” Vassar shared.
STRIPPED DOWN TOUR DATES:
Jan. 8 Tin Pan – Richmond, Va.
Jan. 9 Event Center at Mount Airy – Mt. Pocono, Pa.
Jan. 10 The Lamp Theatre – Irwin, Pa.
Jan. 11 The Renaissance Theatre – Mansfield, Ohio
Jan. 16 Space at Westbury – Westbury, N.Y.
Jan. 17 Tarrytown Music Hall – Tarrytown, N.Y.
Jan. 18 Infinity Hall – Norfolk, Conn.
Jan. 19 Greenwich Odeum – East Greenwich, R.I.
Jan. 23 Hippodrome Theater – Waco, Texas
Jan. 24 Arlington Music Hall – Arlington, Texas
Jan. 25 Dosey Doe – The Woodlands, Texas
Jan. 26 Texan Theater – Greenville, Texas
Feb. 13 The Coach House – San Juan Capistrano, Calif.
Feb. 14 Humphrey’s Backstage Live – San Diego, Calif.
Anthem Entertainment’s Kalsey Kulyk Announces Debut Set For August
/by Lorie HollabaughKalsey Kulyk announced today that her debut, self-titled album will release Aug. 30. The Anthem Entertainment (formerly ole) artist’s most recent single, “Bad Liar,” is one of seven tracks featured on the new project, along with the nostalgia-laced previous release “More Time.”
After winning ole’s “On the Spot” competition and signing with the Toronto-based Red Dot Records, Kulyk moved to Nashville and began writing for her upcoming album. The project includes songs co-written by industry vets Liz Rose, Phil Barton, and up-and-comer Lainey Wilson.
“I have waited forever to have an album like this. And that’s not being conceited or egotistical. I have worked on these songs and what I wanted to say for a very long time and I feel like I can finally say I’m proud of what this record says,” said Kulyk. “It’s a record for people who feel like they haven’t yet been heard in a song. For people who have felt love, felt loss, and need to be reminded that they are not alone.”
Kalsey Kulyk Track List:
1. Roll With It
2. Love Somebody
3. Damn You Love
4. Bad Liar
5. Not All Angels Can Fly
6. Low Times In High Heels
7. More Time
Sinead Burgess Is Australian Arts Council 2019 Grant Recipient
/by Lorie HollabaughMentored by producer/chart-topping songwriter Mark Moffatt, the program promotes creative and business networking, the development of writing skills, opportunities to connect with other artists and songwriters to collaborate, and recording opportunities.
“I have watched Sinead’s growth from young major label signing to the sure footed and confident singer/songwriter she is today,” Moffatt said. “The residency grant gives her the opportunity to spend time integrating into the Nashville writing community, and I look forward to seeing some great collaborations emerge as she moves toward her next record.”
Burgess has had plenty of success in the past few years, from her 22-date UK tour debut with British country act The Shires, to her independent album release Damaged Goods, which reached #3 on the UK iTunes Country Album Chart, #6 on the Australian iTunes Country Album Chart and impacted the Top 200 in the US. Burgess self produced Damaged Goods, wrote every song on the record, and played the bulk of the instruments. She will hit the road this fall with performances at festivals including Americana Fest in Nashville and the C2C Festival in Sydney.
“It is such an honor to be chosen for this year’s Nashville residency grant,” Burgess said. “This will play a pivotal role in progressing my career as a writer and artist in Nashville, as it allows me the financial freedom to make the next crucial steps happen much sooner than I would have been able to make alone. I am incredibly excited to work hard through this period and utilize every opportunity here in Nashville that the ‘Australian Council for the Arts’ have given me!”
Lil Nas X Makes ‘TIME’ Cover
/by Jessica NicholsonLil Nas X. Photo: Kelia Anne for TIME
Lil Nas X, the 20-year-old who found record-breaking success with his history-making hit “Old Town Road,” is featured on the cover of the current issue of TIME.
TIME’s Andrew Chow writes, “The fact that Lil Nas has risen so far and so fast testifies not only to his skill, but also to the erosion of the systems that for generations kept artists like him on the sidelines. As streaming and social media have democratized pathways to success, hip-hop—once an outlet for disenfranchised people of color—has become the dominant sound of popular music. More and more in recent years, hip-hop has been merging with country, a genre long associated with white conservatism…. At a time when debates about categorization and identity are ubiquitous, Lil Nas X represents a more unified vision of the future, one in which a young queer black man can dominate popular culture by being unapologetically himself.”
“Everything lined up for this moment to take me to this place,” Lil Nas X tells the outlet. “Not to sound self-centered, but it feels like I’m chosen, in a way, to do this stuff.”
The star discusses how streaming and meme culture have changed the music industry, his genre-blending success, the impact of coming out on Twitter during Pride month, and his journey to accepting his newfound fame. Read the full story at TIME.
UMPG Signs Hillsong To European Administration, Writer Development Agreement
/by Lorie HollabaughThe agreement includes both Hillsong Music Publishing and SHOUT! Music Publishing. Hillsong Music Publishing is the publishing arm of Hillsong Church, which has locations in 23 countries and 200,000 people attending services every week. UMPG will work with Hillsong to provide publishing administration services for the church’s catalogue in Europe. The deal will also allow for UMPG and Hillsong to collaborate in writer development opportunities, as well as new joint signings.
SHOUT! Music Publishing is home to an international roster of composers, writers and catalogues, including Ben Fielding, Brooke Ligertwood, Reuben Morgan, Benjamin Hastings, Alex Pappas, Aodhan King, Hannah Hobbs, Melody Wagner, Ryan Taubert and most recent signing, Josh Grimmett (GOODBOYS).
“The administration agreement with Hillsong is a fantastic relationship that has grown from initially exploring collaborative and creative ideas to formalising a partnership in a unique environment,” said Dougie Bruce, UMPG UK. “We are looking forward to integrating their writers into our team and identifying key opportunities across the music sphere. UMPG will also handle some 11,000 existing works, and new signings and songs will further increase this catalogue.”
“UMPG are leaders in the music publishing world and we’re looking forward to exploring the opportunities for our song writers and have great respect and trust in their team,” said Steve McPherson, Publishing Manager of Hillsong. “We have had fruitful relationships within the Universal family in different parts of the world for many years and we’re very excited to extend this to the UK and Europe.”
CAA Promotes Katie Anderson To Music Leadership Team
/by Jessica NicholsonKatie Anderson. Photo: CAA
CAA has promoted Nashville-based Katie Anderson to its music leadership team, MusicRow has confirmed. In her new role, she will work with Co-Heads Darin Murphy, Brian Manning and Marc Dennis (Nashville) as well as Darryl Eaton, Rob Light, Mitch Rose and Rick Roskin (Los Angeles).
“We’re thrilled for Katie as she assumes her new role. Over the years, she has proven to be an invaluable colleague and friend whose insights and expertise will continue to be a true asset to the department.” Roskin said.
Anderson previously served as an executive in strategy and operations at CAA, and began working in the company’s music department in 2006.
Industry Ink: Blake Shelton, ACM, BMI
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton Celebrates RIAA Cert
Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Blake Shelton and John Esposito attend the No. 1 Party for “God’s Country” at Ole Red on Aug. 07, 2019 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
Blake Shelton recently celebrated his two-week No. 1,“God’s Country” with his team at Warner Music Nashville. The song has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Pictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton, Scott Hendricks, Blake Shelton, John Esposito and Narvel Blackstock. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
Cody Webb Visits ACM
Pictured (L-R): Greg Burroughs, Copperline Music Group; Cody Webb; RAC Clark, Interim ACM Executive Director; Rusty Harmon, Copperline Music Group. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Copperline Music Group’s Cody Webb to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Webb performed his current single, “Jon Boat,” along with a few other songs from his self-titled EP, Cody Webb.
BMI Partners With Warner Chappell For New Sounds of Nashville