Riley Green performs the chart-topping single during celebration. Photo: Steve Lowry
Riley Green celebrated his first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with “There Was This Girl” yesterday (July 16) at the Sutler Saloon. Green entertained guests with a performance of “There Was This Girl” and his yet to be released single, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” The single marked the first No. 1 for both Green and his co-writer Erik Dylan.
BMI’s David Preston presented Green and Dylan with new Taylor acoustic guitars and BMI’s pewter cups to commemorate the chart-topping song.
Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel gave recognition to Green and Dylan with a plaque adding, “No. 1 parties started in PRO offices with just a PRO person and a toast with the songwriters. It was not like this. I don’t want you to forget this moment.” He handed the writers engraved decanters so they can continue toasting the song.
Peer Music’s Michael Knox added, “[This is] a very strong, old school writing crew right here. I am very proud to be a part of Erik and Riley’s first No. 1.”
Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen awarded Green with a plaque. Borchetta expressed, “This is obviously a really special day for a very special artist. We were not going to be denied to get this song to No. 1. This is one of the biggest wins we have ever had and we couldn’t have done it for a better artist.”
Dylan thanked his family and those that have been a part of his career throughout the years. He thanked Bradley Jordan for putting him in a room with Green. “I told [Riley] that day, ‘I know what you are doing; I know who you are.’ We are from different places, but we are small town, family-oriented, country music-loving people.”
Green concluded the event by thanking his team and Dylan, saying, “I can remember ‘The Girl That Got Away’ by Erik and I was a fan. [‘There Was This Girl’] was such an easy write. He is my kind of guy, and he is doing something different than a lot of folks in town which I was drawn to.”
The event was sponsored by Pinnacle Bank who made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songwriters.
Pictured (Back Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Cherylynne Nader, Michelle Kammerer, Andi Brooks, Andrew Thoen, Madeline Farr (Front Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Liz Santana, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Riley Green, Erik Dylan, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Matthew Hargis. Photo: Steve Lowry
Pictured: Red Light Management’s Zach Sutton, Producer Dann Huff, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Peer Music’s Michael Knox, BMI’s David’s Preston, Fusion Music’s Daniel Miller. (Front Row L-R): BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Riley Green, Erik Dylan. Photo: Steve Lowry
Songwriters, Vets Join For Songwriting With Soldiers Concert
/by Lorie HollabaughThe concert will feature writers performing original songs they’ve written with service members through the nonprofit organization Songwriting With Soldiers. Songwriters set to perform include Bonnie Bishop, Gary Burr, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Radney Foster, Mary Gauthier, James House, Will Kimbrough, Georgia Middleman, Gary Nicholson, Maia Sharp and Darden Smith.
“This performance shines a light on two important things – the power of music to help us connect, and the need to listen to today’s veterans and military families. These are the war stories of our times, and they have much to teach us,” said Songwriting With Soldiers co-founder Mary Judd.
Songwriting With Soldiers will premiere nationally in prime time on PBS on Friday, Oct. 25 at 9 p.m. CT. Tickets are on sale now for $20 to the general public and are free to active military, veterans and their families.
As they face reentry into civilian life, many service members struggle with the aftermath of service – combat, ambush, rocket fire, friends lost. SongwritingWith:Soldiers holds weekend retreats across the country, pairing service members with professional songwriters to craft songs about their experiences, often about combat and the return home. The creative songwriting process is life-changing for participants as it offers a unique outlet to tell their stories, rebuild trust, release pain and forge new bonds.
Ingrid Andress Announces European Run Of Lady Like Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughEssex-born singer/songwriter Mabes will join Andress on the UK dates, and tickets for all performances are available now for pre-sale and go on sale to the general public on Friday.
Andress’ flagship single “More Hearts Than Mine” was the most-added upon impact, and sits inside the Top 10 on SiriusXM’s The Highway as it already approaches 10 million on-demand streams. She performed the new song on NBC’s The Today Show this morning, and will perform with some of her peers on the just-announced CMA Songwriters Series in Phoenix, AZ at Mesa Arts Center’s Piper Theater on August 21.
Industry Ink: APA, PLA Media, Studio2Bee, Legend Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonAPA Signs Doug Seegers
Photo Caption (L to R): Robby Cox, BMG; Jeff Howard and Matthew Rutledge, APA; Kos Weaver, BMG; Amber Williams, Beaucoup Media; Steve Lassiter, APA; Jimmy Bynum, Manager; Seegers; Matt McGuire, Brooke Ivey, Joe Kappelmann, Chris Looney, Frank Wing, Adam Vodofsky, Chris Gaulke and Jeff Hill, APA. Photo: APA
Led by APA Worldwide Music Co-Heads Steve Lassiter (Nashville) and Steve Martin (New York), APA Talent Agency has signed BMG singer-songwriter Doug Seegers for tour representation. In support of his current album, A Story I Got To Tell, Seegers is touring coast to coast in Scandinavia throughout July and August and will entertain in nearly 40 different venues.
PLA Media Adds Mark O’Connor To Roster
Photo Credit: John David Pittman
Mark O’Connor has joined the PLA Media Roster. PLA also reps the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum and Tina Turner Museum, Jesse Rice and Gary Morris.
“I’ve known Pam Lewis since we both moved to Nashville during the 1980s and became a big part of that great era in music. It’s been wonderful to re-connect around my new band’s efforts including some work with Zac Brown. Both New Frontier Touring and PLA Media believes that my band of family members has something very special to share, and I certainly agree with that!” O’Connor says.
Butch Waugh and Skip Bishop’s Studio2Bee Signs Rayne Johnson
Pictured (L-R): Butch Waugh (Studio2Bee Entertainment), Rayne Johnson, Skip Bishop (Studio2Bee Entertainment), and Mark Liggett (Legend Entertainment). Photo: Glen Rose
Studio2Bee Entertainment—an artist development and entertainment company helmed by Butch Waugh and Skip Bishop— has announced the signing of country newcomer Rayne Johnson. Johnson has released “Front Seat,” the first national release from his forthcoming EP.
Additionally, Studio2Bee Entertainment announces a new partnership with Mark Liggett, CEO of Legend Entertainment, based on a shared belief in Rayne’s musical gifts and undeniable talent. Liggett is best known for his breakthrough work with superstars Queen, The Bee Gees, Billy Idol, and many more.
Matt Alese Promoted To Lead Project Manager At Grayscale Marketing
/by Lorie HollabaughMatt Alese has risen to the position of Lead Project Manager at Grayscale Marketing. In his new role he will oversee day-to-day client needs across both the Brand and Entertainment divisions and will work with a team of 10 staff members. He will continue to report directly to the agency COO, Robert Hamm.
“I am so proud of what Matt has helped to build at Grayscale Marketing.” said CEO, Tim Gray. “We are excited for him to lead a larger team and continue developing as a leader. He has shown tremendous industry knowledge that our staff and clients benefit from on a daily basis”
Alese joined the agency in January 2017 as a Sponsorship Coordinator and has earned multiple promotions since. He played a key role in developing partnerships with the agency’s festival and brand clients including Hangout Music Festival, Jim Beam, and Virgin Hotels, then transitioned into the digital marketing and advertising development department working with venues, amphitheaters, PACs, and theatres in the North East as a Digital Coordinator. Most recently Alese was promoted to Lead Project Manager for the Arts and Entertainment Division in July of 2018, where he supervised a team of four and managed the agency’s artist, venue, and festival accounts.
“He has continually proven himself invaluable,” said Hamm. “The growth and expansion we have experienced in the last year would have been very difficult to navigate without a teammate like Matt to keep the client’s trains running on time.”
“It has been exciting to be a part of the team since day one and play a role in the tremendous growth we have experienced over the past two years.” said Alese. “Tim has provided us all with a thriving culture and empowered us to seize every opportunity in both our personal & professional lives that I don’t think we would get anywhere else.”
Zach Williams To Launch 20-City Headlining Tour In October
/by Lorie HollabaughWilliams has also announced a unique aspect to his headlining tour just for the fans – the “VIP Meat & Greet” experience. For an additional fee, at select tour dates the “VIP Meat & Greet” will be held prior to the concert where fans can join Williams for an exclusive full-course gourmet meal prepared by Paul Fields, a professional chef from Napa Valley, California. VIP attendees will also be given specialty gift bags, premium concert seats, photo opps with Williams, and much more. An additional “Fan Meet & Greet” will also be held at select shows.
Last month Williams released “Rescue Story,” the new single from his upcoming studio album slated to release this fall. Tickets for The Rescue Story Tour are on sale now.
The Rescue Story Tour Dates:
Oct. 10 – N. Syracuse, NY
Oct. 11 – S. Portland, ME
Oct. 12 – Northfield, MA
Oct. 13 – Stamford, CT
Oct. 17 – Hamilton, OH
Oct. 18 – Holland, MI
Oct. 19 – Wheeling, WV
Oct. 20 – Rocky Mount (Roanoke), VA
Oct. 22 – Somerset, KY
Oct. 24 – Jonesboro, AR
Oct. 25 – Texarkana, TX
Oct. 26 – Beaumont, TX
Oct. 27 – Austin, TX
Nov. 01 – Lawrence, KS
Nov. 02 – Joplin, MO
Nov. 03 – Nashville, TN
Nov. 07 – Reading, PA
Nov. 08 – Clarkston, MI
Nov. 09 – Oswego, IL
Nov. 10 – Anderson, IN
Luke Combs Celebrates Grand Ole Opry Induction
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry family by Opry members Vince Gill and Joe Diffie. Fellow Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills joined them onstage to welcome their newest fellow member.
Luke Combs became the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday evening (July 16), as Joe Diffie and Vince Gill welcomed him into the Opry family in front of a sold-out crowd at the historic Nashville venue.
After Combs performed his No. 1 smashes “When It Rains It Pours” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart,” Diffie and Gill joined him on stage, also flanked by Opry members The Gatlin Brothers, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Craig Morgan, and Mark Wills. It was noted that the first concert Combs ever attended was a Vince Gill show, and he grew up on Diffie’s country classics like “John Deere Green.”
“This is what dreams are made of right here,” Gill began. Looking to Combs, he added, “If you’ll come here and you’ll invest in the people and this stage, you’ll get back a hundred-fold what you ever give to this place.”
Presenting Combs with his Opry Member Award, Diffie added, “I remember being asked to be a member of the Opry, and it was like a dream. And it still feels like a dream, even to this day. On behalf of myself and all the Opry members past, present, and future, Luke Combs, you are now officially the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry!”
Award in hand, Combs said, “Here I am on stage with people I grew up listening to and people who have shaped me as an artist. I just want to say thank you to you guys, thank you to the Grand Ole Opry, and thank you to the fans—without you all there is no country music, there is no Grand Ole Opry. Thank you so much for everything you guys do for making this possible for guys like us on this stage. I will never forget tonight!”
Comb made his first performance as an Opry member, performing the title track to his smash hit album, This One’s For You.
Backstage, Opry General Manager Sally Williams shared, “Luke Combs’ love for the Grand Ole Opry is rivaled only by country music fans’ love of his music and his fellow Opry members’ appreciation both of his artistry and his friendship. Luke and all of us at the Opry have developed an incredible relationship since he made his Opry debut less than three years ago, and we are thrilled that as of tonight he has a musical home for the rest of his career. Welcome, Luke!”
Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman, Chairman/CEO Sony Music Nashville; Sophia Sansone, day-to-day manager, Make Wake Artists; Lynn Oliver-Cline, Founder, River House Artists; Luke Combs; Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry; Ken Robold, COO/EVP, Sony Music Nashville; Chris Kappy, Founder/Owner, Make Wake Artists
Opry members Vince Gill and Joe Diffie welcome Luke Combs to the family
BMG Nashville, WME Ink Deals With Singer/Songwriter Sean Stemaly
/by Jessica NicholsonTop Row(Pictured L to R): Alex Luebbert (WME), Scott Safford (Safford & Motley), MaryAnn Keen (BMI), Austin Neal (WME), Kevin ‘Chief’ Zaruk (Big Loud) Bottom Row(Pictured L to R): Kos Weaver (BMG), Rakiyah Marshall (BMG), Sean Stemaly, Lex Lipsitz (Big Loud/Maverick)
Singer-songwriter Sean Stemaly has signed a new global publishing agreement with BMG Nashville. Additionally, Stemaly has signed with WME for exclusive worldwide representation in all areas including music, film, television, books, branding and endorsements.
Stemaly is managed by Lex Lipsitz and Chief Zaruk at Big Loud/Maverick management.
Born in Western Kentucky and raised in the river bottoms on the Southern Indiana line, Stemaly found his singing ability at the age of nineteen and began writing songs at 22. Since relocating to Nashville, he has written more than 100 songs and shared the stage with artists like LANCO, HARDY, RaeLynn, Cody Johnson and more. Sean released his new single, “Georgia,” in February. He co-wrote his recent release with Ryan Robinette, Davis Branch, and Sam Grayson and he co-produced it with Lex Lipsitz.
Devin Dawson Celebrates Multi-Week No. 1 As Writer On “God’s Country”
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Leah Sykes (Dawson’s fiancé), Devin Dawson, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN)
Devin Dawson and Warner Music Nashville recently celebrated Dawson’s multi-week No. 1 as a co-writer on “God’s Country,” the Blake Shelton song that he also sang backing vocals on. The Shelton tune holds the top spot at country radio for the second week in a row, and with nearly 130 million on-demand streams, it is the fastest country single in the past year to reach one million track equivalents and ranks No. 1 in consumption, sales, and streams on the Mediabase Top 50 chart.
Riley Green Celebrates First No. 1 with “There Was This Girl”
/by Alex ParryRiley Green performs the chart-topping single during celebration. Photo: Steve Lowry
Riley Green celebrated his first No. 1 as an artist and songwriter with “There Was This Girl” yesterday (July 16) at the Sutler Saloon. Green entertained guests with a performance of “There Was This Girl” and his yet to be released single, “I Wish Grandpas Never Died.” The single marked the first No. 1 for both Green and his co-writer Erik Dylan.
BMI’s David Preston presented Green and Dylan with new Taylor acoustic guitars and BMI’s pewter cups to commemorate the chart-topping song.
Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel gave recognition to Green and Dylan with a plaque adding, “No. 1 parties started in PRO offices with just a PRO person and a toast with the songwriters. It was not like this. I don’t want you to forget this moment.” He handed the writers engraved decanters so they can continue toasting the song.
Peer Music’s Michael Knox added, “[This is] a very strong, old school writing crew right here. I am very proud to be a part of Erik and Riley’s first No. 1.”
Big Machine’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen awarded Green with a plaque. Borchetta expressed, “This is obviously a really special day for a very special artist. We were not going to be denied to get this song to No. 1. This is one of the biggest wins we have ever had and we couldn’t have done it for a better artist.”
Dylan thanked his family and those that have been a part of his career throughout the years. He thanked Bradley Jordan for putting him in a room with Green. “I told [Riley] that day, ‘I know what you are doing; I know who you are.’ We are from different places, but we are small town, family-oriented, country music-loving people.”
Green concluded the event by thanking his team and Dylan, saying, “I can remember ‘The Girl That Got Away’ by Erik and I was a fan. [‘There Was This Girl’] was such an easy write. He is my kind of guy, and he is doing something different than a lot of folks in town which I was drawn to.”
The event was sponsored by Pinnacle Bank who made a donation to St. Jude Children’s Hospital in honor of the songwriters.
Pictured (Back Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Cherylynne Nader, Michelle Kammerer, Andi Brooks, Andrew Thoen, Madeline Farr (Front Row: L-R) – BMLG Records’ Liz Santana, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Riley Green, Erik Dylan, BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Matthew Hargis. Photo: Steve Lowry
Pictured: Red Light Management’s Zach Sutton, Producer Dann Huff, BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Warner Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, Peer Music’s Michael Knox, BMI’s David’s Preston, Fusion Music’s Daniel Miller. (Front Row L-R): BMLG Records’ Jimmy Harnen, Riley Green, Erik Dylan. Photo: Steve Lowry
Radio Disney Country Opens Nashville Facility
/by Jessica NicholsonRadio Disney Country recently opened a new broadcast facility on Nashville’s Music Row, at 1217 16th Avenue South. The facility is home to Radio Disney Country’s “Let The Girls Play” daily feature, which is hosted by Kalie Shorr and Savannah Keyes and launched in 2018. The new Nashville outpost will be a remote broadcast capture facility for artist interviews, performances, and exclusive video content creation.
Phil Guerini, VP Music Strategy DCWW and GM, Radio Disney Network, is overseeing the new Nashville extension with the Burbank-based Radio Disney Country programming team.
Kalie Shorr