Second Annual Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Benefit Concert Set For October

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The second annual Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Benefit Concert has been set for Oct. 1 at City Winery and will celebrate the amazing songs of Dorff, an acclaimed songwriter who had over 70 songs cut with 5 No. 1 hits.

Confirmed to perform during the special evening are Hunter Hayes, Lori McKenna, Devin Dawson, Rachel Wammack, and Jeffrey Steele, with additional performers to be announced. Tickets will go on sale soon.

“The evening will feature incredible performances by some of Andrew’s dear friends and co-writers. We will be raising money for pediatric oncology initiatives at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a cause dear to my son. My family and I look forward to celebrating and honoring Andrew’s memory with our Nashville music family,” said Andrew’s father and lauded music composer Steve Dorff.

Contributions from the Andrew Marshall Dorff Memorial Fund will play a key role in enabling more young people to find expert, specialty cancer care. All proceeds from the benefit concert will help advance Children’s Hospital’s ongoing mission of compassionate patient care, discovery research, and clinical training.

Jedd Hughes To Head ‘West’ In August

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In-demand session musician and songwriter Jedd Hughes returns with his latest album, West, to be released Aug. 30.

The album, self-produced and mixed by Hughes, features 10 tracks. While Hughes penned many of the album’s songs solo, he does welcome co-writers including Rodney Crowell, Parker Milsap, Sarah Buxton and the late Guy Clark.

The first track released from the album, “Animal Eyes,” was inspired by and written with Crowell. “I hope these stories in these songs resonate with people,” Hughes says. “I hope people listen to it as a record and can see some of the things I saw.”

Hughes will be on tour with Vince Gill this fall, playing as part of Gill’s band and opening each show with his own set.

Hughes released his first major label album, Transcontinental, in 2004 on MCA Nashville.

In 2011, Hughes was part of a short-lived duo with fellow singer-songwriter Sarah Buxton, dubbed Buxton Hughes. Since then he has played and written with numerous artists including Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller, Gill, Ryan Bingham, Sarah Jarosz, the late Guy Clark, Jim Lauderdale, Brandy Clark, and more.

In addition to co-writing Jarosz’s “House of Mercy,” which earned the 2017 Grammy for Best Americana Roots Performance, Hughes has penned and co-penned hits including Keith Urban’s “Put You in a Song.” Last year he renewed his deal with Carnival Music and aligned with ASCAP.

MCA Nashville Southeast Regional Louie Newman To Retire

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MCA Nashville Southeast regional Louie Newman, who has been with the label imprint for more than 25 years, will retire effective Aug. 1. Current MCA coordinator Briana Galluccio has been promoted to Manager/Promotion and will spend this month transitioning into the southeast region. Assuming the role of MCA coordinator/promotion is current UMG coordinator/promotion Kaileen Mangan.

“I feel very blessed to have been given the opportunity to call MCA Nashville my home for 25+ years. When I started my career in 1966 at the age of 21, I never could have imagined the road ahead and the view looking back at all the wonderful artists, managers and friends that I have grown to love like family. Some of my most treasured memories have been with my family at Universal Music Group. I love working with Mike Dungan, Katie Dean and my MCA team. Royce Risser and I go back from Day 1 when I first started, and he has always been by my side. It was through MCA that I met my beloved wife Judy, and I will always be grateful for that. I am very proud to pass the baton to Briana Galluccio. Briana will be the third southeast regional in the history of MCA Nashville to carry the torch. Thank you to all my radio people who have supported me through thick and thin. Will always love you, Uncle Lou.”

TIDAL Launches Interactive Credits Pages

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Streaming platform TIDAL has launched interactive streaming pages, which allows TIDAL members to explore the producers, background vocalists, musicians and engineers that help create their favorite tracks.

The TIDAL platform aims to create an in-depth database of credits, allowing users to filter the roles on each track list to display songs on which that artist has contributed in a similar capacity. Users can also sort the contributor’s track list by release date, popularity, title, or artist.

“This is a milestone for TIDAL which, at the heart of the platform, is a space for music lovers to connect with their favorite artists in unique ways,” said Tony Gervino, TIDAL SVP, Culture & Content. “As a music streaming service and culture hub, it is important to acknowledge that music is a team sport–it takes a talented crew of sound engineers, lyricists, and band members to make a song stick. We recognize the challenges ahead in creating a thorough and extensive catalogue, but we are excited to take this important step.”

Mark Gray Named Southeast Promotion Director At Columbia Nashville

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Mark Gray. Photo Credit: Adam Davis

Mark Gray has joined Columbia Nashville as Director, Southeast Promotion, effective immediately. Gray will be based in Nashville and report to Shane Allen, Columbia Nashville Senior Vice President, Promotion.

Gray joins from Blue Chair Bay Rum, where he served as Tour Activation Manager for the spirit brand during founder Kenny Chesney’s recent Songs For The Saints Tour. His past stops also include day-to-day management duties for Eli Young Band, Director of Southwest Promotion at Republic Nashville, (where he was instrumental in the breakthrough success of artists including Florida Georgia Line, Eli Young Band, and The Band Perry) and Marketing Director at iHeartRadio station WKKT-FM in Charlotte, NC.

“I’m really looking forward to working with the hottest label in Nashville! Big Thanks to Shane Allen and Steve Hodges for giving me the opportunity,” said Gray. “Can’t wait to see some old friends and meet some new ones in the Southeast!”

Former Columbia Nashville Director, Southeast Promotion Lauren Longbine will transition to Director, Midwest Promotion as longtime regional rep Bo Martinovich steps into the newly-created role of Sony Music Nashville Director, Artist Development.

Peter Roselli Elevated To President Of Bluewater Music

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Peter Roselli has been promoted to President of Bluewater Music. As President his responsibilities will consist of the management of all operations, including administration agreements, license negotiations, creative placements, general accounting services, management of collection society memberships, and development of new business opportunities.

Roselli joined Bluewater Music in 2001 as financial director after a few years as an auditor at a regional CPA firm. In 2004, he was promoted to controller. Since 2009, he has served in the role of chief operating officer, where he has led the company’s administration division. During his tenure at Bluewater, Roselli has helped to develop many automated internal control and review systems to ensure complete, accurate and timely accountings to Bluewater’s administration clients. Roselli’s efforts have been instrumental in expanding Bluewater’s extensive and diverse administration client base, signing talented clients such as G. Love, Bonnie Raitt, Dessa, Black River Entertainment, Gene Autry Music Group, Kris Kristofferson, Blue Man Group and many others.

“Peter has earned this promotion, and we share many of the same values that include focusing on maximizing the value of copyrights,” said Brownlee Ferguson, Bluewater’s founder. “I couldn’t be happier for him, and I know our songwriters and clients are in excellent hands with him and his team.”

“I feel fortunate to have spent the majority of my professional career at Bluewater – a company that Brownlee has positioned to always be ahead of the game when it comes to direct, at-source royalty collections,” Roselli says.  “I’m quite proud of what we have built thus far, and I’m thankful to be surrounded by such a talented and hard-working team. I’m looking forward to the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Big Loud/Maverick Adds Lex Lipsitz To Management Team

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Lex Lipsitz

Big Loud/Maverick has welcomed Lex Lipsitz to its management team, to handle day-to-day management for country artist Sean Stemaly.

A Texas native and Belmont University graduate, Lipsitz began his career as a touring drummer, before he began managing producers including Kid Ink and Toby Wright, alongside artists including Shooter Jennings.

Lipsitz later led the music department at Relativity Music, where he oversaw strategy for Jennings’ Put The ‘O’ Back In Country.  Lipsitz later moved to Nashville and became head of A&R for Average Joe’s Entertainment (Montgomery Gentry, Colt Ford), and a marketing consultant for Sony Music Nashville and Big Machine Label Group. Over the last decade he’s cultivated and grown his own management roster under LEX Music Group (Lit, Jon Wolfe, Sean Stemaly, Stoney Banks, Joedi Silvers and more), while running a real estate investment company and stepping into the tech world to build the event dating app, WillCalled.

“We are always looking to expand our team with talented, forward-thinking managers, which makes Lex the perfect fit for Big Loud,” says Big Loud partner/manager Chief Zaruk. “With an already proven skill set, we’re excited for the new ideas and opportunities he’ll bring, as well as work with the fresh artists coming along with him.”

“I’m beyond excited to be joining Big Loud / Maverick,” says Lipsitz. “I wanted to partner with a like-minded company that sets itself apart, fosters teamwork, and genuinely cares about making a difference in our ever-changing entertainment industry. I had no hesitation and am grateful for the opportunity to be on this progressive team.”

Big Loud was founded as a partnership between Craig Wiseman, Seth England, Zaruk, and Joey Moi, with song publishing, artist development, management, production, and promotion under one roof. The organization scored its first win when it helped launch the career of Florida Georgia Line, and in 2015 the partners expanded their firm with the creation of Big Loud Records, led by Clay Hunnicutt.

Big Loud’s management division has gone on to introduce breakout country talent Morgan Wallen, a new-school superstar whose first three singles have all gone Gold or Platinum, including back-to-back No. 1s “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line) and “Whiskey Glasses.” Big Loud also counts Chris Lane (“Fix”) on its management roster, along with HARDY, Dallas Smith and MacKenzie Porter.

Weekly Register: Blanco Brown, Luke Combs Charge Ahead

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Blanco Brown‘s “The Git Up” continues charging ahead, leading this week’s top on-demand country streaming tracks rankings again this week, with 18 million streams, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country” follows at No. 2 with 11.4 million streams, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Whiskey Glasses” at No. 3 with 10.9 million streams. Lee Brice‘s “Rumor” is at No. 4 with 9.9 million streams and Luke Combs‘ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” rounds out the Top 5 with 9.6 million streams.

Combs extends his reign atop the country albums chart, with This One’s For You earning 24K in total consumption, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Willie Nelson debuts at No. 2 country with Ride Me Back Home moving 19K in total consumption. Combs’ The Prequel EP is at No. 3 with 16K, while Dan + Shay‘s self-titled album is at No. 4 with 15.6K in total consumption. Thomas Rhett‘s Center Point Road rounds out the Top 5 with 15K.

J. Patrick Named Program Director For 650 AM WSM

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J. Patrick

Radio veteran and area native J. Patrick has been named Program Director of Nashville’s iconic 650 AM WSM radio station and its digital counterpart wsmonline.com.

Patrick will assume a unique leadership role at the globally known, all-encompassing country lifestyle platform and brand. In addition to the station’s historic signal, the WSM brand now includes direct-to-consumer entertainment with its new podcast, Building Nashville, and streaming channels like Route 650 or Opry Nashville. Patrick will be instrumental in guiding WSM’s next moves into emerging channels and markets, continuing the WSM tradition of bringing country music to audiences around the world.

With over 23 years in radio broadcasting, Patrick began his radio career at WDKN in Dickson, Tenn., and has served in numerous capacities at stations throughout Nashville, most recently as the Digital Program Director at WSM.  Prior to that, Patrick held broadcasting positions at Cumulus Media, Clear Channel Media+Entertainment, and served as producer for multiple nationally syndicated shows.

“It’s an amazing time to be part of the Opry Entertainment family and it’s humbling to be at the helm of programming one of the most important radio brands in history,” said Patrick. “I look forward to continuing my work with the incredible WSM team as we continue to expand and enrich the WSM listener experience.”

“I’m delighted to expand J. Patrick’s role here at WSM,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “He brings with him the experience, creativity, and passion needed to succeed in one of the most unique positions anywhere in country radio. J Patrick sees a world of opportunity at WSM and he is excited about continuing the station’s great legacy.”

WSM Radio’s programming includes listener-favorite shows such as Coffee, Country, and Cody and The Eddie Stubbs Show, hosted by Country Radio Hall of Fame personalities Bill Cody and Eddie Stubbs, respectively. Additional programming features Route 650, Opry Nashville, and more, including the Grand Ole Opry.

Michael Hardy On Top, Bobby Pinson Moves Into Top Five On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Michael Hardy spends his third week at No. 1 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, with Ashley Gorley following closely behind. Luke Combs slides down one slot this week to No. 3, and Hillary Lindsey moves up one into No. 4.

Sea Gayle writer Bobby Pinson rounds out the top five this week, with titles propelling him including: Eric Church’s “Some Of It,” Jason Aldean’s “Rearview Town” and Jake Owen’s “Homemade.” Blanco Brown moves up three slots to No. 9 this week with the chart success of his catchy viral hit, “The Git Up.”

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.