Casey Robison and Jamie Cerreta
Big Deal Music Group has named Jamie Cerreta and Casey Robison co-presidents of the company. The announcement comes from Kenny MacPherson, who is assuming the new role of Chief Executive Officer. All three executives will continue operating out of the company’s Los Angeles headquarters.
Founding partners MacPherson, Cerreta and Dave Ayers formed Big Deal Music in 2012, after the three had built Chrysalis Music US into an independent powerhouse prior to its sale to BMG in 2010.
“Jamie and Casey have made critical contributions to establishing Big Deal,” said MacPherson, “and it’s clear to us that they’re not only vital to our continued growth, but to the future of the industry generally. These promotions recognize their achievements, as well as the faith that Dave and I have in them as forward-thinking executives.”
Cerreta recently engineered an alliance with Diplo’s Mad Decent, joining My Morning Jacket, Blake Mills, Local Natives, Weyes Blood, FIDLAR, and SWMRS among those he’s brought to the company. After beginning his career in major label A&R, he first joined MacPherson at Chrysalis in 2002.
“I’m thrilled to be trusted with this opportunity by my partners,” said Cerreta, “And I’m very excited to be entering this next phase with Casey. I’m so proud to be one of the leaders of an independent company, started by friends, who share the belief that we can do something special by always putting the artists and writers first.”
Robison joined Big Deal Music in 2012, moving over from his post at BMI to helm the company’s pop/songwriting division, signing hit-makers John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Joe London, Jake Sinclair, Teddy Geiger and Danny Parker, to name a few. A rapid-fire string of chart success that included hit singles for Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, One Direction, Jason Derulo and Pitbull saw him ascend to partner in 2015. Recent chart success includes hits for Panic! At the Disco, Shawn Mendes and Maroon 5. Robison will also continue to serve as co-CEO with Damon Bunetta of Big Family Music, a venture with Family Affair.
“It’s unique to be part of such a special team, founded on common beliefs and trust,” said Robison, who began his career at Chrysalis, with the very same team he will now help lead in directing its future. “The aim is to create a structure and community for writers and artists that’s both supportive and sustainable. Stepping into this leadership role with Jamie is an honor, coming with great responsibility and challenge. We truly believe we’re building one of the great music companies of the future.”
Ayers, for his part, will continue heading Big Deal’s east coast office in New York, while the company’s remaining partner, Pete Robinson continues as Senior Vice-President/General Manager of the Big Deal Nashville office.
Marty Stuart To Welcome Chris Stapleton, John Prine, Brandy Clark For CMHoF Artist-In-Residence Series
/by Jessica NicholsonMarty Stuart has announced a string of guest performers for his upcoming artist-in-residence shows at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Stuart will produce and perform three shows — Sept. 11, 18 and 25, 2019 — bringing with him his Fabulous Superlatives band and friends from his nearly half-century of music making.
See below for the lineup:
September 11: The Pilgrim
Stuart will celebrate the rerelease of his landmark 10th studio album, The Pilgrim (1999), which showcases his songwriting and instrumental talents and tells the story of a man from Stuart’s hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. He will celebrate this 20-year milestone with a host of musical guests including Chris and Morgane Stapleton, Country Music Hall of Fame member Emmylou Harris, Country Music Hall of Fame member Connie Smith, Gary Carter and Kristin Wilkinson with her Superlative Strings.
September 18: Psychedelic Jam-Bo-Ree
Stuart will celebrate country music of the 1960s, featuring a line-up of influential artists and musicians including Roger McGuinn and Chris Hillman of The Byrds, Connie Smith, Old Crow Medicine Show, Buck Trent, Kenny Lovelace, Jim Lauderdale, the Grand Ole Opry Square Dancers and the Fabulous Superlatives.
September 25: Songs That Tell a Story
Stuart will pay homage to country music’s musical stories with an acoustic show. This line-up will feature a number of Nashville’s most influential and revered storytellers including John Prine, Doug Kershaw, Dallas Frazier, Brandy Clark and the Fabulous Superlatives.
Tickets for all three shows are on sale now and can be purchased at CMATheater.com. Tickets for each show range from $39.50 to $85.50 (plus ticketing fees). Sales are limited to four tickets per transaction on a first-come, first-served basis, and are non-refundable. Shows begin at 8:00 p.m. The museum’s artist-in-residence program is presented by Carter Vintage Guitars.
Kodi Chandler Promoted To Agent At WME
/by Lorie HollabaughKodi Chandler has been promoted to Agent in WME’s Nashville office. He joins the music department as a country booking agent.
Chandler began his career at WME in 2013 and over the course of his career has assisted in the booking of colleges, arenas and amphitheaters in the South Central and Upper Midwest as well as booking fairs, festivals and corporate events across the country. The Caddo, Alabama native most recently assisted WME Partner Risha Rodgers with the national and international touring for several artists including Lee Brice, Brett Young, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, Neal McCoy, Mark Chesnutt and others.
Chandler recently graduated from the WME Trainee program, where he held an active leadership role overseeing the WME Speakeasies, quarterly showcases featuring up-and-coming artists intended to build their Nashville presence and maximize exposure to industry personnel. He is an alumnus of the University of North Alabama.
Chandler can be reached at kchandler@wmeagency.com.
Jamie Cerreta, Casey Robison Named Co-Presidents of Big Deal Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughCasey Robison and Jamie Cerreta
Big Deal Music Group has named Jamie Cerreta and Casey Robison co-presidents of the company. The announcement comes from Kenny MacPherson, who is assuming the new role of Chief Executive Officer. All three executives will continue operating out of the company’s Los Angeles headquarters.
Founding partners MacPherson, Cerreta and Dave Ayers formed Big Deal Music in 2012, after the three had built Chrysalis Music US into an independent powerhouse prior to its sale to BMG in 2010.
“Jamie and Casey have made critical contributions to establishing Big Deal,” said MacPherson, “and it’s clear to us that they’re not only vital to our continued growth, but to the future of the industry generally. These promotions recognize their achievements, as well as the faith that Dave and I have in them as forward-thinking executives.”
Cerreta recently engineered an alliance with Diplo’s Mad Decent, joining My Morning Jacket, Blake Mills, Local Natives, Weyes Blood, FIDLAR, and SWMRS among those he’s brought to the company. After beginning his career in major label A&R, he first joined MacPherson at Chrysalis in 2002.
“I’m thrilled to be trusted with this opportunity by my partners,” said Cerreta, “And I’m very excited to be entering this next phase with Casey. I’m so proud to be one of the leaders of an independent company, started by friends, who share the belief that we can do something special by always putting the artists and writers first.”
Robison joined Big Deal Music in 2012, moving over from his post at BMI to helm the company’s pop/songwriting division, signing hit-makers John Ryan, Julian Bunetta, Joe London, Jake Sinclair, Teddy Geiger and Danny Parker, to name a few. A rapid-fire string of chart success that included hit singles for Shawn Mendes, Nick Jonas, One Direction, Jason Derulo and Pitbull saw him ascend to partner in 2015. Recent chart success includes hits for Panic! At the Disco, Shawn Mendes and Maroon 5. Robison will also continue to serve as co-CEO with Damon Bunetta of Big Family Music, a venture with Family Affair.
“It’s unique to be part of such a special team, founded on common beliefs and trust,” said Robison, who began his career at Chrysalis, with the very same team he will now help lead in directing its future. “The aim is to create a structure and community for writers and artists that’s both supportive and sustainable. Stepping into this leadership role with Jamie is an honor, coming with great responsibility and challenge. We truly believe we’re building one of the great music companies of the future.”
Florida Georgia Line Brings Tourmates For Surprise Performance At St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line and guests at St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital on Saturday, June 15, 2019. Photo: Courtesy St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
On Saturday, June 15, Florida Georgia Line‘s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard brought along tour-mates Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Canaan Smith for a special visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee. The group played for the patients and their families ahead of the duo’s 2019 Can’t Say I Ain’t Country tour stop that night in Southaven, Mississippi.
The entertainers offered renditions of their biggest hits, and hung out with patients and their families. They also spoke of the impact the work of St. Jude has had on them, while sharing stories and songs with children who are fighting cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
The wives of the performers, including Hayley Hubbard, Brittney Kelley, Hannah Mooney, Abby Smyers, and Christy Smith joined by their friends, Caroline Hobby, Catherine Nail, Gabi McCreery, and Kristen Brust, took time after the show to take a personalized tour of the St. Jude campus.
Morgan Wallen and HARDY meet a St. Jude patient. Photo: Courtesy St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
On Saturday, June 15, Florida Georgia Line along with Dan + Shay, Morgan Wallen, HARDY, and Canaan Smith made a special visit to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital® in Memphis, Tennessee. Photo: Courtesy St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Canaan Smith performs. Photo: Courtesy St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital
Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw Slated To Play Cheyenne Frontier Days
/by LB CantrellCheyenne Frontier Days, the 10-day, western-themed festival taking place from July 19-28 in downtown Cheyenne, Wyoming, will feature appearances from Miranda Lambert, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Josh Turner, Post Malone, Kelsea Ballerini, Tanya Tucker and more on the Frontier Nights stage.
The Cowboy Channel has also partnered with the festival to broadcast live all nine days of rodeo action and feature other Western lifestyle activities from their “World’s Largest Outdoor Rodeo & Western Celebration.” Broadcasting the event will help fill the need for more Western sports and Western lifestyle coverage and attract new fans to rodeo.
“The Cowboy Channel is proud to partner with Cheyenne Frontier Days as the first organization to agree to carry all nine days of action-packed rodeo,” said Patrick Gottsch, Founder and President of The Cowboy Channel.
Frontier Nights Concert Schedule:
July 19
Lady Antebellum with Kelsea Ballerini and Midland
7:00 pm @ Arena
July 20
Rascal Flatts with Clint Black
8:00 pm @ Arena
July 21
Josh Turner with Tanya Tucker
8:00 pm @ Arena
July 22
Miranda Lambert with Randy Houser
8:00 pm @ Arena
July 25
Post Malone (SOLD OUT)
8:00 pm @ Arena
July 26
Keith Urban with Walker Hayes
8:00 pm @ Arena
July 27
Tim McGraw with Devin Dawson
8:00 pm @ Arena
Tickets and information about Cheyenne Frontier Days is available here.
National Music Council To Honor Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will receive the American Eagle Award in honor of its commitment to the preservation of American musical heritage and culture and for the organization’s music education programs that serve both children and adults. Nashville singer-songwriter Liz Rose, an active participant in the museum’s educational programming, is expected to present the award to the organization.
In 2018, the museum welcomed more than 1.2 million guests presented 12 exhibitions, and guided 1,241 educational programs that provided music-related instruction for nearly 100,000 people.
Luke Combs Places Five Tracks In Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Top 25, First Artist Since Johnny Cash In 1959
/by LB CantrellLuke Combs. Photo: David Bergman for Sony Records Nashville
Just a week after being invited to be the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Luke Combs continues to break records by charting five tracks from his new EP, The Prequel, on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs Top 25—a feat not accomplished by any artist in since Johnny Cash in 1959. The tracks are also in the Top 10 of Billboard’s Country Songs Sales chart.
Additionally, Combs has achieved the largest streaming week ever for a country artist and currently holds the top two spots on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart with The Prequel (No. 1) and his debut album, This One’s For You (No. 2).
Produced by Scott Moffatt, The Prequel features five songs co-written by Combs including lead single, “Beer Never Broke My Heart” which debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Country Streaming Songs chart with 11 million streams—setting the record for the best first week of streaming ever for a country song. It also recently set the record for most adds on the Mediabase/Country Aircheck chart with 149 adds and debuted at No. 15 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart—the top entrance by any artist since September 2012 and Combs’ highest debut to date.
Brett Eldredge Plots European Tour Dates For 2020
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge just earned his seventh No. 1 country single with “Love Someone,” and will headline Nashville’s July 4 celebration next month. Next year, Eldredge will return to Europe for a run of headlining dates, including shows in Germany, Netherlands and several stops in the UK. He is also prepping for his upcoming project, the followup to his eponymous 2017 album, which also produced the hits “The Long Way” and “Somethin’ I’m Good At.”
These shows follow his appearance at the 2019 C2C Festival.
Kentucky Headhunters Celebrate ‘Pickin’ On Nashville’ Anniversary With Rare Music City Show
/by Lorie HollabaughFollowing its original release on Oct. 17, 1989 on Mercury Records, Pickin’ on Nashville went on to sell over two million copies, earning the band multi-platinum status. The album won a Grammy, three CMA awards, an American Music Award, and an ACM Award. It spawned four consecutive Top 40 country hits: “Walk Softly on This Heart of Mine,” “Dumas Walker,” “Oh Lonesome Me,” and “Rock ‘n’ Roll Angel.” The band has released 15 albums over the course of their career and sold over 11 million records worldwide.
“The Heads have traveled the universe musically, starting as Itchy Brother in 1968, on the family farm in the infamous Practice House, then morphing into The Kentucky Headhunters in 1986,” says founding member Richard Young. “We have lived a blessed and charmed life with family, friends and music. Please come be with us at this event to celebrate the 30th anniversary of Pickin’ on Nashville, the album that changed our lives many times over.”
Tickets are $24.00 in advance and $28.00 on the day of show, and can be purchased at thebasementnashville.com.
Universal Music Group Launches Nashville Career Jam Event
/by Jessica NicholsonUniversal Music Group will launch the Nashville Career Jam, a networking event geared toward music industry members, on Thursday, June 20 at Marathon Music Works.
“The UMG Career Jam is a festival celebration of the expansive talent that encompasses the music industry. From digital marketing and streaming to copyright and royalties – there are so many facets that drive music to be what it is today.” the event program states.
The event will also spotlight performances from Capitol CMG artist Riley Clemmons, UMPG songwriter David Frank, and artist R.LUM.R.