Universal Music Group Teams With Wondery For Original Podcast Development

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Universal Music Group (UMG) has teamed with independent podcast publisher Wondery to develop premium original podcasts, drawing upon UMG’s musical catalog as well as its iconic roster of artists and labels.

Podcasts produced under the agreement will be available globally on any platform Wondery makes its content available. With credits that include Dirty John, Dr. Death and Gladiator: Aaron Hernandez and Football, Inc., Wondery is the fastest company to join Podtrac’s Top 10 New Podcasts, holding both the No. 1 and No. 2 spots in 2018.

The new podcasts will serve as an extension of the compelling narratives and content that UMG is already creating around its artists, labels and catalog. Working with Wondery’s network of storytellers, the podcasts will provide fans and new audiences alike with deeper perspectives on artists, music and events that influence and shape culture.

The podcasts will also become an incubator for UMG’s growing slate of film and television projects, as well as a meaningful platform to reach audiences with content from short and long-form programming from the company’s Polygram Entertainment and its numerous record labels worldwide. UMG has been developing and producing podcasts for local audiences around the world since 2012.

The move by UMG follows that of several companies making greater pushes into podcasting. SiriusXM has announced it will make nearly two dozen programs available to Pandora listeners in the form of podcasts, including content involving Kevin Hart, Andy Cohen and more. Spotify has acquired three podcast firms so far this year, including Anchor, Gimlet and Parcast. Meanwhile, iHeartMedia acquired Stuff Media in 2018.

UMG Nashville Promotes Chris Schuler

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Chris Schuler

Universal Music Group Nashville has promoted Chris Schuler to the role of Vice President of Promotion & Radio Marketing. Schuler has been with UMG for over six years working his way up the ranks to his most recent position as Director of Promotion & Radio Marketing.

In his new role, Schuler will continue to work with all four imprints at UMG Nashville, Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, Mercury Nashville, and MCA Nashville, to maximize radio exposure of its artists, provide chart strategy and airplay analytics, as well as work with promotion executives to implement chain-wide initiatives for album launches.

“I am so excited to be able to announce the promotion of Chris Schuler to Vice President,” says UMG Nashville EVP of Promotion, Royce Risser. “Chris started with us as a coordinator and rapidly made himself completely invaluable to our whole promo team. He’s one of those people who finds new ways of analyzing data, offering new ways to execute our day-to-day jobs, and keeping everyone at our four promo teams in synch with the rest of the company.  I’m very proud of Chris and once again, fired up that I get to promote him to Vice President.”

“I’m incredibly honored for this opportunity to continue working with the best roster and team in all of country music,” shares Schuler. “When I joined UMG, it immediately felt like home with like-minded people who have a passion for excellence and a desire to shape the industry we get to work in.  I look forward to what the future has in store.”

The UMG Nashville artist roster includes Adam Hambrick, Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Carrie Underwood, Caylee Hammack, CB30, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Gary Allan, George Strait, Jon Langston, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Kassi Ashton, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Maddie & Tae, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Shania Twain, Travis Denning, and Vince Gill.

Rita Wilson And Kristian Bush To Embark On Joint U.S. Tour

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Rita Wilson, Kristian Bush

Musical collaborators and good friends, Rita Wilson and Kristian Bush, will embark on a joint tour kicking off June 5 in Atlanta.

Wilson  just released her forth and acclaimed studio album, Halfway To Home via Sing it Loud/The Orchard, which was largely recorded in Nashville, and co-produced by herself and Nathan Chapman, with Ron Aniello (Bruce Springsteen) and John Shanks (Bon Jovi, Sheryl Crow) also contributing as producers. Bush served as a co-writer on some of the songs on Halfway To Home, along with Liz Rose, Emily Schackleton, Mozella (Kelly Clarkson, Miley Cyrus), Mitch Allan (Demi Lovato) and Kara DioGuardi (P!nk, Kelly Clarkson).

Rita Wilson and Kristian Bush Tour Dates:
June 5 • Atlanta, GA • Center Stage Theater
June 9 • Nashville, TN • City Winery Nashville
June 11 • Washington DC • City Winery DC
June 12 • New York, NY • City Winery New York
June 14 • Huntington, NY • The Paramount
June 15 • Montclair, NJ • The Welmont Theater
June 17 • Boston, MA • City Winery Boston
June 19 • Munhall, PA • Carnegie Of Homestead Music Hall

Ryan Kinder Signs Pub Deal With BMG Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Ryan Kinder, Chris Oglesby, BMG VP, Creative

Ryan Kinder has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Music Publishing.

Kinder’s songs such as “Close,” “Tonight,” “Alabama,” “Still Believe In Crazy Love” and “Stay” have become fan favorites and amassed more than 50 million streams across the globe. Kinder has also co-written with Nashville songwriters including Ashley Gorley, Ross Copperman and Tom Douglas.

“When you hear Ryan Kinder music, you hear soulful passion,” says Chris Oglesby, BMG Vice President, Creative. “It takes you to the heart of who he is as an artist, writer and person. So excited to have Ryan become a part of our BMG family.”

Kinder is managed by Fusion Music/Red Light Management, with booking representation by CAA. He is currently in the studio working on new music scheduled for release later this year.

BMG Nashville Inks Publishing Deal With Jason Duke

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG Nashville; Noah Dewey, Senior Creative Director, BMG Nashville; Jason Duke; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville; Jake Gear, Senior Creative Director, BMG Nashville

Songwriter Jason Duke has signed a new global co-publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.

A graduate of the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters Project (GPS) and a Tennessee native, Duke co-wrote the chart-topping, Platinum-certified hit “Dibs,” featured on Kelsea Ballerini’s album The First Time, “That Could Still Be Us” on Keith Urban’s Platinum-certified album RipCORD, and the Chris Bandi single “Man Enough Now,” which has received over 50 million streams on Spotify alone.

Noah Dewey, Senior Creative Director, BMG Nashville, said, “I’m proud to be working with Jason, he’s an extremely talented writer with a work ethic that’s truly remarkable. He certainly has a bright future ahead of him and we’re happy to be a part of it.”

Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Nashville, said, “Jason has all the qualities of a hit songwriter, we are going to have an amazing run together.”

Watch: Kelsea Ballerini Inducted As The Newest Member Of The Grand Ole Opry

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Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Carrie Underwood. Photo: Courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC/Chris Hollo, photographer

Kelsea Ballerini was inducted as the newest and youngest member of the Grand Ole Opry Tuesday night (Aug. 16) by Carrie Underwood, an Opry member since 2008.

Surprising the sold-out Opry House crowd after Ballerini had performed a three-song set, Underwood took the stage and said to Ballerini, “You have accomplished so much in your career, and you will undoubtedly accomplish infinite amounts more in your life. Awards, number ones, sales … this is better than all of that. This is the heart and soul of country music.”

Presenting Ballerini with her Opry member award, Underwood cheered, “I am honored to introduce and induct the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry, Kelsea Ballerini.”

 

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A visibly moved Ballerini recounted her first visit to the Opry as a fan, her 2015 Opry debut, and subsequent Opry appearances, Ballerini held her award close and said, “Grand Ole Opry, thanks for seeing something in me and for believing that I’ll always love you like I do because I do, and I will.”

Ballerini and Underwood then teamed up for a duet on 20-year Opry member Trisha Yearwood’s 1992 hit “Walkaway Joe.”

Earlier in the night, CMA and ACM Entertainer of the Year Keith Urban, an Opry member since 2012, also made a surprise appearance to deliver congratulations to Ballerini and to perform his hit “Blue Ain’t Your Color.” Later in the show, Country Music Hall of Famer and 1991 Opry inductee Vince Gill surprised the audience by joining with his friends the Del McCoury Band during the group’s portion of the show.

Opry group Little Big Town surprised Ballerini last month with an invitation to join the Opry family during an on-stage collaboration on the award-winning song “Girl Crush.”

“We are incredibly pleased to welcome Kelsea Ballerini into the Opry family,” said Opry General Manager Sally Williams. “As evidenced by the enthusiasm of the Opry members here tonight and the fans in the crowd, Kelsea and her music are much loved. She and her fellow members who made tonight so special show that the future of both country music and the Opry are in good hands.”

Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry’s Sally Williams, Black River Entertainment’s Kim and Terry Pegula, Kelsea Ballerini, Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr, Sandbox Entertainment’s Jason Owen and Black River Entertainment’s Rick Froio. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne Celebrate Chart-Topper “Burning Man”

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Pictured (L-R): TJ Osborne, John Osborne, Dierks Bentley, Luke Dick (BMI/Little Louder Publishing), Bobby Pinson (BMI/Sea Gayle Music). Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI’s Mason Hunter led the celebration in Music City on Monday (April 15) to honor Dierks Bentley and Brothers Osborne for their chart-topping hit “Burning Man.”

“Burning Man” marks the second No. 1 from Bentley’s The Mountain album, and also earned the Music Event of the Year honor at the recent Academy of Country Music Awards.

“Burning Man” co-writers Luke Dick and Bobby Pinson, as well as producers Ross Copperman and Jon Randall, were celebrated as the music industry crowd gathered at Martin’s Bar-B-Que Joint in downtown Nashville. The project was executive produced by Arturo Buenahora, whose Little Louder Publishing is also the publishing home for the track’s co-writer Luke Dick.

Sea Gayle’s Marc Driskill feted Bobby Pinson. “Burning Man” marks Sea Gayle’s 50th No. 1 song, and is Pinson’s eighth No. 1.

Others celebrating included CMA’s Brandi Simms and UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris, while Pinnacle Bank announced a chartable donation to Bentley’s Riser Foundation.

MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson presents “Burning Man” co-writers with No. 1 Challenge Coins for reaching No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart. Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, TJ Osborne, John Osborne, Dierks Bentley, co-writer Luke Dick, co-writer Bobby Pinson. Photo: Steve Lowry

“When you release songs to radio it’s like the cliff notes of your album and ‘Burning Man’ is one of the most important pieces of The Mountain,” said Bentley. “When you do a collaboration it’s a leap of faith but there is no one else that could have done what these guys did on this song. We were in direct communication with no one else involved you know…John walks in with his guitar and amp…I’ve just been really lucky to work with people like these guys where it’s all about the music and friendship. It’s rare to find that outside of Nashville and a really unique thing that is happening in country music right now.”

“When he sent us the song it was done and already sounded awesome,” added TJ Osborne, “I’m such a fan of Dierks and when I listened to the demo, it already sounded like a Dierks hit and it took me a minute to really make it mine. To take that risk on us with something that already sounded great was all on Dierks.”

Tenille Arts Earns Two SCMA Honors

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Tenille Arts. Photo: Courtesy Campbell Entertainment Group

Reviver Records artist and Canada native Tenille Arts earned two honors at the 30th annual Saskatchewan Country Music Awards, held this past weekend in Saskatoon and hosted by Tenille’s labelmate Aaron Goodvin. Arts was named Female Vocalist of the Year and Songwriter of the Year for the second consecutive year.

“Last night was a dream,” said Tenille, who hails from Weyburn, Saskatchewan. “Thank you to the SCMAs and everyone who voted. None of this would be possible without the support of my home province, and it means the world to me that I’m always welcomed back home with open arms! There are so many people behind the scenes who have helped me get to this place. This is amazing!”

Arts is currently touring in promotion of her new single “Call You Names.”

Industry Pics: Kelsea Ballerini, Randy Travis, Randy Houser, Paul Cauthen, Scooter Brown, Gene Watson

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Kelsea Ballerini Kicks Off First-Ever Arena Tour With Sold-Out Weekend

Photo: Blythe Thomas

Kelsea Ballerini kicked off her first-ever arena tour, The Miss Me More Tour, with three back-to-back sold-out shows this past weekend in Salisbury, Maryland (April 11), Reading, Pennsylvania (April 12), and Erie, Pennsylvania (April 13).

“Kicked off the first weekend of the Miss Me More tour with 3 SOLD OUT shows, glitter, real talks, confetti dancing, and moments like this,” Ballerini shared on Instagram. “I love you so so so much.”

 

Randy Travis Makes Appearance At Whiskey Jam

Pictured (L-R): Randy Travis, Randy Houser, Paul Cauthen and Scooter Brown. Photo: Jason Myers

Randy Travis, Randy Houser, Paul Cauthen and Scooter Brown enjoyed each other’s company at Monday night’s (April 15) Whiskey Jam event at Winners Bar and Grill in Nashville.

 

Gene Watson Celebrates Three Consecutive No. 1s At Grand Ole Opry

Pictured (L-R): Mark Wills, Gene Watson, Grand Ole Opry’s Sally Williams and Opry Announcer/WSM-AM’s Bill Cody. Photo: Courtesy of Grand Ole Opry LLC./Chris Hollo

To commemorate three consecutive No. 1s on the country Christian charts, Mark Wills surprised Gene Watson on stage at the Grand Ole Opry as he presented Watson with a plaque for his chart-topping accomplishments.

Watson’s single “Build My Mansion (Next Door To Jesus)” holds the No. 1 position on the CASHBOX Country Christian Chart and Christian Servant Magazine Top 100 chart. Additionally, the single is currently in the Top 10 on the SGNScoops Christian Magazine chart. This is Watson’s third No. 1 single from his Christian album, My Gospel Roots.

Aaron Watson Sets The Red Bandana Tour

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Aaron Watson. Photo: Jimmy Fisco/courtesy Monarch Publicity

Aaron Watson will launch The Red Bandana Tour with 13 shows starting June 28 in Watson’s hometown of Abilene, Texas. To celebrate the upcoming tour, Watson released the new song “Trying Like The Devil.” The tour coincides with the release of his Red Bandana album on June 21.

“I am so excited to announce the new tour this summer with the release of my new album Red Bandana,” says Watson. “Of course, kicking it off in my hometown of Abilene means the world to me. Touring is what we do, it’s how we built the business and met so many amazing fans over the years. I can assure everyone that we plan on coming to your market over the course of this record with a brand-new stage and production as well as set list. We’ll be playing the old favorites and a lot of new songs from Red Bandana.”

Aaron Watson’s The Red Bandana Tour:
6/28 – Taylor County Expo Center – Abilene, TX
6/29 – White Oak Music Hall (Outdoors) – Houston, TX
7/6 – Big Lake Festival – Big Lake, TX
7/11 – Hodag Country Festival – Rhinelander, WI
7/12 – Riverfront Live – Cincinnati, OH
7/13 – Jam In The Valley – Varysburg, NY
7/18 – Adams County Fair – Hastings, NE
7/19 – Lazy Gators – Lake Of The Ozarks, MO
7/26 – A Night In The Country – Yerington, NV
8/10 – Ford Park Arena – Beaumont, TX
8/15 – Power & Lights District – Kansas City, MO
8/23 – Colorado State Fair – Pueblo, CO
9/5 – Washington State Fair – Puyallup, WA