https://musicrow.com/author/bobby-karl/
Chapter 613
This might be the 50th Country Radio Seminar, but it featured the very first convention luncheon staged by Warner Bros. Records.
The wait was worth it.
Held at the Omni Hotel on Wednesday (Feb. 13), the event’s main attraction was mega-star Blake Shelton. But the rest of the label’s showcasing roster more than stepped up to the plate.
Shelton proved (again) that he is one of the greatest country singers of our time. This vocal master of the genre was spellbinding. He casually picked up a guitar and asked the audience for requests. The first was for 2001’s career-launching “Austin.”
“When I was signed to Giant Records in 1998, it was three or four years before they put out any record I made,” he told the audience of radio tastemakers. “I said I would record ‘Austin.’ The only problem was that Clay Walker had the song on hold. So I dedicate this to Clay Walker, for not recording it.”
Blake Shelton earns the CRB Humanitarian Award
He was not only a superb country singer on the number, but also an able guitarist. Shelton followed that triumph with another early song requested. That was 2002’s vivid prison-story opus “Ol’ Red.” He drew a standing ovation when he finished it.
WB chief John Esposito began the luncheon by greeting the assembled multitude. “I sure appreciate this crowd,” he said. “This is our first Warner lunch, and based on this, there will be many more to come.” He asked for a round of applause for outgoing CRB exec Bill Mayne, “who brought this thing back to life.”
VP Kristen Williams handled the subsequent hosting duties. “This is a spectacular crowd,” she agreed. “This is something we’ve asked the CRB to do for many, many years. What an awesome way to kick off the 50th anniversary of CRS.”
Charming Morgan Evans led off the performances with his romantic, sweet “Day Drunk.” It has been No. 1 in his native Australia for 25 weeks.
“Last year was my first CRS,” he said. “My life is remarkably better since CRS last year, and that’s because of you guys.” His performance concluded with a dazzling, layered, looped vocal collage.
Cole Swindell has had eight straight No. 1 hits. Accompanied by two acoustic guitars, he sang his current success, the catchy and tuneful “Love You Too Late.”
“It’s an honor to be here today,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
Devin Dawson premiered his dramatic ballad for outsiders everywhere, “Dark Horse.” It is the title tune of his CD.
“The song is my story,” he explained. “It’s the story of so many people all over America and all over the world. And I’m proud of that.”
Chris Janson
The ever-ebullient Chris Janson was next. He introduced “Good Vibes,” the lead single from his forthcoming album. It was a performance blazing with personality and energy, highlighted by his ability to blow harmonica, play guitar and keep kick-drum rhythm simultaneously.
“Mark my words, Entertainer of the Year one day soon,” commented Kristen.
Texas cowboy Cody Johnson has built his career from the ground up, amassing a huge fan base and becoming a sold-out concert attraction without benefit of radio airplay. He made the most of his moment at the event.
“As an independent artist for 10 years, I had to face the fact that radio was not going to play my music,” he related. “Now, I get it to more people than ever, thanks to Warner Bros.”
He offered his current single, “On My Way to You.” It was an eloquent, heartfelt and completely moving performance. Cody left it all on that stage, earning the day’s first standing ovation. I believe I’d just heard a future No. 1 record.
Ashley McBryde.
Kristen pointed out that Ashley McBryde’s debut effort for the label was nominated for a Grammy Award this year. “She’s a whiskey drinkin’ bad-ass with the voice of an angel,” added the exec.
Ashley told the story behind the title tune of her album, then stunned the crowd with the awesome truth and poetry of “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” The audience members applauded in mid song, then rewarded her with a loud, cheering standing ovation when she finished.
I challenge each and every one of those people who stood to PLAY this woman’s music and give her the stardom she deserves.
Fresh from their Grammy win, Dan + Shay were another show highlight. They introduced their new single, the lightly rhythmic “All to Myself.” Shay Mooney scat sang in his sky-high tenor and urged the crowd to sing along.
“Thank you for changing our lives,” said his partner Dan Smyers. “A lot of things have happened for Dan + Shay, and it all starts with you.”
Morgan Evans.
Current CRB board president Kurt Johnson commented, “Isn’t this a great way to kick off CRS?” He introduced Dierks Bentley, last year’s winner of the Artist Humanitarian Award. Following a video montage of good deeds — notably benefit work on behalf of Oklahoma tornado victims — Dierks handed this year’s trophy to Blake Shelton. Blake smooched him on the cheek.
“This is a way bigger deal than I thought it was gonna be,” said Blake. “The cool thing about country artists is that I feel that we ALL step up when we get the chance. I couldn’t be more honored. I love you guys so much: I’m standing up here in front of y’all with 18 years worth of songs you guys have played.”
Leading the cheering were Charlie Cook, Greg Hunter, Bob Paxman, Jeff Horn, Don Cusic, Bob Kelley, Donna Caldwell, Nick Martin, Preshus Harris, Elizabeth Motley and Wes Vause. Philadelphia’s Rob Keegan was attending his first Country Radio Seminar. You’ll be happy to know that he was enthralled.
Stoney Creek Records/BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen performs the national anthem during the CRS 2019 opening ceremonies.
We lunched on baked lemon chicken, vegetable rattatoulle, abundant tossed salad, rolls, roast beef, fingerling potatoes and delish desserts.
Paulina Jayne performed in the vestibule prior to the luncheon. Flinging her bodacious, blonde, lion’s-mane hair during her vivacious, rocking set, she was backed by a terrifically tight, smokin,’ bi-racial band.
Other happenings during CRS’ 2019 launch day include Zac Brown Band leading Amazon’s “Country Heat” night, and Garth Brooks putting on an intimate acoustic show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for approximately 1,000 radio station executives and media.
Garth Brooks at CRS
Bobby Karl Works The Room: CRS 2019 Launches With Blake Shelton’s Artist Humanitarian Award Win
/by Bobby Karlhttps://musicrow.com/author/bobby-karl/
Chapter 613
This might be the 50th Country Radio Seminar, but it featured the very first convention luncheon staged by Warner Bros. Records.
The wait was worth it.
Held at the Omni Hotel on Wednesday (Feb. 13), the event’s main attraction was mega-star Blake Shelton. But the rest of the label’s showcasing roster more than stepped up to the plate.
Shelton proved (again) that he is one of the greatest country singers of our time. This vocal master of the genre was spellbinding. He casually picked up a guitar and asked the audience for requests. The first was for 2001’s career-launching “Austin.”
“When I was signed to Giant Records in 1998, it was three or four years before they put out any record I made,” he told the audience of radio tastemakers. “I said I would record ‘Austin.’ The only problem was that Clay Walker had the song on hold. So I dedicate this to Clay Walker, for not recording it.”
Blake Shelton earns the CRB Humanitarian Award
He was not only a superb country singer on the number, but also an able guitarist. Shelton followed that triumph with another early song requested. That was 2002’s vivid prison-story opus “Ol’ Red.” He drew a standing ovation when he finished it.
WB chief John Esposito began the luncheon by greeting the assembled multitude. “I sure appreciate this crowd,” he said. “This is our first Warner lunch, and based on this, there will be many more to come.” He asked for a round of applause for outgoing CRB exec Bill Mayne, “who brought this thing back to life.”
VP Kristen Williams handled the subsequent hosting duties. “This is a spectacular crowd,” she agreed. “This is something we’ve asked the CRB to do for many, many years. What an awesome way to kick off the 50th anniversary of CRS.”
Charming Morgan Evans led off the performances with his romantic, sweet “Day Drunk.” It has been No. 1 in his native Australia for 25 weeks.
“Last year was my first CRS,” he said. “My life is remarkably better since CRS last year, and that’s because of you guys.” His performance concluded with a dazzling, layered, looped vocal collage.
Cole Swindell has had eight straight No. 1 hits. Accompanied by two acoustic guitars, he sang his current success, the catchy and tuneful “Love You Too Late.”
“It’s an honor to be here today,” he said. “I wouldn’t be here without you.”
Devin Dawson premiered his dramatic ballad for outsiders everywhere, “Dark Horse.” It is the title tune of his CD.
“The song is my story,” he explained. “It’s the story of so many people all over America and all over the world. And I’m proud of that.”
Chris Janson
The ever-ebullient Chris Janson was next. He introduced “Good Vibes,” the lead single from his forthcoming album. It was a performance blazing with personality and energy, highlighted by his ability to blow harmonica, play guitar and keep kick-drum rhythm simultaneously.
“Mark my words, Entertainer of the Year one day soon,” commented Kristen.
Texas cowboy Cody Johnson has built his career from the ground up, amassing a huge fan base and becoming a sold-out concert attraction without benefit of radio airplay. He made the most of his moment at the event.
“As an independent artist for 10 years, I had to face the fact that radio was not going to play my music,” he related. “Now, I get it to more people than ever, thanks to Warner Bros.”
He offered his current single, “On My Way to You.” It was an eloquent, heartfelt and completely moving performance. Cody left it all on that stage, earning the day’s first standing ovation. I believe I’d just heard a future No. 1 record.
Ashley McBryde.
Kristen pointed out that Ashley McBryde’s debut effort for the label was nominated for a Grammy Award this year. “She’s a whiskey drinkin’ bad-ass with the voice of an angel,” added the exec.
Ashley told the story behind the title tune of her album, then stunned the crowd with the awesome truth and poetry of “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.” The audience members applauded in mid song, then rewarded her with a loud, cheering standing ovation when she finished.
I challenge each and every one of those people who stood to PLAY this woman’s music and give her the stardom she deserves.
Fresh from their Grammy win, Dan + Shay were another show highlight. They introduced their new single, the lightly rhythmic “All to Myself.” Shay Mooney scat sang in his sky-high tenor and urged the crowd to sing along.
“Thank you for changing our lives,” said his partner Dan Smyers. “A lot of things have happened for Dan + Shay, and it all starts with you.”
Morgan Evans.
Current CRB board president Kurt Johnson commented, “Isn’t this a great way to kick off CRS?” He introduced Dierks Bentley, last year’s winner of the Artist Humanitarian Award. Following a video montage of good deeds — notably benefit work on behalf of Oklahoma tornado victims — Dierks handed this year’s trophy to Blake Shelton. Blake smooched him on the cheek.
“This is a way bigger deal than I thought it was gonna be,” said Blake. “The cool thing about country artists is that I feel that we ALL step up when we get the chance. I couldn’t be more honored. I love you guys so much: I’m standing up here in front of y’all with 18 years worth of songs you guys have played.”
Leading the cheering were Charlie Cook, Greg Hunter, Bob Paxman, Jeff Horn, Don Cusic, Bob Kelley, Donna Caldwell, Nick Martin, Preshus Harris, Elizabeth Motley and Wes Vause. Philadelphia’s Rob Keegan was attending his first Country Radio Seminar. You’ll be happy to know that he was enthralled.
Stoney Creek Records/BBR Music Group’s Jimmie Allen performs the national anthem during the CRS 2019 opening ceremonies.
We lunched on baked lemon chicken, vegetable rattatoulle, abundant tossed salad, rolls, roast beef, fingerling potatoes and delish desserts.
Paulina Jayne performed in the vestibule prior to the luncheon. Flinging her bodacious, blonde, lion’s-mane hair during her vivacious, rocking set, she was backed by a terrifically tight, smokin,’ bi-racial band.
Other happenings during CRS’ 2019 launch day include Zac Brown Band leading Amazon’s “Country Heat” night, and Garth Brooks putting on an intimate acoustic show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for approximately 1,000 radio station executives and media.
Garth Brooks at CRS
WTHO’s Steve Ferguson Receives Randy Jones Award
/by Alex ParrySteve Ferguson, Program Director of WTHO in Thomson, Georgia, was presented with the Randy Jones Humanitarian Award on Feb. 13, for his dedication to his community. Ferguson served on the MusicRow reporting panel for 12 years and was MusicRow’s Reporter of the Year in 2010. Ferguson was recently diagnosed with terminal bile duct cancer.
The Randy Jones Award is presented each year at CRS to a station for their countless hours of charitable work, selfless dedication to their community and listeners, and the tireless promotion and preservation of country music. The award’s namesake Randy Jones served the MusicRow panel at WDHR before his sudden passing in 2010. Previous winners of this award include Russ Oker Ed Carter, Win Patton, Ted Cramer, Bill Booth, Melissa Frost, Mike Thomas.
A GoFundMe has been set up to help with Ferguson’s medical bills. Those wishing to donate can click here.
Country Radio Hall Of Fame Class Of 2019 Revealed
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Clockwise, L-R): Charlie Monk, Mac Daniels, Bobby Denton, Kyle Cantrell, Gregg Dahl, Jeff Garrison
Six celebrated broadcasters will join the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2019, as Grammy-winning duo Dan+Shay revealed this year’s inductees during today’s (Feb. 13) opening ceremonies for Country Radio Seminar (CRS).
Two on-air personalities and four off-air broadcasters will be honored. The 2019 Country Radio Hall of Fame Class includes Radio category honorees include Mac Daniels (KPLX and KSCS/Dallas) formerly KALM, KBOX/Dallas, KPLX, WMXQ/Washington, KASE & KVET/Austin, WYCD/Detroit, iHeartMedia, KSKS/Fresno, and NASH-FM/San Francisco, Bobby Denton (WIVK/Knoxville), Jeff Garrison (KCYY/Cox Media), formerly KKBQ, WESC, WFNQ/Greenville, KMLE/Phoenix, KILT, and Gregg Lindahl (Cox Media) formerly KOMA/Oklahoma City, WSM-AM/FM, WKY, WSOC-A/F/Charlotte, KUPL/Portland, and WKXK/Chicago.
The Air Personality category includes Charlie Monk (SiriusXM’s “Willie’s Roadhouse”) formerly of WGEA/Geneva, AL, WMTS; and Kyle Cantrell (SiriusXM) formerly WMTS/Murfreesboro, WSM-AM/Nashville, and WKDF/Nashville.
The Country Radio Hall of Fame is dedicated to the recognition of those individuals who have made significant contributions to the radio industry over a 20-year period, 15 of which must be in the country format. The Country Radio Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner will be held in Nashville on Wednesday, June 19, at a location to be announced soon.
About the 2019 Inductees:
Air Personality Category:
Charlie Monk is the longtime host on SiriusXM’s “Prime Country” format, a role that barely scratches the surface of his contribution to the country radio/music industry. His broadcast career was launched in 1956, sweeping floors at WGEA/Geneva, AL. He quickly segued to an on-air position, and then worked in several Alabama markets, including Troy, Mobile, and Tuscaloosa. He moved to Nashville in 1968 to program WMTS and then branched into publishing, where he wrote songs recorded by Eddy Arnold, Jerry Reed, Charley Pride, Jimmy Dean, and others. Wearing his publisher hat, Monk fostered the careers of Randy Travis and Kenny Chesney. In 1969, Monk teamed with industry friends to found Country Radio Seminar (CRS). He’s served on the CRS Board from the beginning and currently is a Director Emeritus. With CRS celebrating its 50th anniversary in 2019, Monk is the only person who can boast of attending every single one.
After getting his radio start at WMTS/Murfreesboro, TN in 1980, Kyle Cantrell quickly rose to host mornings there, before joining the staff of WSM-AM/Nashville, handling a variety of air shifts. In 1983, Cantrell expanded his duties, adding music oversight of WSM’s network operation, Music City Radio Network (MCRN). He also hosted a nationally syndicated weekend oldies show, airing across 85 stations. In 1985, Cantrell began serving as an announcer for the Grand Ole Opry, a role that he continues to this day. He was named WSM AM Program Director in 1993, moving the station’s music focus to Classic Country – the nation’s first such country outlet. In 2002, Cantrell began working for Sirius Satellite radio on its Classic Country channel. He continued with local radio joining WKDF/Nashville, where he remained until taking a fulltime position at SiriusXM and has since handled programming chores for Bluegrass Junction and Roadhouse channels. Cantrell added T2K programming duties in 2013, as well as Enlighten, SiriusXM’s Gospel brand.
Radio Category:
Mac Daniels has been working in radio for more than 40 years, beginning his career while still in high school, at Country/Gospel KALM/Thayer, MO, where he doubled as a salesperson. Drawn more to programming, Daniels was named for overnights at KBOX/Dallas while still in his teens. In 1980, Daniels segued to newly launched country outlet KPLX/Dallas and stayed for the next 14 years initially handling part-time air shifts, while helping establish the station’s research department. Daniels took on overnights, then evenings, soon adding Music Director responsibilities. During his time at KPLX, Daniels was honored with the Billboard Major Market Music Director of the Year six times and won the CMA MD of the Year trophy twice (1989, 1990). Major market programming opportunities followed, as Daniels eventually programmed nationally respected brands such as WMZQ/Washington, KASE & KVET/Austin, and WYCD/Detroit. In 2004, he was given Regional Programming responsibilities, based in Austin again, where he doubled as OM for the six-station Austin Cluster for iHeartMedia. Programming stints included KSKS/Fresno and NASH-FM/San Francisco, upon its 2013 launch. Daniels’ career came full circle in 2016 when he was named PD for Cumulus-owned country combo KPLX and KSCS/Dallas, where he remains. KPLX is the highest Cumulus country station in America and has been honored with an NAB Marconi Award.
Bobby Denton spent his entire 49-year career at WIVK/Knoxville, helping build the station into the iconic radio brand it is today. Denton started on the air and rose to a leadership position at WIVK and, its parent company, Dick Broadcasting where he was elevated to VP in 1981. In that role, Denton was responsible for the company’s radio stations in Knoxville, Nashville, Greensboro, NC, Colorado Springs, CO, and Birmingham, AL. Denton helped WIVK in garnering numerous industry awards, including eight CMA Station of the Year honors; five ACM Station of the Year trophies, and four Marconi Awards. In addition to this year’s inclusion in the Country Radio Hall of Fame, Denton is also a member of the Opryland Disc Jockey Hall of Fame, and the Tennessee Radio Hall of Fame. Denton enters the Country Radio Hall of Fame posthumously, after passing away following a short bout with cancer in 2014.
Jeff Garrison’s journey to the Country Radio Hall of Fame started in Nacogdoches, TX in 1983, working every possible air shift for country and Top 40 formats. He quickly gravitated to programming in 1985, and then moved to Houston in 1993, signing on KKBQ. Garrison moved to WESC and WFNQ/Greenville, SC in 1994, then KMLE/Phoenix in 1996, before returning to Houston, and the programming helm at KILT. In addition to his day-to-day responsibilities, Garrison took on VP/Country Programming for KILT parent company CBS Radio, with oversight of 23 country outlets nationwide. Since 2013, Garrison has called San Antonio home, programming KCYY, and serving as format leader for Cox Media’s six country stations. Garrison has also given back to the country industry, serving on the ACM and CMA board of directors.
Gregg Lindahl has handled responsibilities at every level in radio, starting as an on-air personality before rising to MD, PD, and GM during 20 years at 10 country stations in seven markets. His career included 15 years at the corporate level, leading a market research company while pioneering digital initiatives. Like many radio professionals of his generation, Lindahl started while attending high school in Ortonville, MN. In 1980, he moved to KOMA/Oklahoma City, launching it as a country station. A move to legendary country brands WSM-AM/FM followed and included WSM-FM’s move to country. Lindahl returned to Oklahoma to program WKY and soon became the station GM. His managerial career continued at WSOC-A/F/Charlotte, KUPL/Portland, and WKXK/Chicago – which he flipped to country in 1995. In 1995, Lindahl joined Cox Media, serving as President for Eagle Research, and later VP/Interactive and New Technologies, and SVP/Digital Strategy. Lindahl has served on the CMA Board of Directors, the CRS agenda committee, and has been called upon for core moderator duties at recent CRS events.
MusicRow Pics: MusicRow’s 17th Annual CountryBreakout Awards
/by Sherod Robertsonhttps://musicrow.com/author/sherod_robertson/
MusicRow Magazine, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, is proud to reveal the winners for its 17th Annual Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards.
The private event, held Wednesday morning (Feb. 13) at The Listening Room Cafe, presented the winners to a packed house, including country radio broadcasters and industry affiliates ahead of the 2019 Country Radio Seminar (CRS).
Sponsored by business management firm Vaden Group/Elliott Davis, the event was hosted by MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson and MusicRow Chart Director Alex Kobrick.
This year’s award winners were determined by airplay accumulations on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart in 2018. In addition to celebrating this year’s honorees, guests were entertained with performances from Sea Gayle Records’ CJ Solar and independent artist Chance McKinney.
2019 MusicRow CountryBreakout Award Winners:
Independent Artist of the Year – CJ Solar
Reporter of the Year – Derek Beck
Songwriter of Year–Shane McAnally
Label of the Year – Capitol Records Nashville
Male Artist of Year – Jason Aldean
Female Artist of the Year – Kelsea Ballerini
Group/Duo of the Year – Florida Georgia Line
Breakout Artist of the Year – Jordan Davis
Attendees also received the newly-revealed MusicRow Magazine Country Radio print issue featuring Curb Records’ Dylan Scott on the cover.
Click here for more in-depth coverage from the legendary ‘Bobby Karl’ working the room at this annual event, which celebrates radio success on the MusicRow country radio chart.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Alex Kobrick, KRGI/Grand Island, NE’s Derek Beck, and MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): The Vaden Group’s Heather Campbell with Sea Gayle Records’ CJ Solar. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Chance McKinney performs at MusicRow‘s 17th Annual CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): John Schneider and Robert Oermann. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured: The Band Steele with MusicRow Chart Director Alex Kobrick (center). Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Shane Owens and Rich Eckhardt. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser Photography
Pictured (L-R): Manager Shellie Brown, Plowboy Records artist Marty Brown, and Plowboy Records President Shannon Pollard. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Kevin Ray Lawson, MusicRow Independent Artist of the Year winner CJ Solar, and Chance McKinney. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Jessie Runion, MusicRow Chart Director Alex Kobrick, and Shane Runion. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Toad, Stoney’s Rockin’ Country; Katlyn Lowe; Jim Della Croce, Pathfinder Management. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Renegade Radio Nashville’s Kaptain Jack and MusicRow Chart Director Alex Kobrick. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Country radio broadcasters, artists and industry affiliates enjoy the 17th Annual CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
On The Cover: 2019 ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Awards Issue
/by Haley CrowDylan Scott is featured as the cover artist for MusicRow Magazine’s 2019 CountryBreakout Awards Issue, which is available now.
A Louisiana native with a lifelong passion for country music, Scott is the total package—a powerful singer with a deep, resonating drawl; an old-soul songwriter with a young spirit; a heartthrob with an easy smile; and a dreamer who followed his father’s footsteps to Nashville. Prior to landing his record deal, he learned the basics of singing and playing guitar from his dad—a former guitar player for country legends Freddy Fender and Freddie Hart.
Scott launched onto the country music scene with “Making This Boy Go Crazy,” the debut single from his self-titled EP. His follow-up, the infectious “Crazy Over Me,” debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Country Digital Song Sales chart and hit the Top 40 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart. Scott’s debut album for Curb Records, DYLAN SCOTT, landed in the Top 5 of Billboard’s Country Albums chart, and its romantic standout RIAA Platinum-certified single, “My Girl,” became his first career No. 1 at country radio.
Continuing the momentum, his latest single, “Hooked,” has been streamed nearly 100 million times and is certified Gold. Fans have streamed Scott’s songs an impressive 545 million times and counting, and sales have topped 4 million song equivalent sales—figures that continue to grow by leaps and bounds. Scott’s headlining Nothing To Do Town Tour kicked off in January in New York City.
MusicRow’s 2019 CountryBreakout Awards Issue honors the artists, label imprint, and songwriter who have garnered the most spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart over the past year, as well as Reporter of the Year which was selected by MusicRow from its weekly reporting panel of over 80 country stations in the secondary radio market. In addition to winner-profiles, the issue includes interviews with incoming CRS leader RJ Curtis and outgoing leader Bill Mayne. Also profiled are BBR’s Granger Smith and Jon Loba, Nash Nights Live‘s Elaina Smith, Big Machine Radio’s Becca Walls, and MusicRow chart reporter Arnie Andrews (WCOW-COW97, Sparta, Wisconsin).
Copies of the 2019 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards Issue print magazine can be purchased here, or received with the purchase of a yearly MusicRow Magazine subscription.
Fifth Annual “The First And The Worst” Event To Feature Desmond Child, Jamie Floyd, Laura Veltz
/by Jessica NicholsonFor the fifth year, songwriters will come together to share the very first songs, and the very worst songs, they’ve ever written. Dubbed “The First And The Worst,” the annual event supports the work of Music Health Alliance, and will be held March 26 at Nashville’s City Winery.
Grammy-winning songwriter Desmond Child, “The Blade” writer Jamie Floyd, and “Speechless” co-writer Laura Veltz will take part in this year’s event. Child has earned more than 80 Billboard Top singles spanning five decades (including classics “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” and “Livin’ La Vida Loca”). Floyd has penned songs including Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade” and has appeared on the talent competition Real Country and the documentary The Last Songwriter. Veltz’s hits include the No. 1 Dan + Shay hit “Speechless,” as well as hits for Maren Morris, Eli Young Band and Chris Young. The event will be hosted by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper.
“The First & Worst has become a cornerstone of the foundation of Music Health Alliance,” said Music Health Alliance Founder & CEO Tatum Allsep. “In the last five years, this event has raised over $500,000 for our programs and services enabling access to life-saving healthcare for the music industry in their most vulnerable time of need.”
Individual tickets are on sale now, priced at $75 for balcony seats at citywinery.com. Sponsor tables start at $250 and can be purchased by contacting Music Health Alliance’s Shelia Shipley Biddy at shelia@musichealthalliance.com. Funds raised will help Music Health Alliance protect, direct & connect music industry professionals with medical and financial solutions.
Big Deal Music Group Inks Deal With Exactuals
/by Jessica NicholsonExactuals, a provider of solutions for complex payments and metadata issues in the entertainment industry, has partnered with Big Deal Music Group. Exactuals will provide advanced analytics services to Big Deal via its payer and payee portal dashboards to glean trends from real-time data for its entire roster and enable complete transparency for its artists. The portals are built on Exactuals’ flagship Software as a Service (SaaS) platform PaymentHub, which also enables secure, accurate, transparent, and fast payments for complex transactions such as residuals and royalties.
“At Big Deal, we put our all into creating the most value for our artists and songwriters, whether that be through exposure, sync placements, royalties, or more,” said Perrie Jones, Jr., Vice President, Creative Development at Big Deal. “Our partnership with Exactuals helps us do just that, ensuring that our roster and business partners have 24/7 access to the most up-to-date royalty activity data.”
“Big Deal works with a large roster of highly talented artists who generate mountains of payment data. PaymentHub empowers Big Deal’s leadership to create actionable insights from this data,” said Mike Hurst, CEO and Co-Founder of Exactuals. “The heart of our mission at Exactuals is to simplify the complex financial side of the industry, allowing publishers and rights-holders to focus on landing placements and growing their business rapidly. We are thrilled to enable Big Deal to serve its client base with a truly differentiated service.”
With PaymentHub, Big Deal can track payment data and conduct in-depth analysis in real time for its entire roster, which includes artists and songwriters such as Beach House, John Ryan, Teddy Geiger, Jake Sinclair, Julian Bunetta, Caroline Rose, Dan Wilson, Dave Sitek, Kamasi Washington, Lucy Dacus, My Morning Jacket, Nick Lowe, Pavement, Rosanne Cash, Sharon Van Etten, Sleater-Kinney, St. Vincent, and more.
Midland Leads The Big Gig For The Hall
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Cameron Duddy; Lisa Purcell, VP of Development, Education and Community Outreach at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Mark Wystrach; Jess Carson. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Big Machine Records trio Midland led the Big Gig, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s annual members-only concert last night (Feb. 12). The trio performed for more than 600 museum members.
From now until Thursday, Feb. 28, 2019, the museum is offering 10 percent off both individual and family memberships. Annual museum membership benefits include: unlimited free museum admission; performances and special events; unique programs for all ages; and discounts on dining, shopping, and tours of Hatch Show Print and Historic RCA Studio B.
Industry Ink: Kinkead Entertainment, 117 Management, KORE PR, Music Rights Administration Group
/by Jessica NicholsonPaul Bogart
Bogart Signs With Kinkead, 117 Management
Paul Bogart has signed with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, as well as with Zach Farnum’s 117 Management.
Bogart most recently released his acclaimed album, Leather, in 2017, produced by Trent Willmon. Kinkead and 117 join Willmon, Pepper Meiler/9,000 Miles New Media and 117 Publicity on the Paul Bogart team.
Glen Templeton Inks Deal With KORE PR
Alabama native Glen Templeton has signed with KORE PR for public relations representation. His new album Run With Me is in the works, with his new radio single to be released in March.
Music Rights Administration Group To Hold Launch Meeting Feb. 20
Music Rights Administration Group will hold a kick-off meeting at ASCAP’s Nashville office on Feb. 20 from noon until 1 p.m.
The Publishers Administration Network and Music Row Administration Group have joined forces to create Music Rights Administration Group, open to anyone who works with music rights issues, including publishers, administrators, labels, artists managers and more. The Feb. 20 meeting will introduce the group’s new coordinator, Concord Music’s Brian Buchanan, and will update attendees on the Music Licensing Collective Coalition.
ASCAP will provide lunch for the event, and RSVPs are being accepted at shirleyhutchins@aol.com
Glen Templeton
Glen Templeton Inks Deal With KORE PR
Alabama native Glen Templeton has signed with KORE PR for public relations representation. His new album Run With Me is in the works, with his new radio single to be released in March.
Music Rights Administration Group To Hold Launch Meeting Feb. 20
Music Rights Administration Group will hold a kick-off meeting at ASCAP’s Nashville office on Feb. 20 from noon until 1 p.m.
The Publishers Administration Network and Music Row Administration Group have joined forces to create Music Rights Administration Group, open to anyone who works with music rights issues, including publishers, administrators, labels, artists managers and more. The Feb. 20 meeting will introduce the group’s new coordinator, Concord Music’s Brian Buchanan, and will update attendees on the Music Licensing Collective Coalition.
ASCAP will provide lunch for the event, and RSVPs are being accepted at shirleyhutchins@aol.com
Country Music Hall Of Fame’s Peter Cooper To Lead ‘Voices In The Hall’ Podcast
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Hall of Fame will give listeners a deeper look into the stories behind the stars that help create the wide tapestry of country music in a new podcast series premiering Feb. 22, titled Voices In The Hall. The podcast is hosted by the museum’s senior director, producer and writer Peter Cooper and recorded inside the museum’s Audio Lab.
The first season includes interviews with Dierks Bentley, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Rosanne Cash, Dave Cobb, Jessi Colter, Larry Gatlin, Emmylou Harris, Sierra Hull, Ricky Skaggs, Ray Stevens, and Charlie Worsham.