Warner/Chappell Music has promoted Ben Vaughn to President & CEO. Vaughn will continue to lead the division’s creative and commercial activities. Having joined the company in 2012, Vaughn has been President of Warner/Chappell Nashville since 2017. He will report to Warner/Chappell Music’s incoming Co-Chair & CEO and the company’s Co-Chair & COO, Carianne Marshall.
“Ben has been an exceptional leader for our Warner/Chappell Nashville operation since coming on board seven years ago,” said Steve Cooper, CEO of Warner Music Group. “In addition to being an A&R force who’s deeply invested in the success of each and every songwriter, he’s an innovative, perceptive dealmaker and a staunch advocate for creative rights. Nashville is home to an extraordinary creative community that occupies a central place in the Warner/Chappell culture, and Ben’s richly deserved promotion recognizes both his outstanding accomplishments and his vision for the future.”
“The Nashville songwriting community is like none other in the world, and over the course of his 25 year career, Ben has played a pivotal role in making it the amazing place that it is today,” said Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO of Warner/Chappell Music. “From young, next generation songwriters to award-winning superstars, Ben’s instincts and expertise have made Warner/Chappell Nashville the definitive destination for incredible game-changing talent. I’m excited to work with him as our Nashville business continues to grow and flourish.”
“When I think about how I got here, it’s surreal how many brilliant people have invited me to be part of their story,” said Vaughn. “As Nashville continues to evolve, I’m excited to keep pushing forward and to support the phenomenal talent coming out of this city. Music publishing is team ball and we have the best team in the business—with the passion, drive and ambition to help our songwriters create hits on the world’s stage.”
Under Vaughn’s leadership, Nashville writers have experienced unprecedented genre-crossing success, among them Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, and Amy Wadge on Camila Cabello’s “Consequences”; Josh Miller on Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be”; and songwriters on Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” (Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers) and For King & Country’s “Joy” (Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Tedd Tjornhom).
Having championed artist development throughout his career in publishing, Vaughn counts recognizing and cultivating major label deals for such talents as Thomas Rhett, Devin Dawson, Dan + Shay, Midland, Cale Dodds, LANco, Brandon Lay, Josh Phillips, Riley Green, Michael Ray, Gone West, Seth Ennis, A Thousand Horses, Morgan Evans, and Carlton Anderson, among his many achievements.
Vaughn’s roster includes 2018 ACM Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins, 2018 CMA Song of the Year winner Chris Stapleton, 2018 CMA Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, and 2018 BMI Songwriter of the Year Jesse Frasure, as well as Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Dave Cobb, For King & Country, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip, Brett James, Jay Joyce, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Lee Miller, Randy Montana, Matthew Ramsey, Jordan Reynolds, and Liz Rose, among others. He has also worked with noted songwriters such as Guy Clark, Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Alan Jackson, The Warren Brothers, Chris Young, and many more.
Vaughn serves on the board of CMA and Belmont University’s Music Industry Advisory Board, and is a member of NMPA and a former Chairman of the ACM board. A Kentucky native, he was recently inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonel, and he received the Belmont University/ASCAP Music Milestone Award.
Before joining Warner/Chappell, Vaughn had become the youngest executive to head a major publisher in Nashville, as EVP & GM at EMI. Prior to his work at the majors, Vaughn ran an independent music publishing company starting at the age of 20.
Garth Brooks Reveals Bridgestone Arena Concert, Q&A Session As Part Of CRS 50th Anniversary
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Credit: Blue Rose Inc
Garth Brooks has announced he will make two special appearances during Country Radio Seminar’s 50th Anniversary event on Feb. 13 and Feb. 14 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.
On Wednesday, Feb. 13, Brooks will recreate his history-making, one-man show in an intimate concert setting at Bridgestone Arena exclusively for CRS 2019 badge holders with doors opening immediately following the Amazon Music Presents: “Country Heat” at CRS showcase starting at 6 p.m. CT.
On Thursday, Feb. 14 at 10 a.m. CT, there will be a special Q&A with Brooks and Steve Boom, VP of Amazon Music, moderated by Billboard’s West Coast Editor Melinda Newman. Amazon Music is the exclusive destination for streaming songs and albums from Brooks. Brooks recently announced FUN as the next title of his upcoming studio album, due out this Spring.
The Garth Brooks Stadium Tour has already sold out dates at The Dome at America’s Center in St. Louis, MO on March 9, State Farm Stadium in Glendale, Arizona on March 23, and two nights at U.S. Bank Stadium in Minneapolis, MN. Two other announced dates include Ben Hill Griffin Stadium in Gainesville, FL on April 20th and Heinz Field in Pittsburgh, PA on May 18th.
Wynonna Signs To ANTI- Records, Releases Cover Of Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good”
/by Jessica NicholsonWynonna has inked a new recording deal, and is working on her upcoming project for Los Angeles-based ANTI- Records. The label’s roster primarily consists of punk, pop-rock, soul, and indie rock artists, including Wilco, Neko Case, The Milk Carton Kids, Mavis Staples, The Drums, and more.
“Now more than ever, I am on a mission to rediscover the reason I got into this business,” Wynonna said, “and Anti- is giving me the musical freedom to do that.”
Wynonna, known for both her solo country hits including “No One Else On Earth,” as well as her lengthy list of hits as part of mother-daughter duo The Judds, recently released a stripped down, a cappella rendition of the Nina Simone classic “Feeling Good,” which the singer recorded on her iPhone.
She will be on tour throughout the United States this year with her band The Big Noise. Spring tour dates are listed below.
TOUR DATES
2/15 – Temecula, CA – Pechanga Resort & Casino
2/21 – The Woodlands, TX – Dosey Doe – The Big Barn
2/22 – Lawton, OK – Apache Casino Hotel
2/23 – Waco, TX – Hippodrome Theatre
3/8 – Peshawbestown, MI – Leelanau Sands Casino
3/9 – Kohler, WI – Kohler Memorial Theatre
3/15 – Toppenish, WA – Legends Casino Event Center
3/16 – Salem, OR – The Elsinore Theatre
3/18 – Bend, OR – Tower Theatre
3/20 – Helena, MT – Helena Civic Center
3/22 – Suquamish, WA – Suquamish Clearwater Casino
3/23 – Redding, CA – Cascade Theatre
3/24 – Boise, ID – Egyptian Theatre
3/26 – Aspen, CO – Wheeler Opera House
4/6 – Clinton, IA – Wild Rose Casino & Resort
4/7 – St. Louis, MO – River City Casino & Hotel
4/25 – Wilkesboro, NC – Merlefest 2019
Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson, Lindsay Ell To Play Tokyo For CMA’s Introducing Nashville Series
/by Lorie HollabaughThe CMA’s new international artist-focused touring series, Introducing Nashville, has added back-to-back shows at Blue Note Tokyo in Japan on Saturday, March 30 featuring Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson and Lindsay Ell. Prior to Japan, Introducing Nashville will visit multiple cities in Australia and New Zealand with Clark, Dawson, Ell and Tenille Townes (Australia only).
CMA will also host an industry event at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo on Thursday, March 28 with the Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph Young welcoming CMA and Japanese industry representatives from all sectors in the business. The reception will feature Frankie Ballard in addition to Clark, Dawson and Ell.
As part of CMA’s mission to support the expansion of country around the globe, Introducing Nashville will provide a platform to introduce artists to international audiences for the first time. Each tour stop will replicate a Nashville writer’s round, with artists appearing on stage together in an acoustic lineup, introducing their songs and talking about their careers and personal stories.
Introducing Nashville 2019 (Australia, New Zealand, Japan):
March 18 – Lismore, Australia – Lismore City Hall
March 19 – Brisbane, Australia – The Old Museum
March 21 – Sydney, Australia – The Factory Theatre
March 22 – Canberra, Australia – The Abbey
March 23 – Melbourne, Australia – Athenaeum Theatre
March 26 – Auckland, New Zealand – Tuning Fork
March 30 – Tokyo, Japan – Blue Note Tokyo (2 shows)
Ben Vaughn Promoted To President/CEO At Warner/Chappell Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner/Chappell Music has promoted Ben Vaughn to President & CEO. Vaughn will continue to lead the division’s creative and commercial activities. Having joined the company in 2012, Vaughn has been President of Warner/Chappell Nashville since 2017. He will report to Warner/Chappell Music’s incoming Co-Chair & CEO and the company’s Co-Chair & COO, Carianne Marshall.
“Ben has been an exceptional leader for our Warner/Chappell Nashville operation since coming on board seven years ago,” said Steve Cooper, CEO of Warner Music Group. “In addition to being an A&R force who’s deeply invested in the success of each and every songwriter, he’s an innovative, perceptive dealmaker and a staunch advocate for creative rights. Nashville is home to an extraordinary creative community that occupies a central place in the Warner/Chappell culture, and Ben’s richly deserved promotion recognizes both his outstanding accomplishments and his vision for the future.”
“The Nashville songwriting community is like none other in the world, and over the course of his 25 year career, Ben has played a pivotal role in making it the amazing place that it is today,” said Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO of Warner/Chappell Music. “From young, next generation songwriters to award-winning superstars, Ben’s instincts and expertise have made Warner/Chappell Nashville the definitive destination for incredible game-changing talent. I’m excited to work with him as our Nashville business continues to grow and flourish.”
“When I think about how I got here, it’s surreal how many brilliant people have invited me to be part of their story,” said Vaughn. “As Nashville continues to evolve, I’m excited to keep pushing forward and to support the phenomenal talent coming out of this city. Music publishing is team ball and we have the best team in the business—with the passion, drive and ambition to help our songwriters create hits on the world’s stage.”
Under Vaughn’s leadership, Nashville writers have experienced unprecedented genre-crossing success, among them Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, and Amy Wadge on Camila Cabello’s “Consequences”; Josh Miller on Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be”; and songwriters on Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” (Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers) and For King & Country’s “Joy” (Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Tedd Tjornhom).
Having championed artist development throughout his career in publishing, Vaughn counts recognizing and cultivating major label deals for such talents as Thomas Rhett, Devin Dawson, Dan + Shay, Midland, Cale Dodds, LANco, Brandon Lay, Josh Phillips, Riley Green, Michael Ray, Gone West, Seth Ennis, A Thousand Horses, Morgan Evans, and Carlton Anderson, among his many achievements.
Vaughn’s roster includes 2018 ACM Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins, 2018 CMA Song of the Year winner Chris Stapleton, 2018 CMA Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, and 2018 BMI Songwriter of the Year Jesse Frasure, as well as Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Dave Cobb, For King & Country, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip, Brett James, Jay Joyce, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Lee Miller, Randy Montana, Matthew Ramsey, Jordan Reynolds, and Liz Rose, among others. He has also worked with noted songwriters such as Guy Clark, Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Alan Jackson, The Warren Brothers, Chris Young, and many more.
Vaughn serves on the board of CMA and Belmont University’s Music Industry Advisory Board, and is a member of NMPA and a former Chairman of the ACM board. A Kentucky native, he was recently inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonel, and he received the Belmont University/ASCAP Music Milestone Award.
Before joining Warner/Chappell, Vaughn had become the youngest executive to head a major publisher in Nashville, as EVP & GM at EMI. Prior to his work at the majors, Vaughn ran an independent music publishing company starting at the age of 20.
Industry Ink: AIMP, T.J. Martell Foundation, Mike Hicks
/by Jessica NicholsonAIMP Membership Drive Coming Up
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) will hold a membership drive on Tuesday (Feb. 5) from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. at 1200 Villa Place (Ste. 110) in Nashville.
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) was formed in 1977 by a group of Los Angeles music publishers, and has local chapters in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. The organization’s primary focus is to educate and inform music publishers about the most current industry trends and practices by providing a forum for the discussion of the issues and problems confronting the music publishing industry. The AIMP provides a medium for those in the music industry to discuss with their colleagues various points of view from the cutting edge of the ever-changing music business. The opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with others on issues of mutual concern is fostered by the informal atmosphere of the AIMP’s monthly meetings, forums, and workshops.
T.J. Martell Foundation Benefit Coming Up
The benefit show Sips Sweets and Jewelry, featuring designer Kendra Scott, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Nashville’s Hill Center (4025 Hillsboro Pike). Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.
Nashville Musician Mike Hicks Sets 3rd & Lindsley Show
Nashville funk/soul artist Mike Hicks will perform at 3rd & Lindsley on Jan. 31 as part of the first Jill Block Presents series. Hicks handpicked Kyshona Armstrong to open the show, beginning at 7:30 p.m.
Hicks’ work as a side man and session musician includes stints with Rascal Flatts, Keb’ Mo’, and Johnny Lang. His latest release, Come Go With Me, features Grammy nominee PJ Morton and is available on all platforms.
“Mike’s music is infectious,” says promoter Jill Block. “His love for music – those that create it and share it with him – comes through in every fiber of his being. When you experience Mike on stage, you can’t help but be moved, energized and thrilled.”
Hicks is offering a VIP Experience that will include reserved premier seating, a pre-show, intimate backstage performance, a meet and greet, photo op and autographed show poster. VIP tickets are $30 in advance and ticket holders must arrive by 6:15. General admission tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. All ages are welcome.
Radio Personality Tricia Jenkins Joins Cumulus Media’s ‘The Ty Bentli Show’
/by Jessica NicholsonTricia Jenkins has joined Cumulus Media’s The Ty Bentli Show, joining host Ty Bentli, Chuck Wicks and the team on-air in mid-February. Jenkins heads to Nashville from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she was previously midday personality and Music Director at KMNB-FM, and fill-in personality at K102/KEEY-FM.
The Ty Bentli Show launched earlier this month, following the exit of Kelly Ford to join Nash FM’s 94.7 in New York. The Ty Bentli Show is syndicated exclusively by Westwood One.
John Shomby, Director of Programming, NASH, said: “The cast is now complete. We look forward to TJ being an integral part of The Ty Bentli Show.”
“TJ is one of the most amazing women I know,” Bentli professed. “Her value goes beyond the magic she will bring on-air with The Ty Bentli Show – she’s hilariously honest, strategically focused, and innately curious about others. Tricia Jenkins, welcome to the Music City!”
Jenkins noted: “It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been in this business, it’s still mind blowing to me that I get to live in Music City to be a part of The Ty Bentli Show as my JOB! I can’t wait to join the team at Cumulus Nashville and wake up with all of my new friends across the nation! Thank you, John Shomby, Ty, and Mike McVay for everything, but mostly for moving me out of -57 degrees (the current wind chill as I’m writing this)!”
Memorial Set For Shotgun Red Creator Steve Hall
/by Robert K OermannBy Robert K. Oermann
A celebration of the life of country musician and puppeteer Steve Hall is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater.
Best known as the creator of the popular TNN-TV cowboy puppet Shotgun Red, Hall died at age 64 on Dec. 29, 2018. He and his puppet were regulars on TNN’s flagship series Nashville Now in 1983-1993.
Adept on guitar, saxophone and piano, Hall began playing country music five nights a week as soon as he graduated from high school in Minnesota. He was the leader of the country band Southbound ‘76 when he discovered his puppet in a Brainerd, MN hobby shop in 1980.
After traveling to Nashville to compete in a Seagram’s “Battle of the Bands” contest, Hall and his endearing dummy decided to “crash” Ralph Emery’s early-morning TV show in Music City.
The ploy worked. Emery took a shine to the scruffy, mustached, cowboy-hatted and gravelly voiced Shotgun Red. When Emery graduated to hosting TNN’s Nashville Now, he brought Shotgun Red to national stardom on the program.
The puppet became so popular that Hall/Red and Emery recorded two LPs for RCA Records on Music Row. Ralph & Red: Songs for Children and Christmas With Ralph & Red were issued in 1989.
Steve Hall and Shotgun Red were tapped to host the puppet’s own show, TNN’s Country Clips for six years. In addition, Red was a regular on TV’s Hee Haw for a decade. He also hosted The Shotgun Red Variety Show on RFDTV and appeared on Buckmasters on The Outdoor Channel.
Red/Hall debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1993. The act later made several more Opry guest appearances.
Steve Hall & Shotgun Red were nominated as Comedian of the Year at the TNN Music City News Awards in 1995 and 1996.
Shotgun Red reportedly had one of country music’s largest fan clubs, with more than 100,000 members. In the wake of the puppet’s popularity, Steve Hall renamed his group The Shotgun Red Band.
The group became the “house act” at The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater. It also headlined regularly on the General Jackson showboat.
As a solo pianist, Hall issued the CD Country Crossroads in 2007.
Steve Hall died in his hometown Brainerd, MN while visiting there to go ice fishing.
He is survived by his sons Steve Hall Jr. and Jimmy Gunter, daughter Angela Bavetta, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, a sister and his fiancée Sheila Keeton.
Saturday’s memorial event is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater is located at 2416 Music Valley Drive.
Little Big Town To Headline Annual Boys & Girls Clubs Gala
/by Jessica NicholsonBoys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee will welcome Little Big Town to its annual Great Futures Gala on April 13, 2019, at the Omni Hotel (250 5th Avenue South, Nashville). The event takes place from 5–9 p.m.
Little Big Town—consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook—will headline the annual event supporting nine Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Davidson and Williamson counties and outreach programs serving more than 4,385 school-age children.
“Because of their professional success and reputation for giving back to the community, the members of Little Big Town are role models for all of the youth in our Clubs as they dream about their own bright and promising futures,” said Dan Jernigan, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “They are also sure to entertain attendees at the Great Futures Gala, which has become a can’t-miss event.”
The 2018 gala raised more than $420,000 for local youth programs and services.
Tickets are $350 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $3,000 – a portion of each is tax deductible. Tickets, tables, and sponsorships can be secured through www.BGCMT.org or by contacting (615) 983-6804.
Pandora Shareholders Approve Purchase by Sirius XM, CEO Roger Lynch To Step Down
/by Jessica NicholsonPandora CEO Roger Lynch will step down from the company, following the news that Pandora stockholders approved the company’s $3.5 billion acquisition by SiriusXM. Lynch has been in the CEO role since August 2017.
Jim Meyer, CEO of SiriusXM will lead Pandora and SiriusXM as a combined company going forward. Steve Bene, General Counsel of Pandora; Naveen Chopra, Chief Financial Officer of Pandora; and Kristen Robinson, Chief Human Resources Officer of Pandora, also will be exiting the company following the transaction closing.
At the special meeting of Pandora stockholders, holders of approximately 75 percent of the outstanding voting power of Pandora voting securities were voted, with approximately 97 percent of the votes cast in favor of the transaction.
The transaction is expected to close shortly, subject to customary closing conditions. Assuming completion of the transaction, shares of Pandora common stock are expected to be delisted from trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). As a result of the transaction, among other things, each share of Pandora common stock will be converted into 1.44 newly issued shares of Sirius XM common stock. Sirius XM common stock will continue to trade under the existing ticker symbol “SIRI” on The Nasdaq Global Select Market.
Donovan Woods Among 2019 Juno Awards Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughDonovan Woods has been nominated for two Juno Awards, for Contemporary Roots Album of The Year for Both Ways and Songwriter of the Year. Woods penned Charles Kelley’s “Leaving Nashville” and Tim McGraw’s “Portland, Maine,” and is releasing a brand new song, “Go To Her,” this Friday. His songs have amassed over 81 million streams on Spotify alone.
Other country Juno nominees for Album of the Year included We Were That Song– Brett Kissel, A Small Town Christmas – Jess Moskaluke, Country Music Made Me Do It – Meghan Patrick, Feels Like That – The Reklaws, and New Tattoo – Tim Hicks.
The 2019 Juno Awards, organized by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, will take place in London, Ontario, on March 17 and will air on the CBC network.