Amazon Music To Feature Zac Brown Band, Tenille Townes, More At CRS Country Heat Show

Amazon Music will host the second annual Amazon Music Presents: Country Heat at the 2019 CRS.  The two-hour show, powered by Live Nation, will take place Wednesday (Feb. 13) at 6 p.m. at Omni Nashville and will feature performances from Amazon’s Music’s global “Country Heat” playlist, including Zac Brown Band, Tenille Townes, Adam Hambrick, HARDY, and King Calaway.

“This year, we’re thrilled to bring some of today’s hottest rising and recognized country acts from our ‘Country Heat’ playlist to CRS,” said Ryan Redington, Director of Amazon Music. “We’re proud to participate in this event, a seminal force in the industry for 50 years.”

As part of Wednesday’s concert event and in-between artist’s sets, Radio Ink will return to honor the Top 30 Program Directors in the Country format.

Each year, program directors are reviewed and ranked by a panel of experts working in the country format. Experts base their judging on criteria that include how their station performs, programming experience, their contribution to the country radio format, how they mentor others and what they give back to the industry. The final list is compiled by the editorial staff at Radio Ink Magazine.

“We are thrilled to be a part of this amazing event at CRS again this year, which, without a doubt, is the #1 highlight in country radio every year,” said Deborah Parenti, Radio Ink‘s Publisher. “The opportunity to honor some of the hardest working, smartest, and most engaging program directors in radio there makes it even more special both for them and for us. Thanks to CRS and Amazon for making the opening night at CRS a night to remember.”

Fairground Saints Release New Track “California” From Forthcoming EP

The Nashville-based trio Fairground Saints (Elijah Edwards, Meg McAllister, and Mason Van Valin) released a new song, “California” on Friday (Jan. 25). The track, which is available now on all digital retailers and streaming services, will be featured on their upcoming new EP, due out this Spring on Sony Music Nashville.

“We’ve always written our own songs, but this time our producer and good friend Marshall Altman gave us this song and from first listen we were hooked,” said the band. “It felt tailor made for us…Almost as if it was born out of our own personal experience. It’s quintessential California imagery and it’s heartfelt melody felt like home to us and we’re so happy to be able to bring the song to life.”

“California” comes on the heels of the release of “Somewhere Down the Line,” which was the first music released under the group’s global development deal with Sony Music Nashville and Sony-owned distribution and digital marketing arm The Orchard. The trio first formed in 2015 in Santa Barbara, and have already amassed millions of streams from tracks from their self-titled debut.

Sony Music Nashville Adds Robert Counts To Roster

Seated (L-R): Jimmy Ritchey; Robert Counts; Sony Music Nashville Chairman and CEO Randy Goodman; SMN EVP and COO Ken Robold. Standing (L-R): SMN EVP, A&R Jim Catino; SMN SVP, Legal and Business Affairs Angie Magill; SMN VP, Sales Caryl Atwood; SMN Director, A&R Margaret Tomlin; SMN Director, Marketing Liz Cost; SMN EVP Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges.

Sony Music Nashville has signed Robert Counts to its roster.

Counts grew up in Franklin, Tennessee and picked up guitar as a teenager. While attending college at Lee University, he developed his performance and songwriting skills. He also won a multi-week songwriting contest, which spurred him to pursue music as a career.

“I just can’t believe that my music has caught the attention of a major industry powerhouse like Sony Music Nashville,” said Counts. “This label has been home to many of my own artistic influences and musical heroes over the years and I am honored and humbled today to be adding my name to this roster. I’m looking forward to big things with this team and this partnership!”

Counts’ first two releases “Backseat Driver” and “Someone in My Someday” are available now at all streaming platforms and digital retailers. He has writing credits on both tracks, co-penning “Backseat Driver” with Nicolette Hayford and Matt Willis, while Daniel Ross and Laura Veltz were co-writers on the latter. Dann Huff and Jimmy Ritchey served as co-producers.

Counts is signed to Sony/ATV Music Publishing, affiliated with ASCAP, and is booked via WME.

Weekly Chart Report (1/25/19)

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Spirit Music Group Announces Recapitalization

Jon Singer

Spirit Music Group has announced a recapitalization and is now wholly-owned by the newly-formed Lyric Capital Group. COO Jon Singer will become Chairman of Spirit Music Group and Managing Partner of Lyric, while Ross Cameron will continue in an executive role at Spirit and become a Partner at Lyric. Key Nashville execs including Daniel Hill all remain in place.

Led by Singer, the indie publishing company secured over $350 million in the move which will help to recapitalize its catalog and future acquisitions.

“There is a powerful shift occurring within the music industry and this new dynamism means that Spirit, with our amazing songwriters, dedicated team and 75,000 songs, is especially well-positioned for growth,” said Singer. “We are privileged to have major institutional investors on board, providing us with additional capital to grow.  I am very excited to serve the incredible songwriters that make up the Spirit family during this exciting time.”

Spirit’s portfolio includes over 200 No. 1 Billboard hits and over 450 Top 10 songs from artists like Chicago, Eminem, Sam Hunt, Jay Z, Madonna, Tim McGraw, Elvis Presley, Ed Sheeran, Blake Shelton, Frank Sinatra, Taylor Swift, The Who and Whitney Houston.

Among its most notable songwriters and writer/artists are James Bay, John Barrett, Alan and Marilyn Bergman, Big Data, Marc Bolan, T Bone Burnett, Zach Crowell, Henry Mancini, Johnny McDaid, The Marshall Tucker Band, Graham Nash, John Newman, Doc Pomus, Frank Rogers, Boz Scaggs, Billy Squier, Pete Townshend, and newer artists including Dagny and Tim Montana.

Producer Tay Keith Signs Nashville High School Student To Production Deal

Tay Keith and James Spencer IV

Recent Middle Tennessee State University graduate Tay Keith has already notched top production credits, and a Grammy nomination, for his work with artists including Drake (“Nonstop”), Eminem (“Not Alike”) and Travis Scott (“Sicko Mode”). While making his own mark on the music scene, he’s also making it a point to help others who aspire to be part of the music industry.

James Spencer IV, an 11th grade student at Nashville Big Picture High School, inked a production agreement with Keith’s production company, Dramatized, on Jan. 23. Spencer, who also plans to attend Keith’s alma mater MTSU after graduation, hopes to become a record producer and own his own record label.

“I’m excited, just really excited,” said the 16-year-old, who recently completed an internship at Notes for Notes, an after-school recording studio housed in the local Boys and Girls Club.

“I’ve had my eye on a couple of producers in Nashville and he just rose to the top,” said Keith. “He listened well, paid attention to what we told him and was just a very humble person to work with.”

James Spencer IV

Industry Pics: APA, Warner Music Nashville, Southern Rock Cruise

APA Celebrates David Lee Murphy

PIctured (L-R): APA’s Steve Lassiter, David Lee Murphy, his manager Doug Casmus and Reviver Founder/CEO David Ross.

APA threw a party for Reviver’s David Lee Murphy to celebrate his recent successes, which include a No. 1 single (“Everything’s Gonna Be Alright”), opening stadium tour dates for Kenny Chesney, and his first CMA Award.

 

The Wild Feathers, Warner Music Celebrate In NYC

Pictured (L-R): Anna Cage (Regional Manager, WAR Radio & Streaming), John Foxx (PD, WNSH), Mike Krinik (EMI), and [in front] Jimmy Rector (EMI)

Anna Cage (WMN), John Foxx (WNSH), Mike Krinik (EMI), and Jimmy Rector (EMI) enjoyed a night out in the Big Apple recently to see The Wild Feathers open for Brothers Osborne.

 

Lynyrd Skynyrd Takes Southern Rock Cruise To Cozumel

Pictured (L-R): Rickey Medlocke (guitar), Michael Cartellone (drums) and Gary Rossington (guitar) of Lynyrd Skynyrd; Southern Rock Cruise Executive Producer/StarVista LIVE Senior Vice President Mike Jason; Southern Rock Cruise Executive Producer Mike Robertson; Skynyrd’s Johnny Van Zant (lead vocals), Peter Keys (keyboard), Keith Christopher (bass guitar) and Mark ‘Sparky’ Martejka (guitar). Photo: StarVista LIVE

Lynyrd Skynyrd recently headlined the 2019 Southern Rock Cruise for 2,000 fans aboard the Norwegian Pearl in Cozumel, Mexico.

Rumblefish, 7digital Offer Turn‐key Solution For Music Distributors

Rumblefish, a division of The Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and the nation’s leading provider of rights administration services, has expanded its relationship with 7digital, the global leader in B2B end‐to‐end digital music solutions, to collectively power and provide rights clearance and royalty administration services for innovative music distribution models including audiovisual uses, gaming, AR/VR, mobile apps and more. These services expand upon both companies’ long standing history of servicing clients with on‐demand, audio‐only streaming models.

With this collaboration, Rumblefish will leverage its complete rights management solution, that spans from publisher license issuance to data management to royalty services, to expedite service launches and streamline administration for emerging music distribution models – both for major global brands and innovative startups – that are powered by 7digital’s content and technology. This combination of companies provides a one‐stop‐shop to launch or expand a music service offering.

7digital is the global leader in B2B end‐to‐end digital music solutions. The company has worked with clients and partners around the world since 2004 to transform the listening experience, providing technical infrastructure and global music rights to create music streaming and radio services. 7digital has launched over 200 music services globally, for customers including consumer brands, mobile carriers, broadcasters, automotive systems, record labels and retailers.

“We’re delighted to be deepening our relationship with Rumblefish and the team at HFA to negotiate the complex world of music rights on our customers’ behalf,” said Stacey Mitsopulos, Director of Legal and Business Affairs, and Music Partnerships at 7digital. “This partnership will not only help music streaming services to launch and expand quicker, it will also enable innovative models in other sectors to use licensed music in their offerings and deliver value to the music industry.”

“7digital has been a Rumblefish client and HFA licensee since 2012, and we’re thrilled they have chosen to extend and expand our relationship,” said Michael Simon, President and CEO of The Harry Fox Agency. “Our collaboration will enable more companies to thrive in the music distribution space.”

In addition to digital service providers, Rumblefish supports all type of music distributors including video streaming, labels, gamers, AV/VR, mobile apps, background music, lyrics, tablature, karaoke, and more.

Joy Williams Shares Title Track To Upcoming Album, ‘Front Porch’

Joy Williams

Joy Williams has unveiled the title track to her upcoming album, Front Porch, which is set to release May 3 via Sensibility/Thirty Tigers.

The new album was produced by Kenneth Pattengale of The Milk Carton Kids, and engineered by Matt Ross-Spang. Williams has previously released two tracks from the upcoming project, including “Canary” and “The Trouble With Wanting.”

The four-time Grammy winner and former member of The Civil Wars is set to headline several tour stops beginning in February, including shows in Los Angeles, San Francisco, Seattle, Denver, Boston, New York City, and Philadelphia, as well as two shows at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley in May.

YouTube video

Bluebird Cafe Documentary To World Premiere At SXSW Film Festival

Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe is the subject of a new in-depth documentary that has been selected for a world premiere at the prestigious SXSW Film Festival. The festival runs March 8-17, 2019 in Austin, Texas.

Directed by Brian Loschiavo and produced by Loschiavo and Bluebird Cafe GM Erika Wollam Nichols, the 90-minute film features unforgettable performances by Taylor Swift, Garth Brooks, Maren Morris, Vince Gill, Jason Isbell and many more. Cinematographer Jeff Molyneaux captured the original stories of music royalty and followed emerging singer-songwriters as they chased their dreams for the film.

“The Bluebird Cafe is home to thousands of musical storytellers, both established writers and new rising stars, and yet its own story has never been told in film,” said Nichols. “We’re excited to have captured the Bluebird’s history, through stories and songs from many folks whose lives have intersected with and were changed by their performance at this tiny, accidental landmark.”