Dylan Scott Announces New EP, ‘Nothing To Do Town’

/by

Curb Records artist Dylan Scott will be releasing his new EP, Nothing To Do Town, on April 26. The title track will be released to radio Monday (Jan. 14).

Inspired by family and his youth in rural northeast Louisiana, Nothing To Do Town features six tracks–five of which were co-written by the rising star himself. Produced by Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, and Jim Ed Norman, the project follows the success of Scott’s Platinum and Gold-certified breakouts, “My Girl” and “Hooked.”

YouTube video

 

Scott will also headline the Nothing To Do Town Tour, launching Thursday (Jan. 17), featuring 19 dates with newcomer Seth Ennis.

“The past two years–both personally and professionally–have been the most exciting of my life,” said Scott. “With my new single hitting radio on Monday and my tour kicking off in New York City three days later, 2019 is starting off in a whirlwind and I couldn’t be more excited. I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play new music. Looks like it’s going to be a busy year!”

The recently announced iHeart Radio Best New Country Artist nominee is set to highlight the New Faces Showcase lineup at the 2019 Country Radio Seminar in Nashville on Feb. 15.

Pre-orders for the project start today (1/11).

Nothing To Do Town EP Track Listing:
1. “Nothing To Do Town” – Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Cole Taylor
2. “Look At Us Now” – Scott, Alderman, Dallas Wilson
3. “Nobody” – Scott, Alderman, Dallas Wilson
4. “You Got Me” – Justin Wilson, Jason Sever, Kyle Fishman
5. “Honey I’m Home” – Scott, Alderman, Lindsay Rimes
6. “Anniversary” – Scott, Alderman, Corey Crowder

New Report Illustrates How Record Labels Evolved Towards Streaming

/by

Larry Miller, founder of music industry consulting and analytics firm Musonomics and NYU professor/director of the music business program at NYU Steinhardt, has released a report on the evolution of record labels in his new report, “Same Heart. New Beat. How Record Labels Amplify Talent in the Modern Music Marketplace.”

Based on almost 50 interviews with top-level executives at both major and independent record labels and commissioned by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA), Miller explores the changes that have taken place in the past decade with record labels in the digital age.

“The digital revolution in music meant that anyone with a creative spark and a computer could make and distribute a song. While terrifically empowering, this led to an avalanche of new music dumped online every week – paradoxically making it harder for musicians to connect with audiences,” said Miller. “As the former head of an indie with major label distribution in the early ’00s, I was curious to examine the current state of play. While there are examples of individual, DIY artist success, the realities of the 24/7 global marketplace demand specialized teams with the ability and resources to react instantly to opportunities wherever and whenever they pop up – and the labels have evolved to meet this need.”

The report examines the “Then” vs “Now” of A&R, Marketing & Promotion, Artist Contracts & Services, Sales & Distribution, and Data. Some of the key findings include:

  • Record labels have evolved to become music-based entertainment companies, focused on engaging fans with a continuous stream of social, “snackable” music-based content
  • The promotion of a single song now requires the resources that used to be allocated for an entire album
  • Data is critical in every aspect of operations – but only provides insight when coupled with the instinct derived from working on a deep roster of artists and genres across territories – to separate data signals from noise and form the right strategy for an individual artist or release
  • No longer constrained by limited physical retail shelf space, the opportunity for legacy artists has exploded as labels now maximize catalog in ways that go far beyond the occasional reissue

To download the full report, visit musonomics.org/modernlabelreport.

Judah & The Lion Drops New Single, ‘Over My Head’

/by

Nashville-based band and Belmont alums Judah & the Lion are kicking off the New Year with the release of their new single, “Over My Head.” The synth-and-banjo driven track comes on the heels of “Pep Talk” and “Quarter-Life Crisis,” a multi-track single released in December and the band’s first new music since their sophomore album, Folk Hop N Roll.

“Over My Head” is a deeply personal look into vocalist Judah Akers’ mindset during a time that was both professionally exciting and personally turbulent.

“I was on the road and homesick,” recalls Judah Akers. “So that feeling’s rushing in, mom’s not doing well, not talking to dad, my sister’s sad. All these thoughts were happening and I was so overwhelmed with life. I was medicating and distracting myself in different ways so I could get through.”

Judah & the Lion (Judah Akers, Nate Zuercher, Brian Macdonald) began 2019 in front of a crowd of 200,000 at Nashville’s New Year’s Eve celebration where they debuted the songs live and again performed “Over My Head” the next day at NHL’s Winter Classic at Notre Dame Stadium on NBC. Already announced for this year’s Hangout Music Festival in May, fans can expect more on the horizon live from the trio soon.

Kobalt’s AWAL Teams With The Other Nashville Society

/by

Kobalt’s recordings company AWAL has engaged in a year-long partnership with Nashville-based, non-country music industry organization The Other Nashville Society (TONS).The partnership will create various events and programs to help Nashville creators connect and advance their careers.

TONS, which launched in 2017, hand-selects its group members, which include numerous influential industry members and creators.

AWAL Lonny Olinick commented, “Nashville is one of the most diverse and vibrant music communities out there and we see this partnership as an opportunity for AWAL to discover, develop, and launch global artists. AWAL and TONS are aligned in our ultimate goal of bringing artists together and helping them grow their careers. We look forward to all that we will accomplish together this year.”

Josh Collum, Co-founder & Partner of TONS added, “This is more than just a sponsorship for us. This is a deep, strategic partnership. We believe in what AWAL is doing, and we feel like our membership and our city needs to get to know them better. We’re already working on some really cool things we can do together, and you’ll see those roll out throughout 2019.”

Opry NextStage Launches Kickoff Event With Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes, Travis Denning

/by

Pictured (L-R): Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Opry Entertainment’s Sally Williams, Tenille Townes and Travis Denning.

Opry Entertainment’s Opry NextStage, a yearlong collaboration with rising country artists Riley Green, Tegan Marie, Tenille Townes and Travis Denning, launched Tuesday night (Jan. 8) with a kickoff party and sold-out concert at Ole Red Nashville.

“This is an exciting night and we are thrilled to welcome these four rising stars in country music,” said Sally Williams,  General Manager, Grand Ole Opry / Sr. Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment. “The Opry is 93 years old and it is all of our responsibility to make sure it is still amazing for the next 93 years. You all are going to be part of that!”

“I’m honored to have the Opry team put their hands around my career,” said Green. “Some of my all-time favorite country music memories are watching past Opry moments and performances and now I get to be a part of that.”

“I learn something new every time I perform there and love doing things the audience doesn’t expect,” said Tegan. “I can’t wait to see what’s ahead.”

Throughout the year, Opry Entertainment will work closely with this inaugural class and its artist teams to amplify their initiatives using assets from across the company’s brands, venues and channels. Opportunities for the Opry NextStage artists include performances on the Grand Ole Opry at the Opry House and Ryman Auditorium, performances at Ole Red locations, appearances in a short form documentary video series produced by Opry Entertainment’s content team, customized digital activations utilizing Opry social assets including Opry.com, OleRed.com, WSMOnline.com, and other opportunities including outdoor advertising, special event performances, 650 WSM-AM /wsmonline.com podcasts and radio specials.

“It means so much to have the Opry family support me,” remarked Tenille. “I came to Nashville as a tourist and fan many years ago before my career began and we visited the Opry. I sat with my family in the Opry pews and I dreamed of getting to do this someday.”

“I look forward to creating moments each and every time I play the Opry,” said Denning. “I want to learn all the stories and soak up the Opry history.”

Weekly Chart Report (1/11/19)

/by

Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Entertainment Law Firm Leavens, Strand & Glover Merges With Mandell Menkes

/by

Entertainment law firm Leavens, Strand & Glover has merged with Chicago-based Mandell Menkes, as of Jan. 1.

The combination expands Mandell Menkes’ media and entertainment practice, giving its large media, advertising and entertainment clients access to the deep experience of Tom Leavens, Peter Strand and their team. Leavens, Strand & Glover’s media and entertainment industry clients will be able to draw on Mandell Menkes’ highly-regarded litigators, corporate, commercial transactional and intellectual property attorneys.

The firm will continue to be known as Mandell Menkes and will boast 18 attorneys in Chicago, Nashville, Tennessee and Grand Rapids, Michigan. Leavens, Strand and Linda Mensch join in Chicago, while Hillel Frankel represents the firm’s Tennessee office and Joe Voss joins in Michigan. Leavens, Strand & Glover founding partner Jerry Glover retired from the firm in 2017.

The Nashville office is located at 1102 17th Ave. S., Ste. 306.

“We have long admired Tom, Peter and their colleagues for the tremendous reputation they have built in the entertainment, film, and music law arenas – in both their client work and their deep commitment to pro bono representation of emerging artists,” said Steve Mandell. “Their depth of experience in media, entertainment and the arts is the perfect complement to our media and entertainment practice, and we look forward to offering a broader range of services to our combined client base.”

“From our first conversations, we knew this was an unparalleled pairing of practices that would provide enormous benefits to our nationwide client base,” said Leavens. “We are thrilled to be joining forces with Steve, Bruce Menkes and the other highly-regarded attorneys at Mandell Menkes to create a premier firm focused on helping clients grow and protect their assets.”

Former Academy Of Country Music Exec Tiffany Moon Joins VUMC

/by

Tiffany Moon

Tiffany Moon has been named Director in The Office of Engagement at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. In this position, Moon will report directly to Stuart Dill, Senior Vice President of the Office of Engagement at VUMC, and will specifically work on special projects and events to engage celebrities and high-profile entertainment personalities (music, sports, film and television) in programs that elevate the Vanderbilt Health brand and cultivate philanthropy.

Prior to joining Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Moon served as EVP, Managing Director of the Academy of Country Music in Los Angeles for 16 years.

Moon was an executive producer of many of the Academy’s television properties, and oversaw the complex move to Arlington, Texas for the historic 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards Show at the AT&T Stadium, which garnered a Guinness World Record for “the most attended live awards show ever.”

Along with managing logistics, ticketing, talent booking, and other crucial aspects of the broadcasts and outside events, Moon directed all departments in the organization, and was a founding member of the Academy’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives. Moon served as an officer to both organizations in her role as Secretary to the Board.

Amanda Shires, Margo Price, Brandi Carlile Form Supergroup The Highwomen

/by

 

[Updated, Jan. 11, 2019]: It seems this highly-anticipated trio is quite yet official. Shires tweeted the evening of Jan. 10, “I accidentally jumped the gun when I spoke w/ WFPK about my idea for a The Highwomen. Brandi and I do have something in the works and we will announce the exact details when it comes to fruition. Just wanted to let you know that nothing is official and this isn’t news yet.”

[Original post, published Jan. 10, 2:08 p.m. CT]:

Three of music’s boldest voices have partnered to form a new supergroup. Amanda Shires, Margo Price, and Brandi Carlile will collaborate on a new project under the name The Highwomen. Shires dropped the news during an interview with 91.9 WFPK, and said Jim Lauderdale is also involved as a songwriter with the group. The group is going into the studio in March to record tracks.

The group’s name was inspired by the country supergroup The Highwaymen, which included Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings and Kris Kristofferson

“We’ve been writing some songs together for a new project I started with Brandi Carlile. Me, her, and Margo Price,” Shires said. “I don’t even know if I’m supposed to be talking about it, but we’ve got a new group called the Highwomen coming up—as in exalted, not stoned. I mean I’m sure being stoned is fine depending on where you are and all of that. I’m not advocating anything, or un-advocating anything. Anyway, we’re recording it in March, so we were writing some songs.”

Shires first approached Carlile with the idea, and notes that the album will feature special guests including Sheryl Crow.

“We’ve been friends for a long time,” Shires said. “I met [Brandi] on a Cayamo Cruise I can’t even remember when, a long time ago. And we’ve been friends. We were at The Basement [Nashville] for some reason, and I told her about this idea I had called the Highwomen, and she was like, ‘I love that idea.’ And I was like, ‘I want you to be in it. And I want you to help me run this because I’m terrible at business, and my voice isn’t as great as yours.’ And she was like, ‘Yeah I’ll be in your band The Highwomen.’ Then we asked Margo and she said ‘Yeah.’ And we have guests like Sheryl Crow. Any women that want to come, and men, it’s all inclusive. It’s not like man haters.”

“We’ve written a whole lot of songs, me and Brandi, and then on our own we have [written songs] too. And I thought it would be fun to have me and Jim [Launderdale] write and see if anything came out that would work for the Highwomen, and I think we did good. I like co-writing. It’s fun to see how other people’s minds work and process, and I’ve always been such a big fan of his writing. You know, who doesn’t love George Strait? And him as a person, really.”

While Shires, Price and Carlile each have unique sounds that incorporate elements of country and Americana, Shires clarified that the project will be decidedly country.

“For myself and Brandi, the music that we do on our own is our top priority. But this other project that we’re doing is also a priority, but what we want to do is play more country music. So it will be more country.”

Carlile leads the current crop of nominees heading into the upcoming Grammy Awards, earning six nominations for her most recent album By The Way, I Forgive You, including three nods in the all-genre categories. Price is also a current Grammy nominee in the all-genre Best New Artist category. Shires’ latest album To The Sunset released in August 2018.

ACM Lifting Lives Announces 2018 Fall Grant Cycle Recipients

/by

ACM’s Lifting Lives program has announced its 2018 fall grant cycle beneficiaries, with grants totaling more than $270,000 going to a selection of organizations including the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, the Country Music Hall of Fame, Notes For Notes, the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, the  W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School, and many more.

 “ACM Lifting Lives has prospered year over year due to the incredible commitment of the country music community, artists and industry and we are thrilled to announce a significant increase in this year’s deserving grant beneficiaries,” said Tree Paine, Chairman of ACM Lifting Lives. “We look forward to continuing to fund programs in which we are able to improve lives through the power of music.”

 Programs funded through this grant cycle include:

  • Arts Wisconsin – Arts Wisconsin is a statewide organization providing a leadership forum for advancing the local and statewide creative economy, integrating the arts and creativity in education, educating entrepreneurs and activists, and engaging policy-makers and the public as a catalyst for dialogue, information, and action. Funds will go towards music therapy program providing sessions in the local public-school district (Racine Unified) for Music Therapy Methodology, which includes Neurologic Music Therapy, improvisation and sensory integration and Cognitive Therapy techniques.
  • Barefoot Republic, Inc. – Barefoot Republic serves more than 2,100 youth through Day Camp, Overnight Camp, and year-round service, learning and performance opportunities in Kentucky, Tennessee, and California. Approximately one-third of campers participate in music programming. In 2019, ACM will provide full tuition assistance for 30 disadvantaged youth, costs covering activities, meals, supplies and staffing.
  • Camp Sunshine Inc – Camp Sunshine enriches the lives of Georgia’s children with cancer and their families through year-round recreational, educational and support programs. This grant will support the Music Program, with the funds being used directly to pay for the musician hired for 2 weeks of summer camp, for the purchase of new musical instruments and equipment, and to hire musicians for 2 weeks of Sunshine 2U – a hospital program for children too ill to leave the hospital setting.
  • Carnegie Mellon University – Carnegie Mellon University will pay a principal investigator to develop the pedagogy, train the research assistants and music teachers, assist in issuing pre and post-tests, implement the intervention in a six-week study and organize and analyze the all data. The project will then be completed by writing the corresponding research paper on 24-32 participants.
  • Children’s Hospital Los Angeles – CHLA relies on the generosity of philanthropists in the community to support compassionate patient care, leading-edge education of the caregivers of tomorrow and innovative research efforts that impact children at their hospital and around the world. Funds will support a portion of the salary of a professional music therapist in their existing Music Therapy Program.
  • COPD Foundation – The COPD Foundation and PEP (Pulmonary Empowerment Program) have established Harmonicas for Health, the first nationwide harmonica program created especially for individuals with COPD and other chronic lung diseases. This year, help will go towards developing an online version of the program, education for leaders and support improvements throughout the program.
  • Country Music Hall of Fame – The Country Music Hall of Fame created the Instrument Trunks School Outreach Program. This initiative provides free resources to classrooms in Middle TN through the loan of instruments which allows students to feel, hold, play and hear the timeless tools of musicians. The goal of the Instrument Trunks School Outreach program is to support Middle TN schools and Metro Nashville Public Schools as they aim to improve academic achievement for students most at-risk of not succeeding.
  • Follow Your Heart Arts Program, Inc. – The Follow Your Heart Arts Program provides music education opportunities in the hometown of country music artist Charlie Worsham in rural Mississippi. Funds will be used to purchase instruments, seats for the room for instructions and expanding the Songwriters workshop.
  • Foundations of Music – Foundations of Music brings music education to underserved classrooms and communities across Chicago. Funds will be used to support its Songwriting/Production Program for students in grades PreK-8, which teaches students to write and produce songs.
  • Glenvar High School – Funds will be used to complete music production rooms for students at Glenvar High School in Salem, Virginia.
  • High Hopes Development Center – The High Hopes Development Center is a pre-school with on-site pediatric clinic, serving children with special needs and long-term disabilities alongside their typically-developing peers. The Center offers a Music Enrichment Program for 148 preschoolers, 60% of whom are typically-developing and 40% having special needs. Funds will be used to assist the Music Enrichment Program with music teacher salary, instruments, and curriculum.
  • Los Angeles Music and Art School (LAMusArt) – Funds will go to support the programs expenses of its tuition-free music ensemble, which includes weekly mentorship and coaching to the students in K-12 in the community of the East Los Angeles. LAMusArt strives to create paths to creative futures by means of arts education.
  • Maryville University’s Kids Rock Cancer – Kids Rock Cancer is an innovative program that helps children successfully cope with the unique emotional challenges that accompany a cancer diagnosis. Through the proven healing power of music therapy, Kids Rock Cancer helps children combat feelings of anxiety, depression, uncertainty and helplessness. Funds will support a third therapist to further develop special programs and camps, provide an additional 25 therapy sessions per year, serve five camps during summer 2019, which include approximately 75-100 campers total and assist in managing patient data.
  • Mr. Holland’s Opus Foundation ­– Mr. Holland’s Opus keeps music alive in their schools by donating musical instruments and vital support services to under-funded music programs, giving economically disadvantaged youth access to this type of education. The many benefits of music education, includes helping students to be successful and inspiring creativity and expression through playing music. Funds will focus on Aiken County Public Schools in South Carolina to help with the purchase of instruments.
  • Music for Seniors – Music for Seniors connects area musicians with older adults through live and interactive programs designed to engage, entertain and educate seniors, by delivering programs to groups in recreational and care settings, offering public daytime concerts at accessible venues, and teaching group classes in instrument and vocal performance. Funds will be used to train and schedule more musicians to facilitate additional Music-Making outreach sessions.
  • Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame – Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame mission is to honor Nashville’s legacy of songwriting excellence through preservation, celebration and education. The funds will be used for the Express Yourself Program, a free after school program for middle school students, 5th– 8th grade in Nashville. While in their 3rd year at JT Moore Middle school, the program includes 20 students and this year is expanding to two additional schools. The program is open to all students and available at no charge. Per school, the funds will provide a weekly stipend for the program’s Song Coach.
  • Notes for Notes – Notes for Notes provides youth with free access to musical instruments, instructions and a recording studio. Funds will go towards their Song2Studio2Radio program.  The project will culminate a collective group of songs and podcasts written and performed by youth participants combined with Nashville’s greatest songwriters.  The writers will work with the kids via songwriting, instructions, recording sessions and podcasting.
  • Oliver Middle School Drama – The OMS Drama Boosters believe that a successful drama program creates opportunities for students to grow in confidence while they discover their talents. Students learn life skills  and values. Funds will go towards the expansion of the program serving underprivileged students, and encourages the youth to stay in school.
  • Porter’s Call – Porter’s Call serves recording artists and their families by providing them with counsel, support, and encouragement to deal with issues off-stage. The staff currently sees 30 plus artists and/or spouses per week, often referred by record companies. Funds will be used toward counseling hours, so they can continue to offer counseling free of charge to artists and expand available hours.
  • Project C.A.M.P. Inc. – Project C.A.M.P. Inc. offers a Music Therapy program all year round addressing developmental goals in speech and communication, social skills development, behavioral, social, emotional and other skill sets. This allows children to the opportunity to experience normalcy through interactions with peers who share the same health conditions. Funds will include purchase of instruments, educational materials, staffing, facilities, adaptive equipment needs for children with limited mobility.
  • Shell Lake Arts Center –  The Shell Lake Arts Center mission is to provide innovative music and arts education experiences for youth ages 12 to 18, as well as seminars and workshops for adults.  The funds will be used to fund scholarships to musical camps throughout the summer.  In nine weeks, 24 different camps are held for musicians and young artists.
  • Songs for Sound – Songs for Sound aims to provide everyone with an opportunity to live a mainstream life full of sound and language, and music. Funds will provide hearing protection and hearing education materials on noise-induced hearing loss to be distributed by the Hear the Music mobile clinic in Nashville. It will also support their music camp for children with cochlear implants/hearing aids loss.
  • Anna’s Place NOLA/St. Anna’s Episcopal Church – Anna’s Place NOLA’s mission is to promote healing and wholeness of body, mind and spirit in the Treme/7th Ward and Greater New Orleans community by offering academic, cultural and arts enrichment, holistic healthcare and healthy lifestyle education.  Funds will go to oversee the coordination of activities between the Louisiana Philharmonic Orchestra and the Loyola Music Therapy Department, as well as teach clarinet, vocal music and Project Learning.  It will also purchase instruments and repair costs for existing instruments.
  • The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families – Howard Phillips Center provides children and families a support system and resources so they don’t have to face overwhelming challenges alone. Funds for The Howard Phillips Center for Children & Families will go towards four weeks of music therapy classes to 180 children with special needs and their family members over the course of 1 year. It will also cover outside artistic fees, developmental staff time and musical items for families.
  • The Onsite Foundation: Possibilities – The Onsite Foundation provides funding to veterans, first responders, low income individuals and front-line helping professionals. This aids in the healing and rebuilding of those who struggle from the effects of trauma, abuse, stress, mental-health and relationship issues. Onsite Foundation provides workshops and life-changing programs by providing scholarships to participants who would not otherwise receive the experience of emotional freedom Tuition for Veteran’s Living Centered Program. Funds will go towards experiential therapy modalities, song workshop & concerts.
  • The Tapping Individual Potential Program of The Community Foundation of Tennessee – The program is an effort to recognize special skills and talents in young people of middle school age and invest in developing their unique capability.  The TIP program works with Metro Nashville Public School middle school students who have extraordinary musical talent but whose financial or other circumstances make it impossible for their families to provide access to individual enrichment.
  • United Sound, Inc – United Sound Inc. supports music educators in creating their own United Sound ensembles through training, support, and organizational resources so that all children have access to meaningful and authentic music education and musical experiences. Funds requested will open this program in 5 Tennessee schools and will cover the curriculum materials and teacher/student volunteer training for the students with special needs in these schools.
  • Vanderbilt Kennedy Center – The grant will support the organization’s existing mission to facilitate discoveries and best practices that make positive differences in the lives of persons with developmental disabilities and their families through innovative research, services, and training for over 50 years.
  • Vega Productions Inc. – Vega Productions Inc. makes music education accessible to all students, especially those in schools with underfunded programs and whose families’ cannot afford the cost of renting or purchasing a musical instrument of their own. Funds will go towards covering musical instrument repair costs.
  • VH1 Save The Music Houston – Help kids, schools and communities realize their full potential through the power of making music.  Funds would support the Houston Independent School District to provide music education, restore a band program and deliver a general music program.
  • W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School – W.O. Smith makes affordable, quality music instruction available to children from low-income families.  Funds will go towards supporting its annual resident camp, a week-long summer music program for low-income children in Nashville, which would cover up to 50 students.
  • Wartburg – Wartburg offers integrated, comprehensive senior care services for your changing life. Unlike conventional retirement communities, Wartburg provides a wide range of services. Funds will go towards music therapists and peer leaders therapy programs for veterans with PTSD, brain and spinal cord injuries and amputees.
  • Westside Children’s Center – Westside Children’s Center funds would support their Kindermusik program, curriculum programmed and tailored to meet the different developmental needs of infants to five-year-olds through music.  The funds will ensure eight classrooms with nine units of Kindermusik by the end of the year.