Eddie Reeves
Longtime Warner Bros. Records Nashville executive Eddie Reeves died on Sunday, Nov. 18, in Texas.
Reeves, 79, had a varied music business career, having worked in song publishing, as a recording artist and in personal management prior to his record label leadership. He was also a hit songwriter.
He was a native of Amarillo, Texas, who began playing guitar and writing songs as a high school student. He attended the University of Texas in Austin. Reeves formed a band there called The Nighthawks, and it recorded two singles for the Dot subsidiary Hamilton Records.
In 1964, Reeves went to New York to be the representative of Norman Petty Productions. While on the East Coast, he was hired as a song plugger, recording artist and songwriter by United Artists. Most of his career over the next two decades took place in L.A.
In 1968, he joined UA’s Los Angeles office. During his subsequent tenure with the publishing company, he worked with such singer-songwriters as Billy Edd Wheeler, Andy Kim and Mac Davis. His own songwriting career took off around this same time. His co-written “Rings” was initially a 1971 hit for pop’s Cymarron and country’s Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers. The song was revived by Lobo in 1974. Reeves co-wrote “All I Ever Need Is You,” a pop hit for Sonny & Cher in 1971 and revived as a country duet by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West in 1979. He also co-wrote the Ray Charles 1971 hit “Don’t Change On Me.”
In 1974, Reeves was hired as a West Coast vice president at Chappell Music. While with that firm, he signed a then-unknown Jim Ed Norman, among many other singer-songwriters.
He launched his own music publishing company, Quixotic Music, around 1977. His sideline business, Eddie Reeves Music, managed such pop stars as Kim Carnes and Jules Shear.
After a hiatus from the industry, Eddie Reeves moved to Nashville. Jim Ed Norman was now the head of the Warner Bros. Records Nashville division. He named Reeves as General Manager of the Warner-Nashville office in 1984.
Eddie Reeves became a Warner vice president in 1989 and an executive vice president in 1999, when he retired. He became a board member of the CMA and was a 1991 graduate of Leadership Music.
Following his retirement, he moved back to Texas. He died in Houston after a brief illness. Eddie Reeves is survived by his wife Lena, and three children. Arrangements are pending.
Weekly Register: Kane Brown, Zac Brown Band Top Country Sales Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry Albums
As previously reported, Kane Brown topped both the country albums and overall Top 200 albums chart with the debut of his sophomore Sony project, Experiment, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The project moved 124K (105K album only). Brown’s previous self-titled album is at No. 5 (with 12K), giving him two albums in the top 5 this week.
Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You is at No. 2 with 22K, followed by Dan+Shay‘s self-titled project at No. 3 with 14K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller is at No. 4 with 13K.
Country Streaming
Kane Brown. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Kane Brown also tops this week’s country streaming chart (again), as “Heaven” continues to reign at the chart’s zenith. This week, the song was streamed 7.19 million times. Dan+Shay‘s “Speechless” is at No. 2, with 7.17 million streams. Brown’s “Lose It” is at No. 3 with 7.12 million streams. Dan+Shay’s “Tequila” is at No. 4 with 6.8 million streams, followed by Chris Stapleton‘s “Tennessee Whiskey” at No. 5 with 6.2 million streams.
Country Digital Song Sales
Zac Brown Band tops this week’s digital song sales chart with “Someone I Used To Know,” garnering 16.6K. Luke Combs’ “She Got The Best Of Me” is at No. 2 with 11.2K. Dan+Shay takes the third and fourth slots, with “Speechless” at 11K and their previous single, “Tequila,” at 9K. Brett Young’s “Mercy” is at No. 5 with 7K.
Warner Exec, Hit Songwriter Eddie Reeves Passes
/by Robert K OermannEddie Reeves
Longtime Warner Bros. Records Nashville executive Eddie Reeves died on Sunday, Nov. 18, in Texas.
Reeves, 79, had a varied music business career, having worked in song publishing, as a recording artist and in personal management prior to his record label leadership. He was also a hit songwriter.
He was a native of Amarillo, Texas, who began playing guitar and writing songs as a high school student. He attended the University of Texas in Austin. Reeves formed a band there called The Nighthawks, and it recorded two singles for the Dot subsidiary Hamilton Records.
In 1964, Reeves went to New York to be the representative of Norman Petty Productions. While on the East Coast, he was hired as a song plugger, recording artist and songwriter by United Artists. Most of his career over the next two decades took place in L.A.
In 1968, he joined UA’s Los Angeles office. During his subsequent tenure with the publishing company, he worked with such singer-songwriters as Billy Edd Wheeler, Andy Kim and Mac Davis. His own songwriting career took off around this same time. His co-written “Rings” was initially a 1971 hit for pop’s Cymarron and country’s Tompall Glaser & The Glaser Brothers. The song was revived by Lobo in 1974. Reeves co-wrote “All I Ever Need Is You,” a pop hit for Sonny & Cher in 1971 and revived as a country duet by Kenny Rogers & Dottie West in 1979. He also co-wrote the Ray Charles 1971 hit “Don’t Change On Me.”
In 1974, Reeves was hired as a West Coast vice president at Chappell Music. While with that firm, he signed a then-unknown Jim Ed Norman, among many other singer-songwriters.
He launched his own music publishing company, Quixotic Music, around 1977. His sideline business, Eddie Reeves Music, managed such pop stars as Kim Carnes and Jules Shear.
After a hiatus from the industry, Eddie Reeves moved to Nashville. Jim Ed Norman was now the head of the Warner Bros. Records Nashville division. He named Reeves as General Manager of the Warner-Nashville office in 1984.
Eddie Reeves became a Warner vice president in 1989 and an executive vice president in 1999, when he retired. He became a board member of the CMA and was a 1991 graduate of Leadership Music.
Following his retirement, he moved back to Texas. He died in Houston after a brief illness. Eddie Reeves is survived by his wife Lena, and three children. Arrangements are pending.
Country Radio Personality Bobby Bones Wins ‘Dancing With The Stars’
/by Jessica NicholsonBobby Bones, Sharna Burgess celebrate their Season 27 Dancing With The Stars win.
iHeartMedia country radio personality Bobby Bones scored an upset victory Monday evening (Nov. 19), as he and dance partner Sharna Burgess won the 27th season of Dancing With The Stars.
Monday’s live finale found Bones and Burgess as one of the four remaining couples, competing against Alexis Ren and Alan Bersten, Milo Manheim and Witney Carson, and Evanna Lynch and Keo Motsepe.
Shortly after being named the Season 27 champion, Bones said, “Thank you to the people, thank you to Sharna for making all this possible.”
After his win, it was announced that Bones, along with Mary Lou Retton, Joe Amabile, Juan Pablo Di Pace, John Schneider and Manheim, has joined the Dancing with the Stars: Live! A Night to Remember tour, which begins Dec. 15.
Bobby Bones and Sharna Burgess. Photo: DWTS/ABC
Big Loud Records Adds Candice Watkins In VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonCandice Watkins
Big Loud Records has added Candice Watkins as the label’s new VP, Marketing, effective Monday Nov. 26.
“I am excited to be joining the Big Loud family,” shares Watkins. “I have long admired Clay [Hunnicutt], Seth [England], and all the Big Loud partners as they have built this great company marked by smart and innovative team members, forward-thinking strategies, and extremely talented artists. I can’t wait to jump in with my new team and do what Big Loud does best.”
After beginning her journey at Boston’s Northeastern University and Los Angeles’ USC, Watkins’ Nashville career stops include Red Light Management, mobile marketing and promotion company Mozes Inc., Borman Entertainment as Keith Urban’s day-to-day manager, Martingale Entertainment managing Hunter Hayes, and her own company, First22, a consulting firm that she continues aimed at pastors, public speakers, and worship leaders.
Her most recent role was as the Senior Director of Marketing & Artist Development at Universal Music Group Nashville, overseeing a quarter of the label group’s roster including Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Shania Twain, Vince Gill, Lauren Alaina, Kip Moore, Kassi Ashton, Mickey Guyton and more. There she developed and executed full marketing plans and campaigns, acting as a central hub for the label group.
“We couldn’t be happier with the rapid growth of Big Loud Records in the last few years,” says Big Loud partner Seth England. “One of the most exciting parts of that is getting the chance to hire the progressive executives of tomorrow. Candice Watkins is the epitome of what we look for when adding teammates. She is an effective and forward thinking executive. She will make us better. I’m thankful she chose to join us on our mission.”
Big Loud Records President Clay Hunnicutt agrees, highlighting Watkins’ instincts and big-picture vision as it relates to the company’s innovative business model.
“Candice is an incredible talent that we are VERY lucky to have join the Big Loud family,” says Hunnicutt. “With her knowledge, experience, and approach, she is the perfect person to continue taking our organization and artists to the next level. We know we’ll look back years from now and see this day as a pivotal moment!”
Watkins can be reached at candice@bigloud.com.
Warner/Chappell Nashville Signs Tyler Reeve
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Ryan O’Nan (ROAR), Ryan Beuschel (Warner/Chappell), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Tyler Reeve, Tiffany Dunn (Loeb & Loeb), Becky Harris (Huskins-Harris), Phil May (Warner/Chappell)
Songwriter and recording artist Tyler Reeve has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Warner/Chappell Nashville. The Alabama native was recently awarded BMI Song of the Year for Brett Young’s triple-platinum single, “In Case You Didn’t Know.”
His other notable writing credits include Love and Theft’s “Whiskey On My Breath,” Luke Combs’ “I Got Away with You,” from his platinum debut album, This One’s For You, and Chris Young’s “Where I Go When I Drink.”
Reeve is managed by Ryan O’Nan at ROAR and represented by Tiffany Dunn of Loeb & Loeb, Becky Harris of Huskins-Harris, and Morgan Kenney at WME for touring.
Nielsen Names David Kenny As CEO
/by Jessica NicholsonDavid Kenny. Photo: IBM
IBM SVP/Cognitive Solutions’ David Kenny will join Nielsen as CEO beginning Dec. 3, to replace Mitch Barns, who is retiring.
“The Board is delighted to announce David’s appointment,” said Nielsen Executive Chairman James Attwood. “His decades of experience in Big Data, artificial intelligence, cloud technologies, and media make him perfectly suited to lead Nielsen at this critical time. Having spent a substantial portion of his career working in the advertising world, he has a deep and holistic understanding of advertisers and how best to serve them, and he has a proven track record of implementing growth strategies, overseeing strategic transactions and creating value for stakeholders. His multi-disciplinary background and history of success make him a great fit for this position. The Board looks forward to David’s participation in the ongoing strategic review as we work to enhance shareholder value.”
“Nielsen is uniquely placed at the intersection of marketing data and technology. In today’s era of fast moving, ever changing consumers and markets, it is this combination that drives businesses forward,” added Kenny, who also previously served as Chairman/CEO for The Weather Company, as well as President of AKAMAI. “I’m thrilled to join this industry-leading company at this point in time, when so much is possible.”
Industry Ink: Grand Ole Opry, Suretone Entertainment, Lucas Hoge
/by Jessica NicholsonTravis Denning Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville’s Jordan Todd, RED Creative Group Owner/President Jeremy Stover, UMG Nashville EVP A&R Brian Wright, UMG Nashville’s Taylor Sloane, Travis Denning, Red Light Management’s Angie Coonrod, UMG Nashville VP Promotion Damon Moberly, Red Light Management’s Tom Becci
Mercury Nashville artist Travis Denning made his debut performance at the Grand Ole Opry on Friday (Nov. 16). He performed his Top 40 single “David Ashley Parker From Powder Springs,” as well as “After A Few.”
Denning moved to Nashville in 2014 and within a year signed a publishing deal with RED Creative Group. He was recently named a CMA Kixstart Artist Scholarship recipient and is currently on tour with LANCO.
Suretone Entertainment Signs Caroline Dare
Caroline Dare pictured with Suretone Entertainment’s Corey Wagner. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Caroline Dare has signed with Suretone Entertainment. With offices in both Los Angeles & Nashville, Suretone Entertainment also represents Fleetwood Mac & ZZ Top.
Dare, 17, has opened for artists including The Band Perry, Chris Young, Kellie Pickler and more. She is expected to release a project in 2019.
Lucas Hoge Helps Raise $520K For Cystic Fibrosis Research
Pictured (L-R): Rick Honeycutt, Lucas Hoge, Orel Hershiser, Matt Young
Lucas Hoge recently participated in his 10th year at Hook The Cure event in Puerto Vallarta Mexico, helping to raise more than $520,000 for cystic fibrosis research.
“Not only does having a friend that has Cystic Fibrosis make this cause extremely special to me,” expressed Hoge. “But it is also truly amazing to work with a foundation where you can physically see the results of donations helping fight this horrible disease.”
More Performers Added to Lineup For 30A Songwriter Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 10th annual 30A Songwriters Festival, set for Jan. 18-21, 2019, has announced some additional performers to the lineup for the four-day event.
Additional performers set to take the stage at venues along scenic Highway 30A in Florida’s South Walton County include Steve Poltz, Bob Schneider, Amythyst Kiah, David Ryan Harris, Kim Richey, Hayes Carll, Liz Longley, Drivin N Cryin, Emerson Hart (Tonic), Chris Stamey And Peter Holsapple (The Db’s), John Driskell Hopkins (Zac Brown Band), Gretchen Peters, The Swimming Pool Q’s, Birds Of Chicago, Griffin House, Charlie Mars, Willie Sugarcapps, Lauren Morrow Of The Whiskey Gentry, The Mulligan Brothers, Amy Lavere and Will Sexton, Robby Hecht, Tommy Womack, Farewell Angelina, and more.
The event, which features headliners Jason Isbell, Brandi Carlile, Rosanne Cash, Felix Cavaliere’s Rascals, and Lucinda Williams, will include performances by 175 songwriters at more than 25 venues in South Walton County.
The 30A Songwriters Festival is a benefit for the non profit Cultural Arts Alliance of Walton County, which supports artists and non profit cultural events and businesses throughout the county. For this 10th annual event, a portion of these net proceeds will be donated to the Hurricane Michael relief efforts organized on behalf of the many who have suffered devastating losses along the Florida panhandle to the east of 30A.
CMT To Air Americana Honors And Awards Special In December
/by Lorie HollabaughThe show will include a variety of performances from Americana artists including Brandi Carlile (“The Joke”), Buddy Guy (“Damn Right, I’ve Got The Blues”), I’m With Her (“Overland”), Irma Thomas (“Time Is On My Side”), Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit (“White Man’s World”), John Prine (“Summer’s End”), k.d. lang (“Trail Of Broken Hearts”), Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real (“Forget About Georgia”), Nathaniel Rateliff & The Night Sweats (“Hey Mama”), Fantastic Negrito, Nelson and Rateliff (“Fortunate Son”), Margo Price (“A Little Pain”), Rosanne Cash (“Everyone But Me”) and Tyler Childers (“Nose On The Grindstone”). The group also comes together for a never-before-seen version of the late Aretha Franklin’s “Chain of Fools.”
“Music lovers, even those who may not be familiar with Americana, will want to see this show,” says Leslie Fram, SVP Music and Talent, CMT. “The level of performance and musicality with these artists is something extremely special and we hope these 90 minutes will entertain those who already love Americana music, and will turn more people into fans of the genre.”
“We are beyond thrilled to bring this incredibly special show to CMT,” adds Jed Hilly, Executive Director, Americana Music Association. “We hope that friends and families will be able to come together this holiday season and experience what makes Americana music a beautiful melding of genres that celebrates artists from all walks of life.”
Ashley Gorley Enters Top 5, Kevin Welch Preserves Top Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellIt’s a good time to be Ashley Gorley. Last week he was honored as ASCAP’s Country Songwriter of the Year for the sixth time; this week he moves up 13 slots to No. 5 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. The songs that drive him are Chase Rice’s “Eyes On You,” Chris Lane’s “I Don’t Know About You,” Eli Young Band’s “Love Ain’t,” Lee Brice’s “Rumor” and Luke Bryan’s “What Makes You Country.”
Ashley Gorley accepts the Songwriter of the Year award. Photo: Ed Rode
The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive recent addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.