John T. Benson III
By Robert K. Oermann
Visitation and services for Gospel Music Hall of Fame member John T. Benson III will be held today, Nov. 2.
He died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at age 90. The executive was the former president of the John T. Benson Publishing Company and a longtime leader of the Gospel Music Association. At various times, he served as the GMA’s president, secretary and board member.
The Benson Company is Nashville’s oldest permanent music business. It was founded in 1902 by the deceased’s grandfather, John T. Benson. Following the death of the firm’s founder, John T. Benson Jr., took over the company in 1931.
Between 1948 and 1951, the company’s revenues increased tenfold. This was also the era when John III entered the family business. He initially worked in its commercial-printing division.
John III’s brother, Robert, joined the gospel company in 1960. He added recording to the firm’s publishing business. By 1965, The Benson Company was grossing $500,000 a year.
In 1969, John III joined the gospel firm. This coincided with a period of even more growth for the business.
As a publishing firm, the company already had songs recorded by nearly every Southern Gospel act. Its catalog includes thousands of copyrights, many of them standards in the field. “He’s Coming Back,” “He Looked Beyond My Faults,” “I Go to the Rock,” “If That Isn’t Love” and “Somebody Prayed for Me” are just a few representative titles.
Its record labels — HeartWarming, Benson, Greentree, RiverSong and other imprints — had been specializing in Southern Gospel sounds since 1960. Affiliated artists included The Speer Family, J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, The Singing Rambos, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Lewis Family, The Hemphills and The Imperials.
John III’s arrival occurred just as the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) movement exploded in the 1970s and 1980s. To Benson’s publishing division, he signed the early works of such top CCM composers as Michael W. Smith, Gary Chapman, Brown Bannister and Gary McSpadden.
The recording division kept pace, too. Benson-affiliated labels’ big acts in the new genre included DeGarmo & Key, Sandi Patty, dc talk, Yolanda Adams, Larnelle Harris, Bob Carlisle, Dallas Holm and Carman. It also marketed the records of The Bill Gaither Trio, Gold City, 4Him, The Archers, The Cathedrals and The Kingsmen Quartet, among many others.
In 1976, The Benson Company moved into a Metro Center building that was then the biggest music headquarters in Nashville and boasted the city’s largest recording studio.
John III rose from a vice presidency to becoming president of the firm. Brother Robert died in 1984.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the company changed hands via acquisitions by Paragon, Zondervan, Harper Collins, the Music Entertainment Group and the Zomba Music Group. Family control of the business ceased.
But the song-publishing arm of The Benson Company continued to thrive. By that time, it held more than 42,000 copyrights, including the catalogs of the defunct Stamps-Baxter Music and Singspiration Music.
In 2001, the record labels were folded, and Zomba merged Benson with Brentwood Music. Benson celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002 by being named ASCAP’s Christian publishing company of the year.
Today, Brentwood-Benson specializes in printed choral, worship, Sunday school, choir, Christmas and church music arrangements. It is estimated that half of the people now working in Nashville’s CCM industry learned the business by working at Benson at one time or another.
John T. Benson III served as the president of the GMA in 1978-80, during which time the association established its now annual Gospel Music Week convention in Nashville. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
The executive is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jane Cartwright Benson. Also surviving are children Ann Benson Vincent, John Benson IV, Joe Benson and Tricia Benson, as well as three sisters, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike. It will be followed by a Life Celebration and Graveside service.
Badflower’s Debut Set For February On Big Machine/John Varvatos Records
/by Lorie HollabaughMembers of the band co-wrote each song on the project, and its lead single,“Ghost,” recently claimed the top spot on the Active Rock Radio Mediabase Chart and marked the band’s first No. 1 hit.
Badflower is currently in the midst of a U.S. tour supporting The Wrecks and A Perfect Circle, and will keep the momentum going into 2019 on Nothing More’s The Truth Tour.
OK, I’M SICK Tracklist:
1. “x ANA x” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
2. “The Jester” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
3. “Ghost” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
4. “We’re In Love” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
5. “Promise Me” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
6. “Daddy” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
7. “24” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
8. “Heroin” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti **
9. “Die” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
10. “Murder Games” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
11. “Girlfriend” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
12. “Wide Eyes” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
13. “Cry” | Josh Katz, Joey Morrow, Alex Espiritu, Anthony Sonetti, Noah Shain*
* Tracks produced by Noah Shain.
** Track produced by Josh Katz.
Industry Ink: Kane Brown, Apple Music, Charlie Daniels, Gotee Records
/by Jessica NicholsonKane Brown Premieres Apple Music Short Film In Nashville
Kane Brown. Photo: Apple Music
Kane Brown, whose album Experiment will release Nov. 9, offered an intimate live performance in Nashville on Thursday (Nov. 1), presented by Apple Music. The event also premiered the short film Apple Music Presents: Kane Brown-Experiment, which is available worldwide today only on Apple Music.
Charlie Daniels Holds Pop-Up Show In Nashville To Showcase New Album
Photo: Nate Shuppert
Winner’s Bar & Grill in Nashville was standing-room-only on Oct. 30 when Charlie Daniels, James Stroud, Billy Crain and Charlie Hayward performed together live, for the first time, at a special pop-up show where they showcased tunes from their new album, Beau Weevils – Songs in the Key of E.
Gotee Records Signs Cochren & Co.
Weekly Chart Report (11/2/18)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Gospel Executive John T. Benson III Dies
/by Robert K OermannJohn T. Benson III
By Robert K. Oermann
Visitation and services for Gospel Music Hall of Fame member John T. Benson III will be held today, Nov. 2.
He died on Wednesday, Oct. 28, at age 90. The executive was the former president of the John T. Benson Publishing Company and a longtime leader of the Gospel Music Association. At various times, he served as the GMA’s president, secretary and board member.
The Benson Company is Nashville’s oldest permanent music business. It was founded in 1902 by the deceased’s grandfather, John T. Benson. Following the death of the firm’s founder, John T. Benson Jr., took over the company in 1931.
Between 1948 and 1951, the company’s revenues increased tenfold. This was also the era when John III entered the family business. He initially worked in its commercial-printing division.
John III’s brother, Robert, joined the gospel company in 1960. He added recording to the firm’s publishing business. By 1965, The Benson Company was grossing $500,000 a year.
In 1969, John III joined the gospel firm. This coincided with a period of even more growth for the business.
As a publishing firm, the company already had songs recorded by nearly every Southern Gospel act. Its catalog includes thousands of copyrights, many of them standards in the field. “He’s Coming Back,” “He Looked Beyond My Faults,” “I Go to the Rock,” “If That Isn’t Love” and “Somebody Prayed for Me” are just a few representative titles.
Its record labels — HeartWarming, Benson, Greentree, RiverSong and other imprints — had been specializing in Southern Gospel sounds since 1960. Affiliated artists included The Speer Family, J.D. Sumner & The Stamps, The Singing Rambos, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Lewis Family, The Hemphills and The Imperials.
John III’s arrival occurred just as the Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) movement exploded in the 1970s and 1980s. To Benson’s publishing division, he signed the early works of such top CCM composers as Michael W. Smith, Gary Chapman, Brown Bannister and Gary McSpadden.
The recording division kept pace, too. Benson-affiliated labels’ big acts in the new genre included DeGarmo & Key, Sandi Patty, dc talk, Yolanda Adams, Larnelle Harris, Bob Carlisle, Dallas Holm and Carman. It also marketed the records of The Bill Gaither Trio, Gold City, 4Him, The Archers, The Cathedrals and The Kingsmen Quartet, among many others.
In 1976, The Benson Company moved into a Metro Center building that was then the biggest music headquarters in Nashville and boasted the city’s largest recording studio.
John III rose from a vice presidency to becoming president of the firm. Brother Robert died in 1984.
During the 1980s and 1990s, the company changed hands via acquisitions by Paragon, Zondervan, Harper Collins, the Music Entertainment Group and the Zomba Music Group. Family control of the business ceased.
But the song-publishing arm of The Benson Company continued to thrive. By that time, it held more than 42,000 copyrights, including the catalogs of the defunct Stamps-Baxter Music and Singspiration Music.
In 2001, the record labels were folded, and Zomba merged Benson with Brentwood Music. Benson celebrated its 100th anniversary in 2002 by being named ASCAP’s Christian publishing company of the year.
Today, Brentwood-Benson specializes in printed choral, worship, Sunday school, choir, Christmas and church music arrangements. It is estimated that half of the people now working in Nashville’s CCM industry learned the business by working at Benson at one time or another.
John T. Benson III served as the president of the GMA in 1978-80, during which time the association established its now annual Gospel Music Week convention in Nashville. He was inducted into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame in 2006.
The executive is survived by his wife of 70 years, Jane Cartwright Benson. Also surviving are children Ann Benson Vincent, John Benson IV, Joe Benson and Tricia Benson, as well as three sisters, eight grandchildren and 12 great-grandchildren.
Visitation will be held from 1:30 to 3:00 p.m. on Nov. 2 at Spring Hill Funeral Home and Cemetery, 5110 Gallatin Pike. It will be followed by a Life Celebration and Graveside service.
George Strait Returns To Atlanta For One Date In 2019
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorge Strait will play one night in Atlanta next Spring on March 30 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. The legend will be joined by Chris Stapleton, Chris Janson, and Ashley McBryde on the date. Tickets go on sale Friday, Nov. 16 via Ticketmaster.
The performance marks Strait’s only show in Atlanta since his Cowboy Rides Away Tour stop at State Farm Arena in 2014 when he announced he would no longer tour and only perform select engagements. Since that record-breaking tour, Strait has performed limited engagements including 18 “Strait to Vegas” shows, and additional appearances including two nights in Tulsa and one night in Austin as well as a headlining appearance at Bayou Country Superfest in New Orleans.
The Country Music Hall of Famer will wrap up 2018 with a return to T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Dec. 7 and 8.
Spotify Reaches 87 Million Premium Subscribers
/by Jessica NicholsonOn Thursday (Nov. 1), Spotify announced it currently has 87 million paid (premium) subscribers, and 191 million active monthly users. That 87 million-strong tier of premium subscribers is up from 83 million in the second quarter of 2018, and up from 62 million one year ago. Revenue for the third quarter was $1.54 billion, a 31 percent increase over last year, while ad-supported revenue rose $162 million, a 28 percent increase.
“Growth continues to be healthy across our family and student plans, and the strong retention characteristics of this base continue to drive churn lower,” the company said. “This quarter we offered to verified student subscribers in the U.S. our first-ever multi-partner bundle consisting of Spotify, Hulu and Showtime for $4.99 per month. In addition, we expanded our 3-for-99 cents intro offer campaign for our student plan globally during August and September to line up with the back-to-school season.”
Spotify also project paid subscribers to be between 93 million and 96 million in the fourth quarter, with between 199-206 million total monthly users.
The streaming service went public in April of this year.
TV Gigs: Kelsea Ballerini, Chris Janson, Kane Brown, Carly Pearce
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini Joins Victoria’s Secret Holiday Special
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini will join a lineup of musical guests taking part in the 2018 Victoria’s Secret Holiday Special, set to air from New York City on Sunday, Dec. 2 on ABC. Ballerini will join Bebe Rexha, The Chainsmokers, Halsey, Rita Ora, Shawn Mendes and The Struts as musical guests.
Joining Victoria’s Secret Angels Adriana Lima, Behati Prinsloo (back after a three-year hiatus), Candice Swanepoel, Elsa Hosk, Jasmine Tookes, Josephine Skriver, Lais Ribeiro, Martha Hunt, Romee Strijd, Sara Sampaio, Stella Maxwell and Taylor Hill will be internationally known sisters Gigi and Bella Hadid, and Kendall Jenner.
“The show is a year-long production, and 2018 promises to be our most ambitious yet,” said Victoria’s Secret executive producer Ed Razek. “We have more musical guests, more fashion and more stories than ever; and, of course, 60 of the world’s top models.”
Chris Janson To Perform On Dancing With the Stars
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bones and Chris Janson.
Chris Janson will be lending his talents to prime-time national television, as he is scheduled to perform the Elvis Presley classic “Can’t Help Falling in Love” on Monday’s episode of ABC’s Dancing With The Stars. Janson was handpicked by contestant (and iHeartMedia radio personality) Bobby Bones to perform during his and Sharna Burgess’ round, and will help round out the show’s “Country Night” – an episode celebrating some of country music’s brightest stars and songs. The episode will air this coming on Monday, Nov. 5 (8:00-10:00 p.m. ET), on ABC, streaming and on demand.
Macy’s Thanksgiving Day Parade To Feature Several Country Artists
DISClaimer: Walker McGuire, Mitchell Tenpenny, William Michael Morgan Are Three Stars On The Rise
/by Robert K OermannWalker McGuire, MItchell Tenpenny, William Michael Morgan
This week’s country edition of DisClaimer belongs to the up-and-comers.
Our three top tunes in this stack of platters belong to three stars on the rise. They are Walker McGuire, Mitchell Tenpenny and William Michael Morgan. They finish in a trio photo finish to share the Disc of the Day award.
MATT ROGERS/Peaches and Pecans
Writers: Matt Rogers/Justin Dukes; Producer: Matt Rogers; Publishers: Richest Place on Earth, No performance rights listed; MR
– An ode to Georgia. “If you ain’t from here, then you don’t understand.” You’re so right. I don’t.
BRETT YOUNG/Ticket To L.A.
Writers: Brett Young/Zach Crowell/Jon Nite; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BMLG (download)
– The title tune to Brett’s forthcoming album is a zippy, trippy fantasy about an airport pick-up. The irresistible rhythm track disguises the totally unrealistic lyric.
BRANDON RATCLIFF/Rules of Breaking Up
Writers: Brandon Ratcliff/Pete Good/A.J. Babcock/busbee; Producers: Shane McAnally/Pete Good; Monument
-His voice is spindly and thin. Which I guess really doesn’t matter, since there’s no melody in his composition to sing.
JUSTIN MOORE/The Ones That Didn’t Make It Back Home
Writers: Justin Moore/Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni/Chase McGill; Producers: Scott Borchetta/Jeremy Stover; Valory
– Veterans’ Day is Sunday, Nov. 11. Here’s a super stirring eulogy for the armed forces who won’t be with us.
ERIN ENDERLIN/These Boots
Writers: Erin Enderlin/Scott Stepakoff; Producer: Alex Kline; Publisher: none listed; 117 Entertainment
-She’s a for-real country singer and writer. A good one, too. This is why I love her. You should, too.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Brokenhearted
Writers: Rhett Akins/J.T. Harding/Marv Green; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Warner Bros.
– This is a real cool honky tonker. Two-step across the dancefloor as he sings about the lack of heartache in today’s party-hearty country sound.
PISTOL ANNIES/Got My Name Changed Back
Writers: Miranda Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Angaleena Presley; Producer: Frank Liddell, Glenn Worf, Eric Masse; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Mountain Girl, BMI/ASCAP; RCA (track)
– Get up off your fanny and dance around the room. The dizzy, lickety-split tempo of this — and its hot picking — are matched by its funny, feisty lyric. Check out its cute video on YouTube.
MITCHELL TENPENNY/Walk Like Him
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Justin Ebach/Steven Dale Jones; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Riser
– This confirms his rising star. His hushed, soulful voice draws you in magnetically. The song about carrying on his departed father’s legacy is profoundly touching. Listen and believe.
STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/Jolene
Writers: Dolly Parton; Producer: Patterson Barrett; Publisher: Velvet Apple, BMI; Soundly/Casa Del Rio (track)
– Genius. Marrying country songs to Latin rhythms and Mariachi horns is an idea that should have been hatched years ago. She makes this classic sound like a torrid Mexican telenovella. Elsewhere on her Tularosa CD you’ll find equally ear-opening new arrangements of “Walking After Midnight,” “Seven Spanish Angels,” “Cold Cold Heart,” “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Tiger By the Tail” and more. Both “Jolene” and “Ring of Fire” have bonus, Spanish-language tracks.
WALKER McGUIRE/Growin’ Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Stoney Creek
– Richly rewarding. The layered harmonies, dense production and driving energy punch home the nostalgic, wistful lyric about the passage of time. Nicely done, boys.
Lee Thomas Miller Keeps Riding With Warner/Chappell
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Travis Carter (Warner/Chappell), Scott Safford (Safford-Motley), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Lee Thomas Miller, Jessi Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Phil May (Warner/Chappell)
Warner/Chappell Music has extended its publishing agreement with Lee Thomas Miller.
The Kentucky native’s No. 1 singles include Tim McGraw’s “Southern Girl,” Brad Paisley’s “The World” and “I’m Still a Guy,” Joe Nichols’ “The Impossible,” Terri Clark’s “I Just Wanna Be Mad,” and Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” to name a few. He has also co-written nine Top 20 hits, including Brothers Osborne’s “It Ain’t My Fault” and Thomas Rhett’s “Something To Do With My Hands.”
He’s earned three Grammy nods for Country Song of the Year, for Joe Nichols’ “The Impossible,” Trace Adkins’ “You’re Gonna Miss This,” and Jamey Johnson’s “In Color.” In 2009 Miller received two ACM nominations in the same category, Song of the Year, which he then won for “In Color.” The song also earned Miller Song of the Year at the CMAs. Other distinguished wins include the ASCAP and NSAI’s Song of the Year awards for “You’re Gonna Miss This,” and the Teen Choice Award for Favorite Country Song for the Brad Paisley and Demi Lovato duet, “Without a Fight.” Additionally, he has won 12 BMI awards, as well as the inaugural BMI Champion’s Award in 2015.
“Not only is Lee a great friend and partner to our Warner/Chappell family, he has been, and continues to be, a friend and partner to every person who makes a living in music in Nashville,” said Ben Vaughn, President of Warner/Chappell Nashville. “No one will ever know the amount of time he has spent on conference calls, in meetings, testifying, and working tirelessly to make a better future for everyone. All this while being an amazing father and writing fantastic songs that hit the mark, time after time.”
Miller previously served as president of the Nashville Songwriter’s Association International (NSAI) and has frequently traveled to Washington to lobby Congress on behalf of composers and songwriters’ rights. His perseverance paid off with the passing of the Music Modernization Act on Oct. 11 in Washington, D.C, where he was present for the signing of the bill.
Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs Added To CMA Awards Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughPreviously announced performers for the CMA Awards include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley with Brothers Osborne, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Dan + Shay, Florida Georgia Line with Bebe Rexha, Kacey Musgraves, Old Dominion, Pistol Annies, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.