DISClaimer: Walker McGuire, Mitchell Tenpenny, William Michael Morgan Are Three Stars On The Rise

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Walker 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

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Pictured (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

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Garth Brooks, Jason Aldean with Miranda Lambert, Luke Combs, Midland and Brett Young have been added to the lineup of stars performing on the upcoming 52nd Annual CMA Awards, hosted for the 11th consecutive year by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood. Country Music’s Biggest Night will air live from Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 14 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Previously 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.

 

Mark Your Calendar—November 2018

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Single Add Dates

November 5
Florida Georgia Line/Talk You Out Of It/Big Machine Label Group
Old Dominion/Make It Sweet/RCA Nashville
Jägertown/Blame It On The Wine/G&N Entertainment
Josh Gracin/Good For You/1608

November 12
Richard Schroder/Almost An Angel/Amplifier Records

November 19
Shari Rowe/Home For Christmas (Underneath The Desert Sky)/Maven/KORE/TM

Album Releases

November 2
Pistol Annies/Interstate Gospel/RCA
The Mavericks/Hey! Merry Christmas!/Mono Mundo
Carter Winter/Temptation/Average Joes

November 9
Kane Brown/Experiment/RCA Nashville

November 16
Roy Orbison/Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra/Legacy Recordings-Roy’s Boys LLC
NEEDTOBREATHE/Acoustic Live Vol. 1/Atlantic Records
Casting Crowns/Only Jesus

November 20
Garth Brooks/The Anthology Part III, LIVE [five-CD anthology containing 52 live recordings]/Pearl Records

November 30
Dolly Parton/The Dumplin’ Original Motion Picture Soundtrack

Industry Events

November 7

  • 8th Annual Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) Honors Gala set at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville
  • NEXT Awards at Rocketown

November 11
SESAC Country Awards [invitation only]

November 12
ASCAP Country Music Awards [invitation only]

November 13
BMI Country Awards [invitation only]

November 14
52nd Annual CMA Awards, live from Bridgestone Arena on ABC at 7 p.m. CT

Phyllis Stark Joins All Access/Nashville In Newly-Created Sr. Editor Post

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Phyllis Stark

Phyllis Stark has been named to the newly-created role of Sr. Editor, All Access/Nashville. Stark replaces R.J. Curtis in the position as he segues to Country Radio Broadcasters as Executive Director. She begins in her new role Nov. 5.

In her new position Stark will oversee all aspects of one of the fastest-growing divisions of the company, including the editorial, promotional and sales/marketing efforts with the help of Associate Editor Monta Vaden and Editorial Assistant Athena Puharic.

“When R.J. resigned for this outstanding post at CRB, we had a terrific response to this opportunity.  As we moved forward, it became clear that Phyllis was sticking her hand up the highest for this post,” said All Access Pres./Publisher Joel Denver said.  I am absolutely thrilled to welcome her aboard.  As only the third person ever to run our Nashville office, I feel especially confident that Phyllis — with her deep passion for all things Country, and her years of experience and wonderful relationships with radio, the labels and their artists — will continue the pace of success set by R.J. Curtis and Jim Asker before him.”

“I’m thrilled to be joining the dynamic team at All Access and am so looking forward to communicating with radio and label execs again on a daily basis, as I have done throughout my career,” said Stark. “While R.J. Curtis leaves tremendously big shoes to fill, I’m eager to step into them, and am particularly excited to be leading what is now a dynamic, all-female team in the Nashville office, already staffed by two talented ladies, Monta and Athena. Thanks to Joel Denver for his faith in me, and for the warm welcome!”

Stark has held previous posts at Rare Country/Cox Media Group, The E.W. Scripps Co./Journal Broadcast Group, Billboard/Nashville, CMA’s Close Up magazine, and independent label Robbins Nashville. She has also been a Music Blogger and Feature Writer for MSN.com, as well as Exec. Editor/Country Music, Radio-Info.com.

Given Music Publishing Signs Kyle Coulahan

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Pictured (L-R): Jim Kacmarcik and Cindy Owen, Given Music Partners; Coulahan; Jenny Hall, Given Creative Director and Michael Hollandsworth, Given’s VP/GM.

Songwriter Kyle Coulahan has signed with Given Music Publishing.

“Kyle brings an unbridled passion and enthusiasm for songwriting that is only rivaled by his talent,” Given VP/GM Michael Hollandsworth said. “That coupled with his innate ability to maneuver himself into meaningful co-writing relationships bode well for a very bright future as a songwriter. We are extremely excited to have Kyle on the Given team and look forward to the unique sound he brings to our catalog.”

“I am so thankful to be a part of this great team here at Given Music,” Coulahan said. “I’ve been dreaming about being a Nashville songwriter since I was a kid. Michael Hollandsworth, Jenny Hall, Cindy Owen and Jim Kacmarcik are giving me a shot at doing what I love and I am blessed to have this opportunity.”

Coulahan grew up in the coastal town of Perdido Keys, Florida, and from a very young age had an interest in music, thanks to his Dad’s love of music and the gift of an old Alvarez guitar. As a teen, Coulahan would split his time between football practice and playing guitar in his church’s worship band. He was offered a full football scholarship to Auburn University and when he wasn’t playing football, he would make trips to Nashville to learn more about the music business and songwriting. He even befriended producer Chips Moman who introduced Coulahan to other writers. Following graduation, the aspiring songwriter packed his bags and made the permanent move to Nashville.

ASCAP Opens Registration For 2019 EXPO In Los Angeles

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ASCAP has opened the registration process for its 14th ASCAP I Create Music EXPO, slated for May 2 – 4, 2019 in Los Angeles.

“Every year, EXPO brings together a community of music creators from all over the world for three days of learning, networking and the chance to share their passions with each other,” said ASCAP Executive Vice President/ Chief Marketing Officer Lauren Iossa. “We look forward to seeing every single one of our attendees and know that they will leave EXPO inspired and ready to reach for the next stage of their careers.”

The EXPO agenda includes creative and business-focused panels, workshops, master classes, keynotes, state-of-the-art technology demonstrations, performance opportunities and the chance for one-on-one networking with hit-making songwriters and producers.

Last year’s EXPO attracted songwriters from 23 countries and has drawn attendees from as far away as India and Australia. Successful songwriters that have participated early in their careers include Vincent Berry (“Sandcastles,” Beyoncé), Aloe Blacc (“I Need a Dollar,” “Wake Me Up,” Avicii), LELAND (“Youth,” Troye Sivan) and Meghan Trainor (“All About That Bass”). Previous keynote speakers include Justin Timberlake, Tom Petty, Stevie Wonder, John Mayer, Katy Perry, Quincy Jones, Ludacris, Carly Simon, Jackson Browne and many more.

Music creators of all styles and experience levels can visit ascap.com to register for the conference at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

Garth Set To Play The Dome In St. Louis March 9

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Garth Brooks will kick off his upcoming Stadium Tour in St. Louis on March 9th at The Dome at America’s Center. The show will be in-the-round staging, and tickets will go on sale Nov. 16, with an eight-ticket limit per purchase through Ticketmaster. There will be no ticket sales at the venue box office or Ticketmaster outlets on Nov. 16.

Brooks’ first-ever concert at Notre Dame Football Stadium was recently filmed for a TV special set to air on CBS on Dec. 2nd at 8 p.m. ET. His latest project, The Anthology Part III, LIVE, is set for release Nov. 20. The detailed, insider look at Brooks’ electrifying live shows includes behind-the-scenes stories and in-depth interviews with the band and crew. The five-CD collection contains 52 live recordings, never before seen photographs, and augmented reality experiences that can be seen on the Garth Live app. It also features the new live album, Triple Live.

Tenille Arts Showcases Array Of Finest Country Songwriting During MusicRow Visit

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Tenille Arts. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Two Tenille’s breaking on country radio at once? Not to be confused: there’s Tenille Townes and the “I Hate This” Reviver Records charmer Tenille Arts.

“I was named after Captain & Tennille, most people probably haven’t really heard that name since,” Arts told MusicRow during a recent visit. “And Arts is my real last name. When my parents named me, they gave me two middle names for other options just in case…so my whole name’s Tenille Jade Dakota Arts.”

Nearly three years to the day the Weyburn, Saskatchewan native’s Visa cleared, Arts took time to reflect on her journey to Music City with MusicRow. “Everyone I really wanted to work with was in Nashville. So being able to move here was a big deal.”

During one writing trip, Adam Wheeler introduced Arts to who would become her other co-producer, Matt Rovey, in addition to music publisher Hal Oven. “That was a really good writing session,” recalled Arts. “He just said, ‘Hold up, I’ve gotta bring some other people in the room.’”

Oven eventually created an indie label to release 17 of Arts’ songs over two projects. Those releases earned consecutive Album of the Year at the Saskatchewan Country Music Association Awards in addition to Arts’ receipt of two nominations at the country’s larger CCMA Awards.

Arts wrote her striking single “I Hate This,” with Wheeler, about a friend’s relationship, but came to find a deeper meaning in her debut title a month ago. “My boyfriend and I were together since I was 15,” shared Arts. “We did the long distance thing and just broke up. Now I relate to this song a whole lot more.”

YouTube video

 

For her MusicRow performance, Arts brought out “Call You Names,” a fresh, reflective track written with a country lyrical twist about an angsty mother-daughter relationship during teenage years that matures to now constant phone calls. Arts surprised her mother, who drove 10 hours to see her daughter open for Reba McEntire in Minnesota.

“Normally I send her all the songs I write right away, but I wanted to play this one for her in person,” recalled Arts. “It was just like waterworks. I don’t know how I got through that. I guess it was kinda my way of saying sorry for all those teenage years.”

Reviver Records signed Arts after the viewing party for an episode of The Bachelor she appeared on, performing “Moment of Weakness.”

“There have been so many new doors opening after signing with Reviver Records,” said Arts. “We just released ‘Mad Crazy Love’ as my first single in Canada. So we’ve got two singles going on right now.” “I Hate This” was a Top 6 debut on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart three weeks ago and has a brand new music video.

Arts has been writing since her last album’s release for a Reviver Records debut, expected by mid 2019.

Pictured (L-R): Tenille Arts, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Pictured (L-R): Lorie Hollabaugh, Eric T. Parker, Sarah Skates, Tenille Arts, Sherod Robertson, Alex Kobrick, Haley Crow. Photo: MusicRow

Robert K. Oermann Honored At Third Annual Music Row Storytellers Event

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Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Music journalist Robert K. Oermann was honored Monday, October 29 at the third annual Music Row Storytellers event, benefiting Music Health Alliance.

Storme Warren hosted the festivities, which were held at the Wellspire Center in Nashville’s Gulch area.

Several executives and artists including Larry Gatlin, music industry executive Tim DuBois, journalist and Oermann’s former Tennessean colleague Sandy Neese, and MusicRow Magazine founder David M. Ross were on hand to honor “The Notorious RKO,” as MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson described him.

As a child growing in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, Oermann served as a clerk in his grandmother’s record store, and began to amass what would become a staggering 300,000-piece record collection.

During his 40-year career, Oermann has written for Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire and TV Guide. In the 1980s he became the first country music reporter and critic for USA Today, and spent 12 years with The Tennessean. MusicRow Magazine has featured Oermann’s entertaining—and often acerbic—song reviews since its inception in 1981.

Pictured (L-R): Music Row Storytellers participants Larry Gatlin / Sandy Neese, former VP/Media Relations, Mercury Nashville / honoree Robert K. Oermann / Jeannie Seely / Sherod Robertson, Publisher-Owner, MusicRow magazine / David Ross, MusicRow magazine founder and President, BossRoss Media. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Jeannie Seely and Robertson started off the evening by sharing some of Oermann’s reviews, among them glowing early reviews of Miranda Lambert, Reba and Garth Brooks, before each had hit superstar status.

Seely said, “Having a new piece of work that you’ve spent hours on and then you hear that Robert K. Oermann has reviewed it, you go, ‘Oh, wow,’ then you go, ‘Oh, hell.’

“But you’ve always been very kind to me. It takes a lot of courage and guts to write some of those bad reviews he’s written.”

“Your single reviews can be brutal, funny, informative, poignant, all of the above,” Warren said. “Every songwriter and artist wants their song reviewed by Robert Oermann—until they don’t. But he didn’t play favorites and he was honest in every one of his reviews.”

Over the past 40 years, Oermann has authored eight books (some in collaboration with his wife Mary A. Bufwack), hosted the podcast Children of Song, and penned liner notes and bios for numerous artists. He also offers his expertise to organizations including The Recording Academy, CMA, Nashville Public Library, Leadership Music and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Among those sending in video messages of heartfelt congratulations included Charlie Daniels, Pam Tillis, UMG Nashville president/CEO Mike Dungan, KT Oslin, Chris Young, Trisha Yearwood, and Dolly Parton, who sang a special rendition of her signature hit “I Will Always Love You,” with some of the verse changed to honor Oermann.

Previous Music Row Storytellers honorees include Charlie Monk and the late Hazel Smith.

Tim DuBois and Robert K. Oermann

Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry stars Jeannie Seely and Larry Gatlin
Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow

Pictured (L-R): Denise Nichols, event co-chair and Attorney, The Primacy Firm / John Zarling, event co-chair and EVP/Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville / Sherod Robertson, Publisher-Owner, MusicRow Magazine / Robert K. Oermann’s wife, Mary Bufwack / Music Row Storytellers honoree Robert K. Oermann / Shelia Shipley Biddy, COO, Music Health Alliance / Heather McBee, event co-chair and VP/Operations, Nashville Entrepreneur Center / Maurice Miner, event co-chair and President, Maurice Miner Media & Marketing. Photo: Haley Crow, MusicRow