SMACKSongs In The Writers Round

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Josh Jenkins, Brandon Ratcliff, Pete Good, Matt McGinn, Teddy Robb. Front Row (L-R): Ryan Beaver, Kylie Morgan, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally, Renee Blair, Emily Falvey, Aaron Eshuis. Photo: Rachel Deeb

SMACKSongs hosted a star-studded writers round at The Listening Room last night, Monday, Oct. 22. The event sold out in just a matter of days, and all proceeds were put towards hurricane relief efforts. The writers round consisted of three rounds, hosted by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne. Performers included multi-platinum writer Matt McGinn (“What Ifs” and “Heaven” by Kane Brown), Monument Records new artists Teddy Robb and Brandon Ratcliff, SMACK artist/writers Ryan Beaver, Kylie Morgan, Renee Blair and more.

WME, Endeavor Impact Present Party At The Polls In Nashville

Pictured (L-R): Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires gather for a photo backstage during Party At The Polls at Ascend Amphitheater. Photo: Erika Goldring/WME IMG/Getty Images for WME

On Saturday (Oct. 20), WME and Endeavor Impact presented a concert and voter turnout rally at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville followed by a ½-mile march to the Howard Office Building polling location for early voting. The concert featured Sheryl Crow, Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires, Billy Ray Cyrus, Jonathan McReynolds, Lucie Silvas, Gabriel Kelley and March for Our Lives students. It also featured a surprise performance from Maren Morris. Nearly 1,000 people showed up for Saturday’s concert and marched to the polling station.

Warner Music Nashville’s Cale Dodds Makes Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Corey Crowder (songwriter producer), Narvel Blackstock (Starstruck Entertainment), Cale Dodds, Jordan Pettit (Grand Ole Opry) and Marc Dennis (CAA). Photo: Grand Ole Opry LLC/Chris Hollo, photographer

Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville rising star Cale Dodds stepped into the circle for the first time on Friday night (Oct. 19) when he made his debut at the Grand Ole Opry. Dodds offered original songs including “Take You Back” and the recently released party-starter “What We Gonna Do About It.”

Josh Turner

On Friday (Oct. 26), earthen baritone singer and “Your Man” hitmaker Josh Turner will return with his seventh full-length studio album, I Serve A Savior, a full measure of gospel classics, as well as a few newly-penned songs of faith.

The album fulfills a long-held ambition for Turner, who first hit the country charts with the self-penned spiritual “Long Black Train” in 2003. The song was certified platinum by the RIAA. Turner has regularly incorporated faith-based music on his albums, including “The Answer,” “For The Love of God,” and “Me and God,” (a collaboration with Ralph Stanley), alongside his country hits such as the Platinum-selling “Hometown Girl” from 2016.

His new project features appearances from Bobby Osborne and Sonya Isaacs, with Isaacs offering harmonies on the classics “I Saw The Light” and “How Great Thou Art.” Another cut on the album, “The River (of Happiness),” was penned by his wife, Jennifer, and their oldest son, Hampton. All four of Turner’s children–Hampton, Colby, Marion and Samuel–sing on the track.

Turner discussed the album-making process for I Serve A Savior, which includes three songs recorded live at Gaither Studios in Alexandria, Indiana. In addition to the 12-track project, Turner recorded 90-minute live performance DVD of the new faith-based collection, filmed at Gaither Studios. The DVD includes an interview of Turner with gospel legend Bill Gaither.

MusicRow: You have made it a point to incorporate songs and themes of faith throughout your career. Has a full-fledged gospel album been on your bucket list for some time?

Yeah, my fans have been asking about one and my answer to them has always been, “It’s been on my list of things to do.” It’s something that is near and dear to my heart and I am very pleased and excited with how this project has come together and the fact that it’s finally here.

How did the song “The River (Of Happiness)” come about?

Hampton had been playing something on the mandolin, and Jennifer asked him what it was. He said it was something he made up, but she told him that’s actually how you write a song – to kind of make something up and start putting it together.

Jennifer asked him “When you play that, what do you see?” And he said, “I see a river.” She asked him to describe it, and Hampton called it a happy river. They ended up collaborating on it and writing “The River (of Happiness).” I thought it turned out really well.

What memories do these songs bring back for you?

Songs like “Great is Thy Faithfulness,” “How Great Thou Art,” “Amazing Grace,” “Without Him,” those are all songs I grew up singing in church. “The Doxology” is also another song we sang in church every Sunday. The Hank Williams cover of “I Saw The Light,” that’s a song that I’ve always loved to play whereas “I Pray My Way Out of Trouble” is not a song that I played a lot, but it was one of the first songs I ever remember hearing in my life because of my granny’s record collection.

She had The Osborne Brothers hymns record and I remember hearing that song on there. Each and every song has its own set of memories to go along with it, but they’re all different.

What are your touring plans surrounding this album?

My touring schedule is pretty much set for the year. I don’t have a specific tour for this record, but I’ve already been out on the road telling people about this project, playing the title track. We are already booking dates for next year.

Sonya Isaacs is on two of the songs on this album. How did she come to be part of the album?

Kenny Greenberg, my producer, really wanted me to be involved in the background vocal process, and he wanted to get my ideas on each and every song. There were a couple of songs, “I Saw the Light” and “How Great Thou Art,” that I felt could use a featured female vocal, and the first person I thought of was Sonya Isaacs. I felt like she would be a perfect fit. So, I asked her, and she said yes. She did an incredible job on both of these songs. I’m honored to have her on this project.

Are there certain Christian music albums, or Christian albums by country artists, that really made an impact on you growing up, and why?

My granny’s record collection had everyone – Roy Acuff, Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Ernest Tubb, and The Stanley Brothers. Most of her record collection was gospel oriented. The whole gospel element has always been a part of country music, so I don’t think there is one specific album that I can think of from my childhood.

If I had to pick my favorite gospel record from a country artist, it would be Alan Jackson’s Precious Memories. I felt it came from an honest and innocent place, because he was doing this record for his momma. That record has always spoken to me because those songs were done like they would’ve been done in my church growing up, but with Alan Jackson’s voice. There was nothing in that record that distracted you from what the songs were really about. I’ve always thought that it was really well done.

I Serve A Savior Track Listing & Sequence: 
1. I Saw The Light (Featuring Sonya Isaacs)
2. I Pray My Way Out Of Trouble (Featuring Bobby Osborne)
3. Great Is Thy Faithfulness
4. Swing Low, Sweet Chariot
5. Without Him
6. I Serve A Savior
7. How Great Thou Art (Featuring Sonya Isaacs)
8. The River (of Happiness) Featuring the Turner family (Live From Gaither Studios)
9. Amazing Grace
10. Long Black Train (Live From Gaither Studios)
11. Doxology
12. Me And God (Live From Gaither Studios)

(L-R): Jennifer Klawun (BMC International), Harrison Doyle (Sunset East), Ellen Hogan (Sunset East), Steve Gordijn (BMC International), Kyle Robert (Sunset East)

Nashville-based artist management firm BMC International has signed alternative rock/pop trio Sunset East to an exclusive global artist management agreement.

“We are extremely proud and excited to represent Sunset East. Ellen, Kyle, and Harrison of Sunset East are incredibly talented musicians who have come together in Nashville to carve their own niche–unique style with the great energy of rock and roll, the soul-touching lyrics of folk, and the feel-good melodies of pop,” said Steve Gordijn, President of BMC International.

Sunset East’s debut single “These Tracks” from their forthcoming self-titled EP will release on Nov. 30, with their full project due this February.

Gordijn is an accomplished business professional, musician and songwriter of 30+ years, originally from Melbourne, Australia. Gordijn relocated to Nashville with his family in 2017 and is rapidly expanding his self-started BMC International. Gordijn recently employed industry veteran Jennifer Klawun as BMC International’s Director of Artist Management.

Pictured (L-R): Kim Mattoon, James “JC” Curleigh, Cesar Gueikian

Gibson Brands, Inc. has appointed James “JC” Curleigh as president and chief executive officer. Curleigh joins Gibson from Levi Strauss & Co., where he served as president of the Levi’s brand, and was a member of its worldwide leadership team.

Gibson also announced the appointments of Cesar Gueikian as CMO (chief merchant officer); Kim Mattoon as CFO (chief financial officer); and Christian Schmitz as
CPO (chief production officer). The appointments of Curleigh and the new Gibson senior team are effective November 1, 2018, when Gibson will emerge from bankruptcy protection. Upon emergence, KKR will be the majority owner with the controlling interest of the company.

“As a musician, I have always treasured my Gibson guitars and I have the utmost respect for the iconic Gibson brand and those who choose to play Gibson guitars,” said Curleigh. “Gibson has been a pioneer of craftsmanship and innovation in musical instruments and has been synonymous with shaping the sounds of generations and genres for more than 100 years. I am very honored to play a leading role with this iconic brand.”

Curleigh continued, “As a business leader and a brand builder, this is the beginning of a new era for Gibson that will build on its proven heritage and iconic status. We are focusing on the future and off to a fresh start, with a strong financial foundation, a committed and experienced new leadership team and new ownership that is equally passionate about the brand. As the industry leader, we have an opportunity and an obligation to set the best conditions for success for our brands, our fans, our partners and our own extended team. I look forward to leading Gibson confidently into the future.”

Nat Zilkha, incoming Chairman of Gibson’s Board of Directors and representing the new majority ownership group (KKR), said, “JC’s track record speaks for itself – he’s a rock star when it comes to understanding consumers and shaping a marketplace, working with retail partners and building world class brands. JC, Cesar, Kim and Christian bring new energy and vision to Gibson, fueled by authentic passion for the company and music. On behalf of Gibson’s Board of Directors, I look forward to partnering with them to help Gibson achieve its strategic vision and forge a successful, bright future for the company and all of its stakeholders.”

A life-long guitarist and avid Gibson collector, Gueikian joins the company as the new chief merchant officer (CMO) after a 20-year career as an entrepreneur and financier, investing in the growth of companies around the world. He has led teams at global investment houses culminating with the founding and successful growth of his own firm. In his role, Gueikian will focus on product and its evolution, commercial solutions and connecting fans through marketing strategies to drive profitable growth.

“Joining Gibson is the opportunity of a lifetime for me,” said Gueikian. “As a business person, a musician and lifelong fan of the craftsmanship and quality of Gibson guitars, I am thrilled to help shape the future of a company whose instruments have influenced my life and the sound of music globally. I am committed to collaborating closely with all of Gibson’s stakeholders, including our artists, dealers, our employees and our customers to expand on Gibson’s leadership. I share their passion for Gibson’s iconic instruments and I am confident that together we will create a successful future that is worthy of the company’s incredible heritage.”

As CFO, Mattoon will support Gibson by ensuring the company builds and maintains the financial, human and other resources necessary to sustain a growth trajectory and invest in the future. She joins Gibson from Richemont North America where she served as chief operating officer, and brings deep financial acumen, proven brand-building experience and an enterprise-wide understanding of strategy and execution to Gibson.

“I’m incredibly excited to join Gibson and to be part of a company with such an iconic legacy and promising future,” said Mattoon. “With our strong financial position and clean balance sheet, we have an opportunity to build on and expand Gibson’s core guitar business as the company moves into this next chapter. I look forward to working with JC, Cesar, Christian and the entire Gibson team to drive long-term growth at Gibson and ensure that the company continues to represent the pinnacle of the music industry.”

As chief production officer, Schmitz will take on the challenge of driving best practices in manufacturing, creating supply chain synergy and establishing operational excellence across Gibson’s U.S. and global production platform. Schmitz has been a key member of the transition team at Gibson over the past year and his operational leadership, experience and focus on collaboration and teamwork will immediately benefit the company.

“Having worked with the Gibson team for the past year, I am confident we can continue to turn our production focus into a competitive advantage for Gibson,” says Schmitz.