Pictured (L-R): songwriter Scooter Carusoe, Darius Rucker, songwriter Derek George. Photo: Ed Rode
Capitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker celebrated his ninth No. 1 country single, “For the First Time,” with a party at performing rights organization ASCAP’s Nashville office on Wednesday (Oct. 17).
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad led the celebration, in conjunction with First Tennessee Bank, honoring Rucker as well as “For The First Time” songwriters Scooter Carusoe, Derek George and producer Ross Copperman.
“The first time I heard it, I just knew this was the biggest smash ever,” Copperman said. “Derek sent me this demo and he sent me a lot of tracks to use so I thank him for that. Darius is one of my musical heroes so it’s an honor to work with him.”
Derek George has 25 years in music business, with hits spanning three decades as songwriter producer and publisher. In the past six years, produced eight top 10 hits, with five hitting No. 1. This is Derek’s third No. 1 as a songwriter.
“Alicia Pruitt set this write up and she is like my soul sister,” Derek said. “I want to thank Darius for liking the song and singing the crap out of it. Ross you make incredible records. Travis you know I love you man and I’m so happy to be here. Capitol thanks for working this song so hard on the charts.”
Scooter Carusoe, part of the Nashville music community for 20+ years, celebrates his fifth No. 1 as a writer and 15th No. 1 as a publisher with “For The First Time.”
Carusoe said, “I got an email from Alicia saying, ‘Hey do you want to fly to Charleston and write some songs with Darius Rucker?’ No, I don’t want to do that,” he laughed. “I could be putting nail in a roof or something.’ I say that jokingly, because what a blessing it is to do this job for a living, and specifically on this song and with these guys.”
Pictured (back row L-R): Warner/Chappell Vice President of A&R BJ Hill, ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad, Capitol Records VP Promotion Bobby Young, UMG Nashville VP Promotion David Friedman, Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, Rezonant Music Publishing CEO Tim Wipperman, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville President/CEO Troy Tomlinson; (front row L-R): songwriter Scooter Carusoe, Darius Rucker, songwriter Derek George. Photo: Ed Rode
Since Rucker released his first country album in 2008, he has earned four trips to the top of the country albums chart. In 2014, he earned a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance for “Wagon Wheel.”
Among those in attendance were Troy Tomlinson from Sony/ATV, Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, and David Friedman from Capitol Records Nashville. Sony/ATV also made a donation to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters.
“Ten years ago, Hootie [& the Blowfish] decided to take a break and I decided it was time to make my country record,” recalled Rucker. “ I say this every time I’m up here, but I’ve been on labels that you don’t want to be on before, and every day, I thank God I’m on Capitol Records. I’m 52 years old and you guys still fight for me like I’m that new kid and you want to break my first record. To my publishing partners, you guys allow me to write songs for a living. What is better than that? Ross, you made a great record. When I say you made a great record, there’s a reason my records don’t say ‘Produced by Ross Copperman and Darius Rucker.’ I don’t know shit. I show up and I sing and you made a great record. I can’t wait until we get to do it again.
“Charles Kelley [of Lady Antebellum] called me when this song went No. 1 and said, ‘Darius, this never gets old does it?’ I said, ‘No, number ones never get old, ever.’”
NMPA Honors Top Songwriters, Publishers at Annual Gold & Platinum Gala
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Brad Clawson, CJ Solar, Michael Hardy. Photo: Bev Moser
The National Music Publishers’ Association’s (NMPA) Gold & Platinum program celebrated over 70 songwriters and publishers last night (Oct. 19) with the second annual gala, now at City Winery in Nashville. Gold, Platinum and multi-Platinum honorees included Josh Osborne, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, busbee, Brett James.
Launched in 2007, in partnership with the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program, the NMPA Gold & Platinum Program identifies and certifies the songwriters and publishers of RIAA-certified singles. RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams.
During the evening, songwriters CJ Solar, Brad Clawson and Michael Hardy performed “Up Down” by Morgan Wallen, while Corey Crowder and Josh Hoge played their multi-Platinum hit “I’m Comin’ Over,” made famous by Chris Young. The NMPA announced three top honors during the evening as well: Top Songwriter, Top Publisher and the Platinum Anthem Award for the top certified song released in the past year.
Pictured (L-R): Josh Hoge, Corey Crowder. Photo: Bev Moser
The Top Songwriter of the year was Shane McAnally, who earned a whopping eighteen certifications for hits “Body Like A Back Road,” “Take Your Time,” “Drinkin’ Problem,” and “Unforgettable.” McAnally was out of town so his husband, and SMACK Co-Owner/President Michael McAnally Baum, accepted on his behalf.
Pictured (L-R): President & CEO NMPA David Israelite, SMACK President & Co-Owner Michael McAnally Baum. Photo: Bev Moser
Warner/Chappell Music Publishing took Top Publisher honors, earning 99 total certifications- 26 multi-Platinum, 26 Platinum, and 48 Gold. Warner/Chappell Nashville President Ben Vaughn and his team accepted the award.
Warner/Chappell Team. Photo: Bev Moser
The Platinum Anthem Award went to the monster hit “Meant To Be,” written by Bebe Rexha, Tyler Hubbard, Josh Miller and David Garcia. Songwriter Josh Miller accepted the award along with his publisher Cornman Music’s General Manager and VP of Creative, Nate Lowery.
Pictured (L-R): Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery, songwriter Josh Miller, NMPA’s David Israelite. Photo: Bev Moser
United Talent Agency Presents Digital Summit For Students At Belmont University
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R): Spotify’s Jesse Burton; United Talent Agency’s Oren Rosenbaum, Kendall Ostrow, Nick Barnes; Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business’ Dr. Cheryl Slay Carr
Over 200 students at Belmont University attended United Talent Agency’s (UTA) inaugural Digital Summit on Thursday (Oct. 18) at the university’s campus. The summit featured discussions with UTA executives including Digital Strategy Agent Nick Barnes, Head of IQ Strategy Kendall Ostrow, Digital Agent/Emerging Platforms Oren Rosenbaum, as well as Spotify’s Head of Originals Jesse Burton.
The Digital Summit was developed by UTA, alongside Belmont, to educate students on the various career opportunities in the digital marketplace, as well as explore what the current landscape looks like across practice areas such as social media, podcasting and fan retargeting.
Three sessions took place including “Retargeting: How to Cut Through the Noise and Market to Your True Fans” by Nick Barnes, followed by “Social Media: What Could go Wrong? Brand Crisis Management in the Digital Age” by Kendall Ostrow and “Creation to Syndication: How to get a Podcast off the Ground” by Oren Rosenbaum and Jesse Burton.
“We created The Digital Summit alongside Belmont to educate the next generation about career opportunities in the digital world,” said Barnes. “Upon graduating, music business students tend to only consider the traditional route of labels, publishing, management, etc. and we wanted to highlight the value of the growing digital marketplace.”
“Our ongoing relationship with UTA has resulted in countless professional and educational benefits for our students here at Belmont,” said Dr. Cheryl Slay Carr, Associate Dean of Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business. “By hosting a unique event like The Digital Summit, we were able to introduce them to career opportunities in a burgeoning field and invaluable insights from industry thought leaders.”
HARDY Releases Debut EP Today
/by Lorie HollabaughBig Loud Records/Tree Vibez Music artist HARDY is releasing his debut EP This Ole Boy today (Oct. 19).
HARDY scored his first No. 1 as a writer with Morgan Wallen’s Platinum-certified “Up Down” (featuring Florida Georgia Line) earlier this year. And he just repeated the feat with FGL’s “Simple,” snagging the top spot on both the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase Country Airplay charts this week.
The new project features four songs produced by Joey Moi and co-written with celebrated tunesmiths like Rodney Clawson, Corey Crowder and FGL’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley that introduce his unique brand of country chock full of rural realism for those who prefer to kick it old school.
“I love that lifestyle, and that’s what I want to talk about,” shares HARDY. “I’m not really a love song dude. If I’m going down that road, it’s a song like ‘This Ole Boy’ where it’s a redneck-in-love kind of thing. People that are like me, or people who still live in small towns, still love that and want to hear that. That’s why I am who I am as an artist.”
HARDY will hit the road on Morgan Wallen’s just announced If I Know Me Tour. Set to open more than two dozen shows on the winter-long run, the tour kicks off January 5 in Milwaukee and runs through March 30 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
HARDY’s This Ole Boy EP Track Listing:
1. “THROWBACK” (Rodney Clawson/Hardy/Corey Crowder/Jordan Schmidt)
2. “REDNECKER” (Hardy/Andy Albert/Jordan Schmidt)
3. “THIS OLE BOY” (Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/Brian Kelley/Hardy)
4. “4X4” (Hardy/Ryan Beaver/Nick Donley)
Darius Rucker Celebrates Ninth No. 1 Song With “For The First Time”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): songwriter Scooter Carusoe, Darius Rucker, songwriter Derek George. Photo: Ed Rode
Capitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker celebrated his ninth No. 1 country single, “For the First Time,” with a party at performing rights organization ASCAP’s Nashville office on Wednesday (Oct. 17).
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad led the celebration, in conjunction with First Tennessee Bank, honoring Rucker as well as “For The First Time” songwriters Scooter Carusoe, Derek George and producer Ross Copperman.
“The first time I heard it, I just knew this was the biggest smash ever,” Copperman said. “Derek sent me this demo and he sent me a lot of tracks to use so I thank him for that. Darius is one of my musical heroes so it’s an honor to work with him.”
Derek George has 25 years in music business, with hits spanning three decades as songwriter producer and publisher. In the past six years, produced eight top 10 hits, with five hitting No. 1. This is Derek’s third No. 1 as a songwriter.
“Alicia Pruitt set this write up and she is like my soul sister,” Derek said. “I want to thank Darius for liking the song and singing the crap out of it. Ross you make incredible records. Travis you know I love you man and I’m so happy to be here. Capitol thanks for working this song so hard on the charts.”
Scooter Carusoe, part of the Nashville music community for 20+ years, celebrates his fifth No. 1 as a writer and 15th No. 1 as a publisher with “For The First Time.”
Carusoe said, “I got an email from Alicia saying, ‘Hey do you want to fly to Charleston and write some songs with Darius Rucker?’ No, I don’t want to do that,” he laughed. “I could be putting nail in a roof or something.’ I say that jokingly, because what a blessing it is to do this job for a living, and specifically on this song and with these guys.”
Pictured (back row L-R): Warner/Chappell Vice President of A&R BJ Hill, ASCAP Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad, Capitol Records VP Promotion Bobby Young, UMG Nashville VP Promotion David Friedman, Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, Rezonant Music Publishing CEO Tim Wipperman, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville President/CEO Troy Tomlinson; (front row L-R): songwriter Scooter Carusoe, Darius Rucker, songwriter Derek George. Photo: Ed Rode
Since Rucker released his first country album in 2008, he has earned four trips to the top of the country albums chart. In 2014, he earned a Grammy for Best Country Vocal Performance for “Wagon Wheel.”
Among those in attendance were Troy Tomlinson from Sony/ATV, Rezonant’s Tim Wipperman, Carnival Music’s Frank Liddell, and David Friedman from Capitol Records Nashville. Sony/ATV also made a donation to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters.
“Ten years ago, Hootie [& the Blowfish] decided to take a break and I decided it was time to make my country record,” recalled Rucker. “ I say this every time I’m up here, but I’ve been on labels that you don’t want to be on before, and every day, I thank God I’m on Capitol Records. I’m 52 years old and you guys still fight for me like I’m that new kid and you want to break my first record. To my publishing partners, you guys allow me to write songs for a living. What is better than that? Ross, you made a great record. When I say you made a great record, there’s a reason my records don’t say ‘Produced by Ross Copperman and Darius Rucker.’ I don’t know shit. I show up and I sing and you made a great record. I can’t wait until we get to do it again.
“Charles Kelley [of Lady Antebellum] called me when this song went No. 1 and said, ‘Darius, this never gets old does it?’ I said, ‘No, number ones never get old, ever.’”
‘Unchained Melodies’: New Roy Orbison Album Offers Duet With Cam
/by LB CantrellFans will get the chance to hear from the late, great Roy Orbison again this fall with the release of Unchained Melodies: Roy Orbison with the Royal Philharmonic Orchestra.
The project gathers from material Orbison recorded between 1963 and 1988, and includes an alternate version of “Heartbreak Radio” that features a virtual collaboration between Orbison and country music artist Cam.
“I grew up listening to my Dad sing Roy Orbison,” said Cam. “Those melodies are so ingrained in my soul, when I’m mindlessly humming to myself these days, it’s mostly Orbison tunes like ‘Only The Lonely.’ Singing on ‘Heartbreak Radio’ with him is unreal, I can’t fully believe it.”
The album is being released November 16 through a partnership between Sony Music’s Legacy Recordings and Roy’s Boys LLC, the Nashville-based company founded by Roy Orbison’s sons to administer their father’s catalog and safeguard his legacy.
“These brand new orchestrations are truly spectacular,” said Roy Orbison Jr. “From the control room in Studio 2 at Abbey Road back in June, I indeed tried to close my eyes and ‘guess’ at which song we were recording next based on the prelude building from the room below. Listen closely to ‘Danny Boy’ and ‘Unchained Melody’ for perfect examples of where we tried to break new ground with this record.”
Unchained Melodies track listing:
A collaboration between Roy’s Boys and BASE Hologram is revealing the first ever holographic tour in North American history will kick off in Oakland, CA and make its way through the West Coast, Midwest, Northeast, South and even parts of Canada. The 25-date trek, which utilizes Roy’s actual voice backed by a live orchestra, will culminate in Clearwater, FL on November 19, three days after the release of Unchained Melodies.
In Dreams: Roy Orbison in Concert – The Hologram Tour
October 20 – Detroit, MI @ Fox Theatre
October 21 – Waukegan, IL @ Genesee Theatre
October 24 – Grand Prairie, TX @ Verizon Theatre
October 26 – Sugar Land, TX @ Smart Financial Centre
October 29 – Washington, DC @ MGM National Harbor
November 2 – Red Bank, NJ @ Count Basie Theatre
November 4 – Toronto, ON @ Sony Centre for the Performing Arts
November 7 – Orono, ME @ Collins Center for the Arts
November 9 – Bensalem, PA @ Xcite Center @ Parx Casino
November 10 – Brookville, NY @ Tilles Center For The Performing Arts
November 12 – Morristown, NJ @ Mayo Performing Center
November 14 – Greenville, SC @ Peace Concert Hall
November 15 – Atlanta, GA @ Fox Theatre
November 16 – Orlando, FL @ Walt Disney Theatre
November 17 – Fort Myers, FL @ Barbara B. Mann Performing Arts Hall
November 18 – Fort Lauderdale, FL @ Parker Playhouse
November 19 – Clearwater, FL @ Ruth Eckerd Hall
Luke Combs Extends Firestone Partnership With New Digital Content Series
/by Lorie HollabaughThree new episodes (which embody Harvey Firestone’s legacy pillars: Hardworking, Time-tested, and Uncompromising) revisit Combs after a whirlwind year of unprecedented success, and will premiere on Firestone’s social channels.
Combs’ debut LP This One’s For You is currently the most-streamed country album of 2018, achieving over one billion streams, and debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 chart. He’s had three consecutive No. 1 radio singles, his 3x Platinum-debut “Hurricane,” 2x Platinum “When It Rains It Pours” and Platinum “One Number Away, and his latest single “She Got The Best of Me” seems to be on its way as well, rising this week to No. 2 at radio. Combs’ just-announced Beer Never Broke My Heart Tour is already nearly sold out, with 26 of 28 venues at capacity, and he also recently earned two nominations at the 2018 CMA Awards for Male Vocalist of the Year and New Artist of the Year.
Fairground Saints Announce Partnership With Sony Music Nashville And The Orchard
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (front row L-R): Jessica Phelps-Colvin General Manager, The Orchard; Elijah Edwards of Fairground Saints; Mason Van Valin of Fairground Saints; Meg McAllister of Fairground Saints; Randy Goodman Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; (back row L-R): Angie Magill Senior Vice President, Legal & Business Affairs Sony Music Nashville; Lauren Kasper Director of Nashville Label Management, The Orchard; John Zarling Executive Vice President Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville; Kimberly Knoller Manager, The Knoller Group; Ken Robold Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Sony Music Nashville; Taylor Lindsey Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville
Nashville-based trio Fairground Saints – Elijah Edwards, Meg McAllister, and Mason Van Valin – have signed a global development partnership with Sony Music Nashville and Sony-owned distribution and label services arm The Orchard. The band is set to release their new single “Somewhere Down The Line” next Friday (10/26).
“Fairground Saints have created something unique in country music, a sound that reflects their West Coast leanings that is harmony-driven, adventurous, and carefree with intricate vocals, thoughtful songwriting, and solid musicianship,” said Randy Goodman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville. “With The Orchard partnership, we are in a great position to focus our individual resources on identifying and cultivating opportunities to advance the band and their growing fan base on a bigger scale. And with ‘Somewhere Down The Line,’ we are off to a very good start.”
“The Orchard is excited to work with the talented Fairground Saints and Sony Music Nashville to make this project happen,” Brad Navin, CEO The Orchard said. “We look forward to helping them develop and find opportunities within our global network.”
“The three of us are thrilled to finally share our new music with the world!” said the band. “We are so incredibly grateful for the supportive, smart, collaborative, and creative team behind us with both Sony Music Nashville and The Orchard working together on our behalf.”
The Saints will be premiering a new video for “Somewhere Down The Line” soon, and are working on new music for release in 2019 as part of this innovative strategic alliance.
Maren Morris Celebrates Multi-Platinum Singles At CMT ‘Artist Of The Year’ Event
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R) John Zarling Executive Vice President, Marketing & New Business Sony Music Nashville; Janet Weir 42 Entertainment/Red Light Management; Randy Goodman Chairman & CEO Sony Music Nashville; Morris; Ken Robold Chief Operating Officer & Executive Vice President Sony Music Nashville; Jim Catino Executive Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville; Taylor Lindsey Vice President, A&R Sony Music Nashville Photo Credit: Rick Diamond Photography for Sony Music Nashville
Maren Morris got a surprise following her knockout performance of Aretha Franklin’s “Natural Woman” with Brandi Carlile at the CMT Artists of the Year celebration when she was presented with three RIAA plaques celebrating the success of her singles. The CMT Artists of the Year broadcast on Oct. 17 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville celebrated the women in country music, and Morris was lauded backstage by Sony Music Nashville label execs with a Platinum certification for “I Could Use a Love Song” and “80s Mercedes” and a Double Platinum certification for her career-launching hit “My Church,” from her debut album Hero.
Morris has had a big year this year, collaborating with electronic house DJ and producer Zedd along with electronic duo Grey for her smash hit, “The Middle,” which spent six weeks at No. 1 at Top 40 Radio and five weeks at No. 1 at Hot AC radio. She also wrapped up the Niall Horan Flicker World Tour, which spanned across New Zealand, Australia, Canada, and the USA.
Weekly Chart Report (10/19/18)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Budweiser Announces All-Female Lineup For CMA Awards Showcase
/by Jessica NicholsonBudweiser will sponsor the CMA Awards for the third consecutive year, and is set to host a special “Country Club” showcase on Nov. 11 at Exit/In in Nashville. The showcase will honor an all-female lineup, including The Sisterhood Band, Kassi Ashton, Clare Dunn, and Lindsay Ell.
The show will begin at 6 p.m.
The Budweiser Country Club is a fan-enhancing experience at the largest country music festivals and events in the country featuring Budweiser products, photo opportunities, a dance floor, games as well as a variety of premium giveaways.
The Budweiser Country Club is open to the public via RSVP, at budweiser.com.