Industry Ink: Applause Award, Big Branch Productions, Outloud Music Festival

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Former BMI Exec To Receive Applause Award

The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will present its highest honor, the Applause Award, to Bridgestone Americas and John Cody, the former Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), at the 2018 TPAC Gala, on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Cody served at BMI from 2006-2010, served on TPAC’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2016, including two years as chairman from 2010 to 2012. During that time, his passion for the performing arts and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and dig into major projects like TPAC’s historic step to launch a national tour of “9 to 5” with Dolly Parton in 2010 was evident.

 

Big Branch Productions Launches In Los Angeles, Nashville

Bart Peters

Bart Peters, former Audience Network executive, has launched Big Branch Productions, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville. The new company will produce original content for live events, film, and television.

Big Branch Productions’ initial programming slate includes “Super Saturday Night with JLo,” which aired prior to Super Bowl LII on Audience Network; “Audience Music,” Audience Network’s Friday night concert series; and the Audience Network comedy series “Loudermilk.”

“My vision for Big Branch Productions is to create a production company that isn’t limited to any specific genre or programming type – but encompasses a variety of content across genres, including live audience events – an approach in synch with today’s ever expanding TV and film landscape,” said Peters. “I love the opportunity to bring the full extent of my experience as a television executive, producer and director to the projects that Big Branch develops. I look forward to partnering with old and new friends within the creative community and produce innovative programming that has global appeal.”

 

OUTLOUD Music Festival To Feature Betty Who, Big Freedia

OUTLOUD Music Festival kicks off in Nashville on Sept. 8. The one-day, music-centric event includes Betty Who, Big Freedia, CupcakKe, Cazwell and many more on two stages. Along with the festival headliners, the event features Shelly Fairchild, Jake Wesley Rogers, Zoe Cummins, Stasney Mav, Myylo, Fame & Fiction, Kiya Lacey and several drag performances.

Betty Who burst onto the scene in 2016 with her hit single “I Love You Always Forever”.  Her second album, The Valley, was released in 2017 to rave reviews and a sold out tour. Her shows are non-stop energy and not something to miss.

Big Freedia is a New Orleans-based rapper and the undisputed Queen of Bounce. A vibrant twist on hip-hop, Bounce music is characterized by call-and-response lyrics over rapid-fire beats and booty-shaking. After running the New Orleans club scene for over two decades, the GLAAD media award winner is bringing the Bounce movement world-wide.

CupcakKe hails out of Chicago and released her first two singles on the internet becoming a viral sensation. She released her debut mixtape in 2016 and was placed in Rolling Stone’s “Best Rap Albums of 2016”. She uses her music as platform for advocacy including causes such as LGBT rights and female empowerment.

General Admission early bird tickets are $30.00 until the week of the event.  Betty Who, Big Freedia, and CupcakKe meet and greet tickets are also available at outloudmusicfestival.com.

 

Tauren Wells, Zach Williams Lead GMA Dove Awards Nominees

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The Gospel Music Association (GMA) announced today the nominees for the 49th Annual GMA Dove Awards, revealed exclusively on Facebook Live with the help of Travis Greene and Francesca Battistelli.

Tauren Wells leads artist nominations with seven, followed by Zach Williams with six and Cory Asbury, Tasha Cobbs Leonard and TobyMac with five nods each. Top nominated writer/producer Colby Wedgeworth scored eight nominations.

Artist vying in the Artist of the Year category include Hillsong United, MercyMe, NEEDTOBREATHE, Tasha Cobbs Leonard, and Zach Williams.

“Congratulations to this year’s Dove Award nominees!” GMA President Jackie Patillo said. “God is doing amazing things through our artists and their music. This year’s theme Reverent Wonder celebrates the greatness of God and acknowledges His powerful message of hope for the world.”

The awards show will take place on Tuesday, Oct. 16, at Lipscomb University. Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will exclusively air the show on Sunday, Oct. 21. Voting for the final winners will run Aug. 20 through Aug. 27.

The GMA Dove Awards celebrate the contributions of artists from every style of Christian/Gospel music. Nominees are determined by GMA’s professional members, and winners will be voted on by the entire GMA membership.

Nominees in select categories are listed below; for a full list of this year’s nominees, visit doveawards.com.

Artist of the Year
Hillsong UNITED, Hillsong Music Australia / Capital CMG
MercyMe, Fair Trade Services
NEEDTOBREATHE, Atlantic Records
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Zach Williams, Provident Label Group

Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“Blessings” – (writers) Allen Swoope, Asheton Hogan, Lecrae Moore, Maurice Simmonds, Tyrone Williams Griffin, Jr.
“Broken Things” – (writers) Andrew Jacob Pruis, Jason Houser, Matthew West
“Control (Somehow You Want Me)” – (writers) Jason Ingram, Matt Bronleewe, Mike Donehey
“Different” – (writers) Kyle Lee, Micah Tyler
“Hills and Valleys” – (writers) Chuck Butler, Jonathan Smith, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Kevin McKeehan
“I’ll Find You” – (writers) Danny Majic, John Mitchell, Justin Franks, Lecrae Moore, Natalie Sims, Sasha Sloan, Victoria Kelly
“O’Lord” – (writers) Joe Williams, Paul Mabury
“Old Church Choir” – (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams
“Reckless Love (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Unfinished” – (writers) Ben Glover, Colby Wedgeworth

New Artist of the Year
Cory Asbury, Bethel Music
Koryn Hawthorne, RCA Inspiration
Mosaic MSC, Essential Worship
Pat Barrett, Capitol CMG
Tauren Wells, Provident Label Group

Gospel Artist of the Year
CeCe Winans, Puresprings Gospel / Thirty Tigers
Jekalyn Carr, Lunjeal Music Group
Kirk Franklin, RCA Inspiration
Tasha Cobbs Leonard, Motown Gospel
Travis Greene, RCA Inspiration

Worship Song of the Year
“Do It Again” – (writers) Chris Brown, Mack Brock, Matt Redman, Steven Furtick
“Reckless Love” – (writers) Caleb Culver, Cory Asbury, Ran Jackson
“So Will I (100 Billion X)” – (writers) Benjamin Hastings, Joel Houston, Michael Fatkin
“Spirit of the Living God” – (writers) Jacob Sooter, Mia Fieldes
“Tremble” – (writers) Andres Figueroa, Hank Bentley, Mariah McManus, Mia Fieldes

Pop/Contemporary Recorded Song of the Year
“All My Hope” – Crowder, (writers) David Crowder, Ed Cash
“O’Lord”– LaurenDaigle, (writers)JoeWilliams, Paul Mabury
“When We Pray” – Tauren Wells, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Tauren Wells
“I just need U.” – TobyMac, (writers) Blake NeeSmith, Bryan Fowler, Toby McKeehan
“Old Church Choir” – Zach Williams, (writers) Colby Wedgeworth, Ethan Hulse, Zach Williams

Rap/Hip Hop Recorded Song of the Year
“Not Today Satan (ft. Andy Mineo) ” – KB, (writers) Andrew Mineo, Chris Mackey, Jacob Cardec, Joseph Prielozny, Kevin Burgess
“War Cry (ft. Tauren Wells)” – Social Club Misfits, (writers) Andrew Wells, David Frank, Fernando Miranda, John Thomas Roach, Martin Santiago, Tommee Profitt
“SMILE” – Tedashii, (writers) Lasanna Harris, Marquis Rachad, Philip Green, Shama Joseph, Tedashii Anderson
“Forever” – Trip Lee, (writers) Jacob Cardec, William Barfield
“Praying Hands (ft. Trip Lee)” – Ty Brasel, (writers) Kenneth Christian Mackey, Ty Brasel

Contemporary Gospel/Urban Recorded Song of the Year
“I Got That” – Anthony Brown & group therAPy, (writer) Anthony Brown
“A Great Work” – Brian Courtney Wilson, (writers) Aaron W. Lindsey, Alvin Richardson, Brian Courtney Wilson
“Not Lucky, I’m Loved” – Jonathan McReynolds, (writers) Jonathan McReynolds, Terrell Demetrius Wilson
“Won’t He Do It” – Koryn Hawthorne and Roshon Fegan, (writers) Loren Hill, Makeba Riddick, Rich Shelton
“You (ft. Tye Tribbett)” – Snoop Dogg, (writers) Jovan J. Dawkins, Jevon Hill, Stanley Green Jr, Timothy Tyrone Bush Jr, Tye Tribbett

Southern Gospel Recorded Song of the Year
“​He Can Take It​”​ – ​Brian Free & Assurance,​ (writers) Jeff Bumgardner, Kenna Turner West, Sue C. Smith
“​Clear Skies​”​ – ​Ernie Haase & Signature Sound​, (writers) Ernie Haase, Joel Lindsey, Wayne Haun
“Hallelujah Band” – Gaither Vocal Band, (writers) Becca Mizell, Sam Mizell
“Washed By The Water” – Jason Crabb, (writers) Dave Barnes, Jason Crabb, Jordan Reynolds
“Just When You Thought” – Joseph Habedank, (writers) Joseph Habedank, Michael Farren, Wayne Haun

‘CMA Fest’ Special Featuring 29 Of Country’s Hottest Acts Airs Tonight

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CMA Fest premieres tonight on ABC at 7 p.m. CT. The three-hour primetime special is in its 15th straight year, with Thomas Rhett and Kelsea Ballerini returning as hosts for a second year.

Filmed during Nashville’s 47th annual CMA Fest, the special includes performances during the festival by 29 of music’s hottest acts, including Jason Aldean, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Brett Eldredge, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Dustin Lynch, Midland, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, Cole Swindell, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Brett Young. Special guest collaborations include Lauren Alaina with Brown, Julia Michaels with Urban, Morgan Wallen with Florida Georgia Line, and Dwight Yoakam with Bentley.

Thomas Rhett returns to host “CMA Fest” for a third year, and Ballerini returns for a second year. The show is executive produced by Robert Deaton.

Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich Passes

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Steve “Bogie” Bogdanovich, Romeo Entertainment Group Vice President/Production Manager, passed away on Monday (8/6) at the age of 66 following a three-year battle with ideopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

Bogdanovich was born and raised in Omaha and started playing in local bands as a teenager. In 1978, he became the Production Manager for the Aksarben Coliseum and Thoroughbred Racetrack. He maintained his position at Aksarben until the building closed in 2001, then took a job with Romeo Entertainment Group as a production manager and booking agent. While working for REG, he became a true road warrior, producing concert events all over the western United States.

In addition to his full-time work, Bogie ventured into many side gigs, including his video production company, BogieVision, (1992-2003), his work producing the All Star Jam at the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas (2003-2015), and his annual gig as production manager for the Berkshire Hathaway Shareholders Meeting in Omaha. He was the recipient of several industry awards, including the 2013 IEBA Talent Buyer of the Year, the 2010 Academy of Country Music Talent Buyer of the Year, and the 2009 Jack Hunter Award from the Dakota Fairs Association.

Bogdanovich is survived by his wife of 45 years Nancy, two daughters and their husbands, Shawn Poulicek (Joe) and Jody Olsen (Ryan), two grandchildren, Steven and Sidney Poulicek, his mother Josie (Vecchio) Bogdanovich, sister Mary Jo Goodwin, and dog “L.B.”

Visitation will be held on Friday, August 10 from 5 to 8 p.m. at Heafey-Hoffmann-Dworak-Cutler on 7805 W. Center Road in Omaha. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, August 11 at 10 a.m. Cards can be sent in c/o Romeo Entertainment Group 5247 N. 129 th St. Omaha, NE 68164.

Carrie Underwood Welcomes All-Female Lineup For 2019 “Cry Pretty” Arena Tour

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Carrie Underwood will launch a new arena tour, The Cry Pretty Tour 360, in Spring 2019. Sponsored by CALIA, the new tour will kick off on May 1 in Greensboro, North Carolina, and will play 55 arenas across the U.S. and Canada and be promoted by AEG Presents. She will be joined on tour by special guests Maddie & Tae and Runaway June. The trek includes a stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 27, 2019.

Tickets for the concerts go on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Aug. 17 at 10am local time. Also beginning Monday, Aug. 13, a limited number of exclusive VIP Packages will be available which include an amazing selection of tickets, Meet & Greets, autographed memorabilia, custom merchandise and much more.

Following her successful “The Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round,” the new production will feature a brand-new stage in the middle of the arena floor, creating a unique 360-degree setting to allow fans on all sides of the arena an intimate view of the concert. Barry Lather (Rihanna, Mariah Carey, Michael Jackson) is the tour’s Creative Director, and Nick Whitehouse/Fireplay (Justin Timberlake, Beyonce) is Production Designer.

“I love performing in the round,” says Underwood. “It’s so much fun for me and the band to play in every direction and creates a much more intimate and immersive experience for the audience, even in a larger arena setting. It’s been exciting to introduce audiences to Cry Pretty and I can’t wait to bring the new album to life on this tour, along with all of the songs we love to play live. I’m thrilled to be going out with an amazing line-up – Maddie & Tae and Runaway June are incredible artists that are going to bring even more electricity to our shows.”

Underwood has arranged for a donation of $1 from each ticket sold for The Cry Pretty Tour 360 to be contributed to Danita’s Children, which provides a safe haven for abandoned and vulnerable children in Haiti, while encouraging families to stay together through their education and malnutrition programs.

Prior to embarking on the tour next Spring, Underwood will appear at the upcoming iHeart Music Festival in Las Vegas, as well as such international festivals as The Long Road Festival and Radio 2 Live in Hyde Park in the UK, Tuckerville in The Netherlands, and Deni Ute Muster in Australia.

THE CRY PRETTY TOUR 360:
Date City Venue
May 1, 2019 Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
May 3, 2019 Birmingham, AL Legacy Arena at the BJCC
May 4, 2019 N. Little Rock, AR Verizon Arena
May 6, 2019 San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
May 9, 2019 Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena
May 11, 2019 Las Vegas, NV MGM Grand Garden Arena
May 12, 2019 Fresno, CA Save Mart Center
May 14, 2019 Sacramento, CA Golden1 Center
May 16, 2019 Oakland, CA Oracle Arena
May 18, 2019 Bakersfield, CA Rabobank Arena
May 21, 2019 Portland, OR MODA Center at Rose Garden
May 22, 2019 Spokane, WA Spokane Arena
May 24, 2019 Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome
May 25, 2019 Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena
May 28, 2019 Edmonton, AB Rogers Place
May 31, 2019 Saskatoon, SK SaskTel Centre
June 2, 2019 Winnipeg, MB Bell MTS Place
June 9, 2019 Toronto, ON Scotiabank Arena
June 10, 2019 Ottawa, ON Canadian Tire Centre
June 13, 2019 Hershey, PA GIANT Center
June 15, 2019 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
June 16, 2019 Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse
June 18, 2019 St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center
June 20, 2019 Milwaukee, WI Fiserv Forum
June 21, 2019 Minneapolis, MN Target Center
June 23, 2019 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
Sept 10, 2019 San Diego, CA Valley View Casino Center
Sept 12, 2019 Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center
Sept 14, 2019 Salt Lake City, UT Vivint Smart Home Arena
Sept 16, 2019 Denver, CO Pepsi Center
Sept 18, 2019 Wichita, KS INTRUST Bank Arena
Sept 19, 2019 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
Sept 21, 2019 Houston, TX Toyota Center
Sept 22, 2019 Lafayette, LA Cajundome
Sept 24, 2019 Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
Sept 25, 2019 Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept 27, 2019 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
Sept 29, 2019 Columbia, SC Colonial Life Arena
Sept 30, 2019 Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
Oct 2, 2019 New York City, NY Madison Square Garden
Oct 4, 2019 Washington, D.C. Capital One Arena
Oct 5, 2019 Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center
Oct 10, 2019 Boston, MA TD Garden
Oct 12, 2019 Pittsburgh, PA PPG Paints Arena
Oct 13, 2019 Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center
Oct 16, 2019 Cleveland, OH Quicken Loans Arena
Oct 17, 2019 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
Oct 19, 2019 Atlanta, GA Philips Arena
Oct 20, 2019 Jacksonville, FL Jacksonville Veterans Memorial Arena
Oct 23, 2019 Memphis, TN FedExForum
Oct 24, 2019 Tulsa, OK BOK Center
Oct 26, 2019 Des Moines, IA Wells Fargo Arena
Oct 27, 2019 Sioux Falls, SD Denny Sanford PREMIER Center
Oct 29, 2019 Chicago, IL United Center
Oct 31, 2019 Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena*Tickets on sale Friday, Aug 24th in Wichita, Kansas City and Sioux Falls

Dan+Shay Plan “Tequila Tuesday” Street Party In Nashville

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Dan + Shay have cause to celebrate – and true to their roots, will do so back home in Nashville alongside their fans with a “Tequila Tuesday” Street Party on August 14.

The event, presented by City National Bank and benefiting Musicians On Call, will feature food trucks, assorted street games and activities, festive beverages and a full-band performance from the award-winning entertainers.

Hosted beside the Warner Music Nashville and Warner / Chappell Production Music headquarters on Music Circle North, the festivities are open to all ages and will begin at 6 p.m. Additional sponsors include Anderson Benson, ASCAP, BMI, CAA, Sam Adams, Sandbox Entertainment, Scooter Braun Projects, Don Julio, FBMM, Lyft, popchips and Topo Chico. Fans can reserve their free GA ticket here.

Former SESAC Headquarters Purchased

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The building at 55 Music Square East, home to the former SESAC headquarters, has been purchased by Jim Caden. According to Nashville Business Journal, Caden has plans to occupy one suite in the 16,000-square-foot building and lease the rest, after completing more than $500,000 in renovations.

In 2016, SESAC moved its headquarters to another building in the Music Row area, at 35 16th Ave. S.

Industry Ink: IBMA Foundation, Smith & Wesley, AristoPR

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IBMA Foundation Partners with The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to Establish Endowment

The board of the IBMA Foundation (formerly the Foundation for Bluegrass Music) voted July 26 to move $50,000 of their undesignated funds into a new endowment managed by The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, based in Nashville. Income earned by this endowment will return to the IBMA Foundation in perpetuity to help fund grants for educational programs and events that support the future of bluegrass music by introducing the music to upcoming generations of musicians and fans.

The IBMA Foundation awards $15,000 in grants annually, including $3,000 in mini-grants that help pay bands who present educational bluegrass music programs for children at schools and camps.

 

Smith & Wesley Sign With BFD

Country duo Smith & Wesley are prepping their second album For Better or For Worse. The duo’s Dream Walkin’ Records label has signed with national distribution company BFD via Orchard to handle all aspects of their current and future releases. The new album is due out this fall.

 

AristoPR Signs Kings Dining & Entertainment

Franklin-based restaurant and entertainment venue, Kings Dining & Entertainment has entered into a representation agreement with Nashville-based marketing and public relations firm, AristoPR, who will oversee publicity and public relations initiatives for the venue.

Located at CoolSprings Galleria, Kings Dining & Entertainment is a 25,000 square foot, 625 person-capacity-venue home to Kings Bowl, The Draft Room, The Royal Room, and The Whiskey Room Live. The venue offers guests unique entertainment experiences featuring luxury ten-pin bowling, table games, adult-geared “low tech” social games such as hoops and air hockey, and more. The Whiskey Room Live, Kings Bowl & The Draft Room feature an award-winning menu paired with upscale décor.  Their executive-chef designed menu is brought to life by “best-in-industry” service and various venue features, such as live music, karaoke, DJ’s, nightly promotions and deals for any size group.

Nashville Songwriters HOF To Welcome K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Dunn, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Byron Hill, Joe Melson

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Photo (L-R): Inductees Wayne Kirkpatrick, Byron Hill and Joe Melson; NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford; Inductees K. T. Oslin and Ronnie Dunn.

The latest inductees into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame were announced during an event this morning (Aug. 7) in Nashville.

K.T. Oslin, Ronnie Dunn, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Byron Hill, and Joe Melson will be inducted during the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame gala slated for October 28 at Nashville’s Music City Center, according to an announcement from Pat Alger, chair of the organization’s board of directors.

These five writers and artists will join the current 208 members of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Oslin signed to Elektra in 1981, which yielded two modestly-successful singles. By 1987, she had moved to Nashville and signed with RCA Nashville. Her self-penned song, “’80s Ladies” would earn the CMA Song of the Year in 1988. The same album also launched the singles “Do Ya” and “I’ll Always Come Back.” Her second album produced the singles “Money,” “Hey Bobby” “This Woman,” “Didn’t Expect It To go Down This Way,” and “Hold Me,” which earned a Grammy for Best Country Song in 1988. She was named SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year in 1988, 1989, and 1991. In 2014, she was inducted into the Texas Heritage Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Hill moved to Nashville in 1978 and was signed with ATV Music group, where he wrote the songs “Pickin’ Up Strangers” (Johnny Lee) and penned George Strait’s first No. 1 “Fool Hearted Memory.” He left ATV in 1984, but continued writing hit songs, including “Born Country” (Alabama), “Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous” (Tracy Byrd), “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan) and more. To date, his songs have generated more than 700 recordings, he’s earned 91 RIAA-certified Gold and Platinum Awards, 10 ASCAP Awards, and more.

Kirkpatrick spent his early songwriting career penning hits including Michael W. Smith’s “Place In This World,” and Amy Grant’s “Takes A Little Time,” and “Every Heartbeat.” In 1996, Wayne’s “Change The World,” co-written and recorded by Eric Clapton, earned a Grammy for Song of the Year. In 1999, he played, sang, and co-wrote 8 of the 10 tracks on Garth Brooks’ Chris Gaines project. In 2001, Kirkpatrick began collaborating with Little Big Town, resulting in songs such as “Boondocks,” “Bring It On Home,” and “Little White Church.”

Melson’s early writing career was launched in the mid-1950s, when he met a then-unknown Roy Orbison. In 1960, their co-written “Only The Lonely” launched Orbison into stardom; the single would be entered into the Grammy hall of fame in 1999. In 1961, they co-wrote the smash hit “Crying,” with Orbison’s recording being inducted into the Grammy Hall of Fame in 2002. In 2002, Melson was also inducted into the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.

Dunn recorded with Kix Brooks as part of Brooks & Dunn from 1991-2011. Together, they earned the CMA Vocal Duo of the Year 14 times. Dunn is the sole writer on hits including “Neon Moon,” “Hard Workin’ Man,” “She Used To Be Mine,” “She’s Not The Cheatin’ Kind,” and “Boot Scootin’ Boogie,” which earned the ACM’s Song of the Year honor in 1992. Dunn was BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1996 and 1998. Dunn was inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in 2003.

Jordan Feliz Hit “The River” Certified Gold

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Pictured (L-R): Centricity VP of Finance Ben Stauffer, VP of Publishing Chad Segura, Senior VP of A&R John Mays, Jordan Feliz, manager Adam Taylor, Centricity General Manager Steve Ford

Centricity Music artist Jordan Feliz is celebrating the most recent milestone for his hit “The River,” which has been certified Gold by the RIAA. Since its release, the track has also been honored with a GMA Dove Award nomination for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, a K-LOVE Fan Award nomination for Breakout Single of the Year, and the New Release Today We Love Christian Music Awards trophy for Song of the Year.

“I’m just really grateful,” said Feliz, who recently celebrated the milestone with his record label Centricity Music, family, bandmates, and other industry partners. “It’s always an honor with something you’re a part of creatively, to see it resonate with so many people. It’s incredible to see what it is the Lord does with music, and to be part of what He’s done with this song is amazing.”

Feliz wrote “The River” with Colby Wedgeworth and Josh Silverberg, with Wedgeworth also producing the track. The song, Feliz’s first-ever release to Christian radio, served as the title track for his 2016 album, which solidified Feliz as one of CCM’s fastest rising artists and earned him the Dove Award for Best New Artist. This year he followed up with his sophomore album, Future.

This fall Feliz heads out on the 28-city Big Church Night Out tour with Crowder.