Amy Stroup Signs With WME

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Pictured (L-R): Matthew Morgan, Agent, William Morris Endeavor; Amy Stroup, Artist, Co-Founder Milkglass Creative; Rob Beckham, Co-Head, William Morris Endeavor (WME).

Amy Stroup has signed with WME. The Nashville-based singer/songwriter and member of Sugar & The Hi-Lows will be releasing her forthcoming solo album Helen of Memphis on Aug. 10, featuring collaborations with the members of SUPERCOOKIES (Kendrick Lamar, DRAM), One Republic’s Tim Meyers, and Danger Twins partner Andrew Simple.

Stroup’s music has been featured in more than 450 TV shows, films and international ad campaigns. She is currently on the road and has upcoming dates with Kenny Loggins, Rodrigo y Garbiela, and Noah Guthrie. Additional fall dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

Stroup is also the co-founder of Milkglass Creative, the Nashville-based design firm responsible for the art behind Chris Stapleton and Little Big Town’s latest releases.

“I’m so excited to be a part of the amazing team at WME,” said Stroup. “They are a team that is constantly innovating the live music experience world wide and get that Nashville music isn’t just country… it’s pop, rock, indie, and beyond. I couldn’t be more excited to partner to promote my new record on the road with them.”

Weekly Chart Report (7/13/18)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

New Album Coming From Asleep At The Wheel

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On Friday, Sept. 14, Asleep at the Wheel will release New Routes, (Thirty Tigers) its first new material in over a decade, embarking on a new chapter in the group’s 48 year history with a fresh group of musicians and nimble musical palette. The 11-track collection of both new and familiar country, jazz, jump blues, rockabilly, Western Swing and folk, offers a blend of originals, vibrant covers, superior musicianship, and a guest vocal appearance by Seth and Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers.

Comprised of founder/leader Ray Benson (lead guitar and vocals), Katie Shore (fiddle and vocals), Eddie Rivers (steel and sax), David Sanger (drums), Dennis Ludiker (fiddle, mandolin, vocals), Josh Hoag (bass), Connor Forsyth (piano and vocals), and Jay Reynolds (sax and clarinet), Asleep at the Wheel’s performance agility takes centerstage on the record.

For the first time since the 80’s, Benson co-wrote with a member of the Wheel for the record. “Call It A Day Tonight” is co-penned with fiddler and recent band addition, Katie Shore. The Ft. Worth, Texas, native follows in the long tradition of strong and talented women who have been an integral part of the band’s identity for decades. From founding vocalist Chris O’Connell to Mary Ann Price, Rosie Flores, Cindy Cashdollar, Elizabeth McQueen and Emily Gimble, female vocalists and musicians have shaped the band’s legacy.

New Routes tracklist:
1. Jack I’m Mellow (Public Domain / Arranger Ray Benson)
2. Pencil Full of Lead (Paolo Nutini)
3. Call It a Day Tonight (Ray Benson, Katie Shore)
4. Seven Nights to Rock (Buck Trail, Henry Glover, Louis Innis)
5. Dublin Blues (Guy Clark)
6. I Am Blue (Katie Shore)
7. Pass the Bottle Around (Ray Benson)
8. Big River (Johnny Cash / House of Cash Inc (BMI))
9. Weary Rambler (Katie Shore)
10. More Days Like This (Seth Walker, Gary Nicholson)
11. Willie Got There First ft. Seth and Scott Avett of The Avett Brothers (Seth Avett)

BBR Music Group Announces New Executive Appointments

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BBR Music Group has announced a slate of new executive appointments, following this week’s restructuring of its label lineup with new assignments and responsibilities effective immediately.

Shelley Hargis, former VP of Promotion at Red Bow Records, has joined the Broken Bow Records team as new co-VP of Promotions alongside Lee Adams. Hargis’s responsibilities will now include overseeing promotion for the Midwest. Both Hargis and Adams report to Carson James, SVP Promotion BBR Music Group.

Kendra Whitehead and Caitlyn Gordon transition from Red Bow Records in their Director of Promotions positions to Wheelhouse Records with similar responsibilities. The two will report to newly appointed Wheelhouse VP of Promotions Ken Tucker who transitions from Apple Music July 23.

Lexi Willson will move from her position as the Director of Promotion, West Coast at Wheelhouse Records to handle responsibilities in the Northeast for Stoney Creek Records. Willson now reports to Stoney Creek VP of Promotion Byron Kennedy.

Matt Holmberg, formerly the Promotion Coordinator for Wheelhouse Records and Red Bow Records, has been named Manager of Secondary Promotions.

Andrea Knipp has been named Promotion Coordinator for Wheelhouse Records, Broken Bow and Stoney Creek Records.

Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group, said, “Our newly restructured labels strongly position us to deliver at the highest levels for our artists as well as our radio partners.”

“The team and the artists here at BBR Music Group are the best in the industry. I can’t wait for country radio and the fans to hear what we have in store for them,” added Carson James, SVP Promotion BBR Music Group.

 

Music Expo To Hold Inaugural Nashville Conference This Fall

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Music Expo, the multi-city conference series for music makers in partnership with Sound On Sound, is hosting its first-ever Music Expo Nashville on Sept. 22.

Hosted by SAE Institute, the day-long exhibition will feature keynote presentations, panels and educational workshops led by producers, engineers, songwriters, music industry leaders and tastemakers including Brian Bauer, Matt Leigh, Zach Allen, Logan Crowell, Robert Venable and more.

Early bird conference tickets are $15 and are available now until July 31st. The final program and speaker lineup will be announced in the coming weeks. Since Music Expo’s inception five years ago, the series of conferences has brought together artists, producers, engineers and innovators in cities like Boston and Miami.

“Our mission is to provide a platform that encourages dialogue between music creators, and after five years in other cities, we are really excited to bring Music Expo to Nashville for the first time with the help of SAE Institute. Nashville is a music hub for so many creators, musicians, producers and songwriters, and we hope to be apart of that, and provide more opportunities for the creative community to gather,” said Loïc Maestracci, Founder of Music Expo.

Early bird conference tickets are $15 and are available now until July 31. 

DISClaimer: Powerful New Tunes From David Lee Murphy, Rachel Wammack

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David Lee Murphy and Rachel Wammack

This week, we say howdy to several of our old pals.

John Scott Sherrill, Pam Tillis, Lorrie Morgan, Sylvia, David Ball and Larry Stewart are all artists that I have followed affectionately for years. So is David Lee Murphy, and he has the rockin’ Disc of the Day.

I reviewed one of Rachel Wammack’s tracks earlier this summer. Now with her official debut single, “Damage,” she’s an official contender. This lady is the most deserving DisCovery Award winner I have had in many a moon.

DAVID BALL/I Got A Broken Heart In The Mail
Writers: none listed; Producer: David Ball; Publishers: none listed; Public
– Kinda spare sounding and lo-fi, but full of hillbilly personality. And the echoes of Buck Owens in his vocal delivery are delightful.

SYLVIA/Nobody
Writers: Kye Fleming/Dennis Morgan; Producers: John Mock/Sylvia; Publishers: none listed; Red Pony
– Sylvia’s latest CD is titled Second Bloom: The Hits Re-Imagined. She still sings with immense verve, and the songs still sound sturdy. Her biggest tune is given an arrangement that puts more spotlight on the personality in her voice and on the song’s tightly crafted lyric. Highly recommended listening.

JON PARDI/Night Shift
Writers: Tofer Brown/Phillip LaRue/Billy Montana; Producers: Bart Butler; Publishers: Maxx/Let the Road Pave Itself/Razor & Tie/Bicycle/Mike Curb/Rain Town, BMI; Capitol
-It’s a wailing, workingman’s-romance country rocker. It’s been a tough week, but the weekend lovin’ is gonna make the overtime worthwhile.

YouTube video

 

ANITA COCRHAN/Fight Like A Girl
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AC
– The multi-talented Anita has been battling breast cancer for all of this past year. This is her survivor anthem, with a powerfully throbbing rhythm, a rocking production and a piercing, high-voiced chorus. The gal needs medical bucks, folks. Buy this and/or contribute to her GoFundMe page.

DAVID LEE MURPHY/I Won’t Be Sorry
Writers: David Lee Murphy/Paul Jenkins/Jason Sellers; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Reviver/Blue Chair
– This seriously rocks. Murphy looks at life with the pedal pushed firmly to the metal, knowing that he’ll go out in a blaze of glory with nary a backward glance. This has summertime branded on its hiney.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Damage
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Tom Douglas/David Hodges; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– Wow. This packs an emotional wallop. A splendid illustration of how real and artistic this genre can be, it’s a the tale of a bartender who sees the grief and loss and ruin that comes from our mighty human capacity for love. Essential listening. This is the second straight time that this woman has pinned my ears back. Make her a star.

YouTube video

 

JOHN SCOTT SHERRILL/Mr. Honky Tonk
Writers: Sherrill/Robbins/Wright; Producers: John Scott Sherrill, Josh Matheny, Brad Stella; Publishers: Lobo Libre/TreCor/Blair’s Boy/ClearBox Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Lobro Libre/DeFacto
– Scotty has been writing giant hits for others for four decades. But apart from his stint in Billy Hill, he hasn’t made records. This is the title tune of a debut solo album that changes all that. Sung in a pleading folkie tenor, it’s a solid country two-step produced with finesse. The CD is dominated by new tunes, but also contains ear-opening versions of JSS hits better known in versions by such stars as Patty Loveless (”Nothin’ But the Wheel”), Josh Turner (”Would You Go With Me”), Steve Wariner (”Some Fools Never Learn”) and John Anderson (”Wild and Blue”).

LORRIE MORGAN & PAM TILLIS/Come See Me and Come Lonely
Writers: Red Lane; Producer: Richard Landis; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree, BMI; Goldenlane
– This was a terrific 1978 single by Dottie West that I have always loved. Its revival as a duet by these two sterling voices is a splendid listening experience. It is the title tune of an album that also revisits such gems as K.T. Oslin’s “Do Ya,” Skeeter Davis’ “End of the World,” Roy Orbison’s “It’s Over,” Dwight Yoakam’s “Guitars Cadillacs,” Billie Jo Spears’ “Blanket on the Ground” and more. Joy abounds.

LARRY STEWART/What’s That Cowgirl See In Me
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gordon Kennedy; Publishers: none listed; 5West
– Lilting and innocent sounding, with just the right seasoning of Larry’s usual vocal “heart.”

SCOTT SOUTHWORTH/Hey Hillbilly Singer
Writers: Scott Southworth/Marc Alan Barnette; Producers: Buddy Hyatt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/ASCAP; Scott Likes Pie
– As you might expect from the title, this is a bawling, honky-tonk, beer-drinkin’ blazer. It doesn’t get more in-your-face country than this.

YouTube video

 

Stadiumred Group Acquires Gyrosity Projects

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The Stadiumred Group has acquired Nashville-based Gyrosity Projects. The company is now part of Stadiumred, the communications and marketing firm based in New York City with offices in Amsterdam and Los Angeles. Stadiumred’s clients include BMW, Bacardi, Avion Tequila, Rolls-Royce, Fiji Water, Heineken, and The Recording Academy, among others. 

Garrison Snell remains as Gyrosity’s CEO, leading the Nashville team and leveraging Stadiumred’s international platform for the Nashville community and clients. Snell has built a roster of clients including CeCe Winans, Kenny Loggins, Bad Company, Mellow Mushroom, TEDxNashville and others. Both Gyrosity Projects and Crosshair Music clients will continue to be served by them, but will now have access to the Stadiumred Group’s network to leverage enhanced capabilities such as brand strategy, creative, experiential marketing and public relations services.

“Music is in our blood and, while we have done so much in music because of our history, as well as in the general digital advertising world, we really haven’t scratched the surface of what Garrison and his team are doing,” said Claude Zdanow, Stadiumred CEO.

Five Staffers Exit Following BBR Music Group Restructuring

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Five employees have exited BBR Music Group, following the news earlier this week that the music group’s Red Bow Records imprint has folded.

Exiting staffers include Neda Tobin (Red Bow Director/National Promotion), Jeff Davis (Red Bow Director/Northeast Promotion), Jim Malito (Broken Bow Records Director, National Promotion), Allyson Gelnett (Stoney Creek Records Director, Northeast Promotion) and James Wesley (BBRMG Secondary Promotion). A full update on personnel changes at the label group is expected this week.

Contact information for exiting staffers is below:
Davis: promojeffdavis@gmail.com
Gelnett: allysongelnett@mac.com
Malito: jmalito@cox.net
Tobin: leppardroxx@comcast.net

Reminder: Last Day To Vote In 2018 CMA Awards Nomination Round

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The voting deadline for the nomination round of balloting for the 2018 CMA Awards is today, Thursday, July 12 at 6 p.m. The eligibility period for nominees is July 1, 2017-June 30, 2018. Ballot categories include: Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Vocal Duo of the Year, Musical Event of the Year, Musician of the Year, Music Video of the Year and New Artist of the Year.

The second CMA ballot voting period runs from Aug. 6-16, while the final ballot voting period runs from Oct. 1-23.

Steve “Stevo” Robertson Named GM/Sr. VP, A&R, Pop/Rock For Atlantic Records Nashville

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Steve Robertson

Steve “Stevo” Robertson has been promoted to the newly created position of General Manager/Senior Vice President of A&R, Pop/Rock, Atlantic Records Nashville. Robertson, who relocated from Florida to Nashville three years ago, joined Atlantic in 1997 and has been Sr. VP of A&R since 2010. His new appointment recognizes the continued expansion of Atlantic’s pop/rock A&R team in Nashville, and the label’s deep-seated commitment to the city’s diverse music community. Robertson’s current A&R roster includes Paramore, Shinedown, A Day to Remember, Rainbow Kitten Surprise, Josie Dunn, and others. He reports to Atlantic President of A&R Pete Ganbarg.

“The promotion of Stevo to our first-ever GM of pop/rock A&R in Nashville recognizes his fantastic accomplishments as an ace A&R exec, as well as the vitality and importance of the city as a diverse, genre-spanning repertoire center,” said Ganbarg. “Since joining the company two decades ago, Stevo has signed and developed a string of topflight artists, while building tremendous relationships in the Southern music industry and beyond. As we continue to grow our Nashville presence outside of country music, he is the ideal person to lead our expanding pop/rock A&R team in Music City.”

“Since moving to Nashville three years ago, I’ve been constantly energized by all the brilliant talent that has embraced this city as a source of inspiration and creativity,” said Steve Robertson. “The rich musical life of this community isn’t defined by any one sound or style, but by an incredible range of artists contributing to a fantastic musical tapestry. I’m looking forward to bringing more exciting new music into the Atlantic family. I want to thank Pete, Craig Kallman, and Julie Greenwald for their amazing support, and John Esposito and the great Warner Music Nashville team for being such warm and welcoming colleagues.”

Before coming on board at Atlantic 21 years ago, Steve Robertson spent four years as Assistant Program Director/Music Director at Orlando, Florida radio station WJRR, the state’s first commercial Alternative station. While there, he was responsible for identifying a string of unsigned artists that he brought to Atlantic’s attention and were inked by the label, including Collective Soul, Seven Mary Three, and a band called Tabitha’s Secret that became known as Matchbox Twenty.

Robertson’s first post at the label was Director of A&R. He was named Senior Director in 2000 and upped to Vice President in 2007. Robertson was promoted to Senior Vice President of A&R in 2010, and in 2015, he relocated from Orlando, Florida to Nashville, Tennessee. Robertson began his career in the mid-‘80s working at Rock station WZTA (ZETA 4) in Miami and at community Alternative station WKPX in Ft. Lauderdale.