Austin Burke Signs With Kobalt’s AWAL Records

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Austin Burke has signed with AWAL, Kobalt’s record label. The partnership, which began with global distribution, progressed following the success of Burke’s self-titled EP, which garnered more than 50 million streams.

“We couldn’t be more excited to continue our partnership with Austin,” said Ron Cerrito, AWAL President, North America. “We’ve watched him steadily gain momentum in the country music community and look forward to continued collaboration on his growth path as an independent country artist.”

Based in Nashville, Burke released his self-titled EP in 2017. His songs, “Whole Lot in Love” and “Sleepin’ Around,” have been featured on Spotify’s Hot Country, Apple’s Breaking Country, and Amazon’s Introducing: Country and received support on Sirius XM’s The Highway. “Whole Lot in Love” has earned more than 40 million combined streams. He will be touring this summer and working on new music that will be released before the end of the year. 

“I am very excited to partner with AWAL,” said Burke. “They have the team and experience to take my career to the next level. It’s time to get to work and hit the road to meet all of my incredible fans. This is just the beginning.”

Eric Church Announces New Album ‘Desperate Man’

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Eric Church has revealed his upcoming new album, Desperate Man. In an announcement on Thursday, July 12, it was revealed that Church will again be giving the album to his fans first, with Desperate Man to be exclusively pressed on white vinyl (as well as in CD form). Paid members of the entertainer’s Church Choir can expect the album in the mail on Oct. 5, the album’s official release date.

In addition, Church announced he is streamlining his Church Choir fanclub membership tiers to simple “paid” and “free” categories. Members who renew or auto-renew and new fans who sign up at the new price of $35 will receive an album of their choice from Eric’s catalog in addition to all the benefits paid members currently receive including chances for meet & greets, access to special content, presales before public ticket sales and more.

Church says, “Just like last time – just like Mr. Misunderstood – if you’re in the Church Choir, on October 5th you’re going to get the album,” as Church renegotiated his record deal with EMI Nashville leading into Desperate Man to include his fans.

“Desperate Man,” Church’s first single off the new album, will be made available everywhere tomorrow, Friday, July 13. Co-written by Church with Texas musician Ray Wylie Hubbard (who Church namechecks in his 2015 “Mr. Misunderstood”), “Desperate Man” sees Church again collaborating with producer Jay Joyce. ­­­

The project marks Church’s first album since 2015’s surprise album drop of Mr. Misunderstood, which included songs “Record Year,” “Kill A Word,” “Round Here Buzz” and more.

In Pictures: Black Deer Festival, ACM, Charlie Daniels

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Black Deer Festival Celebrates Inaugural Year

Passenger.

The UK’s Black Deer Festival held its inaugural three-day event recently, selling more than 5,000 tickets for the first year of the festival. Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, Passenger, Ashley Campbell, Iron and Wine and Striking Matches were among the 88 artists performing.

“We just had the most magnificent weekend at Black Deer Festival 2018,” said Black Deer Festival promoter Gill Tee. “We spent a huge amount of time thinking about what we wanted to do for our inaugural year, it was the most amazing experience seeing it all come to life and all the hard work from everyone on the team come to fruition. The feedback we have had has just been incredibly positive and supportive, quite overwhelming, so in planning for 2019, we’ll be looking to go for a similar balance with the scope of artists, the food and the cultural highlights, only looking to see how we can enhance the whole experience even further. Our Super Early Bird tickets are already on sale and flying out, so watch this space…”

Black Deer Festival’s 2019 event will be held June 21-23.

 

ACM Welcomes Morgan Evans

Pictured (L-R): Tom Torii, ACM SVP, Finance & Operations; Jeremy Dylan, RPEE CEO; Nick Hartley, The Fitzgerald Hartley Co.; Morgan Evans; Jensen Sussman, Sweet Talk Publicity; Marieke Bianchi, Warner Music Nashville Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Warner Music Nashville recording artist and Australia native Morgan Evans to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Evans performed his current top 5-and-rising single, “Kiss Somebody,” and several other songs from his upcoming debut album due out this fall.

 

Charlie Daniels Featured On Mike Harmon Racecar

Charlie Daniels and his non-profit veterans organization, The Journey Home Project, were featured on Friday, July 6 at the NASCAR Xfinity Series, Coca-Cola Firecracker 250 at the Daytona International Speedway. Professional stock car driver Mike Harmon revealed his latest racer that includes a fresh hood logo featuring Daniels and The Journey Home Project.

“It was a complete honor having The Journey Home Project and Charlie Daniels aboard this past weekend honoring our nations heroes,” said Harmon. “Eight members of the HSM-60 Jaguars along with Sgt. Brandon Stevenson, USMC, Purple Heart Receipt, escorted the car onto the track. We honored their service and sacrifices and also saluted the Helmineron Fifteen (HM-15) Blackhawks with a windshield banner. These fine gentlemen also represented The Journey Home Project and what their mission stands for. All of us at Mike Harmon Racing can’t wait to do it all over again this season.”

Country Radio Broadcasters Accepting Applications For $25,000 Scholarship Endowment

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The Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. (CRB) is now accepting applications for a scholarship endowment, which will be awarded to one deserving college or university for the 2018-2019 school year. Eligibility for the endowment includes: college or university accreditation; must have a TV/Film/Radio or Music Business program; the school must be responsible for managing endowment, selecting deserving students to receive scholarships, etc.; and application form must be submitted by Sept. 5, 2018.

Interested parties who meet the requirements can apply at countryradioseminar.com.

“CRB has a fabulous history of granting scholarships to students in our industry. We are continuing that tradition and have made plans to expand our scholarship program into other areas that we are very proud of. More to come on that later,” says Bill Mayne, Executive Director of CRB/CRS.

A CRB scholarship committee has been assembled to oversee the vetting of applications. Upon determining if a school or university qualifies for the endowment, a representative will be in touch to gather additional information surrounding the school’s qualifying program (radio/TV/film/music business) to verify that requirements are met and to help further the committee’s review and decision-making process.

Past recipients of the CRB endowment scholarship include Belmont University, Middle Tennessee State University, Texas A&M University, Central Michigan University, University of North Texas, Green River College, and more.

Viacom Promotes Kurt Patat To Head Of Communications

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Kurt Patat

Viacom has promoted Kurt Patat to an expanded role as Senior Vice President of Communications for Paramount Network and CMT, a dual role in which he will lead corporate communications, media relations, internal communications, and oversee publicity teams in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville for both brands.

“After masterfully elevating the profiles for several of Viacom’s brands, Kurt’s arrival at Paramount Network is key to becoming a fan-favorite home for quality scripted and unscripted programming,” said Kevin Kay, President of Paramount Network, TV Land and CMT. “He’s a great leader who’s savvy, tactical, highly-creative, and very passionate about our brands.”

Patat joined CMT as Senior Vice President of Communications in May, 2015 where he created corporate communication practices and led press campaigns for the network’s biggest series and events to-date. As a result, CMT expanded its audience demographics and recently notched its highest rated year since 2014. Previously, he served as Vice President of Communications for MTV and Logo and led consumer media relations for AOL.

Jess Moskaluke, Brett Kissel Lead CCMA Nominations

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Jess Moskaluke, Brett Kissel

Jess Moskaluke and Brett Kissel lead the Canadian Country Music Association’s CCMA Award nominees this year, with six nominations each.

Moskaluke is nominated for the Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, FORD Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year. Kissel will be competing for wins in the Apple Fans’ Choice Award, FORD Album of the Year, Interactive Artist of the Year, Record Producer(s) of the Year, Video of the Year and Male Artist of the Year categories.

Reigning SiriusXM Rising Star and Female Artist of the Year Meghan Patrick has earned five 2018 CCMA Award nominations. Patrick is competing for top trophies in hopes of taking home the FORD Album of the Year, Female Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter(s) of the Year Awards.

After taking home three awards in 2017, Dallas Smith has earned four 2018 CCMA Award nominations, including Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Video of the Year. Smith has also been announced as a performer for the 2018 CCMA Awards show which will broadcast live from Hamilton, Ontario on Sept. 9.

BBR Music Group artist Lindsay Ell is nominated for Ford Album of the Year for The Project, and is up for Female Artist of the Year. Warner Music Nashville duo High Valley is up for Apple Music Fans’ Choice Award, as well as Group or Duo of the Year.

Nominees are listed below:

ARTIST AWARDS
APPLE MUSIC FANS’ CHOICE AWARD
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Chad Brownlee
Tim Hicks
High Valley
James Barker Band
Brett Kissel
Jess Moskaluke
Dallas Smith
Shania Twain

FORD ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Country Music Made Me Do It – Meghan Patrick
Past The Past – Jess Moskaluke
The Project – Lindsay Ell
We Were That Song – Brett Kissel
What We’re Made Of – The Washboard Union

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Madeline Merlo
Jess Moskaluke
Meghan Patrick
Shania Twain

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Chad Brownlee
Brett Kissel
Dallas Smith
Bobby Wills

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
High Valley
Hunter Brothers
James Barker Band
The Reklaws
The Washboard Union

ROOTS ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Lovelocks
Jessica Mitchell
Lindi Ortega
The Washboard Union
Donovan Woods

SIRIUSXM RISING STAR
Dan Davidson
Aaron Goodvin
Hunter Brothers
Leaving Thomas
The Reklaws

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
Chills – James Barker Band
Country Music Made Me Do It – Meghan Patrick
Drive Me Away – Jess Moskaluke
Lonely Drum – Aaron Goodvin
Side Effects – Dallas Smith

VIDEO OF THE YEAR
The Bad Guy – Meghan Patrick
Drive Me Away – Jess Moskaluke
Hometown Kids – The Reklaws
Sky Stays This Blue – Dallas Smith
We Were That Song – Brett Kissel

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR
Dean Brody, Matt Rovey
Song: 8th Day (Performed By: Dean Brody)
Dan Isbell, Meghan Patrick, Jeremy Stover
Song: Country Music Made Me Do It (Performed By: Meghan Patrick)
Zach Abend, Corey Crowder, Jess Moskaluke
Song: Drive Me Away (Performed By: Jess Moskaluke)
James Barker, Gavin Slate, Travis Wood
Song: It’s Working (Performed By: James Barker Band)
Alexander Black, Aaron Goodvin, Cathy Gravitt
Song: Lonely Drum (Performed By: Aaron Goodvin)

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Tenille Arts
Hunter Brothers
Brett Kissel
Leaving Thomas
Nice Horse

MUSICIAN AWARDS
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Kirby Barber
Chris Byrne
Lisa Dodd
Justin Kudding
Travis Switzer

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Matthew Atkins
Ben Bradley
Flavio Cirillo
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne
Ali Raney
Mike Sanyshyn
Tyler Vollrath
Mark Whitehead

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Derek Caven
Paul Chapman
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Geoff Torrn

KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Scott Galloway
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Dale Wallace
Brendan Waters

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
David Barber – Banjo
Denis Dufresne – Banjo
Shane Guse – Mandolin
Mitch Jay – Dobro
Connor Riddell – Banjo

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Altmann
John Ellis
Mitch Jay
Doug Johnson
Mark Whitehead

RADIO AWARDS
MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR- LARGE MARKET
Larry Donohue – CFCW – Edmonton, AB
Steph Hansen – CISN-FM/CKRY-FM – Edmonton, AB/Calgary, AB
Amanda Kingsland – CKBY-FM – Ottawa, ON
Peter Walker – CJKX-FM/CHKX-FM – Oshawa, ON/Hamilton, ON
** Less than five nominees

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR- MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
Shilo Bellis – CJXL-FM – Moncton, NB
Jenn Dalen – CKGY-FM – Red Deer, AB
Paul Ferguson – CHCQ-FM – Belleville, ON
Cal Gratton – CJVR-FM – Melfort, SK
Cory Noel – CKFM-FM – Olds, AB

INDUSTRY AWARDS
BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
APA Agency
The Feldman Agency
Invictus Entertainment Group
Sakamoto Agency
United Talent Agency

COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Cook County Saloon – Edmonton, AB
The Dakota Tavern – Toronto, ON
Gabby’s Country Cabaret – Langley, BC
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary, AB
The Roxy – Vancouver, BC

COUNTRY FESTIVAL, FAIR, OR EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR
Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, AB
Boots And Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON
Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
Cavendish Beach Music Festival – Cavendish, PE
Rockin’ River Country Music Fest – Merritt, BC

COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR
Canadian Coast To Coast – Fabmar Communications
The Casey Clarke Country Countdown – Casey Clarke Productions
The Casey Clarke Show – Casey Clarke Productions
The Dungarees Christmas Special – Rogers Media and The Dungarees
Jess Moskaluke – Home Movie – Corus Entertainment

MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Big Loud Management LLC.
Invictus Entertainment Group
MDM Artist Management Services
RGK Entertainment Group Inc.
Starseed Entertainment Inc.

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
ole
Royalty Music Publishing Inc.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada
Universal Music Publishing Canada
Warner/Chappell Music Canada

RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR
MDM Recordings Inc.
ole red dot
Open Road Recordings Inc.
Universal Music Canada
Warner Music Canada

INDUSTRY PERSON OF THE YEAR
Steve Coady – Vice President, Radio Promotions – Warner Music Canada
Jim Cressman – President – Invictus Entertainment Group
Mike Denney – President – MDM Recordings Inc.
Shannon McNevan – Director of A&R – Universal Music Canada
Robert Ott – Chairman, CEO – ole

CREATIVE DIRECTOR(S) OF THE YEAR
Design Team: Rory Gardiner, Loren Stevenson Photography: Doyle Smith
Interactive Video Brochure, Associate Booklet, Album: Be You (Artist: Rory Gardiner)
Design Team: Jason Graham, Photography: John Gaucher
Album: In Comes The Night (Artist: Bobby Wills)
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins, Photography: Margaret Malandruccolo
Single: Loud (Artist: Tim Hicks)
Design Team: Antoine Moonen (Mediavandals) Photography: Delaney Royer
Album: Past The Past (Artist: Jess Moskaluke)
Design Team: Mitchell Nevins, Photography: Phil Crozier
Album: The Squeeze (Artist: The Road Hammers)

RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR
Barrytone Studios – St. Clements, ON
Bart McKay Productions – Saskatoon, SK
MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
OCL Studios – Chestermere, AB
Revolution Recording – Toronto, ON

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford, Phil O’Donnell
Album: Neon Smoke (Artist: Gord Bamford)
Spencer Cheyne, Brett Kissel, Justin Kudding, Bart McKay, Matt McKay, Luke Wooten
Album: We Were That Song (Artist: Brett Kissel)
Jeff Dalziel
Album: What We’re Made Of (Artist: The Washboard Union)
Danick Dupelle, Tebey
Album: Love A Girl (Artist: Tebey)
Dan Swinimer
Album: Downtown Kids (Artist: David James)

RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Apple Music
Spotify Canada Inc.
Sunrise Records
**Less than 5 nominees

RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
Emmanuel Patterson – Live Nation Entertainment
Julia Rambeau – MRG Group
Denise Ross – Live Nation Entertainment

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Stephano Barberis
Video: The Bad Guy (Artist: Meghan Patrick), Video: Coming Clean (Artist: Shirley Gnome), Video: Dirt Covered Rhinestone (Artist: Jade Mya), Video: Heart Of A Woman (Artist: Johnny Reid), Video: Hold The Line (Artist: Jesse Mast), Video: Might As Well Be Me (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: Neon Smoke (Artist: Gord Bamford), Video: Out Of The Blue (Artist: Chad Brownlee), Video: Sky Stays This Blue (Artist: Dallas Smith), Video: Something To Wrap My Heart Around (Artist: JoJo Mason), Video: What We’re Made Of (Artist: The Washboard Union)
Gavin Michael Booth
Video: Born and Raised (Artist: Hunter Brothers), Video: Slide Over (Artist: Tim Hicks), Video: Sombrero (Artist: Scotty James), Video: Those Were The Nights (Artist: Hunter Brothers), Video: You Get To Me (Artist: River Town Saints)
Ben Knechtel
Video: Chills (Artist: James Barker Band), Video: Drive Me Away (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Hometown Kids (Artist: The Reklaws)
Travis Nesbitt
Video: Anywhere With You (Artist: The Dungarees), Video: Ring The Bells (Artist: The Dungarees), Video: Say We Did (Artist: Dan Davidson), Video: Shine (Artist: The Washboard Union)
Joel Stewart
Video: All About Her (Artist: Paul Brandt), Video: In Comes The Night (Artist: Bobby Wills), Video: Kill Your Love (Artist: Jess Moskaluke), Video: Past The Past (Artist: Jess Moskaluke)

one77 Music Launches With 6,000-Song Catalog

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Jennifer Blakeman

one77 Music, a new publishing venture, has launched this week, with a 6,000-song catalog and $27 million in assets. The company, which is backed by private equity firm Virgo Investment Group, has entered a deal with Kobalt Music, which will serve as one77’s global administration partner.

Jennifer Blakeman will serve as the company’s president and chief creative officer. A former exec at Universal Publishing, Atlas Publishing and Atlantic Records, Blakeman was also a former Warner Bros. recording artist, a touring keyboardist with Billy Idol, Savage Garden and Brian Wilson, and held creative posts at Atlantic Records, Universal Pictures, and Zomba Publishing.

The new company’s catalog includes songs recorded by Sam Hunt, Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Kelly Clarkson, Dr. Dre, Mike Posner, Tim McGraw & Faith Hill, T.I., Meek Mill, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Keyshia Cole, BJ The Chicago Kid, Weezer, Kelsea Ballerini, Florida Georgia Line, Dierks Bentley, Ludacris and more.

Industry Ink: Jenny Shearin, Collin Raye, Lecrae, Andy Mineo

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Jenny Shearin Joins Monument Records

Jenny Shearin has been named Associate Director of Marketing at Monument Records, the label relaunched in 2017 by Co-Presidents Jason Owen and Shane McAnally. In her role, Shearin will oversee marketing initiatives and serve as the project manager for Monument’s roster, reporting to SVP, Marketing & Label Operations, Katie McCartney.

Shearin’s label background began in 2010 at Sony Music Nashville where she started in label operations and then moved to promotions for Arista Nashville Promotion. Most recently, she served as the key liaison between Marketing and Promotion as Manager, Promotion and Artist Development. Originally from Washington, D.C., Shearin moved to Nashville in 2009 to obtain an MBA from Belmont University.

 

Collin Raye Debuts TV Show on WhereverTV Network

Collin Raye will debut his TV show, That’s My Story, on Collin Raye TV, the subscriber-based television channel available on the WhereverTV network this Wednesday, July 11 at 8 p.m./CT. The show, broadcast live from Nashville, will feature performances by Raye and many to-be-announced guests who he will sit down with each week to explore their lives, careers, and what country music means to them. His first special guest will be fellow ’90s country singer Billy Dean. 

“I am beyond excited about the debut of my new TV show, That’s My Story,” explains Raye. “Our goal is to bring back country music talk and music to TV with a deep emphasis on the music, and the stories behind it. It’s a show that the real music lovers will enjoy!”

 

Lecrae And Andy Mineo Bring Better Late Than Never Tour To Music City

Hip hop artist Lecrae and Christian rapper Andy Mineo bring their Better Late Than Never tour to Nashville this fall with a one-night-only performance at the War Memorial Auditorium on Oct. 25. Tickets go on sale on Friday, July 13, at 10 a.m. at WMArocks.com, by phone at 615-782-4030, and in person at the TPAC Box Office. Wordsplayed, nobigdyl & WHATUPRG will also perform on the Music City date.

Music City Roots Halts Production After Nashville Deal Falls Through

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Music City Roots, a popular Americana-centric musical variety show, has halted production after previously-announced plans for a downtown Nashville venue partnership have fallen through. The show had planned to move its production into a dedicated facility at the 6th & Peabody development in Nashville’s SoBro area, with plans to open in late 2018. The space would have also included a broadcast suite for WMOT Roots radio.

“We deeply appreciate the team behind the new 6th & Peabody project working hard to finalize a win-win situation with us, but unforeseen complexities have made it impossible to present MCR there as we’d hoped,” a statement from the Music City Roots team read.

Organizers expect the halt in Music City Roots’ production, as well as its distribution to radio affiliates, will be short-term, as they make new arrangements. The pause at Music City Roots does not affect WMOT Roots Radio, which is operated by Middle Tennessee State University.

“Our dream, and our plan, is to develop a free-standing home in Nashville where we can continue to be the signature radio and public television presenter of authentic roots and Americana music from Music City,” the statement continued. “The company is healthy and our team is as passionate as ever about our mission. To the tens of thousands of fans who’ve visited our show or watched our worldwide webcast or YouTube channel—and to the hundreds of artists who’ve made countless magic moments—we say thank you. We love you. And we’ll be back.”

Music City Roots left its home at the Loveless Barn in 2014, relocating to Liberty Hall inside The Factory at Franklin. The final Music City Roots show at The Factory in Franklin came in late 2017. Music City Roots began broadcasting on WSM 650-AM in 2009, before growing in syndication on other stations. It would later be streamed online and add shows on PBS Stations.

Save The Date: ASCAP Country Music Awards Set For Nov. 12

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The date has been announced for the upcoming 56th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The awards will be held on Monday, Nov. 12 in the newly-renovated Renaissance Nashville Hotel’s Grand Ballroom (located at 611 Commerce Street), and will feature live performances of some of the top five most performed songs by the award-winning songwriters and/or the artists who recorded them.

The evening will recognize the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year, Publisher of the Year and more.