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.

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.”