Pictured (L-R): Clive Davis, David Massey, Rob Stringer
Legendary record label Arista Records has relaunched, with David Massey as President/CEO. Massey, based in New York, will report directly to Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer.
In addition, Sony Music and Massey have entered into a new joint venture for Massey-led artist management and music publishing businesses.
Clive Davis founded the Arista Records label in 1974; the label served as a recording home to artists including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead, and many others. The label was shuttered in 2011, along with the Jive and J imprints. However, Arista Nashville has continued to operate, and is currently home to artists including Brad Paisley, Cam, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s duet album.
Davis said, “I am really delighted to see the Arista name return to a place of prominence under an executive with the talents of David Massey. David is a true music man who has tremendous respect for artistry, and he is the ideal choice to carry on the label’s great tradition.”
Massey was previously president/CEO of Island Records. Since 2013, he oversaw artists including Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, Bon Jovi and others. Prior to his work at Island, Massey spent six years as president of Mercury Records, working with Neon Trees, Portishead, and more. His career also includes roles as Exec. VP, A&R at Sony Music Label Group U.S., and president of imprint Daylight Records. Earlier in his career, he was at Sony Music’s Epic Records, where he spent a decade in a variety of roles, including EVP/GM, and Exec. VP, A&R.
Massey commented, “I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records. Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing.”
Stringer said, “We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey. David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy.”
Mason Ramsey To Release Debut EP July 20
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Nick Swift
Big Loud Records and Atlantic Records’ artist Mason Ramsey will release his debut EP, Famous, on Friday, July 20.
The six-track project includes covers of songs including “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” and “I Saw The Light,” as well as new originals including “Famous,” and “The Way I See It.” Penned by Tyler Hubbard, Corey Crowder (Chris Young, A Thousand Horses), Sarah Buxton (Chris Lane, Keith Urban), and Canaan Smith (Florida Georgia Line, Love & Theft), “Famous” has sold more than 300,000 copies in the United States.
1. “Famous” (Tyler Hubbard, Sarah Buxton, Corey Crowder, Canaan Smith)
2. “Lovesick Blues” (Cliff Friend, Irving Mills)
3. “Jambalaya (On The Bayou)” (Hank Williams)
4. “The Way I See It” (Rodney Clawson, Josh Kear, Corey Crowder)
5. “Yo Da Lady Who” (Anthony Olympia, Bobby Pinson, Brent Rupard)
6. “I Saw The Light” (Hank Williams)
Combustion Music To Be Administered Worldwide By Kobalt
/by Eric T. ParkerChris Farren, Owner and President of Combustion Music said, “I have long been intrigued by Kobalt Music and their cutting-edge administration and creative services. All of us at Combustion are fired up to see the heights to which this partnership can take us.”
“We’re thrilled to have concluded a global administration deal with Kobalt that will maximize efficiencies and revenue for Combustion Music’s exceptional roster of songwriters. Our partnership with Chris and his team has been incredibly successful, and we look forward to an even more productive relationship,” said Scott Guthrie, Managing Director of Virgo Investment Group.
“We’re honored to be working with Combustion, a company that’s been at the pinnacle of the Nashville Independent publishing community for over a decade now.” said Jesse Willoughby, General Manager of Kobalt, Nashville. “Farren, Falcon and Kenley have built an incredible company and diverse roster, we’re excited for this new chapter and the opportunity to help grow their company to even greater success.”
Combustion’s partnership with Virgo began in 2014, when the two entered a joint venture and the investment company acquired a portion of the Combustion catalog, including the No.1 hits: “Crash My Party,” “That’s My Kind of Night,” and “Play It Again” recorded by Luke Bryan; Jason Aldean’s “Confession”; “Break Up In a Small Town” and “House Party” with Sam Hunt; “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert; “Good Girl” and “Somethin’ in the Water” with Carrie Underwood; Dustin Lynch’s “Where It’s At”; “Hello, My Name Is” and “Strong Enough” by Matthew West; “Beer Money” by KipMoore; “Hey Girl” and “Do I Make You Wanna” by Billy Currington; “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” by Randy Houser; “Don’t Ya” by Brett Eldredge; “Mr. Know It All” by Kelly Clarkson; “Rewind” by Rascal Flatts; and “I Hold On” by Dierks Bentley, among many, many others.
Virgo has brought the Combustion catalog into one77 Music, its new publishing company led by industry veteran Jennifer Blakeman. As one77 President and Chief Creative Officer, Blakeman and her team will provide additional creative services to Combustion Music writers.
Farren founded Combustion Music in 2001 as a venture to develop writers and artists. Over its 17-year history, Combustion artists have earned over 100 No.1 singles in five different genres, multiple Grammys, and CMAs from a catalog and roster including five-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, Ashley Gorley; Zach Crowell, co-writer and producer of the Billboard top-selling Country song of 2017, “Body Like A Back Road”; three-time ASCAP Christian Songwriter-Artist of the Year honoree, Matthew West; and chart-topping writers, artists, and producers: Bones Owens, Matt Jenkins, Luke Foley, Jameson Rodgers, Walker McGuire, AJ Pruis, and Everette.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Tops Country Albums Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs tops this week’s country albums chart, with This One’s For You moving 27K, according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Dan+Shay‘s self-titled album moved 22K, to land at No. 2 this week. Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town is at No. 3 this week, with 20K, followed by Kane Brown‘s self-titled project at No. 4 with 16K. Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller project is at No. 5 with 14K.
On the country digital sales rankings, Florida Georgia Line‘s “Simple” takes the lead with 23K, followed by Dan+Shay‘s “Tequila” at No. 2 with 17K.
BeBe Rexha with FGL’s “Meant To Be” is at No. 3 with 16K. Kenny Chesney‘s “Get Along” is at No. 4 with 15K, while Brett Young‘s “Mercy” rounds out the Top 5 with 13K.
Third Man Releases Nashboro Records Gospel Compilation
/by Lorie HollabaughThird Man Records is paying homage to indie gospel label Nashboro Records with the release of Give Me My Flowers, a compilation album of rare cuts from the vintage Nashville label. Give Me My Flowers is available for preorders now and available for purchase this Friday, July 13.
Most active in the 1950s and ’60s, Nashboro grew from a local record shop’s imprint label to one of the leading national voices in gospel music. Its curatorial prowess became legendary under the direction of Rev. Dr. Morgan Babb of the Radio Four, and it became known for its unmistakable lightly-reverbed, clear sound.
Give Me My Flowers was assembled with producer and journalist Mike McGonigal and transferred directly from the 45 collection of Kevin Nutt (Case Quarter Records, Sinner’s Crossroads radio program). The collection is representative of an overlooked but seminal chapter in Nashville’s music history. These musicians, store employees and businesspeople played a critical role in building the infrastructure for independent music to flourish in Nashville, and the project is a cornerstone in Third Man’s long-term mission to support and highlight the complete music histories of the company’s home states of Tennessee and Michigan.
Miranda Lambert Named Artist-In-Residence At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert will be the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 15th artist-in-residence, performing two shows in the museum’s CMA Theater on Wednesday, Sept. 19 and Wednesday, Sept. 26. Both shows will begin at 8 p.m. Tickets go on sale Friday, July 13.
“We’re talking about someone who has been the CMA’s top female vocalist a record seven times, selling millions of albums and scoring hit after hit while retaining absolute artistic conviction and credibility. She writes her heart and sings her truth, and her truth resonates,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “We are honored that she is this museum’s 15th artist-in-residence, the latest in a line of greats that includes some of Miranda’s own musical heroes, like Guy Clark, Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, and Buddy Miller.”
“The history that the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum holds is so important,” said Lambert. “It’s truly an honor to be named artist-in-residence for the museum. I’m thankful for this place, where our music can continue to be cherished, and I’m thrilled to be among the esteemed artists who have been honored by this designation.”
Ticket prices for each show range from $59.50 to $150 (plus ticketing fees). Ticket sales are limited to four tickets per transaction on a first come, first served basis and are non-refundable. Tickets go on sale to the public on July 13 at 10:00 a.m. CDT at countrymusichalloffame.org.
Established in 2003, the museum’s artist-in-residence series honors an entertainer who has contributed a large and significant body of work to the canon of American popular music. The artist-in-residence is invited to use the museum’s performance venues to create unique musical experiences. Lambert joins a prestigious group of past honorees that includes Cowboy Jack Clement, Earl Scruggs, Tom T. Hall, Guy Clark, Kris Kristofferson, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Buddy Miller, Connie Smith, Kenny Rogers, Ricky Skaggs, Alan Jackson, Rosanne Cash and 2017 artist-in-residence Jason Isbell.
Garth Brooks To Headline First-Ever Concert At Notre Dame Stadium
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks has been invited to play the first-ever concert at Notre Dame Stadium. At a press conference in Nashville on Monday (July 9), it was revealed that the storied venue, established in 1930, will host its inaugural concert with a special headlining performance by Brooks, at a to-be-announced date. Brooks was joined by revered member of the University of Notre Dame family and former head football coach Lou Holtz, who shared in the excitement of the upcoming event.
“Notre Dame stadium has seen so many iconic moments!” said Brooks. “I look forward to bringing a new kind of crazy to the party.”
“Right from the outset, I just felt that Garth represents Notre Dame’s values,” said John Affleck-Graves, Notre Dame’s executive vice president. “And he is the perfect choice as the first artist to perform in concert in the stadium that Rockne built. This promises to be one of the biggest events in Notre Dame’s history.”
“Tradition and memories are built in that stadium. It’s an iconic place,” said Mike Seamon, Vice President for Campus Safety and Event Management at Notre Dame. “This is an important moment and once we decided we were going to have a concert, Garth just jumped into our minds right away. And we knew that he had to be the one. That was it.”
“It’s never been done before. And it’s our understanding that Garth loves to do things that haven’t been done before,” said Lee Sicinski, Associate Vice President for Event Management at Notre Dame. “To bring a historic event like a Garth Brooks concert to the stadium, it just gives you goose bumps.”
Nashville Symphony, AFM Local 257 Provide Musician Raises In New Orchestra Contract
/by Lorie HollabaughThe new agreement provides for a 3.5 percent increase to the musicians’ base salaries for the 2018-19 season, as well as increases of 3.75 percent for the 2019-20 season and 4.25 percent for each of the following two seasons. The contract also restores two previously unfilled positions, a first violin position in the first year of the agreement, and a cello position in the second year of the agreement, restoring the orchestra’s total membership back to 83.
“Our musicians are at the core of everything we do at the Nashville Symphony, and they are invaluable assets to the entire Middle Tennessee community,” said board chair Mark Peacock. “I am proud that we’ve reached this important agreement, which affirms the value of our orchestra’s hard work and dedication.”
“AFM Local 257 is pleased to have reached a successful conclusion to these negotiations,” said Dave Pomeroy, president, Nashville Musicians Association. “We thank Nashville Symphony leadership and our negotiating committee for their commitment and dedication to the process, and, especially, the musicians of the Nashville Symphony. This contract helps bring these excellent musicians’ compensation closer to their high level of artistic achievement, and we are proud to represent them as we move forward together.”
“The spirit of mutual respect and cooperation that has yielded tremendous accomplishments and accolades for the Nashville Symphony over the years also characterized the negotiations that resulted in this agreement,” said Alan D. Valentine, president and CEO. “We share with our musicians a clear sense of mission, vision and commitment to the community, and this agreement sets the stage for the realization of our long-term goals and a very bright and exciting future for the Nashville Symphony.”
The Nashville Symphony has released 29 recordings on Naxos, which have received 24 Grammy nominations and 13 Grammy awards, making it one of the most active recording orchestras in the country. The orchestra has also released recordings on Decca, Deutsche Grammophon and New West Records, among other labels. With more than 140 performances annually, the orchestra offers a broad range of classical, pops and jazz, and children’s concerts, while its extensive education and community engagement programs reached 60,000 children and adults each year.
Rezonant Music Publishing, Stryker Music Group Sign Ryan Plappert
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Mark Ahlberg/Stryker; Rebekah Gordon/Rezonant; Ryan Plappert; Tim Wipperman/Rezonant; Michael Martin/ASCAP.
Songwriter Ryan Plappert has signed a joint venture publishing deal with Rezonant Music Publishing and Mark Ahlberg’s Stryker Music Group. Plappert, a Belmont University graduate, was selected to be part of ASCAP’s GPS Project Class in 2013 and previously wrote for Sony/ATV.
“I feel honored to have the opportunity to work alongside such a diverse and talented writer roster,” Plappert said. “Mark, Rebekah, Tim and the rest of the creative team at Rezonant and Stryker have a passion for songwriting that rivals my own. Never have I felt more inspired to create music. This is exactly where I want to be and I couldn’t be happier to be here.”
“The partnership with Mark and the addition of Ryan to our Rezonant family is truly exciting,” said Rezonant’s VP Creative, Rebekah Gordon. “Ryan has an incredible ability to create a lasting melody and an insatiable work ethic. We look forward to building upon the success that he and Mark have with Stryker.”
“Ryan is a class act writer and remarkable talent,” noted Ahlberg. “Expanding the team around him to include Rebekah Gordon and Tim Wipperman from Rezonant will further help Ryan prove himself to be one of Nashville’s most creative and dedicated new writers.”
The Steeldrivers, Bluegrass Underground Plan 10th Anniversary Celebration
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Steeldrivers released their self-titled debut album 10 years ago, and are celebrating the anniversary milestone in style with a special performance at The Caverns in conjunction with Bluegrass Underground’s 10th anniversary throwdown on Friday, Aug. 17. The band was the first act ever to play Bluegrass Underground, located in the valley of Pelham, Tennessee at the base of Monteagle mountain, back on Aug. 16, 2008.
“Our dedication and determination remain just as intact today as it did 10 years ago,” says singer, songwriter and fiddler Tammy Rogers. “I liken us to what the Rolling Stones would sound like if they played banjos, fiddles and mandolins — it’s that rock-n-roll edge played on traditional instruments and our shows continue to reflect that high-level energy and fun. I think we have another 10 years in us!”
The band re-released their self-titled debut on vinyl last year, and their most recent Rounder Records project The Muscle Shoals Recordings reached No. 1 on the Billboard‘s Bluegrass Chart and received a Grammy for Best Bluegrass Album.
Arista Records Relaunches With David Massey As President/CEO
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Clive Davis, David Massey, Rob Stringer
Legendary record label Arista Records has relaunched, with David Massey as President/CEO. Massey, based in New York, will report directly to Sony Music Entertainment CEO Rob Stringer.
In addition, Sony Music and Massey have entered into a new joint venture for Massey-led artist management and music publishing businesses.
Clive Davis founded the Arista Records label in 1974; the label served as a recording home to artists including Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Carlos Santana, Patti Smith, the Grateful Dead, and many others. The label was shuttered in 2011, along with the Jive and J imprints. However, Arista Nashville has continued to operate, and is currently home to artists including Brad Paisley, Cam, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s duet album.
Davis said, “I am really delighted to see the Arista name return to a place of prominence under an executive with the talents of David Massey. David is a true music man who has tremendous respect for artistry, and he is the ideal choice to carry on the label’s great tradition.”
Massey was previously president/CEO of Island Records. Since 2013, he oversaw artists including Demi Lovato, Nick Jonas, Elton John, Bon Jovi and others. Prior to his work at Island, Massey spent six years as president of Mercury Records, working with Neon Trees, Portishead, and more. His career also includes roles as Exec. VP, A&R at Sony Music Label Group U.S., and president of imprint Daylight Records. Earlier in his career, he was at Sony Music’s Epic Records, where he spent a decade in a variety of roles, including EVP/GM, and Exec. VP, A&R.
Massey commented, “I want to thank Rob Stringer for the phenomenal opportunity to return to Sony Music in an expansive new partnership and lead the next chapter of Arista Records. Clive Davis made the Arista name synonymous with tremendous creativity and great songs, and I look forward to continuing that identity by working with the many talented people at Sony to build a new roster of hit artists. I am also excited to join forces with Sony to drive additional growth through artist management and music publishing.”
Stringer said, “We are excited to be reintroducing the iconic Arista brand as a full major label under the leadership of David Massey. David is a visionary and progressive talent developer and his recent success at breaking new artists around the world only highlights his remarkable consistency of creative success year after year. As well as releasing new music to the world, David will use his vast experience in building new publishing and artist management ventures that will enhance Sony Music’s overall music strategy.”