Spotify Lite App Testing In Brazil

Spotify is reportedly testing a beta version of a new Spotify Lite app for Android in Brazil.

Designed to take up less space on devices, the app is 15 megabytes, versus 100 megabytes for the regular version. Also designed to consume less data, there is reportedly a monitor for data usage which allows for a monthly limit of data consumption. The 85 percent reduction in size comes at a cost though.

In analyzing the app, AndroidPolice reports offline playback is unavailable. Additionally, premium Spotify subscribers on mobile do not have access to on-demand streaming. Users only have access to shuffle playlists. There is no extreme quality playback and Spotify Connect—allowing devices to stream wireless audio—is also missing.

In April, Spotify added a low-data mode. Currently, premium subscribers have a data saver mode, defaulting music quality to low, while music quality preferences can be selected to stream from 24kbit/s through 320 kbit/s. In 2006 the company tested Spotify Hopper, with a more recent pared-down radio app Spotify Stations.

BMI’s Lollapalooza Stage To Feature 24 Artists On The Rise

BMI has revealed the lineup for its stage at Lollapalooza, happening at Grant Park in Chicago Aug. 2-5. Among the 24 up-and-coming artists taking the stage throughout the week are Madison Beer, R.LUM.R, Vera Blue, and John Splithoff.   

Throughout its history the stage has hosted fan favorites such as Halsey, Bebe Rexha, Lady Gaga, Chance the Rapper, X Ambassadors, Cage the Elephant, A R I Z O N A, and more.

“The star power that has graced the BMI Stage is unparalleled,” said Samantha Cox, Vice President of Creative, New York. “Over the past thirteen years we have established a history of curating incredible new music experiences and giving audiences a first look at tomorrow’s headliners.” 

BMI STAGE SCHEDULE:
Thursday, Aug. 2
Larkin Poe | 1:00-1:40pm
Wes Period | 2:10-2:50pm
FLETCHER | 3:20-4:00pm
Gashi | 3:20-4:00pm
Supa Bwe | 5:40-6:20pm
Madison Beer | 6:50-7:30pm

Friday, Aug. 3
Mainland | 1:00-1:40pm
nothing,nowhere. | 2:10-2:50pm
CKY | 3:20-4:00pm
Chase Atlantic | 4:30-5:10pm
Buddy | 5:40-6:20pm
R.LUM.R | 6:50-7:30pm

Saturday, Aug. 4
Grace Weber | 1:00-1:40pm
DAVIE | 2:10-2:50pm
BONES (UK) | 3:20-4:00pm
Melvv | 4:30pm-5:10pm
Morgxn | 5:40-6:20pm
Vera Blue| 6:50-7:30pm

Sunday, Aug. 5
Morgan Saint | 1:00-1:40pm
Van William | 2:10-2:50pm
Mikky Ekko | 3:20-4:00pm
The Aces | 4:30-5:10pm
The Wrecks | 5:40-6:20pm
John Splithoff | 6:50-7:30pm

For King & Country To Release ‘Burn The Ships’ In October

For King & Country will release their full-length album, Burn the Ships, on Oct. 5. The album’s lead single “joy.” has given the group their first appearance on Billboard’s All Genre Digital Song Sales Chart. “joy.” has been streamed more than four million times in the U.S.

“This record is about how we learn from our past – how we use that knowledge to inform our future,” says the duo’s Joel Smallbone. “Like a lot of us, our own journey hasn’t always been easy, but we’ve found that you can rise up from the dust, walk away, and dance among the heartache. We hope that the music on this album conveys that sentiment and connects with everyone in a positive way.”

The album’s cover image was shot in Iceland, a country that has become somewhat of a centerpiece for the album. While in Iceland the brothers shot the music video for the song “Pioneers,” which was released today, and the song was added to Spotify’s “New Music Friday” playlist. The video features Joel, Luke, and their wives Moriah and Courtney contemplating the Icelandic countryside.

“When life gets difficult, it may be tough to look at things in a positive light,” adds Luke Smallbone. “We found ourselves contemplating many different themes and feelings between our last album and now. Although things may have seemed tough at times, we dug deep within ourselves and found that while it’s not easy to reconcile the past, the voyage ahead becomes substantially clearer if you can.”

Sheryl Crow Says Collaborative 2019 Project Will Be Her Final Album

Sheryl Crow

Nashville-based singer-songwriter Sheryl Crow worked with several artists on her upcoming album, slated for release next year. The singer also says it will likely be her final full-length project.

During an interview with Consequence of Sound’s Kyle Meredith, Crow says following the release of the upcoming album, she plans to release only singles going forward. The upcoming full-length project will include collaborations with Stevie Nicks, Keith Richards, Joe Walsh, Don Henley and more. The project follows 2017’s Be Myself.

The strategy follows her most recent music release schedule. Crow partnered with music company Stem to release the single “Wouldn’t Want To Be Like You” (ft. Annie Clark). She previously released 2017’s “The Dreaming Kind” with the help of Bandcamp.

“I love this album so much, but at the same time I’m like, ‘How would you follow that up with an album?’ I do think albums…are a bit of a dying art form, that people are more interested in singles,” Crow said. “I sort of made the decision in my head that the record that comes out next year will be my last full album and I’ll just start putting songs out and that feel good to me. It feels great not to spend the time in the studio to make a fully realized conceptual album but just to put out really pertinent songs that feel immediate.”

Blake Shelton, Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson To Play Macy’s 4th Of July Fireworks Spectacular

Keith Urban. Photo: Rick Diamond for TJ Martell Foundation

Blake Shelton, Keith Urban and Kelly Clarkson are among the artists who will perform during the upcoming Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular.

Urban will welcome Julia Michaels to perform “Coming Home” during his set, while Clarkson will perform alongside West Point Band and Glee Club on “God Bless America,” to commemorate the anthem’s 100th anniversary.

Also slated to take part in the event are Ricky Martin, American Authors and Brandon Victor Dixon (to be joined by the Harlem Gospel Choir for a rendition of “America The Beautiful”).

This year’s fireworks show will include more than 75,000 shells, marking the biggest Macy’s fireworks display since the Millennial Celebration in 2000.

Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular airs Wednesday (July 4) from 8-10 p.m. ET/PT.

Weekly Register: ‘Dan+Shay’ Debuts At Peak Of Country Albums Chart

Dan+Shay

Dan+Shay‘s self-titled album debuts at the top of the country albums chart this week, with 44K in total consumption, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The album is home to the hit single, “Tequila.”

Luke CombsThis One’s For You remains at No. 2 again this week, with 24K, followed by Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town, which moves from No. 1 to No. 3 with 16K. Kane Brown‘s self-titled project remains at No. 4 with 15K, while Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes rounds out the Top 5 with 11K.

Nashville-based rock-pop artist Ben Rector‘s album Magic sold 12K in its debut week.

On the country digital song sales chart, Dan + Shay’s new album also features the top debut country track this week. “What Keeps You Up at Night” debuts at No. 40 country with 2.8K.

At No. 1 on the country digital song sales chart this week, Bebe Rexha with Florida Georgia Line continues its mammoth sales streak, with 23K this week. FGL also holds the No. 2 position with their latest single, “Simple,” which moved 20K this week.

Dan+Shay’s “Tequila” is at No. 3, with 14K, followed by Brett Young‘s “Mercy” at No. 4 with 13K.  David Lee Murphy and Kenny Chesney‘s “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright” is at No. 5, with 13K.

Country Radio Broadcasters Announce 2018-2019 Board of Directors

The Country Radio Broadcasters have completed their elections for Board of Directors. Returning as CRB Board President is Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media) along with R.J. Curtis (All Access Music Group) as Vice President and Beverlee Brannigan (Scripps Media, Inc.) as Secretary. Charlie Monk continues as a Lifetime Director Emeritus.

CRB/CRS President Johnson, says, “I am very excited to work with this great group of leaders in creating the best yet: Our 50th anniversary, CRS 2019!”

Serving on this year’s Board of Directors are:

Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck)
Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Consulting)
Johnny Chiang (KKBQ-FM)
George Couri (Triple 8 Management)
Andy Denemark (United Stations)
Ryan Dokke (Curb)
Mike Dungan (UMG)
John Esposito (Warner)
Randy Goodman (Sony Nashville)
Dan Halyburton (Falls Media)
Debra Herman (Shazam)
Clay Hunnicutt (Big Loud Records)
Dave Kelly (Big Machine Label Group)
Jon Loba (BBR/BMG)
Mike McVay (Cumulus Media and Westwood One)
Charlie Morgan (Emmis Communications)
Tyne Parrish (The GreenRoom PR)
Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry)
Tim Roberts (Entercom/Detroit)
Royce Risser (UMG)
Bob Richards (Emmis Radio/WLHK)
Brittany Schaffer (Spotify)
John Shomby (NASH)
Matt Sunshine (CFSS)
Joel Raab (Joel Raab Country Radio/Media)
Ryan Redington (Amazon Music)
Kristen Williams (Warner)

 

In Pictures: Charlie Daniels, Cody Johnson, Kalie Shorr

Charlie Daniels Helps Raise $171K For MTSU’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center

Pictured (L-R): Major General Terry “Max” Haston, Charlie Daniels, David Corlew
Photo: MTSU / J. Intintoli

The inaugural “Veteran Impact Celebration” benefiting Middle Tennessee State University’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans and Military Family Center (Daniels Center) brought in a total of $171,000.

The sold out fundraiser held in Murfreesboro, Tennessee at The Grove at Williamson Place featured live performances by student veterans as well as several guest speakers including retired U.S. Army Lt. Gen. Keith M. Huber and MTSU senior adviser for veterans and leadership initiatives, and Sidney A. McPhee, President of MTSU. Marine Corps veteran and singer-songwriter Scott Brown of the Scooter Brown Band also performed.

Charlie Daniels performed “My Beautiful America,” and “In America,” and was then joined on stage by his manager, David Corlew, and Major General Terry “Max” Haston, where on behalf of The Journey Home Project, a $100,000 check was presented to MTSU’s Daniels Center.

 

Warner Music Nashville Staffers Celebrate Cody Johnson

Pictured (L-R): WMN Coordinator, Radio & Streaming, Promotions Justin Newell, WMN Sr Director, Interactive Marketing/Tech, New Media Brooke Hardesty, WMN Manager, Regional Radio & Streaming, Promotions Lou Ramirez, WMN Fan Engagement Strategist, Artist Development Marissa Begin, WMN National Director, Radio & Streaming, Promotions Katie Bright, Cody Johnson, WMN SVP, Radio & Streaming, Promotions Kristen Williams, WMN VP, Radio Marketing, Promotions Chad Schultz, WMN VP, Streaming, New Media Tim Foisset, WMN Manager, Regional Radio & Streaming, Promotions Mark Niederhauser

Warner Music Nashville staffers celebrated their newest signing, Cody Johnson, by visiting Johnson’s concert in Oklahoma City on Friday (June 29).

 

Kalie Shorr On Nash FM

Pictured (L-R): Ty Bentli, Kelly Ford, Kalie Shorr, Chuck Wicks.

Kalie Shorr dropped in on Nash FM’s Ty, Kelly & Chuck for a “10 Minute Tune.”

Phil Wickham To Release ‘Living Hope’ In August

Phil Wickham is set to release his first new album in two years on Aug. 3, Living Hope, on Fair Trade Services. The album found Wickham working with 19 songwriters and six producers during a year-long journey to finish it. The project includes the soulful track for immediate download, “Song in My Soul” featuring Hollyn.

Wickham’s current single, “Living Hope” debuted at No. 24 on the Billboard Christian Airplay chart and was co-written with Bethel Music’s Brian Johnson. “Living Hope” and other tracks from the record have been featured in key streaming playlists such as Amazon Music’s Fresh Christian and Spotify’s New Music Friday, Top Christian and WorshipNow playlists. The track “Till I Found You” is also set to impact Hot AC next month. Since its release to digital outlets two months ago, the song has garnered over four million streams across all platforms. Both singles also spent time on the Spotify US Viral 50 chart.

“So many songs on the record were born out of wanting to write the language and the prayers that go along with what God is doing in the community already,” said Wickham. “The goal wasn’t to write songs that were my expression necessarily of what is God doing in my life or what is my vision or what am I supposed to say through these songs. It’s more for the church.”

The California native will deliver a Living Hope album release show in Los Angeles on Aug. 3, followed by a performance at CMB’s Momentum conference this September.

Track Listing for Living Hope:
1. Great Things
2. Living Hope
3. Breath Away
4. Till I Found You

5. How Great is Your Love
6. Boundless
7. Song in My Soul
8. Wild River
9. Anthem
10. Eyes Fixed
11. Tethered
12. Revive Us Again
13. Christ Is Risen

MAE Announces New Album, Tour For Fall

MAE has extended their label agreement with Tooth & Nail Records, and will be releasing their new album, produced by lead vocalist Dave Elkins, this Fall. They just released the first single from the new project, “5 Light Years.” Elkins is currently based in Nashville.

With a career spanning over 1600 concerts on four continents and eight albums selling in excess of 500,000, MAE was born out of funded academic research on the relationship between color and sound, and uses its music as a means to extend the concept of harmony to include other sensory languages and place listeners inside an experience of art for the whole body. The trio has shared the stage with bands like Weezer and The Foo Fighters, toured worldwide, and has performed everywhere from the Vans Warped Tour to the United Nations.

“Tooth & Nail has always supported and encouraged us to manifest our best work,” said the members of MAE. “We needed to be with a team that felt like family as we envisioned and embarked on our most ambitious efforts to date.”

MAE will be hitting the road for a two-week tour this fall in support of the upcoming album, kicking off in Nashville with a date at the High Watt Oct. 6 and wrapping in their home state of Virginia. The band will also be adding in special VIP Mae Day events to their tour calendar as well.

MAE Tour Dates:
Oct 06 – Nashville, TN @ The High Watt
Oct 07 – Nashville, TN @ Schematic Studios (MAE Day)
Oct 09 – Chicago, IL @ Chubas (MAE Day)
Oct 10 – Pontiac, MI @ The Pike RoomOct 11 – Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls Theatre (MAE Day)
Oct 12 – New York, NY @ TBD
Oct 13 – Boston, MA @ Middle East – Downstairs
Oct 14 – Brooklyn, NY @ Knitting Factory
Oct 18 – Philadelphia, PA @ TBD (MAE Day)
Oct 19 – Philadelphia, PA @ The Foundry
Oct 20 – Vienna, VA @ Jammin Java