Seventh Day Slumber’s Joseph Rojas
Joseph Rojas, frontman for Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, has been a staple on the Christian rock scene since the band formed in Texas in 1996. The band released its debut project on Tooth & Nail/BEC Recordings in 2005. Along the way the band, earned No. 1 albums on the Billboard Top Heatseekers and Top Christian & Gospel albums charts, with signature songs including “Oceans From The Rain” and “Inside Out.”
Now, with more than two decades of industry experience, Rojas is using those experiences to help other bands via his Nashville Label Group, which launched in April. Nashville Label Group home to two imprints: Rockfest Records and Burtonwood Records.
In addition to Seventh Day Slumber, RockFest Records will be home to hitmakers Random Hero, who have charted two Billboard Top 30 mainstream rock singles; Indiana-based rockers The Protest; female solo rocker Zahna, formerly of ILIA; Nashville-based rock/metal band The Persuaded; and metalcore trio Amongst the Giants.
While Rockfest Records centers on Christian rock, Burtonwood Records caters more to the Contemporary Christian and AC formats. Burtonwood’s roster includes Brooke Robertson and Nathan Sheridan. Both labels will be distributed by New Day Christian, with digital distribution by Capitol Christian Music Group.
“I feel like it was a label started out of necessity, especially for the Christian rock genre,” Rojas tells MusicRow. “Over the past five years, it seems like outlets for Christian rock have dried up and radio is kind of leaned more toward the pop or contemporary worship type of thing, so where you would have stations that would add rock artists and a song that would be radio friendly. Now if it’s from a rock band, even if it is radio-friendly, it’s not getting played on those outlets. Then you have even touring is scarce but there are still a lot of great bands out there.”
Rojas says Nashville Label Group is an extension of City Rockfest, the music festival catering to rock fans he launched four years ago.
“There are big tours, one of the highest-grossing tours in Winter Jam and they do amazing, but they only have like one rock band, maybe two, on that tour every year. I decided I wanted to do something similar to that but for rock fans, with five or six bands on the tour. I expected it to do well, but it’s got a cult following. The same people that bought old-school Creed, those people still buy music, but they don’t listen to radio a lot because radio isn’t playing rock.”
While on tour, discussions arose around pay rates and benefits bands were getting from various label contracts. After 20 years in Seventh Day Slumber, the Rojas could readily relate to those issues.
“We’ve had issues in the past with a couple of labels we have been on,” he says, though he declines to offer specifics. “A lot of bands were like, ‘I don’t want to deal with the labels anymore.’ I understand that so much. Labels are offering 360 deals and I understand why they do it, but artists can barely make a living doing what they are doing now. After talking with these bands—and some have been on labels before—I said, ‘What if I started a label where you could have a base of distribution and you keep all your touring proceeds and merch, and I just give you a fair deal?’ Overwhelmingly, the bands said yes. So my talks with Capitol and New Day began and it just went from there.”
In addition to New Day and Capitol Christian Music Group, Nashville Label Group works with several third-party companies to work with clients, though the label also has three in-house staffers.
Rojas looks at the label as more than just a conduit to put new music in the marketplace, but as a way to encourage people and to bring positivity into their lives. After all, it was music that helped Rojas transition from a life of hardship and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
“I had a $400 a day cocaine addiction,” he recalls. “I was arrested over 20 times, and I was looking at 10 years in prison the last time I was arrested. I didn’t meet my dad until I was 14 years old. I understand people who are hurting so when I see bands that are bringing a positive message.”
Rojas is confident Nashville Label Group will continue to see growth and diversity in its offerings in the years to come.
“We’ve opened a publishing company so that when we offer a deal, the artist and label have a partnership on publishing,” he says. “We don’t take 50 percent of an artist’s publishing—it’s more like 25 or 30 percent of publishing, but we offer a lot with that, like a publishing administrator and things in the works where we can help writers and artists get songs placed. That will be a little bit down the road but we are thinking about this. The label expansion is going to probably happen fairly soon even into other genres. There are guys like NF in the marketplace, who are so talented and blowing up. The guy’s on [label] Capitol Christian, but he’s one of the most-streamed artists in the world right now.”
Warner Music Nashville Names Brooke Hardesty As Sr. Director, Interactive Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonBrooke Hardesty
Warner Music Nashville has promoted Brooke Hardesty to Senior Director, Interactive Marketing. Hardesty oversees a team of two and will continue reporting to Sr. VP Artist Development Shane Tarleton.
“Brooke’s creativity and innovative approach to interactive marketing has elevated our entire Artist Development team,” Tarleton says. “I am thrilled to work alongside Brooke and her staff as we march arm in arm towards the future, creating new paths to promoting our artists.”
In her six years with Warner Music Group, Hardesty has created digital experiences ranging from live event activations to social media campaigns. She has spearheaded the interactive strategy for multiple albums, in addition to fan-voted inclusions in the CMT Awards, People’s Choice Awards and ACM Awards for artists on the WMN roster. Her previous roles include radio promotion at Word Entertainment.
“Helping artists connect directly with their fans through unique, interactive experiences is one of my greatest passions,” Hardesty says. “Being a fan is what drove me to join the music industry, and it’s a privilege to connect listeners to the artists and songs they love. I am thrilled to be a part of the Warner Music Nashville family and the leader of my incredible and hardworking team. I look forward to continuing to position our artists as leaders in the genre and digital realm.”
Cody Jinks Gears Up For First Rounder Records Release In July
/by Lorie HollabaughLifers includes tracks like “Holy Water,” the confessional-feeling “Stranger,” and “Head Case,” the title track/ode to hardworking folks, “Lifers,” and the zesty two-stepper “Can’t Quit Enough.” The project is Jinks’ eighth, and follows his last release, I’m Not The Devil, which debuted at No. 4 on the Billboard country chart, No. 3 on the independent music chart, and Top 30 on the pop chart.
The album release will be followed by Jinks’ inaugural Loud and Heavy Fest, a multi-stage day of music, arts and food on Aug. 18 at the scenic Panther Island Pavilion along the banks of the Trinity River in Fort Worth, Texas, the city where he was raised. The line-up capped by Jinks and his band includes his friends and favorites Whiskey Myers, Corrosion of Conformity, Whitey Morgan, Colter Wall, Nikki Lane, The Sword, Paul Cauthen, Sunny Sweeney and Ward Davis.
Rounder Records Signs The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys
/by Jessica NicholsonBluegrass group The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys have inked three new partnerships, including a label deal with Rounder Records, management deal with Rainmaker Music Management, and aligning with Crossover Touring.
Their move to management with Mike Drudge at Rainmaker Music Management places them on a roster alongside Del McCoury, Hot Rize, The Travelin’ McCourys, Sierra Hull, The Gibson Brothers and The Kruger Brothers.
“Every once in a while, a band comes along that gets everyone’s attention because they are doing things right, have the perfect chemistry, and are creating a sound that resonates.” Drudge says. “The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys could very well be the salvation of struggling traditional festivals while being the ‘ambassadors of real’ to the fringe events. They are the right band, with the right team, at the right time.”
“Watching The Po’ Ramblin’ Boys play for the first time at IBMA brought a big smile to my face. It’s been that way ever since,” says Rounder co-founder Ken Irwin. “These guys love traditional bluegrass and know how to do it right with the same spirit, drive, heart and enthusiasm of the first generation bands. We’re very excited to be working with them and look forward to helping spread their love of the music to new generations of bluegrass fans.”
The band’s first single is set to release in July.
Randy Houser, Eric Paslay Added To Tailgate Fest Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughTailgate Fest is the festival that brings the stage right to the tailgate, where fans are able fire up their own grills, crack open their coolers, set up games, and enjoy the show from their own tailgate or opt to head to the stage when they want.
“Each person who sets up their tailgate party around their vehicle creates content. When you multiply that by thousands, you’ve erected a city of nothing but the content the world loves most: food, fun, music, friends even love. I believe that allowing that to continue while the greatest artists in Country take the stage will be a sensory explosion. My hope is that Tailgate Fest will deliver some cerebral relief by doing the best job at delivering just a damn good time,” said Tailgate Fest creator, Melissa Carbone.
Tickets start at $109 for General Admission all the way up to a Super VIP with reserved Lawn Chair Viewing, access to a stageside pool, and access to the VIP Forum Club (plus any applicable fees) and are on sale now.
CMA Announces Two New Staff Additions
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Farris, Hothorn
The Country Music Association has added two new staffers. Michael Farris joins as Senior Manager of Consumer Research, and Pamela Hothorn has been hired as Creative Content Project Manager of Creative Services.
Farris comes to CMA from The Aspire Group in Atlanta, where he was Director of Strategic Consulting and Research, leading the cross-departmental team in executing custom quantitative and qualitative research, strategic marketing plans, and ticket packaging and pricing models for over 70 global sport and entertainment clients. Research projects for The Aspire Group included designing and conducting questionnaires for consumer journey analysis, brand and competitive perceptions, marketing effectiveness, communication and messaging testing, purchase intentions, and segmentation profiling. Farris also conducted workshops with clients to develop actionable strategies based on the research. Prior to The Aspire Group, Farris worked at Game Day Communications as the Research and Innovation Coordinator. Farris received his undergraduate degree from Northern Kentucky University and a MBA from the University of Central Florida.
At CMA, Farris will be instrumental in executing music industry and fan engagement insights, managing and reporting fan data analytics, and research communications. He reports to CMA Senior Director of Market Research, Karen Stump.
Hothorn joins CMA from Fuse Media in Los Angeles where she served as Director of Original Content of Live Events, producing multi-platform video coverage of nationwide music festivals including Bonnaroo, Lollapalooza, Coachella and Voodoo and spearheading integrated marketing campaigns for brands such as Doritos, Twix, Geico and Toyota. Prior to Fuse Media, Hothorn was Senior Events Producer at KCRW in Los Angeles, where she produced marquee music, cultural and fundraising events. She started her career working at Paramount Pictures and served as a screenwriter for Lionsgate and Disney/Touchstone. Hothorn is a graduate of New York University with a BFA in Film and Television Production.
Hothorn’s responsibilities at CMA include video content production, photo management and data asset administration. She reports to CMA Director of Creative Services, Amanda Eckard.
Charlie Daniels Joins Absolute Publicity
/by Jessica NicholsonCharlie Daniels, Don Murry Grubbs
Absolute Publicity has signed Country Music Hall of Fame member Charlie Daniels and his non-profit veterans organization, The Journey Home Project, for public relations representation.
“Charlie Daniels is one of the most iconic names in our industry” says Absolute Publicity company president Don Murry Grubbs. “It’s a great honor to have this opportunity to work with Charlie as well as his nationally-recognized veterans charity, The Journey Home Project. What a blessing.”
Absolute Publicity launched in 2009; the company’s clients include Aaron Tippin, Ricky Skaggs, Billy Dean, Collin Raye, and more.
Mason Ramsey Signs With CAA
/by Lorie HollabaughMason Ramsey. Photo: Nick Swift
Mason Ramsey has signed with CAA.
Eleven-year-old Ramsey is signed to Big Loud Records and Atlantic Records. Ramsey’s first single, “Famous,” debuted at No. 1 on the iTunes Country Songs chart and has sold an impressive 250K+ U.S. copies (300K globally), top-charted as the No.1 global streaming country song on Spotify, and launched into Billboard’s all-genre The Hot 100. He also debuted within the Top 5 on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart.
He became an internet sensation after being captured on video by a customer inside a Harrisburg, Illinois, Walmart store. Ramsey was performing Hank Williams Sr.’s“ Lovesick Blues.” In just one week, the video skyrocketed to 20 million views and has surpassed 50.9 million views since.
Ramsey made his debut at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry in April to a standing ovation, and has recently performed at such high-profile festivals as Coachella, as a special guest of DJ Whethan, Stagecoach, as a special guest of Florida Georgia Line, and the iHeartCountry Festival. He also performed for the first time at CMA Fest this year, singing the National Anthem at Nissan Stadium.
He is managed by Good Luck Have Fun and his attorney is Edward Shapiro at Reed Smith.
In Pictures: SESAC, ACM, Luke Bryan
/by Jessica NicholsonSESAC At The Bluebird
Pictured (L-R): SESAC songwriters Eric Burnett and Jon Stone; SESAC Manager of Creative Services, Lydia Schultz; and SESAC songwriters Tiffany Goss and Matt Alderman.
On the heels of CMA fest, SESAC hosted its monthly songwriter series SESAC Presents at the Bluebird Café last week. SESAC songwriters included Eric Burnett, Jon Stone, Tiffany Goss and Matt Alderman.
ACM Lifting Lives Welcomes Cassadee Pope and Danielle Bradbery
Singer-songwriter Cassadee Pope joins ACM Lifting Lives campers during ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp at Seacrest Studio on June 15, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Academy of Country Music
The 9th Annual ACM Lifting Lives® Music Camp is in session this week in Nashville, Tenn. with campers from around the country participating in a week of activities and excursions around Music City. The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education.
ACM nominated country artist Cassadee Pope dropped by the Seacrest Studios where she performed her single, “Take You Home” for the campers and participated in a Q&A on-air for the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. ACM New Female Vocalist nominee Danielle Bradbery dropped by the famous Wildhorse Saloon to spend time with the campers, participated in a meet and greet and shared stories from the first day of camp.
Pictured (L-R): Tommy Moore, Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives Secretary; Samantha Thornton, G Major MGMT; Danielle Bradbery; Hailee M. Hunt, ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Director. Photo: Getty Images/Terry Wyatt/Courtesy of ACM Lifting Lives
Luke Bryan Plays Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark
Luke Bryan. Photo: Ethan Helms
Four-time ACM and CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan played for 35,000 fans on Saturday night in Cincinnati’s Great American Ballpark on his What Makes You Country Tour XL Stadium Sized. Bryan experienced another triple-crown achievement as the first artist in any genre to play headline shows in three Cincinnati venues- Riverbend Music Center (where he’s sold-out back-to-back nights), Paul Brown Stadium and now the home of the Cincinnati Reds.
BMI, Taylor Guitars Announce New Partnership For No. 1 Celebrations
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Guitars and BMI celebrate songwriters Russell Dickerson, Parker Welling and SESAC writer Casey Brown.
Taylor Guitars has entered into a partnership with BMI that will acknowledge and celebrate Nashville-based country songwriters’ first No. 1 songs.
Each time a new BMI-affiliated songwriter achieves their first No. 1 single in the genre, the organization will host a celebration in Nashville to highlight their achievement. At each event the first time No. 1 songwriter will be presented with a brand-new Taylor 210e DLX featuring a beautiful vintage sunburst top as well as a custom pickguard featuring a laser-etched BMI logo.
“We love building guitars that serve as inspirational tools for writing songs,” says Tim Godwin, Taylor’s Director of Artist and Entertainment Relations. “Last year BMI invited me to one of their ‘First No. 1’ events, where I saw firsthand what a special moment that was for the songwriter. We wanted to make sure we created a guitar that would honor the craft that led to that moment. We’re thrilled to have the opportunity to collaborate with BMI and celebrate this special milestone. We hope these guitars support the continued songwriting success of these incredible artists.”
The partnership launched April 30 when BMI and Taylor Guitars celebrated Triple Tigers Records recording artist Russell Dickerson for his first No. 1 song as a writer and artist, “Yours.” The song, co-written by Dickerson, BMI songwriter Parker Welling, and SESAC writer Casey Brown, marked the first chart topper for all three writers. BMI writers Dickerson and Welling were both presented with the inaugural BMI No. 1 guitar.
“When a songwriter achieves their first number one, it’s a momentous occasion,” says BMI’s Mason Hunter, Assistant Vice President, Creative, Nashville. “It represents a long journey and reflects years of mastering your craft. We wanted to present a guitar that reflects the same craftsmanship. We are thrilled to partner with Taylor Guitars; they are masters at crafting beautiful instruments. We know our songwriters will be writing hits on these for years to come
Seventh Day Slumber’s Joseph Rojas Talks Newly-Launched Nashville Label Group
/by Jessica NicholsonSeventh Day Slumber’s Joseph Rojas
Joseph Rojas, frontman for Christian rock band Seventh Day Slumber, has been a staple on the Christian rock scene since the band formed in Texas in 1996. The band released its debut project on Tooth & Nail/BEC Recordings in 2005. Along the way the band, earned No. 1 albums on the Billboard Top Heatseekers and Top Christian & Gospel albums charts, with signature songs including “Oceans From The Rain” and “Inside Out.”
Now, with more than two decades of industry experience, Rojas is using those experiences to help other bands via his Nashville Label Group, which launched in April. Nashville Label Group home to two imprints: Rockfest Records and Burtonwood Records.
In addition to Seventh Day Slumber, RockFest Records will be home to hitmakers Random Hero, who have charted two Billboard Top 30 mainstream rock singles; Indiana-based rockers The Protest; female solo rocker Zahna, formerly of ILIA; Nashville-based rock/metal band The Persuaded; and metalcore trio Amongst the Giants.
While Rockfest Records centers on Christian rock, Burtonwood Records caters more to the Contemporary Christian and AC formats. Burtonwood’s roster includes Brooke Robertson and Nathan Sheridan. Both labels will be distributed by New Day Christian, with digital distribution by Capitol Christian Music Group.
“I feel like it was a label started out of necessity, especially for the Christian rock genre,” Rojas tells MusicRow. “Over the past five years, it seems like outlets for Christian rock have dried up and radio is kind of leaned more toward the pop or contemporary worship type of thing, so where you would have stations that would add rock artists and a song that would be radio friendly. Now if it’s from a rock band, even if it is radio-friendly, it’s not getting played on those outlets. Then you have even touring is scarce but there are still a lot of great bands out there.”
Rojas says Nashville Label Group is an extension of City Rockfest, the music festival catering to rock fans he launched four years ago.
“There are big tours, one of the highest-grossing tours in Winter Jam and they do amazing, but they only have like one rock band, maybe two, on that tour every year. I decided I wanted to do something similar to that but for rock fans, with five or six bands on the tour. I expected it to do well, but it’s got a cult following. The same people that bought old-school Creed, those people still buy music, but they don’t listen to radio a lot because radio isn’t playing rock.”
“We’ve had issues in the past with a couple of labels we have been on,” he says, though he declines to offer specifics. “A lot of bands were like, ‘I don’t want to deal with the labels anymore.’ I understand that so much. Labels are offering 360 deals and I understand why they do it, but artists can barely make a living doing what they are doing now. After talking with these bands—and some have been on labels before—I said, ‘What if I started a label where you could have a base of distribution and you keep all your touring proceeds and merch, and I just give you a fair deal?’ Overwhelmingly, the bands said yes. So my talks with Capitol and New Day began and it just went from there.”
In addition to New Day and Capitol Christian Music Group, Nashville Label Group works with several third-party companies to work with clients, though the label also has three in-house staffers.
Rojas looks at the label as more than just a conduit to put new music in the marketplace, but as a way to encourage people and to bring positivity into their lives. After all, it was music that helped Rojas transition from a life of hardship and unhealthy coping mechanisms.
“I had a $400 a day cocaine addiction,” he recalls. “I was arrested over 20 times, and I was looking at 10 years in prison the last time I was arrested. I didn’t meet my dad until I was 14 years old. I understand people who are hurting so when I see bands that are bringing a positive message.”
Rojas is confident Nashville Label Group will continue to see growth and diversity in its offerings in the years to come.
“We’ve opened a publishing company so that when we offer a deal, the artist and label have a partnership on publishing,” he says. “We don’t take 50 percent of an artist’s publishing—it’s more like 25 or 30 percent of publishing, but we offer a lot with that, like a publishing administrator and things in the works where we can help writers and artists get songs placed. That will be a little bit down the road but we are thinking about this. The label expansion is going to probably happen fairly soon even into other genres. There are guys like NF in the marketplace, who are so talented and blowing up. The guy’s on [label] Capitol Christian, but he’s one of the most-streamed artists in the world right now.”