Pictured (L-R): Rodney Clawson, Michael Carter, Brad Tursi, Luke Bryan, Luke Laird and Jay Clementi. Photo: Ethan Helms
In 2017, Luke Bryan brought his high-energy concerts to more than 1.5 million fans, and earned more than 1 billion streams of his songs. He is a judge and mentor for ABC’s American Idol, and has been named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
But at heart, Bryan is still the same modest, fun-loving Georgia native who moved to Nashville in 2001, with his heart set on creating the best songs he could.
Bryan recently celebrated his 17th, 18th, and 19th No. 1 songs with a triple No. 1 party at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. The party was co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI, and Global Music Rights.
Those chart-toppers include “Fast” (co-written with Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird), “Move” (penned with Michael Carter and Jay Clementi), and “Light It Up” (co-written with Old Dominion member Brad Tursi).
“There is not a lot Luke Bryan hasn’t accomplished as a songwriter, an artist, and as a human being,” said UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe, who has worked on every album Bryan has released. “He has been the backbone of our company through his heart, his work ethic and his music.”
“It’s hard to believe you can have this much fun and compile all of those numbers,” Bryan told attendees. “We’re all byproducts of moving here chasing a dream. And you are so scared when you move here that you are going to get somewhere and not fit in and not know if you are good or bad, and the next thing you know, you are surrounded by people that are just like you and are chasing their dreams and they are hungry. Then you call your parents back home and let them know you are pretty much never coming back home, because you have found your place. Nashville has always been that home for me. When I got here, I was amazed at how you can go from knowing no one in a town, to it forever being your home. There are so many examples of the friendship of the music business and Music Row, and it’s so inspiring.”
According to Bryan, the idea and writing process for “Fast” came, well, fast.
“I think I was nursing a hangover that day. I think it was just after a TJ Martell event, you know how those things go, maybe the wine dinner. We wrote another song and ‘Fast’ happened so quickly. I was doing my first European thing and we were in Germany and a text message or email came through and I heard ‘Fast.’ And I was like, ‘When did I write this?’ That’s the beauty of these guys, the fact that they take a day like that and Rodney and Luke really went in the studio and put that all together. I heard it like it was getting pitched to me and I was like, ‘I can’t believe I get a chance to put a song like that out.’”
Laird shared a humorous moment from early in his career, when being a baseball cap-wearing songwriter with the first name Luke caused some confusion in the writing room. “This co-writer asked me, ‘When is your album coming out on Capitol?’ They thought I was Luke Bryan,” Laird quipped.
Bryan said the confusion doesn’t always end when you are a superstar entertainer. “I was on the red carpet at the CMT Music Awards two nights ago, and someone asked me, ‘What are you going to name the dogs?'” he said, referring to Blake Shelton’s award-winning hit. “I had to tell them that wasn’t my song.”
Bryan gave credit to his manager Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment, for suggesting the co-writing session with Old Dominion member Brad Tursi. The session resulted in the No. 1 single “Light It Up.”
Carter, Bryan’s longtime band leader and co-writer, noted that of all the songs they have worked on together, “Move” marks the first No. 1 single that Carter and Bryan have penned together.
“I walked off the bus and went right on the bus and sound checked it,” Bryan recalled. “Then we didn’t work on it for about three or four more years. It was kind of in the same time period of ‘Country Girl [Shake It For Me)’, so I let some time go between them, but it was just amazing that it all came about. Obviously, Michael Carter, he was in there making sure we didn’t mess the song up.”
Jay Clementi was celebrating his very first country No. 1 single with “Move,” which he co-wrote with Bryan and Carter. Clementi’s longtime collaborator, Radney Foster, was also in attendance. Luke’s team also surprised Clementi with a painting from Rob Hendon, to commemorate Clementi’s first No. 1 with Bryan.
“We spent four years talking about fishing and nothing about songs or the music business,” Bryan said of the eventual co-writing session with Clementi. “We just had that connection. To finally see him in this room and see proud family and friends surrounding him, I’m so dadgum happy for this day for him. Jay’s been in this town for so long and has written so many of these great artistic songs, especially with Radney. Then Jay’s in the room with his first No. 1 for ‘Move,’” he said with a laugh. “Shows you the comedy of this business, right?”
Luke Bryan Puts Co-Writers In The Spotlight During Triple No. 1 Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Rodney Clawson, Michael Carter, Brad Tursi, Luke Bryan, Luke Laird and Jay Clementi. Photo: Ethan Helms
In 2017, Luke Bryan brought his high-energy concerts to more than 1.5 million fans, and earned more than 1 billion streams of his songs. He is a judge and mentor for ABC’s American Idol, and has been named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
But at heart, Bryan is still the same modest, fun-loving Georgia native who moved to Nashville in 2001, with his heart set on creating the best songs he could.
Bryan recently celebrated his 17th, 18th, and 19th No. 1 songs with a triple No. 1 party at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. The party was co-hosted by ASCAP, BMI, and Global Music Rights.
Those chart-toppers include “Fast” (co-written with Rodney Clawson and Luke Laird), “Move” (penned with Michael Carter and Jay Clementi), and “Light It Up” (co-written with Old Dominion member Brad Tursi).
“There is not a lot Luke Bryan hasn’t accomplished as a songwriter, an artist, and as a human being,” said UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe, who has worked on every album Bryan has released. “He has been the backbone of our company through his heart, his work ethic and his music.”
“It’s hard to believe you can have this much fun and compile all of those numbers,” Bryan told attendees. “We’re all byproducts of moving here chasing a dream. And you are so scared when you move here that you are going to get somewhere and not fit in and not know if you are good or bad, and the next thing you know, you are surrounded by people that are just like you and are chasing their dreams and they are hungry. Then you call your parents back home and let them know you are pretty much never coming back home, because you have found your place. Nashville has always been that home for me. When I got here, I was amazed at how you can go from knowing no one in a town, to it forever being your home. There are so many examples of the friendship of the music business and Music Row, and it’s so inspiring.”
According to Bryan, the idea and writing process for “Fast” came, well, fast.
“I think I was nursing a hangover that day. I think it was just after a TJ Martell event, you know how those things go, maybe the wine dinner. We wrote another song and ‘Fast’ happened so quickly. I was doing my first European thing and we were in Germany and a text message or email came through and I heard ‘Fast.’ And I was like, ‘When did I write this?’ That’s the beauty of these guys, the fact that they take a day like that and Rodney and Luke really went in the studio and put that all together. I heard it like it was getting pitched to me and I was like, ‘I can’t believe I get a chance to put a song like that out.’”
Laird shared a humorous moment from early in his career, when being a baseball cap-wearing songwriter with the first name Luke caused some confusion in the writing room. “This co-writer asked me, ‘When is your album coming out on Capitol?’ They thought I was Luke Bryan,” Laird quipped.
Bryan said the confusion doesn’t always end when you are a superstar entertainer. “I was on the red carpet at the CMT Music Awards two nights ago, and someone asked me, ‘What are you going to name the dogs?'” he said, referring to Blake Shelton’s award-winning hit. “I had to tell them that wasn’t my song.”
Bryan gave credit to his manager Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment, for suggesting the co-writing session with Old Dominion member Brad Tursi. The session resulted in the No. 1 single “Light It Up.”
Carter, Bryan’s longtime band leader and co-writer, noted that of all the songs they have worked on together, “Move” marks the first No. 1 single that Carter and Bryan have penned together.
“I walked off the bus and went right on the bus and sound checked it,” Bryan recalled. “Then we didn’t work on it for about three or four more years. It was kind of in the same time period of ‘Country Girl [Shake It For Me)’, so I let some time go between them, but it was just amazing that it all came about. Obviously, Michael Carter, he was in there making sure we didn’t mess the song up.”
Jay Clementi was celebrating his very first country No. 1 single with “Move,” which he co-wrote with Bryan and Carter. Clementi’s longtime collaborator, Radney Foster, was also in attendance. Luke’s team also surprised Clementi with a painting from Rob Hendon, to commemorate Clementi’s first No. 1 with Bryan.
“We spent four years talking about fishing and nothing about songs or the music business,” Bryan said of the eventual co-writing session with Clementi. “We just had that connection. To finally see him in this room and see proud family and friends surrounding him, I’m so dadgum happy for this day for him. Jay’s been in this town for so long and has written so many of these great artistic songs, especially with Radney. Then Jay’s in the room with his first No. 1 for ‘Move,’” he said with a laugh. “Shows you the comedy of this business, right?”
Industry Ink: Song Suffragettes, FBMM, Grayscale Marketing, Demolition Music Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonFemale Singer-Songwriter Showcase Song Suffragettes Celebrates Fourth Anniversary
Bottom row (L-R): Alex Kline, Alys Ffion, Kelsey K, Candi Carpenter, Tara Thompson, Sam Hatmaker. Middle row, (L-R): Hayley Orrantia, Beverly Keel, Jordyn Mallory, Tracy Gershon, Kalie Shorr, Phyllis Stark, Todd Cassetty, Helena Capps. Top row (L-R): Janelle Arthur, Michelle Pereira, Erin Enderlin, The Belles (Jaymie and Kelli Jones), April Kry, Tiera, Lexi Lauren, Jordyn Stoddard, Nora Collins, Madison Kozak. Photo: Rick Diamond/ShutterStock
Monday night (June 11), Nashville’s all-female singer-songwriter showcase Song Suffragettes hosted their fourth anniversary show at Analog at the Hutton Hotel in Nashville. Ten female songwriters were invited to play two rounds for the sold out crowd: Kelleigh Bannen, Candi Carpenter, Alys Ffion, Tegan Marie, Kalie Shorr, Nora Collins, Erin Enderlin, Madison Kozak, Hayley Orrantia and Tara Thompson.
The ladies also hosted a panel consisting of Red Light’s Tracy Gershon and MTSU’s Beverly Keel that discussed the underrepresentation of women in country music, specifically in radio, at music festivals and behind the scenes. The panel was moderated by Billboard contributor Phyllis Stark.
Promotions At Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
Entertainment business management firm FBMM has promoted Megan Brewer and Sam Klemz to senior account assistant, and Jason Leiss and DeAnn Whalen to senior account manager.
Grayscale Marketing Adds Robert Hamm
Grayscale Marketing, a sponsorships and digital marketing company based in Nashville, has added Robert Hamm as Chief Operations Officer.
Hamm spent the last four years working for Kaleidoscope Media (Bonnaroo, IdentoGO/TSA Precheck), a publicity and social media management firm, where he was responsible for the day-to-day management of the company, directing project development and overseeing client projects and internal staff.
Founded in 2015, Grayscale Marketing’s client list has included Virgin Hotels, Hangout Music Festival, Saving Abel, Warner Chappell Music Production, Rolls Royce, Pilgrimage Music Festival, Anheuser Busch, Panorama NYC Music Festival, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Textron, Maui Jim, Sony Music Nashville, Blue Chair Bay Rum, Neste Event Marketing, Tito’s Vodka, Minor League Baseball, and Sixthman’s Music Festival Cruises.
Demolition Music Publishing Signs Joe Leathers
Pictured (L-R): Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino with Joe Leathers.
Demolition Music Publishing has added Joe Leathers to its roster. Leathers has had songs recorded by Jerrod Niemann, Lee Brice, Trace Adkins, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, and more.
Little Big Town To Be Featured In New Country Music Hall Of Fame Exhibit
/by Lorie HollabaughLittle Big Town will be the subject of a special exhibit, Little Big Town: The Power of Four, opening June 29, 2018, and continuing through June 9, 2019, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The foursome will participate in a special interview program Tuesday, June 26, 2018, in connection with the exhibit.
The new exhibit tells the group’s story from the very beginning, and includes keepsakes and photos from each member’s childhood and many unique items that illuminate the personalities of group members. Artifacts include a handmade Afghan ceramic pitcher, given to Sweet by an American soldier after Little Big Town performed at a small military base in isolated Tarinkot, Afghanistan. Other highlights include a Fender DG-60 used by Jimi Westbrook, the BCBG Max Azria linen sundress and Golden Goose boots worn by Karen Fairchild when she married Westbrook, and Kimberly Schlapman’s childhood recital costume.
“Karen, Kimberly, Phillip, and Jimi—Little Big Town—build their music on a foundation of beautiful vocal harmonies seldom heard in country music,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “The group has enjoyed best-selling, award-winning success, but achieving that success required uncommon dedication and courage—and the willingness to make records for four different labels—before Little Big Town became consistent hit makers. Their journey has been a long one, and we embrace the opportunity to share Little Big Town’s story with our visitors.”
“Having an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is something we would never have thought to dream of for ourselves. It is beyond a dream come true,” said Fairchild. “We are honored to be a part of country music, and are so thankful to all our fans, the music community here in Nashville and the museum for this privilege.”
Highlights of the exhibition:
Carrie Underwood To Headline Spotify’s Inaugural Hot Country Live Concert Series
/by Eric T. ParkerFirst at the Seaport’s The Rooftop at Pier 17 concert venue, the Hot Country Live concert series will subsequently be held in select cities nationwide, highlighting today’s most dynamic country music stars, many of whom are featured in the Hot Country playlist. The July 4th show, however, is in partnership with the Howard Hughes Corporation, revitalizing the Seaport District and transforming Pier 17 into an iconic entertainment destination that will be home to the Pier 17 Rooftop Concert Series, launching August 1.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of Spotify’s first ever Hot Country Live show, and can’t wait to celebrate the holiday playing live music under the stars,” says Underwood.
According to Brittany Schaffer, Head of Artist and Label Marketing at Spotify’s Nashville office, “This year Spotify is making a concentrated effort to shine a spotlight on country music and to create a gathering place for country artists and fans to share and experience the people, stories, and spirit that define their community. This starts on platform in the Hot Country playlist and is brought to life through our unique live events, like Hot Country Live. I can’t imagine a better way to kick-off our premiere country music concert series then by bringing country fans the opportunity to honor America on the Fourth of July with Carrie Underwood and Dan + Shay!”
Spotify has been expanding their footprint in the country music world, most recently with the re-launch of their Hot Country Playlist, as an enhanced playlist featuring exclusive and original video content. This allows users to listen to their favorite audio tracks as well as watch interviews and music videos featuring their favorite artists.
Veteran Talent Agent Steve Thurman Passes
/by Robert K OermannCountry industry veteran Steve Thurman died at age 62 on Friday, June 8.
He is perhaps best-known as an early champion of Diamond Rio, Joe Diffie and Tim McGraw. Thurman was also a mainstay of the NATD (Nashville Association of Talent Directors).
While a student at MTSU in the 1970s, he became chairman of the school’s concert committee. He and roommate Charles Dorris also worked Municipal Auditorium concerts for promoters Sound Seventy and Varnell Enterprises. After graduation, Thurman worked for the country agency Top Billing.
According to Dorris, he next began managing The Tennessee River Boys. He re-named them Diamond Rio and reportedly arranged their Arista Records contract. He also brought the band to Charles Dorris & Associates.
He and agent Dick Beacham signed the then-unknown Joe Diffie and Tim McGraw, among others.
In recent years, Thurman became one of the key organizers of the NATD, which stages an annual awards banquet in Nashville, a CMA Fest picnic for booking and promotion executives, and a speaker series, among other events.
Stephen Odell Thurman died of respiratory issues, pneumonia and a blood infection. He is survived by his mother, Norene Harris Thurman, by brothers Stand and Brian and by nephews, cousins, aunts and uncles.
Funeral services were held on Tuesday, June 12 at 1 p.m. at Coulter Garrison Funeral Home in Dayton, TN, followed by his burial in Spence Cemetery in Dayton.
Mavis Staples, Lukas Nelson, Margo Price, Joe Henry To Play Roots Of American Music Weekend
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Americana Music Association has announced the lineup for its Roots of American Music Weekend, to be held Aug. 11-12 and presented in association with Lincoln Center’s Out of Doors, one of the country’s longest-running, free outdoor summer festivals. Mavis Staples, Joe Henry, Margo Price, and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real will perform during the annual weekend, which is now in its fifth year. Mavis Staples and Joe Henry perform on Saturday, Aug. 11 at 7:30 p.m., while Margo Price and Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real perform on Sunday, Aug. 12 at 7 p.m.
AMERICANAFEST NYC takes place at the Damrosch Park Bandshell on Lincoln Center’s campus. All events are free, no tickets required.
Bobby Bones Plotting National Radio Show Highlighting Only Music From Female Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonBobby Bones
Bobby Bones, host of iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, has long been a champion of new music and new artists, particularly female artists. He has featured music, performances and/or interviews by artists including Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Lindsay Ell, and more.
Now, Bones is prepping a national syndicated radio show that will feature music from only female artists. According to Bones, the yet-untitled show will launch across more than 100 iHeartRadio stations, as well as other outlets.
This comes three years after the “Tomatogate” incident of 2015, when radio consultant Keith Hill compared women in country music to garnish on a salad.
Despite ongoing support from some country radio stations and program directors, there remains a large disparity in the number of female artists releasing new music, and the number of female artists being played on country radio. On Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart, dated June 2, 2018, the Top 25 entries included songs from two female solo artists, three songs from groups or collaborations with females–and 19 songs from solo male artists (along with one track featuring two male artists).
“I’ve been saying I was going to do this if the environment didn’t change,” Bones said via social media. “Well, it didn’t. Will be launching this show across 100+ iHeartRadio stations and other outlets soon.”
Omaze Taps Susan Bank to Head Nashville Initiatives
/by Sarah SkatesSusan Bank
Online fundraising platform Omaze has launched its new music division and tapped established executive Susan Bank to lead its Nashville initiatives as Senior Director, Music Business Development. Bank brings 20 years of experience to the role, in addition to continuing as artist manager for BBR Music Group’s Brooke Eden.
Omaze offers the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences in exchange for charitable donations. The company has held over 80 successful music fundraising campaigns in the past five years, including partnerships with Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Paul McCartney.
Now the company is officially launching a music division with the addition of Bank in Nashville, Scott Graves in New York City and Andrew Cook in Los Angeles. Each holds the title of Senior Director, Music Business Development.
“We’re so excited to announce the addition of three amazing new team members. Omaze has seen our community triple in the past two years, and have seen remarkable growth in the number of donors to our music campaigns,” said Stu Smith, senior vice president, business development & partnerships. “This is a strategic move for Omaze, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to kickstart it with Scott, Susan and Andrew.”
Bank previously spent more than eight years at Red Light Management overseeing the career of Tim McGraw, during which time he toured worldwide, released five multi-million-selling albums, starred in his own CBS television special, and co-starred in four feature films including The Blind Side.
During Bank’s time as VP Music Programming & Artist Relations at Control Room, she produced over 40 live concerts featuring Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Rihanna and more. Prior to Control Room, Bank was Vice President for ReignDeer Entertainment where she supervised touring, live events and corporate partnerships for Britney Spears’ successful In The Zone album cycle and Onyx Hotel World Tour.
Bank’s previous experience includes managing the band Blues Traveler, VP Tour Marketing for Capitol Records, and Marketing Director at concert promotion company DelsenerSlater Enterprises.
A current offering on Omaze.
Bonnaroo Fans Experience Some Opry Magic
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Grand Ole Opry cast at Bonnaroo with Opry’s GM Sally Williams backstage before showtime Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo
Worlds collided Sunday night in Manchester, Tennessee, at Bonnaroo when the Grand Ole Opry staged its first-ever show from the famed music & arts festival. Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show, Bobby Bare, Del McCoury Band, and Riders In The Sky all performed for the Bonnaroo crowd, as well as Joshua Hedley, LANCO, Nikki Lane, and Maggie Rose.
The occasion was a rare one: in its 92-year history, the Nashville-based Opry has only taken its iconic show outside Music City a few times. Past shows have traveled to prestigious venues such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center.
Old Crow Medicine Show Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo
Del McCoury and Bobby Bare Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo
Nikki Lane with Joshua Hedley Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo
Hillary Scott, Kip Moore, Danielle Bradbery Added To ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp
/by Lorie HollabaughCampers will participate in a songwriting workshop and recording session, along with other music-oriented activities, culminating in a live performance on the Grand Ole Opry. The finale will take place Tuesday, June 19, 2018 on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry as ACM Lifting Lives Music campers offer a live performance with Opry member Craig Morgan.
The camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education, and ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the camp in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.
Throughout the week, campers gain invaluable experience through artist visits. Prior camps have featured visits from Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Kix Brooks, Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Chris Janson, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Maren Morris, Jake Owen, RaeLynn, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young and more.
This year’s schedule includes:
Thursday, June 14 – 9:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Songwriting Workshop with Ross Copperman, Kip Moore and Jon Nite; 6 p.m.-7 p.m.: Dinner and Karaoke at Winner’s Bar & Grill with artist Brandon Lay
Friday, June 15 – 12:45 p.m.-2 p.m.: Seacrest Studios Visit with Cassadee Pope; 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.: Meet & Greet with Danielle Bradbery at Wildhorse Saloon
Monday, June 18 – 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Recording Studio Day with artist Hillary Scott and Ross Copperman at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Nashville
Tuesday, June 19 – 9 p.m.: LIVE performance with Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry