Pictured (L-R): Chris Willman, Leslie Fram, Callie Cunningham, Beth Laird, Stephanie Wright, Nicolle Galyon. Photo: Rick Diamond
Ahead of CMT’s Artist Of The Year live event on Wednesday, Oct. 17, Variety hosted its first brunch in accordance with a longstanding partnership to reveal its Nashville-focused print issue.
As with CMT’s 90-minute television event—designed to give female artists voice and airplay, exclusively honoring females this year—the Variety print issue also features the magazine’s top 25 picks of exclusive female country music executives.
Billed as Breaking Down The Barrier: A Conversation About Women In Country Music, the Oct. 16 brunch was held on Cambria Nashville Downtown hotel’s fifth floor True Bar & Music Room with a panel discussion in addition to a performance by Big Machine Records’ Carly Pearce. CMT’s Sr. VP of Music & Talent Leslie Fram co-hosted the panel with Variety writer Chris Willman. Four female executives and creatives on the stage were Red Light’s Callie Cunningham, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, UMG Nashville’s Stephanie Wright and CMT’s Next Women Of Country mentor/songwriter Nicolle Galyon.
The 40-minute talk cited the marketshare for women on country radio airplay continues to decline, and a new trend for female country artists siding in pop music and tours (Maren Morris and Niall Horann, Cam and Sam Smith, Kacey Musgraves and Harry Styles, Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson). The panel was asked if female writers/artist still feel they have a place in country music. The panel responded:
Pictured (L-R): Nicolle Galyon, Stephanie Wright, Leslie Fram, Carly Pearce, Chris Willman, Beth Laird, Callie Cunningham. Photo: Rick Diamond
Laird: “I work with Kassi Ashton, who is definitely an authentic female with a strong opinion that I love. The No. 1 question she gets is, ‘Are you country? Are you really country? Do you want to be country?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, I grew up country…I love country…I live here…’
“It’s interesting…making sure she proves she’s [country], defining her intentions if she wants to be played on country radio, and that she swears that’s what she wants and who she is. Why does she have to keep saying it?”
Cunningham: “…same experience with [my artist] Bailey Bryan. When she was on radio tour, it was having to defend why she wants to be in this genre, constantly. It’s so frustrating because country music was built on songwriting, experience and being who you are. We need to encourage that—especially in young female artists—but at the same time there’s this other side of the argument that there’s so little space for female artists in country radio, maybe they should [just] fit in. We need to be encouraging these artists to be confident and [that they] don’t need to defend themselves when they walk in a room. If they’re authentic to who they are, people will flock to that, otherwise it’s not going to be impactful and nobody’s gonna care.”
Wright: “You want the artist to be honest and true to who they are. I don’t know that they need to go pop, saying I don’t have a place in this format. They do have a place in this format. You don’t want to skew them one way or the other. You just have to figure out how to get exposure because there’s an audience out there who wants to hear what these artists have to say.”
Galyon: “Most of the female writers have discussed if we have made it this far, we’ve made a pretty deliberate attempt to write mostly male songs, whether that was natural or not. Luckily for me that came natural, so I’m very fulfilled with my job [as a writer]. But there are some writers where that’s not their strength. I can’t tell you how many times we feel great finishing a song saying wow any guy could sing that. But when we finish a female song and say anyone could sing that, we think nobody will do anything with it.”
Other vulnerable moments came when Galyon confessed although she had a community of men supporting her, she downplayed certain parts of her femininity in the writing room, being the only woman.
“I [didn’t] want to be too emotional or be too passionate or too aggressive,” she said. “Luckily for me, when I became a mom I didn’t have energy to have filters anymore, so I turned in to a lot bigger version of myself, in a beautiful way. It’s been cool to move forward being as feminine as I truly, honestly am, and to see what that brings out with the brothers I work with in a creative space.”
Laird also candidly confessed her multi-Grammy-winning writer Lori McKenna was hesitant to write down her goal to achieve music’s top trophy, prior to receiving them.
“We do goal sheets every year and [Lori] wouldn’t write them down,” Laird said. “I learned sometimes you’re almost scared to say exactly what you want and go after it. I don’t know why, as females, we’ll have our dream inside and not say exactly what it is because what if I fail, or can’t get there? It was really empowering for us to see the power in setting a goal, writing it down, telling people around you, and having the support—especially from other females—in reaching that goal.”
Carly Pearce performs at Variety and CMT’s Breaking Down The Barrier: A Conversation About Women In Country Music. Photo: Rick Diamond
CMT, ‘Variety’ Host Pre-Show Panel Of Nashville Women Executives And Creatives
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Chris Willman, Leslie Fram, Callie Cunningham, Beth Laird, Stephanie Wright, Nicolle Galyon. Photo: Rick Diamond
Ahead of CMT’s Artist Of The Year live event on Wednesday, Oct. 17, Variety hosted its first brunch in accordance with a longstanding partnership to reveal its Nashville-focused print issue.
As with CMT’s 90-minute television event—designed to give female artists voice and airplay, exclusively honoring females this year—the Variety print issue also features the magazine’s top 25 picks of exclusive female country music executives.
Billed as Breaking Down The Barrier: A Conversation About Women In Country Music, the Oct. 16 brunch was held on Cambria Nashville Downtown hotel’s fifth floor True Bar & Music Room with a panel discussion in addition to a performance by Big Machine Records’ Carly Pearce. CMT’s Sr. VP of Music & Talent Leslie Fram co-hosted the panel with Variety writer Chris Willman. Four female executives and creatives on the stage were Red Light’s Callie Cunningham, Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, UMG Nashville’s Stephanie Wright and CMT’s Next Women Of Country mentor/songwriter Nicolle Galyon.
The 40-minute talk cited the marketshare for women on country radio airplay continues to decline, and a new trend for female country artists siding in pop music and tours (Maren Morris and Niall Horann, Cam and Sam Smith, Kacey Musgraves and Harry Styles, Kelsea Ballerini and Kelly Clarkson). The panel was asked if female writers/artist still feel they have a place in country music. The panel responded:
Pictured (L-R): Nicolle Galyon, Stephanie Wright, Leslie Fram, Carly Pearce, Chris Willman, Beth Laird, Callie Cunningham. Photo: Rick Diamond
Laird: “I work with Kassi Ashton, who is definitely an authentic female with a strong opinion that I love. The No. 1 question she gets is, ‘Are you country? Are you really country? Do you want to be country?’ She’s like, ‘Yeah, I grew up country…I love country…I live here…’
“It’s interesting…making sure she proves she’s [country], defining her intentions if she wants to be played on country radio, and that she swears that’s what she wants and who she is. Why does she have to keep saying it?”
Cunningham: “…same experience with [my artist] Bailey Bryan. When she was on radio tour, it was having to defend why she wants to be in this genre, constantly. It’s so frustrating because country music was built on songwriting, experience and being who you are. We need to encourage that—especially in young female artists—but at the same time there’s this other side of the argument that there’s so little space for female artists in country radio, maybe they should [just] fit in. We need to be encouraging these artists to be confident and [that they] don’t need to defend themselves when they walk in a room. If they’re authentic to who they are, people will flock to that, otherwise it’s not going to be impactful and nobody’s gonna care.”
Wright: “You want the artist to be honest and true to who they are. I don’t know that they need to go pop, saying I don’t have a place in this format. They do have a place in this format. You don’t want to skew them one way or the other. You just have to figure out how to get exposure because there’s an audience out there who wants to hear what these artists have to say.”
Galyon: “Most of the female writers have discussed if we have made it this far, we’ve made a pretty deliberate attempt to write mostly male songs, whether that was natural or not. Luckily for me that came natural, so I’m very fulfilled with my job [as a writer]. But there are some writers where that’s not their strength. I can’t tell you how many times we feel great finishing a song saying wow any guy could sing that. But when we finish a female song and say anyone could sing that, we think nobody will do anything with it.”
Other vulnerable moments came when Galyon confessed although she had a community of men supporting her, she downplayed certain parts of her femininity in the writing room, being the only woman.
“I [didn’t] want to be too emotional or be too passionate or too aggressive,” she said. “Luckily for me, when I became a mom I didn’t have energy to have filters anymore, so I turned in to a lot bigger version of myself, in a beautiful way. It’s been cool to move forward being as feminine as I truly, honestly am, and to see what that brings out with the brothers I work with in a creative space.”
Laird also candidly confessed her multi-Grammy-winning writer Lori McKenna was hesitant to write down her goal to achieve music’s top trophy, prior to receiving them.
“We do goal sheets every year and [Lori] wouldn’t write them down,” Laird said. “I learned sometimes you’re almost scared to say exactly what you want and go after it. I don’t know why, as females, we’ll have our dream inside and not say exactly what it is because what if I fail, or can’t get there? It was really empowering for us to see the power in setting a goal, writing it down, telling people around you, and having the support—especially from other females—in reaching that goal.”
Carly Pearce performs at Variety and CMT’s Breaking Down The Barrier: A Conversation About Women In Country Music. Photo: Rick Diamond
Reviver Records Signs Aaron Goodvin
/by Jessica NicholsonAaron Goodvin
Reviver Records has signed Canadian-born country singer/songwriter Aaron Goodvin with plans to release a new record in early 2019. The CCMA Award winner already has three Top 10 hits under his belt as an artist with “Woman in Love,” “Miss Me Yet,” and the Platinum-selling single “Lonely Drum.” Goodvin has also had songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, and Cole Swindell.
“We’re very proud to have Aaron as part of the Reviver family,” said Reviver CEO David Ross. “He’s an incredibly talented artist whose music we have been fans of for quite some time. He’s a natural performer and so his success in such a short period of time comes as no surprise. We’re looking forward to being a part of Aaron’s musical future.”
After appearing as a writer on Luke Bryan’s multi-platinum selling album Crash My Party, Aaron’s star power continued to rise. His self-titled Warner Music Canada debut featured three Top 10 singles including the platinum certified smash hit “Lonely Drum.” The track has the honorable distinction of being the only Canadian country single released in the past two years to be certified Platinum. In both 2017 and 2018, Aaron was nominated for CCMA awards, winning the 2018 Songwriter of the Year award for “Lonely Drum.”
In February 2019, Aaron will be set to release his much-anticipated sophomore album on Reviver Records worldwide with Warner Music Canada continuing as his Canadian home, driven by the lead single “You Are” in Canada and a single released to radio in the US in early 2019.
Industry Ink: ACM, Leadership Music, Deluge Music, Songcraft Podcast
/by Lorie HollabaughACM Welcomes Walker Hayes
Pictured (L-R): Robert Carlton, SMACKSongs; Nick Di Fruscia, ACM VP, Awards & Membership; Walker Hayes; Jen Heaton, ACM Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Monument Records recording artist Walker Hayes to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently for his packed out show at The Troubadour on Oct. 2. While at the Academy, Hayes performed his current single, “90’s Country,” and performed other songs off his current album, Boom.
Leadership Music To Hold Food Truck Friday
Leadership Music will host Food Truck Friday on Oct. 26 from noon-1:30 p.m. at 34 Music Sq. E. Among the vendors will be Roscoe’s, Flavor, Banjo’s, and King of Pop.
Madeline Merlo Inks With Deluge Music
Pictured (L-R): Ron Kitchener (RGK Entertainment) Madeline Merlo, Mark Friedman (president Deluge Music) David Robkin (Managing Member Deluge Music) Emily Dryburgh (Creative Manager Deluge Music)
Deluge Music has signed Madeline Merlo to a worldwide publishing deal. “We couldn’t be happier to have Madeline on board with us, she’s got what it takes to have a lasting career in Nashville!” says Deluge Music president Mark Friedman.
Lamont Dozier On Songcraft Spotlight On Songwriters’ 100th Episode
Lamont Dozier
The Songcraft: Spotlight On Songwriters Podcast will launch its milestone 100th episode today featuring a wide-ranging conversation with Rock & Roll Hall of Fame inductee Lamont Dozier. Best known as a member of the Holland-Dozier-Holland songwriting and production team that was instrumental in defining the Motown sound, Dozier penned classics such as “How Sweet It Is (To Be Loved By You),” “Heat Wave,” “I Can’t Help Myself (Sugar Pie Honey Bunch),” “Reach Out I’ll Be There” and a string of ten Top 10 pop singles for the Supremes, including “Baby Love,” “Come See About Me,” “Stop! In the Name of Love,” and “You Keep Me Hangin’ On.”
Launched in 2015, Songcraft is a bi-weekly podcast featuring in-depth career-spanning conversations with songwriters from a variety of genres and eras co-hosted by Paul Duncan and Scott B. Bomar.
Ketch Secor Receives Treasured Acuff Fiddle From Woody Paul During Opry Birthday Celebration
/by Lorie HollabaughRoy Acuff protégé Woody Paul Chrisman of Opry group Riders In The Sky presented Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor with a treasured fiddle Acuff had given to Chrisman when Chrisman was 16 years old. Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
The Grand Ole Opry celebrated its 93rd birthday this weekend with two sold-out, two-show nights at the Grand Ole Opry House. In a special Opry moment on Saturday night’s show, Roy Acuff protégé Woody Paul Chrisman of Opry group Riders In The Sky presented Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor with a treasured fiddle Acuff had given to Chrisman when Chrisman was 16 years old. The Riders In The Sky member shared his immense respect for Secor’s musicianship and trust in him to carry on Opry traditions for years to come. “If Roy Acuff was here tonight, he’d do what I’m about to do,” Chrisman said, handing Secor the prized instrument.
Morgan Evans also celebrated the release of his debut album Things That We Drink To with Opry performances on Tuesday and Friday night, as well as exclusive backstage performances for fans who purchased the album in the newly-revamped Opry Shop. Evans shared some of the newly-released music and stories behind the songs in a Facebook Live from the Opry stage prior to Friday’s Opry performances.
In an event-filled week celebrating the show’s nine-decade-plus history with shows featuring new stars, superstars, and legends, the show also cut the ribbon on a $12 million Opry House expansion.
Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
Ketch Secor and Woody Paul Chrisman Photo courtesy Grand Ole Opry LLC. Chris Hollo, photographer
Jay Demarcus Reveals Life Story In New Memoir ‘Shotgun Angels’
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’m really looking forward to sharing a pretty personal look at my path so far, as that isn’t something I’ve done yet,” said DeMarcus. “In Shotgun Angels, readers will hear never-before-told stories and get a glimpse into what it was like for me coming from Columbus Ohio and my journey to Nashville. My ultimate goal is that the book will encourage people that no matter where they are in their lives, they can find hope, comfort and strength in their faith.”
Set for release April 30, the book rollout will include a major national media launch and a multi-city book tour.
RCA Nashville’s Rachel Wammack Takes NYC
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Halie Hampton, Maverick Artist Management; Darren Stupak, Executive Vice President/GM Sales, Sony Music Entertainment; Kevin Kelleher, Chief Operating Officer, Sony Music Entertainment; Dennis Kooker, President, Global Digital Business & U.S. Sales, Sony Music Entertainment; Wammack; Randy Goodman, Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville; Caryl Atwood, Vice President Sales and Streaming, Sony Music Nashville; and Liz Cost, Sony Music Nashville Marketing Lead.
RCA Nashville singer/songwriter Rachel Wammack celebrated the ascent of her debut single “Damage” with a performance in the Sony Club for Sony Music Entertainment executives and staff in New York City.
Wammack, a 24-year old native from Muscle Shoals, Alabama, describes her sound as a trifecta of country, soul, and adult pop. Wammack’s debut EP is helmed by award-winning producer Dann Huff.
Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Jason Aldean To Lead Stagecoach 2019
/by Jessica NicholsonThe lineup has been revealed for 2019’s Stagecoach festival, which returns Friday, April 26-Sunday, April 28. Luke Bryan will headline Friday, while Sam Hunt will lead the Saturday lineup and Jason Aldean will close out the festival on Sunday.
The festival returns for its 13th year at Empire Polo Fields in Indio, California. The three-day event will also feature performances by Cole Swindell, Luke Combs, Old Dominion, Kane Brown, CAM, Lauren Alaina, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bret Michaels, Tom Jones and more.
“I am so proud to present the Stagecoach 2019 lineup following our record breaking show last year,” says festival Talent Buyer Stacy Vee. “This line up is gigantic! Guy Fieri is coming back! We are going to make the site look even more incredible. The whole team is already working overtime to deliver an unforgettable experience from top to bottom.”
Guy [Fieri]’s Stagecoach Smokehouse is back this year with a new cast of the nation’s finest pit bosses alongside the most celebrated restaurants and BBQ vendors. Guy and friends will be showcasing their pits and rigs and offering taste tests to fans throughout the weekend with live demos. Stay tuned for the full food lineup.
Returning to the festival this year is the SiriusXM Spotlight Stage, which will once again highlight today’s rising stars like Tyler Rich, Travis Denning, Mitchell Tenpenny and more. The Honkytonk Dance Hall also makes its return alongside the latest fan-favorite, Nikki Lane’s Stage Stop Marketplace.
Car camping returns for 2019 with the added option to purchase Companion Camping Parking for additional vehicles. Revisit The Resort this season with full amenities like the internet café, charging stations, General Store, Supermarket Shuttles and on-site pedal cabs. These options and more will be available for purchase, with Travel Packages, Shuttles and the all new Safari Camping Experience available via Valley Music Travel.
Festival passes go on sale Friday, Oct. 19 at 11 a.m. PDT at stagecoachfestival.com.
Parallel Music Publishing Nashville Promotes Travis Myatt
/by Jessica NicholsonTravis Myatt.
Parallel Music Publishing-Nashville has promoted Travis Myatt to the role of Senior Creative Director. Myatt joined Parallel Music Publishing in 2016 as Creative Director. Prior to his work with Parallel, Myatt served as a catalog manager for Sony/ATV.
“I knew when we hired Travis that he had the potential to do great things and he has gone above and beyond my expectations. His passion and drive are unparalleled and have earned him this promotion,” says Tim Hunze. “I know Travis will continue to be an asset to our team.”
Former BLA Leaders Mike Meade, Amy Aylward Form Acceleration Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonMike Meade, Amy Aylward
Former Buddy Lee Attractions leaders Mike Meade and Amy Aylward have partnered to form Acceleration Music Group. Meade was previously Vice President at BLA, while Aylward was an agent.
Acceleration Music Group’s flagship artists include Suzanne Alexander, Bone Feather, Ty Herndon, Brody Ray, Darryl Worley and Michelle Wright.
“I’ve been working as an agent in this industry for more than two decades and I’ve maneuvered through some vast changes in the entertainment arena during that time,” recalls Meade. “Two things have always remained constant: a great booking agency can truly accelerate an artist to the next level working in tandem with the artist’s team and a hard-working agency that moves forward as a unit to pursue both our clients’ and our staff’s goals will succeed. I’m excited for the opportunities that can be achieved with this new company and I’m proud to partner with Amy for AMG.”
“Acceleration Music Group is all about moving careers forward,” says Aylward. “Working with established artists as well as new comers gives us the perfect opportunity to expand fan bases and bookings worldwide. The caliber of artist we represent is second to none and I am so excited to be starting this journey with my long-time friend and co-worker, Mike Meade.”
Meade can be reached at mike@accelerationmusicgroup.com, while Aylward can be reached at amy@accelerationmusicgroup.com. The phone number for the newly-formed Acceleration Music Group is 615-378-5770.
Charles Esten, Bobby Bones Honored At Musicians On Call ‘Night To Celebrate’
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Thomas Rhett and Charles Esten, Musicians on Call President, Pete Griffin, Radio Host Bobby Bones and Recording Artist Chris Janson (Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for Musicians On Call)
Bobby Bones and Charles Esten were honored by Musicians On Call during the sold-out A Night to Celebrate the Healing Power of Music at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater in Nashville on Oct. 10.
The organization honored On-Air Personality/MOC Board Member Bobby Bones with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele, and CMT’s Nashville star/MOC volunteer Charles Esten with the Music Heals Golden Ukulele. Thomas Rhett and Chris Janson also performed for the crowd of over 700 during the special evening, which raised over $150,000 for the organization’s programs in Nashville and across the country.
“I continue to be inspired every single day by people that volunteer, by people that serve for us in the military, by people that are nurses and that are first responders,” said Bones. “I am inspired every day and I feel it’s my job to inspire other people. Hopefully tonight, when you leave here, you’ll feel a bit inspired too.”
“It means everything to me to be in hospital rooms and to get to sing a song that has meaning. The doors that seem to have meant the most to me are these hospital room doors. That’s why I’m so grateful to Musicians On Call, this is literally an honor. If I can do anything it’s to point to this group and to the incredible work that they do. It’s like USO shows for people in a completely different battle,” said Esten, “I can promise you that I am the one who is blessed when that visit is over. This is a huge honor and I am grateful, but the real honor is getting to be with the patients.”
Nashville volunteers Mary Lee Bennett, Chris Swift and Laura Vance were presented with the Volunteer Guide and Volunteer Musician Golden Ukuleles by recording artist Natalie Stovall and Southwest Airlines’ Tena Griffith. Recording artist Maggie Rose also made an appearance during the celebration.