Kelsea Ballerini Joins Sandbox Entertainment

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Kelsea Ballerini has signed with Jason Owen‘s Sandbox Entertainment, Owen has confirmed to MusicRow.

As MusicRow reported yesterday, Ballerini left her previous management company, Fletcher Foster‘s Iconic Entertainment.

Sandbox Entertainment also represents artists including Kacey Musgraves, Little Big Town, Midland, Faith Hill, and more.

Collaborators, Writer Credits Revealed For Keith Urban’s ‘Graffiti U’

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Keith Urban‘s latest single “Coming Home” features pop singer/songwriter Julia Michaels, but she’s not the only female Urban will collaborate with on his upcoming Graffiti U album.

The album, which releases April 27 via Capitol Records Nashville, also includes UMG Nashville/Interscope artist Kassi Ashton (on the track “Drop Top”) and Stoney Creek Records singer/songwriter/guitar slinger Lindsay Ell (on “Horses”). Additionally, the album features a collaboration called “My Wave,” with Shy Carter.

The album also includes Urban’s women-empowering track, “Female,” which he debuted at last year’s CMA Awards.

See the full track listing and writer credits for Urban’s Graffiti U below:

GRAFFITI U TRACK LISTING & CREDITS

Coming Home (Featuring Julia Michaels)
Written by Keith Urban, J.R. Rotem, Julia Michaels, Merle Haggard, Nicolle Galyon
Produced by J.R. Rotem & Keith Urban
Contains elements of Merle Haggard’s “Mama Tried.” Used by permission.

Never Comin Down
Written by Keith Urban, Josh Kerr, James Abrahart, Shy Carter
Produced by Josh Kerr & Keith Urban

Same Heart
Written by Keith Urban, Jason Evigan, Emily Weisband, Jordan Minton
Produced by Jason Evigan & Keith Urban

My Wave (Featuring Shy Carter)
Written by Keith Urban, Greg Wells, Shy Carter
Produced by Greg Wells & Keith Urban

Parallel Line
Written by Ed Sheeran, Benjamin Levin, Johnny McDaid, Julia Michaels, Amy Wadge
Contains elements of “Everglow” courtesy of Chris Martin, Will Champion, Jonny Buckland, Guy Berryman, Tor Hermansen and Mikkel Eriksen used by permission.
Produced by Benny Blanco, Ed Sheeran, Johnny McDaid & Keith Urban

Drop Top (Featuring Kassi Ashton)
Written by Keith Urban, Jimmy Robbins, Mozella, Josh Osborne
Produced by Jesse Shatkin, Jimmy Robbins & Keith Urban

Way Too Long
Written by Oscar Holter, Julia Michaels, Nate Ruess
Produced by Oscar Holter for Wolf Cousins Productions

Horses (Featuring Lindsay Ell)
Written by Matt Rad, Mozella, Jamie Scott
Produced by Matt Rad & Keith Urban

Gemini
Written by Keith Urban, Julia Michaels, Justin Tranter, Ian Kirkpatrick
Produced by Ian Kirkpatrick & Keith Urban

Texas Time
Written by Max Townsley, Drew Erickson, Steve Lindsey, Dillon O’Brian
Produced by Mike Elizondo & Keith Urban

Love The Way It Hurts (So Good)
Written by Keith Urban, Ben Berger, Ryan Rabin, Ryan McMahon
Produced by Captain Cuts & Keith Urban

Female
Written by Nicolle Galyon, Ross Copperman, Shane McAnally
Produced by Ross Copperman, Dann Huff & Keith Urban

Steal My Thunder
Written by Keith Urban, Jason Evigan, Emily Weisband, Jordan Minton
Produced by Jason Evigan & Keith Urban

Eric Church’s ’61 Days In Church’ Exclusive Coming On Record Store Day

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In 2017, Eric Church began recording an ambitious project, 61 Days In Church, recording 30 songs per night during his 61-date Holdin’ My Own Tour.

On Record Store Day (April 21), Church will release an exclusive collection of cover songs from the tour, available on LP with 2,500 exclusive copies available to fans (available only at participating record stores).

The collection includes the following eight cover songs:
1. “Better Man” (Live At Tacoma Drive, Tacoma, WA, March 18, 2017)
2. “Turn The Page” (Live At CenturyLink Center, Omaha, NE, April 8, 2017)
3. “Dixie Chicken” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Chuck Leavell)
4. “Six Days On The Road” (Live at PPG Paints Arena, Pittsburgh, PA, April 21, 2017)
5. “Rusty Cage” (Live at Verizon Center, Washington, D.C., May 19, 2017)
6. “Allentown” (Live at Santander Arena, Reading, PA, May 18, 2017)
7. “Midnight Rider” (Live at Bridgestone Arena, Nashville, TN, May 27, 2017)
8. “American Woman” (Live at Pepsi Center, Denver, CO, April 5, 2017 with Glenn Hughes)

The Holdin’ My Own Tour was presented in two sets with an intermission. The tour reached nearly a million fans culminating with two sold-out shows at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.

 

Cam, Lucie Silvas Set For Ryman Auditorium Show

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Cam

Cam will perform her first headlining concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Wednesday, Sept. 26. The singer-songwriter, who recently made guest appearances on American Idol and The Late Late Show with James Corden, will welcome Lucie Silvas as her special guest.

Cam, in support of her sterling new single “Diane,” served as a mentor on the All-Star Duets episode of American Idol, performing “Diane” with contestant Effie Passero and her breakthrough hit “Burning House” with contestant Shannon O’Hara. That same evening, Cam made her late night television debut of “Diane” with an appearance on The Late Late Show with James Corden.

CMT presales starts today, April 18, and Ryman’s presale will begin tomorrow, April 19 at 10 a.m. CST. General public tickets will go on sale Friday, April 20 at 10 a.m. CST.

For more, visit ticketmaster.com.

BMI and Tito’s Host Special Release Party for Record Store Day

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Pictured (L-R): Sam Phillips Recording Service/Sun Records’ Jerry Phillips, Tito’s Josie Fox, BMI’s Mason Hunter, Tito’s Zack Flores, Record Store Day’s Carrie Colliton, BMI’s Branden Bosler, Sun Record Corporation’s John Singleton and the BMI Foundation’s Clay Bradley.

In preparation for April 21st’s nationwide Record Store Day, BMI and Tito’s Handmade Vodka held a private release party in the BMI Nashville office yesterday evening (April 17).

The event featured the premiere of a 20-minute documentary, 5 Turns Around the Sun, and the launch of two special edition records, Sun Record Company Vol. 5 and Malaco: The Last Soul Company; 50 Years of Excellence.

Thanks to Record Store Day and their partnership with Tito’s charitable arm (Love, Tito’s), a portion of the proceeds of the Malaco record will directly benefit the BMI Foundation, which supports the creation, performance, and study of music through awards, scholarships, grants, and commissions. Tito’s and Record Store Day presented Clay Bradley of the BMI Foundation with a check for $5,000.

The celebration featured remarks from BMI’s Mason Hunter, Carrie Colliton from Record Store Day, and Zack Flores from Love, Tito’s. Sparkle City Disco spun vinyl as guests enjoyed cocktails provided by Tito’s Handmade Vodka.

YouTube video

CMA Fest Announces Performers For Ascend Amphitheater Stage

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RaeLynn performs at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater on Saturday, June 10 during the 2017 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville. Photo: Caitlyn Harris

The Country Music Association has announced the return of the popular free nightly concerts during CMA Fest at the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage, located at Ascend Amphitheater in Nashville.

This year’s CMA Fest takes place June 7-9, with the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage performances beginning at 7 p.m. each evening.

Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by BBR Music Group kicks off festivities Thursday night with a lineup featuring Chase Bryant, Craig Campbell, Lindsay Ell, Everette, Chase Rice, Runaway June, and Granger Smith.

Lee Brice will headline Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Red Light Management on Friday night. The lineup also includes Clare Dunn, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, and Drake White and The Big Fire.

Saturday fans will enjoy Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater Presented by Warner Music Nashville for the second year featuring Cole Swindell joined by Cale Dodds, Morgan Evans, Michael Ray, and Tegan Marie.

Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® returns to CMA Fest with Rock With Us, a rocking chair experience Thursday through Saturday. The brand will turn Ascend Park and the nearby John Seigenthaler Pedestrian Bridge into a true Cracker Barrel front porch experience by displaying 100 rocking chairs as well as three giant rockers making their festival debut. Fans are encouraged to post photos in the rockers on their social media channels using the hashtag #CBMusic.

“Cracker Barrel shares our same passion for music and social responsibility, which is why we are thrilled to continue our partnership into a second year with a great lineup of acts performing nightly on the Cracker Barrel Country Roads Stage at Ascend Amphitheater and helping to raise funds for music education and the CMA Foundation,” said Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships.

 

Studio Bank Announces $40+ Million in Capital Raise

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Studio Bank has exceeded its goal of raising $40 million in initial capital, which satisfies the minimum amount stated in the organization’s regulatory applications.

The bank raised this funding from over 325 subscribed investors, with most of the campaign efforts focused over four months between October 2017 and January 2018. Over 85 percent of the bank’s shareholders will be local Nashville-area investors.

“We are honored by such a phenomenal response from the Nashville community,” said Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President, & CEO. “This level of local support is an emphatic confirmation that Nashville needs a modern bank to serve its amazing creators with a unique and boutique approach to banking. That’s the very reason we’re starting this company.”

Nashville music industry executive Ron Cox, who serves as co-founder of Studio Bank, and was previously co-founder of Avenue Bank, serves as Executive VP of Studio Bank and oversees the music, arts, and entertainment division.

The founding team continues to focus its attention on completing the regulatory approval process and preparing for its official launch anticipated later this year.

Breaking: Kelsea Ballerini Exits Iconic Entertainment

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Kelsea Ballerini has exited her management deal with Iconic Entertainment, led by Fletcher Foster, MusicRow has confirmed.

Ballerini signed with Iconic in 2015, before releasing her debut album The First Time later that year on Black River Entertainment. Ballerini has since earned four No. 1 songs, and released her sophomore album, Unapologetically, in late 2017.

Ballerini’s new management home has not been revealed.

Industry Ink: Average Joes Entertainment, Rolling Stone Country, Grammy U

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Average Joes Adds Dustin Collins

Pictured (L-R): Forrest Latta, Average Joes Entertainment A&R; Dustin Collins; Dave Hufana; Scott Adkins, Adkins Publicity. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Singer-songwriter Dustin Collins has inked a label services deal with Average Joes Entertainment for marketing and distribution of Collins’ new album, which will release this summer on DCDL Entertainment.

 

Rolling Stone Country Gets New Address

Rolling Stone Country has moved into new office space at 501 Union Street, Unit 410, in Nashville.

 

GRAMMY U: Think You Can Write Event

Pictured: Charlie Worsham; GRAMMY U: Think You Can Write winner and Belmont University student, Lauren Weintraub; Emily Weisband; Maggie Rose. Photo: Hannah Drake/Courtesy of The Recording Academy®

The Recording Academy recently held GRAMMY U: Think You Can Write panel on Monday, April 9.

Billy Edd Wheeler Celebrates Autobiography

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Pictured (L-R): Mark Fain, Beth Hooker, John Jorgenson, Kathy Mattea, Natalie Hemby, Billy Edd Wheeler, Jim Lauderdale, and Harry Stinson

The publication of Billy Edd Wheeler’s new book was honored on Tuesday (April 17) with songs, stories and salutes.

The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member has previously published two novels, eight plays, a folk opera, six humor books, three outdoor dramas and two volumes of poetry. Hotter Than a Pepper Sprout is his autobiography.

It chronicles his rise from West Virginia obscurity to writing songs for Elvis, Johnny Cash, Kenny Rogers, O.C. Smith, Hank Jr., The Kingston Trio, Jerry Reed, Jefferson Airplane, Judy Collins and more.

“We are gathered here today to celebrate somebody I got to know through this beautiful book he wrote,” said Jim Lauderdale. “I already respected him for the wonderful songs he wrote. But now I wanted to be his friend.”

Lauderdale performed a gripping version of Wheeler’s “Coward of the County.” Accompanied by John Jorgenson and Mark Fain, Kathy Mattea sang “Red-Winged Blackbird,” which she included on her CD Coal, along with two other Wheeler tunes.

Jorgenson, Harry Stinson and Beth Hooker offered a lovely, triple-harmony rendition of “The Coming of the Roads.” Natalie Hemby  and Luke Dick did a spirited duet of “Jackson,” the lyric of which provides Wheeler’s book’s title.

The event was staged at ASCAP, which co-hosted, along with the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and BMG.

“It’s an extreme honor to celebrate with you today,” said ASCAP’s John Johnson to Billy Edd Wheeler. He informed the attendees that Wheeler has been with the society for 59 years and that he has won 13 ASCAP Awards.

“It’s rare that you have a childhood hero who’s still one of your heroes,” said Pat Alger, the president of the NSHOF. ”I don’t think you’ll find a gratuitous word in a Billy Edd Wheeler song. You’re a poet of the vernacular: We’re very proud to have you in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.”

The autobiography is among the inaugural publications of BMG’s new book division. Nashville native Scott Bomar heads that division in L.A. He interviewed Wheeler as one of the afternoon’s highlights.

Wheeler, 85, cited Robert Frost, Lieber & Stoller, Norman Gimbel and Edward Albee as being among his eclectic inspirations and mentors. Alger, by the way, is a major Frost poetry collector.

“I just want to thank the musicians who came here to honor me,” said Billy Edd Wheeler. “I appreciate it.”