Following a previous announcement of a consolidated Concord Music Publishing business, the executive team has now appointed the company’s global A&R team, led by Exec. VP of Worldwide Creative in London, Kim Frakiewicz. Concord Music’s integrated publishing team will have representatives around the world.
Based in Concord Music’s new Nashville offices, Brad Kennard will serve as Vice President of Creative and will report to Km Frankiewicz. Before transitioning to the integrated Concord team, Kennard served as Vice President of A&R at Razor & Tie Music Publishing in Nashville, which is now wholly owned by Concord Music. RTMP has been home to a hit producing catalog including chart-toppers “God Gave Me You” (penned by Dave Barnes), “Alone with You” (penned by Catt Gravitt), and more. Prior to Razor & Tie, Kennard spent two years as VP of A&R at Big Yellow Dog Music. Jen Duke, Creative Manager, will report to Kennard.
Frankiewicz’s staff in the UK includes Harri Davies and Ed Poston, Senior Creative; Olly Manhi, Creative Manager, and in Berlin, Leo Chantzaras, Senior International Creative.
Jeremy Yohai will work out of Concord Music’s New York office as Head of Creative (US), reporting to Frankiewicz. Prior to joining Concord, Yohai was the VP of Global A&R at Downtown Music Publishing where he oversaw the worldwide A&R staff, new artist signings, and the Downtown roster which included Andrew Wyatt/Miike Snow, Santigold, and pop writers/producers Rock Mafia, Shea Taylor, and Sacha Skarbek, among others. Before joining Downtown, Yohai worked in Creative Services at ASCAP.
Reporting to Yohai will be Michelle Fantus, Senior Creative Director (NY), and Grace Adeyemo, Creative Manager (LA). Yohai and Frankiewicz will co-manage Creative Consultant Anna Carpenter (NY).
Working from the Concord Music offices in Beverly Hills and reporting to Frankiewicz, Tom DeSavia has been brought onto the team as Senior Vice President of Artist Relations and Creative. DeSavia’s most recent position was as Head of Creative Services and A&R for indie publisher SONGS Music Publishing, where he oversaw all artist relations for the company, as well as A&R for a large stable of the publisher’s roster. Prior to joining SONGS, DeSavia worked at Notable Music and ASCAP.
Michael Pizzuto works from Concord Music’s Beverly Hills office where he has a hybrid role as Senior Vice President of Creative and Synchronization, reporting to Frankiewicz in his A&R capacity. Among his eclectic range of signings are alternative and pop artists and writers Marilyn Manson, Tyler Bates, Ben Cooper (Radical Face), Tim Delaughter (Polyphonic Spree), among others. Michael started at Bicycle Music in 2008. Prior to that, Michael had a similar role as Creative Director of A&R and Synchronization at Stage Three Music.
Frankiewicz began her career in music management in her native Australia where she worked with INXS and The Models at MMA Management. Within a few years she had been promoted to Managing Director of their publishing division, MMA Music Publishing. In 1997, Kim moved to New York where she took up the position of VP of International at Universal Music Publishing, transferring to the London office in 2000. In 2012 she joined Imagem as Managing Director for Imagem Music UK, signing and resigning artists and writers including Daft Punk, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson, Cathy Dennis, and Justin Parker as well as being instrumental in administration deals such as with Pink Floyd Music Publishing.
Kendell Marvel To Team With Brothers Osborne For Overseas Concerts
/by Jessica NicholsonKendell Marvel. Photo: Jacob Bryant
Singer-songwriter Kendell Marvel has not only earned accolades for his songwriting, including co-writing Chris Stapleton’s “Either Way,” but his monthly Honky Tonk Experience residency at Nashville’s Exit/In has become an in-demand event, with a regular stream of surprise guest artists.
Marvel will join Brothers Osborne for several dates in May throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland. The trek launches May 4 at The Academy in Dublin, Ireland, and will wrap on May 13 in Scotland.
Marvel has also penned songs for George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton, Gary Allan, Jake Owen and more. He released his own debut album, Lowdown & Lonesome in October 2017.
Kendell Marvel Europe Dates w/Brothers Osborne:
May 4: The Academy Dublin, Ireland
May 5: The Limelight Belfast, UK
May 7: O2 Academy Bristol Bristol, UK
May 8: Brighton Concorde 2 Brighton, UK
May 9: O2 Academy Birmingham Birmingham, UK
May 11: Koko London, P5, UK
May 12: O2 Ritz Manchester Manchester, UK
May 13: O2 ABC Glasgow Glasgow, Scotland, UK
David Lee Murphy’s New Album ‘No Zip Code’ Set For April
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’ve been friends and written songs with Kenny for years,” reflects Murphy. “I sent him some songs for one of his albums a couple of years ago, and he called me up. He goes, ‘Man, you need to be making a record. I could produce it with Buddy Cannon, and I think people would love it.’ It’s hard to say no to Kenny Chesney when he comes up with an idea like that. Kenny was really influential in the songs that we picked. Over the course of the next year or so, we got together, talked about it and picked out songs. We wanted to make the kind of album that you would listen to if you were camping or out on a lake fishing, or anywhere just having a good time.”
No Zip Code is available for pre-order now at iTunes, Amazon and GooglePl
No Zip Code Track Listing:
1. “Way Gone” (David Lee Murphy & Marv Green)
2. “No Zip Code” (David Lee Murphy, Shane Minor & Jesse Murphy)
3. “Everything’s Gonna Be Alright (with Kenny Chesney)” (David Lee Murphy, Chris Stevens, Jimmy Yeary)
4. “I Won’t Be Sorry” (David Lee Murphy, Paul Jenkins & Jason Sellers)
5. “Haywire” (David Lee Murphy & Jimmy Yeary)
6. “As the Crow Flies” (David Lee Murphy, Dean Dillon, Jamey Johnson & Phil O’Donnell)
7. “Winnebago” (David Lee Murphy)
8. “Get Go” (David Lee Murphy, Brett Beavers & Jim Beavers)
9. “That’s Alright” (David Lee Murphy, Shane Minor & Jesse Murphy)
10.“Voice of Reason” (David Lee Murphy)
11.“Waylon And Willie” (David Lee Murphy & Billy Burnette)
Adkins Publicity Adds VP, Publicity
/by Jessica NicholsonKelli Wasilauski
Adkins Publicity has added Kelli Wasilauski as VP, Publicity, where she will work with Adkins Publicity President/CEO Scott Adkins on all levels of service for the company’s roster of artists and events.
Adkins Publicity represents Tanya Tucker, Naomi Judd, Kiefer Sutherland, Phil Vassar, Bellamy Brothers, Shenandoah, Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Stella Parton, Lucas Hoge, Ray Scott, Dustin Collins, Glen Templeton and Frank Foster as well as Silverado Records and the City of Hope 28th Annual Celebrity Softball Game.
“Kelli is a go-getter and passionate publicist. She’s an immensely dynamic, ambitious teammate who is always the first one to arrive and last to leave – an invaluable team player,” Adkins said.
Wasilauski previously worked with Webster PR and is a Belmont University graduate.
Wasilauski can be reached at kelli@adkinspublicity.com.
SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards Set For September
/by Lorie HollabaughThe organization was founded in 1991 by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris and Pat Rolfe, and is the longest-running organization for females in the music industry in Nashville. The nonprofit is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for its members through continuous education, networking, and community service initiatives.
The SOURCE awards were established in 2003 to honor and pay respect to the women who helped shape and build upon Nashville’s entertainment industry.
In Pictures: MercyMe Makes Triumphant Sold-Out Ryman Show With Star-Studded Surprises
/by Jessica NicholsonMercyMe. Photo: Brody Harper
CCM band MercyMe made a triumphant showing with their sold-out concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sunday (March 4). The band sailed through hit songs including “God With Us,” “Word of God Speak,” “Shake,” and their most recent No. 1, “Even If,” from their current album Lifer.
The band, which has sold 9 million albums, is also celebrating the upcoming release of the movie I Can Only Imagine, based on MercyMe’s signature song, penned by lead singer Bart Millard. The movie, produced by Lionsgate, also stars Dennis Quaid and Trace Adkins. The movie opens March 16.
The band recently released the 13-track collection I Can Only Imagine: The Very Best of MercyMe on March 2.
The crowd got a surprise when Dennis Quaid showed up to perform as Dennis & The Sharks.
MercyMe. Photo: Brody Harper
MercyMe. Photo: Brody Harper
MercyMe. Photo: Brody Harper
MercyMe. Photo: Brody Harper
Dennis Quaid and the Sharks. Photo: Brody Harper
Beth Nielsen Chapman To Release ‘Hearts Of Glass’ In April
/by Jessica NicholsonHearts of Glass, a new album by Beth Nielsen Chapman, will be released in the United States on April 27. The celebrated songwriter issued the project in the United Kingdom in February prior to a four-week tour there.
Produced by Sam Ashworth, Hearts of Glass includes a couple of early songs recorded by Waylon Jennings (“Old Church Hymns & Nursery Rhymes”) and Willie Nelson (“If My World Didn’t Have You”). Rodney Crowell provides background vocals on “If I Didn’t Have You,” and Ruby Amanfu sings on five of the album’s 11 tracks. Hearts of Glass is Chapman’s 13th studio album and her first release since her 2016 induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Hearts of Glass marks the first time in a long time she has not been at least a co-producer. Inspired to create an album with clarity and space, in the same vein of the Civil Wars, Chapman contacted Charlie Peacock, their producer. Peacock embraced her vision. However, when their schedules did not align, Peacock set up an introductory meeting with his son and fellow producer, Sam Ashworth. After initial conversations with Ashworth, Chapman felt confident that this partnership would work and turned production completely over to him.
For Hearts of Glass, Chapman refreshed five songs that have appeared on her past albums: “Rage on Rage,” “All for the Love,” “Child Again,” “Life Holds On” and “Dancer to the Drum.” Ashworth approached the new recordings with minimal touches of production, occasionally moving the accompaniment from piano to acoustic guitar.
“Creatively this was an interesting new dynamic for me,” Chapman says. “Handing over so many of the decisions and trusting the process, while trying to quiet my inner control freak. By doing so, I ended up, not only with something I loved, but I learned a lot about myself and the places you can go when you let someone else drive.”
Chapman’s songwriting catalog includes “Down on My Knees” (Trisha Yearwood), “Five Minutes” (Lorrie Morgan), “Happy Girl” (Martina McBride), “Here We Are” (Alabama), “Nothing I Can Do About It Now” (Willie Nelson), “Strong Enough to Bend” (Tanya Tucker), and “This Kiss” (Faith Hill).
Other country artists who have recorded her songs include Suzy Bogguss, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Terri Clark, Holly Dunn, Sara Evans, the Forester Sisters, Lee Greenwood, Andy Griggs, Emmylou Harris, Ty Herndon, Highway 101, Barbara Mandrell, Kathy Mattea, Jamie O’Neal, Marie Osmond, Pam Tillis, and Don Williams.
Keith Urban To Perform During 10th Annual Nashville Honors Gala
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban
Keith Urban will perform during the 10th Annual Nashville Honors Gala on March 26 at the Omni Hotel Nashville. Hosted by Nashville star Charles Esten, the evening will also feature appearances from Natalie Grant, Lauren Alaina and Jeff Foxworthy. The event honors outstanding community leaders and benefits cancer research.
This year’s honorees include Janet Ayers (Lifetime Humanitarian Award), David Poile (Spirit of Nashville Award), Frank Bumstead (Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award), Mike Smardak (Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award) and Dr. James Netterville (Medical Research Advancement Award).
The 10th Annual T.J. Martell Nashville Honors Gala is chaired by Danielle Bouharoun and David Kells, along with Honorary Co-Chairs Sondra and Doug Cruickshanks. Sponsors of this year’s event include Lipman Brothers, CAA, Chris Young, CMA, Opry Entertainment, Morris Light & Sound and more. Past honorees have included Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Dr. Hal Moses, The Honorable Al Gore, Orrin Ingram, Susan Simons, Joe Galante, T-Bone Burnett, Dale Morris, Butch Spyridon, the late Frances Williams Preston, Judy and Steve Turner among many others. The Nashville Honors Gala has netted more than $3 million since its inception in 2009.
There will be a silent auction featuring music and sports memorabilia, autographed guitars, artwork, luxury vacations, designer jewelry and more. Visit tjmartell.org for more information.
Bluewater Music Inks Admin Deal With Bonnie Raitt
/by Jessica Nicholson“We’re thrilled to be working with the legendary Bonnie Raitt,” says Bluewater Music Chief Operating Officer Peter Roselli. “Through our direct licensing services and international copyright society memberships, we plan to maximize revenue and add value to Bonnie’s great catalogs.”
Concord Music Appoints Global A&R Team
/by Jessica NicholsonBased in Concord Music’s new Nashville offices, Brad Kennard will serve as Vice President of Creative and will report to Km Frankiewicz. Before transitioning to the integrated Concord team, Kennard served as Vice President of A&R at Razor & Tie Music Publishing in Nashville, which is now wholly owned by Concord Music. RTMP has been home to a hit producing catalog including chart-toppers “God Gave Me You” (penned by Dave Barnes), “Alone with You” (penned by Catt Gravitt), and more. Prior to Razor & Tie, Kennard spent two years as VP of A&R at Big Yellow Dog Music. Jen Duke, Creative Manager, will report to Kennard.
Frankiewicz’s staff in the UK includes Harri Davies and Ed Poston, Senior Creative; Olly Manhi, Creative Manager, and in Berlin, Leo Chantzaras, Senior International Creative.
Jeremy Yohai will work out of Concord Music’s New York office as Head of Creative (US), reporting to Frankiewicz. Prior to joining Concord, Yohai was the VP of Global A&R at Downtown Music Publishing where he oversaw the worldwide A&R staff, new artist signings, and the Downtown roster which included Andrew Wyatt/Miike Snow, Santigold, and pop writers/producers Rock Mafia, Shea Taylor, and Sacha Skarbek, among others. Before joining Downtown, Yohai worked in Creative Services at ASCAP.
Reporting to Yohai will be Michelle Fantus, Senior Creative Director (NY), and Grace Adeyemo, Creative Manager (LA). Yohai and Frankiewicz will co-manage Creative Consultant Anna Carpenter (NY).
Working from the Concord Music offices in Beverly Hills and reporting to Frankiewicz, Tom DeSavia has been brought onto the team as Senior Vice President of Artist Relations and Creative. DeSavia’s most recent position was as Head of Creative Services and A&R for indie publisher SONGS Music Publishing, where he oversaw all artist relations for the company, as well as A&R for a large stable of the publisher’s roster. Prior to joining SONGS, DeSavia worked at Notable Music and ASCAP.
Michael Pizzuto works from Concord Music’s Beverly Hills office where he has a hybrid role as Senior Vice President of Creative and Synchronization, reporting to Frankiewicz in his A&R capacity. Among his eclectic range of signings are alternative and pop artists and writers Marilyn Manson, Tyler Bates, Ben Cooper (Radical Face), Tim Delaughter (Polyphonic Spree), among others. Michael started at Bicycle Music in 2008. Prior to that, Michael had a similar role as Creative Director of A&R and Synchronization at Stage Three Music.
Frankiewicz began her career in music management in her native Australia where she worked with INXS and The Models at MMA Management. Within a few years she had been promoted to Managing Director of their publishing division, MMA Music Publishing. In 1997, Kim moved to New York where she took up the position of VP of International at Universal Music Publishing, transferring to the London office in 2000. In 2012 she joined Imagem as Managing Director for Imagem Music UK, signing and resigning artists and writers including Daft Punk, Kaiser Chiefs, Mark Ronson, Cathy Dennis, and Justin Parker as well as being instrumental in administration deals such as with Pink Floyd Music Publishing.
Kane Brown, Old Crow Medicine Show To Play Budweiser/Sony Music Nashville SXSW Show
/by Lorie HollabaughOver 1,000 country fans are slated to attend the event, which will also include performances by The Sisterhood Band, Levon, Tenille Townes, and Colin Elmore & The Danville Train.
“Country music has been an important part of Budweiser for many reasons over the years—it’s part of our DNA as a brand,” said Ricardo Marques, vice president of marketing for Budweiser. “We strive to create unique and meaningful experiences for our consumers and our showcase at SXSW is allowing us to do just that.”
“We’re looking forward to showcasing some of our most talented artists front-and-center at such an unexpected and innovative forum with SXSW,” said John Zarling, EVP, Marketing & New Business, Sony Music Nashville. “From all the support they’ve shown in the past, we know that Budweiser has the same passion for country music as we do, so we’re honored to share the stage with them at SXSW.”