Hard 8/Working Group Announces New Hires, Office Move

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Dirk Hemsath, Rich Egan

In November of last year, music industry entrepreneurs Rich Egan and Dirk Hemsath joined forces with their respective management companies, Hard 8 and Working Group, and created Hard 8/Working Group. While the rosters of each company remain under their group with Egan and Hemsath heading up their respective rosters at the time of merging, all new clients and new managers coming in will sit under the new company as will the combined support services.

As part of the new venture the pair purchased a historically significant building in downtown Nashville’s exploding SoBro neighborhood. Just two blocks from Music City Center, the building is known as the Workmen’s Circle Hall. It was constructed in 1859 and at one time served as home to a Jewish Community Center. The building was designated as one of Nashville’s most endangered historical properties in 2010 and by 2015 had been fully restored by the previous owners and won a preservation award from the local historical commission.

The building will house the combined management group as well as their respective record labels, Folsom and Doghouse as well as an eventual recording studio and multi-media rooms.

Joining the management group in the new Nashville office as of the beginning of this year is Kyle Griner, a recent transplant from Orlando, Florida, with 20 years of experience in the industry. He started as a concert promoter in central Florida right out of high school and quickly realized he had a passion and skillset for being an advocate for artists and bringing their visions to life. He has been serving artists ever since.

Griner says, “I feel like I’m cut from a similar cloth as both Dirk and Rich, the three of us are life-long independents in the industry and have very similar backgrounds in that regard so this felt like a natural fit for me when considering my next move. I’m excited to bring my current management roster with me here as well as seeking out and breaking new artists together.” Griner brings clients Copeland, Anberlin, Run River North, Mona Haydar, Jerrod Bettis, and From Indian Lakes, among others.

Also joining the team in Nashville is Dave Hopper. Hopper has an extensive background in management, publishing and live events. He has most recently been managing the careers of record producers, songwriters and recording & mix engineers as well as offering publishing / A&R consulting services. His current clients include Tony Esterly and John Rausch and have credits with artists including: Taylor Swift, Sia, Niall Horan, P!nk, BTS, Florence + The Machine, Andra Day, Raekwon, Yo Gotti, Moon Taxi, Dierks Bentley, Daughtry, Gavin Degraw and others.

Prior to that he held the position of VP Business Development & Creative for publishing company Words & Music until it was sold to Big Deal Music Publishing.

Says Hopper, “I’ve been a huge fan of Dirk, Rich and their companies for years. Over the past few we’ve realized we have many common goals and I’m very excited for myself and clients to be part of the new joint team at Hard 8 Working Group!”

Says partner Dirk Hemsath, “Rich and I are beyond excited to be moving into such a unique and historically significant building as this one. The minute we walked through it in October we both just looked at each other and knew this was the place that we would build something special in this great music city. We have also been looking for the right partners to help build that something and both Kyle and Dave fit the bill perfectly and I’m proud to have such a high caliber of people wanting to come work with us. These are people that have been able to succeed in their individual endeavors yet want to be part of something special that we will all participate in building here in Music City and beyond.”

BMG Nashville Signs Dawson Edwards To Publishing Agreement

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, BMG; Rakiyah Marshall, Creative Director, BMG; Daniel Lee, VP Creative, BMG; Dawson Edwards; Kos Weaver, Executive VP, BMG; Robert Filhart, ASCAP; Courtney Allen, Creative Director, BMG

Songwriter and artist Dawson Edwards has signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Nashville. A Georgia native, Edwards was a recent participant in ASCAP’s GPS program, which connects up-and-coming songwriters with established Nashville publishing partners. Dawson’s most recent EP, Half My Heart’s In Georgia, is available at digital retailers.

BMG VP of Creative Daniel Lee said, “Dawson Edwards is the personification of our market. He will never be outworked, never be discouraged, and never chase a trend at the expense of authenticity. He represents what is a very bright future for Country music.”

Caitlyn Smith To Headline Starfire Tour This Spring

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Caitlyn Smith is set to launch her headlining Starfire Tour this spring. The new tour will kick off April 5 at Iron Horse Music Hall in Northampton, Massachusetts and will wrap May 10 at Nashville, Tennessee’s Mercy Lounge. Special guest Andrea Davidson will join Smith on select dates. Smith will also make her “Live from Here with Chris Thile” premiere on March 3 in her home state of Minnesota at the Fitzgerald Theater.

Tickets for the Starfire Tour will go on sale to the general public on Friday, Feb. 23.

“This year has been a such a whirlwind for us – my family, the band, our touring gypsy family—in the most incredible way,” said Smith.” “I keep reminding myself to live in the moment and really take all these firsts in… the fact that the fans have responded the way they have that we can visit this many cities and states is just incredible. I can’t wait to bring the music to them!”

Starfire Tour Dates:
Saturday, March 3 – Fitzgerald Theater, St. Paul, Minnesota*
Thursday, April 5 – Iron Horse Music Hall, Northampton, Massachusetts
Friday, April 6 – Café 939 at Berklee, Boston, Massachusetts
Saturday, April 7 – Port City Music Hall, Portland, Maine
Sunday, April 8 – Higher Ground – Showcase Room, South Burlington, Vermont
Tuesday, April 10 – The Southern, Charlottesville, Virginia
Thursday, April 12 – The Wonder Bar, Asbury Park, New Jersey
Friday, April 13 – Mercury Lounge, New York, New York
Saturday, April 14 – World Café – Upstairs Live, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania
Sunday, April 15 – Rock and Roll Hotel, Washington, DC
Tuesday, April 17 – A&R Music Bar, Columbus, Ohio
Wednesday, April 18 – Madison Live, Covington, Kentucky
Friday, April 20 — Cannon Falls Auditorium, Cannon Falls, Minnesota
Saturday, April 21 – The Rave Bar, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
Sunday, April 22 – Canopy Club, Urbana, Illinois
Thursday, April 26 – Eddie’s Attic, Decatur, Georgia
Friday, April 27 – The Spinning Jenny, Greer, South Carolina
Saturday, April 28 – The Evening Muse, Charlotte, North Carolina
Wednesday, May 2 – SPACE, Evanston, Illinois
Thursday, May 3 –Blind Pig, Ann Arbor, Michigan
Friday, May 4 – Musica, Akron, Ohio
Saturday, May 5 – The Club at Stage AE, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
Wednesday, May 9 – Georgia Theatre, Athens, Georgia
Thursday, May 10 – Mercy Lounge, Nashville, Tennessee
Friday, May 25 – BottleRock Festival, Napa, California*
Friday, August 24 – Lockn’ Festival, Arrington, Virginia*

*Denotes previously announced dates that are not on Smith’s Starfire Tour

Ryman Auditorium Named Pollstar Theater Of The Year For Eighth Consecutive Year

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Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium was named Theatre of the Year for the eighth consecutive year during the 29th Annual Pollstar Awards in Los Angeles. The win also marks the Ryman’s 10th total win in the category.

“The Ryman is more than thick brick walls, stained glass windows, and beautiful 125-year-old pews,” says Ryman general manager Gary Levy. “It encompasses the spirit of all the artists that have graced its stage for the past 125 years, and every staff member that has worked tirelessly to make it the best possible venue. I would like to thank every artist, their management teams and agents, our promoter partners, and most importantly the staff of the Ryman for making this award possible.”

The historic venue was initially recognized by the Pollstar Awards in 2003 as Theatre of the Year and again in 2004. It has also been named Venue of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, the International Entertainment Buyers Association, and the Country Music Association.

Headlining Performers Announced For ACM Party For A Cause

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The Academy of Country Music announced the full schedule of events and performances for the 6th Annual ACM Party for a Cause, which will take place at venues along the Las Vegas Strip on April 12-15, 2018. Headlining artists will include Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Brice, Chris Lane, Kip Moore, Old Dominion, Jon Pardi, Thomas Rhett and Chase Rice.

Portions of all event proceeds will benefit ACM Lifting Lives®, the philanthropic arm of the Academy of Country Music, which works to lift lives through the power of music.

This year’s ACM Party for a Cause will consist of fan events leading up to and immediately following the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards™, Country Music’s Party of the Year®, which will broadcast LIVE from MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 15, 2018 at 8 p.m. ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

6TH ANNUAL ACM PARTY FOR A CAUSE SCHEDULE OF EVENTS:
THURSDAY, APRIL 12, 2018
6 p.m.- 95.5 The Bull’s 10th Annual All-Star Guitar Pull
Location: The Pearl, Palms Resort
Performers: Kelsea Ballerini, Kane Brown, Luke Combs, Russell Dickerson, Chris Lane, Midland, Justin Moore, and Tyler Rich
10 p.m.- ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Russell Dickerson

FRIDAY, APRIL 13, 2018
11 a.m.- ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Kip Moore and Aaron Watson with Cale Dodds, Stephanie Quayle, Smithfield, Alex Williams, and more
6 p.m.- ACM Party for a Cause with Old Dominion
Location: Sandbar Pool at Red Rock Casino Resort
Performers: Old Dominion with Michael Ray
7 p.m.- ACM Stories, Songs & Stars: A Songwriter’s Event Benefitting ACM Lifting Lives
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lee Brice, Ashley Gorley, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Thomas Rhett, and more
7 p.m.- WME’s Bash at The Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced
10 p.m.- ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performer: Montgomery Gentry
10 p.m.- ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced

SATURDAY, APRIL 14, 2018
8:30 a.m.- ACM Workout for a Cause: Erin Oprea Unleashed Tour
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Talent: Celebrity Trainer, Erin Oprea, and special guests to be announced
10 a.m.- ACM Lifting Lives Topgolf Tee-Off Hosted by Charles Kelley & Darius Rucker
Location: Topgolf, MGM Grand Hotel & Casino
Performers: Chris Lane, Tegan Marie, and more
11:00 AM ACM Party for a Cause: Tailgate Party
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Jon Pardi with Jimmie Allen, Walker Hayes, High Valley, Lucas Hoge, Tony Jackson, Austin Jenckes, Brandon Ray, Jake Rose, Tenille Townes, and more
12 noon-ACM Pool Party for a Cause
Location: Flamingo GO Pool, Flamingo Las Vegas
Performers: Chase Rice and more
7 p.m.-WME’s Bash at the Beach
Location: Mandalay Bay Beach, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced
10 p.m.- ACM After Party for a Cause: Nashville Unplugged
Location: Rhythm & Riffs Lounge, Mandalay Bay Resort and Casino
Performers: To Be Announced
10 p.m.- ACM After Party for a Cause: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Location: Stoney’s Rockin’ Country
Performers: Craig Wayne Boyd, Josh Gracin, The Swon Brothers

SUNDAY, APRIL 15, 2018
8 p.m.- ACM Awards Official After Party
Location: The Joint, Hard Rock Hotel & Casino
Performers: Lee Brice, High Valley, Home Free, Tracy Lawrence, Jerrod Niemann, Cassadee Pope, and more

Nada Taha Launches Blind Copy Creative

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Nada Taha

Last year, when Nada Taha announced that she was leaving her five-year stint as an on-air personality and Digital and Branding Director for country radio giant The Bobby Bones Show, it left the show’s fans, and many in the Nashville music industry, wondering what she would do next.

Today, the 29-year-old has announced her Nashville-based creative services Blind Copy Creative, which works with artists to help capture and expand their brand across multiple platforms.

“The end game is if someone picks up the phone and hears you on a Spotify playlist and goes to find your website or your social media, I make sure the story and visuals and everything matches,” Taha tells MusicRow. “If they find you on social media first and then listen to your music, I want people to go, ‘That makes sense.’”

Prior to her work on The Bobby Bones Show, Taha spent a decade in radio as a music and digital director. She was Digital Director for five iHeartMedia stations and Music Director for a Top 40 station. Her career also includes time in journalism as a sports reporter covering the NBA. She says the storytelling skills required in journalism have been essential for her work with Blind Copy Creative.

“It’s about helping artists discover and properly tell their story,” Taha says. “At [The Bobby Bones Show] I started their Instagram. When they came to Nashville, they didn’t have one. It went from zero to more than 360,000 followers by the time I left. But to me brand is more than an Instagram account. What are the stories we are telling? That was a big part of the show. That’s what made us, and them still, so successful. Bobby is a great storyteller and they are so authentic. That had to be replicated in the brand and what we put out on social media.”

Today’s wave of artists are more often digital natives and well-versed in various social media platforms.

“It makes it so much easier. It’s funny, I have one artist now who is extremely not a social media person and one who is fantastic at it. When I was talking to the artist who is not big on social media, I said, ‘That’s ok. That’s your thing, then. We build the brand around that. I’m not going to force someone to stick a phone in their face and put Snapchat filters on.”

She cites new artists such as Devin Dawson, Midland and Caitlyn Smith as examples of newcomers with unique, powerful branding.

“These are all artists who know who they are at their core, and created a team around them makes it sustainable and cohesive throughout their launches. It’s knowing what the story is and knowing how to tell that story musically and visually.”

Though Taha’s role is to help artists promote themselves in the digital space, you may not find her promoting herself as thoroughly. “The whole vibe of my company is like a speakeasy. I don’t have a website, I’m not doing a lot of social media, none of that. If I’m doing my job right, you are not going to know that I’m doing it. I’m all about making certain the artists are promoted. I’m not trying to be a corporation. I like the boutique feel, and being hands-on and making people feel comfortable.”

Though launching a new company, Taha is still making time to mentor and help others in the music and digital industries. In March, she will take part in a mentoring session at the upcoming SXSW in Austin, Texas.

Taha can be reached at nada@blindcopycreative.com.

Eagles Add Five More Dates To 2018 Tour

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The Eagles have added five more An Evening with the Eagles concerts to the 2018 tour. New shows have been set for Tuesday, Oct. 9, at Madison Square Garden in New York City and Friday, Oct. 12, at the Prudential Center in Newark, New Jersey. A third show has been added at the Forum on Saturday, Sept. 15, and second shows have been added in Detroit on Oct. 14 at the Little Caesars Arena, and in Chicago at the United Center on Oct. 15. 

Tickets for these newly announced concerts go on sale Friday, March 2 at 10 a.m. local time through ticketmaster.com.

American Express card members will have the opportunity to purchase tickets before the general public beginning Feb. 27 through March 1.  A limited number of LaneOne VIP Packages will also be available. Complete ticket information can be found at eagles.com.

Juli Newton Griffith Named President Of Play It Again Music Publishing

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Juli Newton Griffith has been named President of Play It Again (PIA) Publishing. In her new role, Griffith will oversee all Play It Again Publishing operations as well as strategically pitch and lead the catalog management of PIA songwriters Kyle Fishman, Houston Phillips, Trea Landon and Taylor Acorn. Additionally, Griffith will oversee Dallas Davidson’s copyrights and co-writes.

Griffith most recently served as VP of Magic Mustang Music, joining the company at its inception in 2003. Under Griffith’s direction, Magic Mustang Music was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year for three consecutive years (2013-2015).

“I spent 24 years in this business working for independent songwriters and entrepreneurs like Stewart Harris, David Corlew and Benny Brown. I’ve always been running a little on the outlaw spirit so the transition into Dallas Davidson’s company makes perfect sense for me. He is a master songwriter, an amazing businessman and has built a company where songwriters come first. We are going to be making some big waves and I am honored to be a part of it!” says Griffith.

“Juli Newton Griffith is a massive addition to Play It Again. She brings an insight into this business that cannot be taught. Juli knows how to lead, inspire and develop writers while helping them reach their maximum potential. I’ve known her passion for music for many years and she is a true songwriters’ champion. The future is bright at Play It Again and I’m extremely excited for our writers,” says Davidson.

Griffith’s position is effective immediately. She can be reached at juli@piasongs.com.

Liz Hengber Inks Deal With Given Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R): Michael Hollandsworth, VP/GM, Given Music Publishing; Jenny Hall, Creative Director, Given Music Publishing; Liz Hengber; Cindy Owen, Partner, Given Entertainment; Michael Martin, ASCAP

Liz Hengber has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Given Music Publishing. Hengber has penned six No. 1 songs, and has more than 65 cuts by artists including Reba, Vince Gill, Trisha Yearwood, Ronnie Dunn and more.

“We are very excited to have Liz join the Given team,” VP/GM, Given Music Publishing Michael Hollandsworth said. “During her tenure as one of Nashville’s elite songwriters, Liz has managed to sustain a cutting edge approach to her songwriting while maintaining an old school integrity to the lyrics she writes. Her ability to have continued success in multiple musical genres is a testament to the talent she brings to the company.”

“Songwriters do best in an atmosphere of dreamers and believers, and that’s exactly the kind of company that Cindy Owen and Jim Kacmarcik have created,” Hengber said. “I am looking forward to working alongside Mike Hollandsworth, Jenny Hall and all the amazingly talented writers at Given Music Publishing.”

Hengber is the recipient of seven ASCAP Awards, a Canadian Gospel Award and a Grammy Certificate for her two-song contribution to the SteelDrivers’ Grammy-award winning bluegrass album, The Muscle Shoals Recordings.

Chris Young Adds Bridgestone Arena Date To Headlining Tour

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photo credit: Jeff Johnson

Chris Young will play his first-ever headlining appearance at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Sept. 22 when he brings his Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour to Music City. The date is one of nine shows he has added following the successful initial Winter run of the tour, which included five consecutive sold-out weekends of arena shows. Special guests Kane Brown and Morgan Evans will join him for the added dates.

Added markets for the tour include Las Cruces, New Mexico; Lubbock, Texas; Tulsa, Oklahoma; Biloxi, Mississippi; Tupelo, Mississippi; Nashville; Charleston, South Carolina; Greensboro, North Carolina; and Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. Tickets and VIP packages for the Nashville show at Bridgestone Arena go on sale Feb. 23, and can be purchased at ChrisYoungCountry.com.

Chris Young Losing Sleep 2018 World Tour Added Dates:
September 13, 2018 ^ Las Cruces, NM Pan American Center
September 14, 2018 * Lubbock, TX United Supermarkets Arena
September 15, 2018 * Tulsa, OK BOK Center
September 20, 2018 * Biloxi, MS Miss Coast Coliseum
September 21, 2018 * Tupelo, MS BancorpSouth Arena
September 22, 2018 ~ Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
September 27, 2018 * Charleston, SC Volvo Car Stadium
September 28, 2018 + Greensboro, NC Greensboro Coliseum
September 29, 2018 * Philadelphia, PA The Mann
~ tickets on sale February 23 at 12pm local time
* tickets on sale March 1 at 10am local time
+ tickets on sale March 16 at 10am local time
^ tickets on sale April 13 at 10am local time