Pictured (clockwise, from top left): Bridget Cirone, Lanni Gagnon, Carrie Tekautz, and Jen Heaton
The Academy of Country Music has added new staffers in four departments, including new Assistant, Creative & Content and Marketing departments Bridget Cirone; Coordinator, Events Lanni Gagnon; Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships Jen Heaton; and Coordinator, Awards & Membership Carrie Tekautz. All positions are based out the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, California.
Chicago-born and Las Vegas-raised, Cirone joins the Academy of Country Music’s Los Angeles team, stepping in as Assistant for both the Marketing and Creative & Content departments. She will assist the marketing and creative & content teams with all needs, including administrative and support tasks, and will serve as a production assistant for all major events, among other duties. She reports dually to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content and Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.
A Massachusetts native, Gagnon joins the Academy of Country Music team as Coordinator of the Events department, where she will be responsible for various logistical and operational elements of the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause Events – including event production, red carpet, food and beverage, transportation, signage, security, event décor and partnership fulfillment. She reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
California born and raised, Heaton joins the Academy of Country Music in a newly created role as Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, where she is responsible for planning and executing the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives® partners programs—including identifying, cultivating, and developing new sponsors across industries and developing a multi-year partnership strategy. She reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
Originally from Kansas City, Tekautz joins the Academy of Country Music’s team as Coordinator of the Awards & Membership department, where she will help maintain the membership database, recruit new ACM professional members and help coordinate the ACM Awards voting process. She reports to Nick Di Fruscia, Vice President, Awards & Membership.
Song Suffragettes Add Voices To Time’s Up Movement With New Song
/by Lorie HollabaughThe The 23 voices featured in “Time’s Up” come from all over the U.S. and Canada and all have unique stories and musical directions. Shorr, Tasji Bachman, Chloe Gilligan, Savannah Keyes, Mignon, Gracie Schram, Tiera, Jenna Paulette, Emma White, Jordyn Mallory, Emma Lynn White, Regan Stewart, Kim Paige, Jenna McDaniel, Madison Kozak, Jenny Ray, Tenille Arts, Tristan McIntosh, Tia Scola, Alexis Gomez, Candi Carpenter, Trannie Stevens and Lena Stone all appear on the track.
The track premiered with a video, directed by Todd Cassetty, which have both already been embraced by iTunes and Apple Music, who added it into their top playlist, A-List Country. Radio Disney Country will premiere the song today and feature it on the Radio Disney Country Spotlight show airing on Radio Disney.
“Me and the girls were watching the Golden Globes, drinking wine and wearing all black. During one of the many inspiring speeches that night, I just felt the weight of what was happening — how I was going to tell my daughters and granddaughters about this one day,” said Shorr. “It came together so easily and flawlessly because the amazing girls of Song Suffragettes were so passionate about the cause and willing to move around their schedules to make it happen. The team behind Song Suffragettes hustled so hard to make this project come to life making our idea a reality. I have been so inspired by this whole reckoning that’s been happening and it just felt so obvious to connect that to what we do at Song Suffragettes.”
Proceeds from the sale of the song will benefit Time’s Up, the organization that created a unified call from women in entertainment to end discrimination, harassment and abuse of women everywhere.
Oak Ridge Boys’ New Album ’17th Avenue Revival’ Due Out In March
/by Lorie HollabaughThis is the group’s second project with Cobb, who produced the Oaks’ The Boys Are Back album in 2009. Vince Gill, Ashley Monroe, Jamey Johnson, and Brandy Clark all penned tracks on the new album, recorded at Studio A on 17th Avenue in Nashville. Cobb’s vision included no vocal stacking and very few overdubs during production. For two of the songs, the Boys gathered around one microphone and let the harmonies shine on the new collection.
“Dave brought music with spirit and a magical feel to the studio. It became a mental, emotional, physical and spiritual revival for The Oak Ridge Boys,” says the group’s William Lee Golden.
“Having been in The Oak Ridge Boys for almost 52 years,” says Duane Allen, “it can be difficult for me to imagine a place where we have not been. However, Dave Cobb had that vision, and the result is 17th Avenue Revival.”
“Legendary Studio A on 17th Avenue South became a special, almost spiritual place, and for a few weeks it served as a beacon of creativity,” says Allen.
The group will tour in support of the new album this year on their Shine the Light Tour.
17th Avenue Revival Track Listing
1. Brand New Star (Aaron Raitiere & Mando Saenz)
2. There Will Be Light (Jamey Johnson, Larry Shell & Buddy Cannon)
3. God’s Got It (Charlie Jackson)
4. I’d Rather Have Jesus (Rhea Miller & George Beverly Shea)
5. Walk In Jerusalem (Traditional /Public Domain)
6. Where He Leads Me I Will Follow (Ernest W. Blandy / Public Domain)
7. Pray To Jesus (Brandy Clark & Shane McAnally)
8. If I Die (Ashley Monroe & Vince Gill)
9. Let It Shine On Me (Vince Gill & Ashley Monroe)
Demolition Music Signs Kelsey K
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino, Kelsey K
Demolition Music Publishing has signed Kelsey K to a publishing deal.
“Kelsey is the real deal, triple threat who has already built an impeccable reputation in Nashville,” said Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino. “She’s the hardest working, naturally talented teenage songwriter and artist I know and brings a brand new color to our Demolition family box of crayons!!”
Logan Mize And Luke Pell Join Forces For Hometowns And Highways Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughThe announcement comes fresh off the success of Logan’s album Come Back Road, which reached the top 20 on the Billboard Country Album Sales chart and charted at number 2 on the iTunes Country Chart as well as the top 20 on iTunes’ All Genre Chart. The tour also launches on the heels of Luke Pell’s debut EP release and will feature special guest 17 Memphis. Tickets for the shows go on sale today (Jan. 19).
“I’m excited to announce this upcoming spring tour for a lot of good reasons. We are getting to hit a lot of places we haven’t played in awhile and we have a bunch of new music to share with everyone,” expressed Mize. “On top of that we are co-headlining with Luke Pell. He is a great dude, a military veteran, and he’s got a ton of excitement around his new music. To say it’s going to be a party is an understatement..Sure hope to see you out there!”
“I couldn’t be more excited to be touring with Logan and his band this spring! I’m a huge fan of Logan as a fellow artist and can’t wait to hit the road with those guys,” said Pell. “After playing almost 100 dates last year, my band and I have taken a couple months off and are ready to be back on the road playing new venues with Logan and 17 Memphis who are an incredible talent in their own right.”
Hometowns and Highways Tour Dates:
Mar. 15, 2018 – Waterloo, NY – Del Ago Casino & Resort
Mar. 16, 2018 – New York, NY – Highline Ballroom
Mar. 17, 2108 – Rootstown, OH – Dusty Armadillo
Mar. 23, 2018 – Lexington, KY – Manchester Music Hall
Mar. 24, 2018 – Flint, MI – Machine Shop
Apr. 6, 2018 – Chicago, IL – Joe’s (without special guest 17 Memphis)
Apr. 7, 2018 – Springfield, IL- Boondocks
Apri. 12, 2018 – Minneapolis, MN – Cabooze
Apr. 13, 2018 – Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
Apr. 14, 2018 – Omaha, NE – Waiting Room
Apr. 20, 2018 – Oklahoma City, OK – Tower Theatre
Apr. 21, 2018 – Overland Park, KS – Kanza Hall
Apr. 27, 2018 – Austin, TX – The Belmont
Apr. 28, 2018 – Dallas, TX – Gas Monkey
Weekly Chart Report 1/19/18
/by Alex ParryAshley McBryde Sets Track Listing For March Debut ‘Girl Going Nowhere’
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’m not a pretty crier, and I got to my write with Jeremy Bussey that morning, red and blotchy,” she said. “So, he said, ‘for Guy, maybe we should write a good song, one you’d want to play at the Opry someday.’ So, I told the story of when I was back in Algebra class, and we were going around the room saying what we wanted to do when we grew up. When it got to me, I said, ‘I’m going to move to Nashville and write songs, and they’re going to be on the radio.’ The teacher looked at me and said, ‘That won’t happen and you better have a good backup plan.’ It didn’t put the fire out, it just added to it.”
A new video for the track “American Scandal” is also available at all digital retail and streaming services today. McBryde will join Luke Combs and Miranda Lambert on tour in 2018, and will make her TV debut on Late Night with Seth Meyers on Tuesday (Jan. 23) on NBC.
“Girl Goin’ Nowhere” (Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Bussey)
“Radioland” (Ashley McBryde, Autumn McEntire, Chris Roberts)
“American Scandal” (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Terri Jo Box)
“Southern Babylon” (Ashley McBryde, Tommy Collier)
“The Jacket” (Ashley McBryde, Olivia Rudeen, Neal Cotty)
“Livin’ Next to Leroy” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford)
“A Little Dive Bar In Dahlonega” (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Jesse Rice)
“Andy” (I Can’t Live Without You) (Ashley McBryde)
“El Dorado” (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Patrick Savage)
“Tired of Being Happy” (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Blue Foley)
“Home Sweet Highway” (Ashley McBryde, CJ Field, Blue Foley)
Ashley Ray Signs With BMG Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R:) Chris Oglesby (VP Creative, BMG); Courtney Allen (Creative Director, BMG); Kos Weaver (Executive VP, BMG); Ashley Ray; Daniel Lee (VP Creative, BMG); Rakiyah Marshall (Creative Director, BMG)
Songwriter/artist Ashley Ray has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Nashville.
During her career, Ashley has recorded with producer Jay Joyce, performed with artists including Eric Church, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, and Willie Nelson, and secured cuts with multiple major label artists. Ashley is currently writing and recording with fellow artist Sean McConnell for an upcoming solo release.
Cam Signs Booking Deal With WME
/by Jessica NicholsonCam. Photo: Dennis Leupold
Arista Nashville/RCA Records artist Cam has signed a booking deal with WME. The agency will now represent her in music, film, television, books, and endorsements. The singer/songwriter was previously with CAA.
Cam’s debut single “Burning House” topped the charts and went Platinum. This international hit went on to earn her GRAMMY, ACM, CMA, CMT, and American Music Awards nominations. Her first album Untamed debuted at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and her sophomore album is expected to be released later this year. Cam gave her fans a preview of the forthcoming album with the recently released single “Diane.”
Cam is managed by Lindsay Marias at Grit & Magic Entertainment.
Academy of Country Music Announces Four New Hires
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (clockwise, from top left): Bridget Cirone, Lanni Gagnon, Carrie Tekautz, and Jen Heaton
The Academy of Country Music has added new staffers in four departments, including new Assistant, Creative & Content and Marketing departments Bridget Cirone; Coordinator, Events Lanni Gagnon; Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships Jen Heaton; and Coordinator, Awards & Membership Carrie Tekautz. All positions are based out the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, California.
Chicago-born and Las Vegas-raised, Cirone joins the Academy of Country Music’s Los Angeles team, stepping in as Assistant for both the Marketing and Creative & Content departments. She will assist the marketing and creative & content teams with all needs, including administrative and support tasks, and will serve as a production assistant for all major events, among other duties. She reports dually to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content and Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.
A Massachusetts native, Gagnon joins the Academy of Country Music team as Coordinator of the Events department, where she will be responsible for various logistical and operational elements of the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause Events – including event production, red carpet, food and beverage, transportation, signage, security, event décor and partnership fulfillment. She reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
California born and raised, Heaton joins the Academy of Country Music in a newly created role as Senior Manager, Strategic Partnerships, where she is responsible for planning and executing the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives® partners programs—including identifying, cultivating, and developing new sponsors across industries and developing a multi-year partnership strategy. She reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
Originally from Kansas City, Tekautz joins the Academy of Country Music’s team as Coordinator of the Awards & Membership department, where she will help maintain the membership database, recruit new ACM professional members and help coordinate the ACM Awards voting process. She reports to Nick Di Fruscia, Vice President, Awards & Membership.
Byron Gallimore To Be Highlighted In CMHoF Music Masters Series
/by Jessica NicholsonByron Gallimore
Grammy-winning record producer Byron Gallimore will be featured in the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s (CMHoF) program series Music Masters, on Saturday, Jan. 27, at 2 p.m. in the museum’s Ford Theater.
Presented in support of the exhibition Tim McGraw & Faith Hill: Mississippi Woman, Louisiana Man, the Interview will be conducted by museum staffer Michael McCall. Gallimore has co-produced Tim McGraw’s albums since 1993, and he has worked with Faith Hill since her 1998 album, Faith. As producer of Hill’s Grammy-winning 1999 album, Breathe, Gallimore received a Grammy himself. His collaborations with Hill and McGraw—on both solo and duet projects—has been rewarded with three CMA awards and four ACM awards. Gallimore also co-produced the recently released album of McGraw-Hill duets, The Rest of Our Life.
Gallimore’s other production clients have included Terri Clark, Martina McBride, Jo Dee Messina, Phil Vassar and Lee Ann Womack. He received additional CMA awards for Album of the Year (Womack’s There’s More Where That Came From) and Single of the Year (for her “I May Hate Myself in the Morning.”) With Sugarland, he won ACM Single of the Year, for “Stay.” Gallimore also owns the recording studio Essential Sound and, in 2012, founded the label Streamsound Records with Jim Wilkes.
The Music Masters program will follow Gallimore from his hometown, Puryear, Tennessee, where he began performing in bands, through his move to Nashville in 1986 and his decades-long tenure as one of Nashville’s most successful record men. The multimedia program will include photos, audio clips and videos. Following the program, Gallimore will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters purchased from the Museum Store.
Music Masters is an interview series featuring revealing conversations with music industry figures such as producers, publicists, engineers, A&R staff, and business executives. Normally at work behind the scenes, these leaders share unique perspectives on the development of artists and the creation of hit songs. Through stories from these key players, the Music Masters series explores the interaction of business and culture.
The program is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is general admission. Attendees must have a program pass to guarantee admission to the event. Museum members may reserve their program passes in advance by phone (615-416-2050) or via reservations@countrymusichalloffame.org. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming.