Rebel Engine Entertainment Forms In-House Radio Promo Team

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Independent record label Rebel Engine Entertainment has launched an in-house Radio Promotions Division. The company’s new promotion team will be comprised of Executive Label Consultant, Mike Borchetta, Regional Director of Promotions, David Shaw and Regional Director of Promotions, Chris Borchetta. The team’s first order of business will be to secure airplay for flagship artist Stephanie Quayle’s new single “Selfish.”

“We are thrilled to welcome such a passionate, professional and knowledgeable team to Rebel Engine,” shares label Vice President, Carli McLaughlin. “Mike, Chris and David are truly top-notch, and we couldn’t be prouder to establish our Radio Promotions Division with their veteran experience.”

Mike Borchetta brings over 50 years of industry experience to the new promotions department. As Vice President of Curb Records, Borchetta played an instrumental role in signing Tim McGraw to the label and in moving the label’s headquarters from Burbank to Nashville. As head of indie label Lofton Creek, Borchetta took “I Loved Her First” by Heartland to the top of the charts.

David Shaw comes to Rebel Engine most recently from Reviver Records, where he fought for LOCASH’s No. 1 hit “I Love This Life.” He also spent 15 years at Columbia Records.

Chris Borchetta is a 15-year promotions veteran with stops at Big Machine, Lofton Creek, Category 5, and most recently Star Farm Promotions.

Dan Bremnes Signs With Word Entertainment

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Word Entertainment has signed singer/songwriter Dan Bremnes to its roster. On the heels of this new partnership, the British Columbia native will release “Going Together.” The track marks his first digital single since the release of his 2015 major label debut album, Where The Light Is (Sparrow/Capitol CMG).

“I’m very excited to start on this next chapter, and am truly honored to work with such an exceptional team,” Bremnes shared.

Produced by Toronto-based Mike Wise and mixed by Dan Weston, “Going Together” is dedicated to Bremnes’ wife of ten years, Britt. “From day one she has been the most supportive, sacrificial and amazing partner,” Bremnes said. “This is our love story.”

A special lyric video created for the song features Bremnes’ Instagram feed chronicling he and Britt’s adventures together, including the birth of their children, son Eli (3) and daughter Eden (6 months).

Bremnes is currently on the Winter Jam Spectacular tour, and will again join the 47-city tour from January through March, opening for headliners Lecrae and Skillet and performing a solo set with loop pedals and samplers. In December, he will head back to Canada to headline 16 dates on his inaugural Christmas tour, Jingle All The Way.

Women’s Music Business Association Names Officers, Wonder Woman Award Winners

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Pictured (L-R): Jana Horvath, Rachael Miller, Charlene Bryant, Mary Larimer, Kortney Toney, Lauren Simon and Ellen Mundy. Not Pictured: Dana Dickie

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held their annual Wonder Woman Awards on Tuesday (Nov. 14) at The Valentine in downtown Nashville. The event this year included a mixer for potential new members of the organization, the award ceremony, and the election of WMBA’s 2018 officers.

This year’s Wonder Woman Award winners were:

Rookie of the Year Award: Kelsey Wise
Humanitarian Award: Dana Lalevee
The Extra Mile Award: Jana Horvath
The Unsung Hero Award: Makenzie Williams
The Spirit Award: Kortney Toney
The Ambassador Award: Charlene Bryant
Movin’ On Up Award: Emilie Gilbert
The Confidante Award: Nancy Deckant
Wonder Woman Award: Lisa Boullt

Following the Wonder Woman Awards ceremony, WMBA’s 2018 officers were announced. The officers, who were voted on by current members of WMBA, will begin their new terms in January 2018.

WMBA 2018 Officers:

President: Ellen Mundy
Vice President: Lauren Simon
Secretary: Kortney Toney
Treasurer: Jana Horvath
Events & Education Co-Chairs: Mary Larimer and Dana Dickie
Membership & Marketing Co-Chairs: Charlene Bryant and Rachael Miller

The Women’s Music Business Association is a 501(c)6 nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, and community service.

Entercom, CBS Radio Officially Merge

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Entercom Communications Corp. closed its merger with CBS Radio on Friday morning (Nov. 17). Now with more than 244 stations in 47 radio markets (including stations in 23 of the top 25 markets), Entercom will reach more than 100 million people weekly.

The deal was first announced in February 2017.

“We are thrilled to officially close our transformational merger with CBS Radio and welcome their talented employees and iconic brands to Entercom,” said David Field, Entercom’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “We look forward to capitalizing on our unique positions in sports, news, music, podcasting, live events, digital and more to provide outstanding experiences for our listeners and compelling integrated marketing opportunities for our advertisers. We now have the scale and capabilities to drive meaningful growth and to compete more effectively with other media for a larger share of advertising dollars. We also look forward to helping to elevate the Radio industry, which remains massively undervalued by advertisers despite having emerged as America’s #1 Reach medium, delivering outstanding ROI to customers.”

Earlier this week, Entercom named its format captains including Mike Moore (Country), Steve Butler (News), Mark Chernoff (Sports), Jimmy Gonzalez (Spanish), Brian Kelly (Top 40), Michael Martin (Alternative), Diane Newman (Talk), Nikki Nite (Adult Contemporary), Dave Richards (Rock/Classic Rock), Reggie Rouse (Urban), Jim Ryan (Classic Hits) and Steve Salhany (Hot Adult Contemporary).

Entercom’s post-merger 244 stations follows iHeartRadio’s 850 stations and Cumulus’ 460 stations across the U.S.

 

Jeannie Seely Inks Deal With 117 Publicity

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Jeannie Seely

Jeannie Seely has signed with the publicity division of Zach Farnum’s 117 Entertainment for exclusive representation.

“It is so exciting for me to be a part of 117 Publicity,” said Seely. “Zach Farnum is a very knowledgeable, ambitious young man and he has surrounded himself with a like-minded staff. They have respect for the legends and have a vision of how to represent them in this ever-changing business. I’m looking forward to working in this vibrant environment!”

“If there’s one person that was instrumental in getting me started in the music business, it was my friend Jeannie Seely. Seely has guided me, introduced me to the right people and inspired me as a model of success. She’s one of the most revered stars in the business and has helped and is looked up to by so many,” said Farnum.

Seely was recently recognized by her Grand Ole Opry colleagues Sally Williams, Lorrie Morgan and Bill Anderson at The Nashville Association of Talent Directors’ (NATD) 7th Annual Honors Gala for her accomplishments and service to the Nashville entertainment industry. This year, Seely also commemorates her 50th anniversary as a member of the Grand Ole Opry.

Singer-Songwriter Lance Carpenter Signs With Show Dog Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Lance Carpenter, Toby Keith

Lance Carpenter has signed with Toby Keith’s Show Dog Nashville label. Carpenter moved to Nashville in 2011, signed a publishing deal in 2012 and had his first No. 1 in 2015 with co-writing Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It.”

Raised on a farm in Ozark, Arkansas, Carpenter grew up hunting, fishing and playing sports. His love of music was purely as a fan until he picked up a guitar while in college. “I learned my first few chords and the idea of telling stories through music,” he says.

Carpenter soon jumped into his intended career in emergency management, working for the state and federal governments (FEMA). He was involved in 42 different disasters including Hurricane Katrina, with music serving as an escape. “I would take a guitar with me and because I was still learning to play, I really had to focus on what I was doing. I couldn’t think about work, so it was my therapy, in a way.”

After his first performance in 2007, Carpenter sought ways to get involved with the music industry. “I googled the word ‘songwriter,’ found NSAI and joined on the spot,” Carpenter said.

Carpenter says signing with Keith’s label is a dream come true.

“The first time I heard ‘Should’ve Been A Cowboy’ I was a fan and I’ve followed his career ever since,” Carpenter says of Show Dog founder Keith. “Getting to work side-by-side with someone I’ve looked up to for so long is an unbelievable opportunity. I respect him as an artist, as a songwriter, as a business man, and as a human being, and I know there’s a lot I’ll be able to learn.”

Garth Brooks Tops 100,000 Tickets Sold For Nashville Shows

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks has sold over 100,000 tickets for his upcoming run of Nashville shows at Bridgestone Arena, which will close out the Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood in North America. Nashville marks the 17th city the entertainer has sold 100,000 tickets or more on during the tour. The seven show run will be the first time Brooks has played a full concert at Bridgestone Arena in seven years.

The Nashville Bridgestone Arena run includes shows on Dec. 9, 10, 15, 16, 17, 22 and 23. The 22nd was announced and spilled over to the 23rd just days after the initial bank of dates sold out.

Brooks has sold more than 6.3 million tickets on the tour so far, which has been presented by Amazon Music Unlimited. Last week, Brooks earned his sixth CMA Entertainer of the Year honor, a first for any artist.

DISClaimer: CMA Awards Spotlight New Tracks

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I thought country music offered America a pretty good representation of what it’s all about on last week’s CMA Awards Show.

Salutes to Glen Campbell, Troy Gentry and Don Williams were all well placed, as was a tribute to the 58 country fans slain in Vegas. I could have done without the ABC-TV non-stars as presenters and the gratuitous product-placement ads. But the singing and the instrumental tracks were consistently fine.

The four new songs introduced on the show (by Urban, Tim & Faith, Church, Miranda) are spotlighted in this week’s DisClaimer column. Of them, the Tim McGraw & Faith Hill enduring-love duet easily wins the Disc of the Day award.

The two closest competitors are Miranda Lambert’s honky-tonk ballad and a song that wasn’t on the telecast, Jerrod Niemann’s delightful toe tapper.

The DisCovery Award goes to a duo called Stranger Friends. It is comprised of John Martin and Jamie Floyd. He has penned songs recorded by Garth Brooks. She has had cuts by Ronnie Dunn and Ashley Monroe and is a former Disc of the Day winner as a solo artist. Together, they are terrific.

STRANGER FRIENDS/Country Song
Writers: Jamie Floyd/John Martin; Producer: Stranger Friends; Publisher: none listed; Voxhall (track)
– Everly harmonies. Slappin’ backbeat. Fabulous steel-guitar picking. Instantly catchy tune with a happy rhythm. I love, love, love this.

TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL/The Rest Of Our Life
Writers: Ed Sheeran/Amy Wadge/Johnny McDaid/Steve Mac; Producer: none listed; Publishers: 2017 Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI) o/b/o Sony/ATV Music Publishing (UK) Limited (PRS)/Cookie Jar Music LLP (PRS). All rights on behalf of Cookie Jar Music LLP administered by WB Music Corp./Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol administered by Spirit B-Unique Polar Patrol Songs (BMI)/Rokstone Music (ASCAP); Sony
– A beautifully performed power ballad with a supremely romantic lyric about growing old gracefully together. These two truly are “Mr. and Mrs. Country Music.”

YouTube video

 

LONNIE SPIKER/Love Would Have Wanted It That Way
Writer: Curt Ryle; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publisher: Big Matador, BMI; Megalith (track)
– Booze and the Bible mix it up in this very slowly paced barroom heartache lament. Best line: “It’s a long way from Hell to Step Number 12/But I’m gonna make it there one day.” Old-school country.

JERROD NIEMANN/I Got This
Writers: Luke Dick/Rodney Clawson/Josh Osborne; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas/Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Little Louder/Emilon/Round Hill Works/Big Loud Proud Crowd/Shirt At Work/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Smack Songs/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (track)
– I’ve always liked this guy a lot. This snappy bopper promises a gal some tunes, a pleasure drive, a drink and an open-ended evening. Irresistible.

LAURA BENITEZ & THE HEARTACHE/Whiskey Makes Me Love You
Writer: Laura Benitez; Producer: Laurea Benitez; Publishers: none listed; Copperhead (track)
– Recorded in the Bay Area, this lacks Nashville polish. But there’s plenty of guitar twang and a dandy lyric to compensate. I wonder if lowering her key would make her a more effective vocal communicator.

KEITH URBAN/Female
Writers: Nicolle Galyon/Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally; Producers: Urban, Ross Copperman, Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; Capitol
– Almost immediately after introducing this on the CMA telecast, Urban was derided. Late-night TV host Stephen Colbert parodied the performance on his show as “She Person” and mocked the lyric as, “the first song ever written by dumping out a bin full of inspirational throw pillows.” Last weekend, some hipster NPR panelists who only knew Urban as “the guy who is married to Nicole Kidman,” also looked down their noses at it. The fact of the matter is that the production echoes and throbs and sparkles brilliantly. Keith’s performance rings with sincerity. And what the heck is wrong with a guy identifying with feminist issues anyway?

RE MATTEI/Bump Bump Bump
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Trinity Girl (CDX)
– She is sings in a throaty alto. The song is about drowning out his memory with loud music. Pass.

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ERIC CHURCH/Chattanooga Lucy
Writers: Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: 2015 Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Little Louder Songs/Mammaw’s Friend Okra Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Little Louder Songs/Harold’s Purple Heart Music (BMI); EMI (track)
– This has an appealingly nervous energy level, as well as some very cool soul-sister wailing in the background. Country rock with a decided edge.

TRAILERHAWK/Car
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Hundred Proof
– The rocking track rumbles with a simple, repeated, deep-twang guitar lick. Her spitfire lead vocal should have been mixed a little hotter.

MIRANDA LAMBERT/To Learn Her
Writers: Lambert/Ashley Monroe/Waylon Payne; Producers: Frank Liddell/Glenn Worf/Eric Masse; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pink Dog/Monroe Suede/Songs of Kobalt/Tiltawhirl, BMI; RCA (track)
– Hallelujah. Stone country from start to finish. Miranda gives it a classic honky-tonk vocal performance while the track seethes with pent-up intensity behind her. This is the right stuff.

YouTube video

 

Ashla Taylor Teams With West End Music Group For Debut EP

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Pictured (L-R): West End Music Group President Dale Connone, EVP/General Manager, Cat Collins, VP Promotion, Jamice Jennings, Ashla Taylor and Promotion Manager, Nathan Cruise

Ashla Taylor has partnered with West End Music Group/ADA to release her debut EP, Truth Is…, with plans for a single in early 2018.

“We are thrilled to be working with the talented Ashla Taylor,” says Dale Connone, President, West End Music Group. “Ashla is the true triple threat and we knew from the moment we met her that we wanted to be a part of her project and work towards bringing her talents to the forefront of the industry.”

A McCalla, Alabama native, Taylor began the writing and production process for her debut EP in Nashville co-writing with Sherrie’ Austin and producing tracks with Will Rambeaux. Seeking inspiration, Taylor traveled to Asbury Park, New Jersey where she explored the music scene and connected with co-producer Steve Greenwell (Joss Stone) to complete her sound.

Taylor has become a lifestyle host for several shows on the popular digital video network, Rated Red. In partnership with Verizon’s go90, Snapchat and Hulu, she can be seen on shows including Battle of the Baits, Camping Hacks, Combo Nation and DIY Survival.

Truth Is… Track Listing:
1. “Truth Is” (Ashla Taylor/Sherrie Austin/Brian Maher)
2. “Nothin’ About Love” (Ashla Taylor/Will Rambeaux/Sherrie Austin)
3. “Waves” (Ashla Taylor/Sherrie Austin/Lance Carpenter)
4. “First Kiss” (Sherrie Austin)
5. “Thank You For Loving Me” (Sherrie Austin/Ashla Taylor)

Johnny Cash ‘Greatest Hits’ From Sun Released On Vinyl

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It’s been 60 years since the release of Johnny Cash‘s debut LP in 1957, and to commemorate the special anniversary, Sun Records and Charly Records are releasing Johnny Cash’s Greatest Hits, the very best of the legend’s 7-inch hit singles from Sun on vinyl, including “I Walk The Line,” “Cry! Cry! Cry!,” “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Ballad Of A Teenage Queen”, “Home Of The Blues” and many, more.

Greatest Hits features 20 classic Cash tunes newly remastered from the original Sun Master tapes, mastered at half-speed for unrivaled sound quality. The LP is pressed on 180g heavyweight audiophile vinyl, complete with Sleeve Notes by Sun Entertainment Corporation President John A. Singleton.

“We applaud and congratulate Charly Records for ensuring Johnny Cash’s legendary Sun catalogue continues to be available on the quality formats his music deserves, especially on vinyl for this newly remastered Greatest Hits album,” said John A. Singleton,Sun Entertainment Corporation President.

The special vinyl edition of Cash’s Sun recordings can be purchased on Amazon.