Mark Your Calendar — November 2017

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Single Add Dates

November 6
Trace Adkins/Still A Soldier/BBR/Wheelhouse/BMG
David Lee Murphy & Kenny Chesney/Everything’s Gonna Be Alright/Blue Chair/Reviver
Eric Chesser/Yes/BigBig Entertainment
Jared Blake/Don’t Let Her Be Gone/Skiddco Records
AC Jones/Buses & Trains/SSM Nashville

November 13
Kane Brown/Heaven/RCA
Robert Rooke/The Road/Burning Ground Entertainment
The Band Steele/195/Fire River Records

November 17
Cort Carpenter/Again

 

Album Releases

November 1
Jimmy Wayne/Ruby Toons/Bea Hive Records

November 3
Blake Shelton/Texoma Shore/Warner Music Nashville
Kelsea Ballerini/Unapologetically/Black River
Lee Brice/Lee Brice/Curb Records
Kid Rock/Sweet Southern Sugar/BBR Music Group
Meghan Linsey/Bold Like A Lion
Jennifer Hanson/Under The Tree
Ned LeDoux/Sagebrush/Powder River-Thirty Tigers
Zach Williams/Chain Breaker/Provident Label Group-Sony Music

November 10
Taylor Swift/Reputation/Big Machine
Billy Ray Cyrus/Set The Record Straight
Tracy Lawrence and friends/Good Ole Days
Tenth Avenue North/Decade The Halls Vol. 1/Reunion Records

November 14
Garth Brooks/The Anthology Part 1: The First Five Years [240-page book, five CDs containing 52 total songs including 19 new, unreleased or demos]/Pearl Records

November 17
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill/The Rest Of Our Life/Arista Nashville-McGraw Music
John Fogerty/Blue Moon Swamp [20th anniversary digital/physical release, 180g black vinyl, limited-edition 180g blue vinyl]/BMG
Various/A Tribute to Dan Fogelberg

November 24
Cole Swindell/Down Home Sessions IV/Warner Bros.-Warner Music Nashville
Steve Earle/El Corazón [Reissue]/Warner Bros.

 

Industry Events

November 5
SESAC’s Nashville Music Awards ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (invitation-only)

November 6
55th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards at the Ryman Auditorium (invitation-only)

November 7
65th annual BMI Country Awards at BMI’s Nashville office (invitation-only)

November 8
CMA Awards air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC

November 14

  • 7th Annual NATD Honors Gala at the Hermitage Hotel
  • CMA Country Christmas tapes from Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry House

November 15
Last day to join Recording Academy to receive final ballot

November 16
The Oklahoma Hall of Fame at the Cox Convention Center

November 19
American Music Awards

November 27
CMA Country Christmas aires on ABC at 7 p.m. CT on ABC

November 28
Grammy Awards nominations announced

Scott Adkins Launches Adkins Publicity

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Scott Adkins

Former Webster Publicity VP Scott Adkins, has launched a full-service public relations firm, Adkins Publicity.

As founder, Adkins will serve as CEO of the operation. A client roster was not announced at launch.

“I’m thrilled to begin this new chapter of my career and continue my dream of working in the entertainment industry,” said Adkins. We have some incredible plans in the works and I can’t wait to tell the world about them!”

Over the course of his career, Adkins has worked with artists including Tanya Tucker, Billy Ray Cyrus, Bellamy Brothers, Naomi Judd, Kenny Rogers, Lorrie Morgan, Dolly Parton, Cyndi Lauper, Bill Anderson, Gene Watson, Phil Vassar, Crystal Gayle, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely, Craig Wayne Boyd, Lucas Hoge, Kiefer Sutherland, Lee Greenwood, Lifehouse, LOCASH and many more. Adkins also crafted campaigns and managed red carpet events for the 2017 City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game, ‘Stars Behind The Stars’ Dallas Police Benefit, Kenny Rogers’ All In For The Gambler and many more.

The Ball State University graduate previously worked as Director of Publicity at Kaleidoscope Media. Prior to his move to Nashville, Adkins worked in television markets across the country. He also appeared on broadcast networks and received regional recognition, including Ohio Valley Emmy nods.

Adkins’ new address is scott@adkinspublicity.com.

Garth Wraps World Tour With First Bridgestone Arena Show In Seven Years

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks is wrapping his World Tour with Trisha Yearwood at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 16. The final show on his North American tour, the concert will mark the first time he has played Bridgestone in seven years.

Brooks recently celebrated over six million tickets sold on the tour, which is presented by Amazon Music Unlimited, making it the biggest North American tour in history and the biggest American tour in the world.

Tickets for the Nashville show will go on sale Friday, Nov. 10 at 10 a.m. CST, with an eight ticket limit. Tickets can only be purchased at Ticketmaster.com/GarthBrooks or Ticketmaster Express 1-866-448-7849 or 1-800-745-3000. There will be no ticket sales at the venue or Ticketmaster outlets on Nov. 10. Tickets cost $58.25 plus a $5.98 tax, a $4.50 facility fee and a $6.25 service charge for a total of $74.98.

Earlier today, Brooks held a press conference at the Bridgestone Arena, where he was honored with a banner celebrating Brooks’ series of concerts held in 2010 provide relief to those affected by the Nashville floods.

Open Enrollment For Obamacare Starts Today, Ends Dec. 15

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You can now enroll in or change 2018 Marketplace health insurance. The 2018 Open Enrollment Period runs from November 1, 2017 to December 15, 2017.

The 2018 Open Enrollment is shorter than in previous years. If you don’t act by December 15, you can’t get 2018 coverage unless you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period. Plans sold during Open Enrollment start January 1, 2018.

Important Dates:

November 1, 2017: Open Enrollment begins— to enroll, re-enroll, or change a 2018 insurance plan through the Health Insurance Marketplace

December 15, 2017: Last day to enroll in or change plans for 2018 coverage. After this date, you can enroll or change plans only if you qualify for a Special Enrollment Period.

January 1, 2018: 2018 coverage starts, if premium paid.

BMI Promotes Mason Hunter To Assistant VP/Creative, Nashville

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BMI has announced a series of key executive promotions within its Creative team, including Mason Hunter, who has been elevated to Assistant Vice President/Creative, Nashville.

In his role as Assistant Vice President/Creative, Nashville, Hunter will work closely with Jody Williams, Vice President/Creative, Nashville, to whom he will report, to help support the songwriting community and manage Nashville’s team of writer representatives.  In addition, he will continue to identify new partners that align with BMI’s business needs, create new revenue streams to benefit BMI’s affiliated songwriters, composers and publishers, and maximize existing partnerships for mutual brand awareness. Hunter joined BMI in 2000.

Other recently announced BMI promotions include Barbara Cane, BMI’s Vice President of Creative, Los Angeles who has been elevated to the newly-created role of Vice President, Worldwide Creative and Advisor to the EVP of Creative & Licensing. Samantha Cox has also been elevated to Vice President, Creative, New York, and Tracie Verlinde has been named Vice President, Creative, Los Angeles. Wardell Malloy has been promoted to Assistant Vice President, Creative, Los Angeles. These promotions are effective immediately.

[Updated]: Webster Public Relations Shutters

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Kirt Webster

[Updated, 2:12 p.m. CT]

Webster Public Relations is set to continue operating under the name Westby Public Relations, according to a statement received by MusicRow.

The company’s work for its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Webster’s longtime colleague. Meanwhile, Webster will take time away from the business to “focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him,” the statement says.

An earlier statement had appeared on the Webster PR website Wednesday morning, saying the business was no longer in operation.

The new statement addresses the posting:

Earlier today, it was mistakenly posted on the Webster Public Relations’ website that the firm has been closed. This was stated incorrectly. Webster Public Relations will continue operating – but under the name Westby Public Relations – while Kirt Webster takes some time away from the business to focus on combating the egregious and untrue allegations made against him. The company’s work on behalf of its clients will continue under the leadership of Jeremy Westby, Kirt’s longstanding colleague.

Additionally, former Webster PR staffer Scott Adkins announced the launch of his own PR firm today.

[Updated, 1:30 p.m. CST]

The message on the Webster PR website has been removed.

[Previous story, 12:00 p.m. CST]

According to its website, websterpr.com, Kirt Webster‘s Webster Public Relations has closed for business as of November 1, 2017.

The longstanding PR rep—with a client list including headliners as Dolly Parton, Hank Williams Jr., Kenny Rogers, Justin Moore, Aaron Lewis and many others—was at the forefront of a scandal brought to the national spotlight on October 31 when former artist, Austin Cody Rick, accused Webster of continued sexual assault in 2008. Rick went by the stage name Cody Austin. The accusations were posted in a editorial on GoFundMe.com and featured by the Nashville Scene.

Kirt Webster denies all allegations. A prepared statement from Webster reads: “As a single adult, Mr. Webster has had multiple relationships over the course of his professional life, all of which have been consensual. This includes a brief relationship with Mr. Rick. It saddens Mr. Webster that nine years later, after Mr. Rick’s music career has been stagnant, Mr. Rick has taken the opportunistic approach of mischaracterizing that relationship and posting untrue allegations.”

According to WSMV-TV, the news organization had spoken with four individuals who claim Webster sexually assaulted them.

All business inquiries are noted to be directed to Jeremy Westby, Sr. VP. Webster sent out a press release to media as recent as Nov. 1.

Attempts to reach Webster PR representatives regarding the firm’s closing went unanswered.

This is a developing story.

A message displayed on Webster PR’s website on Nov. 1.

NewSong And Crowder To Launch ‘Very Merry Christmas Tour’ In December

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NewSong and Crowder are teaming up to celebrate the holidays with the “Very Merry Christmas Tour.” Presented by Holt International, the tour, which will also feature Sarah Reeves, is slated to hit 12 cities in December, including Cincinnati; Chesapeake, Va.; and Marion, Ill; among other markets, before wrapping Dec. 17 in Clinton, Tenn.

“Our ‘Very Merry Christmas Tour’ gives us a great opportunity to remind everyone about the real meaning of Christmas,” said Billy Goodwin, NewSong founding member. “When we do ‘The Christmas Shoes’ live, it’s always a very emotional time in the concert. I think all of us can relate to losing a loved one during the holiday season, and this song points to the hope we have for an eternity in Heaven with Jesus and being reunited with those we loved here on earth.”

During the holiday shows, NewSong will perform favorites from their Christmas albums, 2001’s The Christmas Shoes, and 2006’s The Christmas Hope, and last year’s The Best Christmas Ever!, as well as their hit, “The Christmas Shoes,” which inspired the New York Times best-selling novel of the same name by Donna VanLiere, as well as the CBS television movie, The Christmas Shoes, based on the book.

AIMP Launches New Podcast Series

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The Nashville Chapter of the Association of Independent Music Publishers today (Nov. 1) launched its new podcast series, “AIMP Nashville Pubcast.” Hosted by Michael McAnally Baum, President of SMACKSongs and AIMP Nashville Secretary, the weekly series will feature 30-minute interviews with independent music publishers in Nashville discussing how they got into the business, how they achieved success, and their advice for new indie publishers.

The inaugural episode will feature Ree Guyer, Owner and President of Wrensong Music and AIMP Nashville Treasurer, and is available now via Apple Podcast, Stitcher, Google Play, Soundcloud, and YouTube. Subsequent episodes will be released each Wednesday. Future episodes include Carla Wallace from Big Yellow Dog, Rusty Gaston from THiS Music, Beth Laird from Creative Nation, and more.

“We’re excited to give a voice to the independent music publishing scene here in Music City USA, where you can find some of the best of the best in our field,” said AIMP Nashville Executive Director John Ozier, Vice President of Nashville Creative at ole. “As the music business evolves, we will need new voices to ensure that publishers adapt along with changing realities. We hope this podcast will give aspiring publishers the knowledge and inspiration they need to dive into the industry.”

“It’s a thrill to host AIMP Nashville’s first foray into the world of podcasting, and I really hope that our listeners will take something valuable away from the series,” said McAnally Baum. “Each of our guests has a tremendous story and valuable information to share, and it’s been a blast drawing that out of them as we discuss the various issues faced by independent music publishers today.”

Future “Nashville Pubcast” episodes:

  • November 8 – Tim Hunze of Parallel
  • November 15 – Carla Wallace of Big Yellow Dog
  • November 22 – Dale Bobo of Big Deal Music
  • November 29 – Rusty Gaston of THiS Music
  • December 6 – Robin Palmer of SMACKSongs
  • December 13 – Chris Van Belkom “The Falcon” of Combustion Music
  • December 20 – John Ozier of ole
  • December 27 – Beth Laird of Creative Nation
  • January 3 – “Building a Great Team” featuring Brent Daughrity of Anderson Benson Insurance, Trina Smith of Me Gusta Music, and Denise Nichols of The Primacy Firm

NMPA Celebrates Top Writers, Publishers For September 2017

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Zac Brown

The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) has announced its September Gold & Platinum Program features top songwriters, publishers, and 259 certifications of hit songs.

In partnership with the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program, NMPA finds and certifies the songwriters and publishers of RIAA-certified singles. RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams towards its Gold (500K), Platinum (1M) and Multi-Platinum (2M+) thresholds. Thousands of songwriters have been recognized since NMPA’s program began in 2007.

The top songwriter with 16 certifications is Zac Brown (Reach Music). The songs “Chicken Fried,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep,” and “Toes” have been certified multi-Platinum; “Whatever It Is” has been certified multi-Platinum and Platinum; and “As She’s Walking Away,” “Free,” “Goodbye In Her Eyes,” “Highway 20 Ride,” and “Keep Me In Mind” all certified Platinum and Gold.

The top publishers honored include:

Sony/ATV Music Publishing: 64 certifications
Gold: 18
Platinum: 18
Multi-Platinum: 28

Warner/Chappell: 46 certifications
Gold: 27
Platinum: 9
Multi-Platinum: 10

Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG): 32 certifications
Gold: 9
Platinum: 10
Multi-Platinum: 13

Kobalt Music: 21 certifications
Gold: 14
Platinum: 6
Multi-Platinum: 1

Reach Music: 18 certifications
Gold: 5
Platinum: 6
Multi-Platinum: 7

BMG: 15 certifications
Gold: 5
Platinum: 7
Multi-Platinum: 3

Spirit Music Group: 13 certifications
Gold: 5
Platinum: 6
Multi-Platinum: 2

Imagem: 8 certifications
Gold: 7
Multi-Platinum: 1

Downtown Music Publishing: 5 certifications
Gold: 1
Platinum: 4

Atlas/Combustion Music: 5 certifications
Gold: 1
Platinum: 1
Multi-Platinum: 3

Round Hill Music: 4 certifications (multi-Platinum)

Pulse Music Publishing: 4 certifications
Gold: 1
Platinum: 3

Big Deal Music: 3 certifications
Gold: 2
Platinum: 1

Velvet Apple Music: 3 certifications
Gold: 2
Platinum: 1

Horipro Entertainment: 3 certifications
Gold: 1
Platinum: 2

Reservoir Media Management: 3 certifications (Gold)

ole: 2 certifications (Platinum)

Black River Entertainment: 2 certifications
Gold: 1
Platinum: 1

SONGS Music Publishing: 1 certification (multi-Platinum)

The Royalty Network: 1 certification (multi-Platinum)

Big Machine Music: 1 certification (Platinum)

Curb Music: 1 certification (Platinum)

Arthouse Entertainment: 1 certification (Platinum)

PEN Music Group: 1 certification (Gold)

Sea Gayle Music: 1 certification (Gold)

Music Sales Corporation: 1 certification (Gold)

BBR Music Group Promotes Meg Ryan, Adds To PR Team

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Meg Ryan, Quinn Kaemmer

BBR Music Group has promoted Meg Ryan as Senior Publicity Manager and added Quinn Kaemmer as Publicity Manager. Both report to Jay Jones, VP of Publicity.

Ryan joined the BBR Music Group publicity team in 2015 as an Associate Publicist. She began her public relations career at NPG PR working with the company’s diverse roster of music and brand accounts like chart-topper Granger Smith and dick clark productions’ Miss America. At BBR Music Group she has worked closely with fast-rising act Lindsay Ell, helping to drive the media campaign behind her No. 1 debut album The Project as well the media launch of Wheelhouse Records’ Runaway June.

Kaemmer joins the team bringing seven years experience in the public relations field, working with an eclectic roster of entertainment, hospitality, corporate, television and event clients. Quinn’s background includes stops at NPG PR, marlo marketing and most recently Reed PR, where she spearheaded the launch of Madame Tussauds Nashville and worked with notable brands like Pancake Pantry, and O’Charley’s.

Ryan can be reached at meg@bbrmusicgroup.com and 615-610-2110.

Kaemmer can be reached at quinn@bbrmusicgroup.com and 615-610-2142.