Pictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Marc Beeson, BMI artist Josh Turner and BMI songwriter Daniel Tashian.
Nashville is a town where songwriters are rock stars. Nowhere was that more evident than at Monday’s (June 19) No. 1 party at Nashville venue SOUTH, to celebrate Josh Turner’s fifth chart-topper, “Hometown Girl.” The crowd’s ovation reached a fever pitch when Jody Williams, BMI’s VP, Writer-Publisher Relations, announced that “Hometown Girl” was BMI writer Daniel Tashian’s very first No. 1 song. In BMI tradition, Tashian was given a Epiphone guitar.
“Hometown Girl,” recorded by Josh Turner, was penned by Tashian and ASCAP’s Marc Beeson.
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad honored Beeson, who was celebrating his third No. 1 as a songwriter. Beeson has accumulated more than 100 cuts over his career, including songs recorded by Chicago, Martina McBride and Garth Brooks, as well as work on Billy Currington’s recent No. 1 single, “We Are Tonight,” Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade,” and Blake Shelton’s “She’s Got A Way With Words.” He’s earned 10 ASCAP awards for his pop and country songs.
Turner, who recently celebrated his 150th performance on the Grand Ole Opry, thanked the MCA Nashville promotion staff for fighting for the song at radio. In particular, he thanked radio promoter Katie Dean for helping him to reshape his approach to radio.
“Katie and I go back a long ways, and thank you for having the ears to know in the beginning that this song could be a hit. She spearheaded this movement and made it happen just a little bit at a time. She motivated the whole promo staff each week and rallied the support of radio in a pretty remarkable way.
“She also changed my attitude toward promoting the song. For so long I had been in the mindset of battling radio and being in a war with radio to get the song played, but she helped me understand that we were working with radio, so thank you for helping me grow,” he said, before thanking the rest of the label’s radio promotions team.
UMG Nashville CEO Mike Dungan, along with many from the label, wore blue sports jerseys emblazoned with “Hometown Girl,” and crafted by Richards & Southern. He honored the gold-certified, No. 1 hit with the label’s signature “impaler” awards.
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace and producer Kenny Greenberg. (Front Row, L-R): MCA Nashville’s Mike Dungan, ASCAP songwriter Marc Beeson, BMI artist Josh Turner, BMI songwriter Daniel Tashian and BMI’s Jody Williams.
“Hometown Girl” producer Kenny Greenberg, who has been on the road for years with artists including Kenny Chesney, produced the track. Greenberg is married to singer-songwriter Ashley Cleveland. Fun fact: In the mid-1970s, Greenberg (then 21), played one of his first sessions in Nashville. He notes that on the same session was dobro player (and now BMI exec) Jody Williams.
Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland honored Beeson, while Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace honored Tashian. The Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms and the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Holly Lane were also on hand to honor Turner, Beeson and Tashian.
Turner was also grateful to the songwriters for penning a song that was at once inspiring and wholesome. “They managed to write something that edified and uplifted women all around the world, all without going to the one chord,” Turner said. “That’s something that has been kind of rare here lately on radio and my female fan base especially thanks you for writing a piece of music that has some depth and some class to it, so thank you for that.”
Pinnacle Bank celebrated the chart-topper with a donation to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. First TN Bank was also on hand to honor the writers and artist.
“When you are a songwriter, you embrace anyone who wants to record a song and you are grateful for that. But there are a handful of people that, in your mind, are kind of iconic with their sound,” said Beeson. “Josh has always been one of those voices to me and I’ve been trying to get a Josh Turner cut since he came to town.
As a songwriter, it’s important for me to acknowledge the MCA promotion team, led by Katie Dean,” Beeson continued. “I called Katie to thank her after the song went No. 1, and she was in such shock that a songwriter actually called her. I think she said that no songwriter had ever called her before. Having been an artist before, I really learned the importance of the promotion team at radio. That’s where the rubber hits the road.”
Weekly Register: Lady Antebellum, Glen Campbell Make Top Country Album Debuts
/by Jessica NicholsonOn the top digital country tracks rankings, Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like A Back Road” leads with 48K. Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood’s “The Fighter” is at No. 2 with 26K, followed by Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” at No. 3, with 24K. Thomas Rhett (ft. Maren Morris)’s “Craving You” is at No. 4, with 17K, and Lady Antebellum‘s “You Look Good” rounds out the Top 5 with 17K.
The top country debut track this week is Brett Eldredge‘s “Love Someone,” which lands at No. 20 on the country rankings. Shania Twain‘s new single, “Life’s About To Get Good” released on June 15, and debuted at No. 53 (country), selling 3K.
Information provided via Nielsen Soundscan.
Josh Turner Celebrates Fifth No. 1 Single, “Hometown Girl”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Marc Beeson, BMI artist Josh Turner and BMI songwriter Daniel Tashian.
Nashville is a town where songwriters are rock stars. Nowhere was that more evident than at Monday’s (June 19) No. 1 party at Nashville venue SOUTH, to celebrate Josh Turner’s fifth chart-topper, “Hometown Girl.” The crowd’s ovation reached a fever pitch when Jody Williams, BMI’s VP, Writer-Publisher Relations, announced that “Hometown Girl” was BMI writer Daniel Tashian’s very first No. 1 song. In BMI tradition, Tashian was given a Epiphone guitar.
“Hometown Girl,” recorded by Josh Turner, was penned by Tashian and ASCAP’s Marc Beeson.
ASCAP’s Mike Sistad honored Beeson, who was celebrating his third No. 1 as a songwriter. Beeson has accumulated more than 100 cuts over his career, including songs recorded by Chicago, Martina McBride and Garth Brooks, as well as work on Billy Currington’s recent No. 1 single, “We Are Tonight,” Ashley Monroe’s “The Blade,” and Blake Shelton’s “She’s Got A Way With Words.” He’s earned 10 ASCAP awards for his pop and country songs.
Turner, who recently celebrated his 150th performance on the Grand Ole Opry, thanked the MCA Nashville promotion staff for fighting for the song at radio. In particular, he thanked radio promoter Katie Dean for helping him to reshape his approach to radio.
“Katie and I go back a long ways, and thank you for having the ears to know in the beginning that this song could be a hit. She spearheaded this movement and made it happen just a little bit at a time. She motivated the whole promo staff each week and rallied the support of radio in a pretty remarkable way.
“She also changed my attitude toward promoting the song. For so long I had been in the mindset of battling radio and being in a war with radio to get the song played, but she helped me understand that we were working with radio, so thank you for helping me grow,” he said, before thanking the rest of the label’s radio promotions team.
UMG Nashville CEO Mike Dungan, along with many from the label, wore blue sports jerseys emblazoned with “Hometown Girl,” and crafted by Richards & Southern. He honored the gold-certified, No. 1 hit with the label’s signature “impaler” awards.
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland, Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace and producer Kenny Greenberg. (Front Row, L-R): MCA Nashville’s Mike Dungan, ASCAP songwriter Marc Beeson, BMI artist Josh Turner, BMI songwriter Daniel Tashian and BMI’s Jody Williams.
“Hometown Girl” producer Kenny Greenberg, who has been on the road for years with artists including Kenny Chesney, produced the track. Greenberg is married to singer-songwriter Ashley Cleveland. Fun fact: In the mid-1970s, Greenberg (then 21), played one of his first sessions in Nashville. He notes that on the same session was dobro player (and now BMI exec) Jody Williams.
Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland honored Beeson, while Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace honored Tashian. The Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms and the Country Radio Broadcasters’ Holly Lane were also on hand to honor Turner, Beeson and Tashian.
Turner was also grateful to the songwriters for penning a song that was at once inspiring and wholesome. “They managed to write something that edified and uplifted women all around the world, all without going to the one chord,” Turner said. “That’s something that has been kind of rare here lately on radio and my female fan base especially thanks you for writing a piece of music that has some depth and some class to it, so thank you for that.”
Pinnacle Bank celebrated the chart-topper with a donation to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. First TN Bank was also on hand to honor the writers and artist.
“When you are a songwriter, you embrace anyone who wants to record a song and you are grateful for that. But there are a handful of people that, in your mind, are kind of iconic with their sound,” said Beeson. “Josh has always been one of those voices to me and I’ve been trying to get a Josh Turner cut since he came to town.
As a songwriter, it’s important for me to acknowledge the MCA promotion team, led by Katie Dean,” Beeson continued. “I called Katie to thank her after the song went No. 1, and she was in such shock that a songwriter actually called her. I think she said that no songwriter had ever called her before. Having been an artist before, I really learned the importance of the promotion team at radio. That’s where the rubber hits the road.”
Artist Pics: Luke Combs, Brett Young, Southern Halo, Smith And Wesley
/by Lorie HollabaughTaylor Phillips And Luke Combs Celebrate ‘Hurricane’
Pictured (L-R): Luke Combs, Taylor Phillips
Warner/Chappell songwriter Taylor Phillips recently celebrated his first No. 1 hit with Luke Combs’ “Hurricane.” The North Carolina native, who now calls Nashville home, has written songs for artists including Kane Brown, Craig Campbell, Ricky Young, and Taylor Ray Holbrook, among others.
Brett Young Visits The Academy Of Country Music
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Harnen, BMLG EVP/BMLG Records President; Erick Long, ACM SVP Operations & Events; Brett Young; Lisa Lee, ACM SVP Creative & Content Production
Photo Credit: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Machine Label Group artist Brett Young to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. During the visit Young performed his current platinum-certified chart-topper “In Case You Didn’t Know,” his debut No. 1 gold-certified single “Sleep Without You” and other songs from his self-titled album, Brett Young.
Southern Halo Performs At Gest Gala
Smith And Wesley Talk ‘The Little Things’
Pictured (L-R): KRRV OD and Live with Melissa and David co-host David Graichen; Smith & Wesley’s Todd Smith and Scott Smith; KRRV PD and Live with Melissa and David co-host Melissa Frost
Smith & Wesley recently stopped by KRRV/Alexandria, Louisiana to chat up their “The Little Things” single and play music from their upcoming second album.
Parallel Music Publishing Eyes New Location, Promotes O’Boyle To Director Of Administration
/by Jessica NicholsonBeginning July 3, Parallel Music Publishing will operate from its new location at 1711 19th Ave. S. in Nashville.
The publishing company’s co-founder Tim Hunze also announced the promotion of Mary Kate O’Boyle to the role Director of Administration. O’Boyle graduated from Belmont University and has worked at the company for three years, where she has been responsible for catalog management, billing, office operations, and publishing administration. In her new role, O’Boyle will expand her administration duties to include statement distribution and will serve as a liaison with the company’s administration team. She has also worked at Big Deal Music and Given Music Publishing.
“Mary Kate has become an integral part of Parallel’s administration. She’s been outstanding at her job and her attention to detail is second to none,” says Hunze.
Founded in 2011 by Hunze and J.P. Williams, the Nashville-based music publishing and artist development company has had five chart-topping singles including, Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It,” Michael Ray’s “Kiss You In The Morning” and the Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two.” Their current roster includes Alex Hall, Blake Chaffin, Lance Carpenter, Jennifer Schott, Michael White and Michael Lotten.
O’Boyle can be reached at marykate@parallelentertainment.com.
Mary Kate O’Boyle
Mandy Barnett Announces Four-Night Residency At 3rd & Lindsley
/by Eric T. ParkerMandy Barnett performs during an early screening of Patsy Cline: American Masters.
Mandy Barnett has announced a four-night residency at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley, with performances on July 13, 20, 27, and Aug. 3.
“I’ve always loved to perform in Nashville,” said Barnett. “The audiences in Nashville are so inspiring and invigorating. I don’t get to do full-band shows in town nearly enough. It’s been a long time since I’ve done a residency here. And in speaking with Ron Brice at 3rd & Lindsley, this summer seemed like a perfect time to do one. We’ll have some fun trying out new songs, featuring some unique guests, and playing a number of favorite tunes.
“It’s an opportunity for people to see one of Nashville’s treasures who plays in town only once or twice a year,” stated Ron Brice, owner of 3rd & Lindsley. “We are proud to have Mandy play here,” he added.
All four of Barnett’s shows will begin at 7 p.m. For tickets, go to: 3rdandlindsley.com.
Industry Ink: Dylan Scott Gets RIAA Certification, Harper Grae On WSM, Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo, Finney Media
/by Lorie HollabaughDylan Scott’s “My Girl” Goes Gold
Harper Grae Visits Devon O’Day
Pictured (L-R): Pat Alger, Harper Grae, Devon O’Day
Recording artist Harper Grae premiered her new single, “Dear Daddy,” on WSM Radio during Devon O’Day’s afternoon drive show. Grae co-wrote the song with Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame member Pat Alger, who joined Grae on-air live to perform the song. “Dear Daddy” released on June 16.
Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo Restructures
Finney Media Finds Women Are Primary Christian Radio Listeners
“We found that women can make up three-quarters of a Christian radio station’s listenership,” said Chuck Finney, President of Finney Media. “That is the type of information that can help Christian stations understand their market needs better, and adapt where necessary.”
Earth, Wind & Fire’s ‘CMT Crossroads’ Appearance Gets Premiere Date
/by Jessica NicholsonLady Antebellum perform with Earth, Wind & Fire on CMT Crossroads. Photo: CMT Press
Earlier this year, just prior to Nashville’s CMA Music Festival, fans got a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Dan+Shay, Sara Evans and Drake White all collaborated with Earth, Wind & Fire, to film an upcoming episode of CMT Crossroads.
The show now has an air date, set to premiere Friday, June 23 at 10 p.m. ET.
The musical collaboration was held on the first outdoor CMT Crossroads Stage in downtown Nashville. Earth, Wind & Fire teamed with Lady Antebellum for the song “September,” and Lady A’s “You Look Good,” which aired on the CMT Music Awards, as a preview to the upcoming CMT Crossroads show.
CMT Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest with John Hamlin and Margaret Comeaux executive producing for CMT.
Darius Rucker performs with Earth, Wind & Fire on CMT Crossroads. Photo: CMT Press
Thomas Rhett Extends Home Team Tour Into Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughRhett has already sold out 18 dates on the tour, which prompted demand for additional fall dates. The first fall dates are on sale now, with remaining show details rolling out over the coming weeks. Ticket information can be found at thomasrhett.com or ticketmaster.com.
Belfast, UK
*Sell-outs on fall leg so far
Royalty Exchange Closes $6.4 Million Convertible Note, Adds Three To Board Of Advisors
/by Jessica NicholsonThe company intended to raise $3 million, but due to demand, it increased the offering. These funds will go toward hiring additional staff and investing in new technology. The company is hiring for business development, marketing, and artist/label relations roles. It is also developing new financial solutions for both buyers and sellers alike.
Additionally, Royalty Exchange has added three to is Board of Advisors, including Carnival Music co-founder and songwriter Travis Hill, SOCAN COO Jeff King, and Bill Silva of Bill Silva Presents and Bill Silva Management.
Royalty Exchange’s platform lets rightsholders sell a part of their royalty stream in an online auction. Meanwhile, artists keep full control of their copyrights and continue to earn royalties on what they don’t sell.
“We’ve experienced significant growth over the last year. But we’ve only scratched the surface,” said Royalty Exchange CEO Matthew Smith. “Imagine if you had only two options to grow your business… either sell out completely or grow from internal cash flows only. That’s the choice many artists face today. Royalty Exchange adds a whole new option for rightsholders, and we do it by bringing competition and transparency.”
The Sisterhood Signs With Sony Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured here celebrating The Sisterhood signing with Sony Music Nashville backstage at 3rd & Lindsley on Saturday evening, left to right, are: Sony Music Nashville’s A&R Manager Margaret Tomlin, EVP & COO Ken Robold, VP Media & Corporate Communications Allen Brown and Sr. Director A&R Taylor Lindsey; Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart of The Sisterhood; Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, SVP Legal & Business Affairs Angie Magill, VP Finance Scott Stachelski and EVP Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges.
Just prior to the start of their performance at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville Saturday evening, country duo The Sisterhood signed a long-term recording agreement with Sony Music Nashville.
Alyssa Bonagura and Ruby Stewart make up the country duo, and both have a compelling musical heritage. Alyssa is daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura, the core of the country band Baillie & The Boys, and Ruby’s father is rock icon Rod Stewart.
With the 3rd & Lindsley crowd as witnesses, Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman welcomed The Sisterhood to the stage where they each signed the contract followed by Goodman introducing them as “Sony Music Nashville’s newest additions to our roster – The Sisterhood.” The duo, who returned the day before from opening Rod Stewart’s 10-city stadium tour in the U.K., performed an hour-long set featuring their country rock melodies and soaring rich harmonies.
The evening was a double celebration for Ruby Stewart as it was also her birthday. Adding to the spirit of the occasion, Ruby’s father sent a bagpipe player.