MusicRow honored the songwriters, publishers and artists behind some of the year’s top hits and breakthrough songs during the 29th annual subscriber-voted MusicRow Awards on Wednesday, June 28, during a private ceremony hosted for the first time by SESAC, and sponsored by Anderson Benson insurance in the CMA’s event space.
Winners included producer Jay Joyce, who earned his second MusicRow Award win in this category for his work with Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, Brothers Osborne, Devin Dawson, LANCO, The Wild Feathers, and more.
Eleven all-star musicians were honored for their work on the most Billboard Top 10 album credits in eight categories over the past 12 months. Winners included: Jimmie Lee Sloas (bass), Justin Niebank (engineer), Aubrey Haynie (fiddle), Ilya Toshinskiy (guitar), Charles Judge (Keyboards), Russell Terrell (vocals) and a tie for Fred Eltringham and Greg Morrow (guitar), and Dan Dugmore, Paul Franklin and Russ Pahl (steel).
Maren Morris, who has previously earned MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter honor, was honored this year as Breakthrough Artist, while Lauren Alaina was honored with MusicRow’s inaugural Artist-Writer category, for co-writing her first Top 10 hit, the No. 1 single, “Road Less Traveled.”
Parallel Music Publishing’s Jesse Lee was honored as this year’s Breakthrough Songwriter.
This year’s MusicRow Awards recognized Song of the Year “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” recorded by Keith Urban and written by Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg and Steven Lee Olsen.
The 2017 MusicRow Awards June/July print issue was also revealed at the ceremony. The new issue features SESAC’s Kelli Turner and Dennis Lord, with the Creative Services team on the cover.
Third Day Hosting Old-Time ‘Revival’ With Latest Album
/by Lorie HollabaughThird Day and band take a break with Fame Studios owner Rick Hall (center)
Third Day is going a little old school and reaching back deep into their musical roots on their latest CD, Revival, due out Aug. 4. They recorded the new project at the legendary Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Alabama, which has been the birthplace of recordings by Etta James, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding and more, and checked a box off the bucket list in making the new album there.
“It’s one of those ‘if these walls could talk’ kind of things,” drummer David Carr shares. “With all of the incredible hits, the sounds the melodies that have been created in [that] space, some of that you hope that it rubs off a little bit.”
Third Day’s touring band joined them in the studio for the making of the new CD, which includes 13 songs produced by their long-time producer, mentor and friend Monroe Jones. The album’s first single, “Revival,” is at radio and available now at all digital service providers for download and streaming here.
2017 ‘MusicRow’ Awards Winners Revealed
/by Jessica NicholsonMusicRow honored the songwriters, publishers and artists behind some of the year’s top hits and breakthrough songs during the 29th annual subscriber-voted MusicRow Awards on Wednesday, June 28, during a private ceremony hosted for the first time by SESAC, and sponsored by Anderson Benson insurance in the CMA’s event space.
Winners included producer Jay Joyce, who earned his second MusicRow Award win in this category for his work with Eric Church, Brandy Clark, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, Brothers Osborne, Devin Dawson, LANCO, The Wild Feathers, and more.
Maren Morris, who has previously earned MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter honor, was honored this year as Breakthrough Artist, while Lauren Alaina was honored with MusicRow’s inaugural Artist-Writer category, for co-writing her first Top 10 hit, the No. 1 single, “Road Less Traveled.”
Parallel Music Publishing’s Jesse Lee was honored as this year’s Breakthrough Songwriter.
This year’s MusicRow Awards recognized Song of the Year “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” recorded by Keith Urban and written by Hillary Lindsey, Clint Lagerberg and Steven Lee Olsen.
The 2017 MusicRow Awards June/July print issue was also revealed at the ceremony. The new issue features SESAC’s Kelli Turner and Dennis Lord, with the Creative Services team on the cover.
Mark Nesler Inks With SNG Music
/by Lorie HollabaughSNG’s Gary Reamey, Steve Leslie, Marty Dodson, Mark Nesler (seated)
SNG Music has signed Mark Nesler to its roster of writers. Nesler has penned No. 1 hits for Tim McGraw (“Just To See You Smile”), George Strait (“Go On,” “Living and Living Well”), Keith Urban (“You Look Good In My Shirt”) and Darryl Worley (“I Miss My Friend”), among others.
“We are so thrilled to have Mark Nesler joining our publishing family,” says SNG Music Partner, Marty Dodson. “Over the course of my career, I have never worked with a more talented, hard-working writer, and for 17 years he has inspired me to elevate my game as a lyricist, to write words worthy of the beautiful melodies he creates.”
SNG’s roster also includes SNG Music partners Steve Leslie, Gary Reamey and Dodson, along with Zarni DeVette and SNG Songwriter Emeritus, Bobby Fischer.
Bill Miller Becomes Majority Owner Of Skull’s Rainbow Room
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Chef Gannon Leary, Keith Moore, David Wileman & Bill Miller
Bill Miller, President and Founder of Icon Entertainment, has purchased a majority interest in Skull’s Rainbow Room in Nashville’s historic Printers Alley. The property adds to Miller’s lineup of Nashville attractions and merchandise companies including The Johnny Cash Museum, the Patsy Cline Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk and Music City Threads.
Skull’s first welcomed patrons in 1948 and recently re-opened its doors in 2015, after a 17-year hiatus.
“My family and I have been huge fans and customers of Skull’s since it reopened,” said Miller. “Skull’s fits perfectly into our strategy of investing in historic, iconic venues rich with history and of the highest caliber. The team at Skull’s has created a fantastic bar and restaurant and we are honored to be involved with David, Gannon and Keith along with the rest of the staff. I can’t think of anything we will change aside from contributing our marketing and promotional expertise. The operations team has already created the perfect storm.”
Under Icon Entertainment, the current team will remain in operation. David Wileman will continue as partner and General Manager of the attraction that has achieved 17 awards since the re-launch in 2015, and Chef Gannon Leary will continue his award-winning cuisine that has been perfected over his 28 years of experience in the food and beverage industry. Crafting the signature drinks will be the current Bar Manager Keith Moore, a native of Dublin, Ireland with more than two decades of experience as a bartender and manager.
“It’s been an absolute pleasure getting to know Bill and his wonderful family over the past two years,” Wileman said. “I have watched their companies grow and have nothing but respect for what they have achieved. I know that I speak for everyone at Skull’s when I say that we are very excited at the prospect of working with such an established and professional group. We are extremely proud to be involved in some amazing collaborations to create new venues that will add to the fantastic experience that is Nashville.”
Josh Phillips Signs With Warner/Chappell And Write Or Die Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured Back row (L-R): Back: Ben Vaughn (WC), Alicia Pruitt (WC), Will Overton (WC), Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artists). Front row (L-R): Brantley Gilbert (Write or Die), Josh Phillips, Rich Egan (Write or Die)
Warner/Chappell Music and its publishing partner, Brantley Gilbert’s Write Or Die Music, have signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with songwriter Josh Phillips.
Phillips has already performed nearly 400 shows over the course of his four-year career, opening for acts including Cole Swindell, Chris Janson, Sam Hunt, and Tyler Farr. He’s had songs recorded by Luke Combs and The Voice’s Warren Stone, and has collaborated with Randy Montana, Jonathan Singleton, Love & Theft, Channing Wilson and Kemo Forrest, among others.
Currently touring the country, Phillips is also working on his debut album. He is managed by Make Wake Artists, and booked by WME.
Industry Ink: ASCAP, Jacob Davis, Levon, Sylvia
/by Haley CrowASCAP Kicks Off Summer With ‘Cool’ New No. 1 Songwriter Gift
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin and Beth Brinker, “Seein’ Red” No. 1 co-writers Jason Sever and Kurt Allison, and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad.
ASCAP officially welcomed summer with the debut of its new first-time No. 1 songwriter gift, a custom ASCAP-branded YETI Roadie cooler. Now, each freshly minted chart-topping writer will receive one of the new ASCAP YETI Roadies on stage at No. 1 celebrations.
Jacob Davis Makes Opry Debut
Photo: Chris Hollo
Pictured (L-R): Black River Entertainment’s Gordon Kerr, Black River Records’ Rick Froio, Jacob Davis, and the Grand Ole Opry’s Sally Williams. Photo: Chris Hollo
Black River Entertainment’s Jacob Davis made his Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday night (June 23). Davis performed “What I Wanna Be,” the debut single off his forth-coming album, as well as his soulful tune “James Brown,” which was accompanied by horns.
Levon Performs At CRB Breakfast
Pictured (L-R): Nick Martin (Big River Broadcasting/WXFL), Michael Hall (Levon), Tim Roberts (WYCD), Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner), Ryan Holladay (Levon), Jake Singleton (Levon), Bill Mayne (CRB), Charlie Morgan (Emmis), Joel Raab (Joel Raab Coutry Radio Media), JR Schumann (Sirius XM).
Country group Levon recently performed at a breakfast for the CRB Board of Directors and the CRB Agenda Committee.
ylvia Inks Deal With ArtistLive Agency
Pictured (front row L-R): ArtistLive’s Deric Brown, Sylvia; (back row L-R): Webster PR’s Kirt Webster, Sound Artist Support’s Brian Horner. Photo: Courtesy Webster PR
Singer/songwriter Sylvia has signed an exclusive agreement with Nashville based ArtistLive Agency for booking representation. Sylvia and her team will work closely with ArtistLive Agency’s president, Deric Brown, for future shows and appearances.
Sylvia is hitting the road in support of her latest album It’s All In The Family, which was released in late 2016.
Prescription Songs Nashville Signs Quinn Lewis
/by Alex ParryPrescription Songs’ Nashville outpost has signed pop artist Quinn Lewis to their roster. A native of Brisbane, Australia, Lewis has called Nashville his home for three years, as he has been collaborating with pop producers and writers, with plans for his on album in the near future.
He previously released the EP Addicted.
Prescription Songs’ Katie Fagan and Quinn Lewis
Americana Music Festival Announces Second Round Of Performers
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(Top Row, L-R): Yola Carter, Drive-By Truckers, Iron & Wine. (Bottom Row, L-R): Lukas Nelson, The Secret Sisters, Amanda Shires
The Americana Music Association announced today the second round of performers slated to appear at the 18th Annual Americanafest: The Americana Music Festival & Conference Sept. 12-17 in Nashville. Nearly 300 artists and bands are participating in the six-day festival, and the latest announced to perform include Hayes Carll, Elizabeth Cook, Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm, Drive-By Truckers, Joshua Hedley, John Hiatt & the Goners, Phoebe Hunt, Iron & Wine, Lori McKenna, The Last Bandoleros, Lukas Nelson, The Secret Sisters, Amanda Shires and The Wild Reeds, and many more.
Americanafest conference registrations (currently $299 for members/$399 for non-members) offer priority admission into all showcases, sanctioned parties and events, and daytime panels, and can be purchased here. At this time, only Conference Registrants may purchase Honors & Awards show tickets. A festival wristband for the nightly shows is available for $75 and grants admission into all showcase venues as well as select sanctioned parties and special events.
Second Round of Artists Confirmed to Play Americanafest:
The Accidentals
Amanda Shires
Angaleena Presley
Becky Warren
Ben Smith & Jimmy Brewer
Birdtalker
Bonnie Whitmore and Her Band
Boo Ray
Boy Named Banjo
Buddy Miller
The Cactus Blossoms
Cary Morin
Charly Markwart
Cody Canada & The Departed
Colin Hay
Cory Branan
Cris Jacobs
Dalton Domino
Darling West
Darrin Bradbury
David Ramirez
The Dead South
Dean Owens
Doug Seegers
Drive-by Truckers
Dustbowl Revival
Elijah Ocean
Elizabeth Cook
Emily Barker
Flatland Cavalry
Great American Canyon Band
Hayes Carll
Humming House
Iron & Wine
J.P. Harris
Jade Jackson
Joan Osborne
John Hiatt & the Goners
Joshua Hedley
Kaitlin Butts
The Kernal
Larry Campbell & Teresa Williams
The Last Bandoleros
Lee Roy Parnell
Lilly Hiatt
Lori McKenna
LUCETTE
Lukas Nelson
Marc Broussard
Mark O’Connor featuring the O’Connor Band
Matthew Ryan
The Mavericks & Friends
Michigan Rattlers
Nicole Atkins
Noam Pikelny
Nora Jane Struthers
North Mississippi Allstars
Phoebe Hunt
Quaker City Night Hawks
Robert Cray & Hi Rhythm
Rogue + Jaye
Romantica
Sammy Brue
The Secret Sisters
Shannon McNally
Steelism
The Steel Wheels
Suzanne Santo
SZLACHETKA
The Texas Gentlemen
The Tillers
Timmy The Teeth
Tom Brosseau
Tommy Womack
Travis Linville
Twisted Pine
Whiskey Shivers
Whitney Rose
The Wild Reeds
Willie Nile
The Wood Brothers
Wood & Wire
Woody Pines
Yola Carter
David Renzer Elevated To CEO At Spirit Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto credit: Peter Bohler
David Renzer has been promoted to Chairman/CEO of Spirit Music Group. Renzer was previously Chairman of the company, which is currently enjoying the global success of the No. 1 Ed Sheeran album, with eight songs co-written by Spirit- B Unique/Polar writer Johnny McDaid. Other recent successes include cuts on albums by Rag N Bone Man, Chris Stapleton, and various No. 1 country singles, among many others.
As Chairman of Spirit, Renzer has spearheaded the expansion of the company’s global activities through a variety of acquisitions, including the establishment of its successful Spirit Music Nashville office, the establishment of UK company Spirit/B-Unique Music, as well as new divisions including Spirit Music Latino and Spirit Production Music/Spirit Music Collective.
In his position, Renzer will continue to oversee the independent publisher’s global activities, expansion plans, and its 75,000 song catalog spanning seven decades across every musical genre. Renzer will work closely with the company’s financial partners, strengthen the company’s global platform, grow the catalog, expand A&R outreach, and along with his team at Spirit develop and implement the company’s strategic objectives.
“Spirit has been one of the fastest-growing independent music publishing companies and I’m thrilled with the progress that we have made and am proud of the team that we have built. We are also excited about the future of our company as we continue our ambitious growth. Spirit is truly a great home for songwriters, composers, and artists and an innovative home equipped to manage all music rights. A special thank you to our Board and financial partners for believing in our vision,” said Renzer.
Prior to joining Spirit, Renzer was Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group, where he was responsible for overseeing the activities of the company’s 57 offices in 47 countries. Under his leadership, Universal Music Publishing Group grew through signings and catalogue acquisitions, including the BMG Music Publishing, Zomba, Polygram, and Rondor catalogues. UMPG also became the global leader in the areas of Production Music, Christian, and Classical Music.
Renzer was recently re-elected to serve on the board of the National Music Publishers Association, and also serves on board of the Foundation for Ethnic Understanding, and co-founded the Creative Community for Peace. He has also served as the Chairman of the Music and Entertainment Division of the City of Hope, and founded Songs of Hope, raising over $3 million for the City of Hope. He is based out of both Spirit’s New York and Los Angeles offices.
Scott Stachelski Promoted At Sony Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonScott Stachelski
Scott Stachelski has been promoted to VP, Finance at Sony Music Nashville.
Sony Music Nashville COO Ken Robold says, “Scott’s 21 years of experience in the record business combined with his in-depth knowledge of label finance and dedication to his career makes him an obvious choice for advancement. I’m proud to promote Scott to Vice President of Finance for Sony Music Nashville.”
“I would like to thank Ken Robold for his confidence in me and I look forward to his continued guidance,” responds Scott Stachelski. “I am eager to continue taking on the challenges of our evolving industry, and, as a member of the Sony Music Nashville team under the leadership of Randy Goodman, striving to achieve even greater success for our artists and label group.”
Stachelski, joined the label group in 2006 as Director of Finance, will continue to oversee the finance department and Sony Music Nashville’s day to day financial operations, including internal and external reporting, deal analysis, forecasting, budgeting and analysis.
A Clark, New Jersey native, Stachelski is a graduate of Pace University – Lubin School of Business with a BBA in Public Accounting and a CPA. Prior to moving to Nashville and joining the Sony Music Nashville team, he was Director of Financial Reporting for Sony BMG Entertainment, Senior Internal Auditor for BMG Entertainment and began his career in Public Accounting.