Pictured: (L-R): BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
“A man is only as good as the team he creates and he surrounds himself with and looking around this stage and around this room, I’m one hell of a lucky man,” said Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray, celebrating his second No. 1 single, “Think A Little Less.” The track follows Michael Ray’s first No. 1 hit, 2015’s “Kiss You In The Morning.”
Songwriters and friends Thomas Rhett, Jimmy Robbins, Barry Dean and Jon Nite penned the song almost exactly four years ago to the week that the song topped the country charts.
“I know how hard you fight and how hard it is going to these program directors day after day and fighting and fighting so thank you from the songwriters,” Thomas Rhett said, thanking WEA’s promotions team.
Industry members gathered at Nashville venue The Sutler, trading the sweltering Music City heat for a cool afternoon inside for music and celebration. As is becoming more of the norm at these No. 1 gatherings, Michael Ray joined the song’s writers, including Thomas Rhett, Barry Dean and Jimmy Robbins to perform an acoustic rendition of the track.
“There is no other genre that makes a night strictly for the songwriters,” Michael Ray said. “For me I got fortunate enough to sing this song. These men are the genius behind this and their publishers were the genius behind putting these guys together. I get to see what this song does nightly and it’s changed my life and my band’s life.”
Michael Ray recalled that when the time came for he and his label to decide what song would be his next radio single, they noticed that fans were gravitating toward a song that Michael Ray had never even played live in concerts.
“We called this song ‘The Sleeper,’ and I thank Jordan Pettit, Rebekah Gordon, Cris Lacy and Travis Gordon for believing in this song.”
“You can tell these guys really had fun writing this song,” said Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, in celebrating Creative Nation/Pulse writer Barry Dean. “There is something about having the right combo of people in the room and hearing that come through on a song.”
The song marks Dean’s third No. 1 song. He earned his first pop award earlier this year, for penning Ingrid Michaelson’s “Girls Chase Boys.” In keeping with the Creative Nation tradition of having perhaps the coolest gifts at these No. 1 parties, they offered each songwriter and the artist personalized bar signs.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Jimmy Robbins and fellow “Think A Little Less” creator Jon Nite, who celebrated with the crowd via FaceTime, as he was on the road celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary. Brinker also thanked First Tennessee Bank for taking part in the event.
BMI’s David Preston presented silver No. 1 cups, honoring writers Thomas Rhett and Barry Dean and BMI artist Michael Ray. This marks Jimmy Robbins’ 7th No. 1 song, in addition to his production work for several artists, including recent work for RaeLynn and Trent Harmon.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg honored Thomas Rhett for his part in co-writing the track. “This guy is a songwriter at heart. With everything else he’s got going on, he’s still writing hits for other artists.”
Pictured (L-R): Back row: Creative Pulse Music’s Scott Cutler, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s David Preston, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Round Hill’s Josh Saxe, producer Scott Hendricks. Front row: BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
Round Hill Music offered donations in the name of the artist and writers to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Pinnacle Bank made donations in the name of the artist and writers to 147 Million Orphans, a charity Thomas Rhett started with his wife Lauren.
Also among those feting the writers and artist were “Think A Little Less” producer Scott Hendricks, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms.
“Jon Nite changed my life,” Robbins said. “He’s one of the first people to write with me. I checked today, and we’ve written 180 songs, which is like all the songs. Barry Dean, I started writing with Barry early when I got to Nashville. I’ve never met a more talented guy and a more special guy. Thomas, you were one of the first people to hear what I was doing and actually think it was any good.”
“I’m not good at this,” Dean said humbly. “I’m better in little rooms with a rhyming dictionary. I’m grateful to everyone at Warner and the promo side and to Michael. Scott, this record really sounds incredible.”
“Michael, thank you for just opening up to the song,” Thomas Rhett said. “I sing it in my shows every night and it sounds miserable next to yours. I also play it a bunch of keys lower than you do,” he quipped. “Jimmy, you’ve been part of my career since the first song and I appreciate how hard you work and how sweet of a guy you are. Barry, you really are a genius. When I’m in the room with you, the rhymes you come up with…we will go take lunch and we will come back and Barry has written the most beautiful poem you’ve ever heard. Then somehow turns it into a song.”
For his part, Michael Ray noted he was grateful to Thomas Rhett, who sang the song’s demo, for not including the song on his own album.
“Thank you Thomas Rhett for finishing your record before Travis Gordon played this song for me,” said Michael Ray. “I was sitting in Cris Lacy’s office and we were listening to songs and ‘Think A Little Less’ popped up and TR has the most incredible unique voice in the business so I said, ‘Well, this is a hit. Thomas is singing it so it’s out for me. Travis said, ‘No Thomas’ album is done,’ so I said, ‘Well, I want it.’ We got into the studio as fast as we could.”
Shania Twain To Release New Album Sept. 29
/by Jessica NicholsonHer last album, 2002’s Up!, was certified 11x Platinum by the RIAA, becoming her third Diamond-selling album.
Twain spent much of 2016 on the road for her Rock This Country Tour, which she stated would be her farewell tour.
Kimpton Aertson Hotel Opens, Partners With NSAI To Offer Corporate Rounds Experience
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Kimpton Aertson Hotel has officially opened today (June 14) at the corner of 21st Avenue and Broadway in Nashville’s Midtown neighborhood. The property marks the boutique hotel company’s first venture in Music City and the expansion of its footprint in the Southeast, and its first official guests, songwriter Marcus Hummon and his wife Becca Stevens of Thistle Farms, were welcomed to celebrate the opening.
The Kimpton will be well-anchored within the creative community of Nashville being so close to Music Row, and is partnering with the Nashville Songwriters Association International to offer NSAI’s Corporate Rounds Experience as part of an exclusive event package available for hotel guests and meeting planners. The experience will provide unique break outs or evening activities for the Aertson’s meetings and events guests.
On its 8th floor, the new hotel boasts more than 6,500-square-feet of flexible meeting and event spaces to accommodate groups and parties of all sizes and occasions. And a stunning 3,630-square-foot Patterson Ballroom with floor-to-ceiling windows and a large wrap-around private outdoor terrace, provides unobstructed views of Music City. For those looking to take their meetings and events to even greater heights, the Aertson’s 17th floor indoor event space and private outdoor terrace treats up to 150 guests to 270-degree panoramic views of downtown Nashville.
All of the events at Aertson Hotel enjoy chef-driven catering menus from Henley’s Executive Chef RJ Cooper, and adjacent to the hotel, and accessible through Aertson’s living room, is Henley, a modern American brasserie featuring Cooper’s culinary menu highlighting regional flavors.
The hotel also features an outdoor swimming pool and cabanas on the 8th floor, and the adjacent Woodhouse Spa is available to guests for a bevy of pampering services from massages to manicures.
Michael Ray, Songwriters Celebrate Power of Friendship, Resilience With No. 1 “Think A Little Less”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: (L-R): BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
“A man is only as good as the team he creates and he surrounds himself with and looking around this stage and around this room, I’m one hell of a lucky man,” said Warner Music Nashville artist Michael Ray, celebrating his second No. 1 single, “Think A Little Less.” The track follows Michael Ray’s first No. 1 hit, 2015’s “Kiss You In The Morning.”
Songwriters and friends Thomas Rhett, Jimmy Robbins, Barry Dean and Jon Nite penned the song almost exactly four years ago to the week that the song topped the country charts.
“I know how hard you fight and how hard it is going to these program directors day after day and fighting and fighting so thank you from the songwriters,” Thomas Rhett said, thanking WEA’s promotions team.
Industry members gathered at Nashville venue The Sutler, trading the sweltering Music City heat for a cool afternoon inside for music and celebration. As is becoming more of the norm at these No. 1 gatherings, Michael Ray joined the song’s writers, including Thomas Rhett, Barry Dean and Jimmy Robbins to perform an acoustic rendition of the track.
“There is no other genre that makes a night strictly for the songwriters,” Michael Ray said. “For me I got fortunate enough to sing this song. These men are the genius behind this and their publishers were the genius behind putting these guys together. I get to see what this song does nightly and it’s changed my life and my band’s life.”
Michael Ray recalled that when the time came for he and his label to decide what song would be his next radio single, they noticed that fans were gravitating toward a song that Michael Ray had never even played live in concerts.
“We called this song ‘The Sleeper,’ and I thank Jordan Pettit, Rebekah Gordon, Cris Lacy and Travis Gordon for believing in this song.”
“You can tell these guys really had fun writing this song,” said Creative Nation’s Beth Laird, in celebrating Creative Nation/Pulse writer Barry Dean. “There is something about having the right combo of people in the room and hearing that come through on a song.”
The song marks Dean’s third No. 1 song. He earned his first pop award earlier this year, for penning Ingrid Michaelson’s “Girls Chase Boys.” In keeping with the Creative Nation tradition of having perhaps the coolest gifts at these No. 1 parties, they offered each songwriter and the artist personalized bar signs.
ASCAP’s Beth Brinker honored Jimmy Robbins and fellow “Think A Little Less” creator Jon Nite, who celebrated with the crowd via FaceTime, as he was on the road celebrating his 20th wedding anniversary. Brinker also thanked First Tennessee Bank for taking part in the event.
BMI’s David Preston presented silver No. 1 cups, honoring writers Thomas Rhett and Barry Dean and BMI artist Michael Ray. This marks Jimmy Robbins’ 7th No. 1 song, in addition to his production work for several artists, including recent work for RaeLynn and Trent Harmon.
Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg honored Thomas Rhett for his part in co-writing the track. “This guy is a songwriter at heart. With everything else he’s got going on, he’s still writing hits for other artists.”
Pictured (L-R): Back row: Creative Pulse Music’s Scott Cutler, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s David Preston, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, Round Hill’s Josh Saxe, producer Scott Hendricks. Front row: BMI songwriter Thomas Rhett, BMI artist Michael Ray, ASCAP writer Jimmy Robbins, BMI writer Barry Dean and Creative Nation’s Beth Laird. (Not pictured: ASCAP writer Jon Nite.) Photo: Steve Lowry
Round Hill Music offered donations in the name of the artist and writers to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. Pinnacle Bank made donations in the name of the artist and writers to 147 Million Orphans, a charity Thomas Rhett started with his wife Lauren.
Also among those feting the writers and artist were “Think A Little Less” producer Scott Hendricks, Country Radio Broadcasters’ Ashley Silver and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms.
“Jon Nite changed my life,” Robbins said. “He’s one of the first people to write with me. I checked today, and we’ve written 180 songs, which is like all the songs. Barry Dean, I started writing with Barry early when I got to Nashville. I’ve never met a more talented guy and a more special guy. Thomas, you were one of the first people to hear what I was doing and actually think it was any good.”
“I’m not good at this,” Dean said humbly. “I’m better in little rooms with a rhyming dictionary. I’m grateful to everyone at Warner and the promo side and to Michael. Scott, this record really sounds incredible.”
“Michael, thank you for just opening up to the song,” Thomas Rhett said. “I sing it in my shows every night and it sounds miserable next to yours. I also play it a bunch of keys lower than you do,” he quipped. “Jimmy, you’ve been part of my career since the first song and I appreciate how hard you work and how sweet of a guy you are. Barry, you really are a genius. When I’m in the room with you, the rhymes you come up with…we will go take lunch and we will come back and Barry has written the most beautiful poem you’ve ever heard. Then somehow turns it into a song.”
For his part, Michael Ray noted he was grateful to Thomas Rhett, who sang the song’s demo, for not including the song on his own album.
“Thank you Thomas Rhett for finishing your record before Travis Gordon played this song for me,” said Michael Ray. “I was sitting in Cris Lacy’s office and we were listening to songs and ‘Think A Little Less’ popped up and TR has the most incredible unique voice in the business so I said, ‘Well, this is a hit. Thomas is singing it so it’s out for me. Travis said, ‘No Thomas’ album is done,’ so I said, ‘Well, I want it.’ We got into the studio as fast as we could.”
Industry Ink: BMI Foundation Songwriting Scholarship, MTSU Wall Of Fame, BMLG’s Allison Jones
/by Lorie HollabaughBMI Foundation Celebrates Scholarship Winner
BMI’s Jody Williams and Nina Carter, the BMI Foundation’s Clay Bradley, Nashville Songwriting Scholarship winner Angelica Rose Toumbas and BMI’s Leslie Roberts and MaryAnn Keen pose before Toumbas’ performance
BMI hosted a reception Monday (June 12) for the BMI Foundation’s Second Annual Nashville Songwriting Scholarship winner Angelica Rose Toumbas. During the event Toumbas treated the crowd to two of her original songs, including her award-winning “The Feeling of Almost.”
Middle Tennessee State University Adds Three To Media Wall Of Fame
Christin Baker, F. Reid Shippen, Traci Thomas
Middle Tennessee State University’s College of Media and Entertainment has added a trio of alumni to its Wall of Fame, including entertainment manager/publicist Traci Thomas, music producer-engineer F. Reid Shippen, and filmmaker Christin Baker.
These three join 82 media leaders already included on the list, which is featured in MTSU’s Bragg Media and Entertainment Building. The MTSU College of Media and Entertainment Wall began in 2000 to honor successful mass communications graduates.
Baker, a 1997 MTSU graduate, founded and is CEO of LA-based digital distribution company tellofilms.com, a multi-platform subscription service for web series focusing on lesbian issues. Baker earned the Best Director prize at the 2016 Raindance Film Festival’s Web Fest Awards for the series Maybelle.
Shippen, a 1994 MTSU graduate, is a mixer, producer, engineer and entrepreneur, with credits including artists Ingrid Michaelson, India.Arie, Sam Hunt, Cage The Elephant, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelsea Ballerini, One Republic, MercyMe and more. Shippen owns and mixes projects at Robot Lemon, a private Nashville studio.
Thomas, a 1994 MTSU graduate, began her career in public relations, spending 20+ years working with artists including Kris Kristofferson, Drive-By Truckers, Old Crow Medicine Show and more. She psent the last 10+ years working with Nashville’s Thirty Tigers. As a co-founder of the Americana Music Association, Thomas was recently honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at its 10th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum.
BMLG’s Allison Jones “Makes The Wall” At The Palm
ACM Announces Studio Recording Award Nominees
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Studio Recording Awards are voted on by professional members of the Academy to honor the musicians, producers, engineers and professionals who contribute so much to the artistry of country music.
STUDIO RECORDING AWARD NOMINEES:
BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR
STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR
Curb Records Names Cheryl Broz To VP, Pop Promotion And Radio Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonCheryl Broz
Curb Records has appointed Cheryl Broz to the position of Vice President of Pop Promotion and Radio Marketing. Based at the company’s headquarters in Nashville, Broz will guide the strategic direction for promotion and marketing efforts across Pop & Rock. Broz will begin her new role June 19.
“There has never been a better time for great hit songs to be exposed to multiple formats. The solid relationships that Cheryl has built across mainstream radio will be a tremendous asset to our artist roster. We are thrilled to have her join us here at Curb.” comments Jim Ed Norman, CEO of The Curb Group.
VP/GM Taylor Childress adds, “On behalf of Chairman, Mike Curb, and CEO Jim Ed Norman, it’s my distinct pleasure to welcome Cheryl Broz to our Curb family. From the beginning there was zero doubt she was our ideal candidate for this challenging and exciting role. Cheryl has the knowledge, reputation and practical experience needed to guide our diverse artist roster as Curb continues to expand into the top-40, Hot AC, AAA, Rock, and Alternative formats.”
Starting her career as a Music Director at KRBE in Houston, Broz’s solid leadership skills were honed by holding key positions in several pop music departments including Columbia; Island, Def Jam Records / Universal Music Group and Arista Records. Additionally, Cheryl played an integral role in developing the game-changing “Music Reactive Department” at EMI Christian Music Group where she led the promotion efforts for the entire EMI/CMG roster to all mainstream formats.
During her career, Broz has been instrumental in breaking records for superstar artists including Justin Bieber, Alessia Cara, Rihanna, Leona Lewis, American Authors, Usher, Pink, Outcast, Avril Lavigne, Dido, P. Diddy, Sarah McLachlan, Stacie Orrico, Santana, Steven Curtis Chapman, Toby Mac, Thousand Foot Krutch, Anberlin and others.
“I have always been passionate about the artists and records that I have had the privilege to represent. I am excited for the opportunity to take a leadership role in promoting and marketing Curb’s music to a wider audience at radio,” comments Broz on her new position.
Most recently, Broz was the Exclusive Consultant & Independent Promotion for Adult and Alternative formats for Def Jam / Universal Music Group.
Broz can be reached at: cbroz@curb.com or 615-293-9867.
For King & Country Take Artist, Group/Duo, And Song Of The Year At K-LOVE Fan Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughFor KING & COUNTRY Credit: Jason Davis/Getty Images for K-LOVE
For KING & COUNTRY were the big winners at the 2017 K-LOVE Fan Awards at the Grand Ole Opry, which was broadcast for the first-time ever in 500+ movie theaters across the country through Fathom Events. The duo took home trophies for Artist of the Year, Duo of the Year and Song of the Year with “Priceless,” at the fifth annual awards, which were hosted by Matthew West and Elisabeth Hasselbeck.
Among the others honored during the evening were Danny Gokey for Male Artist of the Year, Lauren Daigle for Female Artist of the Year, Big Daddy Weave for Worship Song of the Year with “The Lion And The Lamb” and Zach Williams for Breakout Single of the Year with “Chain Breaker.”
Big Daddy Weave, Britt Nicole, Colton Dixon, Crowder, Danny Gokey, for KING & COUNTRY, Jesus Culture, Mandisa, Matthew West, MercyMe, Natalie Grant, Tauren Wells, Zach Williams and more performed during the evening as well.
Unique this year was the new partnership between K-LOVE and the Military Warriors Support Foundation, which resulted in two military heroes and their families being awarded move-in ready, mortgage free homes through the partnership.
K-LOVE Fan Awards Winners:
Artist of the Year – for KING & COUNTRY
Male Artist of the Year – Danny Gokey
Female Artist of the Year – Lauren Daigle
Group/Duo of the Year – for KING & COUNTRY
Worship Song of the Year – Big Daddy Weave “The Lion and the Lamb”
Song of the Year – for KING & COUNTRY “Priceless”
Breakout Single of the Year – Zach Williams “Chain Breaker”
Film/Television Impact Award – The Case For Christ
Book Impact Award – Levi Lusko
Sports Impact Award – Ben Zobrist
Crowder joined by K-LOVE artists. Credit: Jason Davis/Getty Images for K-LOVE
Third Man Records Signs Joshua Hedley
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jack White, Joshua Hedley
Nashville-based Third Man Records has signed country singer-songwriter Joshua Hedley. Hedley has been making country music since age 8, and has been a sideman for artists including Justin Townes Earle. Hedley has become a mainstay at Nashville clubs including Robert’s Western World.
He joins a roster that includes Margo Price, Lillie Mae, and Craig Brown, among others.
Third Man creator Jack White has had his own successes in the country market, with his work on Loretta Lynn’s Van Lear Rose album, and the American Epic companions Best of Country and Best of the Carter Family.
Hedley performed Tuesday evening (June 14) at The Basement East in Nashville.
BMI Promotes Mike Steinberg, Alison Smith
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI has promoted two members of its executive team.
Mike Steinberg has been elevated to EVP, Creative & Licensing, and will lead the newly-named Creative Group, which will encompass BMI’s songwriter and composer teams in Nashville, Atlanta, Los Angeles, New York, Puerto Rico and London, as well as the company’s strategic partnership division. Steinberg will continue to oversee BMI’s Licensing organization, driving all of BMI’s domestic revenue. Steinberg joined BMI in 1996 as Assistant VP of Business Affairs and Licensing and was ultimately promoted to SVP of the group in 2011.
Alison Smith has been promoted to EVP, Distribution, Publisher Relations and Administration Services, working closely with BMI’s publishers on their royalty distributions and administration needs, as well as streamlining the flow of information and developing new data streams, bonus structures and payment methodologies across all music platforms. She will continue to oversee all of BMI’s domestic and international royalty distribution and administration services to its more than 750,000 members. Smith began her career working as an assistant in BMI’s Nashville office and has subsequently held multiple roles of increasing responsibility throughout her 31-year tenure at the company.
Smith’s and Steinberg’s new roles reflect a restructuring of BMI’s Writer/Publisher department following the retirement of Phil Graham, BMI’s SVP of Writer/Publisher Relations, who announced earlier this year that he is leaving the company after a distinguished 40-year career.
Bonnaroo 2018 Dates Announced
/by Lorie HollabaughThe festival’s 16th year on the farm brought in over 65,000 attendees watching music over the four-day event including performances from U2, a super jam featuring Chance the Rapper performing Outkast’s “Hey Ya,” a bluegrass revival featuring the great Bobby Osborne, and the new Other stage which welcomed thousands of dancing revelers all weekend.
U2’s Bono professed his appreciation for the unique experience, saying “What an extraordinary thing Bonnaroo is. Thank you for naming it after me.”