Razor & Tie Music Publishing is doubling down on the Nashville music market, announcing six recently-signed additions to its roster. The new signings include Ian Fitchuk, Peter Groenwald, Jill Andrews, Jeremy Lutito, Danny Orton, and Andy Skib.
The music publishing company will celebrate its new signings with the “Razor & Tie Family Jam,” a live show featuring new artists and backed by a band nearly exclusively made of Razor & Tie writers and musicians. The show will take place June 6 beginning at 6 p.m. at Nashville venue The Back Corner (located on 5th Avenue North).
Razor & Tie Music Publishing VP Creative, Brad Kennard, says of the signings, “Nashville has become a convergence point for musical talent – it is where genres can collide with positive results, great songs get written and exciting tracks gets produced. The Razor & Tie Publishing team is thrilled to be working with this diverse group of newly signed writers – and we are already off to the races.”
Since opening in 2007, Razor & Tie Music Publishing has been fiercely devoted to representing multiple genres of music, and the relocation of the company’s Nashville office to its current SoBro residence.
More about Razor & Tie’s newest writers:
Ian Fitchuk
Fitchuk moved to Nashville in 2000 to study jazz piano at Belmont University, when he was recruited by a local jam band to go on the road. He later began working with Griffin House. Fitchuk has written and produced with Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Andrew Combs, Lucie Silvas, Mindy Smith, and more. He has also collaborated with Kesha, Cam, Brothers Osborne, Amy Grant, Buddy Miller and more. He has had a track featured in an advertisement for Google and has had several songs placed on the television show Nashville.
Peter Groenwald
Groenwald moved to Nashville after graduating high school and soon joined with MCA group Llama, playing keyboards and offering background vocals for John Mayer and O.A.R. During his 10 years on the road, he made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brian and performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium. In 2011, he self-produced and released the EP Sweet Science. He has produced songs and records for Liz Longley, Holley Maher, Adam Agin, Jill Andrews and Zoe Sky Jordan. His writing credits include songs by Mindy Smith, Sarah Siskind, Amy Stroup, K.S. Rhoads, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Matthew Perryman Jones.
Jill Andrews
Andrews offers a mix of pop, indie rock, and Appalachian sounds on her newest solo record, The War Inside. She has toured with The Avett Brothers, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors and Mandolin Orange, as well as headlined her own shows. Andrews also recently released singles such as “The End of Everything” and “Lost It All” which have received numerous placements in popular television shows including Nashville, Teen Wolf and Finding Carter. Additionally, she wrote and performed the theme song to the hit TV series Wynonna Earp.
Jeremy Lutito
Colorado native and emerging producer/writer, Lutito got his start as an in-demand session drummer working with a wide range of artists such as Jack White, Michael Kiwanuka, Ingrid Michaelson, Mat Kearney and Marc Broussard.
In 2012 he jumped into the producer chair and within 4 years wrote and produced 2 albums with his own band, Leagues. Since 2016, Jeremy has produced tracks for the band Colony House, as well as The New Respects and Joseph Lemay. He also produced and mixed the first recordings in 38 years for the late Chuck Berry, which will be released this summer. Lutito is currently collaborating with artists such as The Lone Bellow, Sam Tinnesz, Who is Fancy, Erin McCarley and Nawas, among others.
Danny Orton
Orton is a country songwriter and producer; active since the late ’90s, as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Dan+Shay, Michael Ray, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Pat Green, Love and Theft, and more.
His credits include the No. 1 single “Stand” by Rascal Flatts as well as others by the hit group, including “Too Good Is True” and “Like I Am.” His work includes the No. 2 single “Fall Into Me” by Emerson Drive; and the No. 12 single “Let Me” by Pat Green.
He has also written for Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire, and Chicago, among others. Orton co-wrote and co-produced “19 You and Me” (RIAA Platinum) and “Show You Off,” the first two singles for Dan + Shay, along with co-producing 10 out of the 12 songs on their debut record.
Andy Skib
Tulsa, Oklahoma native Skib grew up fronting his regional rock band Midwest Kings, where he later went on to join American Idol winner, David Cook’s band on guitar/piano/background vocals from 2008-2014. Shortly after moving to Nashville from Los Angeles in January of 2013, Andy joined Dan + Shay’s touring band playing guitar/piano/bgvs.
Eventually, he left the touring life and went on to focus on producing and writing in Nashville, earning production credit on Brett Eldredge’s 2017 single “Something I’m Good At” from his self titled album, as well as, “No Stopping You” from the same album.
Big Machine Music Celebrates Fifth Birthday At The Top Of The Chart
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): BMM’s Jillian Whitefield (Assistant, Publishing), Alex Heddle (Senior Director, Publishing), Mike Molinar (General Manager) and Michelle Attardi (Manager, Publishing) Photo Courtesy of Big Machine Music
Big Machine Music is celebrating its five-year anniversary with some pretty big numbers. Since launching in 2012, the indie publisher has racked up nine No. 1 hits and 16 Top 10 singles at country radio, and the company is currently celebrating three weeks on top of the charts with back-to-back No. 1’s with Brett Young’s “In Case You Didn’t Know” and Luke Combs’ “Hurricane,” which held the position for two weeks.
The company is poised to add to its hit total as well, with the Jonathan Singleton-penned “Yours If You Want It” (recorded by Rascal Flatts,) and Laura Veltz’s “I Could Use A Love Song” (performed by Maren Morris) currently climbing the charts.
“These first five years have been fun, fulfilling and everything that someone who loves songs and songwriters could hope for,” said BMM General Manager Mike Molinar. “I’m proud of what our incredibly talented songwriters and team continue to accomplish and the musical legacy we are creating. Thanks to Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, our colleagues, partners and friends for their support!”
The BMM roster also includes Justin Moore, Joe Don Rooney (of Rascal Flatts), Maddie & Tae, Josh Thompson, Nathan Barlowe, Jessie Joe Dillon, Tara Thompson, Tucker Beathard, Trent Harmon, Lauren Jenkins, Johan Lindbrandt and Emily Landis. The company has also topped the charts with “Any Ol’Barstool,” “Girl In A Country Song,” “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” “Sleep Without You,” “Drunk Last Night,” “Til My Last Day” and “Lettin’ The Night Roll.”
(L-R): BMM writers Jessie Jo Dillon and Laura Veltz with Maren Morris at the 2nd Annual AIMP Nashville Awards who were honored with the Publisher’s Pick Award for co-penning “Rich.” Photo credit- Rick Diamond – Getty Images
Industry Ink: Shoebox Music Publishing Opens In Berry Hill, 117 Entertainment Signings, Demolition Music Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonShoebox Music Publishing Opens Berry Hill Complex, Signs Eric Varnell
Pictured (L to R): Liz Morin (Showbiz-Ro Music), Ira Dewitt (Owner, Shoebox Publishing), Eric Varnell, Billy Decker, Ronna Reeves (Showbiz-Ro Music)
Shoebox Music Publishing has opened a new entertainment complex in Nashville’s Berry Hill area, and will also be involved in artist development, showcasing and recording. As well as housing its publishing division, Shoebox also has a full-fledged recording studio, featuring one of Nashville’s only Neve VR consoles, and a live outdoor performance venue for events and showcases. Day to day operations will be handled by joint creative directors Ronna Reeves and Liz Morin.
Shoebox Music Publishing, founded by Nashville mixing engineer Billy Decker and Notifi Records founder Ira Dewitt, has also signed Eric Varnell to its publishing roster.
“Varnell is the perfect fit for a company steeped as heavily into pop music as it is in country,” Dewitt said.
117 Entertainment Signs Bobby Bare
Country Music Hall of Fame Member Bobby Bare, as well as the Hypermedia Nashville label, have joined the 117 Entertainment roster for exclusive publicity representation. Former Webster PR Manager Zach Farnum launched the public relations company, which also represents former Three Dog Night member Chuck Negron, earlier this year.
Bare released his newest studio album Things Change last week. The album’s 10 tracks includes songs penned by Bare, with Mary Gauthier, Guy Clark and Max T. Barnes, who also produced the album. Chris Stapleton appears for a collaboration on Bare’s signature hit “Detroit City,” which earned a Grammy in 1964.
Demolition Music Publishing Signs John Milstead
Pictured (L-R): Demolition President, Jon D’Agostino, Consultant & plugger, Steve Bloch, John Milstead, Michael August, Demolition Creative Manager, Shane Barrett, Song plugger.
Demolition Music Publishing has signed its newest songwriter, John Milstead, to an exclusive publishing deal.
“John is an amazingly multi-talented writer who gives our team a flavor we don’t have. We are all very excited to get into our writing rooms with him,” according to Demolition president, Jon D’Agostino.
When asked about the new partnership with Dewitt, Decker said, “Hey, if the shoe fits.”
Chris Stapleton On Road To Recovery Following Finger Injury
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton posted a message to fans updating them on his condition and thanking them for their support and understanding following the postponement of three weeks worth of dates on his All-American Road Show Tour. The singer explains he is recovering from a broken bone and detached tendon in his right index finger, which will require physical therapy.
On his Facebook page, Stapleton writes: “I want to thank you for all of the positive thoughts and kind words you have shared over the last few days. The doctor is hopeful that with some physical therapy I will be playing guitar again soon. Right now, I can’t possibly give you guys the show you deserve. I always want to give you my very best. There is little in this world that I enjoy more than getting to make music with all of you night after night. Thank you for the privilege. Your support and understanding through all of this lets me know now, more than ever, I have the best fans in the world.”
Following the injury Stapleton was forced to postpone a string of shows from June 1-June 17, and cancel a CMA Music Fest appearance on June 11.
Weekly Chart Report 6/2/17
/by Alex ParryRazor & Tie Music Publishing Celebrates Six New Writer Signings
/by Jessica NicholsonThe music publishing company will celebrate its new signings with the “Razor & Tie Family Jam,” a live show featuring new artists and backed by a band nearly exclusively made of Razor & Tie writers and musicians. The show will take place June 6 beginning at 6 p.m. at Nashville venue The Back Corner (located on 5th Avenue North).
Razor & Tie Music Publishing VP Creative, Brad Kennard, says of the signings, “Nashville has become a convergence point for musical talent – it is where genres can collide with positive results, great songs get written and exciting tracks gets produced. The Razor & Tie Publishing team is thrilled to be working with this diverse group of newly signed writers – and we are already off to the races.”
Since opening in 2007, Razor & Tie Music Publishing has been fiercely devoted to representing multiple genres of music, and the relocation of the company’s Nashville office to its current SoBro residence.
More about Razor & Tie’s newest writers:
Ian Fitchuk
Fitchuk moved to Nashville in 2000 to study jazz piano at Belmont University, when he was recruited by a local jam band to go on the road. He later began working with Griffin House. Fitchuk has written and produced with Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves, Andrew Combs, Lucie Silvas, Mindy Smith, and more. He has also collaborated with Kesha, Cam, Brothers Osborne, Amy Grant, Buddy Miller and more. He has had a track featured in an advertisement for Google and has had several songs placed on the television show Nashville.
Peter Groenwald
Groenwald moved to Nashville after graduating high school and soon joined with MCA group Llama, playing keyboards and offering background vocals for John Mayer and O.A.R. During his 10 years on the road, he made appearances on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, Late Night with Conan O’Brian and performed at Red Rocks Amphitheater and the Ryman Auditorium. In 2011, he self-produced and released the EP Sweet Science. He has produced songs and records for Liz Longley, Holley Maher, Adam Agin, Jill Andrews and Zoe Sky Jordan. His writing credits include songs by Mindy Smith, Sarah Siskind, Amy Stroup, K.S. Rhoads, Wayne Kirkpatrick, and Matthew Perryman Jones.
Jill Andrews
Andrews offers a mix of pop, indie rock, and Appalachian sounds on her newest solo record, The War Inside. She has toured with The Avett Brothers, Drew Holcomb & the Neighbors and Mandolin Orange, as well as headlined her own shows. Andrews also recently released singles such as “The End of Everything” and “Lost It All” which have received numerous placements in popular television shows including Nashville, Teen Wolf and Finding Carter. Additionally, she wrote and performed the theme song to the hit TV series Wynonna Earp.
Jeremy Lutito
Colorado native and emerging producer/writer, Lutito got his start as an in-demand session drummer working with a wide range of artists such as Jack White, Michael Kiwanuka, Ingrid Michaelson, Mat Kearney and Marc Broussard.
In 2012 he jumped into the producer chair and within 4 years wrote and produced 2 albums with his own band, Leagues. Since 2016, Jeremy has produced tracks for the band Colony House, as well as The New Respects and Joseph Lemay. He also produced and mixed the first recordings in 38 years for the late Chuck Berry, which will be released this summer. Lutito is currently collaborating with artists such as The Lone Bellow, Sam Tinnesz, Who is Fancy, Erin McCarley and Nawas, among others.
Danny Orton
Orton is a country songwriter and producer; active since the late ’90s, as a songwriter, he has had his songs recorded by Dan+Shay, Michael Ray, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw, Reba McEntire, Pat Green, Love and Theft, and more.
His credits include the No. 1 single “Stand” by Rascal Flatts as well as others by the hit group, including “Too Good Is True” and “Like I Am.” His work includes the No. 2 single “Fall Into Me” by Emerson Drive; and the No. 12 single “Let Me” by Pat Green.
He has also written for Tim McGraw, Billy Ray Cyrus, Reba McEntire, and Chicago, among others. Orton co-wrote and co-produced “19 You and Me” (RIAA Platinum) and “Show You Off,” the first two singles for Dan + Shay, along with co-producing 10 out of the 12 songs on their debut record.
Andy Skib
Tulsa, Oklahoma native Skib grew up fronting his regional rock band Midwest Kings, where he later went on to join American Idol winner, David Cook’s band on guitar/piano/background vocals from 2008-2014. Shortly after moving to Nashville from Los Angeles in January of 2013, Andy joined Dan + Shay’s touring band playing guitar/piano/bgvs.
Eventually, he left the touring life and went on to focus on producing and writing in Nashville, earning production credit on Brett Eldredge’s 2017 single “Something I’m Good At” from his self titled album, as well as, “No Stopping You” from the same album.
Lyric Financial, Sony/ATV Offer Songwriters Access To Royalty Advances With New Virtual ATM
/by Jessica Nicholson“We are always looking for ways to provide the highest level of service to our songwriters,” said Sony/ATV Music Publishing Senior Vice President of Worldwide Administration, Dale Esworthy. “Giving our writers the ability to see their current earnings and access them 24/7 when needed is an important innovation that we are thrilled to provide. We are excited to be the first music publisher to offer the virtual ATM.”
“For the last two years, we have been working to automate what has historically been an extremely cumbersome manual advance process in the music industry,” says Lyric Financial Fonder and CEO Eli Ball. “The vATM is a simple, easy to use application that provides songwriters with a clear view of their available earnings and allows them to request advances in less than a minute. These basic tools will be invaluable to any music industry creative or company in budgeting and managing the ups and downs of their cash flow. The deal we have announced with Sony/ATV, the world’s largest music publisher, is a huge validation of the platform we have worked so hard to create. I applaud Sony/ATV for having the vision to make the vATM part of their SCORE platform.”
Nashville-based Lyric Financial was founded in 2007.
Jon Pardi To Headline CMT On Tour With Midland, Runaway June
/by Eric T. ParkerCapitol Records Nashville’s Jon Pardi is slated to headline CMT’s 16th annual CMT on Tour this fall, as revealed today (June 1) via Facebook Live. Officially billed as CMT On Tour Presents Jon Pardi’s Lucky Tonight Tour, Pardi’s special guests and friends will be Big Machine Records’ Midland and BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records’ Runaway June. Official dates for the tour have not been announced.
“To have Midland and Runaway June on the road with me this fall for the Lucky Tonight Tour, along with CMT, is awesome,” Pardi said. “When artists that are your friends join you on the road, a tour becomes really special. Everyone is in for a good time!”
Pardi’s set will feature selections from his breakout albums Write You a Song and California Sunrise, including his first No. 1 smash, the Platinum-selling “Head Over Boots,” his three-week No. 1 “Dirt on My Boots” and his current single “Heartache on the Dance Floor.”
Midland’s Mark Wystrach, Jess Carson and Cameron Duddy will feature music from their self-titled EP including their Top 15 single, “Drinkin’ Problem.”
Runaway June’s Naomi Cooke, Hannah Mulholland and Jennifer Wayne will introduce material from the their forthcoming debut along with their lead single “Lipstick” and current title “Wild West,” written with Wayne’s late grandfather John Wayne in mind. They are currently in the studio working on their full-length release for Big Machine Records.
This marks the third headlining tour for Pardi, who is quickly becoming a household name for music lovers with his distinct brand of classic country. Pardi is the reigning ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year, and he is nominated in the Breakthrough and the Video of the Year categories at the upcoming 2017 CMT Music Awards.
Since its 2002 inception, the CMT on Tour has transitioned many rising artists into superstar acts. The program’s previous headliners include Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Miranda Lambert, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Keith Urban, Jake Owen and Kip Moore.
Mark Your Calendar — June 2017
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
Grant Maloy Smith/I Come From America/Suburban Cowboy Records
June 5
Tim Elliott/Start Pourin’ Whiskey On It/Boggs River Entertainment
Jake Gill/Baby I’m On It/Probability Records
Kenny Chesney/All the Pretty Girls/Blue Chair Records
Jordan Davis/Singles You Up/MCA Nashville
June 12
Tim McDonald/Dad/Ranch King Records
Andy Ross/Playing In The Mud/Buck Shot Records
Brantley Gilbert/The Ones That Like Me/The Valory Music Co.
Granger Smith/Happens Like That/Wheelhouse Records
June 19
Blake Torrey/Last Night/Watterson Records
Lee Brice/Boy/Curb Records
Album Releases
Various/The Music Of Nashville, Season 5 Volume 2/Big Machine
Grant Maloy Smith/Dust Bowl – American Stories/Suburban Cowboy Records
June 2
Luke Combs/This One’s For You/River House Artists-Columbia Nashville
A Thousand Horses/BRIDGES [digital release]/BMLG Records
Beth Beighey/Wild [EP]
Wheeler Walker Jr./Ol’ Wheeler/Pepperhill
June 9
Lady Antebellum/Heart Break/Capitol Records Nashville
Glen Campbell/Adiós/UMe
The Secret Sisters/You Don’t Own Me Anymore/New West Records
Shannon McNally/Black Irish/Compass Records
Ray Scott/Guitar For Sale/The Holland Group-Sony-RED
Various/Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 10/Universal Music Group Nashville
Hillsong United/Wonder
June 16
Eli Young Band/Fingerprints/Valory Music Co.
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit/The Nashville Sound/Southeastern Records-Thirty Tigers
Cheap Trick/We’re All Alright!/Big Machine Records
Chuck Berry/Chuck/Dualtone Records
June 30
Jim Lauderdale/London Southern
Sons of the Palomino/Sons of the Palomino/3 Ring Circus
Industry Events
Innovation In Music Awards at The Westin in Nashville
June 7
CMT Music Awards
June 8
19th Annual SunTrust Hot Dog Day at the SunTrust Music Row location
June 8-11
June 28
MusicRow Awards (invitation only)
June 30
51st Annual CMA Awards applications due for Broadcast Awards at 6 p.m. CT.
Riser House Inks Distribution Deal With Sony RED
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R:) Stephanie Hudacek (Soundly), Jennifer Johnson (Riser House)
Back L-R: Samantha Cantu (Soundly), Jason VanAuken (Riser House), Kristen Ashley (Riser House), Dewayne Brown (RED), Megan Schultz (Riser House), Lexi Sutherland (Riser House)
Riser House Entertainment and Sony RED Music have joined forces in a global distribution deal for both digital and physical distribution. Riser House Records artist Mitchell Tenpenny will release the team’s first EP Linden Ave on July 14.
“Dewayne Brown and the Sony RED team have been excellent partners during our launch period,” says Riser House Records President Jennifer Johnson. “They have provided a wealth of knowledge in every facet of our building page. Stephanie Hudacek at Soundly Music is a force. If you don’t know her; you should.”
“We at Sony Red Music Entertainment are very proud to be in partnership with Jennifer Johnson and Riser House along with Stephanie Hudacek and Soundly Music for distribution of all future and present content,” says Sony RED Label & Artist Distribution and Development’s Dewayne Brown. “We feel that these two women hold the future as the new face of country music in Nashville.”
Riser House opened in October 2016, and has also worked with singer-songwriters including Michael Whitworth and Dallas Wilson.
Chris Tomlin Heads To Red Rocks, MercyMe Adds Lifer Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Tomlin To Rock Red Rocks Once Again
Chris Tomlin will head back to Denver’s iconic Red Rocks Amphitheater Wednesday, Sept. 6 for “Chris Tomlin: Worship At Red Rocks.” Expected to sell out as his previous Red Rocks dates have, tickets for the special night of worship will be available for pre-sale for a limited time beginning June 1 at 10 a.m. CST until June 2 at 10 a.m. CST using the pre-sale password “tomlin.” The official on-sale date is June 2. Tickets will be available at christomlin.com.
“Red Rocks is like no other venue in the world,” Tomlin said. “There’s nothing quite like singing to God while being surrounded by the beauty of His creation.”
MercyMe Adds East Coast Leg To Lifer Tour
“Lifer Tour”
* All dates subject to change.
October 7 – Reading, PA
October 8 – Cleveland, OH
October 12 – Evansville, IN
October 13 – Appleton, WI
October 14 – Peoria, IL
October 15 – Rosemont, IL
October 19 – Troy, OH
October 20 – Jamestown, NY
October 21 – Rochester, NY
October 22 – Binghampton, NY
October 26 – Jacksonville, FL
October 27 – TBA
October 28 – Pompano Beach, FL
October 29 – TBA