Pictured (L-R): Rising Women On The Row 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 559
Rising Women is rising up.
MusicRow’s sixth Rising Women on the Row celebration demonstrated that this annual event has evolved into a major date on the industry’s social calendar. It was completely sold out, with nearly 500 attendees packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Omni Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (April 25).
The crowd was a who’s-who of Music Row with tables sold to such power players as CAA, WME, UMG, the ACM, BMG, Sony-ATV, Black River, FBMM and presenting sponsor City National Bank. Mayor Megan Barry put it on her calendar for the first time.
“Music contributes $10 billion to our economy every year, and you make it happen,” Barry told the assembled multitude. To the women in attendance, she added, “You are breaking glass ceilings. All of you are changing the profile of what little girls can be. If you can see it, be it.
“I am glad that you are here supporting each other. We take conflict and turn it into conversation. And we take conversation and turn it into action,” concluded Nashville’s first female mayor.
“We’re honoring female empowerment,” said host Sherod Robertson. “Hopefully, you’re feeling a love fest. Each year, we’re growing and growing.”
Rising Women video greetings came from such mega talents as Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, supermodel Taylor Hill and Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra. The featured speaker was Tri Star CEO and business manager to the superstars Lou Taylor. She was ably interviewed on stage by Robertson.
Featured Speaker Lou Taylor (of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment) is interviewed by MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Taylor was witty, wise and warm. “Success traits come down to two disciplines, thought and action,” she observed. “Practice professional courage,” she advised. “Don’t be above being coached: I’m 51, and I’m coached and trained every day.”
Each of the honorees offered words of wisdom as well. “Powering through what you do: That’s the way we do it; that’s the way we rise,” said Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance.
“I’m struck by the word ‘example,’ and I see so many in front of me,” said Virginia Davis of G Major Management. Her clients include Thomas Rhett, Jewel and Danielle Bradbery. “I thank the honorees for being examples. We have so much to learn from one another.”
“Surround yourself with good people,” suggested Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment. Her clients include Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell and Kelleigh Bannon. “I still pinch myself when I come to work every day: I can’t believe I get to do this.” Quoting her idol Dolly Parton, she concluded, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”
Kella Farris is the founder of the business management firm Farris, Self & Moore. “This is like my friends and family,” she said as she gazed at the room. “It’s awesome to be here this morning.”
“Your friendships are the greatest gifts this industry has given me,” said Laura Hutfless to the attendees. She is the co-founder of the marketing agency FlyteVu.
MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson welcomes the crowd for the sixth annual Rising Women On The Row event. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Magic Mustang/BMG publisher Juli Newton-Griffith said, “I don’t feel like I belong, but thank you for having me….with this amazing, amazing group of women.
“Obviously, the key to success is to love what you do,” she added. “Wake up. Show up. You never know when it’s going to be your million-dollar day.”
The Rising Women entertainment was music by Kalie Shorr, one of the key figures of the Song Suffragettes showcase series. This female gathering of songwriters sells out its shows every Monday night at The Listening Room Cafe.
“Twenty artists have received publishing deals through Song Suffragettes, and six have gotten label deals,” said CMT’s Leslie Fram in her introduction of Shorr, who was a CMT Artist Discovery in 2016.
The singer-songwriter began her three-song set with the very event-appropriate “Fight Like a Girl.” To date, this song has generated 1.6 million Spotify streams. Shorr’s just released EP Slingshot also includes “Nothing New.”
Her third song was a brilliantly arranged mash-up of “When I Think About Angels” and “Delta Dawn.” Jamie O’Neal co-wrote and recorded the first-named hit. She joined Kalie Shorr on stage to duet on both songs.
Alpha females in the breakfast crowd included Lori Badgett, Becky Harris, Alison Jones, Teri Brown, Debbie Linn, Lisa Harless, Whitney Daane, Stacy Schlitz, Judi Turner, Pam Matthews and Diane Pearson.
As the years have gone by, more and more men have been coming to Rising Women on the Row. Tuesday’s appreciative and applauding attendees included Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Dale Bobo, Troy Tomlinson, Woody Bomar, Justin Levenson, Rod Essig, Todd Cassetty, Tom Luteran and Rob Beckham.
Kalie Shorr performs. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.
Faith Hill’s New Talk Show With Kellie Pickler Set For September Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughFaith Hill
Faith Hill has created a new daytime talk show hosted by Kellie Pickler and New York City journalist Ben Aaron that will debut Sept. 18. First reported on by MusicRow back in 2015, the new lifestyle show will focus on topics like cooking, entertainment, home decor, gardening, beauty, and fashion, and will debut in 20 Scripps TV markets and be distributed in national syndication by Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. The show films in Nashville.
“We will bring a little bit of southern charm and inspiration to our viewers, alongside insights from top tastemakers and experts in many areas,” said Hill. “Kellie is very much southern while Ben is everything New York – complete opposites but together their chemistry is magic and our viewers are going to love them.”
“Our vision for this show is to deliver the best of lifestyle content with two very talented and charismatic hosts,” said Executive Producer Lisa Erspamer. “We are excited about combining an entertaining show with a unique shop-ability factor – viewers will be able to buy items they see on set while watching the show.”
Hill shares executive producer credits with former Oprah Winfrey Show executive producer Erspamer and Sandbox Entertainment president and CEO Jason Owen, in partnership with the E.W. Scripps Company.
Shania To Release First New Album In 15 Years This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Credit: Trae Patton/NBC
Shania Twain is back with a brand new single, “Life’s About To Get Good,” due out in June, and she’ll debut the new song for fans during a headlining set Saturday night at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California. In September, Twain also plans to release her first new album in 15 years. The superstar revealed the big news during her appearance on NBC’s The Voice Monday night (April 24), where she served as a first-time-ever fifth judge on the show and key advisor to the remaining contestants.
When writing “Life’s About to Get Good,” Shania explains, “I was at home looking out at the ocean and I said to myself, ‘Here I am stuck in this past of negativity, but it’s so beautiful out. I’m not in the mood to write a ‘feeling-sorry-for-myself’ song.” The songwriter recognized that with all of the negative in life also comes the positive. “You can’t have the good without the bad. And that’s what the song ended up being about.”
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Shania remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her Grammy-winning, double diamond-selling 1995 release,The Woman in Me; Come On Over, is the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with over 40 million units sold worldwide.
In Pictures: MusicRow Celebrates Sixth Annual ‘Rising Women On The Row’ Event
/by Jessica NicholsonCity National Bank staff members pose at MusicRow‘s sixth annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography
MusicRow proudly recognized six Nashville music industry honorees during its sixth annual Rising Women on the Row ceremony on Tuesday, April 25 at Omni Nashville Hotel. City National Bank served as Presenting Sponsor, as it has since the event’s inception.
Pictured (L-R): 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
The six honorees for 2017, who have become substantial contributors and visionary leaders, were Kella Farris, Business Manager, Farris, Self & Moore; Juli Newton-Griffith, VP, Magic Mustang/BMG; Kerri Edwards, President, KP Entertainment; Laura Hutfless, CEO and Founding Partner, FlyteVu Agency; Virginia Davis, Managing Partner and Artist Manager, G Major Entertainment; and Tatum Allsep, Founder/Executive Director, Music Health Alliance.
Expanding to a larger ballroom at the hotel, the ceremony held its largest crowd to date, with nearly 500 attendees.
Pictured (L-R): Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Pictured (L-R): Tri Star Sports and Entertainment’s Lou Taylor with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry attended the Rising Women on the Row breakfast and welcomed the guests with a heartfelt message of empowerment. Featured speaker Lou Taylor, CEO of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, delivered a 20-minute conversation with MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson on stage.
Kalie Shorr. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography
Pictured (L-R): Artists Kalie Shorr and Jamie O’Neal with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
CMT’s Leslie Fram was on hand to introduce a special performance from Song Suffragette Kalie Shorr to conclude the event. Shorr offered music from her EP, Slingshot.
For a full overview of the event, read Robert K. Oermann’s recap here.
Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography
2017 Rising Women on the Row honoree Laura Hutfless. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography
Bobby Karl Works The Room: MusicRow’s Sixth Annual Rising Women On The Row Breakfast
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Rising Women On The Row 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 559
Rising Women is rising up.
MusicRow’s sixth Rising Women on the Row celebration demonstrated that this annual event has evolved into a major date on the industry’s social calendar. It was completely sold out, with nearly 500 attendees packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Omni Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (April 25).
The crowd was a who’s-who of Music Row with tables sold to such power players as CAA, WME, UMG, the ACM, BMG, Sony-ATV, Black River, FBMM and presenting sponsor City National Bank. Mayor Megan Barry put it on her calendar for the first time.
“Music contributes $10 billion to our economy every year, and you make it happen,” Barry told the assembled multitude. To the women in attendance, she added, “You are breaking glass ceilings. All of you are changing the profile of what little girls can be. If you can see it, be it.
“I am glad that you are here supporting each other. We take conflict and turn it into conversation. And we take conversation and turn it into action,” concluded Nashville’s first female mayor.
“We’re honoring female empowerment,” said host Sherod Robertson. “Hopefully, you’re feeling a love fest. Each year, we’re growing and growing.”
Rising Women video greetings came from such mega talents as Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, supermodel Taylor Hill and Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra. The featured speaker was Tri Star CEO and business manager to the superstars Lou Taylor. She was ably interviewed on stage by Robertson.
Featured Speaker Lou Taylor (of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment) is interviewed by MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Taylor was witty, wise and warm. “Success traits come down to two disciplines, thought and action,” she observed. “Practice professional courage,” she advised. “Don’t be above being coached: I’m 51, and I’m coached and trained every day.”
Each of the honorees offered words of wisdom as well. “Powering through what you do: That’s the way we do it; that’s the way we rise,” said Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance.
“I’m struck by the word ‘example,’ and I see so many in front of me,” said Virginia Davis of G Major Management. Her clients include Thomas Rhett, Jewel and Danielle Bradbery. “I thank the honorees for being examples. We have so much to learn from one another.”
“Surround yourself with good people,” suggested Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment. Her clients include Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell and Kelleigh Bannon. “I still pinch myself when I come to work every day: I can’t believe I get to do this.” Quoting her idol Dolly Parton, she concluded, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”
Kella Farris is the founder of the business management firm Farris, Self & Moore. “This is like my friends and family,” she said as she gazed at the room. “It’s awesome to be here this morning.”
“Your friendships are the greatest gifts this industry has given me,” said Laura Hutfless to the attendees. She is the co-founder of the marketing agency FlyteVu.
MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson welcomes the crowd for the sixth annual Rising Women On The Row event. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow
Magic Mustang/BMG publisher Juli Newton-Griffith said, “I don’t feel like I belong, but thank you for having me….with this amazing, amazing group of women.
“Obviously, the key to success is to love what you do,” she added. “Wake up. Show up. You never know when it’s going to be your million-dollar day.”
The Rising Women entertainment was music by Kalie Shorr, one of the key figures of the Song Suffragettes showcase series. This female gathering of songwriters sells out its shows every Monday night at The Listening Room Cafe.
“Twenty artists have received publishing deals through Song Suffragettes, and six have gotten label deals,” said CMT’s Leslie Fram in her introduction of Shorr, who was a CMT Artist Discovery in 2016.
The singer-songwriter began her three-song set with the very event-appropriate “Fight Like a Girl.” To date, this song has generated 1.6 million Spotify streams. Shorr’s just released EP Slingshot also includes “Nothing New.”
Her third song was a brilliantly arranged mash-up of “When I Think About Angels” and “Delta Dawn.” Jamie O’Neal co-wrote and recorded the first-named hit. She joined Kalie Shorr on stage to duet on both songs.
Alpha females in the breakfast crowd included Lori Badgett, Becky Harris, Alison Jones, Teri Brown, Debbie Linn, Lisa Harless, Whitney Daane, Stacy Schlitz, Judi Turner, Pam Matthews and Diane Pearson.
As the years have gone by, more and more men have been coming to Rising Women on the Row. Tuesday’s appreciative and applauding attendees included Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Dale Bobo, Troy Tomlinson, Woody Bomar, Justin Levenson, Rod Essig, Todd Cassetty, Tom Luteran and Rob Beckham.
Kalie Shorr performs. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.
Charlie Worsham Celebrates New Album With Station Inn Party
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Charlie Worsham, and John Oates. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
Charlie Worsham celebrated the release of his new album Beginning of Things Monday afternoon (April 24) at a bash at the Station Inn, where he performed a set of brand new songs, including his current single “Cut Your Groove,” for friends and industry members. Two of Worsham’s mentors, Vince Gill and John Oates, were on hand for the fun, along with Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito and Worsham’s Warner Music Group family.
Charlie Worsham with WMN’s John Esposito. Photo: Alan Poizner
Pandora Teams With Goldenvoice To Livestream Stagecoach Country Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonPandora has teamed with Goldenvoice to host an exclusive livestream of performances from the upcoming Stagecoach Country Music Festival, slated for April 28-30 in Indio, California.
Performances and artist interviews will be available throughout the festival at pandora.com/stagecoachfestival. The station will be co-hosted by Pandora’s country, rock and Americana curators, Rachel Whitney and Eric Shea.
“With over 60 million listeners every year, Country fans are one of the biggest, most engaged and loyal audiences on Pandora,” said Nick Bartle, chief marketing officer at Pandora. “Partnering with Goldenvoice to livestream one of Country’s biggest events allows us to connect our listeners with this year’s amazing lineup of talent at Stagecoach for three days of exclusive live performances and content.”
Pandora’s audio livestream will feature the following performances:
Friday, April 28:
Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Randy Houser, Jon Pardi, Maddie & Tae, Elle King, Randy Rogers Band, Son Volt, William Michael Morgan, Justin Townes Earl, Anderson East, Dylan Scott, Ryan Hurd, Quiet Life, Bailey Bryan
Saturday, April 29:
Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Willie Nelson and Family, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Tucker Beathard, Nikki Lane, Robert Ellis, Brent Cobb, John Doe, Traveller, Jonathan Tyler, Brooke Eden, The Walcotts, Ruston Kelly, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Black Pistol Fire, Jackie Lee
Sunday, April 30:
Thomas Rhett, Tyler Farr, Cam, Cowboy Junkies, The Cadillac Three, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Terry Allen, Steep Canyon Rangers, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, Kiefer Sutherland, LANco, Levi Hummon, Courtney Cole, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Dan Layus
LifeNotes: Mega Manager Sandy Gallin Dies
/by Robert K OermannSandy Gallin Photo: sandygallin.com
Sara Evans’ New Indie Label Takes Flight
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Craig Dunn – Collective Artist Management, Bob Morelli – President, Sony RED, Sara Evans – Artist / Founder of Born To Fly Records, Alan Becker – SVP, Product Development, Sony RED. Photo Courtesy: Sony RED
Sara Evans has launched her own label, Born To Fly Records, named for her chart-topping single and double platinum album, and will be releasing her next album project on the new label. Distributed via Sony Red, the new album, her eighth studio project, is due out this summer.
“I’m extremely excited to be launching this venture and I love that the label is ‘Born To Fly.’ I wrote that song about my own life, coming to Nashville and following my dreams,” said Evans. “It’s a dream come true to surround myself with my own team and truly embrace my entrepreneurial spirit, taking complete control of my career and brand is so freeing. I can’t wait to share this new project with everyone!”
Details about the new album will be released in the coming weeks.
John Berry To Share ‘Songs And Stories’ In New Television Show
/by Jessica NicholsonSongs and Stories With John Berry will highlight the the songs and music that have inspired artists and careers. The first season will feature Berry and guests Billy Ray Cyrus, Craig Morgan, Clay Walker, Suzy Bogguss, Mo Pitney, Neal McCoy, Billy Dean, and more.
The idea began in 2001 as a two-week run of shows, and has developed into two years of concerts, and two-disc CD set (released in 2003), a short story book (2012), and now a television program.
“As an artist whose life and career direction was profoundly changed by a song, I am thrilled to bring the world an opportunity to see and hear firsthand from some of my friends and fellow artists the stories surrounding the importance of some of their favorite and most meaningful songs,” says Berry. “For me and so many others, songs help us express what we feel inside and stories are the inspiration for the song that lies within.”
Admission to the live show tapings is free and on a first-come, first-serve basis. Douglas Corner is located at 2106 8th Ave. S. in Nashville.
“Songs And Stories with John Berry” Taping Schedule:
Monday, May 15
5:00 pm: Billy Dean
7:00 pm: Mo Pitney
9:00 pm: Neal McCoy
Tuesday, May 16
5:00 pm: Suzy Bogguss
7:00 pm: Collin Raye
9:00 pm: Craig Morgan
Wednesday, May 17
5:00 pm: Mark Wills
7:00 pm: Delbert McClinton
9:00 pm: Billy Ray Cyrus
Thursday, May 18
5:00 pm: Jason Crabb
7:00 pm: Clay Walker
9:00 pm: Lee Roy Parnell
MusicRowPics: OSMR Brings The Party With “Sweet Life”
/by Jessica NicholsonSongwriter/producer Danny Myrick with OSMR
Country group OSMR led by Round Hill Music writer Marcus Kiser, along with Brent Lain and Brian Smith, revel in “making their own rules, one song, one sip at a time” on their new single, “Sweet Life.”
This group seems to live by the “making their own rules” tenant when it comes to career decisions as well.
Instead of pursuing the traditional model of playing several showcases around Nashville in an attempt lure in label interest, the band has signed on to open a string of shows for The Cadillac Three in May.
“I’ve done a couple of acoustic versions of the songs, but we haven’t played them full-band yet,” Kiser says. The band has been in the studio prepping their upcoming EP Sweet Life with Round Hill writer/producer Danny Myrick.
Myrick added, “We didn’t want to do the same old thing, so this opportunity came up and we thought it was a great opportunity. We’re also meeting with labels to let them hear the music for the first time. If they want to do the in-town showcases we can, and they have, but it will be cool for labels to come see them in front of real fans and doing normal shows.”
During a recent visit to the MusicRow office, the band played a trio of tracks from the EP, including “Back Pocket,” as well as the title track and “Looking at You.” Jimmy Robbins, Kiser and Myrick co-wrote “Sweet Life.”
The only outside cut from their upcoming EP, “Back Pocket,” came courtesy of an accidental song pitch. After one session, The Cadillac Three’s Neil Mason intended to send Kiser a demo they had recently worked on.
“He sent it to me and I was like, ‘Um, that’s not the track I just sang on.’ He said, ‘Oh, sorry, I sent you the wrong song.’ But it was a song he and Ryan Hurd had written with Aaron Eshuis. I said, ‘Is this a song pitch? Because I really think we could do this song.’ I sent to everyone else and they loved it. And Ryan Hurd killed the demo, he was amazing.”
OSMR’s EP, Sweet Life, releases April 28.