Mike McVay
This year’s Academy of Country Music (ACM) radio remotes, dubbed Westwood One Backstage at the ACMs, and slated for March 31-April 1, will feature live performances from some of country music’s rising stars each day.
BMLG group Delta Rae launched the event Thursday evening (March 30) with a pre-remote performance while BBR Music Group’s Walker McGuire is slated to perform on Friday (March 31) and a trio of Curb Records artists: Lee Brice, Mo Pitney and Jerrod Niemann will perform Saturday (April 1).
The radio remotes lead into the 52nd annual ACM Awards, which will be held at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, April 2 and broadcast live on CBS.
Cumulus/Westwood One Sr. VP/Content & Programming Mike McVay sees the performances as a win-win for both radio stations and artists.
“Not only will those artists have their music exposed and heard, but for the stations, it creates more of a showbiz atmosphere,” McVay tells MusicRow. “If you are a station and you are recording live back to your stations, you want the audience to have a feel for what is going on at the ACMs. You want almost that circus-like feeling, so having an artist perform at the end, so that the loud music is not interfering with everybody doing their local broadcasts, I think rewards the stations. It enables them to share with the audience what it feels like to be backstage at the ACMs.”
Stations will be able to use brief portions of the performances on-air if they choose.
Also new for the radio remotes this year is the location, as Westwood One Backstage at the ACMs moves from the MGM Grand to T-Mobile Arena’s Lucky Live Lounge. Meanwhile, the number of participating stations has been cut to 30 stations.
With nearly 100 artists expected to attend the remotes throughout the weekend, McVay says trimming the number of stations was a necessary move.
“It helps make sure we can let the artists have more time with each station,” says McVay. “Too many stations cuts down on the amount of time an artist can spend with each, and it would put an artist in the position sometimes where they would have to eliminate some stations or they would have to leave a station too soon. We didn’t want anyone left out and felt by having fewer stations we could make it a better quality and the stations are generally large market stations.”
Among those stations participating in Radio Row are Westwood One stations, Radio Disney, CBS Radio, and more. Among the artists participating are Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Michael Ray, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, the Backstreet Boys and more.
Westwood One will offer plenty of additional audio content to stations before and after the ACM Awards, including a one-hour red carpet special, a three-hour ACM Awards companion radio segment, and a one-hour post-show wrap-up, all hosted by Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith.
“In the past we have had special remotes. Then, in the evening radio people would be there watching the show. By connecting it, I think we made it more convenient for artists and radio stations, but it elevated the atmosphere,” McVay says.
Industry Ink: Spin Doctors, Plowboy Records, URP Music Distributors
/by Lorie HollabaughAngela Marpoe Named Northeast Regional For Spin Doctors
Plowboy Records Celebrates Fifth Anniversary With Special Show
Plowboy Records is commemorating its fifth anniversary with a party at 3rd & Lindsley on April 12. Artists scheduled to perform at the celebration include The Kentucky Headhunters, Blackfoot Gypsies, Bobby Bare, Fuel Injected Legends, Sylvain Sylvain, Eric Heatherly and Buzz Cason.
During the event, the family of Jim Ed Brown will be presented a custom-made CD plaque by Brown’s fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member and Plowboy Records alum Bobby Bare. Plowboy Records released Brown’s final studio album before he passed away in 2015.
Goldmine Inks Distribution Deal
“We’re excited to have URP Music Distributors as our magazine distributor to independent record stores across the country. As leaders in their field, they’re the perfect match for a publication such as Goldmine — a renowned magazine that has served music collectors for over forty years,” said Goldmine editor Patrick Prince.
Aaron Watson’s Big Label Records Adds Staff Members
/by Troy_StephensonAaron Watson‘s Big Label Records has announced the appointment of several promotion executives. Tony Morreale is named Head/Promotion along with Gwen Foster as the Director of West Coast promotion. Additionally, Brad Helton and Greg McCarn have been hired as contracted consultants. The label staff will report to Gino Genaro, who heads up Watson’s label operations in addition to all facets of his career.
Watson will continue to use Grassroots Promotions as well as Texas Record Chick Promotions’ Tami Millspaugh. Thirty Tigers/Sony RED remains as the distribution partner for Watson’s albums.
Watson was named the 2016 MusicRow Independent Artist of the Year at the CountryBreakout Awards this past February.
Alternative Returns To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsoniHeartMedia Nashville announced today the debut of the new ALT 97.5, Nashville’s Alternative station, effective at noon on Friday, March 31.
ALT 97.5 will broadcast music from artists like Green Day, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Coldplay, Imagine Dragons, Cage The Elephant, U2 and others. The station will also feature legendary local Alternative Rock on-air personalities Wells Adams, Gabby Sanderson and Battle. Additionally, ALT 97.5 will also serve as the new home for the Nashville Sounds baseball.
“We’re thrilled to bring ALT 97.5 to Nashville’s Alternative Rock fans,” said Rossi, Program Director for ALT 97.5. “ALT 97.5 is an alternative station with Nashville sensibilities. We’re excited to serve the community, which has such a loyal and passionate fan base.”
Full Programming Schedule:
Weekdays
6 – 10 a.m. Wells Adams
10 a.m. – 2 p.m. Rossi
2 – 7 p.m. Gabby Sanderson
Weekends
10 a.m. – 3 p.m. Battle
Secret Sisters Sign With New West, New Album Set For June 9
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Secret Sisters (Laura And Lydia Rogers) have signed to New West Records and are set to release their first new album in over three years, You Don’t Own Me Anymore, on June 9. The 12-song set was produced by Brandi Carlile and collaborators Tim and Phil Hanseroth.
NPR Music is premiering a new video for the album opener “Tennessee River Runs Low” today which features acclaimed Alabama artist Butch Anthony. The clip was shot on his 80-acre family compound where he hosts the “Doo Nanny,” an annual art/folk micro festival.
The duo’s return to recording follows a dark period for them after the release of their sophomore CD Put Your Needle Down in 2014. They lost their label deal and ultimately found themselves with barely enough money to stay on the road and keep making music.
“It was a nightmare that every day seemed to worsen,” says Laura. “We went through things we literally never thought we would come out of.”
To make ends meet, Laura took a job cleaning houses and the girls performed when they could, until Brandi Carlile offered to produce their next record. A PledgeMusic campaign raised half of their goal in just 48 hours, with fans coming forward to help them rebuild their career. Pouring their emotions from the struggle into the new project, the resulting songs of You Don’t Own Me Anymore focus on what happens in life when everything you think defines you is suddenly stripped away.
“The only way we could have completely healed was to have written an entire record,” says Laura. “I think we were just in the wrong parts of the machine,” says her sister. “We feel like we have learned where not to be, and where to go.”
The Secret Sisters will also tour in support of the new album beginning May 13th in their hometown of Florence, Alabama. You Don’t Own Me Anymore will be available digitally, on CD and vinyl, and is available for pre-order via PledgeMusic.
You Don’t Own Me Anymore Track Listing:
Brooke Meris Joins Curb Promotion Department
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Brooke’s passion for our artists and their music, as well as a genuine love of country radio make her an ideal fit for Curb Records,” said Curb VP/Promotion Ryan Dokke. “Her incredible background in radio, records, and management make her an asset to our team. I am confident that Brooke’s unique skill set will not only provide immediate support to our promotion staff but will be a huge resource to our company’s other departments as well as our artists and managers.”
“I am honored and couldn’t be more excited to work with the amazing team and artists at Curb,” said Meris. “It’s an exciting time to be a part of this legendary label, and I’m beyond thankful to Taylor Childress and Ryan Dokke for giving me this opportunity.”
In other department news, Curb Sr. Director of Promotion & Radio Initiatives, Andy Elliott, has resigned to pursue other career opportunities. Concurrently, Director of Southwest Promotion, Samantha DePrez will now shift her promotion duties to the Midwest.
ACM, Westwood One’s Radio Row Hits High Note With New Artist Performances
/by Jessica NicholsonMike McVay
This year’s Academy of Country Music (ACM) radio remotes, dubbed Westwood One Backstage at the ACMs, and slated for March 31-April 1, will feature live performances from some of country music’s rising stars each day.
BMLG group Delta Rae launched the event Thursday evening (March 30) with a pre-remote performance while BBR Music Group’s Walker McGuire is slated to perform on Friday (March 31) and a trio of Curb Records artists: Lee Brice, Mo Pitney and Jerrod Niemann will perform Saturday (April 1).
The radio remotes lead into the 52nd annual ACM Awards, which will be held at Las Vegas’ new T-Mobile Arena on Sunday, April 2 and broadcast live on CBS.
Cumulus/Westwood One Sr. VP/Content & Programming Mike McVay sees the performances as a win-win for both radio stations and artists.
“Not only will those artists have their music exposed and heard, but for the stations, it creates more of a showbiz atmosphere,” McVay tells MusicRow. “If you are a station and you are recording live back to your stations, you want the audience to have a feel for what is going on at the ACMs. You want almost that circus-like feeling, so having an artist perform at the end, so that the loud music is not interfering with everybody doing their local broadcasts, I think rewards the stations. It enables them to share with the audience what it feels like to be backstage at the ACMs.”
Stations will be able to use brief portions of the performances on-air if they choose.
Also new for the radio remotes this year is the location, as Westwood One Backstage at the ACMs moves from the MGM Grand to T-Mobile Arena’s Lucky Live Lounge. Meanwhile, the number of participating stations has been cut to 30 stations.
With nearly 100 artists expected to attend the remotes throughout the weekend, McVay says trimming the number of stations was a necessary move.
“It helps make sure we can let the artists have more time with each station,” says McVay. “Too many stations cuts down on the amount of time an artist can spend with each, and it would put an artist in the position sometimes where they would have to eliminate some stations or they would have to leave a station too soon. We didn’t want anyone left out and felt by having fewer stations we could make it a better quality and the stations are generally large market stations.”
Among those stations participating in Radio Row are Westwood One stations, Radio Disney, CBS Radio, and more. Among the artists participating are Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Michael Ray, Maren Morris, Kelsea Ballerini, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, the Backstreet Boys and more.
Westwood One will offer plenty of additional audio content to stations before and after the ACM Awards, including a one-hour red carpet special, a three-hour ACM Awards companion radio segment, and a one-hour post-show wrap-up, all hosted by Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith.
“In the past we have had special remotes. Then, in the evening radio people would be there watching the show. By connecting it, I think we made it more convenient for artists and radio stations, but it elevated the atmosphere,” McVay says.
Darius Rucker’s Backstage Southern Whiskey Debuts
/by Lorie HollabaughDarius Rucker is launching his own whiskey and bourbon brands, Backstage Southern Whiskey and Forbidden Bourbon. Rucker partnered with 843 to develop Backstage Southern Whiskey, and named the spirit after a long-standing tradition he’s had of collecting band mates, tour mates, and special guests together before each and every show to raise a glass of whiskey and toast to a great night’s show.
“That toast is a vital part of our nightly routine,” Rucker says. “It’s really about celebrating the opportunity to make music together. And Backstage Southern Whiskey is now a part of that important ritual that we can share with fans.”
Tagged with a label that looks like a backstage pass that reads “No curfew tonight – 11 a.m. bus call,” the new whiskey is being distributed by RNDC in Rucker’s home state of South Carolina, with distribution in Georgia, Kentucky and Tennessee to follow. Forbidden Bourbon is currently being crafted at Castle & Key Distillery (formerly Old Taylor Distillery) in Frankfort, Kentucky, by award-winning Master Distiller Marianne Barnes.
“I am truly excited about the brands that we are building,” Rucker says. “The product and brand development process has been a lot of fun and I look forward to sharing these great spirits with everyone.”
Weekly Chart Report (3/31/17)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
In Pictures: Tin Pan South Wednesday Shows With Kellie Pickler, Natalie Stovall, Ben Glover
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Mayor Megan Barry, Natalie Hemby, Barry Dean. Photo: instagram.com/creativenationmusic
Tin Pan South continued through night two of the 25th annual songwriter festival at various Nashville venues. Artist appearances include Kellie Pickler with husband Kyle Jacobs in addition to Ben Glover and Frank Rogers at 3rd & Lindsley.
The early show fun competed with Joe Denim and Love & Theft at the Hard Rock Cafe, with special guests including Natalie Stovall. Additionally Jeffrey Steele‘s The Circus at Station Inn featured Adam James, Anthony Smith and Davis Naish.
Late shows included the incredibly jam-packed Creative Nation showcase at The Listening Room with Natalie Hemby, Lori McKenna, Luke Laird and Barry Dean. Their freshman blood performed earlier at the venue, including Steve Moakler, Kassi Ashton and Muscadine Bloodline.
Creative Nation Team. Photo: instagram.com/lukerobert
Pictured (l-r): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Frank Rogers, Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs, Ben Glover, Dave Baker, and ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee, Robert Filhart and Kele Currier. Photo: Ed Rode
Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Tin Pan South
Pictured (L-R): Jeffrey Steele, Davis Naish, Adam James, Anthony Smith. Photo: instagram.com/anthonysmithhq
Pictured (L-R): Ben Glover, Frank Rogers, Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Kellie Pickler. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Leslie Fram, Mike McVay Named First Innovation In Music Awards Recipients
/by Jessica NicholsonMike McVay, Leslie Fram
The Innovation in Music Awards has announced Mike McVay, Senior Vice-President/Content & Programming for Cumulus Media and Westwood One, as the recipient of the Heritage Award in Innovation and Leslie Fram, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy at CMT, as the recipient of the Innovation in National Media Award.
The inaugural event will be held June 6 at the Westin Hotel in Nashville.
McVay oversees the programming of 450 radio stations and two radio networks. Mike is a 40-year programmer with consulting, management, ownership, sales, programming and on-air experience, as well as having developed and launched several nationally syndicated programs. He has programmed around the world as a consultant with more than 300 stations to his credit. Stations programmed or consulted include those in America, Canada, Mexico, United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Grand Cayman and Puerto Rico.
McVay is a recipient of the Rockwell Award, was ranked #4 among America’s Top-Programmers by Radio Ink magazine, is #14 on the Top-40 Most Powerful Broadcaster list from Radio Ink and he was named one of the Titans of Talk by NTS magazine every year 2012-2016. McVay was also recognized as Broadcast Executive of the Year for the now defunct Radio & Records Magazine (2006, 2007 and 2008). He is a member of the Country Radio Broadcasters board of directors, on the board of directors for the Country Music Association (CMA), a board member for the National Radio Hall of Fame & Museum, a Gracie Voter for the Alliance for Women in Media and is chairman of the Radio Show Steering Committee for the 2017 NAB/RAB Convention.
At CMT, Fram oversees all music integration with the CMT brand for original programs, CMT.com and video airplay across all platforms. Negotiating vital partnerships with label and indie acts for exclusive content and premieres, she spearheaded new avenues to reveal and showcase on-the-rise talent, per the development of the digital series “Concrete Country” and the movement of “Next Women of Country,” designed solely to empower the female voices of country music.
Fram also serves on the board of the Academy of Country Music and has received honors such as the TJ Martell Award, NARAS-Atlanta Chapter Heroes Award, and Lifetime Achievement Inductee in the Georgia Radio Hall of Fame.
Founder Of Innovation In Music Awards, CEO Cold River Records, Pete O’Heeron commented, “We are excited to start this event with such well-respected names as Mike McVay and Leslie Fram. They were the first two phone calls for our inaugural show. Mike’s lifetime of innovation in programming and Leslie’s innovative program Next Women Of Country Music make them a “slam dunk” for this event!”
Nominations for awards are being accepted and reviewed by the IMA selection committee. Nominations can be made through the Innovation Music Awards Nomination Form.