In Pictures: Cole Swindell, Michael Ray, Jake Owen, Billy Dean, Steve Moakler

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Cole Swindell Celebrates Number One And Gold

Back row, (L-R): Warner Music Nashville’s (WMN) Justin Luffman, WMN’s Kristen Williams,
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, WMN’s Katie Bright, WMN’s Chris Palmer.
Front row (L-R): Producer Michael Carter, WMN’s John Esposito, Cole Swindell, WMN’s Peter Strickland, WMN’s Cris Lacy, WMN’s Mallory Opheim Photo: Steve Lowry

Cole Swindell celebrated his sixth No. 1 single “Middle of a Memory,” and his RIAA gold-certified album You Should Be Here, at a party with friends and industry members last week.

You Should Be Here includes the Platinum-certified, multi-week No. 1, over 1 Billion-reaching smash single “You Should Be Here,” his Gold-certified multi-week No. 1 “Middle of a Memory” and his current single “Flatliner” which features his friend/current tour mate Dierks Bentley.

 

Michael Ray Counts Down The Hits With Helton

Michael Ray stopped by “Country Countdown USA” recently to discuss his latest single “Think A Little Less” with show host Lon Helton. The show will air this weekend.

 

Jake Owen And Bobby Bones Chat About Ascend Show

Jake Owen dropped by the studio to visit with Bobby Bones to announce his upcoming headlining date in Nashville on April 27 at Ascend Amphitheater.

 

Billy Dean Is Florida Hall Of Famer

Pictured (L-R): Don Felder, Billy Dean, Lee Bennett Hopkins, Florida Secretary of State Ken Detzner, Jim Stafford. Photo: Suzanna Mars/Gainesville Magazine

Billy Dean was inducted into the Florida Artists Hall of Fame Feb. 23 in Gainesville, Florida, along with former Eagles member Don Felder, country artist Jim Stafford, and poet/anthologist Lee Bennett Hopkins.

 

Steve Moakler Celebrates ‘Steel Town’ Album Release

Pictured (L-R): Band member Joe Clemmons, co-writer & producer Luke Laird, Steve Moakler and band member Daniel Shifftlett. Photo: CN Records

Steve Moakler celebrated his album release for Steel Town, Tuesday night (March 7) at The Country. Moakler performed songs from the new CD, including “Just Long Enough” which was co-written with Luke Laird and Barry Dean. The new album is available on March 17.

Melissa Etheridge To Perform On Skyville Live March 20

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Melissa Etheridge will perform as part of the latest installment of Skyville Live on March 20, during a special taping at the Skyville Live Studios in Nashville. The performers joining Etheridge will be announced in the coming days.

“Melissa Etheridge has such tremendous talent with her commanding stage presence, iconic voice and gift for songwriting. We cannot wait for her to join the list of legendary artists to grace the Skyville Live stage,” said Wally Wilson, creator of Skyville Live.

The show, which streams live, features unique collaborations such as Lady Antebellum, Jason Isbell, Jewel, Brandy Clark and Amanda Shires bringing down the house with Kris Kristofferson on his classic “Me and Bobby McGee” and Gladys Knight, Martina McBride and Estelle joining forces on a stirring rendition of the classic “Midnight Train to Georgia.”

For full details on how to stream the performance live, fans can visit SkyvilleLive.com.

 

 

 

Jack Purcell Joins EM.co

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Jack Purcell

Jack Purcell has joined management company EM.co as Sr. VP, Radio Promotion & Marketing. Purcell was previously Big Machine’s Sr. VP/Promotion.

In his new role, Purcell will “create and implement radio strategy” for EM.co’s artist roster, which includes Tim McGraw. The deal also involves working with Sandbox Management client Faith Hill.

“We are thrilled to add Jack to the EM.Co and Sandbox teams,” said Sandbox’s Jason Owen and EM.co’s Scott Siman. “He is one the most awarded radio executives and highly respected people in the industry and we look forward to working with him closely on new projects.”

Purcell joined Big Machine in 2006 as VP, Promotion and rose through the ranks to his current position in 2012. His career has also included 17 years at Warner Bros. and time at Adium/Koch.

Kris Lamb Named VP, Promotion For Big Machine Records

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Kris Lamb

Kris Lamb has been named Vice President of Promotion for the Big Machine Records imprint, effective immediately.

“Kris has been on a mission since the day he joined Big Machine as a regional in 2010,” said BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “There’s nothing that I love more than young, smart, aggressive employees coming into the system and working their way to the top. I am so proud of Kris Lamb! This next chapter of his career is going to be the most prolific yet. Tighten your seatbelts…”

“To have the opportunity to take the promotion helm of Big Machine Records is a dream come true,” said Lamb. “Being reunited with the incredible staff and artist roster of one of the most dominate and respected labels on the planet is the opportunity I’ve been preparing myself for since I was a young executive. I cannot thank Scott Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, Jimmy Harnen, and the entire staff of Big Machine Label Group enough for their trust and belief. The next chapter for Big Machine Records starts NOW.”

Lamb has been an invaluable member of the BMLG team over the past seven years with past roles including Senior Director of West Coast Promotion for Big Machine Records and most recently Vice President of Promotion for Dot Records. He has been integral in developing the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Steven Tyler, Rascal Flatts, Maddie & Tae, Drake White and Tucker Beathard.

He can be reached at 615.846.7750 or via kris.lamb@bmlg.net.

Little Big Town, CMA Foundation To Honor Music Teachers

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Little Big Town will help the CMA Foundation honor 31 teachers as 2017 CMA Music Teachers of Excellence, furthering its mission to support music education programs in Nashville and beyond.

Honorees will attend a celebratory dinner Wednesday, April 26 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville. Ticket proceeds will directly benefit the CMA Foundation. Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild serves on the CMA Foundation Board of Directors.

Now in its second year, CMA Music Teachers of Excellence recognizes music educators who are making an impact through music in their classrooms and school communities. 25 educators were selected from Metro Nashville Public Schools, with six additional recipients from across the U.S. who were selected through a partnership with Give a Note Foundation’s Music In Our Schools Tour with Radio Disney. These dedicated educators will each receive a stipend from the CMA Foundation in recognition of their work for their students and music programs.

The honors program was created in partnership with Metro Schools’ Music Makes Us initiative. Foundation funds are generated through CMA Music Festival ticket proceeds and presented on behalf of the artists who participate in the event for free.

“The CMA Foundation is committed to proactively addressing the challenges music education programs face, and there is no more meaningful or efficient way to do that than to honor these top music educators who are on the front lines, consistently making a difference in their students’ lives,” said Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Chairman.

The 2017 CMA Music Teachers of Excellence honorees are:

Jennifer Barnes (Lockeland Design Center)
Emily Biederstadt (Sylvan Park Paideia Design Center)
Rita Black (Eakin Elementary)
Christopher Blackmon (Thomas Edison Elementary)
M. Jennifer Burton (Cane Ridge Elementary School)
Bryan Gallagher (Ramona High School, Riverside, Calif.)
Matt Gerry (Salina South Middle School, Salina, Kan.)
Mark Hale (Mt. View Elementary)
Kathy Hart (Harpeth Valley Elementary School)
Daniel Hayes (Granbery Elementary)
John Hazlett (McGavock High School)
Kathy Hull (Hull-Jackson Montessori Magnet School)
Ira Jacobs (Head Middle Magnet Prep)
Kevin Jankowski (Oliver Middle School)
Julie Jolly (West End Middle School)
Lisa Kemp (Haywood Elementary)
Angela Mangum (Tar River Elementary, Franklinton, N.C.)
Melissa McClaran (Cane Ridge Elementary)
Anna Maria Miller (Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet High School/Martin Luther King Academic Magnet School)
Franklin Norris (Meigs Academic Magnet)
Colin O’Dwyer (James Otis Elementary, East Boston, Mass.)
Rebecca Pearson (Norman Binkley Elementary School)
Ramon Rivera (Wenatchee High School, Wenatchee, Wash.)
Roberta Rodgers (Glendale Elementary)
Alaina Schwartz (Crieve Hall Elementary)
Don Stinson (Joliet Central High School, Joliet, Ill.)
Matthew Taylor (Meigs Academic Magnet)
Elizabeth Voltz, Ed. D. (Creswell Middle Prep School of the Arts)
Paul Waters (Bellevue Middle School)
Susan Waters (Oliver Middle School)
John Womack (McGavock High School)

Ed Sheeran Sets Bridgestone Arena Date On New Tour

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Ed Sheeran is heading to Music City’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 6, as part of his newly-announced world tour.

Sheeran’s new album Divide was released on March 3 and includes the singles “Shape Of You” and “Castle On The Hill.”

His North American tour dates launch June 29 in Kansas City, Missouri. Ticket pre-sales are set to begin Monday (March 13), with general tickets available at 10 a.m. on March 17.

 

Margo Price Named Winner Of 2nd American Music Prize

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Pictured (L-R): Sara Knabe, VP Creative, BMG US; Margo Price; Kos Weaver, EVP Nashville, BMG US.

BMG Publishing songwriter Margo Price was surprised as the winner of the 2nd American Music Prize on Tuesday, March 7, for her album Midwest Farmer’s Daughter.

AMP judge and Nashville journalist Craig Shelburne presented Price with a check for $25,000 during an event hosted by Price’s label, Third Man Records.

Price’s Midwest Farmer’s Daughter was recorded in three days at Memphis, Tennessee’s Sun Studio, and engineered by Matt Ross-Spang.

The album was selected by the 16-member industry judging panel consisting of artists, media and retailers. The 2nd American Music Prize saw a list of 56 albums whittled to 12 finalist albums, all of which were debut albums released between Aug. 1, 2015 and July 31, 2016.

The 12 finalists of the 2nd AMP include: Big Thief – Masterpiece; Bob Moses – Days Gone By; case/lang/veirs – case/lang/veirs; EL VY – Return To The Moon; Empress Of – Me; Fantastic Negrito – The Last Days of Oakland, Gallant – Ology; Julien Baker – Sprained Ankle; Margaret Glaspy – Emotions and Math; Margo Price – Midwest Farmer’s Daughter, Son Little – Son Little, Whitney – Light Upon the Lake.

Pictured (L-R): Craig Shelburne, Margo Price

ASCAP’s “I Create Music Expo” To Highlight Nashville Songwriters

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ASCAP’s 12th annual “I Create Music” EXPO will feature several Nashville-based songwriters and producers, including Desmond Child, Ashley Gorley, Darrell Brown and Matt Jenkins. This year’s conference takes place April 13-15 at the Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.

Gorley, who has penned 30 No. 1 songs and is the recipient of four ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year Awards, will lead an EXPO session at the 2017 conference.

Brown returns to the EXPO for his popular multi-genre song feedback sessions. Brown has written with Keith Urban, Faith Hill, LeAnn Rimes and Neil Young.

Child will be in conversation with R&B star Aloe Blacc in one of the conference’s marquee events. Child has penned over 70 Top 40 singles throughout his career, working with Bon Jovi, Aerosmith, KISS and Cher. His credits include some of the most iconic hits of the 20th century: “Livin’ On A Prayer,” “Dude Looks Like A Lady,” “Livin’ La Vida Loca.” Last year, he celebrated his fifth decade of No. 1 hits with Zedd’s “Beautiful Now.”

Jenkins will serve as a panelist this year. Jenkins has earned four chart-topping hits, including the recent No. 1 singles “Setting the World on Fire,” recorded by Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk, and “Song for Another Time,” recorded by Old Dominion.

Niko Moon Signs Publishing Deal With Warner/Chappell Nashville

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Niko Moon has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Warner/Chappell Nashville. Moon frequently collaborates with the Zac Brown Band, having co-written 22 songs across their last three albums, including five No. 1’s. Their latest hit together, “My Old Man,” is currently climbing the charts and is the lead single off the band’s upcoming album, Welcome Home.

Moon recently received his first CMA Triple Play Award for three No. 1 singles in a calendar year: Zac Brown Band’s “Homegrown,” “Loving You Easy,” and “Beautiful Drug.” “Homegrown” also earned Moon and collaborator Wyatt Durette a SESAC Song of the Year Award.

His latest project, Sir Rosevelt, is a trio comprised of Moon, Zac Brown, and Ben Simonetti, with production by Pharrell Williams and Jamie Kenney. Moon also co-penned much of the debut album from Decca Records’ artist Betti.

Artist Updates: Russell Dickerson, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler, Larry Gatlin

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Russell Dickerson Track Makes Logan Film

Russell Dickerson

Nashville-bred singer/songwriter Russell Dickerson recorded “Blue Tacoma” in 2016 before signing to Sony’s Triple Tigers label last year. Now, “Blue Tacoma,” has been included in the Marvel comics film Logan, a follow up to the X-Men favorite, Wolverine. The movie features actor Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in his latest X-Men movie.

“I’ve always been a huge X-Men fan! Since the very first movie,” said Dickerson after screening the film and hearing his song’s placement. “You write these songs and put them out into the universe, not knowing their lifespan or reach, so to have a song I wrote and recorded a few years ago appear in one of these Marvel movies today, well it’s the craziest feeling. Fifteen-year-old Russell would be so stoked!”

Dickerson is touring as part of Thomas Rhett’s 2017 Home Team Tour alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Ryan Hurd.

 

Caitlyn Smith, The Brummies Added To Little Big Town Ryman Dates

As Little Big Town continues its year-long artist residency, “Little Big Town at the Mother Church,” from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, artists Caitlyn Smith and The Brummies have been selected to open upcoming shows. Smith will open the May 19 show, while The Brummies will open the May 20 show.

 

Kellie Pickler Joins Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler has announced a collaboration with Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine, where she provides the voice for the new character, Zora the genie pirate. Pickler sings two new original songs in the series as Zora.

The animated children’s series was introduced to Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. in 2015, and follows the adventures of fraternal twin genies, Shimmer and Shine, who unintentionally create chaos while attempting to grant wishes for their human best friend, Leah.

 

Larry Gatlin Announces New Musical Quanah, To Launch April 28 In Dallas

Larry Gatlin has turned his creative talents to writing and starring in the new musical Quanah, which will run April 28-May 7 at the Irving Art Center Carpenter Performance Hall in Dallas.

David Phelps will star as Quanah, while Gatlin will play the character Old Ranger. The supporting cast includes Brett Warner as Lucinda, Lauren Scott as Cynthia Ann, Daron Cockerell as Nauda, Sony Franks as McKenzie and Tim Brawner as James Parker. Quanah arranger Galen Butler conducts the Lyric Stage Orchestra with direction and choreography by John De Los Santos.

Tickets are available at www.lyricstage.org or by calling the box office at 972-252-2787.