Editor’s Note: Look for an exclusive interview with Thomas Rhett in MusicRow’s 2016 Publisher Issue. In addition to that print piece, the CMA Award-nominated artist spoke with MusicRow about taking an unexpected musical direction, radio’s response to “Vacation” and his determination to release as much music as possible.
Thomas Rhett’s rising star has been a hard-fought battle, professionally and creatively. In 2012, his first single, “Something To Do With My Hands,” peaked at No. 15, while its successor, “Beer With Jesus,” barely cracked the Top 20.
“I was at a point in my career where I thought, ‘If I don’t come up with a hit, maybe this artist career is done,’” Thomas Rhett recalls, “and the Lord is saying, ‘Hey dude, glad you tried it, but I think I just want you to be a songwriter.’”
Those concerns were put to rest when his next single, “It Goes Like This,” became a runaway hit at country radio. The song’s success ushered in an eclectic string of radio singles including “Get Me Some of That,” and the disco-infused “Make Me Wanna.”
Slowly, the Valory Music Co. artist incorporated a wider array of influences into a new batch of songs that would compose his sophomore album, Tangled Up. The new material veered sharply from the traditional fare of his debut album, so much so that Thomas Rhett says he was originally “terrified” by the prospect of releasing the music to fans and to radio.
“I had these fans from my first record that knew me as the ‘Beer With Jesus’ guy, or the ‘It Goes Like This’ guy. I think when people hear the first stuff from you, they get scared and a bit ticked off that you went in a new direction, so I knew putting out Tangled Up would be a risk,” he says.
“I knew it would be a risk if we put ‘Crash and Burn’ out [as Tangled Up’s first single]. I remember my dad said, ‘If “Crash and Burn” works on country radio, then we’re in a for a very strange ride.’ I remember when it went No. 1, I was like, ‘How is this possible?’ I was very grateful, but when you put out something that is different and is not what your core fans are used to, everybody has an opinion and as an artist you have to stick to what you believe in, and know it is good music.”
The risk paid off with the chart-topping (and platinum-selling) success of “Crash and Burn,” as well as the career-changing ballad, “Die a Happy Man,” which Thomas Rhett co-wrote with rising California writers Sean Douglas and Joe Spargur. The single would be certified double-platinum, and spend six weeks atop the country charts.
Thomas Rhett recently renewed his publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “He is a positive influencer,” says Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. “There are those who embrace success inwardly, and then there are those who embrace success and say, ‘How can we use our influence to help others?’ and that is Thomas Rhett. It’s about positively influencing the community around him.”
The genre-bending Tangled Up went platinum, another milestone in the chiseling of a solid career. Though he mentions that his summer single, “Vacation,” stumbled a bit a country radio, Thomas Rhett takes a long-term, evolutionary perspective.
“Obviously, I’ve definitely had better songs that worked on radio,” he says. “I think it might have pushed it a little too far with that song, but I think every now and then artists have to put something out that is groundbreaking and genre-defining because I think whether a song goes No. 1 or not, sometimes those songs become your biggest songs in your live set.”
Though Tangled Up is barely one year old, Thomas Rhett is already prepping for a follow-up, and he says the project will still find him in experimentation mode.
“That has become my niche,” he says. “I don’t think people are shocked when I put something weird out on radio. I think they think, ‘That must be a Thomas Rhett song.’”
On Oct. 28, Thomas Rhett will release the deluxe version of Tangled Up, which includes five new songs, including his current single, “Star of the Show.”
“I love being able to give fans something new as often as possible,” he says. “Kids these days are getting brand new stuff on Apple and Spotify every day. If you don’t give them something new, you almost become boring and irrelevant in a way. So we are trying to put out as much music as we can, as often as we can.”
Exclusive: For Thomas Rhett, Risky Moves Bring Big Rewards
/by Jessica NicholsonEditor’s Note: Look for an exclusive interview with Thomas Rhett in MusicRow’s 2016 Publisher Issue. In addition to that print piece, the CMA Award-nominated artist spoke with MusicRow about taking an unexpected musical direction, radio’s response to “Vacation” and his determination to release as much music as possible.
Thomas Rhett’s rising star has been a hard-fought battle, professionally and creatively. In 2012, his first single, “Something To Do With My Hands,” peaked at No. 15, while its successor, “Beer With Jesus,” barely cracked the Top 20.
“I was at a point in my career where I thought, ‘If I don’t come up with a hit, maybe this artist career is done,’” Thomas Rhett recalls, “and the Lord is saying, ‘Hey dude, glad you tried it, but I think I just want you to be a songwriter.’”
Those concerns were put to rest when his next single, “It Goes Like This,” became a runaway hit at country radio. The song’s success ushered in an eclectic string of radio singles including “Get Me Some of That,” and the disco-infused “Make Me Wanna.”
Slowly, the Valory Music Co. artist incorporated a wider array of influences into a new batch of songs that would compose his sophomore album, Tangled Up. The new material veered sharply from the traditional fare of his debut album, so much so that Thomas Rhett says he was originally “terrified” by the prospect of releasing the music to fans and to radio.
“I had these fans from my first record that knew me as the ‘Beer With Jesus’ guy, or the ‘It Goes Like This’ guy. I think when people hear the first stuff from you, they get scared and a bit ticked off that you went in a new direction, so I knew putting out Tangled Up would be a risk,” he says.
“I knew it would be a risk if we put ‘Crash and Burn’ out [as Tangled Up’s first single]. I remember my dad said, ‘If “Crash and Burn” works on country radio, then we’re in a for a very strange ride.’ I remember when it went No. 1, I was like, ‘How is this possible?’ I was very grateful, but when you put out something that is different and is not what your core fans are used to, everybody has an opinion and as an artist you have to stick to what you believe in, and know it is good music.”
The risk paid off with the chart-topping (and platinum-selling) success of “Crash and Burn,” as well as the career-changing ballad, “Die a Happy Man,” which Thomas Rhett co-wrote with rising California writers Sean Douglas and Joe Spargur. The single would be certified double-platinum, and spend six weeks atop the country charts.
Thomas Rhett recently renewed his publishing deal with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. “He is a positive influencer,” says Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. “There are those who embrace success inwardly, and then there are those who embrace success and say, ‘How can we use our influence to help others?’ and that is Thomas Rhett. It’s about positively influencing the community around him.”
The genre-bending Tangled Up went platinum, another milestone in the chiseling of a solid career. Though he mentions that his summer single, “Vacation,” stumbled a bit a country radio, Thomas Rhett takes a long-term, evolutionary perspective.
“Obviously, I’ve definitely had better songs that worked on radio,” he says. “I think it might have pushed it a little too far with that song, but I think every now and then artists have to put something out that is groundbreaking and genre-defining because I think whether a song goes No. 1 or not, sometimes those songs become your biggest songs in your live set.”
Though Tangled Up is barely one year old, Thomas Rhett is already prepping for a follow-up, and he says the project will still find him in experimentation mode.
“That has become my niche,” he says. “I don’t think people are shocked when I put something weird out on radio. I think they think, ‘That must be a Thomas Rhett song.’”
On Oct. 28, Thomas Rhett will release the deluxe version of Tangled Up, which includes five new songs, including his current single, “Star of the Show.”
“I love being able to give fans something new as often as possible,” he says. “Kids these days are getting brand new stuff on Apple and Spotify every day. If you don’t give them something new, you almost become boring and irrelevant in a way. So we are trying to put out as much music as we can, as often as we can.”
Blake Shelton Celebrates 10 Million Albums Sold
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO Warner Music Nashville; Cara Duckworth, VP Communications, RIAA; Shelton; Jonathan Lamy, EVP Communications & Marketing, RIAA; Peter Strickland, CMO, Warner Music Nashville and Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Entertainment.
Blake Shelton and members of his team gathered backstage at Barclays Center in Brooklyn on Friday night (Oct. 7) to celebrate his two-night stand there, where Warner Music Nashville executives and members of the RIAA surprised him with a plaque to commemorate 10 million albums sold.
Shelton is one of only five country male artists who have 10 million or more album certifications in the last 15 years.
Music Biz Board Adds Execs From Spotify, Pandora
/by Sarah SkatesMatt Signore
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has elected two new representatives to fill vacancies on its Board of Directors and promoted an existing member to the Executive Committee.
Elizabeth Moody, Vice President, Global Content Licensing at Pandora, and Rob Harvey, Head of Label Relations, North America at Spotify, will join the Board. Existing Board member Matt Signore, President, WEA, will join the Executive Committee as Treasurer, replacing John Trickett, who passed away in August.
“Elizabeth and Rob are two great music biz minds who have achieved massive success in many different corners of the industry, while Matt has been a key asset to the Music Biz Board since joining in October 2013,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “We are thrilled to have all of them on our Board of Directors and look forward to working together to continue moving the entire music industry forward.”
Elizabeth Moody
Signore joined WEA in 2005 as CFO, and now serves as President. On Jan. 1, 2017, he will become the COO of Warner Music Nashville.
Moody is Pandora’s first Music Biz representative and has more than 15 years of experience as a digital media executive.
Harvey has spent nearly two decades in the music business, and promoted over 50 No. 1 records. Prior to his current post at Spotify, Harvey held posts at Republic Records and Island Records.
See a list of all Music Biz Board members.
Rob Harvey
NPR’s ‘World Cafe’ Launches Nashville Hub To Serve As Southern US Content Bureau
/by Jessica NicholsonWorld Cafe Nashville will debut with two special events at City Winery. On Oct. 27, a VIP reception for music industry members and media will precede a solo performance from Eric Church. On Oct. 28, Steelism, Lera Lynn, Caitlin Rose, and Ruby Amanfu will perform. Both shows are free, with tickets to be distributed via World Cafe and WMOT.
Through World Cafe Nashville, the WXPN/Philadelphia-produced World Cafe music program and NPR Music will expand coverage of the depth and diversity of music coming from Nashville and the Southern United States, through artist recording sessions, interviews and other activities.
World Cafe is hosted by David Dye and heard on more than 200 US radio stations, including Nashville-area public radio station WMOT-FM/Roots Radio 89.5. World Cafe also produces two weekly podcasts: World Cafe Words and Music, featuring music and conversation from a variety of musicians, and World Cafe Next, which highlights up-and-coming artists.
Dye said, “This commitment to a deeper dive on World Cafe into the music of Nashville and places like Muscle Shoals, Memphis, Atlanta and New Orleans is central to our exploration of regional roots music, whether it be Americana, R&B, gospel, blues or rock. This will be musical discovery with a southern accent.”
Nashville-based critic and correspondent for NPR Music and World Cafe contributor Ann Powers said, “Living here, I’ve come to believe it’s the most exciting music city in the country right now. Nashville has it all: an incomparably rich musical legacy; a core of working musicians who’ve made lives here and are behind many of the past half-century’s most memorable recordings; and an ever-expanding group of younger musicians making the Nashville sound ever more wide-reaching and innovative, while still grounded in America’s musical roots. World Cafe’s commitment to musical eclecticism matches the spirit of the Nashville I’ve come to love, and of the South in general in this decade, where so many surprises emerge from the seedbed of tradition.”
Exclusive: Gospel Music Association’s Jackie Patillo Finds Unified Message In Dove Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonJackie Patillo
Since 1964, the GMA Dove Awards has supported the spectrum of music found in the gospel/Christian community, celebrating a multitude of styles including pop, rock, praise & worship, urban gospel, R&B, hip-hop, Southern gospel, bluegrass, country, Latin and more.
“The Dove Awards is the only stage that all genres of Christian/gospel music are represented,” says GMA President/Executive Director Jackie Patillo. “There are many different styles, but the same message.”
Lauren Daigle, Hillsong UNITED, Chris Tomlin, Kirk Franklin, and Bill Gaither are among the top-nominated artists for tonight’s (Oct. 11) event, which will take place at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena in Nashville for a fourth consecutive year.
Artist of the Year nominees boast rock-pop duo For KING & COUNTRY, worship band Hillsong UNITED, pop newcomer Daigle, CCM veteran TobyMac, and hip-hop artist Lecrae. Co-hosting the festivities are For KING & COUNTRY and gospel entertainer Tye Tribbett.
According to research from the GMA, in 2015 CCM accounted for 34 percent of sales in the Christian and gospel music genre. Gospel music accounted for 18 percent, worship held 14 percent, Christian rock 11 percent, and Southern gospel six percent.
Christian hip-hop has seen rapid growth in listenership over the past few years. In 2014, Lecrae’s project Anomaly debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Top 200. His seven studio albums and mixtapes have sold more than 1.5 million copies.
Patillo says, “We continue to see that genre emerge from a very grassroots promotional level, where they don’t have traditional radio like CCM, Southern gospel and black gospel has, but their presence has become huge. I think our rap and hip-hop success is definitely a testament that God raises up who he wants to. The music is reaching that culture of people, and more. It makes how you sound and how you look not the impetus, but the truth is the impetus.”
While music fans may be aware of the main GMA Dove awards event that is held each year, Patillo and her team are responsible for multiple shows to accommodate the Dove Awards’ 42 categories.
“I’m not putting together one show. It’s really two shows with several mini-shows around it. The pre-show at 2 p.m. is still a two-hour show where we give out the majority of the awards, about 32 of them, so the pre-show is a show all in and of itself. The audience is mainly the nominees.” Blanca and Travis Greene will co-host the pre-telecast awards.
The GMA, a staff of three, counts on a team of sound, production, and lighting crew, as well as approximately 150 volunteers to make the show come together. “There are a lot of moving parts, to say the least.”
Patillo’s own background in A&R at Verity Music Group has proven beneficial in putting together the annual awards show. “It really helped serve a purpose, because I worked with all genres as well. We try to represent all the styles, based on the nominees. So far, it’s felt very natural the way we have sequenced the show stylistically,” she says.
Patillo credits Lipscomb University president L. Randolph Lowry for helping to bring the Dove Awards back to Nashville in 2013. “He really caught the vision of the impact of music on our culture and what it means to these younger artists,” says Patillo. “We have all of our events at the Allen arena. The GMA office is located across the street from the university. We couldn’t do this if it weren’t for the generosity of Lipscomb University.”
Appropriately, this year’s theme is “Love. Amplified.”
“Our music is really about the message, and our message is the message of love. It is our aim to be loud and proud at the Dove Awards and so we are going to turn up the volume and have a celebration that we consider love amplified.”
Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN) will air the main awards show on Sunday, Oct. 16.
Russell Dickerson Launches First Tour This Week
/by Sarah SkatesThe “Yours” Tour is named for his hit single which has attracted over 20 million streams on Spotify, two million views on YouTube and over 120,000 in single sales. “I never dreamed that we would be able to sell out shows just because of one song connecting so deeply with so many of you!” said Dickerson. “I’m beyond stoked to be headlining my first tour ever and to bring ‘Yours’ to your city.”
When that run ends, Dickerson will hit the road on Thomas Rhett’s 2017 Home Team Tour, along with Kelsea Ballerini and Ryan Hurd.
Dickerson is a Nashville native whose debut EP, Yours, first appeared at No. 2 on the iTunes Country chart and No. 8 on the all-genre chart. It also premiered at No. 1 on Billboard’s Heat Seeker chart and No. 14 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
Newly formed Triple Tigers is a joint venture between Thirty Tigers, Triple 8 Management and Sony Music Entertainment.
Emily West Signs With Deluge Music
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Stephanie Greene; Mark Friedman, President Deluge Music; Emily West; David Robkin, Managing Director.
Emily West has signed with Deluge Music for a worldwide publishing agreement. West was a recent runner-up on America’s Got Talent, with her rendition of Sia’s “Chandelier” garnering more than 2 million views on YouTube.
“I first signed Emily when she was 14 years old and I’ve been a champion of hers ever since! I’m so thrilled to be in the position again to help Emily achieve the success and longevity she so deserves,” said President of Deluge Music Mark Friedman.
“A wise man once told me ‘Go be loved.’ I followed his instruction and signed with Deluge Music, a company in which I believe in as they believe in me. I am like Secretariat—a horse that needs to run, and Deluge gets that. I am grateful and honored to work alongside my friend Mark Friedman. He has believed in me ever since I was a kid and it truly is a full circle moment,” said West.
Industry Ink: RCA Nashville, ASCAP, Segue 61
/by Jessica NicholsonRCA Nashville Names Promotion Specialist
Nicole Walden
Nicole Walden has been promoted to Promotion Specialist, RCA Nashville. Reporting to Keith Gale, SVP, Promotion, RCA Nashville, Walden has been Administrative Coordinator, Marketing at Sony Music Nashville, since 2012.
ASCAP Mixer To Spotlight Urban Songwriters, Producers
ASCAP will host its Urban Songwriters and Producers Mixer and meet & greet on Tuesday (Oct. 11) from 3:30 pm.-5:30 p.m. at its Nashville headquarters, located at 2 Music Sq. W.
Music Industry Educational Program Segue 61 Launches In Nashville
Bradley is currently a co-partner with Third Generation management agency, which represents Muddy Magnolias; Trapp’s credits include support for Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Jerry Douglas and Sam Bush; drummer Pete Abbott is currently touring with Ashley Monroe.
“Segue 61’s purpose is grounded in same vision from which my grandfather’s greatest musical successes were born,” says Bradley, the grandson of Owen Bradley, and leader of Segue 61’s music business interests. “Owen Bradley and Chet Atkins had a clear, but very different idea of how to deliver what was then country music to a broader consumer base. They had a new way of looking at a traditional model. They followed their vision and changed American music forever.”
Interested applicants can apply for January’s class at www.segue61.com.
Robert K. Oermann Receives Keynote Award From Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): NaSHOF Board Chair and Hall of Fame member Pat Alger, Robert K. Oermann, NaSHOF Executive Director Mark Ford. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Nashville journalist and MusicRow contributor Robert K. Oermann accepted the Keynote Award from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation on Sunday night (Oct. 9).
The presentation was incorporated into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame induction ceremony at the Music City Center. Oermann, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame board historian, was recognized for his long-term commitment to the Nashville songwriting community and the Foundation’s Hall of Fame nominating process.
Oermann, who was born in Pittsburgh, told the audience about studying the credits on the 45 RPM singles in his grandmother’s record shop. He noted, “For almost all of my life, I have known the names of Boudleaux & Felice Bryant, John D. Loudermilk, Dallas Frazier, Cindy Walker, Harlan Howard, Marijohn Wilkin, Hank Cochran and their peers.”
Robert Oermann is honored with the Keynote Award during the 2016 Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame gala. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
He continued, “Then, in the 1970s, I heard the songs of Kris Kristofferson, Tom T. Hall and Dolly Parton. I thought, ‘If that’s what Nashville music is today, I need to go there.’”
Noting that he didn’t know anyone in Nashville when he relocated.
“As it has done for all of you here, this amazing community has opened its heart to me,” he said. “I got to meet not only all of those songwriting heroes, but just about everyone on Music Row.”
He added, “There are a lot of great stars of our songwriting community here tonight. But the biggest superstar in this room is sitting right over there. She is my wife, my best friend and my co-writer, Mary Bufwack.” (The pair published their latest version of Finding Her Voice, a comprehensive survey of female artists in country music, in 2003.)
Concluding his speech, Oermann said, “We have found what the whole world is looking for – and what so many of your songs have been written about – and that is true and lasting love. I thank her from the bottom of my heart for that. And I thank you, the songwriters, for this honor tonight.”
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Reveal Holiday Album With Guest James Taylor
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks. Photo: 2015 Grand Ole Opry/Chris Hollo
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood revealed the title of their upcoming holiday album during the Saturday morning (October 8) edition of Yearwood’s weekly Facebook Live chat with fans.
Titled Christmas Together, the project will feature duets, original songs, and a guest appearance by James Taylor and his wife Caroline. The project is due this fall with the first single expected this week.
“She’s got three or four singles, I’ve got three or four singles, and we have three or four duets on it,” Brooks shared about the project featuring he and his wife Yearwood, adding, “Even on the ones that are mine, she’s still doing background harmony stuff like we always have our entire career.”
“What I’m Thankful For,” an original song, features the Taylors.
Additional favorites for the couple are said to include Brooks’ “Ugly Christmas Sweater,” an original song “Merry Christmas Means I Love You,” and Yearwood’s solo rendition of “What’re You Doing New Year’s Eve.”
“It was supposed to be a duet. We were both standing in the studio,” Yearwood recalled, before Brooks explained, “When Miss Yearwood sang the first verse, I just walked out. The producer’s looking at me as I passed the board. I’m like, ‘I can’t contribute to that. Just let her have the whole thing.’ It was gorgeous. It may be my favorite record on the record.”
More information on Christmas Together, including the cover art, will air Monday night during Brooks’ weekly Inside Studio G Facebook Live conversation with fans.
Brooks’ Pearl Records has added to staff in the weeks leading up to this reveal.