Chris Stapleton
ASCAP will present singer, songwriter and performer Chris Stapleton with the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, slated for Oct. 31 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The honor recognizes the impact of outstanding ASCAP members on musical genres that will help shape the future of American music.
The celebration will also honor the songwriters and publishers behind ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of 2015.
“Every so often, someone comes along with songwriting so masterful, a voice so powerful and a presence so captivating, that it stops you in your tracks,” says ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Chris Stapleton does just that. By distilling Southern sounds and themes into potent songs, he has brought raw soul back to the country charts, and established himself as one of the most respected and original artists in American music today. We are thrilled to honor him with the ASCAP Vanguard Award.”
Previous Vanguard Award recipients include Walk The Moon, St. Vincent, fun., The Civil Wars, Third Day, Band of Horses, Sara Bareilles and more.
Stapleton’s Traveller project was released in May 2015 on Mercury Records Nashville and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. At the 2015 CMA Awards later that year, Stapleton became the first artist to win Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year at the same time. Following Stapleton’s performance with fellow ASCAP member and singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake, Traveller re-entered the Billboard all-genre album chart at No. 1, staying there for two weeks.
Earlier this year, Stapleton earned four nominations and two wins at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, where he took home honors for Best Country Album (alongside producer Dave Cobb) and Best Country Solo Performance.
Stapleton is nominated for several CMA Awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year, as well as Musical Event of the Year, alongside his wife Morgane Stapleton, for their performance of “You Are My Sunshine” from Cobb’s Southern Family compilation.
Stapleton has also co-written six No. 1 hits for some of country music’s biggest artists.
As previously announced, the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards will include the presentation of the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award to Ricky Skaggs, as well as the announcements of the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
MusicRow 2016 Publisher Issue Available Now
/by Craig_ShelburneMusicRow, Nashville’s leading music industry publication, is proud to reveal its 2016 Publisher Issue. The October/November issue highlights the music publishing and songwriting community with a directory for premier music publishers and exclusive editorial.
The 72-page magazine goes in-depth with coverage of the track writing trend, Benny Brown and Juli Newton Griffith of BBR Music Group, influences of Sony/ATV songwriter Thomas Rhett, revenue sharing with YouTube, and a roundtable conversation with Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, and songwriter/entrepreneurs Ashley Gorley and Jeremy Stover.
The Expanded Writers’ Notes portion includes exclusive interviews with Florida Georgia Line, Josh Hoge, Kelsea Ballerini, Abe Stoklasa, Andrew Dorff, and Jamie Floyd.
CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Carrie Underwood graces the cover of the 2016 Publisher Issue. Underwood’s Storyteller Tour will wrap Nov. 28 in Utah before she joins Keith Urban to round out the year in Australia and New Zealand. Underwood co-wrote 13 of her 24 No. 1 singles from albums selling in excess of 58 million copies, including her latest gold-certified fifth studio project, Storyteller.
Single copies of the Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $30, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.
Luke Combs Signs With River House Artists/Columbia Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Combs
Sony Music Nashville and River House Artists have inked a joint venture deal by signing Luke Combs to River House Artists/Columbia Nashville. Combs’ first single, “Hurricane,” leads his forthcoming full-length album This One’s For You.
The tune was co-written by Combs, Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips, and produced by Scott Moffatt.
Combs, a North Carolina native, began developing his songwriting talent in the summer of 2011, while attending Appalachian State University. After three years of playing with his band around his home state, Combs moved to Nashville in 2014.
Combs was the first recording artist signed by Lynn Oliver-Cline‘s independent label and publishing company River House Artists when it launched in August. Oliver-Cline previously worked as VP, Publishing and A&R for Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists before launching River House Artists.
The video for “Hurricane” premiered on CMT Music in September, and Combs joined CMT’s Artist Discovery campaign, which includes exclusive world video premieres and custom on-air and cross-platform promotions.
Combs is set to perform at Nashville venue Exit/In on Wednesday, Oct. 19, beginning at 7 p.m.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Plot A New Soul2Soul Tour
/by Craig_ShelburneTim McGraw and Faith Hill will spend 2017 on the road with the revived Soul2Soul Tour. They announced Soul2Soul The World Tour 2017 on Tuesday night (Oct. 4) during a hot-ticket concert at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. It was the first show at the famous venue the couple had performed together.
During their 90-minute set, the duo relied on a few duets and then sang a handful of their solo hits. (A full review will be posted Wednesday.) The couple has reportedly been looking for songs and recording their first duets album, but no official announcement has been made.
This will be the married couple’s first international tour together since 2007 and their third Soul2Soul Tour overall. They will also serve as duo advisors on NBC’s The Voice in October.
This fall, Hill, alongside former Oprah co-executive producer and OWN executive Lisa Erspamer, will co-produce an innovative new daytime lifestyle show based in Nashville.
“We have the best fans in the world, who have been with us through our entire journey and we are so excited to celebrate with them by going back on the road and showcasing an exciting new show,” said McGraw and Hill in a statement. “It’s always great when we get to work together and it’s been a while since we got to do that.”
McGraw and Hill will also be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame on Wednesday (Oct. 5) at 11:30 a.m. across from the Country Music Hall of Fame.
The new Soul2Soul tour will begin on April 7 in New Orleans, with U.S. and Canadian dates scheduled through October 2017. The duo will perform in Nashville on Aug. 4, 2017.
Fellow artists in the Ryman crowd included Little Big Town, Martina McBride and Chris and Morgane Stapleton.
See tour dates.
ASCAP Country Music Awards To Honor Chris Stapleton With Vanguard Award
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton
ASCAP will present singer, songwriter and performer Chris Stapleton with the ASCAP Vanguard Award at the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards, slated for Oct. 31 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The honor recognizes the impact of outstanding ASCAP members on musical genres that will help shape the future of American music.
The celebration will also honor the songwriters and publishers behind ASCAP’s most-performed country songs of 2015.
“Every so often, someone comes along with songwriting so masterful, a voice so powerful and a presence so captivating, that it stops you in your tracks,” says ASCAP President Paul Williams. “Chris Stapleton does just that. By distilling Southern sounds and themes into potent songs, he has brought raw soul back to the country charts, and established himself as one of the most respected and original artists in American music today. We are thrilled to honor him with the ASCAP Vanguard Award.”
Previous Vanguard Award recipients include Walk The Moon, St. Vincent, fun., The Civil Wars, Third Day, Band of Horses, Sara Bareilles and more.
Stapleton’s Traveller project was released in May 2015 on Mercury Records Nashville and debuted at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Albums chart. At the 2015 CMA Awards later that year, Stapleton became the first artist to win Album of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year at the same time. Following Stapleton’s performance with fellow ASCAP member and singer-songwriter Justin Timberlake, Traveller re-entered the Billboard all-genre album chart at No. 1, staying there for two weeks.
Earlier this year, Stapleton earned four nominations and two wins at the 58th Annual Grammy Awards, where he took home honors for Best Country Album (alongside producer Dave Cobb) and Best Country Solo Performance.
Stapleton is nominated for several CMA Awards this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Single of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year and Music Video of the Year, as well as Musical Event of the Year, alongside his wife Morgane Stapleton, for their performance of “You Are My Sunshine” from Cobb’s Southern Family compilation.
Stapleton has also co-written six No. 1 hits for some of country music’s biggest artists.
As previously announced, the 54th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards will include the presentation of the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award to Ricky Skaggs, as well as the announcements of the ASCAP Country Music Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
In Pictures: BMI Stage At ACL Festival Boasts Nashville Talent
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI singer-songwriter Aubrie Sellers rocks the BMI Stage at ACL Fest, singing her garage-country songs to the crowd. Photo: Erika Goldring.
Several BMI singer-songwriters performed during weekend one at the Austin City Limits Festival, at the BMI stage. The festival is held over two weeks, from Sept. 30-Oct. 2, and Oct. 7-9. This year’s lineup features more than 130 artists.
BMI’s Leslie Roberts and Nina Carter pose for a photo with Liza Anne on Day 1 of Austin City Limits Festival on September 30, 2016, in Austin, TX. Photo: Erika Goldring
Nashville-based BMI singer-songwriter Maren Morris tore through her set on the BMI Stage at ACL Fest. Fans packed the area in front of the stage to listen to her country hits. Photo: Erika Goldring.
BMI singer-songwriter Maren Morris pauses during her set with guitarist Bennett Lewis on the BMI Stage at ACL Fest. Photo: Erika Goldring.
Nashville-based BMI band The Gills’ high-energy set was the perfect way to start the day Saturday at the BMI Stage at ACL Fest. Photo: Erika Goldring.
Taylor Swift Inks Deal With AT&T, Reveals Pre-Super Bowl Show
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift has inked a multi-year deal with AT&T for exclusive performances and content.
As part of the agreement, Swift will headline the DIRECTV Super Saturday Night pre-Super Bowl show in Houston on Feb. 4. The performance will take place at a custom-made 64,000 square foot venue crafted especially for the event. Fans will gain access to tickets via several AT&T promotions and campaigns.
“We’re thrilled to reach a deal to bring Taylor and her unique talents to her fans and our customers in new and exclusive ways,” said John Stankey, CEO, AT&T Entertainment Group. “And we’ve thrilled attendees during the Big Game weekend for the last 11 years with A-list parties and the hottest performing music artists around, so 2017 will be our very best. We’re excited to get event tickets into the hands of Taylor’s fans and exclusive content from the event to our customers and celebrate the combination of one of the world’s biggest artists with one of the world’s biggest sporting events.”
Super Saturday Night in Houston is one of many opportunities AT&T and Taylor Swift will team up for in the coming months. AT&T will reveal more details of the multi-year relationship soon.
Industry Ink: BMI, Blue Tile Music, Skyline Artists Agency
/by Craig_ShelburneBMI Presents Larry Gatlin With “Million-Air” Awards
Pictured (L-R): Larry Gatlin, BMI’s Perry Howard. Photo: Moments By Moser
Larry Gatlin accepted two BMI Million-Air Awards during his sold-out concert at the Franklin Theater in downtown Franklin on Saturday (Oct. 8). The honor is given to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances.
BMI’s Perry Howard presented the awards to Gatlin for writing “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You)” and “Broken Lady,” both of which were hits for Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. Both singles have surpassed two million radio spins, taking them to the next level of the Million-Air Award. Gatlin has previously received Million-Air Awards for “All The Gold in California,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love” and “The Lady Takes the Cowboy Everytime.”
Blue Tile Music Aligns With New Duo, Towne
Pictured (L-R): Sunni Ray, Harmon Music Management; Allen Bargfrede, Blue Tile Media; Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves of Towne; Derek Crownover, Dickinson Wright; Rusty Harmon and Lexi Dawson of Harmon Music Management
Country pop-rock duo Towne has signed a publishing and artist development deal with creative investment firm Blue Tile Music. As a division of Blue Tile Media Partners, Blue Tile Music empowers artists through creative funding mechanisms and hands-on assistance, helping them launch and sustain their careers.
The signing follows the release of Towne’s debut EP, Games We Play. The duo consists of Steevie Steeves and Jon Decious. They initially crossed paths at Skip Ewing‘s Horse and Writer Seminar in Wyoming where they immediately connected musically. They are managed by Rusty Harmon at Harmon Music Management.
Skyline Music Rebrands As Skyline Artists Agency
After more than 25 years as Skyline Music, the boutique booking agency is rebranding as Skyline Artists Agency. The company’s roster of 60 artists includes Roger McGuinn, Poco, Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Smithereens, The Motels, Zoe Keating, Darlingside and MarchFourth.
“We have always existed to serve a select group of artists,” said Skyline Founder and President Bruce Houghton. “But in the digital age, doing that effectively means going beyond just booking a date. Our name change to Skyline Artists Agency reflects that important shift, as well as our ongoing work beyond music and in music tech.”
The company also publishes music tech/music industry website Hypebot.com.
Hurricane Matthew Affects Farm Tour, Beach Town Music Festival
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan’s Farm Tour date in Gaston, South Carolina, has been canceled due to Hurricane Matthew evacuation orders. Bryan was scheduled to perform at Culler Farms in Gaston (near Columbia) on Wednesday (Oct. 5).
Evacuation orders begin Wednesday for coastal areas of South Carolina; those orders impacted the traffic routes to the farm. The tour will resume Thursday in Greenback, Tennesseee, southwest of Knoxville.
In addition, the 2016 Beach Town Music Festival, set to be held Oct. 7-8 in Vero Beach, Florida, has been postponed due to Florida Governor Rick Scott declaring a state of emergency for all of Florida’s 67 counties.
Jake Owen (whose hometown is Vero Beach), David Nail, Clare Dunn and other country artists were part of the lineup, as well as rock artists like Bret Michaels, Gin Blossoms and Edwin McCain. The postponed dates will be announced at a later date.
Shania Twain Named CMT’s Artist Of A Lifetime
/by Craig_ShelburneShania Twain
Shania Twain will receive the Artist of a Lifetime award at this year’s CMT Artists of the Year event. The 90-minute special will be taped at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville and air on Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET.
This year’s CMT Artists of the year are Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett. These artists collectively dominated the last 12 months ruling CMT’s platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping album and singles, and selling out arenas around the country.
Additionally, CMT will honor rising star Kelsea Ballerini with the second annual Artists of the Year “Breakout” Award. Additional performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced at a later date.
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her 1997 release Come On Over has sold more than 15.65 million copies making it the No. 1 top-selling country album, the No. 1 top-selling album (all genre) by a female, and the No. 2 best-selling album overall in Soundscan history.
Dolly Parton Will Accept CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Craig_ShelburneDolly Parton will be the 2016 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor will be presented during The 50th Annual CMA Awards, airing Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8 p.m./ET) on the ABC Television Network live from Nashville.
The announcement was made Monday during Parton’s appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Dolly epitomizes the very definition of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She is a trailblazer who continues to enchant and captivate fans around the world, from her latest No. 1 album, to her sold-out tour, and numerous television projects. She is a treasure and deserving of this industry acclaim for her undeniable contributions to the success of country music, today.”
The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music. The award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.
Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), and Johnny Cash (2015).
Parton has received 44 CMA Awards nominations and has won nine times including Entertainer (1978) and Female Vocalist of the Year (1975, 1976). In 1996, she and Vince Gill won Musical Event of the Year for “I Will Always Love You,” which is heavily featured in CMA’s hugely popular “Forever Country” single and music video project celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards