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Dierks Bentley To Bring ‘Black’ To Vinyl

July 28, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Dierks Bentley’s latest album Black will be released on vinyl and available on Aug. 12.

The project includes the multi-week No. 1 hit “Somewhere on a Beach,” and his new single, “Different For Girls,” featuring Elle King. Before Bentley’s Aug. 12 stop on his 2016 Somewhere on a Beach Tour in St. Louis, Missouri, Bentley will visit Vintage Vinyl for an intimate in-store performance to celebrate the release with fans.

“When we created this album, I kept imagining the flow of this record being told with an ‘A’ side and ‘B’ side,” said Bentley. “We’ve released vinyl before, but I’ve never had the chance to really master it properly and didn’t really put the time in before that it deserved. With Black, every little detail has mattered to me…Sterling Sound in New York really gave the mix a warmth that you don’t hear on MP3 or CD, and I can’t wait for fans to hear the whole album this way.”

‘Billboard’ Reveals 2016 Nashville Power Players

July 28, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Mike Dungan

Billboard has unveiled its 2016 Nashville Power Players, with UMG Nashville’s chairman/CEO Mike Dungan named Executive of the Year.

The music trade publication highlighted prominent executives from labels, management, live events, agencies, media, publishing, legal and civic areas.

Other label representatives included in this year’s group of power players are BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, BBR Music Group’s Benny Brown and Jon Loba, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Sony Music Nashville’s Randy Goodman, Capitol Christian Music Group’s Bill Hearn, UMG Nashville’s Cindy Mabe, Thirty Tigers’ David Macias, Third Man Records’ Jack White.

The methodology behind the selected group of industry superstars includes chart performance ticket sales, company growth, touring grosses, social media impressions, radio/TV audiences, local influence, career trajectory, and impact on the industry in the past 12 months.

Charlie Daniels Will Be Subject Of CMHoF Exhibit

July 28, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Charlie Daniels

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will examine the life and career of Charlie Daniels in the exhibition Charlie Daniels: Million Mile Reflections, opening Sept. 23 and running through March 2017.

Featuring musical instruments, stage wear, manuscripts, awards, childhood mementos and previously unpublished photographs from Daniels’ personal collection, the exhibit will describe his significant impact on American entertainment and explore the new musical style and image he brought to country music. Daniels is a 2016 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee.

“I can’t even articulate how honored I am by this exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. I couldn’t think of a better name myself unless it would be Five Million Mile Reflections,” said Daniels.

“Charlie Daniels forged a bracing new musical style out of bluegrass, blues, country, jazz and rock & roll. His sound quickly became popular on country, pop and rock radio stations,” said museum CEO Kyle Young. “His musical journey has led him to the Country Music Hall of Fame, where he will be inducted in October. It is only appropriate that we celebrate his remarkable career with our latest exhibition.”

Daniels began writing and playing music professionally in the 1950s. His first significant musical success, as co-writer of Elvis Presley’s hit “It Hurts Me,” came in 1964. Daniels moved to Nashville in 1967 at the urging of Columbia Records producer Bob Johnston, who hired him to play on albums by Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen and Marty Robbins. Daniels also worked as a studio musician on Ringo Starr’s Nashville-recorded Beaucoups of Blues in 1970.

That same year, Daniels released his first solo album, on Capitol Records. In 1972, fronting the newly formed Charlie Daniels Band (CDB), he signed to Kama Sutra Records and released the album Te John, Grease, & Wolfman. Daniels began the Volunteer Jam in 1974 as a Southern rock festival.

Over the years—he hosted sixteen through 1996—the Volunteer Jam became known for its large, diverse musical lineup. The Volunteer Jam brand later was revived as short U.S. tours (1999–2004) and as a one-time concert (2015), both headlined by the CDB. The Volunteer Jam will return on Nov. 30 to celebrate Daniels 80th birthday.

Exclusive: peermusic Comes Full Circle And Full Throttle

July 27, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Michael Tyler & Michael Knox. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Michael Tyler & Michael Knox at peermusic’s Nashville office. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Among the gold and platinum sales plaques lining the walls of peermusic’s Nashville outpost on 18th Avenue South are glimpses of the independent publishing outfit’s earliest days, propelled by the emergence of modern country music in 1927.

Rising singer-songwriter and Thayer, Missouri, native Michael Tyler signed with peermusic’s Nashville office in 2012. Tyler had been with peermusic for more than a year before Michael Knox, peermusic’s Nashville VP and producer for superstar artists such as Jason Aldean, learned of the heritage of the young man they had added to their writer roster.

During a visit to the peermusic Nashville office, Tyler’s mother noticed a photo of Jimmie Rodgers hanging on the wall. Rodgers was one of the artists recorded by talent scout Ralph Peer in 1927 during The Bristol Sessions. In 1928, Peer established Southern Music Publishing company, which would later become known as peermusic.

“She mentioned, ‘Hey, we have a musician named Jimmie Rodgers in the family,’” recalls Knox. “I asked if perhaps she meant the ‘50s artist, but she said, ‘Nah, he died back in 1933 or something,’ And I went, ‘That’s OUR Jimmie Rodgers!’ They did the research and it all came back that that is Michael’s bloodline.”

“It is a neat thing,” says Knox. “Very full circle.”

Despite Tyler’s country lineage, his early musical education came by way of rock ‘n’ roll. Tyler’s parents, rock music enthusiasts, bought their sons their first instruments while they were still preteens—a drum set for Michael and a guitar for his older brother Ryan, along with a copy of AC/DC’s Back In Black. Tyler was 13 when his music first caught Knox’s attention, by way of a MySpace message.

“I just loved his voice and what he was doing,” recalls Knox, who initially mentored Tyler long-distance. “I told him to write me a song a month. We did that for two years, and his songs got better and better, and he started having his own thing. I didn’t want to bring him to Nashville too early because then he would be co-writing and then he would follow somebody else. He was such a young kid at the time that he would follow, and so I wanted to make sure he grew into his own style. That can be pretty hard for a 15-year-old kid. They want the world right then and there.”

The patience and hard work began paying off. As he honed his performance skills, Tyler also absorbed the music from artists such as Alabama, Boys Like Girls, Jason Aldean, and Justin Bieber, sifting through musical palettes to uncover his own artistry and vision. Later, Knox invited him to play a show at Tootsies Orchid Lounge in Nashville for their first in-person meeting.

“When he showed up to play for me, he played nine Aldean songs,” Knox says. “Then he played four originals and that’s what killed me. This country guy had a Skoal ring in his back pocket, wore a ball cap, but he was singing like John Mayer.”

He also earned his first chart-topping single as a songwriter, with Dierks Bentley’s “Somewhere On A Beach.” “We wrote the song in like two hours,” Tyler recalls of penning the track with fellow songwriters Jaron Boyer, Dave Kuncio, Josh Mirenda, and Alexander Palmer. “We ran downstairs and played it for Knox. He liked it and was like, ‘We need to lock this down for you. No one needs to pitch this song, cause it’s on hold for Michael Tyler.’”

That is, until Dierks Bentley showed interest in “Beach” as a radio single.

By then, Tyler had seen one major label deal of his own with Sony Music Nashville come and go, and he was considering deals with new labels, on the strength of songs like “Beach.”

“He had three or four record deals sitting there after we left Sony, and two of them went away when we gave ‘Beach’ up,” says Knox. “That was an interesting situation to be in, but it was the right choice. We did talk to them and say, ‘Man, does Dierks love it more than an album cut?’ But we wanted to hear that from Dierks. And he was awesome enough to do that.”

When the opportunity came, Tyler had already learned from a similar experience. “Before I had signed to Sony, I had a song that an artist wanted really badly,” says Tyler. “I decided to keep it for myself. We signed with Sony and then a whole new regime and CEO came in, with different opinions, so we decided to look at other labels. So when Dierks wanted to make this song his single, I was like, ‘I’ve learned my lesson.’ Everyone was a little skeptical, but I was like, ‘Give it to him!’ because it’s Dierks and it would do nothing but help my career. And it’s changed my life so far.”

The decision paid off with a No. 1 single, and a recording contract with Reviver Records. “I chose Reviver because they believed in the whole package, not just a handful of songs,” says Tyler. “They believed in me as an artist and didn’t want to change anything. They believed in what we wanted to do as a team and why would we not want to sign with that?”

In addition to his first No. 1 tune as a songwriter with “Beach,” Tyler has earned cuts like “Laid Back” from Aldean’s Old Boots New Dirt, and “First Time Again,” Aldean’s duet with Kelsea Ballerini from his upcoming album They Don’t Know. Tyler’s labelmates LOCASH recorded a trio of his songs for their project The Fighters (“Shipwrecked,” “Ain’t Startin’ Tonight,” and “Moonwalkin’”).

For his own upcoming album, Tyler’s hearty, soulful voice wraps around narratives about Missouri farm towns, small-town first love, and raucous youth, all embedded in singable pop-inflected melodies. His new video for “Crazy Last Night” debuted this week on CMT.

Knox notes that though Tyler’s career is just beginning, he sees it following a familiar trajectory. “Just like Jason, we lost a record deal, and then got a new deal on an independent label. Then LOCASH gets a Top 5 and puts Reviver on the map. It’s kind of the same process, so I hope it keeps continuing like that.”

Industry Ink: AIMP, Digital RodeoTV, Pennington Entertainment, 44 Designs

July 27, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

AIMP Hosts Music Supervisors Panel

Pictured (Row 1, L-R): Madonna Wade-Reed, Adam Ehrlich, Amanda Krieg Thomas, Stephen Stallings, Daniel Kuypers. (Row 2, L-R): John Allen (New West Records), Denise Nichols (The Primacy Firm), Craig Currier (peermusic), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Production Music), Tim Fink (SESAC), Ree Guyer Buchanan (AIMP Treasurer/Wrensong Music), John Ozier (AIMP Ex. Dir./ole), Randall Foster (ole). Photo: Amy Allmand

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) and Fifth Third Bank, with co-sponsorship from Manage Ad Music, ole, peermusic and Warner/Chappell Production Music, held their Scoop From Music Sups panel on Monday (July 25) at The Country.

Five music supervisors from various media – Adam Ehrlich (Paramount Pictures), Daniel Kuypers (Energy BBDO), Stephen Stallings (mcgarrybowen), Amanda Krieg Thomas (Neophonic) and Madonna Wade-Reed (whoopsie daisy) gave AIMP members and guests the inside track on their music needs and pitching tips.

Projects of the supervisors include television shows The Americans, American Horror Story, and Reign, as well as films Baywatch and Jack Reacher 2, and advertising clients Burger King, Marriott and Ziploc.

A showcase and happy hour followed the panel. Performers of the showcase were submitted by AIMP members and selected by judges Jessie Early (Heartsbluff Music), April Geesbreght (ole), Gavin Slate (Red Vinyl Music) and Claire Wyndham (Kompass Music).

Digital RodeoTV, WhereverTV Broadcasting To Simulcast ‘Stars Behind The Stars’ Event

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More than a dozen country artists have teamed for an upcoming benefit concert at Billy Bob’s Texas on Wednesday (July 27) with proceeds benefiting the Dallas Police Association’s Assist the Officer Foundation. Artists taking part include Tanya Tucker, The Oak Ridge Boys, Mark Wills, Collin Raye, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, The Bellamy Brothers, T. Graham Brown, Johnny Lee, Gene Watson, John Conlee, Ronnie McDowell, Mickey Gilley and Moe Bandy.

Digital RodeoTV and WhereverTV Broadcasting Corp. will broadcast the event live via simulcasting. To watch the event live, visit digitalrodeo.tv.

Pennington Entertainment Teams With Stage Design, Production Company 44 Designs

Pennington Entertainment, founded by Shawn Pennington, has partnered with stage design and production company 44 Designs, led by concert and event production specialist Jeff “Lava” Lavallee. The partnership will leverage the marketing and stage creative services of each company forming a powerhouse tour and event production services team.

44 Designs has more than 25 years experience in lighting, touring and production, including work with Hank Williams, Jr., Trace Adkins, Disney Shanghai, and Pennington Entertainment artists Thompson Square and Parmalee.

“Having worked with Jeff and the 44 Designs team extensively in recent years, I can tell you that there is not a more creative brain trust of individuals in the stage creative space in Nashville!” said Pennington. “Every production that I have seen them produce, or been involved with has blown my mind every time! We could not be more excited about this partnership and the ability to deliver amazing production and event services in an affordable manner to the Nashville music community, and beyond.”

Lavallee said, “Shawn and his crew are topnotch and have presented us with some incredible opportunities for creativity and design with his artists. We look forward to what the future holds with this dynamic partnership. My dream was to create a space where innovative people can thrive and develop ideas that are beyond brilliant, then see them come to fruition. This partnership with Pennington Entertainment will take this to the next level in terms of what the potential truly is for any event.”

Chris Lane Visits ‘MusicRow’ To Accept No. 1 Challenge Coin

July 27, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Chris Lane with members of the Big Loud Records and MusicRow teams.

MusicRow presented Big Loud Records artist Chris Lane with his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin, to commemorate the chart-topping success of his single, “Fix.” Members of Lane’s label and radio promotion teams visited the MusicRow office on Wednesday, July 27 to celebrate the song’s success.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson, Chris Lane, and MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.

The track, written by Sarah Buxton, Jesse Frasure and Abe Stoklasa and produced by Joey Moi, topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on July 21. The song was published by Round Hill Works, Big Loud Proud Crowd, Bux Tone Music, BMI/Rio Bravo Music, Inc., Telemitry Productions, and Year Of The Dog Music.

Pictured (L-R): Jerry Duncan Promotions’ Jerry Duncan and Laura Prestage, Chris Lane, and Jerry Duncan Promotions’ Lisa Smoot.

Over the years, challenge coins have marked significant occasions and commemorated outstanding individuals. Continuing this tradition since 2014, MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart.

Chris Lane’s full-length debut album Girl Problems releases Aug. 5.

Pictured (L-R): Big Loud Records’ Clay Hunnicutt, Sweet Talk Publicity’s Jensen Sussman, Chris Lane, Big Loud Records’ Stacy Blythe, and MusicRow Magazine’s Sherod Robertson

Warner Music Group Partners With Video Streaming Platform Vadio

July 27, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Warner Music Group has become the first major music company to team with video streaming platform Vadio, giving Vadio and is distribution partners access to thousands of videos across WMG’s artist roster.

According to Neilsen’s 2015 year-end report, video streaming increased 101.9 percent year over year, in 2015.

“Vadio provides a smart service that gives partners quick and easy access to our artists’ content, within a ready-to-go video platform,” said Ron Wilcox, Executive Counsel, Business Affairs, Strategic and Digital Initiatives, WMG. “Vadio’s extensive distribution network of video channels expands the potential for Warner Music artists to connect with new fans, while creating new revenue streams on our artists’ behalf.”

“We pride ourselves on empowering new business models that create new revenue streams for content creators and media partners. For that reason, we are very excited about our partnership with Warner Music Group,” said Bryce Clemmer, CEO of Vadio. “We believe video will get integrated into every digital media destination. Therefore we are making it possible for artists, brands, and media partners to deliver high quality videos by making Warner’s video library viewable across large scale consumer experiences.”

Clare Bowen Of ‘Nashville’ Joins ASCAP

July 27, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Kele Currier and Michael Martin, Brandon Robert Young, Clare Bowen, ASCAP's Mike Sistad and Beth Brinker, and ROAR's Caitlin Stone

Pictured (L-R): Back row: ASCAP’s Michael Martin and Mike Sistad. Front row: ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Brandon Robert Young, Clare Bowen, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, ROAR’s Caitlin Stone

Clare Bowen, an artist and songwriter who plays Scarlett O’Connor on the series Nashville, has signed with ASCAP for representation.

She stopped by the ASCAP offices on Music Row with her fiancé, songwriter Brandon Robert Young, to join the performance rights organization as a songwriter member. Bowen is currently in the studio, writing and recording with an A-list Nashville producer for her debut solo album.

On joining ASCAP, she said, “I’m so happy to be a part of the ASCAP family. I’ve been singing as Scarlett O’Connor for the past four years, so to be embarking on the journey of creating my debut album, and recording songs I’ve penned for the first time ever, I’m very grateful to have the good people of ASCAP looking out for me as an artist and a writer. Their effort toward ensuring songwriters are protected is both admirable and comforting. And they’re a pretty good hang too.”

The Earls of Leicester, Del McCoury Band Lead IBMA Award Nominations

July 27, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Earls Of Leicester

Reigning IBMA Entertainer of the Year, The Earls of Leicester, lead this year’s IBMA awards nominations, which were announced Wednesday (July 27) in Nashville. Individually and as a group, The Earls of Leicester picked up nominations for Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year and Instrumental Group of the Year while individual nominations go to members Shawn Camp for Male Vocalist of the Year, Jerry Douglas for Dobro Player of the Year, Barry Bales for Bass Player of the Year and Charlie Cushman for Banjo Player of the Year.

Douglas also earned a nod for Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year (“Cazenovia Casanova,” with Frank Solivan and Sam Bush)

Del McCoury Band follows with six nominations (for the band and individuals), including Entertainer of the Year, Recorded Event of the Year (“Pretty Woman,” with Frank Solivan); Male Vocalist of the Year for Del McCoury, Fiddle Player of the Year for Jason Carter, Bass Player of the Year for Alan Bartram and Instrumental Group of the Year for the Travelin’ McCourys.

Flatt Lonesome, who earned the 2014 Emerging Artist of the Year honor, garnered five nominations this year, including Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, Album of the Year (for Runaway Train), Song of the Year (“You’re the One”), and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year (“In The Heat of the Fire”).

Becky Buller, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, and Frank Solivan earned three nominations apiece.

This year’s winners will be announced during the International Bluegrass Music Awards, slated for Thursday, Sept. 29 at Duke Energy Performing Arts Center in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Rounder Founders Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy, and Bill Nowlin.

Also announced Wednesday morning were the latest inductees into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame. Guitarist/singer Clarence White, and Rounder Records founders Bill Nowlin, Marian Leighton Levy and Ken Irwin will be inducted during the awards show on Sept. 29. The Rounder founders celebrated 45 years in 2015.

Each year, the IBMA also recognizes up to five individuals for their significant contributions to bluegrass music, with its Distinguished Achievement Award. This year’s recipients include Bluegrass Unlimited Magazine, the Boston Bluegrass Union, William Hundley “Bill” Emerson, Jr. (founder of groups The Country Gentlemen and Emerson & Waldron), producer/manager/publisher Jim Rooney, and SiriusXM Radio’s Bluegrass Junction. The Distinguished Achievement Awards will be presented during an awards luncheon on Thursday, Sept. 29 during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass Week in Raleigh, North Carolina.

2016 IBMA Awards Nominations

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
The Del McCoury Band
The Earls of Leicester
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers

VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
The Earls of Leicester
Flatt Lonesome
The Gibson Brothers

INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Earls of Leicester
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Punch Brothers
Sam Bush Band
The Travelin’ McCourys

EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Band of Ruhks
The Lonely Heartstring Band
Mountain Faith
Sister Sadie
Steve Gulley & New Pinnacle
Town Mountain

MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Shawn Camp
Del McCoury
Buddy Melton
Tim O’Brien
Danny Paisley

FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Becky Buller
Dale Ann Bradley
Claire Lynch
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent

BANJO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Charlie Cushman
Jens Kruger
Mike Munford
Noam Pikelny
Sammy Shelor

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Barry Bales
Alan Bartram
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Becky Buller
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Ron Stewart

DOBRO PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Phil Leadbetter
Josh Swift

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Chris Eldridge
Jim Hurst
Kenny Smith
Bryan Sutton
Josh Williams

MANDOLIN PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jesse Brock
Sam Bush
Sierra Hull
Frank Solivan
Adam Steffey

SONG OF THE YEAR
“Black River,” Sierra Hull (Artist) – Sierra Hull (Writer) – Rounder Records (Label)
“Long Way Down,” The SteelDrivers (Artist) – Elizabeth Mala Hengber, Tammy Rogers King, and Jerry Salley (Writers) – Rounder Records (Label)
“Radio,” Steep Canyon Rangers (Artist) – Graham Paul Sharp (Writer) – (Label)
“Thunder & Lightning,” Lonesome River Band (Artist) – Adam Wright (Writer) – Mountain Home Music (Label)
“You’re the One,” Flatt Lonesome (Artist) – Dwight Yoakam (Writer) – Mountain Home Music (Label)

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Bridging the Tradition, Lonesome River Band; Mountain Home Music (Label)
It’s About Tyme, Russell Moore & IIIrd Tyme Out; Break A String (Label)
Runaway Train, Flatt Lonesome; Mountain Home Music (Label)
The Muscle Shoals Recordings, The SteelDrivers; Rounder Records (Label)
Weighted Mind, Sierra Hull; Rounder Records (Label)

GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“All Dressed Up,” Joe Mullins and the Radio Ramblers; Sacred Memories; Rebel Records (Label)
“In The Heat of the Fire,” Flatt Lonesome; Runaway Train; Mountain Home Music (Label)
“Rocking of the Cradle,” Lonesome River Band; Bridging the Tradition; Mountain Home Music (Label)
“The Savior Is Born,” Becky Buller; The Christmas 45 Vol. 1; Dark Shadow Recording (Label)
“Won’t You Come and Sing For Me,” Laurie Lewis and the Right Hands; The Hazel and Alice Sessions; Spruce and Maple Music (Label)

INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Cazenovia Casanova,” Frank Solivan with Sam Bush and Jerry Douglas; Family, Friends & Heroes; Compass Records (Label)
“Fireball,” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, and Alison Brown; Long I Ride; Compass Records (Label)
“Hogan’s Goat,” The Boxcars; Familiar with the Ground; Mountain Home Music (Label)
“Hogan’s House of Music,” Ron Block; Hogan’s House of Music; Hogan’s House of Music (Label)
“Smartville,” Ron Block; Hogan’s House of Music; Hogan’s House of Music (Label)

RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“Fireball,” Special Consensus featuring Rob Ickes, Trey Hensley, and Alison Brown; Long I Ride; Compass Records (Label)
“Highway 40 Blues,” Special Consensus with Della Mae; Long I Ride; Compass Records (Label)
“In The Pines,” Carl Jackson and Brad Paisley; Orthophonic Joy: The 1927 Bristol Sessions Revisited; Birthplace of Country Music (Label)
“Longneck Blues,” Junior Sisk and Ronnie Bowman; Poor Boy’s Pleasure; Mountain Fever (Label)
“Pretty Woman,” Frank Solivan with Del McCoury; Family, Friends & Heroes; Compass Records (Label)

UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan Throws Ceremonial Pitch

July 27, 2016/by Sherod Robertson

Mike Dungan, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville.

Music industry executive Mike Dungan, who serves as Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, was invited as a very special guest to throw the ceremonial first pitch at the Cincinnati Reds game on Saturday, July 23.

The Reds defeated the Arizona Diamondbacks with a 6-1 victory at Cincinnati’s Great American Ball Park.

A Cincinnati native and long time Reds fan, Dungan threw the pitch to Reds outfielder Kyle Waldrop.

When asked about this memorable experience, Dungan shared with MusicRow, “In the days leading up to it, my staff tortured me with YouTube videos of the worst first pitches in history. And fuck me if every one of them raced through my mind when I stepped on that mound! But somehow I managed to throw my off-speed stinger for a strike. A big looping 38 mph strike.”

Did you know? President William Howard Taft started the American tradition in 1910 at Griffith Stadium, Washington, D.C., on the Washington Senators’ Opening Day.

Mike Dungan, who serves as Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, throws the ceremonial first pitch to Reds outfielder Kyle Waldrop at the Cincinnati Reds game on Saturday, July 23, 2016.

Mike Dungan and Reds outfielder Kyle Waldrop.

Dierks Bentley To Bring ‘Black’ To Vinyl

‘Billboard’ Reveals 2016 Nashville Power Players

Charlie Daniels Will Be Subject Of CMHoF Exhibit

Exclusive: peermusic Comes Full Circle And Full Throttle

Industry Ink: AIMP, Digital RodeoTV, Pennington Entertainment, 44 Designs

AIMP Hosts Music Supervisors Panel

Digital RodeoTV, WhereverTV Broadcasting To Simulcast ‘Stars Behind The Stars’ Event

Pennington Entertainment Teams With Stage Design, Production Company 44 Designs

Chris Lane Visits ‘MusicRow’ To Accept No. 1 Challenge Coin

Warner Music Group Partners With Video Streaming Platform Vadio

Clare Bowen Of ‘Nashville’ Joins ASCAP

The Earls of Leicester, Del McCoury Band Lead IBMA Award Nominations

UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan Throws Ceremonial Pitch

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