Photo: Amanda Van Sandt
Country newcomer Olivia Lane will release a self-titled EP on July 29 via Big Spark Music Group. The seven-track compilation includes her current single, “Make My Own Sunshine,” in addition to six new tracks (listing below).
The positive single has spawned the #SunshineMovement via videos and social media, encouraging others to spread joy, pay it forward and make their own sunshine.
“I’m over the moon excited to put out my new EP!” said Lane.“Over the last year and a half, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible songwriters on these seven songs and I’m very proud of them. Each song is near and dear to my heart and represents exactly who I am right now in my life.”
Produced by Grammy-nominated musician and 2015 ACM Studio Recording Award recipient Ilya Toshinskiy, Lane collaborated with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others.
Selected for iTunes Country New Artist Spotlight, Lane has previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015), in addition to releasing a 2015 EP, Steal Me Away and a 2014 EP, Love Thing.
On the road, Lane has opened select dates for Cam, Wynonna Judd, Kip Moore and Randy Houser. She can be seen at various venues throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer.
Olivia Lane Track Listing:
1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)
Alabama Entertains CMHoF’s Museum Members At The Big Gig
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Brandon Mauldin, Sr. VP, CEG/Ontourage Management; Tony Conway, President, CEG/Ontourage Management; Alabama’s Randy Owen; Lisa Purcell, VP of Development, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum; Alabama’s Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook; Kos Weaver, Executive VP, BMG. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for The Country Music Hall Of Fame
Alabama, featuring Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, and Jeff Cook, performed in the CMA Theater on Wednesday (July 6) for the museum’s exclusive member concert, The Big Gig.
Free for museum members, the show featured a performance of the band’s hits and an exclusive Hatch Show Print poster made especially for the occasion.
The concert supported their upcoming Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum exhibit, Alabama: Song of the South, which opens August 26. The exhibit will trace the musical beginnings, the challenges, and the successes of the band.
Alabama was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2005. They released their latest album, Southern Drawl, on BMG in 2015.
CRS 2017 Registration Opens Tuesday With Special Rate
/by Craig_ShelburneCountry Radio Seminar will open registration for CRS 2017 on Tuesday (July 12) at a special $429 rate, which is the best price that will be offered this year.
The rate will only be available to a limited number of first-come, first-served registrants. Following the expiration of the $429 rate promotion, the rate will increase to $529.
The annual New Faces of Country Music Show will also be included for the first limited number of full registrants. Last year, the limited-time, discount registration packages and New Faces tickets were sold out the day they came available.
CRS/CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne commented, “Last year’s debut of the NEW CRS Experience provided registrants with incredible information and education, as well as actionable tools to innovate success in an awesome environment! At CRS 2017, you’ll see more artists and musical performances than any individual can appreciate in one place and time.”
Country Radio Seminar 2017 will be held Wednesday, Feb. 22, through Friday, Feb. 24 at the Omni Nashville, in the heart of downtown Nashville.
Rapper Smo Will Release New Album Via Elektra Nashville
/by Craig_ShelburneSmo will release his new album, We the People, on Elektra Nashville (an imprint of Warner Bros. Records) on July 22.
Produced by Jason Mater and Dan Nelson, the project features 11 songs all co-written by the rapper. Guest performers include Casey Beathard, Haden Carpenter, Corey Crowder, Josie Dunne, William Michael Morgan, Todd Nielsen and Michael Ray.
Using the name Big Smo, the rapper released the album Kuntry Livin’ on the label in 2014. That same year, he appeared in an A&E television series titled Big Smo.
“I didn’t plan, I just sat down with a pen and a pad to tell a story and share my vision. Evolving from who I have been, to who I am now, led me here,” Smo said. “Love it. Live it. Buy it. Share it. Just know that you’re going to say my name and when the smoke clears, we the people shall stand together.”
Track List For Smo’s We The People
RIAA Gold and Platinum Awards: June 2016
/by Jessica NicholsonSeveral Nashville artists earned gold and platinum status during the month of June by the RIAA.
Old Dominion earned two RIAA honors, including a digital platinum single, for “Break Up With Him,” and digital gold status for “Snapback.”
Chris Young‘s duet with Cassadee Pope, “Think of You,” earned digital gold status, as did LOCASH‘s “I Love This Life.”
On the album RIAA honors, Garth Brooks earned 9x platinum status for the compilation project The Ultimate Hits. Meanwhile, Christian group Hillsong United‘s Zion was awarded gold status.
BMG Names Zach Katz As President Of U.S. Operations
/by Craig_ShelburneZach Katz
BMG has elevated Zach Katz to president of its U.S operations. He will oversee offices in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles, as well as Rise Records in Portland, Oregon. He will head the label and the music publishing divisions of BMG in the U.S.
Laurent Hubert, who served in that capacity since 2009, has stepped down effective immediately. The announcement was made Thursday (July 7).
Kos Weaver, Executive Vice President of BMG Nashville, told MusicRow, “I know I speak for Zach when I say, Laurent is one of our greatest friends and mentors, our accomplishments were made possible by his intellect and guidance. In my three years at BMG, it is clear that Zach is world-class executive talent with a heart for championing the efforts of creators. I am fortunate to have had both Laurent and Zach as a boss. Zach and I look forward to our continued growth with a sincere appreciation for the pathway that Laurent created for us.”
In February, Katz was promoted to president of music publishing after serving as chief creative officer. His new title will be president, U.S. repertoire and marketing. Katz will report to BMG CEO Hartwig Masuch and will be part of BMG’s international leadership team.
Caitlyn Smith Previews ‘Starfire’ Album With Five-Song EP
/by Jessica NicholsonCaitlyn Smith
Caitlyn Smith, an in-demand songwriter who has penned tunes for Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Cassadee Pope, Kenny Rogers and Meghan Trainor, is set to release her own music.
Her catalog also includes Jason Aldean’s “It Ain’t Easy,” “You Can’t Make Old Friends” by Parton and Rogers, “Wasting All These Tears” by Pope, and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Trainor and John Legend.
“I’ve been writing and working hard for the last couple years on this project, and am so excited to finally be getting this music out there. It was extremely fulfilling to create this new music without boundaries or any agenda other than making music that I love,” Smith says. “It also feels quite magical to be releasing a handful of these new songs the same month as having my first child. A time of life I will never forget.”
“Before You Called Me Baby” from the EP is part of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist. CMT will premiere the music video for “Tacoma” on Tuesday, July 12. Smith co-wrote the track with Bob DiPiero.
Caitlyn Smith performs “This Town Is Killing Me” at a listening party for her new EP, Starfire. Industry guests were invited to a sneak peek of the EP at her publishing firm, Cornman Music on Thursday, July 7 in Nashville.
Weekly Chart Report (7/8/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Big Spark Music Group To Release Olivia Lane EP July 29
/by Eric T. ParkerPhoto: Amanda Van Sandt
Country newcomer Olivia Lane will release a self-titled EP on July 29 via Big Spark Music Group. The seven-track compilation includes her current single, “Make My Own Sunshine,” in addition to six new tracks (listing below).
The positive single has spawned the #SunshineMovement via videos and social media, encouraging others to spread joy, pay it forward and make their own sunshine.
“I’m over the moon excited to put out my new EP!” said Lane.“Over the last year and a half, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible songwriters on these seven songs and I’m very proud of them. Each song is near and dear to my heart and represents exactly who I am right now in my life.”
Produced by Grammy-nominated musician and 2015 ACM Studio Recording Award recipient Ilya Toshinskiy, Lane collaborated with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others.
Selected for iTunes Country New Artist Spotlight, Lane has previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015), in addition to releasing a 2015 EP, Steal Me Away and a 2014 EP, Love Thing.
On the road, Lane has opened select dates for Cam, Wynonna Judd, Kip Moore and Randy Houser. She can be seen at various venues throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer.
Olivia Lane Track Listing:
1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)
Big Loud Shirt/Round Hill Extend Deal With Songwriter Chris Tompkins
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Tompkins
Big Loud Shirt Industries/Round Hill Music has extended its publishing deal with songwriter Chris Tompkins.
“This fall will be 10 years of Big Loud Shirt with Chris; 15 No. 1s, two Grammys, and a thousand beats thumping through the wall,” said Big Loud Shirt owner and hit songwriter Craig Wiseman. “It has been a fun, crazy, magical, maddening, meaningful, miraculous mayhem from the first day. And, I thank God for every day since and every day yet to come.”
Tompkins said of the continued partnership, “I’m looking forward to many more dice rolling, beer drinking, story-telling, cliff jumping, offensive, first-class moon shining and corn dog-converting good times … roll tide!”
With over 15 No. 1 singles to date, Tompkins’ hits also include Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt,” The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” Chris Young’s “Voices,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” Frankie Ballard’s “Helluva Life,” and Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did.”
“Blown Away” was awarded the 2013 Grammy for Country Song Of The Year nod, and “Drunk on a Plane” was proclaimed one of the “Songs I Wish I’d Written” at the 2014 NSAI Awards. In 2007, Tompkins tied with Josh Kear for the honor of MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter honor.
Garth Brooks Teams With The GreenRoom PR
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks
Garth Brooks has added The GreenRoom PR for publicity, MusicRow has confirmed.
The GreenRoom PR will work with Brooks’ existing publicity team, Nancy Seltzer & Associates, which is based in Los Angeles.
The GreenRoom is led by Tyne Parrish and Kristie Sloan. The GreenRoom was founded by Mary Hilliard Harrington, who retains ownership of The GreenRoom, alongside Parrish and Sloan.
The GreenRoom’s clients include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, and more.