Lauren Jenkins Issues Big Machine Records Debut
Big Machine Records artist Lauren Jenkins released her debut EP, Lauren Jenkins: The Nashville Sessions, on Spotify on Friday (May 27). She co-wrote four of the six tracks with collaborators such as Trey Bruce, Ross Copperman, Blair Daly, Matt Dragstrem, Shane McAnally and Liz Rose. Covers include Robert Palmer‘s “Addicted to Love” and Nikki Sixx‘s “Looks That Kill.”
Lauren Jenkins: The Nashville Sessions track listing:
1. “My Bar” (Lauren Jenkins, Matt Dragstrem, Liz Rose)
2. “All Good Things” (Lauren Jenkins, Ross Copperman, Blair Daly, Shane McAnally)
3. “Addicted to Love” (Robert Palmer)
4. “Cadillac” (Lauren Jenkins, Trey Bruce)
5. “Blood” (Lauren Jenkins, Trey Bruce)
Quaker City Nighthawks Release New Album
Pictured (L-R): Pat Adams, The Quaker City Night Hawks; Jonathan Insogna, WME; Logan Rogers, Lightning Rod Records; Sam Anderson, The Quaker City Night Hawks; Aaron Haynes, Sierra Bloodgood, C3 Management; Ryan Matteson, The Quaker City Night Hawks; David Matsler, The Quaker City Night Hawks. Photo: Lightning Rod Records
Texas band Quaker City Nighthawks celebrated the release of their album, El Astronauta, on May 20 at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas. The project was released by Nashville label Lightning Rod Records and they are represented by WME. The band will be performing a number of shows in Nashville from May 28 through 31.
Buzz Cason Aligns With Dan Hodges Music
Pictured (L-R): Dan Hodges, Buzz Cason, Parker Cason
Buzz Cason has entered into an agreement with Dan Hodges Music for creative catalog representation.
Cason’s hits include the classic “Everlasting Love”, which has charted in every decade since its release, and “Love’s the Only House” for Martina McBride. In addition, he is fondly known as the voice of Alvin of the Chipmunks and is professionally known as a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Boasting a career that spans six decades, Cason has written songs for the The Beatles, U2, Pearl Jam, Gloria Estefan, Alan Jackson, the Oak Ridge Boys and Martina McBride. He produced Jimmy Buffett, produced and sang with Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets for Liberty Records after Holly’s death, and has performed background vocals for Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, George Jones, and Roy Orbison and others.
Cason has been honored in the Poets and Prophets series of the Country Music Hall of Fame and has recently toured promoting his Plowboy Records release, Record Machine, sharing hit songs and stories of his journey.
Bob DiPiero Draws Mario Batali To Songwriter Show
Pictured (L-R): Drew Baldridge, Bob DiPiero, Mario Batali, Tim Nichols, Lee Miller
Bob DiPiero continued his role as host of Joe’s Pub Songwriters Series in New York City with a performance on Wednesday (May 25).
He was joined by Drew Baldridge, Tim Nichols and Lee Miller. Celebrities in the audience included Mario Batali and Spike Lee. DiPiero has hosted the series since December 2014.
One of Nashville’s most prominent and popular songwriters, DiPiero can claim more than 50 million spins at country radio−with the BMI “Million-Air” Awards to prove it. His major cuts include Neal McCoy’s “Wink,” Reba McEntire’s “Little Rock,” Tim McGraw’s “Southern Voice,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ “American Made” and George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky.”
Artist Updates: Eric Paslay, Cody Johnson, Clark Manson, Hannah Ellis
/by Craig_ShelburneEric Paslay Advocates For Music Education
Eric Paslay and Sen. Bob Corker. Photo: Kris Connor/Getty Images for NAMM
EMI Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay traveled to Washington, D.C. this week on behalf of the CMA Foundation to participate in the NAMM Music Education Advocacy Fly-in. During the trip, Paslay met with legislators including Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Congressman Jim Cooper, Senator Bob Corker, and Congressman Chuck Fleischman to relay his own experiences with music education and express his dedication to keeping arts education programs thriving.
Paslay addressed participants of the Fly-in at the CMA/NAMM/VH1 Congressional Reception for Music Education and also attended the TurnAround Arts Artist Reception where he joined in an impromptu jam session with blues musicians Keb Mo and jazz musician Bernie Williams. The annual event advances NAMM’s core advocacy theme: music education and legislation that advances access to music education for all children.
Since 2006, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $13.6 million to support sustainable music education initiatives across the country.
Cody Johnson Plans New Album, Gotta Be Me
Rising country artist Cody Johnson is scheduled to release a new full-length studio album, Gotta Be Me, on August 5. In the last 18 months, his music has been streamed 60 million times and sold 400,000 tracks. Since 2014, the Texas musician has played over 250 cities and sold more than 500,000 tickets. His prior album, Cowboy Like Me, debuted at No. 7 on Billboard’s country album chart in January 2014. Since its release, Johnson’s music has surpassed $1 million in sales. Gotta Be Me is available for pre-order at iTunes.
Clark Manson Partners With ORCA Coolers
Pictured (L-R): Nick Fulton, Pat Doyle, manager Pete Olson, Clark Manson, Kelsey Canan, Ashleigh Walker, Regina Pasconi, Grace Santschi, Whit Gammon
Country artist Clark Manson has teamed up with Outdoor Recreation Company of America (ORCA) for an endorsement of ORCA Coolers, a leading brand in the industry. Clark tours nationally, heading festivals as well as opening for acts like Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley and Chase Rice. He is an Ohio native, where ORCA products are manufactured.
“We are very excited to have Clark as our newest Pro Staff member here at ORCA,” said Ashleigh Walker, VP of Marketing for ORCA Coolers. “Being a Nashville-based company we feel that Clark’s fan base and our customer base are basically one in the same, so this will be a great partnership for both of us.”
Clark’s new single is “Track 9.” He is exclusively represented by William Morris Endeavor and recording an album this month with producer Luke Wooten. He is sponsored by Jägermeister and was the 2015 TouchTunes Breakout Band winner.
Hannah Ellis Performs For National Police Week
Word MusicPublishing/Wordcountry songwriter Hannah Ellis sang her poignant song “Officer Down” during National Police Week held at the Capitol in Washington, D.C. on Sunday, May 15. The song, written by Ellis and co-writers Steven Dale Jones and Justin Ebach, is a tribute to her cousin Daniel Ellis who was killed in the line of duty in Richmond, Kentucky, last year. Daniel Ellis and 251 other officers were honored by having their name added to the National Law Enforcement Officers Memorial in Washington, D.C.
“Being asked to sing at the Fallen Peace Officers Memorial service is an honor in and of itself, but especially considering what my family has been through this past year with losing our own officer, it is something I will never forget,” says Ellis, a former contestant on The Voice. “Having the opportunity to sing a song that’s so personal to me and feel it resonate with so many people who have similar stories was a very moving experience.”
Artist Updates: Dustin Lynch, John Michael Montgomery, Lucas Hoge
/by Craig_ShelburneDustin Lynch Sings For FOX and Friends
Pictured (L-R): FOX & Friends hosts Steve Doocy and Ainsley Earhardt, and Dustin Lynch
Dustin Lynch kicked off Memorial Day weekend with a performance on FOX & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series in New York City on Friday morning (May 27) on the FOX News Channel. His set list included “Mind Reader,” “Where It’s At,” “Hell of a Night” and a new song titled “Small Town Boy Like Me.”
John Michael Montgomery Will Perform For Veterans
John Michael Montgomery
John Michael Montgomery will sing “Letters From Home” for a crowd of veterans and their families on Memorial Day (May 30) in Washington DC. The performance is part of the 12th Annual National Memorial Day Parade in partnership with Helping a Hero, which builds specially-adapted homes for wounded veterans. The entire event will be broadcast nationally on REELZ Channel, American Forces Network and online at Military.com.
The parade will recognize the 75th anniversary of America’s entry into World War II, and commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Vietnam War. In honor of the 25th anniversary of Operation Desert Storm, a special tribute will be made to veterans of the Gulf War as hundreds reunite in what will be the largest reunion of those who served in the war since its end in 1991. Additionally, the parade will recognize the 15th anniversary of the 9/11 attacks. More than 1,000 active duty military personnel will participate.
Lucas Hoge Visiting Troops Overseas
Pictured (L-R): Thomas Becker, Erik Anthes, Lucas Hoge
Country artist Lucas Hoge will spend Memorial Day performing for troops overseas. This will be the eighth Wrangler Patriot Tour that Hoge has participated in, traveling to undisclosed locations to perform for our servicemen and women. Previous tours have taken Hoge to Iraq, Afghanistan, Pacific Command and Alaska. Hoge’s patriotic song “Medal of Honor” is the official Wrangler National Patriot theme song.
Founded in 2009 the Wrangler National Patriot tour is a year-round program developed to help raise funds to support American military veterans and their families and to serve as inspiration for all Americans to rally around each other in patriotism.
Dolly Parton Accepts Role As Singing Chicken In Kids Show
/by Craig_ShelburneDolly Parton poses with her character, Noreen, on Lily’s Driftwood Bay.
Dolly Parton will voice a singing chicken named Noleen for a special episode of Lily’s Driftwood Bay, an Irish animated program for preschool children.
Parton says, “I’ve never played a chicken before but I have been known to lay a few eggs! Noleen is a very famous chicken, probably one of the most famous chickens ever there was. She washes up on Driftwood Bay and she’s trying to get Salty to go with her on tour. Now whether he does or whether he doesn’t, you’ll just have to watch and see!”
In Parton’s special double-length episode, Noleen’s luxury yacht gets beached on Driftwood Bay during a storm, much to the surprise of her greatest – and rather starstruck — fan, Lord Stag (Stephen Fry). An impromptu concert sees old sea dog Salty (Peter Mullan) duet with Noleen, who’s astonished by his talent and tries to persuade him to come on tour with her. The episode, titled ‘The Salty Chicken,’ will air next year.
Show creator and producer Colin Williams says, “‘The Salty Chicken’ was the first story outline that we wrote for series two and it was always Dolly that I wanted. It took me a year to convince her but what an honor to meet her, work with her and have her part of our special show. She’s an amazing and lovely lady — and a Lily fan too!”
A series about making fun and adventure from things that you find, Lily’s Driftwood Bay is produced by Sixteen South featuring characters and environments completely created from objects found washed up on the beach. The series is supported by some production funding from Northern Ireland Screen.
The series starts on Nick Jr. in the UK on June 6, followed by airings on Sprout, NBCUniversal Cable Entertainment’s 24-hour preschool network in the U.S., on June 27.
In Pictures: Alabama, Sam Moore Join Music City Walk Of Fame
/by Eric T. ParkerAlabama’s Teddy Gentry, Randy Owen, BMG’s Kos Weaver, and the band’s Jeff Cook.
Country Music Hall of Fame members Alabama and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame and Grammy Hall of Fame member Sam Moore were both honored by Music City with a newly revealed plaque in Nashville’s Walk of Fame Park.
A media gathering and unveiling took place May 26 with attendees Mayor Megan Berry, Bill Cody, Connie Smith, Alabama manager Tony Conway and the BMG Executive VP Kos Weaver. BMG Nashville released Alabama’s newest album, Southern Drawl, in 2015.
Photos: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Pictured (L-R): Connie Smith, Sam Moore’s wife Joy, Sam Moore.
Alabama receiving a plaque on the Music City Walk of Fame.
Pictured (L-R): Sam Moore with Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.
Pictured (L-R): Alabama’s Teddy Gentry, the band’s manager Tony Conway, Alabama’s Randy Owen and Jeff Cook.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Connie Smith (L) presents Sam Moore with commemorative plaque.
Alabama pictured with family.
SunTrust’s 18th Annual Hot Dog Day Set For June 9
/by Jessica NicholsonThe free event, which will be held from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., will feature entertainment provided by Warner/Chappell music publishing.
SunTrust Music Row is located at 1026 17th Ave. S.
Industry Ink: Lauren Jenkins, Quaker City Nighthawks, Buzz Cason, Bob DiPiero
/by Craig_ShelburneLauren Jenkins Issues Big Machine Records Debut
Big Machine Records artist Lauren Jenkins released her debut EP, Lauren Jenkins: The Nashville Sessions, on Spotify on Friday (May 27). She co-wrote four of the six tracks with collaborators such as Trey Bruce, Ross Copperman, Blair Daly, Matt Dragstrem, Shane McAnally and Liz Rose. Covers include Robert Palmer‘s “Addicted to Love” and Nikki Sixx‘s “Looks That Kill.”
Lauren Jenkins: The Nashville Sessions track listing:
1. “My Bar” (Lauren Jenkins, Matt Dragstrem, Liz Rose)
2. “All Good Things” (Lauren Jenkins, Ross Copperman, Blair Daly, Shane McAnally)
3. “Addicted to Love” (Robert Palmer)
4. “Cadillac” (Lauren Jenkins, Trey Bruce)
5. “Blood” (Lauren Jenkins, Trey Bruce)
Quaker City Nighthawks Release New Album
Pictured (L-R): Pat Adams, The Quaker City Night Hawks; Jonathan Insogna, WME; Logan Rogers, Lightning Rod Records; Sam Anderson, The Quaker City Night Hawks; Aaron Haynes, Sierra Bloodgood, C3 Management; Ryan Matteson, The Quaker City Night Hawks; David Matsler, The Quaker City Night Hawks. Photo: Lightning Rod Records
Texas band Quaker City Nighthawks celebrated the release of their album, El Astronauta, on May 20 at Stubb’s in Austin, Texas. The project was released by Nashville label Lightning Rod Records and they are represented by WME. The band will be performing a number of shows in Nashville from May 28 through 31.
Buzz Cason Aligns With Dan Hodges Music
Pictured (L-R): Dan Hodges, Buzz Cason, Parker Cason
Buzz Cason has entered into an agreement with Dan Hodges Music for creative catalog representation.
Cason’s hits include the classic “Everlasting Love”, which has charted in every decade since its release, and “Love’s the Only House” for Martina McBride. In addition, he is fondly known as the voice of Alvin of the Chipmunks and is professionally known as a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame.
Boasting a career that spans six decades, Cason has written songs for the The Beatles, U2, Pearl Jam, Gloria Estefan, Alan Jackson, the Oak Ridge Boys and Martina McBride. He produced Jimmy Buffett, produced and sang with Buddy Holly’s band The Crickets for Liberty Records after Holly’s death, and has performed background vocals for Brenda Lee, Elvis Presley, Kenny Rogers, Kris Kristofferson, John Denver, George Jones, and Roy Orbison and others.
Cason has been honored in the Poets and Prophets series of the Country Music Hall of Fame and has recently toured promoting his Plowboy Records release, Record Machine, sharing hit songs and stories of his journey.
Bob DiPiero Draws Mario Batali To Songwriter Show
Pictured (L-R): Drew Baldridge, Bob DiPiero, Mario Batali, Tim Nichols, Lee Miller
Bob DiPiero continued his role as host of Joe’s Pub Songwriters Series in New York City with a performance on Wednesday (May 25).
He was joined by Drew Baldridge, Tim Nichols and Lee Miller. Celebrities in the audience included Mario Batali and Spike Lee. DiPiero has hosted the series since December 2014.
One of Nashville’s most prominent and popular songwriters, DiPiero can claim more than 50 million spins at country radio−with the BMI “Million-Air” Awards to prove it. His major cuts include Neal McCoy’s “Wink,” Reba McEntire’s “Little Rock,” Tim McGraw’s “Southern Voice,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ “American Made” and George Strait’s “Blue Clear Sky.”
Shane Allen Named Sr. VP, Promotion, Columbia Nashville
/by Craig_ShelburneShane Allen. Photo: Alan Poizner
Shane Allen has been named Senior Vice President Promotion, Columbia Nashville. He will begin his new role on Tuesday (May 31).
The promotion was announced Friday morning by Steve Hodges, Executive Vice President, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville.
Reporting directly to Hodges, Allen will be responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the strategic and tactical radio promotional plans for artists on the Columbia Nashville roster which includes Kenny Chesney, Tyler Farr, Maren Morris and Chase Rice.
Steve Hodges said, “It’s my honor and privilege to welcome Shane Allen to the helm of the Columbia Nashville promotion team! Shane brings an impeccable promotion track record, unrivaled passion for the music, high business acumen and a stellar reputation at country radio to Sony Music Nashville.” He continued, “Those are just a few of the leadership qualities that make him the perfect fit for this role. I’m elated he’s a part of the new Sony story line!”
Shane Allen said, “I’m very grateful to Randy Goodman and Steve Hodges for the exciting opportunity to work in this capacity with one the most iconic music brands in the business!” He added, “I’m very much looking forward to an awesome ride with the Columbia Nashville artists and staff.”
Starting his career at KSON in San Diego, California in 1996, Allen’s first label home was MCA Nashville in 1998. He joined Capitol Nashville in 2007 and held the role of Vice President, Radio Strategies & Field Marketing.
After a brief time with Red Light Management in early 2009, he returned to Capitol later that year as Vice President, Promotion. When the label merged with Universal Music Nashville in 2012, he held that title for all four of Universal’s imprints – EMI Nashville, MCA, Mercury and Capitol, ultimately succeeding Steve Hodges when he left the helm of the Capitol promotion department.
Allen’s departure from Universal Music Group was announced on May 20.
Weekly Chart Report (5/27/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Dan + Shay Brave The Rain To Celebrate Upcoming Album
/by Jessica NicholsonGloomy weather couldn’t keep Warner Music Nashville duo Dan + Shay, along with their team, from celebrating the upcoming release of their sophomore album Obsessed. Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO John Esposito hosted a celebration held at Warner Music Nashville’s offices on Wednesday afternoon (May 25) turning Warner’s regular Pickin’ on the Patio party into an album preview party.
Dan + Shay’s Shay Mooney and Dan Smyers welcomed a swarm of fans, who were all too happy to brave the rain to hear a rooftop preview performance of tracks from Obsessed, which will release June 3.
Dan + Shay
Prior to the performance, the duo was surprised by Liz Kennedy, a representative from the RIAA, announcing two certifications for tracks from their previous album, Where It All Began. Dan+Shay’s breakthrough hit, “19 You + Me” has been certified platinum, while “Nothin’ Like You” has been certified gold.
“There is nothing harder or scarier than a sophomore record,” said Scott Hendricks, who co-produced Obsessed with Smyers. “The first one, you’ve got a whole lot of time to make it. The second one, it’s a whole other story, and many times as you know, it’s hard to live up to the first record. These guys came focused, they came with more songs than we can put on the record. We were arguing up to the last day about what songs to take off. They are writing machines. Working with Dan on this thing, he’s an incredible producer. The songs, I couldn’t be more proud of this record. There are a lot of hit songs on this record, even more than on the first. I can’t wait for the world to hear this.”
Pictured (L-R): Lisa Ray, VP Brand Management; Peter Strickland, EVP & GM, WMN; Dan Smyers; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Shay Mooney; Liz Kennedy, Director, Communications and Gold & Platinum Program, RIAA; Kevin Herring, SVP Promotion; Chris Palmer, VP Promotion
Jason Isbell, More Tennessee Artists Promote State’s Tourism
/by Craig_ShelburneJason Isbell and Amanda Shires perform a live streamed concert inside the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater for Chicago’s Congress Park. PRNewsFoto/Tennessee Department of Tourist Development
This week, the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development live-streamed three concerts from West, Middle, and East Tennessee into Congress Park in downtown Chicago as part of The Soundtrack of America: Made in Tennessee tourism program.
Citizen Cope, Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Ashley Monroe took to the stage on three consecutive nights, May 23-25, and performed from iconic attractions in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. The live performances were streamed onto a two-sided video wall and artists interacted with the audiences over the course of three days, including giving away trips to Tennessee.
Citizen Cope kicked off the series of events on Monday and performed a solo acoustic set live from Stax Museum of American Soul Music. The screen gave the Chicago audience a 360-degree look at the Memphis performance, making it the first long distance concert of its kind. Citizen Cope also posed for photos through the screens and took song requests from the crowd in Chicago. He also gave one lucky Chicago audience member a trip to visit Memphis.
On Tuesday, the events traveled to Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum as high-energy old-time string band Old Crow Medicine Show performed seven songs including “Tennessee Bound,” “8 Dogs 8 Banjos” and “Wagon Wheel.” The group also connected with the live audience in Chicago’s Congress Park, through the interactive screens, and gave away a limited-edition poster to a fan.
The evening culminated with a set from Jason Isbell, joined by wife Amanda Shires on stage. Isbell greeted the audience in Chicago and performed “24 Frames,” “Cover Me Up,” and the title track off his latest album Something More Than Free. Additionally, Isbell took crowd pictures through the interactive screens and also selected a lucky winner in Chicago to give a trip to Nashville.
Singer, songwriter, and member of the country music trio Pistol Annies, Ashley Monroe took the stage in her hometown of Knoxville at the famous Tennessee Theatre for the final night of the concert series. Monroe performed a nine-song set that included singles “Like a Rose” and “Weed Instead of Roses,” as well as “Bombshell” off her latest album The Blade. Monroe also used time in-between songs to speak with the audience in Chicago and talk about growing up in Knoxville.
The live streaming concerts were part of a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Nashville marketing agency FlyteVu.
“As the birthplace of so many genres, Tennessee’s musical roots are deep with ground-breaking events,” said Kevin Triplett, Commissioner of Tourist Development. “The three days of streamed concerts, showcasing the amazing talent of Citizen Cope, Jason Isbell, Old Crow Medicine Show, and Ashley Monroe, featured the wide variety of music that is ours. Originating from Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville highlights these music destinations and venues as well as the artists and their music. And it makes this streamed event another incredible first that puts the music stake even deeper in the ground for Tennessee.”
Tennessee has long been known as a global music destination for live performances, historic music venues and recording studios. It is the state where the genres of blues, bluegrass, country, gospel, soul and rock ‘n’ roll originated and has more musicians per capita than any other place in the world.
Additionally, Chicago is a top tourism market for the state of Tennessee. Due to direct flight paths into the state’s major airports and close geographical driving range, Tennessee has become an easily accessible destination for many tourists over the years.