Matraca Berg, Tom Douglas, Ryan Hurd, Luke Laird, Lee Miller and Maren Morris are just some of the Nashville songwriters with material on the next volume of music from the ABC series, Nashville.
Titled The Music of Nashville, Season 4, Volume 2, the compilation will be released on May 13 by Big Machine Records. Music from the show has sold over five million tracks collectively across seven soundtracks and a Christmas album.
Buddy Miller serves as soundtrack album producer. Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan are executive soundtrack producers.
Track Listing for The Music of Nashville, Season 4, Volume 2:
1. “Can’t Say No To Love” (performed by Will Chase)
Written by: Rose Falcon, Joe Ginsberg, Gabriel Dixon
2. “Soul Survivor” (performed by Aubrey Peeples & Jonathan Jackson)
Written by: Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby
3. “Only Tennessee” (performed by Clare Bowen)
Written by: Claire Guerreso, Daniel Tashian
4. “Kinda Dig The Feeling” (performed by Jonathan Jackson)
Written by: Jaren Johnston, Tyler Bryant, Tom Douglas
5. “Swept Away” (performed by Lennon Stella & Jessy Schram)
Written by: Audra Mae, Blake Sennett, Jarrod Gorbel
6. “Movin’ On Never Felt So Good” (performed by Chris Carmack)
Written by: Gareth Dunlop
7. “From Here On Out” (performed by Charles Esten)
Written by: Andy Albert, Stephanie Lambring, Timothy Bowen
8. “The Rubble” (performed by Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio)
Written by: Sarah Zimmerman, Justin Davis, Paul Moak
9. “Hole In The World” (performed by Lennon Stella)
Written by: Gordie Sampson, Katrina Elam, Steve McEwan
10. “‘Til The Stars Come Out Again” (performed by Maisy Stella)
Written by: Garrison Starr, Justin Glasco
11. “Caged Bird” (performed by Aubrey Peeples)
Written by: Tina Parol, Maren Morris
12. “One Place Too Long” (performed by Hayden Panettiere)
Written by: Haley Cole, Bobby Hamrick
13. “Ain’t It Beautiful” (performed by Chris Carmack)
Written by: Sean McConnell, Michael Dulaney, Lee Miller
14. “Wild Card” (performed by Lennon Stella)
Written by: Rosi Golan, Claire Guerreso, Daniel Tashian
15. “Boomtown” (performed by Will Chase & Hayden Panettiere)
Written by: Ryan Hurd, Gordie Sampson, Maren Morris
16. “All We Ever Wanted” (performed by Lennon & Maisy)
Written by: Kate York, Matraca Berg
17. “Hold On To Me” (performed by Connie Britton)
Written by: Bob Moffatt, Clint Moffatt, Summer Overstreet
Becca Walls Resigns From WKDF After 16 Years
/by Jessica NicholsonBecca Walls
Nash FM 103.3 (WKDF) on-air personality Becca Walls has resigned after 16 years with the station, she announced today (May 3). Her last day will be May 11.
“Please know this was 1000% my decision and Cumulus Nashville couldn’t have been kinder or more supportive when I delivered the news. It’s something I have thought about, prayed about, struggled with, sought advice from wiser friends about, and ultimately decided it was time,” Walls stated on social media. “My passion and love for country radio and my love affair with country music and the artists is for life. I am not leaving Nashville. It is my home and a city I have grown to love intensely.”
She will do freelance work as the Nashville correspondent for Envision Networks’ AmeriCountry daily radio prep. She is also the Nashville correspondent for the Bud and Broadway morning show on 92.3 (WIL) in St. Louis, and is exploring other options ranging from freelance work to full-time opportunities.
“I owe a big debt of gratitude to Wes Gardipe who took a chance on me 16 years ago when I had little to no experience as a solo DJ on a radio station. He believed in me because of my work with Blair Garner on After MidNite. His belief in me changed my life and since then, anyone who has believed in me, supported me, encouraged me, loved me or listened to me in the last 16 years has also changed my life in the most positive and amazing ways.”
MusicRowLife: The AristoMedia Group’s Jon and Tessa Walker Welcome Daughter
/by Jessica NicholsonThe AristoMedia Group’s Jon Walker and wife Tessa welcomed daughter, Emme Josephine Walker, on Monday, May 2. She weighed in at 6 lbs, 6 oz.
This is the third grandchild for the late Jeff Walker (AristoMedia Group Founder) and his wife Terri. Emme is also the great-granddaughter of award-winning arranger, producer, conductor and music director Bill Walker and wife Jeanine Walker, and niece of AristoMedia’s Christy Walker-Watkins and Matt Watkins.
Emme Josephine Walker
LANco Makes The Most Of Every Moment On Debut Arista Nashville Single
/by Jessica NicholsonLANco
One of Arista Nashville’s newest additions to its roster, LANco visited with MusicRow on Tuesday morning (May 3) to showcase three songs from their four-song LANco EP, including “Trouble Maker,” “American Love Story,” and their current single “Long Live Tonight.”
Like many bands, LANco’s members—Brandon Lancaster, Tripp Howell, Eric Steedly, Jared Hampton, and Chandler Baldwin—found a shared musical bond through performing in other bands around the Middle Tennessee area.
Introducing “Long Live Tonight,” Lancaster stated, “This song is about making the most of every moment you’ve got.”
It’s a maxim that has brought the band from secretly rehearsing in warehouses to working with Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Carrie Underwood, Little Big Town) and inking their deal with Arista Nashville.
At the time, band member Tripp Howell worked at a carpet warehouse by day, and was a musician by night. The band took advantage of the space and time they had to develop their sound. “At that time we weren’t really making any money and couldn’t afford a rehearsal spot,” says Lancaster. “Tripp had the keys to the carpet warehouse so we would sneak in there and just rehearse. We would always try to load our stuff out before the store opened. Then we got kind of lazy, so we put our equipment in the corner of the warehouse and threw old dusty rugs over our stuff, hoping not to get caught. We did get caught.”
LANco
Later, Lancaster would take a risk with a bigger payoff. During one of his shifts working at the Bridgestone Arena’s concession stand, Lancaster spotted Jay Joyce.
“I was a huge fan, so I thought that was the appropriate time to shut down my register. I just approached him as a fan,” says Lancaster. “We got to talking and about 30 minutes later, he invited me to his studio to play some songs.”
That meeting and a four-song performance led to an offer to record an album at Joyce’s Neon Cross Studio in Nashville.
“We did that, and got ourselves an RV and hit the road to build a fan base,” says Lancaster. “We played a show at [Nashville’s] The High Watt. There were a few guys in the green room after the show that we didn’t recognize, but it was Randy Goodman and Steve Hodges from Sony and that whole crew and they offered us a deal on the spot.”
“Long Live Tonight” officially impacts country radio on July 11. The band will spend the summer playing festivals, and recently appeared at SXSW and Tortuga Music Festival.
LANco with MusicRow staff
Darrell Brown Curates SongHubs To Collaborate With Australian Musicians
/by Craig_ShelburneDarrell Brown
Songwriter Darrell Brown is curating the 2016 SongHubs LA Edition at Capitol Studios in Hollywood, California. The five-day event concludes Friday (May 6).
SongHubs gives Australian songwriters the opportunity to collaborate and write music with some of the world’s best songwriters and producers. ASCAP and Capitol Studios partnered for the event with APRA AMCOS, which stands for the Australasian Performing Right Association Ltd and the Australasian Mechanical Copyright Owners Society Ltd. SongHubs was established in 2013 as an APRA AMCOS initiative, with co-funding from the Australian Federal Government.
An ASCAP writer who is based in L.A. and Nashville, Brown is a hit songwriter, arranger, producer and manager who has written songs for artists of nearly every genre of popular music, as well as writing music for film and television. His songwriting credits include LeAnn Rimes’ “Nothin’ Better to Do,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance” and Keith Urban’s “Raining on Sunday.”
Rimes is also confirmed as an official collaborator, along with multi-talented musicians Mr. Hudson, Franc Tetaz, Stuart Crichton, Aston Merrygold and Natasha Bedingfield.
“ASCAP is excited to partner with SongHubs and Capitol Studios in providing a rare opportunity for wonderful songwriters from around the globe to foster creative collaboration,” said Loretta Munoz, ASCAP AVP Membership. “It is a great example of how we’re committed to helping songwriters succeed. We are especially excited to have a songwriter with such unique gifts as Darrell Brown as curator for SongHubs LA.”
“I’ve had many successes with music creators from Australia and I wouldn’t have any success in my life it wasn’t for the support of ASCAP, “ said Brown. “Saying ‘yes’ to ASCAP and APRA to curate at SongHubs at Capitol Studios was a no-brainer. It is going to be an out-of-this-world great experience. I couldn’t be happier to be joining this amazing group of songwriters, producers and artists.”
Track Listing For Next ‘Nashville’ Compilation Announced
/by Craig_ShelburneMatraca Berg, Tom Douglas, Ryan Hurd, Luke Laird, Lee Miller and Maren Morris are just some of the Nashville songwriters with material on the next volume of music from the ABC series, Nashville.
Titled The Music of Nashville, Season 4, Volume 2, the compilation will be released on May 13 by Big Machine Records. Music from the show has sold over five million tracks collectively across seven soundtracks and a Christmas album.
Buddy Miller serves as soundtrack album producer. Callie Khouri and Steve Buchanan are executive soundtrack producers.
Track Listing for The Music of Nashville, Season 4, Volume 2:
1. “Can’t Say No To Love” (performed by Will Chase)
Written by: Rose Falcon, Joe Ginsberg, Gabriel Dixon
2. “Soul Survivor” (performed by Aubrey Peeples & Jonathan Jackson)
Written by: Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby
3. “Only Tennessee” (performed by Clare Bowen)
Written by: Claire Guerreso, Daniel Tashian
4. “Kinda Dig The Feeling” (performed by Jonathan Jackson)
Written by: Jaren Johnston, Tyler Bryant, Tom Douglas
5. “Swept Away” (performed by Lennon Stella & Jessy Schram)
Written by: Audra Mae, Blake Sennett, Jarrod Gorbel
6. “Movin’ On Never Felt So Good” (performed by Chris Carmack)
Written by: Gareth Dunlop
7. “From Here On Out” (performed by Charles Esten)
Written by: Andy Albert, Stephanie Lambring, Timothy Bowen
8. “The Rubble” (performed by Clare Bowen & Sam Palladio)
Written by: Sarah Zimmerman, Justin Davis, Paul Moak
9. “Hole In The World” (performed by Lennon Stella)
Written by: Gordie Sampson, Katrina Elam, Steve McEwan
10. “‘Til The Stars Come Out Again” (performed by Maisy Stella)
Written by: Garrison Starr, Justin Glasco
11. “Caged Bird” (performed by Aubrey Peeples)
Written by: Tina Parol, Maren Morris
12. “One Place Too Long” (performed by Hayden Panettiere)
Written by: Haley Cole, Bobby Hamrick
13. “Ain’t It Beautiful” (performed by Chris Carmack)
Written by: Sean McConnell, Michael Dulaney, Lee Miller
14. “Wild Card” (performed by Lennon Stella)
Written by: Rosi Golan, Claire Guerreso, Daniel Tashian
15. “Boomtown” (performed by Will Chase & Hayden Panettiere)
Written by: Ryan Hurd, Gordie Sampson, Maren Morris
16. “All We Ever Wanted” (performed by Lennon & Maisy)
Written by: Kate York, Matraca Berg
17. “Hold On To Me” (performed by Connie Britton)
Written by: Bob Moffatt, Clint Moffatt, Summer Overstreet
Tennessee Musicians Will Stream Concerts To Attract Tourists From Chicago
/by Craig_ShelburneOld Crow Medicine Show
Jason Isbell, Ashley Monroe and Old Crow Medicine Show are among the Tennessee musicians who will appear in a series of interactive concerts to be streamed in a high-traffic area of Chicago. The idea is part of a partnership with the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development and Nashville marketing agency FlyteVu.
Scheduled for May 23-25, the exclusive live streamed concert series will offer performances at iconic attractions in Memphis, Nashville and Knoxville. The performances will be streamed onto a two-sided video wall in a high-traffic location in Chicago and will have interactive capabilities between artist and audience as well as a 360-degree panoramic camera angle, making it the first long-distance concert if its kind.
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 from the area.
Citizen Cope will take the stage on May 23 live from the Stax Museum of American Soul Music in his hometown of Memphis. Isbell and Old Crow Medicine Show will perform separate shows from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on May 24. Monroe is scheduled to sing from the historic Tennessee Theatre in Knoxville on May 25.
“As the birthplace of so many genres, Tennessee’s musical history 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, feature 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.”
The Appointment Group Expands Global Touring Business To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonTAG’s Global Touring division manages each logistical aspect of tours and productions. The tour specialists manage each element of the travel itinerary with confidentiality—from flights and hotels, private charters and transfers, to concierge meet-and-greet services. TAG has worked on tours for artists including Luke Bryan, Alabama Shakes, Jewel, Cam and Drake White.
Additionally, they manage tours and travel in the classical touring business, including moving orchestras, ensembles, opera companies, conductors and soloists.
Mary Frame, general manager for the Nashville office, says, “We very much hope and expect our Nashville office to mirror the success of our other U.S. operations. We are confident our founding principles of providing the highest calibre of service whilst providing overall best value to our clients will help us gain new longstanding clients.”
Byron Carr, managing director of Global Touring U.S., says, “Our presence in the U. S. continues to significantly grow, the opening of our Nashville office is a calculated decision for TAG to solidify its position in the American music industry. This office opening demonstrates TAG’s ongoing commitment and investment in the U.S., continuously exploring new markets and expanding our client portfolio.”
Frame can be reached at mary.frame@appointmentgroup.
Provident Label Group, Essential Records Sign Zach Williams
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Standing, L-R): Jonathan Smith, Essential Music Publishing; Blaine Barcus, Vice President of A&R, Provident Label Group; Karrie Dawley, Creative Director. Seated (L-R): Terry Hemmings, President/CEO, Provident Music Group; Zach Williams
Provident Label Group and Essential Records have added Zach Williams to their roster. Williams’ single “Chain Breaker,” co-written with Essential Music Publishing’s Jonathan Smith and Mia Fieldes, will launch to Christian radio June 3.
Williams spent years as the lead singer of mainstream rock band Zach Williams & The Reformation before turning to Christian music. Williams eventually became the campus director and worship leader of Central Baptist’s new campus in Jonesboro, Arkansas.
LOCASH To Release ‘The Fighters’ On Reviver Records In June
/by Jessica NicholsonLOCASH will release their first full-length album for Reviver Records on June 17. The project, titled The Fighters, includes their latest single, “I Know Somebody,” as well as tracks such as “Shipwrecked” and “Drunk, Drunk.” The duo’s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust landed their breakthrough hit with “I Love This Life” in 2015.
“The past year has been filled with so many highlights, and Chris and I have been so honored and humbled with the attention our music has gotten from radio and the fans,” said Preston Brust. “Since we released the I Love This Life EP back in October, our fans have consistently been asking for new music. We’re glad to be bringing that to them. We couldn’t be more proud of this project and our road to getting here. The title track says it all. This one is for you. This one is for The Fighters.”
Lucas added, “All I can say is, ‘Wow.’ I feel like we can finally show the world what LOCASH is all about and the sound we want to portray to excite the fans and future fans in our industry. I can not wait for everyone to hear what we have been working on so hard for years!”
The duo will showcase tracks from the new album when they perform in Nashville on June 12 as part of the CMA Music Festival.
The Fighters track listing:
1. “I Love This Life”
2. “Ring On Every Finger”
3. “I Know Somebody”
4. “Shipwrecked”
5. “Moonwalkin'”
6. “Drunk Drunk”
7. “All Day”
8. “God Loves Me More”
9. “Till The Wheels Fall Off”
10. “Ain’t Startin Tonight”
11. “The Fighters”
NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program Names Top Songwriters For March
/by Jessica NicholsonThe National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has named Hayley Williams of Paramore, Bobby Simmons Jr. (also known as B.O.B.), Justin Tranter, Sonny Moore (also known as Skrillex), and Tyrone Griffin Jr. (also known as Ty Dolla Sign) as its top five songwriters for March.
The recognition is part of NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program, which identifies and honors songwriters of RIAA-certified hits.
NMPA President and CEO David Israelite praised the honorees saying, “March was an extremely competitive month for songwriting certifications with two songwriters tied for five certifications each. Just behind them are Skrillex and Justin Tranter who both earned four certifications. I am thrilled to honor these writers and congratulate the publishers who work tirelessly to promote their songs.”
In partnership with the RIAA’s Gold & Platinum Program, NMPA finds and certifies the songwriters of RIAA-certified singles. RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams towards its gold (500,000 units), platinum (1 million units) and multi-platinum (2 million units and above) thresholds. Thousands of songwriters have been recognized since NMPA’s program began in 2007.
The top songwriters honored include:
5 G&P certifications:
Hayley Williams: “Crushcrushcrush,” “That’s What You Get,” “Pressure,” “Ignorance,” “Monster” (Paramore)
Bobby Simmons Jr.: “Headband,” “Nothin’ on You,” “Airplanes,” “Both of Us” certified gold and platinum (B.O.B)
4 G&P certifications:
Justin Tranter: “Hands to Myself” certified gold and platinum (Selena Gomez), “Used to Love You” (Gwen Stefani), “Sorry” (Justin Bieber)
Sonny Moore: “Sorry” (Justin Bieber), “Bangarang” (Skrillex), “Where Are U Now” (Skrillex), “Kyoto” (Skrillex)
3 G&P certifications:
Tyrone Griffin Jr.: “Headband” (B.O.B.), “Work from Home” (Fifth Harmony), “Blasé” (Ty Dolla Sign)
The top publishers honored include:
Warner/Chappell: 52 certifications
Gold: 32
Platinum: 8
Multiplatinum: 12
Sony/ATV Music Publishing: 23 certifications
Gold: 11
Platinum: 8
Multiplatinum: 4
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG): 20 certifications
Gold: 7
Platinum: 6
Multiplatinum: 7
Kobalt Music: 16 certifications
Gold: 5
Platinum: 6
Multiplatinum: 5
BMG: 14 certifications
Gold: 2
Platinum: 1
Multiplatinum: 11
Pulse Music Management: 5 certifications
Gold: 3
Platinum: 1
Multiplatinum: 1
SONGS Music Publishing: 3 certifications
Big Deal Music: 3 certifications
Downtown: 2 certifications
Words & Music: 1 certification