Sam Bush Renews With Sugar Hill Records
Multi-instrumentalist Sam Bush has renewed his deal with Rounder Label Group’s Sugar Hill Records. His new album, Storyman, is slated for release this summer. It will be his first new album since 2009’s Circles Around Me.
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Moyer, Publicity Manager, Rounder Label Group; Cliff O’Sullivan, COO Rounder Label Group; Sam Bush; Gary Paczosa, A&R, Rounder Label Group; Lisa Hopkins, Director, Sales & Non-Traditional Business Development, Concord Music Group; Matt Miller, Project Manager, Rounder Label Group.
Word Entertainment/Curb Records To Release Country Faith Hymns
Word Entertainment/Curb Records announce the release of Country Faith Hymns, the third installment within the Country Faith music series. Debuting two album versions from the brand on May 6, one edition will feature 12 songs and be available online as well as at Walmart, Barnes & Noble, and other key retail outlets. The other version, offering two additional songs, will be exclusive to all Cracker Barrel stores throughout the U.S.
Country Faith Hymns features previously-recorded faith songs from legends such as Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Amy Grant with Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley, along with a new recording from Wade Hayes. The album’s executive producers are WILDFIRE7, Bob DeMoss, Todd Skrove, Dusty Wells and Deborah Evans Price.
Songwriter Jeff Pardo Renews Publishing Deal With Capitol CMG Publishing
Jeff Pardo with members of Capitol CMG Publishing.
Songwriter Jeff Pardo has extended his worldwide publishing deal with Capitol CMG Publishing.
Pardo has garnered success with songs recorded by Christian music headliners Mandisa, Francesca Battistelli, Laura Story, Danny Gokey, and Josh Wilson, as well as mainstream artists Lady Antebellum, Ben Rector and Hillary Scott. Pardo’s background includes a time as a session player, touring musician, and producer.
His accomplishments range from earning top 10 AC singles performed by Rhett Walker Band (“When Mercy Found Me”), Mandisa (“Waiting for Tomorrow”), and Francesca Battistelli (“If We’re Honest”); developing and co-penning over 30 songs with Capitol CMG artist Josh Wilson; and crafting “30,000 Feet” recorded by Ben Rector.
“We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Jeff and look forward to building on his past success to expand his songwriting in both CCM and country music,” says Jimi Williams, VP Creative, Capitol CMG Publishing.
Soundstage Series Returns With Toby Keith, Jason Isbell, Jake Owen
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Jake Owen, Jason Isbell, Toby Keith
The national music series SOUNDSTAGE will return in April with three new concerts taped recently at Grainger Studio in Chicago, featuring country artists Toby Keith, Jason Isbell, and Jake Owen.
To round out the season, an all-star tribute to Beatle George Harrison, taped at the Fonda Theatre in Los Angeles, will feature guests Brian Wilson, Norah Jones, Dhani Harrison, Ann Wilson of Heart, Ben Harper, Wayne Coyne and Steven Drozd of The Flaming Lips, and Brian Bell of Weezer, as well as many more surprise guests. The Cabin Down Below will host.
The series is airing at different dates and times around the country; air dates starting in Nashville include April 29 on NPT, and May 1 and 8 on NPT2.
SOUNDSTAGE has a 43-year history of welcoming musical artists across every genre–rock, pop, country, folk, bluegrass, jazz, blues, and more. The series is a co-production of WTTW Chicago, BMG Rights Management (U.S.) LLC, and HD Ready LLC. HD Ready’s Joe Thomas is the Executive Producer and Director. WTTW Chicago’s Kim Mattes is the Producer.
View the SOUNDSTAGE YouTube page here.
Blake Shelton Unveils Album Cover, Adds Tour Dates
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton has unveiled the artwork for his new album, as well as new tour dates for fall 2016.
If I’m Honest will be released via Warner Music Nashville on May 20. The black-and-white cover image will also be available in a limited-edition 3-D/ lenticular cover insert. His new single is “Came Here to Forget,” written by Craig Wiseman and Deric Ruttan. The project also includes “Savior’s Shadow,” which Shelton co-wrote with Jon Randall and Jessi Alexander.
In addition, Shelton will kick-off the fall leg of the tour tour in his home state with a two-night stand in Oklahoma City on Sept. 9-10. Other double night shows include the Xcel Center in St. Paul, Minnesota and the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York.
Tickets are available through LiveNation.com and ticketmaster.com or by calling (800) 745-3000.
Sept 9: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept 10: Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; Chesapeake Energy Arena
Sept. 15: Peoria, Illinois; Peoria Civic Center Arena
Sept. 16: St. Paul, Minnesota; Xcel Energy Center
Sept. 17: St. Paul, Minnesota; Xcel Energy Center
Sept. 22: Wichita, Kansas; INTRUST Bank Arena
Sept. 23: Sioux Falls, South Dakota; Denny Sanford Premier Center
Sept. 29: Albany, New York; Times Union Center
Sept. 30: Hartford, Connecticut; XL Center
Oct. 1: Boston, TD Garden
Oct. 6: Manchester, New Hampshire; Verizon Wireless Arena
Oct. 7: Brooklyn, New York; Barclays Center
Oct. 8: Brooklyn, New York; Barclays Center
Martina McBride Debuts Songs From ‘Reckless’ At HSN/Big Machine Event
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride performs during Big Machine Rocks Music Special. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for HSN
Nash Icon artist Martina McBride launched the inaugural Big Machine Rocks event in Nashville on Sunday night (April 17) as part of a long-term collaboration between Big Machine Label Group and live content retailer HSN. McBride previewed songs from her upcoming album Reckless, due out April 29 on Nash Icon Records. She also offered several of her signature hits and answered questions from the audience during the event.
Big Machine artist Jennifer Nettles will appear on the next installment, slated for Tuesday, April 26 at 10 p.m. CT, to preview songs from her album Play With Fire. The project will release May 13 on Big Machine Records.
Both concerts air across all of HSN’s platforms – TV, HSN.com and mobile – and will give fans the opportunity to purchase exclusive CD bundles with bonus tracks from the Big Machine Label Group artists.
Pictured (L-R): Jim Weatherson, GM, Nash Icon; Sandi Spika Borchetta, Senior Vice President of Creative and Music Has Value, BMLG; Scott Borchetta, President and CEO, BMLG; Martina McBride; Mindy Grossman, CEO, HSN; Bill Brand, President; Kelly Rich, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Interactive, BMLG. Photo: Rick Diamond
Industry Ink: Sugar Hill Records, ‘Country Faith Hymns,’ Capitol CMG Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonSam Bush Renews With Sugar Hill Records
Multi-instrumentalist Sam Bush has renewed his deal with Rounder Label Group’s Sugar Hill Records. His new album, Storyman, is slated for release this summer. It will be his first new album since 2009’s Circles Around Me.
Pictured (L-R): Ashley Moyer, Publicity Manager, Rounder Label Group; Cliff O’Sullivan, COO Rounder Label Group; Sam Bush; Gary Paczosa, A&R, Rounder Label Group; Lisa Hopkins, Director, Sales & Non-Traditional Business Development, Concord Music Group; Matt Miller, Project Manager, Rounder Label Group.
Word Entertainment/Curb Records To Release Country Faith Hymns
Country Faith Hymns features previously-recorded faith songs from legends such as Johnny Cash and Hank Williams, Amy Grant with Vince Gill, and Brad Paisley, along with a new recording from Wade Hayes. The album’s executive producers are WILDFIRE7, Bob DeMoss, Todd Skrove, Dusty Wells and Deborah Evans Price.
Songwriter Jeff Pardo Renews Publishing Deal With Capitol CMG Publishing
Jeff Pardo with members of Capitol CMG Publishing.
Songwriter Jeff Pardo has extended his worldwide publishing deal with Capitol CMG Publishing.
Pardo has garnered success with songs recorded by Christian music headliners Mandisa, Francesca Battistelli, Laura Story, Danny Gokey, and Josh Wilson, as well as mainstream artists Lady Antebellum, Ben Rector and Hillary Scott. Pardo’s background includes a time as a session player, touring musician, and producer.
His accomplishments range from earning top 10 AC singles performed by Rhett Walker Band (“When Mercy Found Me”), Mandisa (“Waiting for Tomorrow”), and Francesca Battistelli (“If We’re Honest”); developing and co-penning over 30 songs with Capitol CMG artist Josh Wilson; and crafting “30,000 Feet” recorded by Ben Rector.
“We are very pleased to extend our relationship with Jeff and look forward to building on his past success to expand his songwriting in both CCM and country music,” says Jimi Williams, VP Creative, Capitol CMG Publishing.
Sony Music Nashville Adds Director, Marketing
/by Jessica NicholsonHannah Dudley
Hannah Dudley has joined Sony Music Nashville as Director, Marketing, reporting to Paul Barnabee, Senior Vice President, Marketing. Dudley will be responsible for the strategy, development and execution of targeted marketing campaigns for her assigned artists.
Most recently, Dudley was a marketing consultant for Nashville-based Dream Big Entertainment Group. Dudley has eight years experience in digital and traditional marketing, brand partnerships, and product management. She worked for East West Records/Rhino/Label Services at Warner Music UK, and for Parlophone and Virgin Records at EMI Music UK.
While at Warner UK, Dudley led Hunter Hayes’ album launch and also set up releases for Brett Eldredge and Ashley Monroe. She facilitated global campaigns for catalog projects on Pink Floyd, David Bowie and blur, and new albums for Robert Plant, Pink Floyd and Bette Midler. At EMI UK, she worked projects on The Beatles, Iron Maiden and Daft Punk.
Barnabee says, “What a pleasure it is for me to welcome Hannah to our Sony Music Nashville team! She has such a passion for country music.” He continues, “Hannah’s experience beyond the U. S. market is a real asset as we constantly explore new and effective ways to impact music consumers. Also, her track record of creative thinking and strategic marketing complement the core goals of our marketing department.”
Dudley resides in Nashville and can be reached at hannah.dudley@sonymusic.com.
Panelists Will Examine Future Of Entertainment Industry At Who Knew Event
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (Top Row, L-R): Jeff Cuellar, Jim Donio, Ali Harnell; (Bottom Row, L-R): Jeremy Holley, David M. Ross, Michael Weintrob
The future of the entertainment industry will be the topic of the next Who Knew networking event to be held May 18 at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville.
The panel will feature the following speakers: Jeff Cuellar, Vice President of Strategic Partnerships, AC Entertainment; Jim Donio, president of the Music Business Association; Ali Harnell, Senior Vice President of AEG Live and co-manager of The Shadowboxers; Jeremy Holley, co-founder and partner of FlyteVu; David M. Ross, president of BossRoss Media and founder of MusicRow magazine; and Michael Weintrob, entertainment photographer and creator of Instrumenthead.
The event will ask the panelists to share their predictions about what’s on the horizon for their sector of the industry.
The event is presented by executive search firm MusicRowSearch and the College of Media and Entertainment at Middle Tennessee State University.
The function also serves as the official after-party of Music Biz 2016, the Music Business Association’s annual conference that moved to Nashville in 2015.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. and the panel will begin at 7 p.m. The Who Knew after-party will kick-off at 8:30 pm with rock band Them Vibes followed by a set from Americana band The Mulligan Brothers.
“I’m really looking forward to the next Who Knew, when a group of dynamic, top-tier executives will share predictions on what’s next for the entertainment industry,” said Tom Truitt, Who Knew creator and CEO of MusicRowSearch. “I am also excited to introduce Music Biz 2016 attendees to the Who Knew experience.”
The Time Jumpers Add Miranda Lambert, Chris Young To Ryman Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Time Jumpers will welcome fellow musicians Miranda Lambert, Chris Young, Charlie Worsham and Connie Smith to the Ryman Auditorium stage on Tuesday, April 19 at 7:30 p.m. for Jammin’ To Beat The Blues.
The special concert will benefit Mental Health American Of Middle Tennessee, which has promoted mental wellness through education, advocacy, and service for more than 65 years. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com, Ticketmaster outlets, ryman.com, the Ryman box office, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Collective Artist Management Adds Taylor Freeman
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Freeman
Collective Artist Management has expanded its Nashville office with the addition of Taylor Freeman as Director of Digital Marketing. In her new role Freeman will oversee all digital strategies for clients including Clint Black, Sara Evans, Corey Smith, Elizabeth Huett, Sister C, Edwin McCain and Steve Wariner.
“We are thrilled to have Taylor join our team at the Collective as Director of Digital Marketing,” said Brinson Strickland, President of Collective Artist Management in Nashville. “Her experience and knowledge base will enable us to create new opportunities and initiatives to better serve our clients.”
Prior to joining Collective Artist Management, Freeman was the Sr. Marketing Manager at Marbaloo Marketing, creating marketing strategies and unified marketing campaigns for artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Toby Keith, Maddie & Tae, Canaan Smith, and more. Before that, she was a part of the Grand Ole Opry marketing team as the sales and marketing coordinator.
Freeman received a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Alabama and is active in the Nashville community through organizations including Musicians On Call, SOLID alumni, Change The Conversation, and Crosspoint Community Church.
Freeman can be reached at tfreeman@collectiveartistmgmt.
Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa To Return For Third Year In 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan. Photo: Jim Wright
Luke Bryan, along with CID Presents, will return for a third year of Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa, an all-inclusive concert vacation set for January 19-22, 2017, in Riviera Maya, Mexico.
The event will include Bryan headlining two of the four nightly concerts, with additional performers to be announced soon.
“This experience for my fans has more than exceeded our expectations,” said Bryan. “From start to finish, everyone has the best time and it’s something my band, crew and I look forward to all year long. We love kicking off the new year this way!”
Fans can choose from eight tropical resorts and enjoy all-inclusive food and drink, 24-hour concierge service, daily onsite activities, offsite adventures like deep sea fishing, zip-lining, and ATV tours, excursions including day trips to Tulum, official Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa merchandise package, and more.
To view highlights from 2016’s Crash My Playa, see below:
MusicRowLife: Producer/Songwriter Jimmy Robbins, Sarah Boddie Wed
/by Jessica NicholsonRound Hill Music songwriter/producer Jimmy Robbins married songplugger Sarah Boddie at a ceremony in Gulfport, Mississippi, over the weekend. Among the attendees were Jon Nite, Jenny Gill, and Levi Hummon.
Photo: Laurel Kittleson