ole Inks Administration Deal With Reviver Records
Pictured (L-R): David Ross, President/CEO, Reviver Records; Chris Lucas, LOCASH; Tim
McGraw; Preston Brust, LOCASH; John Ozier, GM Creative, ole; Randall
Foster, Sr. Director Creative Licensing, ole
ole has signed an exclusive administration agreement with the publishing arm of Reviver Records, LLC.
“Reviver Records is an exciting new name in the Nashville scene, and ole is looking forward to providing increased exposure and wide-ranging opportunities for their roster of artists,” said John Ozier, GM of Nashville Creative at ole. “With ole’s world-class publishing resources and expert, well-connected staff behind them, there’s no telling how high Reviver’s artists can climb both in Nashville and around the globe.”
“After opening our Nashville office in December 2014, we met the folks at ole and were extremely impressed with the work they do on behalf of their songwriters on Music Row and throughout the world,” said David Ross, President and CEO of Reviver Records. “We know that they will work tirelessly on behalf of our artists and are excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
Reviver was founded by Ross, who has worked with SonyBMG Music Worldwide Entertainment, the TJ Martell Foundation, CMJ, Alpha Distributors, and his own S*Management. Reviver Publishing, based in New Jersey under Reviver Records, LLC, a production and management company, has recently found a second home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Reviver Records has featured acts such as Jeff Daniels, Lee Ann Womack, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, SHeDAISY, Steel Magnolia, Steve Earle, Will Hoge, and many more. Reviver Publishing and Reviver Records, LLC, has since signed R&B artist Little Anthony, a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee; rising country duo LOCASH; and country rock band Blackjack Billy.
Creek Valley Music Signs Sarah Beth Terry
Pictured (L-R): Kent Wells and Sarah Beth Terry
Creek Valley Music, a division of Kent Wells Productions, has signed songwriter Sarah Beth Terry to an exclusive global publishing agreement.
“Sarah Beth is one of the most gifted and prolific songwriters I’ve ever worked with – we’re very excited about having her as part of our team,” said Creek Valley Music owner and hit producer Kent Wells.
Terry was born and raised in Irvine, Kentucky, where she started writing songs at 12 years old. She relocated to Nashville after graduating from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, with a Bachelors in Music Education. In 2010, Terry relocated to Fort Polk, Louisiana, with her husband and, in 2013, opened Queen Bee & Co. Music Studio, a teaching studio specializing in guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice and songwriting instruction. She now splits her time between her homes in Louisiana, Nashville, and Milan, Italy.
“I’m honored to be working with the caliber of talent that is Kent Wells,” said Terry. “I’ve always felt right at home in Nashville and I’m thankful my songs now have such a great home at Creek Valley Music.”
Wells is known for his production work with Dolly Parton, and he has served as musical director for her recent tours. Wells has also toured and recorded with Reba, Kenny Rogers, Keith Whitley and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Weekly Register: Chris Young Debuts at No. 1 on Country Album Chart
/by Craig_ShelburneChris Young has overtaken Chris Stapleton at the top of the country albums chart this week.
Young’s I’m Comin’ Over enters the chart with 57K albums sold and hits No. 5 on the overall chart with a combined 65K units of sales and streaming.
Stapleton’s Traveller dips to No. 2 on the country album chart, selling 42K. Its current sales are now at 389K. He’s just behind Young on the overall chart at No. 6, with a combined 53K units.
Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood album.
Eric Church’s Mr. Misunderstood stands at No. 3 on the country albums chart with 29K albums sold. Carrie Underwood’s Storyteller (16.5K) and Tim McGraw’s Damn Country Music (12.5K) round out the Top 5.
Thomas Rhett
On the country digital singles chart, Thomas Rhett returns to the top with “Die a Happy Man,” selling 56K singles. Stapleton’s right behind him as “Tennessee Whiskey” moves another 45K.
Sam Hunt’s Break Up in a Small Town” (32K), Cam’s “Burning House” (25K) and Young’s “I’m Comin’ Over” (23K) complete the Top 5.
Barrett Baber, a contestant on The Voice, arrives at No. 9 with “Right Here Waiting” (14.5K). Other charting tracks this week from contestants on The Voice include Emily Ann Roberts‘ “Blame It On Your Heart” (No. 22, 8k) and Shelby Brown‘s “In Color” (No. 31, 7K).
Meanwhile, Jamey Johnson‘s original version of “In Color” reappears at No. 46 on the country digital singles chart (5K). Its overall sales figures have now surpassed 1.3 million.
MusicRowPics: Songwriter Steve Moakler Previews Solo Project
/by Jessica NicholsonSteve Moakler.
Rising Nashville artist-songwriter Steve Moakler has earned acclaim as a co-writer behind Dierks Bentley’s current single “Riser,” also the title track of Bentley’s current project.
Moakler is signed to Nashville’s Creative Nation for management; Creative Nation is owned by songwriter/producer Luke Laird and Beth Laird. Moakler visited the MusicRow offices to offer a preview of his next solo album, set to release in 2016. The project is being produced by Luke Laird, who earned a Grammy in 2014 for his work on Kacey Musgraves’ Same Trailer, Different Park. Laird also produced Musgraves’ current album, Pageant Material. Moakler is signed to Kobalt for publishing.
“We have about nine songs cut so far,” Moakler told MusicRow. The project includes Moakler’s debut single, “Suitcase,” which released today (Nov. 20) on Spotify. The tune, penned by Laird, Barry Dean, and Thomas Rhett, is the only outside song on the project.
“I remember hearing a demo of this song when my wife and I were driving in Minnesota,” said Moakler. “There was literally this rainbow and the sky was beautiful when we heard this. This song gave us a glimmer of hope, and was a reminder to not let distractions get in the way of living.”
Moakler’s preview performance also included “Steel Town,” a tribute to his Bethel Park, Pennsylvania, upbringing (co-written with Casey Beathard), as well as “Love Drunk.”
Moakler recently wrapped a tour, which was created by harnessing the power of social media. “We had this Winnebago, and we wanted to do a few shows, so I put it out on social media, asking if fans wanted us to come play their school, or church, or any other events,” he said. After receiving 125 offers, Moakler and his team were able to take the best offers and route a nearly 50-city tour.
Steve Moakler visits with MusicRow staff.
Publishing News: ole, Creek Valley Music
/by Jessica Nicholsonole Inks Administration Deal With Reviver Records
Pictured (L-R): David Ross, President/CEO, Reviver Records; Chris Lucas, LOCASH; Tim
McGraw; Preston Brust, LOCASH; John Ozier, GM Creative, ole; Randall
Foster, Sr. Director Creative Licensing, ole
ole has signed an exclusive administration agreement with the publishing arm of Reviver Records, LLC.
“Reviver Records is an exciting new name in the Nashville scene, and ole is looking forward to providing increased exposure and wide-ranging opportunities for their roster of artists,” said John Ozier, GM of Nashville Creative at ole. “With ole’s world-class publishing resources and expert, well-connected staff behind them, there’s no telling how high Reviver’s artists can climb both in Nashville and around the globe.”
“After opening our Nashville office in December 2014, we met the folks at ole and were extremely impressed with the work they do on behalf of their songwriters on Music Row and throughout the world,” said David Ross, President and CEO of Reviver Records. “We know that they will work tirelessly on behalf of our artists and are excited to see what we can accomplish together.”
Reviver was founded by Ross, who has worked with SonyBMG Music Worldwide Entertainment, the TJ Martell Foundation, CMJ, Alpha Distributors, and his own S*Management. Reviver Publishing, based in New Jersey under Reviver Records, LLC, a production and management company, has recently found a second home in Nashville, Tennessee.
Reviver Records has featured acts such as Jeff Daniels, Lee Ann Womack, Phil Vassar, Ricky Skaggs, SHeDAISY, Steel Magnolia, Steve Earle, Will Hoge, and many more. Reviver Publishing and Reviver Records, LLC, has since signed R&B artist Little Anthony, a 2009 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee; rising country duo LOCASH; and country rock band Blackjack Billy.
Creek Valley Music Signs Sarah Beth Terry
Pictured (L-R): Kent Wells and Sarah Beth Terry
Creek Valley Music, a division of Kent Wells Productions, has signed songwriter Sarah Beth Terry to an exclusive global publishing agreement.
“Sarah Beth is one of the most gifted and prolific songwriters I’ve ever worked with – we’re very excited about having her as part of our team,” said Creek Valley Music owner and hit producer Kent Wells.
Terry was born and raised in Irvine, Kentucky, where she started writing songs at 12 years old. She relocated to Nashville after graduating from Transylvania University in Lexington, Kentucky, with a Bachelors in Music Education. In 2010, Terry relocated to Fort Polk, Louisiana, with her husband and, in 2013, opened Queen Bee & Co. Music Studio, a teaching studio specializing in guitar, piano, bass, drums, voice and songwriting instruction. She now splits her time between her homes in Louisiana, Nashville, and Milan, Italy.
“I’m honored to be working with the caliber of talent that is Kent Wells,” said Terry. “I’ve always felt right at home in Nashville and I’m thankful my songs now have such a great home at Creek Valley Music.”
Wells is known for his production work with Dolly Parton, and he has served as musical director for her recent tours. Wells has also toured and recorded with Reba, Kenny Rogers, Keith Whitley and the Oak Ridge Boys.
Lennon & Maisy Release Digital EP As ‘Nashville’ Characters
/by Eric T. ParkerBig Machine Records, in partnership with ABC, Lionsgate and Opry Entertainment, has released The Nashville Cast Featuring Lennon & Maisy Stella as Maddie & Daphne Conrad. The 11-track EP is now available across digital retailers.
Featured in the past four seasons of the series, songs are produced by T Bone Burnett, additional tracks produced with Gabriel Witcher and Buddy Miller. Songwriters featured in the set include Sarah Buxton, Blair Daly, Sean McConnell, Levi Hummon, Cary Barlowe, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Ashley Monroe.
The sister duo has made many live appearances onstage as themselves, as the duo is involved with bigger story lines and performances on ABC Nashville‘s current season as their characters Maddie & Daphne Conrad, the daughter of Connie Britton‘s character.
The Nashville Cast Featuring Lennon & Maisy Stella as Maddie & Daphne Conrad Track List
1. “Joy Parade” (Jill Andrews/Josh Leo)
2. “Heart On Fire” (Sarah Buxton/Blair Daly/Kate York)
3. “Ho Hey” (Jeremy Fraites/Wesley Schultz) *
4. “Rockin’ & Rollin’” (Sean McConnell/Levi Hummon)
5. “Telescope” (Cary Barlowe/Hillary Lindsey) **
6. “We Got A Love” (Jill Andrews/Lori McKenna)
7. “Beyond The Sun” [feat. Lennon Stella] (Claire Guerreso/Aaron Espe)
8. “Share With You” (Garrison Starr)
9. “I’ve Got You (and You’ve Got Me)” (Jacob Davis/Shelley Skidmore/Bob Moffatt/Clint Moffatt)
10. “Have A Little Faith In Me” [feat. Maisy Stella & Will Chase] (John Hiatt)
11. “A Life That’s Good” (Sarah Siskind/Ashley Monroe)
*Produced by T Bone Burnett and Gabriel Witcher
**Produced by T Bone Burnett and Buddy Miller
Midsouth Regional Emmy Award Nominations Revealed at BMI
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Midsouth Regional Emmy Award nominations have been announced by the Nashville/Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and Sciences (NATAS). Nominations were revealed at BMI on Thursday (Nov. 19).
Bluegrass Underground, Skyville Live and a behind-the-scenes piece for Thomas Rhett’s “Crash and Burn” music video are among the nominees.
In addition, Nashville broadcast personality Demetria Kalodimos of WSMV will be inducted into the prestigious Silver Circle, which honors contributions to broadcasting for more than a quarter century.
The honors will be presented on Feb. 27 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
See the full list of nominations.
BMI Songwriter Kinky Friedman Celebrates ‘The Loneliest Man I Ever Met’
/by Jessica NicholsonIn celebration of BMI songwriter Kinky Friedman’s new album, The Loneliest Man I Ever Met, the Texas outlaw gave a special performance of select songs to his friends and music industry colleagues.
Heralding Friedman’s first album in more than 30 years, BMI’s Nashville office turned into a site of celebration this month as Friedman joked with the audience, gave thanks to those that had a hand in the album and played tracks from the new record.
The project has already received positive press from No Depression, Rolling Stone and The Wall Street Journal. Friedman has events scheduled through December, for those wanting to catch the legend’s live show.
Pictured: (L-R): John Strohm, attorney, Loeb & Loeb; Logan Rogers, Thirty Tigers; Buddy Miller, songwriter; Kinky Friedman, BMI songwriter; Jed Hilly, Americana Music Association; Brian Molnar, producer; and Perry Howard, BMI. Photo: BMI
‘Austin City Limits’ Special To Highlight Americana Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonAustin City Limits will present a special episode highlighting this year’s Americana Music Festival in Nashville. ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival 2015 will feature performances from Rhiannon Giddens, Don Henley, John Hiatt, Jason Isbell, Keb’ Mo’, Los Lobos, Robert Randolph, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Ann Womack, and more.
The special episode of Austin City Limits will premiere Nov. 21 on PBS, beginning at 8 p.m. CT. The Americana Music Festival took place in Nashville from Sept. 15-Sept. 20.
Hosted by Americana kingpin Jim Lauderdale, the show opens with steel guitar sensation Randolph joining with two legendary gospel groups, The Fairfield Four and the McCrary Sisters, for a rendition of “Rock My Soul.” Highlights include performances by the night’s Artist of the Year nominees: Giddens showcases her powerful vocals in a performance of “Waterboy” from her Album of the Year-nominated Tomorrow Is My Turn.
Singer-songwriter Isbell, who captured top honors at last year’s awards, offers the anthemic title track of his new album, Something More Than Free, which just concluded a record-setting 20-week run in the No. 1 slot on the Americana Airplay Chart. (That marks the longest No. 1 for any album on the Americana Airplay Chart since the AMA began publishing it more than 15 years ago.) Country queen Womack performs from her critically-acclaimed The Way I’m Livin’, also nominated for Album of the Year.
The performers are backed by an all-star house band—led by Buddy Miller—and featuring Dominic Davis, Chad Cromwell, Fats Kaplin, Ian Fitchuk, the McCrary Sisters and Little Feat founding member Bill Payne.
“This event is a musical celebration that brings together the finest musicians in the world, with legendary acts and the next generation of stars,” says Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association, adding “it’s about great songs and the appreciation for the authentic sound of American roots music.”
The show was co-produced by High Five Entertainment and its President Martin Fischer and ACL Executive Producer Terry Lickona.
The Middle Tennessee schedule for ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival is as follows:
Cookeville, Tennessee: Saturday, Nov. 21, WCTE, 10 p.m.
Nashville: Sunday, Nov. 22, NPT2, 1 a.m.
Nashville: Tuesday, Nov. 24, NPT2, 9 p.m.
Nashville: Wednesday, Nov. 25, NPT, 11 p.m.
A preview of ACL Presents: Americana Music Festival can be viewed below.
Kenny Chesney Honored with Eighth ‘Billboard’ Touring Award
/by Eric T. ParkerKenny Chesney. Photo: Jill Trunnell
Kenny Chesney marked his eighth win at the Billboard Touring Conference and Awards this week (Nov. 18-19) at the Roosevelt Hotel in New York City.
The touring star’s Big Revival Tour 2015 was the first tour after Chesney took off for a year and earned the entertainer his record achievement, Billboard Top Package Award. Joining Chesney this year for his mostly stadiums, some arenas and a few amphitheaters Big Revival 2015 Tour were Jason Aldean, Eric Church, Jake Owen, Brantley Gilbert, Old Dominion, Cole Swindell and Chase Rice – as well as Miranda Lambert at Chicago’s Soldier Field.
“We put a lot of thought into every year’s tour,” Chesney said of the honor. “It’s not just about bringing the music out to the No Shoes Nation, though obviously that’s what this relationship has been built on. It’s about how to create an experience every year that stands out, that’s worth remembering, that gives people a chance to love life, love music and have fun. This many years in, it’s still a thrill to be recognized for this part of what we do.”
Chesney first won the honor for 2005’s Somewhere in the Sun Tour, which featured Gretchen Wilson, Uncle Kracker and Pat Green. His next six tours also swept the category, starting with 2006’s The Road and The Radio Tour with Dierks Bentley and others, 2007’s Flip Flop Summer Tour with Sugarland, Pat Green, Brooks & Dunn and Sara Evans, then 2008’s Poets & Pirates Tour had a rotating cast of Keith Urban, Brooks & Dunn, Sammy Hagar, Gary Allan, Luke Bryan and LeAnn Rimes, followed by 2009’s Sun City Carnival with Miranda Lambert, Lady Antebellum, Sugarland and Montgomery Gentry, 2011’s Goin’ Coastal with Zac Brown Band, Uncle Kracker and Billy Currington and finally 2012’s all-stadium Brothers of the Sun Tour with Tim McGraw, Grace Potter and the Nocturnals, and Jake Owen.
“One of the best things about these tours, especially the stadium shows, is taking out artists who’re starting to make an impact and exposing them to a lot of people,” Chesney says. “It’s like turning your friends onto all kinds of bands – like when you’re young and music and sports is all that matters. Turning people on to great music is one of the coolest things, and it makes putting these packages together something that’s more than just a formula or who’s hot.”
Chesney is already leaning into 2016 with a dozen Spread the Love Stadium dates announced, which are already set to feature Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt and Old Dominion.
Weekly Chart Report (11/20/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Pentatonix Pop Into Cracker Barrel’s Music Catalog
/by Sarah SkatesPentatonix sing at Cracker Barrel. Photo: Monarch Publicity.
Two members of Grammy-winning vocal group Pentatonix, Scott Hoying and Kirstin Maldonado, sat down with MusicRow this month to discuss their recording and songwriting process. The group was in Nashville to attend the CMA Awards, where they were presenters on the show.
In October, Pentatonix made SoundScan history as the first a cappella group to hold the No. 1 spot on the overall album sales chart. Their new project on RCA is also available through Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, marking the first time the Nashville-area company has partnered with a pop artist. Pentatonix is published by Sony/ATV.
MusicRow: Did you record in Nashville?
Scott Hoying: Yes, we recorded part of the album at Reba’s studio, Starstruck. We also do tour rehearsals in Nashville, and have been here on tour.
Who produced the album?
Hoying: A lot of different people: Kuk Harrell, Martin Johnson, Ed Boyer, Drew Pearson, Ben Bram. And we produce a lot of it ourselves. A lot of the songs were arranged by us. It’s funny, what’s the definition of producing when it’s a cappella? Because you don’t really have the synths and background parts and layers. But there is an element of production. We have stomps and had to change around harmonies and stuff, so we had people help us with that.
This is your first album of original material, since you mostly recorded cover songs in the past. Tell me about the songwriting process.
Kirstin Maldonado: It was amazing. It was really kind of scary at first. We say it’s kind of like going on a blind date because you don’t know how it’s going to go. It could go really great or really terribly. But thankfully most of them went really well. We got to explore different creative avenues, different genres and styles of music. I think it really opened up our minds creatively and we got a lot of good content out of it.
Hoying: I couldn’t believe how happy I felt in those two months when we were writing non-stop—so creatively charged and my brain was so active. I probably did 30 songwriting sessions. We were in the studio all the time. It was so much fun. I’ve never been crazy about songwriting. I would write a song here and there, but this is the only time I immersed myself in it and it was incredible. And we couldn’t get enough songwriting sessions with Audra Mae. She’s so talented.
Since you are an a capella group, do you write with instruments?
Hoying: It depends. Normally for a cover we take a song and flip it and do our thing to it. We’ve found it’s easiest when we’re writing a song, to write it on an instrument or write it with a melody and a beatbox, so that then we have the demo of the song. Then we go into arrangement mode, where we say, “OK, what do we want to do with this song?” So we just added a step.
Read more about Pentatonix’s relationship with Cracker Barrel in the upcoming issue of MusicRow.