Alexandra Demetree performs for MusicRow staffers.
Over the past year, female artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, Cam, Jana Kramer, and Mickey Guyton have found room on the country charts alongside Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
Newcomer Alexandra Demetree hopes to add her name to that list.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native co-wrote two of the five songs on her latest EP, released under SSM Nashville.
“I don’t remember not singing. I started singing Christmas carols at the age of 2 for my grandmother’s bridge group,” she recalls of her earliest involvement in music. She pursued a performing career throughout her childhood, and later entered Northwestern University with a double major in music theater and economics. She continued notching career milestones with performances at Carnegie Hall and the South African Consulate, as well as a national anthem performance at the Toyota Gator Bowl and a performance for former First Lady Barbara Bush. She co-wrote and recorded the single, “Lay It On Me,” with fellow SSM Nashville artist and former The Bachelorette cast member Wes Hayden.
Demetree, alongside guitarist Jason Roller, offered an acoustic preview of her music for the MusicRow staff, including the ballad “Hopeless,” and one of her co-written tunes, “Pick Me Up.” “It’s kind of a girl’s perspective at bar,” said Demetree. “From a girl’s perspective sometimes, it’s like, ‘He’s been looking at me the entire night, so why won’t he come talk to me and have a conversation?’ So that inspired this song.”
Her current single, “Outta My Head,” was produced by Bobby Huff and penned by Mark and Cherie Oakley, two of the co-writers behind Reba’s hit, “Turn On The Radio.”
“I loved that song when I heard it,” Demetree said of “Outta My Head.” “It talks about a situation I feel that everyone has been in. A friend had sent it to me a long time ago, and it was actually stuck in my spam folder. Later, I was cleaning out my email, I found it and listened to it, and was like, ‘Wow, I love this song. How did I miss this?’ We got in the studio a week later and recorded it.”
Demetree recently released a video for “Outta My Head.” The acoustic performance clip was directed by Brian Harstine, and shot in a warehouse in Nashville’s Germantown district.
“Outta My Head” sits at No. 59 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
Alexandra Demetree with MusicRow staffers.
Big Loud Records Expands to Canada, Hires Brianne Deslippe
/by Jessica NicholsonBrianne Deslippe. Photo: Leo Gomez
Big Loud Records has hired Brianne Deslippe as General Manager and National Director of Promotion, Canada. Big Loud Records will open its Canadian office in Toronto on Nov. 23, in partnership with Universal Music Canada. Deslippe will work from the label’s Canadian headquarters, and will report directly to label president Clay Hunnicutt.
“Brianne’s reputation, relationships, and expertise in Canada and beyond is unmatched,” says Hunnicutt. “We could not be more thrilled to have someone of her caliber leading Big Loud Records Canada. She is the perfect person to direct our efforts, support our artists and find new talent. Now this is a true international alliance!”
“I’ve only had the opportunity to work closely with Brianne a short time but her energy, knowledge, and dedication are immediately apparent,” says Jeffrey Remedios, President and CEO of Universal Music Canada. “I applaud Big Loud on their savvy hire and congratulate Brianne on this well-deserved opportunity. I’m very happy to continue working together with the Big Loud family in our ongoing partnership.”
Deslippe’s previous career stops include Country Format Supervisor at Universal Music Canada, representing Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Dallas Smith, and Johnny Reid. She also served as National Promotion Director at Open Road Recordings and eOne Music Canada. The Windsor, Ontario native is a four-time nominee for CCMA Record Company Person of the Year.
“I’ve had the pleasure of working with the Big Loud team in various capacities over the years and I have always admired their talent, drive and innovative approach,” Deslippe says. “With the launch of Big Loud Records, I believe they have created something very special. It’s an honor to have been asked to join their team and I look forward to furthering all of the label’s efforts and artists in the Canadian market.”
Deslippe joins the newly announced stateside promotion team comprised of David Clapper, Southeast Region; Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; Dave Kirth, West Coast Region, led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and Hunnicutt.
Big Loud Records is the newly launched label founded by manager Seth England, producer Joey Moi, songwriter Craig Wiseman, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Hunnicutt. The label roster includes Chris Lane (“Fix”) and Dallas Smith (“Kids With Cars”).
Deslippe can be reached at brianne@bigloudrecords.com or at 416-908-1717.
Carnival Music Signs Dustin Christensen
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, Courtney Gregg, Dustin Christensen, Emily Schiraldi, Matthew Miller
Carnival Music has announced the signing of singer/songwriter/producer, Dustin Christensen to a worldwide publishing deal.
“Dustin possesses an unmatched talent, accentuated with an effortless vocal delivery and keen lyrical and melodic sensibilities,” says Carnival’s Courtney Gregg. “His musical ability is paired with an unrelenting work ethic. We are extremely charged and humbled to have him at Carnival.”
Christensen says, “I’m excited to be working with a publishing company that truly cares about writing good songs and that feels like home. When I was choosing which publishing company to go with, Carnival felt like a good fit right away.”
Born in Idaho and raised in Utah, Christensen was recently a member of the rock band Jerrytown and currently holds membership in the bluegrass project, The Lower Lights. He appeared on season nine of NBC’s The Voice, where he earned a “four chair turn” at his blind audition with a rendition of Tom Waits’ “Downtown Train.”
Splitting time between Nashville, Los Angeles, and Utah, Christensen has established himself as a sought-after producer, currently working on a new solo project to be released in early 2016, the follow-up to his previous effort, Highway Lines.
Seth Ennis Signs With Warner/Chappell Music, Liz Rose Music
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured back row (L-R): Alicia Pruitt,Warner/Chappell; Phil May, Warner/Chappell; Corey Crowder, producer; Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell; BJ Hill, Warner/Chappell; Alyson McAnally, Liz Rose Music; Travis Carter, Warner/Chappell; Natalie Paslay, Liz Rose Music; Matt Michiels, Warner/Chappell. Pictured front row (L-R): Scott Ponce, Liz Rose Music; Seth Ennis; Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music.
Warner/Chappell Music and Liz Rose Music have signed a co-publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Seth Ennis. The Valdosta, Ga., native began playing music at age 5, picking up piano, drums, guitar, and eventually singing. By age 13, he began writing songs. He has spent time touring as a multi-instrumentalist with various artists, including Rissi Palmer.
Weekly Chart Report (10/30/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
CMA Awards: Chris Stapleton, New Presenters, Country Now, AT&T
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton has been added to the 49th annual CMA Awards’ star-studded lineup. He will perform with a special guest who will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2.
Stapleton is nominated in the categories of Album of the Year (for Traveller), Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.
Presenting trophies will be Edie Brickell and Steve Martin; Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell; ABC’s Wicked City actress Erika Christensen; ESPN College GameDay’s Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit; Sports Illustrated cover model Hannah Davis; reigning New Artist of the Year Brett Eldredge; Charles Kelley of nominated Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum; CMA Country Christmas host Jennifer Nettles; Heather O’Reilly and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team; best-selling a cappella group Pentatonix; Reba; Darius Rucker; actor Kiefer Sutherland; Cole Swindell; and Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Lee Ann Womack.
The presentation of pre-televised CMA Awards and honors, including CMA Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year trophies, will be hosted by Warner Music Nashville’s Frankie Ballard.
The producers behind the CMA nominees for Album of the Year are being spotlighted at Country Now, a country music-dedicated YouTube channel. Country Now spoke with Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival), Dave Cobb (Stapleton’s Traveller), Michael Knox (Jason Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt), Jay Joyce (Little Big Town’s Painkiller), and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ Pageant Material) about the makings of these CMA-nominated recordings.
The first two segments, featuring Musgraves’ Pageant Material and Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt, aired on Oct. 28. Today (Oct. 29) brings videos about Chesney’s The Big Revival and Stapleton’s Traveller.
Meanwhile, AT&T is giving country music fans a front row seat to the red carpet arrivals for The 49th Annual CMA Awards. Available to DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers, Audience Network presents the AT&T CMA Awards Red Carpet show, which will be hosted by Craig Morgan, Michael Ray and Cam, with performances from Hunter Hayes and Jana Kramer.
The AT&T CMA Awards Red Carpet will air live Nov. 4 (DIRECTV Ch. 239 or U-verse TV Ch. 1114) beginning at 7 p.m. ET to all DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse(®) TV customers, with live streaming beginning 6 p.m. ET at att.com/
Tim McGraw’s Management Team Gets New Name
/by Jessica NicholsonTim McGraw‘s management team has reorganized under the name Em.Co., an entertainment management company representing McGraw in the areas of music, film, publishing, branding and partnerships.
The Em.Co team spearheaded by president Scott Siman, and also includes Sr. VP Kelly Clague, VP/Marketing Brian Kaplan, and Sr. Director/Marketing James Stewart.
The company’s website is em.co.
Byron Hill Signs Co-Publishing With Dan Hodges Music
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Michelle Attardi (Creative Director, DHM), Susan Hodges (VP of Administration, DHM), Dan Hodges (Owner/GM, DHM), Byron Hill, and ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Ralph Murphy, Mike Sistad.
Dan Hodges Music (DHM) has signed award-winning songwriter/producer Byron Hill to an exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement.
Best known for penning hits such as “Fool Hearted Memory” by George Strait, “Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous” by Tracy Byrd and “Born Country” by Alabama, Hill has written titles released on 77 RIAA certified gold and platinum albums and singles, earned 10 ASCAP awards and is a four-time CCMA Producer of the Year.
His career spans four decades with Sony/ATV Music, Warner/Chappell Music and Universal Music Publishing and includes songs recorded by Ray Charles, Alabama, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Mark Chesnutt, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, John Michael Montgomery, Anne Murray, Juice Newton, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Gary Allan, Rhonda Vincent, Johnny Lee, Reba McEntire, Sammy Kershaw, Mo Pitney and many others.
“I met Byron when he was head of A&R at BNA Records over 20 years ago,” said Hodges. “In that position, he helped me secure my first cut as a song plugger in the music business. His talent and determination helped build the industry in which we are blessed to work today. I look forward to the catalog and opportunities we will build together.”
“Dan’s experience and knowledge of the workings of Music Row have impressed me for more than 20 years.” said Hill. “I am very pleased to now be a creative part of the Dan Hodges Music Family.”
Cam Will Release Debut Album, ‘Untamed,’ on Dec. 11
/by Craig_ShelburneFueled by “Burning House” as her first gold-certified single, Cam will release her debut album, Untamed, on Dec. 11 on Arista Nashville/RCA Records.
The collection follows an EP, This is Cam Country, released in April. That set also featured her debut single, “My Mistake.”
Cam worked with producers Jeff Bhasker (Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, FUN., The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift) and Tyler Johnson (Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Mikky Ekko) on the new music. She wrote or co-wrote all 11 songs on Untamed.
A native of Lafayette, Calif., Cam will be a guest on Brad Paisley’s Crushin’ It World Tour in 2016.
Metro Nashville Seeks Public Input on Music Row Design Plan
/by Jessica NicholsonThe survey is available at surveymonkey.com. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The Metropolitan Nashville Planning Commission voted in February 2015 to recommend deferral or disapproval of any rezoning request on Music Row for the next 12-18 months, to allow time for development of a design plan for that community. Since then, the Planning Department, the National Trust, the Music Industry Coalition and other community, business, and historic preservation organizations have been researching neighborhood issues and reaching out to the public to begin finding common ground on Music Row’s future.
The plan currently being developed could be presented to the Planning Commission in March 2016.
Approximately 50 community members participated in a public discussion of Music Row’s future on Oct. 26, at the first of four public meetings the Metro Planning Department is hosting to gather input on a design plan for the Music Row area.
That plan will guide the Planning Department’s and the Planning Commission’s actions on future development. Subsequent meetings will take place on Nov. 10, Dec. 2, and Jan. 11. All will take place from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the community room at Midtown Hills police precinct, located at 1443 12th Ave. S.
MusicRowPics: Alexandra Demetree
/by Jessica NicholsonAlexandra Demetree performs for MusicRow staffers.
Over the past year, female artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, Cam, Jana Kramer, and Mickey Guyton have found room on the country charts alongside Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
Newcomer Alexandra Demetree hopes to add her name to that list.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native co-wrote two of the five songs on her latest EP, released under SSM Nashville.
“I don’t remember not singing. I started singing Christmas carols at the age of 2 for my grandmother’s bridge group,” she recalls of her earliest involvement in music. She pursued a performing career throughout her childhood, and later entered Northwestern University with a double major in music theater and economics. She continued notching career milestones with performances at Carnegie Hall and the South African Consulate, as well as a national anthem performance at the Toyota Gator Bowl and a performance for former First Lady Barbara Bush. She co-wrote and recorded the single, “Lay It On Me,” with fellow SSM Nashville artist and former The Bachelorette cast member Wes Hayden.
Demetree, alongside guitarist Jason Roller, offered an acoustic preview of her music for the MusicRow staff, including the ballad “Hopeless,” and one of her co-written tunes, “Pick Me Up.” “It’s kind of a girl’s perspective at bar,” said Demetree. “From a girl’s perspective sometimes, it’s like, ‘He’s been looking at me the entire night, so why won’t he come talk to me and have a conversation?’ So that inspired this song.”
Her current single, “Outta My Head,” was produced by Bobby Huff and penned by Mark and Cherie Oakley, two of the co-writers behind Reba’s hit, “Turn On The Radio.”
“I loved that song when I heard it,” Demetree said of “Outta My Head.” “It talks about a situation I feel that everyone has been in. A friend had sent it to me a long time ago, and it was actually stuck in my spam folder. Later, I was cleaning out my email, I found it and listened to it, and was like, ‘Wow, I love this song. How did I miss this?’ We got in the studio a week later and recorded it.”
Demetree recently released a video for “Outta My Head.” The acoustic performance clip was directed by Brian Harstine, and shot in a warehouse in Nashville’s Germantown district.
“Outta My Head” sits at No. 59 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
Alexandra Demetree with MusicRow staffers.