BBR Music Group has added a fourth imprint with the launch of Wheelhouse Records, anchored by the imprint’s first artist signings, Trace Adkins and Granger Smith. Wheelhouse Records’ first single to be promoted to radio is Smith’s “Backroad Song,” while Adkins will debut new music in the Fall.
Teddi Bonadies
“When the BBR Music Group makes a commitment to an artist, we intend to do our very best to help them live out their dreams. In order for us to do that, we have to add the support it’s going to take to gain the most airplay for each single. We’ve found that if we have more than four or five artists on one label then someone isn’t going to get the fair shot they need. That’s why we started Stoney Creek in 2009, then Red Bow in 2012, and now Wheelhouse Records. We want to do everything we possibly can for each artist – because we don’t give up easy,” said Benny Brown, owner & CEO of BBR Music Group.
“Benny Brown and I have always shared a vision of providing the artists on our roster with the individualized attention and strategic support they each deserve. Recently, we’ve been fortunate to work with some extraordinary new talent. The formation of Wheelhouse Records – and its additional promotion staff – became a necessity so that we may uphold the vision that has made the BBR Music Group both a haven for artist development and for the continued growth of superstar acts,” said Jon Loba, Executive Vice President of BBR Music Group.
Teddi Bonadies will lead the imprint as VP of Promotion for Wheelhouse Records, and will report to BBR Music Group’s Sr. VP of Promotion Carson James. Bonadies can be reached at 615-496-6352 and teddi@wheelhousebbrmg.com.
Additional staffers include:
• Jennifer Shaffer, Director of Midwest/ Southwest Promotion
Shaffer reunites with Bonadies with whom she previously worked with at Streamsound, Rodeowave and also Columbia Records. A graduate of James Madison University, Shaffer’s career includes stops at Atlantic, Warner Bros Nashville, MCA Nashville, Lyric Street, Columbia, WAR Nashville, Rodeowave, Sidewalk and Streamsound Records.
Shaffer can be reached at: 904-386-5050 and Jennifer@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Brittany Pellegrino, Director of Northeast Promotion
Most recently an Assistant Editor at All Access Music Group, Pellegrino began her music industry career at the age of 18 as an intern for WDTW/ Detroit. Pellegrino’s vast industry experience since then includes internships with Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville and the Nashville Predators as well as working in Promotions for WKDF/ Nashville and as the Director of Northeast Promotion for Cold River Records.
Pellegrino can be reached at: 248-420-1125 and BrittanyP@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Kimmie Trosdahl, Director of Southeast Promotion
Trosdahl has served as the Promotion Coordinator for Broken Bow Records and Stoney Creek Records since October 2014. Trosdahl previously spent six years in the promotion department at Bigger Picture Group working to enhance the careers of Zac Brown Band, Craig Campbell (now signed to Red Bow Records) and more.
Trosdahl can be reached at: 615-598-0175 and Kimmie@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Bill Snickers, Director of West Coast Promotion
Most recently the Promotion Coordinator for Red Bow Records, Snickers’ experience includes working in sales for Sprint, a Fortune 500 company, for over five years. He simultaneously got his start in the music business by representing local artists in booking and management while in his native Seattle. Combining his true passion for music with a strong foundation in corporate sales, Snickers relocated to Nashville in late 2013 to pursue a career in the music business.
Snickers can be reached at: 206-261-0588 and Bill@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Nicole Nehrbas, Promotion Coordinator, RED BOW & Wheelhouse Records
After serving two years as Publishing Administrator for Tucson’s Funzalo Records, Nehrbas took the plunge and moved cross-country to Nashville. Upon arriving in Music City, Nehrbas worked as a tour guide/ guest services rep at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She most recently served as the Promotion Coordinator at Streamsound Records, Nehrbas will serve as the Promotion Coordinator for both Wheelhouse Records and also Red Bow Records.
Reach Nehrbas at: 480-329-0718 and Nicole@bbrmusicgroup.com
VMA Spotlight Shines on Nashville-Raised Stars
/by Eric T. ParkerMiley Cyrus. Photo: Marcus Mam/MTV
Nashville-raised pop sensations Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus were front and center at last night’s (Aug. 30) Video Music Awards (VMA) on MTV, live from the Microsoft Theater in downtown Los Angeles, Calif. Both stars revealed new material: Swift, a music video for “Wildest Dreams,” and a 23-track free-to-stream album for Cyrus.
Taylor Swift in Ashish. Photo: John Shearer/MTV
Swift received the evening’s top honor, Video of the Year, for “Bad Blood (feat. Kendrick Lamar), which also won Best Collaboration. Swift’s “Blank Space” video additionally took home Best Female Video and Best Pop Video.
“I know there’s been a lot of discussion about this video and what it means but I’m just happy that in 2015 we live in a world where boys can play princesses and girls can play soldiers,” said Swift in her “Blank Space” acceptance speech.
The Big Machine Records pop sensation opened the broadcast with a collaboration with Nicki Minaj (“The Night Is Still Young,” “Bad Blood”). She later presented the Video Vanguard Award to Kanye West, who infamously crashed her 2009 VMA acceptance. Six years since the offense, Swift used that same lingo in her introduction, “…I’ma let you finish…but Kanye West has had one of the greatest careers of all time!”
Ever-provocative hostess, Miley Cyrus, exposed her left breast in an on-air wardrobe malfunction and was the recipient of criticism during a speech by Minaj.
Additional Nashville members on the red carpet included Kelsea Ballerini, the entire Cyrus family; Victoria Secret angel, “Bad Blood” star and wife of Kings of Leon’s Caleb Followill, Lily Aldridge.
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: MTV.
Taylor Swift and crew. Photo: MTV
Cyrus Family. Photo: MTV
Taylor Swift and Nicki Minaj. Photo: Getty/MTV
Pictured (L-R): Martha Hunt, Lily Aldridge, Selena Gomez, Kelsea Ballerini, Taylor Swift, Hailee Steinfeld and Serayah McNeill. Photo: Kelsea Ballerini
Weekly Register: Sales Success For Kip Moore, Carrie Underwood, Sam Hunt
/by Sarah SkatesKip Moore’s sophomore album Wild Ones is this week’s top country debut, landing at No. 2 on the country album chart with sales of 35K. Scoring total activity of 40K, it is No. 4 on the overall chart. Earlier this month Moore previewed the project for industry guests during a Nashville concert, showcasing why it is one of the best country releases of the year. The UMG Nashville artist celebrated release week with a performance on Good Morning America, and by visiting skateparks as part of his charitable initiative, the Comeback Kid Skatepark Project. When he wraps up his current spot on Dierks Bentley’s tour, Moore will launch his headlining 2015 Wild Ones Tour on Oct. 8.
On the country tracks chart, Carrie Underwood had the highest debut with “Smoke Break” selling 56K and sizzling at No. 1. It is the lead single from her upcoming Sony Music Nashville release, Storyteller, coming this October. The track was produced by Jay Joyce and written by Underwood, Hillary Lindsey, and Chris DeStefano.
Sam Hunt on the cover of Billboard‘s Men of Style issue.
It’s worth noting that UMG Nashville star Sam Hunt has four singles on the country tracks chart. “House Party” moves 38K this week/717K RTD, following the major success of “Leave the Night On” (1.2 million RTD) and “Take Your Time” (1.7 million RTD). His fourth single, “Break Up In A Small Town,” has already surpassed 409K sales before being officially released to radio. Hunt’s remarkable debut album Montevallo has sold 722K (albums only) RTD.
Top 5 Country Albums This Week
Luke Bryan 54K
Kip Moore 35K
Elvis Presley 17K
Sam Hunt 14K
Zac Brown Band 12K
Top 5 Country Tracks This Week
Carrie Underwood “Smoke Break” 56K
Sam Hunt “House Party” 38K
Luke Bryan “Strip It Down” 36K
Cam “Burning House” 34K
Chris Janson “Buy Me A Boat” 33K
YTD Albums
Overall -3.5 percent
Overall Digital +.4 percent
Country -2.9 percent
Country Digital +4.9 percent
YTD Tracks
Overall -10.1 percent
Country -15.6 percent
*according to Nielsen SoundScan
Industry Ink: Big Loud Records, NASH Next, Columbia Nashville, Blue Light Entertainment, Debbie Z Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Kirth
Big Loud Records Beefs Up Promotion Staff
Big Loud Records continues its hiring spree with the announcement that Dave Kirth will join the label as West Coast Region Director of Promotion. Kirth will report directly to the label President Clay Hunnicutt and can be reached by email at dave@bigloudrecords.com or via phone at 916-903-7865.
He worked at New Revolution Entertainment for the past seven years, promoting artists including Zac Brown Band, Lee Brice, Big & Rich, Gloriana, and Steve Holy. His previous career stops include Bigger Picture Group, Lofton Creek Records, and KTOM-FM in Monterey, Calif.
Scooter Braun Joins NASH Next Challenge As Guest Judge
Scooter Braun
Cumulus has added music industry exec Scooter Braun to serve as a guest judge during the NASH Next Challenge, which will discover and release music from promising country musicians. Braun joins fellow NASH Next judges, including producer James Stroud, artist and radio personality Kix Brooks, and Cumulus Executive VP of Content and Programming John Dickey.
The NASH Next Challenge grand prizewinner will be signed to the new NASH Next record label, and all of the top 10 finalists will participate in a national NASH Next concert tour next year. Winners will be decided based on a combination of the music industry judges, an original “Spin Index” of social media activity and online fan voting.
Braun, founder of entertainment and media company SB Projects, discovered artists including Justin Bieber, Ariana Grande, and Cody Simpson, each of whom he continues to manage. His roster also includes Dan+Shay, Carly Rae Jepsen, and Tori Kelly.
Friedman Reportedly Leaving Columbia Nashville For UMG Role
David Friedman
Columbia National Director of Field Promotion David Friedman is reportedly leaving his post for a VP/Radio Marketing role at MCA Nashville.
Friedman has worked at Sony Nashville for 15 years.
A native of Harrisburg, Pa, Friedman graduated from Emory University and also studied at Oxford University in England.
Blue Light Entertainment Adds Voorhis
Chip Voorhis
Blue Light Entertainment has added new manager Chip Voorhis of Voorhis Consulting to the team.
Voorhis will take over all management duties for Blue Light’s flagship artist Brian Collins.
Voorhis has been added to a team that includes Jerry Duncan Promotions, Tommy Smith of Blue Light Entertainment and C2 Media Relations.
Voorhis can be reached via voorhisconsulting.com or via 6
Debbie Z Entertainment Signs Drew Womack
Debbie Zavitson and Drew Womack.
Debbie Zavitson has signed on to represent Drew Womack, collaborator on “I Hope You Dance” and lead singer of the group Sons of the Desert.
“Drew is writing even better than when he co-wrote Kenny Chesney’s first #1 She’s Got It All and I couldn’t be more fired up to be working with an awesome writer, singer and producer,” Zavitson said.
“I’m very excited about plugging back into the Nashville community and it’s great to be back in the deep end of the pool,” Womack added.
MusicRowLife: The Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden Weds
/by Troy_StephensonSimone Staley (L) with William Lee Golden
The Oak Ridge Boys’ William Lee Golden married Simone Staley in a private ceremony among a small group of close family and friends in Nashville on Saturday, Aug. 29.
The two longtime friends first connected at an Oak Ridge Boys concert when Staley, sitting in the front row, caught a scarf that Golden had thrown her way from the stage. They finally met after a show in 1980 and began to spend time together. They went in separate directions in 1982 but were reunited in 2009.
By summer of 2013, Golden invited Simone to come to Tennessee and go to Alabama and Florida with him to visit family and friends. It was during that trip that their love was solidified.
“It’s been the most beautiful experience, together,” Golden said.
The two plan to reside in their home they found together in 2013 in Middle Tennessee.
BBR Music Group Launches Wheelhouse Imprint, Signs Adkins and Smith
/by Jessica NicholsonBBR Music Group has added a fourth imprint with the launch of Wheelhouse Records, anchored by the imprint’s first artist signings, Trace Adkins and Granger Smith. Wheelhouse Records’ first single to be promoted to radio is Smith’s “Backroad Song,” while Adkins will debut new music in the Fall.
Teddi Bonadies
“When the BBR Music Group makes a commitment to an artist, we intend to do our very best to help them live out their dreams. In order for us to do that, we have to add the support it’s going to take to gain the most airplay for each single. We’ve found that if we have more than four or five artists on one label then someone isn’t going to get the fair shot they need. That’s why we started Stoney Creek in 2009, then Red Bow in 2012, and now Wheelhouse Records. We want to do everything we possibly can for each artist – because we don’t give up easy,” said Benny Brown, owner & CEO of BBR Music Group.
“Benny Brown and I have always shared a vision of providing the artists on our roster with the individualized attention and strategic support they each deserve. Recently, we’ve been fortunate to work with some extraordinary new talent. The formation of Wheelhouse Records – and its additional promotion staff – became a necessity so that we may uphold the vision that has made the BBR Music Group both a haven for artist development and for the continued growth of superstar acts,” said Jon Loba, Executive Vice President of BBR Music Group.
Teddi Bonadies will lead the imprint as VP of Promotion for Wheelhouse Records, and will report to BBR Music Group’s Sr. VP of Promotion Carson James. Bonadies can be reached at 615-496-6352 and teddi@wheelhousebbrmg.com.
Additional staffers include:
• Jennifer Shaffer, Director of Midwest/ Southwest Promotion
Shaffer reunites with Bonadies with whom she previously worked with at Streamsound, Rodeowave and also Columbia Records. A graduate of James Madison University, Shaffer’s career includes stops at Atlantic, Warner Bros Nashville, MCA Nashville, Lyric Street, Columbia, WAR Nashville, Rodeowave, Sidewalk and Streamsound Records.
Shaffer can be reached at: 904-386-5050 and Jennifer@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Brittany Pellegrino, Director of Northeast Promotion
Most recently an Assistant Editor at All Access Music Group, Pellegrino began her music industry career at the age of 18 as an intern for WDTW/ Detroit. Pellegrino’s vast industry experience since then includes internships with Big Machine Label Group, Warner Music Nashville and the Nashville Predators as well as working in Promotions for WKDF/ Nashville and as the Director of Northeast Promotion for Cold River Records.
Pellegrino can be reached at: 248-420-1125 and BrittanyP@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Kimmie Trosdahl, Director of Southeast Promotion
Trosdahl has served as the Promotion Coordinator for Broken Bow Records and Stoney Creek Records since October 2014. Trosdahl previously spent six years in the promotion department at Bigger Picture Group working to enhance the careers of Zac Brown Band, Craig Campbell (now signed to Red Bow Records) and more.
Trosdahl can be reached at: 615-598-0175 and Kimmie@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Bill Snickers, Director of West Coast Promotion
Most recently the Promotion Coordinator for Red Bow Records, Snickers’ experience includes working in sales for Sprint, a Fortune 500 company, for over five years. He simultaneously got his start in the music business by representing local artists in booking and management while in his native Seattle. Combining his true passion for music with a strong foundation in corporate sales, Snickers relocated to Nashville in late 2013 to pursue a career in the music business.
Snickers can be reached at: 206-261-0588 and Bill@wheelhousebbrmg.com
• Nicole Nehrbas, Promotion Coordinator, RED BOW & Wheelhouse Records
After serving two years as Publishing Administrator for Tucson’s Funzalo Records, Nehrbas took the plunge and moved cross-country to Nashville. Upon arriving in Music City, Nehrbas worked as a tour guide/ guest services rep at the Country Music Hall of Fame. She most recently served as the Promotion Coordinator at Streamsound Records, Nehrbas will serve as the Promotion Coordinator for both Wheelhouse Records and also Red Bow Records.
Reach Nehrbas at: 480-329-0718 and Nicole@bbrmusicgroup.com
Project Music 2016 Accelerator To Accept Applications in September
/by Jessica NicholsonThe program will begin Jan. 31, 2016, and will end in mid-May 2016. The program is slated to include 6-8 startups, with funding of a minimum of $30,000 per startup in exchange for 7 percent equity plus three percent equity reserved for key program mentors.
The program is held Monday through Friday at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. The Project Music title sponsor is the CMA.
For more information, visit projectmusic.co.
SAG-AFTRA, Labels Announce Online Payment Formulas
/by Jessica NicholsonThe successor collective bargaining agreement is the latest legacy contract negotiated since the merger of SAG and AFTRA in 2012 and will now be known as the SAG-AFTRA National Code of Fair Practice for Sound Recordings (or, the “Sound Recordings Code”). The code originated in 1951 and covers session singers, royalty artists, announcers, actors, comedians, narrators and sound effects artists who work on recordings in all new and traditional media and all music formats, as well as audiobooks, comedy albums and cast albums. The agreement covers work for the major record labels and sub-labels, as well as signatory independent record labels. The previous agreement expired Dec. 31, 2014. The new contract covers the period from Jan. 1, 2015, through and including Dec. 31, 2017.
“The Sound Recordings Code is one of SAG-AFTRA’s most important contracts, and I am very pleased that we have achieved groundbreaking changes in this first agreement post-merger,” said SAG-AFTRA National Vice President, Recording Artists Dan Navarro. “SAG-AFTRA and the labels recognize the need for change in order to deal with the challenges and opportunities presented by new economic models in the industry. This deal starts us down that road.”
Key terms of the agreement include:
SAG-AFTRA’s 15-member negotiating committee was chaired by Navarro, with vice chairs Jon Joyce, Janice Pendarvis and Pat Alger. Stefanie Taub, Duncan Crabtree-Ireland and Randall Himes were co-lead negotiators for the union. The labels’ lead negotiators were Plum and Michael Lebowich of Proskauer Rose LLP.
Nielsen Tracking TV Streaming Viewership
/by Jessica NicholsonOverall, Nielsen is tracking around 3,000 episodes, and is sharing the results only with the studios it counts as customers.
Nielsen is not tracking original series from streaming companies, and does not share viewership stats on certain TV shows, such as re-runs of 30 Rock or The X-Files.
[Updated]: Tim McGraw, Faith Hill Reported To Help Hillary Clinton Network in Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerFaith Hill and Tim McGraw.
(MusicRow) – [Updated, August 31, 8:40 a.m. CT]
Josh Schwerin, Spokesperson for the campaign of Hillary Clinton, has reported to MusicRow “the event is not confirmed.”
[Previous Story]
The Associated Press is reporting that Democratic presidential contender Hillary Clinton will “tap into the network” of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill during a fundraiser in Nashville, set for Sept. 29.
The event is said to take place for the former U.S. Secretary of State after seven fundraisers in Los Angeles and San Francisco earlier in that month.
Artist Updates: Naomi Judd, Florida Georgia Line, Home Free, Charles Esten
/by Jessica NicholsonNaomi Judd Celebrates ‘Girls Night Out’
Pictured (L-R): Greg Hill and Jeri Cooper, Hill Entertainment Group; Neil Miller, Executive Director of Entertainment, The Venetian – The Palazzo; Jim Allison, Director of Touring, AEG Live Las Vegas; Bobby Reynolds, Vice President, Booking, AEG Live Las Vegas; Ed Huckfeldt, Director of Marketing, The Venetian – The Palazzo; Naomi Judd; John Nelson, Sr. Vice President, AEG Live Las Vegas
Naomi Judd recently celebrated the announcement of The Judds’ Girls Night Out nine-show residency at The Venetian Las Vegas with the executives involved in the deal. Produced by AEG Live, Girls Night Out will mark the country duo’s first concerts together in nearly five years. The show will run at the resort casino from Oct. 7-24, 2015. Currently celebrating the 25th anniversary of their fifth and final studio album Love Can Build a Bridge, The Judds have sold more than 20 million albums to date.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 28 at 10 a.m. PT and are available at any Venetian or Palazzo Box Office, online at www.venetian.com/thejudds or by calling 702-414-9000 or 866-641-7469.
Florida Georgia Line Slated For ‘Good Morning America’ Summer Series
Florida Georgia Line. Photo: James Wright
Country duo Florida Georgia Line is set to appear on Good Morning America for the finale of their Summer Concert Series next Friday, Sept. 4 live from Central Park. The show airs at 7 p.m. ET on ABC. FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard join a list of other artists from the course of the summer including Dierks Bentley, Ed Sheeran, Nicki Minaj, The Band Perry, Jessie J and Luke Bryan, among others.
The country duo will also join late night host Jimmy Fallon for another performance on The Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon, airing on NBC at 11:35 p.m. ET/10:35 p.m. CT.
Country Group Home Free Debuts Nitty Gritty Dirt Band/Little Big Town Mashup
Home Free
Country group Home Free debuted their new track and music video, “Fishin’ In The Dark/Down in the Boondocks” on USAToday.com on Aug. 28. The mashup includes the classic Nitty Gritty Dirt Band tune “Fishin’ In The Dark” with Little Big Town’s breakthrough hit “Boondocks.”
The group’s third studio album, Country Evolution, will release Sept. 18 on Columbia Records.
Charles Esten To Join Sam Phillips Tribute
Charles Esten
Charles Esten, star of ABC’s Nashville, will perform in the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2:00 p.m. Paying homage to Sam Phillips and the Sun Record label Phillips created, Esten will join Sonny Burgess, Mark Collie, Luther Dickinson, Eric Heatherly, W.S. “Fluke” Holland, Chuck Mead, Jerry Phillips, Charlie Rich Jr., the Secret Sisters, J. M. Van Eaton, and more for the concert. For a full lineup, click here.
The concert marks the opening of a new exhibit at the museum, Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll: The Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips, which officially opens today, Aug. 28.
In addition, Phillips biographer and exhibit co-curator Peter Guralnick will moderate a panel, Go, Cat, Go: Sam Phillips in the Studio, at 11 a.m. on Saturday, Aug. 29, with Burgess, Van Eaton, Holland, and Jerry Phillips in the museum’s Ford Theater.
All programs are free with museum admission or membership, and attendees must have a Program Pass to guarantee admission to the event. Program passes are distributed two hours prior to the event at the museum’s box office on a first-come, first-served basis. Seating is general admission and limited.
For additional programming and exhibit details visit countrymusichhalloffame.org.