United Talent Agency has acquired The Agency Group, home to numerous country artists including Dolly Parton, Chris Janson, Marty Stuart and Merle Haggard.
This is a significant move by UTA to boost its music division, to go along with its established film and television roster representing Johnny Depp, John Cusack, Kevin Hart, Sigourney Weaver, Seth Rogen, and Will Ferrell among others.
The Agency Group has more than 95 agents operating from offices in London, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Toronto and Malmo, Sweden. It represents Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Muse, The Black Keys, Paramore, Foster the People, Nickelback, Guns ‘N Roses, David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jeff Bridges, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Hanson, Boy George, Deep Purple, and Rush, among others.
The Agency Group founder and president Neil Warnock will become head of worldwide music for UTA, reporting to the managing directors David Kramer, Jay Sures and Jeremy Zimmer. The Agency Group CEO Gavin O’Reilly will depart the company.
In 2014 The Agency Group beefed up its country roster with the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company. Today TAG’s Nashville office is headed by Nick Meinema and works with Janson, Stuart, Haggard, Aaron Tippin, Aubrie Sellers, Austin Webb, Benton Blount, Bill Anderson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, BJ Thomas, Blackjack Billy, Bobby Bare, Casey Jamerson, Collin Raye, Confederate Railroad, Connie Smith, Cowboy Troy, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, Deana Carter, High Valley, Jaida Dreyer, James Otto, John Anderson, John Conlee, John Michael Montgomery, Kentucky Headhunters, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Lenny Cooper, The Lacs, Logan Brill, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Pauly Shore, Restless Heart, Sam Lewis, Sammy Kershaw, Sarah Ross, Sundy Best, Taylor Hicks, and Walker McGuire.
UTA is purchasing TAG with money from a minority investment from Jeffrey Ubben, founder and CEO of ValueAct Capital, which has significant investments in Microsoft, 21st Century Fox, Adobe and CB Richard Ellis. This gives Ubben a minority share of UTA and a non-voting seat on the agency’s Board of Directors, whose members are Peter Benedek, Jim Berkus, Tracey Jacobs, Matt Rice, Kramer, Sures and Zimmer.
UTA’s recent growth also includes hiring 20 new agents and expanding its services. In early 2014, it acquired Bienstock, the leading talent agency in broadcast news and reality programming, and also developed divisions focusing on fine arts, branding strategy and venture funding.
ASCAP Centralizes Customer Service Support Functions
/by Jessica NicholsonThe centralization of all global customer service support functions allows ASCAP to deliver top-shelf customer service and rapid resolution response for publishers and songwriters.
ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews commented: “ASCAP’s goal is to establish a new standard for exceptional customer service support for songwriters, composers, music publishers and performing rights societies globally. The music rights business is more complex than ever and, as a result, we are working to proactively transform our operations and organizational structure in order to simplify the experience of working with ASCAP. We want key ASCAP customers – writers, publishers, global PRO partners and licensees – to have the most efficient and responsive customer service team available in order to enhance the customer experience.”
DeDe Burns has been appointed to the newly created role of Vice President, Global Customer Services and will lead the Global Customer Service Team. She will report to ASCAP COO Brian Roberts, recently hired by Matthews in March.
Charlie Daniels and Friends’ 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam Raises More than $300K
/by Jessica NicholsonCharlie Daniels
For four decades, Charlie Daniels has brought together musician friends and fans to raise funds to aid U.S. veterans, military members and their families. This year’s 40th Anniversary Volunteer Jam, held Aug. 12 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, raised in excess of $300,000 for The Journey Home Project.
Fans enjoyed performances from The Charlie Daniels Band, Ted Nugent, Trace Adkins, Alabama, Terri Clark, Billy Ray Cyrus, Colt Ford, The Grascals, Lee Greenwood, The Kentucky Headhunters, Tracy Lawrence, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ryan Weaver, Wynonna, Craig Morgan, Lee Roy Parnell, Billy Dean, Michael W. Smith, Travis Tritt, Phil Vassar, Montgomery Gentry, Blackberry, Bonnie Bramlett, Jimmy Hall, Tucker Yochim, Jeannie Seely, Eric Church, Billy Crain, Natalie Stovall, Jamey Johnson and Lynyrd Skynyrd, among others.
“Before we all continue on with our hectic lives, it’s important to stop and reflect on the fact that freedom is not free. We are so grateful to Charlie Daniels, his team, all of the phenomenal artists who donated their time and talent, and fans who came out to support The Journey Home Project,” said Mercedez Longever, managing director of The Journey Home project.
“It was good to see an old Tennessee Tradition come back to life, all for this great cause,” Daniels said.
UTA Acquires The Agency Group
/by Sarah SkatesThis is a significant move by UTA to boost its music division, to go along with its established film and television roster representing Johnny Depp, John Cusack, Kevin Hart, Sigourney Weaver, Seth Rogen, and Will Ferrell among others.
The Agency Group has more than 95 agents operating from offices in London, Los Angeles, Miami, Nashville, New York, Toronto and Malmo, Sweden. It represents Kanye West, Mariah Carey, Muse, The Black Keys, Paramore, Foster the People, Nickelback, Guns ‘N Roses, David Gilmour, Ringo Starr, Ms. Lauryn Hill, Jeff Bridges, Lynyrd Skynyrd, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Hanson, Boy George, Deep Purple, and Rush, among others.
The Agency Group founder and president Neil Warnock will become head of worldwide music for UTA, reporting to the managing directors David Kramer, Jay Sures and Jeremy Zimmer. The Agency Group CEO Gavin O’Reilly will depart the company.
In 2014 The Agency Group beefed up its country roster with the acquisition of The Bobby Roberts Company. Today TAG’s Nashville office is headed by Nick Meinema and works with Janson, Stuart, Haggard, Aaron Tippin, Aubrie Sellers, Austin Webb, Benton Blount, Bill Anderson, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, BJ Thomas, Blackjack Billy, Bobby Bare, Casey Jamerson, Collin Raye, Confederate Railroad, Connie Smith, Cowboy Troy, Dallas Smith, Dean Brody, Deana Carter, High Valley, Jaida Dreyer, James Otto, John Anderson, John Conlee, John Michael Montgomery, Kentucky Headhunters, Kevin Costner & Modern West, Lenny Cooper, The Lacs, Logan Brill, Mel Tillis, Pam Tillis, Pauly Shore, Restless Heart, Sam Lewis, Sammy Kershaw, Sarah Ross, Sundy Best, Taylor Hicks, and Walker McGuire.
UTA is purchasing TAG with money from a minority investment from Jeffrey Ubben, founder and CEO of ValueAct Capital, which has significant investments in Microsoft, 21st Century Fox, Adobe and CB Richard Ellis. This gives Ubben a minority share of UTA and a non-voting seat on the agency’s Board of Directors, whose members are Peter Benedek, Jim Berkus, Tracey Jacobs, Matt Rice, Kramer, Sures and Zimmer.
UTA’s recent growth also includes hiring 20 new agents and expanding its services. In early 2014, it acquired Bienstock, the leading talent agency in broadcast news and reality programming, and also developed divisions focusing on fine arts, branding strategy and venture funding.
Artist Updates: Baby News, Stars Sing for Disney, Clint Black in Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonBaby News: Kelly Clarkson
Kelly Clarkson
Singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson announced during a recent concert at Los Angeles’ Staples Center that she and husband Brandon Blackstock are expecting Baby No. 2.
“I’m totally pregnant again,” Kelly told the crowd. After sharing the news, she said, “That was not planned. I just didn’t want you to think I was crazy. Honestly I’m just hormonal today. Nothing’s wrong I’m OK. I haven’t vomited yet!”
In July 2014, Clarkson and Blackstock welcomed daughter River Rose Blackstock.
Country Stars Sing For Disney
Rascal Flatts, accompanied by artist and actress Lucy Hale, will duet on “Let It Go,” from the 2013 movie Frozen. Musgraves will offer her take on “A Spoonful of Sugar” from the 1964 film Mary Poppins.
Other artists taking part include Ne-Yo, Jason Derulo, Gwen Stefani, Ariana Grande, Charles Perry, Fall Out Boy, and more.
Clint Black To Host Concert for a Cause in Nashville
Clint Black
Clint Black is set to host Concert for a Cause on Sept. 9 at the Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s James K. Polk Theater. As part of Chideo’s Clint Black Dream Recording Session Contest, Black will perform with the contest’s four finalists, including Blake Esse, Jefferson Clay, Julie McCloud, and Sasha Aaron.
The concert will raise funds to aid research to cure Rett Syndrome. Tickets are available for purchase at patron.tpac.org.
Sam Hunt Notches 2x Platinum Single
/by Jessica NicholsonThe singer-songwriter, who is on the current cover of Billboard, recently performed his latest single “House Party” on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
In Pictures: DMP, Kenny Chesney, FGL, Brett Eldredge, Delaware Junction Festival
/by Kelsey_GradyDowntown Music Publishing Takes Over Bluebird
Downtown Music Publishing recently hosted a songwriting round with some of its rising Nashville songwriters at the Bluebird. The lineup included Sam Ashworth, Sara Haze, Andy Albert, Jillian Jacqueline, and Marc Beeson.
One of the highlights of the night included Beeson’s performance of Ashley Monroe’s titled track, “The Blade,” which he co-wrote with Allen Shamblin and Jamie Floyd.
Pictured (L-R): Sam Ashworth, Sara Haze, Andy Albert, Jillian Jacqueline, and Marc Beeson
Kenny Chesney To End The Big Revival 2015 In Boston
Kenny Chesney will end The Big Revival 2015 with two sold-out nights in Boston on Aug. 28 and 29. “There are no fans like Boston fans,” Chesney says. “Boston was one of the first cities to really embrace this music, to bring an intensity that equaled what we were trying to do – and when you know it’s the last shows you’re playing for a while, you want to take as much of that energy with you when you’re done. In a summer where every show seems to top the one before it, there was only one city we knew could close this down, and close it down with the passion we’ve been building all summer!”
Kenny Chesney has a surprise for one young fan. Photo: Jill Trunnell
CMT’S Cody Alan Hangs With Florida Georgia Line
CMT’s Cody Alan hung out with Florida Georgia Line this past weekend at the Charlotte, N.C. stop of their Anything Goes summer tour. Florida Georgia Line will appear on CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan this Friday, Aug. 21.
Florida Georgia Line with Cody Alan.
Brett Eldredge Celebrates With Warner Music Nashville
Brett Eldredge and Warner Music Nashville celebrated the upcoming release of his new album Illinois, releasing Sept 11. Eldredge played the full album and talked about about each of the songs, which he co-wrote. The night also included a toast to WMN President & CEO John Esposito who celebrates a birthday this week.
Brett Eldredge with WMN staffers.
Delaware Junction Festival Becomes Fan-Favorite
The inaugural Delaware Junction, a three-day, two-stage country music and camping festival, took place this past weekend in Harrington, Del. A partnership between Live Nation, the creators of mega country music festivals Watershed, Faster Horses, Route 91 Harvest, FarmBorough, Windy City LakeShake and Highway One, the festival was lead by a strong lineup including Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Toby Keith, Lee Brice, Cole Swindell, Thomas Rhett and more.
Jason Aldean
Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini Goes Gold
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini. Photo: Brad Lovell – Courtesy of Iconic Entertainment
On the heels of her first No. 1 song, Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini has notched her first Gold single. Her debut chart-topper “Love Me Like You Mean It” has been certified Gold by the RIAA for sales and streams of more than 500,000 in the United States.
While Ballerini might be basking in her newfound success, she isn’t slowing down. Her follow-up single, “Dibs,” has sold more than 66,000 units and is impacting country radio. The tune was co-written by Ballerini along with Josh Kerr, Ryan Griffin and Jason Duke.
Ballerini’s tour schedule is packed with festivals, headlining club dates, and slots opening for Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Tim McGraw, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban. She will join Dan+Shay‘s Just The Right Kind of Crazy Tour this fall.
ACM Lifting Lives 2015 Accepting Submissions For Grant Cycle
/by Troy_StephensonACM Lifting Lives has announced a call for submissions for the 2015 Grant Cycle. Submissions will be taken for the 2015 Grant Cycle beginning Sept. 1, 2015 and ending on Sept. 30, 2015 at www.acmliftinglives.org. Funding decisions will be made and programs will be notified in November 2015.
ACM Lifting Lives, the Academy of Country Music’s philanthropic arm, is dedicated to improving lives through the power of music. Through grant cycles, it is able to provide funding to programs that promote education and healing with a musical connection.
Among the organizations that have received funding previously are Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN, Bridges Academy in Nashville, TN, CreatiVets in Washburn, IL, Free Arts for Abused Children in Los Angeles, CA, LiveBeyond in Nashville, TN, Music National Service Initiative in the Bay Area, CA, Musicians on Call in Nashville, TN, Notes for Notes in Nashville, TN, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CA, Peace thru Music in Ventura, CA, Porter’s Call in Franklin, TN, Possibilities! in Cumberland Furnace, TN, Rochelle Center in Nashville, TN, Rock for Kids in Chicago, IL, Shepherd Center Music Therapy for Veterans in Atlanta, GA, Tapping Individual Potential (T.I.P.) in Nashville, TN, The Art of Elysium in Los Angeles, CA, The Quest Center for Arts & Community Development in Dickson, TN, Vanderbilt Music Therapy Program in Nashville, TN, W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School in Nashville, TN and Youth for Tomorrow – New Life Center, Inc in Bristow, VA.
Marbaloo Marketing Bulks Publicity, Appoints Six
/by Eric T. ParkerBrandon Chamberlain
Marbaloo Marketing has promoted two and hired four, bulking its publicity division in an announcement made today (Aug. 20) by Managing Partner/Founder Faithe Parker.
Providing digital integration marketing for clients including UMG Nashville, Sony Music Nashville, Dot Records, Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, and Tim McGraw, Marbaloo now employs over 20 people since beginning in 2010 in Nashville, Tenn.
Brandon Chamberlain has joined Marbaloo as Director of Editorial Marketing & Branding. The Los Angeles transplant spent the previous 10 years in the entertainment space at Virgin Records, UMGD and a myriad of publicity posts.
Anthony Langone has been promoted to junior publicist for Marbaloo. He is Queens, New York native who was a music blogger prior to joining Marbaloo as a publicity coordinator in November of last year.
Delaney Brannigan has been hired full time as a Publicity & Branding Coordinator. She is a Belmont graduate who worked for Marbaloo in a plethora roles while in school and upon graduation this year.
Dave Goldhahn has been promoted to Creative Manager and oversees a department of content generators including copywriting, photography and graphic design. He is a Pennsylvania native.
Hunter Airheart has joined Marbaloo as a content collector with experience as an “Instagram Influencer” from Arkansas.
Kathryn Parker has also joined Marbaloo as Finance & Operations Manager.
Pictured (L-R): Anthony Langone, Delaney Brannigan, Dave Goldhahn, Hunter Airheart, Kathryn Parker
DISCLAIMER: Big Stars and Fresh Newcomers Abound
/by Robert K OermannLittle Big Town
Big stars and talented newcomers mix well in today’s DisClaimer.
In the latter category are such fresh finds as Josh Fuller, Justin Pecina and proven hit writer Joe Doyle. It might seem a little odd, but I’m giving the DisCovery Award to a white-bearded, 60-year-old music vet named Frank Martin Gilligan. His debut solo CD is captivating.
It will come as no surprise to many of you that the Disc of the Day honor is going to Little Big Town. Again. The title tune of the group’s current CD is as masterful as the rest of it. Ain’t it great when fantastic music is so commercially successful, too?
JUSTIN PECINA/Cooler Radio
Writer: Justin Pecina; Producer: Greg White; Publisher: none listed; JP
-It’s very, very country, has a dandy beat, sports a catchy tune and certainly has a subject that hasn’t been written about before. But is a cooler with a built-in radio really worth a song?
JEWEL & DOLLY PARTON/My Father’s Daughter
Writers: Jewel Murray/Lisa Carver; Producer: Jewel; Publishers: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Jewel’s Picking Up the Pieces CD doesn’t come out until next month, but you can find this teaser tune on her Facebook page now. It’s a folk-flavored story song sung with heart-tugging sincerity by both of these lovely sopranos. Highly recommended listening.
MIKE RYAN/Girls I Date
Writers: Ryan/Anderson/DuBois; Producers: Brent Anderson/Ben Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Rock & Soul (track)
-Last week’s DisCovery Award winner is already back with a new single. His drawling, everyday-guy delivery is backed by a chugging beat, some rocking guitar work and a bouncing banjo. A winner.
LITTLE BIG TOWN/Pain Killer
Writers: Karen Fairchild/Jimi Westbrook/Blair Daly/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Little Big Town/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin’ Grids/HillarodyRathbone/BMG Rights, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-Reggae country with irresistible rhythm and their usual flawless vocal harmonies. Crazy-good hooks that deserve massive airplay.
JOSH FULLER/On The Radio
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jason Rooks; Publishers: none listed; IndieExtreme
-Breakfast got ruined. The truck has a flat. Rush hour was awful. Work is a drag. But they’re playing his favorite song, so he’s tossing his troubles aside. Very groovy.
BRAD PAISLEY/Country Nation
Writers: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace; Producers: Luke Wooten/Brad Paisley; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Words & Music/Making the Turn/Do Write, ASCAP; Arista (track)
-This is a shout-out to working-class America that comes armed with pride and goodwill, not to mention the names of your sports-team favorites. A celebration for all of us.
Frank Martin Gilligan
FRANK MARTIN GILLIGAN/Silver Dollar
Writers: Frank Martin Gilligan; Producer: Joe Gavito; Publishers: none listed; FMG (track)
– An 1890 coin tells of the people and places it has seen during its journeys. Terrific songwriting, delivered with a hearty, folksy voice that glows with warmth. This one’s a charmer. Gilligan was formerly in the 1980s country band Mason Dixon. His solo comeback has earned him a Best Newcomer accolade at the Kerrville Folk Festival. I can certainly hear why.
CHRIS STAPLETON/Might As Well Get Stoned
Writers: Chris Stapleton/Jimmy Stewart; Producers: Dave Cobb/Chris Stapleton; Publisher: none listed; Mercury (track)
-Stapleton showcased this on Late Night with Seth Meyers this week on NBC. It is on his widely and deservedly acclaimed album Traveller. His fierce, impassioned delivery of this blues growler will raise the hair on the back of your head. If you don’t already own this collection, drop what you are doing and go buy a copy NOW.
JOE DOYLE/Tackle Box
Writers: J. Doyle/L. Bryan; Producer: Joe Doyle/Lisa Bradley; Publishers: Joe Doyle Songs, BMI; Poplar Creek
-Doyle is the songwriter behind Alabama’s “In Pictures” and Rhett Akins’ “She Said Yes,” among many other cuts. His new Songs For Sammie CD collects compositions recorded by such stars as Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw. This one was on Luke Bryan’s debut album. The songwriter’s version is in a tender tenor voice backed by twinkling mandolin and guitar notes. This brings out every nuance of its nostalgic lines. I love songwriter albums.
DALLAS SMITH/Kids With Cars
Writers: Jesse Frasure/Brad Tursi/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Joey Moi; Publishers: Rio Bravo/Telemitry/Songs of Big Deal/BMG Rights/Universal/Lake Allegan, BMI/ASCAP; Blaster
-The track rocks loudly but cleanly. The performance has a hip-hop vibe. The party-hearty chorus is relentless. It’s sure not your daddy’s country music, but will doubtless play well with today’s audience.