With 400,000 fans turning out for the first leg, Darius Rucker’s Southern Style Tour has now been extended into fall and will run though November. A Thousand Horses will continue its opening run with Rucker throughout the fall dates, and David Nail will join the tour in October.
The tour’s summer run has 15 shows left and had recent sellouts in Gilford, N.H., Boston, and Jones Beach, N.Y., and is on track to exceed 700,000 tickets sold. Tickets to the first fall date in Chicago on Oct. 8 will go on sale this Friday, July 24. Over 15 more stops are planned and will go on sale in the coming weeks.
Rucker recently released a video for his latest single/title track, “Southern Style.” Shot in his hometown of Charleston, the clip was directed by Peter Zavadil and produced by Jennifer Rothlein.
Southern Style Fall dates:
October 8 | Chicago, Ill.
October 9 | Dayton, Ohio
October 10 | Youngstown, Ohio*
October 15 | Topeka, Kan.
October 16 | Lincoln, Neb.
October 17 | Sioux City, Iowa
October 22 | Syracuse, N.Y.*
October 23 | Albany, N.Y.*
October 24 | Uncasville, Conn.*
November 1 | Indianapolis, Ind.
November 10 | Greensboro, N.C.
November 12 | Bemidji, Minn.
November 13 | Green Bay, Wis.
November 14 | Moline, Ill.
November 19 | Grand Rapids, Mich.
November 20 | Toledo, Ohio
*A Thousand Horses will not be appearing on these dates
Merle Haggard to Headline Ink-N-Iron Festival in August
/by Lorie HollabaughA special rockabilly showcase with performances by some of the legends of Sun Records will take place Aug. 8. A vintage fashion bazaar, motorcycle craftsman contest, hot rod show, and tattoo artist gathering are just a few of the events on tap for the edgy festival.
Tickets and more information on the festival can be purchased at nashville.ink-n-iron.com.
CMA Continues Promotional Partnership with Music Choice
/by Sarah SkatesThe partnership includes CMA Music Festival content appearing on Music Choice On Demand, Music Choice Music Channels, the Music Choice app, and MusicChoice.com.
Music Choice will promote CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, which airs Tuesday, Aug. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. On Music Choice Video On Demand, a top-level CMA Music Festival category will be available featuring behind-the-scenes content from this year’s festival as well as music videos from Little Big Town, Sam Hunt, Carrie Underwood, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, and many more. The Today’s Country Music Channel will also feature a CMA Music Festival takeover leading up to the special from Aug. 1-4. CMA Music Festival artist facts and images will appear across other country channels.
Music Choice will also promote CMA content through 2015 for marquee events including The 49th Annual CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas.
Music Choice is available in 50 million homes nationwide.
Sony/ATV Nashville Promotes Josh Van Valkenburg To Sr. VP
/by Sarah SkatesJosh Van Valkenburg
Sony/ATV Nashville has promoted Josh Van Valkenburg to the role of Senior Vice President, Nashville A&R.
In his new position, Van Valkenburg will head up Nashville A&R and will be responsible for new songwriter and artist signings, continuing to develop Sony/ATV’s existing roster, and managing the A&R creative team.
Van Valkenburg will report to Sony/ATV Nashville President/CEO Troy Tomlinson who oversees the company’s Nashville operation.
Tomlinson said, “I’ve had the opportunity to work closely with Josh for the past three years since he joined our team with the acquisition of EMI Music Publishing. He has proven his ability to recognize and develop new talent and has the ability to relate to the various players in the Nashville music community. Additionally, Josh has demonstrated leadership skills that will both challenge and inspire our A&R team.”
Van Valkenburg commented, “It’s an honor to lead the A&R team of such a distinguished and historic publishing house. I’m excited to work alongside such an innovative, focused and passionate creative team and I strongly believe that we can continue to build upon our culture here—one that appreciates, cares for and protects its songwriters. We are blessed to work under the same roof as some of the best and brightest songwriters in Nashville and we will continue to deliver for them at the highest level. I want to thank Marty Bandier, Danny Strick and especially Troy Tomlinson for their belief in me. I look forward to making the most of this opportunity.”
Van Valkenburg began his career at EMI in 2005. Since joining Sony/ATV he has guided the songwriting careers of hit writer/producers Ross Copperman and Chris DeStefano, CMA New Artist of the Year Brett Eldredge, platinum-selling artist Chase Rice and rising stars JOHNNYSWIM, as well as CMA Triple Play songwriter Jon Nite.
Sony/ATV Nashville houses country music’s most revered catalogs including Acuff-Rose, Tree and EMI’s associated Nashville companies. It has been named BMI’s Publisher of the Year for an unprecedented 13 consecutive years, as well as Billboard’s Country Publisher of the Year for the same time period.
Publishing Hirings: Brahan Joins Big Yellow Dog, Segura to Centricity
/by Lorie HollabaughElizabeth Brahan
Brahan to Big Yellow Dog
Elizabeth Brahan has joined Big Yellow Dog Music as Catalog Manager. An MTSU alumna, Brahan graduated with an honors degree in Music Business & Recording Industry, and has held previous positions as Catalog Manager at Combustion Music, and Licensing and Administrative Assistant at Big Loud Bucks Administration.
“Elizabeth’s experience, worth ethic and attitude are the perfect combination for this position. She is a true asset to our staff,” said Big Yellow Dog A&R Director, Danni O’Neill.
Centricity Names Segura VP
Chad Segura has been named Vice President of Centricity Publishing. In his new role, Segura will oversee the development of songwriter and artist relationships, Centricity’s catalog, and sync opportunities.
Before joining Centricity Segura did stints at Capitol CMG Publishing, Word Music Publishing and his own company, Meld Music. He has guided the careers of artists King & Country, Matthew West, Chris Tomlin, and many others.
“To have someone with Chad’s experience and qualifications join the Centricity team is humbling,” says Steve Ford, GM of Centricity Music. “Chad has spent his career serving artists and writers who are making an impact for Christ. When Chad and I had our early conversations about joining the team it felt like he was the perfect fit for our culture.”
Chad Segura
Bluebird Goes Bluecoat For Liverpool Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughThe show’s idea originated from Emma Foxall, Director of Monkey Mind Productions, a Liverpool songwriter who spent a few years in Nashville waitressing and playing at the Bluebird herself. In January an open call was put out to writers for a chance to win a trip to Music City to work with Nashville writers, attend Tin Pan South, and play the Bluebird. The open call winners, Karen Turley and Kirsty McGee, were selected by Monkey Mind Productions, Bob Harris with BBC Radio 2, David Macias from Thirty Tigers, Bluebird COO Erika Wollam, ASCAP’s Ralph Murphy, and Yaw Owusu of the Liverpool International Music Festival.
The Bluecoat venue will be transformed into the Bluebird for these special shows, which will mark the start of a synergistic relationship and talent development initiative between Liverpool and Nashville.
“The relationship between the two cities, Liverpool and Nashville, and their musical history is unmistakeable,” said Wollam. “Great songs have come from both these cities—songs that have changed the world. For The Bluebird Cafe to connect in this way with Liverpool’s musical heritage is a significant joining of hands and one we hope will continue beyond this initial partnership.”
Clint Black Plans New Album With Thirty Tigers
/by Sarah Skates“Thirty Tigers has an independent spirit,” said Black. “They believe in allowing artists the creative freedom to create music we can all be passionate about. What’s more, I value and appreciate that their focus lies squarely where it belongs—on the music.”
“Thirty Tigers is a place that values not only great songwriters, but great performers,” said David Macias, Thirty Tigers President. “Clint is one of the format’s best at both. I could not be more excited about this new album—it’s long overdue—and for Thirty Tigers to get the chance to work with an artist of Clint’s caliber, whose music I’ve loved for so long, is truly an honor.”
Black has sold more than 20 million albums worldwide and charted nearly two dozen No. 1 singles including “Nothing But The Taillights,” “Like The Rain” and “When I Said I Do.”
Parallel Music Publishing Re-Signs Songwriter Lance Carpenter
/by Troy_Stephenson(L-R) back row: Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Denise Stevens, Partner, Loeb & Loeb, LLP; Seated: Hannah Showmaker, Parallel Music Publishing; Lance Carpenter; Tim Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing.
Hit songwriter Lance Carpenter has re-signed an exclusive global publishing agreement with Parallel Music Publishing.
“I am so blessed to be able to to continue my music journey with Parallel Entertainment,” says Carpenter. “Before moving to town in 2011, a good friend said ‘Buddro when you move to Nashville you’ll meet a lot family you never knew you had’ and it truly feels like a family at Parallel. To have a home on music row with a publisher like Tim Hunze and his team is just incredible.”
Carpenter moved to Nashville in 2011 and in 18 short months signed his first publishing deal and secured two major cuts. He co-wrote Kelsea Ballerini’s recent No. 1 song, “Love Me Like You Mean It.”
“Lance is one of the hardest working writers I know, but above that he is simply a great human being,” says Hunze, Parallel Music Publishing, partner. “Lance will have a long and very successful career and we are excited to be a part of it.”
MusicRowPics: Boone
/by Sarah SkatesBoone
New country singer Boone visited the MusicRow offices to perform his debut single “Summer Girls.” He recently shot a video for the song and has been on a radio tour promoting it.
During the MusicRow visit, Boone also entertained the staff with the songs “Truck” and “This Is Our Night,” which was inspired by his sister’s wedding. He is working on an EP titled American Young Hearts, and previously scored a viral YouTube hit with his track “Redneck Heroes.”
Boone grew up performing in church, playing guitar and piano. In high school he often covered country classics by Merle Haggard and Keith Whitley, and he won the Indiana State Future Farmers of America talent competition. Boone began building an audience by playing fairs and clubs, and eventually got into songwriting and moved to Nashville.
The Indiana native gets his nickname from his love of the outdoors.
Pictured (L-R): Kelsey Grady, Nine North’s Larry Pareigis, Sarah Skates, Boone, Sherod Robertson, Eric Parker, Troy Stephenson
Darius Rucker Adds Fall Leg to Southern Style Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughThe tour’s summer run has 15 shows left and had recent sellouts in Gilford, N.H., Boston, and Jones Beach, N.Y., and is on track to exceed 700,000 tickets sold. Tickets to the first fall date in Chicago on Oct. 8 will go on sale this Friday, July 24. Over 15 more stops are planned and will go on sale in the coming weeks.
Rucker recently released a video for his latest single/title track, “Southern Style.” Shot in his hometown of Charleston, the clip was directed by Peter Zavadil and produced by Jennifer Rothlein.
Southern Style Fall dates:
October 8 | Chicago, Ill.
October 9 | Dayton, Ohio
October 10 | Youngstown, Ohio*
October 15 | Topeka, Kan.
October 16 | Lincoln, Neb.
October 17 | Sioux City, Iowa
October 22 | Syracuse, N.Y.*
October 23 | Albany, N.Y.*
October 24 | Uncasville, Conn.*
November 1 | Indianapolis, Ind.
November 10 | Greensboro, N.C.
November 12 | Bemidji, Minn.
November 13 | Green Bay, Wis.
November 14 | Moline, Ill.
November 19 | Grand Rapids, Mich.
November 20 | Toledo, Ohio
*A Thousand Horses will not be appearing on these dates
Round Hill Announces New Staffers, Promotion
/by Eric T. ParkerKari Smith
Round Hill Music has announced new hires and promotions for its Nashville offices.
The New York-based publishing company has promoted Kari Smith from Director to Senior Director, A&R. Her new duties will focus on continuing to expand the company’s A&R efforts in Nashville in the pop, rock, and country areas.
The company’s Director, Creative and Licensing Steve Nalbert has relocated to Nashville where he will continue to manage Round Hill’s licensing process. Nalbert will take on additional responsibilities, including more involvement in the pitching of the company’s song catalog to synchronization clients. He reports to Mallory Zumbach, Sr. Director in the company’s New York office.
New hires include Kevin Thompson as Manager, Licensing; Steven McMillan as Manager, Royalty Services; and Bob Squance as Sr. Coordinator, A&R Administration. Thompson brings experience from Sony/ATV Los Angeles’s Film & TV department before he relocated to that publisher’s Nashville offices. Thompson now reports to Nalbert. McMillan joins from Big Loud Bucks after spending time at Ten Ten Music Group. At Round Hill he reports to Britnie Stingelin, Director, Royalty Services. Squance brings experience from Ten Ten Music and Big Yellow Dog, and reports to Brown.
Round Hill Music was founded by Josh Gruss in 2010 in partnership with Richard Rowe and Neil Gillis. It has signed exclusive publishing deals and joint partnerships with a number of established music companies including Big Loud Shirt Industries, Big Loud Bucks and also provides a high level of service to songwriters and producers including singer/songwriter Wade Kirby (Blake Shelton, Jason Aldean, George Strait).
Pictured (L-R): Bob Squance (Sr. Coordinator, A&R Administration), Steven McMillan (Manager, Royalty Services), Steve Nalbert (Director, Creative and Licensing), Kevin Thompson (Manager, Licensing)