Pictured (front row, L-R): Daniel Hill (President) and Tim Montana; (back row): Carrie Gallo (Creative Dir.), Ross Cameron (Sr. Dir. Acquisitions), Denise Stevens (Loeb & Loeb), Brian Bradford (Dir. Admin.), Paula Kay Hornick (Manager), Jon Singer (CFO), Billy Lynn (VP Creative), and Michelle Davey (Admin. Asst./Office Mgr.).
Spirit Music Nashville has signed artist/songwriter Tim Montana to an exclusive global publishing agreement, it was announced today (July 2) by Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville.
Tim Montana and The Shrednecks are based in Nashville, where Montana co-wrote “This Beard Came Here to Party” with ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons. The song became an anthem for The Boston Red Sox during the 2013 World Series. Tim Montana and The Shrednecks have recently been tearing it up on the road, opening for Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry and ZZ Top.
Montana’s first break came when David Letterman saw him perform and invited him to appear on the Late Show.
“Tim is one of the most resourceful talents I have known. He has already given back so generously to veterans with PTSD, and his career is just getting started,” said Hill. “We are proud to welcome Tim into the Spirit Music fold, and look forward to helping him take his music to the fans.”
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Spirit Music family,” said Montana. “Daniel, Billy Lynn and the entire Nashville group are talented publishers who are all about the song, and Spirit’s worldwide reach is something to be excited about. The care and attention they give to me and my music is what I dreamed of finding in a publisher.”
Spirit previously acquired Cal IV Entertainment, the StyleSonic catalog, contemporary Christian catalog West Main Music, a portion of Jason Ingram’s catalog, and signed songwriter Chris Wallin.
Music City Roots Kicks Off Summer Season With Chet Atkins Tribute, Pam Tillis
/by Lorie HollabaughPam Tillis
Music City Roots Live From The Factory is paying tribute to guitar legend Chet Atkins this week in one of two special shows happening Tuesday and Wednesday (July 7-8) as it kicks off its summer 2015 season. Tuesday evening welcomes artists and guests of the Chet Atkins Appreciation Society convention for a stellar show featuring some of the best finger-pickers in the world. The lineup includes performances by John Knowles, The Hot Club Of Nashville, Richard Smith, Thom Bresh, Jonathan Brown, and Parker Hastings. The evening will be capped off with a giveaway of a hand-made, $2,000 Maton acoustic guitar.
Wednesday night will kick off Roots’ regular summer schedule, with a diverse lineup of vocalists including Virginian Caroline Spence, funky soul band The Broomestix, singer/songwriter Matthew Fowler, and country hitmaker Pam Tillis.
Show times are 7 p.m. both nights, and tickets are available at musiccityroots.com, at Grimey’s record store, or at the Factory, and are $10 general admission and $15 limited reserved. Those not able to make the shows can watch them live-streamed on the website on Wednesday at 7 p.m. CST or listen to them live on Hippie Radio 94.5 FM. Jim Lauderdale serves as host of the popular local roots music series.
BMLG Acquires Full Stake In Republic Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Scott Borchetta, Florida Georgia Line, Jimmy Harnen.
Scott Borchetta‘s Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has acquired full-stake ownership in Republic Nashville, according to sources.
The deal comes as BMLG re-signs a distribution agreement with Universal Music Group, which reportedly gives the label group a lower distribution fee.
Led by label president Jimmy Harnen, Republic Nashville’s current roster includes Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Cassadee Pope and A Thousand Horses.
“Big Machine’s total industry market share including track equivalent albums is 1.7 percent year to date while [the] Valory imprint provides an additional 0.27 percent and now the Republic Nashville label adds another 0.37 percent for a total market share of 2.34 percent,” reports Ed Christman of Billboard.
Started in 2009 as the third imprint in Borchetta’s label group, Republic Nashville was created as a 50/50 partnership with New York’s Universal Republic President/CEO Monte Lipman. Republic Nashville launched with artists Sunny Sweeney and Fast Ryde, who have both since departed the company.
Big Machine and Republic first teamed in 2007 when Lipman’s staff helped cross Taylor Swift to Top 40 radio and beyond. That partnership continues to today, as Republic Records promotes Swift’s 1989 to pop radio.
Universal Republic also had a hand in Universal South, a company that eventually merged with Toby Keith‘s Show Dog in 2010 to become Show Dog-Universal. Keith’s label more recently became Show Dog Nashville and established closer ties to Universal Music Group Nashville. Keith was involved with Big Machine from the onset and remains a shareholder.
Spirit Music Nashville Signs Tim Montana
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (front row, L-R): Daniel Hill (President) and Tim Montana; (back row): Carrie Gallo (Creative Dir.), Ross Cameron (Sr. Dir. Acquisitions), Denise Stevens (Loeb & Loeb), Brian Bradford (Dir. Admin.), Paula Kay Hornick (Manager), Jon Singer (CFO), Billy Lynn (VP Creative), and Michelle Davey (Admin. Asst./Office Mgr.).
Spirit Music Nashville has signed artist/songwriter Tim Montana to an exclusive global publishing agreement, it was announced today (July 2) by Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville.
Tim Montana and The Shrednecks are based in Nashville, where Montana co-wrote “This Beard Came Here to Party” with ZZ Top’s Billy F Gibbons. The song became an anthem for The Boston Red Sox during the 2013 World Series. Tim Montana and The Shrednecks have recently been tearing it up on the road, opening for Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Kid Rock, Montgomery Gentry and ZZ Top.
Montana’s first break came when David Letterman saw him perform and invited him to appear on the Late Show.
“Tim is one of the most resourceful talents I have known. He has already given back so generously to veterans with PTSD, and his career is just getting started,” said Hill. “We are proud to welcome Tim into the Spirit Music fold, and look forward to helping him take his music to the fans.”
“I’m very excited to be a part of the Spirit Music family,” said Montana. “Daniel, Billy Lynn and the entire Nashville group are talented publishers who are all about the song, and Spirit’s worldwide reach is something to be excited about. The care and attention they give to me and my music is what I dreamed of finding in a publisher.”
Spirit previously acquired Cal IV Entertainment, the StyleSonic catalog, contemporary Christian catalog West Main Music, a portion of Jason Ingram’s catalog, and signed songwriter Chris Wallin.
MusicRowPics: Bobby Wills
/by Kelsey_GradyBobby Wills visited the MusicRow offices to treat the staff to a performance that included his Top 30 hit “Never Didn’t Love You,” and “Show Some Respect.” Wills encouraged all to view the music video which can be seen here. Wills also sang his next single, “Crazy Enough” which will go for adds on July 16. The song was based on his personal experiences growing up.
Wills is a consecutive Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Male Artist of the Year nominee. He also won the 2013 CCMA Rising Star title in addition to successively taking home the Alberta Country Music Association (ACMA) Male Artist of the Year award.
The Canadian singer is planning on moving his base from Calgary to Music City and will release his EP on July 17 through Willing Nashville.
Top L-R: MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Troy Stephenson, Eric Parker, Willing Nashville’s Angela Borchetta. Bottom L-R: MusicRow’s Kelsey Grady, Wills, MusicRow’s Sarah Skates
Reba, Brooks & Dunn Debut Vegas Residency
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Kix Brooks, Reba McEntire, Ronnie Dunn. Photo: Caesars Palace
On Wednesday, June 17, Reba McEntire, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn reunited onstage to premiere their new residency, REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Over the past two weeks, the superstar entertainers have performed to sold-out crowds.
Presented jointly by Caesars Entertainment and AEG Live, the two-hour production features more than 30 hits backed by a band of 10 players from both of their touring bands. The set includes solo and joint performances of their signature tracks including “Fancy,” “My Maria” and “Cowgirls Don’t Cry.”
Reba and Brooks & Dunn first toured together in 1993.
Tickets for upcoming performances (below) may be purchased in person at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace Box Office, by calling 866-320-9763 or online. All shows are scheduled for 7:30 p.m.
The 4,300-seat Colosseum spotlights additional entertainers, sharing nightly performances on the stage, including Celine Dion, Elton John, Rod Stewart, Mariah Carey and Jerry Seinfeld. Bette Midler, Cher and Shania Twain have additionally performed on the stage.
Upcoming REBA, BROOKS & DUNN: Together in Vegas performances include:
July 3
July 4
December 4
December 6
December 9
December 11
December 12
Reba McEntire performing in Together in Vegas. Photo: Caesars Palace.
Brooks & Dunn performing in Together in Vegas. Photo: Caesars Palace
Weekly Chart Report (7/2/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Industry Ink: Worsham Wows Broadcasters, Dove Awards, Rhyme Partners, PLA Media, NELAs
/by Kelsey_GradyBMI’s Dan Spears, IBA President/CEO Dennis Lyle, Charlie Worsham, IBA outgoing Board Chair and WJIL/WJVO- Jacksonville GM Sarah Hautala
Warner Bros. recording artist and BMI songwriter Charlie Worsham wowed the crowd at the Illinois Broadcasters Association’s annual Silver Dome Awards Dinner (June 16), performing in front of a large group of radio and TV executives. Worsham will head into the studio later this summer to record his sophomore album with producer Frank Liddell.
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Nominations for the GMA Dove Awards will be announced at a press conference on Wednesday, Aug. 12.
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The Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and YP Nashville announced the finalists for the 2015 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The NELAs recognize Nashville’s young professionals for significant accomplishments in their chosen career fields, as well as their commitment and contribution to the community. Nominees in the Arts, Entertainment & Music Business category include: Marcia Masulla, 12th & Broad—A Gannett Media Company; Amanda Mazzo, Mazzo Media; Brian O’Neil, Iconic Entertainment; Ryan Rowland, Country Music Television; and Laura Williams, Regions Bank.
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“Dress Up This Town,” a song written by Melissa Bollea, Bill DiLuigi, and artist/writer Mary Sarah has been picked up by Boot Barn for its national ad campaign. Bollea is owner of Rhyme Partners publishing, which is celebrating its 3rd anniversary and recently signed Doug Lowe, Kayliann Lowe, Brian Desveaux and Charlie Greene. The company has had over 70 cuts.
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Pam Lewis’ PLA Media has hired Levi Stein as Publicity Coordinator. He previously interned with the company. He can be reached at levi.stein@plamedia.com.
Change of Address: Average Joes, THIEL Audio, Go West Creative
/by Sarah Skates• • • •
THIEL Audio speaker company recently relocated its headquarters from Lexington, Ky. to Nashville. The company will open the THIEL 150 space on 3rd Ave. between Broadway and Demonbreun in August. The showroom and event space will be located in the ground level of the Pinnacle Building.
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Go West Creative moved their national headquarters from Los Angeles to Nashville and taken up digs in Germantown at 100 Taylor St. 3rd floor, Nashville, TN 37208.
Founded over 30 years ago, the award-winning event, experiential and content marketing company has offices in Los Angeles, New York and Las Vegas. It works with international brands such as Kawasaki, Petco, Sonic Burgers, PWC, Five Guys, Transamerica, the Rose Bowl, the United Nations, and many others. Jason Saffran, Executive Vice President of Go West Creative, can be reached at Jason@gwcg.com. The Nashville office can be reached at 615-365-9934.
Belcourt and Opry Celebrate 90th Anniversaries With Music Film Series
/by Lorie HollabaughThe series kicks off July 11 with a free outdoor screening at The Belcourt at dusk of Coal Miner’s Daughter, starring Sissy Spacek, who won the Academy Award for her portrayal of Loretta Lynn. Film scenes were shot at the Ryman Auditorium and several other Nashville venues.
Following the free screening the series moves to Monday nights for “Music City Mondays” July 13 to Aug. 17. Other films set for screenings include The Nashville Sound, and Johnny Cash, The Man, His World, His Music.
Fans can enter on social media to win ticket packages including admission tickets to the Belcourt and “Opry Wednesdays” at the Opry House throughout the summer. A full schedule of films can be found at belcourt.org and the Opry’s show schedule can be seen at opry.com.
FGL’s Tyler Hubbard Off The Market, Ties Knot In Sun Valley
/by Lorie HollabaughTyler Hubbard and Hayley Stommel
Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard tied the knot with girlfriend Hayley Stommel Wednesday (July 1) at a ceremony at Trail Creek Cabin in Sun Valley, Idaho. According to People, the bride wore a lace gown by Monique Lhuillier and her golden retriever Harley donned a bow tie for the special occasion and served as ring bearer. Hubbard’s bandmate Brian Kelley was Hubbard’s best man, and Stommel pal Sarah Buxton performed the John Legend tune “All Of Me,” as Stommel walked down the aisle.
One hundred and fifty guests attended the reception and feasted on steak and salmon during the special day, which was the two-year anniversary of the couple’s first kiss.
“There’s something about being able to call Hayley my wife and say that it’s official! Marriage is forever and we’re just so happy to share our love forever,” the groom told People. “We’ve kind of built a family, Hayley and myself and BK and his wife Brittney. It’s a special day for all of us to celebrate.”
The newlyweds will honeymoon in Turks and Caicos before FGL returns to the road July 9.