Record labels Sugar Hill and Vanguard have been purchased by Concord Music Group. Both entities were previously owned by Welk Music Group.
In Nashville, Sugar Hill’s operations and label team will be merged under Concord’s Rounder Label Group. Cliff O’Sullivan, General Manager of Sugar Hill prior to the acquisition, will be the label group’s Chief Operating Officer and will report to group president, John Virant.
In Los Angeles, Vanguard’s operations and label team will be merged under Concord’s Fantasy Label Group. Dan Sell, General Manager of Vanguard prior to the acquisition, will continue to lead the label’s operations as Vanguard’s Chief Operating Officer. He will report to Fantasy Label Group president, Margi Cheske.
Welk’s president Kevin Welk will remain engaged with Vanguard and Sugar Hill as Chief Creative for the labels. He will also continue to contribute to development and optimizations of the labels’ artist rosters.
Nashville-based Sugar Hill’s roster includes Sarah Jarosz, Lee Ann Womack, Liz Longley, Corey Smith, Kasey Chambers, Sam Bush, moe., Bryan Sutton, Black Prairie and more.
Vanguard’s current roster includes Indigo Girls, Chris Isaak, John Butler Trio, John Fogerty, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Matt Nathanson, O.A.R., Barenaked Ladies, Sallie Ford, Marc Broussard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Trevor Hall, among others.
Other labels under Concord Music Group include Nashville-based Rounder Records, as well as Stax, Fantasy, and more. Currently, Sugar Hill’s Nashville-area offices are located at The Factory at Franklin, and Rounder’s offices are in the Gulch.
The acquisition of Vanguard and Sugar Hill closely follows the recent merger of Concord Music Group and The Bicycle Music Company, a leading independent music publisher, record label and rights manager, into Concord Bicycle Music. In connection with the merger, Concord Bicycle Music raised $100 million in added capital to fund additional growth through music rights acquisitions and artist development investments.
“Concord is strengthened today by the addition of Vanguard and Sugar Hill’s acclaimed artist roster, renowned catalog and gifted executives,” stated Concord Music Group CEO Glen Barros. “This acquisition further establishes Concord Music Group as a home for extraordinary artists. We welcome Vanguard and Sugar Hill into the Concord family and look forward to building upon their great legacies.”
“Strategically, we couldn’t find a better home for Vanguard and Sugar Hill,” stated Kevin Welk. “Not only will they care for our historic catalog and distinguished artists, their desire to grow the new artist business was paramount in the decision. Combining the executive talent of both companies will strengthen Concord’s ability to nurture new talent and be a force in this business.”
Vanguard’s catalog includes hundreds of pivotal titles from Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Country Joe and the Fish, Big Mama Thornton, Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey and Buffy Sainte-Marie amongst many others.
A sampling of classics from the Sugar Hill catalog includes albums from Nickel Creek, Don Williams, Doc Watson, Dolly Parton, Guy Clark, New Grass Revival, Robert Earl Keen, Tim O’Brien and Tony Rice.
Industry Ink: Nine North, City of Hope, Holly Williams
/by Jessica NicholsonNine North/Turnpike Music Name Seiple Director, Promotion & Marketing (NE Region)
Stephanie Seiple
Nine North/Turnpike Music has named Stephanie Seiple as its new Director, Promotion & Marketing for the Northeast Region. Seiple will be based in Philadelphia. Her career includes stops in the promo departments of Wind-Up, RCA, Jive, Epic and Columbia. She also worked remotely as a marketing coordinator for sony Music Entertainment, working with brands including Best Buy, FYE, and Barnes & Noble. In 2014, she was elected Advisor to The Recording Academy’s Philadelphia Chapter’s board.
Seiple is based in Philadelphia.
“I’m honored to join such a seasoned, well respected and talented team,” Seiple says. “Many thanks to Jeff and Larry (Pareigis, NNRLG President) for offering me this opportunity to work together! See you on the road soon!”
“I’m very excited to add Stephanie to our team,” says Nine North/Turnpike/Edgehill Music’s Jeff Davis. “Her experience, energy, and innovative thinking make her the perfect fit for what we are doing here at Nine North! I can’t wait for radio to meet their new favorite rep!”
Tickets On Sale For City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game
Nashville, Tennessee – (April 2, 2015) – A fan favorite event and longstanding tradition of CMA Music Festival, the City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game will commemorate 25 years of striking out cancer on June 13 at 9am from the new First Tennessee Park in Nashville.
Tickets for the 25th annual City of Hope Celebrity Softball Game are on sale now at Ticketmaster. The full line-up of celebrity players stepping up to the plate on the Grand Ole Opry and iHeartRadio teams will be announced in the coming weeks.
City of Hope is a leading research and treatment center for cancer, diabetes and other life-threatening diseases.
Singer, songwriter, and entrepreneur Holly Williams‘ 12South shop White’s Mercantile is now offering online shopping, including a range of items for men, women, and children, as well as accessories. The store is located at 2908 12th Ave. S.
Williams is also behind the Nashville clothing boutique H. Audrey.
For more, visit whitesmercantile.com.
Sky Creative Entertainment Group Launches in Nashville
DeShawn Oravetz
Middle Tennessee State University graduate DeShawn Oravetz has launched creative and music agency Sky Creative Entertainment Group in Nashville.
The company’s catalog of services focuses on aspects of branding, marketing, music, design, and project management. Sky will also partner with local creatives to collaborate on client projects, building working relationships in the Greater Nashville creative community.
For more information, visit skyceg.com.
Granger Smith To Follow Chart Success With Frank Rogers-Produced EP
/by Troy_StephensonOn the Soundscan country tracks chart, indie artist Granger Smith recently scored the top single debut with “Backroad Song” sliding in to No. 4 with 32K downloads.
He’s following up that success with the announcement of his upcoming EP, 4X4, available May 4, 2015 via Thirty Tigers. Producer Frank Rogers was at the helm of the four-song project, which includes a track by Granger’s alter-ego, Earl Dibbles Jr.
The project includes “Backroad Song,” as well as “Tonight,” “Tailgate Town,” and “City Boy Stuck” (feat. Earl Dibbles Jr.).
“After years of making music in my home studio, it’s an honor to collaborate with my long-time friend, Frank Rogers on this new EP and full-length album,” said Smith.
“I have been a friend and fan of Granger Smith for a long time,” added Rogers. “He is a uniquely talented artist who has an amazing way of connecting with his fans through his music.
Granger’s current “YEE YEE NATION” national tour has sold out and broken attendance records and merchandise sales records at nearly every venue.
DISClaimer: A Celebration of Songwriting
/by Robert K OermannToby Keith
It all begins with a song.
The thing that unites all of the standout records this week is that they all feature the craftsmanship that good country music has always boasted.
Whether it’s Zane Williams’s outstanding story lyric, Chris Stapleton’s road tune, Rich Karg’s cool description of momentary love without commitment, Toby Keith’s meditation on decaying society or Steve Azar’s musing about lost innocence these discs contain writing that makes me proud to be a country fan.
Throughout the career of Toby Keith, the consistent excellence of his songwriting has beamed brightly. He wins the Disc of the Day.
The DisCovery Award goes to Rich Karg. His CD is full of unexpected pleasures.
DIANA UPTON-HILL/Do Love Well
Writers: Mitchell T. Goudy; Producer: Bryan White; Publishers: Bread N Pants, ASCAP; Third Floor (track)
-Sunny and sugary. Sorry, I’ve never had much of a sweet tooth.
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Long Stretch of Love
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Josh Kear; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/30A Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Global Dog/Book of Spells, ASCAP/SESAC; Capitol Nashville
-The multiple audio layers make it sound like there are a lot more than three voices on this. Dense sounding, but highly commercial.
Writers: Weston Burt/R. Karg/S. Mitchell; Producer: Rich Karg; Publishers: Rich Karg/Green Hills Music Group/Grin Like Dog, SESAC; RK (track)
-This Nashville singer-songwriter is selling a CD titled U Turn at his gigs. It contains this deliciously melodic power ballad about hooking up with no strings attached. You big-time stars and producers out there need to be mining this and the other tunes on this collection for gold. Recommended listening.
JOSH GOODLETT/Why You Gotta Be That Way
Writers: Bobby E. Boyd/Brad Wolf/Phillip Moore; Producer: Bobby E. Boyd; Publishers: Boyd Where Prohibited/Green Dog, BMI; Good
-The country-rocking production is on the money, and he is a fine country singer. The song doesn’t do much for me, but overall this is a perfectly OK effort.
TOBY KEITH/35 MPH Town
Writers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Producers: Toby Keith/Bobby Pinson; Publishers: Tokeco/Bobby’s Lyrics Land & Livestock/Do Write, BMI; Show Dog (CDX)
-This is an extremely well written song about a mother who doesn’t like what she sees around her these days. She cautions her boy that things aren’t like they used to be. Toby’s vocal is a masterpiece of urgent phrasing, and the dramatic production totally kicks butt. Play it again.
STEVE AZAR & SOPHIE YOUNG/The Sky Is Falling
Writers: Steve Azar; Producer: Steve Azar; Publishers: Steve Azar, BMI; Ride (CDX)
-Their duet about lost youth and forgotten innocence glides on wafting wings of sound. Ear catching.
CASEY JAMES/Fall Apart
Writers: Will Bowen/Joshua Carter/Zach Carter; Producers: Chris Lindsey/Casey James; Publishers: Vaughn Fenwick/Little Extra/Ten Thousand Hours/Petite-T/Music of Parallel, BMI; Columbia (CDX)
-Pleading with a broken heart, he sings the fire out of this. But I’m sorry: “Every time I run into you, I fall apart” is not exactly the most original idea in songwriting history.
TYLER HAMMOND/Wild One Tonight
Writers: Chris Jones; Producer: Chris Jones; Publishers: Chris Jones, ASCAP; Milley (CDX)
-I like the moody, thumpy production and the up-close-and-personal quality in his singing. I also like the way it builds in sonic complexity. I’m intrigued. Send more.
CHRIS STAPLETON/Traveller
Writers: Chris Stapleton; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: WB/Ken Tucky, ASCAP; Mercury (CDX)
-He remains one of the most gripping vocalists on today’s scene. This lonely-wanderer song is right up his alley. The tempo rolls along appropriately. Super listenable.
ZANE WILLIAMS/Jayton and Jill
Writers: Zane Williams; Producers: Zane Williams/Tom Faulkner; Publishers: Born Into Love/Be Original, ASCAP; Be (CDX)
-I love a good country story song, and this one is a pip. Jayton is an everyday guy working at a filling station and feeling suicidal. Jill is preacher’s daughter gone wild. They meet, talk all night and save one another’s troubled souls. A dandy, an instant classic.
Artists Added to 3rd Annual ACM Party For A Cause Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThese artists join previously announced performers including, Dierks Bentley, Clint Black, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Sam Hunt, Miranda Lambert, Patty Loveless, Ronnie Milsap, Darius Rucker, Dwight Yoakam, Alabama, Eli Young Band, and Florida Georgia Line. Over 50 music acts will participate. A full lineup including additional performers and duet collaborations will be announced in the coming weeks.
ACM Presents: Superstar Duets is produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan and R.A. Clark are executive producers. Mark Bracco, Barry Adelman and Tom Forrest are co-executive producers. Bob Romeo is executive producer for the Academy of Country Music.
Weekly Register: Solid Debuts From ‘Nashville,’ ACM ZinePak
/by Sarah SkatesThe ACM is celebrating the big 5-0 with this ZinePak, as well as an upcoming “Now That’s What I Call…” set.
Info from Nielsen Soundscan
The “Girl Crush” controversy was much ado about nothing, but all the hype translated to a sales boost. The Little Big Town single moved from No. 4 to No. 1 (+137%) on the country tracks chart, selling 60K TW for a RTD total of 330K. The song also gave album Pain Killer a shot in the arm. Adding 6.1K units this week (+113%) it moved from No. 15 to No. 7 on the country album chart. After 23 weeks, it has a RTD total of 162K.
Making solid debuts on the country albums chart were Nashville: On The Record Volume 2 (Live From The Grand Ole Opry House) with 13K, and the 2015 ACM Awards ZinePak with 8.7K, entering at No. 3 and 4, respectively. The ZinePak, available at Walmart, includes two compilation CDs, a 96-page magazine, an ACM Awards nominee ballot, and a window decal.
Other key debuts include Canaan Smith’s EP (2.9K) and the first album from Striking Matches (1.8K).
Luke Bryan (18K) and Sam Hunt (15K) hung tight in the No. 1 and 2 country album positions.
On the country tracks chart, Granger Smith scored the top single debut with “Backroad Song” sliding in to No. 4 with 32K downloads. It is from his Frank Rogers produced EP, 4X4, available May 4 via Thirty Tigers.
A few upcoming albums
March 31
• Darius Rucker/Southern Style/Capitol
• Various/NOW That’s What I Call The ACM Awards 50 Years/UMG-Sony Music-ACM
• Cam/Welcome to Cam Country [EP]/Arista Nashville
April 7
• Kristian Bush/Southern Gravity/Streamsound Records
• Will Hoge/Small Town Dreams/Cumberland-Thirty Tigers
April 14
• Reba McEntire/Love Somebody/Nash Icon
April 28
• Zac Brown Band/Jekyll + Hyde/Southern Ground-John Varvatos Records-BMLG-Republic Records
• Tyler Farr/Suffer In Peace/Columbia Nashville
Artist Updates: Willie Nelson, Craig Campbell, Florida Georgia Line
/by Jessica NicholsonWillie Nelson’s 4th of July Picnic Set To Return to Austin
The lineup includes performances from more than 20 artists on two stages, including Willie Nelson & Family, Eric Church, Merle Haggard, Kacey Musgraves, Sturgill Simpson, Asleep At The Wheel, Jamey Johnson, Jason Isbell, Leon Russell, Billie Joe Shaver, Ray Wylie Hubbard, David Allan Coe, Chris Stapleton, Johnny Bush, Insects VS Robots, Folk Uke, Amber Digby, Raelyn Nelson Band, Pauline Reese and more.
Tickets are priced at $75 for Reserved Seats, $55 for Tickets in the GA Pit Section in front of the stage and starting at $35 for H-E-B General Admission Lawn. There are also a limited number of special VIP packages available for sale. All tickets will go on sale Friday, April 10th and will be available at ticketmaster.com, circuitoftheamericas.com, all Ticketmaster outlets throughout Texas or can be charged by phone at 1-800-745-3000.
Craig Campbell Helps Raise More Than $100,000 To Fight Colorectal Cancer
Red Bow Records/BBR Music Group artist Craig Campbell helped organizations Fight Colorectal Cancer (Fight CRC) and Bayer Healthcare raise more than $100,000 for colorectal cancer education, research and prevention, through his 3rd annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge.
The event, held March 29 in Nashville, featured performances from Jerrod Niemann, Charlie Worsham and Campbell.
Craig Campbell performs during the third annual Craig Campbell Celebrity Cornhole Challenge.
Florida Georgia Line Headline at Live In The Vineyard
Florida Georgia Line held an intimate brunch at the beautiful Regusci Winery in Napa before heading to the Uptown Theatre to headline Live In The Vineyard Music, Food and Wine Festival.
Florida Georgia Line with Live In The Vineyard co-founder Bobbii Jacobs
The Willis Family To Debut Reality TV Series on TLC
The musical Willis family, hailing from just outside of Nashville, will debut a 13-episode series on TLC, following their life at home and on the road. The Willis Family will premiere May 5 at 9 p.m. CT. It will follow Brenda and Toby Willis, and their 14 children, as they balance home life and managing a touring band.
The Willis Family first found themselves in the spotlight after performing on America’s Got Talent. The group also frequently performs at the Grand Ole Opry.
Mark Your Calendar – April 2015
/by Eric T. ParkerApril 6
Blake Shelton/Sangria/Warner Bros.
SaraBeth/I’m Sick Of It/Circle S
Bryan Mayer/This Is Me/Nine North
Jillian Kohr/The Way That I Love You/Black Cherry
April 13
Toby Keith/35 MPH Town/Show Dog
Thompson Square/Trans Am/Stoney Creek
Amanda Watkins/If I Were You/in2une
Michael Sarver/Miss You Something Crazy/S&G Music Enterprises
The Lacs/God Bless A Country Girl/Average Joe’s
Rebel Hearts/Broke The Mold/Rebel Hearts
April 20
Danielle Bourjeaurd/Cowboys Again/Render
George Ducas/LoveStruck/Loud Ranch
April 27
Katye Hamlin/Love Is Like Rain/Katye Hamlin Music
Tyler Barham/Just Two Kids/YN Records
Charee White/Keepin’ It Country/Slugfest Records
April 10
The Kentucky Music Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony at Lexington Center’s Bluegrass Ballroom
April 16-25
Nashville Film Festival
April 18
Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2015 induction ceremony in Cleveland
April 19, 2015
50th Annual ACM Awards held live on CBS from the AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas
April 30-May 2
ASCAP’s 10th annual “I Create Music” Expo at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles
April 7
Kristian Bush/Southern Gravity/Streamsound Records
Will Hoge/Small Town Dreams/Cumberland-Thirty Tigers
John Conlee/Classics 2/RCR
The Boxmasters/Somewhere Down The Road/101 Ranch Records
Chris August/The Maker/Fervent Records
Point of Grace/Directions Home (Songs We Love, Songs You Know)/Word Entertainment
April 14
Reba McEntire/Love Somebody/Nash Icon
Dwight Yoakam/Second Hand Heart/Reprise
Amy Grant/Be Still And Know…Hymns & Faith/Sparrow Records-Capital Christian Music Group
SaraBeth/SaraBeth [EP]/Circle S Records
April 18
Lee Ann Womack/Trouble In Mind [Record Store Day limited edition 12″ vinyl]/Sugar Hill
April 28
Zac Brown Band/Jekyll + Hyde/Southern Ground-John Varvatos Records-Big Machine Label Group-Republic Records
Tyler Farr/Suffer In Peace/Columbia Nashville
Mitchell Tenpenny/Black Crow/Creation Lab Records
Sugar Hill, Vanguard Purchased By Concord Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonIn Nashville, Sugar Hill’s operations and label team will be merged under Concord’s Rounder Label Group. Cliff O’Sullivan, General Manager of Sugar Hill prior to the acquisition, will be the label group’s Chief Operating Officer and will report to group president, John Virant.
In Los Angeles, Vanguard’s operations and label team will be merged under Concord’s Fantasy Label Group. Dan Sell, General Manager of Vanguard prior to the acquisition, will continue to lead the label’s operations as Vanguard’s Chief Operating Officer. He will report to Fantasy Label Group president, Margi Cheske.
Welk’s president Kevin Welk will remain engaged with Vanguard and Sugar Hill as Chief Creative for the labels. He will also continue to contribute to development and optimizations of the labels’ artist rosters.
Nashville-based Sugar Hill’s roster includes Sarah Jarosz, Lee Ann Womack, Liz Longley, Corey Smith, Kasey Chambers, Sam Bush, moe., Bryan Sutton, Black Prairie and more.
Vanguard’s current roster includes Indigo Girls, Chris Isaak, John Butler Trio, John Fogerty, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Matt Nathanson, O.A.R., Barenaked Ladies, Sallie Ford, Marc Broussard, Jerry Lee Lewis and Trevor Hall, among others.
Other labels under Concord Music Group include Nashville-based Rounder Records, as well as Stax, Fantasy, and more. Currently, Sugar Hill’s Nashville-area offices are located at The Factory at Franklin, and Rounder’s offices are in the Gulch.
The acquisition of Vanguard and Sugar Hill closely follows the recent merger of Concord Music Group and The Bicycle Music Company, a leading independent music publisher, record label and rights manager, into Concord Bicycle Music. In connection with the merger, Concord Bicycle Music raised $100 million in added capital to fund additional growth through music rights acquisitions and artist development investments.
“Concord is strengthened today by the addition of Vanguard and Sugar Hill’s acclaimed artist roster, renowned catalog and gifted executives,” stated Concord Music Group CEO Glen Barros. “This acquisition further establishes Concord Music Group as a home for extraordinary artists. We welcome Vanguard and Sugar Hill into the Concord family and look forward to building upon their great legacies.”
“Strategically, we couldn’t find a better home for Vanguard and Sugar Hill,” stated Kevin Welk. “Not only will they care for our historic catalog and distinguished artists, their desire to grow the new artist business was paramount in the decision. Combining the executive talent of both companies will strengthen Concord’s ability to nurture new talent and be a force in this business.”
Vanguard’s catalog includes hundreds of pivotal titles from Joan Baez, Doc Watson, Levon Helm, Buddy Guy, Country Joe and the Fish, Big Mama Thornton, Mississippi John Hurt, John Fahey and Buffy Sainte-Marie amongst many others.
A sampling of classics from the Sugar Hill catalog includes albums from Nickel Creek, Don Williams, Doc Watson, Dolly Parton, Guy Clark, New Grass Revival, Robert Earl Keen, Tim O’Brien and Tony Rice.
Artist Pics: A Thousand Horses Bring “Smoke” To Hollywood
/by Kelsey_GradyA Thousand Horses, made up of the four core members, Michael Hobby (lead vocal), Graham Deloach (bassist), Zach Brown (guitarist) and Bill Satcher (guitarist), performed two 30 minute sets at The Sayers Club in Hollywood on Monday night. Their current single “Smoke,” is making waves at radio, currently standing at No. 8 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart. The single is off of their upcoming album, Southernality, which will be released by Republic Nashville on June 9.
Pictured (L-R): Bill Satcher, Michael Hobby, Graham Deloach, Zach Brown. Photo: Chris Polk for Getty Images
The band hits the road May 14 on Darius Rucker’s Southern Style Tour and will also be making appearances at ACM’s Party For A Cause, Bonnaroo, and CMA Fest.
Pictured (L-R) Back Row: Scott McGhee, Scott Borchetta, Rob Light, Jimmy Harnen, Matthew Hargis;
Front Row: Bill Satcher, Graham Deloach, Michael Hobby, Zach Brown. Photo: Chris Polk for Getty Images
Industry Signings: BMI, Demolition Music Publishing, SB21
/by Jessica NicholsonCircle S Records artist SaraBeth has signed with performing rights organization BMI.
SaraBeth recently finished recording her new, self-titled EP, which will be released on April 14. She co-wrote all the songs on the project, including the new single “I’m Sick of It.”
Pictured (seated, L-R): SaraBeth, and BMI’s Senior Director, Writer-Publisher Relations Bradley Collins.
Standing: Verge Management’s Nancy Eckert
• • •
Demolition Music Publishing and SB21 have announced a joint venture signing of Nashville guitarist and songwriter, Phil Roselle.
“Signing Phil was a no brainer,” says Demolition Music Publishing’s President Jon D’Agostino. “He’s an incredibly gifted guitar player with veteran lyric sensibilities and a spirit that shines brighter than any other in the room, He’s also written with and played with some of the best in the business. We’re looking forward to getting him into the mix and chemistry of our team to write some hits.”
Pictured (L-R): Jon D’Agostino, DMP President; Phil Roselle; Steve Pasch, SB21