Gorley Ranks Among Top Songwriters Nationwide

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ashleygorley

Ashley Gorley


Ashley Gorley is the only Nashville songwriter in Billboard’s Top 10 Songwriters list, based on airplay in the second quarter. During that time period Gorley scored as a co-writer on Luke Bryan’s “Play It Again,” Joe Nichols’ “Yeah,” and Rascal Flatts’ “Rewind.”
Sony/ATV ranked as the top overall publisher on the Publishers Quarterly chart, propelled largely by Country hits including Miranda Lambert’s “Automatic.” Overall, the publishing powerhouse which holds the EMI catalog, had a 32.2 percent share of the top 100 radio songs.
Sony/ATV’s Country share grew from 26.9 in the first quarter, to 34.8 percent in the second quarter.
Warner Chappell landed at No. 2 Country with a 19.8 percent share in the second quarter. WC is No. 3 overall with 14.3 percent.
Nashville indie Big Loud Bucks ranked in the Top 10 overall with 1.6 percent.
Rounding out the overall Top 5 are UMPG at No. 2 with 15.2 percent, followed by Kobalt (9.8%) and BMG Chrysalis (6.5%).
Also of note, Round Hill Music ranked No. 8 on the list with 1.3 percent, due in large part to the success of Nashville songwriter Wade Kirby and rock band American Authors.

Artist Updates: Florida Georgia Line, Lucy Hale, Mindy Smith

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fgl Jeremy Cowart

Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Jeremy Cowart


Florida Georgia Line is set to make a big announcement from NYC’s Central Park on Friday (Aug. 15) when they headline ABC’s Good Morning America Summer Concert Series. The Republic Nashville duo will perform their latest single, “Dirt,” which has sold more than 535,000 downloads to date.
Good Morning America airs beginning at 7 a.m. (all time zones).
• • •
lucy hale111Lucy Hale performed on the Honda Stage at iHeartRadio on July 31, and footage from the performance is now available at Honda Stage. Hale performed “Road Between,” “From The Backseat,” and more from her debut project Road Between. Honda and Clear Channel have partnered to create unique content and performance opportunities.
Honda Stage at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles will feature 12 live, intimate performance from various artists, with footage available at youtube.com.
• • •
mindy smith one moment more1Singer-songwriter Mindy Smith will celebrate the 10-year anniversary of the release of her debut album One Moment More. Smith will play a one-off show at the newly opened City Winery in Nashville on Oct. 25.
She will perform the album in its entirety for the first time, accompanied by a full band that includes some original players featured on the studio album. For tickets, visit citywinery.com.
• • •
Oak Ridge Boys lead singer Duane Allen has been inducted into the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame, and named an honorary admiral in the Texas Navy by Governor Rick Perry. Fellow Oak Ridge Boys members Joe Bonsall, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban were also proclaimed as honorary Texans.
Pictured (L-R): Duane Allen with Texas State Representative Chris Paddie.

Pictured (L-R): Duane Allen with Texas State Representative Chris Paddie.


• • •
The third annual Eric Church Band “Put A Club in My Hand” Golf Tournament was held Monday, Aug. 4 at Gaylord Springs Golf Links. The event raised $112,864 for MusiCares, the charitable arm of The Recording Academy. Funds were donated through 160 registered golfers, more than 45 sponsors (including EMI Records Nashville, Q Prime, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, BMI, Hard Rock Cafe, AEG Live/The Messina Group, WME, Jack Daniel’s, Dos Equis, and others), and a silent auction.
To date, the event has raised more than $275,000 for MusiCares.
photo 21
• • •
Wynonna and husband/producer Cactus Moser performed the national anthem at the LA Dodgers/Chicago Cubs game on Aug. 3 at Dodger Stadium in Los Angeles.
Pictured (L-R): Cactus Moser and Wynonna

Pictured (L-R): Cactus Moser and Wynonna

MR Exclusive: Legislating Concert Tickets in Tennessee

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Expanding on the 2014 Artist Roster print magazine article on concert ticketing, Q Prime South Management’s VP of Touring Fielding Logan takes time to further explain the Tennessee Sports and Entertainment Industry Coalition. 
• • •
TicketArticle-WebGraphicIn the state of Tennessee in 2012, Logan testified as a representative of the Tennessee Sports and Entertainment Industry Coalition to combat ticketing challenges. “In 15 different states it’s eBay-owned Stubhub vs. Ticketmaster and groups financed by Ticketmaster,” he said. “Ticketmaster paid for our lobbyists but we were trying to pass bi-partisan laws to protect fans and prevent scalpers from tricking customers.”
This organization had the same mission as the Fans First Coalition; both are backed by Eric Church, Q Prime South and The Bridgestone Arena, among others. The coalition wanted to make it illegal for scalpers to use venue or artist names in web addresses, to say whether tickets were speculative or not, and to publish the exact seat location and the original face value.
“[The coalition’s breadth] was amazing: colleges, venues across the state, artists, professional sports teams including the Titans, TPAC, NASCAR, and even some tiny playhouse in Cookeville,” continued Logan. “From Bristol to Memphis, anyone actually doing business and paying taxes in Tennessee was lined up.”
Opposing the Fans First Coalition was StubHub and organizations like the Fan Freedom project.
“Stubhub and their army of lobbyists did a lot to cloud and confuse the issue,” continued Logan. “Our Republican sponsor out of Knoxville decided to pull the bill at the last minute because he was getting calls from ambiguous free market, free enterprise consumer protection groups saying ‘this is my ticket and I should be able to do whatever the heck I want with it.’
“My understanding is there is now an armistice in Tennessee where the legislature has basically said we’re not touching a ticketing bill from either side.”
In retrospect, Logan notes legislative efforts to prevent scalping on a state level may be irrelevant. “It’s a national issue,” he said, noting Ticketmaster’s new re-sell program TM+. “A lot of what [the Tennessee Sports and Entertainment Industry Coalition was] trying to address is going to be solved organically, from a technological standpoint, and Ticketmaster is probably happier to dedicate their resources to advancing a better, more transparent market.
“[My] biggest disappointment with the commission is that everyone fighting on the other side was largely ambiguous, out-of-state consumer protection groups. The presumption on my part was every opposing testimony was being paid by Stubhub.”
• • •
For the full article: “Recapturing Lost Revenue On The Road: a look at today’s concert ticket industry” featuring Logan and The Bridgestone Arena’s Director of Ticketing, Lonnie Wilkerson, pick up a copy of the Artist Roster print magazine. Magazines are included for free with yearly subscriptions to MusicRow.

The Boxcars, Blue Highway Lead IBMA Awards Nominations

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ibma90711The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) revealed the nominees for the 2014 IBMA Awards, which will be held Oct. 2 in Raleigh, N.C. The Boxcars lead the pack with 10 nominations for the band and its individual members. They are followed by Blue Highway with nine nominations, and The Del McCoury Band with six nominations.
The Original Seldom Scene and Neil Rosenberg are the 2014 Hall of Fame Inductees. The 2014 Distinguished Achievement Award recipients this year are Deering Banjo Company, The Delmore Brothers, European Bluegrass Music Association, Hillbilly at Harvard, and Bill Keith.
Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas will serve as hosts for this year’s IBMA awards, which will be the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass event, to be held Sept. 30-Oct. 4.
2014 IBMA award nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
The Del McCoury Band
VOCAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
Dailey & Vincent
The Gibson Brothers
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
INSTRUMENTAL GROUP OF THE YEAR
Balsam Range
Blue Highway
The Boxcars
The Del McCoury Band
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
SONG OF THE YEAR
“Dear Sister” – Claire Lynch (artist), Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb (writers)
“Grandpa’s Way of Life” – The Spinney Brothers (artist), Mark ‘Brink’ Brinkman (writer)
“It’s Just a Road” – The Boxcars (artist), William Keith Garrett (writer)
“The Game” – Blue Highway (artist), Shawn Lane and Barry Bales (writers)
“You Took All The Ramblin’ Out of Me” – The Boxcars (artist), Jerry Hubbard (writer)
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Hall of Fame Bluegrass – Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins (artist), Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins (producers), Rebel Records
It’s Just A Road – The Boxcars (artist), The Boxcars (producer), Mountain Home
Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe – Noam Pikelny (artist) Gabe Witcher (producer), Compass Records
Streets of Baltimore – The Del McCoury Band (artist), Del McCoury (producer), McCoury Music
The Game – Blue Highway (artist), Blue Highway (producer), Rounder Records
GOSPEL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Love Does” – Darin and Brooke Aldridge (artist), Flying (album), Jamie Johnson, Suzanne M. Johnson and Jenee Fleenor (writers), Darin and Brooke Aldridge (producers), Organic Records
“The Day We Learn to Fly” – Volume Five (artist), The Day We Learn To Fly (album), Stacy Richardson and Leroy Drumm (writers), Volume Five (producers), Mountain Fever
“Wait A Little Longer Please Jesus” – Donna Ulisse (artist), I Am a Child of God (album), Hazel Marie Houser (writer), Bryan Sutton and Donna Ulisse (producers), Hadley Music Group
“When Sorrows Encompass Me Around” – The Boxcars (artist), It’s Just A Road (album), Paul Edgar Johnson (writer), The Boxcars (producer), Mountain Home
“Won’t It Be Wonderful There” – Dailey & Vincent (artist), Brothers of the Highway (album), Mildred Styles Johnson (writer), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
INSTRUMENTAL RECORDED PERFORMANCE OF THE YEAR
“Five Miles to Milan” – The Grascals (artist), When I Get My Pay (album), Danny Roberts (writer), The Grascals (producer), Mountain Home
“Graveyard Fields” – Steep Canyon Rangers (artist), Tell The Ones I Love (album), Mike Guggino (writer), Larry Campbell (producer), Rounder Records
“Johnny Don’t Get Drunk” – Adam Steffey (artist), New Primitive (album), Public Domain, Adam Steffey (producer), Organic
“Skillet Head Derailed” – The Boxcars (artist), It’s Just a Road (album), Ron Stewart (writer), The Boxcars (producer), Mountain Home
“Thank God I’m A Country Boy”- Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown (artists), Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (album), John Martin Sommers (wrtier), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
RECORDED EVENT OF THE YEAR
“American Pickers”- The Grascals with Dierks Bentley (artists), The Grascals (producer), Mountain Home
“Keepin’ It Between the Lines (Old School)” – Peter Rowan with Bobby Osborne, Jesse McReynolds, Ronnie McCoury and Del McCoury (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
“Martha White, Lester & Earl” – Terry Baucom with Marty Raybon & Buddy Melton (artists), Terry and Cindy Baucom (producers), John Boy and Billy Records
“Wild Montana Skies” – Special Consensus with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
“Wild Mountain Honey” – Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins (artists), Junior Sisk and Joe Mullins (producers) Rebel Records
EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Detour
Flatt Lonesome
The Spinney Brothers
Town Mountain
Volume Five
MALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Del McCoury
Buddy Melton
Tim O’Brien
Frank Solivan
Dan Tyminski
FEMALE VOCALIST OF THE YEAR
Dale Ann Bradley
Alison Krauss
Claire Lynch
Amanda Smith
Rhonda Vincent
INSTRUMENTAL PERFORMERS OF THE YEAR
BANJO
Jens Kruger
Mike Munford
Noam Pikelny
Sammy Shelor
Ron Stewart
BASS
Barry Bales
Mike Bub
Missy Raines
Mark Schatz
Darrin Vincent
FIDDLE
Jason Carter
Michael Cleveland
Stuart Duncan
Bobby Hicks
Ron Stewart
DOBRO
Jerry Douglas
Andy Hall
Rob Ickes
Randy Kohrs
Phil Leadbetter
GUITAR
Tony Rice
James Alan Shelton
Kenny Smith
Tim Stafford
Bryan Sutton

Music For A Cause: Upcoming Nashville Benefits

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gridiron1Songwriters Phil O’Donnell, Casey Beathard, Shane Minor, Cora Keller, along with Titans player Moise Fokou and Hall of Fame member Eddie George, will take part in the Gridiron and Guitars Music Benefit, set for Sunday, Aug. 17 at ONE at the Cannery Ballroom. The event begins at 6 p.m.
The night of music will raise funds for Root 53 Future Rulers Initiative, a three-month incentive-based program that includes weekly healthy and positive living challenges to supplement the school curriculum of middle school students in under-served communities. The event will include catering from Riffs Catering, as well as an open bar, silent auction, gift bags, and more.

• • •

Screen shot 2014-08-13 at 2.56.59 PM1The We Run The Row 5K afterparty will be held Sept. 13, 2014 at Tin Roof Nashville. Admission to the afterparty for those who have not registered for the race will be $15. Striking Matches, Stereo Sparks, and Amy Wilcox are slated to perform. Proceeds from the event will benefit Musicians On Call and the Women’s Music Business Association.

 • • •

music with a mission logoLarry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, with the Nashville Symphony, will host “Music with a Mission” on Sunday, Oct. 12 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The annual event, which begins at 7 p.m., raises funds and awareness for the Nashville Rescue Mission.
Additional performers and attendees will include Tracy Lawrence, Lynda Carter (who played the role of “Wonder Woman”), the Beegie Adair Trio, Chip Esten, The Henningsens, The Willis Clan, and Jesse Lee Jones, owner of Robert’s Western World and leader of its house band Brazilbilly.
Restless Heart hosted the first “Music With A Mission” concert in 2010. For more information, visit mwmnashville.com.

 

Web Links: Kings of Leon, ABC, Cumulus and More

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Nashvillians Kings of Leon played Fallon last night with Questlove sitting in on drums for Nathan Followill, who is recovering from an injury.

Nashvillians Kings of Leon played Fallon last night (Aug. 12) with Questlove sitting in on drums for Nathan Followill, who is recovering from an injury.


Kings Of Leon has canceled a string of live dates this month to allow drummer Nathan Followill to heal from broken ribs sustained in a bus crash.
• • • •
The distribution deal between ABC News Radio and Cumulus Media is coming to an end reports the LA Times.
• • • •
A decision by the California Labor Commissioner about the state’s longstanding Talent Agencies Act may change the way artists, producers and managers engage with one another. More from Billboard.
• • • •
Concord Music Group is being sued by Evergreen Media over Concord’s Broadway musical about Stax Records. According to the lawsuit, Concord holds rights to Stax sound recordings, but Evergreen has the publishing rights.

Industry Pics: Grand Ole Opry, NSAI, BMLG

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Columbia Nashville artist Tyler Farr visite the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville recently in between stops on the Burn It Down Tour. He performed his new single, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” which is set to impact Country radio on Aug. 18, as well as his chart-topping singles “Redneck Crazy” and gold-certified hit “Whiskey in My Water.”

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Farr with Grand Ole Opry General Manager Pete Fisher.

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Farr with Grand Ole Opry General Manager Pete Fisher.

 • • •

Big Machine Label Group artists RaeLynn and Maddie & Tae visited the NASH FM studios recently while in New York City. The Valory Music Co.’s RaeLynn and Dot Records duo Maddie & Tae discussed their burgeoning careers and current singles, “God Made Girls” and “Girl In A Country Song.”

Pictured (L-R): Maddie, Erika Grace Powell (America’s Morning Show), Tae, Brian Thomas (WNSH), RaeLynn and Kelly Ford (WNSH)

Pictured (L-R): Maddie, Erika Grace Powell (America’s Morning Show), Tae, Brian Thomas (WNSH), RaeLynn and Kelly Ford (WNSH)

 • • •
NSAI members Bo Brendle, Justin Klump, and Lori Tullier, as well as NSAI Board member Jenn Schott, performed at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Tuesday (Aug. 12) as part of the NSAI Presents Series. They were selected after showing growth in their songwriting skills from services offered as part of their NSAI memberships.
Pictured (L-R): Front Row - Tori Tullier and Jenn Schott. Back Row: NSAI Song Evaluations Manager Amanda Toney, Justin Klump, Bo Brendle, and NSAI Membership Representative Lindsay Gum.

Pictured (L-R): Front Row – Tori Tullier and Jenn Schott. Back Row: NSAI Song Evaluations Manager Amanda Toney, Justin Klump, Bo Brendle, and NSAI Membership Representative Lindsay Gum.

DISClaimer: Joe Nichols Wins Disc of the Day

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risa binder nashville1The story today is told by the newcomer females.
Three of them are vying for the DisCovery Award—Ashley Barron, Olivia Lane and our winner, Risa Binder. She may be a newcomer, but she’s a smart cookie. Her 5-track Nashville EP contains songs penned by Matraca Berg, Lauren Lucas, Marc Beeson and other top-drawer talents. And Luke Wooten has given her the best-produced recording of this entire listening session.
Last week, we had one of my favorite male country singers in our spotlight, Chris Young. This week, we have another, the equally splendid Joe Nichols. He takes home the Disc of the Day prize.
Another trend of the day was folks doing double duty by working in different departments. You’ll find Ilya Toshinsky here producing Olivia’s disc and playing guitar on Risa’s. Tyler Farr is present as both a singer and as the co-writer of the Brushville single.
BRUSHVILLE/Baby’s Got Her Boots On
Writer: Tyler Farr/Houston Phillips/Cole Taylor; Producer: Kyle Lehning ; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Make It a Bucket/Mount It/Universal/No Bridge, BMI/ASCAP; Brushville (track) (www.brushville.com)
—This Illinois five-piece band was smart enough to enlist one of Nashville’s finest producers when it came to town to record. But I don’t know that I’d have chosen this word-y song for a single.
joe nichols slider 2014TEA GOANS/Nobody Wins
Writer: Kris Kristofferson; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Resaca, BMI; Crosswind (CDX) (615-467-3860)
—Goans remains one of my favorite current female country singers. She gives this a fine, moaning, honky-tonk balladeer interpretation. But Brenda Lee’s throaty 1973 version remains definitive.
RHETT WALKER BAND/Here’s to the Ones
Writer: Rhett Canipe/Kenny Davis/Joe Kane/Paul Moak; Producer: Paul Moke; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Ships in a Bottle/Give Me Analog/Grizzly Blue/Universal/Brentwood Benson/Paul Moak, SESAC/ASCAP; Essential (CDX) (www.therhettwalkerband.com)
—I think it’s meant to sound stirring and inspirational. Despite its earnest, blue-collar intentions, the country rocker never seemed to connect with me. This sort of thing has been done better by others in the mainstream rock field.
CLINTON GREGORY & IRA DEAN/You Can’t Hide High
Writer: Tommy Curry/Jayce Hein/Dennis Knudson; Producer: Larry Beaird; Publisher: Chubu/Busy at Play/Melody Roundup/Bluewater, BMI; Melody Roundup (CDX) (www.melodyroundupmusic.com)
—He’s secretly growing weed at home. But as soon as he fires it up, “You can’t hide high.” Your eyes are red, you’re laughing like a loony, and you’ve got the munchies. Goofy fun for stoners everywhere. Stay tuned for the ad libs at the end: “I feel like we’re smoking Willie Nelson’s brain” and the like.
T. GRAHAM BROWN & VINCE GILL/He’ll Take Care of You
Writer: Dan Penn/Gary Nicholson/Donnie Fritts; Producer: Mark L. Carman & T. Graham Brown; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Dan Penn, BMI; MCM (CDX) (www.tgrahambrown.com)
—As you might guess from those writer credits, this has a Southern-soul vibe. And of course, blue-eyed soulman Brown is just the singer for this kind of song. Gill proves to be just as bluesy during his turn at the mic. Groove soaked and audio seductive. Get down with it.
ASHLEY BARRON/It Might Get Loud
Writer: Pat Kelley; Producer: Bobby Zoppi; Publisher: none listed; AB (track) 
—The title tune to this gal’s CD is just barely produced. She sings okay, but it sounds like a demo.
TYLER FARR/A Guy Walk Into a Bar
Writer: Melissa Peirce/Jonathan Singleton/Brad Tursi; Producer: Bill Catino & Julian King; Publisher: Platinum Molly/East Pass/Nashvistaville/Disney/Super Big/Jett/Big Machine/Songs of Big Deal/BMG, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia 
—Nicely written, with a catchy chorus that loops back on itself. I could have done without the inappropriate, arena-rock guitar solo, but as long as you focus on Farr’s distinctive, furry-rasp vocal, this is a dandy effort. Hit bound.
OLIVIA LANE/Steal Me Away
Writer: Olivia Lane/Lee Thomas Miller/Ilya Toshinsky; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: Liv Write Play/Warner-Chappell/It, SESAC/BMI/ASCAP; Big Spark (www.olivialane.com)
—Rousing. She’s a filly breaking out of the starting gate at a full gallop. Both her vocal and the production are super sunny. Well worth your radio spins.
JOE NICHOLS/Hard to Be Cool
Writer: Rob Hatch/Jason Sellers; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Publisher: Legends of Magic Mustang/Big Loud Bucks/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy, SESAC/ASCAP; Red Bow (track) (www.joenichols.com)
—This guy gets me every time. On this outing, he’s tearing it up on an asphalt track, roaring with the throttle wide open. “She’s so hot, it’s hard to be cool,” he sings while the rhythm track pounds away relentlessly. Get up and dance!
RISA BINDER/Gotta Have You
Writer: Phil Barton/Emily Shackelton/Victoria Banks; Producer: Luke Wooten; Publisher: HoriPro/Liz Rose/Rare Spark Media Group, no performance rights listed; Warehouse (track) (www.risabinder.com)
—She sings with striking country clarity, and the superb production mixes her up front and center. The propulsive, gripping arrangement is an arrow pointed straight at the sun. The melody is beyond hooky. Prepare to fall in love.

Eichten Joins KPentertainment

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Dustin Eichten

Dustin Eichten


Dustin Eichten, former Sr. Director of Marketing for Universal Music Group, has joined entertainment and management company KPentertainment as Vice President. Eichten will work alongside KPentertainment president Kerri Edwards to oversee her roster of artists, including Luke Bryan, Kelleigh Bannen, Cole Swindell, and Chancie Neal.
“I’m so thrilled to have Dustin be a part of this already amazing team. He has been an integral part of helping me build the career of Luke Bryan and I look forward to continuing that partnership among the rest of my roster,” shared Edwards.
KPentertainment’s staff also includes Waylon Weatherholt (artist manager for Swindell), and Jacoby Knott (office coordinator and social media manager).
KPentertainment manages Bryan in partnership with Red Light Management. KPentertainment also operates publishing arm Peanut Creek Music, a joint venture with Sony/ATV, has a partnership with Fly Hi Productions and operates the management of Bryan’s Farm Tour.
Eichten can be reached at dustin@kpentertainment.co. KPentertainment is located at 40 Music Sq. W. in Nashville.

ASCAP Showcase P.R.O.motes CMA Voting

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LadyA

(L-R): ASCAP Nashville’s Associate Director, Creative, Robert Filhart; ASCAP Creative Department co-heads LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin; Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood; ASCAP Creative Manager, Evyn Mustoe; ASCAP Senior Director, Mike Sistad. Photo: Ed Rode


ASCAP held an exclusive industry showcase, “P.R.O.mote The Vote,” at The Rosewall on Tuesday, Aug. 12 offering performances by its members for CMA Awards voting consideration.
Eric Paslay

Eric Paslay


The party was hosted by America’s Morning Show’s Terri Clark, Blair Garner and Chuck Wicks and featured acoustic performances by Eric Paslay, Love and Theft, Kip Moore, The Cadillac Three, Dan + Shay, Brandy Clark and Lady Antebellum.
On hand to greet the invitation-only crowd was ASCAP Nashville Creative Department co-heads Michael Martin and LeAnn Phelan, as well as Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad. Paslay opened the lunchtime performances with his top five hit, “Friday Night” followed by “She Don’t Love You.” Love and Theft hit the stage next and performed their current single “Night That You’ll Never Forget” followed by “Whiskey On My Breath” from their upcoming album.
While h’ordeuvres of sliders and mini hotdogs were passed out to the attendees, singer-songwriter Kip Moore came on stage offering new material with “Life in a Small Town” and “Tough Enough.”
Brandy Clark

Brandy Clark


The party escalated as The Cadillac Three rocked their current single, “Party Like You,” and the industry crowd couldn’t resist rockin’ their heads as they performed their Southern anthem, “The South.” Dan + Shay followed with “Nothin’ Like You” and their top ten hit, “19 You + Me” and shared how grateful they are for the opportunity to pursue their dream. MusicRow‘s 2014 Artist of the Year, Brandy Clark, swooned an enthusiastic crowd performing three songs, “Hold My Hand,” “Stripes,” and “Get High.”
Lady Antebellum rounded out the “P.R.O.mote The Vote” bash with current hit “Bartender” followed by a taste of things to come with “Lie with Me” and “Long Stretch of Love” from their upcoming album, 747, slated for a Sept. 30 release. The event was sponsored by Loeb & Loeb and Fifth Third Bank.
CMA ballots for the second round have been sent out and voting closes Friday, August 22 at 5:00 p.m. CST.
All Photos: Ed Rode
The Cadillac Three, Photo: Ed Rode

The Cadillac Three


Kip Moore, Photo: Ed Rode

Kip Moore


Love and Theft

Love and Theft


Dan + Shay

Dan + Shay