Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Riley Green, BMI Icon Award winner Randy Owen, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and BMI’s Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Hundreds of industry members gathered at BMI’s Nashville headquarters last night (Nov. 19) for the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards.
Transforming the building’s parking garage into an extravagant ballroom, the evening was full of special celebrations and music for what BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative, Clay Bradley, called the “greatest parking lot party in country music.”
Songwriters, publishers and other industry executives swarmed the elegant room and caught up over crafted cocktails. Once guests found their seats, they were greeted with a beautiful table display of flowers, candle light and a yummy chocolate cake topped with the BMI logo.
A dinner of steak, a cheesy potato soufflé cake and sautéed vegetables was served. Wine bottles on the table were passed around, and the night was off.
Pictured (L–R): Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley and Lukas Nelson perform onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill started the program by welcoming everyone and highlighting all the work that the country music community has done for others in need over the past year. He introduced Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson and Aaron Raitiere for the night’s first bit of music, who gave an electrifying performance of “With a Little Help from My Friends” as headlines of the community’s charitable efforts flashed on the screens.
O’Neill then welcomed Bradley, and the two started handing out the awards for the 50 most-performed country songs of the previous year. Songwriters and publishers came from all directions to the stage in the middle of the room to collect their prizes and grab a group picture as the rest of the room cheered them on.
After presenting half of their most-performed song awards, O’Neill and Bradley changed gears to begin honoring the iconic Alabama frontman Randy Owen with the BMI Icon Award, an honor bestowed on songwriters who have had an indelible influence on music makers over generations.
O’Neill detailed Owen’s lasting mark on country music with the Alabama band, as well as his philanthropic impact, most notably with St. Jude. A video featuring Troy Tomlinson, Tony Conway, Kenny Chesney and Dolly Parton was played with remarks about Owen.
Warner Chappell Music accepts the Publisher of the Year award onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Fellow Alabama native Riley Green soon appeared on stage to honor the BMI Icon with a performance of “My Home’s in Alabama.” Owen wiped tears from his eyes as Green sang.
Luke Bryan performed his own rendition of “Feels So Right” and then Blake Shelton led the whole room in a sing-along of the Alabama classic, “Mountain Music,” a jam so fun that Bryan had to join him onstage.
Before BMI presented the award to Owen, they invited up his wife Kelly up to speak. She shared about the first song he played her, “Feels So Right,” and about his love of the music.
“Thank you for honoring Randy while he is living,” Kelly said. “So that his children and grandchildren can see his legacy.”
When Owen took the microphone, he first invited up bandmate Teddy Gentry and the two embraced.
“BMI, thank y’all for the call. When you said, ‘the Icon Award,’ I cried. It’s so special,” Owen shared. “Thank y’all for this night. It’s a highlight.”
Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Chase McGill and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
More BMI executives took the stage to continue giving out awards for the most-performed songs of the year until it was time to present the big honors.
The Publisher of the Year accolade went to Warner Chappell Music, which published 34 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, including megahits like Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down,” Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country,” Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously.”
BMI Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Chase McGill and Zach Bryan, who was not present. Bryan serves as a writer of “Burn, Burn, Burn,” “Dawns,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Sun to Me.” McGill co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen’s “Mamaw’s House.”
McGill spoke about the people who have supported him in his songwriting career, calling special attention to UMPG’s Terry Wakefield, who is battling health struggles but was in the room to celebrate.
Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, BMI’s Mike Steinberg, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Katie Welle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter John Byron, Big Loud’s Seth England and Stacey Blythe, BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley onstage with the 2024 BMI Country Award for Song of the Year. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
“Terry came to my house the day we started working together, about four years ago. We hung out a bit, and he asked me what my goals were as a songwriter,” McGill said. “I said, ‘I have one goal. I want to be the BMI Songwriter of the Year.’ He helped me lay out a plan and here we are.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” was named 2024 BMI Country Song of the Year, published by Big Loud Mountain, John Byron Music, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. The tune was written by John Byron and Charlie Handsome, and was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks—the most ever for a solo song.
The evening wore on with snacks, drinks and coffee in the BMI lobby. With all three PRO awards done for the year, the publishing community has a new legion of winners, and will go into the 58th CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 20) proud of the songs they’ve been a part of.
Lanco Slates Sophomore Album, Tour For 2025
/by Lorie HollabaughLanco will kick off the New Year with the release of their sophomore album, We’re Gonna Make It, releasing on Jan. 17 via Riser House Records.
Fans can pre-save the new album, which was produced by Jay Joyce, Jared Conrad and Lanco, beginning Nov. 22. The project features 14 tracks, including previously-released hits “Low Class Lovers” and “Sound of a Saturday Night,” along with the new song “We Grew Up Together” featuring Grammy-nominated Christian artist Cory Asbury, which will drop on Nov. 22.
“We often think our parents have it all together, but they’re just people who met each other, fell in love, and had a kid,” says Lanco lead vocalist Brandon Lancaster of the new song. “I realized in raising my own children that we’re all learning as we go. There are so many times when I’m teaching my kids a lesson, and I’m thinking about how it applies to me, too.”
The band will hit the road in support of the new music with the “We’re Gonna Make It Tour 2025,” which kicks off Feb. 27 in Minneapolis. The tour will run through March, with additional dates to be announced soon.
We’re Gonna Make It Track List:
“We’re Gonna Make It” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Ben Williams *
“Memories (We Didn’t Know)” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Craig Wiseman *
“Where I Belong” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Jason Nix *
“Low Class Lovers” – Brandon Lancaster #
“We Grew Up Together” featuring Cory Asbury – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Cory Asbury *
“Honey I Lost My Job Today” – Brandon Lancaster / Jeremy Spillman #
“You’ll Always Be” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Jared Hampton / Joey Hyde *
“Come Over” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Jared Hampton / Tripp Howell / Wyatt Durrette #
“Beer With Younger Me” – Brandon Lancaster / Jared Conrad / Keelan Donovan / Chandler Baldwin *
“Sound of a Saturday Night” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Tate Howell / Jeremy Spillman #
“Leaving Looks Good On You” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Chandler Baldwin / Tommy Cecil #
“Million Dollar Memory” – Brandon Lancaster / Tripp Howell / Grant Vogel #
“Last Call” – Brandon Lancaster / Mike Walker / Rian Ball #
“Nothing That You Could Do” – Brandon Lancaster / Chandler Baldwin / Tripp Howell / Seth Alley *
* Produced by Jared Conrad and LANCO
# Produced by Jay Joyce
Willie Jones Signs With Gravel Road Records
/by Madison HahnenWillie Jones. Photo: Jabari Jacobs
Country artist Willie Jones has signed with independent record label Gravel Road Records.
Recognized for his mix of country, hip-hop and soul alongside his unique voice, Jones’ tracks “Down by the Riverside” and “American Dream” have garnered over 200 million streams. The Louisiana native was also featured on Beyoncé’s “Just For Fun” earlier this year.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Willie to the Gravel Road family,” says Rich Barner, Co-Founder of Gravel Road. “With his authentic storytelling and unique sound, we believe Willie will resonate deeply with country music fans and continue to push the boundaries of the genre. Together, we’re excited to embark on this journey and create music that speaks to the heart and soul of our listeners.”
“I’ve been a Willie Jones fan for a long time, he’s a rockstar in every sense,” adds Anthony Martini, Co-Founder of Gravel Road. “He’s authentic, bold, and speaks to the next generation of country music fans. Gravel Road welcomes artists who aren’t afraid to break the mold – and Willie epitomizes that.”
“Beyond excited to partner with Gravel Road and get this music out,” shares Jones. “The past year has been one of the greatest years of my life, and now to have a team of people who believe in me and my vision who can help expand help the vibration of the world through music is truly an honor.”
Jones is currently working on his next project set to release in early 2025.
Eric Church Honors Influences At One-Night-Only SiriusXM Event
/by John Nix ArledgeEric Church performs during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Eric Church returned to the Neon Steeple stage last night (Nov. 19) at his venue, Chief’s on Broadway, for a one-night-only event with SiriusXM. The show, originally scheduled for late September, was postponed by the North Carolina native in response to the disastrous effects of Hurricane Helene stating, “I’m devastated by the destruction in the mountains of western North Carolina…To all the families and first responders, you are in our prayers and we are doing everything we can to get you the help you need now.”
In the two months since the storm, Church has made good on that promise, helping raise nearly $25 million for relief efforts with “Concert For Carolina” and bringing awareness to the situation through his track “Darkest Hour.”
Eric Church performs during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
With relief efforts well underway, Church’s focus returned to music for the night as he took the stage in a packed room of SiriusXM listeners and fans. He kicked off the show by explaining to the crowd that this full-band performance would be a tribute to his musical influences, “The [stained glass] windows you see behind you are the influences of my life. So tonight, we are going to do something different and play these influences and how they relate to what we do.”
He started the night by weaving in his first inspiration, Johnny Cash’s “Long-Legged Guitar Pickin’ Man” between his own tracks,“How ‘Bout You” and “Lotta Boot Left to Fill.” Next, with the Stone’s tongue and lip stained glass behind him, Church segued into The Rolling Stone’s “Gimme Shelter” and his hit “Chattanooga Lucy.”
“I wouldn’t be here today without the face you now see behind me, Mr. Bob Seger. He saved my life at a time when my life needed saving and has inspired a lot of my life and music, including that last song. So, we are going to do a couple of Bob songs.”
In a fiery performance alongside his longtime backup singer, Joanna Cotten, Church chose “Ramblin’ Gamblin Man” and “Get Out Of Denver” to pay homage to who he referred to as his “desert island artist”—an artist he could listen to every day were he stranded on a desert island.
Eric Church performs with Joanna Cotton during SiriusXM event. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Next, he nodded to artists Hank Williams Jr., Tina Turner and The Band with tracks “Country Boy Can Survive,” “Proud Mary” “The Weight,” “Ophelia,” “Atlantic City,” while seamlessly blending in his hits “Homeboy” and “Bad Mother Trucker.”
For his final tribute of the night, Church spoke about one of the biggest influences in his life, “I want to throw it back to a guy that has the center window back here, Bruce Springsteen. Over the years, we have become friends and we are going to try to pay homage to him, you guys and what we have built here at Chief’s.”
As Springsteen’s “Thunder Road” faded out, the familiar chords of Church’s hit song “Springsteen” took center stage, bringing the crowd to their feet and an end to the special performance.
Fans can listen to the show on SiriusXM when Eric Church Outsiders Radio takes over Y2Kountry (Channel 57) on Nov. 22 at 4 p.m. CT, Nov. 23 at 6 p.m. CT and Nov. 24 at 12 p.m. CT. The concert will also be available to stream via the SiriusXM app.
BMI Celebrates 2024 Country Award Winners, Honors Randy Owen With Icon Award
/by LB CantrellPictured (L–R): BMI’s Clay Bradley, Riley Green, BMI Icon Award winner Randy Owen, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton and BMI’s Mike O’Neill. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Hundreds of industry members gathered at BMI’s Nashville headquarters last night (Nov. 19) for the 72nd annual BMI Country Awards.
Transforming the building’s parking garage into an extravagant ballroom, the evening was full of special celebrations and music for what BMI Nashville’s VP of Creative, Clay Bradley, called the “greatest parking lot party in country music.”
Songwriters, publishers and other industry executives swarmed the elegant room and caught up over crafted cocktails. Once guests found their seats, they were greeted with a beautiful table display of flowers, candle light and a yummy chocolate cake topped with the BMI logo.
A dinner of steak, a cheesy potato soufflé cake and sautéed vegetables was served. Wine bottles on the table were passed around, and the night was off.
Pictured (L–R): Aaron Raitiere, Ella Langley and Lukas Nelson perform onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI
BMI’s President & CEO Mike O’Neill started the program by welcoming everyone and highlighting all the work that the country music community has done for others in need over the past year. He introduced Ella Langley, Lukas Nelson and Aaron Raitiere for the night’s first bit of music, who gave an electrifying performance of “With a Little Help from My Friends” as headlines of the community’s charitable efforts flashed on the screens.
O’Neill then welcomed Bradley, and the two started handing out the awards for the 50 most-performed country songs of the previous year. Songwriters and publishers came from all directions to the stage in the middle of the room to collect their prizes and grab a group picture as the rest of the room cheered them on.
After presenting half of their most-performed song awards, O’Neill and Bradley changed gears to begin honoring the iconic Alabama frontman Randy Owen with the BMI Icon Award, an honor bestowed on songwriters who have had an indelible influence on music makers over generations.
O’Neill detailed Owen’s lasting mark on country music with the Alabama band, as well as his philanthropic impact, most notably with St. Jude. A video featuring Troy Tomlinson, Tony Conway, Kenny Chesney and Dolly Parton was played with remarks about Owen.
Warner Chappell Music accepts the Publisher of the Year award onstage during the 2024 BMI Country Awards. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
Fellow Alabama native Riley Green soon appeared on stage to honor the BMI Icon with a performance of “My Home’s in Alabama.” Owen wiped tears from his eyes as Green sang.
Luke Bryan performed his own rendition of “Feels So Right” and then Blake Shelton led the whole room in a sing-along of the Alabama classic, “Mountain Music,” a jam so fun that Bryan had to join him onstage.
Before BMI presented the award to Owen, they invited up his wife Kelly up to speak. She shared about the first song he played her, “Feels So Right,” and about his love of the music.
“Thank you for honoring Randy while he is living,” Kelly said. “So that his children and grandchildren can see his legacy.”
When Owen took the microphone, he first invited up bandmate Teddy Gentry and the two embraced.
“BMI, thank y’all for the call. When you said, ‘the Icon Award,’ I cried. It’s so special,” Owen shared. “Thank y’all for this night. It’s a highlight.”
Pictured (L–R): BMI’s Mike O’Neill, BMI Country Songwriter of the Year Chase McGill and BMI’s Clay Bradley. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
More BMI executives took the stage to continue giving out awards for the most-performed songs of the year until it was time to present the big honors.
The Publisher of the Year accolade went to Warner Chappell Music, which published 34 of the 50 most-performed songs of the year, including megahits like Parker McCollum’s “Burn It Down,” Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country,” Riley Green’s “Different ‘Round Here,” Warren Zeiders’ “Pretty Little Poison” and Bailey Zimmerman’s “Religiously.”
BMI Songwriter of the Year was a tie between Chase McGill and Zach Bryan, who was not present. Bryan serves as a writer of “Burn, Burn, Burn,” “Dawns,” “Hey Driver,” “I Remember Everything,” “Oklahoma Smokeshow” and “Sun to Me.” McGill co-wrote Morgan Wallen’s “Ain’t That Some,” Luke Bryan’s “But I Got a Beer in My Hand,” Conner Smith’s “Creek Will Rise,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl,” Jordan Davis’ “Next Thing You Know” and Thomas Rhett and Morgan Wallen’s “Mamaw’s House.”
McGill spoke about the people who have supported him in his songwriting career, calling special attention to UMPG’s Terry Wakefield, who is battling health struggles but was in the room to celebrate.
Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, BMI’s Mike Steinberg, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Katie Welle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter John Byron, Big Loud’s Seth England and Stacey Blythe, BMI’s Mike O’Neill and Clay Bradley onstage with the 2024 BMI Country Award for Song of the Year. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images for BMI
“Terry came to my house the day we started working together, about four years ago. We hung out a bit, and he asked me what my goals were as a songwriter,” McGill said. “I said, ‘I have one goal. I want to be the BMI Songwriter of the Year.’ He helped me lay out a plan and here we are.”
Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” was named 2024 BMI Country Song of the Year, published by Big Loud Mountain, John Byron Music, Sony/ATV Songs LLC and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. The tune was written by John Byron and Charlie Handsome, and was No. 1 on the Billboard Hot 100 for 16 nonconsecutive weeks—the most ever for a solo song.
The evening wore on with snacks, drinks and coffee in the BMI lobby. With all three PRO awards done for the year, the publishing community has a new legion of winners, and will go into the 58th CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 20) proud of the songs they’ve been a part of.
Tom Petty Estate & Third Man Records Share New Petty Bootleg
/by Lorie HollabaughTom Petty. Photo: Dennis Callahan
The Tom Petty Estate and Third Man Records have collaborated to share a rare Petty bootleg performance, Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers Live In Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes, on Nov. 29.
Recorded by house sound mixer Gennaro Rippo and taped at the band’s show in Edinburgh, Scotland in the fall of 1982, the unique recording showcases a raw era-defining moment in the band’s career as they toured their album, Long After Dark, and will be available in a limited vinyl-only press of 7,000 copies.
The project is inspired by Third Man Record’s Jack White and Ben Blackwell, longtime fans of Tom Petty and The Heartbreakers and their enthusiasm for hearing something raw and unpolished from the band in this golden era. The release marks the first and only Petty live recording that hasn’t been touched since the day it was captured, pressed directly from cassette to vinyl. The band enjoyed listening to the cassette tapes after shows in what they would call affectionately “Gennaro’s Hawaiian Disco,” often giving him the Presidential Suite in the hotel for the band to hang out and listen each night.
The previously unreleased show is available as a three-disc collection in three unique colors, including Tom Petty Store-exclusive turquoise vinyl, Third Man Records Store-exclusive maroon reverse splatter and indie retail-exclusive orange wisp.
The Gennaro Tapes rounds out the look at the 1982 collection of archival footage and music shared by the Tom Petty Estate this year. Cameron Crowe’s documentary, Heartbreakers Beach Party and Long After Dark Deluxe Edition, included 45 minutes of rediscovered music, and Petty’s unearthed original single from the deluxe edition, “Never Be You,” is out now with a new video created and directed by animator Jeff Scher.
Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers Live in Edinburgh 1982: The Gennaro Tapes Track List:
SIDE A
1. “American Girl”
2. “Listen To Her Heart”
3. “A Thing About You”
4. “You Got Lucky”
SIDE B
5. “I Need To Know”
6. “Don’t Do Me Like That”
7. “I’m In Love”
8. “Change Of Heart”
9. “Louie Louie”
SIDE C
10. “Straight Into Darkness”
11. “Stories We Could Tell”
12. “Louisiana Rain”
SIDE D
13. “One Story Town”
14. “A Woman In Love (It’s Not Me)”
15. “Kings Road”
SIDE E
16. “Breakdown”
(Hit The Road Jack Interlude)
17. “Refugee”
SIDE F
18. “Shout”
19. “So You Wanna Be A Rock ‘N’ Roll Star”
20. “Anything That’s Rock ‘N’ Roll”
Date & Venue Announced For 2025 CCMA Awards
/by Liza AndersonThe Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) has announced that the 2025 CCMA Awards will take place on Saturday, Sept. 13 at Prospera Place in Kelowna, British Columbia, and air live exclusively on CTV, CTV.ca and the CTV app.
Supported by Tourism Kelowna, City of Kelowna, Creative BC and the Province of British Columbia, and the 2025 Host Committee, Country Music Week will return to British Columbia for a third time and mark its first time in Kelowna, with events starting on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
“We are thrilled to bring the 2025 CCMA Awards and Country Music Week to Kelowna this September,” shares Amy Jeninga, CCMA President. “The response from fans has already been incredible, and we can’t wait to experience Kelowna’s breathtaking scenery and vibrant spirit together. This is the perfect setting to celebrate Canadian country music, and we’re excited to create unforgettable moments alongside artists, fans and the community.”
Presale tickets are available now. General sales will start this Friday (Nov. 22) at 12 p.m. CT. For more information, click here.
“We are all so excited for Kelowna to host our first Canadian Country Music Week, and you can feel the energy growing,” says Lisanne Ballantyne, Tourism Kelowna President & CEO. “September is an amazing time to come and explore Kelowna and the Central Okanagan, and now that the dates are set and the tickets are available, we recommend you start planning and booking now. We’ve got information on our website to help you, and community specialists standing by to help you make your plans and build your itinerary.”
CMA Awards Billboard’s Jessica Nicholson With 2024 Media Achievement Award
/by Lorie HollabaughBillboard staff writer Jessica Nicholson is surprised with news of her 2024 CMA Media Achievement Award win by Thomas Rhett. Photo: Josh Brasted/CMA
The CMA has awarded Billboard staff writer Jessica Nicholson with the 2024 Media Achievement Award.
Nicholson, who was formerly MusicRow‘s managing editor, was surprised with news of her win yesterday (Nov. 19.) backstage at Bridgestone Arena during CMA Awards rehearsals by Thomas Rhett, who will take the CMA Awards stage with Teddy Swims on Wednesday to perform a mash-up of both of their hits, “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Woman” and “Lose Control.”
The CMA Media Achievement Award recognizes the outstanding achievements of print and online journalists, columnists, authors, editors, television writers, producers and bookers and syndicated radio reporters in the media as they relate to country music. The award is voted on by publicist members of CMA.
Nicholson joined Billboard full time in 2021. Prior to joining Billboard, she also wrote for various publications including American Songwriter, CMT, Forbes, Country Weekly and more.
The 58th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Luke Bryan, Peyton Manning and Lainey Wilson, airs live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena tonight (Nov. 20) on ABC and next day on Hulu.
Parmalee To Kick Off ‘Fell In Love With A Cowgirl Tour’ In February
/by Liza AndersonParmalee will kick off their “Fell In Love With A Cowgirl Tour,” featuring special guest Avery Anna, on Feb. 13 in Madison, Wisconsin.
The group will visit cities in Iowa, Minnesota, Michigan, Pennsylvania and more before heading to Canada for several dates, wrapping on March 22 in Edmonton, Alberta. The announcement follows Parmalee’s time on the road supporting Kane Brown’s “In The Air Tour.”
“With new music coming early next year, there is energy and excitement around us and our whole team,” says lead singer Matt Thomas. “We wanted to bring that energy to our fans as soon as we could, so we decided to do a headline tour starting in Feb. 2025. We’ll be bringing the party back to some of the cities we played on the Kane Brown tour as well as some cities we’ve never been to. Can’t wait to kick off 2025 with the ‘Parmalee Famalee.'”
A ticket presale starts today (Nov. 20) at 10 a.m. local time, and will run until tomorrow (Nov. 21) at 11:59 p.m. local time. General sales will follow this Friday (Nov. 22) at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
Music Industry Vet Mike Martinovich Passes
/by Robert K OermannMike Martinovich. Photo: Courtesy of family
Longtime Music Row executive Mike Martinovich passed away on Monday (Nov. 18) at age 81.
Martinovich is best known for the three decades he spent at CBS/Sony Records. He worked in sales, marketing, promotion and management during his extensive music-industry career.
He joined the label in 1969 as a sales representative in St. Louis. In 1970, he moved to the CBS Atlanta office as sales manager. A year later, he became the branch manager of the company’s office in Cincinnati.
In 1979, he was named a Vice President of Merchandizing for CBS nationally, responsible for advertising, marketing and promotion of all music on Columbia, Epic, Portrait, CBS Masterworks and other labels associated with the company. In this role, he was instrumental in the marketing of such artists as Michael Jackson, Bruce Springsteen, Pink Floyd, Journey and James Taylor.
Mike Martinovich was named Vice President of Marketing at Sony Records in Nashville in 1989. In this role, he was placed in charge of advertising, overseeing the national country-music sales staff, supervising LP jacket designs, directing promotional materials and steering the exposure of the company’s country music to consumers. He designed and directed the marketing of artists including Mary Chapin Carpenter, Dolly Parton, George Jones, Merle Haggard, Tammy Wynette (his favorite), Rosanne Cash, Patty Loveless, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Daniels and Joe Diffie.
He left the label and formed a partnership with manager Joe Mansfield to form Mansfield-Martinovich Associates in 1994-2002. There, he became a consultant to Anderson Merchandisers, which supplied music to Walmart. He planned and oversaw Walmart’s “Country Music Across America Parking Lot Tour.” Over three touring seasons, this featured over 50 developing country artists performing for tens of thousands of fans in 60+ cities and towns.
He next became a partner in the management group The Consortium in 2002-2017. In this capacity, he co-managed future Grand Ole Opry star Mandy Barnett and worked on the careers of country stars Marie Osmond, Jason Aldean and Emerson Drive. He was a consultant to the successful independent label Broken Bow Records. He also led The Weather Channel’s licensing and branding.
His sons followed in his footsteps. Michael Dimitry Martinovich, is a manager who has worked with such bands as Good Charlotte, My Morning Jacket, Nada Surf, The Conchords and Shivaree. Bo Martinovich is Sr. Director National Promotion & Artist Development at Sony Music Nashville.
Mike Martinovich was an alumnus of Leadership Music. He also served as president of the board of the St. Petka Serbian Orthodox Church. Its beautiful sanctuary is located at 1712 Fifth Ave. N. in Germantown.
A visitation will be held on Friday, Nov. 22 at 3:30-6:00 p.m. at Eastland Funeral Home, 904 Gallatin Ave., Nashville, TN 37206. The funeral service will be Saturday, Nov. 23 at 12:00 noon at Svetka Petka Serbian Orthodox Church, 1712 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Mike’s name to Svetka Petka Serbian Orthodox Church, 1712 5th Avenue North, Nashville, TN 37208.
Russell Dickerson & Concord Raise $35K For Charity With Inaugural ‘RussellMania’
/by Lorie HollabaughRussell Dickerson with Concord Music Publishing A&R team members. Photo: Emma Delevante
Russell Dickerson and Concord hosted their first annual Country Awards Week Challenge, dubbed “RussellMania,” yesterday (Nov. 18).
The event brought artists and industry professionals together for some friendly competition in support of nonprofit partners ACM Lifting Lives and Cul2vate. Teams competed in axe throwing, darts and a giant cup ball toss ,while spectators played giant Jenga, old school arcade games and air hockey.
Russell Dickerson with Cul2vate team members. Photo: Emma Delevante
Alongside Dickerson’s team and Concord’s group, Range Media Partners, Triple Tigers, Cul2vate, ACM Lifting Lives, FBMM, CAA, Warner Chappell Music, and Sony Music Publishing assembled teams, with the Cul2vate crew winning the competition and taking home the coveted “RussellMania” Championship Belt. The event raised $35,000 in total, which will directly benefit the two Nashville-based nonprofits.
“RussellMania was a blast, but more importantly, it was an opportunity to give back in a way that only country music can,” says Dickerson. “We came together to have fun, but we also raised some serious support for ACM Lifting Lives and Cul2vate—two organizations that do incredible work. I couldn’t be more proud of everyone who came out to show their love, support and competitive spirit. I’m already counting down to next year!”
“It was an absolute pleasure to partner with Russell and his team to raise money for these two incredible organizations,” says Concord CEO Bob Valentine. “I look forward to doing it again next year—and hopefully bringing the belt home to Concord.”