Industry Ink: ACM/BMI, Southbound, John Cirillo, Stella Prince

/by

ACM & BMI Nashville Celebrate Hispanic Heritage Month with Showcase

Pictured (L-R, top row): Shannon Sanders (BMI), Jackie Martinez Marushka (Marushka Media, Hispanic Entertainment Alliance), Fletcher Foster (F2 Entertainment Group) and Kortney Toney (ACM). (L-R, bottom row): Alejandro Sierra (Artist), Ana Cristina Cash (Artist), MŌRIAH (Artist) and Matt Castillo (Artist). Photo: Courtesy of ACM

The Academy of Country Music and BMI Nashville partnered for a showcase on Oct. 10 in honor of Hispanic Heritage Month at the Warner Chappell office in Nashville, spotlighting Hispanic/Latino artists. The intimate event featured performances from MŌRIAH, Alejandro Sierra, Ana Cristina Cash and Matt Castillo.

BMI’s Shannon Sanders and Marushka Media and Hispanic Entertainment Alliance Founder Jackie Martinez Marushka hosted the evening.

 

Southbound Re-ups With Daywind Records

Pictured (L-R, seated): Seth J. Elbe, Clint Brown and Jody Braselton; (L-R, standing): Dusty Wells, Ed Leonard, Michael Turner and Kyle Johnson

Southern gospel trio Southbound has re-signed with Daywind Records. The group is known for their top 10 songs “Address Change Notification,” “Somebody Testify,” “Middle of Nowhere,”  “No Better Than That,” “He’s Got a Way” and the No. 1 song for the year in 2023, “Lost and Found.” They released their latest single, “I Left It In The Water,” on Oct 11. The trio is set to release their next full-length album in January 2025.

 

Emily Lloyd Wins John Cirillo Songwriting Scholarship

Pictured (L-R): Board members Dani Jack, Craig Lackey, Dan Reifsnyder, Ruth Cirillo and Sam Gyllenhaal

Emily Lloyd is the recipient of the John Cirillo Songwriting Scholarship. Cirillo passed away from brain cancer at the age of 67 on September 12, 2022. The scholarship—which is open to any songwriter 18 and up—was created in his honor, to continue his legacy.

Originally from South Dakota, Lloyd spent five years in Nashville studying music at Lipscomb University. In 2022 as a fifth-year senior, she released her first full project, Fifth Year.

 

Stella Prince & Change the Conversation Announce AB Hillsboro Village Residency

Stella Prince

Folk artist Stella Prince has announced her inaugural Nashville residency at AB Hillsboro Village beginning on Oct. 30. Joining her in the residency lineup will be Andrea Vasquez, Jaime Wyatt, Angie K, Fimone and Maddie Lenhart. In addition to the Oct. 30 residency kickoff, Prince has other shows planned with special guests on Dec. 10 and in January 2025 at AB Hillsboro Village. The 7 p.m. shows are free.

“Change The Conversation is proud to continue our relationship with the amazingly talented Stella Prince,” says Leslie Fram, Co-Founder, Change the Conversation. “Stella will be performing and hosting a series of showcases to further our commitment to amplify female voices.”

“AB Hillsboro Village is Nashville’s only woman-owned music venue, and I am so excited to partner with Change the Conversation to embrace these talented female performers in our space,” says Marcie Allen, co-owner, AB Hillsboro Village.

Stephen Day Signs With Riser House Records

/by

Pictured (L–R, back row): Brandon Perdue and Jennifer Johnson; (L–R, front row): Maddy Sundquist, Stephen Day and Megan Schultz

Soul singer Stephen Day has signed with Riser House Records.

Influenced by the music of John Mayer and Glen Campbell, the Georgia native has been building his fanbase since the release of his first EP in 2015. Most recently, Day unveiled his album Gold Mine, leading him to amass over 140 million streams to date. Last year, he received his first major sync placement in the Universal Pictures movie Strays. Additionally, Day has opened for Teddy Swims, Ben Rector and Stephen Sanchez, and plans to join Lawrence on their “Family Business Tour” later this month.

“It’s not often you come across a generational talent at the beginning and we are thrilled to be a part of Stephen’s journey,” shares Megan Schultz, Label Manager, Riser House Records. “We’ll be seeing Stephen play stadiums worldwide.”

“Honestly, there isn’t a day that goes by that I don’t listen to Stephen Day’s music,” adds Jennifer Johnson, President & Co-Founder, Riser House Entertainment.

“It’s truly a dream come true to have a team of people this passionate and kind put their complete faith in me as an artist and a human,” shares Day. “I feel so excited for all the music and memories to be made. Riser, it’s you and me baby!”

He is set to release a two holiday singles, his original “It’s Christmas All Over” and a rendition of “Pennies From Heaven,” this Friday (Oct. 18).

MusicRow Magazine Releases 2024 Publisher Print Issue

/by

MusicRow Magazine has released its 2024 Publisher Issue print edition. This highly-anticipated annual resource includes the 2024 Publisher Directory, listing Nashville’s top publishing companies as well as organizations available for songwriters.

“As one of Nashville’s most respected publications thanks to our dedicated and passionate team, we eagerly anticipate creating our annual MusicRow Publisher print issue each year for both our valued industry professionals and music enthusiasts alike. This issue in particular stands out as a comprehensive guide for the songwriting and publishing side of country music, celebrating the achievements and contributions of those who work behind the scenes to bring music to life,” shares Sherod Robertson, Owner/Publisher of MusicRow Magazine.

Back again in the 2024 Publisher Issue is the State of the Union roundtable, this time featuring Warner Chappell’s Spencer Nohe, UMPG’s Roxy King, Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle and BMG’s Amy Hendon Scott.

Elsewhere, NSAI’s Bart Herbison tells MusicRow about the issues facing songwriters, and Downtown Music Publishing’s Emily Stephenson is the subject of the popular My Music Row Story column.

For the 2024 Publisher Issue, Nashville hitmakers Charlie Handsome, Ernest and Chandler Walters spoke with MusicRow about the making of Post Malone’s blockbuster F-1 Trillion album.

MusicRow’s 2024 Publisher Issue also highlights the work and careers of some of Nashville’s most in-demand songwriters, including Sony Music Publishing’s Connie Harrington, Warner Chappell’s Jordan Reynolds, UMPG Nashville’s Tanner Adell, King Pen Music/SMACKSongs/Warner Chappell’s Pete Good, Concord Music Publishing/Chromatic Music’s Lauren Hungate and Story House Collective/Essential Music Publishing’s Matthew West.

COJO Music/Warner Music Nashville artist Cody Johnson graces the cover of the 2024 Publisher Issue. Johnson has established a following of passionately loyal fans who regularly sell out shows across the country. The artist that media has touted “just might be the future of real country music” has skyrocketed to success with five celebrated albums, including Leather, Human: The Double Album, A Cody Johnson Christmas, Cody Johnson & The Rockin’ CJB Live and Ain’t Nothin’ To It; plus an award-winning feature-length documentary, Dear Rodeo: The Cody Johnson Story. He has amassed 7.5 billion global streams and three No. 1 singles.

Johnson received five nominations for the upcoming 58th Annual CMA Awards including Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year for Leather, Single of the Year for “Dirt Cheap” and two nominations in the Music Video of the Year category for both “The Painter” and “Dirt Cheap.”

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2024 Publisher Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $50, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Austin Williams Signs With RECORDS Nashville/Columbia Records

/by

Pictured (L–R, back row): Christian Barker, Ken Madson, Josh Easler, Loyd Potts and Steve Bogard; (L–R, front row): Missi Gallimore, Austin Williams and Joe Fisher

Austin Williams and Truth Or Dare Records announced the artist’s new label partnership with RECORDS Nashville/Columbia Records during his sold-out show at Nashville’s Exit/In on Friday (Oct. 11).

“Some people work to leave home, but I work to stay,” shares Williams. “Nashville’s a 10 year town, so people move here to eventually claim their stake in it. Being able to sign a label deal is a dream come true for a hometown kid.

“When meeting with the teams at Columbia and RECORDS Nashville, it was a no brainer,” he continues. “They are the best in the business and have unmatched work ethic. When hard work meets hard work, everything that’s meant to be will happen.”

“We’re super excited about working with Austin,” says Barry Weiss, RECORDS Partner & Co-Founder. “It’s a rare thing for a 20-year-old to possess this much of a work ethic, drive and killer instinct along with such wide musical breadth.”

Along with the news, Williams treated the crowd to songs from his Wanna Be Saved EP as well as his Broken Things Break Things EP, and brought Trent Tomlinson onstage to perform Tomlinson’s “One Wing In The Fire.”

After wrapping his “Broken Things Break Things Tour,” he plans to support Chase Matthew on his fall tour.

‘Concert For Carolina’ Adds Four More To Lineup, Announces Livestream

/by

Luke Combs, Eric Church, Billy Strings and James Taylor have partnered with Veeps to offer a livestream of “Concert For Carolina” on Saturday, Oct. 26. The decision to add a livestream was made after tickets immediately sold-out upon their release last Thursday (Oct. 10). The stream will provide an additional opportunity to raise funds for Hurricane Helene relief efforts.

The livestream will be available worldwide and, through the use of geotargeting, free to those affected by Hurricane Helene. For those not directly affected by the storm, the stream will cost $24.99. All proceeds from the stream will go to selected charities such as Samaritan’s Purse, Manna Food Bank, Second Harvest Food Bank of Northwest NC, Eblen Charities and the organizations supported by Chief Cares.

Additionally, North Carolina natives The Avett Brothers, Scotty McCreery, Chase Rice and Parmalee have joined the lineup for the event.

Click here to access the livestream on Oct. 26.

Weekly Register: Shaboozey Continues To Rule The Country Streaming Songs Chart

/by

Shaboozey. Photo: Daniel Prakopcyk

Shaboozey‘s “A Bar Song (Tipsy)” continues to rule the country streaming songs chart with 21 million new streams, adding to 801 million ATD, according to Luminate data.

Post Malone and Morgan Wallen‘s “I Had Some Help” stays at No. 2 with 17 million streams, adding to 713 million ATD, while Zach Bryan‘s “Pink Skies” sits at No. 3 with 13 million new streams, adding to 373 million ATD. Wallen’s “Lies, Lies, Lies” lands at No. 4 once again with 11.5 million streams, adding to 223 million ATD, as Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” rests at No. 5 with 11 million new streams, adding to 1.04 billion ATD.

On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time remains at the top with 50K in total consumption (871 album only/64 million song streams). Post Malone’s F-1 Trillion follows at No. 2 with 43K (3.2K album only/51 million song streams), while Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album rises to No. 3 with 32K (383 album only/41 million song streams). Bryan’s The Great American Bar Scene gets bumped to No. 4 with 30K (178 album only/39 million song streams), and Zach Bryan bides at No. 5 with 26K (2.2K album only/32 million song streams).

Artist Action: Cody Johnson, Jelly Roll, Blake Shelton, Jackson Dean, More

/by

Cody Johnson Doubles The Fun At No. 1 Party For ‘Dirt Cheap,’ ‘The Painter’

Cody Johnson and Cris Lacy, Co-Chair and Co-President Warner Music Nashville. Photo: Jay Trevino

Five-time CMA nominee Cody Johnson gathered with industry members at BMI on Music Row last week for a double celebration of his No. 1 hits “Dirt Cheap” and “The Painter.” Penned by Josh Philips,“Dirt Cheap” was named Storyteller of The Year at the People’s Choice Country Awards and “The Painter” received NSAI 2024 Song of The Year honors for writers Benjy Davis, Kat Higgins and Ryan Larkins. Each of the songs have also garnered nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards, and both are included on Johnson’s Leather Deluxe Edition album, due out Nov. 1.

 

Jelly Roll Takes Madison Square Garden

Pictured (L-R): Peter Strickland, Jon Loba, Jelly Roll, Mathis Wolter and Joe Gillen

Jelly Roll gathered backstage with his BMG team at his Madison Square Garden show last week. He just released his 22-track album, Beautifully Broken, as well as a deluxe edition that includes six additional songs, Beautifully Broken (Pickin’ Up The Pieces).

 

Blake Shelton Goes Back To School In Ada To Share With Students

Music Will CPO Bryan Powell & Blake Shelton with Ada High School students and faculty. Photo: Christina Townsend

Blake Shelton made a surprise visit at Ada High School in Ada, Oklahoma to celebrate the launch and expansion of his hometown’s music program on behalf of Music Will, the largest nonprofit music education program for schools in the U.S. The kickoff event, a surprise visit for the students, welcomed the full 550+ Ada High School student body to hear Shelton share the story of his career and answer questions. It also celebrated the 10th anniversary of Shelton’s Platinum album Bringing Back the Sunshine, which features Ada’s town water tower on its album cover.

 

Jackson Dean Gets Platinum Surprise From Lainey Wilson

Jackson Dean celebrates his new certification ahead of his debut performance at Red Rocks with Big Machine Label Group and other team members and partners.

Jackson Dean was surprised by tour-mate Lainey Wilson with the news that his first No. 1 single, “Don’t Come Lookin’” is officially Platinum, while his sophomore single “Fearless” is Gold. Presenting him with a plaque ahead of their show in Lubbock, Wilson named him her very first “Cowboy of the Night.” On Saturday night, he knocked off a bucket list item of performing at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Colorado and continued his Platinum and Gold celebrations with country radio and his industry family.

 

Randy Rogers Band Become Pandora Billionaires

Randy Rogers Band celebrates Pandora Billionaire Plaque. Photo: Justin Rice

Randy Rogers Band went back to their roots for a special hometown show last Friday (Oct. 11) in New Braunfels, Texas at Gruene Hall. During the show they were surprised with the Pandora Billionaire Plaque, which commemorates over one billion streams on the platform.

“I want to thank Johnny Chiang and Pandora for presenting us with the Billionaire Award for over one billion streams on Pandora,” says Rogers. “Feels great to be in my first and only billionaires club. Can’t thank Pandora and the fans enough. They have been with us since the beginning and can’t wait to continue sharing new music for everyone to get up and dance to.”

 

Austin Snell Hosts Opry Event Supporting CreatiVet

Austin Snell. PhotoL Austin Aguilar

River House Artists/Warner Music Nashville artist Austin Snell lit up the Opry Circle Room last week as he treated 75+ fans to an exclusive acoustic session and VIP meet-and-greets in support of his debut album Still Bleeding. A portion of the proceeds from the evening went to CreatiVet. Fans were also treated to a vinyl announcement for the deluxe edition of Still Bleeding, dropping February 2025.

Tristan Bushman Signs With Warner Chappell Music & Southern Pacific Music

/by

Pictured (L–R): Warner Chappell’s Eric Reid, Ben Vaughn, Bethany Mako, Tristan Bushman, 333 Entertainment’s Ross duPre’ and Southern Pacific’s Erland Wanberg

Singer-songwriter Tristan Bushman has signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and Southern Pacific Music.

Born and raised in Ashton, Illinois, Bushman first took the stage at five years old and has pursued his dream ever since. He moved to Nashville in 2018, and earlier this year teamed up with Joey Hendricks and Drew Erwin to form the trio Verygently. Bushman’s new solo project, The Way Things Are Going, is set for release on Nov. 15.

“I have been a huge fan of Tristan since the moment I met him six years ago,” says Bethany Mako, Manager, A&R, Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “He’s a natural-born storyteller and has a way of captivating any room with his unique voice and poetic lyrics. On top of that, he’s simply a great human, and I am truly honored to be a part of his journey.”

“Tristan is a gifted songwriter who can turn a simple phrase or concept into an intricate, timeless work of art,” adds Erland Wanberg, Co-Founder & CEO, Southern Pacific Music. “From his extraordinary solo work to his artistic contribution to Verygently (the coolest damn band in Nashville!), I’m honored to be a part of his exciting journey and inevitable success as a creator.”

Carly Pearce Extends Publishing Partnership With BMG

/by

Pictured (L–R): Altadena’s Daniel Lee, Starstruck Entertainment’s Mike Blong, BMG’s Camryn Clark, Patricia Wittmer, Carly Pearce, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Altadena’s Jess Busbee, BMG’s Amy Scott and Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC’s David Crow. Photo: Kevin Grace/BMG Nashville

Superstar songstress Carly Pearce has extended her longtime publishing partnership with BMG in association with Altadena, the music company founded by her late producer and collaborator Busbee and Leo33’s Daniel Lee.

“BMG has been a part of my story from the very beginning of my career,” she shares. “They have supported me the whole way, and I couldn’t be happier to continue my journey with them!”

“Carly’s strength, determination and writing skills are as fierce as her work ethic,” says Chris Oglesby, VP, Publishing, BMG Nashville. “We are honored to continue this journey with her and Altadena.”

Pearce recently kicked off her “Hummingbird World Tour” in support of her latest album, Hummingbird, which marks the Big Machine Records artist’s debut as a co-producer and includes Grammy-nominated duet “We Don’t Fight Anymore” with Chris Stapleton and current radio single “Truck On Fire.” Yesterday (Oct. 14), she unveiled the accompanying video for “Truck On Fire,” in which she takes matters into her own hands to live out a revenge fantasy.

16th Annual ‘Opry Goes Pink’ To Take Place Next Week

/by

The Grand Ole Opry will host its 16th annual “Opry Goes Pink” next Wednesday (Oct. 23) at the Grand Ole Opry House, in partnership with Susan G. Komen.

Opry member Ashley McBryde will begin the show by flipping the switch on the Opry’s signature barn backdrop, turning it pink for the night. Additional performers will include Tanya Tucker, Victoria Shaw, Jeannie Seely, T. Graham Brown, Jon Pardi and Scott Stapp, who will mark his Opry debut during the event.

Tickets are on sale now. Five dollars from every ticket sold will be donated to Susan G. Komen to help the fight against breast cancer. For more information, click here.