Zac Brown. Photo: Tyler Lord
Spring has sprung, and country music has a treatment for those pollen allergies.
Head for a windy seashore: That’s what our Zac Brown Band is prescribing in its “Tie Up” song. This week’s Disc of the Day is the introductory song of summer 2024.
Also bringing wafting breezes to the season are Lacy J. Dalton, The Frontmen, Sam Hunt and the duet by Jordyn Shellhart & Donovan Woods. The last-named was actually my favorite record today, but I fear that it might be way too creative for intelligence-insulting terrestrial country radio.
And speaking of creative, lend your ears to Wardel, whose zephyr of sound wins a DISCovery Award.
JORDYN SHELLHART & DONOVAN WOODS / “Search My Name”
Writers: Ava Suppelsa/Donovan Woods/Jordyn Shellhart/Robyn Dell’Unto; Producer: Cameron Jaymes; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Utterly enchanting. Their voices harmonize and intertwine amid a sonic swirl of electronic flavors. Their singing, the fever-dream song and the production are all wonderfully innovative. Essential listening.
SAM HUNT / “Locked Up”
Writers: Jerry Flowers/Josh Osborne/Sam Hunt/Shane McAnally/Zach Crowell; Producers: Zach Crowell/Chris LaCorte/Jerry Flowers/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– He made some bad decisions and wound up in the slammer. But she stood by him, and that’s when he knew that she was The One. Hunt scores again with this mid-tempo tune that name-checks Tammy Wynette in its lyric.
DON LOUIS / “Long Time Comin’”
Writers: Demetric Jennings/Kaleb Jones; Producer: Serg Sanchez; Label: Money Myers Entertainment LLC/EMPIRE
– Don Louis is a hunk who was a defensive end football standout during his school days. The Texan’s vocal style is straight-up country with a tiny hint of rasp. His debut single is an ode about a struggling musician who perseveres despite the difficulties. An oomphy production underscores his earnest delivery. Recommended.
ZAC BROWN BAND / “Tie Up”
Writers: Jonathan Singleton/Ben Simonetti/Chris Gelbuda/Josh Hoge/Zac Brown; Producers: Zac Brown/Ben Simonetti; Label: Home Grown Music/Warner Music Nashville
– This loping, easy-going groove welcomes us to summer fun. Get on the water, pop a top when you dock the boat and relax in the sunshine. I can feel the warm weather already.
LACY J. DALTON / “Bonny Doon”
Writer: Lacy J. Dalton; Producer: Dino Nikolas; Label: Time-Life Music
– Dalton’s new Listen to the Wind collection contains new interpretations of her greatest hits alongside this folkie new ballad. While guitars gently strum, she sings of rejection, resignation and restoration. Soothing and peaceful.
RILEY GREEN / “Way Out Here”
Writers: Casey Beathard/David Lee Murphy/Josh Thompson; Producers: Dann Huff/Scott Borchetta/Jimmy Harnen; Label: BMLG Records
– We smoke, chew and fry everything. We like being rednecks with guns. Our trucks are dirty. We are backwoods and proud of it. There you have it.
MEGAN MORONEY / “28th Of June”
Writers: Ben Williams/Mackenzie Carpenter/Megan Moroney/Micah Carpenter; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– She’s enduringly creative. In this outing, a too-soon wedding falls apart and she’s heartbroken. The ache in her delivery is exquisite, and her lyric is plain-spoken, homespun poetry.
HUNEYFIRE / “Feeling Gray”
Writers: Caitlin Evanson/Cheaza Figueroa/Denny Mishler/Marriana Nevarez/Michael Vittima/Stephen West; Producers: Cheaza Figueroa/Jason Pennock; Label: Double Decades Entertainment
– The Afro-Latina, mother-daughter duo returns with a slow, bluesy jam. It’s a lost-love lament that gradually builds, stacks and mixes their vocal tracks. Highly listenable.
THE FRONTMEN / “Beatles And Eagles”
Writers: Ben Daniel/Larry McCoy/Riley Thomas; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Broken Bow Records
– The Frontmen are Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas) and Larry Stewart (Restless Heart). The new single from their new album shows that these voices of the ‘90s still have charisma. The lyric imaginatively quotes song titles immortalized by the two iconic bands of the title. Break out the vinyl!
THE WAR AND TREATY / “Stealing A Kiss”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producer: Michael Trotter Jr; Label: UMG Nashville
– Sultry and swampy, this gives off heat as a soul ballad of passion. Searing organ notes, funk guitar, piano accents and gospel-y background vocals support their customary sensational singing.
ASHLEY MONROE / “I Like Trains”
Writer: Fred Eaglesmith; Producers: Gena Johnson/Ashley Monroe; Label: AM
– Her languid reading of the fine lyric is sleepy and sensuous. The under-produced track features simple, dull, acoustic-guitar strumming.
WARDEL / “Sleepless in Seattle”
Writer: Noah Gunderson; Producer: Idrise Ward-EL Jr; Label: Epochal Artists Records
– Idrise Ward-El Jr. is the offspring of a Mr. USA body-building champion. Both father and son are military veterans, and Ward-El Sr. is a Desert Storm veteran. Junior competed on The Voice as R&B stylist “Idrise” and is now transitioning into country music under his new “Wardel” billing. This single is a gentle, whispered lament for a fading city and a lonely guy. Wardel’s vocal has a sensitive, plaintive, folk quality that is quite attractive.
Oliver Anthony To Unveil First Studio Album ‘Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind’
/by Lorie HollabaughOliver Anthony will release his first studio album, Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind, independently this Sunday (March 31).
The native Virginian who first came onto the scene last fall is returning now with entirely self-penned stories from a different side of the American experience. Produced by Dave Cobb, the 10-song collection includes spoken-word gospel and the previously unreleased “Momma’s Been Hurting.” Anthony and Cobb recorded the songs on the new collection in an empty church in Savannah, Georgia to capture the stark imagery and sense of loss at the project’s core.
“Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind is the story of my life, from 2013 until 2023,” shares Chris Lunsford, the man and voice behind Anthony. “It is intended for the listener to sit down in a quiet place, undistracted and just listen beginning to end. Every lyric, every note—every everything—is intentionally placed. This album represents the most pure and transparent view inside my heart and soul that I could offer. While [“Rich Men North of Richmond”] was the song that got my name out in the public, this release represents the true foundation of the music that got me through life up until now.”
On Sunday, he will celebrate Easter as well as the release of the new album with a special concert at Hopewell, Virginia’s Beacon Theatre, about 70 miles from his hometown of Farmville. All ticket sales from the show will go to the local Beacon Hill Church’s food outreach program, which has served free meals to the community every Friday since 2020, and typically feeds around 400 people in need. Recently, the church extended the program to provide 30 elementary school-aged children with weekend meals.
Fans unable to attend the sold-out show can livestream it for free on Anthony’s social media platforms, with donations to Beacon Hill Church’s food outreach program encouraged via PayPal with the notation “Unsheltered.” For more information, click here.
Hymnal Of A Troubled Man’s Mind Track Listing:
1. “Rich Man’s Gold”
2. “Doggonit”
3. “I’ve Got to Get Sober”
4. “Cobwebs and Cocaine”
5. “Hell on Earth”
6. “I Want to Go Home”
7. “Feeling Purdy Good”
8. “Always Love You Like a Good Old Dog”
9. “VCR Kid”
10. “Momma’s Been Hurting”
Brenda Lee’s Foreign Language Recordings Now Available Digitally
/by John Nix ArledgeFor the first time, fans of Brenda Lee can digitally access a unique collection of international recordings of her hits. Titled The International Brenda Lee (Brenda Lee Sings in German, French and Italian), the compilation features 16 songs sung in foreign languages including 12 German, two French and two Italian.
Released via UMG Nashville/UMe, the project was originally launched on CD on Bear Family Records in 1992 and contains tracks recorded over a period of two years in Nashville, Tennessee and Hamburg, Germany. Songs on the album include Lee’s No. 1 “Anybody But Me,” “Fool #1” and “Kansas City,” with the former two recorded in all three languages.
“I was so lucky to not only travel many times overseas, but also to record and perform in the native languages of my international fans. It was a challenge, but something so fun and different. It’s amazing to me that six decades later, these very special songs can be heard in a new way,” shares Lee.
Track List:
1. Wiedersehn Ist Wunderschön
2. Kansas City
3. Ohne Dich (Even Tho’)
4. Drei Rote Rosen Blüh’n
5. Ich Will Immer Auf Dich Warten
6. No My Boy
7. Geh Am Glück Nicht Vorbei (“Fool #1” / German)
8. Am Strand Von Hawaii
9. Darling Bye Bye (“Anybody But Me” / German)
10. In Meinen Träumen
11. Wo Und Wann Fängt Die Liebe An
12. Darling Was Ist Los Mit Dir
13. La Premiere Fool (“Fool #1″ / French)
14. Pourquoi Jamais Moi (“Anybody But Me” / French)
15. Sono Sciocca (“Fool #1” / Italian)
16. Nulla Di Me (“Anybody But Me” / Italian)
‘Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape’ Reimagines Joe Diffie Classics With Special Collaborations
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Courtesy of Big Loud Records
Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape, a tribute to country legend Joe Diffie led by genre fusionist Hardy, is out now via Big Loud Records. The project is being released in conjunction with the Diffie Estate on the fourth anniversary of his passing.
Among the album’s 17 reimagined Diffie classics are never-before-heard recordings captured in 2006, and one previously unreleased original, “Life Had Plans For Me,” featuring Diffie’s son Parker. Additional members of Diffie’s family contributed backing vocals on the rendition of “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox (If I Die),” as part of The Difftones—a one-track-only supergroup comprised of the Diffies and vocals from a variety of featured artists on the project.
“As someone who had the profound privilege of performing alongside my father, it fills my heart with immense joy to witness his enduring legacy continued with the same passion and fervor that he embodied,” shares Parker. “The release of Hixtape: Vol. 3: Difftape is an opportunity to not only celebrate the past but also to embrace the future with reverence and enthusiasm.”
The track “Ships That Don’t Come In” finds Diffie’s vocals intermingled with Luke Combs and late country giant Toby Keith–marking Keith’s final recorded vocal before his passing in February. The collection includes “If The Devil Danced In Empty Pockets,” “Bigger Than The Beatles” and “Third Rock From The Sun,” among others.
Hardy, Morgan Wallen and Post Malone led collaborations with Hixtape Vol. 3: Difftape (Small Batch) in November. The sampling consisted of “John Deere Green,” which was released just in time for the tune’s 30th anniversary, and the 1994 No. 1 “Pickup Man,” which the three artists debuted during their performance at the 57th CMA Awards.
More special guests appearing on the tribute include Aaron Tippin, Blake Shelton, Chris Young, Clint Black, Darius Rucker, Hailey Whitters, Jack Ingram, Kameron Marlowe, Koe Wetzel, Lauren Watkins, Luke Bryan, Mark Wills, Nate Smith, Old Dominion, Post Malone, Randall King, Reba McEntire and Sammy Kershaw, who join returning cast Brooks & Dunn, Ernest, Hardy, Jake Worthington, Jon Pardi, Lainey Wilson, Larry Fleet, Randy Houser, Morgan Wallen and Tracy Lawrence.
“I’m honored that we get to be a small part of the legacy of Joe Diffie with Difftape,” says Hardy. “The thing I’ve always admired about Joe’s catalog is the quality of the songs. He had an unbelievable ear for hits, and I love that we got this cast together to celebrate them.”
Beyoncé Shares ‘Cowboy Carter’ Album, Featuring A Bevy Of Country Artists
/by LB CantrellBeyoncé‘s highly-anticipated country album is here at last. The 27-track Cowboy Carter was released today (March 29), and it highlights the talents of multiple country artists.
Country legend Willie Nelson makes an appearance on “Smoke Hour,” and he contributes spoken word on “Smoke Hour II.” Another icon Dolly Parton is also prominently featured, including with a cover of her iconic “Jolene.” Beyoncè’s version twists the narrative—instead of begging Jolene not to take her man, she sings “I’m warnin’ you, don’t come for my man,” making for an exciting new take on the beloved track. Prior to “Jolene,” Dolly’s voice is heard on an interlude called “Dolly P,” where she says “You know that hussy ‘with the good hair’ you sing about? It reminded me of someone I knew back when.'”
The great Linda Martell, who is well regarded as the first commercially successful Black female artist in the country music, is also prominently featured on Cowboy Carter. She sings with Beyoncé alongside country-fusionist Shaboozey on the track “Spaghettii,” titled “Spaghettii” with two I’s to signify second installment of the Renaissance project. She also contributes spoke word to the interlude “The Linda Martell Show.”
On track two, the brilliant talent of four rising Black female country artists is highlighted with a cover of the Beatles‘ “Blackbird.” The new recording features Tanner Adell, Brittney Spencer, Tiera Kennedy and Reyna Roberts.
Country riser Willie Jones appears on “Just for Fun.” In addition to “Spaghettii,” Shaboozey is featured on “Sweet Honey Buckiin’,” which also includes lyrics from Patsy Cline‘s “I Fall To Pieces.”
Country-adjacent artists are also featured on Cowboy Carter, fueling the pop culture moment that has country music in the spotlight. Post Malone, who is working on his country album, sings with Beyoncé on “Levii’s Jeans.” Miley Cyrus joins her on “II Most Wanted.”
The album’s lead single “Texas Hold ‘Em” continues to rise at country radio. Its success on streaming platforms made Beyoncé both the first Black woman to top Hot Country Songs and the first Black woman to send a country song to the top of the Billboard Hot 100.
Cowboy Carter Track Listing:
1. “Ameriican Requiem”
2. “Blackbiird” (with Brittney Spencer, Reyna Roberts, Tanner Adell and Tiera Kennedy)
3. “16 Carriages”
4. “Protector” (with Rumi Carter)
5. “My Rose”
6. “Smoke Hour Willie Nelson” (with Willie Nelson)
7. “Texas Hold ‘Em”
8. “Bodyguard”
9. “Dolly P”
10. “Jolene”
11. “Daughter”
12. “Spaghettii” (with Linda Martell and Shaboozey)
13. “Alliigator Tears”
14. “Smoke Hour II” (with Willie Nelson)
15. “Just for Fun” (featuring Willie Jones)
16. “II Most Wanted” (with Miley Cyrus)
17. “Levii’s Jeans” (with Post Malone)
18. “Flamenco”
19. “The Linda Martell Show” (with Linda Martell)
20. “Ya Ya”
21. “Oh Louisiana”
22. “Desert Eagle”
23. “Riiverdance”
24. “II Hands II Heaven”
25. “Tyrant”
26. “Sweet Honey Buckiin'” (with Shaboozey)
27. “Amen”
Morgan Wallen & Eric Church Reclaim Top Spot On MusicRow Chart With ‘Man Made A Bar’
/by John Nix ArledgeMorgan Wallen reaches the top spot on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart again this week with “Man Made A Bar” featuring Eric Church. The tune reached the top of the MusicRow chart in early March.
“Man Made A Bar” appears on Wallen’s One Thing At A Time album and is written by Rocky Block, Jordan Dozzi, Larry Fleet and Brett Tyler.
Wallen is currently headlining his “One Night At A Time” tour supported by a rotating lineup of guests. Meanwhile, both Wallen and Church are hard at work preparing their bars on Nashville’s lower Broadway. Wallen’s six-story establishment, named after his song, “This Bar,” will open later this year, and Church is set to open his new restaurant and live music venue, Chief’s, on April 5.
“Man Made A Bar” currently sits at No. 2 on the Billboard Country Airplay chart and No. 2 on the Mediabase chart.
Click here to view the latest edition of the MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
Jordan Fletcher To Share His ‘Cuts & Covers’ In April
/by Lorie HollabaughJordan Fletcher. Photo: Jeff Ray
Singer-songwriter Jordan Fletcher plans to release his latest EP, Cuts & Covers, on April 12.
Fletcher’s version of “When She Comes Home Tonight,” which he co-wrote with Green and Ryan Nelson, is featured on the EP and will be available on April 5. The Gold-certified track was originally recorded by Green for his 2018 album, Outlaws Like Us.
Cuts & Covers Track Listing:
1. “Where You Left It”
2. “Circles”
3. “Sad Songs For Sad People”
4. “When She Comes Home Tonight”
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Zac Brown Band ‘Welcomes Us To Summer Fun’
/by Robert K OermannZac Brown. Photo: Tyler Lord
Spring has sprung, and country music has a treatment for those pollen allergies.
Head for a windy seashore: That’s what our Zac Brown Band is prescribing in its “Tie Up” song. This week’s Disc of the Day is the introductory song of summer 2024.
Also bringing wafting breezes to the season are Lacy J. Dalton, The Frontmen, Sam Hunt and the duet by Jordyn Shellhart & Donovan Woods. The last-named was actually my favorite record today, but I fear that it might be way too creative for intelligence-insulting terrestrial country radio.
And speaking of creative, lend your ears to Wardel, whose zephyr of sound wins a DISCovery Award.
JORDYN SHELLHART & DONOVAN WOODS / “Search My Name”
Writers: Ava Suppelsa/Donovan Woods/Jordyn Shellhart/Robyn Dell’Unto; Producer: Cameron Jaymes; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– Utterly enchanting. Their voices harmonize and intertwine amid a sonic swirl of electronic flavors. Their singing, the fever-dream song and the production are all wonderfully innovative. Essential listening.
SAM HUNT / “Locked Up”
Writers: Jerry Flowers/Josh Osborne/Sam Hunt/Shane McAnally/Zach Crowell; Producers: Zach Crowell/Chris LaCorte/Jerry Flowers/Sam Hunt; Label: MCA Nashville
– He made some bad decisions and wound up in the slammer. But she stood by him, and that’s when he knew that she was The One. Hunt scores again with this mid-tempo tune that name-checks Tammy Wynette in its lyric.
DON LOUIS / “Long Time Comin’”
Writers: Demetric Jennings/Kaleb Jones; Producer: Serg Sanchez; Label: Money Myers Entertainment LLC/EMPIRE
– Don Louis is a hunk who was a defensive end football standout during his school days. The Texan’s vocal style is straight-up country with a tiny hint of rasp. His debut single is an ode about a struggling musician who perseveres despite the difficulties. An oomphy production underscores his earnest delivery. Recommended.
ZAC BROWN BAND / “Tie Up”
Writers: Jonathan Singleton/Ben Simonetti/Chris Gelbuda/Josh Hoge/Zac Brown; Producers: Zac Brown/Ben Simonetti; Label: Home Grown Music/Warner Music Nashville
– This loping, easy-going groove welcomes us to summer fun. Get on the water, pop a top when you dock the boat and relax in the sunshine. I can feel the warm weather already.
LACY J. DALTON / “Bonny Doon”
Writer: Lacy J. Dalton; Producer: Dino Nikolas; Label: Time-Life Music
– Dalton’s new Listen to the Wind collection contains new interpretations of her greatest hits alongside this folkie new ballad. While guitars gently strum, she sings of rejection, resignation and restoration. Soothing and peaceful.
RILEY GREEN / “Way Out Here”
Writers: Casey Beathard/David Lee Murphy/Josh Thompson; Producers: Dann Huff/Scott Borchetta/Jimmy Harnen; Label: BMLG Records
– We smoke, chew and fry everything. We like being rednecks with guns. Our trucks are dirty. We are backwoods and proud of it. There you have it.
MEGAN MORONEY / “28th Of June”
Writers: Ben Williams/Mackenzie Carpenter/Megan Moroney/Micah Carpenter; Producer: Kristian Bush; Label: Columbia Nashville/Columbia Records
– She’s enduringly creative. In this outing, a too-soon wedding falls apart and she’s heartbroken. The ache in her delivery is exquisite, and her lyric is plain-spoken, homespun poetry.
HUNEYFIRE / “Feeling Gray”
Writers: Caitlin Evanson/Cheaza Figueroa/Denny Mishler/Marriana Nevarez/Michael Vittima/Stephen West; Producers: Cheaza Figueroa/Jason Pennock; Label: Double Decades Entertainment
– The Afro-Latina, mother-daughter duo returns with a slow, bluesy jam. It’s a lost-love lament that gradually builds, stacks and mixes their vocal tracks. Highly listenable.
THE FRONTMEN / “Beatles And Eagles”
Writers: Ben Daniel/Larry McCoy/Riley Thomas; Producer: Mickey Jack Cones; Label: Broken Bow Records
– The Frontmen are Richie McDonald (Lonestar), Tim Rushlow (Little Texas) and Larry Stewart (Restless Heart). The new single from their new album shows that these voices of the ‘90s still have charisma. The lyric imaginatively quotes song titles immortalized by the two iconic bands of the title. Break out the vinyl!
THE WAR AND TREATY / “Stealing A Kiss”
Writers: Michael Trotter Jr./Tanya Trotter; Producer: Michael Trotter Jr; Label: UMG Nashville
– Sultry and swampy, this gives off heat as a soul ballad of passion. Searing organ notes, funk guitar, piano accents and gospel-y background vocals support their customary sensational singing.
ASHLEY MONROE / “I Like Trains”
Writer: Fred Eaglesmith; Producers: Gena Johnson/Ashley Monroe; Label: AM
– Her languid reading of the fine lyric is sleepy and sensuous. The under-produced track features simple, dull, acoustic-guitar strumming.
WARDEL / “Sleepless in Seattle”
Writer: Noah Gunderson; Producer: Idrise Ward-EL Jr; Label: Epochal Artists Records
– Idrise Ward-El Jr. is the offspring of a Mr. USA body-building champion. Both father and son are military veterans, and Ward-El Sr. is a Desert Storm veteran. Junior competed on The Voice as R&B stylist “Idrise” and is now transitioning into country music under his new “Wardel” billing. This single is a gentle, whispered lament for a fading city and a lonely guy. Wardel’s vocal has a sensitive, plaintive, folk quality that is quite attractive.
‘Breland & Friends’ Raise Over $140,000 For At-Risk Youth
/by John Nix ArledgeThe War And Treaty & Breland perform
Country music star Breland hosted his third-annual “Breland & Friends” concert at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday (March 26). The sold-out event raised over $140,000 to benefit the Oasis Center, a local organization that supports at-risk youth in Middle Tennessee.
Nelly & Breland perform
Joining the artist on stage were a variety of performers, including Anthony Hamilton, Avery Anna, Caitlyn Smith, Chase Rice, Dalton Dover, Drake White, Dylan Marlowe, Josh Groban, Matt Stell, Quinn XCII, The War And Treaty and Walker Hayes. The show also featured its annual surprise appearances including Hailey Whitters, Nelly and Tanner Adell.
Highlights of the concert include renditions of hits such as, “My Truck” with Adell, “County Line” with Quinn XCII, “Islands in the Stream” with Whitters, “Beers on Me” with Stell, “Cowboy Don’t” with Breland and Dover and a father-son duet featuring Gerard Breland. Capping off the concert was Breland performing his Gold-certified hit, “Throw It Back.”
Amazon Music presented a livestream of the event, allowing fans in Nashville and worldwide to enjoy an evening of music and charity.
“Breland & Friends”
Walker Hayes & Breland perform
Hailey Whitters performs
Women’s Programming & Leadership Roundtables Announced For Music Biz 2024
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Music Business Association (Music Biz) has announced the slate of women-focused programming and leadership roundtable discussions set for May 16 during the Music Biz 2024 conference, which will take place May 13-16 at the JW Marriott Nashville.
The programming will start with the “Walking the Walk: Tactics to Boost Diversity & Inclusion Now” panel at 11:30 a.m., which plans to examine the current gender imbalance in the industry and discuss how industry members together to close the vast gender gap. The session will be moderated by We Are Moving The Needle’s Skye Landgraf, and feature panelists including Chartmetric’s Sarah Kloboves and Snafu Records’ Mira Howard, with more to be announced. The panel will also explore innovative strategies and real-world tactics employed by industry leaders that aim to foster diversity and inclusion.
The panel will be immediately followed by the “Walk the Walk Keynote” at 12:25 p.m., where Virgin Music Group’s Jacqueline Saturn will be interviewed by Women in Music’s Nicole Barsalona. Throughout her three-decade career, Saturn has earned executive accolades while holding positions at Epic Records, Harvest Records and Caroline, and has sought to inspire the next generation of young executives. She is active with Gilda’s Club, Friendship Circle of Los Angeles, Creative Community for Peace, and has run the New York City Marathon on the American Cancer Society’s Determination team. Saturn is also currently the Chapter Governor for the Los Angeles Chapter Board of the Recording Academy. In this keynote, attendees will learn about her music industry journey, the highs and lows of being a woman in the business, her mentors and mentees and her best advice for women who want to rise to the top.
From 1:30 p.m.–4 p.m., the “Women In The Room: Music Biz Leadership Roundtables” will include “Mentoring the Next Generation of Women Music Execs” led by Twitch’s Cindy Charles; “Women in the C-Suite” with Pex’s Amadea Choplin, “Entrepreneurial Women In Music Tech” led by Gritty In Pink’s Shira Yevin, “Overcoming Personal Challenges To Thrive In Life & Business” with NYU Steinhardt’s Judy Tint, “Mentoring Women In Music” led by Universal Music Group (UMG)’s Cristina Pimentel, “Social Impact & Inspiring Action For Systemic Change” with Landgraf, “Mental Health in the Workplace” led by Secretly Distribution’s Anna Bond and more to be announced.
Advance registration is required for the roundtable discussions and will be posted along with the full executive roster and topic list for attendee sign-up beginning Monday (April 1). For more information, click here.
“I am proud to say that we are once again raising the bar with our women-focused content at Music Biz 2024,” says Music Biz President Portia Sabin. “This year’s programming features so many powerful women executives that I am proud to work alongside, and our roundtables are sure to create meaningful connections and conversations that will have a positive ripple effect on our industry long beyond the event. I can’t wait to see everyone in Nashville!”
Additionally, Music Biz recently announced that the annual conference will move to Atlanta in 2025.
Riser House Extends Partnership With Michael Whitworth
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R, back row): Kirby Smith, Allison Pilotti; (L-R, front row): Brandon Perdue, Michael Whitworth. Photo: Shannon Bradley
Riser House Publishing has extended its partnership with songwriter Michael Whitworth. The songwriter first signed with Riser House in 2016.
“Riser House is family, and they have been since day one. They truly believe in me and have allowed me to grow and develop as a writer to find my authentic voice. It’s a no brainer to continue this partnership and I wouldn’t have it any other way. Jennifer Johnson and Matt Swanson believed in me early on, and there’s been no one better to understand and guide me as a writer than Brandon [Perdue], and now Kirby [Mathews]. I’m just really grateful. I can’t wait to see what down the road looks like,” shares Whitworth.
Since his signing, he has had over 100 cuts in country, rock and pop from Teddy Swims, Nate Smith, Mitchell Tenpenny, Alana Springsteen, Florida Georgia Line, Charlotte Sands and more. He co-penned Jelly Roll‘s No. 1 hit at rock radio “Dead Man Walking.” Last year, Whitworth notched 40 cuts in total.
“Michael Whitworth is someone I know I can put in any room and trust he’ll more than hold his own,” says Brandon Perdue, SVP of A&R + Publishing, Riser House. “Whether it’s a session with an A-list artist, a brand new signing, or a room full of fellow hit writers, I always know Michael is going to bring the heat. He isn’t interested in chasing trends others are setting, rather he is bringing fresh and challenging concepts and melodies to every session. Michael is truly one of the most talented creatives in this town and Riser House is so thankful to continue being Team Whitworth.”