Carly Sater Rises To Creative Manager At SMACKSongs
Carly Sater. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Carly Sater has been promoted to Creative Manager at SMACKSongs. Since joining the company in 2019, Sater has assisted with SMACK’s roster of 21 songwriters, including running point on both Caroline Watkins and Andrew Beason. Her day-to-day responsibilities include signing and developing writers, booking writing sessions and more.
“Carly has continued to prove herself as a valuable member of our team over the last few years. She is constantly finding new ways to improve SMACK and celebrate our writers,” says Lee Krabel, Sr. VP of Publishing. “Carly has also recently signed a great writer, Andrew Beason, who has been an amazing addition to our roster. We are excited to announce her much deserved promotion!”
“I am so grateful to continue to work with such incredible people and talent. SMACK has created an environment and culture that inspires creativity, and it has been so cool to witness the growth of our team over the years. I can’t wait to see what else our oster will achieve in the years to come, and I feel lucky to be a small part of it,” says Sater.
Scotty McCreery & Team Tout New Rise And Fall LP At Boston Show
Pictured (L-R): Annie Ortmeier (Co-President, Triple Tigers Records); Scott Stem (McCreery’s Manager, Triple 8 Management); Scotty McCreery; Allison Bostrom (VP of Marketing, Triple 8 Management); Jordan Stone (social media consultant); Laura Hostelley (VP of Marketing, Triple Tigers Records); Hope Garrison (Marketing Manager, Triple Tigers Records) Photo: Courtesy of Triple Tigers Records
Scotty McCreery and his label and management teams celebrated the announcement of McCreery’s new album Rise And Fall, due out May 10, backstage after the singer’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park performance in Boston. The show was part of his “Cab in a Solo Tour,” produced by LiveNation.
Cannery Hall’s First-Ever Pitch Meeting Residency Kicks Off Tonight
Inside Cannery Hall. Photo: Hunter Storch
Cannery Hall is launching its first-ever residency with The Pitch Meeting, a songwriter pitch night. On Tuesdays, rising songwriting talents can showcase their songs with the Pitch Meeting band backing them up.
Cannery Hall’s first residency evening is happening tonight (March 5) and will feature Hunter Hayes. A limited number of reserved tables and seats will be available at each show for $15 per person. Standing room general admission to each show is free with a minimum purchase. Cannery Hall is making special parking rates available for just $1.
Billy F. Gibbons & Tim Montana Team To Buy Montana’s Wise River Club
Billy F Gibbons and Tim Montana
Friends Tim Montana and Billy F. Gibbons recently acquired the historic bar and hotel The Wise River Club in Montana that has been in operation for over 100 years. Montana and Gibbons have been making music and trouble together for more than 10 years. Recently, the two created the hot sauce line Whisker Bomb, which includes their Classic and Have Mercy Hot pepper sauces as well as Sweet Heat and Blanco BBQ sauces, plus Scorpion Garlic and Green Machine salsas.
Of the club, Montana shares, “Our aim is to give WRC patrons a true Montana experience with lodging, food, drink and music. It’s a place where guests can let their hair down and enjoy everything the Big Sky Country has to offer.“
“Tim and I have both played in quite a few honkytonks over the years so it’s high time to ensure Wise River Club’s place of history,” says Gibbons. “The entire club is something quite special and now the welcome mat has been definitively deployed. The Wise River vibe is perfect to share with the rest of the world.”
Industry Ink: Carly Sater, Scotty McCreery, Cannery Hall, More
/by Lorie HollabaughCarly Sater Rises To Creative Manager At SMACKSongs
Carly Sater. Photo: Ford Fairchild
Carly Sater has been promoted to Creative Manager at SMACKSongs. Since joining the company in 2019, Sater has assisted with SMACK’s roster of 21 songwriters, including running point on both Caroline Watkins and Andrew Beason. Her day-to-day responsibilities include signing and developing writers, booking writing sessions and more.
“Carly has continued to prove herself as a valuable member of our team over the last few years. She is constantly finding new ways to improve SMACK and celebrate our writers,” says Lee Krabel, Sr. VP of Publishing. “Carly has also recently signed a great writer, Andrew Beason, who has been an amazing addition to our roster. We are excited to announce her much deserved promotion!”
“I am so grateful to continue to work with such incredible people and talent. SMACK has created an environment and culture that inspires creativity, and it has been so cool to witness the growth of our team over the years. I can’t wait to see what else our oster will achieve in the years to come, and I feel lucky to be a small part of it,” says Sater.
Scotty McCreery & Team Tout New Rise And Fall LP At Boston Show
Pictured (L-R): Annie Ortmeier (Co-President, Triple Tigers Records); Scott Stem (McCreery’s Manager, Triple 8 Management); Scotty McCreery; Allison Bostrom (VP of Marketing, Triple 8 Management); Jordan Stone (social media consultant); Laura Hostelley (VP of Marketing, Triple Tigers Records); Hope Garrison (Marketing Manager, Triple Tigers Records) Photo: Courtesy of Triple Tigers Records
Scotty McCreery and his label and management teams celebrated the announcement of McCreery’s new album Rise And Fall, due out May 10, backstage after the singer’s MGM Music Hall at Fenway Park performance in Boston. The show was part of his “Cab in a Solo Tour,” produced by LiveNation.
Cannery Hall’s First-Ever Pitch Meeting Residency Kicks Off Tonight
Inside Cannery Hall. Photo: Hunter Storch
Cannery Hall is launching its first-ever residency with The Pitch Meeting, a songwriter pitch night. On Tuesdays, rising songwriting talents can showcase their songs with the Pitch Meeting band backing them up.
Cannery Hall’s first residency evening is happening tonight (March 5) and will feature Hunter Hayes. A limited number of reserved tables and seats will be available at each show for $15 per person. Standing room general admission to each show is free with a minimum purchase. Cannery Hall is making special parking rates available for just $1.
Billy F. Gibbons & Tim Montana Team To Buy Montana’s Wise River Club
Billy F Gibbons and Tim Montana
Friends Tim Montana and Billy F. Gibbons recently acquired the historic bar and hotel The Wise River Club in Montana that has been in operation for over 100 years. Montana and Gibbons have been making music and trouble together for more than 10 years. Recently, the two created the hot sauce line Whisker Bomb, which includes their Classic and Have Mercy Hot pepper sauces as well as Sweet Heat and Blanco BBQ sauces, plus Scorpion Garlic and Green Machine salsas.
Of the club, Montana shares, “Our aim is to give WRC patrons a true Montana experience with lodging, food, drink and music. It’s a place where guests can let their hair down and enjoy everything the Big Sky Country has to offer.“
“Tim and I have both played in quite a few honkytonks over the years so it’s high time to ensure Wise River Club’s place of history,” says Gibbons. “The entire club is something quite special and now the welcome mat has been definitively deployed. The Wise River vibe is perfect to share with the rest of the world.”
Blackberry Smoke’s Brit Turner Dies Of Brain Cancer
/by LB CantrellBrit Turner
Brit Turner, a co-founder and drummer of southern rock band Blackberry Smoke, passed away on Sunday (March 3) after a battle with brain cancer. He was 57.
Turner was diagnosed with glioblastoma in 2022. Earlier this week, the band shared on social media that he had passed.
“If you had the privilege of knowing Brit on any level, you know he was the most caring, empathetic, driven and endearing person one could ever hope to meet,” the band shared. “Brit was Blackberry Smoke’s True North, the compass that instituted the ideology that will continue to guide this band.”
Turner, a Michigan native, formed Blackberry Smoke in 2000 alongside his brother Richard Turner (bass, vocals) as well as Charlie Starr (vocals, guitar), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals) and Brandon Still (keyboards) in Atlanta, Georgia. Since their establishment, Preston Holcomb (drums) and Benji Shanks (guitar) have joined the band as well.
Throughout their prolific career, Blackberry Smoke has released seven studio albums including 2021’s You Hear Georgia, which celebrated their 20th anniversary as a band. In addition to their studio albums, they have released several other projects such as their EPs Stoned, The Southern Ground Sessions and Live From Capricorn Studios as well as Homecoming: Live In Atlanta, a live album and concert film.
Blackberry Smoke released their most recent album, Be Right Here, on Feb. 16, featuring Turner’s playing. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Current Country Albums chart,
Americana/Folk Albums chart and Current Rock Albums chart as well as No. 4 on the Best-Selling Current Albums chart.
Since 2000, the band has built a solid reputation for their relentless touring, building a strong and loyal community of fans. Turner continued to play with Blackberry Smoke on tour through December 2023.
Funeral arrangements for Turner are expected to be announced shortly.
In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Families and Communities Together Relief (FACT), which offers aid to families whose principal bread-winner is struck by a serious illness and will support Turner’s family.
Major Bob Music Signs Songwriter & Producer Colin Healy
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R): Emily Hasty, Bob Doyle, Colin Healy, Andy Friday and Graham Kothman
Major Bob Music has signed songwriter and producer Colin Healy to a global publishing deal.
The New England native is a Berklee College of Music graduate who has spent more than a decade on the road as Dustin Lynch‘s Music Director and bassist. Healy initially signed a publishing deal with Major Bob Music back in 2019, and has had cuts and syncs with Megan Moroney, Avery Anna, CB30 and Tayler Holder, among others.
“With over 13 years of touring from the club scene to stadiums with us, Colin just gets it,” shares Lynch. “He knows what the country concertgoer wants, needs and will react to. This is a HUGE asset in the creative rooms and his instincts will prove to bring some big live smashes into the world.”
“From personal experience, the road life is a different animal,” says Andy Friday, Head of Publishing, Major Bob Music. “Colin is walking off of the bus with a musical prowess that can’t be taught, it can only be lived and gained from years of experience.”
SOLID Ushers In 2024 Board Of Directors
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R, front row): Melissa Flaxman, Rio Van Risseghem, Zach Green and Lizzy Stone; (L-R, middle row): Brooke Mansfield and Amy Gellick; (L-R, back row): Samantha Funderlich, Yusef Yoba, Leah Ducey, Jared Meyer, Jessica Korver, Alannah Schwartz, Mark Thress, Guy Evans, Becky Parsons, Colin McKay, Sarah Beth Perry and Kim Albritton. Photo: Chrissy Nix
The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) has ushered in its 2024 Board of Directors. With 10 first-year members and nine returning members, the group’s expertise spans across entertainment industry facets such as music distribution, publishing, business management, artist development, public relations, artist management and more.
This year’s Executive Board includes President Rio Van Risseghem (The Orchard), Vice President Zach Green (Green P&M), Secretary Melissa Flaxman (Black Box) and Treasurer Lizzy Stone (Wiles + Taylor & Co).
The 2024 SOLID Board of Directors also consists of: Ambassadorship Chairs Jared Meyer (Q Prime South) and Alannah Schwartz (Endurance Music Group); Communications Chairs Jessica Korver (Missing Piece Group) and Rachel Hobbs (The GreenRoom PR); Community Outreach Chairs Guy Evans (FBMM) and Becky Parsons (PLA Media); Education Chairs Sarah Beth Perry (With the Band) and Kim Albritton (Clearbox Rights LLC); Music Market Chairs Leah Ducey (Universal Music Group), Mark Thress (Vocal 360 Global) and Samantha Funderlich (Darkest Valley Mgmt); Social Chairs Colin McKay (Clair Global) and Brooke Mansfield (Riser House); and DEI Chair Yusef Yoba (Independent Manager).
“As we embark upon the 27th year of SOLID’s legacy, the 2024 SOLID Board is excited to welcome another bountiful class of entertainment industry leaders. Our recruitment efforts have once again been astounding as we welcome 81 diverse servant leaders to join the 2024 SOLID Class,” says Van Risseghem. “I am honored to say this is my fourth year serving the SOLID community and I am excited to continue to build upon our successes of the past few years; namely our continued commitment to making SOLID a more diverse and inclusive organization in every aspect, our year after year philanthropic commitment to our wider community with our SOLID Shares and CMA Foundation partners, and foundationally to support the growth and development of Music City’s brightest and most talented minds.
“As we continue to grow as an organization, we are ever mindful of how we evolve to continue to bolster each new class of leaders. Our Board of Directors this year have their sights set on taking the initiative to propel SOLID forward in a multitude of facets and I am honored to have the privilege to collaborate and execute those goals alongside some of the best.”
Additionally, this year’s SOLID Alumni Board will be led by President Amy Gellick (Wiles + Taylor & Co). Members include Mollie Jones (Brigade Media Capital), Valerie Sizemore (Four Thirty Two Entertainment), BJ Hill (Warner Chappell Music) and Erin Duvall (Belmont University).
Mike Wilson Resigns From Black River Entertainment
/by LB CantrellMike Wilson
After over a decade at the company, SVP of Promotion Mike Wilson has resigned from Black River Entertainment.
Wilson joined Black River in 2013 as Director of National Promotion. He was elevated to VP in 2014 and SVP in 2017.
“My thanks to Gordon Kerr and the entire staff at Black River for the past 10-and-a-half years,” Wilson says. “It’s now time to move on to a new challenge.”
Wilson previously spent time at RCA, Universal South, Columbia, Streamsound and Montage. Throughout his career, he has taken over 100 singles to No 1 on the country chart.
SESAC Music Group & KOSCAP Partner For Global Rights Management Agreement
/by Madison HahnenSESAC Music Group has entered into a global rights management agreement with the Korean Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (KOSCAP) to represent SESAC’s collection in Korea. This move makes SESAC one of the first PROs to move its catalog from Korea Music Copyright Association (KOMCA). The Harry Fox Agency catalog will also be licensed and administered by KOSCAP, beginning January 2025.
KOSCAP, founded in 2014, is an official copyright collection society alongside KOMCA in order to increase competition and extend the rights of music creators in the South Korean territory.
In addition, Audiam, which was acquired by SESAC in 2014, has entered into an exclusive agreement with KOSCAP to administer their music publishing repertoire in the U.S. The company leverages big data and innovative technology to locate metadata for the sound recordings of compositions.
“It’s a great honor to partner with SESAC, a global leader with a world-class catalog and one of the premier Performing Rights Management organizations in the world, along with Audiam’s innovative technology to administer our catalog in the US. We are excited to provide accurate, efficient and transparent service for the management of SESAC repertoire in Korea,” says Charles Park, COO of KOSCAP and previous CEO of Warner Chappell Music Korea.
“We’re thrilled to take this important step in partnering with KOSCAP for SESAC Performing Rights repertoire and Audiam for US digital collection rights, enhancing our international platform and following on the footsteps of our collaboration with the Asian societies through AAMRO, as well as our historic partnership with Soundreef in Italy,” shares Alexander Wolf, President of International for SESAC Music Group.
Justin Moore & Randy Houser To Team Up For ‘Country Round Here Tonight Tour’
/by Lorie HollabaughJustin Moore and Randy Houser are teaming up to co-headline “The Country Round Here Tonight Tour,” which will visit 12 cities across the nation this fall.
Kicking off in Charlotte, North Carolina on Sept. 5, the journey will feature special guests Sadie Bass and Austin Michael. “The Country Round Here Tonight Tour” will visit Asbury Park, New Jersey as well as Raleigh, North Carolina; Philadelphia, Pennsylvania; Houston, Texas; and more before wrapping in Maryland Heights, Missouri on Oct. 12.
Moore and Houser offered fans a sneak preview of what’s to come last week with a surprise performance of Toby Keith’s “Should’ve Been A Cowboy” at Nashville’s Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge. Tickets go on sale this Friday (March 8) at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.
The two will also tour separately throughout the year. As Moore supports Cody Johnson on “The Leather Tour” in addition to playing his own solo shows across the country, Houser will headline various dates and make multiple festival appearances.
Date Change For AIMP Nashville Awards
/by Madison HahnenThe Association for Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) has announced a date change for their 2024 AIMP Country Awards, sponsored by Spotify. The event previously set for March 25 will now take place on Monday, April 1 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The intimate, members-only event will honor the biggest hits of the past year penned and championed exclusively by Nashville’s independent publishing companies and their songwriters, and will be hosted by Storme Warren.
A full list of 2024 nominees can be found here.
HunterGirl Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughHunterGirl during her Grand Ole Opry debut. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
HunterGirl made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Saturday (March 2), a bucket list item she’s been dreaming of crossing off her whole life.
Pictured (L-R): Grand Ole Opry’s Mike Terry, MTSU’s Beverly Keel, HunterGirl, retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Huber and MTSU’s Dr. Hilary Miller. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
Delivering an emotional performance of her debut single “Ain’t About You” as well as unreleased track “Clockworks,” HunterGirl received a standing ovation from the packed house during her appearance on the hallowed stage.
She was also surprised by retired Army Lieutenant General Keith Huber, Veterans Center Director Dr. Hilary Miller, and Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) Dean College of Media and Entertainment Beverly Keel with a customized blue flight jacket. The gift was to celebrate her honorary professorship at her alma mater and everything she’s done for the school’s Charlie and Hazel Daniels Veterans & Military Center. Charlie Daniels Jr. watched from the audience as she was honored for her vast contributions. Having first been connected to the center from her extensive work with veterans through Operation Song, HunterGirl continues to help veterans tell their stories through songs. This is something she’s very passionate about, as the artist comes from a military family.
“I have dreamed of playing at the Grand Ole Opry since I was a little girl,” says HunterGirl. “It was a full circle moment getting to step into the circle that night. Singing on that stage felt like becoming a part of something greater than myself.”
Additionally, she is set to open for Luke Bryan on his “Mind Of A Country Boy Tour” later this year.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Returns To Top Five Almost A Year After Album Release
/by Liza AndersonLuke Combs‘ Gettin’ Old has returned to the top five on the country albums chart this week. Almost a year after its release, the collection claims the fifth slot with 22K in total consumption (975 album only/26 million song streams), according to Luminate data.
Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At A Time rules at the top with 67K (1.5K album only/85 million song streams), while his Dangerous: The Double Album moves up to the second slot with 37.1K (319 album only/48 million song streams). Zach Bryan‘s self-titled album takes No. 3 with 37K (1.6K album only/46 million song streams), as his American Heartbreak rises to No. 4 with 27K (775 album only/33 million song streams).
On the country streaming songs chart, the top five remain the same this week.
Beyoncé‘s “Texas Hold ‘Em” maintains its No. 1 position with 23 million new streams, adding to 74 million ATD. Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” follows at No. 2 with 18 million streams, adding to 543 million ATD, while Wallen’s “Last Night” holds the third slot with 13 million new streams, adding to 1.23 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” bides at No. 4 with 12 million streams, adding to 1.25 billion ATD, and Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” stays at No. 5 with 11 million new streams, adding to 638 million ATD.
Additionally, Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Holy Smokes” scores the top debut at No. 13 with 7.2 million streams.