At a press conference at Studio A in Nashville on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced bicameral legislation alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) regarding concerns about creators’ voice, image and likeness rights.
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act updates Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law, making it the first state in the nation to preserve individual voice, image and likeness against irresponsible and unethical artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of deepfakes and audio cloning. The ELVIS Act seeks to protect the future of Tennessee creators from the harmful misuse of technology on some online platforms, such as computer-generated recordings that resemble artists’ voices or deepfake videos.
Christian music icon Michael W. Smith welcomed the artists, songwriters, music industry folk and legislative leaders gathered at the press conference. He shared, “As a working artist and songwriter, I know how vital it is to build a creative environment that protects the work and individuality of future generations of dreamers. While I am grateful for existing tools that have helped me craft both my music and my message, even more personal gifts and attributes have a right to be protected from digital manipulations. I’m honored to be here today as a voice supporting the ELVIS Act to protect my fellow musicians today and in the future.”
Governor Lee said, “From Beale Street to Broadway and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”
Other attendees supporting today’s update to Tennessee’s Right of Publicity law include artists, songwriters, producers and engineers such as Ruby Amanfu, Steve Cropper, Tom Douglas, Lindsay Ell, Matt Maher, Jamie Moore, Ari Morris, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (Royal Studios), Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gebre Waddell, Matthew West and Lainey Wilson.
Artist and songwriter advocacy organizations have come out in support of the ELVIS Act, including NSAI, NMPA, RIAA, the Recording Academy, A2IM, Artist Rights Alliance, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.
Of the piece of legislature, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison says, “The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) resulted in fake recordings that are not authorized by the artist and is wrong, period. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) applauds Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Jack Johnson and Rep. William Lamberth for introducing legislation that adds the word ‘voice’ to the existing law—making it crystal clear that unauthorized AI-generated fake recordings are subject to legal action in the state of Tennessee. This is an important step in what will be an ongoing challenge to regulate generative AI music creations.”
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite adds, “AI deepfakes and voice cloning threaten the integrity of all music. It makes sense that Tennessee state would pioneer these important policies which will bolster and protect the entire industry. Music creators face enough forces working to devalue their work—technology that steals their voice and likeness should not be one of them.”
Notably, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier also released a statement earlier today in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act). The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) also aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.
Governor Bill Lee Introduces ELVIS Act For Likeness, Voice & Image Protection
/by LB CantrellAt a press conference at Studio A in Nashville on Wednesday (Jan. 10), Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced bicameral legislation alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44) regarding concerns about creators’ voice, image and likeness rights.
The Ensuring Likeness Voice and Image Security (ELVIS) Act updates Tennessee’s Protection of Personal Rights law, making it the first state in the nation to preserve individual voice, image and likeness against irresponsible and unethical artificial intelligence (AI) in the form of deepfakes and audio cloning. The ELVIS Act seeks to protect the future of Tennessee creators from the harmful misuse of technology on some online platforms, such as computer-generated recordings that resemble artists’ voices or deepfake videos.
Christian music icon Michael W. Smith welcomed the artists, songwriters, music industry folk and legislative leaders gathered at the press conference. He shared, “As a working artist and songwriter, I know how vital it is to build a creative environment that protects the work and individuality of future generations of dreamers. While I am grateful for existing tools that have helped me craft both my music and my message, even more personal gifts and attributes have a right to be protected from digital manipulations. I’m honored to be here today as a voice supporting the ELVIS Act to protect my fellow musicians today and in the future.”
Governor Lee said, “From Beale Street to Broadway and beyond, Tennessee is known for our rich artistic heritage that tells the story of our great state. As the technology landscape evolves with artificial intelligence, we’re proud to lead the nation in proposing legal protection for our best-in-class artists and songwriters.”
Other attendees supporting today’s update to Tennessee’s Right of Publicity law include artists, songwriters, producers and engineers such as Ruby Amanfu, Steve Cropper, Tom Douglas, Lindsay Ell, Matt Maher, Jamie Moore, Ari Morris, Lawrence “Boo” Mitchell (Royal Studios), Maggie Rose, Joanne Shaw Taylor, Gebre Waddell, Matthew West and Lainey Wilson.
Artist and songwriter advocacy organizations have come out in support of the ELVIS Act, including NSAI, NMPA, RIAA, the Recording Academy, A2IM, Artist Rights Alliance, SAG-AFTRA and SoundExchange.
Of the piece of legislature, NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison says, “The emergence of generative artificial intelligence (AI) resulted in fake recordings that are not authorized by the artist and is wrong, period. The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) applauds Tennessee Governor Bill Lee, State Senator Jack Johnson and Rep. William Lamberth for introducing legislation that adds the word ‘voice’ to the existing law—making it crystal clear that unauthorized AI-generated fake recordings are subject to legal action in the state of Tennessee. This is an important step in what will be an ongoing challenge to regulate generative AI music creations.”
NMPA President & CEO David Israelite adds, “AI deepfakes and voice cloning threaten the integrity of all music. It makes sense that Tennessee state would pioneer these important policies which will bolster and protect the entire industry. Music creators face enough forces working to devalue their work—technology that steals their voice and likeness should not be one of them.”
Notably, RIAA Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier also released a statement earlier today in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act). The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives María Elvira Salazar (R-FL-27), Madeleine Dean (D-PA-4), Nathaniel Moran (R-TX-1), Joe Morelle (D-NY-25) and Rob Wittman (R-VA-1) also aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.
Gabby Barrett Reveals Track List For Upcoming New Project ‘Chapter & Verse’
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Robby Klein
Gabby Barrett has unveiled the track list for her upcoming sophomore album, Chapter & Verse, due out Feb. 2.
Co-produced by Barrett alongside Ros
Barrett co-wrote nine of the album’s 14 songs, and collaborated with Miranda Lambert and Hillary Lindsey on “You’re My Texas,” a full-hearted love letter to the Lone Star State and all its idyllic beauty. The trio mined inspiration from Barrett’s personal ties to the state—her husband Cade Foehner was born and raised in east Texas—and Lambert’s own east Texas upbringing for the dreamlike track.
“When I think of Texas, I think of my husband and raising our babies in this beautiful state that we’re proud to call home,” shares Barrett. “It was my first time really meeting Miranda while writing this song, and I’m thankful that we could bond over our love for Texas. I always enjoy writing with Hillary too, so it was a great group of ladies to be in the room with. This one just fell out naturally, and I love everything about it.”
Chapter & Verse also includes previously released “Glory Days,” her current Top 20 single, as well as “Cowboy Back” and “Growin’ Up Raising You,” in addition to standouts like “Dance Like No One’s Watching.” The new project offers an up-close portrait of Barrett’s experience as a wife and mother of two, with her third baby on the way, and the album’s title refers to the chapters and verses within each book of the Bible, as well as the still-unfolding chapters in her marriage, family, career and overall journey through life.
Chapter & Verse Track List:
1. “The Chapter” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
2. “Cowboy Back” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Jesse Frasure)
3. “Dance Like No One’s Watching” (Emily Weisband, James McNair, Luke Combs)
4. “Glory Days” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
5. “Had It All” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Jon Nite, Hillary Lindsey)
6. “Hard To Read” (Gabby Barrett, Josh Thompson, Jon Nite)
7. “Growin’ Up Raising You” (Gabby Barrett, Jon Nite, Zach Kale, Jimmy Robbins)
8. “Off The Highway” (Gabby Barrett, James McNair, Emily Weisband, Seth Mosley)
9. “You’re My Texas” (Gabby Barrett, Miranda Lambert, Hillary Lindsey)
10. “Jesus On A Train” (Gabby Barrett, Ross Copperman, Josh Osborne, Shane McAnally)
11. “Grow Apart” (Emily Weisband, Lydia Vaughan, Sam Bergeson)
12. “God, Money & Love” (Lori McKenna, Corey Crowder, Phil Barton)
13. “All Of My Life” (Jon Nite, Jordan Reynolds, Josh Miller)
14. “The Verse: Doxology (Amen) (Feat. Phil Wickham)” (Phil Wickham, Thomas Ken, Louis Bourgeois)
RIAA Releases Statement Supporting No AI Fraud Act
/by Lorie HollabaughRecording Industry Association of America (RIAA) Chairman & CEO Mitch Glazier has released a statement in support of the No Artificial Intelligence Fake Replicas And Unauthorized Duplications Act of 2024 (No AI Fraud Act).
“The No AI Fraud Act is a meaningful step towards building a safe, responsible and ethical AI ecosystem, and the RIAA applauds Representatives [María Elvira] Salazar, [Madeleine] Dean, [Nathaniel] Moran, [Joe] Morelle, and [Rob] Wittman for leading in this important area. To be clear, we embrace the use of AI to offer artists and fans new creative tools that support human creativity. But putting in place guardrails like the No AI FRAUD Act is a necessary step to protect individual rights, preserve and promote the creative arts, and ensure the integrity and trustworthiness of generative AI. As decades of innovation have shown, when Congress establishes strong IP rights that foster market-led solutions, it results in both driving innovation and supporting human expression and partnerships that create American culture,” states Glazier.
The bipartisan legislation introduced by Representatives Salazar (R-FL-27), Dean (D-PA-4), Moran (R-TX-1), Morelle (D-NY-25) and Wittman (R-VA-1) aims to combat abusive AI deepfakes, voice clones and exploitive digital human impersonations.
The No AI Fraud Act builds on the Nurture Originals, Foster Art and Keep Entertainment Safe Act (No Fakes Act) discussion draft released by Senators Coons, Blackburn, Klobuchar and Tillis.
Notably, RIAA joined other artist and songwriter advocacy groups such as NSAI, NMPA, the Recording Academy and more to support the ELVIS Act that Tennessee Governor Bill Lee introduced on Wednesday (Jan. 10) alongside State Senate Majority Leader Jack Johnson (R-27) and House Majority Leader William Lamberth (R-44). The ELVIS Act seeks to bring similar protections to creators regarding their individual voice, image and likeness.
‘Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman’ Series To Kick Off June 13
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman,” the annual concert series presented by Springer Mountain Farms, will return to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium this summer for its 30th year on Thursdays starting June 13 through July 25.
The series will kick off with Del McCoury Band, followed by Steep Canyon Rangers with Lindsay Lou, The Earls of Leicester, Della Mae with Rob Ickes & Trey Hensley and Dailey & Vincent, leading up to the final night with a performance from Country Music Hall of Fame Member Ricky Skaggs.
Season passes include all six shows and are on sale now for both renewing and new passholders. Single tickets go on sale Feb. 23. For more information, click here. All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and will be preceded by a 6 p.m. pre-show “Pickin’ on the Plaza” event, sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms and Farm Bureau Health Plans, on the Ryman’s PNC Plaza. The event will feature live music from local bluegrass artists and bands presented by WSM Radio.
“Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman” was first introduced in 1994, after the venue underwent renovation and reopened its doors after sitting vacant for nearly two decades following the Grand Ole Opry’s relocation. The first of what would become the annual series featured Bill Monroe and Alison Krauss. Now 30 years later, the Ryman continues to celebrate the bluegrass contributions to music history and honors Monroe’s legacy with a life-size statue on site, unveiled in 2017.
Endurance Music Group Elevates Lauren Funk To VP Of Publishing
/by Liza AndersonLauren Funk. Photo: Ed Rode
Endurance Music Group (EMG) has elevated Lauren Funk to newly created position of Vice President of Publishing, effective immediately.
Funk joined EMG from Big Yellow Dog Music, where she spent seven years on the creative team working with Grammy winners Maren Morris, Meghan Trainor, Josh Kear, Daniel Tashian and more. She began her tenure as an intern in 2014, and was hired as Creative Manager upon graduation from Belmont University. In the following years, she secured cuts with artists including Little Big Town, Blake Shelton, Josh Turner, Alan Jackson, Dustin Lynch and more. In 2022, Funk was a member of the inaugural class of the CMA’s Women’s Leadership Academy, a professional development program and group coaching experience for high-performing women in the country music industry.
Since joining EMG in 2021, she has been instrumental in the signing and/or retention of award-winning, multi-Platinum songwriter Jordan Schmidt, hit songwriter Scooter Carusoe and acclaimed singer-songwriter and producer Jake Rose. She will continue to manage the company’s relationships with its roster of hitmakers, including Records artist Matt Stell, songwriters and producers Seth Alley and Paul Sikes, among others, while identifying and signing promising new talent.
“I’m so proud to work with Lauren. It has been incredible to witness her growth as a creative leader and experience the impact she has made on the writers and artists at Endurance over the past couple of years. Her passion for the song and the songwriter is vital for the health of our creative industry, and we are lucky to have her on our team,” says Michael Martin, EMG President.
“The last two years at Endurance Music Group have been nothing short of amazing, and I am thrilled to take on this new role. I am so proud to work alongside our songwriters and creative team, who inspire me every day,” Funk adds. “I am beyond thankful to Michael Martin for his leadership, passion, and encouragement. I know 2024 is going to be our best year yet!”
CRS 2024 Research Presentation To Focus On Impact Of On-Air Personalities
/by Madison HahnenCountry Radio Seminar (CRS), taking place Feb. 28 – March 1, has announced the focus of their annual research presentation.
This year’s presentation, “…But They Have A Great Personality: On Air Talent And Their Role On All Platforms,” will focus on the impact and influence on on-air personalities. This will include various radio platforms including terrestrial, satellite and Digital Service Providers (DSPs).
Scheduled for Feb. 29, CRS will explore questions around what audiences prefer in their on-air hosts, how unique personalities offer an advantage, the dispersement of local and top-quality talent and more. CRS has partnered with the Smith Geiger Group for the presentation. As a highly praised research group, the Smith Geiger Group has worked with CMA, The Recording Academy, ESPN, Google, NPR, Facebook, Paramount, and more.
Cole Phillips Signs With Why&How, Records Nashville
/by Liza AndersonCole Phillips
Cole Phillips has signed management representation and record deals with Why&How and Records Nashville.
The 18-year-old Oklahoma native drew significant attention with his breakout song, “Drinking Alone,” which went viral on TikTok and has amassed 15 million audio streams in the United States.
Phillips is a self-taught singer-songwriter and guitarist whose musical influences range from Zac Brown, Zach Bryan, Cody Jinks and David Allan Coe to Metallica and Nirvana. He developed a passion for music early in life, crediting his parents for exposing him to various genres, and has carved his own path with an evolving and distinctive sound of stripped-back instrumentation and authentic vocals.
“Cole has a remarkable ability to capture emotion and storytelling beyond his 18 years. His debut song, ‘Drinking Alone,’ gained organic virality, resonating deeply with a broad audience. That kind of talent can’t be taught,” shares Bruce Kalmick, Founder & CEO, Why&How. “We are thrilled to be collaborating with the Records Nashville team to champion such an enthusiastic and gifted musician, and can’t wait to see what we build together in the years ahead.”
“Cole Phillips is the real deal. His music is authentic and honest. From the moment we heard him, we wanted to work together. The whole team at Records Nashville is thrilled to partner with Cole as well as Bruce’s team at Why&How,” says Josh Easler, EVP of Promotion & Commercial Strategy, Records Nashville.
This year, Phillips has plans for multiple live shows and the release of his forthcoming debut album.
Weekly Register: Luke Combs Takes Back Top Five Slot On Country Songs Chart
/by Liza AndersonLuke Combs‘ cover of “Fast Car” takes back its No. 5 slot this week on the country streaming songs chart with 8.9 million new streams, adding to 571 million ATD, according to Luminate data.
Zach Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” continues to rule at the top with 18 million streams, adding to 393 million ATD, while Morgan Wallen‘s “Last Night” stays right behind at No. 2 with 12.1 million new streams, adding to 1.130 billion ATD. Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” bides at No. 3 with 12 million streams, adding to 1.152 billion ATD, and Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” holds No. 4 with 10 million new streams, adding to 546 million ATD.
On the country albums chart, Wallen’s One Thing At A Time remains at No. 1 with 64K in total consumption (2.7K album only/78 million song streams). Zach Bryan returns to No. 2 with 41K (3.7K album only/48 million song streams), as Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album jumps to No. 3 with 33K (926 album only/42 million song streams). Taylor Swift‘s Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) moves to No. 4 with 28K (9.7K album only/24 million song streams), while Bryan’s American Heartbreak rises to No. 5 with 27K (1.7K album only/33 million song streams).
Warner Chappell Music & Space Colonel Publishing Sign Joey Green
/by Lorie HollabaughJoey Green. Photo: Brofoto Productions
Warner Chappell Music and Space Colonel Publishing have signed NBC’s The Voice season 15 contestant Joey Green to a global publishing deal.
Green has released eight albums throughout his career, his latest being Heart Lessons, which he debuted while opening for Lainey Wilson in November at Billy Bob’s Texas in Fort Worth. Heart Lessons blends rock, soulful country and ’90s alternative sounds. Multiple singles released from his last two albums have landed Green spots on Spotify’s New Music Friday, Fresh Finds Country and New Music Nashville playlists, among others.
The singer-songwriter has shared the stage with other artists including Parker McCollum, Eli Young Band, Randy Rogers, Kevin Fowler, Sean McConnell, Sam Riggs and Giovannie & The Hired Guns. Green was also a part of the 2023 “Texas Music Takeover Tour,” where he performed with Pat Green, Koe Wetzel, Vaden Todd Lewis of Toadies, Casey Donahew, Cody Canada and Wade Bowen.
“Joey Green has been a top-tier songwriter for years, and I am beyond excited to have him join our team,” says Beau Bedford, Partner, Producer & Songwriter at Space Colonel Publishing.
Zach Top’s Debut Album ‘Cold Beer & Country Music’ On Tap For April
/by Lorie HollabaughZach Top
Leo33’s rising country artist Zach Top is set to release his debut album for the new label, Cold Beer & Country Music, on April 5.
Earlier this week, Top earned the No. 1 most added song at country radio with his debut single, “Sounds Like The Radio.” Top co-wrote every song on the new album, and producer/songwriter Carson Chamberlain worked with Top to bring the album to life as sole producer on the project. Other writers contributing to the album include Paul Overstreet, Mark Nesler, Tim Nichols and more.
“Creating Cold Beer & Country Music has been an incredible journey,” shares Top. “This album is a labor of love, a reflection of my roots, and a celebration of the timeless spirit of country music.”
Hailing from Sunnyside, Washington, Top’s upbringing on a ranch listening to classic country laid the foundation for his artistic passion. Fans can catch him on the road this year with Brothers Osborne as well as Lainey Wilson on their respective tours.
Cold Beer & Country Music Track Listing:
“Sounds Like The Radio” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Wyatt McCubbin)
“Cold Beer & Country Music” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain)
“Cowboys Like Me Do” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Roger Springer)
“There’s The Sun” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Wyatt McCubbin)
“Dirt Turns To Gold” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Paul Overstreet)
“The Kinda Woman I Like” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Michael White)
“Lonely For Long” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Mark Nesler)
“Bad Luck” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Mark Nesler)
“Use Me” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
“Ain’t That A Heartbreak” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Paul Overstreet)
“I Never Lie” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Tim Nichols)
“Things To Do” (Zach Top, Carson Chamberlain, Mark Nesler)