Stephanie Wright Joins Warner Music Nashville As SVP A&R

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Stephanie Wright. Photo: David Bradley

Warner Music Nashville has tapped Stephanie Wright, who joined the company as a consultant in October, as SVP A&R. She will report to Co-Chair & Co-President Cris Lacy.

“Ben [Kline] and I have known and respected Stephanie for many years – quite often we’ve been on the other side of her at another label, actively battling it out to sign an artist” Lacy shares. “She is a fierce competitor, a tenacious team leader and has an innate sense for exceptional music and artists. Most importantly, she is recognized in the music community as a passionate advocate for developing songwriters, producers and artists, many of whom she helped achieve their first career milestone. Her reputation and long-standing relationships will strengthen our incredible A&R team exponentially.”

Wright joins Warner Music Nashville from UMG Nashville, where she spent more than 23 years in A&R. During her time at UMG, she signed and worked with dozens of hit-making artists, including multi-Platinum chart-toppers Jordan Davis, Sam Hunt, Parker McCollum and Grammy-Award winner Kacey Musgraves. A native of Salt Lake City, Wright came to the music business through her cousins—the Platinum-selling sibling trio SHeDAISY. Since then, she has been instrumental in critically acclaimed albums including Lee Ann Womack‘s Call Me Crazy, Musgraves’ Same Trailer Different Park and Hunt’s Montevallo.

“Joining Warner Music Nashville, in a way, feels like a homecoming,” Wright says. “Over the course of my 23 years in A&R, I’ve known Cris as a friend, passionate label competitor and overall industry leader. Likewise, I’ve known Ben my entire career, starting when we worked together for Mercury Nashville. When the opportunity to join Cris, Ben and the WMN team arose, the decision was easy. The rest of the world is learning how exceptional our artists and songwriters are; something we’ve always known! Country music now touches every corner of the globe, creating new fans and influencing new artists everywhere. Great talent knows no boundary and I’m grateful, and excited, to be in this new home that puts the artist’s story first.”

The news comes after the announcement that EVP A&R Scott Hendricks would be leaving his position at the end of December.

DISClaimer Single Reviews: Brenda Lee Wears Her ‘Queen Of Christmas’ Crown

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Brenda Lee. Photo: Alexa King Stone

Happy holidays from DISClaimer.

I have your Nashville Christmas playlist right here and ready to go. Do not miss the offerings by Brandy Clark, Randall King, Jon Pardi and Eric Paslay. 

Despite the abundance of quality, there is no question about who the Queen of Christmas is this year. A Disc of the Day award to Brenda Lee for her update on a timeless tune. 

MATT CASTILLO / “Christmas Without Her”
Writers: Matt Castillo/Jason Allen; Producers: Matt Castillo/Aaron Eshuis; Label: MC
– It’s heartache honky-tonk, but with a witty, light-hearted tone. He asks Santa to bring his baby back while the band rampages and twangs behind him. 

JON PARDI / “Beer For Santa”
Writers: John Thomas Hardy/Matt McKinney/Kyle Clark; Producers: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Two-step into Christmas morning with this hillbilly romp. Pardi’s not leaving milk and cookies out for Saint Nick this year. He knows the big guy needs a brew break.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDRIDGE / “Little Saint Nick”
Writers: Brian Wilson/Mike Love; Producer: none listed; Label: Billy Blue Records
– Ear opening. The bluegrass duo takes The Beach Boys classic out for an acoustic spin with snappy fiddle, mandolin and guitar work, and all those lovely stacked vocal harmonies in place. Highly recommended. 

WYNONNA / “Beautiful Star of Bethlehem”
Writer: A.J. Phipps; Producer: Cactus Moser; Label: ANTI- Records
– Originated in 1954 by the Opry’s John Daniel Quartet and popularized by Emmylou Harris in 1980, this acoustic gem has become a perennial country Christmas favorite. Wy’s bluesy lead vocal dominates, and I wish the contrapuntal background vocals were mixed louder. 

RANDALL KING / “Silent Night”
Writers: Franz Xaver Gruber/Joseph Mohr; Producers: Randall King/Jared Conrad; Label: Warner Music Nashville
– This magnificent, stone-country baritone can make you feel warm and toasty even on the coldest holiday evenings. Guitars strum and steel sighs as he gently croons this timeless carol. Beautifully done. 

BRANDY CLARK / “My Favorite Christmas”
Writers: Brandy Clark/Shane McAnally; Producer: Jordan Hamlin; Label: Warner Records
– Wistful, melancholy and dreamy, this languidly, lovely performance deserves to take its place among the great “blue Christmas” songs that are always so touching. Also check out her equally affecting treatment of “I’ll Be Home For Christmas.” A soft reminder that the holidays can bring sad, bittersweet nostalgia to some. Clark co-wrote it with her Shucked collaborator Shane McAnally. They both earned a Grammy Award nomination for the Broadway hit.

ERIC PASLAY / “Run Rudolph Run”
Writers: Marvin Lee Brodie/Johnny Marks/Chuck Berry; Producer: Austin Moody; Label: Capitol Records Nashville
– Need some rock & rolling Christmas cheer? Step right up: Paslay takes this Chuck Berry classic at a bracing, brisk pace. You’ll be bopping around the room in no time. 

BRENDA LEE / “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree (Remix)”
Writer: Johnny Marks; Producer: Owen Bradley: Label: MCA Nashville
– Thumpy electronic drumming pounds away as Lee and the Nashville A-Team’s original track echoes in the background. This new remix is packaged with her (superior) 1958 rockabilly version on a new holiday EP. This year, the song made the Music City legend the oldest person in history to have a No. 1 Billboard pop hit. Lee’s 79th birthday was on Monday (Dec. 11). What a double celebration. Rock on, Little Miss Dynamite.

CHRIS JANSON / “Holiday Road”
Writer: Lindsey Buckingham; Producers: Chris Janson/Julian Raymond/Scott Borchetta/Jimmy Harnen; Label: BMLG Records
– Christmas music doesn’t get much more rocking than this frenetic bopper. Joyous sounding. 

T. GRAHAM BROWN / “Santa’s Got His Baby Something Good”
Writers: Billy Lawson/Cyril Rawson/Cyril Robinson/Monroe Hill; Producer: none listed; Label: TGB
– How about an old-school blues track for Christmas? Mr. Brown lays down a dandy one with this drawling, down-home, sexy retro ditty. 

BREI CARTER / “Old Fashion Christmas”
Writers: Aly Cutter/David Norris/Corey Lee Barker; Producers: Brei Carter/Jason Wyatt; Label: Brown Lee Entertainment/The Orchard
– Carter’s Twinkling Tales of Christmas album contains this enchanting, minor-key ballad. The key changes are tricky, but she floats through them with ease. Jazzy, late-night, closing-time listening.

UNCLE KRACKER / “Frosty The Snowman”
Writers: Steve Nelson/Jack Rollins; Producer: none listed; Label: UK
– Frosty gets a western-swing arrangement that comes with built-in smiles. Super enjoyable.

SCOTTY McCREERY / “Feel Like The Holidays”
Writers: Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell/Derek George/Bobby Hamrick/Jeremy Bussey; Producers: Frank Rogers/Derek Wells/Aaron Eshuis; Label: Triple Tigers
– I recommend that you start your seasonal playlist with this mellow, jazzy performance. It sets the anticipation mood perfectly. The new Opry inductee delivers it in a friendly, relaxed tone while muted horns punctuate softly in the background.

Illinois PD Dani Holland Receives 2024 Steve Ferguson CRS Scholarship

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Dani Holland

Dani Holland, Program Director for WALS-FM in Peru, Illinois, has been selected as the recipient of the 2024 Steve Ferguson Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Scholarship.

Holland was chosen by a panel of country radio programmers and other industry professionals and will receive a paid registration to attend CRS 2024, Feb. 28-March 1 in Nashville.

Holland has been with WALS for eight years but began her career at just 15 years old in Kewanee, Illinois, learning production and all things radio. Working her way into a full-time position at WALS, Holland was ultimately tapped for the morning show, where she’s been ever since as the host of WALS Mornings With Dani.

“This will be my first CRS! I was so excited when I got the call that I won the Steve Ferguson Memorial Scholarship this year! I look forward to meeting all the MusicRow promoters that I chat with each week and learning firsthand from other radio talent,” Holland shares.

Spearheaded by Nashville’s GrassRoots Promotion, the annual scholarship was established to honor the enduring legacy of longtime WTHO PD Steve Ferguson, who passed away in 2018. Holland will be honored with a presentation during the CRS 2024 conference, with details to be announced.

Larry Fleet To Kick Off ‘The Earned It Tour’ In February

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Larry Fleet will launch his headlining “The Earned It Tour” in February. Presented by Campers Inn, the trek will feature special guests Austin Williams, Dalton Dover and Everette.

“The Earned It Tour” will kick off in Johnson City, Tennessee in mid-February and continue through the spring with stops in Atlanta, Boston, Memphis, New Orleans, Philadelphia and more before wrapping in Houston in April. Named after his recently released third studio album, Earned It, the 21-date journey will highlight Fleet’s catalog of blue-collar anthems like Gold-certified “Where I Find God” and “Things I Take For Granted.”

“There’s nothing like being on the road,” explains Fleet. “Connecting with fans each night and hearing them sing along brings my music to life in a way that nothing else can.”

Tickets go on sale tomorrow (Dec. 15). For more information, click here.

‘Shucked’ To Open North American Tour In Nashville

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Ashley D. Kelley & Grey Henson in Shucked. Photo: Matthew Murphy & Evan Zimmerman

Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally‘s Shucked is coming to Nashville, making its debut at Tennessee Performing Arts Center’s Jackson Hall Nov. 5 – 10, 2024. The Music City dates will be the start of the Tony Award-winning musical comedy’s North American tour.

Shucked is currently playing on Broadway at the Nederlander Theatre in New York City. It has received limitless praise from critics and theater fans alike, is currently nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Musical Theater Album.

Shucked features a book by Tony Award winner Robert Horn, a score by Grammy and Tony winners Clark and McAnally and direction by three-time Tony winner Jack O’Brien. The musical comedy hilariously focused on corn proves sometimes tearing down a few walls, rather than growing them, is the only way to preserve our way of life.

Casting for the North American tour has yet to be announced. Tickets for Shucked in Nashville will go on sale at a later date, but seats can be secured by renewing or purchasing a Broadway at TPAC season ticket package in advance. Visit TPAC.ORG/Shucked for details.

Shucked is produced by Mike Bosner, Jason Owen, AEG Presents/Jay Marciano/Gary Gersh, Jeffrey A. Sine, Richard Smith, Silvia Schmid, Bob Boyett, Jeremiah J. Harris, James L. Nederlander, EST/Emily Tisch, Sony Music Entertainment, DudaAllen, David W. Busch, Karen Fairchild, Horipro Inc., Gordon-Helfner, John Gore Organization, Madison Wells Live, S&Co., Terry Schnuck, Jimi Westbrook and ZKM Media.

The Grammy-nominated album, Shucked – Original Broadway Cast Recording, is available on all streaming platforms and CD. The album is produced by McAnally and Clark alongside Jason Howland and Billy Jay Stein.

Nashville Artists Unite For Tornado Relief Benefit Concert This Sunday

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Following the devastation from last Saturday’s tornadoes in Middle Tennessee that took six lives and damaged the properties of thousands, Nashville artists will come together for a benefit concert this Sunday (Dec. 17) at Exit/In.

“Unplugged For Tennessee” will feature performances from Hardy, Nate Smith, Alana Springsteen, Dylan Marlowe, Chayce Beckham, Abby Anderson, Trey Lewis, Graham Barham, Payton Smith, Jay Allen and other surprise guests. The event is being produced by Media Farm Agency, the management team behind the @NashvilleTN Instagram, and will be hosted by country music personality and industry member Benji Chord.

Tickets are on sale now. 100% of the net proceeds from “Unplugged For Tennessee” will benefit Hands On Nashville and The American Red Cross – Tennessee Region.

“Nashville always seems to find a way to heal and come together after a tragedy,” says Matt Wilson, Founder of Media Farm Agency. “And music is a universal part of the healing process in our city. This benefit came together extremely fast, thanks to the help of our team and our great friends that wanted to make a difference in the lives of those impacted by the storm. We are so thankful for the artists who volunteered so quickly to help and donate their time and talent for such a worthy cause.”

Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan To Headline 2024 GoldenSky Festival

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Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett and Luke Bryan are the headliners on tap for the GoldenSky Country Music Festival at Discovery Park in Sacramento, California Oct. 18-20.

The 2024 lineup also includes Bailey Zimmerman, Riley Green, Turnpike Troubadours, Ashley McBryde, Elle King, Clint Black, Gabby Barrett, Charles Wesley Godwin, Paul Cauthen, LoCash, Shane Smith & The Saints, Hailey Whitters, Colbie Caillat, Larry Fleet, Conner Smith, Sam Barber, Hunter Hayes, Deana Carter, Chayce Beckham, David Nail, George Birge, Travis Denning, Carter Faith, Kylie Morgan, RVSHVD, Hannah Ellis, Tanner Adell, Logan Crosby, Lecade, Madeline Merlo, plus one local opener each day.

A third day has been added due to overwhelming demand. In addition to the three days of music, the festival will also consist of the GoldenSky Beer Festival, River City Saloon & Dance Hall, Sacramento farm-to-fork food offerings, local artisans, official festival pre- and post-parties and more.

Passes go on sale tomorrow (Dec. 15), and an exclusive GoldenSky presale for festival email and SMS subscribers began yesterday (Dec. 13). For more information, click here.

“The initial two years of GoldenSky have been truly exceptional, from the incredible artists who graced our stage to the warm embrace of Northern California fans,” says Chamie McCurry, Chief Marketing Officer at Danny Wimmer Presents. “We are thrilled to announce our expansion to a three-day event as we approach our third year and are excited to introduce Luke Bryan, Thomas Rhett and Keith Urban to the GoldenSky family!”

CMA Names 2024 Board Of Directors

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The Country Music Association has named their 2024 Board of Directors.

New board members include John Zarling (615 Leverage + Strategy), Brent Daughrity (Gallagher), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Rachel Whitney (Spotify), Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Amazon Music), Mike Harris (UMG Nashville), Annie Ortmeier (Triple Tigers Records), Austin Neal (The Neal Agency), Jeffrey Hasson (UTA), Adam Weiser (AEG Presents), Deana Ivey (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp) and Stephen Parker (National Independent Venue Association).

The 2024 CMA Board Officers are Kella Farris (Farris Self & Moore, LLC), Jay Williams (WME), Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing) and Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Music Nashville). Farris will serve as Chairman, Williams will serve as President-Elect, Smythe will serve as President and Vaughn will serve as Secretary/Treasurer.

CMA 2024 Board of Directors
Officers:
Chairman: Kella Farris (Farris Self & Moore, LLC)
President-Elect: Jay Williams (WME)
President: Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing)
Secretary/Treasurer: Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Music Nashville)

Elected Directors:
Rhett Akins (Songwriter)
David Crow (Milom Crow Kelly Beckett Shehan PLC)
Karen Fairchild (Little Big Town)
Kella Farris (Farris, Self and Moore LLC)
Jenee Fleenor (Musician)
David Haskell (Gateway Studios and Production Services)
Mary Hilliard Harrington (Red Light Management/Wild Heart)
Kurt Johnson (Townsquare Media)
Curt Jenkins (Pink Dog Productions)
Chris Kappy (Make Wake Artists)
Chris Lisle (CLLD, LLC)
Katie McCartney (Monument Records)
Anna-Sophie Mertens (Live Nation UK)
Austin Neal (The Neal Agency)
TJ Osborne (Brothers Osborne)
Tim Roberts (Audacy)
Ken Robold (Sony Music Nashville)
Dan Rogers (Grand Ole Opry)
Brittany Schaffer (Belmont University)
Josh Van Valkenburg (Sony Music Publishing)
Ben Vaughn (Warner Chappell Music Nashville)
Wes Vause (Press On Publicity)
Stacy Vee (Goldenvoice)
Natalie Waller (ABC Music)
Candice Watkins (Big Loud Records)
Sally Williams (Live Nation Nashville)
Charlie Worsham (Musician)
John Zarling (615 Leverage + Strategy)

Directors At Large:
Jim Beavers (Songwriter)
Lindsay Bertelli (REACH)
Steve Blatter (SiriusXM)
Scott Borchetta (Big Machine Label Group)
Becky Brenner (Albright & O’Malley & Brenner)
Stephen Bryan (YouTube)
Virginia Bunetta (G Major Mgmt)
Terry Calonge (Richards & Southern, Inc.)
Debbie Carroll (Onsite Entertainment)
Jamie Cheek (FBMM)
Warren Copnick (Sony Music Canada)
RJ Curtis (Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc)
Brent Daughrity (Gallagher)
Marc Dennis (CAA)
Kerri Edwards (KP Entertainment)
Lindsay Ell (Artist)
John Esposito (SHW, LLC)
Sina Hall (Semmel Concerts Entertainment)
Mike Harris (UMG Nashville)
Jeffrey Hasson (UTA)
Shannan Hatch (SESAC)
Lon Helton (Country Aircheck)
David Kells (Bridgestone Arena/Nashville Predators)
Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville)
Jonathan Levine (Wasserman Music)
Jay Liepis (Apple Music)
Jon Loba (BMG Nashville)
Charlie Morgan (Apple Music)
Annie Ortmeier (Triple Tigers Records)
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation Nashville)
Chris Parr (Maverick)
Tyne Parrish (The GreenRoom PR)
Rod Phillips (iHeartCountry)
Danny Rader (Musician)
Liz Rose (Songwriter)
Shannon Sanders (BMI Nashville)
Jennie Smythe (Girlilla Marketing)
Michelle Tigard Kammerer (Amazon Music)
Troy Tomlinson (UMPG Nashville)
Troy Vollhoffer (Premier Global Production)
Ed Warm (Joe’s Concerts)
Derek Wells (Spirit Music Nashville)
Adam Weiser (AEG Presents)
Rachel Whitney (Spotify)
Jay Williams (WME)

Ex-Officio:
Jim Free (The Smith-Free Group, LLC)
Deana Ivey (Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp)
Stephen Parker (National Independent Venue Association)
Kyle Young (Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum)

Legal:
R. Horton Frank, III (Watkins & McNeilly)

CRS 2024 Panel To Feature Nashville Label Heads

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In a panel titled “Leadership, Strategy, And Optimizing Country’s Surge In 2024” at the upcoming Country Radio Seminar (CRS), prominent label heads will come together to offer a comprehensive exploration of the current state and the burgeoning moment in the country music industry.

Scheduled for Friday, March 1, the panelists include Randy Goodman (Sony Music Nashville), Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville), Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville), Jon Loba (BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville) and Cindy Mabe (Universal Music Group Nashville). It will be moderated by Sarah Trahern, CEO of the Country Music Association (CMA).

The executives are expected to delve into various facets of the country music landscape, with discussions spanning from artist development to emerging trends. More agenda details for CRS 2024 will be released soon.

Blake Shelton, Morgan Wallen, More Added To ‘New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash’

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More performers have been added to New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash, the special hosted by Elle King and Entertainment Tonight’s Rachel Smith.

Trace Adkins, Grace Bowers, Kane Brown, Jackson Dean, Hardy, Cody Johnson, Parker McCollum, Megan Moroney, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, Carly Pearce, Blake Shelton, Trombone Shorty, Morgan Wallen and Bailey Zimmerman have been added to the star-studded list of performers set to help ring in the New Year on the Music City special.

TV and radio host Cody Alan and CBS anchor Lonnie Quinn will be corresponding from New York City’s Times Square during the show, along with Dustin Lynch, who will also be performing live. The celebration to ring in the new year will air live Dec. 31 on CBS, and stream on Paramount+, and the five-hour broadcast will feature more than 50 back-to-back performances, with Nashville counting down with the east coast at midnight and keeping the party going through midnight CT with the city’s renowned Music Note Drop at the Bicentennial Mall stage.

The special event will feature once-in-a-lifetime collaborations with artists inviting special guests and artist friends to perform together throughout the night, taking on their biggest hits as well as covers of some of the most iconic country music songs of all time. Additional details will be announced in the coming weeks.