Pictured (L-R, front row): Ernest, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty, Brenda Lee, Patty Loveless, Mickey Guyton, Hardy; (L-R, back row): CEO of Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, Kyle Young, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Riley Green and Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum Board Chair, Mary Ann McCready. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Keith Urban and Vince Gill returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Dec. 5), to host Urban’s recurring “All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn perform onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The star-studded lineup featured performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Ernest, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Hardy, Old Dominion, The War And Treaty, Trisha Yearwood, Brenda Lee, Brooks & Dunn and Patty Loveless. During the show, artists performed a song that defined a memorable moment in their life, in addition to one of their own songs, and Urban and Gill joined many of the artists onstage throughout the evening.
The night’s performances included Urban on “Wild Hearts,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Theme From the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys),” Gill doing “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away” and “Rocky Mountain Way,” Lee sharing her classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Old Dominion on “Memory Lane” and “Alive,” Hardy doing “Truck Bed” and “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” Yearwood on “The Song Remembers When” and “You’re No Good,” and Brooks & Dunn doing “My Maria” and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” among many more.
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The evening also featured a performance of an original song from the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music, which pairs students with songwriters to teach lyric writing and language arts through music. With the support of professional songwriter Paulina Jayne, Abigail Sowards, a senior from Stewarts Creek High School, performed her song “These Moments” alongside her fellow classmates John Dechira and David Guydon. Sowards is among the more than 8,000 students this year who have participated in the museum’s Words & Music program.
Dylan Gossett Slates ‘No Better Time Tour’ For This Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughTexas singer-songwriter Dylan Gossett is launching his first-ever headlining trek, the “No Better Time Tour,” this spring.
Kicking off on Feb. 26 in Dublin, Ireland, the tour will visit London, England and make stateside stops in Chicago, Washington, D.C., New York, Atlanta and Nashville, among others. Tickets go on sale via Spotify presale today (Dec. 6), and on sale to the public this Friday (Dec. 8). Gossett will also make his first festival appearances at SXSW, Tortuga Music Festival and Two Step Inn in addition to opening for Midland on select dates.
The 24-year-old recently released his debut EP No Better Time, which was written, recorded, produced and mixed by Gossett himself in his bedroom. The EP includes the viral single “Coal,” which has more than 50 million streams to date. The track recently climbed to No. 35 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart and No. 24 on Billboard‘s Country Digital Song Sales chart as well as cracked the top five on Spotify’s Global and US Viral 50 Charts and peaked at No. 14 on the iTunes Country Chart. No Better Time, which debuted at No. 7 on Billboard‘s Heatseekers Albums chart, also features fan favorites “Beneath Oak Trees” and “Flip a Coin.”
Gossett recently announced his signing to Big Loud Texas/Mercury Records, in partnership with Range Media Partners, and his signing to UTA. Additionally, he will support Luke Grimes in his home state tomorrow (Dec. 7) at The Studio at The Factory in Dallas, and on Saturday (Dec. 9) at Emo’s in Austin.
‘All For The Hall’ Benefit Raises More Than $900K For Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, front row): Ernest, Michael Trotter Jr. and Tanya Trotter of The War And Treaty, Brenda Lee, Patty Loveless, Mickey Guyton, Hardy; (L-R, back row): CEO of Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum, Kyle Young, Matthew Ramsey, Geoff Sprung, Trevor Rosen and Brad Tursi of Old Dominion, Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Keith Urban, Kelsea Ballerini, Riley Green and Country Music Hall Of Fame and Museum Board Chair, Mary Ann McCready. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Keith Urban and Vince Gill returned to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena last night (Dec. 5), to host Urban’s recurring “All For The Hall” benefit concert for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn of Brooks and Dunn perform onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The star-studded lineup featured performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Ernest, Riley Green, Mickey Guyton, Hardy, Old Dominion, The War And Treaty, Trisha Yearwood, Brenda Lee, Brooks & Dunn and Patty Loveless. During the show, artists performed a song that defined a memorable moment in their life, in addition to one of their own songs, and Urban and Gill joined many of the artists onstage throughout the evening.
The night’s performances included Urban on “Wild Hearts,” “Blue Ain’t Your Color” and “Theme From the Dukes of Hazzard (Good Ol’ Boys),” Gill doing “Don’t Let Our Love Start Slippin’ Away” and “Rocky Mountain Way,” Lee sharing her classic “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” Old Dominion on “Memory Lane” and “Alive,” Hardy doing “Truck Bed” and “It’s a Great Day to Be Alive,” Yearwood on “The Song Remembers When” and “You’re No Good,” and Brooks & Dunn doing “My Maria” and “I Ain’t Living Long Like This,” among many more.
Kelsea Ballerini performs onstage for “All For The Hall.” Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
The evening also featured a performance of an original song from the museum’s flagship education program, Words & Music, which pairs students with songwriters to teach lyric writing and language arts through music. With the support of professional songwriter Paulina Jayne, Abigail Sowards, a senior from Stewarts Creek High School, performed her song “These Moments” alongside her fellow classmates John Dechira and David Guydon. Sowards is among the more than 8,000 students this year who have participated in the museum’s Words & Music program.
Spirit Music Nashville & 2 Mix Music Sign Justin Richards
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R, back row): Andy Hodges (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville), Mike Fiorentino (Director of A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville), AJ Burton (Vice President, Spirit Music Nashville/Fluid Music Revolution), Matthew Beckett (Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan) and Liesl Eschbach (Milom, Horsnell, Crow, Kelley, Beckett, Shehan); (L-R, front row): Kara Jackson (Senior Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville), Kennedy Murphy (Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville), Justin Richards, Derek Wells (Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix Music) and Frank Rogers (Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville). Photo: Courtesy of Spirit Music Group
Spirit Music Nashville and 2 Mix Music have signed songwriter and producer Justin Richards to a worldwide publishing deal.
The Chico, California native moved to Nashville in 2011. Writing and performing in rock bands such as Brighten and A Rocket To The Moon, Richards decided to pursue a career in country music. He has played guitar for Dan + Shay since the duo formed in 2012.
“I couldn’t be more excited to work with Justin! He’s an incredibly talented lyricist and musician with a refreshing drive to succeed in the songwriting world. Justin has hit the ground running. He can truly do it all and I can’t wait for what the future holds for him,” says Kennedy Murphy, Creative Coordinator, Spirit Music Nashville.
“I’ve been a fan of Justin for many years now and I’m thrilled that things have aligned for us to partner in this way. He’s just an all-round special writer, musician, singer and a great human being,” comments Derek Wells, Vice President, A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville/2Mix Music. “This is gonna be a lot of fun!”
“The family we have at Spirit goes way beyond just a publisher/writer relationship. The support and love we have for each other is mirrored on and off the field,” shares Richards. “We have all worked so hard to be here and it feels good to finally have a home. Very excited for the future!”
HarbourView Equity Partners Expands Credit Facility, Welcomes New Partners
/by LB CantrellHarbourView Equity Partners, the asset management firm that has invested in catalogs from Kane Brown, Brad Paisley, Lady A and more, has amended its senior secured credit facility led by Fifth Third Bank, allowing the firm to increase its capacity by $100 million.
HarbourView’s credit capacity is now $300 million, which the firm plans to use to continue acquiring music royalty assets and for general corporate purposes. Other recent investments from HarbourView include Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo, Christine McVie, Wiz Khalifa and Nelly.
Additionally, three new financing partners have also added to the syndicate including Bank of America as a new joint lead arranger. Barclays and First Bank & Trust Company were also added, joining existing lenders California Bank & Trust, MUFG Bank, Regions Bank and BankUnited. Fifth Third Bank remains lead arranger, sole bookrunner and administrative agent.
“HarbourView remains committed to providing the best execution for our growing LP base, against a relatively challenging market environment. We are thankful to both our new and existing financing partners for their commitment to HarbourView’s success,” says HarbourView Head of Capital Markets Carlos Cruz.
“As capital conditions evolve, we are grateful for the continued support of our banking partners who have helped support HarbourView’s tremendous growth since inception,” says HarbourView CEO & Founder Sherrese Clarke Soares.
Darius Rucker Recognized With Star On The Hollywood Walk Of Fame
/by Liza AndersonDarius Rucker with his Hollywood Walk of Fame star. Photo: Imagery By Oscar/HCC
Multi-Platinum artist Darius Rucker was recognized with a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame yesterday (Dec. 4).
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Zurrell (Sr. Vice Chair, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce) Mike Dungan (Former UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO), Darius Rucker, Kit Hoover (Access Hollywood & Access Daily with Mario + Kit Co-Host) and Steve Nissen (President & CEO, Hollywood Chamber of Commerce). Photo: Imagery by Oscar/HCC
After he was introduced by former UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan, Rucker shared, “This is stuff you don’t even dream about when you’re from South Carolina…all I ever wanted was to be a singer, but you never dream that this stuff is going to happen.”
The Charleston native first entered the music world as the lead singer and rhythm guitarist for Grammy-winning band Hootie & the Blowfish. He has continued to succeed with the group as well as on his own as a solo act with 10 No. 1 singles at country radio and numerous RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications, among other accolades.
In October, Rucker was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame and released his first solo album in six years, Carolyn’s Boy. He was also presented with the 2023 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award, which goes to an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy.
Rucker has raised more than $3.6 million for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital through his annual “Darius & Friends” benefit, and has advocated for over 200 charitable causes supporting public education and junior golf programs in South Carolina through the Hootie & the Blowfish Foundation while also serving as a National Chair for the National Museum of African American Music (NMAAM) in Nashville.
Bob Squance & Michael Thomas Partner With CTM To Launch Withrow Street Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Withrow Street Music’s Bob Squance, CTM’s Jitze de Raaff, Withrow Street Music’s Michael Thomas, CTM’s André de Raaff, CTM’s Thomas Deelder
Bob Squance and Michael Thomas have launched a new publishing company, Withrow Street Music, in a joint venture with global independent company CTM Publishing.
Squance, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, recently joined the team as Creative Director at Lady Luck Songs. His previous experience includes positions at Round Hill Music, Big Yellow Dog Music and Ten Ten Music Group. The list of songwriters Squance has worked with through the years includes Meghan Trainor, Ashley Gorley, Zach Crowell, Josh Kear, Valerie Broussard, Daniel Tashian, Renee Blair and Kevin Griffin.
Thomas has spent the last decade in the entertainment industry, beginning as an actor and musician before moving behind the camera. This experience led to Thomas being asked to manage a select group of artists and writers through his company, Stable Mgmt.
“Michael and I are incredibly excited to partner with CTM in this exciting new venture,” says Squance. “Their success speaks for itself and we look forward to serving and expanding the music community together.”
“Our mission is to cultivate and foster a creative atmosphere backed by global resources,” adds Thomas. “Bob’s experience and reputation coupled with CTM’s knowledge and track record give us a unique opportunity to offer something truly different and beneficial for our writers.”
CTM publishing has headquarters in The Netherlands and international offices in Nashville, London, Miami and Brussels. The company represents world famous writers and catalogs and is active as a record label and a TV and Film producer. CTM is owned by André de Raaff and Jitze de Raaff.
Squance and Thomas can be reached at bob.squance@withrowstreetmusic.com and michael.thomas@withrowstreetmusic.com.
Jelly Roll & Lainey Wilson’s ‘Save Me’ Tops The Country Charts
/by Lorie HollabaughJelly Roll & Lainey Wilson
Jelly Roll and Lainey Wilson are putting the bow on a monumental year of career highs with their hit “Save Me,” which has reached No. 1 on the Billboard and Country Aircheck/Mediabase charts.
The monster collaboration flew up the charts, marking Jelly Roll’s third consecutive chart-topping single in 2023 with “Son Of A Sinner” reaching that position in January, followed by “Need A Favor” in August. Written by Jelly (Jason DeFord), “Save Me” was released as part of his debut country album, Whitsitt Chapel.
The track marks Wilson’s sixth chart-topper and, with just a six-week gap since she last peaked at No.1 with “Watermelon Moonshine,” she now holds the Billboard chart history record for the shortest break between No. 1 singles by a female country artist.
2023 has been a career-defining year for both singer-songwriters as they each recently earned two Grammy nominations, including a joint nomination for the smash single in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category. In the general categories, Jelly Roll earned a Best New Artist nomination and Wilson’s Bell Bottom Country landed a nomination for Best Country Album.
Jelly is rolling right into the new year after earning a 2023 CMA Award for Best New Artist of the Year, recently wrapping his sold-out, 44-city “Backroad Baptism Tour” and celebrating multi-format success with “Need A Favor.” He’s currently spearheading Nashville’s largest toy drive through Dec. 15 with donation bins located at eight Walmart locations around the metro area.
Wilson has won five CMA Awards including the top honor of Entertainer of the Year, four ACM Awards, two CMT Music Awards, three People’s Choice Country Awards, completed a sold-out headlining tour and made her Red Rocks Amphitheatre and Lollapalooza debut. Fans can catch her closing out Hardy’s “The Mockingbird & The Crow Tour” and at her four sold-out “Wildflowers and Wild Horses” shows at NFR this month before she embarks on the “Country’s Cool Again Tour” and the “Lainey Wilson: Live” international tour in 2024.
Gunnar Latham Signs With Bob Doyle & Associates
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, back row): Bob Doyle & Associates’ Kane Wayne and Patrick Belinson; (L-R, middle row): Major Bob’s Graham Kotham, Gunnar Latham and Bob Doyle & Associates/Major Bob’s Bob Doyle; (L-R, front row): Bob Doyle & Associates’ Michael Doyle and Major Bob’s Andy Friday. Photo: PESCA Media
Gunnar Latham has signed with Bob Doyle & Associates for management.
A former rodeo cowboy, Latham was born on a ranch outside of San Marcos, Texas where his dad, a bull-riding Southern Baptist minister, influenced his love for both music and the cowboy lifestyle at an early age. He took up rodeo, and as a standout team roper and steer-wrestler, he earned a scholarship to Sul Ross State University, where he competed nationally for over four years and earned his permit card at age 21. The broken bones, broken hearts and broken dreams experienced on the circuit eventually led him back to his true passion—music making and storytelling.
It was during his formative years in his father’s church that Latham developed his love for music. He learned piano, guitar, drums and sang in the church choir. In late 2019, Latham felt called to leave rodeo behind and spent 2020 focusing all of his attention and energy to developing his craft as a songwriter, singer and musician. His influences span from George Strait to the innovative beats of Mac Miller, reflecting a blend of traditional and modern sounds.
“As an entertainer, Gunnar got our attention quickly,” says Bob Doyle & Associates’ Michael Doyle. “Working in Texas has given him the opportunity to grow and carve out a show that is exciting and fun to see. We are honored to be a part of his journey.”
Corey Kent Slates New Stripped-Down Project For Late December
/by Lorie HollabaughCorey Kent. Photo: Dayna White
Corey Kent is giving fans a belated Christmas gift with his new, one-take, stripped-down project, ’23, out Dec. 28.
Kent released a track from the album, “Southeast Oklahoma Pines,” on Friday (Dec. 1). The song serves as a love letter that pays homage to his hometown of Broken Bow, Oklahoma. Telling the tales of generations and expressing the comfort in returning home, Kent is reminded that even when life seems to be against him, nothing can get to him when he’s surrounded by the Oklahoma pines. The fan-driven ’23 will also feature the highly personal song about Kent’s wife, “You Know.”
“’23. No producer. No band. Just a man, his guitar, and wooden chair in a studio down the road from his home in Texas,” says Kent about the project. “Nothing to hide behind. Just one shot at a raw performance. Imperfections and all. A collection of nine songs for the fans that brought him this far. A thank you to those who believed before anyone else. This is ’23.”
Earlier this year, Kent released his major label debut album, Blacktop. The project features his Platinum No. 1 single “Wild As Her,” which has amassed nearly 400 million on-demand streams and helped garner a nomination for Breakthrough Male Video of the Year at the 2023 CMT Awards, as well as a People’s Country Choice Award nomination for New Artist of 2023. The follow up single, “Something’s Gonna Kill Me” is currently shooting up the radio charts and has nearly 70 million on-demand streams.
Kent was recently named part of MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Class of 2024. He will kick off 2024 in the UK on shows with Ashley McBryde before joining Parker McCollum for 39 dates in the states beginning in February.
‘23 Tracklist:
1. Southeast Oklahoma Pines
2. Love Someone Else
3. Drown ‘Em
4. You Know
5. Highways
6. Start a Fire
7. Don’t Tell Her I Told You
8. Boys Growing Up
9. Hits Like a Girl
Weekly Register: Taylor Swift Scales The Country Albums Chart
/by Liza AndersonTaylor Swift. Photo: Beth Garrabrant
Taylor Swift scales the country albums chart this week, according to Luminate data, as Speak Now (Taylor’s Version) ascends to No. 2 with 46K in total consumption (28K album only/23 million song streams) and Red (Taylor’s Version) rises to No. 4 with 35K (18K album only/22 million song streams).
After two weeks, Morgan Wallen‘s One Thing At Time returns to the top with 63K (4.7K album only/75 million song streams). Elsewhere on the chart, Zach Bryan‘s self-titled project stays at No. 3 with 40K (4.8K album only/46 million song streams), and Wallen’s Dangerous: The Double Album holds No. 5 with 33K (741 album only/41 million song streams).
On the country streaming songs chart, the top songs remain the same, as Bryan and Kacey Musgraves‘ “I Remember Everything” dominates at No. 1 with 16 million new streams, adding to 309 million ATD. Wallen’s “Last Night” rests at No. 2 with 11 million streams, adding to 1.065 billion ATD, followed by Bryan’s “Something In The Orange” at No. 3 with 11 million new streams, adding to 1.092 billion ATD. Wallen’s “Thinkin’ Bout Me” takes No. 4 again with nine million streams, adding 493 million ATD, and Luke Combs‘ cover of “Fast Car” continues at No. 5 with 7.5 million new streams, adding to 529 million ATD.