The Oak Ridge Boys Honored With Tennessee Music Pathways Marker

/by

Pictured: William Lee Golden, Simone Golden, Richard Sterban and Donna Sterban with the families of Lon “Deacon” Freeman and Wally Fowler at the Tennessee Music Pathways Oak Ridge Boys marker in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. Photo: Jeremy Westby/2911 Media

The Oak Ridge Boys were honored with their own Tennessee Music Pathways marker from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development in Oak Ridge, Tennessee yesterday (Nov. 20).

William Lee Golden and Richard Sterban were in attendance to represent the Oaks at the unveiling along with Tennessee Representative John Reagan, Oak Ridge Mayor Warren Gooch, and family members of former Oak Ridge Boys’ Wally Fowler and Lon “Deacon” Freeman, both original members of the Oak Ridge Quartet. Gooch also presented the group with a key to the city and a proclamation honoring their contributions.

“It was a very special day,” shares Golden. “Being part of this remarkable group is something I never take for granted. Our journey has been uniquely blessed and one that very few have had the opportunity to achieve. I am thankful to Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall and Richard Sterban for their contributions to the Oak Ridge Boys, along with our band and co-workers. A special thank you to Gus Arrendale and Springer Mountain Farms for helping make this day possible!”

“I can’t think of anywhere I would rather have been than at the Grove Theater in Oak Ridge with the kind folks at the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development who worked so hard to design this marker,” expresses Sterban. “The Oak Ridge Boys as a group goes back 80 years to the original members, Wally Fowler, Lon “Deacon” Freeman, Curly Kinsey and Johnny New, and we have never forgotten them or their contributions. It has been a privilege to build on that.”

The Oak Ridge Boys’ Allen (1966), Bonsall (1973), Golden (1965) and Sterban (1972) celebrated their 50th anniversary this year and recently announced their “American Made: Farewell Tour.”

Industry Ink: Morgan Wallen, Jelly Roll, Billy Ray & Firerose Cyrus

/by

Morgan Wallen Gets NSAI’s Songwriter-Artist of the Year Trophy

Pictured (L-R): Seth England (CEO/Co-Founder Big Loud), Bart Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI), Craig Wiseman (Co-Founder Big Loud), Morgan Wallen, Steve Bogard (Board President, NSAI), Jennifer Turnbow (COO, NSAI).

The Nashville Songwriters Associate International (NSAI) stopped by Big Loud during awards week to present Morgan Wallen with his 2023 NSAI Songwriter-Artist of the Year award that he earned at the organization’s Nashville Songwriter Awards in September.

That same evening, Wallen was recognized as BMI’s Songwriter of the Year, an honor shared with Luke Combs.

 

Jelly Roll Performs at Nashville Bourbon Auction

Jelly Roll. Photo: Matt Dubis

Last week, CMA’s New Artist of the Year and recent Grammy nominee Jelly Roll performed at the third annual Nashville Bourbon Auction. The event raised more than $300,000 to benefit the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and the youth development and mentoring program Impact Youth Outreach.

“The nonprofit Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is honored to be a beneficiary of the Nashville Bourbon Auction and grateful to AllianceBernstein for creating this opportunity,” said Lisa Purcell, the museum’s Executive Vice President of External Affairs, in a statement prior to the auction. “We’re pleased that Jelly Roll will be performing, knowing his music inspires empathy and builds community, much like the Museum education programs the event will support.”

In 2023, the Museum will serve more than 200,000 students of all ages through more than 1,200 programs—the majority at no cost.

 

Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose Cyrus Sign with Buchwald for Global Representation

Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose Cyrus. Photo: Derrek Kupish

Buchwald has signed Grammy-winner Billy Ray Cyrus and Firerose Cyrus for worldwide representation in all areas outside of music. Billy Ray and Firerose continue to be managed by Scott Adkins and represented by Nick Meinema‘s Action Entertainment Collaborative for agency representation for live music bookings.

The singers, who tied the knot in October, climbed to No. 16 on both Mediabase’s Adult Contemporary Chart and Billboard‘s Adult Contemporary Chart with their single “Plans.” They recently appeared on The Kelly Clarkson Show and performed together on Good Morning America.

Tim McGraw Surprises Fans This Thanksgiving With New EP

/by

Album Art: Courtesy of Big Machine Records. Photo: Tyler Conrad

Tim McGraw fans will have a little something extra to be thankful for this holiday as the star has dropped a surprise new six-song EP, Poet’s Resumé, via Big Machine Records. A new lyric video for the EP’s focus track “Runnin’ Outta Love” is out now as well.

Produced by Byron Gallimore, the new EP features songs penned by Brad Warren, Brett Warren, Steve Dorff, Lori McKenna, Jeffrey Steele and more. Poet’s Resumé is McGraw’s way of saying thank you to his fans for a big year, which included the release of his 17th studio album Standing Room Only in August, earning honors including the ACM Icon Award and the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI)’s President’s Keystone Award and notching his 47th No. 1 this week with his single “Standing Room Only.”

With this most recent No. 1, McGraw has now amassed 69 top 10 radio hits throughout his career. He extends his Mediabase record for the most weeks at No. 1 with all titles to 74 weeks. In the process, McGraw sets the record for the longest span from first to latest at 29 years and six months, surpassing George Strait.

Poet’s Resumé Tracklist:
“Runnin’ Outta Love” // (Matt McGinn, Lindsay Rimes, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“Hurt People” // (Tom Douglas, Sara Beth Go, Brett Taylor)
“20 For 30” // (Lance Miller, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
“One Bad Habit” // (Marc Beeson, Aaron Eshuis, Tony Lane)
“Been Around A While” // (Steve Dorff, Anthony Smith, Jeffrey Steele)
“Poet’s Resumé” // (Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne, Scott Stepakoff)

ASCAP Nashville Hosts Virtual Workshops

/by

Pictured: (top row) Corey Crowder, Beard Bates, Jahnavi Goldstein; (second row) Miranda Hyman, Craig Lackey, ASCAP Associate Director, Nashville, Duane Hobson; (third row) Talia Sporkin, Hans Halstead. Not pictured: Brooke Malouf, Claudia Mikhail, Tara Jones, David Bradford, Dan Harrison, J. Patrick Lundquist.

The ASCAP Nashville membership team hosted workshops last week for its members.

The annual ASCAP Foundation Country Workshop, in honor of Garth Brooks, took place on Nov. 13 and 14. Designed to support the development and education of up-and-coming songwriters, the two-session, virtual event was led by chart-topping country music songwriter Corey Crowder.

Pictured: (top row) Bea Bradley, Naelee Rae, Brian Payne, Scott Allison; (second row) David Spencer, Mike Geo, Dee Dee Blankenship, Joey Nicholson; (third row) Paula Samson, Kendall Renee, Ellen Hayes, ASCAP AVP, Strategic Services, Nashville’s Kele Currier. Not pictured: Naomie Celestin.

Hailing from Canada to Los Angeles and everywhere in-between, 12 country music songwriters were selected to participate in this unique intensive that focused on the craft of songwriting, song structure, exploring creative collaboration and an overview of the music industry.

The ASCAP Nashville team also hosted the virtual ASCAP Foundation Christian Music Songwriters Workshop on Nov. 13. Now in its 14th year, the workshop brought together 11 up-and-coming Christian music songwriters and was led by 2023 ASCAP Christian Music Song of the Year Award winner, songwriter and producer David Spencer.

The session covered demo production, current songwriting trends on Christian radio, the art of collaboration, and songwriting and production to help take songs to the next level. Each attendee played a song for the group, and Spencer gave insightful feedback on potential revisions for each song.

Lineup Revealed For Tortuga Music Festival 2024

/by

Rock the Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, in partnership with Live Nation, has revealed the lineup for the 11th annual ocean-side event, taking place April 5-7 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

This year’s festival will be headlined by Lainey Wilson, Hardy and Jason Aldean. Other acts performing include Cooper Alan, Kassi Ashton, Black Opry, Priscilla Block, Boyz II Men, Jackson Dean, Dee Jay Silver, Russell Dickerson, DJ Rock, Michael Franti & Spearhead, Charles Wesley Godwin, Brian Kelley, Jon Langston, Long Beach Dub Allstars, Chase Matthew, Ashley McBryde, Bret Michaels, Old Dominion, Parmalee, Shwayze, Red Clay Strays, Teddy Swims, Tigirlily Gold, TLC, Turnpike Troubadours, Koe Wetzel, Wheeland Brothers, Warren Zeiders and Bailey Zimmerman.

The festival will also have a stage dedicated to emerging talent based out of Nashville on the Next From Nashville Stage featuring Sadie Bass, Annie Bosko, The Castellows, Kolby Cooper, Logan Crosby, Hannah Ellis, Dylan Gossett, HunterGirl, Greylan James, Meg McRee, Peytan Porter, Josh Ross, Austin Snell, Stephen Wilson Jr. and Anne Wilson.

Tortuga Music Festival also continues to be a trailblazer in supporting ocean conservation and sustainability since its inception in 2013. In October, the event received the 2023 Bronze Stevie Award for Sustainability Leadership in the U.S. and Canada at the 20th annual International Business Awards. Each year, the festival raises funds and educates the public about the critical environmental issues taking place within the oceans. Fans will be able to explore Rock the Ocean’s Conversation Village while on-site.

Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 1 at 9 a.m. CT. For more information, click here. Hotel packages and VIP experiences can be purchased via Vibee at Vibee.com.

Ashley Gorley Returns To No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

/by

Ashley Gorley at ACM Songs & Stories, Powered by The Bluebird Cafe + NSAI held at the Omni PGA Frisco Resort on May 10, 2023 in Frisco, Texas.

After 10 consecutive weeks at the top, Zach Bryan moves out of the No. 1 spot on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week, switching places with Ashley Gorley.

Gorley is a co-writer on multiple currently charting songs, including Chris Janson’s “All I Need Is You,” Russell Dickerson’s “God Gave Me A Girl,” Dan + Shay’s “Save Me The Trouble,” Hardy’s “Truck Bed,” Chris Young’s “Young Love & Saturday Nights” and Morgan Wallen’s “Everything I Love,” “Last Night” and “Thinkin’ Bout Me.”

Bryan only shifts down to No. 2, with songs such as “I Remember Everything,” “Sarah’s Place,” “Hey Driver” and more charting.

Jelly Roll (Jason DeFord) moves up on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week to No. 3, Chase McGill moves to No. 4 and Chayce Beckham rises to No. 5.

The weekly MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart uses algorithms based upon song activity according to airplay, digital download track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Industry Ink: Heartland, Del McCoury, Casting Crowns, Ashley Ray

/by

Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” Reaches Gold, Platinum Status

Pictured (L-R): Manager, Cole Johnstone, Yellowhammer Music Group’s Will Jones, Heartlands’ Craig Anderson, Mike Myerson, Todd Anderson, Brown Lee Entertainment’s Dewayne Brown and Alabama Music Hall of Fame’s Victoria Mitchell. Photo: Rodney Powell

Heartland recently celebrated Platinum, Gold and streaming certifications for the group’s No. 1 hit “I Loved Her First” with a presentation at the Alabama Music Hall of Fame in Tuscumbia, Alabama. The track was released 18 years ago, and was just recently certified Gold and Platinum by the RIAA.

The plaques were presented to the longtime Alabama residents by Alabama Music Hall of Fame Museum Curator Victoria Mitchell. Heartland currently has an exhibit on display in the Alabama Music Hall of Fame.

The ACM and CMA nominated group recently made its return with core band members, Craig Anderson, Todd Anderson, Mike Myerson and new lead vocalist Lance Horton. “No Tomorrow,” Heartland’s first single in over a decade, was released on Sept. 15 from Yellowhammer Music Group.

 

Grand Ole Opry Tributes Del McCoury With ‘Grand Del Opry 2’

Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Del McCoury, The Del McCoury Band, and Ricky Skaggs on stage immediately following their finale performance on the “Grand Del Opry 2.” Photo: Chris Hollo

The Grand Ole Opry celebrated Opry member and beloved bluegrass music legend Del McCoury in recognition of his two decades of Opry membership recently with a special “Grand Del Opry 2.” The show featured McCoury along with friends including Bill Anderson, Sam Bush, Tyler Childers, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs and The Travelin’ McCourys.

The International Bluegrass Hall of Fame member was inducted into the Opry family on Oct. 25, 2003. The Opry celebrated McCoury in February 2019 on his 80th birthday with the first “Grand Del Opry.” Portions of the “Grand Del Opry 2” show will air as a Saturday night Opry Live in 2024.

 

Casting Crowns Celebrates 20 Years, 15th Gold Single

Casting Crowns and the Provident Entertainement Team

Casting Crowns is celebrating its 20th anniversary as a band this fall, and was recently honored for its 15th Gold single, “Scars In Heaven.” The single is from the band’s last studio project, Healer, that broke global first-day streaming records for a Christian song debut on Amazon Music at the time.

Celebrating their 20th anniversary as a band, the group was also honored by their label, Provident Entertainment, with a special plaque to commemorate the anniversary and more than 13 million albums sold. The group also recently released a legacy album, Lifesongs: A Celebration of the First 20 Years and wrapped the first leg of the “Casting Crowns’ 20th Anniversary Tour: A Live Symphony Experience.” On Nov. 30, the one-night premiere of the band’s documentary, Casting Crowns: Home By Sunday, will be in select theaters nationwide. Home By Sunday shares the stories behind the journey, music and ministry of Casting Crowns.

 

Warner Chappell Hosts Listening Party For Ashley Ray’s Animal

Pictured (L-R): BJ Hill (Warner Chappell), Morgan Mills (CmdShft), Karen Fairchild,
Ashley Ray, Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Warner Chappell)

Ashley Ray celebrated the release of her new album Animal at a listening party hosted by Warner Chappell on Wednesday, Nov. 15.

“I’m so thrilled Animal will be out in the world tomorrow and proud to have created this album with two of my best friends, Sean McConnell and Karen Fairchild. We put my life, grief, dreams, and our fierce support and devotion of women into words as my life was simultaneously falling apart and coming together,” she shared.

Ray has penned songs for Little Big Town, Lori McKenna, Sean McConnell, Ruston Kelly, Caroline Spence, Wade Bowen, Charles Kelly, Brittney Spencer and blues prodigy Christone “Kingfish” Ingram. Alongside friends and fellow artists McConnell and Fairchild, Ray penned Little Big Town’s Grammy-nominated top 40 hit “The Daughters.”

JUST IN: Shanna Strassberg Joins C.A.M.P. 615

/by

Shanna Strassberg

C.A.M.P. 615, the production company formed by award-winning producer/director Robert Deaton alongside Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington and Coran Capshaw, has added Shanna Strassberg as VP of Development & Strategy.

Tasked with overseeing the company’s growth, Strassberg is an Emmy Award-winning executive with 20 years of industry experience and across series, specials, live events and more. She most recently served as VP of Music & Talent at CMT.

“Shanna has spent 25 years in Nashville building a unique and highly impressive resume that spans music, production, talent and strategy—and that’s exactly what we needed as C.A.M.P continues to expand and develop content and programming,” shares Harrington. “Her relationships run deep and her instincts are always dead on. We just have an incredible level of trust with her, and I’m so happy she wasn’t scared to jump into the unknown with us as we build out C.A.M.P.”

“I have worked closely with Mary on a variety of projects and have always valued her vision, incredible work ethic and commitment to being the best she can be in every circumstance. Similarly, I’ve been inspired for years by Robert’s creativity and huge imprint on the entertainment industry,” says Strassberg. “After experiencing four successful and very fulfilling years at CMT, to now join forces with people who have been part of my career for so long, and also trusted friends, feels like the perfect next step.”

C.A.M.P. 615 will have a hand in a wide range of shows including scripted and non-scripted, across areas including sports, comedy and music. The company recently confirmed a multi-year deal with CBS for New Year’s Eve Live: Nashville’s Big Bash. This year’s party will be anchored by Thomas Rhett, Lainey Wilson and Lynyrd Skynyrd on the main stage at Nashville’s Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park. The special will air live on Sun., Dec. 31 at 6:30 p.m. CT on the CBS Television Network, Paramount + (live and on demand for Paramount+ with Showtime subscribers, or on demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the special airs).

Reach Strassberg at shannastrassberg@camp615.com.

Hit Producer & MGM Exec Jim Vienneau Dies At Age 97

/by

Jim Vienneau

Jim Vienneau, whose record productions launched the careers of Hank Williams Jr., Conway Twitty, Mel Tillis and more, has passed away in Nashville at age 97. He was formerly the head of the MGM Records country division and an executive at Acuff-Rose.

A native of Albany, New York, Vienneau was born in 1926 as the son of a salesman and a silent-movie pianist. During World War II, he served in the Navy.

He was the nephew of legendary pioneering country producer and Columbia Records talent scout Frank Walker (1889-1963). Walker discovered dozens, including Bessie Smith and Hank Williams. In 1946, he co-founded MGM Records with Williams and Bob Wills as its flagship country artists.

Mentored by Walker, Vienneau went to work for MGM in New York in 1955. He first made his mark as the producer of such MGM pop hits as Mark Dinning’s “Teen Angel” (1959), Conway Twitty’s “It’s Only Make Believe” (1958), Connie Francis’s “Vacation” (1962), Sheb Wooley’s “The Purple People Eater” (1958) and Roy Orbison’s “Ride Away” (1965).

In 1965, the label transferred him to Nashville to head its country-music division. Between 1965 and 1976, he produced 13 top-10 hits for the young Hank Williams Jr, including “Cajun Baby,” “Pride’s Not Hard to Swallow” and “I’ll Think of Something.” He began producing Tillis in 1970 and their work together resulted in “I Ain’t Never,” “Sawmill,” “Memory Maker’ and 10 other top-10 hits. Vienneau also produced Jeannie C. Riley’s 1972 comeback hit “Give Myself a Party.”

His other MGM artists included Jimmy C. Newman, Marvin Rainwater, Lois Johnson, The Stonemans, Floyd Cramer, Bob Gallion, Ben Colder, Tony Booth, Sherry Bryce and Tompall & The Glaser Brothers. In 1972, Billboard named him its Country Producer of the Year. During the 1970s, MGM launched Marie Osmond (“Paper Roses”), Jim Stafford (“Spiders and Snakes”) and C.W. McCall (“Convoy”) and signed Eddy Arnold, Billy Walker and Jerry Wallace.

MGM Records was sold to PolyGram, which folded the imprint in 1976. Following a brief stint at 20th Century Records, Jim Vienneau joined Acuff-Rose Publishing in 1982. He worked with the firm’s writers Lorrie Morgan, Aaron Tippin and Kenny Chesney, all of whom later became recording stars. He was also involved with the company’s writers Buddy Brock and and Donny Kees.

Over the years, Vienneau produced such artists as Bob Luman, Charlie Walker, Roy Acuff, Melvin Endsley, Donna Fargo, Wayne Newton and Narvel Felts. He retired in 1998.

Jim Vienneau died at his Nashville home on Nov. 9. He is survived by his wife of 71 years, Joan Preston. He is also survived by daughters Nancy Neill, Carole Zeller and Barbara Green; son James; four grandchildren and two great-grandchildren.

A private ceremony will be held at the Middle Tennessee Veterans Cemetery. A celebration of life will be scheduled for a later date. Harpeth Hills Memory Garden & Funeral Home is handling the arrangements.

Melody Place & David Foster Team For New Broadway Production

/by

Pictured (L-R): Melody Place COO, Tony Gottlieb, David Foster, Melody Place President / GM, Sanborn McGraw, Melody Place founder / chairman, Leigh Shockey, MJ Entertainment’s Marc Johnston

Nashville-based artist development firm and record label Melody Place is joining forces with renowned producer, composer and songwriter David Foster to co-produce the Broadway-bound stage production, BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical.

Melody Place will also release the cast album of the new musical, which will premiere at Chicago’s CIBC theatre for a limited five-week engagement, now through Dec. 24, with the premiere on Dec. 6.

Tony-winning director/choreographer Jerry Mitchell (Kinky Boots, Pretty Woman: The Musical, Hairspray) brings the Queen of the Animated Screen to the theater in BOOP! The Betty Boop Musical, with Grammy-winning composer Foster (“I Have Nothing,” “After The Love Is Gone,” “The Prayer”), Tony-nominated lyricist Susan Birkenhead (Working, Jelly’s Last Jam) and Tony-winning book writer Bob Martin (The Drowsy Chaperone, The Prom).

“Getting to be a part of something as international and culturally significant as this show is a perfect scenario for Melody Place” says Sanborn McGraw, Melody Place President / General Manager. “Betty Boop is a beloved icon around the world and with David Foster leading the charge, alongside some of the most respected and talented Broadway creatives of all time, we’re working with a dream team.”

Melody Place also represents artists Sara Evans, Jackie Evancho and Makena Hartlin. The move marks a moment of expansion for the company.