Reba McEntire Celebrates ‘Not That Fancy’ With Special Ryman & Opry Appearances

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Reba McEntire during her “Not That Fancy: An Evening With Reba & Friends” event at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for ABA

Reba McEntire celebrated her new New York Times Bestseller Not That Fancy and album of the same name over the weekend with appearances at the Grand Ole Opry and the Ryman Auditorium.

Pictured (L-R): Manager Justin McIntosh, UMG Nashville’s Cindy Mabe and Reba McEntire. Photo: Rachael Black for the Grand Ole Opry

She started off Saturday night (Nov. 4) headlining the Grand Ole Opry, performing songs from the new project. UMG Nashville honored McEntire with a plaque for her hit “Fancy” earning double-Platinum certification and surpassing 400 million streams during the special evening.

Sunday night (Nov. 5), McEntire joined her Reba co-star Melissa Peterman on the Ryman stage for “Not That Fancy: An Evening with Reba & Friends” to talk about the new book. The evening included personal stories, laughs, a special performance and even included a few surprise guests as her boyfriend Rex, son Shelby, friend Marci and siblings Alice and Pake joined her on stage.

McEntire was also honored with a New York Times Bestseller plaque for her book, which also landed on bestseller lists for The Wall Street Journal, USA Today and Publishers Weekly.

Harper Collins honoring Reba McEntire with a New York Times Bestseller plaque. Photo: Ryan Camp

Aaron Eshuis Signs With Concord Music Publishing

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Concord’s Shawn Thompson, Melissa Spillman, Matt Turner, Brad Kennard and Ritholz, Levy, Fields LLP ‘s Chip Petree; (L-R, front row): Aaron Eshuis and Jessica Turri Eshuis. Photo: Audrey Spillman

Songwriter and producer Aaron Eshuis has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Concord Music Publishing. The deal, effective immediately, includes a selection of his existing catalog and all future works.

The Kalamazoo, Michigan native has had cuts by Rascal Flatts, A Thousand Horses, Kameron Marlowe, Corey Kent, Cole Swindell, Kylie Morgan, Meghan Patrick, Mason Ramsey and more. He scored his first No.1 in late 2018 with Scotty McCreery’s “This Is It.”

In addition to songwriting, Eshuis produced Ryan Hurd’s debut album Pelago, which included No. 1 song “Chasing After You,” as well as McCreery’s Seasons Change, which debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart, and his “Damn Strait,” “You Time” and “It Matters To Her.”

“We are thrilled to welcome Aaron to the Concord roster,” says Melissa Spillman, VP of A&R at Concord Music Publishing Nashville. “He has already proven himself a multi-faceted songwriter, and Aaron’s success as a producer in Nashville only adds to the excitement. We look forward to the future!”

“I’m thrilled to be joining up with the team at Concord,” says Eshuis. “These are some of the best people I’ve met in Nashville, and I knew from our first meeting that we could do some great work together.”

David Ray Stevens Enters Top 10 On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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David Ray Stevens moves into the top 10 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week. Stevens, who recently signed a publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music, is a co-writer on Jelly Roll’s rising collaboration with Lainey Wilson, “Save Me.”

Zach Bryan maintains his position at the top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the ninth consecutive week this week, while Ashley Gorley (No. 2), Tracy Chapman (No. 3), Jelly Roll (No. 4) and Chase McGill (No. 5) complete the top five.

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.

Brenda Lee’s ‘Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree’ Celebrates Milestone With New Video

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UMGN CEO and Chair Cindy Mabe Presents RIAA 5x Platinum Plaque to Brenda Lee. Photo: Chris Hollo

Rock and Roll Hall and Country Music Hall of Famer Brenda Lee is celebrating the 65th anniversary of her classic signature holiday hit, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” with a brand new video of the song, out now.

Featuring cameos by Tanya Tucker and Trisha Yearwood, the video shows Lee getting ready for her favorite holiday by trimming the tree and baking cookies, and there is even a special visit by Santa. Released when Lee was just 13 years old, “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” was written by Johnny Marks, who wrote many of the holiday standards. Last year the song was the second-highest streamed Christmas song with 240 million streams, and was recently certified 5x Platinum.

YouTube video

“For those out there who know me and have supported me and my music through the years, I’ve very proud to be putting out the first ever music video for ‘Rockin’.’ This song has been so special to me—I never thought it would be my signature song, but I love that it is because it brings so much joy,” shares Lee. “I remember the day I recorded this wonderful Johnny Marks song, and here we are 65 years later and I’m only here because of you. I won’t ever meet all of you, but I know you are there and have been since I was a little girl—so Thank You and I wish everyone a Merry Christmas!”

A new EP, A Rockin’ Christmas with Brenda Lee, is also out now featuring Lee’s hit “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” and other holiday favorites including “Santa Claus Is Coming To Town,” “Jingle Bell Rock” “A Marshmallow World” and “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree,” reimagined by Filous.

Lee will perform “Rockin’ Around The Christmas Tree” on the upcoming NBC television special Christmas at the Opry, which airs Thursday, Dec. 7 at 8 p.m. ET and streams next day on Peacock.

Lainey Wilson To Launch International Tour In 2024

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Lainey Wilson will embark on her “Lainey Wilson: Live” international tour this coming spring, with dates across Europe and Australia throughout 2024.

The tour kicks off on March 20 in Melbourne, Australia at Margaret Court Arena, making stops in Sydney, Australia; London, England; Amsterdam, Netherlands; Berlin, Germany and more before wrapping on May 3 in Oslo, Norway at Rockefeller Music Hall. Harper O’Neill will join as support in Europe, with Jackson Dean and Kameron Marlowe joining as support in Australia. Tickets will be available starting with the Wild Horses presale beginning tomorrow (Nov. 7) at 10 a.m. Additional presales will run throughout the week ahead of the general sale beginning Friday (Nov. 10) at 10 a.m. local time. For more information, click here.

“There’s no better feeling than putting on a show for a group of folks who have supported from afar for so long,” says Wilson. “I’m so excited to bring the live show overseas next year and perform in some brand-new cities for the first time.”

Already this year, Wilson has won four ACM Awards, two CMT Music Awards, three PCCA Awards, in addition to being honored as Billboard Women In Music’s 2023 Rulebreaker, and the most nominated artist at this year’s CMA Awards, with a record-breaking nine nominations.

Keith Urban, Lady A, Nate Bargatze, More Among 57th Annual CMA Awards Presenters

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The CMA has announced the slate of presenters for Wednesday night’s 57th Annual CMA Awards.

Among those appearing as presenters on this year’s telecast are Paula Abdul; Bill Anderson; Nate Bargatze; Tony award-nominated actor Kevin Cahoon; Jordan Davis; Grammy, Emmy and Tony-winning actress, singer, author and producer Cynthia Erivo; Sara Evans; Brian Kelley; Lady A; Martina McBride; Parker McCollum; Craig Morgan; Darius Rucker; 2023 World Series MVP Corey Seager; “The Golden Bachelor” Gerry Turner; Keith Urban; Hailey Whitters and Chris Young.

Hosted by Luke Bryan and Peyton Manning, The 57th Annual CMA Awards broadcasts live from Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 8 from 7-10 p.m. CT on ABC. It will be available next day on Hulu.

Jackson Dean Slates Headlining ‘Head Full Of Noise Tour’ For January

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Jackson Dean has announced his first headlining trek, the “Head Full Of Noise Tour,” kicking off in January.

The tour, which runs through April and visits Denver, Colorado Springs, Atlanta, Detroit, Cincinnati and more, will feature special guests Dee White, Mae Estes and Grace Tyler. The tour also includes a stop in Nashville on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) at Brooklyn Bowl, and wraps in Portland, Maine on April 13, before he joins Lainey Wilson’s “Country Is Cool Again Tour.”

A road warrior who spent the majority of 2023 on tours with Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Blake Shelton, Jon Pardi and Parker McCollum and performing at major fairs and festivals across the globe, the stage is where Dean thrives.

“I’m really looking forward to this tour, we’re playing some pretty awesome venues with some killer artists,” he shares. “Me and the boys will give you everything we’ve got—hope to see you there.”

Dean’s sophomore single, “Fearless (The Echo),” is currently climbing the top 25 on the country charts after being most added upon impact.

For more information, click here.

Industry Veteran Margie Hunt Passes

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Margie Hunt

Industry veteran Margie Hunt passed away on Sunday, Oct. 22.

Hunt moved to Nashville from New Mexico in 1972 to work with Waylon Jennings and Jessi Colter at Waylon Jennings Enterprises, located in the Glaser Studio building on 18th. Ave. S. Many industry icons such as Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Roger Miller, Tony Joe White, Dobie Gray, Guy Clark, Kinky Friedman, Harlan Howard, Billy Swan and Shel Silverstein referred to the building as their second home. It was there that they built the foundation for the “Outlaw Movement” and the Highwaymen recordings.

In the fall of 1976, Bonnie Garner hired Hunt as her secretary in CBS Records/Sony Music’s A&R department. Working at one of the biggest record companies in Nashville, and guided by Garner, Hunt learned how a major recording facility functioned while working with the biggest names on their roster, including Cash, Nelson, Kristofferson, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Dolly Parton, Marty Robbins, Earl Scruggs Revue, Charlie Daniels, Sonny James, Merle Haggard and more. Over the course of three decades, Hunt worked directly with over 100 artists including the new wave of talent signed to the label, which consisted of Ricky Skaggs, Doug Stone, Collin Raye, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Patty Loveless, Sweethearts of the Rodeo, Montgomery Gentry, Marty Stuart, Ricky Van Shelton, Shenandoah, Exile, Travis Tritt, The Chicks and more.

She worked closely with the newly-signed Ray Charles in 1983. Between 1983-1988, Charles recorded six albums at CBS Records, including Friendship, which featured the hit “Seven Spanish Angels” with Nelson. The track became a country standard, staying on the charts for 27 weeks.

Throughout her tenure at CBS Records/Sony Music, Hunt was promoted five times. In 1994, she created and led the first in-house, full-time Film & Television department. In this position, Hunt was responsible for the utilization and exploitation of more than 60 years of hits and over 50,000 country recordings. At the time, CBS Records was the first label in Music City to actively pursue country catalogs for use in film and television. She placed music in more than 30 major motion pictures and television programs. Hunt was then promoted to Sr. Director, Product Development in 1997, and won two Grammys as a producer and an executive producer.

She later founded Hunt Music Services, and spent time at AWMG Entertainment.

Hunt was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in 2022, which recognizes the “Women Behind The Music.” During the induction ceremony, she received a video message from Stuart in which the country star stated, “Congratulations on this wonderful honor that you so deserve. I remember you so well from back in the CBS days. The thing that stands out to me about you was you had a heart for music and the people who made it.”

Memorial services for Hunt are pending.

CAA’s Nashville Office To Relocate

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Rendering of CAA’s new office

Creative Artists Agency (CAA) has signed an agreement to relocate its Nashville office to the Nashville Yards’ mixed-use district, being developed by Southwest Value Partners and AEG.

Occupying nearly 75,000 square feet across two floors, CAA is scheduled to move into its new space in late 2025. The agency will have exterior crown signage as the anchor tenant in the building, which is being developed in a walkable, urban community with multiple retail and restaurant selections and a 4,500-capacity music and event venue.

“Guided by our colleagues in music, CAA opened our first office in Nashville in 1991, immediately making an impact on Music City that continues today,” says Howard Nuchow, Co-Head, CAA Sports. “With more than 3,400 employees across 25 countries, CAA’s track record of success and growth in the representation of entertainment and sports talent and brands has solidified our leadership position around the world.

“The move to Nashville Yards demonstrates our commitment to Nashville and the Southeast, while providing our employees, clients and guests an inspiring environment that captures the spirit of Nashville, one of the most significant sports and entertainment destinations in the world,” adds Nuchow.

Designed by the award-winning CannonDesign, CAA’s offices will have unique features including tech-enabled, indoor-outdoor workspaces, game and listening lounges, private terraces on each floor, and substantial space devoted to collaboration and connection.

Adjacent to the new state-of-the-art music venue and Amazon Nashville’s two office towers, the creative office building at 955 Church Street that CAA will move into rises above Church Street with large 40,000+ square foot floorplates, soaring ceiling heights, three levels of curated retail, dining and entertainment along with best-in-class private amenities including meeting hubs, entertainment spaces and a large outdoor vegetated deck overlooking Nashville Yards.

CAA’s Nashville operations, currently located in the SunTrust Building next to the Ryman Auditorium and less than a mile from Nashville Yards, includes more than 130 employees across Music Touring, Music Brand Partnerships, Music Marketing, Digital Media, Baseball, Football, Hockey, Coaches, Brand Consulting, Property Sales and CAA ICON, the owner’s representative and strategic management consulting firm, which oversees the development, design and construction of major stadiums worldwide. CAA ICON helped guide the successful building of Nashville SC’s Geodis Park and will provide project development and management services to the Tennessee Titans on the development of its new stadium.

SESAC Celebrates Hits & Heritage

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Jon Nite wins Songwriter of the Year at the 2023 SESAC Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC

The annual SESAC awards kicked off country-music week festivities last night (Nov. 5) with a glamorous reception that honored the performance rights organization’s biggest Nashville songs of 2023.

Kane Brown with SESAC songwriters Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge. Photo: Katie Kauss

Jon Nite was honored as SESAC’s Songwriter of the Year. “Amazing!” he exclaimed. “Thank you guys. I don’t deserve this.” Nite recalled moving to Music City in 1998 with $500 in his pocket. “And now I’m here!” Shannan Hatch, who presented his award, also gave him a commemorative, gleaming, black Gibson J-200 guitar.

Nite was honored for co-writing “You Didn’t,” sung by Brett Young, the Gabby Barrett tune “Pick Me Up” and Tyler Hubbard’s “Dancin’ in the Country.” Hubbard, Barrett, Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley and more saluted the songwriter via video. Sony Music Publishing Nashville, which publishes Nite’s works, was named SESAC’s Publisher of the Year.

Singer Kane Brown was on hand to present SESAC’s Song of the Year award to Christian Stalnecker and Josh Hoge, who co-wrote “Thank God.” Brown recorded the chart-toppling romantic country ballad as a duet with his singing wife Katelyn.

SESAC SVP, Head of Nashville Creative Shannan Hatch; Blanco Brown; Senior Director, Creative Services, Lydia Schultz Cahill. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC

Amid the awards for contemporary songwriting, the program paused to present the SESAC Heritage Award to Albert E. Brumley Music, which has feen affiliated with SESAC for 80 years. Albert E. Brumley (1905-1977) wrote “Turn Your Radio On,” “Rank Strangers to Me,” “I’ll Meet You in the Morning,” “Did You Ever Go Sailing,” “If We Never Meet Again (This Side of Heaven),” “This World Is Not My Home” and “He Set Me Free.” Jamey Johnson dramatically sang Brumley’s most iconic song, “I’ll Fly Away.” Betsy Brumley accepted on behalf of her family.

The other country and Americana songwriters honored were Kelsey Waldon (“Tall and Mighty”), Pete Good & Josh Jenkins (“Y’all Life” sung by Walker Hayes), Casey Brown (Parmalee’s “Girl in Mine”), Justin Ebach (Jon Pardi’s “Your Heart Or Mine”), Henry Brill (“All I Really Wanna Do”), Jim Lauderdale (“That Kind of Life”), Chris LaCorte (Sam Hunt’s “Water Under the Bridge”) and Jared Keim (Dustin Lynch’s “Party Mode”).

Song of the Year co-writer Josh Hoge picked up a second SESAC Award for his work on Kane Brown’s hit “Bury Me in Georgia.” Dillon Carmichael performed a forceful version of “Son of A” before getting his award for it. The first performer of the evening was Megan Moroney, who sang a winsome “Tennessee Orange,” which earned her a SESAC award. The song is a contender for Song of the Year at the CMA Awards. Not present at the gala were Zac Brown & Ben Simonetti, who won for their hit “Out in the Middle.”

Megan Moroney attend the SESAC 2023 Nashville Music Awards. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for SESAC

During the ceremony, Hatch asked veteran tunesmith Rafe Van Hoy to stand in the audience. She then led the attendees in a toast in honor of his induction into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame last month.

Presiding over the gala were SESAC CEO John Josephson and Senior Directors ET Brown and Lydia Schultz Cahill, plus SVP Shannan Hatch. The organization’s event producer, Tim Fink, greeted guests as they arrived at the Country Music Hall of Fame. The museum’s quietly elegant sixth floor event space was the SESAC venue.

More than 400 music-business attendees complimented the room. Sequined gowns were much in evidence, some accented with feathers. Male attire ranged from sport shirts to tuxedos, with smatterings of cowboy couture. Cocktail tables were draped in black with succulents as centerpieces. The stage was embellished with neon darts that changed colors.

The cocktail supper featured beef tenderloin, pulled pork and fried green tomato sliders. Guests also sampled customized mac & cheese, hot chicken tenders, truffled deviled eggs, tuna sushi on cucumber discs, tomato & mozzarella skewers, impossible-burger meatballs, vegges, cheeses, olives and other bites.

Sunday’s SESAC event marked the beginning of four nights of star-studded events in Music City leading up to Wednesday’s CMA Awards show.

2023 SESAC Nashville Awards Honorees:

“THANK GOD”
Written by: Josh Hoge, Christian Stalnecker
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Feels Like Friday, Sony Music Publishing, Chorus 2 Music, RMM 416 Publishing
Recorded by: Kane Brown and Katelyn Brown

“DANCIN’ IN THE COUNTRY”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Tyler Hubbard

“TENNESEE ORANGE”
Written by: Megan Moroney
Published by: Georgiamo, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Megan Moroney

“YOUR HEART OR MINE”
Written by: Justin Ebach
Published by: Phat Racoon, Universal Tunes
Recorded by: Jon Pardi

“YOU DIDN’T”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Brett Young

“PICK ME UP”
Written by: Jon Nite
Published by: Cuts Like A Nite Music, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Gabby Barrett

“GIRL IN MINE”
Written by: Casey Brown
Published by: Track & Feels, Warner Chappell Music, Tape Room Tunes
Recorded by: Parmalee

“WATER UNDER THE BRIDGE”
Written by: Chris LaCorte
Published by: Card Tables Music, Hang Your Hat Hits, Concord Tunes
Recorded by: Sam Hunt

“BURY ME IN GEORGIA”
Written by: Josh Hoge
Published by: Blunts and Bonfires Music, Chorus 2 Music, Sony Music Nashville
Recorded by: Kane Brown

“OUT IN THE MIDDLE”
Written by: Ben Simonetti, Zac Brown
Published by: Simonetti Music Publishing, Day For The Dead Publishing
Recorded by: Zac Brown Band

“Y’ALL LIFE”
Written by: Josh Jenkins, Pete Good
Published by: Follow Me Where I Go, SMACKWORKS Music
Recorded by: Walker Hayes

“SON OF A”
Written by: Dillon Carmichael
Published by: Riser House Tunes, Sony Music Publishing
Recorded by: Dillon Carmichael

“PARTY MODE”
Written by: Jared Keim
Published by: Twelve6 Sequoia, Warner Chappell Music
Recorded by: Dustin Lynch

“CHANGE OF HEART”
Written by: Margo Price, Jeremy Ivey
Published by: Peach Pit, Fisheye, RMM 416 Publishing, Good Songs We Love
Recorded by: Margo Price

“THAT KIND OF LIFE (THAT KIND OF DAY)”
Written by: Jim Lauderdale
Published by: Wudang Mountain Songs, Critter City Music
Recorded by: Jim Lauderdale

“TALL AND MIGHTY”
Written by: Kelsey Waldon
Published by: MyKaintuck Publishing, Do Write Music
Recorded by: Kelsey Waldon

“DON’T LET THE DARKNESS”
Written by: Ed Jurdi
Published by: Three Pisces Music
Recorded by: The Band of Heathens

“ALL I REALLY WANNA DO”
Written by: Henry Brill
Published by: Kobalt Group Publishing
Recorded by: Devon Gilfillian