Music Biz 2024 To Take Place May 13-16

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The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has announced that the Music Biz 2024 conference will take place May 13-16 at the JW Marriott Nashville.

The 2023 conference brought together over 2,100 attendees from more than 800 companies across 30 countries to hear expert viewpoints on the latest trends and technology, seek out new business partnerships and celebrate those who are innovating the ways the industry operates.

Registration rates remain the same as 2023 for in-person ticket holders. Music Biz has also open discounted hotel registrations at the JW Marriott Nashville for $299 per night.

There is a limited number of meeting rooms and suite options for companies looking to host private conversations with their partners or showcases on-site during the conference. Companies interest in booking can contact Jessicca Garcia, Music Biz Events Manager, at jessicca.garcia@musicbiz.org.

In 2024, Music Biz will continue to source the educational program from industry professionals, as the association determines the program tracks and conversations most relevant to the industry in the coming months. The Call for Presentations will begin early next month and wrap on Friday, Dec. 8. Full criteria and submission forms for this year’s process will be announced soon.

For more Music Biz 2024 information, click here.

Amy Grant To Release Vault Project ‘Lead Me On Live 1989’

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Amy Grant is releasing a new 18-track project, Lead Me On Live 1989, on Oct. 6 featuring unreleased songs from the Fort Worth, Texas stop of her “Lead Me On Tour” in 1989.

The album was originally recorded during the tour and also includes a few songs from the 20th anniversary edition of the original Lead Me On album.

Pulled from the vault 34 years later, this is the first time fans will have the opportunity to experience all the songs from Grant’s biggest tour up to that point in her career. Prior to her global pop-star success with Heart In Motion, 1988-1989 was a time of incredible audience growth for Grant, and found her pulling out all the stops for an unparalleled experience.

“When I first heard the recordings from 1989 from the ‘Lead Me On Tour,’ the thing that bowled me over was just what a talented band I had on the road,” says Grant. “I have loved every band configuration I’ve ever had on the road and all are so special to me, but there was something unique about that group of players and singers during the ‘Lead Me On Tour.’

“First of all, there were so many of us on the stage and so many types of instrumentation like harmonica solos, flute solos, saxophone, mandolins, lots of keyboards and stacks of vocals, it just felt like one big family reunion every night.  The size and scope of the production and the big experience we were trying to create also made this tour very special. The energy of the crowd felt like an infinite number eight with energy coming from us on stage, it circling through the audience and then coming back to us and it brought back so many amazing memories.  I’m so grateful we captured that moment in time.”

Lead Me On Live 1989 will be available digitally as well as on a two-CD collection. iTunes will have the album for pre-ale with track “Wait For The Healing” available, starting Sept. 15.  All-new merch, fan packs and bundles for the project will also be available. Additionally, the salvageable film footage from the 1989 Fort Worth show that has been “in the vault” will finally see the light of day on YouTube and social media platforms in the forms of music videos, shorts, reels and more. For more information, click here.

This fall, Grant will hit the road starting Sept. 20 performing her hits along with selections from the Lead Me On Live 1989 project. On Nov. 26, Grant and her long-time friend and collaborator Michael W. Smith will begin their “2023 Christmas Tour.”

Lead Me On Live 1989 Track Listing:
1. “Love Of Another Kind”
2. “Wait For The Healing”
3. “Shadows”
4. “Everywhere I Go”
5. “All Right”
6. “Saved By Love”
7. “1974”
8. “Stay For A While”
9. “Emmanuel”
10. “El Shaddai”
11. “Lead Me On”
12. “Find A Way”
13. “Band Intros”
14. “I Love You”
15. “Wise Up”
16. “Fight”
17. “Angels”
18. “Say Once More”

George Strait & Chris Stapleton Extend Stadium Shows Into 2024

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George Strait and Chris Stapleton are extending their run of stadium shows into 2024 with nine new dates. Little Big Town will join them for the extended run of one-off stadium dates next year.

In addition to summer shows in Indianapolis, Jacksonville, Ames, Charlotte, East Rutherford, Salt Lake City, Detroit and Chicago, Strait will also supersize his longstanding “Strait to Vegas” show with a December date at Las Vegas’ Allegiant Stadium to mark the 37th installment of the engagement.

Tickets to all shows except Jacksonville will be available Sept. 22. Tickets to the Jacksonville show go on sale Oct. 20. American Express Card Members can purchase tickets before the general public Sept. 15-21. For more information, click here.

“I’ve always said we have the best fans in the world, and to see so many of them show up for these shows just makes us want to keep bringing them more,” shares Strait. “I’ve also missed performing in Las Vegas during NFR, so I’m happy to see that show come together in 2024. See you soon!”

George Strait & Chris Stapleton 2024 Stadium Shows:
May 4 – Indianapolis, Ind.  ||  Lucas Oil Stadium
May 11 – Jacksonville, Fla.  ||  EverBank Stadium
May 25 – Ames, Iowa  ||  Jack Trice Stadium
June 1 – Charlotte, N.C.  ||  Bank of America Stadium
June 8 – East Rutherford, N.J.  ||  MetLife Stadium
June 29 – Salt Lake City, Utah  ||  Rice Eccles Stadium
July 13 – Detroit, Mich.  ||  Ford Field
July 20 – Chicago, Ill.  ||  Soldier Field
Dec. 7 – Las Vegas, Nev.  ||  Allegiant Stadium

SMACKSongs Promotes Lee Krabel To Sr. VP Of Publishing

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Lee Krabel. Photo: Lance Wilson

SMACKSongs has promoted Lee Krabel to Senior Vice President of Publishing, effective immediately.

Since joining the company in 2016 as Creative Director, Krabel has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s creative direction and fostering an environment where songwriters can thrive over the years.

At SMACK, Krabel runs point on an array of talented songwriters, including Josh Jenkins, Ross Copperman, Scott Stepakoff, Tigirlily Gold, McCoy Moore and Clara Park. In his new role, he will continue to oversee SMACK’s entire roster of songwriters, manage the creative staff, book writing sessions, pitch songs, and identify and sign new and promising writers.

“This is well deserved! Lee has been a huge part of the success of SMACK for the past 7 years and helped grow the team to what it is today,” says SMACK President, Robert Carlton. “I’m excited to see what this next chapter has in store. With Lee here, I know our writers will always be in good hands.”

Krabel shares, “The writers and staff at SMACK continue to build one of the best independent publishers in the world. I’m very thankful that Shane [McAnally], Robin [Palmer] and Robert continue to believe in me to be a part of this great team. It feels like we are just getting started and I can’t wait to see where SMACK grows from here.”

Congratulate Krabel at lee@smacksongs.com.

Kelsea Ballerini To Headline Homecoming Arena Show In Knoxville

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Kelsea Ballerini is heading back home to East Tennessee for a one-night-only concert, “The Homecoming Show,” on Nov. 2 at Thompson-Boling Arena in Knoxville.

Ingrid Andress and Georgia Webster will serve as support for the special date, which will be Ballerini’s first headlining arena show and a bucket list moment for the entertainer.

“Throughout the last decade and four albums, there has been a consistent ode to my hometown. Whether it be lyrically like in ‘Half of My Hometown’ or celebrating milestone moments in venues like my high school, the Tennessee Theater or the Civic Center, it’s always been incredibly important to me to go back to the place that let me go to chase my dream. Playing Thompson-Boling has been on my bucket list since I was a little kid watching my favorite musicians come through town and is the perfect place to celebrate such a bookmark year and kick off a new level of touring,” says Ballerini.

Tickets go on sale to her fan club on tomorrow (Sept. 13), and general sales start on Friday (Sept. 15). For more information, click here.

Her latest single “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” is currently in the top 15 at country radio and climbing, and she’s set to to perform “Penthouse (Healed Version)” at MTV’s Video Music Awards.

Seth Alley Re-ups With Endurance Music Group

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Pictured (L-R): EMG’s President Michael Martin and Senior Creative Director Lauren Funk, Alley’s son Malcolm, Seth Alley, EMG’s Senior Vice President Mark Ahlberg and Creative Director Courtney Kruckeberg

Songwriter and producer Seth Alley has renewed his exclusive publishing deal with Endurance Music Group.

A native of Sparta, Tennessee, Alley moved to Nashville in 2011 to further his emerging career as a country artist, signing his first record deal in 2013. In the past few years with Endurance, Alley has transitioned into a producer role, working across multiple genres including pop, rock, and country.

Alley has three cuts on country-rocker Nate Smith‘s recent album, Nate Smith (Deluxe), and co-wrote David Morris‘ anthemic hit “Does He Know About Us.” In the pop and sync spaces, Alley is working with Rayelle, Sam Tinnesz, Tina Parol, Matt Bronleewe, and Que Parks. He has had recent cuts with Matt Stell, Skeez, New Medicine, Jake Banfield, and more, and frequently co-writes with Jake Rose, CJ Solar, Heath Warren, James McNair, Nick Wayne, and David J, among others.

Sawyer Brown Announces ‘Get Me To The Stage On Time’ Documentary

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Sawyer Brown. Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media

In honor of Sawyer Brown’s 40th anniversary, the band is releasing Get Me To The Stage On Time, a documentary of how a Nashville outlier changed the country genre by turning 15 minutes of fame into 40 years.

Sawyer Brown blazed a trail with explosive live performances and chart-topping songs in the ’90s with genre-staple hits like “Some Girls Do” (1992), “Thank God for You” (1993), “Step That Step” (1985) and more are synonymous with pushing the group and the genre forward.

Executively produced by Blake Shelton, Get Me To The Stage On Time is a behind-the-scenes look at millions of miles, 24 albums, 6,000 shows and gratitude for the legions of loyal fans, even when Nashville counted them out. Featuring interviews with Shelton, Dolly Parton, Dierks Bentley and more, the documentary tells a David and Goliath story that transcends musical genres.

YouTube video

The documentary will premiere on Sunday, Oct. 1 at the Nashville Film Festival at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee. Following the film’s premiere, Sawyer Brown will perform live on the Franklin Theatre stage with several surprise guests. For more information, click here.

Get Me To The Stage On Time is the first of many announcements–including a Shelton-produced album–to come from the band as they celebrate their 40th anniversary.

Chase Matthew Announces Headline ‘Come Get Your Memory Tour’

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Chase Matthew. Photo: Justin Mayotte

Warner Music Nashville newcomer Chase Matthew has announced an extensive, headline trek for fall and winter, the “Come Get Your Memory Tour.” Kicking off tonight in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania, the tour features over 25 shows through December.

Booked by UTA Nashville, Matthew is known for his rowdy live performances, relatable lyricism and impressive chops, amassing a loyal fanbase of more than two million social followers, racking up more than 600 million global streams to date, and garnering an average of more than 3.1 million monthly listeners on Spotify alone.

On the upcoming journey, fans can expect hits like the breakout, RIAA Gold-certified smash, “County Line,” as well as the headline tour namesake, “Come Get Your Memory” and his debut radio single, “Love You Again.” Currently climbing the country radio charts, this hard-charging anthem is just one of 25 tracks featured on Matthew’s major label debut, Come Get Your Memory, which arrived on June 9.

More “Come Get Your Memory Tour” dates will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information, click here.

35th Annual MusicRow Awards Winners [Full List]

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MusicRow Magazine revealed the winners of the 35th annual MusicRow Awards today (Sept. 12) in a series of videos on all MusicRow online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.

City National Bank is the Presenting Sponsor of the 2023 MusicRow Awards.

Now in its 35th year, the MusicRow Awards are Nashville’s longest running music industry trade publication honors and celebrate the achievements of songwriters, artists, producers, and more. Winners are voted on by MusicRow’s subscribers.

All the MusicRow Award nominees are profiled in the recently released MusicRow Awards print issue.

MusicRow Magazine Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, and respected television host, entertainment journalist, writer and producer, Alecia Davis serve once again as “hosts” on each winner video.

The winners for the 35th annual MusicRow Awards are (winners marked in red):

PRODUCER OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Zach Crowell
Dann Huff
Jay Joyce
Shane McAnally
Joey Moi – WINNER
Alysa Vanderheym

LABEL GROUP OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
BBR Music Group/BMG
Big Loud Records – WINNER
Big Machine Label Group
Sony Music Nashville
UMG Nashville
Warner Music Nashville

TALENT AGENCY OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
CAA
Kinkead Entertainment Agency
The Neal Agency
UTA
Wasserman Music
WME – WINNER

BREAKTHROUGH SONGWRITER [WINNER]
Trannie Anderson – WINNER
Rian Ball
Cameron Bedell
Jimi Bell
Rocky Block
Will Bundy
John Byron
Jamie Davis
Jordan Dozzi
David Fanning
Joe Fox
Jaxson Free
Jacob Hackworth
Jet Harvey
Styles Haury
Tate Howell
Reid Isbell
Gavin Lucas
Austin Shawn
Christian Stalnecker
David Ray Stevens
Heath Warren
Ben Williams

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST-WRITER OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Zach Bryan
Jackson Dean
Megan Moroney
Jelly Roll – WINNER
Nate Smith
Bailey Zimmerman

MALE SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Ross Copperman
Ashley Gorley – WINNER
Chase McGill
Jon Nite
Josh Thompson
Ryan Vojtesak

FEMALE SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Jessi Alexander – WINNER
Trannie Anderson
Kelly Archer
Nicolle Galyon
Hillary Lindsey
Emily Shackelton

SONG OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
“Light On In The Kitchen” – Songwriter(s): Jessi Alexander, Ashley McBryde, Connie Harrington
“Tennessee Orange” – Songwriter(s): Ben Williams, David Fanning, Megan Moroney, Paul Jenkins
“Wait In The Truck” – Songwriter(s): Jordan Schmidt, Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Renee Blair – WINNER
“’98 Braves” – Songwriter(s): John Byron, Josh Miller, Travis Wood
“Memory Lane” – Songwriter(s): Brad Tursi, Jessie Jo Dillon, Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen
“Standing Room Only” – Songwriter(s): Craig Wiseman, Patrick Murphy, Tommy Cecil

DISCOVERY ARTIST OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Ashley Cooke – WINNER
Chapel Hart
Kameron Marlowe
Kylie Morgan
Conner Smith
Warren Zeiders

BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Jackson Dean
Megan Moroney
Jelly Roll – WINNER
Nate Smith
Hailey Whitters
Bailey Zimmerman

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Ashley McBryde
Carly Pearce
Carrie Underwood
Lainey Wilson – WINNER

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Kane Brown
Luke Combs
Jordan Davis
Chris Stapleton
Cole Swindell
Morgan Wallen – WINNER

GROUP/DUO ARTIST OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Brothers Osborne
Little Big Town
Maddie & Tae
Old Dominion – WINNER
Parmalee
The War And Treaty

ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR [VIDEO]
Kane Brown
Eric Church
Luke Combs
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Morgan Wallen – WINNER

MusicRow also honors the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians at the 2023 MusicRow Awards, recognizing the studio players who performed on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart during the eligibility period. The honorees are:

[VIDEO]

Bass
Jimmie Lee Sloas

Drums
Jerry Roe

Engineer
Tie – Drew Bollman & Jim Cooley

Fiddle
Jenee Fleenor

Guitar
Tie – Ilya Toshinskiy & Derek Wells

Keyboards
Dave Cohen

Steel
Justin Schipper

Vocals
Wes Hightower

Zach Bryan Claims No. 1 Spot On MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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With his self-titled album yielding hit after hit, Zach Bryan claims the No. 1 position on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week.

All 16 tracks from Zach Bryan are charting this week, 11 of which are solely written by Bryan.

Ashley Gorley shifts down to No. 2 on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart this week with nine charting songs, followed by Tracy Chapman who maintains her No. 3 spot. Oliver Anthony Music (as Christopher Anthony Lunsford) falls to No. 4 from the chart’s top spot. Jordan Schmidt rounds out the leaders, sitting in the No. 5 position.

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.