Stephanie Davenport & Rohan Kohli
Warner Music Nashville has appointed Stephanie Davenport and Rohan Kohli as the label’s new Vice Presidents of A&R. They will continue reporting to Cris Lacy, WMN Co-Chair & Co-President.
“Stephanie and Rohan are incredible artist champions who have been the backbone of the A&R department for years,” Lacy says. “Ben [Kline] and I are excited to announce these well-deserved promotions.
“Stephanie has an innate acumen for recognizing and signing unique storytellers whose authenticity becomes the bar by which other artists are measured. She is a driven, inclusive, and strategic leader both within the Warner family, the Nashville community, and the music industry at large,” Lacy adds. “Rohan’s ability to elevate superstar artists and newcomers alike speaks to his expertise in development at all levels of an artist’s career. Guided by his deep multi-genre tastes, he is always on the cutting edge of music that is urgent and important.”
Davenport joined the Warner Music Nashville team as a coordinator in 2011. Now, nearly 12 years later, she has developed a roster comprising some of the most talked-about rising artists in country music, Ian Munsick, Randall King, Madeline Edwards, Austin Snell and more. Davenport started in the industry at William Morris Endeavor (WME) after graduating from Belmont University.
“I am so proud of our entire roster at Warner Music Nashville and am so grateful to the artists, publishers and songwriters who trust us to help bring their amazing music to the world,” Davenport says. “I’m truly blessed to have spent more than a decade working for and with leaders like Cris Lacy and Ben Kline, whose belief in me continues to inspire and push me to be the best A&R I can be for the best artists in country music.”
Kohli began his career at Ozone Entertainment in New York as a manager for bands including Boys Like Girls, Cartel and Hey Monday as well as songwriters/producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz. Kohli moved to Los Angeles and transitioned into full-time writer/producer management before settling in Nashville, where he worked with Andy Albert, Paul DiGiovanni and more. He started in A&R at Warner Music Nashville in 2018, launching Dan + Shay into superstardom and introducing the world to talents such as Bailey Zimmerman, Ingrid Andress and Avery Anna.
“I am beyond thankful to work alongside the best team in the business,” Kohli shares. “I’m grateful to Cris Lacy, Scott Hendricks, Stephanie Davenport and Mason Domke for showing me every day how to lead with heart, knowledge and passion. Thank you to Cris and Ben Kline for their mentorship and the opportunity to continue to grow with Warner Music Nashville. I’m looking forward to many more years of success together.”
Mark Your Calendar—August 2023
/by Liza AndersonSingle/Track Release Dates:
August 4
Avery Anna/Worst In Me/Warner Music Nashville
Kelsey Hart/Country In Business/Curb Records
MaRynn Taylor/Shakin’ In My Boots/Black River Entertainment
Jillian Cardarelli/If I Could Talk to Elvis (feat. Larry Stickland)/JC Music
Caroline Kid/Whiskey Lies
Kasey Tyndall/Dirt Road to Hell
Re Mattei/Ya Got Two Wheels
August 5
Myranda Christi/Take Me Down/MC1 Nashville
August 7
Megan Moroney/I’m Not Pretty/Sony Music Nashville/Columbia Records
Mickey Guyton/Nothing Compares To You (feat. Kane Brown)/Capitol Records Nashville
Aaron Goodvin/Country Dance/Warner Music Canada/Sakamoto Music
Chance Tomke/Behind Bars/Pine Ridge Records
Teddy Robb/Question the Universe
August 11
Matt Jordan/Steering Wheel/ONErpm
Jordana Bryant/Best Friend/Riser House
Ashlie Amber/Chevy
James Robert Webb/Gentlemen Start Your Weekends
Erin Duvall/Girls Weekend
August 14
Lukas Nelson + POTR/Sticks and Stones/6ACE Records/Thirty Tigers
Trey Lewis/Always You/River House Artists
Julianna Rankin/New Money/17th Avenue
Cutter Elliott/Come On Home/TCM Records
August 18
Cody Hibbard/Bend/Droptine Recordings
Megan Barker/Once Upon A Miller Lite
Pamela McNeill/Give Back My Love
Rob Wolf/Destiny
August 21
Turnpike Troubadours/Chipping Mill/Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers
Landon Parker/Back At The Bar/Bad Ass Records
Annie Vander/He Himself & Him/VanderFire Records
Drew Baldridge/She’s Somebody’s Daughter
August 25
Josh Mirenda/In A Beer/Average Joes Entertainment
Kendall Tucker/Dragging Me Down (feat. Jelly Roll & State of Mine)
Bryan Ruby/Centerfield
August 28
Michael Ray/Spirits and Demons (feat. Meghan Patrick)/Warner Music Nashville
Alabama/Jesus and John Wayne (feat. The Oak Ridge Boys)/Gaither Music Group
Album/EP Release Dates:
Photo: Robby Klein
August 4
Vince Gill & Paul Franklin/Sweet Memories: The Music of Ray Price & The Cherokee Cowboys/MCA Nashville
Brett Young/Across The Sheets/BMLG Records
King Calaway/Tennessee’s Waiting/BBR Music Group
Hannah Dasher/The Other Damn Half
August 11
The Darrell Scott String Band/Old Cane Back Rocker/Soundly Music
O.N.E The Duo/Blood Harmony/Visionary Media Group
August 18
Warren Zeiders/Pretty Little Poison/Warner Records
Ricochet/Ricochet Then & Now…The Hits & More/Smith Music Group
Voth/Memories Of You
August 25
Tim McGraw/Standing Room Only/Big Machine Records
Turnpike Troubadours/A Cat in the Rain/Bossier City Records/Thirty Tigers
Morgan Wade/Psychopath/Sony Music Nashville
Shania Twain/Come On Over (Diamond Editions)/Mercury/UMe
Various Artists/Gaither Tribute, Honoring the Songs of Bill & Gloria Gaither/Gaither Music Group
Old Crow Medicine Show/Jubilee/ATO Records
Danny Burns/Promised Land/Bonfire Music Group
Patrick Droney/Subtitles For Feelings/Warner Records
The Mizes/Hitched Up
Exile/A Million Miles Later
Industry Events:
August 14
Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament
August 23
ACM Honors
August 29
20th Anniversary SOURCE Hall of Fame Awards
Aldean, Wallen & Combs Make History On Billboard Hot 100 Chart
/by LB CantrellJason Aldean, Morgan Wallen, Luke Combs
For the first time since the chart’s inception in August of 1958, the top three songs on the all-genre Billboard Hot 100 songs chart are country songs.
The No. 1 song this week is Jason Aldean‘s contentious “Try That in a Small Town,” which rises from its debut position at No. 2. The single and its accompanying music video have remained a topic of controversy since CMT pulled its video from rotation.
The backlash and public conversation surrounding “Try That in a Small Town” has resulted in a surge of attention. With the song, written by Kelley Lovelace, Neil Thrasher, Tully Kennedy and Kurt Allison, Aldean scored his first Hot 100 No. 1, with his 40th entry on the chart. “Try That in a Small Town” also notched the largest digital sales week for a country song since Florida Georgia Line’s “Cruise” featuring Nelly, released in July of 2013.
Following Aldean, Morgan Wallen’s “Last Night” is at No. 2 this week after 14 weeks at No. 1 on the Hot 100 chart. Luke Combs‘ cover of Tracy Chapman‘s “Fast Car” is at No. 3 after three weeks at its No. 2 high. The three country artists beat out singles from Travis Scott, Bad Bunny, The Weeknd, Nicki Minaj and Ice Spice.
According to Billboard, the Hot 100 blends all-genre U.S. streaming (official audio and official video), radio airplay and sales data, the lattermost metric reflecting purchases of physical singles and digital tracks from full-service digital music retailers; digital singles sales from direct-to-consumer (D2C) sites are excluded from chart calculations.
New A2IM Artist Pro Program Offers Insurance Options For Indie Artists
/by Lorie HollabaughA2IM (The American Association of Independent Music, Inc.) is launching the A2IM Artist Pro program, an initiative designed to provide support to artists by granting them access to its Benefits Store, including health insurance programs and a la carte options, including dental, vision, personal items protection, renters and home insurance, legal services, pet insurance and more.
With annual membership dues of $99.00, A2IM Artist Pro members will have the opportunity to gain entry to an exclusive network of resources, support and opportunities that can support their professional journey.
Recognizing the challenges that artists face in securing reliable health coverage, A2IM is taking proactive steps to bridge this gap. Building on the success of last year’s launch of affordable health insurance for executive members, A2IM Artist Pro ensures artists can tailor their coverage to suit their unique needs and priorities, giving them peace of mind as they pursue their artistic endeavors.
“We are extremely excited to unveil the Artist Pro program as a testament to our unwavering dedication to empowering and uplifting independent artists,” says Dr. Richard James Burgess MBE, President, and CEO of A2IM. “Independent artists play a pivotal role in the recorded music industry, and our mission is to guide them towards success by offering invaluable resources and an array of exclusive benefits.”
To provide more background on the Benefits Store, A2IM will be hosting two webinars on Aug. 9 at 11 a.m. central and 2 p.m. central. As part of the Artist Pro launch, A2IM is partnering with Nashville is Not Just Country Music on their upcoming Writers Round and Networking Event this week in Nashville.
A2IM is also offering exclusive access to additional services supporting artists with discounted access to their services via the A2IM Artist Pro tier. Click here to learn more.
Warner Music Nashville’s Stephanie Davenport & Rohan Kohli Earn VP Stripes
/by LB CantrellStephanie Davenport & Rohan Kohli
Warner Music Nashville has appointed Stephanie Davenport and Rohan Kohli as the label’s new Vice Presidents of A&R. They will continue reporting to Cris Lacy, WMN Co-Chair & Co-President.
“Stephanie and Rohan are incredible artist champions who have been the backbone of the A&R department for years,” Lacy says. “Ben [Kline] and I are excited to announce these well-deserved promotions.
“Stephanie has an innate acumen for recognizing and signing unique storytellers whose authenticity becomes the bar by which other artists are measured. She is a driven, inclusive, and strategic leader both within the Warner family, the Nashville community, and the music industry at large,” Lacy adds. “Rohan’s ability to elevate superstar artists and newcomers alike speaks to his expertise in development at all levels of an artist’s career. Guided by his deep multi-genre tastes, he is always on the cutting edge of music that is urgent and important.”
Davenport joined the Warner Music Nashville team as a coordinator in 2011. Now, nearly 12 years later, she has developed a roster comprising some of the most talked-about rising artists in country music, Ian Munsick, Randall King, Madeline Edwards, Austin Snell and more. Davenport started in the industry at William Morris Endeavor (WME) after graduating from Belmont University.
“I am so proud of our entire roster at Warner Music Nashville and am so grateful to the artists, publishers and songwriters who trust us to help bring their amazing music to the world,” Davenport says. “I’m truly blessed to have spent more than a decade working for and with leaders like Cris Lacy and Ben Kline, whose belief in me continues to inspire and push me to be the best A&R I can be for the best artists in country music.”
Kohli began his career at Ozone Entertainment in New York as a manager for bands including Boys Like Girls, Cartel and Hey Monday as well as songwriters/producers Sam Hollander and Dave Katz. Kohli moved to Los Angeles and transitioned into full-time writer/producer management before settling in Nashville, where he worked with Andy Albert, Paul DiGiovanni and more. He started in A&R at Warner Music Nashville in 2018, launching Dan + Shay into superstardom and introducing the world to talents such as Bailey Zimmerman, Ingrid Andress and Avery Anna.
“I am beyond thankful to work alongside the best team in the business,” Kohli shares. “I’m grateful to Cris Lacy, Scott Hendricks, Stephanie Davenport and Mason Domke for showing me every day how to lead with heart, knowledge and passion. Thank you to Cris and Ben Kline for their mentorship and the opportunity to continue to grow with Warner Music Nashville. I’m looking forward to many more years of success together.”
Jameson Rodgers To Jump On The ‘Whiskey Train’ This Fall
/by Lorie HollabaughJameson Rodgers is hitting the road on his new “Whiskey Train Tour,” kicking off Aug. 31 in Starkville, Mississippi. Lauren Watkins, Greylan James and John Morgan will open for Rodgers on select dates.
“This one is called the ‘Whiskey Train Tour’ because the tone of that song matches the tone of the shows. I’ve got some of my favorite artists/friends opening up these shows with Lauren, Greylan and John. It’s going to be a blast and I can’t wait to see everyone there,” says Rodgers.
Tickets for the “Whiskey Train Tour” go on sale this Friday, (Aug. 4) with pre-sales beginning Wednesday, Aug. 2.
Rodgers is releasing a brand new song, “Whiskey Train,” in conjunction with the new tour on Sept. 1. Produced by David Garcia and co-written by Rodgers, Smith Ahnquist, Will Bundy and Lynn Hutton, the rowdy new track captures that Friday-after-five feeling.
“The idea for ‘Whiskey Train’ came at about 1 a.m. on a writing retreat. Lynn Hutton asked Smith Ahnquist if he wanted another beer, and Smith said, ‘Nah man I’m on that whiskey train,’” Rodgers explained. “Will Bundy and I looked at each other and we all immediately started writing. I’m excited for the world to get on the whiskey train September 1.”
In addition to the newly-announced headline dates, Rodgers will join Jordan Davis, Old Dominion and Darius Rucker on select dates throughout the fall.
Jameson Rodgers “Whiskey Train Tour” Dates:
Aug. 31 – Starkville, MS *
Oct. 6 – Springfield, IL ^
Oct. 7 – Indianapolis, IN ^
Oct. 13 – Warrendale, PA +
Oct. 14 – Rootstown, OH +
* With Lauren Watkins
^ With Greylan James
+ With John Morgan
Tyler Reeve Signs With Spirit Music Group
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, front row): Kara Jackson, Spirit Music Nashville; Frank Rogers, Spirit Music Group/Spirit Music Nashville; Tyler Reeve; Scott Safford, Safford Motley PLC; (L-R, middle row): Leisl Eschbach, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Kennedy Murphy, Spirit Music Nashville; Andy Hodges, Spirit Music Nashville; Mike Fiorentino, Spirit Music Nashville; (L-R, back row): David Crow, Milom Crow Kelley Beckett Shehan PLC; Brian Bradford, Spirit Music Nashville; Cole Perry, Spirit Music Nashville
Hit songwriter Tyler Reeve has signed a worldwide co-publishing deal with Spirit Music Group.
Reeve, an Alabama native and graduate of Florida State University, has written some massive hits in the last few years. He co-wrote the 2018 BMI Song of The Year, Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which was certified 4X Platinum and has been streamed over 1 billion times.
He also co-wrote the multi-week No. 1 Country Airplay hit “Does To Me” recorded by Luke Combs featuring Eric Church. The song was named SiriusXM The Highway’s 2020 Song of the Year, garnered a nomination for ACM’s Musical Event of the Year category and was certified 2X Platinum. Other notable works co-written by Reeve include Love & Theft’s “Whiskey On My Breath,” Chris Young’s “Where I Go When I Drink,” Scotty McCreery’s “How Ya Doin Up There” and Luke Combs’ “I Got Away With You.”
“Spirit Music is thrilled to welcome Tyler Reeve to the family,” says Frank Rogers, Chief Creative Officer, Spirit Music Group/Chief Executive Officer, Spirit Music Nashville. “Tyler has a unique gift of crafting career songs for superstar artists. We are honored that he has chosen to partner with Spirit and we can’t wait to help him continue to shape the sound of country music.”
“I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Frank as a writer and friend for years and I am glad we are finally working together in an official capacity,” shares Reeve. “I’m excited to be a part of the Spirit Music Nashville team, and to work with such a hungry and creative group of talented people.”
“Tyler Reeve is a dream songwriter to work with, and we are beyond excited to partner with him at Spirit,” says Kara Jackson, Senior Creative Director, Spirit Music Nashville. “Tyler is an amazing talent as a songwriter and paired with his unbeatable work ethic and networking abilities he is an all-around force. I’m thrilled he’s taken the opportunity to work with the Spirit team and can’t wait to see the success this partnership brings!”
Swift, Gorley, Chapman Lead MusicRow’s Top Songwriter Chart
/by Caela GriffinTaylor Swift, Ashley Gorley, Tracy Chapman
Taylor Swift is entering her second week at the pinnacle of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. Down from last week’s 22 tracks, Swift now has 15 currently on the charts, helping secure her the position.
Ashley Gorley, with 10 songs charting this week including hits by Morgan Wallen, Hardy and Dan +Shay, has moved up into the No. 2 spot, trading with Tracy Chapman who now sits in No. 3 with Luke Combs’ cover of “Fast Car.”
With four songs each, Jordan Schmidt and Ryan Vojtesak hold the No. 4 and No. 5 spots respectively for the second week in a row.
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.
Shelby Yoder Launches Songwriter & Producer Management Company
/by LB CantrellShelby Yoder
Shelby Yoder has launched a new management company for songwriters and producers, Willo&Co.
Yoder most recently served as Head of Nashville for Milk & Honey before launching Willo&Co. At Milk & Honey, she ran publishing for ventures and managed business for the entire Nashville territory, overseeing more than 100 songwriters and producers. Yoder worked on a global level with her personal roster, serving clients based in Nashville, Los Angeles, London and Sydney.
Prior to Milk & Honey, Yoder worked at NSAI as the Director of Professional Membership & Events. She helped to book and produce the Tin Pan South songwriter’s festival as well as host quarterly No. 1 parties.
With Willo&Co, Yoder aims to take a holistic and rounded approach to management, focusing on prioritizing strategy and sustainability while building individual creatives as small businesses in an evolving modern era.
“I believe in fair pay and fair ownership of intellectual properties, and I desire to be on the forefront of the progression of the Nashville music business,” she says. “I believe that there is space for all genres and types of creators and look forward to expanding Willo&Co to be a multi-city collective of like-minded individuals in pursuit of this.”
Yoder can be reached at shelby@willoco.com.
Gerry House To Be Inducted Into National Radio Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughGerry House
Former WSIX/Nashville morning host Gerry House will be inducted into the National Radio Hall of Fame’s class of 2023.
He is the only country representative in this year’s class, which will also include WMGK-FM/Philadelphia’s John DeBella, SiriusXM’s Pat St. John, The Bob Rivers Show’s Bob Rivers, KMET-FM/KROQ-FM/KHJ-AM’s Shadoe Stevens, NPR’s Nina Totenberg, Radio Ink‘s Deborah Parenti and radio executive Charles Warfield.
House is a CMA and ACM award-winning radio personality, and was first heard on WSIX-AM in the ’70s. He was the voice of The BIG 98’s Gerry House and the House Foundation from 1983-2010, winning countless National Personality of the Year Honors. He is also an author and songwriter, having penned songs for George Strait, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Pam Tillis and more. House was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2009 and the NAB Radio Hall of Fame in 2011.
House becomes the eighth country format inductee, following Lon Helton (2022), Bobby Bones (2017), Bob Kingsley (2016), Blair Garner (2013), Ralph Emery (2010), Gene Autry (2003) and the Grand Ole Opry (1992).
The National Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2023 will be honored at the 2023 Radio Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony Nov. 2 at the InterContinental New York Barclay Hotel.
The Chicks Announce New Dates For Postponed Shows
/by Liza AndersonThe Chicks. Photo: Robin Harper
The Chicks have announced new dates for their Greensboro, Knoxville and Nashville shows, which were postponed due to illness, on their social platforms.
“We are so sorry for the inconvenience, but our priority is to put on a show you all deserve,” the group stated.
All original tickets will be accepted at the rescheduled shows.