Parker McCollum
For his new album Never Enough, which released via MCA Nashville on Friday (May 12), Parker McCollum dialed in on the sound that differentiates him from the rest.
The 15-song project once again finds Jon Randall at the helm of production, polishing up the specific McCollum sound that first turned fans on to the Texas native with his critically acclaimed 2015 album The Limestone Kid. After making a hit album with 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy, which included popular songs “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved by You,” McCollum and Randall have doubled down with Never Enough, which McCollum says was a welcomed challenge.
“I was bored of what I’ve always done and the style I’ve always cranked out. I didn’t reinvent it, but I tried to be fresh and almost entertain myself with the songs I was writing and the direction I was going this time,” he tells MusicRow.
McCollum’s songwriting skills have sharpened in the two years since Gold Chain Cowboy. Enlisting Music Row hitmakers Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Brett James, Lori McKenna, Lee Miller, Monty Criswell and Liz Rose—as well as Texas mavericks and frequent collaborators Randall, Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers—Never Enough finds McCollum at the top of his game as a songwriter.
“[The writers on this record] are some of my favorite writers in town,” McCollum says. “They’re the best songwriters in the world and now they’re my good friends. They just come over to my house and write songs on my couch, so it’s a different opportunity. I didn’t have access to that before, so I’ve really enjoyed that.”
A songwriting highlight on the project is “Tails I Lose.” The tune, co-written with Bowen alongside Brad and Brett Warren, finds the subject drinking away his heartbreak at bar, toying with a quarter that he says decides his fate. McCollum wails, “Jukebox quarter up, I’ve done everything I can. It don’t matter where it lands, Ain’t a damn thing I can do. It’s heads you win, tails I lose.”
“I was kicking around this melody and I had written some other stuff to it. I really loved the melody but I knew that nothing I had rambled off to it was very strong,” McCollum says. “Somebody had the line ‘heads you win, tails I lose,’ which I had heard before but never in a song. So as any typical songwriter, we decided we had to write that before somebody else does.”
Another highlight, “Have Your Heart Again,” was several years in the making.
“I had that melody for about six years. It was one of my favorite melodies I’ve come up with and I didn’t want to take a chance at missing. I played it for Ashley and Lee one night at Ashley’s house and they were into it, so we sat around and wrote a piano heartbreak ballad,” McCollum remembers. “I was going to cut it for Gold Chain Cowboy, but it just didn’t feel like it fit. I’m not sure it fits on this record either, but I’ve never done a piano ballad, so it was chance to do something different.”
Never Enough has already yielded a hit, with the Monty Criswell co-written “Handle On You” topping the charts a few weeks ago. McCollum says that that song set the bar for the rest of the album.
“That song was what I was trying to go for more than anything else. Monty and I wrote that and I said, ‘Man, that’s what I would like to lean into more,'” McCollum shares. “But like I said, I get bored real quick, so I’ll write ‘Handle On You,’ ‘Tails I Lose’ and ‘Lessons From An Old Man,’ and then I’m bored of it and want to go write something like ‘Burn It Down’ that’s big and rocking. Then I’ll go write ‘Wheel,’ which is this waving goodbye song that ends the record on an upbeat note, not such a sad and terrible note like everything else.”
When it comes to “sad and terrible,” McCollum does it well. His hits often find him heartbroken, such as the self-loathing “Pretty Heart,” the downtrodden “Young Man’s Blues,” the agonizing “To Be Loved By You” and the regretful “Hell Of A Year.” The 30-year-old says he feels at home writing sad songs, and his new album has quite a few.
“Those are my favorite kinds,” he says. “Those seem to get the most attention from me.”
But Never Enough has more than sad songs. Tracks “Stoned” and “Speed” find McCollum on the rocking side of the tracks. “Burn It Down,” which is sure to be a hit, was written by McCollum with The Love Junkies (Lindsey, McKenna and Rose), and has earned some early attention from fans.
Though Never Enough finds McCollum leveling up in songwriting and zeroing in on his sound, he credits staying true to himself as the key to his success.
“Staying super authentic to what you are, what you like and what you think is good is how you sleep the best at night. You have to be able to stand behind whatever you do, regardless if the general public accepts it and embraces it or doesn’t,” McCollum says. “For lack of a better term, I never really gave a shit. I did not think country radio would embrace my songs like they have. I never dreamed any of my songs of be on country radio, go double Platinum or do all this crazy stuff. I think my biggest strength is that I just stuck to what I did best and tried to do it as well as I could.”
McCollum performs at his album release party, hosted by Lucchese, in Texas during ACM Week. Photo: Chris Kleinmeier
He credits his label, UMG Nashville, for allowing him to make the music he wants to make.
“When I signed my record deal, my biggest thing was creative control. I passed on all the advance money and all that because I was already selling tickets and touring, so I didn’t really need the cash advance like a lot of artists do when they sign a deal. I really just tried to leverage that and get as much creative control as I could.
“Luckily I got all of it,” McCollum says. “It starts and stops with me on what songs are written, what songs are cut and what songs aren’t cut. They can send whatever songs to radio that they want—they know more about what can be a hit than I do. Shout out to Universal Records because they’ve totally kept their word.”
When asked what he hopes his fans take away from Never Enough, McCollum says he hopes they see his authenticity in its 15 songs.
“I just hope they believe it,” he sums. “All of these songs come from a super authentic, genuine and real place. My favorite songs in the world hit me so hard every time I listen to them. I love to get lost in a song, so I really hope they get lost in these and it does something for them.”
Listen to McCollum’s new album Never Enough, out now.
Texas Songwriters Hall Of Fame Announces 2024 Class Of Honorees
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 2024 Class of Honorees into the Texas Songwriters Hall of Fame have been announced and include Eric Johnson, Jack Ingram, Jon Randall, Ruthie Foster and Terry McBride.
The Hall of Fame induction event Feb. 24, 2024 includes a two-day celebration that brings together the latest class of songwriters who represent the spirit of Texas into the spotlight for a unique ceremony and inducts them into the TxHSA Hall of Fame. The show will also include special performances to be announced soon.
Past Hall of Fame inductees who have taken the stage for this special event in previous years include Kris Kristofferson, Aaron Barker, Red Steagall, Larry Gatlin, Bruce Robison, Rodney Crowell, Billy Joe Shaver, Willie Nelson, Guy Clark, Michael Martin Murphey, Clint Black, Mac Davis, Lee Roy Parnell, Delbert McClinton, Robert Earl Keen, Lyle Lovett, Ronnie Dunn, K.T. Oslin, Joe Ely, Mickey Newbury, Liz Rose, Ray Wylie Hubbard, Christopher Cross, Steve Earle, Billy F Gibbons, Jerry Jeff Walker, Lefty Frizzell, Radney Foster, and many more.
KBFM Hires Joe Davis & Merges With BootstrapTax
/by Liza AndersonJoe Davis. Photo: Vintage Tree Photography/Meredith Bustillo
Entertainment business and financial management firm KBFM has hired CPA Joe Davis and merged with his company, BootstrapTax, to continue his mission of simplifying CPA services and allow his clients to focus on their creative work.
Davis earned a Bachelor’s degree in business administration as well as a Master’s degree in accountancy from Belmont University. In addition to supporting the firm’s business management clients with all tax matters, he will continue to oversee accounting and tax planning for several small businesses and entrepreneurs, both in and outside the music industry.
“We’ve been looking for the right CPA to bring in-house for over a year now. The addition of Joe and his team elevates our services to a whole new level of tax planning for our clients,” share KBFM Partners Chris King and Mallory Pascal. “We’ll be able to be more strategic and aggressive on the ever-changing landscape of the tax complexities for entertainers.”
Davis can be reached at joe@kbfmgmt.com.
Luke Bryan & Peyton Manning To Host CMA Awards
/by LB CantrellLuke Bryan and Peyton Manning hosting the 56th annual CMA Awards. Photo: Courtesy of CMA
Two-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Luke Bryan and NFL star Peyton Manning will return as hosts for the 57th annual CMA Awards, which is set to air live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT on ABC.
This will mark the second year that Bryan and Manning take on hosting duties. Last year’s show totaled 9.7 million viewers and earned a 1.79 rating among adults 18-49, after seven days of viewing across linear and digital platforms.
The eligibility period for this year’s CMA Awards runs from July 1, 2022 to June 30, 2023. CMA members will receive the first nomination ballot and submission instructions on Wednesday, July 5. For more details regarding this year’s ballot timeline, click here.
Emily Falvey Inks With Warner Chappell Music & SMACKSongs
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Robert Carlton (SMACK), Ben Vaughn (WCM), Carly Sater (SMACK), Jeremy Groves (SMACK), Emily Falvey, Lee Krabel (SMACK), Robin Palmer (SMACK), Phil May (WCM), Christina Wiltshire (WCM), Sam Sarno (SMACK)
Singer-songwriter Emily Falvey has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music and SMACKSongs.
Starting her career at Belmont University, Falvey fought her way into the competitive songwriting major, which then led to her landing internships at Warner Chappell Music and SMACKSongs. Through the internships, Falvey introduced her demos to SMACK executives and landed her first publishing deal before she graduated.
With a catalog of over 70 songs recorded over the past five years, Falvey’s genre-bending style has led to recent cuts and collaborations with a cross section of artists, from country artists Walker Hayes and Callista Clark, to leading dance music acts Le Youth and Sick Individuals.
“I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to continue to build on an extraordinary working relationship with SMACK & bring on a powerhouse partner in Warner Chappell Music,” says Falvey. “I interned with both of these companies in my Belmont years, so it’s special and full circle for me. Thank you to Christian Barker for your wise legal counsel, to Robert Carlton, Robin Palmer and Lee Krabel for your continued belief, to Ben Vaughn and Phil May for your leadership and vision, and to Jeremy Groves and Christina Wiltshire for being fierce day-to-day champions. Overwhelmed with gratitude for this next chapter!”
Falvey has also had sync placements in ABC’s Grey’s Anatomy, CBS’s Love Island USA, NBC’s The Voice and with Cracker Barrel. Throughout her career, she has collaborated with WCM hitmakers Shane McAnally and Nicolle Galyon, as well as Amy Wadge, Sasha Sloan, Tofer Brown, Jimmy Robbins, Emily Weisband, Mat Kearney, David Hodges, Paul DiGiovanni, and many more.
Falvey co-wrote MacKenzie Porter’s 2020 single “Seeing Other People,” which reached No. 1 on the Canadian Country Airplay Chart and earned her a Publisher’s Pick nomination at the 2020 AIMP Nashville Country Awards. She was also selected as a member of the AIMP Nashville Songwriter Series class of 2019, a YEP Favorite songwriter and a member of The Nashville Briefing’s 30 Under 30 List.
“Emily is the total package,” says Wiltshire, Senior Director of A&R at Warner Chappell Music Nashville. “She’s supremely talented, business-minded, positive, multi-faceted, and multi-genre. Not to mention, she’s a wonderful human and a joy to be around. I’m honored to be on her team.”
Palmer, Chief Creative Officer at SMACKSongs, says, “We’re excited to enter the next chapter with a special talent like Emily Falvey. Warner Chappell feels like a natural fit as a partner and we’re looking forward to working with Ben, Christina, and the entire Warner Chappell team!”
Frank Ray To Drop Self-Titled Label Debut On July 7
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Joseph Llanes
Frank Ray is gearing up for the release of his self-titled label debut on July 7 via BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records.
Featuring 14 tracks, Frank Ray intertwines traditional country with R&B and touches of Ray’s Latin heritage. The rhythmic collection opens with the anthemic “Streetlights” that showcases his Latin roots, setting the tone for the rest of the project. On the catchy “Country’d Look Good On You” and party-starter “Y’all Showed Up,” Ray cranks it up, and shows some spirit on current single “Somebody Else’s Whiskey.” He also pays tribute to country’s greatest legends like Dolly Parton, George Jones, Waylon Jennings and more in the nostalgic “Back Before My Time.”
“This album is my grand entrance to the country music world,” says Ray. “This project is a perfect reflection of who I am. I have finally figured out my voice, and this is what I have to say. I look at this album like a quilt I knitted, each stitch represents a person I love or an influence I admire.”
The former police officer just launched his mental health initiative FRAY—standing for First Responders MentAl ClaritY—that helps provide first responders with the tools they need for improved mental health due to the intense and sensitive nature of their jobs. He makes it a point to visit local stations at every tour stop, and is currently out on the road with Old Dominion.
2. “Country’d Look Good On You” (Derek George, Monty Criswell, Taylor Phillips, Cole Taylor)
3. “Y’all Showed Up” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
4. “Somebody Else’s Whiskey” (Derek George, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
5. “Late” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
6. “Wasting Your Words” (Monty Criswell, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
7. “Out On Me” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
8. “We Got Em” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
9. “Prettiest Girl At The Bar” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
10. “Spring Break” (Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray)
11. “Let It Drop” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
12. “Back Before My Time” (Monty Criswell, Derek George, Frank Ray)
13. “Learn Something New” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank
14. “Big Fan” (Jeremy Bussey, Monty Criswell, Derek George, Bobby Hamrick, Frank Ray, Frank Rogers)
15. “Party With Strangers” (Bobby Hamrick, James Slater, Jamie Paulin)
Parker McCollum Stays True To Himself On New Album ‘Never Enough’ [Interview]
/by LB CantrellParker McCollum
For his new album Never Enough, which released via MCA Nashville on Friday (May 12), Parker McCollum dialed in on the sound that differentiates him from the rest.
The 15-song project once again finds Jon Randall at the helm of production, polishing up the specific McCollum sound that first turned fans on to the Texas native with his critically acclaimed 2015 album The Limestone Kid. After making a hit album with 2021’s Gold Chain Cowboy, which included popular songs “Pretty Heart” and “To Be Loved by You,” McCollum and Randall have doubled down with Never Enough, which McCollum says was a welcomed challenge.
“I was bored of what I’ve always done and the style I’ve always cranked out. I didn’t reinvent it, but I tried to be fresh and almost entertain myself with the songs I was writing and the direction I was going this time,” he tells MusicRow.
McCollum’s songwriting skills have sharpened in the two years since Gold Chain Cowboy. Enlisting Music Row hitmakers Ashley Gorley, Hillary Lindsey, Brett James, Lori McKenna, Lee Miller, Monty Criswell and Liz Rose—as well as Texas mavericks and frequent collaborators Randall, Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers—Never Enough finds McCollum at the top of his game as a songwriter.
“[The writers on this record] are some of my favorite writers in town,” McCollum says. “They’re the best songwriters in the world and now they’re my good friends. They just come over to my house and write songs on my couch, so it’s a different opportunity. I didn’t have access to that before, so I’ve really enjoyed that.”
A songwriting highlight on the project is “Tails I Lose.” The tune, co-written with Bowen alongside Brad and Brett Warren, finds the subject drinking away his heartbreak at bar, toying with a quarter that he says decides his fate. McCollum wails, “Jukebox quarter up, I’ve done everything I can. It don’t matter where it lands, Ain’t a damn thing I can do. It’s heads you win, tails I lose.”
“I was kicking around this melody and I had written some other stuff to it. I really loved the melody but I knew that nothing I had rambled off to it was very strong,” McCollum says. “Somebody had the line ‘heads you win, tails I lose,’ which I had heard before but never in a song. So as any typical songwriter, we decided we had to write that before somebody else does.”
Another highlight, “Have Your Heart Again,” was several years in the making.
“I had that melody for about six years. It was one of my favorite melodies I’ve come up with and I didn’t want to take a chance at missing. I played it for Ashley and Lee one night at Ashley’s house and they were into it, so we sat around and wrote a piano heartbreak ballad,” McCollum remembers. “I was going to cut it for Gold Chain Cowboy, but it just didn’t feel like it fit. I’m not sure it fits on this record either, but I’ve never done a piano ballad, so it was chance to do something different.”
Never Enough has already yielded a hit, with the Monty Criswell co-written “Handle On You” topping the charts a few weeks ago. McCollum says that that song set the bar for the rest of the album.
“That song was what I was trying to go for more than anything else. Monty and I wrote that and I said, ‘Man, that’s what I would like to lean into more,'” McCollum shares. “But like I said, I get bored real quick, so I’ll write ‘Handle On You,’ ‘Tails I Lose’ and ‘Lessons From An Old Man,’ and then I’m bored of it and want to go write something like ‘Burn It Down’ that’s big and rocking. Then I’ll go write ‘Wheel,’ which is this waving goodbye song that ends the record on an upbeat note, not such a sad and terrible note like everything else.”
When it comes to “sad and terrible,” McCollum does it well. His hits often find him heartbroken, such as the self-loathing “Pretty Heart,” the downtrodden “Young Man’s Blues,” the agonizing “To Be Loved By You” and the regretful “Hell Of A Year.” The 30-year-old says he feels at home writing sad songs, and his new album has quite a few.
“Those are my favorite kinds,” he says. “Those seem to get the most attention from me.”
But Never Enough has more than sad songs. Tracks “Stoned” and “Speed” find McCollum on the rocking side of the tracks. “Burn It Down,” which is sure to be a hit, was written by McCollum with The Love Junkies (Lindsey, McKenna and Rose), and has earned some early attention from fans.
Though Never Enough finds McCollum leveling up in songwriting and zeroing in on his sound, he credits staying true to himself as the key to his success.
“Staying super authentic to what you are, what you like and what you think is good is how you sleep the best at night. You have to be able to stand behind whatever you do, regardless if the general public accepts it and embraces it or doesn’t,” McCollum says. “For lack of a better term, I never really gave a shit. I did not think country radio would embrace my songs like they have. I never dreamed any of my songs of be on country radio, go double Platinum or do all this crazy stuff. I think my biggest strength is that I just stuck to what I did best and tried to do it as well as I could.”
McCollum performs at his album release party, hosted by Lucchese, in Texas during ACM Week. Photo: Chris Kleinmeier
He credits his label, UMG Nashville, for allowing him to make the music he wants to make.
“When I signed my record deal, my biggest thing was creative control. I passed on all the advance money and all that because I was already selling tickets and touring, so I didn’t really need the cash advance like a lot of artists do when they sign a deal. I really just tried to leverage that and get as much creative control as I could.
“Luckily I got all of it,” McCollum says. “It starts and stops with me on what songs are written, what songs are cut and what songs aren’t cut. They can send whatever songs to radio that they want—they know more about what can be a hit than I do. Shout out to Universal Records because they’ve totally kept their word.”
When asked what he hopes his fans take away from Never Enough, McCollum says he hopes they see his authenticity in its 15 songs.
“I just hope they believe it,” he sums. “All of these songs come from a super authentic, genuine and real place. My favorite songs in the world hit me so hard every time I listen to them. I love to get lost in a song, so I really hope they get lost in these and it does something for them.”
Listen to McCollum’s new album Never Enough, out now.
Song Suffragettes To Launch New York Residency In June
/by Lorie HollabaughHappening on the second Tuesday of every month beginning June 13, Song Suffragettes NYC will present five of the best female singer-songwriters from the New York boroughs and beyond. The show will feature talent from all genres in a mostly acoustic format. NYC-based artists Alexa Dark, Ariana and The Rose, Eva Westphal and Hayes Warner will kick off the series, with Jillian Dawn hosting the evening.
This expansion follows nine years of Song Suffragettes’ weekly shows in Nashville, where more than 400 women have now played, with 37 going on to receive record deals, including Kelsea Ballerini, Gayle, Lainey Wilson, as well as over 60 landing music publishing contracts.
Song Suffragettes NYC follows the launch of Song Suffragettes London in November 2022, after their first-ever U.K. tour that included sold-out shows. In March of this year, Song Suffragettes also played the C2C: Country 2 County Festival held at London’s O2 Arena.
“Given ongoing studies about the egregious lack of female inclusion in music, we as the music community must strive to nurture more young female talent wherever possible,” says Song Suffragettes Founder Todd Cassetty. “For us, expanding into NYC, America’s largest city with a rich depth of creative energy, is another way for Song Suffragettes to provide more opportunity for the most creative women in the five boroughs. After expanding Song Suffragettes into London last year, we knew we wanted to make our next expansion show somewhere in the U.S., and where better than New York City, where the depth of talent is immense.”
Shane McAnally To Receive Spirit Of Music Award From T.J. Martell Foundation
/by Lorie HollabaughShane McAnally. Photo: Robby Klein
Grammy-winning and Tony-nominated songwriter/producer Shane McAnally will receive the Spirit of Music Award at the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 45th Annual New York Honors Gala. The celebration is returning to New York City for the first time since 2019, and will be held at Cipriani 42nd Street on June 13, 2023.
McAnally has written and/or produced over 50 No. 1 songs, garnered three Grammys, has been nominated for multiple CMA Awards and has been named ACM’s Songwriter of the Year twice. He has written and produced songs for Sam Hunt, Kenny Chesney, Blake Shelton, Kacey Musgraves and many more, and received Billboard’s Trailblazer Award for his work both in country music and in championing voices in the LGBTQ community.
In 2012 McAnally founded SMACKSongs, which includes publishing, digital and management branches, and whose writers are credited with nearly 70 No. 1 songs, with seven No. 1s in 2022 alone. In addition to SMACK, McAnally co-starred on NBC’s Songland and is the co-president of record label Monument Records in partnership with Sony Music. McAnally is currently in New York City, bringing the musical Shucked to Broadway—a production he wrote the music and lyrics for with collaborator Brandy Clark. Shucked was nominated for nine Tony awards this season.
In addition to McAnally, two other esteemed music industry leaders will be honored at this year’s New York Honors Gala. Warner Records Co-Chairman and COO Tom Corson will receive the Lifetime Music Industry Award, while Chief Creative Officer and EVP at Def Jam Recordings Archie Davis will receive the Rising Music Superstar Award. The elegant evening is the Foundation’s primary fundraiser of the year, supporting its mission of funding innovative medical research and treatments focused on finding a cure for cancer.
The gala will be hosted by Gala Co-Chairs and Board Chairman John Esposito, Tunji Balogun, Aaron Bay-Schuck, Robert Carlton, Steve Gawley, Laura Swanson and Julie Swidler, and will include guest presenters and special musical performances to celebrate the honorees, along with a fundraising auction.
The evening’s program will include Oscar and Golden Globe nominee and NAACP Image Award-winning filmmaker Ryan Coogler as featured presenter, and performances by actress/singer-songwriter and R&B star Coco Jones and singer-songwriter and 11x Grammy nominee, Brandy Clark.
“We are thrilled to be bringing the annual T.J. Martell Foundation New York Honors gala back to New York City for the first time since 2019, celebrating nearly 50 years of the music industry’s dedicated support for breakthrough cancer research,” says Esposito. “Our music friends and supporters are excited that this iconic gala is returning, and we are so proud to be honoring three of the industry’s dynamic leaders, Tom Corson, Archie Davis and Shane McAnally, and their outstanding contributions to the music world at what will be an unforgettable night!”
SESAC Ups Shannan Hatch To SVP, Head Of Nashville Creative
/by LB CantrellShannan Hatch. Photo: Katie Kauss
SESAC Performing Rights has promoted Shannan Hatch to SVP, Head of Nashville Creative.
Rising from Vice President, Creative Services in the Nashville office, Hatch’s new role will maintain leadership of the Nashville-based Creative Services team in supporting SESAC-affiliated songwriters and publishers. Reporting to Chief Creative Officer Sam Kling, she will work closely with senior management to support creator-focused initiatives.
“Shannan is a staple in the Nashville songwriting community,” says Kling. “Her commitment to our affiliates is unparalleled and I am thrilled to announce this well-deserved new role.”
Hatch and her team are responsible for the recruitment, signing and nurturing of songwriters and publishers as well as the retention of existing SESAC-affiliated writers and publishers. During her more than 20 years at SESAC, Hatch has worked closely with affiliates Lee Brice, Jamey Johnson, Runaway June, Craig Campbell, Matt McGinn, Josh Hoge, Jesse Lee, Richard Leigh, Jaron Boyer, Cary Barlowe, Lance Miller, Monty Powell and Michael Tyler, along with Americana tunesmiths Hayes Carll, Jim Lauderdale and Allison Moorer, among many others.
She is instrumental in the production of SESAC-sponsored songwriter events including Tin Pan South, SESAC Presents at the Bluebird, CMA Showcases, Pensacola Songwriters Festival, SESAC Nashville Music Awards as well as many charitable events in and around Music City.
Willie Nelson Honored By LBJ Foundation With Liberty & Justice For All Award
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson sitting next to his LBJ Liberty & Justice For All award. Photo: Laura Skelding
Willie Nelson was honored with the LBJ Foundation’s highest honor, the LBJ Liberty & Justice For All Award, at a gala dinner Friday night (May 12) at the LBJ Presidential Library in Austin.
Willie Nelson on his bus with his LBJ Liberty and Justice award. Photo: Elaine Schock
The sold-out celebration featured performances by Eric Church, Sam Hunt, Elle King and Lyle Lovett. Church performed “Funny How Time Slips Away” and “A Man Who Was Gonna Die Young,” Hunt offered up new song “Women in my Life” and “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up to be Cowboys,” King performed “It’s Not Supposed to be That Way” and “Love Go By,” and Lovett honored Nelson with the classics “Hello Walls” and “My Heroes Have Always Been Cowboys.”
The special evening raised funds to create the Willie Nelson Endowment for Uplifting Rural Communities in honor of Nelson’s longtime philanthropy and commitment to family farms and sustainable agriculture. The endowment ensures that Nelson’s advocacy will continue and will fund research and student fellowships at the LBJ School of Public Affairs, a part of The University of Texas at Austin. The focus will be on sustainable agriculture, eliminating hunger, resilient energy, sustainable water and natural disaster recovery to benefit rural communities.
“A lot of people don’t realize where their food comes from,” Nelson said in a conversation with Mark K. Updegrove, president and CEO of the LBJ Foundation, at the gala dinner. “You know, when you had breakfast this morning, did your food come from a farmer out here who raised his own?…Or did some trucker drive it in from 150 miles away? So, these are things that you need to think about and how you can help the local communities and help the local farmer. Because he’s trying to make it.”
President and Mrs. Johnson’s daughters, Lynda Johnson Robb and Luci Baines Johnson presented Nelson with the LBJ Liberty & Justice For All Award, which recognizes him for exemplifying President Johnson’s belief that America is a nation where everyone has the opportunity to rise and those in need should not fail.
Former recipients of the LBJ Liberty & Justice for All Award include President George H. W. Bush, President Jimmy Carter, Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg, former U.S. Attorney General Eric Holder, U.S. Sen. John McCain, U.S. Sen. Carl Levin, former House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, U.S. Rep. John Lewis, U.S. Rep. John Dingell, U.S. Rep. James Clyburn and philanthropist David M. Rubenstein.