Tim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Tim McGraw has launched Down Home, a new entertainment, media and marketing company headquartered in Nashville.
The company is a collaborative effort between McGraw, his management firm EM.Co, and social content studio Shareability. Tim Staples, Shareability Founder and Down Home Co-Founder, has been named CEO, while EM.Co’s Brian Kaplan, also a Co-Founder, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer.
Down Home will be dedicated to connecting McGraw’s country music audience with Hollywood and brands by producing film, television and digital media focusing on relatable stories that capture the essence and spirit of everyday Americans. The new venture closed an investment and a first-look deal with David Ellison’s Skydance Media to develop film and television projects with the new company as well as channel IP and other material. Ellison will also serve on the Down Home board.
“Country music has always been about storytelling,” says McGraw. “Our stories are honest vignettes of life and family and community. I think there’s a longing for that. For me, that’s Down Home. That’s how I grew up, those are the stories I like to tell, and that’s what I want our company to be about.”
“Tim McGraw is an outstanding artist and entertainer,” says Ellison. “He is truly gifted at telling stories across mediums that deeply connect with the audience and has built an unmatched community of fans around the world. We are thrilled to partner with him, Tim Staples, Brian Kaplan and everyone at Down Home as they have created a dedicated infrastructure to tell stories across film, TV and music, to fulfill a massive demand for authentic, inspiring stories.”
“From 1883 to Friday Night Lights, or songs like ‘Humble and Kind’, Tim McGraw knows how to connect with this audience in a way that can be really powerful for both Hollywood and brands,” adds Staples.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the next chapter in Nashville’s evolution, empowering artists and visionaries to create a new hub for storytelling that combines talent, passion and innovation,” says Kaplan.
Down Home has two scripted series in development with Skydance, with plans for features and animation to follow. The company also plans to establish a social content studio to nurture Nashville’s emerging talent, fostering connections across music, sports, entertainment and brands.
Morgan Wallen Joins Ryl Tea As Brand Ambassador & Investor
/by Lorie HollabaughMorgan Wallen with Ryl Tea’s Blodin Ukella. Photo: Paige Corkery
Morgan Wallen has aligned with Ryl Tea as a brand ambassador and investor.
Launched in January, Ryl is the first iced tea brand to combine the classic southern iced tea taste with healthy, functional attributes of homemade steeped tea. Due to its nostalgic southern taste, Wallen felt an organic connection to the brand. The zero-sugar product has no artificial ingredients, and is filled with its proprietary “polyphenol technology,” delivering the traditional taste of sweet iced tea that is usually filled with loads of sugar or artificial ingredients. After learning more about Ryl’s health conscious and sustainable mission statement, Wallen was on board with plans already underway to develop new products in the coming months.
“I’ve loved sweet tea since I was a kid,” says Wallen. “I remember drinking it out of a pitcher on a hot summer day in my Mamaw Boots’ kitchen. A good iced tea brings back very happy memories for me, so when I found Ryl Tea I knew I had something special that I wanted to share. When I’m on tour, I train daily so I can bring everything I have to the stage, so finding Ryl, an iced tea with no sugar and with no artificial ingredients, has been awesome. I can’t wait to do more with them.”
Ryl Tea is available in major grocery chains across the Northeast, and in its first year, the brand is focused on expanding the product in the U.S., launching nationwide with Sprouts Farmers Market last month and moving quickly to partner with retailers and distributors who are aligned with bringing clean and functional options to legacy categories like iced tea. For more information, click here.
BMI Taps Elice Cuff-Campbell As Senior Director Of Media Relations, Nashville
/by LB CantrellElice Cuff-Campbell. Photo: Nathan Zucker for BMI
Elice Cuff-Campbell has joined BMI’s Corporate Communications & Marketing department as Senior Director of Media Relations, Nashville.
Working closely with Nashville Creative Vice President, Clay Bradley, Cuff-Campbell will lead the communications efforts for BMI’s Nashville and Austin offices. She will also oversee media relations for BMI Nashville’s numerous events, including showcases, No. 1 parties, award shows, festivals and more. She reports to Liz Fischer, BMI’s Senior Vice President of Corporate Communications & Marketing, effective immediately.
“We’re thrilled to welcome Elice to BMI,” says Fischer. “Her knowledge of the Nashville music community is second to none, as is her enthusiasm for music and songwriting. She will be a wonderful partner to our Nashville Creative team, helping to highlight the many ways they support BMI’s unmatched roster of songwriters, composers and publishers.”
Prior to joining BMI, Cuff-Campbell spent eight years as a Senior Publicist at The GreenRoom PR firm, where she developed and implemented national press campaigns for high-profile artists such as Dierks Bentley, Lady A, The War And Treaty and more. Prior to GreenRoom, she spent time at Sweet Talk Publicity and Viacom/CMT Radio. Cuff-Campbell has been listed as part of Hits Magazine’s Music Business Next Generation in 2018 and MusicRow’s Next Big Thing list in 2023.
“The passion for the songwriting community and the camaraderie at BMI are unmatched,” says Cuff-Campbell. “I’m so fortunate to have this opportunity and I am looking forward to this new chapter in my career.”
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Reveals 2023 Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughThe lineup for the three-day festival includes Charley Crockett, Josh Ritter, Larkin Poe, The Secret Sisters, Tank and the Bangas and more.
The Rocky Mountain Folks Festival Songwriters Showcase is now open for submissions and is open to anyone who writes and performs original music, and is not currently signed to a major recording or publishing deal. Contestants are judged on the quality of the song’s composition, vocal delivery and overall performance. Ten finalists will be selected to receive a three-day pass to the 2023 Rocky Mountain Folks Festival to compete in a live performance contest for cash and prizes. Online song submissions will be accepted until July 14 and can be submitted by following this link.
Rocky Mountain Folks Festival 2023 Lineup:
Charley Crockett
Josh Ritter and the Royal City Band
Larkin Poe
The Tallest Man on Earth
Tank and the Bang-as
Shovels & Rope
Celisse
Katie Pruitt
The Secret Sisters
Stephen Kellogg
Leyla McCalla
Seth Walker
Caitlin Canty
Humbird
Dead Horses
Benjamin Dakota Rogers
Kuinka
The Sensational Barnes Brothers
The Pairs
Shanna in a Dress
Songwriter Showcase
2023 CMT Awards Draws Highest Viewership In Show’s History, Breaks Digital Records
/by Lorie HollabaughJelly Roll accepts the Male Video of the Year Award. Photo: Rick Kern/Getty Images for CMT
This year’s CMT Music Awards earlier this month drew the most viewership in the show’s history, with an audience of 5.43 million viewers, up 5% from last year.
The show also achieved triple-digit percentage increases (vs. Year-Over-Year) for social media views and engagements across CMT channels, to become CMT’s most social show ever.
Awards digital and social campaign highlights include a 211% increase year over year for total interactions and +46% growth for social viewers. CMT social accounts drove 171M total views (+75%, +73M YOY) and 11.6M engagements (+156%, +7.1M YOY), making this year’s awards show the most-viewed and engaged in history.
The three-hour event also garnered significant sales and stream increases for the artists and songs performed on the show. Comparing the week over week period April 2 through April 9 versus March 26 through April 2, the average sales of songs performed saw an overall +134% sales spike and +9% streaming increase for songs performed. Sales and streaming highlights include:
Sales Increases (week over week)
Jelly Roll, “Need A Favor” +491%
Kelsea Ballerini, “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” +395%
Keith Urban, “Brown Eyes Baby” +239%
Blake Shelton, “Nobody” +179%
Kane Brown & Katelyn Brown, “Thank God” +98%
Streaming Increases (week over week)
Darius Rucker, “Fires Don’t Start Themselves” +143%~
Gwen Stefani (No Doubt), “Just a Girl” +63%
Tyler Hubbard, “Dancin’ In The Country” +38%
Jelly Roll, “Need A Favor” +37%
Kelsea Ballerini, “If You Go Down (I’m Goin’ Down Too)” +31%
~ performed as part of CMT Music Awards Extended Cut, which aired April 9 on CMT
Jelly Roll, Riley Green, More Close Out Lineup For George Jones Tribute Concert
/by Steven Boero“Still Playin’ Possum: Music and Memories of George Jones,” the concert and television special, is coming to the Von Braun Center Propst Arena in Huntsville, Alabama on April 25. This special event features some of the most talented musicians in the country music industry, and will pays tribute to the legendary Jones, will bring many of his greatest hits to the stage.
Newly added artists Jelly Roll, Riley Green, Uncle Kracker, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Isaacs and Janie Fricke will round out the final list performers, including previously-announced artists Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Wynonna, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt, Jamey Johnson, Sara Evans, Trace Adkins, Justin Moore, Lorrie Morgan, Michael Ray, Mark Chesnutt, Sam Moore, Tracy Byrd, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Lewis, Charlie Starr of Blackberry Smoke, Dillon Carmichael, Gretchen Wilson, Joe Nichols, Sara Evans and Randy Travis.
In addition, a 90’s salute to “No Show Jones” will feature a special performance by John Berry, Ty Herndon, Heath Wright, Billy Yates and Anita Cochran.
“Thank you to the many fans that are traveling from all over the world to be in Huntsville, Alabama, for this special night,” says Nancy Jones. “I think the team of producers has put together some incredible moments that will surprise everyone. People will be laughing, crying, and singing along to so many of the songs performed that night. It will be an emotional night not just for me, but also for these artists as so many were very close to George. I hope everyone that attends or gets to see it on television will enjoy it and remember their favorite George song.”
In addition, the Nancy Jones VIP dinner the night before the concert at the Von Braun Center Ballroom will include appearances by Travis and Jeannie Pruett, Yates, Tony Jackson and others to be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets are $200 and will include a sit-down meal as well as a photo opportunity with Nancy Jones. For more information, click here.
Austin Burke Releases Rendition Of Patsy Cline’s ‘Crazy’
/by LB CantrellRising singer-songwriter Austin Burke has re-imagined Patsy Cline‘s iconic “Crazy.”
Penned alongside Brandon Day, Burke’s “Crazy, Crazy” single opens with Cline’s iconic two-note introduction before breaking into the modern twist of the song.
“My wife originally challenged me to sample a song since it was a big thing in pop music,” Burke shares with MusicRow. “I brought the idea into a few writes, but because of the challenge it was going to be to get approved the other writers decided to write something else. I brought the idea to my producer Brandon Day and we ended up writing it by ourselves. It was fun to do something different and outside our norm.”
In order to release the song, Burke needed clearance from the copyright holder. He was honored to be given the stamp of approval from country legend Willie Nelson, the sole writer of the track.
“I’m a very positive person, however after three months that positivity was diminished,” Burke says. “I felt like I had put my career on hold for this song because I felt it was special. When I got the call that Willie had approved it, I called everyone in my family because I couldn’t wait to share the news. Even just being able to say that Willie Nelson approved this song freaks me out. It’s a dream come true.”
Burke has become known on Music Row as an innovative new artist. Earlier this year, he announced that he would give songwriters a percentage of his master revenue. Amassing over 180 million collective streams, the rising star continues to build fans worldwide setting up this rendition of the historical hit for more success.
Of his strategy, he says, “I definitely think of ways I can be different as an independent artist. Truthfully, it just isn’t right what record labels are doing to songwriters. They act like it’s the streaming service, yet are collecting millions of dollars from the masters. I’ve seen my check as a songwriter and I have seen my check as an artist. My songwriting check could maybe buy me a tire for my truck. The artist check bought me the truck. Everyone is talking about change, and I want to be that change.”
Listen to Burke’s “Crazy, Crazy” here.
Tim McGraw Launches New Media Venture, Down Home
/by Lorie HollabaughTim McGraw. Photo: Robby Klein
Tim McGraw has launched Down Home, a new entertainment, media and marketing company headquartered in Nashville.
The company is a collaborative effort between McGraw, his management firm EM.Co, and social content studio Shareability. Tim Staples, Shareability Founder and Down Home Co-Founder, has been named CEO, while EM.Co’s Brian Kaplan, also a Co-Founder, will serve as Chief Strategy Officer.
Down Home will be dedicated to connecting McGraw’s country music audience with Hollywood and brands by producing film, television and digital media focusing on relatable stories that capture the essence and spirit of everyday Americans. The new venture closed an investment and a first-look deal with David Ellison’s Skydance Media to develop film and television projects with the new company as well as channel IP and other material. Ellison will also serve on the Down Home board.
“Country music has always been about storytelling,” says McGraw. “Our stories are honest vignettes of life and family and community. I think there’s a longing for that. For me, that’s Down Home. That’s how I grew up, those are the stories I like to tell, and that’s what I want our company to be about.”
“Tim McGraw is an outstanding artist and entertainer,” says Ellison. “He is truly gifted at telling stories across mediums that deeply connect with the audience and has built an unmatched community of fans around the world. We are thrilled to partner with him, Tim Staples, Brian Kaplan and everyone at Down Home as they have created a dedicated infrastructure to tell stories across film, TV and music, to fulfill a massive demand for authentic, inspiring stories.”
“From 1883 to Friday Night Lights, or songs like ‘Humble and Kind’, Tim McGraw knows how to connect with this audience in a way that can be really powerful for both Hollywood and brands,” adds Staples.
“We’re thrilled to be a part of the next chapter in Nashville’s evolution, empowering artists and visionaries to create a new hub for storytelling that combines talent, passion and innovation,” says Kaplan.
Down Home has two scripted series in development with Skydance, with plans for features and animation to follow. The company also plans to establish a social content studio to nurture Nashville’s emerging talent, fostering connections across music, sports, entertainment and brands.
Ben Folds Slates New Album ‘What Matters Most’ For June
/by Lorie HollabaughBen Folds. Photo: Alysse Gafkjen
Ben Folds is gearing up for the release of his new album What Matters Most on June 2 via New West Records.
The 10-song set features guest appearances by Dodie, Tall Heights and Ruby Amanfu, and is Folds’ first studio album since his chart-topping collaboration in 2015 with the string ensemble YMusic.
Folds recently shared the video for the single “Exhausting Lover,” from the project, which was directed by the actor and comedian Derek Waters of Drunk History fame. The clip depicts an outrageous staged musical, directed by Folds, based on the song’s lyrics.
“There’s a lifetime of craft and experience all focused into this one record,” says Folds. “Sonically, lyrically, emotionally, I don’t think it’s an album I could have made at any other point in my career. I come from the vinyl era, and this, perhaps more than any record I’ve made, is a true album. There’s a very specific sequence and arc to each side, all building up to this almost surreal positive finale, and that structure was really important to me. More than anything, I wanted to make an album that was generous, that was useful. I want you to finish this record with something you didn’t have when you started.”
What Matters Most will be available digitally, on CD and standard black vinyl. A limited seagrass blue vinyl edition and a CD edition featuring three bonus tracks, both autographed by Folds, are available for pre-order now.
1. But Wait, There’s More
2. Clouds With Ellipses (feat. Dodie)
3. Exhausting Lover
4. Fragile
5. Kristine From The 7th Grade
6. Back To Anonymous
7. Winslow Gardens
8. Paddleboat
9. What Matters Most
10. Moments (feat. Tall Heights)
WME Acquires Red 11 Music
/by LB CantrellWME has announced the acquisition of Nashville-based music agency Red 11 Music. As part of the transaction, Red 11 Music and their Founder & CEO Jon Folk will officially join WME as Partner. Red 11 agents, staff and clients will now operate under WME.
In just over a decade, Red 11 Music has grown a renowned roster of clients in the Americana genre, including Turnpike Troubadours, Shooter Jennings, Muscadine Bloodline, Jason Boland & The Stragglers, Giovannie & The Hired Guns and many others.
“We have long-admired Jon and the business he has built with Red 11. Jon and his team have a proven track record of success, and we look forward to working with them to grow the Americana genre even further,” says WME’s Nashville office Co-Heads Becky Gardenhire, Joey Lee and Jay Williams. “We are excited to welcome Red 11’s clients to WME and connect them to our portfolio of industry best assets and capabilities.”
“We’re thrilled to be joining WME and the incredible resources and expertise they bring to the table,” shares Folk. “Our clients can expect even greater levels of service and opportunity in this exciting new chapter.”
Five current Red 11 employees will be joining Folk in the transition to WME, including agent Geoff Turner, coordinators Josh Green, Dan Kuklinski and Jeremy Upton, and agent assistant Lindsey Wines.
Corey Kent Preps New Project ‘Blacktop’ For June
/by Lorie HollabaughRising country singer-songwriter Corey Kent will release his third album Blacktop on June 2 via RCA Nashville/Sony Music Nashville. To celebrate the new music, Kent released a track from the upcoming project, “Something’s Gonna Kill Me,” today (April 14).
The 10-song album includes the already-released tracks, “Man of the House,” “How You Know You Made It,” “Hood of that Car” and Kent’s Platinum single “Wild As Her,” the free-spirited, high-energy track that has garnered over 250 million on-demand streams and is currently top 5 at country radio. Writers contributing to the new project along with Kent include Ryan Hurd, Morgan Wallen, Kelly Archer, Lydia Vaughan and more.
The Oklahoma native kicked off 2023 joining Parker McCollum on the road and is confirmed to play Stagecoach later this month. He will also headline his own Nashville show at Brooklyn Bowl on June 2 and tour all summer on Jason Aldean’s “Highway Desperado Tour.”
Blacktop Track Listing:
1. Wild As Her (Kelly Archer/Brett Tyler/Morgan Wallen)
2. Long Story Short (Corey Kent/Lydia Vaughan)
3. Something’s Gonna Kill Me (Corey Kent/Austin Goodloe/Joybeth Taylor/Lydia Vaughan)
4. Man of the House (Corey Kent/Austin Goodloe/Joybeth Taylor/Lydia Vaughan)
5. Gone as You (Casey Brown/Matthew McGinn/Travis Wood)
6. BiC Flame (Corey Kent/Jack Hummel/Jon Sherwood)
7. Call It a Night (Aaron Eshuis/Ryan Hurd)
8. How You Know You Made It (Corey Kent/AJ Pruis/Smith Ahnquist)
9. Hood of That Car (Corey Kent/Blake Chaffin/Jack Hummel/Jacob Lutz)
10. Once or Twice (Corey Kent/Lee Miller)