Kelsea Ballerini Adds Third Leg To ‘Heartfirst Tour’

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Kelsea Ballerini will launch the third leg of her “Heartfirst Tour” in June with ten new dates. With Georgia Webster continuing to serve as support, this leg will kick off at the Santa Barbara Bowl and close at the Arizona Financial Theatre in Phoenix, Arizona.

Tickets for the general on-sale are available Friday, March 10 at 10:00 a.m. local time. For more information, visit heartfirstour.com.

The multi-Platinum and three-time Grammy Award nominee will start on the second leg of  her “Heartfirst Tour” next week in Toronto, Ontario, picking up where she left off last fall. This portion of the journey will take Ballerini through the Midwest and East Coast before ending in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania.

The third leg announcement comes ahead of her Saturday Night Live debut as a musical guest with host Travis Kelce, set to air this Saturday, March 4. She also recently released her surprise EP, Rolling Up the Welcome Mat, and its accompanying short film on Feb. 14.

The “Heartfirst Tour” features Ballerini’s full headlining set. She also has appearances scheduled for “The Judds: The Final Tour” and Kenny Chesney’s “I Go Back Tour” this spring.

In This Issue: MusicRow’s Country Radio & Streaming Issue Spotlights Industry Experts

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MusicRow‘s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue includes a slate of experts discussing the strategy behind their work. The print issue, which was released on Feb. 28, features EMI Records/Universal Music Group Nashville’s Tyler Hubbard on its cover.

Within this issue, President of BMG Nashville, Jon Loba, and Executive Vice President Recorded Music – Nashville, JoJamie Hahr, give MusicRow a look inside BBR Music Group. Loba and Hahr zero in on the successes and strategies with artists Lainey Wilson, Jelly Roll, Parmalee and more.

The two executives discuss the fortitude of their staff, with Loba sharing, “They are a veteran team that acts and works like they are a rookie team. They are still wide-eyed and passionate, with the benefit of all the experience they have behind them. You give them competitive music and they will deliver it. It runs through all of our imprints.”

Elsewhere, Warner Music Nashville’s SVP of Radio, Kristen Williams, and SVP of Streaming, Tim Foisset, talk with MusicRow about the success of new chart-breaker Bailey Zimmerman, while Sony Music Nashville’s Exec. VP, Promotion & Artist Development, Steve Hodges, discusses the rise of Megan Moroney. All three speak about building off of independent streaming success and how they introduced their artists to country radio.

The Country Radio & Streaming Issue also includes a look at ONErpm’s expansion to Nashville in a conversation with Tim Wipperman, who serves as the Managing Director of ONErpm’s Nashville Office.

When asked about his goals for ONErpm’s expanding office in Music City, Wipperman shares, “The short-term goal is to educate Nashville in the real capabilities of this company and bring in artists who need a next-level record/distribution company. We have a first-class staff approaching 500 people worldwide, superior technology and, honestly, I don’t think Nashville gatekeepers really know a lot about us.”

He adds, “The long-term goal is to now bring the best Nashville artists into the company and be recognized as the most effective, professional record services company in town. And of course have a great time doing it!”

MusicRow profiles Pandora’s Sr. Director of Country Programming, Johnny Chiang, in this issue. Chiang began his tenure with the company in July.

“I feel that some of what I’ve learned in radio still applies now that I’m at a DSP,” Chiang shares. “For instance, I understand that new songs typically take a little time. That’s how the consumers consume this product. Because of that experience, I can come in and say, ‘Hey, this new song is not working out in the first couple of weeks, but that’s okay. Believe in it, give it time.’ Consumers typically thumb their nose at things that they’re not familiar with. That’s just the way of the world and I know that because of my experience as a terrestrial radio PD.”

In a special feature in this issue, MusicRow Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson, shares his adventurous journey to the top of Mount Kilimanjaro, one of the tallest mountains in the world. Elsewhere, MusicRow highlights the community growth aspects of secondary market radio with KAIR’s Program Director Neil Wieland.

In addition to exclusive editorial focused on the country radio and streaming segment of the music business, MusicRow also highlights the winners of the 21st annual CountryBreakout Awards with dedicated features. The 2023 winners included Male Artist of the Year Morgan Wallen (Big Loud/Mercury/Republic), Female Artist of the Year Miranda Lambert (Vanner Records/RCA Nashville), Group/Duo of the Year Old Dominion (Arista Nashville/Sony Music Nashville), Breakout Artist of the Year Jackson Dean (Big Machine Records) and Independent Artist of the Year Cody Jinks (Late August Records). Warner Music Nashville was honored with Label of the Year for the first time, while Ashley Gorley was named Songwriter of the Year for the fourth time. This year’s Reporter of the Year is WVNW’s Erik Lane.

Single copies of MusicRow’s 2023 Country Radio & Streaming Issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $20, and are included with yearly MusicRow subscriptions.

Industry Ink: Erv Woolsey, CMT Crossroads, Kelly Sutton

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BMI Honors Erv Woolsey With “Million-Air” Award

Pictured (L-R): Erv Woolsey and BMI’s Mitch Ballard celebrate the remarkable achievement of “I Can Still Make Cheyenne” at Woolsey-owned Losers in Nashville on Feb. 28, 2023

BMI honored songwriter/executive Erv Woolsey for writing George Strait’s “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” which has earned more than one million broadcast performances. Co-written with Aaron Baker, the now Platinum-certified song appeared on Strait’s album, Clear Blue Sky, in 1996.

In addition to being a songwriter, Woolsey has been a Music Row player for more than 30 years when he broke into the business managing a young and determined Strait. He currently manages Strait, Lee Ann Womack (with 377 Management), Ian Munsick (with Not A Public Figure Management) and more.

 

CMT Crossroads: For King + Country & Jimmie Allen

Pictured (L-R): Heather Graffagnino, Margaret Comeaux, Joel Smallbone, Jimmie Allen, Luke Smallbone, Leslie Fram and John Hamlin pose at CMT Crossroads at The Factory on Jan. 24, 2023 in Franklin, Tennessee. Photo: Catherine Powell/Getty Images

CMT Crossroads with For King + Country and Jimmie Allen premiered on Feb. 28 on CMT. The broadcast began at 10 p.m. / 9 p.m. cst, with an immediate encore during the following hour.

Filmed in front of a studio audience outside of Nashville, the special episode pairs the Christian pop duo with Allen as they swap stories and collaborate on each other’s most-loved songs, including Allen’s “Best Shot,” “Down Home” and “Freedom Was A Highway,” and For King + Country’s “God Only Knows,” “Joy” and “Relate,” as well as a special debut performance of a brand-new song. Audiences who missed the original segment can catch it on air again this week. This CMT Crossroads episode will be on CMT on March 5 and on CMT Music on March 10 and March 11.

 

Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton Airs 100th Episode

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Sutton, Lainey Wilson

Y’all Access with Kelly Sutton aired its 100th episode last weekend. Host Kelly Sutton celebrated with a fun photo with Lainey Wilson.

The show, syndicated across the country by Compass Media, features new music and lasting hits. Y’all Access highlights artist interviews during the three-hour segment.

Lindsay Rimes Renews Deal With Sony Music Publishing Nashville

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Tom Luteran, Kenley Flynn, Aubrey Rupe, Synnovea Halsel and Dale Bobo. (L-R, front row): Josh Van Valkenburg, Lindsay Rimes and Rusty Gaston.

Lindsay Rimes has renewed his worldwide publishing agreement with Sony Music Publishing Nashville.

A native of Surry Hills, Australia, Rimes’ songs have been recorded by Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Phillip Phillips, Dylan Scott, LoCash, The Cadillac Three, Tyler Rich, Canaan Smith and The Shires. He co-penned Kane Brown‘s quadruple Platinum single “Heaven,” which reached No.1 on Billboard‘s Country Airplay chart and collected over a billion total streams.

Rimes has had success across other genres as well, with contributions on Troye Sivan‘s 2014 EP TRXYE, which debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard 200 chart, as well as Kylie Minogue‘s 2018 album Golden, which entered the charts at No. 1 in the U.K and Australia.

Rimes recently co-wrote and produced Nate Smith’s “Whiskey on You,” which scored two consecutive weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Airplay chart.

“Lindsay’s star has been steadily rising over the last few years, and it’s been amazing to watch him succeed and grow creatively beyond genres,” says Sony Music Publishing Nashville EVP, Creative Josh Van Valkenburg. “He’s a very important member of our Sony team, and we are elated to continue our partnership with him.”

“I couldn’t be more excited about continuing my journey with the Sony family,” says Rimes. “I consider Josh and Rusty and the whole team to be simply the best at what they do.”

Morgan Wallen To Celebrate New Album With Free Nashville Arena Pop-Up Show

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Morgan Wallen. Photo: David Lehr

Morgan Wallen surprised fans this morning with news of a free, pop-up show tomorrow night, March 3 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

The direct-with-fans celebration will commemorate the release of Wallen’s new 36-song album One Thing At A Time, which drops tomorrow as well. The hitmaker played three consecutive sold-out shows at the venue during his 2022 “Dangerous Tour,” and with the NHL’s Predators away for a game, the stars aligned for Wallen to return to the arena for one night only this weekend.

“I’m gonna do acoustic… everyone’s asking me why I’m not doing a Tennessee show. I’m doing one now. Friday, March 3. See you there,” Wallen shares.

Fans can only reserve tickets in person at downtown at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Tickets are capped at two per-person. The in-the-round show kicks-off at 7:30 p.m. with doors opening at 4:30 p.m.

Nine of the songs from One Thing At A Time are available now, and have already seen huge streaming demand. Over 1.2 million fans are set to attend Wallen’s upcoming “One Night At A Time World Tour,” which kicks off overseas March 15-24 in New Zealand and Australia with Hardy before returning stateside on April 15 in Milwaukee.

Rissi Palmer To Be Featured In ‘American Masters’ Documentary

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Rissi Palmer. Photo: Chris Charles

American Masters and Firelight Media announced the second season of the documentary short series In the Making. The premiere episode will feature Grammy-nominated country artist and radio host, Rissi Palmer.

The new season focuses on nine artists across a variety of disciplines, whose work explores and influences American culture. Tony Award-winning actor and singer Audra McDonald will host the broadcast premiere of American Masters: In the Making, and the documentary short film, Rissi Palmer: Still Here.

Palmer is one of only five African American women to ever hit the Billboard charts in the history of country music. In 2007, Palmer became the first Black woman to chart a country song since Dona Mason in 1987. She has dealt with obstacles in pursuing her career yet continues to create a spotlight for herself, other Black women, and women of color.

“No one becomes an ‘American Master’ overnight, and the idea behind In the Making is to take a behind-the-scenes look at the creative processes of artists who are on their way to becoming masters in their field,” says Michael Kantor, Executive Producer for American Masters.

In Rissi Palmer: Still Here, director Dilsey Davis focuses on Palmer’s work on her upcoming new album while managing her family life and one of her busiest professional years in a decade. She hosts her own radio show, Color Me Country with Rissi Palmer, on Apple Music Country. It is part of her work to change beliefs about people of color’s present and past involvements in country music.

In addition, Palmer has released three critically acclaimed albums independently. She also garnered two Grammy nominations in the Best Children’s Music Album category. Palmer is also Governor of the Recording Academy Nashville chapter and correspondent for CMT’s Hot 20 countdown.

Rissi Palmer: Still Here premieres Friday, March 24 at 9 p.m. est / 8 p.m. cst on PBS, pbs.org/americanmasters and the PBS App. The film is a production of Firelight Media and Café con Leche Media, in association with American Masters Pictures and Black Public Media.

Wasserman Music Promotes Chappel McCollister, Yitzi Peetluk, More

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Chappel McCollister. Photo: Stacie Huckeba

Wasserman Music has announced a series of promotions, including Nashville-based team members Chappel McCollister to SVP of Business Development and Yitzi Peetluk to Agent.

In his newly elevated role, McCollister is devoted to leveraging synergies between the company’s music, sports, film, marketing and social media divisions to build unique, high-profile and profitable campaigns for clients. In his four years with the Wasserman Music team, his campaign highlights include an award-winning brand collaboration for Kacey Musgraves with candle maker Boy Smells; a partnership between Musgraves and Chipotle featuring the brand’s short animated film that went on to win three Clio Awards and five Cannes Lions Awards; and the design of the global Blake Shelton x Land’s End collection. More recently, he helped Margo Price launch her cannabis collection with Dad Grass—branded Mom Grass—to support her latest album release, and helped launch Nashville Soccer Club’s brand-new Man in Black Kit, honoring one of the most influential singer-songwriters of all time, Johnny Cash, a partnership that was spearheaded by McCollister. He is also a co-leader of Wasserman Music’s country and Americana genres.

“I have seen the future of music, sports, business development, and brand partnerships. Its name is Chappel McCollister,” says Jonathan Levine, Wasserman Music EVP & Managing Executive. “Hard pressed to find anyone who out-thinks, out-shines, or out-hustles Chappel. He’s best in class and provides tremendous service to our clients across a broad array of creative opportunities.”

Yitzi Peetluk

Peetluk began his career at Berklee College of Music in Boston, where he worked at The Red Room @ Cafe 939 and interned with Bowery Presents/Boston. Upon graduation, he was hired as an Assistant Talent Buyer for Cafe 939. In 2017, he moved to Nashville to work at CAA and became the Assistant to Wasserman Music Agents Keith Levy and Matt Runner in 2018. Since 2020, Peetluk has served as Coordinator and Senior Coordinator under Levy and Lenore Kinder. He works with artists including Sierra Ferrell, Shakey Graves, Joy Oladokun, Sarah Jarosz, Langhorne Slim and Nikki Lane, among others.

Along with Peetluk, Wasserman’s newly-promoted agents include Eli Gelernter, Logan Handelsman and Lindsay McDowell. The agency has also expanded its artist service teams with Fairs & Festivals Agent Jess Bumsted and Tour Marketers Mary Kate Carragher and Kaela Ismael. Additionally, Sara Pullman rises to the executive role of VP, Operations.

“Our two biggest priorities at Wasserman Music are the ongoing efforts to super-serve our clients and the continued career growth of our staff. These well-deserved promotions help us achieve both,” says Lee Anderson, Wasserman Music EVP & Managing Executive. “We could not be prouder of each of these employees and look forward to their continued success and contributions here at Wasserman.”

John Esposito Named New T. J. Martell Foundation Chairman Of The Board

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John Esposito. Photo: Eric Brown

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research has named Warner Music Nashville Chairman Emeritus John “Espo” Esposito the new Chairman of the Board of Trustees for the organization, according to Billboard.

The announcement comes as the organization continues to rebuild following the embezzlement scandal concerning former Executive VP & GM Melissa Goodwin, who was found to have embezzled four million dollars from the music industry charity.

Esposito’s initial term will be for two years. He succeeds Universal Music Group General Counsel and Executive VP Jeffrey Harleston, who will now serve as Executive Chairman. Esposito, who departed his role as Chairman & CEO of Warner Music Nashville at the end of 2022, has served as a T.J. Martell Foundation trustee since 2006, but has supported the organization since 1997.

“We got the double whammy of the COVID pandemic and somebody being a bad actor,” says Esposito to Billboard. “I felt qualified with my knowledge of the organization and passion for them to do what I could to help get us back on track.”

Esposito and T. J. Martell CEO Lynn-Anne Huck noted that safeguards have been put in place, including a 28-page policies and procedures manual for financial transactions, to ensure more transparency in the future. “If you go to our website, you’re going to find more information than almost any other nonprofit. We are absolutely transparent with everything,” Huck tells Billboard.

The organization has also reported they are cutting down on the number of events held each year and are considering creating marathon teams to raise money for T.J. Martell, as well as increasing planned giving by individuals and estates in addition to increasing branding and sponsorship possibilities. By relying less on staffed events, Esposito and Huck hope to keep personnel numbers lower. In 2019, T.J. Martell had 25 full-time employees, but is now down to only three. They will reportedly hire more staffers as needed.

The T.J. Martell Foundation for Cancer Research was founded by record executive Tony Martell in 1975 following the death of his son, T.J., from leukemia. the foundation holds multiple annual charity events and campaigns with the music communities in Los Angeles, New York, Nashville, Miami and more. They have raised more than $280 million in support of medical research grants and helped secure more than one billion dollars in research funding.

Grayscale Marketing Mourns Passing Of Colleague Matt Alese

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Matt Alese

Grayscale Marketing Senior Project Management and Operations Coordinator Matt Alese has passed away. He was 29.

Originally from West Islip, New York, Alese started his career at Grayscale in 2016 as an intern. In his most recent role, he helped successfully manage large projects across the country.

“I saw a drive and hunger in him even early on,” recalls Grayscale Marketing CEO, Tim Gray. “There wasn’t anything he wouldn’t or couldn’t challenge himself to do and you had to love that about him.”

Armed with his work ethic and a genuine passion for music, he quickly established himself as a fixture in the industry, regularly attending functions and serving as a member of the SOLID Board.

“Matt was an incredible colleague and friend, honest, consistently improving in his work, a committed Jiu-jitsu practitioner and avid hockey player,” remarks Gray. “He was a responsible person, a go-getter, enthusiastic, dedicated and had a sense of humor. The passion that he brought to his job, our team and this industry each and every day is something myself and others will never forget.”

A funeral mass was held Saturday, Feb. 25 in New York. Memories and condolences for the family can be left here.

CMA Announces Return Of Women’s Leadership Academy, Opens Application [Exclusive]

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CMA’s Women Leadership Academy class of 2022. Pictured (L-R, front row): Amanda Mitchell (Farris, Self & Moore, LLC), Kara Jackson (Spirit Music Publishing), Jessi Vaughn Stevenson (Warner Chappell Music), Lauren Funk (Endurance Media Group), Stevie Escoto (Girlilla Marketing); (L-R, back row): Tiffany Kerns (CMA), Megan Pekar (Loeb & Loeb LLP), Chrissy Hall (Ryman Hospitality Properties), Meredith Jones (CAA), Sloane Cavitt Logue (WME), Callie Cunningham Nobel (Red Light Management), Samantha Thornton (G Major Management), Kortney Toney (Naxos of America), Sarah Trahern (CMA). Photo: Drew Noble/CMA

The Country Music Association has announced its Women’s Leadership Academy will return for the second year. The professional development program is a group coaching experience for up to 16 high-performing women in the country music industry.

Applications for this year’s academy are open now through March 31 at CMAworld.com/membership.

After launching in 2022, the Women’s Leadership Academy provided a wealth of value to its members. Participants were coached with premier-level professional development training led by Diane Watson, PCC and Cory Colton, PCC, BCC. They also benefited from one-on-on coaching sessions, educational sessions as a group, and group coaching sessions twice a month.

Tiffany Kerns, CMA’s VP of Industry Relations and Philanthropy, tells MusicRow that the inaugural Women’s Leadership Academy gained the tools needed to lead their teams well, and the courage to acknowledge the achievements of other women without a sense of competition.

“The women wanted to meet more. They wanted the sessions to be longer,” Kerns shares. “We encouraged agility in the program because we ultimately wanted to be reactive to their evolving needs, especially as many of them were going back into the office post-COVID. We also had really great coaches that understood the assignment—that women need to walk out feeling supported, prepared and ready to lead in their spaces.”

Photo: Drew Noble/CMA

Kerns also says that the inaugural class built a tight bond throughout the length of the program.

“Women are looking for and need other women for a variety of reasons. Whether it’s to get personal or professional advice, women often feel the pressure to always have it figured out. When you build trust with other women, it allows you to have connection and resources,” she says. “They continue to meet! So, we are learning that it isn’t just about putting together a group of women and delivering educational sessions, but we need to create an experience that allows them to be open, honest and supportive of one another. We need to build a community that lives long after they have exited the program.”

Participants of the 2023 Women’s Leadership Academy will begin their program by establishing goals before connecting with each other for group sessions. Watson and Colton will return as coaches for this year’s program, which aims to strengthen professional acumen by working through critical topics such as increased self-awareness and how to use it strategically, confidence building and communicating effectively, managing inner criticism to unleash further potential, building a personal brand and networking successfully, as well as creating a better work-life integration by setting boundaries.

Of this year’s class, Kerns shares, “We want and desire women to advance and be retained in country music. So, I’m most excited that [a new class of] women are going to have the exact same experience. Thanks to our previous class, we have continued to improve the program, so we are meeting the needs of our class versus making assumptions about their needs.”