Mandy Morrison
The “My Music Row Story” weekly column features notable members of the Nashville music industry selected by the MusicRow editorial team. These individuals serve in key roles that help advance and promote the success of our industry. This column spotlights the invaluable people that keep the wheels rolling and the music playing.
With over 18 years of music industry banking experience, Mandy Gallagher Morrison’s specialty is helping her clients meet their financial goals. She joined City National Bank in 2011 to help launch its Nashville office, which made her the youngest relationship manager in the bank’s entire Entertainment division. Morrison was promoted to vice president in just two years, and has played an integral role in the bank’s growth story as it has become one of Nashville’s premiere entertainment banks. During the pandemic, Morrison quickly pivoted to helping clients secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help them survive the uncertainty and build their businesses for the “new normal.”
A year after joining City National, Morrison helped to start the Troubadour Society, an organization for young professionals that supports the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. As one of the founding leaders, she spearheaded the collaboration with the Hall of Fame to launch the organization, and is still a member today. She is currently a member of the nonprofit SOURCE, of which she sat on the board for eight years including as board president, past president and program committee chair. Morrison is also a member of the Gospel Music Association’s Business Advisory Council. She is heavily involved in Leadership Music after graduating from the program in 2015.
Morrison will be honored as part of the current class of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row on Oct. 20. For more details about the class and the event, click here.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Altamont, Tennessee, which is about an hour and a half from Nashville going towards Chattanooga. It’s a very small, rural town in Grundy County.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
Were you musical? Did you have aspirations of being in the music business when you were growing up?
No. It’s a total God thing, when you look back at your life. When I graduated, I wanted to go to the University of Tennessee but I ended up getting a scholarship at MTSU. So obviously the wise decision was to go to MTSU. I knew I wanted to do business, but I didn’t know necessarily what I wanted to do. My next door neighbor back in Grundy growing up was very high up at SunTrust Bank. When she found out I was going to MTSU, she said, “We’re always hiring college kids to be part-time tellers. Would you be interested in a job?” So my freshman year of college, I got a part-time job at SunTrust. In the summers, I would work there full time. Throughout that process, I decided to go the marketing route, so that’s what I ended up graduating in.
What did you do after college?
After I graduated from school, my manager at the time at SunTrust said, “I know you graduated in marketing and you’re probably going to be looking for a marketing job, but you are really good at your job and I think that you need to try to move up within our company until you find something that you like. There’s a position open at our music industry office in Nashville that I think you would be a great fit for. I think you need to go interview.” It wasn’t necessarily what I was planning on, but it sounded like a great opportunity. I wanted to make some more money and move up at the company while I could. So I went and interviewed. Beverly Templeton was the manager at the time, and Brian Williams managed the whole office. One Friday morning I came in and interviewed with Beverly. She called me on Monday and offered me the job.
I moved and started working at the SunTrust Entertainment Office. I probably wasn’t there for a month before I was like, “This is the coolest thing ever.” I’m in the music industry, but not in the music industry. It’s a different side of banking. You’re getting to work with artists, songwriters, business managers and publishers. Diane [Pearson] and Lori [Badgett] were there. After seeing what Beverly, Brian, Diane and Lori were doing, I knew I could actually make this a career.
Mandy Morrison, Diane Pearson, Lori Badgett. Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
What was your path at Sun Trust?
In the banking world, there are so many avenues that you can go down—especially when you were at SunTrust. You could get on the mortgage team, you could go investments, you could go into business banking, et cetera. I just knew I wanted to be Lori and Diane one day. [Laughs] I eventually wanted to be a relationship manager or a private banker.
I started as what they call a financial service representative and I did that for a few years. After that I became the assistant manager. Then my area manager at the time was like, “In order to move you up within the entertainment division, we’re going to have to move you out of the entertainment division.” So I actually went and worked at the West End office for about a year and a half, outside of entertainment. I hated it the whole time.
After that, they had a business banking position come open at the entertainment office and they immediately took me back. So I moved back to business banking for about another year and a half. Then the management position came open for the retail side of the entertainment office. So at that point, I was managing the whole team downstairs: the tellers, the financial service representatives, the assistant manager, and the retail office of the entertainment business. I loved it.
How did you get to City National Bank?
Me and Diane Pearson went to Vegas for an awards show. Diane said, “Mandy, I have an offer for you. I’ve been talking to City National Bank. They’re coming to town. I would love for you to come and be a junior relationship manager under me.” That’s what I wanted to do from the very beginning. But at first, I wasn’t sure. I had been working at SunTrust since I was 18. It sounded exciting, but it was very scary. My dad worked at Carrier for years because it was a company that was good to him. My parents instilled in me that you stay with companies that are good to you, there’s no reason to move just to move. SunTrust has been great to me, so at first I started back paddling but we talked about it again and I started feeling good about it.
I remember walking in and telling my manager at the time that I was leaving. My heart was pounding. I was taking a big leap of faith. It was like nothing that I’ve never done. I was scared to death. But Diane was coming and Lori was coming, so at least I knew that I was going to be surrounded by amazing people that could help me and cheer me on. 11 years later, here we are.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
What were those first years of building the Nashville branch of CNB like?
Hard. [Laughs] We had to figure out the systems of CNB. Diane and Lori had been at SunTrust pretty much their whole career as well. We were all trying to figure it out together. We were all in it together. The LA teams and the New York teams were so helpful. CNB is an incredible company, especially when it comes to entertainment.
11 years later, what all does your role entail?
I describe myself as the quarterback for my clients. My book of business is a lot of songwriters, so I deal a lot in songwriter markets in addition to business managers, producers, et cetera. I help them with, ultimately, whatever they need. If they need a mortgage, then I’ll get my mortgage advisor involved and we’ll get a mortgage. If they’re looking at investments, I get my investment guy and we talk through everything. You never really know what’s going to happen day to day. It’s really just continuing to grow my book and elevating and helping my clients financially as as much as I can.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
You’ve talked a lot about Diane and Lori, what are some things you’ve learned from them?
Those two are two of the hardest working women. I could cry talking about them. They are so inspiring. They’re very humble. They’re just great leaders in their own unique ways. They both bring so much to the table.
Do you think that having women in your life like that impacted your experience as a woman in the music industry?
100%. Diane took me under her wing when we were in SunTrust and really helped me along way. I remember when I had to go out to the West End office, I asked her if that was a good move. With her experience, she guided me in that decision and really helped me understand that. They’re brilliant bankers. Lori, for example, is incredible with catalog loans. The knowledge that they bring to the table is wonderful. Having mentors and grabbing them early is such a key to succeed.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
You’re super involved in philanthropy efforts as well. What have been some of your proudest accomplishments over the years?
I would say one of my proudest is the Troubadour Society with the Country Music Hall of Fame. I helped start that from the ground up. It has been really rewarding seeing it become what it has become. SOURCE has also been a great one that I’ve loved to be part of.
Starting so young in my career, I was able to get involved with SOLID at the very beginning. Then I sat on the board of SOLID. I went from SOLID straight into SOURCE. Then I was able to get into Leadership Music in 2015. All of that has been rewarding.
You will be honored at MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row breakfast on Oct. 20. If somebody was to ask you what success for you, what would you tell them?
During that process of transitioning from SunTrust and CNB, I actually got my master’s at Lipscomb. They have an MBA on leadership. I took a class on leadership over there and something in that class hit home for me. The professor had a deck of card that had all of these adjectives on them. You had to go through the deck four or five times and pick cards that you felt were meaningful to you as a person. Once you got down to five cards, she said, “When these five values are coming out of your job, that means that you’ve found the job that is true to yourself.” So to me, success is defined when you are being true to who you are and your values are pouring out in what you’re doing. My five values were faith, family, service, trust, and legacy.
My Music Row Story: City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher Morrison
/by LB CantrellMandy Morrison
With over 18 years of music industry banking experience, Mandy Gallagher Morrison’s specialty is helping her clients meet their financial goals. She joined City National Bank in 2011 to help launch its Nashville office, which made her the youngest relationship manager in the bank’s entire Entertainment division. Morrison was promoted to vice president in just two years, and has played an integral role in the bank’s growth story as it has become one of Nashville’s premiere entertainment banks. During the pandemic, Morrison quickly pivoted to helping clients secure Paycheck Protection Program (PPP) loans to help them survive the uncertainty and build their businesses for the “new normal.”
A year after joining City National, Morrison helped to start the Troubadour Society, an organization for young professionals that supports the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. As one of the founding leaders, she spearheaded the collaboration with the Hall of Fame to launch the organization, and is still a member today. She is currently a member of the nonprofit SOURCE, of which she sat on the board for eight years including as board president, past president and program committee chair. Morrison is also a member of the Gospel Music Association’s Business Advisory Council. She is heavily involved in Leadership Music after graduating from the program in 2015.
Morrison will be honored as part of the current class of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row on Oct. 20. For more details about the class and the event, click here.
MusicRow: Where did you grow up?
I grew up in Altamont, Tennessee, which is about an hour and a half from Nashville going towards Chattanooga. It’s a very small, rural town in Grundy County.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
Were you musical? Did you have aspirations of being in the music business when you were growing up?
No. It’s a total God thing, when you look back at your life. When I graduated, I wanted to go to the University of Tennessee but I ended up getting a scholarship at MTSU. So obviously the wise decision was to go to MTSU. I knew I wanted to do business, but I didn’t know necessarily what I wanted to do. My next door neighbor back in Grundy growing up was very high up at SunTrust Bank. When she found out I was going to MTSU, she said, “We’re always hiring college kids to be part-time tellers. Would you be interested in a job?” So my freshman year of college, I got a part-time job at SunTrust. In the summers, I would work there full time. Throughout that process, I decided to go the marketing route, so that’s what I ended up graduating in.
What did you do after college?
After I graduated from school, my manager at the time at SunTrust said, “I know you graduated in marketing and you’re probably going to be looking for a marketing job, but you are really good at your job and I think that you need to try to move up within our company until you find something that you like. There’s a position open at our music industry office in Nashville that I think you would be a great fit for. I think you need to go interview.” It wasn’t necessarily what I was planning on, but it sounded like a great opportunity. I wanted to make some more money and move up at the company while I could. So I went and interviewed. Beverly Templeton was the manager at the time, and Brian Williams managed the whole office. One Friday morning I came in and interviewed with Beverly. She called me on Monday and offered me the job.
I moved and started working at the SunTrust Entertainment Office. I probably wasn’t there for a month before I was like, “This is the coolest thing ever.” I’m in the music industry, but not in the music industry. It’s a different side of banking. You’re getting to work with artists, songwriters, business managers and publishers. Diane [Pearson] and Lori [Badgett] were there. After seeing what Beverly, Brian, Diane and Lori were doing, I knew I could actually make this a career.
Mandy Morrison, Diane Pearson, Lori Badgett. Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
What was your path at Sun Trust?
In the banking world, there are so many avenues that you can go down—especially when you were at SunTrust. You could get on the mortgage team, you could go investments, you could go into business banking, et cetera. I just knew I wanted to be Lori and Diane one day. [Laughs] I eventually wanted to be a relationship manager or a private banker.
I started as what they call a financial service representative and I did that for a few years. After that I became the assistant manager. Then my area manager at the time was like, “In order to move you up within the entertainment division, we’re going to have to move you out of the entertainment division.” So I actually went and worked at the West End office for about a year and a half, outside of entertainment. I hated it the whole time.
After that, they had a business banking position come open at the entertainment office and they immediately took me back. So I moved back to business banking for about another year and a half. Then the management position came open for the retail side of the entertainment office. So at that point, I was managing the whole team downstairs: the tellers, the financial service representatives, the assistant manager, and the retail office of the entertainment business. I loved it.
How did you get to City National Bank?
Me and Diane Pearson went to Vegas for an awards show. Diane said, “Mandy, I have an offer for you. I’ve been talking to City National Bank. They’re coming to town. I would love for you to come and be a junior relationship manager under me.” That’s what I wanted to do from the very beginning. But at first, I wasn’t sure. I had been working at SunTrust since I was 18. It sounded exciting, but it was very scary. My dad worked at Carrier for years because it was a company that was good to him. My parents instilled in me that you stay with companies that are good to you, there’s no reason to move just to move. SunTrust has been great to me, so at first I started back paddling but we talked about it again and I started feeling good about it.
I remember walking in and telling my manager at the time that I was leaving. My heart was pounding. I was taking a big leap of faith. It was like nothing that I’ve never done. I was scared to death. But Diane was coming and Lori was coming, so at least I knew that I was going to be surrounded by amazing people that could help me and cheer me on. 11 years later, here we are.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
What were those first years of building the Nashville branch of CNB like?
Hard. [Laughs] We had to figure out the systems of CNB. Diane and Lori had been at SunTrust pretty much their whole career as well. We were all trying to figure it out together. We were all in it together. The LA teams and the New York teams were so helpful. CNB is an incredible company, especially when it comes to entertainment.
11 years later, what all does your role entail?
I describe myself as the quarterback for my clients. My book of business is a lot of songwriters, so I deal a lot in songwriter markets in addition to business managers, producers, et cetera. I help them with, ultimately, whatever they need. If they need a mortgage, then I’ll get my mortgage advisor involved and we’ll get a mortgage. If they’re looking at investments, I get my investment guy and we talk through everything. You never really know what’s going to happen day to day. It’s really just continuing to grow my book and elevating and helping my clients financially as as much as I can.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
You’ve talked a lot about Diane and Lori, what are some things you’ve learned from them?
Those two are two of the hardest working women. I could cry talking about them. They are so inspiring. They’re very humble. They’re just great leaders in their own unique ways. They both bring so much to the table.
Do you think that having women in your life like that impacted your experience as a woman in the music industry?
100%. Diane took me under her wing when we were in SunTrust and really helped me along way. I remember when I had to go out to the West End office, I asked her if that was a good move. With her experience, she guided me in that decision and really helped me understand that. They’re brilliant bankers. Lori, for example, is incredible with catalog loans. The knowledge that they bring to the table is wonderful. Having mentors and grabbing them early is such a key to succeed.
Photo: Courtesy of Mandy Morrison
You’re super involved in philanthropy efforts as well. What have been some of your proudest accomplishments over the years?
I would say one of my proudest is the Troubadour Society with the Country Music Hall of Fame. I helped start that from the ground up. It has been really rewarding seeing it become what it has become. SOURCE has also been a great one that I’ve loved to be part of.
Starting so young in my career, I was able to get involved with SOLID at the very beginning. Then I sat on the board of SOLID. I went from SOLID straight into SOURCE. Then I was able to get into Leadership Music in 2015. All of that has been rewarding.
You will be honored at MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row breakfast on Oct. 20. If somebody was to ask you what success for you, what would you tell them?
During that process of transitioning from SunTrust and CNB, I actually got my master’s at Lipscomb. They have an MBA on leadership. I took a class on leadership over there and something in that class hit home for me. The professor had a deck of card that had all of these adjectives on them. You had to go through the deck four or five times and pick cards that you felt were meaningful to you as a person. Once you got down to five cards, she said, “When these five values are coming out of your job, that means that you’ve found the job that is true to yourself.” So to me, success is defined when you are being true to who you are and your values are pouring out in what you’re doing. My five values were faith, family, service, trust, and legacy.
Luke Bryan Rises To No. 1 On MusicRow Radio Chart
/by Alex Parry“Country On” by Luke Bryan is crowned this week’s No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart. The single was written by Mark Nesler, David Frasier, Mitch Oglesby, and Styles Haury.
Next month, Bryan will co-host the 56th Annual CMA Awards alongside Peyton Manning, where he has a nomination for Single of the Year for his duet with Jordan Davis, “Buy Dirt.” In addition to headlining Stagecoach in 2023, he also announced his eighth annual Crash My Playa concert vacation for January.
Bryan will return as a judge for the sixth season of American Idol alongside Katy Perry and Lionel Richie. The new season is set to premiere next spring.
Click here to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly containing the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart.
ACM Hosts Students For Internship Open House At New Nashville Headquarters
/by LB CantrellACM CEO Damon Whiteside and Academy staff gather with students from local Nashville colleges and universities at the ACM Spring 2023 Internship Open House
The Academy of Country Music welcomed students from numerous Nashville colleges and universities to an open house at the Academy’s new Music City headquarters on Wednesday (Oct. 12).
The students gathered to learn more about the ACM’s spring 2023 internship program. Interested candidates mingled and networked with Academy leadership and staff and learned about the organization, its philanthropic arm ACM Lifting Lives, and the popular internship program.
The Academy is currently seeking bright, hard-working students for spring 2023 internships running January through May 2023, marking the organization’s first in-person offering in Nashville after decades in California. Candidates should love country music and want to see and learn the music entertainment business up-close.
This year’s interns will work towards the planning and execution of the 58th Academy of Country Music Awards, set to return to Prime Video on Thursday, May 11, 2023 from Ford Center at The Star, the world headquarters of the Dallas Cowboys, in Frisco, Texas.
Selected candidates will work closely with Academy staff from the Nashville headquarters across Event Management; Strategic Partnerships; Marketing; Publicity & PR; Creative and Content Production; Design; ACM Lifting Lives; and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion. Interns may receive credit for their participation and will be paid for the internship.
All students are encouraged to apply by sending a resume and cover letter as an attachment to internships@acmcountry.com by Monday, Oct. 24, 2022.
For more information, interested students should visit acmcountry.com/employment.
SmackTok Adds First Team Member, Aleks Samul, As Coordinator
/by Lydia FarthingAlek Samul
SmackTok, a division of Smack started by Marissa Turk, had added its first team member. Aleks Samul will serve as SmackTok Coordinator, reporting directly to Turk and assisting in the day-to-day operations of the company’s digital leg.
Originally from Poland, Samul moved to Nashville by way of California to work in country music. She formerly served as the artist relations & marketing manager for a Nashville-based music promotions company.
“I am absolutely honored to be working with so many successful and inspirational individuals at Smack,” says Samul. “The company’s continuous success is truly impressive, and we are just getting started! I am excited to help support the amazing talent that surrounds us.”
“Bringing Aleks on board to assist in leading SmackTok is the difference maker that will allow us to offer new services in the creator space and keep us ahead of the curve,” Turk adds. “Aleks brings limitless creativity, impactful ideas and tremendous follow through that is proving to be effective in the influencer/digital world.”
SmackTok was launched in 2021 under the Smack umbrella. It offers influencer marketing services and focuses on connecting artist directly with their fans through social media platforms.
NMPA Awards Nashville Songwriters With Gold & Platinum Program Honors
/by LB CantrellPictured: Katlin Owen, Chris Young and Corey Crowder perform “Famous Friends” at NMPA Gold & Platinum Gala
The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) held its annual Gold & Platinum Gala at Nashville’s City Winery.
In between awards, guests were treated to acoustic performances from some winners. RaeLynn performed her Gold-certified “Lonely Call,” while Cam gave a hair-raising rendition of her 3X multi-Platinum hit “Burning House.” Chris Young and Corey Crowder closed the show with Young’s multi-Platinum “Famous Friends.”
Pictured: Cam performs “Burning House” at NMPA Gold & Platinum Gala
Throughout the night, NMPA honored 10 Gold, 15 Platinum and 27 multi-Platinum songwriters, including Rhett Akins, Ingrid Andress, Jimmy Robbins, Lauren Alaina, Tyler Hubbard, Laura Veltz and more.
As one of the most widely recognized measures of achievement in music, the Gold & Platinum program allows for the NMPA to certify songwriters of RIAA certified singles. RIAA counts both sales and on-demand streams towards its Gold (500K), Platinum (1M) and multi-Platinum (2M+) thresholds.
“Tonight is your night,” said NMPA President & CEO David Israelite to the room of songwriters, noting that since 2007, NMPA’s Gold & Platinum Program has awarded over 32,000 certifications.
“We are proud to honor the creatives. As everyone knows, the past few years have been turbulent, and we’ve never needed your music more. You’ve written songs that have gotten us through the good times and the tough times. They’ve created a lasting impact on our lives,” he said.
Israelite made sure to recognize Mitch Glazier and the RIAA, Kris Ahrend and The MLC, and Garrett Levin and DiMA. He loaded on the praise for NSAI and its leaders Bart Herbison and Jennifer Turnbow. “There is no one who does more for the songwriting community, not just in Nashville but in the world, than NSAI,” Israelite said.
Guests munched on BLT and pulled pork sandwiches, french fries, veal, smoked turkey, mac & cheese, salad, and a full dessert bar. Despite the nasty weather, the night was warm and full of fellowship.
Chase Matthew Partners With Warner Music Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Chase Matthew, Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville) and Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville). Photo: Courtesy of Shore Fire Media
Chase Matthew has entered a partnership with Warner Music Nashville.
Matthew has independently amassed over 360 million global career streams with more than 150 million global streams on his first RIAA Gold-certified smash, “County Line.” He’s also garnered over a million followers across social media and was named a HITS Magazine One to Watch.
Since releasing his debut album Born For This earlier this year, Matthew has been selling out venues across the nation on his headline tour, recently making his hometown debut in Nashville to a sold-out crowd of more than 1,600. His forthcoming single, “She Loves Jesus,” is set to release on Oct. 28, and fans can expect more new music from the Nashville riser in the coming months.
“Chase’s mix of rebellion and reverence is what drew us to him,” says Cris Lacy, co-president of Warner Music Nashville. “The impact he has on his mass of loyal fans comes from music and messages that are unapologetically redemptive and put him squarely in the center of this format’s most authentic storytellers.”
Ben Kline, co-president of Warner Music Nashville, adds, “The fan reaction to Chase and his music, both in his live show and in the streaming and engagement metrics, are proof of just how talented he is.”
“There are a lot of things that are important to me as an artist. I want to be able to stay true to who I am and make music I know will resonate with my fans,” says Matthew. “Ryan Upchurch gave me an opportunity that put me on the map. Looking forward, we wanted to maintain how we work but grow the team in order to build bigger. Warner Nashville understood our goals and provided the opportunity for a true partnership, allowing me to maintain my independence and creative control. I’m thrilled to be able to work with the Warner Nashville team and take this thing to a whole new level for the fans—all while keeping God’s plan first!”
Matthew is repped by Loyd Potts and Ken Madson at Ignition Management, along with agency representation at UTA.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Ashley McBryde Serves Up Feisty ‘Sisterhood Anthem’
/by Robert K OermannWe’re all about gender parity today at DISClaimer.
Note that half of the tracks reviewed in this edition of the column feature female voices. Which is the way things ought to be, since that’s half of the listening audience.
Note also that the two best written songs here come from female artists. I refer to Ingrid Andress’ lovely “Blue” and to Ashley McBryde’s inspiring “Bonfire at Tina’s.” On the other hand, Travis Denning’s fine composition gives the gals a run for their money, and Restless Road is a total rush.
Finally, note that the Disc of the Day award belongs to a mighty country woman, Ashley McBryde.
DARIUS RUCKER & CHAPEL HART / “Ol’ Church Hymn”
Writers: Darius Rucker/Ben Hayslip/Josh Miller/Greylan James; Producer: Ross Copperman; Label: Capitol
–Warm, loving and kind sounding. He sings of the soothing power of love while the Chapel Hart trio harmonizes softly in the background. I’d have mixed them up louder in the mix and given them a verse of their own.
TRAVIS DENNING / “Buy a Girl a Drink”
Writers: Travis Denning/Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni/Chase McGill; Producers: Jeremy Stover/Paul DiGiovanni; Label: Mercury
–Very, very sweet. Sung with boyish charm, yet laced with aged wisdom, it’s an encapsulation of life and love that’s impossible to resist. The churning production is a big plus, too.
CARRIE UNDERWOOD / “Hate My Heart”
Writers: Carrie Underwood/Hillary Lindsey/David Garcia/Michael Hardy; Producers: Carrie Underwood/David Garcia; Label: Capitol
–It’s a rollicking banger that contrasts her desire to party with a heartbreak that’s holding her back. The stacked female harmonies are cool, but the guitar-dominated track could have been more creative.
HARDY / “Jack”
Writers: Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Hillary Lindsey; Producers: Joey Moi/Michael Hardy/David Garcia/Derek Wells; Label: Big Loud Rock
–Don’t misled by the soft, quiet intro. This turns into a slammin’ rock track with ferociously pounding rhythm. “Jack,” as you might expect, is a certain Tennessee whiskey who may or may not become your pal.
MADELINE EDWARDS / “Too Much of a Good Thing”
Writers: Madeline Edwards/Ian Christian/Trannie Anderson; Producer: none listed; Label: Warner
–I have long loved the smokey quality in her voice. A string of excellent indie releases has led to this major-label debut. Her gospel-y piano provides understated power and pulse to the enveloping ballad. I’m in. Make her a star.
JAMESON RODGERS / “Things That Matter”
Writers: Lynne Hutton/Jameson Rodgers/Elwyn Ahnquist Smith/Will Bundy; Producers: Chris Farren/Jake Mitchell; Label: Sony
–Forget about politics, the economy and material possessions and concentrate on the simple pleasures of life, advises Mr. Rodgers on this gently swaying outing. It’s a breezy and totally country sound that’s as refreshing as a soft spring rain.
ASHLEY McBRYDE / “Bonfire at Tina’s”
Writers: Ashley McBryde/Brandy Clark/Benjy Davis/Connie Harrington/Nicolette Hayford/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: John Osborne; Label: Warner
–This woman is tower of talent. On this slow-burn blazer she’s feisty and fierce. It’s a sisterhood anthem with lots and lots of heart. The gals get together to drink, smoke and bitch around a bonfire, and the result builds to an inspiring crescendo.
ADAM DOLEAC / “Whiskey Barstool Wonderland”
Writers: Adam Doleac/Lindsay Rimes/Jonathan Singleton; Producer: Jordan Schmidt; Label: Arista
–The power ballad yearns for lost love while deep percussion pounds and electric guitars soar. I think what I like best about it is how his singing ranges from feathery whisper to shouted tenor anguish. Definitely hooky. It’s the title track to his debut album, an 18-track serving.
INGRID ANDRESS / “Blue”
Writers: Ingrid Andress/Sam Ellis/Derrick Southerland/Shane McAnally; Producers: Sam Ellis/Ingrid Andress; Label: Warner/Atlantic
–Languid and dreamy, this is a mini-masterpiece of a romantic ballad. The lines are exquisite as she describes a shade that she is seeing for the first time, the blue of his eyes. You’ll find it on her new sophomore album, Good Person.
RESTLESS ROAD / “Sundown Somewhere”
Writers: Ben Hayslip/Cole Swindell/Cole Taylor/Jacob Rice; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Label: RCA
–A wafting country rocker loaded to the gills with the trio’s stunning harmony voices. These guys are so radio ready it’s ridiculous. In a word, irresistible.
ROBYN OTTOLINI / “Busy”
Writers: Robyn Ottolini/Seth Mosley/Jessica Cayne; Producers: Erik Fintelman/Mark Schroor/Michael O’Connor/Seth Mosley; Label: Warner
–There’s not a lot of singing going on here. More like shouting with hints of melody. However, it does have plenty of attitude.
TYLER BOOTH / “Feeling Whitney”
Writers: Andrew Wotman/Austin Post; Producers: Tyler Booth/John Johnson; Label: Sony/Villa 40
–Covering a Post Malone tune as a country single might sound nutty. Melodically, it actually works pretty well, and Tyler’s baritone voice is fine, as usual. The lyrics are still oblique.
Jon Kraft Signs Global Publishing Deal With Warner Chappell Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (WCM), Taylor Phillips, Jon Kraft, Mason Hunter (BMI), Will Overton (WCM)
Singer-songwriter Jon Kraft has signed a global publishing deal with Warner Chappell Music.
Born and raised in Lincoln County, West Virginia, Kraft dreamed of writing songs inspired by his experiences growing up on Bear Creek. Following graduation from Marshall University, he landed a job in the oil and gas industry negotiating pipeline deals throughout the country, all while starting and managing a real estate business back home.
A few years ago, his passion for storytelling and songwriting led Kraft to Nashville to pursue his dream. He moved to Music City in 2017 and began writing with some of the city’s top writers.
Travis Chaney & Bridgette Tatum Launch SoNash Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Travis Chaney, Abigail Wate Ayala and Bridgette Tatum
New Nashville-based publishing company SoNash has opened its doors with a team that includes President,Travis Chaney, Vice President Bridgette Tatum, Abigail Wate Ayala as Creative Director, and Juli Newton-Griffith as Creative Consultant.
A coach, consultant and entrepreneur, Chaney’s partnership with Tatum stems from years of a successful working relationship. Tatum is an entrepreneur and songwriter who has more than 100 recorded songs under her belt, including the No. 1 most-played song of 2009, Jason Aldean’s “She’s Country.”
“I have a passion for business and a passion for music,” Chaney explains. “I’ve started several businesses from the ground up, but the key to success has always been the people directly involved in the companies. Bridgette Tatum and I have built a strong working relationship over the past five years. She is an amazingly gifted songwriter and also brings a high business acumen which, coupled with her creative talents, represents all the ingredients I was looking for in a great business partner. I’m ecstatic to be working with her alongside an extremely talented team of music minds.”
“SoNash is here to give integrity and respect to the relationship between publisher business and writer’s creativity. We want to build, cultivate, and help successfully push both SoNash and the writers together toward each one’s goals as a team,” Tatum adds. “I’ve heard it said, ‘Music stops at business and business stops at music.’ I don’t think that’s true. I believe both can shake hands and make the music special. One cannot work without the other. This landed on the side of good, with a lot of direction from God. For that I’m excited and grateful.”
Wate Ayala holds a degree from MTSU and during college interned at multiple music companies, including SeaGayle Music, Sandbox Entertainment, Huskins-Harris Business Management, and Cornman Music, where she was hired. Following two years at Cornman, she worked at Bring A Shovel Management before joining SoNash as Creative Director.
“I am so incredibly excited to join the SoNash team. Bridgette and Travis are building an incredible culture and environment for songwriters and a place for songs to grow and prosper. I am honored to be working for them and to also have guidance from Juli as I start my journey with SoNash!” notes Wate Ayala.
Newton-Griffith has over 30 years of experience in Nashville’s music industry, garnering over 1,000 cuts for artists such as Stuart Harris, Wynonna Judd and Travis Tritt, and representing over 100 songwriters.
“Publishing is a huge passion of mine and to be able to keep my hands in it with SoNash is amazing. They are building something great and I’m happy to be a consultant for them,” shares Newton-Griffith.
Kentucky Rising Concert Featuring Chris Stapleton, Dwight Yoakam Raises Over $2.5 Million
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Stapleton playing at the Kentucky Rising benefit concert. Photo: Courtesy of Sacks & Co.
The Kentucky Rising benefit concert in Lexington, Kentucky on Tuesday night (Oct. 11) raised over $2.5 million for flood relief in Eastern Kentucky.
Eastern Kentucky-natives Chris Stapleton, Dwight Yoakam and Tyler Childers performed at the sold-out event at Lexington’s Rupp Arena, which also featured performances from surprise guests Patty Loveless, Ricky Skaggs, S.G. Goodman and University of Kentucky football coach Mark Stoops.
Proceeds raised will benefit the Kentucky Rising Fund to assist with ongoing aid and recovery efforts in Eastern Kentucky following July’s devastating floods. Working with the Blue Grass Community Foundation, the Kentucky Rising Fund will use the entirety of those funds to support both immediate needs and long-term recovery projects as they emerge.
The concert, which culminated in a group finale of John Prine’s “Paradise,” is available for on-demand viewing for the next 48 hours via Veeps.