Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (Triple Tigers), Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing), Producer Aaron Eshuis, BMI songwriter Trent Tomlinson, Scotty McCreery, BMI songwriter Jim Collins, Producer Derek Wells, Brooke Burrows (Mucho Love Publishing), BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
Industry members gathered in the BMI lobby on Monday afternoon (Sept. 26) to celebrate Scotty McCreery‘s Gold-certified No. 1 song, “Damn Strait,” which pays homage to some of country icon George Strait‘s masterful hit songs.
Notching the Triple Tigers recording artists’ fifth trip to the top, BMI’s David Preston also noted that the track is the second longest run at the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart at three consecutive weeks behind Luke Combs’ 14 weeks. Written by Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins, the song also marks another outside cut that has skyrocketed to the peak at country radio.
Hosted by Preston, the celebration kicked off with CEO of Mucho Love Brooke Burrows taking the stage to share her thanks for Collins, Tomlinson and McCreery, as well as Triple Tigers’ SVP, Promotion Kevin Herring and his team for getting the song all the way to the top.
“We are so proud to be a part of ‘Damn Strait’ with Trent and Jim. Thank you so much, Scotty, for making it a big ole hit for us,” Burrows offered. “We’re just so proud to be a part of this.”
Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul was also on hand to offer his congratulations to McCreery. On behalf of Pinnacle, he also shared that they would be making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of the song.
Herring took the microphone next to dote on his history with Tomlinson, noting that the pair first met when the Arkansas native was signed to Lyric Street years ago. “We got a couple of hits, but we never made it to the pinnacle so it’s really special that Trent played this song for me and we were able to take it all the way,” he explained. “It’s really special for me to get to have a No. 1 record with Trent.”
Herring gave a shoutout to McCreery’s management team at Triple 8, including founder George Couri and day-to-day manager Scott Stem. He also thanked the Triple Tigers promotion staff and the label’s President Norbert Nix. Finally, he turned his attention to the man of the hour.
“Scotty, you’re the greatest. We always ask and you always say yes.” He added, “Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Conway Twitty was a country song’s best friend. I think that in the 2020s, you are a country song’s best friend,” to which the room happily agreed.
Next, it was time to hear from the writers.
Collins opened the floor, thanking McCreery and the record’s producers, Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis. The Texas Songwriter Hall of Fame member then made note of all the writers of the songs mentioned in “Damn Strait” that contributed to its storyline, including Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, Mark Sanders, Aaron Barker, Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson, Gary Harrison, Keith Stegall, Frank Dycus and Dean Dillon.
The two-time Grammy nominee also took a moment to honor his attorney Mike Milom and Wayne Milligan who helped track down all of those writers and get the licenses needed to use them in “Damn Strait.”
“The writers gave us permission to use their songs in our storyline. I wanted to recognize them, but in order to do that, I had to get a little help so I have a couple of plaques I want to give out. The first one is to Wayne Milligan, who helped me put my company together.” Collins continued, “[The second person] has been my attorney since I moved to town. [Mike] was a big part of this whole thing and made sure that we could do all this stuff.”
Tomlinson followed, first offering his sentiments to McCreery for believing in the song and singing “his butt off on it.” He then turned the attention to his co-writer, sharing how sweet it is for one of their songs to finally have its day in the spotlight. Tomlinson echoed Collins’ thanks to the original Strait songwriters, saying “I want to thank all the songwriters that wrote the songs that we weaved into our storyline to make this work. If it wasn’t for those songs, there wouldn’t be this one.”
Tomlinson also thanked Herring for his continuous belief in him over the years, and for finally achieving their first No. 1 together after 20 years. He also thanked his BMI family for their support and for all the work they do on behalf of songwriters.
Finally, McCreery addressed the writers, thanking them for writing an amazing song.
“Nashville is a songwriter’s town and I felt so honored to get to sing this. I’ve recorded a lot of songs in the last 11 years and this is right up there with my favorites that I’ve done,” he recalled. “I’ve been fortunate to have songs that have worked on the radio in the last few years, but this one is different.”
McCreery then moved to his team, starting with BMI and rolling through his label, management, his publicists at EBM, the Universal Publishing team, his attorney David Crow, FBMM, his producers, his wife, and his band and crew.
“It takes a village. I’ve always said that, and I have the best village in Nashville,” he said with a smile. “But again, today is Jim and Trent’s. Thank you for writing an awesome song and thank you for sending it to me. I’m looking forward to singing this song for many, many years to come.”
Jody Williams Songs Adds Two To Publishing Roster, One To Writer Management
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Andy Austin, Harper O’Neill, and Trent Dabbs
Jody Williams Songs (JWS) has signed three new creators to its growing roster. Andy Austin and Harper O’Neill have inked publishing deals with JWS and Warner Chappell, while Trent Dabbs joins JWS as a writer management client.
“As songwriters Andy, Harper and Trent occupy completely different lanes and bring exciting opportunities to our company,” notes Nina Jenkins Fisher, Sr. Director, Creative. “We are fortunate to be working with them.”
A Kannapolis, North Carolina native, Austin has been writing and performing in Nashville since 2018. His music embodies neotraditional sensibilities reminiscent of 80’s and 90’s country music. Austin is also a member of a trio with Dan Alley and Sam Banks, and their performances at The Scoreboard Bar & Grill have become a must-see weekly event.
O’Neill is a writer-artist from Richardson, Texas who has been pursuing a career in Nashville for the past four years. As a writer, she collaborates with a tribe of like-minded writer-artists, such as Meg McCree, Ben Chapman, Collin Nash, and Aaron Raitiere. The first single from her debut EP, produced by Jake Gear, will be released this fall.
Dabbs is a writer, producer and artist. He’s has cuts on Kacey Musgraves’ Grammy award-winning album, Golden Hour (“High Horse”), as well as in hundreds of films and TV shows, including Grey’s Anatomy, Love is Blind, Vampire Diaries, Nashville and more. Coin, Anderson East, Caylee Hammack, Natalie Hemby, Lady A, Little Big Town, Ingrid Michaelson, and Needtobreathe are among the artists who have co-penned and recorded Dabbs’ songs.
These three join a roster of artists, writers and producers represented by JWS, including Greg Bates, Nathan Chapman, Vince Gill, Natalie Hemby, Peytan Porter, Jason Nix, Jeremy Spillman, Driver Williams and Ashley McBryde.
In Pictures: Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival Returns To Franklin
/by Liza AndersonPilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2022. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images.
This past weekend (Sept. 24-25), Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival made its way back to Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tennessee. Over 17,000 attendees packed the grounds, enjoying a full slate of music as well as incredible meals and shopping.
Brandi Carlisle performing at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2022. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images.
Musical talent infused the event as Brandi Carlile and Jon Batiste led the weekend lineup. They energized the crowd while the crowd simultaneously energized them with happy faces and positive vibes.
The talent continued to flow with performances from Lake Street Dive, Elle King, Lennon Stella, Trampled by Turtles, Dawes, Better Than Ezra, Marty Stuart, Celisse, Molly Tuttle and Golden Highway, Butch Walker, Brittney Spencer, Black Joe Lewis & The Honeybears, Adia Victoria, Bones Owens, Jensen McRae and more.
Pilgrimage festival went out with a bang, closing the weekend with a free and easy set from The Avett Brothers and a country-rock performance by Chris Stapleton.
Lake Street Dive performing at Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2022. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images.
Alongside its variety of musical offerings, the event, founded by Better Than Ezra singer and Franklin residents Kevin Griffin, W. Brandt Wood and Michael Whelan, seeks to support all kinds of local creators.
Throughout the weekend, crowds enjoyed eats and treats at the Farm-to-Turntable Food Truck Park and wet their whistles in the Craft Beer Hall. In between shows, attendees shopped wares from 40 local artisans and retailers including jewelry, hats, clothing, home decor and more in Makers Village.
Chris Stapleton closing out Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2022. Photo: Erika Goldring/Getty Images.
Better Than Ezra’s Kevin Griffin giving a guitar to a fan during Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival 2022. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images.
Nashville Industry Members Celebrate Scotty McCreery, ‘A Country Song’s Best Friend’
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (Triple Tigers), Rusty Gaston (Sony Music Publishing), Producer Aaron Eshuis, BMI songwriter Trent Tomlinson, Scotty McCreery, BMI songwriter Jim Collins, Producer Derek Wells, Brooke Burrows (Mucho Love Publishing), BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI
Industry members gathered in the BMI lobby on Monday afternoon (Sept. 26) to celebrate Scotty McCreery‘s Gold-certified No. 1 song, “Damn Strait,” which pays homage to some of country icon George Strait‘s masterful hit songs.
Notching the Triple Tigers recording artists’ fifth trip to the top, BMI’s David Preston also noted that the track is the second longest run at the top of the Billboard Country Airplay chart at three consecutive weeks behind Luke Combs’ 14 weeks. Written by Trent Tomlinson and Jim Collins, the song also marks another outside cut that has skyrocketed to the peak at country radio.
Hosted by Preston, the celebration kicked off with CEO of Mucho Love Brooke Burrows taking the stage to share her thanks for Collins, Tomlinson and McCreery, as well as Triple Tigers’ SVP, Promotion Kevin Herring and his team for getting the song all the way to the top.
“We are so proud to be a part of ‘Damn Strait’ with Trent and Jim. Thank you so much, Scotty, for making it a big ole hit for us,” Burrows offered. “We’re just so proud to be a part of this.”
Pinnacle Bank’s David DeVaul was also on hand to offer his congratulations to McCreery. On behalf of Pinnacle, he also shared that they would be making a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Hospital in honor of the song.
Herring took the microphone next to dote on his history with Tomlinson, noting that the pair first met when the Arkansas native was signed to Lyric Street years ago. “We got a couple of hits, but we never made it to the pinnacle so it’s really special that Trent played this song for me and we were able to take it all the way,” he explained. “It’s really special for me to get to have a No. 1 record with Trent.”
Herring gave a shoutout to McCreery’s management team at Triple 8, including founder George Couri and day-to-day manager Scott Stem. He also thanked the Triple Tigers promotion staff and the label’s President Norbert Nix. Finally, he turned his attention to the man of the hour.
“Scotty, you’re the greatest. We always ask and you always say yes.” He added, “Back in the ‘60s and ‘70s, Conway Twitty was a country song’s best friend. I think that in the 2020s, you are a country song’s best friend,” to which the room happily agreed.
Next, it was time to hear from the writers.
Collins opened the floor, thanking McCreery and the record’s producers, Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Aaron Eshuis. The Texas Songwriter Hall of Fame member then made note of all the writers of the songs mentioned in “Damn Strait” that contributed to its storyline, including Bob DiPiero, John Jarrard, Mark Sanders, Aaron Barker, Bill Anderson, Buddy Cannon, Jamey Johnson, Gary Harrison, Keith Stegall, Frank Dycus and Dean Dillon.
The two-time Grammy nominee also took a moment to honor his attorney Mike Milom and Wayne Milligan who helped track down all of those writers and get the licenses needed to use them in “Damn Strait.”
“The writers gave us permission to use their songs in our storyline. I wanted to recognize them, but in order to do that, I had to get a little help so I have a couple of plaques I want to give out. The first one is to Wayne Milligan, who helped me put my company together.” Collins continued, “[The second person] has been my attorney since I moved to town. [Mike] was a big part of this whole thing and made sure that we could do all this stuff.”
Tomlinson followed, first offering his sentiments to McCreery for believing in the song and singing “his butt off on it.” He then turned the attention to his co-writer, sharing how sweet it is for one of their songs to finally have its day in the spotlight. Tomlinson echoed Collins’ thanks to the original Strait songwriters, saying “I want to thank all the songwriters that wrote the songs that we weaved into our storyline to make this work. If it wasn’t for those songs, there wouldn’t be this one.”
Tomlinson also thanked Herring for his continuous belief in him over the years, and for finally achieving their first No. 1 together after 20 years. He also thanked his BMI family for their support and for all the work they do on behalf of songwriters.
Finally, McCreery addressed the writers, thanking them for writing an amazing song.
“Nashville is a songwriter’s town and I felt so honored to get to sing this. I’ve recorded a lot of songs in the last 11 years and this is right up there with my favorites that I’ve done,” he recalled. “I’ve been fortunate to have songs that have worked on the radio in the last few years, but this one is different.”
McCreery then moved to his team, starting with BMI and rolling through his label, management, his publicists at EBM, the Universal Publishing team, his attorney David Crow, FBMM, his producers, his wife, and his band and crew.
“It takes a village. I’ve always said that, and I have the best village in Nashville,” he said with a smile. “But again, today is Jim and Trent’s. Thank you for writing an awesome song and thank you for sending it to me. I’m looking forward to singing this song for many, many years to come.”
The MLC Unveils New Portal For Independent Music Distributors
/by Lydia FarthingThe MLC has created a new portal for distributors called the Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP).
DURP will allow users to see the publicly available data for the unmatched recordings they’ve released, allowing them to work with customers to register their songs with The MLC and claim unmatched royalties. This new feature joins the growing suite of tools that leverage The MLC’s publicly available data to improve data quality and pay rights-holders their mechanical royalties accurately and on time. The MLC hopes that, by using this feature, more distributors will share this information with their customers and encourage those customers to make sure their works are properly registered with The MLC.
Once a distributor sets up a DURP account, they will get access to a custom dashboard that shows them the publicly available data for sound recordings they have distributed that The MLC has accrued unmatched mechanical royalties for. The information about these recordings is derived from usage reports from DSPs, which generally include the name of the sound recording distributor along with the other metadata.
“Our data has identified millions of dollars in unmatched digital audio mechanical royalties due to creators for songs they’ve recorded and released through more than 1,800 independent music distributors, aggregators and labels around the world,” explains project lead Dae Bogan, The MLC’s Head of Third-Party Partnerships. “By giving these companies visibility into the data, we can help them serve their customers better and help The MLC reduce unclaimed royalties.”
The MLC will be offering an informational webinar for distributors led by Bogan on Oct. 14 to give prospective users an inside look into how they can use DURP to better serve the creators who use their distribution services. Distributors can sign up for this free webinar here.
For more information about DURP and to request access, click here.
Anne Wilson To Release New Book Based On Hit Single ‘My Jesus’
/by Lorie HollabaughAnne Wilson. Photo: Cameron Powell
Rising Christian artist Anne Wilson will release her new book, My Jesus: From Heartache To Hope from Thomas Nelson, on Oct. 25.
My Jesus weaves together Wilson’s personal story with an encouraging message to anyone longing
for healing and a message of hope.
“Whatever you are feeling, God can handle it—all of it,” says Wilson. “The tears, screams, and questions. God invites you to let Him tend to your heart.”
Wilson’s debut single, “My Jesus,” became the No. 1 Christian song of 2021 and won the Breakout Single of the Year at the 2022 K-LOVE Fan Awards, where she also won Female Artist of the Year.
Dreamcatcher Entertainment Expands Brand With Dreamcatcher Artists Label
/by Lorie HollabaughDreamcatcher Entertainment is launching Dreamcatcher Artists, a new label arm of the company, with Tenille Arts as its flagship artist.
With worldwide distribution through Stem, Dreamcatcher has plans to release the next single from Arts, “Jealous of Myself,” produced by Nathan Chapman and written by Emily Weisband, Trevor Rosen, and John Byron. The label has acquired Arts’ entire catalog, which will also be housed through Stem.
Tenille Arts. Photo: Rachel Deeb
“I am honored to be the first artist to sign with Dreamcatcher Artists, and to have the opportunity, for the first time, to participate in the ownership of my music,” Arts shares. “I have been able to have a hand in helping build this incredible team of hard working people who never stop believing in me. I want to thank each and every one of you, you know who you are, for empowering me to continue to chase my wildest dreams. We have already been able to achieve so much together, and I cannot wait to share my new music with the world.”
Powell Hedley will serve as the CEO of Dreamcatcher Entertainment Group, overseeing both the management and record company. Debbye Scroggins will be promoted to Director of Operations for the Entertainment Group. Jim Mazza will be on board as Co-Founder.
The company also adds Jim Dandy as VP/Promotion, Kellie Longworth as National Director/Promotion, Charlie Dean as Promotion Manager and Rick Young as Promotion Manager. It will also continue its partnership with Girlilla Marketing for digital marketing, along with publicists Craig Campbell and Jill Fritzo. Carole Ann Mobley will continue to be on board in an A&R capacity.
“The opportunity to work with Tenille Arts has been the blessing of a lifetime,” Hedley adds. “The amount of mutual trust we have established over the past 7 years is special. We are so fortunate to be able to have Tenille as the first artist on our label. Jim Mazza founded this company with Kenny Rogers inspired by the same spirit of independence and excellence. Tenille is a world class talent, coupled with a phenomenal team we have built together. We are so excited for what the future will bring for all of us. Onward and Upward.”
Industry Ink: Zac Brown Band, Lauren Daigle, Emily Ann Roberts
/by Lydia FarthingZac Brown Band Plays Nashville Show To Benefit Hope On A Cure
Zac Brown Band and reps from their Warner Music Nashville team. Photo: Courtesy of WMN
Warner Music Nashville’s Zac Brown Band took over Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium last Thursday (Sept. 22). The band was joined by some of their label team ahead of the performance, including co-President Ben Kline.
A portion of the proceeds from the show went to benefit Hop On A Care and its efforts to help fund research toward ending amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). The foundation was established by one of the band’s founding members, John Driskell “Hop” Hopkins, who was diagnosed with ALS earlier this year.
Lauren Daigle’s ‘Hold On To Me’ Gets The Gold Treatment
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Shinn (Centricity Music) Amanda Hildabrand (WCSG Grand Rapids) Greg Chimento (Centricity Music), Jeremy Louis Fiet (JoyFM St Louis), Robin Amlin (The River Columbus) Todd Amlin (The River Columbus), Tina Louis Blanchard (KLOVE), Julie Washburn (KCMS Seattle), Channah Hanberg (KCMS Seattle), Corey Mann (PulseFM South Bend), Kris Love (Centricity Music), and Chris Hauser.
Two-time Grammy award-winner and multi-Platinum selling artist Lauren Daigle was recently honored at the first of a two-show stint at Colorado’s Red Rocks Amphitheater.
During the stop, she was presented with an RIAA Gold plaque for her 2021 hit, “Hold On To Me.” She shared the moment with radio programmers from across the country as well as representatives from her record label and management company.
Emily Ann Roberts Taps 117 Entertainment For PR Representation
Pictured (L-R): 117’s Zach Farnum, Emily Ann Roberts, 117’s Jessica Vandergriff
Rising country artist Emily Ann Roberts has retained 117 Entertainment for exclusive PR representation. The East Tennessee native’s first single in two years, “Whole Lotta Little,” will be released on Oct. 7.
Roberts spent time on Blake Shelton‘s team on NBC’s The Voice. As the runner up on season nine, she has spent years on the road and has opened for artists such as Reba McEntire, Shelton, Sara Evans, Josh Turner, Scotty McCreery and Ricky Skaggs.
2nd Annual Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Gala Set For October 23
/by Lorie HollabaughLocash, Runaway June, Victoria Shaw, Cooper Alan, and more are set to perform at the upcoming 2nd Annual Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Benefit Gala on Oct. 23 at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Attendees will also participate in a silent auction taking place throughout the event, while hearing from breast cancer survivors, thrivers and caretakers. Presented by the Joseph Family Foundation, the Gala will once again support the work of the Susan G. Komen Foundation.
“On behalf of all of us at The Joseph Family Foundation, I could not be more excited to host this event, working alongside a team of incredible women, two of whom are breast cancer survivors, as we put on yet another stellar event in support of such a great cause and such an acclaimed organization–The Susan G. Komen Foundation,” says Tara Joseph, Co-CEO and Co-Founder of Big Plan Holdings (BPH) and The Joseph Family Foundation.
“Last year’s event was headlined by Dolly Parton and was simply phenomenal,” she continues. “We look forward to carrying on that tradition annually. With unrivaled energy, excitement and today a cosmopolitan hub and travel destination renowned the world over, what is also undeniable is the serious heart and soul of Nashville. We are excited to make this city home to such an impactful cause moving forward.”
“The Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Gala showcases some of Nashville’s greatest upcoming talent and world-renowned headliners,” adds Joshua Daniel, a Development Director at the Susan G. Komen Foundation. “I look forward to this night all year long and encourage anyone interested in attending to get their tickets now before it sells out.”
To purchase tickets, learn more about the Kiss Breast Cancer Goodbye Benefit Gala or to donate, click here.
John Prine, Patsy Cline, Dr. Paul T. Kwami, Ed Hardy To Be Honored On Music City Walk Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Dr. Paul T. Kwami, Ed Hardy, John Prine, and Patsy Cline
John Prine, Patsy Cline, musical director of the Fisk Jubilee Singers Dr. Paul T. Kwami, and former GAC and industry executive Ed Hardy will all be honored posthumously with their induction into the Music City Walk of Fame on Oct. 10.
The ceremony will bestow the 94th, 95th, 96th and 97th stars on the Music City Walk of Fame to the inductees, who are recognized for their significant contributions to preserving the musical heritage of Nashville and for contributing to the world through song.
Brenda Lee will be on hand to present for Prine, Trisha Yearwood will present for Cline, gospel great CeCe Winans will present for Kwami, and superstar Garth Brooks will be the presenter for Hardy. Each inductee will have a family member accepting on their behalf, including Prine’s wife, Fiona Whelan Prine; Cline’s daughter, Julie Fudge; Kwami’s son, Delali Kwami; and Hardy’s wife, Kim Hardy.
“Each of these four inductees left an enduring mark on Music City, and their influence continues today,” notes Kevin Lavender, Executive Vice President at 5/3 Bank and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “The Music City Walk of Fame is proud to pay tribute to these legends with their induction, and we are especially honored to have their family members attend to accept on their behalf.”
Weekly Register: Koe Wetzel Makes Top Debut On Country Streaming Songs & Albums Charts
/by Lydia FarthingKoe Wetzel. Photo: Jody Domingue
Columbia Records’ Koe Wetzel made some waves on the top country album and streaming songs charts this week.
His newest record, Hell Paso, notches the top debut at No. 3 on the albums chart with 24.5K in total consumption (3.2K album only/26 million song streams). Wetzel also makes the top streaming song debut as “Cabo” from the project comes in at No. 21 with 4.7 million first-week streams, according to Luminate data.
After eight weeks, Morgan Wallen‘s “You Proof” falls from the top spot, making way for Zach Bryan‘s “Something In The Orange.” The newly crowned top streaming song racks up 12 million streams this week, while “You Proof” takes second with 11.5 streams. Wallen can also be found in the No. 5 spot as “Wasted On You” tallies 8 million streams. Luke Combs‘ “The Kind Of Love We Make” maintains the third spot with 11 million streams, and Bailey Zimmerman‘s “Rock And A Hard Place” rises up one to No. 4 with 8.5 million streams.
Though losing the top spot on the songs chart, Wallen keeps his seat atop the country albums chart with Dangerous: The Double Album adding another 48K in total consumption (1.8K album only/59 million song streams). Bryan’s American Heartbreak follows in second with 25K in total consumption. Kane Brown‘s newly-released Different Man falls to No. 4 with 21K, and Combs’ Growin’ Up moves down one to No. 5 with 19K in total consumption.