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Exclusive: Mark Abramowitz Joins Kobalt Music

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Mark Abramowitz has joined Kobalt Music as Sr. Creative Director, where he will be responsible for handling pop/rock signings out of Nashville, and working with Kobalt’s existing roster in a creative capacity.

Previously, Abramowitz served at Sony/ATV, where his key signings included writer/producer Kevin Kadish (whose hits include Meghan Trainor’s “All About That Bass”), Daphne Willis, Noah Kahan, and Wild Cub.

“We couldn’t be more enthusiastic about Mark joining the ever-growing Kobalt Creative Team,” says Sue Drew, GM, Creative & Acquisitions for Kobalt. “His contacts and relationships in Nashville and beyond are a tremendous asset to us in servicing our non-country clients and bringing in new deals.”

“I would like to thank Sas, Sue, and Jesse for giving me this opportunity to join the Kobalt team,” Abramowitz says. “I’m very excited to start this next chapter at one of the most innovative and progressive publishers in the world that values collaboration and artistic integrity. I’m proud to join the great Nashville team and represent Kobalt in the vibrant non-country community that’s continuing to grow here in Music City.”

Barry Dean Extends Publishing Deal with Pulse Music Group, Creative Nation

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Pictured (L-R): Scott Cutler (Pulse Music Group), Barry Dean, Beth Laird (Creative Nation), and Luke Laird (Creative Nation)

Los Angeles-based music company Pulse Music Group has acquired songwriter Barry Dean’s publishing catalog and, in partnership with Creative Nation, will continue to co-publish Dean. Dean has been a writer at Creative Nation and Pulse since November 2011.

“Barry was our first writer at Creative Nation and he really helped us define our culture. He set the tone of compassion, hard work and authenticity. Pulse has been our partner with Barry since the beginning, so it’s exciting to continue our relationship and keep building toward the future,” Creative Nation’s co-founder and CEO Beth Laird says.

“It’s rare you get to be a part of such a great team. It’s very unique to have a situation as a writer where I get to write and focus on creativity and the artists I get to work with. I have so much confidence in the people around me – they’re creating that environment that allows great things to happen. I’ve been blessed to be a part of this since day one and I’m so thankful I get to continue be an active part going forward,” Dean says.

“We are honored to be extending our relationship with Barry Dean and thrilled to continue our journey together. Since we first established our partnership with Creative Nation in 2012, we’ve been fortunate to have Barry in our lives and consider him to be a part of a core group of writers that has propelled PULSE’s growth over the past several years. He is truly an ‘artist whisperer’ with a unique ability to get the best out of anyone he works with in the studio, no matter what genre or walk of life they may come from.” Pulse Music Group’s co-founder Scott Cutler adds.

Dean’s hits include “Pontoon” and “Day Drinkin’” (Little Big Town), “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” (Tim McGraw), “Think a Little Less” (Michael Ray), “Girls Chase Boys” and “Hell No” (Ingrid Michaelson), “God’s Will” (Martina McBride), and “1994” (Jason Aldean). His catalog also includes songs recorded by Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, BØRNS, Brothers Osborne, Jon Pardi, and Carrie Underwood, among others.

Chris Tomlin Extends Capitol Christian Music Group Deal, Launches Bowyer & Bow Imprint

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Pictured (L-R): Hudson Plachy, Chief Marketing Officer, Capitol Christian Music Group;
Brad O’Donnell, Chief Creative Officer, Capitol Christian Music Group; Chris Tomlin; Peter York, Chairman & CEO Capitol Christian Music Group; Casey McGinty, General Manager, Capitol Christian Music Publishing; Anthony Piedmonte, Piedmonte & Co., Tomlin Manager. Photo Courtesy of Capitol Christian Music Group (CCMG)

Chris Tomlin has extended his recording and publishing deals with Capitol Christian Music Group, and has announced the launch of his own imprint, Bowyer & Bow, in partnership with CCMG.

The first artist signed to the new imprint is singer-songwriter Pat Barrett, a co-writer on Tomlin’s hit “Good Good Father.” The pair also teamed for the children’s book Good Good Father, which sold nearly 200,000 copies. Barrett will release his debut EP on March 30, with a single going to radio in May.

“I have enjoyed so many blessings in my career,” shared Tomlin. “I’m honored, humbled and invigorated to continue writing and creating my own music but also the creative freedom to work and mentor other promising artists and songwriters.”

“We are honored and pleased to enter yet another multi-year recording and publishing agreement with Chris Tomlin,” said Peter York, Chairman & CEO Capitol Christian Music Group. “He is undoubtedly one of the most influential artists of our time. His music is consumed via streaming and radio on a massive level and his songs are sung in churches throughout the world every single day. It’s a privilege to continue our partnership with him in representing his music around the globe. His songs resonate in the hearts of those who hear them and they provide a meaningful soundtrack for life’s journey.”

Tomlin’s next Nashville stop will be on March 30 for his Good Friday Nashville Show at the Bridgestone Arena. His Worship Night In America Tour will launch April 5, with 24 stops in cities including Chicago, Philadelphia, and Atlanta.

Russell Dickerson, Scotty McCreery Bring Double Victories For Triple Tigers

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For being in his early twenties, Scotty McCreery has experienced plenty of whirlwind highs and lows in his relatively brief career. After an American Idol win in 2011, a chart-topping debut album, and a smattering of Top 20 songs, McCreery was dropped from Universal Music Group in 2016. In 2018, he’s returned as a power player, earning his very first No. 1 song with “Five More Minutes,” his first single release on his new label home, Triple Tigers Records. His debut Triple Tigers album, Seasons Change, released today (March 16).

Scotty’s success also marks the second No. 1 single for Triple Tigers Records, following the label’s initial radio offering with Russell Dickerson’s “Yours,” which topped the country charts last year.

With the latest singles from McCreery (“This Is It”) and Dickerson (“Blue Tacoma”), Triple Tigers General Manager Norbert Nix hopes to continue the chart-topping streak.

“Hitting No. 1 is hard to do as an indie,” Nix tells MusicRow.com of Russell’s No. 1 song. “The thing about Russell is when I heard [“Yours”] and saw the video, I thought there was something special about it. But he was also touring and had the Spotify thing going. It was amazing to me that he wasn’t signed. I think people were looking at him, but it’s all luck and timing, as they say.”

Norbert Nix

Timing was also an essential element in McCreery’s current success. McCreery had co-written “Five More Minutes” in 2015, following the passing of his grandfather, and he’s been a champion for the song ever since.

He signed with Triple 8 Management in 2016, the same year his deal with Universal concluded. Later that year, it was announced Triple 8 management’s George Couri and Bruce Kalmick had teamed with Nix and Thirty Tigers’ David Macias to form Triple Tigers Records.

“It’s a really unique partnership between the three of us,” Nix says. “The A&R philosophy is one that we have to be unanimous among the three partners to sign something. It’s worked really well that way, so we have a philosophy of finding the most compelling artists and music out there.”

Triple 8 Management initially released McCreery’s “Five More Minutes” to country radio, and without the help of a major label, the song began gaining traction on the music charts.

“I believed in the song,” McCreery says. “The transition happened, and we just decided to put it out there and Triple Tigers decided they want to come on board. They are set up to win.”

By August 2017, McCreery had become the second artist to sign with Triple Tigers Records. For Nix, the decision to become involved with McCreery’s career was an easy one.

“He was 23 years old and is so viable as an artist,” Nix says. “To us, ‘Five More Minutes’ was a career song. It was one of those really visceral songs that really hits you in the chest. Scotty knew it when he wrote it.”

Dickerson has followed his No.1 single with his first Academy of Country Music Award nomination for New Artist of the Year.

“Leading up to this deal was so many years of writing, touring and even starting our own label with my manager,” says Dickerson, “so we could release music and to keep pushing this forward. It was honestly a sigh of relief because before Triple Tigers it was all hands on deck 24/7. Everyone on the team was working in over-drive. But when I signed with Triple Tigers we were able to partner up with a radio team we were confident could take this to new heights.”

Triple Tigers Records’ promotion team, including former Warner Music exec Kevin Herring and former Capitol exec Diane Lockner, gives the new indie label the radio promotion muscle, combined with a cooperative, laser focus on their artists.

Russell Dickerson. Photo: Kailey Dickerson

“These people are seasoned pros,” Nix says. “To get people like that is really hard. At the major labels, you have three or four imprints, but you are really competing against each other. The difference is, we can maneuver quite quickly, and we have the muscle of Sony behind us, too. We are a commercial country label with these ties, but our promotion staff focuses specifically on Triple Tigers artists.”

In his previous role as VP, Promotion at Columbia Nashville, Nix worked with Triple 8 Management to promote Chase Rice, earning two Top 5 songs with “Ready Set Roll” and “Gonna Wanna Tonight.”

“What we learned there was the template for this partnership,” Nix says. “I was at Columbia and David Macias signed Chase Rice to Thirty Tigers and Triple 8 managed Chase. Triple 8 has a marketing team like a label. They are effective for their artists, and in the promotion world where I come from, it’s about results.”

Nix says Triple Tigers has plans to add to the roster, though he says the expansion process will be slow and deliberate.

“The bar is really high right now with that, because they would be following Russell and Scotty,” Norbert says.

“[Triple Tigers’] first two singles have gone No. 1 and it just shows that if you have people who believe in the song, great things can be happen,” McCreery says. “It all comes down to the song.”

Weekly Chart Report 3/16/18

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Black River’s Abby Anderson To Perform At MusicRow’s Rising Women Event

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By: LB Rogers

Black River’s rising neo-soul influenced artist Abby Anderson is scheduled for a special two-song performance at MusicRow’s seventh annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. Sponsored by City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb LLP, and Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, the ceremony will salute six music businesswomen on Tuesday, March 27 at 8:30 a.m. at Omni Nashville Hotel.

The 2018 honorees have been announced as Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo); Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music); Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME); Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists); Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, Universal Music Group Nashville); Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management). 

A four-speaker panel will include Tracy Gershon (Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent).

Click Here For More Details About Rising Women On The Row 2018

Twenty year old Texas native Abby Anderson has spent much of her youth behind a piano singing the songs of her favorite artists such as Ray Charles, Dolly Parton, Roy Orbison, Elvis, Stevie Wonder, and K.T. Oslin. In 2014, her unique arrangement of “My Country ‘Tis of Thee,” renamed “Let Freedom Ring,” caught the attention of radio journalist/host Glenn Beck who had Anderson perform the patriotic song on his show, gaining her immediate national attention. The song made the Billboard Top 100 and iTunes Country Music Chart Top Ten, with all proceeds from the song going to charity.

With momentum from her national debut and the encouragement of CAA agent Kylen Sharpe, Anderson graduated early from high school and moved to Nashville three years ago to chase her dream of a career in music. Upon arriving in Music City, Anderson began paying her dues in clubs by playing gigs in local favorites, including The Bluebird Café, The Listening Room Café and the Tin Roof, while working as a nanny. A few years later Anderson was presented with a publishing and recording deal with Black River Entertainment while on stage during a charity event at the Ryman Auditorium.

Already named one of CMT’s Next Women of Country for 2018 and a CMT Listen Up Artist—#18for2018, the industry is taking notice of Abby Anderson with Pandora naming her as one of “2018 Country Artists to Watch” and The Boot listing her among their “2018 Artists to Watch.” She has also had the opportunity to share the stage with music icons such as Peter Frampton, Lee Greenwood, Angela Johnson, and Peter Cetera.

Anderson is currently in the studio writing and recording for her debut single and forthcoming album on Black River.

Photo: David Bean/Provided courtesy of Black River Entertainment

Ashley Gorley, Round Hill Music Close Catalog Sale and “Go-Forward” Publishing Deal

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Photo taken at signing of catalog sale and just before celebrating one of Gorley’s recent No. 1’s with Chris Janson for “Fix a Drink.” Pictured, First Row: Blain Rhodes (Tape Room Publishing), Ashley Gorley, Mark Brown (General Manager, Nashville, Round Hill Music). Back Row: Derek Crownover (Lead Counsel for Gorley, Dickinson Wright Entertainment, Sports and Media Practice Group Leader), Dustin Kovacic (Gorley Counsel, Dickinson Wright), Cam Caldwell (Gorley Counsel, Dickinson Wright), Penny Gattis (Round Hill Music, Nashville), Josh Saxe (Round Hill Music, Nashville), Jeff Carlton (Tape Room Publishing), Matthew Beckett (Round Hill Music, Business Affairs, Nashville)

Five-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley and Round Hill Music have announced the closing of the sale of Gorley’s back catalog of songs and a “go-forward” publishing deal.

“I am very excited about the next phase of my career with Round Hill Music. Josh Gruss, Neil Gillis and Mark Brown have built a great company here in Nashville, and I look forward to helping them grow their catalog of songs in the coming years,” Gorley said.

“It goes without saying that Ashley’s catalog and songwriting prowess are beyond incredible. His reputation precedes him. We are so honored to be working with him, his team and his treasure trove of songs,” said Mark Brown, general manager of Round Hill Nashville.

Gorley has now written 37 songs that have reached No. 1 on country airplay charts. Some of his hits include: “Unforgettable” and “Marry Me” for Thomas Rhett, “Dirt On My Boots” for Jon Pardi, “Dirty Laundry” for Carrie Underwood, “Black” for Dierks Bentley, “Today” for Brad Paisley, “A Guy with a Girl” for Blake Shelton, “Play It Again” for Luke Bryan and “You’re Gonna Miss This” for Trace Adkins.

Gorley is the 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014 and 2009 ASCAP Country Awards Songwriter of the Year, and the 2017, 2016 and 2013 NSAI Awards Songwriter of the Year

Eleven times in his career he has received the CMA’s Triple Play Award, which recognizes songwriters with three or more No. 1 songs in one year. In 2016, Gorley became the first songwriter to be honored with three CMA Triple Play Awards in a single year, earning nine chart-topping songs in a 12-month period, a feat he repeated in 2017.

Gorley is currently nominated for the 2018 ACM Songwriter of the Year Award.

“It’s an honor that a writer of such high caliber as Ashley has chosen Round Hill as his creative home. It’s a testament to the skill and culture at Round Hill Nashville. We’re going to work side-by-side with Blain and his team, and crush it,” added Josh Gruss.

Dickinson Wright’s Music Row attorneys Derek Crownover and Cam Caldwell represented Gorley in the transaction with support from Todd Glisson of Covenant Partners and Harlan Hallett of Blue Sky Group. Round Hill’s closing team included long-time RHM attorneys Selverne & Company’s Michael Selverne (General Counsel), Amy Bason (Counsel), Matthew Beckett (RHM business affairs) and Mark Brown (General Manager, Nashville Office of Round Hill Music).

Round Hill includes an extensive catalog of music recorded and performed by The Beatles, Eddie Holland, Neil Sedaka, The Rolling Stones, The Offspring, Bruno Mars, Cee Lo Green, Frank Sinatra, James Brown, Bon Jovi, Steve Perry, Louis Armstrong, Tina Turner, Celine Dion, Britney Spears, N Sync, Tesla, Mötley Crüe, Eric Carmen, Percy Sledge, Warrant, Bush and Katy Perry and many others. Some of Round Hill’s current artists, writers and producers include American Authors, Eric Krasno, Morgan Taylor Reid, Cobi, Jeffery David, The London Souls, Gramatik, Royal Teeth, Civil Twilight, The Griswolds, Lettuce and Odessa.

Round Hill Nashville claims current hit songwriters such as Dallas Davidson, Jimmy Robbins, Wade Kirby and Danny Myrick on its current roster along with Craig Wiseman, Rodney Clawson, Sarah Buxton, the Warren Brothers, Matt Dragstrem and Chris Tompkins in partnership with Big Loud Shirt.

Round Hill has offices in New York, Nashville, Los Angeles and London.

 

Weekly Chart Report 3/9/18

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Ann Powers, Rose Palermo, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Tracy Gershon To Speak At 2018 Rising Women On The Row

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MusicRow Magazine will highlight several of the music industry’s top female executives and contributors during the 2018 Rising Women On The Row breakfast, slated for Tuesday, March 27 at Omni Hotel Nashville.

The event, now in its seventh year, will feature a four-speaker panel, including Tracy Gershon (Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent). Special performer Abby Anderson will deliver a two-song performance.

The panel will be moderated by MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Sponsors for the 2018 Rising Women On The Row event include City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb LLP, and Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group.

“I’m thrilled to announce this year’s event will feature a panel discussion from four accomplished stalwarts in the entertainment industry,” says Robertson. “Tracy Gershon, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Rose Palermo, and Ann Powers are tremendous experts in their fields and well known for their outstanding strength, success and fearlessness. I have no doubt their conversation will be both insightful and empowering as we honor the women in our industry.”

The previously-announced Rising Women On The Row honorees for 2018 include Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo), Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music), Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME), Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists), Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, UMG Nashville), and Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management).

Click Here For More Details About Rising Women On The Row 2018

Read more about this year’s panelists below:

Tracy Gershon (Manager, Consultant, Co-founder of Change The Conversation):

Tracy Gershon

Gershon has discovered and developed a wide range of talent during her multi-faceted career as an A&R executive, music publishing VP and artist manager, including Miranda Lambert, Kacey Musgraves and The Mavericks. In association with Red Light Management, she represents singer Natalie Stovall and serves as an independent publishing and A&R consultant. In 2014 she co-founded “Change The Conversation,” a coalition addressing music industry gender bias. Gershon has received numerous awards, including the Nashville Business Journal’s “Woman in Music City” award and Nashville Lifestyles Magazine’s Top 10 “Women In Business.” She is currently a Trustee at the Recording Academy.

Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management):

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Harrington is a leader in Red Light Management’s Nashville office where she is also personal manager for Dierks Bentley, Tucker Beathard, LANCO, Aubrie Sellers, and Caylee Hammack. Additionally, the publicity firm she started in 2006, The GreenRoom, represents Jason Aldean, Tucker Beathard, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Bobby Bones, Bailey Bryan, Brett Young, and Live Nation’s country music festivals including: Country Lakeshake, Faster Horses, Watershed, Tortuga, and Rt. 91 Harvest Festival. Harrington is a three-time CMA Publicist of the Year and was honored as one of MusicRow‘s inaugural Rising Women on the Row.

Rose Palermo (Attorney):

Rose Palermo

Palermo earned her Doctor of Jurisprudence degree in 1968 from Vanderbilt University School of Law. In 1973, she entered into private practice on Music Row with her partner and husband, Denty Cheatham, where they have continued to practice for 45 years. Before being widely known for her work on domestic relations cases, Palermo represented many iconic country music entertainers and high profile executives in their business affairs. Those clients have included such notables as Mel Tillis, his wife Judy Tillis, Conway Twitty (and later, the Conway Twitty estate), Rodney Crowell, Jerry Reed, Billy Joe Shaver, Lucinda Williams and many others including her personal friend, Brenda Lee. Palermo has also been featured on a 60 Minutes segment dedicated to fraudulent activities in the music industry.

Ann Powers (Critic and Correspondent, NPR Music):

Ann Powers

Powers is one of the nation’s most notable music critics. Powers was formerly the chief pop critic at the Los Angeles Times and a critic for the New York Times, among other publications. Her writing extends beyond blogs, magazines and newspapers. She has published three books and edited two anthologies, including (with Evelyn McDonnell) Rock She Wrote: Women Write About Rock, Pop and Rap. Her latest book, Good Booty: Sex and Love, Black and White, Body and Soul in American Music, was published in August 2017 and was called a “classic” by USA Today.

Dolly Parton Signs With WME

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Dolly Parton has signed a North American deal with WME for representation. Parton, according to Nielsen, is country’s No. 1 most marketable, recognizable and beloved artist in the world. The superstar’s coveted Q Score ranking, which measures public appeal and branding affinity, lists her among the highest-ranked celebrities across the entire entertainment industry.

“We couldn’t be more thrilled to work with Dolly Parton,” said Greg Oswald, Co-Head of WME’s Nashville office. “She is the definition of an icon.  When we approached her team about the opportunity to represent Dolly, it became clear that this was an ideal marriage given her business aspirations and our capabilities across the WME network.  We look forward to helping her build upon her success across multiple platforms.”

“We believe that WME is uniquely positioned to help elevate Dolly and her brand at this wonderful stage in her career,” explained longtime manager Danny Nozell. “WME has a vast global network in the entertainment market, especially in the areas that we have strategically identified as priority such as licensing and unique commercial and touring opportunities.”