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2017 MusicRow Awards: Breakthrough Artist-Writer Nominees

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Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 29th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year nominees.

CATEGORY THREE: BREAKTHROUGH ARTIST-WRITER

Voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter and artist who for the first time wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song, which they also recorded.

Lauren Alaina, “Road Less Traveled,” Warner/Chappell (BMI)

Lauren Alaina’s first No. 1 hit, “Road Less Traveled” is an empowering message of self-acceptance which she co-wrote with Jesse Frasure and Meghan Trainor. The rising star also contributed to all 12 songs on her album, which earned her first ACM nomination for New Female Vocalist of the Year. Lauren Alaina’s career received a major jumpstart when she appeared on Season 10 of American Idol. She will spend the summer touring with fellow Georgia native Luke Bryan.

Tucker Beathard, “Rock On,” Big Music Machine, Fade 49 Music (BMI)

Tucker Beathard broke through with his debut single “Rock On,” which reached No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart. He co-wrote the song with dad Casey Beathard and Marla Cannon-Goodman. A multi-instrumentalist, Tucker plays lead guitar and drums throughout his Fight Like Hell EP. This summer fans can catch Beathard performing at some of music’s biggest festivals, including Summerfest,  Bonnaroo and Lollapalooza.

Luke Combs, “Hurricane,” Big Music Machine, 50 Egg Music, Straight Dimes Publishing, (BMI)

Luke Combs built his career one show at a time, growing from 3-hour acoustic sets in his native North Carolina to touring this summer with Brantley Gilbert and performing at Bonnaroo and CMA Music Fest. Combs self-released music for years, including the song that would eventaully become his debut single and first No. 1, “Hurricane.” The singer co-wrote the song with fellow nominees Thomas Archer and Taylor Phillips. Combs has writing credits on every track on his album This One’s for You, set for release on June 2.

Jon Pardi, “Head Over Boots,” Sony/ATV (BMI) 

Jon Pardi’s “Head Over Boots” was his first No. 1 song as an artist and songwriter. Co-written with Luke Laird, the track has been certified Platinum and helped the singer secure the title of ACM New Male Vocalist of the Year. He followed that success with another No. 1, “Dirt On My Boots.” Heading into summer, Pardi releases new single “Heartache on the Dance Floor” and hits the road with Dierks Bentley, and Tim McGraw and Faith Hill.

Brett Young, “Sleep Without You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” Super Big Music, Caliville Publishing, admin by Big Machine Music (ASCAP)

Brett Young co-wrote his first two singles, “Sleep Without You” and “In Case You Didn’t Know,” which also became his first No. 1 hits. In addition, the ACM nominee is a co-writer of “Love Again,” the current single by Nash Next winner Todd O’Neil. Young will tour Canada with Thomas Rhett, before spending the summer on the road with Lady Antebellum. “Sleep Without You” was also the first No. 1 for Young’s co-writers Justin Ebach and Kelly Archer, who are nominated for MusicRow Breakthrough Songwriter.

The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony. 

See the full list of nominees. 

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.

2017 MusicRow Awards: Breakthrough Songwriter Nominees

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Following the announcement of this year’s nominees for the 29th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a closer look at the Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year nominees.

CATEGORY TWO: BREAKTHROUGH SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR

Voted by MusicRow’s subscribed members to honor a Nashville songwriter who wrote or co-wrote a Top 10 song for the first time. In addition, the qualifying song was not recorded by the nominated songwriter.

Andy Albert, Downtown (ASCAP)

Andy Albert turned love into a four-letter word with his hit song “She’s Got A Way With Words,” recorded by Blake Shelton. The Georgia native tallied a second hit with Granger Smith’s “If The Boot Fits,” co-written with fellow nominee Jordan Schmidt.

Kurt Allison, Magic Mustang Music, Makena Cove Music (ASCAP)

Kurt Allison notched his first No. 1 with Dustin Lynch’s sexy outing, “Seein’ Red.” Allison broke through in the music business as Jason Aldean’s guitar player and a member of the New Voice Entertainment production team.

Kelly Archer, Stars And Stripes, Maple Leaf Music, Downtown (BMI)

Kelly Archer has had a lot of activity since moving to Nashville in 2001, but scored her first No. 1 in 2017 with “Sleep Without You.” The song was co-written with fellow nominees Justin Ebach, and Brett Young, who took it to the top of the charts. Archer is originally from Vancouver, Canada.

Thomas Archer, MV2 Entertainment (BMI)

Thomas Archer’s first hit went all the way to No. 1. He co-wrote the song “Hurricane” with fellow nominees Taylor Phillips and recording artist Luke Combs. Archer is a Georgia native who moved to Nashville in 2012.

Justin Ebach, Wordcountry, Warner/Chappell (SESAC)

Justin Ebach teamed with fellow nominees Kelly Archer and artist Brett Young to pen the upbeat single “Sleep Without You,” which became his first No. 1. The Florida native is also a Dove Award-nominated producer.

Jesse Lee, Parallel (SESAC)

Jesse Lee brought her idea for a song called “Peter Pan” to co-writers Kelsea Ballerini and Forest Glen Whitehead. The song about a boy who won’t grow up was released as a single and flew up the charts, earning Lee’s first No. 1.

Josh Mirenda, Cornman Music, Warner/Chappell (ASCAP)

Josh Mirenda and fellow nominee Michael Tyler are two of the writers of Dierks Bentley’s hit “Somewhere On A Beach.” It was the first No. 1 for both, and they likely celebrated by “sippin’ something strong.” Mirenda is a Music City native.

Jamie Moore, Big Loud (ASCAP)

Jamie Moore earned his first country No. 1 as co-writer of “May We All,” recorded by Florida Georgia Line featuring Tim McGraw. Moore is a four-time Grammy nominee thanks to work with CCM artists including TobyMac. He is originally from Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Steven Lee Olsen, Cornman Music, Warner/Chappell (ASCAP)

Steven Lee Olsen celebrated his first No. 1 as a co-writer of “Blue Ain’t Your Color,” recorded by Keith Urban. The single spent multiple weeks at the top of the charts and earned two Grammy nominations. Olsen is a native of Canada.

Taylor Phillips, InTune Entertainment (BMI)

Taylor Phillips brewed up his first No. 1 in 2017, with the hit single “Hurricane.” The North Carolina native co-wrote the song with fellow nominees Thomas Archer and Luke Combs, who recorded the track. The song first charted in July 2015 when Combs was an independent artist.

Jordan Schmidt, Tree Vibez, Warner/Chappell (ASCAP)

Jordan Schmidt notched his first two hits as a songwriter during the last year. His co-write “Lights Come On,” recorded by Jason Aldean, lit up the No. 1 spot. Additionally, Schmidt kicked up dust on the airwaves with “If The Boot Fits,” recorded by Granger Smith and co-written with fellow nominee Andy Albert.

Jason Sever, Little Champion Music, Warner/Chappell (ASCAP)

Jason Sever has had numerous cuts by top artists, but his first hit came as co-writer of Dustin Lynch’s “Seein’ Red.” Sever penned the No. 1 song with Kurt Allison, who is also nominated in this category.

Abe Stoklasa, Big Yellow Dog (ASCAP)

Abe Stoklasa notched his first two radio hits, getting listeners hooked on his No. 1 “Fix,” recorded by Chris Lane. He also co-wrote Ben Rector’s “Brand New” which went top-10 on Billboard’s Adult Top 40 chart. Stoklasa scored on collaborations with Charles Kelley, as co-writer of the Grammy-nominated song “The Driver,” and “Leaving Nashville” which is vying for MusicRow Song of the Year.

Daniel Tashian, Big Yellow Dog (BMI)

Daniel Tashian, a longtime artist and songwriter, broke through on the country charts as co-writer of Josh Turner’s No. 1 “Hometown Girl.” Tashian is lead singer of The Silver Seas, and has had sync placements in hit television shows including Nashville and Pretty Little Liars.

Josh Thompson, Big Music Machine, Two Lane Collections (BMI)

Josh Thompson, an established songwriter and artist, scored his first No. 1 hit in 2017, as a co-writer of “Any Ol’ Barstool,” recorded by Jason Aldean. The Wisconsin native turned Nashville mainstay previously charted six other singles, the highest reaching No. 15.

Michael Tyler, peermusic (SESAC)

Michael Tyler earned his first No. 1 with “Somewhere On A Beach,” co-written with fellow nominee Josh Mirenda and driven to the top of the charts by Dierks Bentley. Tyler is a Missouri native who signed a recording contract with Reviver Records in 2016.

Emily Weisband, THiS Music, Warner/Chappell (ASCAP)

Emily Weisband’s first writing appointment with Hillary Scott resulted in the Grammy-winning song “Thy Will.” Recorded by Hillary Scott and The Scott Family, it was a major CCM hit and marked Weisband’s first No. 1.

The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony. 

See the full list of nominees. 

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.

DISClaimer: “Peerless” Brandy Clark Earns Disc Of The Day With “Three Kids No Husband”

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We have a wide variety of sounds this week.

Our DisCovery Award winner is Tim Elliott, and he’s as country as grits. But we also have Glee star Noah Guthrie, and he brings a folk-pop-Americana vibe to the table, not to mention a Prince song. Sarah Petite has Mexicali horns on her disc. Bubba T’s Honky Tonk Revival has rowdy-party sing-along people.

And then there’s our Disc of the Day winner, the peerless Brandy Clark. She’s the one with the soul-piercing heart song.

NOAH GUTHRIE/I Would Die 4 U
Writer: Prince; Producers: Noah Guthrie/Ian Guthrie; Publishers: none listed; The Holland Group
-This Glee alumnus and native South Carolinian caps his CD The Valley with this striking Prince cover. He slows it way down and adds stately piano chords and a string section. His aching tenor brings out the latent tenderness in the song’s lyric. Impressive.

SARAH PETITE/Getting Over You
Writer: Sarah Petite; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Sweet P, BMI; SP (track)
– This single from Petite’s fifth CD, Road Less Traveled, showcases her Tammy-esque vocal phrasing against a backdrop of Mexicali horns, sighing steel and hearty male backup harmony voices. I like her conversational musical manner a lot. Recommended.

RANDALL LEE RICHARDS/A Paradise Life
Writers: Randall Lee Richards; Producer: Stacy Hogan; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Ocean’s Ten (CDX)
– I like the hard-luck, blue-collar lyric and the driving, anthemic mood. I just wish he was a stronger singer.

BRANDY CLARK/Three Kids No Husband
Writers: Brandy Clark/Lori McKenna; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Highway 508/Songs of Universal/Hoodie, ASCAP; Warner Bros.
– This has become an emphasis track from Brandy’s Big Day in a Small Town album due to the overwhelming fan response it has been getting. It has been said that country music is “three chords and the truth.” Well, no one sings the truth like this woman does. With perfectly chosen words and profound empathy, she and co-writer Lori McKenna have written a mini art film about a reality faced by millions of American women. Listen to this with no distractions. It will touch your soul.

TIM McDONALD/Dad
Writers: Tim McDonald; Grant Austin Taylor; Producers: Tim McDonald/Paul Franklin; Publishers: none listed; ASCAP; Ranch King (CDX)
-He is more than a little pitch challenged.

McKENNA FAITH/Poison
Writers: McKenna Faith/Brittany Lane/Evan Gibb/Ethan Brewington; Producer: Caleb Sherman; Publishers: none listed; BMI/ASCAP; Treble (CDX)
– Four writers and none of you could come up with a melody?

BUBBA T’S HONKY TONK REVIVAL/Drink All Day
Writers: Brandon Kinney/Ben Daniel/Wynn Varble; Producer: Keith Gattis; Publishers: none listed; Amerimonte (CDX)
– The band’s name and the song title tell you just about everything you need to know about this tropical-redneck NASCAR outing.

GREG HUDIK/Mama’s Love
Writers: Greg Hudik; Producer: Greg Hudik; Publishers: none listed; BMI; Platinum (CDX)
– An audio trainwreck.

TIM ELLIOTT/Start Pourin’ Whiskey On It
Writers: John Wiggins/Randy Houser; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed, BMI; BRE (CDX)
-He’s a solid honky-tonk singer. The song is a country, country, country winner about chasin’ away yer blues at the end of a hard work week. The production rocks. I’m in.

2017 MusicRow Awards: Producer Of The Year Nominees

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Following yesterday’s (May 23) announcement of this year’s nominees for the 29th annual MusicRow Awards, we take a look at the MusicRow Producer of the Year category. Nominees conjured up some of country music’s most innovative projects during the last 12 months. Here’s a look at the highlights for the 2017 MusicRow Awards Category 1.

The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony.

See the full list of MusicRow Awards nominees.

Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. Voting closes on Tuesday, May 30 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive a ballot.
PRODUCER OF THE YEAR

Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss, Aaron Lewis, Willie Nelson, Randy Rogers Band)

Buddy Cannon continued helping longtime collaborator Kenny Chesney evolve, including producing his hit single featuring pop star Pink, “Setting the World on Fire.” Cannon also re-teamed with Willie Nelson for the acclaimed project God’s Problem Child, and took on production duties for a comeback album by revered songstress Alison Krauss (Windy City). Cannon was previously named MusicRow Producer of the Year in 2004.

Ross Copperman (Dierks Bentley, Brett Eldredge, Trent Harmon, Ryan Kinder, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Drake White, Eli Young Band)

Ross Copperman led Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Brett Eldredge, and many others to radio success this year. He produced No. 1s for Bentley (“Black”) and Owen (“American Country Love Song”). His work with Eldredge yielded the chart-toppers “Drunk On Your Love” and “Wanna Be That Song,” the latter of which is nominated for MusicRow Song of the Year. As a songwriter, Copperman co-wrote six No. 1s, including the aforementioned titles, and was named BMI Country Songwriter of the Year.

Dann Huff (Kane Brown, Billy Currington, The Cadillac Three, Delta Rae, Ryan Follese, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Martina McBride, Midland, Thomas Rhett, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, Brett Young)

Dann Huff’s lengthy list of credits includes Keith Urban, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert, Billy Currington, Brett Young, and many more. He received the 2016 CMA Award for Single of the Year for being a producer of Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man,” which spent 17 weeks at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart. Huff is a two-time MusicRow Magazine Producer of the Year (2006, 2013).

Jay Joyce (Brothers Osborne, Brandy Clark, Eric Church, Devin Dawson, LANCO, Little Big Town, Carrie Underwood, The Wild Feathers)

Jay Joyce brought his production genius to albums of all genres, ranging from country hitmaker Eric Church to rock band The Wild Feathers. He earned CMA Album of the Year for Church’s Mr. Misunderstood, and his work on Brandy Clark’s Big Day In A Small Town album helped her earn multiple Grammy nods. In addition, Joyce produced recent hits by Carrie Underwood (“Dirty Laundry”), Little Big Town (“Better Man”), and the Brothers Osborne (“Stay A Little Longer”). He was the 2015 MusicRow Producer of the Year.

Frank Liddell (Derik Hultquist, Miranda Lambert, David Nail, Aubrie Sellers, Charlie Worsham)

Frank Liddell teamed with longtime collaborator Miranda Lambert to produce her ambitious double album The Weight Of These Wings. The project debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country Albums Chart and spawned two Grammy Award nominations for Best Country Solo Performance and Best Country Song for lead single “Vice.” Additionally, “Vice” is in the running for MusicRow Song of the Year. Liddell was voted MusicRow Producer of the Year in 2014, 2012 and 2010.

 

Nominees For 29th Annual MusicRow Awards Announced

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MusicRow is pleased to announce the nominees for the 29th Annual MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest-running industry trade publication honors.

Download the PDF and see the complete list of nominees. 

Subscribed members of MusicRow will receive ballots by email on Wednesday, May 24. Voting closes on Tues., May 30 at 5 p.m. To subscribe, click here. 

The 2017 MusicRow Awards will be presented during a private invitation-only event at SESAC on Wednesday, June 28. To subscribe, click here.

Nominees in all four categories are determined by the MusicRow critics panel. Winners are determined by the publication’s subscribed members.

Outside submissions were accepted for the Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer categories, which honor writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 single during the eligibility period (May 1, 2016 to April 30, 2017).

MusicRow will also distribute the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards at the event, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard‘s Country Album Chart during the eligibility period. Honors will be presented for guitar, bass, drums, fiddle, keyboards, steel, vocals and engineer categories.

Winners will be profiled in MusicRow’s June/July print magazine, which will debut at the SESAC ceremony.

If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive your ballot and invitation.

Brandy Clark Triumphs At Nashville’s City Winery

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Song for song, Brandy Clark might be the finest young writer-artist working in music today.

She stated her case in two, triumphant, sold-out shows at City Winery over this past weekend. In performance after performance, she was greeted by rapturous applause. Her devoted followers often began clapping at the first instrumental notes of songs that they had obviously committed to memory.

Clark mixed material from her masterful 2013 collection 12 Stories with songs drawn from her current Big Day in a Small Town album. Listening to either dazzling collection can be a jaw-dropping experience as each song seems as perfectly crafted as the one before.

Her songwriting brilliance was matched by her breezy, immensely likeable stage personna. Clark’s wry comments in between tunes were easy-going, charming and pithy.

The Belmont graduate’s songs were breathtaking, whether she was breaking hearts with the ballad “Hold My Hand,” humorously threatening homicide in “Stripes,” describing the deadened emotions of “The Day She Got Divorced” or splitting from a drunk lover via the rhythmic “Hungover.” All of these can be found on 12 Stories.

She described a series of tunes that included that album’s “Get High” as “the substance-abuse portion of our show.” Clark also introduced a new song, “When I Get To Drinkin,’” which will be on her upcoming live album. A preview of it was released on Record Store Day.

“Someday, I want to do a whole album of drinking songs,” she commented. “No, I’m serious.”

The Big Day in a Small Town songs were equally potent. Clark is a strikingly empathetic writer, expertly sketching a portrait of a struggling mother in “Three Kids, No Husband.” She wryly described “Daughter” as “a revenge song,” since it wishes that her ex has an offspring who breaks his heart.

Charlie Worsham. Photo: Allister Ann

Even when being ironic, her deep humanity shines through her lyrics. “Broke” and “Love Can Go to Hell” were excellent examples of this. “Girl Next Door” used humor to tell her truth. Yet as we chuckled over her wit, she tossed in the profoundly moving, conflicted and aching “You Can Come Over.”

Her emotional-bullseye vocal delivery and excellent acoustic guitar playing were backed by a simple bass, keyboard and/or guitar accompaniment. Intriguingly, Clark’s set did not rely on any of the familiar hits she’s written for others, such as Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two” or Kacey Musgraves’ “Follow Your Arrow.”

One segment of her show featured Clark trading country oldies with her opening act, Charlie Worsham. She chose Loretta Lynn’s “You Ain’t Woman Enough to Take My Man.” He tried the Kenny Rogers classic “Sweet Music Man” and, oddly, the singularly unattractive Conway Twitty hit “Tight Fittin’ Jeans.”

Worsham’s opening-act set featured blazing solo guitar work, looped percussion tracks and sure-footed tenor singing. He largely emphasized the songs on his just-released sophomore collection The Beginning of Things. Like Clark, he left the audience applauding wildly.

On Friday evening, Brandy Clark bid us farewell with her vivid, blue-collar, hard-luck bopper “Pray to Jesus.” Then she returned to the venue to leave another another spellbound audience on its feet in ovation on Sunday.

Gerry House Returning To Nashville Radio

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Gerry House is set to return to Nashville radio. The legendary radio personality will sign on at Nashville’s The BIG Legend 98.3 beginning May 26 at 7 a.m. He will be joined by Mike Bohan.

House is a CMA and ACM award-winning American radio personality, and the voice of The BIG 98’s Gerry House and the House Foundation from 1983-2010 winning countless National Personality of the Year Honors. Gerry is also an accomplished author and songwriter, having penned songs for George Strait, Reba McEntire, LeAnn Rimes, Pam Tillis and more. House was inducted into the NAB Radio Hall of Fame in the spring of 2011.

Gerry House was first heard on WSIX-AM in the ’70s.

Weekly Chart Report (5/19/17)

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

 

Reba, Maren Morris Among Honorees At Music Biz 2017 Luncheon

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Pictured (L-R): CEO of Big Machine Records Scott Borchetta; Lukas Graham’s Magnus Larsson; Reba McEntire; Maren Morris; and Lukas Graham’s Lukas Forchhammer and Mark Falgren. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Music Business Association

The Music Biz celebrated the final day of its third Nashville conference on Thursday, May 18 with its Awards Luncheon.

Honorees Reba McEntire (Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement), Maren Morris (Breakthrough Artist), Paula Abdul (Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award) and Lukas Graham also receiving (Breakthrough Artist). Other presentations were made to honor Adele (Artist of the Year)—accepted by Darren Stupak, Sony Music Entertainment’s EVP/GM, Sales—and the Hamilton Original Cast Recording and Hamilton Mixtape (Outstanding Achievement Award)—accepted by Atlantic’s Pete Ganbarg, EVP of A&R.

BuzzAngle Music’s Jim Lidestri, host of the luncheon, welcomed the crowd to the Renaissance Nashville’s Grand Ballroom.

“I took this award as I’m the oldest one here,” said McEntire. “Music Business is my life, it’s been very good to me. I’m a third generation rodeo brat and I came to Nashville and I thought, ‘What if they’re not nice?’ ‘What if it’s a cutthroat business.’ I met the nicest people who nurtured me and took me under their wing. It took six years to have a No. 1 record and I’m thankful that I was in that era where they had patience with me… I’m not through yet, because this is too good of a family and business to walk away from after a little bit of success. The No. 1 reason I [love this business] is because of y’all.”

“I live five minutes away so this is really nice,” joked Morris. “The word ‘breakthrough’ reminds me this is not an overnight process. It’s been almost 20 years of me touring and I wasn’t breaking through a damn thing so it’s really cool to have this now. I didn’t really have a typical trail paved to get here. I didn’t know things like Spotify could break you through as an artist and my label Sony has believed in me from the really early stages.”

Pictured (L-R): Chairman of Music Biz, Facebook Fred Beteille; Maren Morris; President of Music Biz James Donio; and CEO of BuzzAngle Music Jim Lidestri. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Music Business Association

 

Pictured (L-R): Poet and songwriter Sandra Chapin; Paula Abdul; and President of Music Biz James Donio. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Music Business Association

Abdul—who has hit the road for the first time in 25 years, performing in Nashville the previous night (May 17)—confessed the Bridgestone reception brought her to tears. “There was a reason I was on [American Idol],” said Abdul. “It was an incredible experience seeing these rare jewels get up and do what they do, not understanding at first that it’s a TV show—putting themselves out there with extreme bravado, dignity and grace—letting the world and panel judge them. My whole life has been about conquering people who judge. I’m a mentor, I’ve never been a judge because people are beautiful and should be allowed to operate in their unique ability.”


Denmark’s trio Lukas Graham remarked on the humbling recognition. “Coming from a very small country and me growing up in a house without a bathroom until I was six years old, it’s quite unique to stand on a stage like this,” said Lukas Forchhammer.

Music Biz President James Donio concluded the event, echoing McEntire’s sentiments. “This has been a really incredible week and last couple of years [in Nashville]. Moving the convention is like moving a steamliner—and it’s not easy. But bringing this event to Nashville has created a new family. Music Biz really feels like it is linked to this community in Nashville. Stay tuned for details about next year.”

A previous awards breakfast was held on Wednesday, May 17, hosted by CMA to honor Mike Dungan (Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement), Terry Currier (Independent Spirit Award) with a performance by Little Big Town and presentation from Nashville Mayor Megan Barry.

Music Biz Conference Gives In-Depth Look At International Touring, Kelly Clarkson Talks ‘The Voice’

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Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out

Pictured (L-R): Atlantic Records Group chairman and COO Julie Greenwald, Senior Vice President of Music Strategy for CMT Leslie Fram, Red Light Management/Independent A&R Consultant Tracy Gershon, singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson, CEO/President, Cosynd/Women In Music Jessica Sobhraj, Country Music Association CEO Sarah Trahern, and Sr. VP & GM, Nielsen Music Erin Crawford. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Music Business Association

Various panels held during the 2017 Music Biz conference touched on topics ranging from touring to mentoring to The Voice.

Atlantic Records’ Julie Greenwald and Kelly Clarkson were welcomed by NPR’s Ann Powers during the 2017 Music Biz Conference for the panel Creative Partnerships, to discuss Clarkson’s recent deal with Atlantic Records and her upcoming album, which she calls more soulful and urban than her previous releases.

Clarkson discussed her early career dreams, and revealed that she originally wanted to be a backup singer. “That didn’t work out, but that was my goal. Because I thought, ‘They get to sing with a ton of artists, but they don’t have to do all the famous stuff.’ It didn’t work out, but it worked out.”

‘She also talked about her upcoming stint as a judge on The Voice, alongside Blake Shelton. Clarkson’s husband Brandon Blackstock also manages Shelton. “I love working with Blake. We love giving each other shit, so it’s going to be really fun for me.”

She also discussed what first intrigued her about The Voice.

“Literally, since the show started, I remember when Blake started on the show, even before it was on, my manager was telling me how it is set up. I was like, ‘Wait, you don’t see them? I could turn around and it could be someone completely different.’ As a singer that has a lot of things that get in the way in the press, it’s very nice for it to just be about the voice. It’s just about the talent and the storytelling. It’s not just about a great voice, it’s about a voice that tells a story. It has to move you to turn the chair. I’m so excited to do that. I have a very unique vantage point as well because I’ve been them.”

Greenwald also discussed her own career history, which began in 1992 when she joined Def Jam Records as Lyor Cohen‘s executive assistant. Ten years later, she was named president of Island Records, becoming one of only three women at the time to hold that title at a major record label. In 2004, she was named president of Atlantic Records and was named Chairman/COO in 2009.

In the following panel segment, The Life and Work of a High-Powered Female Executive, welcomed music industry executives including Sarah Trahern (CMA), Tracy Gershon (Red Light Management), and Jessica Sobhraj (Cosynd/Women In Music) discussed the importance of mentoring in the music industry. The panel was moderated by CMT’s Leslie Fram.

Pictured (L-R): Writer Ann Powers, Atlantic Records Group chairman and COO Julie Greenwald, and singer-songwriter Kelly Clarkson. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Music Business Association

 

Thomas Rhett: Breaking an International Act

Akiko Rogers. Photo: Music Business Association

On Wednesday, May 17, the conference looked at the impact of international branding and efforts to expand country music into international markets. The efforts behind breaking BMLG’s Thomas Rhett on an international level with his manager were explored during a panel featuring Rhett’s manager Virginia Davis of G Major Management, as well as Jimmy Chapin from Big Machine Label Group, Anna-Sophie Mertens from Live Nation UK, Akiko Rogers from William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) and moderator Billboard contributor Phyllis Stark.

Rhett’s first UK trip came in March 2016 for the Country Music Association/Live Nation Country 2 Country festival, which he followed up with a media trip in May 2016 and a string of shows in the UK in late 2016. This year, he returns to the UK for shows in larger venues.

Chapin spoke to the factors that help decide what artists will work in certain international markets.

“A lot of it happens organically, you see certain reactions before an artist has even been in that market. Thomas was one of those artists where sales numbers, streaming, radio had been picking up before we had even been to the market. So once he got over there it really was able to take off.”

Rogers spoke to the challenges of taking an established artist overseas and emphasized the benefits of focusing on international markets early in a career, when it can be a bit easier financially to explore international markets.

“You have to have the commitment to go over there. You have artists in the United States who are used to playing arenas and amphitheaters and it’s basically going over there and starting over,” said Rogers. “They have production and a big overhead. It’s special for them as well. It kind of brings you back to your roots.”

“Once you become a headliner in the US, you have a different level of overhead and it’s difficult to bear the burden of the cost it takes to go backward and build a fanbase and take the time,” Davis added. “It is an investment and it does cost money.”

The panel spoke of the importance of planning ahead and visiting an international market frequently to build an impression and grow audience sizes. “It’s a huge investment to go over there, so if you do, why wait three years when you are going to play venues the same size you did when you were there last time?” said Rogers.

Chapin spoke to the obstacles in marketing music in international markets such as the UK and Australia, versus the United States.

“Country radio format is a US thing. Australia has somewhat of a market, but in the UK, radio is genre agnostic. So we have to find ways to fit a country artist like Thomas in a pop format or a genre-less format. So that is one hurdle to overcome. Australia has a bit of a country market so his songs are played on the country radio stations down there and his videos are played on their Country Music Channel. They don’t have that here [in the UK], so you kind of have to go around that.”

Music Biz 2017 Conference continues through today, May 18.