UMG Nashville Signs ole Songwriter Jordan Davis

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Front Row (L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan; Jordan Davis; UMG Nashville Vice President A&R Stephanie Wright. (Back Row, L-R): UMG Nashville Senior Vice President A&R Brian Wright; UMG Nashville Vice President Business and Legal Affairs Rob Femia; UMG Nashville Senior Vice President Promotion Royce Risser; UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe; UMG Nashville Senior Vice President and COO Mike Harris. Photo: Alain Poizner

Pictured (Front Row, L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan; Jordan Davis; UMG Nashville Vice President A&R Stephanie Wright. (Back Row, L-R): UMG Nashville Senior Vice President A&R Brian Wright; UMG Nashville Vice President Business and Legal Affairs Rob Femia; UMG Nashville Senior Vice President Promotion Royce Risser; UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe; UMG Nashville Senior Vice President and COO Mike Harris. Photo: Alain Poizner

Universal Music Group Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Jordan Davis.

A native of Shreveport, Louisiana, Jordan attended LSU where he studied resource conservation. He moved to Nashville after graduating and in 2015 signed a publishing deal with ole.

Davis has been touring non-stop the past year and has opened for Chase Rice, Josh Abbott Band, Tracy Lawrence, David Nail and more. He is currently working on his debut album.

LifeNotes: City National Bank’s Bram Goldsmith

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Pictured (L-R): Diane Pearson, Bram Goldsmith, Lori Badgett

Bram Goldsmith, who led City National Bank for 20 years, died Sunday, Feb. 28. He was 93.

As chairman and CEO from 1975 to 1995, he grew the company’s assets more than five-fold, to $3.2 billion. Bram was a director of the company for 50 years, chairman of City National Corporation for over 40 years, and an active member of the company’s Strategy and Planning Committee up to and through its most recent meeting.

Bram was born in Chicago in 1923.  His parents were Bertha and Max Goldsmith. Bram attended the University of Illinois, where he studied finance and business administration, and in 1942, he joined the U.S. Army, and married his wife of more than 70 years, Elaine. He served in Burma during the war. Following World War II, Bram returned to Chicago, but moved to Los Angeles in 1952. In 1953, a small group of local businessmen, including his father-in-law Ben Maltz, decided to open a bank that would cater to entrepreneurs, real estate professionals and the city’s growing entertainment industry. A year later, City National Bank opened its doors. In 1964, he replaced his father-in-law on the board.

Bram developed a close relationship with the bank and in 1975, he bought a 19 percent stake in the company from its retiring CEO Al Hart, and for the next 20 years he served as its chairman and chief executive officer. Before joining City National full-time in 1975, Bram served for 20 years as president and chief executive officer of Buckeye Realty and Management Corporation, the company he co-owned with his partner George Konheim.

A public memorial service is planned for 3 p.m. Friday (March 4) in the Bram Goldsmith Theater at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. The service will be followed by a reception in the same location.

In lieu of flowers, donations can be made in Bram’s name to The Jewish Federation of Greater Los Angeles, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center or the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts.

Today, City National has more than $36 billion in assets, and its 3,700 colleagues deliver banking and investment services through 75 offices in Southern California, the San Francisco Bay Area, Nevada, New York City, Nashville and Atlanta.

Exclusive: WME Signs Maddie & Tae

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Maddie & Tae

Maddie & Tae

Dot Records duo Maddie & Tae have signed with William Morris Endeavor (WME).

The duo’s debut album, Start Here, featured the platinum-selling single “Girl In A Country Song,” as well as their current single “Shut Up And Fish.” They are currently on the road with Lee Brice’s Life Off My Years Tour through April, and will join Brad Paisley this summer on his Crushin’ It World Tour.

The duo is nominated for Vocal Duo Of The Year and New Vocal Duo or Group of the Year at the 51st Academy of Country Music Awards, set for April 3.

Mac McAnally, Muddy Magnolias To Headline Grammy Museum Mississippi Benefit

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Mac McAnally

Mac McAnally

Following the opening of the Grammy Museum Mississippi on Saturday (March 5), a benefit concert dubbed “Back Where I Come From” will be held at Delta State University’s Bologna Performing Arts Center. Singer-songwriter Mac McAnally, duo Muddy Magnolias, and The Williams Brothers will headline. Also set to perform are Mississippi-born slide guitarist Sonny Landreth and friends.

“We couldn’t think of a better way to pay respect to the people who have brought us so much enjoyment through their music than to have them perform during this exciting weekend,” said Lucy Janoush, President of the Cleveland Music Foundation. “There will also be special guests in attendance who will be recognized for their lasting contributions to the music we all love.”

“As native Mississippians, we are truly honored to be a part of this grand opening,” said The Williams Brothers’ Doug Williams. “The heritage of gospel music has very deep roots here in Mississippi and many gospel greats came from this state. We would like to personally thank the Grammy Museum for recognizing the rich musical heritage of this state, and for opening only the second museum of this nature here on these grounds.

A Grammy Museum Gallery at Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame will celebrate its opening with a ribbon cutting on March 29, followed by a grand opening celebration on Saturday, April 2 from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.

Downtown Music Publishing Launches Neighbouring Rights Division

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unnamedDowntown Music Publishing has launched Downtown Neighbouring Rights, a new division that enables Downtown to secure global Neighbouring Rights for performers and master holders whose songs are performed in public. This service is open to all rights holders, not just Downtown Music Publishing clients.

Neighbouring Rights ensure that artists are compensated when the recorded performance of their songs are performed in public on satellite and online radio services such as Pandora. This is comparable to songwriters being compensated for the public performance of their songs or copyright.

Downtown is just one of the handful of companies providing Neighbouring Rights services globally. Although newly launched, the division has been operational for nearly five years and formed part of the Eagle-i Music acquisition from last year.

“We are already established and are currently members of over 30 Neighbouring Rights societies; offering a full global reach for labels, performers and non-featured performers alike,” said Roberto Neri, MD of Downtown UK. “The difference now is the unique unparalleled systems at Downtown, which take our level of transparency and service to new heights and makes us the destination of choice for Neighbouring Rights collection.”

Luke Montague has been appointed Neighbouring Rights Manager. “I am extremely proud of Luke who has been key to helping build our Neighbouring Rights division. He is a real asset to the company and our clients,” said Neri.

Last year, such payouts in the United States alone amounted to over $800 million, according to Downtown Music Publishing. Internationally, Neighbouring Rights also include compensation for performances on terrestrial radio.

 

MusicRowLife: RaeLynn Marries Josh Davis

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Photo: RaeLynn/Instagram

Valory Music Co. artist RaeLynn wed Josh Davis on Saturday, Feb. 27. The two were engaged in October 2015. The singer-songwriter shared photos from the event on social media, including a photo of RaeLynn and her husband with Warner Music Nashville artist and The Voice coach Blake Shelton, who attended with Gwen Stefani.

“What a beautiful day with such beautiful people,” said RaeLynn on Instagram. “I am so thankful for everyone in my life and for my amazing husband.”

Pictured (L-R): Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, RaeLynn, Josh Davis. Photo: RaeLynn/Instagram.

Pictured (L-R): Gwen Stefani, Blake Shelton, RaeLynn, Josh Davis. Photo: RaeLynn/Instagram.

Photo: RaeLynn/Instagram

Photo: RaeLynn/Instagram

Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” Video Brings Awareness To Mental Health

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Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton

The new music video for Chris Stapleton’s “Fire Away” is drawing attention to mental health and emotional suffering.

Conceived by Stapleton, the powerful video was directed by Tim Mattia and stars actors Ben Foster and Margarita Levieva.

Beyond serving as the visual representation of his song, the video aims to bring attention to the culture of mental health awareness throughout the country, specifically through The Campaign to Change Direction.

The organization, which was introduced to Stapleton through Foster, strives to start a common language about the Five Signs of suffering emotionally: change in personality, agitation, withdrawal, decline in personal care, and hopelessness. The Five Signs are clearly represented in the video through Levieva’s performance.

Photos: Chris Young, Cassadee Pope, Craig Wayne Boyd, Doug Johnson

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Chris Young Welcomes Cassadee Pope and AEG Live On Tour

Pictured (L-R): Cassadee Pope, Chris Young and Adam Weiser (AEG Live). Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Monarch Publicity

Pictured (L-R): Cassadee Pope, Chris Young and Adam Weiser (AEG Live). Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images for Monarch Publicity

On Thursday, Feb. 25, Chris Young played New York City’s PlayStation Theater with special guest Cassadee Pope, following a surprise performance on Southwest Airlines earlier in the week. Young’s 2016 I’m Comin’ Over Tour, presented by AEG, kicked off last month. Already this year, Young has played to a total of 19 sold-out shows. Pope joins Young onstage for the tour to perform their new single, “Think Of You.”

Craig Wayne Boyd Helps Raise Over $20,000 For St Jude

Craig Wayne Boyd (front right) with David Adam Byrnes (front left) and CJ Wilder (couch left) with crew from the Sudbury Broadcasting Group.

Craig Wayne Boyd (front right) with David Adam Byrnes (front left) and CJ Wilder (couch left) with crew from the Sudbury Broadcasting Group.

Blytheville, Arkansas’ Southern Bancorp 5th Annual Hope Concert, featuring Craig Wayne Boyd, raised over $22,500 Friday, Feb. 26 for St Jude Children’s Research Hospital. In addition to a performance from NBC’s The Voice winner, the event also featured Nashville artists David Adam Byrnes and CJ Wilder at the Holiday Inn. The concert was the kick-off for the 36th Annual ESA St Jude Country Cares For Kids Radio Cablethon, which is set for March 4-5.

Producer’s Chair Welcomes Doug Johnson

Pictured (L-R): Doug Johnson, James Rea. Photo: Tirk Wilder

Pictured (L-R): Doug Johnson, James Rea. Photo: Tirk Wilder

James Rea‘s The Producer’s Chair—an interactive monthly event at Douglas Corner, featuring top Nashville producers—welcomed Doug Johnson for the January 2016 event. Each producer guest receives a framed certificate, memorializing their appearance on the show, which has been running for nine years. The next event will be held March 31.

Anderson East, Sam Hunt Among New Martin Guitar Ambassadors

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Anderson East, Sam Hunt, and Elle King are among the newest additions to the Martin Guitar Ambassador Program roster.

Brett Dennen, Father John Misty, Taylor Goldsmith of Dawes, Flo Morrissey and Megan Rapinoe have also been selected to represent the brand.

Current ambassadors in the country genre include Dierks Bentley, Hunter Hayes, and Thomas Rhett.

“Martin Guitar has been fortunate to have countless legendary singer/songwriters play our instruments for decades–everyone from Hank Williams to Johnny Cash,” said Chairman & CEO Chris Martin. “Now with the Ambassador program, we are enhancing the successful relationships we have had with generations of popular musicians who have are devoted to our brand by formally acknowledging their talented musicianship and love of Martin Guitars.”

The Martin Ambassador Program consists of a variety of talented artists, whether their background lies in music or sports, and the diverse roster already includes professional Olympic snowboarder Danny Davis, Seth Avett of The Avett Brothers, Jason Isbell, Sturgill Simpson, Of Monsters and Men, The Milk Carton Kids, Ben Howard, LP, and more.

“Three years ago we wanted to create an Ambassador program that felt more like a family of friends than a list of artists that just happen to play Martin guitars. I am proud to say that we are accomplishing this goal through our flagship program,” said VP of Brand Marketing, Amani Duncan. “The Martin Ambassador program consists of a select number of the most talented singer/songwriters on the music scene today who we consider to be career-artists making a profound and diverse impact in music.”

Elle King said, “The only acoustic guitar I ever wanted to play was a Martin. And it’s the only acoustic guitar I’m ever going to play. It’s an honor to be a Martin Ambassador.”

Anderson East said, “There is so much history and possibility in these instruments. My Martin is a constant source of inspiration, a teacher and most of all a companion.”

Weekly Register: Maren Morris’ “My Church” Tops Country Digital Tracks

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MarenMorris

In its 16th week on the country digital tracks chart, Maren Morris’ “My Church” has risen to No. 1, with 34.5K sold this week and 180K overall. She’s at No. 16 on the overall digital tracks chart.

Morris places just ahead of longtime leader Thomas Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man,” which moves 31K units this week, for a No. 2 position. Overall sales for that single are approaching 1.2 million.

The Top 5 is rounded out by Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” (30K), Carrie Underwood’s “Heartbeat” (25K) and Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind.” (24K).

Southern Family album coverMorgane & Chris Stapleton enjoy the week’s highest debut with “You Are My Sunshine,” entering at No. 41, with 5K. The track comes from an upcoming project by producer Dave Cobb titled Southern Family, out March 18.

Speaking of Stapleton, he’s hanging tough at No. 1 on the country album chart. Traveller picks up 44K units this week, with 958K overall. He’s followed by Joey + Rory’s Hymns (37K) and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (12K).

unnamedSister Hazel makes an unexpected appearance at No. 4 with Lighter Than the Dark, their first set of new material in five years. Released on Croakin’ Poets Records, the album was produced by Chip Matthews. The band’s new single, “That Kind of Beautiful,” was written by Hillary Lindsay, Gordie Sampson, and Luke Laird. Sister Hazel scored a pop hit in 1997 with “All For You.” Nashville label Average Joes manages the band and the album is distributed through Selecto Hits.

Vince Gill’s Down To My Last Bad Habit ranks at No. 5 with 7.5K units.

Info provided by Nielsen Soundscan.