Music News (6/27/19)

31st Annual MusicRow Awards Winners

Pictured (L-R): Alecia Davis, Dann Huff, MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Steve Lowry for MusicRow

MusicRow Magazine revealed the winners for the 31st annual MusicRow Awards Wednesday night (June 26) during a celebration at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium.

Producer of the Year was Dann Huff. Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year was Jordan Reynolds. Breakthrough Artist-Writer of the Year was Jimmie Allen. Male Songwriter of the Year was Josh Osborne. Female Songwriter of the Year was Hillary Lindsey. Song of the Year was “Girl Goin’ Nowhere” — Songwriter(s): Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Bussey.

Reservoir Announces First Signing To New Nashville Office

Pictured (L-R): Greg Gallo, Reservoir VP of Creative; Josh Mirenda; John Ozier, Reservoir EVP Of Creative; Chandler Cunningham, Reservoir Creative Coordinator

Reservoir has announced the first signing to its newly-opened Nashville office, under the leadership of its EVP of Creative John Ozier. The company has signed hit writer-artist Josh Mirenda to a worldwide publishing deal. The deal includes an interest in Mirenda’s entire catalog of works, plus exclusive representation on all future titles.

A Nashville native, Mirenda has co-written three No. 1 singles in as many years. The Platinum-selling “Somewhere On A Beach,” performed by Dierks Bentley, topped Billboard’s Country Airplay and Hot Country Songs charts and earned Mirenda the ASCAP Song of the Year award. Meanwhile, “They Don’t Know” and “Girl Like You” written for frequent collaborator Jason Aldean reached the top of the Mediabase Country Airplay chart and the Billboard Country Airplay chart, respectively.

In 2017, Mirenda released his debut single as a performer, “I Got You,” which has since climbed to 22 million streams globally. Following the launch of his 2018 self-titled EP, Mirenda went back to the studio with plans to drop a full-length debut album later this year. Over the past few years, he has opened shows for Easton Corbin, Rodney Atkins, Dylan Scott, Chris Young, and more.

Cassadee Pope Signs With BMG Music Publishing

Pictured (L-R): Courtney Allen (BMG Creative Dir. A&R), Cassadee Pope, Kos Weaver (BMG Nashville EVP)    Photo: Cody Heckber

Cassadee Pope has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with BMG Music Publishing.

This Spring, Pope released her latest critically acclaimed studio album STAGES featuring the singles, “Take You Home,” “One More Red Light” and “If My Heart Had A Heart.”

Parker McCollum Joins Universal Music Group Nashville Roster

(L-R) Front Row: UMG Nashville’s Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Parker McCollum, UMG Nashville’s President Cindy Mabe Back Row: UMG Nashville’s SVP Business & Legal Affairs Rob Femia, Greenberg Traurig’s Jess Rosen, UMG Nashville’s EVP A&R Brian Wright, Red Light Management’s Haley McLemore, Red Light Management’s Enzo DeVincenzo, WME’s Henry Glascock, UMG Nashville’s SVP A&R Stephanie Wright, Red Light Management’s Jacob Knight. Photo: Hunter Berry

Parker McCollum has signed with Universal Music Group Nashville. The Conroe, Texas native joins a roster of award-winning artists including George Strait, Kacey Musgraves, Sam Hunt, Vince Gill and many more.

Compared to John Mayer and Jason Isbell by Rolling Stone, McCollum began building a following in Texas with 2015’s The Limestone Kid. The album track “Meet You in The Middle” became a hit on Texas’ regional radio chart, and the album’s widely-acclaimed followup, Probably Wrong, helped him find national success. McCollum has built a devoted fan base, with his latest 10-track album anchoring a string of sold-out concerts, including a headlining show at Billy Bob’s Texas this past May.

His latest focus track “I Can’t Breathe” is in rotation at SiriusXM’s The Highway, and he recently teamed with Danielle Bradbery on a cover of Bradley Cooper and Lady Gaga’s breakout hit, “Shallow.”

Music Knox Records Makes Initial Artist Signing With Sykamore

Pictured: (Back row) Chris Poole (Director of A&R, BBR Music Group), Ben Vaughn (CEO, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Sara Knabe (VP A&R, BBR Music Group), Jake Kennedy (The Anvil), Shalacy Griffin (SVP, Music Knox), Nathan Drake (Dickinson Wright PLLC), Colton McGee (Director of Business and Legal Affairs, BBR Music Group). (Front row) Jon Loba (EVP, BBR Music Group), Sykamore, Michael Knox (Music Knox Records). Photo Credit: Scott Schleiff

Sykamore is the first artist to sign with Music Knox Records, a joint venture between producer Michael Knox and BBR Music Group/BMG.

The vocalist, musician, composer and storyteller moved to Nashville in 2017 after being discovered on Twitter by hit songwriter, Rhett Akins.  Soon after, she signed a publishing deal with Home Team (founded by Rhett Akins and Thomas Rhett as a joint-venture with Roc Nation). In 2018, Sykamore self-released an EP titled Self Medicine that has garnered more than 1.4 million on-demand streams to date. Sykamore is managed by Jake Kennedy at The Anvil.

The Carseland, Alberta, Canada native was raised on a fourth-generation cattle ranch in a house built by her great grandfather. She grew up listening to country music and began writing her own music in 2012. Since then, she has been recognized at songwriting-focused events including the ATB All-Albertan Song Contest, Project Wild, and the Canadian Country Music Association’s annual Discovery Program.

 

Morris Higham Management Inks Publishing Joint Venture, Signs Chase Wright

Pictured (L-R): Evyn Mustoe-ASCAP, Clint Higham-Morris Higham Management/Toby and Molly Music, Jeff Biederman-Manatt, Chase Wright, Robert Filhart-Morris Higham Management/Toby and Molly Music, TD Ruth-Serling Rooks Hunter McKoy Worob & Averill LLP, Jesse Willoughby-Kobalt. Photo: Basak Kizilisik

Morris Higham Management is adding publishing to its list of client services, which already include music management, booking and production. Through a joint venture among MHM President Clint Higham, Kobalt Music and recent addition to MHM, publishing industry veteran and manager Robert Filhart, newly established Toby and Molly Music, LLC creates unique opportunities for writer/artist-friendly deals. The venture’s first signee is 22-year-old songwriter Chase Wright.

Filhart first introduced Wright to MHM for management following months of development during his previous tenure at ASCAP.

 

Spirit Music Nashville Appoints Derek Wells To A&R Role, Establishes Joint Venture

Derek Wells

Spirit Music Group has appointed Derek Wells to Senior Director A&R/Production, Spirit Music Nashville. Wells will report to Spirit Music Group Nashville CEO Frank Rogers. Additionally, Spirit Music Group has established a joint venture with Derek Wells for his 2 Mix Music company.

 

RED Creative Group Signs Baker Grissom

Baker Grissom

RED Creative Group has signed Baker Grissom. The Arkansas native’s debut five-song EP, Saturdays & Sundays, just released. He has also collaborated with writers including Casey Beathard, Cole Taylor, Mark Irwin, Wynn Varble, Big Al Anderson and more.

Grissom joins RED’s roster which includes UMG artists Adam Hambrick (Capitol/Buena Vista) and Travis Denning (Mercury), Kelly Archer, Nathan Spicer and Stover. RED has earned more than 200 cuts, including hits for Tim McGraw, Brett Young, Dan + Shay and Justin Moore, among others.