Music News (7/7/21)

Drake Milligan Signs With BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, Debut EP Due July 23

Drake Milligan. Photo: Jay Blakesberg

Country newcomer Drake Milligan has signed with BBR Music Group/Stoney Creek Records, and is set to release his debut self-titled EP on July 23.

Milligan co-wrote every song on the new EP, which was co-produced by Tony Brown and Brandon Hood. In the trouble-drowning, alcohol-soaked track “Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin,’” the Texas native layers fiddle and steel, while on the upbeat, rebellious “Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do,” he shows off his fast talking ability. In the ballad, “Don’t Look Down,” he paints a picture of falling in love on a dance floor, while “She” is a simple but emotive depiction of a lovesick boy listing off everything he adores about a girl.

“The greatest pleasure of creating this EP was getting a masterclass in country music from the best songwriters, musicians, producers and engineers that Nashville has to offer,” says Milligan. “I hope y’all will have as much fun listening to these songs as I had making them!”

Drake Milligan Track List:
1. Over Drinkin’ Under Thinkin’ (Drake Milligan, Brice Long, Brett Beavers)
2. Don’t Look Down (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
3. Kiss Goodbye All Night (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, Phil O’Donnell, Josh Jenkins)
4. She (Drake Milligan, Brandon Hood, John Pierce)
5. Sounds Like Somethin’ I’d Do (Drake Milligan, Terry McBride, Brett Beavers)
 

Rhyme Partners Reveals Speak Life To End Bullying, The Musical

Rhyme Partners staff and writers. Pictured (L-R): Rebecca Burd, Leland Grant, Dan Burd, Melissa Bollea Rowe, Briana Tyson, Tripp Weir and Lisa Doughtery.

Speak Life Performing Arts Company (SLPAC) is releasing a new film version of Speak Life The Musical to End Bullying this fall. SLPAC has been a leader in the nation’s conversation on the issue of bullying for over 13 years, and their musical has now been seen by over 370,000 students across America.

Melissa Rowe, songwriter and owner of Nashville’s Rhyme Partners Music Publishing, wrote, co-wrote, and co-produced all of the new music for the show. Speak Life The Musical follows a day in the life of four high school students giving us a glimpse into their public persona and private struggles. Every day in schools across America, kids are abused by their peers. Social media has allowed the abuse to chase them home, and cyberbullying leaves no place to hide.

Rowe admits that her involvement in this project has been distinctly different than anything she has done previously in her career. “The opportunity to make an impact on kids and audiences all over the nation through our words and music was an honor that I didn’t take lightly,” she says of Rhyme Partners’ all encompassing involvement which not only included writing and composing all the music but also overseeing every aspect of the project. “Music comforts us and takes us places we can’t go by any other means. It can save a life,” she concludes.

Founded in 2013, Rhyme Partners catalog includes hundreds of cuts on both independent and record label artists with millions of combined streams across all digital platforms. Their songs have been recognized, nominated for, and won several independent and major music awards. Rhyme Partners catalog has also seen success with national brands and sync placements for television and film.
 

On The Row: Robyn Ottolini Charms With Humor & Wisdom

Robyn Ottolini. Photo: Haley Crow

The story of how Canadian singer-songwriter Robyn Ottolini came into her first record deal is quite unlike most artists. She signed her recording contract with Warner Music Nashville over Zoom, while sitting on her bed in her pajamas.

Ottolini grew up in a small town outside of Toronto called Uxbridge, and has been writing songs she was 13.

In February of 2020 Ottolini independently released The I’m Not Always Hilarious EP, which showcased her songwriting chops on songs like “Trust Issues” and her fiery “F-150.” The latter of which took off on social media, reaching No. 4 on Spotify’s all-genre US Viral 50.

“I was a barista with no money [when I released “F-150″], so marketing was all me,” Ottolini said in a recent visit with MusicRow. “I was just working the internet and figuring it out like every artist does. Then F-150 blew up on TikTok.”

With support from Warner Music Nashville and a viral hit on her hands, Ottolini released The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP in June, showcasing the funny, wise side of the singer-songwriter.

Ottolini takes songwriting and styling cues from artists like Maren Morris, Kacey Musgraves and Sam Hunt. It shows when she performs her hilariously clever “Sincerely, Drunk Me,” and when she talk-sings on “F-150” and “Tell You Everything.”

“‘Tell You Everything’ is a love song to my current boyfriend. I had met him and it was one of those cringey, disgusting, ‘I knew when I met him’ kind of things, but I swear to goodness gracious, it’s true. I was like, ‘I’m going to tell this guy, literally everything.'”

Ottolini’s charm really shines on “Sincerely, Drunk Me,” where the 25-year-old sings about her relatable drunk escapades with a wink to the audience.

“I wrote this one by myself. I was telling my producers/managers drunk stories,” Ottolini admits. “I get stressed out when I’m sober, I just want to be perfect. And then drunk me does not give a shit. She’s worried about it later. So my manager was like, ‘How much fun would it be for drunk Robyn to sing a song to sober Robyn and give life advice.'”

Ottolini’s major label debut The But I’m Not Always Sad Either EP is out now. She will be hitting the road with Breland for some dates on his Cross Country Tour.