1 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

When Jacobs Media surveyed air talent about skill sets necessary for on-air success, fewer than a third considered their social-media skills “excellent.” For hosts who want to stand out in competitive situations — be it a radio market or when looking for their next opportunity — developing those skills can make a huge difference. “Personally, I think it’s more important than the resumé,” Sean “Coop” Tabler, Audacy’s social media captain for the country format, tells Country Insider. Along with the aircheck, “I think it is the resumé today.” So how can country’s personalities master social media? (Continued on page 4)

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2021October

4

COUNTRY INSIDER TOP 5: Amazon Music Names Michelle Tigard Kammerer Head Of Country Music.

Please Connect Me To 1986: How Randy Travis And ‘Storms Of Life’ Changed Country Music.

Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert And Luke Bryan To Headline WE Fest 2022.

The View From The Booth: John Shomby On What Radio Can Learn From A Career Play-By-Play Guy.

‘Cold Beer’ Calls Jameson Rodgers’ Name From The Top Of Mediabase’s Country Chart.

If You’ve Been Avoiding Social Media And TikTok, It’s Time To Rethink That Strategy.

3 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

Michelle Tigard Kammerer Named Amazon Music’s Head Of Country.Michelle Tigard Kammerer joins Amazon Music as Head of Country Music, effective Monday, Oct. 18. She replaces Kelly Rich, who departed in August after more than four years with the company. Kammerer will lead efforts to grow country music listening on the service, marketing and artist and label relations. She is based in Nashville and reports to Andre Stapleton, Amazon Music’s Global Head of Artist and Label Relations. Kammerer comes from BMLG Records where she spent seven years at the label, most recently as Senior National Director of Promotion & Marketing.

KSYC-FM 103.9 Signs Off In Northern California.Buffalo Broadcasting KSYC-FM Yreka, CA (103.9) went silent Thursday. According to The Siskiyou Daily News, owners Mark and Cyndi Baird attributed the decision to cease operations to the loss of revenue during the COVID-19 pandemic and their desire to retire. KSYC, which broadcast to northern California and southern Oregon as part of the Medford-Klamath Falls Nielsen DMA, had been a country station since 1995. Buffalo Broadcasting has owned the station for the past 10 years. Minnesota’s WE Fest Announces 2022 Lineup.Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan will headline next year’s WE Fest Country Music Festival, to be held Aug. 4-6, 2022, at Soo Pass Ranch in Detroit Lakes, MN. Cowboy Troy is slated to emcee the three-day event, which also has Blanco Brown, Lee Brice, Riley Green, Chris Janson, Tanya Tucker and Clay Walker on the bill. Dylan Scott To Headline “Livin’ My Best Life Tour” In 2022.Curb Records artist Dylan Scott will headline a 22-city tour starting Feb. 24, 2022, in Grand Rapids, MI, and wrapping up at the end of April in Silver Spring, MD. Scott has been providing direct support for Luke Bryan’s “Proud to Be Right Here Tour,” which continues through October. Scott will also headline Bayou Stock in his native Louisiana on Saturday, Oct. 23. “I’m excited to finally headline in front of my fans,” the “New Truck” singer said in a release. “Hopefully we’ve gained a lot of new ones over the past few months while being on tour with Luke.” Dylan Marlowe will provide support for Scott’s tour.

Reid SpiveyReid SpiveyAsst. PD/PM Drive HostAsst. PD/PM Drive Host

102.5 KNIX 102.5 KNIX Phoenix, AZPhoenix, AZ

Top 5 Female Songs of All Time:

Chelsea Thomas Afternoons

106-7 The Bull KWBL Denver, CO

Top 5 Current Songs by Female Artists

1. Maren Morris - My Church 2. Kelsea Ballerini - Miss Me More 3. Miranda Lambert - Mama’s Broken Heart 4. Carrie Underwood - Before He Cheats 5. Taylor Swift - Love Story

1. Carly Pearce - Never Wanted To Be That Girl2. Ashley Cooke - Sunday Morning Kind Of Saturday Night3. Tenille Arts - Back Then, Right Now4. Lainey Wilson - Things A Man Oughta Know5. Ingrid Andress - Wishful Drinking

4 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

Social Media For Air Talent. (Continued from page 1)

First off, it might be good to give up the idea of “mastering social media.” “There is no ‘mastering’ social media, because it’s constantly changing,” says Skyview Networks’ syndicated host, Bryan “B-Dub” Washington. “The key is to be willing to change and evolve as social media does.”

Also, you should forget the viral memes from radio stations you’ve seen popping up in your Facebook

feed lately. “Your first step is to identify the one thing you love talking about, and there’s no wrong answer,” says Lori Lewis, founder of Lori Lewis Media and a social-media management specialist. If that’s a part of your life or personality that’s already familiar to

listeners, all the better. “The mistake that is made, unknowingly, is people going in there and being all kinds of different things,” she says.

Lewis says that social-media content should strive for at least one of three things: Entertainment, inspiration or discovery.

You don’t have to be Bobby Bones, with hundreds of thousands of followers across multiple platforms for both his personal and his show feeds. But you do have to be engaging. “If you’re not triggering reaction, you are yelling into the void,” Lewis says.

Though harder to measure at a glance, engagement is actually more important than follower count or the low-hanging fruit of “likes.”

“You have to have a relationship with these people; you have to reply to their comments if you want to keep them as followers,” says “Big Rick” Daniels, OM/afternoon-drive host for Seven Mountains Media “95.7 The Big Pig” WPIG Olean, NY. “They’ll unfollow you quick if you don’t interact with them.”

For personalities who don’t track for stations in multiple markets, maintaining a hyper-local focus

may be the way to go. In that scenario, Lewis says, focusing on “a combination of Facebook and Instagram” can provide a solid social-media foundation. Newer platforms may get hot, but “Facebook is the big dog.”

Hannah Byrom, co-host of the “Cat Morning Crew” at Cumulus Media “Cat Country 96” WCTO Allentown, PA, says, “National is great, but local is even better because when you get yourself ingrained into the local business-owner community, word of mouth travels fast, and it opens more avenues for revenue.”

Just as singles research differently in different markets, each town has its own personality when it comes to what works online. “It’s different for every market,” says “Coop” Tabler, who hosts afternoons at Audacy “Y108” WDSY Pittsburgh. “Like in Kansas

City, they happen to really love Kansas City. If you do pictures around town or you’re goofing around at a local landmark, it’s going to do a lot better than a meme, which might do very well in Pittsburgh.”

However, Washington adds, “cut-and-paste memes

aren’t going to build your brand long-term. You have to create actual content, not just regurgitate something that 8 million other radio stations have already posted.”

Social media skills ranked near the bottom in the Jacobs Media skill-set survey. Air talent rated themselves “excellent” less often in only three areas: doing a podcast (23%), the ability to shoot/edit video (16%) and the ability to make TikTok videos (4%).

Unfortunately, TikTok now has a billion monthly users, and it’s becoming more and more important in the musical ecosystem (just ask Walker Hayes).

“It’s all about seven- or 15-second videos now,” Daniels says. “I’m going to have to adapt to the changes at some point and embrace them. I just haven’t yet.” (Continued on page 8)

5 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

CLOCKWISE FROM TOP: Kameron Marlowe received a gold plaque for his

“Giving You Up” single during his recent Grand Ole Opry debut. L-R: The AMG’s Amanda Good; Sony Music Nashville’s Steve Hodges and Shane Allen;

The AMG’s Rob Beckham; SMN’s Randy Goodman; Marlowe; The AMG’s Kaitlin Madewell; SMN’s Houston

Gaither; Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston; WME’s Braeden Rountree.

Kenny Cheseny performs his only live show of 2021 at the Key West Theatre, part of the SiriusXM Pandora Small State Series. “Kenny Chesney: Live from the Key West Theater” will air on SiriusXM again this weekend.

Thomas Rhett visited with WUBE Cincinnati staff during a stop on his Center Point Road Tour. L-R:

WUBE’s Grover Collins and Ron James, Thomas Rhett, WUBE’s Jesse Tack, The Valory Music Co.’s Adam

Burnes.

Old Dominion recently received 4x platinum plaques for their “One Man Band” single. Front row, L-R: Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen, Matthew Ramsey, Brad

Tursi. Second row, L-R: OD’s Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung. Back row, L-R: Sony Music Nashville’s Ken Robold, Lauren Thomas and Tracy Fleaner; Morris Higham Management’s Will Hitchcock; SMN’s Steve

Hodges and Paige Altone.

Broken Bow Records/BMG Nashville tour mates Lainey Wilson and Jason Aldean celebrate their latest No. 1 successes. L-R: Red Light Management’s Shawn McSpadden and Mandelyn Monchick; John Morgan,

BMG’s Brian Meiler; Broken Bow Records’ Layna Bunt; Wilson, BMG’s Thomas Coesfeld; Aldean; BMG’s Jon

Loba, Michael Kachko, Jeff Christian and Margie Rivera.

Alex Miller (r) recently opened for Lee Brice at the Washington State Fair in Puyallup, WA.

Matt Stell performed the national anthem at the South Point 400 NASCAR Cup Series Playoff race in

Las Vegas.

https://www.countryradioseminar.com/attendee-list

7 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

How Randy Travis’ ‘Storms Of Life’ Reshaped Country Music.When Randy Travis released “Storms of Life” in 1986, the smooth vocals and slick production of artists like Rosanne Cash, Gary Morris, Kenny Rogers and Marie Osmond ruled at radio. Programmers still maintain that Travis’ baritone, Southern drawl and artful song choices revived the format and diverted country to its traditional roots.

Texas DJ Dan Gallo hosted mornings at KILT Houston when “Storms of Life” came out. “Thank God for the ‘Urban Cowboy’ movement, because it got millions of people over here to country music,” Gallo tells Country Insider. “But thank God for Randy Travis and ‘Storms of Life,’ because when that hit the charts, it was shocking. ‘Whoa, somebody dared to do country.’”

Released June 2, 1986, “Storms of Life” is home to Travis’ hits “On the Other Hand,” “1982,” “Diggin’ Up Bones” and “No Place Like Home.” Kyle Lehning produced the seminal album, remastered and re-released in September for its 35th anniversary. “Storms of Life (35th Anniversary Deluxe Edition)” also contains the previously unreleased “Carryin’ Fire,” “Ain’t No Use” and “The Wall” — three of many unissued Travis tracks tucked away in Warner Music Nashville’s vault.

Travis, who has limited speech due to a 2013 stroke, smiles widely and gives an exaggerated nod when asked if he was pleased with the newly heard songs. Lehning says space constraints prevented the songs from appearing on the original album.

Travis’ wife Mary, who speaks for him, says Lehning and her husband had no plan ahead of recording “Storms of Life” and no idea they would go “as big as we did.” They cut 20 songs and used 10, spending $62,000 for the entire project.

“The only thing that I knew was that I was working with a pure artist from a vocal perspective,” Lehning says. “He just had a great, honest, natural quality, and I felt like musically he was always an old soul.”

As they listened to the completed “Storms of Life” in the studio control room, Lehning told Travis if “Storms of Life” sold 40,000 copies, he thought the label would let them make a second album. Travis ended up selling 3 million copies and making 20 more albums, but at the time his future was uncertain.

“On the Other Hand” introduced radio to the singer.

The North Carolina native’s signature smile spreads across his face as he remembers hearing “On the Other Hand” over the air as he drove across the country in a Cadillac.

The Judds’ traditional country sound opened the door for Travis in the mid-1980s, and the duo’s “Love Is Alive” was No. 1 the week “On the Other Hand” hit Billboard’s country singles chart. However, “On the Other Hand” didn’t have the desired impact at radio. Warner pulled the single and came back with “1982.” It gave Travis his first Top 10.

The label circled back and re-released “On the Other Hand,” which then hit No. 1 and won the song’s writers,

Don Schlitz and Paul Overstreet, a CMA Song of the Year award.

Lehning recalls standing with then-Warner Bros. A&R executive Martha Sharp and watching Travis sing “On the Other Hand” at Nashville’s Fan Fair as it was climbing the charts. For the first time, the pair realized what a force Travis could be.

“He started strumming the first few chords, and 25,000 people stood up like somebody dropped the American flag behind him,” Lehning says. “We looked at each other like, ‘Whoa, something is going on here.’”

From there, country leaned into Travis. Patty Loveless, Marty Stuart, Dwight Yoakam, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and Lyle Lovett all made their chart debuts between the initial release of “On the Other Hand” in 1985 and when it hit No. 1 in 1986. Travis was easily the best-selling act in country music as “Storms of Life” sold its millionth copy by February 1987. “Always & Forever” was released in May and went double-platinum by January 1988.

Garth Brooks says that without Randy Travis paving the way, there would have been no Garth Brooks – and no famed Class of 1989. “Randy Travis saved country music, in my opinion,” he told The Tennessean in 2019. “I don’t know of any artist who took a format and turned it 180 (degrees) back to where it came from and made it bigger than it was then.”

WMN’s EVP, A&R Cris Lacy marvels to see history repeating itself as Warner re-releases “Storms of Life” when pop-country is again prevalent. “He just had a voice that stopped you in your tracks,” Lacy says. “It was like there was a drought, and Randy came with all the water.” — Cindy Watts

8 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

Social Media For Air Talent. (Continued from page 4)

Lewis isn’t a fan of trying to build a whole new audience on TikTok. “It goes to limited time, limited bandwidth,” she says. “But I am a fan of learning the skill of the content style that people are consuming the most. Right now, that’s short-form vertical video.”

For an example of the difference a great TikTok account can make in a host’s career, look no further than Josh “Bru” Brubaker. Brubaker built a TikTok audience of 3 million followers while at Cumulus Media “New Country 93.1” WDRQ Detroit (for context, that’s about nine times the station’s weekly cume), doing things like having listeners suggest words for him to work into his breaks. Not only did his followers love coming up with the words, they had to tune in to hear how he used them.

“I’m definitely not the first person who has thrown random words on the radio,” he told Detroit’s WDIV-TV earlier this year. “But I’m the first who put it on TikTok.”

Brubaker parlayed that following a move to Los

Angeles, where he now has the afternoon-drive slot at Audacy CHR “97.1 Now” KNOU and a weekly cume above 400,000 in the latest Nielsen Audio survey.

Beyond being the functional equivalent of a brand-marketing campaign, a properly presented social-media footprint can generate real revenue.

“There are so many ways to position content at different price points that fit a client’s budget but also puts money in stations’ pockets and the pockets of our personalities,” says WCTO’s Byrom, who serves on the CRS ’22 agenda committee and is putting together a session about ways stations and talent can monetize their feeds.

During the pandemic, as many clients’ advertising budgets weakened, Byrom worked with the WCTO sales team to design creative ways to incorporate social media – including digital endorsements and product placements.

“In 2021,” she says, “if you are giving away social-media posts as added value, you are devaluing your product.”

9 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

The View From The Booth: What We Can Learn From A Career Play-By-Play Guy.

I have the privilege to be the uncle of one of today’s premier baseball sportscasters, Jon “Boog” Sciambi (the real spelling of the last name). Jon was a broadcast major at Boston College where he got the sports announcing bug along with some interesting classmates and friends – Joe Tessitore and Bob Wischusen, both network sportscasters today.

Most recently, Boog left his longtime ESPN play-by-play role and moved to the Windy City to become the Chicago Cubs’ main TV play-by-play announcer. I recently sat down with him and talked about what we all can learn from what he does best – preparation, connecting with on-air partners, and maintaining an evolving knowledge of the sport to keep him relevant.

What’s your philosophy concerning general preparation?

Sciambi: I’m concerned daily about feeling prepared versus being prepared. In most cases, you can drop me into the booth right now and I’d be ready to go, but I’ve always been vigilant about getting to know the game and its changes and really connecting with the players. I spend a good deal of game days talking with players because those casual conversations can provide some very interesting stories for the broadcast.

You’ve worked with numerous partners in your play-by-play career. The chemistry has appeared almost immediate in most cases and, now with your new Cubs broadcast partner, Jim Deshaies. What do you do that helps build that chemistry?

Sciambi: I go back to how good I have always been at connecting with people. From when I was a youngster, I was always able to carry on a conversation with anyone, any age.

Now I always try to engage my partner in a way to bring out their most authentic self. The exchanges we have are comfortable enough that he or she might forget being in a broadcast booth and focus only on what we, as two normal human beings, are talking about. That simple!

Baseball is 100% into the technological age, and you moved with it, not only being able to talk intelligently about it on air but also support the move. How did you move from the old regular “stats” world to

today’s analytics in the game with a somewhat open mind?

Sciambi: As the game was evolving, I was learning quickly that the teams were already there so I couldn’t be left behind and sound like an old 20th-century sportscaster. It took some study and understanding to get to where I am, but now I feel that I can communicate the information, and my particular opinions, without the telecast being a “math class” and come across as somewhat educational, yet entertaining.

Let’s quickly examine the applications for on-air personalities:

1) Immerse yourself in the genre. Really get to know the music and the artists.

2) Real human conversation can bring out memorable moments for a show.

3) Don’t fight the future. Keep tabs on where the audience is heading in every way and, whether you like it or not, learn and understand as much as you can.

Stay relevant. — John Shomby

The entire interview is HERE.

Send questions or comments to: jshomby@countrysradiocoach.com

Reach John: 757-323-1460

11 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

Chris Clare is joining Binnie Media as director of country programming for the company’s Wolf properties. He will program “99.9 The Wolf”

WTHT Portland, ME. The move marks a return to Portland for Clare, who programmed WTHT from April 2017 until assuming the same

role at Cumulus Media “94.1 Cat Country” WNNF Cincinnati later that year. Clare announced his resignation from WNNF last month.

Melissa “Mel” McCrae joins PD Brent Lane as morning co-host of “The Cat Pak Morning Show” at ADX Communications “Cat Country 98.7”  WYCT Pensacola, FL. She succeeds Candy Cullerton, who

departed in March. McCrae’s previous stops include Brazos Valley Communications KORA Bryan-College Station, TX, (98.3) as

MD and morning co-host on Genuine Austin Radio alternative country “KOKE FM” Austin.

Donna Cruz joins Victory Publishing Company KBEY Burnet-Austin, TX (103.9) for mornings starting Monday, Oct. 11. Cruz, who co-hosts the nationally syndicated

“Keep the Faith” and tracks middays at First Dallas Media contemporary Christian WCBI Dallas (90.9), will host her KBEY show from her

home studio in Round Rock, TX. PD Joel Burke is seeking a co-host for the show.

Ryan Wild departs Emmis Communications “97.1 Hank FM” Indianapolis, where he had been PD and midday host. Wild

joined WLHK in 2018 from then-

country WKTI Milwaukee where he programmed the country outlet before its flip to sports. His career also has included stops in Omaha, NE; Chicago; Des Moines, IA; and Davenport, IA.

Rita Ballou exits “KOKE in the Morning” at Genuine Austin Radio

alternative country KOKE Austin, TX (99.3/98.5), as she and her husband relocate to Ft. Worth. Ballou will continue to track her

weekend shows and serve as the station’s social media manager. She joined KOKE in 2014.

Cumulus Media appoints Elvin Fluellen II VP/Market Manager for Cumulus Macon. He will begin Monday, Oct. 11. Cumulus has five stations, including country

“FM 99” WDEN, in its Macon, GA, cluster. Fluellen, who most recently served as an account executive for Cox Media Group in

Jacksonville, FL, was with Cumulus Macon from 2016-2019 as general sales manager/digital sales manager.

El Dorado Broad casters Yuma names Dan Kripke director of sales for the cluster, which includes country KTTI (95.1). Kripke most recently served as DOS at Curtis Media

Jacksonville, NC. He held a similar position at Cherry Tree Media in Great Falls, MT.

Bryan Holladay’s Meridian Media Group has filed a $475,000 deal to buy classic country “105.7 The

Legend” WUCL, talk WALT (102.1) and classic hits “97.9 The Buzz” WKZB from Burke

Broadcasting. Bryan Holladay is the son of Clay Holladay, whose Mississippi Broadcasters also owns

radio stations in the Meridian, MS, area. Bryan Holladay was previously the general manager of the WALT and WKZB from 2012 to 2013 when they were owned by New South Communications, which was owned by his grandfather, Frank (Eddie) Holladay.

DeLaHunt Broadcasting Group has closed a $1.15 million deal to buy country “Hot Country 92.5” KXKK, Rapids Park, MN; AC “KQ-102” KQKK, Walker MN: adult standards “Star Station” KDKK, Park Rapids, MN (97.5); and “Classic Hits 1570”

KAKK, Walker, MN, from E.C. Broadcasting. The deal also includes three

FM translators including the Park Rapids, MN-licensed K263BR at 100.5 FM; the Walker, MN-licensed K242AY at 96.3 FM; and the Staples, MN-licensed at 94.7 FM. The filing indicates a $400,000 promissory note is part of the deal. DeLaHunt Broadcasting Group already owns country “Coyote 102.5” KKWB and classic country “Clear Channel 870-Country Lovin`” KPRM in the area.

Lynchburg Media Partners has closed a $500,000 deal to buy country “The Rebel 93.7” WKHF Roanoke-Lynchburg, VA, from Todd Robinson. The deal includes a $490,000 promissory note.

Lynchburg Media Partners is a newly formed company that is 51% owned by

Chuck Marsh and 24% owned by Rebecca Marsh, with the remaining 25% to be owned by Marsh relatives and employees. Chuck Marsh is currently the majority (52%) owner in Alamance Media Partners, which owns country WSML (1200) in the Greensboro-Winston-Salem-High Point, NC market. Robinson owns classic hits WHTU/WZZI (103.9/106.9) and rock WZZU (97.9) in the Roanoke-Lynchburg market.

RADIO

12 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

Tenille Arts gets her first gold record with last week’s RIAA certification of her single “Somebody Like That.” Other

certifications in September include platinum singles for Luke Combs’ “Forever After All” and Ryan Hurd’s “Chasing After

You” feat. Maren Morris; gold singles for Kameron Marlowe’s “Giving You Up,” Tenille Townes’ “Somebody’s Daughter” and Mark Wills’ 2003 chart-topper “19 Somethin’.” Sturgill Simpson receives a gold album for 2014’s “Metamodern Sounds in Country Music.” It’s Simpson’s first gold record.

Dolly Parton was honored with the unveiling of a new “Tennessee Music Pathways” marker in her hometown of Sevierville, TN. The marker is located directly by Parton’s bronze statue on the Sevier County Courthouse lawn and comme mo rates the singer’s rich musical heritage in Sevier County and across Tennessee. “I am proud to be from Sevier County and Sevierville and this Music Pathways sign honors me, my family and my history there,” Parton said in a release.

Trisha Yearwood is one of four entrepreneurs to be inducted into the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s 2021 Hall of Fame

at the annual NEXT Awards on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The singer is recognized for building her brand through bestselling cookbooks, her Emmy Award-winning Food Network series “Trisha’s Southern Kitchen,” her product line of dinnerware with Williams Sonoma and the Trisha Yearwood Pet Collection.

Taylor Swift will release her 30-song updated version of 2012’s “Red” on Friday, Nov. 12, one week earlier than initially planned. The project features Chris Stapleton,

Phoebe Bridgers, Foster the People’s Mark Foster and the first song she wrote with Ed Sheeran in 2012. “Can’t wait to celebrate the 13th

with you and our new/old autumn heartbreak album,” Swift wrote on social media.

Jessie James Decker releases “The Woman I’ve Become,” a seven-track EP, Friday, Oct. 22. Maren Morris and Tenille Townes are credited as songwriters on the project. “‘The Woman I’ve Become’ is unlike any record I’ve

ever created,” Decker said in a release. “It’s a true transition from the young girl I was to the woman I have become. I’ve never been this

vulnerable before. I think life changes and growth have made me confident enough to show that vulnerable side.”

Jacob Bryant partners with Thirty Tigers and American Roots Records for the release of “Bar Stool Preacher,” available Friday, Jan. 14, 2022. “I think Jacob has it in him to be a major star, and I’m proud that he and his team picked

us to help him realize his promise,” Thirty Tigers President David Macias said in a release. Added Bryant: “This album means the world to me, and I can’t wait to get it out to the masses!”

Bryan Martin signs with Dirtified Records/Average Joes Entertainment. Martin’s first single for the label, “Long As Daddy’s Working,” is available now. “Bryan is a self-taught musician/songwriter and an immense

talent, and everyone at the label is excited about working with him,” Dirtified Records President/CEO Lenny Cooper said in a release.

“We are an artist-driven company, and Bryan is a great addition to the family.”

Country and pop singer Sue Thompson, 96, died on Thursday, Sept. 23, from complications of Alzheimer’s, the New York Times confirms. She signed to Mercury Records in 1950 and released several country singles including

“You Belong to Me” before seeing success in the pop world with “Sad Movies,” “Norman” and “Paper Tiger.” She returned to country in the

1970s, releasing duets with Country Music Hall of Famer Don Gibson. Her highest country single was “Good Old Fashioned Country Love” which peaked at No. 31.

ARTISTS

13 | OCTOBER 4, 2021 CountryInsider.com

INDUSTRYWasserman Music hires Shannon Casey as SVP, Fairs and Festivals. Casey has spent more than two decades at Creative Artists Agency in Nashville. “The addition

of Shannon to Wasserman Music brings irreplaceable experience and expertise in a rapidly evolving economy in fairs and

festivals,” Senior VP Lenore Kinder said in a release. “She has cultivated decades of meaningful relationships with her buyers, and I have no doubt they’re just as eager to get back to business with her as we are!”

The Country Music Association recognizes U.K. concert promoter Chris York with the 2021 CMA Jo Walker Meador International Award. York is the Director of SJM

Concerts and one of the founding co-promoters of Country to Country Festival, the U.K.’s largest country music event. “Chris’

impact on country music has enabled artists in every stage of their career to begin building their platforms in the U.K. and beyond,” CMA CEO Sarah Trahern said in a release.

Sound Royalties recruits Elisha Hoffman as its Nashville-based

industry relations ambassador. Hoffman, a musician, producer, engineer and songwriter who co-founded Pumphouse

Records with Lee Brice and Rob Hatch, will represent the company

through community outreach and curated events. “We’re proud to have Eli on board helping expand our footprint in the creative community of Nashville,” Sound Royalties President Michael Bizenov said in a release.

Sea Gayle Music hires Kendra Smith as Catalog Manager. Smith is a former intern at the independent publishing company. “We have had some great interns at Sea Gayle Music through the years and Kendra was one of the best,”

Partner Chris DuBois said in a release. “We are thrilled to give her this opportunity and bring her aboard as part of the Sea Gayle family.”

After announcing its acquisition of prize-based competition platform Preffy, Nashville-based music marketing firm Songfluencer has hired Preffy Founder Charlie Davis as Senior Software Developer. “Not only is he a talented programmer, he’s also

a thought leader in the social media influencer marketing space,” Songfluencer CTO and Co-Owner Louis O’Reilly said in a release. “That combination

will help propel our tech, create new products and provide better results for our clients.” 

River House Artists partners with Sony Music Publishing to sign Neil Medley to a worldwide publishing deal. Medley’s songs have been recorded by Luke Bryan, Jake Owen, Jason Aldean and Tyler Farr. “Our family at River House couldn’t be more excited to have Neil join the team,” River House Artists VP/GM Zebb Luster said in a release. “His happy personality is infectious,

and his love for songwriting has helped him to maintain success throughout his career.” (L-R: Kayla Adkins, Zebb Luster, Neil Medley, Lynn Oliver-Cline, Rusty Gaston. Not Pictured: Scott Safford.)

Big Loud Publishing signs Jordan Dozzi to his first publishing deal. The Australian native moved to Nashville two years ago and most recently produced Nelly’s “5 Drinks Ago,” featured on the rapper’s country-influenced “Heartland” album. “Joining a

company in town with so many talented writers is inspiring and makes you just want to be better,” Dozzi said in a release.

The Nashville Songwriters Association International’s 22nd Annual Song Contest is now live. Songwriters can submit songs and lyrics via nsaisong contest.com through Nov. 30 at 5pm CT for a chance to win up to $5,000, a one-year single-song contract with Anthem Entertainment, tickets to the 2022 CMT Awards and a

mentor session. The Song Category winner will receive a mentor

session with Rhett Akins while the Lyric-Only winner will have a mentor session with Ali Tamposi.

http://MUSICHEALTHALLIANCE.COM