Industry Pics: Chris Janson, WMBA, CMHoF, Grammy Music Education Coalition

Chris Janson Celebrates RIAA Certification

Pictured (L-R): Sally Seitz (Apple Music); Ben Kline (Warner Music Nashville); Kelly Janson (CJ Management); Chris Janson; Brian Jones (WME); John Esposito (Warner Music Nashville); Chantel Esposito

Chris Janson celebrated his latest RIAA certification last week, as his hit “Fix A Drink” went Gold. He then ended the week with an opening slot on George Strait’s concert at Atlanta’s Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Janson’s “Drunk Girl” is nominated for Video of the Year at Sunday’s (April 7) Academy of Country Music Awards.

WMBA Welcomes Leslie Fram As Featured Speaker

Picture (L-R): Thalia Ewing, Dana Dickie, Lauren Simon, Mallory Allgood, Leslie
Fram, Natalie Stovall, Charlene Bryant, Emily Bukowski, Mary Larimer.

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held their March membership meeting last week, featuring guest speaker Leslie Fram of CMT. Nearly 60 members gathered to hear Fram speak about her role as Senior Vice President, Music Strategy. Joining Fram was singer-songwriter Natalie Stovall, of Natalie Stovall and the Drive. Stovall was named one of CMT’s “Next Women of Country” in 2014, and was a contestant on Season 13 of The Voice.

CMHoF Nashville Cats Series To Honor Drummer/Producer Richie Albright

Drummer and producer Richie Albright, who helped shape the unique musical style of Waylon Jennings, will share the story of his distinguished career in the next edition of Nashville Cats, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s interview series with master musicians.

Set for 2 p.m. Saturday, April 13, 2019, in the museum’s Ford Theater, the program will feature an in-depth interview with Albright, illustrated with vintage photos, film and sound recordings from the museum’s rich collection. Albright will perform briefly with Waymore’s Outlaws, a band made up of members of Jennings’s last band, including Jerry Bridges, Fred Newell, Barny Robertson, Carter Robertson and Tommy Townsend. Waymore’s Outlaws will welcome special guest Gordon Payne, rhythm guitarist with Jennings for many years and contributor to some of his best known recordings. Following the program, Albright will sign commemorative Hatch Show Print posters available for purchase in the Museum Store.

Albright played drums for Jennings for nearly 30 years and eventually became his producer. He also played on classic Jennings albums including Lonesome, On’ry and Mean, Honky Tonk Heroes and Dreaming My Dreams. Albright also has worked with Johnny Cash, Jessi Colter, Willie Nelson, Johnny Rodriguez, Billy Joe Shaver, Tony Joe White and Hank Williams Jr.

Grammy Music Education Coalition Celebrates Arts Partners Night

Pictured (From L-R): Lee Whitmore / Ed.D. Executive Director, GRAMMY Music Education Coalition; Alice Rolli / Vice President, Quaver Music; Jeffrey A. Smith / Director, Visual & Performing Arts, Metro Nashville Public Schools; Sarah Robinson / Strategic Partnership Coordinator, Music Makes Us; Walter Bitner / Director of Education and Community Engagement, Nashville Symphony.