sign in sign up
<<
Home , Grand Ole Opry

P S O W R E R P L A Y E

Bill Hearn, 56 Records, where she clashed with the label, President/CEO, Capitol Christian to Atlantic, where she is cutting a classic Music Group R&B-inspired label debut. THE MOST COUNTRY THING HE OWNS With more than 45 percent of the market, brandon “Tractors, ’dozers and animal according to Nielsen Christian SoundScan, heads all over the wall.” Hearn’s group dominates the genre and distributes its No. 1-selling release of 2016, Gary Borman, 63 Joey & Rory’s Hymns, which has scanned Founder/CEO, Borman Entertainment 419,000 units so far — enough to make it the 13th-best-selling album of the year The Pittsburgh native maintains offices in across all genres. Hearn did not respond and Los Angeles, but still keeps to interview requests, but his colleague, his business small and focused. The firm’s Universal Music Group Nashville chief primary clients are , who Mike Dungan, calls him “one of the best notched a record 36 consecutive top 10 music executives in Nashville,” who singles on the Country Airplay chart, was “raised in the business.” Hearn’s ❖ MY CLASSIC NASHVILLE ❖ including his latest No. 1, “Wasted Time,” father, the late Billy Ray Hearn, founded in June and his fifth Top Country Albums venerable Christian label Sparrow Records, on The chart-topper, Ripcord, in May; Alison

which is owned by Capitol CMG. “When I was a little girl in Kentucky, I always listened to the Grand Ole Opry Krauss, who has a solo album due out this on the radio. I never dreamed I’d ever see the Opry, and doggone it if I didn’t sing fall; rising country star Mickey Guyton; and Cindy Mabe, 43 there. The first time, I had this little short, tight dress that I made myself, and I newcomer Clayton Anderson. Borman’s sang ‘Honky Tonk Girl,’ my little record that was out at the time. I don’t remember President, Universal Music Group actually singing though. I don’t remember anything but tapping my foot.” 12-person team has worked with Urban to Nashville raise $800,000 this year for the Hall of Fame through its all-star It’s hard to argue with Mabe’s assertion Jack White, 41 We’re All for the Hall benefit concerts, and that “[Chris] Stapleton was the story of Founder, Third Man Records to market the artist’s Urban Guitar brand, the year,” and her boss, Mike Dungan, which, says Borman, has sold more than gives her credit for orchestrating the Third Man just pressed its 3 millionth 400,000 instruments. artist’s breakthrough. To make an end run vinyl disc, cementing its status as the around reluctant radio, Mabe campaigned most prolific label in Nashville, even if Coran Capshaw, 58 to get Stapleton enough CMA Award most of its 400 releases aren’t available Founder, Red Light Management nominations to merit a performance slot digitally. A staff of about 50 runs the label, on the telecast, then brokered her idea of a mail-order business and a storefront With a staff of 45 and a roster of 60 acts, a dream duet with Justin Timberlake. The that’s a must-stop for indie-rock tourists. Red Light’s Nashville operation alone transfixing performance, coupled with White’s role as Music City’s foremost rock would qualify as the largest independent Stapleton’s three unexpected CMA wins, ambassador isn’t strictly symbolic; his talent-management firm in the world made country music history, says Mabe. civic duties include serving on the mayor’s (all told, RLM employs 60 managers and “The birth of a star happened in front of new gender-inequity advisory board. reps 250 acts), and despite living with his us.” She also had a key role in Little Big wife on a farm near Charlottesville, Va., Town’s crossover smash “Girl Crush,” Capshaw is a frequent presence. “You which, she adds, “redefined the band.” Management wouldn’t know he’s not based here,” says BIGGEST ISSUE FACING COUNTRY “The lack ------RLM Nashville executive Tom Lord of his of artist development. I don’t want two of boss’ weekly visits and active involvement any artist that I have on my roster.” Brandon Blackstock, 39 in the careers of six of the 30 country Manager, Starstruck Entertainment acts that are handled out of the firm’s David Macias, 51 Narvel Blackstock, 59 offices in the Gulch: Luke Bryan, who sold President, Thirty Tigers President/CEO, Starstruck 1.6 million albums in 2015; ; Entertainment ; Lady Antebellum; The Thanks to the success of upstarts Chase Band Perry; and Sam Hunt, who will Rice and , Aaron Watson Warner Bros. Nashville chief John Esposito embark on his first headlining tour in 2017. and , Macias moved the says the biggest breakthrough in Blake Capshaw also has invested in the city 14-year-old indie-label services and Shelton’s career came 10 years ago when through a partnership with Live Nation in management firm to flashy new digs “he got Narvel and Brandon Blackstock the . in Nashville’s Wedgewood/Houston to be his father-and-son management neighborhoo d this year. Isbell and team.” In June, Shelton scored his fifth Bob Doyle, 68 Watson in particular have boosted the No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart President/owner, Major Bob Music; company. The former’s 2015 album, with If I’m Honest and his 22nd Country Bob Doyle & Associates Something More Than Free, and Watson’s Airplay chart-topping single, “Came The Underdog both topped the Top Here to Forget.” Although Narvel’s ex- As the manager and music publisher for Country Albums chart. Up next: new wife, Reba McEntire, departed the firm, country superstar , Doyle releases from Watson and Isbell. Brandon is now managing his spouse (and commands a lot of clout in Nashville as HOW HE KNOWS A SONG IS COUNTRY the mother of two of his four children), well as a great deal of admiration. “He’s “To paraphrase Supreme Court Justice pop star Kelly Clarkson, who previously managing the most unmanageable client Potter Stewart on pornography: You know was repped by his dad. Pere and filshelped in the world; he gets my respect,” says it when you hear it.” engineer Clarkson’s move from RCA one label executive who lauds the former

64 BILLBOARD | August 6, 2016 ILLustRAtIOns By stev en nOBLe