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Home , Be One, Gospel music, Jordan Feliz, Natalie Grant, Phil Wickham, The Afters

GOSPELMUSIC.ORG FEBRUARY 2016

WHAT’S GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE INSIDE INDUSTRY Q&A: Steve Ford, Q&A with Centricity Music General General Manager Manager Steve Ford of Centricity Music

Celebrations and News By Michael Nolan You could say that Sir George Martin gave Centricity’s Radio Movement Steven Ford his start. As a 14-year-old, he read a story about the Beatles’ legendary producer and discovered “you can actually make a living recording music.” Appearances in Film/TV That led him to a decade-long career as a recording engineer in L.A.; but, when his daughter was born 27 years ago, he switched to the office side of the Top Adult Cont. Songs industry to spend more time at home. Over the years, he’s worked in marketing, A&R, and ultimately general Top Songs management through a tour of labels comprised Steve Ford of Sparrow, StarSong, Mission, Myrrh, InPop and Top Rock Songs SRE. In a free-ranging interview, we gained insights into the inner workings of his red- hot independent label, how they develop talent and how Lauren Daigle “accidentally” became a solo artist. (Continued...) Overall Chart Toppers

Movement

Colton Dixon Hardin was hired as Management CELEBRATIONS AND NEWS married Annie Assistant/Social Media Coordinator. Coggeshall Jan. Singer/songwriter 8 in Nashville. Stars Go Dim drummer Josh Roach and Lindsay McCaul PEOPLE magazine his wife, Audrey, welcomed a baby boy Jan. and husband exclusively covered 4. Zedekiah (“Zeddy”) Aric James Roach Mark Mattingly the event. Following is the couple’s third child. Josh’s flight was (General Manager, the ceremony, unexpectedly cancelled the night before his

Creative Trust) Photo Credit: the couple son’s arrival, so his fellow band members announced David Molnar honeymooned rented a car and pregnancy via in Tahiti. drove him the 12.5 Instagram just in time for Christmas. Baby hours home, arriving Mattingly is due June 2016. This will be the Maxximum Artist Group named industry at the hospital with couple’s first child. veteran Dennis Disney Vice President. one hour to spare. In addition, Aaron Benward joined Stars Go Dim is Veteran Daywind artists Greater Vision the company as Director of National currently on the and Karen Peck & New River are both Promotions and Development and will Winter Jam Tour celebrating 25 years in music. helm a Los Angeles-based office.MarQuis Spectacular. GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

Movement

Life.Church Worship signed Co-host Dr. Bill Maier joined the President for Community with DREAM Worship. Northwestern Media’s Faith Relations at Moody Global Radio Network. Angela Ministries. At press time, Jordan Feliz Schweinitz joined KSBJ had spent five weeks at No.1 (Houston) as NGEN Evening Joe Dex joined the morning on the NCA chart and seven Show Host, and Bob Atkins show team at KLYT weeks atop the CHR chart with also joined the station as (Albuquerque). his first single, “The River,” Development Officer. In Daywind Publishing signed from his debut, Beloved. addition, Larry Castro was Brandon Sharp to its roster Tiffany Schortgen was hired as Mentoring Manager. of songwriters. hired as the new Promotions Seth and Nirva Ready signed Director at WBCL (Ft. Wayne). with Integrity Music. Salem Media Group Daywind announced a appointed Joey Hudson Founder and Chairman of partnership with new Producer, songwriter and to General Manager for its Bott Radio Network Dick MediaShout app Worship record label founder Ian Greenville/Spartanburg/ Bott received the Dred Scott Band In Hand that will Eskelin signed India-based Anderson, S.C. cluster of Freedom Award for Religious provide users with more stations. Salem has also band Pearl City Worship to Broadcasting. ways to use its recordings in Radiate Music. appointed Jim Glogowski churches around the world. Vice President and General Julia Taylor joined KCBI Manager for its Miami cluster First Company Management () as the afternoon Faith-based film company of stations. launched Level Change personality. Pure Flix Entertainment Music, a rap/hip-hop and Universal Pictures management division helmed Jake Sommers exited Home Entertainment by industry veteran Chris mornings at WVRO-LP KZTH (Oklahoma City) and announced a long-term, multi- . Young Noah and (Vero Beach). KLVV (Ponca City) welcomed year distribution services Ty Brasel announced as Josh Evans as new host of agreement. inaugural signings. Richard McIntosh, former GM “Mornings with Jenn and Josh.” at KWVE (Santa Ana) passed Hip-hop artist HillaryJane got Syntax Creative announced away following a battle with On-air personality Lara Scott engaged to Roman Flores of the addition of Daywind pancreatic cancer. left KFSH (Los Angeles) and .com. Records for digital joined KRTH (Los Angeles). distribution. Donna Cruz exited middays at KFMK (Austin). GMA Gospel RADIO Former WAY-FM (South Music Hall Florida) Community Impact Longtime Morning Show of Fame Director Josh Evans joined Third Day’s “Soul on Fire” Host Dan Schaffer moved inductee KJTH (OKC) as Morning Show finished 2015 as the most- to evenings on KAXL and former Co-host. played song at . (Bakersfield). Imperials member The morning team of Bill & Deborah Solomon is the new Salem Media Group was Joe Moscheo, 78, passed Coppelia at KSBJ (Houston) Talk Show Producer at Moody recognized as one of the “Best away Jan. 11. As a musician, did their last show Jan. 22 as Radio in Chicago. Desiree and Brightest Companies to manager, songwriter, producer Coppelia exited to pursue Owen was announced Work For” in the country by and author, Moscheo worked music ministry at her local as the new Promotions the National Association for with , , church. The station announced Director at WMBI (Chicago). Business Resources. BeBe & CeCe Winans, The a brand-new morning show Meanwhile, Station Manager

Judds and more throughout with Rachelle & Carder, Roy Patterson has moved to Radio Movement Provided by HisAir.net his illustrious career. which began Feb. 1. Morning serve as Special Assistant to GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV

Canton Jones appeared on an episode of “Dr. Oz” in January.

The Afters’ brand new song “Legends” from their forthcoming studio album was featured in several montages during the NFL Playoff game between the Chiefs and the Texans on ESPN. Their song “Moments Like This” from 2013’s Life Is Beautiful was also chosen Centricity Music office motto to promote the NBC Spring Show Lineup during the Golden What’s the hardest part of being a ads, because they were fun as a Globes broadcast. general manager? marketing person. In the old days, you could break an artist without radio. performed Steve Ford: The hardest part is always You get them in CCM, Campus Life, “Wanna Be Happy?” on “The the financial side—trying to embrace 7ball, and you could get them on tour Steve Harvey Show” Jan. 15. the creative while understanding the without radio. Radio is the biggest, “Lean On Me,” by Inpop Records financial. If you go too much to the most influential part of band Consumed By Fire, financial side, nobody wants your artist. [today]. We don’t have the opportunity was featured in the Hallmark If you go too far to the art side, you’re to develop artists outside of radio. Channel original movie closing down because you’re not making The Ultimate Legacy, which money. It’s a fine balance. And then you What excites you about the present? premiered Jan. 31. have mission. I read an article that said Ford: If you want to make records, you MTV exclusively premiered that tension is where the health is.’ can. There is no longer an artist saying, the video for Hillsong Young ‘If only I was given the chance,’ because and Free’s “Where Are You,” What do you miss about the “old they’ve all been given the chance. the group’s lead single from days” in the ? their new album, Youth Revival, Everybody has a computer nowadays. dropping Feb. 26. Ford: I miss magazines. I miss doing When I started, it was $1,500 a day

Social Media

MOST FOLLOWED ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK MOST FOLLOWED ARTISTS ON TWITTER

Marcos Witt 5,713,206 Kirk Franklin 1,086,848

Hillsong United 5,498,825 1,066,106

Skillet 5,196,494 Hillsong United 1,062,732

Casting Crowns 4,560,610 Marcos Witt 1,005,797

Don Moen 4,356,034 Chris Tomlin 888,013

Hillsong Worship 4,044,891 628,039

Mary Mary 3,787,405 TobyMac 567,247

Chris Tomlin 3,204,710 549,113

TobyMac 2,989,025 Jesus Culture 537,899 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

This Month’s Top Twenty

ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Casting Crowns Just Be Held 11 Lincoln Brewster There Is Power 2Jordan Feliz The River 12 MercyMe Greater 3MercyMe Flawless 13 TobyMac Feel It / Ft. Mr. Talkbox 4Chris Tomlin Good Good Father 14 Third Day Soul On Fire 5Big Daddy Weave My Story 15 Phil Wickham This Is 6Jeremy Camp Same Power 16 Drops In The Ocean 7Stars Go Dim You Are Loved 17 Matt Maher Because He Lives (Amen) 8Matthew West Grace Wins 18 Chris Tomlin At The Cross (Love Ran Red) 9Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit 19 10Passion Even So Come / ft. K. Stanfill 20 Where I Belong

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 2/4/2016

GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Anthony Brown/GT Worth 11 Byron Cage Like No Other 2Tim Bowman Jr. I’m Good 12 Brian Courtney Wilson Worth Fighting For 3Travis Greene Intentional 13 Todd Dulaney The Anthem 4Kirk Franklin Wanna Be Happy? 14 Charles Jenkins/FC War 5Kim Burrell Thank You Jesus 15 Tasha Cobbs Jesus Saves 6Marvin Sapp Yes You Can 16 J.J. Hairston/YP You’re Mighty 7Erica Campbell I Luh God / Ft. Big Shizz 17 Jonathan McReynolds Gotta Have You 8Casey J I’m Yours 18 Bri I’ll Be The One 9Kirk Franklin 123 Victory 19 Zacardi Cortez #YDIA 10Anita Wilson You Love Me (Best Of My Love) 20 Maurette B. Clark King Oh King

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 2/4/2016 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

This Month’s Top Twenty

ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Matty Mullins Come Alive 11 Spoken Falling Apart 2Twenty One Pilots Stressed Out 12 KB I Believe / ft. Mattie 3XXI Say It Again 13 Truslow Hurricane 4Vesperteen Shatter In The Night 14 Come Wind Clarity 5Devil Wears Prada Planet A 15 Graceful Closure Chasing Fears 6Veridia Pretty Lies / ft. Matty Mullins 16 Attalus This Ship Is Going Down 7Ongoing Concept Amends 17 Emery The Beginning 8For Today Broken Lens 18 Rival Aftermath 9Before Their Eyes It’s Dark Inside Without You 19 Red Take Me Over 10Andy Mineo Make Me A Believer 20 Red Jumpsuit Appa. It Was You

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 2/4/2016

OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA

RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE RANK ARTIST SONG TITLE 1Jordan Feliz The River 11 Lauren Daigle Trust In You 2Casting Crowns Just Be Held 12 Third Day Soul On Fire 3Chris Tomlin Good Good Father 13 Natalie Grant Be One 4Matthew West Grace Wins 14 for King & Country It’s Not Over Yet 5MercyMe Flawless 15 Lincoln Brewster There Is Power 6Stars Go Dim You Are Loved 16 TobyMac Feel It / ft. Mr. Talkbox 7Big Daddy Weave My Story 17 MercyMe Greater 8Same Power 18 The Afters Live On Forever 9Passion Even So Come / ft. K. Stanfill 19 Mat Kearney The Air I Breathe 10Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit 20 Tell Your Heart To Beat Again

BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report Date: 2/4/2016 GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

to rent the studio. Now with $1,500, Tell us about the unusual way you GETTING you can buy a MacBook Pro, a digital develop relationships with aspiring TO KNOW converter and a microphone and you artists. could be making a record right now… STEVE FORD Ford: We have these indie artist The opportunities are endless. BANDS YOU LOVED retreats up in the Cascade Mountains of GROWING UP: But there’s more to it than buying Washington. We invite 20-25 different ELO, Kansas, Buffalo hardware, right? artists—depending on how many are in Springfield, Eagles, Flying bands—and we bring in producers and Burrito Brothers, Poco Ford: The greatest skills 20-year-olds writers and just pour into their lives. We need is to be able to finish. They’re good get to spend more time with them in a PRE-CENTRICITY starters; they’re not good finishers. ARTIST YOU LISTEN week than in a year of lunches. TO FREQUENTLY: What are the pluses of Centricity as And one of those retreats led to the Rich Mullins an independent label? “accidental discovery” of Lauren HOBBY YOU ENJOY: Daigle? Ford: The majors are the battleships. I’m big into movies. I really like documentaries like They move a lot of water; they have Ford: There was this band from “Muscle Shoals”. big guns. They could blow me out of Louisiana that one of our A&R guys the water. I’m the little speedboat. I found. We invited them and had an extra MUSIC PREDICTION: can move fast. I can change directions bed in the female room. They said, ‘We I think we’re going to have quickly. It’s really easy to get stuff done have a female background vocalist we’d a wave of protest songs because people are getting [at Centricity]. At a small label, the staff like to bring along.’ We said, ‘Great.’ [The angrier and angrier at the learns something about everything. lead singer wasn’t feeling well and ended world that they live in. I’m the No. 5 label at radio, and I don’t up in the hospital for an appendectomy ever envision being No. 4 because they before having a chance to perform.] The release so many more singles. band asked the background vocalist to GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE FEBRUARY 2016

take his place for a couple of songs fanbase for an artist who doesn’t Country Roads,’ the old John Denver during a little showcase we have. write songs but is an amazing song. We have conversations with And that was Lauren Daigle. We singer? We started taking other them: ‘You have to capture people’s were standing in the back asking, people’s songs and doing videos of attention before you start your own ‘Where did this girl come from?!’ her singing those songs… We did songs or people are never gonna She’d never written a song. She’d 18 videos [with] her in less than a listen.’ They do this four- never toured. She’d done the year. We saw the YouTube video part harmony and people are like, ‘American Idol’ thing a little bit, views starting to rise. She had ‘What?!’ So now, it’s all about getting but it was really God orchestrating 400,000 views before we dropped them out for people to see them. this wonderful thing to bring her the first single. We sort of took and us together. a risk with the single ‘How Can It We planned to service Jordan Feliz’s Be,’ a ballad from a female artist. song to CHR and then go to AC. An Over the past year, her career It just exploded on radio. We went AC programmer called up and said, has really soared. for adds in September 2014 and ‘Why can’t I have this song? This is Ford: God has shown her favor were Top 5 early 2015. We spent exactly the kind of song I want,’ and every step along the way. [Witness years working with her as a writer, he told about 40 other AC stations. her K-LOVE award for “Worship Song because we didn’t even know what Our radio guys were like, ‘Sure, of the Year,” three Dove Awards and the music was going to sound like. here!’ We had 15 adds to major AC a 2015 GRAMMY® nomination for stations before we ever sent it out to Your approach is a little different Contemporary Christian Album.] AC radio. Right now it’s four weeks at for each artist. When was the last time the biggest No. 1 AC. new artist was a female vocalist? She Ford: Unspoken walked in with If you could send a message to the has the 7th biggest-selling record of one song. We said, ‘That song’s a Christian music audience, what last year. hit. Let’s give that song to radio.’ would it be? Every artist’s journey is different. During the development process, That’s the fun part. It’s not a science. what did you want the world to Ford: Please support your favorite Carrollton is one of the strongest know about Lauren? artists. If you love this music, listen live bands around. You take them to this music and support it. It’ll be Ford: That she’s one of the best on a radio tour and let them play around only if it has support. vocalists you’ve ever heard. She’s a live and people respond. They start worship leader at heart. She didn’t their concerts with a minute-and- For more info, visit write songs, so how do you build a a-half version of ‘Take Me Home, www.centricitymusic.com.