inside - The Gospel Music Association

MARCH 2016
GOSPELMUSIC.ORG
WHAT’S
INSIDE
Q&A with Catherine
Brewton, VP Writer/
Publisher Relations, BMI
Celebrations and News
Radio Movement
Appearances
in Film/TV
Top Adult Cont. Songs
Top Gospel Songs
Top Rock Songs
Overall Chart Toppers
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
INDUSTRY Q&A:
Catherine Brewton,
VP Writer/Publisher
Relations, BMI
By Michael Nolan
In 1997 Catherine Brewton moved from a
dream job as Executive Director of the Recording
Academy (NARAS) to a truly plum trajectory: a
series of promotions at BMI where she is now
celebrating a decade as Vice President, Writer/
Publisher Relations. It’s a title that obscures
the myriad of aspects of her Atlanta-based
work, including the creation and production
of BMI’s many educational, networking and
showcase events. Beyond her many corporate
responsibilities, her work with the non-profit
Hope for Harvest will be acknowledged at the
GMA Honors ceremony held May 10 in Nashville.
(Continued...)
Catherine Brewton
Movement
NEWS
The GMA Foundation announced its
inductees and honorees for the annual
GMA Honors Celebration set to take
place May 10 at Lipscomb University’s
Allen Arena in Nashville. The 2016
inductees include Hezekiah Walker,
Howard Rachinski, The Nelons and Russ
Taff. In addition, the event will honor
Catherine Brewton for Hope for Harvest,
Jars of Clay for Blood:Water Mission,
Michael W. Smith for Rocketown and the
Gospel Music Trust Fund.
Jon White announced his departure from
Christian EDM duo Capital Kings.
Curb Records acquired Warner Music Group’s (WMG) stake in Word
Entertainment. As a result, Word is now a wholly-owned division of
Curb. Rod Riley, President and CEO of Word, will continue to run Word
Entertainment. WMG will continue to distribute Word releases to the
general market, and Word’s publishing catalog will continue to be
administered by Warner/Chappell. Meanwhile, Curb will purchase
WMG’s share in Word’s recorded music, distribution, publishing, film
and live events divisions, as well as the company’s building on Music Row.
John Sanders LLC and the K-LOVE Fan
Awards were honored with two Emmy®
Awards for Lighting and Set Design at
this year’s Mid-South Regional Emmy®
celebration held in Nashville at the
Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum
Feb. 27.
Humble Beast, a Portland-based label
family of creatives, pastors, writers,
theologians and musicians, announced a
new distribution agreement with Fair Trade
Services. In addition, the label announced
that Current Talent Agency will now
handle booking for their entire roster.
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
Movement
Before for KING & COUNTRY’s
Winter Jam performance
at Nashville’s Bridgestone
Arena on Feb. 5, Word
Entertainment presented
the Smallbone brothers
with plaques celebrating the
success of the duo’s latest
album, RUN WILD. LIVE FREE.
LOVE STRONG. The plaques
commemorated a Top 15
chart debut on the Billboard
200, two No. 1 singles, careerto-date album sales of over
500,000 and 300 shows for
more than 2 million fans,
among other achievements.
Award-winning author and
singer/songwriter Andrew
Peterson and veteran
producer J. Chris Wall
(VeggieTales) launched
Shining Isle Productions, a
film and television company.
Their first project will be an
animated short film based
on Peterson’s award-winning
Wingfeather Saga book series.
Sanctus Real announced
Dustin Lolli as the band’s
new lead singer. Lolli replaces
longtime frontman Matt
Hammitt.
Gospel music legend Buck
Rambo passed away Feb. 21
at the age of 84. Buck was the
beloved patriarch of Gospel
music family The Rambos.
Joey+Rory’s Joey Martin
Feek, 40, passed away Mar. 4
after a long battle with cancer.
In lieu of flowers, donations
can be made to Joey and Indy
at P.O. Box 5471, Vancouver,
Wash., 98668.
Daniel Doss signed with Word
Music Publishing.
CELEBRATIONS
The Stellar Awards premiered
on TVOne Mar. 6. Congrats
Songwriter Lee Black was
added to the roster of
Daywind Publishing.
to all the artists who took
home an award! Visit www.
TheStellarAwards.com for a
Six years after its release,
Skillet’s hit single “Monster”
was awarded RIAA 2X Platinum
certification, making it the
biggest digital single in
Christian music history.
full list of 2016 winners.
Mary Mary’s Erica Campbell
became the first Gospel artist
to reach 1 million followers on
Instagram.
Morrison Caine Carnes
weighed in at 9 lbs., 13 oz.
and 22.5 inches long.
Kari Jobe and husband
Cody Carnes welcomed their
first child Feb. 18. Canyon
Matt Maher wasn’t able to
attend this year’s GRAMMY®
Awards in L.A., despite being
a nominee. Instead, he and his
wife, Kristin, welcomed their
third child, Richard Callum
Maher, on the night of the
GRAMMYs. Callum made his
entrance into the world at 8
lbs. and 7 oz. on Feb. 15.
Chris
August
married
Katelin
Cummings
in a beautiful
ceremony on
the campus
of The University of Charleston
in West Virginia Feb. 6. August
wrote an original song, which
he sang to his bride before
officially saying “I do.”
2016 Christian/Gospel GRAMMY® Winners
Congratulations to all of this year’s winners!
BEST GOSPEL
PERFORMANCE/SONG
“Wanna Be Happy?”
Kirk Franklin
BEST CONTEMPORARY
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
PERFORMANCE/SONG
“Holy Spirit,”
Francesca Battistelli
BEST GOSPEL ALBUM
Covered: Alive
in Asia [Live],
Israel & New Breed
BEST CONTEMPORARY
CHRISTIAN MUSIC
ALBUM
This Is Not A Test,
TobyMac
BEST ROOTS GOSPEL
ALBUM
Still Rockin’ My Soul,
The Fairfield Four
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
Movement
Love & The Outcome’s Chris
and Jody Rademaker said
hello to a tiny bundle of love
on Valentine’s Day when their
son, Milo Wolf, was born.
Rend Collective’s Gareth and
Ali Gilkeson announced that
they’ll be adding a second
baby to their family in June.
Jim and Melissa Brady of the
Jim Brady Trio celebrated their
wedding anniversary Mar. 6.
Wilburn &
Wilburn’s
Jordan
Wilburn
and his
wife,
Lauren, celebrated the birth of
a son on Feb. 5. Brayden Allen
weighed 7 lbs. and 3 oz.
RADIO
NRB (National Religious
Broadcasters) announced
that it will move its annual
convention to Orlando in 2017,
then back to Nashville before
taking place in Anaheim,
Calif. in 2019. In addition, the
organization will be moving
its headquarters to Capitol Hill
in May.
Veteran Southern Baptist
communicator James A.
Smith, Sr. was named Vice
President of Communications
of the National Religious
Broadcasters.
Joe Dex joined the morning show
team at KLYT (Albuquerque).
Radio host Nancy DeMoss
Wolgemuth was awarded the
2016 Robert Neff Award by
Moody Radio at NRB 2016 in
Nashville.
ShareMedia Services set a
record when 2,700 children
were sponsored through their
“Hope Happens” campaign.
Christian FM Media Group
President Jon Hamilton
celebrated 25 years with
ChristianFM.
Larry Elder will join Salem
Radio Network’s lineup from
6 p.m. - 9 p.m. ET beginning
Apr. 4.
Barefoot Media Ministries
launched Project 88.7 in Boise,
where PD Dave Arthur will be
handling programming.
Bethesda Christian
Broadcasting has flipped
KTPT (Rapid City) from
positive modern rock to
contemporary Christian
worship music and is now
named “97.9 The Breeze.”
Radio Movement Provided by
HisAir.net
Longtime Moody Radio
employee Scott Keegan
retired.
APPEARANCES IN FILM/TV
WQME (Anderson) changed
its name to “98.7 The Song.”
WAY-FM, together with the
Compassion Radio Team and
Yolanda Adams and Michael
W. Smith will be a part of
Tyler Perry’s interpretation of
“The Passion” airing live from
New Orleans on FOX on Palm
Sunday, Mar. 20.
Social Media
TOP ARTISTS ON FACEBOOK
TOP ARTISTS ON TWITTER
TOP ARTISTS ON INSTAGRAM
Marcos Witt
5,761,335
Kirk Franklin
1,095,033
Erica Campbell
1,035,196
Hillsong United
5,522,566
Lecrae
1,071,295
Hillsong United
970,000
Skillet
5,198,362
Hillsong United
1,070,499
Lecrae
868,000
Casting Crowns
4,575,711
Marcos Witt
1,011,909
Kari Jobe
653,000
Mary Mary
3,790,820
Chris Tomlin
896,015
Jesus Culture
519,000
Don Moen
4,452,437
TobyMac
771,835
Marcos Witt
518,000
Hillsong Worship
4,083,908
Kari Jobe
633,746
Tamela Mann
474,000
Chris Tomlin
3,223,970
Jesus Culture
543,027
Bethel Music
423,000
TobyMac
3,066,735
Mary Mary
522,000
Hillsong Y&F
409,000
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
This Month’s Top Twenty
ADULT CONTEMPORARY PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Casting Crowns Just Be Held
Stars Go Dim
You Are Loved
Chris Tomlin Good Good Father
Matthew West Grace Wins
Jordan Feliz The River
Big Daddy Weave My Story
MercyMe Flawless
Lauren Daigle Trust In You
We Are Messengers Everything Comes Alive
Jeremy Camp
Same Power
RANK ARTIST
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12
13
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15
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18
19
20
SONG TITLE
Lincoln Brewster There Is Power
Natalie Grant Be One
Passion Even So Come / Ft. K. Stanfill
Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit
TobyMac Feel It / Ft. Mr. Talkbox
for KING & COUNTRY It’s Not Over Yet
Third Day Soul On Fire
Phil Wickham This is Amazing Grace
Danny Gokey
Tell Your Heart To Beat Again
Matt Maher Because He Lives (Amen)
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Date: 3/2/2016
GOSPEL PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Tim Bowman Jr.
I’m Good
Kirk Franklin Wanna Be Happy?
Anthony Brown/GT Worth
Travis Greene Intentional
Kirk Franklin 123 Victory
Casey J
I’m Yours
Byron Cage Like No Other
Marvin Sapp Yes You Can
Todd Dulaney The Anthem
Kim Burrell Thank You Jesus (That’s What...)
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Anita Wilson
You Love Me (Best Of My Love)
Erica Campbell I Luh God / Ft. Big Shizz
Maurette B. Clark King Oh King
John P. Kee Level Next
J.J. Hairston/YP You’re Mighty
Zacardi Cortez
#YDIA
Marvin Sapp Live
Jermaine Dolly You
Jor’Dan Armstrong
Bless Up
Jules Bartholomew Alright Alright
Date: 3/2/2016
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
This Month’s Top Twenty
ROCK PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Veridia Pretty Lies / Ft. Matty Mullins
Andy Mineo
Make Me A Believer
Matty Mullins Come Alive
Twenty One Pilots Stressed Out
Come Wind Clarity
Vesperteen Shatter In The Night
Ongoing Concept Amends
Spoken Falling Apart
NYVES Fall Behind
Children 18:3 Afterall...
RANK ARTIST
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SONG TITLE
Attalus This Ship Is Going Down
Graceful Closure Choices
Lecrae All I Need Is You
KB
I Believe / Ft. Mattie
Sullivan Pieces
Before Their Eyes It’s Dark Inside With You
Mat Kearney Air I Breathe
Rival Choir Aftermath
XXI
Say It Again
Danger Scene I Wanna Be Famous
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
Date: 3/2/2016
OVERALL PROVIDED BY CMTA
RANK ARTIST
1
2
3
4
5
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9
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SONG TITLE
Matthew West Grace Wins
Jordan Feliz The River
Stars Go Dim You Are Loved
Chris Tomlin Good Good Father
Lauren Daigle Trust In You
Casting Crowns Just Be Held
Big Daddy Weave My Story
for KING & COUNTRY It’s Not Over Yet
MercyMe Flawless
Danny Gokey Tell Your Heart To Beat Again
BDS ENcore Format Playlist Report
RANK ARTIST
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
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Natalie Grant SONG TITLE
Be One
We Are Messengers Everything Comes Alive
Jeremy Camp Same Power
Jonny Diaz Breathe
Lincoln Brewster There Is Power
Passion
Even So Come / Ft. K. Stanfill
Francesca Battistelli Holy Spirit
Third Day Soul On Fire
TobyMac
Feel It / Ft. Mr. Talkbox
MercyMe Greater
Date: 3/2/2016
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
GETTING
TO KNOW
CATHERINE
BREWTON
AMONG THE FIRST
ALBUMS YOU BOUGHT:
Nick of Time, by Bonnie Raitt
FIRST CONCERT
ATTENDED:
John P. Key
MOST DREADED PHONE
CALL TO MAKE:
To tell someone I can’t
help them.
FAVORITE “WOW”
MOMENT IN CAREER:
Two really. Being included
in Ebony’s “Power 100” and
Billboard’s “Top 50 Women
in Music.”
SOMEONE YOU FELT
PARTICULARLY HONORED
TO MEET:
I could give you dozens—
but both these individuals
ignited something in me to
make a difference: Al Green
and Nile Rogers.
BEST WAY TO
DISCONNECT:
I turn my phones (yes, two)
off, and I spend a lot of
time in Florida. I recalibrate
to get back in it.
L-R: DJ Khaled, Rizza, Red-One, Catherine Brewton, Joel Madden, Rev Run, Benji Madden
What was your transition from NARAS to BMI like?
Catherine Brewton: At the time I didn’t know the writer community, but I knew
enough of the top tier [of the music community] that they could point me in the
right direction.
Seems like you’re a plate spinner with a lot of different kinds of plates.
Brewton: It’s so fast, what we do. You have to be someone who can function at the
drop of the dime in any capacity. It’s not for everybody. Those who do well at this job
are really good managers of relationships, because those relationships are so pivotal.
It’s daunting sometimes…You’re not only dealing with multiple genres of music, but
you’re dealing with a lot of successful people. When you’re dealing with hundreds of
people in that capacity, the days are long and sometimes you’re worn out. When I’m
coming off the production of a major event, my day-to-day job doesn’t stop.
You’ve praised your team. What are they like?
Brewton: I’ve got a lot of Type A-personalities, and that’s a blessing and a curse
because sometimes I don’t want to hear all of the chatter [laughs]. I’m open to
everyone’s opinion, and there is always really healthy dialogue. I don’t believe
in hiring down. I want people who can compete at the level that I compete, so I
appreciate the folks who work around me and for me.
What’s the current status of the Atlanta music scene?
Brewton: I think it’s rising again. The tax incentives that were implemented five years
ago and renewed for another five have created a whole new field of opportunity for
this community. The music is back to the core, and I think it’s fun again. There are
opportunities for folks to work on soundtracks, on reality TV shows… I think a lot
of people migrated West thinking that would be their saving grace, but 90 percent
GMA INDUSTRY UPDATE
MARCH 2016
are back in Atlanta. You almost
have to double your income to be
comfortable [in L.A.].
One of the highlights of the year is
the “Trailblazers of Gospel Music”
event. What sets it apart from
other award presentations?
Brewton: It’s a labor of love. It’s
pretty organic in the sense that it
was really just my effort to say, “Let’s
honor not what’s necessarily popular
[now], but let’s acknowledge the
body of work of some of those who
may not necessarily win a Stellar or a
Dove or whatever.” It really began to
take on a life of its own that wasn’t
really orchestrated. It kept growing
and becoming bigger, but it always
felt like our event.
You’ve said that one of the most
rewarding aspects of your work
is watching artists and writers
persist until they succeed.
Brewton: You talk about an artist
and say, “He’s so successful now,”
but truth be told the journey took
eight, nine, ten years and putting
in the work and staying the course.
When I look back over my career,
and I can share these stories, these
are some of the most incredible
moments I could ever, ever ask for.
Drawing on your background
in finance, what’s a weakness
common to creative types?
Brewton: I think creators are just
that—creators—and they’re not
good stewards when they start
making money, of how they need to
set it up, of knowing what resources
Hope For Harvest 2013
are available to them. They move
into success with people around
them who are not necessarily wellversed in the event that there’s ever
a rainy day or they’re not working
as much.
Although you’re a top-level
executive, you also seem to be
very much “in the trenches” of
your projects. Is that your nature?
Brewton: I will do whatever it takes
to get the job done. I’m not above
getting my hands dirty. I’ve tried to
be a beacon of light in a business
where everyone is so entitled. There
are so many demands made on you
and your time.
What are some things people may
not know about your work?
Brewton: I enjoy country music. I
work a lot in Nashville. I am often a
bridge builder in the sense that I am
not afraid to put people together
in circles where they may not
necessarily be comfortable. I make
things make sense to people where
they may not think it makes sense.
Talk about your involvement with
Hope for Harvest.
Brewton: The Harvest Center [in
Charlotte, N.C.] is a facility that my
mom, Pastor Barbara BrewtonCameron, started to help the
homeless and people in transition…
Hope for Harvest was started from
seeing the needs of young people
in Charlotte. So many wonderful
people have joined arms with me.
Dozens and dozens of artists have
donated their time to come and
support the initiative. We love on
these children that I think people,
as a rule, have written off. We make
sure they get the resources they
need, whether that’s food or socks
or shoes. We want to give those
who feel hopeless hope.
What’s a piece of advice you
frequently offer?
Brewton: If you have purpose, the
money will come.