Trisha Walker-Cunningham Receives Award Of Merit

10/09/2008

Trisha Walker-Cunningham recently received an Award of Merit from Governor Phil Bredesen honoring her “30 years of faithful service to Country Music in the best interests and in the highest traditions of the State of Tennessee." Jo Walker-Meador, former Executive Director of the CMA, surprised her with the award.

During her career in Nashville, Walker-Cunningham has excelled as a talent buyer, publicist, manager, tour manager and consultant. Originally from Britain, she has taken more than 300 artists overseas for Festival and tour appearances. Walker-Cunningham has exclusively represented Switzerland’s Gstaad Festival, and France’s Craponne Festival for more than 20 years each. She was the first recipient of the CMA’s Jo Walker-Meador International Achievement Award, and received the organization’s International Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year in 2007.

Walker-Cunningham says, "My work in Nashville has been extremely diverse these past 30 years, so I cannot take full credit for this award. I want to share it with Jo Walker-Meador, the CMA and all the wonderful and talented people in every facet of the industry who believe in me.”

(L-R): Jo Walker-Meador and Trisha Walker-Cunningham. Photo: Bob Meador

CMT To Show CMA Awards

Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008

For those who missed it the first time, or just want to watch again, CMT will air the 42nd Annual CMA Awards on Sat., Nov. 29 at 8 PM/CT. It will be the cable network premiere of the show, which originally aired live from Nashville Nov. 12 on ABC and won that evening’s ratings race. Hosted by reigning Male and Female Vocalists Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, the show included performances by Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, The Eagles, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Paisley, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Underwood and Keith Urban. Rapper Lil Wayne even showed up to rock out with Kid Rock on “All Summer Long.”

BMI Adds New Attorney

Sarah Skates – 11/18/2008

Michelle Zarr

Michelle Zarr has joined BMI’s Nashville office as Attorney, and will be working closely with BMI’s General Licensing department, handling arbitration proceedings and other legal duties. Most recently, she was employed by Sony/ATV Music Publishing in New York, where she was Director, Business & Legal Affairs. She has also worked in private practice for two New York law firms. Additional previous employers include BMG Entertainment in New York and the Office of the Attorney General, State of New York.

Zarr has also worked in radio and television production as a script writer and producer, advertising and promotion producer, and studio and production crew member. She graduated Magna Cum Laude from New York Law School in 2002, and completed a Bachelor’s at Florida International University.

Steve Martin Records Upcoming Banjo Record at Ocean Way

11/18/2008

Comedian Steve Martin was in Ocean Way Studio A recently adding guest talent to his upcoming, yet to be titled album. Produced by John McEuen (Nitty Gritty Dirt Band), guest artists included Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Earl Scruggs, Tim O’Brien, McEuen and Jerry Douglas. The songs were all written by Martin and include both vocal and instrumental appearances by guest performers. Engineer Pat McMakin recorded the sessions, assisted by Rob Clark. McMakin also serves as director of operations at Ocean Way Nashville.

(L-R): McMakin, McEuen, Parton, Gill and Martin.

James Stroud/Ronnie Gilley Ent. Bringing Country to China

11/18/2008

James Stroud and Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, in partnership with Investors Equity, will conduct a series of events and concerts in both China and the U.S. in 2009. To mark the occasion, the parties involved had a signing ceremony on Nov. 14 at the Country Music Association offices in Nashville. Stroud/Ronnie Gilley Entertainment will oversee all artist relations and production for the BamaJam-China Music & Arts Festival in the Province of Hunan on May 21, 2009, as well as BamaJam in Enterprise, Ala. June 4-6, 2009. Already signed on for the Alabama festival are Brooks & Dunn, Alan Jackson, Taylor Swift, Montgomery Gentry, Charlie Daniels and 38 Special.

(L-R): Stroud; Tammy Genevose, CMA CEO; Chairman Long, Exec. Chairman of China International Cultural Communication Center; and Jim Himelrick, Investors Equity. Photo: Craig Seay Photography

Peterson Steps Down From Target

David M Ross – 11/17/2008

Sue Peterson, Department Head for Target Music announced her plans to retire retire today (11/17). She said, “Twenty six years and fifteen hundred stores ago I started my career at Target. This has allowed me to travel around the world dozens of times and to live my dream job in the music industry for the last 16 years.

Today I announced my retirement from Target effective Dec. 31, 2008 (my last day in the office will be Friday Dec. 19th). As difficult as it is to say good bye I also am looking forward to the beginning of a new chapter in my life.

The most rewarding part of my job has been getting to know each of you, working with you and your team and sharing our successes together. Most people want to go out as #1; I figured being #6 is a good time for my good-bye. I thank all of you for your friendship and support over these past 26 years. I wish you all the best and please do keep in touch.” Petersen’s new contact info will be: speterson574@gmail.com

Industry News Tuesday (11/18/08)

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will honor its Sr. VP for Public Relations Liz Thiels tonight (11/18) at The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum at 6 PM. The free reception and interview, made...

Big Machine’s After-CMA Party

11/17/2008

Big Machine and Valory Music Co. staff and artists gathered at the Jack Daniels’ Old No. 7 Club at the Sommet Center for a post-show party following the Country Music Association Awards (11/12).

(L-R) back: Jack Purcell, Big Machine VP Promotion; Kate & Kacey Coppola; Jeff Davis, BMR SE Regional; Andrew Kautz, GM; David Beller, Office Mgr.; Justin Key, Creative Asst.; and Harry Lyons, Exec. Asst. to the President. Front: John Zarling, Sr. Dir. New Media/Natl. Promotion; Jack Ingram; Sandi Spika Borchetta, VP Creative; Jayme Austin, BMR Promotions Coor.; Madalyn Hankins, Creative Asst.; Lindsey Jackson, Mktg. Coord.; JoJamie Hahr, Valory SE Regional; Whitney Sutton, Sales/Production Mgr.; Kelly Rich, VP Sales/Mktg.; Scott Borchetta, Pres./ CEO; Jimmy Wayne; Allison Jones, VP A&R; Jon Loba, Valory VP Promotion/Artist Dev.; Chris Loss, Valory Natl. Co-Dir. Promotion/Artist Dev.; Erik Powell, BMR NE Regional; Mandy McCormack, BMR SW Regional; Ray Pronto, Big Machine/ Valory Board Member; Natalie Kilgore, Head of Publicity; Adam Gregory; and Danick Dupelle of Emerson Drive.

Trans World Continues Downhill Slide

Sarah Skates – 11/17/2008

Investment site Morningstar.com reported last week that entertainment retailer Trans World Entertainment is headed for bankruptcy, though the report was disputed by the Trans World CFO John Sullivan. Trans World, which operates nearly 800 retail stores, primarily under the names f.y.e. for your entertainment and Suncoast, will release its third quarter results on Thurs., Nov. 20. In 2006 it had more than 1,100 stores.

At the end of fiscal year 2007, it posted a net loss of $99.4 million. In the second quarter of 2008, ended Aug. 2, it lost $19.2 million on sales that dropped 19 percent to $215 million.

An editorial in the company’s hometown newspaper, the Albany, NY Times Union, surmises that three main shareholders, including Founder/Chairman/CEO Robert Higgins may want to take the company private. As stock prices drop, they have been buying shares by the millions.

Meanwhile, the Morningstar.com report also said it expects Citadel Broadcasting Corp. to go bankrupt; and Gadget blog Gizmodo.com reports that Circuit City will close another 150 stores, in addition to the 150 closings it announced last month.

UMPG Honors Clay Bradley As MVP

11/17/2008

Universal Music Publishing Group hosted a luncheon last week to honor its writers for completing another successful year. During the event, it also presented the first annual UMPG MVP Award for Excellence in A&R to Clay Bradley. Formerly a member of the Sony BMG A&R team, Bradley now serves as Assistant VP Writer/Publisher Relations for BMI.

(L-R): UMPG’s Creative Managers Freeman Wizer and Dave Pacula, VP A&R/Special Projects Ron Stuve, Creative Dir. Whitney Williams, Bradley, Creative Dir. Cyndi Forman, Sr. VP/Creative Kent Earls, Exec. VP/GM Pat Higdon and Creative Dir./Catalog Activities Scott Gunter. Photo: Darcy Ferris

Virtual Idol—Star Maker World?

David M Ross – 11/14/2008

How to achieve success? That is the headliner question for new and developing artists from all musical formats. Next week a new Web start-up formed by Music Mogul LLC will try to answer the dilemma with its online animated environment which combines concepts from social networking, video games and TV shows like American Idol. Members will be encouraged to upload performance videos in an effort to win a three song demo deal plus gain notoriety in this new virtual world.

Video game veteran Nicholas Longano and music producer Rodney Jerkins (Madonna, Michael Jackson, Beyonce) are the founders behind the new effort. Winners will be flown to Los Angeles to record. According to reports in the Wall Street Journal, Music Mogul says it will unveil the site next week and expects to launch first quarter 2009.