Festival Fundraiser Memorializes Steele’s Son

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alexThe Alex LeVasseur Memorial Skate and Music Festival—the third annual event hosted by songwriter Jeffrey Steele and his family—is set for Sunday, June 28 at Jim Warren Park in Franklin, Tenn. Proceeds will benefit the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund of The Community Foundation, and its scholarship program to motivate kids.

The free festival opens at 2 PM with a performance by Steele, who will also close out the bash ending at 9 PM. In between, American Bang, LoCash Cowboys, Ricky Young & Red White Blue, and Pearl Heart, will rock the stage. The event featuring skate demos, giveaways, games, food and an auction was created in loving memory of Steele’s late son Alex, an avid skater who died at age 13. www.rememberalex.com.

If you’d like to get involved with the organization, contact Casey LeVasseur at [email protected]. Title sponsors are BMI and 3 Ring Circus Music & Records.

Strait Adds To Platinum Tally

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george-straitGeorge Strait’s latest, Troubadour, has been certified Platinum by the RIAA, bringing his career total to 33 different Platinum or multi-Platinum albums—more than any other Country artist. Strait ranks third in all genres, behind only The Beatles and Elvis Presley.

More good news for Strait came this morning when SoundScan reported a more than 300% increase in sales for his albums Troubadour, 22 More Hits, and 50#1’s (a 2-CD set). The significant sales bump is due largely to the George Strait: ACM Artist of the Decade All Star Concert which aired last week on CBS.

This weekend Strait has the honor of headlining the inaugural event at the new Dallas Cowboys stadium. The June 6 concert, with guests Reba McEntire, Blake Shelton and Julianne Hough, sold out in less than one hour.

Grammy Changes Reflect Growth of Americana Music

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amaIn what Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly calls a “huge shift in the musical landscape,” The Recording Academy announced today that it has changed the name of the Grammy Awards “Folk Field” to the “American Roots Music Field.” The newly renamed Field will now include the Best Traditional Blues Album, Best Contemporary Blues Album and Best Bluegrass Album categories.

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AMA Exec. Director Jed Hilly

NARAS has also divided the Grammy category for Best Contemporary Folk/Americana Album into two categories: Best Contemporary Folk Album and Best Americana Album.

MusicRow spoke with Hilly about the significance of today’s news. “This is recognition of the growing popularity and strength of Americana music,” he said. “It is exactly what we’ve been fighting for and trying to tell the world for 10 years.”

The Americana Music Association will host its 10th annual Festival & Conference Sept. 16-19 at the Nashville Convention Center and premier venues throughout the city. More than 12,000 fans, artists and industry professionals are expected at the event. The Music Festival will feature approximately 75 showcase or performance slots for both established and emerging artists, while the Conference will include numerous educational panels, seminars and more.

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In other Nashville-related NARAS news, award-winning music video director/producer George Flanigen was elected Chair of the Board of Trustees. Music supervisor/composer/film music executive Doug Frank was elected Vice Chair, and engineer/producer Glenn Lorbecki was elected Secretary/Treasurer at its annual spring Trustees meeting. Outgoing Chair of the Board and five-time GRAMMY® winner Jimmy Jam will become Chair Emeritus.

Competition Heats Up on CMT and at Puckett’s

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cyd_group_shot1Ten final groups have been selected to compete in CMT’s Can You Duet. They will perform weekly at the Wildhorse Saloon, in front of  host Lance Smith and expert judge/mentors Naomi Judd, Big Kenny, and Big Machine Records Pres. and CEO Scott Borchetta, vying for a recording contract with Big Machine. The show premieres Sat., June 20 at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT.

The Top Ten duos are Chelsee & Rob (Chelsee Oaks, Rob Bolin); Harmon Creek (Spencer Bartoletti, Dessa Zuccaro); O’Shea (Mark O’Shea, Jay O’Shea); Steel Magnolia (Josh Jones, Meghan Linsey Moore); The Stellas (Brad Stella, Marylynne Stella); JB Rocket (Jonathan Cox, Brandon Green); Matt & Keeira (Matt Boggs, Keeira Lyn Ford); Abby & Holly (Abby Fender, Holly Jackson); Ryan & Avalon (Ryan Larkins, Avalon Peacock) and Memarie & Kassie (Memarie Gayle, Kassie Miller).

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Puckett’s Grocery in Franklin, Tenn. is hosting an open-mic songwriting contest every Tuesday through July 7. Songwriters are invited to come to the restaurant at 6 PM and sign up to perform for the voting audience and a small panel of industry judges. As a special bonus at the end of each event, a well known singer-songwriter will perform several of their hit songs while votes are being tabulated.

The semi-final round will be held Tuesday, July 14 from 7-9 pm, featuring the top fourteen singer-songwriters. At the final event, the top four will perform in the round on Tuesday July 21, at 7 pm. The winner receives  $500, and will play alongside of some of Nashville’s best known singer-songwriters on Friday, August 7, at 9 pm.

Good First Week For Montgomery Gentry

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311055Montgomery Gentry‘s new Cracker Barrel exclusive album sold over 25,900 copies since its release last week. For Our Heroes set the restaurant chain’s record for first week CD sales, nudging out the previous record holder,  Alison Krauss’ 2005 release, Home On The Highways.

In addition to being one of the top ten country albums for the week, For Our Heroes also landed a spot at #11 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart. A portion of the proceeds from the sale of each CD will go to the Wounded Warrior Project.

MG is spending the summer on Kenny Chesney‘s stadium tour, and on June 23 will receive the rare honor of joining the Grand Ole Opry.

Big Loud Party

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Big Loud Staff (L-R): Kele Currier, Mark Ahlberg, Craig Wiseman, Matt Hilton, Heather Buresh, Marc Driskill, Kimberly Gleason, Amy Allmand, Seth England

Big Loud Staff (L-R): Kele Currier, Mark Ahlberg, Craig Wiseman, Matt Hilton, Heather Buresh, Marc Driskill, Kimberly Gleason, Amy Allmand, Seth England

On May 28 the staff of Big Loud Shirt Industries hosted their annual carnival-themed “parking lot” party. Complete with hot dogs, popcorn, cotton candy and ring pops, most people flocked to the balloon-hat makers for their own unique party favor. More than 300 Music Row friends showed up to party with celebrated songwriter and Big Loud Shirt founder Craig Wiseman.

“SO many people thanked me for doing this because the Row needs it,” he told Music Row. “I agree and I think it makes us great citizens of our little world to go to this trouble and reach out to friends and have a balloon-hat and brewski. It’s the little things…..”

(L-R): Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr, Craig Wiseman, Bobby Pinson, Anthony Martin

(L-R): Georgia Middleman, Gary Burr, Craig Wiseman, Bobby Pinson, Anthony Martin

(L-R): Bonnie Baker, Chris Tompkins, Hayes Tompkins, Jessica Tompkins, Deanna Bryant

(L-R): Bonnie Baker, Chris Tompkins, Hayes Tompkins, Jessica Tompkins, Deanna Bryant

R&R to Cease Publication

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rr_2According to Inside Radio, “Nearly three years after being purchased by Nielsen Business Media, the 36-year old Radio & Records becomes the latest victim of the media downturn.  The magazine will print its final edition Friday. Its website will also cease to exist, in a move that will lead to the layoff of roughly 40 employees. Insiders say some radio charts will be absorbed by sister Billboard.”

The staff had been gathered in a sort of Town Hall Meeting format to hear R&R Publisher Howard Appelbaum explain that the integration of R&R was not proceeding successfully. R&R’s previous Publisher Erica Farber departed the publication last January.

According to the publication’s web page, The current state of affairs has left The Nielsen Company with no other alternative but to immediately cease all services, products and events related to Radio & Records. The magazine’s final edition is the June 5 issue. Electronic products end today, the Web site will be taken offline soon.

R&R Editorial Director/Associate Publisher Cyndee Maxwell stated, “Everyone on this team has worked extremely hard to fulfill the vision of Radio & Records, and everyone can hold their heads high on this very sad day. We had a highly talented group of people that always worked hard and gave it their best — especially in the recent past. I deeply regret that this day has come. The good news for some other companies out there is that we have many fantastic people who are now available to put their excellent talents, abilities and skills to work for someone else.”

Radio & Records Timeline (from Radioandrecords.com)
1973 Radio & Records is founded by Bob Wilson. The first issue is Oct. 1.
1974 The first R&R Convention is held.
1979 Radio & Records is sold to Harte Hanks.
1987 Westwood One purchases Radio & Records.
1988 The R&R Hotfax Updates debut, comprising 12 weekly format-focused fax publications.
1994 Perry Capital acquires Radio & Records.
1995 Radio & Records launches R&R Online.
1996 The first annual R&R Talk Radio Seminar is held.
The R&R Daily online news service debuts, and Music Tracking is launched online.
1997 R&R introduces the daily R&R TODAY news fax.
1998 The R&R Convention returns after a six-year hiatus.
The first R&R Industry Achievement Awards, voted on by R&R subscribers, are presented at the convention.
1999 Data collection for R&R’s charts is converted to include Mediabase airplay.
2000 Daily e-mail updates and Today’s News online are introduced as extensions of the R&R TODAY fax publication. Radio & Records acquires Radio Y Musica.
2001 Adult Alternative and Christian sections debuts in the weekly R&R newspaper, each with its own full-time editor. The Going for Adds fax publication debuts.
2002 A CHR/Rhythmic section debuts in the weekly R&R newspaper, with its own full-time editor.
R&R produces its first annual Triple A Summit.
Electronic Promotion Kits are introduced for music customers, and the Street Talk Daily fax and e-mail publication debuts.
Radio Y Musica is incorporated into the R&R newspaper.
2004 Radio & Records announces its new web address, www.radioandrecords.com.
2006 VNU, a global information and media company, acquires Radio & Records. VNU owns ACNielsen, Billboard, the Hollywood Reporter and many other business-to- business publications. Radio & Records charts convert to Nielsen BDS airplay data.
2007 VNU changes its name to The Nielsen Company.
2009 The Nielsen Company announces it’s shuttering R&R. The final issue date is June 5.

Performing Songwriter Ceases Publication

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pscover“It’s kind of a celebration of sorts,” says Performing Songwriter Publisher/founder Lydia Hutchinson. “I always wondered what the finish line would look like, but now it’s clear to me we have reached it.” The 16-year-old publication will cease publication after its June issue.

“As sad as change and letting go are, it feels like a celebration of accomplishment more than anything else,” said Hutchinson. “There was a moment of clarity after we signed off on this June issue, telling me that now is indeed the time to let go and end at its peak. This publication started with no funding 16 years ago out of my guest bedroom and has never taken one penny of investment money. It’s been completely supported by advertisers, subscribers and the community it represents. Performing Songwriter has always had a big heart, and our job was to take care of it so it could do its magic. By ceasing publication now we know the magazine will never risk losing its integrity and or its quality. All of us here are grateful for this journey, and feel like we’ve crossed the finish line with our heads held high.”

pspinkPerforming Songwriter’s most recent online information claims a circulation of 55,000, readership of 150,000 and 8X per year print schedule. A one year subscription was $25.95 in the U.S. Its web site address is http://www.performingsongwriter.com. Although Performing Songwriter will cease publication, Hutchinson says the PS offices will remain open while she writes the next chapter in her career. “I feel like somehow it will include songwriters,” she added.

In an open letter to readers, advertisers and staff Hutchinson wrote, “We know there’s a train coming in the form of an uncertain economy. We know there are changes that need to be made due to the nature of both the print and music industries that will affect the essential spirit of the magazine and take it in a direction that’s not really true to itself. And we know the only thing we have control over is this moment and our decision to lay the magazine down on our terms. It will be with dignity and pride, knowing the quality will never be sacrificed, its debts will be fully paid, our hearts will remain filled with gratitude, and we can stand tall knowing that we did it and it was a job well done. I can’t think of a more beautiful way to end this chapter of a most incredible journey.”

Dierks and CMT Partner For Charity Events

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dierksDierks Bentley’s annual “Miles & Music For Kids” fundraiser is expanding beyond Nashville with the help of CMT One Country. The motorcycle ride and concert featuring Bentley and friends will grow to include six markets in 2009 and 2010, with proceeds benefiting Children’s Miracle Network hospitals. As part of CMT’s involvement, “Miles & Music For Kids” and Children’s Miracle Network will be promoted on all of its media channels—on-air, online and via radio.

The series of events will take place in Phoenix (Bentley’s hometown), Seattle, Atlanta, Dallas, Chicago, and, of course, Nashville. Each fundraiser will benefit the Children’s Miracle Network hospitals in that area. The 2009 kick off fundraiser will be held at Nashville’s Riverfront Park on Sunday, October 11 and, as always, will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, which is part of the Children’s Miracle Network.

“Miles & Music For Kids” began in 2006 in Nashville and since that time has raised more than half a million dollars for Vanderbilt’s Children’s Hospital.

Chesney Hits Louisville; Houser & Johnson Benefit Opry; Caitlin & Will Opry Debut

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With Kenny Chesney’s Sun City Carnival Tour taking over Louisville’s Papa John’s Cardinal Stadium, some of Nashville’s music industry folks headed north for the festivities. (L-R): CMT Pres. and CMA Board Member Brian Philips, Chesney, Sony Nashville Chairman Joe Galante and CMA CEO Tammy Genovese.
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Co-headliners Randy Houser and Jamey Johnson filled the Ryman Auditorium Thursday night (5/28) as the Traler Park Revival was officially unveiled.  The concert, which also featured singer/songwriter Jerrod Niemann, was a benefit for the Opry Trust Fund. (L-R): Houser and Johnson.

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Caitlin & Will made their debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage on May 22. They performed their current single “Address In The Stars.”  (L-R): Will Snyder, Caitlin Lynn and Little Jimmy Dickens.

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