Nashville Music Awards Noms End 7/15

/by

nmalogoNext Big Nashville and Leadership Music are working together to revive the Nashville Music Awards (NMA), which were originally produced by Leadership Music from 1995-2000. The NMAs recognize all genres of music, and celebrate the diversity and quality of artists and music professionals who call Nashville home. Winners of this year’s awards will be announced on the first evening of the 2009 Next Big Nashville festival, opening Wed., Oct. 7 at the Cannery Ballroom.

Submissions for nominees are being accepted from the public at www.nashvillemusicawards.com in 19 categories (listed below) until July 15. Final nominees will be chosen by committees of music industry experts and will be announced in August. Popular online voting will determine the winners. For a look at past winners, visit the Web site.

1.  Artist of the Year
2.  Best New Artist
3.  Song of the Year
4.  Next Big Nashville Award (for Emerging Independent Artists)
5.  Songwriter of the Year
6.  Poster / Album Artwork / Packaging of the Year
7.  Instrumentalist of the Year
8.  Music Video / Film of the Year
9.  Made in Music City Award: for a recording made in Nashville by a non-Nashville artist
10. Bluegrass / Old-Time Music Album of the Year
11. Country Album of the Year
12. Folk / Americana Album of the Year
13. Urban Recording of the Year
14. Gospel / Contemporary Christian Album of the Year
15. Jazz / Blues Album of the Year
16. Pop / Rock Album of the Year
The last three categories are not voted on by the public:
17. Heritage Award
18. Brian Williams Ambassador Award (formerly titled the “Bridge Award”)
19. Innovator of the Year: for a Nashville music-related tech innovator

Media Moguls At “Summer Camp”

/by

Allen & Co., a New York-based investment bank, is hosting its annual conference of the top national entertainment and technology leaders in Sun Valley, Idaho this week. The brainstorming and socializing event, often described as “summer camp” for the media world, is closed to the press though some are attending as guests and others remain camped out at the resort.

Among the more than 250 attendees are IAC’s Barry Diller and wife Diane Von Furstenburg, Berkshire Hathaway Chairman and investment guru Warren Buffett, News Corp Chief Rupert Murdoch, Sirius CEO Mel Karmazin, Sony Chief Executive Howard Stringer, Bill Gates, Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg, and Google’s Larry Page. Basketball superstar LeBron James is even in the mix.

Since the opening economic panel, word is that the conference has a lingering sense of pessimism, which is more pronounced in some executives than others.

Twitter is among the hot topics. The Los Angeles Times reports that while “old-time media moguls think their content is worth something, they’re not so sure about Twitter…Everyone seems to love it, but no one is sure about how to make money off of it.” Twitter co-founder and Chief Executive Evan Williams was in the audience for a panel that reiterated this point, but remained quite.

Murdoch spoke briefly to reporters, saying he wasn’t interested in buying Twitter or the Los Angeles Times, and answered “Hell no,” when asked about putting MySpace on the block.

MJ Memorial, MCN Fan Club Concerts, Much More

/by
The recent 2009 MusicCityNetworks (MCN) Fan Club Concert Series had over 2500 attendees and multiple sold-out shows. It was held at Rocketown during CMA Fest with performances by Bucky Covington, Emerson Drive, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence. Pictured: MCN Fan Club Concert Series sweepstakes winner Kristin Baltadonis and Nicholas Grossman, with Montgomery Gentry

The recent 2009 MusicCityNetworks (MCN) Fan Club Concert Series had over 2500 attendees and multiple sold-out shows. It was held at Rocketown during CMA Fest with performances by Bucky Covington, Emerson Drive, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Turner, Lady Antebellum, Sara Evans, Tracy Byrd and Tracy Lawrence. Pictured: MCN Fan Club Concert Series sweepstakes winner Kristin Baltadonis and Nicholas Grossman, with Montgomery Gentry

Almost 31 Million viewers tuned into Michael Jackson’s memorial service on Tuesday (7/7). It aired on 19 networks from approximately 1-4 p.m. By comparison, the most recent season finale of American Idol drew just under 29 million pairs of eyes.

—————
Copyright Office fees for various services concerning the registration of claims are increasing starting Aug. 1. The fee for online registration of a basic claim will remain $35. The registration fee for fill-in Form CO will rise from $45 to $50; however, if a faulty version of Form CO is submitted, making it necessary to process the claim as a paper filing, the fee will increase to $65. The fee for paper filings on Forms PA, SR, TX, VA, SE will rise from $45 to $65. Find a full list of adjusted fees here.

—————

Weird but true: Buy a specially marked bags of Doritos Late Night chips, log on to http://www.doritoslatenight.com, hold the bag up to your webcam, and watch a virtual 3-D concert by rock band blink-182 and rapper Big Boi. The chip maker calls it “augmented reality technology” because the user can move the bag around to personalize each artist’s performance…. It may or may be related that Kenny Chesney recently filmed a concert in 3-D.
—————

Hear Chris DuBois talk about “Then,” the song he co-wrote with Ashley Gorley and Brad Paisley, who took it to No. 1. 
It’s on AOL’s The Boot.

—————

Teresa and Scott Siman are holding a garage sale to benefit Rüdrani Devi (aka Andi Varagona) on Sat., July 11 from 8 am to Noon at 1229 Nichol Lane 37205. Donations and volunteers are still needed. Please email [email protected] to get involved. Devi was forced to close her holistic healing clinic after being shot last year during the Mumbai Terrorist attacks.

—————

Did you know that you can read sheet music on the Amazon Kindle? FreeHand Systems recently released its Novato Music Press catalog in the format, consisting of over 20,000 classical, traditional and American music titles.

Cyrus, Swift Score Spots on Forbes’ Under 30 List

/by

Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus during the 2008 American Music Awards in November. Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus during the 2008 American Music Awards in November. Kevin Mazur/WireImage.com

Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus ranked among Forbes’ new list of the top 12 highest-earning celebrities under 30. The powerful group, with an average age of 23, collectively pulled in $410 million between June 1, 2008 and June 1, 2009.

Cyrus, 16, banked $25 million to tie for No. 7 along with the Jonas Brothers, actor Daniel Radcliffe and model Gisele Bündchen. The magazine says that her bottom line was boosted by 4 million in album sales, $86 million in gross ticket sales, and her popular Disney Channel series/film Hannah Montana. She also lent her likeness to schoolgirl friendly products like backpacks and lunchboxes.

Swift, 19, came in 12th on the list with earnings of $18 million. As the top-selling U.S. artist of 2008, she sold over 4 million units, and banked through touring, and endorsements. The Internet savvy Swift also scored with a significant number of digital downloads, becoming the first country artist to sell 2 million downloads with three different songs.

Beyoncé Knowles, 27, was the highest paid on the list, raking in about $87 million, nearly double the $45 million earned by No. 2, Formula 1 racer Kimi Raikkonen. Knowles, a global brand, released a double album, starred in two films, endorsed numerous products like American Express and L’Oreal, and has her own clothing brand.

Rounding out the Top 5 are No. 3: NBA superstar LeBron James, 24, with $40 million; No. 4: Britney Spears, 27, $35 million; and No. 5: tennis great Roger Federer, 27, $33 million.

Country Stars Align For Ft. Campbell Troops

/by

101st Airborne Division shoulder sleeve insignia (the "Screaming Eagle").

101st Airborne Division insignia (the "Screaming Eagle")

Carrie Underwood, John Rich, Rodney Atkins and Jake Owen will perform Aug. 14-15 as part of nearby Ft. Campbell’s Week of the Eagles to welcome home troops from overseas deployment. The free event, celebrating the homecoming of the 101st Airborne Division “Screaming Eagles,” is open to the public.

Week of the Eagles is held every other year and is usually planned by the Fort Campbell staff, but radio broadcaster Cumulus upped the ante this year by arranging for the superstar performers.

The entire celebration runs Aug. 14-20, with the concerts kicking off the party on Aug. 14-15. Other events include a 10K/5K run, an air show, and a Vietnam veteran tribute.

For a complete schedule of events, visit www.fortcampbellmwr.com.

Underwood, Love And Theft, Randy Rogers Band

/by
Love And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles recently spent the day in an abandoned Memphis brewery filming the music video for their debut hit single, “Runaway.” The shoot was directed by Kristin Barlowe. The shoot wasn’t without its challenges – Liles was suffering a bout of food poisoning. Also, the engine in the 1971 Mustang Mach 1 featured in the video had to be rebuilt that morning. The band’s CD launches Aug. 25. After opening shows for Taylor Swift in 2008, Love And Theft is currently on the road meeting country radio and promoting their debut single, “Runaway.” The band’s debut CD, World Wide Open, will release August 25th
Love And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles recently spent the day shooting a video in Memphis for their debut single, “Runaway,” with director Kristin Barlowe. The day wasn’t without challenges—Liles had food poisoning, and the engine of the 1971 Mustang Mach 1 featured had to be rebuilt—but everything turned out okay.

Carrie Underwood has scored a platinum digital certification for “All-American Girl” and gold digital certification of “Just A Dream.” All five of her singles from the nearly triple-platinum Carnival Ride have been certified gold or platinum for digital downloads.

—————
The Randy Rogers Band took time off from touring to hit the golf course together for their Inaugural For Sake Of The Shot Golf Tournament, presented by Bud Light. The event was held at The Bandit Golf Club in New Braunfels, TX on June 12. Randy Rogers Band and friends Wade Bowen, Kyle Park and Ryan Beaver hit the links for a four-man scramble, playing along side loyal RRB fans. The sold-out tournament raised $52,049 for charitable organization Camp Sweeney. A guitar signed by George Strait was auctioned off for $1,200, adding to the total.

Capitol Signs Teen From TV

/by

jennetteJennette McCurdy, the 17-year-old actress who plays on the Nickelodeon TV show iCarly, has signed with Capitol Records Nashville. She has two songs available on iTunes: “So Close” and “Homeless Heart.”

In a blog on her website www.jennettemccurdy.com, she tells fans, “I am in the Capitol Family along with such unbelievable greats as Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and Trace Adkins — to name a few. These are artists I bow down to!…I am honored, ecstatic, elated, and overwhelmed with joy! Capitol’s expertise in country music will allow me the opportunity to give you guys the best I have to give in songwriting, singing and performing.”

The teen has guested on numerous other shows, including Will and Grace, Judging Amy, Malcom In The Middle, Law & Order: SVU, Medium, and CSI. She also appeared in Faith Hill’s video for “The Way You Love Me.”

Michael Jackson: Detailing The Sales

/by

The following slides were created by Nielsen Soundscan to show the enormity of the impact of Jackson’s recent sales.

slide26

slide625

Dailey & Vincent Sign With Columbia Artists

/by

dvColumbia Artists Management, Inc. (CAMI) has signed Rounder Records bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent to represent them for bookings in North American performing arts venues. Don Light Talent will continue to manage Dailey & Vincent and book them for all other venues, including bluegrass festivals.

The duo is made up of Jamie Dailey, former lead singer and guitarist for Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver; and Darrin Vincent, who most recently was guitar and mandolin player and harmony vocalist with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Joined by band members Jeff Parker, Joe Dean, and Adam Haynes, the group is in the midst of its 2009 Rolling Your Way Tour, which includes over 130 dates.

Dailey & Vincent took home an unprecedented seven honors at the most recent International Bluegrass Music Awards. They also accomplished a feat no other artist has done—winning Entertainer of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year in the same year.

1st Annual Pink Trash Ball

/by

wrftclogo1Women Rock For The Cure (WRFTC) will sponsor it first annual Pink Trash Ball on Sat., July 25 at Mad Donna’s Restaurant in East Nashville (1313 Woodland St.). All proceeds from the evening will benefit the Susan G. Komen foundation which helps support breast cancer grants, meritorious awards and community outreach programs.

The Pink Trash Ball will feature classic eighties DJ-spun music and hot pink theme complete with pink carpet arrival and signature pink cocktails. The best King and Queen in trashy pink attire will also be chosen. There is no cover charge but a $10 donation is suggested. Visit www.womenrockforthecure.org or www.twitter.com/wrftc

WRFTC was founded in 2007 by four friends with ties to the music industry: Jensen Sussman, Liz Lee Schullo, Rebekah Lee Beard and Tara Austin who met through the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID), an organization for young music business professionals. Since then, WRFTC has worked to support the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen For The Cure®, raising money and increasing breast cancer awareness locally.