Photos: Dave Bartholomew; Nashville Publishers Network

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Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Dave Bartholomew recently stopped by BMI’s Music Row offices. The legendary songwriter, producer, musician, arranger and A&R man hooked up with Fats Domino and their collaborations sent shock waves from New Orleans, forever changing the soundscape of American music. Bartholomew wrote classics including “Ain’t That a Shame,” “I’m Walkin’” “Blue Monday,” “Walkin’ to New Orleans” “I Hear You Knocking,” “Let the Good Times Roll” “Lawdy Miss Clawdy,” “One Night (With You),” and thousands more.

Pictured at BMI are BMI’s Perry Howard; Dave Bartholomew’s son, Ron; attorney Russ Hicks; Dave Bartholomew, Jr.; Dave Bartholomew, and BMI’s Thomas Cain and Clay Bradley. Photo by Drew Maynard

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New Revolution Entertainment’s Rob Dalton was the guest speaker at a recent Nashville Publishers Network meeting. The organization of independent song publishers meets monthly at BMI to share information about recording artists and labels who are looking for material. If you are interested in joining NPN, contact Frank Michels at 615-354-0670 or [email protected].

Pictured at a recent Nashville Publishers Network meeting (L-R): Erik Thorson, NPN treasurer; guest speaker Rob Dalton of New Revolution Entertainment; Bob Dellaposta, NPN president; Bill Renfrew, NPN guest coordinator; Marc Rossi, NPN tip sheet writer; and Frank Michels, NPN vice president.

WMBA Week Celebrates New Non-Profit Status

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The Nashville-based Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) is hosting its inaugural WMBA week to celebrate its new non-profit status. Events, welcoming both men and women, are scheduled for August 22 –27.

WMBA VP Penny Dionne believes the events will give members of the organization a chance to connect with friends and colleagues on Music Row, as well as benefit the community at large. She says, “We hope to better establish WMBA within the music business community, entice new members and get the message out about this multi-dynamic organization to promote future opportunities, sponsorships and events.”

WMBA Week Schedule
• Sunday, August 22 (4:30 a.m. – 7 a.m.) – WMBA Serves Breakfast at the Nashville Rescue Mission. Contact Stephanie Self-Mundy for more details or if you wish to participate. Email: [email protected].
• Wednesday, August 25 (11 a.m. – 1 p.m.) – Chillin’ with WMBA – Enjoy complimentary fresh fruit Italian Ice from Izzie’s Ice at Owen Bradley Park.
• Thursday, August 26 (5 p.m. – 7 p.m.) – WMBA Happy Hour at Cabana
• Friday, August 27 (Noon – 1 p.m. or 1 p.m. – 2 p.m.) – “I’m So Music Row” Big Lunch Bunch at Red Rooster. A portion of sales will be donated to the WMBA.

For more information, please contact Penny Dionne at [email protected] or 615-986-9282.

Hirings At Black Ink Publishing

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From (l-r): Noah Dewey, Justin Lantz, Matt Jenkins, Meghan Orga, Gene Cook, Richard Orga, Leigh Reynolds

Black Ink Music Publishing announced two new hirings today. Noah Dewey has re-joined the company as VP of Creative Services and Meghan Orga is on board as the Office Manager.

Richard Orga has been at the helm of Black Ink for seven months. The boutique music publishing company is home to writers Matt Jenkins, Justin Lantz, Leigh Reynolds and Gene Cook.

“We try diligently to provide an environment at Black Ink Music that encourages creativity,” says Orga. “We don’t take ourselves too seriously but we do work very hard—we have to. We are small but we think big!”

UMG Videos Back on MTV.com

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Videos from UMG artists including Lady Gaga are back on MTV.com, temporarily.

Universal Music Group is temporarily allowing MTV.com to stream music videos from its artists. The label group had recently forced MTV.com to remove the videos until a licensing agreement could be reached.

According to AdAge.com, UMG came around, at least for the time being, so that fans can watch the videos and vote for MTV’s awards show. The Video Music Awards are set for Sept. 21 in Los Angeles. Online viewer voting closes Aug. 24.

It appears that videos from UMG Nashville artists are not available on CMT.com, which is part of MTV Networks.

Ad Age also reports that UMG wants MTV to negotiate with Vevo to renew streaming video rights. UMG and Sony created Vevo as an online video destination.

George Richey Passes

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MusicRow has confirmed George Richey, longtime husband of Tammy Wynette, passed away recently. According to Woodlawn Memorial Park, Richey has been laid to rest near Wynette in the Woodlawn Cross Mausoleum.

Richey and Wynette wed in 1978; it was her fifth and longest marriage. Songwriter/producer Richey had been in her life for many years as a businessman and musician before they married. Throughout much of the 1980s he acted as her manager and they were married until Wynette’s death in 1998.

In 2001 Richey married Sheila Slaughter. MusicRow was unable to reach Slaughter-Richey for comment.

Richey’s Facebook page status, updated last night (8/15), says the following:

Hope you have been enjoying reminiscing with me over the past two weeks. I know it’s not been the same as having current updates but I still have found it to be a blessing and such a graceful time to honor a great man and his family. …When the Richey’s are ready to make their private business public – you will understand more! Shana

Read Richey’s Mysterious Passing by  Robert K. Oermann

Friday Photos: Artists Out And About

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Josh Thompson in Dallas
Columbia Nashville’s Josh Thompson caught up with KSCS Dallas PD Chris Huff last weekend while he was there with the Brad Paisley H20 World Tour.  Thompson’s current single, “Way Out Here,” is Top 20 and climbing the country charts.

(l-r) Josh Thompson and KSCS PD Chris Huff

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Josh Kelley in the Twin Cities
With his debut country single, “Georgia Clay,” impacting radio, MCA artist Josh Kelley was in Minneapolis last week visiting with KEEY’s Gregg Swedberg and JD Greene.

(l-r) Gregg Swedberg, Josh Kelley and JD Greene

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Adam Brand’s Stateside Radio Tour
Arista Nashville’s Australian import, Adam Brand, made a Music City stop on his radio tour, visiting WSIX (the Big 98)/Nashville. After a live performance, photos were snapped, hands were shaken, and cake was served. Brand’s debut single is the groove-filled “Ready for Love.”

(l-r): WSIX PD Keith Kaufman, Adam Brand.

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Eric Church Smokin’ In Ft. Wayne
EMI Records Nashville’s Eric Church performed at WQHK’s 3rd annual Country Fest this past weekend in Ft. Wayne, IN. Church, who’s current single “Smoke A Little Smoke” is currently climbing the country charts, will kickoff the Miranda Lambert-headlined “CMT On Tour” in New York City on September 29.

(l-r): Brian Rhoades (EMI Records Nashville Regional Director Promotion), Rob Kelly (WQHK / Ft. Wayne, IN OM), Church & Dave Michaels (WQHK Asst OM).

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Down On The Corner
BMI is a proud sponsor of Musicians Corner, a designated community green space in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Launched with a free weekly concert series running from 3:00-6:00 PM every Saturday through October 16, Musicians Corner offers a pastiche of musical performances, food, and artisan vendors. Musicians Corner is also sponsored by Fifth Third Bank, American Songspace, Metro Parks, Lightning 100, Vitamin Water, Simon Ripley’s Music & Art, Guitar Center, and The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park. Former Mavericks front man Raul Malo was a recent Musicians Corner featured performer.

(l-r) John Styll; BMI’s Jody Williams; Skyline Music’s Paul Worley; featured performer Raul Malo; Musicians Corner Executive Director Kristen Dabbs; and Sylvia Rapoport, President, The Conservancy for the Parthenon & Centennial Park.

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Lionel Richie To “All For The Hall” Fundraiser

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Superstar Lionel Richie will perform at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s All for the Hall Los Angeles fundraiser on Thursday, September 23, at Club Nokia, Museum officials announced today (8/13). The event, which will follow a “guitar pull” format, will feature performances by Country Music Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris and Kris Kristofferson, superstar Taylor Swift, and a very special fourth chair who must remain anonymous.  Richie will be a special guest.

The evening offers a unique opportunity to see these acclaimed singer-songwriters interact with one another as they take turns swapping songs, stories and personal recollections. The “guitar pull” is a Nashville specialty; it originated in the homes of Nashville songwriters who gathered to try out new compositions for their peers. Nashville’s most storied guitar pulls were hosted by Johnny and June Carter Cash. The hallmarks of a great guitar pull are spontaneity and camaraderie.

Academy and Grammy Award winner and multi-platinum artist Richie has written and sung many of American music’s most indelible hit songs; as a member of R&B act the Commodores and as a solo artist, he has sold more than 100 million records. Among his many hits are “Easy,” “Three Times a Lady,” “Still” and “Sail On” (all with the Commodores); “Endless Love” (with Diana Ross); and “Truly,” “All Night Long (All Night),” “Hello” and “Say You, Say Me.”  The latter song, from the film White Nights, also garnered Richie an Academy Award for Best Original Song. Richie collaborated with Michael Jackson on the No. 1 charity single “We Are the World,” by USA for Africa, and has penned hits for other artists, including Kenny Rogers’ No. 1 smash, “Lady.” Recently, Richie collaborated with Rogers on an episode of CMT Crossroads; and performed on the 2009 season finale of American Idol. He continues to successfully write and tour around the world.

The Museum launched All for the Hall, its first-ever non-bricks-and-mortar fundraising campaign, in 2005. The campaign addresses the Museum’s need for long-term financial security and will provide a safety net for the institution and its work. This is the fourth year the Museum has taken its “annual giving” event on the road, hosting previous All for the Hall events in New York in 2007 and 2008 and in Los Angeles in 2009.

All for the Hall Los Angeles patrons are offered their choice of table seating for five for $5,000, or individual tickets at $1,000 per seat. A cocktail reception and dinner will precede the guitar pull. To purchase tickets or for more information, patrons may contact Holly Lane at [email protected] or telephone (615) 416-2035 or (800) 852-6437.

All for the Hall Los Angeles is chaired by AEG Live Chairman Tim Leiweke and produced by CAA’s Rod Essig and Vector Management’s Ken Levitan. The event is made possible by the generosity of AEG Live and Club Nokia LA Live. The 2010 host committee for All for the Hall Los Angeles includes Orly Adelson (dick clark productions), Mark Bloom (UBS Financial Services), Thomas Carroll (SunTrust Bank), Essig, Jay Faires (Lionsgate), John Frankenheimer (Loeb & Loeb LLP), Gary Haber (Haber Corporation), Henry Juszkiewicz (Gibson Guitar Corporation), Levitan, Bob Romeo (Academy of Country Music), Cameron Strang (New West Records), Cal Turner, III (Cal IV Entertainment) and Jody Williams (BMI).

All for the Hall Los Angeles’s supporting sponsor is Greenberg Traurig LLP.

Last year’s event, also held at Club Nokia, featured performances by Vince Gill, Harris, Dwight Yoakam and Melissa Etheridge; special guests included Chris Isaak, who also acted as host, Kara DioGuardi and Michael McDonald.

Eric Church’s “Smokin’” Video Premiere

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EMI Records Nashville artist Eric Church is premiering the video for his new single,  “Smoke A Little Smoke” on Yahoo! Music today (8/13). “Smoke A Little Smoke” is the third single from Church’s critically acclaimed album Carolina. Previous hits “Love Your Love The Most” and “Hell On The Heart” both spent time in the Top 10 of the country radio charts.

The video was directed by Peter Zavadil and shot at the Clarksville Speedway near Nashville. Making cameo appearances are Kasey Kahn, Richard Petty Motorsports – Driver of the No. 9 Budweiser Ford Fusion, and ESPN’s NASCAR insider Marty Smith.

Church wrote or co-wrote all of the songs on Carolina including “Smoke A Little Smoke,” which he penned with bandmates Driver Williams and Jeff Hyde. Church, who has been touring non-stop to packed houses, kicks off CMT On Tour with headliner Miranda Lambert on September 29 in New York City.

You can check out the video for “Smoke A Little Smoke” below.

Reba Conquers Facebook, Announces New Album

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Valory Music Company artist Reba surpassed the one million fan mark on Facebook this week, propelling her into an elite group of only 10 country artists to achieve the popularity milestone.

Reba, who continues to gain over 11,000 new Facebook Fans each day, joins Taylor Swift, Johnny Cash, Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw and the Zac Brown Band, in country music’s million+ fans club on the social-networking giant. Currently, Reba’s fan number stands at 1,036,589. Reba fans can keep up with the latest news, photos and thoughts posted by the superstar herself at www.facebook.com/Reba.

Also this week, Reba revealed the title of her 34th career album. All The Women I Am will be in stores on November 9th. All The Women I Am is the follow-up to the Gold-certified Keep On Loving You, and will be the singer’s second album for The Valory Music Co.

Produced by Dann Huff, All The Women I Am includes Reba’s latest smash hit, “Turn On the Radio.” The song is already a Top 30 hit on both Billboard’s Top Country Songs Chart and the Mediabase chart.

Keep On Loving You garnered a string of hits, including the Top 10 “Strange” and the history-making, “Consider Me Gone,” which spent 4 weeks at #1.  With the success of “Consider Me Gone,” Reba joined Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Gretchen Wilson as the only female Country artists to log more than 3 weeks at No. 1 in the past 10 years. The Top 10 title track, “I Keep On Loving You,” became Reba’s 63rd Top 10 hit.

With the RIAA Gold certification of Keep On Loving You, Reba’s unprecedented run of sales successes extended the superstar’s lead as the female artist with the most RIAA sales certification in country music history.

Reba recently became only the 4th person in history to receive the National Artistic Achievement Award in recognition of her dedication to enriching the national legacy of the performing arts as well as her lifetime of musical contributions.

Weekly Chart Report (8/13/10)

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SPIN ZONE
And the hits keep on coming. Capitol Nashville locks the CountryBreakout Chart’s top spot as Lady Antebellum’s “Our Kind Of Love” ascends, following a multi-week stay at No. 1 by Keith Urban’s “I’m In.” Urban slips to No. 2, followed by another recent No. 1, Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight.” Yet another previous No. 1, Little Big Town’s “Little White Church,” sticks at No. 4. Close behind is Billy Currington’s “Pretty Good At Drinkin’ Beer,” which moves up to No. 5.

In recent weeks several singles have made a massive impact upon release. First, Kenny Chesney’s “The Boys of Fall” debuted at No. 49 a month ago. Then Sugarland’s “Stuck Like Glue” hit big a couple weeks later, debuting at No. 45. The following week, Rascal Flatts one-upped them both by landing at No. 42 with “Why Wait.” And now, Taylor Swift’s “Mine” trumps them all by gaining 1022 spins to enter the chart at No. 31.

That’s the greatest single week gain in spins since Garth Brooks’ “More Than A Memory” earned a 1577 spin gain and debuted at No. 26 back in 2007. Other members of the 1000+ gainer club include Gretchen Wilson’s 2005 hit “All Jacked Up,” Brooks’ 2005 offering “Good Ride Cowboy,” and Toby Keith’s “High Maintenance Woman” from 2007.

Frozen Playlists: KITX, KNCQ, KXIA, KYEZ, KYKX, WAKG, WIFE, WKBQ, WKSR

Capitol Nashville’s Little Big Town made a stop in Orange Beach, AL last Friday (8/6) while on Sugarland’s The Incredible Machine tour. The quartet will release their new studio album The Reason Why August 24. The lead single from the project, “Little White Church,” is Top 15 and climbing. (L-R): Jimi Westbrook, Karen Fairchild, WKSJ/Mobile, AL PD Bill Black, Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet.

RADIO NEWS

Covington Broadcasting’s WKBQ/Covington, TN PD/MD Gary Murdock recently departed the station, where he had worked since 2007. WKBQ Prod. Mgr./Promo Dir./mornings Jimmy Hicks has been named the station’s new PD/MD and can be reached at [email protected]. Murdock’s previous experience includes time at WLAY/Muscle Shoals, AL; WXFL/Florence, AL; and KIAI/Mason City, IA. Reach him via email at [email protected] or by phone at 256-394-7486 (Cell) and 901-476-8674 (Home).

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week

Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Taylor Swift/Mine/Big Machine — 31
Jason Aldean/My Kinda Party/Broken Bow — 62
Jackie Arredondo/Someone Like You/Gold Voice/Big 7 — 75

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Mine/Big Machine — 1022
Rascal Flatts/Why Wait/Big Machine — 655
Brad Paisley/Anything Like Me/Arista — 578
Kenny Chesney/The Boys Of Fall/BNA — 460
Sugarland/Stuck Like Glue/Mercury — 425

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Melanie Denard/All I Ever Did Was Love You/StarPath — 234
Trailer Choir/Shakin’ That Tailgate/Show Dog – Universal — 230
Mark Cooke/Can’t Cheat In A Small Town — 226
D.J. Miller/A Little Naughty is Nice/Evergreen — 225
Josh Gracin/Cover Girl/Average Joes — 211

Two Week Most Added*
Artist/song/label — New adds
Taylor Swift/Mine/Big Machine — 55
Brad Paisley/Anything Like Me/Arista — 39
Rascal Flatts/Why Wait/Big Machine — 27
Jason Aldean/My Kinda Party/Broken Bow — 22
Dierks Bentley/Draw Me A Map/Capitol — 16
Zac Brown Band/As She’s Walking Away/Atlantic/Bigger Picture — 16
*adds rec’d over two week period

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Upcoming Singles

August 16
Emerson Drive/That Kind of Beautiful/AMDIAN Music Co./Nine North
Jason Aldean/My Kinda Party/Broken Bow
Brad Paisley/Anything Like Me/Arista
Gretchen Wilson/I Got Your Country Right Here/Redneck/CO5

August 23
Gwyneth Paltrow/Country Strong/RCA
Trailer Choir/Shakin’ That Tailgate/Show Dog – Universal
Dierks Bentley/Draw Me A Map/Capitol
Blaine Larsen/Leavin’/Treehouse/Stroudavarious
Burns & Poe/How Long Is Long Enough/Blue Steel
Jamey Johnson/Playing The Part/Mercury
Jesse Lee/Like My Mother Does/Atlantic/WMN

Columbia Nashville artist and Crestview (Unincorporated), GA's own Joanna Smith took some of her homemade Peach Preserves on a recent visit to Greenville, SC to promoter her debut single "Gettin Married." (L-R): WESC PD John Landrum, Smith and WSSL OM Steve Geoffries

EMI Records Nashville artist Troy Olsen performed a backyard BBQ for some lucky WDXB listeners last Friday (8/6) in Birmingham, AL. The Ciulla family and their friends gathered for bar-b-cue and some great music courtesy of Troy Olsen. (L-R): winner Holli Ciulla, Olsen, WDXB Morning Host Dollar Bill, and WDXB Mktg. Dir. Lacey Walker.