Rascal Flatts member Joe Don Rooney and wife Tiffany Fallon welcomed their second child on Tuesday, September 7, a daughter named Raquel Blue, who made her debut into the world at 4:26 PM CST. Raquel weighed in at 7 pounds and is 18 inches long. Mother and daughter are doing well.

“Tiffany and I are so excited to have brought a brand new baby into the world,” says Rooney. “Raquel Blue is so beautiful and we feel so grateful to have this sweet little angel round out our family. Jagger is already an excited big brother; yesterday he gave her kisses and tried to feed her cookies! We feel blessed and are ready for the sleepless nights ahead.”
Joe Don and Tiffany were married on April 23, 2006 and are also the proud parents of Jagger Donovan Rooney, born May 31, 2008

Clarence Reynolds, Jr.

Clarence Reynolds Jr., known as “the banker to the stars,” died Tuesday, September 7, at age 82. Reynolds was a graduate of the Louisiana State University School of Banking of the South, where he was class president.

Reynolds began working at Commerce Union Bank in 1946 and remained there for the next 41 years. 

The country music business community began to emerge in Nashville in the 1950s. Initially, the blue-blooded local banking community treated the young industry with disdain. Most refused to extend loans to music people. Mr. Reynolds was a country music fan. He became one of the first Nashville bankers to embrace and support the genre’s stars and businesses, hence his nickname.

Early clients included future Hall of Famers Hank Williams, George Morgan and Red Foley. In 1985, he was the subject of a star-studded benefit “roast.” Lorrie Morgan, Johnny Russell, Barbara Mandrell, Margo Smith, Jim Ed Brown, Leroy Van Dyke, Vic Willis, Frances Preston, Archie Campbell and Harold Bradley were among his fans that night. Mr. Reynolds retired from Commerce Union in 1987.

Clarence Reynolds Jr. is survived by his three children, Emily Josephine Reynolds, Ellen Clarissa Reynolds and Clarence E. “Ernie” Reynolds III, all of Nashville. Funeral services will be held at Westminster Presbyterian Church at 11:00 AM on Saturday, September 11. Honorary pallbearers will include Tandy Rice, the Mandrell family, Leroy Van Dyke, Jim Ed Brown, Bill Frist, Sen. Lamar Alexander, Sen. Bob Corker and Fate Thomas. In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the Nashville Humane Association, 213 Oceola Avenue, Nashville TN 37209.

Leadership Music has partnered with the Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law (JETL) to offer a symposium: “The Evolution of Entertainment Law and Industry in the New World: Where Do We Go From Here?” The day-long event will be held Tuesday, September 28 from 8:00 AM-5:00 PM in Vanderbilt Law School’s Flynn Auditorium.

The event is targeted to those involved in the business of music and entertainment. The discussion will be divided into four major areas affecting entertainment law today: business models, collective management, U.S. exceptionalism in copyright, and enforcement.

“The Vanderbilt Journal of Entertainment and Technology Law’s upcoming symposium presents an exciting opportunity for both Leadership Music and the Vanderbilt students and faculty,” said Linda Bloss-Baum, a Leadership Music board member and one of the coordinators of the event. “The symposium will host some of the nation’s foremost experts on copyright policy, who will provide timely and provocative perspectives on the current legal challenges facing the music, entertainment and technology industries. Leadership Music is pleased to continue its community partnership with Vanderbilt University by co-hosting this event with JETL.”

Entertainment industry leaders expected to participate are Cary Sherman, President, Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA); David Israelite, President and CEO, National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), songwriter Eddie Schwartz; Michael Huppe, general counsel, SoundExchange; David Carson, general counsel, U.S. Copyright Office; Shira Perlmutter, Executive Vice-President, global legal policy, International Federation of the Phonographic Industry; and Linda Bloss-Baum, Vice President of public policy and government relations, Warner Music Group.

Among the leading academics scheduled to speak are Ray Nimmer, Dean, University of Houston Law Center; Professors William Henslee, Florida A&M University College of Law; Jacqueline Lipton, Case Western Reserve University School of Law; Salil Mehra, Temple University Beasley School or Law; Annemarie Bridy, University of Idaho College Law; Peter Yu, Drake University Law School; and Ann Bartow, University of South Carolina School of Law. Vanderbilt University Law School Professors Steven Hetcher and Daniel Gervais will moderate panels.

Registration is $99. If participants wish to receive a copy of the Symposium publication, registration is $129. Lunch is included, but seating is limited. To register, visit www.lmvu.eventbrite.com.

The Legal Symposium will be held in conjunction with Next BIG Nashville and Leadership Music’s Digital Summit (NBN+LMDS), who have united to create the best of both with a week-long conference and festival. The combined events, which include a two-day conference, parties, films and four nights of music at twelve venues, will take place September 29 through October 2.  Complete details are available at www.nbnsummit.com.

As ambassadors for The Jason Foundation (JFI), superstar country quartet Rascal Flatts have recorded a special public service announcement regarding World Suicide Prevention Day. Slated to take place on September 10, the event is a worldwide day of commitment and action to prevent suicides. On average, almost 3000 people commit suicide daily. For every person who completes a suicide, 20 or more may attempt to end their lives.

In America, suicide is the third leading cause of death for American youths.  Rascal Flatts, along with JFI, are reaching out asking teens and their families to learn more about the problem of suicide and how you can help make a difference in your family, in your community, and in our world. To learn more Rascal Flatts involvement in the B1 Project go to www.rascalflattsb1.com. The purpose of the B1 Project is to educate youth and students on recognizing the warning signs of youth suicide and how to help a friend.

To view the Rascal Flatts B1 PSA, go to www.rascalflattsb1.com.

The Jason Foundation, Inc. (JFI) is an educational organization dedicated to the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI believes that awareness and education are the first steps to prevention and focuses on establishing a Triangle of Prevention by providing students, parents and teachers/youth workers the tools and resources to help them identify and assist at-risk youth. This is accomplished through a series of programs and services that focus on information about the awareness and prevention of youth suicide. JFI is a national organization with a network of affiliate offices. Go to www.jasonfoundation.com to learn more.