Nashville Continues Eco-Friendly Concert Series

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Live On the Green, a free, outdoor concert series on Nashville’s Public Square, starts its second season on Sept. 9 with a star-studded lineup including platinum recording artists Five for Fighting and Tonic. The six-week concert series is produced by locally-owned radio station Lightning 100 in partnership with the Nashville Mayor’s Office and takes place every Thursday night from Sept. 9–Oct. 14, starting around 6:00 PM.

“Nashville is Music City and to live up to our name, we should have as much live music entertainment as possible,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “Live On the Green is a chance for people to enjoy our beautiful Public Square park – the only green roof on a municipal building in Nashville – and hear a diverse array of musical talent performed right on the steps of our Metro Courthouse.”

Held on a green roof that sits atop of a five-level subterranean parking garage with a rainwater collection system, Live On the Green is an eco-conscious concert series. A report compiled by Lightning 100 and ZERO Events found that efforts to minimize the carbon footprint of Live On the Green in 2009, including pledged future efforts, eliminated or prevented a total of 246 tons of CO2 emissions from entering the environment, which is the equivalent of the annual greenhouse gas emissions from 42 passenger vehicles.

Carbon offset efforts made throughout the entire event series last year included recycling, use of reusable, sustainable and biodegradable materials, healthy food vendors, organic merchandising, drinking water tents, engaging participants with green initiatives, leased equipment and energy-efficient lighting and sound. In addition, Lightning 100’s Team Green Adventures continues to organize efforts, such as tree plantings, to further offset the event’s carbon footprint. These same sustainable practices will continue with this year’s concert series.

Lester Turner Jr., President of Tuned In Broadcasting, Inc. and Live On the Green Executive Producer said: “Live On the Green is an opportunity for us to showcase the incredible talent of Nashville’s emerging rock artists in a free outdoor series that includes national touring acts.”

Artists confirmed to date include:
Sept. 9 – Tonic, Five For Fighting, Hightide Blues
Sept. 16 – Dr Dog, Special Guest, The Apache Relay
Sept. 23 – The Wailers, Special Guests
Sept. 30 – Next Big Nashville Night
Oct. 7 – Band of Horses, Bryan Cates, Special Guest
Oct. 14 – JJ Grey & Mofro, Jonathan Tyler and The Northern Lights, Special Guest

Live On the Green is presented by Lightning 100, Miller Lite, Hard Rock Cafe, Team Green Adventures, Now Playing Nashville.com, TVA “Green Power Switch”, Second Harvest Food Bank, Coca-Cola, DoubleTree Hotel Downtown, Sitemason and Friendly Artic Printing & Design.

More information about Live On the Green is available online at www.liveonthegreen.net.

Frank Offers Hit Formula

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Jay Frank, CMT’s Senior VP, Music Strategy and author of Futurehit.DNA, stands at the forefront of the new music industry with his theories on the elements of a hit song. Now artists have the opportunity to put these ideas to music as part of the Futurehit.DNA Songwriting Challenge.

The music industry veteran will give three top-notch submissions featured placement on his blog, futurehitdna.com and his social networks. One Grand Prize winner will receive an hour-long consultation with Frank on what makes their tune hit-worthy and what next steps are appropriate. Entries for this unique contest are available until October 1st.

“People don’t listen to music the same way anymore,” says Frank, “and they certainly don’t discover music the same way anymore… If artists aren’t going to pay attention to that, then they are going to lose out on the key methodology that people utilize to find your music. You have to play into the way technology works by saying to yourself, ‘How do I listen to this when it comes through on that technology? How does it sound when it first comes in that way?’ Those are the artists that are going to succeed moving forward.”
To get a copy of Futurehit.DNA or submit songs to Frank for consideration, go to www.futurehitdna.com.

Katie Armiger, GAC Unveil “Nice Girl” Sweepstakes

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Rising country artist Katie Armiger has once again teamed up with GACTV.com to give fans a chance to celebrate the release of her third album, Confessions of a Nice Girl. 

“GAC’s Katie Armiger Nice Girl Sweepstakes” is going on now through September 8, and fans can enter to win a trip for two to Nashville to attend Armiger’s album release party on September 29. Click here to enter the sweepstakes and check out the official rules. Confessions of a Nice Girl is set to be released on Cold River Records October 5th.

“Over the past couple of years we’ve been able to give fans at GACTV.com a front row seat to Katie’s growing career,” said Jason Mease, Vice President of programming for GACTV.com. “Now we’re literally going to give one lucky fan a front row seat to help Katie celebrate the release of her latest album, right here in Nashville.”

Nashville’s 615 Acquires Kingsize Music

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Nashville-based 615 Music, one of the world’s leading providers of production music to the entertainment, broadcast, advertising, and corporate industries, and the recent winner of a national Emmy Award for “Outstanding Original Song” for NBC’s Today Show, has acquired noted production music library Kingsize Music NYC. 

Based in New York, the Kingsize Music Library is known for its real, organic music, written and produced by some of the most talented people in the industry. Tracks from Kingsize Music are in use by major media outlets worldwide.

“We’ve represented the catalog for a number of years, and are excited to bring the Kingsize Music catalog into the 615 Music family,” says 615 Founder/CEO Randy Wachtler. “We are looking forward to the new opportunities that will soon arise as a result of the long-time success of their promo and in-show production music history.”

“The production team is looking forward to putting an exciting release schedule in place and working more closely on Kingsize Music releases,” said Aaron Gant, 615 Music’s VP of Production.

Peter Primamore, Principal, Kingsize Music, adds, “We’re thrilled that the Kingsize Music Library is in such capable hands. Randy and his team at 615 Music are the epitome of hardworking and knowledgeable professionals. We’re looking forward to continuing and expanding our long-standing relationship with 615 Music.”

“The Kingsize Music Library now has it all. An amazing selection of unique, cutting edge production music, and the best administration and marketing team in the business, 615 Music. We are thrilled to see Kingsize become a part of the 615 family,” said Jay Stollman, Principal, Kingsize Music.

Loretta Lynn Tribute Album Takes Shape

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Country music icon Loretta Lynn is about to get the full-blown tribute-album treatment. In honor of of her 50th career anniversary, a diverse group of artists has contributed tracks for the November 9 album release of Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn. 

The artists, personally chosen by Lynn, include (in alphabetical order) Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Allison Moorer, Paramore, Reba, Carrie Underwood, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Wilson, and Lee Ann Womack.

“I am so happy that these singers wanted to do this record,” says Lynn. “I love ‘em all, and it was so great to hear all the different ways they did my hits,” she said, referring to how each artist recorded with their own choice of producer and musicians.  “I hope people like it as much as I do and we sell a bunch of records!!”

Additional details on the album will be announced soon.

Paisley and Bon Jovi Sing For the Gulf

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Two of the biggest names in music – Brad Paisley and Bon Jovi – will use their star power to help bring attention and tourists back to the Alabama Gulf Coast. The two free concerts on the beach are slated for the weekend of October 15-17 in Gulf Shores, Alabama, with Bon Jovi performing on Friday, October 15 and Paisley performing on Sunday, October 17. These two shows signify the next installments of Alabama’s Concerts For The Coast event series.

The shows, which are free to the public, will be ticketed events. Tickets will be available through Gulf Shores and Orange Beach lodging partners starting Wednesday, September 8. Click here for a list of accommodations offering reservation packages with free tickets.

A limited number of tickets will be available for local distribution to area residents on Saturday, September 11. A valid government issued photo ID is required and there is a 2-ticket limit per person available on a first-come, first-served basis. Details are available here.

“We are thrilled to announce the addition of these two concerts that will enhance an exciting weekend that already features the return of our powerboat races,” said Herb Malone, President/CEO of Gulf Shores & Orange Beach Tourism. “We are extremely pleased that fans will have a weekend filled with exciting race action and capped off with two nights of phenomenal beachside music.”

“Bring your beach blanket and enjoy two incredible concerts on the pristine white sandy beaches of Gulf Shores, Alabama,” welcomes Gulf Shores Mayor Robert Craft.

SOURCE Celebrates Nashville’s Women

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The SOURCE Awards, an annual celebration honoring women in the Nashville music industry for their tireless work and contributions to the business, took place this past Thursday, August 26 at the Noah Liff Opera Center.

Celia Froehlig, Carol Phillips, Sherytha Scaife, Liz Thiels and Ruth White were celebrated and thanked for contributing their knowledge and talents to the industry and Nashville community as well as for their continued efforts to push the music industry forward. Frances W. Preston received the esteemed “Jo Walker Meador Lifetime Achievement Award” from country music superstar Vince Gill. Also present to congratulate Preston was singer/songwriter Michael Bolton and Nashville’s Mayor Karl Dean. The ceremony was co-hosted by Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely.

For a complete rundown of this year’s SOURCE Awards, you can read Bobby Karl’s on-the-scene MusicRow coverage here.

(l-r) SOURCE Awards Co-hosts Brenda Lee and Jeannie Seely, Vince Gill, Frances W. Preston and Michael Bolton. Photo Credit: Alan Mayor

ASCAP Launches App for iPhone, iPad, iPod Touch

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John A. LoFrumento, CEO of ASCAP , today announced the launch of ASCAP Mobile, a new app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. The app provides ASCAP’s songwriter, composer and publisher members with 24/7 access to their membership, catalog, performance and royalty information via ASCAP’s secure Member Access online portal. Additionally, the app’s interface allows all users the ability to search ASCAP’s entire repertory of over 8.5 million copyrighted musical works, and browse news about ASCAP and the music business. The app is free and can be downloaded from the App Store.

“The ASCAP Mobile app further reinforces ASCAP’s leadership position in the application of new technologies to better serve the needs of our members,” said LoFrumento. “The free app offers our members and the industry a new way to stay connected with ASCAP while they are on the go, putting a secure connection to Member Access, the entire ASCAP repertory and industry news in the palm of their hands.”

ASCAP is the first and only Performing Rights Organization to offer an app for iPhone, iPad and iPod touch. Further versions of the app are planned for Blackberry and Android.

The ASCAP Mobile app is the latest in a series of technology enhancements that ASCAP has deployed in the past year to make it more convenient for its members to conduct their business and pursue their creativity.  These enhancements include:

  • A redesigned website (www.ascap.com), which receives 2.5 million page views per month.  The new design offers a fresh new look and simplified navigation to thousands of pages of content offering up-to-date news including updates on advocacy and legislative issues,  a calendar of events, audio & video features, member benefits and discounts, career development resources, articles and features from Playback Magazine, and much more.
  • New enterprise system called PREP (Performing Rights Enterprise Program) ? a comprehensive and integrated copyright management and royalty distribution platform.
  • Member Access, a secure, online portal giving ASCAP’s songwriter, composer and music publisher members 24/7 access to their membership, catalog, performance and royalty information.
  • Revamped royalty statements that can be downloaded in PDF format.
  • E-statements, a strategic performance royalty management tool that allows members to slice and dice data in software like Microsoft Excel or Access, and industry software such as Counterpoint Music Maestro.
  • Cue Sheets in Member Access allows writers and publishers of film and television music to effortlessly view and manage cue sheet data. ASCAP is the first American performing rights organization to offer this type of access to cue sheets.

CMA Music Fest On ABC Tonight

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Attention country music fans. Tonight’s the night. Tune in to ABC for CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock. The three-hour special, which attempts to capture all the music and excitement of Nashville’s annual country music extravaganza, kicks off at 8:00 PM/ET, with country superstar Tim McGraw serving as host.

The special features performances by Jason Aldean, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, McGraw, Justin Moore, Brad Paisley, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton with Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, and Zac Brown Band filmed in front of a sold-out audience in June during CMA Music Festival in Nashville at LP Field, home of the NFL’s Tennessee Titans.

One highlight of the show is a special performance by reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year Taylor Swift, who premiered her soon-to-be-released new single “Mine” for her fans at a top-secret private event in Nashville during the festival. The song is the first single from her upcoming album Speak Now, in stores Oct. 25.

Viewers will also enjoy two collaborative performances filmed at Fuel Bar & Nightclub in Downtown Nashville in front of a jam-packed crowd of Festival attendees. First, Dierks Bentley and Jamey Johnson join Lambert to sing “Bad Angel,” a track from Bentley’s current CD, Up on the Ridge. Later, Uncle Kracker and Kid Rock perform “Good To Be Me,” featured on Uncle Kracker’s recently released CD, Happy Hour: The South River Road Sessions.

Offering an insider’s glimpse at the Festival, Lady Antebellum allowed cameras to follow them for a day at the event. Viewers will see the reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year perform at their fan club party, interact with Festival attendees during an unplanned appearance in the Fan Fair Exhibit Hall, and more.

Humorous segments involving several of the participating artists, surprise guests, and more will be featured in the special as well.
This year, CMA Music Festival served as the Grand Re-Opening of Nashville, after the city and surrounding areas experienced a devastating flood in May. The flood, the recovery efforts, and the coming together of the Nashville community to help its fellow citizens will be spotlighted in the television special. CMA is donating 50 percent of this year’s net proceeds from the Festival to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee for flood relief. As always, the other 50 percent of net proceeds will be donated to the Nashville Alliance for Public Education through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program to purchase instruments and supplies for music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools.

This is the sixth time ABC will broadcast this special – which invites the whole country to America’s biggest country music bash – since the original Fan Fair® was launched in 1972. This year an average of 65,000 fans from every state and 26 foreign countries attended each day of CMA Music Festival, its biggest turnout yet.

CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is executive produced by Robert Deaton and directed by Gary Halvorson. The 2010 CMA Music Festival is organized and produced by the Country Music Association. CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is filmed in high definition and broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC’s selected HDTV format, with 5.1 channel surround sound.

ole Signs Hit Songwriter Monty Powell

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Monty Powell

ole music publishing has signed a catalog purchase and worldwide co-publishing deal with songwriter/producer Monty Powell. Powell has been responsible for hit songs that have helped drive the sales of more than 50 million albums in total by artists like Restless Heart (“Dancy’s Dream”), Diamond Rio (“Norma Jean Riley,” “Nowhere Bound”), Billy Ray Cyrus (“Could Have Been Me”), Brooks & Dunn (“I Am That Man”), Tim McGraw (“One of These Days”), Chris Cagle (“What A Beautiful Day,” “Miss Me Baby”) and Keith Urban (“Days Go By,” “Tonight I Wanna Cry”). He has collaborated with artists including  Urban, Lady Antebellum and Darius Rucker.

“I’m excited about ole as a company,” says Powell. “I think they’ve positioned themselves exactly the way that a company needs to be: playing the type of ball that the majors play, playing at the level they play, but playing with an independent mindset. It’s just a completely different model and I’m all about new models. The executive team at ole is very sharp. They all have deep publishing backgrounds, not just finance or widget-selling, so they understand the push and pull of what it really takes to monetize a copyright and what that means over the life of a copyright.”

Comments ole’s Chairman & CEO, Robert Ott: “ole is very pleased to welcome Monty Powell to our team. Monty’s ability to write hit songs is widely known, but he is also an innovative thinker and entrepreneur of the first order. I know that he will add immensely to ole’s already aggressive and innovative creative culture.”

As a songwriter, Powell swept the SESAC Awards in 2009, winning Song, Songwriter and Publisher of the Year. In 2006, he picked up a Song of the Year CMA nomination for Urban’s “Tonight I Wanna Cry.” As a producer, he earned a CMA Album of the Year award for his work on Common Thread: The Songs of the Eagles in 1994. He also co-produced Diamond Rio’s first three top selling albums, as well as Urban’s band, The Ranch for Capitol Records.

Powell has also become noted for spending time on the road writing with a number of artists with whom he has developed close ties.

“Several years ago, I carved this niche out for myself in the songwriting community,” explains Powell. “I went directly to the artists and suggested that I go out on the road with them, integrate and become a part of their team. I told them that I would work with their schedule. A lot of people really perked up at that notion and gave me the opportunity to come out and gave me a bunk on the bus and I became one of the team. That’s what I do.”

ole Chief Creative Officer, Gilles Godard, adds; “Monty is truly on top of his game, he has mastered his craft, consistently writing hit songs with a diverse group of artists. ole will support that diversity by arranging cross-genre, cross-media and international collaborations to Monty’s schedule. We’ll also work the catalog and develop new uses for it and help to develop Monty’s brand.”