Cook and Plant Lead Americana Honors Nominations

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Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the 2011 Americana Music Honors and Awards Nominees


Nominees for the 2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards were announced today at a special event held at New York City’s Gibson/Baldwin Showroom.
Elizabeth Cook and Robert Plant lead the field of nominees, earning three acknowledgements apiece including Artist of the Year nominations for both. Additionally, Cook’s Welder is up for Album of the Year, and her song “El Camino” got a nod for Song of the Year. Robert Plant and the Band of Joy are nominated for Duo/Group of the Year, and the group’s album Band of Joy is also up for Album of the Year.
Previous New/Emerging Artist of the Year winners Justin Townes Earle and Hayes Carll each received two nominations. Earle’s Harlem River Blues is up for Album of the Year and its title track is nominated for Song of the Year, while Carll will compete for Artist of the Year and his song “Kmag Yoyo” is vying for Song of the Year.
Rosanne Cash revealed the nominees, and guests were treated to music from The Civil Wars, Levon Helm and His Dirt Farmer Quartet featuring Jim Lauderdale, and then Cash backed by keyboard player Benmont Tench. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean and producer/songwriter T Bone Burnett were also present.
The 10th Annual Americana Music Association Honors & Awards is scheduled for Thursday, October 13 at the Ryman. The event is the cornerstone of the Americana Festival and Conference, which runs October 12-15 in Nashville.
2011 Americana Music Association Honors and Awards Nominees:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Band of Joy, Robert Plant
Welder, Elizabeth Cook
Harlem River Blues, Justin Townes Earle
Blessed, Lucinda Williams
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Elizabeth Cook
Hayes Carll
Robert Plant
NEW/EMERGING ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
The Secret Sisters
Jessica Lea Mayfield
DUO/GROUP OF THE YEAR
The Avett Brothers
The Civil Wars
Mumford And Sons
Robert Plant and the Band Of Joy
SONG OF THE YEAR
Decemberists with Gillian Welch- “Down By The Water”
Elizabeth Cook – “El Camino”
Hayes Carll – “Kmag Yoyo”
Justin Townes Earle – “Harlem River Blues”
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR
Buddy Miller
Gurf Morlix
Kenny Vaughan
Sarah Jarosz
Will Kimbrough

Pictured at the event are (L-R): AMA Executive Director Jed Hilly, Benmont Tench, Larry Campbell, Teresa Williams, Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Rosanne Cash, Levon Helm, Joy Williams, T Bone Burnett, John Paul White, Jim Lauderdale, Byron Isaacs. Photo: Taylor Hill)

Serletic Snags $10.8 Million For Music Platform

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Music Mastermind was founded in 2007 by Matt Serletic, former Virgin Records Chairman/CEO and the GRAMMY Award‐winning hit maker behind Matchbox Twenty, Gloriana, Carlos Santana, and others; and Bo Bazylevsky, a top Wall Street bond trader, senior hedge fund portfolio manager, and the former Global Head of Emerging Markets Corporate Trading at J.P. Morgan.
The independent entertainment and technology company today announced it has closed $10.8 million in Series B funding. Liberty Global and Intel Capitol  contributed $6.8 million and angel investers participated with an additional $4 million.
Music Mastermind is the developer of SoundBetter, the audio processing suite at the core of its upcoming consumer‐focused platform. This groundbreaking technology eliminates the traditional effort required to make music, breaking down barriers to creativity and allowing anyone to instantly create, publish, and distribute their own music. “At Liberty Global, we understand that digital technology is uniting people around the world and that music is a common thread among us,” said Bruce Dines, VP of Liberty Global Ventures. “We believe Music Mastermind’s cutting‐edge technologies will connect the international community in a completely new way.”
“We’re at the forefront of the next evolution of music entertainment,” said Matt Serletic who also heads Emblem Records. “It’s time to break down the barriers that prevent people from expressing themselves musically.”
The company raised its first round of funding in February 2010 with nearly $5 million from angel investors.

Industry Ink Monday 5/23

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Digital Music News is reporting that RIAA President Cary Sherman made a salary of over $3.1 million in 2009, working 50 hours a week. RIAA CEO and Director Mitch Bainwol reportedly made $1.62 million the same year. The RIAA is paying $16.2 million in salaries, other compensation, and benefits in total.
• • • •
Lady Gaga’s highly-anticipated Born This Way is out today and retail giant Amazon is offering a digital download of the full album for a market-low of $.99 today only. The predictably high demand has already caused slow wait times for Amazon mp3 users.
• • • •
Miranda Lambert will get the documentary treatment when VH1 airs Behind The Music: Miranda Lambert July 13, at 9 pm CT. The special follows Miranda’s rise to stardom, from playing East Texas dives at 18 to winning a Grammy Award for “The House That Built Me.” Guest commentators include Blake Shelton, Miranda’s parents Rick and Bev, Tracy Gershon, Joe Galante, Loretta Lynn, Sheryl Crow, Kenny Chesney and Hillary Scott.
• • • •
RPM writer and fiddler Nathan Stoops has been playing music recently with American Idol finalist Lauren Alaina, and has now been tapped to play the show’s finale Wednesday, May 25. Stoops is a member of the country group Scarletta, which also includes RPM writers Aubrey Collins and Benji Harris. The group is co-managed by MTM’s Rusty Harmon and RPM’s Scott Siman.

Scarletta: Benji Harris, Aubrey Collins, and Nathan Stoops

Medallion Ceremony Photo Spread

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The Country Music Association created the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1961 to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with Country Music’s highest honor. Last night (5/22), the Medallion Ceremony officially inducting Bobby Braddock, Reba McEntire, and Jean Shepard was held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in downtown Nashville. Complete coverage of the evening is available exclusively to MusicRow subscribers here.
Photos: John Russell / CMA

(L-R): Chairman of the Country Music Foundation Board of Directors, Steve Turner; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director, Kyle Young; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jean Shepard; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Bobby Braddock; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Reba McEntire; and CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.


(L-R): President-Elect of the CMA Board of Directors and President and Chief Operating Officer of SESAC, Pat Collins; 2011 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Jean Shepard; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.


(L-R): Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors and Senior Vice President, Media and Entertainment for Gaylord Entertainment, Steve Buchanan; CMA Board member and Shop Keeper Management's Marion Kraft; reigning CMA Female Vocalist of the Year, Miranda Lambert; and CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore.

Sony/ATV Inks Skip Ewing

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Sony/ATV signs Skip Ewing. Pictured (L-R): Terry Wakefield (Sr. VP Creative), Mike Whelan (VP Creative), Skip Ewing, and Troy Tomlinson (President/CEO).


Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed Skip Ewing, the songwriter behind more than 25 hit singles, including 11 No. 1’s. With more than 250 album cuts, some of Ewing’s most popular songs are “If I Didn’t Have You” (Randy Travis), “Something That We Do” (Clint Black), “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), “Every Other Weekend” (Reba McEntire), “Someone Else’s Star” and “Rebecca Lynn” (Bryan White).
Ewing is an award-winning songwriter who has received 13 BMI awards, BMI Songwriter of the Year, and the CMA Triple Play Award. He is a Grammy and Tony nominee.
Sony/ATV President and CEO, Troy Tomlinson, commented, “I’ve had the pleasure of knowing Skip for 25 years and being his publisher for 15. It’s not every day that you get a second opportunity to work with such a talented craftsman. I consider this a continuing opportunity for success.”
Ewing is busy planning his Horse & Writer songwriting retreat, scheduled for September in Wyoming. Details on attending at www.horseandwriter.com.
 

Darius Rucker, Vince Gill Earn Honorary Degrees

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Rucker toasts MUSC graduates.



Darius Rucker was the keynote speaker at the Medical University of South Carolina commencement ceremony on May 20. In speaking to the graduates from six colleges within MUSC Rucker shared, “You guys said to the world, ‘I’m going to take my brains, my talents, and my smarts and I’m going to help make the world a better place,’ and I want to thank you for that. Today is a day I will never forget.” Rucker was surprised with an honorary diploma that he promised to display in his Charleston, S.C. home. “That way everyone should know to call me Dr. Rucker,” he said.
• • •

Gill accepts his Belmont University degree.


Belmont University honored Vince Gill during its recent graduation ceremony at the Curb Event Center. Gill was given an honorary Doctor of Humanities degree during the commencement ceremonies. Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “Vince Gill has mastered his craft and yet he keeps pushing himself to greater excellence. Moreover, as a citizen and humanitarian, he dedicates himself to service and providing opportunities for others to succeed. Vince is truly a Nashville—and national—treasure. ”
 
 

Twain To Sign At CMA Music Festival

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Shania Twain will make her first appearance at the CMA Music Festival in 15 years to sign copies of her New York Times best-selling autobiography From This Moment On at the Bridgestone Arena Friday, June 10 from 2-4 pm.
“I’m so thrilled to be part of the Festival,” says Twain. “It is a huge reunion each year for fans and artists and I’m looking forward to seeing some of the artists I haven’t seen in awhile and connecting with the fans who have been so supportive through the years.”
Twain also recently surprised members of The Oprah Winfrey Show’s studio audience with two day passes to the 2011 CMA Music Festival and hotel accommodations at Gaylord Opryland Resort for June 9-10.
“We are thrilled that Shania is back for the 40th anniversary and bringing another 300 fans to the party,” says CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “She is such a warm and respected ambassador for the format and her connection with her fans speaks to the heart of what makes this event such a success.”
Twain’s last appearance at CMA Music Festival was 1996, when it was called Fan Fair and held at the Tennessee State Fairgrounds.

Hirings At CRB and My Good Girl Music

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Ashley Hertzog


My Good Girl Music has hired Ashley Hertzog as Creative Manager. My Good Girl Music is a joint venture between platinum producer Mark Bright and Sony/ATV Music Nashville.
Hertzog makes the move from Combustion Music, where she had worked since 2005 as Catalog Manager. She can be reached at (615) 259-5447 or [email protected].
• • • •
Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has hired Michelle Tigard Kammerer and Cheri Lynn Martin as Directors of Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships, effective June 6, 2011.
Kammerer has more than 10 years of experience in the music industry, including almost seven years at the Nashville office of CAA. As a past chairman of the popular charity event Young Nashville Party, Kammerer helped secure sponsorships with brands including Coca-Cola, Loews Hotels and Virgin America Airlines.
Martin joins CRB from Seattle, Wash., where she specialized in A&R Development at Pledge Music. She has worked on marketing campaigns for artists, record labels including Warner Bros. Records, Sony Music Nashville, Capitol Records, and outfits like Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital. From 2006-2010, Martin ran her own promotions and marketing firm, where she promoted artists including Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland and Phil Vassar. Martin also spent time as a National Promotion Director with RCA Label Group.
Kammerer and Martin will be charged with events including CRS 2012, set for Feb. 22-24, 2012, in downtown Nashville.

(L-R): Cheri Lynn Martin and Michelle Tigard Kammerer

Sara Evans Returns To "Dancing With The Stars" For Performance

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Country stars are dominating some of the most popular shows on TV this week. Sara Evans will perform on the season finale of Dancing with the Stars tomorrow night (5/24). The singer was the first country artist to compete on the show back in 2006 and will return to perform her new No. 1 hit, “A Little Bit Stronger.” It will be a full-circle moment for the star because she had to drop out of the competition when she was a contestant. The show airs at 8 PM/CT on ABC.
“Being on Dancing with the Stars was such a fun experience and one of the highlights of my career,” says Evans. “I’m so honored and excited to go back and sing for this season’s finale!”
Elsewhere, country music has been front and center on network television with John Rich being crowned winner of The Celebrity Apprentice last night, and the upcoming American Idol showdown Tuesday and Wednesday (5/24-25) with country finalists Lauren Alaina and Scotty McCreery.

Sara Evans and dance partner Tony Dovolani on "Dancing With The Stars."


 
 

Eminem, Bieber, and Swift Win At Billboard Music Awards

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Eminem and Justin Bieber were the big winners at the 2011 Billboard Music Awards last night (5/22), taking home a total of six honors apiece. Taylor Swift also won awards in three categories, tying her with Rihanna, Lady Gaga, Usher, Mumford & Sons, and Taio Cruz.
Swift’s three wins came for Top Country Album (for Speak Now), Top Billboard 200 Artist, and Top Country Artist. Eminem’s wins included Top Artist, Top Billboard 200 Album (for Recovery) and Top Rap Album (for Recovery). Social Media phenom Bieber nabbed awards for Top New Artist, Top Social Artist, and Top Streaming Song (for “Baby” feat. Ludacris).
Beyonce was given Billboard’s special Milennium Award, and an all-star tribute from First Lady Michelle Obama, Barbara Streisand, Lady Gaga, U2’s Bono and Stevie Wonder. U2 was awarded as Top Touring Artist, and Neil Diamond was given the Icon Award for his numerous career accomplishments.
Show performances included the much-discussed Rihanna and Britney Spears collaboration “S&M,” Cee Lo Green, Lil Wayne with Mary J. Blige, and Diamond on his classic “Sweet Caroline.” ABC carried the show, which had been on hiatus since 2006.