Country Music Hall of Fame Board Update

/by

At the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s quarterly board meeting today (6/23), BMI’s Nashville Vice President, Writer-Publisher Relations Jody Williams was elected to a first term as a trustee. Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz and Lee, Danner & Bass, Inc. Principal and Director Ernie Williams were re-elected to three-year terms as trustees.
New officers include NASCAR President Mike Helton and Spalding Entertainment President Clarence Spalding.
Nashville business leader and cultural arts activist Steve Turner, founder of Butler’s Run LLC, was tapped for a fourth term as chairman; and Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill was re-elected to a tenth consecutive term as president.
Remaining trustees include David Conrad, J. William Denny, Rod Essig, Randy Goodman, John Grady, Keel Hunt, Ken Levitan, Mary Ann McCready and Turner.
The new officers join re-elected board members Al Giombetti (executive vice president); and Vice Presidents Earl Bentz, Mark Bloom,  Connie Bradley, Tony Brown, Mike Dungan, Francis Guess, Lon Helton, Don Light, Donna Nicely, Brian O’Connell, David Ross, John Seigenthaler,  Troy Tomlinson and Tim Wipperman.
CMA CEO Steve Moore serves as an ex-officio member. Chris Horsnell and Mike Milom of Milom Joyce Horsnell Crow PLC continue as the not-for-profit educational organization’s legal counsel.

CMA Music Fest Brings Boon To Music City

/by

Country music fans attending the recent CMA Music Festival had a huge economic impact on Nashville. Spending by visitors totaled $30 million, a significant increase from last year’s record-high of $24 million, according to Smith Travel Research and reported by The Tennessean.
It was the second consecutive year festival tickets sold out, drawing average daily attendance of 65,000.
Eighty percent of the four-day ticket holders were from outside of Tennessee, and they packed area hotels, booking a total of about 110,000 nights.
Drawing fans and their wallets to downtown were free events such as the opening parade, which attracted 16,000 onlookers.
Ninety-four percent of the respondents said they plan to return next year.
Read CMA Fest By The Numbers.

Industry Ink Thursday

/by

Chris Keaton Produces Broadway Project
Nashville producer Chris Keaton recently completed recording a new project by Tony Award-winning actress Lea Salonga. The Journey So Far is a live album set for release Aug. 9 by LML Music/Allegro Distribution. Salonga, the Filipina singer and actress who is best known for originating the lead role of “Kim” in the musical Miss Saigon, will accompany the release of the CD with a worldwide tour throughout 2011 and 2012.

Lea Salonga signs a recording contract with LML Music.(L-R): attorney Robert Perlstein, Lea Salonga, producer Chris Keaton, and LML Music President Lee Lessack.


Belmont Promotes Jamie Stamey

Jamie Stamey


Belmont University has promoted Jamie Stamey to Internship Coordinator. She joined the Curb College in 2008 and most recently served as Academic Advisor/Intern Coordinator. In her new role, Stamey will work with faculty mentors to create internship opportunities in the entertainment industry. She works under Sarah Cates who serves as Sr. Director of Curb College Initiatives.
Additionally, Stamey will work to develop unique, team-based internship experiences like the recent Belmont/BMI Catalog Cast initiative. This project had ten Belmont seniors mine the BMI catalog for potential hits, and resulted in American Idol champ Scotty McCreery recording “Out of Summertime.”
Songwriter Agency Hires Cheri Blankenship

Cheri Blankenship


Cheri Hendrix Blankenship has joined The Songwriter Agency, handling bookings in Texas and the Western U.S. Blankenship was with PACE/Live Nation for ten years, and also founded Hendrix Music Agency providing artist representation and talent buying services for live music venues in the state of Texas. Blankenship is based in Houston and can be reached at [email protected] or (281) 995-3179.
Randy Harrell co-founded the agency which represents Don Schlitz, Steve Wariner, Richie McDonald and others. Harrell can be reached at [email protected], or (615) 879-1224.
Woody Bomar’s Road Crew Honored
Publishing vet Woody Bomar and his Route 66 tribute band The Road Crew were honored during the 2011 International Route 66 Association Festival Awards Banquet on June 11 in Amarillo, Texas. The group received the inaugural Bobby Troup Artistic Recognition Award, named for the composer of the iconic song “(Get Your Kicks On) Route 66.”

(L-R): Jason Harmon, Don King, Michael Wallis (Author/Route 66 Historian), Woody Bomar, Joe Loesch.

Roger Murrah To Exit Bug Music

/by

Roger Murrah will officially leave his post as Sr. VP of Bug Music when his contract with the publishing company ends in August. The publishing vet came on board with Bug in February 2009, overseeing the Nashville office and reporting directly to Los Angeles-based CEO John Rudolph.
At that time, Bug Music acquired a portion of Murrah’s independent publishing company, Murrah Music, and its associated catalogs. Today, Roger Murrah reportedly retains ownership of the publishing house he founded in 1990. He says, “I’m putting no limitations on the possibilities ahead.”
Murrah is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and was honored as BMI’s Songwriter of the Decade for the ’90s. His credits include Alan Jackson’s “Don’t Rock The Jukebox,” Al Jarreau’s “We’re In This Love Together,” Alabama’s “I’m In A Hurry (And Don’t Know Why),” and Waylon Jennings’s album, A Man Called Hoss.
He can be contacted at 615-424-7833 and [email protected].

Glen Campbell Diagnosed With Alzheimer's

/by

Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, People Magazine is reporting. The 75-year-old country singer revealed his condition in an interview that appears in Friday’s (6/24) issue.
Campbell and his wife Kim have come forward to talk about his disease because he is making plans for a series of farewell shows and felt his fans should be aware.

“Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer,” Kim told People. “But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?'”

According to the Los Angeles Times, Campbell is also recording an album called Ghost On The Canvas that is due out August 30. He is recording with Julian Raymond, who produced his acclaimed 2008 album Meet Glen Campbell. This collection will reportedly feature songs by Paul Westerberg (The Replacements), Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Teddy Thompson and Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), in addition to original material. Guests on the album will include Chris Isaak, Dick Dale, Billy Corgan, Brian Setzer, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and the Dandy Warhols.
Campbell’s storied career has lasted over 50 years, beginning as a session player in Los Angeles on recordings by Phil Spector and the Beach Boys, to his successful solo recordings like “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and hosting The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS. He also ventured into acting, appearing with John Wayne in the 1969 version of True Grit.

Rhett Akins Re-Ups With EMI

/by

(L-R): EMI's Tom Luteran, BMI's Jody Williams, EMI's Laura Wright, Rhett's son Thomas Rhett Akins, Rhett Akins, BMI's Leslie Roberts, EMI's Ben Vaughn, BMI's Clay Bradley, daughter Kasey Lee Akins, EMI's Josh Van Valkenburg, BMI's Beth Laird, EMI's Missy Wilson and BMI's Mark Mason


Riding high with a string of hits and two rising singles, songwriter Rhett Akins has extended his relationship with EMI Music Publishing. Under terms of the new co-publishing deal, EMI Music will continue to represent Akins’ future work and catalogue of songs which includes the No. 1s “All About Tonight” (performed by Blake Shelton), “Gimme That Girl” (Joe Nichols) and “All Over Me” (Josh Turner).
Akins, who first joined EMI six years ago, is a co-writer on the latest singles from Shelton (“Honey Bee”) and Rodney Atkins (“Take A Back Road”). “I want to thank my EMI family, co-writers, and music partners for giving me the opportunity to create music and live my dream,” he said.
EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive Vice President Ben Vaughn added, “Rhett Akins is a guy that you love being in business with and working with everyday. He loves what he does and it shows. Our entire EMI Nashville family are proud to share in his on going success and proud to call ourselves ‘Rhettnecks.’”
Since moving to Nashville more than 15 years ago, Akins has had hits as a recording artist with “That Ain’t My Truck” and “She Said Yes.” He was named one of Billboard‘s top five country songwriters in 2010, and his songs have collectively sold more than 2.5 million digital downloads.
His other hits as a writer include “Farmer’s Daughter” (Rodney Atkins), “Put A Girl In It” (Brooks & Dunn) and “The Shape I’m In” (Joe Nichols).
EMI Music Publishing’s current Nashville hit-making writers include Dallas Davidson, Alan Jackson, Chris Young, Kelley Lovelace, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.

Memorial Service For Steve Popovich

/by

Steve Popovich. Photo Credit: Anastasia Pantsios


A memorial service for late record executive Steve Popovich will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at United Methodist Fellowship Church (2511 Highway 99, Murfreesboro, TN). A reception will follow at the Church from 7 – 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stephen C. Popovich Memorial Fund, U.S. Bank, 2504 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37128. All funds donated will benefit the various charities that Steve has contributed to throughout his life.
Popovich died at his home in Murfreesboro on June 8 at age 68. Born July 6, 1942 in Nemacolin, PA, his career included time at Columbia Records, and his own Cleveland International Records. He worked with Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Boston, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe and polka king Frank Yankovic. He was part of the landmark success of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell album. His big personality helped him work his way into the fabric of Music City while at the helm of PolyGram Records Nashville in the late 1980s, working with Kris Kristofferson, The Statler Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Lynn Anderson, Tom Jones, Johnny Paycheck and others. See the complete obituary here.
He is survived by son Steve Popovich Jr., daughter Pamela Popovich, sister Barb Lemmo, and grandchildren Tanner and Stephen Popovich.
Funeral services were held June 13 at St. John of the Cross in Euclid, Ohio. Interment followed at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland.
Condolences may be sent to the family via email: [email protected].

Songwriter Signings

/by

Angel Snow Inks With Bug Music
Bug Music recently signed songwriter Angel Snow. She has three cuts on the deluxe edition of Alison Krauss and Union Station‘s new album, Paper Airplanes. Snow is also set to open for the band during their two-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Aug. 26-27. In between dates on her current headlining tour and recording a new album, Snow has been busy co-writing.

(L-R): Bug Music VP John Allen, songwriter Angel Snow, attorney Tyler Middleton


 
Ten Ten Welcomes Scott Stepakoff
Ten Ten Music Group has signed up and coming songwriter Scott Stepakoff. He is a co-writer on the debut single from MCA artist Kip Moore, “Mary Was The Marrying Kind.” Stepakoff penned the track with Moore and Dan Couch.

(L-R): Ten Ten co-Pres. Jewel Coburn, songwriter Scott Stepakoff, Creative Director Daniel Lee, and co-Pres. Barry Coburn

Tenacity Records Promo Team Revealed

/by

Tenacity Records’ Bill Gentry performed almost a dozen shows at Wild Bill's/Nashville during CMA Music Fest. The Atlanta-based club took over the historic Acme Building in downtown Nashville and offered indie artists a place to showcase. (L-R): Haley, Gentry, Kraski, Gary Greenberg


Tenacity Records has launched in Nashville with Tenacity Management chief Mike Kraski as President. Promotion vets David Haley and Gary Greenburg have been named as the new label’s Sr. VP Promotion and Director, respectively.
The Tenacity Records team will be working Bill Gentry’s upcoming single “This Letter,” which will be released shortly. Gentry’s debut CD Baptized In Temptation, produced by Chad Carlson, will be available later in 2011.
The announcement reunites Kraski with Haley and Greenberg, who all previously worked together at Equity Records. Additional promotion staff members will be added soon.
“I view David and Gary as the ‘Promotion Department Dream Team,’” says Kraski. “I have worked with each of them for many years, and the respect I have for them, their integrity and work ethic is immense. And to be able to put them together to work on behalf of such a talented performer as Bill Gentry is truly the icing on the indie label cake.”
Haley’s new email is [email protected] and Greenberg’s is [email protected].

Morning Updates

/by

Jolene Mercer Dakil Service Tonight
A celebration of life for former music industry publicist Jolene Mercer Dakil will be held tonight, Wed., June 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Berry Hill office of Luna Chica Records International, 2826 Dogwood Place, Nashville TN 37204. All who knew and loved Jolene are invited to attend.
Dakil passed away after an extended illness with liver disease on Sat., May 28, 2011. She had worked with such notable artists as Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux, Neal McCoy, Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Pride, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Brady Seals, Little Texas, and Delbert McClinton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the no-kill animal shelter Happy Tales Humane, 230 Franklin Road, Suite 1303, Franklin, TN 37064.
MacPherson to Exit Chrysalis
In the latest news from BMG Chrysalis, Kenny MacPherson will soon exit his national level post as President and Senior Executive. This is according to a report on HitsDailyDouble.com, which notes MacPherson will remain in place during the transition. Read more about BMG Chrysalis here.
Bluebird/RIAA Announce Partnership
The Bluebird Cafe announced a new partnership with the RIAA and its Nashville member labels earlier this week. RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol said his organization will support the Bluebird as an incubator of rising and developing talent through its Open Mic Nights, Sunday Writers’ Nights, and weekly early-show rounds. Erika Wollam Nichols serves as the famed venue’s COO.
The Bluebird Café’s 2011 BirdSongs Series continues on Tues., June 28 at 9PM with a special evening featuring singer/songwriter Toby Keith, and longtime collaborators Bobby Pinson and Scotty Emerick.
The BirdSongs Series was created last year to help pay off the debt accrued through NSAI’s purchase of the legendary club. Admission is $75 for regular seats and $150.00 for gold circle seats. Reservations at www.bluebirdcafe.com.

RIAA, Bluebird Cafe announce partnership. (L-R): Adam James, Steve Bogard, Dave Berg, Blair Bodine, Barbara Cloyd, Mitch Bainwol and Erika Wollam Nichols.