Ryman Auditorium To Replace Stage

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The Ryman Auditorium will be replacing its stage for the first time since 1951. Plans for the new stage include an 18 inch section cut from the existing stage running across the front to honor the historical significance of past performances, similar to the famed circle of the same Ryman stage wood that resides center-stage at the Grand Ole Opry House near the Opryland hotel.

Around-the-clock security will be present as the current stage is dismantled and the oak planks are moved to an off-site location. An announcement on future plans for the historic planks will be made at a later date.

The last performance on the stage will take place on Friday, Feb. 3 when the Grand Ole Opry closes its annual winter run at the Ryman featuring Keith Urban’s first performance since vocal surgery.

The project will close the stage for two weeks beginning Saturday, Feb. 4, but self-guided daytime tours will remain open throughout the project at a $10.00 special rate.

The Band Perry will be the first public performance exhibiting the new stage for their sold-out headlining Ryman debut on Feb. 20.

“To play the Ryman is to step into country music’s rich history and we are honored to perform there. Now, as the venue makes plans for its future, we promise to inaugurate the new stage with all the respect and reverence it deserves,” said Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry.

The current oak plank stage will be replaced with Brazilian teak certified by the Forest Stewardship Council, the same type of wood used to replace the Grand Ole Opry House stage after the 2010 flood. The size of the stage will remain unchanged at 60.5’ by 36.5’, but new cross-beams and the existing hickory support beams will be bolstered to enhance weight capacity from 40,000 pounds to 120,000 pounds.

Installed in 1951, the current stage reflects wear and tear as it hosted the evolution of country and global music including the Grand Ole Opry, the filming of “The Johnny Cash Show,” Roy Acuff, The Carter Family, Dolly Parton, Minnie Pearl, Marty Stuart, Porter Wagoner, Bob Dylan, Aretha Franklin, Paul Simon, Bruce Springsteen, and Neil Young.

Billboard Announces 2012 Power 100

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Irving Azoff

Billboard recently released its 2012 Power 100 Index, and some of Nashville’s power brokers are included among the management and touring industries’ biggest names as well as artist moguls like Jay-Z and Beyonce Knowles.

Topping the list is Front Line Management/LiveNation chief Irving Azoff, whose leadership role at the intersection of touring and management makes his influence far-reaching. At No. 2 is Coran Capshaw, whose Red Light Management empire includes country heavies Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, and Dierks Bentley in addition to Dave Matthews Band and artist-friendly labels ATO Records and TBD Records. Label heads Grainge, Morris, Blavatnik and Iovine all fall in the Top 10.

Cumulus Sr. VP Programming Jan Jeffries, who controls music on stations in 68 cities, ranks at No. 52. Big Machine Label Group head Scott Borchetta comes in right behind at No. 54, and his superstar artist Taylor Swift ranks a few steps down at No. 78. Other Music City notables include CMA CEO Steve Moore at No. 61, Morris Management Group President Clint Higham at No. 68, Capitol/EMI Records Nashville President Mike Dungan at No. 85, and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Gary Overton at No. 98.

Kobalt Names Richard Sanders President

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Richard Sanders has been tapped to serve as President of Kobalt Music Group. Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO, made the announcement Friday (1/27) at Midem. Reporting to Ahdritz, Sanders will be based in Kobalt’s New York offices.

As part of the newly created position, Sanders will oversee Kobalt’s global front office operations such as artist relations, business development, synch licensing and creative services across the publisher’s multiple rights divisions.

With 30 years experience, Sanders was previously Sony Music’s Chairman of International & President of Global Marketing. Prior to his tenure at Sony, he held executive positions at RCA Records, Sir Richard Branson’s V2 Records and Arista Records.

Sanders’ appointment comes on the heels of last week’s launch of Kobalt’s Artist and Label Services division, and Neighbouring Rights division. The Artist and Label Services division is propelled by the company’s acquisition of AWAL, which distributes and promotes the recorded music of more than 5,000 independent labels and artists, including Radiohead, Arctic Monkeys, the Editors, and Moby.

“As Kobalt enters this new phase of global expansion and rolls out next generation client services for our artists, labels and content owners I am very pleased to welcome Richard,” said Ahdritz. “He is an executive who shares my vision and can work alongside me, providing a recording rights DNA to our proven publishing service model. Richard is a dynamic entrepreneurial leader with vast international experience, relationships and a uniquely successful track record of delivering both operational and creative results as well as managing both creative and executive talent.”

Added Sanders, “I’m thrilled to be joining the entire Kobalt team and supporting Willard’s vision for the continued expansion of the company and the development of artist and label services. Throughout my career supporting the needs of the artist has always been my passion and focus, thus I am particularly excited to join Kobalt which continues to set new standards in transparency and carries a solid reputation as a client-friendly company designed to serve that same objective.”

Higdon Exits UMPG

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Pat Higdon

Pat Higdon has exited his role as President of Universal Music Publishing Group, Nashville. “After almost 12 years at UMPG, it’s time for me to move on,” he told MusicRow. “I wish continued success to all the talented writers and staff. I’ve gone fishing for a few days but will be back in the game soon.”

He can be reached at [email protected].

A new head of the Nashville operation has not been named.

During Higdon’s tenure, UMPG Nashville scored recent hits including “You and Tequila,” “Hello World,” “Roll With It,” “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” “Bleed Red,” “Undo It,” “Mama’s Song,” “Temporary Home,” “Hillbilly Bone,” “Take a Back Road,” and “A Little Bit Stronger.”

In May 2009, Higdon was promoted to President. By then he had already been heading the Nashville office for 10 years, and held the title of Executive Vice President/General Manager.

The list of top writers that have trusted the songman with their careers include Don Schlitz, Josh Turner, Dave Loggins, Troy Verges, Rivers Rutherford, Lori McKenna, Ray Scott, Radney Foster, Shooter Jennings, Monty Powell, Matraca Berg, Anders Osborne, Gary Harrison, Troy Seals, Shawn Camp, JT Hodges and many more.

In his position with Universal, Higdon managed a catalog spanning from the 1940’s Folk/Blues of the Delmore Brothers, the 1950’s and 1960’s classics of Carl Perkins, Johnny Cash and Buddy Holly, country classics from Webb Pierce, Brenda Lee, Mel Tillis, and the works of Bob McDill, Pat Alger, Mel Tillis, Marijohn Wilkin, Stephanie Bentley, Gary Burr, Troy Verges, Craig Wiseman, Emmylou Harris, Marcus Hummon, and many more.

A Nashville native, Higdon broke into the music industry in the early ‘70s as a recording engineer at Nashville’s Woodland Sound before moving to Cedarwood Publishing. He then spent seven years with MCA Music, rising to MCA’s Vice President of Nashville operations. In the late ’80s, he moved to Warner/Chappell Music, where he served as Senior Director of Creative Services. In 1989 Higdon founded Patrick Joseph Music as a joint venture with Warner/Chappell. He established a similar relationship in 1992 with Los Angeles-based Windswept Pacific Entertainment. Following that success, he was tapped by UMPG.

Higdon’s exit is the latest in a series of major changes at the publishing giant. In April 2011 David Renzer exited his post as Chairman & CEO after a 15-year tenure at the company. In October 2011 Evan Lamberg was promoted to President of UMPG, North America. In his new role, Lamberg leads North American operations for the company, which includes Pop, Urban, Country, Latin, Christian/Gospel and Canadian divisions. He is based in UMPG’s Santa Monica headquarters. He reports to Zach Horowitz, Universal Music Group President & COO, and Lucian Grainge, UMG Chairman & CEO. Grainge has held his current post since longtime UMG chairman and CEO Doug Morris exited for a similar role at Sony Music in January 2011.

Pickler Hosts a Night of Canine Couture

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Susie Brown of the JaneDear girls models with a puppy named Russia

Last Saturday (1/21), the Nashville Humane Association (NHA) hosted its 2nd Annual Hollywoof Unleashed event at the Hutton Hotel in midtown Nashville. The event allowed the hotel to go to the dogs for the night. Attendees brought their canines as dates for an evening of food and fido-fashion. Emceed by Kellie Pickler, the night included a canine-friendly red carpet, a Pedigree dog buffet, a silent auction, a live auction, dinner and a runway show.

Each dog that walked the runway was available for adoption through NHA. All the canines that modeled sported a “couture” fashion look and were accompanied by celebrity dog walkers, including: Jimmy Wayne, Susie Brown, Allison DeMarcus, Sarah Darling, Heather Byrd, Margaret Ellis, Jeffrey Garner, Dean Miller and Russell Hitchcock among others. A number of dogs that modeled that night were promptly adopted the following day.

Pickler charmed the audience through the show, keeping it light-hearted and fun even when a few of the adoptable dogs got stage fright about strutting their stuff in a packed ballroom. “Show ’em a little love!” Pickler encouraged the crowd, when a shy black lab named Big Boy (walked by Wayne) suddenly had second thoughts about his runway debut.

Kellie Pickler and Caitlin Rantala

After the runway show, Pickler, who has a black and white Chihuahua affectionately named Moo Moo, stopped by the silent auction room to peruse the Baxter and Bailey stand. Silent auction items ranged from dog beds to Diana Ross tickets. In total, the silent auction raised over $5,000 for NHA.

Next month, Pickler is extending her fashionista style to feline counterparts. The Fresh Step brand has partnered with Pickler and fashion designer Geren Ford to design a limited-edition cat sweater.

Pickler models available sweater. Photo: Russ Harrington

Cat lovers who aren’t in the market for a new sweater can still participate in the good cause. The Fresh Step Facebook page houses an online application that lets people digitally place the Pickler sweater onto a photo of themselves on Facebook. The Fresh Step litter team will donate $1 to the ASPCA for every photo posted, through Mar. 15, 2012, up to $100,000.

“I collaborated with fellow cat lover and designer Geren Ford to create a sweater that we hope any cat parent would wear to show their kitty pride and that all animal lovers can wear in support of the ASPCA,” said Pickler.

The oatmeal heather-colored tunic “Kitty Crooner” sweater will be available for purchase online for $35 at www.aspcaonlinestore.com, with 100% of proceeds benefiting the ASPCA.

Pickler’s third studio album, 100 Proof, was released Tuesday (1/24).

Friday Snapshots (1/27/12)

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EMI Nashville’s Eric Paslay made his Grand Ole Opry debut over the weekend. The young artist’s new single will be available to country radio this spring.

(L-R): Capitol/EMI President/CEO Mike Dungan, Paslay, Grand Ole Opry GM/VP Pete Fisher

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Broken Bow’s James Wesley has signed with Bobby Roberts Company for booking representation. “We are honored to be a part of his team,” says Lance Roberts. “Our entire staff is dedicated to James and his music, we are excited about what the future holds for him.”

(L-R) back: Josh Garrett, Travis James; front: Tara Austin, Brian Jones, Broken Bow Artist James Wesley, Lance Roberts, Emily Long

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Actor and songwriter Patrick Muldoon recently joined the Country Music Association. Muldoon currently plays Austin Reed on NBC’s Days Of Our Lives.

(L-R): Betsy Walker, CMA Senior Coordinator of Member Relations and Services; Chip Peay, Chip Peay Entertainment; Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Patrick Muldoon; and Mike Sistad, ASCAP Senior Creative Director. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

Hall of Fame Exhibit Spotlights Red Dresses

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The dress worn by JaneDear girl Danelle Leverett (R) on the duo's album cover will be featured in the HoF's new exhibit.

A new spotlight exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature red dresses from artists including Sara Evans, Naomi Judd and Lorrie Morgan. Titled Something in Red, the exhibit opens Feb. 3 (National Wear Red Day) and runs through April in support of the American Heart Association and Go Red For Women.

Each red dress appears courtesy of the artists’ personal collection and collectively serve as a symbol for the fight against heart disease, which is the No. 1 killer of women.

Among the dresses featured:

  • Sara Evans’ full-length velvet sheath designed by Victor Costa, worn at the 1999 ACM Awards
  • Naomi Judd’s leather-like jacket and skirt designed by Esben and Vanessa Ware and the Judds, worn at the 1987 CMA Awards
  • The JaneDear girls’ Danelle Leverett’s strapless Daisy mini-dress, worn on the cover of the duo’s self-titled debut album; and Susie Brown’s cocktail dress, designed by Ryan Gamboa and worn at the 2011 ACM Awards
  • Lorrie Morgan’s full-length Caché gown, worn on the Grand Ole Opry
  • Julie Roberts’ one-shouldered, matte jersey cocktail gown made by Caché and worn on the Grand Ole Opry

Adkins Announces Ryman Tour Date

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Trace Adkins recently announced a special Songs & Stories Tour stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Trace will host a “homecoming” of sorts during the May 18 show in the city where he’s lived and worked for the last two decades.

The Ryman show will actually be the first time Adkins has performed a full-band performance at the venue. Tickets go on sale to fan club members on Monday, Jan. 30 and to the general public on Friday, Feb. 3.

“The point of this Tour is to get together and share meaningful songs, stories and some laughs ‘around the campfire’ – it’s the Country music tradition,” says Adkins. “The Ryman Auditorium also plays a very important role in the tradition of this genre, so it’s fitting that we would play this stage on this particular tour.”

Fans can share their own stories, questions and the songs that have inspired or shaped their lives on the Songs & Stories page at www.traceadkins.com.

Songwriters To Showcase Late Nights During CRS 2012

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Country songwriters will feature prominently among the special events of CRS 2012, particularly with newly planned after-hours series “Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley.”

The stripped down musical showcase will be held Wednesday and Thursday nights during CRS 2012, from 9:30 PM until midnight in the Renaissance Hotel’s Belmont Room. Playing the Acoustic Alley Wednesday night (Feb. 22) are Casey Beathard, Jim Beavers, Corey Crowder, Marv Green, David Lee, Wendell Mobley and Rivers Rutherford. Taking the stage on Thursday (Feb. 23) will be Rhett Akins, Tom Douglas, Ben Hayslip, and Jeffrey Steele. Bob Kingley’s Country Top 40 and SunTrust are the event sponsors.

“There’s nothing better than hearing a favorite song sung by the writer,” says Kingsley. “For a music lover, that’s as good as it gets!”

Other songwriter heavy events at CRS 2012 include WCRS Live! (with BMI writers Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby, and Lori McKenna) and KCRS Live! (with R&J Records songwriter/performers Jim Collins, Andy Gibson, Aaron Lewis, and Bobby Pinson).

Only CRS 2012 registrants may attend Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley and the Bridge Bar (sponsored by Cumulus and City National Bank). The regular $499 registration rate for the Feb. 22-24 seminar expires today (Jan. 27) and increases to $599 tomorrow. Register here.

CMA Salutes Triple Play Songwriters

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CMA congratulates this year's Triple Play Award winners at the annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon. Pictured (l-r): Troy Tomlinson (CMA Board President-Elect), Dallas Davidson, Luke Laird, Luke Bryan, Dave Turnbull, Rhett Akins, Jason Sellers, Casey Beathard, Chris DuBois, and Steve Moore (CMA CEO). Photographer: John Russell / CMA

Events at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum are always fantastic and Tuesday’s CMA Songwriters Luncheon in the Hall’s Conservatory was no exception. The occasion celebrated songwriters who penned three chart-topping hits in a 12 month period to earn the elusive CMA Triple Play Award.

Presiding over the occasion was CMA Board President-Elect Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville. “How someone can walk into a room with a blank legal pad and walk out with a song is magic,” he began. “They create something out of thin air that moves us. They put into words and music what the rest of us feel but can’t articulate.”

“Nashville is legendary for its songwriters and their ability to convey the triumphs and tragedies of everyday life,” agreed Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer, before beginning the trophyfest.

As awards were presented attendees nibbled on tasty mixed greens with raspberry vinaigrette, beef tenderloin, prawn skewers, creamy mashed potatoes, and a winter root vegetable medley. Cheesecake for dessert and wine offerings—including one of my personal faves Arrington Vineyards’ Stag’s White—brought smiles to the faces of many munchers.

Tomlinson’s affable demeanor lets him get away with plenty of good-natured ribbing. Songwriter honoree Jason Sellers was on the receiving end of a few friendly jokes from the podium after stumbling into the conservatory cascade pool while posing for a photo. “I’m soaked from the knees down,” he exclaimed while accepting his award.

Fellow honoree Casey Beathard also drew plenty of applause when Tomlinson noted that the songwriter with 25 top ten hits to his credit also has five children. “That’s a five to one ratio,” declared Tomlinson. “Go home and get busy making some more hits.”

Several artist-writers were among the winners. Luke Bryan arrived fresh from the studio, but scheduling conflicts prevented Brad Paisley, Hillary Scott, Taylor Swift, Zac Brown, and ZBB member Wyatt Durrette from attending. Good thing for Tomlinson, who admitted he had run out of adjectives for Swift a long time ago.

Nevertheless, there were plenty of adjectives and applause for honorees Dave Turnbull and Chris DuBois, Paisley’s frequent collaborators.

Garnering a remarkable two Triple Play Awards each were Brown and Dallas Davidson. After his standing ovation, Davidson looked at hometown buddy Bryan and recalled the early days when they stared at Triple Play Awards but earning one seemed next to impossible. He said, “I’m blessed to be able to do this for a living and I’ll never take it for granted.”

Rhett Akins qualified for a Triple Play Award when his song “I Don’t Want This Night To End” slid into the top spot on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout chart just before his 12 months was up. The song recently made its way to the top spots of both the BDS and Mediabase charts as well.

It’s no surprise that when a songwriter is on a roll, publisher BJ Hill calls it “Luke Lairding.” That hitmaker, who is starting his own publishing company with wife Beth, said gratefully, “I love music so much and I feel blessed by God to get to make it every day.”

“Any songwriter realizes that to get a song recorded and then have it make it to the top of the charts requires the alignment of every single star in the universe,” summed Tomlinson. “But to have three songs do that in such a short period of time is truly exceptional.”

CMA Triple Play Award winners

Rhett Akins: “Honey Bee,” “Take a Back Road,” “I Don’t Want This Night to End”
Casey Beathard: “The Boys of Fall,” “Come Back Song,” “Just Fishin'”
Zac Brown: “Highway 20 Ride,” “Free,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather,” “Knee Deep,” “Keep Me in Mind”
Luke Bryan: “Rain is a Good Thing,” “Someone Else Calling You Baby,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me)”
Dallas Davidson: “All About Tonight,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Country Girl (Shake It for Me),” “All Over Me,” “Just a Kiss,” “We Owned the Night”
Chris DuBois: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
Wyatt Durrette: “Highway 20 Ride,” “As She’s Walking Away,” “Colder Weather”
Luke Laird: “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Take a Back Road,” “Drink In My Hand”
Brad Paisley: “Water,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”
Hillary Scott: “Our Kind of Love,” “A Little Bit Stronger,” “Just a Kiss”
Jason Sellers: “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” “I Won’t Let Go,” “I Got You”
Taylor Swift: “Mine,” “Back to December,” “Mean”
Dave Turnbull: “The Boys of Fall,” “Anything Like Me,” “Old Alabama”