Rascal Flatts To Receive Humanitarian Award At CRS 2012

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Big Machine’s Rascal Flatts has been named the recipient of the CRS 2012 Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented at Country Radio Seminar Wednesday, Feb. 22.

The multi-platinum trio will be given the honor based on their charitable contributions and humanitarian efforts through their career. In 2010, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney donated $3 million to the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt’s Pediatric Surgery Center. They also serve as spokespersons for the national suicide prevention organization, The Jason Foundation, and have been members of the American Red Cross Celebrity Cabinet for seven years.

“The board is very pleased to honor Rascal Flatts with the CRS Artist Humanitarian Award,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “They join a long, distinguished list of celebrities who have received this prestigious award since it was instated in 1990.”

The honor will be presented to the group at 10:30 AM/CT on Feb. 22 in the Nashville Convention Center immediately following the seminar’s Keynote Address. CRS 2012 runs Feb. 22-24 in downtown Nashville. The $499 regular registration rate expires this Friday, Jan. 27 and increases to $599.

GAC Focuses On Fan Engagement

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Kellie Pickler chats with Suzanne Alexander and fans live on Facebook.com/GAC following "The Collection." Photo by Cheryl Ecton

GAC is focusing on fan interaction in 2012. On Wednesday the network hosted a live event with Kellie Pickler, allowing viewers to send in questions for the star via Facebook, Twitter or phone. It was the first live episode of The Collection, one of the network’s most popular shows, where artists reflect on their careers by looking back at their videos in chronological order. The artists join host Storme Warren to discuss what was going on in their lives at the time of each video and share details about the shoot.

Pickler and her videos are a consistent favorite of GAC viewers, so an hour with her was an ideal opportunity to try on-air viewer interaction, according to GM/SVP Sarah Trahern and VP/Programming, Suzanne Gordon. Producers let fans program the show by selecting which of Pickler’s videos they’d like to see. Plus, the singer’s feisty brand of humor and quick-wit make her a natural for a live setting. After the show, she joined GAC host Suzanne Alexander for an additional hour engaging fans through an online chat on the GAC Facebook page.

Trahern and Gordon say that viewers can expect more live, interactive programming throughout this year. The network—available in 62 million households—will continue to focus on fan engagement as it debuts new series this spring and brings back other recent additions to the lineup.

Fans were front and center when the network paired Trace Adkins and Exile for a remake of the latter’s ‘70s hit “Kiss You All Over.” Fans were allowed to join them in the studio for the show Hit Exchange, which aired in December.

Scheduled to return in 2012 is the Day Jobs series, which takes stars back to their first jobs. Also on the docket is the return of Tom’s Wild Life, which mixes legendary outfitter, hunter and cowboy Tom McMillan with celebrity clients including Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton at his Kansas ranch. Meanwhile, Warren’s news vehicle Headline Country will up the ante from twice monthly to weekly in 2012.

Fan voting has long been a key part of GAC’s countdown shows, including the Top 20 Country Countdown, and the new Top 50 Videos of the 2000s.

In recent years a partnership with the ACM has helped the network and the ACM Awards boost fan engagement. GACtv.com is hosting fan voting for the ACM New Artist of the Year Award. The eight nominees are also featured on GAC’s ACM Showcase show, where Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, JT Hodges, Scotty McCreery, Justin Moore, David Nail, Jerrod Niemann and Thompson Square are interviewed by Warren. Online fan voting to select the final three nominees closes Monday, Jan. 30, 12:00 pm/Eastern.

GAC will then feature the three finalists in a performance special, premiering Monday, March 19. That will be followed by a final round of online voting beginning Monday, March 19 at VoteACM.com.

The New Artist of the Year trophy will be handed out at the April 1 ACM Awards, where GAC will offer live red carpet coverage from the event in Las Vegas.

MusicRow Hires Eric Parker

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Eric Parker. Photo: Dabble Travel Magazine

MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson announces the hiring of Eric Parker as Marketing Manager. The newly-created position entails marketing initiatives for MusicRow web and print publications, RowFax song pitch-sheet, and the CountryBreakout Chart.

Parker will also coordinate the publication’s annual events including the MusicRow Awards, and the CRS CountryBreakout Chart Meet & Greet and Awards.

“Eric’s innovative marketing ideas and attention to detail will be essential as we expand the footprint of MusicRow,” says Robertson. “I am proud to have him on board as we continue to serve the music industry at the highest level.”

Parker began at MusicRow in 2010 as an intern to assist Chart Director/Managing Editor Jon Freeman with the CountryBreakout Chart and has since served as an editorial contributor. Parker split time at MusicRow while working with Bluewater Music in the copyright department, contributing as travel editor for Dabble travel magazine, and working with the production efforts of Nashville’s Ovvio Arte.

He holds a degree in Entertainment and Music Business from Belmont with intern experience including UMG’s A&R department, Starstruck Management, S1 Publishing, Tom-Leis Publishing, and EB Media.

Parker can be reached at [email protected].

New Catalog Purchase For Carlin America

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Bruce Cockburn. Photo: Kevin Kelly

Rotten Kiddies Music, a subsidiary of independent publisher Carlin America, has announced the acquisition of Canadian songwriter Bruce Cockburn’s catalog.

An Ottawa native with over 30 albums to his credit, Cockburn has landed nine Top 10 singles over the course of his career. Hits such as “Going To The Country” (1970), “Wondering Where the Lions Are” (1979), and “Lovers In A Dangerous Time” (1984) all performed well and brought Cockburn acclaim.

An accomplished guitarist, Cockburn has also composed works for television and film including the opening and closing credits to children’s series Franklin. As a songwriter, his works have been recorded by a diverse collection of artists such as Chet Atkins, Barenaked Ladies, Jimmy Buffet, Elbow, Dan Fogelberg, the Jerry Garcia Band, k.d. lang, and more.

“The time seemed right to try to bring this music to the attention of a wider audience,” says Cockburn. “When the people at Carlin expressed interest in buying the catalog it felt like the songs had found a perfect home. l’m looking forward to working with them.”

Kobalt Expands Into Label Services With Major Acquisition

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Kobalt Music Group is expanding with the launch of an Artist and Label Services division, as well as a 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. Through the acquisition, Kobalt obtains access to AWAL’s worldwide distribution network of more than 200 digital retail partners, including iTunes, Amazon, Spotify, eMusic, Rhapsody, 7Digital, Beatport, Deezer, Nokia and 247.

During the coming year Kobalt Artist and Label Services division will roll out next generation services for artists and labels worldwide, offering digital retail, subscription, D2C and social media services, and advanced data analytics.

“Our expansion and launch of Kobalt’s Artist and Label Services division and the acquisition of AWAL is a response to our clients’ needs and to a major shift in where we see the market is heading,” said Willard Ahdritz, CEO and Founder of Kobalt Music Group. “With an efficient platform, direct distribution channel, a successful track record and strong management, AWAL was built on similar core values of transparency and integrity as Kobalt was. This acquisition is a building block in Kobalt’s long-term strategy of creating a new kind of full music service alternative for rights holders including artists and labels.”

AWAL will remain a standalone company within Kobalt Music Group. The company is expected to expand and will continue to operate independently from its London and Sheffield offices.

Paul Hitchman will serve as Managing Director of Kobalt Artist and Label Services, effective Feb. 1. Hitchman’s career includes co-founding the European digital music companies Playlouder, MSP and CI, as well as time at Warner Music UK and Arista/BMG UK. AWAL’s management team of Kevin Bacon, Jonathan Quarmby, Denzyl Feigelson and Paul Bower will remain intact reporting to Hitchman.

Kobalt Neighbouring Rights Limited (KNRL) has tapped Hans van Berkel, Founder and former CEO of leading rights society SENA, as KNRL Executive Chairman. In the U.S., John Simson, former executive director of SoundExchange, will serve as U.S. Representative for Artist Relations and Business Development. Sabine Jones, who previously ran neighboring rights societies PAMRA (UK) and SWISSPERFORM, has joined as KNRL Managing Director.

Producer and Songwriter Larry Butler Passes

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Award-winning producer, songwriter, and musician Larry Butler passed away in his sleep yesterday (Jan. 19) at home in Pensacola, Florida. He was 69 years old.

The first and only Nashville producer to win the Grammy for Producer of the Year, Butler experienced his greatest successes as Kenny Rogers’ producer. Their collaboration resulted in landmark hits for Rogers, including “Lucille,” “She Believes In Me,” “The Gambler,” “Love Or Something Like It,” and “Coward of the County.”

Pensacola native Larry Lee Butler’s musical career began at age six when he joined the Harry James Orchestra. He moved to Nashville in 1963, after encouragement from publisher Buddy Killen.

He began landing session work, playing piano on hits like Conway Twitty’s “Hello Darlin” and Bobby Goldsboro’s “Honey.” His musical contributions also appear on cuts by Johnny Cash, Roger Miller, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, and many, many more.

In the late 1960s, Butler moved to Memphis and began working with songwriter Chips Moman in the group the Gentrys, who scored hits with “Keep On Dancin’” and “Every Day I Have To Cry Some.”

Butler later returned to Nashville and joined United Artists Records as head of the label’s Nashville office. Under his guidance, the label helped launch the successful careers of Kenny Rogers, Crystal Gayle, Dottie West and the Kendalls.

He won a Song of the Year Grammy for “(Hey Won’t You Play) Another Somebody Done Somebody Wrong Song,” another Chips Moman co-write that B.J. Thomas took to No. 1 in 1975. In 1979, Butler earned his Grammy for Producer of the Year. He launched a publishing company in 1984, signing writers Mickey Newbury, Dean Dillon and Julie Didier and landed the George Strait hits “The Chair” and “Ocean Front Property.” For his multitude of accomplishments, the University of West Florida awarded him with an Honorary Doctorate of Performing Arts.

He is survived by his wife Peggy Maultsby Butler, daughter Schanda Butler Olsson, grandson Justin, sister Alva Chop and numerous other extended family members and friends.

Memorial services will be held in Pensacola, Florida Tuesday, January 24 at 11:11 AM at Perdido Bay United Methodist Community Center. A celebration of Butler’s life will be held in Nashville at a later date.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be sent to Belmont University, Don Gant Scholarship, Office of Development, 1900 Belmont Ave., Nashville, TN 37212.

Artist Updates (1/20/12)

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(L-R): Morgan, Marc Womack (Co-Producer, Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors) Photo: Joshua Glaudin/Outdoor Channel

Craig Morgan earned two honors at the Outdoor Channel’s 12th Annual Golden Moose Awards last night (Jan. 19) in Las Vegas. Morgan was awarded in the categories Best Turkey and Best Deer from his Outdoor series Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors. “I cannot tell you what an honor it is to get recognition for the show,” says Morgan. “Along with being so much fun to create it’s also a lot of hard work. For the industry to acknowledge our show is an amazing feeling.” Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors airs Saturdays at 10 AM/CT.

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Shortly after making his national TV debut, Craig Campbell will return to the small screen Sunday, January 22 to perform his new single “When I Get It” on Fox News Channel’s Huckabee. The episode airs at 7 PM and 10 PM/CT. Campbell has also released a video for the single, a continuous take concept shot by director Wes Edwards and featuring his band members playing repo-men.

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Curb Records’ artist Clay Walker will be featured on the Monday, January 23 episode of ABC’s The Bachelor. Walker is slated to perform a surprise concert for bachelor Ben Flajnik and his date in Park City, Utah. The episode airs at 7 PM/CT. Walker’s current single “Like We Never Said Goodbye” is currently impacting country radio.

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According to CMT.com, duo Steel Magnolia (Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey) has parted ways with Big Machine Records. The pair signed to the label after winning CMT’s Can You Duet in 2009, and notched a hit single with “Keep On Lovin’ You.” In Fall 2011, Jones sought addiction treatment at a rehab facility and Linsey enlisted James Otto to help finish the duo’s tour with Reba.

Hayes to Visit GMA, Launch Virtual Mixing Board

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Warner Music Nashville’s resident multi-instrumental wiz Hunter Hayes will make his Good Morning America debut Monday, Jan. 23 perform his current hit single “Storm Warning.” Hayes will also host WKMK/Monmouth’s morning show Jan. 25 before his performance that evening at New York’s Highline Ballroom. That gig is a solo headlining show between stops on Rascal Flatts’ Thaw Out 2012 tour. Full dates with Flatts are here.

Additionally, Hayes is launching “MixBoard Experience” Jan. 23 on his website, where fans can use a virtual mixing board to create their own audio and video versions of “Storm Warning.” The mixer features five different videos that comprise different parts of the song including drums, bass, vocal, acoustic and utility. Users can experiment with volume levels, muting sections, solos, and more to create a custom mix. Check it out here.

Photo Friday (1/20/12)

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The inaugural Crested Butte Songwriters Festival took place January 13-15. Presented by BMI, Texas Roadhouse, Coors, and Crested Butte Mountain Resort, the fest revolved around days full of skiing and nights full of music, delivered by singer/songwriters like Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Mac Davis, Marti Frederiksen, Jake Owen, Kristen Kelly, Nicolle Galyon, Emily Shackelton, Kristy Lee Cook, Rodney Clawson and Crested Butte local favorites Tyler Hansen, Steve Snyder and David Paulik. Proceeds benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation and Tough Enough to Wear Pink.

(L-R, back row): host Storme Warren, Robert Earl Keen, Kristy Lee Cook, Mac Davis, Nicolle Galyon, Marti Frederiksen, Kristen Kelly, Dean Dillon, Emily Shackelton and Rodney Clawson; (front row) BMI’s Mary Loving, Julie Stuckey and Tom Anastas; Coors’ Lance Beam; and BMI’s Clay Bradley, Mark Mason and Mason Hunter. Photo by Alex Fenlon

 

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The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) welcomed creative director, wardrobe stylist and entrepreneur Kyah Hillis to the organization’s first monthly membership meeting of the year recently at NSAI‘s headquarters. Hillis spoke to WMBA members about working with clients to build a brand around an image. She shared industry secrets and current trends, and demonstrated hands-on tips that work for both artists and everyday professionals. Following the meeting, Hillis treated the members to an exclusive tour of her new mobile boutique, The Trunk. For more information on the WMBA, visit wmbanashville.org.

(L to R): Rachel Rodriguez, Leona Edwards, Trina Lloyd-Weidner, Darcy Ferris, Brandi Simms, Kyah Hillis, Kama Upton, Becky Lynn Street, and Becky McIntosh

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Lee Brice recently performed “A Woman Like You” for Ram’s “Country Covers” Session taping at Yahoo! Studios in Los Angeles. The single is currently No. 20 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

(L-R): David Fleming, Producer, Ram Country/Yahoo Originals; Claire Cook, Webster PR; Ed Bunker, No Problem! Marketing; Wendy Hermanson, Yahoo! Country; and Curb artist Lee Brice.

 

Carrie Underwood, Steven Tyler Meet at Crossroads

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Carrie Underwood and Aerosmith front man Steven Tyler will perform together in a new episode of CMT Crossroads set to air Feb. 4, the night before Super Bowl XLVI as part of the Pepsi Superbowl Fan Jam. The private event will take place from the Pepsi Coliseum at the Indiana State Fair Grounds.

In 2011, Underwood and Tyler performed “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” together on the 2011 ACM Awards.

As Aerosmith’s lead singer, Tyler has become one of rock’s most popular vocalists. He joined Randy Jackson and Jennifer Lopez on the judging panel for the 2010 season of American Idol and was featured in the Jan. 1 premiere of Oprah’s Next Chapter on her OWN network. Underwood recently celebrated more than 14 million in album sales and is nominated for a Grammy for her co-written single “Mama’s Song.”

Crossroads is produced by Tom Forrest and Kathryn Russ.