CMA to Announce 2012 Hall of Fame Inductees

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The CMA will reveal this year’s three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame at a private event tomorrow, March 6, at 9:30 AM CT. Fans will be able to watch the live announcement online at www.livestream.com/CMA.

While viewing the event, fans logged in via Twitter or Facebook will be able to interact and discuss the announcement via the LiveStream chat box. The official Twitter hashtag is #CMHOF.

CMA 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 year’s inductees were Jean Shepard, Bobby Braddock and Reba McEntire.

CMA Presents International Media Award

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(L-R): Marie Moloney and Steve Moore. Photo: Katura Jensen

London based publicist Marie Moloney, Senior Press Officer with Richard Wootton Publicity, was recently presented with the 2011 Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award. The award was presented by CMA CEO Steve Moore during a BMI sponsored dinner honoring Bill Anderson, Clint Black, and Bob DiPiero. The musicians were performing in the United Kingdom and Ireland for “The BMI and CMA Presents the CMA Songwriter Series.” This was the first international session of the CMA Songwriter Series.

The Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award recognizes outstanding achievements in the media, which contribute to the development of Country Music outside the United States. Moloney joined Richard Wootton Publicity in 1999, and has used her knowledge of the genre to publicize Country artists and events in the UK media. She has been involved with media campaigns for artists including Brooks & Dunn, Kenny Chesney, Dixie Chicks, Sara Evans, Alan Jackson, Miranda Lambert, Lonestar, Martina McBride, Brad Paisley, and Gretchen Wilson, as well as the CMA’s New from Nashville campaigns aimed at raising the profile of newer Country artists in the UK.

 

MusicRow Reveals Rising Women Honorees

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MusicRow is proud to announce the inaugural Rising Women on the Row honors will be presented to Mary Hilliard Harrington, Shannan Hatch, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens and Carla Wallace.

“It’s an honor to recognize these five accomplished women who have made such substantial contributions to the Nashville music industry, and continue to rise in their achievements,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “We are fortunate to be able to offer an event where we can gather to celebrate these honorees, as well as salute all women in our industry, whose efforts greatly contribute to its success.”

This year’s honorees will be feted at a private sit-down breakfast and ceremony set for Friday, March 16, 2012, 8:30 a.m. at Maggiano’s Little Italy. Due to high demand, no additional tickets are available at this time. To be put on a waiting list, email [email protected].

The Rising Women on the Row breakfast joins other annual events hosted by MusicRow, including the CRS Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, and the reader-voted MusicRow Awards.

Mary Hilliard Harrington

Mary Hilliard Harrington—President, The GreenRoom
Harrington’s self-built publicity company reps major stars including Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, and many more. Her multifaceted office also handles day-to-day management for Bentley. She serves on the Country Music Association board of directors, and the Academy of Country Music board of directors.

Shannan Hatch

Shannan Hatch—Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC
During her tenure with SESAC, Hatch has signed hit songwriters including Monty Powell, Craig Campbell, Jon Stone and Rob Hatch. She joined the organization in 2002 and was promoted to her current post in January 2011. Hatch also handles SESAC-sponsored events including Tin Pan South, and the Key West Songwriters Festival. She is involved with the Miller Harris Foundation and Musicians On Call.

Heather McBee

Heather McBee—Vice President, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives, Sony Music Nashville
McBee strives to find innovative ways to market Sony Music artists, and works to guide the label group through the digital music space. She interned with the label while attending Belmont University and has risen through the ranks. McBee was promoted to her current post in December 2011. She is also a Leadership Music alumna.

Denise Stevens

Denise Stevens—Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Stevens’ legal work includes drafting The Songwriters Capital Gains Tax Equity Act for client NSAI, as well as due diligence review and analysis of Warner Music Group’s sale to Access Industries. Her clients include Carrie Underwood, Wynonna, Loretta Lynn, Amy Grant, Third Day and Switchfoot. She is a Leadership Music alumna, and serves on the GMA Foundation board.

Carla Wallace

Carla Wallace—Co-Owner, VP Creative, Big Yellow Dog Music
Wallace oversees day-to-day operations of this publishing company, which she launched in 1998 with co-owner Kerry O’Neil. In recent years, the company scored big with landmark hits “Need You Now” and “Before He Cheats.” Big Yellow Dog received ASCAP’s Global Impact Award in 2011. Wallace is a Leadership Music alumna, and is involved with NARAS and the Nashville Humane Association.

Symphony Fashion Show Shines With Oscar de la Renta, Carrie Underwood

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Select gowns in Oscar de la Renta's Pre-Fall 2012 collection. Photo: Nashville Symphony

Carrie Underwood at last night's event. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Fashion is where art meets life, and last night (2/28) Nashville experienced the effect first hand.

The exclusive preview of acclaimed designer Oscar de la Renta’s Pre-Fall 2012 collection concluded with a performance by Carrie Underwood—a frequent face on best-dressed lists. Backed by a full band, she offered a three-song acoustic set including brand new single “Good Girl,” and hits “Undo It” and “Before He Cheats.”

Storme Warren hosted the sold-out fundraiser for the Symphony’s education initiatives, an annual event which attracts Music City socialites dressed in their fashion-forward finest. This year organizers teamed with Nordstrom to present the evening.

The Schermerhorn is a gorgeous backdrop for a runway showcase. The Symphony’s string ensemble opened the event. A DJ spinning dance mixes of Coldplay’s “Paradise” and other tracks upped the tempo as a series of models in striking black and white designs started the fashion parade. More bold patterns followed, as well as brightly colored solids—some of the coming season’s hottest hues are cranberry and electric blue.

De la Renta’s collection ranges from casual, cozy sweaters to formal gowns in shades of muted gold and soft pinks. Several show-stopping dresses drew applause from the crowd.

The evening continued with an exclusive dinner across the street at the Pinnacle Building, attended by patrons who supported the cause with $300 tickets. Less expensive tickets were available and included cocktail hour and the fashion show.

Underwood and band in front of the de la Renta backdrop. Photo: Royce DeGrie

Photo Friday (3/02/12)

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ASCAP recently presented its second installment of ASCAP Amped to an industry crowd at Margaritaville in downtown Nashville. Chatterbox writer Allison Veltz, Universal Publishing writer Corey Crowder and Bigger Picture writer Brandy Clark each played 30 minute sets with their bands.

(L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Brandy Clark, Corey Crowder, Allison Veltz, ASCAP's Robert Filhart and LeAnn Phelan. Photo: Tinti Moffat

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BMI presented a lineup of singer/songwriters on Friday, February 24 during the 2012 Folk Alliance Conference in Memphis. Sarah Siskind, Jon Troast, Carolina Story, Eric Brace & Peter Cooper, Jason White, Ana Egge, Malcolm Holcombe, Anthony Da Costa, and Chris Scruggs each performed at the show.

(L-R): Eric Brace, BMI’s Bradley Collins, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Erika Goldring

INgrooves Acquires Fontana Distribution

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Big news for the independent music community today (3/2), as leading digital distribution/marketing/technology provider INgrooves has acquired Fontana Distribution from Universal Music Group. The new company, INgrooves Fontana, aims to provide a complete solution to independent labels by combining INgrooves’ asset management and distribution platform with Fontana’s physical distribution capabilities. Financial terms of the deal have not been disclosed, but UMG will hold a minority interest in INgrooves.

“Through this acquisition, we are now able to offer the independent music community a fully integrated physical and digital distribution marketing solution in North America,” said INgrooves founder Robb McDaniels. “We believe that a successful relationship between distributor and label is, at its root, a flexible structure with a transparent flow of information. By combining INgrooves and Fontana, we will be able to extend this philosophy into a comprehensive distribution operation that provides our collective client base with a larger sales force, more marketing resources and a one-stop global retail network that maximizes opportunities in this dynamic, challenging environment.”

INgrooves Fontana will be run by INgrooves President Dave Zierler and Fontana President Ron Spaulding. The new company will continue to work with UMG’s sales forces to support physical releases.

The combined forces represent a host of popular indie labels including Fat Possum, Nettwerk, Dualtone, Rostrum Records, ESL Music, Metropolis, OM Records, Vagrant Records, Strange Music, Watertower Music, Downtown Records and Music World among others.

Connectivity Defines “Generation C”

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A new report from Nielsen dubs Americans ages 18-34 Generation C (for Connected). As music marketers try to reach digitally connected fans, these new findings show where Gen C spends time online, and its love of mobile devices.

Generation C makes up 23 percent of the U.S. population, according to the latest Census. These connected individuals account for a disproportionately high number of device users, making up 39 percent of smartphone users, and 33 percent of tablet owners.

The group represents 27 percent each of consumers watching online video, and visiting social networking/blog sites. One benefit for marketers is that Generation C is engaged in so many ways that there are multiple touch points to reach them.

Marketing to Gen C is full of challenges and opportunities. Radha Subramanyam, Nielsen’s SVP of media analytics, told the LA Times, “When we start marketing to them, we have to think differently. They’re consuming all different kinds of media, and they expect a direct relationship with brands…. This voracious device usage, which is almost an extension of their fingers, is tied to [their] expectations for instantaneous gratification and instantaneous response from brands.”

The charts below examine digital consumers across a variety of age groups and ethnicities.

 

Source: Nielsen

 

Big Yellow Dog Music Launches Label

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Successful publishing company Big Yellow Dog Music has launched a label side, and its first release will be songwriter Logan Mize’s debut album Nobody In Nashville. Co-produced by Mize and fellow Big Yellow Dog songwriter Daniel Tashian, Nobody In Nashville is due out March 13.

“I definitely don’t try to think about other artists when I’m writing,” says Mize. “I want to pull straight from my own head, I keep it my own for sure.”

A native of Wichita, KS, Mize played football at Southern Illinois University before he began writing songs. He juggled pay-the-rent jobs  after moving to Nashville, eventually landing his publishing deal with Big Yellow Dog. Co-writers on Nobody In Nashville include Tashian, Liz Rose, Mark D. Sanders, Bob DiPiero, and Blake Chaffin.

Gibson Launches Artist In Residency Program

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Gibson Custom, a division of Gibson Guitar, announced today (3/2) its exclusive Artist in Residency program. The new program, based in Nashville, was established to inspire fine art through the support of established and emerging artists.

“This program is dear to our heart and it wonderfully combines our love of music and art,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “We believe that having artists here will promote a great symbiotic relationship—and that they will inspire us and, hopefully, we will have the same impact on them.”

Artists interested in participating in the program will be invited to email samples of their work and a short essay as to why they should be considered to [email protected]. In addition to global promotional support provided by Gibson, artists selected will receive residency and housing in the Nashville area, studio space and a materials budget. Inspired by Gibson, but not encumbered by strict boundaries or restrictions, the program’s sole requirement is that at least two commercially viable works of art be created during the residency.

James A. Willis, the program’s inaugural artist, has been profiled in American Art Collector, Art & Antiques, and RefuelMagazine.com, among others and is currently the recipient of a studio space endowment from CHASHAMA, a nonprofit arts organization based in New York City. Following his residency, he will remain an integral part of the program as chairman and aid in the selection process of future artists.

Lifenotes (3/02/12)

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MusicRow extends its condolences to GrassRoots Promotion Managing Partner Nancy Tunick in the loss of her mother Joy Tunick-Green of Kennett Square, PA. She passed away Feb. 28 following a battle with cancer. She was 74. Funeral services are being held today at Mt. Sharon Cemetery in Springfield, PA.

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Condolences also to veteran music publicist Judy McDonough of JEMMedia, whose mother Dolores McDonough passed away in St. Louis on March 1 after an extended illness. She was 79. Final arrangements are pending.