Industry Ink (4/26/12)

Ronnie Milsap, Jamey Johnson, and Third Day have joined the expanding lineup for BamaJam 2012, set for June 14-16 in Enterprise Alabama. Previously announced performers include Kid Rock, Tim McGraw, Zac Brown Band, Alan Jackson, Eric Church, Willie Nelson, Sheryl Crow, NEEDTOBREATHE, Casey James, Gov’t Mule, Uncle Kracker, Yelawolf and more. Tickets are available here.

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Jason Charles Miller has signed a recording agreement with Nashville-based Render Records, it was announced recently by Render co-founder Steve Freeman. Miller was previously leader of the rock band Godhead, which was signed to Marilyn Manson’s Posthuman Records and sold over 200k albums. A Virginia native, Miller has been spending recent years rekindling his love of country music. His first single “Up To Me” ships to country radio May 1.

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Matthew Gordon’s The Dynamiter and David Fine’s Salaam Dunk earned the top prizes at the 2012 Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) presented by Nissan. The Dynamiter, which took the Bridgestone Narrative Competition Grand Jury Prize, is the tale of a young boy without his mother and looking at a future of social services. Salaam Dunk is a profile of the triumphs and challenges experienced by the American University of Iraq’s women’s basketball team and captured the Documentary Competition Grand Jury Prize. Best actor honors went to William Ruffin, for his performance in The Dynamiter. A full list of festival winners is here.

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Franklin-based Seabourne Pictures has announced that DreamWorks Animation executive Rick Rekedal has joined the company’s board of advisors. Rekedal’s efforts at DreamWorks has helped launch franchises like Shrek, Madagascar, Kung Fu Panda and more. Recently, Seabourne premiered its 2012 feature After (directed by Ryan Smith) at the 2012 NaFF.

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Singer/songwriter Jessica Campbell has signed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with Franklin-based The MWS Group. Campbell’s album Great Escape appeared in 2011 and she has placed songs on ABC’s Ugly Betty, CBC’s Heartland, and the CW’s Hart of Dixie. The MWS roster also includes Kyle Lee and Michael W. Smith.

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The winner of the Arts & Business Council’s 2012 Music City Corporate Band Challenge, which was held Monday (4/23) at the Wildhorse Saloon, was The Hummingirds from Avenue Bank. In second place was Totally Booked from Hutton Hotel, and third place went to Three Day Weekend from First Tennessee. The top three teams received cash prizes to donate to the arts organization of their choice. Judges for the competition included Kitty Moon Emery (Kitty Moon Enterprises), Tony Conway (of Conway Entertainment Group), and Gary Kraen (PD/Operations at Lightning 100). More info here.

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Bluegrass music documentary The Porchlight Sessions has four days left in its Kickstarter  campaign to raise $60,000. Currently the campaign has over $52k raised. Learn about the project here.