Levon Helm Dies at 71 [Updated]

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Photo: Ahron R. Foster

According to a post on his website, Levon Helm, singer and drummer for The Band, passed away at age 71 today (4/19):

Levon Helm passed peacefully this afternoon. He was surrounded by family, friends, and band mates and will be remembered by all he touched as a brilliant musician and a beautiful soul.

Yesterday (4/18) the music community expressed grief over the announcement that Helm was in the “final stages” of throat cancer. Helm’s wife and daughter gave the following statement:

Dear Friends,
Levon is in the final stages of his battle with cancer. Please send your prayers and love to him as he makes his way through this part of his journey.

Thank you fans and music lovers who have made his life so filled with joy and celebration… he has loved nothing more than to play, to fill the room up with music, lay down the back beat, and make the people dance! He did it every time he took the stage…

We appreciate all the love and support and concern.
From his daughter Amy, and wife Sandy

Born in Arkansas in 1940, Helm joined up with rockabilly legend Ronnie Hawkins’ band after finishing high school and the group moved to Canada. Along with Hawkins, he joined with fellow Band members Robbie Robertson, Rick Danko, Richard Manuel, and Garth Hudson in backing up Bob Dylan for the icon’s mid-60s switch to rock music.

As the drummer and one of the lead singers for The Band, Helm’s talents propelled classic hits like “Up On Cripple Creek” and “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and inspired a generation of roots-oriented musicians. The Band was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 1994. Helm is the third member of the group to pass away, following Richard Manuel (in 1986) and Rick Danko (in 1999).

Helm has also appeared in a handful of movies, notably as Loretta Lynn’s father in Coal Miner’s Daughter, as well as in The Right Stuff, Shooter, Fire Down Below, and more. The Band also got its own film treatment when director Martin Scorcese documented the group’s 1976 farewell performance in The Last Waltz (see video below).

In the late ‘90s, Helm was diagnosed with throat cancer and endured intense radiation treatments that left his vocal cords damaged. The sickness nearly ended his career, but he returned to the stage with his Midnight Ramble and eventually regained his singing ability. His 2007 album Dirt Farmer earned a Grammy Award for Traditional Folk Album, and he won Best Americana Album Grammy Awards for 2009’s Electric Dirt and 2011’s Ramble At the Ryman. Guest performers at Ramble concerts have included Elvis Costello, Allen Toussaint, Emmylou Harris, Gillian Welch, David Rawlings, Kris Kristofferson, Norah Jones, and many more.

GAC’s “Noteworthy at the Opry” to Premiere with Urban’s Induction

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Noteworthy at the Opry on GAC is the next chapter in the Grand Ole Opry’s television presence. A special live sneak peek episode will air this Saturday (4/21) at 8 pm CT and will feature the induction of the Opry’s newest member Keith Urban. In addition to Urban’s induction, the episode will feature interviews and performances by Trace Adkins and Josh Turner.

“Keith Urban’s Opry induction this Saturday will provide the perfect sneak peek of our new series, Noteworthy at the Opry, which is set to rollout in late May,” said GAC GM/SVP Sarah Trahern.  “Keith will share career highlights that brought him to this place in the Opry family while Trace Adkins and Josh Turner will be featured in performances and in-depth interviews.”

While musical performances and personal, inside stories from the top acts in country music are at the heart of this new series, fans will also hear from other celebrities and stars of other musical genres interviewed about the artists and music featured in each episode.

“The one thing that could make Keith Urban’s Opry induction this Saturday even more exciting is to let fans watch the induction live on GAC as an exclusive early look at our new series,” said Opry VP/GM Pete Fisher. “We are thrilled to work with GAC to share Keith’s Opry moment with fans across the country, and we’re looking forward to the launch of a great new series later this spring.”

Noteworthy at the Opry premieres as a 16-episode series Saturday, May 26, on GAC.

Inspirational Country Music Week Set For October

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The Inspirational Country Music Association Faith, Family & Country 20th Anniversary Awards Week will take place October 14-18, 2012 at the Millenium Maxwell House Hotel in Nashville and celebrate two decades of success since the foundation of the original Christian Country Music Association.

Inside Edition correspondent Megan Alexander and Headline Country host Storme Warren will return to co-host the 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center October 18.

Also among the week’s events is the ICM Faith Family and Country 20 Year Home Coming Concert Celebration, a tribute to the past 20 years of inspirational country music that is open and free to the public. Additional festivities include showcases, a songwriting contest, seminars, a talent competition, and more.

Tickets go on sale May 1. More info here.

Nashville Film Festival Begins Today

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The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF), presented by Nissan, starts today (4/19) at the Regal Green Hills Cinemas, running a full week until next Thursday (4/26).

The festival will open with dual premieres of After, directed by Ryan Smith, and Beauty is Embarassing, directed by Neil Berkeley.

Big Easy Express

Musical films are always a highlight of NaFF, and this year’s selections will include co-closer Big Easy Express, co-presented by the Americana Music Association and Nashville Scene. The film follows Old Crow Medicine Show, Mumford & Sons, and Edward Sharpe & the Magnetic Zeros on a train journey from California to Louisiana. The film will screen for free at 8 pm Thursday (4/26) in Nashville’s Centennial Park. Also closing the festival is the documentary Paul Williams: Still Alive, about the legendary songwriter and music executive.

Songwriter Hank Cochran will be the focus of a bio-documentary called Hank Cochran: Livin’ For a Song. Wes Pryor of Reel Cool Films directed the film, which features appearances by Willie Nelson, Bobby Bare, Elvis Costello, Ray Price, Merle Haggard, Brad Paisley, Jamey Johnson, and more. The documentary premieres at 7 pm on Wednesday (4/25).

Just in time for Record Store Day on Saturday (4/21), record store documentary Brick and Mortar and Love will screen Friday (4/20) during NaFF and again at Grimey’s New and Pre-Loved Music on Saturday.

Also included is Welcome to Nash Vegas, a documentary directed by Julie Dove about the long and tough road to stardom in Nashville. Interviewed in the film are Darius Rucker, Lee Brice, Sherrie Austin, Joe Galante, Wayne Halper, Lisa Johnson, Trey Bruce, and more. The film shows at 8:30 pm Monday (4/23).

Among the daily panel discussions is “The Evolution of Women Behind the Camera,” taking place at 4:30 pm on Saturday (4/21), with actor/producer Nicole Kidman, as well as fellow actor/directors Famke Janssen, Carrie Preston, and Beth Grant.

The popular music supervisors panel will also return with Evyen Klean (Hemingway & Gellhorn), Tricia Holloway (Middle Men), PJ Bloom (Glee, American Horror Story), Wende Crowley (Friends With Benefits), Jenee Deangelis (Cold Case), and Michael Freeman (music producer, Ogilvy & Mather). Music supervisor panels take place Tuesday (4/24) and Wednesday (4/25).

For tickets, laminates, and a full schedule visit nashvillefilmfestival.org.

CMT Music Awards Noms Coming Monday

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CMT is heading to Rockefeller Plaza with platinum-selling group Little Big Town to reveal the nominees for the 2012 CMT Music Awards on NBC’s Today show. The announcement will be made Mon., April 23 live during the 10 a.m. EDT hour of Today.

This is the second year in a row that CMT and NBC have partnered to announce the CMT Music Awards nominations. Voting will begin on CMT.com immediately following the announcement.

Little Big Town, who will be releasing brand new single “Pontoon” this month, will sit down with Today host Hoda Kotb and guest co-host Willie Geist to reveal the nominees in select categories and give their predictions for the night’s big winners.

The 2012 CMT Music Awards mark the 11th anniversary of the awards show, which will air live from Nashville Wed., June 6 on CMT and CMT.com. More details to be announced.

CMA Fest Global Events Performers Revealed

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Gene Watson to duet with Lisa McHugh (Ireland)

The 2012 Global Events showcases, held June 4-5 during 2012 CMA Music Festival week in downtown Nashville, will feature 22 Country artists from five different countries and territories.

The lineup for the CMA Global Artist Party, presented by Chevrolet, takes place 6:00 – 10:45 pm June 4 at The Stage on Broadway and includes Bob Corbett (Australia), Emerson Drive (Canada), Morgan Evans (Australia), Vickie Evans (New Zealand), Adam Harvey (Australia), High Valley (Canada), Lisa McHugh (Ireland) with the legendary Gene Watson (U.S.), Craig Morrison (Australia), Jess Moskaluke (Canada), Gary Quinn (UK), and Joe Robinson (Australia). Australian husband and wife duo O’Shea return as hosts from last year’s event.

The Aristo Global Show will be held June 5 from 12:30 – 3:45 pm at The Second Fiddle. This year’s performers include Baylou (Australia), Clayton Bellamy (Canada), Rick Caballo (Australia), Adam Gregory (Canada), Pete Kennedy (Ireland), Colm Kirwan (Ireland), Josh Macumber (Canada), Raintown (UK), Jessica Ridley (Canada), and Travellin Rose (UK). Australian artist Adam Harvey will host the show, which includes a free lunch for attendees.

Nashville producer Mark Moffatt will again serve as music coordinator for both events. Digital and new media company AristoWorks will stream both nights of showcases online through multiple platforms including: CMAworld.com, CountryMusicChannel.com.au, DreamWest-tv.fr, and AristoWorks.com.

“Eight years ago, CMA launched its first international showcase event during CMA Music Festival week,” said Jeff Walker, CEO/President, AristoMedia and CMA Board member. “Within a few years, we had to add a second show to accommodate the number of submissions we were receiving. It’s been fascinating to watch these events grow year after year, and I’m extremely proud of the success we’ve had so far.”

Dick Clark Passes Away

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Photo: Associated Press

Broadcast and entertainment legend Dick Clark passed away today (4/18) in Los Angeles following a heart attack, according to numerous reports. He was 82. The beloved host of the long-running American Bandstand, Clark’s contributions helped spread the popularity of rock & roll in the US and gave the world favorite TV shows like The 25,000 Pyramid and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve.

Born Richard Wagstaff Clark, he was also a savvy businessman whose empire extended to restaurants, film and played an important role in the development of country music. He launched his company Dick Clark Productions in 1957, which currently produces the Academy of Country Music Awards.

Clark’s relationship with the ACM spans over 40 years, dating back to 1965 when the organization was first trying to produce an awards show and get it televised.

“Dick stepped in and helped us get the show on TV, and actually hosted the show starting in 1969,” says ACM CEO Bob Romeo. “Eventually he became executive producer of the show. A relationship followed where the ACM entered into a contract with Dick Clark Productions to produce our Awards show.”

The relationship with the Clark family continues to this day, as the show’s executive producer role is now overseen by Dick’s son Richard A. (RAC) Clark II.

Romeo recalls the intimidation he felt over his first meeting with Clark.

“Before I became CEO I was chairman of the board for several years,” says Romeo. “When I was elected, one of my first duties was to go negotiate with Dick Clark on a new TV contract. Here I am, 30 years old, don’t know anything about the TV business and I’m going to walk in and have a meeting with Dick Clark. I’ll never forget the feeling. But Dick had the ability to just make me feel welcome and we talked through the issues and resolved a new deal. I felt in that moment that I had a lot to learn about the business and, you know what, I had some good teachers.”

More recently, the ACM entered into a contract with Dick Clark Productions as a full partner of the show. Earlier in 2012, the ACM, Dick Clark Productions and CBS renewed their association for another 10 years.

Curb Records founder and music industry veteran Mike Curb also had a longstanding association with Clark, and sent the following statement upon hearing the news.

“I had the opportunity to work with Dick Clark for 50 years, beginning when I wrote the theme for American Bandstand. He has clearly been the most important figure during my lifetime in the industry.”

The Dick Clark Productions official Twitter posted the following earlier:

“Dick Clark was a pioneer, entrepreneur, showman, icon, legend. The first to truly integrate music and TV. We will march on with his vision.”

Publisher Notes (4/18/2012)

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Metts Joins Cauley Music

Music industry veteran Jimmy Metts has joined Cauley Music Group as Sr. Vice President/COO. The announcement was made today (4/18) by company founders Bob Crumley and Lane Caudell.

Metts brings a 26-year background in publishing, production and A&R to his new role, where he will oversee music publishing and production divisions as well as development of the company’s six writers.

He most recently held a dual role at Stroudavarious Records, overseeing the publishing division while being heavily involved in the A&R department.

Cauley Music Publishing is located in Nashville at 1617 17th Avenue South. Phone: 615-915-3604. Congratulate Metts at [email protected].

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Crazy 8’s Host MusiCares Benefit

Pictured (L-R): Arthur Buenahora (ole music publshing); Liz Morin (Showbiz-Ro Music); Debbie Carroll (MusiCares) Rusty Gaston (This Music); Juli Newton Griffith (Magic Mustang); and Drew Alexander (Curb Publishing)

The Crazy 8’s Pitch Group held a benefit for MusiCares on Feb 1 to thank Debbie Carroll and the MusiCares organization for its contributions to the music community. The event took place at The Bluebird Cafe with Bobby Pinson, Chris Wallin, Marv Green and Kyle Jacobs. The Crazy 8’s presented a check for over $1,300 from ticket sales to MusiCares.

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Jack Williams signs with Savannah Music Group

(L-R): Greg Gallo, (Greg Gallo Creative Services); Bob Saporiti (GM); attorney Maria Spear; Williams, Dave Gibson (President); and attorney Norman Gillis. Photo: Denise Fussell

Savannah Music Group celebrates the April 2012 signing of writer Jack Williams. The company’s current songwriting roster includes Kevin “Swine” Grantt, Williams, and Dave Gibson. Savannah Music Group expanded its staff in December of 2010 with the addition of music industry vet Bob Saporiti as General Manager.

Todd Cassetty’s First Film Set For Nashville Premiere Thurs.

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“It’s not dissimilar from what we do with a lot of artists here in Nashville,” explains filmmaker Todd Cassetty of his first documentary, set for its Music City premiere tomorrow night (4/19) at the Nashville Film Festival. “We follow them through what they’re doing in the moment, in detail, and tell their story. In this case, it just happened to be a story that involved us getting pepper-sprayed.”

Cassetty, a director and producer who has created television specials for Taylor Swift, and recent pieces for Scotty McCreery and Lauren Alaina, is behind 5 Days In Denver, his first full-length film which follows a group of protestors at the 2008 Democratic National Convention in Denver. The film is also an examination of present day First Amendment rights, media coverage of dissent, and the relevance of protest in modern society.

Todd Cassetty

“I’ve always wanted to make a documentary,” explains Cassetty. “And it was 2008, an election year, and I came up with the idea of following protestors through either the Democratic or Republican national convention because I’d never seen a modern documentary that follows protestors in the moment. I found a very organized and focused group that was going to protest in Denver at the DNC. For eight days during the DNC I had a crew of 12 following them around as they took to the streets.”

The group of protesters called Re-create 68, named for the spirit of 1968, rallies against the American government. In Denver in 2008 this included defying federal court orders and ultimately being arrested.

“There’s plenty of drama with police and riot gear and pepper spray and we were right in the middle of all that,” Cassetty continues. “We had gas masks with us, in case we needed them. We had a lawyer on speed dial. But another key part of the film deals with the preparation leading up to the DNC and how this group had to struggle to exercise their First Amendment rights. They had to sue the city of Denver and the Secret Service to get access to parade routes. They were vilified in the media. It was really eye-opening for somebody like me, who’s not very political, to see what these people had to go through. And even if I’m not interested in making a sign and marching in the street, I still feel like people should be able to do that, and I was shocked by how the government does not make it easy. Before this, the only exposure I’ve had to protestors is what most people have had: a sixty second clip on the news.”

The documentary took three years to complete due to Cassetty’s busy career, but it is now making the film festival rounds, timed perfectly during the current election and the DNC next September. He hopes to tackle more socially conscious projects in the future while continuing the entertainment work he loves.

The film’s tagline: Think democracy is easy? Think again. See the trailer below.

The Mavericks Performing Two Nashville Shows

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The Mavericks, recently signed to The Valory Music Co., will be performing back-to-back shows this weekend at 3rd & Lindsley to benefit both the W.O. Smith Music School and the The Recording Academy’s MusiCares. The shows will take place on Friday (4/20) and Saturday (4/21) at 10 PM. Tickets are $15 and available now at www.3rdandlindsley.com.

The Mavericks have also just been announced as performers at CMA Music Fest on Sunday, June 10 at LP Field in Nashville. The band is slated to release a new album later this year.