Belmont Students Gain Experiential Education on ‘Happy Together Tour’

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Pictured (L-R): Emily Guthrie, Lauren Walsh, Tate Forbes, Max Batchelor, Johnny Cloherty, Lily Restenberger, Emily Carver, Karalyn Gillen and Jenny Bartlett

As we reported in May, ten Belmont University juniors and seniors have joined professor and legendary musician Mark Volman, a founding member of The Turtles, on the road for a portion of the Happy Together Tour.

The tour is part of an experiential learning class that will host the students for two and a half weeks on one tour bus for a grade and credit under the guidance of Volman and staff advisor Lucas Boto. Students will work with touring artists and crew professionals in the areas of tour management, stage management, audio engineering, tour accounting and merchandise sales. These duties will be in addition to load-in, setup, tear-down and load-out.

“Only at Belmont do students get such a unique opportunity,” said Volman. “I’m excited to teach them what I know outside a normal classroom space. Inevitably, their energy will add to the tour experience for the performers as well.”

The Happy Together Tour unites several pop/rock artists of the ‘60s, starring The Turtles featuring Flo and Eddie, The Monkees lead singer Micky Dolenz, Gary Puckett & The Union Gap, The Grass Roots, and The Buckinghams.

Watch a video diary from Columbus, GA below or follow the student’s tour blog here.

The east coast run Happy Together Tour:

June 8             Columbus, GA
June 9             Dothan, AL
June 10           Chattanooga, TN
June 14           Jacksonville, FL
June 15           Clearwater, FL
June 16           Hiawasee, GA
June 17           Montgomery, AL
June 19           Glenside, PA
June 20           Brunswick, NJ
June 21           Tarrytown, NY
June 23           Westbury, NY
June 24           Hampton Beach, NH

Fallon’s “Pants” Cover Music Row

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Avert your eyes, children! Warner Music Nashville is releasing comedian/TV host Jimmy Fallon’s Blow Your Pants Off today (6/12), which features the kind of explicit (and hilarious) album cover artwork at right. To promote the release, WMN has decorated 16th and 17th Avenues with enough pants to clothe an army (see photos below).

The album includes collaborations with superstar guests, including Bruce Springsteen, Big & Rich, Justin Timberlake, and more (full track listing below). Fans can order special gear and goodies at blowyourpantsoff.com, which is, surprisingly, SFW.

Fallon began his TV career as a cast member with Saturday Night Live in 1998, spending six years on the show including time as “Weekend Update” co-anchor with Tina Fey. In 2009, he began hosting Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on NBC, which has won praise for memorable viral videos and its acclaimed house band The Roots. The show has been nominated for three Emmy awards, and Fallon has been honored with a People’s Choice Award for Favorite Late Night Host.

Blow Your Pants Off tracks:
1. Neil Young Sings “Fresh Prince of Bel-Air”
2. History of Rap (feat. Justin Timberlake)
3. Tebowie
4. Scrambled Eggs (feat. Paul McCartney)
5. The Doors Sing “Reading Rainbow”
6. Balls In Your Mouth (feat. Eddie Vedder)
7. My Upstairs Neighbors Are Having Sex (And Listening To The Black Eyed Peas)
8. Bob Dylan Sings “Charles in Charge”
9. Walk of Shame (feat. Dave Matthews)
10. Slow Jam The News (feat. Brian Williams)
11. New French Girlfriend
12. Cougar Huntin’ (feat. Big & Rich)
13. You Spit When You Talk
14. Friday (feat. Stephen Colbert)
15. Neil Young Sings “Whip My Hair” (feat. Bruce Springsteen)

(photos by Caitlin Rantala)

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Nashville Symphony Awarded For Adventurous Programming

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The Nashville Symphony is one of 24 American orchestras to be honored with an ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming.

The honors were revealed June 8 at the annual League of American Orchestras conference in Dallas, and acknowledge orchestras that challenge audiences, build repertoire and increase interest in the music of our time. Nashville Symphony earned a second-place award for Programming of Contemporary Music for showcasing the work of contemporary composers like Bela Fleck, Terry Riley and Richard Danielpour.

“We are excited to be recognized for this award,” says President and CEO Alan Valentine. “The Nashville Symphony has an extensive history of commissioning, premiering and recording contemporary American music. When the orchestra performs a brand-new piece, it adds to the excitement of the concert-going experience and allows us to hear the classics in a fresh context. We will continue our commitment to new music with more commissions and world premieres in the seasons to come.”

Nashville Symphony’s programming in the past year has included the world premieres of Nashville Symphony-commissioned Bela Fleck’s Concerto For Banjo, Richard Danielpour’s Darkness in the Ancient Valley, and Terry Riley’s Palmian Chord Ryddle. Additionally, the Symphony co-commissioned Daniel Bernard Roumain’s Dancers, Dreamers and Presidents. For upcoming Symphony events, check here.

Music City at Bonnaroo

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Lionel Richie made a surprise appearance at the 11th annual Bonnaroo Music and Arts Festival in Manchester, Tenn. on Sunday (6/10). He joined longtime friend Kenny Rogers onstage for a duet of “Lady,” and also performed his mega hit “All Night Long.” “Lady,” originally written and produced by Richie, is one of the biggest hits of Rogers’ career. The two re-recorded it as a duet for Richie’s platinum-selling Mercury Nashville album Tuskegee.

Hanging after Rogers' set at Bonnaroo. (L-R): Kenny Rogers, The Civil Wars’ John Paul White and Joy Williams, and Lionel Richie.

• • • •

For the fourth consecutive year, BMI brought three outstanding Nashville-based bands to Bonnaroo. The winners of BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo competition, Wild Cub, Fly Golden Eagle, and By Lightning, each performed solid sets in the Great Taste Lounge Brewed by Miller Lite on Saturday and Sunday.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason and Wild Cub’s Matt Shaw, Jeremy Bullock, Keegan Dewitt, Eric Wilson, and Jerry Pentecost. Photo: Drew Maynard

Harnen Appointed BMLG Executive VP

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Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta announced that Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen has added Executive Vice President of the Big Machine Label Group to his title, effective immediately. Harnen will continue his leadership role at Republic Nashville, but add executive leadership over all the BMLG imprints including Big Machine Records and the Valory Music Co.

“Jimmy will continue to oversee the presidency of Republic Nashville (Ape #1) but will now be properly acknowledged for the work he continues to do with me and all the teams across the entire label group platform,” said Borchetta. “His artist development skills are second to none and he will now have an official affiliation with all of the artists in our group as well as expanded management and planning responsibilities.”

“I would like to say thank you to Scott Borchetta for his leadership, friendship and yet another incredible opportunity,” said Harnen. “Some kids dreamed of playing in the NFL, I dreamed of doing exactly what I am doing right now. I could not be more blessed to wake up every day and be side by side with some of the most talented artists in the world and the very best people at Big Machine Label Group and Universal Republic!”

Harnen joined Republic Nashville at its inception in 2009, and previously served as Sr. VP of Promotion for Capitol Records from 2007 to 2009.

CMA Music Festival Attendance Up 9.2 Percent

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LP Field during the nightly concerts on Friday, June 8 at the 2012 CMA Music Festival in Downtown Nashville. Photo: Bennett Farkas/CMA

CMA Music Festival set a new attendance record in 2012 with daily attendance topping 71,000 fans, a 9.2 percent increase over the 65,000 fans who attended last year. It was a sell out for the third consecutive year at LP Field.

The increase was attributed to expanded seating at LP Field for the nightly concerts, and mild temperatures that drove increased attendance in the free event and concert areas downtown.

“Third time’s the charm and to achieve a sell out for a third straight year and increase attendance says a lot about the strength of this event, the dedication of our fans, the support of our industry and local community, and the popularity of our music and artists,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer.

Carrie Underwood performs at LP Field on Friday, June 8 during the 2012 CMA Music Festival.Photo: John Russell/CMA

Attendance figures for 2012 include four-day ticket packages, promotional and single night tickets, as well as attendance in non-ticketed free areas and events. In all, more than 450 artists performed more than 200 hours of concerts.

Week-long mild temperatures in Nashville resulted in increased attendance in the numerous free areas including The Buckle, Fan Alley, public events, and concert venues. In fact, there was record attendance on Friday and Saturday at Chevrolet Riverfront Park with more than 25,000 fans attending the free concerts throughout each day.

“Eighty percent of our four-day ticket holders come from outside of Tennessee,” said Moore. “What we are seeing is gains with our locals who are coming out to support our free areas in increasing numbers.”

According to the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, the direct visitor spending generated by CMA Music Festival in 2011 was $30 million, a $6 million increase over 2010 making the Festival the top annual generator of tourist income in Nashville. And it appears that 2012 was a boon to business again. Figures for 2012 will be released by the NCVB at a later date.

Blake Shelton performs at LP Field on Friday, June 8. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

CMA Music Festival benefits downtown businesses, but it also supports music education in Music City. The artists and celebrities participating in CMA Music Festival donate their time. They are not compensated for the hours they spend signing autographs and performing. In appreciation of their exhaustive efforts, The CMA Foundation donates proceeds from the event to music education on the artists’ behalf through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing program. To date, CMA has donated more than $6.1 million to the cause.

Corporate brand partnerships are a key element to the marketing, fan experience, and financial support of the Festival. Nearly 50 different brands, including longtime partner Chevrolet, participated in the CMA Music Festival generating a combined activation and consumer engagements of more than 1.25 million – an increase of nearly 40 percent over numbers for 2011 (900,000). These various engagement elements included product sampling, dedicated registrations and sales leads, as well as brand impressions.

“This year more than 15 new brands—including AT&T, BIC, Hunt Brothers Pizza, Emerald Coast Vacations, Jelly Belly, Jack in the Box, Cracker Barrel, Bad Boy Buggies, and Cabot Cheese—participated at the Festival with dynamic consumer activities,” said Sheri Warnke, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Communications.

Festival attendees came from all 50 states and two dozen countries.

The ABC television special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock will air Mon., Sept. 17 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET).

Tickets for 2013 CMA Music Festival, which will be held Thursday through Sunday, June 6-9, are available now.

Brad Paisley Presented With CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Moore, Brad Paisley, Gary Overton

Brad Paisley was surprised with the Country Music Association’s International Artist Achievement Award at the backstage press conference before Paisley took the stage at LP Field on Thurs., June 7.

CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented the award, which recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the United States.

Since 2000, Paisley has performed in Canada, Europe, and Japan. In 2010, he played in London for the first time and performed in front of two sold-out audiences at the Shepherd’s Bush Empire before traveling to Norway for the Notodden Musikk Festival. In 2011, he played a highly acclaimed show at the O2 Arena in London; three sold-out shows in Ireland; and four shows in Scandinavia where he performed in front of a combined total of more than 40,000 fans.

“Brad is an outstanding ambassador for Country Music around the globe,” said Moore. “CMA is proud to present him with our International Artist Achievement Award.”

Previous winners include Bellamy Brothers, Dierks Bentley, BR549, Brooks & Dunn, Dixie Chicks, Lonestar, The Mavericks, Reba McEntire, Dolly Parton, Taylor Swift, Shania Twain, Keith Urban, Trisha Yearwood, and Dwight Yoakam.

CMA Fest Fun: BMI Tailgate, HGTV Lodge, Ice Cream For Rocketown

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The BMI Tailgate Party stage at the 2012 CMA Music Festival hosted four nights of performances outside LP Field, prior to the nightly concerts. Brent Cobb and The Peach Pickers christened the new stage on its opening night.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams, Brent Cobb, Peach Pickers Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins, and BMI’s Mark Mason

• • •

The HGTV Lodge at CMA Music Festival was a 2,400 square foot custom-built structure that offered interactive experiences, performances, and autograph signings. It was hosted by HGTV and sister networks GAC, DIY Network and Travel Channel. The air-conditioned building included a misting station, device-charging outlets and shaved ice treats celebrating DIY Network series The Vanilla Ice Project. Celebrity appearances included Rodney Atkins, Scotty McCreery, Gary Allan, Thompson Square, Lauren Alaina, Luke Bryan, Little Big Town, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, rapper Vanilla Ice, HGTV’s Drew and Jonathan Scott (The Property Brothers), Amie and Joli Sykes (Junk Gypsies) and Chris Lambton (Going Yard).

Pictured (L-R): GAC GM/SVP Sarah Trahern, artist manager Greg Hill, HGTV President Burton Jablin, Rodney Atkins, GAC President Ed Hardy and GAC VP/Programming Suzanne Gordon

• • •

Rhonda Vincent, The Roys, Jason Crabb and Olympic Gold Medal figure skater Scott Hamilton were among the celebrities handing out free ice cream at a charity event at CMA Music Fest. For every scoop of Moose Tracks ice cream served, its maker Denali Flavors donated $1 to Rocketown, a teen center started by Michael W. Smith. 10,000 scoops were served and $10,000 raised.

Pictured (L-R): WKRN’s Jennifer Johnson, Scott Hamilton, Predators mascot Gnash, Jason Crabb and Rhonda Vincent

Chesney Featured in ESPN SportsCenter Commercial

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Kenny Chesney will show up in the latest “This is SportsCenter” commercial for ESPN, which debuts today.

In the clip, Chesney tries to ignore ESPN anchor Steve Levy’s attempts to join him at the popular table in the ESPN cafeteria. Seated with Chesney are Pistol Pete from Oklahoma State, Smokey from the University of Tennessee, Miles from the Denver Broncos, Hook ‘Em from the University of Texas and two Dallas Cowboys cheerleaders. The commercial was filmed at ESPN’s Bristol, Conn. headquarters. Watch it here.

“I got to see a lot of the anchors I’ve become friends with over the years, a lot of the people who come to our shows,” said Chesney. “I love visiting the ESPN campus, and I love the relationships I have there.”

The second weekend of Chesney’s Brothers of the Sun tour with Tim McGraw played to nearly 100,000 fans in Dallas in Kansas City. Next up on Chesney’s itinerary is a Brothers of the Sun show in Philadelphia and the June 19 release of his new album Welcome To The Fish Bowl. Tickets and tour dates here.

Les Paul Auction Draws Nearly $5 Million

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Les Paul pictured with his 1951 Fender No-Caster which sold for $216,000 at auction.

Julien’s Auctions and the Les Paul Foundation held their auction of instruments, equipment, and artifacts owned by the legendary musician and inventor on Fri. and Sat. (6/8-6/9) in Beverly Hills, CA. The auction fetched nearly $5 million benefiting the charity which honors and shares the life, spirit and legacy of Les Paul by supporting music education, engineering and innovation, as well as, medical research.

Some of the auction’s notable highlights include a 1951 Fender No-Caster which sold for $216,000, a 1982 Gibson Les Paul that went for $180,000 and a wire and wood harmonica rack crafted by Les Paul as a child together with a vintage Hohner tremolo concert harp which yielded $59,375.

Other items included a recording mixing console ($106,250), a 1940s Epiphone Zephyr ($144,000), and a touring amp featured in his autobiography ($81,250). The memorabilia in the sale also included guitar schematics, tools and supplies, and hand-cut acoustic wall panels from one of his home recording studios.

As an inventor, he produced one of the first solid-body electric guitars, which went on to become the beloved Gibson Les Paul. He also pioneered new recording techniques, including commissioning the first 8-track tape recorder.

The sale concluded Saturday, on what would have been his 97th birthday.