NSAI World’s Largest No. 1 Party Today

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The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) is hosting its annual World’s Largest No. 1 Party today (9/17) from 4 – 5:30 p.m. Due to inclement weather, the event which was originally scheduled to be held outdoors, has been relocated to Regions Bank, Music Row, 1600 Division St.

Awards will be presented to almost 100 songwriters whose compositions achieved charttopping status in a variety of music genres between July 2011 and June 2012. Other honors to be handed out include the Community Ambassador Award, Stephen Foster Award, President’s Choice Award, and Maggie Cavender Award.

Among the presenters will be U.S. Register of Copyrights Maria Pallante, who was invited to Nashville by NSAI for meetings this week.

The Label Boutique Celebrates First Anniversary

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Pictured (L-R): Renee Layher, Gary Allan, and Monica Thompson. Photo: Jim Shea

Gary Allan celebrated the one-year anniversary of his chic menswear store, The Label, by hosting a fashionable soiree with his stylist and store partner Renee Layher this past Thursday evening (9/13).

Guests included the legendary Manuel, rocker Adrian Belew, store clients, designers, family and friends at the store’s 12th Ave. South storefront in Nashville. Allan performed an acoustic set, including a few of his hits and new single, “Every Storm (Runs Out of Rain).”

The Label offers cutting-edge suit designs, fine denim, dress shirts, and vests from designers including, Tony Sartino (Prince, Kings of Leon, Bon Jovi and Goo Goo Dolls), Logan Riese, Prophetik by local designer Jeff Garner, Moods of Norway, Demon Riff leathers, and Robin’s Jeans. Many designers are sold exclusively in the Southeast at The Label. Personal styling is also available.

Since its opening, the storefront has been patronized by musicians including The Band Perry, Kellie Pickler with husband Kyle Jacobs, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Martina McBride, Jake Owen and rockers Axl Rose, Joe Walsh, Journey and The Moody Blues.

For additional information, please visit www.thelabelnashville.com.

Industry Ink (9/17/12)

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(L-R): Terry Hicks, Co-owner Gasohol Music Publishing; Jamie Teachenor (seated); Joe West, Co-owner/President Gasohol Music Publishing

Newly-formed Gasohol Music Publishing, co-owned by Joe West and Terry Hicks, has signed singer/songwriter Jamie Teachenor to an exclusive global publishing agreement. Teachenor has written songs recorded by Luke Bryan, Gretchen Wilson, Montgomery Gentry and many more, as well as performed on Good Morning America, The CBS Early Show and more.

Teachenor also had a top 20 hit with “How Do You Get That Lonely,” which was included (along with the song’s story) in the 2011 book Chicken Soup For The Soul: Country Music Edition. His debut album, The Departure, is available now.

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Chris Keaton has launched his imprint labels LML Music/Chris Keaton Presents and LML Music/Nashville in conjunction with parent company LML Music headed by Lee Lessack. LML/Nashville will focus on country artists, and its first signing is Marty Falle.

(L-R): Chris Keaton, artist Marty Falle and ASCAP's Mike Sistad

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Blue Sky Riders recently gave a special performance at Alternative Distribution Alliance (ADA) offices in Burbank, CA, to celebrate a new agreement with the company. ADA will distribute the trio’s forthcoming album Finally Home, due for release January 22, 2013.

(L-R): Blue Sky Riders members Kenny Loggins, Georgia Middleman, and Gary Burr.

Lizzie Sider – “Butterfly”

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Lizzie Sider’s debut single, “Butterfly,”  is a whole lot of country with a hint of pop. It’s available on CDX 555 and Play MPE. The single is available for download on iTunes, while her in-studio “Butterfly” music video is currently being played on GACtv.com and TCN (The Country Network television station). Her debut album will be released in 2013.

“I draw a great deal of inspiration from the artists I’ve always looked up to and admired, both as musicians and as people. My songs come from my personal experience,” said Sider.

Sider has opened shows for Jamie O’Neal and Aaron Tippin, among others. She recently performed as the featured artist at the Ocala, FL Rodeo, and will perform at the upcoming Inverness, FL Rodeo. Additionally, Lizzie has played writer’s nights at Nashville venues such as both Hotel Indigo, The Red Rooster, Rooster’s BBQ and was a featured artist at the Commodore Lounge this summer. Lizzie recently performed at the Waldorf Astoria at Couture Fashion Week in NYC. She has hosted two episodes of Breaking Out, TCN’s show that showcases up-and-coming country artists. Sider will open for Big & Rich in November 2012 in Davie, FL and is slated to play a writer’s round at the Bluebird Café in early 2013.

The industry loves working with Lizzie. She is clean cut, a breath of fresh air, a little old fashioned in certain ways, wholesome, fun loving, and very respectful of others. Lizzie is a genuine sweetheart.

Name Change For Law Firm HBSS

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Law firm Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C. is changing its name to Hall Booth Smith, P.C. following the departures of Jack G. Slover, Jr. and Jon Marigliano. The exiting pair are forming a new firm that will focus on nursing home and medical malpractice cases.

“We have great respect for Jack and Jon and I speak for our team of more than 200 employees when I say we all wish them well,” said Managing Partner Alex Booth. “While we will miss practicing law with them, they will continue as our good friends.”

“I am proud of our firm over the past twenty four years,” said Slover. “While this is a new adventure for Jon and me, we are fortunate to have many fond memories and friendships to take with us.”

With over twenty years of experience, Hall Booth Smith, P.C. is a full-service law firm and has eight regional offices in Georgia, Tennessee, South Carolina, and the country of Georgia. Veteran entertainment attorney Karl Braun opened the Nashville office in 2002.

Steve Luscombe – “I’m A Natural”

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Taytown Records is proudly releasing “I’m a Natural,” the first single from up-and-coming artist Steve Luscombe’s debut EP, to country radio. The song was written by Alex Smith and Rock Carroll and produced by Dan Drilling (one of Randy Travis’ first guitarists).

Luscombe was born outside of St. Louis, MO. After being adopted, he spent the next 12 1/2 years growing up in Sikeston, MO. The son of a Church of Christ minister, Luscombe has always been around music. Gospel music has been a constant in his life and continues to be important to him to this day. From a very early age, Luscombe was singing which only made his love for gospel harmony grow even greater.

As his love for music was sprouting, Luscombe also began to take an interest in secular music. The small town where he grew up held a rodeo every year with nightly concerts, featuring artists like Loretta Lynn, Conway Twitty, Wille Nelson, and Ricky Skaggs. Seeing his favorite artists perform live only made him want to be a singer even more. Luscombe developed an appreciation for country songs drenched with passion and heartache, humor and life. It was real life to him and he wanted nothing more than to find a way to pass his feelings along through his music.

Luscombe’s debut EP contains impressive instrumental arrangements and he is excited to share “I’m A Natural” with his fans.

Steveluscombe.com
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‘American Idol’ Judging Panel Includes Keith Urban, Nicki Minaj

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The long speculated new American Idol judging panel has now been confirmed, with Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj joining superstar Mariah Carey and returning judge Randy Jackson for the show’s 12th season set to debut in January 2013.

“With the exciting addition of Mariah Carey, Keith Urban and Nicki Minaj, alongside Randy Jackson, American Idol’s star power has never been so great,” said Idol Executive Producer Simon Fuller in a statement. “For this we have to thank the ongoing commitment and belief of Fox and the dedication and focus of the Idol production team. We have all been together since the very beginning and we are focused on making Idol season 12 the best ever.”
Urban was long rumored to be in the running for a spot at the Idol table, and will likely help increase Nashville’s overall visibility (in addition to his own) with the high-profile TV gig. Urban also recently stepped down from his judging spot on The Voice Australia.
“It’s really an honor to have been invited to be a part of the American Idol family,” said Urban of the announcement. “I’m looking forward to working with everyone and to seeing the same passion that I have for music in all of the participants.”
Idol hopefuls will begin meeting the four judges and host Ryan Seacrest today (9/16) at auditions in New York City. Other audition stops include Los Angeles, Chicago, Charlotte, San Antonio, Baton Rouge, and Oklahoma City.

Ryan Seacrest tweeted pic stating, "After some musical chairs, here's how the new American Idol judges will be seated."

Bentley Plays Songwriters Show, Visits NYC School

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L–R: Bob DiPiero, Dierks Bentley, Jaren Johnston, and Jim Beavers gather before their CMA Songwriters Series performance at New York City's Joe's Pub.

The CMA Songwriters Series returned to New York City’s Joe’s Pub last night (9/13) with two sold out shows featuring three-time 2012 CMA Award nominee Dierks Bentley, songwriters Jim Beavers and Jaren Johnston, and Songwriters Hall of Fame member and CMA Songwriters Series host Bob DiPiero.

Bentley spent the day leading up to the show with students from P.S. 103, The Hector Fontanez School, in the Bronx. He met with the fourth-grade class and toured two music rooms, which were completely outfitted with instruments and supplies, provided by a $20,000 donation from The CMA Foundation and the CMA Keep the Music Playing program.

“This program was conceived by our artist community,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “So, it is terrific when our artists are able to visit the schools we support and see firsthand the impact these instruments have on the lives of the students and teachers.”

Bentley will also appear in CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock airing Monday Sept. 17 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Kimberly Perry of The Band Perry, the three-hour special features the A to Z of Country Music’s hottest stars with a concert lineup including: Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks, Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban, Hank Williams Jr., and Zac Brown Band.

L–R: NAfME Director of Strategic Relationships, Victoria Chamberlain; ETM Executive Sirector, Katherine Dahkohler; P.S. 103 Principal, Farid Reyes; Bentley; ETM Program Director, Pete Pauliks; CMA Community Outreach Manager, Matt Seaton; and NAfME Assistant Executive Director, Jane Mell Balek.

Easton Corbin Preps Sophomore Album

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Pictured (L-R): Trey Turner, Mike Dungan, Easton Corbin, Ken Robold, Doug Nichols, Eddie Mascolo, Chris Alderman. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Easton Corbin continues a busy schedule this month promoting his forthcoming September 18 album release, All Over the Road.

On Sept. 13, Mercury Records held a reception for industry to celebrate Corbin’s sophomore album at Houston Station, tucked inside Nashville’s Wedgewood Houston Neighborhood.

Sponsored by Lucchese boots, the wine, ale, and moonshine lemonade bar paired well with a traditional Southern appetizer buffet, provided by Smoke Et Al mobile smokery food truck.

The event space was well decorated, thanks to GI brightidea event designers. Vintage windows hung from the wall, which framed a printout for all 11 tracks on the album, including a list of the songwriters. The seating was appropriately scattered around the elevated stage, allowed partygoers a chance to enjoy the ambiance even during the performance.

UMG President, Mike Dungan, welcomed the crowd for a Lucchese boot presentation to Corbin. Dungan invited Corbin to the stage, touting the singer’s previous consecutive No. 1 singles from his 2010 debut.

“I felt that not only am I competing against others who are out there, I’m competing against myself now,” said Corbin of the upcoming release.

The brief acoustic set included “A Thing For You,” written by Corbin, producer Carson Chamberlain and Tony Lane; “Are You With Me,” written by Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride and Shane McAnally; and Corbin’s current single, “Lovin’ You Is Fun,” written by Bob DiPiero and Jim Beavers.

Shortly after the industry event, Corbin headed across town to hold an outdoor CD party for free to the public at Losers Bar.

To support the release, Corbin is making appearances this evening (9/14) on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown. GAC will also air a special titled Introducing: Easton Corbin Sept. 16. On release day (9/18), Corbin will head to ABC’s Good Morning America to perform. Shortly after he will be featured on GAC’s On The Streets, at 10:00 am ET. The singer will also be featured on GAC Headline Country Sept. 20, and CMT Insider, Sept. 22.

Along with the album launch, Corbin announced his first-ever fan club, including a social community, exclusive behind the scenes photos and videos, presale ticketing, meet & greets, and merchandise promotions. Fans will have an opportunity to win a free membership with an album purchase.

Log on to www.eastoncorbin.com for more information.

WMG Hires New Regional Promotion Manager

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Tom Martens

Warner Music Group’s Vice President of WAR Promotion, Chris Palmer and National Director, WAR Promotion, Jordan Pettit, have announced the addition of Tom Martens as Southeast Regional Promotions Manager.

Effective immediately, Martens will be based out of WMN’s Music Row headquarters, overseeing artists such as Gloriana, Jana Kramer, Faith Hill, Big & Rich, Frankie Ballard and Charlie Worsham.

Previously, Martens was at Interscope Geffen A&M for 15 years, along with a 1 year stint at Universal Republic. He helped break artists including No Doubt, Black Eyed Peas, Lady Gaga and Eminem, among others.

Congratulate him here.