Lambert Loads the ‘Pink Pistol’ for Grand Opening

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CMA Female Vocalist of the Year Miranda Lambert will turn her adopted home town of Tishomingo, OK pink on Friday, Nov. 23 with the grand opening of the Pink Pistol, her lifestyle/general merchandise store. Located at 214 W. Main Street in downtown Tishomingo, the Pink Pistol is a store “For The Wild at Heart.”

“We’re having the Grand Opening the day after Thanksgiving, on Black Friday, only we’re calling it Pink Friday,” said Lambert. “We’re going to make it a tradition to turn the block pink every year at that time. Pink Friday will be country fun with some glitz. Tishomingo is the epitome of a great, small American town, and I am excited to dress it in my favorite color ‘pink.’”

The store will carry a variety of merchandise selected by Lambert including handmade boots and belts from Corral, Farm Boy & Farm Girl with their fashionable line of clothing and home goods, items from Junk Gypsy including clothing, jewelry and other accessories plus much more. “It’s antiques, gifts, boots, jeans and pretty much everything you can imagine,” said Lambert.

In addition to the grand opening, other activities planned for the day include a Pink-aoke area for everyone to sing their favorite song, marching bands and, the 1st Annual Pink Pistol Princess Pageant. The contestants, who have already been selected, will be judged on the creativity of their pink costumes, their spunkiness and their sass.

CMA Adds New Team Members

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(L-R): Nicole James, Michelle Jacobs. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

The Country Music Association has announced the addition of Nicole James as Senior Manager of Market Research and Michelle Jacobs as Strategic Partnerships Coordinator.

In her new role, James will report to Senior Director of Market Research Karen Stump and manage research initiatives related to CMA events and the consumer-based CMA Insiders panel. James previously served as Senior Project Manager for Market Decisions Corporation in Portland, Oregon and has held marketing and management roles with Victoria’s Secret and Pierre Marcolini Chocolatier. She is a graduate of Belmont University and earned her MBA at Pepperdine University.

“Nicole brings a unique combination of research skills and knowledge that allow her to quickly step into the role and make a positive impact on our research programs here at CMA,” said Stump.

Strategic Partnerships Coordinator Michelle Jacobs will report to Senior Manager of Strategic Partnerships Angela Mendenhall, and will be responsible for execution of partner programs within CMA Events, as well as development and partnership fulfillment. Jacobs previously served as Sales and Marketing Coordinator with Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe, developing partnerships for special events and overseeing the venue’s digital presence. She graduated from Illinois State University in Recreation Management.

“We are privileged to have Michelle join our team,” said Mendenhall. “Her unique experience and vast relationships are the perfect complement to our partnership building efforts.”

Music Organizations and Retailers Launch Digital Music Guide

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) and NARM, along with its digital initiative digitalmusic.org, have launched the “Why Music Matters” website in the US in hopes of educating fans on available digital music services to fit their music needs.

Visitors to whymusicmatters.com can browse through a grid of companies offering a variety of different music services, including mp3 downloads, streaming sites, mobile music, digital radio, retail and more. The site also includes videos about the value of music featuring Jay-Z, Louis Armstrong, Kate Bush, and more.

“The music community has transformed how it does business, and the launch of the Why Music Matters site is another great milestone in that evolution,” said RIAA Chairman & CEO Cary Sherman.

Whymusicmatters.com is based on a similar website created by the British Phonographic Industry in the United Kingdom in 2010, which was then expanded to Australia and New Zealand. The services listed on the website all have an agreement with at least one of the three major record companies and offers a significant catalog of music, or have signed up for the statutory license intended for online radio services.

NATD Honors Recipients at Second Annual Gala

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Pictured (L-R) Front: Clint Higham, Alan Valentine, John Huie, George Jones, Robert Williams, Mike Fisher. Back: Ed Bazel, Bonnie Sugarman, Rod Harris, Tony Conway, Carrie Moore-Reed, Randi Perkins, Steve Tolman

The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) spent yesterday evening (11/14) honoring a group of individuals who share the organization’s objectives and ideals during its 2nd Annual Gala at the Hermitage Hotel in Nashville.

After a silent auction to raise funds for the NATD’s College for Knowledge program, along with hors d’oeuvre and cocktails in the lobby, attendees were called to the dining hall by xylophone for the main event.

“Community involvement and the legacy they have made in their career have made tonight’s honorees deserving of recognition,” said President Steve Tolman.

Robert K. Oermann took the stage prepping the crowd to receive the evening’s first honoree, George Jones. “Great voices attract great songs,” praised Oermann of Jones’ 60 year legacy before listing the singer’s accolades including 167 chart placements. “Tonight we will be giving him another award, but you can’t give him enough.”

A reminiscent Tanya Tucker shared equal praises of the Country icon before bringing him to the stage for a brief acceptance. Tucker and Jones will perform together in 2013 for his final Nashville concert on the Grand Tour.

The organization’s Hubert Long Award was presented to WBA’s Robert S. Williams for significant and positive contributions to the music industry relating to artist development. Williams was introduced by Bob Kinkead.

Michael W. Smith honored CAA’s John Huie, noting that his contributions “took music out of the churches and into the arenas.” Huie’s responsibilities at the company included establishing its first satellite office in Nashville, which recently celebrated the 75th employee hired at its new SunTrust Building headquarters.

Nashville Predator Mike Fisher received recognition for his community engagement efforts from Predators head coach and last year’s NATD honoree, Barry Trotz. Fisher’s wife, Carrie Underwood, was not in attendance.

Dale Morris took the stage to recall offering Clint Higham $70 a week and a tank of gas when he first began work at Morris Artist Management. Higham, now President, oversees the roster including Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, and Jake Owen. “All I ever wanted to do was work in the industry, I don’t know how to do anything else,” said Higham, who corrected Morris, saying his starting compensation was only a tank of gas.

Béla Fleck remarked about honoree Alan Valentine’s contribution to the Nashville Symphony from expansion, to the Schermerhorn, and rebuilding after the 2010 flood. Valentine received the honor saying, “we should have this kind of Hall and Symphony in Music City.”

The 2012 Honorees were chosen by the NATD Board of Directors, led by Steve Tolman, including Rod Harris, Bonnie Sugarman, Ed Bazel, Rod Essig, Randi Perkins, Tony Conway, Mike Smardak, Carrie Moore-Reed, Jeff Debusk, Karen Entz, Josh DeBusk, Philip Lyon, Clyde Bright, Neal Spielberg, and Kirt Webster.

“A concerted effort was recently focused on this gala and scholarships to support up and coming talent,” notes Tolman of the organization’s education ideals. “We take industry professionals to colleges to do panel discussions to showcase the variety of jobs, teaching students the strongest aspect of our industry is relationships. You’ve gotta get involved, even if it is a voluntary thing to get your foot in the door to meet people.”

The key players in the College of Knowledge programs include Murray University in KY, where NATD will return for the third time; institutions in Montana; and through IEBA, Belmont University.

Dinner included salad, rolls, steak served over mashed potatoes and a side of broccolini. Dessert choices included a fruit tart or coconut cake.

‘Nashville’ Stars Bowen and Palladio to Make Opry Debut

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Actors Clare Bowen and Sam Palladio are set to make their Grand Ole Opry debut this Saturday (11/17) at the Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Bowen and Palladio portray the characters Scarlett O’Connor and Gunnar Scott, respectively, in the new hit ABC series Nashville.

Bowen and Palladio have two songs on the official Nashville soundtrack which will be released on Big Machine Records on December 11. Their duets “If I Didn’t Know Better” and “When The Right One Comes Along” are included on the album alongside tracks performed by other cast members including Hayden Panettiere, Connie Britton and Charles Esten.

Bowen and Palladio will sign advance downloads of the Nashville soundtrack after their Opry performance at Opry Originals, located at 300 Broadway in downtown Nashville.

Others scheduled for Opry at the Ryman this weekend include the Opry’s newest member Darius Rucker, Charlie Daniels Band, Diamond Rio, John Conlee, Bill Anderson and more.

Nancy Shapiro To Be Honored By CMHoF Forum

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Nancy Shapiro

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will present an interview with Recording Academy Senior Vice President of Membership Services Nancy Shapiro at the sixth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Monday, Dec. 3, 2012, at 6 p.m. in the Ford Theater. A reception will follow the program. The event is free and open to the public, but reservations are required. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org or call 615-416-2040 for details.

The forum interview with Shapiro, who has served over 25 years with the Recording Academy, will be hosted by Museum Editor Michael Gray. Since joining the Recording Academy, Shapiro has championed programs engaging music and education communities across the country. She is the highest ranking woman at the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, the charitable MusiCares Foundation and more.

Based in Nashville and Los Angeles, she oversees all 12 of the Recording Academy chapters across the country, as well as the organization’s Corporate Governance, GRAMMY U, Producers & Engineers Wing and GRAMMY Professional Development arms. As a member of Nashville’s Music City Music Council, Shapiro played a major role in the development of Music Makes Us: The Nashville Music Education Project.

Made possible by the Gibson Foundation, the forum annually recognizes an individual who represents the legacy of pioneering agent-manager Louise Scruggs, the adoring wife and savvy business partner of Country Music Hall of Fame member Earl Scruggs. Previous honorees are Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner and Sarah Trahern.

Old Crow Medicine Show Launches Tour

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Nashville’s Old Crow Medicine Show is launching its new tour tonight (11/15) in Madison, WI, with a busy string of US dates running through December 6 in Tulsa, OK. The popular group is touring in support of its fourth album Carry Me Back, which was released July 17.

Following the conclusion of its Dec. 6 show in Tulsa, OCMS will make three appearances on the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville (Dec. 8, 14, and 15) before headlining a sold-out New Year’s Eve show at the Ryman Auditorium. In 2013, the group will head to Ireland and the UK for several dates, and is already scheduled to play the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California in April. Upcoming dates are below.

Additionally, OCMS is featured on the upcoming The Music Is You: A Tribute to John Denver, which will be released in February 2013. OCMS covers Denver’s “Back Home Again,” and other guests include Dave Matthews Band, Train, Brandi Carlile and more.

OCMS Tour Dates
2012 
Nov. 15 – Madison, WI @ Capitol Theater/ Robert Ellis
Nov. 16 – Minneapolis, MN @ Mill City Nights – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 17 – Milwaukee, WI @ Riverside Theater – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 18 – Evansville, IN @ Victory Theatre – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 25 – Memphis, TN @ Minglewood Hall – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 26 – New Orleans, LA @ House of Blues – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 28 – Austin, TX @ Moody Theater – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 29 – Dallas, TX @ House of Blues – w/ Chuck Mead
Nov. 30 – Houston, TX @ House of Blues – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 1 – San Antonio, TX @ Empire Theatre – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 3 – Oklahoma City, OK @ Diamond Ballroom – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 4 – Springfield, MO @ Hammons Hall (MSU) – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 5 – Columbia, MO @ The Missouri Theatre – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 6 – Tulsa, OK @ Cain’s Ballroom – w/ Chuck Mead
Dec. 8  – Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry @ Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 14 – Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry @ Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 15 – Nashville, TN Grand Ole Opry @ Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 31 – Nashville, TN @ Ryman Auditorium – w/Pokey LaFarge (Sold Out)

2013
Jan. 30 – Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street
Jan. 31 – Belfast, UK @ Mandela Hall
Feb. 1 – Glasgow, UK @ Barrowland Ballroom
Feb. 2 – Manchester, UK @ HMV Ritz
Feb. 4 – London, UK @ 02 Shepherds Bush Empire
Apr. 26 – Indio, CA @ Stagecoach Festival

Shania Shuts Down the Vegas Strip

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Photo credit: Getty Images for Caesars Palace

Shania Twain still knows how to make a big entrance, even by Las Vegas standards.

To mark her arrival in Vegas yesterday (11/14) for the upcoming debut of her Caesars Palace show Shania: Still the One, the international superstar rode on horseback–along with a controlled “stampede” of more than 40 horses–up to the fountains at Caesars. Traffic on a portion of the famed Las Vegas Strip was shut down while fans and Caesars executives welcomed Twain to her new musical home.

Performances of Shania: Still the One begin at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace on Dec. 1, with ticket prices ranging from $55-250 (plus fees). Show dates are included below, and tickets are available here. Shania: Still the One was developed by Twain, produced by AEG Live, and directed by Raj Kapoor.

Shania: Still the One dates:
Dec. 2012: 1, 2, 5, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 14, 15

March 2013: 19, 20, 23, 24, 26, 27, 29, 30

April 2013: 2, 3, 5, 6, 9, 10

ACA Song of the Year Nominees

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The American Country Awards have introduced a Song of the Year category for the Dec. 10 event, taking place at Mandalay Bay in Las Vegas. Based on fan voting, the nominees are:

• “A Woman Like You,” performed by Lee Brice (Phil Barton, Johnny Bulford, Jon Stone)
• “Fly Over States,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Neil Thrasher)
• “Red Solo Cup,” performed by Toby Keith (Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Brad Warren, Brett Warren)
• “Springsteen,” performed by Eric Church (Eric Church, Jeff Hyde, Ryan Tyndell)
• “Tattoos On This Town,” performed by Jason Aldean (Michael Dulaney, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher)

Performers added to the show are Rascal Flatts, Kip Moore and Jake Owen. They join previously announced performers Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan and Little Big Town. The star-studded special also will feature appearances by Miranda Lambert, Natasha Bedingfield, Ron White, champion cowboy Trevor Brazile, Scotty McCreery, Lauren Alaina, Casey James, LeAnn Rimes, Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Dustin Lynch and Chris Young. Additional performers and presenters will be revealed soon. The show will air live 8:00-10:00 PM/ET on FOX.

Fan voting for the awards is closed, except for the Artist of the Year category, which is open until Friday, Dec. 7 at www.theacas.com.

See the list of nominations here.

Filmworkers Adds New Team Members

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(L-R): Robert Zimmerman, Kenny Barrickman

Filmworkers, a post-production facility with offices in Chicago, Nashville, and Dallas, has announced the appointment of Robert Zimmerman as executive producer of the Nashville office, where he will oversee operations. Zimmerman brings more than 20 years experience to the role, including commercial, music video, and corporate media production.

“Rob Zimmerman enjoys wide respect among advertising agencies and production companies in Nashville and throughout the region,” said Filmworkers president Reid Brody. “Our clients will benefit greatly from his experience and insights as a producer in planningtheir projects. We are very excited to have him as a member of our team.”

Most recently, Zimmerman served as executive producer of Piranha Pictures, which he founded in 1995. His recent ad campaign productions include Farm Bureau Insurance and Tempur-Pedic.

In related news, Filmworkers has hired Kenny Barrickman as a producer in the Nashville office. He previously spent 10 years with the company, and his role will be working directly with clients to oversee projects passing through the facility.

Zimmerman’s plans for the facility include upgrades such as a “virtual” editing suite, close collaboration with other facilities in the Filmworkers family, and exploitation of the regional advertising market.

More info on Filmworkers here.