Pandora Chairman To Exit

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pandora-logoPandora Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Joseph Kennedy will be leaving the company he has led since July 2004.
Pandora has been under fire in recent months for seeking to pay a lower royalty rate to songwriters, despite soaring earnings. The radio service had total revenue of $427.1 million and mobile revenue of $255.9 million in fiscal 2013. According to the company, it has over 67 million monthly active listeners, and accounts for over 8% of total U.S. radio listening.
Tim Westergren, Pandora Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, will remain onboard.

CBS Radio To Launch 'Amplify' Program

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cbsCBS Radio will unveil a trio of new initiatives under their “Amplify” program. “Impact” will focus on song or album releases, while “Launch” will provide exposure for up-and-coming artists. “Artist Hook Ups” will center on special promotions for CBS Radio listeners, according to Billboard.
Blake Shelton is one of the first two artists to be involved with the program. His latest album, Based On A True Story, releases March 26. Promotion for Based On A True Story will involve highlighting songs from the project, as well as offering listeners a chance to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Justin Timberlake‘s album “The 20/20 Experience,” which releases Tuesday, March 19, will also be promoted under Amplify.
 
 

The Band Perry to Headline 'Outnumber Hunger' Effort

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thebandperryGeneral Mills, Big Machine Label Group and Feeding America have teamed up for the second year in a row to Outnumber Hunger in a national initiative that helps fight hunger in local communities. New this year, the initiative will kick-off with an Outnumber Hunger Live! concert, headlined by The Band Perry, the face of this year’s Outnumber Hunger campaign. Outnumber Hunger programs have helped Feeding America secure more than 12 million meals since March 2012.
“One of our favorite things about writing and performing music, other than getting to play for our fans and country music family every night, is that it truly gives us a platform to help others,” said The Band Perry. “Last year, we had the opportunity to participate in Outnumber Hunger and our eyes were opened to the problem of hunger in America, which is why we so strongly support this cause and want to take an even bigger role in supporting Outnumber Hunger this year.”
According to the USDA, one in six Americans struggles with hunger, making the issue a growing reality in every community. By simply entering codes from specially-marked General Mills products, including Cheerios, Yoplait and Nature Valley, at OutnumberHunger.com, Americans can help Feeding America secure five meals for their local food bank. Consumers should look for specially-marked packages of General Mills products featuring The Band Perry, as well as an Outnumber Hunger code. For every code entered online by March 1, 2014, General Mills will donate $0.65 to Feeding America – enough to secure five meals on behalf of local food banks – up to a maximum total donation of $1,300,000. General Mills has already donated $700,000 and will donate up to an additional $600,000 based on online code entry and other consumer actions.
The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Greg Bates, Cassadee Pope and Florida Georgia Line will play a special concert to raise awareness for Outnumber Hunger, Outnumber Hunger Live!, on Friday, April 5 at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as part of The Academy of Country Music ACM Experience, a three-day music event leading up to The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Concert attendees will have the opportunity to help Feeding America secure meals through special on-site activities.
Additional Big Machine Label Group artists who are encouraging participation include Rascal Flatts and Reba, as well as Eli Young Band, The Mavericks, Thomas Rhett, RaeLynn and Ella Mae Bowen.
“For the second year in a row, we are proud to come together with our artists, General Mills and Feeding America to help make a difference in local communities,” said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “This powerful group of partners is using its collective voice to rally Americans to help the 50 million people across our country who struggle with hunger.”
Outnumber Hunger products will be available first at Sam’s Club on March 12 and then available wherever General Mills products are sold starting in April. To help make a difference in your local community with Outnumber Hunger, visit www.OutnumberHunger.com.

Artist Updates (3-7-13)

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Darius Rucker filmed the clip for his latest single, “Wagon Wheel,” in Nashville earlier this week. The video, directed by Jim Wright, features several guest stars, including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty, along with Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum.
“My wife came up with the idea to have the Duck Dynasty (DD) guys in the “Wagon Wheel” music video, and I thought we had no chance because they’re so busy so I never even said it out loud,” explains Rucker. “Thank God she called my manager because the DD folks took this video to a whole new level! Big thanks to them and Charles… It was a good time for sure, and I can’t wait to see how the video turns out!”
 “Wagon Wheel” was written by Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show and is based on a sketch by Bob Dylan. The single is from Rucker’s upcoming third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released this Spring.

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley, Darius Rucker and Jase Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley, Darius Rucker and Jase Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter


Pictured (L-R): Willie Robertson, Darius Rucker, Jim Wright, Sadie Robertson, Korie Robertson and Si Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

Pictured (L-R): Willie Robertson, Darius Rucker, Jim Wright, Sadie Robertson, Korie Robertson and Si Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

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brad paisley wheelhouse bookBrad Paisley’s first interactive book, Building A Wheelhouse, will release on April 9, simultaneously with Paisley’s album Wheelhouse. The Building A Wheelhouse interactive book, an iTunes exclusive, and the regular and deluxe versions of the Wheelhouse album are available for pre-order on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com/BradPaisley).
Building A Wheelhouse is an exploration of the recording process involved in Paisley’s 8th studio album, Wheelhouse. Designed with Apple’s digital book creation app, iBooks Author, Building A Wheelhouse offers an in-depth Multi-Touch look at the album, from both songwriting and production perspectives, with insights from Paisley and the collaborative team behind the making of this album. Developed by Slender Fungus, based in Los Angeles, this Multi-Touch book’s unique features include exclusive interviews, video and photo galleries.

• • •

dolly

Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson will both appear on Paul Anka‘s upcoming album, Duets, scheduled for an April 9 release through Legacy. Nelson will join Anka on “Crazy,” while Parton will collaborate on “Do I Love You (Yes, in Every Way).”
Anka penned “Do I Love You…” and Donna Fargo took the song to No. 2 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart in 1978.

• • •

Sarah Darling performed her single, “Home To Me,” on Monday’s episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Conan O'Brien

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Conan O’Brien

 
 
 
 

NARM Educational Event Coming To Belmont

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BelmontLogo Blk_Vert [Converted]NARM is bringing two of its most popular conference series to Nashville on Friday, April 5. NARM and its digital division, digitalmusic.org, will present the event in conjunction with Belmont University and The Copyright Forum. The morning session is called The Music Startup Academy, followed by the afternoon Entertainment & Technology Law Conference. The conference will be held at Belmont University.
The Music Startup Academy, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., teaches entrepreneurs, music startups, app developers, students, and music industry professionals about the interactions between labels and publishing companies, product licensing and royalty reporting, content acquisition, business development, and more.
NARMLogoNoTagThe Entertainment and Technology Law Conference, 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., brings together noted experts on music law to debate some of the most timely topics facing the industry. Panels include:
• Copyright Termination Update with moderator Duff Berschbeck, SVP, Legal Affairs and Business Development, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Charlie Sanders, Counsel, Songwriters Guild of America; and Stephanie Tayler, Bone, McAllester, Norton PLLC.
• Cutting Edge Topics in Music Industry Litigation with Richard Busch, Partner, King & Ballow; and Christine Lepera, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp.
• Licensing Music for Television with Jay Fialkov, Deputy General Counsel, WGBH; and Christian Horsnell, Milom Horsnell Crowe Rose Kelley PLC
Attendees can register for a full-day pass or an individual event at http://nashvillemusicbizevent.eventbrite.com. Full-day passes cost $179 for NARM members, $229 for non-members, and $99 for students and startups. Registration for the Entertainment & Technology Law Conference costs $149 for members, $199 for non-members, and $69 for students; and registration for the Music Startup Academy costs $49 across the board.

Aldean, Greenwood Surprise Guests At Scholarships For Heroes Concert

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and the Tennessee National Guard Color Guard. Photo:Jeremy Westby

Pictured (L-R): Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and the Tennessee National Guard Color Guard. Photo:
Jeremy Westby


Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, The Grascals, Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka all made appearances during a free concert on Tuesday (March 5) as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes Event at Lipscomb University. The event is part of the university’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement program.
“The motto for the USO is ‘until they all come home.’ Last night’s event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home,” explained Greenwood. “I’m proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community.”
Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community. Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers’ Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.
“We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar,” said Daniels. “This shouldn’t be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn’t.”

Industry Ink (3-7-13)

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Shirley Hutchins

Shirley Hutchins


Music Row Administrators Group has announced their “2013 Spring Series” of speaker meetings, with an “Emphasis on Multi-Media.”
–On March 21, Mike Stewart, President and Founder of Soundpages, Inc. will speak. Soundpages, Inc. is a complete multi-media production facility in Atlanta. Stewart and Tom Long released “This Guitar Can Talk” and both will speak on making money online with music, books and video, using social media case studies. A Q&A will follow.
–On April 18, Savannah Music Group GM Bob Saporiti will speak. Throughout the 70s, Saporiti became owner/operator of Free Spirits Studios. In 1984, he became Nationa Promotion Director of Warner Bros. Records, where he rose through he ranks to Senior VP Promotions.
–On May 16, Sybril Bennett, Ph.D. and Exec. Director of the Department of Media Studies at Belmont University will speak. She coaches individuals and organiztions on implmenting multi-media strategies using traditional as well as social media.
All three meetings will be held on BMI Nashville’s 6th Floor Theater. Each meeting begins at 1 p.m. CT and will last approximately one hour. To be added to the MRAG e-vite directory, send name, company, contact info and e-mail address here. Reservations are required at each session.

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Pro Music Academy logo blackNashville’s Pro Music Academy will bring a unique twist to the traditional music lesson experience, thanks to the vision of drummer Chad Chapin and help from several top touring musicians. “I started PMA because it was really important to me to bridge the gap between aspiring musicians and working, professional musicians,” says Chapin, who founded Pro Music Academy and also serves as an instructor. “When I was growing up and dreaming about one day performing on stage, I had no access to the pros I would go see in concert or on television – so that was really the beginning of my idea behind Pro Music Academy!  We make it possible for students to learn from the players backing some of the biggest artists in music, and not just someone with technical knowledge, but musicians with real, ‘out-on-the-road’ life experience.”
Since opening Pro Music Academy in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood in June 2012, Chapin says the reaction from the local music community has been overwhelmingly positive, with the school currently serving more than 100 students and working with approximately 40 different instructor musicians. PMA offers weekly classes for students of all ages in guitar, drums, bass, piano/keyboards, songwriting, mandolin, cello and violin.  The school also offers vocal lessons from a host of renowned vocal coaches and works with students across the country.
Pro Music Academy is located at 2801 Bransford Ave., Nashville, TN 37204.  Contact PMA at (615) 200-0604.  A list of current instructors and pricing is available online at www.ProMusicAcademy.com.

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Dylan Altman

Dylan Altman


Songwriter Dylan Altman will be at Nashville’s Belcourt Taps on March 19 beginning at 9:30pm. Altman has had three No. 1 songs: Tim McGraw’s “Watch The Wind Blow By,”Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and most recently Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride.” Other artists who have recorded Dylan’s songs include Trace Adkins, Will Hoge and Gabe Dixon.  He is an avid supporter and volunteer for Musicians On Call, an organization that provides live music for patients in area hospitals, and he co-hosts an annual benefit for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) with good friend and frequent collaborator EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay.
Belcourt Taps is located at 2117 Belcourt Ave., Nashville 37212. For more information, call (615) 915-3622.

• • •
Australian Country group The McClymonts will perform at an industry showcase this Monday (3/11) at 6pm at 12th & Porter in Nashville. Their Album Wrapped Up Good was the highest selling Australian album and 5th highest selling album on the ARIA Chart in 2010. The group was also awarded the CMA Global Artists of the Year in 2011. The band’s follow up album Two Worlds Collide won the 2012 ARIA Award for Best Australian Country Album and their last 8 singles have all reached the No. 1 position on the Australian Country Music Chart. RSVP to [email protected] to attend showcase.
mcclymonts

 

Nashville To Host 'Pollstar' Awards in 2014

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pollstar logo11
Touring industry trade publication Pollstar will bring its 2014 conference and awards show to Nashville for the first time. The outlet confirmed the news on its Facebook page, adding that more details are to follow.
This is the latest prominent national music industry event to venture to Nashville, following the Grammy nominations concert in late 2012.
The three-day conference, known as Pollstar Live, will open Feb. 19, 2014 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, and be capped by the 25th annual awards show on Feb. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium. Usually held in Los Angeles, Pollstar has also moved its annual gathering to Las Vegas and New York in the past.
The 2013 conference took place Feb. 5-7 in Los Angeles and included a keynote presentation by marketing guru Seth Godin. This year’s honors were presented at Club Nokia during a ceremony hosted by Michael McDonald. Several Nashvillians earned trophies at the event including:
Theatre Of The Year – Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)
Bobby Brooks Award / Agent Of The Year – (tie) Chip Hooper (Paradigm) and Rod Essig (Creative Artists Agency)
Third Coast Agent Of The Year – John Huie (Creative Artists Agency)
Other honors included Booking Agency Of The Year – Creative Artists Agency, and Major Tour Of The Year – Roger Waters.

NS2's Darin Lashinsky, Frank Productions' Larry Frank, CAA's Rod Essig.

Pictured at the 2013 Pollstar Awards (L-R): NS2’s Darin Lashinsky, Frank Productions’ Larry Frank, and CAA’s Rod Essig. Photo: Pollstar.com

Warner Chappell and THiS Music Extend Co-Publishing Partnership

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Pictured from L-R: Phil May (Vice President and General Manager, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville), Tim Nichols (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Connie Harrington (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Rusty Gaston (Co-Owner and General Manager, THiS Music), Ben Vaughn (Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville). Photo credit: William Patton.

Pictured (L-R): Phil May (Vice President and General Manager, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville), Tim Nichols (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Connie Harrington (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Rusty Gaston (Co-Owner and General Manager, THiS Music), Ben Vaughn (Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville). Photo credit: William Patton.


Warner Chappell and THiS Music have extended their long-term partnership. Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to publish and administer THiS Music’s repertoire. THiS Music was formed in 2006 by General Manager Rusty Gaston and songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington, and launched in partnership with Warner/Chappell Music.
“THiS Music is a renowned Nashville brand known for top shelf hit songs, and extraordinary songwriters who are helped to achieve their best by Rusty and his team,” said Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville.  “On behalf of everyone at Warner/Chappell Music, it is with great pleasure that we announce the continuation of our partnership with Rusty, Tim and Connie.”
“We are blessed and thrilled with how far THiS Music has come in building a hands-on boutique environment for some of today’s best songwriters,” said Gaston, GM, THiS Music. “Warner/Chappell Music has been a rock solid partner over the course of the past seven years, and together our teams have helped to create hit singles and influential country music that we are extremely proud of. Extending our arrangement with Warner/Chappell was an easy decision and we look forward to continue working with them.”
THiS Music has a roster of some of today’s brightest artists and songwriters, including Tim Nichols (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”); Ben Hayslip (Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie That Girl,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me,” Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” and “Honey Bee,” Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” and Jason Aldean’s “Only Way I Know”); Connie Harrington; Marv Green; Deric Ruttan; Troy Olsen; singer-songwriter and member of Sparrow Records Christian duo City Harbor, Molly Reed; Jeff Outlaw; and up and coming talent Michael Thomas & Drew Baldridge.

George Jones To Bring More Guests to Final Nashville Show

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georgejonesGeorge Jones is excited to announce his dear friends and fellow Grand Ole Opry members Alan Jackson, Travis Tritt and other performers from his hit song “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” will join him onstage at his final sold-out Nashville show. Pam Tillis, Kathy Mattea, Tracy Lawrence, Patty Loveless, Joe Diffie, Mark Chesnutt, and T. Graham Brown are the latest additions to concert lineup. The event will take place Friday, Nov. 22.
The show has already announced Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Shelby Lynne, Sam Moore, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner and Gene Watson as participating in the evening of music.
In addition, Brenda Lee, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Raven, The Roys, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Morris, Jessi Colter, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stonewall Jackson and more will all take the stage during the finale performance.
More stars are expected to be announced as performers gear up to pay tribute to one of the world’s most accomplished recording artists.
“Alan and Denise Jackson have been friends of Nancy and I for years, so this show wouldn’t be the same without him,” said Jones. “I am also so grateful that my dear friend Garth Brooks is going to be on stage with me.  I am not sure who will be crying more, me or him.”