[Updated] Attorney Keith Adkinson Passes

/by

KeithAdkinsonFletcher “Keith” Adkinson, who was the attorney for the Estate of Hank Williams, passed away Wednesday (June 19) at the age of 69. Adkinson was also husband to entertainer Jett Williams.
Adkinson was actively engaged in the practice of law for over 40 years. Adkinson received his undergraduate degree at the University of Virginia in 1966 and his Juris Doctor degree from the University in 1969. He started practicing law in Beverly Hills, Calif. with the firm of Wyman, Bautzer, Rothman & Kuchel. His clients ranged from Kirk Kerkorian to MGM to Frank Sinatra, along with a host of major corporations and entertainment personalities.
In 1984, while Adkinson was litigating a major real estate matter in lower Alabama, he was invited by his client to meet with a young lady then known as Cathy Deupree Mayer. He undertook the case, proved that she was the daughter of late entertainer Hank Williams, sued in Alabama to re-open the estate [making her an heir, 40 years after Williams’ death], and sued in New York for her proportionate share of the copyright renewals of her father’s songs. They won and changed multiple laws in the process. He married his client in September 1986.
Adkinson has spearheaded numerous related intellectual property cases growing out of and related to his representation of his father-in-law’s estate and his representation of Jett Williams. His current practice was restricted to his and Jett’s Grand Ole Opry performing buddies (Jeanne Pruett, Leroy Van Dyke, Moe Bandy, David Frizzell, Jim Ed Brown, among others) and cases of significant legal merit, from his point of view, and those that caught his interest.
 

Update: Adkinson’s funeral will be held Monday (June 24) at Alexander Funeral Home in Lafayette, Tenn., beginning at 1 p.m. CT.  Afterward, a Celebration of Life reception will be held at 3 p.m. at the home of Jett Williams. Visitation will be held Sunday (June 23) from 4p.m. until 7 p.m., and on Monday (June 24) from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m. at Alexander Funeral Home.

 

Nashville Symphony Agrees To Media Blackout

/by

schermerhorn symphony center111The Nashville Symphony Association and the Nashville Musicians Association have begun to negotiate a new labor contract. In a joint statement, the two parties have agreed to negotiate the contract privately. “It is our mutual desire to conduct these negotiations in a confidential manner,” the union and symphony said in the statement. “Accordingly, both sides have agreed to a media blackout.” The musicians have repeatedly stated that they are not to blame for the symphony’s financial crisis.
The association’s collective bargaining agreement with the symphony expires July 31. The symphony is also currently in negotiations with bank lenders regarding the more than $80 million owed on the Schermerhorn Symphony Center; a foreclosure sale of the Schermerhorn is slated for June 28.
In the midst of these financial challenges, the Nashville Symphony continues to garner accolades. The symphony is one of 19 American orchestras that was recently honored with a 2012-2013 ASCAP Award for Adventurous Programming at the League of American Orchestras 68th National Conference in St. Louis, Mo. The Nashville Symphony was selected for third place for Programming of Contemporary Music, because it featured the works of such contemporary composers as Richard Danielpour, Roberto Sierra, Stephen Paulus, John Adams and Edgar Meyer in its 2012-2013 season. The League and ASCAP present the awards each year to orchestras of all sizes for programs that challenge the audience, build the repertoire, and increase interest in music of our time. Approximately $725,000 has been bestowed on orchestras since the awards were established in 1947.
 
 

Charlie Cook On Air: Country P1s Still Lagging

/by

charlie cook new image1111111111

Charlie Cook


Arbitron and Edison Research have been measuring radio users since 1998, attempting to gauge the impact of digital platforms on consumer behavior. Today I will update you on the Country format P1s. These notes are based on 223 Country format P1s. The term P1 refers to first preference listeners. These 223 indicated their first preference radio station was a Country station.
Sixty-seven percent of all radio listeners have access to a Wi-Fi Network setup, but the Country P1s lag that number a bit. Only 63 percent CP1 (Country P1s) have this access. This impacts usage of services like Pandora and Spotify. This also impacts the amount of online listening done by CP1. Still, 26 percent reported listening online (to both their AM/FM station and online only services) in the last week. The overall radio listener reported 33 percent.
Pandora recently changed their model in the last two months. This study was fielded in January and February, so there could be a slight adjustment in their usage, but overall 20 percent of the study respondents have listened to the service in the last week. Only 16 percent of the CP1 has done so. I would like to believe this reflects a satisfaction with their local Country radio station but overall online access most likely has a bigger role in this than anything.
It is not as though the CP1 are not aware of Pandora and other online services. Over 60 percent are aware of Pandora, 47 percent are aware of iHeartRadio (higher than the overall radio user, which tells me the Clear Channel Country stations are doing a good job of selling the service to their listeners), and almost 20 percent know about Spotify.
YouTube is becoming one of the most popular on-demand services online. Thirty-seven percent of the overall radio listeners have watched YouTube in the last week.
By just looking around you’ll notice people never get too far from their cell phones. If you see someone panicking they are probably more than 10 feet from their phone. This is consistent with CP1. More than half of those listeners are tethered to their phone and 30 percent sleep with their phones. Seriously, because 30 percent wake up to their phone as an alarm.
The Country core is way behind the general radio user in owning a Smartphone, 53 percent to 42 percent. This may be the reason CP1 are behind in online services. I use my Smartphone for almost everything in audio and video. About a quarter of the CP1 own a tablet but as more and more people move from laptops to tablets we will certainly see this number increase and at the same time should see increased audio and video services.
Country fans have not shied away from social media services. Sixty percent have a profile on some social media platform and 23 percent report using the services/websites several times per day. CP1 Facebook users have an average of 261 friends. I wouldn’t think all of these friends are country music fans, but as a station that plays country music, if you can begin conversations about your station and the music everyday your material can spread quickly. When you think of a listener using Facebook, think of that person standing in front of 261 people.
And I stress Facebook because it is Facebook and all the rest. In fact Facebook leads by such a number that there is no real second place. When it comes to Country radio, we love to talk AM/FM. 91 percent of CP1 use AM/FM in their car and this is the highest number of any format. The general music population reports 84 percent of listeners who use AM/FM in their car, so you can see Country is much stronger than the other formats. AM/FM radio has held on to their leadership position as the number one source for new music, and 41 percent CP1 say staying up-to-date with new music is very or somewhat important. Country music programmers should be confident their listeners appreciate the job being done by AM/FM on a weekly basis.
Many stations like to stay in touch with their listeners through Email, but only 8 percent of the audience has signed up for this communication model. Stations have an opportunity here to open this to their audience.
And finally, because we’re all here to make a decent living, 61 percent of the CP1 reported they have listened to AM/FM radio before arriving at or during their last shopping visit. We know the immediacy of radio impressions pays off for the advertising clients who use enough frequency to make an impact on radio listeners.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)

Ricky Skaggs to Release Autobiography

/by

kentucky traveler book11Bluegrass and Country music icon Ricky Skaggs has amassed numerous awards and enviable experiences during his more than 50 years in music. Skaggs will share memories of his life and career with the release of his autobiography, Kentucky Traveler, (It Books) on Aug. 13.
Skaggs learned to play mandolin at five years old and welcomed Bill Monroe as a mentor before Skaggs was in his teens. At age 15, Skaggs joined the Clinch Mountain Boys band and became a professional musician. By 21, he was a star in the bluegrass world. Kentucky Traveler includes Skaggs’ story in his own words, along with the Ten Commandments of Bluegrass (as handed down by Monroe), the Essential Guide to Bedrock Country Songs (a compilation of  classic songs Skaggs has performed during his career), Songs the Lord Taught Us (a primer of Skaggs’ essential Gospel songs) and several personal photos of Skaggs with his musical heroes.
Kentucky Traveler is available for pre-order at kentuckytravelerbook.com and will be available at retail stores nationwide on Aug. 13.

Industry Photos (6-20-13)

/by

The Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament, sponsored by ASCAP, City National Bank, Tim McGraw and McGhee Entertainment, launched registration for its Aug. 19 tourney with a party at Nashville’s Rebar on Wednesday (June 19). Songwriters including Lisa Carver, Cheryl LuQuire and Stephony Smith performed and Arista Nashville recording artist Kristen Kelly was on hand to help the tournament’s planning committee launch the party. The tournament benefits the United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee.

Pictured (L-R): Front row: songwriter Stephony Smith, Arista Nashville recording artist Kristen Kelly, songwriter Cheryl LuQuire and MRLGT volunteer Eve Abdo. Back row: UCPMidTN's John Pickett, BMI's Penny Everhard, City National Bank's Diane Pearson, Frank Rogers Productions' Courtney Crist, 377 Management's Malia Axsom, me gusta music's Trina Smith, ASCAP's Suzanne Lee and Music Health Alliance's Herky Williams. Not pictured: songwriter Lisa Carver and NSAI's Susan Myers. Photo by ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski

Pictured (L-R): Front row: songwriter Stephony Smith, Arista Nashville recording artist Kristen Kelly, songwriter Cheryl LuQuire and MRLGT volunteer Eve Abdo. Back row: UCPMidTN’s John Pickett, BMI’s Penny Everhard, City National Bank’s Diane Pearson, Frank Rogers Productions’ Courtney Crist, 377 Management’s Malia Axsom, me gusta music’s Trina Smith, ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee and Music Health Alliance’s Herky Williams. Not pictured: songwriter Lisa Carver and NSAI’s Susan Myers. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski

• • •

ASCAP held the June edition of its “We Create Music” Series on Wednesday (June 19) and featured songwriters Molly Martin, Paperhouse, Frank Maroney, Tommy Karlas and Trevor Rosen, as well as Ten Ten Music Group‘s Femke. ASCAP’s popular monthly showcase series at The Basement is designed to highlight ASCAP’s “best of the best.”

Pictured (L-R): Femke, Trevor Rosen, Megan McCormick, Tommy Karlas, ASCAP's Evyn Mustoe, Frank Maroney, Molly Martin, and Paperhouse's Megan Connor and Shane Hines.

Pictured (L-R): Femke, Trevor Rosen, Megan McCormick, Tommy Karlas, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Frank Maroney, Molly Martin, and Paperhouse’s Megan Connor and Shane Hines.

• • •

Show Dog Universal Music, in conjunction with Country Music Is Love, hosted their inaugural Fan Appreciation Party during Music Fest at the Rutledge in Nashville recently with performances by Krystal Keith, Joel Crouse, Rose Falcon, JT Hodges and Josh Thompson. A total of 40 winners were chosen via Facebook and were each allowed to bring a friend. Fans were allowed 30 minutes to mingle with all the artists, take photos and get autographs.

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Josh Thompson, SDU President Mark Wright, Joel Crouse. Pictured (Front row, L-R): Krystal Keith, Brandon, Rose Falcon

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Josh Thompson, SDU President Mark Wright, Joel Crouse. Pictured (Front row, L-R): Krystal Keith, fan attendee Brandon from Make A Wish, Rose Falcon


 
 

White House Releases Intellectual Property Enforcement Plan

/by

The White House today (June 20) released the “2013 Joint Strategic Plan for Intellectual Property Enforcement” from U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria A. Espinel. The report’s priorities include a focus on transparency, communication and education. It explains that in 2010, intellectual property industries accounted for $5.06 trillion, or 34.8 percent of U.S. gross domestic product.
Below is a list of the report’s action items. See the full report.
IP report IP report 2
Cary Sherman, RIAA Chairman and CEO, issued the following statement regarding the report: “The White House has laid out a sensible and practical approach to protecting the Constitutional rights of America’s creative community. Our voluntary, marketplace efforts with various partners in the Internet ecosystem – such as ISPs, payment processors and advertisers – have shown such pacts are possible and can make a real difference. It also attests to the fact that our collective futures are intertwined.
“The White House appropriately recognizes that search engines need to be part of that conversation. To date, some important, commendable progress has been achieved, including for example, significant improvements to the notice and take down process. That’s laudable. But the continuing prominence of rogue websites in the first page of results shows that this continues to be a real problem, and this new White House report is a reminder that policymakers care about this issue and expect meaningful progress.
“Just as we are asking others to redouble their efforts to build a better online marketplace for users and creators alike, we recognize that we have an obligation to be constructive and examine steps we can undertake to help achieve that end. We take this obligation seriously. Just last week, we joined the music publishers in announcing an important new initiative to expedite and ease micro-licensing for a variety of ancillary uses of music. We’re grateful the White House recognizes the value of these kinds of efforts.”
A statement from NMPA President and CEO David Israelite said: “Songwriters and music publishers are some of America’s smallest businesses. When their work is illegally used or undervalued it can be disastrous and career ending. Today’s report outlining U.S. efforts to protect copyrighted works is particularly welcome. We applaud Ms. Espinel’s ongoing effort to strengthen American copyright and ensure created works from music to software is valued and treated with respect consistently within our borders and beyond. Her belief that copyright policies and protections be inclusive and developed collaboratively benefits industries, businesses and ultimately our economy.”
See more from The Hollywood Reporter.
 
 

CMT Taps NBCUniversal Veteran as VP, Consumer Insights and Research

/by

Justin Wyatt

Justin Wyatt


CMT has tapped NBCUniversal and ABC Television veteran Justin Wyatt for the newly-created position of Vice President Consumer Insights and Research. Wyatt is responsible for managing and leading all CMT qualitative research efforts across all platforms, and helping guide show development and strategic programming initiatives. Working alongside Viacom Media Network’s NY-based research team, Wyatt reports to CMT President Brian Philips and is based out of CMT headquarters in Nashville.
“We talked to many of the brightest minds in Research about this position. The sheer range and depth of Justin’s knowledge and experience in television research is stunning. He’ll provide essential guidance for the network as we continue to grow,” said Philips.
While at NBCUniversal, Wyatt was Vice President Primary Research, responsible for leading primary research initiatives for E!, Style Network, G4, FEARnet, and selected digital properties. Previously, he was a senior research consultant for the Hypothesis Group, where he handled multiple projects and worked on the business implications of research findings for media and TV clients. Wyatt’s career also includes time at ABC Television Network, Frank. N. Magid Associates’ Entertainment Division and University of Arizona’s Department of Media Arts. Wyatt is the author of High Concept: Movies & Marketing in Hollywood and co-editor of Contemporary American Independent Film: From the Margins to the Mainstream.
Wyatt earned a Ph.D and M.A. from the University of California, Los Angeles’ Department of Film and Television and received his B.A. from the University of British Columbia’s Department of Economics. He recently relocated to Nashville from Los Angeles.

Artist Updates (6-20-13)

/by

clay walker1

Clay Walker


Clay Walker and wife Jessica recently welcomed their third child, a boy. Elijah Craig Walker was born June 15.  “Happy Fathers Day to me:) Elijah Craig Walker…7.8 lbs…a blessing to his mama and me…born last night…God bless u Fathers.” Walker said via Twitter.
Walker and his wife have two other children, including son William, 4, and daughter Mary, 3.

• • •

jared ashley georgia11

Jared Ashley, wife Taylor Ashley and newborn Georgia.

Blaster Records singer and songwriter Jared Ashley and his wife Taylor welcomed their first child, daughter Georgia McClain Ashley on June 9. The couple have been married since May 2011.

• • •

merle haggard 2013 photo

Merle Haggard


Merle Haggard will make a guest appearance on this year’s season finale of The Marty Stuart Show, which will air on Saturday (June 19) at 8 p.m. ET on RFD-TV. In addition to Haggard, this season has included appearances by Sheryl Crow, Gene Watson, Old Crow Medicine Show, Charley Pride, Iris Dement and The Del McCoury Band.
 

• • •

danielle peck 2013 photo

Danielle Peck


Danielle Peck has signed with Nashville’s XYQ Artist Management. XYQ manager Lee Willard will handle Peck’s personal day-to-day and career management, with the company spearheading the release of her third studio album, How Freedom Feels. Lari White will produce the project.

• • •

amy grant

Amy Grant


Amy Grant will perform on Fox and Friends on June 22 and on ABC’s lifestyle show The Chew on July 19.

• • •

Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, Greg Bates and Chris Janson helped raise $13,361 for Musicians On Call (MOC) Nashville with the annual Country Weekly CMA Music Fest “Kick Off Party,” hosted by Suzanne Alexander and sponsored by Boot Barn, Durango and Roper. All proceeds directly impact MOC Nashville’s ongoing efforts to bring the healing power of music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities in Middle Tennessee.

Pictured (L-R): Country Weekly's Jeff Meltesen, Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, MOC's Katy Epley, Chris Janson, Greg Bates, GAC's Suzanne Alexander, Country Weekly's Lisa Konicki.Photo Credit: Kendra Motycka

Pictured (L-R): Country Weekly’s Jeff Meltesen, Easton Corbin, Dustin Lynch, MOC’s Katy Epley, Chris Janson, Greg Bates, GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, Country Weekly’s Lisa Konicki.
Photo Credit: Kendra Motycka

Instagram Adds Video, Video Filters and Cinema Mode

/by

instagram logo11Instagram users now have an option of capturing everyday moments in photo or video. The Facebook-owned company today unveiled a video app which can capture three to 15 seconds of video, and users can customize the footage with unique filters.
The 13 filters range from black-and-white to filters that can brighten or blur the videos. The app allows users to add filters during video playback and switch between the filters before selecting and sharing the video. Users can also select a frame for the video, which will be the cover or photo that appears in the stream.
“We talk about Instagram as capturing and sharing the world’s moments. It’s not just about photography,” Instagram founder Kevin Systrom told Nightline. “There are a ton of moments in the world that can’t be captured in single images.”
They have also added Cinema Mode, a cinematic stabilization technology. “We took a technology that stabilizes video and makes it smooth and beautiful, like it was shot with a cinematic camera,” said Systrom. “The cool thing about Instagram in the beginning is how it let everyday people take beautiful photographs. We put the power  of a photography studio in your hand. We’ve done the same for video, so now you can take beautiful video and share it with the world.”
When video posts appear in the Instagram feed, the videos will begin to play automatically, but only when users stop scrolling. The auto play feature can also be disabled in the settings. All videos will play back with sound.
Initially, Cinema Mode will only be available for iPhone users.
In January, Twitter released the Vine video app, and it quickly became a popular app in the Apple store. Vine records six-second videos.

instagram11

A snippet of Instagram’s new video capability.


 

Danielle Bradbery Signs with Big Machine Label Group

/by

Danielle Bradbery wins 'The Voice.'

Danielle Bradbery wins ‘The Voice.’


Danielle Bradbery, winner of the fourth season of The Voice, has a recording label home. The 16-year-old Texas native signed with Big Machine Label Group, home to Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Tim McGraw.
During her journey to being crowned the winner of the hit musical competition, Bradbery made it clear that she is a country performer, covering songs including Pam Tillis’ “Maybe It Was Memphis,” The Judds’ “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout The Good ‘Ol Days),” Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus, Take The Wheel,” Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California,” and even auditioning with now labelmate Swift’s “Mean.”
Bradbery is slated to begin recording next week. She is the youngest competitor to win The Voice.