Artist Updates (10-1-13)

J.P. Arencibia and Kimberly Perry

J.P. Arencibia and Kimberly Perry


Kimberly Perry had a lifelong dream come true Monday night (Sept. 30) when she accepted a proposal from boyfriend, Torontos Blue Jays pitcher J.P. Arencibia, her publicist confirms. Arencibia surprised Perry by appearing under a huge old oak tree on her parents’ property with ring in hand. She had always envisioned getting proposed to under that tree, and when she realized what was happening, her mother urged her to go put on her favorite pink dress – also part of her dream proposal scenario. Inside with the dress Perry found a letter from her family along with a locket bracelet her grandfather had given her grandmother years ago in their early days of courtship.
The couple first met in 2012 at the Florida Strawberry Festival and have been dating for a year and a half. The other men in Kimberly’s life, her father, and siblings Reid and Neil, wholeheartedly approve of Arencibia — a first for the brothers, according to Kimberly. The couple are planning to be married next Summer.

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Photographer

Pictured (L-R): Purple Heart Recipient and Former SEAL, B.K. (Bert Kellerman); Lauren Kellerman, Navy SEAL Foundation Director of Programming; Urban; Petty Officer First Class Emily Feeks, (wife of Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Patrick Feeks, KIA Afghanistan


Keith Urban has donated his royalties from his song, “For You,” which was penned for the film Act of Valor, to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The non-profit helps SEAL families and their parent commands with financial burdens and offers needed support and activities. Urban presented a $300,000 check to the organization last Saturday night at his San Diego show.
“The Navy SEAL Foundation is humbled by Keith’s generosity and support of our community and its families,” said Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation. His generous donation will help fund resiliency retreats for 120 SEALs and their families, fund the opportunity for over 500 Naval Special Warfare children to attend summer camp in 2014, where they’ll learn the importance of teamwork, communication, cooperation, goal setting and overcoming adversity.”

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift


Taylor Swift is taking her Red tour across the pond for several shows in London at the O2 Arena on Feb. 1, 2, and 4. She announced the new dates via YouTube and social media, and the dates mark a return to the UK for the young superstar, who also played the O2 on her Speak Now World Tour in 2011.

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Josh Thompson

Josh Thompson


Josh Thompson has partnered with the Chicago Beer Company in support of his latest single, “Cold Beer With Your Name On It.” Illinois fans will receive a free download of the song with the purchase of a six-pack of Chicago Beer. The company will also host a VIP reception/sound check event at his Nov. 30 show, and at three other Chicago shows in 2014 which will feature a three-song, acoustic set by Thompson.

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void(0)Christian artist Jason Crabb premiered the video for his new single, “Love Is Stronger,” yesterday on USAToday.com. His new CD of the same title is out now.

Lindsey Appointed to A&R Director at Sony Music Nashville

Taylor Lindsey

Taylor Lindsey


Taylor Lindsey has joined Sony Music Nashville as Director, A&R. In her new role, Lindsey will share day-to-day A&R responsibilities for all Sony Music Nashville artists, including the Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville and RCA Nashville rosters. Already in her new role, she reports to Sony Music Nashville’s VP of A&R, Jim Catino, who continues to report to Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville.
Lindsey joins the company from BMG Chrysalis in Nashville, where she served as Sr. Creative Director since January 2011 and was a songplugger for the organization’s numerous writers. Prior to that, Taylor worked at Raylene music with her sister, songwriter Hillary Lindsey, and as a College Membership Representative in the Athens and Atlanta areas for ASCAP from 2007 through 2009. Taylor attended the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. and currently resides in Nashville.
She can be reached at [email protected].

Headliner Announced For New Year's Eve "Bash on Broadway"

Hank Williams, Jr.

Hank Williams, Jr.


The fifth annual Music City New Year’s Eve “Bash On Broadway” has revealed Hank Williams, Jr. as this year’s headliner. Music City will offer multiple days of free live music and Nashville’s own midnight Music Note Drop.
“Football, football and Hank! All our rowdy friends are staying over this year,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “This may be the best end-of-year ‘mash-up’ we have ever had with the Titans, the SEC and Hank ringing in the New Year. Are you ready?”
“This year is going to be very special on New Year’s Eve,” says Hank Williams Jr. “December 31st will mark the 60th anniversary of daddy’s death. For years, I have not performed on New Year’s Eve in honor of my father, but this year is a monumental year in the history of Hank Williams. If daddy would have lived, he would have been 90 years old this year. I hope Music City is ready to boogie woogie, because Bocephus is going bring the party to Nashville.”
Sponsors of this year’s New Year’s Eve ‘Bash on Broadway’ include Miller Lite, Coors Light, Jack Daniel’s, Advance Financial 24/7 and McDonald’s.

CMA EDU Expands to Universities of Florida and Nebraska

cma edu1The Universities of Florida and Nebraska have adopted CMA EDU, the Country Music Association’s college outreach initiative. Nashville’s Belmont University launched the program in 2011, uniting students with interests in Country music. CMA EDU chapters followed at other Nashville universities, with an additional 22 “ambassador” schools across the U.S.
“With six official chapters, CMA EDU has the potential to reach nearly 170,000 college students,” said CMA Community Outreach Manager Matthew Seaton. “That is a substantial sampling of a very important demographic for the format.”
Several clubs held opening meetings in September, including the University of Central Florida, which enjoyed a performance by Uncle Kracker. Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska welcomed Dee Jay Silver to its inaugural meeting on Sept. 16. The University of Florida chapter will hold its inaugural meeting later this month and celebrate with a Luke Bryan concert ticket giveaway.
Events for the upcoming year include a speech by radio personality Bobby Bones at MTSU in October. Last night (Sept. 30) Billy Currington paid a visit to Belmont University.
Nashville chapters can also participate in an industry career shadow day in partnership with the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID). Students in the program will have opportunities to be involved in events, including the Country Radio Seminar, the Leadership Music Summit, PollStar LIVE, CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival.
For more information, visit cmaworld.com.

Prominent Entertainment/IP Attorney Joins Adams and Reese

Phil Kirkpatrick

Phil Kirkpatrick


Adams and Reese LLP has hired entertainment and intellectual property/technology litigation attorney Phil Kirkpatrick for its Music Row office. Kirkpatrick, a local litigator since 1979, most recently worked with firm Dickinson Wright as special counsel.
Kirkpatrick will work with partners Linda Edell Howard and Lynn Morrow. He will also handle liability litigation and commercial litigation, though he is best known for his music industry work. Previous clients have included the estates of Harlan Howard and Tupac Shakur, entertainers Aretha Franklin and Dave Loggins, and Universal Music Group.
He has represented MCA Records in prosecuting claims for unauthorized use of sound recordings of artists Patsy Cline and Kitty Wells and copyright infringement of album cover artwork of Conway Twitty. Kirkpatrick earned both his undergraduate and law degrees from the University of Tennessee.
“Over the past 34 years, Phil has represented the interests of some of the more prominent artists, songwriters and music labels in the entertainment industry, and his background will bolster our intellectual property, entertainment and litigation practice areas,” said Brad Lampley, Partner in Charge of the Adams and Reese Nashville Office.
Adams and Reese is a multidisciplinary law firm with more than 340 attorneys and advisors located in 16 offices in 15 markets throughout the southern United States and Washington, D.C.

Great American Country Unveils New Brand Identity

great american country11Great American Country, part of the Scripps Networks family, has unveiled a new brand identity that reflects the television network’s continuing evolution as an all-American lifestyle viewing destination.
“The re-imagined Great American Country marks a natural evolution for what was previously known as GAC,” said Burton Jablin, president of Scripps Networks. “We’ve long had a vision for this network to be an all-American lifestyle destination. Think of it as a love letter to America, with heart and soul. It represents how we as Americans live and celebrate.”
“This is a significant moment in the evolution of Great American Country” said Sarah Trahern, Sr. VP and GM of the network. “Our roots are in country music, and some of those ever-present themes woven throughout the genre – senses of patriotism, pride in our homes, our families and nation – in many ways embody our network’s spirit and will help guide our programming strategies going forward.”
As part of the brand evolution, the use of the former acronym has been changed to the use of the full title – Great American Country. Also, a new, bold red logo inspired by the American flag has been introduced; the new design was created by Los Angeles-based Big Block Design Group.
“It’s important for us to lead by clearly stating who we are and defining our position in the media landscape,” said Jennifer Leitman, Sr. VP, marketing and creative services for the network. “We’re celebrating America and want to wave that flag, which we’re actually doing through the playful, modern use of our new flag logo.”
The network is also working to include more lifestyle programming into its lineup, including recent programming such as Farm Kings, Kimberly’s Simply Southern, Celebrity Motorhomes and other programs. The October re-brand of Great American Country also marks the network’s debut in high definition – an improvement made in response to viewer and market demand.