'Country Weekly' Magazine To Reconfigure as 'Nash'

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nash logo11According to reports from Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Cumulus’ Lewis Dickey states the company has reached an agreement with American Media Inc., parent company for music magazine Country Weekly, to reconfigure the magazine as Nash Magazine.
Dickey says the transition can be expected some point in the next couple of quarters of 2014. The transition is expected to increase the digital presence for Nash. “The Web will, in essence, follow suit with video and audio from all the things we are doing,” says Dickey.
No official statement has been released from American Media Inc. or Country Weekly at this time.

Dick Clark Productions Launches International Division

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dick clark productions11Dick Clark Productions has its eye on global expansion, and to that end, is launching Dick Clark Productions International, according to The Hollywood Reporter. DCP has tapped industry veteran Mark Rafalowski in the newly created role of executive VP, International. In this role, he will be responsible for growing the division’s distribution and content development.
The new division will be based out of the company’s Santa Monica headquarters, and Rafalowski will report to DCP president Mike Mahan.
“Mark’s track record in both domestic and international distribution makes him the perfect executive to oversee our vision for a full service in-house international division,” said Mahan. “He understands the international television landscape and the importance of having the right partners on a global scale to create and grow TV brands worldwide.”
“With the ever-increasing global consumption of TV content and Dick Clark Productions’ strategic growth trajectory, it is a perfect time to join the team under the superior leadership of [CEO] Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan,” said Rafalowski. “International distribution gives us the ability to develop and grow all areas of the television business from reality and scripted to formats and acquisitions. We look forward to building on our current relationships and actively growing the business internationally.”
Rafalowski served as DCP’s VP, Business Development in the late 1990s before taking on the role of president at Rive Gaunche Television from 2003 to 2009. He also served as COO at Radical Studios.

Kenny Rogers Receives Honorary Master of Photography Degree

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Kenny Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from PPA at Imaging USAon Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Photo by Jose Yau.

Kenny Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from PPA at Imaging USA
on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Photo by Jose Yau.


On the heels of his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, Kenny Rogers picked up another career achievement last week in Phoenix, though he was celebrated not for his music or decades-long career, but for his talent and enthusiasm for photography.
Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA) at its annual conference, Imaging USA, during the PPA Award & Degree ceremony.
The ceremony took place Tuesday night, Jan. 14, at Symphony Hall in Phoenix, where more than 145 award and degree recipients were honored. Prior to the ceremony, he gave an exclusive live Q&A with convention-goers, discussing his life and work. Rogers also shared photos from his forthcoming photography book, Places I’ve Been, Things I’ve Seen.
Imaging USA is the longest-running photography convention and expo in the nation. Up to 10,000 photographers attended, seeking education, inspiration, networking, exclusive parties and one of the nation’s largest photography trade shows to help boost their business for the year ahead.
“We could see in his work that Mr. Rogers is an accomplished photographer, but when we approached him about the honorary master’s degree, we were immediately impressed with his enthusiasm for photography,” said PPA president, Ralph Romaguera Sr., M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API, F-ASP. “He’s obviously well-known as an entertainer, but he truly is a remarkably talented photographer.”
“You start off doing something because you really love it, and it gives you great pleasure,” Rogers said. “With any luck at all, you get better. It was special to receive the highest honor that my photography has to offer. I felt a little intimidated but very flattered and somehow undeserving. What a thrill!”

ACM Sets Date For 8th Annual ACM Honors

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ACMHonorsThe 8th Annual ACM Honors will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The evening will include musical tribute performances and award presentations to honor the non-televised award recipients and winners from the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Among the categories being honored are Industry Award, Studio Recording Award (previously known as Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist or MBI Awards), Special Award recipients and the Songwriter of the Year award.
Honorees will be announced at a later date.

No. 1 Song: "Sunny and 75"

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Pictured (Back row, L-R): Broken Bow Records’ Jon Loba and producer Derek George; (Middle row, L-R): producer Mickey Jack Cones, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Abbey Adams; (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, co-writers Michael Dulaney and Paul Jenkins, Joe Nichols, co-writer Jason Sellers, and BMI’s Penny Everhard. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Broken Bow Records’ Jon Loba and producer Derek George; (Middle row, L-R): producer Mickey Jack Cones, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Abbey Adams; (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, co-writers Michael Dulaney and Paul Jenkins, Joe Nichols, co-writer Jason Sellers, and BMI’s Penny Everhard. Photo credit: Steve Lowry


Nashville industry executives gathered at the Country Music Association‘s offices on a chilly January afternoon on Wednesday (Jan. 22) to celebrate those behind the success of Joe Nichols‘ latest No. 1 song, “Sunny and 75.” The upbeat tune marked songwriters Michael DuLaney‘s seventh, Paul Jenkins‘ fourth and Jason Sellers‘ fourth No. 1 hits. With the tune, Nichols notched his fifth chart-topping song and his first No. 1 song since “Gimmie That Girl” (2010). “Sunny and 75” is the first chart-topping song for Broken Bow Records (BBR) Music Group’s Red Bow label. Derek George and Mickey Jack Cones, co-producers on “Sunny and 75,” were also honored during the celebration.
“When we find out your vocal will be on one of our songs, we get thrilled. We appreciate all the songs you have cut and look forward to many more,” said Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson said to Nichols.
Nichols stated he was initially hesitant to record the “Sunny and 75,” which he didn’t consider to be melodically in his wheelhouse. “When I first heard the song and Jason [Sellers] was singing it, it was hard to envision myself singing it,” said Nichols. “[Broken Bow Records’] Benny [Brown] suggested I try it and it worked, so I appreciate the confidence they have in me.” He offered a round of thanks for everyone who supported his music, including publicist Jenny Bohler, booking agency CAA, and his band and crew, “because they don’t get enough credit,” said Nichols.
Ron Cox was on hand to present Avenue Bank’s donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of the songwriters.
Among those on hand to celebrate the song’s success were Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown and Jon Loba, Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, ASCAP‘s LeAnn Phelan, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, BMI‘s Penny Everhard, and Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, Nichols’ manager.

War Memorial Auditorium Expands Attendance Capacity

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Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.

Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.


War Memorial Auditorium has expanded to a 2,000+ capacity with an open-floor configuration.
“WMA always has been a first-rate performance hall, offering superior live concert experiences,” said Brent Hyams, COO at War Memorial Auditorium. “We are extremely excited to have the capacity close to what it was when the venue first opened in 1925. Originally, the capacity was 2,200, and that was reduced shortly thereafter to 1,661. Patrons consistently pack the house, and we are pleased to be able to kick up the energy with this recalculation.”
War Memorial Auditorium’s new venue capacity is 2,044. Prior to the increase in capacity, the theatrical configuration allowed for a maximum capacity of 1,789. The reconfiguration adds 255 tickets available for standing room on the floor.

CMT Partners With Kicker Country Stampede

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cmt logo111CMT will serve as the exclusive national TV partner for the 19th annual Kicker Country Stampede bringing coverage of the massive festival to CMT, CMT.com and CMT Radio.
Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Dustin Lynch, Thomas Rhett, Charlie Worsham, Tyler Farr, Joe Diffie, Jon Pardi, Sarah Darling, 6 Degrees West and Logan Mize are among the performers for the four-day festival in Manhattan, Kan. on June 26-29, 2014.
Additional performances will be announced this weekend during the CMT Hot 20 Countdown on Saturday, Jan. 25, beginning at 11 a.m. ET. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit countrystampede.com.

WME Opens Christian Division In Nashville

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Agent Mike Snider will head the Christian division.

Agent Mike Snider will head the Christian division.


William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) is launching a Christian Music Division in its Nashville office. Heading the department will be 20-year industry vet Mike Snider. He joins the WME team along with fellow agents Kevin Huffman and Dan Rauter.
They come to WME from Paradigm and will be bringing clients including Andy Mineo, CeCe Winans, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe, Kutless, Lecrae, Matt Maher, MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Red, Rend Collective Experiment, Shane & Shane, Tedashii, Tenth Avenue North, and Trip Lee.
Snider, Huffman and Rauter came onboard at Paradigm in 2010 when it purchased Third Coast Artists Agency, where they previously worked. Snider co-owned Third Coast and joined Paradigm as co-head of its Nashville office. There he oversaw operations and handled acts in Christian and Country music.
Huffman started his career as an agent in 1999. He has worked with artists including Caedmon’s Call, Bebo Norman, Skillet, All Star United.
Rauter began his career as President of CommonRock Entertainment, an artist management company, representing Grammy and Dove Award nominated artists including All Star United and Seven Day Jesus.

Industry Pics (1/23/14)

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Cole Swindell (Warner Bros./WMN) kicked off the Luke Bryan That’s My Kind Of Night Tour in Columbus, Ohio last Thursday  night.

Pictured (L-R): WMN’s Midwest Regional Katie Bright, Product Manager Joel Borksi, Cole Swindell, EVP/GM Peter Strickland, and Red Light Management’s Kerri Edwards.

Pictured (L-R): WMN’s Midwest Regional Katie Bright, Product Manager Joel Borksi, Cole Swindell, EVP/GM Peter Strickland, and Red Light Management’s Kerri Edwards.

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BMI recently stopped by This Music’s offices on Music Row to award the team behind Dustin Lynch’s platinum-selling song “Cowboys and Angels” with a Million-Air Certificate. Co-written by Tim Nichols and Josh Leo, the song has accumulated over one million U.S. broadcast performances. The designation has been bestowed upon many of BMI’s iconic songwriters, including Sir Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Isaac Hayes and Roy Orbison.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, co-writer Tim Nichols, Dustin Lynch, co-writer Josh Leo, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar. Photo credit: Drew Maynard

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, This Music’s Rusty Gaston, co-writer Tim Nichols, Dustin Lynch, co-writer Josh Leo, and Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar. Photo: Drew Maynard

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The 5th Annual 30A Songwriters Festival took place Jan. 17-19 in South Walton, Fla. Sponsored in part by ASCAP, several top ASCAP songwriters performed at various venues throughout the weekend, including Josh Osborne (“Drunk Last Night,” “Merry Go Round”), Jon Nite (“We Were Us,” “Tip It On Back”), JT Harding (“Somewhere With You,” “Smile”), Deric Ruttan (“Mine Would Be You,” “What Was I Thinkin”) and more. ASCAP and City National Bank hosted the annual Late Night Hang at The V, a local restaurant in Seagrove, Fla.

Pictured (Front row, L-R): ASCAP's Robert Filhart, songwriters Aaron Eshuis and Deric Ruttan, and ASCAP's Michael Martin. (Back row, L-R):Songwriter Josh Osborne, City National Bank's Mandy Gallagher, ASCAP's Evyn Mustoe, and songwriters JT Harding, Matt Jenkins, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Jon Nite and Matthew McGinn.

Pictured (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, songwriters Aaron Eshuis and Deric Ruttan, and ASCAP’s Michael Martin. (Back row, L-R): Songwriter Josh Osborne, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, and songwriters JT Harding, Matt Jenkins, Marla Cannon-Goodman, Jon Nite and Matthew McGinn.

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Six-time Grammy winner Carrie Underwood welcomed Almay, along with numerous beauty editors, to Nashville yesterday (Jan. 22) as part of the launch of her campaign as their Global Brand Ambassador.

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Ed Rode.

Carrie Underwood. Photo: Ed Rode.

Artist Updates (1/23/14)

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luke-bryan-crash-my-party-album111

Luke Bryan


Luke Bryan will perform during the  Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, the prelude to the start of the “The Great American Race” at Daytona International Speedway on Sunday, Feb. 23 (1 p.m. – FOX, FOX Deportes, MRN Radio and SiriusXM NASCAR Radio).
All race fans that purchase a Pre-Race/Sprint FANZONE access pass for the Daytona 500 can enjoy Bryan’s Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show, as well as driver introductions.
“We’re thrilled to have a talented artist such as Luke Bryan perform prior to the start of the Daytona 500,” Daytona International Speedway President Joie Chitwood III said. “We’re expecting Luke to put on an exhilarating show that will energize our race fans as we kick off the new NASCAR Sprint Cup Series season.”
Bryan joins previous Daytona 500 Budweiser Pre-Race Show performers including Zac Brown Band, Lenny Kravitz, Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Bon Jovi.

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garth brooks11

Garth Brooks


Garth Brooks and Blake Shelton will be on hand to help Jay Leno end his run on NBC’s The Tonight Show. Shelton will appear on Wednesday, Feb. 5, while Brooks will appear on Thursday, Feb. 6. Also appearing on Feb. 6 is Billy Crystal, who was Leno’s first guest on the show in May 1992. The Tonight Show with Jay Leno airs weeknights at 10:35 CT. The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon will begin Feb.12.

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Kenny Chesney. Photo: Shaun Silva

Kenny Chesney. Photo: Shaun Silva


Kenny Chesney filed a copyright lawsuit this week in federal court regarding the unauthorized use of his name and trademarked logo to sell branded merchandise, reports The Tennessean.
The suit demands that merchandising company T&M Enterprises cease producing T-shirts and other gear without the entertainer’s permission. Chesney has contracted with licensing company Latitude to use his name and logo to sell merchandise.
Chesney notified T&M Enterprises to stop producing merchandise; the two parties reached an agreement in January 2013 that allowed T&M to sell its remaining items. However, according to the current suit, the company has continued to sell merchandise after it was supposed to have ceased under the settlement agreement.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages and requests for a judge to require T&M, along with its designer Harneet Pasricha, to cease producing the merchandise.

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chapman11Steven Curtis Chapman will kick off the second leg of his The Glorious Unfolding Tour on Feb. 13, with opening acts The Afters and Josh Wilson. The tour will support Chapman’s recent album, The Glorious Unfolding, as well as Show Hope, an organization that promotes care for orphans.
“The Glorious Unfolding Tour has been an incredible experience so far!” said Chapman. “But we didn’t get everywhere we wanted to take this new music, so we’re headed out again. I’m so honored to still be getting to do this and I look forward to seeing all of our friends that can make it out to the concerts.”
Glorious Unfolding Tour 2014 Dates
Feb. 13-Baton Rouge, La.
Feb. 14-Texarkana, Texas
Feb. 15-Austin, Texas
Feb. 16- Tulsa, Okla.
Feb. 19-Hattiesburg, Miss.
Feb. 20-Athens, Ala.
Feb. 21-Atlanta
Feb. 22 – Nashville, Tenn.
Feb. 23-Anniston, Ala.
Feb. 25 – Pensacola, Fla.
Feb. 26 – Orlando, Fla.
Feb. 27 – Jacksonville, Fla.
March 11 – Syracuse, N.Y.
March 12 – Pittsburgh, Pa.
March 13 – Grand Rapids, Mich.
March 14 – Flint, Mich.