Tina Wright Exiting Post at Country Music Hall of Fame

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Tina Wright

Tina Wright


Tina Wright is set to leave her post as Sr. Director of Media Relations at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum to pursue new opportunities.
Wright’s last day is Friday, March 7. She has been with the museum for 13 years. Prior to her work at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Wright was a publicist at The Press Network.
Publicist Kay Clary is expected to temporarily fill the vacancy, starting later this month. Clary was recently honored by The Hall’s Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum.
Wright can be reached at 615-418-7133 or [email protected].

Second Annual K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominations Revealed

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Pictured (L-R, Top): Chad Graham and Alan Powell of Anthem Lights, K-LOVE CCO David Pierce, Michael W. Smith, Michael Tait of Newsboys, NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell, Bart Millard of MercyMe, K-LOVE CEO Mike Novak, World Hope Founder & President Dr. David Janney. (Bottom): Joey Stamper and Caleb Grimm of Anthem Lights, Jamie Grace, Host Jennifer Vickery Smith, Britt Nicole, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Executive Producer John Sanders. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Terry Wyatt

Pictured (L-R, Top): Chad Graham and Alan Powell of Anthem Lights, K-LOVE CCO David Pierce, Michael W. Smith, Michael Tait of Newsboys, NASCAR Driver Michael McDowell, Bart Millard of MercyMe, K-LOVE CEO Mike Novak, World Hope Founder & President Dr. David Janney. (Bottom): Joey Stamper and Caleb Grimm of Anthem Lights, Jamie Grace, Host Jennifer Vickery Smith, Britt Nicole, Mike Donehey of Tenth Avenue North, Executive Producer John Sanders. Photo Credit: Getty Images/Terry Wyatt


During a press conference Tuesday morning (March 4) at the Grand Ole Opry, the nominations for the second annual K-LOVE Fan Awards were announced. Among the attendees during the morning’s press conference were K-LOVE’s Mike Novak and David Pierce, as well as Mike Donehey (Tenth Avenue North), Jamie Grace, Michael McDowell (NASCAR), Bart Millard (MercyMe), Britt Nicole, Michael W. Smith, and Michael Tait (Newsboys). The event included a performance from Anthem Lights, who performed a mash-up of the K-LOVE Song of the Year nominations.
The K-LOVE Music Awards is the only fan-voted award show in Christian music. The K-LOVE Fan Awards and Ultimate Fan Experience begins Friday, May 30, with the award show taking place at the Grand Ole Opry House on Sunday, June 1.
K-LOVE Fan Awards Nominees 2014
Song of the Year
“The Only Name” Big Daddy Weave
“Overcomer” Mandisa
“Lord I Need You” Matt Maher
“Hello My Name Is” Matthew West
“This Is Amazing Grace” Phil Wickham
Artist of the Year
Casting Crowns
Chris Tomlin
Matthew West
MercyMe
Tobymac
Male Artist of the Year
Matthew West
Chris Tomlin
Colton Dixon
Jeremy Camp
Steven Curtis Chapman
Tobymac
Female Artist of the Year
Britt Nicole
Francesca Battistelli
Jamie Grace
Mandisa
Natalie Grant
Plumb
Group or Duo of the Year
Building 429
Casting Crowns
MercyMe
Newsboys
Sidewalk Prophets
Tenth Avenue North
Worship Song of the Year
“God’s Great Dance Floor” Chris Tomlin
“I Am” Crowder
“Oceans” Hillsong United
“Your Grace Finds Me” Matt Redman
“You Won’t Let Go” Michael W. Smith
“Never Once” One Sonic Society
Best Live Show
For King & Country
NEEDTOBREATHE
Newsboys
Rend Collective
Switchfoot
Tobymac
First Christian Artist to Appear on 7UP Can
Hillsong Young & Free
Jamie Grace
Sidewalk Prophets
Tenth Avenue North

Beats Music Buying Topspin Media

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beatsmusic_logo_0Beats Music, the streaming service that launched in January, is acquiring artist marketing platform Topspin Media. The Artist Tools section of Beats is already integrated with Topspin, allowing artists to update their profile page with custom images and merch offers. Ian Rogers, CEO of Beats, was previously CEO of Topspin.
In today’s (March 4) blog post announcing the acquisition, Rogers wrote, “We’re committed to establishing Beats Music as a conduit for the artist-fan relationship, a platform where artists have a voice, and a provider of useful data and analytics on how fans interact with artists and their music. This acquisition puts our money where our mouth is… Over the next several months you’ll see our platform reveal many exciting new features, providing new ways to discover music and engage with your friends and the artists that create it.”
He directed Topspin artists to a blog post for more details. Rogers wrote that Beats will honor the business agreements made by Topspin and “we’ll be working with the Topspin team to find the best possible partner to handle Topspin’s ecommerce and fulfillment in the coming weeks.”
[The Beats ad below includes a clip of Brandy Clark’s “Stripes.”]

Chader Exits CMT, Joins NPG PR

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Lisa Chader

Lisa Chader


Lisa Chader, previously Sr. VP of Corporate Communications at CMT, has exited the company, and joins the Nashville and LA-based independent PR firm, NPG PR as Executive VP, Strategy and Development. Effective immediately, Chader is charged with managerial oversight of the company and new business development. Cindy Finke, VP of Corporate Communications for CMT, will lead the CMT department moving forward.
Chader exits CMT after nine years, but will consult with the network, adding CMT to NPG PR’s client list.
“Bringing Lisa onboard is like drafting a star quarterback in the first round,” said Nicole Pope Gaia, NPG PR president. “Her leadership and experience elevate the already stellar team at NPG, allowing us to expand our business into all areas of individual, entertainment and brand publicity.”

CMT president Brian Philips remarked, “In her long run with Viacom/CMT, Lisa has made an indelible contribution to the transformation of the channel. We anticipate future work with her, in her new role at NPG. If nothing else, she is owed a certain amount of ‘hush money’ for the situations she has cleverly navigated at CMT in the last decade!”
“After spending my entire career in television publicity, I felt that now was the right time to make a move into independent PR,” said Chader.  “I admire all that Nicole has already accomplished, and I’m excited to be a part of her expanded vision for NPG.”  Chader added: “CMT and MTV Networks will always be my family and I’m grateful to Brian Philips and everyone at the network for allowing me to continue to contribute to the communications efforts at the company.”
Among NPG PR’s clients are TNT’s Private Lives of Nashville Wives and various music clients.
Chader is a veteran of television publicity, having worked for TBS in Atlanta; Comedy Central, VH1, Spike and MTV Networks in Los Angeles; and CMT in Nashville. Most recently, she has overseen all corporate communications and publicity efforts for CMT, including the annual CMT MUSIC AWARDS. Chader is a member of PRSA, a Board member of the TJ Martell Foundation, a graduate of Leadership Music and WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, and a proud alumnus of Florida State University.
Chader can be reached at [email protected].

Moffatt Named APRA AMCOS Nashville Representative

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Mark Moffatt

Mark Moffatt


Australia’s royalty collection society APRA AMCOS has appointed Mark Moffatt as its inaugural Nashville Member Relations Representative. The singer-songwriter will give performance rights assistance to APRA AMCOS songwriter, performer and music publisher members.
Moffatt will assist New Zealand songwriters, performers and music publishers with their transition to the United States music industry, providing them with networking opportunities to engage with key players in their respective niches.
Moffatt was recently appointed as the president of the Americana Music Association.
APRA AMCOS represents songwriters, composers and music publishers, and distributes their performance and mechanical royalties within Australia and New Zealand. They are affiliated with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, and gather royalties from these organizations within the Australasian region. APRA AMCOS also has International member relation representatives in London and Los Angeles, with operations based in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information, contact [email protected].

IEBA To Offer Summer Internship Scholarship

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Pictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors)

Pictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors).


IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) will award scholarships to 10 students interning in the live entertainment industry this summer. Each student will receive an individual scholarship of $1,500. Applications are available now at ieba.org. The application deadline is March 31.
In order to apply, students must be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college or university or vocational/technical school. Applicants must have completed 45 hours of academic coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The applicant is responsible for securing and completing an internship for summer 2014, however the internship does not have to be secured at the time the application is submitted. Funds will only be released to students who obtain internships.
IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews says, “I began my career in the industry at the age of 15 as a runner for Mid-South Concerts. The working knowledge I acquired with a promoter led me to tour accounting, venue management, and artist management. This inside look at the business was truly the first step on my career path.”
The scholarship program is designed to help offset living expenses associated with an internship, and to give students the opportunity to temporarily relocate for the experience of interning with a fair, festival, venue, agency, promoter or other professionals in the live music industry.
The 2014 Summer Internship Scholarships are made possible by IEBA’s 2013 Artist Auction and the support of The Agency Group, Seether, Romeo Entertainment, CAA, Kellie Pickler, The Bazel Group, and Todd Boltin.

APA Nashville Signs Sister Trio Michaelis

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter (APA), Cass Scripps (APA), Madeline Michaelis, Meagan Michaelis, Mallory Michaelis and Pete Olson (AMP). Photo: Jeremy Westby

Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter (APA), Cass Scripps (APA), Madeline Michaelis, Meagan Michaelis, Mallory Michaelis and Pete Olson (AMP). Photo: Jeremy Westby


APA has signed the sister trio Michaelis. The Michaelis sisters – Meagan (25), Mallory (21) and Madeline (18) – are currently featured in Season 3 of the national syndicated documentary series, Troubadour, TX, where they appear along with Kris Kristofferson, Wade Bowen, Roger Creager, Randy Rogers and others.
APA Nashville’s Cass Scripps has signed on as the trio’s agent. “These young ladies are a breath of fresh air,” he says. “Incredible harmonies, stand-out songwriting and a vibrant stage presence are the trio’s calling cards, and we’re excited to be on board so early in their career.”
Michaelis collaborated with producer Dave Brainard (Jerrod Niemann, Brandy Clark) before releasing their single, “Shoot Straight,” in July 2013.

Promotions, Departures at BMLG

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Colleen Taylor. Photo: BMLG

Colleen Taylor. Photo: BMLG


Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has promoted Colleen Taylor to the role of Executive Assistant for President/CEO Scott Borchetta. The Connecticut native and Belmont University grad began her career at the label as an intern in various departments, prior to Borchetta creating an Administrative Assistant position for her.
With the promotion, Taylor fills the seat vacated by long-time Executive Assistant Harry Lyons who has joined G Major Management, working with Big Machine Label Group artists Thomas Rhett and Danielle Bradbery. He can be reached at [email protected].
BMLG will fill the Administrative Assistant opening immediately. The role will work closely with Taylor to provide day-to-day scheduling and organizational support while facilitating increased efficiency and effectiveness for Borchetta and the label group. Prospective candidates should submit resumes to [email protected].
Taylor can still be reached at colleen.taylor@bigmachinemail.com or via 615-324-7933.

Universal Music Publishing Group Renews Deal With Dorff

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andrew dorff111

Andrew Dorff


Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed its exclusive publishing deal with songwriter Andrew Dorff. Dorff co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak” with UMPG songwriters Hayes and Luke Laird. Dorff also co-wrote Ronnie Dunn‘s Top 10 hit, “Bleed Red.”
“Andrew is a gifted songwriter and a rising star in the Nashville songwriting community,” said UMPG’s Executive VP/GM Kent Earls. “He is delivering songs that are taking him to the next level. We look forward to building on the success that we have already achieved over the past four years.”
“It doesn’t get any better than Universal Music Publishing and the creative staff I get to work with everyday… I’m beyond excited to continue what we have started…I’m a lucky dude,” said Dorff.
Additionally, Dorff has secured cuts by Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and The Robertson Family. He has upcoming cuts with McGraw, Evans and Kenny Chesney.

BandMerch, Cinder Block To Merge

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bandmerch11AEG Live and Transom Capital Group will merge their entertainment licensing and merchandising businesses, BandMerch and Cinder Block, to create the largest, full-service independent entertainment merchandising company in the United States.
The company will be home to numerous artists including The Who, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, and others. The company will continue as BandMerch and will operate from Los Angeles. The new entity will continue a strategic relationship with AEG Live.
“We’re extremely excited about this transaction as it pairs two like-minded companies who are focused on bringing the highest level of customer service to our clients,” said Joseph Bongiovi, President of the merged companies. “I believe that this combination puts us in a unique place in the market relative to our less sophisticated competitors and, for clients who want a hands-on, full service merchandising strategy, I think we will be the only place to call home.”
 Jason Green, CEO of Cinder Block, will continue in that capacity in the new entity.
“The business rationale makes perfect sense and the values of BandMerch – customer service, loyalty, dedication – are values that AEG shares and promotes. We think this will be a transformational transaction for both companies,” said Rick Webking, CFO of AEG Live.