'InCharge' Applications Being Accepted This Week

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unnamedMusicRow Magazine has started production of its coveted annual InCharge print magazine, slated for a mid-April release. Now in its 27th year, the InCharge publication is the April/May issue of MusicRow.

Applications will be accepted online through Friday, March 7, 2014 from top Nashville industry professionals who buy or sell significant quantities of goods and services, and who are crucial in building entertainment careers.
Since 1987, MusicRow has curated a list of Nashville’s Music Industry Decision Makers –the top executives responsible for the successful careers of today’s biggest artists. This reference guide is a great resource for anyone entering the music industry, for established veterans with long successful careers, and for just about everyone in between. InCharge contains a wealth of information about Nashville’s music industry and highlights the faces and personalities of those whose combined achievements reshape the future of our city’s renowned music enterprise. Each person listed in the directory represents many others that serve vital roles of supporting and helping our industry to thrive.
For advertising inquiries in the InCharge issue, readers should email [email protected] or contact Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson at (615) 499-5418.

Yamaha Helms Elton John's New Concert Movie

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Elton John The Million Dollar Piano

Elton John in The Million Dollar Piano.


Franklin-based Yamaha Entertainment Group oversaw filming of the concert production of Elton John’s The Million Dollar Piano. This month movie theaters around the globe will show the film of the superstar’s concert series at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. John has been performing at Ceasars to rave reviews and sold-out crowds since 2011.
The movie was filmed in 2012 with Yamaha Entertainment Group founder Chris Gero at the helm.
Fathom Events, CinemaLive and Rocket Music Entertainment Group are now bringing the concert experience to moviegoers in 1,200 theaters across 40 countries on March 18 and March 26 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
At the centerpiece of this larger-than-life concert event is the show’s namesake Yamaha piano, a one-of-a-kind engineering marvel featuring more than 68 LED video screens. The piano weighs in at nearly 3,200 pounds and is the brainchild of Elton and Gero and was designed by Yamaha industrial designer Akie Hinokio. 
For The Million Dollar Piano, Elton is accompanied by his band, which includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, the late Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards, with a special appearance by percussionist Ray Cooper.
Gero has an impressive history of creating productions with Elton John, the first being A Tribute to Elton John in 2003, followed by The Red Piano, The Million Dollar Piano, and Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Concert in 2012, where Elton made history by playing Disklavier pianos remotely in real time across the world from the stage of the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park.
Details and tickets for Elton John – The Million Dollar Piano are available at www.FathomEvents.com.

Big Smo To Release Debut Warner Bros./Elektra Project

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big smoWarner Bros./Elektra Records will release the debut album from Big Smo, titled Kuntry Livin‘, on June 3. The 13-track album follows Big Smo’s Backwoods Whiskey EP.
The Country ‘hick-hop’ artist is also slated to star in the A&E Network original reality series Big Smo, produced by Brownstone Entertainment.
Track Listing for Kuntry Livin’
1. Workin’
2. Bumpy Road
3. Hick Ross
4. Anything Goes
5. Cover My Eyes
6. Down In The Backwoods
7. Come On
8. Redneck Rich
9. Who I’ll Be
10. Got Me
11. Ain’t Nothin Free
12. I’m So Kuntry
13. Lawdy Lawdy

Mark Your Calendar – March 2014

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Final_Logo_Presenting_SponsorIndustry Events

March 4
CMHoF tributes Hee Haw at the CMA Theater, part of Pop Goes Rochelle Presents An All-Star Salute to Hee Haw
March 7-16
SXSW
March 10
TJ Martell 10th Annual Honors Gala at Nashville’s Omni
March 11-15
First iTunes Festival at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
March 17
ACM Awards Final Round Ballot Closes
March 21

  • MusicRow’s 3rd Annual Rising Women on the Row
  • George Strait brings The Cowboy Rides Away tour to the Bridgestone

March 25-29
Tin Pan South festival
March 29
iHeartRadio Country Festival at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center
March 31
Applications due for Leadership Music class of 2015

Closer-to-NowhereSingle Add Dates

March 3
The Swon Brothers/Later On/Arista Nashville
David Nail/Kiss You Tonight/MCA
Kellie Pickler/Closer To Nowhere/Black River
The Band Perry/Chainsaw/Republic Nashville
Levi Riggs/I’m Good/Windridge Records
Tracy Lawrence/Lie/Lawrence Music Group
Don Williams/I’ll Be Here In The Morning/Sugar Hill

March 10
Joe Bachman/Lookatchu/Rock Ridge
Scott Hooper/Giddy Up/Lamon
March 17
Gwen Sebastian/Annie’s New Gun/Flying Island Entertainment
Steve Richard/South Of Heaven/Force Mp Entertainment
Jetset Getset/Stronger (Than You Seem)/Playback
March 24
Andy Ross/Rebel/Buckshot Collective
March 31
Brandon Alan/Different Way/Creative Arts Group

Jo-Dee-Messina-me-AlbumAlbum Release Dates

March 4
David Nail/I’m A Fire/MCA Nashville
Eli Young Band/10,000 Towns/Republic Nashville
Sundy Best/Bring Up The Sun/Entertainment One
Bill Anderson/Life/Red River Records (Physical release)
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler Records-Thirty Tigers
Dallas Smith/Tippin’ Point [EP]/Big Loud Mountain-Republic Nashville
March 11
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Luke Bryan/Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever [digital EP]/Capitol Nashville
Don Williams/Reflections/Sugar Hill Records
Sherry Lynn/It’s A Beautiful Life/Steal Heart
Matt Stillwell/Right On Time/Still7-Average Joes
Cowboy Troy/King Of Clubs/WMN
March 18
Jo Dee Messina/Me/Dreambound Records
March 25
Johnny Cash/Out Among the Stars/Legacy Recordings
Jerrod Niemann/High Noon/Sea Gayle Records-Arista Nashville
Elton John/Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [deluxe edition]/Island
Sarah Davidson/Sarah Davidson [EP]/Suretone Entertainment

The Bobby Bones Show Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

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bobby bones show1111The Bobby Bones Show will celebrate the program’s one-year anniversary with “Pimpin’ Joy Week,” slated for March 3-7. The week-long celebration will feature guest appearances and live performances from Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Sheryl Crow, Gloriana, Thomas Rhett, Charlie Worsham, A Great Big World and others.
Pimpin’ Joy is a movement dedicated to inspiring people to choose joy, spread happiness, and do good things for others. It was first launched to honor co-host Amy and her mother Judy, who has been battling Cancer for two years.
Bones stated, “It’s awesome to see the Country community come together for a cause that is so important to us and our listeners. There is too much negativity in the world today, and this week is all about making a conscious effort to choose joy, and promote happiness.”
The Bobby Bones Show launched nationwide in February 2013, and is aired on more than 60 stations.

Charlie Monk, Hank Locklin Inducted Into Alabama Music Hall of Fame

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charlie monk1

Charlie Monk


“Mayor of Music Row” Charlie Monk and Grand Ole Opry member Hank Locklin were among the inductees into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame over the weekend.
Monk, along with fellow honorees including singer Candi Staton, keyboardist and songwriter Spooner Oldham, songwriter Dan Penn, and jazz surrealist Sun Ra were feted over the weekend during a celebration held in Muscle Shoals. This marks the first time the event has been held in the birthplace of Alabama music.
John Paul White was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The Secret Sisters inducted the late Hank Locklin, while Locklin’s son, Hank Adam Locklin of Nashville, accepted the honor on his behalf.
hanklocklin02-430x250

Hank Locklin


The Alabama Music Hall of Fame has had an induction banquet every four years since 1985. It serves as a showcase for numerous Alabama natives and their significant impacts upon the music industry.
Members of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame include Country band Alabama, Percy Sledge, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, W.C. Handy, The Commodores, Sonny James, Buddy Killen, Billy Sherrill, and many others.
The Secret Sisters and John Paul White perform.

The Secret Sisters and John Paul White perform.

Eli Young Band Jumps the Gun with '10,000 Towns' Release

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eli young band11Those Eli Young Band fans awaiting the band’s Tuesday release were surprised as early as Sunday evening (March 2) with the full release of the group’s 10,000 Towns, available on iTunes. This will give the band an extra day or two to contribute to its debut week sales tally.
Expected to land on a regular Tuesday release schedule, the band’s Republic Nashville album features the latest single, “Dust,” and the boy’s latest No. 1 song, “Drunk Last Night.” The Eli Young Band co-produced the 11-song project with Justin Niebank and Frank Liddell, in addition to writing over half of the tracks (full list below). A Walmart exclusive is available for pre-order, including three bonus tracks.
Catch the Eli Young Band perform “Dust” on Tuesday (March 4) on NBC’s TODAY Show in the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda. The foursome is currently on the road with Darius Rucker and will head out with Jake Owen later this spring. For tour dates and more, visit eliyoungband.com.
10,000 Towns Track List:
1. “Drunk Last Night” (Laura Veltz, Josh Osborne)
2. “10,000 Towns” (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman)
3. “Dust” (Jon Jones, James Young, Kyle Jacobs, Josh Osborne)
4. “Angel Like You” (Heather Morgan, Liz Rose, Mike Eli)
5. “Let’s Do Something Tonight” (Jimmy Robbins, David Lee Murphy, Jon Nite)
6. “Your Last Broken Heart” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
7. “What Does” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
8. “A Lot Like Love” (Dylan Altman, Will Hoge)
9. “Just Add Moonlight” (Will Hoge, Jon Randall)
10. “Revelations” (Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
11. “Prayer For The Road” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Chris Thompson, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana)
Walmart Exclusive:
12. “Traces” (Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, James Young, Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs)
13. “June, July, August” (Jason Saenz, Jen Schott)
14. “The Moon’s On Fire” (Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton, Al Anderson)

Vector And Proper Artist Management Unite

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vector mgt1

Vector Management and London-based Proper Artist Management have united to provide management services for current and future clientèle. Vector’s co-presidents Ken Levitan and Jack Rovner have partnered with London-based Proper Artist’s Peter Rudge. Proper Artist Management will be re-branded as Vector Management.

“Peter is one of the all time greats whom I’m honored to have known for over 30 years. We are thrilled to be working with him and his team,” said Rovner.
“Vector has always been a globally minded management company,” adds Levitan. “By partnering with Proper, we are excited to bring even more international opportunities to our artists.”
Prior to establishing Proper Artist Management, Rudge served as Global Head of Music at Octagon Music. He has managed or co-managed several artists during his career, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynrd, Diana Ross, Sophie B Hawkins and more.
“We are excited to be joining forces with Ken, Jack and the Vector team and adding to their experience, wide ranging assets and infrastructure,” said Rudge. “In an industry where management companies are required to provide greater expertise in all areas of the business, Vector can now confidently offer existing and new clients a global footprint that is second to none. Management can be a lonely game but finally after many years, I feel we’ve found a home.”
Vector Management has offices in New York, London, Los Angeles and Nashville.

2014 Tin Pan South Lineup Revealed

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tin pan south1111The lineup and schedule for the 2014 Tin Pan South was revealed Monday morning (March 3). This year’s lineup will include numerous A-list songwriters and artists, including Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Brett James, Amy Grant, Lee Thomas Miller, Holly Williams, Liz Rose, Striking Matches, Josh Kear, Jessi Alexander, Karyn Rochelle, Sarah Buxton, Erin Enderlin, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, Leah Turner, Kyle Jacobs, Ben Glover, busbee, Angel Snow, Wynn Varble, Leigh Nash, Phil O’Donnell, Jaida Dreyer, and numerous other song stylists.
Participating venues include The Listening Room Cafe, Station Inn, The Bluebird Cafe, Belcourt Taps, Commodore Grill, Douglas Corner Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, and many others.
Tin Pan South runs from Tuesday, March 25- Saturday, March 29.
Tickets went on sale this morning. Tickets and a full lineup listing are available at tinpansouth.com.

Industry Ink (3/3/14)

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Michelle Lorge

Michelle Lorge


Sweet Talk Publicity has added Michelle Lorge as Publicity Manager. Lorge will report directly to Sweet Talk Publicity president Jensen Sussman and she can be reached at [email protected].
“I’m excited to have Michelle on board. Her creativity, passion and dedication will be a shining addition to the Sweet Talk staff,” shares Sussman.
Sweet Talk Publicity is a boutique firm specializing in entertainment and music media relations, representing Jake Owen, Florida Georgia Line, Frankie Ballard, Will Hoge, Maggie Rose, Dallas Smith, Corey Smith and Joe Bachman.

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nash logo111Cumulus has expanded the NASH Country music and lifestyle brand to WOMG/Columbia, S.C. On Feb. 28, the station became NASH FM 98.5 – with their logo, website and on-air promotions using “NASH FM” and “Powered by NASH” language.
NASH FM 98.5 will feature exclusive NASH programming content including “America’s Morning Show” with Blair Garner, Terri Clark and Chuck Wicks, “NASH Nights Live” with Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith and “Kickin’ It with Kix” with Kix Brooks and Suzanne Alexander. The station will also feature Program Director T.J. McKay in the afternoon.

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Jenni Finlay

Jenni Finlay


Jenni Finlay Promotions has expanded to offer artist management and marketing services as well as radio promotion. The Austin-based radio promotions company has represented Caitlin Rose, Gurf Morlix, Slaid Cleaves and more.
The company now manages James McMurtry, and will offer marketing, management and digital strategies to clients.