Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum Celebrates Expansion

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countrymusichalloffameThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will celebrate the completion of its 210,000 sq. ft. expansion at a ceremony on Tuesday, April 15, at 1:15 p.m. CST.
The celebration is open to the public and will take place on an outdoor stage at the corner of Demonbreun and 5th Ave. S., featuring performances by Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs, Lee Ann Womack, Buddy Miller and more, in addition to appearances by Mayor Karl Dean and other special guests.
“This expansion is a major milestone for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “It also embodies the exciting momentum shaping Nashville today, especially downtown. All of us at the museum are so proud to help lead the current growth that is defining one of the country’s most culturally significant regions.”
Debuting exhibits at the newly expanded museum, which doubles its previous size, include the ACM Gallery, the Fred and Dinah Gretsch Family Gallery, and the Design Gallery: A Window into the Collection. These join previously unveiled sections of the expansion which include the 800-seat CMA Theater, the Taylor Swift Education Center, the letterpress operation Hatch Show Print, and the Event Hall, among others.
For more information, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

5th Annual Music Row Rally Set For April 15

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Craig Wiseman

Big Loud Shirt’s Craig Wiseman


Songwriter Craig Wiseman and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee will hold the 5th annual Music Row Rally on Tues., April 15.
The event will be held in the Big Loud Shirt parking lot located at 1111 16th Ave. S. Wiseman will be joined by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a few local food trucks, including fan favorites Riffs Fine Street Foods, Deg Thai, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, and Smoke Et Al from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ten percent of all profits made by the food trucks will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A $1 donation is requested from all attendees at the door as an additional way to give to this incredible charity.
The Music Row Rally leads in to the 10th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit, slated for Tues., June 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium. Presented by O’Charley’s and hosted by Wiseman, Country duo Florida Georgia Line will headline the benefit for the third year in a row. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.

Writers Roundup (4/3/14)

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Ashley Monroe Publicity photo

Ashley Monroe


Warner Music Nashville singer/songwriter Ashley Monroe will perform in Nashville on Monday, June 5 at 3rd and Lindsley beginning at 5 p.m. CT. She will be joined by special guests Striking Matches.
To purchase tickets, visit 3rd & Lindsley’s site.
Monroe penned several songs featured in ABC’s Nashville, and will star in a one-hour show Nashville: On The Record, which airs April 23 on ABC.

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Jeffrey Steele

Jeffrey Steele


 
3 Ring Circus Music will host the YMCA Songwriters Night at 3rd & Lindsley on Thursday, April 17 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The lineup includes Jeffrey Steele, Alissa Moreno, The Shuggah Pies, Brandon Hood, Adam James, Alyssa Bonagura, Charlie Crowe, Jimmy Stewart, Willow Park and others.
The event will benefit the Brentwood Family Y of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available by visiting 3rd & Lindsley’s site.

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There’s a new songwriters round in Nashville, this one combining the richness of songs and coffee.
“Songwriters Singing For Coffee—Where Lyrics and Lattes Collide” launched its first show at Starbucks in Green Hills on April 2. Songwriters Billy Yates, Greg Friia, Scott Reeves and Pete Sallis performed several of their well-known songs.
For a list of upcoming shows, visit songwriterssingingforcoffee.com.
Photos by Bev Moser.
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Leah Turner To Release Debut EP May 6

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leah turner ep111Newcomer Columbia Nashville artist Leah Turner will release her five-song, self-titled EP on May 6. Turner co-penned every song on the project, including her new single, “Pull Me Back.”
The California native’s career took a leap forward when she happened to meet singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins during a college class; Loggins encouraged Turner to pursue her musical dreams in Los Angeles. There, she worked with David Foster and other industry execs, but Turner says her heart has always been in Country music. “Roots run deep, you know? My roots were in Country music, so I prayed about it and felt I needed to move to Nashville,” Turner told MusicRow during a recent visit. Once in Music City, Turner began lining up co-writing sessions, and eventually met Sony Music Nashville’s Jim Catino. “I played him a worktape, and he said he wanted to sign me to a deal. I was so excited; I couldn’t believe it,” says Turner. “That was a year ago.”
Turner will soon hit the road with Arista Nashville artist Brad Paisley‘s summer tour and celebrate the release of her upcoming EP.

 Leah Turner EP track listing:
“Take the Keys” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
“Pull Me Back” (Leah Turner/Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins)
“Bless My Heart” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“Beat Up Bronco” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“My Finger” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
Starting today, fans can pre-order the EP Leah Turner.

Artist Pics (4/2/14)

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Dierks Bentley performed at Nashville’s Station Inn Tuesday night (April 1) with a host of industry friends.

Dierks Bentley performs at Nashville's Station Inn

Dierks Bentley performs at Nashville’s Station Inn. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Dierks Station Inn 4.1.14 Moments By Moser 3311

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

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Tuesday night (April 1), during an exclusive listening event for her latest album Everlasting at Nashville’s BMI office, Martina McBride was presented with a custom “Nancy” comic strip by illustrator Guy Gilchrist.

Photo (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations; Martina McBride; Guy Gilchrist, "Nancy" Comic IllustratorPhoto Credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations; Martina McBride; Guy Gilchrist, “Nancy” Comic Illustrator. Photo: Steve Lowry

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After his performance at iHeartRadio Country Festival in Austin, RCA Nashville artist Dee Jay Silver is gearing up for the Saturday launch of his weekly syndicated radio show, The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver.

Pictured (l-r): Silver and “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver” OM Keith Kaufman. Photo credit: Ivor Karabatkovic

Pictured (L-R): Silver and “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver” OM Keith Kaufman. Photo credit: Ivor Karabatkovic

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On Wednesday (April 2), singer-songwriter-guitarist Frankie Ballard performed his recent chart-topping single “Helluva Life” on NBC’s Today Show.

Pictured (L-R): Kathi Lee Gifford (co-host of NBC's TODAY Show), Frankie Ballard, Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC's TODAY Show). Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity

Pictured (L-R): Kathi Lee Gifford (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show), Frankie Ballard, Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show). Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity

Industry Ink (4/2/14)

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acm-awards-logo111featuredThe Academy of Country Music has added performers to Sunday evening’s Academy of Country Music Awards show, including Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Lee Brice, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts. Presenters for the evening will include Thea Andrews, Guy Fieri, LL COOL J, Jewel, Olivia Munn, Nancy O’Dell, Chris O’Donnell, Clay Walker and Trisha Yearwood.
The Academy of Country Music awards will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton and broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

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SESAC has signed Sharon Koltick, lead singer and bassist of the Nashville rock band Kink Ador. Koltick stopped by the organization’s offices to visit with SESAC’s Dennis Lord and manager Bennett Davidson from Bluewater Music.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC's Dennis Lord, Koltick, and Bluewater Music's Bennett Davidson. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Dennis Lord, Koltick, and Bluewater Music’s Bennett Davidson. Photo: Peyton Hoge.

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bluebird logo1On Sunday, May 4, the Morrison Hotel Gallery will celebrate a new series of music photography at the Bluebird Cafe, with a day of music stories told by music photographer Henry Diltz and Peter Blachley. The gallery will cover the walls of the Bluebird Cafe and will represent more than 80 music photographers. A spotlight show featuring Blachley and Diltz begins at 6 p.m. on May 4. Tickets can be purchased at ticketsnashville.com.

Singer-songwriter Holly Williams will join the celebration by offering prints of these photos for purchase through her clothing boutique, H. Audrey, located across the street from The Bluebird Cafe. These archival printed, signed (or estate signed) editions and framed photographs will be exhibited through Sept. 21, 2014.
Morrison Hotel Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Blachley, retail music industry professional Richard Horowitz, and photographer Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast Gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood.

Warner/Chappell Music Appoints A&R Manager

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Travis Carter

Travis Carter


Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., has appointed Travis Carter to the role of A&R Manager. Carter will report to Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP, Warner/Chappell Nashville.

In this position, Carter will provide A&R resources and creative support across the publisher’s roster and catalog, and assist in the discovery of new talent and development of existing songwriters.
Carter, a former touring musician, previously held roles at publishing companies Love Monkey Music and Tom-Leis Music, as well as at Sony Music, where he worked as an A&R Consultant.

McBride Samples 'Everlasting' for Nashville Industry

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Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Martina McBride, Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Martina McBride, Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Steve Lowry


An intimate group of industry professionals gathered in BMI’s first floor hall for part two of a Q&A and listening for Martina McBride‘s forthcoming Everlasting release. Yesterday’s (April 1) program gathered an industry-focused audience, similar to McBride’s Two Old Hippies preview in January for press.
Host, Jody Williams, introduced Robert K. Oermann who again interviewed the songbird to shed light on the creation and inspiration of her first independent release, in partnership with Kobalt Label Services. “I’ve had two record company experiences in Nashville, both have been fantastic,” said McBride of the challenge of producing and marketing her own master recordings. “RCA and Republic Nashville provided me a base to build a model for Everlasting.”
Recorded after whittling standards for seven months with New York A&R executive Monica Lynch, Everlasting took form under the care of producer Don Was. The project was tracked and mixed by McBride’s husband John at their Blackbird studios in Nashville. “It’s easy working with John,” said McBride of the collaboration. “We are so used to it — he wants what I want.” Similar to McBride’s classic Country album, Timeless, the A-list studio provided the vintage gear played by a sparse collaboration of musicians, including Memphis Boys member and Elvis session man Reggie Young, who makes an appearance on “Suspicious Minds.” Two duets are included on the collection, Sam Cooke‘s “Bring It On Home To Me” (featuring Gavin DeGraw), as well as Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto‘s “In The Basement” (featuring Kelly Clarkson).
On release day (April 8) McBride will practically be everywhere, performing “Suspicious Minds” on the Today Show, on GAC, performing a free show in the Big Apple at the Hard Rock, not to mention appearing on VH-1, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly. Six tracks are available today, in addition to a vinyl pre-order.

CMT Launches News & Docs Division, Preps Documentaries

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Pictured from L-R: Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum); Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom president and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum); Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum); Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo Credit: Getty Images for CMT

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley; Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks Head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom Pres. and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott; Dave Haywood; Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo: Getty Images for CMT


CMT will launch its News & Docs division with a full slate of documentaries and projects from producers including Ridley Scott, Morgan Spurlock and many others. Jayson Dinsmore, Exec. VP of CMT Programming and Development, made the announcement at the network’s upfront presentation at TimesCenter in Manhattan, which included a three-song set from Lady Antebellum.
“We’re fulfilling our promise to create a CMT News & Docs division with a slate of bold and compelling stories that reflect big personalities and monumental events that helped define America, our music and our spirit,” said Dinsmore. “We’ve partnered with some of the most respected and visionary filmmakers working today, all charged with producing unique documentaries through an authentic and distinctive lens.”
The forthcoming documentaries include Promiseland, from executive producer Ridley Scott. The four-hour miniseries Promiseland will highlight an often unsung American hero, the American farmer.
They Called Us Outlaws, an eight-hour documentary from Eric Geadelmann and Mark Johnson, will focus on the happenings in Nashville and Austin in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and others were breaking the rules and making music their own way.
Freedom from Morgan Spurlock explores the meaning of freedom in America.
Meanwhile, Urban Legend: When A Nation When Country from John Dorsey and Andrew Stephan (producers of ESPN’s Pony Excess) examines the Country music scene in the 1980s.
Additionally, there is Johnny Cash—American Rebel, as well as episodes of the returning CMT series Inside Fame, which will spotlight Florida Georgia Line and Hunter Hayes. No air dates have been set for the documentaries or Inside Fame series.
 

MusicRow Realty Update

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gibsonLocal investor Gary McDaniel plans to purchase the 3.5 acre, two building property housing Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar Corp.), according to the Nashville Post. The property includes 309 and 311 Plus Park Blvd.

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rymanSpeculation has surfaced that Ryman Hospitality Properties is planning to move its headquarters downtown, as the company’s owners plan to purchase the 300 Broadway building (6,000 sq. ft.), housing its Opry souvenir shop, according to The Tennessean.

“In the long term, we’ll evaluate whether to lease it to a third-party or use it for our own purposes,” said Ryman Hospitality’s spokesman Brian Abrahamson. “The street level space is home to our Opry Originals retail shop, and the building purchase secures this location as an important Opry retail outlet for the long term.”
While Ryman Hospitality looks downtown, space is available in its current headquarters, where the company only uses 32k of 80k available sq. ft. OakPoint Advisors’ John Keller is helping Ryman find tenants for the open space.