Through The Lens (5/20/14)

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ASCAP hosted its monthly writers-in-the-round showcase at The Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, May 14 and featured songwriters from Nashville publisher Dan Hodges Music including T.W. Hale (“Why Haven’t I Heard from You”), Breelan Angel (“Double Standards”), Wayne Baird, Ryan Griffin, Goran Kralj and Zac Wrixon.

ASCAP and Dan Hodges Music writers at the Bluebird Cafe.

ASCAP and Dan Hodges Music writers at the Bluebird Cafe.

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Skincare company IMAGE Skincare has sponsored rising artist Kalisa Ewing. Ewing will open for Loretta Lynn in concert this Memorial Day weekend at the Loretta Lynn Ranch.

Kalisa Ewing and Loretta Lynn

Kalisa Ewing and Loretta Lynn

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Yale University recently awarded bluegrass pioneer Ralph Stanley a Doctor of Music degree during ceremonies held in New Haven, Conn. Honorary degrees were also awarded during the service to World Wide Web founder Tim Berners-Lee, poet Rita Dove and actor Anna Deavere Smith.

Photo credit: Michael Marsland / Yale University

Photo credit: Michael Marsland / Yale University

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Marshall Tucker Band‘s Doug Gray celebrated with his daughter recently at her college graduation.

Doug Gray with his daughter.

Doug Gray with his daughter.

Republic Records Promotes Tom Mackay

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Tom Mackay

Tom Mackay


Republic Records has promoted Los Angeles based Tom Mackay to Executive Vice President/General Manager, West Coast.
His ties to Republic Nashville include A&R work with Florida Georgia Line and Eli Young Band.
Mackay has been part of Republic Records since its inception in 1998, where he has worked with rock radio mainstays 3 Doors Down and Hinder. He also proved integral to the introduction and 2011 launch of NBC’s Emmy Award-winning The Voice and the music released in conjunction via Republic Records.
In the fall of 2011, he relocated to LA from New York to expand the West Coast office, further film and television initiatives, and sign and develop new artists. He spearheaded successful soundtracks for The Hunger Games, Son of God, Muscle Shoals, The Walking Dead, TURN, and more.

Nashville Memorial Planned To Remember David Haley

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David Haley


A Nashville memorial service for Country radio promotion veteran David Haley will be held Tuesday, June 10, 2014 at 10 a.m. at the W.O. Smith Music School, located at 1125 8th Ave. S. in Nashville.
Haley passed away on May 3, 2014 in Oxford, Miss. He was 56. Haley moved to Nashville in 1984 at age 28. He held radio promotion roles at various labels, including 17 years with MCA Nashville, where he rose to VP, Promotion. He followed his time at MCA with roles at Equity, InstiGator, Edgehill, and Tenacity.
Haley’s daughter Crystal Polk and her husband Jeffrey will be attendance at the Nashville memorial, as well as Haley’s sister Brenda Davis and husband Charles from Mississippi.
Contributions can be made to the Music Health Alliance in the name of David Haley.

Marco Club Connection Celebrates 10 Years

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Brooke Swenson

Brooke Swenson


Music venue marketing organization Marco Club Connection is celebrating its 10th anniversary. A division of Nashville-based Marco Promotions, Marco Club Connection offers specialized marketing of dance club singles and country lifestyle products to nightclubs and dance venues.
After launching in 2004, Club Connection has successfully marketed campaigns for artists including Toby Keith, Zac Brown Band, Trace Adkins, Keith Urban, Gretchen Wilson, Big & Rich, Reba McEntire and Dierks Bentley, among others. Every year, Marco Club Connection distributes an annual Top Ten Dance Club hits and reports the most played and most requested songs in venues and by instructors across the country.
Marco Promotions VP Rick Kelly says, “The last decade of Club Connection has been filled with remarkable successes. It has been a joy to see this department establish itself as the top conduit between Nashville and the multitude of Country consumers who pack venues each week. When we see our projects, whether they be artists or other consumer products, connect with fans at this fundamental level, the results continue to be extremely rewarding.”
Additionally, Marco Club Connection has added Brooke Swenson as Venue Marketing Specialist; she will also oversee the department’s day-to-day operations. Swenson can be reached at [email protected] or 615-269-7071.

Dan + Shay Announce October Tour

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danshay111Warner Bros. Records duo Dan + Shay will be on the road later this year for the Where It All Began Tour.  Ten dates have been announced for October, with on-sale dates and times to be announced soon. Dan+Shay was on the road with Hunter Hayes this spring and will join Blake Shelton this summer before beginning their headlining tour.
The duo, comprised of Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney, released its debut single “19 You and Me” in 2013, followed by their current song “Show You Off.” They have been nominated for an ACM and CMT award and had a chart-topping album debut with Where It All Began.
More information on Dan + Shay can be found here.
Dan + Shay’s Where It All Began Tour:
Oct. 9-Minneapolis, Minn.-Mill City Nights
Oct. 10-Madison, Wis.-Majestic Theater
Oct. 15-Nashville, Tenn.-Cannery Ballroom
Oct. 16-Birmingham, Ala.-Workplay Soundstage
Oct. 17-Robinsonville, Miss.-Horseshoe Tunica
Oct. 19-Tulsa, Okla.-Cain’s Ballroom
Oct. 23-New York, N.Y.-Highline Ballroom
Oct. 24-Philadelphia-The Trocadero Theatre
Oct. 25-Washington, D.C.-9:30 Club
Oct. 26-Columbus, Ohio-Newport Music Hall

CMA Honors Warwick With Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award

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Duncan Warwick receives the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award in Norwich, England. Photo: Bobbi Boyce / CMA


The Country Music Association has honored Duncan Warwick, editor of British Country music magazine Country Music People, with the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement award. The award recognizes accomplishments in media which contribute to the continued success and development of Country music abroad.
“Ever since George Strait, Dwight Yoakam, and Randy Travis came into my life it has never been the same. I totally immersed myself in Country Music, and there are not words to explain how important it has been in my life. Therefore I am honored and humbled to be recognized by my peers to be the recipient of the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award,” said Warwick, who was given the award in Norwich, England. “Not only would I like to thank those in the industry who selected me to receive this award, I would also like to thank the countless Country artists who have enriched my life, and those behind the scenes, like the songwriters, who continually touch my heart, and the fine musicians who bring it all to life.”
“Duncan has been a champion for Country music in the U.K. for decades,” said Bobbi Boyce, CMA Director of International Relations. “He has certainly helped raise international awareness and interest in Country Music and continues to work tirelessly on behalf of the format. I am so pleased to honor him with this award.”
Warwick’s career began as a promotions representative for Impulse Promotions (a division of Zomba Records). He was later elevated to Promotions Manager at Zomba. Warwick began contributing work to Country Music People in the early ’90s, and was named editor of Country Music People in 2009. He continues to spearhead the publication, which covers not only major label releases, but traditional Country music, Americana, rockabilly, bluegrass and Western swing. Warwick is also a regular guest on BBC Radio Norfolk Country show.
Those eligible for the honor include radio, print journalists, television, authors, editors, television writers, producers and public relations companies who reside outside the United States.
CMA International Awards are voted on by a panel of industry executives from the U.S. and abroad.

Tennessee Recording Company Launches

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tn recording companyMatchbox Twenty musician/Nashvillian Kyle Cook has started the Tennessee Recording Company along with fellow musician/producer Mike Fiorentino and web developer Ben Shaw.
The Music City team includes Angela Everett as Director of Operations overseeing the local office and studio.
The first signing to the Nashville based multi-genre label is hip-hop artist Maurico. The EP I Am Maurico, produced by Cook and Fiorentino, is due out this summer, with a follow-up EP coming in 2015.
Shaw manages the company’s online presence from London.
Everett’s resume includes time at the Haber Corporation, rpm management, and The Country Music Association. She can be reached at 615-482-5621 or [email protected].

Streamsound Records Appoints Karen Tallier as VP, Media Marketing

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Karen Tallier

Karen Tallier


Streamsound Records has appointed public relations practitioner Karen Tallier as Vice President of Media Marketing. In the newly created role, Tallier will oversee all marketing efforts, including publicity, digital media and creative services, and will report to CEO Steve Richardson.
“Karen’s work ethic and ability to manage resources will make her an invaluable addition to the Streamsound team,” says Richardson. “We look forward to seeing her knowledge and experience enhance the careers of the artists who call Streamsound home. ”
“I am thrilled to join a great independent label that possesses a highly experienced, committed and passionate staff,” said Tallier. “We are all here to give our artists the ability to be successful, to have their music heard and to support them in doing what they love the most. There’s no better feeling than to see the fruits of that labor and I have no doubt that we’ll be successful given that mandate.”
Tallier helmed LOUDMOUTH PR for more than a decade, where she represented artists at Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Average Joes Entertainment, RPM Entertainment and Cold River Records. Prior to her time at LOUDMOUTH, Tallier served in finance and publicity roles at RCA Label Group.
Brentwood, Tenn.-based Streamsound Records opened in 2012, and is distributed by ATO Records. Led by Byron Gallimore, Jim Wilkes and Tim McHugh, the label’s roster includes Kristian Bush, Austin Webb, Dakota Bradley and Jaida Dreyer.
Tallier can be reached at [email protected].

Get An Early Look at Nashville's West Riverfront Park

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amphitheather

The final design and new renderings of the 11-acre West Riverfront Park’s first phase were unveiled earlier today by Nashville mayor Karl Dean. The park will include more than one mile of multi-use greenway trails, a downtown dog park, gardens, an amphitheater and a 1.5-acre event lawn dubbed The Green.

The park is slated to open in summer 2015.
“This site is the last great vestige of open space in downtown Nashville, and I can’t think of a better use for such beautiful green space than a world-class park, coupled with a spectacular performance venue to showcase all that Music City has to offer,” Mayor Dean said. “This iconic park will quickly become a destination for active recreation and enjoyment for residents who live in all parts of Davidson County, as well as visitors to our city.”
The amphitheater site within the park will be fully-accessible to the public during non-event days, though it may be fenced and gated during events and pre-event setup. The amphitheater will accommodate up to 6,500 people with semi-fixed seating for 2,200, a 300-person greenway pavilion, and 4,000 lawn seats.
The amphitheater facility is approximately 35,000 square feet on two floors and includes a 100-foot by 60-foot stage with a 40-foot vertical opening designed to accommodate multiple forms of performance events. The facility is fully supported with an artist wing, operator offices, and dining and event space which open to a park-side terrace.
The amphitheater walls are designed to appear like natural stone rising out of the landscape, similar to the limestone cliffs along the Cumberland River. The stone bases are augmented with steel panels and a flat roof with natural finishes.
The amphitheater bowl will include multiple buildings for restrooms, concessions, first aid and sound control for events. The facility is being built to Silver LEED certification. Sustainable features include geothermal heating and cooling, green roofs, solar power and rainwater collection.
Bowl Blowup1111 night shot

Artist Updates (5/19/14)

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LeAnn Rimes


LeAnn Rimes will sing the national anthem during pre-race ceremonies at the 98th running of the Indianapolis 500 on Sunday, May 25 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“To sing the national anthem at one of the most prestigious racing events is truly an honor,” Rimes said. “The adrenaline at the Speedway is felt around the world and I know I am one of millions who is so excited to hear those six legendary words ‘ladies and gentlemen, start your engines…’

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Lori McKenna


Universal Music Group Publishing singer-songwriter Lori McKenna will perform Tuesday, May 20 at the Music City Tippler at 6 p.m. Members of the music industry are invited.
In 2013, McKenna released the acclaimed project Massachusetts. She recently co-wrote three songs that appeared on the Country radio charts, including Little Big Town‘s “Sober” and “Your Side of the Bed,” and Hunter Hayes‘ “I Want Crazy.”

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Jason Aldean


 Jason Aldean and Firestone have teamed for a brand partnership that will launch Saturday, May 24 for Firestone Presents: Jason Aldean at the Indianapolis 500. Aldean will headline the inaugural performance at the new Turn 4 infield stage at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.
“Firestone is a natural fit for me,” said Aldean. “I’m a truck guy, and I can tell you truck guys care a lot about their tires. For me, the bigger, the better! Looking forward to having them as a partner in kicking off the relationship at the Indy 500.”

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Photo: Joel Crouse via Twitter.


Joel Crouse was in a serious automobile accident on Friday night (May 16), when he lost control of the car he was driving. The car flipped, landing on its roof. The 21-year-old singer-songwriter posted to social media, “Last night a miracle happened. I walked away from the car without a scratch on me.”
Crouse was alone in the car when the accident occurred.