McGraw, Hill To Be Honored As 2014 Harmony Award Recipients

faith-timTim McGraw and Faith Hill have been named as the recipients of the 2014 Harmony Award, presented annually to individuals who exemplify the harmonious spirit of the Nashville musical community.
They will be honored during the 30th anniversary edition of the Symphony Ball on Dec. 13 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where they will perform with the orchestra. Separately, the 2014 Symphony Ball patron party will be hosted by Vince Gill and Amy Grant on Dec. 9, 2014.
“Through the years, the Harmony Award has recognized many in Nashville for their contributions to our city’s unique culture and both Faith and Tim have more than earned their place alongside the names of all the past recipients,” said Alan Valentine, Nashville Symphony president and CEO. “Not simply outstanding artists, these are two outstanding people who have helped make Nashville the thriving creative capital that it is and we are thrilled to honor them with this award.”
The Symphony Ball, established in 1985,  is Nashville’s premier winter social event and one of the Nashville Symphony’s two annual fundraisers. The ball has raised a total of nearly $7 million for the Symphony, sustaining the organization’s mission of achieving excellence in musical performance and educational programs. Past recipients include Brad Paisley, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart and Keith Urban.

Five-Story Condo Development Planned For 30 Music Square West

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A rendering of planned condo space at 30 Music Square West.


Bravo Development’s Tim Reynolds has announced his plan to develop 30 Music Square West in the Music Row area. A five-story development featuring condominiums and restaurant space is planned, where the history of RCA Studio A, which previously occupied part of the property, will be commemorated in narrative panels and photos. The new construction will bring 147,000 square feet and building will commence in spring 2015. The development will include 80 upscale residential units, ranging from one bedroom layouts to penthouse suites. Amenities will include a rooftop community area, and a dog park. Approximately 2,000 square feet of restaurant space, which will tribute the history of RCA Studio A, will also be included.
Bravo is in discussions with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum regarding ways to salvage the six chandeliers that will be left in the studio once the console, recording equipment, furniture and other contents, which all belong to the tenant, are removed.
The developer has given a deadline of 5 p.m. on Sept. 30 for those who want to submit a reasonable offer to purchase the building or pursue alternative plans.
“I have always respected those who felt the studio could be saved and from the beginning Bravo has considered all options to do so,” said Tim Reynolds, owner of Bravo Development.  “At the same time, I must soon move forward with my plans now that I have done my due diligence and determined that salvaging the building is not structurally or financially feasible. Bravo and the design team at Smith Gee Studios are very excited about the development and the plans we have made to honor Studio A.
“Music Row has long been a neighborhood of creative people who want to live and work in a close-knit environment near the heart of downtown,” he continues. “This project will provide more people that opportunity by marrying the comforts of high-end, custom homes with the ease and convenience of urban living. We also have gone to great lengths to ensure that it appropriately commemorates what occurred in those walls so that the legacy of Studio A is never forgotten.”

Garth Brooks Confirms Album Release Date

Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.

Garth Brooks. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.


Garth Brooks confirmed today (September 19) at a tour press conference in Atlanta, GA that his highly-anticipated new album will be available on November 11. The yet-to-be-titled album will be released on Pearl/RCA Nashville and will feature his current Country radio single, “People Loving People.”
Fans can pre-order the album at garthbrooks.com and ghosttunes.com. In addition to the album, fans can order an additional mega bundle including all eight studio albums digitally updated, the new double live 25th Anniversary Edition featuring 30 songs along with 30 videos, an instant download of “People Loving People” and the bonus track, “Send ‘Em On Down The Road.”
Brooks, who in 2000, was certified by the RIAA as the No. 1-selling solo artist in U. S. history and has sold 134 million albums to date, virtually receiving every music award possible, is currently on his world tour.

Bloss-Baum Named To SoundExchange Sr. Director Role

linda bloss baum11SoundExchange has named Linda Bloss-Baum as Sr. Director of Industry Relations. She will drive awareness and visibility for SoundExchange across multiple channels related to performance and music entertainment.
Bloss-Baum most recently served as an independent consultant with recording artists through her agency LBB Creative Strategies. SoundExchange was a client of LBB Creative Strategies.
“We are pleased Linda Bloss-Baum will be joining the Industry Relations department at SoundExchange,” said SoundExchange VP of Industry Relations Barry LeVine. “Her solid reputation and strong industry connections, in particular her work with the Nashville community where, as a consultant to SoundExchange, she established the well-regarded SoundExchange Influencers Series at the Bluebird Cafe, make her a tremendous asset –  particularly as we develop new programs for the community we serve.”
Prior to her work with LBB Creative Strategies, Bloss-Baum ran the Warner Music Group office in Washington, D.C. for six years. She also served as VP, Public Policy/Government Relations at Universal Music Group/NBC Universal and Time Warner, Inc. She graduated from Catholic University Law School and is an adjunct professor at the KOGOD School of Business at American University, where she teaches a class on “Protecting the Creative Class in the Digital Age.” She is a member of the Leadership Music Class of 2009 in Nashville.
“I am honored to be part of the SoundExchange family. There is no stronger foundation to continue my work for recording artists and rights holders than SoundExchange,” said Bloss-Baum.

Industry Ink: The Agency Group, South X Sea, Makin' Music

Restless Heart has signed with The Agency Group for live booking representation. The Agency Group’s Travis James will act as the band’s agent.
“The Agency Group is extremely proud to become a part of the outstanding legacy already created by Restless Heart,” says James. “To see all the original guys still singing and performing the hits at the top of their game is inspiring on so many levels. I’m honored to be a part of the band’s touring future, as are the other TAG agents who will be involved on a daily basis.”

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Roberts (The Agency Group), Travis James (The Agency Group), Greg Jennings, Dave Innis, John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart, Nick Meinema (The Agency Group). Photo: Absolute Publicity

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Roberts (The Agency Group), Travis James (The Agency Group), Greg Jennings, Dave Innis, John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart, Nick Meinema (The Agency Group). Photo: Absolute Publicity

• • •

southxseacroppedProducer Brandon Metcalf has launched the new independent label, South X Sea. The label launches with two artists, Dallas-based indie alternative band TEAM, and Nashville-based indie pop band Kaptan. Metcalf will lead the company with Dave Conway (previously of Atlantic, Doghouse/Warner, and Working Group Management) acting as GM and Head of A&R, and Andrew de Torres rounding out the A&R team.

Metcalf will continue operating his studio Destiny Nashville, where he recently produced/wrote tracks and records for Jewel, Blues Traveler, Veronica Ballestrini, Trent Dabs, Ella Mae Bowen, and others. The studio will be used to produce records released through the new South X Sea label.

For more information, visit southxsea.co.

• • •

making musicMakin’ Music and Foremost Records have hired Jessica Reeves as National Head of Promotion and Marketing. Reeves graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Business and Public Relations. The Lafayette, Tenn., native moved to Nashville after interning with Girlilla Marketing.

“In college, I always thought I would go into publishing. I never even considered anything else because I was so convinced on the path my career was going to go, ” Reeves said. “It wasn’t until I got my internship that I knew marketing and promotion was my thing.”

Artist Updates: "If Trees Could Sing," Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack, Jim Ed Brown

Reba

Reba


The Nature Conservatory, in partnership with Metro Parks Nashville, has launched “If Trees Could Sing” at Nashville’s Centennial Park. The project features videos of 18 musicians, including Reba, Suzy Boggus, Rodney Atkins, Will Hoge, Jim Lauderdale, Big Kenny, Jerry Douglas, Kim Richey and Ben Folds, talking about their favorite trees.
Trees at Centennial Park have been outfitted with signs, each with an artist’s photo and a QR code, which, when scanned with a smart phone, will allow visitors to view a video of the artist speaking about that specific tree.
Artists and trees include:

  • Rodney Atkins and the Eastern redbud
  • Big Kenny highlights the benefits of trees
  • Suzy Bogguss and the flowering dogwood
  • Jerry Douglas and the red maple
  • Mike Farris and the Eastern red cedar
  • The Fisk Jubilee Singers and the bald cypress
  • Ben Folds and the sweetgum
  • Giancarlo Guerrero of the Nashville Symphony and the green ash
  • Will Hoge and the willow oak
  • Taylor Hicks and the sweetbay magnolia
  • Jim Lauderdale and the sugarberry
  • Reba McEntire and the pin oak
  • Tim O’Brien and the chinkapin oak
  • Kim Richey and the sycamore
  • Jason Ringenberg and the hackberry
  • Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show and the osage orange
  • Webb Wilder and the blue spruce
  • Victor Wooten and the black walnut

• • •

luke bryan farm tour111Luke Bryan will feature Cole Swindell, The Peach Pickers (Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip), Chancie Neal, and DJ Rock during his upcoming Farm Tour, which will visit eight cities in Tennessee, Alabama, Florida, Georgia and South Carolina, beginning in October.
Farm Tour 2014 Dates
Oct. 1, Knoxville, Tenn., Maple Lane Farms
Oct. 2, Auburn, Ala., Ingram Farms
Oct. 3, Tallahassee, Fla., Cross Creek Place
Oct. 4, Gainesville, Fla., Whitehurst Cattle Farm
Oct. 8, Statesboro, Ga., Perry Field
Oct. 9, Athens, Ga., Meldon Farm
Oct. 10, Columbia, S.C., Culler Farms
Oct. 11, Macon, Ga., Midway at Central City Park
(dates & cities subject to change)

 • • •

Lee Ann Womack and John Legend. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images

Lee Ann Womack and John Legend. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images


Lee Ann Womack and John Legend taped an episode of CMT Crossroads in Nashville this week. CMT Crossroads: John Legend and Lee Ann Womack premieres Friday, Sept. 26 at 10 p.m. ET on CMT.
They were joined onstage by musicians Mac McAnally, Glenn Worf, Jedd Hughes, and Jim Hoke. Womack and Legend performed songs including Legend’s “All of Me,” and “Green Light,” and Womack’s “I May Hate Myself In The Morning” and “I Hope You Dance.”
They also played Legend’s current single “You and I (Nobody In The World)” and Womack’s title track from her upcoming album The Way I’m Livin,’ which releases next week.

• • •

jim ed brown1Jim Ed Brown will release his first solo recording in 30 years, with the release of In Style Again, his debut project for Plowboy Records. The project, which is slated for release next year, will include duets with Vince Gill and The Whites, as well as a track with the reunited group The Browns.
“I love new music.” Brown said. “I guess the whole world does. It’s always good to hear a new song. I love what I do. People have always been great to me. They have accepted me into their homes and lives. It’s unreal what radio and television has done for me. I am a very blessed man.”

Weekly Chart Report (09/19/14)

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Gold Village Entertainment Expands to Nashville

House of Blues Studios’ Gary Belz and Gold Village Entertainment’s Danny Goldberg have established management company Gold Village Entertainment Nashville. Located at the House of Blues Studios complex in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood, the company and partnership will be an expansion of Gold Village Entertainment.
Brady Brock, an executive with Gold Village Entertainment New York City since 2008, has been named Vice President of Gold Village Entertainment Nashville. Gold Village Entertainment New York City and Nashville manages the careers of Steve Earle, The Hives, Against Me!, and others.
Goldberg stated, “This venture allows me to fulfill two longtime wishes: to work professionally with Gary Belz and combine our interests, values and networks, and to develop and renew my relationships with the Nashville music community. Brady Brock has been one of my closest colleagues in New York for many years and the fact that he is heading up our efforts in Nashville was the additional catalyst to bring Gold Village Entertainment Nashville to life. I’m looking forward to spending more time in Nashville.”
Brock can be reached at bradyb@goldve.com or at 615-777-0640.
 

Round Hill Music Launches Round Hill Records

   Pictured (L-R): John Sadocha, Josh Gruss (CEO/Chairman, RHM), Bob Morelli (President, RED), Jonnie Davis (Sr. Vice President, A&R/ Head of Label Services, RHM), Alan Becker (SVP Product Development, RED), Michael Lau (COO, RHM)

Pictured (L-R): John Sadocha, Josh Gruss (CEO/Chairman, RHM), Bob Morelli (President, RED), Jonnie Davis (Sr. Vice President, A&R/ Head of Label Services, RHM), Alan Becker (SVP Product Development, RED), Michael Lau (COO, RHM)


Round Hill Music has launched Round Hill Records, with an exclusive distribution deal with Red. Initial releases include recordings from Bush, Spacehog and Howie Day. The announcement comes on the heels of a co-ownership deal with Bush frontman Gavin Rossdale, who worked with Round Hill Music to acquire the first four Bush albums from Kirtland Records. The platform was created to manage various master recordings that Round Hill Music acquires.
“While we are a music publisher at our core, expanding into the world of master ownership and exploitation is a natural and organic next step. Thus, Round Hill Records was born,” explains Round Hill Music president, Neil Gillis.
​”We intend to grow our master recording assets in the next few years,” adds Round Hill Music’s CEO and Chairman, Josh Gruss. ​
Round Hill Music opened a Nashville office in January 2014, led by Mark Brown and Kari Smith.

BMI Royalties Reach All-Time High

BMI logoBMI today (Sept. 18) reported that it had achieved the highest revenues and royalty distributions in its 75-year history for its fiscal year ended June 30. BMI generated revenues of $977 million, and distributed and administered more than $840 million to its songwriters, composers and music publishers.
For the 2013 fiscal year, BMI reported revenues exceeding $944 million and royalty distributions of $814 million.
This year, the largest category of the company’s domestic revenue was delivered by cable and satellite distributed entertainment. Licensing income from digital services, international sources and from businesses such as bars, hotels, fitness facilities and restaurants all posted significant gains.
BMI singer/songwriters including Taylor Swift, Adam Levine, Shakira, Miranda Lambert, P!nk and Nicki Minaj contributed some of the most-performed songs of the year. Income was received from the mega-smash “Let It Go,” by Robert Lopez and Kristen Anderson-Lopez, from the highest-grossing animated film of all time, Disney’s Frozen. Also adding to the tally were Macklemore & Ryan Lewis, Daft Punk and Nile Rodgers, Kacey Musgraves, Imagine Dragons, and film and television composers James Newton Howard, Steve Jablonsky, Mark Mothersbaugh, Brian Tyler, and John Williams.
This year’s results cap a ten-year period during which BMI has generated more than $8 billion in revenues and distributed royalties of more than $7.5 billion. BMI operates on a non-profit-making basis and returns more than 85% of all revenue to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
BMI Pres. and CEO Michael O’Neill said, “We are extremely pleased with these results and are already hard at work trying to better them this year. BMI has a well-earned reputation as a trusted broker between the creative community and businesses that perform music to enhance their customer experience. In an ever-evolving marketplace for music rights, our leadership, operational expertise and ability to deliver value at so many different levels to our songwriters, composers, publishers and licensees, enables us to maximize royalties for the creative community.”