GMA's Jackie Patillo Discusses The Dove Awards

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Jackie Patillo

Jackie Patillo


Tuesday night’s (Oct. 7) Gospel Music Association Dove Awards will be a showcase for multiple genres, says GMA President and Executive Director Jackie Patillo. “The Dove Awards is the only platform where all of these different styles of music come together on one stage. It really looks like The Kingdom,” she says. “It has been really important to me to unify our community, and it’s very rewarding to see that happen in one night on the Dove Awards.” The diversity is reflected in co-hosts Bart Millard of MercyMe (a CCM/pop artist) and hip-hop/rapper Lecrae, who recently held the No. 1 spot on the all-genre albums chart. Patillo adds there will be a Southern Gospel segment, black gospel choir and a worship song backed by a choir of star artists.
It is the awards show’s second year at the Allen Arena on the campus of Lipscomb University in Nashville. GMA and the university have forged a relationship, which includes the GMA offices moving to campus.
For the first time, the show will be broadcast exclusively on The Trinity Broadcasting Network (TBN), with the air date set for Sunday, Oct. 12.
While other awards shows, including the ACM and CMA Awards, have not always made tickets available to consumers, Patillo doesn’t remember a time when fans weren’t invited to the Doves, and this year they’ve upped the ante. “For the first time we are offering a VIP experience,” says Patillo. “The fans will have an opportunity to do artist meet and greets, have dinner with artists, and enjoy premium seating. Christian music is all about sharing with the people. There’s a spiritual bond as well as a musical bond.”
Events surrounding the Dove Awards keep expanding. Among three events tonight (Oct. 6) is a comedy show with headliner Bone Hampton at Lipscomb’s Shamblin Theater. There will be a nominee luncheon today at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center featuring speaker Beth Moore. “Everybody should be honored, even though not everybody is going to be a winner on Tuesday,” says Patillo. “The nominee luncheon is a great time of fellowship and letting them see each other, because the show is hectic.”
• • • •
As the GMA marks its 50th anniversary, its slate of events is biggest than ever, including the addition of the GMA Honors in the spring. “We want what we do to celebrate the past, present, and future,” says Patillo. “GMA Honors is our way of acknowledging the trailblazers that came before us. The Dove Awards is the platform that we use to raise those who are presently on the front lines making an impact with their music. And we do an event called Immerse which is geared toward the future. It is a three-day program, where we gather the industry for panels, training, vocal competitions and speak to the aspiring artists and Christian business people who want to learn more about the industry.
“Every year we induct four or five people into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame, and this year we decided to broaden the Hall of Fame event into GMA Honors. We added five honorees, we focused on companies and artists who are making an impact through their philanthropic endeavors. And we did a sit-down family style dinner in the Allen Arena. It was powerful.”
• • • •
Tuesday, Oct. 7, Dove Awards day schedule—The preshow begins at 2 p.m. at Collins Alumni Auditorium at Lipscomb, sponsored by SoundExchange. The Dove Cares Red Carpet in partnership with St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital starts at 3:30 p.m. Both will stream live at www.hearitfirst.com/live. The Dove Awards will be presented at 6:30 p.m. at Lipscomb’s Allen Arena.

"Little Big Town, Would Y’all Like To Be A Member Of The Grand Ole Opry?”

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LBTGrammy®-winning vocal group Little Big Town (Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook) was invited to join the Grand Ole Opry yesterday (October 3) by Opry member and friend Reba McEntire. Opry member Vince Gill will formally induct the group into the Opry on Friday, October 17.
As the group finished a three-song set with its smash “Pontoon,” McEntire appeared from the side of the stage, improvising on the song’s last few words. “I know the Grand Ole Opry is very important to y’all, because this is the first place you guys played together as a group in 1999,” McEntire began after the impromptu collaboration.

“I have been asked to ask y’all, Little Big Town, would y’all like to be a member of the Grand Ole Opry?”

After hugs with McEntire and between the members followed by a collective “Yes!” from the group, McEntire said, “Special moments like this—they’re priceless.”
Speaking for the group, Fairchild cheered, “Thank you, Grand Ole Opry! We will try to make you proud!”
Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher said, “We have been enjoying Grand Ole Opry visits from Little Big Town for almost 15 years now. During that time, the group has developed an amazing artistry and has won over millions of fans, all while maintaining a commitment to and love for the Opry we saw firsthand tonight. We will all be excited to officially welcome Little Big Town to the Opry family October 17.”

Artist Updates: Frankie Ballard, Carrie Underwood, Steve Wariner

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Photo: Sam Erickson

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Sam Erickson


Warner Bros. Records artist Frankie Ballard has teamed with Live Nation and Yahoo for the first show of his first headlining Light ‘Em Up Tour.
Ballard’s concert in Minneapolis, Minn. on Oct. 16, will stream via the Live Nation channel on Yahoo Screen, allowing fans who are unable to attend the concert to stream it wherever they are through Yahoo.
Screen is available on iOS, Android, mobile web, desktop and Smart TV platforms, including Apple TV, Roku and Xbox 360.
The tour will feature newly signed band A Thousand Horses as opener.

                                                         • • •

carrie

Carrie Underwood


Carrie Underwood and Zac Brown Band are among the artists set to perform for The Concert For Valor, a concert to honor America’s veterans and their families.
The concert will take place on the National Mall in Washington, D.C., and will be presented live on HBO this Veterans Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11 (7 p.m. ET).
Additional performers include Eminem, Jamie Foxx, Dave Grohl, Metallica, John Oliver, Rihanna, Bruce Springsteen, and special appearances from Meryl Streep, Tom Hanks and Steven Spielberg.

       • • •

steve wariner

Steve Wariner


 
 
 
Steve Wariner will perform two intimate musical performances at Acme Feed & Seed (located at 101 Broadway in Nashville) on Oct. 27 and Nov. 10.
The performances will be located at Acme’s concert venue and event space, The Hatchery.
For more information and tickets, visit theacmenashville.com/calendar.

Garth Brooks Releases Album Title, Cover Art For Latest Project

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garthGarth Brooks‘ latest album, Man Against Machine, will release Nov. 11. The Pearl/RCA Nashville release features his current single, “People Loving People.”
“Music has always been a reflection of where mankind is at the time.  For 14 years, I have watched heart and soul, dreams and individualism, fighting for their very existence in a world of increasing technology. This album is a reminder to all those who dream, work, and fight for what they believe; do not give up your vision,” said Brooks.
The album can be pre-ordered at GhostTunes, as well as an additional mega bundle including all eight studio albums, a new Double Live 25th Anniversary Edition, an instant download of the new single “People Loving People,” and the bonus track “Send ‘Em On Down The Road.”

Industry Ink: Sony/ATV's Tomlinson, peermusic, MTSU, CMHoF

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Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville

Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville


Belmont’s Curb College recently honored Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville, as the Morris Family Mentor & Lecture Series “Distinguished Lecturer.” This award is given to industry professionals who inspire others through their work in the entertainment and music industry.
The honor was presented after the Morris Family Mentor and Lecture Series Friday (Oct. 26). During the seminar, Tomlinson gave students insight into what Sony/ATV does for not only songwriters, but for an emerging artists.
 

• • •

MichaelTyler

Peermusic’s Michael Tyler


Peermusic writer/artist Michael Tyler performed for a packed house Wednesday, Oct. 1 at 12th & Porter, offering industry members a chance to hear his talents, calling him “a game changer.”
In December 2012, Vice President Michael Knox signed Tyler to his first publishing deal with the peermusic Nashville office and is currently working on new material for a solo project.

• • •

mtsu logo111Middle Tennessee State University has teamed with Sony/ATV for ‘All Access,’ which allows students to submit two of their songs to Sony/ATV’s creative team. The creative team then selects students to perform two additional songs during a live showcase.
The opportunity is open to both singers and songwriters. Songwriters must submit original compositions, while singers can send a song written by another writer, or a cover of a song that has not been a radio single. All genres of music are welcome. The partnership will continue through the Spring 2015 semester.

Beverly Keel, chair of MTSU’s Department of Recording Industry in the College of Mass Communication, said the partnership “provides a pathway for MTSU students to share their talent and work with industry professionals.”

• • •

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Honor Society was treated to a cocktail reception at the home of museum board member and Vector Management co-president Ken Levitan and wife Gloria Dumas. Vince Gill performed an acoustic set, ending the performance with “What You Give Away.”

For more information on joining the museum’s Honor Society program, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.
CK-Photo-CMHOF-Honor Society-2 mid res11

Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum board chairman Steve Turner, Museum Director Kyle Young; event hosts Ken Levitan and Gloria Dumas; Vince Gill. Photo: Kelli Dirks

RCA Studio A Finds Savior

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30 Music Square WestRCA Studio A has found a last minute savior. Bravo Development announced a finalized contract for the sale of 30 Music Square West to AMT Trust LLC for $5.6 million. Terms of the contract have not been disclosed. Tuesday, Sept. 30 at 5 p.m. was the deadline for interested parties to make a suitable offer to purchase the property.
“From the beginning I invited offers from those who have alternate plans for the building,” said Bravo Development’s Tim Reynolds. “We have worked diligently to find an appropriate buyer, and received multiple offers in the final hours before the deadline including some from developers who did not intend to save the building. In light of public concern, we ultimately decided to select the buyer that plans to preserve the building, and hopefully open it to the public.”
Bravo had previously revealed plans for a 147,000-square-feet, five-story condo to be built on the property. Bravo purchased the property from the Chet Atkins and Owen Bradley estates for $4.075 million.
In June, tenants and music industry members gathered at 30 Music Square West to oppose the selling of the building.
No immediate word on who makes up AMT Trust LLC. Stay tuned.

Lambert To Launch 'Certified Platinum Tour' in January 2015

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Leading nominee Miranda Lambert earned nine nods.

Miranda Lambert


Miranda Lambert will launch her Certified Platinum Tour in January 2015. The nearly 30-city tour includes dates in Tennessee, Ohio, Washington, Oklahoma, Alabama, Kentucky, and Mississippi, among other stops. ACM New Artist of the Year winner Justin Moore will join Lambert for the tour, while RaeLynn, Sunny Sweeney, Ashley Monroe, and Danielle Bradbery will also open shows along the way.
Cities included on Lambert’s Certified Platinum Tour include:
Evansville, IN
Lexington, KY
Columbus, OH
Charleston, SC
Knoxville, TN
Charleston, WV
Spokane, WA
Tacoma, WA
Eugene, OR
Toledo, OH
Rockford, IL
Peoria, IL
Little Rock, AR
Tulsa, OK
Oklahoma City, OK
Wichita, KS
Dallas, TX
Cedar Rapids, IA
Grand Rapids, MI
Birmingham, AL
Bossier City, LA
Biloxi, MS
Hershey, PA
Atlantic City, NJ
New York, NY
Manchester, NH
Worcester, MA
Uncasville, CT
Official dates and showtimes are forthcoming.

IBMA Awards Celebrate Silver Anniversary in Raleigh

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Del McCoury and Noam Pikelny. Photo by James McKelvey.

Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year winner Noam Pikelny (front) Del McCoury (behind). Photo: James McKelvey.


The 25th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards took place Thursday night (Oct. 2) at Raleigh, N.C.’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Award highlights (full winners list below) include Balsam Range taking home Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Male Vocalist (Buddy Melton). Banjo player Noam Pikelny had a breakout night, winning Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year for Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. At an earlier awards ceremony, Hall of Fame inductee Neil Rosenberg won Best Liner Notes for the same album.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees, The Seldom Scene and Dr. Neil Rosenberg, were honored in special presentations. Rosenberg was celebrated with a performance from fellow Canadians The Spinney Brothers, joined by fiddle players Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, and Jason Carter. Original members Ben Eldridge, John Starling and Tom Gray accepted their award to a standing ovation, noting the late John Duffey and Mike Auldridge. Both original members and current members then performed the signature hit “Wait A Minute.”
2014 Hall of Fame inductees, The Original Seldom Scene with current members, and Chris Eldridge. Photo: Dave Brainard.

2014 Hall of Fame inductees, The Seldom Scene with current members, and Chris Eldridge. Photo: Dave Brainard.


Performances included The Boxcars, Claire Lynch, Gibson Brothers, Della Mae, Blue Highway, Noam Pikelny, Del McCoury Band, Balsam Range, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Hosts Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas also performed at the 2014 show, which is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week’s (Sept. 30–Oct. 4) IBMA Business Conference and Wide Open Bluegrass festival.
Awards found broadcast partners including Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) and streaming from Music City Roots. Syndication will take the event to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The show will also be posted on AirPlay Direct. Awards are voted on by the professional membership of IBMA.
Instrumental Group of the Year, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Photo: Willa Stein.

Instrumental Group of the Year, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Photo: Willa Stein.

The 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards

Hall of Fame Inductees: The Original Seldom Scene, Neil Rosenberg
Entertainer of the Year: Balsam Range
Vocal Group of the Year: Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year:  Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Male Vocalist of the Year: Buddy Melton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Amanda Smith
Emerging Artist of the Year: Flatt Lonesome
Album of the Year: Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe – Noam Pikelny (artist) Gabe Witcher (producer), Compass Records
Song of the Year: “Dear Sister” – Claire Lynch (artist), Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb (writers)
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”- Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown (artists), Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (album), John Martin Sommers (writer), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: “Won’t It Be Wonderful There” – Dailey & Vincent (artist), Brothers of the Highway (album), Mildred Styles Johnson (writer), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
Recorded Event of the Year: “Wild Montana Skies” – Special Consensus with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Mandolin Player of the Year: Adam Steffey
Dobro Player of the Year: Phil Leadbetter
Bass Player of the Year: Barry Bales
Fiddle Player of the Year: Jason Carter
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Banjo Player of the Year: Noam Pikelny

Special Awards (presented Oct. 2)

Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Tim Stafford
Broadcaster of the Year: Kyle Cantrell, Bluegrass Junction, Sirius XM
Print/Media Person of the Year: Chris Jones, writer at Bluegrass Today
Bluegrass Event of the Year: Bluegrass Underground
Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project: Lou Everhart (designer), Lonely Comes Easy, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Rebel Records
Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project: Neil V Rosenberg, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Noam Pikelny, Compass Records
Distinguished Achievement Award recipients: Bill Keith, Deering Banjos, the European Bluegrass Music Association, Hillbilly at Harvard, and The Delmore Brothers.

Momentum Awards (presented Oct. 1)

Instrumentalists of the Year: Dominick Leslie (mandolin), Jake Stargel (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo)
Vocalist of the Year: Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)
Band of the Year: The Barefoot Movement
New Festival or Venue of the Year: Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association
Industry Involvement of the Year: Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground
Mentor of the Year: Tim Surrett

The Agency Group Signs James Otto

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James OttoSinger-songwriter James Otto has signed with talent company The Agency Group. Otto’s new single,” Somewhere Tonight,” will be released at SiriusXM The Highway in coming days.
“We are beyond thrilled to have James Otto join The Agency Group family,” says Otto’s agent Alec Vidmar. “He is one of the best songwriters and one of the most soulful voices in country music. We can’t wait to bring his talent to people all around the globe.”
In August, The Agency Group acquired The Bobby Roberts Company, and earlier this year, The Agency Group celebrated the second anniversary of the establishment of its Nashville office.

The Turtles Launch $25 Million Lawsuit Against Pandora

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pandora-logoAfter last week’s victory over SiriusXM, Flo & Eddie of band The Turtles are waging a new lawsuit against Pandora, which has 200 million registered users. According to Billboard, Flo & Eddie filed a proposed class action lawsuit on Thursday, Oct. 2. The duo seeks approximately $25 million.
“Pandora understands that having a vast range and array of music is critical to the success of any music service which is why pre-1972 recordings constitute a significant part of the Music Service,” says the lawsuit. “Pandora is aware that it does not have any license, right, or authority to reproduce, perform, distribute or otherwise exploit via the Music Service any pre-1972 recordings (including The Turtles’ Recordings),” alleges the complaint.
Pandora states that it pays out publishing royalties for all music plays, including pre-1972 music. This means that songwriters are compensated, but not necessarily performers of the songs. Pandora claims its platform aids in elongating artists’ careers, but says it would lend its support to “the full federalization of Pre-72 sound recordings under a technology-neutral approach that affords libraries, music services and consumers the same rights and responsibilities that are enjoyed with respect to all other sound recordings.”
The Turtles’ recently won lawsuit against SiriusXM involved $100 million in damages. Flo & Eddie claimed SiriusXM did not seek authorization (and did not pay royalties) to play songs including “Happy Together,” “It Ain’t Me Babe,” and other Turtles hits.
Meanwhile, the RIAA is going against Pandora in a separate lawsuit involving pre-1972 music. The RIAA lawsuit is happening in New York, while the Flo & Eddie lawsuit is taking place in California, a state where the plaintiffs hope to use the recent precedent on public performance rights to their advantage.