CMHoF To 'Deck The Hall' with New Holiday Tradition

Pictured (L-R): Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee,

Pictured (L-R): Ronnie Milsap, Brenda Lee, Gene Watson


The Country Music Hall of Fame will launch a new holiday tradition that combines music, art, education, and, of course, Santa Claus.
The museum’s festivities officially kick off in grand style on Friday, November 28, when Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee lights the thirty-foot-tall Christmas tree in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. Little Miss Dynamite will treat fans to her classic from 1958, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree,” during a short performance preceding the tree lighting.
As previously announced, there will be two Deck the Hall concerts in the museum’s elegant CMA Theater. New Country Music Hall of Fame member Ronnie Milsap and country star Gene Watson will perform on November 29 and December 6, respectively. Tickets for both shows are on sale now. More information is available at cmatheater.com
Throughout the holiday season, the museum will offer many free-to-the-public activities. Santa Claus will be on hand for photos with children of all ages on Nov. 29, Dec. 6, Dec. 13 and Dec. 20. String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry, a puppet show partnership between the Nashville Public Library and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, returns to the museum for a two-day run November 29 and 30. On Dec. 7 and 21, Hatch Show Print staff will offer one of their most popular family programs, Make Letterpress Art with Hatch Show Print. Young people, ages five and up, will design their own holiday cards or prints using wood blocks from the Hatch archive. Local school choirs will regale guests in the museum’s Curb Conservatory lobby.
See below for a full list of holiday programs at The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
 
Friday, November 28
Tree Lighting Ceremony-4:00 p.m.
The museum’s holiday festivities will officially kick off on Friday, November 28, with the lighting of the museum’s Christmas tree by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee, who will perform several songs including her classic 1958 hit, “Rockin’ Around the Christmas Tree.” FREE hot cider and hot chocolate will be available and this event is open to the public. Following the event, Lee will sign select merchandise purchased from the museum. FREE
Saturday, November 29
Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance). FREE
String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry-10:00 & 11:30 a.m.
Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry and an ever-changing set are used to tell country music history as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. Experience this exciting true story through more than fifty puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Taylor Swift. This original program was created by Wishing Chair Productions, the resident puppet theater company at Nashville Public Library, in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Made possible by Judy and Steve Turner and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Limited seating. Children and up to two accompanying adults may also tour the museum at a discounted rate.  FREE
Deck the Hall Concert: Ronnie Milsap in CMA Theater-8:00 p.m.
With 35 #1 Billboard hits and millions of albums sold, Ronnie Milsap remains one of country music’s most beloved crossover artists. Just a month after his Country Music Hall of Fame induction, Milsap will celebrate the season with this performance, part of the museum’s annual Deck the Hall festivities, in the brand new CMA Theater. Tickets ranging from $35-$55 are available at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/702941-ronnie-milsap-nashville/
Sunday, November 30
Puppet Making-Noon-2:00 p.m.
Puppets are great tools for telling a story. In the show String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry, puppets convey the history of country music from the early stringband tradition of artists like Dr. Humphrey Bate & the Possum Hunters to today’s modern amplified sound by the likes of Garth Brooks and Taylor Swift. Discover and create different types of simple puppets to tell a story that is important to you. Ages 5 and up with accompanying adults. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Family Program: String City: Nashville’s Tradition of Music and Puppetry-2pm
An inclusive performance presented in partnership with Vanderbilt Kennedy Center’s Treatment and Research Institute for Autism Spectrum Disorders (TRIAD). Marionettes, rod puppetry, shadow/animation puppetry, and an ever-changing set are used to tell the story of country music as it relates to Nashville’s transformation into Music City. Experience this exciting true story through more than fifty puppets, ranging from the Staple Singers to Taylor Swift. This original program was created by Wishing Chair Productions, the resident puppet theater company at Nashville Public Library, in collaboration with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. TRIAD has developed evidence-based supports for children with autism spectrum disorders and related disabilities that will be made available for audience members. Made possible by Judy and Steve Turner and the Nashville Public Library Foundation. Limited seating. Participating children and up to two accompanying adults may also tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Monday, December 1
Station Camp High School Performance -10:00 a.m.
High school students from Station Camp High School, Gallatin, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE
Wednesday, December 3
J. E. Woodard Elementary School Performance-10:00 a.m.
Fourth grade students from J.E. Woodard Elementary School, Columbia, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE
Friday, December 5
Coffee, Country, Cody & Christmas – 7:00 a.m.
Enjoy this annual live broadcast hosted by WSM-AM (650)’s Bill Cody featuring live holiday performances by Larry Stewart of Restless Heart and the Roys. Takes place in the Curb Conservatory. Tickets, priced at $6.50, are available online at http://countrymusichalloffame.org/calendar/event/wsm-ams-coffee-country-cody-and-christmas, or at the door, day of show. Ticket price includes a buffet breakfast courtesy of Starbucks, Two Twenty-Two Grill and Williams Country Sausage.
Saturday, December 6
Photos with Santa- 11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE
Ornamental Instruments-12:30 p.m.
Learn about special instruments in our collection and find out how they were personalized for the musicians who played them. After a brief conversation in our studio and a mini-tour in the galleries, kids will customize their own small wooden instrument or large paper cut-out. The little creations make perfect holiday ornaments or can be displayed year round. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
First Saturday Downtown Nashville Art Crawl-6:00-9:00 p.m.
The museum’s community corridor currently features an exhibit by the Arts Company, Introducing the World of Daryl Thetford. Hatch Show Print’s Haley Gallery will debut “Moonlightin’,” an exhibit that will feature artwork by Hatch Show Print artists and printmakers while “off the clock.” Presented as part of the Nashville Downtown Partnership’s First Saturday Art Crawl.  FREE
Deck the Hall Concert: Gene Watson in CMA Theater-8:00 p.m.
Considered one of the finest pure-country singers of his generation, Gene Watson offers up one of the best traditional country shows in the business. Watson will share some songs of the season with this performance, part of the museum’s annual Deck the Hall festivities, in the brand new CMA Theater. Tickets ranging from $30-$40 are available at http://www.ticketfly.com/event/702937-gene-watson-nashville/ .
Jimmy Wayne Songwriter Session and Book Signing-11:30 a.m.
Jimmy Wayne wrote his hit singles “Stay Gone,” “I Love You This Much” and “Paper Angels.” His writing credits also include “Put Your Hand in Mine,” recorded by Tracy Byrd, and he has published two books, the novella Paper Angels, inspired by the Salvation Army’s Angel Tree program, and his latest, Walk to Beautiful, a New York Times best-selling memoir about his childhood in the foster care system. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Limited seating. Program pass required. Following the program, Wayne will sign copies of his books (purchased from the museum store only).
Sunday, December 7
Family Program: Make Letterpress Holiday Prints-Noon, 1:00 and 2:00 p.m.
with Hatch Show Print
Kids get hands-on experience with letterpress in this unique workshop at Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the United States. Participants learn about letterpress printing from Hatch staff, then create their very own poster or holiday card using carved wood, linoleum and metal block images from the Hatch collection. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Takes place in Hatch Space for Design. Limited seating.  FREE
Country Cookie Decorating-Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Film Screening: A Crystal Christmas in Sweden (1987)-2:00 p.m.
Sweden is the backdrop for this Crystal Gayle holiday special featuring guest performances by Michael Damian, John Davidson and David Hasselhoff. In addition to renditions of the classic carols “O Holy Night,” “O Come, All Ye Faithful,” “Silver Bells” and others, Gayle explores Swedish holiday traditions in the snow-covered villages of Kalmar and Orrefors. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.
Friday, December 12
Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.
Saturday, December 13
Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE
Family Concert: Farmer Jason celebrates Christmas on the Farm-10:00 a.m.
Join us for holiday songs and lots of laughs as Farmer Jason celebrates the release of Christmas on the Farm. Farmer Jason is dedicated to educating and entertaining children about animals, farm life and the wonders of nature. Farmer Jason will present modern twists to classic carols and new holiday tunes, all in his original style that combines folk, country, and rock & roll. Meet Farmer Jason in the Museum Store after the show, where he will sign copies of his CDs. Takes place in the Ford Theater. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate. Limited seating.
Ornamental Instruments- 12:30 p.m.
Learn about special instruments in our collection and find out how they were personalized for the musicians who played them. After a brief conversation in our studio and a mini-tour in the galleries, kids will customize their own small wooden instrument or large paper cut-out. The little creations make perfect holiday ornaments or can be displayed year round. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.
Sunday, December 14
Country Cookie Decorating- Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song, or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Film Screening: Kenny & Dolly: A Christmas to Remember-2:00 p.m.
This CBS Christmas special was based on the Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton double-platinum duet album Once Upon a Christmas. Though rerun on television for years, it was never released on video. Includes the songs “A Christmas to Remember,” “Christmas Without You,” “The Christmas Song,” “Winter Wonderland/Sleigh Ride,” and more. 45 minutes. Presented in support of the exhibit Kenny Rogers: Through the Years. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.
Tour and Concert: A Legendary Holiday at Historic RCA Studio B-4:00 p.m.
The music of Historic RCA Studio B comes to life in a special holiday tour and concert by guitarist Meagan Taylor, great-niece of Chet Atkins, and pianist Jason Coleman, grandson of Floyd Cramer. In the very same studio where Country Music Hall of Fame members Atkins and Cramer popularized the Nashville Sound more than fifty years ago, Taylor and Coleman will perform Christmas classics as well as timeless songs originally recorded in the studio, including Cramer’s “Last Date,” Atkins’s “Yakety Axe,” and Hank Locklin’s “Please Help Me, I’m Falling.” Tours depart from the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at 4:00 p.m. and return at 6:00 p.m. $15. Limited seating. Call 615.416.2001 for reservations.
Monday, December 15
Hull-Jackson Montessori Elementary School Performance-10:00 a. m.
The lower school choir and string ensemble from Hull-Jackson Montessori Elementary School, Nashville, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE
Tuesday, December 16
Paragon Mills Elementary Performance-10:30 a.m.
Lower school students from Paragon Mills Elementary School, Nashville, Tennessee, will perform holiday favorites for museum guests in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE
Thursday, December 18
Allen County Primary Center Performance- 11:00 a.m
Third grade students from Allen County Primary Center, Scottsville, Kentucky, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory.  FREE
Friday, December 19
East Cheatham Elementary Performance-1:00 p.m.
Third grade students from East Cheatham Elementary, Ashland City, Tennessee, treat museum guests to a festive performance in the museum’s Curb Conservatory. FREE
Saturday, December 20
Photos with Santa-11:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.
Children of all ages are invited to share their Christmas lists with Santa and pose for a photo. (Note: Timed passes are available in 15-minute increments. Pass pick-up begins at 9:00 a.m. Museum members may reserve their passes in advance).  FREE
Family Program: Song and Story Time-10:30 a.m.
Little listeners hear a story and create art inspired by the music, artists and objects featured in the museum’s galleries. This month’s program will explore family traditions during times of celebration—like the upcoming holidays! Come ready for fun. Ages 3 to 5 with accompanying adults. Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Family Program: Guitar 101-12:30 p.m.
Learn a few guitar chords and some simple festive songs that celebrate the season. Touring musician and teacher Todd Woolsey lead this introductory, hands-on workshop. He has been a professional guitarist for twenty-five years and has played with Joe Nichols, Pam Tillis, Tanya Tucker, and Lee Ann Womack. Guitars provided.  Ages 7 to 18.  Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Sunday, December 21
Family Program: Make Letterpress Holiday Prints with Hatch Show Print-Noon, 1:00, and 2:00 p.m.
Kids get hands-on experience with letterpress in this unique workshop at Hatch Show Print, one of the oldest working letterpress print shops in the United States. Participants learn about letterpress printing from Hatch staff, then create their very own poster or holiday card using carved wood, linoleum and metal block images from the Hatch collection. For ages 5 and up and accompanying adults. Takes place in Hatch Space for Design. Limited seating. FREE
Country Cookie Decorating-Noon – 2:00 p.m.
Share in our tradition of cookie decorating to celebrate the holiday season. Frost and garnish your cookie to represent your favorite artist, song or artifact, or invent a creation all your own. We will provide the cookies, icing, and edible decorations—you provide the creativity! Takes place in the Taylor Swift Education Center. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members. Children and up to two accompanying adults may attend the program and tour the museum at a discounted rate.
Film Screening:
Kenny Rogers Christmas Special: Keep Christmas with You-2:00 p.m.
Go behind the scenes of Kenny Rogers’s 1992 Christmas show in Branson, Missouri. The Country Music Hall of Fame member performs the classic carols “Silent Night,” “The First Noel” and “O Holy Night.” Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood and R&B group Boyz II Men also perform. 45 minutes. Presented in support of the exhibit Kenny Rogers: Through the Years. Included with museum admission. Free to museum members.
Thursday, December 25
Museum, Studio B, and Hatch Show Print are CLOSED
 

ASCAP Presents Centennial Awards

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Paul Williams, Trisha Yearwood, and Garth Brooks.


ASCAP presented its Centennial Awards to Joan Baez, Garth Brooks, Billy Joel, Stephen Sondheim and Stevie Wonder on Monday, Nov. 17, at a gala party at the Waldorf Astoria in New York City, in celebration of ASCAP’s historic 100th anniversary.
The event was hosted by ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, and included special guest artists who performed in tribute to the honorees.
Sting and Chris Botti teamed up for a performance of “Big Man on Mulberry Street,” before introducing the evening’s first honoree, Billy Joel. Trisha Yearwood paid tribute to her husband Garth Brooks before proceeding with a  performance of “If Tomorrow Never Comes.” Garth humbly accepted his award before performing his new song “I Am A Song,” for the first time. Bernadette Peters performed “Children Will Listen” in honor of Stephen Sondheim before Emmylou Harris paid a heartfelt tribute to Joan Baez by singing “Diamonds And Rust.”
Stevie Wonder was the evening’s final honoree. He was welcomed to the stage with a five-song medley by India.Arie, which featured songs including “Rocket Love,” “Blame It On The Sun” and “I Just Called To Say I Love You.” Stevie brought the entire crowd to its feet with a powerhouse performance of “You Are The Sunshine Of My Life” and “Superstition.”
Other musical luminaries in attendance included ASCAP Board member and songwriter Valerie Simpson, Bill Withers, Chris Botti, Ne-Yo, Freddy Jackson, Gloria Estefan, Holly Knight, Eric Bazilian, Elizabeth Chan, Barry Eastman, Andreas Carlsson, ASCAP Board members Desmond Child and Jimmy Webb, Felix Cavaliere, Rudy Perez and more.

Author Barry Mazor Discusses Accomplishments of Ralph Peer During CMHoF Event

Pictured (L-R): Drummer Larry Atamanuik and bassist Mike Bub; Ralph Peer II; Barry Mazor; band leader Shawn Camp; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum historian John Rumble and manager of public progams Abi Tapia; fiddler-guitarist Laura Cash.

Pictured (L-R): Drummer Larry Atamanuik and bassist Mike Bub; Ralph Peer II; Barry Mazor; band leader Shawn Camp; Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum historian John Rumble and manager of public progams Abi Tapia; fiddler-guitarist Laura Cash.


Guests attending the “Concert and Conversation: Ralph Peer and the Making of Country Music” on Saturday at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum were treated to a cardinal lesson in music history as author Barry Mazor and second-generation music executive Ralph Peer II sat for a Q&A session with Museum historian Dr. John Rumble. Illuminating the conversation with music ranging from the Carter Family’s “The Storms Are on the Ocean” to George Jones’ early hit “White Lightning“ were Shawn Camp, Mike Bub, Laura Cash, and Larry Atamanuik.
Mazor and Peer outlined the groundbreaking work of Ralph Peer. Working for OKeh Records and later, the Victor Talking Machine Company / RCA Records, Peer crisscrossed the South to research healthy music scenes not served by the mostly-white and mostly upperclass styles that prevailed prior to 1920. He often had mobile recording equipment shipped into strategic cities such as Atlanta, where in 1923 he recorded Fiddlin’ John Carson, the first country artist released on a commercial disc. In Bristol, Tenn., Peer discovered the Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers, artists whose emotionally moving performances and updated song material set standards for all who followed them. These seminal events only begin to tell the story of Peer’s contributions to the music industry, not only in the United States, but worldwide. As a music publisher, Peer was active in the formation of BMI and played a key role in popularizing many styles, including blues, honky-tonk, bluegrass, rockabilly, and rock & roll.
Peer kept searching out new music and making it broadly available until his death in 1960.

Morgan Stanley Launches Global Sports & Entertainment Division

morgan stanley logo1Morgan Stanley Wealth Management has launched a Global Sports & Entertainment division to serve the needs of veteran and emerging talent and their advisors in the sports and entertainment industries.
Financial advisors known for their experience working with athletes, entertainers, writers, directors, producers, agents and business managers have completed education programs, earning the title of Sports & Entertainment Director. They provide sports and entertainment professionals with customized resources and programs, including asset and liability management, advisory services, family government, advanced financial planning, insurance, investment banking, and private equity solutions.
To help educate emerging talent on financial basics and issues relevant to those pursuing professional careers in the sports and entertainment industries, Global Sports & Entertainment is developing financial education curriculum to be taught in sports, film and music departments across the nation with pilots beginning in early 2015.
“High net worth earners in the sports and entertainment industries have sophisticated wealth management requirements. Our services are provided by a group of experienced Financial Advisors, backed by specialized training and the full resources of a leading, global investment bank, which we believe will set a new standard in the industry,” said Gregory J. Fleming, President of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management and Morgan Stanley Investment Management.

Chris Young Signs with Fitzgerald Hartley

Chris Young

Chris Young


RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young has signed with Fitzgerald Hartley for management. Young will be repped by Larry Fitzgerald and Bill Simmons. Fitzgerald Hartley also counts Brad Paisley, The Time Jumpers, Vince Gill, Randy Houser, Jerrod Niemann, Brooke Eden, and Kellie Pickler as clients.
Young was previously managed by ShopKeeper management, which also manages Miranda Lambert.

Industry Ink: Leadership Music, Chris Young, ASCAP, Lilly Rose Publishing

Jim Peterik

Jim Peterik


Leadership Music’s Learning Network and Copyright Society of the South will present an evening with Jim Peterik in conjunction with his new autobiography, Through The Eye of the Tiger. The event will take place at First Amendment Center in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 19. A reception will be held beginning at 5 p.m., with the program to start at 6 p.m. Admission is $10 for Leadership Music alums, and $20 for guests.
Peterik penned classics such as “Vehicle” and “The Search Is Over,” but earned a Grammy, Oscar nomination, and People’s Choice award for “Eye of the Tiger,” from Rocky III. Peterik will be signing copies of his book at the event.

• • •

Chris Young performed a sold-out headlining show at New York City’s Best Buy Theater last Friday, his first stop in the city in nearly two years. Young made his debut appearance on the Late Show with David Letterman, performing his single “Lonely Eyes.”

Pictured (L-R): Larry Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald-Hartley), Silvio Pietroluongo (Billboard), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (WME) , Casey McCabe (AEG Live)

Pictured (L-R): Larry Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald-Hartley), Silvio Pietroluongo (Billboard), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (WME) , Casey McCabe (AEG Live)

 • • •

ASCAP recently honored the 2014 winner of the ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Songwriting Scholarship during November’s installment of the ASCAP Belmont Songwriters Showcase, held Tuesday, Nov. 11. Singer-songwriter and Belmont student Kel Taylor‘s song “Nashville” was selected by music faculty and Belmont University as best song submitted for the competition, based on overall craft, artistry and compositional elements.
This tuition scholarship recognizes talent, professionalism, career potential and musical ability of a student majoring in songwriting. Bart Howard (1915-2004) penned over 200 songs, including “Fly Me to The Moon,” which has been performed by Frank Sinatra, Ella Fitzgerald, and many others. The program is made possible by the ASCAP Foundation Bart Howard Fund.

Pictured (L-R): Belmont University's Drew Ramsey, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Kel Taylor and Belmont University's James Elliott. Photo by Marisa Boras.

Pictured (L-R): Belmont University’s Drew Ramsey, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Kel Taylor and Belmont University’s James Elliott. Photo by Marisa Boras.

 • • •

lilly roseLilly Rose Publishing, a company headed by DeNeece Butler and Andy Anderson, has launched in Nashville. The company works with writers Randy Finchum and co-writer Lois Berg, who signed a contract for their song “Va Va Voom.” Owner DeNeece operates primarily from Boone, N.C., while Anderson serves as VP, Operations and Production in the Nashville office.
Artists and demo singers Ron Wallace and Melissa Duvall are Lilly Rose Publishing’s to-to demo singers for all country and Nashville sound song submissions. DeNeece can be reached at lillyrosepub@gmail.com, while Anderson can be reached at cande40542@aol.com.

My Country Nation Offers Three New Series

sara evans

Sara Evans is expanding her webisodes on My Country Nation.

My Country Nation, an online destination for Country lifestyle content, has added three new series. Young In The Nation: Florida Georgia Line features magician Justin Flom and Florida Georgia Line. Sara Evans stars in Simply Sara, and Light My Fire centers around Nashville’s Porter Road Butcher. All series are currently playing at MyCountryNation.com.

Young In The Nation: Florida Georgia Line is a 10-episode series featuring well-known magician and YouTube star Flom as he embarks on a road trip to FLG’s Anything Goes Tailgate 2014 concert in Jacksonville, Fla. 

Light My Fire follows the team behind Porter Road Butchers as they tackle unique cooking challenges.

Simply Sara is an expansion of her webisode series of the same name.

My Country Nation (MyCN) was created by Brad Paisley, Taillight, ARC Entertainment and WME.

Banner Music, Bison Creek Records Relocate After Music Row Fire

Screen shot 2014-11-17 at 3.09.02 PM1After a fire burned down the building that housed their previous offices in the Music Row area, Bison Creek Records and Banner Music have relocated to 800 18th Ave. S., Ste. A. in Nashville. Banner Music staff songwriters Alice Lankford and Jimbo Martin were co-writing a song at the time the fire was discovered; both made it out safely.
Banner Music is a music and production company that offers services in songwriter development, artist development, music production and music industry consulting.
An independent record label, Bison Creek Records places its focus on artist development.

Lady Antebellum To Receive CRS 2015 Artist Humanitarian Award

LadyA_747_PhotoOnly_LOresThe Country Radio Broadcasters have announced Lady Antebellum as the recipient of the CRS 2015 Artist Humanitarian Award, to be presented during the opening ceremonies of Country Radio Seminar on Feb. 25, 2014. The award honors those Country music artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career.
Past recipients of the annual award have included Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Trace Adkins, Randy Owen, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks and Charlie Daniels, among others.
CRS President Charlie Morgan stated, “It is always humbling and inspiring to learn of the great work that Country Artists do behind the scenes to share the many blessings and gifts that come with fame and stardom. I would argue no format has a more generous group of artists than we do and at CRS 2015 we will pay special tribute to one of the best, Lady Antebellum with our Artist Humanitarian Award.”

Rascal Flatts Announces Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas Residency

rascal flatts 2014

Rascal Flatts


Rascal Flatts brings the first country residency, Rascal Flatts Vegas Riot!, to The Joint inside Hard Rock Hotel & Casino Las Vegas with nine shows between Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015 and Saturday, March 14, 2015.
Rascal Flatts is the most-awarded country music group of the past decade with eight consecutive studio albums debuting at No. 1. The Gold-certified title track from the band’s most recent chart-topper, Rewind (Big Machine Records), marks Rascal Flatts’ fifteenth No. 1 single. Since the band’s musical debut in 2000, the group has sold over 22.9 million albums and 30 million digital downloads.
“We are thrilled to be playing such a storied venue as The Joint at Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas,” said band member Jay DeMarcus. “We’re so excited to do something so different for us. You will experience Rascal Flatts in a way you’ve never seen us before – up close, intimate and personal, and we promise you one thing, it’s going to rock!”
Show Dates:
Wednesday, Feb. 25
Friday, Feb. 27
Saturday, Feb. 28
Wednesday, March 4
Friday, March 6
Saturday, March 7
Wednesday, March 11
Friday, March 13
Saturday, March 14
Tickets starting at $39.50 (plus applicable service fees) are on sale Friday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. and can be purchased at the Hard Rock Hotel Box Office, online at www.axs.com or by calling 888-9-AXS-TIX.