Country Favorites Among Grammy Nominees

grammy 2014Grammy nominations were announced in four categories Friday morning (Dec. 5) on CBS This Morning, and several Nashville artists were among the early nominees. Additional nominations have been announced throughout the day via the Recording Academy’s social media outlets.
In the Best Country Album category are Brandy Clark‘s 12 Stories, Dierks Bentley‘s Riser, Eric Church‘s The Outsiders, Miranda Lambert‘s Platinum, and Lee Ann Womack‘s The Way I’m Livin‘.
Brandy Clark scored a second Grammy nomination in the all-genre Best New Artist category, alongside Sam Smith, Iggy Azalea, Bastille, and HAIM.
Producer Jay Joyce (Little Big Town, Eric Church, Cage The Elephant) earned a Producer of the Year Grammy nomination, alongside Max Martin, Paul Epworth, John Hill, and Greg Kurstin.
Kenny Chesney‘s “American Kids,” Lambert’s “Automatic,” Church’s “Give Me Back My Hometown,” Glen Campbell‘s “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” and Tim McGraw (ft. Faith Hill)’s “Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s” earned nods for Best Country Song. The award goes to the songwriters of each composition.
Keith Urban, Hunter Hayes, Church, Lambert, and Carrie Underwood all earned Best Country Solo Performance nominations.
In the Americana realm, the Best Americana Album nominees included Rosanne Cash (The River & The Thread), John Hiatt (Terms of My Surrender), Keb’ Mo’ (Bluesamericana), Nickel Creek (A Dotted Line), and Sturgill Simpson (Metamodern Sounds in Country Music).
The Best Country Group/Duo Performance includes nominations for Little Big Town (“Day Drinking”), Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood (“Somethin’ Bad”), Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill (“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s”), Keith Urban featuring Eric Church (“Raise ‘Em Up”), and The Band Perry (“Gentle On My Mind”).
Other artists with Nashville ties scoring early morning Grammy nominations are Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor. Both artists are nominated for Record of the Year. Swift is nominated for her first pop radio single, “Shake It Off,” while the seemingly endless popularity of Trainor’s infectious “All About That Bass” earned a nod in the same category. They are competing against Sia‘s “Chandelier,” Iggy Azalea and Charli XCX’s “Fancy,” and Sam Smith‘s “Stay With Me” (Darkchild version). Both Swift and Trainor are also up for Song of the Year, for the same compositions.
Jack White, Paramore, The Black Keys–all artists with strong Nashville ties–were among the nominees in the rock categories.
The Album Of The Year nominees will be announced on A Very Grammy Christmas (Friday, Dec. 5, 9/8c, CBS).
The 57th annual Grammy awards will air live on CBS on Sunday, Feb. 8, beginning at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.
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57th Annual Grammy Nominations (Selected Categories)

Producer of the Year
Jay Joyce
Max Martin
Paul Epworth
John Hill
Greg Kurstin
Best Country Duo/Group Performance
“Gentle On My Mind,” The Band Perry
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw featuring Faith Hill
“Raise ‘Em Up,” Keith Urban featuring Eric Church
“Day Drinking,” Little Big Town
“Somethin’ Bad,” Miranda Lambert featuring Carrie Underwood
Best Country Solo Performance
“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church
“Invisible,” Hunter Hayes
“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert
“Something In The Water,” Carrie Underwood
“Cop Car,” Keith Urban
Best Americana Album
Rosanne Cash, The River and the Thread
John Hiatt, Terms of My Surrender
Keb’ Mo’, Bluesamericana
Nickel Creek, A Dotted Line
Sturgill Simpson, Metamodern Sounds in Country Music
Best Traditional Pop Album
Cheek to Cheek, Tony Bennett and Lady Gaga
Night Songs, Barry Manilow
Nostalgia, Annie Lennox
Sending You A Little Christmas, Johnny Mathis
Partners, Barbra Streisand with Various Artists
Song of the Year
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor (Songwriters: Meghan Trainor, Kevin Kadish)
“Chandelier,” Sia (Songwriters: Sia Furler, Jesse Shatkin)
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift (Songwriters: Max Martin, Shellback, Taylor Swift)
“Stay With Me” (Darkchild Version), Sam Smith (Songwriters: Sam Smith, William Phillips, James Napier)
“Take Me To Church,” Hozier (Songwriter: Andrew Hozier-Byrne)
Best Country Song
“American Kids,” Kenny Chesney (Songwriters: Rodney Clawson, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally)
“Automatic,” Miranda Lambert (Songwriters: Lambert, Nicolle Galyon, and Natalie Hemby)
“Give Me Back My Hometown,” Eric Church (Songwriters: Eric Church, Luke Laird)
“I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” Glen Campbell (Songwriters: Glen Campbell, Julian Raymond)
“Meanwhile, Back at Mama’s,” Tim McGraw ft. Faith Hill (Songwriters: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele)
Best New Artist
Brandy Clark
HAIM
Sam Smith
Iggy Azalea
Bastille
Best Reggae Album
Ziggy Marley, Fly Rasta
Lee “Scratch” Perry, Back on the Controls
Sean Paul, Full Frequency
Shaggy, Out of Many, One Music
Sly & Robbie & Spicy Chocolate, The Reggae Power
Soja, Amid The Noise and the Haste
Best Rock Song
“Lazaretto” (Jack White)/Jack White II (songwriter)
“Gimme Something Good” (Ryan Adams)/Ryan Adams (songwriter)
“Fever” (The Black Keys)/Dan Auerbach, Brian Burton, and Patrick Carney
“Blue Moon” (Beck)/Beck Hansen (songwriter)
“Ain’t It Fun” (Paramore)/Hayley Williams & Taylor York (songwriters)
Best Country Album
Riser, Dierks Bentley
The Outsiders, Eric Church
12 Stories, Brandy Clark
Platinum, Miranda Lambert
The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack
Best Pop Vocal Album
Ghost Stories, Coldplay
Bangerz, Miley Cyrus
My Everything, Ariana Grande
Prism, Katy Perry
X, Ed Sheeran
In the Lonely Hour, Sam Smith
Best Urban Contemporary Album
Sail Out, Jhene Aiko
Beyoncé, Beyoncé
X, Chris Brown
Mali Is …, Mali Music
Girl, Pharrell Williams
Record of the Year
“Fancy,” Iggy Azalea ft. Charli XCX
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Stay With Me,” Sam Smith
“Shake It Off,” Taylor Swift
“All About That Bass,” Meghan Trainor
Best Pop Solo Performance
“All of Me,” John Legend
“Chandelier,” Sia
“Stay With Me,” Sam Smith
“Shake it Off,” Taylor Swift
“Happy,” Pharrell
Best Rock Album
Ryan Adams, Ryan Adams
Morning Faze, Beck
Turn Blue, The Black Keys
Hypnotic Eye, Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers
Songs of Innocence, U2
Best Contemporary Christian Performance/Song
“Write Your Story,” Francesca Battistelli (Songwriters: Francesca Battistelli, David Arthur Garcia & Ben Glover)
“Come As You Are,” Crowder
“Messengers,” LeCrae ft. For King and Country (Songwriters: Torrance Esmond, Ran Jackson, Ricky Jackson, Kenneth Chris Mackey, Lecrae Moore, Joseph Prielozny, Joel Smallbone & Luke Smallbone)
“Shake,” MercyMe (Songwriters: Nathan Cochran, David Arthur Garcia, Ben Glover, Barry Graul, Bart Millard, Soli Olds, Mike Scheuchzer & Robby Shaffer)
“Multiplied,” NeedtoBreathe (Songwriters: Bear Rinehart & Bo Rinehart)
Best Contemporary Christian Music Album
If We’re Honest, Francesca Battistelli
Run Wild. Live Free. Love Strong, For King and Country
Hurricane, Natalie Grant
Welcome To The New, MercyMe
Royal Tailor, Royal Tailor
Best Gospel Performance/Song
“Help,” Erica Campbell Ft. LeCrae (Songwriters: Erica Campbell, Warryn Campbell, Hasben Jones, Harold Lilly, Lecrae Moore & Aaron Sledge)
“Sunday A.M. (Live),” Karen Clark Sheard (Songwriters: Rudy Currence & Donald Lawrence)
“I Believe,” Mali Music (Songwriter: Kortney J. Pollard)
“No Greater Love,” Smokey Norful (Songwriters: Aaron W. Lindsey & Smokie Norful)
“Love On The Radio,” The Walls Group (Songwriter: Kirk Franklin)

LifeNotes: Bob Montgomery

Bob Montgomery in 1988.

Bob Montgomery in 1988. Photo: Alan Mayor


MUSIC-INDUSTRY GREAT BOB MONTGOMERY PASSES
By Robert K. Oermann
Bob Montgomery, one of the key figures in Nashville’s evolution into Music City USA, has died at age 77.
During his six-decade career, he made major contributions as a songwriter, record producer, music publisher and label executive. Bob Montgomery’s song catalog includes such standards as “Misty Blue” and “Love’s Made a Fool of You.” He produced records that boosted the careers of Vern Gosdin, Janie Fricke, Bobby Goldsboro and Joe Diffie. He published such iconic songs as “Behind Closed Doors” and “The Wind Beneath My Wings.” He created hit-making rosters for the record labels United Artists, Epic and Columbia.
Born in West Texas in 1937, he first made his mark as the 1949-1955 duet partner of future Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Buddy Holly. “Buddy & Bob” became local radio stars in Lubbock, TX and opened the concert there by Elvis Presley. Montgomery subsequently wrote or co-wrote such 1950s Holly evergreens as “Heartbeat,” “Love’s Made a Fool of You” and “Wishing.”
He became a recording engineer in the Clovis, NM studio of producer Norman Petty, working with such artists as Holly, The Crickets, Waylon Jennings, Jimmy Gilmer & The Fireballs, Buddy Knox and Roy Orbison. Montgomery also played rhythm guitar on recordings at the facility.
He moved to Nashville in late 1959 and became a staff songwriter for Acuff-Rose Publishing. His early successes there included Sue Thompson’s 1962 pop hit “Two of a Kind,” as well as songs for The Everly Brothers, Jim Reeves and Bob Luman.
Montgomery formed Talmont Music as his own publishing company in 1963. Among the company’s key copyrights was Montgomery’s “Back in Baby’s Arms.” It was originally sung by Patsy Cline and later revived by Connie Smith, Sissy Spacek, Emmylou Harris and many others. He also struck gold with “Misty Blue.” This Montgomery song has been a hit for Wilma Burgess (1966), Eddy Arnold (1967), Joe Simon (1972), Dorothy Moore (1976) and Billie Jo Spears (1976) and has been recorded by hundreds more.
Montgomery sold Talmont in 1967 and next became the head of the United Artists Records country division. He hit his stride as a record producer by guiding hits for the label’s Del Reeves (1969’s “Good Time Charlie’s”), Johnny Darrell (1968’s “With Pen in Hand”) and Buddy Knox (1968’s “Gypsy Man”), among others. His most notable UA client was Bobby Goldsboro, for whom Montgomery produced the massive 1968 pop and country smash “Honey,” as well as “Watching Scotty Grow,” “The Straight Life,” “Summer (The First Time)” and Goldsboro’s other hits of that era.
Pictured (L-R): Vern Gosdin and Bob Montgomery in 1989. Photo: Alan Mayor

Pictured (L-R): Vern Gosdin and Bob Montgomery in 1989. Photo: Alan Mayor


In late 1969, Montgomery and Goldsboro formed the publishing company House of Gold. Within five years, it was one of the top song firms on Music Row. Staff writers included future Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Kenny O’Dell and Larry Henley, plus Steve Pippin, Danny Morrison, Sam Lorber, Bobby Springfield and Van Stephenson.
In addition to “Behind Closed Doors” (Charlie Rich) and “The Wind Beneath My Wings” (Gary Morris, Bette Midler), the company’s hits included John Conlee’s “Rose Colored Glasses,” Tammy Wynette’s “Til I Get it Right,” Alabama’s “Love in the First Degree,” The Oak Ridge Boys’ “Bobbie Sue” and Tanya Tucker’s “Lizzie and the Rainman.” Others who scored big hits with House of Gold songs included Brenda Lee, Dave & Sugar, Eddy Arnold, Cristy Lane, Crystal Gayle, Jack Greene and Bobby Bare.
House of Gold singer-songwriter Razzy Bailey had a long string of hit singles that Montgomery produced. The company also competed in the pop field with songs recorded by Dr. Hook, Sister Sledge, Player, Millie Jackson, Exile, Lobo, Gladys Knight, The Pointer Sisters, Sheena Easton and others.
During the 1970s, House of Gold was ranked second to Tree International as the most successful independent publisher in Nashville. Warner Bros. Music bought the company in 1982 for a reported $3.5 million. Montgomery moved to Tree as its Director of Creative Services.
Razzy Bailey 1978 RCA w Bob Montgomery & Jerry Bradley. Photo: Alan Mayor

Razzy Bailey 1978 RCA w Bob Montgomery & Jerry Bradley. Photo: Alan Mayor


When Sony bought Tree in 1988, Montgomery became a vice president at CBS Records. He signed Joe Diffie, Doug Stone and Collin Raye to the company’s imprints, Columbia and Epic.
He also continued to produce records. Montgomery’s name is on 1980s discs by B.J. Thomas, Waylon Jennings, Shelby Lynne and Merle Haggard, among others. “Rocky” by Austin Roberts (1975), “It Ain’t Easy Bein’ Easy” by Janie Fricke (1982), “Prop Me Up Beside the Jukebox” by Joe Diffie (1993) and “Some Memories Just Won’t Die” by Marty Robbins (1982) are among the many hits with Montgomery’s production touch. So are such iconic Vern Gosdin performances as 1988-89’s “Chiseled in Stone,” “Set ‘Em Up Joe” and “Who You Gonna Blame it on This Time.”
With Bob Montgomery’s support, his wife Cathy Montgomery established another publishing company, Noosa Heads Music, in 1992. Its successful songs to date include the Tim McGraw hits “Down on the Farm” (1994) and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep on It” (1996).
The couple moved to Australia in 2005 and lived there for seven years. The Montgomerys returned to Nashville 18 months ago. Bob Montgomery had been diagnosed with Parkinson’s Disease. He died quietly at home around 1:30 p.m. on Thursday afternoon, Dec. 4.
He is the father of pop singer-songwriter Kevin Montgomery, who has recorded for A&M Records and achieved particular success in the U.K.
Bob Montgomery is also survived by his wife and business partner Cathy Montgomery and by daughters Echo Annette Garrett and Dee Dee Dawn Cooley.
Arrangements are being handled by Woodlawn Funeral Home on Thompson Lane. Visitation is scheduled there for Monday evening, 5-8 p.m., and the funeral will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, Dec. 9.

T. Graham Brown Set To Release 'Forever Changed' in January

forever changed1Singer-songwriter T. Graham Brown will release the project Forever Changed on Jan. 27, 2015, via Mansion/Sony Red. The project will feature 13 tracks, and guest vocal appearances from Vince Gill, Jason Crabb, Leon Russell, Jeff & Sheri Easter, The Oak Ridge Boys, Steve Cropper, The Booth Brothers, Three Bridges, Sony Isaacs, and Jimmy Fortune. The project was produced by Mark L. Carman.

In addition to releasing 13 studio albums and charting more than 20 singles on the Billboard charts (including three No. 1 singles), Brown is also known as the voice behind advertising campaigns for McDonald’s, Disneyland, Almond Joy, Coca-Cola, Dodge Truck, Ford, Hardee’s, and more. Brown still tours throughout the year, and has made recent appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, and television appearances on Larry’s Country Diner and Country’s Family Reunion.

Music Biz 2015 Solicits Program Ideas

music biz 2015The annual Music Biz convention will be held in Nashville for the first time. Music Biz 2015, previously known as NARM, will take place at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel from May 12-14, 2015.
On the schedule are sessions about metadata, entertainment and technology law, songwriters and publishers, managers, town hall meetings and showcases.
Music Biz invites all music industry professionals to submit program ideas for Music Biz 2015. The call for presentations closes Friday, Jan. 9, 2015 at 8 p.m. PST.
 

Dawn Sears Event Raises $100k+ for Ingram Cancer Center

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Leora Horn, Dawn Sears, Dr. Pierre Massion, Reba McEntire. Photo: Bev Moser

Pictured (L-R): Dr. Leora Horn, Dawn Sears, Dr. Pierre Massion, Reba McEntire. Photo: Bev Moser


The tallies are in for the Dawn Sears & Friends Benefit for Lung Cancer Research held on Nov. 30 at the Depot Square in Gallatin, Tenn.
Over $100,000 was raised for the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center, where Sears is receiving treatment for the disease. Sears’ physician Dr. Leora Horn and Ingram Professor of Cancer Research Dr. Pierre Massion both took turns at the podium to talk about research while commenting on Sears’ own perseverance.
Performers included Reba McEntire, Riders In The Sky and The Time Jumpers, the band Sears is a part of alongside her husband Kenny Sears and country stalwart Vince Gill. Olympic gold-medalist Scott Hamilton emceed the event. Sears attended the show and also spoke on behalf of lung cancer research.

SoundExchange's Most Streamed Artists and Songs

SoundExchange has revealed the most streamed artists and top tracks played between September 1, 2013 and August 31, 2014. These charts are based on data reported to SoundExchange from digital radio services including satellite radio, Internet radio, and cable radio. Luke Bryan, Jason Aldean and Tim McGraw are the only country artists on the lists.
soundexchange top artists
 
soundexchange top 20 tracks

Artist Updates: Lady Antebellum, Jana Kramer, Canaan Smith, RaeLynn

cheers for charityLady Antebellum will host the first Cheers For Charity on New Year’s Eve (Dec. 31) in Nashville, where fans are invited for dinner, drinks, and music. The event will be held at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and all proceeds will benefit LadyAID, which supports children in need locally, nationally, and globally.
Tickets begin at $250 and are available at nowplayingnashville.com.

• • •

Jana Kramer

Jana Kramer


Warner Bros. Records/Elektra artist Jana Kramer is engaged to boyfriend Michael Caussin. Caussin is currently a free agent. He played tight end at James Madison University and four years in the NFL.
“It was a beautiful surprise,” said Kramer. “He was the perfect gentleman. Nervous, on one knee, and surrounded by some of the people that love us the most.”
No other details are available at this time.

 • • •

Canaan Smith

Canaan Smith


Mercury Nashville’s Canaan Smith will join duo Dan+Shay on the Where It All Began Tour, which launches Feb. 28, 2015 in Knoxville, Tenn. The tour will run through April 2015, making stops in more than 30 markets.
Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 5. Smith is currently promoting his radio single “Love You Like That.”

• • •

The Valory Music Co. artist RaeLynn returned to The Voice on Dec. 2 to perform her current single, “God Made Girls.” RaeLynn enjoyed a lengthy run as part of Team Blake (Shelton) on The Voice, and has been in the studio recording material for her upcoming album.

 Pictured (clockwise): Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell and RaeLynn

Pictured (clockwise): Adam Levine, Blake Shelton, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell and RaeLynn

Industry Pics: CMA Songwriters Series, ASCAP, Warner/Chappell Music

Two CMA Songwriters Series concerts were filmed at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works on Tuesday (Dec. 2). The concerts were filmed for upcoming episodes of public television’s concert series “Front and Center.” Little Big Town welcomed songwriters Natalie Hemby and The Love Junkies (Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose) to perform songs from Little Big Town’s latest album Pain Killer. Brandy Clark, Bob DiPiero, Shane McAnally, and Charlie Worsham performed a traditional writers round. The episodes will air in spring 2015.

Pictured (L-R): Don Maggi, Executive Producer, "Front and Center"; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Little Big Town's Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook; Hillary Lindsey; Liz Rose; Lori McKenna; Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman; Natalie Hemby; Little Big Town's Phillip Sweet; Denis Gallagher, Executive Producer, "Front and Center." Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

Pictured (L-R): Don Maggi, Executive Producer, “Front and Center”; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild and Jimi Westbrook; Hillary Lindsey; Liz Rose; Lori McKenna; Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman; Natalie Hemby; Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet; Denis Gallagher, Executive Producer, “Front and Center.” Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

 • • •

ASCAP hosted the final 2014 installment of its quarterly mixed genre showcase at 3rd & Lindsley on Tues., December 2nd. Sponsored by the Nashville Scene, the showcase featured full band performances from Kalisa Ewing (UMPG Nashville/KingSpirit Music), David Ray (Big Deal Music) and Chris Cavanaugh.

Pictured (L-R): (front row) Chris Cavanaugh, Kalisa Ewing, David Ray; (back row) ASCAP's Robert Filhart and ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo: ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski

Pictured (L-R): (front row) Chris Cavanaugh, Kalisa Ewing, David Ray; (back row) ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski

• • •

Warner/Chappell Nashville celebrated the season with “A Christmas Story”-themed holiday party on Tuesday night (Dec. 2).

Warner/Chappell staff celebrates the holiday season.

Warner/Chappell staff celebrates the holiday season.

Industry Ink: Fundraising and Signing

Photo Credit: Alan Poizner

Photo Credit: Alan Poizner


Participants in No Shave November, benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, celebrated accomplishments on Monday (Dec. 1) during the fourth annual Beard Bash at Nashville’s The Row Kitchen & Pub. This year, more than $145,000 was raised. In the past four years, No Shave November has raised over $500,000 to support the children’s research hospital.
Notable Awards for 2014:

  • Label Fundrazors (highest raising label): Big Machine Label Group (“Beard For My Horses”)
  • Scraggle Rock award (scraggliest beard): Alex Heddle (BMLG)
  • Beard of the Year (top honor): George Briner (Valory Music Co., BMLG)
  • Look for the Label Union (largest label team): Curb Records (“Team Curb”)
  • Herd it on the Radio (largest radio team) and Radio Fundrazors (highest raising team): KRWQ/Medford, OR (“TeamQ”)
  • Most Valuable Beard: Jason Allen (KRWQ/Medford, OR)
  • The Beard Al Yankovich award (best song parody): No Shave November Chairman Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum)
  • Ofurall Fundrazor (top earning individual): Keifer Thompson (Thompson Square)
  • #NoShaveNovember trophy (most active on social media): Suzanne Durham (“Team Leg Hair Don’t Care”)
  • ZZ Top Award (hairy legs that brought in the most money): Maci Braun (WUSN/Chicago, IL)

• • •

Pictured (L-R): (back row) Taylor Lange, Madison Lee, Todd Farrell, Nicholas Boehmke, Emily Van Allsburg, Jeffrey Tobias, Farrah Usmani, Patrick Collins, Tee Stumb; (front row) Katie Germano, Jason Huie, Nick Myers, Elisa Vazzana Boehmke and Bill Collins.

Pictured (L-R): (back row) Taylor Lange, Madison Lee, Todd Farrell, Nicholas Boehmke, Emily Van Allsburg, Jeffrey Tobias, Farrah Usmani, Patrick Collins, Tee Stumb; (front row) Katie Germano, Jason Huie, Nick Myers, Elisa Vazzana Boehmke and Bill Collins.


Music industry organization SOLID will donate 5,000 pounds of food to Second Harvest Food Bank and $3,200 to St. Jude as a result of its 29th annual Turkey Bowl fundraiser, held Nov. 22. Funds were raised from team entry fees as well as food donations.
Nashville’s Ted Rhodes Park hosted 11 teams from the local music committee, including APA, McGhee Entertainment, Black River Entertainment, CAA, CMT, FBMM, Paradigm, Publishers United, SESAC, Sony Music Nashville, UMG Nashville and WME.
“We are honored to bring together some of Music Row’s most athletic teams for a dose of healthy competition,” said SOLID President Brian O’Neil. “We’re thrilled to supplement this longstanding tradition. Thank you to all the teams that participated and helped gather such a significant donation.”
SOLID has already surpassed its previous annual charitable giving records by raising and donating more than $40,000 to various organizations throughout 2014.

• • •

David Kent.

David Kent.


Debbie Z Entertainment will begin representing the catalog of songwriter David Kent. Kent moved to Nashville in 1990, played keys for Hall & Oats, wrote Blake Shelton’s “Austin,” and had top 10 hits with Martina McBride, Rodney Atkins, Neal McCoy, Tracy Lawrence and others.
“I couldn’t be more excited to be working with the writer that got this Blake Shelton party started,” Zavitson said. “David is a true story teller and country music has been missing that element for quite a while.”
“I’ve always known that Debbie had an ear for great songs, an eye for talent, and her finger on the pulse of this industry that, along with her resilient spine and how well she handles the serious leg work…well, you can’t ignore that kind of anatomy,” Kent said. “So now, 14 years after Austin, I’m thrilled to have her representing my catalog.”

Project Music Seeks Start-Ups; Teams With Google

project music logo 2014Project Music, a music and technology business accelerator program, operating in partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (EC) and the Country Music Association (CMA), has received increased funding and extended the application deadline to Monday, Dec. 8. The 14-week program begins January 18, 2015. Each startup accepted into Project Music will receive $30,000 in seed capital in exchange for a small equity stake. Details at www.ec.co/projectmusic.
Latest sponsor Google brings technical, industry and investment expertise to the program, as well as opportunities to reach an even greater audience. Also new to the program is Digital Entertainment Ventures of NYC, which joins current partners Decosimo/Vaden, Avenue Bank, Flo {thinkery} and Anderson Benson Insurance.
Previously announced seed investment group founders for the accelerator are: Creative Artists Agency, Vector Management, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Universal Music Group, Spalding Entertainment, DevDigital, Red Light Management and Galante Entertainment.
Heather McBee has also joined the Project Music team. Her 20 years of experience includes time as VP of Digital and Marketing at Sony Music Nashville, and Operations Director at Cumulus Media’s America’s Morning Show. Program mentors include McBee, Joe Galante, Michael Burcham, Mark Montgomery, Ed Hardy, Matt Urmy, Damon Whiteside, Jeremy Holley and Sarah Trahern.
Google’s support comes on the heels of the recent commitment by its YouTube subsidiary to a year-long series of workshops in Nashville geared toward the music industry.
The EC is a non-profit which connects entrepreneurs with investors, mentors and resources. It is funded through sponsorships, partnerships, donations and grants.