NAMM Names Best Communities For Music Education

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best communities for music educationThis week, the National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) Foundation recognized 388 school districts in 46 states as among the Best Communities for Music Education. In addition, 120 individual schools across the nation are being awarded the Support Music Merit Award (SMMA), which recognizes support for school-based music education programs.

Not all of the nation’s 13,588 school districts are in harmony when it comes to promoting the arts and music education. According to the White House’s Turnaround Arts program, for example, 1.3 million elementary school students still have no access to music classes.

A new study shows that participation in music education programs helps improve brain function and sparks language development. “The new research validates the relationships between student success and access to music education,” said Mary Luehrsen, executive director of the NAMM Foundation. “Ensuring that every child has access to music in schools requires commitment by students, teachers, and those who determine school budgets. We commend the districts and schools that have earned the Best Community designation this year.  They join with so many that believe as we do that there is a vital link between do-re-mi and the ABCs.”

Four Tennessee school districts make this list of Best Communities for Music Education, including:

Clarksville-Montgomery County School System, Clarksville, TN
Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, TN
Shelby County Schools, Memphis, TN
Union City School System, Union City, TN

Other notable districts include:
Fort Worth Independent School District, Fort Worth, TX
Austin Independent School District, Austin, TX
Bakersfield City School District, Bakersfield, CA

A complete list of districts and schools receiving Best Community and SupportMusic designations from the NAMM Foundation in 2015 can be found at: http://www.nammfoundation.org/what-we-do/best-communities-music-education.

Celebration of Life Set For Nashville Singer-Songwriter Larry Henley

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Larry Henley

Larry Henley

Friends, family, songwriters and musicians will gather at BMI’s Nashville office to celebrate the inspiring life ofNashville singer-songwriter, Grammy award winner and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Larry Henley, as well as the music he contributed to the world. He will forever be remembered for his beautiful music and heartfelt lyrics.

The celebration of life for Larry Henley has been rescheduled for March 26, 2015 at 6 p.m. The event will be held at BMI Nashville’s first floor lobby. BMI Nashville is located at 10 Music Square East.

Henley died Dec. 18, 2014, at age 77, after battling a long illness. He was an accomplished Nashville singer-songwriter whose hits included “Til I Get It Right,” “Lizzie And The Rain Man,” “He’s A Heartache,” “Is It Still Over,” “Wind Beneath My Wings,” and “Bread and Butter.”

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made in Larry’s memory to Alive Hospice, located at 1718 Patterson Street, Nashville, TN 37203.

Click here to read Henley’s full obituary.

Industry Pics: Lady Antebellum, Dick Vitale, The Recording Academy

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Lady Antebellum surprised CAA agent John Huie for his birthday before their final overseas show in Melbourne, Australia (March 17), along with the help of Maddie & Tae.

 

 

Dick Vitale Hollo 1543 3-13-15

The Grand Ole Opry welcomed ESPN college basketball analyst Dick Vitale as a special guest announcer this past Friday night. Vitale was in Nashville for the SEC Tournament, held at Bridgestone Arena.

 

 

InTheMix_Feb2015_Group

(Pictured L-R): Top Row-Rick Clark, Bil VornDick, Julian King. Bottom Row-Russ Long, Jason Lehning. Photo: Yu Howe.

On Feb. 24, 2015, The Recording Academy Nashville Chapter® and Producers & Engineers Wing® presented “In The Mix: Listening Session” at Addiction Sound Studios in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood, a district known for its large studio community.

Broadcasters Want Sponsored Song Notices Stripped From Airwaves

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RadioTowerRadio broadcasters are seeking changes to the way listeners are notified that they are hearing sponsored songs. A group of nine broadcasters, including Beasley, Cox, Cromwell Group, Emmis, Entercom, First Natchez, Greater Media, Henson Media and iHeartMedia, have filed a petition with the FCC requesting that radio companies be allowed to move disclosures about sponsored songs online. Currently these disclosures are required to be stated on air.

The group—which notably doesn’t include Cumulus—claims this change will offer “far greater and more accessible sponsorship information to listeners.” It goes on to say that this is a “consumer-friendly” move with “fewer interruptions” to on-air programming.

Laws require stations to identify sponsored programming in an effort to combat payola, which would theoretically even the playing field among those competing for airtime.

The petition was revealed Friday, March 13 when the F.C.C. announced that it would accept public feedback through April 13.

Read the petition.

Read more from the New York Times.

Artist Updates: The Band Perry, March Madness Festival, The LACS, Allison Moorer

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The Band Perry Joins ACM Lifting Lives’ “One Night, Two Cities, All Music”

The Band Perry

The Band Perry

The Band Perry will be making a special appearance at the ACM Lifting Lives “One Night, Two Cities, All Music” Gala’s two locations – Omni Dallas Hotel and Fort Worth Zoo on Friday, April 17. Also announced, Montel Williams will co-host the Dallas gala joining previously announced hosts Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, and Fort Worth co-host Nancy O’Dell.

Previously announced performers include headliner Lady Antebellum and Hunter Hayes at the Omni Dallas Hotel, and headliner Keith Urban and Little Big Town at Fort Worth Zoo.

 

Artists Announced For NCAA March Madness Music Festival

march-madness-music-festival-artwork-400pxLady Antebellum, Zac Brown Band, and Kacey Musgraves are among the artists taking part in the NCAA March Madness Music Festival, a three-day, free festival slated for White River State Park in Indianapolis. All three country artists will close the festival on Sunday, April 5.  Part of Zac Brown Band’s performance will be featured during Capital One Championship Central, the National Championship pregame show which will air at 8:30 p.m. on CBS.

Other artists slated to appear during the festival include Rihanna and Bleachers.

The LACS Return With Fourth Project For Average Joes Entertainment

The LACSDuo The LACS return with their fourth studio album on Average Joes Entertainment, Outlaw In Me. The 13-song collection will hit stores May 26.

The project offers fans a look at the duo’s life on and off the road with songs including “God Bless A Country Girl,” “Going Back To Georgia” (feat. Craig Campbell), “Make The Rooster Crow,” and “Out Here.”

 

 

 

Allison Moorer Releases ‘Down To Believing’ Today

Allison MoorerSinger-songwriter Allison Moorer will release the new project Down To Believing today (March 17). The 13-track project was produced by Kenny Greenburg, and marks Moorer’s eighth studio album since 1998’s Alabama Song.

Big Deal Music Renews with Tursi, Signs Parish

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Big Deal Music has renewed its agreement with songwriter and Old Dominion member Brad Tursi. Tursi has penned songs recorded by Kenny Chesney, Maddie & Tae, Frankie Ballard, Swon Brothers, Josh Turner, Joey Hyde, Tyler Farr and more.

Old Dominion recently announced they have inked a deal with Sony Music Nashville’s RCA Nashville imprint.

Pictured (L-R): Dale Bobo, Chip Petree, Brad Tursi, Pete Robinson, Greg Gallo

Pictured (L-R): Dale Bobo, Chip Petree, Brad Tursi, Pete Robinson, Greg Gallo

Additionally, the publishing company announced the signing of singer-songwriter Sarah Emily Parish to its roster.

Pictured (L-R): Dale Bobo, Greg Gallo, Sarah Emily Parish, Pete Robinson, and Scott Safford

Pictured (L-R): Dale Bobo, Greg Gallo, Sarah Emily Parish, Pete Robinson, and Scott Safford

Overton To Exit Sony Music Nashville

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Gary Overton 2015

Gary Overton

Sony Music Entertainment Inc. today announced that Gary Overton will step down from his role as Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville as of March 31, 2015. This is a result of a mutual agreement between Mr. Overton and SME.

“Working at Sony Music has been one of the most rewarding experiences of my career,” said Overton. “I will deeply miss the talented team at SMN, but I am also excited about starting the next chapter of my career. I want to thank the amazing staff for their tireless commitment to supporting our incredible artists.”

Overton arrived at Sony in 2010 after 15 years as Exec. VP /GM of EMI Music Publishing, where the company earned Publisher of the Year honors from ASCAP, BMI, and/or SESAC a total of twelve times. Prior to joining EMI, Overton was manager for Alan Jackson, and served tenures as head of A&R for BNA Entertainment and VP of Warner/Chappell Music.

Sony Music Nashville includes three Country label imprints (RCA, Columbia, Arista Nashville) and Christian music company Provident Music Group. Sony Music Nashville is home to Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert and Kenny Chesney, to name a few.

A new leader for the label group has not been announced.

The Apple Network? June Announcement Targets TV Unbundling

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apple-tv-overview-hero-2013_GEO_USApple is rumored to be in the process of developing around a 25-channel network by this fall, according to the Wall Street Journal.

ABC, CBS and Fox are said to be onboard. Due to conflicts with Comcast, owner of NBCUniversal (NBC, USA, Bravo), those programs are not currently expected.

Apple aims to deliver consumers a “skinny” bundle for around $30-$40/mo. compatible across Apple iOS devices (iPhones, iPads) in addition to Apple TV.

During the technology giant’s spring roll-out, Apple revealed an unbundled partnership with HBO at $14.99/mo., said to be just the appetizer for what’s to come.

“Several companies are looking for ways to target ‘cord cutters,’ people who don’t want to pay the typical $90 price for a cable TV package with hundreds of channels and who tend to enjoy online video,” say Keach Hagey, Shalini Ramachandran and Daisuke Wakabayashi of the WSJ.

“In the most recent talks, Apple is continuing to propose creating a live TV streaming service with a vast on-demand library that would be stored in the ‘cloud.’ It may be hard for Apple to get rights to all the programming it is asking for, including full seasons of shows. Many media companies have deals to license such content to outlets like Netflix and Hulu.”

Millennials are dropping linear TV viewing at around 4 percent annually. Nielsen notes the drop from September and January was 10.6 percent, the largest ever. About a quarter of 18-to-34-year-olds watch linear TV, while 44 percent of baby boomers do. Linear viewing for all ages in the U.S. peaked in 2013, according to AdAge.

The Dish Network and Sony Corp. are also aiming at competitive streaming TV products.

The momentum offers a fresh take at Apple TV, a product that has stagnated and been riddled with bugs since its roll-out in 2007. Currently the hardware retails for $69.00.

Centricity Music Adds To Artist Roster

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Ford, Centricity Music; Adam Taylor, Motion Management; Jordan Feliz; Jamie Feliz; Jon Sell, Ben Stauffer, John Mays, Centricity Music

Pictured (L-R): Steve Ford, Centricity Music; Adam Taylor, Motion Management; Jordan Feliz; Jamie Feliz; Jon Sell, Ben Stauffer, John Mays, Centricity Music

Franklin, Tenn.-based Centricity Music has signed Contemporary Christian Music/rock singer-songwriter Jordan Feliz to its roster. Feliz will release his debut album in Fall 2015.

“I am excited about the addition of Jordan Feliz to Centricity Music’s roster,” says Jon Sell, Manager of A&R, Centricity Music. “Jordan’s energy and passion are contagious in the pursuit of developing his artistry, which will bring a unique sound to the industry. His work ethic is evident in the 60-plus songs he’s written preparing for his first recording with Centricity Music, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear the incredible talent of this guy.”

Feliz, a Central California native, began his career in music as frontman for a Fesno, Calif., rock band, with a solid touring schedule that includes dates on The Warped Tour. Feliz later moved to Nashville to pursue a deal in CCM music. In 2014 Feliz participated in an artist retreat sponsored by Centricity Music, where he got to know staffers, leading to a signing with Centricity.

“I am so incredibly thrilled to be a part of the Centricity Music team,” Feliz said. “It’s such an amazing blessing to be part of a group of people that are collectively a business, but at the same time feels like a big family. Stoked for what’s to come!”

Franklin, Tenn.-based Centricity Music provides label, management and publishing services. Artists represented by the company include CCM artists Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Carrollton, Jared Anderson, Jason Gray, JJ Weeks, Jonny Diaz, Feliz, Lauren Daigle and Unspoken.

SoundExchange, NPR, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Reach Settlement

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soundexchangeSoundExchange has reached a settlement agreement with NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on royalty rates for the next five years for webcasting by public radio stations. If adopted by the Copyright Royalty Board, the settlements will be in effect from 2016-2020.

This marks the second settlement agreement in five months with non-commercial webcasters. In October 2014, SoundExchange and College Broadcasters, Inc. (which represents college media outlets) reached an agreement, which allows noncommercial webcasters at colleges and educational institutions to continue to employ a consistent royalty framework, and ensures rights holders are compensated.

“We always prefer negotiated solutions with digital services, provided that they ensure appropriate payment to artists and rights holders. We are pleased that we have again reached an agreement with NPR and CPB. This agreement recognizes the unique circumstances and missions of these organizations, and compensates the creators of the music used in their programing,” said Michael Huppe, president and chief executive officer, SoundExchange.

“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is pleased that we, together with NPR and SoundExchange have reached an agreement on Internet streaming of sound recordings by public radio stations funded by CPB that recognizes the unique nature of public radio and the vital service it provides to the American people,” said Pat Harrison, president and CEO, CPB.

“We are pleased to again collaborate with SoundExchange to come up with a framework for royalties that provides artists and rights holders with fair compensation while recognizing public radio’s distinctive public service and nonprofit operating model,” said NPR CEO Jarl Mohn. “The agreement is a testament to public radio’s significant contributions to musicians, artists, audiences and cultural programming in today’s dynamic music environment.”