2015 - Page 257 of 265 - MusicRow.com

Darius Rucker Announces Headlining Tour

January 13, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Three-time Grammy winner Darius Rucker recently appeared on NBC’s The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon to reveal his Southern Style Tour, set to begin on May 14 in Holmdale, N.J. The singer initially announced 30 dates for the trek. The tour will support his fourth studio album, Southern Style, to be released March 31, 2015.

Rucker has named CMA New Artist Of The Year Brett Eldredge, Brothers Osborne and A Thousand Horses as openers.

The following cities have been selected as stops on the tour with dates to be announced later.
Holmdel, N. J.
Pittsburgh, Pa.
Alpharetta, Ga.
Tampa, Fla.
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Scranton, Pa.
Philadelphia, Pa.
Detroit, Mich.
Toronto, Ontario
Dallas, Texas
Houston, Texas
St. Louis, Mo.
Indianapolis, Ind.
Cincinnati, Ohio
Gilford, N.H. *
Mansfield, Mass.
Wantaugh, N.Y.
Salt Lake City, Utah
Denver, Colo.
Albuquerque, N.M.
Mountain View, Calif.
Irvine, Calif.
Chula Vista, Calif.
Cleveland, Ohio
Darien Lake, N.Y.
Columbia, Md.
Raleigh, N.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Virginia Beach, Va.
*A Thousand Horses will not be performing on this date

YoungArts Honors Chris Young

January 13, 2015/by Kelsey_Grady

YoungArts honorees Chris Young, Jeff Koons and Josh Groban. Photo: YoungArts Foundation

RCA Records singer and songwriter Chris Young was honored this past weekend in Miami, Fla., with the YoungArts Arison Alumni Awards for his outstanding career achievements. He took part in the 2015 National YoungArts Week, where he spoke to high school students from across the country about his own experiences as an artist and then was later honored at the YoungArts annual Backyard Ball. Also a 2003 YoungArts Winner in Voice and U.S. Presidential Scholar in the Arts, the 29-year-old serves as an inspiration to arts students around the country for his successes in the music field.

Also in attendance were YoungArts honorees Josh Groban and Jeff Koons, along with Bill T. Jones, Bruce Weber, Desmond Child, James Caan, Phylicia Rashad, Ricky Ubeda and Zuzanna Szadkowski.

Chris Young receiving his YoungArts honor.

Chris Young and 2015 National YoungArts Week Finalists. Photo: YoungArts Foundation

Paul Lehr (YoungArts President and CEO), Chris Young, Sarah Arison (Arison Arts Foundation), Facundo Bacardi (Apache Capital LLC; Chairman of the Board, Bacardi Limited). Photo: YoungArts Foundation

Chris Young and Academy Award-nominated actor James Caan. Photo: YoungArts Foundation

Black River VP Celia Froehlig Renews Contract

January 13, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Celia Froehlig

Black River Entertainment’s CEO Gordon Kerr has announced the contract renewal of Vice President of Publishing, Celia Froehlig.

“From the moment I met Celia Froehlig I was impressed,” said Kerr. “Over the last four years, that first impression has been exceeded countless times. On a daily basis Celia demonstrates proven leadership, strength of character, commitment to the song and knowledge of publishing, surpassed by none. She is the epitome of class, professionalism and through her visionary leadership has guided Black River Publishing to tremendous success. As we look to the future, Celia’s engaging leadership style and commitment to Black River will enable our catalogue and writers the ability to continue to influence our culture.”

In 2014, Black River’s publishing arm celebrated songs including Josh Osborne’s “My Eyes” (Osborne/Dorff/James), performed by Blake Shelton featuring Gwen Sebastian; “We Are Tonight” by Billy Currington; and “Leave The Night On” by Sam Hunt.

“So many exciting things are happening at Black River Entertainment and I am thrilled to continue to be a part of such a great company,” said Froehlig. “When I came to BRE, I had a vision for the publishing company and Gordon and the Pegula’s have allowed me to work toward making that vision a reality. 2015 is going to be a great year for Black River!”

Froehlig’s career began at Chappell Music, where she was asked to remain as Creative Director when Chappell Music merged with Warner Brothers to form Warner/Chappell. Froehlig later accepted the position as Vice-President, Southern Region of EMI Music Publishing, where she remained for nine years. Upon leaving EMI, Celia opened a joint venture company with what is now Sony/ATV.

Dierks Bentley Announces Tour, Recruits Tourmates For Polar Plunge

January 13, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Photo from Dierks Bentley’s Facebook page.

Dierks Bentley announced his 2015 Sounds of Summer tour yesterday (Jan. 12) by jumping in the freezing cold water at Nashville’s Percy Priest Lake with tourmates Kip Moore, Maddie & Tae and Canaan Smith.

Bentley has often taken the Polar Plunge to kick off the new year, but this is the first time he’s recruited his opening acts for the icy outing. Click here to watch People’s exclusive video.

The 40-city run will open June 5 in Raleigh, N.C.

“There have been tours in my career that I thought would be impossible to top, and the past 12 months certainly rank as some of the best and most fun nights of my life,” said Bentley. “I expect 2015 to beat all of it. I’ve really loved having three other artists out there with us…just more fun on and off the stage and knowing that the fans are getting more music for their money is important to me. Kip, Maddie & Tae and Canaan are three of the hottest rising artists out there right now, and I feel fortunate to be spending the summer with them. If our first ‘tour meeting’ is any indication, they are up for anything, which is awesome. No one is going to have more fun this summer than us!”

Fans can purchase tickets beginning Jan. 26 for first cities as part of tour promoter Live Nation’s Country Megaticket at www.megaticket.com with additional ticket info for each market coming available in the weeks ahead at www.dierks.com.

First announced cities on the 2015 Sounds of Summer Tour:
Raleigh, NC
Cleveland, OH
Buffalo, NY*
Lansing, MI*
St. Louis, MO
Chicago, IL
Pittsburgh, PA
New York, NY
Boston, MA
Philadelphia, PA
Tampa, FL
West Palm Beach, FL
Virginia Beach, VA
Washington, DC
Schaghticoke, NY*
Morristown, OH
Charlotte, NC
Birmingham, AL
Oshkosh, WI*
Twin Lakes, WI*
Ft. Wayne, IN*
Sweet Home, OR*
Merritt, BC, CA*
Quincy, WA*
Detroit Lakes, MN*
Prairie du Chien, WI*
Norfolk, NE
Denver, CO
Albuquerque, NM
Phoenix, AZ
San Diego, CA
Fresno, CA
Mt. View, CA
Sacramento, CA
Corpus Christi, TX
Austin, TX
Dallas, TX
Cincinnati, OH
Indianapolis, IN
*Openers may vary

Songwriter Signings: Combustion Atlas, ASCAP

January 13, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): Chris Farren (Combustion Music owner/President); Sara Walters (Loeb & Loeb), Chris Van Belkom (Combustion Music VP); Luke Foley; Kenley Flynn (Combustion Music Creative Director); and John Strohm (Loeb & Loeb).

Luke Foley has signed a worldwide publishing deal with Nashville independent publishing venture Combustion Atlas.

Foley began his music career in the spotlight as frontman of rock and roll act Farewell Flight. Now residing in Nashville, Tenn., he continues to write for and perform with Farewell Flight. In addition, he writes with an eclectic collection of writers covering a wide variety of genres, from electronic synth pop to 90’s inspired rock n roll. His song “The Places We’ll Go” was featured in CITGO’s 2013 “Fueling Good” summer ad campaign, as well as in the CW’s “Hart of Dixie.”

“Luke’s passion for and skill in writing nostalgic songs that sound familiar yet are undeniably unique are what first drew me in. Add to that his prolific work ethic and I think we have the ingredients for long-term success. We couldn’t be happier to partner with Luke and look forward to elevating him as an artist and a writer,” said Kenley Flynn, Creative Director, Combustion Music.

Combustion Atlas’ team has delivered hits for artists including Miranda Lambert, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Keith Urban, and others.

In 2014, Atlas Music Publishing CEO, Richard Stumpf and Combustion Music owner/President, Chris Farren announced Atlas Music Publishing and the highly successful Combustion Music have formed a long-term joint venture under the banner Combustion Atlas.

• • •

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, CJ Solar, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and Sea Gayle Music’s Marc Driskill. Photo by ASCAP’s Kele Currier.

ASCAP has signed Sea Gayle Music songwriter-artist CJ Solar.

Just a few months ago, Baton Rouge, La., native CJ Solar started at Sea Gayle Music as an intern, suggested for the job by VP of Creative Freeman Wizer. Wizer’s colleague, VP of Creative Mike Owens, heard Solar’s tunes and immediately wanted to sign him. When EVP/GM Marc Driskill and the rest of the Sea Gayle creative team heard his music, Solar was offered a publishing deal on the spot.

“His lyrics are well beyond his years and his voice is distinctive and soulful. What a great story and an amazing talent. We are really excited about working with CJ and having him as part of the Sea Gayle roster,” commented Driskill.

ASCAP Names Elizabeth Matthews CEO

January 13, 2015/by Sarah Skates

Elizabeth Matthews

Today, the American Society of Composers Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced that Elizabeth Matthews has been named Chief Executive Officer of the organization, after previously serving as Executive Vice President and General Counsel at ASCAP since 2013.

She replaces former ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento who retired December 31 after 33 years of service, including 17 years as CEO.

Matthews, a unanimous choice among the Board’s 12 writer and 12 publisher members, begins her tenure at the helm immediately.

As ASCAP’s Executive Vice President & General Counsel, Matthews played an important role in planning the organization’s future. She led development of a six-year transformative strategic plan and was a key internal leader on modernizing ASCAP’s licensing systems and pushing for reform of ASCAP’s consent decree. She also spearheaded the organization’s support for introducing the Songwriter Equity Act in Congress. “Since joining ASCAP’s executive team, Beth Matthews has been a tireless advocate for our members and a catalyst for the entire organization,” said LoFrumento. “Working alongside Beth these past two years, there is no doubt in my mind that she has both the know-how and vision to lead ASCAP in a dynamic music landscape.”

Prior to ASCAP, Matthews served as Executive Vice President & Deputy General Counsel at Viacom Media Networks (formerly MTV Networks) since 1998.

“Now, more than ever, songwriters and composers need an advocate we can trust to ensure our work is valued fairly in a rapidly changing music marketplace,” said ASCAP President and Chairman Paul Williams, an award-winning songwriter. “What we do is vital to the future of music. Beth’s experience in the global multimedia content sector, her deep understanding of the complexities of the music business and her passion for protecting the rights of music creators make her singularly qualified for the CEO role. Her enthusiasm for taking on the new challenges of the digital era is unparalleled.”

“ASCAP is an expansive, forward-looking and adaptive service organization that successfully built and grew the market for performance rights for songwriters and publishers in the United States,” said Matthews. “As CEO, I am excited about building on our unique assets to offer new, innovative services to our members and licensing partners. As new media platforms transform how we listen to music, it is critical that we evolve our own business models and update outdated music licensing laws to better reflect the reality of today’s music marketplace. I am honored to work on behalf of the world’s greatest music creators who call ASCAP home.”

ASCAP represents more than 520,000 music creators.

Tim McGraw To Launch Summer Tour with Billy Currington, Chase Bryant

January 12, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Tim McGraw. Photo: Big Machine Label Group

Tim McGraw will launch his North American summer tour, The Shotgun Rider Tour ’15, with special guests Billy Currington and Chase Bryant.

The tour will visit a combination of amphitheaters, arenas, and festivals, and is promoted by Live Nation. Official dates have not be released.

“I love going through the process of making our set list and working on the production elements to bring the show to life,” said McGraw. “We just like to lay it all out there every night – sling sweat, have fun and help make some summertime memories for everyone who joins us.”

Fans can purchase tickets beginning the week of Jan. 26 for select cities as part of Live Nation’s Megaticket at www.megaticket.com. More details will be announced in coming weeks Check back in the coming weeks to www.timmcgraw.com and www.livenation.com.

Initial cities on the tour include:

Little Rock, Ark.
Dallas
Wantagh, N.Y.
Boston
Phoenix
Albuquerque, N.M.
Raleigh, N.C.
Charlotte, N.C.
Toronto, Ontario
Hartford, Conn.
Holmdel, N.J.
Virginia Beach, Va.
Darien Center, N.Y.
Cleveland, Ohio
Cincinnati
Detroit
Indianapolis
Chicago
St. Louis
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tampa, Fla.
Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia
Portland, Ore.
Seattle
Denver
Salt Lake City
Sacramento, Calif.
Mtn. View, Calif.
Irvine, Calif.

Dot Records Takes Craig Wayne Boyd To Radio

January 12, 2015/by Sarah Skates

BMLG’s Dot Records has signed Craig Wayne Boyd and is working his major label debut single “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face.”

Boyd was recently crowned winner of the seventh season of NBC’s The Voice.

Even before winning the show, Boyd was already burning up the charts. During the week ending 12/21/14, he dominated the Nielsen Soundscan country tracks chart, with four tracks in the Top 10: No. 1 “My Baby’s Got A Smile On Her Face” (99K), No. 3 “In Pictures” (30K), No. 6 “The Old Rugged Cross” (28K), and No. 9 “Boots On” ft. Blake Shelton (23K).

Boyd has made recent appearances on The Today Show, The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, and Ellen.

Warner/Chappell Production Music Acquires Frank Gari Productions, Gari Communications Assets

January 12, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Warner/Chappell Production Music announced today (Jan. 12, 2015) that it has acquired the music assets of worldwide leaders in news theme music, Frank Gari Productions and Gari Communications.

“I’m thrilled to welcome the undisputed champions of news theme music, Frank Gari Productions and Gari Communications, into the Warner/Chappell Production Music family,” said Randy Wachtler, President & CEO, Warner/Chappell Production Music. “Gari is a well-known and trusted source for the world’s most recognizable news themes. I look forward to offering our clients an even wider array of first-class music, and to working with the talented Gari team to soundtrack fantastic television.”

With this acquisition, Warner/Chappell Production Music becomes the largest provider of news music for local television in the U.S.

UMG Nashville Adds Ailie Birchfield as Director, Media Marketing

January 12, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Ailie Birchfield

Universal Music Group Nashville has added Ailie Birchfield as Director of Media Marketing. Ailie will oversee press and publicity outreach for artists including Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, David Nail, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Gary Allan, Joey Hyde, Kacey Musgraves, Kelleigh Bannen, Lady Antebellum and Vince Gill.

Ailie joins the UMG Nashville team from Slate PR in Los Angeles, Calif. where she worked with clients including Annette Benning, Jude Law, Matthew Broderick and Neil Patrick Harris. Prior to Slate PR, Ailie held publicity roles at Viewpoint, Inc. and Paramount Pictures.

“I am so impressed with Ailie’s work ethic and professionalism,” shares Lori Christian, VP, Media Marketing. “She carved an impressive publicity career for herself in Los Angeles and we are thrilled to have her enthusiasm and expertise for our UMG Nashville roster of artists.”

“I couldn’t be more excited to join UMG Nashville as part of their dynamic and talented team,” says Ailie. “I’m looking forward to expanding our ever-growing presence in the country music industry.”

Ailie relocated to Nashville to continue her career in publicity and be closer to family in Atlanta.

She can be reached at ailie.birchfield@umusic.com.