Streamsound Inks Deal with RED Distribution
Streamsound Records’ President/CEO Steve Richardson has signed a multi-year distribution deal with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
RED Distribution will handle the label’s digital distribution worldwide and physical distribution in the U.S. and Canada. The debut solo album from Kristian Bush will be the first album release this coming Spring 2015.
“RED music is a driving force in the music scene,” states Richardson. “The proven success at RED, combined with our talented roster and committed team members, will poise Streamsound Records for an exciting new year.”
RED’s President Bob Morelli says, “I am genuinely excited to begin this relationship with Steve and Streamsound as he and they have a great track record for creating hits. We are real fans of all things Nashville and love the music. The RED staff will do whatever is appropriate from a sales, marketing and development perspective to assist Streamsound break artists. We look forward to working together and being a part of their continued success.”
Bonnaroo To Let Fans Unlock Performer Lineup for 2015
Bonnaroo’s promoters are letting fans in on the process of announcing the festival’s 2015 artist lineup.
Promoters are testing a “megathon” event, which allows fans to discover the artists on the lineup early, and help spread the word.
Those interested in learning more about the lineup can call 1-844-ROO-2015 on Tuesday, Jan. 13 from 6 p.m. through 9 p.m. One artist will be revealed to the caller, who must then share the news on their social media page (Instagram, Twitter or Vine), along with the hashtag #bonnaroo.
Afterward, the caller can visit the Bonnaroo website, where the full lineup will be unlocked. Fans can then spread the word of the full lineup. Bonnaroo’s promoters will also reveal the lineup via more traditional routes at a later time.
Bonnaroo 2015 will take place in Manchester, Tenn.’s Great Stage Park. Last year’s lineup welcomed Elton John, Jack White, and Skrillex, among numerous other performers.
The Bonnaroo 2015 Megathon lineup announcement video can be seen below.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zYaBZhsel5Y
BMG Chrysalis, Amylase Entertainment Add Songwriter Joel Shewmake
BMG Chrysalis and Amylase Entertainment have entered into a publishing agreement with songwriter Joel Shewmake. Joel has scored cuts for Brad Paisley, Gary Allan and Trace Adkins, and also penned Craig Campbell’s debut single “Family Man.”
“These guys have always been fans of Joel, so we are very excited to continue working with Joel in this new venture with BMG Chrysalis,” says Amylase Creative Director Whit Jeffords.
Chris Oglesby, VP Creative, adds, “The creative staff here is thrilled to combine it’s strengths and love for Joel as a writer with the tenacity of Whit and Amylase. We look forward to building on an already great foundation.”
Pictured (L-R): Kevin Lane (BMG), Whit Jeffords (Amylase), Sara Knabe (BMG), Joel Shewmake, Chris Oglesby (BMG), Kos Weaver (BMG), Curt Jones (Amylase Owner)
Andraé Crouch Dead at 72
American gospel singer Andraé Crouch has died from complications following a heart attack on January 3rd. The Grammy and Dove Award winner passed away surrounded by family on Thursday, January 8, 2015 at approximately 4:30pm PST at Northridge Hospital Medical Center in the Los Angeles area. Andraé was 72 years old.
“Today my twin brother, womb-mate and best friend went home to be with the Lord,” said Pastor Sandra Crouch. “Please keep me, my family and our church family in your prayers. I tried to keep him here but God loved him best. Details of Andraé’s Celebration Service and Tribute will be forthcoming.”
Andraé’s accolades include 7 Grammy Awards, 6 GMA Dove Awards, an Academy Award nomination for “The Color Purple,” induction into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame. His songs have been recorded by everyone from Elvis Presley to Paul Simon, and he has worked as a producer and arranger with many of music’s top artists, including Michael Jackson, Madonna, Quincy Jones, Diana Ross, Elton John and many others. Andraé can also be heard on Michael Jackson’s hit singles “Man in the Mirror,” “Keep the Faith,” “Will You Be There” and “Earth Song.”
In Pictures: Honoring “Little” Jimmy Dickens
Fans, friends, family and industry members gathered earlier today (Jan. 8) at the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville to honor the life and career of “Little” Jimmy Dickens. The Grand Ole Opry member died Friday, Jan. 2. A trouper to the end, Dickens turned 94 years old on Dec. 19 and performed on the Grand Ole Opry the following day, singing his hit “Out Behind the Barn” and delivering his trademark jokes. He suffered a stroke five days after his final performance and died a week later. Among those honoring the entertainer were Carrie Underwood, Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Connie Smith, Steve Wariner, Chris Young, and Old Crow Medicine Show.
Dickens, whose signature songs included “Out Behind the Barn,” and “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose” as well as more traditional country hits – joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1948.
“If they say that only the good die young, well, evidently the greatest of all live to be 94 and sing two weeks before they pass on,” Gill said at the memorial.
Paisley asked those in attendance to close the celebration with “Will The Circle Be Unbroken,” saying that Dickens began the tradition of closing country music funerals with that tune.
“We’ll take it from here, little buddy,” said Paisley, who also performed “When I Get Where I’m Going” in tribute to Dickens.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee was the oldest member of the Opry cast. The widely loved entertainer was the show’s goodwill ambassador, as well as its elder statesman.
Little Jimmy Dickens’ Opry dressing room door. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Brad Paisley performs “When I Get Where I’m Going” during the celebration of life event honoring Little Jimmy Dickens. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Connie Smith performs. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Old Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Steve Wariner. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Vince Gill and Carrie Underwood perform “Go Rest High On That Mountain.” Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Chris Young. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Artists gather at the end of the celebration of life ceremony to honor Little JImmy Dickens onstage at the Grand Ole Opry House. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Little Jimmy Dickens’ truck. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
The A Team: RCA Studio A Saviors Named ‘Nashvillians of the Year’
The A Team: RCA Studio A saviors named Nashvillians of the Year by ‘Nashville Scene.’ Click to read.
Members of the Music Industry Coalition, which fought to save RCA Studio A, were named Nashvillians of the Year by the Nashville Scene. On Monday, Jan. 12 The National Trust for Historic Preservation and the Music Industry Coalition will share details of their new partnership at an event at Grand Victor Sound Studio (aka historic RCA Studio A). Stay tuned for details.
Rendering of M Residences, coming to 19th Ave.
In more Music Row real estate news:
• Properties totaling about one acre and located at the northeast corner of 19th and Chet Atkins Place, have been rezoned to make way for the M Residences, which will also include retail and a restaurant space, reports the Nashville Post.
• Vanderbilt University, which previously acquired the Sony building on 17th Ave., has also purchased an adjacent property for $1.9 million. Sony will move to the 1201 Demonbreun building.
• The space in Hillsboro Village previously occupied by Boscos will be revamped as the Village Marketplace and Brewery, courtesy of the folks behind neighboring joint Sam’s, reports the Nashville Scene.
Click here for a recap of more developments coming to the Music Row area.
ACM Lifting Lives Announces Additional 2015 Club Shows
ACM Lifting Lives has announced additional dates for the ACM Lifting Lives Club Shows sponsored by Mattress Firm. The shows are in addition to the previously announced dates featuring Tyler Farr at Joes’ Bar in Chicago and The Rave in Milwaukee.
Participating clubs have agreed to donate a portion of each ticket sold to ACM Lifting Lives, and the money raised will go to help fund organizations that are improving lives through the power of music. Tickets may be purchased directly from the venues listed below.
Schedule of ACM Lifting Lives Club Shows:
Jan. 9- Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL –Tyler Farr
Jan. 9- Wild Bill’s – Duluth, GA- Gary Allan
Jan. 10- The Bluestone – Columbus, OH- Easton Corbin
Jan. 10- The Rave – Milwaukee, WI- Tyler Farr
Jan. 13- Coyote Joe’s – Charlotte, NC- WSOC Stout Pull featuring Sam Hunt, Jerrod Niemann and The Swon Brothers
Jan. 17- Midnight Rode – Springfield, MO- Eric Paslay
March 15- Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL- Sam Hunt
Through a donation from Mattress Firm, fans attending the club shows will have the chance to win a trip via a Twitter sweepstakes to the 50th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards on Sunday, April 19, 2015 in Texas. Visit acmliftinglives.com for more information.
Ray Scott Adds Crews, Brainard To Team
Pictured (L-R): Ray Scott, Brian Crews, Dave Brainard
Country recording artist Ray Scott (deciBel Nashville) has added new alliances in management, booking and music production to his team. Brian Crews of Crewser Entertainment and Promotions will oversee Scott’s day-to-day management and booking, while producer Dave Brainard (deciBel Productions) will lead creative, music supervision, and production.
North Carolina native Scott has made more than 40 appearances on the Grand Ole Opry. He entered the format as a songwriter, notching songs for Clay Walker (“A Few Questions”) and Randy Travis (“Pray for the Fish”). His major label debut album, My Kind of Music, released on Warner Bros. in 2005. He released his third indie album Ray Scott in October 2014.
Martina McBride To Join Gladys Knight, Estelle on ‘Skyville Live’
Pictured (from top): Gladys Knight, Martina McBride, Estelle
Gladys Knight, Martina McBride and Estelle will join forces to perform on new music series Skyville Live on Jan. 14, 2015 via skyvillelive.com (8:00p ET/7:00p CT).
The series marks the first time a live, television-style program has been broadcast (streamed) exclusively to the internet in front of a studio audience featuring major national and international entertainment.
“I’m so excited to be performing with such talented musicians in Nashville alongside two of the most amazing singers of our time,” says British pop /R&B singer Estelle.
More artists scheduled to appear on future episodes of the new series will be announced in coming weeks.