Kurt Patat

Kurt Patat has been named Senior Vice President of Communications for CMT it was announced today (May 27) by Brian Philips, President of CMT, to whom he will report. His appointment is effective immediately.

In this role, Patat will oversee all media relations as well as internal communications for CMT, managing publicity teams in both Santa Monica, Calif. and Nashville, Tenn., where he will divide his time. He will also direct the publicity campaigns for CMT’s original series, documentaries and tent-pole events. Additionally, Patat will be responsible for helping shape and implement consumer, business and trade press strategies in support of broader brand and Viacom Kids and Family Group priorities. In the latter capacity he will report to Viacom Kids and Family EVP of Communications Dan Martinsen.

“Kurt’s arrival heralds CMT’s elevated presence in the entertainment capitols,” says Philips. “We will be well-served by his years of hard-earned relationships and savvy music background at MTV. Kurt is the right person for CMT’s busiest era ever! “

Patat joins CMT from MTV, where he served as Vice President of Communications for MTV. In this role, he led publicity efforts for all multiplatform and music initiatives, including for MTV Video Music Awards, MTV Movie Awards, MTV Unplugged, and House of Style, as well as the launches of MTV and VH1’s programing and music apps. Starting in 2014, he added responsibility for Logo, where he managed all communications. He is a native of Chattanooga, Tenn.

Lisa Chader headed CMT’s communications team, before joining NPG PR.

Score-Com, a two-day symposium with composer and musical director Michael Bearden, will be held at Ocean Way studios June 13-14. It is part of the Filmolution events, running June 12-23. Among the artists Bearden works with is Lady Gaga. The Nashville Composers Association and Film-Com are presenting the seminar entitled “Incorporating Everything You Do as a Composer Into a Living.” Details at www.nashvillecomposers.org.

Another part of Filmolution is the sixth annual Film-Com. Nashville’s film, TV, and gaming industry conference, has been set for June 16-19. The one-stop shop presented by Mr Pro enables writers, producers, directors, actors, and other content creators to meet and connect with financiers, distribution reps, agents, and more.

This year’s participants include over fifty national and regional industry executives, including Jason Wald of Radius TWC (The Weinstein Company), Gil Adler (Producer of Valkyrie with Tom Cruise, Tales from the Crypt), Lauren Fisher (CBS Films), Kristin Wendell (Nat Geo), Sierra Cowan (Destination America / Discovery Channel), Tara Strauss (SpectreVision, owned by Elijah Wood), financiers John Hadity, Todd Remis, Chris Kelly, Steve Kaplan, Rachel Raney, Steve Hoban, and numerous others.

More information on Film-Com or tickets available here.

Mickey Guyton celebrated the release of her self-titled EP yesterday with a Twitter and Facebook chat and a stream of the album on both platforms. Guyton co-wrote two of the EP’s four tracks, including the current single, “Better Than You Left Me,” which she co-penned with Jennifer Hanson, Jenn Schott, and Nathan Chapman.

The project was produced by Chapman, Luke Laird, and Dan Huff. The EP also includes the tracks “Somebody Else Will,”  written by Laird, Ashley Gorley, and Hillary Lindsey, and “Pretty Little Mustang,” penned by Guyton, Lindsey, and Jeremy Spillman. 

Ricky Ross Receives CMA International Country Broadcaster Award

Ricky Ross received the 2014 CMA International Country Broadcaster Award yesterday (May 26) from CMA Board Chairman Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President John Esposito, CMA Board President-elect Sally Williams, Chairman of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Jon Loba, and Board member Brett James at CMA’s corporate office in Nashville.

Ross, a broadcaster, singer, and songwriter who has had cuts by James Blunt and Ronan Keating to name a few, regularly visits Nashville. He presents BBC Radio Scotland’s “Another Country,” a mix of classic Country and Americana and the show has won two Sony Radio Awards. 

Pictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Sally Williams, VP of Business and Partnership Development of Ryman Auditorium and CMA Board President-elect; Brett James, CMA Award-nominated songwriter and CMA Board member; CMA International Country Broadcaster Award winner Ricky Ross; John Esposito, Pres./ CEO of Warner Music Nashville and CMA Board President; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Jon Loba, EVP of BBR Music Group and Chairman of the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

Bob Shennan Receives CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award

Another award was given out last week as Hunter Hayes presented the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award to Bob Shennan, Controller Radio 2, 6 Music, Asian Network, and Director, BBC Music.

“Bob is a tremendous ambassador for country music and the international growth of the format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And as a CMA Board member, he is a trusted and valued resource as we continue to explore and develop new ways to expand the format abroad.”

Shennan said, “It is a great privilege to serve on the Board of the CMA and this award is a wonderful honor. Country music is enjoying a golden age in the U.K. The BBC is here to support great music, and I am proud to do my bit.”

Hunter Hayes (r) presents BBC’s Bob Shennan with the CMA Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award at the BBC offices in London Friday, May 22. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA

International Country Music Conference Held at Belmont University

The International Country Music Conference was held last week at Belmont University. The annual conference, under co-Chairs Don Cusic and James Akenson, hosts country music scholars for three days of presentations and panel discussions. This year there were presenters from Japan, Norway, Germany, England, Canada and Australia.

The Belmont Award, given for the Best Book on country music during calendar year 2015 was presented to Barry Mazor for his book, Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music.

The Chet Flippo Award, sponsored by Rolling Stone magazine for excellence in country music journalism, was given to Jewly Hight.

Pictured (L-R): James Akenson, Barry Mazor, Jewly Hight, Rolling Stone’s Beville Dunkerley and Don Cusic.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted a performance by songwriters Ashley Gorley and Rodney Clawson on Saturday, May 23, in support of the new Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diary exhibition. Gorley, 2014 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year, and Clawson, 2014 BMI Songwriter of the Year, performed a number of their hits, including several No. 1s recorded by Bryan.

Pictured (L-R): Ashley Gorley, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia, and Rodney Clawson. Photo: Terry Wyatt, Getty Images

Earlier this month, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum welcomed the family of Grady Martin to the CMA Theater for a luncheon celebrating the announcement of Martin’s Hall of Fame induction. Museum staffers and the family discussed the upcoming fall Medallion Ceremony and the legacy of Martin, who was a member of the legendary “A-Team” and played on hundreds of records throughout his career.

Pictured (L-R): Sue and Joshua Martin, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director and CEO Kyle Young. Photo: Amanda Richard