Apple Sets Big Announcement For Sept. 9
Get ready to (possibly) upgrade, Apple users. Invitations have been sent out for an upcoming press event for the tech giant at the Bill Graham Civic Auditorium in San Francisco on Sept. 9.
It has been speculated that the announcement will include new product updates, including a new iPhone (Apple typically uses this event for iPhone announcements). Other speculations include a larger iPad, an update for the company’s Apple Watch operating system, and iOS 9 and OS X El Capitan. The company has not confirmed specific unveilings.
The invitations reads: “Hey Siri, give me a hint.” Programmed responses included:
— “Look deep within yourself and you will find the answer. Especially on September 9.”
— “You’re cute when you’re desperate for information.”
— “The only hint I can give you right now is a hint of lime. And that there’s a big announcement on September 9.
— “I can neither confirm nor deny that I am not authorized either to confirm or deny that I cannot disclose anything that you would then have to confirm. In any case, I would deny it. Got it?”
Musician’s Corner Marks Fifth Anniversary With Tom Petty Tribute
In celebration of the kick-off of the Fifth Anniversary Season of Musician’s Corner, City Winery Nashville will host “Into The Great Wide Open: An Evening Of Tom Petty Music” on Monday, Aug. 31 from 8:00 – 10:00 p.m. Doors open at 6 p.m.
The fundraising concert will feature Nashville artists Drew Holcomb, The Secret Sisters, Leigh Nash, Emily West, Matthew Perryman Jones, Kris Allen, Jason Eskridge, Bobby Bare Jr., Jon McLaughlin, Elenowen, Paul McDonald, Gill Landry, Gabriel Kelley, Lauren Shera, The Railers, and American Hotel. All proceeds benefit Musicians Corner’s Fall 2015 Season.
Musicians Corner is Nashville’s destination for free music events. The program created by The Conservancy for the Parthenon and Centennial Park, hosts weekly concerts throughout the fall featuring legendary artists across several stages. In addition to free live music, the program also offers a Kidsville activities area, a mix of Nashville’s best food trucks, Dogville activities, local artisans, charity partners, and the Musicians Corner Pub.
Tickets for “Into The Great Wide Open: An Evening Of Tom Petty Music” are on sale here.
In Pictures: Maddie & Tae, Scotty McCreery, Chris Janson, Cam, Aaron Watson, Bart Crow
Maddie & Tae, Meet Taylor Swift
Country duo Maddie & Tae met BMLG labelmate Taylor Swift before her 1989 World Tour performance at The Staples Center on Aug. 24.
Maddie & Tae with Taylor Swift.
Scotty McCreery Talks Album Prep, New Radio Single
Scotty McCreery was recently interviewed by radio/television personality Charlie Chase for Premiere Radio Networks’ “The Crook and Chase Countdown” syndicated radio show. They discussed McCreery’s current single, “Southern Belle,” which impacts country radio on Aug. 31. The song, from McCreery’s upcoming album due in early 2016, was written by Sean McConnell and Jason Saenz.
Pictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery and Charlie Chase.
Chris Janson Celebrates Gold Status at WMN Pickin’ On The Patio
Warner Music Nashville hosted the fourth Pickin’ On The Patio party yesterday (Aug. 26) featuring Warner Bros. Records recording artist Chris Janson. He was surprised with a plaque in recognition of his Top 5 single “Buy Me A Boat” receiving Gold certification from the RIAA.
Photo ID: Wes Vause (SVP, Publicity), TK Kimbrell (Manager, TKO Artist Management), Kevin Herring (SVP, Promotion), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Chris Janson, Kelly Janson (Management), Lisa Ray (VP, Brand Management), Peter Strickland (EVP & GM, WMN), Cris Lacy (VP, A&R), Chris Palmer (VP, Promotion), Tom Martens (Dir, National Promotion), Scott Hendricks (SVP, A&R)
Road Warriors
Country singer-songwriter Aaron Watson recently topped the country albums chart with his project The Underdog, setting the stage for his current headlining tour by the same name. He announced an additional 40+ shows on the tour last month. Watson brought newcomer Cam along for his West Coat run, including several sold out shows in Bakersfield, Sacramento, San Jose, Corona, and Mesa, Ariz.
“This guy, and his whole crew, just salt of the earth, hard working, crazy talented, so inspiring,” shared Cam on her Instagram page.
Cam and Aaron Watson
Bart Crow Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
Bart Crow makes his Opry debut.
Bart Crow, alt-country singer/songwriter from tiny little Maypearl, Texas, realized a dream Friday when he stepped on to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry to make his debut. Introduced by Opry legend Jeannie Seely, Crow performed his current hit single “Life Comes At You Fast” and “Queen of the Heartache Parade” from his upcoming new album The Parade, scheduled for release Oct. 2. Many of Crow’s family and friends flew in from his hometown to celebrate and witness his realized dream.
‘Mix’ Returns To Nashville With Weekend Audio Event
After a two-year hiatus, Mix Magazine has revived Mix Nashville, a signature professional audio event.
On Aug. 29, presenters and performers and workshops will be gathered in the newly refurbished Clair Southeast facilities and the new stages and production rooms of The Blackbird Academy.
Sister magazine Pro Sound News has partnered for the local Nashville AES Section. New for 2015 is The Interview Stage, The Master Class Stage, and The Exhibitors Network.
Speakers include engineer Steve Marcantonio, producer/engineer F. Reid Shippen, producer Chuck Ainlay, engineer Jeff Balding, and many more.
First presented in 2008, Mix Nashville established itself as a hands-on, professional audio event, with a blend of editorial panels and technology presentations. Ensuing years would bring live performances, real-time soundchecks and special “Anatomy of a Hit” panels detailing the production.
Registration is available for $79.00. Students can register for $49.00.
Warner/Chappell Signs 16-Year-Old Singer/Songwriter Jackson Nance
Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Travis Carter (Warner/Chappell), Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Scott Hendricks (Warner Bros. Records), Landon Dirickson (Attorney). Pictured (Front Row, L-R): Jackson Nance, Leslie Roberts (BMI)
Warner/Chappell has added 16-year-old singer-songwriter Jackson Nance to its roster. Nance is also signed with performing rights organization BMI.
Nance, a Leiper’s Fork, Tenn., native, was recently commissioned by The Alabama Tourism board to write and record an original song with session musicians from The Muscle Shoals Rhythm Section, also known as The Swampers.
Industry Ink: Regions Bank, Webster PR, Artist Growth, Nashville Songwriter Seminar
Regions Bank Hosts “Friend-Raiser” For Classical Music Initiative
Regions Bank recently hosted a “Friend-Raiser” for Intersection, an initiative focused on the professional performance of contemporary classical music in Nashville. Attendees were treated to live musical performances, a presentation by Kelly Corcoran, and a tour of Haynes Galleries. Corcoran announced the new season performances which are described at www.intersectionmusic.org.
Pictured (L -R): Emily Bowland (performing musician), Kelly Corcoran (Artistic Director of Intersection), Craig Havighurst (Intersection Board member), Lisa Harless (Regions Bank Senior Vice President), and Alicia Enstrom (performing musician).
Phil Vassar Signs with Webster Public Relations
Phil Vassar
Kirt Webster, President of Webster Public Relations, has added Phil Vassar as the latest addition to the publicity firm’s roster.
“Phil is an extraordinary talent, both as a songwriter and an artist,” says Webster. “Our team is excited about the new partnership with Phil and excited to bring new opportunities to his career.”
Vassar, a native of Lynchburg, Va., has called Nashville home since his music scene debut in the late ‘90s. His accolades include ACM Top New Male Vocalist of the Year, Billboard Country Songwriter of the Year, and a Daytime Emmy nomination for “Outstanding Original Song.” As a songwriter he has 26 Top 40 hits, 15 Top 10 hits, and 10 No. 1 hits.
David Crow, Esq. To Present Songwriter Contracts Seminar in Nashville
David Crow
David Crow, Esq. of Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley PLC will host a seminar on Songwriter Contracts at BMI’s Nashville office on Wednesday, Sept. 9 from 10 a.m.-11:15 a.m.
The seminar will focus different types of agreements for songwriters and their copyrighted works, including single song agreements, exclusive songwriting agreements, co-publishing agreements and administration agreements.
Cost is $10 for Arts & Business Council members, and $15 for non-members.
BMI Nashville is located at 10 Music Sq. E.
Sony Music Entertainment Joins Artist Growth’s AG Accel
The labels of Sony Music Entertainment have joined Artist Growth’s AG Accel artist discovery network. AG Accel provides a platform for artists to meet with a curated network of labels, including Sony Entertainment’s labels, as well as managers, booking agents, distributors, brand sponsors and more.
“Data is playing an increasingly important role in our A&R process,” says Justin Eshak, VP of A&R at Columbia Records, about the decision to partner with AG Accel. “How information is gathered and ultimately used is paramount in our goal to distance ourselves from competition, and we view touring data as another key metric in this equation.”
AG Accel is open to all Artist Growth Premium users on an opt-in basis.
Jennifer Nettles Signs With Big Machine Records
Jennifer Nettles. Photo: James Minchin
Singer-songwriter Jennifer Nettles has signed with Big Machine Records. The multi-talented Nettles will release a new single this October and her next solo album is slated for an early 2016 release.
Meanwhile, her upcoming Playing With Fire Tour, featuring Brandy Clark and Ryan Kinder, will visit 20-plus cities beginning this October.
“This is somewhat full-circle as I was at UMG Nashville as SVP/Promo when then-President Luke Lewis presented a disc of ‘this new band we’ve signed – pick a single,’” said Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group. “I was floored with Sugarland then and I’m floored with all things Jennifer now. She’s simply one of the best female voices to ever grace Country Music and I can’t wait for the world to hear her new music. Get. Ready.”
“I am so thrilled and honored to join the Big Machine family,” said Nettles. “They are truly the best in the business. I loved working with Scott years ago, in the beginning of my career, and have been waiting for the right opportunity to get to work with him again! I’m so happy that day has arrived and I look forward to our exciting new adventures to come.”
Fan pre-sale will begin on Wednesday, Sept. 2 followed by a Ticketmaster pre-sale on Thursday, Sept. 3 with tickets on sale to the general public beginning Friday, Sept. 4.
As if her schedule wasn’t busy enough, Nettles recently revealed she has joined the cast of the Dolly Parton television biopic, “Coat of Many Colors,” slated to air on NBC Dec. 10.
PLAYING WITH FIRE TOUR 2015 Fall Dates:
October 23 / Atlanta, GA Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
October 24 / Clearwater, FL Ruth Eckerd Hall
October 25 / Melbourne, FL King Center for the Performing Arts
October 29 / Newark, OH Midland Theatre
October 30 / Bethlehem, PA Sands Bethlehem Events Center
October 31 / Mashantucket, CT Foxwoods Resort Casino
November 13 / Red Wing, MN Treasure Island Resort & Casino
November 14 / Elkhart, IN Lerner Theatre
November 15 / Windsor, ON The Colosseum at Caesars
November 20 / Silver Spring, MD The Fillmore
November 21 / Hampton Beach, NH Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
November 22 / Westbury, NY Theatre at Westbury
November 27 / Johnson City, NY Magic City Music Hall*
November 28 / Salamanca, NY Seneca Allegany Casino
December 3 / Dallas, TX House of Blues – Dallas
December 4 / Bossier City, LA Horseshoe Bossier City
December 5 / San Antonio, TX Majestic Theatre
December 11 / Reno, NV Silvery Legacy resort and Casino
December 12 / Indio, CA Fantasy Springs Special Events Center
December 13 / Temecula, CA Penchaga Resort and Casino
*On Sale Date TBD
DISClaimer: Music City’s Female Pop/Rock Queens Make Some Noise
Emily West
Nashville’s country gals are having a tough time, but their pop/rock sisters in Music City are doing just fine, thank you.
Even without the presences of Taylor Swift, Amy Grant, Hayley Williams (of Paramore), Erin McCarley, Ashley Cleveland, Bonnie Bramlett, Butterfly Boucher, Jessie Baylin, Kim Carnes, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Marshall Chapman, Bekka Bramlett, Sheryl Crow, Benita Hill, Janis Ian, Ruby Amanfu, Brooke Waggoner, Tracy Nelson, Kim Richey, Kesha or Meghan Trainor, Nashville women completely dominate this pop/rock edition of “DisClaimer.”
Two divas are at the forefront. Emily West and Kelly Clarkson share the Disc of the Day prize with entries that are showcases for their respective volcanic vocal talents.
The DisCovery Award goes to the punk-rocking Bully and its leader, Alicia Bognanno.
EMILY WEST/Bitter
Writers: Emily West/Julian Emery/Jodi Marr; Producer: Dustin Ransom; Publisher: none listed; Portrait (track)
-Former Capitol country starlet Emily West should have been the next Faith Hill. Instead, she rose to national TV fame as a reinvented, stunningly glamorous, pop singer on last season’s America’s Got Talent. Her new All For You CD features tunes she has torched on the show, including “Nights In White Satin,” “Chandelier” and “Sea of Love.” This standout original is torrid and passionate in all the right places, with an hooky chorus that gives her space to shout her fierce soprano power. Superbly done.
ANGEL SNOW/Secret
Writers: Angel Snow/Perrin Lamb; Producer: Sorted Noise; Publisher: EmmettTill, ASCAP; AS (track)
-A throbbing electronic backing frames her clear, soulful, resonant alto delivery. I love the way this is mixed with such perfect balance. Enthralling from start to finish. Snow could be Nashville’s next stealth pop weapon.
BEBE BUELL & THE NASHVILLE ACES/Secret Sister
Writers: Bebe Buell/Jon Tiven/Jimmy Walls; Producer: Jon Tiven; Publishers: Musesque/Unconrolled Composition, BMI; AmerEclectic
-Recent Nashville transplant Buell is famed in rock circles for her modeling career, relationships with superstars (Steven Tyler, Todd Rundgren, Mick Jagger, Elvis Costello, etc.), being the mom of Liv Tyler and penning the infectious 2001 memoir Rebel Heart. She has long been a music maker, as well. Her single pairs this snappy punk rocker with the autobiographical, alt-country ditty “Hello Music City.” Welcome home.
JOY WILLIAMS/Woman (Oh Mama)
Writers: Joy Williams/Matt Morris/Audra Mae; Producers: Matt Morris/Daniel James; Publishers: Here’s To Me/EMI Blackwood/Music of Big Deal/Mass Transit/BMG Rights/WB/AMAE, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
– Former CCM record maker and Civil Wars co-star Williams has a new solo CD called Venus. Its lead-off single is a tribal, earth-mother chant celebrating women as the cosmic center of everything. Rhythm crazed.
BUZZ CASON & STEELISM/Record Machine
Writers: Cason/Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publisher: none listed; Plowboy (track)
-Back in 1955, Cason became the frontman of The Casuals, Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band. Wonderfully and astoundingly, he is still at it. The title tune of his latest CD is a bluesy salute to his family’s record player. Amid dandy electric guitar work, he adds his own harmonica solo. There’s even the sound of a vinyl needle drop. A smile a minute.
Kelly Clarkson
KELLY CLARKSON/Invincable
Writers: Sia Furler/Jesse Shatkin/Stephen Mostyn/Warren Felder; Producer: Jesse Shatkin; Publishers: EMI/EMI April/Aidenjulius/Oxmod/Nana’s Hands/Sony-ATV/Crow’s Tree, ASCAP/BMI; RCA/19 (track)
-Clarkson’s new single from her Piece By Piece album is an echoey, thunderous, power ballad. She enacts a wronged woman who becomes a courageous warrior, and boy does she have the pipes for it. How refreshing to hear someone who can actually sing, in a pop sea full of autotuned, electronic drones. Sing on, sister.
LEIGH NASH/Spider and the Moth
Writers: Leigh Nash/Jesse Hall; Producer: Brendan Benson; Publishers: BMG Silver/Woman Hollering/Jesse Hall, SESAC/BMI; Thirty Tigers/One
-The former Sixpence None the Richer pop princess (”Kiss Me,” “There She Goes”) still has her charming, pixie-like soprano. But her forthcoming CD, The State I’m In (due Sept. 18), replaces some of her pop sheen with country-influenced tracks. The set kicks off with this piano-backed waltz. Her little vocal breaks are delightful. Recommended.
SHEILA LAWRENCE/Little Bit of Lovin’
Writers: Sheila Lawrence; Producer: Greg Foresman & Sheila Lawrence; Publisher: She Songs, SESAC; Fallen Tree (track)
-Lawrence tours as a backup singer with Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Brenda Lee. Here at home, we know her as part of the nuclear stage attraction Kentucky Thunder, alongside Vicki Carrico, Etta Britt and Jonell Mosser, all of whom join her for two performances on her solo CD, Down 1297. But this blue-eyed soul inferno goes it alone on this ferociously rocking album opener. Get up and dance.
Alicia Bognanno of Bully
BULLY/Trying
Writers: Alicia Bognanno; Producer: Alicia Bognanno; Publisher: Alicia Bognanno, BMI; Columbia/Star
-The Nashville four-piece Bully is nominally a band, but Alicia Bognanno is its singer, songwriter and producer. Her quasi-strangled pleas are shouted over a thrashing, punk track that is just pop enough to make her/them mainstream. This is one of two videos from the debut CD, Feels Like, the other being “Brainfreeze.” Young, scrappy and energetic.
JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD/Melting Place
Writers: Jeff The Brotherhood; Producers: Joe Chiccarelli & Jeff the Brotherhood; Publishers: Automatic Bzooty/Otissery/WB, ASCAP; Infinity Cat (track)
-Brothers Jake and Jamin Orrall are back with a new album titled Wasted on the Dream. Its debut single begins as a deliberately stomping audio elephant, then morphs into a nervous, buzzing, electric-guitar mosquito. Nouveau psychedelic rock.
Gear Expo Next Month At Vintage King Audio
Pictured (L-R): Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick
For the third year, Pensado’s Place, the weekly educational web series, and Vintage King Audio, a leader in professional audio sales, studio consulting, and comprehensive gear servicing, are teaming up to produce Gear Expo.
The Pensado Vintage King Gear Expo Nashville 2015 will be Saturday, Sept. 26, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. at Vintage King’s facility in Berry Hill (2826 Dogwood Pl., Nashville, TN 37204). The event is free.
Attendees will be able to demo gear, talk with manufacturer reps, watch live interviews, mingle with celebrity guests, listen to live music, win prizes, enjoy local food trucks and meet Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick of Pensado’s Place.
Planned panels include Ladies Who Rock It, Live Sound, Where the Gigs Are, a DJ Turntablist event, a Q&A with Sturgill Simpson, and a Case Study on How to Make a Star, with more to be added. Audio-Technica will offer the Mic Man Expert booth, and iZotope will be making a special product rollout.
“Dave and I are very excited to return to Nashville for our third annual Gear Expo,” said Trawick, Gear Expo Executive Producer and Co-host/Executive Producer/Creator of Pensado’s Place. “Last year was the biggest pro audio block party that Music City had ever seen, and this year we are going to top it! We are going to have a blast while providing hands-on educational information and demonstrations that you cannot find anywhere else. See you on Sept. 26.”
The Gear Expo staff includes:
• Dave Pensado — Co-host of Pensado’s Place, GRAMMY®-winning mix engineer, and teacher
• Herb Trawick — Gear Expo Executive Producer and Co-host/Executive Producer/Creator of Pensado’s Place
• Shevy Shovlin — Gear Expo Producer and Chief Marketing Partner and Sales, Advertising for Headroom for Days
• Chad Evans — Gear Expo Co-Producer and Vintage King Nashville national sales rep
• Stephanie “Spitfire” Willis — Gear Expo Co-Producer
For more information or to RSVP, visit gearexponashville.com.