October 2015 - Page 24 of 25

Nashville Business Managers Retain Top 25 Ranking with ‘THR’

October 2, 2015/by Eric T. Parker

Lou Taylor (L), Mary Ann McCready (R)

The Hollywood Reporter has named its list of top 25 business managers for 2015. Retaining their ranking again this year are Nashville business managers Mary Ann McCready (Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy), and Lou Taylor (Tri Star Sports and Entertainment), as well as Los Angeles business manager Todd Gelfand (Gelfand Rennert & Feldman).

“Meet the most trusted moneymen and women (who manage assets and help make smart investments) in Hollywood on THR‘s list of those protecting the future,” prefaces the industry magazine.

Taylor’s company was launched more than 23 years ago and now includes 55 staffers and 15 business managers servicing Steven Tyler, Florida Georgia Line, Big and Rich, Casey James, Britney Spears, Gwen Stefani and many more. Taylor was among MusicRow‘s 2015 Rising Women on the Row honorees.

McCready co-founded her firm in 1990 with Churck Flood and Frank Bumstead. Now, the firm services Keith Urban, Kelly Clarkson, Blake Shelton (with Julie Boos), Rascal Flatts and many more. McCready was special guest at MusicRow‘s 2013 Rising Women on the Row ceremony.

Founded by Gelfand’s father, Marshall, in 1967, Gelfand Rennert & Feldman has more than 300 employees and a Nashville office when the Haber Corporation was renamed after the 2014 death of Gary Haber. Rick Fisher manages the Nashville post with clients including Carrie Underwood, Mike Fisher, and Peter Frampton.

The Earls of Leicester Win Multiple IBMA Awards

October 2, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

The Earls of Leicester at IBMA Awards in Raleigh, N.C. on Oct. 1, 2015. Photo: Dave Brainard

The Earls of Leicester claimed four International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards last night (Oct. 1) in Raleigh, N.C. The all-star ensemble is comprised of Jerry Douglas on Dobro, Tim O’Brien on mandolin, Shawn Camp on guitar, Johnny Warren on fiddle, Charlie Cushman on banjo, and Barry Bales on bass.

Their self-titled album pays tribute to pioneering bluegrass duo Flatt & Scruggs. The project also won a Grammy for best bluegrass album earlier this year.

The Earls of Leicester also won IBMA trophies for Album of the Year, Instrumental Group of the Year, and Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year. In addition, Douglas picked up Dobro Player of the Year and Camp won Male Vocalist of the Year win.

Additionally, North Carolina’s own Balsam Range took home Vocal Group of the Year and Song of the Year for “Moon Over Memphis,” and the group’s Tim Surrett earned Bass Player of the Year. Bill Keith and Larry Sparks were inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame.

Rhonda Vincent won Female Vocalist of the Year and Becky Buller won Emerging Artist of the Year, as well as Recorded Event of the Year for “Southern Flavor,” a collaboration with Peter Rowan, Michael Feagan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White, and Blake Williams.

Hosted by The Gibson Brothers, the show featured performances by The Earls of Leicester, Flatt Lonesome, Hot Rize, The Del McCoury Band, The Gibson Brothers, and a surprise performance by Sparks and Alison Krauss.

Alison Krauss and Larry Sparks at the 2015 IBMA Awards. Photo: Dave Brainard

Winners of the 26th Annual International Bluegrass Music Awards are:

Entertainer of the Year: The Earls of Leicester
Female Vocalist of the Year: Rhonda Vincent
Male Vocalist of the Year: Shawn Camp
Vocal Group of the Year: Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year: The Earls of Leicester
Song of the Year: “Moon Over Memphis,” Balsam Range
Album of the Year: The Earls of Leicester, The Earls of Leicester, Jerry Douglas, producer
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: “Who Will Sing for Me,” The Earls of Leicester
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “The Three Bells,” Jerry Douglas, Mike Auldridge, Rob Ickes
Emerging Artist of the Year: Becky Buller
Recorded Event of the Year: “Southern Flavor,” Becky Buller, with Peter Rowan, Michael Feagan, Buddy Spicher, Ernie Sykes, Roland White, and Blake Williams
Banjo Player of the Year: Rob McCoury
Bass Player of the Year: Tim Surrett
Dobro Player of the Year: Jerry Douglas
Fiddle Player of the Year: Michael Cleveland
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Mandolin Player of the Year: Jesse Brock
Inductees into the Bluegrass HOF: Bill Keith and Larry Sparks
Distinguished Achievement Award: Alison Brown, Murphy Henry, International Bluegrass Music Museum, “Bashful Brother” Oswald Kirby, Steve Martin

Weekly Chart Report (10/2/15)

October 2, 2015/by Troy_Stephenson

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Chris Young’s Nashville Show: “One Of The Best Nights Of My Life”

October 1, 2015/by Sherod Robertson

Chris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

The wet weather wasn’t able to dampen spirits last night (Sept. 30) at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater as RCA Nashville Records’ Chris Young stepped out on home turf to entertain 5,000 of his closest friends. For anyone needing a strong dose of country music, this was the place to be.

Just days after returning stateside following the European leg of his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour, Young admits, “I was both excited and anxious to come home and play a show in Nashville. I knew I was going to have a lot of friends and family in the audience so I didn’t want to screw up. The audience at Ascend Amphitheater blew me away and I could have kept playing all night long.”

Chris Young performs at Nashville's Ascend Amphitheater (Aug. 31).

Chris Young headlines hometown show at Nashville, Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015

In his first headlining show in Music City since 2012, Young packed his 75-minute set with such hits as “Gettin’ You Home,” “Voices,” “Tomorrow,” “You,” “The Man I Want To Be,” “Who I Am With You,” and “Lonely Eyes.” Young shared how amazing it was to be playing to a packed audience 4.8 miles from the El Chico Mexican restaurant where he used to play “for chips and free quesadillas.”

Wearing all black with perfectly coiffed hair, the Middle Tennessee native surprised the crowd midway through his set, inviting friend and country superstar Brad Paisley to join him on stage to perform Eric Clapton’s “Change The World.”

Brad Paisley joins Chris Young at show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

During his performance of “I Can Take It From There,” Young asked the cheering crowd if they knew Conway Twitty. He challenged anyone who didn’t know the legendary artist to stop watching the show and immediately download Conway’s Greatest Hits album. Young suggested couples in the audience should play Conway’s Greatest Hits in the car on the way home quipping, “If you get home and can’t close, then there’s no hope for you.”

“Thank you for the fastest-selling single of my career,” shouted Young after singing “I’m Comin’ Over,” the title track to Young’s upcoming album, slated for a Nov. 13 release. Prior to taking the stage, Sony Music Nashville presented him with a plaque celebrating the single’s recent RIAA Gold certification.

Sony Music Nashville presented Chris Young with a plaque celebrating the recent RIAA Gold certification of his current single, “I’m Comin’ Over.” Back Row (L-R): Paul Barnabee (SVP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville), Jim Catino (VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville), Bill Simmons (Fitzgerald Hartley), Larry Fitzgerald (Fitzgerald Hartley), Steve Hodges (EVP, Promotions & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville), Caryl Healey (VP, Sales, Sony Music Nashville), Angie Magill (VP, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville), Keith Gale (SVP/National Promotion, RCA) Front Row (L-R): Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Young, Josh Easler (Director/National Promotion, RCA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

Before ending the evening with a couple of encore songs, Young proclaimed, “This has been one of the best nights of my life.”

Labelmates Jerrod Niemann and Cam joined Young earlier as openers for the Nashville show.

Niemann’s 45-minute set included noteworthy hits such as “Lover, Lover,” “What Do You Want,” “One More Drinkin’ Song,” “Drink to That All Night,” “Shinin’ on Me,” and his current single, “Blue Bandana.” Confessing this was “a bucket list moment,” Niemann surprised fans by bringing out Diamond Rio as a special guest to sing “I’m Here ‘Cause I Ain’t All There,” a song he recorded with the country group.

Jerrod Niemann performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

Cam included performances of “Burning House,” which the audience gladly sang along to, and “My Mistake” in her set. Both songs are from her EP, Welcome to Cam Country.

Cam performs at Chris Young's hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on September 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

Cam performs at Chris Young’s hometown show at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 30, 2015. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Sony Music Nashville

Grand Ole Opry’s Debut Feature Film To Premiere December 4

October 1, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Brad Paisley by Chris Hollo-0122-2- Opry MOVIE

Brad Paisley. Photo: Chris Hollo

As previously reported, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, Darius Rucker, The Band Perry, and Brett Eldredge will bring their electrifying stage performances to screens across the country this December as part of the exclusive cinema event American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry.

The Grand Ole Opry’s debut feature film will premiere Dec. 4 at select Carmike Cinemas theaters, with distribution across America following in January 2016, via a partnership between the Opry and independent distributor DigiNext (a joint venture with Carmike Cinemas Inc.).

The project will capture onstage Opry performances and backstage moments, including Paisley performing “American Saturday Night” and “Country Nation,” Darius Rucker offering his Grammy-winning hit “Wagon Wheel,” as well as “So I Sang,” Blake Shelton’s rendering of “Boys Round Here” and “Gonna,” The Band Perry’s production of “If I Die Young,” and Brett Eldredge’s performance of his first hit, “Don’t Ya.”

“We are excited about the opportunity to take the Opry and country music into movie theaters across the country,” said Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment President. “This partnership allows us to present the Opry to fans through a previously unutilized medium and is another way for the Opry to expand its reputation as a vehicle of discovery for America’s music.”

“Everyone in the audience was swept away by each artist’s incredible performance,” said Bud Mayo, Managing Member of DigiNext and President of Carmike’s Alternative Programming and Distribution Division, who attended the live taping on Aug. 31 with Carmike CEO David Passman. “The Opry production was the best I have seen and heard in 40 years in this business. Add the personal interactions with the artists between their sets and moviegoers are in for a thoroughly immersive experience from the moment they do their virtual walk into the hallowed halls of the Opry. This kind of groundbreaking event helps to fulfill the promise of digital cinema and its importance to Carmike and the exhibition industry at large.”

American Saturday Night: Live From The Grand Ole Opry is directed by George J. Flanigen IV. Executive Producers are Buchanan, Robert Deaton, Pete Fisher, and Flanigen.

To find theaters, show times and purchase advance tickets, visit www.oprymovie.com. Tickets also available through www.fandango.com and www.MovieTickets.com.

The Opry is set to celebrate its landmark 90th birthday this weekend (October 2 – 3) in Nashville. Country superstars Little Big Town and Carrie Underwood are among those scheduled for weekend performances, while shows later this month will feature Miranda Lambert, Alan Jackson, Alison Krauss, Loretta Lynn, and The Charlie Daniels Band, among others.

Brett Eldredge. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Signings: BMI, Cold River Records

October 1, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

BMI Signs Singer-Songwriter Julia Cole

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, CAA’s Blake McDaniel, Holler! Music’s Lari White, BMI songwriter Julia Cole, CAA’s Jim Butler and BMI’s Jody Williams.

Singer-songwriter Julia Cole recently visited BMI’s Nashville office to officially affiliate with the company as a BMI writer. Cole is on board with CAA, Chuck Cannon and Lari White’s Holler! Music Publishing Co., and managed by Ansel Davis of Martingale Entertainment. The 22-year-old’s latest release “Get Awesome” will hit airwaves Oct. 2. More information about Julia can be found at www.juliacolemusic.com.

Cold River Records Signs First Artist To Label

Pictured (L-R, Front Row): Cold River Records’ President Pete O’Heeron, artist Rae Solomon, and Jim Dandy, VP of Promotion. (Back Row): Cold River Management’s Marie Wapelhorst, Jennifer Johnson of Jennifer Johnson Management, Cold River Records’ Regionals Kellie Longworth and Bill Heltemes, L3 Management’s Peter Hartung and Steve Mekler.

Cold River Records has announced its first artist signing with Rae Solomon.

Solomon, a Seattle native, is co-managed by L3 Entertainment’s Peter Hartung and Jennifer Johnson Management’s Jennifer Johnson. Solomon is booked by WME.

“We are so excited about Rae and the passion she brings to her songwriting and her riveting performance. We can’t wait to share her music with our radio partners,” said Pete O’Heeron, President of Cold River Records. “There are great things on the horizon for her career!”

Solomon is the first act signed to the label after a summer-long talent search spearheaded by Cold River Records’ VP of Promotion Jim Dandy. “The Cold River team couldn’t be more excited to have her as part of our family. Rae is an electrifying performer and she is headed directly into the studio to cut music for her first album on Cold River,” shares Dandy.

“My entire life I’ve been an entertainer. I always dreamed of hearing my songs on country radio and playing my music on stage. I’m so grateful to Pete O’Heeron, and the entire Cold River Records team for believing in my vision and allowing me to continue to be a dreamer, and I look forward to those dreams becoming realities. I’m ecstatic to be a part of the incredible family they have created and I can’t wait to see what the new adventure holds,” said Rae Solomon.

Notting Hill Music Group Opens Nashville Office, Adds Four Writers

October 1, 2015/by Jessica Nicholson

Pictured (L-R): John Saunderson, Professional Manager (NHM), Andy McQueen, Chairman (NHM). Standing (l to r): Chris Cavanaugh, Ginny Johnson, General Manager (NHM – Nashville), Leslie Satcher, and Brad Crisler. (Not pictured: Will Robinson)

Notting Hill Music Group has launched a Nashville office, with Creative Director Ginny Johnson. Johnson’s career includes time at MCA Music, Capitol Records, and Hamstein Music.

Four writers have been added to Notting Hill’s roster: Leslie Satcher, Brad Crisler, Will Robinson, and Chris Cavanaugh.

Alabama native Crisler’s songs include Sons of the Desert’s 1997 hit “Whatever Comes First,” which earned an ASCAP “most performed country song” award, as well as “Some Things Never Change” (Tim McGraw), “Sweet Southern Comfort” (Buddy Jewell), and “Hillbilly Deluxe” (Brooks & Dunn). He has had cuts on projects by Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Trace Adkins, Alabama, and more. He co-wrote and produced two tracks on Brett Eldredge’s current project Illinois.

Satcher is known for songs including “When God Fearin’ Women Get The Blues” (Martina McBride), “Troubadour” (George Strait), “Politically Uncorrect” (Merle Haggard/Gretchen Wilson), “Tough” (Kellie Pickler) and more.

Robinson has garnered eight No. 1 songs, three top 5 songs, two Top 10 songs, and two Top 20 songs, spanning six musical genres. Those songs include “Pass It On Down” (Alabama) and “I Know How He Feels” (Reba).

Cavanaugh is a recording artist and songwriter who will join as a special guest on the Kip Moore tour to promote his EP, Country As I Wanna Be. Cavanaugh has opened shows for Thompson Square, Lee Brice, Eric Church, and others.

Group Chairman Andy McQueen says, “On a recent visit to Nashville we realized just how vibrant a music city Nashville has now become and how vital it was for us to find the right person to establish the Notting Hill brand in this wonderful city. Ginny came to us highly recommended by people we really respect and having got to know her properly I can fully understand why! She brings a passion for music and a huge amount of knowledge to the role and we are absolutely thrilled that she has chosen to join us.”

The Nashville outpost will be located at 3704 Estes Rd. in Nashville. Johnson can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-406-7071.

Luke Bryan Will Discuss Career, Perform Acoustic Set at CMA Theater

October 1, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Luke Bryan performs on the CMT Music Awards. Photo: CMT.com

Luke Bryan will take part in an interview and perform a short, acoustic set at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s CMA Theater on Nov. 1. The interview will be moderated by Joseph Hudak, senior editor at Rolling Stone Country.

Bryan’s career is the subject of a new exhibit, titled Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diaries, which will be on display at the museum through Nov. 8.

“I remember bringing my parents to visit the museum and dreaming of something like this one day. Now to have an exhibit about my life that my family, friends, and fans can come and see is just so cool,” said Bryan, when the exhibit was announced in March.

The program is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited; museum members may reserve via TicketFly.com beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 8. Bryan is offering access to pre-sale tickets for his Nuthouse members only, Oct. 8-14. The general public will be able to reserve tickets beginning at 10 a.m. on Oct. 10. For assistance with reservations, please call 615-416-2001 or email [email protected].

Rock the Cradle Benefit Concert to Feature Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele, Sarah Buxton

October 1, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

The Rock the Cradle Songwriters Night, supporting newborns in need, will take place Oct. 21 at the Loveless Barn in Nashville. Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele and Sarah Buxton are confirmed for this year’s event.

All proceeds will benefit newborns in need at Saint Thomas Midtown Hospital and the Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

Wiseman is a 2015 inductee to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His credits include Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Blake Shelton’s “Boys ‘Round Here” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Believe.” Steele’s hit songs include Rascal Flatts’ “These Days” and “What Hurts the Most,” and McGraw’s “The Cowboy in Me.” Buxton has written Florida Georgia Line’s “Sun Daze,” Keith Urban’s “Put You in a Song,” and ABC’s Nashville.

Doors open at 6 p.m., followed by dinner at 7 p.m. and a concert at 8 p.m. A cocktail reception and live auction will be part of the event as well.

Tickets are available on the Rock the Cradle Nashville website.

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley Previews Solo Project

October 1, 2015/by Craig_Shelburne

Charles Kelley

Although he insists that Lady Antebellum isn’t splitting up, singer Charles Kelley is about to go solo. He performed six songs from an upcoming project last night (Sept. 30) at Skyville Studio in Nashville.

Paul Worley produced the project, which has not yet been officially titled. An EP is expected in the first quarter of 2016. Kelley indicated that he’d like to do a club tour behind the new music in the fall and winter. His lead single, “The Driver,” chronicles the life of a traveling musician. The track features special guests Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay. Both singers made a special appearance at the end of the set.

The song is available at all digital and streaming partner. The single goes for adds at country radio on Oct. 19.

“Lady Antebellum will never break up – mark my words,” Kelley stated from the Skyville stage. “I just wanted to get out of my comfort zone.” He added that he had the blessing of his Lady A bandmates, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott. Miranda Lambert and Martina McBride were also spotted in the crowd.

Kelley said he didn’t care about who wrote the songs, so he ended up with a mix of originals and covers. One of the selections was “Southern Accent,” a Tom Petty tune re-worked with a country sound. He mentioned that Stevie Nicks would be providing harmony vocals on the song.

Nashville Business Managers Retain Top 25 Ranking with ‘THR’

The Earls of Leicester Win Multiple IBMA Awards

Weekly Chart Report (10/2/15)

Chris Young’s Nashville Show: “One Of The Best Nights Of My Life”

Grand Ole Opry’s Debut Feature Film To Premiere December 4

Signings: BMI, Cold River Records

BMI Signs Singer-Songwriter Julia Cole

Cold River Records Signs First Artist To Label

Notting Hill Music Group Opens Nashville Office, Adds Four Writers

Luke Bryan Will Discuss Career, Perform Acoustic Set at CMA Theater

Rock the Cradle Benefit Concert to Feature Craig Wiseman, Jeffrey Steele, Sarah Buxton

Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley Previews Solo Project

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