In Pictures: BMI, YEP, Mark and Ivey Childers, Brad Paisley, Vince Gill
BMI, YEP Raise $2,000 For Music Health Alliance
The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) raised roughly $2,000 for Music Health Alliance on Tues., Feb. 16 at The Basement East thanks to their quarterly benefit show sponsored by BMI, this time themed “YEP Rewind: 80’s Rock Night.”
Nashville singers and songwriters rocked out for the night with performances by Jessi Alexander, Barry Dean, Kree Harrison, Natalie Hemby, Mike Grimes, Dean Alexander, Jillian Jacqueline, Westbound Rangers, Jason Nix and more.
Photo (L-R): Jody Williams (BMI), Natalie Hemby, Andrew Cohen (Suit Music), Barry Dean, MaryAnn Keen (Ten Ten Music/Nettwerk Music), Luke Dick, Mason Hunter (BMI)
Mark and Ivey Childers Welcome Daughter Leona Ivey
Mark Childers, band director and bassist for Carrie Underwood, and Ivey Childers, owner of IveyCake bakery, welcomed daughter Leona Ivey Childers on Feb. 17 at 9:30 am.
Brad Paisley Makes Stop At KWJJ During Crushin’ It World Tour
Brad Paisley and Entercom Director Country Programming & VP Programming/PD KWJJ/Portland Mike Moore share a smile at Paisley’s recent Crushin’ It World Tour stop in Eugene, Oregon.
Pictured (L-R): Brad Paisley, Mike Moore. Photo: Ben Enos
Vince Gill Celebrates Album Release With Free Show In Nashville
Vince Gill celebrated the release of his latest album Down To My Last Bad Habit, with a free concert on Friday, Feb. 12 at Nashville’s Ernest Tubb Record Shop. The shop was transformed into a special Vince Gill pop up store.
Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
Big Machine Label Group Honored By ‘Fast Company’
Seated (L-R): Allison Jones, Senior Vice President of A&R; Scott Borchetta, President and CEO; Kelly Rich, Senior Vice President of Sales, Marketing and Interactive. Standing L-R: Jake Basden, Vice President of Publicity and Corporate Communications; Mike Craft, Senior Vice President of Finance; Mike Molinar, General Manager of Big Machine Music Publishing; Andrew Kautz, Chief Operating Officer; Chris Stacey, General Manager of Dot Records; Sandi Spika Borchetta, Senior Vice President of Creative and Music Has Value; John Zarling, Senior Vice President of Partnership Marketing and Promotion Strategy; Malcolm Mimms, Executive Vice President and General Counsel; Jim Weatherson, General Manager of Nash Icon Records; George Briner, Senior Vice President of The Valory Music Co., Jack Purcell, Senior Vice President of Big Machine Records; Jimmy Harnen, President of Republic Nashville and Executive Vice President of BMLG.
Big Machine Label Group has been named to Fast Company‘s annual list of the world’s Most Innovative Companies for 2016. The Nashville-based BMLG was included in the Music Sector, making it the only record label to appear alongside companies including Spotify, Pandora, and Shazam.
“This year’s package—which includes top ten lists in 27 sectors—emphasizes the breadth of companies with progressive, agile business models, cultures of creativity, and ability to adapt in today’s fast-paced world,” said Fast Company editor Robert Safian.
BuzzFeed tops this year’s list followed by leading companies like Netflix, Uber, Amazon, Apple, Warby Parker and Instagram.
BMLG CEO Scott Borchetta was named as one of Fast Company‘s Most Creative People In Business in 2013.
Music Biz Convention In Nashville To Honor Cheap Trick
Cheap Trick
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present Cheap Trick the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement at the Music Biz 2016 Awards Luncheon on May 18 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
The ceremony will also feature the presentation of the Artist of the Year Award to Little Big Town and Breakthrough Artist Awards to Sam Hunt and Halsey, as well as the soon-to-be-announced Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award. The Music Biz 2016 Convention will take place May 16-18.
As 2016 inductees into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Cheap Trick will release a new album, Bang Zoom Crazy…World, in April via Big Machine Records.
“The Chairman’s Award honors artists who have consistently remained creative long into their careers, and Cheap Trick is a shining example of that,” said YouTube’s Fred Beteille, Chairman of the Music Biz Board. “With more than 40 years in the business, more than 20 million albums sold, and a spot in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, the band easily could have called it a career. Instead, they recorded the new album Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello and are set to release it this April via Big Machine Records. From timeless anthems like ‘Surrender’ and ‘I Want You to Want Me’ to the new single ‘No Direction Home,’ the band’s loud and energetic yet easily accessible music is still winning over fans both young and old. I am thrilled to be celebrating them with this year’s award.”
“What a year! First the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and now this,” said Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen. “It’s great to be recognized for our history, but it’s an honor to be celebrated for what we’re doing now. We’re looking forward to the release of Bang Zoom Crazy… Hello and we can’t wait to share with our fans and the world. So get ready, because we’re coming to your town!”
WMBA Announces Officers For 2016
WMBA members and officers for 2016
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) has elected the following women as officers for 2016:
President: Dana Lalevee (BMI)
Vice President: Stacy Scism (Capitol Christian Music Group)
Treasurer: Marissa Bond (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy)
Secretary: Julia Grimoldi (Sony/ATV Music Publishing)
Events and Education Chairmen: Meredith Bunch (The Erv Woolsey Company) and Kristen England (Country Radio Seminar)
Membership and Marketing Chairman: Lauren Perry (Big Machine Label Group)
The WMBA is governed by a Board of Directors that includes Chairman of the Board Cindy Hunt (Monarch Publicity), Lindsey Clark (Deaton Flanigen Productions), Amery Fridenstine (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy), Becky Harris (Huskins-Harris Business Management) and Brandi Simms (CMA). WMBA’s alumni branch is headed by co-chairmen Trina Lloyd-Weidner and Camilla Kleindienst.
Pictured (L-R): Meredith Bunch, Marissa Bond, Kristen England, Sandra Westerman-Stillwagon,
Dana Lalevee, Stacy Scism, Julia Grimoldi, Lauren Perry
Also, the WMBA recently welcomed Sandbox Entertainment’s Sandra Westerman-Stillwagon as a speaker during its monthly meeting, held at ASCAP on Tuesday, Feb. 16.
Westerman-Stillwagon is the day-to-day manager for Faith Hill at Sandbox Entertainment, as well as working on various projects within the company. Having been with Hill for the last 21 years, Sandra serves as one of the central figures for all communication and approvals for a vast team that surrounds every aspect of this superstar’s career, including managing corporate sponsorships (Coty Fragrances, Teleflora, CoverGirl, Hershey and Jeep), and projects including NBC’s Sunday Night Football, as well as all three of her network television specials.
Westerman-Stillwagon’s career started at ICM and APA in Los Angeles before moving into management at Borman Entertainment. While there, she worked with various artists including Faith, Dwight Yoakam, Violent Femmes, Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. She has co-produced charity events including Nashville Rising and Bama Rising. She is on the ALSAC/St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Advisory Board and is an alumni of Leadership Music, Class of 2009.
‘MusicRow’ Opens Submissions For 2016 InCharge
MusicRow is now considering candidates for its annual InCharge issue, the published directory of Nashville’s music industry decision makers.
Applications will be accepted through Mon., February 29.
CLICK HERE TO SUBMIT APPLICATIONS FOR INCHARGE.
Since 1987, MusicRow has curated the definitive list of Nashville’s music industry professionals—the top executives responsible for the successful careers of today’s biggest artists.
Now in its 29th year, the InCharge publication serves the April/May issue of MusicRow magazine and is slated for a late April release.
For advertising opportunities, please contact [email protected].
Song Of The Year, Songwriter Of The Year Nominees Revealed For 2016 ACM Awards
Song of the Year and Songwriter of the Year nominees have been announced by the Academy of Country Music (ACM) to complete 2016 ACM Awards categories.
“The ACM Board of Directors recently voted to revise the prestigious Song of the Year Award criteria to allow the greater songwriting community a stronger voice in determining the final nominees,” said Tiffany Moon, Executive Vice President and Managing Director of the ACM. “Songwriters are at the inception of all of this; we’re privileged to have their expertise in choosing the most well-crafted songs.”
A professional panel comprised entirely of award-winning songwriters helped select the nominees for the category that were then voted on by the Composer class of ACM Membership to appear on the final ballot.
The 51st annual ACM Awards will be held Sunday, April 3, airing live at 8 p.m. ET on the CBS Television Network.
SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES (Awarded to Songwriter(s)/Publisher(s)/Artist(s):
Burning House – Cam
Songwriters: Jeffrey Bhasker, Tyler Johnson, Cam
Publishers: Marvelous Oaks Records (ASCAP), Creative Pulse Music (BMI), One Year Yesterday Publishing (BMI), Sony/ATV Songs LLC (BMI), These Are Pulse Songs (BMI), Way Above Music (BMI)
Girl Crush – Little Big Town
Songwriters: Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose
Publishers: HillarodyRathbone Music (ASCAP), Hoodie Songs (BMI), Songs of Crazy Girl Music (BMI), Songs of Universal Inc (BMI), Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp. (BMI)
Nobody To Blame – Chris Stapleton
Songwriters: Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales, Ronnie Bowman
Publishers: House of Sea Gayle Music (ASCAP), WB Music Corp (ASCAP), Quackhead Music (BMI), RayLynn Publishing (BMI)
Raise ‘Em Up – Keith Urban Featuring Eric Church
Songwriters: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele
Publishers: Jeffrey Steele Music (BMI), Sony/ATV Tree Publishing (BMI), TomDouglasMusic (BMI), Sony/ATV Harmony (ASCAP), Texa Rae Music (ASCAP)
She Don’t Love You – Eric Paslay
Songwriters: Eric Paslay, Jennifer Wayne
Publishers: Five Stone Publishing (ASCAP), Spirit Two Nashville (ASCAP), Songwriters of Platinum Pen Publishing (BMI)
SONGWRITER OF THE YEAR *(OFF CAMERA AWARD)
Rodney Clawson
Ross Copperman
Ashley Gorley
Shane McAnally
Josh Osborne
DISClaimer: Chuck Wicks, Maren Morris Offer Exceptional New Singles
Chuck Wicks
We have an even blend of familiar names and newcomers this week, and that’s just how I like it.
Among the “name” attractions are Eric Church, Loretta Lynn, The Randy Rogers Band and Trick Pony. The tenor singing of hit maker Chuck Wicks has never sounded more pure and clear. His “Always” is the Disc of the Day.
The newcomers include our DisCovery Award winner, naturally. That would be Maren Morris. I’m all ears. Send more.
POOR J BROWN/Southern Fried
Writer: Leon Waddy; Producer: Omar Vallejo and Poor J Brown; Publisher: none listed; PJB (track)
– Pleasant enough. They play and sing well. But, as before, the weakness is in the songwriting.
A THOUSAND HORSES/Southernality
Writers: Michael Hobby/Corey Crowder/Neil Mason; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Warner Tamerlane/Carolina June/Greashakin/Universal/Crowder Taylor/Nettwerk One B/Revelry/Nevada House, BMI, Republic Nashville
– Shouting and rocking and loud and in your face. Subtlety is in short supply.
THE RIFTERS/A Hundred Miles
Writers: D.L. Richmond/D.E. Clemmer/A. Biggs; Producers: The Rifters and Don Richmond; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Howlin’ Dog (track)
– Folky, with a gentle ‘60s vibe. Very acoustic, with lovely band harmonies. Welcome to the party.
ERIC CHURCH/Record Year
Writers: Eric Church/Jeff Hyde; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Longer and Louder Music; Sony/ATV Tree Publishing/Little Louder Songs/Mammaw’s Friend Okra Music (BMI); EMI (track)
– Extremely well written. I love the way he incorporates song titles and stars’ names as he runs down his lonely playlist since she’s left him. Solid.
Maren Morris
MAREN MORRIS/My Church
Writers: Maren Morris/busbee; Producer: Maren Morris/busbee; Publishers: Big Yellow Dog, BMG; Columbia (ERG)
– Earthy and refreshingly rootsy. She sings with raw honesty, and the production is spare and clever. Love the down-home gospel vibe.
LORETTA LYNN/Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven
Writers: Loretta Lynn; Producer: Patsy Russell/John Carter Cash; Publishers: Surefire Music Group (BMI); Legacy (track)
– This rouser first appeared on Loretta’s 1965 LP Hymns. It still sounds feisty and lively. And her singing remains a force of nature.
CHUCK WICKS/Always
Writers: Chuck Wicks/Emily Shackleton; Producer: Chuck Wicks/Andy Dodd; Publishers: none listed; Blaster (track)
– Chuck Wicks created one of the enduring wedding anthems with 2007’s “Stealing Cinderella.” His new Turning Point collection contains a second. This gorgeous waltz is sung with heart-in-throat intensity and is guaranteed to melt hearts.
TRICK PONY/Everybody Wanna Be Us
Writers: Victoria Banks/Kyle Sackley/Blake Bollinger; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Little Extra/Spark Ark/Petrelli Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Permian (track)
– Keith takes a turn as lead vocalist with Heidi offering a mirror harmony vocal. The track simmers with energy and the song trips along splendidly. A winner.
TUCKER BEATHARD/Rock On
Writers: Tlucker Beathard/Casey Beathard/Marla Cannon; Producer: Angelo Petraglia; Publishers: Big Music Machine/Fayde 49/Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose/Six Ring Circus/Scrambler/My My My/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine
– The shuddering wah-wah guitar effect is cool, as is the processed vocal sound. The song is well constructed, with nice wordplay in the hook. A promising debut.
RANDY ROGERS BAND/Neon Blues
Writers: Derek George/Geoffrey Hill/Randy Rogers; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publishers:WB Music Corp./Funky Friar Music (ASCAP)/ Bull Noon Muisc (BMI)/Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corp./Trouble Songs (BMI); Tommy
– She comes into the bar every night looking heartbroken. And she’s not looking for companionship, buddy. As usual, Randy sings with regular-guy conviction. The straightforward, mid-tempo track doesn’t throw you any curve balls, but maybe it should, to perk up your ears a little.
BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Added To T.J. Martell Honors Gala
Pictured (L-R): Megan Barry and Scott Borchetta
The T.J. Martell Foundation has announced that Big Machine Label Group CEO/founder Scott Borchetta and Nashville Mayor Megan Barry have been added as presenters during the upcoming 8th annual Honors Gala, slated for Feb. 29 at the Omni Hotel in Nashville.
Also, previously-announced host Charles Esten will perform during the event. Esten joins already announced performers Don Henley, Ronnie Milsap, Joe Walsh, Ruby Wilson and Chris Young.
This year’s Honors Gala honorees are:
Aubrey Harwell, Co-Founding Partner of Neal and Harwell: Spirit of Nashville Award
Brian Philips, President of CMT: Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award
Jennifer Pietenpol, Ph.D., Director of the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center: Medical Research Advancement Award
Kenny Rogers, Grammy award-winning superstar: Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award
FedEx Corporation: Outstanding Global Citizenship Award with Frederick W. Smith accepting on behalf of more than 350,000 team members around the world
The T.J. Martell Foundation is a national organization founded by the music industry, whose mission is to fund innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at flagship hospitals in the United States including the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center.
Vevo CEO Mulls Adding Subscription Model
Erik Huggers. Photo: Code/Media
Ten months after taking the helm of Vevo, the ex-Verizon Communications Sr. VP Erik Huggers has revealed his streaming company may be moving towards subscription-based model to pair with its existing ad-supported platform.
“We believe in a dual revenue stream,” said Huggers to a crowd at the 2016 Code/Media conference on Wednesday, Feb. 17. “We’ve got a phenomenal sales force that knocked it out of the park in 2015–absolute biggest year in Vevo history. We want to build on that strength. The second piece would be a pay model.”
The CEO did not elaborate on the details of a pay-wall, but confirmed “there will be absolutely free Vevo” moving forward.
“Just having a ad-supported model is not sustainable in the long run,” he concluded at the Dana Point, California-conference. “We do believe an ad-supported plus a pay model makes a ton of sense.”
Vevo distributes to an estimated two-dozen video platforms including YouTube, according to Billboard. The service is co-owned by Universal Music Group, Sony Music, Abu Dhabi Media and Google.