Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Visits St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital

Board members of industry organization Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) visited St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee, on Friday (Aug. 5).

Rounder Records Co-Founder To Deliver IBMA Keynote

The International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) has announced that Marian Leighton Levy, Rounder Records co-founder, will deliver the Keynote Address at this year’s Business Conference on Wednesday, Sept. 27, at the Raleigh Convention Center in downtown Raleigh, North Carolina.

Leighton Levy will be inducted into the Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame during this year’s IBMA Music Awards show.

 

Phil Thornton Named Sr. VP/GM At RCA Inspiration

Phil Thornton has been named Sr. Vice President and General Manager of RCA Inspiration – the Sony gospel label which is moving to Nashville under the Provident Music Group.

Thornton most recently served as VP and General Manager of Urban Inspirational at eOne Music. At RCA Inspiration, he will manage business operations, and establish external partnerships for the label.

Thornton will report to Terry Hemmings, President and CEO of Provident Music Group, and will be based in Nashville.

“Phil Thornton is a demonstrated leader and visionary with an infectious passion for Gospel music and breaking artists,” said Terry Hemmings. “We are thrilled to have him leading the RCA Inspiration team with its renewed focus on the future while continuing to honor the imprint’s rich decades-long heritage.”

Thornton’s career includes founding Ten2One Entertainment in 2007, which specialized in TV production and artist management. Thornton is also an executive producer on the show It’s a Mann’s World, which airs on BET and stars David and Tamela Mann.

Carnival Cruise Line has announced its initial 2017 Carnival Live lineup with Tim McGraw, Little Big Town and comedians Jeff Foxworthy and Jay Leno.

The entertainers will perform on seven different ships departing from five U.S. homeports. Performances are held in the ships’ main show lounges which range in capacity from 900 to 1,300.

McGraw will perform aboard Carnival Breeze on March 2, and Carnival Valor on March 3, while the ships are docked in Nassau, The Bahamas.

Little Big Town will appear at shows in Nassau aboard Carnival Dream on May 11, and Carnival Valor on May 12.

Foxworthy will perform two shows – one aboard Carnival Freedom on June 21, and another aboard Carnival Ecstasy on June 22, while the ships are docked in Nassau.

Leno will entertain guests with a pair of performances in Cozumel aboard the Carnival Victory on May 3, and Carnival’s newest ship the Carnival Vista, on May 4.

Carnival Live tickets for McGraw, Little Big Town, Foxworthy and Leno range in price from $30 to $80 for general admission. VIP tickets are available for $100 to $300 and include seating in the first five rows, a photo opportunity with the artist and a commemorative concert pass.

Hallmark Cards will release a collection of 12 greeting cards featuring music from country entertainers, following a new licensing agreement with the Country Music Association (CMA).

The line of cards will appear in select Walmart stores in October. The line will then be distributed through multiple retail channels nationwide in November. The cards are priced at $4.99, and each card features a 15-second song clip, such as Brad Paisley’s “Mud On The Tires,” or Carrie Underwood’s “All-American Girl.”

“People love to connect with each other through music, and we’re thrilled to bring some of today’s hottest Country Music artists to Hallmark cards,” said Kelly Reichman, Director, Hallmark Licensing. “Capturing the spirit of today’s CMA-member artists, this collection celebrates good times with friends.”

“This year marks the 50th anniversary of the CMA Awards, and we are excited this partnership with Hallmark gives our fans another way to celebrate,” said Emily Evans, CMA Director of Strategic Partnerships. “Country Music tells the story of everyday living and these cards are a memorable way to mark life’s special moments.”

Songs featured in the card collection include:

Jason Aldean, “My Kinda Party”
Dierks Bentley, “5-1-5-0”
Luke Bryan, “Kick The Dust Up”
Chase Bryant, “Take It On Back”
Randy Houser, “Boots On”
Toby Keith, “As Good As I Once Was”
Lady Antebellum, “Bartender”
Miranda Lambert, “Gunpowder and Lead”
Little Big Town, “Day Drinking”
Craig Morgan, “Little Bit Of Life”
Brad Paisley, “Mud On The Tires”
Carrie Underwood, “All-American Girl”