Music Biz Entertainment and Technology Law Conference Set For May 15

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The Music Business Association’s Entertainment & Technology Law Conference returns to Nashville on May 15, during the Music Biz 2017 convention at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Event speakers will include U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn; industry experts from BMI, DiMA, NSAI, SESAC, and SoundExchange; and top attorneys from Fox Rothschild LLP, Leavens Strand & Glover LLC, Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields LLP, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.

Conference subjects will tackle a variety of legal topics that have powerful ramifications for artists, songwriters, labels, publishers, and others in the entertainment and tech industries, including evaluating record deals, the impact of the DMCA on digital providers, the effect of President Trump’s policies on the music world, copyright reclamation laws, and a scrutinization of the biggest changes in copyright law over the last year.

A full agenda for the conference can be found here. Admission is included in a full Music Biz 2017 badge purchase, and those wanting to attend the CLE portion of the event only can purchase tickets for $299 at lawconference-musicbiz2017.eventbrite.com.

James Slater Signs With BMG

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Oglesby – VP Creative BMG Nashville; Lynn Morrow – Adams and Reese, LLP; Sara Knabe – VP Creative BMG Nashville; Jody Williams – Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI Nashville; Kos Weaver – Executive VP BMG Nashville and James Slater (seated)

BMG has signed veteran songwriter James Slater to an exclusive publishing deal.

Slater hails from the Panama Canal Zone and has called Music City home for over 15 years. He has had songs recorded by Willie Nelson, Julio Iglesias, Carrie Underwood, Enrique Iglesias, Kenny Chesney and many others. His songs “In My Daughter’s Eyes” by Martina McBride and “The High Cost Of Living” by Jamey Johnson have both been nominated for Grammys.

“We are thrilled to have James as part of our BMG family. His enthusiasm is contagious. You meet James and you have to love him.  He is a great fit,” said Chris Oglesby, VP/Creative BMG.

“To quote Casablanca, ‘I think this is the beginning of a beautiful friendship,'” said Slater about the new relationship. “I’m hitting the ground running with a dream team and the beautiful machine that is BMG music. My mission is to rise above their expectations of me and create a body of work we can all be proud of.”

5 Reasons To See New Exhibit By Robert K. Oermann And Anna Jaap

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As the Nashville skyline continues to be peppered with cranes huddled over raised buildings, it’s a refreshing sign when someone sets out to educate and help preserve this city’s rich history.

Pictured (L-R): Robert K. Oermann, Anna Jaap.

The exhibit “Hiding in Plain Sight: Portraits of Nashville’s Elusive Past” is a unique collaboration between artist Anna Jaap and writer Robert K. Oermann. “Hiding in Plain Sight” combines Jaap’s art photos with Oermann’s vivid stories, highlighting some of Nashville’s hidden treasures, places that helped shape Nashville’s rise to prominence as Music City.

Not only does the exhibit showcase photos of places that have unique stories of Nashville’s history, it goes one step further and teaches us that some of these places of significance are right under our nose.

The exhibit will run on the second floor of the Main Nashville Public Library until June 18. The Main Library is located at 615 Church Street in Nashville.

Hiding in Plain Sight: Portraits of Nashville’s Elusive Past.

The gallery includes homes once occupied by Patsy Cline, Hank Williams and The Allman Brothers. It includes churches where gospel quartet singing was developed, where the Civil Rights movement was born and where Music City’s first superstars are memorialized. And it features businesses that manufactured Motown’s records, recorded Johnny Cash’s hits and first fried Lay’s Potato Chips.

Nashville’s oldest residence, its most spectacular cemetery, its first record store and its only automobile factory are among the subjects of “Hiding in Plain Sight.” The accompanying stories touch on figures as varied as Oprah Winfrey, James Brown, Adelicia Acklen, Elvis Presley, Minnesota Fats, Roy Acuff, Al Capone, Dolly Parton, Jesse James, Kris Kristofferson and Jimi Hendrix.

Nashville artist Anna Jaap’s work has been acclaimed for its compositional balance, color sensibility and affinity for nature. These also characterize her photography in “Hiding in Plain Sight.” Jaap’s works are collected internationally. Corporate clients have included Avon, Caesar’s Palace, NYU Langone Medical Center, Paramount Pictures, Primus, Ralph Lauren Home, Agricultural Bank of China, Vanderbilt Medical Center and Tiffany. She serves on the board of Watkins College of Art.

Anna Jaap with Nashville guitarist Billy Sanford.

Robert K. Oermann is known as “the dean of Nashville’s entertainment journalists.” He has authored eight books about the city’s music history, been published in more than 100 periodicals, has scripted more than 50 TV specials and has written 129 record-album liner-note essays. He is the vice president of the Recording Academy in Music City and serves on the board of the Nashville Public Library. “Hiding in Plain Sight” was inspired by his ongoing research of local history.

There are many reasons to visit the gallery and experience first-hand the thought-provoking items in this exhibit.

Here are five.

1. PATSY CLINE’S DREAM HOME
Located at 815 Nella Drive, this was often referred to by Patsy Cline as her dream home. Her coffin was brought here following her tragic demise in a 1963 plane crash.

 

2. DOLLY PARTON TRAILER PARK
Dolly lived here while working as a waitress in a nearby restaurant. The trailer park is located off Murfreesboro Pike.

 

3. HONKY TONK HOUSE
This house, located at the corner of Westwood & Natchez Trace, is where Hank Williams and Ray Price roomed together. Ray worried that Hank would pass out with a lit cigarette and set them on fire. Hank was hauled off from here to dry out at the Sanitarium in Neely’s Bend.

 

4. THE QUONSET HUT
Music Row’s first music business and first recording studio is still there on Music Square East, hidden behind the facades of the old Sony building. It has been restored by music mogul Mike Curb and retains its priceless collection of vintage microphones. Marty Robbins, Brenda Lee, Bob Dylan, Patsy Cline, Conway Twitty, Tanya Tucker, Flatt & Scruggs, Johnny Cash, Simon & Garfunkel, George Jones, Elvis Costello and The Byrds made music history here. Kris Kristofferson was once its janitor.

 

5. THE WALL OF FAME
The Acklen Post Office, located at Acklen Avenue in Hillsboro Village, is the closest post office to Music Row. During the 1980s, the postal workers started asking for autographed photos and framed them for display. The headshot of MusicRow‘s own distinguished Robert K. Oermann is among others hanging on that wall.

Country Mines Precious Metal in February RIAA Certifications

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Kenny Chesney and Keith Urban received multiple gold and platinum certifications for albums and singles during the month of February, while Florida Georgia Line scored a multiplatinum nod for their single “This Is How We Roll.”

Newcomers Brett Young and Jon Pardi also racked up some metal as well.

Multiplatinum Single:
“This Is How We Roll” – Florida Georgia Line (4x)
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice (2X)
“Die A Happy Man” – Thomas Rhett (3X)

Platinum Single:
“One Hell Of An Amen” – Brantley Gilbert
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” – Keith Urban
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban

Gold Single:
“Look At You”- Big & Rich
“Sleep Without You” – Brett Young
“May We All” – Florida Georgia Line
“Dirt On My Boots” – Jon Pardi
“Break On Me” – Keith Urban
“Wasted Time” – Keith Urban
“John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” – Keith Urban
“Blue Ain’t Your Color” – Keith Urban
“Vacation” – Thomas Rhett

Platinum Album:
Lucky Old Sun – Kenny Chesney
Welcome To The Fishbowl – Kenny Chesney
Painkiller – Little Big Town

Gold Album:
You Should Be Here – Cole Swindell
Black – Dierks Bentley
Life On A Rock – Kenny Chesney
The Big Revival – Kenny Chesney

Ford Debuts 2018 Model Without CD Player

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Ford Expedition interior. Photo: Ford

On Feb. 28, Ford announced the EcoSport models—debuting in the US in 2018—will come without a CD player in lieu of streaming and subscription music compatibility.

Citing Nielsen’s 2016 Mid-Year U.S. Music Report of falling CD sales and increase in popularity of streaming and subscription services among younger consumers, Ford’s SUV group marketing manager, Michael O’Brien, noted the manufacturer is constantly looking at ways to be more efficient with space. Ford’s announcement went on to note IHS Automotive projects that by 2021, 46 percent of vehicles sold in North America will not have a CD player.

Additionally, the 2018 Ford Expedition—hitting showrooms later this year—will offer live streaming cable and satellite TV just in the back seats via SlingPlayer, even TV shows and live sporting events streamed from a home cable or satellite system. The SUV will also include Wi-Fi hotspot, capable of supporting 10 devices up to 50 feet away from the vehicle.

Although the DVD players the SUV offers are capable of playing audio CDs, the revised Expedition will also include gamer compatibility hookups HDMI, USB and SD cards. Ford will be capable of integrating Apple CarPlay™ and Android Auto™ capability in addition to SiriusXM™ radio.

DISClaimer: Brett Eldredge, Maren Morris Offer Vocal Power, Rhythmic Tracks

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It’s a day for second-generation music makers.

The sons of David Bellamy of The Bellamy Brothers, the cousins born to Don & Harold Reid of The Statler Brothers and Roger Miller’s gifted namesake are all here with new sounds. All of them are heartily recommended. And one of them, Wilson Fairchild (the Reid kids), takes home our DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day gets a male-female split today. Running in a dead heat are Brett Eldredge and Maren Morris, both of whom have absolutely essential additions for your playlists.

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/Winnebago
Writers: none listed; Producer: Matt McClure; Publisher: none listed; Rebel Engine
– She has some cash saved up and some groovy wheels. So why not hop on in and just go someplace on the open road? A rollicking, sunny come-on that’s hard to resist.

MAREN MORRIS/I Could Use A Love Song
Writers: Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz; Producer: busbee & Maren Morris; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
– Enchanting. Deliciously melodic and wonderfully thumpy as it yearns for romance. Also, she’s singing her heart out here.

LUCAS HOGE/Dirty South
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Rebel Engine
– I thought bro country was over.

DEAN MILLER/’Til You Stop Getting Up
Writers: Dean Miller/Sean Patrick McGraw; Producers: Dean Miller/Brian Eckert; Publishers: none listed; Off The Verge
– He’s broken hearted, sitting next to an ex-boxer at the bar. The prize fighter’s advice is, “You ain’t a loser until you stop getting up.” Written and sung like a champ. By the way, former Golden Gloves pugilist Kris Kristofferson co-stars in the video.

MACY MARTIN/Broke Down
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: none listed; GTR
– The relationship is busted like a vehicle that’s never gonna run again. The track is a sprightly country rocker, and her vocal has a nice bluesy, throaty quality.

WILSON FAIRCHILD/How Are Things In Clay Kentucky
Writers: H. Reid/D. Reid; Producers: Gordon Kennedy/Blair Masters; Publishers: none listed; WF (track)
– Wilson Fairchild are Langdon and Wil Reid, the sons of Don and Harold Reid, respectively. As the core of The Statler Brothers, the fathers are members of the Country Music Hall of Fame. The sons’ new CD, Songs Our Dads Wrote, is a reminder that the elder Reids are also masterful tunesmiths. It is, refreshingly, not a collection of remakes of Statler hits, but a series of lesser-known former album cuts that shine just as brightly as the better known Reid songs. The boys sing ‘em like pros, and have also included their own tribute tune “The Statler Brothers Song,” which name-checks many of the cherished Statler oldies.

 

JESSE & NOAH/This Town Was Built On Heartbreak Songs
Writers: Jesse David Bellamy/Noah Frank Bellamy; Producers: Jesse & Noah Bellamy; Publishers: Skunk Ape, ASCAP; J&N (track)
– I have liked this duo a great deal in the past. Its new CD is titled Southern Usonia. The collection leads off with this marvelously melodic, atmospheric, soaring anthem. If the boys don’t have a hit with it, somebody else sure should. Looking for a cornerstone composition for your new album? Here it is.

RICK MONROE/This Side Of You
Writers: Jason Duke / Rick Monroe / Ryan Griffin; Producer: Sean Giovanni; Publishers: Dan Hodges Music(ASCAP)/Jindo Dog Music (ASCAP); MRG  (ERG)
– Stately and potent. I have liked just about everything this guy has sung in the past. This ballad shows another side of his voice, and it’s just as chesty and solid as ever.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Somethin’ I’m Good At
Writers: Tom Douglas/Brett Eldredge; Producers: Ross Copperman/Brett Eldredge; Publishers: ©2017 Sony/ATV Countryside / Paris Not France Music (BMI) / Sony/ATV Tree Publishing / Tomdouglasmusic; Atlantic (download)
– A boatload of fun, fun, fun. He can’t cook toast, change a flat or dance. But he can make her smile with love. And with this delightful, rhythm-happy track, he can make her tap her toes, too. A blast.

TWOSHINE COUNTY/Track 9
Writers: none listed; Producer: Sean Giovanni; Publishers: none listed; Pitbull (ERG)
– I chose this one because I was intrigued by both the title and the band name. It’s a cool, swirly outing about dizzy love that comes rushing back to him every time he hears “track 9” on their favorite album. Tenor vocals with stacked harmonies, burbling rhythms and ringing guitars are the hallmarks here. Very listenable.

The Recording Academy To Honor Keith Urban With Recording Artists Coalition Award

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Keith Urban

Keith Urban will be honored by the Recording Academy for his tireless commitment to and support of music education with the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award April 5. Four-time Grammy-winner Urban will be awarded the honor at the annual Grammys on the Hill Awards ceremony at the Hamilton Live in Washington D.C., which will feature unique live performances and some musical surprises.

Urban has been supporting music education efforts for nearly a decade, volunteering for the Academy’s Grammy Camp summer music program, supporting grant-based education initiatives that provide funds to sustain local music programs in schools, and participating in the Grammy U Soundchecks program on many occasions.

“Through music education programs, Keith Urban has encouraged aspiring musicians by giving them the opportunity to perform and achieve their dreams,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. “An engaged member of the music community and The Recording Academy for many years, Keith is an outstanding music citizen and supporter of the future of music, so it is our great pleasure to honor and recognize his dedication at GRAMMYs on the Hill.”

“The opportunity to work with aspiring musicians and kids, who are just discovering music for the first time, really inspires me,” said Urban. “Creativity is at the heart of an innovative society – it brings people together and teaches children self-expression, creative confidence, and improvisational skills which are essential to their development. Being honored by The Academy, especially given the fact that they’re the ones that have given me the chance to be part of their work in this area, is humbling. It’s an incredible honor.”

Opry Country Classics Series Returns March 9

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The popular Opry Country Classics series is back for the Spring and will run Thursdays from March 9 – June 1, beginning each evening at 7 p.m. Larry Gatlin returns as host for 10 of the weeks, with Opry announcer Bill Cody stepping in for Gatlin for two shows.

The March 9 kickoff show is set to feature some songs from the catalog of late Opry great Dottie West. Among those set to honor West are three artists she shepherded through their early years in Nashville: Jeannie Seely, show host Gatlin, and the evening’s Spotlight Artist Steve Wariner.

Additional spotlight artists already scheduled for the spring lineup include Pam Tillis (March 16), Lorrie Morgan (March 23), Crystal Gayle (April 13), Tanya Tucker (April 20), Oak Ridge Boys (April 27), Charlie Daniels Band (May 4), Brenda Lee (May 11), and Dailey & Vincent (May 25.)

A special Saturday afternoon edition of Opry Country Classics is scheduled for CMA Music Fest Week on June 10. Opry Country Classics tickets as well as money-saving ticket combos including admission to both Thursday night Opry Country Classics shows and Tuesday, Friday, or Saturday shows are available by visiting opry.com or by calling 615-871-OPRY.

In Pictures: ‘The Shack’ Premiere, Last Bandoleros, Jim Horn, Marty Roe

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Soundtrack Artists, Writers Attend ‘The Shack’ Premiere

Pictured (L-R): Lori McKenna, Shane McAnally, Faith Hill, Tim McGraw, Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney Photo: Marion Curtis

Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dan + Shay, Lori McKenna, and Shane McAnally attended The Shack film premiere at the Museum of Modern Art in New York City Tuesday night. McAnally teamed with McKenna to write the album’s second track “Keep Your Eyes on Me,” recorded by Faith Hill and Tim McGraw.

 

Last Bandoleros Join Sting For Music City Stop

Pictured (L-R): Emilio Navaira, Scott Hendricks (WMN), Diego Navaira, John Esposito (WMN), Jerry Fuentes, Derek James

Warner Music Nashville’s The Last Bandoleros hit the stage at the Municipal Auditorium Wednesday night (March 1) for Sting’s 57th & 9th Tour’s Nashville stop.

 

Jim Horn Latest ‘Nashville Cat’ Honored By Hall Of Fame

Pictured, Back Row (L-R): Former Music Masters honoree Garth Fundis, former Nashville Cats honorees David Briggs and James Burton; Jim Horn; and Dave Pomeroy; Front row (L-R): former Nashville Cats honoree Reggie Young, Nashville Cats host Bill Lloyd, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia Photo by Carissa Riccardi

Jim Horn was honored by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Saturday (Feb. 25) during its Nashville Cats series. Horn, who can be heard on the Beach Boys’ “Good Vibrations,” Frank Sinatra’s “Strangers in the Night” the Righteous Brothers’ “You’ve Lost That Lovin’ Feelin’,” and many more classic recordings, discussed his extensive career and performed for the audience.

 

Marty Roe Tapes ‘Jesus Calling’ Podcast

Marty Roe (lead singer of Diamond Rio) and JT Olson (Founder of Both Hands) recently taped an episode for the new Jesus Calling (HarperCollins Publishers) podcast at API Studio in Nashville.

The Nashville House To Showcase Top Nashville Alternative Artists At SXSW

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2017 marks the first year of official South by Southwest showcase “The Nashville House” – an all day, all night event featuring 25 of Nashville’s top emerging artists in pop, alternative, rock and electronic genres, curated by Nashville tastemakers.

The Nashville House will host its showcase on Tuesday, March 14 at Tellers Austin, located at 607 Trinity St. The showcase is open to the public from noon to 8 p.m. Performances from 8 p.m. to midnight require a SXSW credential or wristband.

The lineup includes Nashville favorites Ron Gallo, CAPPA, R.LUM.R, ELEL, The New Respects, Future Thieves and more. Also performing are newcomers Cardboard Kids’ Jake Germany as Phangs and Farewell Flight’s Luke Foley as LUKR.

The event has been curated by Lightning 100, Nashville’s independent radio station, as well as local publishing company Anacrusis, record label Curb Records, music sync company Sorted Noise, the collective POPOFF, and music community PØPSQUAD, among others.

Support comes from Nashville venues Mercy Lounge and The High Watt, distribution company ONErpm, marketing and publicity firm ECHO AVE, recording studio Laughing Heart, and business management firm Gelfand, Rennert & Feldman. The Nashville House will serve Barista Parlor coffee during the day and Blue Chair Bay rum at night to complete the Nashville experience.

The High Watt will host The Nashville House: SXSW Send Off Show on March 9, featuring My Red + Blue, Masha, LUKR, Koyoke, EZA, and Phangs. All of the show proceeds go directly to the bands. Doors are at 7pm, the show starts at 8pm, and tickets are $5. Full show details here.