AFM Local 257 Inks Deal With Premier To Offer Members Nashville Parking Discounts

AFM Local 257, with the aid of Metro Council member Jeff Syracuse, has struck a deal with Premier Parking for AFM 257 members to receive discounted parking at the McKendree Garage (located at 6th Ave. and Commerce) in Nashville.

The one-time bar code passes will allow for parking in the garage for $5 per night. The passes will be available on a weekly basis at the AFM 257 office in Nashville. Members can pick up the number of passes they need, depending the number of shows they are playing per week.

“As downtown musicians know all too well, prices can go as high as $25-30 a night for parking, but under this scenario the AFM 257 parking pass will get you parking in a conveniently located garage for $5 a night,” says AFM Local 257 president Dave Pomeroy. “This will save our members a lot of money, and is one more way that we make sure that our members get the maximum benefit from belonging to AFM Local 257. This has been a long time coming, and I am very pleased that this concept
has finally become a reality.”

Musicians will be asked to fill out a short form regarding their upcoming shows in Nashville before receiving the parking passes. Depending on demand, AFM Local 257 says the deal could expand to other parking garages in Nashville in the future.

Belmont University Opens $10.5M Guitar Gallery With Performances From Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs

Pictured (L-R): Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Belmont student Ben Valine perform during the grand opening of the Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee April 25, 2017. Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

The Gallery of Iconic Guitars (GIG) celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday (April 25) at Belmont University in Nashville, with performances from Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, along with current Belmont graduate student Ben Valine, a commercial guitar performance major from Forest Lake, Minnesota. A vintage instrument museum, the GIG features a collection of rare stringed instruments and educates visitors on their history and design, providing an intimate, up-close vantage point that will serve to inspire collectors and music enthusiasts alike.

The GIG is the result of a gift to Belmont University of nearly 500 historically significant instruments and supporting endowment—amounting to a total value of approximately $10.5 million—from the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw. Shaw was a collector, philanthropist and the grandson of Jerome Kern who was a prominent American composer of musical theater and popular music (responsible for such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”).

Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

Instruments currently on display at the new museum include a 1939 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar valued at $350,000, a 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin signed by Lloyd Loar, and a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst electric guitar worth $225,000.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I’ve played guitar since I was a teenager so to have these prized instruments on this campus is a true joy for me personally. But the real value of these historical treasures comes with the educational opportunities they present to our students and faculty as well as visitors to the museum. I am grateful to the Shaw Estate for entrusting Belmont with these iconic pieces of music history, allowing us to host what will certainly be inspiration for generations of musicians and instrument makers to come.”

Pictured (L-R): Ricky Skaggs, Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, and Vince Gill. Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

The James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation serves as the presenting sponsor for The GIG, providing support to undergird the museum’s operation, special projects and educational programming. Mr. Archer said, “We are so excited to work with Belmont University on this project. Music is such a fundamental part of our lives. It inspires creativity, and we hope that the gift will inspire future generations of students who have endeavored to devote their careers to the performing arts.”

Shaw family friend George Gruhn, founder of Gruhn Guitars and vintage instrument expert, serves as co-executor of the estate. Gruhn noted, “An instrument is not a servant to a musician, but rather a partner. The really great instruments are alive, and they make suggestions. Sometimes you lead them and sometimes they lead you… Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection since it draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its music programs. I look forward to seeing how these instruments will be given new life and will help lead young musicians as they are incorporated into Belmont’s curriculum.”

The GIG is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5, and free for children under 12 as well as Belmont students, faculty and staff. Visit thegigatbelmont.com for more information and to purchase tickets.

Faith Hill’s New Talk Show With Kellie Pickler Set For September Debut

Faith Hill

Faith Hill has created a new daytime talk show hosted by Kellie Pickler and New York City journalist Ben Aaron that will debut Sept. 18. First reported on by MusicRow back in 2015, the new lifestyle show will focus on topics like cooking, entertainment, home decor, gardening, beauty, and fashion, and will debut in 20 Scripps TV markets and be distributed in national syndication by Disney/ABC Home Entertainment and Television Distribution. The show films in Nashville.

“We will bring a little bit of southern charm and inspiration to our viewers, alongside insights from top tastemakers and experts in many areas,” said Hill. “Kellie is very much southern while Ben is everything New York – complete opposites but together their chemistry is magic and our viewers are going to love them.”

“Our vision for this show is to deliver the best of lifestyle content with two very talented and charismatic hosts,” said Executive Producer Lisa Erspamer. “We are excited about combining an entertaining show with a unique shop-ability factor – viewers will be able to buy items they see on set while watching the show.”

Hill shares executive producer credits with former Oprah Winfrey Show executive producer Erspamer and Sandbox Entertainment president and CEO Jason Owen, in partnership with the E.W. Scripps Company.

 

Shania To Release First New Album In 15 Years This Fall

Photo Credit: Trae Patton/NBC

Shania Twain is back with a brand new single, “Life’s About To Get Good,” due out in June, and she’ll debut the new song for fans during a headlining set Saturday night at the Stagecoach Festival in Indio, California. In September, Twain also plans to release her first new album in 15 years. The superstar revealed the big news during her appearance on NBC’s The Voice Monday night (April 24), where she served as a first-time-ever fifth judge on the show and key advisor to the remaining contestants.

When writing “Life’s About to Get Good,” Shania explains, “I was at home looking out at the ocean and I said to myself, ‘Here I am stuck in this past of negativity, but it’s so beautiful out. I’m not in the mood to write a ‘feeling-sorry-for-myself’ song.” The songwriter recognized that with all of the negative in life also comes the positive. “You can’t have the good without the bad. And that’s what the song ended up being about.”

With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Shania remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her Grammy-winning, double diamond-selling 1995 release,The Woman in Me; Come On Over, is the best-selling studio album in Soundscan history by a female artist in any genre and the best-selling country album of all time with over 40 million units sold worldwide.

 

 

In Pictures: MusicRow Celebrates Sixth Annual ‘Rising Women On The Row’ Event

City National Bank staff members pose at MusicRow‘s sixth annual Rising Women on the Row celebration. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography

MusicRow proudly recognized six Nashville music industry honorees during its sixth annual Rising Women on the Row ceremony on Tuesday, April 25 at Omni Nashville Hotel. City National Bank served as Presenting Sponsor, as it has since the event’s inception.

 

Pictured (L-R): 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

The six honorees for 2017, who have become substantial contributors and visionary leaders, were Kella Farris, Business Manager, Farris, Self & Moore; Juli Newton-Griffith, VP, Magic Mustang/BMG; Kerri Edwards, President, KP Entertainment; Laura Hutfless, CEO and Founding Partner, FlyteVu Agency; Virginia Davis, Managing Partner and Artist Manager, G Major Entertainment; and Tatum Allsep, Founder/Executive Director, Music Health Alliance.

Expanding to a larger ballroom at the hotel, the ceremony held its largest crowd to date, with nearly 500 attendees.

Pictured (L-R): Nashville Mayor Megan Barry, MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Pictured (L-R): Tri Star Sports and Entertainment’s Lou Taylor with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry attended the Rising Women on the Row breakfast and welcomed the guests with a heartfelt message of empowerment. Featured speaker Lou Taylor, CEO of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group, delivered a 20-minute conversation with MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson on stage.

Kalie Shorr. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography

Pictured (L-R): Artists Kalie Shorr and Jamie O’Neal with MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

CMT’s Leslie Fram was on hand to introduce a special performance from Song Suffragette Kalie Shorr to conclude the event. Shorr offered music from her EP, Slingshot.

For a full overview of the event, read Robert K. Oermann’s recap here.

Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography

2017 Rising Women on the Row honoree Laura Hutfless. Photo: © Moments By Moser Photography

Bobby Karl Works The Room: MusicRow’s Sixth Annual Rising Women On The Row Breakfast

Pictured (L-R): Rising Women On The Row 2017 honorees Tatum Allsep, Virginia Davis, Kerri Edwards, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, and Juli Newton-Griffith. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 559

Rising Women is rising up.

MusicRow’s sixth Rising Women on the Row celebration demonstrated that this annual event has evolved into a major date on the industry’s social calendar. It was completely sold out, with nearly 500 attendees packed shoulder-to-shoulder in the Omni Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (April 25).

The crowd was a who’s-who of Music Row with tables sold to such power players as CAA, WME, UMG, the ACM, BMG, Sony-ATV, Black River, FBMM and presenting sponsor City National Bank. Mayor Megan Barry put it on her calendar for the first time.

“Music contributes $10 billion to our economy every year, and you make it happen,” Barry told the assembled multitude. To the women in attendance, she added, “You are breaking glass ceilings. All of you are changing the profile of what little girls can be. If you can see it, be it.

“I am glad that you are here supporting each other. We take conflict and turn it into conversation. And we take conversation and turn it into action,” concluded Nashville’s first female mayor.

“We’re honoring female empowerment,” said host Sherod Robertson. “Hopefully, you’re feeling a love fest. Each year, we’re growing and growing.”

Rising Women video greetings came from such mega talents as Martina McBride, Mary J. Blige, Reba McEntire, Meghan Trainor, Britney Spears, supermodel Taylor Hill and Quantico actress Priyanka Chopra. The featured speaker was Tri Star CEO and business manager to the superstars Lou Taylor. She was ably interviewed on stage by Robertson.

Featured Speaker Lou Taylor (of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment) is interviewed by MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Taylor was witty, wise and warm. “Success traits come down to two disciplines, thought and action,” she observed. “Practice professional courage,” she advised. “Don’t be above being coached: I’m 51, and I’m coached and trained every day.”

Each of the honorees offered words of wisdom as well. “Powering through what you do: That’s the way we do it; that’s the way we rise,” said Tatum Allsep of Music Health Alliance.

“I’m struck by the word ‘example,’ and I see so many in front of me,” said Virginia Davis of G Major Management. Her clients include Thomas Rhett, Jewel and Danielle Bradbery. “I thank the honorees for being examples. We have so much to learn from one another.”

“Surround yourself with good people,” suggested Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment. Her clients include Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell and Kelleigh Bannon. “I still pinch myself when I come to work every day: I can’t believe I get to do this.” Quoting her idol Dolly Parton, she concluded, “You’ll never do a whole lot unless you’re brave enough to try.”

Kella Farris is the founder of the business management firm Farris, Self & Moore. “This is like my friends and family,” she said as she gazed at the room. “It’s awesome to be here this morning.”

“Your friendships are the greatest gifts this industry has given me,” said Laura Hutfless to the attendees. She is the co-founder of the marketing agency FlyteVu.

MusicRow owner/publisher Sherod Robertson welcomes the crowd for the sixth annual Rising Women On The Row event. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow

Magic Mustang/BMG publisher Juli Newton-Griffith said, “I don’t feel like I belong, but thank you for having me….with this amazing, amazing group of women.

“Obviously, the key to success is to love what you do,” she added. “Wake up. Show up. You never know when it’s going to be your million-dollar day.”

The Rising Women entertainment was music by Kalie Shorr, one of the key figures of the Song Suffragettes showcase series. This female gathering of songwriters sells out its shows every Monday night at The Listening Room Cafe.

“Twenty artists have received publishing deals through Song Suffragettes, and six have gotten label deals,” said CMT’s Leslie Fram in her introduction of Shorr, who was a CMT Artist Discovery in 2016.

The singer-songwriter began her three-song set with the very event-appropriate “Fight Like a Girl.” To date, this song has generated 1.6 million Spotify streams. Shorr’s just released EP Slingshot also includes “Nothing New.”

Her third song was a brilliantly arranged mash-up of “When I Think About Angels” and “Delta Dawn.” Jamie O’Neal co-wrote and recorded the first-named hit. She joined Kalie Shorr on stage to duet on both songs.

Alpha females in the breakfast crowd included Lori Badgett, Becky Harris, Alison Jones, Teri Brown, Debbie Linn, Lisa Harless, Whitney Daane, Stacy Schlitz, Judi Turner, Pam Matthews and Diane Pearson.

As the years have gone by, more and more men have been coming to Rising Women on the Row. Tuesday’s appreciative and applauding attendees included Mike Dungan, Royce Risser, Dale Bobo, Troy Tomlinson, Woody Bomar, Justin Levenson, Rod Essig, Todd Cassetty, Tom Luteran and Rob Beckham.

Kalie Shorr performs. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser.

 

Charlie Worsham Celebrates New Album With Station Inn Party

Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Charlie Worsham, and John Oates. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner

Charlie Worsham celebrated the release of his new album Beginning of Things Monday afternoon (April 24) at a bash at the Station Inn, where he performed a set of brand new songs, including his current single “Cut Your Groove,” for friends and industry members. Two of Worsham’s mentors, Vince Gill and John Oates, were on hand for the fun, along with Warner Music Nashville Chairman & CEO John Esposito and Worsham’s Warner Music Group family.

Charlie Worsham with WMN’s John Esposito. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pandora Teams With Goldenvoice To Livestream Stagecoach Country Music Festival

Pandora has teamed with Goldenvoice to host an exclusive livestream of performances from the upcoming Stagecoach Country Music Festival, slated for April 28-30 in Indio, California.

Performances and artist interviews will be available throughout the festival at pandora.com/stagecoachfestival. The station will be co-hosted by Pandora’s country, rock and Americana curators, Rachel Whitney and Eric Shea.

“With over 60 million listeners every year, Country fans are one of the biggest, most engaged and loyal audiences on Pandora,” said Nick Bartle, chief marketing officer at Pandora. “Partnering with Goldenvoice to livestream one of Country’s biggest events allows us to connect our listeners with this year’s amazing lineup of talent at Stagecoach for three days of exclusive live performances and content.”

Pandora’s audio livestream will feature the following performances:

Friday, April 28:
Dierks Bentley, Cole Swindell, Randy Houser, Jon Pardi, Maddie & Tae, Elle King, Randy Rogers Band, Son Volt, William Michael Morgan, Justin Townes Earl, Anderson East, Dylan Scott, Ryan Hurd, Quiet Life, Bailey Bryan

Saturday, April 29:
Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Willie Nelson and Family, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay, Jamey Johnson, Margo Price, Tucker Beathard, Nikki Lane, Robert Ellis, Brent Cobb, John Doe, Traveller, Jonathan Tyler, Brooke Eden, The Walcotts, Ruston Kelly, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Black Pistol Fire, Jackie Lee

Sunday, April 30:
Thomas Rhett, Tyler Farr, Cam, Cowboy Junkies, The Cadillac Three, Wynonna & The Big Noise, Terry Allen, Steep Canyon Rangers, Cody Johnson, Luke Combs, Kiefer Sutherland, LANco, Levi Hummon, Courtney Cole, Drew Holcomb & The Neighbors, Dan Layus

LifeNotes: Mega Manager Sandy Gallin Dies

Sandy Gallin Photo: sandygallin.com

Sandy Gallin, the man who guided Dolly Parton in her transition from country hit maker to multi-media superstar, passed away in Los Angeles on Friday, April 21.
He and Parton were partners in the award-winning film and television production company Sandollar. The two were introduced by Mac Davis, another Gallin country-pop client.
During the 1970s, ‘80s and ‘90s, Sandy Gallin was one of the most powerful and connected people in the entertainment business. Among the superstars he worked with as either a manager or a talent agent were Barbra Streisand, Cher, Michael Jackson, Neil Diamond, Lily Tomlin, The Pointer Sisters, Petula Clark, Mariah Carey, Patti LaBelle, Donny & Marie Osmond, Olivia Newton-John, Korn, Limp Bizkit, KC & The Sunshine Band, Nicole Kidman, Renee Zellweger, Roseanne Barr and Florence Henderson, among others.
Born in Brooklyn and raised on Long Island, he began his career in the Manhattan mailroom of the General Artists Corporation. He was soon promoted to an agent at G.A.C. His early clients included Rick Nelson, Frankie Avalon, Phyllis Diller, Laura Nyro and Joni Mitchell.
He signed and promoted the then-unknown Richard Pryor, Tiny Tim, Joan Rivers and Mama Cass Elliott. He was also part of the G.A.C. team that booked newcomers The Beatles onto “The Ed Sullivan Show” in 1964.
G.A.C. moved him to the West Coast in 1968. In the 1970s, he founded his own management company. He signed Whoopi Goldberg, produced her award-winning TV specials and guided her to the 1984 movie The Color Purple.
He signed Parton in 1976, and the two became inseparable. Using his connections, she crossed over to the pop charts with “Here You Come Again” in 1977 and co-starred in 9 To 5 and The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas as her first movies in 1980 and 1982.
Gallin and Parton formed Sandollar Productions in 1985. The company’s 1989 documentary, Common Threads: Stories From the AIDS Quilt, won an Oscar. As a result of the film’s theme, Gallin openly acknowledged being gay, becoming one of the earliest Hollywood figures to do so.
Sandollar also produced the movies Sabrina (1995), Father of the Bride (1991), Buffy the Vampire Slayer (1992, as well as its subsequent hit TV series), Kicking and Screaming (1995) and I.Q. (1994). Gallin and Parton also produced her movies Rhinestone (1984) and Straight Talk (1992), as well as her variety ABC TV series of 1987-88.
The company also produced many TV specials featuring such stars as Andrew Dice Clay, Harvey Fierstein and Neil Diamond.
Sandy Gallin was known for his lavish, star-studded parties and for his sense of style. He began working in real estate in 1998. He bought, restored and re-sold estate properties and became a high-end interior designer.
When he moved out of management, Parton was hurt by his desertion, but the two soon rekindled their deep friendship.
Parton posted on her website: “Sandy, you may be in heaven now, but you will never be gone from me. In the words of my own song, I will always love you.”
Sandy Gallin reportedly died of multiple myeoloma. He was 76 years old.

Sara Evans’ New Indie Label Takes Flight

Pictured (L-R): Craig Dunn – Collective Artist Management, Bob Morelli – President, Sony RED, Sara Evans – Artist / Founder of Born To Fly Records, Alan Becker – SVP, Product Development, Sony RED. Photo Courtesy: Sony RED

Sara Evans has launched her own label, Born To Fly Records, named for her chart-topping single and double platinum album, and will be releasing her next album project on the new label. Distributed via Sony Red, the new album, her eighth studio project, is due out this summer.

“I’m extremely excited to be launching this venture and I love that the label is ‘Born To Fly.’ I wrote that song about my own life, coming to Nashville and following my dreams,” said Evans. “It’s a dream come true to surround myself with my own team and truly embrace my entrepreneurial spirit, taking complete control of my career and brand is so freeing. I can’t wait to share this new project with everyone!”

Details about the new album will be released in the coming weeks.