Van Morrison To Receive Americana Lifetime Achievement Award, Headline AmericanaFest Show

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Van Morrison has been announced as the headliner for the 2017 AmericanaFest Show at Ascend Amphitheater on Sept. 14, along with his daughter Shana Morrison. The night before the show, Morrison will also be honored with a Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting at the 2017 Americana Honors & Awards Show at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 13.

Tickets for the show will be available to the general public May 19, but Americana Music Association members and registrants for the Americana Music Festival and Conference can purchase them via a special pre-sale code beginning May 16.

The Americana Music Festival and Conference runs Sept. 12-17 in Nashville.

Paramore To Release Fifth Studio Album On May 12

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On May 12, Paramore will release its fifth studio album, After Laughter, the follow up to the band’s 2013 self-titled album. After Laughter was recorded at Nashville’s RCA Studio B, marking the first time the band has recorded a project in its native Nashville.

Producer Justin Meldal-Johnsen returns for the new album, alongside Paramore guitarist Taylor York and lead singer Haley Williams. The band’s original drummer Zac Farro, who exited in 2010, also returns for After Laughter.

Paramore formed in 2004 in Franklin, Tennessee, and was signed to label Fueled by Ramen in April 2005. Paramore’s full-length debut, All We Know Is Falling, was released later that summer. The band’s 2007 album Riot! heralded the hits “Crushcrushcrush” and “Misery Business.”

After Laughter features the lead single “Hard Times,” as well as “Told You So.” Watch the video for “Hard Times” below:

After Laughter track list:
“Hard Times”
“Rose-Colored Boy”
“Told You So”
“Forgiveness”
“Fake Happy”
“26”
“Pool”
“Grudges”
“Caught in the Middle”
“Idle Worship”
“No Friend”
“Tell Me How”

Industry Ink: Belmont Book Award, NMPA, SOLID

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Tamara Saviano’s Guy Clark Biography Earns Belmont Book Award

Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark by Tamara Saviano is the winner of the Belmont Book Award for the best book on country music during calendar year 2016. The announcement was made by Dr. Don Cusic, Chair of the Belmont Book Award, which will be presented on Friday, June 2 at the annual awards luncheon at the International Country Music Conference held at Belmont University.

“The Belmont Book Award holds a special place in my heart because many of my favorite music writers are past recipients. I am honored to be in their company,” Saviano said.

 

NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation Hosts Inaugural Los Angeles Golf Tournament

The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) S.O.N.G.S. Foundation hosted the inaugural Los Angeles golf tournament to raise funds for songwriters and compositions education programs.

Songwriters who played to support their fellow creators included Niall Horan, Phillip Phillips, Ed Roland, Joe King, Mike Post, Adam Anders, DallasK, Ross Golan, Michael Baiardi, Dave Merenda, Jamie Jones, PJ Bloom, Jeff Russo, Mike Post, Gabe Saporta, Ben Margulies, Tom Kelly, Dave Bassett, Doug Brown and Julian Bunetta. Among the participants were a combined seven Grammys and 42 No. 1 hits.

The golfers joined music industry executives and Foundation supporters including Irving Azoff, Rick Krim, John Frankenheimer, Alison Smith, Michael Closter, Chip McLean, Jody Klein and many more.

The NMPA S.O.N.G.S. Foundation recently established the first-ever songwriter endowment at Middle Tennessee State University, a songwriting endowment at Belmont University and the first-ever songwriting specific scholarship at the L.A. College of Music.

 

SOLID Announces 18th Annual Crawfish Boil

The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) announced their 18th Annual Crawfish Boil on Tuesday, May 16 beginning at 5:30 p.m. CT at the Sony/ATV parking lot, located at 8 Music Sq. W. in Nashville. Admission is free, as well as food and drinks. Food will be provided by Papa Bordreaux Catering and beer will be provided by Lagunitas. Sponsors for the 18th Annual Crawfish boil include: Blue Chair Bay, Artistnoize, Code Word, Lyft +Ride Codes and Allan’s Logo.

SOLID has also partnered with Lyft to provide a safe ride to and from the event. New to Lyft? Get 2 Free rides (up to $10 each) at http://lyft.com/i/solidcb or download the app and enter promo code SOLIDCD. Already have Lyft? Save 15% off to and from the event with promo code SOLIDCB15.

SOLID was created in 1997 with the vision to develop a community for music industry professionals to network and brainstorm, while also providing educational opportunities for entry to mid-level professionals.

Insurance Brokerage Hub International Unlimited Adds Sr. VP To Nashville Operation

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Shannon Bare

Insurance brokerage Hub International Limited (HUB) has expanded its Nashville operation through the addition of entertainment specialist Shannon Bare, joining the firm as Senior Vice President.

Bare has 20 years’ experience providing insurance and risk management solutions to many of the top-grossing country, rock, Christian and hip-hop concert tours, while also looking after production companies, promoters and festivals. As the youngest son of Country Music Hall of Fame member Bobby Bare, Shannon spent much of his childhood on tour buses, concert stages, TV shows and in recording studios. His in-depth understanding of the entertainment business is an incredible asset to the clients he serves.

“What attracted me to HUB is their overall approach to the business –a focus on strong, locally managed offices backed by the resources of a top 10 global broker,” said Bare, “Joining HUB gives me unprecedented leverage in the marketplace and behind-the-scenes support like I’ve never had before. It’s an honor to be part of the team.”

Shannon will continue to help entertainment businesses control their cost of risk and be instrumental in expanding the company’s footprint. Prior to joining HUB International, Bare was Senior Vice President at Robertson Taylor/Integro, and founded the entertainment division at BB&T Insurance in Nashville.

DISClaimer: Old Crow Medicine Show Takes Disc Of The Day Honors

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Old Crow Medicine Show. Photo: Laura Partain

Americana music is in the news this week, what with the genre announcing its 2017 award nominees.

So what better time to survey some current records of the style?

The stand-out, Disc of the Day here is the new project by Old Crow Medicine Show. It is a blast.

The DISCovery Award goes to Ana Cristina Cash. In addition to our award-winners, don’t miss Tommy Emmanuel, Kelly & Ellis, David Starr and Dion.

ANA CRISTINA CASH/”Tough Love Woman”
Writers: Ana Cristina Cash/Shawn Camp; Publisher: none listed; Producer: John Carter Cash
– This swampy, bluesy track has a very cool retro-rockabilly vibe that is super catchy. Her alto voice is loaded with pent-up power and a confident swagger. A recording artist since age 15, Ana Cristina married John Carter Cash last fall, and her uniformly excellent Tough Love EP is her first Nashville project.

SUSAN ANDERS/”My Parachute”
Writer: Susan Anders; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Susan Anders & Tom Manche
– The forte of this Music City artist is harmony singing, which she teaches and writes books about. This pop-folk track from her Loop De Loop CD is a moody reflection on living with uncertainty. The unusual chords on guitar and piano give the track an appealing off-balance quality.

OLD CROW MEDICINE SHOW/”Rainy Day Women #12 & 35″
Writer: Bob Dylan; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed
– The new CD by these Opry stars is a rousing, rollicking string-band re-imagining of Bob Dylan’s historic Blonde on Blonde Nashville LP. Recorded live, it kicks off with this terrifically energetic arrangement of the collection’s 1966 hit single. “Everybody must get stoned,” indeed.

 DAVID STARR/”The Head and the Heart”
Writer: David Starr; Publisher: David Starr, ASCAP; Producer: John Oates
– Wow. This folkie can really sing. This is classic, acoustic, songwriter/troubadour stuff that harkens back to the best of the James Taylor/Joni Mitchell era. I love the “heart” in his tenor tones. Produced in Nashville by the esteemed John Oates, this is the title tune of a EP that is unreservedly recommended.

ANGIE & THE DESERTERS/”Stay”
Writer: Guy Griffin; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Jeff Huskins
– Very well executed. The mandolin-focused arrangement compliments her teardrop-notes delivery perfectly. Her slight vibrato adds to the intrigue. The group’s six-song EP is titled You.

SON VOLT/”Back Against The Wall”
Writer: Jay Farrar; Publisher: Grain Elevator, BMI; Producer: Jay Farrar
– These longtime Americana favorites continue their roots-rocking ways on the new Notes of Blue CD. This, the collection’s single, has a stripped-down, blue-collar Springsteen-ish vibe. Recorded in St. Louis, which group leader Jay Farrar calls home.

KELLY & ELLIS/”Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight”
Writer: C. Kelly; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Dave Rivers
– The “Kelly” in this duo is Nashville singer-songwriter Casey Kelly, whose hits include Tanya Tucker’s “Soon,” T.G. Sheppard’s “Somewhere Down the Line” and more. He recorded a pair of fine Elektra LPs back in the 1970s. His return to disc finds him still in mightily expressive voice as the duet partner of scintillating singer Leslie Ellis. They reprise his 1978 Kenny & Dottie hit in a lively, almost bluegrassy arrangement. Elsewhere on their acoustic CD The Long Road to You, they revive his 1985 George Strait classic “The Cowboy Rides Away” and the Cats show tune “Memory,” which she performed back in her Broadway days. How Nashville is this? The two met at an in-the-round show at The Bluebird Cafe.

 TOMMY EMMANUEL & STEVE WARINER/”Workin’ Man Blues”
Writer: Merle Haggard; Publisher: Sony ATV, BMI; Producer: Tommy Emmanuel
– The 14 tracks on Tommy Emmanuel Live at the Ryman are mostly dazzling guitar instrumentals (”Classical Gas,” “Blood Brother,” “Windy & Warm,” etc.). Steve Wariner provides vocal support on this Haggard cover, but it’s the team’s fleet-fingered guitar workout on it that will melt your mind. Stay tuned for the following track, “Eva Waits,” the only studio recording on the collection. It will haunt you.

DION/”Can’t Help But Wonder Where I’m Bound”
Writer: Tom Paxton; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Tom Wilson
– Kickin’ Child is the “lost” album by this Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member. Recorded in 1965, it falls between his “Runaround Sue” and “Abraham, Martin & John” eras, but was shelved by Columbia because the label didn’t understand the transition he was undertaking. Now released for the first time, it sounds like the classic folk-rock that producer Wilson was creating with Simon & Garfunkel (”Sounds of Silence”) and Bob Dylan (”Like a Rolling Stone”) at the same time. In addition to Dion’s originals, the CD includes this classic Tom Paxton tune, plus an early cover of Dylan’s “It’s All Over Baby Blue.” As a lifelong Dion fan, I consider this an essential record.

 NELL ROBINSON & JIM NUNALLY BAND/”Baby Let’s Take The Long Way Home”
Writers: Nell Robinson/James Nunnally; Publisher: Jim Nunnally/Nell Robinson, BMI; Producer: Peter Berkow, Jim Nunally & Nell Robinson
– These folkies harmonize nicely together. The steel-dominated accompaniment is spare and simple. Pleasant, if not exactly life changing.

GMA Honors Celebrates Gospel All-Stars, Sets 2018 Date

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Michael W. Smith and Amy Grant perform at GMA Honors on May 9, 2017 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

GMA Foundation’s annual GMA Honors celebration was held on Tuesday, May 9 at Lipscomb University. Steve Green, Yolanda Adams, Gold City Quartet and Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame during the GMA Foundation’s annual GMA Honors celebration. The event also honored individuals and organizations that are impacting our culture both past and present. This year’s honorees were Amy Grant for Helping Hands, Dr. Shirley Caesar for Shirley Caesar Outreach Ministries, Compassion International and Natalie Grant for Hope for Justice.

For the first time, the GMA inducted legacy artists who soared in national prominence in the 1930s, ’40s and ’50s into the Gospel Music Hall of Fame by proclamation. This year’s inductees included Dorothy Love Coates & The Gospel Harmonettes, The Roberta Martin Singers and The Harmonizing Four.

The event featured tributes and performances from Christian and Gospel music all-stars. Grant and Michael W. Smith sang their hits “El Shaddai” and “Friends” in honor of inductees Michael Blanton and Dan Harrell. Cece Winans, Donnie McClurkin and Jekalyn Carr sang a medley of Yolanda Adam’s most popular hits including “The Battle is The Lord’s,” “Open My Heart” and “That Name.” Danny Gokey and Kierra Sheard ended the night with a stirring rendition of “Better Than I Found It” accompanied by Lamar Campbell & Spirit of Praise and the Nashville Super Choir. Numerous other artists and special guests presented tributes to the honorees, including Bart Millard, Dr. Bobby Jones, Clarke Beasley, Dick Tunney, Fred Hammond, Jaci Velasquez, Larnelle Harris, Percy Bady, Travis Cottrell and Tye Tribbett.

GMA Honors will return next year on May 8, 2018.

Honoree Dr. Shirley Caesar with Dr. Bobby Jones at GMA Honors on May 9, 2017 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Gospel Music Hall of Fame inductees Gold City Quartet perform at GMA Honors on May 9, 2017 (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images)

Innovation In Music Awards To Honor John Esposito As Innovator Of The Year

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The Innovation in Music Awards will honor Warner Music Nashville Chairman and CEO John Esposito as its Innovator of the Year. Esposito will accept the award during the inaugural event on June 6, to be held at the Westin in Nashville.

The Innovator of the Year Award recognizes the music professional who goes above and beyond his call of duty in search of the best new music, breakthrough innovative initiatives, and up-and-coming talent. Warner Music Nashville’s resources were recently restructured and realigned to put additional focus on the label’s digital initiatives.

Under Esposito’s leadership, WMN artists have won numerous awards spanning from New Artist of the Year to Entertainer of the Year from organizations such as the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, American Music Awards and more. Since his arrival, WME singles charts’ share has quadrupled, with 41 singles hitting No. 1, leading to multiple Gold and Platinum sales certifications.

As an innovator, Esposito recently had a vision for a new future-facing marketing structure by creating a first of its kind Radio & Streaming team. The groundbreaking approach combines the more traditionally specific radio promotion and digital music departments.

As former Chairman of the Country Music Association Board of Directors, his current board duties include Vice Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation National Board, the Country Radio Broadcasters and the Nashville Convention & Visitor’s Corp as well as Governor to the Nashville Chapter Board of NARAS for 2015-2017.

 

Sam Hunt, The Chainsmokers, Halsey Added To ‘Billboard Music Awards’

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Sam Hunt, The Chainsmokers, who tied the record for most Billboard Music Award nominations in one year with 22, and Halsey are the latest artists announced as performers on the upcoming 2017 Billboard Music Awards airing May 21 on ABC.

The three join previously announced performers Florida Georgia Line, Camila Cabello, Miley Cyrus, Celine Dion, Drake, Imagine Dragons, John Legend, Lorde, Bruno Mars, Nicki Minaj, Ed Sheeran and 2017 Billboard Music Awards ICON Award recipient Cher on the show, which airs live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas at 8 p.m. ET. 

Hunt will perform his crossover smash No. 1 Billboard Hot Country Songs hit “Body Like A Back Road” during the show.

SongBird Tours Offers In-The-Round Songwriter Experience On Wheels

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Nashville tourists can pedal and drink their way down the streets of Music City, laugh their way down on hilarious comedic tours, see it from the bed of a flatbed hay wagon, and now thanks to SongBird Tours, be serenaded at an in-the-round as they travel the roundabout and other city streets.

The new service, run by Patsy Bruce and Trey Bruce, will offer visitors a ride on one of the only state-of-the-art live music venues-on-wheels anywhere. Thirty passengers will enjoy an intimate, in-the-round songwriter performance indigenous to Nashville, hearing stories behind the songs from some of Music City’s most prolific songwriters and rising newcomers while getting a peek into the life of a working songwriter. They will also get a special guided tour of the city curated by longtime music industry insiders.

“It’s great to get the chance to show folks what songwriters do and how they do it,” Trey said. “The story of a songwriter’s life in Nashville is so unique and special.”

The bus is specially outfitted to provide a maximum sound experience for guests, with lighting designer Chris Lisle providing the lights, and sound design being handled by JSS Audio and Richard Battaglia. Daily tours are set to begin the first week of June in time for CMA Music Fest, and begin and end at Hayes Street (between 15th and 16th Avenues) near downtown Nashville. Tickets for the two-hour tour are $40 and will soon be available by logging onto songbirdtours.com. A portion of the proceeds from each ticket sold will go to the Music Health Alliance, a top resource for healthcare solutions and access for music industry members.

Longtime industry member Patsy Bruce co-wrote the Waylon Jennings/Willie Nelson classic “Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” Tanya Tucker’s “Texas When I Die,” and more. She was also president of the Nashville Songwriters Association (NSAI) in the late ’70s. Songwriter/producer Trey Bruce co-wrote Randy Travis’ “Look Heart, No Hands,” “Whisper My Name,” and “Spirit Of A Boy, Wisdom Of A Man,” and Diamond Rio’s “How Your Love Makes Me Feel,” among others. As a publishing executive, Bruce helped sign Chris Janson, Brothers Osborne, and Charlie Worsham. He helped establish the Music Industry Coalition, which advocates for Music Row’s heritage.

 

 

Industry Ink: Warner/Chappell, CTM Writer’s INK, T.J. Martell Foundation, SSM Nashville

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Warner/Chappell, CTM Writer’s Ink Sign Jimi Bell

Pictured, back row (L-R): Matt Michiels (W/C), Alison Junker (W/C), BJ Hill (W/C), Travis Carter (W/C), Eddie Robba (CTM Writer’s INK), Brandon Perdue (CTM Writer’s INK).
Front row (L-R): Alicia Pruitt (W/C), Chris Poole (CTM Writer’s INK), Jimi Bell, Will Overton (W/C)

Jimi Bell has signed a publishing deal with Warner/Chappell and CTM Writer’s INK. The Hawkinsville, Georgia native moved to Nashville in 2014 to pursue a career as a songwriter/producer.

 

T.J. Martell Foundation Young Professionals Council Stands Up To Cancer, AIDS

Team APA races to victory at the Downtown Derby Bed Race. Photo: Alex Berger Photography

 

The T.J. Martell Foundation Young Professionals Council raised more than $90,000 for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research at the second annual Downtown Derby Bed Race, held in Nashville on Saturday, May 6. Twenty teams participated in a race up 5th Avenue to Bridgestone Plaza from companies such as APA, CAA, UTA, WME, Warner Music Nashville, Opry Entertainment, Margaritaville, Tin Roof, Jim ‘N Nicks, Omni Hotel, Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center and more. Team APA won the race with a record-setting time for the second year in a row. Awards were also presented for “Best Decorated,” “Best in Spirit” and The “Shining Star” award, presented to the individual who raised the most money through online fundraising.

“The T.J. Martell Foundation Young Professionals sought to build upon the scope, enthusiasm, and fundraising of our inaugural Downtown Derby Bed Race last year, and I’m proud to say that we succeeded beyond our own expectations,” said Justin Cahill, co-chair of the Young Professionals Council. “This year’s event raised over $90,000 for the T.J. Martell Foundation, and we experienced the full embrace of the Nashville community. This felt like the year that the Downtown Derby established itself as an exciting and unique event in the growing Nashville landscape, and we can’t wait to come back with more in 2018.”

Co-chair Nick Garvin added, “We are so thankful for all of the sponsors and teams who helped us surpass last year’s fundraising total. Every member of our board takes great honor in playing our part with the T.J. Martell Foundation’s vision to Put Cancer To Bed.”

SSM Nashville Records Signs A.C. Jones

A.C. Jones has signed with independent country label, SSM Nashville Records. She joins a growing roster including Branch and Dean, Alexandra Demetree, Redhead Express and Wes Hayden.
Jones, an Ohio native, was given the choice to pursue a career in biochemistry with a full ride scholarship, or concentrate on her music. Ultimately, she chose her music and will release a single to country radio later this year.
“Our format needs this quality of vocals and true showmanship that AC brings,” label President Patti Olsen-Garafola said. “Her depth of vocal talent is unparalleled.”