Nick Di Fruscia Named ACM VP, Awards & Membership

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Nick Di Fruscia has been named Vice President, Awards & Membership at the Academy of Country Music. In the newly created role, Di Fruscia will oversee all Awards voting and processes and lead membership initiatives, while also contributing to the Academy’s artist and industry relations efforts both in Nashville and on the West Coast. The position is based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino and reports to Pete Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Country Music.

Di Fruscia joins the Academy’s membership team from The Recording Academy, where he was Director/Awards and served for nearly a decade overseeing the pop and country categories for The Grammy Awards.

An L.A. native, Di Fruscia attended San Diego State University, where he studied Business Administration. He moved to Los Angeles in 2000 where he began his career at Chalkboard Music, Inc. as Creative Director and Manager. In his position Di Fruscia worked on a variety of projects with artists including Cher, Donna Summer, Elton John, Diane Warren, and many more. Previous career stops also include his own consultancy, 33 Music Consulting, where he advised and managed artists, producers and television/film composers, and Director of Music Licensing at MySpace.

“As the Academy charts its future course, we enthusiastically welcome Nick to lead this vital area of our organization,” said Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy. “Through his tenure at The Recording Academy, I, along with many members of our country music industry, have had the opportunity to see Nick’s talents, observing first-hand the passion, integrity and attention to detail he brings to every facet of his work.”

“I am so excited to be a part of an organization that I have so much respect for. Country music has been such a big part of my career and one of my true passions. I look forward to working with Pete and the ACM Board and staff to continue the proud legacy of the ACM Award and what it means to the country music community,” said Di Fruscia.

Beginning today, Di Fruscia can be reached at [email protected].

Kyle LaValley Joins Mercy Lounge As Talent Buyer

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Nashville’s Mercy Lounge has added Kyle LaValley to their staff as a talent buyer. In her new position LaValley will book talent at flagship venue Mercy Lounge, as well as sister venues Cannery Ballroom and The High Watt. She will work alongside veteran Nashville booker John Bruton.

Prior to joining the Mercy Lounge complex, LaValley worked as a talent buyer at Majestic Live from 2015 to 2017. She booked talent at the Majestic Theatre, The Frequency, HighNoon Saloon, The Blue Note, Rose Music Hall and more. Her previous experience includes positions at The Windish Agency, The Empty Bottle and Thalia Hall.

“We are seriously impressed by Kyle’s work ethic, professional relationships and industry experience,” said Mercy Lounge owner Todd Ohlhauser. “We are excited to have her as a part of the Mercy Lounge family to make an impact at our three locally-owned venues.”

“I’ve always been drawn to Nashville and its rich musical lineage,” LaValley says. “Very much looking forward to joining the Mercy Lounge team and continuing to book quality acts in these impressive rooms.”

Willie Watson Preps ‘Folksinger Vol. 2’ For September Release

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Photo: Meredith Munn

Willie Watson is set to release his first album since parting ways with Old Crow Medicine Show in 2011. The album, Folksinger Vol. 2, will be released Sept. 15 on Acony Records. The album was recorded on analog tape at Nashville’s Woodland Sound Studios and produced by David Rawlings. It features 11 tracks of American folk music, including songs made popular by Leadbelly, Reverend Gary Davis, Furry Lewis and Bascom Lamar Lunsford.

In addition to The Fairfield Four on three tracks, the album features Gillian Welch, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Morgan Jahnig and Punch Brothers’ Paul Kowert.

Los Angeles-based Watson is part of the Dave Rawlings Machine and will make his acting debut in the Coen Brothers’ latest project, The Ballad of Buster Scruggs. He is also slated to perform as part of Americanafest, which runs from Sept. 12-17 in Nashville.

 

FOLKSINGER VOL. 2 TRACK LIST
1. Samson And Delilah (feat. The Fairfield Four)
2. Gallows Pole
3. When My Baby Left Me
4. Dry Bones
5. Walking Boss
6. On The Road Again (feat. The Fairfield Four)
7. The Cuckoo Bird
8. Always Lift Him Up And Never Knock Him Down
9. John Henry
10. Leavin’ Blues
11. Take This Hammer (feat. The Fairfield Four)

Dolly Parton’s ‘Christmas Of Many Colors,’ Jack White’s ‘American Epic Sessions’ Earn Emmy Noms

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American Epic Sessions Gets Outstanding Musical Direction Emmy Nomination

The musical/documentary The American Epic Sessions, directed by Bernard MacMahon, has been nominated for a Primetime EMMY for Outstanding Musical Direction. The documentary features Nas, Jack White, Elton John, Alabama Shakes, Steve Martin, Taj Mahal and many other legendary artists recording live direct-to-disc on the first-ever electrical recording system from the mid-1920s. Bernard MacMahon, Duke Erikson from Garbage, Jack White, and T Bone Burnett have all been nominated for their work on the film, which was 10 years in the making. The independent feature broadcast through PBS is the final part of a four-part documentary series called American Epic.

Dolly Parton’s NBC Biopic Receives TV Movie Emmy Nomination

(Photo by: Annette Brown/NBC)

Dolly Parton‘s Christmas of Many Colors: Circle Of Love also received an Emmy nomination in the Television Movie category. The two-hour NBC-TV holiday movie stars Alyvia Alyn Lind, Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder, and Gerald McCraney, with Dolly Parton making a special guest appearance. 

“I am so very proud and excited to have Christmas of Many Colors be nominated for an Emmy award,” says Dolly Parton. “Special thanks to my partner and executive producer Sam Haskell, a wonderful cast and crew, Steve Herek (our producer) and Pamela Long for a great script. And a special thanks to all of the many fans that watched it.”

The 69th Emmy Awards will telecast live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, Sunday, Sept. 17 on CBS.

Round Hill Music Announces Four New Additions To Nashville Team

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Round Hill Music has added four new staffers to its Nashville team.

Emily Frye and Erin Ruth Schleiff have joined the Royalty Services team as Coordinators. Frye joins Round Hill from SESAC, where she was a royalty distribution and research services team administrator responsible for processing TV and film cue sheets and ensuring affiliate registrations were current. She is a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University.

Schleiff comes to Round Hill Music from Capitol CMG Publishing. She graduated from SUNY Oneonta, and during her tenure at Capitol CMG, she served as copyright and royalty administrator focusing on royalty tracking, statement auditing, financial analysis, and copyright conflict resolution.

Chelsea Grim and Darcie Van Etten are also joining the Round Hill administration team as Coordinators. Grim joins Round Hill Music from Bluewater Music Services. The Belmont graduate served as copyright coordinator for Bluewater, where she managed song registrations and dealt with the company’s foreign affiliates.

Van Etten joins Round Hill Music direct from her role as an intern to the administration department. The Belmont graduate with a Bachelor of Business Administration previously interned at both at TKO Artist Management and Country Radio Broadcasters Inc. before joining Round Hill.

Valerie Gray Joins Anderson Benson

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Valerie Gray

Valerie Gray has joined Anderson Benson, a locally owned and independent insurance broker, as Marketing Analyst and Account Manager.

Having served the bulk of her entertainment insurance career with Robertson Taylor International Insurance, now a legacy company of Integro, she brings knowledge and experience within the music and entertainment industry to Anderson Benson.

Gray says, “I am excited to start a new challenge with Anderson Benson, and look forward to working with this phenomenal team. I am fortunate to be joining such a respected company that prides itself on exceptional service in delivering insurance and risk management services to the music and entertainment industry.”

George Anderson, President and co-founder of the Nashville-based company, states Gray has worked diligently to build an impressive reputation that has earned her both the respect of clients as well as respective insurance carriers.

LifeNotes: Steel Guitar Great Kayton Roberts Passes

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Steel Guitar Hall of Fame member Kayton Roberts has died at age 83.

He is perhaps best known as a key member of Hank Snow’s band, The Rainbow Ranch Boys, for more than 30 years, but Roberts also backed many others.

Among the many stars he worked with during his long career were John Fogerty, Emmylou Harris, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss, George Jones, Dolly Parton, Riders in the Sky, Ricky Skaggs, Randy Travis, Marty Stuart and Aaron Tippin. With Snow and others, he was often seen on the Grand Ole Opry stage.

Roberts died on July 13 in White House, Tennessee.

Kayton Roberts is survived by his children Louis Roberts, Jan Roberts-Williams and Martin Roberts, as well as by five grandchildren.

Visitation will be on July 23 from 4-5 p.m. at The Church at Grace Park, 506 Hester Drive, in White House, TN. A celebration of the life of Kayton Roberts will follow.

 

Industry Pics: ASCAP, WSM 650 AM, Kasey Tyndall

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ASCAP Holds Bluebird Cafe Showcase

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP EVP of Membership John Titta, Tenille, Ben Glover, Adam Hambrick, Reed Pittman and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart.

The July installment of ASCAP’s long-running showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe was held on Wednesday, July 12 and featured reigning ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year and 30+ #1 hitmaker Ben Glover; Red Creative Group songwriter-artist Adam Hambrick, who recently celebrated his first #1 with “How Not To,” recorded by Dan + Shay; emerging songwriter Reed Pittman​, in his Bluebird debut; and Big Yellow Dog/Sony Music Nashville songwriter and recently-signed recording artist Tenille.

 

WSM 650AM Holds “Guitar Pull” With Bobby Bare and Friends

Pictured (L-R): Payton Taylor, David Starr, Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart, Bobby Bare, WSM’s Devon O’Day and 117 Group’s Zach Farnum

Payton Taylor, David Starr, Restless Heart’s Larry Stewart, Bobby Bare, WSM’s Devon O’Day and 117 Group’s Zach Farnum after an extra special “Guitar Pull” on Nashville Today on WSM 650 AM.

Kasey Tyndall Joins Wheeler Walker Jr.’s Tour

Kasey Tyndall and Wheeler Walker, Jr.

Kasey Tyndall joined Wheeler Walker Jr in Atlanta as part of his Ol Wheeler Tour. Tyndall, a Sony/ATV songwriter, is opening shows for Wheeler throughout July. Her current single “Everything Is Texas” has garnered over 250,000 streams on Spotify.

Ben Wells Signs With writerslist

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Pictured (L-R): Noah McPike (Dickinson Wright PLLC), Bradley Collins (BMI), Christy DiNapoli (writerslist), Ben Wells and Nick R. Cua (writerslist)

writerslist has signed Ben Wells to an exclusive publishing agreement. His new single, “Do Some Drinkin,” is also available.

writerslist was founded in 2016 with Nick R. Cua, co-Founder and COO and Christy DiNapoli, Sr. VP of its Music Publishing division.

“Ben is a great addition to our roster. His talent as a songwriter and artist paired with the innovative team at writerslist, will be a winning combination for us all,” stated DiNapoli.

“I am excited to join the roster of talent at writerslist to help further develop my career,” says Wells. “Songwriting is truly my passion and I’m thrilled to have a unique publishing partner.”

 

Jeremy Camp Preps New Album, Tour For Fall

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Jeremy Camp has set a release date for his new studio album, The Answer, this fall on Oct. 6 (Capitol CMG). Camp’s new single, “Word of Life,” from the forthcoming album, is out at radio and already charting in the Top 20 on the National Christian Audience chart. Fans can preorder the album beginning today at jeremycamp.com.

“I can’t wait for everyone to hear these songs,” shares Camp about the new album and tour. “After all these years, it’s amazing how the well to draw from never runs dry, when we rely on Him. The Lord continues to give deeper and deeper songs that speak to different seasons of life. With this new album, we’re doing some things we’ve never done before. I’m releasing five songs with five different music videos for each song, before the album even comes out. And I’m definitely ready to play these songs live. On ‘The Answer Tour’ we’ll be playing new songs of course but also bringing back some very early ones. It’s a very exciting season.”

Camp is also launching a headlining tour in support of the new album, The Answer Tour, with special guest Royce Lovett beginning on Oct. 1 in Albuquerque, NM.