Country Rising Benefit Raises $4 Million

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(Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images)

Some of country’s biggest names gathered Sunday night in Nashville for Country Rising, the mega-concert to help raise money and support charitable initiatives for those affected by the recent hurricanes and victims of the Las Vegas shooting. Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Sam Hunt, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Reba McEntire, Chris Stapleton, George Strait, Keith Urban and Jon Pardi performed during the event at Bridgestone Arena, and helped raise $4 million dollars for the cause. A second show that had been scheduled for the same evening at Ascend Amphitheater was canceled due to weather.

Presented by Hilton and Dollar General and hosted by Bobby Bones, the show included highlights like Dierks Bentley performing his powerful song “Riser,” which he dedicated to the first responders and the community for rallying together and rising up in the midst of tragedy, and Chris Stapleton, who announced from the stage that he and wife Morgane are donating $250,000 to the cause. Other surprises included a special video from Garth Brooks from Spokane, Washington, where he donated proceeds from the night’s two shows, and Jon Pardi surprising the audience and appearing to sing “Dirt On My Boots.” 

Jason Aldean also took the stage to perform, acknowledging that the shooting in Vegas had taken a personal toll on him. “It’s been a rough couple months for us up here, and it’s a lot of fun to get back out and play for the people who matter which is you guys,” said Aldean. “I love getting up every day and playing music, and I’ll be damned if anybody out there will ever stop me from doing that.”

Fans across the country unable to attend the benefit can continue to give by texting ‘NASHVILLE’ to 41010, by donating at CountryRising.org or by purchasing merchandise here. All proceeds raised will go toward the Country Rising Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help the causes.
To read more or see more photos of the events, click here.

Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images

Photo by John Shearer/Country Rising/Getty Images

Weekly Register: Blake Shelton, Keith Urban Top Country Charts

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Blake Shelton tops this week’s country albums chart, with Texoma Shore bringing in 63K in total consumption in its debut week, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The feat makes the project Shelton’s sixth album to top the country albums chart, however his last effort, If I’m Honest, tallied 170K units in total consumption.

After moving 219K in total consumption last week as No. 1 country album, Kenny Chesney‘s Live From No Shoes Nation brought in 52K this week, to land at No. 2.

Kelsea Ballerini‘s sophomore album, Unapologetically, debuts at No. 3, with 44K in total consumption. Kid Rock‘s Sweet Southern Sugar debuts at No. 4, with 43K, followed by Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room: Vol. 1 with 16K. Other notable debuts include Lee Brice‘s self-titled album at No. 7, with 15K.

Keith Urban tops this week’s country digital songs, with “Female,” which he debuted at last week’s CMA Awards. The track moved 20K this week. Stapleton’s “Broken Halo,” which the singer-songwriter performed on the CMA Awards, is at No. 2 with 20K. Last week the track sold 7K.

LANCO‘s “Greatest Love Story” is at No. 3, with 18K, followed by Kane Brown‘s “What Ifs” at No. 4 with 18K. Brothers Osborne’s “It Ain’t My Fault” is at No. 5 with 17.5K, following the duo’s performance of the track on the CMA Awards. Last week the track moved 2.2K.

Information provided courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.

Round Hill Music Teams With Music Licensing Company Zync Music

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Round Hill Music has partnered with music licensing and publishing company Zync Music, which specializes in music sync placements in film, advertising, television, trailers, sports and video games. Zync Music is known for its work with emerging independent artists. The two companies have also launched a joint venture publishing business to support and expand Zync’s rights representation business and to offer funding for developing and signing new publishing deals with new artists.

Zync’s LA team is lead by sync & publishing veteran Marisa Baldi (formerly of Universal Music Publishing) who heads up the West Coast operations, and Zync founder Sanne Hagelsten (formerly of Ultra Records) who heads up the East Coast Operations.

Under the new arrangement, Zync’s creative team will remain intact and work alongside Round Hill’s sync staff. Baldi and Hagelsten will co-head the combined sync teams with offices in NY, LA, and Nashville.

“We cannot be more excited about Zync, Powered by Round Hill!” says Zync CEO Hagelsten. “We are so happy to find a partner who shares our passion for music and appreciates the importance of strategic synchronization. This collaboration means more opportunities to bring great music and amazing artists to our friends in the sync world. Round Hill’s funding guarantees financial resources for our creative team to continue developing and expanding an incredible roster. It also adds the benefit of Round Hill’s publishing and administration expertise.”

“We are extremely proud of the reputation we’ve established as curators of cutting edge music,” says Zync CEO Baldi. “Round Hill’s worldwide network of resources gives us the ability to dramatically grow our business, while maintaining what has made us successful – our boutique, hands-on, personalized service. As music fans, we feel this is such an incredible fit and auspicious time to join forces, as we now get to represent Round Hill’s ever-growing catalog of multi-genre classics and hits. We look forward to signing (and syncing) great music together, in a climate brimming with possibilities.”

“The synergy between the Zync frontline and the Round Hill catalog is compelling. Zync has arguably the best synchronization in the business and Round Hill can further back up our claim that we excel in sync. We are thrilled to have Sanne and Marisa, and the entire Zync staff, join the Round Hill family,” adds Round Hill Music CEO Joshua Gruss.

Martha Moore Honored By British Country Music Awards

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Pictured (L-R): Lee Williams, President, BCMA; Martha Moore, President, somuchMOORE media; Karl Hancock, Board Member, BCMA

The British Country Music Awards (BCMA) has honored Martha Moore with the International Services To Industry Award for her contributions to country music. Moore, President of so much MOORE media—a Nashville-based publicity and marketing firm—joins a prestigious list of honorees that includes Big Machine Records’ President Scott Borchetta, the late Jeff Walker and Country Music Association (CMA) Director of International Relations Bobbi Boyce.

“Keeping a global perspective has been a vital component to my clients’ success,” Moore observes. “I’ve always been driven to truly ‘serve’ the artists on my roster and it’s always gratifying when it ‘works.’ To be recognized with this particular award really hits home. I am deeply honored.”

BCMA President Lee Williams presented Moore with the crystal “tower” last week in Nashville.

The 12th annual BCMA Awards were held Oct. 21 and 22 in Wolverhampton, UK. Hosted by Baylen Leonard from the BBC, the event featured four hours of music and award presentations and was filmed for future broadcast. Popular American performers included Sarah Darling, American Young, and so much MOORE media client Southern Halo, who accepted the award on Moore’s behalf. International honorees included Drake White (International Song of the Year, “Makin’ Me Look Good Again”), Zac Brown Band (International Album of the Year, Welcome Home), and Jenn Bostic (International Touring Act).

Moore kicked off her music career in radio, and moved to Nashville in 1976 to pursue a job at WLAC. She transitioned to the label side of the business shortly thereafter and enjoyed tenures at ABC, MCA and Mercury/PolyGram Records, where she worked with Jerry Reed, KISS, Bon Jovi, The Bar-Kays and more. She opened the doors of somuchMOORE media in 1988, signed Johnny Cash as her first client, and a host of other talented artists followed. She enjoyed a 15-year professional relationship with Hank Cochran, and worked with his family during his posthumous induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame. Moore also represented Jim Ed Brown & The Browns and Fred Foster throughout their Hall Of Fame honors. She was inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame in August 2017.

Vince Gill, Kesha, Maren Morris, Emmylou Harris To Perform At All For The Hall New York

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Vince Gill is set to host the upcoming All For The Hall New York event, set for Feb. 13, 2018 at the Times Square Playstation Theater. Emmylou Harris, Kesha, and Maren Morris will join Gill for the show’s intimate, guitar-pull format.

Concert tickets for mezzanine seating go on sale Friday, Nov. 17, at 10 a.m. EST. Tickets are $100 and can be purchased at axs.com. A limited number of VIP tables are available at $5,000 and $10,000 levels. More details on mezzanine and VIP tickets and benefits can be found at countrymusichalloffame.org/afthny. Event proceeds will support the museum’s education programs, which reached nearly 109,000 people in 2017.

Absolute Publicity Signs John Anderson

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John Anderson

John Anderson has signed with Nashville-based Absolute Publicity for exclusive public relations representation. The company was launched in 2009 by owner/founder Don Murry Grubbs and boasts a roster that includes Ricky Skaggs, The Marshall Tucker Band, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Ray Stevens, John Berry, Aaron Tippin, Darryl Worley, Shenandoah, Restless Heart, Halfway to Hazard, Pam Tillis, Kelly Lang, Mel Tillis, and Sammy Kershaw.

“Having watched Absolute Publicity grow for nearly a decade, I’m proud to be a client as of today,” says Anderson. “Don Murry Grubbs understands the music and what I’ve done over the past 35 years. And he understands the vision of my future better than most.”

“To say we are excited to work with the iconic John Anderson is an understatement,” says Grubbs. “John’s body of work speaks for itself and we are ecstatic to be a part of the next chapter of his legendary career. Welcome to the family, John!”

 

 

Hunter Hayes Unveils First Segment Of Three-Part Mini-Movie ‘Pictures’

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Hunter Hayes has created a new mini-movie titled Pictures, which will roll out in three parts over the coming months. Part 1 is set to his latest song “You Should Be Loved” featuring the Shadowboxers.

Fans will have an opportunity to attend the movie’s premiere early next year at Regal Cinemas in Nashville featuring a panel with the actors, director and screenwriter and a live performance from Hayes himself.

Hayes also recently teamed up with Samsung Electronics America, Inc., gifting $100,000 to the CMA Foundation to help jumpstart a renovation project updating the music room at Nashville School of the Arts. An ambassador for the school’s music program, Hayes will not only be restoring their guitar lab but also creating a working recording studio thanks in large part to generous partners. Once the build is complete, Hayes will implement a masterclass series, inviting fellow industry colleagues, artists and friends to mentor students in the music program.

Sound Healthcare & Financial Offers New Healthcare Plan For Nashville Musicians Association Members

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Nashville-based insurance and music healthcare advocacy organization Sound Healthcare & Financial has formed a true group health insurance policy plan with Blue Cross Blue Shield of TN available exclusively for members of the Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257 and only available through Sound Healthcare & Financial.

“What we’ve been able to accomplish for our music community has never been done before,” said Sound Healthcare & Financial Founder and CEO, RJ Stillwell. “Outside the ACA Individual Marketplace, which is significantly diminishing in terms of participating carriers and networks, the only two ways in which one generally becomes insured is through an employer’s group policy or through a self-insured group. Those plans, however, are not typically available to music professionals as over 78% are self-employed.“

Through months of efforts leveraging industry relationships, Sound Healthcare & Financial has achieved a fully-insured ACA compliant True Group plan that is now available for musicians and industry professionals who are members of the union. Enrollment in the Nashville Musicians Sound Healthcare Plan is exclusively available through Sound Healthcare & Financial, and more information can be found at SouthHealthcare.org, 615-256-8667 or by contacting [email protected].

ACM Lifting Lives Announces Board Of Directors For 2017-2018

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ACM Lifting Lives has announced its board of directors for the 2017 – 2018 term, including newly-elected Chairman Debbie Carroll, President Tree Paine, Vice-President Paul Barnabee, and Secretary Tommy Moore. Dwight Wiles continues his role as Treasurer.

The ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors is made up of an equal number of ACM Board Members, referred to as representative directors, as well as leaders in non-profit and corporate affairs that are not ACM Board Members, referred to as public directors.

This year, there were four representative director positions and two public director positions elected by the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors:

Newly elected Representative directors include:
Leslie Fram, CMT
Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
John Marks, Spotify
Darin Murphy, CAA

Newly elected Public directors include:
Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia
Jay Williams, WME

“I’m honored to be leading this dedicated and determined board who are ready and willing to serve and fulfill Lifting Lives’ mission of continuing to heal and improving lives through the power of music,” said ACM Lifting Lives Chairman Carroll.

2017-2018 ACM LIFTING LIVES BOARD OF DIRECTORS

OFFICERS
Chairman Debbie Carroll, MusiCares
President Tree Paine, Premium PR
Vice-President Paul Barnabee
Treasurer Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
Secretary Tommy Moore, Academy of Country Music

REPRESENTATIVE DIRECTORS
Paul Barnabee
Rod Essig, CAA
Chris Farren, Combustion Music
Leslie Fram, CMT
Gayle Holcomb, WME
John Marks, Spotify
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
Daniel Miller, Red Light Management / Fusion Music
Darin Murphy, CAA
Kimberly Schlapman
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music
Troy Vollhoffer, PGP/Country Thunder Music Festivals
Butch Waugh, Studio2bee

PUBLIC DIRECTORS
Mark Bloom, UBS Financial Services, Inc.
Debbie Carroll, MusiCares
Ross Copperman
Ann Edelblute, The HQ
Fletcher Foster, Iconic Entertainment Group
Ricky Kelley, Harley-Davidson of Columbia
Lorie Lytle
Michael McAnally Baum, SMACKSongs/SMACKProductions
Beth Moore, Vanderbilt University Medical Center
Tree Paine, Premium PR
Lisa Paulsen, Entertainment Industry Foundation
Meredith Seacrest, Seacrest Foundation
Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
Jay Williams, WME

PAST CHAIRS
Lori Badgett, City National Bank
Bill Mayne, CRB
Bruce Bowman, Kaboom!
Ed Warm, Joe’s Live

EX OFFICIO PAST CHAIR
Mark Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley

Chris Tomlin To Kick Off 2018 Worship Night In America Tour In April

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Chris Tomlin has announced his 2018 Worship Night In America tour will kick off April 5 with special guests include Kim Walker Smith of Jesus Culture, Matt Maher, Christine D’Clario, Tauren Wells, and Pat Barrett. The tour will hit 24 markets across the U.S. including Chicago, Indianapolis, Atlanta, Philadelphia and more.

“It is powerful when all streams of the church come together in an act of unity to worship and pray…that’s the heart behind 2018’s ‘WNIA Tour.’ It’s a picture of God’s kingdom together, and the sound of thousands and thousands of voices pouring out His praise,” says Tomlin. “I pray these nights are filled with revival and restoration as we all join together proclaiming one name. As the scriptures say, ‘Lord I have heard of Your fame, I stand in awe of Your deeds…renew them in our day.’”

Chris Tomlin’s 2018 “WNIA Tour” follows his 2017 “WNIA Tour” which made 24 stops in arenas with sellouts across the country, including Nashville, where Tomlin made history as the largest ticketed Christian concert at Bridgestone Arena to date. Last fall, Tomlin became the first Christian artist to receive the SoundExchange Digital Radio Award, recognizing more than one billion digital radio plays. Justin Timberlake, Garth Brooks and Pitbull are the only other artists to have received this award. 

Tickets for the “Worship Night In America” tour will be available at christomlin.com starting Nov 17. As a special offer to early ticket-buyers, a 20% promo code will be active Friday through Monday (11/20) using code “INSIDER.”

Worship Night In America Tour Dates:
*All dates subject to change. For latest information, visit christomlin.com.
4/5/18 – Rochester, NY
4/6/18 – Pittsburgh, PA
4/7/18 – Hoffman Estates, IL
4/8/18 – Indianapolis, IN
4/12/18 – Albany, NY
4/13/18 – Cleveland, OH
4/14/18 – Toledo, OH
4/15/18 – Dayton, OH
4/19/18 – Pensacola, FL
4/20/18 – Jacksonville, FL
4/21/18 – Sunrise, FL
4/22/18 – Estero, FL
4/26/18 – Memphis, TN
4/27/18 – Lafayette, LA
4/28/18 – Jackson, MS
4/29/18 – Duluth, GA
5/3/18 – Newark, NJ
5/4/18 – Philadelphia, PA
5/5/18 – Hartford, CT
5/6/18 – Norfolk, VA
5/9/18 – Charleston, WV
5/10/18 – Clarkston, MI
5/11/18 – Louisville, KY
5/12/18 – North Little Rock, AR