Brad Paisley Talks ‘The Art And The Artist’ During CRS 2018 Panel

Brad Paisley will chat about his eagerness to explore new and creative approaches to his career and art in a special panel Q&A session, Brad Paisley: The Art and The Artist, at CRS 2018. The interview will take place Wednesday, Feb. 7, 2018 from 3-4 p.m.

RJ Curtis of All Access Nashville and Beverlee Brannigan of E.W. Scripps Co. will conduct the interview, which will highlight how Paisley anticipates the future while honoring country tradition. Previous artist interview Q&As at CRS have included Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, and Toby Keith.

Advance CRS 2018 agendas can be viewed at CountryRadioSeminar.com or by downloading the official app, which is now available for download on iPhone, Android, Blackberry and Windows devices as well as laptops.  The CRS 2018 app, powered by Country Aircheck, provides attendees with an expanded CRS agenda, panel descriptions, speaker bios, integrated calendar upgrades, CRS after-hour activities, CRS TV video clips and other event news. To get the app, go to the app store and download “Crowdcompass AttendeeHub, search for “CRS 2018” and click download.  Accessing the CRS 2018 app requires opening the Crowdcompass AttendeeHub on the home screen.

MCA Nashville Newcomer Jordan Davis Announces ‘Home State’ Debut

MCA Nashville’s Jordan Davis has announced his debut album Home State will be released March 23.

Home State includes the singer/songwriter’s current Top 20 single “Singles You Up” in addition to the previously-released tracks “Slow Dance In A Parking Lot” and “Take It From Me.” Davis co-wrote all 12 tracks on the Paul DiGiovanni-produced project with songwriters such as Blair Daly, Scooter Carusoe, Jonathan Singleton and Justin Ebach.

“Making this record has been one of the most rewarding things I’ve ever done,” says Jordan. “I want to thank everyone who was involved in bringing this to life, especially to my producer Paul Digiovanni and the songwriters that helped me create these songs. I can’t wait for y’all to hear it”

Davis will embark on a 15-date run with Big Loud artist Jillian Jacqueline next month, billed as the White Wine And Whiskey Tour.

Home State Track Listing
Take It From Me (Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt, Jacob Davis)
Going ‘Round (Jordan Davis, Ben Daniel, Pavel Dovgalyuk)
More Than I Know (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Blair Daly)
Slow Dance In A Parking Lot (Jordan Davis, Lonnie Fowler)
Singles You Up (Jordan Davis, Justin Ebach, Steven Dale Jones)
Sundowners (Jordan Davis, Josh Jenkins, Matt Jenkins)
Tough To Tie Down (Jordan Davis, Jeff Middleton, Seth Ennis)
Made That Way (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Scooter Carusoe)
So Do I (Jordan Davis, Paul DiGiovanni, Jamie Paulin)
Selfish (Jordan Davis, Jason Gantt, Joshua Wade Door)
Dreamed You Did (Jordan Davis, Shane Minor, Jonathan Singleton)
Leaving New Orleans (Jordan Davis, Lonnie Fowler, David Frasier)

Recording Academy Announces 2018 Grammy Hall Of Fame Inductions

Johnny Cash At Folsom Prison, Whitney Houston‘s “I Will Always Love You,” Andy Williams‘ “Moon River,” and Nirvana‘s Nevermind are among the newest inductions into the Grammy Hall Of Fame. Each year recordings are reviewed by a special member committee comprised of professionals from all branches of the recording arts, with final approval by the Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. With 25 new titles, the Hall, now in its 45th year, currently totals 1,063 recordings and is on display at Grammy Museum L.A. Live.

“The Grammy Hall Of Fame strives to embody the changing climate of music throughout these past decades, always acknowledging the diversity of musical expression for which the Academy has become known,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of the Recording Academy. “Iconic and inspiring, these recordings are an integral part of our musical, social, and cultural history, and we are proud to have added them to our growing catalog.”

Representing a wide variety of singles and albums, the 2018 Grammy Hall Of Fame inductees range from David Bowie’s “Space Oddity” to Jimi Hendrix‘s Band Of Gypsys and also includes Gladys Knight & The Pips‘ “I Heard It Through The Grapevine,” Public Enemy‘s “Fight The Power,” Queen‘s A Night At The Opera, Linda Ronstadt‘s “Heart Like A Wheel,” and Sam Cooke‘s “Bring It On Home To Me.” Other inductees include recordings by Aerosmith, Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five, Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup, Dr. Dre, Thomas Alva Edison, Four Tops, Billie Holiday, the King Cole Trio, Hugh Masekela, Mike Oldfield, Parliament, Billy Paul, the Rolling Stones, and Leon Russell.

2017 GRAMMY Hall Of Fame Inductees:
BAND OF GYPSYS
Jimi Hendrix
Capitol (1970)
Album

“BRING IT ON HOME TO ME”
Sam Cooke
RCA Victor (1962)
Single

THE CHRONIC
Dr. Dre
Death Row (1992)
Album

“DREAM ON”
Aerosmith
Columbia (1973)
Single

“FIGHT THE POWER”
Public Enemy
Motown (1989)
Single

“FLASH LIGHT”
Parliament
Casablanca (1978)
Single

“GRAZING IN THE GRASS”
Hugh Masekela
UNI (1968)
Single

HEART LIKE A WHEEL
Linda Ronstadt
Capitol (1974)
Album

“I CAN’T HELP MYSELF”
Four Tops
Motown (1965)
Single

“I HEARD IT THROUGH THE GRAPEVINE”
Gladys Knight & The Pips
Soul/Motown (1967)
Single

“(I LOVE YOU) FOR SENTIMENTAL REASONS”
The King Cole Trio
Capitol (1946)
Single

“I WILL ALWAYS LOVE YOU”
Whitney Houston
Arista (1992)
Single

JOHNNY CASH AT FOLSOM PRISON
Johnny Cash
Columbia (1968)
Album

“MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB”
Thomas Alva Edison
N/A (1878)
Single

“ME AND MRS. JONES”
Billy Paul
Philadelphia International (1972)
Single

“MOON RIVER”
Andy Williams
Columbia (1962)
Track from Moon River & Other Great Movie Themes

“MY MAN ”
Billie Holiday
Brunswick (1937)
Single

NEVERMIND
Nirvana
DGC (1991)
Album

A NIGHT AT THE OPERA
Queen
Elektra (1975)
Album

“PAINT IT, BLACK”
The Rolling Stones
London (1966)
Single

“SAVOY BLUES”
Louis Armstrong & His Hot Five
Okeh (1927)
Single

“A SONG FOR YOU”
Leon Russell
Shelter (1970)
Single

“SPACE ODDITY”
David Bowie
Mercury (1969)
Track from Space Oddity

“THAT’S ALL RIGHT”
Arthur “Big Boy” Crudup
RCA Victor (1949)
Single

TUBULAR BELLS
Mike Oldfield
Virgin (1973)
Album

 

Ryman Auditorium Names New General Manager

Gary Levy

Opry Entertainment Group has announced the promotion of Gary Levy to General Manager of the Ryman Auditorium, reporting to Opry Entertainment Chief Operating Officer Michael Guth.

Levy previously served as the Ryman’s Director of Operations, a position he has held for the past two years. As General Manager, Levy will continue to oversee the daytime and nighttime operations of the venue. He will work closely with Opry Entertainment Sr. VP of Programming and Artist Relations Sally Williams.

Levy has been part of the Ryman team for the past 10 years, serving as the Ryman’s Facility Manager for six years, before being promoted to Sr. Facility & Events Services Manager in 2014. For the past two years, he served as the Director of Operations. He joined the Ryman after working for the Florida Marlins for nine years, during which he was part of their 2003 World Series win.

Guth, Chief Operating Officer of Opry Entertainment said, “Gary is a seasoned operator and an outstanding leader with a true passion for the Ryman’s rich history. I could not be more pleased to have his leadership at a time when more people than ever before are visiting Nashville and experiencing the Ryman for themselves.”

Hunter Hayes, Longtime Management Rep Dan Wise, Join Starstruck Entertainment

Hunter Hayes, along with his longtime management representative Dan Wise, have joined Starstruck Entertainment, led by Narvel Blackstock.

“I have been a fan of Hunter and his talent from the beginning,” said Blackstock. “We are extremely excited to get to work with Hunter and be a part of his future.”

The CMA Award-winner who just released his track, “This Girl,” the third installment of his three-part, mini-movie music series, adds, “I am incredibly excited about joining the Starstruck team! Such a talented group of individuals who are deeply passionate about music and what they do,” shares Hayes. “I’m a huge fan of their work and a huge fan of Dan as I’ve been lucky to work with him since I started out on tour with my debut record. Our team has always been a very close family and the Starstruck team feels like part of that family. I’m thrilled and very excited about this year!”

Founded in 1988, Starstruck Entertainment manages, develops, promotes and markets entertainers, songwriters, and producers.

Wise can be contacted at dwise@starstruck.net.

Hayes will also headline the annual St. Jude Rock ‘n’ Roll Nashville Marathon and 1/2 Marathon on April 28. Hayes will take the stage at the Toyota Rock ‘n’ Roll Concert Series Headliner at Ascend Amphitheater. The post-race concert will begin at 7 p.m. on April 28, and will also feature newcomer Erin Kinsey.

In Pictures: ASCAP At 30A Songwriters Festival

Pictured (front row, L-R): Austin Jenckes, Jaren Johnston, Jonathan Singleton and Craig Wiseman; (back row, L-R) ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Mark Irwin, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Beth Brinker and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

For the eighth consecutive year, ASCAP returned as a major sponsor of the 30A Songwriters Festival and presented three nights of songwriter rounds at The Lakehouse in WaterColor, Florida.

The shows featured performances from hit songwriters Matt Dragstrem, Mark Irwin, Jaren Johnston, Charles Kelley, Josh Osborne and Jonathan Singleton, Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame members Mike Reid and Craig Wiseman, songwriter-producer Blake Bollinger, and emerging songwriter-artists Jacob Davis, Adam Hambrick and Austin Jenckes.

Pictured (L-R): Josh Osborne and Charles Kelley perform during ASCAP showcases at the 30A Songwriters Festival. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (L-R): Jaren Johnston, Craig Wiseman and ASCAP VP of Membership Michael Martin. Photo: Rick Diamond

For the fourth year in a row, City National Bank co-sponsored the official ASCAP after party. CNB’s Diane Pearson and Mandy Gallagher were on hand for the shows and the party, held at the Surfing Deer in Seagrove Beach.

Pictured (front row, L-R): Matt Dragstrem, Mark Irwin, Charles Kelley and Josh Osborne; ​(back row, L-R): ​ASCAP​’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin​, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston, Beth Brinker and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (front row, L-R): ​Matt Dragstrem, Jaren Johnston, ​Jacob Davis and ​Blake Bollinger​; ​(back row, L-R): ​ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin​, City National Bank’s Mandy Gallagher and Diane Pearson, and ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston and Mike Sistad. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (front row, L-R): Adam Hambrick, Mike Reid, Jonathan Singleton and Josh Osborne; (back row, L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin, City National Bank’s Diane Pearson and Mandy Gallagher, and ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Evyn Mustoe Johnston and Mike Sistad​. Photo: Rick Diamond

Monument Records Adds Sarah D’Hilly

Sarah D’Hilly

Sony Music imprint Monument Records has named Sarah D’Hilly as Associate Director of Digital Strategy.

D’Hilly joins Monument from Borman Entertainment, where she worked in digital marketing, handling content strategy, digital press, social media and eCommerce campaigns for the roster.

At Monument, she will report to Sr. VP Marketing & Label Operations Katie McCartney and will oversee digital marketing initiatives and partner relationships with sales and streaming services and social platforms.

Monument’s roster includes Walker Hayes, who released his debut Monument album, boom., in late 2017, and Caitlyn Smith. The label re-launched last year under the direction of Shane McAnally and Jason Owen.

“Sarah has a strategic, open minded, and clear vision approach to marketing entertainment in the digital landscape,” said McCartney, “and we’re thrilled to have her as a part of the Monument team.”

 

Universal Music Publishing And Disney Music Publishing Expand Global Administration Relationship

Universal Music Publishing Group and Disney Music Publishing announced a new agreement today that expands the territories in which UMPG will administer DMP’s catalogs which includes the United Kingdom, Ireland, Europe, Israel, and countries in Africa and the Caribbean.

Effective Jan. 1, 2018, the agreement significantly builds upon the companies’ existing global relationship, since  UMPG currently administers DMP’s publishing catalogs in South East Asia, and many territories in Latin America, Africa, the Middle East and the Caribbean.

“We are thrilled to expand our relationship with UMPG into Europe and beyond. Their creativity and entrepreneurial spirit make for the perfect match for Disney Music Publishing,” said Ken Bunt, President, DMG. 

“Disney is home to one of the most iconic catalogs in history, one that spans cultures, generations and genres,” said Jody Gerson, UMPG CEO and Global Chairman. “We are honored to expand our global collaboration with Disney and we look forward to developing outstanding creative opportunities that build on the company’s outstanding legacy.”

UMPG is a leading global music publisher with 44 offices in 37 countries, and DMP is an umbrella for the 34 individual publishing companies holding worldwide rights to the music catalogs controlled by The Walt Disney Company.

 

Services Set For Vet Music Row Exec Eddie Mascolo

Edward (“Eddie”) H. Mascolo

Visitation for the late Eddie Mascolo will begin Tuesday afternoon (Jan. 16), 4-7 p.m., at St. Matthew Catholic Church in Franklin.

The widely loved Music Row record-promotion executive passed away at age 76 on Friday, Jan. 12, following a battle with cancer. Mascolo was a 1991 graduate of Leadership Music and was an avid participant in the annual Country Radio Seminar events.

A native of the Pittsburgh, PA area, Edward H. Mascolo began his music career as an independent pop record promoter in 1968-69. His skills garnered immediate recognition from national record companies. Decca Records was the first major label to hire him. From 1970-75, he was the Southeast regional promotion director for PolyGram Records.

In 1975, RCA Records hired him as its manager of promotion for the Southeast and Southwest regions. As such, he became a key figure in the RCA pop-crossover successes of Dolly Parton (1980), Waylon Jennings (1980), Ronnie Milsap (1981), Alabama (1981), Sylvia (1982), Deborah Allen (1983) and Kenny Rogers (1983). Mascolo made history in 1984 when he became the first Nashville executive to be appointed as a major-label director of national pop promotion. Based in both Music City and Manhattan, he worked with such RCA pop stars as Hall & Oates, Diana Ross, Eurythmics, The Pointer Sisters and Rick Springfield.

From there, he was elevated to Senior Vice President of Product Development at RCA. In 1988, Mercury Records named him its Senior Vice President of Country Promotion. That label’s roster featured Kathy Mattea, The Statler Brothers and The Kentucky HeadHunters, among others. In 1994, Eddie Mascolo became the vice president and general manager at River North Records. The company had already signed Peter Cetera as its flagship pop artist. Its Nashville division included Holly Dunn, Rob Crosby and Steve Azar on its country artist roster.

Starstruck Entertainment hired him as its vice president of radio promotion in 1999. The company’s main artist was/is Reba McEntire. As the senior vice president of promotion at McCluskey & Associates, Mascolo next worked with a variety of artists, including Vince Gill, Collin Raye and BlackHawk.

He joined Turner & Nichols & Associates and Trey Turner Management in recent years. This is where he became instrumental in the breakthrough of Easton Corbin and in the on-going stardom of Rascal Flatts.

Following Tuesday’s visitation, a second one is scheduled for 9:30-11 a.m. on Wednesday morning, Jan. 17. The funeral mass will follow at 11 a.m. St. Matthew Catholic Church is at 535 Sneed Rd. W., Franklin, TN 37069. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the church.

Eddie Mascolo is survived by Carol, his wife of 55 years, as well as by sons Mark and Brian and by his five grandchildren.

Bobby Karl Works The Room: Grammys 2018 Nashville Nominees Party

There’s something marvelous about the fact that every year, the first big music-biz party of the season is also always one of the very best.

I refer, of course, to the annual Grammy Nominees Party. Staged on Jan. 11 this year at Loews Vanderbilt Hotel, the gig had it all – schmoozing fabulons, great food, stargazing, lovely music and enormous joie de vivre.

“Thank you for joining us here tonight,” said the Recording Academy’s Nashville chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “On behalf of the board, we are proud to recognize this outstanding group of nominees.”

She reminded the crowd that the Grammys are all about celebrating diversity. This is reflected locally in the fact that Nashville chapter members are nominated in 26 different categories.

So the party attendees included blues nominees Keb’ Mo’ and Robert Randolph, country stars Little Big Town and Thomas Rhett, members of the nominated reggae band Morgan Heritage, Americana greats Gillian Welch and David Rawlings and bluegrass stars Rhonda Vincent, Bobby Osborne and Noam Pikelny, plus CCM performers Danny Gokey, Matt Maher and Bernie Herms. Gospel and CCM Grammy-nominated songwriters were especially well represented. Chuck Butler, Ben Glover, David Garcia, Alvin Love III, Dwan Hill and Jonathan Smith rsvp’d. Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum worked the red carpet, as did nominee Glen Campbell’s widow Kim Woolen and daughter Ashley Campbell.

“A Grammy nomination is a true reflection of your dedication to your craft,” said Warwick. “We are honored to have many of our nominees here tonight. Please give them a round of applause.”

Cocktail party attendees were serenaded by a suite of jazz standards performed by the superb John Birdsong Trio. Buffet tables held truffled mac & cheese, poached shrimp bruschetta on flatbread, blistered brussel sprouts, chicken skewers with root vegetables, shaved pear/apple & walnut salad, cipillini & fig tarts and beef sliders with mayo, tomato and bacon jam. Yum.

The bars stayed busy as the crowd swelled. Sally Williams, Jody Williams, Jennifer Hanson, Jed Hilly, John Huie, T.K. Kimbrell, Terry Hemmings, Sherod Robertson, Shawn Silva, Shannan Hatch, Steve Buchanan, Ben Fowler, Brett James, E. T. Brown and Lori Badgett made merry.

Ron & Regina Stuve, David & Carolyn Corlew, Erika Wollam Nichols, Allison Brown Jones, Christy Walker-Watkins, Hunter Kelly, Victoria Shaw, Ralph Murphy, Chandra LaPlume, Leslie Roberts, Mark Bright, Dan Hill, Rod Essig, George Flanigen, and the proverbial cast of thousands wished each other Happy New Year.

Chris Keaton introduced me to Jeff Fincher, Lipscomb’s assistant dean of its College of Entertainment and the Arts. Who seemed way too young for that gig. But, then, everybody seems young to me nowadays.

Judy Simmons told anecdotes about choosing the Symphony’s Harmony Award recipients. You will recall that last year’s baffling honoree was Steven Tyler of Aerosmith. The accolade supposedly recognizes a person “who best exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community.”

“Are you ready for the Snow Apocalypse?” wisecracked Pat McMakin as we headed for the door. We’d been in Publix just a couple of hours earlier, and it was mobbed. Schools and businesses were canceling their Friday openings left and right.

Mind you, the whole time we were at the Grammy party, the temperature was 65 degrees. I have covered this event during blizzards, thunderstorms and sub-zero conditions. But this was the first one where we were all too warm. Which is why it seemed so wacky that freezing rain was predicted for the following morning, and the entire city was in a weather panic.