FlyteVu Celebrates New Hires

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Pictured (clockwise, L-R): Dan Cadenas, Michael Hardesty, Morgan White, Liz Ivy, and Heather Hourigan.

FlyteVu, a Nashville-based full-service marketing agency, has hired five new staffers in public relations, project management, and finance.

Dan Cadenas has joined the agency as Director of Finance where he will oversee client and internal finances. Cadenas was previously at FCB and FCBX in Chicago where he was VP of Client Finance specializing in contract negotiation and relationship building for multi-national clients.

Michael Hardesty has joined FlyteVu as Project Manager and will assist in developing content and growth strategies across all clients. Hardesty previously oversaw the creative team at Made In Network, Nashville’s only YouTube multi-channel network, growing the channel to 75 million views per month.

Morgan White and Heather Hourigan have joined FlyteVu’s PR and Media Department as Public Relations Manager and Public Relations Coordinator, respectively. White was previously a Public Relations Specialist at MGM Resorts International where she specialized in entertainment and brand campaigns. Hourigan spent five years as a news anchor and reporter and received an Emmy for her work in the field.

Liz Ivy joins as Coordinator at FlyteVu. She spent the previous three years in the music and event planning field, working for Creative Artists Agency, MStreet Entertainment Group, and most recently, Rocket Experiences handling partnerships with Anheuser-Busch, Pernod Ricard, Rally Labs, Kendra Scott, and more.

“We are thrilled to have such skilled and accomplished talent join FlyteVu,” said Laura Hutfless, Partner at FlyteVu. “Dan, Michael, Morgan, Heather, and Liz are invaluable members to our team and culture.”

FlyteVu launched in 2015, led by Hutfless and former Warner Music Nashville executive Jeremy Holley.

Grammys Announce Additional Presenters

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The Recording Academy has announced the lineup of presenters for the upcoming 60th Annual Grammy Awards on January 28 on CBS. This year’s presenters include 18-time Grammy winner Tony Bennett, current nominee Dave Chappelle, three-time winner and current nominee Kelly Clarkson, professional football player Victor Cruz, Grammy winner Eve, current nominee Jim Gaffigan, actress Katie Holmes, previous nominee Nick Jonas, actress Anna Kendrick, 15-time winner Alicia Keys, 10-time winner John Legend, actor Shemar Moore, comedian/television host Trevor Noah, current nominee Sarah Silverman, actress and singer Hailee Steinfeld, and nominee Donnie Wahlberg.

Previously announced performers on this year’s show include Jon Batiste, Brothers Osborne, Alessia Cara, Cardi B, Childish Gambino, Eric Church, Gary Clark Jr., Miley Cyrus, Daddy Yankee, DJ Khaled, Luis Fonsi, Emmylou Harris, Elton John, Kesha, Khalid, Lady Gaga, Kendrick Lamar, Little Big Town, Logic, Patti LuPone, Bruno Mars, Maren Morris, P!nk, Ben Platt, Rihanna, Zuleyka Rivera, Sam Smith, Chris Stapleton, Sting, SZA, Bryson Tiller, and U2.

Hosted by James Corden, this year’s Grammys will be broadcast live from Madison Square Garden in New York City.

 

 

Marcus And Levi Hummon, Dean Brody, Jessica Mitchell Perform At CMA Songwriters Series Toronto

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Songwriters Dean Brody, Jessica Mitchell, Levi Hummon, and Marcus Hummon perform at the CMA Songwriters Series at the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada  Photo Credit: Brian Batista Bettencourt/CMA

The CMA’s Songwriters Series returned to Toronto Tuesday (Jan. 23) as part of the CMA Music & Brand Forum, a two-hour seminar that featured industry speakers and panelists targeted to the Canadian brand marketing and agency community. Canadian artists Dean Brody and Jessica Mitchell made their first-ever CMA Songwriters Series appearance and were joined by Nashville-based, father-son songwriters Marcus and Levi Hummon. This marks the second CMA Songwriters Series performance in Toronto since 2015.

Currently in its 14th season, CMA’s Songwriters Series has presented more than 100 shows in 17 cities including Austin, Belfast, Chicago, Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New York, Paris, Phoenix, and Washington, D.C. at the renowned Library of Congress and John F. Kennedy Center. Artists and writers who have participated in the series include Jessi Alexander, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Tom Douglas, Brett Eldredge, Miranda Lambert, Hilary Lindsey, Little Big Town, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Tim Nichols, Liz Rose, Carrie Underwood, Craig Wiseman and more.

Pictured (L-R): Kevin Wilson, CMA SVP of Business Affairs; Marcus Hummon; Levi Hummon; Dean Brody; Jessica Mitchell; and Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer  Photo: Brian Batista Bettencourt/CMA

 

CMA Brand Forum panelists at The Great Hall in Toronto, Canada. Pictured (L-R): Jim Cressman, Invictus Entertainment Group, Inc. Founder and President; Karen Stump, CMA Senior Director of Market Research; Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer; Phil Bouffard, Feldman Agency Head of Strategy; and Ted Ellis, Creator President and CMA Board member. Pictured (Back row, L-R): Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director of Strategic Partnerships; John Marks, Spotify Global Editor for Country Music and CMA Board member; Lindsey Hyslop, RGK Entertainment Manager of Digital Marketing and Brand Partnerships; and Tracy Martin, CCMA President. Photo: Brian Batista Bettencourt/CMA

 

Levi Hummon performs at the CMA Songwriters Series at the Great Hall in Toronto, Canada.  Photo: Brian Batista Bettencourt/CMA

Keith Urban, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker Thrill Crowd At Bobby Bones’ Million Dollar Show 3

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Photo Credit: Jason Kempin, Getty

Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots gathered an all-star crowd of friends to help them support St. Jude at his Million Dollar Show 3 on Monday (Jan. 22) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The sold-out concert included an epic lineup as well as several surprise acts and featured performances from Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Maren Morris, Dan + Shay, Luke Combs, Kevin Griffin, Nikita Karmen and surprise guests Dierks Bentley, HANSON and LANCO’s Brandon Lancaster.

Highlights from the special evening included Luke Combs performing his smash hit “Hurricane,” Maren Morris leading the crowd in a singalong during her hit “My Church,” Darius Rucker performing “Wagon Wheel,” and Keith Urban closing out the star-studded night with “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”

The third annual show pushed the grand total raised for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital over the past years to nearly $8 million dollars.

Keith Urban and Bobby Bones. Photo: Jason Kempin, Getty

Eddie Garcia and Darius Rucker jam during the Million Dollar Show 3. Photo: Jason Kempin, Getty

Promotions At PLA Media

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Full-service publicity and marking firm PLA Media has promoted Senior Publicist Mark Logsdon to Exec. Director of Marketing/Public Relations. Publicist/Marketing Account Representative Brittney Wilkerson has been promoted to Senior Publicist/Marketing Exec.

“I am delighted to start off 2018 with the announcement of the promotion of both Mark Logsdon and Brittney Wilkerson. We are very blessed that 2017 was a banner year for us boasting much success and national coverage for our clients as well as recognition for PLA Media. Our long tradition of excellence and innovation ensures that we will continue to beat the odds in a very competitive business climate,” says PLA President, Pam Lewis.

Logsdon joined PLA Media as a Publicity Coordinator in July 2007, and rose through the ranks as Publicity & Marketing Account Executive, Senior Publicist & Marketing Executive, to Executive Director.

Wilkerson joined PLA in 2013, and has spearheaded multiple campaigns for Grammy nominated projects. She has expanded PLA’s primarily country roster by specializing in Americana/Alt Rock clientele.

PLA’s team also includes Publicity and Social Media Coordinator Allie Phillips; Graphic Designer Matt Williams and Bookkeeper/Accountant Judi Larue.

Brothers Osborne To Release Sophomore Album In April

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EMI Nashville’s Brothers Osborne will release their sophomore album Port Saint Joe April 20. The two-time CMA Vocal Duo of the Year just released their new single “Shoot Me Straight” off the project which was produced by Jay Joyce (Eric Church, Little Big Town). The title, Port Saint Joe, reflects the small town on the Florida coast where siblings John and TJ recorded the album.

“Port Saint Joe is a sonic representation of who we’ve become not only as a band but as people,” says John Osborne. “Every show we’ve ever played together is on this record. Every song we’ve ever written and every mile we’ve ever ridden has led to the making of this record. Imperfections and all.”

TJ adds, “we shacked up for two weeks to make an unabashed record that would reflect who we are in every way, and in the process we had the most enjoyable and memorable recording experience of our lives.”

Port Saint Joe Track Listing:

Slow Your Roll
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Barry Dean, Troy Verges)

Shoot Me Straight
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Lee Thomas Miller)

I Don’t Remember Me (Before You)
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Shane McAnally, Matt Dragstrem)

Weed, Whiskey and Willie
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Laura Veltz)

Tequila Again
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

A Couple Wrongs Makin’ It Alright
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Connie Harrington)

Pushing Up Daisies
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

Drank Like Hank
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Kendall Marvel)

A Little Bit Trouble
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Dave Barnes)

While You Still Can
(John Osborne, TJ Osborne, Travis Meadows)

Rough Trade Publishing Opens Nashville Office

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Lynn Gann

New York-based Rough Trade Publishing has announced the opening of their new Nashville offices, to be headed by Nashville publishing veteran Lynn Gann. Rough Trade Publishing began business in 2007 as House of Hassle Publishing, and was founded by partners Lyle Hysen, Gandhar Savur and Ken Weinstein.

The group purchased the London-based Rough Trade Publishing catalog in early 2016, and merged the two companies. In addition to the new Nashville and Manhattan home office, Rough Trade Publishing maintains offices in London and Los Angeles, with 19 employees. Worldwide, RTP has agreements with approximately 400 artists and writers, covering many musical genres from country to rock, Americana, punk and more. RTP affiliated acts include The War On Drugs, Grizzly Bear, Future Islands, Superchunk and White Reaper.

Gann will also continue to operate his LGME! Companies. He has represented RTP in Nashville since 2012, and says of the Rough Trade Publishing expansion: “The Rough Trade Publishing team is growing in a very deliberate way into Nashville, and I’m honored to lead this effort.”

RTP President Lyle Hysen says: “Opening the RTP office on Music Row is very exciting for us as we grow our bands and catalog into one of the most vital music cities in the world.”

The Nashville office is located at 1027 17th Ave. S., on Music Row.

SOURCE Nashville Names 2018 Board Of Directors

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Nashville-based music industry organization SOURCE Nashville recently completed elections for their 2018 Board of Directors. This year’s Board Officers are Mandy Gallagher (City National Bank) serving as President, Alicia Jones (Iconic Entertainment) serving as Vice President, Catherine Stein Moore (Farris, Self, & Moore, LLC) serving as Treasurer and Jennifer Turnbow (NSAI) serving as Secretary.

Additional Board representatives are 2017 SOURCE Board President, Christy Walker-Watkins (AristoPR/TheAristoMedia Group), Katherine Spransy-Beakes (Universal Music Group), Kari Barnhart (Regions), Claire Cook (Average Joes Entertainment), Melinda Drennan (Drennan & Associates PLLC), Camilla Kleindienst (Banner Music) and Susan Myers-Woelkers (GW Entertainment). Serving as Auxiliary Board Members are Lainie Allbee (Martin, Allbee and Associates), Lyndie Wenner (MSO PR) and Laurie Hughes.

The nonprofit organization celebrated its 25th anniversary in 2017, and was founded by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris and Pat Rolfe. SOURCE offers an exclusive community of accomplished women professionals who work in all facets of Nashville’s music industry. The organization is committed to furthering relationships and opportunities for its members through continuous education, networking and public service initiatives.

The 2018 SOURCE Board of Directors recently gathered at the organization’s January Board meeting. Pictured (Front row, L-R):Camilla Kleindienst , Christy Watkins, Mandy Gallagher, Alicia Jones. Back Row: Susan Myers-Woelkers , Katherine Spransy-Beakes , Kari Barnhart , Jennifer Turnbow, Melinda Drennan. Not pictured: Claire Cook and Catherine Stein Moore

 

HoriPro’s Dave Hall Dies

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Dave Hall

HoriPro’s longtime Executive Advisor Dave Hall died on Friday, Jan. 19, MusicRow has confirmed. He was 76.

Hall’s career included performing around the world with several country artists. Hall worked in conjunction with HoriPro’s Royalty Department and Creative Team to guide policy as well as day-to-day functions.

Visitation will be Friday, Jan. 26 from 4 p.m.-8 p.m. at Bond Memorial Chapel in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee. Graveside services will be conducted 1 p.m. Saturday, January 27, 2018 at Mt. Juliet Memorial Gardens with Phil O’Donnell and Butch Baker officiating.

Hall was the son of the late, Staley and Mary Basham Hall. Dave was also preceded in death by his wife, Peggy Hall. He is survived by daughter, Leslie (Michael) Barr; brothers, Woody (Linda) Hall and Ron (Janice) Hall; sister, Narvona Langley; grandchildren, Amber Bay and Tabitha Sanders; great-grandchildren, Landon Wortham, Aarik Bay, Adrianna Zaragoza and Mariah Zaragoza and several nieces and nephews.

Flowers accepted or memorials may be made to the American Heart Association, PO Box 840692, Dallas, TX 75284-0692.

 

Skillet, for King & Country, Colton Dixon, Hawk Nelson Launch Tours

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Skillet and for King & Country To Spread joy.Unleashed This Spring

Skillet and for KING & COUNTRY unveiled they will join forces for “joy.UNLEASHED | The Tour” which will hit over a dozen markets from mid-April through early May. The double-headliner line-up will visit San Antonio, Cedar Rapids, Huntsville, Orlando, Miami and more. “joy.UNLEASHED | The Tour” tickets go on sale to the public on Friday, Jan. 26. VIP tickets include early entry with a crowd-free merch shopping experience and a pre-show Q&A with Skillet and for KING & COUNTRY.

“Very excited to be touring with my friends, for KING & COUNTRY!” shares Skillet’s John Cooper. “We have been talking about it for several years. We have even shared the stage performing songs together. But finally we are joining forces for our own tour. It will be an uplifting, energetic, exciting show where fans will get to see something they have never seen from both acts before.”

“We have so many memories when it comes to our friendship and history with Skillet,” explains Joel and Luke of for KING & COUNTRY. “As teenagers we remember watching their sets from side of stage. They headlined the very first tour we were ever on! It’s a real honor and joy for us to have the privilege of touring together.” 

joy.UNLEASHED | The Tour:
04.12 Amarillo, TX 
04.13 Dodge City, KS  
04.14 Topeka, KS 
04.15 Kearney, NE 
04.19 San Antonio, TX 
04.20 Edinburg, TX 
04.21 San Angelo, TX 
04.26 Carbondale, IL 
04.27 Port Huron, MI
04.28 Muskegon, MI 
04.29 Cedar Rapids, IA
05.03 Huntsville, AL 
05.04 Jacksonville, FL 
05.05 Orlando, FL 
05.06 Miramar, FL 

Colton Dixon And Hawk Nelson Co-Headline New Spring Tour

Colton Dixon and Hawk Nelson will co-headline a new spring tour, “An Evening With Colton Dixon & Hawk Nelson,” set to launch on Feb. 22, featuring special guest artist Sarah Reeves. Presented by Compassion International, the tour is slated to hit 16 markets including Texas, Iowa, South Dakota, Michigan, Illinois, Georgia and more, before wrapping up on March 24.

Dixon will be touring in support of his third studio project, Identity, which debuted at the top of Billboard’s Christian Albums chart last year, and included the Top 5 radio single, “All That Matters.”

“I’m so excited to play new music for the fans and share the stage with our friends in Hawk Nelson,” Dixon says. “It’s going to be an awesome tour of celebrating life, love, and the One who makes it all possible.”

A special VIP ticket is available in most markets which includes a pre-show artist meet & greet with early entry for the best seats. For details and ticket links, visit coltondixon.com or hawknelson.com.

“An Evening With Colton Dixon & Hawk Nelson” Spring 2018 Tour:
*All dates and venues subject to change. Additional dates to be added.
February
22 – Fort Smith, AR – Evangel Temple
23 – Richardson, TX – First Baptist Church Richardson
24 – Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center
25 – Kerrville, TX – Cailloux Theater
March
1 – Oskaloosa, IA – Gateway Church of the Nazarene
2 – Watertown, SD – Watertown Event Center
3 – Grand Forks, ND – Hope Church
9 – Ottawa Lake, MI – Crossroads Community Church
10 – Elgin, IL – Judson University (The Herrick Chapel)
16 – Bellville, GA – Pinewood Christian Academy
18 – Jonesboro, AR – The Rock
23 – Waukesha, WI – Riverglen Christian Church
24 – Springfield, OH – High Street Church of the Nazarene