Chris Young, Mike Huckabee Join CMA Foundation Board Of Directors

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The CMA Foundation has elected former Governor Mike Huckabee and RCA Records Nashville recording artist Chris Young to join its 12-member board of directors. Established as the philanthropic arm of the Country Music Association (CMA), the CMA Foundation is committed to improving and sustaining music education programs all across the United States, working to ensure every child has the opportunity to participate in music education.

“As an organization we’ve been able to build a model of giving that is unique and innovative to the field, but most importantly, that model has been the catalyst for creating real impact in music classrooms and programs across the country,” said Joe Galante, Chairman of the CMA Foundation. “As we continue to advance social change, it’s incredibly important to continue expanding our executive board of directors with dynamic leaders.”

He added, “Governor Huckabee led an impressive administration while serving the state of Arkansas and his policy experience with education reform is something we are fortunate to be able to learn from.”

Additionally, “Chris Young, a product of music education, brings a strong voice both on and off the stage eager to drive our agenda forward with new ideas and a strategic vision making him an industrious addition to our board.”

Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested over $20 million in 84 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and with community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from the annual CMA Fest are used to drive the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.

Industry Ink: Universal Music Group Nashville, Academy of Country Music

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Pam Russell Exits Universal Music Group Nashville

Pam Russell

UMGN VP, Sales Pam Russell’s role has been eliminated after 30 years with the company. She can be reached at [email protected] or by phone 615-294-4928.

 

ACM Welcomes Dylan Scott

Pictured (L-R): Dylan Scott with ACM CEO Pete Fisher. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott to the office while he was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Scott performed his current chart-rising single, “Hooked,” and songs from his self-titled deluxe edition album, Dylan Scott, including Platinum-certified hit, “My Girl.”

 

LiveXLive Media Partners With Country 500 Festival

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LiveXLive Media, Inc., a global digital media company focused on live entertainment, partnered with Country 500, a country music festival on the grounds of the Daytona International Speedway, in a multiyear agreement brokered by AEG Global Partnerships.

The partnership names LiveXLive the festival’s official livestreaming and video-on-demand (VOD) partner. Country 500 takes place Memorial Day weekend, May 25-27, and features Toby Keith, Chris Stapleton, Dierks Bentley, Sugarland, and more. This is LiveXLive’s first livestream of a country music festival and builds on its livestreaming festival slate, which includes Bumbershoot, Seattle; Rock in Rio, Rio de Janeiro; and Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival, San Francisco; among others.

“Expanding into the country music scene is a natural extension for LiveXLive and adds to our growing festival lineup,” said Rob Ellin, CEO and chairman of LiveXLive. “Country 500 hosts some of the biggest names in the genre, and we can’t wait to share the performances from this festival to fans across the globe.”

Kiefer Sutherland Signs New Music Management, PR Deals

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Kiefer Sutherland

Kiefer Sutherland is joining The Fitzgerald Hartley Co. roster, in association with longtime manager and producer Jude Cole, for music management, and Adkins Publicity for music PR/Publicity representation. APA’s Steve Martin will continue overseeing North America and international live music booking.

In 2016, Sutherland released the project Down In A Hole, followed by a sold-out North American and European tour, and has also made appearances on the Grand Ole Opry, Stagecoach and Glastonbury Festival.

It’s Official: Spotify Files For $1 Billion IPO

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Spotify announced Wednesday (Feb. 28) that it plans for an initial public offering, officially completing an F1 filing with the Security and Exchanges Commission. The company will go public under the ticker SPOT on the New York Stock Exchange.

Documents state the company is targeting a $1 billion IPO.

Spotify says it is present in 61 countries and its platform includes 159 million monthly active users and 71 million premium subscribers, as of Dec. 31, 2017.

“Our mission is to unlock the potential of human creativity by giving a million creative artists the opportunity to live off their art and billions of fans the opportunity to enjoy and be inspired by these creators,” Spotify said in the filing.

‘Music City’ Singer-Songwriter Jessica Mack To Release Album In March

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Singer-songwriter Jessica Mack has a lot to celebrate this week with the March 1 premiere of CMT’s music-themed docu-series, Music City, in which Mack has a featured role, and the March 2 release of her full-length project, One Love.

The project is produced by Andrew Bergthold (Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness, Ginny Owens, Big Daddy Weave), Bobby Campbell (Nashville, Logic, Mary J. Blige), Josh Bronleewe (Sanctus Real, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey) and Nate Dodge (E!, MTV, Oxygen).

“Jessica Mack’s persuasive, pop vocals fused with her stellar storytelling-songwriting skillset represents the BEST of the NEW ‘Music City,’ Nashville, TN,” added Shereé Spoltoré, President of Global Songwriters Connection and mentor to Mack.

One Love Official Track Listing
“Sonic Boom” (Jessica Mack, Andrew Bergthold, Mike Van Soest)
“You Are The One” (Jessica Mack. Bobby Campbell, Justin Haplin)
“Mixtape” (Jessica Mack, Kristina Kidd, Andrew Bergthold)
“A Million Ways” (Jessica Mack, Bobby Campbell, Justin Halpin)
“Still Out There” (Jessica Mack, Brett Rutledge)
“Drive” (Jessica Mack, Robert Andrew Vischer)
“Lay It Down” (Jessica Mack, Tony Wood, Josh Bronleewe)
“Only You” (Jessica Mack, Bobby Campbell, Justin Halpin)
“If You Could” (Jessica Mack, Bobby Campbell, Justin Halpin)
“Because You Love Me” (Jessica Mack, Nate Dodge)
“Brand New” (Jessica Mack, Andrew Bergthold)
“Let Jesus” (Jessica Mack, Cory Wigal)

When asked about making her national television debut in “Music City,” Mack said, “Being cast for ‘Music City’ was such an honor and an unexpected blessing! To be a part of a show that inspires people to dream big and go after it – that’s what I’m all about. I’m thankful to share my journey with all who watch!”

“Music City” is an eight-episode series created by renowned executive producer Adam DiVello (MTV’s “The Hills” and “Laguna Beach”), following a group of young adults as they enter the next phase of their lives while chasing dreams of success, fame, and romance in Nashville. Confronted with everyday decisions that carry high stakes for their careers, their relationships, and their futures, they must navigate the rocky road on their journeys of self-discovery. “Music City” premieres on CMT this Thursday, March 1 at 10 p.m. ET/ 9 p.m. CT.

Jake Owen Rejuvenates Mellencamp Classic On New Single

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Jake Owen is paying homage to a heartland classic on his brand new single, “I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” which reunites Owen with producer Joey Moi and marks his first release for Big Loud Records. The singer got the thumbs up from Mellencamp himself on the new track, which was important to him as he went about reinventing the rock and roll gem.

“I Was Jack (You Were Diane),” evokes a warm-weather romance set to one of rock’s essential classics, John Mellencamp’s “Jack & Diane.” Based around the 1982 hit’s iconic melody, Owen reinvents the feel-good rock staple a bit.

“I never release a song without the intention of stepping up to the plate and knocking it out of the park,” said Owen. “When I first heard ‘I Was Jack (You Were Diane),’ I thought, ‘How can I do this and re-create what is already a classic song?’ But the more I listened to it, the more I saw my own life growing up. The original ‘Jack & Diane’ was about ‘two American kids growing up in the heartland’ and that image is exactly what so many country songs are based on. Plus, the most important thing to me and my team is that we sent the song to Mellencamp and he digs the track. Getting his stamp of approval sealed the deal for me that this song should be our debut single.”

Along with the new single Owen has recorded a breezy new tune, “Something to Ride To,” that is also being released to all digital music partners today.

He’s set to launch his 2018 “Life’s Whatcha Make It Tour” with special guests Chris Janson and Jordan Davis this Summer with the majority of shows taking place at baseball stadiums across the country.

Leadership Music Class Of 2019 Applications Due Today

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The deadline to apply for Leadership Music’s Class of 2019, its historic 30th class, is Wednesday, Feb. 28, ending at midnight. Applications from established industry leaders will be accepted online only at leadershipmusic.org.

The selection process begins in early March, and applicants are notified of their selection in late May.

The eight month, Nashville-based, education program begins in September and is designed to create understanding among music industry professionals and promote teamwork. Participants are required to attend all-day sessions once a month, plus opening and closing retreats during the program.

Leadership Music has graduated more than 1,100 music industry-related executives since 1990.

Mary Chapin Carpenter To Launch New Nationwide Tour This Summer

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Mary Chapin Carpenter is celebrating the release of her new album Sometimes Just The Sky this summer with a new nationwide tour that will include stops at Aspen’s Belly Up, the Charleston Music Hall, and many others. Tickets for the newly-announced shows go on sale this Friday, March 2.

Sometimes Just The Sky is set for release March 30 and is available for pre-order now. The Lambent Light Records/ Thirty Tigers album is a celebration of Carpenter’s 30-year recording career and features new versions of some of her most-loved hits as well as one new song, the title track. Produced by Ethan Johns, the 13-track album was recorded live at Peter Gabriel’s Real World Studios outside Bath, England.

The album’s first single, “Heroes and Heroines” was originally released on Carpenter’s Hometown Girl album in 1987, and was inspired during a visit to the Smithsonian Air and Space Museum in Carpenter’s hometown of Washington, D.C. She recently told Billboard about the song: “I was looking up into the rafters at the aircraft they have hanging there. They have entire airplanes and rocket ships, and there was the Spirit of St. Louis hanging in the rafters, that was the inspiration, and then of course it became a meditation on where we are now. It resonates in a way now that is eerie to me. It’s even more relevant.”

Mary Chapin Carpenter Tour Dates:
June 16—Lenox, MA—Tanglewood Performing Arts Center
June 17—Pittsburgh, PA—Byham Theatre
June 18—Bloomington, IN—Buskirk Chumley Theater
June 20—Wichita, KS—Orpheum Theatre
June 21—Omaha, NE—Holland Performing Arts Center
June 22—Denver, CO—Denver Botanic Gardens
June 24—Aspen, CO—Belly Up
June 26—Sun Valley, ID—Sun Valley Resorts
July 12—Bayfield, WI—Lake Superior Big Top Chautaqua
July 15—Ann Arbor, MI—The Ark
July 16—Columbus, OH—Davidson Theatre
July 20—Portland, ME—State Theatre
July 21-22—Brownfield, ME—Stone Mountain Arts Center
July 25—Ridgefield, CT—Ridgefield Playhouse
Aug. 1—Gettysburg, VA—The Majestic Theatre
Aug. 2—Virginia Beach, VA—The Sandler Center For The Performing Arts
Aug. 3—Durham, NC—Carolina Theatre
Aug. 7—Charleston, SC—Charleston Music Hall
Aug. 9—Chattanooga, TN—Walker Theater
Aug. 11—Vienna, VA—Wolf Trap

In Pictures: ASCAP Snowmass Ski Fest

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Pictured (L-R): First Tennessee Bank’s Mark Ford and Bryan Bolton, Edwin McCain, First Tennessee Bank’s Andrew Kintz and Charles Kelley

ASCAP and sEVENTeen Event Management hosted the inaugural Snowmass Celebrity Ski Fest charity event in Aspen, Colorado, on Thursday, Feb. 22. Charles Kelley of trio Lady Antebellum headlined the exclusive event alongside pop singer-songwriter Edwin McCain. The evening was opened by a songwriters round featuring ASCAP hitmakers Chris DeStefano (“Don’t Ya,” “Something in the Water”), Jon Nite (“Boy,” “If I Told You”) and Steven Lee Olsen (“Blue Ain’t Your Color,” “More Girls Like You”).

ASCAP Creative Manager Beth Brinker said, “We changed the backdrop and raised the bar on a classic Nashville experience. The songs and voices that fill stadiums, in a cozy ski lodge setting – and all in the spirit of raising money for LadyAID and kids all over the world. The audience had a once-in-a-lifetime evening and we’re thrilled to say the inaugural Snowmass Celebrity Ski Fest was a success!”

The inaugural annual event raised money for LadyAID, a philanthropic effort founded by the members of Lady Antebellum – Dave Haywood, Kelley and Hillary Scott. Created in 2012, the multi-level organization garners awareness and support for children in need locally, nationally and globally, as it is a component fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Presented by ASCAP, the Snowmass Celebrity Ski Fest offered participants the opportunity to attend an intimate, Nashville “in-the-round” concert at T-Lazy-7 Ranch, a private lodge in the mountains of Aspen. The event was sponsored in part by First Tennessee Bank, Yeti, Columbia and Eddie Bauer.

Pictured (L-R): Guitarist Jason “Slim” Gambill and Charles Kelley. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Guitarist Jason “Slim” Gambill, Steven Lee Olsen, Charles Kelley, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite and Edwin McCain. Photo: Ed Rode Photography for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Alison Webber and Beth Brinker, Chris DeStefano, Jon Nite, Krystal Nite and Steven Lee Olsen in Snowmass Village, Colorado. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Jon Nite, Charles Kelley, Edwin McCain, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Chris DeStefano, sEVENTeen Event Management’s Mollie Case, and Steven Lee Olsen. Photo: Ed Rode.