International Country Music Conference Begins In Nashville

Jules Wortman Launches New Podcast

Industry member Jules Wortman has launched a new podcast, Hi, How Ya Doin’, which features interviews with individuals to discover moments that changed their lives. Previous guests have included songwriters The Warren Brothers, producer Paul Worley, and more. Upcoming guests will include Hall Emery CEO, Pat Emery.

“As a storyteller, I often frame a client’s brand to engage a variety of demographics. Through this process and my appetite to always learn about what makes someone tick or land where they have, I decided to delve into this new podcast venture recently to generate a platform for anyone that wants to listen,” says Wortman, host and creator of Hi, How Ya Doin’.  “I have had the privilege to meet so many interesting people throughout my life that have intrigued me to hear their story.  This podcast offers a wide array of individuals capturing and sharing their moment of clarity and what might have led to it.  We hope you enjoy.”

To sign up for the podcast, please visit HERE. To listen to past interviews, click on the following links: HHYD on Soundcloud andiTunes.

Lauren Alaina and Luke Combs will perform as part of PBS’ annual broadcast of A Capitol Fourth, which airs on PBS on Wednesday, July 4 beginning at 8 p.m. ET. The show will air live from the West Lawn of the U.S. Capitol.

Other performers will include Jimmy Buffett, The Beach Boys, Pentatonix, The Temptations, CeCe Winans, Joshua Bell, and the National Symphony Orchestra. Actor John Stamos will host the event.

This 38 year-tradition is the country’s longest-running live national July 4 TV tradition and it puts viewers front and center for America’s biggest birthday party with the greatest display of fireworks anywhere in the nation lighting up the iconic D.C. skyline. The concert also pays tribute to troops serving around the world, their families, and all those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, fighting for our freedom.

 

 

 

The Recording Academy officially announced today (May 31) that President/CEO Neil Portnow will begin preparing for a leadership transition after choosing not to seek an extension on his current contract, which expires in July 2019.

Portnow shared his plans at the Recording Academy’s semi-annual Board of Trustees meeting last week. Throughout the next year, Portnow will work with the Board to chart out an organizational succession and transition plan, while continuing his current work as active President/CEO of the Recording Academy and MusiCares, and Chair of the Board of the GRAMMY Museum.

Portnow, who has served as The Recording Academy’s President for 16 years, is the longest-serving President in the Recording Academy’s 60-year history.

“The evolution of industries, institutions, and organizations is ultimately the key to their relevance, longevity, and success,” said Portnow. “Having been a member of the Recording Academy for four decades, serving as an elected leader and our President/CEO, I have not only witnessed our evolution, but proudly contributed significantly to the Academy’s growth and stature in the world. When I had the honor of being selected to lead this great organization in 2002, I vowed that on my watch, for the first time in our history, we would have a thoughtful, well-planned, and collegial transition. With a little more than a year remaining on my current contract, I’ve decided that this is an appropriate time to deliver on that promise. Accordingly, I’ll be working with our Board to put the various elements in place that will ensure transparency, best practices, and the Academy’s ability to find the very best, brightest, and qualified leadership to take us into our seventh decade of operation. I truly look forward to continuing my role leading the Academy in the year ahead, and to continuing the pursuit of excellence and the fine missions we embrace and deliver.”

“Since taking the helm in 2002, Neil has been instrumental in evolving the Recording Academy to address the needs of our creative community in a changing music landscape,” said John Poppo, Chair of the Board. “From critically-important music advocacy initiatives and financial assistance for our music community, to the music education and preservation programs of the GRAMMY Museum and GRAMMY Music Education Coalition, Neil has not only advanced the Academy’s mission, he’s extended its reach and impact. The Board and I are indebted to Neil for his years of heartful stewardship and visionary leadership. And, as we thank him for all he’s done, we also look forward to finding the right person to build on our solid foundation as the Recording Academy continues its work to ensure that music and the recording arts remain a thriving part of our cultural heritage.”

The decision arrives as The Recording Academy has received backlash after Portnow’s comments in January after the 60th annual Grammy Awards (where Alessia Cara was the only female to be honored onstage with a Grammy, despite multiple female Grammy contenders), when Portnow stated that women artists and executives needed to “step up” to receive more recognition in the industry.

Portnow later issued an apology, and announced in February that The Recording Academy would launch a task force to address barriers for female success in the music industry.

Portnow has also been under fire with allegations of diverting funds from The Recording Academy’s MusiCares Foundation to cover deficits from the recent Grammy Awards in New York City. Those accusations came from former MusiCares VP Dana Tomarken.

Portnow also sent a letter regarding his decision to step down from his role as President/CEO of The Recording Academy. Read the full statement below:

Dear Friends,

The evolution of industries, institutions, and organizations is ultimately the key to their relevance, longevity, and success. Having been a member of the Recording Academy for four decades, serving as an elected leader and President/CEO, I have not only witnessed our evolution, but proudly contributed to the Academy’s growth and stature in the world.

Serving as President/CEO of the Recording Academy has been one of the greatest joys of my life. When I had the honor of being selected to lead this great organization in 2002, I vowed that on my watch, for the first time in our history, we would have a thoughtful, well-planned, and collegial transition. With a little more than a year remaining on my current contract, which expires July 2019, I’ve decided that this is an appropriate time to deliver on that promise.

Last week, I shared my plans with the Board of Trustees and pledged to lead a smooth transition that would allow new leadership to take the Recording Academy into its seventh decade. Today, I wanted you to hear about it from me personally. Throughout the coming year, I will work with the Board to chart out an organizational succession plan, while continuing to serve as active President/CEO.

There will be opportunities to share thoughts, comments, and dialogue with you in the months ahead, as I hope to visit or connect with many of your Chapters. But I do want to take this moment to thank you for the dedication, commitment, and effort you have given to advance the Recoding Academy’s important mission of ensuring that the recording arts remain a valued part of our cultural heritage.

From our successes in music advocacy, to the growth of MusiCares, the establishment of the first GRAMMY Museum, the launch of the GRAMMY Music Education Coalition, and the continued celebration of our community’s most inspiring creators, it has been an extraordinary journey.

We can all be proud of what we’ve collectively done for the betterment of the creative community we love so dearly. And I continue to look forward to our mutual pursuit of excellence—in all that we are and all that we do.

 

The first round of performers have been announced for this year’s Wide Open Bluegrass, as part of the International Bluegrass Music Association’s World of Bluegrass, slated for Sept. 25-29 in Raleigh, North Carolina.

Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder will hold a special set with a guest appearance by Patty Loveless.

The event will also feature a special collaboration including Alison Brown, Becky Buller, Sierra Hull, Missy Raines and Molly Tuttle, who are the first women to earn IBMA Awards on their respective instruments. Brown became the first woman instrumentalist to receive an IBMA Player of the Year Award, and was only the second ever Banjo Player of the Year to be awarded. Raines has taken home seven IBMA instrumentalist awards on bass, while Buller, Hull, and Tuttle all earned their honors on fiddle, mandolin, and guitar (respectively) in Raleigh in the last two years. Buller took home the 2016 Female Vocalist of the Year Award, as well.

The IBMA’s reigning Entertainers of the Year, The Earls of Leicester, led by 14-time GRAMMY winner Jerry Douglas, will return to the Main Stage. As previously announced, The Earls are releasing a live two-CD set, The Earls of Leicester Live from The CMA Theatre at the Country Music Hall of Fame, available to Wide Open Bluegrass ticket buyers at a deeply discounted price, and the Earls are donating a portion of all their pre-sale proceeds to the IBMA Trust Fund.

In this spirit, another unique collaboration in the Main Stage lineup will be “The TRUST” set, an all-star performance featuring Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, Balsam Range, Lonesome River Band, Donna Ulisse, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Sideline, and LoveCanon. These artists will highlight their benefit album, The TRUST, whose proceeds benefit the Trust Fund. The TRUST features all new, original music written by the bands involved in the project. The songs are about themes of hope, courage, and perseverance and reflect the artists’ commitment to the bluegrass community.

“We are excited to offer an incredible lineup of award winning artists and special collaborations this year for the Main Stage, with a couple of important themes added to make it even more unique,” said Paul Schiminger, Executive Director of IBMA.“We all get to celebrate the ground-breaking accomplishments and amazing skills of the five first-time women instrumentalists of the year performing together on stage. We are also shining an extra bright spotlight on a vital resource, the IBMA Trust Fund with special performances and recordings that will entertain everyone and help so many people in need!”

Wide Open Bluegrass is the weekend festival that takes place at Raleigh’s Red Hat Amphitheater on the ticketed Wide Open Main Stage and on seven additional stages in downtown Raleigh Sept. 28-29.