Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Cary Sherman, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America; Kelsea Ballerini, and James Donio, Music Business Association President. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

The 2018 Music Biz conference hosted two awards programs during its Nashville event, a breakfast on May 16, and a luncheon on May 17.

The breakfast honored the RIAA’s retiring Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement. Sherman, who joined the RIAA in 1997, is credited with helping enact legislation that is the foundation of helping artists get paid for streaming music.

Pictured (L-R): James Donio, Cary Sherman. Photo: Music Biz

Sherman mentioned his RIAA successor, Mitch Glazier, “You made this transition easy, and even fun…This is the first time someone from the policy side of the business has [received this award] so that makes it really special,” said Sherman in heartfelt remarks before offering advice.

“You have to be ahead of the curve—identifying problems before anyone knows it’s going to become one. Fortunately we got ahead of the curve on streaming. Back in the 1980s we imagined the possibility that someday someone would figure out how to beam music into a home for listening. So RIAA started lobbying congress to extend our limited copyright for sound recording to cover digital transmissions of music. We got legislation in 1995 and again in 1998, establishing the right to negotiate marketplace deals and be paid for what is now online streaming, which produces the bulk of our revenues today.”

Pictured (L-R): President of Music Business Association, James Donio and Sandra Chapin present an award to owner of School Boy Records and RBMG, Scooter Braun. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Harry Chapin’s widow, Sandy Chapin presented mega-manager Scooter Braun with the Memorial Humanitarian Award. Braun delivered a keynote speech after the award.

“One of these days I’m going to actually prepare a speech,” said Braun. “This award is really a testament to a lot of people that aren’t on this stage, first of all my mother. Every holiday she would take us to soup kitchens. My brother is the founder of Pencils of Promise. As my life went on, I think I became attracted to people like that, because I married someone who has dedicated their life to that. My wife is the founder of Fuck Cancer.

“At 36 years old I’ve had a very unique and lucky career. I’ve been to the top of a mountain I never thought I’d get to. And what I saw there was very different than what I expected. I thought being a part of Grammys, No. 1 records and tours would feel like success. I can tell you the greatest moments of my career has been hanging out with friends and family and being a part of just music.

“A year ago the terror attack happened in Manchester. I appreciate that One Love Manchester is a part of this [award], but I wish it was something we never had to do. Unfortunately, my belief is this won’t be the last time we see something like this—we’ve seen Vegas happen. That evil is going to continue to exist, and we as an industry have a responsibility of those we lost. I met over 20 families where someone is not ever coming home. For the rest of my life I will carry them with me, and I know Ariana [Grande] will…She is exactly the role model we want her to be, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I share this award with her…and any unsung hero out there.”

Pictured (L-R): Chairman of Music Biz, Fred Beteille presents an award to Nile Rodgers. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Legendary producer/artist/writer/arranger Nile Rodgers was honored with Chairman’s Award for sustained creative achievement. He has credits on album sales totaling 500 million. He is currently Chief Creative Advisor at Abbey Road Studio. Rodgers recalled gambling on a newcomer, Madonna. Rodgers forewent an advance from the label with the assurance that if the project moved more than 3 million, he would retroactively receive “an embarrassing, really high number. We sold 25 million records,” recalled Rodgers. “I say this with complete humility.

“I’ve been in this business all my life. I do this job because I love the artists I work with and I love the labels I fight with. If I make wacky mistakes, it’s not because of ego, it’s because I’m trying to do something groundbreaking that we can look back upon years later. In this business, where we have a lot of people who are not necessarily trying to be original—but trying to make hits.”

Pictured (L-R): Sr. Product Manager at TiVo, Kyle Smetanka, director Colin Hanks, Patti Solomon, Michael Solomon, President of Music Business Association James Donio, CEO of BuzzAngle Music Jim Lidestri and Chairman of Music Biz, Fred Beteille. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

During the Music Biz luncheon, the organization honored the late Tower Records founder Russ Solomon as the inaugural inductee to the Music Business Hall of Fame. Solomon was noted to have created and revolutionized music retail, operating his once-billion dollar business and achieving the Forbes 400 list. Although Solomon unexpectedly passed in March, Donio assured attendees that Solomon was aware of his induction. Widow Patty and son Michael accepted on his behalf, alongside the director of the 2015 All Things Must Pass documentary, Colin Hanks.

“My father received many rewards during his lifetime,” said Michael Solomon. “There were some awards he took more seriously. There was one annual award, however that Russ took very seriously and competed for it—wanting to win it more than anything. That award was NARMS Retailer of the Year. He wanted this award to honor the entire Tower family, he felt very strongly about Tower as a whole.”

Pictured (L-R): James Donio, Dilyn Radakovitz. Photo: Music Biz

Wrapping the breakfast was the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to the Radakovitz Family, owners of the Sacramento, California-based record store chain Dimple Records. With seven retail locations, Dimple Records promotes local artists, labels and studios; selling tickets in-store for shows at local venues; running charity events and supports music and sports programs in school curriculums. The Radakovitz famiy even purchased the final venture of Russ Solomon, also based in Sacramento.

Dilyn Radakovitz accepted the award for their 52 years in the music business on behalf of her family, including John, her husband of 50-years and sons Oliver and Andrew. John was absent due to an eye surgery. Dilyn serves on boards, including that co-organizing Record Store Day, which was announced at the breakfast to have sold more vinyl albums than any other RSD (733,000), with 80 percent of those sold at independent retailers.

Additional appearances at the Music Biz breakfast included Black River recording artist Kelsea Ballerini and breakfast sponsor CMA’s Sarah Trahern. Ballerini was surprised with a plaque from Sherman and the RIAA, certifying her “Legends” Gold. Donio was surprised for his 30-years of service to the 60-year-old Music Biz/NARM by board Chair and Facebook representitive Fred Beteille and board Vice Chair Steve Harkins, of entertainment distributor Baker & Taylor.

The luncheon additionally honored an absent Julia Michaels with the Breakthrough Artist Award; the record-breaking success of ‘Despacito’ with the Outstanding Achievement Award; and Ed Sheeran with its Artist of the Year honor.

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Cary Sherman. Photo: Music Biz

Justin Tranter (R) and manager Beka Tischker (R) accept Julia Michaels’ award onstage. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

James Donio. Photo: Music Biz

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 591

Is it possible to be both a honky-tonk and a dining destination?

The Blake Shelton-themed Ole Red nightclub on Lower Broadway hopes so. During preview parties this week, the venue hosted press mavens, social-media tastemakers, music-industry folks and radio leaders to sample its visual, audio and taste delights.

So Chuck Aly, Sam Aly, Julie Boos, Charlie Cook, Erin Hay Curtis, Marie Miscia, Laramie Lomanto, Miss Mary and I decided to r.s.v.p. for a soiree there on Wednesday, May 16. The club’s “soft opening” was May 1, so the main floor was already rocking to the cover tunes by Yankton. Lead singer Tom Yankton adroitly serenaded the crowd with everything from “Brand New Man” to “Wanted Dead Or Alive.”

In our V.I.P., roped-off zone on the mezzanine, we sipped something called a Tishomingo Sunset, which involved habanero whiskey, orange moonshine, grenadine and soused cherries. Appetizers included burger sliders, fried pickles, raw oysters, BBQ pork sliders and shrimp-salad toast points.

The décor was “country eclectic.” I noted both a stuffed buffalo head on a wall and an upside-down red tractor suspended from the ceiling.
Next, we were escorted up to The Hall at Ole Red on the third floor. This is a beautifully lit, spacious event space that can be decorated to suit. Here, we were welcomed by Lisaann Dupont, the director of communications for Opry Entertainment. Ole Red is located on the site of the old Opry gift shop at 3rd Ave. & Broadway.

“We’re glad you guys came out to see what we do here,” said executive chef Garrett Pittler. “Our menu is what I call ‘upscale honky-tonk food.’” Pittler was previously with the Omni and Loew’s Vanderbilt hotels and with City Winery.

Our dinner menu featured home-style servings of collard greens, mashed potatoes, poutine on “housemade” tater tots topped with a fried egg, pickled cauliflower, biscuits with apple butter and kale salad. The attendees were particularly enthusiastic about the fried broccoli with corn meal and parmesan cheese.

The venue’s signature dish is “champagne fried chicken,” so-named because the chicken is marinated in the “the champagne of bottle beers,” Miller. I sampled a wing and a drum.

Our next stop was The Lookout, the venue’s fifth-story rooftop bar. This is where desserts were served. The “donut wall” was hung with dozens of different circular concoctions. The Lookout’s décor is gleaming, sleek, metallic and modern.

What’s more noteworthy is its height, surely the tallest on Lower Broad. We overlooked the Bridgestone Arena, the Nissan Stadium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge, where Kathy Mattea was shooting an album cover photo with manager Marc Dottore in tow.

The Lookout’s signature cocktails were/are the Honey Bee with gin, honey, lavender and lemon, as well as Cumberland Punch, involving rum, pineapple liqueur, combier, orgeat, angostura bitters (I never heard of these things either) and lime juice, plus an edible orchid.

The 26,000-square-foot Ole Red Nashville is billed as a “highly anticipated partnership between Ryman Hospitality and Opry member Blake Shelton.” It will officially open during the CMA Music Fest, June 6-10. The star will be there on the 6th, following the CMT Awards, in a “Blake Shelton and Friends” concert. Tix will be distributed via a contest for fans.

There is a previous Ole Red in Toshomingo, Oklahoma, Blake’s hometown. There is a future one (planned for 2019) in Gatlinburg.

The Nashville location is in the heart of a district that also features honky-tonks and/or eating establishments branded by Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, John Rich, Florida Georgia Line, George Jones and B.B. King. Next up will be a Jason Aldean joint, slated to open across the street from Ole Red. Good luck with that.

ole has announced its CEO and founder, Robert Ott, has sold his stake in the company to founding equity partner Ontario Teachers’ Pension Plan (Ontario Teachers’). Ott, a veteran of the music industry who founded ole in 2004, will continue to lead ole under a new term as CEO.

“This transaction underscores Ontario Teachers’ commitment to ole and concludes the process that ole ran last year to optimize its capital structure,” Ott said. “I am very pleased to continue to work with Ontario Teachers’ and to lead ole into a new era from the foundation of the great success story we’ve built together over these many years. ole is well-capitalized and is extremely well-positioned to lead and benefit from the disruption and globalization that our Industry is experiencing.”

The company currently operates out of eight offices in the U.S., UK and Canada, and is home to artists like Rush and Timbaland.

Ott added, “I am very excited about the new initiatives that we are working on and with this renewed commitment from Ontario Teachers’ and I look forward to an unprecedented era of growth.”

Ontario Teachers’ Senior Managing Director Ziad Hindo, Capital Markets, commented, “We look forward to the opportunity to further support the continued growth of an iconic, Canadian-based company with a proven track record like ole.”

ole has also been experiencing its most successful creative period with eight No. 1 songs on the US Country charts and top charting singles in the Pop and Urban space with artists such as Justin Timberlake and Sam Smith. The company is in diversified but complementary businesses in music publishing, recorded music labels, production music, a YouTube MCN and global rights management.