Omaze Taps Susan Bank to Head Nashville Initiatives

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Susan Bank

Online fundraising platform Omaze has launched its new music division and tapped established executive Susan Bank to lead its Nashville initiatives as Senior Director, Music Business Development. Bank brings 20 years of experience to the role, in addition to continuing as artist manager for BBR Music Group’s Brooke Eden.

Omaze offers the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime experiences in exchange for charitable donations. The company has held over 80 successful music fundraising campaigns in the past five years, including partnerships with Madonna, Bruce Springsteen, U2 and Paul McCartney.

Now the company is officially launching a music division with the addition of Bank in Nashville, Scott Graves in New York City and Andrew Cook in Los Angeles. Each holds the title of Senior Director, Music Business Development.

“We’re so excited to announce the addition of three amazing new team members. Omaze has seen our community triple in the past two years, and have seen remarkable growth in the number of donors to our music campaigns,” said Stu Smith, senior vice president, business development & partnerships. “This is a strategic move for Omaze, and we couldn’t be more thrilled to kickstart it with Scott, Susan and Andrew.”

Bank previously spent more than eight years at Red Light Management overseeing the career of Tim McGraw, during which time he toured worldwide, released five multi-million-selling albums, starred in his own CBS television special, and co-starred in four feature films including The Blind Side.

During Bank’s time as VP Music Programming & Artist Relations at Control Room, she produced over 40 live concerts featuring Jay-Z, Foo Fighters, Rihanna and more. Prior to Control Room, Bank was Vice President for ReignDeer Entertainment where she supervised touring, live events and corporate partnerships for Britney Spears’ successful In The Zone album cycle and Onyx Hotel World Tour.

Bank’s previous experience includes managing the band Blues Traveler, VP Tour Marketing for Capitol Records, and Marketing Director at concert promotion company DelsenerSlater Enterprises.

A current offering on Omaze.

Bonnaroo Fans Experience Some Opry Magic

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The Grand Ole Opry cast at Bonnaroo with Opry’s GM Sally Williams backstage before showtime Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo

Worlds collided Sunday night in Manchester, Tennessee, at Bonnaroo when the Grand Ole Opry staged its first-ever show from the famed music & arts festival. Opry members Old Crow Medicine Show, Bobby Bare, Del McCoury Band, and Riders In The Sky all performed for the Bonnaroo crowd, as well as Joshua Hedley, LANCO, Nikki Lane, and Maggie Rose.

The occasion was a rare one: in its 92-year history, the Nashville-based Opry has only taken its iconic show outside Music City a few times. Past shows have traveled to prestigious venues such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and Washington, D.C.’s Kennedy Center.

Old Crow Medicine Show Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo

Del McCoury and Bobby Bare  Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo

Nikki Lane with Joshua Hedley  Photos credit: © 2018 Grand Ole Opry | Photos by Chris Hollo

Hillary Scott, Kip Moore, Danielle Bradbery Added To ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

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Danielle Bradbery, Brandon Lay, Kip Moore, Cassadee Pope, Hillary Scott, and songwriters Ross Copperman and Jon Nite are set to participate in the 9th Annual ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp June 13-20 in Nashville. ACM Lifting Lives and the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities will partner again for the camp, a week-long residential program open to individuals with Williams syndrome talented in music from around the U.S. and Canada.

Campers will participate in a songwriting workshop and recording session, along with other music-oriented activities, culminating in a live performance on the Grand Ole Opry. The finale will take place Tuesday, June 19, 2018 on the stage of the Grand Ole Opry as ACM Lifting Lives Music campers offer a live performance with Opry member Craig Morgan.

The camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education, and ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the camp in addition to providing scholarships to several campers, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with developmental disabilities and their families through research, training and service.

Throughout the week, campers gain invaluable experience through artist visits. Prior camps have featured visits from Lauren Alaina, Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Kix Brooks, Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes, Chris Janson, Little Big Town, Scotty McCreery, Maren Morris,  Jake Owen, RaeLynn, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young and more.

This year’s schedule includes:

Thursday, June 14 – 9:15 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Songwriting Workshop with Ross Copperman, Kip Moore and Jon Nite; 6 p.m.-7 p.m.: Dinner and Karaoke at Winner’s Bar & Grill with artist Brandon Lay

Friday, June 15 – 12:45 p.m.-2 p.m.: Seacrest Studios Visit with Cassadee Pope; 5:15 p.m.-6:15 p.m.: Meet & Greet with Danielle Bradbery at Wildhorse Saloon

Monday, June 18 – 10:30 a.m.-11:30 a.m.: Recording Studio Day with artist Hillary Scott and Ross Copperman at Belmont University’s Ocean Way Nashville

Tuesday, June 19 – 9 p.m.: LIVE performance with Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry

 

Bonnaroo 2019 Shifts Dates, To Take Place After CMA Music Fest

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For the past several years, two popular Tennessee music festivals, Bonnaroo and CMA Music Fest, have taken place in the same week. The tradition has often caused musicians and their teams to engage in precise planning if artists are slated to take part in both festivals. Music fans are forced to choose between the two festivals.

Bonnaroo’s organizers have now announced a shift to the schedule for the 2019 festival, with plans for Bonnaroo to be held the week after CMA Music Fest. Organizers expect future years to follow the same pattern.

Bonnaroo 2019 will be held June 13-16, 2019.

“We have regularly advocated for this change to hold Bonnaroo and CMA Fest on separate weekends to offer more flexibility for the local community as well as the visitors, and we’re excited about this change,” said Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. President Butch Spyridon.

 

In Pictures: ASCAP At CMA Music Fest

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​Pictured (front, L-R): Ryan Hurd, Jillian Jacqueline, Chris DeStefano. Back: ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Alison Webber and Holly Chester

ASCAP presented some of its rising songwriter-artists during CMA Music Fest, starting June 7 at the Nashville Acoustic Corner Stage at Bridgestone Arena. Featured performers included Dylan Brady, Max Camp, Hannah Dasher, Austin Jenckes, Parker McKay, Riley Roth, Steel Union, Matt Stell, TRAVLRS and Sarah Allison Turner.

ASCAP presented a hit songwriters round at the HGTV Lodge on Friday, June 8, featuring Sony/ATV songwriter Chris DeStefano, RCA Nashville songwriter-artist Ryan Hurd, and Big Loud Records songwriter-artist Jillian Jacqueline.

​Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Riley Roth, BMG’s Kos Weaver and Daniel Lee

​​Pictured (L-R): EmCo’s James Stewart, HoriPro’s Butch Baker and Courtney Crist, Sarah Allison Turner, HoriPro’s Keithan Melton, ASCAP’s Robert Filhart

​Pictured: Austin Jenckes

​Pictured: ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe Johnston and Hannah Dasher

Pictured: Max Camp, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Parker McKay

Pictured (lL-R): Ryan Hurd, Jillian Jacqueline, Chris DeStefano

In Pictures: Florida Georgia Line, Backstreet Boys, Bebe Rexha Celebrate No. 1 Singles

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Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Nashville’s FGL House was home to major star power as the venue’s namesake duo, Florida Georgia Line, celebrated four of its recent No. 1 singles with a party during CMA Music Fest on Saturday (June 9).

While CMA Fest goers crowded the two lower levels of the venue, a private No. 1 party on the upper floor, complete with mimosas and a variety of food choices, feted the duo’s ongoing success as artists, songwriters, and collaborators. Florida Georgia Line’s album Dig Your Roots was also celebrated with an RIAA Platinum certification.

Three of the No. 1 hits, including four-times platinum “H.O.L.Y.,” and the platinum-certified tracks “May We All” (ft. Tim McGraw) and “God, Your Mama, And Me” (ft. Backstreet Boys), are from the duo’s 2016 Dig Your Roots album. The party also feted the 3x platinum smash hit “Meant To Be” (ft. Bebe Rexha).

As a surprise, all five Backstreet Boys members, as well as Bebe Rexha, were on hand for the celebration, as the party honored Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard‘s fellow songwriters, including “H.O.L.Y.”‘s busbee, Nate Cyphert and William Wiik Larsen, “May We All”‘s Rodney Clawson and Jamie Moore (who was celebrating his very first country No. 1 party), “God, Your Mama, And Me” writers Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and Gordie Sampson, plus”Meant To Be” writers Rexha, Josh Miller and David Garcia.

Pictured (L-R): A. J. McLean, Howie D., Nick Carter, Kevin Richardson, Brian Littrell of Backstreet Boys, Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line and Josh Kear, Hillary Lindsey and Brian Littrell attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Hubbard, David Garcia, Josh Miller, Bebe Rexha and Brian Kelley attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Pictured (L-R): Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Jimmy Harnen, Storme Warren, Tyler Hubbard, Brian Kelley, Scott Borchetta, Seth England and Craig Wiseman attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Hubbard, Rodney Clawson, Jamie Moore and Brian Kelley attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Pictured (L-R): Tyler Hubbard, busbee, Nate Cyphert, William Wiik Larsen and Brian Kelley attend the Florida Georga Line multi-No. 1 party at FGL House on June 9, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Big Machine Records)

Weekly Register: Luke Combs Tops Country Albums, Earns Two Top 5 Digital Sales Tracks

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Luke Combs.

The deluxe version of Luke Combs‘ This One’s For You, which includes five new and/or additional songs, is at No. 1 this week on the country albums charts, with 55K in total consumption, according to Nielsen Soundscan.

Jason Aldean‘s Rearview Town is at No. 2 this week, with 34K, followed by Kane Brown‘s self-titled debut at No. 3 with 18K. Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes is at No. 4 with 11K.

The top debut this week is Michael Ray‘s Amos, which moved 10.5K to land at No. 5.

On the heels of their record-breaking collaboration with Bebe Rexha, “Meant To Be,” Florida Georgia Line‘s successor “Simple” is at the top of the country digital song sales chart this week, moving 34K. Meanwhile, “Meant To Be” holds the No. 3 spot, with 20K, bringing the smash hit to 1.124 million in digital sales to date.

This week’s album chart-topper Combs has two debuts this week on the country digital sales chart. At No. 2 is “Must’ve Never Met You,” which moved 27K this week. “Houston We Gota Problem” is at No. 4, with 20K.

Dan+Shay‘s “Tequila” rounds out the top 5 with 17K.

Taylor Shomaker Moves From AC Entertainment To Hub International Limited

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Taylor Shomaker

Hub International Limited (HUB), a leading global insurance brokerage, announced the expansion of its Nashville operation through the addition of entertainment specialist Taylor Shomaker, joining the firm as vice president.

Shomaker has spent over 11 years in the concert and festival industry working as a festival director, event safety manager, risk manager, talent buyer, concert promoter and event producer. His extensive knowledge and experience of festival and concert management along with his specialized focus on safety management and risk assessment in this field makes him an invaluable resource to his clients and the entire HUB International roster of clients.

Taylor most recently served as vice president of event operations at AC Entertainment (part of Live Nation), which produces festivals such as Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival, Forecastle Festival, High Water Festival, Homecoming Festival, Moon River Festival, and Big Ears Festival, as well as over 1,000 concerts per year. Taylor is a member of the Event Safety Alliance and has spoken on panels for International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA).

“I’m excited to use the knowledge and expertise I have gained over the past 11 plus years to continue making safety a key focus for the concert and festival industry,” said Shomaker, “Joining the HUB team gives me the platform to utilize the already industry leading unlimited resources and full array of services to provide best-in-class insurance and risk solutions.”

Submissions Now Open For MusicRow’s 2018 ‘Artist Roster’ Print Issue

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Submissions for the upcoming MusicRow Artist Roster print issue are now being accepted through Friday, June 29.

The issue includes company listings and rosters for Nashville record labels, publicists, lawyers, managers, talent agencies and artist services.

To submit your company for consideration, visit MusicRow.com.

Advertising: To reserve ad space in the Artist Roster print magazine, email [email protected]. Rate card information is available here.

Tenille Townes, Josh Kear Set For Country Music Hall Of Fame Songwriter Session

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Tenille Townes and Josh Kear will participate in a Songwriter Session at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Saturday, June 23. The two will perform and share stories behind the songs they’ve written.

Townes, who writes for publisher Big Yellow Dog, is working on her debut album with Nashville producer Jay Joyce. Fellow Big Dog writer Kear has written thirteen #1 hits including “I Don’t Dance” (Lee Brice), “Drunk on a Plane” (Dierks Bentley), “Drunk on You” (Luke Bryan), “God, Your Mama, and Me” (Florida Georgia Line and Backstreet Boys), “Need You Now” (Lady Antebellum), “Highway Don’t Care” (Tim McGraw), “Neon Light” (Blake Shelton), and “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away” (Carrie Underwood), and has won four Grammys.

The program will take place in the museum’s Ford Theater, and is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Seating is limited, and a program pass is required.