Florida Georgia Line, Ashton Kutcher To Take Part In Nashville Creator Awards

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Florida Georgia Line. Photo: Delaney Royer

Ashton Kutcher and Florida Georgia Line will take part in the Nashville Creator Awards, set for Sept. 13 at Marathon Music Works. Kutcher will be joined by his Sound Investments partner, Guy Oseary. Meanwhile, the Maverick Nashville team — made up of Chief Zaruk, Seth England, and Clarence Spalding — has also joined on in support of this event.

The Creator Awards is a major global initiative established in 2017 by WeWork to recognize and reward the creators of the world – across all industries and all stages of growth – by committing funding to entrepreneurs, small businesses, growing companies, nonprofits, performing artists, and more.

Florida Georgia Line will be among the featured judges at the Nashville Creator Awards. Finalists are chosen from a pool of thousands of applicants from across the Eastern United States, Puerto Rico, and Ontario. At the event they will pitch their idea, business model, and/ or organization before a live audience, competing for funding, with prizes ranging from $18,000 to $360,000.

“I love a competition that supports entrepreneurs, startups, non-profits and musicians who want to change the world and make it better,” Kutcher said. “I also love Nashville and am thrilled to play a part in honoring talented and impactful creators in this community.”

“WeWork is one of my favorite companies in the world,” Oseary said. “From the moment I set foot in my first WeWork I was impressed and inspired by the community and support system that they are building within the workplace. Initiatives like the Creator Awards celebrate that community and I’m thrilled to be a part of it.”

“We are happy to see the people of this region being recognized and celebrated for their entrepreneurial minds.” said Maverick Nashville’s Clarence Spalding.

“Nashville is growing very fast. Country music is at the heart of this city, but I also believe it can one day be a center for business innovation, which is why I’m very excited to be supporting the startup community here at this event.” said Maverick Nashville’s Seth England.

Since March 2017, WeWork has hosted more than 27,000 attendees and given away millions of dollars to nearly 200 winners across 11 Creator Awards Regional Semi-Final events around the globe, plus one Global Finals event in New York City in January 2018.

The event will be a celebration of entrepreneurship, innovation, and creativity, with attendees having the opportunity to shop local member and non-member products at the pop-up market and make connections at the job fair in partnership with Jobbio. In addition to the pitching, the second half of the evening will feature the announcement of the winners and live musical performances, followed by a celebration into the night.

 

SESAC, NMPA, NSAI, And SONA Announce Unconditional Support for Music Modernization Act

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The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), the Songwriters of North America (SONA), and SESAC today announced they have agreed to work together to support the Music Modernization Act (MMA). The broad coalition demonstrates an unprecedented commitment by the industry to support songwriters and music publishers, who will benefit from the bill’s ultimate passage, resulting in the most comprehensive reform to the music copyright business in generations.

The bill creates a single mechanical licensing entity which will establish an open, transparent copyright ownership database that will be overseen by music publishers and songwriters and paid for by digital services.

At the encouragement of Senators deeply involved in the legislation and recognizing the importance of the MMA for the future of the music industry, the parties have endorsed a provision under consideration by the Senate to amend the Mechanical Licensing Collective’s (MLC) administration of voluntary licenses outside the scope of the Section 115 compulsory license in order to ensure private vendors can continue to participate in the music market, maintaining competition which is beneficial to songwriters and producers.

All parties have enthusiastically agreed and respectfully request the Senate pass the MMA.

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite: “We are thrilled that we have mutually agreed on a path forward. We are stronger when our music family speaks with one voice and this agreement will allow us to come together to work towards the passage of the MMA. Songwriters need and deserve this bill. We thank the Senators involved for their leadership and guidance.”

SESAC Chairman & CEO John Josephson: “SESAC has been fighting for songwriters since 1931 and continues to do so with its enthusiastic support of the MMA. At the encouragement of Senators closely involved in this legislation, all parties came together to agree on outstanding items related to the MMA including the reform of the Section 115 compulsory license and other important related matters. We share a collective responsibility to help ensure that the MMA benefits all stakeholders in the industry and look forward to the Senate’s consideration of the bill.”

NSAI: “Reaching consensus within the music industry, on what may be the most important songwriter legislation in history, is a win for American songwriters and the broader music community. We are pleased to have put our differences behind us and support this bill in unanimous harmony. The Nashville Songwriters Association International has been a friend and fan of SESAC’s for decades and that is how our relationship will immediately resume.”

Songwriters of North America Executive Directors Michelle Lewis and Kay Hanley: “We are pleased to have come together with our partners SESAC, the NMPA, SONA and NSAI to move forward as a unified music community to support the successful passage and implementation of the much-needed Music Modernization Act. SONA would personally like to thank our partners, the NSAI and songwriter Ross Golan for their efforts and support in mobilizing the songwriter and artist community nationwide.”

The Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow noted of the development, “Music industry unity got the Music Modernization Act through the House and it will take that unity to get it through the Senate. The Academy is gratified that the music industry worked through its differences and can work together to pass MMA into law.”

ASCAP Chief Executive Officer Elizabeth Matthews offered the following statement: “After working so hard for so long to update our music licensing laws, we must keep working together to keep the Music Modernization Act moving forward. All parties have had to give and take in order to achieve this consensus legislation that has so far seen widespread, bipartisan support and would help update music licensing laws to improve the future for music creators. We hope the Senate will pass it without delay.”

AIMP also released the following statement: “The AIMP applauds the NMPA and SESAC for coming to the table to move past their issues and confirming their unconditional support of the MMA. We hope that this clears the way for all Senators to embrace the MMA and move this forward.”

Chris Stapleton Added To 12th Annual ACM Honors

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Chris Stapleton

Chris Stapleton has been added to the performance lineup for the 12th Annual ACM Honors, which is dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards. Bobby Bones, Kip Moore and Ricky Skaggs will present at the ceremony on Wednesday, Aug. 22 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville.

Stapleton joins previously announced performers including Lauren Alaina, Kassi Ashton, Cam, Deana Carter, Morgan Evans, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jon Pardi and songwriters Dallas Davidson & Ben Hayslip. 

As previously announced, Special Award recipients to be celebrated at the 12th Annual ACM Honors include Dierks Bentley (ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award), Matraca Berg (ACM Poet’s Award), Sam Hunt (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Alan Jackson (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award), Darius Rucker (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Mickey & Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller (ACM Mae Boren Axton Service Award, all awarded posthumously), Rob Potts (ACM Jim Reeves International Award, awarded posthumously), and Norro Wilson (ACM Poet’s Award, awarded posthumously). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards, along with Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Rhett Akins.

 

CMA Awards Final Nominations Coming Aug. 28, Carrie And Brad To Return As Hosts

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Pictured (L-R): Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley

The final round of nominations for the upcoming CMA Awards will be announced on Good Morning America, live from Nashville, on Aug. 28. Luke Bryan, Sugarland and Dan+Shay will be on hand to announce the final nominees in select categories, live from Luke’s 32 Bridge Food + Drink, Bryan’s new restaurant and bar in Nashville.

Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood will return to host the Wednesday, Nov. 14 broadcast of the 52nd Annual CMA Awards, live from Bridgestone Arena. The show will air on ABC Television beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

The earlier nominee announcement will be available for livestream on ABCnews.com/live. Immediately following the show, the remaining categories, as well as the CMA Broadcast Awards nominees, will be revealed live on GoodMorningAmerica.com as well as GMA’s Facebook page through Facebook Live and simulcast on GMA’s” YouTube channel. 

The 52nd Annual CMA Awards nominees and winners are determined by more than 7,400 professional members of CMA, which is the first trade organization formed to promote an individual genre of music in 1958 and celebrates its 60th anniversary in September. 
The first CMA Awards Banquet and Show was held in 1967. The following year, the CMA Awards was broadcast on television for the first time – making it the longest running, annual music awards program on network television. The CMA Awards have aired on ABC since 2006. ABC is the network home of the CMA Awards and CMA’s other two television properties, CMA Fest and CMA Country Christmas, through 2021.
The 52nd Annual CMA Awards is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer. 

Industry Pics: Lucas Hoge, Carly Pearce, Jackie Lee

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Lucas Hoge Visits Nashville Recording Academy

Pictured (L-R): Max Verhagen, Alicia Warwick, Lucas Hoge, Susan Stewart, Nathan Pyle, Bri Buchanan

Lucas Hoge visited the Nashville Recording Academy to play songs off his No. 1 album Dirty South.

 

Carly Pearce Performs With Deana Carter

Carly Pearce with Deana Carter.

Country fans can catch Carly Pearce performing Deana Carter this weekend, as part of CMT’s Hot 20 Countdown, which airs Saturday and Sunday mornings at 8 a.m. CT. The pair recently filmed a duet of Carter’s 1996 No. 1 hit “Strawberry Wine.”

 

Jackie Lee Helps Bring Grand Ole Opry Magic To Chicago

Pictured (L-R): Andrew Cohen, Suit Music; Jarrod Holley, Suit Music; Jackie Lee; Brooke Taylor, Big 95.5; Dan Rogers, Opry; Lauren Zimmerman, Opry

Jackie Lee recently brought his music to the Grand Ole Opry’s signature microphone stand and a replica of the Opry’s six-foot circle of wood to “Country Music Night” at Guaranteed Rate Field in Chicago. Lee performed an acoustic “Opry Circle Throwdown” including his release “Comeback” before the game, sang the National Anthem, threw the game’s ceremonial first pitch, and hit the stands during the game to give away Opry and Nashville prize packs to lucky fans. Country Music Night’s post-game fireworks were uniquely synchronized with Opry video performances by Reba McEntire, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and more.

Nashville Songwriting Documentary Earns Honors At Cannes Lions International Festival Of Creativity

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It All Begins With A Song: The Story of the Nashville Songwriter, a new documentary that takes an in-depth look at Nashville’s songwriting community, was awarded three Silver Lions at the Cannes Lions International Festival of Creativity recently.

The film was under production for two years and involved 80 interviews with songwriters and industry members and more than 100 hours of footage. Songwriters featured in the film include Jessi Alexander, Garth Brooks, Mac Davis, Bob DiPiero, Bill Anderson, Mikky Ekko, John Hiatt, Brett James, Claude Kelly, Shane McAnally, Keb’ Mo’, Brad Paisley and Ray Stevens.

The documentary won Silver in the Entertainment Lions category for Cinema & Theatrical: Non-fiction Film and in the Entertainment Lions for Music for both Artist as a Brand or Cause Ambassador and Brand or Product Integration into Music Content. The 82-minute film explores how Nashville became home to the world’s most vibrant and successful songwriting community — their creative process, their inspiration, their struggles and the impact their songs can have on everyday life.

“This documentary portrays the strength of Nashville’s creative community and of its music brand,” said Ronnie Smith, Head of Corporate Bank, Regions Bank, and chairman of the NCVC board of directors. “No other city could capture its brand in a documentary of this caliber. It is a unique marketing tool that will prove to be effective, cost-efficient and global in its reach. It certainly goes outside the norm to market a city with a documentary, and this recognition is validation of that effort.”

Created by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp as a marketing tool, the film was produced by the NCVC, along with John Godsey and VML, a global marketing agency. It was directed by Chusy Jardine of Plan A Films and is being shopped worldwide to major buyers.

The Cannes Lions are the most established and coveted awards for the creative and marketing communications industry, and the Festival of Creativity is held in the same southern French city that hosts the famed Cannes Film Festival.

 

DISClaimer: Runaway June Offers A Runaway Hit

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Country’s guys and gals are going head to head this week.

Kelly Willis and Cassadee Pope are duking it out with Chase Rice and the Wild Feathers, not to mention darkhorse contender R.J. Comer (who is checking in with his second stunning album in a row). In this contest, we listeners are the winners.

The ladies snare the Disc of the Day prize, thanks to the splendidly catchy release by Runaway June.

The men have the DisCovery Award winner, an interesting new singer-songwriter named Justin Fabus.

JUSTIN FABUS/Remedy
Writers: J. Fabus; Producers: Matt Very, Austin Ostiguy, Justin Fabus; Publishers: none listed; JF (track)
-His voice is a fizzy, ear-catching tenor and the CD title track has a nice, r&b feel. Unfortunately, the tempo is tediously sluggish. There are better single choices on this collection.

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris Destafano & Jacquire King; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Jack Daniels/EMI April/CDS Words and Music/WB/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite, BMI/ASCAP; BBR/Jack Daniels
– Nicely romantic. Wherever they go, whatever they do, he only has eyes for her. I like the way his vocal is mixed with so much intimacy and presence. The title is repeated about 30 times too often for my taste, but it’s still a nifty little record.

THE BAND STEELE/Sit Awhile
Writers: Bo Steele/Ben Rubino; Producers: Rob Burrell/Stacy Savola; Publishers: FRMG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River
– This has a richly masculine sound. It’s about reflecting and meditating and letting grief take its time. It’s a good thing the vocals are so strong, because the production isn’t much.

KELLY WILLIS/Don’t Step Away
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– Love it! The r&b backbeat, steady throb and sensuous groove push alla my buttons. As always, her Texas-country vocal phrasing, slightly saucy tone and gentle confidence are utterly charming.

SARAH LAWTON/Sticks and Stones
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kenny Zaridar; Publishers: none listed; SL
– This has plenty of sass and attitude. But the song does nothing for me, and there’s not much about the irritating production that I would characterize as “country.”

CASSADEE POPE/One More Red Light
Writers: Cassadee Pope/Kelly Archer/Emily Shackelton; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CP
– Punchy and propulsive. Loaded with energy and drive.

BAILEY JAMES/Kiss Me Goodbye
Writers: Bailey James Koehler/Jeannie McQuinn/Shelby Lee Lowe; Producer: Jeffrey Teague; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI, BJ
– She sings with moxie. The song is too wordy. The arrangement just lays there.

WILD FEATHERS/Stand By You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I love this Nashville band. I liked ‘em when they were rockers, and I think it’s very cool that they’ve shifted gears into country. This thing has more hooks than a tuna boat. If the track doesn’t make you want to get up and bop around the room, you need a rhythm injection. Ridiculously catchy.

R.J. Comer/One Last Kiss
Writers: R.J. Comer; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publishers: Pack of Three, SESAC; Growling Moon
– The title tune of Comer’s new CD is a doomsday dirge of despair. But it was so compelling that I couldn’t turn away. Death has seldom sounded more fascinating. Recommended, especially at midnight.

RUNAWAY JUNE/Buy My Own Drinks
Writers: Hannah Mulholland, Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: 2018 BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Silver Songs (SESAC) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Rezonate Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BIRB Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Champagne Whiskey Pub (ASCAP) admin by Downtown DLJ Songs, Downtown DLJ Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.; BBR/Wheelhouse
-Feisty and frisky. She’s got a busted heart, but she’s going out to the neon lights to party all by herself. The rollicking tempo, triple harmonies and deliciously crunchy production are all just fabulous. Make this a smash.

 

Gibson Brands Moves Towards Emerging From Chapter 11 With Disclosure Statement Approval

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Gibson Brands has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington has approved the company’s disclosure statement. The approval is a key step in the company’s process for emerging from chapter 11 and allows it to begin soliciting votes on a reorganization plan and to seek an order confirming the plan. The plan received the support of the Creditors’ Committee, which recommended that all general unsecured creditors vote in favor of it.

The plan materials and ballots are expected to be mailed during the week of Aug. 6, 2018. The deadline for returning completed ballots will be September 14. A hearing to confirm the plan is scheduled to begin on September 27.

“We are extremely pleased by the Court’s approval of our Disclosure Statement, which is a key step toward the Company’s successful emergence from Chapter 11,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chief Executive Officer of Gibson Brands. “Our employees have worked very hard to help us stay on track to emerge from Chapter 11 as planned, and we are grateful for the continuing support from our creditors, partners, and vendors.”

JUST IN: Music Industry Journalist Robert K. Oermann To Be Honored At Music Row Storytellers Event

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Robert K. Oermann

Benefiting Nashville-based non-profit Music Health Alliance, Music Row Storytellers will feature music industry historian and journalist, Robert K. Oermann on Monday, October 29 at the Wellspire Center (907 Gleaves St., Nashville, TN 37203). Valet parking will be provided.

A 6:00 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by a 6:30 p.m. program honoring Oermann. The evening will be filled with laughs and stories from Robert K. and surprise guests who’ve been part of his career.

Tickets are available for purchase here for $75.00 (fees included).

Music Row is lined with stories, but few people have witnessed as many – and have as many to tell – as Robert K. Oermann. Since arriving in Nashville 40 years ago, “Bobby Karl” has documented, chronicled and helped tell countless tales of the people, places and events that give Music City its moniker. He’s a natural and deserved choice as this year’s Music Row Storytellers honoree.

Music Row Storytellers is an event designed to honor people who stand the test of time in telling the stories that make the music industry so fascinating – the journalists, interviewers, reporters, show hosts and others who’ve lived, breathed and witnessed these moments alongside the music-and decision-makers of Music Row.

Robert K. Oermann’s love of music can be traced back to his Pittsburgh childhood, when he clerked in his grandmother’s record store. He moved to Nashville in 1978 for a job with the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.

His freelance writing put his byline into such publications as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire, TV Guide and – in the early 1980s – the pages of an emerging newspaper called USA Today (as its first country-music reporter and critic). A dozen years with the daily Tennessean made him a Music City staple, as he evolved to become the community’s go-to journalistic source, critic, commentator and tastemaker. His entertaining singles reviews – an anchor of MusicRow magazine since its inception in 1981 – have made him a music-industry must-read.

As the author of eight books, the host of the hit podcast Children of Song and a creative force in film and TV documentaries, he has chronicled America’s musical culture for decades, sometimes in collaboration with his wife, Mary A. Bufwack. Liner notes, artist bios and interviews created by Robert K. have breathed life into the careers of innumerable artists, musicians, songwriters and producers. He has served and continues to lend his expertise and perspective to numerous organizations – The Recording Academy, the CMA, the Nashville Public Library, Leadership Music and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame among them. He is also a spokesman for Music City as a convention speaker, a mentor to students and a frequently televised commentator.

Simply put, Robert K. Oermann is a Music Row “Storyteller.”

Industry Ink: CRS Registration, SOURCE Nominations, ACM

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Registration To Open Soon For 50th Anniversary Country Radio Seminar

Registration for the 50th Anniversary year of Country Radio Seminar (CRS 2019), will begin on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. CT, with an early bird rate of $499 that will only be available on the opening day. The price will increase to $549 the very next day, Aug. 16. Registrations will be available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.

Additionally, CRS host hotel, Omni Nashville, will be accepting reservations starting Aug. 15 at the $264 single rate.

 

SOURCE Accepting Membership Nominations

SOURCE is now accepting membership nominations, through Aug. 31. Membership is limited to female executives and professionals working in the music and entertainment industries. Membership is based on specific criteria determined by the SOURCE Board of Directors. Eligibility criteria includes (but is not limited to): Minimum five years experience at an executive level in the music industry; decision-making power and level of authority within applicant’s organization; stature in community; level of expertise or professional credentials.

Female executives can be nominated by visiting SOURCE.

 

Rachel Wammack Visits ACM

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher, ACM CEO; Rachel Wammack; Liz Cost, Sony Music Nashville

The Academy of Country Music welcomed RCA Records Nashville recording artist Rachel Wammack to the office while she was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Wammack performed her current rising single, “Damage,” and songs from her self-titled EP, Rachel Wammack.