Dolly Parton To Present 9 To 5 The Musical At The Savoy In London

/by

Dolly Parton is bringing 9 To 5 The Musical to the Savoy Theatre in London for a limited season from Jan. 28–Aug. 31, 2019. The musical will star Louise Redknapp as ‘Violet Newstead’, Amber Davies as ‘Judy Bernly’, Natalie McQueen as ‘Doralee Rhodes’ and Brian Conley as ‘Franklin Hart’.

Inspired by the cult film, 9 To 5 The Musical was written by Patricia Resnick, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton. It is directed by Jeff Calhoun, with choreography by Lisa Stevens, set and costume design by Tom Rogers, lighting design by Howard Hudson, musical supervision, arrangements and orchestrations by Mark Crossland, musical direction by Andrew Hilton and casting by Victoria Roe. Music from the show, 9 To 5 The Musical Original Broadcast Cast Recording is planned for re-release via Dolly Records/Sony Music.

Tickets for the London run will go on sale Sept. 18.

LifeNotes: Alan Jackson’s Son-In-Law Ben Selecman Dies

/by

Samuel Benton “Ben” Selecman, husband of Mattie Jackson Selecman and son-in-law of country artist Alan Jackson, died unexpectedly Wednesday, Sept. 12, in West Palm Beach, Florida. Selecman, a Nashville resident, had recently suffered severe traumatic head injuries in a fall. He was 28 years old.

Selecman was an East Tennessee (Knoxville) native and University of Tennessee Knoxville graduate. He earned his law degree at the University of Memphis Cecil C. Humphreys School of Law and was employed as an Assistant D.A. by the Nashville-Davidson County District Attorney’s Office.

Selecman married wife Mattie, the oldest daughter of the country singer-songwriter and his wife Denise, last October. In addition to his wife, Selecman is survived by parents Mark and Brenda Selecman, brother Cole Selecman and his wife, Morgan.

 

Spotify Increases Download Limit To 10,000 Tracks

/by

Spotify has increased the number of songs Premium users can download offline to a single device, from 3,333 songs to 10,000 songs. Additionally, Spotify now allows subscribers to download songs on up to five devices, instead of the previous limit of three devices.

“At Spotify, we’re always working on improving the experience for our users,” said a Spotify spokesperson. “We can now confirm that we have increased the number of offline tracks per device — from 3,333 on 3 devices to 10,000 tracks per device for up to 5 devices.”

In total, Premium users can download a limit of 50,000 songs, which is less than Apple Music’s limit of 100,000 songs, while Amazon Prime Music allows users to download an unlimited amount of songs onto four different devices. Spotify Premium is available for $10 per month.

 

 

TobyMac To Release ‘The Elements’ In October

/by

TobyMac will return with his first new album in three years, when The Elements releases Oct. 12.

The 11-track album includes “I just need U.,” which topped the CCM radio charts for 12 weeks. The project’s second single, “Everything,” is at No. 4 on the Hot AC and in the Top 15 at AC Indicator, AC Monitored, and Christian Airplay.

TobyMac and his DiverseCity Band will launch a 12-city theatre run with guest Ryan Stevenson later this year, following TobyMac’s 18 sold-out arena shows as part of his HITS DEEP Tour.

TobyMac has five Gospel Music Association (GMA) Dove Award nominations for the upcoming 49th annual GMA Dove Awards, including nods in major categories such as Song of the Year (“I just need U.”), Songwriter of the Year (Artist) and Contemporary Christian Artist of the Year.

The Elements Track Listing:
1. The Elements
2. I just need U.
3. Scars
4. Everything
5. Starts With Me (feat. Aaron Cole)
6. Edge Of My Seat
7. It’s You
8. Horizon (A New Day)
9. Hello Future
10. Overflow
11. See The Light

Luke Bryan Reveals Benefit Show For Community Foundation Of South Georgia

/by

Luke Bryan

Georgia natives Luke Bryan, Phillip Phillips, Cole Swindell, The Peach Pickers and DJ Rock will host a benefit show in their home state on Oct. 3 at the Exchange Club of Albany in Albany, Georgia. Proceeds raised will be donated to The Heart of South Georgia Fund of The Community Foundation of South Georgia to support the ongoing natural disaster relief efforts as well as other needs within the community.

“My hometown is more than a place for me. It is a way of life,” Bryan said. “Growing up in South Georgia has had such an impact on me in so many ways and I’m so glad that this group of amazing artists and writers are able to come back home and help those who have been hit by such devastation over the past couple of years.”

“Albany is my home,” Phillips said. “I have traveled near and far, but always come back home. This is where my family is and where I planted my roots. I was home on Jan. 22, 2017, when the tornado ravaged our area and surrounding areas. I was able to get out that night and in the days following to serve alongside my community, seeing the true heart of our city. I am honored to have the opportunity now to play this special show.”

“When I was asked to be a part of this event I didn’t hesitate,” Swindell added. “Even though I get to travel the country doing what I love day after day there is nothing that gives me a sense of recharging than coming back home to South Georgia and being around the people who helped get me here. Being able to give back in some small way means the world to me.”

Dallas Davidson of The Peach Pickers said, “I’m extremely excited to be a part of The Heart of South Georgia show. It’s an honor to be able to give back to a town that gave me so much. No matter where I am I always take a piece of Albany, Georgia with me.”

For more, visit heartofsouthgeorgia.org.

MV2 Expands Creative Team With Mike Whelan And Ben Strain

/by

Pictured (L-R): Nicole Sherrill – Creative Director, Tony Harrell – General Manager, Mike Whelan – Senior Creative Director, Ben Strain – Creative Director, Lauren Davis – Artist Management & Contract Administration, Lindsey Parrish – Digital Marketing Manager Photo by Acacia Evans

MV2 Entertainment has added industry vets Mike Whelan as Senior Creative Director and Ben Strain as Creative Director.

Whelan has 33 years of experience in music publishing, including stints with Polygram Music, Acuff-Rose Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He has worked with writers Bob McDill, Dean Dillon, Tony Martin, Skip Ewing, Casey Beathard, and more and as a plugger has had over 85 BMI and ASCAP Award-winning songs – 40 of which have topped the music charts. Whelan was also instrumental in helping secure record deals for up-and-comers Jordan Davis and Adam Hambrick with Universal Records.

Strain’s previous stops include Sony Records, Monument Publishing, Sony/ATV Publishing and ole Music. He’s worked with writers including Josh Thompson, Jeremy Stover, Tony Martin, Preston Brust, Chris Lucas, Dave Turnbull, Chris Janson and more, and placed over 100 cuts with artists including Tim McGraw, Little Big Town, Kelsea Ballerini, Dan & Shay, Justin Moore, Cole Swindell, Rascal Flatts, Jake Owen and more. Strain was key in six No. 1 songs, including Kelsea Ballerini’s “Peter Pan,” Jordan Davis’ “Singles You Up,” and LOCASH’s “I Know Somebody.”

“We have so many exciting things happening here at MV2 and our new additions are undoubtedly high up on that list. We are incredibly excited to have both Mike and Ben join our team. They bring drive, experience, a love for music and values that truly fit our culture,” said MV2 General Manager Tony Harrell.

MV2’s roster includes Thomas Archer, Nick Donley, Jimmie Deeghan, Eric Dodd, Clay Mills, Robert Arthur and Nora Collins.

Whelan and Strain can be reached at mike_whelan@mv2entertainment.com and ben_strain@mv2entertainment.com.

Nashville Startup AVVAY Announces $1 Million Seed Round

/by

Pictured (L-R): Nick Dominguez (CXO), Mike Johnson (Lead Engineer), Addison Bean (Junior Engineer), Liza Kawaller (Business Development), Josh Colbert (CTO), Jon Howard (CEO), Nick de Partee (CCO). Photo by: Monique Villa

Nashville startup AVVAY, an online marketplace that helps creatives book locations for photo/video shoots, recording sessions, performances, and other creative events, has announced its $1 million seed round. The round is led by Denver-based Zero G Capital, with participation from Matchstick Ventures, SpringTime Ventures and Service Provider Capital, among others.

AVVAY was founded by Jon Howard, who has been on the road as a guitarist with Paramore. AVVAY currently serves the Nashville, Portland, Chicago, Dallas and Houston markets. At the time, Howard was also producing albums.

“I was making a solo record for Paramore’s drummer at that time — and the plan was to find interesting locations in each city we went,” Howard said. “Unless I was knocking on doors or knew someone, there was no way to access these places. AVVAY was born out of trying to solve these problems for ourselves.”

Along with the rest of the AVVAY founding team, Howard spent three months in Boulder, Colorado, as part of the tech accelerator, Techstars. They returned to Nashville in May, and with the closing of their seed round, the team is ready to continue AVVAY’s growth.

“One of the benefits of being accepted into the accelerator program is gaining access to the Techstars Network, which has provided us with incredible mentorship,” said Howard. “We spent three months taking a deep dive into our vision and processes, and now we’re excited about closing this seed round and continuing to bring our vision to fruition. Content creators are massively underserved and we are addressing their challenges head on.”

The AVVAY team includes founders Jon Howard, Nick de Partee, Josh Colbert and Nick Dominguez, early team member Mike Johnson and new addition Liza Kawaller.

“We are looking forward to creating really cool, interesting tech jobs here in Tennessee,” said Howard.

AVVAY was founded in 2016 and is headquartered in Cool Springs at 106 Mission Court, Suite 103B, Franklin, Tennessee.

DISClaimer: Malcolm Holcombe Leads Gifted Americana Sounds

/by

Malcolm Holcombe. Photo by Andrea Furlan

It’s Americana week in Music City, and the listening is groovy.

The spectacularly gifted Malcolm Holcombe lands our Disc of the Day award with his new Nashville-recorded release.

The DisCovery Award goes to a husband-wife duo who call Nashville home, My One and Only.

But don’t stop with those two. There’s plenty more to hear here. Extra recommended are Mary Gauthier, Amos Lee and Jennifer Warnes. If I were choosing runners-up for our two top awards, they would be Mandy Barnett and Great Peacock.

AMOS LEE/No More Darkness, No More Light
Writer: Amos Lee; Producer: Tony Berg; Publisher: Soma Eel, ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
– The burbling track is quite light and lively, but there’s something serious going on in this lyric inspired by school shootings. As always, he sings with great elan and conviction. His highly recommended, brightly produced new CD is titled My New Moon. You’ll dig it.

MARY GAUTHIER/Soldiering On
Writers: Mary Gauthier/Jennifer Marino; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publisher: Mary Gauthier/SongWritingWithSoldiers, ASCAP; In The Black/Thirty Tigers
– Gauthier collaborated on all of the songs on her new Rifles & Rosary Beads collection with service men and women. The results ring with emotional honesty and stark inner truth, as though she tapped into their psyches like a therapist. Hubbard’s rumbling production on this track underscores her intense vocal delivery. This gifted singer-songwriter staged her Americana showcase on Wednesday at City Winery and will appear today at one of the convention’s discussion panels.

JENNIFER WARNES/Just Breathe
Writer: Eddie Vedder: Producers: C. Roscoe Beck/Jennifer Warnes; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; Porch Light
– This peerless song interpreter and longtime Leonard Cohen collaborator has a new album titled Another Place, Another Time. It leads off with this striking reinterpretation of a Pearl Jam tune. The eclectic collection also dips into the catalogs of John Legend, Mark Knopfler, Mickey Newbury, Marcus Hummon and Warren Haynes/Derek Trucks. This track shimmers with French horn, cello, strings and organ. But elsewhere you’ll find everything from blues to country. She remains an enduring treasure.

MALCOLM HOLCOMBE/The New Damnation Alley
Writer: Malcolm Holcombe; Producer: Marco Glovino/Jared Tyler; Publisher: Gypsy Eyes, BMI; Singular (track)
-This gritty North Carolina mountain troubadour evokes dark hollows and woodsy shadows whenever he sings. Iris DeMent and Greg Brown are his harmony singers on the new Come Hell or High Water CD. This dark-umber composition illustrates why he’s a songwriter’s songwriter. The acoustic production lets his smoke-stained voice plainly wheeze out its condemnation of “millionaire barbarians” and “limousine liars” who drag the bleeding poor to despair. Gripping and great.

ASLEEP AT THE WHEEL & THE AVETT BROTHERS/Willie Got There First
Writer: Seth Avett; Producers: Ray Benson, Sam Seirfert, Seth Avett & Scott Avett; Publishers: First Big Snow/Nemoivmusic/Ramseur Family Fold/Paw Paw/Lew Bob, SESAC/BMI; Bismeaux/Thirty Tigers
– It’s a slow waltz, not a scampering western swinger. “I had such a good idea for a song/But Willie got there first.” It seems that wherever the singer gets close to a gal and wants to woo her with music, the soundtrack has already been written by the Red Headed Stranger. Lots of Willie song titles are name-checked in the clever lyric. The rest of the Wheel’s New Routes CD hews closer to what one might expect. Its Americana showcase is late, late Thursday night at Mercy Lounge.

KATE CAMPBELL/Damn Sure Blue
Writers: Kate Campbell/Tom Kimmel; Producer: Will Kimbrough; Publishers: Large River/Morrissette, BMI/ASCAP; Large River (track)
– The title track to Kate’s new album is a laconic lament with a steady backbeat and some dandy vocal and twang support from her illustrious producer. She’s down but not out. And least not quite. Her always piquant originals form the core of the collection. But she also tosses in a pair of Johnny Cash covers as well as The Louvin Brothers’ “Great Atomic Power.” The album drops a week from tomorrow.

MY ONE AND ONLY/To My Rescue
Writers: Ben Wilson/Kassle Wilson; Producer: Abdrija Tokic; Publishers: none listed; MOAO (track)
– Two-steppin’ country, taken at a brisk pace. The production (by Alabama Shakes helmsman Tokic) is spare and twangy. They’re a husband-wife duo who share leads and harmonies. I like it that they start softly and then let fly with some grand hillbilly wailing. The Past Year is their debut CD, and it makes for some happy listening. Americana talent scouts, take note. These guys deserve some wide distribution.

MANDY BARNETT & JOHN HIATT/A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done
Writers: none listed; Producers: Marco Glovino/Doug Lancio; Publishers: none listed; Dame/Thirty Tigers
– She’s been typecast as a country neo-traditionalist, but at heart she has always been a torch singer. Thus, the new Strange Conversation CD’s repertoire spans Sanford Clark (”The Fool”), The Tams (”It’s All Right”), Tom Waits (”Puttin’ on the Dog”), Mabel Johns (”More Lovin’”) and Greg Garing (”Dream Too Real to Hold”), because all lend themselves to her sultry stylings. Not to mention a simmering, drunken-gypsy take on this Sonny & Cher chestnut with John Hiatt along for the ride. This is one extremely cool album. Check her out at Mercy Lounge on Thursday night. It’s bound to be an Americana convention highlight. The album drops next Friday.

GREAT PEACOCK/One Way Ticket
Writers: Kenneth Andrew Nelson/Stephen Blount Floyd; Producer: Dex Green; Publishers: Uncle Ken’s/Back 40; SESAC; Ropeadope (track)
-This Nashville band showcases at 5:00 p.m. at Musicians Corner on Thursday afternoon. Its new Gran Pavo Real CD contains this classy country-rocker boasting a delicious melody, high-lonesome harmonies, ultra-tight ensemble playing, dynamic rhythms and a terrifically engaging tenor lead vocal. Captivating and addictive.

AMANDA SHIRES/Parking Lot Pirouette
Writer: Amanda Shires; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Little Lambs Eat Ivy, BMI; Silver Knife (track)
– Her new To the Sunset CD has made her Americana’s current “It” girl. This track from it illustrates the collection’s strengths — pop song craftsmanship, layered arrangement, pert-soprano delivery, echoey atmosphere. Amanda’s convention showcase performance will be Thursday night at the Basement East.

ASCAP’s ‘I Create Music’ Expo 2019 Set For May 2-4

/by

ASCAP’s 14th annual “I Create Music” EXPO will return to the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles on May 2-4, 2019.

The ASCAP “I Create Music” EXPO provides aspiring songwriters and composers with networking opportunities, one-on-one feedback and real-world advice from hit-making songwriters. Songwriters that have participated in ASCAP EXPO early in their careers include LELAND (“Youth,” Troye Sivan), Vincent Berry (“Sandcastles,” Beyoncé) and Meghan Trainor. Trainor was a keynote speaker at the 2018 EXPO, eagerly recounting to the audience her EXPO experience in 2010, when she attended sessions with Justin Timberlake and Bill Withers, Quincy Jones and Ludacris.

“ASCAP EXPO offers a unique, welcoming environment for music creators to come together and express their individual voices, no matter their level, musical style or genre,” said Lauren Iossa, ASCAP Executive Vice President/Chief Marketing Officer. “In 2019, our participants will be encouraged to embrace new opportunities and the close-knit community they can only find at EXPO to reach the next stage of their careers.”

For a peek at the experience, ASCAP is making video of 60+ hours of panels and performances from the 2018 conference, including countless “only at ASCAP EXPO” moments, available at ascap.com/2018expovideo.

Bobby Bones, Charles Esten To Be Honored At Musicians On Call Celebration

/by

Bobby Bones and Charles Esten will be honored during A Night To Celebrate the Healing Power of Music, hosted by Musicians On Call on Oct. 10 at the CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville. The event will honor On-Air personality and Musicians on Call Board Member Bones with the Leadership in Music Golden Ukulele Award, and will present CMT’s Nashville star and Musicians On Call volunteer and supporter Esten with the Music Heals Golden Ukulele Award during the special evening.

The event will also feature special performances by Thomas Rhett and Chris Janson following the exclusive VIP reception in the Grand Foyer. Tickets to the concert are available to the general public now and can be purchased at musiciansoncall.org/nash or bobbybones.com.

As a Musicians On Call volunteer musician, Bones has played at the bedsides of patients at the Nashville VA and Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and has supported Musicians On Call’s Project Playback, where he wrote and recorded music with patients at TriStar Centennial Hospital.

“Since he first became involved with Musicians On Call, Bobby has been an incredibly passionate and vocal supporter of our mission,” said Musicians On Call President Pete Griffin, “He has a positive energy that is impossible to ignore and has used it over and over again to bring joy to patients, families and caregivers in hospitals. Through his generous support of MOC, Bobby has personally enabled us to spread the healing power of music to thousands of patients around the country.”

Over the past four years Esten has been an active volunteer musician and regularly plays for the patients and staff at the Nashville VA. In October 2017 Esten joined Musician On Call on the #MOCheals trip to Las Vegas to play for victims, families, caregivers and first responders immediately following the tragedy at the Route 91 Harvest Festival.

“We are very fortunate to have Charles continuously give his time to bring smiles to everyone at the Nashville VA,” said Griffin, “We witnessed his kindness and compassion first hand last fall when he spent time with survivors in Las Vegas, helping them heal through his music and infectious positivity. Charles has had a significant impact on our organization and it’s our honor to recognize his contributions.”

Golden Ukuleles will also be presented to Outstanding Volunteer Guide Mary Lee Bennett and Outstanding Volunteer Musicians Chris Swift and Laura Vance for their commitment to Musicians On Call’s Bedside Performance Programs at Nashville-area hospitals.