Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson, Lindsay Ell To Play Tokyo For CMA’s Introducing Nashville Series

The CMA’s new international artist-focused touring series, Introducing Nashville, has added back-to-back shows at Blue Note Tokyo in Japan on Saturday, March 30 featuring Brandy Clark, Devin Dawson and Lindsay Ell. Prior to Japan, Introducing Nashville will visit multiple cities in Australia and New Zealand with Clark, Dawson, Ell and Tenille Townes (Australia only).

CMA will also host an industry event at the U.S. Ambassador’s residence in Tokyo on Thursday, March 28 with the Deputy Chief of Mission Joseph Young welcoming CMA and Japanese industry representatives from all sectors in the business. The reception will feature Frankie Ballard in addition to Clark, Dawson and Ell.

As part of CMA’s mission to support the expansion of country around the globe, Introducing Nashville will provide a platform to introduce artists to international audiences for the first time. Each tour stop will replicate a Nashville writer’s round, with artists appearing on stage together in an acoustic lineup, introducing their songs and talking about their careers and personal stories.

Introducing Nashville 2019 (Australia, New Zealand, Japan):
March 18 – Lismore, Australia – Lismore City Hall
March 19 – Brisbane, Australia – The Old Museum
March 21 – Sydney, Australia – The Factory Theatre
March 22 – Canberra, Australia – The Abbey
March 23 – Melbourne, Australia – Athenaeum Theatre
March 26 – Auckland, New Zealand – Tuning Fork
March 30 – Tokyo, Japan – Blue Note Tokyo (2 shows)

Ben Vaughn Promoted To President/CEO At Warner/Chappell Nashville

Warner/Chappell Music has promoted Ben Vaughn to President & CEO. Vaughn will continue to lead the division’s creative and commercial activities. Having joined the company in 2012, Vaughn has been President of Warner/Chappell Nashville since 2017. He will report to Warner/Chappell Music’s incoming Co-Chair & CEO and the company’s Co-Chair & COO, Carianne Marshall.

“Ben has been an exceptional leader for our Warner/Chappell Nashville operation since coming on board seven years ago,” said Steve Cooper, CEO of Warner Music Group. “In addition to being an A&R force who’s deeply invested in the success of each and every songwriter, he’s an innovative, perceptive dealmaker and a staunch advocate for creative rights. Nashville is home to an extraordinary creative community that occupies a central place in the Warner/Chappell culture, and Ben’s richly deserved promotion recognizes both his outstanding accomplishments and his vision for the future.”

“The Nashville songwriting community is like none other in the world, and over the course of his 25 year career, Ben has played a pivotal role in making it the amazing place that it is today,” said Carianne Marshall, Co-Chair and COO of Warner/Chappell Music. “From young, next generation songwriters to award-winning superstars, Ben’s instincts and expertise have made Warner/Chappell Nashville the definitive destination for incredible game-changing talent. I’m excited to work with him as our Nashville business continues to grow and flourish.”

“When I think about how I got here, it’s surreal how many brilliant people have invited me to be part of their story,” said Vaughn. “As Nashville continues to evolve, I’m excited to keep pushing forward and to support the phenomenal talent coming out of this city. Music publishing is team ball and we have the best team in the business—with the passion, drive and ambition to help our songwriters create hits on the world’s stage.”

Under Vaughn’s leadership, Nashville writers have experienced unprecedented genre-crossing success, among them Nicolle Galyon, Emily Weisband, and Amy Wadge on Camila Cabello’s “Consequences”; Josh Miller on Florida Georgia Line and Bebe Rexha’s “Meant to Be”; and songwriters on Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” (Galyon, Jordan Reynolds, Dan Smyers) and For King & Country’s “Joy” (Joel Smallbone, Luke Smallbone, Tedd Tjornhom).

Having championed artist development throughout his career in publishing, Vaughn counts recognizing and cultivating major label deals for such talents as Thomas Rhett, Devin Dawson, Dan + Shay, Midland, Cale Dodds, LANco, Brandon Lay, Josh Phillips, Riley Green, Michael Ray, Gone West, Seth Ennis, A Thousand Horses, Morgan Evans, and Carlton Anderson, among his many achievements.

Vaughn’s roster includes 2018 ACM Songwriter of the Year Rhett Akins, 2018 CMA Song of the Year winner Chris Stapleton, 2018 CMA Album of the Year winner Kacey Musgraves, and 2018 BMI Songwriter of the Year Jesse Frasure, as well as Lauren Alaina, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, busbee, Nathan Chapman, Dave Cobb, For King & Country, Jesse Frasure, Nicolle Galyon, Brantley Gilbert, Ben Hayslip, Brett James, Jay Joyce, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch, Lee Miller, Randy Montana, Matthew Ramsey, Jordan Reynolds, and Liz Rose, among others. He has also worked with noted songwriters such as Guy Clark, Ross Copperman, Dallas Davidson, Alan Jackson, The Warren Brothers, Chris Young, and many more.

Vaughn serves on the board of CMA and Belmont University’s Music Industry Advisory Board, and is a member of NMPA and a former Chairman of the ACM board. A Kentucky native, he was recently inducted into the Honorable Order of Kentucky Colonel, and he received the Belmont University/ASCAP Music Milestone Award.

Before joining Warner/Chappell, Vaughn had become the youngest executive to head a major publisher in Nashville, as EVP & GM at EMI. Prior to his work at the majors, Vaughn ran an independent music publishing company starting at the age of 20.

Industry Ink: AIMP, T.J. Martell Foundation, Mike Hicks

AIMP Membership Drive Coming Up

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) will hold a membership drive on Tuesday (Feb. 5) from 4 p.m.- 6 p.m. at 1200 Villa Place (Ste. 110) in Nashville.

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) was formed in 1977 by a group of Los Angeles music publishers, and has local chapters in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. The organization’s primary focus is to educate and inform music publishers about the most current industry trends and practices by providing a forum for the discussion of the issues and problems confronting the music publishing industry. The AIMP provides a medium for those in the music industry to discuss with their colleagues various points of view from the cutting edge of the ever-changing music business. The opportunity to exchange ideas and opinions with others on issues of mutual concern is fostered by the informal atmosphere of the AIMP’s monthly meetings, forums, and workshops.

 

T.J. Martell Foundation Benefit Coming Up

The benefit show Sips Sweets and Jewelry, featuring designer Kendra Scott, will be held Tuesday, Feb. 5 from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. at Nashville’s Hill Center (4025 Hillsboro Pike). Twenty percent of the proceeds will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation.

 

Nashville Musician Mike Hicks Sets 3rd & Lindsley Show

Nashville funk/soul artist Mike Hicks will perform at 3rd & Lindsley on Jan. 31 as part of the first Jill Block Presents series. Hicks handpicked Kyshona Armstrong to open the show, beginning at 7:30 p.m.

Hicks’ work as a side man and session musician includes stints with Rascal Flatts, Keb’ Mo’, and Johnny Lang. His latest release, Come Go With Me, features Grammy nominee PJ Morton and is available on all platforms.

“Mike’s music is infectious,” says promoter Jill Block. “His love for music – those that create it and share it with him – comes through in every fiber of his being. When you experience Mike on stage, you can’t help but be moved, energized and thrilled.”

Hicks is offering a VIP Experience that will include reserved premier seating, a pre-show, intimate backstage performance, a meet and greet, photo op and autographed show poster. VIP tickets are $30 in advance and ticket holders must arrive by 6:15. General admission tickets are $10 in advance, $12 at the door. All ages are welcome.

 

Radio Personality Tricia Jenkins Joins Cumulus Media’s ‘The Ty Bentli Show’

Tricia Jenkins has joined Cumulus Media’s The Ty Bentli Show, joining host Ty Bentli, Chuck Wicks and the team on-air in mid-February. Jenkins heads to Nashville from Minneapolis, Minnesota, where she was previously midday personality and Music Director at KMNB-FM, and fill-in personality at K102/KEEY-FM.

The Ty Bentli Show launched earlier this month, following the exit of Kelly Ford to join Nash FM’s 94.7 in New York. The Ty Bentli Show is syndicated exclusively by Westwood One.

John Shomby, Director of Programming, NASH, said: “The cast is now complete. We look forward to TJ being an integral part of The Ty Bentli Show.”

“TJ is one of the most amazing women I know,” Bentli professed. “Her value goes beyond the magic she will bring on-air with The Ty Bentli Show – she’s hilariously honest, strategically focused, and innately curious about others. Tricia Jenkins, welcome to the Music City!”

Jenkins noted: “It doesn’t matter how long I’ve been in this business, it’s still mind blowing to me that I get to live in Music City to be a part of The Ty Bentli Show as my JOB! I can’t wait to join the team at Cumulus Nashville and wake up with all of my new friends across the nation! Thank you, John Shomby, Ty, and Mike McVay for everything, but mostly for moving me out of -57 degrees (the current wind chill as I’m writing this)!”

Memorial Set For Shotgun Red Creator Steve Hall

By Robert K. Oermann

A celebration of the life of country musician and puppeteer Steve Hall is scheduled for Saturday, Feb. 2, at the Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater.

Best known as the creator of the popular TNN-TV cowboy puppet Shotgun Red, Hall died at age 64 on Dec. 29, 2018. He and his puppet were regulars on TNN’s flagship series Nashville Now in 1983-1993.

Adept on guitar, saxophone and piano, Hall began playing country music five nights a week as soon as he graduated from high school in Minnesota. He was the leader of the country band Southbound ‘76 when he discovered his puppet in a Brainerd, MN hobby shop in 1980.

After traveling to Nashville to compete in a Seagram’s “Battle of the Bands” contest, Hall and his endearing dummy decided to “crash” Ralph Emery’s early-morning TV show in Music City.

The ploy worked. Emery took a shine to the scruffy, mustached, cowboy-hatted and gravelly voiced Shotgun Red. When Emery graduated to hosting TNN’s Nashville Now, he brought Shotgun Red to national stardom on the program.

The puppet became so popular that Hall/Red and Emery recorded two LPs for RCA Records on Music Row. Ralph & Red: Songs for Children and Christmas With Ralph & Red were issued in 1989.

Steve Hall and Shotgun Red were tapped to host the puppet’s own show, TNN’s Country Clips for six years. In addition, Red was a regular on TV’s Hee Haw for a decade. He also hosted The Shotgun Red Variety Show on RFDTV and appeared on Buckmasters on The Outdoor Channel.

Red/Hall debuted on the Grand Ole Opry in 1993. The act later made several more Opry guest appearances.

Steve Hall & Shotgun Red were nominated as Comedian of the Year at the TNN Music City News Awards in 1995 and 1996.

Shotgun Red reportedly had one of country music’s largest fan clubs, with more than 100,000 members. In the wake of the puppet’s popularity, Steve Hall renamed his group The Shotgun Red Band.

The group became the “house act” at The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater. It also headlined regularly on the General Jackson showboat.

As a solo pianist, Hall issued the CD Country Crossroads in 2007.

Steve Hall died in his hometown Brainerd, MN while visiting there to go ice fishing.

He is survived by his sons Steve Hall Jr. and Jimmy Gunter, daughter Angela Bavetta, nine grandchildren, three great-grandchildren, two brothers, a sister and his fiancée Sheila Keeton.

Saturday’s memorial event is scheduled for 3:00 p.m. The Nashville Nightlife Dinner Theater is located at 2416 Music Valley Drive.

 

Little Big Town To Headline Annual Boys & Girls Clubs Gala

Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee will welcome Little Big Town to its annual Great Futures Gala on April 13, 2019, at the Omni Hotel (250 5th Avenue South, Nashville). The event takes place from 5–9 p.m.

Little Big Town—consisting of members Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet, Kimberly Schlapman and Jimi Westbrook—will headline the annual event supporting nine Middle Tennessee Boys & Girls Clubs locations in Davidson and Williamson counties and outreach programs serving more than 4,385 school-age children.

“Because of their professional success and reputation for giving back to the community, the members of Little Big Town are role models for all of the youth in our Clubs as they dream about their own bright and promising futures,” said Dan Jernigan, president and CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. “They are also sure to entertain attendees at the Great Futures Gala, which has become a can’t-miss event.”

The 2018 gala raised more than $420,000 for local youth programs and services.

Tickets are $350 per person and tables of 10 can be purchased for $3,000 – a portion of each is tax deductible. Tickets, tables, and sponsorships can be secured through www.BGCMT.org or by contacting (615) 983-6804.

Pandora Shareholders Approve Purchase by Sirius XM, CEO Roger Lynch To Step Down

Pandora CEO Roger Lynch will step down from the company, following the news that Pandora stockholders approved the company’s $3.5 billion acquisition by SiriusXM. Lynch has been in the CEO role since August 2017.

Jim Meyer, CEO of SiriusXM will lead Pandora and SiriusXM as a combined company going forward. Steve Bene, General Counsel of Pandora; Naveen Chopra, Chief Financial Officer of Pandora; and Kristen Robinson, Chief Human Resources Officer of Pandora, also will be exiting the company following the transaction closing.

At the special meeting of Pandora stockholders, holders of approximately 75 percent of the outstanding voting power of Pandora voting securities were voted, with approximately 97 percent of the votes cast in favor of the transaction.

The transaction is expected to close shortly, subject to customary closing conditions. Assuming completion of the transaction, shares of Pandora common stock are expected to be delisted from trading on the New York Stock Exchange (“NYSE”). As a result of the transaction, among other things, each share of Pandora common stock will be converted into 1.44 newly issued shares of Sirius XM common stock. Sirius XM common stock will continue to trade under the existing ticker symbol “SIRI” on The Nasdaq Global Select Market.

 

 

Donovan Woods Among 2019 Juno Awards Nominees

Donovan Woods has been nominated for two Juno Awards, for Contemporary Roots Album of The Year for Both Ways and Songwriter of the Year. Woods penned Charles Kelley’s “Leaving Nashville” and Tim McGraw’s “Portland, Maine,” and is releasing a brand new song, “Go To Her,” this Friday. His songs have amassed over 81 million streams on Spotify alone.

Other country Juno nominees for Album of the Year included We Were That SongBrett Kissel, A Small Town ChristmasJess Moskaluke, Country Music Made Me Do ItMeghan Patrick, Feels Like ThatThe Reklaws, and New TattooTim Hicks.

The 2019 Juno Awards, organized by the Canadian Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, will take place in London, Ontario, on March 17 and will air on the CBC network.

Kenny Chesney’s Team Tops CMA Touring Awards

Many of the top performers in country music’s touring industry were honored during the CMA Touring Awards, held Monday (Jan. 28) at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works. The longstanding awards show, which launched in 1990 and were formerly known as the SRO Awards, honors the best in country music touring and business. This year’s ceremony celebrated professionals in 15 categories. Partners for the evening included Delta Airlines, while guests sipped on libations from Kenny Chesney’s Blue Chair Bay Rum line.

Members of Kenny Chesney’s touring and business team dominated the award wins for the evening, taking home awards in five categories.

Philip Ealy was honored as Lighting Director of the Year, while Jay Cooper was named Tour Video Director of the Year. Coach/Truck Driver of the Year went to John Stalder.

Ebie McFarland, founder/owner of EB Media PR and publicist for artists including Chesney, George Strait, and more, was named Publicist of the Year. Client Michael Ray made a special appearance to honor McFarland. McFarland was named a MusicRow Rising Women on the Row in 2014.

David Farmer, Chesney’s tour manager, was named Tour Manager of the Year.

“This is an award you don’t win by yourself,” he said, dedicating the honor to Chesney’s late Lighting Crew Chief Allen Gibson, who died in October 2018.

Evening host Jerrod Niemann, and Joe Denim introduced categories with video voice overs. The intros, dubbed “Real Crews Of Genius,” parodied the classic Bud Light “Real Men of Genius” radio spots popular in the 1990s.

“There is a vast spectrum of greatness here,” Niemann said in starting off the evening. “I want to give you an example of who is sitting at these tables. If you go to one really far spectrum there is a group that wakes up every morning, shower, put on their best dress, get in their Mercedes Benz convertible, go to their office in the sky, look out the corner window, have that earpiece in and make the stadium tours roar. On the other spectrum, still greatness, but the other end in this room there’s a group of you that wake up in the morning too, don’t shower, but do slip on your cleanest dirty black tee shirt, cargo pants, cleanest black tennis shoes and radio and you know you have a duty. You know that it’s your job to be the first to find the cleanest sh*ter and the best weed,” he joked. “For that, I commend you.”

The late Mike Kennedy won Touring Musician of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN. He is celebrated here by his friends including Terry Hale (Ace in the Hole Band), wife Margaret Kennedy and friends.

Two members of Keith Urban’s touring entourage were honored, including Kirk Kelsey (Front of House Engineer of the Year) and Randy “Baha” Fletcher (Production Manager of the Year). Kelsey and Fletcher are currently working on Keith Urban’s Graffiti U tour in Australia. Footage was shown of Urban surprising both men with their CMA Touring Award honors. In 2017, Fletcher was honored with the CMA Touring Awards’ Lifetime Achievement honor.

Several more former MusicRow Rising Women on the Row honorees were feted during the event.

WME’s Becky Gardenhire, who was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2018, was honored as Talent Agent of the Year.

KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards, artist manager for Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell among others, was named Manager of the Year. She was named one of MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row in 2017.

Julie Boos, who was named a MusicRow Rising Women On The Row in 2014, was honored as Business Manager of the Year. Blake Shelton thanked Boos for her work via a video statement.

The Touring Musician of the Year category proved a bittersweet moment, as the late Mike Kennedy was honored. Kennedy, who died in August 2018 at age 59, had been a member of Strait’s Ace In The Hole band for nearly 30 years. Fellow band members Terry Hale, Mike Anderson and Marty Slayton, as well as Kennedy’s wife Margaret, were on hand to accept the honor on Kennedy’s behalf.

“I want to say how much this means to all of us and to Mike’s family. We miss Mike a lot,” Strait said via video. “We are having to learn to play without him now but thank you, I know how much it would mean to him and how much it means to his family.”

Hale, who has been a bass player as part of the Ace in the Hole band for 45 years, said, “I had the great privilege and immeasurable pleasure of standing next to Mike Kennedy for 30 years,” Hale said. “I would like to thank his wife Margaret for sharing him with us…it is a privilege to do this for a living.”

Brian O’Connell (Live Nation) wins Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.

DEGA Catering was named Tour Caterer of the Year, and Little Big Town offered video congratulations. Monitor Engineer of the Year went to Cam Beachley, who works on Miranda Lambert’s tours.

Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell was named Talent Buyer/Promoter of the Year. Cadillac Three’s Jaren Johnston offered a few congratulatory (and sarcastic) lines via video. “It’s awesome what you are doing for us, especially not having a slot on Tortuga Festival, or Seven Peaks this year, or Watershed. We probably won’t be on the one in Chicago, either, but great job buddy.”

O’Connell used his acceptance time to honor others who have worked with him, including fellow CMA Touring Award nominee Ali Harnell, AEG Presents, and Patrick McDill (Live Nation Nashville) plus Mike Dugan (Messina Touring Group) and David Kells (Bridgestone Arena).

Opry Entertainment Sr. VP, Programming and Artist Relations/Opry General Manager Sally Williams accepted the Ryman Auditorium’s accolade as Venue of the Year. Ronnie Milsap offered a tribute via video.

The evening’s Lifetime Achievement award honored Messina Touring Group CEO Louis Messina. The Messina Touring Group oversaw three of 2018’s largest stadium tours, as Chesney, Swift and Ed Sheeran brought in more than 80 stadium shows in North America. Messina Touring Group promoted tours that grossed nearly $600 million in North America last year.

Video congratulations poured in from several of the artists Messina helped to launch massive touring careers, including Shelton, Eric Church, Chesney, Strait and Taylor Swift. Church’s manager John Peets of Q Prime South was on hand to honor Messina.

Messina recalled receiving the news via surprise phone call from Strait in November.

“This is quite an honor. I’ve been so blessed throughout my whole career,” said Messina. “I’m going to steal an Eric Church line because last year when everything came through, we did over 100 stadium shows. I had a record year. I’ve been doing this for 46 years, but last year was crazy. I’ve always been a dreamer. The first time I saw Elvis I knew this was what I wanted to do. I saw him when I was seven-years-old. My big reward is not only seeing my dreams come true, but the artists I work for, seeing their dreams come true. We help create magic night after night. It’s all about the artists, but it’s all about everybody in this room too because when you put us all together, that’s what magic is. When the artist and the audience connect and we’re just that part of it, that’s magical. I salute everybody in this room for being a part of what you all do. This is a night I’m never going to forget.”

Perhaps it was Coach/Truck Driver of the Year winner John Stalder who summed the evening best.

“Keep on rollin’!”

Michael Ray surprises Ebie McFarland as she wins the Publicist of the Year at the 7th Annual CMA Touring Awards on Monday, January 28, 2019 at Marathon Music Works in Nashville, TN.

2019 CMA Touring Awards Winners:

CATEGORY 1 – BUSINESS MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Julie Boos (Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.)

CATEGORY 2 – COACH/TRUCK DRIVER OF THE YEAR
John Stalder (Kenny Chesney)

CATEGORY 3 – FRONT OF HOUSE (FOH) ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Kirk Kelsey (Keith Urban)

CATEGORY 4 – LIGHTING DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Philip Ealy (Kenny Chesney)

CATEGORY 5 – MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Kerri Edwards (KP Entertainment)

CATEGORY 6 – TOUR MANAGER OF THE YEAR
David Farmer (Kenny Chesney)

CATEGORY 7 – MONITOR ENGINEER OF THE YEAR
Cam Beachley (Miranda Lambert)

CATEGORY 8 – PRODUCTION MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Randy “Baja” Fletcher (Keith Urban)

CATEGORY 9 – PUBLICIST OF THE YEAR
Ebie McFarland (Essential Broadcast Media)

CATEGORY 10 – TALENT AGENT OF THE YEAR
Becky Gardenhire (WME)

CATEGORY 11 – TALENT BUYER/PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Brian O’Connell (Live Nation Nashville)

CATEGORY 12 – TOUR CATERER OF THE YEAR
Dega Catering

CATEGORY 13 – TOURING MUSICIAN OF THE YEAR
Mike Kennedy (George Strait)

CATEGORY 14 – VENUE OF THE YEAR
Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)

CATEGORY 15 – TOUR VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Jay Cooper (Kenny Chesney)

John Zarling Exits Sony Music Nashville

Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President John Zarling is exiting his post with the label to pursue new career opportunities, MusicRow has confirmed.

Serving as Sony Music Nashville’s Executive Vice President, Marketing & New Business since January 2017, Zarling has overseen the label’s marketing efforts as well as brand partnerships, digital marketing, international marketing, media and creative services.

Prior to his position at Sony Music, Zarling served as Senior Vice President, Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy, for Big Machine Label Group. A Big Machine Label Group executive since its launch in 2005, he played a pivotal role in the careers of Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Reba McEntire, The Band Perry, Zac Brown Band, Martina McBride and Brantley Gilbert, among many others.

While at Big Machine, Zarling created partnerships with Comcast, Disney, Sarah Cannon Cancer Research Institute at HCA, Allstate Insurance and American Express; additionally, he initiated promotion campaigns for successful TV and film endeavors including ABC’s Nashville, FOX’s American Idol, NBC’s The Voice, Warner Bros. Films’ Valentine’s Day and the Oscar-nominated Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me.

California native Zarling joined Mercury Records’ promotion department in 2001, upon graduation from Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.

Zarling can be reached at john@johnzarling.com.