Garth Brooks, Kacey Musgraves To Perform On iHeartRadio Music Awards

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Garth Brooks, Kacey Musgraves, Alicia Keys, Ariana Grande, Halsey, and John Legend are the first round of performers announced for the upcoming 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards, to be held March 14 on FOX. Airing live from the Microsoft Theater in Los Angeles, the sixth annual iHeartRadio Music Awards will also air live on iHeartMedia radio stations nationwide and iHeartRadio, the all-in-one digital music, podcast, on demand and live-streaming radio service.

Taylor Swift will be honored during the show with the iHeartRadio Tour of the Year award for her Reputation Stadium Tour. With over 2 million tickets sold in the U.S. and grossing $266 million, it is the highest-selling U.S. tour in history by any artist. The Taylor Swift Reputation Stadium Tour broke Swift’s own record for highest-grossing tour by a woman. The tour, which kicked off in May 2018 in Glendale, Arizona, also traveled to Canada, Europe, Australia, New Zealand and Asia and was made into a special concert film for Netflix. Swift will be in attendance to accept her award.

The 2019 iHeartRadio Music Awards will again celebrate the fans, giving iHeartRadio listeners the opportunity to decide winners in several new and established categories. Fan voting will determine this year’s Best Fan Army presented by Taco Bell; Best Lyrics; Best Cover Song; Best Music Video; the Social Star Award; Best Solo Breakout; Cutest Musician’s Pet; and the first-ever Song That Left Us Shook and Favorite Tour Photographer awards. Social voting will close on March 7. Fans can vote on Twitter using the appropriate category and nominee hashtags or by visiting iHeartRadio.com/awards.

Sony Music Nashville, WME To Celebrate Women’s History Month With Nashville Concert

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Sony Music Nashville and WME will commemorate Women’s History Month with a special show at City Winery on March 11 at 6:30 p.m. CT.

Titled “A Celebration of Women’s History Month,” the event will feature performances from Rachel Wammack, Hannah Dasher, Carlton Anderson, Robert Counts, Seaforth, and more. The newcomers will honor some of country music’s most legendary female artists, by covering hit songs and spotlighting their accomplishments over the decades.

The show will be hosted by media personalities Ashley Eicher and Hunter Kelly, of the All Our Favorite People podcast.

All event proceeds will go to benefit She Is The Music, a non-profit organization dedicated to creating change for women and building an equal future for music through various programs and initiatives.

General admission tickets are available for $25 at citywinery.com.

Devin Dawson Heads To Interrogation Room In New “Dark Horse” Video

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Devin Dawson. Photo: Tyler Conrad.

Warner Music Nashville’s Devin Dawson commemorated the release of the video clip for his moody “Dark Horse” at Nashville’s Warren Paint & Color Company warehouse, where he shot the video. Dawson invited music industry executives, as well as his Dark Horse Family, to watch the video for the very first time and to play a few songs from the Dark Horse album.

“This is a special one,” Dawson said of the introspective song he wrote with Andy Albert and Andrew DeRoberts. “This is my story and I think its a lot of [other people’s] story, too. Because of that, I wanted to make sure we got it right.”

Devin Dawson performs following his music video premiere at Warren Paint & Color Company. Photo: Tyler Conrad

Dawson said he read around 15 treatments until he landed on “All On Me” director, Justin Clough‘s vision to play with the parallels between an interrogation room and a recording studio. “There’s so many similarities between those two that I never noticed,” he said.

Working with Warner’s Mike Dupree, VP, Creative Services, Dawson was able to capture that vision.

Belmont Faculty to Research Digital Preservation of Music Row Studios’ Aural Heritage

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Dr. Doyuen Ko

Dr. Doyuen Ko, associate professor of audio engineering in Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, was recently awarded a $350,000 grant for a study he’s pursuing on digital preservation of aural heritage in conjunction with his colleague at Rochester Institute of Technology (RIT). Ko’s work will digitally replicate the acoustics of three historic structures, including Columbia recording studios A and B on Music Row (which Belmont University owns and operates), to establish protocols for preserving the aural heritage of culturally significant sites.

This work enables virtual interaction through physics-based reconstructions of acoustical dynamics. A two-step process is involved in aural heritage preservation. First, researchers must capture and document the acoustics of a space and then create virtual acoustics using captured data via digital audio technologies.

The researchers will develop, test and share their aural heritage process via three case studies, which represent culturally, architecturally and temporally distinct examples of endangered aural heritage. Those include the Columbia studios as well as the Rochester Savings Bank, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, and the interior architecture of the 3,000-year-old UNESCO World Heritage Site at Chavín de Huántar, Peru. The work is expected to be completed within three years.

Ko, along with co-principal investigator Dr. Sungyoung Kim (RIT) and aural heritage consultant Dr. Miriam Kolar, noted in their grant proposal that building acoustics influence human experience, particularly in religious, performance and other public gathering spaces. “For centuries, across music history, composers and performers have viewed performance rooms as musical instruments, with distinct tonal, spatial and dynamic character,” they wrote. “Composers have sought to include the interaction of players and rooms within their music, and instrument makers consider a room response to sound.”

Belmont University is uniquely equipped for the Music Row studies in terms of geographic location and facilities, including a hemi-anechoic chamber and a 250-seat film sound mixing stage with a DOLBY ATMOS immersive audio system, the first university-based installation in the world.

Tin Pan South Performance Schedule Released

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The schedule for the 27th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank has been released, with close to 400 songwriters in a variety of genres already scheduled to perform over 90 shows at 10 of Nashville’s top music venues March 26-30.

Dozens of artist songwriters are scheduled to tell the stories behind the songs they’ve composed and perform them as they were originally written throughout the event including Mac Davis, Lee Roy Parnell, Eddie Raven, TG Sheppard, Rodney Atkins, RaeLynn, Tenille Arts, Dave Barnes, Craig Campbell, Lance Carpenter, Tenille Townes, Tony Arata, Shawn Camp, Liz Hengber, Brett James, Georgia Middleman, Lee Thomas Miller, Victoria Shaw, Jeffery Steele, Craig Wiseman, Bob DiPiero, Buddy Cannon, Barry Dean, Nicolle Galyon, Luke Laird, Lori McKenna, Rivers Rutherford, and many more.

The sale of the popular Fast Access Passes begins today (Feb. 26) at TinPanSouth.com. The passes sold out in record time last year. Cash admission for individual shows not already at the posted capacity will be an option at most venues, and single show tickets available at the door will range from $10-25.   

Garth Brooks Announces ‘Legacy’ Vinyl Collection

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Garth Brooks fans will soon be able to hear more of the entertainer’s classic hits on vinyl, via a new collection comprised of three separate sets, as part of The Legacy Collection. The Limited Edition set will include albums that are digitally remastered from analog recordings or CDs; the Digitally Remixed/Remastered Edition will include vinyl albums and CDs that are digitally remixed, except for Triple Live recordings; finally, the Analog Edition includes vinyl albums and CDs from the original analog recordings.

Each of the three box sets includes both vinyl as well as CDs of albums including Brooks’ classic No Fences, The Chase, In Pieces, Fresh Horses and Triple Live. Each of the limited-edition Legacy sets will be numbered, and those who pre-order a set can reserve their own personalized number.

The sets will go on sale on Tuesday (Feb. 26) at 7 p.m. ET for $100 for all three box sets with the reserved number personalizations.

Brooks made the announcement on Monday, Feb. 25 via his Inside Studio G Facebook Live. During the segment, he explained the meaning behind the unique cover for the collection, which features an astronaut on the moon. Brooks explained a comment from a radio host who said Brooks could well be “the first man to play on the moon,” inspired the cover. Brooks then approached NASA and gained access to a photo from Apollo 14. The cover features a photo of fans at a Garth show superimposed over the astronaut’s space helmet.

T.J. Martell’s Nashville Honors Gala Raises $500K For Cancer Research

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Honorees Al Ganier, Sylvia Ganier, Sally Williams and Dr. Kathryn Edwards. (Back row, L-R): Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry, Jeff Cook, Nathan Followill, Matthew Followill, Jared Followill and Caleb Followill. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for T.J. Martell Foundation

The T.J. Martell Foundation raised nearly half a million dollars on Monday (Feb. 25) during the 11th Annual Nashville Honors Gala. Since the event’s inception in 2009, it has raised over $4 million for cancer research. Honorees were treated to performances by Amy Grant, Brad Paisley, Home Free, Michael McDonald and Old Crow Medicine Show. Special presentations included Aubrey Harwell, Charlie Daniels, Garth Brooks, Steven Webber, and Zane Lowe.

This year’s honorees were:
Kings of Leon – Spirit of Nashville Award
Alabama – Tony Martell Outstanding Entertainment Achievement Award
Sally Williams – Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award
Dr. Kathryn Edwards – Medical Research Advancement Award
Sylvia & Al Ganier – Lifetime Humanitarian Award

The Nashville Honors Gala is one of The T.J. Martell Foundation’s premier events that pays tribute to outstanding community leaders and presents special musical performances with heartwarming presentations that celebrate the evening’s honorees. In addition to the performances, there was a live and silent auction with proceeds benefitting cancer research.

RIAA Reveals New Board Of Directors

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The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has revealed its new board of directors, which includes nine new members.

Among those serving are Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and Terry Hemmings of Provident Music Group. Among the newly-elected members to the board is recently-appointed RIAA chairman and CEO Mitch Glazier, as well as COO Michele Ballantyne.

The board members will serve a four-year term, which will end in 2022.

“As we advocate for a music ecosystem that respects artists and fans, we are fortunate to have talented leaders on our board from a variety of labels representing a broad spectrum of genres and geographies,” said Glazier in a statement. “These executives will ensure RIAA is at the forefront as the industry continues to innovate and protect the music that inspires us all, keeping the dream alive for the next generation of music creators.”

The RIAA Board oversees, gives expert advice and helps advocate for the industry-wide initiatives of the RIAA.

RIAA Board of Directors:

Michele Anthony – Universal Music Group
Michele Ballantyne – Recording Industry Association of America (new member)
Glen Barros – Concord Music Group
Eric Berman – Universal Music Group
David Bither – Nonesuch Records
Ken Bunt – Disney Music Group
Alisa Coleman – ABKCO Music & Records (new member)
John Esposito – Warner Music Nashville
Mitch Glazier – Chair – Recording Industry Association of America (new member)
Victor Gonzalez – Universal Music Latin Entertainment (new member)
Camille Hackney – Atlantic Records (new member)
Rani Hancock – Sire Records (new member)
Jeffrey Harleston – Universal Music Group
Terry Hemmings – Provident Music Group
Kevin Kelleher – Sony Music Entertainment
Sheldra Khahaifa – Sony Music Entertainment (new member)
Dennis Kooker – Sony Music Entertainment
Annie Lee – Interscope Geffen A&M (new member)
Gabriela Martinez – Warner Music Latina (new member)
Deirdre McDonald – Sony Music Entertainment
Paul Robinson – Warner Music Group
Portia Sabin – Kill Rock Stars
Tom Silverman – Tommy Boy Entertainment
Julie Swidler – Sony Music Entertainment
Will Tanous – Universal Music Group

Industry Ink: Frank Bumstead, Pandora Stories, Hannah Bethel

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Frank And Ann Bumstead Honored By Nashville Opera

Photo by Peyton Hoge

Frank and Ann Bumstead, longtime supporters of Nashville Opera and the Nashville Opera Guild, have been named as the recipients of the 2019 Francis Robinson Award, presented at La Bella Notte 2019. The award is presented to individuals who have made significant contributions to the arts in the Nashville area, especially to the Nashville Opera, and who have demonstrated longevity in supporting opera in Middle Tennessee. In addition to holding an ongoing membership in the Impresario Council, Ann and Frank Bumstead also underwrite productions each year, and Ann currently serves on the Advisory Board of the Nashville Opera Association, and is a member of the Nashville Opera Guild. In collaboration with the Bumsteads, this award in their honor will be expressed as a scholarship to a Music Business Major at Belmont University.

 

Lauren Alaina, John Legend, Perry Farrell, More Featured In New Pandora Stories

Pandora has introduced Pandora Stories, a new artist marketing tool that allows creators to combine the narrative possibilities of podcasts with the emotional power of music playlists. The first collection, available to all Pandora listeners starting today by searching “Pandora Stories,” features Lauren Alaina, John Legend, Daddy Yankee, Perry Farrell, Wes Anderson music supervisor Randall Poster, and Amy Winehouse collaborator and Dap-Kings guitarist Tommy Brenneck, with forthcoming stories from many more artists to come.

Pandora Stories allow artists to create playlists interspersed with voice tracks so that they can tell the stories behind the music, artists, and inspirations that move them, and bring their songs to life in a uniquely personal way. Pandora Stories also opens music-driven storytelling to a wider realm of musicians, actors, filmmakers, athletes, celebs, authors, podcasters, and thought leaders, giving them access to Pandora’s expansive catalog of songs to contextualize their stories and bring them to life in a new way.

 

Hannah Bethel Inks With Clif Doyal Agency For Management

Photo by Lindsey Sipe

Hannah Bethel has signed with The Clif Doyal Agency for management. The firm has represented Bethel for publicity and career consulting since September 2018. Bethel released her single and video “Train” in October 2018. Bethel and “Train” were selected as a CMT Music Artist Discovery and the video spent four consecutive weeks in the CMT Music fan-voted “12 Pack Countdown” in January and February. Bethel is currently participating in the CMT Mentorship program where a select group of artists receive monthly mentoring sessions with hit songwriters, media experts, major producers and other leading music industry professionals.

Dolly Parton Signs With TRUE Public Relations

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Dolly Parton has signed with Marcel Pariseau of TRUE Public Relations, who will handle all media inquiries for Parton going forward. Pariseau will relocate to Nashville, making Music City his home base beginning March 1.

Pariseau has been working with Parton in a limited capacity over the past year. TRUE also represents artists including Pistol Annies, Miranda Lambert, Walker Hayes, and Martina McBride.

Parton was recently honored in Los Angeles as MusiCares Person of the Year, and was honored with an all-star tribute during the Grammy Awards.

In 2018, music that Parton crafted and performed was used for the soundtrack of the motion picture Dumplin’, released via Netflix in December. Parton‘s “Girl In The Movies,” recorded as part of the soundtrack, was nominated for “Best Original Song – Motion Picture” for the recent 76th Annual Golden Globe Awards.

Previously, Parton had worked with Kirt Webster of Webster PR for independent publicity services for many years. Webster shuttered his business in 2017, after claims of sexual misconduct and abuse were brought against him. Webster has denied all allegations and launched a new website earlier this year.