IEBA Reveals 2019 Industry Awards Nominees

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The International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) has revealed the full slate of nominees for its Industry Awards, to be presented at the Honors & Awards Ceremony on Tuesday, Oct. 29, 2019, during IEBA’s 49th Annual Conference at JW Marriott in Nashville.

Nominees for this year’s awards are:

Club of the Year

• The Armory – Minneapolis, MN
• Brooklyn Steel – Brooklyn, NY
• First Avenue – Minneapolis, MN
• Joe’s on Weed Street – Chicago, IL
• The Sylvee – Madison, WI
• Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA
• Webster Hall – New York, NY

Casino of the Year

• Agua Caliente Resort Casino Spa – Rancho Mirage, CA
• Borgata Hotel Casino & Spa – Atlantic City, NJ
• Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, OK
• Foxwoods Resort Casino – Mashantucket, CT
• Parx Casino – Bensalem, PA
• River Spirit Casino Resort – Tulsa, OK
• Seven Feathers Casino Resort – Canyonville, OR
• Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Welch, MN

Ryman Auditorium Theater of the Year

• Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
• Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts – Cerritos, CA
• FM Kirby Center – Wilkes-Barre, PA
• The Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA
• Historic Theatre Group (Orpheum, State, & Pangea) – Minneapolis, MN
• Microsoft Theater – Los Angeles, CA
• Paramount Theatre – Denver, CO
• Tobin Center for the Performing Arts – San Antonio, TX

Arena of the Year

• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• Fiserv Forum – Milwaukee, WI
• Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
• STAPLES Center – Los Angeles, CA
• T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV
• Tacoma Dome – Tacoma, WA
• Talking Stick Resort Arena – Phoenix, AZ
• United Center – Chicago, IL

Amphitheater of the Year

• Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre – Greenwood Village, CO
• Filene Center at Wolf Trap – Vienna, VA
• Forest Hills Stadium – Queens, NY
• The Hollywood Bowl – Los Angeles, CA
• Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO
• The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre – Saint Augustine, Florida
• State Bank Amphitheatre at Chastain Park – Atlanta, GA

Fair of the Year

• California Mid-State Fair – Paso Robles, CA
• Mississippi Valley Fair – Davenport, IA
• Ohio State Fair – Columbus, OH
• San Diego County Fair – Del Mar, CA
• State Fair of Texas – Dallas, TX
• Wisconsin State Fair – West Allis, WI

Festival of the Year

• Austin City Limits Music Festival – Austin, TX
• Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival – Manchester, TN
• Lollapalooza – Chicago, IL
• Newport Folk Festival – Newport, RI
• Outside Lands – San Francisco, CA
• Stagecoach Festival – Indio, CA

Club Buyer of the Year

• Danny Bell – AEG Presents
• Donna Busch – Goldenvoice
• Pat Fielder – Mammoth
• David Fitzgerald – DCF Concerts
• Margaret Galton – C3 Presents
• Sonia Grover – First Avenue
• Josh Moore – The Bowery Presents

Casino Buyer of the Year

• Deana Baker – Choctaw Casino & Resort
• Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
• Leslie Goodwin – C3 Presents
• Leslie Master – Live Nation
• Brian Moore – AEG Presents
• Lori Otelsberg – Signature Entertainment
• Robyn Smith Levi – Boyd Gaming
• Joe Soper – Mohegan Sun

Corporate Buyer of the Year

• Annie Eifler – Gulf Coast Entertainment
• Debbie Meyers-Shock – BRAVO! Entertainment
• Clare O’Boyle – Jack Morton Worldwide
• Corey Shapoff – SME Entertainment Group, A Live Nation Company
• Kevin Underwood – LEO Events
• Danny Ward – Ward & Ames Special Events, Inc.
• Rick Whetsel – G7 Entertainment Marketing

International Buyer of the Year

• Michael Chugg – Chugg Entertainment (Australia)
• Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment (Canada)
• Steve Homer – AEG Presents (UK)
• Simon Jones – AEG Presents (UK)
• Jobst-Henning Neerman – KBK Konzert GmbH (Germany)
• Peter Noble – Bluesfest Touring (Australia)
• Riley O’Connor – Live Nation (Canada)
• Bec Sutherland – Live Nation (Australasia)

Fair Buyer of the Year

• Todd Boltin – Variety Attractions
• Clay Campbell – Triangle Talent
• Cathy Mordente – San Diego County Fair
• Pat Powelson – Jayson Promotions
• Nina Rojas – Neste Live
• Lisa Sexton – OC Fair
• Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events, Inc.

Festival Buyer of the Year

• Amy Corbin – C3 Presents
• Tom Hoppa – BottleRock Napa Valley
• Mark Monahan – Ottawa Bluesfest
• Brian O’Connell – Live Nation
• Huston Powell – C3 Presents
• Stacy Vee – Messina Touring Group

Venue Executive of the Year

• Zane Collings – SMG Jacksonville
• Becky Colwell – The Greek Theatre
• Laurie Jacoby – MSG Entertainment
• David Kells – Bridgestone Arena
• Geni Lincoln – The Forum
• Kristin Ropp – U.S. Bank Arena
• Sean Saadeh – Prudential Center
• Casey Sparks – BOK Center

Young Professional of the Year

• Sabrina Butera – CAA
• Joe Giordano – BOK Center
• Zach Hartley – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Emily Katz – Mammoth
• Emily Mayer – AEG Presents
• Andrew Saunders – STAPLES Center & Microsoft Theater
• Julian Wurpel – APA

Talent Agent of the Year

• Sara Bollwinkel – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Scott Clayton – WME
• Lenore Kinder – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Adam Kornfeld – AGI
• Jeff Krones – CAA
• Aaron Tannenbaum – CAA

Promoter of the Year

• Jared Braverman – Live Nation
• Don Fox – Beaver Productions
• Alex Hodges – Nederlander Concerts
• Darin Lashinsky – NS2
• Debra Rathwell – AEG Presents
• Rich Schaefer – AEG Presents
• Mike Smardak – Outback Concerts
• Brad Wavra – Live Nation

Eric Paslay Reveals Details Of New ‘Live In Glasgow’ Album

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Eric Paslay is releasing a new album, Live In Glasgow, later this year which was recorded during his European tour last Summer and contains 10 tracks, including four of his No. 1 hits.

Paslay announced the album release just days ahead of launching his overseas “Nice Guy Tour,” which will take him across Australia, Germany, Ireland, the Netherlands, Scandinavia and the United Kingdom, beginning Aug. 29. Fans attending those shows will be able to purchase the new album, and the project’s U.S. release date will be announced soon.

“‘Barefoot Blue Jean Night,’ ‘Even If It Breaks Your Heart’ and ‘Angel Eyes’ are all songs my amazing band and I have been playing for the last few years but have never recorded together. Live In Glasgow was a chance to share our versions of those tunes along with many of our other favorites,” Paslay shared. “The first time I played in Glasgow I fell in love with the fans’ passion and energy and knew immediately we had to record my live album there. It was a blast!  If we were able to capture even half of the good vibes that were in that room that night, we made a great record.”

Live In Glasgow Album Track listing:
1.      Song About A Girl
2.      Barefoot Blue Jean Night
3.      Angel Eyes
4.      Amarillo Rain
5.      Even If It Breaks Your Heart / Learning To Fly
6.      Here Comes Love / On The Road Again
7.      High Class
8.      She Don’t Love You
9.      Less Than Whole
10.    Friday Night

Nice Guy Tour Dates:

8-29     Amsterdam, Netherlands                    Melkweg Upstairs
8-30     Hamburg, Germany                            Knust
8-31     Cologne, Germany                              Luxor
9-2       Berlin, Germany                                  Musik & Frieden
9-3       Ascheffenburg, Germany                   Colos-Saal
9-4       Munich, Germany                               Hansa 39
9-6       Dublin, Ireland                                    Green Room At The Academy
9-7       Lutterworth, UK                                 The Long Road Festival
9-10     Glasgow, Scotland                              Oran Mor
9-11     Manchester, UK                                  Band On The Mall
9-12     London, UK                                       Bush Hall
9-15     Oslow, Norway                                   Parkteatret
9-17     Stockholm, Sweden                            Bryggarsalen
9-26     Tamworth, AUS                                 Tamworth War Memorial Town Hall
9-28     Sydney, AUS                                      C2C: Country To Country
9-29     Brisbane, AUS                                    C2C: Country To Country
10-1     Wollongong, AUS                              Anita’s Theatre
10-2     Melbourne, AUS                                 Forum Theatre

 

Industry Pics: Cindy Mabe, WMBA, Evelyn Shriver, Susan Nadler, ASCAP

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WMBA Features Cindy Mabe

Pictured (L-R): Mary Larimer, Charlene Bryant, Lauren Simon, Cindy Mabe, Mallory Allgood, Kelsey Wise, Dana Dickie and Emily Bukowski.

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) featured guest speaker Cindy Mabe during the organization’s August membership meeting this week, where Mabe spoke about her journey from Belmont University student to her role as President of UMG Nashville.

Mabe shared that she looks for a “unique perspective and something meaningful to say” when considering signing an artist to the label.

“Music is one of the most influential things on the planet,” she said. “When an artist performs a song, they are channeling something nobody else can do.”

Susan Nadler, Evelyn Shriver, Shane McAnally, Jason Owen Lead “Shady Ladies” Live Podcast Taping

Pictured (L-R): Monument Co-President Jason Owen, Martina McBride, Evelyn Shriver, Monument SVP Katie McCartney, Susan Nadler, Monument Co-President Shane McAnally

The Shady Ladies of Music City podcast wrapped a successful first season with a live taping and finale party at the Country Music Hall of Fame last week. Podcast hosts Susan Nadler and Evelyn Shriver shared the stage with Monument co-presidents (and podcast executive producers) Shane McAnally and Jason Owen. Longtime friend Martina McBride introduced the hosts, and warned the audience that “the Shady Ladies of Music City podcast is not suitable for children…but then again, neither is the music industry.”

Listen to the live-taped episode here.

 

ASCAP Hosts Monthly Bluebird Cafe Showcase Series

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Holly Chester, Josh Matheny, Anna Vaus, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Brent Anderson, Jeb Gipson and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad

On Aug. 14, ASCAP hosted the latest round in its monthly showcase series at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe. The round featured ASCAP writer-artists Brent Anderson, Jeb Gipson, Josh Matheny and Anna Vaus. The July installment of the series featured Dylan Rockoff, Tristan Bushman, Maddie Anderson and Manon Ward. The showcases are curated by ASCAP VP Mike Sistad and Membership Manager Holly Chester.

Also in August, the monthly ASCAP-sponsored songwriter showcase “What’s Next?” was held at Douglas Corner Cafe and featured Raquel Cole, Jessie Clement and The Woods. The showcase is hosted and curated by hit writer Bonnie Baker.

Pictured (L-R): The Woods’ Nick Halsted and Dan O’Rourke, Raquel Cole, ASCAP’s Kele Currier and Jessie Clement

Pictured (L-R): Manon Ward, Maddie Anderson, ASCAP’s Holly Chester, Tristan Bushman and Dylan Rockoff

Jen Bontusa Named Vice President/Label, Artist Partnerships at Ingrooves

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Jen Bontusa has been appointed Vice President, Label and Artist Partnerships at independent music marketing and distribution company Ingrooves.

In this newly-created role, Bontusa will be responsible for growing Ingrooves’ client base and on boarding and maintaining new client relationships. Bontusa, who reports to Executive Vice President and General Manager Amy Dietz, will additionally establish an Ingrooves office in Nashville.

The appointment marks the return of Bontusa to the Ingrooves fold, where she worked in the company’s L.A. headquarters from 2005 to 2018, rising to the position of Senior Director, Label Development. She most recently served at Centric Entertainment as Vice President of Brand Strategy, where she oversaw the development and implementation of marketing and branding for artist campaigns. She has more than 15 years of artist services and product management experience and has worked with such artists as The Lumineers, Oasis, Dolly Parton, Mazzy Star, Against Me!, Jamestown Revival, Thievery Corporation, Peaches, Kate Nash and others.

“We have had plans for some time now to expand our presence in Nashville and we’ve been looking for the right executive to lead that effort,” Dietz said.  “Jen is a talented and forward-thinking executive whose deep relationships with many of our clients and with the industry at large make her a perfect fit.  We’re thrilled to have her back at Ingrooves.”

“Returning to Ingrooves to establish a new office in one of the most important music cities in the world is hugely gratifying,” said Bontusa. “I’m excited to get to work with Amy, Bob Roback, all of the great artists and labels in the fold, and the rest of my friends at Ingrooves.”

Weekly Register: Luke Combs, Blanco Brown Keep Tight Holds On Country Sales Charts

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Luke Combs again tops this week’s country albums chart, with This One’s For You garnering 20K in total consumption, according to Nielsen Soundscan. Dan + Shay‘s self-titled album is at No. 2 with 15K, followed by Morgan Wallen with If I Know Me with 12K. Combs’ The Prequel EP is at No. 4 with 11K, while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller is at No. 5 with 11K.

Hunter Hayes debuts at No. 44 with Wild Blue (Part 1) with 3.9K. Rodney Crowell‘s Texas debuts at No. 90 with 2.4K.

Blanco Brown remains this week’s top song on the country streaming chart, with 22 million streams this week. Combs’ “Beer Never Broke My Heart” is at No. 2 with 9.1 million streams, while Blake Shelton‘s “God’s Country” is at No. 3 with 8.8 million streams. Wallen’s “Whiskey Glasses” is at No. 4 with 7.7 million streams while Luke Bryan‘s “Knockin’ Boots” rounds out the Top 5 with 7.7 million streams.

On The Row: Niko Moon Talks “Good Time” And Making Music With A Positive Impact

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Niko Moon. Photo: Haley Crow/MusicRow Magazine

Niko Moon, one of the newest artists on Sony’s RCA Nashville imprint, is determined to craft music that finds positivity in every situation, even some of life’s most painful moments.

“I always write from a redemptive lenses, and a positive outlook,” he said during a recent visit to the MusicRow Magazine offices. “I think about all my life experiences and they were great learning lessons.”

One of his recently-released tracks, “Good Time,” features a hip-hop groove overlaid with acoustic guitar, and a relaxed, soulful lead vocal that espouses campfires, clear moonlit evenings, good friends with guitars, good liquor and even a communal singing of “Dixieland Delight.”

Moon, a Texas native, relocated to Douglasville, Georgia, when he was 10. His father was a truck driver, his mother a waitress, but both parents played music and wrote songs, drawing inspiration from artists like John Prine and Patty Griffin.

“I love John [Prine]’s thought process in writing a song,” Moon says. “He’s the king of being really witty and simple at the same time, which is really hard to do. I’ve always tried to make my music meaningful but conversational.”

Moon caught the music bug in high school, often swiping his father’s guitar to learn how to play.

“His guitar was off limits because he was afraid I was break it. I would get it and watch YouTube videos to learn how to play. He caught me pretty soon and he was mad, but he realized, ‘Wow you had the guts to risk that.’ I’m left-handed, but I learned how to play guitar right-handed from videos. So now that’s pretty much the only thing I do right-handed.”

Moon also ran track and cross country in high school and earned a full scholarship to Birmingham, Alabama’s Sanford University. However, by that point, he knew he wanted to pursue music.

“I was so obsessed with music at that point and I wouldn’t go to class,” he says. “I just stayed in my room and tried writing songs.”

He soon left college and got a job installing insulation in commercial buildings. He later did construction and became an electrician, all while playing gigs around Atlanta.

He linked up with fellow Georgia musician Zac Brown, which led to Moon earning co-writer credits on five No. 1 hits for Zac Brown Band, including “Homegrown,” “Loving You Easy,” “Keep Me In Mind,” and “Heavy Is The Head,” which topped the rock charts and featured a lead vocal from Chris Cornell. Moon penned Rascal Flatts’ hit “Back To Life,” as well. He was also part of the pop-EDM group Sir Rosevelt, which he formed in 2016 alongside Brown and Ben Simonetti.

Niko Moon with MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson

“The way I like to look at songwriting is when I write with an artist, I like to almost become that artist as much as I can. With Zac, I put on my imaginary beanie and have my imaginary five kids and then I think, ‘What do I care about? What do I want to say?’ I don’t want it to sound like he’s signing a song I wrote—I want it to sound like they are coming from him.”

Three years ago, Moon moved to Nashville and signed with Warner Chappell. He’s now signed as an artist with Make Wake/River House Artists.

Moon gets intensely personal on another track, “Drunk Over You,” which stems from a betrayal of an ex-lover which led Moon into a downward spiral for a time.

“I dated a girl for like seven years and we got engaged and two months before the wedding, I found out she was sleeping with my best friend. He was the best man in my wedding. It really messed me up for a couple of years and I wasn’t that type of person, but after that I started going out and partying and living that kind of mentality. I thought that by doing that, it would help me get over it and like two years later, I was still sadder than I had ever been. I had that epiphany people have, like ‘What am I doing?’ Getting through heartbreak isn’t through a bottle. But I wanted to write this in a positive way because if I hadn’t have gone through that, I wouldn’t have met my wife. She is best woman I’ve ever met. She’s my person and I couldn’t imagine life without her. “

In his own music, Moon draws from his Georgia roots, growing up in small town Douglasville, Georgia, a half-hour outside of Atlanta.

“The drums and bass are Atlanta and everything above it is Douglasville,” he describes the music on his upcoming album, which he crafted with his wife, Anna Moon, a pop artist signed with Monument Records.

“In high school, it was my goal to blow out the speakers in the back of my truck, and Alan Jackson couldn’t do that for me at the time, but T.I. and Outkast would They weren’t saying anything I could remotely relate to, but country music was telling my life in its lyrics. So with my music I wanted it to reflect how I grew up, with music that hits hard but is super country.”

Niko Moon with MusicRow Magazine staffers.

Bonfire Music Group Opens Nashville-Based Bonfire Booking Agency; Appoints Ryan Slone As VP

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Bonfire Music Group announced today (Aug. 26) the addition of a full-service booking agency. With nearly a decade of music industry experience, including stints at the Ovation Artist Group and New Frontier Touring, Ryan Slone has joined as the agency’s vice president. He has begun operations out of Bonfire Music Group’s offices in East Nashville, where Slone is working alongside the agency’s president, Steve Johnson.

Slone says, “I’ve admired Steve Johnson’s work for several years, and I couldn’t pass up this incredible opportunity. I will continue to put artists first as we expand our roster and team.”

The agency is working with acts spanning across multiple genres, including Americana, rock, blues, soul, and R&B. Bringing a well-rounded level of experience, Slone adds a number of his previous roster of artists. He has been active within the music business networking group SOLID since 2006, including several years on the board. The Columbus, Ohio native earned an MBA from Belmont University with a concentration in Music Business.

“One component of the music business that all artists are looking for is a strong booking agent who can get them the work they are looking for,” says Bonfire Music Group CEO Ethan Burkhardt. “We’re excited to welcome Ryan and his incredible roster of musicians to Bonfire. We’re incredibly lucky to start this new venture with a full artist roster. With that said, we expect to bring on additional agents in the near future to allow us to grow the roster.”

The move into booking comes after the previous announcement of Bonfire Management. The company’s Steve Johnson will oversee operations of Bonfire Management and Booking, all falling under the Bonfire Music Group umbrella.

Brandi Carlile, Yola, The War And Treaty Among Americana Honors & Awards Performers And Presenters

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The Milk Carton Kids will once again be on hand to host and Buddy Miller will return as musical director for the upcoming 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards ceremony, to be held Wednesday, Sept. 11 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Among the confirmed performers for the upcoming show are Jade Bird, Brandi Carlile, Elvis Costello, Mark Erelli, Rhiannon Giddens, I’m With Her, Ruston Kelly, Delbert McClinton, Lori McKenna, Maria Muldaur, John Prine, J.S. Ondara, Our Native Daughters, Erin Rae, Amanda Shires, Mavis Staples, The War and Treaty and Yola.

“Year after year, this show continues to raise the bar as a one-of-a-kind musical event, fueled by the passion of music-loving artists and fans,” shared Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “It’s an honor to produce this event with the best team in the biz, Michelle Aquilato, Grant Alden and Martin Fischer, and we’re thrilled to expand our collaboration team to include Terry Lickona from Austin City Limits.”

On Nov. 23, PBS will broadcast ACL Presents: The Americana 18th Annual Honors, a special episode of Austin City Limits featuring performance highlights from the special evening.

Confirmed performers for the 2019 Americana Honors & Awards:
Jade Bird
Brandi Carlile
Elvis Costello
Mark Erelli
Rhiannon Giddens
I’m With Her
Ruston Kelly
Delbert McClinton
Lori McKenna
Maria Muldaur
John Prine
J.S. Ondara
Our Native Daughters
Erin Rae
Amanda Shires
Mavis Staples
The War and Treaty
Yola
+ surprise guests

Gorley, Hardy, Lindsey Lead MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart

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Ashley Gorley leads the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart for the fourth consecutive week, with seven charting songs. HARDY comes in second with six country tunes, and Hillary Lindsey takes third with three.

David Garcia moves into the top 20 at No. 16 with “Southbound” (Carrie Underwood) and “Hell Right” (Blake Shelton featuring Trace Adkins) charting.

The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the only songwriter chart of its kind.

Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.

Apple Music Launches New Music Daily

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Apple Music has launched New Music Daily, the company’s first premiere global editorial playlist to be updated with brand new music every single day. The new playlist will feature more than 60 tracks chosen by Apple Music’s editorial staff daily. The carefully curated, hand-picked library will be filled with brand-new, fresh tracks from artists across every genre of music, from pop to rap to reggaeton and more.

Additionally Apple Music editors will choose one song each day to feature in the top spot on the playlist and the selected artist will be featured as the New Music Daily playlist cover star for the day. New Music Daily launched with brand new music from cover star Taylor Swift as well as newly-released tracks from Tainy (featuring Ozuna and Anuel AA), Missy Elliott, Jax Jones and 5 Seconds of Summer, among others.