‘Nashville’ Characters Deacon and Rayna Immortalized in Wax at Madame Tussauds Nashville

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Nashville characters Rayna Jaymes and Deacon Claybourne (portrayed by Connie Britton and Charles Esten) will be immortalized in wax within Madame Tussauds Nashville, which is set to open in April in Music City. Britton and Esten underwent more than 300 measurements for their statues, which will be seated on a bench outside a replica of the famous Bluebird Café, giving guests the chance to pose for a photo seated between the two stars.

“I’ve been to the Madame Tussauds in London and it was a great great memory. The figures just amazed us, each one. You can see why it draws millions of people every single year,” said Esten. “To think that somebody will have a photograph sitting next to Deacon Claybourne and Rayna Jaymes—it’s surreal.”

Rayna’s figure will be wearing an outfit donated from the show that she wore in season three while performing on Good Morning America. Deacon’s figure will be outfitted with his favorite Martin D-28 Marquis Sunburst guitar, a re-creation of his signature guitar pick and leather strap donning his name and clothes donated from the show.

“The show Nashville has made a profound impact on the popularity of Music City and we couldn’t imagine having a Madame Tussauds in Nashville without Rayna Jaymes and Deacon Claybourne,” said JP Dansereau, General Manager, Madame Tussauds Nashville. “We’ve recently been able to announce some spectacular music icons slated to appear in our attraction. Having Deacon and Rayna included, specifically positioned with the famous Bluebird Café as a backdrop, is extra special for us. We can’t wait for ‘Nashville’ fans from across the world to experience their favorite stars up close and personal.”

Madame Tussauds Nashville will be the company’s first museum in the U.S. that focuses solely on music icons who have shaped America’s musical landscape. Guests are encouraged to have fun with the famous stars from different musical genres that will include Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, Keith Urban and Little Jimmy Dickens with more figures added to the bill within the coming weeks.
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Parallel Entertainment Nashville Adds Creative Director

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Travis Myatt

Parallel Entertainment Nashville has expanded its team with the hiring of Travis Myatt as Creative Director. Myatt will work alongside Marc Rucker and Tim Hunze to expand Parallel’s roster of writers and artists. Myatt previously served as Catalog Manager at Sony/ATV.

“To quote Seth Godin, ‘…what we must have are indispensable human beings. We need original thinkers, provocateurs, and people who care… Every organization needs a linchpin…’ – and that’s exactly who I intend to be. I believe being positioned alongside Tim and Marc will give me the opportunity to do just that. I look forward to working with Parallel’s fantastic roster of writers and artists,” Myatt says.

“Travis is the perfect fit for the team we are building here at Parallel. He is a natural leader with an unparalleled passion for songs, writers and the business of music,” Rucker says.

“We are really excited to have Travis join the team,” Hunze adds. “His passion and drive are out of this world.”

Celebration Of Life Set For “Daddy’s Hands” Singer-Songwriter Holly Dunn

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Holly Dunn

The life and career of country singer-songwriter Holly Dunn will be celebrated with an evening of live music on March 30, 2017, at BMI’s Nashville office (10 Music Sq. E).

Dunn died in November 2016 in Albuquerque, New Mexico, after a battle with ovarian cancer. “Daddy’s Hands”—Dunn’s self-written, breakthrough 1986 hit—earned recognition from ACM, BMI, CMA and the Grand Ole Opry.

The celebration of life event, which will begin at 6 p.m., will include a silent auction. A minimum donation of $25 is requested to attend. All proceeds will aid ovarian carcinosarcoma research.

Performers for the celebration of life will be announced at a later date.

The Band Perry To Preview New Album Via Pop-Up Shows In March

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The Band Perry. Photo: Steven Klein

The Band Perry will give fans in select cities a first hearing of the trio’s pop album My Bad Imagination via a series of nine pop-up shows in March. The album, the trio’s first via a new deal with Interscope Records, features the single “Stay In The Dark.”

The first show in the pop-up series will be held March 5 at Atlanta’s Terminal West. Additional concert locations include New York City’s Irving Plaza (March 7), Boston’s The Sinclair (March 9), Philadelphia’s Theatre of Living Arts (March 11), Toronto’s Mod Club (March 12), Chicago’s Lincoln Hall (March 15), Denver’s Gothic Theater (March 18), Los Angeles’ El Rey (March 20) and San Francisco’s Great American Music Hall (March 22).

Each show will feature a pop-up shop with collectors-edition merchandise designed by the trio.

A pre-sale for tickets for My Bad Imagination Pop Up Shows will launch Thursday, Feb. 16 at 10 a.m. local time for 24 hours. Pre-sale information can be found by visiting thebandperry.com. The public ticket on sale will begin Friday, Feb. 17 at 10 a.m. local time.

“My Bad Imagination is an album with a ton of layers and surprises for our fans,” said Kimberly Perry. “Our fans have stuck by us over the past year while we’ve been quietly creating our new music, and now we want to get close to them as as we can to start listening and moving to these new sounds together.”

“We want our fans to see and feel as much as they hear My Bad Imagination, so we’ve created this series of pop up shows in some of our favorite small rooms around the country to give them the first look at the designs and music that have led us to this moment of growth for our band,” said Reid Perry.

“We’ll show it to the rest of the world next,” said Neil Perry. “But this moment is about the family coming together to celebrate a birthday, a new day, the future.”

Garth Brooks Added As Speaker For 2017 Country Radio Seminar

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Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks will return to this year’s Country Radio Seminar for a keynote presentation, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 23 at 10 a.m. CT. Titled “Inside Studio G,” the reigning CMA Entertainer of the Year will give a behind-the-scenes look into his business and life.

Brooks earned his fifth CMA Entertainer of the Year honor in November 2016, and became the first artist to earn seven Diamond awards, recognizing seven albums certified by the RIAA as selling over 10 million units each. Brooks has sold more than 138 million albums, and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, Songwriters Hall of Fame (NY), the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, and the Musicians Hall of Fame. Brooks is currently on the three-year Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood.

For more, visit countryradioseminar.com.

‘Nashville’ Stars to Tour UK in June

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The stars of Nashville are launching a second overseas tour this summer set for England, Scotland, and Ireland. Cast members Clare Bowen, Chris Carmack, Charles Esten and Jonathan Jackson will play the shows, along with Sam Palladio on select dates.

Launching June 9 in Birmingham, England, the tour will feature songs from the series as well as artists’ original material and will hit cities including Brighton, Nottingham, Glasgow, Manchester, Dublin, Belfast, as well as two nights at London’s Royal Albert Hall.

“Our first international tour proved how tremendously popular ‘Nashville’ and its cast are beyond the U.S.,” said Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment. “We look forward to more sell-out shows this summer featuring cast members who are not only amazing actors, performers, and songwriters, but who have also become incredible ambassadors for our home state of Tennessee.”

All shows go on sale this Friday, Feb. 17. This marks the second time the cast will tour abroad: Nashville staged a sold-out tour in the UK and Ireland in 2016. Nashville airs on six continents and in more than 100 territories, including the United Kingdom.

“Nashville” International Tour Dates: 
6/9                    Birmingham         Barclaycard Arena
6/10                  London                 Royal Albert Hall
6/11                  London                 Royal Albert Hall
6/13                  Brighton               Brighton Dome
6/14                  Nottingham          Royal Concert Hall
6/16                  Glasgow               The SSE Hydro
6/17                  Manchester           Manchester Arena
6/19                  Dublin                   3 Arena
6/20                  Belfast                  SSE Arena

Blackbird Academy Student Honored at MusiCares Annual Gala

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Music student/artist David Francisco was honored at MusiCares’ Annual Gala benefitting the MusiCares Foundation on Friday, Feb. 10, for his bravery in battling his way back from a horrible accident to make music once again. The MusiCares Annual Gala, held in Los Angeles two nights before the 59th Annual Grammy Awards, also honored Tom Petty as the 2017 MusiCares Person of the Year.

Francisco’s life was altered last April when a driver ran a red light and hit him while he was riding his bike home from Nashville’s Blackbird Academy where he was studying music production. The accident landed the 24-year old singer/songwriter at The Shepherd Center in Atlanta fighting to regain his ability to walk.

After 10 months and now walking with assistive devices, Francisco has returned to Blackbird and is realizing his dream of making music. The music community has rallied around him led by Blackbird owner John McBride, and he was honored by Dave Pensado and Herb Trawick at the annual 2016 Pensado Awards in Los Angeles. MusiCares also stepped up to help the Francisco family with the mountain of medical expenses incurred since Francisco’s injury.

“David is an extraordinary young man,” said Debbie Carroll, Senior Executive Director of MusiCares. “He has faced one of the biggest challenges one could ever face:  The loss of one’s mobility.  It has been our honor to walk through this with him.”

To celebrate his triumphant return to Blackbird, Francisco is releasing a 7-song EP Colors written and recorded before his accident. A short documentary detailing Francisco’s powerful story, Back to Blackbird, is being shot which includes “It Isn’t Easy,” a song on the new EP, as its theme song.

“This EP is a celebration of my versatility as an artist and producer,” said Francisco. “I paint with many different colors, hence the name. Most of the instruments you hear were played by me. I am so grateful to be alive and be able to share my music with the world and all the wonderful people who have helped me get to this point,” he says of his EP, Colors.  “Music is the best way I know to communicate. So, I hope everyone enjoys this and the grateful spirit in which it was created.”

Music Biz Announces Full Agenda for Indie Music Forum

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The Music Business Association (Music Biz) and co-organizer Hypebot have announced the full agenda for this year’s “Indie Music Forum powered by Hypebot,” set for May 18th. The forum is part of the Music Biz 2017 convention at the Renaissance Hotel in Nashville which will be held May 15-18th.

The Indie Music Forum will include a Keynote Conversation with Richard James Burgess, Ph.D., CEO of the American Association of Independent Music (A2IM), a trade organization representing over 400 independently-owned record labels. Burgess will share how his experiences as an artist, musician, producer, composer, manager, educator, inventor, and label executive inform his advocacy for independent labels and artists.

Other sessions include Authentic Artist Branding Bootcamp, led by Kevin Breuner, VP of Marketing, CD Baby, and Chris Robley, Editor, CD Baby’s DIY Musician Blog; and What’s Your Deal? Understanding Recording Agreements in 2017, moderated by Jamie Starling, Director of Business & Legal Affairs, Entertainment One and including Molly Shehan, Associate, Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley, PLC and Chris Taylor, President, Entertainment One Music.

For more information or to register for Music Biz 2017, visit www.musicbiz2017.com. A special rate of $249 is available for first-time artists, songwriters, managers, and independent labels.

 

Chris Waters Joins Pearl Promotion Team

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Pearl Records continues expanding its staff with the addition of Chris Waters as Director, Regional Promotion. Waters comes to Pearl from his post at Show Dog Nashville, and has also previously worked for Warner Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, and Cumulus Media.

“Chris is a seasoned promotion executive whose creativity, work ethic and relationships make him the perfect fit for our team.  We are thrilled to have him on board,” said Lesly Simon, General Manager.

“I’m humbled and grateful to Mandy, Lesly and Garth for trusting me with the responsibility of representing the greatest artist of all time,” said Chris Waters. “Garth Brooks has an aggressive vision and his energy is contagious. I’m very excited to join the Pearl team!”

Waters can be reached at: chriswaters@pearlrecordsinc.com.

LifeNotes: Lynda Ann Duncan, Wife of Promoter Jerry Duncan, Dies

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Pictured (L-R): Lynda Ann Duncan, Jerry Duncan

Wife to Duncan Promotions’ Jerry Duncan and and mother to Lisa Smoot, Lynda Ann Duncan, peacefully passed away at her home in Nashville, Tennessee on Monday, Feb. 13, 2017.

In addition to her husband and daughter, Duncan is survived by son Mark Davis and grandchildren Laura Prestige, Kendall Davis, and Waylon Tolliver.

The visitation and funeral service will be held at South End United Methodist Church, located at 5042 Edmondson Pike, Nashville, Tennessee. Visitation will take place at noon with the service following at 3 p.m. CT. Burial will take place at Christ Church Memorial Gardens, located at 15354 Old Hickory Blvd in Nashville.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be given to Mountain Outreach (operated by the University of the Cumberlands), South End Methodist Church or any other charity of choice. For more information, please contact Rick Kelly at 615-269-7071 ext. 134 or email rkelly@marcopromo.com.