Made In Network Expands Staff, Names Katy Kirby As VP Marketing

/by
Katy Kirby

Katy Kirby

Nashville media and technology company Made In Network has announced numerous new team members.

Katy Kirby joins the executive team at Made In Network as Vice President of Marketing. Previously, Kirby ran marketing and communications for Thirty Tigers. Kirby has over 17 years of experience in the entertainment industry, beginning her career in video and film production working with clients such as 60 Minutes, The Oprah Winfrey Show, CNN Productions, Dateline NBC, The Daily Show, and Associated Press Television.

Additionally, Made In Network has expanded its creative and client services staff.

Katie Vaca, Bradley Montesi and Marshall Burnette join as Content Creators, who conceptualize, oversee, and execute creative video content output while continuing to develop and realize a creative vision for Made In accounts.

Vaca is an experienced motion graphics designer and director, working with clients such as Thomas Nelson and CMT. Montesi, a Nashville native, relocated from Austin, Texas, having worked at Robert Rodriguez’s Troublemaker Studios for multiple projects, with Richard Linklater’s Detour Filmproduction, and as a freelance director of music videos and commercials. Burnette has directed commercials and online content for brands such as Chevrolet, Nutrena, and Delta Dental, as well as his own short films and music videos.

Ashley Spurgeon, freelance columnist for the Nashville Scene, joins the team as staff writer. Made In Network’s long­standing client Salt Life tapped local talent and creator Christin Sites as their official channel host. Recent Belmont graduate Kristoff Hart rounds out the new team in the client services department.

Says CEO and co­founder Kevin Grosch, “We are very excited to be adding so many talented people from around Nashville to our team. We are growing exponentially and it was really important to find people that contribute to us building a strong culture based on creativity. Each of our new team members will help better serve our existing clients and will allow us to expand our offerings. It’s a very exciting time at Made In.”

Founded in 2013, Made In Network is a video­first media company and YouTube network consisting of 40 curated channels garnering 70+ million views per month. Additionally, Made In Network works with creators and brands to grow their YouTube business, both on the platform and beyond.

Dean Brody, Brett Kissel Lead 2016 CCMA Award Nominations

/by

 

Dean Brody

Dean Brody

Nominees were announced for the Canadian Country Music Association (CCMA) Awards on Wednesday morning (July 13). The CCMAs offer 42 award categories total. The CCMAs will be hosted by the Canadian television personality Jessi Cruickshank, and broadcast on CBC on Sept. 11 at 8 p.m. (8:30 p.m. NT) with an encore airing on CMT Canada at 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT.

On the heels of a successful year, Dean Brody heads into the 2016 CCMA Awards season with five nominations: Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, Video of the Year and Songwriter of the Year.

Brett Kissel also boasts five nominations; four in the artist award category: Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Interactive Artist of the Year, and one industry nomination for Record Producer of the Year.

Brett Kissel

Brett Kissel

With an four nominations each are Gord Bamford (Album of the Year, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year); Johnny Reid (Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and Producer of the Year); Dallas Smith (Fans’ Choice, Male Artist of the Year, Single of the Year andInteractive Artist of the Year) and The Washboard Union (Group or Duo of the Year, Rising Star, Video of the Year and Roots Artist of the Year).

And with three nominees each are Cold Creek County (Group or Duo of the Year, Rising Star and Video of the Year); Jess Moskaluke (Female Artist of the Year, Video of the Year and Interactive Artist of the Year) and Bobby Wills (Album of the Year, Single of the Year and Songwriter of the Year).

The 2016 CCMA Fans’ Choice Award nominees were revealed last night on Entertainment Tonight Canada. This award, voted on by Canadian country music fans, is once again stacked with powerhouse male artists: Dean Brody, Brett Kissel, Johnny Reid, Dallas Smith and Yoan. Voting for the CCMA Fans’ Choice Award is open now.

Established in 1976, the CCMA is a membership-based, not-for-profit organization committed to the promotion and recognition of Canadian country music.

Nominees:

ALBUM OF THE YEAR
Edge Of The Storm – Wes Mack
Hearts On Fire – Chad Brownlee
I Got This – George Canyon
Tin Roof – Gord Bamford
Tougher Than Love – Bobby Wills

FANS’ CHOICE
Dean Brody
Brett Kissel
Johnny Reid
Dallas Smith
Yoan

FEMALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Lindsay Ell
Kira Isabella
Madeline Merlo
Jess Moskaluke
MacKenzie Porter

MALE ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Gord Bamford
Dean Brody
Brett Kissel
Johnny Reid
Dallas Smith

GROUP OR DUO OF THE YEAR
Autumn Hill
Cold Creek County
High Valley
The Road Hammers
The Washboard Union

ROOTS ARTIST OF THE YEAR
The Lovelocks
Jessica Mitchell
Lindi Ortega
The Washboard Union
The Western Swing Authority

RISING STAR
Alee
Cold Creek County
David James
River Town Saints
The Washboard Union

SINGLE OF THE YEAR
“Airwaves” – Brett Kissel
“Bring Down The House” – Dean Brody
“Cheap Seats” – Dallas Smith
“Don’t Let Her Be Gone” – Gord Bamford
“Won’t You Be Mine” – Bobby Wills

SONGWRITER(S) OF THE YEAR – Presented by olé
Chad Kroeger, Meghan Patrick: “Bow Chicka Wow Wow” (Performed by Meghan Patrick)
Dean Brody: “Bring Down The House” (Performed by Dean Brody)
Deric Ruttan, Craig Wiseman: “Came Here To Forget” (Performed byBlake Shelton)
Gord Bamford, Wade Kirby, Phil O’Donnell: “Heard You In A Song” (Performed by Gord Bamford)
Matt Johnson, Michael Pyle, Bobby Wills: “Won’t You Be Mine” (Performed by Bobby Wills)

VIDEO OF THE YEAR – Presented by Coors Banquet
“Bring Down The House” – Dean Brody
“Hearts On Fire” – Chad Brownlee
“Kiss Me Quiet” – Jess Moskaluke
“Maybe It’s The Moonshine” – The Washboard Union
“Our Town” – Cold Creek County
“What Love Is All About” – Johnny Reid

INTERACTIVE ARTIST OR GROUP OF THE YEAR
Leah Daniels
Tim Hicks
Brett Kissel
Wes Mack
Jess Moskaluke
Dallas Smith

MUSICIAN AWARDS

BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Luanne Carl
Lisa Dodd
Doug Elash
Justin Kudding
Travis Switzer

DRUMMER OF THE YEAR
Jimmy Boudreau
Ben Bradley
Rich DaSilva
Chad Melchert
Rob Wells

FIDDLE PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Denis Dufresne
Shane Guse
Julie Kennedy
Ali Raney
Tyler Vollrath

GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Jason Barry
Ryan Davidson
Matt McKay
Darren Savard
Brennan Wall

KEYBOARD PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Scott Galloway
Darryl Havers
Mike Little
Bart McKay
Carly McKillip

SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT PLAYER OF THE YEAR
Dave Barber – Banjo
Denis Dufresne – Mandolin
Shane Guse – Mandolin
Robin Pelletier – Mandolin
Tyler Vollrath – Mandolin

STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR
John Ellis
Smokey Fennell
Mitch Jay
Doug Johnson
Ed “Pee Wee Charles” Ringwald

RADIO AWARDS

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – LARGE MARKET
Docc Andrews – CJJR FM – Vancouver, BC
Dayna Bourgoin – CKKL FM – Ottawa, ON
Larry Donohue – CFCW AM – Edmonton, AB
Amanda Kingsland – CKBY FM – Ottawa, ON
Scott Phillips – CKRY FM/CISN FM – Calgary, AB/Edmonton, AB

MUSIC DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM OR SMALL MARKET
Shilo Bellis – CJXL FM – Moncton, NB
Paul Ferguson – CHCQ FM – Belleville, ON
Roo Phelps – CIGV FM – Kelowna, BC
Brendan Seeley – CKGY FM – Red Deer, AB
Jody Seeley – CFXO FM – High River, AB

INDUSTRY AWARDS

BOOKING AGENCY OF THE YEAR
The Feldman Agency
Invictus Entertainment Group
Paquin Artists Agency
Sakamoto Agency
United Talent Agency

COUNTRY CLUB OF THE YEAR
Boots & Bourbon Saloon – Toronto, ON
Cook County Saloon – Edmonton, AB
Cowboys Dance Hall – Calgary, AB
The Crazy Horse Stonegrill Steakhouse & Saloon – Ottawa, ON
Ranchman’s Cookhouse and Dancehall – Calgary, AB

COUNTRY FESTIVAL, FAIR OR EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR
Big Valley Jamboree – Camrose, AB
Boots and Hearts Music Festival – Oro-Medonte, ON
Calgary Stampede – Calgary, AB
Cavendish Beach Music Festival – Cavendish, PE
Dauphin’s Countryfest – Dauphin, MB

COUNTRY MUSIC PROGRAM OR SPECIAL OF THE YEAR
Canadian Coast to Coast – CJVR FM
Canadian Country Spotlight – Media BemBem Inc.
Chevy Top 20 Countdown – CMT
Coors Banquet One Horse Town – CMT
The Drop: Gord Bamford – CMT

MANAGEMENT COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Cache Entertainment Inc.
Chief Music Management
Invictus Entertainment Group
MDM Recordings Inc.
RGK Entertainment Group Inc.

MUSIC PUBLISHING COMPANY OF THE YEAR
CCS Rights Management/Little Red Bungalow
ole
Royalty Music Publishing Inc.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Canada
Universal Music Publishing Canada
Warner/Chappell Music Canada

RECORD COMPANY OF THE YEAR
MDM Recordings Inc.
Open Road Recordings Inc.
Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
Universal Music Canada
Warner Music Canada

RECORD COMPANY PERSON OF THE YEAR
Steve Coady – Warner Music Canada
Warren Copnick – Sony Music Entertainment (Canada) Inc.
Jim Cressman – Big Star Recordings Inc.
Mike Denney – MDM Recordings Inc.
Brianne Deslippe – Universal Music Canada
Ron Kitchener – Open Road Recordings Inc.

RECORDING PACKAGE OF THE YEAR
Edge Of The Storm — Design Team: Kyle Bottoms [Four-Age Productions], Simon Paul; Photography: Phil Crozier, Andy Hines [Tray Photo] (Artist: Wes Mack)
Hearts On Fire — Design Team: Antoine Moonen; Photography: Carmen Choney (Artist: Chad Brownlee)
Pick Me Up — Design Team: Patrick Duffy [Attention]; Photography: Juan Pont Lezica (Artist: Brett Kissel)
Songs About a Girl — Design Team: Sheila Hash, Brandon Heard; Photography: MacKenzie Jean (Artist: David James)
Turnin’ Up a Sundown — Design Team: Bronwin Parks [Feisty Creative]; Photography: Mark Maryanovich (Artist: Tristan Horncastle)

RECORDING STUDIO OF THE YEAR – Presented by Fanshawe College
Barrytone Studios – St. Clements, ON
Bart McKay Productions – Saskatoon, SK
MCC Recording Studio – Calgary, AB
OCL Studios – Chestermere, AB
Revolution Recordings – Toronto, ON

RECORD PRODUCER(S) OF THE YEAR
Chris Baseford, Vince Gill, Jeff Johnson, Chad Kroeger, Carly McKillip, Justin Niebank: Grace & Grit (Artist: Meghan Patrick)
Jason Blaine, Phil O’Donnell, Deric Ruttan:Country Side (Artist: Jason Blaine)
George Canyon, Jeff Johnson, Johnny Reid:  I Got This (Artist: George Canyon)
Mickey Jack Cones, Brett Kissel, Bart McKay: Pick Me Up (Artist: Brett Kissel)
Bob Ezrin: What Love Is All About (Artist: Johnny Reid)

RETAILER OF THE YEAR
Google Play
HMV Canada Inc.
iTunes Canada
Lammle’s Western Wear & Tack
Walmart Canada

RON SAKAMOTO TALENT BUYER OR PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Paul Biro – Sakamoto Agency
Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group
Alex Vyskocil – Live Nation Entertainment
Rob Waloschuk – Performance Promotions Ltd.
Lindsay Weryshko – Calgary Stampede

VIDEO DIRECTOR OF THE YEAR
Stephano Barberis: “Cheap Seats” (Dallas Smith); “Don’t Let Her Be Gone” (Gord Bamford); “Hearts On Fire” (Chad Brownlee); “So Much For Taking It Slow” (Bobby Wills)
Andy Hines: “The Way You Let Me Down” (Wes Mack)
Ben Knechtel: “Airwaves” (Brett Kissel)
Colin Minihan: “Bring Down the House” (Dean Brody)
David Tenniswood: “Kiss Me Quiet” (ess Moskaluke)

Nominations in some categories were not revealed. Submissions for On-Air Personality of the Year (Large Market/Medium Market/Small Market), Radio Station of the Year (Large Market/Medium Market/Small Market) are juried, so there are no nominees in these categories. The CCMA Discovery Award is determined by a jury of industry professionals. Also, the categories of Top Selling Album of the Year, Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year, and Top Selling Canadian Single of the Year are all determined by sales.

 

 

David Nail Introduces ‘Fighter’ To Nashville Music Industry

/by

David Nail Fighter

David Nail delivered a handful of songs from his new album, Fighter, at a shoulder-to-shoulder gathering at Ruby on Tuesday night (July 12).

Nail bantered with emcee Cody Alan prior to the performances and also chatted on stage with producer Frank Liddell and fellow songwriters Barry Dean, Jonathan Singleton and Abe Stoklasa. Fighter is scheduled for a release on Friday on MCA Nashville.

“It’s definitely the most I’ve written for a record,” said Nail, who wrote or co-wrote seven of the 11 tracks. He explained that Liddell and his colleagues started putting writing appointments on Nail’s calendar right after the holidays. Within 10 days, Nail had two important songs written – “Home” and “Fighter” – so he approached Liddell about recording some demos.

“That’s really when the whole thing was kind of born,” Nail said. “Frank’s a genius on a lot of levels, but right off the bat, Frank wasn’t going to entertain that we were going to go in and cut demos. He just said, ‘If we’re going to go in and cut, let’s do it the right way, let’s do it the big way, and let’s do it the expensive way.’”

Throughout the evening, Nail explained the background of songs like “Good at Tonight” (which he recorded with his buddies Brothers Osborne) and “Night’s on Fire” (which he nabbed by directly reaching out to Singleton). He said that people have complimented him on the solo-written “I Won’t Let Go” by saying it sounds like a Vince Gill song. Gill appears on the recorded version. Other guests on the project include Lori McKenna on “Home” (co-written by Dean, McKenna and Nail) and Bear Rinehart and Bo Rinehart of NEEDTOBREATHE on another Nail solo write, “Old Man’s Symphony.”

Nail will be a guest on the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday (July 19).

Lee Greenwood’s “God Bless The U.S.A.” Earns Gold, Platinum Digital Sales

/by
Pictured (L-R): Lee Greenwood and Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville)

Pictured (L-R): Lee Greenwood and Mike Dungan (Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville)

Lee Greenwood‘s patriotic classic, “God Bless the U.S.A.,” has earned digital sales of more than one million units. The track re-entered Billboard‘s Top 10 Country Digital Songs at No. 9 for the week ending July 7.

Mike Dungan, Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, presented Greenwood with a Gold RIAA plaque for more than 500,000 sales of the single as well as a Platinum RIAA plaque for more than a million sales.

“Throughout our history, we’ve had songs that have been a battle cry, that have given us courage and strength. Each time, people reach out for something that will unite them, and make them feel proud as Americans. And every time they look for it, they find ‘God Bless the U.S.A.’ So I sing it as much as a I can across America and I’m thankful for every download,” Greenwood said.

Greenwood penned “God Bless the U.S.A.” in the back of his tour bus in 1983. The song has gone on to reach the top five on the country singles charts three times (1991, 2001 and 2003), giving it the distinction of being the only song in any genre of music to achieve that feat. It was also No. 1 on the pop charts after 9/11.

BMI Signs ‘The Voice’ Contestant Chance Peña As Affiliate

/by
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI Songwriter Chance Peña, Chance’s mother Michelle Peña and Secret Road’s Wayne Davis.

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI songwriter Chance Peña, Chance’s mother Michelle Peña and Secret Road’s Wayne Davis.

Chance Peña, contestant on season 9 of NBC’s The Voice, stopped by the BMI Nashville office on Tuesday (July 12) to officially sign as an affiliate. Chance is a Secret Road Music Publishing writer and developing artist. Peña also performed at The Basement later that day.

Peña is a Tyler, Texas, native who wowed The Voice judges with a rendition of Ed Sheeran’s “I See Fire.” He began playing guitar at 8 years old, and by 11, he had begun writing songs and performing in local bars and barbecue joints. Now a teenager, he eventually added banjo, ukulele and cajón to his musical arsenal.

He names Hudson Taylor, the Lumineers, and Mumford & Sons as his influences.

 

Anastasia Brown Joins ‘American Supergroup’ Production

/by
Anastasia Brown

Anastasia Brown

Music, television and film executive Anastasia Brown has been appointed as producer for American Supergroup, a music competition from Josephson Entertainment. The series will air this fall on the cable channel Pop (a joint venture between CBS Corporation and Lionsgate), followed by MTV Live and VH1 Classic.

The production is filming in Nashville, as Brown joins executive producers Barry Josephson, Kevin Wayne Waldrop and Gary Wayne Bridges. CAA serves as the worldwide agent for the show.

Brown says, “It is a great opportunity to be part of American Supergroup, working with such pros as Barry, Kevin, and Gary. This dream project has all the elements for a truly fantastic program: it is filming in my town — Nashville — America’s music capital and will feature the best musicians in the country. Having worked with iconic artists who are also musicians, I love how this new series puts a spotlight on the entire band, not just the lead singer. We promise that music will be front and center and look forward to showcasing each and every member of the band in a unique way.”

Josephson says, “American Supergroup is shaping up to be the most compelling music competition show on television, especially now that Anastasia is onboard. Her reputation and experience are stellar; and we look forward to her creative input for the show. We are also excited to see the tremendous interest the show has received from musicians and music fans from all over the country. Thousands of people sent in audition material and we are pleased the ASG website has received over 2 million visitors. American Supergroup promises to be a truly amazing show this fall.”

Brown’s credits include the upcoming Lionsgate film The Shack (music supervisor), Hot Pursuit (music supervisor), The Americans (music supervisor), Billy: The Early Years (executive producer and music supervisor), Footloose (music consultant), Nashville Star (judge), and Steven Spielberg Presents: Taken (music supervisor).

Three CMT Unscripted Series Returning This Year

/by
Pictured (L-R): Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs. Photo: Bev Moser.

Pictured (L-R): Kellie Pickler, Kyle Jacobs. Photo: Bev Moser.

CMT has announced that I Love Kellie Pickler, Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team and Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge will all return to the network this year.

The second season of I Love Kellie Pickler will begin Aug. 25. The 2015 series debut marked CMT’s highest-rated premiere among women between the ages of 18-49 since 2008. The series stars Kellie Pickler and her husband, songwriter Kyle Jacobs.

Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders: Making the Team will also start its 11th season on Aug. 25. Pickler and Kacey Musgraves will both make guest appearances on the show. The new season of Steve Austin’s Broken Skull Challenge will start later this year but no premiere date has been announced.

“CMT’s unscripted series mirror the optimism and passion of our fans,” said Jayson Dinsmore, Executive Vice President of Development. “Our shows are smart, spirited and play an important role in attracting new audiences.”

MV2 Entertainment Takes Writing Retreats To Luxury Level

/by
Pictured (L-R): Bart Allmand, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy, Tyler Farr, Jay Allen, Robert Arthur, Clay Myers, & Tony Harrell. Photo: Jeff Winkleman

Pictured (L-R): Bart Allmand, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Tully Kennedy, Tyler Farr, Jay Allen, Robert Arthur, Terry McBride, Clay Myers, & Tony Harrell. Photo: Jeff Winkleman

Inside a classic Victorian home/office on Music Row, Clay Myers and Tony Harrell of MV2 Entertainment are explaining a new model for a songwriting retreat that’s returning for a second year this fall.

Rather than heading to the mountains or the beach, Myers and Harrell are assembling a handful of writers signed to their publishing company, several other Nashville songwriters with early career momentum, and maybe an artist or two. And then they’ll all decamp to West Texas (about 200 miles west of Austin) to a place called JL Bar Ranch & Resort, which is owned by Harrell’s teenage buddy, James Archer.

James Archer

James Archer

Archer is CEO of MV2 and he has a soft spot for ‘90s country but he isn’t known for being in the music business. Instead he’s an entrepreneur in oil and gas who sold a company called Multi-Chem to Halliburton in 2011.

The sum was undisclosed but it provided Archer a chance to build a 13,000-acre ranch that’s in the middle of nowhere—yet offers a private airport, a luxurious lodge, a five-star restaurant, 16 cabins on site, a music venue, a gym, a general store, a home studio, a variety of shooting ranges, and the list goes on. Believe it or not, there’s a lot of songwriting that gets done during the day—and well into the night.

Tony Harrell

Tony Harrell

“We made it fun and we were building the concept as we went,” explains Harrell, MV2’s General Manager. “This was our first one and it worked out great and we feel like we’re onto the right thing now. If we bring at least one artist that’s an artist who is on the radio, who loves to hunt and loves to write, and then bring two or three hit song guys and maybe a couple of others who are sprinkled in the mix… you know, when you get out of town sometimes, the creative juices tend to flow.”

MV2, which stands for the words mission, values, and vision, opened in Nashville in 2015. Almost immediately, Harrell and Myers participated in leadership training at Archer’s request; the lodge is equipped for corporate retreats too, although songwriters probably have a better time around the campfire.

Clay Myers

Clay Myers

Last year’s participants included Jay Allen, Bart Allman, Robert Arthur, David Fanning, Tyler Farr, Tully Kennedy, Terry McBride and Josh Mirenda. Incidentally, at least three of the songs written at the event are on hold with artists.

Harrell and Myers want to keep the gathering about the same size this fall but also want to tie it to a charity, perhaps with a final-night showcase for the public that would benefit local organizations. All the songwriters are guests, without an expectation to pay, although the retreat is by invitation only.

“I think we had a great blend of talent there. The people always make something fun,” says Myers, MV2’s Senior Creative Director of Artist Development. “I think we truly see the potential. You know, one of the great things about the retreat is, once you’re there, you’re there. You might as well be a part of it because there’s no running to the city.”

Pictured (L-R): Robert Arthur, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Bart Allmand. Photo: Cody Roberts

Pictured (L-R): Robert Arthur, Josh Mirenda, David Fanning, Bart Allmand. Photo: Cody Roberts

Industry Ink: BMI Showcases Hip-Hop, Cam Visits ACM, Opry In Chicago

/by

BMI Highlights Hip-Hop & R&B in New Showcase

Pictured (L-R): Atlantic Records' Chris Martignago, BMI's Nina Carter, BMI songwriters CAMM, R. Lum. R. and Zach Taylor and BMI's Josh Tomlinson.

Pictured (L-R): Atlantic Records’ Chris Martignago, BMI’s Nina Carter, BMI songwriters CAMM, R. Lum. R. and Zach Taylor and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson.

BMI hosted a new showcase on July 6 at Exit/In, highlighting Nashville’s burgeoning hip-hop and R&B scene with performances by BMI songwriters CAMM, Zach Taylor and recording artist R. Lum. R. Nearly 300 people attended the concert, the first in the “A Night For New Nashville” series.

 

ACM Welcomes Cam For A Visit

Pictured (L-R): Erick Long, ACM; Cam; Lisa Lee, ACM Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Pictured (L-R): Erick Long, ACM; Cam; Lisa Lee, ACM. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Arista Nashville/RCA Records artist Cam to the office while she was in Los Angeles. While at the Academy, Cam performed her No. 1 hit “Burning House,” “Mayday,” and other songs from her debut album, Untamed.

YouTube video

 

Grand Ole Opry Brings “Country Music Night” To Chicago

Pictured (L to R): Dan Rogers, Opry; Lauren Zimmerman, Opry; Neda Tobin, Red Bow Records; Chase Bryant; Jeff Kapugi, US 99.5; Nick Harley, Fitzgerald Hartley; Heather Middleton, Nashville CVC; Pete Fisher, Opry; Anthony Olivo, Chicago White Sox; Mike Kasper, US 99.5. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Pictured (L-R): Dan Rogers, Opry; Lauren Zimmerman, Opry; Neda Tobin, Red Bow Records; Chase Bryant; Jeff Kapugi, US 99.5; Nick Hartley, Fitzgerald Hartley; Heather Middleton, Nashville CVC; Pete Fisher, Opry; Anthony Olivo, Chicago White Sox; Mike Kasper, US 99.5. Photo: Jeff Johnson

Chase Bryant brought his hits and his new single “Room To Breathe” along with the Grand Ole Opry’s signature microphone stand and a replica of the Opry’s six-foot circle of wood to Country Music Night at U.S. Cellular Field on Friday night (July 15). Bryant performed acoustic before the game, threw the game’s ceremonial first pitch, hit the stands during the game to give away Opry and Nashville prizes to lucky fans, and introduced Country Music Night’s post-game fireworks. Earlier in the day, Bryant performed for fans at US99.5 studios in downtown Chicago.

Derek Webb Named Nashville GM Of PledgeMusic

/by
Derek Webb

Derek Webb

NoiseTrade co-founder and president Derek Webb has added the title of PledgeMusic GM, Nashville, following the acquisition of NoiseTrade by PledgeMusic.

Webb will report to PledgeMusic CEO Dominic Pandiscia.

With more than 20 years of experience in the music industry, Webb performed and recorded as both a solo artist and a founding member of Texas-based folk/rock band Caedmon’s Call. He founded NoiseTrade in 2008.

Webb said, “The integration of NoiseTrade into PledgeMusic is igniting a real powder keg in Nashville. I’m thrilled to be the boots on the ground as the new GM. We feel there are several real growth opportunities for us here, and as a 15+ year resident, I don’t think there’s ever been a better moment than now to invest into the community of musicians and their teams here in Music City.”

Pandiscia said, “The addition of NoiseTrade and Derek Webb to the PledgeMusic family represents a true step-change for the business. Derek’s presence in Nashville provides a direct resource into PledgeMusic and its family of companies for the local music scene. Artists, labels, and management companies alike now have the opportunity to work directly with the founder of the groundbreaking NoiseTrade platform in his newly-expanded role representing all things PledgeMusic to the community.”

NoiseTrade helps artists and labels connect with fans through the exchange of free music for email and postal data. PledgeMusic is a leader in direct-to-fan music opportunities.