CMHoF Will Host Gretsch Guitar Pull In July

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Gretsch exhibit image

Tommy Emmanuel, Eddie Pennington, Joe Robinson and Nashville duo Striking Matches will take part in a special program, titled The Gretsch Sound: A Guitar Pull, at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Sat., July 16 at 2 p.m.

The event is presented in support of the exhibition American Sound and Beauty: Guitars from the Bachman-Gretsch Collection, which ends its run July 17.

Through this casual musical performance, these master players will discuss the unique features of Gretsch design and demonstrate their individual musical styles with their own instruments.

Tommy Emmanuel is regarded as one of the world’s leading fingerstyle guitarists. He is a two-time Grammy nominee and one of only five guitarists named Certified Guitar Player (CGP) by Chet Atkins.

Kentucky native Eddie Pennington, a perpetuator of the “Muhlenberg Sound” of Merle Travis, is a recipient of the NEA National Heritage Fellowship and a member of the National Thumb Pickers Hall of Fame.

Virtuoso guitarist and singer-songwriter Joe Robinson is an Australian Guitar Magazine award winner and a winner of Australia’s Got Talent.

Striking Matches, the songwriting, guitar-wielding, alternative-country duo of Justin Davis and Sarah Zimmerman, has been featured on the ABC series Nashville. Their debut album, Nothing but the Silence, was produced by T Bone Burnett.

The program participants will sign commemorative Hatch posters following the performance.

The Bachman-Gretsch Collection was amassed by Canadian guitarist and songwriter Randy Bachman, a key member of rock bands the Guess Who and Bachman-Turner Overdrive. Bachman acquired more than 300 historic and rare Gretsch guitars in the 1970s and 1980s. His collection was purchased in 2008 by the Gretsch Foundation, the charitable arm of the Gretsch family.

American Sound and Beauty: Guitars from the Bachman-Gretsch Collection is the largest exhibition of stringed instruments ever mounted by the museum. The 75 guitars presented also offer the most comprehensive look at the Bachman-Gretsch Collection ever made available to the public.

BMI Extends President/CEO Mike O’Neill’s Contract Through 2021

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Mike O'Neill: Photo: Ron Rinaldi Photography

Mike O’Neill: Photo: Ron Rinaldi Photography

The Board of Directors of BMI has extended Mike O’Neill’s contract as President and CEO for five years, through 2021.

Paul Karpowicz, Chairman of the BMI Board of Directors and President, Meredith Local Media Group, made the announcement on Wednesday (June 22).

“BMI has continued to thrive and evolve under Mike’s leadership, providing both the stability and innovation needed in a rapidly changing marketplace,” said Karpowicz. “The company is on track to once again generate record revenues and distributions to our music creators and copyright owners and remains committed to fighting for and preserving the fair value of our affiliates’ music.”

Karpowicz added, “Beyond Mike’s dedication to our creators and licensing customers, his support of the BMI team is second to none. We couldn’t be more confident in Mike’s leadership and vision to take BMI into the future.”

Under O’Neill’s leadership, BMI achieved record-breaking revenue and royalty distributions for the fiscal year 2015, generating $1.013 billion, the highest in the company’s history and the most public performance revenue generated for songwriters, composers and publishers by any music rights organization in the world.

In addition, the company distributed and administered a record $877 million, and for the first time, took in more than $100 million in digital revenue, making it the first PRO to achieve that milestone.

As President and CEO, O’Neill oversees all of BMI’s business operations, both domestically and globally, and directs the company’s strategic growth to benefit BMI’s writers, composers, music publishers and licensees. He has worked at BMI for 22 years, overseeing nearly every department within the company, including BMI’s writer, composer and publisher relations group, licensing organization, royalty distribution group and administrative services teams.

O’Neill joined BMI in 1994 as Director, Group and National Accounts from CBS-TV Network, where he was Director, CBS Affiliate Relations. Within two years, he was appointed Assistant Vice President, Media Licensing, and was continually promoted to positions of increasing responsibility throughout his tenure.

In September of 2013, O’Neill was appointed Chief Executive Officer and assumed the additional title of President in July of 2014.

O’Neill holds an MBA from Rutgers University in Marketing and Finance and received his undergraduate degree in Business Administration from Montclair University. He is a member of the BMI Board of Directors, as well as the Board of Directors for the Songwriters Hall of Fame, the T.J. Martell Foundation, the Broadcasters Foundation of America, National Association of Broadcasters Education Foundation and Monmouth Medical Center Foundation. He also serves as Chairman of the Board of FastTrack and is the Honorary Chair of the BMI Foundation.

Darius Rucker Joins Maverick Management Roster

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Darius-Rucker

Darius Rucker has signed with Maverick Management, MusicRow has confirmed. The Nashville office of the international music management firm is led by Clarence Spalding. Chris Parr will guide Rucker’s career, while Jason Hause will handle day-to-day duties.

Rucker joined Maverick following a long association with McGhee Management, which he exited in February 2016. Rucker is signed to Capitol Records Nashville.

Spalding also represents artists including Jason Aldean, Kix Brooks, Rascal Flatts, Brooks & Dunn, and more.

 

Universal Music Group Nashville Adds Director of Strategic Marketing

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Gary Keffer

Gary Keffer

Universal Music Group Nashville has added Gary Keffer as Director of Strategic Marketing.

Keffer was most recently Director, Media and Partnerships for Remington Arms Company, where he managed media strategy for broadcast, print and digital platforms as well as handled media sponsorships and product placement for films such as American Sniper and Jurassic World. Keffer graduated from Old Dominion University in Norfolk, Virginia, and earned his MBA at UNC Greensboro.

“Gary is going to be a strong addition to our strategy and partnership marketing teams,” notes Brad Turcotte, VP, Marketing. “His knowledge of brand collaborations will be a huge asset to our team and artist roster.”

“I am truly honored to join UMG Nashville,” says Keffer. “The depth of talent on the artist roster plus the proven success with fans is without equal. I’m looking forward to working with Brad and his team creating opportunities to unlock even more value in the artists and their music.”

Keffer will help facilitate artist and brand partnerships for the entire UMG Nashville roster including Luke Bryan, Brothers Osborne, Chris Stapleton, Canaan Smith, Dierks Bentley, David Nail, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Easton Corbin, Gary Allan, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kip Moore, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, George Strait, Mickey Guyton and more.

He can be reached at gary.keffer@umusic.com.

Artist Updates: CMT’s Next Women Of Country, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Meghan Trainor

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CMT’s Next Women Of Country Gather During CMA Fest

CMT’s Next Women of Country showed fans what girl power is all about when Brooke Eden, Clare Dunn, Lauren Alaina, Margo Price and Tara Thompson joined together for a showcase at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum this past CMA Festival.

CMT launched its “Next Women of Country” campaign in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Several Next Women alumnae—Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe included—have achieved both commercial and critical acclaim. Since 2015, CMT expanded the franchise with its first-ever female-powered tour and has featured such artists as Brandy Clark, Jana Kramer, Jennifer Nettles, Kelsea Ballerini, Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson

Pictured (L-R): Tara Thompson; Lauren Alaina; Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT; Brooke Eden; Clare Dunn; Margo Price; Abi Tapia, Senior Manager of Public Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum

Pictured (L-R): Tara Thompson; Lauren Alaina; Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT;
Brooke Eden; Clare Dunn; Margo Price; Abi Tapia, Senior Manager of Public Programs, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

 

Jason Aldean Films Inaugural ‘CMT Concert Of The Summer’

CMT joined Jason Aldean this past weekend for the filming of the inaugural CMT Concert of the Summer documentary special, which takes fans inside and backstage at one of this summer’s biggest tours, Aldean’s Six String Circus Tour, filmed during the Live Nation LakeShake Windy City Country Music Festival in Chicago.

Pictured (L-R): Chris Parr, Manager, Spalding Entertainment; Margaret Comeaux, CMT VP Music and Events Production; Jason Aldean; John Hamlin, Executive Producer, Switched on Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Chris Parr, Manager, Spalding Entertainment; Margaret Comeaux, CMT VP Music and Events Production; Jason Aldean; John Hamlin, Executive Producer, Switched on Entertainment

 

Kenny Chesney, Meghan Trainor Set For Macy’s July 4th Celebration

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney

Kenny Chesney and Meghan Trainor will join 5 Seconds of Summer to perform during the 40th annual Macy’s 4th of July Fireworks Spectacular. The show will broadcast live on NBC from New York City, and will include more than 56,000 pyrotechnic effects.

The 25-minute synchronized light show will be choreographed to music from Broadway performer Jennifer Holliday and the United States Air Force Band.

The show will begin at 8 p.m. ET.

Spirit Music Group Adds Worldwide COO To Jon Singer’s Title

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Jon Singer

Jon Singer

Spirit Music Group has promoted Jon Singer to Worldwide Chief Operating Officer/Chief Financial Officer, Spirit Music Group, as announced today by David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group.

Based in New York, Singer previously served as Spirit’s Worldwide CFO since joining the company in 2011. He will continue to oversee the company’s global finance operations, analyze and negotiate new deals, source and structure strategic partnerships and joint ventures and contribute to the company’s overall strategic planning and growth.

Singer was responsible for Spirit’s Nashville presence, acquiring Cal IV Entertainment in July 2015 to establish their first official presence on Music Row. In addition the company added the StyleSonic catalog, and in January of 2016 they acquired Frank Rogers’ interest in copyrights at Sea Gayle Music and Spirit formed a JV with Rogers to bring in new talent.

“As Spirit continues its aggressive growth, Jon has functioned as a true partner and played a key role in not only overseeing our day-to-day operations, but also in helping us identify and close important deals contributing to our rapid expansion,” said Renzer. “Jon’s extensive experience in finance (including his tenure at major labels Decca and Island Def Jam) along with the many strong relationships he’s built throughout his years in the industry are all helping to make a meaningful contribution to our team.”

“The way I have seen this company grow in recent years has been incredible, and I am fortunate to be surrounded at Spirit Music Group by such a talented and dedicated team,” said Singer. “It is truly a privilege to represent the many amazing song writers who have entrusted us with their valuable copyrights. I appreciate the support David and the Board have shown me throughout the years and I am eager to continue to build on the many strengths that make Spirit a premier global music publisher.”

Prior to joining Spirit, Jon spent 15 years on the recording side of the music business, most recently as CFO for the Decca Label Group (a division of Universal Music). While at Decca, Singer diversified the company from being the largest classical label in the world to an adult pop label having success with Sting, Elton John, Alison Krauss/Robert Plant and Celtic Thunder to name a few. His experience also includes Director of Finance for Island Def Jam Music Group, where he integrated Island, Def Jam and Mercury record labels creating the Island Def Jam Music Group during their acquisition by Universal.

Spirit Music Group, founded in 1995, is one of the world’s leading independent music publishers, owning and/or managing more than 75,000 songs spanning seven decades and every musical genre. Spirit is a portfolio company of Pegasus Capital Advisors, the New York-based private equity fund manager.

Industry Ink: Brett Eldredge, Provident Music Group, Full Circle Academy

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Brett Eldredge Debuts New Video At Chicago’s Wrigley Field

Brett Eldredge premiered the music video for his new single “Wanna Be That Song” last night (June 21) at Wrigley Field in Chicago. The baseball-themed video was filmed recently at the ballpark. In addition to premiering the video, Eldredge threw out the first pitch and lead the crowd in the ceremonial “Take Me Out To The Ballgame” during the 7th inning stretch.

Pictured: Brett Eldredge with members of his team from Warner Music Nashville and Long Shot Management.

Pictured: Brett Eldredge with members of his team from Warner Music Nashville and Long Shot Management.

 
 

Provident Music Group/Sony Music Entertainment Promotes Ben Howard

Ben Howard

Ben Howard

Ben Howard has been promoted to Executive VP of Provident Films. He previously served as Sr. VP for the company’s film division. Howard manages partnerships with movie partners including The Kendrick Brothers (War Room), The Erwin Brothers (Woodlawn), and more.

“We are very proud to announce Ben Howard as Provident Films’ Executive VP,” shares Terry Hemmings, President & CEO, Provident Music Group/Sony Music Entertainment. “Ben has been a key part to the success of our film division. His pioneering spirit and patient pursuit of excellence have been the right blend of disciplines  to lead us in this still growing category. I’m pleased to announce this well-deserved promotion.”

 
 

Producer Seth Mosley’s Full Circle Academy Presents Music Makers Bootcamp

Seth Mosley

Seth Mosley

Full Circle Academy presents the first Music-Makers Bootcamp, dedicated to producers, artists and songwriters in the Nashville area.

Featuring coaches Mia Fieldes (songwriter), Matt Hammitt (artist/songwriter), Sean Moffitt (mix engineer), Mike X. O’Connor (music producer) and Manafest (artist), the music industry courses will be held Aug. 26-28 in Franklin, Tennessee.

Led by producer Seth Mosley, a small group of students enrolled in the bootcamp will have the opportunity to receive training from music industry professionals in music production and songwriting. Mosley has been named SESAC’s Writer of the Year, and earned a Dove award for Songwriter of the Year in 2015.

Nashville’s July 4 Fireworks to be Livestreamed, Broadcast Live on Local TV

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Nashville, courtesy Nashville Convention and Visitor's Bureau

Nashville, courtesy Nashville Convention and Visitor’s Bureau

The Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has announced that the city’s annual July 4 concert and fireworks display will be live-streamed and the fireworks display will be broadcast live on local television through a partnership with WKRN-News 2.

The live-stream will start at 5 p.m. at visitmusiccity.com/july4th and will include five hours of live music. At 9 p.m., News 2 will begin broadcasting the music from Ascend Amphitheater commercial-free and will include a portion of headliner Sheryl Crow’s performance, along with the Nashville Symphony Orchestra performing live music synchronized to the 30-minute fireworks display.

“For years, the biggest request has been to broadcast the fireworks show locally on TV,” said Ken Levitan, board chair of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp and co-president of Vector Management. “We’ve been working on this, and we are extremely pleased to partner with News 2 this year so that Nashvillians who can’t make it downtown can still enjoy the spectacular fireworks show synchronized to the music of the GRAMMY-winning Nashville Symphony.”

Let Freedom Sing! July 4 in Music City presented by Dr Pepper includes two days of festivities, three stages, 15 live music acts and the largest fireworks show in the country – all free and open to the public at a new location at Ascend Amphitheater and The Green at Riverfront Park.

 

Chris Tomlin, Matt Maher Earn Top Honors At BMI Christian Awards

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Pictured (L-R): BMI's Leslie Roberts, BMI Songwriters of the Year Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher, BMI's Mike O'Neill, Del Bryant and BMI's Jody William at the 2016 BMI Christian Awards

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, BMI Songwriters of the Year Chris Tomlin and Matt Maher, BMI’s Mike O’Neill, Del Bryant and BMI’s Jody Williams at the 2016 BMI Christian Awards. Photo: Steve Lowry

Matt Maher, Chris Tomlin, and For King and Country’s Luke Smallbone were among the big winners last night (June 21) during BMI’s annual Christian Awards, held at the performing rights organization’s Nashville office.

Maher and Tomlin tied this year for Christian Songwriter of the Year. Maher was honored for his songs “Because He Lives (Amen),” “Come As You Are,” and “Soul On Fire.” Tomlin, a co-writer on “Because He Lives (Amen),” also penned “At The Cross (Love Ran Red),” and “Jesus Loves Me.”

For King and Country’s “Shoulders” earned BMI Christian Song of the Year honors. The track was penned by BMI songwriter Luke Smallbone, alongside Ben Glover, Joel Smallbone, and Tedd Tjornhom. Publishers include Dayspring Music, Kilns Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation.

Word Music Publishing (Dayspring Music and Warner-Tamerlane Publishing Corporation) took home the Publisher of the Year award, having earned the highest percentage of copyright ownership among the year’s most-performed songs, including the hits “More Than You Think I Am,” “Save My Life,” “Shoulders,” “Through All Of It” and “Who I Am.”

Steven Curtis Chapman honors former BMI executive Joe Moscheo. Photo: Steve Lowry

Steven Curtis Chapman honors former BMI executive Joe Moscheo. Photo: Steve Lowry

BMI Nashville’s VP, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams and BMI Nashville’s Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Leslie Roberts hosted the ceremony.

The evening began on a somber yet joyous note, with Steven Curtis Chapman performing “My Redeemer Is Faithful and True,” in honor of musician, Imperials member, and former BMI executive Joe Moscheo, who died earlier this year. Moscheo joined BMI in 1978 and served as vice president of special projects, staying with the company for 16 years. Chapman is but one of the many songwriters Moscheo championed during his time at BMI.

Maher took his spot behind a keyboard for a rendition of “Because He Lives (Amen),” while duo All Sons & Daughters also offered a performance of “I Surrender.”

The evening was especially sweet for those picking up their first BMI Christian honors. Though BMI writer Tim Nichols has been awarded 19 BMI awards for his country compositions, including “Live Like You Were Dying” recorded by Tim McGraw, he picked up his first BMI Christian award during last night’s ceremony, for co-writing “More Than You Think I Am,” alongside Bernie Herms and Danny Gokey.

For King & Country's "Shoulders" was named BMI Christian Song of the Year.

For King & Country’s “Shoulders” was named BMI Christian Song of the Year. Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts; Word Music Publishing’s Josh Bailey; Trevor Mathiesen; Joel Timen; songwriter Joel Smallbone (accepting on behalf of his brother, BMI writer Luke Smallbone); Word Music Publishing’s Janine Appleton; Jonathan Mason; Rod Riley; Ben Vaughn; Jake Ottmann; BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Steve Lowry

Others picking up their first BMI honors included THiS Music’s Molly Reed (for “Through All Of It”), Monty Allen and Robert Arthur (for “Glory Bound”).

Among those in attendance were former BMI President/CEO Del Bryant, as well current BMI President/CEO Mike O’Neill and Sr. VP, Writer/Publisher Relations Phil Graham.

“We’re honored to be able to celebrate these top Christian music creators,” noted Williams. “These songwriters and publishers earned incredible airplay while spreading a wonderful message.”

For a full list of honorees, visit bmi.com.

All Sons & Daughters. Photo: Steve Lowry

All Sons & Daughters. Photo: Steve Lowry

 

Nashville Meets London Music Festival Confirms 10 Artists

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Four Nashville artists and six artists from the United Kingdom will perform at the first Nashville Meets London music festival this summer.

American Young, Logan Brill, Ty Herndon, and Logan Mize will represent Nashville at the festival, which will take place Aug. 13-14 at Canada Square Park in London. Admission is free and open to the public.

Yola Carter, Megan O’Neill, Pauper Kings, Hannah Rose Platt, Honey Ryder, and William the Conqueror are the United Kingdom artists confirmed to appear.

Nashville Meets London is co-produced by The AristoMedia Group in Nashville, as well as Canary Wharf Arts + Events and Peter Conway Management. Baylen Leonard, BBC Radio 2 Country DJ, is the artistic program consultant.