Leadership Music Raises Over $16,000 For Second Harvest

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Leadership-Music-Logo570Leadership Music members, family, and friends donated over $16,000 to help alleviate hunger in the Middle Tennessee area, enough to offer more than 66,000 meals to those in need. The organization exceeded its fundraising goal of $10,000.

The classes of Leadership Music held a friendly competition to see which class could raise the most money for the hunger drive.

Squeaking past the Class of 2016 in the 11th hour to claim bragging rights, the Class of 2012 has been named the winner of the competition again this year, donating the most funds, and honoring classmate Jaynee Day who serves as President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and serves on the board of Leadership Music.

The top five class standings, in order of the most money raised, are:
Class of 2012
Class of 2016
Class of 2015
Class of 2008
Class of 2007

 

Merle Haggard, Chris Young Both Sidelined by Illness

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Merle Haggard. Photo: Myriam Santos

Merle Haggard. Photo: Myriam Santos

Merle Haggard has checked into a California hospital with pneumonia, while Chris Young has delayed three shows due to strep throat.

The news about Haggard’s hospitalization was posted to his official Facebook page on Thursday (Dec. 3). As a result of his illness, Haggard postponed shows in Palm Desert, California, and Riverside, California. The post indicated that he expects to resume touring next week.

Chris Young. Photo: David McClister

Chris Young. Photo: David McClister

Meanwhile, Young’s diagnosis with strep throat forced him to postpone three concerts until January. Those shows will now take place on January 7 in Green Bay, Wisconsin; January 8 in Rochester, Minnesota; and January 9 in Duluth, Minnesota.

Industry Ink: BMI and ALT 98.3, Big Yellow Dog, Midwest Communications, MTSU

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BMI and ALT 98.3 Present Eastside Sounds

Pictured: (L-R): Penny Gattis, BMI; Mason Hunter, BMI; PHIN; Wells Adams, ALT 98.3; Emma Applebome; Mark Mason, BMI

Pictured: (L-R): Penny Gattis, BMI; Mason Hunter, BMI; PHIN; Wells Adams, ALT 98.3; Emma Applebome; Mark Mason, BMI

BMI and ALT 98.3 presented their monthly showcase, Eastside Sounds, at The Basement East on Wednesday night (Dec. 2). Hosted quarterly by radio personality Wells Adams, the showcase highlights top independent voices who create music confidently outside of the mainstream. This week’s showcase featured Tedo Stone and PHIN.

 

Big Yellow Dog Project Debuts at No. 1

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Jessie James Decker‘s first holiday album, This Christmas, has debuted at #1 on the iTunes Holiday Album chart. The album follows the #1 debut of her lead single, This Christmas, from the album on the iTunes Holiday Single charts three weeks ago. The album features three original songs, several holiday standards, and a duet with husband, Eric Decker.

 

Midwest Communications Picks Up ‘The Pickup’

The Pickup

Syndicated online series, ‘The Pickup,’ has been added to Midwest Communications’ country brand. Viewers can now watch the series via the media company’s 16 country websites, including seven DUKE FM stations and nine contemporary country stations.

“It is a terrific show and a perfect fit for our stations,” says Tom Baldrica, Corporate Country Brand Strategist, Midwest Communications. “This is a natural step in our continuing commitment to country music.”

“In our never-ending search to deliver content, ‘The Pickup’ arrived at our doorstep, with excellent content for our websites delivering up-close and personal access to the country stars we know and love,” says Jeff McCarthy, VP Programming, Midwest Communications.

 

MTSU Hires Abby White as Development Director

Abby White

Abby White

Abby White, a former staff editor at the Nashville Scene and Nfocus magazine, has been tasked by MTSU to create stronger connections between the university and the media and entertainment industries. White joined MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment as a development director at the beginning of the 2015-2016 school year. MTSU’s College of Media and Entertainment is the fifth-largest communication program in the nation.

Sound Healthcare Creates Benefit Plan For AFM Local 257

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Sound H&F 570

Sound Healthcare has created an innovative benefits program exclusively for Nashville Musicians Association, Local AFM 257.

Members will now have access to a benefits plan offering the following services for $19.95 a month per family, less than a standalone dental plan for one person would cost.

• 24/7 Telemedicine
• Patient Advocacy Line
• Cigna Discount Dental Plan
• EyeMed Vision Discount Savings
• Hearing Savings
• Lab Work Savings
• Prepaid Diagnostic Imaging
• Diabetic Supplies Savings
• Chiropractic and Alternative Medicine Savings
• CVS Prescription Savings
• Walgreens Health Clinic Discounts

AFM Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy said, “We have been working closely with R.J. Stillwell and Sound Healthcare since 2009, and their customer satisfaction level is literally 100 percent. They have helped many of our members save significant amounts of money on health care. The new supplemental telemedicine as well as the other benefits can be of great value to our members, especially during this time of changing health care parameters. We are excited to take our excellent relationship with Sound Healthcare to the next level with this program by offering our members this exclusive benefit.”

Sound Healthcare & Financial was created in 2006 to provide healthcare solutions for professional musicians and artists. CEO/Founder RJ Stillwell has worked with international insurance giant, Aon, to develop this benefits plan.

“With more clients having to move to reduced benefit Bronze plans for affordability, the need has never been greater for added value benefits,” said Stillwell. “That’s why we are going above and beyond to create exclusive options at a very low price point that Nashville musicians need.”

CMA Songwriters Series Set For 10th European Show

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Charles Esten

Charles Esten

The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the UK for its 10th European show on March 10 at indigo at The O2 in London. This CMA Songwriters Series installment will feature Charles Esten (of ABC’s Nashville), Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, and Charlie Worsham.

Launched in 2005, the CMA Songwriters Series will enter its 12th year in 2016. In 2012, the Series made its European debut with shows in London, Dublin, and Belfast. Celebrating the craft of storytelling through song and the stories behind country music’s greatest hits, the series returned the following year with shows taking place in Ireland, London, and Paris. Since 2014, the CMA Songwriters Series has returned annually to London as part of Country 2 Country, the three-day country music festival at The O2 in London.

‘Billboard’ Lists 50 Most Powerful Female Executives in Music

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Nashville-based executives Marcie Allen, Lori Badgett, Julie Boos, Ali Harnell, Allison Jones, Cindy Mabe and Mary Ann McCready are featured in Billboard’s new ranking of the 50 most powerful women in the music business.

Allen is the president of MAC Presents and was recognized in the Branding category for work with clients like Southwest Airlines and Microsoft Windows. In addition, the Finance category cites Badgett (Senior VP/team leader, City National Bank), Boos (co-owner/VP/business manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy) and Mary Ann McCready (President/co-founder/business manager, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy) as leaders in their field.

Meanwhile, Harnell (Senior VP, AEG Live) is cited in the Live category for producing 180 shows in 2015, grossing $36 million. In the Labels category, key Nashville figures include Cindy Mabe (President, Universal Music Group Nashville), who guided the label to a 40 percent market share in 2015, as well as Allison Jones (Senior VP A&R, Big Machine Label Group), who is recognized for placing future hit songs with the label roster, which includes Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw and Rascal Flatts.

Weekly Chart Report (12/4/15)

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Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

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Hannah Ellis Signs to Word Music Publishing/Wordcountry

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Pictured (L-R): Trevor Mathiessen (Word Publishing); Jonathan Mason (Creative Director, Word Worship); Beth Brinker (ASCAP, Creative Director); Scott Safford (Safford Motley); Hannah Ellis; Dale Mathews (VP Word Publishing); Janine Appleton (Creative Director, Wordcountry); Kele Currier (ASCAP Membership); Joel Timen (Creative Director, Word Publishing); Rod Riley (CEO, Word Entertainment)

Pictured (L-R): Trevor Mathiessen, Word Publishing; Jonathan Mason, Creative Director, Word Worship; Beth Brinker, ASCAP, Creative Director; Scott Safford, Safford Motley; Hannah Ellis; Dale Mathews, VP, Word Publishing; Janine Appleton, Creative Director, Wordcountry; Joel Timen, Creative Director, Word Publishing; Kele Currier, ASCAP Membership; Rod Riley, CEO, Word Entertainment

Songwriter Hannah Ellis has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Word Music Publishing/Wordcountry.

She graduated from the University of Kentucky in December 2012 and moved to Nashville soon after. She is spotlighted in a commercial for the University that is airing now. She also appeared in Season 8 of The Voice.

“It feels good to be at a company with so many opportunities to create in all genres of music, but still very established in country music,” Ellis said. “To have a publisher who is passionate about what I’m passionate about where we have morning meetings each month as a family, some where we pray together, is more than I could have even hoped for when I started looking for a publishing deal.”

“I have known Hannah Banana (yes, I still call her that) since she was 18 years old. I’ve watched her work hard, and heard her grown so much musically since then. I believe in her not only as a writer, but an artist as well, and I can’t wait to see how this story continues to be written,” said Janine Appleton, Creative Director of Wordcountry.

NMPA Promotes Danielle Aguirre to EVP & General Counsel

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Danielle Aguirre

Danielle Aguirre

The National Music Publishers’ Association has announced that Danielle Aguirre has been promoted to Executive Vice President & General Counsel.

For the past year, Mrs. Aguirre has served as Senior Vice President for Business Affairs & General Counsel and during that time she has taken on a significant management role at NMPA.

“NMPA’s robust legal department is a direct result of the leadership and drive that Danielle has exhibited since she started here,” said NMPA President and CEO David Israelite. “Her expertise in the field is unrivaled and she continues to be a force for publishers and songwriters when it comes to combating piracy, taking on streaming companies and anyone who wants to infringe on creator’s rights. I am thrilled to recognize the work she has already done and where she intends to take NMPA in her new role.”

Previously, as NMPA’s SVP, Business Affairs & General Counsel, Aguirre managed all legal initiatives including litigation and Copyright Royalty Board proceedings, as well as handling business affairs such as the negotiation of model industry license agreements, and NMPA’s Anti-Piracy Program. She has also expanded the legal team to include a new VP for litigation.

Prior to joining NMPA, Mrs. Aguirre was an attorney at Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton and Garrison LLP in Washington, DC, where for nine years she litigated cases on behalf of corporate clients in federal and state courts, before arbitration panels and mediators, and in proceedings before federal agencies. She received her JD from the University of Pennsylvania Law School and her BA from Georgetown University, and is a member of both the New York and District of Columbia bars.

Cam Previews ‘Untamed’ By Performing At Her Party

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Cam with her four-person band at the Dec. 2 album launch party in Nashville.

Cam with her four-person band at the Dec. 2 album launch party in Nashville.

“What a great way to start your holiday shopping,” said Sony Nashville’s Chairman & Chief Executive Officer Randy Goodman when introducing Cam at her album launch party at The Cordelle in Nashville. The Arista Nashville/RCA Records artist’s debut album, Untamed, will mark Nashville’s only major label release in December when it hits shelves on Dec. 11.

During the evening, Cam performed her gold-selling “Burning House” (a No. 1 song on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart) in addition to the album’s title track, “Runaway Train,” “Village,” and “Half Broke Heart.” The performer stayed on stage with her four-person band while two album tracks played, including “Cold In California” and “Hungover on Heartache.”

“We were kind of kids raising kids with this album,” noted Cam. “We didn’t try to be different, we [actually] tried to sound like everyone else.”

Production for the 11-track project came from Jeff Bhasker and Tyler Johnson, in addition to Cam herself. All three have ties to the California music scene. Cam is a Lafayette, California, native while Johnson is now also located in Nashville. Further intertwining her crew, Johnson is engaged to Cam’s manager, Lindsay Marias.

Goodman introduced three RCA New York leaders who were instrumental in Cam’s signing: Peter Edge, RCA CEO; Tom Corson, RCA President/COO; and Tatiana Rodriguez, RCA A&R/Operations. “Peter was really the guy who signed Cam and walked her in our life. When I started in July, Peter was my immediate idol after inheriting all this. I get to officially and publicly say thank you to him tonight,” Goodman said.

Edge recalled meeting Bhasker and Johnson in a tiny studio to hear beginning stages of  “Uptown Funk” (which Bhasker co-produced) in addition to “Burning House.” “We were really excited we got to be there that day and went to see [Sony Music CEO] Doug Morris right after,” said Edge. “Thank you Nashville, you have been an incredible partner—this is just the beginning!”

Goodman concluded the hour-long presentation saying, “Cam doesn’t water it down. It is an honor to work with her. She sets a new bar.”

Pictured (L-R): Taylor Lindsey, Director, A&R, Sony Music Nashville; Cam; Sony Music Nashville's Jim Catino (VP, A&R); and Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO). Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): Taylor Lindsey, Director, A&R, Sony Music Nashville; Cam; Sony Music Nashville’s Jim Catino (VP, A&R); and Randy Goodman (Chairman & CEO). Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): Olivia Laster, Specialist, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Luke Jensen, Manager, Regional Promotion; Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; consultant Joe Patrick; Arista Nashville's VP, Promotion Lesly Simon; Cam; Michael Bryan, Sr. VP, Programming, iHeartMedia/Nashville; Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development; Abi Fishbone, Director, Regional Promotion, Arista Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner

Pictured (L-R): Olivia Laster, Specialist, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Luke Jensen, Manager, Regional Promotion; Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; consultant Joe Patrick; Arista Nashville’s VP, Promotion Lesly Simon; Cam; Michael Bryan, Sr. VP, Programming, iHeartMedia/Nashville; Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development; Abi Fishbone, Director, Regional Promotion, Arista Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner