Rice Forms Consultant Firm

Steve Rice has formed Nashville Music Architects. The company will offer a range of consulting services and provide strategies for artist and songwriter development, church song promotion, song catalog development, and overall career and organizational growth. The company will also serve as a resource for both record labels and churches, seeking to expand their footprint in music publishing.

A publishing veteran, Rice previously worked at EMI CMG, Brentwood-Benson Music, Integrity Music, and most recently Centricity Music. 

Wiatr & Associates Relocates

Kris Wiatr & Associates, LLC and his team, whose roster includes Chris Stapleton, Lee Brice, Jewel, Tyler Farr, Naomi Judd and more, have moved to a new location at 1212 8th Ave. S., Ste. 102. The phone number is 615-832-6344.

New Faces Tickets Gone

Following the CRS 2016 Super Summer Saver registration rate selling out in a record-breaking three hours, Country Radio Seminar officials have announced tickets to the New Faces Show are sold out after the first day of registration. In addition, the Omni hotel has already sold over one-third of the overall CRS 2016 room and suite block. The Early Bird registration rate of $429 will be available through Oct. 15, and the Omni still has rooms available for the CRS preferred rate of $239 plus taxes. Country Radio Seminar 2016 is set for Feb. 8-10, 2016.

Wine, Women & Song Benefit

Lori McKenna, Gretchen Peters, Suzy Bogguss, and Matraca Berg will perform at the Wine, Women & Song benefit tonight (July 23) at the Listening Room Cafe. Tickets are $20 and go to the Music and Memory Foundation.

InDo Nashville Celebrates Grand Opening

InDo Nashville, the coworking hub for professionals in the entertainment industry, is now open and accepting members. The three floor, 11,000 sq. ft., building is located at 632 Fogg St., and features large co-working spaces, songwriting rooms, conference rooms, phone booths, a hanging pod-chair room, a concierge, and a 1500 sq. ft. event space suited for industry parties, product launches, networking events, and acoustic showcases. 

Condolences

Condolences go out to Ramona Simmons Brogdon and husband Preston Sullivan Brogdon of Global Eyes Entertainment on the passing of stepson Robert (Bobby) Fraser Jr. He died suddenly in St. Charles, IL where he resided. He was 39 and leaves behind wife Jenn and four children, Lilly (10), Annabelle (8), Alice (6), and Bobby, Jr. (15 months).

Nashville honky-tonk Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge will celebrate its 55th birthday on Wednesday, Oct. 21 in downtown Nashville with a free Broadway street party. There will be entertainment throughout the day that will include performances by Randy Houser, Jamey Johnson, Terri Clark, and other surprise guests.

“We kicked the Birthday Bash off years ago at the Ryman with Kris Kristofferson, Terri Clark, Mel Tillis and Jamey Johnson,” says Tootsie’s proprietor Steve Smith. “It’s become an annual event that everyone really looks forward to. We hope everyone will come out and help us celebrate our 55th birthday!”

For additional information, click here.

Rich Bengloff is stepping down as President of A2IM, the American Association of Independent Music, after more than eight years in the role.

Vice President Molly Neuman will serve as interim President while the organization seeks a new leader.

According to A2IM’s announcement, Bengloff “spearheaded the organization’s role in changing public and industry perceptions, and has overseen many critical achievements for the organization including, but not limited to, the recognition and highlighting of the growth of the Independent Market Share based on ownership, creating a Washington D.C. presence with greater visibility for Indie Music Labels among D.C. and State and Local lawmakers, the ability to rally for equitable licensing terms, and the establishment of music’s first government-funded export trade programs… We thank him for building a base, tripling the organization’s membership and revenues during his tenure, all of which cumulatively will allow A2IM to flourish in the coming years.”

Bengloff added, “I considered my tenure as A2IM president as the greatest personal and professional honor of my career and thank our members for their trust and faith in me and the A2IM staff. But believing in term limits, as exists for the A2IM board, it’s time for a fresh look. While the search for the next President ensues I will be advising and consulting during the transition and I hope to keep in touch with many of our members going forward. I especially would like to thank the A2IM staff for their hard work and achievements…”

A2iM’s membership is comprised of over 360 labels and over 150 service providers.

Nashvillians on the A2IM Board of Directors include Dualtone CEO/Co-Founder Scott Robinson, and Curb Records Vice President Taylor Childress.

Merle Haggard has been tapped to headline Nashville’s first Ink-N-Iron Festival Aug. 6 at the Bicentennial Mall Park. The cultural festival featuring music, arts, and more will also have performances by Shooter Jennings with Waymore’s Outlaws, Jim Lauderdale & The Dream Players, Billy Joe Shaver, Hayes Carll, Asleep At The Wheel and the Quebe Sisters along with many more over the four-day event.

A special rockabilly showcase with performances by some of the legends of Sun Records will take place Aug. 8. A vintage fashion bazaar, motorcycle craftsman contest, hot rod show, and tattoo artist gathering are just a few of the events on tap for the edgy festival.

Tickets and more information on the festival can be purchased at nashville.ink-n-iron.com.