Jack White To Be Presented An Innovator Award At Music Biz 2015

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Jack White

Jack White

The Music Business Association will present Jack White the inaugural Innovator Award during the Music Biz 2015 Business Session on May 13 at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown. He will be recognized for his achievement with his latest album Lazaretto and the vinyl Ultra LP.

Lazaretto debuted at No. 1 on the U.S. albums chart and holds the record for the most first-week sales for a vinyl album, with over 40,000 albums sold in the U.S. The Lazaretto vinyl Ultra LP was also the biggest selling vinyl album of 2014 and any year of the SoundScan era with 86,707 copies sold in the U.S.

“We are so pleased to recognize Jack White’s groundbreaking success with Lazaretto,” said Music Biz President James Donio. “From the floating holograms, to the varied intros, to the surprising needle drops, to the locked groove, to the hidden content, to the multiple playing speeds, he has unquestionably brought new musical life to the world of vinyl.”

Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean Tours Collide For Opening Night

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JasonAldean_KennyChesney_500x500_Static22222

Kenny Chesney and Jason Aldean launched the first night of their stadium-sized string of a dozen summer tour dates on Saturday, May 2 at San Francisco’s Levi’s Stadium, as Chesney’s The Big Revival 2015 Tour collided with Aldean’s Burn It Down Tour.

For hour after hour, Chesney and Aldean sailed through their respective sets of country hits. Fans welcomed the return of Aldean for an extended encore that included “Hurt So Good” and “The Only Way I Know.”

“I know it’s gonna be rockin’ any time we come to the Bay area,” said Chesney, who announced the 49ers’ fourth round NFL draft earlier in the day. “Maybe it’s the year away, maybe it was the full moon… But the crowd at Levi’s Stadium was one of the best crowds we’ve played to ever. They brought it hard, pushed us in the best way—and really took me and the band up with their singing, their cheering, their energy.”

Upcoming combined show stops include Dallas (May 16), Green Bay, Wis. (June 20), Seattle (June 27), Minneapolis (July 18), Pasadena, Calif. (July 25), Kansas City, Mo. (Aug. 1), Denver (Aug. 8), E. Rutherford, N.J. (Aug. 15), and Boston (Aug. 28).

During a recent No. 1 party in Nashville, Chesney announced that when he hasn’t been prepping his tour or on the road, he’s been in the studio collaborating on an album for David Lee Murphy. Murphy was one of Chesney’s many musical guests recently during his two-night run at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Kenny Chesney welcomes DAvid Lee Murphy to his show at Nahville's Bridgestone Arena.

Kenny Chesney welcomes David Lee Murphy to his show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell To Release Second Duet Album

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The Traveling KindEmmylou Harris and Rodney Crowell will release their second duet album, titled The Traveling Kind, on Tuesday, May 12 (Nonesuch Records). The Traveling Kind follows their 2013 project Old Yellow Moon, which earned Best Americana Album at the 56th annual Grammy awards. Old Yellow Moon also brought Crowell and Harris Americana Music Association nods in 2013 for Album of the Year and Duo/Group of the Year.

The Traveling Kind, produced by Joe Henry, consists of 11 duet tracks, including six new songs penned by Harris and Crowell, with co-writers Mary Karr, Cory Chisel, Will Jennings, and Larry Klein. The project also includes new renditions of Crowell’s “No Memories Hanging Around” and Lucinda Williams’ “I Just Wanted To See You So Bad,” and Amy Allison’s “Her Hair Was Red.”

Crowell and Harris will perform a series of shows this month in San Francisco, Nashville, Napa, Chicago, and New York, before making the trek to Australia and Europe this summer.

Stoney Creek Records Adds Director of Regional Promotion/West Coast

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Matt Vieira

Matt Vieira

BBR Music Group has added Matt Vieira as its new Director of Regional Promotion/West Coast for Stoney Creek Records.

A 17-year veteran of KNCI-FM in Sacramento, Vieira has held the position of Music Director at the Top 30 ranked market station for the past five years. Vieira also served as Promotion Director for both KNCI, as well as Sports 1140 KHTK.

“I am so excited to start this new chapter in my life and to join the Stoney Creek and BBR Music Group family,” says Vieira. “It will be amazing to get out and meet all my new friends in the West and share my passion for music with everyone!”

“Country Radio will love Matt! He has always been a champion for the music while in radio,” says Stoney Creek VP of Promotion Chris Loss. “We can’t wait for him to unleash his passion with Stoney Creek Records and BBR Music Group.”

Vieira’s first official day with Stoney Creek Records will be Wednesday, May 20. He can be reached at MattVieira22@gmail.com and at 530-701-2210.

Bret Michaels Releases Country Material, Debuts on CMT

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Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels

Bret Michaels made his country debut with a new album titled True Grit, released today (May 5) at digital retailers.

The album features 21 new and classic Michaels hits, including a remake of his Poison hit, “Every Rose Has Its Thorn” featuring country legend Loretta Lynn.

A new video for the album’s single “Girls on Bars” debuted exclusively on CMT and CMT Pure.

Michaels co-wrote the party song with Luke Laird.

Duo Makenna & Brock Ink Deal With Clif Doyal Agency

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L-R: Orville Almon, Almon & McPike, PLLC; Makenna Sullinger; Brock Wade; Clif Doyal

Pictured (L-R): Orville Almon, Almon & McPike, PLLC; Makenna Sullinger; Brock Wade; Clif Doyal

The Clif Doyal Agency of Nashville has signed Country duo Makenna & Brock to an exclusive artist development deal that will include personal management, publicity, booking and A&R.

The duo is made of Makenna Sullinger and Brock Wade. The pair began working together in 2007 and were featured on the television competition show The X-Factor in 2011.

“Makenna & Brock have that intangible ‘it’ factor that artists either have, or they don’t,” Doyal says. “Their enthusiasm, dedication, and work ethic are very impressive. They are both great singers in their own right, but many have commented that their harmonies are so close that they sound like siblings, which they are not. That is a rare and magical quality. I see a very bright future ahead for them and I am honored to represent them.”

The duo’s debut single is expected to be released this summer.

ASCAP Elects Officers; Paul Williams Gets 4th Term

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Paul Williams, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board

Paul Williams, ASCAP President and Chairman of the Board

The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) announced today (May 5) the results of its Board of Directors officers elections held on April 29 in Los Angeles.

Award-winning songwriter Paul Williams was re-elected Chairman and President for the fourth time. Williams has held the office since 2009. Williams says, “I continue to be inspired by ASCAP’s mission of advocacy and service for songwriters. It is a great honor and privilege to help lead the organization forward during this transformative time. I’m confident that, together with our CEO Beth Matthews, the ASCAP Board will continue to make the decisions that enable ASCAP to meet the evolving needs of our members and licensees.”

Doug Wood, a composer and producer of music for television programs and commercials, was newly elected as Writer Vice Chairman; and Irwin Z. Robinson, Vice President of Industry Affairs for Cromwell Music, was re-elected Publisher Vice Chairman.

The ASCAP Board re-elected Caroline Bienstock, President and CEO of publishing company Carlin America, Inc., as Secretary; and James M. Kendrick, representing Schott Music/European American Music, as Treasurer.

The ASCAP Board also elected a new publisher member, Jody Gerson, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group.

Industry Ink: BMLG, iHeartRadio, Sandy Mason, Big Spark Music Group

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Big Machine Label Group Celebrates at iHeartRadio Country Music Festival

Big Machine Label Group celebrated performances from artists including Tim McGraw and Justin Moore during the iHeartRadio Country Music Festival recently in Austin, Texas.

Pictured (L-R): John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Tim McGraw, Scott Borchetta, Justin Moore, Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler and Clay Hunnicutt.

Pictured (L-R): John Sykes, Tom Poleman, Tim McGraw, Scott Borchetta, Justin Moore, Bob Pittman, Rich Bressler and Clay Hunnicutt.

 

Celebration of Life Set for Sandy Mason Theoret

Sandy Mason Theoret

Sandy Mason Theoret

A celebration of life honoring Sandy Mason will take place Wednesday, May 6 at Douglas Corner Cafe, beginning at 6 p.m. Pennsylvania native Sandy Mason Theoret provided background vocals on recordings from Garth Brooks, Crystal Gayle, Johnny Cash, John Prine, and more. She wrote and recorded both as Sandy Mason and as Sandy Mason Theoret. Among the hits she penned was the 1997 hit “Two Pina Coladas,” co-written with Shawn Camp and Benita Hill.

Her composition “When I Dream” reached No. 3 on Billboard‘s country chart in 1979. Other songs penned by Theoret include “All I Wanna Do in Life” (recorded by Gayle, George Jones and Marianne Faithfull), “Only Love” (Prine, Don Williams), “Feel the Love Go Round” (Petula Clark), “I’d Even Let You Go” (Debbie Boone) and “After All” (Cash).

 

Big Spark Music Group’s Olivia Lane Visits iHeartRadio Music Studios

Big Spark Music Group vocalist-songstress Olivia Lane recently made a visit to iHeartRadio Music Studios in New York City, where she performed an acoustic set, including her upcoming single “You Part 2,” which will hit Country radio on June 8. iHeartMedia Executive Vice President and General Manager of National Programming Platforms, Clay Hunnicutt, and staff heard the newcomer’s debut single, “Steal Me Away,” along with other tracks off her STEAL ME AWAY EP while enjoying pizza and sushi.

Pictured (L-R): iHeartMedia’s Jenny Sperling, iHeartMedia’s Marissa Morris, Artist Olivia Lane, iHeartMedia’s Clay Hunnicutt, Big Spark Music Group's Denniz Kurtz, Star Farm Nashville’s Michael Powers.

Pictured (L-R): iHeartMedia’s Jenny Sperling, iHeartMedia’s Marissa Morris, Olivia Lane, iHeartMedia’s Clay Hunnicutt, Big Spark Music Group’s Denniz Kurtz, Star Farm Nashville’s Michael Powers.

Ashley Monroe Plans Sophomore Album with Gill and Niebank

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Ashley Monroe.

Ashley Monroe.

Rising star Ashley Monroe will release her sophomore Warner Bros. album on July 24. Vince Gill and Justin Niebank again teamed for the 13-track collection, her follow-up to Like A Rose.

The talent’s first single from the yet-to-be-titled album, “On to Something Good,” received its official music video, which was revealed yesterday (May 4) on a CMT broadcast and NPR online. Rachel McDonald directed the piece for “On to Something Good,” which was written by Monroe, Barry Dean and Luke Laird.

Monroe recently celebrated her first No. 1 at country radio, the “Lonely Tonight” duet with Blake Shelton. She is currently on a radio tour, before embarking on summer treks with Rascal Flatts and Little Big Town, as well as select festival appearances.

Ashley Monroe’s Sophomore Album Track Listing
1. On To Something Good
2. I Buried Your Love Alive
3. Bombshell
4. The Weight Of The Load
5. The Blade
6. Winning Streak
7. From Time To Time
8. If Love Was Fair
9. Has Anybody Ever Told You
10. Dixie
11. The Devil Don’t Want Me
12. Mayflowers
13. Good At Leavin’

Pandora’s FM Radio Station Gets FCC Approval

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pandora-logoRadio listeners can now hear Pandora’s music on the FM radio dial, according to Billboard.

Pandora purchased Rapid City, S.D. radio station KXMZ for $600,000 in 2013, and has been given the green light by the FCC for broadcast approval.

The radio station purchase is part of Pandora’s initiative to take advantage of ASCAP’s lower royalty rates offered to companies which own broadcast radio stations as well as the digital radio services those broadcasters operate. ASCAP’s settlement with the Radio Music Licensing Committee (RMLC) has set a blanket license fee of 1.7 percent of gross revenue, minus standard deductions. Pandora currently pays ASCAP 1.85 percent of revenue.

“Pandora is radio, and the acquisition of KXMZ would qualify Pandora for the same RMLC license under the same terms as our competitors,” Pandora’s director of public affairs Dave Grimaldi said in a statement. “This move makes sense to us beyond the licensing parity alone,” going on to say the company was excited to work with the local community in Grand Rapids.

BMI is currently awaiting a decision on recent arguments delivered in Manhattan court that will set rates for that PRO.

National Music Publishers’ Association President and CEO David Israelite responded to the FCC approval, saying, “In the history of the struggle between creators and those who try to profit off of their work without paying them fairly, this move by Pandora ranks as the most cynical and shameless. Sadly this small station in South Dakota has become a pawn in Pandora’s game to pay the creators on which it built its business even less. Now, there can be no doubt that Pandora has declared war on songwriters.”