SoundExchange, NPR, Corporation for Public Broadcasting Reach Settlement

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soundexchangeSoundExchange has reached a settlement agreement with NPR and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting on royalty rates for the next five years for webcasting by public radio stations. If adopted by the Copyright Royalty Board, the settlements will be in effect from 2016-2020.

This marks the second settlement agreement in five months with non-commercial webcasters. In October 2014, SoundExchange and College Broadcasters, Inc. (which represents college media outlets) reached an agreement, which allows noncommercial webcasters at colleges and educational institutions to continue to employ a consistent royalty framework, and ensures rights holders are compensated.

“We always prefer negotiated solutions with digital services, provided that they ensure appropriate payment to artists and rights holders. We are pleased that we have again reached an agreement with NPR and CPB. This agreement recognizes the unique circumstances and missions of these organizations, and compensates the creators of the music used in their programing,” said Michael Huppe, president and chief executive officer, SoundExchange.

“The Corporation for Public Broadcasting is pleased that we, together with NPR and SoundExchange have reached an agreement on Internet streaming of sound recordings by public radio stations funded by CPB that recognizes the unique nature of public radio and the vital service it provides to the American people,” said Pat Harrison, president and CEO, CPB.

“We are pleased to again collaborate with SoundExchange to come up with a framework for royalties that provides artists and rights holders with fair compensation while recognizing public radio’s distinctive public service and nonprofit operating model,” said NPR CEO Jarl Mohn. “The agreement is a testament to public radio’s significant contributions to musicians, artists, audiences and cultural programming in today’s dynamic music environment.”

23rd Annual Tin Pan South Festival To Support Musicians On Call

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tin pan south logo revisedEach year, NSAI’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank gives back by donating the proceeds from the door of one show to a charity. This year, Musicians On Call has been selected as the beneficiary of the 23rd annual songwriters event.

Songwriters Rodney Clawson, Chris DeStefano, and Ashley Gorley will perform during the designated show at The Listening Room Cafe on Friday, March 27, beginning at 6:30 p.m.

“Musicians on Call and Tin Pan South are a perfect match, and we are honored to have them as the beneficiary this year,” said Jennifer Purdon Turnbow, NSAI Senior Director of Operations. “The work they do bringing the healing power of music into hospitals is nothing short of amazing.”

Musicians on Call started in 1999 and currently operates their Bedside Performance Program in 15 cities. MOC volunteers visit patients at their bedsides to perform acoustically for the patient, their family and the caregivers at children’s hospitals, adult facilities, VA hospitals and hospices. Performances have touched the lives of nearly 500,000 people.

Aerosmith Rocker Steven Tyler Working with BMLG

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Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta welcomes Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler. Photo: Getty Images

Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta with Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler during the label’s CMA Awards afterparty in Nashville in 2014. Photo: Getty Images

There seems to be a new rocker-turned-country performer in Music City.

MusicRow has confirmed that Aerosmith rocker Steven Tyler is working with Big Machine Label Group for an upcoming project, which is said to have some definite country leanings.

Big Machine Label Group had no official comment.

Tyler first spoke of his desire to record a country-influenced project in October 2014 during a Twitter Q&A. “I’m going down to Nashville January, February, March, April to write and see what we get,” Tyler said. “You know, doing an album is kind of like panning for gold. You get so much sand and dirt until you find a little nugget and you work on the nugget…you know I grew up with The Everly Brothers. Even ‘Cryin’s’ got a little [twang]. Of course I had to do it more Aerosmith-ish which was rocked out. There’s just a piece of me that loves country so much, and I’m not sure what kind of country that is, but it’s got the 5th harmony…it’s just those kind of melodies that are just so so good.”

Tyler has been in Music City frequently in recent years, including a surprise Bluebird Cafe appearance, when he performed after an in-the-round that featured Mallary Hope, Phil Barton, Lindsey Lee and Aerosmith collaborator Marti Frederiksen. In 2013, Keith Urban welcomed Tyler as a guest during a club show at Nashville’s Tootsies, where Tyler joined Urban onstage for a collaboration.

He has also collaborated with some of Music City’s leading female vocalists. Tyler recently provided vocals for Jana Kramer‘s song “Bullet,” to be included on her untitled sophomore project. He performed with Carrie Underwood on the 2011 Academy of Country Music Awards, and collaborated with Underwood in 2012 for an episode of CMT Crossroads.

Additionally, Tyler and Big Machine Label Group president/CEO Scott Borchetta have an American Idol connection. Tyler was a judge on the music competition from 2011-2012, while Borchetta recently signed on as an Idol mentor. This season’s winner will earn a recording deal with Big Machine Label Group.

Musical Prodigy Emi Sunshine To Perform At ‘Rising Women’ Soiree

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Emi sunshine 2014 Promo

Emi Sunshine

Sunshine is in the forecast! Ten-year-old rising star Emi Sunshine (Red Light Management) will bring her exceptional talents to MusicRow’s Fourth Annual Rising Women On The Row event. Presented by City National Bank, the breakfast soiree will salute five music businesswomen on Tues., March 24, 8:30 a.m. at Nashville’s Omni hotel.

RWOTR 2015 390x260The prodigy singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist brings a confidence that belies her age. Emi has performed on the Today show and is a regular on Grand Ole Opry stage. She is slated for her first show at the Station Inn on Friday, March 6 and will perform her first industry showcase at BMI on Tuesday, March 10.

She draws from her East Tennessee roots to blend bluegrass, gospel, country, and a little bit of blues, creating her own version of what she simply calls “old-time music.”

As soon as she could walk Emi began singing in church. Her parents filled the house with music by Buddy Miller, Johnny and June Carter Cash and Emmylou Harris, which served as a foundation on which she built her own sound. “It’s kind of what came out,” she says. “I always loved that music and I thought, ‘That’s what I wanted to play. This is what I want to do.’”

The 2015 Rising Women On The Row honorees are Kele Currier (ASCAP), Tiffany Dunn (Loeb & Loeb), Dawn Gates (UMG Nashville), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), and Lou Taylor (Tri Star Sports & Entertainment). To read more about the honorees click here. See last year’s video recap here.

Event speaker will be revealed soon.

Tickets and sponsorship information here.

CMT’s Leslie Fram Tapped As ‘Rising Women’ Featured Speaker

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Leslie Fram.

Leslie Fram

MusicRow is proud to reveal CMT Senior Vice President of Music Strategy and creator of the ‘Next Women of Country’ franchise, Leslie Fram, will be the special guest for the March 24th Rising Women on the Row breakfast at the Omni Nashville. Guests will be treated to insights from the music industry executive during a conversation with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. As previously announced, 10-year-old sensation Emi Sunshine (Red Light Management) will be the featured performer.

The 2015 Rising Women honorees are Kele Currier (ASCAP), Tiffany Dunn (Loeb & Loeb), Dawn Gates (UMG Nashville), Jensen Sussman (Sweet Talk Publicity), and Lou Taylor (Tri Star Sports & Entertainment). To read more about the honorees click here.

Fram, a Georgia Radio Hall of Fame Lifetime Achievement inductee, built an acclaimed radio and broadcasting career during two decades on airwaves in Atlanta (99X), Alabama (WABB) and New York (1019RXP) before CMT President Brian Philips tapped the trend-setter to lead the music strategy division at the channel.

She continued her passion for breaking artists by launching the network’s ‘Next Women of Country’ events in support of female artists. In the last two years the program has highlighted Brandy Clark, Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini, Mickey Guyton, RaeLynn, Angaleena Presley, Maddie & Tae, Lindsay Ell, Kelleigh Bannen, Cassadee Pope, Lauren Alaina and Danielle Bradbery.

With numerous charitable contributions to her credit, Fram was honored as the first woman to receive the TJ Martell Award in recognition of outstanding performance in the music industry (2000) in addition to many accolades including the NARAS-Atlanta Heroes Award (2009). The 2014 Leadership Music graduate currently serves on the boards of TPAC (Board of Governors), ACM (Board of Directors) and NARAS-Nashville (Advisor to Board of Governors).

RWOTR 2015 390x260City National Bank is the Presenting Sponsor for the 2015 Rising Women on the Row.

Click here for more information.

Click here to read more about the honorees.

Meghan Trainor Rides Her ‘MTRAIN Tour’ To The Ryman

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Meghan-TrainorMeghan Trainor announced her summer MTRAIN Tour today (March 16), including an Aug. 15 stop at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. This is good news for Music City fans who didn’t score a ticket to this Friday night’s (March 20) show at The Cannery Ballroom, the last stop on her sold out That Bass Tour, which is her very first outing.

The MTRAIN Tour, promoted exclusively by Live Nation, kicks off Friday, July 3 in Atlantic City, NJ and has stops scheduled through Sept. 6 in nearly 30 major markets across the country. English trio Life of Dillon, currently riding the charts with debut single “Overload,” will open. Tickets go on sale at 10:00 a.m. local time on Friday, March 20 at www.livenation.com.

In April, May and June, Trainor is set for international dates in the UK, Australia, Singapore, Japan, Denmark, Germany and Italy.

In tandem with the tour announcement, Trainor premiered the music video for “Dear Future Husband” on NBC’s Today and Cosmopolitan.com. Recently certified Gold by the RIAA, the track impacts radio today as well. This week, she will appear on The Voice as the mentor for Blake Shelton’s team.

Continuing her incredible streak of success, breakout single “All About That Bass” is now six-times Platinum and its follow-up, “Lips Are Movin,'” is double Platinum.

Trainor recorded her debut album Title (Epic) in Nashville with producer Kevin Kadish. The release had first-week total consumption of 237,511 units, making it the biggest-selling debut for a female artist’s first full-length album in more than five years; and the biggest-selling debut for a solo artist’s first full-length album in more than three years.

Live Nation Inks Deal For New Official Soft Drink, Bottled Water Partner

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LiveNation250Live Nation Entertainment has announced PepsiCo as the exclusive carbonated soft-drink and bottled water partner, providing brands such as Pepsi, Mountain Dew, Sierra Mist and Aquafina to 75 of Live Nation Entertainment’s amphitheaters, clubs and theaters in the United States, as well as the curated Pepsi “Out of the Blue” experiences with Live Nation artists. These experiences include sound checks, meet & greets, ticket access, and tour/festival tie-ins.

PepsiCo replaces Live Nation Entertainment’s previous partner, Coca-Cola.

FarmBorough, New York City’s new country music festival, Lollapalooza and the Voodoo Music + Arts Experience will also be sponsored by Pepsi.

“Our partnership with Live Nation elevates our robust music platform to new levels,” said Adam Harter, VP, Pepsi Consumer Engagement. “For decades, Pepsi has been a leader in music and has always focused on providing fans with unparalleled access to great music and their favorite artists. Live Nation will play a dynamic role in our new ‘Out of the Blue’ music campaign as we deliver new and exciting music experiences in a way only Pepsi can deliver.”

The alliance officially launched last month when Pepsi began its “Out of the Blue” campaign, a national promotion that spans 100 days and will give away numerous four-person flyaway trips to Live Nation festivals and events. Through May 18, fans become eligible for a chance to win by following @Pepsi on Twitter, snapping a photo of any Pepsi(TM) beverage product and posting it to Twitter with #OutoftheBlue.

“We are looking forward to this long-term alliance with Pepsi, as we are perfectly positioned to further the brand’s music platform,” said Russell Wallach, president, Live Nation Media & Sponsorship. “We are passionate about bringing incredible music experiences to consumers, and that mission will be at the heart of all the programming we develop together with Pepsi.”

Former UMG Recording Artist Joins Law Firm Adams and Reese

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Meredith Edwards Collins

Meredith Edwards Collins

Former Universal Music Group/Mercury Records recording artist Meredith Edwards Collins has joined Nashville law firm Adams and Reese as an associate. Collins was previously with Bass Berry & Sims, and has been practicing law in Nashville for six years in entertainment, health care, and business transactions.

During her time at UMG, Collins released a studio album, promoted two singles to country radio, and opened for various artists including N’Sync. She was also a staff writer with Sony/ATV Music.

As a transactions attorney, Collins has been counsel for buyers and sellers on more than 100 transactions, ranging in size from $2 million to $2.35 billion. She is a mentor at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center’s Project Music Accelerator, a founding member of Belmont Inn of Court, and a former member of the Belmont Young Alumni Council. Collins earned her J.D. from University of Mississippi in 2009, and earned her B.S. from Belmont University in 2006.

“Meredith has a multifaceted transactions and entertainment practice, and we are excited to have her join our firm,” said Tony Swafford, Special Business Services Practice Group Leader, and also partner in the Adams and Reese Nashville Office. “Meredith’s former experience as a recording artist also lends tremendous perspective to our entertainment clients.”

Grand Ole Opry Preps Nine-Month Bash For 90th Anniversary

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unnamedThe Grand Ole Opry will celebrate its nine-decade history by kicking off nine months of events, set to begin with two shows on Tues., March 24. Among those scheduled to appear during the two-part kick off are Opry members Brad Paisley, Del McCoury Band, and Old Crow Medicine Show, as well as special guests including Asleep at the Wheel.

During the evening artists are slated to share stories behind some of the instruments and artifacts that have shaped the Opry’s 90-year history. Afterwards, the artifacts will join a backstage display running throughout the 90th celebration. Such artifacts include the fiddle played by Uncle Jimmy Thompson on the very first broadcast of what would become the Grand Ole Opry, the steamboat whistle used by Opry founder George D. Hay to introduce countless Opry broadcasts, and a guitar used by Opry great Little Jimmy Dickens. The display will also feature items from Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Josh Turner.

Throughout the evening, the Opry will also announce plans for the nine-month celebration, already set to include future Opry appearances by Florida Georgia Line, Charlie Daniels Band, Oak Ridge Boys, Rascal Flatts, Reba, and more.

Industry Signings: Diamond Eye Music, Lamon Records, Battle Artist Agency

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SESAC Writer Signs with Diamond Eye Music

SESAC-affiliated singer/songwriter Nicolette Hayford has signed with Diamond Eye Music for publishing representation. Hayford, a Nashville-based artist, has collaborated with writers including Jeff Silbar, Ken Johnson and Andi Zack, and is currently writing and performing around the U.S.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Diamond Eye Music’s Chris Burch, Hayford, Diamond Eye Music’s Alyssa Adams, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Diamond Eye Music’s Molly Lins. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Diamond Eye Music’s Chris Burch, Hayford, Diamond Eye Music’s Alyssa Adams, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Diamond Eye Music’s Molly Lins. Photo: Peyton Hoge

 

Lamon Records Adds Buddy Jewell To Roster

Buddy Jewell

Buddy Jewell

Singer-songwriter Buddy Jewell has signed with Nashville-based Lamon Records. Jewell has plans to record a classic country album in 2015, working with Lamon Records’ producer and CEO Dave Moody.

“When Dave first approached me, it was like he was reading my mind… it was meant to be,” Jewell says. “I’d been toying with the idea of doing a classic country cover project and had actually begun picking out material in advance. One of the tunes I was strongly considering was George Hamilton IV’s “Abilene” written by songwriting legend J.D. Loudermilk. I’ve ALWAYS loved that tune. While talking to Dave, I became aware of Mr. Hamilton’s and Mr. Loudermilk’s friendship with the Moodys and Lamon Records. That helped to seal the deal for me.”

More than a decade ago, Jewell was the first winner of reality television show Nashville Star. He earned a deal with Columbia Records and charted on country radio with “Sweet Southern Comfort” and “Help Pour Out The Rain.”

 

Battle Artist Agency Signs Country Traditionalist Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy

Moe Bandy has signed a booking agreement with Battle Artist Agency, joining a roster that includes The Bellamy Brothers, Williams & Ree, Eddy Raven, Mickey Gilley, Earl Thomas Conley, and Gene Watson.

Bandy has several shows slated for coming weeks, including a March 18 show at The Nashville Palace.