LifeNotes: Former Elvis Presley Band Leader Joe Guercio Dies

/by
joe guercio1

Joe Guercio

Joe Guercio, former band leader and conductor for Elvis Presley, died Sunday, Jan. 4 in Nashville.

Guercio served as the “King of Rock ‘n Roll”’s band leader and conductor from 1970-1977, arranging charts and conducting a 30-piece orchestra for the entertainer. It was Guercio’s idea to use Richard Strauss’ “Also Sprach Zarathustra” (also known as the theme song from ‘2001 Space Odyssey’) as Presley’s concert entry music.

Guercio, a Buffalo, N.Y. native, was previously an pianist and conductor for Patti Page and musical director for artists including Steve Lawrence & Eydie Gorme, Julius LaRosa, Sergio Franchi, Jim Nabors, Florence Henderson, Diahann Carroll and Diana Ross.

He handled arrangements for Barbra Streisand, Gladys Knight, Jackie DeShannon and Natalie Cole, and was formerly the musical director at the International Hotel in Las Vegas, which is where he met Presley. It was Guercio who persuaded Natalie Cole to sing with a video of her late father Nat King Cole during her stage shows, leading to Natalie’s “Unforgettable” duet with the voice of her father.

After Presley’s death, Guercio, like many who knew Elvis, helped progress the entertainer’s legacy. In 1997, Guercio became the conductor for Elvis: The Concert, which blended live music with Presley’s isolated vocals and film footage from his concert specials.

Guercio was a longtime member of the Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD).

“I am so sorry to hear about the passing of Joe Guercio,” Priscilla Presley said in a statement. “He was a close friend and associate who will be greatly missed by us all. I was fortunate to see him at Graceland a few months ago, and as only Joe could do, he had us all laughing with him at his stories. His musical talent was unsurpassed. Elvis loved working with him. We have all lost a great man and a true gentleman. My heart goes out to his beloved family.”

“All of us at Graceland and Elvis Presley Enterprises are deeply saddened to learn of the passing of Joe Guercio,” said CEO of Elvis Presley Enterprises, Jack Soden. “He was a dear friend and loved by all. Joe not only entertained millions as an incredibly talented musical director, but also entertained all that knew him with his wonderful sense of humor. The world has lost a great man, and we all have lost a special friend.”

Funeral arrangements for Guercio are pending.

What Are Apple’s Plans for 2015?

/by

appleAccording to MacRumors, Apple is set to not only release the Apple Watch in 2015, but to roll out significant updates to its Mac lineup with the availability of Intel’s Broadwell chips.

Apple had a a successful year in 2014 with the iPhone 6, iPad Air 2, iPad mini 3, OS X Yosemite, and iOS 8. New screen sizes and redesigns put the iPhone 6 and 6 Plus in the news, while iOS 8 and OS X Yosemite offered integration between Apple’s mobile and desktop operating systems.

Here are some of the updates and products users might see from Apple this year:

Apple Watch

Apple Watch

• Apple Watch

The Apple watch is Apple’s first wearable device. The watch is available in two sizes (38 mm and 42mm), and features a small S1 processor that integrates several components, including a gyroscope, accelerometer, and a heart rate monitor. Many of the Apple Watch apps are powered by the iPhone and the watch relies on iPhone for functions including GPS. Battery life is another variable. According to Apple CEO Tim Cook, the watch will be used so much it will need to be charged on a daily basis, similar to other smart watches on the market.

• Apple TV

The existing Apple TV could possibly be revamped to include features like a full app store, Siri, and game support. Rumors of Apple TV updates have quieted in recent months, as Apple has focused on the iPhone 6 and the Apple Watch. In May 2014, iTunes’ Eddy Cue confirmed that Apple is still seeking an improvement for television, though he called the fix “complicated.”

• iPad Pro

The “iPad Pro,” as it has been dubbed by media outlets, is a 12.2 – 12.9 inch tablet that could resemble the iPad Air 2, with a thin chassis and slim bezels. It would likely offer iPad Air 2 features such as 2GB of Ram and a Touch ID.

• OS X 10.11 and iOS 9

New versions of iOS and OS X are released yearly. OS X 10.11 and iOS 9 are in development. Apple had intended to introduce improved transit and indoor mapping features for the Maps app, and split-screen multi-tasking for the iPad. If those options are not available for an upcoming iOS 8 update, they could be bundled into iOS 9.

• iMac

It is possible that Apple will release a refreshed 27-inch Retina iMac, with Broadwell processor this year, as well as 21-inch Retina models. A mid- to late-2015 launch is possible.

• Retina Macbook Pro

Apple’s Retina MacBook Pro was given a minor Haswell processor update in July 2014, but should receive a major processor update once Broadwell chips for the device begin shipping in mid-2015. 2015 could also be the year the device sees design changes; its design has not been changed since its 2012 introduction.

• 12-inch Macbook

The slim 12-inch Retina MacBook is said to include a fanless design, and combines the portability of the 11-inch MacBook Air with the productivity of the larger-screen 13-inch MacBook Air. The design includes slimmer bezels. According to rumors, production of the 12-inch MacBook has been increased in preparation for a mid-2015 launch.

• iPhone

Rumors suggest that the iPhone will see a significant camera improvement, and that Apple could be exploring a dual-lens camera that would use two separate lenses to improve image quality. Additionally, there are rumors that Apple will use sapphire displays from Foxconn for the next iPhone. Likely updates include upgraded A9 processors and improved battery life.

• iPad Air and iPad Mini

Since Apple has updated its iPad lineup yearly, it is likely the iPad Air 2 will receive a minor processor update. The iPad mini 2 received a slight upgrade in 2014, so it might receive a more significant upgrade this year.

Christian Music Streaming Service, The Overflow, Debuts

/by

the overflow logoThe first unlimited Christian Music streaming subscription service launched today (Jan. 5) in the US. The Overflow streaming app is available on iOS, with an Android version soon to follow.

While the number of tracks available (370,000-plus) is fewer than competing multi-genre services, the price is also cheaper ($4.99 per month). Meanwhile, The Overflow also offers the standard streaming site features: songs on demand, curated playlists, and the ability to download music for offline playback. It also boasts other content from top artists, such as devotionals and Bible reading plans.

Stephen Relph, CEO of The Overflow, says, “Christian music is an underserved and significant segment in the USA. It’s also more than music, it’s a lifestyle. We’re excited to bring Christian music fans an immersive app that offers them unlimited Christian music anytime, online or offline. We are confident that we can bring Christian music fans closer to their favorite Christian artists and discover new artists with our curated playlists by genre. Using 7digital’s API allowed us to focus on getting our product and marketing plan executed without being slowed down by the complex work of content management.”

The Overflow built the app leveraging 7digital’s technology platform, content management system and streaming catalog from major and independent labels.

CEO of 7digital, Simon Cole commented, “We are excited to partner with The Overflow on this smart new product. Innovation around digital music continues to flourish and services that focus on a niche catalog or are catered to specific audiences have huge potential to convert new digital users. The Christian community is quickly creating a buoyant market for digital services and there isn’t yet a streaming music service that caters to their needs. The Overflow knows their audience well and can foster a great discovery experience through smart media partnerships and focused curation.”

Nashville’s Big 98 Brings Tige & Daniel to Afternoons

/by

Nashville’s The Big 98 WSIX has announced that Tige & Daniel will take over the afternoon drive on Nashville’s New Country, effective immediately. Tige Rodgers and Daniel Baker will host live weekdays from 3-7 p.m. CT.

T

Pictured (L-R): Tige Rogers, Daniel Baker

Tige & Daniel have been together on-air for almost ten years and can be heard on various stations throughout the country. Their previous morning show aired in a variety of markets including Greensboro, N.C. and Myrtle Beach, S.C. In 2013 Tige & Daniel were nominated for the CMA Large Market Personality of the Year Award.

“Having Tige & Daniel right here in Nashville and moving to afternoons is really exciting for The BIG 98,” said Michael Bryan, Vice President of Programming – iHeartMedia Nashville and Program Director, WSIX. “They are both highly involved in the community – St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Nashville Rescue Mission, The American Red Cross, Toys For Tots are among their favorites and they’ve lent their time and efforts in major ways.”

The Big 98 WSIX Weekday Programming Lineup:
The Bobby Bones Show 5-10 a.m.
Amy Paige 10 a.m.-3 p.m.
Tige & Daniel 3-7 p.m.
Tyler Reese 7 p.m.-12 a.m.
CMT After Midnite with Cody Alan 12-5 a.m.

Fans can listen to The Big 98 WSIX, online as well as with iHeartRadio.com, across web, mobile phones, tablets, automotive partners, smart TVs and gaming devices.

Industry Ink: ASCAP, Sony Music Nashville, CRS, Gilda’s Club Nashville

/by
Dave Berg

Dave Berg

ASCAP songwriter, producer and artist Dave Berg will participate in the ASCAP Songwriter Residency, in partnership with America Scores. The Residency is a mentorship program that provides a platform for songwriters to engage and inspire elementary and middle school students in under-resourced neighborhoods.

Berg will co-write a song with 16 America SCORES Portland 3rd through 5th grade students at Davis Elementary School on Jan. 26-27. Berg will take students through the songwriting process, from structure to lyrics, followed by a day of tracking at Kung Fu Bakery Recording Studio on Jan. 28. The finished song will be included on a special compilation album made up of songs created from this year’s six ASCAP Songwriter Residencies throughout the US. ASCAP produces and distributes this collection to each of the America SCORES schools involved with the program, as well as to music industry influencers.

 • • •

Pherson Scott McDaniel

Pherson Scott McDaniel

MusicRowLife: Congratulations to Sony Music Nashville VP Creative Services Scott McDaniel and his wife Kristy on the arrival of their fifth child and first boy, Pherson Scott McDaniel, born in Nashville on Christmas Day, weighing in at 7 lbs, 9 oz.

Pherson is a Scottish name which translates as “Parson” and is the name given to those who have a desire to inspire others to a higher cause.

                                                    • • •

Ashley Silver

Ashley Silver

Ashley Silver has been added as Marketing Coordinator for Country Radio Seminar, providing support for its Brand Marketing and Strategic Partnerships department.

Silver previously held manager positions with Edgehill Cafe and California-based Pacific Event Productions. She graduated from San Diego State University with a degree in Hospitality and Tourism, and interned with Pearl Harbor Naval Base in Hawaii, as well as with the San Diego Padres.

Silver can be reached at ashley@countryradioseminar.com or at 615-327-4487.

• • •

gilda's club nashville11Gilda’s Club Nashville is offering a half-marathon training, titled Gilda’s Gang, with Franklin, Tenn.-based CareCore/MedSolutions serving as the presenting sponsor. This year marks the 10th anniversary of Gilda’s Gang,which helps prepare participants to run or walk the Country Music Half-Marathon. The 2015 season begins Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9 a.m. with a celebration and health fair at Gilda’s Club (1707 Division Street).

To join the Gang, participants pledge to raise a minimum of $750, with all monies going directly to support the free programs at Gilda’s Club Nashville.

 

BMG Chrysalis Signs Andrew DeRoberts

/by

BMG Chrysalis has signed songwriter/producer Andrew DeRoberts to its roster.

Based in Nashville, DeRoberts has worked on records by artists including OneRepublic, Keith Urban, Miley Cyrus, Kris Allen, and has had songs recorded by Canaan Smith and Thompson Square. DeRoberts co-produced Adam Hambrick‘s Wheels Or Wings EP, which reached the Top 10 on the iTunes Country Albums chart.

Andrew Signing Pic1

Pictured (back row, L-R): Emily Peacock (AAM), Leslie DiPiero (AAM), Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis). (front row, L-R): Beka Tischker (AAM), Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Andrew DeRoberts, Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis),  Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis)

UMG Begins 2015 Goals, Forms Global Data Alliance

/by

UMG-HAVASUniversal Music Group (UMG) has formed the Global Music Data Alliance with global communications group, Havas Group.

The partnership enables the billions of data points that UMG and its artists generate through music, ticket (Vivendi) and merchandising sales (Bravado), streaming, social media and airplay to be analyzed by algorithmic and data scientists. The result expects new revenue opportunities for UMG artists and labels by creating marketing and advertising opportunities.

The announcement will be made by Lucian Grainge, Chairman and CEO of UMG, and Yannick Bolloré, Chairman and CEO of Havas Group, at the 2015 International CES.

Grainge said: We want to continue to find new revenue and marketing opportunities for all of our artists around the world by leveraging our industry-leading big data tools and working with forward-thinking companies such as Havas to supercharge our efforts to realize previously untapped revenues from consumer brands and other new business partners.

Bolloré commented: Music transmits emotions, cultural symbols, and values like no other form of creative expression. By managing the most successful artists and largest music communities in the world, Universal Music Group is at the forefront of the industry and has already gathered unique consumer insights and databases to empower its labels, artists and fans. This first Global Music Data Alliance will allow our clients and other brands to further expand the common passion they share about music with fans and create more meaningful experiences for them.

The launch of GMDA follows a 14-month research program overseen by Havas’ Sports & Entertainment (HS&E), in collaboration with the University of Southern California’s Annenberg Innovation Lab.

This comes after the UMG chief notified staff that his 2015 aim will transform business models by working with non-traditional partners to “build the greatest level of compensation.”

Bloodshot Records Celebrates 20 Years With Nashville Event

/by

Bloodshot RecordsTo commemorate the label’s 20th anniversary, Chicago’s Bloodshot Records is taking a trip down I-65 and celebrating with a special night of live performances at City Winery Nashville on Jan. 24. The anniversary blowout will feature sets from Robbie Fulks, Cory Branan, and Bobby Bare Jr.

General admission tickets are $15. Doors open at 6 p.m. and show begins at 8pm. 

Among the notable artists who have recorded for Bloodshot are Ben Kweller, Justin Townes Earle, Th’Legendary Shack*Shakers, Neko Case, Old 97’s, Ryan Adams and Whiskeytown.

Nielsen 2014 Data: On-Demand Streams Exceeded 164 Billion Songs

/by

nielsenWhile 2014 saw overall album sales shrink  11 percent from 289.4 million in 2013 to 257 million in 2014, and digital albums sales slip nine percent from 117.6 million in 2013 to 106.5 million in 2014, on-demand streaming has continued to rise, according to data from Nielsen.

2014 saw a 54 percent increase in on-demand (audio+video) streaming, with 164 billion streams in 2014, vs. 106 billion in 2013.

“Digital music consumption continues its robust growth, with On-Demand streaming up 54% over last year and 164 billion song streams being played in 2014 ,” says David Bakula, SVP Industry Insights, Nielsen Entertainment. “Although overall music sales are showing declines, Vinyl album sales were up 52% in 2014, shattering last year’s record-setting total by more than 3 million LPs. In 2014, Vinyl album sales accounted for more than 6% of all physical albums sales.”

Digital Songs also took a hit in 2014, with 1.1 billion digital songs sold, a 12 percent decline from 2013, when 1.26 billion digital songs were sold.

2014 YTD ALBUMS
1 Taylor Swift, 1989 (BMLG) | 3661000
2 Various Artists, Frozen (DBV) | 3527000
3 Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour (Capitol)| 1207000
4 Pentatonix, That’s Christmas To Me (RCA) | 1139000
5 Guardians of the Galaxy (HOL) |898000
6 Beyonce, Beyonce (Columbia) |878000
7 Barbra Streisand, Partners (Columbia) | 856000
8 Lorde, Pure Heroine (R-LA) | 841000
9 One Direction, Four (Columbia) | 814000
10 Eric Church, Outsiders (EMI Nashville) | 811000

YTD Digital Songs
1 Pharrell Williams, “Happy” | 6455000
2 John Legend, “All of Me” | 4674000
3 Katy Perry Ft. Juicy J, “Dark Horse” | 4430000
4 Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”| 4357000
5 Iggy Azalea Ft. Charli XCX, “Fancy” | 3974000
6 Jason DeRulo Ft. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty” | 3959000
7 DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What” | 3449000
8 Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off” | 3431000
9 Idina Menzel, “Let It Go” | 3370000
10 Sam Smith, “Stay With Me” | 3340000

YTD Digital Albums
1 Taylor Swift, 1989 (BGMA)| 1409000
2 Various Artists, Frozen (DBV) |1261000
3 Sam Smith, In The Lonely Hour (Capitol)| 573000
4 Various Artists, Guardians of the Galaxy (HOL) | 556000
5 Ed Sheeran, X (ATLG) |455000
6 Lorde, Pure Heroine (R-LA) | 437000
7 Coldplay, Ghost Stories (ATLG) | 425000
8 Beyonce, Beyonce (Columbia) |422000
9 Pentatonix, That’s Christmas To Me (RCA) | 403000
10 J Cole, 2014 Forest Hill Drive (RNCO) | 366000

For week ending: 12/28/2014

Interviewing With Tri Star’s Lou Taylor? Only The Confident Need Apply

/by
LouTaylorStand

Lou Taylor, Owner and CEO of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group. Photo: Kelsey Grady

Owner and CEO of Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group Lou Taylor sets the bar high when hiring her team members. She has constructed a recruiting process using advice from Whitney Johnson, a former Wall Street analyst, regular contributor to the Harvard Business Review, and co-founder of Clayton M. Christensen’s investment firm Rose Park Advisors. Taylor shares, “Whitney Johnson worked her way up from the secretarial pool on Wall Street. She’s a brilliant woman and one day she asked me, ‘What’s the biggest challenge facing you as a CEO?’ I said, ‘It’s freakin’ interviewing people. It kills me.'”

Johnson had a solution.

What is the recruiting process you implemented at Tri Star?

If you apply for a job here and you have all of the qualifications for that job, I send you a video request. Statistics show that people who worked and took accountability for their own wage at a very young age have a greater work ethic. So we ask candidates, “Tell me about your first job.”

Our other questions include:
What are your philanthropic and charitable efforts?
How do you think about society?
How do you contribute back?
What is the most complicated situation you’ve ever found yourself in at work?
If you had the opportunity to do anything in the world and write your ideal job description, what would it be?

These questions tell me what they’re really thinking, not what they think I want to hear. And, it allows me to hear how they present.

What comes next in the process?

They do a written test of exactly the things they’ll be looking at if they worked at Tri Star. How do they review a financial statement? Are they picking up on the details? I’m looking to see how they review and I’m also looking at how they present. I’m looking for people who take the time to type their comments and send them back neatly rather than handwritten answers. If they didn’t think enough about the fact that the CEO of the company is going to be reviewing their work, I don’t hire them.

How does a candidate’s confidence play a role in your hiring?

I can walk into a room and in five minutes, I know if I’m going to hire someone or not. If they don’t have eye contact with me and if they don’t present confidence, I’m not going to hire them. People, when it comes to their finances, want to be presented good news and bad news, both worse and best case scenarios, with confidence. Without it, you can do the best financial presentation possible, but your client is going to leave steeped in fear.

After an employee joins the Tri Star team, how does policy and procedure shape their work habits?

I’m a freak about policy and procedure. I have everything documented down to what the shopping list is for the office. All I want to do is make sure we think about processes and procedures so that everything that we do, tangibly and positively, contributes to a client’s life. I’m a freak. I admit it. I don’t care though because I love it. If you look at our team as in football, I have a great defensive line and a great offensive line. And together, hopefully, we’re going to get in the end zone for the client. I’m 100 percent convinced that nobody gets more value out of their business management firm than what they get here. And the successes are getting to watch our clients retire with money and have peace.

To read more of our conversation with Lou Taylor, check out the 2015 Next Big Thing January print issue of MusicRow magazine.