Live Nation Entertainment Appoints Jimmy Iovine To Board Of Directors

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Jimmy Iovine Live Nation Entertainment

Jimmy Iovine


Live Nation Entertainment has announced that its Board of Directors has appointed Jimmy Iovine to the Board as a new independent director. Iovine is the co-founder of Beats Electronics and Beats Music. The Board will look to harness Iovine’s entrepreneurial experience creating new business models in the music industry, knowledge of brand building and insight into marketing to music fans.
“Jimmy is an extraordinarily gifted arbiter of culture who understands brands and creating compelling new products and services. He will add an important voice to our board of directors as we look to continue to accelerate Live Nation’s growth plans,” said Greg Maffei, chairman of the Live Nation Board of Directors.
“Jimmy is a great addition to the Board and will be a tremendous asset for me and the rest of the management team. He has been at the forefront of innovation in the entertainment industry for decades, and as an entrepreneur, he has combined business inventiveness and marketing prowess with a deep understanding of the music fan to develop and deliver some of the most sought after artist-oriented consumer products and experiences. This expertise will help Live Nation as we continue to discover new ways to attract and engage the live music fan,” said Michael Rapino, president and chief executive officer of Live Nation.
“Live Nation has put together the right management team and incredible assets to really be effective in the new music economy,” said Iovine.

'CMA Country Christmas' Ratings Tick Up

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Jennifer Nettles (l) and Idina Menzel perform during "CMA Country Christmas" airing Monday, Dec. 1 on the ABC Television Network. Photo: John Russell / CMA

Jennifer Nettles (l) and Idina Menzel perform during “CMA Country Christmas.” Photo: John Russell / CMA

Last night’s (Dec. 1) airing of CMA Country Christmas attracted 8.9 million viewers, according to Nielsen preliminary data on Zap2it.com. The ABC show garnered a 1.6 adults 18-49 rating, up a tenth from the 1.5 adults 18-49 rating earned by the 2013 special.

CMA Country Christmas was up for the second consecutive year in both total viewers (up 20 percent, 8.9 million vs. 7.4 million) and adults 18-49 (up 7 percent, 1.6/4 vs. 1.5/4). The show delivered its second-best-ever numbers in viewers and young adults.

The hour-long show came in second place among the major networks, falling behind NBC’s The Voice. The vocal competition earned a 2.7 adults 18-49 rating and scored 10.99 million viewers.

The show featured performances from host Jennifer Nettles, along with Carrie Underwood, Idina Menzel, Little Big Town, Michael W. Smith, Alan Jackson, Brad Paisley, LeAnn Rimes, Steven Tyler, and more.

Paul Jankowski Authors Book on Brand Building

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paul jankowski book 2014New Heartland Group founder and chief brand strategist Paul Jankowski has released new book Speak American Too: Your Guide to Building Powerful Brands in the New Heartland. Jankoski, whose recent work includes the Pizza Hut/Blake Shelton pairing, says the New Heartland consumer segment is comprised of the 60 percent of U.S. consumers living in the Southwest, Midwest, and parts of the Southeast. The new book is a guide to understanding this culture, and a blueprint for brands to use in designing their New Heartland campaigns.
Included is consumer insight research, consumer case studies, and the principal channels through which consumers can be reached and influenced. Nashvillian Jankowski writes about the core values which impact buying behavior, and five key points of access for brands to engage New Heartland consumers: music, food, sports, outdoors and social media. There is a free chapter download here.
Jankowski previous authored the book, How to Speak American: Building Brands in the New Heartland. His career includes time as Chief Marketing Officer for Elvis Presley Enterprises, VP/Media Marketing with SFX Entertainment (Live Nation), and Dir. of Global Entertainment Relations for Gibson Guitar Corp.

Kobalt Unveils Integrated Artist-Writer Services Portal

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kobaltMusic publishing and services company Kobalt has created an integrated data insight tool for artists, labels, publishers and songwriters to track their music and royalties globally in real-time. Clients can now view statements and catalog information, and compare sales, streams and views from Spotify, YouTube, and iTunes in real-time through the Digital Sales tracker. The Kobalt portal also allows detailed analysis of global revenue by various criteria, including income type and territory. Clients can also track views and earnings for YouTube user-generated and partner-provided content.
Additionally, the publishing section of the portal now allows writers to view digital collection data from Spotify, YouTube, and iTunes in real-time. KLS and publishing clients can also use the Kobalt Portal to follow the synch pipeline at each stage of the licensing process. Publishing clients can also take out advances on their income through the portal.
Willard Ahdritz, founder and CEO of Kobalt said: “This is another giant step toward creating an industry platform that offers a more transparent future for artists, songwriters and publishers around the world. The incorporation of label services as a third strand of the Kobalt Portal completes its transition into the world’s first fully comprehensive rights tool. With one hit song today creating billions of transactions, our portal offers an unparalleled level of transparency, enabling Kobalt clients to understand what is happening with their music throughout the global market.”
 

The Rolling Stones Saxophonist Bobby Keys Passes

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Bobby-Keys-2012Saxophone player Bobby Keys, a longtime touring member of The Rolling Stones, died at his home in Franklin, Tenn. today (Dec. 2). He was 70 and had been battling cirrhosis.

During his more than 40 years with The Stones, Keys became an integral part of the band, bonding with Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, and playing on the classic albums Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers, and Exile on Main St.

Throughout his career he also contributed to recordings by legendary artists John Lennon, Joe Cocker, Barbra Streisand, B.B. King, Carly Simon and Lynyrd Skynyrd.

The Texas native settled in Middle Tennessee in the early ‘90s.

The Rolling Stones released this statement following Keys’ death: “The Rolling Stones are devastated by the loss of their very dear friend and legendary saxophone player, Bobby Keys. Bobby made a unique musical contribution to the band since the 1960s. He will be greatly missed.”

'The Voice' Marks 20 Million Singles Sold

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The-Voice-20-million

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani, Pharrell Williams, Carson Daly. Photo: NBC


During Monday’s (Dec. 1) episode of The Voice, host Carson Daly announced the NBC music competition has “reached a major milestone in its seventh season” by hitting the 20 million mark for iTunes downloads.
Four judges–Blake Shelton, Adam Levine, Gwen Stefani and Pharrell Williams–stood by the host to kick off Monday’s show in front of a plaque reading “20,000,000 Singles Sold.”
“That is a testament to our talented artists, amazing band and the guidance of all of our coaches,” said Daly. “To all The Voice fans, thanks for all your support.”
According to Billboard:

  • The show hit 10 million downloads in May 2013
  • Downloads are tallied by iTunes
  • The milestone includes only songs performed on the weekly show, not those released post-competition (e.g. Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery etc.)
  • Republic Records releases the music during the show
  • Unlike American Idol, sales figures for The Voice have allowed tracks from the show to appear on the iTunes and Billboard charts
  • The Voice stands as TV’s No. 1 reality series, averaging 13.9 million viewers each episode (Nielsen)

Performances entering Billboard’s Hot Digital Songs chart have included Bradbery’s Pam Tillis cover, “Maybe It Was Memphis” (167,000 sold) and the Swon Brothers‘ take on Kenny Loggins‘ “Danny’s Song” (158,000 sold), reports the industry magazine’s Phil Gallo. Pope’s version of Miranda Lambert‘s “Over You” stands out as the top-selling track (363,000 sold), while her remake of Keith Urban’s “Stupid Boy” also made a substantial mark (202,000 sold).

Industry Ink: Frankie Ballard Earns Gold, Round Hill Music, Sugar Hill Records

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Frankie Ballard

Frankie Ballard


Warner Bros. Records’ Frankie Ballard has earned gold certification from the RIAA for his  No. 1 hit single, “Sunshine & Whiskey.” Ballard performed last week at The Grove’s 12th annual Christmas Tree Lighting Spectacular in Los Angeles, alongside Fifth Harmony, Darlene Love, and Earth, Wind & Fire.
The one-hour syndicated TV special A Hollywood Christmas at the Grove will air on CBS affiliates nationwide through Jan. 4, 2015.

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round hill music1Round Hill Music’s Nashville office has added two new staffers. Amanda Prenevost has been hired as Manager of Administration, and joins Round Hill Music Nashville from Warner/Chappell Los Angeles. She began her career at Bug Music (now BMG Rights Management) before joining Warner/Chappell Music, specializing in pre-1978 copyright research.
Josh Saxe has been added as Associate Director of A&R. He joins Round Hill Music Nashville from BMG Chrysalis Nashville, where he was involved in managing the company’s song catalog data, as well as helping streamline the system of song delivery. Saxe is co-chair on the Leadership Council of Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP).

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Pictured (L-R): Megan McNair - Sugar Hill Director of Marketing and Media Relations, Liz Longley, Cliff O’Sullivan - Sugar Hill General Manager and Senior Vice President, Gary Paczosa - Sugar Hill Vice President of A&R, Ashley Moyer - Sugar Hill Manager of Artist and Media Relations

Pictured (L-R): Megan McNair – Sugar Hill Director of Marketing and Media Relations, Liz Longley, Cliff O’Sullivan – Sugar Hill General Manager and Senior Vice President, Gary Paczosa – Sugar Hill Vice President of A&R, Ashley Moyer – Sugar Hill Manager of Artist and Media Relations


Liz Longley has signed with Sugar Hill Records, and is slated to release a new project for digital distribution in March 2015. Longley’s self-titled release was produced by fellow Berklee College of Music graduate Gus Berry at Nashville’s Ocean Way Studios, and features special mixes from Sugar Hill’s Gary Paczosa.
Longley has taken home top prizes at the BMI John Lennon Songwriting Scholarship Competition, the International Acoustic Music Awards and the Rocky Mountain Folk Fest Songwriting Competition. Longley’s music has had several television placements on networks such as ABC and Lifetime and Sirius XM radio airplay.

More Apartments Could Be Coming To The Row

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16th ave

Image capture—Map data copyright 2014 Google, Nashville Davidson County

Another apartment complex could be coming to Music Row. Local developers Gary Belz and Brad Daniel will go before the metro planning commission on Dec. 11 to request rezoning of six parcels in the 1200 block of 16th Ave. S. They are seeking the zoning be changed from office and residential to specific plan-residential, according to the Nashville Post.

The longtime business partners hope to begin work in about six months on the 135-unit residential structure.

In recent years, many new residential buildings have come to Music Row, including the complexes 1101 18th, TenTen on The Row, Note 16, Midtown Place and Artisan on 18th.

Ken Ehrlich to Continue as Exec. Producer of Grammy Telecast

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Ken Ehrlich

Ken Ehrlich– Click for video.

Veteran music and television producer Ken Ehrlich and his production company AEG Ehrlich Ventures will continue to produce the Grammy Awards through 2017. This is Ehrlich’s 35th year as a producer of Music’s Biggest Night®. The upcoming 57th Annual Grammy Awards will take place at Staples Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Feb. 8, 2015, and will be broadcast on CBS at 8 p.m. ET/PT.

Ehrlich’s association with the Grammys began in 1980 with the 22nd annual show, when then-executive producer Pierre Cossette asked Ehrlich to produce the show. Since that time, ratings have continued to be among the highest in the live event spectrum with this year’s 56th Grammy Awards garnering more than 30 million viewers—the second-largest audience for the awards broadcast since 1993. The annual Grammy Awards telecast has won 22 Emmys.

From his earliest days in television as the producer/creator of the award-winning public television series Soundstage, Ehrlich went on to work on the Emmy Awards, MTV Movie Awards, VH1 Divas, Fashion Rocks, numerous superstar television specials and Celine Dion’s Las Vegas residency. He will produce A Very GRAMMY Christmas which airs Friday, Dec. 5, on CBS from 9 – 10 p.m. ET/PT.

“Ken’s vast knowledge and genuine love of music, as well as his expertise and vision, have made him an outstanding producer—and ultimately the executive producer—of the Grammy Awards for 35 years now,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy. “As one of the key architects of our signature ‘Grammy Moments,’ he continues to elevate the content, quality, and production value of our annual telecast. We couldn’t be more pleased to continue our long-standing partnership and, more importantly, I am proud to call him my good friend.”

For the Grammy Moments, Ehrlich has coordinated pairings including Eminem and Elton John; Prince and Beyoncé; Jay Z, Paul McCartney and Linkin Park; and Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, and Blake Shelton.

“I consider it an honor to have been associated with the Grammy Awards and CBS for so many years, and to be able to continue this relationship over the next three years,” said Ehrlich. “I am proud of the standard of excellence that the Grammys have maintained over the years, and particularly proud of the audience successes and critical acclaim the show has garnered in the years since Neil Portnow, [and CBS leaders] Leslie Moonves, Nina Tassler, Jack Sussman and I have become partners in presenting Music’s Biggest Night.”

Artist Updates: Luke Bryan, Josh Turner, Willie Nelson

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Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan.


Luke Bryan is in Georgia with family this week after the passing of his brother-in-law Ben Lee Cheshire, 46, (husband to Bryan’s late sister Kelly) over the weekend. The cause of death was not immediately made public. Bryan will be officiating the service, along with Rev. Andy Hardin. Cheshire leaves behind three children.
Bryan suffered the loss of his biological brother (in 1996, at the age of 26) and sister (in 2007, at the age of 39). Bryan’s 2013 “Drink A Beer” hit No. 1 in dedication to his late siblings, while his recent CMA Award acceptance speech for Entertainer of the Year included a nod to those “angels in heaven.”
In accordance with the news, Bryan will no longer be attending or performing at tonight’s CMT Artist of the Year show (Dec. 2), which is set to honor the superstar along with four additional artists.

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Pictured (L-R): Josh Turner, Trey Fanjoy

Pictured (L-R): Josh Turner, Trey Fanjoy


Video director Trey Fanjoy cozied up to MCA Nashville’s Josh Turner on set of Turner’s “Lay Low” music video. The shoot took place at a 200-year-old cabin in Rock Island, Tenn. “Lay Low” is Turner’s current radio single and the lead song off his upcoming 2015 album release. Behind-the-scenes footage including commentary from Turner and Fanjoy is also available.
Read MusicRow’s write-up about his exclusive album preview party earlier this season.

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Willie Nelson.

Willie Nelson.


The legendary Willie Nelson has announced two nights of music planned March 3 and 4 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tickets will be available Saturday, Dec. 6 at 10 a.m. from $39.50 for each of the evenings. Each show set to begin at 7:30 p.m. Ticketmaster outlets, the Ryman box office, and phone (800-745-3000) orders will be available.