Lauren Branson Named BMI Director, Public Relations

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Lauren Branson

Lauren Branson


Lauren Branson has been named Director, Public Relations at BMI. Based in Nashville, Branson will be responsible for creating and implementing the public relations strategies for many of the company’s wholly owned and sponsored songwriter-based events, including BMI’s Country and Christian Awards shows, BMI No. 1 Parties, Austin City Limits Festival, LouFest, SXSW and the Key West Songwriter’s Festival.
“Lauren’s music industry background both in Nashville and New York and her experience with cutting-edge digital music technology gives her an invaluable perspective to position BMI and its affiliates for both the media and the music community,” said Robbin Ahrold, BMI Senior Advisor.
“Lauren brings passion, instinct and drive to this position,” said Jody Williams, BMI Vice President. “Her strong public relations background makes her an important asset to our organization. Lauren will help accentuate BMI’s many songwriter-based events in Nashville as well as company-wide.”
Prior to joining BMI, Branson was most recently the lead Publicist at Yep Roc Records where she contributed to the marketing strategy and oversaw the public relations campaigns. Her prior posts include stints at Zenph Sound Innovations as Label Operations Manager, Epic Records as Publicist, and Sony Nashville as Publicity Coordinator.

Jo Walker-Meador To Be Honored During Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

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Jo Walker-Meador

Jo Walker-Meador


Longtime CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador will be honored during the eighth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum on Wednesday, Nov. 12, 2014 at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater.
Born Edith Josephine Denning, the Orlinda, Tenn., native was the executive director of the Country Music Association from 1962 to 1991. She joined the then-newly formed CMA as office manager in 1958; prior to her work with the organization, she worked as a mortgage broker, served as secretary to the president of Crescent Amusement Company, and worked on a public relations campaign for a Tennessee gubernatorial candidate.
During her tenure at CMA, the number of Country radio stations in the United States increased from less than 100 to more than 2,000. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum opened on Music Row in 1967, the CMA Awards show was launched in 1967, and Fan Fair (later renamed CMA Music Festival) began in 1972.
Walker-Meador retired in 1991 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1995.
During the event, senior historian John Rumble will host a forum interview with Walker-Meador, covering the history of her career, her early days at the Country Music Association, establishing the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and the changes in Country music throughout her tenure.
Previous honorees are Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner, Sarah Trahern, Nancy Shapiro and Kay Clary. The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum honors the memory Bluegrass Hall of Fame icon Louise Scruggs.
The event is free and open to the public, though reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by emailing rsvp@countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling 615-416-2040.

Tanya Tucker To Receive CMHoF Exhibit

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Tanya-TuckerThe Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum will feature Tanya Tucker in its new exhibition, Tanya Tucker: Strong Enough to Bend, set to open Nov. 14.
Items featured will include several Nudie’s Rodeo Tailor designs from very early in her career; gowns worn at awards shows; her Harley Davidson motorcycle featuring a special hue of pink made especially for her; and even a container of Tanya Tucker salsa.
Running through May 2015, Tucker’s exhibit will be located on the second floor, where it will replace the current Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access.
Famously, Billy Sherrill signed Tucker to Columbia Records in the early 70s when she was just 13 years old. “Delta Dawn” became a summer hit in 1972, the first in a series consecutive top ten hits over two years. On Tucker’s 16th birthday, Oct. 10, 1974, she signed a $1.4 million contract with MCA Records, yielding additional No. 1 hits.
The singer began dating Glen Campbell, twenty-two years her senior, while in Los Angeles recording her rock-influenced album T.N.T., beginning a troubled time for Tucker.
Her comeback produced her first CMA Award, preceding 18 Top Ten hits between 1988 and 1994, with EMI’s Capitol.
Tucker’s life story is detailed in her 1997 autobiography, Nickel Dreams: My Life. The singer also starred in her own reality show, Tuckerville, on cable network TLC.

Industry Pics: Troubadour Society, ACM Lifting Lives, Lady Antebellum, Motley Crue

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Earlier this week the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum invited its Troubadour Society members to mix and mingle at its annual Nightfall at the Hall event. The Troubadour Society encourages young professionals in the Nashville community to engage with the non-profit museum’s mission of preserving the ongoing history of country music through exclusive educational and networking events.

Pictured (L-R): Members of the Troubadour Society Advisory Committee: Ruth Franklin, Elizabeth Bradbury, Jake Dougher, Jim Butler, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kasey Williams, Sam Reed, Justin Levenson, and David Plyler; (front row, l-r): Maya Akser, Kelsey Flynn, Leanne Weber, Elisa Vazzana, Katie Cline, Sarah McGrady, Jon Romero, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Amanda Richard. Photo: Kelli Dirks/CK Photo

Pictured (L-R): Members of the Troubadour Society Advisory Committee: Ruth Franklin, Elizabeth Bradbury, Jake Dougher, Jim Butler, The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kasey Williams, Sam Reed, Justin Levenson, and David Plyler; (front row, l-r): Maya Akser, Kelsey Flynn, Leanne Weber, Elisa Vazzana, Katie Cline, Sarah McGrady, Jon Romero, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Amanda Richard. Photo: Kelli Dirks/CK Photo

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Gigi Butler, founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes, recently attended ACM Honors in Nashville, TN to present ACM Lifting Lives with a generous $10,000 donation. ACM Lifting Lives’ Hannah Martin and Wes Perry accepted the gift on behalf of the charity which works to improve lives through the power of music.
“Music education is very special to me,” said Butler, “I’ve been singing since I was a young child and moved to Nashville to pursue a career in music. I ultimately made a career out of baking incredible desserts instead, but I will always have a love of music. I think music enriches the lives of our children in so many ways.”
“The team at Gigi’s cupcakes has such big hearts and we are so thrilled to have their support in advancing the mission of ACM Lifting Lives to improve lives through the power of music,” said Martin.

Pictured (L-R): Hannah Martin, ACM Lifting Lives Manager; Wes Perry, ACM Lifting Lives Manager of Brand Integration and Strategic Sponsorships; Gigi Butler, Founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes.

Pictured (L-R): Hannah Martin, ACM Lifting Lives Manager; Wes Perry, ACM Lifting Lives Manager of Brand Integration and Strategic Sponsorships; Gigi Butler, Founder of Gigi’s Cupcakes.

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Bob Pittman, CEO and Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships at iHeartMedia sponsored a dinner Thursday night at the 2014 ANA Masters of Marketing Annual Conference in Orlando. The event featured a special performance from Lady Antebellum. Guest attendees included an array of business leaders and advertising partners.

Pictured (L-R) Charles Kelly of Lady Antebellum, Tim Castelli, President of National Sales, Marketing and Partnerships for iHeartMedia, Hillary Scott, Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO for iHeartMedia, Inc. and Dave Haywood pose during the iHeartMedia presents Lady Antebellum at the 2014 ANA Masters of Marketing annual conference at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort Hotel on October 16, 2014 in Orlando, Florida.

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley; Tim Castelli, President of National Sales; Marketing and Partnerships for iHeartMedia; Hillary Scott; Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO for iHeartMedia, Inc.; and Dave Haywood.

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Big Machine Label Group artists and staff attended the Motley Crue show on Wednesday night at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. The label hung out with Motley Crue before the show to celebrate the recent release of Big Machine Records’ Nashville Outlaws: A Country Tribute To Motley Crue.

Pictured (L-R): BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta; Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil; Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin; Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx; BMLG artist Lauren Jenkins; Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars; Maverick’s guitarist Eddie Perez; Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney; Rascal Flatts bass player Jay DeMarcus.

Pictured (L-R): BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta; Mötley Crüe frontman Vince Neil; Mavericks drummer Paul Deakin; Mötley Crüe bassist Nikki Sixx; BMLG artist Lauren Jenkins; Motley Crue guitarist Mick Mars; Maverick’s guitarist Eddie Perez; Rascal Flatts guitarist Joe Don Rooney; Rascal Flatts bass player Jay DeMarcus.

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 John & Jacob recently made their Grand Ole Opry debut. The group has recently been on the road, opening for Kacey Musgraves‘ fall tour.

Pictured: John & Jaco fresh off the Opry stage.

Pictured: John & Jacob fresh off the Opry stage.

Cumulus Media Nashville To Host Winter Nash Bash

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cumulusCumulus Media Nashville will host the inaugural Winter Nash Bash at the Ryman Auditorium on Monday, Dec. 1, at 7:30 p.m. The event will feature Clint Black, Parmalee, and other special guests, and will be hosted by America’s Morning Show hosts Blair Garner, Terri Clark, and Chuck Wicks.
Tickets went on sale Friday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m., and are available for $52.50 and $46.50 plus applicable service charges at the Ryman box office, ryman.com, or by calling 800-745-3000.
Attendees are encouraged to bring an unwrapped toy or gift for a child or senior in need. All gifts will be donated to Salvation Army’s Forgotten Angels Program. Additionally, guests will receive a complimentary gift from the Doug Jeffords Company.

Hank Williams Biopic Begins Production

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tom hiddleston and Rodney crowell

Tom Hiddleston and Rodney Crowell via Facebook.


Production of the Hank Williams biopic I Saw The Light is underway in Louisiana. Tom Hiddleston and Elizabeth Olsen star as the late singer and his wife Audrey Mae Williams. Rodney Crowell is working on music for the project.
Hiddleston is an English actor known for his role in The Avengers franchise. Olsen, who also played in The Avengers, is the younger sister of Mary-Kate Olsen and Ashley Olsen.
Elizabeth Olsen

Elizabeth Olsen


Rounding out the cast is David Krumholtz (The Judge, Numb3rs) who plays a journalist, Josh Pais (The Good Wife, Law & Order: SVU) who plays MGM film studio exec Dore Schary, James DuMont (Get On Up, Dallas Buyers Club) who plays a music promoter, and Wrenn Schmidt (Boardwalk Empire) who plays Williams’ mistress Bobbie Jett, mother of Jett Williams.
The RatPac Entertainment and Bron Studios film is being directed by Marc Abraham who wrote the screenplay based on Colin Escott’s biography. RatPac’s Brett Ratner and Bron Studios Aaron L. Gilbert are producing alongside G. Marq Roswell and Abraham.

Spalding Entertainment Teams With Maverick Managers

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Clarence Spalding

Clarence Spalding


Clarence Spalding’s Spalding Entertainment, management for Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts, Kix Brooks, Terri Clark and Seth Alley, is joining a new powerhouse music managers consortium called Maverick. The group is led by Guy Oseary, manager for U2 and Madonna, and is also affiliated with Michael Rapino-led Live Nation, according to Billboard.
On board with Maverick are Quest Management’s Scott Rodger (Paul McCartney, Arcade Fire), Laffitte Management’s Ron Laffitte (OneRepublic, Ryan Tedder, Alicia Keys), I Am Other’s Caron Veazey (Pharrell), Blueprint Group’s Gee Roberson and Cortez Bryant (Nicki Minaj, Lil Wayne, T.I.) and Reign Deer’s Larry Rudolph and Adam Leber (Britney Spears, Miley Cyrus).
Billboard reports, “All nine will be joining their companies and rebranding them and their respective employees as ‘Maverick’…The Maverick managers, including leader Oseary, will report to Rapino and Live Nation’s Artist Nation management group…Oseary, Laffitte, Quest and Reign Deer already moved into Artist Nation’s spacious new headquarters in Beverly Hills earlier this year, while Blueprint will maintain its New York office and Spalding will stay in Nashville.”
Guy Oseary

Guy Oseary


Live Nation’s Artist Nation management division has more than 50 managers and 200 artists. Nashville managers already affiliated with Artist Nation include Ken Levitan’s Vector Management (Trace Adkins, Trisha Yearwood, Hank Williams Jr., Kenny Rogers, Love And Theft, Aaron Lewis, Blackberry Smoke, Drake White, Justin Adams, Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Buddy Miller, Kings of Leon) and Virginia Davis’ G Major Management (Jewel, Thomas Rhett, Danielle Bradbery).
Maverick will have connections across the members’ vast networks, ranging from live events and touring (Live Nation) to technology (Oseary’s A-Grade tech fund with Ashton Kutcher and Ron Burkle has investments including Shazam, Uber, Spotify, Soundcloud, Pinterest).
The name Maverick comes from Madonna’s Maverick Records, which Oseary previously headed.
Bucking the trend, earlier this year Morris Management Group (Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride, Jake Owen) and Artist Nation parted ways, and the company reconfigured as Morris Higham Management.

Technophobes Beware: TV Unbundled, Apple, Twitter

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Is unbundled television finally here? With the growing trend of television consumption online, HBO and CBS have recently announced moves to offer content free of traditional bundle services.
CBS-All-AccessYesterday (Oct. 16), CBS launched a digital subscription for its Nielsen-measured live streaming service and video on demand, available at cbs.com or the CBS App on iOS and Android. At launch, CBS All Access will offer thousands of episodes from the current season, previous seasons and classic shows on demand, in addition to local CBS-TV stations live from 14 of the largest U.S. markets, including New York City, Los Angeles, Chicago, Philadelphia, Dallas, San Francisco, Boston, Detroit, Minneapolis, Miami, Denver, Sacramento, Pittsburgh and Baltimore, with more to be added.
Non-subscribers will continue to have access to the most recent current episodes of CBS programming on CBS.com, select CBS Audience Network partner sites and the CBS App. Programming will be available the day after the shows air on TV, with an eight-day delay on mobile devices for primetime series only.
HBOOn Wednesday (Oct. 15), HBO chairman and CEO Richard Plepler announced during the Time Warner Investor Meeting that the company will offer a stand-alone HBO streaming service in the U.S. for 2015.
Citing growth opportunities inside the pay-TV universe, Plepler noted of the ten million broadband-only homes, “That is a large and growing opportunity that should no longer be left untapped. It is time to remove all barriers to those who want HBO.”

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Apple-iPad-PricesYesterday (Oct. 16), Apple unveiled new iPads, the iPad Air 2 and the iPad Mini 3, to be available Friday, Oct. 24. New are the fingerprint sensors that already appear on the iPhone 5s and 6-series, most models are slimmer, faster, featuring better cameras and available in gold.
Finger sensors will enable in-app purchases on more devices with Apple Pay, which was announced Sept. 9 and will become available Monday (Oct. 20) alongside the first upgrade of iOS 8.
OS X Yosemite, new desktop operating system, has become available immediately. Corresponding hardware updates include a thinner, Retina Display iMac and upgraded Mac Mini. For developers, the software tool kit for the Apple Watch is expected next month, with hardware released early next year.
Apple shares fell 1.3 percent after the announcement, closing at $96.26.

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twitterTwitter has announced a new in-app music streaming service with help from SoundCloud, called Audio Card, allowing users to listen to audio in Android or iOS timelines while continuing to browse in the app. Additional partnerships, like that with SoundCloud, are expected to be available in the future.
This comes after last year’s failed attempt with Twitter’s #Music app, which was aimed at harnessing artist and track conversations for music discovery. Kevin Thau, then responsible for the creation of Twitter Music, departed Twitter less than one week after the app’s 2013 launch.

ASCAP Celebrates Currington's No. 1 Song "We Are Tonight"

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Pictured (L-R): Co-writer Marc Beeson, Billy Currington, co-writers Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne

Pictured (L-R): Co-writer Marc Beeson, Billy Currington, co-writers Sam Hunt and Josh Osborne. Photo: Ed Rode


Billy Currington’s No. 1 hit “We Are Tonight” was celebrated on Wednesday afternoon (Oct. 15) at the ASCAP Building in Nashville. Along with songwriters Josh Osborne, Sam Hunt, and Marc Beeson, this was an all-ASCAP party.
For Currington, “We Are Tonight” marks his 9th No. 1 song as an artist and is the second consecutive No. 1 from his latest album.
Produced by Dann Huff, it is his 39th No. 1 as a producer. When he heard the title of the song, he hoped that it would be as great as the title. “When I heard the song, it hit me in that ‘sweet spot’ and I knew it was a hit,” said Huff.
Hit song writer Shane McAnally spoke at the party as did Osborne’s wife Toni, UMG’s Mike Dungan, and members of the CMA and CRS. Mercury Records’ Bruce Shindler was in attendance and was recognized for his career and this being his last No. 1. He will retire at the end of 2014.
Hunt, who has his own hit on the radio with “Leave The Night On,” was thankful for the songwriting community. This is Hunt’s second No. 1 song as a writer.
Osborne recalled a story of his mother meeting Billy backstage at one of his shows over the summer and she told him that she looked forward to seeing him at a No. 1 party for this song. Osborne said he is glad his mom’s proclamation came true. She was also in attendance at the party to celebrate with her son.
Beeson’s last No. 1 song was over 20 years ago with Restless Heart’s “When She Cries.” He hopes that he can “tweak this No. 1 song every 20 years thing.”
Currington was thankful for his team at Mercury Records. “I’ve been on the same team since the beginning and I never want that to change. I’m thankful.”
Pictured (L-R, front row): Beeson, Currington, Hunt, Osborne, (back row) UMG Nashville's Mike Dungan, publisher Old Gringo/Vibe Room's Chris Hunter, ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, producer Dann Huff, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Blaine Rhodes and Smack Blue Publishing's Shane McAnally. Photo: Ed Rode

Pictured (L-R, front row): Beeson, Currington, Hunt, Osborne, (back row) UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, publisher Old Gringo/Vibe Room’s Chris Hunter, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, producer Dann Huff, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Blain Rhodes and Smack Blue Publishing’s Shane McAnally. Photo: Ed Rode

Dan + Shay Celebrates First Gold Single

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Pictured (L-R): Todd Ramey, Sandbox Entertainment; Scott Hendricks, EVP, A&R WMN; Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney; John Esposito, President & CEO WMN; Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment

Pictured (L-R): Todd Ramey, Sandbox Entertainment; Scott Hendricks, EVP, A&R WMN; Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney; John Esposito, President & CEO WMN; Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment


WMN duo Dan + Shay’s Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney were recently honored with their first Gold plaque in Nashville, prior to their concert at Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom, as part of their Where It All Began Tour.
Their debut single “19 You+Me” has garnered more than 720,000 in sales, earning gold status from the RIAA.
The duo was recently nominated for a 2014 CMA Award for Vocal Duo of the Year. They are also slated to perform on NBC’s Today Show on Thursday (Oct. 23), prior to their New York City performance at Highline Ballroom that same evening.