YouTube Preps Paid Service, Google Play Rebranding

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YouTube-Music-KeyAccording to reports, Google is preparing to launch YouTube Music Key and rebrand its existing music streaming service, Google Play Music All Access, to Google Play Music Key.
This news comes after the July departure of YouTube Music’s head, Chris LaRosa, after reported frustrations about the final design in addition to the licensing and pricing structure of the forthcoming music subscription service.
YouTube Music Key has added over 20 million high quality tracks. Music discographies will be offered with unlimited skipping and uninterrupted listening while using other mobile apps, when screens are off, or when phones are offline. Video of derivative content like live concert material, covers and remixes can be collected for offline playback. Improvements are planned for Google Music’s discoverability and curation.
No word on when the service will be announced, but reports note that YouTube Music Key and Google Play Music Key will be offered together at $9.99 after a 30-day free trial. Current Google Play subscribers ($9.99/month) could receive the new service automatically.
Using conversion rates from Pandora and Spotify, Billboard estimates YouTube Music Key could get between 6.7 million and 30.7 million subscribers. Estimated annual revenue could reach $804 million in the United States alone.

SAG-AFTRA Approves TV/Theatrical Contracts

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imgresMembers of SAG-AFTRA have voted to approve the 2014 TV/Theatrical Contracts. New, three-year contracts were approved to cover theatrical, prime-time, and basic cable television production under the 2014 SAG-AFTRA Codified Basic Agreement and the 2014 SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement.
The new television contract establishes the first industry wide agreement covering performers in both prime-time television and basic cable productions. SAG-AFTRA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers reached a tentative agreement in July on the deal that provides gains of $200 million in wages, an 8.5 percent wage increase compounding to 8.7 percent, advances in Subscription Video on Demand coverage, reduction of unpaid online streaming windows for most shows and an increased contribution rate percentage to our benefits plans and a mechanism to facilitate the merger of the health plans.
SAG-AFTRA President Ken Howard said, “Once again, we have made history. With the approval of the first-ever SAG-AFTRA Television Agreement, we have reached yet another of the goals we set when we merged. I am thankful to all members who participated throughout this process and the dedicated staff of SAG-AFTRA who worked to insure our new contract would usher us into the next generation of entertainment and new media production.”
The agreement becomes effective retroactive to July 1, 2014 and will remain in force through June 30, 2017.

Sturgill Simpson, Rosanne Cash, Jason Isbell Added as Americana Awards Performers

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americanaRosanne Cash, Marty Stuart, Sturgill Simpson, Buddy Miller, Rodney Crowell, Jason Isbell, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy Miller, Cassandra Wilson, Hard Working Americans, Hurray for the Riff Raff, Parker Millsap, Patty Griffin, Robert Ellis, Ry Cooder, Sarah Jarosz, St. Paul & Broken Bones, The Devil Makes Three, The McCrary Sisters, The Milk Carton Kids, and Valerie June will all perform on the historic stage at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium as part of the Americana Music Association’s 13th annual Honors & Awards show.
They will join previously announced performers Loretta Lynn, Flaco Jimenez, Taj Mahal, and Jackson Browne. Presenters will include Vince Gill, Keb Mo, Amy Ray, Carlene Carter, Elizabeth Cook, JD Souther, Todd Snider, Rhett Miller, John Ritter, John Paul White, Joe Henry and more.
The event will be held Wednesday, Sept. 17, and will be hosted by Lauderdale. Miller will lead the house band, which includes Don Was, Joachim Cooder, Tim Lauer, The McCrary Sisters, and Ry Cooder.
The 13th annual Honors & Awards show will air on SiriusXM “Outlaw Country” and online at NPR’s Folk Alley. PBS will air the show Nov. 22 in the Austin City Limits time slot. For the first time, the show will also air on Australia’s CMC (Country Music Channel).

Music Biz Attorneys Make 'Best Lawyers' List

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best lawyersTwenty local attorneys have been named to The Best Lawyers in America 2015 list, in the Entertainment Law—Music category. According to BestLawyers.com, there are only 117 lawyers in the nation to hold this distinction.
Inclusion in the 21st Edition of The Best Lawyers in America (2015) is based on more than 5.5 million detailed evaluations of lawyers by their peers within the legal community. Adding to the list’s reliability, lawyers are not required or allowed to pay a fee to appear in the rankings. Since it was first published in 1983, Best Lawyers has become a definitive guide to legal excellence.
Adams and Reese—Linda Edell Howard, Philip M. Kirkpatrick, Lynn Morrow
Almon Law—Orville Almon, Jr.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings—Samuel D. Lipshie
Dickinson Wright—Derek C. Crownover
Hall Booth Smith—Karl Braun
Harris Martin Jones—James H. Harris III
Loeb & Loeb—Tiffany Dunn, Denise M. Stevens
McInteer & O’Rear—Howell O’Rear
Milom Horsnell Crow Rose Kelley—David Crow, Christian A. Horsnell, D. Page Kelley, W. Michael Milom
Nelson Mullins Riley & Scarborough—Kevin M. Doherty
Riley Warnock & Jacobson—Chris Vlahos, Timothy L. Warnock
Shackelford, Zumwalt & Hayes—John C. Beiter
Watkins & McNeilly—R. Horton Frank III

Valory Music Co. Signs Levi Hummon

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Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Iconic Entertainment’s Brian O’Neil, BMLG’s Malcolm Mimms, Allison Jones, Andrew Kautz & Iconic Entertainment’s Ally Rodriguez Front Row – BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Levi Hummon & Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster. Photo: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.

Pictured (L-R): Back Row – Iconic Entertainment’s Brian O’Neil, BMLG’s Malcolm Mimms, Allison Jones, Andrew Kautz and Iconic Entertainment’s Ally Rodriguez; Front Row – BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, Levi Hummon & Iconic Entertainment’s Fletcher Foster. Photo: Seth Hellman for The Valory Music Co.

The Valory Music Co. has signed Levi Hummon, a Nashville native who is working on his debut album, due out next year.

Hummon is managed by Fletcher Foster’s Iconic Entertainment Group. The 23-year-old is the son of Grammy winning songwriter Marcus Hummon (“God Bless The Broken Road”) and Rev. Becca Stevens, founder of the Thistle Farms philanthropy. Hit songwriter Desmond Child has also been a key part of Levi Hummon’s development.

“As our Country format ebbs and flows, it’s always so important from an A&R perspective to look past what’s happening now and make some moves on the future direction,” said BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “Levi’s unique vision and incredible artistry is exactly the kind of musical move we want to make now. This is a very significant artist signing.”

“It really feels like a dream come true to be a part of the Valory/BMLG family! I’ve gotten to know a lot of the staff already, and it feels like one big family,” said Levi. “This label home already feels so supportive and is a perfect fit for my music. I also want to give a special shout out to my dad, who has been both a friend and mentor to me through this process, and a huge thank you to Desmond Child and Fletcher Foster for their belief in me.”
Levi Hummon has collaborated with Shane MacAnally, Andrew Dorff, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, Nathan Barlowe, Brandy Clark and Trevor Rosen among others.

The Valory roster includes superstar Reba, chart-topping stars Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett as well as legendary band The Mavericks and newcomer RaeLynn.

Martina McBride Adds 'Everlasting Tour' Dates

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martina mcbride111Martina McBride has added 40 dates to her Everlasting Tour. Backed by an 11-piece band, McBride is touring in support of her chart-topping Everlasting project, which finds the powerful vocalist putting her own artistic spin on classic soul records such as “Wild Night” (Van Morrison), “I’ve Been Loving You Too Long” (Otis Redding) and others.
“We’ve worked hard to put together a show that is visually entertaining as well as very rich musically,” shares McBride. “There’s so much for the audience to see and experience. I feel like this show really takes the audience on a musical journey. The songs from Everlasting and my hits blend seamlessly together throughout the night.”
Seven dates on the fall leg have already sold-out, including Meridian, Miss; Forrest City, Ark.; Lake Charles, La.; two dates in Nashville; Midland, TX; and Dayton, OH.
*8/28         Meridian, MS         MSU Riley Center for The Performing Arts
*8/29         Forrest City, AR         East Arkansas Community College Fine Arts Center
*8/30         Lake Charles, LA         L’Auberge Casino and Hotel
*8/31         Nashville, TN         3rd and Lindsley
9/5         Carmel, IN         The Palladium
9/6         Wabash, IN         Honeywell Center
9/11         Deadwood, SD         Deadwood Mountain Grand Event Center
9/12         Mahnomen, MN         Shooting Star Casino
9/13         Waukegan, IL         Genesee Theater
9/18         Saratoga, CA         The Mountain Winery
9/19         Lincoln, CA         Thunder Valley Casino Resort
9/20         Pomona, CA         Los Angeles County Fair
9/22         San Diego, CA         House of Blues
*9/25         Midland, TX         Wagner Noel PAC
9/26         Durant, OK         Choctaw Event Center
9/27         San Antonio, TX         Majestic Theatre
10/2         Dartmouth, NS         Dartmouth Sportsplex
10/3         Moncton, NB         The Center at Casino New Brunswick
10/4         St Johns, NL Canada         Mile One Centre
10/9         Westbury, NY         Theatre at Westbury
10/10         Albany, NY         Palace Theatre
10/11         Waterbury, CT         Palace Theatre
10/16         Sarasota, FL         Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
10/17         Melbourne, FL         King Center for the Performing Arts
10/18         Niceville, FL         Mullett Festival
10/24         Athens, GA         Classic Center Theater
*11/1         Nashville, TN         Ryman Auditorium
11/7         Dearborn, MI         Ford Community & Performing Arts Center
*11/8         Dayton, OH         Schuster Center
11/13         Jim Thorpe, PA         Penn’s Peak
11/14         Utica, NY         The Stanley
11/15         Lynn, MA         Lynn Auditorium
11/21         Brookings, SD         Swiftel Center
11/29         Kansas City, MO         Arvest Bank Theatre at the Midland
12/3         Glenside, PA         Keswick Theatre
12/4         Northfield, OH         Hard Rock Live
12/5         Red Bank, NJ         Count Basie Theatre
12/11         Milwaukee, WI         Northern Lights Theatre
12/12         Milwaukee, WI         Northern Lights Theatre
12/13         Omaha, NE         Orpheum Theatre
*Indicates sold out

Artist Pics: Montgomery Gentry, Kellie Pickler, Chase Rice

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Montgomery Gentry is back in the studio with producer Michael Knox putting the finishing touches on their brand new album, which is expected to release on Blaster Records in early 2015. The duo’s debut single,  “Headlights,” written by hit tunesmiths Wendell Mobley, Bob DiPiero, and Tony Martin, will be available for fans to download digitally on Sept. 2.

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry Photo: Eddie Kilgallon

Pictured (L-R): Michael Knox, Eddie Montgomery, Troy Gentry Photo: Eddie Kilgallon

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Saturday night, Starwood Preferred Guest hosted a special intimate concert for SPG members with Kellie Pickler at Four Points By Sheraton Nashville-Brentwood as part of the SPG Hear The Music, See The World concert series. Nashville’s Connie Britton and newcomer Laura Benanti showed up to enjoy Pickler’s VIP performance, who also guest starred on the TV show’s popular second season.

Pictured (L-R): Laura Benanti, Kellie Pickler, Connie Britton Photo: Getty/WireImage

Pictured (L-R): Laura Benanti, Kellie Pickler, Connie Britton Photo: Getty/WireImage

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Chase Rice stopped by to chat with Crook & Chase recently about his album Ignite the Night, which was released earlier this week.

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Chase Rice, Lorianne Crook

Pictured (L-R): Charlie Chase, Chase Rice, Lorianne Crook

Industry Ink: Vector Management, Integrity Music, Nashville Entertainment Law Symposium

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vector mgt1Dr. Ralph Stanley has signed to Vector Management for career management. Ken Levitan, Vector co-president and founder, says, “We are honored to be working with such a legendary, prolific artist. He is truly a musical treasure of this generation.”
 

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Stu G and Mike Murray, Creative Director at Integrity Music

Stu G and Mike Murray, Creative Director at Integrity Music Publishing


Integrity Music Publishing has signed Stu G as an exclusive songwriter. He is a member of One Sonic Society and a founder of worship band Delirious?. Integrity Music is home to songwriters including Lincoln Brewster, Paul Baloche, Israel Houghton and more.
Stu G’s songwriting credits include “The Greatness of Our God” (Natalie Grant/One Sonic Society), “Majesty” (Delirious?), and more.

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americanaThe Nashville Entertainment Law Symposium will take place Sept. 17-19 in Nashville, during the Americana Music Festival and Conference.
Speakers will include Nashville Forum Committee members Jeffrey Brabec (Beverly Hills), Todd Brabec (Los Angeles), Henry Root (Los Angeles) Kirt Schroder (Richmond, Va.), Judy Tint (New York), Michael Milom (Nashville), James Zumwalt (Nashville), as well as Nashville guests John Beiter, Stephanie Taylor, John Strohm, Nicolas Beaudoing, Kent Marcus, Denise Stevens, Jeremy Brook, JD Connell, Megan Joyce and others.
To register, visit eventbrite.com. Registration deadline is Aug. 29.

Merle Haggard Taps Chris Janson For Ryman Concerts

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Chris Janson performs at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza on Friday, June 6 during the 2014 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.

Chris Janson performs at the Bud Light Stage at Bridgestone Arena Plaza during the 2014 CMA Music Festival.

Merle Haggard is performing at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium tonight (Aug. 25) and tomorrow (Aug. 26), with Chris Janson set to open both sold-out dates.

“It’s an incredible honor to play on this show and I’m humbled. It’s hard to even find words to describe…this is a career milestone for me and I’m beyond grateful,” shares Janson. “It’s just a few shorts steps from the back door of Tootsie’s where I had my first gig and a lot of hard work later to make it to the Ryman with Merle. A dream come true!”
Janson, who played more than 100 shows last year, has opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd, Florida Georgia Line, and Hank Williams Jr. This summer he played at major festivals Country Thunder, We Fest and Creekfest. Since Janson’s Grand Ole Opry debut last year, he has been asked to perform on the coveted stage over 50 times.
The talented songwriter began writing at 18-years-old, and has scored cuts by Tim McGraw (“Truck Yeah”), Justin Moore (“Off The Beaten Path”) and Parmalee (“Back In The Day”).

merle haggard

Merle Haggard will play the Ryman tonight.


 

Warner/Chappell Extends Pub Deal With James, Cornman Music

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Brett James aug 2014Warner/Chappell Music has extended its worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter Brett James. WCM has also extended its publishing agreement with James’ publishing company, Cornman Music.
Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Whether it’s the writing room, the office, the studio, or the board room, Brett James operates at the highest level as a songwriter, producer, talent developer, and publisher. It’s a real pleasure for Warner/Chappell to represent Brett and work with his team of Nate Lowery and Shea Fowler at Cornman Music. There is so much great music coming from Brett and Cornman—watch out world.”
James added, “Warner/Chappell is the perfect partner for me and my Cornman Music family. They combine a peerless creative culture with a worldwide administrative juggernaut to provide us with an amazing platform for success. I truly enjoy working and playing with them on a daily basis and am thrilled to continue our relationship.”
James has had over four hundred of his songs recorded, 17 of which were No. 1 hits, and has worked on albums with combined sales of more than 100 million copies.