Johnny Cash Museum To Honor Legends Of Sun Records With New Exhibit

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Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash


Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum and Event Space will unveil a new exhibit to honor the Legends of Sun Records on Aug. 15. The exhibit will run for 18 months. Among the items that will be on display are never-before-seen artifacts from Elvis Presley, as well as the first drum kit that was used on the Grand Ole Opry, and the first original pair of Blue Suede Shoes.
Other artists that will be spotlighted in the exhibit include Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland.
“Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Records,” says museum founder Bill Miller. “Sun was the launch pad for several young men whose music would forever impact the world. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny came from similar backgrounds and humble beginnings. Once they walked through the door at the Memphis Recording Service, their lives would never be the same. We are proud to showcase Johnny’s labelmates from this historic period in rock and roll history.”
The Johny Cash Museum is located at 119 3rd Ave. S. More information found at johnnycashmuseum.com.

Australia Council for the Arts Continues Nashville Residency Grant

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Ben Wright Smith

Ben Wright Smith


Australian singer-songwriter Ben Wright Smith is this year’s recipient of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant, which was established last year by the Australian Government and the Australia Council for the Arts. The residency grant allows writers and artists to spend three months in Nashville to be mentored by program facilitator, Australian producer, and Nashville resident Mark Moffatt.
“The Australian government has recognized Nashville as the global music hub and made it the focus of many of their funding initiatives,” said Moffatt, who is also the current Board President of the Americana Music Association. “Ben’s talent, personality and drive made him the perfect candidate for this program.”
Melbourne native Wright Smith, 25, has already had several folk/rock releases. He visited Nashville in 2012, where he performed at the Americana Music Festival. During his three-month Nashville residency, Wright Smith will be introduced to Nashville’s creative and business community to engage in songwriting, recording, showcasing and industry networking.
Previous recipients of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant include Travis Caudle and Chris Altmann.

New York Style Diner Set For Nashville's Demonbreun Street

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Rendering of Avenue Diner

Rendering of Avenue Diner


Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, and Rippy’s, is bringing some New York City atmosphere to Nashville with the introduction of Avenue Diner. The multi-level eatery is designed after Brooklyn eatery Juniors, and is set to be built on the corner of 3rd Ave. and Demonbreun. The eatery will have a Country music theme. Jonathan Scott, former general manager for Nashville’s The Palm, will serve as Avenue Diner’s general manager.
The other corners of 3rd and Demonbreun house The Pinnacle office tower (which includes The Southern restaurant), Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Encore condos.
“I have been very fortunate to bring Nashville some of the best known honky-tonks around the country,” says Smith. While Avenue Diner will be Country music-themed, don’t expect actual live music in the venue. “There will be no live entertainment or stages in the diner, making it a place for people to enjoy good conversation with a good meal,” continues Smith.
It is estimated that Avenue Diner will be opened in early 2015.

CMA Preps Digital Promo for 'Country's Night To Rock'

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CMA-FestAdding to the Country Music Association’s previously announced iTunes and Music Choice partnerships, the organization has revealed it will align with Shazam, Spotify, Beats Music and VEVO to promote tomorrow’s (Aug. 5) CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.

  • Shazam will be featured in-show, inviting viewers to exclusive artist content. From within, website placement, social posts, and tune-in alerts will target Country fans in the app.
  • Spotify dedicate playlist to feature performers, special artist call outs, a homepage takeover, newsletter feature, banner ads, and social media support.
  • Beats Music will share a curated CMA Music Festival playlist spotlighting performers. Show hosts Little Big Town also created a playlist, which will be available exclusively to the service’s subscribers. Beats Music will promote the show via social channels, both in app and externally.
  • VEVO will feature video playlists of performers across the homepages of its web, mobile/tablet and TV apps. Additionally, CMA programming blocks will air on Vevo TV, the always on, broadcast-style linear music channels built by expert human programmers.
  • Social Media: Viewers will be able to ‘unlock’ three performances on CMAfest.com, using the social media hashtag #CMAfest. The “Flock to Unlock” bonus performances will be detailed during the ABC-TV broadcast.
  • Instagram: For the second year, select fan photos posted to Instagram with #CMAfest will appear live on-air during the broadcast.

Social marketing company Spredfast will technically execute CMAfest.com content. On behalf of the company, CEO Rod Favaron said, “Country music fans will have the opportunity to interact with the show, with each other, and feel like a valuable part of the watching experience.”

The Wild Feathers Announce Tour Dates

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The Wild Feathers


The Wild Feathers will hit the road for additional tour dates this fall this month in support of their self-titled debut album. The Nashville-based band’s audience continues to grow with each club and festival show across the country, including stops at Bonnaroo, Firefly, and Summerfest this year.
The tour includes a headlining gig in their hometown during Nashville’s Live On The Green Festival on Sept. 5, 2014.  They’ll also have the opportunity to play Irving Plaza in New York City, the Squamish Valley Music Festival in Canada, and will be part of Zac Brown Band’s festival at Hershey Park in Pittsburgh on Aug. 31.
The full list of tour dates here:
08/08   Squamish, BC               Squamish Valley Music Festival
08/13   Littleton, CO                  Denver Botanic Gardens
08/14   Houston, TX                   House of Blues
08/15   Dallas, TX                      Gexa Energy Pavilion
08/16   Austin, TX                      Emo’s
08/27   Louisville, KY                 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
08/31   Hershey, PA                 Zac Brown Festival @ Hersheypark Stadium
09/03   Delmar, CA                    Delmar Racetrack KPRI
09/05   Nashville, TN                  Live on the Green Festival
09/07   Atlanta, GA                    Parklife Festival
09/19   Hamburg, GER               Reeperbahn Festival
09/20   St Peter Ording, GER     Beach Motel
10/02   Barcelona, Spain            Sala Bikini
10/03   Madrid, Spain                 Joy Eslavia
10/15   Kansas City, KS            The Riot Room
10/17   Denver, CO                    Gothic Theater
10/21   Salt Lake City, UT           Kilby Court
10/22   Boise, ID                    Knitting Factory
10/24   Seattle, WA                  Tractor Tavern
10/26   Portland, OR                 Doug Fir Lounge
10/28   San Francisco, CA         Great American Music Hall
10/29   Los Angeles, CA             El Rey
10/31 – Nov 2  New Orleans, LA    Voodoo Music Experience (actual show date TBC)
11/04   Indianapolis, IN             Deluxe at Old National Centre
11/06   Minneapolis, MN             Varsity Theater
11/07   Chicago, IL                  The Metro
11/08   Milwaukee, WI                The Rave
11/09   Cincinnati, OH               20th Century Theatre
11/11   Detroit, MI                  The Shelter
11/12   Toronto, ON                 Lee’s Palace
11/14   Portland, ME                 Port City Music Hall
11/15   Boston, MA                   Brighton Music Hall
11/16   Providence, RI               Fete Lounge
11/18   Philadelphia, PA             World Café Live
11/20   Washington, DC              9:30 Club
11/21   New York, NY                 Irving Plaza

MusicRowPics: Stephanie Quayle

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Stephanie Quayle visit

Stephanie Quayle visit. Photo: Kelsey Grady


Bozeman, Mont. native Stephanie Quayle is so proud of her homestate that she frequently pays homage to it. “I sneak Montana-isms in when I can,” Quayle said before performing a brief acoustic set for MusicRow staff. A multi-talented musician, she took up piano at age 4, wrote her first song at age 12, and took up guitar at age 15.
Quayle’s road to Nashville was sparked by a chance meeting with hit songwriter Kelley Lovelace in Los Angeles. After seeing Quayle perform at club Ireland’s 32, he promptly told her she needed to move to Nashville. In 2011, she made the move to Music City and began co-writing with Lovelace and host of other ace songwriters. In 2013, she released the EP Stand Back, which showcased six songs co-written and co-produced by Quayle.
“After we began writing together, I asked if he could let me hear some of his songs, and he graciously opened up his catalog to me,” says Quayle. The catalog held what would become her current single, “Sugar High,” was penned by Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, and Steve McEwen. “Finding the right song when you didn’t write it is like trying to find the right pair of jeans,” Quayle quipped. “It’s not easy. This song felt right.” Quayle recently released a video for “Sugar High,” which was shot in Watertown, Tenn. “I’m a horse lover, so the video featured all these horses and animals around.”
For songwriters, inspiration can come from anywhere, and Quayle is no exception. The idea for another song in her set, “Meant For You,” came during a pizza stop in Nashville. “I was at Mafiaoza’s in Nashville, and I was chatting with the guy making pizza. I asked him what brought him to Nashville, and he said, ‘It’s the first place I ran outta gas.’ It sounded like a good song idea.” Quayle went to a writing space and spent the next two hours building a story around the lyric. “You can craft all day long, but some songs just magically create themselves.”
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Industry Signings: Zavitson Music Group, Ramblin' Records

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The Marshall Tucker Band‘s label Ramblin’ Records has signed a multi-year distribution deal with RED Distribution, a division of Sony Music Entertainment. Ramblin’ Records has already released its entire back catalog through RED, and this fall will release Live From Englishtown, The Marshall Tucker Band’s live set from their well-known 1977 outdoor concert that boasted 150,000 fans.

Pictured (L-R): Ron Rainey (Ron Rainey Management / Ramblin' Records), Ron Backer (RED), Tony Bruno (RED), Bob Morelli (RED), Dewayne Brown (RED), Alan Becker (RED), Doug Gray (The Marshall Tucker Band) L to R: Ron Rainey (Ron Rainey Management / Ramblin' Records), Ron Backer (RED), Tony Bruno (RED), Bob Morelli (RED), Dewayne Brown (RED), Alan Becker (RED), Doug Gray (The Marshall Tucker Band) Photo credit: Thomas Newton

Pictured (L-R): Ron Rainey (Ron Rainey Management / Ramblin’ Records), Ron Backer (RED), Tony Bruno (RED), Bob Morelli (RED), Dewayne Brown (RED), Alan Becker (RED), Doug Gray (The Marshall Tucker Band). Photo: Thomas Newton

 • • •

Nick Wells

Nick Wells


Artist/songwriter Nick Wells has signed a publishing deal with Nashville-based Zavitson Music Group. The Vanderbilt University graduate currently resides in Los Angeles, where he has written songs with will.i.am, Danny Mercer, Dante Jones, Jonathan Perkins, Kam Parker, and Jackson Morgan. His songs have been recorded by Khalil and Marcus Canty.
“Our goal at ZMG is to establish a creative environment that doesn’t recognize musical boundaries,” said ZMG’s VP of Creative/A&R Eric Hurt. “Our offices are here in Nashville, and we are firmly rooted in Country music, but our creative juices flow to all other genres as well. Adding Nick to the roster is yet another great step towards that goal.”

Beats Music CEO Ian Rogers To Head iTunes Radio

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ianrogers

Ian Rogers


With Apple having closed on its $3 billion acquisition of Beats Music, Ian Rogers, CEO of Beats Music, has also been tapped to head iTunes Radio, according to the The Wall Street Journal.
In a statement on its website, Apple wrote, “Music has always held a special place in our hearts, and we’re thrilled to join forces with a group of people who love it as much as we do. Beats co-founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre have created beautiful products that have helped millions of people deepen their connection to music. We’re delighted to be working with the team to elevate that experience even further. And we can’t wait to hear what’s next.”
Rogers was previously CEO of Topspin, which was acquired by Beats Music earlier this year.

Beteille Named Music Business Association Board Chairman

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Fred Berteille

Fred Beteille


Music Business Association has elected Fred Beteille, Product Manager at YouTube to its Board of Directors. He replaces outgoing chairman Rachelle Friedman of J&R Music & Computer World, who retired from the board after serving seven terms.
“Fred has been a tremendous asset to the Music Biz Board, and we’re thrilled to have him as our Chairman,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Fred is a key player in the digital music marketplace with a keen understanding of the technological, legal and business issues currently facing the industry. We look forward to working with him to move the entire music business forward.”
Prior to joining YouTube, Beteille was Senior Vice President of Operations and Technology at the Google-acquired RightsFlow, where he oversaw the company’s licensing and royalty administration functions and technologies. He previously also held the positions of Senior Director of Strategic Technology and Director of Business Affairs at HFA. Beteille is also a musician and songwriter, and holds a degree in Music Business Management from New York University.
 

Aldean Named RIAA's Top Male Country Artist

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Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Lamy (Executive Vice President, Communications, RIAA), Cara Duckworth Weiblinger (Vice President, Communications, RIAA), Lee Adams (VP of National Promotion, Broken Bow Records), Benny Brown (President/CEO, Broken Bow Records), Jason Aldean, Liz Kennedy (Director, Communications and Gold & Platinum Program, RIAA), Rick Shedd (GM, Broken Bow Records) and Jon Loba (Executive Vice President, Broken Bow Records).

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Lamy (Executive Vice President, Communications, RIAA), Cara Duckworth Weiblinger (Vice President, Communications, RIAA), Lee Adams (VP of National Promotion, Broken Bow Records), Benny Brown (President/CEO, Broken Bow Records), Jason Aldean, Liz Kennedy (Director, Communications and Gold & Platinum Program, RIAA), Rick Shedd (GM, Broken Bow Records) and Jon Loba (Executive Vice President, Broken Bow Records).


Broken Bow Records artist Jason Aldean was recently recognized as the Top Male Country Artist in the history of the RIAA’s Digital Gold & Platinum Awards. Aldean has garnered more than 21.5 million cumulative RIAA Digital Single certifications, counting song downloads and on-demand streams. The RIAA® Gold® and Platinum® Awards program was launched in 1958, and first awarded to LP recordings but later expanded to include cassette tapes, CDs, digital tracks, digital albums, and ringtones.
“On behalf of myself and my RIAA colleagues, we are delighted to recognize Jason Aldean for this prestigious honor,” said RIAA Chairman and CEO Cary Sherman. “We congratulate Broken Bow Records and Jason on this singular achievement and look forward to many more years of great country music to come.”
“This is such a huge honor, and one that everyone on my team earned together,” said Aldean. “I love country music, and I wouldn’t want to be doing anything else…there was never a Plan B for me. I can’t thank the RIAA or country music fans enough for helping us get to this level…it’s unbelievable!”
Aldean’s latest single, “Burnin’ It Down,” sits at No. 35 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Chart.