Charity News (3/18/14)

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darius rucker

Darius Rucker. Photo: Chris Hollo


Capitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker will host his fifth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert on Monday, June 2 in Nashville. The concert will be held at the Wildhorse Saloon, and proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
An exclusive pre-sale for last year’s ticketholders will begin Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. CDT, with general on sale opening at 11 a.m. CDT on Saturday, March 21. Prices start at $35 for General Admission and go up to $100 for VIP table options. Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office, or at WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.

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birdhouse thing1W.O. Smith Music School’s annual fundraiser Spring Fling: The BirdHouse Thing has been rescheduled for Thursday, May 15 at 5:30 p.m. at the W.O. Smith School. The event is part of an ongoing effort to provide affordable music lessons to children in low-income families.

Birdhouses were designed and decorated by Nashville celebrities, as well as professionals including Music Row exec Ted Wagner, interior designer Lisa Stevens, architect Tom Bauer, chef Arnold Myint and local artists Delia Seigenthaler and Jay Swafford.

An online celebrity auction with concert tickets and meet-and-greet passes will also be available. Tickets for Spring Fling: The Birdhouse Thing are $40 in advance, and $60 at the door. Tickets previously purchased online or in-person for the original date will be honored.

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jake owen featured

Jake Owen


The Music City Tennis Invitational has named Jake Owen as its celebrity spokesperson for the 41st annual event. The tournament will be held April 26-27 at the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. Proceeds directly benefit the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.

RIAA Report Shows Streaming Growth In 2013

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riaa revenueThe RIAA has released its 2013 Year End Shipment and Revenue Numbers report.

In 2013, strong growth in streaming revenues contributed to a US music industry that was stable overall at $7 billion for the fourth consecutive year. The report shows the continuing emergence of streaming music models as meaningful contributors to industry revenues.
According to the RIAA an increase in digital sales was driven by streaming music services, which at $1.4 billion were up 39 percent over 2012.
streaming revenue
Paid subscription services grew the fastest of the digital formats, up 57 percent to $628 million in 2013. Growth came not just in dollars, but also in the number of subscribers.
Revenues from permanent digital downloads (including albums, single tracks, videos, and kiosk sales) declined 1.0 percent to $2.8 billion.
Shipments in physical formats continued to decline in 2013, overall down 12 percent in value from $2.8 billion in 2012 to $2.4 billion in 2013.
Click to download the full report.

Artist Updates (3/18/14)

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Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois, Kelley Lovelace and Lee Thomas Miller closed out this week’s CMA International Marketing Summit with the “Brad Paisley and Friends” BBC Songwriter show taping at the iconic BBC Radio Theatre in London.
Pictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller, Brad Paisley, Kelley Lovelace, Chris DuBois. Photo By: Ben Enos

Pictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller, Brad Paisley, Kelley Lovelace, Chris DuBois. Photo By: Ben Enos

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Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke

Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke


Brandy Clark will make her debut appearance on the nationally-syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show this Thursday, Mar. 20. During the appearance, Clark will perform “Stripes,” which can be found on her first album, 12 Stories.

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Jason Crabb

Jason Crabb


Jason Crabb will host the Southern Gospel Music Guild’s 2014 Harmony Honors. The event will be held March 25 at Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Trinity Music City in Nashville.
Among the musical guests for this year’s Harmony Honors are LeFevre Quartet, the Perrys, the Tribute Quartet, Legacy Five, Three Bridges, the Nelons, Gerald Wolfe from Greater Vision, Karen Peck and New River, the Whisnants, and the Mylon Hayes Family.
Admission to the March 25 live TBN taping of the Harmony Honors at Nashville’s Trinity Music City is free to the public, with 1,500 seats available. Doors open at 6 p.m. (Central Time) and the program begins at 7 p.m.

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Charlie Worsham was a featured player at SXSW’s Tunes and Tacos Guitar Pull on March 12.

Pictured (L-R): Wade Bowen, Robert Ellis, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Worsham

Pictured (L-R): Wade Bowen, Robert Ellis, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Worsham

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word entertainment1Word Entertainment, in collaboration with producer/actress Roma Downey and producer Mark Burnett (The Voice, Survivor, The Apprentice, Shark Tank, The Bible), will bring The Bible: Son of God Tour 2014 to Nashville on April 6.
The two-hour live event will bring the miniseries The Bible and 20th Century Fox film Son of God to life with immersive video, visual effects, and performances of popular songs by artists Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray.

Word Music Publishing Signs Brice Long

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Word1

Pictured (L-R): Rod Riley (President/CEO Word Entertainment), Scott Safford (Safford/Motley), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Brice Long, Janine Appleton (Creative Director/Country/Pop Word Music Publishing), Joel Timen (Creative Director- TV/Film, Word Music Publishing), Dale Mathews (VP Word Music Publishing).


Word Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Brice Long. Long, best known for the songs “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), “Anything Goes” (Randy Houser), and “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night,” (Casey James), has also had cuts on artists including John Michael Montgomery, Josh Turner, Reba McEntire, Gary Allan, Darryl Worley, Randy Houser, James Otto, Laura Bell Bundy, Tracy Byrd, Chris Young, Steve Holy, Randy Travis, Craig Campbell, Gretchen Wilson, Kevin Fowler, Carter’s Chord, Rose Falcon, Jon, Pardi, The Grascals and Porter Wagoner.
The Kentucky native signed a recording agreement with Columbia records in 2005, creating two radio singles.
“I’m thrilled to work with such a hard-working and stand up guy,” stated Janine Appleton, Creative Director, Word Music Publishing. “Brice has been doing this for a long time, and I’m excited about what we’ll be able to do together. He’s got lots of Country music hits in him just waiting to be written!”

James Inks Contract With Big Deal Music, BMG Chrysalis US

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Seated: Pete Robinson (Big Deal), Tim James, Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis). Standing: Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Dale Bobo (Big Deal), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Greg Gallo (Big Deal)

Seated: Pete Robinson (Big Deal), Tim James, Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis). Standing: Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Dale Bobo (Big Deal), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Greg Gallo (Big Deal).


Big Deal Music and BMG Chrysalis US have signed Country songwriter Tim James to a worldwide publishing agreement under their joint venture.
James’ list of Country music hits includes George Strait‘s chart-topping single “Give It All You Got Tonight,” Lee Brice‘s “Love Like Crazy,” Trace Adkins‘ “All I Ask For Anymore,” Toby Keith‘s “My List,” and The Lost Trailers‘ “Holler Back.” James has also had cuts with Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry and Lee Ann Womack.
Kos Weaver, EVP of BMG Chrysalis Nashville, said, “Tim is an extraordinary talent and a highly respected songwriter that I have been fortunate to work with in the past. We at BMG are proud to be his new publishing partner along with Big Deal and expand upon his already impressive catalog with many more hits.”
Dale Bobo at Big Deal Music added, “Tim James is an accomplished, often awarded songwriter who has the enthusiasm of a guy just arriving on Music Row. Tim, Kos Weaver and I worked together a few years ago and it was awesome. I’m tremendously excited about supporting Tim again with our new teams.”
James summed, “I’m pumped to be working again with Kos and Dale. They are two of my favorite people and two of the most respected names in music publishing. The dedicated BMG and Big Deal executives together make a formidable team. I look forward to much success.”

Starstruck Writers Group Relaunches

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Pictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, John Milstead, Caroline Kole, Jimmy Metts, Julie Forester, Kellys Collins, Liz Hengber, Will Robinson, Alex Kline.

Pictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, John Milstead, Caroline Kole, Jimmy Metts, Julie Forester, Kellys Collins, Liz Hengber, Will Robinson, Alex Kline.


Starstruck Writers Group has re-opened its doors in Nashville. The company is currently helmed by Jimmy Metts, who has previously worked with Famous Music, Curb Music, Malaco Music, Stroudavarious Records, and Cauley Music Publishing.
A successful independent music publisher, Starstruck Writers Group was sold to Warner/Chappell in 2000 and has since been inactive. Starstruck Entertainment chief operating officer Cliff Williamson explains, “It’s time to do it again. There’s a spot waiting for an indie publisher making great music. For months we’ve been laying the foundation gathering a group of special writers.”
The group’s writers include Alex Kline (formerly of the Lunabelles, produced Erin Enderlin’s most recent project), Caroline Kole (Starstruck Records artist, currently on tour with Reba), Julie Forester, Kellys Collins (“Goodbye Looks Good On Me,” recorded as Reba’s Malibu Country theme song), and John Milstead.
Most notably, Starstruck Writers Group includes veterans Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart,” “And Still,” “It’s Your Call,” all recorded by Reba, and “She’s More,” recorded by Andy Griggs) and Will Robinson (“There’s No Way” by Alabama, “I Know How He Feels” by Reba, “What I’d Say” by Earl Thomas Conley).

CMA Rebrands International Party During CMA Music Festival

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cma fest1The Country Music Association has rebranded its Global Artist Party during the CMA Music Festival in June. Presented under the “CMA World” Global brand, the CMA World GlobaLive concert will be held Monday, June 2 from 6 p.m. until 11 p.m. CT on a free, outdoor stage on Broadway in Nashville. The concert will highlight performers from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, Sweden, and the U.K.
The concert began in 2004 as the Global Artist Party. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern made the rebranding announcement during the Second Annual International Marketing Summit at the 02 in London.
“The Summit was the perfect platform and this was the ideal audience to announce the strategic growth of the international showcase from a club gathering to a main-stage event,” said Trahern. “Moving this incredibly popular event from a club setting to a large stage with international food and beverage vendors will enhance the experience for our visiting artists, and create a bigger platform to reach an even broader audience of fans and press from around the world. Country Music is not limited by its American roots. Closer than a click, through technology we are reaching a broader audience and developing new fans around the world.”
Throughout the year, CMA also honors those in the international community with awards including the International Country Broadcaster Award, International Artist Achievement Award, Global Country Music Artist Award, the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award, and the Jo Walker-Meador International Award, which is named for the original executive director of CMA.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival will be held in Nashville from Thursday through Sunday, June 5–8.

Davis Joins Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music

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jeff davis nine north

Jeff Davis


Jeff Davis has been named Director, National Promotion for Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music. Davis will step into his new role on April 1.
He has previously worked at Cold River and at Tenacity Records. Davis will report to Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music president Larry Pareigis and Tom Moran, Sr. VP, Promotion and Marketing.
“Jeff is an absolutely driven promotion and marketing monster who won’t take no for an answer,” Pareigis said. “I’m honored he’s chosen to join our team.”
Davis fills the post of Ryan Barnstead, who has been with the company since its inception. Barnstead is leaving to join The Talent Associates effective April 1.
Davis can be reached at jeff@ninenorthmail.com, while Barnstead can be reached in his new venture at ryan@ttamusic.com.

Vino Venue: City Winery Nashville Coming Soon

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city wineryCity Winery Nashville will soon open in the SoBro district of downtown. The upscale music venue, which also has locations in New York, Chicago and Napa, pairs wine and high-end culinary creation with live music in a state-of-the-art room. Situated at 609 LaFayette Street, City Winery will have a 300-seat music venue, a restaurant holding 100-plus, and a fully functioning winery space. The venue will be available for private parties.
A recent article in the New York Times reports a $7.5 million budget for the Nashville outpost. The article also notes the venue’s “shushing” atmosphere.
In addition to concerts, City Winerys host food and wine classes and other events. For example, the line up of the flagship New York location lists performances by Sam Moore, Los Lonely Boys, and Steve Earle, as well as comedy and burlesque shows.
City Winery is the brainchild of Michael Dorf, founder of the iconic Knitting Factory, one of New York’s longest running music venues.

ACM Awards To Be Broadcast Live In Australia For First Time

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49th Academy of Country Music Awards trip winners are congratulated backstageat CMC Rocks the Hunter Festival . Photo (L-R): Tim Daley, CMC Group Program Manager; Glenn Tyrell (winner); Toby Keith; Bridgette Tyrell (winner); Bob Romeo, ACM CEO. Photo Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

49th Academy of Country Music Awards trip winners are congratulated backstage
at CMC Rocks the Hunter Festival. Photo (L-R): Tim Daley, CMC Group Program Manager; Glenn Tyrell (winner); Toby Keith; Bridgette Tyrell (winner); and Bob Romeo, ACM CEO. Photo: courtesy of the Academy of Country Music


The 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live for the first time in Australia on Monday, April 7, 2014 at 10 a.m. AEST on Foxtel’s Country Music Channel (CMC). It will air again in primetime at 8 p.m. AEST (Sunday, April 6, live ET/ delayed PT on the CBS Television Network in the US).
The ceremony will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton, produced by dick clark productions and broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
The announcement was made at Australia’s CMC Rocks The Hunter Festival by ACM CEO Bob Romeo and Great American Country host Storme Warren. Festival headliner Toby Keith congratulated two music fans that were selected from the audience as winners of a trip to the 49th Annual ACM Awards in Las Vegas on April 6.
Fan voting will be open in Australia for the Entertainer of the Year award, and the ACM New Artist of the Year award. Country fans will be able to cast votes at voteacm.com. Nominees for the Entertainer of the Year honor include Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, George Strait, and Taylor Swift. Nominees for ACM New Artist of the Year include Brett Eldredge, Justin Moore and Kip Moore. Fan voting will begin Monday, March 24 (United States & Canada), and Tuesday, March 25 (Australia).
New Artist of the Year voting will close at 10 a.m. AEST on Monday, April 7 (before the live show starts in Australia), and Entertainer of the Year voting will close during the third hour of the live broadcast. Text voting for Entertainer of the Year is available to fans in the United States only.
“Country music has extended to a worldwide fan base, largely due in part to the loyal fans in Australia,” said Romeo. “We are excited to partner with Foxtel on this opportunity to share the experience of watching the ACM Awards live with the Australian television viewers.”
Shaun James, General Manager Foxtel Networks Music Channels, said, “Foxtel is proud to be bringing the ACM Awards to Australian audiences for the very first time. As shown by the success of the CMC Rocks the Hunter festival, Country music resonates strongly with people all around the nation and to be able to offer Australian fans the opportunity to engage with these prestigious Awards is terrific.”
This marks the first year the ACM Awards will broadcast in Australia. The ACM Awards have been broadcast live in Canada since 1997, and will air live on CTV Canada this year.