Beats Music Buying Topspin Media

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beatsmusic_logo_0Beats Music, the streaming service that launched in January, is acquiring artist marketing platform Topspin Media. The Artist Tools section of Beats is already integrated with Topspin, allowing artists to update their profile page with custom images and merch offers. Ian Rogers, CEO of Beats, was previously CEO of Topspin.
In today’s (March 4) blog post announcing the acquisition, Rogers wrote, “We’re committed to establishing Beats Music as a conduit for the artist-fan relationship, a platform where artists have a voice, and a provider of useful data and analytics on how fans interact with artists and their music. This acquisition puts our money where our mouth is… Over the next several months you’ll see our platform reveal many exciting new features, providing new ways to discover music and engage with your friends and the artists that create it.”
He directed Topspin artists to a blog post for more details. Rogers wrote that Beats will honor the business agreements made by Topspin and “we’ll be working with the Topspin team to find the best possible partner to handle Topspin’s ecommerce and fulfillment in the coming weeks.”
[The Beats ad below includes a clip of Brandy Clark’s “Stripes.”]

YouTube video

Chader Exits CMT, Joins NPG PR

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Lisa Chader

Lisa Chader


Lisa Chader, previously Sr. VP of Corporate Communications at CMT, has exited the company, and joins the Nashville and LA-based independent PR firm, NPG PR as Executive VP, Strategy and Development. Effective immediately, Chader is charged with managerial oversight of the company and new business development. Cindy Finke, VP of Corporate Communications for CMT, will lead the CMT department moving forward.
Chader exits CMT after nine years, but will consult with the network, adding CMT to NPG PR’s client list.
“Bringing Lisa onboard is like drafting a star quarterback in the first round,” said Nicole Pope Gaia, NPG PR president. “Her leadership and experience elevate the already stellar team at NPG, allowing us to expand our business into all areas of individual, entertainment and brand publicity.”

CMT president Brian Philips remarked, “In her long run with Viacom/CMT, Lisa has made an indelible contribution to the transformation of the channel. We anticipate future work with her, in her new role at NPG. If nothing else, she is owed a certain amount of ‘hush money’ for the situations she has cleverly navigated at CMT in the last decade!”
“After spending my entire career in television publicity, I felt that now was the right time to make a move into independent PR,” said Chader.  “I admire all that Nicole has already accomplished, and I’m excited to be a part of her expanded vision for NPG.”  Chader added: “CMT and MTV Networks will always be my family and I’m grateful to Brian Philips and everyone at the network for allowing me to continue to contribute to the communications efforts at the company.”
Among NPG PR’s clients are TNT’s Private Lives of Nashville Wives and various music clients.
Chader is a veteran of television publicity, having worked for TBS in Atlanta; Comedy Central, VH1, Spike and MTV Networks in Los Angeles; and CMT in Nashville. Most recently, she has overseen all corporate communications and publicity efforts for CMT, including the annual CMT MUSIC AWARDS. Chader is a member of PRSA, a Board member of the TJ Martell Foundation, a graduate of Leadership Music and WICT’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute, and a proud alumnus of Florida State University.
Chader can be reached at lisa@npgpr.com.

Moffatt Named APRA AMCOS Nashville Representative

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Mark Moffatt

Mark Moffatt


Australia’s royalty collection society APRA AMCOS has appointed Mark Moffatt as its inaugural Nashville Member Relations Representative. The singer-songwriter will give performance rights assistance to APRA AMCOS songwriter, performer and music publisher members.
Moffatt will assist New Zealand songwriters, performers and music publishers with their transition to the United States music industry, providing them with networking opportunities to engage with key players in their respective niches.
Moffatt was recently appointed as the president of the Americana Music Association.
APRA AMCOS represents songwriters, composers and music publishers, and distributes their performance and mechanical royalties within Australia and New Zealand. They are affiliated with ASCAP, BMI and SESAC, and gather royalties from these organizations within the Australasian region. APRA AMCOS also has International member relation representatives in London and Los Angeles, with operations based in Australia and New Zealand.
For more information, contact nashville@apra.com.au.

IEBA To Offer Summer Internship Scholarship

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Pictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors)

Pictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors).


IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) will award scholarships to 10 students interning in the live entertainment industry this summer. Each student will receive an individual scholarship of $1,500. Applications are available now at ieba.org. The application deadline is March 31.
In order to apply, students must be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college or university or vocational/technical school. Applicants must have completed 45 hours of academic coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The applicant is responsible for securing and completing an internship for summer 2014, however the internship does not have to be secured at the time the application is submitted. Funds will only be released to students who obtain internships.
IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews says, “I began my career in the industry at the age of 15 as a runner for Mid-South Concerts. The working knowledge I acquired with a promoter led me to tour accounting, venue management, and artist management. This inside look at the business was truly the first step on my career path.”
The scholarship program is designed to help offset living expenses associated with an internship, and to give students the opportunity to temporarily relocate for the experience of interning with a fair, festival, venue, agency, promoter or other professionals in the live music industry.
The 2014 Summer Internship Scholarships are made possible by IEBA’s 2013 Artist Auction and the support of The Agency Group, Seether, Romeo Entertainment, CAA, Kellie Pickler, The Bazel Group, and Todd Boltin.

APA Nashville Signs Sister Trio Michaelis

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter (APA), Cass Scripps (APA), Madeline Michaelis, Meagan Michaelis, Mallory Michaelis and Pete Olson (AMP). Photo: Jeremy Westby

Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter (APA), Cass Scripps (APA), Madeline Michaelis, Meagan Michaelis, Mallory Michaelis and Pete Olson (AMP). Photo: Jeremy Westby


APA has signed the sister trio Michaelis. The Michaelis sisters – Meagan (25), Mallory (21) and Madeline (18) – are currently featured in Season 3 of the national syndicated documentary series, Troubadour, TX, where they appear along with Kris Kristofferson, Wade Bowen, Roger Creager, Randy Rogers and others.
APA Nashville’s Cass Scripps has signed on as the trio’s agent. “These young ladies are a breath of fresh air,” he says. “Incredible harmonies, stand-out songwriting and a vibrant stage presence are the trio’s calling cards, and we’re excited to be on board so early in their career.”
Michaelis collaborated with producer Dave Brainard (Jerrod Niemann, Brandy Clark) before releasing their single, “Shoot Straight,” in July 2013.

Promotions, Departures at BMLG

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Colleen Taylor. Photo: BMLG

Colleen Taylor. Photo: BMLG


Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has promoted Colleen Taylor to the role of Executive Assistant for President/CEO Scott Borchetta. The Connecticut native and Belmont University grad began her career at the label as an intern in various departments, prior to Borchetta creating an Administrative Assistant position for her.
With the promotion, Taylor fills the seat vacated by long-time Executive Assistant Harry Lyons who has joined G Major Management, working with Big Machine Label Group artists Thomas Rhett and Danielle Bradbery. He can be reached at harry@gmajormgmt.com.
BMLG will fill the Administrative Assistant opening immediately. The role will work closely with Taylor to provide day-to-day scheduling and organizational support while facilitating increased efficiency and effectiveness for Borchetta and the label group. Prospective candidates should submit resumes to hr@bmlg.net.
Taylor can still be reached at colleen.taylor@bigmachinemail.com or via 615-324-7933.

Universal Music Publishing Group Renews Deal With Dorff

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andrew dorff111

Andrew Dorff


Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed its exclusive publishing deal with songwriter Andrew Dorff. Dorff co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak” with UMPG songwriters Hayes and Luke Laird. Dorff also co-wrote Ronnie Dunn‘s Top 10 hit, “Bleed Red.”
“Andrew is a gifted songwriter and a rising star in the Nashville songwriting community,” said UMPG’s Executive VP/GM Kent Earls. “He is delivering songs that are taking him to the next level. We look forward to building on the success that we have already achieved over the past four years.”
“It doesn’t get any better than Universal Music Publishing and the creative staff I get to work with everyday… I’m beyond excited to continue what we have started…I’m a lucky dude,” said Dorff.
Additionally, Dorff has secured cuts by Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and The Robertson Family. He has upcoming cuts with McGraw, Evans and Kenny Chesney.

BandMerch, Cinder Block To Merge

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bandmerch11AEG Live and Transom Capital Group will merge their entertainment licensing and merchandising businesses, BandMerch and Cinder Block, to create the largest, full-service independent entertainment merchandising company in the United States.
The company will be home to numerous artists including The Who, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, and others. The company will continue as BandMerch and will operate from Los Angeles. The new entity will continue a strategic relationship with AEG Live.
“We’re extremely excited about this transaction as it pairs two like-minded companies who are focused on bringing the highest level of customer service to our clients,” said Joseph Bongiovi, President of the merged companies. “I believe that this combination puts us in a unique place in the market relative to our less sophisticated competitors and, for clients who want a hands-on, full service merchandising strategy, I think we will be the only place to call home.”
 Jason Green, CEO of Cinder Block, will continue in that capacity in the new entity.
“The business rationale makes perfect sense and the values of BandMerch – customer service, loyalty, dedication – are values that AEG shares and promotes. We think this will be a transformational transaction for both companies,” said Rick Webking, CFO of AEG Live.

'InCharge' Applications Being Accepted This Week

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unnamedMusicRow Magazine has started production of its coveted annual InCharge print magazine, slated for a mid-April release. Now in its 27th year, the InCharge publication is the April/May issue of MusicRow.

Applications will be accepted online through Friday, March 7, 2014 from top Nashville industry professionals who buy or sell significant quantities of goods and services, and who are crucial in building entertainment careers.
Since 1987, MusicRow has curated a list of Nashville’s Music Industry Decision Makers –the top executives responsible for the successful careers of today’s biggest artists. This reference guide is a great resource for anyone entering the music industry, for established veterans with long successful careers, and for just about everyone in between. InCharge contains a wealth of information about Nashville’s music industry and highlights the faces and personalities of those whose combined achievements reshape the future of our city’s renowned music enterprise. Each person listed in the directory represents many others that serve vital roles of supporting and helping our industry to thrive.
For advertising inquiries in the InCharge issue, readers should email sales@musicrow.com or contact Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson at (615) 499-5418.

Yamaha Helms Elton John's New Concert Movie

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Elton John The Million Dollar Piano

Elton John in The Million Dollar Piano.


Franklin-based Yamaha Entertainment Group oversaw filming of the concert production of Elton John’s The Million Dollar Piano. This month movie theaters around the globe will show the film of the superstar’s concert series at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. John has been performing at Ceasars to rave reviews and sold-out crowds since 2011.
The movie was filmed in 2012 with Yamaha Entertainment Group founder Chris Gero at the helm.
Fathom Events, CinemaLive and Rocket Music Entertainment Group are now bringing the concert experience to moviegoers in 1,200 theaters across 40 countries on March 18 and March 26 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
At the centerpiece of this larger-than-life concert event is the show’s namesake Yamaha piano, a one-of-a-kind engineering marvel featuring more than 68 LED video screens. The piano weighs in at nearly 3,200 pounds and is the brainchild of Elton and Gero and was designed by Yamaha industrial designer Akie Hinokio. 
For The Million Dollar Piano, Elton is accompanied by his band, which includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, the late Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards, with a special appearance by percussionist Ray Cooper.
Gero has an impressive history of creating productions with Elton John, the first being A Tribute to Elton John in 2003, followed by The Red Piano, The Million Dollar Piano, and Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Concert in 2012, where Elton made history by playing Disklavier pianos remotely in real time across the world from the stage of the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park.
Details and tickets for Elton John – The Million Dollar Piano are available at www.FathomEvents.com.