Mark Your Calendar – March 2014

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Final_Logo_Presenting_SponsorIndustry Events

March 4
CMHoF tributes Hee Haw at the CMA Theater, part of Pop Goes Rochelle Presents An All-Star Salute to Hee Haw
March 7-16
SXSW
March 10
TJ Martell 10th Annual Honors Gala at Nashville’s Omni
March 11-15
First iTunes Festival at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
March 17
ACM Awards Final Round Ballot Closes
March 21

  • MusicRow’s 3rd Annual Rising Women on the Row
  • George Strait brings The Cowboy Rides Away tour to the Bridgestone

March 25-29
Tin Pan South festival
March 29
iHeartRadio Country Festival at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center
March 31
Applications due for Leadership Music class of 2015

Closer-to-NowhereSingle Add Dates

March 3
The Swon Brothers/Later On/Arista Nashville
David Nail/Kiss You Tonight/MCA
Kellie Pickler/Closer To Nowhere/Black River
The Band Perry/Chainsaw/Republic Nashville
Levi Riggs/I’m Good/Windridge Records
Tracy Lawrence/Lie/Lawrence Music Group
Don Williams/I’ll Be Here In The Morning/Sugar Hill

March 10
Joe Bachman/Lookatchu/Rock Ridge
Scott Hooper/Giddy Up/Lamon
March 17
Gwen Sebastian/Annie’s New Gun/Flying Island Entertainment
Steve Richard/South Of Heaven/Force Mp Entertainment
Jetset Getset/Stronger (Than You Seem)/Playback
March 24
Andy Ross/Rebel/Buckshot Collective
March 31
Brandon Alan/Different Way/Creative Arts Group

Jo-Dee-Messina-me-AlbumAlbum Release Dates

March 4
David Nail/I’m A Fire/MCA Nashville
Eli Young Band/10,000 Towns/Republic Nashville
Sundy Best/Bring Up The Sun/Entertainment One
Bill Anderson/Life/Red River Records (Physical release)
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler Records-Thirty Tigers
Dallas Smith/Tippin’ Point [EP]/Big Loud Mountain-Republic Nashville
March 11
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Luke Bryan/Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever [digital EP]/Capitol Nashville
Don Williams/Reflections/Sugar Hill Records
Sherry Lynn/It’s A Beautiful Life/Steal Heart
Matt Stillwell/Right On Time/Still7-Average Joes
Cowboy Troy/King Of Clubs/WMN
March 18
Jo Dee Messina/Me/Dreambound Records
March 25
Johnny Cash/Out Among the Stars/Legacy Recordings
Jerrod Niemann/High Noon/Sea Gayle Records-Arista Nashville
Elton John/Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [deluxe edition]/Island
Sarah Davidson/Sarah Davidson [EP]/Suretone Entertainment

The Bobby Bones Show Celebrates One-Year Anniversary

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bobby bones show1111The Bobby Bones Show will celebrate the program’s one-year anniversary with “Pimpin’ Joy Week,” slated for March 3-7. The week-long celebration will feature guest appearances and live performances from Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Jake Owen, Sheryl Crow, Gloriana, Thomas Rhett, Charlie Worsham, A Great Big World and others.
Pimpin’ Joy is a movement dedicated to inspiring people to choose joy, spread happiness, and do good things for others. It was first launched to honor co-host Amy and her mother Judy, who has been battling Cancer for two years.
Bones stated, “It’s awesome to see the Country community come together for a cause that is so important to us and our listeners. There is too much negativity in the world today, and this week is all about making a conscious effort to choose joy, and promote happiness.”
The Bobby Bones Show launched nationwide in February 2013, and is aired on more than 60 stations.

Charlie Monk, Hank Locklin Inducted Into Alabama Music Hall of Fame

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charlie monk1

Charlie Monk


“Mayor of Music Row” Charlie Monk and Grand Ole Opry member Hank Locklin were among the inductees into the Alabama Music Hall of Fame over the weekend.
Monk, along with fellow honorees including singer Candi Staton, keyboardist and songwriter Spooner Oldham, songwriter Dan Penn, and jazz surrealist Sun Ra were feted over the weekend during a celebration held in Muscle Shoals. This marks the first time the event has been held in the birthplace of Alabama music.
John Paul White was the master of ceremonies for the event.
The Secret Sisters inducted the late Hank Locklin, while Locklin’s son, Hank Adam Locklin of Nashville, accepted the honor on his behalf.
hanklocklin02-430x250

Hank Locklin


The Alabama Music Hall of Fame has had an induction banquet every four years since 1985. It serves as a showcase for numerous Alabama natives and their significant impacts upon the music industry.
Members of the Alabama Music Hall of Fame include Country band Alabama, Percy Sledge, Hank Williams, Tammy Wynette, W.C. Handy, The Commodores, Sonny James, Buddy Killen, Billy Sherrill, and many others.
The Secret Sisters and John Paul White perform.

The Secret Sisters and John Paul White perform.

Eli Young Band Jumps the Gun with '10,000 Towns' Release

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eli young band11Those Eli Young Band fans awaiting the band’s Tuesday release were surprised as early as Sunday evening (March 2) with the full release of the group’s 10,000 Towns, available on iTunes. This will give the band an extra day or two to contribute to its debut week sales tally.
Expected to land on a regular Tuesday release schedule, the band’s Republic Nashville album features the latest single, “Dust,” and the boy’s latest No. 1 song, “Drunk Last Night.” The Eli Young Band co-produced the 11-song project with Justin Niebank and Frank Liddell, in addition to writing over half of the tracks (full list below). A Walmart exclusive is available for pre-order, including three bonus tracks.
Catch the Eli Young Band perform “Dust” on Tuesday (March 4) on NBC’s TODAY Show in the 10 a.m. hour with Kathie Lee and Hoda. The foursome is currently on the road with Darius Rucker and will head out with Jake Owen later this spring. For tour dates and more, visit eliyoungband.com.
10,000 Towns Track List:
1. “Drunk Last Night” (Laura Veltz, Josh Osborne)
2. “10,000 Towns” (Rodney Clawson, Chris Tompkins, Craig Wiseman)
3. “Dust” (Jon Jones, James Young, Kyle Jacobs, Josh Osborne)
4. “Angel Like You” (Heather Morgan, Liz Rose, Mike Eli)
5. “Let’s Do Something Tonight” (Jimmy Robbins, David Lee Murphy, Jon Nite)
6. “Your Last Broken Heart” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
7. “What Does” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
8. “A Lot Like Love” (Dylan Altman, Will Hoge)
9. “Just Add Moonlight” (Will Hoge, Jon Randall)
10. “Revelations” (Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, James Young, Sean McConnell)
11. “Prayer For The Road” (Mike Eli, Jon Jones, James Young, Chris Thompson, Kyle Jacobs, Billy Montana)
Walmart Exclusive:
12. “Traces” (Mike Eli, Chris Thompson, Jon Jones, James Young, Lee Brice, Kyle Jacobs)
13. “June, July, August” (Jason Saenz, Jen Schott)
14. “The Moon’s On Fire” (Lee Thomas Miller, Chris Stapleton, Al Anderson)

Vector And Proper Artist Management Unite

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vector mgt1

Vector Management and London-based Proper Artist Management have united to provide management services for current and future clientèle. Vector’s co-presidents Ken Levitan and Jack Rovner have partnered with London-based Proper Artist’s Peter Rudge. Proper Artist Management will be re-branded as Vector Management.

“Peter is one of the all time greats whom I’m honored to have known for over 30 years. We are thrilled to be working with him and his team,” said Rovner.
“Vector has always been a globally minded management company,” adds Levitan. “By partnering with Proper, we are excited to bring even more international opportunities to our artists.”
Prior to establishing Proper Artist Management, Rudge served as Global Head of Music at Octagon Music. He has managed or co-managed several artists during his career, including The Rolling Stones, The Who, Duran Duran, Lynyrd Skynrd, Diana Ross, Sophie B Hawkins and more.
“We are excited to be joining forces with Ken, Jack and the Vector team and adding to their experience, wide ranging assets and infrastructure,” said Rudge. “In an industry where management companies are required to provide greater expertise in all areas of the business, Vector can now confidently offer existing and new clients a global footprint that is second to none. Management can be a lonely game but finally after many years, I feel we’ve found a home.”
Vector Management has offices in New York, London, Los Angeles and Nashville.

2014 Tin Pan South Lineup Revealed

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tin pan south1111The lineup and schedule for the 2014 Tin Pan South was revealed Monday morning (March 3). This year’s lineup will include numerous A-list songwriters and artists, including Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Brett James, Amy Grant, Lee Thomas Miller, Holly Williams, Liz Rose, Striking Matches, Josh Kear, Jessi Alexander, Karyn Rochelle, Sarah Buxton, Erin Enderlin, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, Jon Nite, Jimmy Robbins, Leah Turner, Kyle Jacobs, Ben Glover, busbee, Angel Snow, Wynn Varble, Leigh Nash, Phil O’Donnell, Jaida Dreyer, and numerous other song stylists.
Participating venues include The Listening Room Cafe, Station Inn, The Bluebird Cafe, Belcourt Taps, Commodore Grill, Douglas Corner Cafe, Hard Rock Cafe Nashville, and many others.
Tin Pan South runs from Tuesday, March 25- Saturday, March 29.
Tickets went on sale this morning. Tickets and a full lineup listing are available at tinpansouth.com.

Industry Ink (3/3/14)

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Michelle Lorge

Michelle Lorge


Sweet Talk Publicity has added Michelle Lorge as Publicity Manager. Lorge will report directly to Sweet Talk Publicity president Jensen Sussman and she can be reached at mlorge@sweettalkpr.com.
“I’m excited to have Michelle on board. Her creativity, passion and dedication will be a shining addition to the Sweet Talk staff,” shares Sussman.
Sweet Talk Publicity is a boutique firm specializing in entertainment and music media relations, representing Jake Owen, Florida Georgia Line, Frankie Ballard, Will Hoge, Maggie Rose, Dallas Smith, Corey Smith and Joe Bachman.

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nash logo111Cumulus has expanded the NASH Country music and lifestyle brand to WOMG/Columbia, S.C. On Feb. 28, the station became NASH FM 98.5 – with their logo, website and on-air promotions using “NASH FM” and “Powered by NASH” language.
NASH FM 98.5 will feature exclusive NASH programming content including “America’s Morning Show” with Blair Garner, Terri Clark and Chuck Wicks, “NASH Nights Live” with Shawn Parr and Elaina Smith and “Kickin’ It with Kix” with Kix Brooks and Suzanne Alexander. The station will also feature Program Director T.J. McKay in the afternoon.

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Jenni Finlay

Jenni Finlay


Jenni Finlay Promotions has expanded to offer artist management and marketing services as well as radio promotion. The Austin-based radio promotions company has represented Caitlin Rose, Gurf Morlix, Slaid Cleaves and more.
The company now manages James McMurtry, and will offer marketing, management and digital strategies to clients.

Ryman Hospitality Explores Distribution Opportunities

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rymanRyman Hospitality Properties plans to expand the global reach of its businesses including the Grand Ole Opry and Ryman Auditorium. Chairman, President and CEO Colin Reed discussed opportunities for increased distribution during a recent conference call, according to the Nashville Post, though he didn’t elaborate on what form the distribution will take. He said, “We are seeing a ton of demand into this market, people wanting to play our places and people wanting to visit our places. The opportunity for us is how we distribute and communicate that content outside the arena or outside the building it’s playing in… For the first time, people all across the planet are being exposed to the genre of music that is basically controlled in this town… This is about distributing content across the planet.”
In January, it was revealed that Ryman Hospitality’s Opry Entertainment Group is involved with a new musical version of Hee Haw. Opry execs Steve Buchanan and Sally Williams are producing the show which features music penned by songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally.
In 2013, Ryman’s Opry and Attractions Group posted increased revenues of 8 percent, growing to $76.1 million. Ryman’s fourth-quarter 2013 profits reversed a late-2012 loss of $15.0 million, coming in at $30.2 million.

Americana Music Association To Showcase Artists at SXSW

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americanamusic_logoThe Americana Music Association will team with SESAC, Thirty Tigers and Discovery Den to showcase several artists during the upcoming SXSW. The showcases will take place Wednesday, March 12, and Friday, March 14.
On March 12 at St. David’s Episcopal Church in Austin, Texas, Parker Milsap, Haden Triplets, Wanda Jackson, Willie Watson, John Fullbright and Bobby Rush will be featured. The performance begins at 8 p.m.
On March 14, Mowgli’s, Boy & Bear, Felice Brothers, Wood Brothers, Jackson, Sons of Feathers, Hurray For The Riff Raff, Rodney Crowell, Lucinda Williams, and Shakey Graves will perform. The event begins at 2 p.m. and runs through 1 a.m. The March 14 showcase will take place at The Gatsby.
For more information, visit americanamusic.org.

NSAI To Hold 'Spring Training 2014' in March

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spring training logoNSAI will hold the Spring Training 2014 event on March 28-29 in Nashville.
Among the sessions will be the “Big Loud and Proud” panel, featuring Seth England and Chris Tompkins, and moderated by Craig Wiseman. A panel on “The Publisher/Writer Relationship” will be led by Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill and Blain Rhodes.
A session titled “How To Get Your Music Out There” will be led by Karen Blair, Kevin Grosch, Jason Markey, Simon Perry, and Michele Vice-Maslin, and moderated by David Hooper. “Inside the Writer’s Room” will feature Josh Kear and Shane McAnally. A closing interview and performance will feature Desmond Child.
All Spring Training registrants will have access to Tin Pan South Fast Access Passes a full week before they go on sale to the general public, and at a special discounted rate of $80 ($20 off the regular price).
For more information and to register, visit tinpansouth.com.