Industry Ink (2/17/14)

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patton housePatton House Entertainment, the company that signed Rush of Fools in 2006 and The Rhett Walker Band in 2012, is conducting a search for new talent. The company seeks male and female solo artists ages 17-22. Applications are being accepted at the Patton House Entertainment website and online applications will close in late March. Invitation-only live auditions will take place in Nashville on April 24 and 25, 2014.
In 2012, PHE hosted their first open auditions, which resulted in more than 120 artists applying and resulting in the creation of the five-member all-girl pop group 1 Girl Nation.
“Our company has had the opportunity to create and develop some amazing talent through the years,” says Patton House Entertainment president Andrew Patton. “From signing RUSH OF FOOLS in 2006, to breaking THE RHETT WALKER BAND in 2012, and creating and launching 1 GIRL NATION in 2013, our team continues to be focused on finding the best young musicians to bring to the forefront of radio and touring worldwide.”

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artiphonArtiphon’s Instrument 1 is a new iPhone-powered, Nashville-designed and -built digital instrument/interface. The company is currently taking pre-orders ($10 will get you $20 toward the $799 purchase price). Instrument 1 is a musical controller, a multi-instrument with an ergonomic hardwood body that is playable in five positions, with a virtual string interface.
The company is currently seeking beta testers, and according to the product’s official twitter, Nashvillians get priority in beta testing.
Watch a demonstration video below. For more information, visit artiphon.com.

YouTube video

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Jon Loba

Jon Loba

BBR Music Group‘s Jon Loba was featured prominently in The Tennessean’s Sunday Business section, discussing the relationship between country record labels and country radio. “When I got into the business, at my first CRS in 1997, I remember radio stations saying, “It is not our job to sell records. Our job is to keep listeners tuned in to our station. That is it. If we happen to sell records as a byproduct, that’s fantastic, but it’s not our job,'” said Loba.

“To that end, as you were trying to get stations to play your records or play them more, you’d try to convey information such as sales on an album, (but) the majority of stations just didn’t care. That relationship has evolved tremendously to where stations really are looking at those tangible measurements, such as downloads and social activity, to get a gauge on whether records are really working. And there’s a much more symbiotic relationship, not just in words, but actually in action. CBS and Clear Channel both are taking the time to say very proactively, “We want to help you highlight your priorities, we want to help you sell records. We know healthy record labels are a large part of our business.” To read the full article, visit Tennessean.com.

Songwriter Pics (2/17/14)

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Publishing Signing
Given Music Publishing has signed songwriter/instrumentalist Chris Caminiti.
VP/GM Mike Sebastian made the announcement. “I have watched Chris Caminiti blossom as a writer over the last year, and in the last six months he has really come into his own,” said Sebastian. “Chris’s unique take on lyrics, combined with his production and melody chops, make him sure to be a successful and diverse writer.”
Born in Chicago and raised in Gaithersburg, Maryland, Caminiti moved to Nashville in 2005 to focus on songwriting. He finished as a top-4 finalist in back-to-back years in the CMT/NSAI Song Contest and has performed multiple times at Tin Pan South and the Key West Songwriter’s Festival. During college at Towson University he fronted a popular 80’s tribute band. After college he worked as an Algebra teacher.
“I look forward to being part of the Given Music Publishing team of writers,” said Caminiti. “The opportunity for me to write at a brand new company is made even sweeter with somebody as successful as Mike Sebastian at the helm.”
Mike Sebastian can be reached at Mike@GivenMusicPublishing.com or 615-430-2491.

Attached Photo: Front Row: (l. to r.) Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. Back Row: (l. to r.) Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.

Front Row (L-R): Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. Back Row: Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb.


Writers Round at the Rectory 
Writers Round at the Rectory hosted its inaugural event on Valentine’s Day Weekend at the Cathedral of the Incarnation Rectory. The Writers Round series is a fundraiser for the San Gennaro MusicFest, a two-day outdoor music fest which will take place in Nashville’s Midtown district Sept. 20-21.
Participating in the round were Bobby Tomberlin (cuts by Diamond Rio, Faith Hill, Rodney Atkins, Josh Turner, Thompson Square), Heather Morgan (cuts by Sara Evans, Keith Urban, Brett Eldredge, Lauren Alaina, Tim McGraw, Eli Young Band and the TV show Nashville) and O’Shea (2014 CMAA Best Vocal Group/Duo, and stars of the Australian TV show, O’Shea USA). The event was hosted by singer/songwriter and parishioner, Colm Kirwan, who tours with Don Williams. Brenda Lee was in attendance.
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Tomberlin, Jay O’Shea, Brenda Lee, Mark O’Shea, Heather Morgan and Colm Kirwan.

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Tomberlin, Jay O’Shea, Brenda Lee, Mark O’Shea, Heather Morgan and Colm Kirwan.

Brooks' Ireland Shows Resisted By Dublin Residents

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GarthGarth Brooks is slated to perform five sold-out shows at Dublin, Ireland’s Croke Park in July 2014. About 400,000 people are expected to attend the shows, which run from July 25-29.
However, according to BBC News, a legal document shows Croke Park operators agreed to limit the number of concerts it hosts to three per year. Residents of the area have threatened a High Court injunction if licenses are allowed for the fourth and fifth Brooks concerts.
Promoters have 10 weeks to apply for a license before the first show, and residents are allowed five weeks to protest the application. Dublin’s city council has only rejected one application for a license in 30 years.
Approximately 25,000 people live in the area of Croke Park, with 6,000 of them living in a zone that is supposedly adversely affected during large events. Pat Gates with the Clonliffe and Croke Park residents’ association, residents experience significant disruption to their lives in the weeks leading up to major concert events, including noise pollution, traffic congestion, litter, and drunken concert-goers.
It has been 17 years since Brooks’ last concert in Dublin.

Bradbery To Visit Nashville Area High School In Support of Music Education

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Danielle Bradbery. Photo Credit: Angela Talley

Danielle Bradbery. Photo Credit: Angela Talley


Big Machine Records artist Danielle Bradbery is teaming with Give A Note Foundation and Disney Performing Arts to bring an important message to students, parents, teachers and community leaders: don’t forget the importance of music education.
Kicking off National Music In Our Schools Month (March), each stop on the cross-country bus tour will spotlight music education and will include a performance by 17-year-old Bradbery. Among the high schools visited will be Nashville’s Antioch High School on March 6.
The tour will visit high schools five cities:
Eldorado High School in Albuquerque, N.M. (March 3)
Cypress Ranch High School near Houston, Texas (March 4)
Classen School of Advanced Studies in Oklahoma City, Okla. (March 5)
Antioch High School near Nashville, Tenn. (March 6)
Northwest School for the Arts in Charlotte, N.C. (March 7)
The tour will conclude March 8 at the Walt Disney World Resort in Lake Buena Vista, Fla., where Bradbery will perform at Festival Disney, a national competitive music festival where top school bands, instrumental and vocal ensembles compete with other schools from across the country.
The five schools to be honored as part of the Music In Our Schools tour were selected by the National Association for Music Education (NAfME)’s Give a Note Foundation, in partnership with NAfME’s state music education association leaders. Each school will be recognized for the outstanding achievements of their music programs, and for the important role music education plays in their students’ daily curriculum.

2nd Gear Used Music Consignment Opens in Berry Hill

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2ndgear2nd Gear Used Music Consignment store has officially opened its doors for business on Valentine’s Day (Feb. 14) in Berry Hill at 442 East Iris Dr.
The store will encompass a wide selection of used musical equipment for purchase, from high end vintage to budget workingman’s equipment, including used electric & acoustic guitars, basses, amplifiers, effects, accessories, keyboards, recording gear, drums, and more.
Services include outright package purchases, trade-ins, and consignment services in store or on eBay. A 20 percent fee for items valued less than $1,500.00 sold from the store and a 15 percent fee on items $1,500.00 or more, while a 25 percent fee is retained from eBay sale prices.
Hours are from 11 p.m. to 6 p.m., Tuesday -Saturday. For more information call, (615) 297-1556.

Artist Updates (2/14/14)

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mcanallycropped

Mac McAnally


Mac McAnally has achieved many milestones in his remarkable career. He’s been inducted into the Songwriters’ Hall of Fame and the Mississippi Music Hall of Fame. He’s won the CMA Award for Musician of the Year six consecutive times. He’s written six No. 1 hits.
Surprisingly, however, McAnally has never played the Grand Ole Opry as a solo performer.
That will change Feb. 28 when he performs at the Grand Ole Opry’s 7 p.m. show. Also on the bill for the evening are Sara Evans, The Henningsens, and Opry members Lorrie Morgan, Ralph Stanley, Jeannie Seely and others.

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Pictured (L-R): Dean Miller and Kris Kristofferson

Pictured (L-R): Dean Miller and Kris Kristofferson


Dean Miller released his video for the title track on his ‘Til You Stop Getting Up album, and the video clip for the song co-stars the recent lifetime achievement Grammy Award winner and Country Music Hall of Famer, Kris Kristofferson.
“When I wrote and recorded the song ‘Til You Stop Getting Up, I was always imagining the images in the song. They really lend themselves to a video,” says Miller.
Kristofferson, a former Golden Gloves boxer and Miller family friend, was the perfect actor to star in the video. “I knew there was no one else but him to cast as the older fighter. I was shocked and excited when he said that he would do it!”

YouTube video

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thrive book111Casting Crowns frontman Mark Hall recently released his newest book on Zondervan, Thrive – Digging Deep, Reaching Out, on Feb. 11. This is Hall’s fourth book to date and discusses the critical inner challenge that we are meant to more than just survive life – we are called to thrive.
Each chapter threads together this impactful message, adding Hall’s signature style of weaving stories with powerful tools for application.

ACM Lifting Lives To Sponsor W.O. Smith Music Concerts

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ACM-Lifting-LivesACM Lifting Lives has been named the title sponsor for all student recitals and concerts at W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School in 2014.
“We are grateful to the Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives for their continued support of our students,” said W.O. Smith Music School Director Jonah Rabinowitz.  “ACM Lifting Lives is making a real difference in the education of our low-income students.  This investment in children’s futures will bear fruit in our community for years to come.”
ACM’s sponsorship will begin tonight, Feb. 14, with the school’s “Side by Side” recital at 6:45 p.m. The recital will feature a collaborative performance between students and teaching artists.
“Our partnership with W.O. Smith Music School and their student concerts fits beautifully with our mission of supporting programs that transform lives through the power of music,” said ACM Lifting Lives President Bill Mayne.  “We are excited to provide funding through the generosity of country music artists, the music industry, and our caring supporters.”
For more information, visit wosmith.org.

The Band Perry To Be Featured at Nashville's 2014 Symphony Fashion Show

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The Band Perry. Photo: David McClister

The Band Perry. Photo: David McClister


The Band Perry will be the featured entertainment for the 2014 Symphony Fashion show, to be held Tuesday, April 29, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The event supports the Nashville Symphony’s education and community engagement programs, which annually serve 100,000 children and adults across Middle Tennessee. The runway show will highlight Christian Siriano’s Fall 2014 collection. A red-carpet experience precedes the show, and guests will be invited to celebrate the evening of fashion and music with a tented dining experience following the show.
The sibling trio The Band Perry has notched four No. 1 singles, including “If I Die Young,” “All Your Life,” “Better Dig Two,” and “DONE.” “Music and fashion have always gone hand in hand, and as a band, fashion is an important part of our performances,” said The Band Perry. “We are excited to be part of the 2014 Symphony Fashion Show and can’t wait to see Christian Siriano’s collection.”
Jazz pianist Kory Caudill will make his Nashville debut at the Symphony Fashion Show, performing original music before the runway show in Laura Turner Concert Hall.
Tickets for the Symphony Fashion Show include reserved seating and an elegant cocktail buffet after the show. Past designers for the event have included Oscar de la Renta, MARCHESA, Monique Lhuillier and Isaac Mizrahi. For more information or to request an invitation, please visit http://www.nashvillesymphony.org/fashionshow.

Industry Pics (2/14/14)

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Operation Song partnered with the Center for American Military Musical Opportunities to allow soldiers to collaborate with songwriters, in order to tell their stories. Last week, 10 Nashville songwriters sat down with eight soldiers from Fort Campbell at ASCAP‘s Nashville office to do one-on-one co-writes. Songwriter Bob Regan started Operation Song over a year ago, to bring vets and active duty military together with songwriters to help them tell their stories and turn them into songs.

Nashville songwriters team with Fort Campbell soldiers.

Nashville songwriters team with Fort Campbell soldiers.

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Songwriter/artist Chloe Kohanski has signed with BMI, under the direction of Jody Williams.
Jeanie McQuinn, President of Great Big River Music, has been co-writing with the newcomer after she was discovered performing with Cumberland Blue, a blues band of kids age 12-19 who won the Youth Division in the international Blues Competition this year. Kohanski continues to perform with the band.

Pictured (L-R): Chloe Kohanski, Jeanie McQuinn, Jody Williams

Pictured (L-R): Chloe Kohanski, Jeanie McQuinn, Jody Williams

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The CMA Songwriters Series made its triumphant return to Joe’s Pub in New York City Tuesday night (Feb. 11) for the first of a two-night stint at the venue where the Series began in 2005. Celebrating the 10th season was songwriter and host Bob DiPiero performing alongside Kix Brooks, Tim Nichols, and Jon Nite.

Pictured (L-R): Tim Nichols; Kix Brooks; CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern; Bob DiPiero; Jon Nite.Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Pictured (L-R): Tim Nichols; Kix Brooks; CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern; Bob DiPiero; Jon Nite. Photo Credit: Kevin Yatarola / CMA

Carlene Carter Pays Tribute To Family Roots on 'Carter Girl'

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carlene carter111Carlene Carter will release a new project that revisits Carter Family classics and original songs that relate to Carter’s connection with her musical roots on her upcoming album, Carter Girl, which releases April 8 on Rounder. The daughter of June Carter Cash and Country music artist Carl Smith, and the granddaughter of Mother Maybelle Carter and stepdaughter of Johnny Cash, Carter says it has been a lifelong goal to complete this project. “The songs on the album cover three generations of Carter Family music,” she notes.
In fact, she shares writing credit with A.P. Carter on “Lonesome Valley 2003,” an updating of the Carter Family patriarch’s “Lonesome Valley” that reflects the loss of Carlene’s mother, sister and stepfather eleven years ago. The album’s first track, just out is “Little Black Train,” that was first recorded by The Carter Family in 1935.
Willie Nelson guests on “Troublesome Waters” and Kris Kristofferson joins on “Black Jack David,” while Vince Gill is heard harmonizing on “Lonesome Valley 2003.” “Blackie’s Gunman” is a duet with Elizabeth Cook. Cook is heard on six of the album’s 12 tracks. The participation of Lorrie Carter Bennett, daughter of Anita Carter, as well as Joe Breen, Carlene’s husband, underscores the continuing Carter Family connective tissue that the album celebrates.
Musicians on the Carter Girl sessions that took place last year in Los Angeles and Nashville include Jim Keltner, Rami Jaffee, Greg Leisz, Sam Bush, Mickey Rafael, Blake Mills as well as producer Don Was on bass. The guitar of the late ‘Cowboy’ Jack Clement is heard on “Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow” and there are vocal contributions from generations past — Carlene’s aunts Helen and Anita Carter as well as June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash on the chorus of “I Ain’t Gonna Work Tomorrow.”
From the day I first touched a guitar or piano,” Carter recalls, “My mom said, ‘You have to carry on the legacy of the Carter Family music. It’s supposed to be passed on and passed around.'”

Carter Girl track listing

1. Little Black Train
(A.P. Carter)
2. Give Me The Roses
(A.P. Carter)
3. Me and The Wildwood Rose
(Carlene Carter)
4. Blackie’s Gunman (duet with Elizabeth Cook)
(A.P. Carter)
5. I’ll Be All Smiles Tonight
(A.P. Carter)
6. Poor Old Heartsick Me
(Helen Carter)
7. Troublesome Waters (duet with Willie Nelson)
(Maybelle Carter/Ezra Carter/Dixie Dean Hall)
8. Lonesome Valley 2003 (with special guest Vince Gill)
(Carlene Carter/A.P. Carter/Al Anderson)
9. Tall Lover Man
(June Carter Cash)
10. Gold Watch and Chain
(A.P. Carter)
11. Blackjack David (duet with Kris Kristofferson)
(A.P. Carter)
12. I Ain’ Gonna Work Tomorrow (featuring Helen Carter, Anita Carter, June Carter Cash and Johnny Cash)
(A.P. Carter)