CRS Black River Entertainment Luncheon Lineup Revealed

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black river entertainment logo1Country Radio Seminar officials have announced the lineup for the Black River Entertainment luncheon, set for Friday, Feb. 21 during CRS 2014 in Nashville, Tenn. Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan, John King, as well as special guests will perform at the luncheon event, which will take place inside the Performance Hall at the Nashville Convention Center.
“Black River Entertainment is so proud to present the Friday luncheon again this year at CRS,” said Black River Entertainment’s VP/Promotion, Bill Macky. “Our biggest challenge is topping last year’s show, and that’s exactly what we’re going to do. Craig Morgan and Kellie Pickler will be performing brand new music plus we’ll be introducing John King to Country Radio. Don’t miss this debut…John King is going to be a superstar! Black River is a complete entertainment company and that will be front and center once again this year.”
Talent has not yet been announced for the CRS 2014 luncheons scheduled for Feb. 19 (Team UMG at the Ryman) and Feb. 20 (UMG Nashville Lunch). An announcement will be forthcoming prior to the event. CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19-21 at the Nashville Convention Center. For more information, visit countryradioseminar.com.

Beats Music Debuts

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beats musicAnother streaming service is vying for consumer dollars. Beats Music launched in the U.S. at midnight (Jan. 21) and hopes to differentiate itself by offering expertly curated playlists and features to help users find their perfect mix of songs. The subscription service, a spin off of headphone makers Beats Electronics, is developed and led by a team of executives including Jimmy Iovine, Dr. Dre, Luke Wood, Trent Reznor and Ian Rogers. The Santa Monica company is partially financed by billionaire Len Blavatnik. Country music writer Ken Tucker is part of the service’s curation team. The subscription fee is $9.99/month.
Lots of advertising and marketing is supporting the launch. A commercial will air during the Super Bowl on Feb. 2. There are exclusive agreements with Target and AT&T, as well as a free trial offer. Beats Music will be available to AT&T wireless customers on a multiline account for $14.99 a month. Up to five family members across 10 devices can access the service and get their own music on their own devices.
Beats Music offers a catalog of more than 20 million songs from Universal Music Group, Sony Music Entertainment, Warner Music Group and independent labels. The service is available on iOS, Android and Windows Phone as well as via the web. Fans can stream their music or download to listen offline.
Led by radio programming vet Julie Pilat, the Beats Music curation team includes Tucker, former Pitchfork Media editor-in-chief Scott Plagenhoef, former digital content director at XXL Carl Chery, veteran Detroit radio music director Suzy Cole, Recording Academy music blogger Arjan Writes, former Rhino Records A&R Director Mason Williams, Los Angeles hip-hop radio personality Fuzzy Fantabulous, and former Programmer of L.A.’s hugely successful Latino 96.3, Jerry Pullés. The Academy of Country Music, Country Weekly and the Grand Ole Opry are country music curator partners.
Beats Music attempts to provide users with ways to find the right song at the right time with features including:
Just For You: A personalized selection of albums and playlists delivered at least 4 times a day based on musical preferences, time of day, activity, and additional cultural and contextual clues.
Right Now: A continuous playlist compiled from users’ answers to four specific questions about their location, their activity, their surroundings, and their musical preference at that moment.
Highlights: Beats Music editorial staff-recommend playlists or albums.
Find It: An enhanced browsing function that lets users seek out playlists and songs by genre, activity or curator.

Jamie O'Neal To Release 'Eternal' March 18

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jamie oneal eternal11Jamie O’Neal, whose hits include “There Is No Arizona,” “When I Think About Angels,” Somebody’s Hero,” and “Trying To Find Atlantis,” will release her first new collection of material in five years, titled Eternal. The 11-track project, co-produced by O’Neal and Rodney Good, will be released March 18 on Shanachie Entertainment, in partnership with O’Neal’s Momentum Label group.
Eternal features O’Neal’s unique rendition of classics from Patsy Cline, Bruce Cockburn, Deborah Allen, Larry Gatlin, Emmylou Harris, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, Juice Newton, Connie Smith, and others. O’Neal’s version of the George Jones/Tammy Wynette hit “Golden Ring” features Andy Griggs. Also included on Eternal is the original song “Wide Awake,” co-written by O’Neal and her father/manager, Jimmy Murphy.
“Eternal is a little different for me,” O’Neal says. “I grew up listening to these songs and was shaped by the artists who originally made them famous. It was an honor and a challenge to record such wonderful songs. There’s also a bonus track that fans have been asking me to record. It’s a funny song I wrote with my dad as an ode to everyone who gets to sleep with a ‘snoring moose’ every night. I had so much fun recording this whole album and was a little sad when it was finished, but now I get to finally release it, and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it!”
O’Neal will tour nationwide in 2014 to promote the new album. On Jan. 19-26, she sets sail aboard one of the biggest Country cruises in 2014 with Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers and many others.
Track Listing
1. Rock Me
2. Don’t Come Home A Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)
3. Leavin’ On Your Mind
4. Golden Ring (featuring Andy Griggs)
5. Help Me Make It Through The Night
6. One Day I Walk
7. Just One Time
8. The Sweetest Thing
9. I’ve Done Enough Dyin’ Today
10. Born To Run
11. Wide Awake (Bonus Track)

Renzer Named Chairman of Spirit Music Group

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David Renzer


Spirit Music Group has appointed David Renzer as Chairman of the organization. Renzer previously held the position of Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group.
Renzer will serve as an active chairman and play key roles in all areas of the independent publisher. He will work closely with the company’s financial partners, strengthen the company’s global platform, and oversee the development of new media initiatives. Mark Fried will continue as President/CEO and Renzer will work closely with Fried in growing the catalog, expanding A&R outreach, and developing and implementing the company’s strategic objectives.
In 15 years at UMPG, Renzer helped transform the publisher into a global powerhouse, overseeing activities in 57 offices located in 47 countries.
During Renzer’s tenure, major signings and renewals included the catalogues of Elton John/Bernie Taupin, Eminem, Mary J. Blige, Robin Thicke, Justin Timberlake, U2, Keith Urban, Mariah Carey, Justin Bieber, Dave Grohl, Elvis Costello, Bon Jovi, 50 Cent, and Danny Elfman, among others. In addition, during Renzer’s tenure the company was responsible for deals with Holland Dozier Holland and the Henry Mancini catalogs, Film/TV administrations deals with Warner Bros. Pictures/Warner Bros. Television, Dream Works, HBO, and others.
Renzer most recently worked at Saban, as President of Music Ventures. He began his career at Zomba Music Publishing, where he served as Sr. Vice President and General Manager. Zomba was named ASCAP’s R&B Publisher of the Year and Pop Publisher of the Year under his regime.
Renzer will be based out of both Spirit’s New York and Los Angeles offices.

Alexander Adds Lisset To Roster

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unnamedIndustry executive John Alexander of Alexander Music Marketing & Management will represent 19-year-old rising artist Ashliegh Lisset. Alexander also represents Sarah Darling and Tyler Flowers.
“Ashliegh is an extraordinary young lady who has all the tools necessary to be a star,” said Alexander. “Her songwriting skills blow me away, and the first time I heard her voice I was immediately drawn in. Not only does she have such a heartwarming story, she is a very grounded individual. I am so very excited to begin traveling down this road with her.”
Lisset’s debut single “Kill The Headlights,” written by Luke Laird, Hillary Lindsey and Carrie Underwood, will premiere on Sirius XM‘s “The Highway” on Wednesday, Jan. 22.
“Everyone in town who has done business with me knows how passionate I am when I believe in an artist,” continued Alexander. “They’ve seen it in my representation of Sarah Darling, and will see it when I introduce Ashliegh Lisset to the Nashville music community.”
For more information, visit ashlieghlisset.com.

Carrie Underwood Named Almay Global Brand Ambassador

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Carrie Underwood. Photo courtesy almay.com


Revlon, Inc. announced today that Carrie Underwood is joining Almay as a Global Brand Ambassador.
Underwood will represent the full range of Almay products, including the newest 2014 launches. As the face and voice of Almay, she will appear in global, multimedia campaigns spanning television, print, in-store, digital and social platforms. Underwood’s first campaign will break this week, highlighting her unique style and personality.
“Carrie embraces Almay’s approach to beauty and products. Despite her enormous success, she is still a real girl from Oklahoma at the core and a self-professed makeup junkie who likes to try out new makeup looks in her spare time. Almay makes it easy to play with makeup and helps women look their most beautiful which is why we could not be more excited for her to join the brand,” said Julia Goldin, Global Chief Marketing Officer, Revlon, Inc.
Underwood stated, “Honestly, I could never be associated with a company I didn’t believe in. I love Almay’s positive approach to beauty because it’s so important to celebrate our natural beauty and enhance what makes us unique. I’m also really impressed by their products, which I use in my daily life and when I’m working. There’s really something for everyone and every occasion – whether you want to get that perfect ‘no-makeup makeup look’ or create a fun, amped up ‘date-night’ smoky eye.”
Exclusive behind-the-scenes content from Underwood’s campaigns will be available on Almay.com and Almay’s social media channels throughout Underwood’s partnership with Almay.

PBS' Ken Burns Crafting Country Music Documentary

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pbs11PBS documentary maker Ken Burns is examining Country music’s roots and how the musical genre has changed through the present day for a multi-episode series on public broadcasting, titled Country Music. The project will explore the question, ‘What is Country music?’ The show will track the careers of The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and others.
Country fans and industry members have a long wait ahead of them, though. PBS states that the project is not slated to air until 2018.
Burns has additional projects in the pipeline for PBS, including works on the Gettysburg Address, the Roosevelts, Jackie Robinson, and Vietnam.
Country Music is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C., and is directed by Burns. Funding for Country Music is provided by Bank of America; the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation; Public Broadcasting Service; Corporation for Public Broadcasting and members of the Better Angels Society.

Sarah Jarosz Set For Network TV Debut

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sarah jaroszSinger-songwriter Sarah Jarosz is making her network television debut this week. The Americana artist is set for Conan on TBS tomorrow (Jan. 21) at 10 p.m./CT. On Thurs., Jan. 23 she will play The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, airing on CBS at 11:35 p.m./CT. She’ll perform with musicians Alex Hargreaves and Nathaniel Smith on both shows.

Jarosz’s latest release Build Me Up From Bones (Sugar Hill) is nominated for two Grammy awards at the Jan. 26 ceremony. The album received a nod in the Best Folk Album category, and the title track received a nomination in the inaugural year of the Best American Roots Song category.

The acclaimed 22-year-old is managed by Denise Stiff’s DS Management.

Industry Ink (1/20/14)

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IEBAInternational Entertainment Buyers Association has announced the dates for IEBA 2014. IEBA’s 44th annual conference will take place Sept. 27-30 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.
More details are forthcoming.

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Melissa Schleicher


Makeup artist and hairstylist Melissa Schleicher, known for her work with clients including Carrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina, has added a Beauty Bus to her list of services, according to The Tennessean. Schleicher opened Brentwood, Tenn. salon Parlour 3 in 2012. The Beauty Bus, which can accommodate six customers at once, has not yet launched; Schleicher is currently remodeling the bus’ interior.

Once it is one the road the Beauty Bus will offer customers a myriad of options, including use for photo and/or video shoots, wedding parties, and more. The bus will also make an appearance at this year’s CMA Music Festival.

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Tamara Johnson-George


Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George has re-teamed with vocalists Cheryl “Coko” Gamble and Leann “Lelee” Lyons to launch the reality television show SWV: Sisters With Voices. SWV was one of the top R&B vocal groups of the ’90s. After the group disbanded, Johnson-George signed on at Ford Modeling Agency. In 2002, she enrolled at Nashville’s Belmont University to complete her business degree. Most notably, she has been recognized for her work with non-profit organization Visions with Infinite Possibilities (VIP).
SWV: Sisters With Voices premieres Thursday, Jan. 23 on WE tv, and follows SWV as they prepare to release their first album since 1997.

YouTube video

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NBCThe success of NBC’s live version of the musical Sound of Music (starring Carrie Underwood) in December 2013 has inspired the network to commission a live musical production of Peter Pan. The musical will air Dec. 4, 2014, according to the nydailynews.com. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will return as producers; no actors have been cast yet.

Rosanne Cash Releases 'The River & The Thread'

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rosanne cashRosanne Cash’s new album, The River & The Thread (out now via Blue Note Records) contains eleven songs she wrote with producer/ husband John Leventhal. It is an exploration of the music of the south and features appearances by Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell (who also co-wrote one song), Amy Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Allison Moorer, John Prine, Derek Trucks, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Tony Joe White and Gabe Witcher (The Punch Brothers).
Cash has lived in New York City for two decades, but she reconnected with the south after a series of road trips to Arkansas, Tennessee and the Mississippi Delta.
To promote the album she has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and CBS Sunday Morning (see clip below) and will visit The Katie Couric Show on Friday, Jan. 24. She will launch a North American tour with Leventhal, with highlights including an evening at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Feb. 22.
Cash recorded a podcast series about the project and posted an interactive map on Pintrest, linking song lyrics with specific locations.
The River & The Thread follows 2009’s The List, which was nominated for two Grammys and won the Americana Music Award for Album of the Year.