LifeNotes: Betsy Smittle

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Betsy Smittle and Garth Brooks

Betsy Smittle and Garth Brooks


Garth Brooks‘ half sister, Betsy Smittle, passed away Saturday (Nov. 2) in Oklahoma, according to news9.com. She was 60. The bass player performed with her little brother during the early years of his career and released a solo album of her own entitled Rough Around The Edges.
She also sang backing vocals for fellow Oklahoma singer Gus Hardin on her I’m Dancing As Fast As I Can album and was a member of her band during her career.
Ninde Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements, which are pending.

Mark Your Calendar – November 2013

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chasericeSingle Releases

November 4
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water/Columbia Nashville
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol
George Strait/I Got A Car/MCA Nashville
November 11
Chase Rice/Ready Set Roll/Dack Janiels-RPME
November 18
Bush Hawg/More Than Corn/RCA Nashville
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog-Universal

DIvidedandunitedAlbum Releases

November 5
Various/Divided & United/ATO
November 11
Lady Antebellum/Golden Deluxe/UMG
Kellie Pickler/The Woman I Am/Black River Entertainment
Sammy Kershaw/Big Hits: Volume 1/Red Distribution
Mandy Barnett/I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson/Rounder-Cracker Barrel
November 12
Bill Anderson/Life/Red River Records (Digital release)  March 4, 2014 is the in-store release
November 15
Chris Weaver Band/American Dreamer
November 19
Danielle Bradbery/Danielle Bradbery/BMLG
Cody Canada/Some Old, Some New, Maybe A Cover Or Two
November 25
Florida Georgia Line/Here’s To The Good Times: This Is How We Roll/BMLG

musicrowleadershipmusicIndustry Events

November 4

  • Invitation-only ASCAP Country Music Awards at downtown Nashville’s Music City Center
  • International Songwriting Competition deadline for entering

November 5

  • 61st annual BMI Country Awards, invitation-only event held at BMI’s Music Row offices in Nashville
  • CMA Songwriters Series 9:00 p.m./CT) at the CMA Theater

November 6
47th Annual CMA Awards on ABC  (8:00-11:00 PM/ET)
November 12

  • NATD Gala at the Hermitage Hotel
  • Collection bins begin MusicRow and Leadership Music’s first-ever joint food drive for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee

November 13-14
10th Annual Billboard Touring Conference and Awards at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC
November 14
Musicians On Call’s six years anniversary concert at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe
November 17-18
Ricky Skaggs hosts two evenings at the CMHoF for Artist-in-Residence in the Hall’s CMA Theater
November 21
Last day to donate to MusicRow/Leadership Music’s food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
November 22
George Jones Tribute Concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
November 24
AMA Awards broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. live 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
November 26
St. Jude’s No Shave November ‘after’ photo to be scheduled
November 29
Garth Brooks, Live From Las Vegas from the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas, at 9:00 PM ET (delayed PT) on CBS

Darius Rucker Announces 15-City 'True Believers' Tour

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Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker


Darius Rucker is kicking off the New Year in a big way, by hitting the road on his 2014 True Believers Tour. The tour will launch Jan. 29 in Champaign, Ill. and hit 15 cities through March 9,  including a stop in Rucker’s hometown of Charleston, S.C. He’ll be joined by the Eli Young Band and David Nail for the dates, and has teamed up with Tickets-for-Charity and CMT One Country to offer premium seats that will benefit the USO and Pattison’s Academy. The premium seats will be available at ticketsforcharity.com.
“As an entertainer, there’s nothing like seeing the fans react to your music. I’ve been blessed to have country radio take six of our songs to No. 1, so we thought it was the perfect time to take the True Believers Tour on the road,” shares Rucker. “It’s going to be an awesome show with some great entertainers as both Eli Young Band and David Nail deliver live.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit DariusRucker.com.
True Believers Tour stops:
Jan. 29 | Champaign, Ill. | Assembly
Jan. 30 | Ft. Wayne, Ind. | Memorial Coliseum
Jan. 31 | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Convocation Center
Feb. 13 | Hershey, Pa. | Giant Center
Feb. 14 | Albany, N.Y. | Times Union
Feb. 15 | Verona, N.Y. | Stone Event Center
Feb. 20 | Charleston, S.C. | Coliseum
Feb. 21 | Columbia, S.C. | Colonial Life Arena
Feb. 22 | Asheville, N.C. | US Cellular Center*
Feb. 27 | Erie, Pa. | Insurance Arena
Feb. 28 | Youngstown, Ohio | Coveli Center
March 1 | Roanoke, VA. | Civic Center
March 7 | Enid, Okla. | Convention Hall
March 8 | Salina, Kan.  | Bicentennial Center*
March 9 | Loveland, Colo. | Budweiser Events Center
*Eli Young Band will not be performing on these dates

BMI To Celebrate 75th Anniversary

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bmi-logo1111featuredBMI will celebrate the 75th anniversary of its founding in 2014. The company will celebrate this milestone with a year-long program of events and projects, kicking off with the release of 75 Years of American Music, a coffee table book by SPIN magazine founder Bob Guccione, Jr.
“BMI has substantially helped shape modern American music, and I’m honored to have been chosen to produce this special anniversary book,” said Guccione. “We will chart the awesome narrative of the past 75 years musically and culturally, roughly a third of this nation’s entire lifespan. In that time, American music evolved and flowered gloriously, and has perpetually accelerated in terms of excitement and innovation.”
The book, which uses media from BMI archives to chronicle the story of American music, will be presented at BMI’s National Association of Broadcasters dinner in April of 2014. BMI was organized in 1939 and originally managed through the NAB. Additional audio, audiovisual, printed material and programming will be produced throughout the year, including archival and current video footage on BMI TV, which will be released virally and on bmi.com.
BMI President Del Bryant commented on the company’s anniversary, saying, “BMI’s songwriters, composers and music publishers have often been credited as the spark that ignited the explosion of American music over the past 75 years. We are thrilled to begin marking this milestone anniversary with a spectacular book that captures the explosion of popular music in America, while highlighting BMI’s enduring mission: to serve our songwriters, composers and music publishers, so that they can keep creating the music that will define and inspire the next 75 years.”
BMI CEO Mike O’Neill added, “We are fortunate to have had a long history representing the world’s preeminent musical talent. Now is the perfect opportunity to showcase their incredible stories and contributions through the lens of the BMI narrative. We look forward to celebrating this anniversary throughout 2014 with a multitude of initiatives that salute BMI’s history and the diverse history of those we represent.”

Taylor Swift To Be Honored With CMA's Pinnacle Award

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift


Taylor Swift is already a winner at the upcoming Country Music Association awards. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the organization will present Swift with the Pinnacle Award, an honor given to an artist who has achieved worldwide success in the field of Country music through concert performances and record sales levels. The artist will have also attained the highest degree of recognition within music worldwide. Additionally, the artist’s talent and presence will have a long-term positive impact on the appreciation of Country music for years to come.
“I can’t think of a better opportunity than ‘Country Music’s Biggest Night™’ to present an award of this magnitude to an artist of this caliber,” said CMA President of the Board Ed Hardy. “I’ve known Taylor since she was 16. She came to my office with her Mom to play her music and I was amazed. Taylor’s outstanding career epitomizes the definition of the Pinnacle Award.”
Garth Brooks is the sole additional performer to win the award, which was created in 2005. Swift is a top nominee at Wednesday’s awards, which airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. She’s earned six nominations along with Kacey Musgraves; Swift is going for a third win of top honor Entertainer of the Year.
Swift will perform a special version of her song “Red” on the awards show with Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer and Eric Darken.

Martina McBride's 'Joy of Christmas Tour' Launches In November

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mcbride

Martina McBride


Martina McBride rings in the holiday season with her delightfully eclectic Joy of Christmas Tour, a variety-show extravaganza which includes performances of holiday favorites, signature hits and much more. Kicking off on Nov. 29, the 12-date run will feature Martina, and her 12-piece band (including a string section), performing the season’s best-loved music —from classics like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” to modern standards like “Run, Run Rudolph” — as well as some of Martina’s own, non-holiday hits.
“This tour is something I look forward to all year,” added Martina. “It’s definitely a show for the whole family and we love performing it. It helps get me in the Christmas spirit each year and I know if does that for the audience too.”
At each event, a distinguished member of the community will take the stage to read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as Martina sings “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Special guests last year included former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, TV personality Storme Warren and hockey great Jim Dowd. The tour will also invite ballerinas from local studios and schools to dance at each concert, and feature a spontaneous Q&A where Martina joins the crowd to answer questions in what she calls her “favorite part of the show.”
In early 2014, Martina will release a new album that showcases her incomparable voice and interpretive skills on a soulful set of iconic songs.
Martina McBride “Joy of Christmas Tour” 2013
Nov. 29 – Huntington, WV – Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Nov. 30 – Louisville, KY – The Louisville Palace
Dec. 4 – Nashville, TN – Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 6 – Minneapolis, MN – State Theatre
Dec. 7 – La Crosse, WI – La Crosse Center
Dec. 8 – Sioux City, IA – Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 11 – Knoxville, TN – Tennessee Theatre
Dec. 12 – Muncie, IN – Emens Auditorium
Dec. 13 – St. Louis, MO – Fox Theatre
Dec. 19 – Green Bay, WI – Resch Center
Dec. 20 – Bloomington, IL – US Cellular Coliseum
Dec. 21 – Chicago (Rosemont), IL – Rosemont Theatre

Sony Music Nashville Adds To Artist Roster

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Pictured (seated, L-R): Zach Swon, Colton Swon. Pictured (standing, L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s A&R VP Jim Catino, A&R Director Taylor Lindsey, and Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Arista Nashville Promotion VP Lesly Tyson; and Hill Entertainment Group’s Greg Hill. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner

Pictured (seated, L-R): Zach Swon, Colton Swon. Pictured (standing, L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s A&R VP Jim Catino, A&R Director Taylor Lindsey, and Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Arista Nashville Promotion VP Lesly Tyson; and Hill Entertainment Group’s Greg Hill. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner


Sony Music Nashville has signed The Voice Season 4 finalists The Swon Brothers to its Arista Nashville roster. Zach and Colton Swon – the brother duo from Oklahoma whose signature sibling harmony earned them a spot on The Voice’s Team Blake – are currently writing and securing songs for their major label debut album, with a first single due in the spring of 2014.
“Signing with Arista is literally our dream coming true,” says Colton Swon. “My brother and I have been chasing this goal for 15 years now. Being a part of The Voice was an unbelievable experience; there isn’t another show like it. Our mentor and friend Blake Shelton gave us the direction and advice we needed to keep this dream alive. We feel blessed beyond measure for the chance to continue to connect with people through our music. Arista is the home we were looking for and we have a great team of people helping us on this journey!”
Zach Swon offers, “We are so excited to get into the studio to make new music for our fans. It’s amazing and humbling for us to have so many fans supporting us now and asking us when we are going to have a record out. We are looking forward to our new relationship with Sony and making some history together.”

Exclusive: BMG Hires Oglesby as VP, Creative for Nashville Office

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Chris Oglesby

Chris Oglesby


Chris Oglesby has been appointed VP, Creative for the BMG Chrysalis US Nashville office. Oglesby reports to Executive VP Kos Weaver and will support the development of the company’s dynamic roster of songwriters while expanding their creative opportunities.
Oglesby is a 28-year veteran of the business who has worked with some of country’s biggest artists and was involved with numerous chart-topping hits. His first step in the industry took place at Almo/Irving Music, before teaming up with Bob Doyle and Kye Fleming to launch Dreamcatcher Music. In 1994, Oglesby joined former BMG Music Publishing where during his 10-year run, he worked with established songwriters such as Marcus Hummon, Hugh Prestwood, and John Hiatt. Oglesby re-signed songwriter Craig Wiseman and signed emerging talent such as David Lee and Luke Laird. At the ‘old’ BMG, Oglesby was involved with hit songs including “Check Yes or No” by George Strait, “Young” by Kenny Chesney, “Born To Fly” by Sara Evans, the Carrie Underwood hits “So Small” and “Temporary Home,” and “God’s Will” by Martina McBride.
In 2004, Oglesby moved on to songwriter management and created his own company, Oglesby Writers Management (OWM), which became part of industry powerhouse 19 Entertainment/CKX. During this time he continued to manage the careers of songwriters, and set up co-writes for 19 managed artists.
“When you assemble a dynamic, motivated and creative team the possibilities become endless,” Oglesby tells MusicRow of returning to the BMG fold. “I am excited about exploring those possibilities. The writers that have come together under this BMG Chrysalis umbrella are amazing. Writers, Artists, Producers, seasoned veterans and young bucks. I know many of them and have already worked with and watch them create some amazing songs. It is a thrill for me to be a part of what they do each day and now officially work for them. Music Row is gonna be dusty, cause we are about to kick it up!”
Weaver agrees, adding, “It is an inspiring roster. From emerging writer/artists like Hannah Dasher and Ruston Kelly to some of the top writers the town has ever seen like Hillary Lindsey, Jeff Stevens, Buddy Miller, Gordie Sampson, Tony Lane and Angelo. And speaking of Angelo, who of course produces the Kings of Leon (also on the roster), there are incredibly talented artists from genres outside of country signed to the Nashville office like, John Paul White (The Civil Wars) and the Milk Carton Kids. It’s going to be dusty indeed.”
Oglesby is clearly ready to take on the challenges of being a BMG Creative team member in the current industry environment. “I think the biggest challenge will be carrying our communities’ amazing traditions and heritage into this technological age,” says Oglesby. “The greatest songwriters in the world live here. If they do not live here, they often come here to write and create. I want to be one of those who help these writers continue with a high level of excellence. I feel like to do that, I need to learn from and remember what has been handed down to me. I respect it. Blending yesterday with tomorrow while working today is not always an easy thing.”
Weaver says that Oglesby’s enthusiasm for songs and songwriters makes him a perfect fit for the VP, Creative role. “Chris’ approach is the definition of what a great publisher is supposed to be about.”

Industry Ink (11/1/13)

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The Valory Music Co. (VMC) celebrates six years since launching in 2007 under the Big Machine Label Group umbrella. The artist roster currently features Reba, Justin Moore, Brantley Gilbert, The Mavericks and newcomer RaeLynn.
To spearhead radio promotion, VMC has enlisted VP of Promotion George Briner, National Director of Promotion JoJamie Hahr, Northeast Director of Promotion Shari Roth, Southwest Director of Promotion Brad Howell, West Coast Director of Promotion Amy Staley and Promotion Coordinator Ashley Sidoti.

The Mighty Valorys. Pictured (back row, L-R): JoJamie Hahr, Ashley Sidoti, Brad Howell; (front row): Shari Roth, Amy Staley and George Briner.

The Mighty Valorys. Pictured (back row, L-R): JoJamie Hahr, Ashley Sidoti, Brad Howell; (front row): Shari Roth, Amy Staley and George Briner.

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Brynn Marie Photo

Pictured (back row, L-R): Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, CMHOF&M), Jay Orr (Vice President of Museum Programs, CMHOF&M), Pamela Johnson (Vice President of Development, CMHOF&M). (front row): Recording artist Brynn Marie


Brynn Marie stopped by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum recently and became an honorary Friends and Family Member of the organization.

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Emma Newsom

Emma Newsom


paNASH Style has hired Associate Stylist Emma Newsom. Newsom has worked as a model with Wilhelmina and Amax, for clients such as Jessica Simpson and Weight Watchers Magazine, and previously as an event coordinator and retail associate for Warby Parker in New York City.
In addition to offering wardrobe styling services, paNASH Style offers other imaging services such as brand development and media coaching.
 

'MusicRow' No. 1 Song

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Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban.

Miranda Lambert and Keith Urban.


Eight weeks is all the time Keith Urban needed to take “We Were Us,” his Capitol Nashville single featuring Miranda Lambert, to No. 1 on the MusicRow Chart.
As one of the best 2013 CD debuts (not to mention rockin’ tour), the deluxe version of Urban’s Fuse features 16 tracks including the album’s second single, written by Nicolle Galyon, Jimmy Robbins and Jon Nite. The American Idol judge, who rarely releases a duet, is currently enlisting video auditions to be a part of a fan mash-up for the song with a grand prize trip to Chicago, Il. for the Light The Fuse Tour, which extends through 2014.
Don’t miss this year’s Male and Female Vocalist of the Year-nominees perform the tune together on the Nov. 6 CMA Awards, live from Nashville. In the meantime, check out the first live performance of the title in Oklahoma City on Oct. 19.