Apple Rolls Out iPad Air

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iPad AirApple rolled out the lighter, thinner, faster iPad Air on Tuesday (Oct. 22) during a press conference. Among its new features, the iPad will weigh 1 pound, down from 1.4 pounds.
The iPad Air will retain the same 9.7-inch screen as previous iPads and the same A7 processing chip available in the iPhone 5S. According to Apple Sr. VP Phil Schiller, the iPad Air will be 72 times faster than the original iPad. The iPad Air will go on sale Nov. 1, with pricing beginning at $499 for a 16GB; the price for a 16 GB with 4G LTE connectivity is $629.
Schiller also unveiled a revamped iPad Mini (comes in silver or space gray), starting at $399. It will be available in late November; the iPad Mini will include an A7 processor and the same high-resolution “Retina display” as bigger iPads.
The iPad Air will go on sale Friday, Nov. 1 at Apple retail stores in 42 countries and territories: the U.S., Australia, Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Canada, China (Wi-Fi models only), Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hong Kong, Hungary, Iceland, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macao (Wi-Fi models only), Macedonia, Montenegro, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Puerto Rico, Romania, Singapore, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the UK.
Apple will also give away operating and work software free to all users of MacBooks and Mac computers. It’s Mac operating system and iWork software suite, which compete with Microsoft’s Excel, Word and other applications, will now be offered free to users.

MusicRowLife: Gloriana's Tom Gossin Weds In Nashville

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Tom Gossin

Tom Gossin


Gloriana’s Tom Gossin and longtime girlfriend Jamie Moffett married Saturday night (Oct. 19) in Nashville during a 1920’s vintage-themed wedding and reception, according to People.com. Bandmates Rachel Reinert and Mike Gossin were both on hand for the ceremony.
Gossin proposed to Moffett on their 10th anniversary together with a 1920s European-cut stone. The couple celebrated their wedding day with a Jazz Age-style reception at the Cannery.
Gloriana’s next tourdate is slated for Nov. 1 in Conway, S.C.

Industry Snapshots (10/22/13)

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APA agents and artists celebrate the kick-off of the 43rd Annual IEBA Conference during their showcase Sunday night in Nashville at the new Omni Hotel. The show, hosted by Goldy Locks, featured performances by Sundy Best, Tonic, Tom Keifer of Cinderella, Charlie Daniels and Chris Cagle.

Pictured (Back row L-R): Chris Looney (Agent), Heath Baumhor (Agent), Craig Newman (Agent), Jim Gosnell (President/CEO), Jackie Knobbe (Agent), Frank Wing (Senior Vice President), Steve Lassiter (Senior Vice President/Partner), Bonnie Sugarman (Senior Vice President) and Andrew Buck (Agent). APA Artists/Agent (Front Row): Nick Jamerson (Sundy Best), Kris Bentley (Sundy Best), Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels, Tom Keifer, Lee Roy Parnell and APA's Ray Shelide.

Pictured (Back row L-R): Chris Looney (Agent), Heath Baumhor (Agent), Craig Newman (Agent), Jim Gosnell (President/CEO), Jackie Knobbe (Agent), Frank Wing (Senior Vice President), Steve Lassiter (Senior Vice President/Partner), Bonnie Sugarman (Senior Vice President) and Andrew Buck (Agent). APA Artists/Agent (Front Row): Nick Jamerson (Sundy Best), Kris Bentley (Sundy Best), Lee Greenwood, Charlie Daniels, Tom Keifer, Lee Roy Parnell and APA’s Ray Shelide.

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During a recent No. 1 party for Hunter Hayes’ hit “I Want Crazy,” the BMI Board of Directors stopped by to congratulate the team behind the song on their success. “I Want Crazy” is Hayes’ third consecutive No. 1 hit, and co-writers Troy Verges and Lori McKenna each celebrated their third and first chart-topper, respectively.

Pictured (L-R): Martingale Entertainment’s Ansel Davis and Betsy McHugh, BMI Board of Directors Vice Chairman Paul Karpowicz, “I Want Crazy” co-writer Lori McKenna, Hunter Hayes, BMI Board of Directors Chairman Susan Davenport Austin, “I Want Crazy” co-writer Troy Verges, BMI President Del Bryant and BMI CEO Mike O’Neill. Photo: Rick Diamond

Pictured (L-R): Martingale Entertainment’s Ansel Davis and Betsy McHugh, BMI Board of Directors Vice Chairman Paul Karpowicz, “I Want Crazy” co-writer Lori McKenna, Hunter Hayes, BMI Board of Directors Chairman Susan Davenport Austin, “I Want Crazy” co-writer Troy Verges, BMI President Del Bryant and BMI CEO Mike O’Neill.
Photo: Rick Diamond

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed MCA recording artist David Nail to the office while he was in Los Angeles last week on his fall tour. While at the Academy, Nail performed “Whatever She’s Got,” the debut single off his forthcoming 2014 album.

Pictured (L-R): Brian Wolf, VP Touring + Live Entertainment, Fusion Music; David Nail; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director; Daniel Miller, CEO + Managing Partner, Fusion Music

Pictured (L-R): Brian Wolf, VP Touring + Live Entertainment, Fusion Music; David Nail; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director; Daniel Miller, CEO + Managing Partner, Fusion Music

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 John Esposito, President & CEO of Warner Music Nashville, celebrated for King & Country‘s win for Best New Artist at the 44th Annual Dove Awards, held Oct. 15 at Nashville’s Lipscomb University.

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Luke Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), Francesca Battistelli, Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY) and Rod Riley (President & CEO, Word Entertainment)

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito (President & CEO, Warner Music Nashville), Luke Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY), Francesca Battistelli, Joel Smallbone (for KING & COUNTRY) and Rod Riley (President & CEO, Word Entertainment).

Still Working Music Adds Creative Director

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Chelsea Kent

Chelsea Kent


Still Working Music has added Chelsea Kent as Creative Director for the publishing company, where she will be involved in all day-to-day creative activities.
“I couldn’t be more excited about bringing in someone with the market knowledge, energy, and enthusiasm that Chelsea brings – Still Working is better positioned than ever to capitalize on the works of its great and expanding roster,” says Alex Orbison, President of Still Working Music.
“We are over the top about having Chelsea join our team. Her passion and love for songs and songwriters alike will be a great asset to our company,” adds Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer of Still Working Music.
The company represents songwriters Tommy Lee James, Terry McBride, Chase Bryant, Matt Nolen, Ryan Lafferty, and Derrick Southerland; and is a joint venture with BMG Chrysalis.
Chelsea can be contacted at chelseakent@orbison.com.

Industry Ink (10/22/13)

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Marisa Henderson

Marisa Henderson


Black River Entertainment has hired Marisa Henderson as Creative and Client Services. In this role, Henderson will be the first to greet guests as they enter the record company and will also be assisting in creative output for Black River. The Pensacola, Fla. native graduated from Troy University and has been living in Nashville for four years. Her career has included time at Music City News Media and Marketing and Warner Music Nashville.
Reporting to Black River’s General Manager, Greg McCarn, Henderson can be reached at Marisa@blackriverent.com or at 615-780-3070.
 

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CRS2014-LogoCountry Radio Seminar has commissioned a comprehensive Country music research study for presentation at CRS 2014, with data on the increased popularity country music is seeing with the 12-34 year-old age group. Edison Research is surveying 1500 12-34 year-old music and radio consumers to provide insight into the generation’s music attitudes and behaviors. The team will interview a random pool of young country music listeners in their home environments.
In 2010, Country was ranked 4th with a 7.2 share according to Arbitron, but in Fall 2012 Country climbed to 2nd, only behind Top 40, with a 9.5 share.
The panel, titled “The New ‘Young Country’ Boom and What it Means to You” and scheduled for Wed. Feb. 19 at 2:30 p.m., will include a multi-media presentation of the study, presented by Edison Research’s Larry Rosen and media strategist, Jayne Charneski.
CRS 2014 will be held February 19-21, 2014 at the downtown Nashville Convention Center.

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guitars for vets1111Ryman Auditorium and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame members Lynyrd Skynyrd, will pay homage to vets with a Veterans Day celebration and fundraiser on Nov. 11, 2013. Partnering with Gibson Brands and 105.9 The Rock, proceeds from a special auction will benefit Guitars for Vets (G4V).
Prior to the Lynyrd Skynyrd concert on Nov. 11, the Ryman will host a preshow plaza party starting at 5:00 p.m. Attendees will enjoy live music while they check out guitars which are to be auctioned online and as part of a silent auction at the concert. Puckett’s “Trolley Parton” will be on site and any concert-goers riding motorcycles will be allowed to park on the Ryman drive as space allows.
Guitars for Vets is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization founded in Milwaukee in 2007. G4V currently operates over 30 chapters in 15 states with the assistance of over one hundred volunteers nationwide. This event will serve as a kick-off for the formation of a new Nashville chapter of G4V. Wounded Warriors supports the organization and will select the first two veterans to participate in the G4V Nashville chapter. Gibson will provide guitars to be awarded to these veterans.

MusicRowPics: Corey Smith

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Corey Smith Artist Visit

Corey Smith Artist Visit


Georgia singer-songwriter Corey Smith visited the MusicRow office on Monday (Oct. 21) to perform his latest single, “Ain’t Going Out Tonight,” from his upcoming project. Smith, who averages 130 shows per year, recently signed with The Collective for management.
After producing his past albums single-handedly, Smith teamed with producer Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band) for his upcoming project. The untitled album is currently being mixed. “Keith gave me an air of confidence. On other albums, I was my own worst enemy and would second-guess myself. When Keith said a song was fine, I believed it was fine. It made the process of making an album more enjoyable for me.”
Smith is a former high school teacher. When he wasn’t in the classroom, he spent time performing in clubs around Georgia; Smith released his first three albums while still teaching high school. He made the leap into a full-time music career nearly nine years ago. Smith balances his career with family life in Georgia. “It might be better for my career if I moved to Nashville, but I have kids in school and my family’s in Georgia,” he says.
He also performed “Maybe Next Year,” and his signature song, “Twenty-One.”
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Is Garth Brooks Brewing A Storm?

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GarthMedia is abuzz after Garth Brooks recently sent a cryptic message to fans. On Friday, Oct. 18, before Brooks hit the stage in Las Vegas, an email from the star’s camp went out: “The sevens have aligned. It has begun…thank you so much for believing…love, g.” Brooks’ official website echoes this sentiment with rolling thunder, lightning strikes and an occasional “It Has Begun…” text.
We do know Country music’s best-selling entertainer announced his retirement in 2000 to focus on raising his three daughters. Taylor Mayne Pearl and August Anna are reportedly out of high school, while youngest, Allie Colleen, will graduate next year.
From Memorial Day to the 4th of July this year, after spending three years acoustically performing at Steve Wynn‘s resort casino, Brooks recorded six shows at the Wynn. Last month (Sept. 21), Trisha Yearwood confirmed her husband was currently in the studio working on a new project.
Rumors have been floating around that a DVD/CD box set, including multiple new studio albums, is in the works. Additionally, a songwriter reunion with the star is rumored for next month in a Nashville club.
Knowing Brooks, we’re sure not to miss his official announcement. Stay tuned!
Brooks’ encore run will continue at the Las Vegas casino with two more sold-out shows, Nov. 8 and 9.

Dolly To Return To Europe On Upcoming "Blue Smoke" Tour

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Dolly

Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton’s Blue Smoke will soon be wafting through Europe as well as she has just announced plans to return to Europe for a set of tour dates through June and July, hitting seven countries in 17 days. The European run will bring her back to the O2 Arena in London, where she recorded and filmed her DVD/CD set An Evening With…Dolly that sold over half a million copies.
“Every time I come to Europe I’m just as excited as I was my very first time, which was many, many years ago.  I love that part of the world and I especially love the fans,” adds Parton.  “We always have such a good time and I’ve put together a lot of things for this show that I think the fans will love.  We had not planned to come back so soon, but we got so much fan mail and such a great reaction that I thought ‘Well, why not.  If they’re having a good time and we always do, let’s just do it’.”
She will also release a CD of all-new material, Blue Smoke, to accompany the tour in the coming months, with a release date to be announced soon.
Blue Smoke UK & EUROPE Dates:
June 8      England, Liverpool, Echo Arena
June 10    Northern Ireland, Belfast, Odyssey Arena
June 11    Ireland, Dublin, O2 Arena
June 12    Ireland, Cork, Live At The Marquee
June 14    England, Newcastle, Metro Radio Arena
June 15    Scotland, Aberdeen, GE Arena
June 17    Scotland, Glasgow, Hydro Arena
June 20    England, Leeds, First Direct Arena
June 21    England, Manchester, Phones 4U Arena
June 22   England, Birmingham, LG Arena
June 24    Wales, Cardiff, Motorpoint Arena
June 27    England, London, O2 Arena
July 2       England, Nottingham, Arena
July 5        Germany, Cologne, Lanxess Arena
July 6        Germany, Berlin, O2 World
July 8        Denmark, Copenhagen, Forum
July 9        Norway, Oslo, Spektrum

YouTube Announces Music Awards Nominations

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youtubeOn Monday (Oct. 21), YouTube announced the nominations for its inaugural Music Awards, which will be directed by Spike Jonez and webcast live from New York City’s Pier 36 on Nov. 3.
The nominations cover a variety of artists, including Country darling Taylor Swift, who received a nomination for Artist of the Year. Her song “I Knew You Were Trouble” garnered a nomination in the YouTube Phenomenon category. Actor Jason Schwartzman will host the awards show, which will feature performances by Eminem, Lady Gaga, Arcade Fire, M.I.A. and Avicii, among others.
The video site asked viewers to vote on nominations, which include six categories: Video of the Year, Artist of the Year, Response of the Year, YouTube Phenomenon, YouTube Breakthrough and Innovation of the Year.
View all of the nominations below.
Video of the Year: Nominees represent the videos with the most fan engagement on YouTube over the last year.

  • Epic Rap Battles Of History — “Barack Obama vs Mitt Romney”
  • Demi Lovato — “Heart Attack”
  • Girls’ Generation ­– “I Got A Boy”
  • Justin Bieber (feat. Nicki Minaj) — “Beauty And A Beat”
  • Lady Gaga ­– “Applause”
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (feat. Mary Lambert) — “Same Love”
  • Miley Cyrus ­ — “We Can’t Stop”
  • One Direction ­– “Best Song Ever”
  • PSY ­– “Gentleman”
  • Selena Gomez ­– “Come & Get It”

Artist of the Year: Focused on acts YouTube fans have made stars, nominees represent the most watched, shared, liked, and subscribed ­to artists.

  • Eminem
  • Epic Rap Battles
  • Justin Bieber
  • Katy Perry
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Nicki Minaj
  • One Direction
  • PSY
  • Rihanna
  • Taylor Swift

Response of the Year: Best fan remix, parody or response video, these nominees represent the top “unofficial” fan videos on YouTube based on views, shares and other social activity.

  • Boyce Avenue (feat. Fifth Harmony) ­– “Mirrors
  • Jayesslee ­– “Gangnam Style”
  • Lindsey Stirling and Pentatonix ­– “Radioactive”
  • ThePianoGuys ­– “Titanium / Pavane”
  • Walk Off the Earth (feat. KRNFX) — “I Knew You Were Trouble”

YouTube Phenomenon: Nominees are based on the phenomena that generated the most fan videos.

  • Diamonds
  • Gangnam Style
  • Harlem Shake
  • I Knew You Were Trouble
  • Thrift Shop

YouTube Breakthrough: Focusing on breakout new acts, nominees represent the artists who experienced the biggest growth in views and subscribers.

  • Kendrick Lamar
  • Macklemore & Ryan Lewis
  • Naughty Boy
  • Passenger
  • Rudimental

Innovation of the Year: Most creative and innovative music videos on YouTube.

  • Anamanaguchi ­– “ENDLESS FANTASY”
  • Atoms For Peace ­– “Ingenue”
  • Bat For Lashes ­– “Lilies”
  • DeStorm ­– “See Me Standing”
  • Toro Y Moi — “Say That”

CMA Broadcast Awards Winners Revealed

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CMA Corporate LogoThe 2013 CMA Broadcast Awards winners have been announced in the following categories:
National – Personality of the Year
Kix Brooks, “American Country Countdown” – Cumulus Media Networks
Major-Market Personality Of The Year
“THE DOC & ANDIE SHOW” – WXTU/PHILADELPHIA
Large-Market Personality Of The Year
“Q MORNING CREW” – WQDR/RALEIGH, NC
Medium-Market Personality Of The Year
“ANDY & ALISON & THE MORNING CREW” – WIVK/KNOXVILLE, TN
Small-Market Personality Of The Year
“THE GOOD MORNING GUYS” – KUAD/FT. COLLINS, CO
Major-Market Station Of The Year
KUPL/PORTLAND, OR
Large-Market Station Of The Year
WCTK/PROVIDENCE, RI
Medium-Market Station Of The Year
KSSN/LITTLE ROCK, AR
Small-Market Station Of The Year
WLLR/QUAD CITIES, IA-IL
Winners will be honored at The 47th Annual CMA Awards on Wednesday, Nov. 6.