Metro Proposes First 'Nashville' Investment

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Nashville
For the first time, Mayor Karl Dean’s office officially proposed funds towards the Santa Monica, Calif.-based Music City Productions, the company producing ABC-TV’s Nashville.
As previously reported, Metro plans to invest $500,000 from it’s general fund for the show’s second Season in addition to the state’s $12.5 million investment and the $125,000 boost from each: the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. and Metro’s Event Marketing Fund.
In a document made public by the Tennessean, Metro views the prime time production as a tremendous benefit to the citizens of the City and a “once in a generation promotional vehicle and business recruitment tool watched by well over five million Americans each week.” Additionally, Emmy and Golden Globe nominations are cited alongside notes that the show is sold into over 20 major countries across Europe, the UK, Scandinavia, Asia, Australia and Latin America.
Thirty second-commercial slots for the 22-episode second Season are anticipated to fetch over $140,000 while production is estimated to spend over $40 million on resident labor and goods and services in the Tennessee region at over 400 local vendors.
For Season 1, ABC Studios partnered with Ryman Hospitality for 13 episodes, which eventually became a full 22-episode season on ABC. State investment contributed between 25-32 percent of Tennessee-based costs.
The council is expected to hear the Mayor’s resolutions on the Sept. 10 meeting, the Metro Clerk’s office told the Tennessean. Nashville Season 2 premieres Wed., Sept. 25 on ABC.

SoundExchange Sues SiriusXM Over Back Royalty Payments

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SoundExchange_Logo_MSoundExchange has filed a lawsuit in the United States District Court for the District of Columbia against SiriusXM for alleged underpayment of digital royalties from 2007-2012. The company is accusing SiriusXM of taking inadmissible deductions and exemptions in royalty payment calculations to SoundExchange, including deductions for pre-1972 recordings and music channel packages. It also wants back late fees and interest due from the underpayments as well.
The underpayments are alleged to amount to between 50 and $100 million or more, and is seeking to recover the monies for the artists and labels it represents.
A copy of the official filing can be seen here: soundexchange.com.
The lawsuit is merely the latest in the battle between the two companies. Last year, according to the Hollywood Reporter, SiriusXM sued Soundexchange over an alleged plan to monopolize copyrights from the recording industry. The satellite radio company wanted to make direct deals with rights holders instead. A separate lawsuit was filed earlier this month against SiriusXM by the Turtles over rights usage of their pre-1972 songs, which are not protected under federal law.

Mayor Announces Outdoor Amphitheater, Parks for Riverfront

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outdoor theater

A sketch of the soon-to-be-built outdoor amphitheater.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean announced today (Aug. 27) that downtown’s Cumberland River will soon be home to an outdoor amphitheater as part of the West Riverfront Master Plan.

With the repurposing of the Thermal Transfer Plant site, the amphitheater is expected to accommodate 6,500 people (including 2,500 seats, with additional grass seating). The space is envisioned as a “summer amphitheater” for the Nashville symphony and available to residents for daily enjoyment on non-event days. Additionally, the 12-acre area will feature trails, a dog park and gardens.

Across the river on the Cumberland’s east bank, a new riverboat landing green space for tailgating and daily use with moveable chairs and tables, and pedestrian and bike pathways was announced. A lower park will slope to the river for boaters (canoes, kayaks and crew teams) in addition to docking space for the General Jackson with a floating dock for motorized boats. The east bank landing project will be part of approximately $30 million redevelopment that included the Bridge Building and 6-acre Cumberland Park.

In a release from the Mayor’s office, Metro is stated as already owning the property involved on the west and east banks and has funds in place to move forward. Funding for the west bank comes from three previously approved $35 million capital spending plans in addition to $7 million in recently transferred federal flood aid, which will be used to help build the flood wall.

Construction is expected to begin this fall. West bank construction could be significantly completed in 2015.
Last week, a prospective $80 million ballpark on the north side of downtown on the Sulphur Dell site, near Germantown made headlines.

Presenters and Performers Added To ACM Honors

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acmhonorsDeana Carter, Rodney Crowell, Paul Franklin, Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Kree Harrison, Robert Earl Keen, Lorrie Morgan, David Nail, Darius Rucker, Steve Wariner, Jesse Keith Whitley, Chris Young and Thompson Square will join host Dierks Bentley at the 7th Annual ACM Honors. The awards show will be held Sept. 10, 2013 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville, and will celebrate the non-televised special honorees and award winners from the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year.
Carter, Nail, Rucker and Wariner will serve as presenters during the evening, while musical tributes will be made by Crowell & Harris, Gill & Franklin, Harrison, Keen, Morgan, Whitley, Young and Thompson Square.
Tickets are on sale now at Ticketmaster and the Ryman box office.
Previously announced honorees for this year’s ACM Honors are:
Special Awards recipients:

  • Jason Aldean – Crystal Milestone Award
  • Guy Clark – Poet’s Award
  • Blake Shelton – Gene Weed Special Achievement Award
  • Keith Whitley (posthumously) – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award
  • Tommy Wiggins – Mae Boren Axton Award
  • Hank Williams (posthumously) – Poet’s Award
  • Lady Antebellum – Jim Reeves International Award
  • The Judds – Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award

MBI (Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist) Award Winners:

  • Chuck Ainlay – Audio Engineer of the Year
  • Matt Chamberlain – Percussionist/Drummer of the Year
  • J.T. Corenflos – Guitarist of the Year
  • Aubrey Haynie – Fiddle Player of the Year
  • Mike Johnson – Steel Guitar Player of the Year
  • Jay Joyce – Producer of the Year
  • Michael Rojas – Piano/Keyboard Player of the Year
  • Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass Player of the Year
  • Ilya Toshinsky – Specialty Instrument(s) Player of the Year

Industry Award Winners:

  • Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace – Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year
  • Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar – Promoter of the Year
  • Joe’s Bar (Chicago, IL) – Nightclub of the Year
  • Red Rock Casino & Resort (Las Vegas, NV) – Casino of the Year
  • Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN) – Venue of the Year

Today's Toyota Summer Concert Series Features Country Artists In September

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Photo Credit: Adam Taylor

Florida Georgia Line. Photo Credit: Adam Taylor


Today‘s Toyota Summer Concert Series is set to close out summer this September with performances by two Country artists. Florida Georgia Line, along with rapper Nelly, are set to perform on Sept. 2. Keith Urban, a new addition to the series’ lineup, is slated to perform on Sept. 10. The series will wrap with a performance by pop legend Cher.
In August, Luke Bryan and The Band Perry were part of the summer concert series; July featured Hunter Hayes.

Randy Travis Goes Back To The Vault For New CD

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RandyTravis_Influence_cvr_300pxRandy Travis’ 21st studio album, Influence Vol. 1: The Man I Am, is set to hit stores on Oct. 1. The record is a journey back through Travis’ musical career to the songs and artists who influenced his sound and style, and features Travis putting his own vocal stamp on vintage songs from Merle Haggard, Lefty Frizzell, and Waylon Jennings, among others. It also includes his recent duet with Joe Nichols, “Tonight I’m Playing Possum,” the tribute to George Jones he debuted earlier this year at the CMA Music Festival.
Travis first came upon the idea of making the album after releasing his 25th Anniversary Celebration and going back through his collaborations with artists like Zac Brown Band, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson, and Carrie Underwood, reflecting on the heroes who have inspired him throughout the course of his career.
“When I think of my musical heroes of yesteryear, or the younger stars of this year, I am reminded that it is true we learn from the ones ahead of us, and teach the ones that follow.  They are the reason I chose to make this album,” says Travis.
Songs on the new CD include:
1)   “Someday We’ll Look Back” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1971)
2)   “Big Butter And Egg Man” – originally recorded by Louis Armstrong and His Hot Five (released 1926)
3)   “What Have You Got Planned Tonight Diana” –originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1976)
4)   “Ever Changing Woman” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1980)
5)   “Pennies From Heaven” – originally recorded by Bing Crosby (released 1936)
6)   “Thanks A Lot” – originally recorded by Ernest Tubb (released 1964)
7)   “Trouble In Mind” – originally recorded by Thelma La Vizzo (released 1924)
8)    “My Mary” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard/Willie Nelson (released 1983)
9)   “Saginaw Michigan” – originally recorded by Lefty Frizzell (released in 1964)
10)  “Always On A Mountain (When I Fall)” – originally recorded by Merle Haggard (released 1978)
11)   “Because You Asked Me To” – originally recorded by Waylon Jennings (released 1973)
12)  “Why Baby Why ” – originally recorded by George Jones (released 1955)
13) “Tonight I’m Playing Possum” – recorded by Joe Nichols/Randy Travis (released 2013)

Lady A Extends Headlining Tour Through North America

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Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum revealed plans today (Aug. 27) to extended their previously announced headlining Take Me Downtown Tour with new dates scheduled through April 2014. Previously announced North American tour guests Kip Moore and Kacey Musgraves will continue with the group through the second leg, beginning Jan. 9 in Charleston, W. Va.

First tour dates go on sale Sept. 13. Fans can click here for the most updated information for all dates, and here for VIP opportunities.
Last year Lady A hosted over one million fans in 11 countries on their first headlining world tour, which earned them Billboard Touring’s Breakthrough Award; CMA’s International Artists Achievement Award; and will accept the Jim Reeves International Award at this fall’s ACM Honors.
Take Me Down North American Dates:
Nov. 8     Southaven, Miss.—Landers Center
Nov. 9      St. Louis, Ariz.—Chaifetz Arena
Nov. 10      Evansville, Ind.—Ford Center
Nov. 12      Grand Rapids, Mich.—Van Andel Arena
Nov. 15      Chicago—Allstate Arena
Nov. 16      Toledo, Ohio—Huntington Center
Nov. 17      Cleveland—Quicken Loans Arena
Nov. 19      Fargo, N.D.—Fargodome
Nov. 21      Rapid City, S.D.—Rusmore Plaza Civic Center
Nov. 22      Denver—Pepsi Center
Nov. 23      Salt Lake City, Utah—EnergySolutions Arena
Dec. 3      Springfield, Mo.—JQH Arena
Dec. 5      Minneapolis—Target Center
Dec. 6      Kansas City, Mo.—Sprint Center
Dec. 7      Omaha, Neb.—CenturyLink Center
Dec. 12      Cincinnati—U.S. Bank Arena
Dec. 14      Peoria, Ill.—Peoria Civic Center
Jan. 9      Charleston, W. Va.—Charleston Civic Center
Jan. 10    Raleigh, N.C.—PNC Arena
Jan. 11    Greenville, S.C.—Bi-Lo Center
Jan. 14    Cincinnati—U.S. Bank Arena
Jan. 18    Wichita, Kan.—Intrust Bank Arena
Jan.19    Lubbock, Texas—United Spirit Arena
Jan. 30    Philadelphia—Wells Fargo Center
Feb. 7      Tampa, Fla.—Tampa Bay Times Forum
Feb. 8      Jacksonville, Fla.—Veterans Memorial Arena
Feb. 14    Bossier City, La.—CenturyLInk Center
Feb. 15    Birmingham, Ala.—BJCC Arena
Feb. 16    Lafayette, La.—Cajundome
Feb. 20    Washington, D.C.—Verizon Center
Feb. 21    New York—Madison Square Garden
Feb. 22    Uncasville, Conn.—Mohegan Sun Arena
Feb. 28    Toronto, ON—Air Canada Centre
March 1      London, ON—Budweiser Gardens
March 6      Saskatoon, SK—Credit Union Centre
March 7      Edmonton, AB—Rexall Place
March 8      Calgary, AB—Scotiabank Saddledome
March 10    Vancouver, BC—Pacific National Exhibition
March 12    Boise, Id.—Taco Bell Arena
March 14    Reno, Nev.—Lawler Events Center
March 15    Ontario, Calif.—CBBankArena
March 16    Fresno, Calif.—Save Mart Arena
March 18    Los Angeles—Staples Center
March 21    Las Vegas—Mandalay Bay Events Center
March 22    San Diego—Valley View Casino Center
March 24    Phoenix—US Airways Center
March 25    Las Cruces, N.M.—Pan American Center
March 27    Oklahoma City—Chesapeake Energy Arena
March 28    Tulsa, Okla.—BOK Center
April 11    Atlanta—Philips Arena
April 12    New Orleans—New Orleans Arena
April 26    Charlotte, N.C.—Time Warner Cable Arena
April 27    Knoxville, Tenn.—Thompson-Boling Arena

Scotty McCreery To Release Sophomore Album In October

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scotty mccreery see you tonight11Scotty McCreery will release his sophomore album, See You Tonight, which will be in stores on Oct. 15. The project is produced by Frank Rogers and features several songs co-written by McCreery. This is the follow-up to McCreery’s debut album Clear As Day.
McCreery has been staying busy on the road with his first headline tour, The Weekend Roadtrip Tour 2013, which runs through the end of 2013.
Track Listing:
1. Now – Written by McCreery, busbee and Frank Rogers
2. See You Tonight – Written by McCreery, Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell
3. Get Gone With You – Written by Ross Copperman, Lynn Hutton and Tammi Kidd Hutton
4. Feelin’ It – Written by Frank Rogers and Matthew West
5. Feel Good Summer Song – Written by J. T. Harding, Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne
6. Buzzin’ – Written by busbee and Frank Rogers
7. Can You Feel It – Written by McCreery, Ashley Gorley and Zach Crowell
8. The Dash- Written by Kyle Jacobs and Preston Brust
9. Blue Jean Baby – Written by Matt Ramsey, Trevor Rosen and Matt Jenkins
10. Forget To Forget You – Written by Casey Beathard and Michael Dulaney
11. I Don’t Wanna Be Your Friend – Written by McCreery, Frank Rogers and David Fanning
12. Carolina Moon – Written by Jon Randall Stewart and Ronnie Stewart
13. Something More – Written by Scotty McCreery and Frank Rogers

Trace Adkins Reaches 10-Year Mark As Opry Member

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Trace Adkins 10th anniversary trade shot by Chris Hollo-8133 8-23-13111111

Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, President Grand Ole Opry Group; Adkins, J.W. Williams, Vector Management; Ken Levitan, President, Vector Management; Pete Fisher, Vice President and General Manager Grand Ole Opry. Photo By: Chris Hollo


Trace Adkins 10th anniversary with Pete on stage by Chris Hollo-8081 8-23-13111111

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher and Trace Adkins. Photo: Chris Hollo


Trace Adkins celebrated his 10th anniversary as a Grand Ole Opry member last Friday night (Aug. 23), performing for fans on the legendary stage. Adkins was first inducted into the Opry 10 years ago on that very same day by Ronnie Milsap, and he received congratulatory messages via video from Milsap, Blake Shelton, the Oak Ridge Boys, Gene Watson, and Hunter Hayes as well during the anniversary celebration.
In recognition of the milestone, Adkins closed out the evening’s show with a special 30-minute segment of his music.
“It’s been a great ten years with Trace as an Opry member, Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher said. “He’s made trips to the top of the charts, toured from coast to coast and beyond, and become a national television personality, taking the Opry with him wherever he’s gone and also always coming home to the Opry stage. Here’s to the next ten years.”

Industry Ink (8-26-13)

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Songwriter Charley Stefl has signed with Eleven Eleven Music Group for representation. The award-winning singer-songwriter-producer stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters to celebrate the signing with Eleven Eleven execs.

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Eleven Eleven’s Jason Morris, Stefl, Eleven Eleven’s Jewel Coburn and SESAC’s Tim Fink

SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Eleven Eleven’s Jason Morris, Charley Stefl, Eleven Eleven’s Jewel Coburn and SESAC’s Tim Fink.

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The Academy of Country Music recently made a $700,000 contribution to ACM Lifting Lives on behalf of the artists who participated in the taping of ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night in Las Vegas earlier this year. Ticket proceeds from the taping also went to ACM Lifting Lives. The taping included appearances and/or performances from Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, John Fogerty, Brantley Gilbert, Faith Hill, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Nelly, Ne-Yo, Pitbull, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry. More than 11 million viewers tuned in on CBS to watch the special.

PHOTO 2 (L-R): ACM Treasurer Duane Clark, ACM Lifting Lives Chairman Bruce Bowman, ACM Chairman of the Board Ken Robold, outgoing ACM Chairman of the Board Butch Waugh, ACM President Darin Murphy, ACM Parliamentarian Paul Moore

Pictured (L-R): ACM Treasurer Duane Clark, ACM Lifting Lives Chairman Bruce Bowman, ACM Chairman of the Board Ken Robold, outgoing ACM Chairman of the Board Butch Waugh, ACM President Darin Murphy, ACM Parliamentarian Paul Moore.

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MSO PR Nashville is celebrating its fifth anniversary since opening its Nashville office (helmed by Nashville Director and publicist Lyndie Wenner) in July 2008. Wenner works with company President Mitch Schneider, Sr. VP Todd Brodginski, Account Executive Angela Villanueva and Tour Press Director Bari Lieberman, who are all based in the company’s Los Angeles headquarters. The client roster for both offices includes Dwight Yoakam, Dave Stewart, Dee Jay Silver, Lonestar, Jo Dee Messina, John Fogerty, Truth & Salvage Co., and Wynonna Judd. The company celebrated its fifth anniversary with a media mixer at the historic Union Station Hotel in Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): MSO President Mitch Schneider, influential radio personality/musician Billy Block, MSO Nashville Director/Publicist Lyndie Wenner and MSO Account Executive Angela Villanueva. Photo: Randi Radcliff.

Pictured (L-R): MSO President Mitch Schneider, radio personality/musician Billy Block, MSO Nashville Director/Publicist Lyndie Wenner and MSO Account Executive Angela Villanueva. Photo: Randi Radcliff.

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Singer and actress Lucy Hale, known for her work on the ABC television series Pretty Little Liars, has teamed with DMG Nashville, Hollywood Records, Bigger Picture Group and Monarch Publicity to introduce her debut country album. Hale is currently working with producer Mark Bright on the project. This fall, she will visit radio stations across the country before her single is released next year.

lucy hale111

Lucy Hale in the studio working on her debut country project.

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musiciansThe Hard Rock Café Nashville and Musicians On Call’s Young Professionals Committee have joined forces to present Rumble at the Rock, a fundraising event for the Nashville branch of Musicians On Call. The all-ages event will include a giant inflatable obstacle course, ring toss, dunking booth, Twister games, and more, and tickets are on sale now for $10 in advance or $15 at the door. The first hundred tickets sold will receive a free gift on the day of the rumble. Advance tickets can be purchased at http://tinyurl.com/RumbleattheRock. Proceeds will go to help patients in local Nashville hospitals.