Paisley Honored for 21st No. 1, "Southern Comfort Zone"

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Pictured (l-r): ASCAP's Michael Martin; co-writers Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley & Sea Gayle Music's Chris DuBois; ASCAP's Mike Sistad

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin; co-writers Kelley Lovelace, Brad Paisley & Sea Gayle Music’s Chris DuBois; ASCAP’s Mike Sistad


In the middle of a busy CRS Week, ASCAP caught up with Brad Paisley at the Nashville Convention Center to congratulate him on his 21st No. 1 as an artist and 18th as a songwriter, “Southern Comfort Zone.” Longtime Paisley co-writers Chris DuBois and Kelley Lovelace, as well as publishers Sea Gayle Music and EMI Music Publishing, were also congratulated at the whirlwind celebration, which took place before Paisley hit the stage at the Grand Ole Opry at CRS on Feb. 27. “Southern Comfort Zone” reached the top of the charts in February and is the first single from Paisley’s upcoming eighth studio album, Wheelhouse, set to be released on April 9.

Signing News

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• • • Flying Island Entertainment has inked a deal with neo-traditionalist Ray Scott. His single “Those Jeans” has tallied almost 50,000 downloads, with over 30,000 of those since the song was added to SiriusXM’s The Highway in January. The video for the song spent 11 consecutive weeks on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown and has over 200,000 YouTube views.

Pictured l to r Standing: Flying Island's Nancy Eckert, Shelia Shipley Biddy, Bonita Allen, Jill Tomalty and Ed Gertler with Seated l to r: Flying Island's Louis Newman, Ray Scott, and Producer Dave Brainard

Pictured standing (L-R): Flying Island’s Nancy Eckert, Shelia Shipley Biddy, Bonita Allen, Jill Tomalty and Ed Gertler; Seated: Flying Island’s Louis Newman, Ray Scott, and Producer Dave Brainard


• • • Buffy Lawson has signed with Lexington, Ky. based, independent publisher KPI Music Group. The former Bomshel member has a new album and single, “I’m Leaving You For Me,” out via Wrinkled Records. KPI is headed by President Louis Police.
• • • Jill Spencer and Michael Gresham have renewed their respective exclusive co-publishing agreements with HoriPro Entertainment Group.

[Updated] Industry Ink (3-8-13)

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edens edgeSinger Hannah Blaylock is no longer with Edens Edge, and is now pursuing a solo career.  According to a statement on Edens Edge’s website, the group “said farewell to a founding member of the group, who left upon her own accord and with much disappointment. They played their final show on February 22, 2013 at The Grand Ole Opry. Dean & Cherrill would like to personally thank Scott Borchetta for his belief and support in Edens Edge. They’re forever grateful for the time spent inside the Big Machine family.”
Dean Berner says, “We’re literally living on the ‘edge’ right now, as we regroup, write and the next chapter of our band is revealed. It’s a crazy but exciting time and we hope everyone will join us on the journey.” Band member Cherrill Green adds, “One of my favorite parts of the past few years, in addition to amazing tours and performing on the Opry stage, was getting to make and meet fans. Feeling supported and loved as you are following your dreams is one of the most amazing gifts. I can’t thank the fans enough, and we can’t wait to get back out there and see them all again.”
Blaylock said in a statement that she is “writing and building material for her new project.”

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word entertainmentlogo11Word Entertainment has appointed Dale Mathews as Sr. VP, Music Publishing and Church Resources. Mathews will report to Rod Riley, President and CEO, Word Entertainment, and will oversee Word’s newly combined Publishing and Print Music operations. Mathews was previously President of Brentwood-Benson Music Publishing.
“Dale’s track record speaks for itself,” said Riley. “His deep understanding of how to nurture songwriters, coupled with his tireless dedication to the church, makes him the perfect leader for this new role. Giving an executive of his caliber oversight of both our publishing and print music businesses will enable us to innovate and better serve our artists, songwriters and the church. I am thrilled to have Dale join our family and look forward to all of the future success he will bring to Word.”
“To join Word Entertainment, home to one of the most iconic music publishing houses in the history of Christian Music, is a huge honor for me,” said Mathews. “I have always admired this great company, from its amazing song catalog and church music legacy, to its reputation as being the industry leader in breaking new talent. I look forward to working with all of the songwriters, artists, and managers as we shape the future of Word Music’s publishing and print music businesses together.”

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McGhee Entertainment has added rock band A Thousand Horses to their growing Nashville Roster. President Scott McGhee will oversee their day-to-day schedules in-hand with CEO Doc McGhee. McGhee Entertainment’s roster also includes Clint Black, Joel Crouse, Mallary Hope, Darius Rucker, Chuck Wicks, The Willis Clan and more.

 “We couldn’t be happier to join forces with A Thousand Horses,” says McGhee Entertainment’s Scott McGhee. “They are everything we look for when seeking out new bands – they possess a solid touring history, write and record high-quality material and have a unique sound and image that sets them apart from the mainstream rock/country scenes. These guys are young, talented and have the passion to succeed in this business…we’re excited to be able to help push them to their maximum potential.”
Below, Back Row: Jeff Krones, CAA; Jonathan Carman, Drums for A Thousand Horses; Michael Hobby, Vocals, Harmonica for A Thousand Horses; Graham Deloach, Bass for A Thousand Horses; Bill Satcher, Lead Guitar for A Thousand Horses, Brinson Strickland, McGhee Entertainment.
Below, Front Row: Steve Markland, VP of A&R Warner/Chappell Music; Scott McGhee, President McGhee Entertainment; Doc McGhee, CEO McGhee Entertainment; Frank Rand, McGhee Entertainment
A Thousand Horses McGhee

 
 

Pandora Chairman To Exit

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pandora-logoPandora Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Joseph Kennedy will be leaving the company he has led since July 2004.
Pandora has been under fire in recent months for seeking to pay a lower royalty rate to songwriters, despite soaring earnings. The radio service had total revenue of $427.1 million and mobile revenue of $255.9 million in fiscal 2013. According to the company, it has over 67 million monthly active listeners, and accounts for over 8% of total U.S. radio listening.
Tim Westergren, Pandora Founder and Chief Strategy Officer, will remain onboard.

CBS Radio To Launch 'Amplify' Program

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cbsCBS Radio will unveil a trio of new initiatives under their “Amplify” program. “Impact” will focus on song or album releases, while “Launch” will provide exposure for up-and-coming artists. “Artist Hook Ups” will center on special promotions for CBS Radio listeners, according to Billboard.
Blake Shelton is one of the first two artists to be involved with the program. His latest album, Based On A True Story, releases March 26. Promotion for Based On A True Story will involve highlighting songs from the project, as well as offering listeners a chance to attend the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas.
Justin Timberlake‘s album “The 20/20 Experience,” which releases Tuesday, March 19, will also be promoted under Amplify.
 
 

The Band Perry to Headline 'Outnumber Hunger' Effort

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thebandperryGeneral Mills, Big Machine Label Group and Feeding America have teamed up for the second year in a row to Outnumber Hunger in a national initiative that helps fight hunger in local communities. New this year, the initiative will kick-off with an Outnumber Hunger Live! concert, headlined by The Band Perry, the face of this year’s Outnumber Hunger campaign. Outnumber Hunger programs have helped Feeding America secure more than 12 million meals since March 2012.
“One of our favorite things about writing and performing music, other than getting to play for our fans and country music family every night, is that it truly gives us a platform to help others,” said The Band Perry. “Last year, we had the opportunity to participate in Outnumber Hunger and our eyes were opened to the problem of hunger in America, which is why we so strongly support this cause and want to take an even bigger role in supporting Outnumber Hunger this year.”
According to the USDA, one in six Americans struggles with hunger, making the issue a growing reality in every community. By simply entering codes from specially-marked General Mills products, including Cheerios, Yoplait and Nature Valley, at OutnumberHunger.com, Americans can help Feeding America secure five meals for their local food bank. Consumers should look for specially-marked packages of General Mills products featuring The Band Perry, as well as an Outnumber Hunger code. For every code entered online by March 1, 2014, General Mills will donate $0.65 to Feeding America – enough to secure five meals on behalf of local food banks – up to a maximum total donation of $1,300,000. General Mills has already donated $700,000 and will donate up to an additional $600,000 based on online code entry and other consumer actions.
The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore, Greg Bates, Cassadee Pope and Florida Georgia Line will play a special concert to raise awareness for Outnumber Hunger, Outnumber Hunger Live!, on Friday, April 5 at The Orleans Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas as part of The Academy of Country Music ACM Experience, a three-day music event leading up to The 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. Concert attendees will have the opportunity to help Feeding America secure meals through special on-site activities.
Additional Big Machine Label Group artists who are encouraging participation include Rascal Flatts and Reba, as well as Eli Young Band, The Mavericks, Thomas Rhett, RaeLynn and Ella Mae Bowen.
“For the second year in a row, we are proud to come together with our artists, General Mills and Feeding America to help make a difference in local communities,” said Scott Borchetta, president and CEO of Big Machine Label Group. “This powerful group of partners is using its collective voice to rally Americans to help the 50 million people across our country who struggle with hunger.”
Outnumber Hunger products will be available first at Sam’s Club on March 12 and then available wherever General Mills products are sold starting in April. To help make a difference in your local community with Outnumber Hunger, visit www.OutnumberHunger.com.

Artist Updates (3-7-13)

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Darius Rucker filmed the clip for his latest single, “Wagon Wheel,” in Nashville earlier this week. The video, directed by Jim Wright, features several guest stars, including Jase, Korie, Sadie, Si and Willie Robertson from A&E’s Duck Dynasty, along with Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum.
“My wife came up with the idea to have the Duck Dynasty (DD) guys in the “Wagon Wheel” music video, and I thought we had no chance because they’re so busy so I never even said it out loud,” explains Rucker. “Thank God she called my manager because the DD folks took this video to a whole new level! Big thanks to them and Charles… It was a good time for sure, and I can’t wait to see how the video turns out!”
 “Wagon Wheel” was written by Ketch Secur of Old Crow Medicine Show and is based on a sketch by Bob Dylan. The single is from Rucker’s upcoming third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released this Spring.

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley, Darius Rucker and Jase Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley, Darius Rucker and Jase Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter


Pictured (L-R): Willie Robertson, Darius Rucker, Jim Wright, Sadie Robertson, Korie Robertson and Si Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

Pictured (L-R): Willie Robertson, Darius Rucker, Jim Wright, Sadie Robertson, Korie Robertson and Si Robertson. Photo: Joanna Carter

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brad paisley wheelhouse bookBrad Paisley’s first interactive book, Building A Wheelhouse, will release on April 9, simultaneously with Paisley’s album Wheelhouse. The Building A Wheelhouse interactive book, an iTunes exclusive, and the regular and deluxe versions of the Wheelhouse album are available for pre-order on the iTunes Store (www.iTunes.com/BradPaisley).
Building A Wheelhouse is an exploration of the recording process involved in Paisley’s 8th studio album, Wheelhouse. Designed with Apple’s digital book creation app, iBooks Author, Building A Wheelhouse offers an in-depth Multi-Touch look at the album, from both songwriting and production perspectives, with insights from Paisley and the collaborative team behind the making of this album. Developed by Slender Fungus, based in Los Angeles, this Multi-Touch book’s unique features include exclusive interviews, video and photo galleries.

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dolly

Dolly Parton


Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson will both appear on Paul Anka‘s upcoming album, Duets, scheduled for an April 9 release through Legacy. Nelson will join Anka on “Crazy,” while Parton will collaborate on “Do I Love You (Yes, in Every Way).”
Anka penned “Do I Love You…” and Donna Fargo took the song to No. 2 on Billboard‘s Hot Country Songs chart in 1978.

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Sarah Darling performed her single, “Home To Me,” on Monday’s episode of Late Night with Conan O’Brien.

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Conan O'Brien

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Darling and Conan O’Brien

 
 
 
 

NARM Educational Event Coming To Belmont

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BelmontLogo Blk_Vert [Converted]NARM is bringing two of its most popular conference series to Nashville on Friday, April 5. NARM and its digital division, digitalmusic.org, will present the event in conjunction with Belmont University and The Copyright Forum. The morning session is called The Music Startup Academy, followed by the afternoon Entertainment & Technology Law Conference. The conference will be held at Belmont University.
The Music Startup Academy, 9 a.m. to 12:15 p.m., teaches entrepreneurs, music startups, app developers, students, and music industry professionals about the interactions between labels and publishing companies, product licensing and royalty reporting, content acquisition, business development, and more.
NARMLogoNoTagThe Entertainment and Technology Law Conference, 1:30 p.m. to 6 p.m., brings together noted experts on music law to debate some of the most timely topics facing the industry. Panels include:
• Copyright Termination Update with moderator Duff Berschbeck, SVP, Legal Affairs and Business Development, Sony/ATV Music Publishing; Charlie Sanders, Counsel, Songwriters Guild of America; and Stephanie Tayler, Bone, McAllester, Norton PLLC.
• Cutting Edge Topics in Music Industry Litigation with Richard Busch, Partner, King & Ballow; and Christine Lepera, Partner, Mitchell Silberberg & Knupp.
• Licensing Music for Television with Jay Fialkov, Deputy General Counsel, WGBH; and Christian Horsnell, Milom Horsnell Crowe Rose Kelley PLC
Attendees can register for a full-day pass or an individual event at http://nashvillemusicbizevent.eventbrite.com. Full-day passes cost $179 for NARM members, $229 for non-members, and $99 for students and startups. Registration for the Entertainment & Technology Law Conference costs $149 for members, $199 for non-members, and $69 for students; and registration for the Music Startup Academy costs $49 across the board.

Aldean, Greenwood Surprise Guests At Scholarships For Heroes Concert

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Pictured (L-R): Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and the Tennessee National Guard Color Guard. Photo:Jeremy Westby

Pictured (L-R): Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and the Tennessee National Guard Color Guard. Photo:
Jeremy Westby


Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, The Grascals, Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka all made appearances during a free concert on Tuesday (March 5) as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes Event at Lipscomb University. The event is part of the university’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement program.
“The motto for the USO is ‘until they all come home.’ Last night’s event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home,” explained Greenwood. “I’m proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community.”
Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community. Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers’ Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.
“We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar,” said Daniels. “This shouldn’t be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn’t.”

Industry Ink (3-7-13)

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Shirley Hutchins

Shirley Hutchins


Music Row Administrators Group has announced their “2013 Spring Series” of speaker meetings, with an “Emphasis on Multi-Media.”
–On March 21, Mike Stewart, President and Founder of Soundpages, Inc. will speak. Soundpages, Inc. is a complete multi-media production facility in Atlanta. Stewart and Tom Long released “This Guitar Can Talk” and both will speak on making money online with music, books and video, using social media case studies. A Q&A will follow.
–On April 18, Savannah Music Group GM Bob Saporiti will speak. Throughout the 70s, Saporiti became owner/operator of Free Spirits Studios. In 1984, he became Nationa Promotion Director of Warner Bros. Records, where he rose through he ranks to Senior VP Promotions.
–On May 16, Sybril Bennett, Ph.D. and Exec. Director of the Department of Media Studies at Belmont University will speak. She coaches individuals and organiztions on implmenting multi-media strategies using traditional as well as social media.
All three meetings will be held on BMI Nashville’s 6th Floor Theater. Each meeting begins at 1 p.m. CT and will last approximately one hour. To be added to the MRAG e-vite directory, send name, company, contact info and e-mail address here. Reservations are required at each session.

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Pro Music Academy logo blackNashville’s Pro Music Academy will bring a unique twist to the traditional music lesson experience, thanks to the vision of drummer Chad Chapin and help from several top touring musicians. “I started PMA because it was really important to me to bridge the gap between aspiring musicians and working, professional musicians,” says Chapin, who founded Pro Music Academy and also serves as an instructor. “When I was growing up and dreaming about one day performing on stage, I had no access to the pros I would go see in concert or on television – so that was really the beginning of my idea behind Pro Music Academy!  We make it possible for students to learn from the players backing some of the biggest artists in music, and not just someone with technical knowledge, but musicians with real, ‘out-on-the-road’ life experience.”
Since opening Pro Music Academy in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood in June 2012, Chapin says the reaction from the local music community has been overwhelmingly positive, with the school currently serving more than 100 students and working with approximately 40 different instructor musicians. PMA offers weekly classes for students of all ages in guitar, drums, bass, piano/keyboards, songwriting, mandolin, cello and violin.  The school also offers vocal lessons from a host of renowned vocal coaches and works with students across the country.
Pro Music Academy is located at 2801 Bransford Ave., Nashville, TN 37204.  Contact PMA at (615) 200-0604.  A list of current instructors and pricing is available online at www.ProMusicAcademy.com.

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Dylan Altman

Dylan Altman


Songwriter Dylan Altman will be at Nashville’s Belcourt Taps on March 19 beginning at 9:30pm. Altman has had three No. 1 songs: Tim McGraw’s “Watch The Wind Blow By,”Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and most recently Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride.” Other artists who have recorded Dylan’s songs include Trace Adkins, Will Hoge and Gabe Dixon.  He is an avid supporter and volunteer for Musicians On Call, an organization that provides live music for patients in area hospitals, and he co-hosts an annual benefit for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) with good friend and frequent collaborator EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay.
Belcourt Taps is located at 2117 Belcourt Ave., Nashville 37212. For more information, call (615) 915-3622.

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Australian Country group The McClymonts will perform at an industry showcase this Monday (3/11) at 6pm at 12th & Porter in Nashville. Their Album Wrapped Up Good was the highest selling Australian album and 5th highest selling album on the ARIA Chart in 2010. The group was also awarded the CMA Global Artists of the Year in 2011. The band’s follow up album Two Worlds Collide won the 2012 ARIA Award for Best Australian Country Album and their last 8 singles have all reached the No. 1 position on the Australian Country Music Chart. RSVP to steve@stephenwhite.com.au to attend showcase.
mcclymonts