Artist Events Inc. Nashville Adds Two New Staffers

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Tim Gray

Tim Gray


Artist Events Inc. Nashville has added industry professional Tim “TJ” Gray as Booking Agent and Trent Houghton as New Agent Assistant/Office Manager.
Gray is the founder and former President of Concert Gorilla LLC., an entertainment company focusing on promotion, talent buying and booking based in Virginia Beach, Va. Gray was most recently working in the day-to-day management activities at Big Show Music Co., including artists Joe Diffie, Mickie James and Jeff Jenkins. He also handled all in-house artist bookings for the company. Gray will be working primarily with Artist Events expanding the emerging talent side of the roster and handling the North American club bookings. Gray’s diverse skill set includes video production, artist management and artist photography.
Houghton is a graduate of Belmont University and most recently interned at Outback Concerts.
Gary Kirves, Tim Gray and Trent Houghton can be reached at 615-309-0458 or Tim@artisteventsnashville.com

Primetime 'Nashville': 'You Win Again'

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Rayna and Juliette at the No. 1 party.

Rayna and Juliette at the No. 1 party.


Episode No. 111: “You Win Again”
Nashville debuted two songs on last night’s (Jan. 23) fast-paced episode. Scarlett and Gunnar offered “One Works Better,” written by Kate York, Tofer Brown, Natalie Hemby and Rosi Golan. During an outdoor concert festival at Belmont, Avery Barkley performed “Keep Asking Why” written by York and Erin McCarley.

Most of the action happened at the swanky soiree saluting Rayna and Juliette’s No. 1 duet “Wrong Song.” The affair was definitely a step up from the more informal No. 1 parties held on real-life Music Row. Chris Young, Brantley Gilbert and BMI’s Jody Williams exchanged pleasantries with Rayna during the scene. Elsewhere, radio personality Blair Garner played fan blogger Adam Wergeles and ruffled Juliette’s feathers by asking what it was like to write with a legend like Rayna Jaymes.
Juliette’s mom Jolene had a daylong reprieve from rehab so Juliette reluctantly let her tag along to the party. Jolene was out on the town because she had a court hearing, where Juliette gave an unconvincing and unsympathetic testimony on her mom’s behalf. But by the end of the episode, they reconciled and bonded.
The chemistry between producer Liam and Rayna was red-hot, in private and when he filled in onstage as her guitar player. But that relationship went up in flames at the No. 1 party when she found out that he had been manipulative and deceitful. Calista, the powerhouse head of Countless Records, was trying to woo Rayna away from longtime home Edgehill Republic, and Liam was encouraging the move. But at the party, Edgehill boss Marshall notified Rayna of a key piece of information Liam was withholding: Liam would get his own imprint at Countless if he brought Rayna on board with him. By the end of the episode, Rayna decided to stay with Edgehill, if she gets her own imprint.

Liam is a button pusher, whether it’s ticking off Juliette or questioning Rayna’s happiness with husband Teddy. Nashville’s new mayor Teddy seems to genuinely want to repair his marriage, but Rayna isn’t sure.
And Liam’s not the only guitar player in Rayna’s life giving her a hard time about her marriage. Deacon is at it again, during a scene in his front yard where he is putting out a For Sale sign.
After leaving the Revel Kings tour, Deacon is sinking low. Juliette wants to help him and convinces him to come on her tour as guitar player—much to the surprise of Rayna and Teddy who find out about this at the airport as they leave for the next round of concert dates.
Curious about the characters’ musical influences? Check out their playlists. 
 

Disney, Keds Tap Swift For Campaigns

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Swift's Disney Parks ad will appear in national publications.

Swift’s Disney Parks ad will appear in national publications.


Taylor Swift will be featured in marketing campaigns by Disney and Keds.
For Disney Parks’ ongoing Disney Dream Portrait series, she stars as Rapunzel in an image by legendary photographer Annie Leibovitz. The advertisement can be seen in upcoming issues of Vanity Fair, InStyle and People. 
Additionally, Keds is deepening its relationship with Swift, who will be the face of a new girl-power marketing campaign by the shoe company. The “Bravehearts” initiative encourages young females to be courageous, independent, confident, optimistic and unique. A dedicated website will debut soon at bravehearts.com. According to the New York Times, the campaign’s budget is estimated at $20 million.
Swift first partnered with Keds in October around the launch of her album Red, and the company released a special pair of red sneakers.
Digging further into Swift’s appeal as an endorser, the NYT reports her unusually high Q score, which ranks celebrity appeal. Swift scores a 24, compared with 17 for the average celebrity and 16 for the average female singer. For younger demographics, her Q score increases. It is 26 for females ages 13 to 24, and 45 for children ages 6 to 12.
Keds campaign

Jerry Duncan Promotions Adds Secondary Promotions Manager

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mariaJerry Duncan Promotions is pleased to welcome Belmont University graduate Maria Drummond as Secondary Promotions Manager.
In her new role, Drummond will focus on building and maintaining relationships with country radio stations stateside and abroad.
Drummond, 23, recently relocated back to her home state of Tennessee from New York City. She completed her Entertainment Industry Studies degree via Belmont East with internships at SiriusXM and The Press House, a boutique publicity firm. Her resume also includes time at AAM Management and Outpost Digital.
“It’s very exciting,” Drummond says, “I’m working for a company with over 65 Number One records to its name. I’m thrilled to be with Jerry and Lisa, who have both been instrumental in breaking many of the biggest acts in country music.”
Drummond can be reached at maria@duncanpromo.com.

Southern Ground Names Two Promo VPs

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sgaZac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists has promoted both Mara Sidweber and Chuck Swaney to Vice President of Radio Promotion.
Sidweber has been with ZBB for over four years, while Swaney recently hit the two-year mark after returning to the team in July 2012. As VPs, the two will jointly handle all relationships with national radio corporations and consultants, while also maintaining internal operations, and their respective regional duties, West Coast/Southwest and Midwest/Southwest.
“Our goal is to exceed people’s expectations with service and hospitality, and now that we have our ‘A’ team of passionate people in place, I couldn’t be more proud,” said Zac Brown. “They work hard for us every single day, and we’re so happy they’re part of the Southern Ground family.”
Sidweber, who is based in Dallas, previously worked at Capitol Records helping to launch the country radio careers of Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, and Darius Rucker. Swaney, based in Nashville, has over 30 years experience in the industry, working at Capitol, Mercury, Sony, and most recently EMI Nashville, promoting a wide range of artists, including Bob Seger, Bonnie Raitt, and Eric Church.
The SGA in-house radio team, also includes radio promotions executives Neda Tobin (Southeast), Paul Williams (Northeast), and Clay Henderson (Director of Syndication and Special Projects).
Zac Brown Band’s recent hit “Goodbye In Her Eyes” marks the band’s 10th country radio charttopper.

Kobalt Music Group Signs Lady Antebellum

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Pictured (L to R): Dave Haywood, Kobalt’s Director of Creative Jeff Skaggs, Hillary Scott, Kobalt SVP Creative Whitney Daane, Charles Kelley, Kobalt VP of Creative Stephanie Cox, and Lady Antebellum attorney Linda Edell Howard of Adams & Reese.

Pictured (L to R): Dave Haywood, Kobalt’s Director of Creative Jeff Skaggs, Hillary Scott, Kobalt SVP Creative Whitney Daane, Charles Kelley, Kobalt VP of Creative Stephanie Cox, and Lady Antebellum attorney Linda Edell Howard of Adams & Reese.


Kobalt Music Group (Kobalt) has inked an exclusive, worldwide administration deal with trio Lady Antebellum.

Through the deal Kobalt will provide full global creative and synch services and represent all songs written by the trio (Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood) for their highly anticipated, upcoming Capitol Nashville release.

In addition, Kobalt will also represent select Lady Antebellum catalog repertoire, including works on their 2011 album, Own The Night (Capitol Nashville), including the recent smash hits “We Owned The Night” and “Just A Kiss,” and the songs “Cold As Stone,” “Singing Me Home,” and “Somewhere Love Remains,” among others.

“It is a privilege to have the opportunity to work with such unique individual and collective talent as Charles Kelley, Dave Haywood and Hillary Scott,” said Whitney Daane, Sr. VP of Kobalt Music Group. “As songwriters, they each bring their own creative vision for Lady Antebellum. Their collaboration has created one of country music’s top bands, and they are truly a global ambassador for the format. We are honored that Lady Antebellum has chosen Kobalt and look forward to being a part of their ongoing and future success.”

“It’s very gratifying to be recognized by Lady Antebellum and their team as their publishing partner. As writers and performers they are one of music’s most respected acts. We look forward to a long relationship,” said Richard Sanders, President of Kobalt Music Group.

First 'Country Music Cruise' Announces Performers

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cruiseThe first Country Music Cruise will launch in early 2014 and sail through the Caribbean with Vince Gill, Kenny Rogers, Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Patty Loveless, Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Milsap and Restless Heart. Television personality Lorraine Crook will host. The cruise will hold intimate concerts every day, exclusive events, activities, comedians, world class dining, deluxe accommodations and much more for seven luxurious days aboard Holland America’s MS Eurodam.
“This will be the Country Music party of a lifetime. Real stars, real music and real friends, both old and new” said Mike Jason, Sr. VP Retail, StarVista Entertainment/Time Life.
”We have produced over 35 full ship charter music cruises and ‘Country Music’ is a perfect genre for an exciting and overall cruise experience,” said Michael Lazaroff, Executive Director of Entertainment Cruise Productions. The programming and entertainment opportunities for the Country Music Cruise are unparalleled. It will be so much fun.”
Cabins are available now at www.CountryMusicCruise.com or by calling (toll free) 1-855-332-6868. Early reservation Country Music Cruise fan rates start at $1,925 per person and include all meals, concerts, entertainment and on-board activities.

Underwood, Aerosmith Duet Released To Radio

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Carrie Underwood
Rock band Aerosmith released “Can’t Stop Lovin’ You,” a duet with Carrie Underwood, to radio stations on Jan. 21.
During a recent interview with Rolling Stone magazine, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler described the record, saying, “I sang it a little country & western…and all along we thought, should we get someone in…It was last-minute.  She [Carrie] was in town doing something. I called her up and she said, ‘I’m leaving tomorrow.’ And I said, ‘Can you come over tonight?’ I called Joe [Perry] up, and the rest is history. She just did it. It really does work.”
Underwood and Tyler first paired for a duet of Underwood’s “Undo It” and Aerosmith’s “Walk This Way” at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards in 2011. They later teamed up for an episode of CMT Crossroads in early 2012.

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Carrie Underwood also released the video for her latest single, “Two Black Cadillacs.” The edgy, dark clip about two women who plot revenge against a cheating husband gets an eerie treatment at the end.

YouTube video

 

Artists Announced For Sixth Annual Jeffrey Steele and Friends

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Jeffrey Steele

Jeffrey Steele


Jeffrey Steele will welcome Billy Ray Cyrus, Gloriana, Colt Ford, Chris Janson, The Suggah Pies and LoCash Cowboys, along with additional unannounced artists, for the sixth annual Jeffrey Steele and Friends benefit concert. The event will raise funds for the Alex LeVasseur Memorial Fund for The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
The event, held in memory of Steele’s late son Alex LeVasseur, will be held on Tuesday, March 12, at the Franklin Theatre (419 Main Street, Franklin, Tenn.) beginning at 7:00 p.m.
Doors open at 6:30 p.m. A limited number of $1,000 VIP balcony seating packages are available, which include four seats and a VIP reception from 5:30-6:30 p.m., with wine and heavy hors d’oeuvres from Carrabba’s Italian Grill. General admission tickets are available for $75 and $100. The Franklin Threatre will have food and beverages on sale for attendees.
The event also features a live auction;  items include an Academy of Country Music ticket package, an autographed guitar from Kenny Chesney and additional items.
For tickets and information, visit www.cfmt.org/attend.
 
 
 

Miranda Lambert Teams with Pedigree Brand

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Miranda Lambert PedigreeRCA’s Miranda Lambert has partnered with Pedigree Brand® to launch a search for the next community that can benefit from The Pedigree Feeding Project, an initiative that launched in Nashville, Tenn. and in Chicago. The project provides animal shelters with dog food, 100 percent cost-free.
“I have worked hard to help homeless dogs and to raise money for the shelters that support them tirelessly,” says Lambert, who is the owner of six adopted dogs. “These shelters are seeing a big difference in their dogs’ well-being, helping them increase their chances of finding a home.”
Now they are looking for the next neighborhood that will benefit from the Pedigree Feeding Project. From now until the end of February, visit Facebook.com/Pedigree to nominate a community.

Watch Miranda’s video for The Pedigree Feeding Project below.

http://youtu.be/diae7iOIaiw