Americana Music Association Moving To Franklin

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HomeThe Americana Music Association is relocating to new office space in The Factory at Franklin. The organization, which is moving from its longtime home on East Iris Dr. in Nashville, will be sharing a suite with Sugar Hill Records and Dark Horse Recording.
AMA executive director Jed Hilly told MusicRow that he expects the move to be complete by March. He is enthusiastic about the office space being renovated specifically for the needs of his team, which is made up of four full-time staffers. “It’s an incredible space and incredible opportunity,” he said. As a non-profit organization, it is important to keep overhead low, and Hilly added that the group will be saving money with the move.
The address of the new office is not yet available.

American Songwriter’s Lyric Contest To Wrap

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LCAmerican Songwriter magazine will close its 2013 March/April Amateur Lyric Contest this Tuesday (Jan. 15) at midnight.
The contest, now in 27th year, has six bi-monthly contests and an annual Grand Prize Winner.
The Annual Grand Prize winner will be awarded a co-writing session with Lee Brice, who co-wrote his own No. 1 hit, “Woman Like You,” in addition to his co-write for Garth Brooks’ 2007 No. 1 comeback “More Than A Memory.” Additionally, they will receive a $4925 MSRP J-200 Acoustic Gibson Guitar and a Shure SM58 Microphone from contest sponsors.
Judges include Scott Billington (Rounder Records), Tom DeSavia (Songs Music Publishing), Tim Hunze (Parallel Music), Ali Tamposi (Songwriter), Carter Little (35Sound), Dave Barnes (Artist/Songwriter), Caine O’Rear (American Songwriter), Marshall Altman (Producer/Songwriter), Lee Dannay (Warner-Chappell Music), John Ritchie (American Songspace), Sue Drew (ASCAP), Jocelyn Harms (SESAC) and Bradley Collins (BMI).
September/October’s 2010 first place winner, Lance Carpenter, recently signed an exclusive worldwide publishing agreement with Songs of Bigger Picture.

Songwriting, Music Business Seminar to Benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters

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middletennessee1Publishers and hit songwriters will come together in Nashville to support Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee on Jan. 18 and 19.
On Friday, Jan. 18, songwriters Derec Rutan (Dierks Bentley’s “What Was I Thinkin'” and Eric Church’s “Hell on the Heart”), James T. Slater (Martina McBride’s “In My Daughter’s Eyes” and Tim McGraw’s “That’s Why God Made Mexico”) and others will perform during a songwriter’s round at Douglas Corner beginning at 8:30 p.m. Admittance to the event is $15.
On Saturday (Jan. 19), Tim Nichols (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying,” Jo Dee Messina’s “Heads Carolina, Tails California”), along with publishers from Big Machine (Mike Molinar), This Music (Rusty Gaston) and Parallel Music (Tim Hunze) will hold a panel discussion and answer questions related to the music industry. Participants will also have the opportunity to have their own songs critiqued by the publishers. The workshop is $100 and will run from 9:15 a.m. to 4:15 p.m. at Big Brothers Big Sisters’ offices.
Big Brothers Big Sisters provides at-risk youth with a positive mentor. To learn more about the events and to purchase tickets, visit www.mentorakid.org/songwritingworkshop.

Marco Promotions Launches Marco Tertiary, Adds To Staff

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James Freeman

James Freeman


Marco Promotions has launched Marco Tertiary, a new service that promotes singles to top tertiary radio stations across the United States. The service will focus on “music forward” stations in non-reporting markets.
“These stations are chosen for their proximity to larger markets, their musical aggressiveness and their potential to become reporting stations to one of the major charts in the future,” says Marco Productions VP Rick Kelly. “As digital sales become the norm across all genres, this direct impact on listeners becomes more and more valuable.”
The company currently services 75 tertiary radio stations, with plans to increase to 100 stations in 2013. The company continues to market and promote radio singles at the secondary level.
The organization has added MTSU alumnus James Freeman to handle day-to-day responsibilities of the tertiary service. Freeman will report to Kelly and to Marco radio manager Sarah Matlock.

ACM New Artist Nominees Announced

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acm_stepRepeat_tunein_logo_041212The Academy of Country Music announced Monday (Jan. 14) the nominees in three ACM Awards categories–New Female Vocalist, New Male Vocalist and New Vocal Duo or Group. These three categories will be opened up to fan voting, beginning on Monday, Jan. 21 via voteACM.com and GACtv.com/ACM.
The nominees include:
New Female Vocalist
Jana Kramer
Kacey Musgraves
Sunny Sweeney
New Male Vocalist
Lee Brice
Brantley Gilbert
Hunter Hayes
New Vocal Duo or Group
Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Thompson Square
The final three winners, who will be announced in February, will move on to compete for the title of ACM New Artist of the Year. Final round voting for New Artist of the Year will begin on March 25 and will close on April 7. The winner in the New Artist of the Year category will be announced during the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which broadcasts live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena on CBS on Sunday, April 7 at 8 p.m. ET.
 

Artists Give Back

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HN

Heidi Newfield


The National Multiple Sclerosis Society Mid-South Chapter will hold its 11th Annual Women Against MS Luncheon presented by Saint Thomas Health on Thursday (Feb. 21) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. To commemorate the 11th anniversary of the event, the honorary chair for this year is local country music artist Heidi Newfield. Newfield’s mother suffered from Multiple Sclerosis, and the singer-songwriter will share her story as well as a song that was written in honor of her mother. In addition to Newfield, a featured speaker will be Ronda Giangreco, author of The Gathering Table: Defying Multiple Sclerosis with a Year of Pasta, Wine & Friends. With steaming plates of pasta, Giangreco attempted to triumph over Multiple Sclerosis one week at a time.
“This event brings women together, some who are living with MS and some who’ve lived through it with a friend or family member. Others simply have a passion for helping others. What we end up with is a room full of empowered women who can truly make a difference in creating a world free of MS,” said Mid-South Chapter President Stacy Mulder.
Tickets are $65 each. All proceeds will go toward funding local patient programs and national research focused on finding the cause and cure for MS.

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Michael Martin Murphey


Michael Martin Murphey will perform a round robin benefit with his son, Grammy-nominated producer Ryan Murphey, on Thursday, (Jan. 17). The event will take place at Two Old Hippies at 5:00 p.m. CT.
The show will benefit the Fiona Rose Foundation, named for Fiona Rose Murphey (Ryan’s daughter), who suffers from Osteogenesis Imperfecta, a congenital condition that causes extremely fragile bones.

Artist News (1/14/13)

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David Wilson with McCready

David Wilson with McCready. Photo: Pearl Gabel


David Wilson (34), partner to Mindy McCready and father-figure to her two boys, 6-year-old Zander and and 9-month-old Zayne, passed away Sunday (Jan. 13). Wilson was from Heber Springs, Ark.
“David was my soulmate; he was a caregiver and guiding hand to our sons, Zander and Zayne,” said McCready via a statement. “He was a precious gift from God to all of us. Those who knew and loved him will miss him; those who did not know David missed the opportunity to know a truly loving and gifted man.”
No further details have been released. The family appreciates utmost care and consideration of their privacy while arrangements are made.

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Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson


Alan Jackson will headline the 5th Annual Stars Go Blue benefit on Wednesday (Mar. 20) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.
The intimate performance will benefit the Colon Cancer Alliance’s Blue Note Fund, founded by Nashville’s Charlie Kelley, to help colon cancer patients in need. Tickets go on sale Friday (Jan. 18) at 10 a.m. and can be purchased through Ticketmaster or at the Ryman boxoffice.
The Jacksons’ former home, Sweetbriar, is chronicled in a photo book to benefit the Blue Note Fund. The coffee table collection is available for $25 on Jackson’s website, while supplies last.
 

CMHoF Sets All-Time Attendance Record

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Bakersfield-IconThe Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum set an all-time attendance record in 2012, bringing in 564,777 visitors. It is the largest attendance total in the institution’s 45-year history. Accordingly, revenue also increased at the establishment.
Unique exhibitions, live programs and events attracted museum-goers. Among the current exhibitions are The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country; Taylor Swift: Speak Now—Treasures from the World Tour and Patsy Cline: Crazy for Loving You.
“We would like to thank our local, national and international visitors for such strong support,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “Our attendance revenue last year increased more than 15% over 2011, which was also a record year. Through November 2012, our operating revenues increased by about 9% over prior year, and we expect that number to hold through December 2012. In these challenging economic times, we don’t take this for granted.
“Finally, Nashville continues to thrive as a tourism destination, and we are happy to contribute to and benefit from this. There’s an incredible synergy happening in our city, and it’s exciting to be a part of it.”

Flying Island Entertainment Names New President

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Shelia Shipley Biddy

Shelia Shipley Biddy


Shelia Shipley Biddy has been named President of Flying Island Entertainment.
In the role, Shipley Biddy will continue to supervise and direct the promotion department, as well as take on more of a leadership role in the company, overseeing all aspects of the company including marketing. She will also cultivate new business partnerships which include special marketing projects for the label and clients, and develop artist promotions for the label’s Classic Country Media Services.
“Over the past 18 months I have had the pleasure of working with Shelia,” Flying Island Entertainment co-founder Louis Newman says via a release. “She never fails to impress with her keen knowledge, determination and grasp of what it takes to make it in the fast-paced, ever-changing entertainment environment. Shelia’s track record speaks for itself and she is a true leader for the music industry and I am thrilled to announce her as President.”
“While Flying Island Entertainment continues to be focused on its radio promotion service to all reporting stations, we are actively expanding into a full-service entertainment company and label operation for hire,” says Shipley Biddy. “We have a diverse, experienced staff that is available to serve the needs of a growing indie artist/label community by providing outsourced label services and specialty marketing plans. I am proud to lead the Flying Island team and honored that [co-founders] Nancy Eckert and Louis Newman trust me with the additional responsibility.”
Flying Island Entertainment launched in 2011; Shipley Biddy was previously Director of National Promotion for the organization.
Shipley Biddy was one of the first women to helm a major record label when she ran Decca Records. Her music industry career has included work in radio promotion, marketing, sales, artist management, music publishing and artist development.
Shipley Biddy can be reached at shelia@flyingislandentertainment.com and 615-478-8480.

BMLG, Red Light Management Team with Belmont University

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Ella Mae Bowen

Ella Mae Bowen


Nashville’s Belmont University has long been known as a place that turns out talented musicians and aspiring industry professionals each year. This year, Big Machine Label Group and Red Light Management have teamed with Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business to provide four Belmont student musicians with a choice internship.
The internship aims to give the students real-world performance experience with a signed artist. Four student musicians were chosen during auditions last November to perform with Big Machine Records artist Ella Mae Bowen. Each of the students will learn new material, rehearse with Ella Mae and perform a show at the end of the semester. Additionally, touring musicians, producers, road managers and booking agents will share information about the various aspects of the music industry.
“Our intent is to give Belmont students a real life experience,’ says Red Light Management’s Tracy Gershon, who will supervise the internship. “They will have scheduled rehearsals with Ella Mae and see what it is really like being a touring musician. In addition, they will hear from industry tastemakers and professional musicians, whose practical insight is invaluable.”
“As I record my debut album, I feel that this program will be a great way to work out arrangements with a live band,” says Bowen. “With an undeniable passion, Belmont has always been a great source for up-and-coming musicians and I believe this internship will be mutually beneficial for everyone involved.”