Nancy Shapiro Honored By Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

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(l-r): Vice President of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Randy Scruggs, Nancy Shapiro, Gibson Guitar Corporation President Dave Berryman, Gary Scruggs, Museum Editor Michael Gray and Gibson Foundation Executive Director Nina Miller. Photo: Donn Jones

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Sixth Annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum Presented by the Gibson Foundation honored Recording Academy President of Membership Services Nancy Shapiro on Monday (Dec. 3) during an event at the Hall’s Ford Theater.

After joining the Recording Academy in 1985, Shapiro championed programs involving music and education communities across the country. Shapiro is the highest ranking woman at the Recording Academy, the organization behind the Grammy Awards, the charitable MusiCares Foundation and more.

Shapiro studied elementary education at the University of Oklahoma and spent time as a stay-at-home mom before moving with her family to Nashville in 1975. She worked as a catering sales manager for a Nashville hotel and then as a publicist for a TV production company before accepting a position as executive director of the Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter in 1985.

Nearly three decades later, Shapiro has risen through the ranks, serving as South Regional Director and then National Field Director. She helped establish five new chapters—Texas, Florida, Pacific Northwest, Philadelphia and Washington, D.C. In 2012, Shapiro was promoted to Senior Vice President of Membership Services. Based in Nashville and Los Angeles, she oversees all 12 of the Recording Academy chapters across the country, as well as the organization’s Corporate Governance, GRAMMY U, Producers & Engineers Wing and GRAMMY Professional Development arms.

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Other upcoming events at the Hall include a Sat., Dec. 15 panel discussion and concert in conjunction with current exhibition The Bakersfield Sound: Buck Owens, Merle Haggard and California Country. The panel discussion, titled California Angels: Women of West Coast Country, will feature five artists who rose to prominence while performing in the Golden State: Kay Adams, Lorrie Collins,Rosie Flores, Rose Lee Maphis and Country Music Hall of Fame member Jean Shepard. The program, which will be moderated by California-based music journalist Scott B. Bomar, begins at 11:00 a.m. in the Ford Theater.

At 2:00 p.m., Rosie Flores will return to the Ford Theater stage for a concert. Both programs are included with museum admission and free for museum members. Details at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.

Industry Photos (12/4/2012)

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Lady Antebellum was honored with the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award, formerly the International Touring Artist Award during the trio’s press conference Monday (12/3) announcing LadyAID. The award, presented by CMA’s Steve Moore, recognizes outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the U.S. The “Need You Now” trio has performed in 11 countries with recognitions from the CCMA (Canada), Brit Awards (UK), CMC Music Awards (Australia) and Juno Awards (Canada).

Pictured (L-R): Hillary Scott, Moore, and Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood. Photo: Donn Jones

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BMG Chrysalis Nashville has signed artist/writer Hailey Steele to an exclusive songwriter agreement. Steele is a cowriter on Raelynn’s upcoming Republic Nashville single, “Boyfriend,” and was a previous contestant on The Voice.

BMG Chrysalis signs Hailey Steele. Pictured (L-R) Seated: Sara Johnson (Sr. Director, Creative), Hailey Steele, Tyler Middleton (atty., Graffam Middleton). Standing: Darrell Franklin (Executive VP), Scott Knabe (Scott Knabe Management), and BMI's Bradley Collins. Photo: Drew Maynard

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The ACM welcomed Jason Sturgeon as a professional member of the organization. He visited the ACM offices recently during a trip to Los Angeles and performed current single, “Time Bomb.” Click here to watch a video of the visit.

Pictured (L-R): Michelle Goble (Membership & Industry Relations), Jason Sturgeon, Dennis Kurtz (Showgun Ent.). Photo: Michel Bourquard

Clint Black’s Father Passes

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MusicRow extends condolences to Clint Black and his family on the recent loss of Black’s father, G.A. Black, who died on Sunday (Dec. 2) at the age of 78. According to a statement, it is believed that the elder Black chose to end his own suffering due to the loss of his wife and his own declining health. He had given no prior indication of his plans to family or friends.

“Our family is devastated by this news,” Clint said via a statement. “We are still in the beginning stages of preparations to honor our father, and at this time, we respectfully ask for privacy until we have had the opportunity to fully process what’s transpired over the last 48 hours.”Black is survived by sons Mark, Brian, Kevin, Clint and his extended family.

Shelton Christmas Special Blends Humor With Star-Studded Lineup

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Fans of Blake Shelton and NBC’s The Voice are well aware of this entertainer’s hilarious wit and endearing charm. Shelton brought his brand of slightly off-color Christmas spirit to primetime television with NBC’s Blake Shelton’s Not-So-Family Christmas special Monday night (12/3). The singer-songwriter blended comedy, guest star appearances and performances of tunes from his album Cheers, It’s Christmas.

After an opening skit featuring Shelton performing “Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire” while wearing an elf costume, he performed a solo rendition of “Let It Snow” (trading the costume for a sleek suit jacket and jeans). He welcomed Kelly Clarkson for a comedic skit, where the former American Idol winner seemed to think Shelton’s holiday special was a singing competition. “It’s 2012, people are singing, it’s a competition,” quipped Clarkson. After Clarkson showed off some of her powerhouse vocal riffs, she and Shelton performed their holiday duet, “There’s A New Kid in Town.”

Shelton’s fellow The Voice coach Christina Aguilera made a brief appearance to play a fake The Voice commercial in which Shelton tries to sell a “Just-Like-The-Voice” chair–a duct-taped chair adorned with a bell, a knockoff version of his coach’s chair from the hit reality singing competition.

Shelton welcomed his mother Dorothy Shackleford and they sang “Time For Me To Come Home,” an appropriate tune about going to see your mother at Christmas.

In perhaps the most hilarious skit of the program, Shelton and Larry The Cable Guy were in the claymation style of classic Christmas shows including Rudolph The Red-nosed Reindeer and Frosty The Snowman. What started as a hunting trip goes sour when the pair ultimately killed nearly every beloved Christmas character. Even Shelton later admitted the scene was a little dark.

Reba, who looked regal in a stunning red gown, appeared to present Shelton with an early Christmas present–the original hand-written lyrics to “Heartbreak Hotel,” penned by Mae Boren Axton and Tommy Durden, and recorded by Elvis Presley. Shelton’s gift to Reba? One of his “Just-Like-The-Voice” chairs. Quick-witted Reba tried to decline the gift by explaining that she didn’t have room for the present in her car. The pair then performed “Let’s Have An Oklahoma Christmas.”

Shelton’s final special guest of the evening was wife Miranda Lambert, who joined him on a Christmas version of “Home,” the Michael Buble classic which Shelton remade into a No. 1 song. “I thought there needed to be one serious moment. I’m the wife that’s what I’m here for,” Lambert said jokingly before sharing how special the song is for the couple. “We don’t get to spend that much time at home as a family.”

All of the evening’s performers then joined each other onstage to thank the live audience for its support. All in all, the special hit the right blend of humor, musicality and heartfelt emotion.

Following a two-hour semifinals broadcast of The Voice, the 10 p.m. ET holiday special pulled in an average of 8.96 million viewers, according to hitfix.com.

MusicRowPics: CMT’s Artist of the Year Special

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A star-studded lineup turned out for the 2012 CMT Artists of the Year ceremony last night (12/3) at the Factory at Franklin. The event was hosted by Rascal Flatts and Hayden Panettiere.

Among the entertainment and sports celebrities appearing or performing were Jason Aldean, Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Kenny Chesney, Miranda Lambert, Eric Church, Merle Haggard, Ludacris, Luke Bryan, Eli Young Band, Morgan Freeman, Craig Ferguson, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young, Mike Fisher, Sammy Hagar, Hunter Hayes, Metallica’s James Hetfield, Chipper Jones, Kid Rock, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Carrington, Roger Clemens, Kacey Musgraves, Kenny Rogers,Thompson Square, and OneRepublic frontman Ryan Tedder.

For the first time, CMT is keeping the list of honorees secret until the 90-minute telecast airs on the network this weekend (12/8), at 10:00 p.m. ET.

Executive producers are John Hamlin, R.A. Clark and Margaret Comeaux.

Photos: Alan Mayor

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Scotty McCreery Christmas Album Goes Gold

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Scotty McCreery is set to make the television rounds in support of his first holiday album, Christmas with Scotty McCreery. The album has already been certified Gold by the RIAA for over 500,000 copies shipped.

McCreery will appear on ABC’s Good Morning America on Dec. 11 and again on Dec. 24. He will be a presenter on the American Country Awards, which airs Dec. 10 on Fox at 7 p.m. CT. The singer will also perform as part of CMA Country Christmas, which airs on ABC Dec. 20 at 8 p.m. CT.

Additionally, he will appear on the 10th Annual Hollywood Christmas Celebration At The Grove, a nationally syndicated TV special which is airing across the country for the next six weeks (check local listings for show times).

His GAC special, Christmas with Scotty McCreery & Friends, will re-air numerous times in the coming weeks.

Fans can catch McCreery at an in-store appearance at Nashville’s Opry Originals retail outlet on Friday (Dec. 7) signing copies of his Christmas album.

Randy Houser Sets Stoney Creek Debut

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Randy Houser will release his third album, How Country Feels, on January 22, 2013, marking his debut for Stoney Creek Records.

The 15-track collection, produced by Derek George, features seven songs penned by Houser and a duet with labelmate Kristy Lee Cook.

“I’ve wanted to work with [Derek] since day one,” says Houser. “We just clicked… he comes from my home state of Mississippi and we share a similar creative vision that I think really shines through on this new album.”

Houser’s fastest-climbing single and title-track on the forthcoming release has sold over 250k units to date. He recently wrapped his headlining Jagermeister Presents Tour. For more information, visit www.randyhouser.com.

How Country Feels Tracklist:
1. “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”
2. “Growin’ Younger”
3. “Top Of The World”
4. “The Singer”
5. “Power Of A Song”
6. “Absolutely Nothing”
7. “Wherever Love Goes” (with Kristy Lee Cook)
8. “Like A Cowboy”
9. “How Country Feels”
10. “Along For The Ride”
11. “Sunshine On the Line”
12. “Goodnight Kiss”
13. “Let’s Not Let It”
14. “Shine”
15. “Route 3 Box 250 D”

Carrie Underwood Adds International Tour Dates

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Carrie Underwood will take The Blown Away Tour overseas in 2013. The tour will visit Dublin on March 14, Belfast on March 15, and then London, England on March 17, where Underwood will headline the first-ever “Country To Country” music festival being held at London’s O2 Arena.

Four stops in Canada have been added next year, bringing the total number of shows on the tour’s run to over 100. The Canada dates include stops at Mosaic Place in Moose Jaw, SK on May 17; at EnCana Events Center in Dawson Creek, BC on May 20; at CN Centre in Prince George, BC on May 21; and at Abbotsford Entertainment & Sports Centre in Abbotsford, BC on May 23.

Industry Notes (12/4/2012)

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• • •Amazon has tapped Harry Fox Agency for Licensing services for enhancements to its digital music locker, which Amazon calls its Cloud Player. In addition to handling license issuance, HFA will provide data management services to Amazon, matching millions of tracks to underlying compositions and identifying copyright owners. HFA will also process royalty distributions for Amazon, ensuring timely and efficient payments to publishers. For more information, visit harryfox.com.

• • • America’s Got Talent will hold auditions in Nashville on Dec. 13, and will run from 8 a.m. until 10 p.m. Auditions will be held at the Nashville Convention Center, located at 601 Commerce Street. To pre-register for an audition, visit AGTAuditions.com.

• • • The CRS 2013 Rusty Walker Scholarships recipients have been announced. The three inaugural winners are: Jeff Harju (GM, WHKB/Houghton, MI), Cynthia Hayward (Air Personality/MD/Asst. PD, KMOK-FM/Lewiston, ID) and Courtney Smith (Promotions Director, WOLF/Syracuse, NY).  The winners will receive an expense-paid trip and complimentary registration to Country Radio Seminar 2013, held Feb. 27 – March 1, in Nashville, Tenn.

• • • The Warren Brothers, writers behind Toby Keith‘s hit “Red Solo Cup,” are available for booking through The Songwriter’s Agency, Inc. The duo’s songs have been recorded by Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley and others. For information, call 1-615-879-1224.

• • • More tickets have been released for The Grammy Nominations Concert LIVE!!–Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night. The show will take place on Wednesday (Dec. 5) at 9 p.m. CT at the Bridgestone Arena. Tickets are available online at www.ticketmaster.com or via Ticketmaster charge-by-phone lines at 800-745-3000.

• • • PLA Media is accepting applications for two immediate part-time publicist positions, which could potentially lead to full-time work based on performance. Submit resumes here. For more information, visit plamedia.com.

 

 

Americana Music Association Elects Board

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Members of the Americana Music Association have elected six new people to its board of directors, set to serve two-year terms each. Additionally, three directors have been appointed to one-year terms. All terms start in January 2013.

In all, the board is made up of 21 members from across the country.

The six new or re-elected directors are artist Mary Gauthier, Amanda Hale of New West Records, Al Moss from Al Moss Promotions, Jessie Scott from Music Fog/Hill Country, Shauna de Cartier of Six Shooter Records and Lynne Sheridan from the GRAMMY Museum.

Appointed directors are Tim Fink from SESAC, John Ingrassia of Vector Management and Jonathan Levine from Paradigm. These individuals join re-appointed voting board members Kurt Vitolo of KV Financial Group, P.C. who will continue to serve as Treasurer, and Mark Moffatt, Chair of the Association’s International Committee.

The incoming directors join returning board members AC Entertainment’s Ashley Capps, Voice of America’s Joan Kornblith, BMG Chrysalis’ John Allen, Austin City Limits Executive Producer Terry Lickona, former Rounder Records VP Brad Paul, attorney Wayne Halper, Crash Avenue’s Emilee Warner, Ramseur Records’ Holly Lowman and artists Rodney Crowell and Buddy Miller.  

The 2013 executive committee will be elected at the annual board retreat in January, which will take place in Nashville. Earlier this year, the Association implemented an executive transition structure in which the board elects a President-elect each year. The President-elect becomes the President the following year and then serves a third term as Past-President.

Effective for 2013, Lowman will assume the position of President. She will be the youngest President in the Association’s 13-year history. Brad Paul will serve as Past-President in 2013.