Industry Ink (11/12/12)

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Morris Artists Management Senior Director Tiffany Benken has exited her position with the company. Reach her at tbenken@me.com or at 615-476-9455.

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The Future of Music Summit takes place in Washington, DC tomorrow (11/13) with appearances and discussions by Pandora’s Tim Westergren, Senator Ron Wyden, and Artist Growth CEO Matt Urmy. The proceedings are happening all day, and those who can’t attend can watch online here.

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Spirit Music founder and president Mark Fried has been appointed to the National Music Publishers’ Association Board of Directors, effective immediately. Fried founded Spirit in 1995 and the company’s catalog includes works by The Who, Charles Mingus, The Velvet Underground, and more. He previously spent a decade with BMI and also was part of the team that helped launch Spin Magazine.

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Word Music Publishing has announced the signing of writer and producer Justin Ebach, who recently celebrated his new agreement with Word and SESAC executives.

(L-R): Word Music Publishing’s Chad Green, SESAC’s John Mullins, Word writer/producer Justin Ebach, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Word Music Publishing’s Chad Segura. Photo: Ed Rode

Better Angels Music Restructures

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Better Angels Music CEO and Creative Director, Rob Rappaport, has exited the 5-year-old company. Stepping in to replace him is Better Angels owner, John McDonald. Shellien Butts continues in her role as Administration Manager and songplugger.

The publishing company’s writing roster has also been updated with the addition of Michael Howard (“Church Pew or Barstool” by Jason Aldean) and Blue Foley (“There She Goes” by The Dirt Drifters) following the departure of three of its writers.

“Change is a good thing!” said Gary Ray, who remains in his position as Vice President and will assume the role of Creative Director. “I am super excited about the new direction of the company and its future in Nashville.”

Clay Henderson Joins Southern Ground

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Promotion veteran Clay Henderson has joined the Southern Ground Artists radio team as Director of Syndication and Special Projects and will be based out of SGA’s Nashville offices. Previously, Henderson served in the same capacity with Broken Bow Music Group. His first day on the job will be Nov. 26.

“I’m looking forward to joining the Southern Ground family. I can’t wait to share their vision and be a part of the way they redefine the music business,” says Henderson.

Henderson joins the newly appointed in-house SGA radio promotion team, which includes Mara Sidweber (West Coast, Southwest), Chuck Swaney (Midwest, Southwest), Neda Tobin (Southeast) and Paul Williams (Northeast).

Katie Armiger to Release Fourth Album

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Katie Armiger will release her fourth studio album Fall Into Me Jan. 15 on Cold River Records. Armiger had a hand in writing all 14 tracks on the album and worked with Grammy Award-winning producer Chad Carlson on the project. Fall Into Me will include Armiger’s current single “Better In A Black Dress,” which is her first Top 40 charting song.

“We took our time making this record because I had a personal story to tell and as a songwriter I wanted to really showcase the past two years in the music,” said Armiger. “I worked with so many amazing people for the album and I am so proud of it because I think everyone will relate to each song. I cannot wait to get it out there.”

Armiger worked with several songwriters for the album including Blair Daly (Faith Hill, Keith Urban), Joe West (Julianne Hough, Toby Keith), Bruce Wallace (Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins), and Skid Mills (Saving Abel, Sister Hazel). She is currently out on the Get Smart Tour sponsored by Great American Country (GAC) through the end of November.

Benefit News

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Black River Entertainment is offering a free download of the song “What Would You Take” to encourage donations to the American Red Cross and the Salvation Army to help those affected by Hurricane Sandy. The song was penned by hitmakers Doug Johnson and Steve Diamond. In the spirit of expediting the process, Black River Entertainment has made the song available to radio and media outlets for their use. Please visit www.whatwouldyoutake.com to make a donation and download the song for free.

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A benefit for the children of late songplugger Shannon Martin Hunter will be held tonight (11/12) at Margaritaville. Set to perform are Ashley Gorley, Chuck Jones, JoAnna Janét, Melissa Peirce, Mark Alan Springer, Arlos Smith and Phil Barton.

Hunter passed away suddenly in March at age 39. She spent several years working on Music Row in the late ’90’s with stops at Hamstein, Masville Music, and Malaco Music Group. She left Malaco to relocate to Maine and focus on raising a family. All proceeds from this event will go to Shannon’s four young children who have since relocated back to the Nashville area. Show is 7:00 – 9:00 PM, with a $10 donation at the door.

 

New Signings (11/12/12)

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Beausoleil avec Michael Doucet

Nashville-based roots label Compass Records has signed Grammy Award-winning Cajun group BeauSoleil avec Michael Doucet. The band has begun working on its Compass debut album From Bamako to Carencro, due out in early 2013.

The title refers to to the cultural connections between Bamako, Mali and Carencro, outside Lafayette, Louisiana, but musically it will explore even further. “BeauSoleil has brought Cajun/Creole-rooted music to the world since 1975, and Nashville and the land of the bayous have been sharing musicians and songs since the early 1920s. I’m looking forward to expanding and retelling some of these musical occurrences on our new Compass release,” says Doucet.

Band leader Doucet previously collaborated with Compass on the Fiddlers 4 album with Darol Anger, Bruce Molsky, and Rushad Eggleston in 2002.

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Fellow Louisianan and soul singer Marc Broussard has signed a recording agreement with Vanguard Records. Broussard’s new album A Life Worth Living, which pays tribute to the singer’s late grandmother, will be released in early 2013. He also has one upcoming tour stop scheduled for Wednesday (11/14) at Yoshi’s in San Francisco.

Broussard is the son of former Boogie Kings guitarist Ted Broussard. He has toured with Dave Matthews Band, Maroon 5, Bonnie Raitt, Willie Nelson, and more.

eBay and AEG Align

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eBay Inc. and AEG have announced a global partnership that will involve venue sponsorships and technology integrations. Multiple eBay digital properties and AEG venues will be included in the multi-year agreement aimed at improving live event experience for fans worldwide.

Beginning in Q1 of 2013, eBay’s StubHub ticket resale property will becoming the exclusive secondary ticketing outlet for AEG venues and its AXS Ticketing platform. StubHub will also be the official Secondary Partner of the Staples Center, the LA Kings, and the LA Galaxy starting with the 2013-2014 seasons. Additionally, PayPal will become one of AXS Ticketing’s new payment methods, and AEG’s BandMerch will be available in the eBay marketplace.

“Technology is revolutionizing commerce, and eBay Inc. is working with leading companies around the world to use our platforms to bring innovative new experiences to consumers,” said Devin Wenig, president of eBay marketplaces. “Integrating our technology platforms with AEG is a natural fit for eBay Inc., and allows our companies to give fans nearly unprecedented access to the events, performers and athletes they love.”

”eBay is one of the most complete and well-rounded e-commerce and technology companies in the world and pairing our combined capabilities and global reach is an exciting opportunity” said Tim Leiweke, president and CEO, AEG. “This partnership will help bring even deeper digital resources and online marketing reach to the AXS Ticketing platform and will allow us to continue to transform the live event fan experience.”

George Jones Reveals Final Nashville Concert

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George Jones will play his final concert in Nashville during the farewell Grand Tour when he stops at the Bridgestone Arena on Nov. 22, 2013, along with special guest Tanya Tucker.

“The Grand Tour will have surprises throughout the shows – you never know who may show up!” said Jones. “The Possum has lots of friends so it is going to be the most exciting thing to see who shows up during the final show.”

The Nashville show is among approximately 60 dates The Possum will visit during his farewell tour (announced dates below), which will include surprise guests at various stops.

Tickets for the Nashville show go on sale Friday, November 16 at 10 am at all Ticketmaster locations.

The tour will be promoted by Outback Concerts. Visit www.georgejones.com for more information.

The Grand Tour (2012-2013)
11/09 – Branson, MO – The Mansion Theatre
11/10 – Morton, MN – Jackpot Junction Casino
11/16 – Peoria, IL – Peoria Civic Center
11/17 – Hiawassee, GA – Anderson Music Hall
11/23 – Winnie, TX – Nutty Jerry’s Winnie Arena
11/24 – Bossier City, LA – Horseshoe Casino
12/01 – Elizabeth, IN – Horseshoe Casino
12/15 – Jackson, TN – Carl Perkins Civic Center
02/02 – Tunica, MS – Sam’s Town
02/07 – Lakeland, FL – Youkey Theater
02/22 – Greenville, TX – Greenville Memorial Auditorium
02/23 – Forrest City, AR – East Arkansas Community College
03/15 – Joliet, IL – Realto Square Theater
03/16 – Muncie, IN – Emens Auditorium
03/22 – Chattanooga, TN – Memorial Auditorium
04/05 – Fairfax, VA – Patriot Center
04/06 – Knoxville, TN – Knoxville Coliseum
04/19 – Atlanta, GA – Fox Theater
04/20 – Salem, VA – Salem Civic Center
04/27 – Huntsville, AL – Mark C. Smith Concert Hall
05/17 – Charlottesville, VA – John Paul Jones Arena
05/18 – Spartanburg, SC – Memorial Auditorium
06/01 – North Tonawanda, NY – Riviera Theater
06/02 – Lancaster, PA – American Music Theater
11/09 – Grant, OK – Choctaw Event Center
11/22 – Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena

RIAA Issues Fall Gold & Platinum Recognitions

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Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line, and Carrie Underwood are among the artists receiving Gold & Platinum certification Awards from the RIAA in October.

Swifts “We Are Never Ever Getting Back Together” was certified 2x multi-Platinum to mark the singer’s sixth career double-Platinum song, attributing to her more than 33 million career downloads sold.

Republic Nashville duo Florida Georgia Line also earned high marks for the Big Machine Label Group with, “Cruise,” receiving a first-time digital song certification alongside Havana Brown (“We Run the Night”), Driicky Graham (“Snapbacks & Tattoos”), Imagine Dragons (“It’s Time”), Kreayshawn (“Gucci Gucci”), and French Montana (“Pop That”).

Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away” was certified Platinum, denoting more than one million downloads sold since its release, alongside Justin Bieber’s “As Long As You Love Me” and Jay-Z and Kanye West’s “Otis.”

October’s Gold certified albums included Glassnote Records’ Mumford & Sons sophomore album Babel, which easily surpassed the mark with first week sales exceeding 600k. Additionally, the Mumford crew earned its first double-Platinum download certification for “Little Lion Man” and a third Gold single award for the new track “I Will Wait.” Dave Matthews Band’s Away From the World and P!nk’s Truth About Love also earned Gold album status.

In total, 38 digital single awards and 8 album certifications were issued for October. The Black Keys, Postal Service and Madonna additionally received notable sale benchmarks.

Levon Helm Documentary Due in 2013

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A new documentary film will provide an intimate look at the life of the late Levon Helm, founding member of The Band who passed away in April 2012. Ain’t In It For My Health: A Film About Levon Helm will be distributed by Kino Lorber and released to North American theaters in early 2013.

Under the guidance of director Jacob Hatley, Ain’t In It For My Health follows Helm at home in Woodstock, NY, in the middle of recording his first studio album in 25 years. Filmed over two years, the documentary tracks the Rock and Roll Hall of Famer through an intensively creative period after his 2007 album Dirt Farmer brought him back to the spotlight.

“Jacob was the perfect fly on the wall for many months as we experienced the ups and downs of a wonderful time in all our lives,” says Helm collaborator and musical director Larry Campbell. “The result is a rare, artful, and honest glimpse into the fascinating world of one of our true American treasures, Levon Helm.”

This news follows the recent “Love For Levon” concert in early October, featuring Eric Church, Dierks Bentley, Lucinda Williams, Roger Waters, Gregg Allman, John Hiatt, and many more. Proceeds from that event benefited the Helm estate, including home, barn, and studio.