Don Poythress Inks Publishing Deal

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Don Poythress, Photo: Ivan Clow

Big Machine Music and Crosscut Music announced today (10/16) an exclusive co-publishing agreement with hit songwriter Don Poythress. His No. 1 “A Little More Country Than That” (Easton Corbin) earned nominations for CMA and ACM Song of the Year. Tim McGraw, Blake Shelton, Willie Nelson, Bonnie Raitt, Sheryl Crow, Hank Jr., Clint Black and the late Earl Scruggs have recorded Poythress’ songs. He has most recently penned cuts for Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Greg Bates and The Henningsens.

“Don is one of Nashville’s finest country songwriters and we are so excited to work with him and our colleague, Jimmy Ritchey at Crosscut Music. Don’s integrity as a songwriter is second to none and he is a perfect fit for our Big Machine Music team,” stated Big Machine Music’s Martha Earls.

Crosscut Music President Ritchey added, “I am so blessed to continue to work with Don in this new venture and more than excited to team up with Big Machine Music to take his career to the next level.”

“I couldn’t be more grateful and honored to be working with all the great people at Big Machine and Crosscut Music. I look forward to creating a successful partnership together,” said Poythress.

UMPG Names Kent Klavens Sr. VP

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Kent Klavens

Kent Klavens has been appointed Senior Vice President, Business and Legal Affairs, Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG), it was announced by David Kokakis, Senior Vice President, Head of Business & Legal Affairs/Business Development, and Evan Lamberg, President of UMPG North America. Klavens will report directly to Kokakis and is based in the company’s worldwide headquarters in Santa Monica, Calif.

In this new role, Klavens’ primary responsibilities will include contract negotiations in North America for new and existing songwriter signings, and copyright infringement, sampling infringement, piracy and litigation in North America. He will be working with the company’s Nashville offices and the Nashville songwriting and legal community on signings.

Klavens previously served as Sr. Vice President and General Counsel of Famous Music, a division of Viacom and affiliate of Paramount Pictures until it was sold to Sony/ATV Music Publishing in 2007. With Famous Music for seventeen years, Klavens was responsible for all major agreements, as well as copyright and other legal issues.

Music Films: “Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day,” “Hollywood to Dollywood”

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Omniverse Vision is offering Led Zeppelin: Celebration Day on 1,500 screens for a limited engagement encore performance tomorrow (10/17). The film captures the band’s 2007 reunion concert at London’s O2 Arena where Zep members Robert Plant, Jimmy Page, John Paul Jones and Jason Bonham (son of original drummer John) came together to make music for one night only. The iconic rock ‘n’ roll outfit performs 16 of its classic songs, including “Black Dog,” “Dazed and Confused,” and “Whole Lotta Love.” Nashvillians have an opportunity to check it out at Opry Mills 21 tomorrow. See a clip of the band performing “Black Dog” here.

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Breaking Glass pictures is releasing Hollywood to Dollywood to DVD in time for the holiday shopping rush. The award-winning documentary follows twin brothers Gary and Larry Lane as they embark on a cross-country journey to attempt to deliver a screenplay to Dolly Parton. They begin from Dolly’s star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame bound east for Pigeon Forge in an RV named “Jolene.” The film features appearances by Leslie Jordan, Chad Allen, Beth Grant, Dustin Lance Black and more. Fifteen of Dolly’s classic songs are featured. The Hollywood to Dollywood DVD will be available in stores Nov. 6. See the trailer here.

The Happy Racers Embrace Growing Kindie Genre

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A few years ago songwriter/musician/producer Nathan Meckel wasn’t very excited when his father, publisher Mark Meckel, tried to convince him to record a children’s album. “I thought it was fun idea, but wasn’t 100 percent sold on it,” recalls the younger Meckel, “but then I had an epiphany that there are no walls with kids’ music. All the normal rules, like worrying about radio airplay, don’t apply. As long as the music is positive and fun, I can sing whatever I want and play any instrument I want.”

Today his band The Happy Racers is part of a burgeoning genre known as Kindie Rock—kid indie, which has an adult sound and child-friendly lyrics. The Happy Racers’ debut album Ready Set Go is vying for a Grammy nomination in the Best Children’s Album category. Mark has a strong history in the category, he published the song “Check Your Attitude” which was on this year’s winning compilation album, All About Bullies.

The Happy Racers project started in 2008 when Nathan and his two kids wrote “All My Friends” at the breakfast table, and he recorded it in his home studio. Mark then teamed Nathan with popular children’s book authors Barbara Joosse and Peter Reynolds, and songwriter Burton Collins to write songs for the album. Nathan and Joosse wrote “Lovabye Dragon,” which is getting airplay on Sirius/XM’s Kid’s Place Live and compliments her book by the same name.

Another track from the album, “I Can Do Anything,” coincides with new e-book Go Go Greta, written by Dana Satterwhite and narrated by Lisa Loeb. The interactive e-book app has a soundtrack that allows kids to turn on and off parts of the sound, such as the drums or guitar.

Nathan’s brother-in-law Mark Niemiec is a drummer and engineer who has been a big part of The Happy Racers. Their recent gigs include performing at McConnell Air Force Base in Wichita, KS with Jack Ingram. In keeping with the grown-up-geared kindie image, the band doesn’t wear costumes. Nathan says he shies away from anything “gimmicky” but he plans “to make the stage show more entertaining and elaborate as it grows.” The concerts have also helped him discover The Happy Racers’ prime demographic—the preteen set often coveted by marketers.

Up next, The Happy Racers’ first music video for the song “Old Robert’s Jig.”

YouTube video

Luke Bryan Partners With Cabela’s

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Luke Bryan and Cabela’s, the popular hunting, fishing and outdoor gear outfitter, recently announced a multi-year partnership. As part of the agreement, co-branded marketing campaigns will appear in Cabela’s stores, as well as in their catalogs and e-commerce materials. Social media and content collaborations will offer fans an exclusive, behind the scenes look into Bryan’s off-stage activities as an avid outdoorsman.

“My love for the outdoors is something that has been a part of me ever since I can remember,” said Bryan. “It seems there was never a time when we weren’t hunting, fishing, farming or playing outside since I was very young. Teaming with Cabela’s is such a natural fit for me.”

The partnership will also see Cabela’s sponsorship of Bryan’s concert tours beginning with his first-ever headlining tour, the Dirt Road Diaries Tour, which launches Jan. 2013.

“Luke is the perfect partner for Cabela’s as he combines a lifelong love of the outdoors along with strong country roots. This passion comes through in everything that Luke does–from his hunting and fishing, to his music. We’re really excited to welcome Luke to the Cabela’s family,” said Scott Williams, EVP and Chief Marketing/E-Commerce Officer.

Cabela’s CLUB Visa Members will have access to pre-sale tickets and preferred seats in select markets beginning next Monday (10/22). Complete details about will be available at www.cabelas.com/lukebryan starting Oct. 22.

Artist News (10/16/12)

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MusicRow offers its condolences to family and friends of Eli Young Band’s Jon Jones, whose father Allen Edwin Jones passed away yesterday (10/15) after a battle with lung cancer. Jones was 74 and a champion of his son’s musical aspirations. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to the Susan G. Komen for the Cure or the American Cancer Society.

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Kellie Pickler has teamed with smartphone accessory company Tru Protection to offer a limited edition iPhone case benefiting the American Cancer Society’s “Making Strides Against Breast Cancer” campaign. The case sells for $29.95, with $20 from each purchase going to ACS. Pickler recently shaved her head in support of her childhood best friend, who was diagnosed with breast cancer. More information and ordering here.

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Darius Rucker will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry this evening (10/16) and his induction can be seen exclusively on GAC’s Noteworthy at the Opry, airing at 9 pm/ET. Also appearing with Rucker are Vince Gill and Martina McBride.

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To aid victims of Hurricane Isaac in late August, Radney Foster has teamed up with The American Red Cross. Foster is donating proceeds from downloads of his video “Louisiana Blue” (from his Del Rio Texas Revisited: Unplugged & Lonesome) to those in need. Download the video here.

Aldean Plans “Night Train” Itinerary

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Jason Aldean’s new album Night Train rolled into stores today (10/16) at full steam, and the emerging superstar will support the release with a string of high profile appearances and announcements.

Release week begins today in New York City with an appearance on Good Morning America, followed by Live! With Kelly and Michael tomorrow (10/17). Aldean will also be revealing to his fans some “surprises not to be missed” beginning Thursday (10/18) via jasonaldean.com.

“We posted the full stream of the album on iTunes this past week, and the fan reaction has been incredible…really more than I ever expected,” says Aldean. “They’ve been messaging me and tweeting about their favorite songs, and I love getting that feedback directly from them. I named the album Night Train because I think it sums up where my career is at the moment and how quickly things seem to be moving…it’s almost hard for me to even comprehend. That name wouldn’t work without my fans, so I want to thank them for allowing me to continue to make records and for buying tickets to my shows. 2013 is already stacking up to be an exciting year with some big surprises in store for them!”

Aldean is also nominated for three honors at the 46th Annual CMA Awards, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year (for “Dirt Road Anthem”). He has also sold out every show of his My Kinda Party Tour, which wraps Oct. 27 in Dallas, for a total of 1.9 million tickets.

IEBA Executive Director Announces Resignation

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IEBA executive director Tiffany Davis has announced she will be exiting her role with the organization at the end of 2012. She made the announcement during the IEBA conference last week and plans to relocate to Boston at year’s end.

“I’m extremely proud of the accomplishments achieved the past five years,” said Davis. “Since 2008 the organization and the annual conference have been completely transformed in a very short time into something more dynamic than any of us dreamed.”

Davis is exiting on a high note, as the 2012 IEBA conference broke previous records for attendance with over 700 people present. Registration and sponsorship revenue are also up over 100 percent, and the number of showcasing artists has more than tripled since she assumed leadership.

Additionally, IEBA has raised over $300,000 in scholarship funds and helped place numerous graduates in industry jobs through its mentoring program IEBA Interactive.

Following her exit, Davis can be reached at tiffany@tiffanydavis.com.

A search is being conducted to find Davis’ replacement. Interested parties should submit cover letters and resumes to info@ieba.org.

HFA Names New Pres./CEO

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Michael Simon

Irwin Z. Robinson, Chairman of the Boards of the Harry Fox Agency (HFA) and the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has announced the promotion of Michael S. Simon to President and CEO for HFA. Simon was previously the organization’s Senior Vice President of Business Affairs, General Counsel and Chief Strategic Officer. Simon succeeds Gary L. Churgin.

“Since he joined HFA in 2001 to head the licensing division, Michael Simon has been a strong advocate to modernize HFA and move the company into new lines of business, progressively overseeing more of HFA and proving himself a leader and visionary within the organization,” said Robinson. “We are grateful to Gary Churgin for leading HFA though its technology transformation while also navigating some of the most radical changes to music licensing in the past fifty years.”

“I’m deeply honored that Irwin, the HFA, and NMPA Boards have put their trust in me to continue to transform an institution founded in the 20th century around the breakthrough technology of recorded music into the organization critical for the 21st century’s digital music business,” said Simon. “With our Slingshot service, which simplifies the licensing and royalty payment process for clients, we are delivering HFA’s expanded rights management expertise to all music distributors and music publishers, and I will be working with the team to grow that initiative aggressively. I am also committed to supporting HFA’s current music publishing and licensee base and delivering to them the support they need to run their businesses most effectively.”

Before joining HFA, Simon was the Executive Vice President of Business Affairs and General Counsel for Razorfish, Inc. His career also includes founding artist management and consulting firm Simon Ventures, Senior Director of Legal Affairs at Polygram Records, and time at law firms Levine Thall Plotkin & Menin and Rubin Baum Levin Constant & Friedman.

Lady A Premieres Concert Film In Nashville

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Lady Antebellum onstage in Little Rock.

Lady Antebellum debuted its Own The Night World Tour concert film Thursday (10/11) at Nashville’s Green Hills theater. Band members Hillary Scott, Dave Haywood and Charles Kelley were on hand to introduce the flick which mixes front-of-house performances and backstage fun into a 90-minute ride, set for release Dec. 4.

The band’s arena tour stop in Little Rock, Ark. was recorded for the movie, offering plenty of special crowd connection moments. Kelley and Scott make wonderful duet partners, seemingly going into character on “A Kiss Goodnight,” and bonding with fans amidst a sea of cell phone lights on “Dancing Away With My Heart” and “Hello World.” Haywood rocks a guitar solo while standing on a red grand piano (behind-the-scenes footage shows how he spent hours selecting the right shade of red paint).

Lady A keeps life on the road exciting and busy with ping-pong tournaments and a backstage bar named Club LaBellum. The band also focuses on songwriting with a road studio dubbed R2D2, and helmed by Haywood.

The Own The Night tour visited Switzerland, England, Germany, Denmark, Ireland, and Norway, the latter of which the band agreed was the most humbling concert on the run. Moviegoers chuckled when an Irish teenage girl quipped, “He looks like someone who smells really nice,” though no one knew which “he” she was talking about.

The film alternates between the Little Rock concert and band flashbacks. In 2007 Lady A’s concerts were mightily different from its present day headlining stops, including an early show at a Citgo gas station where Haywood laughed, “Nothing says the kick-off of deer season like Lady Antebellum.” Back then, the band cruised from stop to stop in Kelley’s Jeep Grand Cherokee, and eventually upgraded to a Winnebago. Now the operation has grown to 14 buses and the band is acutely aware of the responsibility of having so many employees.

Before the screening, CMA members and industry guests gathered at a reception in the downstairs lobby. It was a rare occasion to enjoy free Oktoberfest and popcorn trail mix from a movie theater concession stand.

For more on Lady A’s tour, see MusicRow’s exclusive interview with the band.