Anne Weaver-Price Joins Toolpusher Records

Ann Weaver-Price

Toolpusher Records has announced the addition of Anne Weaver-Price to the label as Director of National Promotion. Weaver-Price will handle in-house national radio promotion duties for the independent label and its flagship artist, Jason Sturgeon.

She brings two decades of experience including time with RCA Nashville and Arista Nashville before becoming Vice President of Promotion for Mercury/Nashville in 1993. Over the past decade Weaver-Price has also handled promotion efforts for Quarterback Records, Montage Music Group, and Robbins Nashville, as well as independent promotion for artists like David Ball, Kenny Rogers, Zona Jones and Trace Adkins.

“As an artist you hope for the best representation at radio that you can possibly have and as the CEO of the company, you want the best people on your team that can do the job,” said Sturgeon. “Anne is an industry veteran who has worked with some of the biggest names in country music and she has contributed to the success of many careers. I’m very honored and proud to have her as part of the Toolpusher records team.”

The Toolpusher team includes Dennis Kurtz (Label Manager), Brian Cecil (Marketing/Digital Media Director) and Vanessa Davis (Publicist). The label is currently launching Sturgeon’s new single, “Time Bomb,” which has been adopted as the theme song for the 2012 Monster Truck Nationals Knock-out Tour.

Weaver-Price can be reached at kweenanne@aol.com or at (214) 907-4922.

Josh Turner To Headline Free Opry Mills Concert

Josh Turner will headline the grand re-opening of Opry Mills on Sat., May 5. The event titled Southern Nights will begin at 6 p.m. with Turner scheduled to take the stage at 8:30 p.m. The free outdoor concert will culminate with a fireworks display.

Attendees are encouraged to bring canned goods to donate to Second Harvest Food Bank. The organization’s most needed items are peanut butter, canned chicken/tuna, canned soups and stews, cereal, pasta and canned fruit and vegetables.

Opry Mills officially re-opens to the public with a ribbon cutting ceremony on Thurs., March 29.

Turner’s new single “Time is Love” from his upcoming album, Punching Bag, was recently released to radio and is one of his fastest rising singles to date.

Industry Updates (3/20/12)

Spin Doctors Promotions has formed Spin Doctors Music Group, now offering booking, artist management, label services, social media, marketing and more in addition to continuing its focus on secondary radio promotion. The company has also added staff members Brian Hanshaw, who will specialize in new business development, booking, and artist development; and Heather Leto, who will handle marketing and publicity. Reach Hanshaw here and Leto here. Nashville-based Spin Doctors Music Group is owned and operated by veteran programmer Al Brock.

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Restless Heart has signed an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based Brand N Music, joining a roster that includes Andy Griggs, Buddy Jewell, Billy Dean, Jamie O’Neal, Ty Herndon, and more. “Part of the Brand N Music growth strategy for 2012 is to bolster our national roster with award-winning, successful national acts,” says Brand N Music President Greg Burns. “Having the opportunity to work with Restless Heart helps us accomplish that goal. I’ve always been a big fan of Restless Heart and we are looking forward to bringing their fantastic live show to venues throughout the U.S. and beyond!”

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Judy Seale, President of Judy Seale International and Stars For Stripes, was honored with the Tennessee Marine 2012 Leadership Award at the Operation Yellow Ribbon event at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena on March 6, 2012. The annual event honoring the US military and their families was hosted by Charlie Daniels and featured guests Darryl Worley and Gary Sinise.

“Rarely am I speechless, but receiving this honor was a very emotional moment in my life,” said Seale. “This is equivalent to a Grammy or an Oscar for me in my career. To be presented this award by my heroes–the U.S. Marines–and experience the moment with Charlie Daniels, Gary Sinise and Darryl Worley was overwhelming. There are so many others who share my passion and support of the military who should be receiving this recognition as well.”

(L-R): Darryl Worley; Charlie Daniels; Judy Seale; Major Harry Thompson, US Marine Corps – Commanding Officer, Marine Corps Recruiting Station, Nashville; and Gary Sinise.

O’Neil Hagaman Names Three Principals

(L-R): Ellen Porter, Craig Owens, and Lillian Williams

Respected business management firm O’Neil Hagaman today announced the promotion of three senior professionals to Principal. Receiving new titles are Craig Owens, previously Consulting Manager; Ellen Porter, previously Business Manager; and Lillian Williams, previously Business Manager.

“Craig, Ellen and Lillian are dedicated, veteran employees of O’Neil Hagaman who have helped build our reputation for exceptional, comprehensive service to the entertainment industry over the years,” said co-founder Kerry P. O’Neil. “We are pleased to elevate them to the well-deserved designation of Principal and know they will provide our clients with unparalleled service in this capacity.”

“Craig has run our Special Projects department for over five years and proved his leadership in keeping our firm at the cutting edge of technology and intellectual property issues,” added O’Neil. Owens has been with O’Neil Hagaman for more than 15 years and is a CPA and has been published in MusicRow magazine. As Principal, he will handle royalty tracking, compliance examinations, intellectual property valuations and investment analysis.

“Ellen is an invaluable talent that understands the essence of our clients, their families, and the complexity of building successful careers,” said co-founder Al Hagaman. “She has worked tirelessly to help our clients meet and exceed their goals.” Porter has been with O’Neil Hagaman for 28 years. As a Principal she will focus on financial management through financial accounting, contractual evaluation, negotiation and monitoring, and risk management. She is an alumna of Leadership Music, a member of the CMA and ACM, and has been published in MusicRow.

“Lillian has developed into a very tenacious and thoughtful business manager who represents her clients and our firm with integrity and it is an honor to be able to recognize her for her exceptional work with our clients,” said co-founder Cheryl Harris. Williams has been with O’Neil Hagaman for more than 20 years and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). Specifically, she will focus on financial accounting, contractual evaluation, negotiation and monitoring and risk management. She is an alumna of Leadership Music, a member of CMA and GMA, and has been published in MusicRow.

ACM Fan Voting Opens Today

Fan voting for the Entertainer of the Year and New Artist of the Year honors at the 47th Annual ACM Awards opens today, March 19. Winners will be revealed Sun., April 1 during the ACM Awards, which will be broadcast live on CBS from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas. Fans can vote here.

The New Artist of the Year award, with nominees Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes and Scotty McCreery, closes at 8:00 PM ET/ 5:00 PM PT on April 1st.

Entertainer of the Year voting will remain open through the third hour of the ACM Awards Show for nominees Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift.

Preceding the awards, fans can catch an original 5-webisode series, Road To The ACM Awards, featuring New Artist of the Year nominees Gilbert, Hayes and McCreery. Additionally, GAC will premiere its ACM New Artist of the Year special with interviews and exclusive performances from the nominees tonight at 9 pm ET.

ABC’s “GCB” to Feature Music from Chenoweth, JaneDear girls and More

Earlier this month (3/4), GCB premiered on the ABC Television Network. Beginning the same day, the ABC Music Lounge began featuring songs from each week’s GCB episode and video clips from the show. The GCB soundtrack will be available from Elektra Nashville on May 8.

GCB star Kristin Chenoweth contributes three tracks to the compilation, including a duet with costar Miriam Shor on the classic “This Little Light of Mine.” Other contributing artists include country superstar John Rich (of Big & Rich), country duo the JaneDear girls  and singer-actress Emily West (Body of Proof). Damien Horne, Joanna Cotten, Don Derby, Jaime Hanna, Bum Steers, and Dean Alexander round out the roster of artists.

Fans can click on www.abcmusiclounge.com or visit iTunes each week to purchase the featured song. the JaneDear girls’ “Good Girls Gone Bad,” Chenoweth’s “Blessed Be the Ties That Bind” and West’s “Cross My Heart” are all available now.

Additionally, Chenoweth’s version of Carrie Underwood’s “Jesus Take The Wheel” was a recently hot topic for bloggers everywhere after Chenoweth debuted her version on GCB. Due to fan reaction, Warner Music Nashville has made the track available on iTunes. Also available on iTunes this week is Joanna Cotten’s “If I’m Gonna Be Bad.”

GCB airs Sundays at 9 pm CT on ABC.

Frasher Opens Gunslinger Entertainment With First Client

Bryan Frasher

Former BNA Records VP Promotion Bryan Frasher has announced the launch of Gunslinger Entertainment, LLC, a music entertainment and management company. The company’s first client is BNA Records artist Casey James.

It’s a busy time for the pair, as James’ single “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” is climbing charts and his self-titled debut album hits stores tomorrow (March 20). “We hit the ground running after the first of the year and things have been moving at the speed of light ever since,” says Frasher.

To support his album release this week, James will perform on Ellen on Wednesday, March 21, as well as the fourth hour of the Today Show on Thursday, March 22.

Frasher got his start in the music business as a tour manager and musician for Tanya Tucker, and also held similar positions with Lee Roy Parnell and Chely Wright. Later he got into the radio promotion business, first with Warner Bros. Records, followed by Arista and BNA.

Reach him at bryan@gunslingerentertainment.com.

Digitalmusic.org Brings Music Start Up Academy to Nashville

Digitalmusic.org, the home of NARM’s digital initiatives, will present several educational sessions from its Music Start Up Academy in Nashville on Wednesday, April 11. The event will take place 1-6 pm CT at the Quonset Hut, and is co-sponsored by the Application Developers Alliance, The Copyright Forum at Belmont University, and the Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont.

Session offerings include Label and Publishing Basics for Entrepreneurs, Music Industry Content Acquisition and Business Development, and a Flo{thinkery} presentation by Mark Montgomery, among others. The aim of the Academy is to encourage the creation of music startups by helping newcomers understand how the industry operates.

“The future of the music business is dependent upon technology innovation, but there are very few opportunities that provide the fundamentals of the industry for these entrepreneurs,” said Bill Wilson, VP, Digital Strategy & Business Development, NARM/digitalmusic.org. “Here in Nashville, it is our goal to build a bridge between these groups so more great new music-focused start-ups get to market quickly and achieve success.”

For MusicRow readers: Save $10 off $35 regular price – use promotion code: msa-musicrow
Register here.

AIMP Nashville Names Board Members

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter has named its 2012 board members.

Officers are: President Kevin Lamb (Peer Music), Vice President Dianna Maher (Moraine Music), Secretary Jewel Coburn (Ten Ten Music), and Treasurer Eli Ball (Lyric Financial).

Board members at large are: John Allen (BMG/Chrysalis), Ross Asher (Razor & Tie), Walter Campbell (Big Garage Music), Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Jill Napier (Napier Consulting), Kerry O’Neil (Big Yellow Dog Music), David Preston (BMI), and Randy Wachtler (615 Music).

The organization will host its inaugural meeting on March 26 at Cabana. The event is sold out and will feature a panel discussion by Keith Stegall, John Strohm, David Macias, Frank Liddell and Chris DuBois with moderator John Allen.

Another panel discussion is set for June 16 and will focus on film/TV music supervision.

Members of the music community can join AIMP by visiting www.aimp.org and clicking on Nashville Chapter.

AIMP is a non-profit organization providing education and information on current topics, trends and practices in the music publishing industry. Formed in 1977 by a group of Los Angeles music publishers, the AIMP has chapters in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville, that host regular panel discussions, workshops, networking opportunities and special events.

MusicRowPics: Rising Women on the Row

On Friday (3/16), MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row event, sponsored by City National Bank, honored five women from different segments of Nashville’s music industry: The Greenroom owner Mary Hilliard Harrington, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Loeb & Loeb’s Denise Stevens, Sony Music Nashville’s Heather McBee, and Big Yellow Dog’s Carla Wallace.

The sold-out breakfast event was created to recognize women who are becoming visionary leaders in Nashville’s music industry through their dedication, innovation, and contributions. MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson said, “I knew I wanted to join my staff and do something special to salute and honor the women on Music Row who are making a difference.” Kay West, journalist and women’s advocate, served as the guest speaker.

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