Tom-Leis and Love Monkey Music Name New Creative Director

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Alex Heddle has been named Creative Director for Love Monkey Music and Tom-Leis Music, where he will be responsible for managing and plugging the catalogs of Bob DiPiero, Sarah Buxton, Amanda Flynn, Kimberly June, and Brandon Kinney. Heddle replaces Penny Everhard, who recently moved to BMI.

“I’m here to help the writers grow creatively and professionally,” says Heddle of his new position. “I’m aggressively pursuing opportunities for each writer and promoting the heck out of their respective catalogs.”

Heddle was previously with Writer’s Den Music Group, where he managed a writer staff including Adam Wright, Ronnie Rogers, Tami Hinesh, Ben Cooper, and Bonnie Bishop. Prior to that, he helped launch Propel Music as Creative Director, after previously worked same position at Ash Street Music in 2005. He is a 2008 graduate of Belmont University with a degree in Business Administration.

Alex can be congratulated at Alex@TomLeisMusic.com or Alex@LoveMonkeyMusic.com.

New Faces Shine on RIAA 2011 Wrap-up

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The RIAA’s 2011 wrap-up report is full of Nashville certifications, including numerous first-time honorees.

2011 American Idol winner Scotty McCreery’s Clear As Day debut earned his first Gold album plaque, and Gold awards for singles “Clear As Day” and “I Love You This Big.”

The Band Perry took home its first Platinum album award for its self-titled debut, and earned triple-Platinum honors for digital downloads of “If I Die Young.”

First-time Platinum download plaques were awarded to Eli Young Band’s “Crazy Girl,” Hot Chelle Rae’s “Tonight Tonight,” Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” and Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.”

Jason Aldean scored his first double-Platinum album award for My Kinda Party.

Gold awards for 2011 album releases included Luke Bryan’s Tailgates & Tanlines, Eric Church’s Chief, Miranda Lambert’s Four The Record, Brad Paisley’s This Is Country Music, Blake Shelton’s Red River Blue, Tony Bennett’s Duets, and Kelly Clarkson’s Stronger.

Lady Antebellum’s Own The Night shipped more than one million copies in 2011, earning Platinum certification. The band’s “Need You Now” single also secured a 5x multi-Platinum plaque.

On the catalog front, Taylor Swift’s self-titled 2006 debut went 5x platinum. In addition, 2x Platinum certifications were awarded to Carrie Underwood’s Play On (2009), and Kings of Leon’s Only by the Night (2008).

Overall, more download honors were presented in 2011 than ever before in RIAA Gold and Platinum program history, and 25 percent more than in 2010. In total, 411 digital songs were certified in 2011, vs. 313 in 2010. In particular, multi-Platinum download certifications nearly doubled in volume year-over-year: 112 multi-Platinum digital singles were certified in 2011 vs. 66 in 2010.

Adele earned 2011’s highest G&P album. Her sophomore release 21 took the top annual album prize at 5x multi-Platinum.

Lady Gaga and Lil Wayne earned double-Platinum awards for their respective 2011 releases Born This Way and Tha Carter IV. Gaga’s 2011 song certifications represent more than 19 million paid downloads, and Lil Wayne’s tally ten million.

Grammy Week Update (2/02/12)

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Alison Krauss and Union Station will salute Paul McCartney at the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute gala.

Prior to the 54th Annual Grammy Awards Feb. 12, a group of popular music’s biggest talents will honor Paul McCartney at the 2012 MusiCares Person of the Year Tribute gala Friday, February 10 at the Los Angeles Convention Center.

Just added to the lineup is Nashville’s own Alison Krauss & Union Station, who are currently nominated for two Grammys for Best Bluegrass Album and Best Engineered Album (Non-Classical) for Paper Airplane. Also performing at the event (in addition to Sir Paul) will be Tony Bennett, Coldplay, Duane Eddy, Foo Fighters, Alicia Keys, Diana Krall, Norah Jones, Katy Perry, Sergio Mendes, James Taylor and Neil Young with Crazy Horse. Comedian Eddie Izzard will host. The sold-out event will benefit MusiCares’ emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery programs.

The 54th Grammy Awards, hosted by LL Cool J, take place Sunday, February 12 and will be broadcast at 7 PM/CT on CBS. Katy Perry has just been added to the performance lineup, as well as Adele in her first live performance since vocal cord surgery. The first presenters announced for the show include country darlings Dierks Bentley and Miranda Lambert, plus Drake and Gwyneth Paltrow. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson; Taylor Swift; Glen Campbell with The Band Perry and Blake Shelton; Coldplay and Rihanna; Foo Fighters; Bruno Mars; McCartney; and Nicki Minaj.

Willie Nelson to Release New Music Under Sony

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Sony Music’s catalog division Legacy Recordings has entered into a new record deal with County Music Hall of Famer Willie Nelson. It is a reunion of sorts, as Nelson’s nearly 20 year tenure on Columbia Records from 1975-1993 resulted in some of his best known and loved work beginning with the essential 1975 album Red Headed Stranger.

Under the agreement, the label plans to release five brand new Willie Nelson albums with the first due out in Spring 2012. Additionally, Nelson will be working with label archivists to personally curate tracks both released and unreleased for compilations and bonus material on reissues of his existing albums.

“I’m really happy to be back home with Sony Music. We have been partners for many years; all the way back to Pamper Music and Tree Music. We share a great history, and I’m looking forward to many more years together,” said Nelson.

CMA Donates $1.4 Million To Keep The Music Playing

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(L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Director, Kyle Young; Suzy Bogguss; CMA Foundation Chair and Chief Executive Officer of KittyMoon Enterprises, Kitty Moon Emery; Nashville Public Education Foundation Board Chair, Margaret Dolan; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore; Nashville Mayor Karl Dean; CMA Board Chairman and Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Entertainment, Gary Overton; Chris Young; Chevrolet National Promotions Manager, Phil Caruso; and Director of Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools, Dr. Jesse Register. Photo: Alan Mayor

The CMA Foundation is donating $1.4 million in proceeds from the 2011 CMA Music Festival to benefit music education programs for Nashville’s 78,000 public school students through the “Keep the Music Playing” campaign.

Chris Young performs with Nashville School of the Arts students Mignon Grabois (l) and Charley Woods (r). Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

This announcement raises CMA’s Keep the Music Playing support of music education in public schools from $4.7 million to more than $6.1 million. This money has been used to build music labs and purchase more than 4,000 instruments, and much needed supplies for 80 Metro Nashville Public Schools through a partnership with the Nashville Public Education Foundation.

The announcement of the 2011 CMA Music Festival donation was made at a reception prior to the Third CMA Keep the Music Playing All Stars Concert at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center last night (1/31). The All Stars Concert honors the best elementary, middle, and high school performance groups selected from 133 Metro Nashville Public Schools.

Suzy Bogguss performs with the Glengarry Elementary Singers. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA

Chris Young hosted the concert. As a Middle Tennessee native, he understands the importance of music education in Music City and has supported the cause by appearing at the CMA Music Festival for the past eight years.

Special guest Suzy Bogguss has made music education a personal mission with her latest project, American Folk Songbook. The CD and companion songbook were created to help educate a new generation of fans about the classic American folk tradition.

CMA created the nonprofit (501C3) CMA Foundation in 2011. The Foundation, chaired by Kitty Moon Emery, exists to provide financial support to worthwhile causes that are important to CMA and the Country Music community.

Louvin Brothers Saga Detailed In New Autobiography

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Written by Country Music Hall of Famer Charlie Louvin (before his Jan. 26, 2011 death) with author Benjamin Whitmer, Satan Is Real: The Ballad of the Louvin Brothers [Igniter Publishing], is a fascinating first-person recollection of the origin, success, and demise of one of the greatest harmony duos in musical history. The Louvin Brothers’ Capitol Records albums Tragic Songs of Life and Satan Is Real have endured to become treasured documents of traditional country, and their massive influence extends to Johnny Cash, Gram Parsons, The Everly Brothers, Emmylou Harris, Lucinda Williams and countless others.

Ira and Charlie Loudermilk, born to hardscrabble farm surroundings in Sand Mountain, Alabama, honed their harmonizing skills as children through Sacred Harp church singing traditions and mastering centuries-old folk songs like “Mary of the Wild Moor.” They later added a guitar and mandolin to the mix, playing regional shows and radio spots as the Radio Twins. They adopted the Louvin Brothers stage name while in Knoxville for ease of spelling. After they had begun building a following, they event opened shows for a young Elvis Presley before realizing their lifelong dream of joining the Grand Ole Opry. But for every good time, there’s an equally dark time, and this story doesn’t end happily for everyone.

Charlie narrates the book in a raw, plainspoken style, and it appears co-author Whitmer (to his credit) didn’t fuss too much with editing out the swear words or homespun vernacular. Much of the book focuses on the troubled relationship between Charlie and Ira, who was cursed with a self-destructive streak that haunted him until his death in 1965. Tales of smashed instruments, domestic disputes, and fist fights abound, playing in stark contrast to the fire and brimstone gospel that permeates their gospel work like Satan Is Real. Charlie also doesn’t mince words about how country music has changed over the last few years, what it’s like for older members of the Grand Ole Opry, or his feelings on some of his artist contemporaries.

The pulp novel cover design is marvelous, featuring the unforgettable Satan Is Real album image of the brothers in pristine white suits, singing for our very souls in front of a giant burning plywood Satan. The edges have been distressed and a 10 cent badge (for looks only–retail price is $22.99) is affixed to the corner to give it the appearance of being a shelf-worn volume from the mid-20th century. Between chapters the spine is illustrated with ink flames, and the pages include photos of Charlie and Ira from all stages of their career.

It’s brutally honest, even humorous on occasion, in highlighting the Louvin’s brotherly bond and the great music they created together. Highly recommended for fans of the traditional stuff or anyone looking to hear history straight from one of its makers.

Dave Collins Joins InstiGator

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Dave Collins has been hired at Nashville’s InstiGator Entertainment as Director of Promotion. In his new role, Collins will be is based out of Phoenix, AZ and report directly to President Gator Michaels. Collins was previously West Coast/Southwest regional promotion rep at Skyville Records.

“I’m ecstatic that Dave has decided to become part of our family,” said Michaels. “His experience in both radio and records is a valuable asset for our company and our clients. Plus, he’s just a really great guy.”

Collins brings 23 years of experience in radio and records to InstiGator Entertainment including time at Nine North Records, Carolwood Records, APD at KMLE/Phoenix, and PD for WQIX/Knoxville, KIXD/Tucson and KWNR/Las Vegas.

Collins can be reached at 480-223-8337 and dave@musicinstigator.com.

Bigger Picture Group Names New CEO

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David J. Robkin. Photo: Eric England

Bigger Picture Group Chairman and Chief Creative Officer Keith Stegall has named David J. Robkin as Chief Executive Officer of the company. In this role, he will oversee all business and creative areas of the company’s three divisions of recorded music, publishing and digital services.

“We are thrilled to welcome David into the Bigger Picture Group family,” said Stegall. “His unique skill set offers us the final piece of the pie we needed to complete Bigger Picture and grow our footprint accordingly.”

Robkin brings more than 30 years experience across the music, entertainment, hospitality, and financial industries. As co-founder of New Jersey-based Entertainment Service Unlimited, he worked with a variety of artists including Kiss, Pat Benatar, Cheap Trick, Peter Frampton, Megadeth, and Lamb of God among others. Prior to joining BPG in 2011, he was Founder and Principal of Liberty Venture Partners, a venture capital firm based in Philadelphia focusing on IT services and hospitality companies.

“Bigger Picture Group has pioneered a unique, holistic business model that marries entrepreneurism, music and technology, offering a true business partnership between the artist and the label,” said Robkin. “I work with smart, creative people every day, and I’m looking forward to the future and what we’re building here at Bigger Picture Group.”

New Country Music Initiatives Launched In Kentucky

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Country Music Hall of Famer and Kentucky native Tom T. Hall has joined Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear, Country Music Highway committee members and TourSEKY members to launch two new initiatives surrounding US Route 23, now known as the Country Music Highway. Numerous country greats have come from areas surrounding the highway, including Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Billy Ray Cyrus, Ricky Skaggs, Keith Whitley, Dwight Yoakam, Patty Loveless, Loretta Lynn, and more.

The announcement introduced the Country Music Highway Road to Fame talent competition, which aims to cultivate and discover a new generation of talent from the area, as well as established the Country Music Highway Arts Education Fund to support music programs in Kentucky schools.

“I am certain that Governor Beshear will agree with me when I say how proud we are to honor the rich musical heritage springing from the State of Kentucky,” said Jeff Crowe, President and CEO of Tour SEKY. “Our youth is teeming with musical talent and I am excited to see the impact the program will have upon them.

The talent competition will begin in mid-March, and the winner will receive career development and coaching from PCG Nashville and an acoustic guitar. The contest is open to anyone ages 13-35 from the 15 counties that border the US Route 23. More info here.

Photos: Alive At The Bluebird; Mike Reid at Franklin Theater

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Mike Reid onstage at the Franklin Theatre. Photo: Roy Benjey

Hit songwriter Mike Reid performed at the Franklin Theatre on Jan. 25 to benefit Bridges Domestic Violence Center in Williamson County. The sold-out event raised $12,000. Among Reid’s 21 charttoppers are “I Can’t Make You Love Me,” “Stranger in my House,” “My Strongest Weakness,” “Forever’s as Far as I’ll Go” and “Everywhere.” Reid is a Grammy award winner and NSAI Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee. He recently released his first album in nearly two decades, New Direction Home.

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The Alive At The Bluebird series benefiting Alive Hospice concluded last night (1/31). More than 80 top songwriters participated in the event, performing 22 shows at The Bluebird Cafe. Alive Hospice is a nonprofit organization that provides compassionate end-of-life care and grief support services in 12 Middle Tennessee counties.

Songwriter Beth Nielsen Chapman for Alive at the Bluebird

 

Jim Photoglo and Victoria Shaw for Alive at the Bluebird