Seays Continue House Concerts With Christmas Benefit

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Wanda and Terry Seay

The 2nd Annual Christmas Songwriters Open House and Benefit, hosted by It’s All About Z Music’s Terry and Wanda Seay, will take place at the couple’s home on Sat., Dec. 10. Benefiting the Radnor Lake Preservation Area and the WO Smith School of Music, doors open at 1 p.m. and the event features over fifty songwriters including Tony Arata, Becky Hobbs, David Bradley, Rich Fagan, and Kasey Jones.

With over nine hours of music to enjoy, guests are asked to bring a covered dish and drinks to share, and a $25 donation. The casual dress event will take place at 106 Clyde Circle Franklin, TN 37064. To RSVP, email [email protected].

The Seays have been hosting house benefit concerts in Franklin for the past two years and were recently featured on Headline|Country with Storme Warren.

DIRECTIONS FROM NASHVILLE
Take I-65 South from Nashville (15 minutes from I-440)
To Exit #61 – RT 248 Goose Creek ByPass / Peytonsville Road
Turn Left and cross over I-65 and continue on Peytonsville Road for 1/4 mile
Turn Left on Long Lane and Pass Ag/Expo Center—continue on around
Turn Left on Alfred Ladd Rd. at Entrance to “The Highlands at Ladd Park”
Continue down the hill make first left on Rich Road and immediate Right onto Wise Lane
Travel one block and make Right onto Clyde Circle – first house on right – 106

Gibson Guitar Creates Pro Audio Division

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Gibson Guitar announced today (12/5) the creation of its pro audio division through the acquisition of the Stanton Group, which is comprised of KRK Systems, Cerwin-Vega! and Stanton DJ.

KRK Systems provides accurate and reliable monitors and control room solutions, while Cerwin-Vega! Inc. is a leader in the design, manufacture, and distribution of loudspeakers for the home and professional audio markets. Stanton DJ designs and manufactures professional audio products for DJs. Along with Gibson, the companies form Gibson Pro Audio division, which will be headquartered in Nashville, Tennessee.

“Right now we have an extremely powerful brand that people recognize and value, but the musical instrument category is inherently limited because people who purchase instruments also need to know how to play them,” says Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “This new division is perfectly aligned with our core. It expands our reach to fellow music lovers and allows us access to 20 in 20 consumers instead of the one in 20 we currently hit.”

“CMA Country Christmas” Boosts ABC’s Ratings

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The "CMA Country Christmas" cast performs "Jingle Bells" (L-R) Little Big Town's Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, and Karen Fairchild; Darius Rucker; and Sugarland's Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush. Photo: Donn Jones

ABC ranked as the second most watched network Thursday night (12/1), with CMA Country Christmas drawing 9.26 million viewers at the 9 PM/ET hour and 8.75 million viewers during 10 PM/ET spot.

During its time slot, CMA Country Christmas was the most-watched TV program overall. The show also topped CBS’ Grammy Nominations Concert by 3.3 million viewers from the previous night (11/30). In addition, among adults ages 18-49, CMA Country Christmas beat out NBC’s original programming (The Office/Whitney/Prime Suspect) by 11%.

Hosted for the second time by Sugarland’s Jennifer Nettles, the concert featured Lauren Alaina, Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer, Sugarland, Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. It re-airs Saturday, Dec. 17 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC.

CMA Country Christmas is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director and David Wild is the writer.

Class Action Suit Forces Ticketmaster To Offer Credits

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Ticketmaster will issue monetary credits to consumers after losing a class action lawsuit which claimed its shipping and processing fees are excessive.

Consumers who made purchases on Ticketmaster.com between Oct. 21, 1999 and Oct. 19, 2011, are eligible for credits. Email notices to these users are expected to be sent this week.

The company faces a minimum payment of $11.25 million per year over the four-year life of the settlement.

According to details of the settlement at www.ticketfeelitigation.com:

You [customers] will receive, via email, at the address associated with your Ticketmaster account, discount codes (“Codes”) which can be used for future purchases for U.S. events from Ticketmaster’s website. For each transaction (up to a maximum of 17 transactions) that you made during the Class Period, you will receive one code, via email, for a $1.50 discount off future transactions.

If you are also a member of the UPS Subclass, you will be entitled to additional discounts off future delivery fees. Specifically, for each transaction (up to a maximum of 17 transactions) made using UPS delivery, you will receive one UPS code via email, for a $5.00 discount off future expedited delivery fees.

Credits cannot be used for events at venues operated by competitor A.E.G. Live.

In a statement, Ticketmaster emphasized that it was not admitting to any wrongdoing through the lawsuit agreement. The company can continue to charge processing fees, but must now state on its website that it is profiting by doing so.

ACAs Air Tonight, New Performers Added

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Toby Keith and Chris Young have been added to the performance lineup for the American Country Awards, airing live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Monday, Dec. 5 (8-10 PM/ET) on Fox. Keith will perform his current single (and viral sensation) “Red Solo Cup,” while Young will perform his recent No. 1 hit “Voices.” Young is currently nominated for Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Single of the Year, and Male Single of the Year (both for “Voices”).

Jason Aldean and Zac Brown Band lead the nominations with eight apiece, followed by Thompson Square with seven. Taylor Swift and The Band Perry are next with six nominations each. Voting for most categories wrapped on Nov. 11, except for Artist of the Year, which closed on Friday, Dec. 2.

Additionally, the show will count down the Top 10 Artists of the Decade, based on Mediabase monitored spins from Jan 1, 2001 through Dec. 31, 2010. At the end of the presentation one artist will be named Artist of the Decade. Possible contenders include Kenny Chesney, Toby Keith, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Garth Brooks, Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts, George Strait and Keith Urban.

Young and Keith join a performance lineup that includes show co-hosts Trace Adkins and Kristin Chenoweth, along with Blake Shelton, Pistol Annies, Thompson Square, Eli Young Band and The Band Perry. Scheduled to appear are Lauren Alaina, Rachel Bilson, Miranda Lambert, Scotty McCreery and the men of Pawn Stars (Richard Harrison, Rick Harrison, Corey Harrison and Austin Russell).

Arista Adds New Regional Promotion Manager

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Arista Nashville VP National Promotion Lesly Tyson has announced the hiring of Andy Elliott to the position of Regional Promotion Manager. He officially starts his new gig Dec. 12 and will report to Tyson.

“We are thrilled to have Andy join the Arista Nashville family,” said Tyson. “Some people are just born to do promotion and Andy is one of those people. His innate promotion ability coupled with his awesome understanding of radio make him the perfect addition to our team.”

“The opportunity to work at Arista is beyond my wildest dreams,” shares Elliott. “The caliber of talent from the artists to the staff is amazing. I’m honored and thrilled to join the team.”

Elliott brings 18 years of radio experience with him, including time as PD for KJJY and KHKI in Des Moines. Most recently he was Director of Promotion for the Midwest and Southwest at New Revolution Entertainment. Starting Dec. 12, reach him here.

Mark Your Calendar: Holiday Benefits

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December 6 – WMBA Presents Annual Tunes for Tots
WMBA (Women’s Music Businness Association) presents their annual Tunes for Tots in the round benefiting the Toys for Tots Foundation at the Listening Room Café, Tuesday (12/6). The lineup includes Tiffany, Margaret Durante and Bobby Pinson performing. Suggested donation is $5.

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December 8 – Unwrapped Toys for Admission to Writers Round
On Thursday, December 8, songwriters Lisa Carver, Shane McAnally, Mike Reid and rare-to-perform KT Oslin will appear in the round at the Troutt Theater on the campus of Belmont University to benefit Toys for Tots.

The show is sponsored by ASCAP and presented by local non-profit Generosity, founded in early 2010 by Nashville natives Shaun Daugherty and Bethni Hemphill to fund raise for hand-picked charities and to volunteer. Generosity’s principal mission is to ease the suffering of others by responding to crises as well as serving the ongoing needs of the community.

Doors open at 6 pm and the show starts at 7 pm. Admission to the event is a new unwrapped toy or a $10 donation.

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December 11 – 12Th Annual Christmas Bluegrass Benefit Concert for Homeless
Eddie & Martha Adcock, Donna Sonner, and Gene & June Johnson will host the 12th Annual Bluegrass Christmas benefit at The Station Inn at 7 PM.

Artists expected to perform include Joe Zauner, Mark Newton, Valerie Smith, Jesse McReynolds, Roland White Band, Jimmy Bowen & Santa Fe, Claire Lynch and Matt Wingate, Alan Sibley & the Magnolia Ramblers, and Tom Gray plus surprise guests.

Suggested donation at the door is $15 as well as donations of soap, shampoo, toothbrushes, deodorant, razors, shave cream, combs, personal-size tissues, new socks & underwear, sewing kits, pens, pencils and small notebooks. All proceeds and gifts will be distributed through Room In The Inn.

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December 12 – Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show
Barry Michael, Adam Fisher, Jessica Frech and Lynn Anderson will help Christmas 4 Kids give the joy of Christmas to thousands of Middle Tennessee children through the Tour Bus Show on 5-9 PM Monday (11/12) at the Hendersonville Wal-Mart.

Christmas 4 Kids has assisted families throughout Middle Tennessee since 1992 hosting fundraisers each year to buy presents for households that cannot afford to provide Christmas memories.

“Fans will see over 50 tour buses from top artists. For a small donation, fans can see what the artists’ home-away-from-home is really like and meet with artists and get their autographs,” said PLA Media’s CEO and President Pam Lewis. Artists who participated in the past include Chris Young, Taylor Swift, Trace Adkins and Trisha Yearwood.

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December 17 – 2nd Annual Holiday Pet Adoption Event
O.live body spa will announce the 2nd Annual Miracle on Music Row pet adoption and awareness event hosted by Emmylou Harris, Saturday (12/17), 10:30 AM- 2:30 PM at O.liv in Edgehill Village.

The event benefits Bonaparte’s Retreat, an organization in Nashville dedicated to providing nurturing foster care and homes for shelter animals. Though the event is free and open to the public, a suggested donation of $10 will be taken at the door.

Special guests The Civil Wars, Mike Farris and Buddy Miller will perform with Emmylou Harris.

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December 5 – Oak Ridge Boys Chattanooga, TN
December 21 – Oak Ridge Boys Knoxville, TN
December 7 – December 21 Oak Ridge Boys TV Special
The Oak Ridge Boys are teaming with Save the Children to kick off the a 31-city holiday tour, and have recorded a half-hour Christmas Special set to begin airing on Friday, (12/7).

Check local listings this holiday season through 12/21 or log on to Save the Children’s YouTube Channel for a chance to catch the blend of yuletide favorites, Oak Ridge Boys hits, and their newly-released single, “What’cha Gonna Do” from their Cracker Barrel exclusive CD, It’s Only Natural.

“We take pleasure in announcing that our group is partnering with Save the Children during this year’s Christmas tour,” Oak Ridge Boys member Duane Allen says. “There’s no need for any child to suffer from poverty, but in reality, there are millions who need our help.”

The Band Perry’s Debut Album Goes Platinum

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This week marks significant milestones for The Band Perry. Following their performance on The Grammy Nominations Concert Live!, the sibling trio received its first Grammy nomination in the all-genre Best New Artist category, and now the group’s debut album has been certified Platinum by the RIAA.

“We are excited and honored beyond belief. A Grammy nomination is like a gold star from the people you most look up to. As we begin our next album, this is a great vote of confidence…we promise not to let you down,” said Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry.

The Grammy contenders, already the reigning ACM and CMA New Artists award winners, show no signs of slowing down after coming off Reba‘s All The Women I Am Tour as well as headlining their own concert dates (including a sold-out Ryman show in February 2012). They’re set to join Brad Paisley’s Camobunga! 2012 World Tour in January and will continue working on their second album.

“In this environment, it takes something amazing to break through and The Band Perry has done just that with some extraordinary feats,” said Jimmy Harnen, Republic Nashville President. “There has always been something uniquely special about their music and them as individuals. On behalf of Republic Nashville, we couldn’t be prouder of Kimberly, Reid and Neil, who accolade after accolade, continue to be dedicated and humble,”

The Band Perry’s self-titled debut album features the No. 1, triple-Platinum smash “If I Die Young;” Gold-certified single “You Lie,” and their current single “All Your Life.”

Photo Friday (12/2/2011)

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The Academy of Country Music recently sponsored Rock the Cradle, a Nashville benefit for the Baptist Hospital Foundation. The event, co-chaired by Connie Bradley and Troy Tomlinson, featured Big & Rich and raised over $325,000 for babies born in the Beaman Neonatal Intensive Care Unit.

(L-R): Troy Tomlinson, Alison DeMarcus, Ken Robold, Butch Waugh, Big Kenny, Teresa George, Tiffany Moon, John Rich, Amy Cannon, Paul Barnabee, and Connie Bradley

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BMI writer/artist Preston Leatherman recently signed a management agreement with James Lucente and Chris Keaton. The Houston native and multi-instrumentalist recently released a live EP titled Live From The Basement: Vol. 1 featuring both old and new songs.

(L-R): James Lucente, Preston Leatherman (seated), BMI’s David Preston, and Chris Keaton

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Nashville restaurant proprietor and Sony Music Nashville Assoc. Dir., Artist Development & Marketing Rachel Fontenot recently filmed an episode of Food Network’s Heat Seekers from her East Nashville restaurant Mad Donna’s. The episode will feature the restaurant’s Habanero Mac & Cheese and ghost pepper-infused Vodka of Doom. Heat Seekers from Mad Donnas is set to air in January, 2012.

Rachel Fontenot (center, in black) prepares her spicy foods during the Food Network taping.

CMHOF Promotes Ali Tonn And Nathalie Lavine

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The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is pleased to announce two promotions in its education department. Public Programs Coordinator Ali Tonn has been promoted to Director of Education and Public Programming, while School Programs Coordinator Nathalie Lavine has been promoted to School Programs Manager. Tonn joined the museum staff in August 2005 and Lavine joined in October 2010.

Reporting to Vice President of Museum Programs Jay Orr, Tonn will direct all of the museum’s education and public programming, including the museum’s flagship educational program, Words & Music; all exhibit-related programming; monthly film screenings and family programs; the museum’s annual Artist-in-Residence concert series; and more. The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presents more than 200 education programs and more than 200 public and outreach programs annually.

Prior to joining the museum’s staff, Tonn worked at the W.O. Smith/Nashville Community Music School as a program and development assistant; and at the Manhattan School of Music as the orchestral performance program and community outreach associate. She earned a Bachelor of Arts in Music/Music History from the University of Kansas, and a Master of Arts in Business and Arts Administration from the University of Wisconsin-Madison. Tonn is a native of Haven, Kansas.

Reporting to Tonn, Lavine will manage the museum’s education programming, facilitating both onsite and distance learning programs. Lavine previously worked at the Jewish Historical Society of Greater Washington. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in History from Haverford College, and a Master of Arts in Museum Studies from George Washington University. Lavine is a native of Nashville, Tennessee.