New Legislation To Protect Instrument Owners

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Today U.S. Representative Jim Cooper announced legislation to clarify a broad federal law so that musicians, instrument retailers and resellers—among many others—would no longer be subject to penalties for unknowingly possessing illegal woods. “In theory, anybody who travels outside the country or even across the state line with an old guitar right now would be in legal jeopardy,” he explained.

The RELIEF Act (Retailers and Entertainers Lacey Implementation and Enforcement Fairness) clarifies the Lacey Act, which Congress updated in 2008 in an effort to disrupt illegal logging.

U.S. Representatives Mary Bono Mack (CA) and Marsha Blackburn (TN) joined Cooper as original co-sponsors.

“I’m grateful to Rep. Cooper for all of his support,” said Vince Gill. “From the perspective of guitar players, collectors and lovers of old instruments, I wholeheartedly support this bill.”

The Lacey Act has been a hot topic this year following alleged violations by Gibson.

The RELIEF Act includes:

• Grandfathering: Any foreign wood products that a person owned before May 22, 2008 (the date the Lacey Act amendments were signed into law) will be exempt from the law.

• Protection: If a person has any wood that violates Lacey but didn’t know it, he or she will not be penalized, and the government cannot confiscate that individual property.

• Access: The government should compile a database of forbidden wood sources on the Internet so that everyone is fairly warned.

The RELIEF Act preserves punishments for those who knowingly violate the Lacey Act. It also keeps in place existing laws that seek to disrupt illegal logging practices. The RELIEF Act does not affect ongoing cases under the Lacey Act.

RIAA Certs: Aldean, Band Perry, and More

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Some of Nashville’s hottest artists are among those receiving sales certifications from the RIAA this fall.

Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party album and hit single “Dirt Road Anthem” have both earned double-Platinum honors for selling over two million copies. Aldean has already been making the rounds on the Row to say thank you, and recently stopped by MusicRow’s offices for a photo.

The Band Perry’s massive hit single “If I Die Young” still has some life, as the RIAA just bestowed a triple-Platinum award upon it. Also earning triple-Platinum status is hip-hop/dance crew LMFAO and “Party Rock Anthem.”

Nashville rockers Hot Chelle Rae picked up double-Platinum honors for their hit “Tonight Tonight,” and Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” earned a Platinum award in September. Jamey Johnson’s groundbreaking album That Lonesome Song attained Platinum status, and George Strait’s 2008 No. 1 single “I Saw God Today” was certified Gold. Former Staind singer Aaron Lewis’ country project “Country Boy” also got some love with a Gold certification. 

Outside Nashville and country music, Jay-Z and Kanye West’s collaboration album Watch The Throne was quickly certified Platinum after its release in August. Foster The People was awarded its first ever Gold album for Torches, and their breakout single “Pumped Up Kicks” was certified double-Platinum.

Adele continued her reign by earning the top digital download award for the 5x Platinum smash “Rolling In The Deep,” and her songs “Someone Like You” and “Set Fire To The Rain” have earned Platinum and Gold certs, respectively.

[updated] Industry Ink Thursday

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Margaret Durante opened for YouTube sensation Tyler Ward at Rocketown in Nashville over the weekend, treating the standing room only crowd to material from her upcoming debut album on Emrose/R&J Records. (L-R): Ward’s manager Jordan Howard, 1882 Management; Margaret Durante; Tyler Ward; and Durante’s manager Scott Siman, RPM Management. Photo: Steph Diggs

• [updated] LoCash Cowboys band member Ryan “Troop” Jones has died from complications of pneumonia. He played fiddle, guitar and mandolin with the band.

• Universal Music Publishing Group names Brian Lambert Executive Vice President/Head of Film & Television Music. He is based in Santa Monica, Calif. and has 20 years of music publishing experience.

• Sara Evans, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Sugarland, and Zac Brown Band are the latest performers added to the Nov. 9 CMA Awards.

• Zac Brown Band is also bringing its dynamic southern rock act to Bridgestone Arena on Dec. 29.

• CBS Radio names Jeff Kapugi VP/Country, and PD for WUSN/Chicago. Jeff Garrison moves to the newly created position of VP/Country Artist Relations.

• Bass player Chris Kent died yesterday (10/19) at age 44. Among the artists he worked with are Lorrie Morgan, Toni Braxton, Steve Winwood and Stevie Wonder. More here.

Paul Kruse

• Paul W. Kruse, a partner at Bone McAllester Norton PLLC, has been named Best Lawyers’ 2012 Nashville Trademark Law, Lawyer of the Year. He has more than 20 years of experience in trademark counseling and litigation.

• Casey Le’Vasseur, daughter of Jeffrey Steele, celebrates the release of her debut novel, Silence & Noise, tonight (10/20) at the Listening Room. Book signing at 7 p.m. followed by a performance by Pearl Heart at 8:30 p.m.

• Christian recording artist and renowned guitar maestro Phil Keaggy releases Live From Kegworth Studio through Strobie Records.

• The Harry Fox Agency, Inc. is providing licensing services for BFM Digital, a leading independent music distributor specializing in customized strategic marketing, promotions and support solutions.

 

Keith Burns Hosts Charity Golf Tournament

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Keith Burns of Burns & Poe will hit the links Monday, October 24 at 8 am for a charity golf tournament benefiting his daughter Savannah, who was diagnosed with a rare form of leukemia in April 2011. Special guests include Joe Diffie, Dave Innis (Restless Heart), Bob Mueller (WKRN), Julie Roberts, Ty Brown, Bernie Nelson, Lathan Moore, Kate Taylor and more.

The event takes place at Ravenwood Country Club Golf Course (1176 Stones River Rd., Hermitage), and players will be expected to use 1920s traditional hickory-shafted golf clubs that were constructed in 2010. Clubs will be issued at check-in, along with two putters so that two players can share one bag. Players need to supply their own gloves, balls, markers and tees. Entry fee is $149 per player. The game will be followed by an acoustic show and silent auction at Dan McGuinness, 3:30-5:30 pm.

BMI Board Elects New Chairman

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Susan Davenport Austin

Susan Davenport Austin was elected Chairman of the Board of Directors of Broadcast Music, Inc. at the company’s annual shareholder meeting, held this week in Nashville. A respected media executive, Austin serves as a director and as Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation and President of the Sheridan Gospel Network. Austin’s family founded Sheridan in 1972. She is the first woman and the first African-American elected to serve as Chairman of the BMI Board.

Re-elected Board members: Craig A. Dubow, former Chairman and CEO, Gannett Co., Inc., McLean, VA; Paul Karpowicz, President, Meredith Broadcasting Group, Rocky Hill, CT; Virginia Hubbard Morris, Chair, Hubbard Radio and Vice President, Hubbard Broadcasting, Inc., St. Paul, MN; and G. Neil Smith, President, GNS Media, LLC, Liberty, SC. All will serve terms that expire in 2015.

Continuing their terms on the Board are: Del R. Bryant, President & CEO, BMI, New York, NY; Jack Sander, former Vice Chairman of Belo Corporation in Dallas, Texas; Amador Bustos, President, Bustos Media Holdings, LLC, Portland, OR; N. John Douglas, Chairman and CEO, AIM Broadcasting, LLC, Palo Alto, CA; Kenneth J. Elkins, (Retired) President & CEO, Pulitzer Broadcasting and Senior Vice President, Broadcasting, Pulitzer Publishing Co., St. Louis, MO; Michael J. Fiorile, Vice Chairman and CEO, Dispatch Broadcast Group, Columbus, OH; Catherine L. Hughes, Founder and Chairperson, Radio One, Inc., Lanham, MD; Philip A. Jones, Mission Hills, KS; Jerome L. Kersting, Chicago, IL; Mark P. Mays, Chairman Clear Channel Communications, San Antonio, TX; Mark Pedowitz, President, The CW Network, Burbank CA; and Cecil Walker, (Retired) Chairman and CEO, Gannett Broadcasting, Atlanta, GA.

ACM Establishes New Award

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The Academy of Country Music is establishing a Songwriter of the Year Award, to be presented in conjunction with next year’s 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards. The trophy will be handed out at the ACM Honors in Nashville in fall 2012.

Among the Awards committee members who helped create the new category are Pat Higdon, Dale Bobo and Ben Vaughn. “At the ACM, we want to show as much respect for the great craft of songwriting as we possibly can,” explains Vaughn. “I’m a songwriter guy, and I don’t think they get enough recognition—ever. The entire business is built around what a songwriter crafts, so anytime we can recognize them we should. For the ACM to take the lead in this is really gratifying.”

According to Michelle Goble, ACM Sr. Vice President, Membership & Events, “The Academy has always paid tribute to songwriters, whether it was through Song of the Year, hosting songwriter No. 1 parties or honoring legends with the Poet’s Award, as we do every year. We are thrilled to dedicate this annual award to the composers that make the country music genre so special in its rich history of storytelling.”

The ACM Songwriter of the Year award was previously presented only once, to Roger Miller in 1965.

The winner will be announced with the Special Awards recipients, Industry and MBI winners next spring, prior to the televised 47th Annual ACM Awards.

Award Criteria and Nominee Selection: This award is presented to an individual known predominately as a songwriter. The Songwriter of the Year final nominees will be selected by a Blue Ribbon panel of judges comprised of songwriters, publishers, producers, and performing rights organization (PRO) representatives. The Panel will submit 5 (five) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board.

The final nominees will appear on the third ballot and be voted on by the ACM professional members in Artist-Entertainer/Musician-Bandleader-Instrumentalist, Composer, Music Publisher/PRO, Record Company, and the Producer/Engineer/Studio Manager subcategory (contained within the Affiliated category).

The factors to be considered include, but are not limited to, a commercially released single crediting the songwriter that charted on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs (BDS) or Country Aircheck (Mediabase) country charts during the prior calendar year of Dec. 1 – Nov. 30. If the single was released prior to the eligibility period, but achieved its highest charted position during the eligibility period, it is eligible, unless it appeared on a final ACM ballot.

Membership to vote in the 2012 cycle: New membership applications for the ACM must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011 for members to be eligible to vote during the 2012 Awards cycle. Existing membership renewals must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011.

Nominees for the Academy of Country Music Awards will be revealed in February 2012 at a date to be announced. For more information on ACM Awards criteria, please click to download.

Paisley’s Bringing The Camobunga!

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After recently wrapping his highly successful 2011 tour, Brad Paisley has announced his tour for next year – The Camobunga! 2012 World Tour presented by Chevy. The outing kicks-off Jan. 12 in Grand Rapids, Mich. with special guests The Band Perry and Scotty McCreery.

Paisley’s explanation of the tour name comes from an etymology of the word Camobunga:

Camobunga :n; : //kam,bunga/ –  The name of a live musical tour experience. A mind blowing blend of country, fiery 60’s surf guitar acrobatics, futuristic special effects, retro heart and soul, and mind altering liquid beverages. The spirit of the deep woods meets the breakneck excitement of the California coast.

camouflage – N: /kamfläZH/ -fabric w/ splotches of green, brown, black & tan, meant to make the wearer of this pattern hard to distinguish from the background;(or possibly stand out as a redneck). And Brad Paisley’s latest single.

cowabunga (exclamation): Originated as a greeting by Chief Thunderthud on the 50’s cowboy puppet TV program “The Howdy Doody Show,” was later adopted by surfers in the 60’s.

Paisley will also release his first book, Diary of a Player, on Nov. 1, delving into how his musical heroes made a guitar man out of him.

He is currently nominated for five CMA Awards – Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist, Album of the Year (This Is Country Music), Music Event and Video (“Old Alabama”) and will co-host “The 45th Annual CMA Awards” with Carrie Underwood for the fourth consecutive year on Nov 9.

Industry Photos (10/20/11)

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Frances Preston Honored as Giant of Broadcasting

Frances Williams Preston made history as the President & CEO of BMI, and on Friday, October 14, her contributions were celebrated by the Library of American Broadcasting Foundation. Named one of the foundation’s Giants of Broadcasting, Preston joined 2011 honorees Christiane Amanpour; Rick Buckley; CBS Sunday Morning’s team comprising Charles Kuralt, Rand Morrison, Robert “Shad” Northshield, and Charles Osgood; John F. Dille, III; Brian Lamb; Dawson B “Tack” Nail; Frederick S. Pierce; and Brian Williams.

Preston was selected to open BMI’s Music City outpost in 1958, where she helped define the golden era of the music industry. As BMI’s New York-based president & CEO from 1986 until 2004, she oversaw the company’s unprecedented growth. Preston was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992. (L-R): BMI’s Alison Smith; Preston; and Susan Davenport Austin, Chairman BMI Board of Directors, Sr. VP/CFO Sheridan Broadcasting Corporation and Pres. Sheridan Gospel Network.

Photo: R. Arhold

 

7th Annual Stars For Second Harvest A Smashing Success

A variety of Nashville celebrities came together to support and participate in the 7th annual Stars For Second Harvest concert which benefits the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. The event helped to raise nearly $50,000 this year. Host Craig Wiseman, Kix Brooks and Dallas Davidson kicked off the evening with a rockin’ songwriters round. The evening included performances by pop artist Martin Johnson of Boys Like Girls, indie artist Dave Barnes and a surprise appearance by country recording artist Jake Owen. Tennessee Titans football players Rob Bironas and Cortland Finnegan were there to auction off autographed memorabilia including jerseys, footballs and even a few penalty flags. Presenting sponsor O’Charley’s underwrote the entire event to ensure that all proceeds benefit the food bank. Also, Nissan Americas, Vice Chairman Bill Krueger presented Second Harvest Pres./CEO Jaynee Day a brand new 2012 Nissan NV stocked with food items. The donated van will be used to help collect and distribute food around Middle Tennessee. Left: (L-R): KK Wiseman and Craig Wiseman. Right: (L-R): Jake Owen, Jaynee Day, Dave Barnes.

Photos: Peyton Hoge

Australian Invasion at 2011 Americana Music Festival

Twenty of Australia’s finest roots artists descended on Music City’s annual Americana Music Festival and Conference last week, held in and around downtown Nashville Oct. 12-15. This year’s Australian lineup included Kirsty Akers, James Blundell, Ange Boxall, Catherine Britt, O’Shea, Chris Pickering, Henry Wagons,  3rd Wheel, Chris Altmann, Lachlan Bryan, Kristy Cox, Mia Dyson, Gleny Rae Virus and Her Tamworth Playboys, Caitlin Harnett, The McMenamins, Shandell and Duke Wilde Band. 2011 Telstra Road to Discovery Songwriter winner David Garnham and Telstra Road to Discovery Performer winner Harry Hookey also made the trip and performed at events throughout the week.

The artists participated in several AMA-related activities, including the Tamworth Presents “A Taste of Australia” showcase at the legendary Bluebird Cafe, the “Are You Prepared To Be Known As A Country Artist Down Under?” seminar panel at the AMA conference, the Maton Presents “Lunch With the Aussies” luncheon and performance at famed Broadway honkytonk The Second Fiddle and a free Aussie BBQ at The Basement.

For the second year in a row, Australian music industry and government-supported organization Sounds Australia sponsored the overseas trip through its strategic partnership with the Nashville-based Americana Music Association. (L-R): Jay O’Shea, Mark O’Shea, Troy Cassar-Daley, Sounds Australia Project Manager Dobe Newton, Catherine Britt, AristoMedia Pres./CEO Jeff Walker, and record producer Mark Moffatt.

Photo: Bev Moser

Artist Photos (10/20/11)

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Toby Keith Gets Red Solo Surprise

In celebration of Toby Keith adding the new song “Red Solo Cup” to his set list, from his forthcoming album titled Clancy’s Tavern, crew members decided to pay homage to the beverage receptacle during Toby’s performance of the song. If you haven’t seen the viral video for the song… check it out below.

Jason Aldean Visit to Great American Country

Jason Aldean delivered some heavy metal—in the form of a double platinum for his My Kind of Party LP—to GAC President Ed Hardy and VP/Programming Suzanne Gordon during a recent visit to the network.


Tracy Lawrence Honored At Texarkana College

Tracy Lawrence stopped by Texarkana College recently while on tour in his hometown to speak to a group of students including student organization members and scholarship winners. The Tracy Lawrence Foundation has endowed several scholarships to area colleges including Texarkana College over the past fifteen years. During the visit, Lawrence was presented with an honorary Associate of Arts Degree with a concentration in music. (L-R): Julie-Ray Harrison, TC Board Pres. Mike Sandefur, Lawrence and TC college Pres. James Henry Russell.


Payton Rae Makes New Christmas Video

Christmas came early for teen country artist Payton Rae. The 16-year old was in Nashville this week, working with director Stephen Shepherd of VideoBoy Productions on a video for her new holiday song, “Christmastime With You.” The tune was written by Payton, Brian White (who also produced the track), Karyn Williams and Bruce Wallace. The single and video will be available in the coming weeks. (L-R): John Lytle, Lytle Management; Rae; and Shepherd.

Lady A Tickets for CRS Attendees

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Lady Antebellum has set aside a block of seats at its Nashville Own The Night Tour date Feb. 22 for Country Radio Seminar attendees. The band wants to thank radio for its support, and is making a donation to CRS programs for scholarships, seminars and the Country Radio Hall of Fame.

“We feel like it was just yesterday when we heard our first single on the radio for the first time. Here we are four years later with so much gratitude and love in our hearts for our friends at Country radio,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “With our Own The Night Tour going on this spring, we thought what better time to play Nashville than during CRS…we want this to be a huge party to celebrate our relationship with Country radio, our hometown, and OWNING THE NIGHT!”

All CRS 2012 attendees will receive a ticket to the show in their on-site registration packets. Shuttle buses will transport attendees to and from the venue (TBD) following the seminar’s Artist/Attendee Welcome Reception at the Nashville Convention Center on Wednesday evening.

CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24 in downtown Nashville.

In related news, Country Radio Seminar is honoring the perpetual crisis management efforts of Country radio with its “Radio Responds: A Tribute to Country Radio” presentation at CRS 2012. CRS is requesting digital format materials from stations around the country that will be included in a special salute honoring Country radio and shown at various events throughout the seminar. These materials can include presentations, news video, on-air aircheck segments or anything that effectively demonstrates a station’s efforts to help those in need. Please send materials in digital format only to: RadioResponds@CountryRadioSeminar.com.

The CRS 2012 $399 Early Bird registration rate, which is the cheapest registration rate of the year, is set to expire on Nov. 15. Beginning Wed., Nov. 16, the price will increase to the $499 Regular Rate. Registration is available at www.CountryRadioSeminar.com or by calling (615) 327-4487.