Photo Tuesday

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Some of Music City’s top songwriters came to the Country Music Hall of Fame Sept. 29 for Wake Up Nashville, benefiting national non-profit Wake Up Narcolepsy. Writers Bobby Wood, Dave Gibson, Tyler Hayes, and many more joined the stage to have their voices heard for the disabling sleep disorder. With more than 150 people in attendance, the organization raised a little over $50,000 for research and awareness.

(L-R): Kia Jarmon, Denise Fussell, co-organizer Bob Saporiti, co-organizer Tabitha Crawford, Caitlin Rantala

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Nashville framing and gift store The Beveled Edge recently hosted Nashville author Jack Isenhour to sign copies of his new release He Stopped Loving Her Today: George Jones, Billy Sherrill, and the Pretty-Much Totally True Story of the Making of the Greatest Country Record of All Time. The book tells the story and struggle behind the creation of the George Jones classic, now regarded as the quintessential country song.

“How Jack wrote this book is a testament to the very character of Nashville,” said Susan Taylor, co-owner and founder of The Beveled Edge. “His interviews for the book were arranged through someone, who knew someone, who knew someone, all of whom were willing to help—something fellow Nashvillians will recognize and relate to.”

(L-R): William Smithson, Jack Isenhour and Susan Taylor

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The downtown Nashville location of Jimmy Buffet’s Margaritaville recently hosted a Songplugger Mixer event, where pluggers of all stripes mingled and the fun included a tropical dress up contest.

(L-R) Penny Everhard, Melanie Howard, Will Byrd, Jason Morris and Carrie Bleitner

Americana Music Festival, Conference Launches Tomorrow

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The 12th Annual Americana Music Festival and Conference, sponsored by Nissan, opens tomorrow in Nashville and runs through Oct. 15. The centerpiece of the week will be Thursday night’s (10/13) Americana Honors & Awards show at the historic Ryman Auditorium. The ceremony will be broadcast live in Middle Tennessee on Nashville Public Television Ch. 8 at 7:00 p.m. Additionally, a one-hour cut of the program will broadcast nationwide Nov. 19, during a special edition of PBS’s Austin City Limits.

There will be rockin’ nighttime showcases at numerous local venues, and daytime educational components held at the Nashville Downtown Sheraton.

One recently announced theme running through the week will showcase the remarkable music from the state of Alabama. Included will be an evening of music, an all-star panel discussion of the Muscle Shoals sound, and a Lifetime Achievement Award presentation to Fame Studios producer Rick Hall during the Honors & Awards show.

The Americana Music Festival opens Wednesday, Oct. 12, at 8 p.m. at the Cannery Ballroom with an evening of Alabama song. On the bill are the Blind Boys of Alabama, The Civil Wars, Candi Staton, Mike Farris, Webb Wilder, Dez Dickerson, T Graham Brown and more.

The following afternoon, Thursday, Oct. 13, 12–1:30 p.m., offers a stacked panel discussion on the recordings which helped define the careers of Aretha Franklin, Wilson Pickett, Bob Dylan, Bobbie Gentry, the Osmonds, the Rolling Stones and more. Land of 1000 Dances: The Groundbreaking Sounds of Muscle Shoals, presented in partnership with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum at the Hall’s Ford Theater, will feature pioneering producers, songwriters and musicians David Briggs, Rick Hall, Norbert Putnam, Donnie Fritts, Dan Penn, Spooner Oldham and Jimmy Johnson, with journalist Holly George Warren as moderator.

Details on the conference, awards, panel discussion and more at www.americanamusic.org.

New Ryman Partner Makes The Wheels Turn

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Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium has announced a multi-year partnership with Nissan North America, making Nissan an Official Partner. The auto manufacturer will become part of the daytime tour experience and nightly concerts through branding and advertising opportunities, and aims to bring its ‘Innovation For All’ campaign to the storied music destination.

“We are thrilled to align the Ryman in this long-term partnership with Nissan,” said Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium General Manager. “We look forward to putting ‘Innovation For All’ into action, enhancing our concert experiences for fans with cutting edge innovation and technology. We’re excited to have a locally based global company as our partner. Together, we’ll elevate our museum and concert offerings, not only for fans here in Nashville but for audiences around the world using a variety of media platforms.”

“We strive for ‘Innovation For All’ and that includes Nashville’s diverse music community. Where better to center that partnership but within the very epicenter of Music City, the Ryman Auditorium? Our partnership with the Ryman is an extension of our commitment to Nashville and its thriving entertainment offerings,” said Jon Brancheau, Vice President, Marketing, Nissan.

Technology will play an important role in the partnership, and consumers will soon be able to download the first official Ryman app for iPhone and Android smartphones. With the app users will be able to receive concerts announcements via text, purchase tickets directly, browse the Hatch Show Print Gallery, and share concerts through social media. Additionally, the partners are planning “Nissan Recording Sessions From The Ryman,” a national contest which will grant the finalists an opportunity to play and record on the Ryman stage.

Coming up at the Ryman are Goo Goo Dolls (10/17), Aretha Franklin (10/19), Peter Frampton (10/22), Indigo Girls & Brandi Carlile (11/17), Glen Campbell (11/30 & 12/5), Gillian Welch (12/1) and more. See full calendar here.

ACM Sets Voting Timeline

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The Academy of Country Music announced today (10/10) the ballot timeline for professional membership voting for the 47th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, to be held in Spring 2012 on an as-yet-unannounced date.

For members to be eligible to vote during the 2012 Awards cycle:

New membership applications must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 11, 2011

Existing membership renewals must be completed by 5:00 PM PT on Friday, Nov. 18, 2011

The ballot timeline for professional members:
1st Ballot Opens – Mon., Dec. 5, 2011
1st Ballot Closes – Mon., Dec. 12, 2011

2nd Ballot Opens – Mon., Jan. 9, 2012
2nd Ballot Closes – Mon., Jan. 16, 2012

3rd Ballot Opens – Mon., March 5, 2012
3rd Ballot Closes – Mon., March 12, 2012

Nominees will be revealed in February 2012 at a date to be announced.

Details about fan voting will be announced at a later date.

For more information on ACM Awards criteria click to download pdf.

 

Sell-Out Is Simply Marketing Slang

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We’ve all heard stories about concert tickets selling out within minutes of the box office opening. But what actually constitutes a sold-out show?

Ticketing and live events experts agree: Sold out is a marketing term, not a technical one. And it means different things to different marketers.

One rep from a local venue says that he has only seen one show in his nearly 20-year career where no tickets of any kind were available. Thus, it is extremely rare—maybe once every decade or so in large arenas—that when the box office closes, there isn’t one seat available anywhere in the house.

Most fans and members of the industry would agree that a sell-out is when tickets can no longer be purchased by the general public. But, as those in the biz know, this doesn’t mean that the right connections can’t get you in the door. Instead, plenty of tickets are set aside for production holds, artist holds, etc.

However, some artist reps use the term sell-out very loosely, in an effort to fuel media publicity, accrue bragging rights, and sell more tickets. Marketers might spread the word that a concert is sold out when there are no pairs of tickets available, only singles. Or they might deem a show sold out when the only remaining tickets are relatively expensive, perhaps over the $100 mark.

It’s a common practice for tickets to be released to the public the day of the show. After the stage is set up, venue reps can gauge clear sightlines from various points in the audience and then open up for purchase seats that previously had questionable visibility. Even if no one buys those last-minute tickets, the concert is still referred to as a sell-out.

 

Urban On People.com, Ellen Show

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Keith Urban is launching a new single and new fragrance this fall. He is set to appear on The Ellen DeGeneres Show tomorrow (10/11) where he will perform “You Gonna Fly” and promote his new men’s cologne, Phoenix.

Partnering with People.com, Urban recently launched a nationwide contest to create a 30-second commercial spot for Phoenix. The grand prize winner will be hand selected by Urban and the commercial will be broadcast on national network television. The contest will run through Nov. 11. Details at www.KeithUrban.net.

He recently scored his 13th No. 1 single with “Long Hot Summer.” At the upcoming CMA Awards, Urban is vying for Entertainer of the Year and Male Vocalist of the Year. He will close his Get Closer 2011 World Tour Oct. 15 in Minneapolis, MN.

Broken Bow Amps Up Promo Dept.

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Clay Henderson

Broken Bow Records has announced the promotion of Clay Henderson to the position of Director of Syndicated Programming where he will be responsible for both the Broken Bow and Stoney Creek imprints.

Henderson moves up from BBR’s promotion department, where he served as a Southeast regional. His career also includes time at Warner Bros., Universal South and AristoMedia/Marco Promotions.

“As BBR/SCR continues its growth and looks forward to a busy and exciting 2012, adding someone to focus on Syndicated Radio and also assist Lynette Garbonola in our New Media Department was an important next-step,” says Jon Loba, Sr. VP of Broken Bow/ Stoney Creek Records. “Clay’s skill-set and work ethic fit perfectly with what we envision this position ultimately encompassing.”

Scotty O'Brien

Additionally, Broken Bow has hired Nashville radio personality Scotty O’Brien to fill the vacant Southeast Regional Promotion Director position. O’Brien’s resume includes on-air work with Cumulus Nashville and Star 94 and Kicks 101.5 in Atlanta.

“We are all incredibly excited about Scotty joining the BBR family,” says Carson James, BBR Sr. VP of Promotion. “Scotty’s enthusiasm, invaluable radio experience and his love of music make him the perfect fit for our team as we move into the next chapter of BBR.”

O’Brien starts immediately and will officially take over regional duties January 2, 2012. Congratulate him here.

NATD Names Officers, Board

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Karen Entz, NATD Executive Secretary, has announced the 2011/2012 Officer and Board of Directors serving the Nashville Association of Talent Directors.

President: Steve Tolman, LogiCom Project Mgmt.

Immediate Past President: Rod Harris, jenn-rod artist directions

1st Vice President: Bonnie Sugarman, Agency for the Performing Arts

2nd Vice President: Ed Bazel, The Bazel Group, Inc.

Officers At Large:
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group

Rob Battle, Battle Artist Agency

Rod Essig, Creative Artists Agency

Mike Smardak, Outback Concerts

Carrie Moore-Reed, Third Coast Talent Agency

Jeff Debusk, The Music Sanctuary

Sergeant At Arms: Josh Debusk, The Music Sanctuary

Attorney: Philip Lyon, Lyon & Phillips, PLLC

Treasurer: Randi Perkins, Amerisong, Inc.

Membership Chairman: Neal Spielberg, Spielberg Consulting

Karl Braun Expands Role at HBSS

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Karl Braun

The Nashville office of Hall Booth Smith & Slover, P.C., recently announced that partner Karl M. Braun will head its new Family Law and Mediation practice group.

Braun also leads the firm’s Intellectual Property/Entertainment group and has decades of experience in extensive transactional and litigation practices.

“Karl Braun brings 19 years of experience, talent and passion to the Family Law and Mediation practice group,” said Buck Cole, a partner with the firm’s Nashville office.

Braun has been with HBSS for nearly 17 years and recently received his Rule 31 mediator designation. He has served as an advocate in a number of mediation settings and is experienced in finding alternatives to litigation. Braun is accompanied in the practice by Bart Pickett, who joined the firm last year.

In addition to his experience as an attorney, Braun has spent more than 15 years as a professional musician and songwriter. Braun attended Eckerd College in St. Petersburg, FL, where he studied music and received a Bachelor of Arts degree in creative writing. He attended Georgia State University College of Law, where he received his Juris Doctorate magna cum laude in 1992.

Sugarland Will Return To Indiana For Free Concert

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Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush of Sugarland will return to Indiana for a free concert at Conseco Fieldhouse on Oct. 28. The full-band show will also serve as the final stop of Sugarland’s 2011 Incredible Machine Tour.

Regardless of refund status, Sugarland plans to honor all previous ticketholders from the Aug. 13 Indiana State Fair show at this new date. Ticket distribution will start with a first-come, first-serve “presale” for previous ticketholders before the release of seats to the general public. The “presale” will begin Oct. 10 at 10 a.m. ET, and end Oct. 14 at midnight ET.

Fans who bought State Fair show tickets online or via telephone through Ticketmaster or the Indiana State Fair (ISF) will receive unique passwords via email or phone to redeem the same number of tickets they originally purchased. Fans who participated in the Sugarpass fan club presale will receive an email with ticket redemption instructions for use on Sugarlandmusic.com. Original Sugarpit ticketholders will have first priority to choose Sugarpit for this show as well.

Remaining seats for the Conseco Fieldhouse show will be released to the general public Saturday, Oct. 15 at 10 a.m. ET on a first-come, first-serve basis. Tickets will be free via Ticketmaster.

Doors on the night of the performance will open at 6:30 p.m. The show will begin at 7:30 p.m. Contributions to the Indiana State Fair Remembrance Fund will be gratefully accepted throughout the night. Special guests will be announced at a later date.

For more information on Sugarland’s return to Indiana and/or how to redeem previously purchased tickets for this performance, please visit www.SugarlandMusic.com.