Music Council Refocuses, Rebrands

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The Nashville Music Council has re-branded with a new name, re-focused with fewer members, and added a full-time staffer.

Now known as the Music City Music Council (MC2), the new moniker emphasizes one of Nashville’s most important offerings, its music. “We’re not just any city. We are Music City, and that designation is an appropriate and descriptive name for the Council as it works to further cement our Music City identity,” explains Mayor Karl Dean. “Under this new structure, the Music Council will be better equipped to recruit entertainment companies and visitors to our city and all that Nashville offers.”

MC2 is co-chaired by Dean and Music Row veteran Randy Goodman, who was most recently president of Lyric Street Records. Goodman says, “As we evaluated different approaches and strategic initiatives toward our overarching goals, it became obvious it was necessary to downsize the Council to be nimble and focused enough to give appropriate and timely counsel to the Mayor, his staff, the Chamber and the CVB.” Previously, sixty artists and music executives served on the Council. The new 21-member body places a greater focus on economic development.

Additionally, Honey Hopkins has been hired to the newly created, full-time position of director of the Music City Music Council. Hopkins, who had served as the liaison between the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Music Council, will manage the group’s initiatives and day-to-day operations.

The Council includes: Co-Chairs, Dean and Goodman; Butch Spyridon, president and CEO, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau; Ralph Schulz, president and CEO, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce; and Mary Ann McCready, immediate past co-chair.

Committee chairs: Ryman Auditorium General Manager Sally Williams, chair of the Live Music Committee; Vector Management Partner Ken Levitan, chair of the Business Development Committee; Nancy Shapiro of The Recording Academy, chair of the Education Committee; Bohan & Associates Partner David Bohan, chair of the Marketing Committee; and Country Music Association CEO Steve Moore, chair of the Association and Trade Organizations Committee. Goodman will chair the Hospitality Committee.

At-large members: Joe Galante; Clarence Spalding, president, Spalding Entertainment; Troy Tomlinson, CEO, Nashville Sony/ATV Publishing; David Ingram, chairman and president, Ingram Entertainment Inc.; Scott Clayton of Creative Artists Agency; Mike Wells, president and CEO, Jackson National Life Insurance Co., and Steve Turner, principal, MarketStreet Enterprises.

The organization launched in 2009 as a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau.

Honey Hopkins can be reached at (615) 880-1506 or [email protected].

Hunter Hayes Preps Album Release, Plans Tour

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Warner Music Nashville artist Hunter Hayes will release his self-titled debut album Oct. 11, and will support it by launching his first-ever club tour on Oct. 8.

Hayes’ “Most Wanted” Fall Tour 2011 gets underway at Ford Park Exhibit Hall in Beaumont, TX and currently has 15 U.S. dates scheduled, including a stop Nov. 2 at Nashville’s 12th & Porter.

Two special VIP Experience packages will be available for purchase at each show. The “VIP Coffee House Experience” includes a pre-order of Hunter Hayes, a Hunter t-shirt, a tour laminate, and pre-show coffee with Hunter at the venue. The second option is the “Hunter Hayes Early Entry Experience” and gets buyers early entry the night of the show, a t-shirt, and the album pre-order. Full tour dates are below.

The young multi-instrumentalist (guitar, bass, drums, mandolin, keys, and more) played every instrument on Hunter Hayes, wrote or co-wrote every song, and co-produced it with Dann Huff. CMT.com’s “Listen Up” is offering exclusive live performances of some of the tracks from Hayes’ recent performance at 12th & Porter, as well as a video bio and other exclusive footage. Check out the performances here.

Hunter Hayes “Most Wanted” Fall Tour 2011:
10/8                 Beaumont, TX – Ford Park Exhibit Hall
10/9                 Gretna, LA – Heritage Festival
10/12               Foxboro, MA – Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill
10/20               Columbus, OH – The Bluestone
10/21               Indianapolis, IN – The Earth House
10/22               Lexington, KY – Cosmic Charlie’s
10/26               Detroit, MI – Clutch Cargo
10/27               Grand Rapids, MI – The Intersection
10/28               Cleveland, OH – House of Blues
10/29               Pittsburgh, PA – The Altar
11/2                 Nashville, TN – 12th and Porter
11/5                 Sanford, FL – The Barn
11/6                 Davie, FL – The Round Up
11/11               Milwaukee, WI – Red Rock
11/12               Chicago, IL – To Be Announced

Steve Holy Releases New Album

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Curb Records artist Steve Holy releases his third studio album, Love Don’t Run, today, Sept. 13. Working again with producer and hit songwriter Lee Miller, Holy’s lead single is the title track written by Joe Leathers, Rachael Thibodeau and Ben Glover.

“I’m so proud of this album and grateful it’s finally out,” states Holy. “After the birth of my two daughters this is the third most exciting day of my life!”

Along with a steady climb up the country charts, “Love Don’t Run” has just reached the No. 3 spot on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown. Holy is touring nationally in support of the project.

Track listing:
1. If It Gets You Where You Wanna Go (Rodney Atkins, Rodney Clawson, Jim Collins)
2. Love Don’t Run (Joe Leathers, Rachael Thibodeau, Ben Glover)
3. Hauled Off And Kissed Me (Steve Holy, Jim Collins, Lee Thomas Miller)
4. Until The Rain Stops (Matt Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Matt Jenkins)
5. Heart Of A Hero (Kelly Roland, Nicole Witt, Pat Bunch)
6. Every Day Should End Like This (Steve Holy, Ross Copperman, Lee Thomas Miller)
7. Wonders (Steve Holy, Steve Rutledge, Joel Brentlinger)
8. Let The Sun Shine In (Steve Holy, Tony Martin, Lee Thomas Miller)
9. Like I’m Famous (Steven Dale Jones, Jeremy Spillman, Chris Cavanaugh)
10. Help Me Make It Through The Night (Kris Kristofferson)
11. Bonus Track: Good Morning Beautiful (Todd Cerney, Zack Lyle)

Star Line-Up for ACM Honors

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Joe Nichols will host the ACM Honors.

Presenters and performers for the 5th Annual ACM Honors have been revealed. A slew of country’s finest will join host and performer Joe Nichols Mon., Sept. 19 at the Ryman Auditorium.

Presenters include Ronnie Dunn, Laura Bell Bundy, John Michael Montgomery and Ralph Emery. Set to perform are Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers, Jamey Johnson, Montomery Gentry, Rodney Atkins, Dean Dillon, Randy Houser, Jack Ingram, The Isaacs, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square, The Whites and Lee Ann Womack. Buddy Cannon serves as the event’s musical director.

The ACM Honors is an evening of musical tribute performances and special presentations celebrating the non-televised winners from the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, held earlier this year.

Those being honored at the event include Special Award recipients Garth Brooks, John Dorris, Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Reba, Taylor Swift and the film Country Strong. Hank Cochran will also be honored posthumously. The evening also recognizes winners of the MBI (musician, bandleader, instrumentalist) and Industry categories. See the complete list of winners.

For the second year in a row, a limited number of tickets will be available for purchase by the general public via Ticketmaster.

Early Winners From The Canadian Country Music Awards

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Festivities surrounding the Canadian Country Music Awards in Hamilton, Ontario are in full swing, with honors handed out over the weekend at the Gala Dinner Awards, and the All-Star Band Awards & Jam Session. The Gala Dinner boasted performances by Victoria Banks, Terri Clark, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, and The Band Perry. The main awards show is tonight’s 2011 Canadian Country Music Awards.

Some of the weekend’s winners:
Ron Sakamoto Talent Buyer or Promoter of the Year—Kelly Berehulka (Casinos Of Winnipeg)
Music Publishing Company of the Year—ole
Record Company of the Year—Open Road Recordings
Record Company Person of the Year—Ron Kitchener (Open Road Recordings)
Artist Hall of Fame Inductee—Michelle Wright
Builder Hall of Fame Inductee—Bill Langstroth
Slaight Music Humanitarian Award—Johnny Reid
Songwriter(s) of the Year—”Trail In Life” (written and recorded by Dean Brody)
Top Selling Canadian Album 0f the Year (Canadian sales only)—Johnny Reid
Top Selling International Album of the Year (Canadian sales only)—Taylor Swift
Album Design of the Year—Kristin Barlowe/Cut+Paste Design/Jill Snell/Jeff Sylvester for Trail In Life (Dean Brody)
Record Producer(s) of the Year—George Canyon/Richard Marx (Better Be Home Soon – George Canyon)
Management Company of the Year—RGK Entertainment Group Inc.
Retailer of the Year—iTunes Canada
Website of the Year—deanbrody.com (Dean Brody) – Mike Kent/Mitch Nevins, Webmasters
Booking Agency of the Year—The Agency Group
Video Director of the Year—Stephano Barberis (“Here To Heaven” Marlee Scott; “Passenger Window” Melissa Rae Barrie; “Put Some Alcohol On It” Gord Bamford)
Country Festival, Fair, or Exhibition of the Year—Calgary Stampede, Calgary, AB

The full list of awards can be found at www.ccma.org.

Talent Agencies Reveal IEBA Conference Performers

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Two Nashville talent agencies have released the performance lineups for the International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA) conference, which takes place at the Sheraton Downtown Nashville October 2-4.

APA will open the IEBA Conference on Sunday, October 2, with performances from Lyndsey Highlander, Aaron Parker, Ray Scott, Dread Clampitt, Wanda Jackson and Jim Messina.

“Our attendees can’t wait to see who APA will showcase each year, and they never disappoint.” says IEBA Executive Director, Tiffany Davis. “They always set the bar high and get everyone pumped for the night!”

On Monday, October 3, Creative Artists Agency (CAA) will showcase some of its best new talent for conference-goers, including Kip Moore, Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge, Craig Campbell, Sonia Leigh, and Love and Theft.

“The CAA showcase is always a much anticipated performance,” added Davis. “The agency has been a great partner of ours for many years, and we always look forward to their talent.”

Over 500 of the live entertainment industry’s top decision makers are expected at this year’s conference. Last year the organization celebrated its 40th anniversary with record-breaking attendance and top-notch performances.

Americana Music Association Reveals Lifetime Achievement Honorees

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(L-R): Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, and Bob Harris

The Americana Music Association will honor Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Jerry Douglas, Rick Hall, and Bob Harris with Lifetime Achievement Awards at the Association’s Honors & Awards show Thurs., Oct. 13, 2011 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Lifetime Achievement for Songwriter—Songstress Lucinda Williams continues to make musical inroads as an artist, performer and celebrated tunesmith with her roots-grounded sound, influencing countless others along the way.

Lifetime Achievement for Performer—Living legend Gregg Allman has captivated audiences since his early days with The Allman Brothers Band, and continues to lead the charge of genre-melding Southern-bred rockers.

Lifetime Achievement for Instrumentalist—Dobro master Jerry Douglas is equally revered for his solo work, session playing, and as a longtime member of Alison Krauss and Union Station.

Lifetime Achievement for Executive (Jack Emerson Award)—Rick Hall fostered the seminal Muscle Shoals through his groundbreaking production work at FAME Studios, recording Wilson Pickett, Aretha Franklin, Otis Redding, Etta James, The Osmonds, and Bobbie Gentry.

Trailblazer Award—Bob Harris is a celebrated radio host and journalist who advocates exceptional artistry via shows on the BBC and other outlets.

The Honors & Awards is the capstone event of the Americana Music Association’s Festival and Conference presented by Nissan, running October 12-15 in Nashville. Jim Lauderdale will again serve as master of ceremonies for the Honors & Awards, while Buddy Miller will lead an all-star house band. Among the other artists attending are Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Hayes Carll, The Civil Wars, Elizabeth Cook, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, The Secret Sisters, and more to be announced.

A limited number of awards show tickets, $35 and $65, are available through the Ryman Box Office or ryman.com.

Full Festival & Conference registration includes access to all panels and presentations, the revamped exhibit hall, invitations to all sanctioned parties, a ticket to the Honors and Awards Show, and priority admission to the evening performances. Registration is currently $350 for AMA members and $450 for non-members at americanamusic.org.

Kim Buie Joins Thirty Tigers

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Kim Buie and dog Alfred

Longtime music business executive Kim Buie has joined Thirty Tigers, heading up the company’s A&R department and taking on artist management duties. Buie spent the last seven-plus years handling A&R for UMG Nashville’s Lost Highway.

At Thirty Tigers, Buie brings with her management client Jessie Baylin, who is set to release new album Little Spark on Jan. 17, 2012.

“It’s an honor to have Kim joining our team. She’s the perfect fit, bringing both immense business acumen and great creative sensibilities,” says David Macias, President of Thirty Tigers.

“Leaving Lost Highway was one of the hardest decisions of my career,” explains Buie, “but as our industry changes, it became time for me to be part of that change. Joining Thirty Tigers is enabling me to do what I love—to work closely with the art. It also allows me to work with artists in a different way, by empowering them to build and control the lion share of their business, and that excites me.” Buie notes she has enjoyed working under Luke Lewis at Lost Highway, Jimmy Bowen at MCA and Liberty, and Chris Blackwell at both Island and Palm Pictures.

Over her extensive A&R career, Buie has worked with artists including Lucinda Williams, Ryan Bingham, William Burroughs, Elvis Costello, Willie Nelson, Michael Franti, Etta James, and T Bone Burnette.

Thirty Tigers is a 10-year-old company that provides project management for clients, as well as publicity services, radio promotion, new media marketing services, financial modeling and distribution through their exclusive deal with Sony’s independent distribution and marketing arm, RED. Thirty Tigers clients have included The Avett Brothers, Those Darlins, James McMurtry, Drive-By Truckers, Elizabeth Cook, Beth Nielsen Chapman, Billy Joe Shaver, North Mississippi All Stars, and Kathy Mattea.

Kim Buie can be contacted at 615-664-1167 or [email protected].

Webster PR Staffs Up

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Kirt Webster, Pres. of Webster & Associates Public Relations & Marketing, today announced the promotion of Jeremy Westby to VP/Operations, and the addition of Sr. Publicist Kay Waggoner and Executive Associate Billye Brown.

“Jeremy has spent the past 3½ years working in various capacities, within the firm, ranging from publicity to heading up the television department to traveling on tour with clients. He has learned all aspects of the company, shown company loyalty, and has earned the trust of the managers and clients we represent,” says Webster. “The promotion is well deserved!”

Kay Waggoner joins the firm as Sr. Publicist having spent the past seven years at Nashville publicity firm PLA Media. Her professional background also includes news producing and assignment editing at Music City’s WSMV-Channel 4 as well as NBC and CBS affiliate stations in Chattanooga.

Billye Brown joins the firm as Executive Associate to Kirt Webster having spent the past 17 years as Executive Assistant to the Corporate Affairs Department, which included Communications and Public Relations, at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store.

Contact them at:
Westby can be reached at 615-777-6995 x228 or [email protected]
Waggoner can be reached at 615-777-6995 x221 or [email protected]
Billye can be reached at 615-777-6995 x230 or [email protected]

Details Emerging On Lambert’s Four The Record

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Details about Miranda Lambert’s new album Four The Record, due out Nov. 1, are starting to emerge.

“I’m so ready for the fans to hear it,” says Lambert. “‘Baggage Claim’ is such a groovy song and I’m glad it’s the first single. But just like Revolution, not one song represents the whole album. There are ‘All Kinds Of Kinds’ of music on the record, and I’m so excited for it to get out there.”

Lambert wrote or co-wrote six of the album’s 14 tracks, including the current single “Baggage Claim,” which features Josh Kelley singing backup and Steve Winwood on B-3 organ. The song has become one of the fastest rising of Lambert’s career and is currently at No. 14 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Another highlight is a duet with husband Blake Shelton on “Better In The Long Run,” which was penned by Pistol Annies bandmate Ashley Monroe, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley and Gordie Sampson. Lambert’s friend Brandi Carlile wrote the song “Same Old You,” on which she also provided backing vocals.

“To me, part of having a long career is to keep reinventing yourself, keep reinventing your music, and make it fresh,” adds Lambert. “And it’s kind of crazy to think that I’m on my fourth record, and after what Revolution did for my career, I was nervous, but what am I gonna do? So I just started writing, started collecting songs, finding songs, and listening to artists, and I just found that I’m gonna just let the music lead it. I just think I followed my heart.”

A Limited Deluxe Edition of Four The Record will also be available on release day, and includes a bonus song as well as a DVD featuring Miranda sharing stories behind each song.