IBMA Announces 2020 Leadership Bluegrass Class

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The International Bluegrass Music Association has announced the 2020 class of Leadership Bluegrass, an intensive three-day program of advanced interactive learning experiences designed to build commitment, motivate talents, and instill enthusiasm for addressing the future of the bluegrass music industry. Since its inception in 2000, Leadership Bluegrass boasts more than 400 graduates.

“This year’s Leadership Bluegrass class is as strong as any I’ve seen. The large number of diverse and high-quality applicants is quite a statement about the impressive qualifications of those selected and the reputation of the program,” says IBMA Executive Director Paul Schiminger. “Our association’s mission is to connect, educate, and empower bluegrass professionals, and IBMA’s Leadership Bluegrass continues to be one of the most important professional development programs in the bluegrass music industry. Participation in this class and future alumni activities is an impactful commitment to one’s career, the IBMA, and the bluegrass community. Congratulations to the Class of 2020!”

Leadership Bluegrass 2020 will take place March 2-4 at BMI in Nashville.

The members of the class of 2020 are:
Jake Blount – Washington, D.C.
David Brower – PineCone / WUNC – Carrboro, NC
Thomas Cassell – Circus No. 9 – Johnson City, TN
Ethan Charles – International Bluegrass Music Association – Nashville, TN
Jennifer Danielson – Pandora – Nashville, TN
Worth Dixon – D’Addario & Company, Inc. – Farmingdale, NY
Rick Faris – Special Consensus – Topeka, KA
Rebecca Frazier – Rebecca Frazier and Hit & Run – Nashville, TN
Greg Garrison – Leftover Salmon / University of Colorado – Denver – Lakewood, CO
Dave Howard – Louisville Folk School – Louisville, KY
Fred Knittel – Smithsonian Folkways Recordings – Washington, D.C.
Marianne Kovatch – Blue Ridge Music Center – Winton-Salem, NC
Evie Ladin – Evie Ladin Band – Oakland, CA
Michelle Lee – WOBL / Bluegrass Borderline / Smoked Country Jam – Sheffield Lake, OH
Ed Leonard – Billy Blue Records – Hendersonville, TN
Ned Luberecki – Becky Buller Band / SiriusXM – Nashville, TN
Didier Philippe – La Roche Bluegrass Festival – Etaux, France
Lauren Price Napier – The Price Sisters – Hyden, KY
Angela Sommers Rees – Dorrigo Folk & Bluegrass Festival – Dorrigo, NSW, Australia
Brian Swenk – Big Daddy Love / Midwood Entertainment – Glen Allen, VA
Abi Tapia – Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – Nashville, TN
Suzy Thompson – Berkeley Old Time Music Convention – Berkeley, CA
Amanda Thompson – Frankfort Bluegrass Festival – Mokena, IL
Roxanne Tromly – Bluegrass Music Hall of Fame and Museum / ROMP Fest – Owensboro, KY
Natalya Weinstein Miller – Zoe & Cloyd / Warren Wilson College – Fairview, NC
Benjamin Wright – Henhouse Prowlers / Bluegrass Ambassadors – Chicago, IL

CMA Adds Two In Finance, Operations

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Abell, London

The Country Music Association has hired Sarah Abell as Operations Manager and Leslie London as Sr. Staff Accountant.

Abell will oversee event space utilization, including booking, event execution and maintenance. She will also maintain outside vendor relationships and manage the receptionist on staff. Abell previously worked as Service Captain for Flavor Catering, where she was responsible for overseeing staff and ensuring client satisfaction. She attended Western Kentucky University and Bowling Green Technical College. Abell reports to Amy Smartt, CMA Senior Vice President, Finance & Administration, and can be reached at sabell@cmaworld.com.

London will assist in accurately reporting CMA’s financial standing, including the preparation of CMA’s financial reports, reviewing, reconciling and assisting with the annual budget process and ensuring internal controls are followed. London joins CMA after six years as an Accounting Manager at Diversicare Healthcare Services, where she oversaw the accounting for Long Term Care facilities and resident trust funds. She attended Sierra College before receiving her Accounting Certificate from the University of California – Davis Extension. London reports to Ben Balch, CMA Director, Accounting & Financial Planning, and can be reached at llondon@cmaworld.com.

Second Annual Hometown Rising Country And Bourbon Festival Set For September

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The second annual Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival is set to take place Sept. 12-13, 2020 at the Highland Festival Grounds at KY Expo Center in Louisville, Kentucky.

Part of Danny Wimmer Presents’ Louisville Trifesta, Hometown Rising will kick off the three-week festival series, with Louder Than Life occurring Sept. 18-20 and Bourbon & Beyond wrapping up the month on Sept. 25–27. The lineup for Hometown Rising will be announced in February, with early bird passes along with the return of the Trifesta pass both on sale in late January. Fans can expect top-notch food and beverage options, line dancing in the Kroger’s Big Bourbon Bar, access to on site camping and unique one-of-a-kind activations at this year’s festival.

“Hometown Rising was our first venture into country music, and we could not be more thrilled with how 2019 went. Delivering great music and incredible bourbon – two of Louisville’s cornerstones, was a highlight of our year. We can’t wait to be back in 2020 and are excited to bring another tremendous lineup and experience to the country music community,” shared DWP Founder Danny Wimmer.

Maria Strong Named Acting Register of Copyrights

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Maria Strong has been appointed Acting Register of Copyrights and Director of the U.S. Copyright Office, effective Jan. 5, 2020. She succeeds Register of Copyrights Karyn A. Temple, who announced last week that she will be leaving the Copyright Office to accept a new position in the private sector.

“I am pleased to announce that Maria Strong has agreed to act as Register of Copyrights,” Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden said. “Maria has had a stellar career here in the Copyright Office, and we are confident that she will ably guide the Office and continue to advance its many ongoing initiatives like modernization while we undertake the search for a permanent appointee.”

Maria Strong

Strong has served as Associate Register of Copyrights and Director of Policy and International Affairs since April 23, 2019. In her position, she assisted the Register with critical policy functions of the U.S. Copyright Office, including domestic and international policy analyses, legislative support, and trade negotiations. She directed the Office of Policy and International Affairs, representing the Office at meetings of government officials concerned with the international aspects of copyright protection and enforcement.

Prior to that position, Strong served as deputy director of policy and international affairs since January 2015. Upon joining the Copyright Office in 2010, she served as senior counsel for policy and international affairs and also served as acting general counsel from April-July 2013. Before joining the Office, Strong spent nineteen years in private practice in Washington, DC, where she represented clients in the media, technology, and entertainment sectors. She began her legal career as a staff attorney at the Federal Communications Commission. Strong earned her JD from George Washington University Law School, her MA in communications management from the University of Southern California’s Annenberg School of Communications, and her BA in communication studies from UCLA.

“Maria Strong is an extremely talented lawyer and manager, and I have greatly enjoyed working with her over the years. She will serve the Copyright Office and the public well during this transition,” said Temple.

Fitz Named New Host For Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40

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Fitz. Photo: Tyler Austin

Hubbard radio personality Fitz has been appointed as the permanent host for Bob Kingsley‘s Country Top 40, following the passing of the legendary radio personality Bob Kingsley earlier this month. Fitz will become the third host in the 45-year history of the national radio show.

Fitz will begin his first show in his new role on Jan. 4-5, 2020.

Hubbard Radio and Nan Kingsley’s KCCS Production have inked a multi-year partnership to launch the new Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 with Fitz on over 300 stations worldwide. The show will also feature audio from the Kingsley Archives. Skyview Networks will exclusively lead network sales and will oversee the show’s distribution. Following Kingsley’s commitment to new music discovery, the show will continue to showcase the entire Top 40.

“I listened to Bob Kingsley every weekend when I was a kid,” commented Fitz. “His loss is still sinking in, but I am honored to be taking the reins from the man who instilled in me a lifelong love of country music and the love of the ‘countdown.’ This moment is surreal, and I do not take the responsibility lightly. I am excited and honored to carry his torch and hope that I can do for the next generation of country music fans, what the legendary Bob Kingsley, did for me. I am grateful to Nan Kingsley and hope to make her and Bob proud!”

“Bob and I built a family business working alongside one another for more than 30 years. After spending time with [Hubbard Radio CEO] Ginny Morris and her stellar team discussing their business philosophy, it was very evident to me that Hubbard is the perfect partner to continue the legacy of the countdown show Bob led for 45 years,” stated Nan Kingsley, President/CEO of KCCS Productions. “Having the chance to sit with Fitz, who so eloquently shared his passion for Bob and the show, leaves me feeling excited and encouraged about the next iteration of Country Top 40.”

Fitz, who currently hosts The Fitz Show, The Hit List with Fitz, and Nashville Minute with Fitz, will begin to transition many of the 85 stations airing his weekend countdown show (The Hit List with Fitz) to the Country Top 40 franchise effective in January 2020.

Bob Kingsley’s longtime production team, including Producer Ken Halford, Chief Engineer Roger Ramsey, GM & Affiliate Sales Lead Shawn Studer, Associate Producer & Archivist Barbara Lyon, and Nashville-based interviewer and writer Deborah Evans-Price will remain intact and continue curating the show. It was also announced that Rob Simbeck, a longtime interviewer and writer for Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and a close friend of Kingsley’s, has decided to retire from Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 after nearly 25 years with the company.

Bob Kingsley became country music’s first nationally syndicated personality in the late 1970s. Together with his wife and business partner Nan, Bob built the largest independently owned and operated audio archive in country music history, with more than 10,000 hours of produced content and an additional 18,000 hours of interviews dating back to 1967.

Tom Giles Joins Project Admission As Co-Founder/Chief Strategy Officer

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(L-R): Jordan Stone, Stephen Glicken, Tom Giles

Tom Giles has joined Nashville-based ticketing tech company Project Admission as co-founder and Chief Strategy Officer.

Giles most recently served at Fullscreen following the acquisition of StageBloc. In his new role at Project Admission, he will be responsible for strategy across product and the overall business. In 2013, Giles founded and led the data focused, direct-to-fan platform StageBloc. Providing comprehensive, actionable fan insights and commerce capabilities, StageBloc was acquired by leading multi-channel network Fullscreen in 2015, itself acquired by AT&T in late 2018 as part of the larger Otter Media portfolio.

“What we’re doing at Project Admission requires perspective from every stakeholder in ticketing,” says Project Admission Co-founder Stephen Glicken. “Which is why we are excited to have Tom join us as Chief Strategy Officer. He brings a unique set of eyes on the problems we’re solving, especially when it comes to audience analytics and the monetization of data for content creators like artists and sports
teams.”

“I’m excited to join such an incredible team solving a real problem with an elegant, powerful solution,” says Giles. “The technology Project Admission has put together is impressive, and the opportunity they’ve unlocked is massive.”

Joining Glicken, co-founder Jordan Stone and Giles on the executive team is Josh Baron, a Songkick alum and co-author of the noted book Ticket Masters: The Rise of the Concert Industry and How the Public Got Scalped. Baron was announced today as Project Admission’s Head of Business Development.

The company also revealed its initial advisory board which includes Paul Korzilius, SVP of the Arena Alliance run by Oak View Group and longtime manager of Bon Jovi; Joe Kustelski, Cofounder of Chalkline Sports and former Etix CEO; and TicketManager co-founder and CEO Tony Knopp, among others.

Lynn, Linthicum Launch Entertainment Marketing Company Artistry Alliances

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Linthicum, Lynn

Laura Lynn and Jessica Linthicum have launched Nashville-based entertainment marketing company Artistry Alliances. The company has aligned artist with brands including Zaxby’s, Bulletproof Coffee, Ford, Country Outfitters and more.

Lynn spent the past decade managing artist Lucas Hoge and aligning him with brands including Southwest Airlines, Bass Pro/Cabela’s, Animal Planet and more. Linthicum previously spent seven years in radio, including work as Director of Marketing for Cumulus Radio; she then launched her own consulting firm.

Bertelsmann To Become Sole Owner Of Penguin Random House

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Bertelsmann is acquiring full ownership of Penguin Random House, the world’s largest trade publishing group.

Bertelsmann, also the parent company for BMG, will acquire the remaining 25% stake in Penguin Random House now held by its British co-shareholder Pearson, increasing its stake in the company to 100 percent. The purchase price for the share package is $675 million, and the transaction is expected to close in the 2nd quarter of 2020. Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Random House, which is wholly owned by Bertelsmann, will become part of Penguin Random House. Once the sale is approved, the New York-based book publishing group will include more than 300 individual publishing imprints on six continents.

“The increase to 100 percent is a milestone for Bertelsmann,” said Thomas Rabe, Chairman and CEO of Bertelsmann and Chairman of the Board of Directors at Penguin Random House. “We will become the sole owner of the world’s biggest trade publishing group, which sets standards with its creative diversity, global marketing power, and commercial strength. We will continue to expand Penguin Random House in the coming years, through organic growth and acquisitions. The book business is part of Bertelsmann’s identity. For us and our shareholders, the transaction is commercially attractive, as the share of Bertelsmann’s shareholders in group profit will increase by more than €70 million per year.”

Bertelsmann and Pearson had originally combined their respective Random House and Penguin Group book-publishing businesses in 2013. Bertelsmann initially held 53 percent of the new company Penguin Random House, and Pearson 47 percent. In 2017, Bertelsmann increased its stake to 75 percent. In 2018, 481 Penguin Random House titles made the “New York Times” bestseller lists, 69 of them rising to number one.

Markus Dohle, CEO of Penguin Random House and a member of the Bertelsmann Executive Board, said, “The full acquisition of Penguin Random House is a testament to Bertelsmann’s belief in the future of books and reading, as well as their trust in our colleagues around the world to be able to grow our company over the next several years. We are extremely well positioned to continue to take advantage of both organic and acquisitive growth opportunities in existing and new markets globally. I’m personally very excited to welcome the colleagues and authors of Germany’s Verlagsgruppe Random House into our global community of publishing imprints at Penguin Random House. With Bertelsmann bringing all of us together, we will further enhance our shared strengths.”

Caroline Baker Inks With Prescription Songs

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(L-R): Christian Conant, Leah Hodgkiss, Rachel Wein, Caroline Baker, Katie Fagan, Cam Caldwell (Loeb & Loeb LLP)

Caroline Baker, who goes by the artist name Caro, has signed a publishing deal with Prescription Songs.

Caro just released her debut EP, songs from 3am, and graduated from Belmont in May of 2018. She penned some of the songs on her EP with fellow Prescription writer Megan Redmond, and produced the project herself. Caro was featured as the face of Fresh Finds on Spotify, and landed worldwide New Music Fridays over three different singles. 

“We are so excited about Caro,” said Katie Fagan, Head of A&R for Prescription Songs, Nashville. “She can do it all – she produces, she writes, and her artist project has taken on a life of its own. She’s a great example of the next generation of music coming out of Nashville and we’re honored to have her on our roster!”

“I’m so excited to have a team like RX and Katie Fagan behind me,” said Baker. “They’re just as hungry for all my crazy dreams as I am, which is exactly what I’m looking for in a publisher.”

Brent Cobb Confirms Spring Tour Dates Including Nashville Stop

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Brent Cobb. Photo: Don Van Cleave

Brent Cobb will play a series of intimate acoustic dates in 2020 as well as a handful of newly-confirmed full-band shows, it was just announced.

“A Night of Fine Acoustic Country Music with Brent Cobb” will bring Cobb to seated venues across the country, stripped down with an accompanist, allowing fans to hear the songs as he originally wrote them. The shows kick off Feb. 21 in Austin and run through March 22 in Raleigh, with stops in Atlanta, Asheville, Louisville, Washington D.C., Dallas and more.

The new “Brent Cobb and Them” run of full-band dates includes stops at Birmingham’s Saturn on April 3 and Decatur’s Princess Theatre Center on April 4, as well as the grand opening of Brooklyn Bowl Nashville on April 2.

Cobb recently released a collaborative single “Feet Off the Ground” featuring Jade Bird, debuted a three-part video series, “Come Home Soon,” and completed his headlining “Sucker for a Good Time Tour.”