SESAC Announces Promotions and Hire

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Mary Breen


SESAC’s Nashville headquarters has expanded its Corporate Relations department with promotions of staff members Mary Breen, Shawn Williams, and Jocelyn Harms and the hire of Candice Wizer.
Breen has been promoted to Director, Website Design & Marketing. She has been with the organization for five years and is responsible for development and maintenance of SESAC’s website as well as execution of new media/online initiatives.

Shawn Williams


Williams has been upped to Director, Strategic Marketing & Publicity. Her duties will include developing and managing all matters relating to SESAC’s publicity plans and assisting in overall marketing strategy. She joined the organization five years ago.
Harms has been named to Manager, Special Projects, where she will be responsible for facilitating all aspects of SESAC’s special events including awards, conferences and festivals. Harms has also been with the company for five years.

Joceyln Harms


Joining the company as Assistant, Corporate Relations is Candice Wizer. She has been with the organization in a part-time capacity for 10 months and will assist SESAC’s VP Corporate Relations Ellen Bligh Truley in advertising and marketing efforts.

Candice Wizer


“I am very happy to announce the promotions of Mary, Shawn and Jocelyn and thrilled to add Candice to our department,” says Truley. “These four have played pivotal roles in SESAC’s ongoing success in the marketplace. We have built a strong, efficient Corporate Relations team and we look forward to continuing to support and propel the other SESAC departments.”

Hinote Joins McGhee Entertainment

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Justin Hinote


McGhee Entertainment has added Justin Hinote who will oversee the development of online strategy and manage artist-to-fan relationships for all McGhee Entertainment talent.
“We’re constantly challenging ourselves to enhance the management model by providing a wide variety of in-house services for our clients,” says McGhee Entertainment Nashville’s President Greg Hill.  “By having a digital strategist in-house to enhance campaigns, support tour dates through creative marketing initiatives, and continue to grow our client’s audience, we hope to further service our client’s needs while attracting an active fan base outside of traditional marketing enterprises.”
Hinote previously worked with Activ8Social, a sports social media marketing company. He may be reached at  [email protected]. “I’m joining McGhee to build strategic digital relationships which will allow our musicians to connect directly and efficiently with fans,” says Hinote.
McGhee Entertainment’s current roster inlcudes Adam Brand, Darius Rucker, Dirty Guv’nahs, Down, Drew Davis, Heidi Newfield, Hootie & The Blowfish, Jeremy Lister, KISS, Night Ranger, Rodney Atkins, Sacha Edwards, Ted Nugent, Vintage Trouble, and The Willis Clan. McGhee Entertainment, formed in 1983 by CEO Doc McGhee, currently has offices located in Nashville at 21 Music Sq. West and in Los Angeles at 8730 West Sunset Boulevard, Ste 200 and may be found online at  www.mcgheela.com.
 

Bobby Karl Works Bill Anderson's Opry 50th Anniversary

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Jon Randall, Alison Krauss, Bill Anderson, and Dan Tyminski


Chapter 370

Is it possible to grow young?
If it is, ageless Grand Ole Opry great Bill Anderson has mastered it. The enduring icon celebrated his 50th anniversary with the show Saturday night (7/16).
“This man has written a least one No. 1 hit in each of the past six decades,” observed Opry GM Pete Fisher. “Isn’t that amazing? It’s inspiring to all of us.”
Anderson took the stage at 8:30 p.m. to host the finale segment of the Opry’s early show. He told the crowd about his landmark anniversary, then sang the song that brought him to the show’s cast on July 15, 1961, “Po’ Folks.” Opry star Billy Grammer inducted him, Anderson recalled.
He introduced Connie Smith, the vocal titan he discovered and brought to fame. She sang “You and Your Sweet Love,” one of the more than half dozen hits he wrote for her.
Anderson co-writer Jon Randall was next. He began with “Cold Coffee Morning,” the first song the two wrote together. Their co-written, CMA Award winning “Whiskey Lullaby” was next. The crowd shouted with delight when Alison Krauss and Dan Tyminski walked out unannounced to sing with Randall. Anderson, himself, was surprised.
“You got me – I had no idea,” he said to Randall. “Wow.”

Opry VP and GM Pete Fisher presents Bill Anderson with a Ryman Martin guitar, the 50th one ever produced.


Fisher presented Anderson with a custom-made Martin Ryman Guitar, the 50th one ever produced. A long, standing ovation ensued.
“I don’t know what to say,” Anderson stammered. “I think I’ll go home tonight and try to write a song.” He brought out his son, two daughters and eight grandchildren to share the stage with him as he sang his signature song “Still.”
More than 500 of his fan club members were in the Opry House. One of them presented him with a huge bouquet of congratulatory yellow roses.
“Thanks to the Opry for letting me hang my hat here for 50 years,” he said, before concluding with his traditional closing song snippet from “Bright Lights and Country Music.”
“I’ll be around for 50 more years if you’ll have me,” Anderson said to Fisher backstage. “Why stop at 50?” Fisher replied.
“This guy just won’t quit,” Fisher told the backstage party crowd. “You stand for so much of what the Opry stands for, celebrating the legacy and looking to the future. People love you and they want to be a part of these special moments.”
“It’s been an unbelievable life and career,” Anderson responded. “I think there are three things that are responsible for my longevity. There’s good health, good luck and good friends. You are my friends, and I thank you.”
Celebrants included Troy Tomlinson, Buddy Cannon, Steve Gibson, Don Schlitz (like Anderson, a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame), Hege V, Dan Rogers, Keith Bilbrey, Betty Hofer, Bob Paxman and Bobby Braddock (who shares both Nashville Songwriters and Country Music Hall of Fame memberships with Anderson). Jessi Alexander had to do her partying sitting down. She is way pregnant with identical twin boys. Neither she nor hubby Jon Randall have twins in their families, they said.
Fellow Opry stars Riders in the Sky, Jeannie Seely, George Hamilton IV and Jan Howard also joined the backstage party. So did Opry guest singers Jimmy Wayne (“I Love You This Much”) and James Wesley (who introduced his new Broken Bow single “Didn’t I” to the Opry crowd).
Meanwhile Bill Anderson’s fellow Hall of Famers Jean Shepard and Jimmy Dickens carried on, on stage. So did Mike Snider, Ronnie Milsap (singing Tennessee’s newest state song, “Smoky Mountain Rain”) and The Opry Square Dancers.
The backstage bash had the best catering of any music party I’ve been to in recent memory. In addition to beef and ham carving stations, the layout featured mini beef Wellington puffs with mushroom, mac and cheese poppers with ham, sour cream and blue cheese potato salad, radicchio and cabbage apple cider slaw, pulled pork biscuits, cheddar grits, oven-roasted mushrooms and whipped potatoes topped with bacon bits, sour cream and chives. Not to mention the giant anniversary cake.
“You’re the only writer I know who can make me hungry by describing party food,” quoth the golden-anniversary man.
Thank you. We aim to please.
Bill Anderson Songs
During his unprecedented career, Bill Anderson has written more than 100 charted singles. Here are some highlights.
1958—“City Lights” Ray Price No. 1
1959—“Riverboat” Faron Young No. 4
“That’s What It’s Like to Be Lonesome” Ray Price No. 7
1960—“I Missed Me” Jim Reeves No. 3
“Tip of My Fingers” Bill Anderson No. 7
“Walk Out Backwards” Bill Anderson No. 9
1961—“When Two Worlds Collide” Roger Miller No. 6
“Po’ Folks” Bill Anderson No. 9
1962—“Must You Throw Dirt in My Face” The Louvin Brothers No. 21
“Losing Your Love” Jim Reeves No. 2
“Mama Sang a Song” Bill Anderson No. 1
1963—“I’ve Enjoyed As Much of This As I Can Stand” Porter Wagoner No. 7
“Tip of My Fingers” Roy Clark No. 10
“Still” Bill Anderson No. 1
1964—“Saginaw, Michigan” Lefty Frizzell No. 1
“Once a Day” Connie Smith No. 1
1965—“Then and Only Then” Connie Smith No. 4
“Think I’ll Go Somewhere and Cry Myself to Sleep” Charlie Louvin No. 26
“Bright Lights and Country Music” Bill Anderson No. 11
1966—“Bad Seed” Jan Howard No. 10
“Tip of My Fingers” Eddy Arnold No. 3
“Nobody But a Fool” Connie Smith No. 4
“I Love You Drops” Bill Anderson No. 4
“I Get the Fever” Bill Anderson No. 1
1967—“Cold Hard Facts of Life” Porter Wagoner No. 2
“Cincinnati, Ohio” Connie Smith No. 4
1968—“Wild Weekend” Bill Anderson No. 2
1969—“When Two Worlds Collide” Jim Reeves No. 6
“You and Your Sweet Love” Connie Smith No. 6
“My Life (Throw it Away If I Want To)” Bill Anderson No. 1
1970—“I Never Once Stopped Loving You” Connie Smith No. 5
“If It’s All the Same to You” Bill Anderson & Jan Howard No. 2
1971—“Dis-Satisfied” Bill Anderson & Jan Howard No. 4
“Quits” Bill Anderson No. 3
1972—“All the Lonely Women in the World” Bill Anderson No. 5
1973—“Slippin’ Away” Jean Shepard No. 4
“The Lord Knows I’m Drinking” Cal Smith No. 1
1974—“At the Time” Jean Shepard No. 13
“Every Time I Turn the Radio On” Bill Anderson No. 7
1975—“City Lights” Mickey Gilley No. 1
“Sometimes” Bill Anderson & Mary Lou Turner No. 1
1976— “Mercy” Jean Shepard No. 49
1978—“I Can’t Wait Any Longer” Bill Anderson No. 4
“Double S” Bill Anderson No. 30
1979—“I May Never Get to Heaven” Conway Twitty No. 1
1980—“Get a Little Dirt on Your Hands” David Allan Coe No. 46
“When Two Worlds Collide” Jerry Lee Lewis No. 11
1982—“Southern Fried” Bill Anderson No. 42
1983—“Son of the South” Bill Anderson No. 71
1985—“Pity Party” Bill Anderson No. 62
1987—“Sheet Music” Bill Anderson No. 80
1989—“City Lights” Mel Tillis No. 67
1992—“Tips of My Fingers” Steve Wariner No. 3
1995—“Which Bridge to Cross” Vince Gill No. 4
1997—“One Small Miracle” Bryan White No. 16
1999—“Wish You Were Here” Mark Wills No. 1
“Two Teardrops” Steve Wariner No. 2
2000—“Faith in You” Steve Wariner No. 28
2001—“Too Country” Brad Paisley No. 58, CMA Award
2002—“A Lot of Things Different” Kenny Chesney No. 1
“Snowfall on the Sand” Steve Wariner No. 52
2003—“Sell a Lot of Beer” The Warren Brothers No. 51
2004—“Whiskey Lullaby” Brad Paisley & Alison Krauss No. 3, CMA Award
2006—“Give It Away” George Strait No. 1, CMA Award
2007—“I’ll Wait for You” Joe Nichols No. 1
2009—“Joey” Sugarland No. 1
 

BossRoss: Introducing Web Read

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Click on this image to read the stories or visit the widget on the right lower side of the web site.


The weekend is the perfect time to dig a little deeper and now, with BossRoss: Web Read, you’ve got some links all ready for the clicking…
This week’s curated articles can be found in a widget on the lower right hand side of the web site or by clicking this link. One of the most interesting stories asks, “How Much Traffic Does Twitter Drive?” We’d be remiss to not mention the blindingly fast ascent of Googleplus from zero to ten million users in scarcely one week. Did you know that the big G’s ‘plus one’ button gets punched over 2.3 billion times each day? And while the big roar is all about Spotify, don’t let MOG pass you by. This L.A. Times update informs that the service, launched in 2006, is evolving again…
I love list type articles, like “The Top 10 Reasons Why” or “Six Ways to Improve.” So I had to include this interesting study which promises, “5 Basic Things You Should Be Doing To Manage Your Online Reputation.”
Let me know what kinds of articles you’d like to see selected…
Sit back, settle into a comfortable Saturday morning position and click in!

EMI Signs Jon Pardi

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EMI Records Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Jon Pardi to its roster. Pardi is already hard at work writing and recording his debut album. He is planning to release his debut single early next year.
The northern California native has been playing guitar since he was eight years old. At 12 he began writing songs, and by age 14 Pardi had his first band.

(L-R): Standing: Managers Dan Anderson of Red Light Management, and Charlie Walker of C3; Autumn House, Capitol/EMI Records Nashville VP A&R. Seated: Mike Dungan, Capitol/EMI Records Nashville President and CEO; Jon Pardi; and Tom Becci, Capitol/EMI Records Nashville COO

Artist Action Friday (7/15)

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Neal McCoy and grandson Titan.


• • • Rascal Flatts’ single “I Won’t Let Go” has earned Digital Gold certification from the RIAA for over 500,000 digital downloads. The track recently became the band’s 13th career No. 1. Written by Steve Robson and Jason Sellers, the song is the second consecutive charttopper from Rascal Flatts’ current Big Machine Records album Nothing Like This.
• • • Blaster Records artist Neal McCoy and his wife Melinda welcomed their first grandchild on July 7. Their daughter Miki and her husband, Trevor Stong delivered Titan McCoy Strong, weighing 7 lbs 6 oz  and 21 inches long. Mother and baby are happy and healthy in Texas.
• • • Indie Texas act Rosehill is seeing mainstream success with new single “Dream It All Over Again.” It is the duo’s second consecutive music video that has climbed to No. 10 on CMT Pure’s 12-Pack Countdown. The song was written by Randy Rogers, Radney Foster, Jay Clementi, and is available for free download at Rosehill-Live.com. Foster and Clementi also produced Rosehill’s current album White Lines and Stars.



Thompson Square on the set of the video for "I Got You."


 


• • • The Nashville Symphony will present Home for the Holidays with LeAnn Rimes on Dec. 8 at 7 p.m.





• • • Stoney Creek Records duo Thompson Square is climbing the radio and video charts with new single “I Got You.” Next up the husband and wife team will join BBR labelmate Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour.
• • • Suzy Bogguss has authored a new book. The American Folk Songbook is a CD and companion songbook that will be available at Cracker Barrel and other outlets. She will celebrate the release
with a book signing and performance at Belle Meade Plantation Thurs., Aug. 4, from 5:30 – 7:30 p.m.
 

New Date For "Country's Night To Rock"

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Little Big Town will perform during "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airing Sunday, Aug. 14, on the ABC Television Network. Photo: John Russell / CMA


The CMA Music Festival TV special is shifting dates, in a move possibly influenced by the airing of the popular Teen Choice Awards opposite the originally scheduled date.
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock is now set to air Sun., Aug. 14 on ABC.
In related news, Dierks Bentley and Little Big Town have been added to the list of performers appearing in the three-hour, primetime concert special. They join previously announced stars including Alabama with Brad Paisley, Alan Jackson with Zac Brown Band, Jason Aldean with Kelly Clarkson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban.
Swift and other country faves are among the nominees at Fox’s 2011 Teen Choice Awards, where Swift scored six nods.

Folk Festival Set For Three-Year Run in Nashville

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The National Folk Festival is putting down roots in Nashville for a three-year run starting this Labor Day weekend. Going on Sept. 2-4, the free, public event offers music and dance performances, workshops, children’s activities, regional and ethnic foods, storytelling, parades, craft exhibits and demonstrations, and more.
The Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park will host the event which celebrates a range of diverse cultures. Expected are over 250 traditional performers and craftspeople on six stages throughout the park.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean credits the music industry, the business sector, and the nonprofit community with coming together to bring the Folk Festival to town.
Marking its 73rd anniversary in 2011, the National Folk Festival is organized by the National Council for the Traditional Arts (NCTA).
It will be held in Nashville during Labor Day weekend 2011, 2012 and 2013.

Rootsy "1861 Project" Bridges Past And Present

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Many notable Nashvillians have contributed to a new Civil War-themed album called The 1861 Project. They will gather at The Basement to celebrate the release on Tues., July 19 at 7 p.m.
With a narrator setting the backdrop for the audience, performances of the unique project run more like a play than a traditional concert. The show debuted Wednesday night (7/13) on Music City Roots.
Musical colleagues Thomm Jutz, Peter Cronin and Paul Schatzkin teamed to create the passion project of story songs about the Civil War. The album doesn’t re-create the sound of the period, instead it is an acoustic, roots-driven offering with performances by John Anderson, Marty Stuart, Dana Cooper, Chris Jones, and more.
Producer Jutz—whose track record includes work with Nanci Griffith and Mary Gauthier—helmed The 1861 Project. Following countless hours of historical research, he and Cronin wrote about half of the songs on the album. Also offering contributions are tunesmiths Irene Kelley, Charley Stefl, Jon Weisberger, Mark Fain, Stan Webb, Jefferson Ross, and Dana Cooper.
Some of the songs are derived from true stories handed down through generations, while others are historical conjecture. “I Have” tells of a man walking home barefoot for hundreds of miles following the surrender at Appomattox. Another song, “Eyes,” relates the story of an Irish immigrant, one of many drafted into Union service from their new home in New York City. The exuberant “Gospel Train” is from the perspective of a runaway slave “riding” the Underground Railroad to freedom.
These are among the stories that unfold in Volume 1: From Farmers To Foot Soldiers, which focuses on the period’s working class. Meanwhile, Jutz, Cronin and Schatzkin say plans for Volume 2 are already taking shape.
Timing for the project’s release coincides perfectly with the sesquicentennial of The American Civil War. Completion of the album also represents a personal victory for German-born Jutz, who is in the midst of the naturalization process to become an American citizen.

Row Roundup

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>>Lyric Financial has moved to Music Row. The financial services company which specializes in providing funding solutions for music professionals and companies has a new home at 2 Music Circle South, across the street from the CMA. Lyric founder Eli Ball invites interested parties to stop by for a visit and some sweet tea.
>>Insiders are reporting that Mr. Honey Bee, aka Blake Shelton will likely land in the top position on both the Top 200 album chart and the Country album chart at the close of this week with debut scans of about 110,000 units of his new album Red River Blue. The Voice coach has also added “video host” to his career resume. Shelton (via video) joins groups backstage as they tour the Grand Ole Opry sharing personal stories and film clips. As part of the newly-offered tour, guests see artist dressing rooms each decorated with unique themes such as “Cousin Minnie,” “Wagonmaster,” “Little Jimmy,” and “Mr. Roy,” (honoring Opry greats Minnie Pearl, Porter Wagoner, Jimmy Dickens, and Roy Acuff, respectively.)
>>Musical legend Ricky Skaggs’ newest CD,Country Hits Bluegrass Style (Skaggs Family Records), will be in stores July 19. The 14-song release is a mix between Skaggs’ country and bluegrass roots, something he has been sharing with fans around the country during his current Treasure Chest Tour. Skaggs’ first two country #1 singles and standouts on the new album, “Crying My Heart Out Over You” and “I Don’t Care,” are accompanied by eight more #1 country hits, such as “Cajun Moon” and “Highway 40 Blues.” A 14-time Grammy Award winner, Skaggs is well known for both his country music classics as well as his bluegrass hits. Skaggs Family Records was formed in 1997 and has since released 12 consecutive Grammy nominated classics. The artist has won a total of eight ACM Awards and eight CMA Awards, including CMA Entertainer of the Year in 1985.