Lifenotes: Chris Feinstein; Bill Burnette Undergoes Surgery

/by
Chris Feinstein

Chris Feinstein

Musician Chris Feinstein, a Nashville native who was most recently bassist for Ryan Adams & the Cardinals died Monday in New York. He was 42.

Feinstein had been playing with the Cardinals since 2006 and had recorded three albums as a Cardinal: Easy Tiger, Follow the Lights, and Cardinology. He was also a well-known producer whose work included hits by Moby, the I Am Sam soundtrack, and more.

Services will be held in Nashville. Visitation is Sunday, December 20, from 4 – 8 p.m., at Woodbine Funeral Home, Inc.. Graveside service and burial will be Monday, December 21, at 10 a.m., at Woodlawn Memorial Park. There will be a memorial celebration Monday, December 21st at 11 a.m., at the Belcourt Theatre. The family has set up a memorial fund to help defray funeral expenses. If you’d like to contribute, contact  feinstein.memorial@gmail.com or the Facebook group.

——————————

Guitarist, artist, and hit songwriter Billy Burnette underwent a quintuple bypass surgery on Dec. 16 and is recovering at Vanderbilt Hospital in Nashville. Burnette is the one-time guitarist for Fleetwood Mac, and more recently toured with John Fogerty.

As a songwriter Burnette had cuts on Fleetwood Mac, Faith Hill, Josh Turner, Bette Midler, Rod Stewart, Ray Charles, Greg Allman, Roy Orbison, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Everly Brothers, Cher, Tammy Wynette, and most recently had the George Strait single “River Of Love.”

————————————

Jean-Luc, the brother of French music promoter Jocelyn Carrier, died last week. Carrier and her husband Georges have been promoters of the Craponne country music festival in France for 23 years. Jean-Luc was a longtime volunteer at the festival and knew many country artists through his work there.

Film-Com Debuts In Nashville

/by

film com

Local organization FilmNashville is hosting the first annual Film-Com event in Nashville next year. Running April 13-16 at the Hilton Nashville Downtown, Film-Com is designed to connect filmmakers and their new projects to distribution companies, financial backers, co-production partners, packaging agents and others in the industry. Organizer Andy vanRoon designed this event to help films find partners before they are complete.

Screenings will be held on the 28th floor of the new Pinnacle Tower at the Bass Berry and Sims offices, where 24 of the most marketable films will be shown to industry executives.

VanRoon, who started FilmNashville, also says a special event with the Nashville Symphony is in the works for Film-Com attendees.

Companies scheduled to attend include:
The Weinstein Company
John Hadity, United Atlantic Capital
The Film Department
Nu Image / Millennium
Newmarket Films
Tom Ortenberg, formerly of Lionsgate and TWC
The Panda Fund [P&A capital]
William Morris Endeavor Global — film packaging
Stone Management — product placement/integration

“Country Weekly” Marks 15 Years

/by

country weekCountry Weekly magazine is celebrating 15 years of publication with a special edition hitting newsstands Monday (12/21).

The issue, dated Dec. 28, 2009 takes a look back at the magazine’s changes since its launch. It includes a timeline of major industry happenings over the past 15 years, plus photos, memorable covers and more.

“It’s hard to believe 15 years have passed since Country Weekly was launched,” says Editor in Chief Larry Holden. “Covering the industry and the music we love has been a labor of love for all of us on staff, and we couldn’t be more grateful to our loyal readers and to the artists who’ve been so cooperative through the years as we’ve endeavored to tell their stories.”

Photo Friday: Gretchen, CRB, Angela Kaset

/by

Gretchen Wilson began her final weekend on the road for 2009 with a packed-house appearance at Knoxville’s massive Cotton Eyed Joe night club last night. The WIVK-sponsored event benefited the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee.

Pictured prior to Gretchen’s performance are: (l. to r.) – WIVK on-air personality Josh Blanchard; Catherine Howell – PD WNOX/News Director; Wilson; WIVK on-air personality Jack Ryan; WIVK OM/PD Mike Hammond. Photo: Cindy Arnold

Pictured prior to Gretchen’s performance are: (l to r) – WIVK on-air personality Josh Blanchard; Catherine Howell – PD WNOX/News Director; Wilson; WIVK on-air personality Jack Ryan; WIVK OM/PD Mike Hammond. Photo: Cindy Arnold

——————————-
Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® hosted their annual Christmas party this past Wednesday night, Dec. 16.  In addition to the holiday season, staff and partygoers also celebrated the recent renovation of the CRB offices, which were damaged earlier this year after a water pipe ruptured and flooded the building.

Pictured below (l to r) are CRB Board members, except where noted: Keith Kaufman (WSIX), Bill Mayne (Mayne Street Consulting), Jeff Walker (The AristoMedia Group), Tom English (Clear Channel; not a CRB Board member), Tom Baldrica (Sony Music Nashville) and David Haley (Edgehill Music and Media).

Pictured below (l to r) are CRB Board members, except where noted: Keith Kaufman (WSIX), Bill Mayne (Mayne Street Consulting), Jeff Walker (The AristoMedia Group), Tom English (Clear Channel; not a CRB Board member), Tom Baldrica (Sony Music Nashville) and David Haley (Edgehill Music and Media).

——————————-

Ten Ten Music Group, Inc. artist/writer Angela Kaset stopped by “Better Nashville” to talk about her new CD Underneath A Vincet Van Gogh sky. She performed her new Holiday song, “Christmas In New York.”

angela

Show Dog-Universal Music Launches

/by
Toby Keith, Mark Wright

Toby Keith, Mark Wright

Toby Keith‘s Show Dog Nashville is merging with Universal Records South to become Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith will serve as a Principle of the new label and previous Universal South Pres. Wright is on board as President of the newly combined entity.

More announcements are expected in January.

“Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling of being an independent label with strong and personal relationships with all our artists. That is what Show Dog Nashville and Universal South have always been about, but combine the two labels and you have a powerhouse with more staff and better opportunities for our artists. I look forward to working closely with my friend and partner Mark Wright,” said Toby.

“The launch of this new company creates even more value for our combined artists, employees and business partners,” stated Wright. “Together, our best-in-class team will create even more opportunities for our artists, while expanding the services we offer. This is truly one-plus-one equaling three. Moreover, I am delighted to be partnering with Toby, with whom I have shared a close friendship for many years. His remarkable achievements as an artist and businessman define creative leadership at its very best. He will be invaluable to taking this company to even greater heights.”

Toby Keith has been among the top musical performers in any genre throughout this decade, and is ranked among the top selling artists in all-genres at #3 on Billboard‘s Top 200 Artists of the Decade. He was also named Billboard‘s #1 Country Artist of the Decade and #1 Country Songwriter of the Decade, and was honored by NSAI with its prestigious Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award.

Keith’s business empire encompasses restaurants, movies, and a clothing line. In 2009, his U.S. America’s Toughest Tour played to more than a million people.

Some restructuring is expected following today’s announcement. Here are the label teams prior to the merger: Show Dog—GM George Nunes, VP Promotion Rick Moxley, and Head of Sales & Marketing Bill Kennedy. Roster—Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir.

Universal Records South—Pres. Mark Wright, Sr. VP/GM Fletcher Foster, Sr. VP Sales & Operations Van Fletcher, VP National Promotion Teddi Bonadies, and VP A&R Arturo Buenahora. Roster—Baylie Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Andy Gibson, Jennifer Hanson, Randy Houser, Shooter Jennings, Joe Nichols, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Ashley Ray, Phil Vassar, Angela Wolff, and Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Sound And Speed Gears Up With New Opry Show

/by
hank jr

Hank Williams Jr.

Sprint Sound & Speed Presented by SunTrust has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry for a special event to kick-off the weekend on Friday, Jan. 8 at the Ryman. Hank Williams Jr. and Chris Young will perform that night to open the annual NASCAR and country music-themed fundraiser for the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, and Victory Junction.

Also on the schedule for the Opry show, a new part of the annual event, is a performance by NASCAR driver Kyle Petty and his band, as well as appearances by drivers Greg Biffle and Kasey Kahne. There will be two shows that night, 7:00 p.m. and 9:30 p.m.

On Saturday, Jan. 9 Sound & Speed continues at Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, where fans will be able to meet  country stars including Jason Michael Carroll, Josh Turner, members of Diamond Rio, and Young for autographs, Q&As and more. Among the NASCAR stars scheduled to appear are Dale Earnhardt Jr., Tony Stewart, Denny Hamlin, Kahne, Michael Waltrip, Clint Bowyer, Reed Sorenson, and David Stremme. More drivers and artists will join the line-ups for Jan. 8-9 in coming weeks.

chris young

Chris Young

Since its inception five years ago, Sound & Speed has attracted an estimated 40,000 fans and raised more than $800,000 for Victory Junction (a camping experience founded by Kyle and Pattie Petty for children battling illnesses) and the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum.

For details go to www.soundandspeed.org.

Gibson Plans 1920s-Style Sweets Shop Downtown

/by

gibsonFrom the Nashville Scene:

Gibson Guitar Inc. has transported a 1926 candy store from Michigan to Nashville and will reopen it in January on Lower Broadway. Click to read more.

Tin Pan South Kicks Off March 30

/by

tpsThe Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) has announced the dates for the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival, running March 30 – April 3, 2010 in Nashville. Highlighting songwriters of all genres, the popular event will feature two shows per night at numerous local venues. For the fourth continuous year, Regions Bank will be Tin Pan South’s presenting sponsor.

The Tin Pan South Press Preview Party is set for March 9, 2010 from 3:30 – 5:30 p.m. at The Rutledge (410 4th Avenue South) in Nashville. There, several featured writers will perform and announcements will be made regarding schedules, venues, participating writers and more.

During last year’s event, more than 350 talented songwriters performed over 80 shows at nine Music City venues. Over 9,000 music fans attend the event annually.

Visit nashvillesongwriters.com or tinpansouth.com to purchase Fast Access passes and check out Festival updates. Fast Access passes will go on sale March 10, 2010.

Swift Leads Sales With 3 Weeks Left in ’09

/by

taylor fearlessTaylor Swift could end 2009 as the top selling artist for all genres, for the second year in a row. Her album Fearless has sold more than 2.6 million units this year, and over 4.8 million since it came out in 2008. Her self-titled debut brought in over 600K units this year, plus she has a Christmas album out, making her 2009 total well over 3.3 million [according to Nielsen Soundscan, a division of the Nielsen Company]. Fearless is the bestselling all-genre album of the year, and is still moving units at a rate of over 150K last week.

Hot on Swifty’s heels is Susan Boyle, who has sold 1.8 million units since her album’s release just three weeks ago. In the last week she moved more than 500K, and with three full sales weeks left, she too could finish the year with more than 3 million units.

The Country genre is down 3.4% YTD, while overall music album sales are down 13%. Meanwhile Country Digital Album sales are up 40% over last year.

Country Top 10 YTD
No. 1 Taylor Swift Fearless 2.7 million
No. 2 Hannah Montana Soundtrack 1.7 million
No. 3 Zac Brown Band The Foundation 1.1 million
No. 4 Rascal Flatts Unstoppable 1.08 million
No. 5 Jason Aldean Wide Open 850K
No. 6 Carrie Underwood Play On 840K
No. 7 Lady Antebellum Lady Antebellum 780K
No. 8 Darius Rucker Learn To Live 770K
No. 9 Taylor Swift Taylor Swift 680K
No. 10 Keith Urban Defying Gravity 670K

Top 5 Overall Current YTD
No. 1 Taylor Swift Fearless 2.7 million
No. 2 Lady Gaga Fame 1.8 million
No. 3 Susan Boyle I Dreamed A Dream 1.8 million
No. 4 Hannah Montana Soundtrack 1.7 million
No. 5 Black Eyed Peas The END 1.6 million

[Nielsen Soundscan, a division of the Nielsen Company]

Underwood Receives Symphony Harmony Award

/by

underwoodCarrie Underwood received the 2009 Harmony Award at the Symphony Ball on Saturday night, December 12, at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.  The fundraiser for the Nashville Symphony and its outreach programs is Music City’s premiere winter social event. This year’s white-tie, invitation-only evening marked the event’s 25th anniversary. Underwood performed and wore a gown by designer Randi Rahm.

The Harmony Award is presented annually at Nashville’s Symphony Ball to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of local music. The recipients exemplify the unique harmony between the many worlds of music that exist in our city and have contributed significantly to the development and appreciation of Nashville’s musical culture.

“The honor is a wonderful compliment and it’s an amazing feeling being part of the Nashville community,” said Underwood. “It was a beautiful evening filled with wonderful music, gorgeous ball gowns and décor, and was definitely an evening to remember.”

Previous recipients of the Harmony Award include: Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Tony Brown, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, The Judds, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Rascal Flatts, and last year’s honoree Martina McBride.