James LeBlanc Inks With Dreamlined Entertainment

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Pictured (L-R): Dreamlined’s Keith Stegall, James LeBlanc, producer Jimmy Nutt

James LeBlanc has signed with Dreamlined Entertainment. LeBlanc has penned hits like “Modern Day Bonnie and Clyde” for Travis Tritt, “Relentless” for Jason Aldean, and “Learning How To Bend” for Gary Allan, and recently had cuts by Thompson Square, Jo Dee Messina, Martina McBride and more. LeBlanc’s songs have been featured on albums totaling over 25 million copies sold.

He will be releasing his first album of solo material in 10 years, Nature Of The Beast, June 16.

“I’m ready for what comes next,” said LeBlanc of the new alliance. “I’m so excited to be a part of the Dreamlined Entertainment team!”

 

 

Industry Praises House Passage Of The Register Of Copyrights Selection And Accountability Act

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Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) board members at the U.S. Copyright Office earlier this year. Pictured (L-R): Ben Glover, Church Music Publishers Association (CMPA); John Shorney, acting-U.S. Register of Copyrights Karen Claggett; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison; CMPA Board Member, Geoff Lorenz; and Roger Brown.

The U.S. House of Representatives today (April 26) overwhelmingly passed H.R. 1695 by a vote of 378-48 to adopted new rules in selecting the U.S. Register of Copyrights. Also known as “The Register of Copyrights Selection and Accountability Act,” the decision makes the Register of Copyrights a presidentially-appointed, Senate-confirmed position with a 10-year term limit.

The process includes choosing three nominees for the President to select from, one of whom would be appointed as U.S. Register of Copyrights to serve a 10-year term. The bill removes the appointment for the Librarian of Congress. The next step is approval by the U.S. Senate.

NSAI Board members Roger Brown and Ben Glover with Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow at the U.S. Copyright Office earlier this year. Acting U.S. Register of Copyrights Karen Claggett and staff look on.

“This action was necessary and ultimately good for songwriters and other creators,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “The new process will help ensure a properly qualified Register and includes a nominating process similar to one recommended by NSAI. This bill makes the Register more accountable to our elected officials and requires Senate confirmation.”

NMPA President & CEO David Israelite commented on the legislation, “At a time when creators constantly must defend their rights, it is critical that the Register of Copyrights is chosen carefully and vetted properly. Making this a presidentially-appointed and Senate-confirmed position not only adds the oversight needed to ensure this critical role is filled by someone up to the challenge, it also elevates the position to where it always should have been – amongst the ranks of the top officials within the administration. Additionally, the 10-year term will assist in maintaining continuity in the role across administrations. Copyright touches every industry and every person, and this bill is a good step towards ensuring the person advising Congress and helping determine policy for songwriters, artists and all creators is the best person for the job.”

Nicole Sherrill Named Creative Director For Little Extra Music

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Nicole Sherrill

Little Extra Music has appointed Nicole Sherrill as Creative Director, effective immediately. Sherrill will be responsible for pitching the Little Extra catalog, handling writer scheduling, and continuing to assist President Lisa Ramsey-Perkins with the day-to-day operations of the company. A graduate of Ole Miss, with a major in live performance, her experience brings an added bonus to the artist development aspect of Little Extra Music.

Born and raised in Nashville, Sherrill is the daughter of award winning engineer Billy Sherrill, who has worked on records from Kenny Rogers and Dottie West, to the Dixie Chicks and Kenny Chesney. Nicole’s mother Susan worked at EMI and SBK with Jimmy Gilmer.

“I couldn’t be more excited to be a part of the Little Extra Music family! I’ve always had a passion for songs and the creative process of writers has always captivated me. Connecting a song with the perfect artist is the most rewarding feeling,” said Sherrill.

“Nicole is a huge ball of energy, with a vast knowledge of country music history, and a passion for all kinds of music. She is the perfect gift to Little Extra Music and our writers. We’re so grateful to have her on board!” said Ramsey-Perkins.

Lady Antebellum, CeCe Winans, Moon Taxi Set For Grammy Block Party In Nashville

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This year’s Grammy Block Party will be held May 2, beginning at 5 p.m. at Nashville’s Cumberland Park.

Lady Antebellum, CeCe Winans, Anderson East, Moon Taxi and Muddy Magnolias will offer entertainment during the Recording Academy members-only event, which will be hosted by Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President Shannon Sanders.

Admission is free for Recording Academy members; guest admission is $50. Recording Academy memberships must be active prior to the event.

Free parking will be available at Nissan Stadium.

Log onto grammypro.com/join or call 615-327-8030 for more information.

Industry Ink: Ocean Way Audio, Abel McCallister Designs, Ten Out Of Tenn

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Ocean Way Audio Hosts Demo Event

Pictured: Ocean Way Audio founder Allen Sides, pictured with HR4 and HR2 speakers.

Ocean Way Audio is hosting a special event on May 10 at Vintage King and the House Of Blues Studios in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood. The event will feature Ocean Way founder Allen Sides, who at Vintage King will be holding a series of one-on-one demonstrations of the Ocean Way Audio HR4S and Pro2A speakers and the new RM1-B Ribbon Microphone, playing specially recorded classic tracks from his rich history of recording and mixing.

At 7:00 p.m., the party moves to House of Blues Studios, where OWA, Focusrite and Vintage King Nashville are co-sponsoring an official pre-party for the annual AudioMasters Golf Tournament. Sides and Rick Plushner, President of Ocean Way Audio, will demonstrate the custom 415T monitors, built for T Bone Burnett, in Burnett’s studio space. Attendees will get an in-depth look at these reference monitors along with a Q&A session with Sides and Plushner.

RSVP at oceanwayaudio.com.

 

Abel McCallister Named To BizBash’s Top 40 Event Designers List

BizBash, the national trade media for event professionals, has announced its 2017 list of Top 40 Event Designers in North America today and included Nashville designers Larry Abel and Raymond McCallister of Abel McCallister Designs. Abel McCallister Designs produces events from red carpets and Galas to intimate design experiences and pop-up opportunities. Their design work includes creating events with many clients including Entertainment Weekly, The Grammys, CMA, FOX, L’Oreal, Ragu, Tequila Patron, Sprint, Coachella, SXSW, The Oscars, The Golden Globes, New York Fashion Week, and Godiva Chocolatier.

The Godiva account garnered an appearance for Abel and McCallister on The Oprah Winfrey Show where they created an entire TV set for Oprah out of Godiva chocolate using over 15,000 pieces of chocolate and taking over 1,400 man hours to complete their design.

 

Nashville Ballet And Ten Out Of Tenn Collaborate On ‘Seven Deadly Sins’

The Nashville Ballet will explore two contemporary dance styles in one performance, a ballet set to new music by the singer-songwriter collective Ten Out of Tenn, and another featuring an Aaron Copland score at the world premiere of Seven Deadly Sins with Appalachian Spring May 5-7 at TPAC’s Jackson Hall. The performance will feature a genre-bending musical collaboration between Ten Out of Tenn and the Nashville Symphony.

During this unique Ten Out of Tenn reunion show, the artists (Butterfly Boucher, Trent Dabbs, Gabe Dixon, Katie Herzig, Matthew Perryman Jones, Erin McCarley, K.S. Rhoads, Will Sayles and Amy Stroup) will perform all-new, original music. Rhoads, producer on the project, grouped the artists together to each create a song inspired by one of the seven deadly sins. The Seven Deadly Sins set list features:

  • Pride (Can’t Bury My Weakness) by Butterfly Boucher
  • Greed (This Isn’t What I Got Into It For) by Trent Dabbs and K.S. Rhoads
  • Envy (If Every Wish Came True) by Katie Herzig, Amy Stroup and K.S. Rhoads
  • Sloth (I Feel It Too Much) by Erin McCarley and K.S. Rhoads
  • Gluttony (I Can’t Get Enough Of Everything) by Jeremy Lister, Gabe Dixon and K.S. Rhoads
  • Lust (All That I Want) by Matthew Perryman Jones and K.S. Rhoads
  • Wrath (Like Thunder) by K.S. Rhoads

 

 

Carrie Underwood Receives BMI Board Of Directors Award At NAB Dinner

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Pictured (L-R): Mike O’Neill, President and CEO of BMI; Carrie Underwood; Paul Karpowicz, Chairman, BMI Board of Directors & President, Meredith Local Media Group

Carrie Underwood was honored with BMI’s Board Of Directors Award at the 69th annual BMI/NAB Dinner last night (April 25) at the Wynn Encore in Las Vegas. Underwood was recognized for the undeniable impact her music has had on the broadcast industry, as well as her contributions as a songwriter. During the event BMI also presented Underwood with the latest three of her 14 career BMI songwriting awards for “Heartbeat,” “Little Toy Guns,” and “Smoke Break.” She was also presented with a whopping nine BMI “Million-Air” Certificates, acknowledging songs that have achieved one million or more spins on radio, bringing her list of Million-Air certificates to a career total of 14.

“Not every superstar is a songwriter, but Carrie is,” said Mike O’Neill, BMI’s President and CEO. “She has earned the respect of her colleagues, not only for her singing, but also for her brilliant songwriting and storytelling, and that is an accomplishment that cannot be overstated.”

“I am beyond blessed to get to do what I do, and am grateful that I am surrounded by such incredible people,” remarked Underwood about the honor. “I love the people that I get to work with — it’s a joy, a pleasure, and a privilege. Thank you so much BMI for everything that you have done for me and my music.“

Past recipients of the BMI/NAB honor include Dolly Parton, Willie Nelson, Graham Nash, Paul Simon, Carlos Santana, and John Williams, among others.

Pictured: Mike O’Neill and Jody Williams, Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI Nashville, present Carrie Underwood and Carrie-Okie Music with recent BMI Songwriting Awards and Million-Air Certifications

Britney Spears Shows Support For MusicRow’s Rising Women

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Following this week’s (April 25) sold-out, sixth annual MusicRow Rising Women On The Row event at the Omni Hotel Nashville, pop superstar Britney Spears shared her encouragement for the honorees with a brief video on social media.

Spears was one of many artists who sent in video messages of support, including Reba McEntire, Mary J Blige, Meghan Trainor, Priyanka Chopra, Reba McEntire and Taylor Hill who are all clients of the event’s featured speaker, Tri Star Sports and Entertainment founder and CEO Lou Taylor.

The six Rising Women On The Row honorees for 2017, who have become substantial contributors and visionary leaders, were Kella Farris, Business Manager, Farris, Self & Moore; Juli Newton-Griffith, VP, Magic Mustang/BMG; Kerri Edwards, President, KP Entertainment; Laura Hutfless, CEO and Founding Partner, FlyteVu Agency; Virginia Davis, Managing Partner and Artist Manager, G Major Management; and Tatum Allsep, Founder/Executive Director, Music Health Alliance.

City National Bank served as Presenting Sponsor, as it has since the event’s inception.

The sixth annual ceremony held its largest crowd to date, with nearly 500 attendees. Nashville Mayor Megan Barry attended the Rising Women on the Row breakfast and welcomed the guests with a heartfelt message of empowerment.

CMT’s Sr. VP of Music and Talent Leslie Fram was also on hand to introduce a special performance from Song Suffragette’s singer/songwriter Kalie Shorr, who concluded the event. Shorr offered music from her EP, Slingshot, including a surprise duet with Jamie O’Neal, which featured a mashup of O’Neal’s 2001 co-written No. 1, “When I Think About Angels,” and Tanya Tucker’s 1970’s hit “Delta Dawn.”

In Pictures: T.J. Martell Nashville Best Cellars Dinner, ACM, Bobby Bones, Little Big Town

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Music Industry Celebrates 18th Annual Best Cellars Dinner To Benefit T.J. Martell

Pictured (L -R): T.K. Kimbrell, Laura Kimbrell, Keith Browning, Pam Browning, Matt Donahoe, Co-Chair John Esposito, Chantel Esposito, Clint Higham, Co-Chair Eliza Kraft Olander, Big Kenny, Co-Chair Rob Beckham, Melissa Beckham, Chris Johnson, Mary Celeste Beall, Ed McDonald, Jim Clendenen, Nataliia Johnson, John Sanzo. Photo: Jason Davis / Getty Images

The T.J. Martell Foundation celebrated its 18th Annual Nashville Best Cellars Dinner on April 24 at the Omni Hotel. Prepared by chefs John Currence (City Grocery, Bouré, Big Bad Breakfast, Snackbar) and Alon Shaya (Shaya, Domenica, Pizza Domenica), each of the four courses was paired with a world class wine selection offered by the evening’s wine hosts (pictured above). The event netted nearly $225,000 toward funding for innovative leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.

 

Academy of Country Music Welcomes Adam Craig

Photo (L-R): ACM Chief Executive Officer Pete Fisher with Adam Craig. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Stoney Creek Records recording artist Adam Craig to the office while he was in Los Angeles last week. While at the Academy, Craig performed his current single, “Just a Phase,” and songs from his current self-titled EP Adam Craig. Next month, Craig will join Luke Bryan as he launches his Huntin’ Fishin’ and Lovin’ Every Day Tour with consecutive shows at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena and on select dates throughout the summer.

 

Bobby Bones Offers Sold-Out Comedy Show In Nashville

Photo: Alex Ferrari

Bobby Bones, host of iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, delivered a sold-out show in Nashville, TN on Saturday night (April 22) during his Funny & Alone Standup Comedy Tour Presented By WSIX at TPAC’s James K. Polk Theater. With tickets selling out in less than an hour at on sale, Bones headlined the night as part of the fourth annual Wild West Comedy Festival.

 

CMT’s Cody Alan Welcomes Little Big Town

Pictured (L-R): LBT’s Phillip Sweet, Cody Alan, Josh Wolf, and LBT’s Jimi Westbrook.

CMT’s Cody Alan teamed with comedian Josh Wolf and Little Big Town’s Jimi Westbrook and Phillip Sweet on stage this weekend at Zanie’s in Nashville as part of the Wild West Comedy Festival.

AFM Local 257 Inks Deal With Premier To Offer Members Nashville Parking Discounts

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AFM Local 257, with the aid of Metro Council member Jeff Syracuse, has struck a deal with Premier Parking for AFM 257 members to receive discounted parking at the McKendree Garage (located at 6th Ave. and Commerce) in Nashville.

The one-time bar code passes will allow for parking in the garage for $5 per night. The passes will be available on a weekly basis at the AFM 257 office in Nashville. Members can pick up the number of passes they need, depending the number of shows they are playing per week.

“As downtown musicians know all too well, prices can go as high as $25-30 a night for parking, but under this scenario the AFM 257 parking pass will get you parking in a conveniently located garage for $5 a night,” says AFM Local 257 president Dave Pomeroy. “This will save our members a lot of money, and is one more way that we make sure that our members get the maximum benefit from belonging to AFM Local 257. This has been a long time coming, and I am very pleased that this concept
has finally become a reality.”

Musicians will be asked to fill out a short form regarding their upcoming shows in Nashville before receiving the parking passes. Depending on demand, AFM Local 257 says the deal could expand to other parking garages in Nashville in the future.

Belmont University Opens $10.5M Guitar Gallery With Performances From Vince Gill, Ricky Skaggs

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Pictured (L-R): Ricky Skaggs, Vince Gill and Belmont student Ben Valine perform during the grand opening of the Gallery of Iconic Guitars at Belmont University in Nashville, Tennessee April 25, 2017. Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

The Gallery of Iconic Guitars (GIG) celebrated its grand opening on Tuesday (April 25) at Belmont University in Nashville, with performances from Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs, along with current Belmont graduate student Ben Valine, a commercial guitar performance major from Forest Lake, Minnesota. A vintage instrument museum, the GIG features a collection of rare stringed instruments and educates visitors on their history and design, providing an intimate, up-close vantage point that will serve to inspire collectors and music enthusiasts alike.

The GIG is the result of a gift to Belmont University of nearly 500 historically significant instruments and supporting endowment—amounting to a total value of approximately $10.5 million—from the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw. Shaw was a collector, philanthropist and the grandson of Jerome Kern who was a prominent American composer of musical theater and popular music (responsible for such classic songs as “Ol’ Man River,” “The Way You Look Tonight” and “Smoke Gets in Your Eyes”).

Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

Instruments currently on display at the new museum include a 1939 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar valued at $350,000, a 1923 Gibson F-5 mandolin signed by Lloyd Loar, and a 1960 Gibson Les Paul Standard Sunburst electric guitar worth $225,000.

Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “I’ve played guitar since I was a teenager so to have these prized instruments on this campus is a true joy for me personally. But the real value of these historical treasures comes with the educational opportunities they present to our students and faculty as well as visitors to the museum. I am grateful to the Shaw Estate for entrusting Belmont with these iconic pieces of music history, allowing us to host what will certainly be inspiration for generations of musicians and instrument makers to come.”

Pictured (L-R): Ricky Skaggs, Belmont University President Dr. Bob Fisher, and Vince Gill. Photo: Courtesy Belmont University

The James B. and Lois R. Archer Charitable Foundation serves as the presenting sponsor for The GIG, providing support to undergird the museum’s operation, special projects and educational programming. Mr. Archer said, “We are so excited to work with Belmont University on this project. Music is such a fundamental part of our lives. It inspires creativity, and we hope that the gift will inspire future generations of students who have endeavored to devote their careers to the performing arts.”

Shaw family friend George Gruhn, founder of Gruhn Guitars and vintage instrument expert, serves as co-executor of the estate. Gruhn noted, “An instrument is not a servant to a musician, but rather a partner. The really great instruments are alive, and they make suggestions. Sometimes you lead them and sometimes they lead you… Belmont University was the natural choice for a permanent home for this collection since it draws students and scholars from around the world and is noted for the excellence of its music programs. I look forward to seeing how these instruments will be given new life and will help lead young musicians as they are incorporated into Belmont’s curriculum.”

The GIG is open to the public Monday through Saturday from 9 a.m.-5 p.m. and Sunday from 1-5 p.m. Admission is $5, and free for children under 12 as well as Belmont students, faculty and staff. Visit thegigatbelmont.com for more information and to purchase tickets.