Artist Updates: Russell Dickerson, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler, Larry Gatlin

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Russell Dickerson Track Makes Logan Film

Russell Dickerson

Nashville-bred singer/songwriter Russell Dickerson recorded “Blue Tacoma” in 2016 before signing to Sony’s Triple Tigers label last year. Now, “Blue Tacoma,” has been included in the Marvel comics film Logan, a follow up to the X-Men favorite, Wolverine. The movie features actor Hugh Jackman as Wolverine in his latest X-Men movie.

“I’ve always been a huge X-Men fan! Since the very first movie,” said Dickerson after screening the film and hearing his song’s placement. “You write these songs and put them out into the universe, not knowing their lifespan or reach, so to have a song I wrote and recorded a few years ago appear in one of these Marvel movies today, well it’s the craziest feeling. Fifteen-year-old Russell would be so stoked!”

Dickerson is touring as part of Thomas Rhett’s 2017 Home Team Tour alongside Kelsea Ballerini and Ryan Hurd.

 

Caitlyn Smith, The Brummies Added To Little Big Town Ryman Dates

As Little Big Town continues its year-long artist residency, “Little Big Town at the Mother Church,” from Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, artists Caitlyn Smith and The Brummies have been selected to open upcoming shows. Smith will open the May 19 show, while The Brummies will open the May 20 show.

 

Kellie Pickler Joins Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine

Kellie Pickler

Kellie Pickler has announced a collaboration with Nickelodeon’s Shimmer and Shine, where she provides the voice for the new character, Zora the genie pirate. Pickler sings two new original songs in the series as Zora.

The animated children’s series was introduced to Nickelodeon’s Nick Jr. in 2015, and follows the adventures of fraternal twin genies, Shimmer and Shine, who unintentionally create chaos while attempting to grant wishes for their human best friend, Leah.

 

Larry Gatlin Announces New Musical Quanah, To Launch April 28 In Dallas

Larry Gatlin has turned his creative talents to writing and starring in the new musical Quanah, which will run April 28-May 7 at the Irving Art Center Carpenter Performance Hall in Dallas.

David Phelps will star as Quanah, while Gatlin will play the character Old Ranger. The supporting cast includes Brett Warner as Lucinda, Lauren Scott as Cynthia Ann, Daron Cockerell as Nauda, Sony Franks as McKenzie and Tim Brawner as James Parker. Quanah arranger Galen Butler conducts the Lyric Stage Orchestra with direction and choreography by John De Los Santos.

Tickets are available at www.lyricstage.org or by calling the box office at 972-252-2787.

 

Nashville Film Festival Announces Music Films/Music City Festival Titles

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The Nashville Film Festival has revealed the first nine titles selected for this year’s 48th annual festival on April 20-29. Films featuring a wide variety of artists from Snoop Dogg and John Williams to Garth Brooks and Trent Reznor are included. The slate includes two world premieres and five Southeastern U.S. premieres. The nine films are all part of the Music Films/Music City Competition celebrating films about musicians, music, and the impact it has on our lives.

Nashville Film Festival Artistic Director Brian Owens said of the selection, “I really love the variety of voices present in this selection – from a rapper working in a nearly extinct language to composers creating some of the most familiar tunes known to us all – there is a little bit of everything in these nine exciting films.”

This year’s festival will take place at its new home at Regal Hollywood Stadium 27 & RPX, located at 719 Thompson Lane. The new location will nearly double the amount of theaters, from six to 10 screens.

MUSIC FILMS/MUSIC CITY COMPETITION
Arctic Superstar / Norway (Director: Simen Braathen)—A Sami rapper dreams of becoming world famous.  The only problem is that less than 20,000 people speak his endangered language. Cast: Nils Rune Utsi. Southeast US PremiereBill Frisell: A Portrait / Australia (Director: Emma Franz)—A character portrait of anti-archetype guitar hero, Bill Frisell, and the ideas and processes that shaped his music. Featuring Bonnie Raitt, Hal Willner, Paul Simon, Joey Baron, Jim Hall and Jason Moran. Cast: Bill Frisell | Paul Motian | Jim Hall | Mike Gibbs | Jason Moran | Jim Woodring. Southeast US Premiere

Cassette: A Documentary Mixtape / USA (Director: Zack Taylor)—Cassette tape inventor Lou Ottens digs through his past to figure out why his invention won’t die. Rock veterans like Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, and Ian MacKaye join a new generation of bands releasing music on tape to push Lou along on his journey to remember. Cast: Lou Ottens | Henry Rollins | Thurston Moore | Rob Sheffield | Lily Rothman | Damien Jurado. Tennessee Premiere

Davi’s Way / USA (Director: Tom Donahue)—DAVI’S WAY is a character portrait of Robert Davi as he makes a shift from acting to singing professionally and his quest to put on a concert celebrating Sinatra’s 100th Birthday. Cast: Robert Davi. Southeast US Premiere

G Funk / USA (Director: Karam Gill) — G FUNK is the untold story of three childhood friends from East Long Beach who helped commercialize hip hop by developing a sophisticated and melodic new approach – merging Gangsta Rap with elements of Motown, Funk, and R&B. Cast: Warren G | Snoop Dogg | Ice Cube | Russell Simmons | Wiz Khalifa | Ice T. Southeast US Premiere

The Last Songwriter / USA (Director: Mark Barger Elliott)—Featuring Garth Brooks, Emmylou Harris, and Jason Isbell, The Last Songwriter spotlights a young writer struggling to make a living in the age of streaming as well as those who have crafted the most influential songs of the past 25 years. Cast: Garth Brooks | Emmylou Harris | Jason Isbell. World Premiere

Score: A Film Music Documentary / USA (Director: Matt Schrader)—Score: A Film Music Documentary follows the creative struggles of designing a modern soundtrack from scratch, featuring some of cinema’s most recognized names in film music. Cast: Hans Zimmer | Danny Elfman | John Williams | Trent Reznor | Randy Newman | Quincy Jones. Tennessee Premiere

Straight Into a Storm / USA (Director: William Miller)—Centered around Deer Tick’s 10th anniversary, Straight Into A Storm is a portrait of a hard-rocking band known for their substance-fueled live performances on their evolutionary journey to become one of the greatest cult rock bands of our time. Cast: John McCauley | Dennis Ryan | Chris Ryan | Ian O’Neill | Robbie Crowell. World Premiere

Tokyo Idols / United Kingdom | Canada (Director: Kyoko Miyake)—This exploration of Japan’s fascination with girl bands and their music follows an aspiring pop singer and her fans, delving into the cultural obsession with young female sexuality and the growing disconnect between men and women in hypermodern societies. Southeast US Premiere

Americana Music Association Announces 2017 Board Of Directors

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The Americana Music Association has announced its 2017 Board of Directors, made up of 29 elected or appointed industry professionals.

The 2017 Americana Music Association Board of Directors includes Musician Ambassadors Billy Bragg (UK), Kasey Chambers (Australia), Rodney Crowell, Mary Gauthier, Keb’ Mo’, Buddy Miller, Parker Millsap and Bonnie Raitt.

Board member music industry professionals are John Allen (New West Records), Dave Cobb (Producer), Carrie Colliton (Record Store Day), Tim Fink (SESAC), Garth Fundis (Slate Creek Records), Amanda Hale (aHa! Media Relations), John Ingrassia (Vector Management), Jonathan Levine (Paradigm Talent Agency), Mark Moffatt (Producer), Todd Ohlhauser (Mercy Lounge), Cliff O’Sullivan, Lindsay Reid (Thirty Tigers), Jessie Scott (WMOT), Lynne Sheridan (The Grammy Museum), Jonathan Taplin (Annenberg Innovation Lab), Drew Thurlow and Kurt Vitolo (KV Financial Group).

Also appointed were four ex-officio Board Directors including Ashley Capps (AC Entertainment – Big Ears/Bonnaroo/Forecastle), Terry Lickona (Austin City Limits/The Grammys), Al Moss (Al Moss Promotion) and Marcus Whitney (Jumpstart Foundry), all of whom will serve in a high-level advisory capacity.

The organization’s 2017 Executive Committee will include John Ingrassia, President; Mark Moffatt, President-Elect; and Cliff O’Sullivan as Past President in the association’s leadership succession plan. Lynne Sheridan will continue to serve as Secretary; Garth Fundis and Jessie Scott will take on the two At-Large positions, and Kurt Vitolo and his firm, KV Financial Group, PC, will act as the association’s accounting firm. These positions are held for one year.

John Beiter of Leavens, Strand & Glover, LLC, will continue to serve the board as its General Counsel.

MusicRow Launches New Merchandise Line

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MusicRow launches its new merchandise line this week.

Under the brand MusicRow Original, the company’s initial offerings include tee shirts, license plates, stickers, hats, etc. with new items being introduced in the coming months.

MusicRow Publisher and Owner, Sherod Robertson says, “Offering merchandise to highlight the brand that represents the heart beat of the Nashville music industry is a natural extension for our company. We wanted to create something special for people who appreciate the spirit and history of Music Row.”

Fulfilled by Richards & Southern, merchandise can be ordered online here.

25th Annual Tin Pan South Announces Performers, Schedule

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Organizers of The 25th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank have announced more than 100 shows and more than 400 writers for the event, which will be held March 28-April 1, 2017 at 10 music venues throughout Nashville.

Brothers Osborne will entertain at 3rd & Lindsley, and Nashville television show stars Charles Esten, Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen will appear at the Hard Rock Cafe and The Listening Room Cafe, respectively.

In celebration of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 50th anniversary, April 1 will host an 11:30 a.m. performance from Sonny Curtis before a round with Buzz Cason, Dickey Lee, Dallas Frazier and Dan Penn at 2 p.m. Tin Pan Fast Access pass holders will be admitted for free to the hall for the day. That evening, 3rd & Lindsley will host two hall-sponsored rounds, one with Mark D. Sanders, Matraca Berg, Bobby Braddock and Roger Cook and another with Al Anderson, Tom Douglas, Roger Murrah and Gretchen Peters.

Keb’ Mo’ will bring his unique Blues style to The Country, and Jim Peterik returns to perform at Whiskey Rhythm. Brandon Heath and former Sixpence None The Richer lead singer Leigh Nash will also return as performers to Tin Pan South. After a two-year absence, Kara DioGuardi is set to perform.

Jake Owen, Craig Campbell, Maddie & Tae, Danielle Bradbery, Mo Pitney, Kristian Bush, Love and Theft, Mickey Guyton, Luke Combs and others will hit various stages, while Larry Gatlin, Lee Roy Parnell and Mac Davis will tell stories behind their biggest hits.

Fast Access Passes are sold out for 2017, but cover prices will be collected at the door if space allows additional festival-goers. Reservations are highly encouraged for those Fast Access ticket holders for any show at The Bluebird Cafe.

For a full schedule, visit tinpansouth.com.

Reba Reveals Red Dress Figure For Madame Tussauds Nashville

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Pictured (L-R): Reba, Madame Tussauds’ Reba wax figure, Brett Freedman

Madame Tussauds Nashville is set to feature a wax figure of Reba McEntire when it opens on April 14.

The country superstar met her likeness during an interview with The Insider in Las Vegas ahead of a March residency date at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.

The figure, which will be featured in the finale of the attraction on a replica of the Grand Ole Opry stage, depicts Reba mid-performance. Her figure will be outfitted in a stage outfit Reba wore while singing her megahit—and signature encore— “Fancy.”

To ensure an exact likeness, Reba loaned her dress, shoes and jewelry to the costume department of Madame Tussauds.

Last fall, Madame Tussauds Nashville hosted a social contest where fans nominated the artists they would most like to see take the stage at the attraction. Reba was overwhelmingly named the winner of the contest.

“I tried to find differences between me and the figure and there weren’t any,” said McEntire. “I’m really blown away with how great it looks, it’s like looking in a mirror.”

YouTube video

Additional figures hitting the stage at Madame Tussauds Nashville include Beyoncé, Billie Holiday, Blake Shelton, Bob Dylan, Carrie Underwood, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, Little Jimmy Dickens, Louis Armstrong, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Minnie Pearl, Rayna Jaymes & Deacon Claybourne, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift.

More artists will be added to the bill within the coming weeks.

Pictured (L-R): Madame Tussauds’ Reba wax figure, Reba

WME Signs Austin Burke

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Pictured (L-R) front: Austin Mullins, WME; Sherrie Austin, Go Long Entertainment; Will Rambeau, Go Long Entertainment; Sloane Logue, WME; Greg Oswald, WME; Jeff Davis, Go Long Entertainment. Back: Austin Burke

WME has signed West Coast-influenced country artist Austin Burke.

Burke is set to release an EP later this month. His current single, “Sleepin’ Around,” is on rotation with SiriusXM’s The Highway and has already accrued over 775K spins on Spotify. Burke got his start in music at age 3, when he performed the national anthem for the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Arizona native moved to Nashville by way of southern California.

Burke is managed by Sherrié Austin and Will Rambeaux at Go Long Entertainment, LLC.

 

Industry Ink: Songs & Stories For St. Jude, SOURCE Tin Pan South Show, Casey Kelly, NSAI Song Contest

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Fifth Annual Songs And Stories For St. Jude Set

The fifth annual Songs & Stories for St. Jude, a concert and auction to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has been set for April 5 at Nashville’s City Winery. Songwriters Chris DeStefano, Brett James, Jessi Alexander, Hillary Lindsey, Rivers Rutherford and Marcus Hummon are set to perform, with other special guests to be announced at a later date. More information and tickets can be found at thebig98.com.

 

SOURCE Teams With NSAI For Tin Pan South Show

SOURCE Nashville has teamed up with NSAI for a special show during Tin Pan South on March 28 at 6 p.m. at Whiskey Rhythm Saloon. The show will feature Danielle Bradbery, Jaida Dreyer, Jo Smith, and Lari White. For more information regarding passes and tickets, go to tinpansouth.com. A portion of proceeds from the show will go to SOURCE.

 

Casey Kelly Signs With Banner Music

Banner Music has signed Casey Kelly to its songwriting roster. Kelly has worked as an arranger, music publisher, and record producer along with writing songs. After moving to Nashville in 1976, Kelly had multiple hits including “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight” by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West, “Soon” by Tanya Tucker, “Somewhere Down the Line” by T.G. Shepherd and “The Cowboy Rides Away” by George Strait.

 

NSAI Song Contest Winners Announced

The Nashville Songwriters Association International and Country Music Television announced that “Wasted Fantasy,” written by Lauren McLamb and Trannie Stevens of Nashville, has been awarded the Grand Prize in the 17th Annual NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT.

Over 2,000 songs were received this year, and the winner received $5,000 and a mentoring session with Charles Kelley.

The lyric-only winner is “Flying Home” written by Cindy Lee Collins and Laura Miller. Collins receives a mentoring session with Big Loud Shirt writer, Rodney Clawson, along with additional prizes. Twenty other songs received Runner-Up or Honorable Mention status, and all of the top songs can be seen at nashvillesongwriters.com.

Trent Harmon Signs With Rick Barker For Management

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Trent Harmon and Rick Barker

Trent Harmon has signed with Rick Barker for management. The winner of Season 15 of FOX’s American Idol, Harmon met Barker during the show’s farewell season while Barker served on the show’s Artist Development team and as the Social Media Mentor for the contestants.

Barker, who was formerly a West Coast Regional at Big Machine Label Group before managing Taylor Swift at the start of her career, will take on Harmon’s day-to-day management responsibilities.

“Rick is a force of nature and has the rare ability to recognize opportunity where most just simply do not,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Working with Trent for management will create the unfair advantage that all artists crave. This is going to be good… very good…”

“The chance to work with Trent, Scott, the Big Machine Team, CAA and country radio was too good to pass up,” said Barker. “Trent showed me at Idol that he was willing to follow instructions and would do whatever it takes to win no matter how crazy it sounded!”

“I’m very excited to continue working with Rick. All of the things we accomplished together with Idol laid the groundwork for what we’re going to continue to pursue,” said Harmon. “Scott Borchetta, the Big Machine team, and the exceptional people they’ve been able to put me in contact with have put me in a wonderful position going into 2017. This pairing with Rick could not have come at a better time.”

SESAC Signs R.E.M.

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R.E.M

Performing rights organization SESAC has signed for performing rights representation in the United States the entire catalog of R.E.M., the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alternative rock band credited with pioneering the genre. The catalog includes the hit singles “Losing My Religion,” Everybody Hurts,” “Its the End of the World as We Know It,” “Shiny Happy People,” “The One I Love,” and more.

R.E.M. band members Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe also have signed with SESAC for performing rights representation in the United States.

R.E.M., which recorded 15 albums and toured the world during its 31-year tenure as a band, won multiple GRAMMYs and sold more than 85 million copies of studio albums worldwide, making it one of the best-selling acts of all times.

“We are proud to represent the songs of a band that, without question, changed rock music forever,” said John Josephson, chairman and CEO, SESAC Holdings, Inc. “Along with representing the rich, timeless R.E.M. catalog, we also welcome Michael, Peter, Mike and Bill to the SESAC family.”

R.E.M.’s journey began in April 1980, when the group performed in a vacant church building for a friend’s birthday party in Athens, Georgia. Three years later, with the support of college radio, R.E.M. was releasing albums and touring steadily. Its underground fame reached mainstream in 1987 with the single “The One I Love.”The next year, the band signed a record deal with Warner Bros.

In 1991 and 1992, R.E.M. released its most commercially successful albums, Out of Time and Automatic for the People, respectively. These two albums yielded hits including “Losing My Religion,” “Shiny Happy People” and “Everybody Hurts.” In 2007, in its first year of eligibility, R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.

The affiliation of R.E.M. is the latest in a string of prominent signings to SESAC’s roster, which include Rosanne Cash, Kings of Leon, Randy Newman, Axl Rose, Zac Brown, Green Day, Kesha, George Clinton, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen.