Industry Ink: Berklee College, GrassRoots Promotion, TackleBox Films

/by

Jim Ed Norman Honored by Berklee College of Music

Pictured (L-R): Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus; Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting; Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Jay Kennedy, vice president for academic affairs. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Pictured (L-R): Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus; Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting; Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Jay Kennedy, vice president for academic affairs. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Berklee College of Music presented its first American Master Awards on Tuesday (March 17) in Nashville, to Curb Group CEO Jim Ed Norman; Grand Ole Opry vice president and general manager Pete Fisher; and Eddie Bayers, drummer on more than 300 gold and platinum records.

The inaugural American Master Awards celebrate the 30th anniversary of the college’s Nashville student trip. The awards were presented at Opry Studio following a Grand Ole Opry concert by Larry Gatlin, The Willis Clan, Lee Greenwood, and alumnus Charlie Worsham.

For 30 years, a group of Berklee students have spent their spring break in Nashville, getting an intensive, in-depth look at the music industry and gaining invaluable insight through clinics and workshops with accomplished alumni artists, songwriters, producers, and engineers. The trip, which began with five students, has grown to 120 students per year, led by Pat Pattison, professor of songwriting, and Stephen Webber, program director for music technology at Berklee’s Valencia campus. More than 3,000 students have attended the program since its inception.

 

GrassRoots Promotion Expands Staff

RJ Jordan

RJ Jordan

GrassRoots Promotion has added Rick “RJ” Jordan as Music Row Promotion Manager, effective March 23. Jordan currently serves as PD/PM Driver at Lloyd Lane Inc.’s WCJW in Warsaw, N.Y. His last day is March 20.

Managing Partner Nancy Tunick says, ”We are extremely excited to have RJ join our team as he is a passionate, persistent, detail-oriented, experienced promoter. You don’t find that combination often!”

Jordan will be based in Rochester, N.Y. and can be reached at [email protected] or 615-335-0718.

 

Silva’s TackleBox Films To Premiere ‘Nashville Flipped’ on HGTV Tonight

nashville flippedShaun Silva‘s Tacklebox Films production, Nashville Flipped will premiere on HGTV Thursday (March 19) at 11 p.m. ET/10 p.m. CT. Mike Wolfe of American Pickers helped create the show, in collaboration with fellow Executive Producers Silva and Brian Friedman of TackleBox films.

The show features local home flipper, Troy Dean Schafer and interior designer Alexandria Cirimelli, as they try to restore a 1930s east Nashville home.

Broadcasters Want Sponsored Song Notices Stripped From Airwaves

/by

RadioTowerRadio broadcasters are seeking changes to the way listeners are notified that they are hearing sponsored songs. A group of nine broadcasters, including Beasley, Cox, Cromwell Group, Emmis, Entercom, First Natchez, Greater Media, Henson Media and iHeartMedia, have filed a petition with the FCC requesting that radio companies be allowed to move disclosures about sponsored songs online. Currently these disclosures are required to be stated on air.

The group—which notably doesn’t include Cumulus—claims this change will offer “far greater and more accessible sponsorship information to listeners.” It goes on to say that this is a “consumer-friendly” move with “fewer interruptions” to on-air programming.

Laws require stations to identify sponsored programming in an effort to combat payola, which would theoretically even the playing field among those competing for airtime.

The petition was revealed Friday, March 13 when the F.C.C. announced that it would accept public feedback through April 13.

Read the petition.

Read more from the New York Times.

Weekly Chart Report (3/13/15)

/by

Screen Shot 2015-03-13 at 8.42.52 AM

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 7.59.14 AM

Screen Shot 2015-03-06 at 12.11.05 PM

Screen Shot 2015-03-06 at 12.11.16 PM

SamAusten_ProgrammerPlaylist

DexterRoberts_ProgrammerPlaylist

New Radio Single April 6 From Nine North Signee

/by
Pictured (L-R): Larry Pareigis

Pictured (L-R): Larry Pareigis, Bryan Mayer, Shawn Mitchell (manager). Photo: Kevin Mason/Nine North.

Nine North Records Label Group has signed an exclusive promotion, marketing and social media deal with singer/songwriter Bryan Mayer. His SCE Nashville/Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville single will impact radio on April 6, titled “This Is Me.”

“Bryan exemplifies the brash artistic independence that my team and I are always looking to partner with and amplify,” says Larry Pareigis, President, Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville. “The road to Country radio for The Big Man begins now!”

The 6’7″ Mayer, a North Carolina native, began his journey at 13. This son of a US Marine Corps Colonel father and a Navy nurse mother started crafting his style and gutting it out in any bar, restaurant or party that would hire him.

Country radios 95.1 WRNS took notice of Mayer’s talent and began to use him as a frequent opener at concerts for National Country headliners like Trace Adkins, Joe Nichols, Craig Morgan, Eli Young Band, The Band Perry, Thompson Square.

“As a singer, songwriter and artist who has worked very hard to get to this point, I am truly excited and honored to now be a part of the Nine North Records family,” Mayer says. “Larry and his staff have years of expertise and knowledge to help me get in front of a national and international audience on Country radio. I know my family, friends, and especially my fans are ready to see me take this step to the next level!”

 

Weekly Chart Report (3/6/15)

/by

Screen Shot 2015-03-06 at 12.08.20 PM

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report

Screen Shot 2015-02-20 at 7.59.14 AM

Screen Shot 2015-03-06 at 12.11.05 PM

Screen Shot 2015-03-06 at 12.11.16 PM

BMI Honors KC And The Sunshine Band

/by
Harry Wayne "KC" Casey and BMI's David Preston. Photo: Jeremy Westby

Harry Wayne “KC” Casey and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Jeremy Westby

KC and The Sunshine Band were honored on Tuesday March 3 by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), recognizing their long-standing career and outstanding contributions to the music industry through iconic hits.

The band’s frontman, Harry Wayne “KC” Casey was present at the BMI offices in Nashville, Tenn., to accept the coveted awards from BMI Director and Writer Publisher, David Preston.

Among the honors garnered were seven (7) Pop Awards, four (4) million performance certificates, two (2) R&B Awards, two (2) two-million performance certificates, and one (1) Urban Award. The accolades span the years from 1974 to 2013 — the latest in which they won their most recent recognition, an Urban Award, for “Pop That.” BMI first recognized their musical contributions in 1974 with a two million performance certificate and Pop Award for international No. 1 smash, “Rock Your Baby.”

“If you take a song, of a normal length, and you play it back-to-back, it takes it over six years to reach a million performances. Today, we present KC with certificates representing over eight million performances — a remarkable feat,” said Preston.

KC added, “It puts a smile of my face to know that my music has made such an impact over the years. I created dance music to make people happy, and it turns out that it’s made me pretty happy, too!”

KC and The Sunshine Band’s new album, Feeling You! The 60s, is available for pre-order on iTunes and Amazon now, and will be available in music stores nationwide and worldwide digital realms Tuesday, March 10.

BMI Award certificates for KC and the Sunshine Band. Photo: Jeremy Westby

BMI Award certificates for KC and the Sunshine Band. Photo: Jeremy Westby

 

 

Industry Ink: Sandbox Entertainment, The Mastercasters, BBR Music Group

/by

Sandbox Entertainment Moves To New Location

SandboxManagement company Sandbox Entertainment has moved to a new location at 3810 Bedford Ave., Ste. 200 in Nashville. The company’s number will stay the same at 615-915-5454.

Sandbox Entertainment represents artists including Shania Twain, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, and Dan+Shay.

 

Pitch Group The Mastercasters Work with Ronnie Dunn

Pictured (L-R): Round Hill's Mark Brown, ATM's Alex Torrez, Nash Icon's Ronnie Dunn, AAM/TLM's Leslie T. DiPiero, Disney’s Patrick Clifford. (Not pictured): Ole's John Ozier.

Pictured (L-R): Round Hill’s Mark Brown, ATM’s Alex Torrez, Nash Icon’s Ronnie Dunn, AAM/TLM’s Leslie T. DiPiero, Disney’s Patrick Clifford. (Not pictured): Ole’s John Ozier.

Recently formed pitch group The Mastercasters recently met with Nash Icon artist Ronnie Dunn to pitch songs for his upcoming album.  The Mastercasters target pitch songs from catalogs including songs from writers such as Craig Wiseman, Bob DiPiero, Angaleena Presley, Marv Green, Rodney Clawson, Tyler Farr, and others.

BBR Music Group’s Red Bow Records Adds Promotion Coordinator

Bill Snickers Red Bow Records

Red Bow Records Promotion staffers

BBR Music Group’s Red Bow Records has added Bill Snickers as Promotion Coordinator. Snickers will assist with promotion duties and will report to Red Bow VP, Promotion Renee Leymon.

“It’s such an incredible opportunity to work for Red Bow Records and BBR Music Group,” said Snickers. “We have an amazing roster of artists and I’m really excited to be a part of the team.”

Leymon added, “The RED BOW girls are excited to finally have some testosterone on the team!”

Snickers can be reached at [email protected] and at 615-610-2127.

 

Catch This Music Promotes Allen to Head Engineer

Zach Allen

Zach Allen

Catch This Music has promoted Zach Allen as the new Head Engineer of their recording studio, which is located on Music Row.

“It is a huge honor to be a part of such a well versed musical family,” Allen said. “Clients and I have been blown away by the quality of the recordings we are getting from the CTM studios, as well as the warm feeling you receive the moment you enter the building. I’m really excited about continuing to implement my recording philosophies into our company.”

 

 

Artist Updates: Carrie Underwood Welcomes Child, YouTube Music Awards, James Carothers

/by
Photo courtesy of Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Photo courtesy of Carrie Underwood/Instagram

Carrie Underwood and husband Mike Fisher welcomed their first child, son Isaiah Michael Fisher, on Friday, Feb. 27.

Underwood shared the news via Instagram, with the caption, “Tiny hands and tiny feet … God has blessed us with an amazing gift! Isaiah Michael Fisher – born on February 27. Welcome to the world, sweet angel!” 

The baby’s gender was revealed onstage during the 2014 CMA Awards by Underwood’s co-host Brad Paisley.

Underwood has been married for nearly five years to professional hockey player Mike Fisher.

She has also announced a clothing line with Calia that will release soon, and earned a Grammy Award earlier this year for Best Country Solo Performance for “Something In The Water.”

• • •

youtube music awardsBrad Paisley, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes, and Meghan Trainor are among the winners at the 2015 YouTube Music Awards, alongside others from various musical genres. Together, the 50 artists have been viewed more than 47 billion times, and have 164 million subscribers. The winners were selected based on growth in views, subscribers and engagement over the past six months on YouTube.

• • •

Renegade Mountain Records’ James Carothers kicked off his first Country Radio Seminar last week by hosting a full Southern breakfast performance at Puckett’s. He performed three songs, including single, “I Must Be Alive,” and entertained the audience of broadcasters and press with stories and impersonations of Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings and Willie Nelson.

Standing: Ryan McCall ( WGLR Radio), Dr. Dave (KDKD Radio), Mike Thomas (KFAV Radio) Seated: James Carothers and Dave Stanford (WDHR Radio)

Standing: MusicRow CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year Ryan McCall (WGLR), Dr. Dave (KDKD), Mike Thomas (KFAV). Seated: James Carothers and Dave Stanford (WDHR)

• • •

Rick HallRick Hall, known as the “Father of the Muscle Shoals Sound,” the man behind classics including Wilson Pickett’s “Mustang Sally,” Aretha Franklin’s “I Ain’t Never Loved A Man,” and Alicia Keys’ “Pressin’ On,” will share his stories from working with legendary artists at Fame Studios in Muscle Shoals, Ala.

Hall has produced more than 300 pop chart singles, including more than 40 Gold and Platinum records.

His new tell-all memoir, The Man From Muscle Shoals, will be released March 17 (Heritage Builder Publishing), with a foreword by music historian Peter Guralnick. The book comes with the bonus DVD of the Grammy award-winning Muscle Shoals.

• • •

Kent Finlay

Kent Finlay

Kent Finlay, longtime owner of Cheatham Street Warehouse, the San Marcos, Texas venue that was a breeding ground for numerous artists died early morning Monday, March 2 at home in Martindale, Texas. He was 77.

He was a lifelong champion of songwriters and a musician himself. Among those who performed at his establishment were George Strait, Randy Rogers Band, Todd Snider, James McMurtry, Bruce Robison, Hal Ketchum, Stevie Ray Vaughan, Guy Clark and Townes Van Zandt.

“Country music-and just music in general really-lost a great friend today,” said George Strait via a statement. “His legend will live forever in Texas, though. We’ll never forget our friend Kent Finlay. Sad day.”

Finlay is survived by family members including daughter Jenni Finlay, a music manager and marketer.

• • •

Ed Sheeran guitar

Ed Sheeran X Signature Edition Guitar by C.F. Martin Guitar Co.

C.F. Martin & Co. has teamed again with Ed Sheeran, this time for another Signature Artist Edition guitar from the Martin Custom Shop, the Ed Sheeran X Signature Edition.

In 2013, Martin Guitar and Sheeran released the LX1E Ed Sheeran Signature Edition. The latest model is available for pre-order.

 

CRS Continues Six-Year Growth Streak

/by
Opening day of CRS 2015. Pictured from left to right are: Lady Antebellum(Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott), Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Todd Wagner and Bill Mayne (CRS Executive Director). Photo: Sara Kauss

Opening day of CRS 2015. Pictured (L-R): Lady Antebellum (Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott), Trisha Yearwood, Garth Brooks, Todd Wagner and Bill Mayne (CRS Executive Director). Photo: Sara Kauss

Country Radio Seminar 2015 came to an end on Friday, Feb. 27 with a four percent increase in attendance, compared to CRS 2014.

This is the sixth consecutive year the event has experienced a growth in attendee numbers. A total of 2,424 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) attended this year’s event, which was held Feb. 25–27 at the Nashville Convention Center. In 2014, the total number of full registrants was 2,335.

The three-day event kicked off with an announcement-filled opening ceremony, including the news that CRS 2016 will relocate to Nashville’s Omni Hotel. In addition, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood made a surprise appearance and announced this year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees in both the Radio and On-Air categories. As previously announced, the inductees are Joel Raab, Sammy George and Mike Kennedy. The inductees in the On-Air category are Randy Carroll (KAJA/San Antonio, TX) and Karen Dalessandro (WMIL/Milwaukee, Wis.).

The seminar continued with thought-provoking panels, valuable networking opportunities, prominent speakers, research presentations and intimate performances from some of today’s biggest stars and emerging artists.

With a combined number of 27 panels, sessions and educational presentations, the agenda was packed full of items that focused on many different areas of the country radio industry. Notable panels included, “The Power of the Connected Car,” “Direct From The Consumer Electronics Show: Coolest Gadgets & Gizmos for 2015,” “Social Media Bootcamp, Track 1: How To Speak In Your Brand’s Voice and Get Content Shared” and “Social Media Bootcamp, Track 2: Finding & Engaging Your Consumers In Real-Time.” This year’s CRS also included an appearance from featured speaker Keith Urban at the event, “Being Present,” and Lady Antebellum was featured panelists on “How 3 Become 1: Lady Antebellum.”

How Will Radio Survive The Connected Cars Of The Future?

/by
(L-R): Moderator Chris Barker (Partner, C3), Derek Kuhn (QNX/Blackberry), Joel Hoffman (Chief Automotive Strategist/Intel), noted John Ellis (Ellis & Assoc., former Sr. Technologist/Ford), and Paul Brenner (Emmis/NextRadio).

(L-R): Moderator Chris Barker (Partner, C3), Derek Kuhn (QNX/Blackberry), Joel Hoffman (Chief Automotive Strategist/Intel), John Ellis (Ellis & Assoc., former Sr. Technologist/Ford), and Paul Brenner (Emmis/NextRadio).

Imagine a car that drives itself, that knows your schedule and drives you to your appointments. It knows the quickest route and can reroute based on accidents or heavy traffic. If you are running late, it can notify your appointment. The video below shows all this and more, and was viewed by attendees at the CRS panel “The Power of the Connected Car” on Thurs., Feb. 26.

Panelists discussed the capabilities of the cars of the future, including autonomous drive, cars that can communicate with each other and share information, and how users can make purchases through the car’s ecosystem.

Panelist Paul Brenner of Emmis/NextRadio said, “I applaud you for attending, you’re hearing from three guys that will decide your future,” referring to his fellow panelists. Brenner is working to help traditional radio evolve to compete with the growing popularity of streaming and on-demand music. The NextRadio app plays over-the-air FM broadcasts on smartphones.

Panelists noted that following the debut of streaming music, there was a few years before the technology made its way to automobiles, which helped the terrestrial radio industry maintain a foothold with the public, particularly in cars. Today, technology allows more music listening options in vehicles, and listeners could choose to get music from other outlets, instead of over-the-air radio. Terrestrial radio’s foothold is eroding.

One downside of terrestrial radio, is that users don’t get to select the music. “You listen to what other people tell you to,” noted John Ellis (Ellis & Assoc., former Sr. Technologist, Ford).

Panelists including Brenner, Ellis, Joel Hoffman (Chief Automotive Strategist, Intel), and Derek Kuhn (QNX/Blackberry) agreed that going forward, the car’s ecosystem (think of it like an operating system) will play a bigger role when consumers purchase a new vehicle. It will be similar to cell phone purchases today, which are based heavily on the operating system (Android vs. Apple) instead of the hardware, or phone itself.

Today, terrestrial radio doesn’t have a prominent place in these automotive ecosystems.

In order to survive, radio companies need a strategy said panelists. They will need to enhance user experience and engagement. Brenner said, “[Radio] will have to innovate and establish an advantage they can’t take away from you.”

Safety is a major concern that goes along with having automobiles with lots of features. Security of the information being exchanged is also a top priority.

When asked how long it will be before the cars of the future are on streets, the panelists explained that currently the auto industry can’t meet the expectations of the next generation of drivers (today’s children) while balancing the safety issues of distracted driving.

This video is from 2012, which reiterates the fact that automotive technology is in the works for years before it debuts. Panelists said technology is secretly being developed right now.