Industry Ink: NSAI, Spin Doctors Nashville

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NSAI Heads To Washington, D.C.

The Nashville Songwriters Association was in Washington, D.C. recently to discuss copyright issues and the recently released report on music licensing by the U.S. Copyright office in individual meetings with 25 members of Congress.

NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow, Rep. Doug Collins (GA), sponsor of the SONGWRITER EQUITY ACT, songwriters Roger Brown and Ben Glover and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

NSAI Sr. Director of Operations Jennifer Turnbow, Rep. Doug Collins (GA), sponsor of the SONGWRITER EQUITY ACT, songwriters Roger Brown and Ben Glover and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison.

 

Spin Doctors Music Group Adds Director of National Promotion

spin doctors logo111The Spin Doctors Music Group has added Melissa Grayson as Director Of National Promotion for the company’s label imprint SMG Nashville. She will work directly with monitored and secondary radio on the labels artists Presley & Taylor, Kayla Calabrese and New Black Seven. Grayson’s previous experience includes, RCA Records, Rust Records, Whitestar Music, Clear Channel Entertainment, and The Tennessee Titans.

Spin Doctors Music Group Executive VP Kristin Johnson says, “We are fortunate to have Melissa join us and be an integral part of our team. Her relationships with our radio partners and her enthusiasm and passion for our artists will help us continue our growth.”

Reach Melissa here [email protected] or (615) 329-3375.

Chris Young Presented With ‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coin For No. 1 Song

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(L-R): MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, Chris Young, MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson. Photo: Kelsey Grady

small-webcoinsMusicRow presented RCA Nashville’s Chris Young with his MusicRow Challenge Coin (Coin No. 0192) for “Lonely Eyes,” at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium yesterday, Feb. 12. Penned by Johnny Bulford, Jason Matthews, Laura Veltz, this is the third single from Young’s fourth studio album, A. M. “Lonely Eyes” topped the MusicRow radio chart on Jan. 29.

Upon release of the single last year, acclaimed music critic Robert K. Oermann said, “Chris turns the charm meter up to 10 on this throbbing roadhouse romance. He also sings his fanny off.”

This is Young’s second MusicRow Challenge Coin, with the first honoring his No. 1 hit, “Who I Am With You.”

 

CRS And CMA Partner For Welcome Reception For CRS 2015

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crs 2015

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and Country Music Association (CMA) have partnered to present the CMA Artist Welcome Reception to open CRS 2015.

The networking event for artists and registered attendees of CRS is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Nashville Convention Center starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. This is the fifth consecutive year the Artist Welcome Reception is on the CRS agenda, but this is the first year that the CMA has partnered with CRS for the opening event.

“CMA is proud of our longstanding partnership with CRB. Country radio is a key driver for discovery and exposure of great Country Music and this is always a productive week,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to help CRS kickoff an exciting 2015 and welcome our many radio members back to Nashville.”

In order to participate in the CMA Artist Welcome Reception, artists must satisfy certain guidelines, including a CRS registrant requirement and a chart requirement. For more information about the Artist/Attendee Welcome reception, please contact Christy Watkins at [email protected].

To register for CRS 2015, please visit www.crb.org or contact the CRS offices today. The current registration rate for the three-day event is $599.

Are Country Radio Listeners “Morning People”?

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edison-logo-hEdison Research will once again present findings of an extensive research study at Country Radio Seminar 2015, scheduled for Feb. 26 at 11 a.m. at the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Edison’s Larry Rosin and Megan Lazovick will present the study, which is a look at country radio listeners’ needs, habits, and media usage.

One key finding from the Edison Research study is that country music listeners more likely than the overall population to describe themselves as “morning people.” Country fans also say they are in a consistently better‐than‐average mood throughout the morning. The presentation on Feb. 26 will focus on how to appeal to these active country fans, and will be broken out into half-hour increments.

The new study is the latest in a series of Edison/CRS research presentations. Edison surveyed more than 1,500 listeners about their morning habits and media usage, as well as conducting dozens of one‐on‐one interviews in three different markets.

The 2015 CRS research presentation delves into major issues, such as in‐car usage, radio ownership, the need for service elements, and favorite morning show topics and
features, but also into the small details of listeners’ morning routines. Broadcasters have always asked their morning talent to focus on the “typical” listener’s lifestyle; this study will give them more information to do just that.

Nashville Music Moguls Make ‘Billboard’ Power 100 List

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PIctured (clockwise, L-R): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O'Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Pictured (clockwise, from top left): Scott Borchetta, Clint Higham, Mike Dungan, Brian O’Connell, Clarence Spalding, Louis Messina, and John Esposito.

Billboard recently released its 2015 Power 100 Index, and some of Nashville’s power players are included alongside other top industry moguls.

Topping the list is Universal Music Group chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge, who led the charge in breaking four new artists in 2014, including Iggy Azalea, 5 Seconds of Summer, Sam Smith,and Ariana Grande, each selling more than 1 million albums and track equivalents in the United States in 2014. UMG also distributed the year’s best seller, Taylor Swift‘s 1989.

At No. 2 is Live Nation president/CEO Michael Rapino. Live Nation claimed 22 of 2014’s top 25 tours. Rapino helps guide some 20,000 employees in 100 offices around the world.

Rounding out the Top 10 are: Azoff MSG Entertainment’s Irving Azoff (No. 3), Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Martin Bandier (No. 4), Apple’s Jimmy Iovine (No. 5), Red Light Management owner/founder Coran Capshaw (No. 6), Sony Music Entertainment CEO Doug Morris (No. 7), iHeartMedia Chairman/CEO Bob Pittman (No. 8), Creative Artist Agency’s Rob Light (No. 9), with Apple’s Eddy Cue and iTunes’ Robert Kondrk at No. 10.

Several power players with strong Nashville ties also made the rankings, including:

No. 23: Big Machine Label Group Founder/CEO Scott Borchetta
No. 33:  Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan
No. 37: Live Nation president of country music touring Brian O’Connell
No. 66: Warner Music Nashville president/CEO John Esposito
No. 74: The Messina Group president Louis Messina
No. 76: Maverick partner Clarence Spalding
No. 93: Morris Higham Management’s Clint Higham

Weekly Chart Report (2/6/15)

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

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UMG Nashville Reveals Artist Lineup For CRS 2015 Luncheon

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team umg logoThe lineup for “Team UMG At The Ryman” luncheon, scheduled for Thursday, Feb. 26, 2015 during CRS 2015 has been announced.

This year’s performers include Billy Currington, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kip Moore, Little Big Town, Mickey Guyton and Vince Gill.

Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Nashville, Mike Dungan says, “Now in its sixth year, the UMG Ryman show has become The CRS Event. It’s an intimate musical experience, from our family of artists and staff, with the family of friends at radio. You just gotta be there.”

As in previous years, seminar registrants will receive lunch prior to the event. To register for CRS 2015, please visit www.crb.org or contact the CRS offices. The current registration rate for the three-day event is $599.

Industry Pics: Leadership Music, Row Entertainment, Sony Music Nashville

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(L-R): LM Gift of Service Chair Stacy Widelitz, LM President-Elect Mike Craft, LM President Diane Pearson and Day.

(L-R): Leadership Music’s Gift of Service Chair Stacy Widelitz, President-Elect Mike Craft, President Diane Pearson and Second Harvest Food Bank’s Jaynee Day.

Leadership Music Presents Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN with Donation

At the recent Leadership Music board meeting, Jaynee Day, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN, was presented with a check from Leadership Music for their first annual Virtual Food Drive held during the holiday season. The friendly competition among the 26 classes, raised almost $26,000 with the Class of 2012 raising the most money. Co-sponsored by Leadership Music and MusicRow Publications, and thanks to the added bonus from Nissan that doubled the proceeds, 200,000 meals were provided.

Members of Leadership Music's Class of 2012 gathered this week at Sinema Restaurant & Bar in Nashville.

Members of Leadership Music’s Class of 2012 gathered this week at Sinema Restaurant & Bar in Nashville.

Row Entertainment Holds Industry Showcase Featuring Tim Rushlow

Independent label and publishing company Row Entertainment recently hosted a party to introduce the new company Thursday night at the Rosewall in Nashville’s Gulch district. The retro-themed bash resembled a Las Vegas supper club, complete with a martini bar and a host of hors d’oeuvres, as industry members took in a performance from Tim Rushlow, former Little Texas lead vocalist.

Row Entertainment was started by songwriter/producer Jimmy Ritchey, Rushlow and businessman Kyle Waites. Row Entertainment’s offices are located at 2818 Azalea Place in Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): Kyle Waites, Tim Rushlow and Jimmy Ritchey of Row Entertainment.

Pictured (L-R): Kyle Waites, Tim Rushlow and Jimmy Ritchey of Row Entertainment.

 

Sony Music Nashville Presents New Artists to iHeartRadio

Sony Music Nashville and iHeartRadio presented Sony Nashville’s new class of artists during an event recently at Honky Tonk Central in Nashville.

(Seated, L-R): Columbia Nashville’s Steven Lee Olsen, Arista Nashville’s Cam, Columbia Nashville’s Josh Dorr and Arista Nashville’s Logan Mize;  (in the midst of the crowd) Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia; Sony Music Nashville’sChairman & CEO Gary Overton; Keith Gale, SVP, Promotion, RCA Nashville; Lesly Simon, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; and, Norbert Nix, VP, Columbia Nashville.

(Seated, L-R): Columbia Nashville’s Steven Lee Olsen, Arista Nashville’s Cam, Columbia Nashville’s Josh Dorr and Arista Nashville’s Logan Mize;  (in the midst of the crowd) Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia; Sony Music Nashville’sChairman & CEO Gary Overton; Keith Gale, SVP, Promotion, RCA Nashville; Lesly Simon, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; and, Norbert Nix, VP, Columbia Nashville.

 

 

 

 

Industry Ink: Arista Nashville, Music Services, Brenda Lee, YEP, AMA

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Arista artist Cam visits SiriusXM

Arista Nashville’s newest artist, Cam, recently stopped by SiriusXM to discuss her new single “My Mistake” and her first radio promo tour.

Pictured (L-R): Lesly Simon (VP, Arista Nashville), John Marks (SiriusXM), and Cam.

Pictured (L-R): Lesly Simon (VP, Arista Nashville), John Marks (SiriusXM), and Cam.

 

Napier Exits Music Services 

musicservicesDue to restructuring, Music Services’ Jill Napier, who served as director of copyright management of the Brentwood-based record and publishing administrator has left the company and seeking new opportunities.

Napier can be reached at [email protected] or (615) 613-1323.

 

Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Event To Feature Lauren Alaina

yep11On Monday, Feb. 9. The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville will host industry organization Young Industry Professionals (YEP), and the Song Suffragettes for an evening of music, featuring Lauren Alaina. 

The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a networking hour from 7:30 pm.

Americana Music Association Extends Registration Rate

AmericanaThe Americana Music Association has extended the special early bird conference registration rate of $265 for Americana Music Association members through Feb. 15, 2015.

This year, the association will restrict the number of registrations sold to 2,000. The current non-member rate is $415. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.

 

 

Brenda Lee Signs New Booking Agency Deal

Brenda Lee

Brenda Lee

Brenda Lee has signed with The Agency Group for worldwide representation.

Neil Warnock has signed on as Lee’s agent.

Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Mo Pitney, More Set For Opry’s CRS Performance

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grand_ole_opry_logo_20051The Grand Ole Opry is set to return to Country Radio Seminar for the kick-off night of CRS 2015 on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015 at the Nashville Convention Center.

The star-studded lineup includes Chase Bryant, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Mickey Guyton, Mo Pitney, Oak Ridge Boys and RaeLynn. The event will begin at 7 p.m., immediately following the annual CRS Opening Night Welcome Reception. All CRS registrants can attend, with both seating and standing room available. The Grand Ole Opry at CRS is sponsored by My Well-Being Powered by Humana.

“The Opry at CRS has become one of our favorite shows of the year,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We look forward each year to showcasing for our country radio friends from across the country the Opry’s unique brand of entertainment, which features superstars topping the charts, legends of the genre who have paved the way for those superstars, and new artists who have caught our attention and excited Opry audiences since the previous year’s CRS Opry.”

The Opry, radio’s longest-running program, has rarely staged shows outside its regular program schedule and its permanent home (the Grand Ole Opry House) or its winter residence (Ryman Auditorium). Past Opry performances played outside the show’s home venues include performances staged at prestigious theaters such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.

CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27 at the Nashville Convention Center.