Industry Ink: Leadership Music, Stoney Creek Records, Outback Concerts

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Leadership Music’s Off the Record series recently welcomed two pioneering female A&R VPs, Martha Sharp and Mary Martin. Sharp spent the majority of her career at Warner Bros., while Martin worked at RCA and at Mercury. The event, a joint lunch with members of SOURCE, took place Sept. 30 at Nashville’s Sambuca restaurant, and was moderated by MTSU’s Beverly Keel.

Pictured (L-R): are Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Schwartz Linn, Martin, Keel and Sharp.

Pictured (L-R): are Leadership Music Executive Director Debbie Schwartz Linn, Martin, Keel and Sharp.

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Derek Gunn

Derek Gunn


BBR Music Group has hired Derek Gunn as Director of Regional Promotion/West Coast for Stoney Creek Records.
Gunn spent the past 15 years at KBUL in Reno, most recently as Program Director.
He can be reached at derek@stoneycreekrecords.com or at 775-287-1722. The job is based in Reno, Nev.

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outback concerts1Outback Concerts has hired Kama Upton as talent buyer. She will continue to focus on comedy.
Upton has been heavily involved in the Nashville community. She is the current Alumni Chair in the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID), and a past president of the WMBA, among other honors.
Upton can be reached at kama@outbackconcerts.com or at 615-242-3323.

Photo Roundup: IEBA Conference 2014

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Show Dog-Universal duo Native Run took to the stage Sept. 29th at CAA’s IEBA Showcase during IEBA’s 44th Annual Conference in Nashville. Native Run’s Bryan Dawley and Rachel Beauregard played a four-song set, including songs from their recently released self-titled EP, inside the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Event Hall high atop Music City. Native Run is currently on the road with David Nail on the singer’s I’m A Fire Tour. Their first single, “Good On You,” recently impacted country radio and is currently at No. 50 and climbing on MusicRow‘s CountryBreak Radio Chart.

(L-R): Bryan Dawley (Native Run), Darin Murphy (CAA), Rachel Beauregard (Native Run), John Marks (Sirius XM), Jeff Gregg (CAA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

(L-R): Bryan Dawley (Native Run), Darin Murphy (CAA), Rachel Beauregard (Native Run), John Marks (Sirius XM), Jeff Gregg (CAA) Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images


Angaleena Presley kicked off the 2014 IEBA Conference in Nashville, TN on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a performance at SiriusXM’s Media Mixer Party showcasing songs from her Oct. 14 solo debut, American Middle Class.
Angaleena Presley kicked off the 2014 IEBA Conference in Nashville, TN on Saturday, Sept. 27 with a performance at SiriusXM's Media Mixer Party showcasing songs from her Oct. 14 solo debut, American Middle Class. (L-R): John Marks, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming; Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing President; Angaleena Presley; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM Host; and Nicole More, Neste Event Marketing VP of Sales/Entertainment Producer

(L-R): John Marks, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming; Gil Cunningham, Neste Event Marketing President; Angaleena Presley; Buzz Brainard, SiriusXM Host; and Nicole More, Neste Event Marketing VP of Sales/Entertainment Producer. Photo: Getty Images

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Chase Bryant, LoCash Cowboys, Phil Vassar and Chris Young were among the attendees/performers during this year’s IEBA.

IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 3

Chase Bryant, Jeff Gregg and guests during IEBA. Photo: Getty Images


IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 2

Phil Vassar performs during the annual IEBA Conference. Photo: Getty Images


IEBA 2014 Conference - Day 2

LoCash Cowboys perform during the IEBA conference. Photo: Getty Images


Pictured (L-R): Greg Oswald (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Pictured (L-R): Greg Oswald (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville), Chris Young, Rob Beckham (co-head, William Morris Endeavor Nashville). Photo: Getty Images

Kenny Rogers, Linda Davis To Embark on Christmas Tour

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kenny rogers11Kenny Rogers will be performing holiday favorites and his classic hits across the U.S. and Canada when his 33rd Christmas tour – Christmas & Hits Through The Years with Special Guest Linda Davis – launches this November. The 25-date run begins Nov. 12 in Niagara Falls, Ontario and wraps Dec. 23 in Westbury, New York.

2014 KENNY ROGERS // CHRISTMAS & HITS THROUGH THE YEARS TOUR  
With Special Guest Linda Davis 

Nov. 12 ,Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 13, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 14, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 15, Niagara Falls, ON, Canada,Niagara Fallsview Casino Resort – The Avalon Ballroom Theatre
Nov. 20, Moncton, NB, Canada, Casino New Brunswick
Nov. 21, Halifax, NS, Canada, Halifax Metro Centre
Nov. 22, Sydney, NS, Canada, Centre 200
Nov. 28, Fort Pierce, FL, Sunrise Theatre
Nov. 29,  Sarasota, FL, Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Nov. 30, Saint Petersburg, FL, Mahaffey Theater
Dec. 2, Florence, SC, Francis Marion University Performing Arts Center
Dec. 5, New Buffalo, MI, Four Winds Casino Resort – Silver Creek Event Center
Dec. 6, Detroit, MI, Fox Theatre
Dec. 7, Evansville, IN, Ford Center
Dec. 11, Wheeling, WV, Capitol Theatre
Dec. 12, Van Wert, OH, Niswonger Performing Arts Center
Dec. 13, Wabash, IN, Honeywell Center
Dec. 14, Zanesville, OH, Secrest Auditorium
Dec. 16, Greenville, SC, Peace Center For The Performing Arts
Dec. 17, Richmond, VA,  Altria Theater
Dec. 18, Verona, NY, Turning Stone Resort & Casino – Event Center
Dec. 19, Uncasville, CT, Mohegan Sun Arena
Dec. 20, Jim Thorpe, PA, Penn’s Peak
Dec. 21, Norfolk, VA, Chrysler Hall
Dec. 23, Westbury, NY, NYCB Theatre at Westbury
 

IEBA Hosts Agents Power Panel

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Pictured (L-R): Host Virginia Davis, Jeffrey Hasson, Adam Kornfeld, Steve Lassiter, Paul Lohr, Kevin Neal, Aaron Tannenbaum. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for IEBA

Pictured (L-R): Host Virginia Davis, Jeffrey Hasson, Adam Kornfeld, Steve Lassiter, Paul Lohr, Kevin Neal, Aaron Tannenbaum. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for IEBA


The 2014 IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) is in full swing at Nashville’s Omni Hotel. The four-day seminar kicked off Saturday (Sept. 27) and concludes after the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the CMA Theater on Tuesday.
In the words of panelist Jeffrey Hasson (Paradigm), Monday’s Agents Power Panel centered “the most lucrative part of an artist’s career.” Joining Hasson was Adam Kornfeld (Artist Group International), Steve Lassiter (APA), Paul Lohr (New Frontier), Kevin Neal (WME), and Aaron Tannenbaum (CAA).
Neal, who left BLA for his current post in May, noted there is a bulk of resources that are now available to his clients. “Jason Aldean has already had a movie and book offer in four months. Those are things that I couldn’t have [previously] brought to the table.”
To that point, Lassiter remarked of his “small-large agency is a full-service agency, so we do have branding, licensing, television and film.” He expressed of the difficulties in getting lost in the various services of a larger agency, where he had spent 13-years.
Developing artists have moved from busses, prevalent in the 80s-90s, to vans, noted Neal. “Clare Dunn played two dates in Chicago with Randy Houser last week for $500 a piece,” he said. “She lost money, but that’s just a stepping stone. At WME it’s great to have a pool to develop artists through touring. It’s exciting to see artists grow through those ranks and fun to put artists in places to develop.”
Managing expectations between agents, artists, management and label is the No. 1 necessity for CAA’S Tannenbaum. “The second thing you need is for an artist and manager to be willing to play for what they’re worth – allowing the promoter to win. Having said that, there’s an enormous amount of value in young artists getting their sea legs at fairs and festivals.”
“You also have to ask what [the opportunity is] setting you up to do next time,” contributed Hasson to the development discussion. “As a team we’re trying to figure out how to make a show close stronger.” To that end, Lassiter noted, “If everything is lined up, it comes down to an artist fans want to see.”
“There are 30 other shows that month at the same club,” warned Kornfeld of depending fully on the promoter. “Management needs to help them get over the hump with outside promotional and creative ideas.”
Lohr discussed gaining “slow and steady” traction without radio airplay with the Avett Brothers. “We hit the suburbs before playing downtown. We didn’t do a lot of free events, and I think that helped because we had a passionate fan base. If you put an artist in front of a crowd prematurely, they’re only as popular as the chicken and waffles.”
Agents battle routing in an oversaturating market, noted Tannenbaum. “It’s a land grab out there. In Country, we try to stay a month away from each other, but we’re reaching a critical mass.” To which Neal replied, “You can’t parachute in on top of each other. There is only so much money in the market.”
“One of the biggest differences with rock, is that there are so many different genres,” suggested Kornfeld of the New York-based Artist Group International. “Our agency could have Billy Joel one night, Metallica, Lincoln Park, it doesn’t matter. The audiences aren’t the same. It’s too bad in Country there aren’t more genres to prevent from cannibalizing the whole audience.”

Justin Moore To Continue 'Off The Beaten Path Tour' This Fall

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justin mooreJustin Moore will launch the second leg of his Off The Beaten Path Tour next month, beginning Oct. 23 in Columbia, Mo. The 11-city run will feature Thomas Rhett, Colt Ford, and Jordan Rager.
“Anybody that knows me, knows how important it is for me to meet my fans and give them a show that’s worth the money they paid to come see us,” Moore said. “I couldn’t be more excited to get back out on the road and have Thomas Rhett, Colt and Jordan bring their energy to Off The Beaten Path Tour!”
Off The Beaten Path Tour dates:
Oct. 23—Columbia, Mo.-Mizzou Arena
Oct. 24—Norman, Okla. – Lloyd Noble Center*
Oct. 25—Kearney, Neb. – Viaero Event Center*
Oct. 26— Sioux City, Iowa – Tyson Events Center*
Nov. 14—Ft. Wayne, Ind. – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum**
Nov. 15—Dayton, Ohio – Wright State University’s Nutter Center**
Nov. 16—Bristol, Tenn. – Viking Hall **
Nov. 20—Clovis, N.M. – Curry County Events Center*
Nov. 21—Loveland, Colo. – Budweiser Events Center*
Nov. 22—Billings, Mont. – Rimrock Auto Arena*
Nov. 23—Missoula, Mont. – Adam Center*
*Dates with Thomas Rhett | **Dates with Colt Ford

Eventbrite Releases Eventbrite Neon App

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imgresEventbrite, the global ticketing and events marketplace, released their latest app, Eventbrite Neon, today (Sept. 24). The new app lets organizers and venues transform their mobile devices into an all-in-one solution to sell tickets onsite, check in attendees, and get deeper visibility into sales data in real time. The Eventbrite Neon app is free, optimized for iOS 8, and available now for iPad, iPhone, and iPad touch. The Eventbrite Neon app combines the functionality previously available in Eventbrite’s At The Door and Entry Manager apps.
Among the features are the ability to monitor real-time ticket sales, trends and attendance from the event dashboard, the ability to accept fast secure payments for tickets and merchandise and to issue tickets immediately, reliable ticket scanning and guest check-in, as well as the ability to process customers requests (including ticket reissues, refunds, and cancellations) from anywhere.
“Truly innovative companies look years ahead to predict the technology landscape and anticipate the needs of their customers. So, we created a sophisticated mobile solution to help customers grow and manage their events from anywhere,” said VP of Product for Eventbrite, Laurent Sellier. “Mobile has always been a priority for us, but Eventbrite Neon wraps in the most crucial technology for event organizers and makes both accessible and delightful to use.”

Industry Ink: The Agency Group, South X Sea, Makin' Music

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Restless Heart has signed with The Agency Group for live booking representation. The Agency Group’s Travis James will act as the band’s agent.
“The Agency Group is extremely proud to become a part of the outstanding legacy already created by Restless Heart,” says James. “To see all the original guys still singing and performing the hits at the top of their game is inspiring on so many levels. I’m honored to be a part of the band’s touring future, as are the other TAG agents who will be involved on a daily basis.”

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Roberts (The Agency Group), Travis James (The Agency Group), Greg Jennings, Dave Innis, John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart, Nick Meinema (The Agency Group). Photo: Absolute Publicity

Pictured (L-R): Bobby Roberts (The Agency Group), Travis James (The Agency Group), Greg Jennings, Dave Innis, John Dittrich, Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart, Nick Meinema (The Agency Group). Photo: Absolute Publicity

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southxseacroppedProducer Brandon Metcalf has launched the new independent label, South X Sea. The label launches with two artists, Dallas-based indie alternative band TEAM, and Nashville-based indie pop band Kaptan. Metcalf will lead the company with Dave Conway (previously of Atlantic, Doghouse/Warner, and Working Group Management) acting as GM and Head of A&R, and Andrew de Torres rounding out the A&R team.

Metcalf will continue operating his studio Destiny Nashville, where he recently produced/wrote tracks and records for Jewel, Blues Traveler, Veronica Ballestrini, Trent Dabs, Ella Mae Bowen, and others. The studio will be used to produce records released through the new South X Sea label.

For more information, visit southxsea.co.

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making musicMakin’ Music and Foremost Records have hired Jessica Reeves as National Head of Promotion and Marketing. Reeves graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Music Business and Public Relations. The Lafayette, Tenn., native moved to Nashville after interning with Girlilla Marketing.

“In college, I always thought I would go into publishing. I never even considered anything else because I was so convinced on the path my career was going to go, ” Reeves said. “It wasn’t until I got my internship that I knew marketing and promotion was my thing.”

Jerrod Niemann Headlines The Ryman Auditorium

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jerrodOn Friday, September 12, Jerrod Niemann‘s childhood dream came true when he headlined the revered Ryman Auditorium to the delight of a packed house. “I remember when I first moved to town, my buddies and I would hang out in the honky-tonks off Lower Broadway and the Mother Church of Country Music would always smile down at us from her perch,” said Niemann. “It’s a rite of passage for all musicians to grace her stage as the main act.”
Donning his signature cap, the Sea Gayle Records/Artista Nashville artist opened with “We Know How to Rock,” from his third major label release, High Noon. And with his unique Country swagger, Niemann launched into “One More Drinking Song” for the enthusiastic crowd, followed by the newer song “I’m Here ‘Cause I Ain’t All There.”

Radio VIPs were treated to dinner at Jack's Bar-B-Que by Jerrod Niemann and the Artist Nashville promotion team last Friday evening prior to Jerrod's headline concert at The Ryman. Pictured (L-R): Front Row – *Rusty Sherrill, Mike Kennedy (PD, KBEQ), *Lesly Tyson, Charlie Cook (PD, WKDF/WSM) and Kay Manley (MD/APD WGKX); Middle Row – *Elizabeth Heller, Lana DeLuca (Promotions Cumulus), Lonnie Napier (Executive Producer American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, Kickin' It with Kix), Nikita Palmer (NASH Network Producer, Cumulus Media), Jerrod Niemann, Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Heather McBee (industry vet), Colleen Lelis (John Marks's wife); Back Row – Micheal Bryan (PD WSIX), *Andy Elliott, John Marks (SiriusXM Sr. Director of Programming), Will Overton (William Morris Endeavor), Bill Simmons (Fitzgerald-Hartley management), *Lauren Thomas, *Jeri Cooper, *Ali O'Connell and Christy Garbinski (Sony Promotion Rep; Photo Bomb: Robert Simon (Lesly Tyson's fiancé); Photo: Ivor Karabatkovic (* Arista Nashville promo staff)

Radio VIPs were treated to dinner at Jack’s Bar-B-Que by Jerrod Niemann and the Artista Nashville promo team prior to the concert. Pictured (L-R): Front Row – *Rusty Sherrill, Mike Kennedy (PD, KBEQ), *Lesly Tyson, Charlie Cook (PD, WKDF/WSM) and Kay Manley (MD/APD WGKX); Middle Row – *Elizabeth Heller, Lana DeLuca (Promotions Cumulus), Lonnie Napier (Exec. Producer American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks, Kickin’ It with Kix), Nikita Palmer (NASH Network Producer, Cumulus Media), Jerrod Niemann, Gary Overton (Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville), Heather McBee (industry vet), Colleen Lelis (John Marks’s wife); Back Row – Micheal Bryan (PD WSIX), *Andy Elliott, John Marks (SiriusXM Sr. Dir. of Programming), Will Overton (WME), Bill Simmons (Fitzgerald-Hartley management), *Lauren Thomas, *Jeri Cooper, *Ali O’Connell and Christy Garbinski (Sony Promotion Rep); Photo Bomb: Robert Simon (Lesly Tyson’s fiancé); Photo: Ivor Karabatkovic. (* Arista Nashville promo staff)


The set list included popular tunes “Only God Could Love You More,” “Shinin’ on Me,” “Beach Baby,” and “Lover, Lover,” which wooed the audience for a successful sing-along from the very first word. Two members of the six-man band, the Hung Jury, grabbed a trombone and saxophone to assist Niemann on his respectable rendition of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” which the crowd loved.
He gave a shout out to fiancé Morgan Petek before performing “What Do You Want,” and shared that he would be getting married in a month, while more cheers ensued. During “Buzz Back Girl,” the current single from High Noon, Niemann took ample time shaking hands with members of the audience as they came forward to the stage.
Fan favorite “Donkey” caused a stampede of stomping feet on the auditorium’s wood floor, escalating the energy for his chart-topper: the RIAA Gold-certified multi-week No. 1 hit “Drink to That All Night.”
Opening for Niemann and continuing his Get Your Buzz Back Tour this fall, Big Loud Mountain’s Chris Lane warmed up the audience with several songs including his first single, “Broken Windshield View,” a showcase for his powerful vocals. Catching up with him backstage before his first ever performance at the Ryman, Lane told MusicRow about recording his first single. “The song title alone jumped out and grabbed me,” he says. The video features his work truck from his landscaping job before moving to Nashville. “It had a huge crack across the windshield,” he says. The video was shot in his hometown Kernersville, NC. “Singing is something I always enjoyed doing. Growing up, I would never do that in front of anybody, because sports was really all I ever knew growing up.” But that’s all changed now.
Chris Lane celebrates debut Ryman Auditorium performance backstage with his management team. Pictured (L-R): Back Row: Big Loud Mountain's Seth England, Akii Lanier, Big Loud Mountain’s Brandon Matthews, Chris Lane, Big Loud Mountain's Craig Wiseman, KK Wiseman, Big Loud Mountain’s Christina Sharpe and Big Loud Mountain's Joey Moim; Front Row – Denise Roxen, Big Loud Shirt’s Amy Allmand and Big Loud Mountain’s Bart Allmand

Chris Lane celebrates his debut Ryman Auditorium performance backstage with his management team. Pictured (L-R): Back Row: Big Loud Mountain’s Seth England, Akii Lanier, Big Loud Mountain’s Brandon Matthews, Chris Lane, Big Loud Mountain’s Craig Wiseman, KK Wiseman, Big Loud Mountain’s Christina Sharpe and Big Loud Mountain’s Joey Moi; Front Row – Denise Roxen, Big Loud Shirt’s Amy Allmand and Big Loud Mountain’s Bart Allmand

Ticketmaster Expands with Mobile Acquisition

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Eventjoy-TicketmasterTicketmaster has announced its acquisition of mobile-based, “do-it-yourself” ticketing platform, Eventjoy.
The mobile app platform allows organizers to self-manage their events in addition to providing social marketing, analytics, and the ability to stay connected with attendees through tools like embedded direct messaging and real time notifications. Attendees receive everything from venue maps to event schedules and messaging.
“The ongoing investments we are making in Ticketmaster’s technology allow us to be more flexible in adding new products, services and features,” said Jared Smith, president of Ticketmaster North America. “We demonstrated this capability when we revolutionized ticket resale with TM+ and we expect to have a similarly positive impact in DIY.”
Eventjoy is the most recent addition to Ticketmaster’s portfolio which includes TicketWeb for Clubs; Ticketstoday for Festivals; Ticketmaster for Sports, Concerts & Arts; Exchanges for sports leagues; Venuemaster for large scale tournaments and Ticketmaster Resale for safe, verified ticket resale.

Katie Armiger Announces European Headlining Tour

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Country star Katie Armiger has announced her first-ever European headlining tour, “U.S. Girls With Guitars,” set to kick off Nov. 16 in Glascow. The tour will also feature guest Holly May.
Armiger is touring in support of her latest album, Fall Into Me, which was produced by Grammy winner Chad Carlson (Taylor Swift) and features Armiger’s collaborations with Nashville songwriters, including Blair Daly (Faith Hill, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw), Joe West (Toby Keith) and Bruce Wallace (Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins, Montgomery Gentry), among others.
“I’m so excited about taking my music overseas,” says Armiger. “It’s been a dream of mine for years!”
U.S. and international tour dates are as follows:
Sept. 6 – CountryStock Music Fest – Rainier, Ore.
Sept. 11 – First Responders Salute – Fayetteville, N.C.
Sept. 19 – Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill – St. Louis Park, Minn.
Sept. 24 – Rumba Cafe – Columbus, Ohio
Sept. 25 – Toby Keith’s Bar & Grill – Auburn Hills, Mich.
Sept. 26 – Musica – Akron, Ohio
Oct. 10 – Emens Auditorium – Muncie, Ind. (with Easton Corbin)
Nov. 8 – Indian River Firefighters Chili & Salsa Cook-Off -Vero Beach, Fla.
Nov. 16 – Oran Mor – Glasgow
Nov. 17 – Islington Assembly Hall – London
Nov. 18 – Birmingham Glee Club – Birmingham
Nov. 19 – Cluny 2 – Newcastle
Nov. 20 – Cambridge Junction – Cambridge
Nov. 24 – Loft Arts Centre – Liverpool