Belmont Students to Experience SXSW For Class Credit

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A select group of Belmont University upperclassmen will get a unique opportunity to learn by immersing completely in the hustle of SXSW. Fifteen BU students are headed to Austin this week for the annual music conference and festival, which runs March 13-18.

The trip is part of an experiential learning course offering from Belmont’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, and participating students will receive one hour of credit. Students will be required to complete a series of course objectives that include identifying and networking with executives, learning about industry trends, and discovering emerging new artists. Following the conference, the Belmont students will write a paper and make a presentation to faculty to recount what they learned.

“As an innovative college in the field of music business, Belmont University views SXSW as an opportunity for our students to use this preeminent industry conference as a giant classroom,” said Dan Keen, faculty advisor and instructor for the course. “Our goal is to equip our students attending the event with the tools, strategy and mindset to come away from the experience with ideas, concepts and inspiration that they can immediately apply to the realization of their career goals and dreams. Oh, and we hope they immerse themselves in some amazing new music as well!”

SXSW offers numerous industry events, panels, and networking opportunities at Austin Convention Center during the daytime. After hours, over 2,000 artists from across the globe will showcase for attendees. Among the conference highlights are the keynote speech from Bruce Springsteen, and artist Gloria Gaynor discussing legislation that will allow artists to reclaim their copyrights after 35 years.

SoundLand Returns In October

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SoundLand 2012, presented by Next Big Nashville, is slated to bring four days and nights of performances to Music City October 3-6, 2012. The music festival and conference offers a plethora of multi-genre musical performances in numerous Nashville venues, plus educational field trips and VIP parties.

Sale dates for early bird tickets have not been announced yet. The low-priced wristbands are released in limited amounts, and sell out quickly every year. Keep an eye on the SoundLand Facebook or Twitter pages for ticket announcements when they happen.

If you missed out on the festival last year, check out this video of the highlights:


Signings: Southern Crossroads, Big Ride, and More

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Songwriter Greg Becker has signed a publishing deal with Pat Finch and Southern Crossroads Music Publishing. His songs have sold more than 20 million units worldwide and have been recorded by Carrie Underwood, LeAnn Rimes, Rascal Flatts, and Meatloaf.

Southern Crossroads also signed songwriter Ann Marie, who moved to Nashville at the age of 19 to pursue her musical career. She has begun sharing her music with a larger audience, including opening for Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner, Thompson Square and more.

(L-R): ASCAP's LeAnn Phelan, Greg Becker, Southern Crossroads Music Publishing's Pat Finch, ASCAP's Mike Sistad. Photo: Anna Maki

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Big Ride Entertainment has announced the signing of Texas-born country artist Craig Wayne Boyd for label services and management. The company will also soon release Boyd’s debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter” to country radio.

“We are very pleased with the addition of Craig to our label. After seeing Craig live, we knew he was a perfect fit for what we are doing at Big Ride,” says Big Ride Records President Kim Leiske.

(L-R) Seated: Wayne Halper, Craig Wayne Boyd, GrassRoots Promotion's Teresa Johnston, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Jerry Duncan; Standing: Big Ride's Jake Leiske and Kim Leiske, Jerry Duncan Promotions' Lisa Smoot. Photo: revolution PR

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Danni Leigh has signed with Cody Entertainment for exclusive booking, with the firm’s president Phil Smallwood serving as the responsible agent. Leigh has released four albums over her career including 29 Nights (Decca), A Shot of Whiskey and a Prayer (Monument), Divide and Conquer (Audium), and Masquerade of a Fool (AGR). She is currently in Nashville working on songs for her new release.

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(L-R): Russell, Cupit Records Sr. VP Dan Hagar

Cupit Records has signed Dave Russell, and is releasing his new single “Where The Money Goes” to radio.

Marathon Music Works Fills Void In Music City Landscape

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Two years ago entrepreneurs Chris Cobb and Josh Billue set out to fill a void in Nashville’s live music landscape. They knew the town needed a mid-size establishment to attract touring artists who often skipped Music City because there wasn’t a venue of the right size and style.

In November 2011, they opened Marathon Music Works, with a standing capacity of 1500, as well as permanently installed sound equipment, lighting, and two large bars.

“There was a hole in the Nashville market for a long time,” explained Cobb during a recent interview at Marathon. “Years back, 328 Performance Hall was a similar size and capacity, but after we lost that the market was without a mid-size venue for several years. Then City Hall opened, had a three year run, and then it was gone. [In the current market] The Cannery has a 1000 cap, and War Memorial can hold 1800, but it’s not a club-style facility.”

The owners’ lengthy hunt for the right space eventually led them to an empty warehouse in burgeoning Marathon Village. It was Cobb’s first foray into club ownership and the first time Billue—owner of Nashville’s Exit/In and Birmingham’s Zydeco—had built anything from the ground up.

Several months of remodeling transformed the space into a facility that hosts concerts, corporate events, wedding receptions, and video/TV shoots, such as GAC’s recent ACM New Artist of the Year taping.

Because the room is used for all types of events, no signage or branding is on display. Instead, the owners sold naming rights for the three artist dressing rooms, with Gibson Guitar claiming one and Blackbird Tattoo sponsoring another.

“We’re an open facility. That means any [outside promoter] can come in and do an event here,” Cobb explained. “In theory, the more shows we get, the more shows Nashville gets, particularly artists who might not have played the market otherwise.”

Cobb’s initial experience in live music came more than ten years ago when he was a Belmont University student, booking talent for a concert series in the parking lot of Jackson’s restaurant. “I built relationships with agents, and eventually went on to Windows On The Cumberland and Mercy Lounge,” he recalled. His career grew, including work as an independent promoter, talent buyer and production tech. With that background, he’s seen first-hand how the economic downturn of recent years has affected the live music industry, as fans have less discretionary income to spend on concert tickets.

“It’s getting harder and harder for independent promoters,” Cobb said. “Back when I started doing it, there were only about three independent promoters in Nashville, and we did a lot of the club-level shows. In the past five years, there has been a huge shift in the industry. There are a lot fewer artists who can sell the really big touring numbers. As a result, the [major] promoters have started doing more shows in the club world. It is pretty standard that a big promoter might do a show at a 1500 cap venue, but majors are also doing the 200-300 level now. Five years ago, that would have never happened. It has made it really hard for the independent promoters to survive.”

Cobb continues to promote shows at Marathon and other venues, but he also focuses on diversification. The Dallas native does production work for Luke Bryan’s Farm Tour and the CMA Music Festival. He buys talent for the Live On The Green concert series and the Nashville Earth Day Festival. A few years ago he also purchased casino tables which his company sets up and operates for private events.

Meanwhile, at Marathon Music Works, Cobb and his cohorts are grateful for the community’s support and want to reciprocate. They promote recycling, encourage fans to bring charitable donations to concerts, and let the community name the venue. Marathon also partnered with inner-city ministry Provision International, which staffs the event parking lots in exchange for the proceeds. “The local support has been so positive and overwhelming,” summed Cobb. “So thank you Nashville.”

Katie Armiger Announces GAC-Sponsored Tour

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Katie Armiger kicks off her 26 city Get Smart Tour, sponsored by Great American Country, on March 23 in West Hartford, CT. Armiger’s latest single “Scream,” from her third studio album Confessions of a Nice Girl, is currently climbing radio charts and the video is on the fan-voted GAC Top 20 Countdown for the fifth consecutive week.

“We’ve watched Katie grow up before our eyes and through her videos on GAC,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “We are thrilled to be part of her first national tour and look forward to sharing in her ongoing successes as her career progresses. GAC is proud to help new artists, such as Katie was, have a national TV platform on GAC to help grow their careers.”

Cold River Records artist Katie Armiger (center) visited Clear Channel WGAR/Cleveland last week for some Friday fun with PD Charley Connolly (right) and regional radio rep Mary Lynne O’Neal (left).

Armiger’s first headlining tour of the U.S. will make stops at colleges, universities, and major fairs and festivals across the country. This is Armiger’s first time back on the road since opening shows for Darius Rucker, Ronnie Dunn, Little Big Town, Kellie Pickler and Luke Bryan. Armiger will perform with a full band on most dates, performing her singles as well as new music from her forthcoming album.

“It’s every artist’s dream to headline their own tour and to be able to do so with GAC’s support is amazing – I am so grateful to them for supporting my career,” said Armiger. “I chose Get Smart for the obvious reason of where we are performing but also as a bit of tongue-in-cheek because I do plan to soak everything in and learn whatever I can on the road. I cannot wait to get out there.”

Full info on the Get Smart tour can be found at www.katiearmiger.com.

Katie Armiger Get Smart Tour:
March 23rd                   West Hartford, CT                   St. Joseph’s College
March 24th                   Hamden, CT                            Quinnipiac University
March 28th                   New Rochelle, NY                   Iona College
March 30th                   Rock Hill, SC                           Winthrop University
April 3rd                        Bangor, ME                             Husson University
April 4th                        Castine, ME                             Maine Maritime Academy
April 5th                        Orono, ME                              University of Maine Orono
April 20th                      Charlotte, NC                          UNC Charlotte
April 21st                      Norfolk, VA                             Virginia Wesleyan
April 24th                      Ramapo, NJ                             Ramapo College
May 3rd                        Macon, GA                              Georgia State Fair
May 5th                        Baton Rouge, GA                     Fest For All
May 12th                      Springfield, OH                        Clark State Performing Arts Center
June 2nd                        Visalia-Tulare, CA                    KJUG Jugfest
June 14th                      Marinette, WI                           Porterfield Country Music Festival
June 15th                      Chicago, IL                              Joe’s Pub
June 16th                      Evansville, IL                            Backstage Bar
June 23rd                      Oshkosh, WI                            Country USA Festival
July 13th                       Jefferson, WI                            Jefferson County Fair
July 14th                       Rhinelander, WI                       Hodag Country Music Festival
July 26th                       Denver, CO                             Toby Keith’s Bar & Grille
July 27th                       Calhan, CO                              El Paso County Fair
July 28th                       Burlington, CO                         Kit Carson County Fair
August 1st                     Springfield, CO                        Baca County Fair
August 4th                     Torrington, WY                        Goshen County Fair
August 16th                   Farmington, UT                        Davis County Fair

Lipscomb University Hosts Charlie Daniels, Chris Young, and More

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Charlie Daniels will perform for military families tonight (March 6) on the inaugural stop of his 2012 Charlie Daniels’ Scholarships for Heroes Tour. The concert takes place at 7 PM at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena, and also includes emcee Storme Warren, Chris Young, Darryl Worley, The Grascals and actor Gary Sinise.

The tour is designed to create awareness of the Veterans Yellow Ribbon education program. Lipscomb offers Post 9/11 GI Bill veterans and their family a tuition-free, or greatly-reduced tuition rate for graduate or undergraduate degrees.

Tickets are available at all Middle Tennessee Daily’s locations and the Lipscomb University box office at 615-966-7075. Since its inception in fall 2009, Lipscomb’s Yellow Ribbon Program has grown from 20 original participants to more than 150 veterans enrolled this Spring.

Vince Gill Gears Up For April Concerts

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Vince Gill has a packed schedule this April. First he will perform on the Revlon Concert for The Rainforest Fund April 3 at Carnegie Hall’s Stern Auditorium in New York City. Then a week later (4/10), Gill is set to perform at Keith Urban’s We’re All For The Hall concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. That event also features Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Alison Krauss & Union Station, Alabama, The Oak Ridge Boys, Little Big Town, Thompson Square, Pistol Annies, Diamond Rio, Exile and The Blue Sky Riders.

Gill will also headline the 14th annual Jammin’ to Beat the Blues concert to benefit Mental Health America of Middle Tennessee on April 17 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, and perform at MerleFest at Wilkes Community College in Wilkesboro, NC on April 26.

Meanwhile, Gill is planning a summer European tour. Those dates will be forthcoming.

In related news, the current issue of People magazine names the Country Music Hall of Fame member’s 4-disc set These Days one of its “Top 10 Best Albums of The Century (so far).”

Thompson Square Partners with ChildFund Int’l, Suprises Local School

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Thompson Square and ChildFund International are pleased to announce a promotional and awareness partnership for the duo’s 2012 tour dates. The partnership includes Thompson Square’s headlining performances, as well as their supporting dates on Lady Antebellum’s 2012 Own the Night World Tour.

Beginning this weekend (3/10), audiences will be treated to a video of Thompson Square discussing their ChildFund International association and describing the difference each fan can make in a child’s life through the organization. The video will be set to the music of Thompson Square’s latest hit single, “Glass.”

ChildFund International will be on site at each concert in a booth run by volunteers who each sponsor a child through the organization. Fans who visit the ChildFund International booth and sign up to sponsor a child that evening will receive an autographed copy of Thompson Square’s self-titled debut album.

“We’ve personally sponsored an adorable little girl named Lady from Indonesia and hope to make a difference in her life,” says Shawna Thompson. “Also giving away one of our signed albums to fans who want to join us and give back to a child in need is the very least we can do to help.”

The husband and wife duo also surprised a local high school today (3/5). Franklin High School, located in Franklin, TN, won the surprise when they entered a contest hosted by 102.5 FM for a chance to win $5,000 towards its music program. But instead the school was treated to $10,000 and an unexpected performance from Thompson Square.

Lambert Schedules Nashville Tour Date

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Miranda Lambert’s camp today announced a tour date at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. Her On Fire tour will play there Sat., May 19 with special guests Chris Young and Jerrod Niemann.

There will be a Ran Fan presale for the show beginning on March 7 at 10 a.m. CT. See the private Ran Fan forum 24 hours prior to presale for details.

Tickets to the public go on sale Friday, March 9 at 10 a.m. CT through Ticketmaster at 1-800-745-3000 or www.ticketmaster.com.

In related news, the singer recently debuted the video for new single “Over You.” See below.

Levon Helm’s Ramble Returns To The Ryman

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Levon Helm with Sheryl Crow and Buddy Miller. Photo: Ray Kennedy

The Americana Music Association has announced the return of Levon Helm’s “Ramble on the Road” to Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, May 6. Tickets are priced at $45, $55, and $65 values, and go on sale Friday, March 9 at 10 AM/CT.

Helm first brought Ramble to the Ryman in July 2007, and in 2008 it kicked off the AMA’s annual Festival and Conference. Since 2007, Helm has released three Grammy-winning albums (Dirt Farmer, Electric Dirt, and Ramble at the Ryman), and been presented with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy for his time with The Band and a Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance from the AMA.

Well-known guest artists tend to pop up at Helm’s Ramble events. Though the lineup for the May 6 show has not been announced, past guests have included Gillian Welch and Dave Rawlings, Robert Plant and Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Sheryl Crow, John Hiatt, Buddy Miller, Sam Bush, Delbert McClinton, Steve Earle and Allison Moorer, among others.