The Band Perry, Triple In One

The Band Perry‘s hit single, “If I Die Young,” has been certified Triple Platinum for sales exceeding 3 million. This milestone arrives as the family band marks the first anniversary of the release of its self-titled debut album on Republic Nashville.

The Band Perry will also perform on ABC’s top-rated Dancing with the Stars the Results Show on Tuesday, Oct. 18 and will soon announce a list of upcoming appearances that will take them through the remainder of 2011.

“Although we’ve planned, prepared and prayed for this moment for the past thirteen years, we’re still a little overwhelmed by the warm welcome we’ve been given,” said Kimberly, Neil and Reid Perry. “Birthdays have always been celebrated big in this family, so to have a one-year-old album and hear that ‘If I Die Young’ has touched so many people; it makes us feel that we’re sharing our celebration with all of you.”

“It’s hard to believe that all of these incredible accolades have come from The Band Perry’s very first album…but they have! What an amazing way to celebrate the one year anniversary of their debut release with 5 CMA Award Nominations, a Dancing with the Stars performance and a certified Triple Platinum single with ‘If I Die Young!'” said Jimmy Harnen, Republic Nashville President.

Arista Nashville “Remains Unchanged”

The Los Angeles Times is reporting that “RCA Music Group is slimming down for the holidays by shuttering its Arista, Jive and J Records subsidiaries, a move by new label execs to strengthen the identity of the RCA brand.”

The report further states that “In an effort to refresh RCA Records, all label imprints — J Records, Arista Records and Jive — will now be under the iconic RCA Records label,” according to a statement RCA issued Friday.] Other sites, such as Rolling Stone and USA Today, are also reporting the story.

Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville, responds, “Arista Nashville and its respective roster are not impacted in any way. Our 4-label Sony Music Nashville operations remain unchanged.”

Tim DuBois To Exit ASCAP

Tim DuBois has announced that he will be exiting his post at ASCAP as Vice President and Managing Executive, Nashville, at the end of this year.

Commenting on his decision, DuBois said, “My commitment to ASCAP was to guide the development of a newly configured Nashville Regional Office. Over the past two years we’ve built a strong structure and team to support and service the needs of our members in the Nashville region, and I am proud to pass the torch to such a capable group of young executives. It’s time for me to return to Vanderbilt and to devote more time and energy to my entrepreneurial activities.”

ASCAP Executive Vice President of Membership Randy Grimmett added, “We have been fortunate to have had Tim’s guidance these past two years during which he oversaw a major restructuring of ASCAP’s Nashville office. We thank Tim for his service to ASCAP. As a songwriter, he remains an important member of the ASCAP family, and we value his continued support for the team that will serve ASCAP for years to come.”

ASCAP’s Marc Driskill will expand his leadership role as VP & General Manager, Nashville, overseeing ASCAP’s Nashville operations with Senior Creative Directors LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin continuing in their roles leading the creative staff of Mike Sistad, Jesse Willoughby, Ryan Beuschel, Robert Filhart, Jess Draper and Anna Maki, who have proven their excellence as a creative resource to the Nashville community and are committed to providing outstanding service to ASCAP’s members.

Jay Frank Announces New Venture

Music industry veteran and author Jay Frank has announced the launch of Nashville-based DigSin, a digital music company where subscriber fans will get all releases for free. In a departure from the typical record label model, DigSin will focus on single song releases and maximizing listening audience.

“DigSin is the result of years of examining the new ways music fans find and listen to music,” says Frank, who will make the announcement at today’s Digital Music Forum West in Los Angeles, CA. “We are committing ourselves to expose new songs in a targeted, organic way that enables us to be a trusted filter to music fans.”

The name is a shortened version of Digital Single and aims to build a database of music fans who will receive every label release for free in their preferred genre and format. The label will focus on pop, rock and dance music.

“To succeed as a music company today, you must be open to multiple new revenue streams and new ways of thinking,” says Frank. “Through a combination of free music, social networking, analytics and traditional promotional outlets, we will be a new model for music companies for the future.”

Deals with DigSin purport to be flexible and artist-friendly, enabling the label to partner with advertisers and other outlets in numerous exposure opportunities. Frank founded the company on the principle that developing artists need smart marketing in the digital world, and hopes to provide a stepping stone to the next plateau.

Frank was most recently an executive with CMT and authored the 2009 book, Futurehit.DNA on what it takes to have a hit in the digital era. Prior to that, he was a digital music executive with Yahoo! Music.

For more info, visit http://www.digsin.com.

Curb Records Promotes John Ozier

John Ozier

John Ozier has been upped to VP A&R for Curb Records. He joined the label in 2002 and during his career has placed hits with Lee Brice, Tim McGraw, Heidi Newfield, Clay Walker, Rodney Atkins, LeAnn Rimes, Wynonna and Natalie Grant.

Curb Chairman Mike Curb announced Ozier’s promotion from his former post as Director of A&R. “We’re proud to promote John to VP of A&R,” says Curb. “He’s worked in several divisions of the label and has always shown exemplary leadership skills.”

“I am honored and thrilled that Mike Curb has given me the opportunity to run the A&R Department at a record company that has been successful for over 50 years,” adds Ozier. “We have such a great roster and I look forward to working with every single artist.”

Superstar Returns To CMA Awards Stage

Faith Hill

The star-packed lineup for The 45th Annual CMA Awards shines even brighter with today’s announcement that Faith Hill will give her first performance on “Country Music’s Biggest Night” in five years. Hill will debut the new single from her forthcoming album due out early next year.

Hill has won three CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist (2000), Music Video (1998 for “This Kiss”), and Vocal Event of the Year (1997 for “It’s Your Love” with husband Tim McGraw). Her last performance on the CMA Awards was in 2006. Her last appearance at the event was in 2009, when she co-presented the Entertainer of the Year Award with McGraw.

The 45th Annual CMA Awards, hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood, airs live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Wednesday, Nov. 9 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network. Previously announced performers include Jason Aldean, The Band Perry, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, and Keith Urban, plus Paisley and Underwood in their first live televised-performance of their No. 1 song “Remind Me.”

Loeb & Loeb Expands Entertainment Practice

John Strohm

Loeb & Loeb LLP has added attorney John P. Strohm to its Nashville office as senior counsel in the Music Industry Practice. He has extensive experience negotiating agreements related to music publishing, recording, distribution and emerging media, including numerous transactions with major and independent record labels and music publishers.

Loeb & Loeb’s Nashville office was founded more than 15 years ago by John T. Frankenheimer. “John’s experience as a recording and touring artist will greatly inform his work for our clients based in Nashville and around the world,” says Frankenheimer. “Our team in Nashville is poised to handle almost any legal or business matter that arises in the music industry and John will be a great asset to that practice, as well as becoming an integral part of our national entertainment and media practice.”

Strohm joins Loeb & Loeb from Alabama-based Johnston Barton Proctor & Rose LLP, where he practiced in the firm’s Business and Tax Group. In addition to his music practice, Strohm handles a range of intellectual property, real estate, and general corporate matters for an array of clients. He graduated from the University of Alabama, Birmingham, and went to law school at Samford University.

Steve Jobs 1955-2011

New Big Machine Label Group Signing

Big Machine Label Group has announced the signing of 15-year-old singer/songwriter Ella Mae Bowen to the label group’s roster.

“We couldn’t be more excited to have Ella Mae Bowen join our Big Machine family,” says label President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “She blew me away the first time I heard her sing.”

According to BMLG, original music from Bowen will most likely surface sometime in 2012 but the young performer has a remake of Bonnie Tyler’s “Holding Out For A Hero” on the upcoming Footloose soundtrack. Bowen will be assigned to one of the label group’s three imprints in the future.

The South Carolina native has been singing since childhood, and performing onstage since she was seven. She is currently working on debut music for BMLG, and will attend the Nashville premiere of Footloose tomorrow (10/6). She is being managed by Tracy Gershon (Red Light) and Kip Krones.

IEBA Conference Educates and Entertains

Wanda Jackson and Jim Messina. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The 41st Annual iteration of the International Entertainment Buyer’s Association (IEBA) conference concluded last night (10/4), following three days of record-breaking attendance, musical showcases, networking and educational sessions for the live entertainment industry.

On Sunday (10/2) evening following a welcome reception, talent agency APA showcased some of its talented artists including Lyndsey Highlander, Aaron Parker, Jim Messina and Ray Scott. But septuagenarian Queen of Rockabilly Wanda Jackson stole the show from all of them. Clad in a glittery pink jacket, Jackson sang spunky versions of her classics “Riot In Cell Block #9,” “I Gotta Know,” and “Let’s Have A Party” as well as “Shakin’ All Over” from her Jack White-produced 2011 album The Party Ain’t Over. Youngsters take note: the lady’s still got it.

Later, attendees flocked over to War Memorial Auditorium for dinner and another round of showcases from Paradigm Agency. Comedian Reno Collier entertained between set changes, and performers included Canadian songbird Marlee Scott; newcomers Dean Alexander and JT Hodges; Texas hitmaker Jack Ingram; and the scary-talented costumed troupe Here Come The Mummies.

Sarah Darling. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Educational panel options were numerous on Monday, including an interview of legendary Kiss manager Doc McGhee by Billboard’s Ray Waddell. The two covered McGhee’s experience managing one of the biggest touring acts in history, as well as the future of the live entertainment business. Creative Artists Agency showcased in the early afternoon with its new faces Kip Moore, Edens Edge, Brett Eldredge, Craig Campbell, Sonia Leigh, and Love and Theft.

That evening, Buddy Lee Attractions showcased Bush Hawg, Sarah Darling, Josh Gracin, Mark Chesnutt, Corey Smith, and LoCash Cowboys. Darling showed promise and poise onstage, delivering recent single “Something To Do With Your Hands” and a cover of U2’s “With Or Without You” in fine voice. Corey Smith also displayed his knack for relatable story songs, followed by the big tent rock ‘n’ roll antics of LoCash.

Over at War Memorial, William Morris Entertainment created a stellar lineup that got underway with a fiery full-band set from Wynonna. Neal McCoy engaged the crowd between performers, also debuting his new Miranda Lambert and Blake Shelton produced single “A-Ok.” EMI Nashville’s Eric Paslay performed acoustically, followed by a tandem acoustic set full of hits from buddies Lee Brice and Jerrod Niemann. Brice and Niemann brought out new face Tyler Farr, who showcased his remarkable vocal talents. The Band Perry closed out the evening with a full band extravaganza of fancy lighting and tricked-out LED screens, though some sound mixing issues in the beginning put a damper on the spectacle. TBP will be playing its first headlining show in Nashville at the Ryman February 20, but getting tickets to that sold-out affair will probably take some pretty slick bargaining.

Pictured at the WME showcase are (L-R): Reid Perry, co-head of WME Nashville Rob Beckham, Kimberly Perry, Wynonna, co-head of WME Nashville Greg Oswald, Kerry Hansen with Big Enterprises and Neil Perry. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Laura Bell Bundy. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Yesterday (10/4), showcases included Cold River Records’ Katie Armiger, DJ Miller and the roster of Paradise Artists that included Glen Templeton, Blackhawk, Paul Revere and the Raiders and more. Ticketmaster CEO Nathan Hubbard delivered a much-anticipated speech on the importance of keeping music fans invested in live shows.

The conference closed out in style with the annual Hall of Fame Induction and Dinner, which was hosted by Laura Bell Bundy and featured performances by Roy Clark and Don Schlitz with live art created by Michael Israel. HoF inductees included Bobby Baker, Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, Jimmy Jay, Paul Moore, Tandy Rice, Lou Robin, Mike Smardak and Leroy Van Dyke.

“The evening exceeded all expectations. It was a once in a lifetime experience with the great Roy Clark and the many legends of our industry all in the room together. Laura Bell Bundy entertained and charmed everyone. It could not have been more perfect,” said IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis.

Pictured at the IEBA Hall of Fame induction: Back Row (L-R): Leroy Van Dyke, Leroy Shafer, Paul Moore, Mike Smardak, Lou Robin, Jimmy Jay; Front Row (L-R): Roy Clark, Bobby Baker and Tandy Rice. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

The following individuals were also honored by IEBA this year.

Venue Executive of the Year
John Bolton – BOK Center, Tulsa, Oklahoma

Talent Agent of the Year
Stan Barnett – Creative Artists Agency

Club Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar Chicago

College Buyer of the Year – Tie
Rick Stowe – East Coast Entertainment, Inc.
Adam Tobey – Concert Ideas

Corporate Entertainment Buyer of the Year
Paul Creighton – T Skorman Productions, Inc.

Casino Buyer of the Year
Robyn Smith – Hard Rock Hotel & Casino

Fair Buyer of the Year
Renee Pearson – Minnesota State Fair

Festival Buyer of the Year
Bonnaroo – Ashley Capps – AC Entertainment

International Buyer of the Year
Rob Waloschuk – Dauphin’s Countryfest, Manitoba, Canada