Famed celebrity photographer Raeanne Rubenstein died in Nashville on Saturday (Nov. 30) at age 74.
During her colorful, six-decade career, Rubenstein photographed everyone from Mick Jagger to Johnny Cash, from Bob Dylan to Dolly Parton. She published more than 10 books, was exhibited internationally, created album jackets and posters, founded magazines, made films and was published in dozens of periodicals.
Her photo books include essays on the world of pro-wrestling and surveys of the New York rock world, as well as Honky Tonk Heroes (1975) and Gone Country (1997).
Rubenstein’s work has been exhibited in Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. She has been published in Life, People, Rolling Stone, Time and The Village Voice, among many other publications.
Born in Staten Island, NY, Rubenstein graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She studied photography at the Annenberg School and began her professional career as a fashion photographer in London.
In the 1960s, she settled on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Andy Warhol took her under his wing, and she photographed the “superstars” at his Factory venue. She haunted rock clubs, poetry readings, theatrical performances and other events. During this era, she also co-founded Warhol’s magazine Interview.
Nashville’s Bonnie Garner, then also a New Yorker, arranged for Rubenstein to have permanent access to The Fillmore East concert venue. The photographer thus documented Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Lou Reed, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Cameo, The MC5 and other major rock acts of the day.
Her star rose rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s. Diminutive, yet plucky, feisty and determined, she made her way through the competitive Manhattan media world. Magazine work trained her camera on the likes of Muhammed Ali, Abbie Hoffman, Rodney Dangerfield, The Beatles and Dustin Hoffman, among others.
Rubenstein first visited Nashville in 1975 and fell in love with the personalities in country music.
She subsequently photographed a who’s-who of the genre, including such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff, Garth Brooks, Porter Wagoner, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Kitty Wells, Merle Haggard, Brenda Lee, Vince Gill, George Jones, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Emmylou Harris, Roger Miller, Glen Campbell, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Alabama, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Mel Tillis, Tammy Wynette, George Strait and Randy Travis.
Rubenstein’s photographs usually pictured these iconic figures in unexpected, informal and extemporaneous situations, rather than in formal portraits. Her innovative, eye-catching work led to her renown.
She moved to Nashville in 1998. She founded the online, woman-oriented magazine Dish the following year.
Her 1999 book Gone Country: Portraits of Country Music’s New Stars featured 150 artists, including Wynonna, Steve Earle, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, K.T. Oslin, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Wariner, Pam Tillis, Travis Tritt, Rodney Crowell and John Anderson.
In 2009, Rubenstein enrolled in Watkins Film School. During the next few years, she produced, directed and photographed 10 short movies, several of which won awards at film festivals.
The Frist Art Museum featured the photographer in a discussion and photo showing in 2011 that focused on her early work. It was titled “Andy, the Factory and Me.” In 2013, she mounted her “Jewish Comedians” exhibit at the Gordon Jewish Community Center. She was a celebrity speaker at other venues.
A national tour of her Nashville photographs was launched following an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. After “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” was installed at the Annenberg Space for Photography in L.A. in 2014, Rubenstein was profiled on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and in the pages of Sports & Entertainment Nashville, among other outlets.
Her photo archive has since been acquired by the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. A number of her images were used in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary miniseries on PBS in 2019.
Raeanne Rubenstein suffered from Alzheimer’s in recent years. A respiratory infection reportedly led to her death on Nov. 30. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Mark Your Calendar—December 2019
/by LB CantrellIndustry Events
December 9, 2019
Final Round Grammy Voting Begins
December 14, 2019
Nashville’s 35th annual Symphony Ball at Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Single Add Dates
December 2
Brantley Gilbert/Fire’t Up/Valory
Matt Stell/Everywhere But On/RECORDS/Arista Nashville
Grace Asbury/Pour Me/Star Farm Nashville
December 5
Ismay/Stones
December 9
Miranda Lambert/Bluebird/Vanner Records/RCA Nashville
Morgan Evans/Diamonds/Warner Music Nashville/WEA Radio & Streaming
Lindsay Ell/I Don’t Love You/Stoney Creek Records
Jackson Michelson/Stay Over/Curb Records
Album Releases
December 6
Walker Hayes/8Ttracks Vol. 3-Black Sheep/Monument Records
December 13
Blake Shelton/Fully Loaded: God’s Country/Warner Music Nashville
Ashley Gorley Returns To Pinnacle Of MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart
/by LB CantrellAfter falling below Luke Combs last week following a 16-week reign at No. 1, Ashley Gorley is back on top of the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart. With five charting songs, Gorley maintains the pinnacle spot with co-writer credits on Brett Young’s “Catch,” Chris Janson’s “Good Vibes,” LOCASH’s “One Big Country Song,” Thomas Rhett’s “Remember You Young” and Dustin Lynch’s “Ridin’ Roads.” Combs drops down to the No. 2 spot, with 12 charting songs.
Laura Veltz moves up to No. 3, Zach Crowell shifts to No. 4 and Ross Copperman is at No. 5 this week on the MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
The MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart, published every week, uses algorithms based upon song activity garnered from airplay, digital downloaded track sales and streams. This unique and exclusive addition to the MusicRow portfolio is the first songwriter chart of its kind.
Click here to view the full MusicRow Top Songwriter Chart.
ACM Awards Submissions Now Open Through Jan. 3
/by Lorie HollabaughIndustry Awards will now be voted on by the membership categorized in the Artist/Musician/Producer/
“The ACM Board, Awards and Voting Committee and the Industry Awards Task Force feel that this next step in the evolution of the Industry Awards continues to strengthen the Academy’s relationship with venues, buyers and promoters who work tirelessly to showcase the finest in country music,” said Nick Di Fruscia, VP, Awards & Membership. “We look forward to continuing the 20+ year tradition of celebrating our industry partners.”
The submissions eligibility period for the 55th Academy of Country Music Awards is Jan. 1, 2019 through
Dec. 31, 2019. Key dates for Academy professional members for the 2020 ACM Awards cycle are as follows:
Industry Awards Category Names and Updates:
Casino of the Year – Small Capacity – Updated to Casino of the Year – Theater
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or showroom within a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino theater or showroom must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Casino of the Year – Large Capacity – Updated to Casino of the Year – Arena
This award is presented to an outstanding arena or amphitheater within a casino selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The casino arena or amphitheater must have bought or promoted at least four (4) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Festival of the Year – No Change
This award is presented to an outstanding country music festival where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The festival must have taken place over two (2) or more consecutive days, included a minimum of ten (10) acts, with at least ninety percent (90%) of headlining acts classed in the country genre, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Fair/Rodeo of the Year – NEW CATEGORY
This award is presented to an outstanding fair/rodeo where artist(s) received market value compensation for their performance, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The fair/rodeo must have included a minimum of one (1) Country Music artist as a headliner, occurred during the eligibility period, and be in good standing with all professional vendors and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Nightclub of the Year – Updated to Club of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding country music club, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The club must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Venue of the Year – Small Capacity – Updated to Theater of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding theater or performing arts center, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The theater/performing arts center must have bought or promoted at least ten (10) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Venue of the Year – Medium Capacity – Updated to Outdoor Venue of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding outdoor venue, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The outdoor venue must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Venue of the Year – Large Capacity – Updated to Arena of the Year
This award is presented to an outstanding indoor arena, not associated with a casino, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The arena must have bought or promoted at least five (5) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year – NO CHANGE
This award is presented to an outstanding talent buyer, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The buyer must have bought at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
Promoter of the Year – NO CHANGE
This award is presented to an outstanding promoter, selected by a Professional Panel of judges. The panel will submit five (5) nominees, which will be placed on the ballot once approved by the Board. The promoter must have promoted at least fifteen (15) country concerts/dates during the eligibility period, be in good standing with all agents and help promote country ticket sales. The winner from the previous year is ineligible for a consecutive nomination in this category.
A2IM Launches ‘A2IM Artist’ Program For Independent Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonThe American Association of Independent Music (A2IM) has launched A2IM Artist, a new program designed to empower independent artists. The program will offer curated networking and educational events, as well as online educational content for artists.
The live event, which will last approximately three hours each, will take place on Mondays in various cities around the country. Each event’s first two hours will be devoted to panel presentations by industry visionaries and keynote speakers, hand-picked for their ability to inspire and motivate. The last hour will be devoted to networking and mingling.
Columbus, Ohio will host the kickoff event for A2IM Artist, followed by Miami and Philadelphia, with other U.S. cities with thriving music scenes to be announced.
“It is indeed an honor for Columbus to be selected as the kick-off host city. A2IM has done fantastic work, giving a voice to the independent label sector, leading the fight for equitable royalties and now the artists themselves,” says Bruce Garfield, Executive Director of the Columbus Music Commission.
A2IM Artist members will also gain access to the A2IM Artist portal where they can benefit from a wealth of educational content designed to boost success in the streaming economy.
Benton Wharton Named Talent Buyer At Outback Presents
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto credit: Stephan Pruitt Photography
Benton Wharton has joined Outback Presents as a newly-appointed Talent Buyer for the Nashville-based concert promotion company.
Wharton launched his career as founder and co-owner of Mountain Roots Management, an event management company in Asheville, North Carolina. In 2011, Wharton became the Talent Buyer at Pisgah Brewing Company where he also acted as the venue’s Marketing and Events Director. During his eight-year tenure, Wharton became instrumental in curating the Pisgah Brewing Company’s outdoor summer concert series for its 2,250 capacity venue. While at Pisgah, Wharton guided the development of nationally renowned boutique festivals events including The Marcus King Band Family Reunion (2017-present); Jam in the Trees (2016-2018); Leftover Salmon’s Blue Ridge Jam (2017-present); Dark Star Orchestra’s Pisgah Jubilee (2019); as well as the inaugural Strings and Suds (2019).
“We’re stoked to have Benton join the Outback team,” says Louisa Leiser, General Manager of Outback Presents. “He’s bringing in great booking relationships and tons of knowledge from his experience as a talent buyer. I’m excited to see what the future has in store.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the team at Outback Presents, and to evolve my career in Music City,” says Wharton. “Aligning with a company that sees the music industry in the same light as I do is beyond refreshing, and I look forward to collaborating with this forward-thinking team.”
iHeartRadio Digital To Launch Nashville Headquarters
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“As we continue to invest in our ad tech, products, research, sales and content, and further build on the success of our digital service, this is the right time to expand our digital team — and what better location than Nashville, given that music is at the heart of our business,” said Darren Davis, President of iHeartRadio. “Nashville’s technology ecosystem is thriving, and combined with the city’s rich history in music, entrepreneurial spirit and diverse culture, we believe this is the perfect location for us to extend our digital leadership and recruit highly-skilled and passionate candidates for our second iHeartRadio Digital headquarters.”
Since its official launch as an all-in-one digital service in 2011, iHeartRadio has grown to become the number one streaming broadcast radio platform — with six times the digital listening of the next largest commercial broadcast radio company. The digital app now has more than 135 million registered users and is available on over 250 platforms and over 2,000 different connected devices – including smart speakers, digital auto dashes, tablets, wearables, smartphones, virtual assistants, televisions and gaming consoles.
“At iHeart we operate as talent first in the same spirit of entrepreneurship found in successful startups,” said Bob Pittman, Chairman and CEO of iHeartMedia, Inc. “We are excited to expand our NYC digital team into Nashville and tap into this city’s diverse pool of high tech and creative, ambitious talent. As the leading audio company in America, this new facility will allow us to continue to deliver the best content, cultivate even more innovation and drive further listener growth and revenue opportunities to our advertisers.”
iHeartMedia plans to begin hiring immediately in Nashville for positions in engineering, product development, data science and more.
Reba, Brooks & Dunn Extend Las Vegas Residency
/by Jessica NicholsonReba and Brooks & Dunn have added 24 new shows to their popular “Reba, Brooks & Dunn: Together In Vegas” residency at the Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
The newly added slate of performances begins April 8 and includes shows in June, October, and December 2020. Reba and Brooks & Dunn launched the residency in 2015.
Both Brooks & Dunn and Reba are contenders for the 2020 Grammys. Recent Country Music Hall of Fame inductees Brooks & Dunn collaborated with Luke Combs on the duo’s classic “Brand New Man” for their Reboot project; the song earned a nod in the Best Country Duo/Group Performance category. Reba’s latest country album Stronger Than The Truth earned a nod for Best Country Album.
Acclaimed Nashville Photographer Raeanne Rubenstein Passes
/by Robert K OermannDuring her colorful, six-decade career, Rubenstein photographed everyone from Mick Jagger to Johnny Cash, from Bob Dylan to Dolly Parton. She published more than 10 books, was exhibited internationally, created album jackets and posters, founded magazines, made films and was published in dozens of periodicals.
Her photo books include essays on the world of pro-wrestling and surveys of the New York rock world, as well as Honky Tonk Heroes (1975) and Gone Country (1997).
Rubenstein’s work has been exhibited in Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New York and Nashville. She has been published in Life, People, Rolling Stone, Time and The Village Voice, among many other publications.
Born in Staten Island, NY, Rubenstein graduated with honors from the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. She studied photography at the Annenberg School and began her professional career as a fashion photographer in London.
In the 1960s, she settled on the Lower East Side in Manhattan. Andy Warhol took her under his wing, and she photographed the “superstars” at his Factory venue. She haunted rock clubs, poetry readings, theatrical performances and other events. During this era, she also co-founded Warhol’s magazine Interview.
Nashville’s Bonnie Garner, then also a New Yorker, arranged for Rubenstein to have permanent access to The Fillmore East concert venue. The photographer thus documented Jimi Hendrix, Janis Joplin, Jim Morrison, John Lennon, Yoko Ono, Lou Reed, Kiss, Pink Floyd, Leon Russell, Joe Cocker, Cameo, The MC5 and other major rock acts of the day.
Her star rose rapidly in the 1970s and 1980s. Diminutive, yet plucky, feisty and determined, she made her way through the competitive Manhattan media world. Magazine work trained her camera on the likes of Muhammed Ali, Abbie Hoffman, Rodney Dangerfield, The Beatles and Dustin Hoffman, among others.
Rubenstein first visited Nashville in 1975 and fell in love with the personalities in country music.
She subsequently photographed a who’s-who of the genre, including such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Loretta Lynn, Roy Acuff, Garth Brooks, Porter Wagoner, Alan Jackson, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Buck Owens, Kris Kristofferson, Charley Pride, Kitty Wells, Merle Haggard, Brenda Lee, Vince Gill, George Jones, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Emmylou Harris, Roger Miller, Glen Campbell, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Alabama, Eddy Arnold, Chet Atkins, Mel Tillis, Tammy Wynette, George Strait and Randy Travis.
Rubenstein’s photographs usually pictured these iconic figures in unexpected, informal and extemporaneous situations, rather than in formal portraits. Her innovative, eye-catching work led to her renown.
She moved to Nashville in 1998. She founded the online, woman-oriented magazine Dish the following year.
Her 1999 book Gone Country: Portraits of Country Music’s New Stars featured 150 artists, including Wynonna, Steve Earle, Martina McBride, Shania Twain, Dwight Yoakam, Tim McGraw, Toby Keith, Faith Hill, K.T. Oslin, LeAnn Rimes, Billy Ray Cyrus, Steve Wariner, Pam Tillis, Travis Tritt, Rodney Crowell and John Anderson.
In 2009, Rubenstein enrolled in Watkins Film School. During the next few years, she produced, directed and photographed 10 short movies, several of which won awards at film festivals.
The Frist Art Museum featured the photographer in a discussion and photo showing in 2011 that focused on her early work. It was titled “Andy, the Factory and Me.” In 2013, she mounted her “Jewish Comedians” exhibit at the Gordon Jewish Community Center. She was a celebrity speaker at other venues.
A national tour of her Nashville photographs was launched following an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame. After “Country: Portraits of an American Sound” was installed at the Annenberg Space for Photography in L.A. in 2014, Rubenstein was profiled on NPR’s “All Things Considered” and in the pages of Sports & Entertainment Nashville, among other outlets.
Her photo archive has since been acquired by the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum. A number of her images were used in the Ken Burns Country Music documentary miniseries on PBS in 2019.
Raeanne Rubenstein suffered from Alzheimer’s in recent years. A respiratory infection reportedly led to her death on Nov. 30. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Emmylou Harris, Charles Esten, More Slated For Free Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert
/by LB CantrellDave Pomeroy at the Nashville Unlimited Christmas concert at Christ Church Cathedral. Photo: Courtesy davepomeroy.com
Every holiday season, bassist, producer and Nashville Musicians Association, AFM Local 257 President Dave Pomeroy puts together a collection of Nashville singers, songwriters and musicians to raise funds for Nashville’s Room In The Inn homeless program with the Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert.
To celebrate the 20th year at Christ Church Cathedral, this year’s Nashville Unlimited Christmas Concert will be held Dec. 9-10 at 7 p.m., with a lineup including Emmylou Harris, Charles Esten, Riders in the Sky, The McCrary Sisters, Charlie McCoy, Andy Leftwich, Don Schlitz, Rob Ickes and Trey Hensley, with more artists to come.
As always, this free concert is produced and hosted by Pomeroy, with a suggested minimum donation of $20, and all guests are invited to give more if they feel so moved, with all proceeds going to Room In The Inn. Seating is first come, first serve and doors will open at 6 p.m.. Since 1992, Pomeroy’s holiday concerts have raised more than $320,000 in donations for Room In The Inn.
“Nashville Unlimited Christmas celebrates the season with great holiday music while raising much-needed funds and increasing awareness of the great acts of love, kindness and understanding done for our community by Room In The Inn over the years,” said Pomeroy. “We urge all Nashvillians to come share in the true spirit of Christmas,” he added.
For more information, contact Room In The Inn at 615-251-7019 or Christ Church Cathedral at 615-255-7729.
Weekly Radio Report (11/27/19)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.