Pictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (WMN SVP, Artist Development), Aurora (“Shania Twain”), Vidalia (“Reba McEntire”), RaeLynn, Deception (“Dolly Parton”), Vanity (“RaeLynn”), Kristen Williams (WMN SVP Radio & Streaming), Cris Lacy (WMN SVP, A&R) and Ben Vaughn (President, Warner/Chappell Nashville)
Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
In a unusual lineup of the constellations, this week had three consecutive new-music parties by female country artists, with Kacey Musgraves on Monday (March 26), followed by Ashley McBryde on Tuesday (March 27) and RaeLynn on Wednesday (March 28).
In Kacey’s case, “constellations” is exactly the right word. She chose the Planetarium in the Adventure Science Center to present the tunes on her new Golden Hour collection. Billed as an “exclusive listening experience,” the event featured the venue doing its thing showing solar system, landscape, color-wash, universe, candy-dot, lunar and planetary images on its dome while we listened to the songs in the dark.
“This is the most personal collection of songs I’ve had so far,” said Kacey, who co-hosted with her co-writers and co-producers Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. They recorded it at Sheryl Crow’s studio.
The CD features more love songs than is usual for her, which she attributes to her happy marriage to singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly last fall. The songs are also more pop than is usual for her, perhaps due to touring with Katy Perry and/or to working with Tashian and Fitchuk, both of whom are pop artists.
Industry execs listen to Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. Photo: Kacey Musgraves/Twitter
At any rate, the evening was both an audio and a visual sensory immersion.
Grooving to it were Leslie Fram, Leslie Roberts, Rachel Whitney, R.J. Curtis, Susan Stewart, Al Moss, Garry Wall, Jason Owen, Michael McAnally Baum, Phyllis Stark, Cameo Carlson, Brenden Oliver and Nick DiFruscia.
“This looks like a sixth-grade field trip in here,” said Mike Dungan to the fabulons seated in the Planetarium. “You’re all so adorable.
“Brilliance is a word we too often throw around too loosely,” he continued as he introduced Kacey. “Songwriting talent, alone, can make anyone stand out from the pack. Throw in effortless performance, fashion and that something called ‘cool,’” and you have Kacey.
“You have a perfect score for coming up with cool places to have your listening parties,” I told the Grammy and CMA award-winning star. Remember the Christmas-album bash at Riverwood with trees in every room and fake snow falling from the balcony? How about the drag queens acting out the lyrics to the songs on Pageant Material at Play while we wore tiaras and beauty-queen sashes? Now we’ve had a Planetarium star show for Golden Hour.
“I’m going to have to keep coming up with cool new places,” Kacey replied. “If you have any ideas, let me know.”
Pictured (L-R): Cris Lacy (SVP A&R, WMN), John Peets (Manager, Q Prime), Ashley McBryde, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN).
The triple-play female fiesta continued with Ashley McBryde. She staged her listening party on Tuesday at the Melrose Billiard Parlor, another imaginative venue selection.
“Is this not what a frickin’ country record launch should look like?” asked Cris Lacy of the attendees. The WB exec was referring to the dive-y quality of the dark basement venue.
“You are the ‘It’ girl: we love you,” I said to Ashley. “It’s a lot to take in,” she replied, referring to her sudden rise from obscurity.
Her “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” has been streamed more than 13 million times. It was named one of the best songs of any genre for 2017 by The New York Times. She’ll be on Jimmy Kimmel on April 2. She is Eric Church’s favorite new artist. Mine, too.
Ashley’s Girl Going Nowhere CD was produced by the great Jay Joyce. It drops March 30.
“This is the next generation,” Cris added during her remarks. “She’s an Arkansas red-clay bad-ass. I’ll have what she’s having. It’s raw and real and unlike anything else that’s out there. Little girls with dreams become women with vision. THAT’S Ashley McBryde. “We are proud to have you as part of the Warner Music family….This record is a gift to us.”
Ashley took the mic, but couldn’t overcome her emotions enough to speak at length. “Whiskey-drinkin’ bad ass?” she said as she wiped away a tear. She then led everyone in a toast: “Holler and swaller!”
Many rebel yells and war whoops ensued.
Rob Simbeck, Georgia Middleman, Kyle Young, Joseph Hudak, Erin Enderlin, Gary Burr, Becca Walls, John Peets, Ebie McFarland, Chuck Aly and, natch, John Esposito, Wes Vause and Mary Catherine Rebrovick raised their glasses.
The Warner label was in the spotlight again on Wednesday as we celebrated RaeLynn’s debut single from her forthcoming sophomore album for the company. It’s a rousing empowerment anthem called “Queens Don’t.” So the party at Suzie Wong’s House of Yum had a royalty theme. We all put on fuschia-colored plastic queen crowns that lit up and flashed. Then RaeLynn brought out the (drag) queens from the Play nightclub next door. “Shania” danced and pantomimed to, of course, “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.” “Reba” did “Fancy.” “Dolly” pranced to “9 to 5.” Finally, RaeLynn’s “twin,” “Vanity” pantomimed the song of the hour, “Queens Don’t.”
Pictured (L-R): Aurora (Shania Twain), Vidalia (Reba McEntire), RaeLynn, Vanity (RaeLynn), Deception (Dolly Parton) and Zac Woodward. Photo: Alan Poizner
When RaeLynn first came to Nashville as a teenager, friends took the Texas innocent to Play. It was her first club experience, and she was charmed by the drag community.
All the queens drew wild applause, although I thought everyone except “Dolly” looked kind of corn fed.
“I wrote this song because I’ve always had strong people around me,” stated RaeLynn about “Queens Don’t.” “The biggest was my mom. She found herself single with five kids. Most people would have found that devastating.
“Watching my mom, I found you can choose to build up and encourage your queen – and king — – potential.”
We not only got a floorshow at this party, but dinner, too. The House of Yum laid out jasmine fried rice, beef & broccoli, General Tso chicken, egg rolls, vegetable teriyaki, Asian wings and peanut chicken.
There were party favors, too. A basket at the exit contained gaily wrapped “mystical effects” lipsticks from the Too Faced cosmetics company that the former Voice competitor is affiliated with. The cards read, “Compliments of the Queen, RaeLynn: Always turn your pain into power, love you to the moon and back.”
Enjoying the gig were Hunter Kelly, Jon Freeman, Sherod Robertson, Julie Boos, Kerry Hansen, Ben Vaughn, Brandi Sims, Bob Paxman, Shane Tarleton, Shanna Strassberg, Eric T. Parker, and Nathan Pyle.
By the way, “Queens Don’t” had 700.000 streams this week. Sounds like a hit to me.
Kelly Willis Returns With First New Project In Over A Decade
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I attempted to make music that could fit in any era but leans on the simplicity of the music that first inspired me,” said Willis. “Roots rockabilly country blues, to narrow it down for you! Kind of a Nick Lowe meets Skeeter Davis meets Crystal Gayle. Sounds that were in full blaze when I first moved Austin. Roots, rockabilly, country, blues, to narrow it down for you! Kind of a Nick Lowe meets Skeeter Davis meets Crystal Gayle. Sounds that were in full blaze when I first moved Austin.”
Back Being Blue is Willis’ first solo project since her 2007 LP Translated from Love, and she wrote six of the 10 tracks with help from Rodney Crowell on the additional four. Other notable guests on the record include Eleanor Whitmore (of The Mastersons and Steve Earle and the Dukes), Mark Spencer (of Son Volt) and Trevor Nealon (of Band of Heathens).
April 19— Austin, TX—KGSR’s Unplugged at Shady Grove
April 25—Fort Worth, TX—The Yard
May 18—Bastrop, TX—Bastrop Music Festival
May 19—Houston, TX—Mcgonigel’s Mucky Duck
May 20—Gruene, TX—Gruene Hall KNBT Music Festival
May 26—Dallas, TX—Kessler Theater
June 2—Austin, TX—Stateside Theater
June 4—Cambridge, MA—Atwoods
June 5—New York City, NY—The Loft at City Winery
June 6—Pawling, NY—Daryl’s House
June 8—Alexandria, VA—Birchmere
June 9—Norfolk, VA—North Point House Concerts
June 10—Annapolis, MD—Rams Head On Stage
June 16—Eden, TX—Green Apple Arts Center
June 22—Gruene, TX—Gruene Hall
June 23—Franklin, TN—The Franklin Theatre
June 24—Atlanta, GA—Smithe’s Olde Bar
June 29—Columbus, OH—Natalie’s
June 30—Chicago, IL—TBD
July 1—St Louis, MO—Off Broadway
July 21—Gateshead, UK—Sage Gateshead
July 23—Bristol, UK—Redgrave Theatre
July 24—London, UK—The Lexington
July 25—Nottingham, UK—The Maze
July 27—Bury, UK—The Met
July 28—Leeds, UK—Seven Arts
July 29—Edinburgh, UK—Voodoo Room
John Berry’s ‘Songs And Stories’ To Kick Off Second Season
/by Lorie HollabaughJohn Berry has announced the schedule for season two of Songs and Stories With John Berry, which will feature Mac McAnally, Steve Dorff, Bryan White, John Schneider, Radney Foster, Tracy Lawrence, and more.
The live audience tapings took place in the Natchez Hills Winery located at The Fontanel Nashville. The show airs weekly on Heartland Television, The Family Channel, The Country Network, Roku (via Heartland), AMG TV, Country TV (New Zealand), Keep It Country TV (UK) and more. Viewers can find local dates and times here.
“I was astonished at the responses we received after airing season one of Songs and Stories,” said Berry. “Taping the second season of the show was simply amazing, from the exceptional artists and musical storytellers to the unique and intimate environment. I am very excited to share this new season and incredible line up of talented guests.”
Season Two “Songs And Stories With John Berry” Air Dates:
Episode 1: Week of April 2
Mac McAnally
Episode 2: Week of April 9
Steve Dorff
Episode 3: Week of April 16
Bryan White
Episode 4: Week of April 23
John Schneider
Episode 5: Week of April 30
Radney Foster
Episode 6: Week of May 7
Terri Clark
Episode 7: Week of May 14
Tracey Lawrence
Episode 8: Week of May 21
Darryl Worley
Episode 9: Week of May 28
Pam Tillis
Episode 10: Week of June 4
Exile
Episode 11: Week of June 11
Sean Berry, Preston James and Blaine Howard
Episode 12: Week of June 18
Rhonda Vincent
Episode 13: Week of June 25
Best of Season Two
Industry Ink: Cassadee Pope, Shane Tarleton, Ashley McBryde
/by Jessica NicholsonCassadee Pope Returns To ‘The Voice’
Kelly Clarkson, Cassadee Pope
For the first time, Voice coaches Kelly Clarkson, Alicia Keys, Adam Levine and Blake Shelton have recruited those who know best how to navigate and win the competition to advise their artists – former Voice champions. Winners Cassadee Pope, Jordan Smith, Chris Blue and Chloe Kohanski will serve as advisers for the coaches during the Knockout Rounds on The Voice, beginning Monday, April 2 (8-10 p.m. ET/PT).
The Voice Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope will advise Team Kelly. As an adviser during the Knockout Round, Pope will work with and mentor the remaining artists on Team Clarkson. Pope also released her new single today, titled “Take You Home.”
Warner Music Nashville Sr. VP Shane Tarleton To Take Part In Dancing For Safe Haven
Safe Haven Family Shelter (SHFS), the only shelter program of its kind in Middle Tennessee that serves families experiencing homelessness, has announced its 9th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven event. Shane Tarleton, Senior Vice President of Artist Development for Warner Music Nashville, along with other Nashville notables will take the dance floor in support of Safe Haven’s mission. The event will take place April 7 at Hilton Nashville Downtown, and will feature a dance competition of local celebrities paired with professional dancers, dinner, and more.
Others slated to take part include Moni Advani, Angela Bostelman, LaDonna Boyd, Savannah Grimm, Martha Ivester, Manish Shah, and Chris Simonsen. Judges will include Heather Byrd, Marcela Gomez and Bill Vandiver.
“What I really like about Safe Haven is that they are the only shelter-to-housing program in the Nashville area that supports the entire family,” Tarleton said. “Not only do they provide housing for families to stay together, but they offer educational programs for both the parents and the children. I am excited to participate and raise funds for the great work that they do in our community.”
Tarleton’s supporters can vote for him as their favorite dancer at dancing4safehaven.org.
Ashley McBryde Visits Ty, Kelly And Chuck
Pictured (L-R): Ty Bentli, Ashley McBryde, and Chuck Wicks
Ashley McBryde joined the set of Ty, Kelly and Chuck at their NASH Campus studios Friday morning (March 30) to discuss her new album Girl Going Nowhere, which released today.
Brett Eldredge Establishes Family Foundation
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Dr. Steven A. Webber MBChB, MRCP, Chair of the Department of Pediatrics at Children’s Hospital; Chris Eldredge; Robin Eldredge; Brett Eldredge; Allison DeMarcus, chair of the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt Advisory Board; Brice Eldredge
Brett Eldredge and his family presented the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt with a $60,000 donation check as part of his newly-established Brett Eldredge Family Foundation, created to help children battle pediatric cancer and research for a cure.
The funds were raised from “An Evening With Brett Eldredge” this past holiday season where Eldredge performed classic Christmas tunes from his holiday album GLOW.
Pictured (L-R): Chris Eldredge, Robin Eldredge, Brett Eldredge, Brice Eldredge
Weekly Chart Report 3/30/18
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Riser House Signs Claire Douglas To Publishing Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Lauren Spahn, Shackelford Law; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Jennifer Johnson, President, Riser House; Claire Douglas; Lexi Sutherland, Riser House; Jason VanAuken, Riser House; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright
Riser House Entertainment has signed Claire Douglas to an exclusive songwriting agreement.
Douglas was born in Texas and raised in Nashville. After studying poetry and graduating from the University of Mississippi, Douglas’ passion for writing led her to begin making a name for herself in Nashville’s songwriting community. She is also the daughter of Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame inductee Tom Douglas.
Douglas says, “Getting a publishing deal is a dream come true, but joining a team like Riser House is better than I could have imagined. I’m so proud to be a part of this crew. None of this would have been possible without my family who has believed in me on the good days and bad days, my co-writers who listen to my crazy ideas and let me dream big, and everyone up and down Music Row who has encouraged me along the way. I’m so humbled and excited to start this next chapter”.
“I was blown away the first time I heard Claire’s writing and knew there was something very special about her. Having the opportunity to champion her in this business is such a privilege to our team,” says Riser House Creative Director Lexi Sutherland.
Douglas joins Riser House’s publishing roster that also includes Dallas Wilson, Dillon Carmichael, LALA, Michael Whitworth, and Rob Crosby.
Ricky Skaggs Celebrates Country Music Hall Of Fame Announcement
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Charlotte Scott, Ricky Skaggs, Don Murry Grubbs. Photo: CMA
Earlier this week, Ricky Skaggs was announced as one of three inductees into the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Class of 2018, alongside the late Dottie West and Johnny Gimble. Skaggs celebrated the announcement with members of his team, including manager Charlotte Scott (RS Entertainment/Skaggs Family Records) and publicist Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity).
“Charlotte Scott, manager of RS Entertainment and Skaggs Family Records, and Don Murry Grubbs from Absolute Publicity have done such a great job for me, I don’t even know where to start in saying thanks,” Skaggs says. “They have worked tirelessly and fought hard for my career, and they’ve put up with me in the process. They truly deserve a medal. I want honor them both for there faithfulness to me and my family. I love you very much. We’re a great team.”
Bobby Karl Works The Room: Kacey Musgraves, Ashley McBryde, RaeLynn Celebrate New Music
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Shane Tarleton (WMN SVP, Artist Development), Aurora (“Shania Twain”), Vidalia (“Reba McEntire”), RaeLynn, Deception (“Dolly Parton”), Vanity (“RaeLynn”), Kristen Williams (WMN SVP Radio & Streaming), Cris Lacy (WMN SVP, A&R) and Ben Vaughn (President, Warner/Chappell Nashville)
Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
In a unusual lineup of the constellations, this week had three consecutive new-music parties by female country artists, with Kacey Musgraves on Monday (March 26), followed by Ashley McBryde on Tuesday (March 27) and RaeLynn on Wednesday (March 28).
In Kacey’s case, “constellations” is exactly the right word. She chose the Planetarium in the Adventure Science Center to present the tunes on her new Golden Hour collection. Billed as an “exclusive listening experience,” the event featured the venue doing its thing showing solar system, landscape, color-wash, universe, candy-dot, lunar and planetary images on its dome while we listened to the songs in the dark.
“This is the most personal collection of songs I’ve had so far,” said Kacey, who co-hosted with her co-writers and co-producers Daniel Tashian and Ian Fitchuk. They recorded it at Sheryl Crow’s studio.
The CD features more love songs than is usual for her, which she attributes to her happy marriage to singer-songwriter Ruston Kelly last fall. The songs are also more pop than is usual for her, perhaps due to touring with Katy Perry and/or to working with Tashian and Fitchuk, both of whom are pop artists.
Industry execs listen to Kacey Musgraves’ Golden Hour at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. Photo: Kacey Musgraves/Twitter
At any rate, the evening was both an audio and a visual sensory immersion.
Grooving to it were Leslie Fram, Leslie Roberts, Rachel Whitney, R.J. Curtis, Susan Stewart, Al Moss, Garry Wall, Jason Owen, Michael McAnally Baum, Phyllis Stark, Cameo Carlson, Brenden Oliver and Nick DiFruscia.
“This looks like a sixth-grade field trip in here,” said Mike Dungan to the fabulons seated in the Planetarium. “You’re all so adorable.
“Brilliance is a word we too often throw around too loosely,” he continued as he introduced Kacey. “Songwriting talent, alone, can make anyone stand out from the pack. Throw in effortless performance, fashion and that something called ‘cool,’” and you have Kacey.
“You have a perfect score for coming up with cool places to have your listening parties,” I told the Grammy and CMA award-winning star. Remember the Christmas-album bash at Riverwood with trees in every room and fake snow falling from the balcony? How about the drag queens acting out the lyrics to the songs on Pageant Material at Play while we wore tiaras and beauty-queen sashes? Now we’ve had a Planetarium star show for Golden Hour.
“I’m going to have to keep coming up with cool new places,” Kacey replied. “If you have any ideas, let me know.”
Pictured (L-R): Cris Lacy (SVP A&R, WMN), John Peets (Manager, Q Prime), Ashley McBryde, John Esposito (Chairman & CEO, WMN).
The triple-play female fiesta continued with Ashley McBryde. She staged her listening party on Tuesday at the Melrose Billiard Parlor, another imaginative venue selection.
“Is this not what a frickin’ country record launch should look like?” asked Cris Lacy of the attendees. The WB exec was referring to the dive-y quality of the dark basement venue.
“You are the ‘It’ girl: we love you,” I said to Ashley. “It’s a lot to take in,” she replied, referring to her sudden rise from obscurity.
Her “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega” has been streamed more than 13 million times. It was named one of the best songs of any genre for 2017 by The New York Times. She’ll be on Jimmy Kimmel on April 2. She is Eric Church’s favorite new artist. Mine, too.
Ashley’s Girl Going Nowhere CD was produced by the great Jay Joyce. It drops March 30.
“This is the next generation,” Cris added during her remarks. “She’s an Arkansas red-clay bad-ass. I’ll have what she’s having. It’s raw and real and unlike anything else that’s out there. Little girls with dreams become women with vision. THAT’S Ashley McBryde. “We are proud to have you as part of the Warner Music family….This record is a gift to us.”
Ashley took the mic, but couldn’t overcome her emotions enough to speak at length. “Whiskey-drinkin’ bad ass?” she said as she wiped away a tear. She then led everyone in a toast: “Holler and swaller!”
Many rebel yells and war whoops ensued.
Rob Simbeck, Georgia Middleman, Kyle Young, Joseph Hudak, Erin Enderlin, Gary Burr, Becca Walls, John Peets, Ebie McFarland, Chuck Aly and, natch, John Esposito, Wes Vause and Mary Catherine Rebrovick raised their glasses.
The Warner label was in the spotlight again on Wednesday as we celebrated RaeLynn’s debut single from her forthcoming sophomore album for the company. It’s a rousing empowerment anthem called “Queens Don’t.” So the party at Suzie Wong’s House of Yum had a royalty theme. We all put on fuschia-colored plastic queen crowns that lit up and flashed. Then RaeLynn brought out the (drag) queens from the Play nightclub next door. “Shania” danced and pantomimed to, of course, “Man, I Feel Like a Woman.” “Reba” did “Fancy.” “Dolly” pranced to “9 to 5.” Finally, RaeLynn’s “twin,” “Vanity” pantomimed the song of the hour, “Queens Don’t.”
Pictured (L-R): Aurora (Shania Twain), Vidalia (Reba McEntire), RaeLynn, Vanity (RaeLynn), Deception (Dolly Parton) and Zac Woodward. Photo: Alan Poizner
When RaeLynn first came to Nashville as a teenager, friends took the Texas innocent to Play. It was her first club experience, and she was charmed by the drag community.
All the queens drew wild applause, although I thought everyone except “Dolly” looked kind of corn fed.
“I wrote this song because I’ve always had strong people around me,” stated RaeLynn about “Queens Don’t.” “The biggest was my mom. She found herself single with five kids. Most people would have found that devastating.
“Watching my mom, I found you can choose to build up and encourage your queen – and king — – potential.”
We not only got a floorshow at this party, but dinner, too. The House of Yum laid out jasmine fried rice, beef & broccoli, General Tso chicken, egg rolls, vegetable teriyaki, Asian wings and peanut chicken.
There were party favors, too. A basket at the exit contained gaily wrapped “mystical effects” lipsticks from the Too Faced cosmetics company that the former Voice competitor is affiliated with. The cards read, “Compliments of the Queen, RaeLynn: Always turn your pain into power, love you to the moon and back.”
Enjoying the gig were Hunter Kelly, Jon Freeman, Sherod Robertson, Julie Boos, Kerry Hansen, Ben Vaughn, Brandi Sims, Bob Paxman, Shane Tarleton, Shanna Strassberg, Eric T. Parker, and Nathan Pyle.
By the way, “Queens Don’t” had 700.000 streams this week. Sounds like a hit to me.
CMA Foundation Honors Nashville Music Teachers
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 30 recipients, from districts all across the state of Tennessee, were selected because of their tireless work to bring a quality music program to their students and impact their school community through music.
“Music education has proven to be an effective and invaluable tool for academic achievement and social development,” said Tiffany Kerns, CMA Director of Community Outreach. “Being able to help celebrate the educators who spend their days shaping our youth and instilling a love for music is a true honor for the CMA Foundation.”
Through strategic partnerships, professional development and grant distribution, the CMA Foundation, a nonprofit 501(c)(3), has invested over $20 million in over 85 programs across the national public school system, after school programs, summer camps and with community outreach organizations. Guided by the generosity of the Country Music community, proceeds from CMA Fest, the four-day long music festival held annually in Nashville, are used to drive the CMA Foundation’s social impact and unique model of giving.
2018 Tennessee Music Teachers of Excellence Recipients:
Pamela Andrews, Station Camp Elementary School
Ronda Armstrong, Stanford Montessori
Jennifer Barnes, Lockeland Design Center
Lisa Benton, Heritage Middle
Rita Black, Eakin Elementary
Christopher Blackmon, Thomas A. Edison Elementary
Jacob Campos, Franklin High School
Joel Denton, Ooltewah High School
Benjamin Easley, Nolensville High School
Kim Folsom, Dan Mills Elementary
Lisa Forbis, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School
Glenn Fugett, Nashville School of the Arts
Mark Hale, Mt. View Elementary
Katie Harrah, Oliver Middle School
Trey Jacobs, Nashville School of the Arts
Kevin Jankowski, Oliver Middle Prep
Julie Jolly, West End Middle School
Anna Maria Miller, Hume-Fogg Magnet High School, Martin Luther King Jr. Academic Magnet School
Jennifer Partridge, Gower Elementary
James Phillips, Oak Ridge High School
Lauren Ramey, Ravenwood High School
Alaina Schwartz, Crieve Hall Elementary
Matthew Taylor, Meigs Academic Magnet Middle
Barry Trobaugh, Munford High School
Alice Asako Wall, Waverly Belmont Elementary
Paul Waters, Bellevue Middle Prep
Kristina Waugh, Rossview Middle School
Franklin Willis, Andrew Jackson Elementary School
Chad Witemeyer, Henry Maxwell Elementary
Alexis Yatuzis-Derryberry, Lascassas Elementary School
Robert Kouchoukos Joins Dickinson Wright
/by Jessica NicholsonRobert Kouchoukos has joined Dickinson Wright PLLC’s Music Row office as Of Counsel.
Kouchoukos has 14 years of legal experience in Nevada and California, where he focused on media and tech companies in connection with a broad range of entertainment issues, including trademark, music, technology and content licensing, specifically licensing on worldwide platforms that use music, video, software and video game content. His practice on Music Row with Dickinson Wright will continue with that same clientele, but will expand to corporate music and entertainment-related company set-up, music publishing, indie record labels, indie artists, key executives or sports figures in the entertainment, sports and media spaces.
“Rob’s work product and personality are already a known high commodity, as he worked with many of our intellectual property lawyers in Las Vegas prior to his job with Sony PlayStation in Silicon Valley. We are so pleased Rob agreed to make the move here with his family. His deep knowledge of trademark, music, TV, film and tech licensing on a global level will greatly enhance our Music Row bandwidth and our International Entertainment Practice Group bench,“ said Derek Crownover, Dickinson Wright’s entertainment, sports and media practice group chair.
Prior to joining Dickinson Wright, Kouchoukos served as in-house music and video content production and licensing counsel at Sony Interactive Entertainment where he supported the SIE Worldwide Studios game development business and PlayStation Network digital TV, film, video game and live event streaming services. Prior to Sony, he was an attorney at the Las Vegas firm, Gordon and Silver. Kouchoukos’ clients include four times Grammy nominated Las Vegas hip hop and pop duo the Audibles whose recent production credits include Sam Smith, Justin Bieber, Chris Brown, Lupe Fiasco and Kid Rock.
Kouchoukos is a frequent writer on various topics within the legal industry including entertainment and intellectual property. He received his B.A. from Carleton College and his J.D. from Chicago-Kent College of Law, Illinois Institute of Technology.