CMA Corporate Logo
The Country Music Association has announced its new Board of Directors. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2018.
Sally Williams, Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry, completes her term as Chairman of the CMA Board, while current CMA Board President Bill Simmons, Partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company, assumes that post. CMA President-Elect Jody Williams, Vice President, Creative, Nashville at BMI, will become President. Rob Beckham, Co-Head of WME Nashville, has been named President-Elect. Kurt Johnson, Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare Media, continues as Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.
“It’s truly been an honor to serve as Chairman of the CMA Board,” said Williams. “I’m incredibly proud of our community and all of our accomplishments in 2017, from achieving record-breaking attendance at CMA Music Fest and three-year ratings highs with all three of our television specials to helping expand Country Music internationally. A huge thanks to Sarah Trahern and the world class CMA staff for making this past year a career highlight. I look forward to continuing to support CMA for years to come, and I join everyone in congratulating Bill Simmons as incoming Chairman.”
“CMA has a lot to celebrate from 2017, and I look forward to ushering forward even more in 2018,” said Simmons. “Sally Williams has done a tremendous job serving us as Chairman, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue the work she’s done. I’m eager to collaborate with Jody Williams, Rob Beckham and the rest of the Board as we make next year yet another one for the record books.”
Simmons is a partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company where he has been an artist manager for more than 20 years, 13 of which he has worked with Brad Paisley. He has also managed the careers of Brett James, The Kinleys, Jerrod Niemann, Kellie Pickler, Restless Heart, Chris Young and others. A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in psychology and political science, Simmons began his career in social services but soon turned his attention to the music business when he met country singer-songwriter Paul Davis and moved to Atlanta to work at Bang Records. Soon after he moved to Nashville, and after a couple tour manager gigs he began working with Restless Heart and the management opportunity became available at Fitzgerald Hartley.
Simmons has served on the CMA Board since 2011 and dedicated his time to serving on multiple committees including Executive, Finance and Audit, Marketing, Television, and others. He is a member of the Academy of Country Music and is also on their Executive Committee, as well as an officer on the board of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
As Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Williams directs all songwriter and publisher relations activities in BMI’s Nashville office. Williams joined BMI in May of 2006 after leading Jody Williams Music, a joint publishing venture with Sony Tree, where he successfully placed songs with major label Country artists and discovered and managed MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner.
Williams began his career at BMI in the late 1970s before holding creative positions for several major publishing firms. In 1987, he returned to BMI and rose to Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Soon after, Williams was lured into the publishing world again, this time as President of the Nashville division of MCA Music Publishing, which flourished under his leadership, emerging as one of Nashville’s most awarded publishers.
During his most recent tenure at BMI, Williams has lead his team to capturing an extremely high Country market share percentage not seen in over 30 years. Presently his team oversees the active Nashville music scene for all genres, providing service as well as performance and networking opportunities. A Nashville native, Williams attended the University of Denver. In addition to serving on the CMA Board of Directors, he also serves on the boards of The Country Music Foundation and Porters Call.
Following is a list of 2018 CMA Directors and Directors at Large:
Directors By Membership Category
Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year terms, are listed below along with newly-elected Directors, indicated in bold
Advertising/Public Relations/Media
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Brian Philips
Affiliated
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment
Artist
Darius Rucker
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Composer
Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music
Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs, LLC
Entertainment Services
Stacey Schlitz, SchlitzLAW
Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
International
Bob Shennan, BBC
Milly Olykan, AEG Europe, The O2 London
Marketing/Digital
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
John Marks, Spotify
Musician
Kenny Greenberg, Greenberg Music
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Personal Manager
Clarence Spalding, Maverick
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management
Producer/Engineer/Studio
Luke Laird, Creative Nation Music
Publisher/PRO
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Jody Williams, BMI
Radio
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications
Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications
Record Company
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville
Talent Agent
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Talent Buyer/Promoter
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Nashville
Allen Anders, AEG Presents
Touring Personnel
Scott Scovill, Moo TV, CenterStaging, and Moo Creative Media
Everett Lybolt, Sound Image
Venue
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar
Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment
Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny, Denny Properties
Ralph Peer II, peermusic
Directors At Large:
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents, New York, NY
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas, NV
Jim Beavers
Rob Beckham, WME
Steve Blatter, Sirius XM, New York, NY
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists, Seattle, WA
Kix Brooks
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Terry Calonge, Richards & Southern, Inc.
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group
Virginia Davis, G-Major Management
Bob DiPiero, Being Bob Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Ann Edelblute, The HQ
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Brett Eldredge
Ted Ellis, Harbour Media Partners, Toronto Canada
Jeff Garrison, Cox Media Group, San Antonio, TX
Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville
Mary Hilliard Harrington, Red Light Management / Wild Hearts, LLC
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
Clay Hunnicutt, Big Loud Records
Brett James, Cornman Music and Management
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media, Dallas, TX
Matthew Lazarus-Hall, Uncommon Cord, Drummoyne, AUS
Jonathan Levine, Paradigm
Vivien Lewit, YouTube / Google, New York, NY
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Bill Mayne, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
Deb McDermott, McDermott Media Group LLC
Mike McVay, Cumulus Media – Westwood One Radio Networks, Atlanta, GA
Maria Molin Ljunggren, Freebird Entertainment AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia
Ryan Redington, Amazon Music, Seattle, WA
Sally Seitz, Apple / iTunes
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music
Mike Vaden, Decosimo Vaden
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music Inc.
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Company, Inc.
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc.
Chris Young
Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC, Washington, D.C.
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
DISClaimer: Chris Stapleton, Cale Dodds Offer Superb Vocals
/by Robert K OermannChris Stapleton, Cale Dodds
Veterans, shooting stars and newcomers are the ingredients in this week’s country-music recipe.
Toby Keith, Lee Ann Womack and Shania Twain all demonstrate that they have enduring appeal. Kip Moore, William Michael Morgan and Chris Stapleton are here to show us why they are all hot right now. Lindsay Ell and Cale Dodds are the promising newcomers.
It will come as no surprise that Chris Stapleton wins the Disc of the Day prize. The man can do no wrong.
This week’s DisCovery Award goes to social-media sensation Cale Dodds. He’s not only super handsome; he can also sing.
KIP MOORE/Last Shot
MCA (download)
-It’s an anthem-style rock power ballad delivered in his trademark, raspy, impassioned voice. I like the “shot” imagery of drinking and romantic chances.
SHANIA TWAIN/We Got Something They Don’t
Mercury (ERG)
– Kinda rumbling. Kinda thumpy. Kinda bluesy pop. Kinda groovy and catchy. I kinda like it.
LEE ANN WOMACK/All The Trouble
ATO (download)
– She could sing the phone book and make it sound soulful. Happily, this blues lament is much, much more than that. Her whole The Lonely, The Lonesome & The Gone album is essential.
KID ROCK/Tennessee Mountain Top
Red Bow (ERG)
– Suffering in L.A., he waxes nostalgic about home, where folks pack guns and sing karaoke in a double-wide thick with cigarette smoke. If that’s his idea of heaven, he’s welcome to it.
CHRIS STAPLETON/Millionaire
Mercury
-Searing and seething with emotion. It’s a classic country message: Love is more precious than money. If you’ve got love, you’re rich. Amen, bro.
LINDSAY ELL/Criminal
Writers: Lindsay Ell/Chris Stevens/Fred Wilhelm; Producer: Kristian Bush; Publishers: Magic Mustang/BMG Rights/Lindsay Ell/Moody Producer/Capitol CMG, BMI; Stoney Creek
– This multi-talented gal is still looking for the song that will put her over the top. This is a pleasant, percolating outing, but I don’t think it’s the one.
TOBY KEITH/Shitty Golfer
Writers: Toby Keith; Producers: Keith/Bobby Pinson; Publishers: Tokeco, BMI; Show Dog/Thirty Tigers
– This will make you grin, I guarantee it. By the way, Toby’s CD The Bus Songs also contains his immortal reefer ditties “Wacky Tobaccy” and “Weed With Willie.”
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Vinyl
Writers: Wade Kirby/Ashley Gorley/Carson Chamberlain; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey & Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Round Hill Works/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/WB/Atlas/Carson Chamerlain, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-I remain a fan. This sweet, lilting love song compares old-fashioned romance with the warmth and comfort you feel from hearing classic music. Gently persuasive.
CALE DODDS/Out Of My System
Writers: Cale Dodds, Zach Abend, Corey Crowder; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Songs From The Rose Hotel (ASCAP)/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP)/Cale Dodds Publishing (ASCAP); Bendable Music (BMI)/Nashville International Music (BMI); Songs From The Rose Hotel (ASCAP)/WB Music Corp. (ASCAP); Warner Bros.
-He knows he’s addicted to her. But he’s not ready to de-tox just yet. The jumpy, nervous track has lots of stuttering electric guitar, but his pleading, urgent vocal remains the focus. An intriguing debut. The track is paired with a number called “People Watching.” What the two share is a certain monotonic quality that favors likable energy over any kind of distinctive melody.
Charlie Daniels Volunteer Jam XX Set For March 2018
/by Lorie HollabaughCharlie Daniels. Photo: Terry Wyatt
Charlie Daniels is hosting Volunteer Jam XX: A Tribute To Charlie, an all-star concert event at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, March 7, 2018.
This year’s Jam will feature performances by Daniels and his band, Alison Krauss, Billy F Gibbons of ZZ Top, Blackberry Smoke, Bobby Bare, Chris Janson, Chuck Leavell, Eddie Montgomery of Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Justin Moore, The Oak Ridge Boys, Ricky Skaggs, and many more special guests to be announced in the coming weeks. Storme Warren will be returning as host. For the first time ever, rock great Billy Gibbons of ZZ Top will honor Daniels at the Jam.
Tickets go on sale Dec. 8, 2017, at 10 AM CT online at Ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745- 3000, all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office. A portion of the proceeds from 2018’s Volunteer Jam will be donated to The Journey Home Project, a non-profit co-founded by Daniels and manager David Corlew to help Veterans.
Brittany Schaffer Joins Spotify Nashville Office
/by Jessica NicholsonBrittany Schaffer, Troy Carter and John Butler of Spotify attend Spotify Nashville Open House on December 6, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Spotify
Brittany Schaffer has signed on to join Spotify’s Nashville office as Head of Artist & Label Services, and will officially begin her new role on Jan. 2. Prior to Spotify, Schaffer has spent more than seven years with law firm Loeb & Loeb, where she rose to the position of Senior Counsel.
Schaffer has also been heavily involved in the development of artists including Devin Dawson, Midland, and The Shadowboxers throughout her career.
The Shadowboxers recently performed in Nashville as part of Spotify’s “Open House” event, which is taking place this week at the newly-opened Analog at The Hutton Hotel.
Schaffer can be reached at brittanys@spotify.com.
Jason Isbell Kicks Off Residency At Country Music Hall Of Fame® And Museum
/by Haley CrowAmanda Shires and Jason Isbell attend the kick off of Jason Isbell’s sold out residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on December 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
Jason Isbell kicked off his residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Tuesday night (Dec. 5). The first of three intimate performances hosted in the museum’s CMA Theater featured Americana star and Isbell’s wife, Amanda Shires.
Peter Cooper, Senior Director for the museum, was on hand to welcome the sold-out crowd and introduce the duo. “These songs and the way that Jason presents them with his voice, his guitar and his band the 400 Unit have won praise from legends and raised the bar for a new generation of songwriters,” Cooper praised.
Isbell and Shires took the stage, with Isbell on guitar and Shires on fiddle, to perform an acoustic 90-minute set which included hit songs “Different Days,” “24 Frames,” “Tired of Traveling Alone,” Alabama Pines,” Something To Love,” and more.
“I’m certainly honored to be up here…I feel very comfortable in saying that I’m the least qualified person that has held this Artist-in-Residence position…but I’m fine with that. That’s never stopped me before,” a humbled Isbell told the audience.
Jason Isbell and Amanda Shires perform onstage during the kick off of Jason Isbell’s sold out residency at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on December 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
Between songs the couple shared personal experiences and stories behind their songs and exchanged playful banter with each other. They closed the show with Isbell’s lastest hit with his band the 400 Unit “If We Were Vampires,” which is off the recently Grammy-nominated and CMA Award-nominated album The Nashville Sound. After a standing ovation from the audience, Isbell and Shires returned to the stage for an encore performance of two more songs, “Flagship” and “Cover Me Up.”
“This is quite an honor to be able to do this. I was overwhelmed when they told me about it. I just really still feel like I’m in a dream because all the people who have come before me have been so incredible and so impactful and so important to American music over the years so it really means the world to me. Thank y’all very much,” Isbell concluded.
The Artist-in-Residence series began in 2003. Isbell is the 14th Artist-in-Residence and follows previous artists including Rosanne Cash, Guy Clark, Cowboy Jack Clement, Jerry Douglas, Vince Gill, Tom T. Hall, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Buddy Miller, Kenny Rogers, Earl Scruggs, Ricky Skaggs and Connie Smith. Isbell will continue his sold-out residency on Dec. 12 and 19, at 7 p.m., with completely unique performances that reflect his musical values.
Pictured (L-R): Co-founder of Carter Vintage Guitars Walter Carter, Senior Director, Producer and Writer at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Peter Cooper, Amanda Shires, Jason Isbell, co-founder of Carter Vintage Guitars Christie Carter, and Senior VP of Sales and Marketing at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Sharon Brawner. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall Of Fame & Museum
Dierks Bentley To Receive CRB Artist Humanitarian Award
/by Lorie HollabaughBentley has demonstrated his dedication to giving back through many charitable initiatives and events, raising over four million dollars for charities through his “Miles & Music For Kids” all-star motorcycle ride and concert, including Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals across the country. In 2013 he partnered with KMLE and KAFF as they organized and hosted the Country Cares Concert in Arizona, raising more than half a million dollars for the families of the Granite Mountain Hotshots. Bentley has also put the spotlight on local Nashville non-profits such as Safe Haven Family Shelter, as his video for “Riser” magnified a true story and the struggles of a formerly homeless mother.
The CRB Artist Humanitarian Award was created in 1990 by the organization’s board to honor artists who have exhibited exceptional humanitarian efforts during their career. Past recipients have included Zac Brown, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Carrie Underwood, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Reba McEntire, Vince Gill, Garth Brooks, and Charlie Daniels, among others.
Country Radio Seminar 2018 will be held February 5-7, 2018 at the Omni Nashville.
Train Inks With WME
/by Lorie HollabaughSince the release of their debut in 1998, Train has sold more than 10 million albums worldwide, more than 30 million tracks, with multiple Platinum/Gold albums, and three Grammy awards, two Billboard Music Awards and dozens of other honors.
Earlier this year, the band released their eighth studio album, A Girl, a Bottle, a Boat, on Columbia Records which spawned the lead single, “Play That Song,” hitting Top 5 on the iTunes chart, Top 10 at Hot AC radio, and charting at Adult Top 40. The band recently finished its 48-date North American tour.
The signing follows as several executives have exited CAA and joined WME’s Nashville office, including Scott Clayton, Matthew Morgan, Brandi Brammer, and Buster Phillips. The Train signing announcement furthers a bolstering to the company’s rock roster, with the recent addition of Kings of Leon.
Wendy Goldstein To Give Keynote At Music Biz Leading Ladies Speak Out Program
/by Lorie HollabaughWendy Goldstein
Wendy Goldstein, Executive Vice President of A&R at Republic Records, will be the keynote speaker at the Music Business Association’s third annual Music’s Leading Ladies Speak Out program on May 15, 2018, during the Music Biz conference at the Omni Nashville Hotel in Nashville.
Goldstein will discuss her journey through the industry, her work experiences and achievements, and her advice for those building careers in the music business in an interview conducted by Billboard Senior Correspondent Gail Mitchell. Goldstein began her career at 19 as an assistant at Epic Records, and quickly graduated to A&R posts at RCA Records, East West Records, Geffen Records, and Priority/Capitol Records. During that time, she was responsible for signing acts such as The Roots, Common, GZA, and The Bloodhound Gang. In 2008, she joined Republic Records as a consultant and was soon promoted to Executive Vice President/Head of Urban A&R before becoming Executive Vice President of A&R at the label.
“Wendy has played a critical role in launching the careers of some of today’s biggest artists, including Music Biz 2018 Breakthrough Artist Julia Michaels, Music Biz 2014 Breakthrough Artist Ariana Grande, The Weeknd, DNCE, and Hailee Steinfeld, among many others,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Her example is an inspiration to young women working their way up the music industry ladder, and we know that she will leave our Music Biz 2018 attendees feeling ready to take on the world.”
“I’m honored that Music Biz reached out and enlisted me for this incredible program,” said Goldstein. “I’ve been lucky to have many wonderful mentors throughout my career, and it’s amazing to share what I’ve learned with the next generation.”
The event will kick off with a presentation from Erin Crawford, Senior Vice President & General Manager of Nielsen Music, the industry’s leading source of music data, insights and analytics.
CMA Elects New Board Of Directors
/by Jessica NicholsonCMA Corporate Logo
The Country Music Association has announced its new Board of Directors. The appointments are effective on Jan. 1, 2018.
Sally Williams, Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations for Opry Entertainment and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry, completes her term as Chairman of the CMA Board, while current CMA Board President Bill Simmons, Partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company, assumes that post. CMA President-Elect Jody Williams, Vice President, Creative, Nashville at BMI, will become President. Rob Beckham, Co-Head of WME Nashville, has been named President-Elect. Kurt Johnson, Senior Vice President of Programming at Townsquare Media, continues as Secretary/Treasurer of the CMA Board.
“It’s truly been an honor to serve as Chairman of the CMA Board,” said Williams. “I’m incredibly proud of our community and all of our accomplishments in 2017, from achieving record-breaking attendance at CMA Music Fest and three-year ratings highs with all three of our television specials to helping expand Country Music internationally. A huge thanks to Sarah Trahern and the world class CMA staff for making this past year a career highlight. I look forward to continuing to support CMA for years to come, and I join everyone in congratulating Bill Simmons as incoming Chairman.”
“CMA has a lot to celebrate from 2017, and I look forward to ushering forward even more in 2018,” said Simmons. “Sally Williams has done a tremendous job serving us as Chairman, and I couldn’t be more thrilled to continue the work she’s done. I’m eager to collaborate with Jody Williams, Rob Beckham and the rest of the Board as we make next year yet another one for the record books.”
Simmons is a partner at The Fitzgerald Hartley Company where he has been an artist manager for more than 20 years, 13 of which he has worked with Brad Paisley. He has also managed the careers of Brett James, The Kinleys, Jerrod Niemann, Kellie Pickler, Restless Heart, Chris Young and others. A graduate of the University of Mississippi with a degree in psychology and political science, Simmons began his career in social services but soon turned his attention to the music business when he met country singer-songwriter Paul Davis and moved to Atlanta to work at Bang Records. Soon after he moved to Nashville, and after a couple tour manager gigs he began working with Restless Heart and the management opportunity became available at Fitzgerald Hartley.
Simmons has served on the CMA Board since 2011 and dedicated his time to serving on multiple committees including Executive, Finance and Audit, Marketing, Television, and others. He is a member of the Academy of Country Music and is also on their Executive Committee, as well as an officer on the board of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
As Vice President, Creative, Nashville, Williams directs all songwriter and publisher relations activities in BMI’s Nashville office. Williams joined BMI in May of 2006 after leading Jody Williams Music, a joint publishing venture with Sony Tree, where he successfully placed songs with major label Country artists and discovered and managed MCA Nashville artist Josh Turner.
Williams began his career at BMI in the late 1970s before holding creative positions for several major publishing firms. In 1987, he returned to BMI and rose to Assistant Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. Soon after, Williams was lured into the publishing world again, this time as President of the Nashville division of MCA Music Publishing, which flourished under his leadership, emerging as one of Nashville’s most awarded publishers.
During his most recent tenure at BMI, Williams has lead his team to capturing an extremely high Country market share percentage not seen in over 30 years. Presently his team oversees the active Nashville music scene for all genres, providing service as well as performance and networking opportunities. A Nashville native, Williams attended the University of Denver. In addition to serving on the CMA Board of Directors, he also serves on the boards of The Country Music Foundation and Porters Call.
Following is a list of 2018 CMA Directors and Directors at Large:
Directors By Membership Category
Carryover Directors, who are serving the second year of a two-year terms, are listed below along with newly-elected Directors, indicated in bold
Advertising/Public Relations/Media
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media, LLC
Brian Philips
Affiliated
Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization
Steve Buchanan, Opry Entertainment
Artist
Darius Rucker
Karen Fairchild, Little Big Town
Composer
Liz Rose, Liz Rose Music
Shane McAnally, SMACKSongs, LLC
Entertainment Services
Stacey Schlitz, SchlitzLAW
Dwight Wiles, Wiles + Taylor & Co., PC
International
Bob Shennan, BBC
Milly Olykan, AEG Europe, The O2 London
Marketing/Digital
Jennie Smythe, Girlilla Marketing
John Marks, Spotify
Musician
Kenny Greenberg, Greenberg Music
Jimmie Lee Sloas
Personal Manager
Clarence Spalding, Maverick
Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management
Producer/Engineer/Studio
Luke Laird, Creative Nation Music
Publisher/PRO
Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
Jody Williams, BMI
Radio
Mike Moore, Entercom Communications
Charlie Morgan, Emmis Communications
Record Company
Mike Dungan, Universal Music Group Nashville
John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville
Talent Agent
John Huie, Creative Artists Agency
Talent Buyer/Promoter
Brian O’Connell, Live Nation Nashville
Allen Anders, AEG Presents
Touring Personnel
Scott Scovill, Moo TV, CenterStaging, and Moo Creative Media
Everett Lybolt, Sound Image
Venue
Ed Warm, Joe’s Bar
Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment
Lifetime Directors
J. William Denny, Denny Properties
Ralph Peer II, peermusic
Directors At Large:
Marcie Allen, MAC Presents, New York, NY
Chris Baldizan, MGM Resorts International, Las Vegas, NV
Jim Beavers
Rob Beckham, WME
Steve Blatter, Sirius XM, New York, NY
Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Label Group
Becky Brenner, Albright & O’Malley & Brenner Country Radio Specialists, Seattle, WA
Kix Brooks
Frank Bumstead, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc.
Terry Calonge, Richards & Southern, Inc.
Tony Conway, Conway Entertainment Group
Virginia Davis, G-Major Management
Bob DiPiero, Being Bob Music
Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Music
Ann Edelblute, The HQ
Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment
Brett Eldredge
Ted Ellis, Harbour Media Partners, Toronto Canada
Jeff Garrison, Cox Media Group, San Antonio, TX
Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville
Mary Hilliard Harrington, Red Light Management / Wild Hearts, LLC
Lon Helton, Country Aircheck
Clay Hunnicutt, Big Loud Records
Brett James, Cornman Music and Management
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media, Dallas, TX
Matthew Lazarus-Hall, Uncommon Cord, Drummoyne, AUS
Jonathan Levine, Paradigm
Vivien Lewit, YouTube / Google, New York, NY
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Bill Mayne, Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.
Deb McDermott, McDermott Media Group LLC
Mike McVay, Cumulus Media – Westwood One Radio Networks, Atlanta, GA
Maria Molin Ljunggren, Freebird Entertainment AB, Stockholm, Sweden
Rod Phillips, iHeartMedia
Ryan Redington, Amazon Music, Seattle, WA
Sally Seitz, Apple / iTunes
Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company
Jeff Stevens, Jeff Stevens Music
Mike Vaden, Decosimo Vaden
Ben Vaughn, Warner/Chappell Music Inc.
Troy Vollhoffer, Premier Global Production Company, Inc.
Biff Watson, Biff-Bangs Productions, Inc.
Chris Young
Ex-Officio Members
Jim Free, The Smith-Free Group, LLC, Washington, D.C.
Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Corporation
Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
In Pictures: St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, AIMP, Grand Ole Opry
/by Jessica NicholsonSt. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Celebrates “This Shirt Saves Lives” Campaign In Nashville
Clare Bowen and St. Jude Patient Ian with Santa
St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital recently launched the nationwide campaign “THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES” featuring some of the industry’s biggest names and influencers in order to create a giving movement.
St. Jude has long given apparel as a thank you to “Partners In Hope,” donors who give $20 per month to the hospital’s lifesaving work. THIS SHIRT SAVES LIVES T-shirt will exclusively be available to those that become Partners In Hope.
The campaign officially launched with an industry-wide reception at the Country Music Association on Monday (Dec. 4). Numerous artists involved with the campaign include Clare Bowen, Brett Eldredge, Darius Rucker, Brothers Osborne, Chris Young, Lee Brice, Maren Morris, Kip Moore, Kelsea Ballerini, and more.
Pictured (L-R): Keith Kauffman, RJ Curtis, Santa, Ian, April Johnson, Josh Easler, Chad Schultz, and Craig Campbell. Front row: St. Jude patient Ian.
AIMP Nashville hosts Barry Massarsky Presentation
Pictured (L-R): AIMP Nashville Board Member Dale Bobo, Big Deal Music; Brad Peterson, Regions Bank; Barry Massarsky; AIMP Nashville Executive Director John Ozier, ole; Kari Barnhart, Regions Bank.
On Dec. 5, AIMP Nashville hosted a presentation from economist Barry Massarsky. Titled “Outlook on Performance Based Income,” the event was held in the Connie Bradley Board Room at ASCAP’s Nashville offices. Massarsky delivered a presentation on performance-based income, specifically in regards to country radio, that focused on four key areas—the state of the radio industry and music’s role on radio, the license outlook for commercial radio, the country format’s share of commercial radio, and indexing chart position for country songs with likely outcome for lifecycle PRO earnings.
NewSong Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut
NewSong with Francesca Battistelli
Christian band NewSong, recently made their Grand Ole Opry debut on the stage of Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Performing their multi-format mega-hit “The Christmas Shoes,” NewSong was also joined by Grammy-winning singer/songwriter Francesca Battistelli for a rendition of “The Best Christmas Ever,” the title-cut of the group’s critically-acclaimed 2016 holiday set.
ole Inks 360 Deal With Singer-Songwriter Austin Jenckes
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): John Ozier, ole, VP Creative; Ben Strain, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Singer/Songwriter Austin Jenckes; Emily Mueller, ole, Creative Director; Mike Whelan, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Catherine Fogarty, ole, Creative Administration Coordinator
ole has inked a worldwide 360 deal with Nashville singer-songwriter Austin Jenckes. The deal includes exclusive publishing and recording rights and exclusive admin of properties on YouTube.
Duvall, Washington native Jenckes relocated to Nashville in 2012 and has penned songs including Lee Brice’s “American Nights,” and the track “Same Beer Different Day” from Jenckes’ own upcoming album.
A talented songwriter his credits include, “American Nights,” from the forthcoming self-titled Lee Brice album. Jenckes also recently released the song “Same Beer Different Day” from his upcoming album and plans for extensive touring throughout the coming year.
“We are pleased to welcome Austin to the ole family,” said ole VP Creative, John Ozier. “We look forward to working with him and seeing him have continued success.”
“I feel very fortunate to have found a home base where I can create music. Thanks to Neil Mason, John Strohm, Ben Strain, John Ozier and all the folks at ole for making this possible,” said Jenckes of the deal.