BBR Music Group has named Lynette Garbonola to the newly-created position of VP of International. The appointment comes shortly after a successful Country Music Week in the United Kingdom for BBR artists and as the company continues to role out initiatives in territories across the globe following its January acquisition by BMG.

Garbonola transitions to the position from her role as VP of Digital Media. She joined BBR Music Group in 2010. Prior to BBR she worked at Warner Music Nashville for 16 years where she helped launch their New Media/Digital Department rising to the role of VP of New Media.

“International growth for the BBR roster is a major priority for BMG and they continue to strengthen that commitment with additional resources and actions. The creation of a position in Nashville dedicated exclusively to representing our artists outside of the U.S., as well as BMG artists throughout the globe in Nashville, is a massive step in capitalizing on the significant and growing demand for Country music world-wide,” stated Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group. “Lynette has a track record throughout her career of jumping in feet first, identifying and seizing opportunities in an ever-changing marketplace. Add to that her understanding of digital and its role internationally and she is a perfect fit for this role.”

Chris Loss will become the new VP of Digital Strategy & Analytics, working closely with DSP’s, digital advertisers, and ADA distribution. He moves from his current position of VP of Promotion for Stoney Creek Records. Loss began his career in radio before becoming the Director of West Coast Promotion for Lyric Street in 2002. He was part of the team that launched The Valory Music Co. in 2007 serving as Director of National Promotion and later being named VP of Promotion. He joined Stoney Creek Records in 2012.

“Anyone who knows Chris Loss, knows he is a data and analytics genius. Our tech partners always include him in beta tests because they know he will identify problems before they do,” said Loba. “Matched with his insanely creative mind and programming/promotion background, he will grow the position in ways we can’t even imagine yet.”

Loss’s replacement as VP of Promotion/Stoney Creek will be announced later this year. Renee Leymon, VP of Radio Syndication & Group Strategy will serve as interim VP of Promotion for Stoney Creek Records until then.

Garbonola can be reached at lynette@bbrmusicgroup.com and 615.610.2100.

Loss can be reached at can be reached at chris@bbrmusicgroup.com and 615.610.2117.

Leymon can be reached at renee@bbrmusicgroup.com and 615.610.2118

The family of Merle Haggard has partnered with Icon Entertainment Group founders Bill and Shannon Miller, as well as the Swett Family, to launch the new Merle Haggard Museum and Merle’s Meat + 3 Saloon, to be located at 121 Third Ave. S. in Nashville. The museum and restaurant is slated to open in summer 2018.

Merle’s Meat + 3 Saloon will be housed on the ground level with the Merle Haggard Museum on an upper floor.

The Millers and the Haggards have curated performance wardrobes, instruments, professional and personal possessions and are designing interactive exhibits as part of the museum. The restaurant will be operated by the Swett Family, who are a staple on the Nashville scene operating their Swett’s Restaurant for 62 years.

This new venture for Bill and Shannon Miller will mark the fifth attraction currently owned and operated by Icon Entertainment Group. Their first property was The Johnny Cash Museum, which opened its doors in April of 2013. Icon Entertainment Group also oversees Nudie’s Honky Tonk, the Patsy Cline Museum and Skull’s Rainbow Room in addition to the sought after Music City Threads clothing company. The Millers also own the Southern Turf Building in Nashville, a four-story building on the National Register of Historic Places because of its location in Printers Alley Historic District

“The world lost one of the greatest country singers of all time and I lost the love of my life when Merle Haggard died on his 79th birthday April 6, 2016,” says Theresa Haggard. “Now, nearly one and half years later, I have partnered with my friends Bill and Shannon Miller, owners of the acclaimed Johnny Cash and Patsy Cline Museums to open the Merle Haggard Museum. Merle would be very happy knowing that his museum will be next door to his dear friend Johnny Cash. I’m sure he is up there smiling about that. Our family is also very excited about the Merle-themed restaurant and bar featuring first-class, Southern home cooking and a saloon to boot. This museum will be a way to preserve and share the love Merle had for music and life.”

“My family is honored to join with our dear friends, the Haggard family, to bring a new, world-class museum to Nashville,” says Bill Miller, Founder of Icon Entertainment Group. “Merle Haggard is one of the most iconic country music singers and songwriters of all time. Rolling Stone and Billboard magazines both named him the number one country entertainer of all-time. We are very excited to begin the process of designing and building Merle’s museum which will also feature a Southern-style restaurant and saloon bearing his name. We are thrilled to be working with long time Nashville family restaurant operator David Swett, who brings his highly respected expertise to our restaurant. Swett’s opened their doors in 1954 and is still going strong.”

Kelsea Ballerini is kicking off 2018 with the just-announced Unapologetically Tour, which will launch Feb. 8 in Birmingham, Alabama. Ballerini will be joined by Walker Hayes on the dates, which will wrap April 27 at the annual Stagecoach Festival in Indio, CA (on-sale now).

“Great things happen when music surrounds you, I really believe that,” shared Ballerini. “One of the coolest things to me about headlining is being able to create a world for your fans to step into. I can’t wait for you to join me on this new journey with my good friend Walker and begin chapter two together!”

Bailey Bryan joins the lineup for one-night-only for the Nashville show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Valentine’s Day. Tickets for the new tour go on sale this Friday, Nov. 3. Special VIP Experiences will be available at each show from CID Entertainment, including a meet & greet with Ballerini, collectible merchandise, an invitation to the ‘Unapologetically’ pre-show experience and early venue entry. VIP packages will be available for purchase beginning Tuesday, October 31.

 

 

On Saturday night (Oct. 28) the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development teamed up Ballerini for a one-of-a-kind album celebration in her hometown of Knoxville. Fans from 28 states came together to celebrate the release of Ballerini’s upcoming sophomore album, Unapologetically, due out Nov. 3. The special concert experience was part of the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development’s Snapchat Concert Series and their ongoing ‘The Soundtrack of America. Made in Tennessee.” brand campaign.

The event took place at Ballerini’s alma mater, Central High School, the same place where she performed an original song for the first time as a student. Tickets to the album celebration show were offered free through Tennessee Tourism’s Snapchat and sold out in one minute. Following her set, Ballerini returned to the stage with the school’s principal and made a surprise donation of $20,000 to Central High School. The principal then surprised her with the school’s highest honor, the Bobcat Award. She ended the evening with a fitting performance of “High School.”

Prior to the show, Ballerini received a one-of-a-kind “platinum record” from the Tennessee Department of Tourist Development to commemorate this special celebration show. She also participated in a meet-and-greet with lucky winners and gave them a sneak preview of her new album.

Starstruck Entertainment has added Anthony Manker as Manager of Music Assets. Manker will work with Starstruck artists Maggie Rose, John King, Emily Ann Roberts, Chris Jobe, Caroline Kole, Post Monroe, and Stealing Oceans as well as the other artists, writers and producers managed by Starstruck.

Starstruck COO Cliff Williamson commented, “Because today’s digital media requires a steady stream of fresh content – photos, videos and music, Anthony’s background in licensing and administration makes him the ideal person to manage these assets for Starstruck artists as we explore all marketing opportunities.”

From Adams, Tennessee, Manker worked as Licensing Manager under John Barker at ClearBox Rights upon graduating from Belmont University in 2015. Prior to graduating, Manker worked in royalty administration at Sony/ATV and in general licensing at SESAC. While a student, Manker was a member of the 2014 Pipeline Project at Belmont University where research he conducted with classmates Alex Marsh and Devin Dawson was cited by the U.S. Copyright Office in its February 2015 report Copyright and the Music Marketplace.

Founded in 1988, Starstruck Entertainment develops, manages, promotes and markets entertainers, songwriters, and producers. Starstruck clients include Kelly Clarkson and Blake Shelton.

Manker can be reached at anthonym@starstruck.net

SESAC will honor Kenny Rogers with the SESAC Legacy Award at its Nashville Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 5, 2017 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The SESAC Legacy Award recognizes Rogers’ contributions to the creative arts.

Additionally, Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton were recently presented with a digital gold plaque from Sony Music Nashville for “Islands In The Stream” surpassing 500,000 digital units sold. The song has sold over 3 million physical copies and continues to be a fan favorite in the new modern download era.

Rogers and Parton performed the classic duet during Rogers’ All In For the Gambler show at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on Oct. 25. Parton also performed her signature song “I Will Always Love You” during the event.