Brown Bannister
Music industry veteran Charlie Peacock is passing the baton as director of Lipscomb University’s George Shinn College Of Entertainment & the Arts, which houses the School of Music, to producer Brown Bannister.
Peacock, founding director of the university’s contemporary music program, is stepping down to devote time to addressing health issues that have been developing over the past year but will remain a member of the school’s advisory board. Peacock, who joined the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts faculty as artist-in-residence in 2014, was named director of Lipscomb’s School of Music in 2015.
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Bannister will head a transition team comprised of music industry veterans, including Amy Grant, Tim Lauer, Gordon Kerr, Randy Goodman, and Juanita Copeland. The transition team will oversee a national search for the next director of Lipscomb University’s School Of Music.
“Charlie has played a tremendous role in building a strong foundation for our multi-dimensional School of Music and in launching our contemporary music program,” said Mike Fernandez, Dean of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. “Through his deep relationships in the music industry, he has developed numerous key connections for Lipscomb that will help the School of Music continue to flourish for years to come. We are grateful for his significant contribution to this program and most importantly to the many students he impacted during his time here. We wish him well as he takes time to tend to his health, and look forward to his continued input as a member of our advisory board.”
Under Peacock’s leadership, the contemporary music program was founded; overall music enrollment increased significantly and is now one of Lipscomb’s fastest-growing academic areas; a house near campus was renovated and developed into a “Music Row house” complete with a recording studio, editing suites and rehearsal space; an advisory board for the School of Music was formed; and music industry leaders and arts professionals joined the school as faculty, adjunct instructors and artists-in-residents to expand its technical and cultural reach, preparing 21st century creators, performing artists and educators for a lifetime of musical work. In May, Lipscomb University became owner of the Sound Emporium, one of Nashville’s vibrant recording studios for nearly 50 years with the goal of preserving the professional production capacity of the studio while looking for subtle ways for it to serve as a real-world learning lab for contemporary music students in the university’s George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts.
Stranger Friends To Release Debut EP In October
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic duo Stranger Friends, which includes Nashville songwriters Jamie Floyd and John Martin, will release their self-titled, five-song debut EP on Oct. 20.
Floyd grew up as the daughter of performing musicians in West Palm Beach, Florida, and landed her first record deal at 11 years old. While working as a waitress, she co-wrote the title track to Ashley Monroe’s Grammy-nominated The Blade.
A native of Stillwater, Oklahoma, Martin played football for Baylor University while continuing to write songs. He received his first-ever cuts in Nashville on Garth Brooks’ No. 1 country albums Man Against Machine and Christmas Together (with Trisha Yearwood).
After being asked to write one song for the Burt Reynolds movie, Dog Years, Stranger Friends ultimately placed 12 songs and even appeared in the movie, which premiered at the Tribeca Film Festival in April. A few days later, their original song, “Yet to Come,” won the award for Best Original Song at the Nashville Film Festival. The film and soundtrack album will be released in 2018.
To celebrate the EP release, Stranger Friends will play a free show at Nashville’s The Back Corner on Oct. 18 at 6 p.m.
Harry Styles Releases Studio Version Of “Girl Crush”
/by Eric T. ParkerHarry Styles. Photo: Harry Styles/Facebook
Two days after covering Little Big Town‘s “Girl Crush” at a live show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, ex-member of British boy band One Direction, Harry Styles, has released a studio version of the Nashville hit.
Styles’ team announced the studio release on Sept. 27, via Facebook, having been recorded at London’s Metropolis Studios and released as a Spotify Single, from Erskine Records Limited, under exclusive license to Columbia Records, a division of Sony Music Entertainment.
Written by Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose and Lori McKenna, “Girl Crush” was originally released by Capitol Nashville quartet Little Big Town on their 2014 effort, Pain Killer. The breakout single has gone on to win MusicRow‘s 2015 Song of the Year honor, followed by CMA’s Song and Single of the Year that same year and 2016 Grammys for Best Country Duo/Group Performance and Best Country Song.
Styles recorded the live studio version in addition to another title, “Two Ghosts.” Hear the Spotify Singles, online: smarturl.it/HS-SpotifySingles
UMG Nashville Earns OMMA Award For Digital Marketing Excellence
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Tony Grotticelli UMGN; Ryan Carter Parachute Media; Heather Vassar UMGN; Sam Frawley Parachute Media; Dawn Gates UMGN; Kristin Knight Parachute Media; and Elise Kelly Parachute Media
The UMG Nashville Digital Marketing team recently earned their first-ever Online Marketing Media and Advertising Award for Josh Turner’s Deep South Instagram takeover campaign.
Partnering with Parachute Media, UMG engineered the award-winning initiative that consisted of a six square Instagram takeover of Josh Turner’s Deep South album cover, in which each square played a video that highlighted a unique aspect of his new record. The campaign helped boost the album to a No. 1 debut on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart.
UMGN’s Digital Marketing Team members who curated and managed the campaign, Tony Grotticelli and Heather Vassar, won the award in the Online Marketing category of Entertainment: Games, Movies, Music, Sports, and TV. The team was also one of three finalists in the Sports/Live Events category running against ESPN and Netflix, with Netflix winning the category.
The OMMA Awards have been a cornerstone for marketing and advertising achievements throughout the past decade, recognizing and honoring the most innovative and successful campaigns of the year.
Bill Miller Adds Southern Turf Building To Nashville Real Estate Holdings
/by Lorie HollabaughBill Miller closed on the historic Southern Turf building in Nashville yesterday (Sept. 26), marking his fourth acquisition in the downtown area in the last three years. The four-story building located at 222 Fourth Avenue North is on the National Register of Historic Places because of its location in Printers Alley Historic District. Built in 1895, this Queen Anne-style building was built by bookmaker Marcus Cartwright and over the years was home to saloons, gambling halls and the former home of The Tennessean newspaper.
“Today we take ownership of the legendary Southern Turf building; one of the most aesthetically-significant, architectural Crown Jewels in downtown Nashville,” says Miller. “It’s a pleasure and an honor to add this important property to our portfolio.”
The Southern Turf building currently houses Miller’s latest business acquisition, Skull’s Rainbow Room, in which he acquired a majority interest in June. This acquisition brings Miller’s holdings to 73,872 square feet of commercial property in downtown Nashville.
Miller’s Icon Entertainment Group also owns and operates the Johnny Cash Museum, Patsy Cline Museum, Nudie’s Honky Tonk, Music City Threads, and Skull’s Rainbow Room.
CMT Greenlights Plans For ‘Music City’ Docu-Series
/by Jessica NicholsonCMT has announced plans for a new eight-episode docu-series, Music City, which follows a group of emerging artists chasing their dreams in the music industry, while balancing demands in their personal lives. The series is slated to premiere early next year as a companion series to CMT’s Nashville, which returns for new shows in January.
The docu-series is created and executive-produced by Adam DiVello, creator of shows including Laguna Beach and The Hills. Music City reunites CMT and Lionsgate, who partnered last year to bring the fan-favorite series Nashville to CMT.
“Music has always played a huge role in the storytelling process of my past series,” said creator/executive producer DiVello, “and with Music City, we’ll take that element to another level, as we document the real-life struggles, heartaches, and drama of those chasing their dreams of stardom. Nashville is such an exciting city and I can’t wait to share with the world the stories of this incredibly talented cast we’ve put together.”
“After a banner year of growth, we’ve enlisted one of the industry’s most influential and talented producers to help guide our ever-expanding fanbase deeper inside our beloved hometown,” said Frank Tanki, General Manager of CMT and TV Land. “Like its sister series, Nashville, Music City will spotlight a group of young artists as they grapple with love, life and the pursuit of their dreams through the incomparable lens of the creator of some of the most memorable series of the last 20 years. We welcome all the fans of Laguna Beach and The Hills that are now our target audience into the world of Music City, and CMT as a whole.”
Details on cast members for Music City will be released in the coming weeks.
Hayley Orrantia Signs With APA Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter, APA Partner and Head of Concerts; Hayley Orrantia; Kerri Fox-Metoyer, APA VP/Music Strategy & Partnerships; Jeff Hill, APA Agent
Hayley Orrantia, the singer/songwriter and actor who portrays Erica on the ABC comedy series The Goldbergs, has signed for music and branding representation with APA Nashville.
Orrantia will be hitting the road in 2018 bringing her new music to cities across the U.S. She most recently released the single and video for “Give Me Back Sunday,” which was featured on Spotify.
“Hayley Orrantia is a tremendous talent, known for her comedic acting ability,” commented Steve Lassiter, Partner and Head of Concerts at APA. “We’re very excited for fans to see the other creative side of Hayley as she continues to write and record new music.”
Canaan Smith Launches New Fall Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughNewcomers Jackie Lee, Chris Bandi and Eric Van Houten will join Smith for select dates on the tour. Fans can purchase tickets beginning today at canaansmith.com.
The Virginia native has spent the past few years playing extensively throughout the US, Canada, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland and has previously toured with Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert and Kip Moore. He launched his first UK Headlining Tour earlier this year after opening shows for breakout UK country duo The Shires, and just released a new digital-only track, “This Night Back.”
October
19—Des Moines IA—Wooly’s *
20—Champagne IL—The City Center *
21—Geneva IL—Grunt Fest
26—Darlington SC—Carolina Nightlife
27—Myrtle Beach SC—The Boathouse
28—Raleigh NC—Lincoln Theater (w/ Gary Allan and LANco)
November
2—Knoxville TN—Cotton Eyed Joe *
3—Rootstown OH—The Dusty Armadillo
4—Mt Laurel NJ—Prospector’s
9—Bakersfield CA—Crystal Palace
10—San Jose CA—Rodeo Club
11–TBA
12—Dana Point CA—Driftwood Festival
17—Shelby Township NJ—Coyote Joe’s **
18—Indianapolis IN—8 Seconds Saloon **
30—Warrendale PA—Jergel’s ***
December
1—Buffalo NY—VENU Buffalo ***
2—Jordan NY—Keg’s Canalside ***
* with Chris Bandi
** with Jackie Lee
***with Jackie Lee and Eric Van Houten
Producer Brown Bannister Named Interim Director For Lipscomb University Music School
/by Jessica NicholsonBrown Bannister
Music industry veteran Charlie Peacock is passing the baton as director of Lipscomb University’s George Shinn College Of Entertainment & the Arts, which houses the School of Music, to producer Brown Bannister.
Peacock, founding director of the university’s contemporary music program, is stepping down to devote time to addressing health issues that have been developing over the past year but will remain a member of the school’s advisory board. Peacock, who joined the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts faculty as artist-in-residence in 2014, was named director of Lipscomb’s School of Music in 2015.
A graduate of Abilene Christian University, Bannister will head a transition team comprised of music industry veterans, including Amy Grant, Tim Lauer, Gordon Kerr, Randy Goodman, and Juanita Copeland. The transition team will oversee a national search for the next director of Lipscomb University’s School Of Music.
“Charlie has played a tremendous role in building a strong foundation for our multi-dimensional School of Music and in launching our contemporary music program,” said Mike Fernandez, Dean of the George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts. “Through his deep relationships in the music industry, he has developed numerous key connections for Lipscomb that will help the School of Music continue to flourish for years to come. We are grateful for his significant contribution to this program and most importantly to the many students he impacted during his time here. We wish him well as he takes time to tend to his health, and look forward to his continued input as a member of our advisory board.”
Under Peacock’s leadership, the contemporary music program was founded; overall music enrollment increased significantly and is now one of Lipscomb’s fastest-growing academic areas; a house near campus was renovated and developed into a “Music Row house” complete with a recording studio, editing suites and rehearsal space; an advisory board for the School of Music was formed; and music industry leaders and arts professionals joined the school as faculty, adjunct instructors and artists-in-residents to expand its technical and cultural reach, preparing 21st century creators, performing artists and educators for a lifetime of musical work. In May, Lipscomb University became owner of the Sound Emporium, one of Nashville’s vibrant recording studios for nearly 50 years with the goal of preserving the professional production capacity of the studio while looking for subtle ways for it to serve as a real-world learning lab for contemporary music students in the university’s George Shinn College of Entertainment & the Arts.
Garth Brooks To Release 240-Page Book With 19 Unreleased Tracks As First Of Five-Part Anthology
/by Jessica NicholsonHe is also the first artist in history to receive 7 Diamond awards for the now seven albums certified by the RIAA at over 10 million album sales each and remains the No. 1-selling solo artist in U.S. history certified by the RIAA with over 148 million album sales.
The Anthology Part 1: The First Five Years, as told by Brooks as well as those involved in the creating, recording and promotion of his first five albums, offers details and true stories from the early days of his career, taking fans behind the scenes for moments such as when “The Thunder Rolls” was recorded and about to be released by another artist. Brooks recalls that “Friends In Low Places” and “The Dance” were almost never recorded, and discusses how “That Summer” was rewritten and rerecorded, and fans can hear the two different master versions. Readers can also learn about and listen to the first time Trisha Yearwood sang on a ‘Garth’ song, long before Brooks’ first album.
The 240-page book is accompanied by five CDs, containing 52 total songs including 19 new, unreleased or demo versions of tracks. The book also includes more than 150 never-before-seen photos, as well as sessions charts, tracking sheets and more.
The Anthology Part 1: The First Five Years will release Nov. 14.
Garth will air a very special Inside Studio G on his Facebook page this Monday, Oct. 2 at 7 p.m. ET. On the episode, he will share very personal details from the first five years of his career, along with special guests were involved and featured in the anthology.
Mitch Oglesby Signs With Warner/Chappell, KJM Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (front row, L-R): Ben Vaughn, Mitch Oglesby, Kelly Janson (KJM Music). (Back row, L-R): Jessi Vaughn, Katie Jelen, Will Overton, BJ Hill, Alison Junker, Matt Michiels, Travis Carter
Mitch Oglesby has signed a joint publishing deal with KJM Music Publishing and Warner/Chappell Music.
The Georgia native penned two songs, “Who’s Your Farmer” and “Redneck Life,” on Chris Janson’s sophomore album Everybody.