Industry Leaders Exemplify Importance Of Building Your Circle

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Pictured at the recent reunion (L-R): Front Row – Melissa Kij Bailey (MTSU), Kelly King (King Pen Music), Autumn House-Tallant (Red Light Management), Stephanie Green (Gravity Gone Music); Middle Row – Bob Berg (Air Deluxe Music), Ben Vaughn (Warner-Chappell), Kent Earls (UMPG), Rusty Gaston (This Music), Dan Hodges (DHM); Back Row – Jeremy Stover (Red Creative Group), Kyle T. Jones, Jayson Wyatt (SESAC), Tom Luteran (Sony/ATV), Rod Parkin. Not pictured – Cris Lacy (Warner Music Nashville), Paul Compton (Music Highway), Steve Carmack (manager), Shannon Myers.

Songplugger Reunion Shows The Importance of Networking

More than 20 years ago a group of young songpluggers started a monthly tradition of gathering at a restaurant on Music Row called Sammy B’s. Today, these friends have weathered the ups and downs of the music business and become leaders in their fields. Even though Sammy B’s is now an abandoned building on 16th Ave. and the meetings eventually dissipated, the group recently reunited to reminisce and celebrate their lasting bond.

Publisher Dan Hodges recalls the group’s early days. “We decided to band together and share information on what types of songs the artists and producers were looking for and any other happenings on Music Row,” he says. “It was an attempt to build friendships, but also to stay informed.

“At the time, we were all just trying to break into the industry, so most of us didn’t yet have all of the relationships with the major producers or artists to be as effective as we wanted. We found that each person might have stronger connections than others in certain areas. We also found it much easier to book a meeting with a label head, producer or artist if we did so as a group. That person could hear the best couple of songs for a particular artist from each person and knock out 15 companies at once, saving them time. It proved fruitful for all.”

Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran learned a lot from his peers in the group at the time. “One of the best parts of being involved with a plugger group, especially early in your career is to see how other personalities interact with artists, producers,” he says. “My style tends to be excited, emotional and usually loud. To be able to incorporate other members of the group’s different styles and strengths definitely made me a better plugger and helped me grow as a music professional.”

Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn enjoyed reconnecting with longtime friends. “Having a reunion with the first publishing group I was ever a part of in my early 20s really reinforced how special we all have it living and working in the Music Row community in Nashville,” he says. “There are so many stories of connection that built great music and furthered careers of talent up and down Music Row. And these same special people continue to be friends and colleagues to this day.”

Kelly King of King Pen Music has benefited from her wide network. “Relationships are the key to this industry,” she says. “You have to know music, but you also have to be able to connect with each other. It’s the only way we can make things happen. We have to support each other, challenge each other, and help each other succeed. Everyone has a different area of expertise, and without every specialty present, nothing gets done.”

Hodges agrees, “In the long run, those relationships will serve you well.”

BMLG’s Scott Borchetta, John Varvatos Launch Rock Joint Venture

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Scott Borchetta, John Varvatos

Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and fashion designer John Varvatos have launched a joint venture that pairs BMLG with the renowned American fashion designer, aimed at discovering and developing rock acts. The first artist being represented on the newly created Big Machine Records/John Varvatos Records is California-based rock band badflower.

Borchetta and Varvatos met over five years ago at an Aerosmith concert where Cheap Trick was opening. Borchetta had just begun managing Cheap Trick and signed them to his Big Machine Records imprint. Cheap Trick went on to play a 35-year anniversary show celebrating [the band’s 1978 live album] At Budokan at John Varvatos Bowery location which is where the two entrepreneurs’ paths crossed once again.

“The cultural fashion of John Varvatos has always been a powerful rock and roll brand and one I’ve aspired to be a part of,” said Borchetta. “John and I immediately connected with our outrageous love for rock music. When I discovered that he was more than just a fan, and has a true eye and ear for rock talent, I was blown away. Combining our two brands together will help us achieve our goal in finding and enabling the next great rock artists.”

“Scott and I are extremely passionate about the future of rock music! Having the opportunity to partner with the BMLG team is the perfect match and timing to find the next rock and roll rebels. We are looking for artists with passion, angst and a soul, and those that have a voice to be heard during these troubled times. People say rock is dead… we say, ‘Long Live Rock!” added Varvatos.

This venture is not the first time Borchetta and Varvatos have created together. They previously partnered on the 2015 release of Zac Brown Band’s album Jeckyll +Hyde.

Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group not only finds its roster of artists on top of the pop and country charts, it has also found success in re-launching household rock and roll acts like Steven Tyler and Cheap Trick, the latter currently experiencing its 12th week at No. 1 on the Classic Rock Chart with “Long Time Coming.”

Rodney Crowell To Receive ASCAP Founders Award

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Rodney Crowell is the latest artist to receive the prestigious ASCAP Founders Award at the upcoming 55th annual ASCAP Country Music Awards. The exclusive, invitation-only gala celebrating the songwriters and publishers of ASCAP’s most performed country songs of 2016, will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Monday, Nov. 6.

“Rodney Crowell is one of the most treasured voices in American music,” said ASCAP President Paul Williams. “For decades, whether writing No. 1 country hits and collaborating with some of the world’s top artists, or exploring his own musical soul in rich, literary detail, he has crafted a brilliant body of work marked by powerful intimacy, epic scope and profound insight into the human experience. He is a masterful storyteller and musician who continues to elevate the songwriters’ art, and we are honored to present him with the ASCAP Founders Award.”

Crowell is a multiple Grammy Award-winning singer-songwriter who has written or recorded 15 No. 1 songs on the country charts. He has won five Americana Music Awards, including the Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting in 2009, and is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. His songs have been recorded by country legends (Johnny Cash, Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Strait), current country chart toppers (Tim McGraw, Keith Urban), blues icons (Etta James) and rock legends (Van Morrison, Bob Seger). Crowell’s latest album, Close Ties, was released in March on New West Records.

The Founders Award is one of ASCAP’s highest honors and is presented to songwriters and composers who have made pioneering contributions to music by inspiring and influencing their fellow music creators. Each recipient is an innovator who possesses a unique style of creative genius, which will enrich generations to come. Previous recipients include Ricky Skaggs, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Jackson Browne, Emmylou Harris, Garth Brooks, Bob Dylan, Tom Petty, Melissa Etheridge and Neil Young, among others.

Bermuda Triangle Sets Southern Mini-Tour For October

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Photo Credit: Harvey Hale

New trio Bermuda Triangle, comprised of Brittany Howard (of Alabama Shakes), Becca Mancari and Jesse Lafser, has set a series of southern shows for this Fall. The ladies will kick off the jaunt on Oct. 4 at Terminal West in Atlanta and play shows in Birmingham, Asheville, Knoxville, and Chapel Hill through Oct. 9.

Special guests Thelma and the Sleaze will support on the first two dates and Music Band will open the other three shows. Tickets for the dates go on sale today at noon ET. For ticket information, visit facebook.com/BermudaTriangleBand.

Bermuda Triangle’s debut song “Rosey,” which features Lafser on lead vocals, is now up for streaming here.

Bermuda Triangle Tour Dates:
10/4 – Atlanta, GA @ Terminal West *
10/5 – Birmingham, AL @ Iron City *
10/6 – Knoxville, TN @ Mill + Mine #
10/8 – Asheville, NC @ Orange Peel #
10/9 – Chapel Hill, NC @ Cat’s Cradle #

* Thelma and the Sleaze supporting
# Music Band supporting

 

Artists Line Up Concerts Benefiting Hurricane Harvey Victims, Responding To Recent Charlottesville Events

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Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton To Join Dave Matthews Band’s “A Concert For Charlottesville”

Justin Timberlake. Photo: Tom Munro / RCA Records

Justin Timberlake, Chris Stapleton, Cage The Elephant, The Roots, and Alabama Shakes’ Brittany Howard are set to join Dave Matthews Band for an all-star benefit concert later this month, in response to the violence that erupted in Dave Matthews Band’s hometown of Charlottesville, Virginia during a white nationalist rally in August.

Dubbed “A Concert for Charlottesville,” the event is set to take place Sept. 24 at the University of Virginia’s Scott Stadium, and will also feature performances from Pharrell Williams and Ariana Grande.

Tickets will be free, and will be first given to residents of Charlottesville, as well as UVA students, faculty and staff. Tickets can also be requested via ConcertforCharlottesville.com. The ticket request period concludes Monday, Sept. 11 at noon ET.

In lieu of a ticket charge, attendees are encouraged to donate to the Concert for Charlottesville Fund.

 

CCM Artists Gather For Night Of Hope To Benefit Hurricane Harvey Relief

Several CCM artists will take part in Night Of Hope, a Hurricane Harvey relief concert, which will be held Wednesday, Sept. 20 at Verizon Theatre in Grand Prairie, Texas. All ticket proceeds will support the relief efforts through Convoy of Hope. The Night of Hope concert is a collaborative effort from local CCM stations KLTY, AiR1, Way-FM, and KCBI.

The lineup includes: MercyMe, TobyMac, Casting Crowns, For King & Country, Zach Williams, Natalie Grant, Danny Gokey, Phil Wickham, Josh Wilson, Chonda Pierce, Laura Story, Brandon Heath, Jason Roy of Building 429, Tauren Wells, Moriah Peters, Chris August, Jason Crabb, Wayne Watson, Plumb and John Tibbs.

Tickets are available at axs.com.

 

Halfway To Hazard Announces Hurricane Harvey Relief Telethon Today

Country music duo Halfway to Hazard will host a Hurricane Harvey relief telethon today (Thursday, Sept. 7) beginning at 2 p.m. CT.

The group will appear live on Kentucky CBS affiliate station WYMT-TV to solicit donations for those affected by the historic flooding in Texas. The telethon will broadcast from the Mountain Arts Center in Prestonsburg, Kentucky. Halfway to Hazard’s Chad Warrix and David Tolliver will not only host the event but will also perform their career hit songs, as well as tunes from their most recent album REDemptiOn.

The telethon will also feature live music by members of the Kentucky Opry as well as select performances from other artists from the Bluegrass State.

BMI Distributes More Than One Billion In Royalties For The First Time In Its History

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BMI has broken another revenue record for the third consecutive year, generating $1.130 billion to end its 2017 fiscal year. The company also distributed and administered $1.023 billion to its songwriters, composers and publishers, representing a 10 percent increase over last year and a new milestone for the organization. The results rank the performing rights organization with the highest royalty distributions of any rights organization in the world.

“No matter how much the industry continues to evolve, BMI remains the leader in supporting songwriters, composers and publishers and maximizing their royalties across all platforms,” said Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI. “We are thrilled to have been able to achieve these record distributions, but we still believe our affiliates deserve more.  We thank them for entrusting their music to us and will continue to work hard on their behalf to secure the full and fair value of their creative work.”

The company’s total domestic revenue, encompassing digital, media, and general licensing, came in at a record $836 million, a $52 million increase over last year. Digital revenue saw its highest performance to date, up seven percent to $163 million, helped in part by new long-term agreements with Netflix and Hulu, among others. Media Licensing came in at $524 million, a $32 million increase over last year driven by growth in the terrestrial radio, cable and satellite radio categories.

The $1.023 billion in total distributions included both domestic and international royalties, as well as royalties from direct deals that BMI administers on behalf of its publishers. Those deals, which account for approximately three percent of BMI’s total distribution, helped the company achieve its record payments to affiliates.

BMI processed nearly 1.4 trillion performances this year, 40 percent more than last year. This includes both audio and audiovisual performances, of which 1.35 trillion were digital, highlighting the ongoing move to digital within the industry as well as BMI’s ability to manage big data and convert it to actionable information.

BMI operates as a non-profit, returning approximately 88 percent of all revenue to the musical creators and copyright owners the company represents.

Cumulus Media To Simplify Station Advertising Through Agreement With WideOrbit

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WideOrbit and Cumulus Media are entering into a licensing agreement to install WideOrbit Traffic software and other software at all 447 Cumulus Media radio stations across the U.S.

Under the terms of the agreement, WideOrbit will provide Cumulus with a comprehensive operations solution for traffic management, digital advertising, network and barter ads, electronic payments, revenue optimization, and hosting. The software allows all stations to log into the same database, and will streamline corporate reporting and credit management, optimize spot scheduling, and give Cumulus advertisers a simple, integrated method for paying invoices with credit cards and ACH electronic payments.

WideOrbit products will replace Cumulus’s Stratus traffic system, with implementation expected to begin before the end of the year and continue through the First Quarter of 2019.

“WideOrbit’s best-in- class traffic operations system will support and propel our businesses across the U.S. by simplifying and streamlining the advertising process,” said Mary G. Berner, President and Chief Executive Officer, Cumulus Media. “This step is another move to further integrate operating systems companywide, empowering managers in local markets with tools to maximize revenues by making it easier for our customers to buy radio in every Cumulus market.”

2017 IEBA Awards Nominees Announced

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IEBA has announced the nominees for its 2017 Industry Awards. A full list of nominations is below. Winners will be announced at the conclusion of IEBA’s 47th Annual Conference on Tuesday, October 17, 2017 at 8 pm.

Club of the Year
• 9:30 Club – Washington, DC
• Brooklyn Bowl – Brooklyn, NY
• The Fillmore Philadelphia – Philadelphia, PA
• Iron City – Birmingham, AL
• Joe’s Live – Rosemont, IL
• Troubadour – West Hollywood, CA
• Webster Hall – New York, NY

Casino of the Year
• Choctaw Casino & Resort – Durant, OK
• Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort – Cherokee, NC
• Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
• Snoqualmie Casino – Snoqualmie, WA
• Soaring Eagle Casino & Resort – Mt. Pleasant, MI
• Thunder Valley Casino Resort – Lincoln, CA
• Treasure Island Resort & Casino – Welch, MN

Theater of the Year
• Apollo Theater – New York, NY
• Beacon Theatre – New York, NY
• Bellco Theatre – Denver, CO
• Chicago Theatre – Chicago, IL
• Fox Theatre – Atlanta, GA
• The Novo – Los Angeles, CA
• Shrine Auditorium & Expo Hall – Los Angeles, CA

Arena of the Year
• Air Canada Centre – Toronto, ON
• American Airlines Center – Dallas, TX
• Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
• Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
• Madison Square Garden – New York, NY
• Moda Center – Portland, OR
• T-Mobile Arena – Las Vegas, NV

Amphitheater of the Year
• Bank of New Hampshire Pavilion – Gilford, NH
• Daily’s Place – Jacksonville, FL
• Forest Hills Stadium – Forest Hills, NY
• The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
• Northwell Health at Jones Beach Theater – Wantagh, NY
• Red Rocks Amphitheatre – Morrison, CO

Fair of the Year
• Arizona State Fair – Phoenix, AZ
• The Great Allentown Fair – Allentown, PA
• The Great New York State Fair – Syracuse, NY
• OC Fair – Costa Mesa, CA
• Oregon State Fair – Salem, OR
• State Fair of Texas – Dallas, TX
• Washington State Fair – Puyallup, WA

Festival of the Year
• BottleRock Napa Valley – Napa Valley, CA
• Country Thunder USA – Twin Lakes, WI
• The Governors Ball Music Festival – New York, NY
• The Hangout Music Festival – Gulf Shores, AL
• Newport Folk Festival – Newport, RI
• Outside Lands Music and Arts Festival – San Francisco, CA
• Stagecoach – Indio, CA
• Summerfest – Milwaukee, WI

Club Buyer of the Year
• Melanie Cantwell – 9:30 Club / I.M.P.
• Stacie George – Live Nation
• Hannah Gold – City Winery NYC
• Jim Mallonee – House of Blues
• Danny Sax – AEG Presents
• Adam Weiser – AEG Presents
• Jennifer Yacoubian – Goldenvoice

Casino Buyer of the Year
• Andrew Blank – C3 Presents
• Bill Borenstein – MotorCity Casino Hotel
• Billy Brill – Billy Alan Productions
• Ted Files – Scott Dean Agency
• Lori Otelsberg – Signature Entertainment
• Kristen Reynolds – Live Nation
• Terrye Seigel – Terrye Seigel Productions, Inc.
• Lea Swanson – AEG Presents

Corporate Buyer of the Year
• Ron Blackmore – NextLevel Productions
• Adam Kahan – Empire Entertainment
• Denise Kirk – Brattle Entertainment
• Ron Pateras – Jam Entertainment & Creative Services
• Corey Shapoff – SME Live Nation
• Fred Suss – Talent Source, Inc.
• Kevin White – OnStage Talent

International Buyer of the Year
• Jim Cressman – Invictus Entertainment Group (Canada)
• Toby Leighton-Pope – AEG Presents (UK)
• Noel McHale – MCD Productions (Ireland)
• Anna-Sophie Mertens – Live Nation (UK)
• Bruce Moran – Live Nation (Latin America)
• Rob Potts – Rob Potts Entertainment Edge (Australia)
• Chris York – SJM (UK)

Fair Buyer of the Year
• Renee Alexander – Minnesota State Fair
• Pat Powelson – Jayson Promotions
• R.J. Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
• Lisa Sexton – OC Fair
• Sara Shelton Novak – Triangle Talent
• Glenn Smith – Glenn Smith Presents, Inc.
• Suzanne Wilson – Wilson Events

Festival Buyer of the Year
• Louis Bellavance – Festival d’Été de Québec
• Tom Hoppa & Dave Graham – BottleRock Napa Valley
• Huston Powell – C3 Presents
• Allen Scott – Another Planet Entertainment
• Stacy Vee – Goldenvoice
• Brooke Wirth – C3 Presents

Venue Executive of the Year
• Becky Colwell – The Greek Theatre
• Sid Greenfeig – T-Mobile Arena
• Laurie Jacoby – MSG Entertainment
• Ralph Marchetta – Talking Stick Resort Arena
• Michael Marion – Verizon Arena
• James Rasmussen – Golden 1 Center
• Chris Semrau – Denny Sanford PREMIER Center

Young Professional of the Year
• Sam Forbert – CAA
• Joe Giordano – BOK Center
• Austin Neal – WME
• Molly Warren – Live Nation
• Max Wiebrecht – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Samantha Zastrow – AT&T Center

Talent Agent of the Year
• Corrie Christopher – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Sam Hunt – Paradigm Talent Agency
• Adam Kornfeld – Artist Group International
• Cara Lewis – Cara Lewis Group
• Brian Manning – CAA
• John Marx – WME
• Darin Murphy – CAA
• Adam Voith – The Billions Corporation

Promoter of the Year
• Larry & Fred Frank – Frank Productions
• Lenore Kinder – AEG Presents
• Mike Luba & Don Sullivan – Madison House Presents
• Ryan McElrath – Live Nation
• Louis Messina – MTG
• Gregg Perloff & Sherry Wasserman – Another Planet Entertainment
• Mike Smardak – Outback Concerts
• Jason Wright – Live Nation

ACM Lifting Lives Announces 2017 Grant Cycle

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ACM Lifting Lives, dedicated to improving lives through the power of music, has announced a call for submissions for the 2017 Grant Cycle. Through grant cycles, ACM Lifting Lives provides funding to programs that promote education and healing with a musical connection.

Beginning today, Sept. 6, 2017 and ending on Oct. 4, 2017, submissions will be taken for the 2017 Grant Cycle.

For information on program guidelines and how to submit, please visit www.acmliftinglives.org. Funding decisions will be made and programs will be notified in November 2017.

Organizations that received funding previously include Abe’s Garden Alzheimer’s and Memory Care Center of Excellence in Nashville, TN; Alive Hospice in Nashville, TN; The Art of Elysium in Los Angeles, CA; Barefoot Republic, Inc in Nashville, TN; Bridges Academy in Nashville, TN; the Center for Courageous Kids in Scottsville, KY; CreatiVets in Washburn, IL; Free Arts for Abused Children in Los Angeles, CA; Kesem in Culver City, CA; Legacy Music in Salt Lake City, UT; LiveBeyond in Nashville, TN; Middle Tennessee State University Foundation in Murfreesboro, TN; Music National Service Initiative in the Bay Area, CA; Musicians on Call in Nashville, TN; Nashville Rescue Mission in Nashville, TN; Notes for Notes in Nashville, TN, Los Angeles and Santa Barbara, CA; Operation Song in Nashville, TN; Peace thru Music in Ventura, CA; Peggy R. McConnell Worthington Center for the Arts in Worthington, OH; Porter’s Call in Franklin, TN; Possibilities! in Cumberland Furnace, TN; The Quest Center for Art & Community Development in Dickson, TN; Rochelle Center in Nashville, TN; Rock for Kidsin Chicago, IL; Shepherd Center Music Therapy for Veterans in Atlanta, GA; Songs For Sounds in Nashville, TN; Tapping Individual Potential in Nashville, TN; Uintah School of Music and the Arts in Vernal, UT; Vanderbilt Kennedy Center in Nashville, TN; Vanderbilt Music Therapy Program in Nashville, TN; W.O. Smith Nashville Community Music School in Nashville, TN; and Youth for Tomorrow – New Life Center, Inc in Bristow, VA.

Top Musicians Remember Elvis at Historic RCA Studio B

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Pictured (L-R): Norbert Putnam, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Editor Michael Grey, Musician David Briggs, Charlie McCoy and James Burton. Photo Credit: Carissa Riccardi

On Thursday, Aug. 31 musicians David Briggs, James Burton, Charlie McCoy and Norbert Putnam spoke about their extensive work with Elvis Presley at Historic RCA Studio B in honor of the Studio’s 60th anniversary. Presley, Studio B’s most famous client, recorded more than 200 songs at Historic RCA Studio B, including “Stuck on You,” “Little Sister,” “Good Luck Charm,” “Guitar Man,” “Are You Lonesome Tonight?,” and many of his gospel classics.

The musicians swapped stories about their recording sessions in the studio with Presley, reliving old memories in the very same spot where they recorded with “The King.” Studio B’s 60th anniversary year coincides with the 40th anniversary of Presley’s passing.

Historic RCA Studio B, once the recording home for legends like Chet Atkins, Dolly Parton, Elvis Presley and Charley Pride, is celebrating its 60th anniversary through Oct. 29 with a slate of special surprise performances during random public tours and unique after-hours programming.

A related program, Hit-Makers Reflect on Historic RCA Studio B takes place Thursday, Sept. 21, at 7:30 p.m. Bobby Bare, Dave Cobb, Lloyd Green and Connie Smith will share their perspectives on working at the Home of 1,000 Hits.