Pictured (L-R): 2017 Class of Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Mel Owens, Charlie Ochs, Todd Harding (The Good Morning Guys), Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys), Brian Gary (The Good Morning Guys), Tim Closson, and Jim Mantel. Photo: Angelea Presti
The elite of country music’s radio industry gathered on Wednesday (June 21) to celebrate the induction of the Country Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017.
This year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees included Tim Closson, the late Joe Wade Formicola, Mel Owens, Jim Mantel, Charlie Ochs, the late Linda Lee, and Good Morning Guys’ Susan Moore, Brian Gary, and Todd Harding. Each nominee for induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame must have at least 20 years experience in radio, with 15 of those being in the country genre.
Country Radio Broadcasters Board Vice President and All Access Country Editor R.J. Curtis welcomed guests to the Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“It validates their career and life’s work,” he said of the honor’s impact on honorees. “It’s better than giving away a car or $10,000.”
UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, who was the first label head to serve on the Board of the Country Radio Broadcasters, was honored with with the President’s Award. He is the third active board member to receive the President’s Award in the 20-year history.
Dungan recalled the impact of country radio, and especially the Country Radio Seminar on artists’ careers, detailing how an early performance from Keith Urban at Country Radio Seminar launched a career filled with numerous chart toppers, including his most recent, “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
Martina McBride was honored with the Career Achievement Award, commemorating a career that includes six No. 1 hits, 14 Grammy nominations and nearly 20 million albums sold.
McBride thanked numerous radio programmers and label promoters who have been part of her career from the beginning. She also thanked former label head Joe Galante for his long-term support of her career.
“One time he came to see a show, and he commented that all my songs really sound and feel like me,” she said. “I was never told what I could or could not record and was immensely supported by Joe Galante.
“I wanted to have songs on the radio and I wanted to have songs that mattered, and you allowed me to do both,” she concluded.
Music industry executive and former chairman of Sony Music Nashville Joe Galante presented Martina McBride with the 2017 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award.
Photo: Angelea Presti
Each of the honorees and/or the colleagues and family members honoring them mentioned highlights and funny tales from their lengthy careers in radio.
The late Joe Formicola son Joseph recalled how Formicola made an on-air plea to large businesses in Detroit, asking for a $10,000 check from the community to benefit cancer research. Within moments of making that on-air plea, a check had been delivered to the radio station.
Mac Daniels introduced Charlie Ochs, and recalled how when Ochs was on-air in the Washington, D.C. area, then-President George H.W. Bush’s security detail would call and request recordings of Charlie’s on-air work for Bush to listen to when he traveled outside of the Washington area.
Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, Mike Dungan, was recognized as the recipient of the 2017 CRB President’s Award. Photo: Angelea Presti
Kid Rock made a special appearance to honor Linda Lee, who recently died after a battle with cancer. “We were a tight community and I became friends with Linda,” he said. “She was happy as hell all the time. I was in touch with her throughout her battle. I knew she was a fan of me, but I was a fan of hers.”
The Good Morning Guys’ Bryan Gary ended the evening a fiery, impassioned acceptance speech.
“Every one of us in this room is in the coolest damn industry. We set the mood for the day for listeners. We play music and talk about things. I want to give [listeners] something they haven’t had. It’s because of country music that we have a door to the listeners.”
NSAI’s ‘Songs I Wish I’d Written’ Voting Begins Next Week
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 165-song ballot is comprised of Nashville-associated songs that charted in Billboard Airplay Top 20 on the Alternative, Christian, Country, Pop and Rock charts between July 1, 2016 and June 30, 2017 and must not have been awarded the previous year. The song that receives the highest number of votes will be NSAI’s 50th Song of the Year.
Voting is open to current Professional Songwriter Members of NSAI and will run from Monday, June 26 through Sunday, July 9.
NSAI will recognize the 10 Songs I Wish I’d Written, NSAI Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter-Artist of the Year awards at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Gala on Sunday October 23, 2017.
For more information on voting or NSAI Professional Membership please contact Shelby Yoder at shelby@nashvillesongwriters.com.
Carrie Underwood To Receive Star On Hollywood Walk Of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood is among the artists who will receive a star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame as part of the Class of 2018.
She joins recording artists including Mary J. Blige, Sir Richard Branson, Petula Clark, Harry Connick, Jr., Ice-T, Snoop Dog, and “Weird Al” Yankovic.
Film and television stars who are part of the Hollywood Walk of Fame’s Class of 2018 include RuPaul, Jennifer Lawrence, Jack Black, Lynda Carter, American Idol’s Simon Cowell, television producer Shonda Rhimes, and Taraji P. Henson.
“The Walk of Fame Selection Committee is pleased to announce our newest honorees to the Hollywood Walk of Fame. The Committee looked carefully at each nominee and we feel that we have selected an eclectic group of talent that will appeal to the tastes of many fans around the world,” Vin Di Bona, chairman of the selection committee for 2017, said. “As a Walk of Famer myself, I know these honorees will remember the dedication of their stars with great memories and will be proud that they are part of Hollywood’s history now and forever. We look forward to their big day as the Walk of Fame Class of 2018 becomes cemented one by one on the most famous sidewalk in the world!”
Anyone can nominate a celebrity to be considered for a star on the Walk of Fame, though a Chamber of Commerce committee handles final selections. Once selected, the Walk of Fame honorees, or a sponsoring studio, are required to pay $40,000 for the Walk of Fame star ceremony. The funds are used to pay for the creation and installation of the star, as well as for maintenance.
Dates have not been set for the Class of 2018 star ceremonies, which must be scheduled within two years from the selection date.
Weekly Chart Report 6/23/17
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Kenny Chesney Enlists Belmont University, MTSU Students For New Music Video, Offers $5,000 Scholarship
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney. Photo: Allister Ann
Kenny Chesney is calling on Nashville college students from Belmont University and Middle Tennessee State University to create the music video for his latest single, “All The Pretty Girls.”
Chesney is inviting any student from the two universities to submit a video they’ve created for the song, including lyric videos, live action, notion, animation and more.
“Get creative. Get real. Get inside the song, and show us how ‘All The Pretty Girls’ looks, feels, and resolves,” Chesney says. “I wanna help a student filmmaker with school. And I want to give people a chance to get creative this summer.”
The winning entry – chosen by a panel from Sony Nashville, CMT: Country Music Television and Chesney’s team – will receive a $5000 scholarship, as well as having their video world premiere on CMT: Country Music Television.
While the song’s video could have easily been a nostalgic look at his own college days, Chesney instead wanted to spotlight the youth of today.
“The best moments of being young and having fun should be captured,” says the songwriter from East Tennessee. “But nobody ever talks to the people who are right in the moment of living it about this kind of thing. Rather than look back, we oughta just go to the people living it.
“I remember driving over the state line to West Virginia, playing in a restaurant, breaking down, driving back and parking in the music store lot, so I could turn in the sound system and get to class,” Chesney says. “When you have a dream, you’ll do whatever it takes. I’d like to bring some college students a little bit closer than I got… and I can’t wait to see the creativity everyone brings to this song.”
Belmont and MTSU students can click here: KennyChesneyAllThePrettyGirls.com. Contest deadline is July 23. Winner will be announced July 31.
Black River Publishing’s Dave Pacula Promoted To VP
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Pacula
Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr announced the promotion of Dave Pacula from Creative Director to Vice President of Black River Publishing.
“Black River Publishing is in good hands with Dave Pacula,” says Kerr. “His dedication to our Black River family and to the art of songwriting is refreshing! The team of writers and staff that he has continued to assemble is truly incredible. I can’t wait to see where all of this leads!”
Excited about the work ahead, Pacula added, “This promotion is a true honor. I’m very grateful to Gordon Kerr and the whole Black River family for the opportunity to work alongside some of the most talented and innovative songwriters and executives in the industry.”
Nearing three years with Black River Entertainment, the New York native is a graduate of Vanderbilt University and has an audio technology diploma from SAE Institute of Technology. Previous posts include five years at Universal Music Publishing Group as Creative Manager and most recently serving as the Creative Director at Ten Ten Music Group.
Reporting to Gordon Kerr, Pacula can be reached at dpacula@blackriverent.com or by phone at 615-780-3070 x 6218.
FBMM Names Marty Craighead Office Manager, Adds Account Assistants
/by Sarah SkatesCraighead, a Nashville native, joins FBMM after spending five years as an executive assistant at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center. She has also worked as an executive assistant at ASCAP and as a manager of administrative services at Universal Records South. She graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.S. degree in political science. She is a member of SOURCE and founding member and former board member of the Nashville Association of Professional Recording Services.
Tim Tighe, a native of Columbus, Ohio, previously worked as an executive talent producer at Variety Award Television and as the sales and marketing director at L.A. Exposures. He is a 2010 graduate of Ohio University with a BSS degree in music business.
Jason Lorenzon, a native of Spotswood, N.J., graduated this spring from Belmont University with a degree in business with an emphasis in accounting. Prior to joining FBMM, he completed internships with Faulkner, Mackie & Cochran, P.C., and Capstone Business Advisors. He also worked as an accounting consultant for Burning River Booking. During his time at Belmont, he served as VP of professional services for Belmont’s chapter of Beta Alpha Psi.
“Marty, Jason and Tim are great additions to our team,” said Jamie Cheek, president of FBMM. “They each bring valuable skills and experience that will translate into excellent work for our clients and company.”
[Update]: Arrangements For Nashville Music Industry Executive Bob Heatherly
/by Lorie HollabaughA celebration of life for late industry executive Bob Heatherly will be held in Nashville on Monday, July 17 at 4:00 pm at Green Door Gourmet’s Grand Barn (7007 River Road Pk).
Burial will take place in Arkansas, with arrangements by Jackson’s Newport Funeral Home in Newport, Ark. Visitation will be at the funeral home Friday, June 23, 5:30-7:00 p.m. Graveside services are 10:00 a.m. Saturday, June 24 at Remmel-McCall Cemetery. Details here.
In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the T.J. Martell Foundation, 1114 17th Ave. S., Suite 101, Nashville, TN, 37212.
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Beloved longtime Nashville industry executive Bob Heatherly has passed away. The well-known industry personality spent years working at various labels in town including positions at Columbia Records and as VP/Sales & Promotion at Atlantic Records prior to joining country legend Charley Pride in launching Music City Records. Prior to retiring, Heatherly served as President and CEO of the indie label.
Heatherly is survived by his wife Laura and could often be found by her side as she worked tirelessly on behalf of the T.J. Martell Foundation in its efforts to discover groundbreaking cancer research and patient treatments. The Newport, Arkansas, native called Nashville his home for over 40 years, and a celebration of life service will be held in Nashville at a later date which will be announced. A family service is being held at Jackson Funeral Home in Arkansas.
Michael Sloane To Head Strategy For VIP Ticketing And Meet-And-Greet Agency Wonderful Union
/by Eric T. ParkerMichael Sloane
Michael Sloane, formerly of Hill Entertainment Group and Big Machine Label Group, has moved to Wonderful Union to oversee business strategy and organization at the agency.
Wonderful Union is a global fan engagement agency which handles VIP ticketing initiatives, exclusive meet-and-greets, design and development and other events for Taylor Swift, Justin Bieber, Drake, Justin Timberlake, Lady Antebellum, Backstreet Boys and more.
Sloane will manage the multi-tiered agency’s mergers & acquisitions, operations, partnerships & sponsorships and sales, allowing the company to continue growing domestically and overseas. Wonderful Union has fully-staffed offices in Hamburg, Los Angeles, Nashville, Tokyo, and Toronto.
“I’ve worked closely with Eddie [Meehan] and Wonderful Union in other capacities throughout my career and have been amazed by their continued innovation and expansion of services in an ever changing marketplace,” says Sloane. “I am thrilled to be a part of the team and look forward to helping the company continue to grow and expand while continuing the high quality service clients have come to expect from Wonderful Union.”
Meehan adds “We are very excited to welcome Michael to the Wonderful Union team. He’s one of the best digital strategists in the industry and his capabilities will undoubtedly be a great resource for our employees and clients worldwide.”
Alex Williams’ Big Machine Debut Set For August Release
/by Lorie HollabaughThe project was produced by Julian Raymond, recorded live, and tracked in just two days. That kind of take-no-prisoners, throttle-up intensity sets the tone for the project, which is colored throughout by Williams’ fierce independent streak.
“It seems like there’s a lot of people out there just trying to get through the day,” reflects Williams. “They’re working a job they don’t love or following somebody else’s dreams just because it’s safe and it keeps them comfortable. I didn’t want to be like that.”
BETTER THAN MYSELF Track List:
1. “Better Than Myself” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
2. “Hellbent Hallelujah” | Alex Williams, Neal Coty, Jimmy Melton
3. “More Than Survival” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
4. “Freak Flag” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
5. “Week Without A Drink” | Alex Williams, Brandon Kinney, Jimmy Yeary
6. “A Little Too Stoned” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
7. “Old Tattoo” | Alex Williams
8. “Strange Days” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
9. “Pay No Mind” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
10. “Can’t Get Enough Of You” | Alex Williams, Marshall Altman
11. “Few Short Miles (Bobby’s Song)” | Alex Williams
12. “Last Cross” | Alex Williams, Greg Becker
Country Radio Hall Of Fame Inducts Class Of 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): 2017 Class of Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees: Mel Owens, Charlie Ochs, Todd Harding (The Good Morning Guys), Susan Moore (The Good Morning Guys), Brian Gary (The Good Morning Guys), Tim Closson, and Jim Mantel. Photo: Angelea Presti
The elite of country music’s radio industry gathered on Wednesday (June 21) to celebrate the induction of the Country Radio Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017.
This year’s Country Radio Hall of Fame inductees included Tim Closson, the late Joe Wade Formicola, Mel Owens, Jim Mantel, Charlie Ochs, the late Linda Lee, and Good Morning Guys’ Susan Moore, Brian Gary, and Todd Harding. Each nominee for induction into the Country Radio Hall of Fame must have at least 20 years experience in radio, with 15 of those being in the country genre.
Country Radio Broadcasters Board Vice President and All Access Country Editor R.J. Curtis welcomed guests to the Country Radio Hall of Fame induction ceremony.
“It validates their career and life’s work,” he said of the honor’s impact on honorees. “It’s better than giving away a car or $10,000.”
UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, who was the first label head to serve on the Board of the Country Radio Broadcasters, was honored with with the President’s Award. He is the third active board member to receive the President’s Award in the 20-year history.
Dungan recalled the impact of country radio, and especially the Country Radio Seminar on artists’ careers, detailing how an early performance from Keith Urban at Country Radio Seminar launched a career filled with numerous chart toppers, including his most recent, “Blue Ain’t Your Color.”
Martina McBride was honored with the Career Achievement Award, commemorating a career that includes six No. 1 hits, 14 Grammy nominations and nearly 20 million albums sold.
McBride thanked numerous radio programmers and label promoters who have been part of her career from the beginning. She also thanked former label head Joe Galante for his long-term support of her career.
“One time he came to see a show, and he commented that all my songs really sound and feel like me,” she said. “I was never told what I could or could not record and was immensely supported by Joe Galante.
“I wanted to have songs on the radio and I wanted to have songs that mattered, and you allowed me to do both,” she concluded.
Music industry executive and former chairman of Sony Music Nashville Joe Galante presented Martina McBride with the 2017 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award.
Photo: Angelea Presti
Each of the honorees and/or the colleagues and family members honoring them mentioned highlights and funny tales from their lengthy careers in radio.
The late Joe Formicola son Joseph recalled how Formicola made an on-air plea to large businesses in Detroit, asking for a $10,000 check from the community to benefit cancer research. Within moments of making that on-air plea, a check had been delivered to the radio station.
Mac Daniels introduced Charlie Ochs, and recalled how when Ochs was on-air in the Washington, D.C. area, then-President George H.W. Bush’s security detail would call and request recordings of Charlie’s on-air work for Bush to listen to when he traveled outside of the Washington area.
Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, Mike Dungan, was recognized as the recipient of the 2017 CRB President’s Award. Photo: Angelea Presti
Kid Rock made a special appearance to honor Linda Lee, who recently died after a battle with cancer. “We were a tight community and I became friends with Linda,” he said. “She was happy as hell all the time. I was in touch with her throughout her battle. I knew she was a fan of me, but I was a fan of hers.”
The Good Morning Guys’ Bryan Gary ended the evening a fiery, impassioned acceptance speech.
“Every one of us in this room is in the coolest damn industry. We set the mood for the day for listeners. We play music and talk about things. I want to give [listeners] something they haven’t had. It’s because of country music that we have a door to the listeners.”