Pictured (Back Row, L-R): Craig Havighurst, Will Hoge, Stephen Mougin, Jim VanCleve, Randy Kohrs, Mike Bub; (Second Row, L-R): Laurie Gregory, Jenni Lyn, Richard Bailey, Alison Brown, Tammy Rogers, Mike Farris, Suzy Bogguss, John Walker. (Front Row, L-R): Keith Bilbrey, Jim Lauderdale. Photo: Shelley Swanger
A number of roots artists were on hand to help switch WMOT-FM to the Americana format on Friday morning (Sept. 2) during a celebratory event at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. WMOT-FM/Roots Radio 89.5, is a 100,000 watt station operated by Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro. It’s the first station in the region dedicated to Americana and roots music.
John Walker and Todd Mayo, executive producers of radio program Music City Roots, have partnered with WMOT to assist with programming the music, in addition to educating MTSU students about running a radio station.
Welcoming remarks at the event were given by Ken Paulson, Dean, College of Media and Entertainment, as well as Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, President of MTSU. Radio personality Keith Bilbrey provided an introduction to the program.
That was followed by a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” by the Roots Radio All-Star Band, composed of bassist Mike Bub, Dobro player Randy Kohrs, banjo player Alison Brown, fiddler Tammy Rogers and banjo player Richard Bailey (both of The SteelDrivers), fiddler Jim Van Cleve, acoustic guitarist Stephen Mougin, and mandolin player Jenni Lyn.
Jim Lauderdale gave artist introductions, including one for Will Hoge, who performed “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”
MTSU’s Val Hoeppner, who is executive director of WMOT and director, Center of Innovation in Media, spoke about the university’s partnerships, while senior producer/journalist Craig Havighurst explained the station’s concept. The closing jam offered music from Lauderdale, the Roots Radio All-Star Band, and special guests Suzy Bogguss, Mike Farris and Will Hoge.
The event concluded with WMOT program director Jessie Scott officially launching the station and broadcasting live with an interview with Americana Music Association’s Jed Hilly. The first song played on the air was “Hurry Up Sunrise” by Luther Dickinson.
Pictured (clockwise from far left): Mike Farris, Mike Bub, Stephen Mougin, Jim Lauderdale, Jenni Lyn, Randy Kohrs, Alison Brown, Richard Bailey, Jim Van Cleve, Tammy Rogers. Photo: Shelley Swanger
Avenue Bank Takes Pinnacle Name
/by Craig_ShelburneA sign at the Green Hills office reveals that Avenue Bank has taken the Pinnacle name.
Following a merger, Avenue Bank officially changed its name and identity to Pinnacle Bank on Tuesday (Sept. 6), in a sign unveiling event at the combined firm’s Green Hills office.
“Together, Pinnacle and Avenue are truly Nashville’s bank,” said M. Terry Turner, president and CEO of Pinnacle Financial Partners. “I’m excited about the growth opportunities we have moving forward as one team, such as building out a national franchise focused on the music industry.”
“Pinnacle and Avenue have both been recognized as great places to work, and joining forces will make us even better,” said Ronald L. Samuels, Avenue’s former chairman and CEO who now serves as Pinnacle’s vice chairman. “We have found that high levels of associate engagement lead to excellent client service and high stock performance.”
Clients from both firms will enjoy more benefits as a result of the integration, including the convenience of accessing an additional Nashville office at Cummins Station, as well as Pinnacle’s other locations in 14 counties across the state.
Avenue Financial Holdings, Inc. (“Avenue”) was merged with Pinnacle Financial Partners, Inc. (“Pinnacle”) on July 1, 2016, giving the firm combined assets of more than $10.5 billion. In connection with the merger, Avenue Bank, Avenue’s wholly owned bank subsidiary, merged with and into Pinnacle Bank, Pinnacle’s wholly owned bank subsidiary. Avenue had continued to operate under its brand until the systems and operations of the companies were totally integrated with Pinnacle.
Pinnacle and Avenue announced the intent to merge on Jan. 28, 2016.
Pinnacle Financial Partners provides a full range of banking, investment, trust, mortgage and insurance products and services designed for businesses and their owners and individuals interested in a comprehensive relationship with their financial institution. The American Banker recognized Pinnacle as the sixth best bank to work for in the country in 2016.
The firm began operations in a single downtown Nashville location in October 2000 and has since grown to approximately $9.7 billion in assets at June 30, 2016. As the second-largest bank holding company headquartered in Tennessee, Pinnacle operates in the state’s four largest markets, Nashville, Memphis, Knoxville and Chattanooga, as well as several surrounding counties.
Tucker Beathard Plans EP, Earns MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin
/by Craig_ShelburneTucker Beathard. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Tucker Beathard offered an acoustic preview of his upcoming EP on Tuesday (Sept. 6) at a luncheon at Saint Añejo. That project, titled Fight Like Hell, will be released on Oct. 7 on Dot Records, an imprint of Big Machine Label Group.
Beathard accompanied himself on guitar for performances of “Momma and Jesus,” “20-10 Tennessee,” “I’ll Take on the World With You,” “Fight Like Hell,” and his debut single, “Rock On.” All five songs, plus “Home Sweet USA,” will be featured on the EP. Beathard co-wrote every track on the project.
Following the performance, Beathard accepted his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for “Rock On,” which is this week’s No. 1 song on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Since 2014, every artist and songwriter to earn a No. 1 single on that chart receives a coin.
Tucker Beathard. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Steven Curtis Chapman Will Release Memoir In March 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonBetween Heaven & the Real World chronicles Chapman’s childhood in Kentucky, his rise as an artist and songwriter, and his family life and 32-year marriage to Mary Beth Chapman.
This August he will kick off the second leg of the SCC3D: Third Day Together with Steven Curtis Chapman Tour, then September through October will bring Chapman’s Songs & Stories Tour with Mac Powell from Third Day and Brandon Heath.
A vocal supporter of adoption, Chapman and his wife founded Show Hope in 2003, a nonprofit organization that helps restore the hope of a family to orphans.
Chapman announced the news via a fun social media photo with his family.
Pictured (L-R): Caleb Chapman (Chapman’s son); Della Richards (Chapman’s granddaughter); Steven Curtis Chapman; Mary Beth Chapman; Emily Richards (Chapman’s daughter); Eiley (Chapman’s granddaughter); Will Chapman (Chapman’s son).
CMA Foundation Donates To Music Programs Affected By Louisiana Floods
/by Eric T. ParkerKix Brooks (center) gathers with event organizers Chris Foreman (left) and Wayne Toups at #AcadianaStrong, a concert to benefit flood victims in South Louisiana. Photo: Scott Clause
On behalf of the CMA Foundation, Kix Brooks has announced a donation of $30,000 to music education initiatives that have been affected by recent flooding in Baton Rouge, Louisiana.
Brooks, a Shreveport native who also serves on the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, made the announcement Sunday (Sept. 3) during his set at the “Acadiana Strong” benefit concert for flood victims held in Opelousas, Louisiana.
“I’m very proud of the CMA Foundation and what they’ve done for music education around the country,” said Brooks. “We sometimes don’t realize until a disaster of this magnitude happens how important it is to be able to rebuild music programs that otherwise may take years to rebuild. Being from Louisiana, this is heartfelt appreciation just knowing what the folks in my home state are going through.”
Funds will be donated to Music Rising, an organization that responds specifically to the emergency needs of schools in communities that are devastated by a natural or economic disaster taking away their ability to teach music.
“The Edge (U2) and I are truly thankful to the CMA Foundation and all its members for supporting Music Rising, especially at this time when there is so much need being created by natural and economic disasters all across the country,” said music producer Bob Ezrin, co-founder of Music Rising. “I am particularly proud that this comes from the great city where I reside–Nashville!”
This donation brings the CMA Foundation’s total contributions in Louisiana to $325,000. Current grant recipients include Notes for Notes, the New Orleans Jazz & Heritage Foundation, and VH1 Save The Music, which is rebuilding music education programs in Saint John the Baptist Parish Public Schools.
Arista Nashville Signs Seth Ennis, Releases “Woke Up In Nashville”
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Noah McPike, Almon & McPike PLLC; Lou Taylor, Tri Star Sports and Entertainment Group; Taylor Lindsey, Sony Music Nashville; Paul Barnabee, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Sony Music Nashville; Jim Catino. Sony Music Nashville; Seth Ennis; Steve Hodges, Sony Music Nashville; Jason Owen, Sandbox Entertainment; Ken Robold, Sony Music Nashville; Katie Admire, Sandbox Entertainment; Josh Easler, Sony Music Nashville.
Sony Music Nashville has signed Seth Ennis to the Arista Nashville roster, and has immediately released Ennis’ debut track, “Woke Up In Nashville.”
“I’m so excited about Seth and his music,” says Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. “He represents everything good about our format and its future; young, energetic, incredible songwriter and performer. He’s the whole package and the real deal!”
Co-written by Ennis, David Hodges and Blair Daly and produced by Corey Crowder, “Woke Up In Nashville” showcases the 23-year-old’s versatile musicianship, as Ennis plays all instruments and sings all vocals on the track.
As the middle son of a military colonel, he honed his talents growing up around the world – spending time in Georgia, Alabama, Washington D.C. and Japan before age 16. Ennis moved to Nashville in 2013. By 2015, he had signed with Scott Ponce and Crowder at Liz Rose Music/Warner Chappell Music, teamed up with Marc Dennis and Sabrina Butera at Creative Artist Agency and is managed by Jason Owen at Sandbox Entertainment.
Seth Ennis
‘MusicRow’ Job Opening: Graphic Design/Production Manager
/by Craig_ShelburneMusicRow, Nashville’s music industry publication, is seeking a Graphic Design & Production Manager. This position is responsible for all aspects of layout and design for print issues and websites, as well as management of advertisements and other duties listed below. The ideal candidate will have an impressive skill set, strong creative ability and enjoy working in a fun environment.
Job Requirements
• Degree/Education in graphic design
• Demonstrated proficiency in Adobe InDesign and Photoshop is required
• Experience utilizing WordPress is preferred
• Strong organizational skills
• Dependability is a must
• 1-3 years job experience is preferred
• Creative and technical ability to do editorial layout and design
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills
• Experience with Final Cut Pro, GarageBand, and Illustrator is preferred but not required
• Must have strong project management skills, be deadline-driven and enjoy working with a team
• Microsoft Office suite skills are required
Job Duties
• All aspects of layout and design for print issues and websites
• Management of all advertisements for print issues and websites
• Sending twice-daily news emails
• Photography/video of events and artist visits (including video editing)
• Other duties (i.e., archiving files, creating plaques, radio chart, and more)
Send resume (with salary requirement/range) and online portfolio to jobs@musicrow.com
Candidates must be eligible to work in the U.S. for any employer.
We are an Equal Opportunity Employer.
Nashville Film Festival Announces Inaugural Song Competition
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic producer Timbaland, Worldwide Executive and President of Music for Electronic Arts Steve Schnur, and ABC Studios’ Sr. VP, TV Music Dawn Solér have all signed on as competition jurors.
Timbaland has worked with artists including Justin Timberlake, Aaliyah, Destiny’s Child, Missy Elliott, Ludacris, Jay-Z, Snoop Dogg and more. Schnur spearheads Electronic Arts, the largest video game producer in the world, and home to titles including Madden NFL, FIFA, Battlefield and The Sims. A longtime veteran of the music industry, Schnur held executive positions with labels Arista, Elektra, Chrysalis and Capitol. Solér oversees the music content for shows such as Nashville, Blackish, Once Upon a Time, Scandal and Quantico. She is founder of the ABC Music Lounge and has produced three Nashville: On The Record network specials.
Three winners will receive consulting from the 2017 NashFilm music supervisors. Additionally, NashFilm will pitch the winning entries to label and publishing representatives in Nashville and other music industry hubs. Additional prizes include a consultation with 1Band1Brand, full access to the Nashville Film Festival, a Gibson guitar and more prizes to be announced soon.
The first place winner will receive one roundtrip flight to Nashville and a two-night complimentary hotel stay.
WMOT-FM Flips Switch To Americana At CMHoF Event
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (Back Row, L-R): Craig Havighurst, Will Hoge, Stephen Mougin, Jim VanCleve, Randy Kohrs, Mike Bub; (Second Row, L-R): Laurie Gregory, Jenni Lyn, Richard Bailey, Alison Brown, Tammy Rogers, Mike Farris, Suzy Bogguss, John Walker. (Front Row, L-R): Keith Bilbrey, Jim Lauderdale. Photo: Shelley Swanger
A number of roots artists were on hand to help switch WMOT-FM to the Americana format on Friday morning (Sept. 2) during a celebratory event at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. WMOT-FM/Roots Radio 89.5, is a 100,000 watt station operated by Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) in Murfreesboro. It’s the first station in the region dedicated to Americana and roots music.
John Walker and Todd Mayo, executive producers of radio program Music City Roots, have partnered with WMOT to assist with programming the music, in addition to educating MTSU students about running a radio station.
Welcoming remarks at the event were given by Ken Paulson, Dean, College of Media and Entertainment, as well as Dr. Sidney A. McPhee, President of MTSU. Radio personality Keith Bilbrey provided an introduction to the program.
That was followed by a performance of Aaron Copland’s “Hoedown” by the Roots Radio All-Star Band, composed of bassist Mike Bub, Dobro player Randy Kohrs, banjo player Alison Brown, fiddler Tammy Rogers and banjo player Richard Bailey (both of The SteelDrivers), fiddler Jim Van Cleve, acoustic guitarist Stephen Mougin, and mandolin player Jenni Lyn.
Jim Lauderdale gave artist introductions, including one for Will Hoge, who performed “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”
MTSU’s Val Hoeppner, who is executive director of WMOT and director, Center of Innovation in Media, spoke about the university’s partnerships, while senior producer/journalist Craig Havighurst explained the station’s concept. The closing jam offered music from Lauderdale, the Roots Radio All-Star Band, and special guests Suzy Bogguss, Mike Farris and Will Hoge.
The event concluded with WMOT program director Jessie Scott officially launching the station and broadcasting live with an interview with Americana Music Association’s Jed Hilly. The first song played on the air was “Hurry Up Sunrise” by Luther Dickinson.
Pictured (clockwise from far left): Mike Farris, Mike Bub, Stephen Mougin, Jim Lauderdale, Jenni Lyn, Randy Kohrs, Alison Brown, Richard Bailey, Jim Van Cleve, Tammy Rogers. Photo: Shelley Swanger
BMLG’s Jake Basden Honored By University Of Oklahoma
/by Jessica NicholsonJake Basden. Photo: BMLG
Big Machine Label Group’s Jake Basden is being honored by the University of Oklahoma with the 2016 Regent’s Young Alumni Award. In 2015, Basden was named BMLG’s vice president of publicity and corporate communications. He joined the label group in 2011.
The award is the second-highest honor bestowed upon alumni at OU and honors the important roles of OU alumni and supporters to the life of the university.
A 2006 graduate of OU, Basden has also been named to the University’s Gaylord College of Journalism & Mass Communications Board of Visitors. He will deliver a commencement speech for journalism school’s December convocation.
Industry Ink: Belmont University, AmericanaFest, Silverado Records
/by Jessica NicholsonBelmont University Selects Inaugural Recipient Of Miranda Lambert “Women Creators” Scholarship
Anna Vaus
Belmont University Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business student Anna Vaus has been selected as the first-ever recipient of the ‘Women Creators’ scholarship, established in 2015 by Miranda Lambert.
The scholarship was created to honor a female Belmont student who is majoring in music business, songwriting or entertainment industry studies, and is actively working towards pursuing her dream of working in the music industry. The scholarship will provide Vaus with more than $40,000 in scholarship funds beginning in the 2016-2017 academic year.
Originally from San Diego, Vaus was inspired toward music early on from her father, Grammy-winning artist, Steve Vaus (also known as Buck Howdy.) She has opened for Hunter Hayes, Lonestar, Billy Ray Cyrus, LeAnn Womack and Phil Vassar, and made her Bluebird Cafe debut in February. Vaus is currently a junior at Belmont, majoring in songwriting with a minor in music business.
Lambert established the Women Creators scholarship in an effort to encourage outstanding women to follow their passions and pursue careers in the music industry. Eighty candidates completed an online application and submitted original music. The Curb College had a selection committee review the applications and the top six finalists were sent for Lambert’s review.
AmericanaFest Announces Radio Panels
Americana Music Festival & Conference has announced is initial lineup of radio panels. Panels will focus on topics including making a transition from Americana to AAA, AMA chart mechanics, attracting younger audiences to Americana radio, managing volunteers, adapting to the digital delivery of music and working with on-air programming software options.
An additional panel will focus on how radio stations can partner with local and online retail to spread their brands. The Songlines Music Meeting will allow attendees to participate in a simulated Music Meeting, to listen to a dozen mostly yet-to-be-released new songs that the room will score and discuss in detail. Radio, TV, and internet programmers will discuss why they make the choices they make.
AmericanaFest will take place Sept. 20-25 in Nashville. To register, visit eventbrite.com.
Silverado Records Signs Melissa Mickelson
Melissa Mickelson
Silverado Records has signed Melissa Mickelson. The label will re-release her 2015 self-titled EP, which features a rendition of the Barbara Mandrell classic “I Was Country (When Country Wasn’t Cool).” A new EP is slated to release in 2017.
“Melissa is an incredibly fun and energetic personality, and we’ve really enjoyed getting to know her,” said Silverado Records A&R Director Aaron Chesling. “We can’t wait to share with you some new music she’s been working on, and letting her amazing personality bubble through the music,” he added.
“Melissa’s next project is setting up to be a very fun and realistic look at who she is as a person, and we couldn’t be more excited about that,” said Silverado Records CEO Scott Thomas. “The more you get to know her, the more you want to hang out with her and hear what she’s working on musically. Our team is very excited to be a part of growing her fan base and sharing some great Country music from her,” he said.
Mickelson added, “I am so excited to join the Silverado Records family! It is a dream come true to have found a place where I can be myself and allow my music to reflect who I really am. They’re an amazing team of people who believe in me. Working together, I can’t wait to see what the future holds.”