Tom Moran
has been named Vice President of Promotion for I.R.S. Nashville Records, announced label President
John Grady.
“I am so proud to announce the addition of Tom to our I.R.S. team,” Grady said. “I have always felt that he is the best face-to-face promotion man I have ever met. We will try to make some more musical history together.”
Most recently, Moran was Senior Vice President of Promotion and Marketing for Nine North Records. His career has included stints as Vice President of Promotion for Show Dog Records and Epic Records, as well as promotion positions with Columbia Nashville, Warner Bros. Nashville, Equity Records and Polydor Nashville, following successful stints in the pop music world with Arista and Geffen Records.
Throughout his career, Moran has worked with artists including
Aerosmith,
Aretha Franklin,
Faith Hill,
Randy Travis,
Whitney Houston,
Toby Keith,
Guns N’ Roses,
Gretchen Wilson and
Travis Tritt. Moran, who began his career in the charts department at
Billboard, worked with Grady at Sony Music Nashville.
“There isn’t a better music executive in Nashville than John Grady,” Moran said. “Factor in the iconic I.R.S. brand and a solid parent like Capitol LA and I couldn’t be more excited!”
I.R.S. was launched in 1979 by Miles Copeland III, Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. The label was shuttered in 1996 and revived in 2011 as a joint venture between EMI Music North American and Crush Management.
Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, created I.R.S. Nashville in 2013. I.R.S. Nashville’s first artist signing is duo Striking Matches whose upcoming debut album will be released first quarter 2015.
Nine North Promotes Jeff Davis To VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonJeff Davis
Nine North/Turnpike Music has promoted Jeff Davis to the role of VP, Promotion & Marketing, effective immediately.
Davis’ industry career has included radio gigs in Gainesville, Charlotte, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville, before he switched over to radio promotion. Nine North Records/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music was launched by Larry Pareigis in 2007 as Nashville’s first virtual label. The company has worked with Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Monroe, Joey+Rory, Court Yard Hounds, and others.
“I’m honored to be chosen to step up,” says Davis. “Larry and Kevin have built an amazing team, and their vision and passion inspires me on a daily basis! I look forward to all that we have on the horizon in 2015 and beyond!”
Davis can be reached at jeff@ninenorthmail.com.
iHeartMedia Announces Sale Of Radio Towers For $400 Million
/by Sherod RobertsoniHeartMedia, Inc., (previously known as Clear Channel), announced today the sale of a select portfolio of its tower assets to Vertical Bridge for up to $400 million. The transaction is subject to due diligence and other customary closing conditions.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015 and the company will subsequently enter into a lease with respect to the sold tower assets so its broadcast operations will continue without interruption.
“This is a great example of how we continue to optimize our balance sheet and maximize liquidity — and how we continually review our entire portfolio of assets to ensure we operate them in the most efficient way possible and invest our resources in the highest return opportunities,” said Richard J. Bressler, President and Chief Financial Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.
The buyer, Vertical Bridge Holdings, is a privately-owned real estate investment trust focused on the ownership of wireless communication towers in the U.S.
Tom Moran Named To VP Role at I.R.S. Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Moran
Tom Moran has been named Vice President of Promotion for I.R.S. Nashville Records, announced label President John Grady.
“I am so proud to announce the addition of Tom to our I.R.S. team,” Grady said. “I have always felt that he is the best face-to-face promotion man I have ever met. We will try to make some more musical history together.”
Most recently, Moran was Senior Vice President of Promotion and Marketing for Nine North Records. His career has included stints as Vice President of Promotion for Show Dog Records and Epic Records, as well as promotion positions with Columbia Nashville, Warner Bros. Nashville, Equity Records and Polydor Nashville, following successful stints in the pop music world with Arista and Geffen Records.
Throughout his career, Moran has worked with artists including Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Whitney Houston, Toby Keith, Guns N’ Roses, Gretchen Wilson and Travis Tritt. Moran, who began his career in the charts department at Billboard, worked with Grady at Sony Music Nashville.
“There isn’t a better music executive in Nashville than John Grady,” Moran said. “Factor in the iconic I.R.S. brand and a solid parent like Capitol LA and I couldn’t be more excited!”
I.R.S. was launched in 1979 by Miles Copeland III, Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. The label was shuttered in 1996 and revived in 2011 as a joint venture between EMI Music North American and Crush Management.
Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, created I.R.S. Nashville in 2013. I.R.S. Nashville’s first artist signing is duo Striking Matches whose upcoming debut album will be released first quarter 2015.
Joe Nichols Signs with WME
/by Jessica NicholsonJoe Nichols
Red Bow recording artist Joe Nichols has signed with WME, MusicRow has confirmed. Nichols is managed by Triple 8 Management.
He recently celebrated the success of “Yeah,” the single which follows his No. 1 hit “Sunny and 75” and is his second consecutive No. 1 hit from his critically acclaimed album Crickets.
His new single “Hard To Be Cool” is now climbing the charts at country radio.
Carrie Underwood Launches Fitness Lifestyle Brand With NYC Press Event
/by Kelsey_GradyCarrie Underwood with emcee Alicia Quarles and DICK’s Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott at press event in New York City for the unveiling of CALIA by Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood unveiled CALIA by Carrie Underwood, a fitness lifestyle apparel brand, during a press conference in New York City. The clothing line will be sold exclusively at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores nationwide and online beginning March 2015.
CALIA by Carrie Underwood is designed for today’s woman who embrace an active lifestyle and demands more versatility from her wardrobe. The fitness line features high-quality garments built to support the female body in motion, incorporating functional details and performance-driven fabrics.
“It has been such a rewarding experience working with DICK’S Sporting Goods on all aspects of the design process for CALIA, from choosing fabrics to making sure the look, feel and fit is right for active women,” said Underwood. “The inspiration for this line came from my desire to have clothes that seamlessly take me from workouts, to errands, to rehearsals and beyond. As someone who is passionate about health and fitness, I’m excited to offer women a wardrobe that will move with them and encourage them to stay the path of leading an active lifestyle.”
“We are proud to be working with Carrie on this exciting new line,” said Lauren Hobart, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “From the very beginning of our partnership, we aligned with Carrie around a vision to provide fitness apparel and accessories that are as versatile as they are functional. The result is a collection that will truly fit the incredibly busy lives of active women.”
Carrie Underwood with DICK’s Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott
'Forbes' Ranks World's Highest-Paid Musicians
/by Sarah SkatesToby Keith claimed the No. 10 spot, and the highest among his country peers, by raking in $65 million.
Kenny Chesney brought in $44 million, swimming in to the No. 22 spot.
Jason Aldean is No. 24 on the list with $37 million in earnings.
Luke Bryan earned $34 million and landed at No. 28.
Kingpin Dr. Dre was miles away from his runners-up, securing the No. 1 spot with $620 million, due Apple’s $3 billion purchase of Beats. According to the magazine, this is largest single-year haul of any musician, ever.
Former Nashvillians Taylor Swift and Miley Cyrus scored spots on the list. Swift’s $64 million put her at No. 11, and Cyrus’ $36 million scooted her to No. 26.
Methodology: In forming this year’s list, Forbes considered income from touring, recorded music, publishing, merchandise sales, endorsements and other ventures. Management, agent and attorney fees were not deducted. Earnings were calculated from June 2013 to June 2014 and based on data from Pollstar, the RIAA and Nielsen SoundScan, and on interviews with managers, lawyers, executives and some of the artists themselves.
Former Canadian Mechanical Society Employees Steal $1M
/by Eric T. ParkerPresident, Caroline Rioux and Chair, Board of Directors, Gary Furniss issued a statement December 10, in a letter on the society’s website. An insurance policy has helped recover the full amount and revised processes are now said to be in place with the institution. Legal action will be ongoing.
Founded in 1975, the Canadian Musical Reproduction Rights Agency Ltd. is a music licensing collective responsible for distributing mechanical and broadcast royalties to publishers from licensees certified by the Copyright Board of Canada.
Artists Announced For 2014 Christmas 4 Kids Tour Bus Show
/by Troy_StephensonThis year’s participating celebrities include Hunter Hayes, Jeff Bates, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Danielle Peck, Jan Howard, Shelly West, Bryan White, Bo Bice, Buddy Jewell, The Roys, Ashton Shepherd, Guy Gilchrist and more. Admission to the event is $5.00 for adults, $2.00 for children ages 2-12 and $20 for a family pass. Admission for children under 2 is free. Tickets may be purchased onsite at the Hendersonville Walmart (204 North Anderson Lane, Hendersonville, TN 37075) on the day of the event.
On Tuesday, Dec. 16, over 400 underprivileged children from 29 different schools around Middle Tennessee will participate in a day-long shopping excursion. This special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their school aboard an entertainer’s luxury tour bus, dinner, and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus at The Hendersonville Expo Center. To wrap up the day, the tour buses journey to the Hendersonville, Tenn., Walmart, where the kids receive a brand new winter coat, and $150.00 to spend on anything they like.
Christmas 4 Kids is a not-for-profit organization that has been in existence for over 25 years providing many children, each year, with a very special Christmas gift.
Shazam Revamps App, Introduces Shazam Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonShazam also introduced the Hall of Fame, which honors songs that have earned the most user activity on Shazam.
Four songs earned Platinum level status, with 15 million Shazams each: Avicii‘s “Wake Me Up,” Robin Thicke ft. T.I. and Pharrell‘s “Blurred Lines,” Gotye‘s “Somebody That I Used To Know,” and Passenger‘s “Let Her Go.”
Topping the Gold level songs (10 million+ Shazams) are Clean Bandit (ft. Jess Glynne)’s “Rather Be,” and two entries from Macklemore & Ryan Lewis (“Thrift Shop” and “Can’t Hold Us”).
'Ad Age' Highlights CMA Marketing Event
/by Sarah SkatesThis was the ninth program of its kind hosted by CMA. It highlighted the fact that the genre’s stars are mostly family friendly, that country consumers’ average yearly household income ($76K) is slightly higher than the rest of the population, and that the genre’s fanbase over age 12 has grown 31 percent during the last ten years (80.9 million to 106.6 million).
Ad Age reports that featured guests included G7 CEO Andre Gaccetta, CMA Sr. VP Damon Whiteside, Shazam CEO Rich Riley, BMLG Sr. VP John Zarling, Sony Music Nashville executive Rachel Fontenot and UMGN VP Brad Turcotte.
Read more about country music brand partnerships in MusicRow’s interview with Turcotte, in the just-released Next Big Thing issue.