BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 476
Pictured (L-R): Tim Corbin, Rob Beckham, Charlie Daniels, Demetria Kalodimos, Michael W. Smith, Gov. Bill Haslam. Photo: Jason Davis / Getty Images for NATD
All intimate music-industry galas should be held at the elegantly gorgeous Hermitage Hotel.
“Welcome to the beautiful NATD living room, for the evening,” greeted Nashville Association of Talent Directors president
Steve Tolman. The 50-year-old organization staged its fourth annual Honors Banquet at the Hermitage on Tuesday night (Nov. 11).
The hotel is a landmark, beaux-arts architectural monument, opened in 1910. The NATD’s cocktail hour was held in the building’s opulent lobby. Awesome, two-story, light-blue archways embellished with polychromed medallions support the stained-glass ceiling. Heavy brocade drapes and tapestry wall hangings are staged between veined white marble columns.
The ballroom hosted dinner for 150. The gold-and-white coffered ceiling panels soar above chocolate-toned wood walls with hand-carved accents. These are hung with portraits of Tennessee-bred U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson as well as with sublime landscape oils. The room’s stunning, antique-bronze chandeliers with multiple teardrop-glass globes are beyond sumptuous.
This year’s honorees were
Gov. Bill Haslam, pop/CCM star
Michael W. Smith, WSMV news anchor and filmmaker
Demetria Kalodimos, Vanderbilt baseball coach
Tim Corbin, manager and producer
J. P. Williams, William Morris Endeavors honcho
Rob Beckham and country, rock and Opry star
Charlie Daniels. WKRN’s
Stephanie Langston hosted.
“I’m too young to get this,” protested Beckham before the banquet. “Yes, you are,” I agreed. He is, however, more than deserving. Beckham recalled coming from the world of rock promotion in the Pacific Northwest. His first country concert as a promoter was Randy Travis, followed by The Judds and Reba McEntire. They all sold out. So he stuck around.
“We are living the dream,” said Michael W. Smith. He recalled working as a waiter and for Coca-Cola before Amy Grant hired him for her band and changed his life forever.
Chaz Corzine, Greg Ham and
John Huie presented his honor.
Kalodimos got her statuette from venerable Country Music Hall of Fame member
Jimmy Dickens, who turns 93 next month. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” she said.
Bebe Evans presented Charlie Daniels with his award.
C.T. Wyatt did the honors for J.P. Williams.
Chip Esten, ”Deacon” on TV’s Nashville, saluted Haslam.
“I have made this my home,” said Esten. “My family moved here one-and-a-half years ago. And we sold our home in L.A. last week. We [the show’s cast] are fans not only of the city of Nashville, but of the whole state….I appreciate the support of the Governor so much.”
“My kids are totally unimpressed that I am the governor,” said Haslam. “But they are totally impressed with the fact that I know Chip…The people in this room make our job easier,” he added, referring to the fact that the glamor of the entertainment industry helps lure other businesses to the state.
Industry mavens working the room included
Ray Shelide, Bonnie Sugarman, Paula Szeigis, Dean Unkefer, Randi Perkins with
The Voice TV contestant and niece
Kat Perkins, Rod Essig, Bob Romeo, Kate Richardson, Preshus Tomes, Debbie Moore & Carrie Moore-Reed (that’s twin singing sisters
Moore & Moore, to you)
, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Tinti Moffatt, David & Carolyn Corlew, Verlon Thompson (who is working on a new solo album),
Steve Lassiter, Holly Ashby, Kirt Webster and the
Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen, who delivered the Veterans-Day themed invocation.
NATD founding member
Tandy Rice, who was kidded for looking like Santa Claus, was named the first inductee into the organization’s Hall of Fame.
26th Annual Pollstar Awards Nominees Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonA partial list of nominees is below. For a full list, visit pollstarpro.com.
MAJOR TOUR OF THE YEAR
Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Bruno Mars
Jason Aldean
Jay Z / Beyoncé
Justin Timberlake
Katy Perry
One Direction
Paul McCartney
BEST NEW TOURING ARTIST
5 Seconds Of Summer
Bastille
Brantley Gilbert
Hozier
Kacey Musgraves
Lorde
Sam Smith
MAJOR MUSIC FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR
Austin City Limits | Austin, TX
Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival | Manchester, TN
Coachella Valley Music & Arts Festival | Indio, CA
Firefly Music Festival | Dover, DE
Lollapalooza Festival | Chicago, IL
Outside Lands Music & Arts Festival | San Francisco, CA
Stagecoach: California’s Country Music Festival | Indio, CA
THEATRE OF THE YEAR
Beacon Theatre |New York, NY
Chicago Theatre | Chicago, IL
Fox Theatre | Atlanta, GA
Nokia Theatre L.A. LIVE | Los Angeles, CA
Radio City Music Hall | New York, NY
Ryman Auditorium | Nashville, TN
ARENA OF THE YEAR
Air Canada Centre | Toronto, ON
Barclays Center | Brooklyn, NY
Bridgestone Arena | Nashville, TN
Forum | Inglewood, CA
Madison Square Garden Arena | New York, NY
Staples Center | Los Angeles, CA
FACILITY EXECUTIVE OF THE YEAR
Christy Castillo Butcher | Staples Center, Nokia Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
David Kells | Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
Ralph Marchetta | US Airways Center – Phoenix, AZ
Rena Wasserman | Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
Sally Williams | Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, TN
Sean Saadeh | Barclays Center – Brooklyn, NY
NIGHTCLUB TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Adam Weiser|Starland Ballroom – Sayreville, NJ
Edward Warm | Joe’s Bar – Chicago, IL
Lesley Olenik | Club Nokia – Los Angeles, CA / Fox Theater – Pomona, CA
Roger LeBlanc | Canyon Club, The Coach House – So. Cal. / War Memorial Auditorium – Nashville, TN
Ryan Vangel | House of Blues, Blue Hills Bank Pavilion – Boston, MA
Sonia Grover | First Avenue, 7th Street Entry – Minneapolis, MN
TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR
Andy Cirzan | Jam Productions
Brian O’Connell | Live Nation Nashville
Debra Rathwell | AEG Live Northeast
Donna Busch | AEG Live/Concerts West / Goldenvoice
Gary Osier | Gary Osier Presents
Huston Powell | C3 Presents
Jeff Trisler | Live Nation Northwest
Lenore Kinder | AEG Live / The Messina Group
BILL GRAHAM AWARD PROMOTER OF THE YEAR
Ashley Capps | AC Entertainment
Charles Attal | C3 Presents
Dan Steinberg | Square Peg Concerts
Darin Lashinsky | NS2
Gregg Perloff | Another Planet Entertainment
Larry & Fred Frank | Frank Productions
Seth Hurwitz | I.M.P.
THIRD COAST AGENT OF THE YEAR
Adam Voith |The Billions Corporation
Andrew Colvin | Ground Control Touring
Hunter Williams | Creative Artists Agency
Jay Williams | WME
Jeffrey Hasson | Paradigm
Kevin Neal | WME
Paul Lohr | New Frontier Touring
Scott Clayton | Creative Artists Agency
BOBBY BROOKS AWARD AGENT OF THE YEAR
Andrew Ellis | APA
Brian Manning | Creative Artists Agency
Chip Hooper | Paradigm
John Huie | Creative Artists Agency
Kirk Sommer | WME
Lee Anderson | AM Only
Tom Windish | The Windish Agency
PERSONAL MANAGER OF THE YEAR
Bruce Allen | Michael Bublé, Bryan Adams
Charlie Walker | Bassnectar
Clarence Spalding | Jason Aldean, Rascal Flatts
Coran Capshaw | Dave Matthews Band, Phish, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley
George Couri & Bruce Kalmick | Eli Young Band, Sam Hunt, Chase Rice, Joe Nichols
John Peets | The Black Keys, Eric Church
John Silva | Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age
Steve Jensen & Bradford Cobb | Katy Perry
ROAD WARRIOR OF THE YEAR
Angie Warner | Imagine Dragons
Chuck Hull | Keith Urban
George Travis | Bruce Springsteen & The E Street Band
Gus Brandt | Foo Fighters, Pharrell Williams
Harry Sandler | Katy Perry
Keith Keller | Drake, Queen
VIDEO COMPANY OF THE YEAR
Chaos Visual Productions
Moo TV
PRG Nocturne Productions
Screenworks
XL Video
Artist Updates: Country Now, Tim McGraw, Garth Brooks, Chris Tomlin
/by Jessica NicholsonThe new season of ‘Front and Center’ includes performances from Counting Crows, John Hiatt, Bentley, Joe Satriani, Lady Antebellum, Urban, Paul Rodgers, The Fray, Richard Thompson and Richie Sambora.
• • •
Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw will take part in A Very Grammy Christmas, hosted by LL Cool J. The one-hour entertainment special will air Friday, Dec. 5, beginning at 9 p.m. ET on CBS. Other performers include Mary J. Blige, Ariana Grade, Maroon 5, Pharrell Williams, and others.
“A Very GRAMMY Christmas” is produced by AEG Ehrlich Ventures, LLC. Ken Ehrlich is the executive producer.
• • •
Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks has announced that The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood is returning to Boston. Concerts are slated for Thursday, Jan. 22 (7:30 p.m), Friday, Jan. 23 (7 p.m.), and Saturday, Jan. 24 (7 p.m.), at TD Garden.
Tickets for the event go on sale Friday, Nov. 21 at 10 a.m. ET at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks, or at 1-800-745-3000, or at Ticketmaster Express at 1-866-448-7849.
• • •
Chris Tomlin
CURE International, one of the largest providers of reconstructive surgery to disabled children in the emerging world, has named CCM artist Chris Tomlin to its Board of Directors. Tomlin first learned about the organization through his involvement with the Passion conferences.
“I was just drawn to how well CURE was doing things and how they’re really changing kids’ lives,” stated Tomlin. “CURE just has integrity through and through at every level. I’ve found this is a place where I can trust where the money is going, and it’s really going to heal these kids.”
YouTube Launches Music Streaming Service
/by Jessica NicholsonYouTube and Google have launched their long-rumored music streaming service, available beginning today (Nov. 12).
The service offers a new home focused solely on music on YouTube’s app for Android, iOS and on YouTube.com. On the YouTube website, the new music-focused space appears essentially as an additional tab. The new music home includes recommended playlists, as well as YouTube Mixes, and a collection of videos a user has recently viewed.
A post on YouTube’s official blog promises that viewers will soon be able to see an artist’s discography on YouTube, and play a full album with both the artist’s official music videos, as well as songs from YouTube’s music partners.
YouTube Music Key, the paid tier of the new roll-out, will launch with invite-only beta testing on Monday (Nov. 17) in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Finland, and Portugal. YouTube Music Key enables offline and ad-free listening, and the monthly subscription service will begin at the promotional price of $7.99/month (discounted from $9.99/month). It will include a subscription to Google Play Music (with 30+ million songs and curated playlists).
Music Key subscribers can access video-free songs in addition to YouTube’s existing collection of songs with music videos. Also, Music Key users can choose videos, songs and playlists for offline listening.
Kenny Rogers To Launch 'Farewell Down Under Tour' In 2015
/by Kelsey_GradyKenny Rogers
GRAMMY Award-winning Country artist Kenny Rogers will return to Australia and New Zealand in January and February for his Farewell Down Under Tour.
The tour will begin in Sydney on Jan. 23, 2015, followed by shows across the country in Tamworth, Newcastle, Melbourne, Launceston, Gold Coast, Townsville, Perth and Adelaide. The tour will conclude in Hamilton, New Zealand, on Feb. 15, 2015.
While the concerts scheduled in January and February 2015 will be Rogers’ final performances in Australia and New Zealand; the popular vocalist will continue to tour in other parts of the world.
“For all of the traveling I’ve done around the world, Australia and New Zealand remain two of my favorite places to perform,” Rogers said. “When I was with the First Edition, we made this same trip several times, and no matter how many times I’ve gone, I’ve always loved the audiences Down Under. They have a great sense of humor, and they’ve always treated me with such great respect, so for that, I say thank you.”
KENNY ROGERS FAREWELL DOWN UNDER TOUR
Fri 23 Jan SYDNEY The Star Event Centre
Sun 25 Jan TAMWORTH TRECC
Wed 28 Jan NEWCASTLE Entertainment Centre
Fri 30 Jan MELBOURNE Palais Theatre
Sun 1 Feb LAUNCESTON Country Club Tasmania
Tues 3 Feb GOLD COAST Jupiters Theatre
Wed 4 Feb GOLD COAST Jupiters Theatre
Fri 6 Feb TOWNSVILLE Entertainment & Conv. Ctr.
Sun 8 Feb PERTH City Muster 2015
Wed 11 Feb ADELAIDE Entertainment Centre
New Zealand
Fri 13 Feb CHRISTCHURCH Horncastle Arena
Sun 15 Feb HAMILTON Claudelands Arena Hamilton
Weekly Register: CMA Awards Sales Bump
/by Sarah SkatesCarrie Underwood performs “Something In The Water” on the CMA Awards
Taylor Swift sold another 402K units of 1989 this week, yielding a two-week total of almost 1.7 million. Her TEA sales for this album are 2.07 million.
Back in Country land, the CMA Awards gave a boost to artists who performed on the show.
Meghan Trainor and Miranda Lambert bring the “Bass”
Pop star Meghan Trainor stepped out for a performance with Miranda Lambert, helping to bump “All About That Bass” back to No. 1 on the overall tracks chart. It sold 190K this week for a RTD total of 3.5 million.
All of the Top 5 Country tracks were showcased on Wednesday night’s awards, except for “Leave The Night On” by newcomer Sam Hunt.
Top 5 Country Tracks
Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water,” 84K, up 144%
Tim McGraw, “Shotgun Rider,” 51K, up 82%
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down,” 45K, up 19%
Little Big Town, “Day Drinkin,'” 43K, up 184%
Sam Hunt, “Leave The Night On,” 36K, up 15%
The Doobie Brothers took the stage at Bridgestone Arena to showcase their Country collaborative effort, Southbound, which debuted with sales of 16K.
Top 5 Country Albums
Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt, 35K
Florida Georgia Line, Anything Goes, 30K
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am, 26K
Sam Hunt, Montevallo, 25K
Blake Shelton, Bringing Back The Sunshine, 21K
Coming next week… the sales tally for Garth Brooks’ just-released album.
The Doobie Brothers were joined by Jennifer Nettles, Hillary Scott and Hunter Hayes on the CMA Awards.
[Updated]: Industry Ink: APEX Entertainment, Sandbox Entertainment, Sonia Leigh Visits CMT
/by Jessica NicholsonMatas’ career began 13 years ago working for Fine Line Features, followed by an international publicity role at DreamWorks Studios. Matas later worked as brand manager for the Spider-Man film franchise, working on behalf of Sony Pictures. He then joined Sony Pictures to handle international marketing for Terminator Salvation, One Direction: This Is Us, Django Unchained and other projects.
Matas can be reached at josh@sandboxmgmt.com.
• • •
Submissions can be sent to Zac Koffler at zac@apexentertainmentmgmt.com.
Required Qualities include but are not limited to:
2 or more years of Experience in the Music Industry
Entrepreneurial and an Out-of-the-Box thinking
Multitasking skills
Hard working Attitude
Social Media expertise
Photoshop / Graphic Design desired
Organizational skills
Tasks Include:
Artist management
Client and Company Social Media management
Client and Company Communications
New Business Generation
Record Label Operations
Assisting the senior manager
• • •
Sonia Leigh visited with the music and talent team members at CMT after an in-office performance earlier this week. Her new single, “When We Are Alone,” will soon be released to SiriusXM.
Pictured (L-R): Alina Thompson, Jen Danielson, Jordan Stephens, Jen Morrison, Sonia Leigh, Leslie Fram, Paul Logan, Julia Blosil. Back Row (L-R): Stacey Cato and Brian Bayley
Ready Set Records Adds Folk Duo Elenowen
/by Troy_StephensonElenowen
Husband-and-Wife folk duo Elenowen has joined the esteemed roster of Ready Set Records. The duo is set to release a new record in January 2015 and will begin a tour this Sunday (November 16) in Decatur, GA.
They were featured on the inaugural season of NBC’s The Voice and released their debut album, Pulling Back The Veil in 2010. Their music has been featured on TV shows including Pretty Little Liars, One Tree Hill and Army Wives.
Recently named one of “9 record labels you should know about” by Nashville Lifestyles, Ready Set Records is the home to critically acclaimed group Ten Out Of Tenn and successful indie artists such as Trent Dabbs, Sugar & The Hi-Lows and Young Summer.
“Our vision for Ready Set is to create an artist friendly label that focuses on fostering independent musicians,” says Kristen Dabbs, Co-Owner of Ready Set Records. “We are excited to bring Elenowen into the family. We’ve always been fans of Josh and Nicole’s music and cannot wait for everyone to hear their incredible new album. It’s an honor for all of us a Ready Set to get to be a part of it!”
Bobby Karl Works The NATD Honors Banquet
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 476
Pictured (L-R): Tim Corbin, Rob Beckham, Charlie Daniels, Demetria Kalodimos, Michael W. Smith, Gov. Bill Haslam. Photo: Jason Davis / Getty Images for NATD
All intimate music-industry galas should be held at the elegantly gorgeous Hermitage Hotel.
“Welcome to the beautiful NATD living room, for the evening,” greeted Nashville Association of Talent Directors president Steve Tolman. The 50-year-old organization staged its fourth annual Honors Banquet at the Hermitage on Tuesday night (Nov. 11).
The hotel is a landmark, beaux-arts architectural monument, opened in 1910. The NATD’s cocktail hour was held in the building’s opulent lobby. Awesome, two-story, light-blue archways embellished with polychromed medallions support the stained-glass ceiling. Heavy brocade drapes and tapestry wall hangings are staged between veined white marble columns.
The ballroom hosted dinner for 150. The gold-and-white coffered ceiling panels soar above chocolate-toned wood walls with hand-carved accents. These are hung with portraits of Tennessee-bred U.S. presidents Andrew Jackson, James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson as well as with sublime landscape oils. The room’s stunning, antique-bronze chandeliers with multiple teardrop-glass globes are beyond sumptuous.
This year’s honorees were Gov. Bill Haslam, pop/CCM star Michael W. Smith, WSMV news anchor and filmmaker Demetria Kalodimos, Vanderbilt baseball coach Tim Corbin, manager and producer J. P. Williams, William Morris Endeavors honcho Rob Beckham and country, rock and Opry star Charlie Daniels. WKRN’s Stephanie Langston hosted.
“I’m too young to get this,” protested Beckham before the banquet. “Yes, you are,” I agreed. He is, however, more than deserving. Beckham recalled coming from the world of rock promotion in the Pacific Northwest. His first country concert as a promoter was Randy Travis, followed by The Judds and Reba McEntire. They all sold out. So he stuck around.
“We are living the dream,” said Michael W. Smith. He recalled working as a waiter and for Coca-Cola before Amy Grant hired him for her band and changed his life forever. Chaz Corzine, Greg Ham and John Huie presented his honor.
Kalodimos got her statuette from venerable Country Music Hall of Fame member Jimmy Dickens, who turns 93 next month. “It doesn’t get any better than this,” she said.
Bebe Evans presented Charlie Daniels with his award. C.T. Wyatt did the honors for J.P. Williams. Chip Esten, ”Deacon” on TV’s Nashville, saluted Haslam.
“I have made this my home,” said Esten. “My family moved here one-and-a-half years ago. And we sold our home in L.A. last week. We [the show’s cast] are fans not only of the city of Nashville, but of the whole state….I appreciate the support of the Governor so much.”
“My kids are totally unimpressed that I am the governor,” said Haslam. “But they are totally impressed with the fact that I know Chip…The people in this room make our job easier,” he added, referring to the fact that the glamor of the entertainment industry helps lure other businesses to the state.
Industry mavens working the room included Ray Shelide, Bonnie Sugarman, Paula Szeigis, Dean Unkefer, Randi Perkins with The Voice TV contestant and niece Kat Perkins, Rod Essig, Bob Romeo, Kate Richardson, Preshus Tomes, Debbie Moore & Carrie Moore-Reed (that’s twin singing sisters Moore & Moore, to you), Ree Guyer Buchanan, Tinti Moffatt, David & Carolyn Corlew, Verlon Thompson (who is working on a new solo album), Steve Lassiter, Holly Ashby, Kirt Webster and the Rev. Joseph Patrick Breen, who delivered the Veterans-Day themed invocation.
NATD founding member Tandy Rice, who was kidded for looking like Santa Claus, was named the first inductee into the organization’s Hall of Fame.
ole Hosts Fiesta, CMA Viewing Party
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Gilles Godard, ole VP of Business Development; Tim Nichols, THiS Music Publishing Songwriter/Partner; Rusty Gaston, THiS Music Publishing GM/Partner; and Jody Williams, BMI VP of Writer/Publisher Relations in Nashville
The 3rd Annual ole Fiesta took place last week at the publishing company’s Nashville office. The event on Thurs., Nov. 6, the day after the CMA Awards, served as an opportunity for executives on Music Row to come together for lunch during the hectic awards week.
Pictured (L-R): Ben Strain, ole Creative Director; Gilles Godard, ole VP of Business Development; Jody Williams, BMI VP of Writer/Publisher Relations in Nashville; Josh Dorr, ole songwriter and RCA artist; and John Ozier, ole GM of Creative in Nashville
ole also hosted a lively CMA Awards viewing party, packing the house at One at Cannery Row. The Canada-based company is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year, which it marked on Oct. 24, with a star-studded, tribute-filled party at the Fermenting Cellar in the historic Distillery District of Toronto.
CMA Awards viewing party in Nashville. Pictured (L-R): Jeremy Stover, Robert Ott, Jordan Rager, John Ozier, Gilles Godard
Star Studded Benefit Concert for Robin Majors Tonight in Nashville
/by Troy_StephensonJake Owen is confirmed to play the free concert tonight, along with a list of other stars. “Headline Country” host and SiriusXM personality Storme Warren will emcee the event, and an incredible band including Wyatt Beard, Clayton Feibusch, Jon Conley, Sean Paddock and Kenny Greenberg will back The Outlaws, Paulette Carlson from Highway 101, John Berry, Mark Collie, Wade Hayes, Ray Scott and more. Admission is free, but donations are encouraged.
A silent auction will be held during the concert, and a $4,000 guitar donated by Takamine will be offered to the highest bidder.
For those unable to make it to the benefit concert, there are two ways to make donations. Straight into the Robin Majors Gift of Life Fund, through Wells Fargo Private Bank, 3100 West End Ave, Ste 550, Nashville, TN, 37203. Attn: Danielle Bouharoun. Donations can be made online here.