Craig Bann
has announced several promotions and redefined positions within the company.
Longtime AristoMedia Group employee,
Craig Bann, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and will oversee all aspects of promotion, marketing and project management for the group’s ventures. Bann has been with the company for 25 years and served as Sr. Vice President of Promotion and Marketing since 2011. Bann can be reached at
cbann@aristomedia.com.
Matt Watkins
has been elevated to Vice President of Marketing & Company Operations, upped from Director of Operations. Watkins will administer all functions of the company, in addition to leading the company’s DownCast service, and assisting CEO
Jeff Walker with his consulting business, Jeff Walker & Associates and the company’s online digital distribution service, called GMV Nashville. Watkins will also continue to support the company’s PR division, Aristo P.R. He started with the company in 2003. He can be reached at
mwatkins@aristomedia.com.
Jon Walker
, who began at The AristoMedia Group in 1999, has been promoted to Vice President of Digital Services. Walker manages the department’s digital endeavors, including web design and development, social network management, fan-base management, viral marketing campaigns and strategic content placement. Among the AristoWorks accounts Walker oversees are digital services for
Blue Tractor Design, The Buntin Group, Jamie O’Neal, Julie Ingram, Rachelle Lynae, Resnik Music Group and more. Walker can be reached at
jon@aristoworks.com.
Christy Watkins
has been named Vice President of Publicity. Now in her 10th year at The AristoMedia Group, Watkins is upped from Sr. Director of Publicity and will continue to lead the company’s publicity and public relations division, Aristo P.R., as well as oversee all PR initiatives for The AristoMedia Group. Watkins handles publicity for
Amber Hayes, Austin Webb, Country Radio Broadcasters, Country Radio Seminar, Dakota Bradley, Jaida Dreyer, Maggie Sajak, Robby Armstrong, Small Town Pistols, Streamsound Music Group, Travis Tritt and various other projects. She can be reached at
christy@aristomedia.com.
Blake Shelton, Shakira to Perform on ACM Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonShakira penned “Medicine” with Hillary Lindsey and Mark Bright.
“Shakira’s folks reached out to the ACM about the performance. We, as producers, are always looking to bring artists together,” said R.A. Clark, an Executive Producer for the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Fans should also keep a close watch, as performer George Strait is set to make a major announcement during the live awards show.
Other previously announced highlights will include Miranda Lambert in a duet with Strait, to honor Merle Haggard. Garth Brooks will be on hand to present Haggard with the Crystal Milestone Award, to help celebrate Haggard’s 50 years in Country music. Lady Antebellum will perform with Fleetwood Mac’s Stevie Nicks.
Bob Romeo, CEO of the ACM says these kinds of pairings are a big boost to the ACM awards shows. “We see spikes when we do these other-genre pairings,” said Romeo. “Some of our most memorable moments have been [performances like] Zac Brown Band and James Taylor, or Carrie Underwood with Steven Tyler.”‘
Barry Adelman, Executive Producer for CBS, agrees. “All of the duets and pairings are reflective of those people being fans of each other. They invite their friends to perform with them, you see that on tours. I want to capture that in our show as well. The first thing on Lady Antebellum’s list [for the ACM performance] was to bring Stevie on the show.”
The Academy of Country Music Awards have enjoyed increasing viewership, with more than 13 million people watching in 2012, and 15.5 million in 2013.
AristoMedia Group Announces Promotions
/by Jessica NicholsonCraig Bann
The AristoMedia Group has announced several promotions and redefined positions within the company.
Longtime AristoMedia Group employee, Craig Bann, has been promoted to Executive Vice President and will oversee all aspects of promotion, marketing and project management for the group’s ventures. Bann has been with the company for 25 years and served as Sr. Vice President of Promotion and Marketing since 2011. Bann can be reached at cbann@aristomedia.com.
Matt Watkins
Matt Watkins has been elevated to Vice President of Marketing & Company Operations, upped from Director of Operations. Watkins will administer all functions of the company, in addition to leading the company’s DownCast service, and assisting CEO Jeff Walker with his consulting business, Jeff Walker & Associates and the company’s online digital distribution service, called GMV Nashville. Watkins will also continue to support the company’s PR division, Aristo P.R. He started with the company in 2003. He can be reached at mwatkins@aristomedia.com.
Jon Walker
Jon Walker, who began at The AristoMedia Group in 1999, has been promoted to Vice President of Digital Services. Walker manages the department’s digital endeavors, including web design and development, social network management, fan-base management, viral marketing campaigns and strategic content placement. Among the AristoWorks accounts Walker oversees are digital services for Blue Tractor Design, The Buntin Group, Jamie O’Neal, Julie Ingram, Rachelle Lynae, Resnik Music Group and more. Walker can be reached at jon@aristoworks.com.
Christy Watkins
Christy Watkins has been named Vice President of Publicity. Now in her 10th year at The AristoMedia Group, Watkins is upped from Sr. Director of Publicity and will continue to lead the company’s publicity and public relations division, Aristo P.R., as well as oversee all PR initiatives for The AristoMedia Group. Watkins handles publicity for Amber Hayes, Austin Webb, Country Radio Broadcasters, Country Radio Seminar, Dakota Bradley, Jaida Dreyer, Maggie Sajak, Robby Armstrong, Small Town Pistols, Streamsound Music Group, Travis Tritt and various other projects. She can be reached at christy@aristomedia.com.
In Photos: Tin Pan South 2014 Weekend Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonStephanie Bentley, Josh Leo, Jamie O’Neal, O’Shea (Jay O’Shea, Mark O’Shea) at Station Inn. Photo: Bev Moser
Tin Pan South wrapped up its 2014 events with numerous performances this past weekend.
Performers including Joe Don Rooney of Rascal Flatts and writers including Dave Berg, Stephanie Bentley, Pat Alger, Linda Williams, Brian Wright, Ruston Kelly, Jeff Stevens, Wynn Varble, Phil O’Donnell, Hugh Prestwood, Linda Davis, Nathan Chapman, Amy Grant and many others filled venues across the city to celebrate some of the best tunes Music City has to offer.
All photos by Bev Moser/Moments by Moser
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Kay Clary Joins CMHoF As Interim PR Director
/by Jessica NicholsonKay Clary
Kay Clary has joined the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum as Interim Director, Public Relations, filling in for Tina Wright, who recently exited. Clary previously served as Executive Director, Media Relations for BMI Nashville before enjoying a year sabbatical. She can now be reached at the Museum at (615) 416-2084 or at kclary@countrymusichalloffame.
Those interested in applying for the permanent director position can find information at: http://countrymusichalloffame.
In December, the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum honored Clary with its Seventh annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum. The forum was established in 2007 to explore issues related to the business side of the music industry and to recognize an individual each year who represents the legacy of pioneering agent-manager Louise Scruggs, the wife and business partner of Hall of Famer Earl Scruggs. Previous recipients of the honor include Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner, Sarah Trahern and Nancy Shapiro.
Foster Launches Iconic Entertainment Group, Signs Rimes
/by Jessica NicholsonFletcher Foster
Music industry executive Fletcher Foster has partnered with businessman Larry Beckwith to form Iconic Entertainment Group, which will serve all aspects of the entertainment industry including artist management, music television, film and more.
LeAnn Rimes and singer-songwriter Levi Hummon have signed on as Iconic Entertainment Group’s first clients.
“Larry stepped down as Chairman of his company at the end of 2012 to move onto his next entrepreneurial venture and began exploring opportunities in the entertainment industry,” Foster explained. “His record with start-up companies is impressive as is his reputation for integrity in business. It’s a great fit with my 30 years in entertainment and his 30 years in business.”
LeAnn Rimes
Beckwith is best-known as the founder of Eco-Energy. Foster has previously worked with Red Light Management, is a former Senior VP/General Manager of Universal Records South, and served as Senior VP, Marketing at Capitol Records in Nashville from 2000 to 2006.
Winners Honored at 2014 Juno Gala Dinner and Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonDean Brody at the 2014 Juno Awards.
The 2014 Juno winners were honored Sunday, March 30 during the Juno Gala Dinner and Awards. Dean Brody received the Country Album of the Year Award for his Open Road release Crop Circles.
Other winners throughout the evening included Serena Ryder picking up the Artist of the Year honor, and Brett Kissel earning the Breakthrough Artist of the Year honor.
International Album of the Year
Unorthodox Jukebox
Bruno Mars
Atlantic*Warner
Artist of the Year
Serena Ryder
Serenader Source*Universal
Breakthrough Artist of the Year
Brett Kissel
BAK2BAK*Warner
Country Album of the Year
Crop Circles
Dean Brody
Open Road
*Universal
Adult Alternative Album of the Year
Forever Endeavour
Ron Sexsmith
Warner
Alternative Album of the Year
Reflektor
Arcade Fire
Arcade Fire Music
*Universal
Pop Album of the Year
Heartthrob
Tegan and Sara
Warner Bros.*Warner
Rock Album of the Year
Coyote
Matt Mays
Sonic *Warner
Vocal Jazz Album of the Year
Notes on Montréal ft. Sienna Dahlen
Mike Rud
Independent
Contemporary Jazz Album of the Year
Habitat
Christine Jensen Jazz Orchestra
Justin Time*Universal
Traditional Jazz Album of the Year
Ripple Effect
Mike Downes
Addo
Instrumental Album of the Year
Dalmak
Esmerine
Constellation*Outside
Francophone Album of the Year
Fox
Karim Ouellet
Abuzie*D.E.P.
Children’s Album of the Year
Colour It
Helen Austin
Independent
Classical Album of the Year: Solo or Chamber Ensemble
Prokofiev: Complete Works for Violin
James Ehnes
Chandos
*Naxos
Classical Album of the Year: Large Ensemble or Soloist(s) with Large Ensemble Accompaniment
Britten & Shostakovich
James Ehnes
Onyx*
HM
Classical Album of the Year: Vocal or Choral Performance
Lettres de Madame Roy à sa fille Gabrille
Marie-‐Nicole Lemieux & André
Gagnon
Audiogram*Select
Classical Composition of the Year
Field Notes
Allan Gordon Bell
GRAVITY AND GRACE
Centrediscs*Naxos
Rap Recording of the Year
Nothing Was The Same
Drake
Cash Money *Universal
Dance Recording of the Year
This Is What It Feels Like
Armin van Buuren & Trevor Guthrie
Armanda*Sony
Country Artists Taking Over Television Ahead of ACM Awards
/by Jessica Nicholson49th Annual ACM Awards co-hosts Luke Bryan (L) and Blake Shelton.
Country artists will be all over the small screen next week, ahead of the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards, which will be broadcast April 6 on CBS.
• Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton will make appearances on The Talk, on April 3 and 4, respectively.
• Florida Georgia Line will visit CBS This Morning on April 4.
• Justin Moore will appear on Queen Latifah on April 4.
• Brett Eldredge will visit Late Night With Seth Meyers on April 1.
• Brad Paisley will appear on CBS’ Crazy Ones on April 3.
• Dan+Shay will guest on ABC’s Good Morning America on April 1, followed by a visit to Ellen on April 4.
Industry Ink (3/28/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonYoshida joined Sony in 1983, and has been deputy CFO since December 2013.
Kato will retire as CFO, but will remain a Director of Sony and become vice chairman.
• • •
• • •
“We have a video advertising business that currently offers programs like First Episode Free and ads associated with movie and game trailers, and we’re often experimenting with new things, but we have no plans to offer a free streaming media service,” an Amazon statement read.
Nashville Ranks Among Top 10 Fastest Growing Cities
/by Jessica NicholsonAustin, Texas ranks No. 1 in population growth according to the data, with 1.9 million residents and a 2.6 percent population growth over the same time period. Austin is followed by Houston (6.3 million, 2.2 percent growth), Raleigh, N.C. (1.2 million, 2.2 percent growth), Orlando, Fla. (2.3 million, 2 percent growth), San Antonio (2.3 million, 1.9 percent growth), Denver, Nashville, Charlotte, N.C.; Oklahoma City, and Phoenix.
Nashville’s Music Row, home to record companies, music publishers and music-related industries, is where some of the city’s 20,000 music industry jobs can be found, according to CNN. The robust healthcare industry is another significant attraction.
An additional incentive for the influx of new residents is a reasonable cost of living, which is 14 percent less than the national average, according to Wiltshire.
SOLID Fundraiser Earns $30K For Big Brothers Big Sisters
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): SOLID President Brian O’Neil, SOLID Community Outreach Co-Chair Berkley Myers, Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee Chief Executive Officer Carlyle W. Carroll, and SOLID Community Outreach Chair Jason Hauser. Photo by Lauren Robertson.
SOLID (Society of Leaders In Development) is set to donate $30,150.14 from its 4th Annual Music Row Madness Bowling Showdown to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.
Twenty-seven teams participated in the annual fundraiser, which was held at Hillwood Strike & Spare in West Nashville on March 27. The top single fundraiser for the event was SOLID Education Committee Chair Alex Luebbert, who raised $1,690.
Among the event’s sponsors and donors were Music City Dream Cars, Blue Hat, CDB Inc., 1 Degree Sports Management, The Spot, The Grand Ole Opry, Cracker Barrel, GAC Headline Country, Smith Wiles, Local Taco, Harlow Salon, Two Old Hippies, Hatch Show Print, Uber, Famous Daves, Watermark and The Pub.
“Thank you to everyone who donated their time and money to benefit Big Brothers Big Sisters! This has been the most successful single fundraising event in SOLID’s 17-year history, and we are thrilled to contribute to an organization that has such a positive impact on kids in our local community,” said SOLID President Brian O’Neil.
Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee helps children overcome adversity and better position themselves for the future.