Ken Paulson
, president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, has been named dean of the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. He will assume leadership of the college on July 1, and will continue to write, speak and consult with the First Amendment Center on free expression issues. He is also a columnist on
USA Today’s board of contributors.
Paulson led the First Amendment Center, an arm of the Freedom Forum, from 1997 to 2004, and again starting in 2010. He served as president of the Newseum, the interactive museum of news and journalism opened by the Freedom Forum in Washington, D.C., from 2009 to 2010.
Paulson was editor-in-chief of
USA Today from 2004 to 2009, and helped found the venerable paper in 1982 before moving on to manage newsrooms across the country.
Paulson is active in the Nashville music community, serving as vice chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a member of the Music City Music Council, and a Leadership Music board and executive committee member.
Paulson’s career includes hosting the Emmy-honored PBS television program
Speaking Freely, and authoring “Freedom Sings,” a multimedia stage show that tours college campuses. He is also founder of 1 for All, an unprecedented national campaign on behalf of the First Amendment.
MTSU boasts the fifth-largest mass-communication college in the nation and is the only one that features departments of recording industry, journalism and electronic media communication. It also is home to the Center for Popular Music, which maintains a large research library and archive.
Paulson’s honors include the American Press Institute Lifetime Service Award and being named a fellow of the Society of Professional Journalists, the organization’s highest honor.
Paulson is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He has served as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Law School.
At MTSU, he replaces dean
Roy Moore, who will remain with the college as a professor.
Spin Doctors Music Group Adds Director of Promotion
/by Jessica NicholsonFitchpatrick begins her new responsibilities today (April 29) and can be reached at (615) 329-3375 or Rosey@spindoctorsnashville.com.
Industry Ink (4-29-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonGreen Hills Music Group’s Woody Bomar
Green Hills Music Group’s Woody Bomar will host a one-day music business seminar, “The Business of Songwriting (Taking Your Music to the Masses)” on May 18. The class will cover topics aimed at helping songwriters navigate the music industry. Topics will include copyright basics, income sources, networking, publishing deals and song critiques.
The event will be held from 10 a.m. – 1 p.m. at The Actor’s School in Franklin, Tenn. For directions and registration, visit greenhillsmusicgroup.com.
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Tyler Waugh
Streamsound Records has announced the addition of Tyler Waugh to the label’s promotion team. Waugh will start the position immediately and can be reached at tyler@streamsound.com or 615-870-2040.
Before joining Streamsound, Waugh held positions at Arista Nashville, RCA/Arista/J Records, Roadrunner Records and BMG Distribution/LA.
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ASCAP presented the ASCAP Music Lounge at the Nashville Film Festival recently, hosting eight bands over two days at The Basement. Artists and bands including Escondido, The Weeks, Conner Youngblood, Elliot Root, Megan McCormick, Clear Plastic Masks, The Wild Feathers and Jill Andrews performed.
Pictured (L-R): The Weeks, Conner Youngblood, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, ASCAP’s Jesse Willoughby, Escondido’s Jessica Maros and Tyler James, Elliot Root and band
Pictured (L-R): The Wild Feathers, Megan McCormick, Jill Andrews, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, ASCAP’s Jesse Willoughby, Clear Plastic Masks
Jason Aldean Files For Divorce
/by Jessica NicholsonThe couple has been married for 12 years. Aldean and Jessica are parents to two daughters, Keeley, 10, and Kendyl, 5.
“I can confirm that Jason and his wife are having problems, but there is nothing more to share with the press at this time,” Aldean’s rep told PEOPLE at the time. “It’s a private family matter, and we hope everyone will respect that he would like to keep it that way.”
MusicRowPics: Rachel Farley Artist Visit
/by Caitlin RantalaThe Georgia native played her songs “Jet Black Angel,” “I Thought I Told You To Go,” and her single, “It Ain’t Easy.” To her writing credit, she either wrote or co-wrote all the tracks off her upcoming album.
Farley, who recently made her Grand Ol’ Opry debut, has also been busy giving the boys a run for their money, as she’s been out on tour with Jason Aldean and Luke Bryan.
Ambitious since a young age, Farley shared how when she was younger, she scheduled a gig six months out, thinking during that period of time she’d learn how to play guitar. “It didn’t turn out that way,” she laughed. “They scheduled me for a two-hour slot. I didn’t know enough songs to fill two hours, so I just played the same songs twice! My mom and my music teacher were the only people who stayed for the whole thing.”
Those days are long gone though and country music fans are certainly in for a treat. For more information on Farley, click here.
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Ken Paulson Named MTSU Mass Comm Dean
/by Sarah SkatesKen Paulson
Ken Paulson, president and chief executive officer of the First Amendment Center at Vanderbilt University, has been named dean of the College of Mass Communication at Middle Tennessee State University. He will assume leadership of the college on July 1, and will continue to write, speak and consult with the First Amendment Center on free expression issues. He is also a columnist on USA Today’s board of contributors.
Paulson led the First Amendment Center, an arm of the Freedom Forum, from 1997 to 2004, and again starting in 2010. He served as president of the Newseum, the interactive museum of news and journalism opened by the Freedom Forum in Washington, D.C., from 2009 to 2010.
Paulson was editor-in-chief of USA Today from 2004 to 2009, and helped found the venerable paper in 1982 before moving on to manage newsrooms across the country.
Paulson is active in the Nashville music community, serving as vice chair of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, a member of the Music City Music Council, and a Leadership Music board and executive committee member.
Paulson’s career includes hosting the Emmy-honored PBS television program Speaking Freely, and authoring “Freedom Sings,” a multimedia stage show that tours college campuses. He is also founder of 1 for All, an unprecedented national campaign on behalf of the First Amendment.
MTSU boasts the fifth-largest mass-communication college in the nation and is the only one that features departments of recording industry, journalism and electronic media communication. It also is home to the Center for Popular Music, which maintains a large research library and archive.
Paulson’s honors include the American Press Institute Lifetime Service Award and being named a fellow of the Society of Professional Journalists, the organization’s highest honor.
Paulson is a graduate of the University of Illinois College of Law and the University of Missouri School of Journalism. He has served as an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt University and the Vanderbilt Law School.
At MTSU, he replaces dean Roy Moore, who will remain with the college as a professor.
Alan Jackson Victim of Facebook Hoax
/by Jessica NicholsonA Facebook page was set up under Jackson’s name recently, with a fake story involving the entertainer’s daughter Alexandra.
Jackson’s publicist has confirmed the story is false. A screenshot of the post is below.
Alan Jackson‘s official Facebook page has nearly 2 million followers. Garth Brooks, Reba, Blake Shelton and Taylor Swift are a few of the other artists who have dealt with various internet hoaxes.
Artist Updates (4-29-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Young will also give Talladega fans a free Saturday night Infield concert, held at the Talladega Boulevard.
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Newcomer Greg Bates will launch Kentucky’s Derby weekend, performing at Louisville’s Fest-de-Ville Derby Eve Jam. The Derby Eve Jam will take place on Friday (May 3) beginning at 7:30 p.m. CT at Waterfront Park in Louisville, Ky.
George Jones Funeral Service To Be Open To Public
/by Jessica Nicholson“George would have wanted his fans and friends everywhere to be able to come and pay their respects along with his family,” says Jones’ publicist Kirt Webster.
“Thanks to George’s friends, fans, and loved ones for the outpouring of love at this terrible time,” says the entertainer’s wife, Nancy Jones. “I love you all.”
Jones died on Friday (April 26), at the age of 81. He has been a member of the Grand Ole Opry since 1956, and was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992.
In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that contributions be made to the Grand Ole Opry trust fund. Donations can be mailed to Opry Trust Fund, 2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214, or can be made online at countrymusichalloffame.com.
••• Update: Music industry members who wish to attend the event should park in the public parking lot shared by Opry Mills and the Grand Ole Opry House. At the front of the Opry Plaza you will be directed to the Music Industry entrance doors of the Opry House, and from there you will be seated in an area reserved for Music Industry professionals. This seating will be accommodated on a first come, first-served basis.
Industry Ink (4-26-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Janson was invited to become an honorary “Friends and Family” member of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on April 23. His current single, “Better I Don’t,” will be featured on his debut full-length album produced by Keith Stegall (Alan Jackson, Zac Brown Band), which is expected for release later this year via Bigger Picture Group.
Pictured (L-R): Kyle Young (Director, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum), Jay Orr (Vice President, Programs), Rachel Weingartner (Membership Manager, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum) and Chris Janson. Photo Credit: Courtesy of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
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Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) was in Washington D.C. earlier this week, hosting a Songwriter Congressional Briefing with BMI songwriters Claude Kelly and Luke Laird. BMI continued to focus on advocating for the value of music and educating about the craft of songwriting and the compensation process.
Pictured (L-R): BMI songwriter Claude Kelly, Chairman Howard Coble, Congresswoman Dr. Judy Chu, BMI songwriter Luke Laird, Congressman Marsha Blackburn and BMI President and CEO Del Bryant.
MusicRow No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerDarius Rucker (Center) with ‘True Believers’ producer, Frank Rogers (R) and UMG Nashville Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan (L). Photo: Chris Hollo
Darius Rucker rolls his “Wagon Wheel” to the top of the MusicRow Chart, claiming the No. 1 position this week.
Although the melody was written and recorded in an unreleased demo session by Bob Dylan in 1973, Old Crow Medicine Show’s Ketch Secor molded verses around the song’s structure and released “Wagon Wheel” in 2004. Dylan is reported to have agreed to a 50-50 share with Secor for the current “Wagon Wheel” copyright.
Rucker’s single, featuring members of Lady Antebellum, is the first from his third solo country album, True Believers, which will be released May 21.
Rucker will be appearing across the country this summer in addition to inclusion among a group of speakers for the University of South Carolina’s spring commencement ceremony on May 11. Rucker will receive an honorary doctorate in music for the presentation.