Pictured: Bill Carter (c) receives Crystal Award from Richard W. Davies,
Executive Director, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (l) and Sloane Roberts
Miss Arkansas 2012 (r).
Music business attorney, manager, television producer and executive producer
Bill Carter was recently honored twice in his home state of Arkansas. First, it was announced that he will be inducted into the
Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame during a ceremony to be held June 8 in Hot Springs, Ark. Earlier this week, Carter also accepted the
Crystal Award from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism in recognition of his work collaborating with Arkansas State University to restore Johnny Cash’s boyhood home in Dyess, Ark.
Carter’s early dealings in politics led to a career as an attorney, where he was called upon to help the Rolling Stones with a few legal matters, including getting lead singer Keith Richards access back into the United States following a drug bust in Toronto. Carter’s career has included working as a manager, television producer and most recently, executive producer of the annual Johnny Cash Music Festival.
• • •
Kama Upton
Paradigm Talent Agency’s Kama Upton will be honored at an event on April 12 hosted by the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation celebrating Nashville’s 2013 Top 30 Under 30. The annual event, which takes place at the Hutton Hotel, recognizes successful young professionals for their achievements in the Nashville business and philanthropic communities.
Kama began working at Paradigm in 2007, shortly after moving to Nashville. This past February, after almost 6 years with the company, she was promoted to agent. As a member of the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) she has served as Community Service Chair, Secretary, and most recently as President in 2012. Kama is also a member of the Troubadour Society at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians On Call’s Young Professionals Committee, and serves on the alumni committee of the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID).
• • •
BHP Recordings has added Michael Cosner to its roster. The label stated that the addition of Michael will “nicely compliment and round out the current roster with a straightforward male Country Artist.”
Michael is excited about the move. “All the artists under the BHP brand share the same drive and passion that I have for the music. We’re going to combine our promotional efforts to collectively get our music into places we might not have been able to reach individually. These days, it’s easier than ever to distribute product independently, but to have a label and a team behind you is huge because there is so much other work involved in trying to break through, especially on the radio and retail fronts.”
• • •
Dennis Entertainment has a new Nashville address. They are now located at 903 18th Ave. S, Nashville, TN 37212.
• • •
Radio promotion “heavyweights” Jimmy Rector (EMI Nashville) and Keith Gale (RCA) won their respective boxing bouts during Friday night’s sold-out 9th Annual Ringside: A Fight For Kids in Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn. Rector defeated Damon Moberly (Mercury Nashville) and Gale was victorious against EJ Bernas (Bigger Picture Group), but all four men were champions in helping to benefit The Charley Foundation, which supports charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of area children.
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Rector (EMI Nashville) and Keith Gale (RCA) display their Lucchese “Rumble on the Row” hand-tooled championship belts.
Photo: Karen Will Rogers
13th Annual NSAI Song Contest Winner Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonAs part of the NSAI Grand prize package, Diluigi will be performing the Grand Prize-winning song at this year’s Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival. His live performance of “October” can be heard at the Station Inn on Saturday, April 6, on a Tin Pan South show that featuring Diluigi, Melissa Bollea, Amber Hayes and Joshua Scott Jones.
The CMT Listeners’ Choice Award in this year’s contest went to “Gardener in the Graveyard,” composed by Cassidy Alexander, Judd Fuller and Dana Radford. Over 110,000 online votes were cast and 36 percent chose “Gardener in the Graveyard” over the other nine finalists. Alexander also wins a number of prizes for her entry.
Artist Updates (3-12-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonBMG Chrysalis hosted and co-sponsored (along with the Guild of Music Supervisors) a private performance from LeAnn Rimes on March 5 in their Los Angeles office performance space. Rimes’ performance featured selections from her forthcoming album, Spitfire, to an intimate, industry crowd. Darrell Brown (co-writer and producer on the upcoming album) was on hand to present Rimes and also accompany her performance (along with co-writer/guitarist David Baerwald and guitarist Waddy Wachtel). The album is slated to release this spring.
Pictured (L-R): Wendy Griffiths (BMG Chrysalis US-SVP, Marketing US); Sara Connally (BMG Chrysalis US-Sr. Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Alex Flores (BMG Chrysalis US-Director, Marketing, Film & TV); Steve Schnur (Electronic Arts-Worldwide Executive of Music & Marketing); LeAnn Rimes; Ann Kline (Music Supervisor); Maureen Crowe (President of the Guild of Music Supervisors).
• • • •
Cyndi Lauper, Don McLean, Billy Ray Cyrus, Clay Walker, Aaron Tippin, Collin Raye, Larry Gatlin, Crystal Gayle, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Jett Williams, Jeanne Pruett, Lisa Matassa, The Whites, Ricky Skaggs, Mandy Barnett, Mark Collie, Ronnie McDowell, Baillie & the Boys, and Daryle Singletary are the latest additions to George Jones’ final Nashville concert taking place at the Bridgestone Arena on Friday, November 22, 2013. Previously announced guest performers include Garth Brooks, Kid Rock, Kenny Rogers, Randy Travis, Alan Jackson, Dierks Bentley and numerous others.
• • • •
The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas is bringing the spirit of the South to the Las Vegas Strip with Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on April 27 followed by an authentic barbeque and country music showcase on April 28 featuring Easton Corbin.
Tickets are now on sale for Zac Brown Band at The Chelsea on Saturday, April 27 at 8 p.m. Kicking off at 1 p.m. on Sunday, April 28, fans of country and barbeque will enjoy a day of music overlooking the Las Vegas Strip at the Boulevard Pool. The day will feature live music sets at 2:30 p.m., 4 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. Corbin’s set will begin at 7 p.m.
• • •
“Marie is absolutely charming, gorgeous and gracious in person,” notes Matassa. “I have been a fan of the show since it started last year and am so excited that I was invited to be on. Marie is undoubtedly an entertainment icon, but she is also an amazing woman.”
• • •
Lady Antebellum To Kick Off 'Fan Fair X' during CMA Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonLady Antebellum will kick off the week with “Lady A Day at FFX.” The trio group will cut the ribbon when the doors officially open to the FFX on June 6. From the new Fan Fair X, Lady Antebellum will perform, sign autographs in their custom “backstage” booth @ClubLabellum, answer questions from fans in an interview segment called “CMA Close Up,” and is launching their PING PONG & SONGS event to include the thousands of fans in town for the Festival. Fanscan also register at FFX for a private meet and greet with the group at LP Field on Friday, June 7.
“I’m looking forward to being in the new Music City Center,” said Lady A’s Hillary Scott. “We’re really excited to be given the opportunity to merge our PING PONG & SONGS event with Music Fest and this new fan experience CMA is creating. Now that fans from all over the country will be able to play ping pong against us, Charles and Dave are going to have to brush up on their skills! All the money we raise at our booth will go to LadyAID – it’s going to be so fun for us and for the fans!”
“The relationship between our artists and the fans is at the very heart of what this event was founded on, and we continue to embrace that legacy with Fan Fair X,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “By moving to the Music City Center, we are able to provide more opportunities and activities to enhance this treasured experience for the fans.”
EMI CMG Distribution Re-Brands
/by Jessica NicholsonCapitol Christian Distribution was the No.1 Billboard Top Christian Distributor for the 15th time in the past 17 years. In 2012, they distributed four Top 10 Billboard 200 chart debuts, including TobyMac’s Eye On It, the first Christian project in 15 years to top the Billboard 200. They followed that in 2013 with the release of Chris Tomlin’s Burning Lights, which also topped the Billboard 200. Additional top-sellers this year include Colton Dixon’s A Messenger, and yet another No. 1 Billboard Christian album debut for Jeremy Camp with his newest release Reckless.
For more information, visit http://www.
TJ Martell Foundation Salutes Vince Gill, T Bone Burnett
/by Sarah SkatesTJ Martell honorees pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Peggy Joyce, Butch Spyridon and T Bone Burnett.
Held last night (March 10), the T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala saluted T Bone Burnett, Vince Gill, Butch Spyridon and Peggy Joyce. The event has raised more than $2,225,000 since it began five years ago.
Jeff Bridges, John Mellencamp and Elvis Costello gave musical tributes to friend Burnett. Many cast members from ABC’s Nashville were on hand to honor Burnett, who is executive music producer for the program. Actress/singer Claire Bowen joined Costello on stage to end the night with a duet.
There were several surprise performances, including an appearance by blues legend Keb’ Mo’, who honored his friend Vince Gill. Additionally, Gill’s daughter, Jenny, gave a musical tribute and his wife, Amy Grant, presented Gill with the Frances Williams Preston Lifetime Music Achievement Award.
Songwriters Aaron Barker, Tim Nichols and Rivers Rutherford performed some of their hits to honor Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau CEO Butch Spyridon, and volunteer Peggy Joyce. Spyridon accepted the Spirit of Nashville Award.
T Bone Burnett pictured with (L-R): John Mellencamp, Elvis Costello and Jeff Bridges.
Nashville Signings
/by Jessica NicholsonSinger/songwriter Danika Portz from Remsen, Iowa has signed with Grin Like A Dog Songs in partnership with Green Hills Music Group for music publishing and career development. “I am thrilled to be working with Danika – she’s a unique artist with passion, intelligence and vision,” said Steve Mitchell, President of Grin Like A Dog Songs. “Plus she is such a joy to work with,” adds Woody Bomar, President of Green Hills Music Group. Said Portz, “I am so excited and blessed to have found such a wonderful team.”
Green Hills Music Group was founded in 2007 and has recordings by Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Jake Owen, Bucky Covington and Luke Bryan.
Grin Like A Dog Songs publishes songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Kassie DePaiva of ABC’s One Life to Live, Canadian artist Sean Hogan and Christian artist Suzzette Michaels.
Pictured (L-R): Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Danika Portz, Steve and Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs). Photo by Pam Boylan.
• • •
Amber Hayes
A-OK/GMV Nashville artist Amber Hayes has entered into an exclusive booking agreement with Nashville-based talent agency and marketing firm, Conway Entertainment Group.
“I first met Amber when she was performing with the Conway Twitty Musical in 2008. I’ve always been impressed by her talent and am excited about working with her and the opportunities ahead,” said Conway Entertainment Group President, Tony Conway.
Pictured (L-R): Todd Pachey, Greg Barnhill and Steve Pasch.
Darius Rucker To Host ACM Lifting Lives Golf Tourney
/by Sarah SkatesThe ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic—the seventh held since 2004—brings together country music artists, record label executives and other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund, which provides immediate relief to those in need in the music industry.
Rucker, an avid golfer, has been very involved with ACM Lifting Lives. He performed the original song “Music From the Heart” with campers from the ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp on the 2011 ACM Awards to raise awareness about those with developmental disabilities. Rucker also penned the song “Together, Anything is Possible” to raise money for the PGA’s charitable initiatives.
Rucker’s next album, True Believers, will be released this spring with a tour to follow.
Underwood Honored by Country Music Association of Australia
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Gary Overton, CEO & Chairman, Sony Music Nashville; Carrie Underwood; and, Rachel Fontenot, Associate Director, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville.
Just prior to Carrie Underwood taking her “Blown Away Tour” to London, Dublin and Belfast and then various dates in Canada, Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO Gary Overton christened her international bon voyage with a surprise presentation.
Recently, Carrie was awarded the “Top-Selling International Album of the Year” for Blown Away by the Country Music Association of Australia; but, she was unable to personally receive her “Golden Guitar” trophy at the ceremony in Tamworth, Australia.
[Updated] Industry Ink (3-11-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Bill Carter (c) receives Crystal Award from Richard W. Davies,
Executive Director, Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism (l) and Sloane Roberts
Miss Arkansas 2012 (r).
Music business attorney, manager, television producer and executive producer Bill Carter was recently honored twice in his home state of Arkansas. First, it was announced that he will be inducted into the Arkansas Entertainers Hall of Fame during a ceremony to be held June 8 in Hot Springs, Ark. Earlier this week, Carter also accepted the Crystal Award from the Arkansas Department of Parks and Tourism in recognition of his work collaborating with Arkansas State University to restore Johnny Cash’s boyhood home in Dyess, Ark.
Carter’s early dealings in politics led to a career as an attorney, where he was called upon to help the Rolling Stones with a few legal matters, including getting lead singer Keith Richards access back into the United States following a drug bust in Toronto. Carter’s career has included working as a manager, television producer and most recently, executive producer of the annual Johnny Cash Music Festival.
• • •
Kama Upton
Paradigm Talent Agency’s Kama Upton will be honored at an event on April 12 hosted by the local chapter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation celebrating Nashville’s 2013 Top 30 Under 30. The annual event, which takes place at the Hutton Hotel, recognizes successful young professionals for their achievements in the Nashville business and philanthropic communities.
Kama began working at Paradigm in 2007, shortly after moving to Nashville. This past February, after almost 6 years with the company, she was promoted to agent. As a member of the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) she has served as Community Service Chair, Secretary, and most recently as President in 2012. Kama is also a member of the Troubadour Society at the Country Music Hall of Fame, Musicians On Call’s Young Professionals Committee, and serves on the alumni committee of the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID).
• • •
Michael is excited about the move. “All the artists under the BHP brand share the same drive and passion that I have for the music. We’re going to combine our promotional efforts to collectively get our music into places we might not have been able to reach individually. These days, it’s easier than ever to distribute product independently, but to have a label and a team behind you is huge because there is so much other work involved in trying to break through, especially on the radio and retail fronts.”
• • •
• • •
Radio promotion “heavyweights” Jimmy Rector (EMI Nashville) and Keith Gale (RCA) won their respective boxing bouts during Friday night’s sold-out 9th Annual Ringside: A Fight For Kids in Liberty Hall at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn. Rector defeated Damon Moberly (Mercury Nashville) and Gale was victorious against EJ Bernas (Bigger Picture Group), but all four men were champions in helping to benefit The Charley Foundation, which supports charitable agencies addressing the critical needs of area children.
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Rector (EMI Nashville) and Keith Gale (RCA) display their Lucchese “Rumble on the Row” hand-tooled championship belts.
Photo: Karen Will Rogers
Symphony Spring Fashion Show Announces Performers
/by Sarah SkatesKaren Elson and Leagues.
The Nashville Symphony Spring Fashion Show will feature Monique Lhuillier’s Fall 2013 Collection, as well as musical performances by Karen Elson and Leagues. The April 9 event at Schermerhorn Symphony Center will be emceed by CMT personality Allison DeMarcus and raises funds for the educational and artistic programs of the Nashville Symphony.
Though Elson is best known as a model, the Nashville resident is also a musical artist offering a blend of folk balladry, cabaret and roots music. She is currently at work on her second album.
Indie-rock band Leagues is made up of singer Thad Cockrell, guitarist Tyler Burkum and drummer Jeremy Lutito. The group recently released its debut album, You Belong Here.
Tickets for reserved seating on the floor and in loge boxes begin at $300 and include a dinner after-party. “Young & Fashionable” tickets are $150 each.
Past musical guests have included Carrie Underwood and Little Big Town.