
Pictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (VP National Promotion, WMN), Chris Stacey (SVP Promotion, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Kristen Williams (Director National Promotion, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, WMN)
• The
Warner Music Nashville promotion team had a lot to celebrate recently when they scored two chart-toppers in the same week.
Brett Eldredge marked his first No. 1 with “Don’t Ya,” On
Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart the same week that
Hunter Hayes landed atop
Country Aircheck‘s Mediabase chart with “I Want Crazy,” his third consecutive No 1.
The label also had three albums in the Top 5 on SoundScan’s Top Current Country Albums chart with Brett Eldredge’s
Bring You Back, Blake Shelton’s
Based On a True Story… and Hunter Hayes’
(Encore).
“This is a big day for the Warner Music Family,” said
Chris Stacey, SVP Promotion, WMN. “This feels like the culmination of years of hard work finally starting to pay off. We have the most passionate and dedicated promo team in the business! This milestone moment will not be taken lightly—but will drive us to fight even harder for our artists.”
• SESAC has signed singer/songwriter
Greg Crowe for representation. Crowe has penned cuts for
Montgomery Gentry,
Sammy Kershaw, and
Lonestar, and his song “We’re Fired Up” is the official song of the Tennessee Titans Radio Network. Crowe has also signed with publishing company Swat Music Group, and recently visited SESAC’s Nashville headquarters with publishing executives to celebrate.

Pictured (L-R): Swat Music Group/Busy At Play Publishing’s Johnny Garcia, SESAC’s John Mullins, Greg Crowe, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Swat Music Group’s Jamin Swantner. Photo: Peyton Hoge
• BMI singer-songwriter
Mike Walker has signed a deal with
HoriPro Entertainment. “Mike’s an uncommonly gifted writer, musician and performer,” says BMI Sr. Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Bradley Collins. “He and HoriPro are a great creative match.”

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Petree Law’s Chip Petree, Mike Walker, and HoriPro’s Lee Krabel, Butch Baker and Tim Stehli. Photo: Drew Maynard.
•
Blair Garner and his co-hosts from “America’s Morning Show” on
NASH FM 94.7 are lending a hand to raise funds to help Staten Island resident/Hurricane Sandy hero
Pete Vadola, whose house was destroyed by a devastating fire last month.
Vadola rescued over 200 residents in his Staten Island neighborhood using a small motorboat found floating in the street. After learning of Vadola’s incredible story, Blair Garner and his co-hosts asked listeners to call in with information on how to set up a fundraising account for donations to help rebuild the Vadola’s lives. The response from listeners was overwhelming and a fundraising account was established. NASH FM 94.7 and “America’s Morning Show” provide a link on their website,
NASHFM947.com/Pete that takes contributors directly to a secure site for donating to the cause.
“Radio is at its best when it serves its community, and that very idea speaks to the core of who we are in Country music,” Garner said. “When someone needs help, you reach out because it’s the right thing to do. We’re going to do everything we can to take care of Pete and his family. All I did was speak from my heart about Pete’s story, and from there, the listeners rose to the occasion.”
Nathan Hubbard Exits Ticketmaster
/by Jessica NicholsonHubbard was named CEO of Ticketmaster after it merged with Live Nation in 2010. He had previously been Chief Executive Officer of Ticketing Unit at Live Nation Entertainment, Inc. He joined Live Nation through the acquisition of Music Today’s direct-to-fan platform in 2006, where Hubbard served as CEO. Hubbard is a graduate of Princeton University and the Stanford Graduate School of Business.
In early 2009, Live Nation Ticketing was launched as a direct competitor to Ticketmaster, but LNT was done away with after Ticketmaster’s merger with Live Nation.
T.J. Martell Foundation Announces 38th Annual Gala Honorees
/by Caitlin RantalaOther honorees during the evening include Jennifer Breithaupt, SVP of Marketing CITI (Spirit of Music Award), Brandon Steiner, CEO of Steiner Sports (Humanitarian of the Year Award), John Sykes, President of Clear Channel Entertainment Enterprises (Lifetime Music Industry Achievement Award) and Target Corporation (Spirit of Excellence Award). Celebrity performers and presenters will be announced throughout the summer.
“When I started this Foundation with several of my peers in the music and entertainment business in honor of my son T.J., I wanted to do all that I could to make sure other families would not have to suffer the way my family did,” said Tony Martell, Founder & Chairman of the T.J. Martell Foundation. “We are thrilled to honor Carrie Underwood with this year’s Artist Achievement Award.”
Past honorees have included former President George W. Bush and former President William J. Clinton, the late Frances Williams Preston, Katie Couric, Matt Lauer, Anne Curry, Al Roker, Clive Davis, Arnold Palmer, Del Bryant, Scott Borchetta, Clarence Avant, Berry Gordy, Quincy Jones, the late Gil Freisen, Irving Azoff, Russell Simmons, Monte & Avery Lipman, Bruce Lundvall, John Esposito, Joel Katz and the late Ahmet Ertegun. The T.J. Martell New York Honors Gala is sponsored by American Airlines.
Old Crow Medicine Show To Become Opry Members
/by Lorie HollabaughOld Crow Medicine Show, Sally Williams (second from left) Ryman Auditorium, Marty Stuart and Pete Fisher (far right) Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.
Old Crow Medicine Show was invited to become the latest members of the Grand Ole Opry during their show last Friday night (Aug. 16) in Ohio. The string band has long-standing ties with the Opry since some of its first performances took place on the sidewalks outside the Opry House in 2000 playing for fans on their way into and out of Opry shows. They’ve come a long way since then, making their first official performance on the Opry stage a year later in January 2001, and subsequently playing the hallowed hall dozens of times since. Their formal induction ceremony will take place Sept. 17.
The band received their surprise invitation to join the Opry from Marty Stuart during their show at the Ohio Theater in Cleveland. Clearly thrilled with the invitation, they gave a resounding yes and then launched into “We Don’t Grow Tobacco” with Stuart before performing their signature tune/fan favorite, “Wagon Wheel.”
“Inviting Old Crow to become our next member is truly exciting for us,” said Pete Fisher, Opry vice president and general manager. “For one, Old Crow has grown before our eyes from entertaining Opry-goers for free in the Opry Plaza a dozen years ago to rank today among the most respected and popular acts in music. It’s also exciting that in many ways Old Crow looks and sounds a lot like some of the string bands of the 1920s which helped first propel the Opry to national prominence. While recent Opry inductees and contemporary hit-makers such as Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, and Dierks Bentley, will help shape the Opry in coming years, our future is also in excellent hands with this group, which happens to be quite reminiscent of our musical past. It’s an awesome full circle.”
16th Annual Buds-n-Suds Music Festival Announces Headliner
/by Jessica NicholsonThe outdoor concert will be held at Loser’s in Nashville, to support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America Tennessee Chapter. The performance will take place beginning at 6 p.m. Additional performers will be announced soon.
General admission tickets are Free, with VIP tickets available for a discounted $50 donation. VIP tickets will include a special seating area, drink tickets and light appetizers. To purchase VIP tickets, visit budsnsuds.eventbrite.com.
Sony Corp. A Contender For Elvis Presley Estate
/by Jessica NicholsonSony Corp. and the G2 Investment Group are reportedly working on a joint bid for the assets. Sony Music Entertainment currently controls the Presley master recording catalog; a purchase of the estate would eliminate artist royalty payments from Sony to the estate.
'MusicRow' No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerKenny Chesney. Photo: Shaun Silva
Perhaps it’s fitting that Kenny Chesney’s “When I See This Bar” takes the MusicRow Chart’s No. 1 spot this week, at the end of the summer season.
As the weather softens and school bells ring, the title offers a chance for reflection on vacations and memories beyond. The song, written by Chesney and Keith Gattis, has spent the past 13 weeks surfing to the top as the second title released from Chesney’s 2013 project, Life On A Rock.
The 4:07-minute radio edit has been extended to over six minutes for the music video, directed by Chesney’s mainstay director Shaun Silva.
Speaking of summer wrapping, Chesney has four dates left on his No Shoes Nation tour, not including his appearance at The Zac Brown Band’s Southern Ground festival in Nashville, Fri. Sept. 27. The stadium singer has announced plans to take 2014 off from touring.
Eli Young Band To Headline 'Drunk Last Night' Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonEli Young Band
Republic Nashville artist Eli Young Band is set to headline the Drunk Last Night Fall/Winter Tour, with guest Eric Paslay (EMI). Select dates will also include Warner Brothers artist Josh Abbott Band and other guests.
The nearly 30-date tour will launch in Kansas City, Mo. on Oct. 3 and end in mid-December. Other tour stops include Chicago, Chattanooga, Tenn.; and El Paso, Texas.
For more information, visit eliyoungband.com.
Drunk Last Night Tour Dates:
Oct. 3 Kansas City, Mo.
Oct. 4 Conroe, Texas
Oct. 5 Waco, Texas
Oct. 6 El Paso, Texas
Oct. 23 Bloomington, Ind.
Oct. 25 Chattanooga, Tenn.
Oct. 26 Norfolk, Va.
Oct. 27 Raleigh, N.C.
Nov. 1 Fayetteville, Ark.
Nov. 2 Fayetteville, Ark.
Nov. 8 Austin, Texas
Nov. 13 Baltimore, Md.
Nov. 15 Milwaukee, Wisc.
Nov. 16 Chicago
Nov. 17 Chicago
Nov. 18 Chicago
Nov. 7 Atlantic City, N.J.
Academy of Country Music Names Officers For 2013-2014
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Treasurer Duane Clark, Vice President Paul Barnabee, Chairman of the Board Ken Robold, outgoing ACM Chairman of the Board Butch Waugh, President Darin Murphy, Parliamentarian Paul Moore, Secretary Tiffany Moon
Ken Robold, Darin Murphy, Duane Clark, Paul Moore, Tiffany Moon and Paul Barnabee are among the newly elected Academy of Country Music officers for the 2013-2014 term.
Chairman of the Board—Ken Robold, Southern Ground Artists
President—Darin Murphy, CAA
Vice-President—Paul Barnabee, Sony Music Nashville
Treasurer—Duane Clark, FBMM
Parliamentarian—Paul Moore, WME
Secretary—Tiffany Moon, Academy of Country Music
Academy of Country Music Board of Directors elections will be ratified in the fall, and new Board members will be announced at that time.
Artist Action (8-16-13)
/by Lorie HollabaughChris Young
• Chris Young is continuing to improve and has been moved to a regular room (out of ICU) after being hospitalized in Denver with a serious leg infection Tuesday night, according to his publicist. Upon discovering the infection, Young was forced to cancel a show in Kalispell, Mont. and this weekend’s performances on Brad Paisley‘s Beat This Summer Tour. The cause of the infection is unknown. He is slated to resume his schedule in Redding, Calif., on Aug. 21.
Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer
• Brantley Gilbert and Jana Kramer have called it quits and will not be heading down the aisle after their seven-month engagement, according to People.com. The two, who are both busy on the road touring, reportedly blame their careers for the demise of their relationship. Kramer was previously married to Johnathon Schaech for a month in 2010, and to Michael Gambino in 2004.
Charlie Daniels
• Charlie Daniels and his wife Hazel will host “Charlie Daniels Scholarships for Heroes,” an annual charity event benefiting The Task Force Dagger Foundation, on Wednesday, Sept. 11 at the Nashville Palm restaurant. Phil Vassar will make a celebrity guest appearance at the benefit, which will be emceed by Storme Warren and will include a VIP cocktail reception, a silent auction, a surf and turf dinner, and a live auction.
The Task Force Dagger Foundation is a charity that supports the US Army’s Special Operations Command (USASOC). It is dedicated to providing immediate assistance to the wounded, ill, or injured USASOC soldiers and their families as well as Gold Star families.
Tickets to the event are $250 per person and VIP Tables are $5,000. For ticket information, contact Paige Dixon at (615) 742-3193 or pdixon@thepalm.com.
Tracy Lawrence
• Tracy Lawrence will debut music from his brand new CD Headlights, Taillights and Radios this weekend on SiriusXM’s Prime Country channel 58. The three-day world premiere event runs today (Aug. 16) through Sunday and features Lawrence in front of a studio audience performing his new songs and some old favorites as well, as he shares personal stories behind the making of the new project. The entire CD will be premiered throughout the weekend on the channel, and hits stores Aug. 20.
•
Industry Ink (8-16-13)
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Kevin Herring (VP National Promotion, WMN), Chris Stacey (SVP Promotion, WMN), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management, WMN), Kristen Williams (Director National Promotion, WMN), John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, WMN)
• The Warner Music Nashville promotion team had a lot to celebrate recently when they scored two chart-toppers in the same week. Brett Eldredge marked his first No. 1 with “Don’t Ya,” On Billboard’s Country Airplay Chart the same week that Hunter Hayes landed atop Country Aircheck‘s Mediabase chart with “I Want Crazy,” his third consecutive No 1.
The label also had three albums in the Top 5 on SoundScan’s Top Current Country Albums chart with Brett Eldredge’s Bring You Back, Blake Shelton’s Based On a True Story… and Hunter Hayes’ (Encore).
“This is a big day for the Warner Music Family,” said Chris Stacey, SVP Promotion, WMN. “This feels like the culmination of years of hard work finally starting to pay off. We have the most passionate and dedicated promo team in the business! This milestone moment will not be taken lightly—but will drive us to fight even harder for our artists.”
• SESAC has signed singer/songwriter Greg Crowe for representation. Crowe has penned cuts for Montgomery Gentry, Sammy Kershaw, and Lonestar, and his song “We’re Fired Up” is the official song of the Tennessee Titans Radio Network. Crowe has also signed with publishing company Swat Music Group, and recently visited SESAC’s Nashville headquarters with publishing executives to celebrate.
Pictured (L-R): Swat Music Group/Busy At Play Publishing’s Johnny Garcia, SESAC’s John Mullins, Greg Crowe, SESAC’s Tim Fink and Swat Music Group’s Jamin Swantner. Photo: Peyton Hoge
• BMI singer-songwriter Mike Walker has signed a deal with HoriPro Entertainment. “Mike’s an uncommonly gifted writer, musician and performer,” says BMI Sr. Director, Writer/Publisher Relations Bradley Collins. “He and HoriPro are a great creative match.”
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Bradley Collins, Petree Law’s Chip Petree, Mike Walker, and HoriPro’s Lee Krabel, Butch Baker and Tim Stehli. Photo: Drew Maynard.
•
Vadola rescued over 200 residents in his Staten Island neighborhood using a small motorboat found floating in the street. After learning of Vadola’s incredible story, Blair Garner and his co-hosts asked listeners to call in with information on how to set up a fundraising account for donations to help rebuild the Vadola’s lives. The response from listeners was overwhelming and a fundraising account was established. NASH FM 94.7 and “America’s Morning Show” provide a link on their website, NASHFM947.com/Pete that takes contributors directly to a secure site for donating to the cause.
“Radio is at its best when it serves its community, and that very idea speaks to the core of who we are in Country music,” Garner said. “When someone needs help, you reach out because it’s the right thing to do. We’re going to do everything we can to take care of Pete and his family. All I did was speak from my heart about Pete’s story, and from there, the listeners rose to the occasion.”