Pictured (L-R): Jen Joe (Stoney Creek), Houser, and Kerry Wolfe (WMIL)
celebrated his first No. 1, “How Country Feels,” after playing WMIL’s Class of 2013 Show in Milwaukee. The song is the lead single from Houser’s Stoney Creek debut CD, which was released to stores today (Jan. 22) and can be seen in
iTunes, here.
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Pop, country and gospel artist B.J. Thomas will celebrate half a century creating music with a new album of stripped down re-imaginings of 12 of his most popular songs, produced by Kyle Lehning. The Wrinkled Records album, titled The Living Room Sessions, will feature guest artists including Vince Gill, Lyle Lovett, Keb’ Mo’, Isaac Slade of The Fray, Richard Marx, Steve Tyrell, and more, with a yet-to-be announced Spring release date. For more information, click here.
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Steve Martin and the Steep Canyon Rangers, featuring Edie Brickell, will kick off a North American tour on May 22 in Ft. Meyers, Fla. The tour, showcasing a unique hybrid of bluegrass and comedy, will promote the band’s forthcoming April 23 Rounder Records release, Love Has Come for You. Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center is scheduled to host the group on Wednesday, May 29. For a list of dates, click here.
Industry Ink (1/22/13)
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Rare Hank Williams Sr. Live Recordings Become Available
/by Jessica Nicholson“After years of litigation and tribulation, we can now make these recordings available directly from the Hank Williams Estate, as well as make a decision in a heartbeat,” adds Keith Adkinson, lawyer for the Hank Williams Estate. “This will only allow for a little more Hank out in the entertainment world.”
“I am honored to join my brother Hank Williams, Jr. in making available these original recordings of our dad for multi-media use,” says Jett Williams. “Many experts have said they are better than the MGM masters. You decide–but we can carry on the legacy of my dad with pride.”
“Daddy’s music has lasted decades and is being discovered by a new generation of fans. Not only did he influence country artists, but he also crossed over to influence rock artists,” says Hank Williams Jr. “Today, the Williams legacy continues to endure with the release of these recordings for movies, commercials, documentaries, among others things.”
143 songs from the 1951 radio shows by “Mother’s Best Flour Company” are available, along with 49 other songs, including:
Crownover, Blevins Moves to Music Row
/by Michelle“Bryan Switzer and Kix Brooks were nice enough to let us move in early, while they wait on their new studio to be built on 2nd Avenue. So we’ll share some space with them for a few months and then occupy the entire space in March of 2013,” said Derek Crownover, the firm’s founding partner.
The phone numbers and e-mails for the lawyers, paralegals and staff will remain the same; however, the physical and mailing address will change immediately to: 54 Music Square East, Suite 250, Nashville, TN 37203.
For more information about Crownover, Blevins, visit: www.dcablaw.com
Artist News 1/22/13
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Jen Joe (Stoney Creek), Houser, and Kerry Wolfe (WMIL)
Randy Houser celebrated his first No. 1, “How Country Feels,” after playing WMIL’s Class of 2013 Show in Milwaukee. The song is the lead single from Houser’s Stoney Creek debut CD, which was released to stores today (Jan. 22) and can be seen in iTunes, here.
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Invitation: An Evening Celebrating Barbara Orbison
/by Jessica NicholsonThe evening will include refreshments, wine and a photographer on hand to capture “Pretty Woman” in each guest (prints are $5). There will also be a chance to win a $300 spa package.
The event will take place on Thursday (Jan. 24) from 4-6 p.m. at the Orbison Building located at 1625 Broadway, Suite 200.
RSVP to: lindsay@orbison.com.
Country Performers at 2013 Presidental Inauguration [Video]
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley and Kelly Clarkson performed during the Presidential Inauguration Monday (Jan. 21), which ushered in President Barack Obama’s second term in office. Clarkson performed “My Country Tis of Thee,” during the public ceremony in the morning, while Paisley turned in a rendition of “Alcohol” at the Inaugural Ball later in the evening.
Other entertainers during the festivities included Beyonce (who performed the National Anthem), Alicia Keys, James Taylor, Black Violin, Far East Movement, among others.
Kelly Clarkson–“My Country Tis of Thee” (beginning at the :33 mark)
Brad Paisley–“Alcohol”
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fjwDhjdlYds
Artist News (1/21/13)
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ASCAP Announces GPS Project Class of 2013
/by Caitlin RantalaPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Jonathan Kingham, Brittany Aultman, Sarah Allison Turner, Keith Walker, Austin Smith, Ryan Plappert, Brian Burke, Jillian Arciero, Kris Hitchcock, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel and Chris Drizen
ASCAP Senior Creative Director LeAnn Phelan and Creative Manager Ryan Bueschel have announced the names of the twelve talented, unsigned songwriters that will make up the ASCAP GPS Project Class of 2013. Now in its third year, the program puts emphasis on getting the best of Nashville’s unsigned ASCAP songwriters in front of the city’s vibrant publishing community. Twelve writers are paired with twelve publishers for one meeting a month, along with a follow-up meeting to help develop the writer and solidify the relationship.
ASCAP’s GPS Project Class of 2013 participants are: Jillian Arciero, Brittany Aultman, Brian Burke, Chris Drizen, Kris Hitchcock, Jonathan Kingham, Anthony Olympia, Ryan Plappert, Dara Sisterhen, Austin Smith, Sarah Allison Turner and Keith Walker.
“With shrinking man power and increasing workloads, as a community we can’t afford to take our eyes off the importance of writer development. The ASCAP GPS Project gets some of Nashville’s finest publishers involved in an invaluable learning experience for these talented writers,” commented Phelan.
The 2013 ASCAP GPS Project kicked off in January and will continue with events taking place through the end of the year. Additional special activities will include a mid-year writers’ round, guidance for participants from attorneys and other industry influentials, networking events and more. For more information, please contact the ASCAP Nashville office at nashville@ascap.com.
Amazon Aims To Compete With iTunes
/by Sarah SkatesAmazon offers over 22 million songs and over two million albums. Some of the store’s cost-saving deals include $5 albums, $0.69 songs, and free songs from up-and-coming artists.
Music purchases are automatically saved to customers’ Cloud Player libraries for no charge. Those songs can then be downloaded or played instantly from any iPhone, iPod touch, iPad, Kindle Fire, Android phone or tablet, Roku, Sonos home entertainment system, or web browser.
Amazon also offers personalized recommendations based on purchase history, best-seller lists and Amazon customer ratings.
AIMP To Host Social Media Panel in Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonAriel Hyatt (founder of CyberPR), Wayne Leeloy (Senior Director of Digital Marketing for Warner Music Nashville), Marcus Whitney (CTO of Moontoast) and John Barker (President of Clearbox Rights, LLC) will discuss product development and marketing strategies involving social media and e-commerce. They will also examine the early stages of development with a publisher/administrator who is fostering an audience through social media.
A hot lunch buffet will be served. The cost for AIMP members is $25, while the price for non-members is $40. Those interested in attending can RSVP at www.aimp.org.