Nashville’s Venture Capital Market Buzzing

/by

Nicholas Holland

Nashville is enjoying a rash of year-end venture capital deals. The latest two, Populr.me and ArtistGrowth.com, have two music industry names in common, Joe Galante and Mark Montgomery who are part of the investment teams in both ventures.

Populr.me
According to Venturenashville.com, Populr.com is a service that helps small businesses easily create one-page web sites with unique web addresses to better take advantage new digital marketing tools like Groupon. Steering the company is entrepreneur Nicholas Holland who has placed day-to-day control of his company, CentreSource under newly named CEO Evan Owens. The deal between Populr and Nashville’s Bullpen Ventures, closed on Dec. 16. Holland received $25k in capital and a place at the Nashville Entrepreneur Center (NEC) table. In return, Bullpen receives 12% equity in the new company and NEC gets 15% of Bullpen’s share in return for its support role. Bullpen partners include Stuart McWhorter, John Ingram, Joe Galante, Steve Turner and Mark Montgomery. NEC is under the leadership of CEO Michael Burcham.

Artist Growth
This music service is aimed at providing online tools for DIY musicians for career management. The product was created by Matt Urmy and Jonathan Sexton, both Nashville-based musican-turned entrepreneur. According to an invite for the site’s mid-Jan. coming out announcement, ArtistGrowth.com’s proprietary technology integrates finances, calendars, inventory, contacts, social media and mentoring resources within a single interface. Among the named early stage investors are former Sony Records Chairman Joe Galante, echomusic founder Mark Montgomery and Moontoast founder Joe Glaser. The video below features the founders and investors discussing the new software. It’s about “Empowering artists to participate in the business side of music without being too distracted from their creativity,” says Urmy. Included is AGtv which is a series of tutorials from industry pros on a variety of subjects. There is also a vast industry contact database for media, and other contacts. “It’s the record business in a box,” adds Galante.

Youtube video

Brad Paisley, Zac Brown Eye Oscar Noms

/by

Songs written by Zac Brown and Brad Paisley are among a pool of potential Oscar nominees for Best Original Song.

Brown, Wyatt Durrette, Drew Pearson and Anne Preven penned “Where the River Goes” for the Footloose soundtrack. Brown also recorded the song for the project.

Paisley teamed with British pop star Robbie Williams to write and record “Collision of Worlds” for the Cars 2 soundtrack.

There are 39 contenders vying for the final nominations for Best Original Song, which will be determined by voting members of the music branch in Los Angeles on Jan. 5. More on that process from the LA Times. Nominees will be revealed Jan. 24 and the Oscars will be presented Feb. 26.

“Where The River Goes” also recently scored a Grammy nomination for Best Song Written For Visual Media. The Grammys will air live Feb. 12 on CBS.

Facebook Among Most Popular Android Apps

/by

Among Android users ages 18-44, the six most popular apps are Facebook, Android Market, Gmail, Google Search, Google Maps and YouTube. According to a new study by Nielsen, these apps have the greatest “active reach,” defined by the number of Android owners who used the app within the past 30 days.

When broken down by more specific age groups, 18-24, 25-34, and 35-44 (shown in the graph above), these apps vary in popularity, but all fall within the top six.

In each demographic, Android Market is the most used app, followed by Facebook at No. 2. Among 18-24 and 25-34 year-olds, the Facebook app hovers at around an 80 percent active reach.

The YouTube app is most heavily used by the 18-24 set (64 percent have used it in the past 30 days), followed by 25-34 year-olds (56 percent) and 35-44 year-olds (51 percent).

Game Angry Birds ranks No. 7 in popularity with the 25-34 (29 percent) and 35-44 demographics (35 percent).

Nielsen analyzed usage data from its proprietary device meters on the smartphones of the thousands of consumer panelists who agreed to be part of its ongoing Smartphone Analytics research.

Elizabeth Meadia Opens With Major Label Client

/by

Liz Meade

Publicist Liz Meade has opened a boutique media relations firm named Elizabeth Meadia, and signed UMG Nashville hitmaker David Nail as her first client.

Meade most recently handled tour press, artist/management/media interface and logistics at Joe’s Garage, the artist development and media relations firm owned by Holly Gleason. Meade, a Kentucky native, is an accomplished singer and graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Commercial Music.

“I believe in hard work… the music matters… and if it’s made from a place of purpose… that’s where all this comes together,” explains Meade. “I just want to be an advocate for those musicians, songwriters and especially singers who think like that, too, because that’s what makes this important.”

Elizabeth Meadia is located at 1611 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212. The phone number is (615) 512-4555. The company’s email is elizabethmeadia@me.com.

The Roys Sign Production Deal With ValCom Studios

/by

Lee and Elaine Roy

The Roys have signed a production deal with ValCom Studios for a new, weekly music-driven variety show. Lee and Elaine Roy will appear and perform on the 30-minute show titled, Roots And Music With The Roys.

Thirteen episodes are scheduled to be taped in Nashville early next year. The show has already been picked up by over 120 stations nationwide, landing The Roys a potential 40 million cable and broadcast household viewers. 

Vince Vellardita, CEO-President of ValCom Studios, says, “Elaine and Lee are incredibly talented. There are no shows on the air like this one, and it’s the perfect vehicle to expand The Roys’ career.”

The episodes will be presented in true “variety” format. Each show will include a performance by The Roys, humanitarian features, a festival event highlight segment, plus a guest musical artist, interview and a closing jam session.

Additionally, The Roys will start 2012 with their first-ever shows in Australia:

01/25/2012      Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth City Council Outdoor Show
01/26/2012      Tamworth, Australia / The Family Inn
01/27/2012      Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth Country Music Festival, Toyota Stage
01/29/2012      Tamworth, Australia / Tamworth City Council Outdoor Show

Following their return from Down Under, The Roys will launch a busy U.S. touring season, which includes festivals, fairs and co-hosting duties at the Christmas 4 Kids Celebrity Golf Tournament with Tennessee Titans’ Rob Bironas in April 2012.

TV Alerts: Frankie Ballard, Steve Cropper, and Clay Walker

/by

The holiday season means extra time on the couch recovering from large meals, and fans of country will be pleased to know some of their favorite artists will be hitting the airwaves in the next few days.

Frankie Ballard

Warner Music’s guitar hero Frankie Ballard will make his national television debut December 22, when he performs his hit “A Buncha Girls” on The Late Late Show With Craig Ferguson. Shortly after, Ballard will open for Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger at the Staples Center in Los Angeles on December 28.

• • • • •

Steve Cropper

Another Nashville guitar hero will appear on late night television, when Steve Cropper sits in with The Roots on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon on December 23. During the broadcast, Cropper will be backed by The Roots as they play some of his classic tracks, as well as new songs from his album Dedicated: A Tribute To The 5 Royales.

• • • • •

Clay Walker

Earlier on December 23, Clay Walker will visit the Rachael Ray Show and perform his new single “Like We Never Said Goodbye.” The episode is scheduled to air at 9 am CT (check local listings), and was taped in front of an audience made up of military personnel. Walker’s performance will be intertwined with special video footage sent in from military families. Fans can also catch Walker playing co-host to Nan Kelly on the Holiday Notes From Home Christmas concert airing on GAC throughout December.

• • • • •
Way Out West recording artist Shawna Russell recently hosted The Country Network’s “Breaking Out” on December 5 and December 12. The weekly program airs Tuesdays at 7 pm and streams at 6 pm at tcncountry.com.

(L-R): TCN EVP of Programming and Artist Relations Cary Rolfe; Shawna Russell; Way Out West Managing Partner Clif Doyal; and Way Out West VP Artist Development, Promotion & Marketing Mike Severson

Backstory: Alan Jackson on GAC

/by

Alan Jackson

Alan Jackson and his wife Denise are featured in Backstory: Alan Jackson, a show about their personal lives and his remarkable career, premiering Dec. 22 on Great American Country. Jackson’s producer Keith Stegall, Capitol label head Mike Dungan, manager Nancy Russell, friend and fan Lee Ann Womack and others also appear on the show.

Jackson has charted 35 No. 1 hits, 24 of which he wrote or co-wrote. “It’s great to see an artist like Alan Jackson who knows who he is, who doesn’t waver based on what’s going on. He just keeps being Alan,” says Womack.

Jackson clearly knows what works and has always kept it simple. “Most of the singers I admire – Gene Watson, Charley Pride – they just sing,” he says. “They’re not out there doing anything crazy.”

Jeffrey Steele Plans 5th Annual Benefit

/by

The 5th annual Jeffrey Steele and Friends benefit show is set for March 13, 2012 at the newly renovated Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn. GAC’s Storme Warren has signed on to host the event, and confirmed performers include Pearl Heart and Chris Janson, with more to be announced. There will also be a live auction.

Proceeds will benefit the Alex LeVasseur Fund of the Community Foundation of Tennessee, which supports youth programs. The event will also be partnering with Clean Break, which promotes sobriety on high school and college campuses.

Tickets are already on sale at franklintheatre.com. VIP packages, including food by Carrabba’s and meet and greets with select performers, are available here. For sponsorship opportunities contact RememberAlex.com@gmail.com.

2012 supporters include Suntrust, Carrabbas, BMG/Chrysalis, Currin Kozak: Bob Parks Realty, and Wendell Moore.

Country Stars Countdown to New Year’s Eve

/by

Big & Rich and Trace Adkins are among the performers on FOX News Channel’s New Year’s Eve program. All American New Year airs Sat., Dec. 31 live from Times Square in New York City with hosts Megyn Kelly and Bill Hemmer. Also performing will be the cast of the Tony Award-nominated musical Rock of Ages.

As previously reported, Lauren Alaina and Rodney Atkins will perform their latest hits on the main Fox network. American Country New Year’s Eve Live airs from the Las Vegas strip and the heart of Times Square.

The Band Perry will perform at the 40th celebration of Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest 2012 live from ABC Studios in New York. Among the other guests are Lady Gaga, Justin Bieber, Pitbull, and Nashville’s own Hot Chelle Rae.

MusicRow.com’s Top Stories of 2011

/by

MusicRow.com readers clicked like crazy in 2011. Driving traffic were news stories of all kinds, from major label signings to major label lawsuits. There was good news (giving bragging rights to Nashville’s music scene) and bad news when layoffs hit the Row. MusicRow covered the year’s tragedies, including the stage collapse at the Indiana State Fair, and the passing of beloved members of the music community. Here’s a look back at some of the stories that most intrigued our readers:

New Sony Music Nashville Signing
Dec. 12 — Jon Freeman
—Sony Music Nashville has signed family trio The Henningsens to a recording deal. Comprised of Brian, Clara, and Aaron Henningsen, the group is working on its debut album with Paul Worley and will be assigned a label imprint soon.

••••
“Rolling Stone” Declares Nashville “Best Music Scene”
April 19 — Sarah Skates
—In its new Best of Rock issue, Rolling Stone lists Nashville as the nation’s Best Music Scene. The one-page spread covers Music City restaurants, bars, venues, shopping and record stores, with quotes from local rockers about their favorite hangs.

••••
Curb Records Sues Tim McGraw
May 17 — Sarah Skates
—Curb Records has filed suit against Tim McGraw claiming breach-of-contract. Curb alleges that the tracks on McGraw’s upcoming Emotional Traffic album were recorded outside of a contractually designated time period.

••••
Letter From Sugarland
Aug. 16 — contributor
—Sugarland has just released this statement regarding the tragedy that occurred Saturday before the duo took the stage at the Indiana State Fair.

••••
The Woods Amphitheater Gearing Up For First Full Season
Mar. 7 — Sarah Skates
—The Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel has several big-name artists on the line-up for its first full season, which opens Sat., April 23 with Chicago and Los Lonely Boys.

••••
Aldean Duels Rapper T.I. For Ringtone Title
Sep. 2 — David M. Ross
—Most country fans would not be expected to know that rapper T.I.’s real name is Clifford Harris, but judging by purchases of 248,000 ringtones and close to 1.98 million downloads of “Dirt Road Anthem,” they certainly know Jason Aldean.

••••
Songwriter Harley Allen Passes
Mar. 30 — Sarah Skates
—Respected songwriter Harley Allen succumbed to cancer early this morning, Wednesday, March 30, 2011. Known as a country traditionalist, Allen is credited with hits including Blake Shelton’s “The Baby,” Joe Nichols’ “I’ll Wait For You,” and Darryl Worley’s “Awful, Beautiful Life.” He was 55.

••••
Radio Veteran Coyote McCloud Dies
Apr. 7 — Robert K. Oermann
—Music City radio icon Coyote McCloud died Wednesday afternoon, April 6 at age 68. A veteran of the Nashville airwaves for more than 30 years, McCloud’s slogan when he broadcast pop oldies was, “He played them when they were new.”

••••
CMA Awards Afterparty Pics
Nov. 11 — Jon Freeman
—Label afterparty pictures from Big Machine, Capitol, UMG, Warner, Sony.

••••
Breaking News: Sony Exits Hit Nashville
Aug. 26 — Sarah Skates
—Sony Music Nashville laid off 12 staffers this week as part of a restructuring, MusicRow has confirmed. Among those exiting are Jimmy Rector, Mike Wilson, Stephanie Cox and Debbie Linn. Columbia’s radio promotion team was hardest hit.