The first national telethon and concert event to raise money to aid victims of the recent flooding disaster in Middle Tennessee, sponsored by Great American Country Television, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau and Gaylord Entertainment, is set for this Sunday (5/16) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Music City Keep on Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief will air live and commercial-free on GAC, from 7:00-10:00 PM CT.
Keith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, Keb ‘Mo, CeCe Winans, Randy Montana, Jaci Valesquez and Will Hoge will perform. Celebrity hosts for the event include James Denton, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Food Network’s Pat & Gina Neely, Travel Channel’s Adam Richman and Samantha Brown and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, Nan Kelley, Storme Warren and Bill Cody. NASCAR’s Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer will also appear and will answer phones. All funds raised will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Celebrities will join other volunteers to man phone banks to collect call-in donations. The special will re-air at 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM and phone lines will remain open for donations. All money raised will go to those in need in Middle Tennessee. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will be the organization processing and distributing donations.
“Nashville has endured historic flooding, but we are resilient, recovery efforts have already begun and I am confident we will come out of this stronger than ever,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. “Music is the heart and soul of this city and as such it will play a critical role in its recovery. This collaborative effort is just one example.”
“This is the first event to solicit funds on a national level,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “While it’s important that our viewers know our city has come together and survived this unfortunate event, thousands of Nashville and middle Tennessee residents are in serious need and some of this city’s most talented residents are generously stepping in to help.”
In addition to artists, many production people are donating their time and talent to the event. High Five Entertainment will produce the telethon and concert event.
“Many of us have friends and family members who are just now beginning to get back into their homes to survey the damage and start rebuilding their lives,” said Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment. “At the same time, support has come pouring in from every corner of the community. And now, we are reaching out on a national level to ensure that the people of Nashville have every resource they need to restore our city.”
Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau President Butch Spyridon added, “We are proud to partner with GAC and Gaylord Entertainment to raise money for Nashville’s flood victims. This concert effort is a great example of how the partnership between Nashville’s hospitality and music industries benefits the entire city.”
615 Music Nominated For Daytime Emmy
/by contributor“The team here at 615 Music is very proud to have been involved in the making of such a memorable song to promote the Today show with NBC,” Wachtler says. “As a company, we are proud of our ongoing relationship with NBC and of the work we do together.”
615’s nominated song, “Your Day is Today,” was written by Wachtler and songwriter Greg Barnhill for the Today show on NBC, featuring vocals by Paisley Van Patten. The 37th Annual Daytime Emmy Awards will be broadcast from Las Vegas, airing on CBS on Sunday, June 27 at 8:00 PM CT.
Laura Bell Bundy Surprises Aspiring Singer
/by contributorMercury Records artist/Broadway star Laura Bell Bundy stopped by Pope John Paul II High School in Hendersonville, TN recently to inform student Michael Nelson that he would be performing a song on the Sports Zone Stage at this year’s CMA Music Festival.
Bundy, star of Broadway’s Legally Blonde: The Musical, took time out from promoting her Top-5 selling country debut, Achin’ and Shakin’, to personally deliver the news to the high school senior and aspiring singer/songwriter during his lunch break at the school.
“It always amazes me when I see young people with raw talent and passion,” said Bundy. “Michael may be inspired by country music, but I was inspired by him today. I love being able to see beyond the surface of the fans, it’s incredibly humbling and makes me feel blessed.”
“This is amazing, just completely awesome,” said a near speechless Nelson.
Nelson, who has been playing guitar and writing songs for just over a year, came to the attention of CMA after he performed at the high school’s student talent show. After graduation this month, he will be attending Xavier University in Cincinnati, Ohio on an ROTC scholarship. He hopes to become an Apache helicopter pilot in the Army after graduation.
“Today’s young singers and songwriters are the future of Nashville’s music industry,” said Steve Moore, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “It’s great to be able to showcase talent that may be performing on the LP Field stage someday.”
Nelson will perform his song “Feels So Right,” on the Sports Zone Stage at 3:45 PM CT on Thursday, June 10. After his performance, he will introduce Bundy, who will host a dance clinic, teaching fans the moves from her hit video and single “Giddy On Up.”
Now in its 39th year, CMA Music Festival will be held on Thursday through Sunday, June 10-13, in downtown Nashville.
Laura Bell Bundy congratulates high school senior Michael Nelson
Flood Relief Telethon on GAC Sunday
/by contributorKeith Urban, Brad Paisley, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Dierks Bentley, Rodney Atkins, Kellie Pickler, Keb ‘Mo, CeCe Winans, Randy Montana, Jaci Valesquez and Will Hoge will perform. Celebrity hosts for the event include James Denton, Kimberly Williams Paisley, Food Network’s Pat & Gina Neely, Travel Channel’s Adam Richman and Samantha Brown and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander, Nan Kelley, Storme Warren and Bill Cody. NASCAR’s Tony Stewart and Clint Bowyer will also appear and will answer phones. All funds raised will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee.
Celebrities will join other volunteers to man phone banks to collect call-in donations. The special will re-air at 10:00 PM and 1:00 AM and phone lines will remain open for donations. All money raised will go to those in need in Middle Tennessee. Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee will be the organization processing and distributing donations.
“Nashville has endured historic flooding, but we are resilient, recovery efforts have already begun and I am confident we will come out of this stronger than ever,” said Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. “Music is the heart and soul of this city and as such it will play a critical role in its recovery. This collaborative effort is just one example.”
“This is the first event to solicit funds on a national level,” said GAC President Ed Hardy. “While it’s important that our viewers know our city has come together and survived this unfortunate event, thousands of Nashville and middle Tennessee residents are in serious need and some of this city’s most talented residents are generously stepping in to help.”
In addition to artists, many production people are donating their time and talent to the event. High Five Entertainment will produce the telethon and concert event.
“Many of us have friends and family members who are just now beginning to get back into their homes to survey the damage and start rebuilding their lives,” said Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment. “At the same time, support has come pouring in from every corner of the community. And now, we are reaching out on a national level to ensure that the people of Nashville have every resource they need to restore our city.”
Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau President Butch Spyridon added, “We are proud to partner with GAC and Gaylord Entertainment to raise money for Nashville’s flood victims. This concert effort is a great example of how the partnership between Nashville’s hospitality and music industries benefits the entire city.”
Elevation and Wide Open Join Forces
/by contributorThrough a shared services arrangement, Elevation Creative Principals Mike Molinar and Martha Earls are joining with Wide Open’s creative team to provide catalog and songwriter representation, as well as creative consultation. Elevation will also relocate to Wide Open’s headquarters at 54 Music Square East, Ste. 390, Nashville, TN, 37203. Phone number and e-mails contacts will remain the same.
Wide Open Music Group President, Derek George adds, “We at Wide Open are extremely excited about joining forces with Mike and Martha! They are two of the very best at what they do creatively. Along with Wide Open Creative Director, Keithan Melton, we have a true triple threat, and we look forward to a bright future!”
John Grady Exits Borman Entertainment
/by contributor“For all of you looking for a juicy story, you will have to make one up,” says Grady said. “I have learned more from Gary and his staff at Borman Entertainment than I could ever have imagined. It’s simply time for me to apply my skills to other areas of my life and career. As for Keith, Lady A, and Randy Montana, I am the lucky one to have ever been in the same room with all of you.”
Gary Borman adds, “John has made valuable contributions to our company and I look forward to the opportunity to work together again in some capacity. I wish him only the best in his new endeavors and I hope to continue our friendship well into the future.”
Grady started in the music business 34 years ago as a college rep for A&M Records and more recently served as president of DMZ Music, Columbia Nashville, Epic Nashville and Monument Nashville. Before joining Borman Entertainment in February, 2009, Grady was a partner in Redlight Management. He currently sits on the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Board of Directors and is the Academy of Country Music’s Chairman of the Board.
John Grady can be reached at: (615) 438-7557 and gradyx4@aol.com.
Grammy Block Party Benefits Flood Victims
/by contributorThe Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy hosted the 12th Annual Grammy Block Party on Tuesday night (5/11) to raise funds for the newly created MusiCares® Nashville Flood Relief Fund. Academy members and their guests enjoyed performances by Darius Rucker, Trombone Shorty & Orleans Avenue, Steel Magnolia, Plumb and Daily and Vincent. MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund will help middle Tennessee musicians in need. Emergency assistance has already begun and 100% of every dollar raised will be immediately distributed to help those in need. (www.musicares.com/NashvilleFloodRelief)
(l to r): Susan Stewart, Regional Director, South, Darius Rucker, Neil Portnow, President and CEO The Recording Academy. Photograph by Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
(l to r) George Flanigen IV, Recording Academy chair, Steel Magnolia’s Joshua Jones and Meghan Linsey, Neil Portnow, president and CEO of The Recording Academy. Photograph by Rick Diamond/WireImage.com
“Country Throwdown” Artists Offer Flood Relief
/by contributor“We’re excited to be a part of the Country Throwdown Tour, and through the course of the tour the artists get to participate in generating a lot of revenue for Nashville,” says Montgomery Gentry’s Troy Gentry. “Donating in one lump sum at the end of the tour gives us the opportunity to help any folks who may have fallen through the cracks, either through not having insurance or not being eligible for FEMA coverage. We’ll be able to place the money directly with the people who need it the most to rebuild.”
The Country Throwdown Tour will donate $.50 of every ticket to charity, a portion of which will go directly to Hands On Nashville to rebuild community infrastructure in Nashville. At the end of the tour, merchandise donations from the performers will also benefit Hands On Nashville.
“After moving part of our company down to Nashville well over a year ago, we’ve all grown deeply connected to this town,” says tour founder Kevin Lyman. “In the wake of this flood, all of us with the Country Throwdown Tour are inspired to help rebuild the Nashville community for many months to come.”
Country Throwdown headliners include Montgomery Gentry, Jamey Johnson, Little Big Town and Jack Ingram. Additional main stage artists include Eric Church, The Lost Trailers, The Eli Young Band, Heidi Newfield, Ryan Bingham and the Dead Horses, Jonathan Singleton & the Grove and Emily West. For tickets and information visit www.countrythrowdown.com.
Sweetwater Sound Donates To Flood Relief
/by contributor“Here at Sweetwater, we can’t help but feel a special connection to Nashville, our nation’s Music City.” the company said in a statement, “That’s why this past week it’s been especially difficult to hear about the devastating flooding affecting the music heartland and the people of Tennessee.”
The flooding has led to 18 deaths in Tennessee, nine of them in Nashville. It also has caused widespread damage and forced the closure of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry.
“We recognize,” Sweetwater’s statement said, “that helping Tennessee, in any way, means helping music — from the schoolteachers, emergency workers and students who support the Nashville music community to the many lives and families that depend on it for a living.”
Sweetwater is one of the largest music and pro audio retailers in the world. Get more details here.
Rucker and Friends Play For St. Judes
/by contributorRucker is a loyal St. Jude supporter who has visited patients at the hospital and performed at multiple events in support of the hospital’s lifesaving mission. After touring the facility in 2009, the singer vowed to create a personalized event that would raise money and awareness for St. Jude.
“The friends joining me for this benefit concert all share the same dream I do for a cancer free world, but until that can happen, we need to raise awareness and funds for this incredible organization,” says Rucker. “It’s going to be a great night of music and stories.”
All proceeds from ticket sales will help St. Jude continue its mission of finding cures and saving children fighting deadly diseases.
For additional information, visit www.dariusrucker.com.
2010 CMA Music Fest Merch Now Available
/by contributor“Our fans are loyal, passionate ambassadors for the Festival and the artists,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board. “Sporting a CMA-signature T-shirt or hat during the event identifies them as a fan and connects them with thousands of other like-minded attendees from every state and around the globe.”
The merchandise line features 14 products and is designed and produced by Music City Merchandise, CMA’s merchandise partner for CMA Music Festival since 1993.
As previously announced, all net proceeds from CMA Music Festival will benefit charity with half the proceeds continuing to support music education in Metro Nashville Public Schools and the other half being donated to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Metro Nashville Disaster Response Fund to aid flood victims.
“Whether you live in Nashville, or are visiting for the first time, wearing a CMA Music Festival T-shirt is a great way to display your support for this community,” Moore said.