The 2nd Annual ASCAP Foundation online Silent Auction has kicked off with donations from Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton, Kelsea Ballerini, Carly Pearce, Old Dominion and more.

The auction, which benefits the Foundation’s efforts to nurture the next generation of music creators, is open now through Dec. 16. A range of items from the celebrity donors is available, including autographed guitars, vinyl, books, memorabilia, handwritten lyric sheets, in-person meetings, VIP concert tickets, recording studio time, personalized video messages, house seats at Broadway shows, sports tickets and more.

“For nearly five decades, The ASCAP Foundation has fulfilled ASCAP’s mission to support aspiring music creators at the most fundamental level, by funding music education and talent development programs in schools and communities across the U.S.,” explains Nicole George-Middleton, The ASCAP Foundation Executive Director. “We are thrilled to host our silent auction for a second year and hope that music lovers everywhere will join in to support The Foundation and land some one-of-a-kind holiday gifts for their family and friends.”

Artists from across the musical spectrum have also contributed items for bid, including Olivia Rodrigo; Selena Gomez; Shawn Mendes, Scott Harris; Ashanti, Stephen Schwartz; Paul Williams; Quincy Jones; DJs Steve Aoki, Martin Garrix and Dillon Francis; The Chainsmokers; film and musical theater’s Pasek & Paul; NBA champion Kevin Durant; and actress and author Diane Keaton.

Other donors include Richie Sambora of Bon Jovi, Sammy Hagar, Chicago, Eric Bazilian of The Hooters, Tiler Peck from the NYC Ballet, Brooklyn Nets, 4U Recording Memphis, Nightbird Studios, Songwriters Hall of Fame, Universal Studios, Washington Commanders Charitable Foundation, That Girl Lay Lay, songwriter Jeannie Lurie, and the Latin Songwriters Hall of Fame.

Miranda Lambert. Photo: Tyler Conrad

Miranda Lambert has extended her “Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo The Las Vegas Residency” at Planet Hollywood Resort & Casino through the end of 2023. The 16 new shows will take place in July, November and December of 2023.

For the second leg of Lambert’s Velvet Rodeo residency, running through Dec. 11, and the next, running March 24-April 9, attendees will get to participate in a new fan engagement experience called Digital Seat Media. The real-time technology platform installed nearly 4,500 metal tags with unique QR codes on seats and signage inside Zappos Theater to provide ticket holders with an enhanced experience.

With the scan of the QR Code, fans can access the platform from their seat without the need to download an app and gain access to modules on the platform, including a Velvet Rodeo-themed micro game with prizes such as instant seat upgrades, direct ship-to-home merch pieces from Lambert’s brand Idyllwind, interactive trivia with Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation pet line, and an exclusive Instagram filter.

Tickets for the new shows go on sale Dec. 9, and fan club members will have access to a pre-sale starting Dec. 5. Citi cardmembers will have access to pre-sale tickets beginning Dec. 5- 8, while Caesars Rewards members, Caesars Entertainment’s loyalty program members, and Live Nation and Ticketmaster customers will have access to a pre-sale from Dec. 7-8.

Lambert, Live Nation Las Vegas and Caesars Entertainment are donating $1 of every ticket purchased to Lambert’s MuttNation Foundation.

“Miranda Lambert: Velvet Rodeo The Las Vegas Residency” 2023 Dates:
July: 7, 8, 12, 14, 15, 19, 21, 22
November: 30
December: 2, 3, 7, 9, 10, 14, 16

John Lomax III

Chapter 661

The Music Row premiere of “Lomax on Lomax” was a celebration of one remarkable family’s contributions to American folk music.

Staged on Tuesday evening (Nov. 29) at BMI, the show is a mix of stories and singing that’s an overview of the accomplishments of John Avery Lomax, Alan Lomax, Bess Lomax Hawes and John Lomax Jr.

John Lomax III performing at BMI

In Nashville, the best known member of that clan is John Lomax III. He has worn many hats since arriving in Music City 50 years ago. John has been an artist manager, a journalist, a publicist (or “tub thumper,” as he calls it), a label exec, a book author, a music publisher, an international record exporter, a show promoter, a newspaper owner and a record producer. On Tuesday, he added another role to that list…..performer.

“Lomax on Lomax” is his one-man show, and like anything else he undertakes, he does it with gusto. His declamatory, unaccompanied delivery of Lomax-related folk songs was interspersed with narrative bits that explained his illustrious family’s legacy.

His grandfather, John Avery Lomax (1867-1948), published Cowboy Songs & Frontier Ballads in 1910. It documented “Home on the Range,” among other classic western tunes. Son Alan Lomax (1915-2002) joined him as a song collector. They discovered Lead Belly (Huddie Ledbetter, 1888-1949), who gave us “Irene Goodnight,” among other timeless classics. Alan published The Folk Songs of North America in 1960. He was John’s uncle.

Alan & John Lomax made more than 17,000 field recordings, which became the core of the Library of Congress Recorded Sound Archives. Among the songs they preserved are “Cotton Fields,” “Sweet Betsy From Pike” and “Sloop John B,” all of which John presented on Tuesday.

Bess Lomax Hawes (1921-2009) was in The Almanac Singers, became a folklorist specializing in children’s songs and games, founded the National Folk Festival, was an influential guitar teacher and ran the Folk Division of the National Endowment for the Arts for 20 years. She was also a songwriter, notably of the 1959 Kingston Trio hit “M.T.A.” She was John’s aunt.

John’s father, John Lomax Jr. (1907-1974), co-founded the Houston Folklore Society. The organization was the training ground for Guy Clark, Nanci Griffith, Steve Earle, Eric Taylor, K.T. Oslin, Townes Van Zandt and Lucinda Williams, among others. He was the Lomax family “manager” and was also a recording artist on Folkways. John sang several folksong lyrics he learned as a boy from his dad.

By the way, the legacy continues. Earlier this year, Alan’s daughter and John’s cousin Anna Lomax Wood published Songs of Earth.

“Lomax on Lomax” was presented in the ideal BMI Theater on the sixth floor. Vernell Hackett, Bob Saporiti, Anita Hogan, Ed Salamon, Patsy Bradley, Beth Gwinn, Jana Talbot, Tom Roland, Dave Pomerory, Pete Loesch, Hugh Moffatt, Ellen Pryor, Mark Miller, Troy Tomlinson, Lance Cowan, David Preston, Melanie Wells and Tommy Goldsmith were among the delighted attendees. Several sang along.

You’ll be able to get a taste of it on WSMV Channel 4, because Terry Bulger was there shooting the show for one of his “Positively Tennessee” features on the evening news.

Pictured (L-R): Melissa Spillman (Concord), Garrett Stephenson (Concord), Courtney Allen (Concord), Tofer Brown (Chromatic), Aaron Chafin, Brad Kennard (Concord), Kourtney Kirkpatrick (Concord), Ashley Nite (Concord), Jaclyn McDonald (Concord)

Multi-genre songwriter and producer Aaron Chafin has signed a new co-publishing agreement with Concord Music Publishing and Chromatic Music. The deal includes Chafin’s full catalog and future works.

Chafin’s recent songwriting credits include Rozes’ “Halfway There,” Kyd the Band’s “Easy (feat. Elley Duhe),” Cassadee Pope’s “Tomorrow Night” and Sam Tinnesz’s “Loser (feat. Bryce Fox),” among others. He also co-wrote Drake White’s single “Hurts The Healing” and produced Micah Tyler’s “Amen,” which reached the No. 2 spot on Christian radio.

Other Chafin cuts include singles with Kshmr, Sarah Reeves, Jared James Nichols, Leah Nobel, Trella, Kierra Luv, and Svrcina. He has recently collaborated with the X Ambassadors, The Score, Shawn Hook, gnash, Willie Jones, Tofer Brown, The Brummies, Sarah Buxton, Trent Dabbs, Bear Rinehart, Anderson East, Amy Stroup and more.

On the sync side, Chafin’s work can be heard in ads for Dell, Intel, Amazon and Samsung, as well as in TV series such as American Kingdom, Almost Family, The Bold Type, and Selling Sunset. He’s had placements across MTV, FOX, ABC, CBS, NBC, Fox Sports, and promos/trailers for films, including Upload, Last Christmas, After, Countdown and more.

“We, alongside Tofer Brown and Chromatic Music, are incredibly excited to work with Aaron Chafin!” says Brad Kennard, SVP A&R at Concord Music Publishing Nashville. “Aaron is a uniquely gifted songwriter and producer, who’s already having success across country, pop, alternative, and in the film & television world. He’s a perfect match for Concord’s desire to win in every musical arena.”

“After our first time working together a couple of years ago, I knew I had to be a part of Aaron’s musical journey,” Brown adds. “He is one of the most talented producer/writers that I’ve worked with. I am so impressed by his diversity in production and his ability to jump from genre to genre–and to do it all so well is so inspiring. There is no limit to his talent and professionalism, and I am excited to work with him, alongside my Concord family.”

“Super excited to be joining Chromatic Music and Concord for my publishing,” shares Chafin. “The opportunities presented from the team were undeniable from the beginning, and I feel more than confident within their worldwide network of collaborations!”

This marks the second signing under the new joint venture with Chromatic Music, founded by songwriter Tofer Brown. The new creative endeavor was founded to develop, mentor and partner with artists, producers, and songwriters of all genres. Chromatic’s first signing earlier this year was songwriter Lauren Hungate.

The Nashville Unlimited Christmas benefit concert, benefiting Room in the Inn, will return for its 23rd consecutive year on Dec. 13 at Christ Church Cathedral.

Musical guests for this year’s show include Emmylou Harris, Steve Wariner, Billy Dean, Riders in the Sky, Don Schlitz, The McCrary Sisters and other surprise guests. The event is produced and hosted by Dave Pomeroy, with singer-songwriter Don Henry serving as co-host.

“In addition to our wonderful musical guests, we are fortunate to have Brad Hall and a world class video and audio team to record this special concert honoring the work of Room in the Inn,” Pomeroy shares. “Everyone involved is donating their time and skills to help raise money for this great cause, and we hope to exceed $500,000 in total donations since 2000.”

He adds, “We are very grateful to Christ Church Cathedral for this ongoing opportunity to help our community through music, and Room in the Inn for the amazing work they do to help those who are less fortunate than ourselves. That’s the Christmas Spirit and the Nashville way!”

The concert is free with a $20 suggested minimum donation. Over the years, the shows have raised $497,000 for the work that Room in the Inn does to support Nashville’s homeless community.