Lainie Allbee
Lainie Allbee, partner of Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates, has retired after 36 years serving as business manager to artists including Brad Paisley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many more.
Her retirement was effective December 31, 2020.
Working alongside business partner Kirke Martin, who passed away in December 2020, they built Martin, Allbee & Associates into one of the top business management companies in Music City. Over the years, their two-person staff grew to nine full-time employees, representing clients including T. Graham Brown, Tammy Wynette and Keith Whitley, as well as a sizable roster of Christian music artists.
Allbee first joined Martin-Cook as an Administrative Assistant in 1985 and climbed the ranks of the company while completing her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Trevecca Nazarene University.
In 2002 she was made a full partner, where she handled client relations, assisted the account management staff, and managed and promoted the business.
Allbee mentored Breanne Miller and Elaine Bryan, who eventually became partners in the company.
Allbee said, “I have been blessed with an interesting career in the music industry and worked with an array of creative souls. My awesome partners, Elaine and Breanne will be missed, along with the rest of our wonderful staff. Here’s to the new generation steering MAMBA into the future.”
Added Miller, “I have had the joy of working beside Lainie for 20 years, and it truly was a pleasure. Lainie always wanted us to succeed and did everything in her power to help make it happen! I am honored to have been able to call her a business partner and a good friend.”
“I am grateful for the constant support Lainie has provided to me since I started working with her in 1999. Her positive attitude is an attribute I have always admired and found truly inspiring. I wish her only the best and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement!” said Bryan.
Allbee has been a sponsor of the SOURCE Awards, MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row event, We Run the Row 5K benefiting Musicians On Call and Women In Music Business, and Music Health Alliance’s The First And The Worst Songwriters event.
She looks forward to continuing her community initiatives, which in the past have included serving as a board member and president of both SOURCE and the Music City Chapter of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance, as well as a board member of the W.O. Smith School of Music.
She can be reached at lallbee@comcast.net.
Kip Moore Celebrates ‘Wild World Deluxe’ Live At The Ryman
/by Sarah SkatesKip Moore performs at the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 12. Photo: Catherine Powell
Kip Moore marked the release of his enhanced album Wild World Deluxe on Friday (Feb. 12) with a performance at The Ryman in Nashville. He celebrated with fans at the in-person, sold-out, socially distanced concert which was also available online as a ticketed global livestream.
During the 26-song set, Moore shared insight into each of his four studio albums to date, which he performed chronologically throughout the evening.
Kip Moore and Ashley McBryde perform “Janie Blu” at the Ryman Auditorium. Photo: Catherine Powell
When the singer reached his most recent record, Wild World, he invited songstress Ashley McBryde to the stage to join him in performing fan favorite “Janie Blu.”
Recently released, Wild World Deluxe includes four new tracks, totaling 17 songs on the collection that enhances his album released in May 2020.
The concert event benefitted ACM Lifting Lives, with $1 from every ticket sold being donated to the cause.
Kip Moore and band onstage at the Ryman. Photo: Catherine Powell
Joey Floyd Foundation Celebrates Memory of Toby Keith’s Longtime Guitarist
/by Sarah SkatesThe Joey Floyd Foundation is honoring the memory of Toby Keith’s longtime guitarist and fiddle player with the 5 Days / 5 Years / 5 Giveaways online event, which kicked off on Sunday, Feb. 14. Floyd passed away from throat cancer on Valentine’s Day 2016.
The late musician’s widow, Laurin Floyd, is organizing the initiative. As part of this week’s tribute, the foundation seeks donations to further its mission of giving scholarships to students interested in pursuing music, as well as financial assistance to struggling artists.
Below is the listing of events:
Feb. 14 – Valentine’s Day – Tribute from Joey’s widow, Laurin Floyd, and the announcement of the full week of events.
Feb. 15 – TEXAS! – Sister Jill will lead a tribute from Joey’s home state of Texas.
Feb. 16 – The Joey Floyd Foundation Tribute by recipients and fans.
Feb. 17– A conversation with members from Toby Keith’s Easy Money Band.
Feb. 18 – JAM NIGHT LIVE! Join in for the final day with a performance by Laurin Floyd + special guests. Donations of $5 are encouraged and all proceeds go to further the mission of the Joey Floyd Foundation.
* NOTE: Each event will be posted on the foundation’s Facebook page at 5:00 p.m. CST during the week
Sooner’s Priceless Answers From Publishers Event Set For February 25
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): Courtney Allen, Jeffrey Nelson
Sooner, the online platform for songwriters and publishers, is hosting the virtual event Priceless Answers From Publishers with Courtney Allen and Jeffrey Nelson on Thursday, Feb. 25 at 5 p.m. CT. Allen is Creative Director at BMG, and Nelson is a longtime independent songplugger and publisher.
The free Zoom event will be hosted by Nancy Deckant, Founder and CEO of Sooner.
The interactive event seeks to connect songwriters and publishers discussing how they select the songwriters they work with, the types of writers they are looking for, and a live Q&A session. Three deserving songwriters will be referred to Allen and Nelson by Sooner.
“I believe being competitive in this business involves being on the continual lookout for extraordinary songs and remarkable writers,” said Nelson. “New platforms and technological approaches that accelerate how fast those songs and writers can come to one’s attention is a major plus.”
Details at Discoversooner.com/events.
Kip Moore, Caylee Hammack On Live Nation’s Country Conversations
/by Lorie HollabaughKip Moore and Caylee Hammack are set to appear Monday (Feb. 15) on Live Nation Presents: Country Conversations, when the web series returns at 6 p.m CT.
Hosted by Brian O’Connell, President of Country Touring and creator of Live Nation’s family of country music festivals, the livestream event will be available to watch on the Facebook pages of Watershed Music And Camping Festival, Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival, and Faster Horses Music Festival. Fans can also view it online on Live Nation’s homepage.
The series gives fans a special look into artists’ daily lives when they are not on the road, with previous guests including Miranda Lambert, Jon Pardi, Lindsay Ell and Travis Denning.
Lainie Allbee Retires From Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates
/by Sarah SkatesLainie Allbee
Lainie Allbee, partner of Martin, Allbee, Miller, Bryan & Associates, has retired after 36 years serving as business manager to artists including Brad Paisley, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, and many more.
Her retirement was effective December 31, 2020.
Working alongside business partner Kirke Martin, who passed away in December 2020, they built Martin, Allbee & Associates into one of the top business management companies in Music City. Over the years, their two-person staff grew to nine full-time employees, representing clients including T. Graham Brown, Tammy Wynette and Keith Whitley, as well as a sizable roster of Christian music artists.
Allbee first joined Martin-Cook as an Administrative Assistant in 1985 and climbed the ranks of the company while completing her undergraduate and Master’s degrees at Trevecca Nazarene University.
In 2002 she was made a full partner, where she handled client relations, assisted the account management staff, and managed and promoted the business.
Allbee mentored Breanne Miller and Elaine Bryan, who eventually became partners in the company.
Allbee said, “I have been blessed with an interesting career in the music industry and worked with an array of creative souls. My awesome partners, Elaine and Breanne will be missed, along with the rest of our wonderful staff. Here’s to the new generation steering MAMBA into the future.”
Added Miller, “I have had the joy of working beside Lainie for 20 years, and it truly was a pleasure. Lainie always wanted us to succeed and did everything in her power to help make it happen! I am honored to have been able to call her a business partner and a good friend.”
“I am grateful for the constant support Lainie has provided to me since I started working with her in 1999. Her positive attitude is an attribute I have always admired and found truly inspiring. I wish her only the best and congratulate her on a well-deserved retirement!” said Bryan.
Allbee has been a sponsor of the SOURCE Awards, MusicRow’s Rising Women on the Row event, We Run the Row 5K benefiting Musicians On Call and Women In Music Business, and Music Health Alliance’s The First And The Worst Songwriters event.
She looks forward to continuing her community initiatives, which in the past have included serving as a board member and president of both SOURCE and the Music City Chapter of the Accounting & Financial Women’s Alliance, as well as a board member of the W.O. Smith School of Music.
She can be reached at lallbee@comcast.net.
Exit/In Property Listed For Sale
/by Sarah SkatesThe Elliston Place property which is home to the Exit/In is up for sale. Venue owner Chris Cobb is working with Grubb Properties to make a bid for the property. If he is able to purchase the land, it would help solidify the future of the legendary club.
Grubb has a live venue recovery fund in which it partners with independent venue operators to help them own the property on which their venue resides.
The Exit/In Tweeted: “We’re thrilled to be working with Grubb Properties Live Venue Recovery Fund and have the opportunity to own our buildings. Operator ownership is critical to the long-term health of the independent venue ecosystem. Our dream has Exit/In anchoring the Rock Block for another 50 years.”
The club is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year.
News of the property being listed for sale was first reported by Tennessee Lookout.
TPAC, Nashville Symphony Look to Safely Return to Live Performances
/by Lorie HollabaughTennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony have formed a two-year joint health and safety partnership with HCA Healthcare and its TriStar Health affiliate based in Nashville to help guide their safe reopening and return to live performances. By helping to sustain a safe environment for TPAC spaces, the partnership will bring ballet, opera and professional theatre back to the community through the Nashville Ballet, Nashville Opera and Nashville Repertory Theatre.
In addition to providing valuable financial support through a grant from the HCA Healthcare Foundation, HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health will serve as the “Official Health and Safety Partner” for both TPAC and the Symphony to build resilience in the performing arts community and deliver safe and enriching arts experiences for artists, musicians, patrons, staff and volunteers. The partnership builds on decades-long relationships between the organizations and HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health, which has sponsored TPAC’s annual Broadway at TPAC series for 14 years and supported the presentation of more than 70 Broadway productions to 1.5 million people.
The partnership’s initial focus will include:
“We are beyond grateful to HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health for expanding our partnership to provide critical resources and support as we plan for our reopening,” says Nashville Symphony President and CEO Alan Valentine. “Through their generosity and partnership, we are now taking our next steps toward providing our community with live music again. Their expertise will help us open on the right timeline with proper precautions for our musicians, staff and patrons. We are confident that live music will once again fill our hall this year, and we’re elated to have the experts at HCA Healthcare/TriStar Health guide us in making that a reality.”
“It is our privilege to collaborate with Tennessee Performing Arts Center and the Nashville Symphony as a health and safety partner to help facilitate a safe reopening and return to live performances,” said Dr. Tama Van Decar, Chief Medical Officer, TriStar Health. “Through this collaboration, we will seek to deliver safe experiences utilizing clinical resources and best practices in safety protocols, which will build lasting confidence for artists, patrons and staff. It is important that we focus on returning to these enriching live experiences to support the mental health and well-being of our Nashville community. There is a psychological benefit in being present, immersing ourselves and participating in shared artistic experiences.”
BMG Signs Jordan Harvey
/by LB CantrellJordan Harvey
BMG announced the signing of singer-songwriter Jordan Harvey. Already signed to BMG as a songwriter, the multi-instrumentalist now joins the roster as an artist.
Growing up in Edinburgh, Scotland, Jordan began working in a local recording studio at 16 years old. After moving to London and studying music at Tech Music School, Jordan headed back home to Edinburgh, where he opened for Simple Minds as a member of the OK Social Club. By 2016, he was playing his own shows as a solo act, and by 2017, he was singing on BBC One as a contestant on the singing competition Let It Shine.
Jordan then moved to Nashville, Tennessee, where he joined King Calaway. The group opened for Garth Brooks and a host of shows including Jimmy Kimmel Live!, The Late Late Show with James Corden, TODAY, The Kelly Clarkson Show and the internationally-acclaimed show Neighbours. Jordan separated from the band late last year.
“We’ve known Jordan for years and there has always been a special magic about him that lights up a room,” said Jon Loba, President, BMG Nashville. “We’re excited to see his creativity flourish and where his talent leads him.”
“I couldn’t ask for a better birthday present—since day one the people at BMG have become family and I can’t imagine entering this next chapter with any other team,” said Jordan. “I am so grateful for their relentless support and especially Loba for believing in me.”
Jordan is currently focused on writing with new music anticipated this year.
Tune In to Learn The 2021 CountryBreakout Awards Winners Tomorrow
/by LB CantrellIn place of the annual Country Radio Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards, MusicRow will reveal the winners of the 19th annual CountryBreakout Awards virtually starting at 9:00 a.m. TOMORROW (Feb. 16). Winners will be revealed on all MusicRow online platforms, including Facebook, Instagram and Twitter.
MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards Schedule of Announcements:
9:00 a.m.: Reporter of the Year
9:30 a.m.: Songwriter of the Year
10:00 a.m.: Label of the Year
10:30 a.m.: Independent Artist of the Year
11:00 a.m.: Breakout Artist of the Year
11:30 a.m.: Group/Duo of the Year
12:00 p.m.: Female Artist of the Year
12:30 p.m.: Male Artist of the Year
Each winner will be featured in MusicRow‘s Country Radio & Streaming issue, out Tuesday (Feb. 16).
Celebrities Send Valentines To Frontline Workers Through Musicians On Call
/by Lorie HollabaughTenille Townes performs during Musicians On Call’s Frontlines Valentines Initiative. Photo: Musicians On Call.
Artists including Jon Pardi, Jameson Rodgers, Adam Hambrick, Andrew Jannakos, Jillian Jacqueline, Leigh Nash, Mitchell Tenpenny, Drew Green and Tenille Townes sent love and thanks to frontline caregivers in hospitals across the country recently through Musicians On Call’s Frontlines Valentines Initiative.
The artists recorded dedications for healthcare workers to say thank you for their continued sacrifices during the pandemic. Townes and Jacqueline also performed virtually for hospital workers at Children’s Health in Dallas and Alive Hospice in Nashville, respectively through MOC’s Virtual Bedside Performance Program.
As part of the Frontline Valentines initiative, Musicians On Call also worked with national brand partners including Crocs, Kendra Scott and Bose to send surprise gifts to deserving caregivers.
“All year long Musicians On Call is proud to show how grateful we are for the sacrifices of our hardworking caregivers by sharing the joys of live music. The care they show their communities every day is inspiring, and for that reason we wanted to make sure they felt extra special this Valentine’s Day. Thanks to the support of these talented artists and committed brand partners, we can lift them up and brighten their day,” said Musicians On Call President & CEO Pete Griffin.