Kelly Striewski
The Country Music Association has named Kelly Striewski as Senior Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, effective in August. Striewski previously worked for dick clark productions in Los Angeles, overseeing the company’s corporate and consumer marketing and communication efforts for dcp shows including Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest and So You Think You Can Dance, among others.
At the CMA, Striewski will oversee development and execution of CMA’s marketing, communications and strategic partnerships strategies, including oversight of CMA’s marketing, communications, market research, creative, digital and strategic partnerships teams. She will also serve as a member of the CMA’s executive leadership team, working with the CMA Board of Directors to build strategic initiatives for the organization and will work closely with CMA’s network television partner, ABC Television Network.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kelly to our executive team at CMA,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She is a highly-accomplished entertainment veteran with a wealth of knowledge in both music and television. Kelly’s experience and expertise in marketing, communications and partnerships, as well as artist and industry relations, will be critical to CMA’s continued strategic growth.”
“I am honored to join CMA and to fully immerse myself into the Nashville community,” says Striewski. “It will be a privilege to work under the leadership of the organization’s highly-regarded CEO, Sarah Trahern and the exceptional CMA Board of Directors. I look forward to utilizing my marketing and television expertise to develop unique and innovative strategies that drive continued growth for country music.”
Prior to her work at dcp, Striewski led the Nintendo of America account team at Golin where she oversaw all PR activity, social media and influencer campaigns, game launches, special events and the brand’s expansion into mobile. Striewski also spent 15 years with B|WR Public Relations, where she led PR activity for notable brands such as PUMA, Lincoln Motor Company, Stand Up To Cancer, Neil Lane, Beaches & Sandals Resorts and DELL, among others.
BREAKING: Lady Antebellum Changes Band Name
/by Jessica NicholsonLady Antebellum announced on Thursday (June 11) that going forward, the trio will be dropping the name “Antebellum,” and will be known simply as Lady A.
“After much personal reflection, band discussion, prayer and many honest conversations with some of our closest Black friends and colleagues, we have decided to drop the word “antebellum” from our name and move forward as Lady A, the nickname our fans gave us almost from the start,” the band said in an Instagram post.
The trio’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, and Dave Haywood, who have been performing together for nearly 14 years, earning hits including the 9x multi-Platinum “Need You Now,” also explained how they chose the name Lady Antebellum, saying they named the trio after the southern-style “antebellum” home where they took their first photos as a group.
See the trio’s full statement below:
The trio joined new label home Big Machine Label Group’s BMLG Records in 2018. Earlier this year, they celebrated their 10th No. 1 single, and first with BMLG, for the hit “What If I Never Get Over You.”
Stagecoach Canceled For 2020
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry music festival Stagecoach has officially been canceled for 2020 due to coronavirus concerns, the Los Angeles Times reports.
Dr. Cameron Kaiser, Riverside County’s public health officer, signed an order Wednesday (June 10) canceling this year’s Coachella and Stagecoach festivals, which are held each year outside Palm Springs, California. Previously, Coachella and Stagecoach organizers announced the two festivals would be postponed until October.
“I am concerned as indications grow that COVID-19 could worsen in the fall,” Kaiser said, according to the Los Angeles Times. “In addition, events like Coachella and Stagecoach would fall under Governor Newsom’s Stage 4, which he has previously stated would require treatments or a vaccine to enter. Given the projected circumstances and potential, I would not be comfortable moving forward.”
Stagecoach was set to be headlined by Eric Church, Thomas Rhett, and Carrie Underwood, while Rage Against The Machine, Travis Scott and Frank Ocean were set to headline Coachella.
Garth Brooks Announces One-Night-Only Concert Event At 300 Drive-In Theaters
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks. Photo: 8 Ten, Inc.
On June 27, Garth Brooks will perform a one-night-only concert event at 300 drive-in theaters across North America, marking the largest one-night show to ever play at outdoor theaters across the United States and Canada.
“I am so excited to get to play again. I have missed it so much and want to get back to it,” said Brooks. “This drive-in concert allows us all to get back to playing live music without the uncertainty of what would be the result to us as a community. This is old school, new school, and perfect for the time we are in.”
The event will be produced by Encore Live, a leading event production company. Tickets will go on sale Friday, June 19 at 11 a.m. CT, on sale at ticketmaster.com/garthbrooks, and a list of participating theaters will be available that day.
Tickets will be general admission and will cost $100, all inclusive. Each ticket admits one passenger car or truck. The event will take place rain or shine and will begin at dusk.
“Families need safe entertainment options that they can enjoy together this summer,” said Encore Live Founder and CEO Walter Kinzie. “We’re excited to partner with Garth, who’s already done so much to help the entertainment industry during these tough times, to provide a truly unique and incredible concert that will do a whole lot of good for local businesses and communities.”
Mechanical Licensing Collective Seeks Songwriter Nominations For Board And Committees
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (MLC) is seeking nominations for songwriter candidates to serve when songwriter seats become available on the MLC Board of Directors, Dispute Resolution Committee and Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee.
The MLC Songwriter Nominating Committee includes current MLC Dispute Resolution Committee songwriter members Aimée Allen and David Hodges along with songwriters Victoria Shaw appointed by the Nashville Songwriters Association International, Henny Tha Bizness appointed by The Recording Academy, and Claudia Brant appointed by the Songwriters of North America, in accordance with the MLC by-laws. The five-person committee will make recommendations of 2-3 persons for each vacant songwriter MLC board or committee seat or when seats come up for re-election. MLC songwriter board members will make the final determination from the nominees to fill such seats.
Candidates for the Board of Directors must be professional songwriters who retain and license mechanical rights for songs they have written (self-published). Candidates for the Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee and Dispute Resolution Committee must be professional songwriters.
The Unclaimed Royalties Oversight Committee recommends policies and procedures related to the distribution of accrued unclaimed royalties to the MLC Board. The Dispute Resolution Committee recommends policies and procedures for the processing of royalties to works subject to disputes over ownership to the MLC Board.
The MLC Board of Directors and Advisory Committees meet regularly, and all meetings allow for virtual participation such that travel is not generally required. Members are expected to devote sufficient time to prepare for and participate fully in all meetings.
To nominate someone for consideration, please click here to complete the nomination form.
Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Rosanne Cash, Keb’ Mo’ To Lead Keep The Music Playing Virtual Fundraiser
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event will use live and pre-recorded performances from numerous Nashville venues including the Ryman Auditorium, Bluebird Cafe, Acme Feed and Seed, and Dino’s. Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires, Keb’ Mo’, Rosanne Cash, Katie Pruitt, Devon Gilfillian, Widespread Panic’s John “JoJo” Hermann, and more will take part in the event, while radio personality Justin Hammel and television host Kathie Lee Gifford will host.
Through the Spotify COVID-19 Music Relief Project, Spotify will match all donations to Music Health Alliance dollar for dollar, up to a collective total of $10 million.
Keep The Music Playing will air on acmeradiolive.com as well as facebook and youtube channels at 5 p.m. CT on June 17. Beginning today (June 10) donations can be made at musichealthalliance.com.
“When COVID-19 really started ramping up and it became obvious to us that a lot of the events and plans we’d made for the summer would have to be canceled, our team hopped on a call to immediately start problem-solving,” says Acme’s Director of Marketing, Tricia Higbee. “As disappointed as we were, what was really bothering us the most was being unable to provide that platform for all the amazing artists and personalities that go into making our events what they are. We didn’t want to take away that opportunity from voices who need to be heard, so we quickly decided to pivot.” Utilizing Acme Radio Live’s already up-and-running in-house production team to create world-class content for the event, Keep The Music Playing presented itself as the natural solution for the conundrum at hand. “Our mission with this event is simple, raise as much money as possible for the Music Health Alliance while also offering people around the world a glimpse inside Nashville, if only through a screen, to show how we’re physically distancing, but socially joining together to keep the music playing in Music City.”
A full list of performers and/or guests is below:
AJ Croce
AJ Eason
Andrew Combs
Barry Scott
Bre Kennedy
Charles Wigg Walker
Chuck Mead
Craig Morgan
Dave McGinnis
Devon Gilfillian
Donna the Buffalo
Early James
Erin Rae
Future Thieves
Gramps Morgan
Guthrie Trapp
Ian Ferguson
Jaime Wyatt
Janelle Moser
Jason Isbell & Amanda Shires
Jeff Coffin
Jim Lauderdale
Joe Bonamassa
John Oates
John “JoJo” Hermann
Jordan Davis
Katie Pruitt
Keb Mo
Kenny Vaughan, Dave Roe, & Pete Abbott
Laine Hardy
Leah Blevins
Louis York
Marcus Finnie
Mike Keith (Voice of the Tennessee Titans)
Minton Sparks
Parker Gispert
Pat McLaughlin
Pete Weber & Terry Crisp (Nashville Predators)
Phil Vassar
Rod McGaha
Rodney Crowell
Ron Gallo
Rosanne Cash
Sam Bush
Sara Evans
Scotty McCreery
Sean Henry (Nashville Predators CEO & president)
Steve Conn
Steve Wariner
Sweettalker
Tim Gent
Country Music Association Names Kelly Striewski To Sr. VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonKelly Striewski
The Country Music Association has named Kelly Striewski as Senior Vice President, Marketing & Strategic Partnerships, effective in August. Striewski previously worked for dick clark productions in Los Angeles, overseeing the company’s corporate and consumer marketing and communication efforts for dcp shows including Academy of Country Music Awards, American Music Awards, Billboard Music Awards, Golden Globe Awards, Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve with Ryan Seacrest and So You Think You Can Dance, among others.
At the CMA, Striewski will oversee development and execution of CMA’s marketing, communications and strategic partnerships strategies, including oversight of CMA’s marketing, communications, market research, creative, digital and strategic partnerships teams. She will also serve as a member of the CMA’s executive leadership team, working with the CMA Board of Directors to build strategic initiatives for the organization and will work closely with CMA’s network television partner, ABC Television Network.
“We are thrilled to welcome Kelly to our executive team at CMA,” says Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She is a highly-accomplished entertainment veteran with a wealth of knowledge in both music and television. Kelly’s experience and expertise in marketing, communications and partnerships, as well as artist and industry relations, will be critical to CMA’s continued strategic growth.”
“I am honored to join CMA and to fully immerse myself into the Nashville community,” says Striewski. “It will be a privilege to work under the leadership of the organization’s highly-regarded CEO, Sarah Trahern and the exceptional CMA Board of Directors. I look forward to utilizing my marketing and television expertise to develop unique and innovative strategies that drive continued growth for country music.”
Prior to her work at dcp, Striewski led the Nintendo of America account team at Golin where she oversaw all PR activity, social media and influencer campaigns, game launches, special events and the brand’s expansion into mobile. Striewski also spent 15 years with B|WR Public Relations, where she led PR activity for notable brands such as PUMA, Lincoln Motor Company, Stand Up To Cancer, Neil Lane, Beaches & Sandals Resorts and DELL, among others.
Industry Ink: Douglas Corner, PLA Media, UMG
/by Lorie HollabaughDouglas Corner Hosts Closing Sale
Following the announcement of its closing after 33 years in business, Douglas Corner is holding an indoor yard sale this Saturday and Sunday (June 13-14) at the club from 9 a.m.-2 p.m. All COVID-19 precautions will be in effect during the sale, including the use of rubber gloves, and the longtime Nashville spot will be selling three decades worth of belongings.
Rory Edmonds Promoted At PLA
Rory Edmonds
Rory Edmonds has been promoted to Graphic Design & Social Media Manager at PLA Media. The New York native and Belmont University graduate joined the company in March 2019 as Graphic Designer and Social Media Assistant. In his new role, Edmonds will be directing the strategic planning of PLA Media’s social media accounts while also expanding the offerings of the company’s graphic design and content creation services. Before PLA Media, Edmonds executed branding and social media for Chago’s Cantina in Nashville in addition to his tenures with Kaleidoscope Media and FlyteVu.
Covered By Country Joins The Fight Against COVID
Billy Strings To Play Multiple Nashville Venues On Streaming Strings Virtual Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughBluegrass wonder Billy Strings has announced a new live streaming virtual tour that will kick off on July 16 and run through July 26 in various Nashville clubs.
The Streaming Strings 2020 Tour will feature nine shows performed in crowdless venues throughout Music City. The concerts will be streamed by various partners including Nugs TV, FANS, Station Inn TV and TourGigs. Digital “tickets” will go on sale June 16 at 12 p.m. ET and can be purchased at billystrings.com. The dates listed may change based upon the status of COVID-19, and contingency plans (and dates) are in place. Minimal staff and crew will take part in order to help produce the show.
A portion of the proceeds from the virtual shows will be donated to several charity partners including the ACLU, Backline, and the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund.
Follow Up Panel (Tomorrow): A Conversation on Being African-American in the Nashville Music Industry
/by Lorie HollabaughA followup discussion to last week’s powerful conversation, “Follow-Up Q&A: Being African-American in the Nashville Music Industry,” will be held via Zoom this Thursday (June 11) from 5:00-6:30 p.m. CT.
The purpose of this panel is to present an opportunity to both listen and learn how to be an advocate and ally.
Panelists will include Charlene Bryant, Founder of Riveter Management; Capitol Records Nashville recording artist Mickey Guyton; Gina Miller, Senior Vice President and General Manager, Entertainment One (Nashville); Shannon Sanders, 2x Grammy-winning producer and Program Director of 102.1 The Ville; Kortney Toney, Corporate Partnerships Manager for the Nashville Symphony; and Candice Watkins, VP, Marketing for Big Loud.
The panel will be moderated by Middle Tennessee State University’s Sekou Franklin (Ph. D., MTSU Department of Political Science) and Beverly Keel (Dean of MTSU College of Media and Entertainment).
The conversation is open to everyone who would like to attend with an open heart and mind, and those interested can register here.
Guests will receive the link by email to attend after registering. Questions for the panelists can be submitted in advance here.
The June 11 virtual panel discussion is sponsored by Change the Conversation, Digital Divas, Entertainment One Music Nashville, Middle Tennessee State University, mtheory, the Music Business Association, the National Association of Black Female Executives in Music and Entertainment Nashville, Quinton Digital, the Recording Academy Nashville Chapter, and 102.1 The Ville.
Organizers of the panel want to provide a safe space for their panelists and attendees. While they welcome sharing what you learn from the panelists, journalists are asked to reach out to nashvillemusicequality@gmail.com before publishing or attributing specific content from the conversation in published articles.
Ruston Kelly Debuts First Taste Of Upcoming Album ‘Shape & Destroy’
/by Lorie HollabaughThe new album, which was co-produced by Kelly and longtime collaborator Jarrad K and recorded at Dreamland Recording Studios in upstate New York, documents Kelly’s journey through maintaining his sobriety and dealing with his past. He addresses these experiences and setbacks with unvarnished honesty, grace and conviction in the 13 new songs including the stirring track, “Brave.”
“Making this record definitely taught me that I don’t want to be selfish: I want to channel something larger than myself and give myself to the process as fully as possible, because these songs also become the story of whoever hears them,” said Kelly. “Whatever someone might get out of listening to this record and hearing me express myself in this way, it’s completely theirs.”
Kelly gets some help from his father Tim “TK” Kelly on steel guitar and backing vocals on the new album, which also includes special guests Gena Johnson, Abby Kelly and Kacey Musgraves on background vocals.