The Academy of Country Music has announced several promotions and hirings at its headquarters in Encino, California.

Tom Torii has been promoted to Executive Vice President, Finance & Operations; Jen Heaton has been promoted to Director, Strategic Partnerships; Lanni Gagnon has been promoted to Manager, Events; Carrie Tekautz has been promoted to Manager, Awards & Membership; Taylor Wolf has joined the staff as Coordinator, ACM Lifting Lives and Strategic Partnerships; and Danielle Bardier joins as Assistant, Events.

Torii oversees all aspects of the Academy’s finance, planning, analysis, operations and human resources functions. He joined the Academy in 2017 from Anschutz Entertainment Group, where he was CFO, providing financial and operational direction across organizations. During his nearly decade-long tenure as Vice President of Finance at AEG and Chief Financial Officer of AEG Sports, Torii oversaw all finance of sports entities including Amgen Tour of California, Houston Dynamo, Los Angeles Galaxy, Los Angeles Kings, and many other marquee brands. In addition, he led finance activities for non-sports entities such as AXS TV, JW Marriott and Ritz-Carlton at LA Live, Ritz-Carlton condominiums at LA Live, ticketing platforms for AXS.com and Examiner.com, among others.

A leader of finance and operations, Torii’s career stops include 20th Century Fox, Warner Bros./Turner Feature Animation, AVP Pro Beach Volleyball Tour and The Jim Henson Company. Torii reports to Pete Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Country Music.

After graduating with degrees in Communications and Business from University of Arizona, Heaton remained in Arizona and joined the Arizona Diamondbacks in 2010 in Sales and completed her time with the D-backs in Corporate Partnerships. In her new role, Heaton will continue planning and executing the ACM and ACM Lifting Lives partners programs, identifying, cultivating and developing new sponsors across industries and developing a multi-year partnership strategy. Heaton reports to Pete Fisher, Chief Executive Officer of the Academy of Country Music.

A Massachusetts native, Gagnon attended upstate New York’s Ithaca College where she studied Communication Management and Design. She first became involved with the ACM during her last semester of college when she interned with the Academy’s Event & Operations team for the 50th Annual ACM Awards. Upon graduating in May 2015, Gagnon relocated to Los Angeles and has since worked for Intern Queen, Inc., RGLive Events and George P. Johnson Experiential Marketing. During that time, she also freelanced with the ACM Events team on-site for the past two ACM Awards in Las Vegas. In her role as a manager for the Events department, Gagnon will be responsible for various logistical and operational elements of the ACM Awards and ACM Party for a Cause events – including event production, red carpet, food and beverage, transportation, signage, security, event décor and partnership fulfillment. Gagnon reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.

Originally from Kansas City, Tekautz attended Trevecca Nazarene University in Nashville, where she graduated with a degree in Music Business. After interning at Universal Music Publishing Group, Sony Music Nashville, Red Light Management and the Country Music Association, Tekautz began working full-time for CMA in 2013 within the Membership & Balloting department. In 2015, Tekautz joined the Ryman Auditorium and Grand Ole Opry team as Sally Williams’ assistant, a role she held for a year and a half before moving to Los Angeles to join the ACM staff. As manager, Tekautz will help maintain the membership database, recruit new ACM professional members and help coordinate the ACM Awards voting process. Tekautz reports to Nick Di Fruscia, Vice President, Awards & Membership.

Born and raised in Brentwood, Tenn., Wolf attended Pepperdine University where she received a bachelor’s degree of Science in Psychology. Following her graduation, Wolf pursued an opportunity in the human resources department at Sarah Cannon, the Cancer Institute of HCA Healthcare. She has also worked as a digital content contractor prior to her move to the Academy of Country Music. Wolf will report to Lyndsay Cruz, Executive Director, Lifting Lives and Jen Heaton, Director, Strategic Partnerships.

Bardier graduated from the University of Southern California where she received a degree in Business Administration with a focus on Marketing. During her time at USC, Bardier interned for the Academy of Country Music in the events department and served as a production assistant following her 2017 graduation. Since graduating, Bardier worked as a sponsorship and event coordinator for Harpoon Brewery where she helped produce several of Harpoon’s charitable events. Bardier will report to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.

ABC and dick clark productions have announced the date for the 2019 American Music Awards, which will be held at Los Angeles’ Microsoft Theater on Sunday, Nov. 24.

The American Music Awards honors artists in multiple musical genres, including Pop/Rock, Alternative Rock, Country, Rap/Hip-Hop, Soul/R&B, Adult Contemporary, Contemporary Inspirational, Latin, EDM and Soundtrack, alongside awards for New Artist of the Year, Collaboration of the Year, Tour of the Year, Video of the Year, Favorite Song and Artist of the Year.

Last year’s American Music Awards saw Taylor Swift break the record for the most AMA wins for a female artist with 23, surpassing the late Whitney Houston’s record of 21 wins. Swift and Camila Cabello earned four honors each, while Kane Brown and Cardi B each earned three awards.

Renowned rockabilly star Wanda Jackson announced her retirement from performing via a Facebook post yesterday (March 26). Known to many as the “Queen of Rockabilly,” Jackson helped pioneer the genre with hits like “Let’s Have A Party,” “Right or Wrong” and “Fujiyama Mama.”

Jackson’s Facebook post reads:

“After over 60 years of touring, Wanda Jackson wishes to announce her retirement from performing. This retirement is solely based on health and safety. It has been a wild ride. Thank you all for all the years of continued fandom and support. This is not the end, just the beginning of a new chapter. Join us as we congratulate the Queen of Rockabilly on over six decades of rip roaring live performances, priceless stories and countless shimmies.

All of this being said, Wanda will not be making appearances at either Viva Las Vegas Rockabilly Weekend nor the Nashville Boogie Vintage Weekender. In true rockabilly spirit, please still go out to these shows and keep the spirit of rockabilly alive.”

Dustin Lynch has been honored with several chart-toppers, but on Monday (March 25), he was honored for his first No. 1 hit as a songwriter. Lynch celebrated with his co-writers Justin Ebachand Andy Albert during a party held at Hi-Fi Clyde’s on Church in Nashville.

Lynch’s fellow “Good Girl” co-writer, Albert, was also celebrating his very first No. 1 song as a writer. The party was hosted by ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC.

“We were all just so sure about this song from the beginning. We only had the track down and we knew it was something special,” shared Lynch. “I want to thank these two guys up here (Albert and Ebach) for getting up on day three after a long night on the bus ready to write, because that’s what leads to moments like this.”

Among those celebrating were Curb/Word’s Janine Ebach, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Mary Ann Keen, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, BMG’s Jake Gear, BMG’s Kos Weaver, Downtown Music Publishing’s Steve Markland, Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, and BBR Music Group’s Jon Loba.

The followup single to “Good Girl,” “Ridin’ Roads,” was named the No. 1 most-added song of the week, with 46 stations already spinning the track.

 

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 618

“Rising Women on the Row” has risen.

MusicRow’s eighth annual celebration of female execs in Nashville’s entertainment community was its biggest and best yet. A sold-out crowd of nearly 500 filled the Omni Hotel ballroom on Tuesday morning (March 26) for a breakfast honoring Janine Ebach, Kelly Janson, Meredith Jones, Lenore Kinder, Sandi Spika Borchetta and Jennifer Turnbow.

New this year were video bios screened prior to each honoree. Always noted for good music, Tuesday’s event featured the sublime voice and guitar work of MCA newcomer Clare Dunn. The keynote speaker was the biggest superstar that Rising Women has ever attracted, Amy Grant.

Guests arrived early and were in full schmooze bloom by 8:30 a.m. Host Sherod Robertson reminded the crowd that the event was inspired by his influential grandmother and acknowledged the support of its sponsors, City National Bank, Loeb & Loeb and Tri Star.

“Thank you for helping us to honor all of these women in the music business,” he said. By the way, he schedules this event for March because this is International Women’s Month.

CMT executive Leslie Fram is a co-founder of Change the Conversation and has used her position to consistently uplift female country artists. This is the fifth year of her CMT Next Women of Country Tour. She brought Clare Dunn to the stage as one of the tour’s stars.

“This truly is an honor, just to be in this room,” said the singer-songwriter. She electrified the audience with her range-y soul rocker “My Love.” Clare dedicated Bob Dylan’s “To Make You Feel My Love” to “all the women on my team and in my life.” The purity of her vocal tone on the ballad was breathtaking.

“That was incredible,” exclaimed Sherod. And it was. He then guided Amy Grant through a series of questions about her life and career.

“I’m 58, and I really see the journey of life is the journey of befriending yourself,” said Amy. “My ability to be present in the moment is probably the greatest gift given to me.

“I loved music because of what it did for people. It helped me live. It felt fun and free, and there were no rules.”

She remarked that her gender was never a big issue during her hit-making years. Amy was raised by two widowed grandmothers, three older sisters and her mom. She was educated at the all-girl school Harpeth Hall. So, “The sound of women’s voices was the background of my life. I was raised with respect for women.”

Throughout the interview, she displayed the grace, gentility, serenity and class that have always characterized her public life.

“Whatever ring of fire you’re going through right now, carry on with all the wisdom that you’re getting.”

Sherod then introduced the honorees, one by one: “These women are kicking ass every day!”

Sandi Spika Borchetta is the senior VP of creative at Big Machine, in charge of videos, styling, album packaging and graphics. She is also a fashion designer. She congratulated her fellow honorees, saying, “I’m honored to be in your circle today. I salute you for your contributions to the music industry and to Nashville. Continue to dream. I believe in you. Everyone in this room, you are visionaries. Go the extra mile. Challenge yourself to dream big.”

Curb/Word publishing VP Janine Ebach said, “This is a huge and humbling honor for me….I’ve learned to be a challenger and a fighter. I refuse to accept the word, ‘No.’”

Her remarks were peppered with humorous asides and charming, self-deprecating quips. She acknowledged the hundreds of women in the crowd by saying, “There are many of you out there who are the future of this business.”

Manager, publisher and songwriter Kelly Janson commented, “I wound up here because I love music. My love for songs is the reason I get up in the morning….The songs are the reason we all have jobs.

“Music Row is like a big high school, and we all love it. I’m grateful for this long career; I get to work with great people.”

The mother of four testified that it is possible to maintain a family as well as a career: “You can have it all – God gave us the ability to multi-task. Girls, we can do it!”

Proud hubbies Scott Borchetta, Justin Ebach and Chris Janson led the cheering.

Meredith Jones of CAA said, “I’m so proud to be surrounded by women. CAA has made a commitment to powerful women.

“I’m proud to be a small part of….what the next generation of the women of country have to say.”

Lenore Kinder is at the Paradigm Talent Agency, working on touring, television and branding opportunities for her artists. “I want to thank the women who came before us and paved the road,” she remarked.

Her parting words were particularly eloquent: “Lead with compassion, humility and tenacity. Diversity is the key to cultivating great art.”

The NSAI’s Jennifer Turnbow reminded us that we are in the midst of the massive Tin Pan South Festival that she coordinates. It’s the largest songwriting fest in the land. She thanked her mentors, attendees Bart Herbison and Erika Wollam Nichols, as well as her husband, Troy Turnbow.

“What an incredible honor this is,” said Jennifer. “Thank you to everyone in this room for being here. I feel so blessed to work for songwriters.”

Many of the great women of Music Row offered standing ovations to all five honorees. They included Julie Boos, Lori Badgett, Regina Stuve, Leslie Roberts, Lou Taylor, Janie West, Martha Moore, Sherry Bond, Edie Emery, Jamie O’Neal, Suzanne Lee, Diane Pearson, Molly Shehan, Julie Devereaux, Lisa Purcell and Judi Turner, not to mention MusicRow’s own Jessica Nicholson, LB Rogers, Lorie Hollabaugh, Sarah Skates, Haley Crow and Alex Kobrick.

Mind you, this event attracts scads of male celebrants as well. Among those working the jumbo ballroom were Jim Ed Norman, Rod Essig, Terry Wakefield, jeweler-to-the-stars Jonathan Arndt, Bob Kinkead, George Briner, John Huie, Todd Cassetty (who did the videos), Dale Bobo, Eric T. Parker, David Crow, Woody Bomar and Jack Purcell.

The Omni’s breakfast buffet, by the way, is abundant and delicious.