Christine Salomone, Leah Fischer

Big Machine Label Group has added two staffers to its marketing department. Christine Salomone joins as Vice President, Strategic Partnerships and Leah Fischer joins as Project Manager, reporting to Chief Marketing Officer Mike Rittberg.

Salomone is a global marketing leader with more than 15 years of branded entertainment and content experience in New York, Sydney and Los Angeles. A graduate of Providence College, her past stints include NBCUniversal, Seven Network, Hearst, Condé Nast, National Hockey League and Sports Illustrated.

“Christine’s track record and passion for the brand partnership space will be a tremendous asset to Big Machine Label Group and our artists,” said Rittberg. “We are excited to have her join the team!”

“I am energized to work with a genuine, smart, fast-paced team that has the ability to make bold moves,” stated Salomone. “I welcome the opportunity to bring fresh perspective to innovate and evolve partnerships that will form meaningful connections between brands and BMLG chart-topping artists.”

A graduate of Pittsburg State University, Fischer joined BMLG in 2015 as the promotions coordinator for BMLG Records. In her new role, she will serve as project manager for Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Carly Pearce, Danielle Bradbery and Drake White.

“I’m so excited for Leah to be able to grow from within Big Machine Label Group and join our team,” said Rittberg. “Her promotion background will be of immense help as she takes on marketing initiatives.”

Salomone can be reached at christine.salomone@bmlg.net or 615-345-4522, and Fischer can be reached at leah.fischer@bmlg.net or 615-345-4531.

Voting for the 30th annual MusicRow Awards is now open. Voting for the awards closes on Friday, May 25. The 2018 MusicRow Awards will be presented during a private, invitation-only event on Wednesday, June 27. To subscribe and receive your ballot and invitation, click here.

Click here to download a full PDF of all of this year’s categories and nominees.

Nominees in all four categories are determined by the MusicRow critics panel. Winners are determined by the publication’s subscribed members. Outside submissions were accepted for the Breakthrough Songwriter and Breakthrough Artist-Writer categories, which honor writers and co-writers who scored their first Top 10 single during the eligibility period (May 1, 2017 to April 30, 2018).

MusicRow will also distribute the Top 10 Album All-Star Musicians Awards at the event, recognizing the studio players who played on the most albums reaching the Top 10 of Billboard‘s Country Album Chart during the eligibility period. Honors will be presented for guitar, bass, drums, fiddle, keyboards, steel, vocals and engineer categories.

Winners will be profiled in MusicRow’s June/July print magazine, which will debut at the June ceremony.

If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive your ballot and invitation.

Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Cary Sherman, Chairman and CEO of the Recording Industry Association of America; Kelsea Ballerini, and James Donio, Music Business Association President. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA

The 2018 Music Biz conference hosted two awards programs during its Nashville event, a breakfast on May 16, and a luncheon on May 17.

The breakfast honored the RIAA’s retiring Chairman/CEO Cary Sherman with the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement. Sherman, who joined the RIAA in 1997, is credited with helping enact legislation that is the foundation of helping artists get paid for streaming music.

Pictured (L-R): James Donio, Cary Sherman. Photo: Music Biz

Sherman mentioned his RIAA successor, Mitch Glazier, “You made this transition easy, and even fun…This is the first time someone from the policy side of the business has [received this award] so that makes it really special,” said Sherman in heartfelt remarks before offering advice.

“You have to be ahead of the curve—identifying problems before anyone knows it’s going to become one. Fortunately we got ahead of the curve on streaming. Back in the 1980s we imagined the possibility that someday someone would figure out how to beam music into a home for listening. So RIAA started lobbying congress to extend our limited copyright for sound recording to cover digital transmissions of music. We got legislation in 1995 and again in 1998, establishing the right to negotiate marketplace deals and be paid for what is now online streaming, which produces the bulk of our revenues today.”

Pictured (L-R): President of Music Business Association, James Donio and Sandra Chapin present an award to owner of School Boy Records and RBMG, Scooter Braun. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Harry Chapin’s widow, Sandy Chapin presented mega-manager Scooter Braun with the Memorial Humanitarian Award. Braun delivered a keynote speech after the award.

“One of these days I’m going to actually prepare a speech,” said Braun. “This award is really a testament to a lot of people that aren’t on this stage, first of all my mother. Every holiday she would take us to soup kitchens. My brother is the founder of Pencils of Promise. As my life went on, I think I became attracted to people like that, because I married someone who has dedicated their life to that. My wife is the founder of Fuck Cancer.

“At 36 years old I’ve had a very unique and lucky career. I’ve been to the top of a mountain I never thought I’d get to. And what I saw there was very different than what I expected. I thought being a part of Grammys, No. 1 records and tours would feel like success. I can tell you the greatest moments of my career has been hanging out with friends and family and being a part of just music.

“A year ago the terror attack happened in Manchester. I appreciate that One Love Manchester is a part of this [award], but I wish it was something we never had to do. Unfortunately, my belief is this won’t be the last time we see something like this—we’ve seen Vegas happen. That evil is going to continue to exist, and we as an industry have a responsibility of those we lost. I met over 20 families where someone is not ever coming home. For the rest of my life I will carry them with me, and I know Ariana [Grande] will…She is exactly the role model we want her to be, and I couldn’t be more proud of her. I share this award with her…and any unsung hero out there.”

Pictured (L-R): Chairman of Music Biz, Fred Beteille presents an award to Nile Rodgers. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Legendary producer/artist/writer/arranger Nile Rodgers was honored with Chairman’s Award for sustained creative achievement. He has credits on album sales totaling 500 million. He is currently Chief Creative Advisor at Abbey Road Studio. Rodgers recalled gambling on a newcomer, Madonna. Rodgers forewent an advance from the label with the assurance that if the project moved more than 3 million, he would retroactively receive “an embarrassing, really high number. We sold 25 million records,” recalled Rodgers. “I say this with complete humility.

“I’ve been in this business all my life. I do this job because I love the artists I work with and I love the labels I fight with. If I make wacky mistakes, it’s not because of ego, it’s because I’m trying to do something groundbreaking that we can look back upon years later. In this business, where we have a lot of people who are not necessarily trying to be original—but trying to make hits.”

Pictured (L-R): Sr. Product Manager at TiVo, Kyle Smetanka, director Colin Hanks, Patti Solomon, Michael Solomon, President of Music Business Association James Donio, CEO of BuzzAngle Music Jim Lidestri and Chairman of Music Biz, Fred Beteille. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

During the Music Biz luncheon, the organization honored the late Tower Records founder Russ Solomon as the inaugural inductee to the Music Business Hall of Fame. Solomon was noted to have created and revolutionized music retail, operating his once-billion dollar business and achieving the Forbes 400 list. Although Solomon unexpectedly passed in March, Donio assured attendees that Solomon was aware of his induction. Widow Patty and son Michael accepted on his behalf, alongside the director of the 2015 All Things Must Pass documentary, Colin Hanks.

“My father received many rewards during his lifetime,” said Michael Solomon. “There were some awards he took more seriously. There was one annual award, however that Russ took very seriously and competed for it—wanting to win it more than anything. That award was NARMS Retailer of the Year. He wanted this award to honor the entire Tower family, he felt very strongly about Tower as a whole.”

Pictured (L-R): James Donio, Dilyn Radakovitz. Photo: Music Biz

Wrapping the breakfast was the presentation of the Independent Spirit Award to the Radakovitz Family, owners of the Sacramento, California-based record store chain Dimple Records. With seven retail locations, Dimple Records promotes local artists, labels and studios; selling tickets in-store for shows at local venues; running charity events and supports music and sports programs in school curriculums. The Radakovitz famiy even purchased the final venture of Russ Solomon, also based in Sacramento.

Dilyn Radakovitz accepted the award for their 52 years in the music business on behalf of her family, including John, her husband of 50-years and sons Oliver and Andrew. John was absent due to an eye surgery. Dilyn serves on boards, including that co-organizing Record Store Day, which was announced at the breakfast to have sold more vinyl albums than any other RSD (733,000), with 80 percent of those sold at independent retailers.

Additional appearances at the Music Biz breakfast included Black River recording artist Kelsea Ballerini and breakfast sponsor CMA’s Sarah Trahern. Ballerini was surprised with a plaque from Sherman and the RIAA, certifying her “Legends” Gold. Donio was surprised for his 30-years of service to the 60-year-old Music Biz/NARM by board Chair and Facebook representitive Fred Beteille and board Vice Chair Steve Harkins, of entertainment distributor Baker & Taylor.

The luncheon additionally honored an absent Julia Michaels with the Breakthrough Artist Award; the record-breaking success of ‘Despacito’ with the Outstanding Achievement Award; and Ed Sheeran with its Artist of the Year honor.

Pictured (L-R): Kelsea Ballerini, Cary Sherman. Photo: Music Biz

Justin Tranter (R) and manager Beka Tischker (R) accept Julia Michaels’ award onstage. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

James Donio. Photo: Music Biz

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 591

Is it possible to be both a honky-tonk and a dining destination?

The Blake Shelton-themed Ole Red nightclub on Lower Broadway hopes so. During preview parties this week, the venue hosted press mavens, social-media tastemakers, music-industry folks and radio leaders to sample its visual, audio and taste delights.

So Chuck Aly, Sam Aly, Julie Boos, Charlie Cook, Erin Hay Curtis, Marie Miscia, Laramie Lomanto, Miss Mary and I decided to r.s.v.p. for a soiree there on Wednesday, May 16. The club’s “soft opening” was May 1, so the main floor was already rocking to the cover tunes by Yankton. Lead singer Tom Yankton adroitly serenaded the crowd with everything from “Brand New Man” to “Wanted Dead Or Alive.”

In our V.I.P., roped-off zone on the mezzanine, we sipped something called a Tishomingo Sunset, which involved habanero whiskey, orange moonshine, grenadine and soused cherries. Appetizers included burger sliders, fried pickles, raw oysters, BBQ pork sliders and shrimp-salad toast points.

The décor was “country eclectic.” I noted both a stuffed buffalo head on a wall and an upside-down red tractor suspended from the ceiling.
Next, we were escorted up to The Hall at Ole Red on the third floor. This is a beautifully lit, spacious event space that can be decorated to suit. Here, we were welcomed by Lisaann Dupont, the director of communications for Opry Entertainment. Ole Red is located on the site of the old Opry gift shop at 3rd Ave. & Broadway.

“We’re glad you guys came out to see what we do here,” said executive chef Garrett Pittler. “Our menu is what I call ‘upscale honky-tonk food.’” Pittler was previously with the Omni and Loew’s Vanderbilt hotels and with City Winery.

Our dinner menu featured home-style servings of collard greens, mashed potatoes, poutine on “housemade” tater tots topped with a fried egg, pickled cauliflower, biscuits with apple butter and kale salad. The attendees were particularly enthusiastic about the fried broccoli with corn meal and parmesan cheese.

The venue’s signature dish is “champagne fried chicken,” so-named because the chicken is marinated in the “the champagne of bottle beers,” Miller. I sampled a wing and a drum.

Our next stop was The Lookout, the venue’s fifth-story rooftop bar. This is where desserts were served. The “donut wall” was hung with dozens of different circular concoctions. The Lookout’s décor is gleaming, sleek, metallic and modern.

What’s more noteworthy is its height, surely the tallest on Lower Broad. We overlooked the Bridgestone Arena, the Nissan Stadium, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Seigenthaler pedestrian bridge, where Kathy Mattea was shooting an album cover photo with manager Marc Dottore in tow.

The Lookout’s signature cocktails were/are the Honey Bee with gin, honey, lavender and lemon, as well as Cumberland Punch, involving rum, pineapple liqueur, combier, orgeat, angostura bitters (I never heard of these things either) and lime juice, plus an edible orchid.

The 26,000-square-foot Ole Red Nashville is billed as a “highly anticipated partnership between Ryman Hospitality and Opry member Blake Shelton.” It will officially open during the CMA Music Fest, June 6-10. The star will be there on the 6th, following the CMT Awards, in a “Blake Shelton and Friends” concert. Tix will be distributed via a contest for fans.

There is a previous Ole Red in Toshomingo, Oklahoma, Blake’s hometown. There is a future one (planned for 2019) in Gatlinburg.

The Nashville location is in the heart of a district that also features honky-tonks and/or eating establishments branded by Dierks Bentley, Alan Jackson, John Rich, Florida Georgia Line, George Jones and B.B. King. Next up will be a Jason Aldean joint, slated to open across the street from Ole Red. Good luck with that.