Pictured (clockwise from top left): Melissa Moldovan, Tommy Moore, Maddy Stessman and Taylor Payne
The Academy of Country Music has announced staff promotions in several departments, including staffers Melissa Moldovan, Tommy Moore, Taylor Payne and Maddy Stessman. Positions are based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, CA.
A Chicago native, Moldovan has been promoted to Manager, Marketing. Moldovan joined the Academy fresh off a four-year stint at the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Time with Whitney Allen, where she worked as an assistant producer and fill-in co-host while simultaneously developing the show’s social media marketing strategy. Her work there ultimately lead to the creation of a social media staff position, which Moldovan undertook in addition to her other roles before moving to the Academy’s marketing team in 2015. In her expanded role, Moldovan will execute all Academy radio promotions and lead on Academy press materials, overseeing ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp publicity, and more. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.
Moore has been promoted to Director, Administration & Operations. Atlanta-born and Chicago-raised, Moore attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he graduated with a degree in Broadcasting and Electronic Communications. Moore interned and then was hired on at WMIL-FM country radio in Milwaukee in in 2009, before moving to Los Angeles to join the Academy in 2011. In his current role as Director, Administration and Operations, he directs the overall administration of the ACM office with focus on operations, ticketing, Board of Directors communication, aspects of the professional membership, and is currently the interim manager of ACM Lifting Lives. He serves as the Secretary of both the ACM Board of Directors as well as the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. Moore is a SOLID alumnus, class of 2013.
Payne has been promoted to Manager, Creative & Content. Payne began her career as an intern for ACM Lifting Lives in 2014, and continued as full-time as an assistant in the Creative & Content and Marketing departments. In her new role as Manager, Payne will handle day-to-day management of the Academy’s websites, photo archives, social assets and A-List eblasts among other duties. She serves as a field producer for the Academy’s in-house video content and a contributing writer for ACM Tempo. A California native, Payne attended UCLA where she majored in communication studies and minored in Spanish. She reports to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content.
Stessman has been promoted to Coordinator, Events. Originally from Petaluma, CA, Stessman spent four years on the East Coast where she studied broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University, keeping busy with internships at NBC’s Affiliate Marketing Department, The Meredith Vieira Show and The TODAY Show, as well as the Academy of Country Music, where she supported the Events team for the Academy’s historic 50th Anniversary in Texas. Although newly-transplanted to Los Angeles, Stessman commutes to the Bay Area for all Oakland Raiders home games to work with their game-day corporate partnerships team. Maddy reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
Casting Crowns Extends Very Next Thing Tour Into 2018
/by Lorie HollabaughCasting Crowns returns to the road in 2018 for the final leg of its The Very Next Thing Tour, featuring special guest I AM THEY. Presented by Compassion International, the 30-city spring leg of “The Very Next Thing” Tour will run from March to early May of 2018, with tickets going on sale Friday in most markets. The tour has hit 100 major markets since Fall 2016, resulting in multiple sold-out performances and an overall attendance topping 435,000, making it the most-attended Crowns tour since 2008.
The Very Next Thing Tour supports Casting Crowns’ current studio album, The Very Next Thing (Beach Street/Reunion), the group’s 15th release and eighth studio album since its label debut in 2003. With more than 10 million records sold, Casting Crowns has held the position of Billboard’s top-selling act in Christian music since 2007. The band is currently wrapping up a holiday arena tour, A Glorious Christmas, with for KING & COUNTRY. They also just received a seventh Grammy nomination, and have generated 100,000 child sponsorships through their concerts.
The Very Next Thing Tour – Spring 2018
* Dates and markets subject to change without notice
March 8 – Macon, GA
March 9 – Florence, SC
March 10 – Norfolk, VA
March 15 – Huntington, WV
March 16 – Bourbonnais, IL
March 17 – Effingham, IL
March 18 – Wisconsin Dells, WI
March 20 – Rochester, MN
March 22 – TBD
March 23 – Park City, KS
March 24 – Longview, TX
March 29 – TBD
March 30 – Paducah, KY
April 5 – TBD
April 6 – Andrews, TX
April 7 – TBD
April 8 – McAlester, OK
April 12 – Knoxville, TN
April 13 – Hixson, TN
April 14 – Farmington, MO
April 19 – Mandeville, LA
April 20 – Tuscaloosa, AL
April 21 – Albany, GA
April 26 – Poughkeepsie, NY
April 27 – Augusta, ME
April 28 – Lowell, MA
April 29 – Charlottesville, VA
May 3 – TBD
May 4 – Wheeling, WV
May 5 – Owensboro, KY
Apple Purchases Music Discovery App Shazam
/by Eric T. ParkerThe deal is estimated at $400 million, significantly less than the $1 billion Shazam was valued at during its last funding round. Shazam brought in $54 million in revenue for 2016 and has lately been dabbling in AR technology.
Apple’s full statement from spokesperson Tom Neumayr:
“We are excited to announce that Shazam has entered into an agreement to become part of Apple,” said Shazam’s spokesperson Giovanni Bossio. “Shazam is one of the highest-rated apps in the world and loved by hundreds of millions of users and we can’t imagine a better home for Shazam to enable us to continue innovating and delivering magic for our users.”
The deal should close in the coming weeks pending regulatory approval.
Industry Ink: Caroline Fields, Ryan Weaver, Savannah Harmon
/by Lorie HollabaughCaroline Fields Joins Absolute Publicity
Absolute Publicity has added Caroline Fields to its staff. Fields will assist in handling publicity for company clients Craig Wayne Boyd, Shenandoah, Ray Stevens, Aaron Tippin, and Halfway to Hazard. Fields previously worked with ShoreFire PR and AristoMedia.
“I’m so proud to announce the addition of Caroline Fields as a new company publicist,” says Absolute Publicity President Don Murry Grubbs. “As we continue to grow, so does our need for experienced staffers. Caroline brings loads of invaluable PR knowledge to the table, and I know she’ll do great things here at Absolute.”
Ryan Weaver Signs With NVRDUL Management
Ryan Weaver has signed with NVRDUL Management for representation. In October 2017, Weaver was the first artist to be signed to the record label recently launched by Professional Bull Riders CEO, Sean Gleason, PBR Music, and publishing company, Down in the Well. Weaver’s new EP Celebrate America was recorded especially for the PBR. Releasing the album at the 2017 PBR Built Ford Tough World Finals in Las Vegas this past November, Weaver performed in the slot held last year by Aerosmith’s Steven Tyler.
Savannah Harmon Signs With Briley Media Group
“Savannah possesses a tremendous amount of talent, not only as a strong female vocalist, but as a gifted songwriter. With her Maren Morris feel and Janis Joplin soul, it didn’t take much to convince me that this young lady is going places in her career. I definitely wanted to be a part of the journey.” said Briley Media Group President, Jeff Riley.
Reba McEntire To Receive Horatio Alger Award
/by Lorie HollabaughReba McEntire and 11 other inductees will be honored with the 2018 Horatio Alger Award at a special ceremony in Washington D.C. in April. For more than 70 years, the award has been given annually to exceptional leaders who have succeeded despite facing adversities, and who have remained committed to higher education and charitable efforts in their local communities. Other recipients of the award in 2018 include actor Rob Lowe, Jimmy John’s Gourmet Sandwiches founder Jimmy John Liautaud, former Walmart CEO H. Lee Scott, Jr., and more.
McEntire and the Member Class of 2018 will be formally inducted into the Association on April 5-7, 2018, during the Association’s 71st Horatio Alger Award Induction Ceremonies in Washington, D.C. The annual three-day event honors the achievements of both Members and National Scholars, affording both groups the opportunity to meet and interact, exchanging stories of hardships and triumphs.
“I always say that you need three things to succeed in life: a wishbone, a backbone and a funny bone. These qualities have served me well in every part of my life, and I have no doubt my fellow honorees would agree,” said Ms. McEntire. “I am honored to be inducted into the Horatio Alger Association, and I can’t wait to meet our 2018 Scholars and help them in any way I can to reach their own dreams.”
Through its Members, the Horatio Alger Association aims to educate young people about the limitless opportunities afforded to them by the free-enterprise system. To further this mission, the organization awards scholarships to outstanding high school students who are committed to pursuing higher education and giving back to their communities. Like Association Members, Horatio Alger Scholars have faced significant adversities, but have also displayed unmatched resilience in overcoming their challenges. Since the scholarship program was established in 1984, Horatio Alger Association has provided more than $125 million to students in need, all of which has been funded solely through the generosity of Association Members and friends.
The latest inductees join an esteemed group of just over 200 living Members, including Oprah Winfrey, Leonardo DiCaprio, Tom Brokaw, and others in the media and entertainment industry.
Scott Borchetta’s New Show ‘The Launch’ Set For CTV Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughThe new show documents an authentic, behind-the-scenes look at what it takes to break a new artist and bring a song to life in each hour-long episode. Five unsigned emerging artists will audition for the opportunity to record and perform a new original song written by a world renowned songwriter/producer and mentored by a panel of music industry legends each week, with the mentors then deciding which version of the song will be released across the country immediately following the broadcast of the episode.
Mentors on upcoming episodes of the show include Shania, busbee, Ryan Tedder, Jennifer Nettles, Nikki Sixx, Alessia Cara, and more.
The inaugural episode and world premiere of The Launch will air Wednesday, Jan. 10 at 9 p.m. on CTV.
Paradigm Names Margaret Bushart As Nashville Office GM
/by Jessica NicholsonMargaret Bushart
Paradigm Talent Agency has promoted Margaret Bushart to General Manager of its Nashville office. In her new role, alongside the day-to-day responsibilities of General Manager, Bushart will serve as an ambassador and liaison to the Music City community, strengthening relationships with key Nashville music institutions, professional organizations, media and record labels. She will also serve as primary point of contact for Paradigm’s public relations and charitable initiatives in Nashville, in conjunction with the agency’s communications department and Director of Social Impact.
Bushart joined Paradigm in early 2013, and has served as assistant to office head Jonathan Levine and executive office administrator. She will continue to manage Levine’s desk and oversee office administration.
“In her five years with us, Margaret has proven herself immensely capable and a true leader on our team,” says Levine. “She’s the heart of our Nashville office and will do us proud as the face of Paradigm’s operations, alongside our extraordinary agents, to the wider Nashville community.”
Paradigm also recently announced the move of its Nashville operation to spacious and scenic new downtown offices at 222 2nd Ave South.
The Paradigm team is a group of creative entrepreneurs who help guide the careers of a dynamic roster of talent, leading with the belief that when the artist’s interests are placed front and center, lasting success will follow. With offices across the US, UK and Canada, Paradigm provides global representation to clients in television, live music, motion pictures, theater, digital, book publishing, content finance, brand partnerships and beyond. Since 1993 Paradigm has acquired a variety of complementary companies, always with the goal of providing a broad range of services to the artists.
WME Signs Michael Franti
/by Jessica NicholsonMichael Franti is the latest signee to WME for exclusive representation. The agency will now represent Franti in all areas including music, film, television, books, and endorsements. Franti continues to be managed by Bernie Cahill and Matt Maher.
Franti is a globally recognized musician, humanitarian and activist filmmaker revered for his high-energy live shows, inspiring music, devotion to health and wellness, and worldwide philanthropic efforts. Franti’s hit singles include “The Sound of Sunshine,” which hit No. 1 on the Billboard charts, as well as “Say Hey (I Love You),” “I’m Alive (Life Sounds Like)” and “Life Is Better With You.” His most recent album, Soulrocker, hit No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Rock Albums chart and No. 17 on Billboard’s Top Current Albums chart. In 2017, he played 110 shows for over 450,000 fans, and over the course of his career has been a perennial favorite at major festivals around the world.
Franti was formerly represented by CAA, and follows several artists and executives who have moved from CAA to WME in recent weeks, including artists My Morning Jacket, Train, and Kings of Leon, as well as execs Scott Clayton, Brandi Brammer, Buster Phillips, and Matthew Morgan.
2018 ACM Awards To Be Held April 15 At Las Vegas’ MGM Grand Garden Arena
/by Jessica NicholsonACM professional member ticket on-sale will begin at 10 a.m. PT on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at acmcountry.com. ACM A-List Member ticket pre-sale will begin at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, Dec. 13 at axs.com. The pre-sale code will be sent to all A-List members prior to the on-sale date. Tickets will go on-sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PT on Thursday, Dec. 14.
The show is produced for television by dick clark productions. Allen Shapiro, Mike Mahan, R.A. Clark, Barry Adelman and Mark Bracco are executive producers. Pete Fisher is executive producer for the ACM.
ACM Promotes Four
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (clockwise from top left): Melissa Moldovan, Tommy Moore, Maddy Stessman and Taylor Payne
The Academy of Country Music has announced staff promotions in several departments, including staffers Melissa Moldovan, Tommy Moore, Taylor Payne and Maddy Stessman. Positions are based out of the Academy’s headquarters in Encino, CA.
A Chicago native, Moldovan has been promoted to Manager, Marketing. Moldovan joined the Academy fresh off a four-year stint at the nationally syndicated radio show The Big Time with Whitney Allen, where she worked as an assistant producer and fill-in co-host while simultaneously developing the show’s social media marketing strategy. Her work there ultimately lead to the creation of a social media staff position, which Moldovan undertook in addition to her other roles before moving to the Academy’s marketing team in 2015. In her expanded role, Moldovan will execute all Academy radio promotions and lead on Academy press materials, overseeing ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp publicity, and more. She reports to Brooke Primero, Senior Vice President, Marketing.
Moore has been promoted to Director, Administration & Operations. Atlanta-born and Chicago-raised, Moore attended Marquette University in Milwaukee, where he graduated with a degree in Broadcasting and Electronic Communications. Moore interned and then was hired on at WMIL-FM country radio in Milwaukee in in 2009, before moving to Los Angeles to join the Academy in 2011. In his current role as Director, Administration and Operations, he directs the overall administration of the ACM office with focus on operations, ticketing, Board of Directors communication, aspects of the professional membership, and is currently the interim manager of ACM Lifting Lives. He serves as the Secretary of both the ACM Board of Directors as well as the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors. Moore is a SOLID alumnus, class of 2013.
Payne has been promoted to Manager, Creative & Content. Payne began her career as an intern for ACM Lifting Lives in 2014, and continued as full-time as an assistant in the Creative & Content and Marketing departments. In her new role as Manager, Payne will handle day-to-day management of the Academy’s websites, photo archives, social assets and A-List eblasts among other duties. She serves as a field producer for the Academy’s in-house video content and a contributing writer for ACM Tempo. A California native, Payne attended UCLA where she majored in communication studies and minored in Spanish. She reports to Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, Creative & Content.
Stessman has been promoted to Coordinator, Events. Originally from Petaluma, CA, Stessman spent four years on the East Coast where she studied broadcast and digital journalism at Syracuse University, keeping busy with internships at NBC’s Affiliate Marketing Department, The Meredith Vieira Show and The TODAY Show, as well as the Academy of Country Music, where she supported the Events team for the Academy’s historic 50th Anniversary in Texas. Although newly-transplanted to Los Angeles, Stessman commutes to the Bay Area for all Oakland Raiders home games to work with their game-day corporate partnerships team. Maddy reports to Erick Long, Senior Vice President, Events.
Florida Georgia Line To Open Nashville Creative Complex
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line will combine several of their business ventures in a soon-to-be opened creative complex at 21st Ave. S. in Nashville’s Hillsboro Village. FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard first detailed plans for the space in 2015, when the duo purchased two buildings located at 1910 and 1912 21st Ave. S.
The complex will include the headquarters for FGL’s music publishing company Tree Vibez Music, as well as Tribe Kelley Trading Post, the home base for FGL member Kelley’s wife Brittney’s clothing brand, which she launched in 2014. Additionally, the complex will include a new private meeting/event space called Meet+Greet.
“We’re so excited to build and create a space for professionals to feel inspired and creative,” shares Tyler Hubbard. “We hope to bring something new and innovative to Nashville.”
Kelley agrees, “Passionate people inspire other passionate people. We thrive on letting our imaginations run wild and can’t wait to see what this city dreams up together.”
1910 and 1912 21st Ave. S., Nashville from 2015. Photo: Google Maps
Tree Vibez, which launched in 2015, is home to writers including Corey Crowder, James McNair, Cameron Montgomery, RaeLynn, Daniel Ross and Jordan Schmidt.
The complex is the latest entrepreneurial venture for the duo, who opened the downtown Nashville restaurant/entertainment venue FGL House in 2017, and launched their own easy-drinking spirit Old Camp Peach Pecan Whiskey, in 2016.