Pictured (L-R): Aaron Dorn, Studio Bank’s Chairman, President, CEO and Ron Cox, Studio Bank’s Executive VP overseeing Music, Arts, & Entertainment Division.
The team behind Studio Bank recently filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions of its intent to apply for a banking charter. This is the first regulatory filing in the process of becoming a bank and, upon approval, will allow organizers to begin raising the bank’s main round of capital as early as next month.
Among those heading the initiative are former Avenue Bank leaders with a strong presence in Nashville’s creative sector and close ties to the music industry. They also have plans to extend beyond the music community to the city’s diverse industries encompassing healthcare, residential construction and development, small to mid-size businesses and the local freelance economy, as well as retail, mortgage and private banking.
The executive team includes Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President, CEO; Larry Dorris, Chief Operating Officer; Richard Bynum, Chief Credit Officer; April Britt, Chief Experience Officer; and Greg Barron, Chief Financial Officer.
Ron Cox, who serves as co-founder of Studio Bank, and was previously co-founder of Avenue Bank, will serve as Executive VP of Studio Bank and oversee the music, arts, and entertainment division.
Dorn has music industry experience and previously served as co-founder and senior leader with Avenue Bank, while also heading marketing and branding initiatives. “I am honored to represent such a phenomenal and growing coalition of community and business leaders who share a passion for this endeavor,” said Dorn. “The company we are creating will reflect the soul of Nashville, which is beloved for its creativity, innovation and collaborative spirit. Imagine a boutique bank that is hyper-local, sophisticated and nimble, with an amazing client experience, tech-savvy products, and bankers who are highly engaged in serving our city—a bank that is social and enjoys making connections, bringing together a diverse community of clients and friends.”
The Nashville music industry is well represented on the bank’s board of directors by CAA’s Rod Essig and THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, alongside others on the distinguished list (see below).
The team is also assembling a board of advisors who represent Nashville’s signature industries and civic organizations. Additionally, John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, has been reported as an investor in the bank by the Nashville Business Journal.
Board of Directors:
• Howard C. Bluver, former President, CEO, and Director, Suffolk County National Bank (NY); former Director, Bank of Georgetown (Washington D.C.)
• Ronald L. Corbin, Principal, RBBC Holdings; former head of All-State Insurance Company’s Southern Region
• Aaron J. Dorn, President & CEO, SFH Pursuit Company, Inc.
• Josh Deutsch, Chairman & CEO, Downtown Records (NYC)
• Patrick G. Emery, President, Spectrum|Emery
• Rodney A. (Rod) Essig, Co-Head & Agent, Creative Arts Agency (CAA), Nashville
• Sara J. Finley, Principal, Threshold Corporate Consulting, LLC; former General Counsel, CVS Caremark Corporation
• John R. (Rusty) Gaston, General Manager & Partner, THiS Music
• Lawson H. (Mike) Hardwick, III, Founder & CEO, Churchill Mortgage Corporation
• Matthew H. Kisber, CEO, Silicon Ranch Corporation; former Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of Tennessee
• Tara Scarlett, President & CEO, Scarlett Family Foundation
• Patricia G. Shea, Founder & Chair, Womens Presidents’ Organization, Nashville; former President & CEO, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
• Kent D. Wood, Entrepreneur and Investor, ImageQuest, PTS of America, Latitude, Healthcare TTU
Celebration Of Life Concert Set For Singer-Songwriter Michael Johnson
/by Jessica NicholsonA celebration of the life and career of Michael Johnson will be held on Sept. 19 in Nashville. Johnson died on July 25 in Minneapolis. He was 72.
The event will be held at Nashville concert venue 3rd & Lindsley, beginning at 8 p.m. The show will feature performances from Hugh Prestwood, Mike Reid, Don Schlitz, Janis Ian, Thom Schuyler, Fred Knoblock, and Bill Labounty.
Doors will open at 6 p.m. There is a suggested $25 donation at the door benefitting Music Health Alliance and MusiCares.
Johnson earned a No. 1 A/C hit with “Bluer Than Blue’ in 1978, and with “This Night Won’t Last Forever” in 1979. He also earned the hit country singles “Give Me Wings,” “The Moon Is Still Over Her Shoulder,” “Crying Shame,” “I Will Whisper Your Name,” “That’s That,” and more. In 1985 he joined Sylvia for the duet “I Love You By Heart.” He also recorded duets with Juice Newton (“It Must Be You”) and Alison Krauss (“Whenever I Call You Friend”).
For Johnson’s full obit written by Robert K. Oermann, click here.
Granger Smith Announces New Album And Headlining Tour
/by Alex ParryCountry music chart-topper Granger Smith announced his new album When The Good Guys Win, set to be released on Friday, Oct. 27. When The Good Guys Win is his sophomore national release on BBR Music Group’s Wheelhouse Records and follows last year’s acclaimed, Remington, which included the No. 5 “If The Boot Fits” and the No. 1 “Backroad Song” which has been certified gold by the RIAA.
When The Good Guys Win was written and edited on the road. “With most of 2016 and 2017 spent on tour, there wasn’t much time for working on an album,” says Smith. “In fact, we only spent three days in a real studio for an entire year’s worth of work. Instead, I set up a mobile studio in the back of my bus for all the writing, editing and even recording. I sang all of the lead vocals at home in Texas, and did a lot of file sharing back and forth with my co-producers. With the album evolving this way on the road, country fairs, parking lots, green rooms and hotel lobbies, it truly reflects the source of the inspiration: the fans. Without knowing it, my fans were involved in every step of this project and I believe they will hear that through the music. Looking back, I don’t think there could have been a better way to do it.”
The 14-track album is produced by Frank Rogers, Derek Wells and Granger Smith. Pre-order starts Oct. 6.
When The Good Guys Win Track Listing
1. Gimme Something – Jared Mullins, Jordan Schmidt, Justin Wilson
2. You’re In It – Frank Rogers, Justin Adams, Mark Nesler
3. Raise Up Your Glass – Frank Rogers, Matt Alderman, Ty Graham
4. Happens Like That – Granger Smith, Justin Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Andy Albert, Tyler Hubbard
5. Still Holds Up – Granger Smith, Justin Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Andy Albert
6. When The Good Guys Win – Deric Ruttan, Jonathan Singleton, Ben Hayslip
7. Everybody Lives – Tommy Cecil, Seth Ennis, Jay Brunswick, Jaida Dreyer
8. Stutter – Granger Smith, Justin Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Andy Albert
9. Never Too Old – Granger Smith, Justin Wilson, Jordan Schmidt, Andy Albert
10. Love Ain’t Blind – Granger Smith, Justin Wilson, Jamie Paulin
11. 4 Wheel Drive – Granger Smith, Frank Rogers, Mike Fiorentino
12. Reppin’ My Roots – Granger Smith, Jordan Schmidt, Josh Mirenda, Jaron Boyer
13. Don’t Tread On Me (ft. Earl Dibbles Jr) – Earl Dibbles Jr, Austin Outlaw, Chris Gainz
14. Home Cooked Meal – Granger Smith, Frank Rogers
Smith will join Luke Bryan on the “Huntin,’ Fishin,’ Lovin’ Everyday” tour starting tomorrow (Sept. 14) before launching his own headlining Don’t Tread On Me tour on Nov. 3 with supporting acts Dylan Schneider and Morgan Wallen.
Don’t Tread On Me Headlining Tour
Nov. 3 – 7 Flags Event Center – Clive, IA
Nov. 4 – Surf Ballroom – Clear Lake, IA
Nov. 5 – The Blue Note, Columbia, MO
Nov. 10 – Grand Casino Mille Lacs – Event Center – Onamia, MN
Nov. 11 – Limelight Event Plex – Peoria, IL
Nov. 16 – The Stage on Bay – Savannah, GA
Nov. 17 – Double Dee’s Ranch – West Palm Beach, FL
Nov. 18 – The Ranch Concert Hall & Saloon – Fort Myers, FL
Nov. 22 – Stampede Houston, TX – Houston, TX
Dec. 14 – The City Center – Champaign, IL
Dec. 15 – 8 Seconds Saloon – Indianapolis, IN
Dec. 16 – The Intersection – Grand Rapids, MI
Dec. 17 – The Machine Shop – Flint, MI
Dec. 29 – Brewster Street Ice House – Corpus Christi, TX
Cassadee Pope, Kristian Bush, Scotty McCreery Set For Cumberland Heights Concert
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“These artists have hearts as big as their talents,” said Cumberland Heights’ CEO Jay Crosson. “We’re grateful to all the performers – and the many event sponsors – for helping The Concert for Cumberland Heights help hundreds of teens recover life.“
Cumberland Heights will host a VIP pre-party at the Hilton Downtown from 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. before the show, which is being hosted by comedian Henry Cho. Tickets are on sale via ticketmaster.com, the Ryman box office, ryman.com and by phone at 800.745.3000. Cumberland Heights is offering special ticket packages through its website cumberlandheights.org, which include a pre-party with a strolling dinner at the Hilton Downtown and priority seating during the concert. Proceeds from the event support Cumberland Heights’ adolescent and young adult treatment programs which help patients set goals for recovery while helping them process life’s consequences and unmanageability.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the concert event. Prior concerts have raised $3.1 million for adolescent services.
Reba To Host ‘CMA Country Christmas’
/by Sarah Skates“Christmas is such a special time. It reminds me of growing up in Oklahoma and singing carols with my family,” said McEntire. “I’m just tickled to join a group of some of my best Country buddies onstage to celebrate the holiday season. This is where my love of music began.”
Tickets for the show go on sale Friday, Oct. 6 at opry.com.
CMA Country Christmas is a production of the Country Music Association. Robert Deaton is the Executive Producer, Paul Miller is the Director, and Jon Macks is the writer.
Leading into the holiday season, McEntire will release My Kind of Christmas Friday, Oct. 13 on Nash Icon Records. The newly-packaged album follows last year’s limited release and includes collaborations with Vince Gill and Amy Grant, Lauren Daigle, Darius Rucker, and Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood.
My Kind of Christmas Track List:
1. Winter Wonderland
2. The Christmas Song (Chestnuts Roasting On An Open Fire)
3. Mary, Did You Know? (with Vince Gill and Amy Grant)
4. Jingle Bell Rock
5. O Holy Night
6. Hard Candy Christmas
7. Back To God (with Lauren Daigle) (Acoustic Version)
8. Santa Claus Is Coming To Town
9. O Come All Ye Faithful
10. O Little Town Of Bethlehem (with Darius Rucker)
11. White Christmas
12. Jingle Bells
13. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
14. Silent Night (with Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood)
Skyville Live To Feature Graham Nash Tribute Show With Lee Ann Womack, Ricky Skaggs, More
/by Lorie HollabaughThis marks Womack’s second appearance on the show in just a few weeks, as she also appeared on the Jerry Lee Lewis tribute show August 24 with George Strait, Kris Kristofferson, Toby Keith, Chris Stapleton, and Waylon Payne.
The show is filmed live in front of an audience in Skyville Live’s Nashville studio, and will also stream on AOL, Yahoo Music! and Rated Red. Full streaming details can be found at SkyvilleLive.com.
Former Those Darlins Frontwoman Jessi Zazu Dies At 28
/by Jessica NicholsonJessi Zazu. Photo: Daniel Meigs
Jessi “Zazu” Wariner, former frontwoman for Nashville rock band Those Darlins, has lost her battle with cancer. She was 28.
Those Darlins, which formed in 2006 out of Murfreesboro, Tennessee, also included Nikki Kvarnes and Linwood Regensburg and rotating players after Kelley Anderson left the band in 2012. The band would release three albums, including a self-titled project in 2009, followed by Screws Get Loose in 2011 and Blur The Line in 2013. The band broke up in early 2016 shortly before Wariner announced that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer.
A talented guitarist, singer, and songwriter, Wariner was also a gifted visual artist and graphic designer, who designed the book jacket and illustrations for the recent book Good Booty, from music critic and NPR correspondent Ann Powers. Her recent art exhibition, Undefeated, ran at Nashville’s Julia Martin Gallery from June 17 – 28. As a philanthropist, Wariner was heavily involved in volunteering and raising funds for Middle Tennessee’s rock camps for youth, which she attended in her own youth.
Wariner’s uncle is country artist and musician Steve Wariner. Jessi Wariner is survived by her mother Kathy, father David, and brothers Emmett and Oakley.
Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line To Headline Stagecoach Festival
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Everyone knows Stagecoach is the biggest country festival in the world, and we are coming with the sole purpose of making it the biggest party on the planet!” said Brooks.
Now in its 12th year, the festival will also include performances by Kacey Musgraves, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Young, Jason Isbell & The 400 Unit, Chris Lane, Ronnie Milsap, Midland and more.
New to the festival will be the SiriusXM
Festival passes go on sale Friday, September 22 at stagecoachfestival.com.
The STAGECOACH 2018 line-up (as of Sept. 13):
Aaron Watson
Ashley McBryde
Banditos
Brett Young
Brothers Osborne
Carly Pearce
Chris Janson
Chris Lane
Cody Jinks
Colter Wall
Dwight Yoakam
Florida Georgia Line
Garth Brooks
Gordon Lightfoot
Granger Smith
Jade Bird
Jade Jackson
Jake Owen
Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit
Jillian Jacqueline
Jordan Davis
Joshua Hedley
Kacey Musgraves
Keith Urban
Kelsea Ballerini
Kenny Rogers
Lee Brice
Lillie Mae
Lindsay Ell
Lukas Nelson & Promise Of The Real
Midland
Molly Hatchet
Morgan Wallen
Muscadine Bloodline
Paul Cauthen
Ronnie Milsap
Runaway June
Seth Ennis
Tanya Tucker
Temecula Road
The Georgia Satellites
Tyler Childers
Walker Hayes
Walker McGuire
NSAI Honors Chart-Topping Writers At Special Event
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R): Brett Warren, Dave Barnes, Brad Warren, Tyler Reeve, Trent Tomlinson, Matt Jenkins, Josh Kerr, Marc Beeson, Ashley Gorley, Jon Nite, Thomas Archer, Chris Lindsey, Aimee Mayo, Adam Hambrick, Daniel Tashian, Lee Thomas Miller, Shelby Yoder
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) honored 36 Nashville-associated writers whose songs topped the charts between April 2017 and July 2017 during an event Monday night (Sept. 11) at the Kimpton Aertson Hotel in Nashville. Writers in attendance at the special event were presented their awards by NSAI President, Lee Thomas Miller and NSAI Director of Professional Membership and Events, Shelby Yoder.
Recorded by: Dierks Bentley
Recorded by: Darius Rucker
Recorded by: Kenny Chesney featuring P!nk
Recorded by: Old Dominion
Recorded by: Josh Turner
Recorded by: Luke Combs
Recorded by: Luke Bryan
Recorded by: Dan + Shay
Recorded by: Blake Shelton
Recorded by: Thomas Rhett featuring Maren Morris
Recorded by: Dylan Scott
Recorded by: Florida Georgia Line featuring Backstreet Boys
Recorded by: Brett Young
Studio Bank Lays Groundwork To Enter Nashville Market
/by Sherod RobertsonPictured (L-R): Aaron Dorn, Studio Bank’s Chairman, President, CEO and Ron Cox, Studio Bank’s Executive VP overseeing Music, Arts, & Entertainment Division.
The team behind Studio Bank recently filed notice with the Tennessee Department of Financial Institutions of its intent to apply for a banking charter. This is the first regulatory filing in the process of becoming a bank and, upon approval, will allow organizers to begin raising the bank’s main round of capital as early as next month.
Among those heading the initiative are former Avenue Bank leaders with a strong presence in Nashville’s creative sector and close ties to the music industry. They also have plans to extend beyond the music community to the city’s diverse industries encompassing healthcare, residential construction and development, small to mid-size businesses and the local freelance economy, as well as retail, mortgage and private banking.
The executive team includes Aaron Dorn, Chairman, President, CEO; Larry Dorris, Chief Operating Officer; Richard Bynum, Chief Credit Officer; April Britt, Chief Experience Officer; and Greg Barron, Chief Financial Officer.
Ron Cox, who serves as co-founder of Studio Bank, and was previously co-founder of Avenue Bank, will serve as Executive VP of Studio Bank and oversee the music, arts, and entertainment division.
Dorn has music industry experience and previously served as co-founder and senior leader with Avenue Bank, while also heading marketing and branding initiatives. “I am honored to represent such a phenomenal and growing coalition of community and business leaders who share a passion for this endeavor,” said Dorn. “The company we are creating will reflect the soul of Nashville, which is beloved for its creativity, innovation and collaborative spirit. Imagine a boutique bank that is hyper-local, sophisticated and nimble, with an amazing client experience, tech-savvy products, and bankers who are highly engaged in serving our city—a bank that is social and enjoys making connections, bringing together a diverse community of clients and friends.”
The Nashville music industry is well represented on the bank’s board of directors by CAA’s Rod Essig and THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, alongside others on the distinguished list (see below).
The team is also assembling a board of advisors who represent Nashville’s signature industries and civic organizations. Additionally, John Ingram, Chairman of Ingram Content Group, has been reported as an investor in the bank by the Nashville Business Journal.
Board of Directors:
• Howard C. Bluver, former President, CEO, and Director, Suffolk County National Bank (NY); former Director, Bank of Georgetown (Washington D.C.)
• Ronald L. Corbin, Principal, RBBC Holdings; former head of All-State Insurance Company’s Southern Region
• Aaron J. Dorn, President & CEO, SFH Pursuit Company, Inc.
• Josh Deutsch, Chairman & CEO, Downtown Records (NYC)
• Patrick G. Emery, President, Spectrum|Emery
• Rodney A. (Rod) Essig, Co-Head & Agent, Creative Arts Agency (CAA), Nashville
• Sara J. Finley, Principal, Threshold Corporate Consulting, LLC; former General Counsel, CVS Caremark Corporation
• John R. (Rusty) Gaston, General Manager & Partner, THiS Music
• Lawson H. (Mike) Hardwick, III, Founder & CEO, Churchill Mortgage Corporation
• Matthew H. Kisber, CEO, Silicon Ranch Corporation; former Commissioner of Economic Development for the State of Tennessee
• Tara Scarlett, President & CEO, Scarlett Family Foundation
• Patricia G. Shea, Founder & Chair, Womens Presidents’ Organization, Nashville; former President & CEO, YWCA Nashville & Middle Tennessee
• Kent D. Wood, Entrepreneur and Investor, ImageQuest, PTS of America, Latitude, Healthcare TTU
Breaking: Warner Music Nashville’s Peter Strickland To Exit Label
/by Jessica NicholsonPeter Strickland
Warner Music Nashville Chief Marketing Officer Peter Strickland will exit Warner Music Nashville in November. He will stay on in a consulting role for the label through October.
“After many years and successes achieved together, Peter Strickland and WMN have agreed to part with Mr. Strickland continuing to consult with WMN through October and thereafter pursuing other opportunities,” reads an official statement.
Strickland can be reached at pbstrickland@me.com.
Strickland was elevated to the CMO role in July 2016. He joined WEA in 1988 as a field representative based in Boston. He moved to Nashville in 1995, becoming sales manager for Warner Bros. Records, and went on to serve as Vice President of Sales/Marketing for Warner/Reprise Nashville. He was upped to SVP, Brand Management & Sales before being named WMN’s EVP/GM in 2013.