Photo Courtesy of Monroe Enterprises
Bill Monroe fans will have a unique opportunity to own the rights to the name and likeness of the bluegrass legend, including rights to the name “Blue Grass Boys,” the name of Bill’s band and a who’s who of greats that over the years has included Flatt & Scruggs, Gordon Terry, Mac Wiseman, Del McCoury, and Stringbean (David Akeman).
In addition to the name and likeness offering, fans can also purchase the rights to the BillMonroe.com website, and several other exciting parts of the Bill Monroe legacy, including the historic Uncle Pen’s Cabin in his hometown of Rosine, Kentucky.
Also being offered in a separate bundle is a treasure trove of Monroe memorabilia and personal items, many of which have never been available and will likely never be available to the public again. Included among the items are over 1,800 personal and business checks, including some written to Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, and Johnny Paycheck, knives and watches owned by Monroe, his back brace, social security card, ATM card and gas cards, Christmas cards, thousands of his personal papers and collectibles, suits, coats, shoes, ties, and even his Last Will and Testament. The collection also includes his own personal record collection and one of his fiddles which he kept for sixty-seven years that has his initials inscribed inside of it, and an extensive merchandise collection including T-Shirts and CDs, 8×10 pictures, commemorative plates, and even his own mailing list with over 10,000 addresses.
Over 250 live recordings from Bill’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival will also be offered in an exclusive package. Monroe started the festival in 1967, and over the years has featured performers like Blue Highway, Chris Hillman, J.D. Crowe & The New South, John Hartford, Patty Loveless, and Rhonda Vincent. A fan will also be able to purchase replacement parts including an extra set of tuning keys and a bridge from Monroe’s famous Gibson 1923 Lloyd Loar that is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Parties interested in bidding on these one of a kind items should contact Tony Conway, the exclusive agent for the Bill Monroe Estate, at 615-724-1818 for more information.
Monroe joined the WSM Grand Ole Opry in 1939, and was a member for almost six decades until his passing in September 1996. One of the few members of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Monroe’s musical legacy included stints on Columbia Records and MCA/Decca, with whom he was associated for forty years.
Warner Music Group Creates New Multi-Genre Arts Division
/by Lorie HollabaughIndustry executive Kevin Gore, whose background includes serving as President/CEO of WMG’s Rhino Entertainment/Global Catalog Division as well as President/Universal Classics U.S., has been appointed President of the Arts Music division. In his new post, Gore will be based in New York and report to Eliah Seton, President of ADA Worldwide, WMG’s independent distribution and services arm.
As part of the new Arts Music division, WMG has entered into a joint venture with Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight Records, the theatrical music company founded by Kurt Deutsch in 2000. Deutsch, who will continue to serve as President of Sh-K-Boom/Ghostlight, is based in New York and will report to Kevin Gore. Deutsch was also recently appointed Senior Vice President, Theatrical & Catalog Development for Warner/Chappell Music, the publishing arm of WMG. In the latter capacity, he reports to WCM Chairman & CEO Jon Platt.
The Warner Classics label, which includes the Erato label along with artists that came to WMG as part of the company’s acquisition of Parlophone Records, including the EMI Classics catalog, will now come under the Arts Music division umbrella. Under the new structure, Warner Classics & Erato President Alain Lanceron will report to Gore and continue to be based in Paris.
Rights To Bluegrass Legend Bill Monroe’s Name, Likeness For Sale
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto Courtesy of Monroe Enterprises
Bill Monroe fans will have a unique opportunity to own the rights to the name and likeness of the bluegrass legend, including rights to the name “Blue Grass Boys,” the name of Bill’s band and a who’s who of greats that over the years has included Flatt & Scruggs, Gordon Terry, Mac Wiseman, Del McCoury, and Stringbean (David Akeman).
In addition to the name and likeness offering, fans can also purchase the rights to the BillMonroe.com website, and several other exciting parts of the Bill Monroe legacy, including the historic Uncle Pen’s Cabin in his hometown of Rosine, Kentucky.
Also being offered in a separate bundle is a treasure trove of Monroe memorabilia and personal items, many of which have never been available and will likely never be available to the public again. Included among the items are over 1,800 personal and business checks, including some written to Earl Scruggs, Ralph Stanley, and Johnny Paycheck, knives and watches owned by Monroe, his back brace, social security card, ATM card and gas cards, Christmas cards, thousands of his personal papers and collectibles, suits, coats, shoes, ties, and even his Last Will and Testament. The collection also includes his own personal record collection and one of his fiddles which he kept for sixty-seven years that has his initials inscribed inside of it, and an extensive merchandise collection including T-Shirts and CDs, 8×10 pictures, commemorative plates, and even his own mailing list with over 10,000 addresses.
Over 250 live recordings from Bill’s Bean Blossom Bluegrass Festival will also be offered in an exclusive package. Monroe started the festival in 1967, and over the years has featured performers like Blue Highway, Chris Hillman, J.D. Crowe & The New South, John Hartford, Patty Loveless, and Rhonda Vincent. A fan will also be able to purchase replacement parts including an extra set of tuning keys and a bridge from Monroe’s famous Gibson 1923 Lloyd Loar that is on display at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Parties interested in bidding on these one of a kind items should contact Tony Conway, the exclusive agent for the Bill Monroe Estate, at 615-724-1818 for more information.
Monroe joined the WSM Grand Ole Opry in 1939, and was a member for almost six decades until his passing in September 1996. One of the few members of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Monroe’s musical legacy included stints on Columbia Records and MCA/Decca, with whom he was associated for forty years.
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton Makes More ‘Room’ Atop Country Albums Chart
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton‘s From A Room tops the Nielsen Soundscan country albums chart this week, with 31K, marking 342K sold to date.
Zac Brown Band‘s Welcome Home moved 13K to land at No. 2, followed again by Stapleton, whose Traveller sits at No. 3, with 9.6K sold, for 1.964 million to date.
Rascal Flatts‘ Back To Us is at No. 4, with 7.3K and Keith Urban‘s Ripcord is at No. 5, with 5.3K.
On the digital tracks rankings, Sam Hunt‘s “Body Like a Back Road” is back at No. 1 this week, with 50K. This puts the track at 1.054 million to date.
Brett Young‘s “In Case You Didn’t Know” follows at No. 2, with 41K.
Luke Combs, whose This One’s For You released Friday, June 2, is at No. 3 this week with his single “Hurricane” selling 20K.
Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood‘s “The Fighter” lands at No. 4, with 18K, while Thomas Rhett and Maren Morris‘ “Craving You” is at No. 5, with 15K.
Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.
Industry Ink: Pam Tillis, Keith Urban, WME, Olivia Lane, Sony Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPam Tillis performs at City Winery on Saturday, June 3, 2017.
MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson visits with Pam Tillis backstage before her City Winery show on June 3, 2017.
Country Artist Pam Tillis Offers Intimate Show At City Winery
On Saturday night (June 3) while fans were packed on the other side of downtown watching the Predators defeat the Pittsburgh Penguins in Game 3 of the Stanley Cup Final, a more intimate gathering was happening a few blocks away.
Country artist Pam Tillis performed at Nashville’s City Winery to an enthusiastic crowd who were thrilled to attend her hometown show.
Tillis performed many of her top hits including “Maybe It Was Memphis,” “Shake the Sugar Tree,” “Mi Vida Loca (My Crazy Life),” and “All the Good Ones Are Gone.”
She also treated guests to new music including “Last Summer’s Wine” and “My Kind of Medicine,” which both proved to be crowd favorites. Both songs are from her forthcoming album.
Her next concert stop is in Canon City, Colorado on July 1 .
Keith Urban Named Presenting Sponsor For Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament
Keith Urban
The Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament has announced Capitol Nashville’s Keith Urban as the presenting sponsor of its 31st annual tournament. The golf event will be held Monday, Aug. 21 at Old Natchez Country Club in Nashville, and will benefit United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee. Sponsors include ASCAP, City National Bank, Tim McGraw and more.
Registration for the event opens in July.
WME, Whiskey Jam To Celebrate Predators Stanley Cup Finals Game 4
Preds fans on Music Row will not have to go downtown to watch Game 4—Whiskey Jam and WME have teamed up to announce Fang Fair, a special event that will combine the two things that Nashvillians love the most: live music and the Nashville Predators.
The event will officially kick off at 6 p.m. on Monday, June 5 outside Losers Most Wanted Bar and Grill. An outdoor screen will be set up, and a DJ will be spinning while everyone is cheering on the Preds. In addition to the game, the event will feature live performances by Walker McGuire, Morgan Wallen, Adam Sanders and Channing Wilson. Fang Fair is free and open to everyone 21 and over. Doors open at 5.
Webster Public Relations Adds Olivia Lane To Roster
Olivia Lane
Olivia Lane has been added to the Webster Public Relations roster for public relations representation. Lane will perform this week during CMA Music Festival on June 9 at the Gildan Broadway Stage. She will later join Billy Ray Cyrus on tour and will join Brandy Clark on July 28 in Las Vegas at Stoney’s Rockin’ Country.
“Olivia has tremendous talent that has become evident from her growth as an artist the past couple of years,” said Kirt Webster. “I’m looking forward to seeing her career go to the next level.”
Sony Music Nashville Celebrates Predators In Stanley Cup Finals
Several members of the Sony Music Nashville staff showed off their Nashville Predators pride in Nashville recently. The Predators will go head to head against the Pittsburgh Penguins tonight (Monday, June 5) for Game 4 of the Stanley Cup Finals.
Jason Derulo, Luke Bryan, Peter Frampton Added To The CMT Music Awards Lineup
/by Alex ParryCMT announced more artists that will perform at the 2017 CMT Music Awards live this Wednesday, June 7 at 8 p.m. ET/PT. Jason Derulo and Luke Bryan are among the newest celebrity pair to perform as well as Peter Frampton and the Brothers Osborne. Other pairings that were announced include The Chainsmokers with Florida Georgia Line and Lady Antebellum with Earth, Wind, & Fire.
Former Allman Brothers Band member, Derek Trucks, will join Jason Aldean, Darius Rucker and Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley in a tribute to Gregg Allman.
The CMT Firestone Stage will feature country’s hottest new artists: Brett Young, Chris Lane, Jon Pardi, Lauren Alaina, and Midland. Previous announced performances include Blake Shelton, Brett Eldredge, Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Thomas Rhett, Kelsea Ballerini, Little Big Town, Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.
The show will be hosted by Nashville star Charles Esten from Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, June 7 at 8p.m. ET/PT.
Patty Griffin And Lee Ann Womack Team For Southern Summer Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughThe two will hit seven Southern cities on the mini-tour, which kicks off July 22, including Birmingham, Charleston, Charlotte, and Savannah. Tickets for the shows go on sale this Friday, June 9 and can be found at leeannwomack.com or pattygriffin.com.
Tour Dates:
Saturday, July 22 / Lyric Theatre / Birmingham, AL
Sunday, July 23 / Paramount Center for the Arts / Bristol, TN
Tuesday, July 25 / Sandler Center for the Performing Arts / Virginia Beach, VA
Wednesday, July 26 / Neighborhood Theatre / Charlotte, NC
Friday, July 28 / Carolina Theatre / Durham, NC
Saturday, July 29 / Lucas Theatre @ Savannah College of Art and Design / Savannah, GA
Sunday, July 30 / Charleston Music Hall / Charleston, SC
Chris Stapleton Reschedules Tour Dates
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton has released the rescheduled tour dates for upcoming shows in California, Mississippi, Indiana and more. All tickets from the postponed shows will be honored at the new dates.
The singer recently postponed the shows while recovering from a broken bone and detached tendon in his right index finger, which requires physical therapy.
“I want to thank you for all of the positive thoughts and kind words you have shared over the last few days,” Stapleton said at the time. “The doctor is hopeful that with some physical therapy I will be playing guitar again soon. Right now, I can’t possibly give you guys the show you deserve. I always want to give you my very best. There is little in this world that I enjoy more than getting to make music with all of you night after night. Thank you for the privilege. Your support and understanding through all of this lets me know now, more than ever, I have the best fans in the world.”
RESCHEDULED TOUR DATES:
8/31 – Fresno, CA – Save Mart Center *
9/1 – Mt. View, CA – Shoreline Amphitheatre *
9/2 – Wheatland, CA – Toyota Amphitheatre *
9/8 – Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center *
9/9 – Noblesville, IN – Klipsch Music Center *
9/15 – Southaven, MS – BankPlus Amphitheatre at Snowden Grove ^
9/16 – Birmingham, AL – Oak Mountain Amphitheatre ^
11/2 – Charleston, WV – Charleston Civic Center ~
* with special guests Anderson East and Lucie Silvas
^ with special guests Anderson East and Brent Cobb
~ with special guests Marty Stuart and Brent Cobb
Don Schlitz, Brett James, Barry Dean, Jon Nite Bringing CMA Songwriters Series To CMA Music Fest
/by Jessica NicholsonThe CMA Songwriters Series is coming home to Nashville as part of CMA Music Festival on Wednesday, June 7.
2017 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Don Schlitz will be joined by fellow songwriters Barry Dean, Brett James and Jon Nite on June 7 at the CMA Theater, located in the Country Music Hall of Fame. The show will begin at 7 p.m., with doors opening at 6 p.m.
Schlitz has earned the CMA Song of the Year honor three times, for the songs “The Gambler” (Kenny Rogers), “On The Other Hand” and “Forever and Ever, Amen” (both recorded by Randy Travis). Dean has penned hits for Little Big Town (“Pontoon” and “Day Drinking”), as well as Ingrid Michaelson’s “Girls Chase Boys.” James’ lengthy list of his includes Carrie Underwood’s “Cowboy Casanova,” Jason Aldean’s “The Truth”, and Kenny Chesney’s “Out Last Night,” while Nite has penned hits including Keith Urban’s “Break On Me” and Luke Bryan’s “Strip It Down.”
Since 2005, the CMA Songwriters Series has held more than 100 shows in 17 cities.
Bobby Bones Nominated For Induction Into National Radio Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughBobby Bones
Bobby Bones, host of iHeartMedia’s The Bobby Bones Show, is a nominee for induction into the National Radio Hall Of Fame. Bones is one of four nominees in the Music Format On-Air Personality category, which will be voted on by radio listeners. Bones is the youngest-ever nominee for induction into the National Radio Hall Of Fame and the category’s only nominee in the country format.
Voting is open now, and starting today through June 19, listeners nationwide can vote for Bones by texting ’10′ to ‘49400,’ with one vote permitted per number. Votes may also be received at radiovote.com, where a listener can also cast just one vote per email address.
After landing his first radio gig in his home state of Arkansas at age 17, Bones launched his Bobby Bones Show in Austin, where it quickly established itself as the city’s top-rated morning show. Since moving to Nashville in 2012, the show has become a nationally-syndicated program with 100+ affiliates, and Bones has developed a loyal audience of more than five million listeners weekly. Bones also was named ACM National On-Air Personality of the Year in 2014 and 2016, following multiple honors at the Austin Music Awards, including Best Radio Personality and Best Radio Program.
iHeartMedia Names Tom Poleman As Chief Programming Officer
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Poleman
iHeartMedia has named Tom Poleman as its Chief Programming Officer, effective immediately. Under a new long-term agreement, Poleman will also remain President of iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group. He will continue to report to Bob Pittman, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.
In addition to co-producing iHeartMedia’s national marquee events including the iHeartRadio Music Festival, the iHeartRadio Music Awards, the iHeartRadio Jingle Ball Tour, the iHeartCountry Festival, iHeart80s Party, the iHeartSummer ’17 Weekend by AT&T and iHeartRadio Fiesta Latina, Poleman and his team will continue to oversee programming and music strategy, talent development and artist relations for iHeartMedia’s more than 850 radio stations, which reach more than a quarter of a billion listeners a month, and provide key support for its national team of programmers across the country. He will also continue to head up iHeartMedia’s music discovery and emerging artist initiatives, including the Artist Integration Program and the On the Verge program, which have championed artists like Sam Smith, Maren Morris, Fifth Harmony and James Bay, as well as Sam Hunt, Bleachers and Lukas Graham, early in their careers.
“No one understands the intricate relationship between programming, on-air talent, artist relationships and live music events like Tom Poleman,” said Pittman. “He has always been a key part of the team that has shaped iHeartMedia into a multi-platform company. Tom’s unique vision has turned our National Programing Group into what it is today, an innovative nationwide network of the most talented people working as a team to bring constant innovation to our company and our industry. I’m thrilled that he will remain a key contributor in our company’s continued evolution and success.”
Poleman was named President of iHeartMedia’s National Programming Group in August 2011, where he was tasked with unifying iHeartMedia’s programming initiatives and capabilities and magnifying the company’s size and scale. He previously served as Senior Vice President of Programming for iHeartMedia and oversaw programming and marketing for all iHeartMedia radio properties in New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Boston and Providence. Poleman’s extensive programming background includes overseeing Z100/New York, one of the most successful pop stations in the history of the medium. He has also led programming at Top 40 radio stations in New Haven, Connecticut and Houston, Texas and was named the youngest corporate programming executive for AMFM Broadcasting in 1999. Poleman has received numerous accolades throughout his 30-year career, including being inducted into the FMQB CHR Programmer Hall of Fame and being honored numerous times as Major Market Mainstream Top 40 Program Director of the Year at the Radio Music Awards. He has also made multiple appearances on Billboard Magazine’s Power 100 list, including being listed in the top 20 in 2017.
“From the moment I stepped foot into WVBR at Cornell University in 1983, I knew I’d found my passion,” said Poleman. “I’ve seen a lot in the ensuing thirty five years, but nothing has made me more excited for our industry’s future than iHeartMedia’s continued evolution as a leader in media and entertainment across multiple platforms. We have the best stations, events and media assets in the world, including our amazing personalities and programmers. It’s an honor to be part of this amazing team.”