Music Makes Us Celebrates Music In Our Schools Month
In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, Music Makes Us is showcasing the benefits of music education with banners across Nashville’s Music Row area. The banners highlight ways in which music education can change a child’s life.
Championed by industry leaders on former Mayor Karl Dean’s Music City Music Council and now by Mayor Megan Barry, Music Makes Us is a private/public initiative focused on ensuring access and increasing participation to music in Metro Public School students.
Music Makes Us extends a special thank you to the businesses that have displayed a banner: ASCAP, CMA, NAS Associates, SESAC, Third Generation Entertainment, Warner Music Nashville, and Word Entertainment.
“We look to the businesses of Music Row to continue their support of Music Makes Us. By expanding awareness, we bring much-needed attention to the value of music education for all students. Our collective impact depends on the meaningful engagement with the music industry,” says Laurie Schell, Director of Music Makes Us.
Evening With The Hitmakers To Be Held April 17
The 9th Annual Evening With The Hit Makers will take place Monday, April 17 at The Listening Room Cafe (217 2nd Ave. S. in Nashville) beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
The event will include an acoustic performance by Jeff Bates, as well as recognized songwriters Dave Berg, Danny Wells, Jeremy Bussey, Jayce Hein, and Kent Maxson. Kicking off the night will be effervescent young country sibling group The Runaway Hamsters.
Money raised will go directly to the Live4Tay Foundation, a financial support system to help families who have children with cancer.
Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta To Take Part In 8th Annual Dancing For Safe Haven Event
Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta
Safe Haven Family Shelter (SHFS), which serves Middle Tennessee families experiencing homelessness, will holds its 8th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven event on Saturday, April 1 at Hilton Nashville Downtown, beginning at 6 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Billy Dawson, along with other Nashville notables, will take the dance floor in support of Safe Haven’s mission.
The evening will also feature a special tribute to Dawn Bunetta, the recipient of the 2017 Safe Haven Hero award. Through a foundation established together with her late husband Al in memory of their teenage son Juri, Dawn hosted several fundraisers to benefit Safe Haven through the Juri Bunetta Friendship Foundation. She has also contributed through volunteerism, advocacy, and board service—giving more families a place to call home. Friends can celebrate in this special evening by making a gift in Dawn’s honor at classy.org.
Promotions, Hirings At Marbaloo
/by Jessica Nicholson(Top Row, L-R): Carly Brandt, Megan Clemens, Caitlin Davis. (Bottom Row, L-R): Madeline Farr, Victoria Henderson, Anthony Langone, Tara Miller.
Marbaloo has announced a round of promotions and new hirings.
New York native Anthony Langone has now been promoted to Publicity Manager, Head of Talent PR.
Megan Clemens celebrated a promotion to Jr. Marketing Manager after her 1 year anniversary with Marbaloo.
Caitlin Davis, upon her one-year anniversary at Marbaloo, was promoted to Publicity Coordinator. She was previously employed at the Bradford Group and then joined Marbaloo as a Publicity Assistant in 2016 after applying for the MarbaLearn program.
Madeline Farr has been promoted to Marketing & Client Relations Coordinator. In addition to her continued care of KP Entertainment’s roster she will also become the point person for incoming and potential client communication.
Victoria Henderson has joined Marbaloo as an Interactive & Partnerships Assistant. Henderson previously interned with Triple 8 Management before working at ASCAP.
Tara Miller was brought on staff at Remedy Creative (a Marbaloo Marketing company) in January, after completing the MarbaLearn Intern program. She continues to study Graphic Design at O’More College of Design.
Carly Brandt has returned to Marbaloo as Managing Director of Interactive & Operations. Carly joined Marbaloo for the first time after starting her career in music at CrowdSurf. She then spent time in artist management both at Pennington Entertainment and with artist Natalie Stovall before rejoining Marbaloo in March. In this newly-created role, she supervises all Interactive staff, manages the onboarding process for new clients and supports Executive initiatives.
Charity Notes: Music Makes Us, Evening With The Hitmakers, Dancing For Safe Haven
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Makes Us Celebrates Music In Our Schools Month
In celebration of Music in Our Schools Month, Music Makes Us is showcasing the benefits of music education with banners across Nashville’s Music Row area. The banners highlight ways in which music education can change a child’s life.
Championed by industry leaders on former Mayor Karl Dean’s Music City Music Council and now by Mayor Megan Barry, Music Makes Us is a private/public initiative focused on ensuring access and increasing participation to music in Metro Public School students.
Music Makes Us extends a special thank you to the businesses that have displayed a banner: ASCAP, CMA, NAS Associates, SESAC, Third Generation Entertainment, Warner Music Nashville, and Word Entertainment.
“We look to the businesses of Music Row to continue their support of Music Makes Us. By expanding awareness, we bring much-needed attention to the value of music education for all students. Our collective impact depends on the meaningful engagement with the music industry,” says Laurie Schell, Director of Music Makes Us.
Evening With The Hitmakers To Be Held April 17
The 9th Annual Evening With The Hit Makers will take place Monday, April 17 at The Listening Room Cafe (217 2nd Ave. S. in Nashville) beginning at 8:30 p.m. Tickets are $10 at the door.
The event will include an acoustic performance by Jeff Bates, as well as recognized songwriters Dave Berg, Danny Wells, Jeremy Bussey, Jayce Hein, and Kent Maxson. Kicking off the night will be effervescent young country sibling group The Runaway Hamsters.
Money raised will go directly to the Live4Tay Foundation, a financial support system to help families who have children with cancer.
Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta To Take Part In 8th Annual Dancing For Safe Haven Event
Billy Dawson, Dawn Bunetta
Safe Haven Family Shelter (SHFS), which serves Middle Tennessee families experiencing homelessness, will holds its 8th Annual Dancing for Safe Haven event on Saturday, April 1 at Hilton Nashville Downtown, beginning at 6 p.m.
Singer-songwriter Billy Dawson, along with other Nashville notables, will take the dance floor in support of Safe Haven’s mission.
The evening will also feature a special tribute to Dawn Bunetta, the recipient of the 2017 Safe Haven Hero award. Through a foundation established together with her late husband Al in memory of their teenage son Juri, Dawn hosted several fundraisers to benefit Safe Haven through the Juri Bunetta Friendship Foundation. She has also contributed through volunteerism, advocacy, and board service—giving more families a place to call home. Friends can celebrate in this special evening by making a gift in Dawn’s honor at classy.org.
Dennis Reese Named Sr. VP, Promotion For RCA Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonDennis Reese
Dennis Reese has been appointed to Senior Vice President, Promotion, RCA Nashville. Reese will begin his new role on April 1.
Reporting directly to Sony Music Nashville’s Exec. VP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges, Reese will be responsible for the development, implementation and supervision of the strategic and tactical radio promotional plans for artists on the RCA Nashville roster which includes Kane Brown, Ryan Hurd, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Dolly Parton and Chris Young.
Hodges says, “Dennis has a rock solid reputation in the industry, excellent relationships with many of our key partners and a real passion for our format and roster. I am elated to have him lead the RCA Nashville team in this exciting and ever-evolving world.”
Reese says, “This is a dream come true for me. It is such an honor to be a part of RCA Nashville and the Sony Music Nashville family, and, I can’t thank Steve and Randy Goodman enough for inviting me to join their team.”
Reese was Senior Vice President, Promotion, Epic Records most recently. Prior to this, he held the position of Senior Vice President, Promotion, Capitol Records for 11 years, and was also Senior Vice President of Promotion at Elektra Records and Columbia Records. Reese began his career in radio, and programmed stations in Miami, Orlando and Charlotte.
Inaugural Innovation In Music Awards To Be Held June 6 In Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonInnovation Awards will be given in such categories including:
-Innovator of the Year
-Heritage Award
-Innovation in Music, Music Industry Executive
-Innovation in Music, Artist
-Innovation in Music Live/Touring
-Innovation in Music, National Media
-Innovation in Music, Digital Media
-Innovation in Music, Digital Broadcast
-Innovation in Music, National Broadcast
-Innovation in Music, Major Market Radio
-Innovation in Music, Medium Market Radio
-Innovation in Music, Small Market Radio
The ceremony will consist of acceptance speeches from the evening’s honorees, four musical performances, and a short-form talk from an industry representative considered to be a bright, forward-thinker. A committee of music professionals was formed to plan the award selection process and determine this year’s debut honorees. The committee is currently comprised of executives whom work in various areas of the music industry, including in management, digital streaming, publishing, record labels, and more.
Cold River Records’ Pete O’Heeron spoke on behalf of the selection committee stating, “The difficulties of breaking a new artist is a common topic among our industry. By organizing this event, our goal is to recognize music industry professionals and radio program directors who are taking big and bold steps to advance new music and support the breakthrough of emerging talent. We are seeing a convergence of technologies entering the market to join traditional radio airplay in creating unprecedented layers of new exposure. We feel radio and music professionals who are committed to new music and breaking artists should have an evening dedicated to them.”
Tom Lord of Red Light Management also commented, “I’m excited to play a part in recognizing the innovators of new music and new artists. I’m really looking forward to honoring the leaders of the next generation.”
T.J. Martell Foundation Promotes Melissa Goodwin, Adds Two Staffers
/by Lorie HollabaughMelissa Goodwin
The T. J. Martell Foundation has promoted Nashville-based Melissa Goodwin to Sr. VP, Operations, and has added two staffers to its New York office.
Goodwin began her career with T.J. Martell as the Special Events Manager in 2005. Prior to joining the Foundation she worked with the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation as Event Director for the Tennessee Chapter. Her passion for non-profit work began during her time with the Nashville Metro Police Department where she played an integral role in the Law Enforcement Torch Run which raised over $125,000 for Tennessee Special Olympics. She later joined the Special Olympics working with police across the state of Tennessee. Goodwin has held various national positions within the T.J. Martell Foundation including administrative, financial and human resources. She will remain based in the Foundation’s Nashville office.
Jon Baum has been named Senior Vice President of Entertainment and Business Development. Baum has a background in management working with artists like the Kinks, The Babys, Neil Sedaka, Gino Vanelli, Paul Davis and Randy Newman. He was part of both the original MTV Networks and VH1 teams, and created promotions for The Rolling Stones and David Bowie at Clear Channel as Vice President of Marketing Partnerships. He also helped create the Jagermeister Music Tour, the Revolver Golden Gods Awards Show and the EA Sports Madden Challenge, and helped launch Guitar Aficionado Magazine in 2009. Based in New York, Baum will focus on non-event revenue through special partnerships with brands and festivals, the Foundation’s CharityBuzz auction, and national projects.
Annalisa Buehler has also joined the team as East Coast Manager of Special Events. Prior to joining T.J. Martell, Buehler was part of the Women’s E-commerce Merchandising team at Club Monaco. She is a graduate of the Scripps College of Communications at Ohio University and will be based in the Foundation’s New York office.
Carrie Underwood Celebrates 100th Grand Ole Opry Performance
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Sally Williams, General Manager, Grand Ole Opry / Sr. Vice President, Programming & Artist Relations, Opry Entertainment; Carrie Underwood; Steve Buchanan, President/Opry Entertainment Group. Photo: Chris Hollo for Grand Ole Opry
Carrie Underwood celebrated her 100th performance on the Grand Ole Opry this past weekend with four sold-out shows. Connie Smith introduced Underwood on Saturday’s (March 25) first show and presented her fellow Opry member with a commemorative print and a rose bouquet in celebration of 100 Opry appearances. She was also surprised by the Opry with 100 pink roses backstage in her dressing room and a specially-decorated cake from Nashville’s IveyCake.
“Opry fans, all of us Opry members, and the entire Opry family are excited when you come home to the Opry stage,” said Smith to Underwood. “Even when you’ve been on the road more than 200 days a year, you’ve always come back to the Opry. That tells me you love us, and we love you right back.”
Underwood made her Opry debut on June 10, 2005, less than two weeks after winning American Idol, and became an official Opry member in 2008. Her love for the Opry started as a child, as she grew up watching and listening to the show, hoping one day she’d perform on the famous stage.
iHeartCountry Festival Reveals Daytime Village Lineup
/by Jessica NicholsoniHeartMedia on-air personality Bobby Bones will return as the host of the iHeartCountry Festival main stage.
In addition to his Daytime Village performance, Kip Moore has been added as a main stage performer, joining Jason Aldean, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini and Bobby Bones and The Raging Idiots, with more to be announced.
iHeartMedia’s Country music radio stations will broadcast the iHeartCountry Festival live in their local markets and at iHeartRadio.com.
Event sponsor AT&T will livestream the event, followed by a TV broadcast on the AT&T Audience Network on May 19 at 9 p.m. ET.
Florida Georgia Line Sell Out ‘Smooth’ Stadium Dates
/by Lorie HollabaughFlorida Georgia Line has sold out their first-ever headlining stadium shows on upcoming dates in Boston, Minneapolis, and Chicago. The Fenway show slated for July 7, the Target Field show on July 29, and Wrigley Field date set for Aug. 12 are part of the duo’s upcoming Smooth Tour, which will feature special guests the Backstreet Boys (who are featured on FGL’s latest single “God, Your Mama, And Me”); Nelly, who reached Diamond status with FGL’s smash “Cruise”; and “Fix” singer Chris Lane. The tour kicks off in Austin, Texas on June 2.
Fans will get a taste of those shows on April 2 when FGL and the Backstreet Boys perform the national TV debut of “God, Your Mama, And Me” on The 52nd Annual ACM Awards.
“It’s an unreal feeling knowing that our dreams of being in stadiums are coming true and that our fans sold these shows out so quickly,” said Tyler Hubbard. “Not to mention we get to share a stage with our boys Backstreet Boys, Nelly, and Chris Lane. These shows will make history! We’re still so blown away.”
Artist Updates: Thomas Rhett, Maren Morris, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, The Cadillac Three, Restless Heart
/by Jessica NicholsonThomas Rhett Teams With Maren Morris On New Single
Thomas Rhett has paired with Maren Morris for “Craving You,” the first single from his upcoming third studio album. The track will release to radio on Friday, March 31.
“I remember hearing ‘Craving You’ and was immediately blown away by the story behind the longing of this guy who can’t wait to see his girl again,” said Rhett. “There’s this 80s vibe that’s rocking throughout this track that makes it really euphoric. It was so nice to be able to work with Maren whose voice is undeniably powerful and soulful, and just really adds a lot of intensity to the song.”
The project follows Rhett’s Platinum-certified album Tangled Up Deluxe, which includes his recent seventh No. 1 song “Star of the Show,” as well as his six-week chart-topper “Die A Happy Man.”
Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley To Appear On CBS This Morning, The Late Show With Stephen Colbert
Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley
On Wednesday, March 29, 52nd Academy Of Country Music Awards co-hosts, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley, will appear on CBS This Morning for a sit-down interview and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert for a sit-down interview and performance.
The CBS appearances will be in support of the 52nd ACM Awards®, which will be broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 p.m., ET/delayed PT) on the same network.
The Cadillac Three To Release Limited Edition Vinyl Set For Record Store Day
The Cadillac Three will release a limited-edition vinyl, Live At Abbey Road, for Record Store Day on April 22. From the North London studio, the band recorded live versions of several tracks from their debut album Bury Me In My Boots.
“We’re three guys from Music City, where some of the coolest grooves and talented players from any genre have recorded,” said The Cadillac Three frontman and songwriter Jaren Johnston. “So many of those influences are on what we do today, and I think fans will feel it in the energy from these live tracks.”
Drummer Neil Mason added, “It’s still pretty surreal that we’ve gone from high school days of rehearsing in my parents’ basement to selling out shows in the UK and being invited to record at Abbey Road! We wanted this Record Store Day exclusive to be a special way for our fans to enjoy these bucket-list moments too.”
Restless Heart Announces New Tour, Including Nashville Date
“My favorite part about touring each year is seeing the familiar faces of our incredible fans in every crowd,” says Restless Heart keyboardist/vocalist Dave Innis. “After all these years, it’s more like family, especially since so many are raising a new generation of Restless Heart fans to keep us ‘rollin’ down the highway!'”
“It’s a great feeling going into each touring season knowing that we get to once again hit the stage every night with the original five guys still on top of our game,” adds Restless Heart lead singer Larry Stewart. “Time to get the show on the road!”
Bailey Bryan To Release Debut EP ‘So Far’ April 14
/by Lorie HollabaughNew artist Bailey Bryan is releasing her debut EP, So Far, on 300 Entertainment/Warner Music Nashville on April 14.
Produced by Dennis Matkosky, Bryan co-wrote each of the five songs in the collection. Followers on her Instagram often see pictures taken from the road and studio, as well as no-makeup shots of Bryan, including ones of a waistline to shoulders zipper scar after a back surgery, which inspired her song “Scars” on the new project.
“This idea, which obviously I believe so strongly in, that the hardships in life, the things that are the hardest to come through are what kind of form the most beautiful things about us,” Bryan says. “If you listen to ’Scars,’ it was inspired by coming to terms with this giant scar that I have on my back and the fact that I love it now, it’s a part of me and it came from a really hard thing.”
So Far Track List: