Sarah Romero Named Director Of Brand Partnerships At G7 Marketing

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Sarah Romero has joined G7 Entertainment Marketing, which is part of the independent agency network Project Worldwide, as Director of Brand Partnerships and Strategy. In her newly-created role, Romero will work on new business development and help forge entertainment industry partnerships. She reports directly to G7 CEO Andre Gaccetta and will start in her new position March 27.

Romero most recently served as Senior Manager, Partnership Marketing at Big Machine Label Group, with previous stops at Warner Bros. Records and the CMA working with brands like Anheuser-Busch, Ford, and Delta.

“Sarah’s decade of entertainment marketing experience in brand partnerships will increase the playing field for G7 moving forward,” said Gaccetta. “We’re thrilled to have such an ardent music fan and industry leader joining our team.”

Nashville-based G7 counts Ram Trucks, Cisco, Salesforce, Fireball Cinnamon Whiskey, and Harley-Davidson among its clients.

Warner/Chappell, Liz Rose Music, BMI Ink Deal With Cameron Bedell

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Pictured (Back row, L-R): BJ Hill (WC), Will Overton (WC), Leslie Roberts (BMI), Alison Junker (WC), Alyson McAnally, (LRM), Natalie Paslay (LRM), Travis Carter (WC), Scott Ponce (LRM). (Front row, L-R): Liz Rose (LRM), Cameron Bedell, Brad Beausir (LRM)

Warner/Chappell, Liz Rose Music and BMI have announced a new deal with Kansas native Cameron Bedell.

Bedell, who moved to Nashville in 2010 to attend Belmont University, spent his first years in Nashville playing shows and making albums both as a solo artist and with his band The Skunks.

After appearing on American Idol in 2014, Bedell began to focus on full-time songwriting and producing.

Country Radio Broadcasters Accepting Agenda Committee Applications

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Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. is accepting applications from interested parties wishing to be considered for the 2017-2018 Country Radio Seminar (CRS) Agenda Committee. The application deadline is March 31, 2017.

Greg Frey, VP of Programming Operations at Cumulus Media, Inc. will serve as the 2018 Country Radio Seminar agenda chair with co-chairs, Judy Lakin, Director of Sales at Cox Media Group (Houston), and Jay Cruze, Director of Country Programming at iHeartMedia (Kentucky & Indiana).

The CRS Agenda Committee is made up of volunteer professionals from all areas of the Country radio and record industries. The committee is primarily responsible for planning events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Prospective applicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville on June 21-23, 2017. Applicants are also expected to attend CRS 2018, held Feb. 5-7, 2018.

Visit countryradioseminar.com to fill out the application by March 31, 2017.

SOLID Plans Annual Music Row Madness Bowl

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SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) will host their 7th Annual Music Row Madness Bowl for Kids’ Sake Bowling Tournament on Wednesday, March 22 beginning at 5:30 p.m. at Donelson Strike and Spare (2710 Old Lebanon Rd.). All proceeds from the “bowl-a-thon” style event will go directly to Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.

Though hosted by SOLID, registration is open to the public. Each team must consist of five or six individuals and raise a minimum of $750. Participants also have the chance to win a variety of prizes, including a private Pedal Tavern ride for 16 people and gift cards to Nashville area hot spots, including Five Points Pizza, White’s Mercantile and Grimeys.

In addition to team participation, SOLID is seeking corporate sponsors for a minimum donation of $500. Last year, SOLID raised and donated over $29,000 to the organization.

“We’ve had a wonderful relationship with Big Brothers Big Sisters over the years and truly appreciate the impact they have on the Nashville community,” said SOLID President Basak Kizilisik. “We look forward to our bowl-a-thon each year and hope to raise the bar this year in terms of donations and support.”

The team registration deadline is March 20. To register your team, go to http://bit.ly/SOLID-BOWL17. For corporate sponsorship opportunities, contact Ben Boyd at boydben83@gmail.com or Courtney Hyder at courtney@themcollective.com.

Exegan Music Group Rebrands, Acquires Country Music Media Outlet

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Las Vegas-based Exegan Music Group has rebranded to become Exegan Media & Entertainment, and recently acquired the Country Pusher branded website, a country music news and review media outlet.

The rebranding and acquisition are aimed to expand Exegan’s reach beyond record label ownership and music catalog management to a broader array of entertainment projects. The company owns labels including Gateway Records and Nashville-based Silverado Records.

“We’ve shifted gears over the last two years, and felt it was important to present our corporate brand in a way that reflects our current direction, and future plans,” said Exegan CEO Scott Thomas.

Charles Kelley To Host ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic

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Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley. Photo: Getty Images

Charles Kelley has been tapped to host the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas on April 1. Proceeds from the “scramble” style golf tournament, being held for the sixth consecutive year at TPC Las Vegas, will go to the ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund which provides immediate relief to those in need within the music industry.

Established by former ACM and ACM Lifting Lives Board Chair Gayle Holcomb in honor of her mother, the Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund responds quickly to unforeseen, immediate financial needs of music-related organizations and individuals. Since its inception in 2007, the Fund has distributed more than $500,000.

“I’ve been able to participate in the ACM Lifting Lives Golf Classic tournament for the past couple of years, so I’m looking forward to stepping back up onto the green again this year,” said Kelley. “Getting together with my buddies to play a round in Vegas is always the perfect way to head into the award show, especially when it’s also for a good cause.”

The Golf Classic will take place during the “Week Vegas Goes Country,” surrounding the 52nd Annual Academy of Country Music Awards which will broadcast live for the first time from the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas on April 2 on CBS. 

Tegan Marie Participates In Sweety High Gen Z Panel At SXSW

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Pictured (L-R): Sweety High Founder / CCO, Veronica Zelle, country vocalist Tegan Marie, singer/dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dance Moms), actress Skai Jackson (Disney’s “Bunk’d”), entrepreneur/fashion designer Alexandra Chang (The Zeitgeist) and aspiring astronaut Abigail Harrison (AKA Astronaut Abby) Photo Credit: Sweety High

Tegan Marie was part of Sweety High’s South By Southwest panel, “GEN Z: The New Power Brokers” at the festival on Sunday (March 12), and the girls’ online media platform commanded one of the largest collective audiences at the annual festival with a live streaming audience of 120,000, reaching over 750,000 in less than an hour. The mass live audience largely tuned in through Musical.ly’s live stream platform Lively.TV.

The panel was moderated by Sweety High founder and CCO Veronica Zelle, and included five young ladies who are all under the age of 20 with a combined online fanbase of 35 million: Marie, singer/dancer Mackenzie Ziegler (Dance Moms), actress Skai Jackson (Disney’s Bunk’d), entrepreneur/fashion designer Alexandra Chang (The Zeitgeist) and aspiring astronaut Abigail Harrison (AKA Astronaut Abby).

The panel provided insight on the qualities, values and consumer spending habits of the Gen Z generation (roughly 4-20 years old) that is predicted to be 40% of the U.S. consumers by 2020. Gen Z currently accounts for a quarter of the U.S. population, nearly 67 million kids, and makes up the largest, most tech-savvy generation in history with over $600 billion in direct and influenced spending annually.

“They carry tremendous spending power to influence almost everything,” Zelle said. “If you’re not culturally relevant enough to make it into her social feed, you will not be able to have a relationship with her [the Gen Z girl].”

Patsy Cline Museum Set To Open April 7

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Fans of Patsy Cline will find plenty of exciting artifacts and mementos from Cline’s life on display at the new Patsy Cline Museum which opens April 7 in Nashville. Located on the second level of the building which houses the Johnny Cash Museum at 119 Third Ave South, the museum houses the largest collection of Patsy Cline memorabilia in the world, including personal letters, photos, costumes, clothing, and even household furnishings from her Nashville dream home that have been locked away for more than 50 years.

“In her nine short years as a recording artist from ‘55 to ‘63, she forever changed the voice of country music, the role of female artists and influenced performers across all genres,” says Founder Bill Miller. “To this very day, artists still cover her hits and you’ll hear her recordings used in motion pictures and TV series. She deserved her own museum as she continues to transcend generations of fans. We are honored to work with Patsy’s children to preserve her legacy.”

Guests will travel back to Cline’s humble beginnings in Winchester, Virginia, and see family photos, possessions and even the very booth she waitressed at as a teen at Gaunt’s Drugstore. Never-before-seen costumes that highlight her transition from western cowgirl to torch singing headliner will also be on display, many of which were designed and sewn by her mother, Hilda.

Visitors will also have the unique opportunity to step inside Patsy’s famed Rec Room, where many entertainers dropped in to jam in the dream home Patsy purchased on Nella Drive in Goodlettsville, Tenn. The room contains original furnishings owned and used by Cline and her husband Charlie Dick. A vintage jukebox broadcasts her mega-hit “Crazy,” highlighting its distinction as the most-programmed jukebox song of all time. A bio film also documents Patsy’s career and is hosted by noted actress Beverly D’Angelo, who was nominated for a Golden Globe for her portrayal of Patsy Cline in the 1980 film Coal Miner’s Daughter.

“I am very happy to speak on behalf of my brothers, Randy and Chip, and in honor of the legacy of my mother Patsy Cline,” says Julie Fudge. “Since the passing of our father, this is our first step together in continuing to share Mom’s music, life and story, as we feel Dad would have. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with and experience what Bill will present to old and new fans alike.”

The museum will be open daily from 9 a.m. – 7 p.m. and admission is $18.95. 

In Pictures: Sam Hunt, Brad Paisley, Chris Young, Randy Travis, John Anderson, Shane Owens

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CMT’s Cody Alan Chats With Sam Hunt At RodeoHouston

CMT’s Cody Alan sat down with Sam Hunt before his performance at RodeoHouston on Monday (March 13). Alan’s exclusive interview with Hunt airs on CMT After MidNite and CMT Radio Live this Friday (March 17).

 

Brad Paisley And Chris Young Celebrate Back To Back Number Ones

Sony artists Brad Paisley and Chris Young celebrated back to back No. 1 singles for Paisley’s “Today” and Young’s “Sober Saturday Night” during C2C Festival in London last Friday (March 10).

 

John Anderson, Shane Owens And Randy Travis Hang At Texan Theater

Photo: Amerimonte Records

Up-and-coming country traditionalist Shane Owens has been tapped to open several shows for country legend John Anderson. While performing at Texan Theater in Greenville, Texas last Sunday (March 12), Anderson invited Owens on stage for a rousing rendition of “Chicken Truck.” The track is included as a duet with Anderson on Owens’ current album, Where I’m Comin’ From. Owens is currently promoting his newest radio single from the album, “All The Beer In Alabama.” Randy Travis serves as executive producer for the project.

Matthew Hargis Elevated To SVP At BMLG Records

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Matthew Hargis has been promoted to SVP, Promotion at BMLG Records. Since joining the label in 2011, Hargis has been a driving force behind such chart-topping singles as Florida Georgia Line’s breakthrough debut “Cruise,” the only country song to be certified Diamond by the RIAA. Hargis’ previous stops include positions at All Access and Capitol Records Nashville.

“Matthew has done outstanding work during his entire tenure at BMLG Records, garnering 21 No. 1 singles! His leadership, dedication and forward thinking is second to none and this well deserved promotion is reflective of six amazing years,” said BMLG Records President and BMLG EVP Jimmy Harnen.

“I want to thank Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen for the opportunity to grow as part of this amazing team,” said Hargis. “As leaders, the environment they have built at BMLG Records is one that not only inspires, but encourages new innovative ways of building artist’s careers. I am blessed to have such a great team of promotion executives at the BMLG Records ‘Ape Den’ to proudly work side-by-side with every day!”

Hargis can be reached at 615-324-7902 or matthew.hargis@bmlg.net.