Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Jason Kane
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has welcomed a multi-faceted array of iconic performers. Elvis, The Jackson 5 (featuring a young Michael Jackson), Sonny & Cher, Tejano star Selena, Tony Bennett, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, as well as country legends Eddie Arnold, Gene Autry, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, George Strait, and more have performed at the long-running event, making the wide breadth of musical styles a hallmark of the annual event.
This year’s event, which runs March 7-26 at Houston’s NRG Park, features not only country artists including Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton, Aaron Watson, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, but also pop, rock, and R&B artists including Blink-182, The Chainsmokers, Alicia Keys, and Demi Lovato.
“That’s always been part of the heritage here,” says Jason Kane, Managing Director of Entertainment & Market Research at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “We cater to an audience that is 8-80. It’s always been that way, because it is a community icon. And it’s unfortunate but there are fewer and fewer of these mass events. I was just thinking that Ringling Bros. is about to close. Our show occupies a unique space in this community.”
Kane is responsible for all aspects of talent buying, as well as production of all concert events. During Kane’s tenure, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has accomplished record setting years including the show’s all-time record attendance in 2014 and 2015. Over three weeks the general attendance topped 2.5 million, while ticket sales reached $1.4 million.
George Strait performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2013. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Kane joined the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006, a year that included an opening performance from country icon George Strait.
“It was magic,” Kane recalls. “The fun part was, George came onstage and does what he does. People say he doesn’t move much, and I say, ‘Neither did Sinatra.’ Being that he is a true cowboy, he got on a horse, loped around the arena, shaking hands with people that were seated on the edge of the arena. He went to the middle of the arena, reared the horse back and threw his hat in the crowd. I was standing next to a rep from his label, and he leaned over and said, ‘Well, people in Minneapolis ain’t going to see that!’”
Prior to joining the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006, Kane was the Regional Vice President and Director of Operations at Clear Channel Radio, served as President of Star System in Austin, Texas and worked with The Research Group in Seattle, Washington, as Senior Vice President and Partner.
Elvis Presley performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
He says his time in radio and research has benefited his work with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“Part of a radio career is you are in producing small or even being involved in larger live events and I always loved that part,” Kane says. “My experience in research really kind of gave me some insight into what consumers and fans really expected. And in terms of live events, there is nothing like having a crowd go crazy over something you’ve put together.”
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from March 7 through March 28, totaling approximately 100 shows in a three-week period.
“It is almost a programming job, in that you are trying to find the right artists for the right day, given the amount of people that attend on a weekend versus a weekday. In radio you are looking for that perfect song to accent a certain point in the hour. Here you are looking for that perfect artist to really highlight a certain date in a three-week calendar.”
George Strait at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Kane and production manager Brittany Cooke lead the booking of the shows, though “we accordion this up to about 75 people at show time,” says Kane. They are already beginning the process for booking the 2018 show, and in some cases work two years ahead to book artists.
At NRG Park, an artist can play to approximately 71,000 people, with the help of 19 HD cameras, as well as eight high-definition cameras above the stage.
“NRG stadium is a big room and I found that one of two things happens,” says Kane. “The artist either shrinks the room, or the room shrinks them. In some ways it can almost be a TV show. Many artists get it and they play to the camera and deliver a dynamic performance.” He notes the massive stage and audience numbers adds another facet to selecting the proper newcomer artists. “Many of the new folks have not been out long enough to have really perfected that stage presence. Now some of them get it and are naturals.”
As the country festival scene continues to expand, Kane says the increased competition for artists has driven up performance fees. “There were 63 country-only festivals going between May and November last year,” Kane says. “The effect is that it has absolutely ratcheted up the prices on country acts. In country music, at any given time, there are only about seven people at the top of the pyramid. Everybody wants one, two or three of those seven to headline their festival. And the festivals will want to write very stringent radius clauses into their agreements, which jacks up the price. We are lucky that our event occurs in March as opposed to the middle of June. The number of festivals has definitely skyrocketed the prices to a point where a 501C3 charity has got to back out sometimes, because the price gets too high.”
Kane’s favorite aspect of working with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is its charity, which committed $26 million in charitable contributions for 2017. “We support not only college scholarship for Texas students but other educational efforts, education of teachers, and more. The event’s mission is really supported in an amazing way by Houston and the surrounding area.”
25th Annual Tin Pan South Announces Performers, Schedule
/by Jessica NicholsonOrganizers of The 25th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank have announced more than 100 shows and more than 400 writers for the event, which will be held March 28-April 1, 2017 at 10 music venues throughout Nashville.
Brothers Osborne will entertain at 3rd & Lindsley, and Nashville television show stars Charles Esten, Sam Palladio and Clare Bowen will appear at the Hard Rock Cafe and The Listening Room Cafe, respectively.
In celebration of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s 50th anniversary, April 1 will host an 11:30 a.m. performance from Sonny Curtis before a round with Buzz Cason, Dickey Lee, Dallas Frazier and Dan Penn at 2 p.m. Tin Pan Fast Access pass holders will be admitted for free to the hall for the day. That evening, 3rd & Lindsley will host two hall-sponsored rounds, one with Mark D. Sanders, Matraca Berg, Bobby Braddock and Roger Cook and another with Al Anderson, Tom Douglas, Roger Murrah and Gretchen Peters.
Keb’ Mo’ will bring his unique Blues style to The Country, and Jim Peterik returns to perform at Whiskey Rhythm. Brandon Heath and former Sixpence None The Richer lead singer Leigh Nash will also return as performers to Tin Pan South. After a two-year absence, Kara DioGuardi is set to perform.
Jake Owen, Craig Campbell, Maddie & Tae, Danielle Bradbery, Mo Pitney, Kristian Bush, Love and Theft, Mickey Guyton, Luke Combs and others will hit various stages, while Larry Gatlin, Lee Roy Parnell and Mac Davis will tell stories behind their biggest hits.
Fast Access Passes are sold out for 2017, but cover prices will be collected at the door if space allows additional festival-goers. Reservations are highly encouraged for those Fast Access ticket holders for any show at The Bluebird Cafe.
For a full schedule, visit tinpansouth.com.
Reba Reveals Red Dress Figure For Madame Tussauds Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Reba, Madame Tussauds’ Reba wax figure, Brett Freedman
Madame Tussauds Nashville is set to feature a wax figure of Reba McEntire when it opens on April 14.
The country superstar met her likeness during an interview with The Insider in Las Vegas ahead of a March residency date at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace.
The figure, which will be featured in the finale of the attraction on a replica of the Grand Ole Opry stage, depicts Reba mid-performance. Her figure will be outfitted in a stage outfit Reba wore while singing her megahit—and signature encore— “Fancy.”
To ensure an exact likeness, Reba loaned her dress, shoes and jewelry to the costume department of Madame Tussauds.
Last fall, Madame Tussauds Nashville hosted a social contest where fans nominated the artists they would most like to see take the stage at the attraction. Reba was overwhelmingly named the winner of the contest.
“I tried to find differences between me and the figure and there weren’t any,” said McEntire. “I’m really blown away with how great it looks, it’s like looking in a mirror.”
Additional figures hitting the stage at Madame Tussauds Nashville include Beyoncé, Billie Holiday, Blake Shelton, Bob Dylan, Carrie Underwood, Ella Fitzgerald, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix, Johnny Cash, Katy Perry, Keith Urban, Kenny Rogers, Little Jimmy Dickens, Louis Armstrong, Luke Bryan, Miley Cyrus, Minnie Pearl, Rayna Jaymes & Deacon Claybourne, Rihanna, Stevie Wonder and Taylor Swift.
More artists will be added to the bill within the coming weeks.
Pictured (L-R): Madame Tussauds’ Reba wax figure, Reba
WME Signs Austin Burke
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R) front: Austin Mullins, WME; Sherrie Austin, Go Long Entertainment; Will Rambeau, Go Long Entertainment; Sloane Logue, WME; Greg Oswald, WME; Jeff Davis, Go Long Entertainment. Back: Austin Burke
WME has signed West Coast-influenced country artist Austin Burke.
Burke is set to release an EP later this month. His current single, “Sleepin’ Around,” is on rotation with SiriusXM’s The Highway and has already accrued over 775K spins on Spotify. Burke got his start in music at age 3, when he performed the national anthem for the Phoenix Suns and Arizona Diamondbacks. The Arizona native moved to Nashville by way of southern California.
Burke is managed by Sherrié Austin and Will Rambeaux at Go Long Entertainment, LLC.
Industry Ink: Songs & Stories For St. Jude, SOURCE Tin Pan South Show, Casey Kelly, NSAI Song Contest
/by Lorie HollabaughFifth Annual Songs And Stories For St. Jude Set
The fifth annual Songs & Stories for St. Jude, a concert and auction to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, has been set for April 5 at Nashville’s City Winery. Songwriters Chris DeStefano, Brett James, Jessi Alexander, Hillary Lindsey, Rivers Rutherford and Marcus Hummon are set to perform, with other special guests to be announced at a later date. More information and tickets can be found at thebig98.com.
SOURCE Teams With NSAI For Tin Pan South Show
SOURCE Nashville has teamed up with NSAI for a special show during Tin Pan South on March 28 at 6 p.m. at Whiskey Rhythm Saloon. The show will feature Danielle Bradbery, Jaida Dreyer, Jo Smith, and Lari White. For more information regarding passes and tickets, go to tinpansouth.com. A portion of proceeds from the show will go to SOURCE.
Casey Kelly Signs With Banner Music
Banner Music has signed Casey Kelly to its songwriting roster. Kelly has worked as an arranger, music publisher, and record producer along with writing songs. After moving to Nashville in 1976, Kelly had multiple hits including “Anyone Who Isn’t Me Tonight” by Kenny Rogers and Dottie West, “Soon” by Tanya Tucker, “Somewhere Down the Line” by T.G. Shepherd and “The Cowboy Rides Away” by George Strait.
NSAI Song Contest Winners Announced
Over 2,000 songs were received this year, and the winner received $5,000 and a mentoring session with Charles Kelley.
The lyric-only winner is “Flying Home” written by Cindy Lee Collins and Laura Miller. Collins receives a mentoring session with Big Loud Shirt writer, Rodney Clawson, along with additional prizes. Twenty other songs received Runner-Up or Honorable Mention status, and all of the top songs can be seen at nashvillesongwriters.com.
Trent Harmon Signs With Rick Barker For Management
/by Lorie HollabaughTrent Harmon and Rick Barker
Trent Harmon has signed with Rick Barker for management. The winner of Season 15 of FOX’s American Idol, Harmon met Barker during the show’s farewell season while Barker served on the show’s Artist Development team and as the Social Media Mentor for the contestants.
Barker, who was formerly a West Coast Regional at Big Machine Label Group before managing Taylor Swift at the start of her career, will take on Harmon’s day-to-day management responsibilities.
“Rick is a force of nature and has the rare ability to recognize opportunity where most just simply do not,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Working with Trent for management will create the unfair advantage that all artists crave. This is going to be good… very good…”
“The chance to work with Trent, Scott, the Big Machine Team, CAA and country radio was too good to pass up,” said Barker. “Trent showed me at Idol that he was willing to follow instructions and would do whatever it takes to win no matter how crazy it sounded!”
“I’m very excited to continue working with Rick. All of the things we accomplished together with Idol laid the groundwork for what we’re going to continue to pursue,” said Harmon. “Scott Borchetta, the Big Machine team, and the exceptional people they’ve been able to put me in contact with have put me in a wonderful position going into 2017. This pairing with Rick could not have come at a better time.”
SESAC Signs R.E.M.
/by Jessica NicholsonR.E.M
Performing rights organization SESAC has signed for performing rights representation in the United States the entire catalog of R.E.M., the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame alternative rock band credited with pioneering the genre. The catalog includes the hit singles “Losing My Religion,” Everybody Hurts,” “Its the End of the World as We Know It,” “Shiny Happy People,” “The One I Love,” and more.
R.E.M. band members Bill Berry, Peter Buck, Mike Mills, and Michael Stipe also have signed with SESAC for performing rights representation in the United States.
R.E.M., which recorded 15 albums and toured the world during its 31-year tenure as a band, won multiple GRAMMYs and sold more than 85 million copies of studio albums worldwide, making it one of the best-selling acts of all times.
“We are proud to represent the songs of a band that, without question, changed rock music forever,” said John Josephson, chairman and CEO, SESAC Holdings, Inc. “Along with representing the rich, timeless R.E.M. catalog, we also welcome Michael, Peter, Mike and Bill to the SESAC family.”
R.E.M.’s journey began in April 1980, when the group performed in a vacant church building for a friend’s birthday party in Athens, Georgia. Three years later, with the support of college radio, R.E.M. was releasing albums and touring steadily. Its underground fame reached mainstream in 1987 with the single “The One I Love.”The next year, the band signed a record deal with Warner Bros.
In 1991 and 1992, R.E.M. released its most commercially successful albums, Out of Time and Automatic for the People, respectively. These two albums yielded hits including “Losing My Religion,” “Shiny Happy People” and “Everybody Hurts.” In 2007, in its first year of eligibility, R.E.M. was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame.
The affiliation of R.E.M. is the latest in a string of prominent signings to SESAC’s roster, which include Rosanne Cash, Kings of Leon, Randy Newman, Axl Rose, Zac Brown, Green Day, Kesha, George Clinton, REO Speedwagon’s Kevin Cronin and Cheap Trick’s Rick Nielsen.
CAM’s TEDx Talk Reminds Music Can Help Heal
/by Lorie HollabaughCam delivered a TEDx Talk entitled ‘Life Can Be Tough. Music Can Help’ and a performance on Jan. 21 for the TEDx University of Nevada conference in front of a live audience in Reno, NV. She was invited to participate in the event and discuss the power music has on the human condition by TEDx’s event coordinator, Dr. Bret Simmons, after he learned she had worked in psychology labs at Stanford and Berkeley.
“It only lasted about 11 minutes… but I was more terrified than I’ve ever been in my life,” admitted Cam about the experience.”To share knowledge publicly means I had to first believe that I have knowledge worth sharing (and questioning myself is pretty much my superpower). Then came the task of crafting a speech (NOT a song. Very different, for the record) that could help people see the world in a new way: A world that is full of music and has always been full of music. Why that’s not an accident. How we need music on a basic human level. It’s not new information, but it’s just often forgotten that music is an essential part of our humanity. I couldn’t let people miss out on that understanding.”
During the conference Cam also performed three songs off of her debut album, Untamed and spoke about the emotional inspiration that was involved in the making of those songs, “Burning House,” “Runaway Train,” and “Village.”
She closed with this message to the Tedx talk attendees: “Are you getting the most you can out of music? I really want to remind you that music is not just the background at a shopping mall, it’s not just weekend entertainment. It’s a tool that our species developed to help us heal ourselves and soothe our souls. Music carries the burden of our heartbreak. It allows us to process grief. It reminds us that good things are coming and it lets us know that we are not struggling alone. So let music do its job. Life can be tough, Music can help.”
First Round Of ACM Awards Performers Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonThe first round of performers for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards has been announced and includes ACM Award nominees Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, and Maren Morris.
Additionally, the Backstreet Boys will make their debut appearance at Country Music’s Party of the Year®, performing with Florida Georgia Line. The ACM Awards will broadcast live from T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 2 (live 8:00-11:00 PM, ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network.
As previously announced, Luke Bryan and Dierks Bentley will return to co-host the 52nd ACM Awards.
Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. Sponsors and partners for the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards include T-Mobile and Xfinity from Comcast.
Clive Davis To Speak At Exclusive Leadership Music Event
/by Lorie HollabaughClive Davis will be the featured speaker for Leadership Music’s record company program day at an exclusive, invitation-only event March 14. During the 90-minute session at the Country Music Hall of Fame And Museum’s CMA Theater, Davis will share insights from his decades-long legendary career shaping and influencing the careers of artists like Bruce Springsteen, Whitney Houston, Aretha Franklin, Aerosmith, Simon & Garfunkel, Billy Joel, Earth Wind & Fire, Barry Manilow, Alicia Keys, Rod Stewart, The Kinks, The Grateful Dead and many more.
In celebration of Davis’ visit to Nashville, the event will be open to Leadership Music Alumni, special guests, music industry organization reps, and local college students. He will be interviewed during the event, which is presented by City National Bank and Sony Music Nashville, by Julie Swidler, Executive Vice President, Business Affairs & General Counsel, Sony Music Entertainment.
A new documentary on Davis, Clive Davis: The Soundtrack of Our Lives, will world premiere on opening night of the Tribeca Film Festival April 19 in New York, and Davis will screen a trailer of the new film for attendees of the Leadership Music event.
Davis has a longtime history with Music City, having opened Arista Nashville with Tim DuBois in 1988. The Arista roster would include Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Diamond Rio, Pam Tillis and Brad Paisley. In 2000, Clive was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, and received the Trustees Lifetime Achievement Award from the Recording Academy. In 2002, he established the Clive Davis Department of Recorded Music at New York University, and six years later he was appointed Chief Creative Officer for all of Sony Music Entertainment.
Rodeo Man: Houston Livestock Show And Rodeo’s Jason Kane Talks Growth, Musical Diversity
/by Jessica NicholsonHouston Livestock Show and Rodeo’s Jason Kane
Since 1932, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has welcomed a multi-faceted array of iconic performers. Elvis, The Jackson 5 (featuring a young Michael Jackson), Sonny & Cher, Tejano star Selena, Tony Bennett, Beyonce, Justin Bieber, as well as country legends Eddie Arnold, Gene Autry, Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Alan Jackson, Dolly Parton, George Strait, and more have performed at the long-running event, making the wide breadth of musical styles a hallmark of the annual event.
This year’s event, which runs March 7-26 at Houston’s NRG Park, features not only country artists including Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Sam Hunt, Alan Jackson, Cody Johnson, Willie Nelson, Brad Paisley, Chris Stapleton, Aaron Watson, Chris Young, and Zac Brown Band, but also pop, rock, and R&B artists including Blink-182, The Chainsmokers, Alicia Keys, and Demi Lovato.
“That’s always been part of the heritage here,” says Jason Kane, Managing Director of Entertainment & Market Research at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. “We cater to an audience that is 8-80. It’s always been that way, because it is a community icon. And it’s unfortunate but there are fewer and fewer of these mass events. I was just thinking that Ringling Bros. is about to close. Our show occupies a unique space in this community.”
Kane is responsible for all aspects of talent buying, as well as production of all concert events. During Kane’s tenure, the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo has accomplished record setting years including the show’s all-time record attendance in 2014 and 2015. Over three weeks the general attendance topped 2.5 million, while ticket sales reached $1.4 million.
George Strait performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2013. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
Kane joined the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006, a year that included an opening performance from country icon George Strait.
“It was magic,” Kane recalls. “The fun part was, George came onstage and does what he does. People say he doesn’t move much, and I say, ‘Neither did Sinatra.’ Being that he is a true cowboy, he got on a horse, loped around the arena, shaking hands with people that were seated on the edge of the arena. He went to the middle of the arena, reared the horse back and threw his hat in the crowd. I was standing next to a rep from his label, and he leaned over and said, ‘Well, people in Minneapolis ain’t going to see that!’”
Prior to joining the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo in 2006, Kane was the Regional Vice President and Director of Operations at Clear Channel Radio, served as President of Star System in Austin, Texas and worked with The Research Group in Seattle, Washington, as Senior Vice President and Partner.
Elvis Presley performs at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
He says his time in radio and research has benefited his work with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
“Part of a radio career is you are in producing small or even being involved in larger live events and I always loved that part,” Kane says. “My experience in research really kind of gave me some insight into what consumers and fans really expected. And in terms of live events, there is nothing like having a crowd go crazy over something you’ve put together.”
The Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo runs from March 7 through March 28, totaling approximately 100 shows in a three-week period.
“It is almost a programming job, in that you are trying to find the right artists for the right day, given the amount of people that attend on a weekend versus a weekday. In radio you are looking for that perfect song to accent a certain point in the hour. Here you are looking for that perfect artist to really highlight a certain date in a three-week calendar.”
George Strait at the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. Photo: Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo.
Kane and production manager Brittany Cooke lead the booking of the shows, though “we accordion this up to about 75 people at show time,” says Kane. They are already beginning the process for booking the 2018 show, and in some cases work two years ahead to book artists.
At NRG Park, an artist can play to approximately 71,000 people, with the help of 19 HD cameras, as well as eight high-definition cameras above the stage.
“NRG stadium is a big room and I found that one of two things happens,” says Kane. “The artist either shrinks the room, or the room shrinks them. In some ways it can almost be a TV show. Many artists get it and they play to the camera and deliver a dynamic performance.” He notes the massive stage and audience numbers adds another facet to selecting the proper newcomer artists. “Many of the new folks have not been out long enough to have really perfected that stage presence. Now some of them get it and are naturals.”
As the country festival scene continues to expand, Kane says the increased competition for artists has driven up performance fees. “There were 63 country-only festivals going between May and November last year,” Kane says. “The effect is that it has absolutely ratcheted up the prices on country acts. In country music, at any given time, there are only about seven people at the top of the pyramid. Everybody wants one, two or three of those seven to headline their festival. And the festivals will want to write very stringent radius clauses into their agreements, which jacks up the price. We are lucky that our event occurs in March as opposed to the middle of June. The number of festivals has definitely skyrocketed the prices to a point where a 501C3 charity has got to back out sometimes, because the price gets too high.”
Kane’s favorite aspect of working with the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo is its charity, which committed $26 million in charitable contributions for 2017. “We support not only college scholarship for Texas students but other educational efforts, education of teachers, and more. The event’s mission is really supported in an amazing way by Houston and the surrounding area.”