Elvis Presley’s Graceland will officially open its new $45 million, 200,000-square-feet, state-of-the-art entertainment complex, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” on March 2, 2017.
The expansion is currently under construction across the street from Graceland and on the Grand Opening Celebration weekend Graceland will welcome visitors from around the world to its largest expansion since first opening to the public in 1982. The opening four days (March 2-5) will feature major events each day, including live concerts.
In “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” fans can experience a new “Ultimate VIP” tour, Graceland’s most exclusive tour option. On it a small group of visitors are taken on a journey through Elvis Presley’s life story touring Graceland, the new Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Elvis Discovery Exhibits, Elvis’ Custom Jets and an exclusive Ultimate VIP Tour Exhibit.
The cornerstone of the “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” experience is “Elvis: The Entertainer,”celebrating Elvis’ music, movie and live touring career. The museum will feature hundreds of artifacts from the extensive Graceland Archives, from Elvis’ early days in Tupelo, Mississippi, through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, Army service, life at Graceland, the Vegas years and more.
A 20,000-square-foot soundstage will play host to a variety of live music acts during the Grand Opening Celebration, showcasing the rich music history of Memphis and the best of Memphis music today. With theater seating for 1,700, the Soundstage will provide a venue for live music performances and movie screenings and premieres and will be available for private events, corporate meetings, conferences and trade show exhibitions.
The new facility will also feature two theme restaurants named for Elvis’ parents, Gladys and Vernon. Gladys’ Diner will feature classic American fare, including Elvis’ favorite, grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Vernon’s Smokehouse will feature authentic Memphis BBQ, smoked in-house. A coffee bar and ice cream shop will also be located within the complex.
Tickets for “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” are now available for opening weekend and throughout the rest of 2017, as a combined ticket with the Graceland Mansion tour, at graceland.com.
Drake White, Bailey Bryan Up For Grammy Artist Of Tomorrow Honor
/by Lorie HollabaughBryan recently stopped by for a visit with the MusicRow staff and to perform some of her songs.
The Grammy Artist of Tomorrow nominees are on-the-rise acts who are sure to be among the most buzzed-about artists of 2017 according to the Grammy veterans who nominated them. The winning artist will be featured during the Grammy Live webcast on Sunday, Feb. 12, 2017 at CBS.com and Grammy.com. The Grammys will air on CBS on Feb. 12.
ole Acquires Red Vinyl Music, Adds Chris Janson, Mark Irwin, Pavel Dovgalyuk
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): Shellien Kinsey, ole, Creative Administration Manager; John Ozier, ole, VP Creative; Mike Whelan, ole, Sr. Creative Director; Emily Mueller, ole, Creative Manager; Ben Strain, ole, Creative Director. (Front row, L-R): Songwriter Pavel Dovgalyuk, Singer/Songwriter Chris Janson, Songwriter Mark Irwin
ole has acquired the catalog, trademarks, and songwriter contracts of Nashville-based independent music publisher Red Vinyl Music, LLC. ole will now control Red Vinyl’s catalog of nearly 3,000 songs as well as futures for songwriters Chris Janson, Mark Irwin, and Pavel Dovgalyuk. The catalog includes Tim McGraw’s current single, “How I’ll Always Be,” which was co-written by Janson and ole songwriter Jeremy Stover, and the top 25 Chris Janson song, “Holdin’ Her.”
The catalog also includes the works of Streamsound Records artist/writers Dakota Bradley, Austin Webb, Jaida Dreyer, and Dave & Julia Carlson.
“The Red Vinyl catalog is an absolute gold mine, featuring an incredible body of work across their legacy and current writers. We’re thrilled to represent them, and understand the responsibility of taking care of and adding value to the catalog and those who have helped build it,” said John Ozier, Vice President of Creative at ole. “Furthermore, partnering with Warner Bros. recording artist Chris Janson is a huge honor, as we have all been fans of Chris from the beginning. The future of the ole creative team, working with this catalog and current writers like Chris, Mark and Pavel, is definitely going to be a bright one.”
“I’m so honored to be an official ole writer,” said Janson. “I love my job, and it fires me up to have a great publishing team that works as hard as I do.”
Red Vinyl Music was established in late 2010 when producer Byron Gallimore partnered with Jim Wilkes and Tim McHugh.
Downtown Music Publishing To Administer Big Yellow Dog Catalog
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville-based Big Yellow Dog represents Meghan Trainor, Josh Kear, Maren Morris and more. Among Big Yellow Dog’s hits are Trainor’s “All About That Bass,” “Lips Are Movin” and “No”; Morris’ “My Church” and “80s Mercedes”; Lady Antebellum’s “Need You Now,” co-written by Kear; and Carrie Underwood’s “Before He Cheats” and “Blown Away,” both co-written by Kear.
Big Yellow Dog Music also has songs recorded by Fifth Harmony, Jason Derulo, Charlie Puth, DJ Khaled, Keith Urban, Luke Bryan, Demi Levato and Rascal Flatts. Their film, television and brand division had over 400 placements in 2016 including uses by JCPenney, How to Get Away with Murder, Shades of Blue, HP, Mad Max: Fury Road, Moana, Peanuts, T-Mobile, and The Edge of Seventeen.
“Kerry O’Neil, Co-Owner, Big Yellow Dog Music, has been a true friend to Downtown for many years and we have always admired the company that Carla Wallace, Co-owner and CEO, and Kerry have built,” said Andrew Sparkler, Downtown’s Senior Vice President of Business Affairs and Operations. “We are thrilled to strengthen our long-standing relationship with them by welcoming Big Yellow Dog Music and their world class catalog to the Downtown family.”
“Today’s business environment is as challenging and fast-paced as any in our 18 years of business,” Big Yellow Dog’s Kerry O’Neil and Carla Wallace said in a statement. “Being able to align our company with such a serious player in copyright administration is a great opportunity for us and our writers.”
Founded in 2007, Downtown Music Publishing is headquartered in New York with offices in Nashville, Los Angeles, London, Amsterdam and Tokyo.
Shania Twain Exhibit Coming To Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
/by Jessica NicholsonShania Twain
Shania Twain will be honored with an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The yet-to-be-titled exhibit will open June 26, 2017 and run through June 17, 2018.
Twain is subject of the second artist exhibit revealed by the Country Music Hall of Fame this week. Yesterday (Jan. 9), it was announced that an exhibit honoring Jason Aldean will open May 26, 2017 and will run through Nov. 5, 2017. The announcements are part of a social media giveaway, where a complete slate of exhibitions planned for the calendar year are announced each day with opportunities for fans to win a lifetime membership or a flyaway for two to attend the VIP opening of that day’s announced exhibit.
Warner/Chappell Production Music To License CPM Music Library In U.S., Canada
/by Jessica NicholsonCPM, formerly Carlin Production Music, is comprised of over 40,000 tracks spanning three series: main series, archive series and classical series. Produced by Warner/Chappell Production Music’s own London production team, CPM got its start in 1988 and has grown its reputation since, gaining a following based on its wide range of musical genres and high production standards.
“CPM has a long history and contains a wealth of versatile music across every genre imaginable,” said Warner/Chappell Production Music President & CEO Randy Wachtler. “We are extremely proud to represent such a well-regarded production music catalog across the US and Canada, and look forward to building on its already fantastic reputation.”
Graceland Expansion, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” Set to Open March 2
/by Lorie HollabaughElvis Presley’s Graceland will officially open its new $45 million, 200,000-square-feet, state-of-the-art entertainment complex, “Elvis Presley’s Memphis,” on March 2, 2017.
The expansion is currently under construction across the street from Graceland and on the Grand Opening Celebration weekend Graceland will welcome visitors from around the world to its largest expansion since first opening to the public in 1982. The opening four days (March 2-5) will feature major events each day, including live concerts.
In “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” fans can experience a new “Ultimate VIP” tour, Graceland’s most exclusive tour option. On it a small group of visitors are taken on a journey through Elvis Presley’s life story touring Graceland, the new Elvis Presley Automobile Museum, Elvis: The Entertainer Career Museum, Elvis Discovery Exhibits, Elvis’ Custom Jets and an exclusive Ultimate VIP Tour Exhibit.
The cornerstone of the “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” experience is “Elvis: The Entertainer,”celebrating Elvis’ music, movie and live touring career. The museum will feature hundreds of artifacts from the extensive Graceland Archives, from Elvis’ early days in Tupelo, Mississippi, through his first recording session in Memphis, rise to fame, Hollywood career, Army service, life at Graceland, the Vegas years and more.
A 20,000-square-foot soundstage will play host to a variety of live music acts during the Grand Opening Celebration, showcasing the rich music history of Memphis and the best of Memphis music today. With theater seating for 1,700, the Soundstage will provide a venue for live music performances and movie screenings and premieres and will be available for private events, corporate meetings, conferences and trade show exhibitions.
The new facility will also feature two theme restaurants named for Elvis’ parents, Gladys and Vernon. Gladys’ Diner will feature classic American fare, including Elvis’ favorite, grilled peanut butter and banana sandwiches. Vernon’s Smokehouse will feature authentic Memphis BBQ, smoked in-house. A coffee bar and ice cream shop will also be located within the complex.
Tickets for “Elvis Presley’s Memphis” are now available for opening weekend and throughout the rest of 2017, as a combined ticket with the Graceland Mansion tour, at graceland.com.
Artist Updates: Hunter Hayes, Trace Adkins, Kacey Musgraves, Lee Brice, Mel Tillis, Carmen Justice
/by Lorie HollabaughHunter Hayes, Trace Adkins, Kacey Musgraves Set For The Movies
Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe
Hunter Hayes performed “All for You” on Jan. 5 on ABC’s Good Morning America, in advance of the song’s appearance in the soundtrack of the new Paramount movie Monster Trucks, in theaters Jan. 13.
Kacey Musgraves and Northern Ireland’s Foy Vance created a song titled “Moonshine” for the Ben Affleck picture Live by Night, which also goes nationwide Jan. 13.
Trace Adkins joins Dennis Quaid and Cloris Leachman in the cast of I Can Only Imagine, a faith-based movie due out in 2018. Also, Rascal Flatts‘ country ballad “Bless the Broken Road” is the title of a movie that features the acting debut of former NFL player LaDanian Tomlinson. It is set to hit theaters Feb. 10.
Lee Brice And Wife Expecting Third Child
Congratulations to Lee Brice and his wife Sara, who are expecting another baby, Brice confirmed to People. The baby will be the couple’s third child, joining big brothers Ryker Mobley, 3, and Takoda, 8. “Our whole family is thrilled to welcome our third child,” said Brice. “Takoda and Ryker are so excited and Sara is more beautiful than ever. We can’t wait for our new little one to get here this summer.”
Mel Tillis Recovering In Florida
Carmen Justice To Release Solo Project
Carmen Justice, former front-woman for CCM girl band 1GN, is stepping out on her own as a solo artist, according to CCM Magazine. Her new single “Flaming Arrows,” will be available on all digital platforms on Jan. 20 with an EP to follow later this year.
1GN, formerly known as 1 Girl Nation, is a Nashville-based band affiliated with Provident Label Group’s Reunion Records. The group’s first album released in 2013, followed by the sophomore project, Unite, in 2016.
Free Hearing Tests To Be Offered During CRS 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonScreening will be available on-site at CRS, starting Wednesday, Feb. 22 through Friday, Feb. 24 and will be administered by Starkey Hearing Technologies’ staff and hearing audiologists. Starkey will have an exhibit in the center of the Broadway pre-function exhibit space at the Omni Hotel, where attendees can sign up to have their hearing tested in a private testing room on the 3rd floor. The test averages about 7-10 minutes. Results and free consultations will be provided on-site.
Starkey Hearing Technologies develops, manufactures and distributes hearing aids via three distinct brands – Audibel, NuEar and its original brand, Starkey.
Nashville ENT, Audiology, at St. Thomas West, serves as the local partner, with Dr. Nancy Morgan providing all local attendees with consultation and referrals. A national database of certified audiologists will be available on-site to provide referrals to out of state attendees.
Bill Mayne, CRS Executive Director states, “Working in an industry where music is our life and livelihood, the ability to hear is crucial. I know, I got my 19-year-old ears back! CRS is proud to offer these tests FREE to our registrants, as the average costs for these tests are between $250-$450, depending on provider. We need to hear ALL the music! We are so proud to partner with the great folks at Starkey to make this possible!”
Karen Spaeth, Director of PR & Customer Experience adds, “We are proud to join Country Radio Seminar in this opportunity to help educate attendees on their hearing and help identify hearing loss. We know first-hand how hearing loss can impact how music is heard and enjoyed. For those who we find do have hearing loss, this is also a great opportunity for them to learn about our ‘Made for Music’ Muse hearing aids, which feature a unique processing technology designed specifically for music. In fact, it was developed with the help of professional musicians and composers and hearing aid wearers.”
CMA To Honor Randy “Baja” Fletcher With CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Jessica NicholsonRandy “Baja” Fletcher
Randy “Baja” Fletcher will be honored with the inaugural CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award at the annual CMA Touring Awards (formerly known as the SRO Awards). CMA Touring Awards will be presented in Nashville at Marathon Music Works on Monday, Jan. 23. The evening will be hosted by CMA Awards winner Kristian Bush.
The CMA Touring Lifetime Achievement Award is for an individual who has accomplished the highest level in the country music field of touring.
“Over the course of his amazing career, Baja has worked with countless artists, concerts, and events. He has been an integral part of some of the genre’s most ambitious tours, the careers of some of Country Music’s biggest icons, and the Country community. The respect that everyone who has ever worked with Baja has for him proves that he is a perfect fit to be the first recipient of this Award,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
Fletcher’s touring career began at the age of 17 with Bill Deal and the Rhondels. He traveled with the band up and down the East Coast on solo dates, as well as part of packaged shows of the era that included pop and Motown artists. In May of 1969, Fletcher’s career was briefly interrupted while he served in the US Army, including a tour of Vietnam. After his tour of duty, he returned to work with the Rhondels.
While working as a concert stage manager in 1973, he made a connection that would land him a job on the road with rock legends ZZ Top, with whom he would tour for much of the mid ‘70s, including the notable Worldwide Texas Tour. In 1978, he began a 10-year run as stage and production manager for Waylon Jennings. During this time he also co-toured with country artists Johnny Cash, Merle Haggard, George Jones, Willie Nelson, and many more. In 1988 he began working with Randy Travis on Travis’ first headlining tour, whom he would continue with for five years.
When Travis took a break from touring at the end of 1992, Fletcher began working with then-newcomer duo Brooks & Dunn. For the next 18 years he served as production manager for their tours. Following his time with Brooks & Dunn, Fletcher opened the current chapter of his career in 2011 when he took on the role as production manager for Keith Urban, with whom he tours currently.
Former Streamsound Offices For Sale
/by Jessica NicholsonThe former Streamsound offices, located at 320 Southgate Court in Brentwood, are up for sale. The 10,970-square-foot freestanding office building includes 10 offices, two writers’ rooms/offices, a large 87′ x 66′ open area, and 35 parking spaces.
Byron Gallimore, producer/co-producer behind more than 50 hits for artists including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Sugarland and more, launched Streamsound in 2012, alongside Jim Wilkes. The label’s debut artist was Jaida Dreyer. The company operated from the Brentwood location beginning in 2013.
For more, visit colliers.com.