Pete Fisher, CEO of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music announced today (Jan. 9) that Pete Fisher has been selected as the Academy’s new Chief Executive Officer. He will take the helm beginning Monday, January 30, 2017 and will relocate with his wife from Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA.
Fisher has served as the Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, a post he held for 17 years that will end on January 20. Fisher oversaw the Opry through significant transformation over the years and was instrumental in navigating the Opry through the historic Nashville flood in 2010 with a $20 million renovation of the Opry House.
Ken Tucker, Chairman of the Academy’s Board of Directors, says “Pete is a team builder, a champion of the importance of office culture and a person who believes strongly in discerning and following a strategic path alongside those around him. Through Pete’s successful leadership, the Opry became a place that recognized the importance of exposing legendary, contemporary and emerging artists equally. Tucker adds, “The Board thanks Tiffany Moon for her command through this interim search period as well as the staff for keeping the Academy on a forward trajectory. We feel very lucky to have Pete’s leadership in the next phase of the Academy’s growth and presence on the world’s entertainment stage, heading into 2017.”
“Our mission when we started the selection process was to take our time and do it right,” says Duane Clark, ACM Vice President and co-chairman of the CEO selection committee. “We wanted to have a process that was thorough and one that opened the doors so we had every opportunity to find the right candidate. We were very fortunate to have had such a wide range of great candidates and we were all very excited when Pete voiced his interest in the position.” Clark also shared with MusicRow some of the key criteria in filling the position. These traits included someone with leadership experience, TV and entertainment background, the ability to be an ambassador for the Academy and to represent the face and voice of the Academy moving forward. Other important qualities included strong brand awareness and strong partnership management skills.
Fisher will be only the second Chief Executive Officer in the Academy’s 53-year-history. Bob Romeo stepped down from the post in May of 2016 after 13 years at the organization. Prior to that, the Academy was managed day-to-day by Fran Boyd and Bill Boyd, dating back to the Academy’s inception in 1964.
Fisher spoke to MusicRow to discuss his new leadership position with the ACM:
With such a significant career change after many successful years at the Opry, what are you feeling right now?
I am thrilled. My 17 years at the Opry have been extraordinary and I’m so proud of what the team has accomplished during that time and now it’s time to start a new chapter in my career. Industry service and music industry trade organizations have always been a passion of mine and when this opportunity came up, I didn’t hesitate to throw my name in the hat.
What attracted you to the CEO position with the Academy of Country Music?
First of all, I’ve been a board member and a believer of everything the Academy represents since 2003. A few years later, I became a board member of ACM Lifting Lives as well. Throughout my career, I’ve always made it a priority to serve industry organizations. It has been a passion of mine and very fulfilling. When I look at the Academy of Country Music, it’s a perfect alignment with the things I love to do. As CEO, I think I bring the skill sets that will help this organization grow into the future and enjoy new accomplishments and build upon everything that has been accomplished so far.
What have you learned at the Opry that you will be taking with you in this new leadership role?
The Opry has prepared me so well. I am so grateful to people like Colin Reed, Mark Fioravanti and Steve Buchanan for all they have taught me over the years. The Grand Ole Opry is one of the world’s renowned brands so I have developed a great understanding of branded entertainment and brand development. I have been involved in the production of over 300 television shows, specials, DVDs and audio projects. My time at the Opry has fed me an incredible array of relationships throughout the music industry both in Nashville and Los Angeles. I have developed close and sometimes personal relationships with almost all of the artists in the country music industry. The Opry is a showcase for the entire country music artist community so over the years, I have literally grown up with many of those careers and consider many of those artists my friends. Also, being in a corporate environment that the Opry is part of, I learned some incredible ‘best practices’ for how to run a successful organization. I have learned to appreciate the importance of people first, culture second, and strategy third. If you don’t get people and culture right, the best strategy in the world is not going to be executed with success.
Speaking of strategy, are you looking to expand the brand and reach of the ACM?
My first commitment to the organization is to listen and learn from the staff, the board, and from the music industry at large. I want to understand their perceptions of the academy and hear their ideas for what the academy can become. Then we plan to move into a successful awards show in Vegas. Lastly, we will enter into a collaborative strategic planning process with the board, revisit the mission, and create a roadmap to that vision.
After 32 years in Nashville, relocating to Los Angeles is a big move. How will that affect your relationship with Nashville?
My job will be to be as connected as I’ve ever been to Nashville. I really want to increase the presence of the Academy of Country Music in Nashville and also discover what the Academy might be able to bring from the west coast to country music to help broaden and strengthen its reach.
Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties, released a statement regarding Fisher and the GM/VP position at the Grand Ole Opry. “We are excited for Pete and believe this position is a tremendous opportunity for him, the ACM and our industry,” said Reed. “I feel certain that the Opry will continue to have a great relationship with him in this new capacity. We have begun our search for someone to fill this key role within our organization and will have more to share once we have identified that individual.”
To send congratulations, you can reach Pete Fisher at pete@acmcountry.com.
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.
‘Nashville’ CMT Premiere Gives Network a Five-Year Best
/by Lorie HollabaughNashville’s debut on CMT last Thursday night (Jan. 5) drew a considerably smaller audience than it had on ABC, but also landed the network its best original premiere numbers since 2012, according to the Hollywood Reporter. For the show’s four airings across CMT and Nick at Nite, the two-hour launch achieved just shy of a 0.8 rating among adults 18-49 with nearly two million viewers.
On CMT alone, where the series will debut original episodes before subsequent streaming on co-financier Hulu, the first airing averaged 1.2 million viewers and a .45 rating in the key demo. In comparison, the finale broadcast season of Nashville on ABC averaged a live 1.0 rating among adults 18-49 and 4.2 million viewers. With just DVR, no streaming, the drama rose to a 1.8 rating among adults 18-49 and 6.6 million viewers.
Since moving to CMT the show’s costs are now shared by CMT and Hulu, but the star-studded cast isn’t contractually obligated to stay beyond the current 22 episodes.
Industry Ink: Maren Morris, Marshall Tucker Band, T.J. Martell Foundation
/by Lorie HollabaughMaren Morris To Be Honored At Music Biz 2017
Photo: Courtesy Sony Music Nashville
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present the Breakthrough Artist Award to rising star Maren Morris at the Music Biz 2017 convention’s awards luncheon on May 18 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Fueled by the Platinum-certified single “My Church,” Morris won New Artist of the Year at the CMA Awards, received the Breakthrough Artist Award at Billboard’s annual Women in Music Gala, and is also nominated for four 2017 Grammy awards, including Best New Artist and Best Country Album for Hero.
Morris joins past Music Biz Breakthrough Artist Award recipients Carrie Underwood, John Legend, The Killers, Nicki Minaj, Emeli Sandé, Ariana Grande, Meghan Trainor, Sam Hunt, and Halsey.
Marshall Tucker Bands Signs With New Management
Pictured (L-R): Darren Hagen (Red Light), B.B. Borden (MTB), Tony Black (MTB), Rick Willis (MTB), Steve Lassiter (APA), Marcus Henderson (MTB), Cass Scripps (APA), Doug Gray (MTB), Charlie Brusco (Red Light), Jeff Hill (APA), Matt McGuire (APA)
Photo: Steve Lowry
The Marshall Tucker Band has signed with Red Light Management and APA for management and booking. Red Light’s Charlie Brusco and Darren Hagen will helm the band’s day-to-day management, with APA’s Steve Lassiter handling booking.
“Doug Gray and I have been friends for over 40 years; making this announcement both thrilling and fulfilling,” says Brusco. “The Marshall Tucker Band has always been a definitive and incendiary live band, I’m happy to report that they still are, as I reaffirmed at a recent concert in Atlanta. The Marshall Tucker Band and their legacy has deep roots in all of our lives and we are very honored and thrilled that they are joining Red Light Management.”
T.J. Martell Foundation’s Southern Regional Headquarters Relocates
Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Sam Hunt to Play RodeoHouston in March
/by Lorie HollabaughRODEOHOUSTON 2017 SCHEDULE:
Tuesday, March 7: Aaron Watson
Wednesday, March 8: Old Dominion
Thursday, March 9: Chris Stapleton
Friday, March 10: Alicia Keys
Saturday, March 11: Alan Jackson
Sunday, March 12: The Chainsmokers
Monday, March 13: Sam Hunt
Tuesday, March 14: Meghan Trainor
Wednesday, March 15: Thomas Rhett
Thursday, March 16: Luke Bryan
Friday, March 17: Fifth Harmony
Saturday, March 18: Willie Nelson
Sunday, March 19: Banda El Recodo and Siggno
Monday, March 20: Florida Georgia Line
Tuesday, March 21: ZZ Top
Wednesday, March 22: Chris Young
Thursday, March 23: Blink 182
Friday, March 24: Dierks Bentley
Saturday, March 25: Brad Paisley
Sunday, March 26: Zac Brown Band
Jason Aldean Exhibit Coming To Country Music Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean has been revealed as the first of five country artists who will have new exhibits at the Country Music Hall of Fame this year. The reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year’s exhibit will open May 26, 2017 and will run through Nov. 5, 2017. The exhibit will chronicle Aldean’s early childhood, through his move to Nashville, his struggle to be heard and his groundbreaking success with an independent record company.
On Sept. 6, Aldean released his seventh studio album for Broken Bow, titled They Don’t Know, which debuted at No. 1 on the country albums chart. The album launched two chart-toppers, including “Lights Come On” and “A Little More Summertime,” as well as his current single, “Any Ol’ Barstool.”
The Country Music Hall of Fame will reveal a new artist each day this week, by sharing a mystery image and clue each evening at 9 p.m. CT via social media. The artist will be revealed the following day.
The Academy Of Country Music Selects Pete Fisher As New CEO
/by Sherod RobertsonPete Fisher, CEO of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music announced today (Jan. 9) that Pete Fisher has been selected as the Academy’s new Chief Executive Officer. He will take the helm beginning Monday, January 30, 2017 and will relocate with his wife from Nashville, TN to Los Angeles, CA.
Fisher has served as the Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry in Nashville, a post he held for 17 years that will end on January 20. Fisher oversaw the Opry through significant transformation over the years and was instrumental in navigating the Opry through the historic Nashville flood in 2010 with a $20 million renovation of the Opry House.
Ken Tucker, Chairman of the Academy’s Board of Directors, says “Pete is a team builder, a champion of the importance of office culture and a person who believes strongly in discerning and following a strategic path alongside those around him. Through Pete’s successful leadership, the Opry became a place that recognized the importance of exposing legendary, contemporary and emerging artists equally. Tucker adds, “The Board thanks Tiffany Moon for her command through this interim search period as well as the staff for keeping the Academy on a forward trajectory. We feel very lucky to have Pete’s leadership in the next phase of the Academy’s growth and presence on the world’s entertainment stage, heading into 2017.”
“Our mission when we started the selection process was to take our time and do it right,” says Duane Clark, ACM Vice President and co-chairman of the CEO selection committee. “We wanted to have a process that was thorough and one that opened the doors so we had every opportunity to find the right candidate. We were very fortunate to have had such a wide range of great candidates and we were all very excited when Pete voiced his interest in the position.” Clark also shared with MusicRow some of the key criteria in filling the position. These traits included someone with leadership experience, TV and entertainment background, the ability to be an ambassador for the Academy and to represent the face and voice of the Academy moving forward. Other important qualities included strong brand awareness and strong partnership management skills.
Fisher will be only the second Chief Executive Officer in the Academy’s 53-year-history. Bob Romeo stepped down from the post in May of 2016 after 13 years at the organization. Prior to that, the Academy was managed day-to-day by Fran Boyd and Bill Boyd, dating back to the Academy’s inception in 1964.
Fisher spoke to MusicRow to discuss his new leadership position with the ACM:
With such a significant career change after many successful years at the Opry, what are you feeling right now?
I am thrilled. My 17 years at the Opry have been extraordinary and I’m so proud of what the team has accomplished during that time and now it’s time to start a new chapter in my career. Industry service and music industry trade organizations have always been a passion of mine and when this opportunity came up, I didn’t hesitate to throw my name in the hat.
What attracted you to the CEO position with the Academy of Country Music?
First of all, I’ve been a board member and a believer of everything the Academy represents since 2003. A few years later, I became a board member of ACM Lifting Lives as well. Throughout my career, I’ve always made it a priority to serve industry organizations. It has been a passion of mine and very fulfilling. When I look at the Academy of Country Music, it’s a perfect alignment with the things I love to do. As CEO, I think I bring the skill sets that will help this organization grow into the future and enjoy new accomplishments and build upon everything that has been accomplished so far.
What have you learned at the Opry that you will be taking with you in this new leadership role?
The Opry has prepared me so well. I am so grateful to people like Colin Reed, Mark Fioravanti and Steve Buchanan for all they have taught me over the years. The Grand Ole Opry is one of the world’s renowned brands so I have developed a great understanding of branded entertainment and brand development. I have been involved in the production of over 300 television shows, specials, DVDs and audio projects. My time at the Opry has fed me an incredible array of relationships throughout the music industry both in Nashville and Los Angeles. I have developed close and sometimes personal relationships with almost all of the artists in the country music industry. The Opry is a showcase for the entire country music artist community so over the years, I have literally grown up with many of those careers and consider many of those artists my friends. Also, being in a corporate environment that the Opry is part of, I learned some incredible ‘best practices’ for how to run a successful organization. I have learned to appreciate the importance of people first, culture second, and strategy third. If you don’t get people and culture right, the best strategy in the world is not going to be executed with success.
Speaking of strategy, are you looking to expand the brand and reach of the ACM?
My first commitment to the organization is to listen and learn from the staff, the board, and from the music industry at large. I want to understand their perceptions of the academy and hear their ideas for what the academy can become. Then we plan to move into a successful awards show in Vegas. Lastly, we will enter into a collaborative strategic planning process with the board, revisit the mission, and create a roadmap to that vision.
After 32 years in Nashville, relocating to Los Angeles is a big move. How will that affect your relationship with Nashville?
My job will be to be as connected as I’ve ever been to Nashville. I really want to increase the presence of the Academy of Country Music in Nashville and also discover what the Academy might be able to bring from the west coast to country music to help broaden and strengthen its reach.
Colin Reed, Chairman and CEO of Ryman Hospitality Properties, released a statement regarding Fisher and the GM/VP position at the Grand Ole Opry. “We are excited for Pete and believe this position is a tremendous opportunity for him, the ACM and our industry,” said Reed. “I feel certain that the Opry will continue to have a great relationship with him in this new capacity. We have begun our search for someone to fill this key role within our organization and will have more to share once we have identified that individual.”
To send congratulations, you can reach Pete Fisher at pete@acmcountry.com.
Curb Records Promotes Blair Munday To VP, Creative Services
/by Jessica NicholsonBlair Munday
Curb Records has promoted Blair Munday to Vice President, Creative Services. Munday will oversee all aspects of Creative for the label’s country, Christian and pop rosters, and will continue to report to Curb Records Vice President of Marketing, Jeff Tuerff.
Munday has served in the Creative department since joining the company in 2003.
Tuerff says, “Blair’s creativity and passion for her work and the artist roster are a tremendous asset to the Creative department. We are incredibly pleased to recognize her hard work with this well deserved promotion!”
Munday says, “It’s such an honor to work at a company that has a clear vision for its future under the leadership of Jim Ed Norman and Taylor Childress. I am excited about my new role and look forward to continuing to work with Jeff Tuerff. This is an exciting season for our company with a great roster full of young, diverse talent.”
Congratulations can be sent to bmunday@curb.com.
Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban Top Country Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Stapleton. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Webster PR
Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller returns to the top of the country albums rankings this week, with 11K sold. Those numbers put the album topping 1.781 million in sales to date.
Miranda Lambert‘s The Weight Of These Wings is at No. 2 with 7.8K sold. Keith Urban‘s Ripcord lands at No. 3, with 7.7K sold, followed by Blake Shelton‘s If I’m Honest at No. 4, with 7.5k sold. Jason Aldean‘s They Don’t Know is at No. 5 with 6.2K.
Garth Brooks‘ Ultimate Hits remains in the top spot on the Country catalog chart, selling 4.7K this week, for total sales of 2.648 million.
Overall album sales are down 15.2 percent year to date, while overall digital album sales are down 16.9 percent year to date. Country album sales have decreased 1.8 percent, while country digital album sales declined 15.1 percent year to date.
Keith Urban
On the digital track sales chart, Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” remains in the top slot, with 32K sold, for a total of 692K to date. Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” is at No. 2, with 26K, while Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots” lands at No. 3, with 21K. Florida Georgia Line‘s “May We All” featuring Tim McGraw is at No. 4, with 19K, while Little Big Town‘s 2015 hit “Girl Crush” remains in the Top 5 this week with 18K sold, following last week’s return to the chart.
Brantley Gilbert‘s “Outlaw In Me” debuts at No. 29 country (No. 119 overall), with 7K sold.
Overall track sales have declined 25.7 percent year to date, while country track sales have decreased 26.1 percent YTD.
Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.
Rezonant Music Publishing Appoints Rebekah Gordon As VP, Creative
/by Jessica NicholsonRebekah Gordon
Rebekah Gordon joins the staff of Rezonant Music Publishing as Vice President, Creative, according to an announcement from Tim Wipperman, the company’s CEO and founding partner.
In her new role at Rezonant, Gordon will create and explore opportunities for the writers and their works, as well as the catalog of Rezonant Music songs. She will also focus on new writer and artist development.
Gordon has been involved in the Nashville music community for nearly a dozen years, having most recently worked as Director of A&R at Warner Music Nashville. Outside of the Nashville community, she oversaw the A&R direction of Jimmy Fallon’s comedy album Blow Your Pants Off, as well as the soundtrack for the major motion picture, Footloose.
“Rebekah has a reputation in town for getting things done, and that fits perfectly with the Rezonant culture,” Wipperman said. “Our company is entering this new year with tremendous excitement about the team and the talented writers we have signed.”
Gordon can be reached at rebekah@rezonantmusic.com.