CRS 2017 Adds Director Of Amazon Music As Featured Speaker

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Ryan Redington

Country Radio Seminar 2017 will welcome Director of Amazon Music, Ryan Redington, as a featured speaker. Redington will speak on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at 9 a.m. and will discuss the approach Amazon uses through their services and consumer relations.

Throughout his time at Amazon, Redington has overseen the launch of two Amazon Music streaming services—Amazon Music Unlimited in October 2016 and Prime Music in June 2014. Redington also spearheaded Amazon’s exclusive deal with Garth Brooks, to bring the country superstar’s music catalog to streaming for the first time. Redington began his Amazon career working on the video team, before joining music where he worked as a category leader in physical before digital and streaming.

“Ryan will be providing us a very candid, unique look inside the intellectual perspective of one of the country’s most innovative retailers, products, and consumer services,” said Bill Mayne, Executive Director of CRS. “This is an hour at CRS not to miss!”

Registration for Country Radio Seminar 2017 increases to $699 this Friday, Jan. 13. Individuals who have not registered, but are planning to attend, are encouraged to register today at the $599 rate, which is a $100 savings, at countryradioseminar.com.

SOURCE Nashville Names 2017 Board of Directors

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Pictured (Front row, L-R): Mandy Gallagher (City National Bank), Christy Walker-Watkins (AristoPR/TheAristoMedia Group), Alicia Lanier Jones (Dennis Entertainment); Back row (L-R): Camilla Kleindienst (Banner Music), Susan Woelkers (GW Entertainment), Shelia Shipley Biddy (Music Health Alliance), Gail Childress (Sussman & Associates). Not pictured: Board member Melinda Drennan.

Nashville-based music industry organization SOURCE Nashville recently completed elections for its 2017 Board of Directors.

This year’s Board Officers are Christy Walker-Watkins (AristoPR/The AristoMedia Group), President; Mandy Gallagher (City National Bank), Vice President; Melinda Drennan (Drennan & Associates), Treasurer and Susan Woelkers (GW Entertainment), Secretary.

Additional Board representatives are 2016 SOURCE Board President, Shelia Shipley Biddy (Music Health Alliance), Katherine Spransy Beakes (Universal Music Group), Gail Childress (Sussman & Associates), Camilla Kleindienst (Banner Music), and Alicia Lanier Jones (Dennis Entertainment).

Lainie Allbee (Martin, Allbee & Associates, LLC.), Laurie Hughes (Hughes Kessler), and Lyndie Wenner (MSO PR) continue as long-term directors for the organization. Wendi York (Major Bob Music, Inc.) will serve as an auxiliary Board member.

Exits Announced As Show Dog Restructures

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Show Dog Nashville has announced the exiting of five staffers as the label streamlines it operations to focus on expanding social and traditional media, social media marketing, digital streaming services as well as radio.

General Manager George Nunes, East Coast Promotion Director Jean Williams, Southeast Promotion Director Chris Waters, West Coast Promotion Director Dave Dame, and Promotion Coordinator Katie Kettelhut have exited. They can be reached at the information below:

 

General Manager, George Nunes, george.nunes1@gmail.com

East Coast Promotion Director, Jean Williams, mattandjeanw@gmail.com

Southeast Promotion Director, Chris Waters, getchriswaters@icloud.com

West Coast Promotion Director, Dave Dame, davedame@pacbell.net

Promotion Coordinator, Katie Kettelhut, Kmkettelhut@gmail.com

Vice President, Promotion Rick Moxley will stay on at the label, and can be reached at rick.moxley@showdogmail.com.

Jake Owen Signs With WME

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Jake Owen

Jake Owen has signed with WME for agency representation in all areas, including music, television, endorsements and more. The change is made from Dale Morris & Associates after a recent switch in management from Morris Higham Management to Good Company Entertainment with former Sony Music executive Keith Gale.

The RCA Nashville recording artist had six No. 1 singles to date – including the recent summer anthem, “American Country Love Song” as well as the Double Platinum-certified “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and Platinum-certified “Beachin’,” “Anywhere with You,” “Alone with You” and “The One That Got Away.”

His fifth studio album, American Love, includes his current single, “If He Ain’t Gonna Love You.”

Additionally, the avid golfer with a 2 handicap, Owen is set to receive the Arnie Award (named after the late Arnold Palmer) in February as part of Golf Digest’s “Golfers Who Give Back” event during the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. His work includes establishing the Jake Owen Foundation, which has raised over $1.4 million dollars to date for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital and local children’s charities in his home state’s Indian River County area.

Angaleena Presley to Release Second Solo CD in April

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Angaleena Presley is set to release her second solo outing, Wrangled, on Mining Light Music/Thirty Tigers April 21st. Produced by Presley and Oran Thornton, the project features 12 tracks, all of which were co-written by Presley.

A highlight of the album is a song Presley penned with dear friend Guy Clark, “Cheer Up Little Darling.” The tune is the last song Clark completed before his death, and features Shawn Camp playing Clark’s No. 10 guitar and his mandola, which Clark had been learning to play during the last year of his life.

The new CD is the followup to Presley’s acclaimed 2014 CD American Middle Class. 

Artist Updates: Cyndi Lauper, Sundance Head, Ricky Skaggs

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Cyndi Lauper Set For Austin City Limits Debut

Cyndi Lauper will make her debut performance on Austin City Limits (ACL) on Saturday, Jan. 14 on PBS. She will perform songs from her 2016 country project Detour, which features collaborations with artists Emmylou Harris, Vince Gill, Willie Nelson, Alison Krauss and more.

To see Lauper’s performance of “Heartaches By The Number,” watch below:

YouTube video

 

Sundance Head To Join Blake Shelton Tour

Sundance Head, Photo: NBC.com

The Voice coach Blake Shelton has added Season 11 champion Sundance Head to his 2017 Doing It To Country Songs tour. Also performing on the 13-date run is Season 2 contestant and Shelton’s labelmate RaeLynn, making this tour Shelton’s most Voice-packed endeavor yet.

“I’m excited to get back out on the road and bring new music from If I’m Honest, some previous hits and a few surprises,” said Shelton. “Having RaeLynn on the tour again is terrific, and I’m thrilled Sundance is joining and bringing his incredible musical talents.”

“I’m just elated and really excited about being able to perform with a great entertainer and learn something from him while I’m on the road. It’s going to be the most fun thing I’ve ever done,” added Head.

Ricky Skaggs, Bruce Hornsby Team For Tour

Ricky Skaggs, his band Kentucky Thunder and pianist/songwriter Bruce Hornsby will blend mountain music and Hornsby’s piano-based songs as part of a six-city tour in 2017. The tour launches Feb. 26 in Tarrytown, New York, and stops in Pennsylvania, New Jersey and Delaware.

“I always get excited when I know I’m gonna get to tour with my good friend Bruce Hornsby,” says Skaggs. “Fireworks always happen!”

Hornsby adds, “The level of virtuosity required to play bluegrass music with Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder requires a good deal of practice; I always have to prepare a good deal, practicing with the metronome at break-neck speed, crazy tempos, to be able to hang with those guys.”

2017 “Ricky Skaggs & Bruce Hornsby with Kentucky Thunder” Tour Dates:

Feb. 26: Tarrytown, NY – Tarrytown Music Hall
Feb. 27: Red Bank, NJ – Count Basie Theatre
March 1: Brookville, NY – Tilles Center for the Performing Arts
March 3: Lancaster, PA – American Music Theatre
March 4: Wilmington, DE – The Grand Opera House, Copeland Hall
March 5: Verona, NY – Turning Stone Resort & Casino at The Showroom

DISClaimer: Dwight Yoakam Returns To ‘Grass Roots on New CD

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Dwight Yoakam

To refresh your head and restore your spirit, I recommend a stroll through the field of bluegrass.

The sounds of The Infamous Stringdusters, of Jerry Salley, of Kristin Scott Benson with Claire Lynch, of Jeff White and of Adam Steffey will greet you on your journey like kindly companions. Lend all of them your ears.

Our Disc of the Day belongs to Dwight Yoakam. His debut bluegrass collection is a perfect fit for his singing and songwriting. The DisCovery Award goes to Volume Five. The band’s album is called Drifter, and it’s a winner.

 

BRYAN SUTTON/The More I Learn
Writer: Bryan Sutton; Producer: Byran Sutton; Publisher: Deepwood BMI, Sugar Hill (track)
-Sutton has entered the top-30 on the bluegrass chart with this title tune of his current CD. His gentle, rippling guitar work is matched by his tender, soft vocal delivery of this philosophical ditty. This goes down smooth and easy.

DWIGHT YOAKAM/These Arms
Writer: Dwight Yoakam; Publisher: ƒigs D/Bicycle, BMI; Producers: Gary Paczosa, Jon Randall Stewart & Dwight Yoakam; Sugar Hill (track)
-Flatt Lonesome’s rendition of Dwight’s oldie “You’re the One” led its being named Song of the Year at the IBMA awards. So his releasing a bluegrass collection couldn’t be more timely. It’s called Swimmin’ Pools, Movie Stars and contains this sprightly, tuneful reworking of his 1998 country single. Davey Faragher’s tenor harmony voice and Stuart Duncan’s greased-lightning fiddle work compliment the star’s performance brilliantly. The collection also contains Dwight’s fabulous bluegrass version of Prince’s “Purple Rain,” by the way.

JEFF WHITE/Run Little Rabbit Run
Writer: David Akeman; Publisher: Fort Knox, BMI; Producer: Jeff White; JW (track)
-This is an old Stringbean tune, given a sizzling, mountain-wildfire arrangement by White and his sellar cohorts Charlie Cushman, Michael Cleveland, Vince Gill and Barry Bales, with a harmony-vocal assist from Shawn Camp. It’s at No. 11 and rising fast on the current bluegrass hit parade. Hot stuff.

THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS/Gravity
Writers: The Infamous Stringdusters; Publisher: The Infamous Stringdusters, BMI; Producer: The Infamous Stringdusters & Billy Hume; Compass (track)
-This ridiculously gifted group is sort of a fusion of bluegrass and jam-band styles. Billed as “The Future of Bluegrass,” the band drops its new Laws of Gravity collection tomorrow (Jan. 13). This enchanting track captures how deeply involving this act’s music can be. It’s a swooning dream that mixes fluid vocals with a stirring, complex instrumental smoke cloud. Essential listening.

YouTube video

MAC WISEMAN/I Sang the Song
Writer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Producer: none listed; Mountain Fever
-At age 91, this Bluegrass Hall of Fame member continues to amaze. The title tune of his latest collection is nothing short of his life story in one elegant lyric. He’s called “The Voice with a Heart” with good reason.

TRINITY RIVER BAND/Come Back Train
Writer: Jerry Salley/Cassidy Lynn Alexander; Publisher: none listed; Producer: Joshua Harris & Sarah Harris; Orange Blossom
-This family band is celebrating its 10th album, Things We Do For Dreams. This single from it has just entered the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. The song is as cool as the breeze. Alas, there’s not a vocalist in the group who’s electrifying enough to truly bring it life.

ADAM STEFFEY/Dear John
Writers: Aubrey A. Gass/Tex Ritter; Publisher: Tex Ritter, ASCAP; Producer: Adam Steffey; Mountain Home
-This East Tennessee native is one of the bluegrass genre’s hottest mandolin pickers. His warm mountain baritone croons this 1951 Hank Williams oldie with ease, and his dazzling fingers do the rest of the work. The track is new this month on the bluegrass chart. It comes from his CD Here to Stay.

KRISTIN SCOTT BENSON AND CLAIRE LYNCH/When Fall Comes to New England
Writer: Cheryl Wheeler; Publisher: Penrod And Higgins/Amachrist, ASCAP; Producer: Kristin Scott Benson; Mountain Home
-Benson is the banjo player in The Grascals. On her solo CD, Stringworks, you’ll find this lilting little slice of paradise. The divine Claire Lynch sings lead while the banjo wizard conjures her instrumental magic. Lynch, by the way, has her own new CD, North By South. More on that in another column.

YouTube video

 

VOLUME FIVE/I Am A Drifter
Writers: Donna Ulisse/Marc Rossi; Publisher: Uncle Hadley/Marc My Words, ASCAP; Producer: Volume Five & Aaron Ramsey; Mountain Fever
-These relative newcomers have entered the bluegrass top-10 with this wandering-boy song. They sound like they have it all going on — a yearning, melancholy, soulful lead singer backed with the silvery fiddle of a crack, five-piece acoustic ensemble. Stardom awaits these guys.

JERRY SALLEY/All Dressed Up
Writers: Jerry Salley/Dianne Wilkinson; Publisher: Den What/Christian Taylor, SESAC/BMI; Producer: Jerry Salley; Very Jerry (track)
-Singer-songwriter Jerry Salley has issued his first bluegrass-gospel CD, Gospel From My Grassroots. It contains his heart-in-throat performance of this cowritten tale of a simple man who is headed for Heaven. Joe Mullins & The Radio Ramblers won an IBMA Award last fall for their version of the song. For extra treats on Jerry’s collection, check out the triple harmonizing on Jerry’s rousing “Mountain View Missionary Baptist Church,” Steven Curtis Chapman’s guest turn on their cowritten classic “His Strength Is Perfect,” bluegrass queen Dale Ann Bradley’s gossamer voice on “Send the Angels Down” and the thrilling, gospel-quartet tune “The Cross on the Right.”

Maria Pallante Joins Association Of American Publishers

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Maria Pallante

The Association of American Publishers (AAP) has hired former United States Register of Copyrights, Maria A. Pallante, as its President and CEO, succeeding Tom Allen who is retiring from the same position. Pallante will join AAP on Jan. 17, 2017.

Pallante exited her role leading the U.S. Copyright Office on Oct. 29, 2016 after five years when she was reassigned in October 2016 by new Librarian of Congress Carla Hayden. Pallante resigned after declining the offer of a new role as digital strategy consultant. Pallante was regarded by the music community as being compassionate to artists and songwriters.

“Maria is a creative, forward-thinking leader who has earned the deep respect of Members of Congress as well as intellectual property experts around the world,” said YS Chi, Chairman of the AAP Board of Directors. “The Board believes she is an excellent choice for President and CEO as she brings to AAP considerable expertise in many of the issues facing the publishing industry.”

“I am deeply inspired by the values of the American publishing industry,” Pallante said. “Publishers promote literature, literacy, education, and research around the world, while advocating for free speech, creating jobs, and making considerable contributions to the global marketplace. It will be a privilege to represent these interests in matters of policy, trade and business.”

During her tenure at the U.S. Copyright Office, Pallante was a key advisor to the U.S. Congress, working with lawmakers to evaluate the efficacy and balance of the Copyright Act and to address issues at the intersection of law, business, and technology. Pallante and her staff produced policy studies, legislative recommendations, and strategic plans, working with a vast stakeholder community and thousands of public comments.

Prior to her appointment as Register, Pallante held two senior positions in the U.S. Copyright Office: Deputy General Counsel (2007–2008) and Associate Register and Director of Policy and International Affairs (2008–2010). From 1999 to 2007, she was intellectual property counsel and director of licensing and branding for the worldwide network of Guggenheim Museums, headquartered in New York. Earlier in her career, she worked briefly for the Authors Guild and National Writers Union, respectively, and was in private practice in Washington, DC.

Mike Sebastian Exits Given Music Publishing

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given-music-publishingVP/General Manager Mike Sebastian and Given Music Publishing have amicably agreed to part ways as of Jan. 31, 2017. The company was founded in 2014 by Cindy Owen and Jim Kacmarcik.

“I’ve enjoyed starting and growing this company with Cindy and Jim. I wish them all the best in their future endeavors. I’m looking forward to pursuing other opportunities,” said Sebastian.

Owen added, “We are grateful to Mike for his contribution in launching this division of our company. We will be cheering him on as he pursues his next chapter.”

Sebastian can be reached at mike.sebastian64@comcast.net or 615-430-2491.

Owen can be reached at cindy@givenentertainment.com or 615-490-3973.

Performer Lineup Revealed For Sundance ASCAP Music Café

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ASCAP_Logo_Horizontal_wTagline_Compact_Black

ASCAP’s 19th annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café will run from Jan. 20-27 at Rich Haines Gallery during the 2017 Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah. ASCAP performances will begin each day at 2 p.m.

Featured performers at the 2017 Sundance ASCAP Music Café include: Peter Bradley Adams, Michael Franti, Rooney, Clare Bowen (of CMT’s Nashville) and Café alum Josh Kelley.

A special “Bluebird Café Series” lineup on Jan. 25-26 will include JT Harding, Rivers Rutherford, and rising artist Brett Young. Also on the schedule are Wilder Adkins, The Album Leaf, Zac Clark, Lee DeWyze, Fantastic Negrito, Brent Faiyaz, Jim and Sam, Andy Shauf, Niia, SadGirl, R.LUM.R, Jack Savoretti, Antonique Smith, Southern Avenue, Nakhane Touré (from the film The Wound), Ernst Reijseger (from the film Walking Out), and Marlon Williams.

In addition, an invitation-only ASCAP Composer-Filmmaker Cocktail Party, a networking time for music creators and film makers, will take place on Tuesday, Jan. 24.

ASCAP Assistant Vice President and Sundance ASCAP Music Café producer Loretta Muñoz commented, “For 19 years, ASCAP and Sundance Institute have shared a unique, enduring vision dedicated to the discovery, development and support of great art and the artists who create it. The Sundance ASCAP Music Café honors that vision by highlighting some of our incredibly talented ASCAP members while celebrating music’s essential role in the art of filmmaking. The Music Café continues to be a highlight of our year. We welcome Sundance Film Festival filmmakers and festival-goers to stop by, experience and discover.”