United Record Pressing. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

United Record Pressing (URP) has left its historic facility in the Wedgewood-Houston neighborhood to expand, according to a social media post.

The company is moving operations to its new 142,000-square-foot facility located on Allied Drive in South Nashville. The new facility was purchased in 2014.

The move was expected, but the status of the 1962 factory has long been up in the air.

URP commented the Chestnut Street location will be preserved.

“We love our Chestnut Street location and have every intention to honor and preserve it,” URP responded. “However, as we respond to our customers’ requests for greater capacity, high quality, quick turnarounds, and outstanding customer service, we’re excited to introduce our new modern facility to the world. We will resume production and normal business hours on January 3, 2017.”

The company, which opened in 1949, had the capacity to manufacture more than 30,000 vinyl units per day in the old location. Since its opening, that two-building, 65,000-square-foot site served not only to press records, but accommodate top artists and clients, such as Vee Jay Records and Motown, having been run by people of color. URP created what we now call the “Motown Suite,” an apartment located above the factory.

Plant tours were put on hold in August 2016, having offered guests a peek into the history of those suites. Frozen in time were the same novel 60’s furnishings, dinette sets, and phone books that these label execs and artists were offered. Original “mother” disc archives were also cataloged at the site.

December 22th was the last work day for the facility. Many of the 22 presses, now out of production, have been moved to the new facility.

“It’s a bitter-sweet thing to leave this place, but we’re excited for the expansion where we can continue to make vinyl records like we have been since 1949,” said a statement from URP on social media.

In a little more than two weeks after the wildfires that spread across Sevier County, Tennessee, Dolly Parton and the Dollywood Foundation’s My People Fund has distributed its first round of cash assistance for 884 families who lost their primary residence (renters and homeowners).

In part, the fund was supported by Smoky Mountains Rise: A Benefit for the My People Fund telethon on Tuesday, Dec. 13. Thanks to generous people from coast to coast and Parton’s friends, the total amount raised during the event has climbed to $9.3 million.

“It’s a blessing during this holiday season that we are able to help as many families as we have so far,” Parton said. “We know there are more families out there who need our help and we encourage them to be in contact with us before our January distribution.”

More than 1,300 families are said to have been displaced during the tragedy. A pre-application for those affected is available at dollywoodfoundation.org.

“As, Dolly said, the response has been overwhelming,” David Dotson, Dollywood Foundation President said. “We will distribute all $9.3 million to the families affected. That will insure all of the money raised will go to where Dolly promised it would go.”

The next distribution is Jan. 26 and 27, 2017 at the LeConte Events Center in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee.

InDo, Richlyn Marketing, First Note Play Raise Money For Dolly Parton’s My People Fund

A holiday party on Dec. 15 hosted by InDo, Richlyn Marketing and First Note Play raised $6,751 for Dolly Parton’s My People Fund. Bose provided sound and Nantahala Brewing Company provided craft beer for the jam-packed party.

The party featured music from Jamie Kent, Andrew Leahey, Anthony Peebles, Will Thompson, Ross Livermore, and Jenny Tolman.

“We are thrilled by the response from our colleagues, friends, and co-sponsors in joining together for this great holiday jam to raise money for Dolly’s My People Fund,” said Kate Richardson of InDo Nashville and Richlyn Marketing.

Charlie Worsham Launches Scholarship Fund

Charlie Worsham

Charlie Worsham recently hosted the first annual Follow Your Heart Scholarship Fund Gala in his hometown of Grenada, Mississippi. Worsham has partnered with the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to provide a scholarship for youth to achieve great things in the arts.

The first gala raised approximately $40,000. For more, visit crowdrise.com.

Operation Troop Aid Honors David Ball

Mark Woods honors David Ball

David Ball was recently honored by Operation Troop Aid and presented with the 2016 Operation Troop Aid Chris Kyle “Patriot Award.”

Recognized for his unwavering and impassioned support of, and contributions to, the United States Armed Forces and their families, the Grammy Award winning country music recording artist was formally honored at his annual Christmas show, which was held on Dec. 16 at Puckett’s Grocery in Franklin, Tennessee.

“In several years over, David and his band have dedicated their time and talents to perform at numerous shows for the benefit of Troop Aid, raising crucial funding needed to send care packages to our troops,” said Operation Troop Aid Founder Mark Woods. “David’s artistry, legacy of family and Spirit of Patriotism is exactly the reason this award exists.”

“These young men and women work so hard for us; we want them to know we’re thinking about them. I am very honored to represent this award,” said Ball.

The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group has acquired SpinMedia’s music assets including Spin, Vibe, and Stereogum.

With the acquisition comes news that SpinMedia CEO Stephen Blackwell will be named Chief Strategy Officer of the newly acquired company, to oversee revenue, digital growth and product.

According to a release, the acquisition will boost the Media Group’s revenues to more than $100 million a year, two-thirds of which will come from digital and video.

SPIN magazine became fully digital in late 2012, after BuzzMedia acquired the 27-year-old publication and rebranded it as SpinMedia. It bought the hip-hop and R&B magazine VIBE and its digital properties the following year, growing its footprint in music and entertainment.

“In recent years, we set out to own the topic of music online, and the acquisition of these incredible music assets helps us do just that,” said Media Group co-president John Amato. “By making these brands part of our family, The Hollywood Reporter-Billboard Media Group will be able to fully capture the value of millennials and music, and continue to strengthen its leadership position in this critical arena.”

“Bringing in these historic brands under Billboard allows passionate music audiences to enjoy rock to urban to pop in one massive portfolio,” said Media Group co-president Janice Min. “The power and scale of these combined, complementary digital assets will deliver more ways to reach our audience through TV, video, live events, social and online through these brands.”

Sturgill Simpson will take the stage as Saturday Night Live‘s first musical performer for 2017. He will perform during SNL‘s Jan. 14 episode.

He follows country artist Maren Morris‘ recent performance on Saturday Night Live, where she performed her hits “My Church” and “’80s Mercedes” during the Dec. 10th episode. In April, fellow Nashville artist Margo Price made her debut appearance on Saturday Night Live,  performing “Hurtin’ (On the Bottle)” and “Since You Put Me Down.”

Both Simpson and Morris are nominated for multiple honors during the upcoming 59th annual Grammy Awards on Feb. 12. Sturgill is nominated in the all-genre Album of the Year category (for A Sailor’s Guide to Earth), as well as for Best Country Album for the same project.

Morris is nominated in the all-genre Best New Artist category, as well as for Best Country Solo Performance (“My Church”), Best Country Song (“My Church”), and Best Country Album (Hero).