BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 550
Back Row: P.K. Subban, Mike Smardak, Rod Essig. Front Row: Doc McGhee, Randy Travis and Scott Hamilton attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala at the Hermitage Hotel on November 9, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
The warmth of the NATD Honors gala is surpassed only by the elegant hospitality of its setting.
The sixth annual Nashville Association of Talent Directors banquet took place on Wednesday evening (Nov. 9) at the 1910-era beaux arts masterpiece The Hermitage Hotel. The honorees were new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Randy Travis, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell, Olympic Gold Medal figure skater and philanthropist Scott Hamilton, Nashville Predators hockey hotshot P.K. Subban, CAA’s Rod Essig, manager Doc McGhee and Outback Concert impresario Michael Smardak.
Roughly 150 party goers gathered in the historic hotel’s stunning lobby beneath its stained-glass ceiling to sip cocktails and sample beef-wellington bites. Then they reconvened in the ballroom, surrounded by wood-paneled walls and historic portraits, lit by its breathtaking, turn-of-the-century chandeliers.
“Everybody really seems to love the vibe, so we haven’t moved,” said NATD president Steve Tolman of the gala’s spectacular venue. As always, the presentations were illustrated with video vignettes. This year, the event added musical presentations.
Pictured (L-R): John McBride, Honoree Rod Essig, Martina McBride and Charlie Brusco attend The 2016 NATD Honor at the Hermitage Hotel on November 9, 2016. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
These began with John Cowan offering a spine-tingling rendition of Russell’s “A Song for You.” He recalled that when he was in New Grass Revival, the group spent three years on the road opening for Russell.
“He treated us with so much deference and respect,” said Cowan. “He’s had a gigantic career as a composer, as a pianist, as an entertainer.”
Russell’s daughters Honey and Coco accepted. “If he could be here tonight, he would be honored,” said Honey. “Without you, his family and friends, he wouldn’t be recovering from surgery as well as he is.”
Banquet music was provided by harpist Deanna Loveland. She is also the reigning Mrs. Tennessee. The NATD presented a check for $1,000 to her foundation that aids young women and girls.
Honoree Scott Hamilton and Chaz Corzine attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
John Huie gave Smardak his NATD honor. Outback is regarded as one of the top-five concert companies in the world, and Smardak was the man behind the wildly successful Blue Collar Comedy tour.
“He’s got the biggest heart of anyone you’ll ever know,” said Huie of the honoree. “I want to thank all the hard-working people who work every day at Outback,” responded the modest Smardak.
Charlie Brusco saluted Essig. “I work with agents a lot,” said Brusco. “The relationship that Rod and I have is unbelievable.” Martina McBride presented the NATD accolade.
“I am thrilled to be the one to be presenting Rod with this award,” she said, “to add another memory to our list.”
Honoree Scott Hamilton, Mallory Corzine and Chaz Corzine attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
“It’s so incredible to get up every day and do what you want to do,” said Essig. “As my father always said, ‘Put a song in your heart and a smile on your face, treat people like you want to be treated, and you’re going to have a good life.’”
The next musical presentation came from new Warner hit maker Michael Ray. He said he was nervous singing in front of Travis, but it didn’t show in his masterful delivery of “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Deeper Than the Holler” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
“Randy Travis, you’re one of the best country singers this planet has ever seen,” said Ray, who was clearly in awe of his idol.
“Randy Travis, I love you – and that’s the way it is,” said Marty Stuart in making the NATD presentation. “I’m talking about the guy who stole the show at the CMA’s with one word, ‘Amen.’”
“Through it all, Randy has remained quietly dignified,” said the star’s wife Mary Davis Travis. “He doesn’t get discouraged. He doesn’t give up.” The star is slowly recovering his speech lost in a massive 2013 stroke.
Singer/Songwriter Michael Ray, Honoree NHL Nashville Predators P.K. Subban, Honoree Singer/Songwriter Randy Travis and Olympian Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Mallory Corzine is a Lipscomb University student who is a brain-tumor survivor. She aims to have a career helping children at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis. Tolman and Tony Conway presented her with a $5,000 scholarship check.
Pete Weber, the voice of the Nashville Predators, praised the team’s new star defenseman, Subban, for his many philanthropic endeavors. “I get to come to a city with amazing people,” said Subban, who arrived in June as the result of one of the NHL’s biggest deals in history. “It’s inspiring to be here. I want to win a Stanley Cup and bring it down Broadway.”
Hamilton’s award was presented by Chaz Corzine. The skater, author, speaker, TV personality and humanitarian recently announced the recurrence of his brain tumor. He has long been a champion of cancer charities and is co-hosting a benefit at Bridgestone on Nov. 20 starring Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Jewel, Ben Rector and Sara Evans, plus a bevy of skating stars.
“I hope you’ll all join me in my dream to change cancer forever,” said Hamilton to the NATD crowd. “Thank you, Nashville, for embracing me so dearly. This is an amazing recognition.”
“It’s universal: The world loves Scott Hamilton,” said Chaz Corzine. “You’ve done more good for more people than anyone I know.”
Honoree Randy Travis and Singer/Songwriter Michael Ray. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Legendary, colorful manager McGhee was saluted by John Esposito. “He tells it like it is, no matter who is in the room,” said Espo of his longtime friend. “Doc is a force of nature to be reckoned with.”
“This is a real honor for me, because it comes from Nashville,” said McGhee. “They thought I would never make it here. I love this city.”
The NATD Honors gala was ably co-hosted by radio great Shawn Parr and WKRN Channel 2 news anchor Stephanie Langston. They entertained such attendees as Bebe Evans, Robert Frye, Robert Williams, Randi Perkins, Ray Shelide, Jerry Helper, Terry Crisp, David Corlew, Moore & Moore, Bonnie Sugarman, Scott Brown, Steve Lassiter, Jeff Davis, Rick Diamond, Zach Farnum, Judy Seale, Kirt Webster, Tinti Moffatt and Andrew Harwell.
The Hermitage Hotel hospitality extended to an excellent menu. Beet, carrot and radish salad was followed by medium-rare beef medallions, asparagus spears and whipped potatoes with a finale dessert of coconut cake with a generous dollop of whipped cream topped by coconut sprinkles.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: 2016 NATD Honors Gala
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 550
Back Row: P.K. Subban, Mike Smardak, Rod Essig. Front Row: Doc McGhee, Randy Travis and Scott Hamilton attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala at the Hermitage Hotel on November 9, 2016 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
The warmth of the NATD Honors gala is surpassed only by the elegant hospitality of its setting.
The sixth annual Nashville Association of Talent Directors banquet took place on Wednesday evening (Nov. 9) at the 1910-era beaux arts masterpiece The Hermitage Hotel. The honorees were new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Randy Travis, Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell, Olympic Gold Medal figure skater and philanthropist Scott Hamilton, Nashville Predators hockey hotshot P.K. Subban, CAA’s Rod Essig, manager Doc McGhee and Outback Concert impresario Michael Smardak.
Roughly 150 party goers gathered in the historic hotel’s stunning lobby beneath its stained-glass ceiling to sip cocktails and sample beef-wellington bites. Then they reconvened in the ballroom, surrounded by wood-paneled walls and historic portraits, lit by its breathtaking, turn-of-the-century chandeliers.
“Everybody really seems to love the vibe, so we haven’t moved,” said NATD president Steve Tolman of the gala’s spectacular venue. As always, the presentations were illustrated with video vignettes. This year, the event added musical presentations.
Pictured (L-R): John McBride, Honoree Rod Essig, Martina McBride and Charlie Brusco attend The 2016 NATD Honor at the Hermitage Hotel on November 9, 2016. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
These began with John Cowan offering a spine-tingling rendition of Russell’s “A Song for You.” He recalled that when he was in New Grass Revival, the group spent three years on the road opening for Russell.
“He treated us with so much deference and respect,” said Cowan. “He’s had a gigantic career as a composer, as a pianist, as an entertainer.”
Russell’s daughters Honey and Coco accepted. “If he could be here tonight, he would be honored,” said Honey. “Without you, his family and friends, he wouldn’t be recovering from surgery as well as he is.”
Banquet music was provided by harpist Deanna Loveland. She is also the reigning Mrs. Tennessee. The NATD presented a check for $1,000 to her foundation that aids young women and girls.
Honoree Scott Hamilton and Chaz Corzine attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
John Huie gave Smardak his NATD honor. Outback is regarded as one of the top-five concert companies in the world, and Smardak was the man behind the wildly successful Blue Collar Comedy tour.
“He’s got the biggest heart of anyone you’ll ever know,” said Huie of the honoree. “I want to thank all the hard-working people who work every day at Outback,” responded the modest Smardak.
Charlie Brusco saluted Essig. “I work with agents a lot,” said Brusco. “The relationship that Rod and I have is unbelievable.” Martina McBride presented the NATD accolade.
“I am thrilled to be the one to be presenting Rod with this award,” she said, “to add another memory to our list.”
Honoree Scott Hamilton, Mallory Corzine and Chaz Corzine attend the 2016 NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
“It’s so incredible to get up every day and do what you want to do,” said Essig. “As my father always said, ‘Put a song in your heart and a smile on your face, treat people like you want to be treated, and you’re going to have a good life.’”
The next musical presentation came from new Warner hit maker Michael Ray. He said he was nervous singing in front of Travis, but it didn’t show in his masterful delivery of “Three Wooden Crosses,” “Deeper Than the Holler” and “Forever and Ever, Amen.”
“Randy Travis, you’re one of the best country singers this planet has ever seen,” said Ray, who was clearly in awe of his idol.
“Randy Travis, I love you – and that’s the way it is,” said Marty Stuart in making the NATD presentation. “I’m talking about the guy who stole the show at the CMA’s with one word, ‘Amen.’”
“Through it all, Randy has remained quietly dignified,” said the star’s wife Mary Davis Travis. “He doesn’t get discouraged. He doesn’t give up.” The star is slowly recovering his speech lost in a massive 2013 stroke.
Singer/Songwriter Michael Ray, Honoree NHL Nashville Predators P.K. Subban, Honoree Singer/Songwriter Randy Travis and Olympian Gold Medalist Scott Hamilton. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Mallory Corzine is a Lipscomb University student who is a brain-tumor survivor. She aims to have a career helping children at St. Jude’s Hospital in Memphis. Tolman and Tony Conway presented her with a $5,000 scholarship check.
Pete Weber, the voice of the Nashville Predators, praised the team’s new star defenseman, Subban, for his many philanthropic endeavors. “I get to come to a city with amazing people,” said Subban, who arrived in June as the result of one of the NHL’s biggest deals in history. “It’s inspiring to be here. I want to win a Stanley Cup and bring it down Broadway.”
Hamilton’s award was presented by Chaz Corzine. The skater, author, speaker, TV personality and humanitarian recently announced the recurrence of his brain tumor. He has long been a champion of cancer charities and is co-hosting a benefit at Bridgestone on Nov. 20 starring Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Jewel, Ben Rector and Sara Evans, plus a bevy of skating stars.
“I hope you’ll all join me in my dream to change cancer forever,” said Hamilton to the NATD crowd. “Thank you, Nashville, for embracing me so dearly. This is an amazing recognition.”
“It’s universal: The world loves Scott Hamilton,” said Chaz Corzine. “You’ve done more good for more people than anyone I know.”
Honoree Randy Travis and Singer/Songwriter Michael Ray. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Legendary, colorful manager McGhee was saluted by John Esposito. “He tells it like it is, no matter who is in the room,” said Espo of his longtime friend. “Doc is a force of nature to be reckoned with.”
“This is a real honor for me, because it comes from Nashville,” said McGhee. “They thought I would never make it here. I love this city.”
The NATD Honors gala was ably co-hosted by radio great Shawn Parr and WKRN Channel 2 news anchor Stephanie Langston. They entertained such attendees as Bebe Evans, Robert Frye, Robert Williams, Randi Perkins, Ray Shelide, Jerry Helper, Terry Crisp, David Corlew, Moore & Moore, Bonnie Sugarman, Scott Brown, Steve Lassiter, Jeff Davis, Rick Diamond, Zach Farnum, Judy Seale, Kirt Webster, Tinti Moffatt and Andrew Harwell.
The Hermitage Hotel hospitality extended to an excellent menu. Beet, carrot and radish salad was followed by medium-rare beef medallions, asparagus spears and whipped potatoes with a finale dessert of coconut cake with a generous dollop of whipped cream topped by coconut sprinkles.
Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood Mine Precious RIAA Metal in October
/by Lorie HollabaughAmong the Nashville artists earning RIAA Gold, Platinum, and multi-Platinum certifications for the month of October are Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Kelsea Ballerini, and Dwight Yoakam.
Multi-Platinum Singles:
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again,” 3x Platinum
Platinum Singles:
Luke Bryan, “Roller Coaster,” “I See You”
Blake Shelton, “Ol Red,” “Doin’ What She Likes”
Gold Singles:
Blake Shelton, “Footloose,” “Kiss My Country Ass,” “Came Here To Forget”
Luke Bryan, “Huntin’, Fishin’, Lovin’ Every Day,” “I See You,” “Roller Coaster,” “Home Alone Tonight”
Multi-Platinum Albums:
Taylor Swift, 1989 6x Platinum
Blake Shelton, Red River Blue (2x Platinum), Based On A True Story (2x Platinum)
Carrie Underwood, Blown Away (2x Platinum), Play On (3x Platinum), Carnival Ride (4x Platinum), Some Hearts (8x Platinum)
Platinum Albums:
Blake Shelton, Bringing Back The Sunshine, Blake Shelton’s Barn And Grill
Dwight Yoakam, The Very Best Of
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller
Gold Albums:
Kelsea Ballerini, The First Time
LifeNotes: Music Industry Veteran Jerry Wayne Flowers Passes
/by Robert K OermannJerry Wayne Flowers
Jerry Wayne Flowers, who spent 30 years as a Music Row executive, has died at age 68.
Flowers is best known for his stints at RCA Records and the Opryland Music Group. In later years, he became known as a local, right-wing political gadfly.
He majored in journalism at Harding University in Searcy, Arkansas. In the late 1970s, he became one of the pioneering Nashville record-label publicists when he was hired by Jerry Bradley at RCA Records. As the company’s publicity director, he facilitated Dolly Parton’s landmark cover story in Playboy magazine.
By 1981, he was RCA’s manager of country artist development. At the time, Flowers urged the company to sign The Judds.
Joe Galante took over the label in 1982. Flowers and the rest of Bradley’s team soon departed the label to be replaced by a Galante-chosen staff.
Next, Flowers was put in charge of the new Nashville office of the Oklahoma-based booking agency The Halsey Company. He was a Halsey vice president in 1984-85.
After Gaylord bought Acuff-Rose Publishing in 1985, Jerry Bradley was put in charge of the newly formed Opryland Music Group. He again hired Flowers, who joined OMG as a vice president in 1987.
While at the publishing company, Jerry Flowers successfully pitched its songwriter, Aaron Tippin, to RCA as a recording artist. He left OMG suddenly in 1997 with neither side commenting on his exodus. Sony-ATV bought the OMG/Acuff-Rose catalog in 2002.
Flowers became a self-employed consultant in intellectual property and marketing by forming The Flowers Group. Around 2002-2003, he became a conservative activist. He founded a Christian group called Nashvillians for a Brighter Future. Flowers particularly focused on being an anti-homosexual rights campaigner.
Despite being a longtime resident of Williamson County, he regularly chastised Nashville’s Metro Human Relations Commission. Flowers was also a frequent opinion-letter contributor to The Tennessean. His most recent targets have included Hillary Clinton’s emails and the Affordable Care Act.
Jerry Wayne Flowers passed away on Nov. 7. He is survived by his wife, Sharon Huff Flowers, son Tyler, daughter Megan Tull, father Pernell Flowers and sisters Donna Barnett and Teresa Burnette.
A celebration of life is scheduled for 4 p.m. on Saturday, Nov. 12, at Williamson Memorial Funeral Home. Visitation will take place two hours prior to the service.
Royalty Exchange Debuts New Hot Hitmakers Chart
/by Lorie HollabaughFor October 2016, Tyler Joseph tops the chart, having penned three tracks for twenty one pilots, including “Cancer,” “Heathens,” and “Ride.” Shane McAnally lands at No. 13, having penned “Different For Girls” (Dierks Bentley ft. Elle King), “Vice” (Miranda Lambert), and “I Met A Girl” (William Michael Morgan). Josh Osborne lands at No. 14 (Kenny Chesney’s “Setting The World On Fire,” Lambert’s “Vice,” and Sam Hunt’s “Make You Miss Me”) while Ross Copperman also makes the Top 20, at No. 18, with Brett Eldredge’s “Wanna Be That Song,” LOCASH’s “I Know Somebody,” and Chesney’s “Setting The World On Fire.”
Royalty Exchange is compiling the chart because it believes songwriters deserve more recognition. The company helps artists and other rightsholders raise money by connecting them to private investors interested in buying royalties and providing royalty advances. Songwriters working with Royalty Exchange have raised over $3 million through auctions this year.
Mike Fiorentino Signs With Spirit/Fluid
/by Lorie HollabaughMike Fiorentino
Mike Fiorentino has signed a publishing deal with Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution.
Since moving to Nashville in 2007, Fiorentino has penned and arranged numerous songs for Hasbro for use in toys, commercials, and network television, founded an independent record label/production team with longtime friend Kyle Cook, guitarist of Matchbox 20, and collaborated with production team Phivestarr writing for artists like Bubba Sparxxx and Colt Ford. He also topped the iTunes chart with “Wasted Love,” performed by The Voice Season 7 runner-up, Matt McAndrew, which also debuted at No. 14 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart.
“It’s such an honor to be working with the entire team at Fluid/Spirit!” Fiorentino said. “Working along side, and learning from Frank Rogers is something every writer/producer dreams of. AJ has been a great friend and champion of mine for several years, and am thrilled to be able to continue working with him.”
“Mike and I have been working together off and on over the past five years and we could not be happier to officially welcome him into the Fluid Music Revolution and Spirit Music Nashville family. We are excited to be a part of this new chapter with Mike,” said AJ Burton, Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution.
DISClaimer: Brad Paisley’s Heart-Tugging “Today” Rises Above
/by Robert K OermannConsidering how good last week’s award show was, I was hoping the country genre would stage a stronger artistic showing this week.
Instead, there is quite a bit of well-polished mediocrity on tap. About half of these singles are routine and/or ordinary.
There are some bright spots, however. Our Disc of the Day belongs to the always reliable Brad Paisley, who is heart-tugging and thoughtful this time around with “Today.” He premiered it on the telecast, and it still sounds good to me.
It’s always a good thing when there are lots of newcomers around. So many, in fact, that I am dividing the DisCovery Award into thirds. The female winner is Kris Bradley. The male prize goes to Brian Milson. And today’s finest newcomer group is the daughter-mother duo I Am.
DONOVAN WOODS/They Don’t Make Anything In That Town
Writers: Donovan Woods; Producer: James Buntin; Publisher: none listed, SOCAN; Meant Well (track)
– This downbeat, piano-and-strings ballad echoes rural desolation and hopelessness. Very, very slow and very, very sad.
THOMAS RHETT/Star of the Show
Writers: Thomas Rhett/Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producers; Joe London, Julian Bunetta, Thomas Rhett; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Cricket on the Line/Brooks County Boy/Sony=ATV/Thankful For This/WB, ASCAP; Valory Music
– Rolling and relaxing. She’s a babe, but doesn’t know it. Fortunately, he’s completely smitten and is all too aware. It’s not exactly what you’d call unforgettable, but it goes down smoothly.
THE BAND STEELE/Tan Lines
Writers: Bo Chandler Steele/Benjamin Burton Rubino; Producer: Bob Burrell/Stacy Stavola; Publishers: FMRG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River (CDX)
– Summer love, bro-country style.
CAM/Half Broke Heart
Writers: Cameron Oches/Luke Laird/Tyler Johnson; Producers: Jeff Bhasker, Luke Laird, Tyler Johnson; Publishers: Marvelous Oak/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/One Year Yesterday/Creative Pulse/These Are Pulse, BMI; Arista/RCA (track)
– She remains a immense vocal charmer. The crunchy track, stacked harmonies and catchy tune are all just right. Plus, the lyric is a clever as all get out. Bop along, with a wink and a smile.
CRYSTAL DAY/Brave
Writers: Tanya Hancheroff/Catt Gravitt/Jerold O’Brian; Producer: Biff Watson; Publishers: none listed; CD
-She sings well, and the production supports her at every turn. The song seems wordy to me.
HUNTER HAYES/Yesterday’s Song
Writers: Hunter Hayes, Barry Dean, Martin Johnson; Producers: Dann Huff, Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal, Ogden Avenue Publishing, Creative Pulse Muisc, Pulse Nation, Be Barry Quiet; ASCAP/BMI; Warner Music Nashville (ERG)
– Rocking away a broken romance. He spits her out like a sour grape. The chorus voices shout along with, “OOoos and Wooooos and Nah-nah-nahs.”
KRIS BRADLEY/We Don’t Paint The Town
Writers: Kris Bradley/Daniel Schwarz; Producers: Daniel Schwarz, Kris Bradley & Jeff Zacharski; Publishers: none listed; KB (track)
– She has a juicy, pert delivery with a spicy attitude. Waking up the next morning remembering only that she had a heck of a time. The twangy, punchy track matches her saucy vocal. A winner.
BRAD PAISLEY/Today
Writers: Brad Paisley, Ashley Gorley and Chris DuBois; Producers: Brad Paisley, Luke Wooten; Publisher: New Sea Gayle Music/S.A.R.L./Songs of Southside Independent Music Publishing/Music of Windswept; ASCAP; Arista (ERG)
– Lost in love, reflective, poetic and pensive. Living in a moment of perfection. You’ll want to hold onto this feeling.
I AM/Strings
Writers: Anna Pearson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: NayeBird, BMI; IAM (track)
– Anna Pearson is a 16-year-old Nashville singer-songwriter who performs around town with her mom, LeNaye Pearson. Their CD features this solo performance about a street performer who makes it big. It is quite well written. I’d keep an eye (and an ear) on this extremely promising kid.
BRIAN MILSON/Gonna Be A Song Someday
Writers: John Ozier/Josh Dorr/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby; Producer: Anthony Smith; Publisher: Ole Purple Cape/Horipro/Round Hill/Ole Red Cape, BMI/ASCAP; First Short Road
– His baritone is warm, robust and super confident. This is a strong, strong entry with a hooky chorus, a pumping production and an undeniable power. Well worth your spins.
Belmont to Open Vintage Instrument Museum Next Spring
/by Lorie HollabaughDoug Howard and George Gruhn hold a 1923 Gibson F-5 Lloyd Loar mandolin, 1960 Les Paul Standard “Burst” electric guitar and 1939 Martin D-45 acoustic guitar that have been donated to Belmont University at Gruhn Guitars in Nashville, Tenn.
Belmont University is opening a new vintage instrument museum in Spring 2017 in the school’s Bunch Library. The museum will feature more than 400 historically significant instruments thanks to the estate of the late Steven Kern Shaw, a collector/philanthropist and the grandson of Broadway composer Jerome Kern, one of America’s most famous composers (“Ol Man River, “The Way You Look Tonight,” “Smoke Gets In Your Eyes”).
The Kern family is gifting the museum with a supporting endowment of $10.5 million, which will enable it to include a performance space where many of the instruments will be played by both visiting musicians and students. Students, faculty and musicians will also be able to borrow some pieces in the collection for recordings and concerts.
George Gruhn, founder of Gruhn Guitars and vintage instrument expert, serves as co-executor of the estate and noted that Mr. Shaw’s will specified his desire that these instruments be donated to an institution capable of properly exhibiting and caring for them, preferably in the Nashville area. Along with conveying the history and design of these instruments, the new museum will be interactive, bringing new life and music to these unique, irreplaceable guitars and mandolins rather than merely displaying them behind glass.
Gruhn and New York-based attorney Andy Boose are co-executors of the estate, and they will serve as part of a seven-member advisory board that also includes recording artist Vince Gill and Belmont administrators. The board will oversee the management of the collection.
Future plans for the museum may include audio/video recordings for the displays, an annual concert series, and the development of archived recordings featuring the instruments.
The Shaw collection consists primarily of iconic 20th century American-made guitars and mandolins, including:
In Pictures: ‘CMA Country Christmas’
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley and Chris Young. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
While most people in the United States were glued to their computers and television sets for the latest presidential election updates on Tuesday evening (Nov. 8), several top artists were getting into the Christmas spirit at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry house.
Kelsea Ballerini, Kelly Clarkson, Andra Day, Brett Eldredge, Amy Grant, Loretta Lynn, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Trisha Yearwood and Chris Young were among the artists performing Christmas standards and new classics during the taping of CMA Country Christmas.
Jennifer Nettles returned for a seventh year as host and performing songs from her new BMLG holiday project, To Celebrate Christmas. She performed with two of the evening’s fellow entertainers, Idina Menzel and Andra Day.
Rascal Flatts offered “Hark The Herald Angels Sing,” while Musgraves performed barefoot while singing “Mele Kalikimaka.” Eldredge performed three holiday standards, including “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas,” and “Oh Holy Night.”
CMA Country Christmas airs Nov. 28 at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.
Kelsea Ballerini. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Brett Eldredge. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Andra Day. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Jordan Smith. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Songkick Partners With Shazam
/by Jessica Nicholson“In partnering with Songkick to create this new offering, we are able to further connect the dots from discovery to fandom that make up a strong artist-to-fan relationship,” said Shazam’s Chief Product Officer Fabio Santini via a statement.
“The moment of discovery is such an important time to educate the fan about a show,” said Matt Jones, CEO of Songkick, in a statement. “I’m proud to say we’ve built a technology platform that will enable every artist we work with, and every fan who uses us, a chance to seamlessly discover new artists and immediately have the opportunity to see them live. Shazam plays such a pivotal role in music discovery, and we’re excited to expand our reach to millions of more live music fans around the globe, ensuring Songkick is available wherever fans are engaging the most.”
Songkick’s platform is available in 60 markets around the world, and is visited by 12 million music fans each month. Songkick has offices in London, Los Angeles, Nashville and New York. Shazam’s mobile apps have been downloaded more than 1 billion times and users have performed more than 30 billion “Shazams” since its launch in 2002.
Exclusive: HologramUSA Promises The World After Hunter Hayes Stunt On Kimmel
/by Eric T. ParkerJimmy Kimmel (L) appears at Nashville’s CMA Theater via hologram from Hollywood, California next to Hunter Hayes (R). Photo: ABC
A few months after HologramUSA’s 2014 launch, Sr. VP of Sales, David Nussbaum, worked out a deal with Jimmy Kimmel Live! Co-Executive Producer, Doug DeLuca, to pair its technology during CMA Awards week on the ABC broadcast. This year Hunter Hayes took center stage before his holographic one-man band—playing every instrument and singing—on his latest single, “Yesterday’s Song.”
Nussbaum gave MusicRow a behind-the-scenes look at the technology and its future in live events. HologramUSA was founded by Greek billionaire Alki David and a European partner who had control over the decades old patented technology. It is part of FOTV Media Networks, which plans to go public on the Nasdaq later this fall.
HologramUSA has gone on to announce, but yet to deliver on, deals with estates of many entertainers like Patsy Cline and Tammy Wynette.
– – –
How have the Kimmel events progressed over the past three years?
Jimmy Kimmel’s producers originally thought it would be cool to beam Jimmy in real time from his studio in Hollywood, while he was doing his monologue in front of his studio audience, to the CMA Theater in Nashville. The folks in Nashville saw him as if he was really there and we had a reverse feed going back to him, so Jimmy could hear, see and interact with the audience whether it be in there or anywhere around the world.
Florida Georgia Line hologram on Jimmy Kimmel Live! in 2014. Photo: ABC/Randy Holmes
Then we beamed Florida Georgia Line from the CMA Theater back to Hollywood. Never had that been done before, where we had sent one person one way, and an entire musical group in another direction. Last year we sent The Band Perry back in real time, performing from Nashville on Kimmel’s outside, 40-foot stage in Hollywood, and we did a fun multiplicity thing with Guillermo. This year we took that idea and made it less silly.
It was always an idea of mine to have a really talented, single performer perform live with their holograms. All the stars aligned, Hunter was in to the idea, so we filmed him playing four different ways during the same song with our special hologram technique. Then my editors put all the images together, added depth and shadows, to create an entire band of Hunter Hayes’. I appreciate everyone at Kimmel for giving us the opportunity.
Hunter Hayes Hologram. Photo: ABC
How did the audio work for the Hunter[s] performance?
I don’t know exactly how the producers did it. I’m not a producer, but I believe they replaced the track with a layered individual performance but each instrument was played separately as we filmed.
Outside of TV, how else has hologram technology been applied?
A lot of people know of this technology because of what we’re able to do bringing the dead back to life to perform posthumously. But not many people know about the ability to beam anyone from anywhere and even multiply them.
We also sent the actor Jack Black form Los Angeles to Madrid, live via hologram so he could be at a press junket for that he couldn’t be at because he was filming a movie. A journalist would sit down with his live hologram every ten minutes over the course of two hours. So he was able to promote it in real time to Europe without ever leaving Los Angeles. He did print and video—some TV shows like the Extra’s and Access Hollywood’s of Spain all ran it.
Live concerts is the future of this technology. It makes a lot of sense as a new way for people to experience live entertainment. For example, I can bring anybody back with the approval of the estate of the late icons. Name an artist, if the estate sees value in it, we would create a hologram that can live in residency, as a museum piece or go on a real hologram concert tour.
Do you rotoscope old footage for deceased stars, or draft new CGI images?
We feel the best way to create a hologram is to work with the estate for video and picture references to use CGI and other digital methods to recreate the person from head to toe. The estate has a number of approvals along the way to make it all as authentic as possible. We don’t use any voiceovers or impersonators. There are also ways to get creative and match their voices, which is what happened when Tupac’s hologram played Coachella a number of years ago when he said “What the f— is up Coachella.” Coachella was not a thing before he passed, so obviously the producers behind that got creative.
What is the status on the hologram projects you’ve already announced?
Four days before Kimmel [this year, Oct. 29], we brought the late star Jenni Rivera back to life for 70,000 people at the Day of the Dead festival in California. I worked with her family and Universal Music, who owns the rights to the music. They have already announced doing this again in March and the idea is to tour her hologram.
HologramUSA is partners with 19 estates spanning music and entertainment. Many are in pre-production now. I don’t think you’ll have to wait much longer for the first one to come out—probably as early as spring-summer 2017. We’re researching how long people will want to watch a hologram and if they want to see a real band behind a hologram, etc. We want the first hologram concert to be right, so when the first one takes place it will be more than anyone imagined.
Are living artists approaching you to record and store their polygons for use at a later date?
Yes. Some of the biggest stars in the world have walked through our studio in Beverly Hills. We’ve partnered with many of them on legacy holograms, where we film them, while they are alive, singing their hits. When the time comes—not even if they’ve passed, but if someone in their band is sick or they wanted to retire.
What is the cost of stunts like these? The Kimmel event this year was clearly sponsored by Crown Royal.
Just to build a hologram projection stage for a day, it would cost $100,000+ just for the tech. Permanent installations at a venue may be between $500,000 to $1 million. To bring somebody back as a hologram can cost from hundreds of thousands to low seven figures. It really just depends on the hologram and how long it will run, every minute of animation has a value to it.
Hunter Hayes hologram at Nashville’s CMA Theater. Photo: ABC