Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Fadden, Steve Schweidel, Justin Luffman of Warner Music Nashvillle, Jeff Hanna, John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville, John McEuen, Bob Carpenter

Warner Music Nashville surprised the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band with a plaque prior to their rooftop performance at the label’s Pickin’ on the Patio series on Wednesday night (Sept. 28).

The certification marked the platinum certification of the 1986 album Twenty Years of Dirt, the platinum certification of the 1987 single “Fishin’ in the Dark,” and the gold certification of the 1989 album, More Great Dirt. Although the band has recorded for numerous record labels, they charted 14 Top 10 hits for Warner Bros. in the 1980s.

The concert album Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends – Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years will be released by Warner Music Nashville on Friday (Sept. 30). The set is available as a CD or as a CD/DVD combo.

Pictured (L-R): Christoph von dem Bussche, Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr. Carl F. von dem Bussche, Jr. Photo credit: Seth Farmer

Tampa-based Financial Guidance Group, Inc. has opened a Tennessee branch, located at 710 Evans St. in Franklin. The company’s Nashville branch emphasizes service for musicians, producers and others in the entertainment industry.

Led by Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr., the family-owned-and-operated company provides fiduciary fee-only financial planning. Carl F. von dem Bussche, Sr., has 39 years of experience in planning and investment management, and is a Certified Financial Planner (CFP). His sons Christoph and Carl F., Jr. are also involved in operations.

Carl F. von dem Bussche, Jr.’s career includes time as a recording artist in a band (Arc the Sun) and working in major label A&R at EMI CMG, as well as a creative arts/music director for Relevant Church.

“Ever since I moved to Nashville as a recording artist and songwriter in 2003, I’ve had a passion to help those who work in the entertainment industry,” shares von dem Bussche, Jr. “Back then, I did some business management for friends on the side when I wasn’t on the road. I just saw such a need for financial guidance in this community where you can have the sudden windfall of a hit song, inconsistent income, or other challenges associated with being in the music biz. Since I grew up with my dad as a financial planner, I obtained a business degree and worked for FGG before I made the move to Nashville. I felt like this was something I was uniquely qualified to do. After touring with a band for years, working at a label, and then acting as the creative arts and finance director for a church, I’ve come back around to really feeling like I could be doing more to serve the entertainment community. After numerous meetings with my dad and brother, we decided to expand our business to Nashville and focus on helping this unique demographic with financial planning and investing on a personal level.

“We’ve developed strategic alliances with several business managers and management companies in assisting their clients on the planning and investing side,” von dem Bussche, Jr. continues. “The way that FGG does business as fee-only advisors really resonates with this community because we don’t sell financial products or take commissions. There’s a lot of distrust of financial advisors within the music industry, but we feel that by being transparent and open about how we do business, it is a refreshing change to those we’ve been able to connect with so far. We’re excited to get FGG Nashville off the ground and make a difference in this community to help them realize their financial goals and dreams.”

Jason Aldean. Photo: Jim Wright

Jason Aldean is part of “The List” created by the Susan G. Komen organization to honor men and women contributing to the fight against breast cancer.

The List is associated with a new movement called “More Than Pink,” which includes a goal for the organization to reduce the number of breast cancer deaths in the U.S. by 50 percent over the next decade.

In addition to Aldean, The List includes: Dr. Mary-Claire King (discoverer of the genetic link for increased breast cancer risk); Dr. Craig Jordan (the “Father of Tamoxifen”); former First Ladies Laura Bush and the late Betty Ford; Princess Dina Mired of Jordan; WWE Superstar John Cena; boxing champion Oscar De La Hoya; and Allison Titus and Jordan Phillips, young women whose families have been affected by breast cancer and who have raised funds to ensure that no family is affected as they were.

The List honorees will be visible this October, spreading the More Than Pink message throughout national sporting events, concerts, races, educational webinars, news and talk shows and social media networks. Additionally, the stories and faces of a select few of Komen’s “heroes” will be showcased in newly developed public service announcements and advertisements being placed and streamed on a variety of traditional and digital media platforms throughout the country.

As previously announced, Aldean has partnered with the Grand Ole Opry to raise awareness of breast cancer research. On Oct. 25, he will incorporate his 11th annual Concert for the Cure as part of the eighth annual Opry Goes Pink event, an annual special performance staged to fight breast cancer.

During his appearance, Aldean will flip a switch to turn the Opry stage pink. In addition, he will perform during the show, which will raise awareness and funds for Women Rock for the Cure and Susan G. Komen’s Nashville Chapter.

Aldean has been an advocate for breast cancer research since 2004, after losing a dear friend to the disease. Aldean continues to donate a portion of each ticket sale towards his longstanding partner, Susan G. Komen, while also honoring one breast cancer survivor and guest during his 2016 Six String Circus Tour, with a VIP backstage meet-and-greet experience.

During his Opry set, he will present a check to the Susan G. Komen Foundation from monies raised on his tour throughout the year.