Pictured (L-R): Craig Shelburne, Amanda Cates, Leslie Roberts, Cris Lacy, Abbey Adams, Risha Rodgers, Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Rising Women on the Row has risen higher than ever.
The fifth annual breakfast celebrating female music executives was staged on Friday morning (April 8) at the Omni Nashville Hotel by MusicRow magazine. A new attendance record was set, with nearly 350 in attendance. Mickey Guyton provided superbly sung tunes. The buffet was excellent.
And you couldn’t beat the quality of the honorees. Sony/ATV’s Creative Director of A&R Abbey Adams, Maverick Nashville’s head of marketing and digital strategy Amanda Cates, Warner Music Nashville’s VP of A&R Cris Lacy, BMI’s executive director of writer/publisher relations Leslie Roberts, and WME’s first female partner in Nashville Risha Rodgers were each honored on the ballroom stage.
Featured speaker Ali Harnell was delightfully frank, honest and wise during her Q&A with host Sherod Robertson. She is the Sr. VP at AEG Live and has had a 25-year career as a concert promoter.
“Being a human being today is rough, and being a woman brings an extra dimension,” said Harnell. “I absolutely do think it is harder for a woman. Do you really want me to go into it—the misogyny, the sexism, the ageism? I do think there is a path now where we will see a change. … Never give up. Know what’s important. There is a calling and a purpose to what you do.”
Robertson told the crowd that his inspiration for creating this event five years ago came from his feisty, fearless, “bad-ass” grandma in Mississippi. He brought each honoree to the stage with words about their philanthropic activities as well as their career accomplishments. The mag’s general manager Craig Shelburne handed out the plaques.
“Thank you, MusicRow, for honoring women today,” said Adams. “I’m so very humbled to be mentioned with the women in this group. Songwriters…thank you for trusting us with your songs every day.”
“I just love so much that you’re shining the spotlight on women in this industry,” echoed Cates. “I count myself beyond blessed to live in this community. And I want to leave it better than I found it.”
Lacy became teary-eyed when she took to the podium. “It’s so humbling to look out at you and look up to you,” she said to the many females in attendance. “I know how tirelessly you work every day. And how you’re supposed to be invisible. And that’s hard. Thank you, MusicRow, for making us visible. Everybody in this room should be on this stage.”
“This is amazing,” said Roberts, who is one of the few people in the music biz who is a Nashville native. “It’s such an honor to be up here with you ladies. Mentors believed in me when I did not believe in myself.”
Rogers was also surprised to find herself weepy when she began her acceptance remarks. “It’s rewarding to be honored by your peers. … Make whoever you work for need you,” she added by way of advice. “There are many female agents in our office who are equally bad-ass.”
“I think the theme today is that we have some bad-ass women,” Robertson concluded. At the beginning of the event he brought City National Bank’s Diane Pearson to the stage to accept framed artwork as thanks for her long-term presenting sponsorship of Rising Women on the Row.
“We so appreciate being a part of this event every year,” she said. “You all inspire us on a daily basis. We’ll continue to be a part of this as long as you will have us.”
This year’s supporting sponsors included Applauze, BMI, CAA, Dickinson Wright, IEBA, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, Martin Allbee & Associates, Maverick, Monarch Publicity, Nashville School of the Arts, The Recording Academy & MusiCares, Sony/ATV, Song Suffragettes: Let the Girls Play, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Nashville and WME.
Fittingly, this event always features female entertainment. Mickey Guyton took charge of the finale. She brought the house down with her extended vocal sustains on the power waltz “Why Baby Why” and her range-y phrasing on the ballad “Better Than You Left Me.” Afterward, she posed happily for photos with her all-female CAA team.
Other bad-ass women who RSVP’d included Debbie Linn, Debbie Carroll, Deborah Evans Price, Cindy Hunt, Cyndi Forman, Cindy Watts, Leslie Fram, Leslie DiPiero, Julie Boos, Joanna Carter, Jackie Patillo, Judi Turner, Jensen Sussman, Jill Napier, Alicia Warwick and her many female NARAS staffers, Tracy Gershon, Brandi Simms, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Sarah Skates, Paula Erickson, Carole-Ann Mobley, Katharine Richardson, Diane Richey, Rachel Whitney, Pam Matthews, Martha Ivester, Nancy Peacock, Donna Hughes, Penny Gattis, Rachel Whitney, Jennifer Danielson, Jaclyn Krimmel Jones, and Terri Grohusky.
OK, OK, many guys attended as well. Cheering their sisters in arms were Neal Spielberg, Jody Williams, Dale Bobo, Woody Bomar, Clarence Spalding, Pat Higdon, Don Cusic, Tim Wipperman, Scott Hendricks, Peter Strickland, Todd Cassetty, Chris Parr, Kos Weaver, Phil Graham, Rusty Gaston, Clay Bradley and John Zarling. And Bobby Karl, hisself.
Capitol CMG Signs Hip Hop Duo Social Club Misfits
/by Jessica NicholsonSocial Club Misfits
Nashville-based label Capitol CMG has signed hip hop duo Social Club Misfits to its roster. The duo will release The Misfit Generation EP on May 6.
“We are honored to welcome Social Club Misfits to the Capitol CMG family of artists,” shares President of Capitol Christian Music Group Peter York. “They bring a unique energy, purpose and creative offering to our valued roster. They are effectively reaching their audience and making an impact in lives across the country with great music, a compelling show and a message of hope. I’m grateful to work with them and for what they represent in the world of hip hop.”
Social Club Misfits includes South Florida natives Martin (“Marty”) and Fernando (Fern”), and is working with producers Elvin “Wit” Shanhbazian, Chris Batson and Raymond Castro.
“We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Capitol CMG,” says Social Club Misfits. “It’s an honor to get to work with such a great team who strongly supports our music and overall vision. Our new EP The Misfit Generation will maintain the Social Club [Misfits] sound while also broadening our scope to engage the culture at large.”
LifeNotes: Country Producer Brien Fisher Dies At 82
/by Robert K OermannBrien Fisher
Country record producer Brien Fisher has died at age 82.
Among his best-known productions is “Heaven’s Just a Sin Away” by The Kendalls. It was named the CMA Single of the Year in 1978 and earned the father-daughter duo a Grammy Award.
The producer was born Frank O’Brien Fisher in 1933 in Kyles Ford, Tennessee. He was a Marine Corps veteran who served in Southeast Asia. Fisher was awarded a National Defense Service medal, a Korea Service medal, a China Service medal and the United Nations Medal. He received Sharpshooter Sniper status.
He was also a guitarist and a singer. After his discharge, Brien Fisher gained record label and producing experience in Ohio and Illinois, before heading to Music City.
In 1976, he was made the head of the country division of the Illinois-based independent label Ovation Records. The Kendalls’ debut LP for the company came out in 1977.
A disc jockey in Paducah, Kentucky, began playing “Heaven’s Just a Sin Away” as an album track and called to say he was getting tremendous audience response to it. Fisher put it out as a single, and Ovation record promoter Joe Sun turned it into a chart-topping hit.
In 1978, Fisher produced promo man Sun singing “Old Flames Can’t Hold a Candle to You.” It also became a hit on Ovation. Further Fisher productions for The Kendalls in 1978-80 included “It Don’t Feel Like Sinnin’ to Me,” “Pittsburgh Stealers,” “Sweet Desire,” “You’d Make an Angel Want to Cheat,” “I’m Already Blue” and “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.”
Vern Gosdin signed with Ovation in 1981. Fisher produced such Gosdin hits as “Dream of Me” and “Too Long Gone” for the company. Other Ovation artists produced by Fisher included Max D. Barnes (“Cowboys Are Common as Sin”), The Cates (“Make Love to Me”), Jim Rushing (“I’ve Loved Enough to Know”) and Sheila Andrews (“Too Fast for Rapid City”).
Fisher continued to produce both Gosdin and The Kendalls after they left Ovation for other labels. Among the records were Gosdin’s “Today My World Slipped Away” and The Kendalls’ “Two Heart Harmony.”
He formed Brien Fisher Productions in Hendersonville in 1983. Later artists produced by him included DeAnna Cox, Glen Bonham, Ben Wasson and Jeannie Kendall as a solo artist.
In 1998, he produced the album Old Dogs, starring Waylon Jennings, Bobby Bare, Mel Tillis and Jerry Reed singing songs written by Shel Silverstein. The good-natured collection was well received by both fans and critics.
During his career, Fisher produced more than 20 Top 10 hit records. His productions resulted in some five million in sales. His works appeared on A.M.I.,Warner Bros., Mercury, Atlantic, Rustic and several other labels, in addition to Ovation.
In addition to record production, Fisher worked as the European TV music director for Johnny Cash, Hank Williams Jr., Ray Stevens, Emmylou Harris, B.J. Thomas, Jeannie C. Riley and Larry Gatlin.
The producer’s death was reported by The R.O.P.E. Reporter last week. Brien Fisher passed away on March 11, and his memorial service took place on March 19. Burial was in Nashville’s National Cemetery.
He is survived by his sons Kevin, Rufus and Dwayne Fisher, by brother Jack Fisher and by six grandchildren.
MusicRowPics: Rising Women On The Row 2016
/by Molly_HannulaMusicRow honored five music industry superstars today (April 8) during its fifth annual Rising Women on the Row breakfast, held at the Omni Nashville.
The event saluted Sony/ATV’s Creative Director of A&R Abbey Adams, Maverick Nashville’s head of marketing and digital strategy Amanda Cates, Warner Music Nashville’s VP of A&R Cris Lacy, BMI’s executive director of writer/publisher relations Leslie Roberts, and WME’s first female partner in Nashville Risha Rodgers.
The morning also included an interview with AEG Live Sr. VP executive Ali Harnell, and a performance by Capitol Records Nashville rising artist Mickey Guyton.
City National Bank was again this year’s presenting sponsor. Supporting sponsors included Applauze, BMI, CAA, Dickinson Wright, IEBA, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, Martin Allbee & Associates, Maverick, Monarch Publicity, Nashville School of the Arts, The Recording Academy & MusiCares, Sony/ATV, Song Suffragettes: Let the Girls Play, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Nashville and WME.
Read all about it in Bobby Karl’s recap.
Pictured (L-R): Craig Shelburne, Amanda Cates, Leslie Roberts, Cris Lacy, Abbey Adams, Risha Rodgers, Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, City National Bank’s Diane Pearson and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured: Ali Harnell and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured: Ali Harnell. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Abbey Adams and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Amanda Cates and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Cris Lacy and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Leslie Roberts and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Risha Rodgers and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured: Mickey Guyton. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured: Mickey Guyton. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured: Sherod Robertson and Ali Harnell. Photo: Moments By Moser
Pictured (L – R): Risha Rodgers and Lou Taylor. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured (L – R): Troy Stephenson, Robert K. Oermann and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured (L – R): Erika Wollam Nichols, Leslie Fram and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured: Sherod Robertson and Alicia Warwick. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured (L – R): Elizabeth Motley, Mickey Guyton and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured: Sherod Robertson and Whitney Daane. Photo: Molly Hannula
Pictured (L – R): Craig Shelburne, Tracy Gershon and Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
APA Nashville Office Adds Three
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jeff Hill, Jim Butler, Miles Hayes
APA has added three new agents to its Nashville office, including Jeff Hill, Jim Butler and Miles Hayes. The announcement was made today by Steve Lassiter, SVP/Partner and Head of Concerts at APA Nashville.
“I’m very excited to welcome Jeff, Jim and Miles to our team,” said Lassiter. “Each of them bring their own specific talents and expertise to the table, which will be a great asset to our company as we continue to expand our real estate and influence in Music City.”
A 21-year music industry veteran, Hill previously worked for CAA, where his clients included Trace Adkins, Two Foot Fred, Craig Morgan, Montgomery Gentry and Faith Hill. He has also been a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.
Butler most recently spent a decade at CAA, where his clients included Russell Dickerson, Chase Rice and Carter Winter. He has been a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame Troubadour Society.
Hayes began his career at Meridian Entertainment Group before joining WME and building his reputation through his work with organizations such as SOLID, Country Music Hall of Fame Troubadour Society, and IEBA.
Tin Pan South 2016: Night 3
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): E.T. Brown, SESAC; songwriter Rob Hatch; Shannan Hatch, SESAC; songwriter Steve Bogard; Katie Mae Vogrin, SESAC songwriter/artist Lance Miller; Tim Fink, SESAC; songwriter/artist Craig Campbell. Photo: Peyton Hoge
Tin Pan South welcomed dozens of songwriters and hundreds of listeners to venues across Nashville on Thurs., April 7.
The SESAC early show at Hard Rock Café was wall-to-wall fans, but there was complete silence when Craig Campbell sang his newest single, “The Outskirts of Heaven.” Round partners Steve Bogard, Rob Hatch and Lance Miller were visibly moved by the song.
Craig Campbell. Photo: Jason Delkou Photography
Alex Hall, Jennifer Hanson, Mark Nesler and Jenn Schott captivated the Blue Bar early show. Meanwhile, story after story preceded hit after hit at the Station Inn with Buzz Cason, Wayland Holyfield and Dickey Lee. Gordon Kennedy, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Phil Madeira and Amy Stroup swapped songs at the Bluebird Cafe.
Pictured (L-R): Amy Stroup, Gordon Kennedy, Phil Madeira and Wayne Kirkpatrick performed an intimate round at the Bluebird Cafe. Photo: Jason Delkou Photography
Award-winning songwriters Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby and Lori McKenna took part in a round at The Listening Room. Surprise guests included Maggie Chapman, Native Run and Steve Moakler.
Pictured (L-R): Luke Laird, Natalie Hemby, Barry Dean and Lori McKenna. Photo: Creative Nation
Former duo partners Bekka Bramlett and Billy Burnette were joined by Bruce Gaitsch and Dennis Morgan at the Douglas Corner late show, and Dylan Altman, Marshall Altman, Brice Long and Terry McBride drew a packed crowd to Whiskey Rhythm. In addition, Charles Esten led a sold-out late show at The Country with Sarah Siskind, The Stellas and Fred Wilhelm.
Pictured (L-R): Fred Wilhelm, Melodie Michael of Regions Bank, Charles “Chip” Esten at The Country
Industry Ink: Ten Ten Music Group, Almon & McPike, CMA
/by Jessica NicholsonTen Ten Music Group Signs Trent Summar
Standing (L-R): Casey Summar, Attorney; MaryAnn Keen, Catalog Manager, Ten Ten Music Group; Jamie Bruno, Creative Assistant, Ten Ten Music Group; Nathan Nicholson, VP Creative, Ten Ten Music Group; Lynn Morrow, Attorney, Adams And Reese; Bradley Collins, BMI; Seated (L-R): Trent Summar; Barry Coburn, President, Ten Ten Music Group
Ten Ten Music Group has signed Trent Summar to an exclusive worldwide songwriting agreement. Summar has had songs recorded by Gary Allan, Kix Brooks, Billy Currington, Pat Green, Randy Houser, Kip Moore and Jon Pardi. He co-wrote Jack Ingram’s “Love You” and David Nail’s “Kiss You Tonight.”
“We are excited to have Trent join us,” said Ten Ten Music Group President Barry Coburn. “His energy and unique sense of humor gives us so much to work with, and we look forward to sharing a lot of success together.”
Almon & McPike, PLLC Adds Senior Associate
Christa Ellis
Entertainment law firm Almon & McPike, PLLC has hired Christa Ellis, Esq. as a Senior Associate.
Ms. Ellis graduated Cum Laude from Belmont University, earning a Bachelor of Business Administration undergraduate degree with a specialization in the music business and her Juris Doctor from the University of New Hampshire School of Law.
Ellis is licensed to practice law in both Tennessee and Florida. For the last four years, she has practiced in the areas of administrative, animal, entertainment, environmental, health care, and intellectual property law. Ellis will now concentrate on entertainment and intellectual property law with the firm.
She can be reached at 615-750-2207 or at cellis@almonmcpike.com.
Eric Paslay Performs For CMA
Eric Paslay (center) gathers with CMA EDU students from Belmont, Middle Tennessee State, and Vanderbilt Universities Thursday at the CMA office. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Brenden Oliver, CMA Membership and Balloting Manager; Brandi Simms, CMA Senior Director of Membership and Balloting; Eric Paslay; Rachel Silver, Red Light Management; Scott Scovill, CMA Board member and owner of Moo TV, CenterStaging, and Moo Creative Media. Photo: Kayla Schoen / CMA
Eric Paslay performed the final artist visit the Country Music Association will hold in its current location at One Music Circle South, as it moves to its new location at 35 Music Sq. E. in Nashville.
Paslay performed “Friday Night” to launch the set performed for an audience of CMA staff members and CMA EDU students. His set also included “High Class” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.”
Paslay also revealed he will perform as part of the Riverfront stage lineup during June’s CMA Music Festival in Nashville.
Patsy Cline Museum Coming To Downtown Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Museum Founders Shannon Miller and Bill Miller, Mayor Megan Barry, and Julie Fudge (Cline’s daughter). Photo: Erin Lee Allender
Bill Miller, founder of The Johnny Cash Museum, has revealed plans for The Patsy Cline Museum in downtown Nashville. It’s his latest business venture following The Johnny Cash Museum and the future opening of Nudie’s Honky Tonk.
Construction will begin in June on the museum honoring Cline. The museum, which will be funded and operated by the Miller family organization, will take up several thousand square feet of space directly above the Johnny Cash Museum at 119 3rd Ave. in Nashville.
The exhibits will include interactive cutting-edge audio and touch screen video technology. The family of Patsy Cline is providing never-before-seen pieces from their personal archive, allowing the museum to host the largest collection of rare Cline artifacts in the world, including many of Cline’s personal possessions, costumes, awards, letters, furniture and photographs.
“Of all the artists in the history of country music, few are as recognized and as recognizable as Patsy Cline. Despite the fact that she passed decades ago, her impact and presence are every bit as big today as ever. She has transcended generations and genres and is indisputably the greatest and most influential female country music artist of all time. She’s a true icon deserving of her own museum. Her fans from around the globe will have a place to come and celebrate her life and legacy. It’s a pleasure and an honor to be working with Patsy’s children on this world-class museum project,” Miller said.
Julie Fudge, Cline’s daughter, adds, “I am very happy to speak on behalf of my brothers, Randy and Chip, and in honor of the legacy of my mother Patsy Cline. Since the passing of our father last fall, this is our first step together in continuing to share Mom’s music, life and story, as we feel Dad would have. We are thrilled to have the opportunity to partner with and experience what Bill will present to old and new fans alike.”
“I’m grateful for Bill Miller’s leadership in helping to preserve and showcase Nashville’s history, and I’m looking forward to visiting the new museum and learning more about the remarkable life and career of Patsy Cline,” said Mayor Megan Barry.
Bobby Karl Works MusicRow’s Rising Women On The Row
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Craig Shelburne, Amanda Cates, Leslie Roberts, Cris Lacy, Abbey Adams, Risha Rodgers, Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula
Rising Women on the Row has risen higher than ever.
The fifth annual breakfast celebrating female music executives was staged on Friday morning (April 8) at the Omni Nashville Hotel by MusicRow magazine. A new attendance record was set, with nearly 350 in attendance. Mickey Guyton provided superbly sung tunes. The buffet was excellent.
And you couldn’t beat the quality of the honorees. Sony/ATV’s Creative Director of A&R Abbey Adams, Maverick Nashville’s head of marketing and digital strategy Amanda Cates, Warner Music Nashville’s VP of A&R Cris Lacy, BMI’s executive director of writer/publisher relations Leslie Roberts, and WME’s first female partner in Nashville Risha Rodgers were each honored on the ballroom stage.
Featured speaker Ali Harnell was delightfully frank, honest and wise during her Q&A with host Sherod Robertson. She is the Sr. VP at AEG Live and has had a 25-year career as a concert promoter.
“Being a human being today is rough, and being a woman brings an extra dimension,” said Harnell. “I absolutely do think it is harder for a woman. Do you really want me to go into it—the misogyny, the sexism, the ageism? I do think there is a path now where we will see a change. … Never give up. Know what’s important. There is a calling and a purpose to what you do.”
Robertson told the crowd that his inspiration for creating this event five years ago came from his feisty, fearless, “bad-ass” grandma in Mississippi. He brought each honoree to the stage with words about their philanthropic activities as well as their career accomplishments. The mag’s general manager Craig Shelburne handed out the plaques.
“Thank you, MusicRow, for honoring women today,” said Adams. “I’m so very humbled to be mentioned with the women in this group. Songwriters…thank you for trusting us with your songs every day.”
“I just love so much that you’re shining the spotlight on women in this industry,” echoed Cates. “I count myself beyond blessed to live in this community. And I want to leave it better than I found it.”
Lacy became teary-eyed when she took to the podium. “It’s so humbling to look out at you and look up to you,” she said to the many females in attendance. “I know how tirelessly you work every day. And how you’re supposed to be invisible. And that’s hard. Thank you, MusicRow, for making us visible. Everybody in this room should be on this stage.”
“This is amazing,” said Roberts, who is one of the few people in the music biz who is a Nashville native. “It’s such an honor to be up here with you ladies. Mentors believed in me when I did not believe in myself.”
Rogers was also surprised to find herself weepy when she began her acceptance remarks. “It’s rewarding to be honored by your peers. … Make whoever you work for need you,” she added by way of advice. “There are many female agents in our office who are equally bad-ass.”
“I think the theme today is that we have some bad-ass women,” Robertson concluded. At the beginning of the event he brought City National Bank’s Diane Pearson to the stage to accept framed artwork as thanks for her long-term presenting sponsorship of Rising Women on the Row.
“We so appreciate being a part of this event every year,” she said. “You all inspire us on a daily basis. We’ll continue to be a part of this as long as you will have us.”
This year’s supporting sponsors included Applauze, BMI, CAA, Dickinson Wright, IEBA, The Kinkead Entertainment Agency, Martin Allbee & Associates, Maverick, Monarch Publicity, Nashville School of the Arts, The Recording Academy & MusiCares, Sony/ATV, Song Suffragettes: Let the Girls Play, Tri Star Sports & Entertainment, Universal Music Group, Warner Music Nashville and WME.
Fittingly, this event always features female entertainment. Mickey Guyton took charge of the finale. She brought the house down with her extended vocal sustains on the power waltz “Why Baby Why” and her range-y phrasing on the ballad “Better Than You Left Me.” Afterward, she posed happily for photos with her all-female CAA team.
Other bad-ass women who RSVP’d included Debbie Linn, Debbie Carroll, Deborah Evans Price, Cindy Hunt, Cyndi Forman, Cindy Watts, Leslie Fram, Leslie DiPiero, Julie Boos, Joanna Carter, Jackie Patillo, Judi Turner, Jensen Sussman, Jill Napier, Alicia Warwick and her many female NARAS staffers, Tracy Gershon, Brandi Simms, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Sarah Skates, Paula Erickson, Carole-Ann Mobley, Katharine Richardson, Diane Richey, Rachel Whitney, Pam Matthews, Martha Ivester, Nancy Peacock, Donna Hughes, Penny Gattis, Rachel Whitney, Jennifer Danielson, Jaclyn Krimmel Jones, and Terri Grohusky.
OK, OK, many guys attended as well. Cheering their sisters in arms were Neal Spielberg, Jody Williams, Dale Bobo, Woody Bomar, Clarence Spalding, Pat Higdon, Don Cusic, Tim Wipperman, Scott Hendricks, Peter Strickland, Todd Cassetty, Chris Parr, Kos Weaver, Phil Graham, Rusty Gaston, Clay Bradley and John Zarling. And Bobby Karl, hisself.
Big Machine Signs ‘American Idol’ Winner, Runner-Up
/by Jessica NicholsonLa’ Porsha Renae and Trent Harmon. Photo: American Idol
During last night’s (April 7) star-studded series finale of American Idol, 25-year-old Amory, Mississippi native Trent Harmon was crowned the American Idol, while McComb, Mississippi native La’ Porsha Renae was named runner-up.
Harmon has signed with 19/Big Machine to begin work on a country album, while Renae has signed with 19/Big Machine/Motown Records, MusicRow has confirmed. The move breaks from previous Idol seasons, where the runner-up wasn’t necessarily offered a deal.
“Because of the overwhelming fan demand and success of the Farewell Season of American Idol we have made the decision to sign both Trent Harmon and runner up La’Porsha Renae to exclusive recording agreements,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta in a statement. “I can’t think of a bigger and better way to bring this American Institution to a close. Everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, 19 Entertainment, the Universal Music Group & Motown Records are so thrilled with the outcome and can’t wait to get to work.”
American Idol judge and country artist Keith Urban co-wrote Harmon’s debut single, “Falling” with Dallas Davidson and Brett James.
Sea Gayle Music, Station West Sign Baylor Wilson
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Driskill; Mitch Furr, Station West; Kyle Manner, Station West; Jake Gear, Sea Gayle; Wooten; Wilson; Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle; Jessica Amerson, Station West; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Mike Owens, Sea Gayle; Freeman Wizer, Sea Gayle; Jim Zumwalt, Attorney; Brandon Gregg, Sea Gayle
Sea Gayle Records has released Baylor Wilson‘s debut EP Living Right. The project is produced by Luke Wooten.
Living Right is being released on Sea Gayle Records as part of Wilson’s recently-signed worldwide publishing agreement with Sea Gayle Music and Station West.
“We can’t wait to get Baylor’s music out there for people to hear,” said Sea Gayle’s Marc Driskill. “She is such a talented singer, gifted songwriter and engaging entertainer. Her music speaks for itself and we are so proud to support her artistry.”