Pictured (L-R): Karen Fairchild of Grammy-nominated Little Big Town; Alicia Warwick, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director; Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town; Grammy nominee Ashley Monroe; Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town; Shannon Sanders, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
This year, members of the Nashville music community boast Grammy nominations in 36 categories, nearly half of the awards show’s 83 total categories, including all four of the Grammys all-genre categories of Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
The diversity of the Nashville-based nominations for the 58th annual Grammy Awards are even more staggering. The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter Executive Director Alicia Warwick offered a sampling of this year’s categories that include Nashville nominees: Best Pop Solo Performance, Best American Roots Performance, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Country Album, Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Folk Album, Best Spoken Word Album, Best Musical Theater Album, Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, Best Americana Album, Producer of the Year, Best Music Video and Best Reggae Album.
The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter feted this year’s nominees with its annual elegant soiree at Nashville’s Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Appropriately, a grand-sized Grammy statue greeted guests at the door. Several attendees couldn’t help but take advantage of the photo op.
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick; GRAMMY® nominee Eric Paslay; The Recording Academy South Regional Director, Susan Stewart; GRAMMY nominee Charles Kelley; Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders; Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus, George J. Flanigen IV; and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Trustee, Daniel Hill. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
The stars of Nashville’s music scene were out in full force to celebrate the nominations. Little Big Town, Cam, Lee Ann Womack, Charles Kelley, Eric Paslay, Ashley Monroe, The Mavericks, The SteelDrivers, Gramps Morgan, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, TobyMac, Lauren Diagle, Jason Crabb, and Point of Grace were among those walking the indoor carpet leading into the event.
Nashville artists and industry movers and shakers mingled as they dined on crab dip, meatloaf sliders, mac and cheese, and chocolate desserts. Servers offered an array of hors d’oeuvres to guests throughout the evening. On center stage, a house band further lifted the room’s ambiance with classy jazz notes throughout the evening.
“A Grammy nomination is a reflection of remarkable dedication to one’s craft,” said Grammy Nashville Chapter president Shannon Sanders. “We are so honored to have many of our Grammy nominees with us tonight.” He also thanked The Recording Academy’s Sr. VP Nancy Shapiro, South Regional Director Susan Stewart, and MusiCares’ Senior Executive Director Debbie Carroll.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry was on hand to congratulate the nominees. Noting that Nashville’s music business is a $10 billion industry, she said, “I’m here to thank the artists, the folks who made this happen, the musicians and songwriters who bring home those Grammys back to Nashville. Go out there, bring home those Grammys, and while you are out there, make sure you talk to The Recording Academy and tell them we’d love to have [The Grammy Awards] back here in Nashville.”
Sanders also took advantage of the spotlight to remind the audience of the advocacy work The Recording Academy does throughout the year, by way of programs such as Grammys In My District. “Everyone knows the Grammys, that one night of the year of awards,” said Sanders. “But everyone may not know the other 364 days per year, what we do. There’s a lot of advocacy that goes on. You have a lot of people that speak on your behalf about our rights as creators. If you are not a part of us, come be a part of our Grammy family.”
Pictured (L-R): Producer Dave Cobb, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
Pictured (L-R): GRAMMY nominees Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle and Jason Crabb. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick; GRAMMY nominee Mr. Talkbox; GRAMMY nominee TobyMac and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
GRAMMY nominees The Mavericks. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
650 AM WSM Launching Lifestyle Show With Nan Kelley, Devon O’Day
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R): Nan Kelley, Devon O’Day
Nan Kelley and Devon O’Day will bring decades of broadcasting experience to a new afternoon show on 650 AM WSM starting on March 1.
Titled Nashville Today, the lifestyle and entertainment show will air Monday through Friday, 3 to 6 p.m. The show will also be heard on the radio station’s mobile app.
“I moved to Nashville to sing and dance at Opryland. My television career began in studio A at the Opry House, and I’ve hosted many Opry Live episodes from both the Opry House and the Ryman, so I’ve always felt like family in this circle,” said Kelley. “To now become an official family member at WSM as part of an innovative, fun, informative concept like Nashville Today is full circle destiny for me and that’s so exciting! Nashville and the area have so much to offer, and Devon and I plus our guests are going to dive in daily to the rich pool that is our town, our community, and our lifestyle.”
O’Day adds, “We want Nashville Today to be appointment listening that embraces all the richness of Nashville. We want compelling stories that keep you hanging on until the last word, live music that you won’t hear anywhere else, and a truly organic listening experience that simply exists nowhere else in the world except WSM.”
“Nashville Today will fill a void in the radio landscape,” said Chris Kulick, WSM General Manager. “This show will celebrate the growth of Nashville while paying homage to the legacy of WSM. With the advent of digital technology and our 50,000-watt Clear Channel signal, we are poised to deliver a taste of the Nashville Lifestyle to the entire country.”
Nashville Celebrates Grammy Nominations In 36 Categories At Grammy Nominees Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Karen Fairchild of Grammy-nominated Little Big Town; Alicia Warwick, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director; Kimberly Schlapman and Phillip Sweet of Little Big Town; Grammy nominee Ashley Monroe; Jimi Westbrook of Little Big Town; Shannon Sanders, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
This year, members of the Nashville music community boast Grammy nominations in 36 categories, nearly half of the awards show’s 83 total categories, including all four of the Grammys all-genre categories of Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, and Best New Artist.
The diversity of the Nashville-based nominations for the 58th annual Grammy Awards are even more staggering. The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter Executive Director Alicia Warwick offered a sampling of this year’s categories that include Nashville nominees: Best Pop Solo Performance, Best American Roots Performance, Best Alternative Music Album, Best Rock Performance, Best Rock Song, Best Country Album, Best Contemporary Christian Music Album, Best Bluegrass Album, Best Folk Album, Best Spoken Word Album, Best Musical Theater Album, Best Compilation Soundtrack For Visual Media, Best Americana Album, Producer of the Year, Best Music Video and Best Reggae Album.
The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter feted this year’s nominees with its annual elegant soiree at Nashville’s Loews Vanderbilt Hotel. Appropriately, a grand-sized Grammy statue greeted guests at the door. Several attendees couldn’t help but take advantage of the photo op.
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick; GRAMMY® nominee Eric Paslay; The Recording Academy South Regional Director, Susan Stewart; GRAMMY nominee Charles Kelley; Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders; Recording Academy Board of Trustees Chair Emeritus, George J. Flanigen IV; and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Trustee, Daniel Hill. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
The stars of Nashville’s music scene were out in full force to celebrate the nominations. Little Big Town, Cam, Lee Ann Womack, Charles Kelley, Eric Paslay, Ashley Monroe, The Mavericks, The SteelDrivers, Gramps Morgan, Doyle Lawson and Quicksilver, TobyMac, Lauren Diagle, Jason Crabb, and Point of Grace were among those walking the indoor carpet leading into the event.
Nashville artists and industry movers and shakers mingled as they dined on crab dip, meatloaf sliders, mac and cheese, and chocolate desserts. Servers offered an array of hors d’oeuvres to guests throughout the evening. On center stage, a house band further lifted the room’s ambiance with classy jazz notes throughout the evening.
“A Grammy nomination is a reflection of remarkable dedication to one’s craft,” said Grammy Nashville Chapter president Shannon Sanders. “We are so honored to have many of our Grammy nominees with us tonight.” He also thanked The Recording Academy’s Sr. VP Nancy Shapiro, South Regional Director Susan Stewart, and MusiCares’ Senior Executive Director Debbie Carroll.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry was on hand to congratulate the nominees. Noting that Nashville’s music business is a $10 billion industry, she said, “I’m here to thank the artists, the folks who made this happen, the musicians and songwriters who bring home those Grammys back to Nashville. Go out there, bring home those Grammys, and while you are out there, make sure you talk to The Recording Academy and tell them we’d love to have [The Grammy Awards] back here in Nashville.”
Sanders also took advantage of the spotlight to remind the audience of the advocacy work The Recording Academy does throughout the year, by way of programs such as Grammys In My District. “Everyone knows the Grammys, that one night of the year of awards,” said Sanders. “But everyone may not know the other 364 days per year, what we do. There’s a lot of advocacy that goes on. You have a lot of people that speak on your behalf about our rights as creators. If you are not a part of us, come be a part of our Grammy family.”
Pictured (L-R): Producer Dave Cobb, Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
Pictured (L-R): GRAMMY nominees Matt Maher, Lauren Daigle and Jason Crabb. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Nashville Chapter Executive Director, Alicia Warwick; GRAMMY nominee Mr. Talkbox; GRAMMY nominee TobyMac and Recording Academy Nashville Chapter President, Shannon Sanders. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
GRAMMY nominees The Mavericks. Courtesy of The Recording Academy/photo by WireImage.com
Industry Ink: ShopKeeper Management, Columbia Nashville, Kobalt Music, Collin Raye, Rachel Holder, Disney Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonAshley Monroe Joins ShopKeeper Management
Warner Music Nashville artist Ashley Monroe has signed with ShopKeeper Management, MusicRow has confirmed. Spearheaded by Marion Kraft, ShopKeeper Management counts Miranda Lambert and Pistol Annies as clients. Crystal Dishmon also manages Courtney Cole under the ShopKeeper management umbrella.
Monroe is nominated for two Grammy awards at the upcoming 58th annual Grammy Awards, including a nod for Best Country Album (The Blade, produced by Vince Gill and Justin Niebank), and a nod for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for her chart-topping duet with Blake Shelton, “Lonely Tonight.”
Columbia Nashville Appoints Janese To Manager, Regional Promotion
Mark Janese
Mark Janese has been appointed as Manager, Regional Promotion for Columbia Nashville. Based in Dallas, Texas, Janese is now responsible for Southwest regional radio promotion for the record label home of Kenny Chesney, Tyler Farr, Chase Rice, and newcomer Maren Morris.
Most recently Manager, Southwest Promotion, for Curb Records, Janese celebrates a homecoming into the Sony Music Nashville family of labels, where his career has spanned prior tenures of 20 years across multiple imprints, including Columbia.
In making the announcement, Vice President, Promotion Norbert Nix remarked, “The work we do is as competitive as it has ever been, so we have to entrust every role to the very best – which is why I am beyond thrilled to welcome Mark Janese back home to Columbia.”
He can be reached at mark.janese@sonymusic.com or by phone at (214) 763-7816.
Cyndi Lauper Plans Album, Sings At Skyville Live Performance
Kobalt Music Publishing songwriter Cyndi Lauper will release her first country album, Detour, on May 6. The project was executive produced by Seymour Stein and produced by Tony Brown. Lauper performed on Skyville Live in Nashville last week. She joined newcomer Kelsea Ballerini and indie artist Ingrid Michaelson for the performance.
(L-R): Whitney Daane, SVP of Creative, Kobalt Music Publishing Nashville; Cyndi Lauper, singer-songwriter, member of Kobalt Music Publishing; Al “Butter” McLean, SVP of Creative at Kobalt Music Publishing (Atlanta).
Collin Raye Returns To Webster PR
Collin Raye has returned to Webster PR after a previous partnership for PR representation. The Arkansas native has had 21 Top 10 hits, including “Love, Me,” ‘In This Life,” “My Kind of Girl,” and more. “It’s an amazing blessing to be celebrating 25 years in country music,” said Raye. “Kirt Webster is a dear friend, and with a number of exciting projects ahead in 2016, we’re honored to have his talented team on board for this special year.”
Collin Raye
Curb Records’ Rachel Holder Signs New Management
Curb Records Recording Artist Rachel Holder has signed with Monte Willis and Barry Williams for exclusive management.
“We are extremely excited to be working with Rachel Holder and the Curb Group, she is an amazing person and artist,” said Williams, who also co-manages Broken Bow recording artist Jordan Rager.
Rachel Holder
Disney Music Group Promotes Shortridge To A&R Representative
The Disney Music Group is pleased to announce the promotion of Ciara Shortridge to the new position of A&R Representative. Ciara began her career with Disney in September 2009 and is a graduate of Belmont University.
In her new role, Shortridge will be responsible for creative affairs for the writer’s roster as well as new acquisitions in the recording and publishing endeavors of the company.
Ciara Shortridge
BMI Foundation Creates Nashville Songwriting Scholarship
/by Craig_ShelburneThe BMI Foundation is accepting applications for its 2016 scholarship season, open to young musicians attending colleges and universities nationwide. The Foundation will administer seven distinct scholarship competitions aided by panelists of international musical acclaim.
These annual programs include the newly established Nashville Songwriting Scholarship and BMI Founders Award for Radio Broadcasting, as well as the BMI Future Jazz Master Scholarship, BMI Student Composer Awards, John Lennon Scholarships, peermusic Latin Scholarship, and Woody Guthrie Fellowship.
The Nashville Songwriting Scholarship is an annual competition established in 2015 to support aspiring country music artists nationwide. A $5,000 scholarship will be awarded for the best original song in any of the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. The contest is open to students between the ages of 17 and 24, who are enrolled in any college or university located in the United States. Grammy-winning recording artist and BMI songwriter Kacey Musgraves has endorsed the inaugural competition.
Program applications must be completed online no later than Monday, Feb. 15, 2016. For complete details and to apply, please visit bmifoundation.org/programs.
“It is with great anticipation that the BMI Foundation opens its virtual doors to young composers, songwriters, and music scholars across the country,” said BMI Foundation President Deirdre Chadwick. “In addition to our historic awards for the creators of pop, Latin, jazz, and classical music, we are thrilled to broaden our reach in 2016 to aspiring country music songwriters and broadcasting students. Collectively, our programs provide vital support for the next generation of musical talent and professionals in America.”
Kacey Jones Benefit Concert Set For Feb. 5 At Douglas Corner
/by Craig_ShelburneKacey Jones
The Nashville songwriting community will support Kacey Jones, a songwriter battling stage-3 colorectal cancer, with an fundraising event at Douglas Corner Café on Feb. 5. Tickets are $10 at the door.
Jones, a professional singer/songwriter/musician, and a contestant last year on America’s Got Talent, was diagnosed in January 2014.
“I was told my ‘only hope’ was a protocol of chemo and radiation five days a week, followed by an extremely radical surgery, followed by six more months of chemo. That scared the heck out of me. I’m not afraid of dying, but I have a healthy fear of being poisoned, burned, and butchered,” Jones said.
Since then, Jones sought alternative treatments from licensed doctors as well as holistic and homeopathic doctors and, thus far, her cancer has not metastasized. However, her alternative treatments and therapies are not covered by insurance.
“I’m not cancer-free yet, but I believe I will be if I can just stay on this wellness path that I began nearly two years ago,” Jones said.
Songwriters scheduled to perform include Kent Blazy, Alan Rhody, Cory Batten, Rafe Van Hoy, Roger Cook and Wood Newton, as well as Doug Gill, Jim Parker, Lynn Langham, Jim Sales, and Jonmark Stone.
Jones is also expected to play a few original tunes, including “Donald Trump’s Hair,” which is currently enjoying nationwide airplay on stations such as news-talk outlet KABC Radio Los Angeles and 650 AM WSM in Nashville.
Music Biz 2016 Conference In Nashville Announces Programs
/by Craig_ShelburnePrograms about brand strategies, management, touring and entertainment law have been added to the Music Biz 2016 conference to be held at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel on May 16-18.
Topics that are back by popular demand include: metadata summit, music startup academy; a town hall for artists, management and touring; metadata for artists; a town hall for songwriters and publishers; a town hall for Record Store Day; music educators meetup; and entertainment and technology law conference.
New programs this year include: a panel with prominent women in the music business; a branding and strategic partnership summit; and a direct-to-fan forum.
Breakout session topics include: social media and video monetization; the hi-res music market; catalog in the digital age; harnessing new data opportunities; and virtual reality. Live music will also be showcased in various Nashville venues.
An awards breakfast presented by CMA will be held on May 17 at 8:30 a.m. John Esposito and Redeye’s Glenn Dicker and Tor Hansen will accept awards; Brett Eldredge is also scheduled to perform. An awards luncheon on May 18 at 12:30 p.m. will honor rising pop star Halsey, Sam Hunt, and Little Big Town.
Discount rates to attend Music Biz 2016 are available through March 11.
Sony Music Nashville Nixes “Sony Boat” Event During CRS
/by Jessica NicholsonFor years, one of the most anticipated events during CRS has been the label group’s annual party aboard the General Jackson, where the label showcases performances from several of its superstar artists, including appearances by surprise guests. Artists on board last year include Brad Paisley, Tyler Farr, Jake Owen, Chase Rice, and Trisha Yearwood, as well as Logan Mize, Steven Lee Olsen, Cam, The Swon Brothers and Josh Dorr.
While Sony Music Nashville recently signed indie artist Kane Brown, other artists have exited the label. MusicRow has learned that The Swon Brothers, Sara Evans, The Henningsens, and Josh Dorr are no longer on the Sony Music Nashville roster.
Dustin Lynch Inks Deal With Magic Mustang Music, Warner/Chappell Music
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Top Row, L-R): Safford Motley, PLC’s Scott Safford; Magic Mustang Music’s VP of Publishing Juli Newton-Griffith; Warner/Chappell’s Phil May; BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba; Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel; BBR Music Group Legal & Financial Affairs Colton McGee. (Bottom Row, L-R): Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn; Dustin Lynch; BBR Music Group President/CEO Benny Brown
Dustin Lynch has signed a publishing deal with BBR Music Group’s Magic Mustang Music, in a co-venture with Warner/Chappell Music. Lynch has co-writing credits on five tracks from his album Where It’s At.
Magic Mustang’s VP of Publishing, Juli Newton-Griffith, says, “Dustin has been a part of the BBR Music Group family for years and it has been a joy to watch him morph into a commanding writer as his star power continues to soar. We are extremely excited to finally have him as a part of Magic Mustang. Warner/Chappell is the perfect partner to co-publish this superstar.”
“When I moved to Nashville years ago, one of the first doors that opened for me was Ben Vaughn’s,” says Lynch. “For the Magic Mustang and Warner/Chappell worlds to collide is a match made in heaven. I’m looking forward to this wonderful new chapter!”
Lynch is currently on the road headlining his Hell Of A Night Tour and will soon join Luke Bryan’s Kill The Lights Tour, kicking off this month.
Converse Studio Experience Returns to Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerConverse will offer a second Converse Rubber Tracks recording session to select local artists at the Grand Victor Sound Nashville from Feb. 22-26.
Emerging artists will record during the weeklong pop-up at Grand Victor Sound Nashville, retaining all rights to their music following their daylong session and working alongside a team of experienced engineers at no cost.
Five emerging artists enjoyed the free sessions in December 2015 for the first Nashville session. Since its 2011 inception though, Converse has brought the Converse Rubber Tracks experience to music cities worldwide, giving over 1,600 aspiring acts, artists, and musicians valuable recording time.
Visit conversemusic.com for more information or to apply.
In Pictures: ASCAP At Sundance, Luke Bryan, Tanya Tucker
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP at Sundance
As the Sundance ASCAP Music Café headed into the home stretch of its eight-day run, some of ASCAP Nashville’s top songwriters embraced the spotlight. On Jan. 27, country songwriters Chris DeStefano, Josh Osborne and reigning three-time ASCAP Country Songwriter of the Year Ashley Gorley performed as part of a special Bluebird Café Series set. Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum performed a few of his new songs as well as some Lady Antebellum hits.
The 18th Annual Sundance ASCAP Music Café also featured performances from Sting with documentary film composer J. Ralph, Veruca Salt’s Nina Gordon and Louise Post, Green River Ordinance, Madisen Ward and the Mama Bear, Tift Merritt, and more.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Josh Osborne, ASCAP’s Loretta Muñoz, Ashley Gorley, The Bluebird Cafe’s Erika Wollam-Nichols, Chris DeStefano and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad. Photo: ASCAP’s Erik Philbrook
Charles Kelley performs at The Sundance ASCAP Music Cafe. Photo: ASCAP’s Erik Philbrook
Luke Bryan’s Crash My Playa Mexico
Pictured (L-R): Luke Bryan, Cody Alan
Dan Rather Interviews Tanya Tucker
Tanya Tucker will appear on an all-new episode of Dan Rather‘s The Big Interview, which will premiere Tuesday, Feb. 2, at 7 pm. CT. During the conversation, Tucker discussed her career, overcoming a disfiguring chemical peel in 2008, and how her faith helped her heal.
Pictured (L-R): Dan Rather, Tanya Tucker.