Southern Ground’s radio promotion staff will discontinue in early 2016, MusicRow has confirmed. The staff will work Zac Brown Band’s current single, “Beautiful Drug,” to radio through the end of January 2016.

At that time, Big Machine Label Group’s Dot Records imprint will immediately join in on all promotional efforts so as to not lose any momentum on the current single.

Among those reported as exiting as part of the Southern Ground promotional staff are Clay Henderson, Mara Sidweber, Chuck Swaney, Neda Tobin, and Paul Williams.

 

BMI Songwriters Bring Country Sounds to Maui Shore

The BMI Maui Songwriters Festival is in full swing, featuring shows every day from top country songwriters including Kacey Musgraves, Willie Nelson, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon and more. Held December 8 to 13 on the sunny shores of Maui, the festival highlights country music from well-established hit-makers, as well as the next wave of up-and-comers. The group paused for a photo as the sun set on the first night of the event. Ticket proceeds benefit the Dorvin and Betty Leis Charities, Inc. and the BMI Foundation.

 

ole Promotes Chris Giansante

Chris Giansante has been promoted to Vice President of Administration of ole, an independent rights management company.

Giansante previously was named General Manager of Administration in January 2015, where he was charged with improving ole’s client service and data analytics, refining ole’s online portal, managing ole’s digital collections and services, and maximizing royalty collections from the ole catalog and those the company administers. Under his leadership, ole’s global admin team has made significant strides in these areas and more, earning Giansante increased responsibility as Vice President.

He first joined ole in 2010, when he was hired as a Financial Analyst in the company’s Acquisitions department, earning a promotion to Senior Analyst in 2013. Prior to joining ole, Giansante served in an analyst capacity at RBC Capital Markets, and with firms in the automotive and environmental technologies sectors. He received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Administration in 2008 and his MBA in 2010, both from the University of Windsor. He is also a member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario as a CPA, CMA.

 

Amazon Selects Nashville Band Moon Taxi For Holiday Sampler

Nashville rock band Moon Taxi is part of Indie For the Holidays, a new collection of holiday music exclusively available to stream on Amazon Prime Music and purchase on Amazon.

Other artists on the mix include YACHT, Rogue Wave, Lisa Loeb, Langhorne Slim, Tuxedo, Ivan & Alyosha, The LeeVees & Matisyahu, A Silent Film and Sondre Lerche.

“We always want to deliver something special to our customers and Indie for the Holidays is the next great way we’re connecting customers with not only new, original holiday music but with amazing artists and bands that they may not have discovered yet,” stated Steve Boom, VP of Digital Music for Amazon. “We’re excited to follow last year’s popular All Is Bright holiday collection with songs from some of today’s best indie artists for customers to enjoy throughout the season.”

 

American Idol and radio host Ryan Seacrest is establishing a Seacrest Studio media center at Vanderbilt’s Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital. The studio is set to open in early 2016. The Ryan Seacrest Foundation builds the state-of-the-art, multimedia broadcast centers in pediatric hospitals, to aid patients in exploring radio, television, and new media that can help with the healing process.

The Seacrest Studios will be located on the second floor of Children’s Hospital, inside the Butterfly Garden performance area. The 723-square-foot studio will be encased in glass, allowing patients and visitors to see what is happening inside the studio. A full-time programming manager for the studio will work with Child Life, art and music therapy, nutrition and other services to create programming unique to the Children’s Hospital. Programs produced and broadcast in the studios include interviews and live performances from celebrities and music artists; live radio programs and music; educational segments on science, history and art, and patient created shows and music videos, and more. The studio will also bring journalism students from area colleges and universities as interns.

The Ryan Seacrest Foundation has opened nine other Seacrest Studios in pediatric hospitals across the country along with the help of their sponsors, E! Entertainment, The Coca-Cola Company, iHeartMedia and ACM Lifting Lives.

“It’s an honor and privilege to expand our studio footprint to Nashville,” said Seacrest. “Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt has fully embraced the spirit and intent of Seacrest Studios. We are confident that patients, their families, and the entire hospital community will benefit from the addition of our studio.”

“We are excited and honored to be selected as a site for Seacrest Studios,” said Luke Gregory, chief executive officer of Children’s Hospital. “The Ryan Seacrest Foundation and Seacrest Studios complement our mission for patient- and family-centered care to ensure our families feel engaged in all aspects of care and the healing process and to make Children’s Hospital a welcoming and inspirational place for every child.”