This week, five rising artists will get the opportunity to record original music in one of Nashville’s premier recording facilities, thanks to the previously announced Converse Rubber Tracks pop-up studio experience by Converse Inc.

For the first of three pop-up experiences in Nashville, the following five Nashville artists were selected: five piece “indie-surf” group Kristoff Waltz, hip-hop artist Mike Floss, three-piece rock group Hans Condor, singer-songwriter Emily Hackett, and sibling rock trio Music Band. Artists of all ages and genres were invited to apply.

The artists will record at top-shelf Nashville recording facility Grand Victor Sound Studio (formerly known as RCA Studio A) this week. Following the recordings, the artists will retain all rights to their music.

The program will return to Nashville with two additional, week-long pop-up studios in 2016.

“This week marks the first Converse Rubber Tracks pop-up experience in Nashville and we’re excited to work with local artists who truly represent the city’s talent,” said Jed Lewis, Converse Global Music Marketing Director. “We’ve seen huge success with the program worldwide, and we hope to be useful to the next generation of emerging artists here in ‘Music City.’”

Born out of the desire to give back to the global music community and encourage creativity, Converse Rubber Tracks seeks opportunities to provide resources to emerging artists around the world who may not have the means to afford studio time. Since the program’s start four years ago, Converse has brought the Converse Rubber Tracks experience to spirited music cities including San Francisco, Boston, Los Angeles, Austin, Toronto, Montreal, Amsterdam, Hamburg, Mexico City, Barcelona, and many more, giving over 1,600 emerging musicians valuable recording time at state-of-the-art studios with a team of experienced engineers, at no cost to the artists.

Jack White’s Third Man Records returns home to Detroit with a new second outpost based at 441 West Canfield Street in the city’s historic Cass Corridor. The building once housed the Willys-Overland Motor Company in the early 20th century. White launched Third Man Records in Detroit in 2001, and in 2009 opened its current Nashville location, which houses a record store, novelties lounge, label offices, distribution center, photo studio and more.

The Detroit space, which opened on Nov. 27, is home to Third Man Records’ second retail space, as well as Third Man Vinyl Record Pressing. The multi-use space also features Third Man Books Nook, a live music space (including music from the Third Man Records House Band, The Syncopators), and a listening booth that includes Third Man Records’ entire catalog.

Visitors can record their own 6″ record in the second of two Third Man Recording Booths (the first still resides in Third Man Records’ Nashville flagship location), and The Impossible Photo Booth, which allows visitors to shoot using “Impossible Duochrome Black & Yellow film,” made for Third Man Records by The Impossible Project.

There is also a Ride Mini Topsy, a motorized elephant scooter “to take smalls and talls alike for a spin around the store,” according to a statement.

“We are humbled to be in a position where we can return to the town that started it all, and absolutely thrilled for what the future holds for Third Man Records Cass Corridor. Thank you, Detroit.”

AIMP, SoundExchange Celebrate The Holidays With Music

Pictured (L-R): Kari Barnhart, 5/3 Bank; Michael Martin, ASCAP; Craig Currier, peermusic; Ree Guyer Buchanan, AIMP Secretary/Wrensong; John Ozier, ole; Marc Driskill, AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle; Emerson Hart; John Allen, New West Records; Linda Bloss-Baum, SoundExchange; Randy Wachtler, Warner/Chappell Production Music; Brad Peterson, 5/3 Bank. Photo: Laura Roberts

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville and SoundExchange hosted a pre-holiday Holiday Shindig at the Sutler for members and friends. Performer Emerson Hart of rock band Tonic serenaded guests with the hit, “If You Could Only See,” from atop the bar.

Christmas 4 Kids Raises More Than $100K

The Marshall Tucker Band, with Ricky Skaggs, headlines Christmas 4 Kids. Photo: Randi Radcliff

The Christmas 4 Kids concert held Monday night (Nov. 23) at the Ryman Auditorium generated more than $100,000, solidifying this year’s show as one of the most successful in the organization’s 25+ year history.

“This year’s concert was one of the biggest in the history of Christmas 4 Kids,” says Christmas 4 Kids President, Linda O’Connell.  “We are ecstatic with the amount of money raised for the kids.  A very big ‘thank you’ to the artists, hosts and staff who all donated their time to make the night a huge success!”

Before a packed house, headliner The Marshall Tucker Band, Restless Heart and Shenandoah and winner of NBC‘s The Voice Craig Wayne Boyd, kept the crowd enchanted with more than three hours of music. The night included several surprise appearances. Country Music Hall of Famer William Lee Golden of The Oak Ridge Boys joined Restless Heart on “Thank God For Kids” and to a thunderous applause, Ricky Skaggs stormed The Marshall Tucker Band’s set, mixing a bluegrass with Southern rock. The event was hosted by 650AM WSM‘s Bill Cody and TV personality Kelly Sutton.

For more than 25 years, the not-for-profit organization Christmas 4 Kids has provided many children their own Christmas shopping spree. The funds generated by the concert, and the tour bus show/artist meet-and-greet event, are used to give over 400 children from 29 different schools, a day-long shopping excursion.

APA Nashville Wins SOLID 2015 Turkey Bowl Flag Football Championship

SOLID 2015 Turkey Bowl Flag Football champions, APA Nashville.

APA Nashville is the reigning champion of the SOLID 2015 Turkey Bowl Flag Football Championship after defeating Thinkwell Corporation., SESAC, WME and CAA during the annual game, held Nov. 21, benefiting Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

“I may have been the oldest player out there, but we gave it our all and had a blast supporting our SOLID friends while making a difference for Second Harvest,” said Steve Lassiter, APA Senior VP and Partner.

SOLID (Society of Leaders in Development) organized the annual football championship to raise money for Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Pictured (L-R): Academy of Country Music Officers Duane Clark (Treasurer), Ben Vaughn (Vice President), Ken Tucker (President), Paul Barnabee (Chairman), Paul Moore (Parliamentarian) and Tiffany Moon (Secretary).

The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced a record $1 million donation to ACM Lifting Lives on behalf of the artists who participated in the record-setting 50th anniversary of the ACM Awards in April and ACM Presents: Superstar Duets in May.

Combined, both CBS-TV broadcasts reached 22.4 million viewers, with the former setting a Guinness World Record for the most -attended live awards telecast in history at more than 70,252 at AT&T Stadium in Dallas, Texas.

“ACM Lifting Lives has done so much in the past several years with the monies raised from ACM television specials and Aawards Sshow-related events,” said Duane Clark, ACM Board Treasurer. “As a Board, we’re proud to support the good work of ACM Lifting Lives – and it’s our way of thanking the artists. They donate their time and talents to make it possible for us to raise money and continue the good work of improving lives through the power of music.”

ACM Lifting Lives, the philanthropic arm of the ACM, funds everything from disaster relief and helping communities in need, to music education in schools and music camps for those with disabilities, to supporting programs that use music therapy as a means to help our veterans and wounded warriors, while providing grants to help them ease back into life.