Guthrie Trapp

Electric country guitarist Guthrie Trapp has partnered with ArtistWorks, an interactive learning that connects high-profile professional musicians with amateurs.

A Nashville resident, Trapp has played alongside Garth Brooks, Alison Krauss, Dolly Parton, Lyle Lovett, Randy Travis, Vince Gill, Patty Loveless, George Jones, and more.

As sole provider of the patented Video Exchange Learning platform, ArtistWorks provides the space for Trapp to teach electric country guitar via HD video lessons.

These lessons include direct feedback for subscribing students. Utilizing simple web cams, smartphones, tablets or video cameras, students are able to submit practice videos and then receive individualized video feedback and guidance from Trapp.

“I’m as proud of this course as I am of anything I’ve ever done. Can’t wait to share it with y’all,” said Trapp. “If you’ve ever wanted to dive deep into how I approach the guitar, this is the best way to do it. I covered so much ground in these videos, and there will be lots more to come.”

For more information, visit artistworks.com.

ole’s April Geesbreght Performs For Sony Pictures Entertainment

ole singer-songwriter April Geesbreght recently visited the Sony Pictures Entertainment office in Los Angeles, where she performed three songs for the office’s full staff for consideration in Sony’s upcoming film and TV projects.

Pictured (L-R): Emily Mueller, Creative Manager, ole; Jaison Trece, Executive Director, Music Group, Sony Pictures Entertainment; April Geesbreght, songwriter, ole;Shelly Bunge, EVP, Music, Sony Pictures Entertainment; Tony Scudellari, VP, TV Music Creative – Sony Pictures Entertainment; John Ozier, GM, Creative, ole.

AIMP Welcomes Publishers For ‘Publishing-The New A&R?’ Panel

AIMP and Fifth Third Bank welcomed a full house for the recent ‘Publishing-The New A&R?’ Panel, held at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room and moderated by Marc Driskill. Panelists included Michael McAnally Baum (SMACKsongs), Ree Guyer Buchanan (Wrensong), Rusty Gaston (THiS Music), John Ozier (ole), and Kos Weaver (BMG), who discussed their companies’ label projects and key components of creating a successful release.

Pictured: Row One: Ree Guyer Buchanan, Michael McAnally Baum, Kos Weaver, Rusty Gaston, John Ozier; Row Two: Michael Martin (ASCAP), Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Production Music), Denise Nichols (AIMP Secretary/Primacy Firm), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank)

Scotty McCreery: On The Set

Scotty McCreery worked with music video director Roman White and McCreery’s manager John Lytle on the set of McCreery’s new music video “Southern Belle,” which released earlier this week. The song is the first single from the Mercury Nashville/19/Interscope recording artist’s new album, due in 2016.

Pictured: director Roman White; Scotty McCreery; McCreery’s manager John Lytle of Lytle Management. Photo: Eric Adkins

Tim McGraw Performs Album Release Party

Tim McGraw. Photo: Larry Busacca/Getty Images for PANDORA Media

Pandora hosted a Tim McGraw’ album release party on Wednesday (Nov. 11) in New York City. His 14th studio album, Damn Country Music, was released on November 6 by Big Machine Records.

Dierks Bentley Surprised at Veterans Day Concert

Pictured (L-R): Eric Paslay, Dierks Bentley, Charles Kelley. Photo: Tasos Katopodis/Getty Images for CBS RADIO

Eric Paslay and Charles Kelley surprised Dierks Bentley during his set at CBS Radio’s Stars and Strings to perform “The Driver,” a song the three recorded for the Lady Antebellum breakout’s forthcoming solo album. The sold-out Veteran’s Day concert was held at the Chicago Theatre benefitting foldsofhonor.org, which provides educational support to spouses and children of America’s fallen and wounded soldiers. Paslay flew into Chicago just in time to make the show after spending five days in Mexico performing as part of Florida Georgia Line’s “This Is How We Cruise.” Additional performers at the benefit event included Gary Allan, Hunter Hayes, Jake Owen, Justin Moore, Kip Moore, Lee Brice, Little Big Town and The Band Perry.

Lee Greenwood To Perform Prior to Sunday Kick Off

Lee Greenwood

Lee Greenwood will perform his iconic, patriotic song “God Bless the USA” prior to kick off Sunday (Nov. 15) at FedExField, presented by ACM Lifting Lives. The Washington Redskins Charitable Foundations (WRCF) and Redskins Salute will host 200 military surviving family members from TAPS (Tragedy Assistance Program for Survivors) at the Washington Redskins versus New Orleans Saints game. During an on-field presentation where they will receive a star (red, white or blue) to represent their fallen hero, Greenwood will sing live.

 Macy Martin Delivers 100 Macy’s Toy Box Mascots

Pictured (L-R): band members Brent Layman, Matt Koerner, Phil Ortiz; Dee Dee Martin, Give Kids The World Village; Macy Martin; and volunteers.

Country newcomer and philanthropist Macy Martin recently performed for children and families at the Give Kids The World Village in Kissimmee, Fla., which provides families of children with life threatening illness weeklong, cost free vacations.

Martin additionally met with children at the village and handed out over 100 stuffed “Tumbles” bears. The animals are the mascot of Macy’s Toy Box, a non-profit the singer established to collect new and gently used to toys for those less fortunate year-round.

Google has officially launched YouTube Music, a separate app from the original YouTube app, which works with the Google Music subscription fee and is provided for a single monthly cost. Portions of the app are accessible without a fee.

YouTube Music has the ability to switch between video or audio-only features. It also allows users to hear audio from a video on a computer or mobile device, even if the display is turned off or the user is using a different app at the same time.

YouTube Music includes a 14-day “amplified experience” for free. This is a 14-day free subscription to the whole collection of services all at once.

YouTube Music is part of the new Red subscription service, which for $9.99 monthly brings you an ad-free YouTube experience, access to original content, and more.

Hearts Bluff Music President Scott Parker.

Hearts Bluff Music has acquired the rights to the Muy Bueno Music catalog, founded by George Strait and his manager Erv Woolsey.

Hearts Bluff president Scott Parker made the announcement during Hearts Bluff Music’s 10th anniversary party, held in Nashville. Hearts Bluff Music’s catalog already boasts classics including “When A Man Loves A Woman,” “Oh, Pretty Woman,” “Everlasting Love,” and more. The celebration featured performances from songwriters Aaron Barker, Hugh Prestwood, Mac Gayden, Kevin Welch, and more.

The Muy Bueno Music catalog began with flagship writer Aaron Barker, and over the years the roster grew to include Dana Hunt-Black, Gerald Smith, Donny Kees, and Tony Ramey, among others. Among its songs are the Strait-recorded hits “Baby Blue,” “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Easy Come, Easy Go,” “Write This Down,” and “One Night At A Time.” It also includes Lorrie Morgan’s “What Part of No,” Gary Allan’s “It Would Be You,” and Lonestar’s “What About Now,” among others.

Pictured (L-R): Ashley Embry, Creative Manager, Hearts Bluff Music;
Tyler Sutphen, Communication Manager, Hearts Bluff Music; Scott Parker, President, Hearts Bluff Music; Karen Lawrence, Royalty Analyst, Hearts Bluff Music; Richard Rose, Copyright Cafe.

Parker spoke about the importance of the Muy Bueno Music catalog acquisition with MusicRow.

MusicRow: How did this opportunity come about?
Scott Parker: We’ve had a great 10-year co-publishing relationship with Muy Bueno, ever since we purchased the Aaron Barker catalog. This purchase just made sense for all parties, as it was a natural outflow of our relationship. George, Erv and Connie [Woolsey] have built a treasure of songs and I’m so incredibly honored they’ve entrusted us with this legacy.

Muy Bueno’s attorney, Jess Rosen, also played a big part in putting this deal together. He knew I was passionate about this catalog, and helped us put together a fair deal. Hearts Bluff specializes in acquiring high-end, historical catalogs, so we knew the value and were able reach terms very quickly.

MR: In evaluating this catalog, what factors made it an important addition to Hearts Bluff Music?
SP: To my knowledge, this may be the largest independent catalog of George Strait music that’s ever been available…not to mention all the hits by other artists. And like I said before, this made sense with our previous catalog investments. I also had great deal of internal support from my investors. Most of them are based in Texas, and they understand the incredible legacy of this catalog.

MR: What songs in this catalog have not been recorded that you are excited about working on?
SP: There are definitely some “hidden gems” in this catalog. We’re pretty familiar with Aaron Barker’s and Dana Hunt-Black’s catalogs, and we’ll be getting up-to-speed on the deeper catalog. I’m excited about several of the classics again. For example, I’d love to hear a new artist rework a timeless classic like “Baby Blue” for sync placement. Also, I used to write songs with Muy Bueno writers like Dana Hunt-Black, and Christi Dannemiller, and have always admired their craft.

MR: Hearts Bluff is about not only a songwriter’s catalog, but about their legacy as a writer, and the Muy Bueno catalog certainly adds to that. What opportunities are you most looking forward to in working this catalog’s music?
SP: You’re right. For example, the legacy of a writer like Aaron Barker is very important to us. Aaron is a dear friend, and certainly worthy of induction in the Nashville Songwriter’s Hall of Fame. After all, this guy wrote many of George Strait’s biggest No. 1 songs like “I Can Still Make Cheyenne,” “Baby Blue,” “Love Without End, Amen” and “Easy Come, Easy Go.” These weren’t just hits, but defined an era in country music. Aaron recently performed at our 10-year Anniversary celebration, and he was absolutely amazing. He’s an American treasure. I look forward to similar experiences with other writers.

Pictured (L-R): Hugh Prestwood, Aaron Barker