Honorees and guests attend the NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images for NATD
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 516
The final awards banquet of the season was also the most elegant, intimate, warm and mellow.
On Monday (Nov. 8), the Nashville Association of Talent Directors staged its annual Honors amid the beaux arts splendor of the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown. The NATD saluted television, sports, publicity, agency, government and Music Row personalities.
The honorees were Mayor Megan Barry, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern, publicist Kirt Webster, Predators hockey announcer Pete Weber, American Pickers TV star Mike Wolfe, APA booking executive Steve Lassiter and rock manager Charlie Brusco.
The Tennessean’s Brad Schmitt and Channel 2’s Stephanie Langston co-hosted. The crowd was sprinkled with stars such as Crystal Gayle, Henry Paul, Nan Kelley and Lee Roy Parnell.
The event began with cocktails in the Hermitage’s elegant lobby with its stained-glass ceiling. Pianist Eric Bikales serenaded the crowd while servers circulated with spinach filo pockets and beef Wellington.
Producer Dave Brainard was there, with his jaw brace finally removed and on the road to recovery from the attack he suffered near Music Row. NATD president Steve Tolman had his singing daughter in tow. Jenny Tolman is working with Brainard.
David & Carolyn Corlew, BeBe Evans and Paula Szeigis were representing the Charlie Daniels office. Jeremy Westby, Jeff Gregg, Bonnie Sugarman, Bill Gatzimos, Preshus Tomes, Charles Dorris, Ray Shelide, Randi Perkins, Tinti Moffat, Moore & Moore, Mike Campbell, Teresa George, Pepper Meller and NATD executive assistant Tina Payton mingled.
We moved into the dining room. With its coffered ceiling, wood paneling, opulent drapes, gilded décor, elegant carpet and spectacular vintage chandeliers, this is one of the most beautiful spaces in Nashville. Harpist Deanna Loveland sent notes wafting through the room’s atmosphere.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and NATD President Steve Tolman. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Following the invocation by Father Joseph Breen, Steve Tolman introduced honoree Megan Barry. “We want to congratulate you on breaking new ground,” he said to Nashville’s first female mayor. “We are here to support you and help you however we can.”
“It’s really fitting to be honored in this room,” said the Mayor, recalling that suffragettes came to the Hermitage to lobby the legislature to make Tennessee the deciding state in granting women the right to vote in 1920.
“We have the greatest concentration of talent than any other city in the United States. We really are the Third Coast. When we think about the music, we think about the people in front. But it’s really about the people in the back,” she said, referring to the 150 elite industry workers at the NATD soiree.
Kirt Webster and Crystal Gayle. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
The surprise honoree was Kirt Webster. Tolman gave him the Directors’ Award, because, “He keeps a lot of our legendary artists visible and out there.” Webster was saluted via video by The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
“I am usually not at a loss for words, but I am,” said Webster. “I do what I do, because I love what I do.
“We’re family, and that’s what is most important.” He said he was wearing a ball cap to hide his recent hair transplants.
Pictured (L-R): Charlie Brusco, Red Light Management; John Huie, CAA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Charlie Brusco has managed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Peter Frampton, Survivor, Styx and The Outlaws. He is also an Atlanta show promoter. Rod Essig, Henry Paul and Tommy Shaw appeared in his tribute video.
John Huie presented the award. “Nashville’s kind of a second home to me,” said the honoree. “We have friends from all over the place who have moved down here. I know everybody thinks this is the country music capital. But there is all kinds of great music here.”
Pictured (L-R): Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Pete Weber has been the Voice of the Nashville Predators for 17 seasons. Partner Terry Crisp presented his honor.
“Nashville has offered us a very, very warm home,” said Weber. “The All Star Game is coming to Nashville in January, and that should be a lot of fun. Let’s get on with the show.”
Tony Conway offered a memorial to the late Tandy Rice and the late Joe Guercio, both avid NATD supporters. The audience joined him in a toast and a round of hearty applause.
Tolman announced to Schmitt that the NATD is donating $2,500 to the Nashville Prevention Partnership in his honor. The ACM’s Bob Romeo announced that his organization would match that. Schmitt recalled his two DUI arrests, being fired from Channel 2 and going to rehab at Cumberland Heights.
“Recovery is here, and it works,” he said. “I’m five-and-half years clean.” Co-host Langston said, “He’s an inspiration to all of us.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Tolman, NATD President, Mike Wolfe; Shaun Silva, Tacklebox Films. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Shaun Silva presented the NATD honor to Mike Wolfe. “I moved to Nashville in 2001,” said Silva. “I fell in love with this town. Mike has brought a lot of eyes to what’s great about Nashville.”
“I came to this community 14 years ago, riding through on my motorcycle,” Wolfe recalled. He moved to Music City four years ago. His American Pickers is one of the top shows on cable TV and a runaway ratings success for the History Channel. Wolfe also operates the Antique Archeology store in Nashville, is restoring a number of historic properties in the area and is producing several new 2016 TV series.
“I am a product of what Nashville truly embodies. I really wouldn’t have this show without Nashville. My Nashville friends gave me the courage to do that. It’s a city of dreams. A dream I had wouldn’t have happened without this community. So thank you for this.
“I think this is my first award.”
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA; Nan Kelley. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images of NATD
Luke Bryan, Ralph Emery and the Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman were in the tribute video for Sarah Trahern. Nan Kelley presented the honor.
“The theme through everybody’s remarks tonight is family, passion and collaboration,” said Trahern. “I am grateful that I get to do something that I am very passionate about. How lucky we are that we get to do this for a living.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter, Senior Vice President at APA Nashville; Jim Gosnell, President/CEO at APA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Corlew, Evans, Gayle, Shelide, Paul, Joe Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Rob Beckham, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and Frank Wing saluted Steve Lassiter on video. Lassiter is an East Nashville native and an MTSU grad. He got his start in Sullivan’s Sound 70 concert-promotion office 38 years ago.
APA president Jim Gosnell joined Steve’s sons Cain, Luke and Austin Lassiter in presenting the honor. “I’ve been doing this so long I know just about everybody in this room,” said the honoree. “I do what I love, and I passed that down to these young men, right here. I am as passionate and I love this as much as I did 38 years ago.”
Founded in 1958, the Nashville Association of Talent Directors fosters camaraderie among friendly competitors. Its members generate $300 million annually for their artists. The organization began giving college scholarship funds to worthy students 26 years ago. It began staging annual Honors banquets five years ago.
Artist Updates: The Band Perry, Wynonna; Sam Hunt, Grammy Amplifier; We Fest; Dallas Smith
/by Eric T. ParkerNapa Festival Features The Band Perry, Wynonna & The Big Noise
The Band Perry. Photo: PHOCO/Live In The Vineyard
The Band Perry surprised VIP guests at the 16th music/food/wine festival Live In The Vineyard in Napa, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a performance at Phifer Pavitt Wine where they previewed new music from their upcoming album. In addition, Wynonna & The Big Noise kicked off the festival on Friday, Nov. 6, at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. The band’s self-titled debut is set for release Feb. 12 on Curb Records.
Wynonna performs with The Big Noise. Photo: Steve Jennings
Grammy Amplifier Program Includes Sam Hunt As Curator
Hyundai and The Recording Academy have announced the fourth annual Grammy Amplifier Program is now accepting submissions through Dec. 16 from artists seeking to further their musical careers.
Three 2016 winners will be selected by Amplifier curators: Sam Hunt, Big Sean, and Lzzy Hale. Entrants’ friends, family and fans can listen and “amplify” tracks to generate plays and social media points through on Dec. 16 in hopes of making the 25 most “amplified” artists. Those semifinalists will continue gathering “amplifications” through Jan. 4 when the t0p 10 will be flown to Los Angeles to participate in a Music Business Immersion Day to educate them on social media promotion, copyrights, and publishing, among other topics. The final three winners will be selected by the curators and announced during Grammy Week in February, each to receive one of three prize packages: a studio recording session with a Grammy-winning producer; an opening slot for a noted artist and/or a series of festival shows; or the filming of a music video with a celebrated director.
WE Fest’s Minnesota Festival Adds Lee Brice, More Artists
WE Fest 2016 tickets are available with three-day general admission tickets starting at $139; reserve tickets start at $140; and VIP tickets start at $700. Camping options and more info is available at wefest.com, 800-493-3378.
Dallas Smith Debuts Video with Guns N’ Roses Director
Blaster Records/Big Loud Mountain recording artist Dallas Smith premiered his “Kids With Cars” music video yesterday (Nov. 10) with a 24-hour exclusive on CMT. The project was directed by filmmaker Nigel Dick (Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Welcome To The Jungle”; Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time”).
“Kids With Cars” is the title and lead single from Smith’s EP. On the road, Smith will head out for two weeks on the road with dates on his own and with Keith Anderson and Eli Young Band.
Pat Collins Named Vice Chairman, SESAC
/by Jessica NicholsonPat Collins
Pat Collins has been named Vice Chairman of SESAC effective April 1, 2016, MusicRow has learned exclusively. Collins, who currently serves as President and CEO of SESAC Performing Rights, will now begin to transition to his new role as a Senior Advisor to the Company and Vice Chairman. John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, made the announcement.
“My 20+ years with SESAC have been enormously rewarding,” said Collins. “Having added Rumblefish and the Harry Fox Agency to our portfolio, SESAC is well positioned to deliver services across multiple rights categories and to bring unprecedented efficiencies to the licensing, collection and distribution processes for music royalties. I look forward to this phase of my professional and personal plan unfolding and am most grateful and appreciative to my colleagues at SESAC for including me in their amazing story of success.”
Executive Vice President Kelli Turner’s responsibilities will be expanded to include oversight of Licensing and Royalty Distribution and Research Services in addition to Finance, Corporate Development, Human Resources and Information Technology. Executive Vice President Dennis Lord’s responsibilities will be expanded to include Creative as well as Business Affairs. In addition, Christos Badavas, currently Associate General Counsel at HFA, will be moving to a corporate role at SESAC as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Turner, Lord and Badavas will report directly to Josephson, as will SESAC’s Rumblefish business unit, SESAC International and the Company’s Corporate Relations department.
“I am excited that Pat is taking on this new leadership position at SESAC,” Josephson said. “Pat’s ongoing role as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor will allow him to contribute his many years of senior management experience and expansive knowledge of music licensing to inform and direct corporate goals and strategies for SESAC’s continued benefit.”
During Collins’ tenure as President and CEO, the company has signed the catalogs of a number of the biggest names in music, including Mariah Carey, Green Day, Zac Brown, Nikki Sixx, Robert Johnson, Charli XCX, George Clinton and Kesha and others.
In 2009, Collins was honored with the 2009 Sage Award during the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Third Annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The award is given to a top Nashville leader who has made an impact on the city’s young professional demographic. Collins is a past president of Nashville’s Leadership Music as well as a former member of the Leadership Music Board, Country Music Association Board, and YMCA Board. He is involved with numerous music business management initiatives and legislative matters regarding intellectual property. Collins is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Nashville program.
CMT Artists Of The Year Honorees Announced
/by Troy_StephensonCMT announced today the top country artists that will be honored during the 6th annual “CMT Artists of the Year” special that will premiere live on CMT from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, on Wednesday, December 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
This year’s list includes Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt.
Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan are returning for another year of being honored while Shelton, Hunt, and Little Big Town are receiving the honor for the first time.
The 90-minute special will feature live performances, tributes, and toasts from stars of music, film, and television. It is executive produced by Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. Jayson Dinsmore and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.
[Updated]: LifeNotes: Charlie Dick, Patsy Cline’s Widower, Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonVisitation will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at Anderson & Garrett Funeral Home, and again on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 o’clock, at First Baptist Church Joelton.
Additional visitation and services are being planned in his hometown of Winchester, VA., and those arrangements will be handled by Jones Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to R.O.P.E.
[Original, Nov. 9, 2015 at 11:13 a.m.]:
Charlie Dick, widower of country legend Patsy Cline, died Sunday, Nov. 8. He was 81.
The two wed in 1957, and were together until Cline’s death in an airplane crash in 1963. After Cline’s death, Dick worked at labels including Starday Records and MCA Records throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was often involved in handling reissues and compilations of Cline’s music.
HBO Pictures produced Sweet Dreams in 1985, with Jessica Lange in the role of Patsy Cline and Ed Harris in the role of Charlie Dick. Charlie Dick disagreed with how the couple’s marriage was portrayed in Sweet Dreams, and began a campaign to set the record straight. He partnered with Hallway Productions to produce a pair of documentaries on Cline’s life: The Real Patsy Cline and Remembering Patsy. He became more involved with Hallway Productions during the 1990s, helping create similar documentaries about Willie Nelson and Ernest Tubb. In 1997, he aided in the release of Patsy Cline: Live at the Cimarron Ballroom, recorded at a concert from July 1961 in Tulsa, Okla.
Most recently, Dick helped approve the deal for a partnership between the Estate of Patsy Cline and Hologram USA to develop a hologram of Patsy Cline, using HUSA’s technology. The Patsy Cline hologram will be the center of a full concert experience, set to launch in 2016.
ASCAP’s Online Database Now Includes Licensable Share Information
/by Jessica NicholsonThe updates will support ASCAP’s request to the U.S. Department of Justice for its members to have more flexibility in their ability to withdraw certain digital rights from the ASCAP repertory by providing a more complete and transparent picture of the intellectual property rights represented by ASCAP.
“Songwriters and composers depend upon ASCAP to support themselves and their families. If public performance rights societies are going to survive and thrive in a global music economy driven by data, then we must be willing to be fully transparent regarding what shares of songs we are licensing,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “ASCAP is willing to lead the fight for greater transparency in this sector to support fair market value payments to our songwriter and publisher members and we urge other stakeholders to follow suit. “
Bryan White To Headline Journey Beyond The Music
/by Jessica NicholsonBryan White
Singer-songwriter Bryan White is slated to headline Journey Beyond The Music, a benefit concert for Possibilities, Inc. The performance will take place at The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville on Nov. 18.
White garnered six No.1 singles, two platinum records, and two gold records. He also teamed with Shania Twain for the hit “From This Moment On.”
White’s last chart-topper came in 1997. After more than a decade of disappearing from the music industry and now empowered with a newfound emotional freedom he discovered during his time at Onsite, White returns with a brand new story to tell.
When asked how his life has changed during his break from the industry, White says, “I found my true identity, not only as an artist and a songwriter, but as a human being. I realize now that life is an incredible gift and it’s meant to be lived on purpose and outwardly. Music is a gift and a great vehicle but it’s really about what happens beyond the music for me. What kind of legacy did I leave as a husband, as a father, and a friend?”
Possibilities Inc. is a Nashville-based non-profit that provides funding to aid healing for individuals, couples, and families that struggle from the effects of trauma, abuse, stress, mental health and relationship issues. Possibilities Inc. works with another Nashville-based company, Onsite, to provide scholarships to participants.
Tickets for Journey Beyond the Music are available at onsiteworkshops.com/live.
In Pictures: Cam, Old Dominion, Chris Janson, Bryan White, Lindi Ortega
/by Eric T. ParkerCam Performs at Seacrest Studios
Pictured (L-R): Cam, Ryan Seacrest and Kurt Newman, MD, Children’s National Health System. Photo: Paul Morigi/Getty Images
Arista Nashville/RCA Records’ Cam was in Washington, D.C. on Friday, Nov. 6, for a performance as part of the unveiling of Seacrest Studios inside the Children’s National Main Atrium at the Sheikh Zayed Campus for Advanced Children’s Medicine.
The 920 sq. ft. multimedia broadcast studio was opened by Children’s National Health System in partnership with the Ryan Seacrest Foundation. Appearances were additionally made by Lucy Hale, Robin Thicke, and Olympic Gold Medalist Katie Ledecky.
Old Dominion Celebrates No. 1
Pictured (L-R): RCA Records National Director of Promotion Josh Easler; Old Dominion’s Geoff Sprung, Brad Tursi, and Matthew Ramsey; WSOC/Charlotte OM/PD DJ Stout; WSOC Integrated Marketing Consultant Krista Stout; and Old Dominion’s Trevor Rosen and Whit Sellers. Photo: Sony Music
Old Dominion celebrated the No. 1 success of the breakout single “Break up with Him” while in North Carolina with friends from WSOC.
Chris Janson Visits Jimmy Fallon
Pictured (L-R): Tom Martens, National Dir./WAR; Rod Phillips, SVPP iHeartCountry; Chris Janson; Michael Bryan, PD/WSIX; Chad Schultz, Warner National Dir. Radio Mktg & Promo; Kimsey Kerr, MD/WSIX.
Chris Janson hung out with Nashville radio guests backstage for his taping of The Tonight Show with Jimmy Fallon last night (Nov. 9). Watch Janson’s performance of “Buy Me A Boat” at nbc.com.
Bryan White Visits WSM-AM Prior to Asia Performance
Pictured (L-R): Bryan White, Bill Cody.
Bryan White visited the WSM-AM studio this morning (Nov 10) with Bill Cody. White recently surged in popularity in the Philippines with “God Gave Me You.” He’s gearing up to perform in the country’s Manila for the first time on December 1.
Lindi Ortega Debuts at Grand Ole Opry
Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher, Lindi Ortega. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
Lindi Ortega graced the stage of the Grand Ole Opry at The Ryman Auditorium this weekend (Nov. 7). She sang “Ashes,” the current single from her 2015 album, Faded Gloryville, for which a music video was released.
The date kicks off Ortega’s 40+ world tour through February, encompassing shows in the North America, U.K., Ireland, and Spain.
Apple Music Launches On Android
/by Jessica NicholsonApple has made good on its promise from earlier this year that Apple Music would soon be coming to Android. Today (Nov. 10), Apple Music for Android is available.
A free, three-month trial is being offered for new users; Apple Music is $9.99/month for a single-user plan after that.The Android version is similar to the iOS version, including a “new” tab featuring chart-topping songs, as well as a “for you” tab, featuring pre-made playlists centered on a user’s musical tastes.
A major difference is an absence of Siri integration for Android, otherwise the app functions similarly to iOS and also loads Apple Music playlists created on other devices.
Bobby Karl Works the Room: NATD Awards
/by Bobby KarlHonorees and guests attend the NATD Honors Gala. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images for NATD
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 516
The final awards banquet of the season was also the most elegant, intimate, warm and mellow.
On Monday (Nov. 8), the Nashville Association of Talent Directors staged its annual Honors amid the beaux arts splendor of the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown. The NATD saluted television, sports, publicity, agency, government and Music Row personalities.
The honorees were Mayor Megan Barry, the CMA’s Sarah Trahern, publicist Kirt Webster, Predators hockey announcer Pete Weber, American Pickers TV star Mike Wolfe, APA booking executive Steve Lassiter and rock manager Charlie Brusco.
The Tennessean’s Brad Schmitt and Channel 2’s Stephanie Langston co-hosted. The crowd was sprinkled with stars such as Crystal Gayle, Henry Paul, Nan Kelley and Lee Roy Parnell.
The event began with cocktails in the Hermitage’s elegant lobby with its stained-glass ceiling. Pianist Eric Bikales serenaded the crowd while servers circulated with spinach filo pockets and beef Wellington.
Producer Dave Brainard was there, with his jaw brace finally removed and on the road to recovery from the attack he suffered near Music Row. NATD president Steve Tolman had his singing daughter in tow. Jenny Tolman is working with Brainard.
David & Carolyn Corlew, BeBe Evans and Paula Szeigis were representing the Charlie Daniels office. Jeremy Westby, Jeff Gregg, Bonnie Sugarman, Bill Gatzimos, Preshus Tomes, Charles Dorris, Ray Shelide, Randi Perkins, Tinti Moffat, Moore & Moore, Mike Campbell, Teresa George, Pepper Meller and NATD executive assistant Tina Payton mingled.
We moved into the dining room. With its coffered ceiling, wood paneling, opulent drapes, gilded décor, elegant carpet and spectacular vintage chandeliers, this is one of the most beautiful spaces in Nashville. Harpist Deanna Loveland sent notes wafting through the room’s atmosphere.
Nashville Mayor Megan Barry and NATD President Steve Tolman. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Following the invocation by Father Joseph Breen, Steve Tolman introduced honoree Megan Barry. “We want to congratulate you on breaking new ground,” he said to Nashville’s first female mayor. “We are here to support you and help you however we can.”
“It’s really fitting to be honored in this room,” said the Mayor, recalling that suffragettes came to the Hermitage to lobby the legislature to make Tennessee the deciding state in granting women the right to vote in 1920.
“We have the greatest concentration of talent than any other city in the United States. We really are the Third Coast. When we think about the music, we think about the people in front. But it’s really about the people in the back,” she said, referring to the 150 elite industry workers at the NATD soiree.
Kirt Webster and Crystal Gayle. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
The surprise honoree was Kirt Webster. Tolman gave him the Directors’ Award, because, “He keeps a lot of our legendary artists visible and out there.” Webster was saluted via video by The Oak Ridge Boys, Charlie Daniels, Dolly Parton and Kenny Rogers.
“I am usually not at a loss for words, but I am,” said Webster. “I do what I do, because I love what I do.
“We’re family, and that’s what is most important.” He said he was wearing a ball cap to hide his recent hair transplants.
Pictured (L-R): Charlie Brusco, Red Light Management; John Huie, CAA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Charlie Brusco has managed Lynyrd Skynyrd, Bad Company, Peter Frampton, Survivor, Styx and The Outlaws. He is also an Atlanta show promoter. Rod Essig, Henry Paul and Tommy Shaw appeared in his tribute video.
John Huie presented the award. “Nashville’s kind of a second home to me,” said the honoree. “We have friends from all over the place who have moved down here. I know everybody thinks this is the country music capital. But there is all kinds of great music here.”
Pictured (L-R): Pete Weber and Terry Crisp. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Pete Weber has been the Voice of the Nashville Predators for 17 seasons. Partner Terry Crisp presented his honor.
“Nashville has offered us a very, very warm home,” said Weber. “The All Star Game is coming to Nashville in January, and that should be a lot of fun. Let’s get on with the show.”
Tony Conway offered a memorial to the late Tandy Rice and the late Joe Guercio, both avid NATD supporters. The audience joined him in a toast and a round of hearty applause.
Tolman announced to Schmitt that the NATD is donating $2,500 to the Nashville Prevention Partnership in his honor. The ACM’s Bob Romeo announced that his organization would match that. Schmitt recalled his two DUI arrests, being fired from Channel 2 and going to rehab at Cumberland Heights.
“Recovery is here, and it works,” he said. “I’m five-and-half years clean.” Co-host Langston said, “He’s an inspiration to all of us.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Tolman, NATD President, Mike Wolfe; Shaun Silva, Tacklebox Films. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Shaun Silva presented the NATD honor to Mike Wolfe. “I moved to Nashville in 2001,” said Silva. “I fell in love with this town. Mike has brought a lot of eyes to what’s great about Nashville.”
“I came to this community 14 years ago, riding through on my motorcycle,” Wolfe recalled. He moved to Music City four years ago. His American Pickers is one of the top shows on cable TV and a runaway ratings success for the History Channel. Wolfe also operates the Antique Archeology store in Nashville, is restoring a number of historic properties in the area and is producing several new 2016 TV series.
“I am a product of what Nashville truly embodies. I really wouldn’t have this show without Nashville. My Nashville friends gave me the courage to do that. It’s a city of dreams. A dream I had wouldn’t have happened without this community. So thank you for this.
“I think this is my first award.”
Pictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CEO of CMA; Nan Kelley. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images of NATD
Luke Bryan, Ralph Emery and the Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman were in the tribute video for Sarah Trahern. Nan Kelley presented the honor.
“The theme through everybody’s remarks tonight is family, passion and collaboration,” said Trahern. “I am grateful that I get to do something that I am very passionate about. How lucky we are that we get to do this for a living.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter, Senior Vice President at APA Nashville; Jim Gosnell, President/CEO at APA. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for NATD
Corlew, Evans, Gayle, Shelide, Paul, Joe Sullivan, Lee Greenwood, Rob Beckham, Tanya Tucker, Travis Tritt and Frank Wing saluted Steve Lassiter on video. Lassiter is an East Nashville native and an MTSU grad. He got his start in Sullivan’s Sound 70 concert-promotion office 38 years ago.
APA president Jim Gosnell joined Steve’s sons Cain, Luke and Austin Lassiter in presenting the honor. “I’ve been doing this so long I know just about everybody in this room,” said the honoree. “I do what I love, and I passed that down to these young men, right here. I am as passionate and I love this as much as I did 38 years ago.”
Founded in 1958, the Nashville Association of Talent Directors fosters camaraderie among friendly competitors. Its members generate $300 million annually for their artists. The organization began giving college scholarship funds to worthy students 26 years ago. It began staging annual Honors banquets five years ago.
Live Nation To Operate Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater
/by Jessica NicholsonLive Nation also operates outdoor venue Ascend Amphitheater on Nashville’s riverfront.
Nestled on the property of Barbara Mandrell’s former estate in north Nashville, Fontanel’s business and tourism entities include not only the Carl Black Chevy Woods Amphitheater, but also The Inn at Fontanel, Italian kitchen and bar Cafe Fontanella, Prichard’s Distillery,White’s Creek Bistro, Music City Ziplines, and The Mansion at Fontanel.
Music industry veterans Dale Morris and Marc Oswald formed More Enterprises, and later teamed with Michigan-based American Hospitality Management to form More American Hospitality.