Keith Urban to Jam with John Mellencamp on CMA Awards
Keith Urban and John Mellencamp will perform together during “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” airing live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC.
Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up” featuring Eric Church is nominated for Musical Event, a category Urban has won three times: “Start A Band” with CMA Awards host Brad Paisley (2009), “Highway Don’t Care” with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift (2013), and “We Were Us” with fellow nominee Miranda Lambert (2014).
Nelson Postpones, Cancels Tour Dates Due To Illness
Willie Nelson performs the final night of Franklin, Tenn.’s Pilgrimage Festival. Terry Wyatt
Willie Nelson recently postponed the start of his 2015 Django and Jimmie Tour with Merle Haggard, due to “feeling under the weather,” according to his Facebook page. The tour’s launch date on Thursday, (Oct. 15) at Florence, S.C., is rescheduled for April 6, 2016. Friday’s performance in Roanoke, Va., has been rescheduled for Monday, Oct. 19. This Saturday’s show in Reading, Pa., has been canceled.
Nelson is slated to return to the tour on Sunday for the American Roots Music and Arts Festival in Raleigh, N.C.
Artists Named for ‘Sam’s Place’ Series at the Ryman
Steven Curtis Chapman will host the fall return of Sam’s Place-Music for the Spirit at the Ryman Auditorium on Sunday, Nov. 8. The shows will run one Sunday per month through May. The lineup for Nov. 8 includes EmiSunshine, Jeremy Camp, Jimmy Wayne, Natalie Grant, and TLC stars The Willis Clan.
Additional artists performing during the series for upcoming dates include Chonda Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Dave Barnes, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Hunter Hayes, Love and Theft, Matt Maher, Plumb, Rend Collective, Ronnie Milsap and more who will be announced throughout the run.
Portions of the Ryman concerts will be used to produce a one-hour radio show set to air monthly on the K-LOVE radio network in 2016. K-LOVE can be heard locally in Nashville on 97.1 FM.
“Sam’s Place – Music for the Spirit” dates: November 8, January 10, February 14, March 6, April 10 and May 1. For more information visit ryman.com/samsplace
Mark Collie Joins Cast of ‘Nashville’
Mark Collie
Country entertainer, actor and filmmaker Mark Collie joined the cast of the ABC drama Nashville as a guest star for a multi-episode arc beginning on the Oct. 14 episode. Collie’s character Frankie, a musical talent and recovering alcoholic, is described as follows:
Frankie is rough around the edges, and it shows. Frankie is rock solid in working the program — so much so that being a bar owner poses no problem to his sobriety. After bottoming out 20 years ago and getting sober, Frankie stopped pursuing his dreams of becoming a star and instead focused on helping others make their dreams come true by opening a small performance venue. Of course, Frankie manages to perform there as often as possible, too. But tough economic times are pushing the bar toward bankruptcy… and when longtime friend steps in with a financial lifeline and a big renovation, jealousy starts to brew and temptation becomes harder to resist.
Marshall Tucker Band To Release ‘Live in the UK 1976’
After touring the United States for four years, The Marshall Tucker Band crossed the Atlantic and hit Europe for the first time in November 1976. The band recorded and archived the European tour and now for the first time, the nearly 40 year old live recordings will be available for purchase when Live in the UK 1976 (Ramblin’ Records / Sony RED) is released on Oct. 30, 2015.The international tour led them through West Germany, Belgium, the Netherlands and France before wrapping with a four-gig engagement in Great Britain.
Live In The UK 1976 Track Listing:
1. Long Hard Tide (Manchester, Palace Theater)
2. Take The Highway (Glasgow, Apollo Theater)
3. Hillbilly Band (Glasgow, Apollo Theater)
4. Searchin’ For A Rainbow (Manchester, Palace Theater)
5. Fire On The Mountain (London, Hammersmith Odeon)
6. 24 Hours At A Time (Birmingham, Odeon)
7. This Ol’ Cowboy (London, Hammersmith Odeon)
8. Can’t You See (Glasgow, Apollo Theater)
9. Every Day I Sing The Blues (London, Hammersmith Odeon)
10. Will The Circle Be Unbroken (London, Hammersmith Odeon)
Artist Updates: Keith Urban, Willie Nelson, Sam’s Place, Mark Collie, Marshall Tucker Band
/by Jessica NicholsonKeith Urban to Jam with John Mellencamp on CMA Awards
Keith Urban and John Mellencamp will perform together during “The 49th Annual CMA Awards” airing live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on ABC.
Urban’s “Raise ‘Em Up” featuring Eric Church is nominated for Musical Event, a category Urban has won three times: “Start A Band” with CMA Awards host Brad Paisley (2009), “Highway Don’t Care” with Tim McGraw and Taylor Swift (2013), and “We Were Us” with fellow nominee Miranda Lambert (2014).
Nelson Postpones, Cancels Tour Dates Due To Illness
Willie Nelson performs the final night of Franklin, Tenn.’s Pilgrimage Festival. Terry Wyatt
Willie Nelson recently postponed the start of his 2015 Django and Jimmie Tour with Merle Haggard, due to “feeling under the weather,” according to his Facebook page. The tour’s launch date on Thursday, (Oct. 15) at Florence, S.C., is rescheduled for April 6, 2016. Friday’s performance in Roanoke, Va., has been rescheduled for Monday, Oct. 19. This Saturday’s show in Reading, Pa., has been canceled.
Nelson is slated to return to the tour on Sunday for the American Roots Music and Arts Festival in Raleigh, N.C.
Artists Named for ‘Sam’s Place’ Series at the Ryman
Additional artists performing during the series for upcoming dates include Chonda Pierce, Chris Tomlin, Dave Barnes, Fisk Jubilee Singers, Hunter Hayes, Love and Theft, Matt Maher, Plumb, Rend Collective, Ronnie Milsap and more who will be announced throughout the run.
Portions of the Ryman concerts will be used to produce a one-hour radio show set to air monthly on the K-LOVE radio network in 2016. K-LOVE can be heard locally in Nashville on 97.1 FM.
“Sam’s Place – Music for the Spirit” dates: November 8, January 10, February 14, March 6, April 10 and May 1. For more information visit ryman.com/samsplace
Mark Collie Joins Cast of ‘Nashville’
Mark Collie
Country entertainer, actor and filmmaker Mark Collie joined the cast of the ABC drama Nashville as a guest star for a multi-episode arc beginning on the Oct. 14 episode. Collie’s character Frankie, a musical talent and recovering alcoholic, is described as follows:
Frankie is rough around the edges, and it shows. Frankie is rock solid in working the program — so much so that being a bar owner poses no problem to his sobriety. After bottoming out 20 years ago and getting sober, Frankie stopped pursuing his dreams of becoming a star and instead focused on helping others make their dreams come true by opening a small performance venue. Of course, Frankie manages to perform there as often as possible, too. But tough economic times are pushing the bar toward bankruptcy… and when longtime friend steps in with a financial lifeline and a big renovation, jealousy starts to brew and temptation becomes harder to resist.
Marshall Tucker Band To Release ‘Live in the UK 1976’
SESAC To Offer Singular Licenses for Performance and Mechanicals with Merger
/by Eric T. ParkerSESAC has announced the merger of its 2015 Harry Fox Agency (HFA)-acquired administration system, Slingshot, with Rumblefish, a music micro-licensing, monetization network for platforms such as YouTube, which it acquired in 2013.
The combined team will be led by Michael Simon, HFA’s President and CEO, and will operate under the Rumblefish brand, with participation from the senior management teams of both companies. Paul Anthony Troiano, Rumblefish’s Founder and CEO will be departing the company but will remain as an active advisor to the combined company.
Slingshot’s services and Rumblefish’s industry leading Content ID administration, Micro-licensing and RADKey offerings will continue uninterrupted for its clients and content providers as part of an expanded portfolio of services to be offered by the combined company.
The announcement was made by John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, today (Oct. 15).
“Merging the Rumblefish and Slingshot teams will focus our integration efforts, eliminate any overlaps in customer coverage and enable the combined team to maximize the power of a unified service offering, thereby allowing us to accelerate the introduction of an innovative, expanded suite of services,” Josephson said. “The expanded service portfolio we are developing will streamline the licensing process and enhance the efficiency of our administration activities, driving value for both creators and users of music.”
The acquisition of HFA provides SESAC with the ability to offer singular licenses for the works of its affiliated writers and publishers that aggregate both performance and mechanical rights. Slingshot, HFA’s next generation rights management business unit, includes a suite of information management and technology solutions designed to simplify and facilitate the administration of intellectual property rights.
Bobby Karl Works the Craig Morgan Album Preview Party
/by Bobby KarlGrand Ole Opry member Craig Morgan invited us to the Black River studio for a lunch-and-listen on Tuesday (Oct. 13). The ebullient star enthusiastically previewed seven of the songs from his upcoming album. The record isn’t finished and isn’t due until March, but Craig is so excited about his new music that he couldn’t wait to share it.
“All Cried Out” is a “positive energy song,” as he put it, about a woman getting over a guy by way of a churning track of open-highway excitement. The Eric Paslay song “Country Side of Heaven” has an arrangement that builds in gospel power. Michael McDonald’s “Nowhere Without You” is an emotional ballad that features its pop-legend songwriter on harmony vocals.
When Craig introduced the twanging honky tonker “I’m That Country” on the Opry stage recently, “It got a standing ovation,” he reported. “A Whole Lot More to Me” has a rolling pop groove, and “I’ll Be Home Soon” is romantic and soaring. The first single, the piledriving, inspirational “When I’m Gone” is “all about, doing the right thing now, so that’s what you’ll be remembered for what you’re not here,” Craig said. “And it is the way I live my life.”
This record is a big part of Craig’s career overhaul. He has new management with Red Light. The collection is his first with producer Byron Gallimore. He courted Byron by taking him to lunch and asking him if he was interested. “I was scared to death,” said Craig. “I was afraid he’d say no.
“Getting older is not a problem, as long as you’re still making relevant music, and that’s what I think I’ve done….I am blessed beyond words.”
Black River’s Bill Macky, Greg McCarn, Brian Rhodes, Doug Johnson and Dawn Delvo dropped by the office that day to hear Craig’s freshly-minted performances. Sherod Robertson, Ken Tucker, R.J. Curtis, Ron Huntsman and Cindy Hunt applauded every song. We lunched on croissant sandwiches of roast beef, ham or chicken salad with ruffled potato chips, dill pickle spears and delish cookies and brownies.
Other Opry stars with new music include The Oak Ridge Boys (who just won a Dove Award), the late Jim Ed Brown, Alan Jackson, John Conlee (check out his stunning “Bread and Water”), Rascal Flatts and Clint Black (who was just honored during the IEBA convention).
Parties Are Us. Onward to the next.
Steven Tyler Pens Open Letter To Support Copyright Reform
/by Jessica NicholsonSteven Tyler. Photo: Zack Whitford.
BMLG artist and Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler penned an open letter featured on The Huffington Post, aimed at raising awareness for copyright reform and urging politicians to support fair pay for songwriters.
An excerpt from Tyler’s open letter:
Tyler also urged fans to join in the fight, by supporting copyright reform as well.
For the full open letter, visit huffingtonpost.com.
Chris Young Reveals Track Listing For ‘I’m Comin’ Over’
/by Troy_StephensonChris Young has revealed the track listing for his forthcoming album, I’m Comin’ Over, which will be released on Nov. 13. Chris Young fans were able to get a first look at the list through a social media campaign.
I’m Comin’ Over features 11 new songs, nine of which Young co-wrote. The project also features several special guests, including Vince Gill on “Sober Saturday Night” and “Think Of You,” a duet with Cassadee Pope. Young took the helm on the new project, co-producing for the first time along with Corey Crowder.
“Making this record, it just feels different,” Young said. “Nothing changed for the sake of change. It changed because it was the right way to go. This is the first time I’ve co-produced. Half the songs on the record were written by me, Corey (Crowder) and Josh (Hoge). That became the nucleus of this record, and that was really different for me.”
I’m Comin’ Over – track listing:
1. “Heartbeat”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
2. “I’m Comin’ Over”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
3. “Think Of You” (Duet with Cassadee Pope) – Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
4. “You Do The Talkin’” Cary Barlowe, Corey Crowder, Liz Rose
5. “I Know A Guy”- Benjy Davis, Brett Tyler
6. “Alone Tonight”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
7. “Sunshine Overtime”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Jeremy Stover
8. “Sober Saturday Night” (feat. Vince Gill)- Chris Young, Brad Warren, Brett Warren
9. “Underdogs”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Josh Hoge
10. “Callin’ My Name”- Chris Young, Corey Crowder, Jonathan Singleton
11. “What If I Stay”- Chris Young, Johnny Bulford, Josh Hoge
Industry Ink: Warner/Chappell Signing, Big Loud Mountain Staff Change, iDitty Opens Nashville Office
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner/Chappell Inks Deal With Singer-Songwriter Courtney Cole
Courtney Cole and her management team at Shopkeeper Management recently celebrated Cole’s signing with Warner/Chappell.
“As a singer-songwriter the music you record is so important for your journey,” said Cole, “to be able to collaborate with someone as innovative as the Warner/Chappell family is a dream come true. I can’t wait to see what we can create together!”
Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn adds, “Have you heard Courtney sing? Have you heard how she puts together infectious hooks and melodies that you can’t get out of your head? Everyone at W/C is thrilled to be a part of Courtney’s developing career and work closely with our friends at WME & ShopKeeper Management to support her talent.”
Cole is currently on the road as part of Miranda Lambert’s Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour.
Courtney Cole (center) with her team, Warner/Chappell’s Alison Junker and Ben Vaughn and ShopKeeper Management’s Crystal Dishmon and Marion Kraft.
Big Loud Mountain’s Director of Tour Marketing/Operations Exits
“Christina is an incredible talent and we’re sad to lose a valued member of our team. We wish her luck in her next endeavor,” shared Big Loud Mountain partner Seth England.
Sharpe joined Big Loud Mountain in 2013 and previously worked at Buddy Lee Attractions. Sharpe can be reached by email at cmsharpe531@gmail.com or by phone at (818) 384-8562.
For additional information on Big Loud Mountain, please visit bigloudmountain.com.
Kentucky-based Tech Company Opens Nashville Office
Hugh Kirkpatrick
Hugh Kirkpatrick has been tapped to head the Nashville office of Kentucky-based tech company iDitty, which manufactures a fan-oriented digital ecosystem. Kirkpatrick will serve as Sr. VP of Business Development. The company’s Nashville office is located at 4322 Harding Pike, Ste. 417.
“I’m pleased to join a company dedicated to helping provide the ultimate fan experience,” states Kirkpatrick. “Nashville has become an epicenter for ‘all-things-entertainment’ and iDitty is innovative in advanced technology to present a physical asset which delivers digital content that brings its clients (artist, celebrity, sports figure or charity) front and center. Music City is the ultimate home for iDitty.”
The newly created iDitty model delivers complete albums (reporting to SoundScan), real-time photos and videos (as well as one-of-a-kind unique specialty content) to fans, supports artist awareness and aids social media campaigns.
Kirkpatrick’s career includes time at MCI, WorldCom, WNAB-TV, Cumulus Media, The Country Network, and iHeart Media. He can be reached at hugh@iditty.net.
Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Gary Rossington Recovering at Home After Surgery
/by Craig_ShelburneGary Rossington
Gary Rossington, founding member and guitarist for Lynyrd Skynyrd, is recovering at home following heart surgery on Thursday (Oct. 8).
Rossington suffered a heart attack last week, although he is expected to make a full recovery, according to the band’s management.
The band’s next concert will take place on Nov. 7 in Montgomery, Ala. Refunds are being offering for a cancelled show in Terre Haute, Ind., originally scheduled for Friday (Oct. 16). However, a concert in Mt. Pleasant, Mich., originally set for Saturday will be rescheduled for 2016.
In a statement, Rossington said:
IEBA Distributes Honors and Awards To Conclude 45th Conference
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): WME’s Kevin Neal, CAA’s Kylen Sharpe, and Louis Messina of Messina Touring Group pose backstage with their awards during the Honors and Awards Ceremony at the IEBA 2015 Conference. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images
International Entertainment Buyers Association (IEBA), the trade organization for live entertainment industry, concluded its 45th Annual Conference yesterday evening (Oct. 13) with a performance by Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo who were inducted in to IEBA’s 2015 Hall of Fame. Presenters included Trace Adkins, Gretchen Wilson, Vince Gill, and John Rich. Recipients included Clint Black, The Bridgestone Arena, The Ryman Auditorium, and Kevin Neal (full list below).
“We’re thrilled with the tremendous growth of the organization and conference,” says IEBA President Kell Houston. “The networking opportunities, informational panels, and live performances are unrivaled—the proof is in the record number of enthusiastic attendees this year.”
Next year’s 46th Annual IEBA Conference will be held at Nashville’s Omni on Oct. 8-11.
Pictured (L-R): Agency for the Performing Arts’ Jim Gosnell, Clint Black, Agency for the Performing Arts’ Steve Lassiter and Cass Scripps, and Brinson Strickland of The Collective LA pose backstage at the Honors and Awards Ceremony during the IEBA 2015 Conference. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for IEBA
Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Terry Elam, and IBEA President Kell Houston pose backstage, celebrating the establishment of the Terry Elam Scholarship at the Honors and Awards Ceremony. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for IEBA
Bridgestone Arena’s David Kells (L) and Ryman Auditorium’s Sally Williams (R) pose backstage at the Honors and Awards Ceremony. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for IEBA
2015 IEBA HONOR AND AWARD WINNERS:
Casino of the Year
Mohegan Sun – Uncasville, CT
Casino Buyer of the Year
Lori Otelsberg – Signature Entertainment
Club Buyer of the Year
Ed Warm – Joe’s Bar and Bub City
Corporate Buyer of the Year
Gary Osier – Gary Osier Present
Fair of the Year
Wisconsin State Fair – West Allis, WI
Fair Buyer of the Year
Michelle Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
Festival of the Year
Austin City Limits – Austin, TX
Festival Buyer of the Year
Gil Cunningham – Neste Event Marketing
International Buyer of the Year
Judy Seale – Judy Seale International
Venue of the Year
Bridgestone Arena – Nashville, TN
Venue Executive of the Year
Sally Williams – Ryman Auditorium
Talent Agent of the Year
Kevin Neal – WME
Promoter of the Year
Louis Messina – Messina Touring Group
Rookie of the Year
Kylen Sharpe – CAA
Career Achievement Award
Clint Black
Hall of Fame Inductees
Pat Benatar and Neil Giraldo
Industry Achievement Award
Country Concert in Fort Loramie, Ohio
Donald Passman’s Music Industry Book Slated For Ninth Edition
/by Sherod RobertsonKnown for its influential and widely read texts in the music world, this newest edition of Passman’s “industry bible” has been revised by the author with developments and trends for newcomers as well as the generation of industry professionals who’ve grown up with it.
The new edition updates the latest information on how streaming services like Spotify, Pandora, Apple Music, YouTube, and Soundcloud have changed and continue to change revenues, A&R and royalties. The updated book features chapters on subjects from how to pick a team, to royalties and record deals, co-publishing and copyright, songwriting and secondary publishing income.
Passman’s prestigious career includes stints teaching at USC Law School’s Advanced Professional program and regular lectures at Yale, Harvard Law School, and UCLA. His clients have included R.E.M., Green Day, Janet Jackson, Tina Turner, Bryan Adams, and many others. Passman currently works with and represents record labels, songwriters, producers, and industry executives, among others.
Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott Set To Host Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonHillary Scott
Lady Antebellum singer Hillary Scott has been tapped to host Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Awards honoring Jo Walker-Meador, Steve Buchanan and Reba McEntire on Monday, Nov. 16.
Leadership Music will honor the three music industry luminaries at a gala cocktail reception, awards presentation and musical tribute beginning at 5:30 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater. Big Machine Label Group is the title sponsor for the 2015 event.
As CMA’s legendary former Executive Director, Meador will receive a new award named for Leadership Music’s Founding Council; Buchanan has been chosen as the recipient of the Brian Williams Ambassador Award; and McEntire will be honored with Leadership Music’s prestigious Dale Franklin Award.
“It’s always special to help recognize passionate people in our industry,” said Scott. “All three of these honorees have personally made amazing contributions not only in Nashville but have been part of sharing country music across the globe. I’m thrilled to have been asked to host and look forward to celebrating in a few weeks!”