Thomas Rhett
CMA To Reveal Performance Pairings on One-of-A-Kind Wednesdays
Thomas Rhett will team up with rock band Fall Out Boy to perform during The 49th Annual CMA Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.
One-of-a-kind collaborations are a hallmark of Country Music’s Biggest Night and this year that tradition continues with pairings that will be announced on “one-of-a-kind” Wednesdays, leading up to the big night.
Thomas Rhett is a nominee in the New Artist of the Year category.
CMA previously announced the collaboration of Eric Church with Hank Williams, Jr., as well as performances by CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.
The final CMA Awards ballot will be sent to eligible voting members tomorrow (Oct. 8). It closes Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:00 PM/CT.
BMI Hosts Stage At Austin City Limits Music Festival
Rising artists rocked the BMI stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival last weekend in Austin, Texas. Muddy Magnolias, comprised of BMI songwriters Kallie North and Jessy Wilson, took the stage on Oct. 4 to perform latest single, “American Woman.”
Pictured (L-R): Third Generation’s Clay Bradley, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Jessy Wilson, BMI songwriter Sarah Davidson, CAA’s Lindsey Myers, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Kallie North, and BMI’s Mark Mason.
Sony/ATV and Belmont University Continue All Access Program
The Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business at Belmont University will again partner with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for the “All Access” program. Students will have the opportunity to have two songs reviewed by the Sony/ATV Music Publishing Creative Team, which will select students to perform their songs live for the Sony/ATV team at a showcase.
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Sony/ATV Music Publishing SVP of Nashville A&R Josh Van Valkenburg said, “Sony/ATV is incredibly proud to continue this partnership with Belmont. We saw and heard some amazing talent last year, and actually signed one of the students who performed! Belmont continues to be an innovative educational leader by developing opportunities like All Access, and we feel confident we will receive even more impressive submissions from Belmont students this year.”
James I. Elliott, Chair of Songwriting in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, added, “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to have their music heard by Troy Tomlinson, Josh Van Valkenburg and the Sony/ATV Creative Team. We look forward to the process and have high hopes that Sony/ATV Music Publishing will discover some future hit makers at Belmont.”
Music Biz To Honor Redeye Distribution
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its Independent Spirit Award to Redeye, a leading physical and digital distributor and label services provider. The presentation will take place on Tuesday morning, May 17, during the Awards Breakfast of the Music Biz 2016 convention at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville.
Founded in 1996 in Haw River, NC, by Tor Hansen, with Glenn Dicker joining as a partner soon after, Redeye got its start in the independent music scene of the Southeast U.S. Early Redeye-distributed artists include John Mayer and Shawn Mullins, who both went on to become Platinum-selling artists. Nearly two decades later, Redeye has grown into an international music company with more than 70 employees and offices across the U.S. and overseas.
Charity News: Craig Morgan, Jana Kramer, ASCAP, Ryman Auditorium
/by Kelsey_GradyCraig Morgan’s 9th Annual Dickinson County Charity Event
Craig Morgan is prepping for his 9th Annual Charity Event benefitting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation on Oct. 17. The morning will start with a golf tournament at Greystone Golf Course. MMA champion Dan Henderson and motocross pro Kevin Windham will be hitting the green with Morgan. Gates will open at 2:30 p.m. for the family-friendly music festival taking place at Dickson’s War Memorial Lawn with artists including former American Idol contestant Janelle Arthur, Sirius XM Highway Find artist Adam Sanders and Kentucky rockers Halfway To Hazard entertaining the crowds before Morgan’s full-band headlining set at 7 p.m.
Jana Kramer and Cody Alan Bring Super 8 Appreciation Tour To The Big E
Hundreds of service members and their families were treated to a special live Q&A with Jana Kramer hosted by CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan on Oct. 2 as part of the Super 8 Military Appreciation Tour. Following the special event at the Court of Honor Stage, attending members and their families received premium seats for Kramer’s show at The Big E’s Xfinity Arena.
Kramer expressed, “Giving back to the men and women who selflessly serve this country was an absolute honor for me. I was so proud to be a part of this event and to be joined by Cody Alan on this special night.”
Super 8 Marketing Manager Ally Psyhojos and Super 8 Vice President of Operations Alice Lazore join CMT After MidNite’s Cody Alan and award-winning Country music star Jana Kramer on stage at the Super 8 Military Appreciation Tour at The Big E. Photo: Super 8
Songwriters Raise Over $150K For Music Education
On Oct. 1, Napa Valley- and Nashville-based non-profit organization Notes For Education presented an ASCAP songwriters round in at Gargiulo Vineyards in the Oakville appellation of the Napa Valley. Sponsored by ASCAP, Gargiulo Vineyards, SunTrust Bank and more, the intimate event featured songwriters Jon Nite, Rivers Rutherford, and Deric Ruttan. Tickets to the event and the auction raised a combined total of more than $150,000, marking the charity’s single largest fundraising event in its seven-year history.
Pictured (l-r): SunTrust Bank’s Earle Simmons, The Bluebird Cafe’s Erika Wollam Nichols, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Valerie Gargiulo, SunTrust Bank’s Bryan Bolton, Deric Ruttan, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Jeff Gargiulo, Jon Nite, Rivers Rutherford, Notes For Education’s Debi Cali Leal, Gargiulo Vineyards’ Sharon Sidhu and ASCAP’s Alison Webber (Toczylowski) and Mike Sistad
Hats Off to High Hopes Coming To Ryman Auditorium
The 18th annual Hats Off To High Hopes at the Ryman Auditorium will be Sunday, Nov. 15. and will feature Tim Nichols and The Warren Brothers. Tickets go on sale Oct. 9 at 10 a.m. on ticketmaster.com. Tickets are $29.50-49.50.
Profits aid High Hopes Development Center, a local non-profit focused on equipping children and youth, with and without special needs, to reach their maximum potential.
Industry Ink: CMA Awards, BMI at ACL Fest, Sony/ATV and Belmont, Music Biz Conference
/by Sarah SkatesThomas Rhett
CMA To Reveal Performance Pairings on One-of-A-Kind Wednesdays
Thomas Rhett will team up with rock band Fall Out Boy to perform during The 49th Annual CMA Awards, airing live Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11 PM/ET) from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on the ABC Television Network.
One-of-a-kind collaborations are a hallmark of Country Music’s Biggest Night and this year that tradition continues with pairings that will be announced on “one-of-a-kind” Wednesdays, leading up to the big night.
Thomas Rhett is a nominee in the New Artist of the Year category.
CMA previously announced the collaboration of Eric Church with Hank Williams, Jr., as well as performances by CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.
The final CMA Awards ballot will be sent to eligible voting members tomorrow (Oct. 8). It closes Tuesday, Oct. 27 at 6:00 PM/CT.
BMI Hosts Stage At Austin City Limits Music Festival
Rising artists rocked the BMI stage at Austin City Limits Music Festival last weekend in Austin, Texas. Muddy Magnolias, comprised of BMI songwriters Kallie North and Jessy Wilson, took the stage on Oct. 4 to perform latest single, “American Woman.”
Pictured (L-R): Third Generation’s Clay Bradley, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Jessy Wilson, BMI songwriter Sarah Davidson, CAA’s Lindsey Myers, BMI songwriter and Muddy Magnolias member Kallie North, and BMI’s Mark Mason.
Sony/ATV and Belmont University Continue All Access Program
James I. Elliott, Chair of Songwriting in the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, added, “This is a wonderful opportunity for our students to have their music heard by Troy Tomlinson, Josh Van Valkenburg and the Sony/ATV Creative Team. We look forward to the process and have high hopes that Sony/ATV Music Publishing will discover some future hit makers at Belmont.”
Music Biz To Honor Redeye Distribution
The Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its Independent Spirit Award to Redeye, a leading physical and digital distributor and label services provider. The presentation will take place on Tuesday morning, May 17, during the Awards Breakfast of the Music Biz 2016 convention at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville.
Founded in 1996 in Haw River, NC, by Tor Hansen, with Glenn Dicker joining as a partner soon after, Redeye got its start in the independent music scene of the Southeast U.S. Early Redeye-distributed artists include John Mayer and Shawn Mullins, who both went on to become Platinum-selling artists. Nearly two decades later, Redeye has grown into an international music company with more than 70 employees and offices across the U.S. and overseas.
Pandora to Acquire Ticketfly for $450 million
/by Eric T. ParkerPandora will acquire Ticketfly in a move valued at $450 million of nearly equally balanced cash and stock. The move is aimed at creating music platform connecting fans, artists and event promoters, says the Oakland, Calif. publicly traded company.
Ticketfly provides ticketing and marketing software for approximately 1,200 venues and event promoters across North America including 9:30 Club in Washington, D.C., the 19,000-capacity Merriweather Post Pavilion in Maryland, Burning Man and the Pitchfork Music Festival.
Pandora claims 80 million monthly active users will have access to enable artists and promoters to sell out more shows. Its recent track record includes helping the Rolling Stones sell 55,000 tickets in 24 hours, streaming Jack White’s Madison Square Garden concert to reach 38 times the number of concert attendees. Additionally, the streaming company live-streamed Mumford & Sons from Merriweather Post Pavilion, resulting in more than 1 million people’s interest two weeks.
“With Ticketfly, we will thrill music lovers and lift ticket sales for artists as the most effective marketplace for connecting music makers and fans,” said Brian McAndrews, chief executive officer at Pandora.
Ticketfly was founded in 2008. In 2014, the ticket company sold 16 million tickets to more than 90,000 live events, generating more than $500 million in transaction volume and crossing the $1 billion mark in cumulative transaction volume. Ticketfly powers more than 600 websites on behalf of its clients with an average of 14 million visitors each month. Moving forward, Ticketfly will continue to support its music and non-music clients alike.
In a statement, Andrew Dreskin Ticketfly co-founder & CEO said:
Touring facts from the announcement:
Music Startups Make Launch Tennessee’s 2015-2016 Class
/by Jessica NicholsonThe program will begin Oct. 21 when the companies have the opportunity to attend Launch Tennessee’s board meeting and meet with the mentors they will be working with during the program. This is followed by training in The Rockefeller Habits, as well as networking trips and training days on topics including marketing, financial management, and operations.
Remix Hits – Nashville – Project Music: Remix Hits turns licensed hit songs into software to aid music creators in the sampling/remix process, along with an automated licensing system that instantly determines royalty splits upon upload.
KaraoQ – Nashville – Project Music: KaraoQ develops technologies that enhance how people interact and engage in venues by digitizing the antiquated karaoke experience for nightlife enthusiasts.
Sing and Spell – Knoxville – MediaWorks: Sing and Spell has created an animated, musical program that teaches pre-preschoolers alphabet letter basics through lessons and original songs.
Additional products selected as part of The Tenn include:
Branch Technology – Chattanooga – GIGTANK: Branch Technology combines freeform 3D printing technology, large scale industrial robots and conventional construction materials to create buildings without design limits.
DivorceSecure – Memphis – StartCo: DivorceSecure is a workflow and collaboration platform for divorce attorneys to automate and streamline the intake process, create a negotiation strategy based on the clients’ preferences.
Innovasan – Knoxville – CO.LAB: Innovasan has created the only technology solution for affordable, sustainable and safe on-site treatment of fluid medical waste in hospitals, surgery centers and other medical treatment facilities.
LendMed – Memphis – StartCo: LendMed’s platform provides hospitals a controlled environment for borrowing and lending medical supplies, allowing them to initiate requests, approve requests, and keep an itemized accounting system of debts.
Preteckt – Memphis – StartCo: Preteckt predicts vehicle breakdowns before they happen through hardware that is placed into the vehicle’s sensor data, which extracts over 16,000 signals in real-time.
“We look forward to working with this diverse group of early-stage companies who are all outstanding graduates and representatives of Tennessee’s network of entrepreneur centers,” said Charlie Brock, CEO of Launch Tennessee. “The TENN program will offer them another level of support with increased exposure as well as networking opportunities to investors, mentors and potential customers.”
The TENN is sponsored by UBS, a global financial services firm with a presence across Tennessee, including the UBS Business Solutions Center Nashville which opened in the spring of 2014.
Legacy Recordings, Arista Nashville To Release ‘Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story’
/by Troy_StephensonLegacy Recordings and Arista Nashville will release Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story, a definitive three CD career-defining anthology of music from Alan Jackson, on Friday, Nov. 6, 2015.
A Walmart exclusive, Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story includes 59 recordings from all phases of Jackson’s career at Arista Nashville and debuts eight previously unreleased tracks including a live version of The Eagles’ hit “Seven Bridges Road,” and a live rendition of “The Star Spangled Banner,” recorded in 2001.
It is available for pre-order here, and will include an exclusive booklet featuring tributes to Alan Jackson and his music offered by artists such as Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss, Martina McBride, George Strait, Steven Tyler, Carrie Underwood, Lee Ann Womack, and the late George Jones. A special poster is also included, featuring a panoramic shot of the entire visual exhibit from “Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country.”
Genuine: The Alan Jackson Story
Track listing:
1. Blue Blooded Woman
2. Here In The Real World
3. Wanted
4. Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow
5. I’d Love You All Over Again
6. Don’t Rock The Jukebox
7. Someday
8. Dallas
9. Midnight In Montgomery
10. Love’s Got A Hold On You
11. She’s Got The Rhythm (And I Got The Blues)
12. Tonight I Climbed The Wall
13. Chattahoochee
14. Mercury Blues
15. (Who Says) You Can’t Have It All
16. Summertime Blues
17. Gone Country
18. Born Too Late (Previously Unreleased)
19. If Tears Could Talk (Previously Unreleased)
20. Seven Bridges Road – LIVE (Previously Unreleased)
Disc Two
1. Livin’ On Love
2. I Don’t Even Know Your Name
3. Tall, Tall Trees
4. I’ll Try
5. Home
6. Little Bitty
7. Who’s Cheatin’ Who
8. There Goes
9. Between The Devil And Me
10. A House With No Curtains
11. I’ll Go On Loving You
12. Right On The Money
13. Gone Crazy
14. Little Man
15. Pop A Top
16. The Blues Man
17. It Must Be Love
18. Wings (Previously Unreleased)
19. Seguro Que Hell Yes (Previously Unreleased)
20. The Star-Spangled Banner (Previously Unreleased)
Disc Three
1. Where I Come From
2. When Somebody Loves You
3. Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
4. Drive (For Daddy Gene)
5. Work In Progress
6. That’d Be Alright
7. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere—with Jimmy Buffett
8. Remember When
9. Too Much Of A Good Thing
10. Monday Morning Church
11. Like Red On A Rose
12. A Woman’s Love
13. Small Town Southern Man
14. Good Time
15. Country Boy
16. Sissy’s Song
17. As She’s Walking Away—Zac Brown Band featuring Alan Jackson
18. Love Is Hard (Previously Unreleased)
19. Ain’t Just A Southern Thing (Previously Unreleased)
Music Health Alliance Encourages Industry Professionals To “Get Covered”
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic industry non-profit healthcare advocate Music Health Alliance is offering health insurance information for music industry members, via a series of free seminars over the course of the next four months. The programs are designed to inform and empower the music community, including self-employed professionals, and those covered under their employer’s policy.
The seminars will answer questions including: What are the new health insurance options? Am I eligible for a subsidy? Who is eligible for free insurance? Where do I get care if I can’t afford insurance?
The series begins Oct. 13 at NARAS. Those interested can RSVP to Shelia Shipley-Biddy at shelia@musichealthalliance.com to attend the free “Get Covered” Seminars.
Open enrollment begins Nov. 1.
Dates/Times for Music Health Alliance Seminars:
Music Health Alliance Get Covered 101 for Senior Music Professionals:
Oct 13: 1-3pm Get Covered 101 For Senior Professionals/Medicare & More at NARAS (1904 Wedgewood Ave. Nashville, TN 37212)
Oct 27: 2-4pm Get Covered 101 For Senior Professionals/Medicare & More at Music Health Alliance (2021 Richard Jones Rd. Suite 160 Nashville, TN 37215)
Dec 7: Last Day To Change Medicare Plan
Music Health Alliance Get Covered 101 for Music Professionals:
Oct 20: 2-4p Get Covered 101 For Music Professionals at NARAS (1904 Wedgewood Ave. Nashville, TN 37212)
Nov 1: Open enrollment begins
Nov 10: 2-4p Get Covered 101 For Music Professionals at NARAS (1904 Wedgewood Ave. Nashville, TN 37212)
Nov 17: 2-4p Get Covered 101 For Music Professionals at ASCAP (2 Music Square W. Nashville, TN 37203)
Jan 12: 2-4p Get Covered 101 For Music Professionals at NARAS (1904 Wedgewood Ave. Nashville, TN 37212)
Jan 19: 2-4p Get Covered 101 For Music Professionals at BMI (10 Music Square E. Nashville, TN 37203)
Jan 31: Last day to enroll or change health insurance
Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Ranks Second in U.S. Ticket Sales
/by Craig_ShelburneNashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Bridgestone Arena in downtown Nashville has sold the second-highest amount of concert tickets in the U.S. over the last nine months, according to a third-quarter report from Pollstar, a touring trade publication. The arena ranks sixth in concert tickets sold worldwide so far this year.
Based solely on total concert and show attendance, Bridgestone Arena’s ticket sales have reached total of 504,153. When including the SEC Men’s Basketball Tournament and Nashville Predators home hockey games, Bridgestone Arena has hosted nearly 1 million people in the building year to date.
“Bridgestone Arena continues to set the standard of excellence for sports and entertainment venues in the United States,” Bridgestone Arena Senior Vice President of Booking David Kells said. “This ranking is due to the support of our fans, building staff, great performers, promoters, Metro Davidson County and the entire music community. We still have work to do to make us the No. 1 venue in the U.S., but we are pleased with the progress we’ve made.”
Bridgestone Arena underwent $11.2 million in renovations this summer, and included the addition of metal detectors at each entrance, in-bowl LED lights, 7,000 seats in the Lower Bowl, new concession stands and renovated restrooms.
Here are Pollstar’s Top-10 U.S. Venues (Show & Concert Ticket Sales):
1. Madison Square Garden (New York)
2. Bridgestone Arena (Nashville)
3. Staples Center (Los Angeles)
4. Forum (Inglewood, Calif.)
5. Allstate Arena (Rosemont, Ill.)
6. Barclays Center (Brooklyn, N.Y.)
7. American Airlines Center (Dallas)
8. Sprint Center (Kansas City, Mo.)
9. Phillips Arena (Atlanta)
10. Amalie Arena (Tampa Bay, Fla.)
In Pictures: Miranda Lambert, Steve Cropper, Bud Wendell, Johnny Cash Honored At Music City Walk of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert receives a star on the Music City Walk of Fame. Photo: Donn Jones.
Miranda Lambert, the late Johnny Cash, Steve Cropper and E.W. “Bud” Wendell were honored yesterday (Oct. 6) with stars on Nashville’s Music City Walk of Fame.
Lambert is a five-time reigning CMA and six-time reigning ACM Female Vocalist of the Year and a GRAMMY winner with four Albums of the Year. Her fifth album, Platinum, debuted at No. 1 on the all-genre Billboard 200 Album Chart and Billboard’s Country Albums Chart. Friend and fellow recording artist Dierks Bentley was on hand to honor Lambert.
Cropper has co-written some of music’s biggest classics, including “(Sittin’ On) The Dock of the Bay,” with friend Otis Redding. He is also an accomplished producer, working with the likes of Wilson Pickett, John Mellencamp and John Prine, and masterful guitar player, having toured with Neil Young and Jimmy Buffett. He was also an original member of the Blues Brothers Band. Cropper has been inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, Rhythm and Blues Hall of Fame and Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Wendell is one of Nashville’s foremost hospitality executives, having served as vice president of WSM and general manager of the Grand Ole Opry and Opryland theme park. He ultimately served as president and CEO of Gaylord Entertainment, overseeing the launch of the Nashville Network, acquisition of Country Music Television, expansion of the Opryland Hotel, renovation of the Ryman Auditorium and opening of the Wildhorse Saloon. The Country Music Hall of Fame’s Peter Cooper was in attendance to honor Wendell.
Cash is among the few artists to sell more than 90 million records. The country music icon is a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, Country Music Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame. He has earned 17 GRAMMY awards, including in 2004 for Best Short Form Video for his cover of Nine Inch Nails’ “Hurt.” Cash’s siblings Tommy Cash and Joanne Cash Yates were on hand to honor the late singer-songwriter.
Pictured (L-R): Tommy Cash, Steve Cropper, Miranda Lambert, E.W. “Bud” Wendell, Joanne Cash Yates. Photo: Donn Jones
Pictured (L-R): Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert. Photo: Donn Jones
Steve Cropper. Photo: Donn Jones
Pictured (L-R): Peter Cooper, E.W. “Bud” Wendell. Photo: Donn Jones
CRB Offers Early Look at Country Radio Seminar 2016 Agenda
/by Jessica NicholsonThe three-day event will offer attendees panels and educational presentations centered around hot topics, sales, technology, social media, programming, and more.
CRS Agenda Committee chairman Tom Hanrahan states, “Our 2016 Agenda Committee has been working hard since our initial meetings in June to deliver world class content for CRS 2016. I’m continually amazed by their hard work and dedication. This preview of the agenda demonstrates our continued commitment to deliver our best to CRS attendees. I can’t wait for February to get here!”
Talent lineups and more agenda specifics will be released leading up to the event.
The CRS 2016 Agenda-At-A-Glance includes:
(*Schedule subject to change*)
Monday, February 8:
8:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m. Registration Opens
3:00 p.m.-3:30 p.m. Opening Ceremonies
3:30 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Artist Humanitarian Award Presentation
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Daily Featured Speaker
5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m. Welcome Reception
7:00 p.m.-9:30 p.m. Grand Ole Opry
9:45 p.m. CRS After Hours
Tuesday, February 9:
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Programming Mentoring Breakfast
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Sales Mentoring Breakfast
9:00-9:50 a.m. Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 a.m.-11:30 a.m. CRS Research Presentation
11:30 a.m.-1:50 p.m. UMG Nashville Sponsored Luncheon
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Radio as The Insurgent: What if “They” Were Here First?
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Beyond the News Feed – Using Social Media For More Than “Listen Now”
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. While You Were Out: To The Beach and Back
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Big Market Sound in Any Size Town Part:1 Imaging Secrets Revealed
3:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. The New Listener Journey Map
3:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Women in the Industry: Breaking Barriers and Balance
3:00 p.m.-3:50 p.m. Big Market Sound in Any Size Town Part II: Get Prepped
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Revenues on the Horizon: Local Advertisers Talk Radio
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. Big Market Sound In Any Size Town Part III: Mastering The Music
4:00 p.m.-5:00 p.m. The Story of the Tortoise and the Hare – Country Charts vs. Pop Charts
7:00 p.m.-11:00 p.m. CRS After Hours
Wednesday, February 10:
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Women Mentoring Breakfast
8:00 a.m.-9:00 a.m. Tech Breakfast
9:00 a.m.-9:50 a.m. Daily Featured Speaker
10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Put Me In Coach! The Best Talent Coaches Converge
10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. What YOU Want To Know About Digital and Social
10:00 a.m.-10:50 a.m. Promotions Start To Finish
11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Listeners: Are You Speaking Their Language?
11:00 a.m.-11:50 a.m. Social Content Creation Bootcamp
Noon-1:50 p.m. BMLG Sponsored Luncheon
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Winning The First Occasion
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. From the Outside Looking In: Other Formats Give Their Take On Country
2:00 p.m.-2:50 p.m. Frenemy: Competitor or Brand Extension?
3:00 p.m.-4:00 p.m. Featured Speaker
5:30 p.m.-6:15 p.m. New Faces Cocktail Reception
6:30 p.m.-10:00 p.m. New Faces of Country Music Dinner and Show
10:00 p.m. CRS After Hours
LifeNotes: Country, Pop Hitmaker Billy Joe Royal Passes
/by Robert K OermannBilly Joe Royal
Country and pop song stylist Billy Joe Royal has died at age 73.
The Georgia native became a pop star with his version of songwriter Joe South’s “Down in the Boondocks” in 1965. The song was recorded for the country market by both Penny DeHaven and Freddy Weller, predicting Royal’s later career.
Billy Joe Royal followed his breakthrough hit with South’s “I Knew You When.” Linda Ronstadt made the country charts with this song in 1983. Royal introduced South’s “These Are Not My People” in 1967. Weller made it a big country hit in 1969.
“Hush,” also written by South, charted on the pop charts for Royal in 1967. Deep Purple made it a major rock hit in 1970.
Billy Joe Royal’s last big pop hit was 1969’s “Cherry Hill Park.”
He resurfaced in Nashville in 1985 as a country act singing Gary Burr’s “Burned Like a Rocket.” The song was a top-10 hit and rising when the Challenger rocket exploded with its astronauts inside. This is said to have stalled its progress.
Royal rebounded with 1987’s country hits “Old Bridges Burn Slow,” “Members Only” (a duet with Donna Fargo) and “I’ll Pin a Note on Your Pillow,” one of his biggest country radio hits. Its video was No. 1 on CMT. His 1987 LP The Royal Treatment became a Gold Record.
Billy Joe Royal lived in Music City for 20 years. During this time, he sang such country hits as “Out of Sight and on My Mind” (1988), “Tell It Like It Is” (1989), “Love Has No Right” (1989), “Till I Can’t Take It Anymore” (1989) and “Searchin’ For Some Kind of Clue” (1989).
He last made the country charts with 1992’s “I’m Okay.” Royal was inducted into the Georgia Music Hall of Fame in 1988. In later years, he toured on the “oldies” circuit.
Billy Joe Royal died suddenly on Tuesday, Oct. 6. He is survived by daughter Savannah Royal and by stepsons Trey and Joey Rivabank. He also remained close to ex-wife Michelle Royal.
Funeral arrangements were incomplete at press time.