As part of the celebration, a $100,000 donation was made by Borchetta to the Music Makes Us initiative. Pictured (L-R): Mike Molinar, John Zarling, Jimmy Harnen, Jack Purcell, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, Scott Borchetta, Matthew Hargis, David Nathan, Jim Weatherson, Allison Jones, Dave Kelly, Kelly Rich and Jessica Myers. Photo: Lance Goodman
On Aug. 31, 2005 Scott Borchetta and Toby Keith took the stage at Nashville’s Global Cafe to announce their respective record labels, Keith’s Show Dog and Borchetta’s Big Machine, would launch the following day. Today (Sept. 1) marks that 10-year anniversary.
A celebration was held this morning at the Bridgestone Tower’s SiriusXM studio for the latter company; which has gone on to boast five imprints with 65 No. 1 hits, more than 50 million albums sold and more than 200 million singles sold. A staff of 93 now oversees a talent roster of 30 recording artists in addition to three racing drivers. To boot, Borchetta’s personal garage contains 19 cars.
“Each time I sign an artist it’s a $1 million gamble,” said Borchetta to MusicRow. “I told our investors from the beginning, if they didn’t have the money to lose, don’t come along with us. Go to the horse races. I wanted investors who felt it will be fun, if it works or it doesn’t.
“I bought out our main shareholder, Ray Pronto, earlier this year so I own 90 percent of the label. Toby Keith is still a silent partner. I never hear from him except for when I see him out. We’ll usually give each other high-fives.”
Scott Borchetta at the 10 year celebration. Photo: Bev Moser.
As part of the celebration, a $100,000 donation was made by Borchetta to Metro Nashville Public School’s Music Makes Us initiative. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Chris Henson (Interim Director of Schools), Dr. Jay Steele (Chief Academic Officer) and Dr. Nola Jones (Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts) were on hand to accept the charitable gift. Hume-Fogg students sat front row at the event, wearing Music Has Value-branded apparel, courtesy of the label group’s brand, for which it has even launched a digital and physical storefront.
“In three years we restored band programs at all 33 middle schools; created new choral programs in 10 schools; established 45 new classes in 18 schools including mariachi, rock band, world percussion, country and bluegrass songwriting, and hip-hop,” declared Mayor Dean. “We’ve also opened a world-class recording studio, student-run record label and launched an online hub connecting Nashville music professionals with teachers.”
“To think for one minute that music wouldn’t be in schools? No! Not on our watch,” supposed Borchetta of his contribution to the initiative. “There’s a lot of pride today about music, about Nashville and about the great artists that have been a part of the Big Machine Label Group.
“I have always found that when I save up for something and buy it, I have great value in it. It means that much more to me. One of the things that is happening in real-time is adding value back to music so we can all continue to invest and make sure this great art form has a home for the rest of our lives and beyond.”
Recording artists The Cadillac Three and Danielle Bradbery were also present in support of their label head. The events aired later in the day on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
August 31, 2005 press conference announcing two business entities—Toby Keith’s Show Dog and Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine. Pictured (L-R): Front: Darcy Miller-Lashinsky (Secondary Promotion/Promotion Coordinator), Tony Morreale (Southeast Promotion & Marketing), Lisa Owen (West Coast Promotion & Marketing), Zach Horowitz (President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Music Group), Toby Keith, Scott Borchetta (President – Big Machine Records), Denise Roberts (VP/Promotions), Sandi Spika-Borchetta (Creative Services); Back: Greg Sax (Southwest Promotion & Marketing), John Zarling (National Promotions & New Media), Suzanne Durham (Northeast Promotion & Marketing), George Nunes (GM/Show Dog), Andrew Kautz (Controller/Office Manager)
Looking back on his decade of impact on the global music industry, Borchetta said, “It’s still an outlier to invest in a brand new record company. But if you look back at the prospectus I wrote, it’s really a crazy look-in-the-future moment.”
At launch, Show Dog and Big Machine equally shared staffing resources, including promotion team and administrative resources, although financing remained separate. Keith footed a reported $5 million bill for his financing, and Borchetta’s investors in the other. Meaning, sooner or later Big Machine was to become profitable based upon its own roster which at the time included Danielle Peck, Taylor Swift, and Jack Ingram.
“Our early vision was survival,” recalled Borchetta. “It was get your boots on the ground, get these records played, get these artists exposed, and music in the stores wherever those stores were. There was a limited window where I only wanted to give up so much of the company for investment. I never wanted to go back to have a stock sale.
“I was part of startups before with MTM Records (30 years ago) and DreamWorks (1998),” said Borchetta. “You look at both of those situations in particular, DreamWorks staffed-up but we didn’t have records. Every day money is going the wrong way. I made sure that when Big Machine opened we had records out. Jack Ingram had a No. 1 on his first single and Taylor’s first single came out in June of 2006 (“Tim McGraw”) and her album in October 2006. We were very blessed with early success.”
What’s next for the 21st century music mogul? “We’re going to expand into a lot of other medias by survival, demand and opportunity,” he proudly concluded.
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Jay Steele (Chief Academic Officer), Dr. Nola Jones (Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts), Chris Henson (Interim Director of Schools), Mayor Karl Dean and BMLG’s Scott Borchetta with $100,000 donation to Music Makes Us. Photo: Lance Goodman
Sandbox Working With Hank Williams Estate
/by Sarah Skates“Hank Williams is one of the most iconic names in music and the opportunity to keep his legacy moving forward is an exciting undertaking for Sandbox,” said company President Jason Owen. “We’re ready to take this historical figure and introduce him to a new generation with the honor and respect he deserves.”
The Hank Williams Estate is represented by daughter, Jett Williams, and son, Hank Williams Jr. Sandbox will maintain a close working relationship with the Williams family.
Josh Matas, who directs marketing and business initiatives for Sandbox, will handle the Williams projects, with new ones expected to be announced in the coming months.
Among the current initiatives is a biopic titled I Saw The Light (Sony Classics). Starring English actor Tom Hiddleston, it is set for release to theaters Nov. 27, 2015 (Black Friday).
Harrington Sells Majority Stake In The GreenRoom
/by Jessica NicholsonMary Hilliard Harrington
Mary Hilliard Harrington, a three-time CMA Publicist of the Year and founder/owner of entertainment PR firm The GreenRoom, has sold a majority stake in the company to longtime employees Tyne Parrish and Kristie Sloan. Harrington founded the company in 2006, and was named as one of MusicRow‘s Rising Women on the Row in 2012.
Sloan and Parrish will oversee The GreenRoom’s roster of music clients, which includes Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Kip Moore, Kix Brooks and Live Nation Entertainment.
“Building this business is hands down the most rewarding thing I’ve ever done. I’ve loved every moment working with the best artists, managers, bands and crews in this town,” said Harrington. “Tyne and Kristie are incredibly smart, creative thinkers with unbelievable work ethics. They have earned the opportunity to run the company that they have given so much love and attention to for the better part of a decade. It’s their turn now! I’m excited to see where they take it from here!
“It has been such a labor of love…not just building The GreenRoom but really more importantly building the careers of all these amazing artists,” Harrington tells MusicRow. “I’ve had my head down working nonstop for a really long time, and ultimately, I just feel like I’m ready to look up and see what else might be out there. I’m ready for the next chapter whatever it may be. The cherry on top is the gratification of now being able to help Tyne and Kristie live out their dream.”
“I have had the opportunity to grow surrounded by a community of people who challenge and inspire me since the day I started at The GreenRoom,” said Parrish. “I’m really looking forward to starting this next phase with Kristie in the spirit of and with the same passion that Mary Hilliard founded it on.”
“From day one, this has been a dream job for me,” said Sloan. “I’ve gained invaluable experience working with the best teams around. I’m thrilled to play a larger role at The GreenRoom alongside Tyne.”
Harrington will continue to consult with the company during the transition and will remain in the company’s Cannery Row office, where she currently manages platinum-selling artist Dierks Bentley and Dot Records’ rising singer/songwriter Tucker Beathard.
The Grand Ole Opry Teams With Southwest Airlines To Bring Nashville to NYC
/by Troy_StephensonIn celebration of the Grand Ole Opry’s 90th Anniversary, The Opry has teamed with Southwest Airlines to present the third annual Nashville’s New Music In New York City. This year’s event will feature Black River’s Kelsea Ballerini on Sept. 9 and Red Bow’s Chase Bryant on Sept. 28. The artists will perform an acoustic show at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park in Manhattan and will use the Opry’s signature microphone stand and will continue the 90th anniversary year tradition of throwing down a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House. “We’re excited to take part of our 90th anniversary celebration to New York and introduce two of our favorite new artists to audiences there,” said Pete Fisher, Opry Vice President and General Manager.
Each performance is open to the public, and seating will be based on a first-come first-serve basis.
“Southwest Airlines and our partners from Bryant Park Corporation are thrilled to bring the sounds of Nashville to the Big Apple,” said Kevin Krone, Southwest Airlines Chief Marketing Officer. “Partnerships like these give us the opportunity to showcase our top destinations to our New York Customers.”
Kelsea Ballerini
Chase Bryant
Industry Ink: CMHoF, WMN, Tree Vibez Music, KBXB
/by Jessica NicholsonCMHoF Celebrates Debut of Sam Phillips Exhibit
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum celebrated the debut of its newest exhibition, Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll: the Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips with a star-studded weekend of programs. On Saturday, Aug. 29 author and co-curator Peter Guralnick led a discussion panel with some of Sun Records most iconic artists, including Sonny Burgess, J.M. Van Eaton, W.S. “Fluke” Holland, and Jerry Phillips. After the Q&A, the panelists performed a tribute to the late Sam Phillips, along with special guests Charles Esten; the Valentines; Mark Collie; Luther Dickinson; Eric Heatherly; Chuck Mead; Charlie Rich, Jr.; The Secret Sisters; Billy Swan; Marvell Thomas; Colin Linden; and the Kitchen Sisters.
Pictured (standing, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia; Lydia Rogers and Laura Rogers of the Secret Sisters; Kevin McKendree; Billy Swan; Luther Dickinson; Charles Myers, James Moon, and Frank Howard of the Valentines; Gary Craig; Colin Linden; Charles Esten; Chuck Mead; Nikki Silva of the Kitchen Sisters; Dave Roe; Mark Collie; and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Carolyn Tate and Michael Gray; (Seated, L-R): Eric Heatherly; W.S. Holland; Peter Guralnick; J.M. Van Eaton; Jerry Phillips; Valerie Woodhouse of the Valentines; Marvell Thomas; Sonny Burgess; Charlie Rich, Jr.; and Davia Nelson of the Kitchen Sisters.
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
Warner Music Nashville’s Team WEA Adds Roth
Shari Roth
Warner Music Nashville’s Team WEA is proud to announce Shari Roth as the new Midwest/Northeast regional, who will continue to be based in Chicago.
“Shari’s deep-rooted relationships, passion for this format, and nearly 10 years of experience with radio make her the perfect fit for our team,” said Vice President Jordan Pettit.
Team WEA MW/NE regional Diane Monk is shifting her duties Southward while remaining in New York City and will now handle the Eastern seaboard.
Tree Vibez Music To Host ‘The Hang’ Writer Showcase on Sept. 8
The lineup will include music from TVM writers Jordan Schmidt, Jimmie Deeghan, and Drew Castle, along with performances from SNO, Zach Lockwood, Chase Coy, and a special guest.
Doors for the event open at 5:30PM, with music starting at 6:00PM, and the first 50 guests will be receiving free TVM swag. This event is free to the public.
Withers Broadcasting Program Director Proposes To Girlfriend During Chris Young Performance
George Davis, program director at MusicRow panel station KBXB in Sikeston, Mo., recently popped the question to Lisa, his girlfriend of three years. Davis, with the help of Ann Chrisman and Sony Music’s Christy Garbinski and RG Jones, planned the proposal to happen during a recent Chris Young concert. Davis’ girlfriend Lisa said yes.
Pictured (L-R): Lisa, Ann Chrisman of Ann Chrisman Promotions, Chris Young, George Davis, Sony Music’s Christy Garbinski and RG Jones.
Borchetta Holds 90 Percent Of Big Machine At 10 Year Anniversary
/by Eric T. ParkerAs part of the celebration, a $100,000 donation was made by Borchetta to the Music Makes Us initiative. Pictured (L-R): Mike Molinar, John Zarling, Jimmy Harnen, Jack Purcell, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Andrew Kautz, Scott Borchetta, Matthew Hargis, David Nathan, Jim Weatherson, Allison Jones, Dave Kelly, Kelly Rich and Jessica Myers. Photo: Lance Goodman
On Aug. 31, 2005 Scott Borchetta and Toby Keith took the stage at Nashville’s Global Cafe to announce their respective record labels, Keith’s Show Dog and Borchetta’s Big Machine, would launch the following day. Today (Sept. 1) marks that 10-year anniversary.
A celebration was held this morning at the Bridgestone Tower’s SiriusXM studio for the latter company; which has gone on to boast five imprints with 65 No. 1 hits, more than 50 million albums sold and more than 200 million singles sold. A staff of 93 now oversees a talent roster of 30 recording artists in addition to three racing drivers. To boot, Borchetta’s personal garage contains 19 cars.
“Each time I sign an artist it’s a $1 million gamble,” said Borchetta to MusicRow. “I told our investors from the beginning, if they didn’t have the money to lose, don’t come along with us. Go to the horse races. I wanted investors who felt it will be fun, if it works or it doesn’t.
“I bought out our main shareholder, Ray Pronto, earlier this year so I own 90 percent of the label. Toby Keith is still a silent partner. I never hear from him except for when I see him out. We’ll usually give each other high-fives.”
Scott Borchetta at the 10 year celebration. Photo: Bev Moser.
As part of the celebration, a $100,000 donation was made by Borchetta to Metro Nashville Public School’s Music Makes Us initiative. Nashville Mayor Karl Dean, Chris Henson (Interim Director of Schools), Dr. Jay Steele (Chief Academic Officer) and Dr. Nola Jones (Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts) were on hand to accept the charitable gift. Hume-Fogg students sat front row at the event, wearing Music Has Value-branded apparel, courtesy of the label group’s brand, for which it has even launched a digital and physical storefront.
“In three years we restored band programs at all 33 middle schools; created new choral programs in 10 schools; established 45 new classes in 18 schools including mariachi, rock band, world percussion, country and bluegrass songwriting, and hip-hop,” declared Mayor Dean. “We’ve also opened a world-class recording studio, student-run record label and launched an online hub connecting Nashville music professionals with teachers.”
“To think for one minute that music wouldn’t be in schools? No! Not on our watch,” supposed Borchetta of his contribution to the initiative. “There’s a lot of pride today about music, about Nashville and about the great artists that have been a part of the Big Machine Label Group.
“I have always found that when I save up for something and buy it, I have great value in it. It means that much more to me. One of the things that is happening in real-time is adding value back to music so we can all continue to invest and make sure this great art form has a home for the rest of our lives and beyond.”
Recording artists The Cadillac Three and Danielle Bradbery were also present in support of their label head. The events aired later in the day on SiriusXM’s The Highway.
August 31, 2005 press conference announcing two business entities—Toby Keith’s Show Dog and Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine. Pictured (L-R): Front: Darcy Miller-Lashinsky (Secondary Promotion/Promotion Coordinator), Tony Morreale (Southeast Promotion & Marketing), Lisa Owen (West Coast Promotion & Marketing), Zach Horowitz (President and Chief Operating Officer of Universal Music Group), Toby Keith, Scott Borchetta (President – Big Machine Records), Denise Roberts (VP/Promotions), Sandi Spika-Borchetta (Creative Services); Back: Greg Sax (Southwest Promotion & Marketing), John Zarling (National Promotions & New Media), Suzanne Durham (Northeast Promotion & Marketing), George Nunes (GM/Show Dog), Andrew Kautz (Controller/Office Manager)
Looking back on his decade of impact on the global music industry, Borchetta said, “It’s still an outlier to invest in a brand new record company. But if you look back at the prospectus I wrote, it’s really a crazy look-in-the-future moment.”
At launch, Show Dog and Big Machine equally shared staffing resources, including promotion team and administrative resources, although financing remained separate. Keith footed a reported $5 million bill for his financing, and Borchetta’s investors in the other. Meaning, sooner or later Big Machine was to become profitable based upon its own roster which at the time included Danielle Peck, Taylor Swift, and Jack Ingram.
“Our early vision was survival,” recalled Borchetta. “It was get your boots on the ground, get these records played, get these artists exposed, and music in the stores wherever those stores were. There was a limited window where I only wanted to give up so much of the company for investment. I never wanted to go back to have a stock sale.
“I was part of startups before with MTM Records (30 years ago) and DreamWorks (1998),” said Borchetta. “You look at both of those situations in particular, DreamWorks staffed-up but we didn’t have records. Every day money is going the wrong way. I made sure that when Big Machine opened we had records out. Jack Ingram had a No. 1 on his first single and Taylor’s first single came out in June of 2006 (“Tim McGraw”) and her album in October 2006. We were very blessed with early success.”
What’s next for the 21st century music mogul? “We’re going to expand into a lot of other medias by survival, demand and opportunity,” he proudly concluded.
Pictured (L-R): Dr. Jay Steele (Chief Academic Officer), Dr. Nola Jones (Coordinator of Visual and Performing Arts), Chris Henson (Interim Director of Schools), Mayor Karl Dean and BMLG’s Scott Borchetta with $100,000 donation to Music Makes Us. Photo: Lance Goodman
Mark Your Calendar – September 2015
/by Eric T. ParkerSeptember 4
Brooke Hogan/I Wanna Be Your Girlfriend [EP]/Molly Dog Entertainment
September 11
Brett Eldredge/Illinois/Warner Bros.
Ben Folds/So There/New West Records
Jewel/Picking Up The Pieces/Sugar Hill Records
September 18
Clare Dunn/Clare Dunn [EP]/MCA
Leigh Nash/The State I’m In/Thirty Tigers
Mac McAnally/A.K.A. Nobody/Mailboat Records
Alabama/Southern Drawl/BMG
Home Free/Country Evolution/Columbia Records
Glen Campbell/British Live Performance Series [live]/Rainman Records
September 25
Thomas Rhett/Tangled Up/Valory Music Co.
Clint Black/On Purpose/Blacktop Records-Thirty Tigers
Don Henley/Cass County/Capitol Records
Kenny Rogers/Once Again It’s Christmas/Warner Bros.-WMN
Ron Block/Hogan’s House of Music
Patty Griffin/Servant of Love/PGM-Thirty Tigers
September 7
Cassadee Pope/I Am Invincible/Big Machine
Macy Martin/Baby What Ya Doing/Go Time Records
Amanda Watkins/If I Was Over You/In2une Nashville
Tyler Steel/Drink #5/Magenta Records
Broseph E. Lee/Fill ‘Em On Up/Broseph
September 14
Brad Paisley/Country Nation/Arista Nashville
J. Michael Harter/Playing With Fire/Anozira Records-GMV Nashville
Michael Ray/Real Men Love Jesus/Warner Bros.- WEA
Rachele Lynae/Quicksand/Momentum-In2une Music
Dallas Smith/Kids With Cars/Blaster Records
September 21
Alabama/Wasn’t Through Lovin’ You Yet/BMG Music
Joe Nichols/Freaks Like Me/Red Bow Records
Emily Vance/Serendipity/Emily Vance Music
Jake Clayton/What Not To Do/Rebel Engine
Ashley Gearing/Train Track/Curb Records
Matt Gary/It’s On You/In2une Nashville
September 28
Southern Halo/Little White Dress/Southern Halo, LLC
September 1
9th Annual ACM Honors at the Ryman in Nashville
September 9
September 10-14
CCMA’s Country Music Week in Halifax, Nova Scotia
September 15-20
2015 Americanafest in Nashville, Tenn. at the Hutton Hotel
September 18-19
iHeartRadio Music Festival in Las Vegas at the MGM Grand Garden Arena
September 19-20
Music City Food + Wine Festival
September 24
WHO KNEW event
September 29
2015 SOURCE Awards at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Historic Municipal Auditorium in Nashville
September 29-October 1
IBMA Business Conference and the Bluegrass Ramble in Raleigh, NC
CMT On Tour Releases Cities, Dates for ‘Suits and Boots’ Tour with Brett Eldredge, Thomas Rhett
/by Jessica NicholsonBrett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett will bring their soulful country sounds across the country this fall as co-headliners of CMT On Tour: Brett Eldredge and Thomas Rhett-Suits & Boots. The 14th installment of the CMT tour will launch Oct. 29 in New York City. BMLG artist Danielle Bradbery, season four winner of The Voice, joins the tour as a special guest.
Both Rhett and Eldredge will have plenty of new music to share with fans during the tour, from their respective sophomore releases. Eldredge’s Illinois releases Sept. 11, while Rhett’s Tangled Up will be out Sept. 25.
“Thomas Rhett and Brett are well on their way to becoming the superstars of our format. As they both celebrate back-to-back No. 1 singles, we’re beyond excited to have them co-headline the CMT Tour this year,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy, CMT. “On top of that, it’s an honor to celebrate and support Danielle Bradbery as one of CMT’s Next Women of Country.”
For more information, visit cmtontour.cmt.com.
10/29/2015, New York, NY-Terminal 5
10/30/2015, Salisbury, MD-Wicomico Youth & Civic Center
10/31/2015, Salem, VA-Salem Civic Center
11/6/2015, Bangor, ME-Cross Insurance Center
11/7/2015, Hampton Beach, NH-Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
11/8/2015, Kingston, RI-Ryan Center
11/12/2015, Dodge City, KS-United Wireless Arena
11/13/2015, Kearney, NE-Viaero Events Center
11/14/2015, Sioux City, IA-Tyson Events Center
11/19/2015, Pikeville, KY-East Kentucky Exposition Center
11/21/2015, Independence, MO-Independence Events Center
12/3/2015, Youngstown, OH-Covelli Centre
12/4/2015, Fairfax, VA-EagleBank Arena
12/5/2015, Bethleham, PA-Sands Casino
12/9/2015, Kalamazoo, MI-Wings Stadium
12/10/2015, Toledo, OH-Huntington Center
12/11/2015, Chicago, IL-Rosemont Theatre
**More dates/markets to be announced.
Chris Young’s Fifth Studio Album To Release in November
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Young is set to release his fifth studio project, I’m Comin’ Over, on Nov. 13. The album’s lead single (and title track) is closing in on RIAA Gold certification, and Young says it’s an apt representation of the album as a whole.
“’I’m Comin’ Over’ is honestly such a sonic bridge for me, between what I sounded like on the last record and what we’ve done on this one,” Young said. “I think that this song is a really good introduction to what you’ll hear on the rest of this record.”
Super fan packages can be reserved at chrisyoungcountry.com starting tomorrow (Sept. 2). The bundles contain a Chris Young t-shirt, poster, flask, hoodie, keychain, koozie and coffee mug in addition to the new CD, I’m Comin’ Over.
Young will make a return appearance to ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live tomorrow evening (Sept. 2) to perform the album’s title track.
The singer-songwriter will launch his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour Sept. 30 in Nashville at the new Ascend Amphitheater.
SESAC’s Simon Reid Signs With Diamond Eye Music
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Diamond Eye Music’s Callie Benjamin and Chris Burch, SESAC’s Shannan Hatch, Reid and Diamond Eye’s Alyssa Adams. Photo: Bev Moser
SESAC-affiliated artist/songwriter/producer Simon Reid has signed a publishing agreement with Diamond Eye Music. Originally from the UK, Reid is also an accomplished session musician with 15 years of experience working with a variety of artists in Nashville studios.
As well as having an Honors degree from Edinburgh Napier University, he has produced a track for ABC Family’s 10 Things I Hate About You, co-written a song for The British Red Cross, won 1st place in The Pacific Songwriting Competition (Pop/Ballad category), and was awarded a place in the BBC Songwriters’ Academy in 2008.
As a session musician, Simon has performed live with The Wanted (BBC1), We See Lights (Canada), The Rise (Italy) and Jamie Kimmett (Italy).
Bone McAllester Norton Recruits Suzanne Kessler, Hank Adam Locklin
/by Jessica NicholsonHank Adam Locklin
Bone McAllester Norton PLLC announced today the addition of two entertainment attorneys to its Nashville firm. Suzanne Kessler, who previously served as an entertainment and transactional intellectual property attorney and consultant, and Hank Adam Locklin, the former Senior Adviser for Music and Entertainment Industries for the State of Tennessee, have joined the firm, expanding its entertainment law practice to four attorneys. They bring with them a combined total of 40 years of experience.
“The addition of Suzanne and Hank Adam brings a wealth of expertise and experience, enabling us to serve clients across the entertainment and IP spectrums,” said Charles W. Bone, founder and chairman of Bone McAllester Norton. “Both have been deeply embedded in the entertainment and music industries for decades. We could not be more excited to have them onboard and look forward to providing high-caliber work to all of our entertainment and IP clients.”
Suzanne Kessler
Kessler advises both traditional and new media clients, including record labels, recording artists, artist managers, film and television production companies and independent producers. Kessler previously served as Executive Director of the Nashville Chapter of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences (the GRAMMY organization); as Vice President of Business Development and Director of Legal Affairs at Universal Music Group; and as an attorney in private practice with an entertainment boutique law firm in Beverly Hills. After earning a bachelor’s degree from Brown University, she earned both a masters in communication (documentary film production) and a law degree from Stanford University. Kessler is a Class of 2005 Leadership Music graduate and currently serves as a board member for W.O. Smith Music School. She is also an adjunct professor at Vanderbilt Law School’s intellectual property program. She will practice in Bone McAllester Norton’s Entertainment Law and Intellectual Property Law areas.
Locklin is an entertainment attorney who focuses his work on the creative and transactional ends of the music and entertainment industries. His executive experience relates to trade association management and administration, recording agreements, music production, artist/songwriter management, music publishing, sound recording licensing, touring and artist management. In his career, he has been responsible for overseeing and advising efforts to acquire A-level talent for state and government events, including the 2014 National Governor’s Association’s annual meeting; leading the recruitment of global entertainment companies to relocate or expand into Tennessee; and advising on numerous policy issues, including the Nashville television series.
Locklin graduated from the University of Alabama School of Law and is a Class of 2008 Leadership Music graduate. He is active in the local community, serving as a member of the Music City Music Council, charter board member of the Tennessee Volunteer Lawyers for the Arts, board member for the Women’s Music Business Association and a Shriner with the Al Menah Shrine Temple. Locklin will practice in the firm’s Entertainment Law area.