Dickinson Wright PLLC recently added five attorneys to its Entertainment Law Practice Group. They will be based in the Las Vegas office and will work closely with the firm’s attorneys across the U.S. and Canada, including those in Nashville’s Music Row office, which is led by attorney Derek Crownover.
“We are lucky to have this new group from Vegas,” said Crownover. “They have a deep knowledge of the trademark, branding, television and sports worlds. They expand our reach across the country, but more importantly, they help us provide top-tier service to our artist, acting and sports clients who enter these worlds as they grow their brands in new mediums.”
Jennifer Ko Craft joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. She focuses on contracts for personal appearances, endorsement, licensing and personal management, as well as managing sophisticated worldwide trademark and copyright portfolios and overseeing enforcement. Craft represents clients such as the Kardashian and Jenner families, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Shaquille O’Neal, Alex Rodriguez, Shane Victorino, George Lopez, Trisha Yearwood, Amar’e Stoudemire and Matt Barnes.
Michael Feder joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Litigation Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing and counseling clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving, among others, contracts, copyright infringement, corporate law, employment law, entertainment and sports law, franchise law, fraud, patent infringement, trademark infringement, securities law, shareholder and partnership disputes and unfair competition. His clients include the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Top Rank, among numerous others.
Eric Hone joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Litigation Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing and counseling clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving shareholder and partnership disputes, contracts, corporate law, employment law, entertainment and sports law, gaming, copyright and trademark infringement, patent, real estate, securities law and unfair competition.
John Krieger joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and the Entertainment Law Group. He concentrates his practice on intellectual property litigation in both state and federal court. He has extensive experience litigating cases involving the infringement of intellectual property rights over the Internet and has also litigated matters involving the infringement of trademarks, trade dress and copyrights at international Las Vegas trade shows, including obtaining emergency seizure orders and permanent injunctive relief. His clients include the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as artists, actors, authors, musicians and reality show participants.
Joanna Myers joins Dickinson Wright as an Associate in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and the Entertainment Law Group. She focuses her practice on IP trademark development, enforcement and prosecution matters, as well as entertainment law. Myers has negotiated over 50 trademark, copyright, rights of publicity and other IP disputes.
Dickinson Wright employs 28 attorneys in Nashville within a wide range of practices. Headquartered in Michigan, the firm has over 400 attorneys in 15 offices throughout the United States and Canada.
Jon Pardi Announces ‘The All Time High Tour’
/by Troy_StephensonJon Pardi with The Brothers Osborne
Capitol Records Nashville’s Jon Pardi announced today (Aug. 24) he will headline the All Time High Tour presented by Texas Roadhouse launching this fall.
The Brothers Osborne will be the opening act on the 18 dates that have been set. The tour will launch on Oct. 8 in San Diego.
Fans can purchase tickets beginning Aug. 28 at www.jonpardi.com with an exclusive presale for Pardi fan club members opening Aug. 26.
“Out of all the tours I’ve been fortunate to be a part of, this one is especially exciting because we’ve been building towards this moment for a while. I have been buddies with TJ and John [Osborne] since moving to Nashville and we have talked about touring together for years. It’s finally here and going to be a blast,” shares Pardi. “I really love the new music I have been working on for the next album and cannot wait to start playing it out on the road for the fans.”
Dickinson Wright Expands Entertainment Practice
/by Sarah Skates“We are lucky to have this new group from Vegas,” said Crownover. “They have a deep knowledge of the trademark, branding, television and sports worlds. They expand our reach across the country, but more importantly, they help us provide top-tier service to our artist, acting and sports clients who enter these worlds as they grow their brands in new mediums.”
Jennifer Ko Craft joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. She focuses on contracts for personal appearances, endorsement, licensing and personal management, as well as managing sophisticated worldwide trademark and copyright portfolios and overseeing enforcement. Craft represents clients such as the Kardashian and Jenner families, the Estate of Michael Jackson, Sylvester Stallone, the Ultimate Fighting Championship, Shaquille O’Neal, Alex Rodriguez, Shane Victorino, George Lopez, Trisha Yearwood, Amar’e Stoudemire and Matt Barnes.
Michael Feder joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Litigation Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing and counseling clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving, among others, contracts, copyright infringement, corporate law, employment law, entertainment and sports law, franchise law, fraud, patent infringement, trademark infringement, securities law, shareholder and partnership disputes and unfair competition. His clients include the Ultimate Fighting Championship and Top Rank, among numerous others.
Eric Hone joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Litigation Department and Entertainment Law Practice Group. He has extensive experience representing and counseling clients in commercial and business litigation matters involving shareholder and partnership disputes, contracts, corporate law, employment law, entertainment and sports law, gaming, copyright and trademark infringement, patent, real estate, securities law and unfair competition.
John Krieger joins Dickinson Wright as a Member in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and the Entertainment Law Group. He concentrates his practice on intellectual property litigation in both state and federal court. He has extensive experience litigating cases involving the infringement of intellectual property rights over the Internet and has also litigated matters involving the infringement of trademarks, trade dress and copyrights at international Las Vegas trade shows, including obtaining emergency seizure orders and permanent injunctive relief. His clients include the Ultimate Fighting Championship, as well as artists, actors, authors, musicians and reality show participants.
Joanna Myers joins Dickinson Wright as an Associate in the firm’s Intellectual Property Department and the Entertainment Law Group. She focuses her practice on IP trademark development, enforcement and prosecution matters, as well as entertainment law. Myers has negotiated over 50 trademark, copyright, rights of publicity and other IP disputes.
Dickinson Wright employs 28 attorneys in Nashville within a wide range of practices. Headquartered in Michigan, the firm has over 400 attorneys in 15 offices throughout the United States and Canada.
Industry Ink: BMLG, ASCAP, Off The Record
/by Jessica NicholsonBMLG’s Allison Jones
BMLG’s Allison Jones To Be Featured in Music Industry Workshop
BMLG Sr. VP/A&R Allison Jones will be the special guest during a free music industry workshop hosted by Rick Barker on Tuesday, Aug. 25.
The workshop will be held at the Big Machine Store, located at 122 3rd Ave. S. in Nashville from 6 p.m.-8 p.m. Jones will discuss what label A&R looks for in new artists, as well as the best routes for getting noticed by labels.
ASCAP Names Sperling as VP, Strategy and Business Development
Mark Sperling
ASCAP has announced Mark Sperling as Sr. VP, Strategy and Business Development. Sperling will spearhead strategic initiatives and lead business development efforts. He will report to Alice Kim, Chief Strategy and Development Officer.
Sperling previously spent 16 years with Allen & Company LLC, a boutique investment banking firm dealing in the media, entertainment, and digital media industries.
Tribe Kelley, The Showroom Designs To Be Featured at Nashville’s Off The Record Fashion Event
“My wife Brittney and I are honored that Tribe Kelley will be a part of Volume 1 Off The Record,” expressed Kelley. “This will be the first show that Tribe Kelley will send both men’s and women’s designs down the runway. It is humbling to be one of the featured local designers in Nashville and we are eager to see the future development of the Fashion industry in our community.”
The Showroom, a joint project that combines the couture design services of ani&ari and services of veteran LA stylist Kristin Geyser, will display their collection at the fashion show as well. The Showroom’s clientele have included Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert and Cassadee Pope.
Also showing off collections are Spinelli Kilcollin, S. Carter, and Graziela, sponsored by Jamie Inc. of Nashville.
For tickets, visit offtherecordnashville.com.
Jason Aldean Stands By Decision To Pull Music From Spotify
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean
In November 2014, after the release of his latest album Old Boots, New Dirt, Broken Bow Records artist Jason Aldean pulled the project from popular music streaming service Spotify. Nine months later, he stands by that decision, telling the St. Louis Post-Dispatch, “As artists, we don’t make crap off of streaming.”
Aldean also praised fellow artists that have removed their music from the service, including BMLG acts Taylor Swift, Brantley Gilbert, and Justin Moore.
“Honestly, there’s been so much stuff about that, and I’ve been misquoted. The ultimate goal is I want fans to have the best experience they possibly can. I want fans to hear my music whenever they want. But there’s also a right and wrong way to do it.
“It’s easy for everybody to stand back and not take a stand. They think there will be a backlash or don’t understand how it works. It’s easier to go along with what everybody else is doing. For me, I got a lot of friends who make a living writing songs, and those guys are getting cheated.
“Taylor Swift, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore and myself, a lot of guys are starting to see that as well. That’s all it was about. You want it to be fair. As artists, we don’t make crap off of streaming. Lots of major record companies are part owners in Spotify, so they’re gonna get their money regardless. I’m more about the small guy. I’m on a smaller label. I’m an indie guy. I’m not the big commercial grocery store. I’m the mom-and-pop store.
“I don’t want to see this affect the music biz for the long term, but I was always taught to stand up for what I believe in. Spotify has changed their stance a little bit, and that’s cool. I’m starting to see that. But my stance hasn’t changed at all.”
Belmont Unveils New Academic and Dining Complex
/by Kelsey_GradyBelmont University officially cut the ribbon celebrating the grand opening of a new $87 million multi-functional complex on Saturday, Aug. 22. Named in honor of longtime trustee and Bridges to Belmont Endowed Scholarship creators, the new R. Milton and Denice Johnson Center will house the Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business, the media studies program and a vibrant new 950-seat cafeteria. The 1:25 ceremony start time marked the University’s 125th Anniversary celebration during the 2015-16 academic year.
The building will include a Multipurpose Media Focus Lab/Entertainment Industry Research Center to study audience reaction, interaction with media technologies and consumer consumption. Area includes one-way windows for observation and media control. Additionally, music history display cases which will initially house a selection from Dr. T.B. Boyd’s private guitar collection, “Breaking Boundaries: R.H. Boyd Publishing and the Influence of African American Music.” The collection represents more than 50 years of African American music with instruments signed by such legends as Dr. Bobby Jones, CeCe Winans and Isaac Hayes.
Belmont President Dr. Bob Fisher said, “From top to bottom, this building reflects innovation, excellence and a strong commitment to setting our students up for success. Our Curb College and media studies majors will be privileged to work with equipment and in settings that meet or exceed industry standards, preparing them to not simply achieve their career goals but to lead their respective industries. It’s only appropriate that we should name this building in honor of a man who is at the forefront of his industry and a couple who generously support education with their time, energy and resources.”
HCA Chairman and CEO Milton Johnson
HCA Chairman and CEO Milton Johnson said, “Belmont is a world-class learning environment experiencing tremendous growth, and it is a privilege for Denice and me to be a part of the school’s tradition of excellence. This new center will help Belmont provide its students with the technology and other resources needed to become the best in their fields, while also enhancing campus life for all students.”
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Stays On Top
/by Sarah SkatesFollowing at No. 2 is Elvis Presley with 27K. The King had the top debut with Elvis Forever, a collection from the United States Postal Service via RCA/Legacy.
Pat Green’s latest, Home, debuted at No. 5 country with 8.9K.
On the tracks chart, the top debut goes to The Band Perry and their decidedly pop-sounding new single “Live Forever,” which comes in at No. 14 country, selling 19K.
Top 5 Country Albums this week (albums only)
Luke Bryan 83K
Elvis Presley 27K
Sam Hunt 14K
Zac Brown Band 10K
Pat Green 8.9K
Top 5 Country Tracks this week
Sam Hunt “House Party” 45K
Luke Bryan “Kick The Dust Up” 39K
Chris Janson “Buy Me A Boat” 35K
Thomas Rhett “Crash And Burn” 34K
Cam “Burning House” 34K
YTD Albums
Overall -3.5%
Overall Digital +.5%
Country -3.1%
Country Digital +4.9%
YTD Tracks
Overall -9.9%
Country -15.6%
Chris Young To Headline At Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheatre
/by Troy_StephensonChris Young
RCA Nashville’s Chris Young has announced that he will bring his I’m Comin’ Over World Tour 2015 to Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheatre on Sept. 30.
Joining Tennessee native Young on the show will be his Sony labelmates Jerrod Niemann and Cam. Tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. CT this Friday, Aug. 28, and can be purchased at Ticketmaster and chrisyoungcountry.com.
The show follows a sold-out, two-week run of dates for Young in Europe and the UK.
Jerrod Niemann
Cam. Photo: Ninelle Efremova
The Judds To Reunite For Vegas Residency
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Judds
Legendary mother-daughter country duo The Judds are set for their first performance in five years. Naomi and Wynonna Judd will reunite for nine shows at Las Vegas’ Venetian.
Titled Girls Night Out (also the title of their 1985 hit), the show will launch Oct. 7, with shows following on Oct. 10, 13, 14, 16, 17, 21, 23 and 24.
Tickets go on sale Aug. 28 at all Venetian box offices and start at $59.50.
“Over the years people have asked me about a Judds reunion and I have always said the door is open,” Wynonna shared. “When this opportunity was presented to me, I looked at it as an incredible chance to celebrate my mom. I have a new album coming out soon and this is the perfect way to honor the roots that gave me the wings to fly.”
“This show is for the fans – the fans that I have missed every single day since leaving the stage,” added Naomi. “Every artist goes through a time in their career where they feel that it’s time to call it quits, but once it’s in your blood and you’re still able to do it, you can’t not do it. It will be the thrill of my life to join Wynonna on the stage again in Las Vegas, the entertainment capital of the world!”
Dierks Bentley’s 10th Annual Miles & Music For Kids Sells Out In Minutes
/by Troy_StephensonThe event is scheduled to kick off CMA Awards week in Nashville on Nov. 1. It will also closeout the outdoor concert season at the new Ascend Amphitheater. This year’s lineup includes Florida Georgia Line, Thomas Rhett, Cole Swindell, The Cadillac Three, Canaan Smith, Brooke Eden and emcee Storme Warren. All proceeds benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Over the course of the event’s history, Bentley has raised more than $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the country.
“I thought we would have a good turnout, but to sell out Ascend in minutes is crazy! It really speaks to the passion that country fans have for causes that are important to their community. I feel honored that ‘Miles & Music’ is one of them,” shares Bentley. “Every year, the biker community has also been there for us, helping raise money for these kids…they are definitely some of the most giving people out there. So, we are holding back a few extra tickets to be sure anyone who wants to ride on Nov. 1 into downtown can jump on their bikes and join us. It’ll be pretty unreal to cruise into a sold-out amphitheater reminiscing about everyone who has helped make the last 10 years so huge – I can’t wait!”
Jo Walker-Meador Addresses CMA Staffers
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern, Country Music Hall of Fame member Jo Walker-Meador, and Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee at the CMA office Friday. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Country Music Hall of Fame member and former CMA Executive Director Jo Walker-Meador took time to address CMA staff at their Nashville office Friday morning.
Walker-Meador, who served as Executive Director of the organization from 1962 to 1991, recounted the founding of CMA and shared anecdotes from her time at the helm. Walker-Meador was an integral part of core CMA initiatives that continue to this day such as the first CMA Awards, creation of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the founding of Fan Fair (now CMA Music Festival), and bringing country music to international consumers.
A surprise guest was also in the audience. Fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee quietly watched Walker-Meador and surprised her longtime friend following a staff Q&A session.