The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) will unveil a new exhibit, Flyin’ Saucers Rock & Roll: The Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips, on Friday, August 28, 2015.
The in-depth look at the late Sam Phillips (1923-2003) and the social and cultural impact of the music he created after founding Sun Records in Memphis will run through June 2016. Phillips may be best known for introducing the world to Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, Rufus Thomas, and Ike Turner.
The 10-month exhibit will celebrate its opening with two weekends of special programing (Aug. 29 and Sept. 5).
On Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. the museum will host the concert Get Rhythm: A Tribute to Sam Phillips with Sonny Burgess, Mark Collie, Luther Dickinson, Eric Heatherly, W. S. “Fluke” Holland, Chuck Mead, Jerry Phillips, Charlie Rich Jr., the Secret Sisters, Billy Swan, Marvell Thomas, the Valentines and J. M. Van Eaton. The house band will include Colin Linden (guitar, bandleader), Dave Roe (bass), Kevin McKendree (piano) and Gary Graig (drums). Prior to the concert, an 11 a.m. panel–Go, Cat, Go: Sam Phillips–will be hosted in the Studio by Peter Guralnick, co-curator of the exhibit and author of a forthcoming Phillips biography. The Saturday panel will feature four musicians who worked closely with Phillips including Burgess, Van Eaton, Holland, and Phillips’ son Jerry.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1:30 p.m., Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dickey Lee will be featured in the museum’s songwriter series, Poets and Prophets. Lee released his earliest singles on Phillips’ Sun label before working with “Cowboy” Jack Clement, who published his first hit, “She Thinks I Still Care.” The program will feature a brief performance and an extended interview illustrated with vintage photos, film clips, and recordings.
“Jack Clement once said ‘Elvis Presley was a star, but Sam Phillips was a superstar,’” shares Senior VP of Museum Services Carolyn Tate. “Unquestionably one of popular music’s most fascinating and significant figures, Phillips possessed ‘cosmic genius’ that created shockwaves still felt today.”
Additional events will be free for museum members ($45/individual; $100/friends and family). Attendees must have program passes to guarantee admission.
Vegas News: SiriusXM To Broadcast First Festival, Dierks’ Vegas Eatery
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Route 91 Harvest Festival will join forces with SiriusXM this year to broadcast live performances from this year’s event October 2-4 in Las Vegas. Route 91 will be the first country festival to be broadcast live on the satellite radio network, and will broadcast select performances by artists on the lineup which includes Florida Georgia Line, Tim McGraw, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Jake Owen, and more. Over 20,000 fans attended the festival’s inaugural year.
“I’m thrilled that SiriusXM will be joining us at Route 91 Harvest,” said Brian O’ Connell, Live Nation President of Country Touring. “To have them onsite with us will add to what is already gearing up to be a special festival with a monster lineup and a lot more to be revealed in the coming months leading up to October.”
Dierks Takes Whiskey Row To Vegas
Whiskey Row Las Vegas Rendering.
Dierks Bentley has unveiled plans to open the fourth location of his Whiskey Row chain in Las Vegas in July 2016 at the Monte Carlo’s new eight-acre retail and dining district.
Plans call for a slot in the southern exterior of the MGM Resorts-owned location, housing a new $100 million theater and concert hall. The Vegas location will reportedly serve a “gastropub” menu of dishes like the Whiskey Burger with honey roasted jalapeños, bacon and melted cheddar, Dierk’s Fried Chicken served with bacon smashed potatoes, and desserts such as banana bread pudding topped with vanilla bourbon ice cream. There will also be a specialty menu of Boilermakers and DJs and live music at the Vegas spot.
Bentley already has three Whiskey Row locations, two in his home state of Arizona: Tempe and Scottsdale, and another in Chicago.
Tony Brown to Share Stories of The King at Elvis Week
/by Lorie HollabaughTony Brown
Famed producer Tony Brown will talk about his time with The King during a discussion in Memphis, Tenn. on August 12 for Elvis Week 2015, which runs Friday, August 7-Sunday, August 16.
During the presidents fan club event at 10:00 a.m. on the main stage, Brown will recount his tales about days spent in the historic Jungle Room at Graceland, recording and backing Elvis as part of his personal house band for years. Watch a video of Brown with Elvis, here.
Brown first met The King in 1969 in Las Vegas while playing with the JD Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, and spent years performing with him before joining Emmylou Harris’ band and later finding fame as a Music City producer for acts like George Strait, Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, Lyle Lovett, Steve Earle, and Barbra Streisand.
While at Elvis Week, Brown will also be doing a photo shoot in the Jungle Room for his new coffee table book that will be out in 2016.
Fan Club presidents will get an invite and registration form directly from EPE to attend the event. Other individuals may purchase tickets for $16.
On The Cover: Luke Bryan (Aug/Sept 2015)
/by Kelsey_GradySince the debut of his first album in 2007, Bryan has placed 12 singles at No. 1 and sold 7.5 million albums and 30 million digital tracks from his four studio albums. He has been named Entertainer of the Year by both the Academy of Country Music (twice) and the Country Music Association. In 2014, Luke achieved the best touring year of his career with 1.7 million fans attending his concerts. In early 2015, Luke played his first-ever shows in Europe and on May 22 the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum launched a new exhibit, Luke Bryan: Dirt Road Diary. The exhibit runs through November 8, 2015.
Today (August 7), Luke releases Kill The Lights, his fifth studio album and the follow up to his most successful project to date, Crash My Party, which contains six consecutive No. 1 singles, is certified double Platinum and has currently sold over two million copies with eight million digital downloads.
Luke’s new concert tour, Kick The Dust Up, which is also the title of the first single from Kill The Lights, will continue through October and includes seven stadium dates.
This print issue of MusicRow offers a quick-reference guide on artist information including label, booking, management, and publicity as well as features interviews with CAA’s Rod Essig, Citibank’s Jennifer Breithaupt, and Opry’s Pete Fisher.
Click here to purchase a copy, or receive a free copy with a yearly subscription.
Big Yellow Dog Adds Writer
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: (L-R) Alexi Von Guggenberg; Carla Wallace, BYD Co-Owner; Devon Devries, BYD VP Creative Film & TV A&R; Alex Stefano, BYD Film & TV Music Manager
Songwriter/producer Alexi Von Guggenberg has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Big Yellow Dog Music. A recipient of the prestigious Peter Gabriel Production Award at the Berklee College of Music, Guggenberg writes and produces for multiple genres, including pop, hip-hop, R&B, dubstep, country and dance. He has had several song placements on major television networks.
“We are more than excited to have Alexi here at Big Yellow Dog Music,” said VP of Creative Film & TV A&R, Devon Devries. “As our sync and pop initiatives grow and expand, he is positioned to fit perfectly into that mix.”
A list of Big Yellow Dog writers can be found here.
Weekly Chart Report (8/7/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Borman Entertainment Remodels 26th Level Offices
/by Eric T. ParkerBorman’s remodeled reception area, featuring reclaimed wood.
Borman Entertainment–managing the careers of Keith Urban, Alison Krauss and newcomers Mickey Guyton and Clayton Anderson–has remodeled the new office space it has occupied since January 2015.
The 26th-level suite of Nashville’s The Tower at Renaissance downtown (611 Commerce Street, Suite 2602) now features walls of reclaimed wood from a Kentucky distillery and barn in the reception and conference room areas. City views are available throughout the unit, which also features garage door partitions and custom made furniture pieces, including the front reception desk partially created by a Chattanooga craftsman and conference table made of Tennessee railroad ties.
Phone number remains: 615-320-3000.
Borman Entertainment also maintains a location in Los Angeles.
Borman’s Conference Room, also featuring reclaimed railroad ties.
Downtown views from the suite’s 26th floor.
TJ Martell Announces Hosts For Second Annual ‘Let’s Talk’ Dinner
/by Kelsey_GradyFounded by board member Ben Jumper, CEO of Soundcheck and Crew One Productions, Let’s Talk Nashville allows table sponsors and invited guests to dine and engage in conversation with some of Nashville’s most interesting and influential people in sports, music and business.
Hosts include include Bob DiPiero (songwriter), Brenda Lee (performer), Hugh Howser (event planner), Danny Rowe (set designer for movies), Melissa Schleicher (makeup) and even Dennis Haskins (best known as “Mr. Belding” from Saved By The Bell).
Pictured (L-R): Dennis Haskins, Bob DiPiero, Brenda Lee, Hugh Howser
Tables start at $2,000 and tickets are $200 each. For reservations or information call (615) 256-2002 or email Allyson Baggott.
Confirmed Table Hosts thus far include:
Tim Corbin – Vanderbilt baseball coach
Bob DiPiero – Nashville Songwriter Hall of Fame Member
Dr. Scott Hiebert – The Associate Director of Cancer Research at the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center (hematology and malignant blood cancers)
Hugh Howser – Lifestyle expert, TV personality and event planner for Nicole Kidman, Reba McEntire, Jake Owen, George Strait and many more.
Brenda Lee – Rock & Roll Hall of Famer and Country Music Hall of Famer
Danny Rowe – The props master for the ABC’s Nashville and films Iron Man, Thor and the Captain America
Dennis Haskins – Best known as “Mr. Belding” on the teen show Saved By The Bell, Dennis has worked as a music manager, agent and concert promoter for Tom Jones and Greg Allman
Melissa Schleicher – Makeup artist and hairstylist to celebrity clientele including Carrie Underwood, Alan Jackson, Loretta Lynn, and Lisa Marie Presley
Janice D. Holt – A private investigator whose story quickly became a Lifetime Network favorite in 2005
Mike Webb – The Senior Field Representative of Area 43: Tennessee for the NRA
Zac Adams – Director of Emmy-nominated film Nashville Rises and the multiple awarded mini-series Southern Haunts
Carl Meier – Co-founder of Nashville’s Black Abbey Brewing Company
CMHoF To Celebrate New Exhibit For Memphis King Sam Phillips
/by Eric T. ParkerThe in-depth look at the late Sam Phillips (1923-2003) and the social and cultural impact of the music he created after founding Sun Records in Memphis will run through June 2016. Phillips may be best known for introducing the world to Johnny Cash, Howlin’ Wolf, Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins, Elvis Presley, Charlie Rich, Rufus Thomas, and Ike Turner.
The 10-month exhibit will celebrate its opening with two weekends of special programing (Aug. 29 and Sept. 5).
On Saturday, Aug. 29, at 2 p.m. the museum will host the concert Get Rhythm: A Tribute to Sam Phillips with Sonny Burgess, Mark Collie, Luther Dickinson, Eric Heatherly, W. S. “Fluke” Holland, Chuck Mead, Jerry Phillips, Charlie Rich Jr., the Secret Sisters, Billy Swan, Marvell Thomas, the Valentines and J. M. Van Eaton. The house band will include Colin Linden (guitar, bandleader), Dave Roe (bass), Kevin McKendree (piano) and Gary Graig (drums). Prior to the concert, an 11 a.m. panel–Go, Cat, Go: Sam Phillips–will be hosted in the Studio by Peter Guralnick, co-curator of the exhibit and author of a forthcoming Phillips biography. The Saturday panel will feature four musicians who worked closely with Phillips including Burgess, Van Eaton, Holland, and Phillips’ son Jerry.
On Saturday, Sept. 5, at 1:30 p.m., Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Dickey Lee will be featured in the museum’s songwriter series, Poets and Prophets. Lee released his earliest singles on Phillips’ Sun label before working with “Cowboy” Jack Clement, who published his first hit, “She Thinks I Still Care.” The program will feature a brief performance and an extended interview illustrated with vintage photos, film clips, and recordings.
“Jack Clement once said ‘Elvis Presley was a star, but Sam Phillips was a superstar,’” shares Senior VP of Museum Services Carolyn Tate. “Unquestionably one of popular music’s most fascinating and significant figures, Phillips possessed ‘cosmic genius’ that created shockwaves still felt today.”
Additional events will be free for museum members ($45/individual; $100/friends and family). Attendees must have program passes to guarantee admission.
Bluewater Music To Host Nashville Music Festival
/by Lorie HollabaughThe developing lineup includes headliners The Flaming Lips, in addition to Allen Stone and The Weeks.
The hypbrid festival will feature music on two stages along with a vendor area for local restaurants and artisans. VIP tickets include a private viewing area with catering, exclusive bar, and private restrooms.
“We noticed the changing music scene in Nashville and realized the city didn’t have a unique festival focused around rock and pop,” said festival director Monica Copciac. “Thus, SoundHarvest was born.”
“SoundHarvest Music Festival is a great addition to our live music scene, and I welcome them to Nashville,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “It’s always great to see a diversity of genres represented.”
SoundHarvest is sponsored in part by Lighting 100, Musician’s Corner, Sarah and David Ingram, Ticketfly, D&D Events, The Nashville Scene and Do615. Thistle Farms and The Cumberland River Compact will be onsite as part of SoundHarvest’s local non-profit spotlight.
General tickets are $45 in advance, $55 at the door. A limited number of VIP tickets will be $100 advance/$150 door. Visit Ticketfly or soundharvest.com to purchase.
Industry Ink: AIMP Panel, DRX Showcase, Banner Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Front Row: Panelists Thomas Goulbic, Russell Ziecker, Chris Restivo, Daniel Kuypers, Frankie Pine, Andrew Kahn, Danny Exum; Second Row: Denise Nichols (AIMP Secretary/Primacy Firm), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Craig Currier (peermusic), Ree Buchanan (AIMP Treasurer/Wrensong), Tim Fink (SESAC), Kim McCollum-Mele (Words & Music), Melissa Hollis (Kalatech), John Ozier (ole), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Music Prod), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Randall Foster (ole). Photo: Amy Allmand
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville recently held an Inside Scoop from Music Sups panel at Nashville’s The Listening Room. Seven music supervisors from various media included, Danny Exum (Workshop Creative – Trailers), Thomas Golubic (Super Music Vision – Television), Andrew Kahn (Good Ear Music Supervision – Advertising), Daniel Kuypers (Energy BBDO – Advertising), Frankie Pine (Whirly Girl – Television), Chris Restivo (Toy Box Entertainment – Trailers), and Russell Ziecker (Lionsgate – Television). Panelists have worked on projects such as ABC’s Nashville, Orange Is the New Black, and Halt and Catch Fire in addition to advertising clients Wrigley, Ziplock and Southern Comfort.
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Pictured (L-R:) Denny Strickland, Emily Minor, Bucky Covington, John Pyne (President of Digital Rodeo), Rylie Lynn, Allison Bray and Ben Rue. Photo: Bev Moser
The August DRX Artist Showcase was held on Tuesday, August 4, at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill. Bucky Covington hosted. Performances were made by Digital Rodeo artists accompanied by Digital Rodeo’s own house band. The next DRX showcase is scheduled for Sept. 15 with the lineup to be released in the coming weeks.
• • •
Pictured: (L-R): Daniel Kleindienst, Camilla Kleindienst, Shelby Lee Lowe, and James Robert Webb
Banner Music has signed Shelby Lee Lowe to their artist roster. The Cornersville, Tenn. native recently graduated from MTSU and is working on his debut project with the company.
“Shelby brings a lot of energy and enthusiasm to our team. He is determined to do what it takes to succeed and he is full of optimism about accomplishing goals. I think a company like Banner Music is known for the quality of artists and songwriters they sign and I believe Shelby’s personality and commitment is a good fit because he supports and strengthens our company’s reputation by having the same qualities that we have,” said Daniel Kleindienst, co-owner/songwriter/producer of Banner Music.