Emmanuel Zunz
ONErpm, a full-service, digital music distributor and YouTube Multi-Channel Network (MCN), is opening a Nashville office headed by CEO & founder Emmanuel Zunz.
The company already has offices in New York, Brazil, and Mexico.
Zunz and VP of Strategy and Development Jarrod Cooper will be based in the new location at 632 Fogg Street.
ONErpm is a digital music distribution and marketing company offering artists and creators a variety of distribution solutions, and direct-to-fan tools, combined with personalized, strategic marketing support.
As one of YouTube’s fastest growing MCNs, ONErpm has 1,300 YouTube channels generating more than 700 million views monthly.
The company works with over 22,000 artists and labels worldwide, ranging from up-and-coming artists to established talent across all genres.
“We are inspired to be in Nashville, a place that truly deserves to be called Music City. It’s amazing to me that everywhere you go you are surrounded by music, songwriters, and musicians—this is where ONErpm feels at home,” said Zunz.
He launched the company in 2010 in Latin America to better serve musicians internationally.
ONErpm invites members of the industry to celebrate with them at Acme Feed & Seed rooftop on Wednesday, July 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to RSVP@onerpm.com.
Brad Paisley Unveils Signature Santa Cruz Guitar
/by Lorie HollabaughBrad Paisley
Brad Paisley introduced his brand new signature model Santa Cruz Guitar to a small group of guitar enthusiasts and musicians last night (July 12) at an event at Artisan Guitar shop in Franklin, Tenn. The guitar made its debut at NAMM’s Summer show in Nashville last week.
Paisley was presented his guitar for the first time at the event by Richard Hoover, CEO and founder of the Santa Cruz Guitar Company, and was thrilled at the turnout of the specialized instrument bearing his name.
Paisley worked closely with Hoover to design a personalized dreadnought based on Santa Cruz’s Pre-war Dreadnought model. Paisley’s model, made out of East Indian Rosewood and Bear Claw Sitka Spruce, honors his dedication to the sustainability of treasured tone woods, and is built with his preferred customizations for playability, tone and look.
He purposely selected the small company that creates only 600 guitars a year to assure the quality of the handmade guitars.
“I’ve never picked up a Santa Cruz that wasn’t magical,” Paisley commented on the new model. “This is the type of guitar you build up to and the idea of one of my fans or contemporaries using it would make me proud. I know if someone gets one of these they are getting exactly what I want them to have.”
Digital Distribution Company ONErpm Opening Nashville Office
/by Sarah SkatesEmmanuel Zunz
ONErpm, a full-service, digital music distributor and YouTube Multi-Channel Network (MCN), is opening a Nashville office headed by CEO & founder Emmanuel Zunz.
The company already has offices in New York, Brazil, and Mexico.
Zunz and VP of Strategy and Development Jarrod Cooper will be based in the new location at 632 Fogg Street.
ONErpm is a digital music distribution and marketing company offering artists and creators a variety of distribution solutions, and direct-to-fan tools, combined with personalized, strategic marketing support.
As one of YouTube’s fastest growing MCNs, ONErpm has 1,300 YouTube channels generating more than 700 million views monthly.
The company works with over 22,000 artists and labels worldwide, ranging from up-and-coming artists to established talent across all genres.
“We are inspired to be in Nashville, a place that truly deserves to be called Music City. It’s amazing to me that everywhere you go you are surrounded by music, songwriters, and musicians—this is where ONErpm feels at home,” said Zunz.
He launched the company in 2010 in Latin America to better serve musicians internationally.
ONErpm invites members of the industry to celebrate with them at Acme Feed & Seed rooftop on Wednesday, July 15 from 6 to 9 p.m. RSVP to RSVP@onerpm.com.
Music Videos Could Be Coming To Facebook
/by Sarah SkatesThe New York Times reports, “Facebook has proposed adding a limited number of music videos, all of which would be chosen by the labels, to the feeds…. Facebook would share advertising revenue with the labels according to terms that have not yet been set.”
The article goes on to state that the social network is emphasizing plans to be vigilant in fighting unauthorized content.
Music videos could appear in the news feed with months.
Additionally, Facebook has stated that it has no plans to enter the music streaming business.
Jerrod Niemann Debuts Single From Upcoming Album
/by Kelsey_GradyProduced by Jimmie Lee Sloas and Niemann, it is the lead track from the artist’s forthcoming album due out in early 2016.
Niemann recalls the first time he heard the demo of “Blue Bandana,” co-penned by Ben Goldsmith, C.J. Solar and Andrew Scott Wills. “This song made me smile and reflect back on concerts I either performed at or attended. The writers did an amazing job working so many cool music festivals into the song. The melody captures an open-air feeling, very liberating and refreshing.”
For a first look at Niemann’s “Blue Bandana” lyric video, click here.
ole Inks Deal With Josh Thompson
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured: (L-R) Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Manager), Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director), Julianne Drenon (Creekhouse Entertainment), Josh Thompson, John Ozier (ole, GM Creative), and Shellien Kinsey (ole, Creative Coordinator).
ole’s digital division has signed a deal with Josh Thompson for digital distribution and video admin rights to new master and live recordings. The masters will be compiled into two EPs, Change: The Lost Record, Volumes 1 and 2, which will be released by ole. ole will also retain publishing rights to Thompson’s catalog through their acquisition of the Better Angels Music Publishing Group. Thompson has previously released five singles on the Billboard chart including “Way Out Here,” “Beer on the Table,” and “Won’t Be Lonely Long.”
“Josh is a truly gifted songwriter and performer who has taken Nashville by storm,” said John Ozier, ole General Manager Creative/Nashville. “These new recordings are some of his best work by far, and we’re excited to bring them under the ole banner.”
“ole is one of the biggest names on Music Row, but more importantly, they’re dedicated to music above all else,” said Thompson. “I know that they will do everything in their power to find my songs the audience they deserve, and I’m looking forward to working with them.”
Industry Ink: Record Setting ‘Girl Crush,’ Capitol CMG Publishing, Drummers To Be Honored
/by Sarah SkatesA Monster Crush
Little Big Town’s “Girl Crush” is at No. 1 on Billboard’s Hot Country Songs chart for the eleventh consecutive week. This is the longest run by a group (of at least three members) in the chart’s history, ousting the previous record set by The Browns with “The Three Bells” in 1959.
“Crush” additionally logs its third consecutive week and eleventh week overall as the No. 1 country download on the Nielsen SoundScan Digital Country Songs Chart. It is the most downloaded song in country music for 2015 with sales totaling nearly 1.4 million.
“Girl Crush” reached the top of MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart on June 11 and received the MusicRow Award for Song of the Year.
Lindsay Gum
Capitol CMG Publishing Adds Lindsay Gum
Capitol CMG Publishing has hired Lindsay Gum as Creative Manager. While she will have a distinct focus on the country market, she will also bring creative support to the Christian market. She will report to Capitol CMG Publishing’s VP of Creative, Jimi Williams.
She most recently worked at the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) and, prior to that, Blacktop Music. She has seven years of experience working with songwriters, catalog development, music companies, and events. Gum is a music business graduate of MTSU.
Drummers D.J. Fontana (drummer for Elvis Presley), WS Holland (drummer for Johnny Cash) and Richie Albright (drummer for Waylon Jennings) will be honored tomorrow (July 11) in Nashville at the World’s Fastest Drummer Church’s Chicken Legends Series Award. Radio and TV celebrity host Charlie Chase will do the honors.
The 2015 World’s Fastest Drummer (WFD) World Finals, an extreme sport drumming competition, will take place July 9-11, 2015 at the Music City Center as part of the Summer National Association of Music Merchants (NAMM) show.
Michael Ray Sets Release Date For Self-Titled Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughMichael Ray played the Opry recently. Pictured (L-R): Tony Conway (Ontourage Management), Justin Luffman (VP Brand Management), Michael Ray, Pete Fisher (VP & GM, Grand Ole Opry), Jeff Bates
Michael Ray is gearing up for the Aug. 7 release of his self-titled debut CD by offering up a pre-order option to fans beginning July 17 at MichaelRayMusic.com. The project will of course include Ray’s Top 10-and-climbing hit “Kiss You In The Morning.”
The Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville album was produced by hitmaker Scott Hendricks.
A video for the single features the Florida native in his element among his hometown family and friends racing cars, driving airboats and generally loving life. Ray developed much of his profound love for country’s old school sounds thanks to his grandfather, who passed away earlier this year. He dedicated his first performance on the Grand Ole Opry to him, playing one of his guitars on stage, and performed on the hallowed stage earlier this week in celebration of the release of his new CD.
“2015 has been one of the best years professionally of my life,” said Ray. “Coming from the kid that grew up in Eustis, FL in a double wide trailer on ten acres of land to releasing my debut album worldwide is such a surreal and ‘I can’t believe it’s happening’ feeling. Many people have put a lot of hard work into making this a reality and I hope everyone enjoys the record.”
Nancy Jones Unloads Williamson Estate, Completing $4.4M In Transactions
/by Eric T. ParkerNancy Jones has reportedly sold the property she and her husband, late country icon George Jones, once lived in Franklin, Tenn. for $1.98 million.
The 24 acres was sold to Nathan and Patricia Overton. The couple and members of their extended family plan to live on the property, noted the couple’s attorney John O. Belcher to The Tennessean. The Overtons were awarded nearly $700,000 in a recent lawsuit against billionaire David Siege‘s Westgate Resorts.
At almost 10,000/sq. ft. the estate features four bedrooms, seven and a half bathrooms, salt water pool, two garages housing up to 11 cars, barns, a tour bus garage, and pond.
Realtor Laura Baugh of Worth Properties listed the final parcel of Jones’ Country Gold Estate, previously totaling approximately 77 acres in the Nestledown Farms subdivision off Highway 96. The earlier land was unloaded in 2013 to Raeni Rinker-Dumford and her husband, who paid $2.4 million for the 54 acres with plans to build a home and a large horse-riding arena.
George Jones died at age 81 in 2013. In April, his widow opened the George Jones Museum in downtown Nashville.
Industry Pics: Megan Barry, SoundExchange, CMHoF Concert
/by Kelsey_GradyFemale Music Industry Leaders Support Mayoral Candidate Megan Barry
Music industry leaders Mary Ann McCready (Flood, Bumstead, McCready, McCarthy), Nancy Shapiro (The Recording Academy), Leslie Fram (CMT), and Debbie Linn (Leadership Music) hosted a gathering in support of Nashville mayoral candidate Megan Barry for women in the Nashville entertainment community. Barry shared her love for the arts and her vision to continue the remarkable progress that has been made by the current administration in bringing together the music industry and the city.
Pictured (L-R): Leslie Fram, Nancy Shapiro, Megan Barry, and Mary Ann McCready. Not pictured: Debbie Linn. Photo: Clark Thomas
CMHoF Hosts Free Downtown Concert
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted its first free annual outdoor concert July 7, featuring a talented lineup paying tribute to the acts featured in the museum’s Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City exhibit. Performers included Nashville Cats Charlie McCoy, Mac Gayden, and Norbert Putnam; The Monkees’ Michael Nesmith; Ron Cornelius; Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna; Tracy Nelson; artists with family members featured in the exhibit, including John Carter Cash; Britt Rondstadt; Oceana Gayden; and additional performers Bill Lloyd, Pete Finney, Kathy Mattea, Al Kooper, Radney Foster, Jason Ringenberg, and Ana Christina.
Pictured (L-R): Nashville Cat Norbert Putnam, The Long Players’ Steve Ebe, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Jeff Hanna, The Long Players’ Bill Lloyd and Steve Allen, Kathy Mattea, Radney Foster, Al Kooper, Jason Ringenberg, Tracy Nelson, Pete Finney, Ana Cristina, Nashville Cat Charlie McCoy, John Carter Cash, Julie Christensen, and The Long Players’ Brad Jones. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images
SoundExchange Visits Capitol Hill
New SoundExchange board member David Byrne and CEO Michael Huppe visited members of Congress including Rep. Jerry Nadler to discuss digital music and artist rights.
Pictured (L-R): David Byrne, Rep. Jerry Nadler (NY) and Michael Huppe.
Inductees For Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame To Be Revealed
/by Sarah SkatesThe induction dinner will be held Oct. 11 at the Music City Center in Nashville. It will be the 45th anniversary event. The gala evening will feature tributes and performances of inductees’ songs by special guest artists. Annual awards will be presented for the year’s top songs, as selected by fellow songwriters’ organization NSAI.
Mark Ford is Executive Director of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
For more information, visit the redesigned nashvillesongwritersfoundation