Leslie Cohea joins Sandbox

Leslie Cohea has joined Sandbox Entertainment’s management/marketing team. In her new position, Cohea will oversee touring aspects for all Sandbox clients, including routing, ticketing, and budgeting.

Cohea comes to Sandbox from AEG Live/The Messina Group in Nashville, where she spent the last decade working in touring and concert promotion with artists ranging from Paul McCartney and Mumford & Sons to Keith Urban and Little Big Town.

“I have had the pleasure of watching Leslie excel in her field while with AEG Live/The Messina Group,” said Sandbox President/CEO Jason Owen. “We are thrilled to have such an amazing person and asset join the Sandbox family. Touring is one of the most important parts of an artist’s career and having her expertise in-house is invaluable.”

“I’m so excited to join Jason Owen and his team at Sandbox,” said Cohea. “They have become visionaries in the industry and I can’t wait to dive in headfirst and work closely with their impressive roster of clients. AEG Live/The Messina Group gave me an incredible foundation of knowledge and experience over the past 10 years that I wouldn’t trade for anything. I can’t thank my mentors and friends, especially Ali Harnell, enough for all that they taught me along the way.”

Leslie can be reached here.

Big Yellow Dog Music Grows Film & TV Sync Department

Devon DeVries, VP of Creative Film & TV A&R at Big Yellow Dog Music, announces hiring of Alex Stefano as Film & TV Manager. Stefano, a classically trained pianist, is a recent Belmont University graduate whose work experience includes peermusic Nashville, L.A.-based Chop Shop Music Supervision and Lighting Director at Belmont’s School of Music.

“Alex is smart, talented and understands the value of driving creative excellence,” says Devries. “I am excited to have her on the team.”

Big Yellow Dog has been enjoying whirlwind success lately, including that of BYD songwriter, Meghan Trainor who recently earned two Billboard Music Awards, Top Hot 100 Song and Top Digital Song.

 

Elice Cuff Joins The GreenRoom

Elice Cuff has joined The GreenRoom as a publicist with the company representing an impressive roster of artists including Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Kix Brooks, Lady Antebellum, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett and Rascal Flatts.

Cuff’s prior music industry stints include her experience at Sweet Talk Publicity and CMT.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Creative Trust Music Group Promotes Mattingly to General Manager

Creative Trust announces promotion of Mark Mattingly to General Manager of Creative Trust Music Group. Mattingly joined the company in 2011 as Live Events Manager whose roster includes Steven Curtis Chapman, Brandon Heath, Citizen Way, Laura Story and I Am They, among others.

“Mark’s move to this prominent role in the overall career direction of our artists is no surprise to anyone who works closely with him. He’s an incredible asset to our roster of artists,” remarks Creative Trust Managing Partner Jim Houser.

“It is a privilege for us to have Mark take on this important leadership role at Creative Trust. He has proven himself as a highly motivated professional manager, integral to our team and the clients we serve,” adds Creative Trust President and Founder Dan Raines.

Additionally, Rachel Pinkerton has been promoted to the role of Associate Brand Manger. In her new role, she will continue her day-to-day artist and branding responsibilities working closely with Creative Trust’s brand managers on logistics, artist merchandise and other facets that enable the company’s artists to tour and minister around the world. Pinkerton is a graduate of Baylor University with a B.A. in Music and Entertainment Marketing.

Warner/Chappell Music announced today it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with singer/songwriter Eric Paslay.

Paslay’s songwriting accolades include ASCAP’s 2012 Country Song of the Year for Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” as well as nominations for CMA Song of the Year in 2012 and a 2013 Grammy nomination for Best Country Song, both for The Eli Young Band’s “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” Paslay has also penned songs for artists such as Amy Grant, Jimmy Buffett and Lady Antebellum.

“I’ve always had great relationships with everyone at Warner/Chappell,” said Paslay. “I’m glad that I get to hang my songwriting hat there and can’t wait to catch some great songs with the team.”

“Eric Paslay sings and writes take-your-breath-away songs,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “When Paslay’s voice comes on the radio, you immediately know you’re getting ready to hear a song sung with emotion that was crafted by a true artisan. Everyone at Warner/Chappell is very proud to represent Eric and his music.”

SOLID (the Society of Leaders in Development) will hold its 13th Annual Music Row Yard Sale & Auction on Saturday, June 13 from 8:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m. at the George Jones Museum in downtown Nashville. Items up for auction include meet and greets, autographed guitars and signage from the CMA Red Carpet. Ronnie Milsap’s tour bus is also available for purchase. An online auction will start on June 4 and features items from some of country music’s biggest artists at charitybuzz.com.

“This is an exciting year for the Yard Sale & Auction. We have a new location which overlooks the Riverfront Stage and allows people to catch a glimpse into the life of country music legend George Jones,” says organizer Kari Barnhart, “Not to mention that festival attendees will have access to rare memorabilia that cannot be found anywhere else. By taking the auction online, we can give fans who are not able to attend CMA Fest an opportunity to take a piece of music history home with them as well!”

The George Jones Museum will also offer discounted entry into the museum for those attending the yard sale.

Proceeds from the event will help SOLID fund education, networking, leadership and volunteer opportunities. A portion will also benefit the Muscular Dystrophy Association.

In addition, SOLID will be selling specialty made hand-bags that are made from event flags of previous CMA events. A percentage of those sales will go to Notes for Notes, which provides after school music education through the Boys & Girls Club.

Rodney Atkins will host his annual benefit concert, “Music City Gives Back” June 9^th in downtown Nashville. Lee Brice, Tyler Farr, Maddie & Tae, and Kip Moore round out the lineup for this year’s star-studded event.

This is the fifth year for the free concert, which is sponsored by Carl Black Chevrolet, Wrangler, and ALLY Financial and was originally launched in 2011 as a fundraiser for Nashvillians who suffered losses in the prior year’s devastating flood. Proceeds from this year’s show will support the W.O. Smith Music School.

“I’m grateful to be hosting this special event for the fifth year in a row alongside a stellar group of artists,” said Atkins. “It truly means a lot to be able to give back through what I love to do most – play music.”

DJ Silver will be on hand to kick off the festivities at 6:00 p.m. between 2nd and 3rd Avenue on Broadway, and select artists will sign autographs from 12:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m. The show will also be streamed live by Chevrolet and Wrangler.

America’s Morning Show host Blair Garner will return along with media partners NASH and NASH ICON.