Co-hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton are ready to take on Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo.
Last night’s (April 19) ACM Awards proved that everything is bigger in Texas. The 50th anniversary event, staged at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, was a performance-packed extravaganza with more than 70,000 fans in attendance.
Country music was glossier than ever, with co-hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton looking spiffy throughout the night. Watching in the audience, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood seemed like the president and first lady of country.
The energy in the stadium was strong, and the top-notch sets were filled with plenty of flash and video. With a football field’s worth of floor space, there were multiple stages and room for artists to run through the crowd.
The genre’s history was on display throughout the night, starting with Eric Church and Keith Urban’s opening number “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag.” They went straight into current single “Raise ‘Em Up,” maintaining the balance between saluting the past and keeping it current.
Texas King George Strait performed his classic, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” and then “Let It Go,” the lead single from his upcoming album.
Florida Georgia Line gave new meaning to ring of fire, with their performance of current single “Sippin’ On Fire” while pyrotechnics blazed around them in a circle.
Martina McBride reminded us that she’d been singing about spectacular fires since 1994, offering her modern country classic “Independence Day” with as pristine a voice as when she first recorded it.
Miranda Lambert, a four-time winner last night, was a Texas spitfire onstage. As usual, she gave one of the evening’s best showings, blending “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “Little Red Wagon” with an eye-catching black and red set and wardrobe. When her tune “Automatic” won Song of the Year, she accepted with co-writer Natalie Hemby, who looked gorgeous for the occasion, and they saluted fellow co-writer Nicolle Galyon, who is home with her new baby with husband Rodney Clawson.
Miranda Lambert accepts ACM 50th Anniversary Milestone Award for Most Awarded Solo Female Artist.
Medleys were a big part of the show, as producers kept the momentum at a maximum with hit after hit. Reba melded “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia,” and new single “Going Out Like That.” Four decades after signing her first record contract, the girl’s still got it.
Jason Aldean kept the party going with “Hicktown”/ “My Kinda Party”/ “She’s Country”/ “Tonight Looks Good On You.”
Shelton (“Sangria”), Kenny Chesney (“Young”/ “Wild Child”) and Bryan (“I See You”) were engaging as always. Brooks & Dunn reunited for “My Maria” and Alan Jackson was solemn but impactful on “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” Offering new songs, Lady A’s “Long Stretch of Love” had a cool, Fleetwood Mac-esque groove, and Brad Paisley gave the live TV debut of “Crushin’ It.” New artist nominee Thomas Rhett exhibited some slick dance moves during “Make Me Wanna.”
Garth Brooks’ performance of “All-American Kid” was a major highlight, with members of the military marching out, while a section of the audience held up cards that formed a picture of the American flag. Given his recent return to country music, the lyric about the “all-American comeback kid” is especially appropriate.
Garth Brooks accepts Milestone Award—Most Awarded ACM Entertainer Of The Year.
A few artists took the less-is-more approach with their sets. Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley went low tech for “Girl Crush,” and “Riser,” respectively, letting the lyrics do the talking. Bentley was looking hip with his wavy Eurohawk ‘do.
Joining country from the outer realms were Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Christina Aguilera, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift and mother Andrea Swift.
Dan + Shay teamed with Jonas for the latter’s hit “Jealous.” Xtina sang “Riot” with Rascal Flatts. (The pop star/The Voice coach is also in the middle of starring in an arc on Nashville. With so many current Music City connections, observant insiders can’t help but wonder: Is Christina going country?) Speaking of, newly signed BMLG/Dot Records artist Steven Tyler was on hand for the grand finale, presenting Luke Bryan his second Entertainer of the Year trophy.
For a full list of last night’s winners, click here.
ACM co-hosts Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, with Milestone Award winners Reba, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, trophy/ jewelry designer David Yurman, George Strait, Taylor Swift and Brooks & Dunn.
Photos: courtesy of ACM
Spirit Music’s Daniel Hill Talks Acquisitions, Artist Development
/by Jessica NicholsonSpirit Music Nashville’s Daniel Hill.
Since being named president of Spirit Music Nashville, Daniel Hill and his team have focused on expanding the company’s artist management, production and publishing capabilities. Hill, former Cal IV Entertainment president, assumed his post following Spirit’s acquisition of Cal IV last year.
“We chose Spirit as much as they chose us,” says Hill, who worked at Cal IV since 2000. “I knew we wanted to keep the momentum we had going with Cal IV. We had great artists, development happenings and other ventures with the management and production as well as publishing. Instead of just letting a larger company absorb the roster, we saw that Spirit Music was a great fit because they didn’t have a presence in Nashville. They wanted a catalog, so we offered them essentially a turnkey operation. They also have a plan to expand the catalog and writers, so it’s nice to be in an expanding, building mode, so we can take advantage of opportunities.”
Since opening the Nashville office, Spirit Music has wasted no time growing its song catalog. Spirit Music Group acquired StyleSonic’s catalog, a collection that contained hits including “Drink To That All Night” “Feel That Fire,” “It Felt Good On My Lips,” and “Highway Don’t Care,” as well as “a treasure trove of uncut songs,” according to Hill. “There’s a lot of low-hanging fruit to get placed, and we should have some great success having new cuts as well as mining the hits that are already in there.”
Spirit Music Group also acquired West Main Music, brimming with potential hit songs for the CCM market. The acquisitions bolster the company’s stable of potential hits in what has increasingly become a singles-driven market over the past several years.
“Sales peaked back in 2000 and we’ve seen a steady decline for the past 15 years. With the decline of album sales, it’s more and more about single sales and performance royalties. The market has changed to a singles market, which changes the dynamics of making deals…writer deals…because traditionally we recoup out of mechanical sales. It’s really hard for a writer to recoup these days. Whereas before we could have a songwriter with a few album cuts on some multi-platinum records and they paid almost as well as a hit single, as far as what they would be recouping. Now, you really have to be creative and it’s more and more about getting the hit song. That has changed how we think about the roster.”
Still, the company continues to nurture new writers. “We pride ourselves in finding talent early and not just paying for big-name marquee writers. But acquiring catalogs helps us to do the nurturing because you have the cash flow, so it goes hand in hand.”
Among the artists and songwriters signed to the publishing company are Jim Collins, Rose Falcon, Chris Wallin, and Triple Run members Brittany Taylor, Eric Knutson, and Matt Singleton. Spirit Music is one of many publishers that has seen an increase in the number of singer-songwriter signees who also have aspirations to be artists. “More and more labels are not signing green artists,” Hill says. “They want most of the blood, sweat and tears to be done, so they can then put their own blood, sweat and tears into it.”
Many A&R duties traditionally handled by labels now fall to publishers. “We have to do demos, so oftentimes we will do limited pressings, which are easier and less costly to upgrade to a master,” Hill says. “We have a studio here, so that allows us to spend more time getting the vocals right, overdubbing and experimenting. You normally wouldn’t do that with the average songwriter deal. A key part of the development process is keeping the end-game in mind; we are trying to make a record, not just a demo.”
Taking it a step further, they oftentimes enlist aid in the areas of imaging, hair/makeup, wardrobe, and photography, and then bring all of those elements together to present the artist in a professional, developed light.
Offering multiple services is not only a boon for aspiring artist/writers, but it means increased potential future earnings for Spirit Music Nashville as well. “If we can develop an artist on a major label who is a great songwriter themselves, then we might get 11 songs on the album instead of one.”
Regardless of a new client’s star potential, Hill maintains that it is always about the song. “The first thing we ask is, ‘Is this person a great songwriter first?’ That’s because we are a publisher first. That’s at the core of our artist development.”
LifeNotes: Songwriter/Actor Nancy Montgomery Passes
/by Robert K OermannNancy Montgomery
[Updated]: The life of Nancy Montgomery will be celebrated on May 1 at Greater Nashville Unitarian Universalist Church, located at 374 Hicks Road in Nashville. The service will take place at 1 p.m.
Donations can be made to Alive Hospice or to MusiCares.
[Original Post, April 21 @ 9:18 a.m.]
Hit country songwriter Nancy Montgomery has died following a battle with cancer.
Montgomery co-wrote three top-10 hits and many other charted songs during the 1980s and 1990s. Friends Juanita Copeland and Renee Shaw report that she died on Friday, April 17.
The songwriter was also a recording artist and an actor who performed in many commercials, movies and TV series. She was the recurring character “Juanita” on the CW network’s The Vampire Diaries in 2009-2010.
Born in Philadelphia, Nancy Montgomery came to Nashville in the 1970s. Signed to Ovation Records, she made the country charts in 1981 with her revival of The Everly Brothers classic “All I Have to Do Is Dream.”
Among the earliest artists to record her songwriting efforts was the Atlantic Records band McGuffey Lane, who released “Making a Living’s Been Killing Me” in 1982 and took it midway up the charts early the following year.
The Kendalls issued her co-written “I Never Looked Good in Blue” in 1983 and made the charts with her “Too Late” in 1986.
Montgomery’s first top-10 hit as a writer was “I Wanna Hear it From You” sung by Eddy Raven in 1985. The following year, Reba McEntire popularized her “Why Not Tonight.” Ricky Skaggs & Sharon White hit the top-10 with their duet of Montgomery’s co-written “Love Can’t Ever Get Better Than This” in 1987.
The sister trio The McCarters sang Montgomery’s biggest hit as a writer, 1988’s “The Gift.” Billy Montana charted with “Oh Jenny” in 1988, as did Irene Kelley with “Love Is a Hard Road” in 1989.
Highway 101 had a top-30 hit with her “Baby I’m Missing You” in 1992. Bluegrass artists Rhonda Vincent and Deanie Richardson both recorded “Moving Out” in 1991.
Others who recorded Nancy Montgomery songs include Waylon Jennings, Lacy J. Dalton, The Whites, Mark Collie and Lynn Morris.
She moved to Chicago in 2002 to seek more voiceover work in radio and television commercials. She also worked in a vintage-apparel store there. The Vampire Diaries series was filmed in Atlanta.
Montgomery returned to songwriting with “Finally Here,” which won numerous song-contest awards in 2013-14. Her co-writer Justin Froese, created a popular video of the song for the inspirational-music market. Publicist Renee Shaw described the song’s end-of-life lyric as a fitting eulogy for her friend.
The family is planning a memorial service to be held in May, but details have not been announced.
ACM Industry Pics: UMG, BMLG, WMN, Sony, Streamsound
/by Kelsey_GradyUMG Nashville celebrated the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards at the Legends Club at AT&T Stadium.
Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet (Vocal Group of the Year), Sam Hunt (New Artist of the Year nominee), LBT’s Jimi Westbrook (Vocal Group of the Year), UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe, UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, LBT’s Kimberly Schlapman (Vocal Group of the Year) and LBT’s Karen Fairchild (Vocal Group of the Year). Photo: Alan Poizner
Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe and Luke Bryan (ACM Entertainer of the Year and Vocal Event of the Year “This Is How We Roll” with Florida Georgia Line). Photo: Alan Poizner
Pictured (L-R): Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman (Vocal Group of the Year), Dierks Bentley (Video of the Year “Drunk on a Plane”), UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, LBT’s Karen Fairchild (Vocal Group of the Year). Photo: Alan Poizner
Big Machine Label Group executives at Sunday’s Academy of Country Music Awards in Arlington, Texas.
Big Machine Label Group executives sport the “Music Has Value” logo at the ACM Awards on Sunday night. Pictured (L-R): Big Machine’s Matthew Hargis, Scott Borchetta, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jimmy Harnen and George Briner.
Just moments after being named New Artist of the Year by the Academy of Country Music, Cole Swindell celebrated backstage with Warner Music Nashville’s President & CEO John Esposito and his manager Kerri Edwards of KP Entertainment/Red Light Management.
Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, Cole Swindell, Kerri Edwards. Photo: Rick Diamond/ACM2015/Getty Images for DCP
RCA Nashville’s Miranda Lambert was the most awarded artist at Sunday’s 50th Academy of Country Music Awards, taking home Album of the Year (Platinum), Song of the Year (“Automatic,” a double win as artist and songwriter), and Female Vocalist of the Year – her sixth in a row, extending her all-time ACM record for the most consecutive wins in that category. Lambert was also presented with the previously announced ACM 50th Anniversary Milestone Award as the ACM’s Most Awarded Solo Female Artist.
Miranda Lambert. Photo: Sara Kauss
Streamsound Records hosted a brunch Sunday morning (4/19) during The 50th ACM Awards at the Hilton Anatole in Dallas, TX. Guest were treated to performances from Kristian Bush, Austin Webb and Dakota Bradley. Among the guest were WUBE’s Big Dave Morning show team with the station’s ACM winners.
Pictured (L-R): Streamsound’s CEO/President Steve Richardson, WUBE’s Jason Statt ‘Stattman’, Kaila Statt, Streamsound’s Kristian Bush, Teddi Bonadies, Dakota Bradley, Austin Webb, WUBE’s Charri Chanderl, Big Dave and winners Chelsie Shinkle and Brad Shinkle. Photo: Streamsound Records
Easton Corbin Preps New Album, ‘About To Get Real’
/by Sarah SkatesCorbin shared news of the upcoming album via Twitter’s new live video streaming app, Periscope, marking the first time a country artist has used the app for this purpose.
In addition, the music video for the album’s single, “Baby Be My Love Song,” recently premiered on VEVO. The Top 15 and climbing song was written by Jim Collins and Brett James. Corbin collaborated with director Shaun Silva for the video, which was shot at Nashville’s Pinewood Social.
“When deciding on an album title, ‘About to Get Real’ just says it all for me,” shares Corbin. “When country fans listen to this album, I want them to take away that even though the music mixes the modern with the classic, it’s entirely real. Like the music of my heroes, it’s the real deal.”
Alan Mayor Memorial Scheduled at BMI Today
/by Eric T. ParkerAlan L. Mayor
Longtime MusicRow photographer Alan Mayor, will be remembered at BMI’s Nashville headquarters this afternoon (April 20) from 4:00-7:00 p.m. during the public memorial. Misty Loggins and friends will sing songs in his memory.
Mayor was laid to rest at a private ceremony. He died Monday, Feb. 23 of complications of a stroke. He was 65.
The renowned photographer had an extensive archive of country music’s elite that cannot be rivaled. He captured images of nearly every country music singer to enter the scene in the past 30 years, contributed photos to multiple books, and established lasting relationships with artists, labels, managers and publicists up and down “The Row.”
Some of his many career highlights include capturing Paul and Linda McCartney on stage with Dolly Parton and Porter Wagoner and his photographs of Tim McGraw and Faith Hill‘s wedding. Mayor took great pride and pleasure in the trusted relationships he built in the music community over the years and none was more substantial than his relationship with Garth Brooks. Mayor collected many of his most historically significant photographs in his 1999 book, The Nashville Family Album: A Country Music Scrapbook, for which Brooks wrote the introduction.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to T.J. Martell Foundation in Nashville, Tenn.; MusiCares in Nashville, Tenn.; Opry Trust Fund (2804 Opryland Drive in Nashville); St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital; Meals on Wheels, or to Fifty Forward Meals on Wheels in Green Hills-Nashville.
Read MusicRow‘s LifeNotes piece on Mayor’s life here.
ACM Weekend Photo Roundup
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert and Brad Paisley were each honored by the Guinness World Records prior to last night’s ACM Awards. Lambert earned the title for Most Consecutive Wins as an ACM Female Vocalist of the Year. She earned the trophy five consecutive years from 2009-2013. She was presented the honor during her rehearsal for the 50th Academy of Country Music Awards.
Pictured (L-R): Tiffany Moon, EVP, Managing Director of the Academy of Country Music; Miranda Lambert; Michael Empric, Guinness World Records. Photo: Getty Images.
Paisley earned the title for Most Consecutive Wins as ACM Male Vocalist of the Year. He was named the ACM’s Male Vocalist of the Year for five consecutive years between 2006-2010.
Pictured (L-R): Michael Empric, Guinness World Records adjudicator, Brad Paisley, and Bob Romeo, CEO of the Academy of Country Music. Photo: Getty Images
The Academy of Country Music presented the ACM Charity Motorcycle Ride & Concert, hosted by Dierks Bentley. The ride began at two separate locations – Longhorn Harley-Davidson and Strokers Dallas, and concluded at Maverick Harley-Davidson for a ‘post-ride rally concert’ featuring Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Clare Dunn, Joey Hyde, James Otto, Dee Jay Silver, Montgomery Gentry, and Thompson Square.
Dierks Bentley. Photo: Getty Images
Lee Brice performs during the post-ride concert. Photo: Getty Images
Pictured (L-R): Dierks Bentley and Will Hoge
Two of country music’s stars – Kellie Pickler and Thomas Rhett – teamed up with 12 of their colleagues who became real-life checker pieces at the Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Country Checkers Challenge during the 2015 Academy of Country Music Party for a Cause® Festival at Globe Life Park in Arlington, Texas.
Pickler’s team included Lauren Alaina, Chase Bryant, Kristian Bush, singer/producer Kyle Jacobs, Love & Theft (Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson) and Jamie Lynn Spears as well as USO representative Master Sgt. William “Spanky” Gibson and four contest winners. Also present in the photo was event host Storme Warren of Siriux SM “The Highway” and Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Ciavarra. Photo: Getty Images
Rhett’s team included Rhett Akins, Danielle Bradbery, Dan + Shay (Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney), Scotty McCreery, Cassadee Pope, and Rhett’s wife Lauren Rhett, along with former DAV National Commander Bobby Barrera and four contest winners. Also in the photo is Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Senior Vice President of Marketing Chris Ciavarra. Photo: Getty Images
The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic, hosted by Darius Rucker, brought together artists including JT Hodges, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Chris Young, and Branch & Dean. The event, held at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, aims to raise funds and awareness to the ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund.
Pictured (L-R): Darin Murphy, Darius Rucker, Gayle Holcomb, Rob Beckham, Chris Young, JT Hodges
Chris Young. Photo: Getty Images
Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley. Photo: Getty Images
ACM’s 50th Anniversary Show Gets Ratings Spike
/by Jessica NicholsonFrom 8:00-11:30 p.m., The Academy of Country Music Awards were first in adults 25-54 (4.6/12), adults 18-49 (3.6/11) and adults 18-34 (2.6/09). Compared to last year’s event (from 8:00-11:02 p.m. on April 6, 2014), The ACM Awards was up six percent in adults 18-49 (from 3.4/09), up seven percent in adults 25-54 (from 4.3/10), up four percent in adults 18-34 (from 2.5/08) and added 1.45 million viewers (from 14.32 million viewers, up 10 percent).
CBS was first in viewers for the night, garnering 14.61 million, adults 25-54 (4.0/10), and adults 18-49 (3.0/08), outranking NBC, ABC, and FOX in viewers.
Touchdown! ACM Awards Score At Dallas Stadium
/by Sarah SkatesCo-hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton are ready to take on Dallas Cowboys QB Tony Romo.
Last night’s (April 19) ACM Awards proved that everything is bigger in Texas. The 50th anniversary event, staged at AT&T Stadium, home of the Dallas Cowboys, was a performance-packed extravaganza with more than 70,000 fans in attendance.
Country music was glossier than ever, with co-hosts Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton looking spiffy throughout the night. Watching in the audience, Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood seemed like the president and first lady of country.
The energy in the stadium was strong, and the top-notch sets were filled with plenty of flash and video. With a football field’s worth of floor space, there were multiple stages and room for artists to run through the crowd.
The genre’s history was on display throughout the night, starting with Eric Church and Keith Urban’s opening number “Pledge Allegiance to the Hag.” They went straight into current single “Raise ‘Em Up,” maintaining the balance between saluting the past and keeping it current.
Texas King George Strait performed his classic, “All My Ex’s Live in Texas,” and then “Let It Go,” the lead single from his upcoming album.
Florida Georgia Line gave new meaning to ring of fire, with their performance of current single “Sippin’ On Fire” while pyrotechnics blazed around them in a circle.
Martina McBride reminded us that she’d been singing about spectacular fires since 1994, offering her modern country classic “Independence Day” with as pristine a voice as when she first recorded it.
Miranda Lambert, a four-time winner last night, was a Texas spitfire onstage. As usual, she gave one of the evening’s best showings, blending “Mama’s Broken Heart” and “Little Red Wagon” with an eye-catching black and red set and wardrobe. When her tune “Automatic” won Song of the Year, she accepted with co-writer Natalie Hemby, who looked gorgeous for the occasion, and they saluted fellow co-writer Nicolle Galyon, who is home with her new baby with husband Rodney Clawson.
Miranda Lambert accepts ACM 50th Anniversary Milestone Award for Most Awarded Solo Female Artist.
Medleys were a big part of the show, as producers kept the momentum at a maximum with hit after hit. Reba melded “Fancy,” “Is There Life Out There,” “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia,” and new single “Going Out Like That.” Four decades after signing her first record contract, the girl’s still got it.
Jason Aldean kept the party going with “Hicktown”/ “My Kinda Party”/ “She’s Country”/ “Tonight Looks Good On You.”
Shelton (“Sangria”), Kenny Chesney (“Young”/ “Wild Child”) and Bryan (“I See You”) were engaging as always. Brooks & Dunn reunited for “My Maria” and Alan Jackson was solemn but impactful on “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning).” Offering new songs, Lady A’s “Long Stretch of Love” had a cool, Fleetwood Mac-esque groove, and Brad Paisley gave the live TV debut of “Crushin’ It.” New artist nominee Thomas Rhett exhibited some slick dance moves during “Make Me Wanna.”
Garth Brooks’ performance of “All-American Kid” was a major highlight, with members of the military marching out, while a section of the audience held up cards that formed a picture of the American flag. Given his recent return to country music, the lyric about the “all-American comeback kid” is especially appropriate.
Garth Brooks accepts Milestone Award—Most Awarded ACM Entertainer Of The Year.
A few artists took the less-is-more approach with their sets. Little Big Town and Dierks Bentley went low tech for “Girl Crush,” and “Riser,” respectively, letting the lyrics do the talking. Bentley was looking hip with his wavy Eurohawk ‘do.
Joining country from the outer realms were Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, Reese Witherspoon, Sofia Vergara, Christina Aguilera, Nick Jonas, Taylor Swift and mother Andrea Swift.
Dan + Shay teamed with Jonas for the latter’s hit “Jealous.” Xtina sang “Riot” with Rascal Flatts. (The pop star/The Voice coach is also in the middle of starring in an arc on Nashville. With so many current Music City connections, observant insiders can’t help but wonder: Is Christina going country?) Speaking of, newly signed BMLG/Dot Records artist Steven Tyler was on hand for the grand finale, presenting Luke Bryan his second Entertainer of the Year trophy.
For a full list of last night’s winners, click here.
ACM co-hosts Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan, with Milestone Award winners Reba, Miranda Lambert, Kenny Chesney, trophy/ jewelry designer David Yurman, George Strait, Taylor Swift and Brooks & Dunn.
Photos: courtesy of ACM
Broadcasters Aim For Blocked FM Radio Tuners Inside Smartphones
/by Eric T. ParkerThe issue surfaced during the broadcaster convention in Las Vegas, notably in Monday’s (April 13) opening speech from NAB President/CEO Gordon Smith.
“The HTC in Motorola phones have not been blocked,” said Jeff Smulyan, the point man on this issue for the NAB, to NPR. But Samsung, iPhone and LG have all had the chips turned off. Now for Sprint, we know all the phones (except iPhones) have the chip turned on. These phones are manufactured for global use, and in the rest of the world this isn’t an issue, [the FM receivers] are turned on and people listen to them.”
Broadcasters are appealing to consumers who pay for data, noting that the FM tuner could save millions of dollars of data charges, battery life, and provide emergency resources in case of a power outage.
“We have said to the carriers, ‘We will offer you a share of interactive revenues to recognize you are giving up data that they would be otherwise selling to the American public,” concluded Smulyan.
In 2013 the NAB, NPR and American Public Media teamed to create NextRadio, a free smartphone app that would access the FM chip. But the chip is inaccessible most notably by AT&T and Verizon Wireless devices. The NextRadio app is now owned by Emmis Communications.
Industry Ink: SESAC, Guy Clark, Green Hills Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonPanattoni Development Awarded $13.9 million Permit For New SESAC Headquarters Building
Also of note: The crane that is being used on the site is limited to 137 feet in height, and has to be dismantled by Oct. 1.
Kickstarter Campaign Started for Guy Clark Documentary
Guy Clark Old Friends Reunion on Nov. 6, 2014. Front row: Robert Earl Keen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Guy Clark and Maude the dog. Back row: Steve Earle, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely and Terry Allen.
A documentary on singer-songwriter Guy Clark is one step closer to fruition, thanks to the donations of friends, fans, and colleagues. A Kickstarter campaign has been created for the documentary Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark, a documentary focusing on Clark’s life and career. Clark’s former publicist Tamara Saviano is set to oversee the project.
Saviano has spent the past seven years working on Clark’s biography, which is scheduled to be published in time for Guy’s 75th birthday on Nov. 6, 2016.
The documentary Without Getting Killed or Caught includes exclusive interview footage with Clark and his friends and family. The film integrates audio and video footage from personal interviews, one-of-a-kind photos and images from Clark’s private collection, and unique historical footage. He learned to play guitar from his father’s law partner, worked for the shrimp boat builders in the harbor, read poetry, and was awarded a National Science Foundation grant for summer study at M.D. Anderson Hospital.
There are 30 days left in the campaign, which aims to raise $75,000 for the project.
For more information on the Kickstarter campaign, visit kickstarter.com.
Green Hills Music Group, Grin Like A Dog Songs To Showcase Artists at Bluebird Cafe
The lineup includes Danika Portz, Steve Mitchell, Rich Karg, and Hannah Mulholland.