Taylor Swift, Sam Smith Lead Billboard Music Awards Finalists: Full List

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Screen Shot 2015-04-07 at 10.35.26 AMTaylor Swift and Sam Smith lead the list of finalists for the upcoming Billboard Music Awards. Swift tops the nominations with 14 nominations in 13 categories. She is followed by Smith with 13 nominations, Iggy Azalea (12) and Meghan Trainor (nine).

Florida Georgia Line earned a nod in the all-genre Top Duo/Group category. Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, and Blake Shelton earned nominations in the Top Country Artist category. In the Top Christian Artist category, nominations went to Casting Crowns, Hillsong United, Lecrae, MercyMe, and Newsboys.

The Top Country Album category nominees include Old Boots, New Dirt (Aldean), Man Against Machine (Garth Brooks), Crash My Party (Bryan), Just As I Am (Gilbert), and Platinum (Miranda Lambert). Top Christian Album nods went to Anomaly (Lecrae), Thrive (Casting Crowns), Welcome to the New (MercyMe), Rivers in the Wasteland (NEEDTOBREATHE), and Love Ran Red (Chris Tomlin).

Top Country Song nominees included Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down,” Bryan’s “Play It Again,” Sam Hunt‘s “Leave The Night On,” FGL (ft. Luke Bryan)’s “This Is How We Roll,” and FGL’s “Dirt.”

Carrie Underwood earned a nomination in the Top Christian Song category for “Something in the Water,” alongside Francesca Battistelli‘s “He Knows My Name,” Hillsong United’s “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail),” MercyMe’s “Greater,” and Newsboys’ “We Believe.”

Billboard Music Awards finalists are based on album and digital song sales, radio airplay, streaming, touring and social-media interactions. The awards are based on the period of March 10, 2014 through March 8, 2015. The measurements are recorded by Billboard, Nielsen Music, and Next Big Sound.

Full nominees list:

TOP ARTIST
Ariana Grande
One Direction
Katy Perry
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift

TOP NEW ARTIST
5 Seconds of Summer
Iggy Azalea
Hozier
Sam Smith
Meghan Trainor

TOP MALE ARTIST
Drake
Pharrell Williams
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Justin Timberlake

TOP FEMALE ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Katy Perry
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

TOP DUO/GROUP
5 Seconds of Summer
Florida Georgia Line
MAGIC!
Maroon 5
One Direction

TOP BILLBOARD 200 ARTIST
One Direction
Pentatonix
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift

TOP HOT 100 ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

TOP DIGITAL SONGS ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

TOP RADIO SONGS ARTIST
John Legend
Maroon 5
Ed Sheeran
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift

TOP TOURING ARTIST
Lady Gaga
One Direction
Katy Perry
The Rolling Stones
Justin Timberlake

TOP SOCIAL ARTIST
Justin Bieber
Miley Cyrus
Selena Gomez
Ariana Grande
Taylor Swift

TOP STREAMING ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
Ariana Grande
Nicki Minaj
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

TOP R&B ARTIST
Beyoncé
Chris Brown
John Legend
Trey Songz
Pharrell Williams

TOP RAP ARTIST
Iggy Azalea
J. Cole
Drake
Nicki Minaj
Rae Sremmurd

TOP COUNTRY ARTIST
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Florida Georgia Line
Brantley Gilbert
Blake Shelton

TOP ROCK ARTIST
Bastille
Coldplay
Fall Out Boy
Hozier
Lorde

TOP LATIN ARTIST
J Balvin
Juan Gabriel
Enrique Iglesias
Prince Royce
Romeo Santos

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ARTIST
Avicii
Clean Bandit
Disclosure
Calvin Harris
Lindsey Stirling

TOP CHRISTIAN ARTIST
Casting Crowns
Hillsong United
Lecrae
MercyMe
Newsboys

TOP BILLBOARD 200 ALBUM
Maroon 5, V
Pentatonix, That’s Christmas to Me
Ed Sheeran, x
Sam Smith, In the Lonely Hour
Taylor Swift, 1989

TOP SOUNDTRACK
The Fault in Our Stars
Fifty Shades of Grey
Frozen
Guardians of the Galaxy: Awesome Mix: Vol. 1
Into the Woods

TOP R&B ALBUM
Beyoncé, Beyoncé
Chris Brown, X
Michael Jackson, Xscape
John Legend, Love in the Future
Pharrell Williams, G I R L

TOP RAP ALBUM
J. Cole, 2014 Forest Hills Drive
Drake, If You’re Reading This It’s Too Late
Nicki Minaj, The Pinkprint
Iggy Azalea, The New Classic
Eminem, The Marshall Mathers LP 2

TOP COUNTRY ALBUM
Jason Aldean, Old Boots, New Dirt
Garth Brooks, Man Against Machine
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am
Miranda Lambert, Platinum

TOP ROCK ALBUM
AC/DC, Rock or Bust
The Black Keys, Turn Blue
Coldplay, Ghost Stories
Hozier, Hozier
Lorde, Pure Heroine

TOP LATIN ALBUM
Juan Gabriel, Los Dúo
Enrique Iglesias, Sex and Love
Romeo Santos, Formula: Vol. 2
Santana, Corazon
Marc Anthony, 3.0

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC ALBUM
Avicii, True
Disclosure, Settle
Calvin Harris, Motion
Skrillex, Recess
Lindsey Stirling, Shatter Me

TOP CHRISTIAN ALBUM
Lecrae, Anomaly
Casting Crowns, Thrive
MercyMe, Welcome to the New
NEEDTOBREATHE, Rivers in the Wasteland
Chris Tomlin, Love Ran Red

TOP HOT 100 SONG
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
John Legend, “All of Me”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”

TOP DIGITAL SONG
Mark Ronson feat. Bruno Mars, “Uptown Funk!”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy

TOP RADIO SONG
John Legend, “All of Me”
MAGIC!, “Rude”
Nico & Vinz, “Am I Wrong”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy

TOP STREAMING SONG (AUDIO)
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Hozier, “Take Me to Church”
John Legend, “All of Me”
Sam Smith, “Stay With Me”
Tove Lo, “Habits (Stay High)”

TOP STREAMING SONG (VIDEO)
Idina Menzel, “Let It Go”
Bobby Shmurda, “Hot Boy”
Taylor Swift, “Blank Space”
Taylor Swift, “Shake It Off”
Meghan Trainor, “All About That Bass”

TOP R&B SONG
Chris Brown feat. Lil Wayne, French Montana, Too $hort & Tyga, “Loyal”
Jason Derulo feat. 2 Chainz, “Talk Dirty”
Jeremih feat. YG, “Don’t Tell ‘Em”
John Legend, “All of Me”
Pharrell Williams, “Happy”

TOP RAP SONG
Iggy Azalea feat. Charli XCX, “Fancy”
Iggy Azalea feat. Rita Ora, “Black Widow”
Big Sean feat. E-40, “I Don’t F— With You”
Nicki Minaj, “Anaconda”
Bobby Shmurda, “Hot Boy”

TOP COUNTRY SONG
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down”
Luke Bryan, “Play It Again”
Sam Hunt, “Leave the Night On”
Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan, “This Is How We Roll”
Florida Georgia Line, “Dirt”

TOP ROCK SONG
Bastille, “Pompeii”
Coldplay, “A Sky Full of Stars”
Fall Out Boy, “Centuries”
Hozier, “Take Me to Church”
Paramore, “Ain’t It Fun”

TOP LATIN SONG
J Balvin feat. Farruko, “6 AM”
Enrique Iglesias feat. Descemer Bueno & Gente de Zona, “Bailando”
Romeo Santos, “Eres Mía”
Romeo Santos feat. Drake, “Odio”
Romeo Santos, “Propuesta Indecente”

TOP DANCE/ELECTRONIC SONG
Clean Bandit feat. Jess Glynne, “Rather Be”
Disclosure feat. Sam Smith, “Latch”
DJ Snake & Lil Jon, “Turn Down For What”
Ariana Grande feat. Zedd, “Break Free”
Calvin Harris, “Summer”

TOP CHRISTIAN SONG
Francesca Battistelli, “He Knows My Name”
Hillsong United, “Oceans (Where Feet May Fail)”
MercyMe, “Greater”
Newsboys, “We Believe”
Carrie Underwood, “Something in the Water”

BILLBOARD CHART ACHIEVEMENT AWARD PRESENTED BY SAMSUNG GALAXY (FAN-VOTED)
Iggy Azalea
Taylor Swift
Meghan Trainor

Celebrity Stylist Trish Townsend Debuts Men’s Boutique

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Trish Townsend of Townsend Style

Trish Townsend of Townsend Style

Trish Townsend, a celebrity stylist whose superstar clients include Blake Shelton and Carrie Underwood, can now add store owner to her resume. Townsend recently opened the boutique men’s clothing and accessories store Townsend Style in Brentwood, just south of Nashville.

Having styled Shelton, Alan Jackson, Vince Gill, and other male celebrities during her career, Townsend saw a need for quality male clothing in Music City. “There is a limited selection for men. They don’t have big sizes here, which is something I wanted to start working on,” Townsend said. “Nashville has a Nordstrom, and there’s a Haymakers & Company, but for young guys that are really into clothes, I want to give them a place to land.”

Townsend Style carries clothing and accessories from a range of designers such as John Varvatos, Ted Baker, Chrome, Age of Wisdom,Edwin Jagger, Nikki Lund, Vincent Peach, Matsuda, Stella McCartney and more.

“I’ve been styling for so long and I’ve styled a lot of bigger guys, but some of these designers I learned about through styling for Carrie Underwood,” Townsend explains. “When I was pulling items for Carrie, I kept pulling pieces that I thought men would love, too. It has a little swagger, an attention to detail, and it’s a good price point.”

Pieces from those designers will be on display during Townsend Style’s grand opening on Thursday, April 9, from noon until 5:30 p.m., in conjunction with Nashville Fashion Week. Los Angeles-based designer Nikki Lund and Nashville-based jewelry designer Vincent Peach will be on hand to showcase their new lines.

Townsend Style 2

Inside Townsend Style

Townsend Style not only offers high-end clothing for men, but a little something for their significant others as well. A space Townsend affectionately titled “The Dog House,” is a corner of the store with jewelry, purses and other accessories for women. “My clients know they can come in really quickly and get a great gift for their wife, girlfriend, daughter, friends or family,” says Townsend.

Additional services include made-to-order suiting and closet redesign.

Between special appearances, awards shows, taping episodes of The Voice, and touring, Townsend estimates Shelton goes through at least 100 outfits per year, but has little time to worry about clothing in the midst of a busy schedule.

Townsend realizes that many of her male clients, regardless of celebrity status, have similar needs.

“With women, we have plenty of little black dresses we can style differently each time. It’s the same with guys,” explains Townsend, who counts doctors, attorneys, and other Brentwood locals among the store’s first customers since its soft launch earlier this year. “If men find a shirt they like and that fits, they buy it in every color. Blake likes the line Age of Wisdom, which is great for a guy like him. We buy one set for The Voice and one for me. Clothes shopping is sometimes more of an event for a man, something they do maybe four times a year.”

Townsend Style 3

Townsend Style offers a range of clothing selections.

To that end, Townsend’s clients appreciate the intimate, relaxing vibe of the boutique, and the personalized style guidance they receive. “I think men like the privacy of a place like this. For a lot of men, it’s not cool to care about what you’re wearing. But when they are alone, they open up more and get more serious. Although, we get many women who come in shopping for their husbands, too!

“We don’t sell, we style,” Townsend adds. “That’s a motto for us. As a stylist, when an artist goes down a carpet or to a photo shoot, you are judged by that. That will trickle over into this retail. I won’t let someone leave here in something that isn’t them or doesn’t look good on them. I always encourage clients to try something new and let yourself be complimented.”

Townsend Style is located at 7110 Town Center Way, Brentwood, TN 37027. Regular store hours: Tuesday-Saturday, 11 a.m.-4 p.m. For more, visit townsendstyle.com.

Townsend Style 4

Inside Townsend Style.

Zavitson Taps Napier as VP/GM

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Jill Napier

Jill Napier

Industry vet Jill Napier has been tapped as the VP/GM of MusicPubWorks effectively immediately, announced by Denise Zavitson, Founder and President of the music catalog exploitation, metadata and royalty management subsidiary of Zavitson Music Group (ZMG).

Napier will work as the client representative of MPW’s services along with developing long-term strategic initiatives for the company. Concurrently, she will also serve on all administration matters with ZMG.

“Jill has the business background and personal skills to move MPW to the next level,” said Denise Zavitson. “She has proven herself to be an excellent motivator and has the ability to not only visualize the big picture but the path we need to take to attain our goals. We couldn’t be more excited.”

Previously, she served as Director of Music Services, Founder and President of the Nashville chapter of the AIMP, EVP of Big Loud Bucks and VP of Business Affairs at Ten Ten Music Group.

ZMG was formed in 2006 by Indiana businesswoman Beverly Miller and longtime music veteran Russ Zavitson. In August 2014 the company relocated from Music Row into the historic Belmont studio offices of the late Cowboy Jack Clement.

InDo Nashville Now Leasing Office Suites

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InDo nashville

InDo Nashville offices.

John and Katharine Richardson, who will open InDo Nashville, the co-working, creative hub for professionals in the entertainment industry in May, have announced that the dedicated office suites in the building are now open for leasing. The renovated industrial building, located in the SoBro district at 632 Fogg St., is one block south of the City Winery and Third Man Records. InDo, which stands for Inspiration Domain, features three floors, with over 11,000 square feet of space including: an events area, songwriting rooms, open workspace, conference rooms and dedicated office suites.

The Richardsons are currently offering private tours of the suites. To schedule an appointment to tour the building, e-mail kate@InDonashville.com or John@InDoNashville.com.

Later in April, InDo Nashville will begin registration for its co-working memberships, which will range from full-time to part-time, to conference room only. There will also be special songwriter memberships for the three songwriting rooms.

Kate Richardson, who is co-owner of Richlyn Marketing, will relocate her public relations and marketing agency in the space. “With over 9,000 professionals in the music industry working from home offices and entertainment executives from around the world traveling to Nashville, there is a tremendous need for inspiring co-working space. InDo Nashville will be a brilliant alternative to meetings at coffee shops. Our goal is to provide the perfect incubation space for the entertainment industry.”

BMLG Announces Steven Tyler Signing to Dot Records

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Pictured (L-R): Crowd Surf’s Read Davis, BMLG’s Tali Canterbury, Jimmy Harnen, John Zarling, Kris Lamb, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Laurel Kittleson, Allison Jones, Alicia Matthews, Andrew Kautz, Kelly Rich, Melanie Ainsworth, Jake Basden and Malcolm Mimms.

Pictured (L-R): Crowd Surf’s Read Davis, BMLG’s Tali Canterbury, Jimmy Harnen, John Zarling, Kris Lamb, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Laurel Kittleson, Allison Jones, Alicia Matthews, Andrew Kautz, Kelly Rich, Melanie Ainsworth, Jake Basden and Malcolm Mimms. Photo: Rick Getty for BMLG

As previously reported, Aerosmith frontman Steven Tyler has been collaborating with Big Machine Label Group on an upcoming project. Today, the label group officially announced Tyler as one of its newest artists. Tyler has inked a deal with BMLG’s Dot Records, and is working on his forthcoming country album.

“There was an immediate connection with Scott and Big Machine, and Nashville seems like the perfect segue for a solo project…and Dot Records is the right fit. My earliest influences put me somewhere between the Everly Brothers and the Carter Family and this project is all about me paying homage to my Country roots. I’ve been working with some fucking epic Nashville songwriters, getting my feet wet with their style and groove,” Tyler said.

“I have never met a more passionate human being than Steven. When he goes in, he goes all in, which is the culture of Dot Records and the Big Machine Label Group,” said BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “I truly cannot wait for the world to hear the phenomenal music that he is creating and I really feel that this chapter of his career will be among his best. He bleeds love and he bleeds music. Pinch me—it’s Steven Fkg Tyler!”

Tyler and Aerosmith have sold more than 150 million records worldwide, garnering nine No. 1 songs, as well as 25 Gold, 18 Platinum, and 12 Multi-Platinum album certifications. Tyler and Joe Perry were inducted into the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame in 2013.

Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta and Steven Tyler sign the record deal for Tyler’s project on Dot Records. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta and Steven Tyler sign the record deal for Tyler’s project on Dot Records. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Industry Ink: ACM, Country Music Hall of Fame, Hill Entertainment Group

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ACM Adds Sponsored Events to ACM Party for a Cause

ACM Party For A CauseThe Academy of Country Music has added an array of sponsored events to its ACM Party for a Cause Festival, a two-day outdoor music festival to be held April 17 and April 18 at Arlington, Texas’ Globe Life Park.

Among the events scheduled are the 3rd Annual Cabela’s Great Outdoors Archery Event, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store Country Checkers Challenge™, Mary Kay’s Pink Carpet, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Ram Trucks Country Music Experience and more.

Companies taking part in the ACM festivities this year include: American Airlines, Cabela’s, Cracker Barrel, Firestone, Kendra Scott, Mary Kay, Ram, Segs4vets, Save The Children, Women’s Rogaine, Bicardi, Big Green Egg, MillerCoors Beer Garden, Sue Bee Honey, and Wendy’s.

The festival will begin at noon each day on the North Lawn, where more than 25 country artists will perform on the Party Stage and Ram Lone Star Stage. Evening performances will be headlined at the Main Stage, and taped for a two-hour special, ACM Presents: Superstar Duets, which will air May 15 on CBS.

 

Hill Entertainment Group Expands Staff

Carie Long

Carie Long

Greg Hill, owner of Hill Entertainment Group, has added Carie Long as office manager. She will oversee the day-to-day operation and flow of the growing entertainment company. Hill Entertainment Group is a Nashville-based entertainment, management, and solutions company that focuses on brand management, consultation, and development.

“I’m excited to have Carie join the growing Hill Entertainment team,” remarks Hill. “I have known her professionally for many years and have been impressed with her integrity and knowledge of the music business.”

Long previously served as Senior Director A&R at Show Dog Universal Music and also held stints at Universal South, Sony, and MCA. She can be reached at carie@hillentgroup.com.

 

Country Music Hall of Fame Welcomes Charlie Daniels, Sylvie Simmons For Panel Discussion 

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently presented a panel discussion entitled, “Songs From a Room: The Nashville Works of Dylan and Cohen,” as part of its ongoing programming in support of its most recent exhibition: Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats: A New Music City Presented by Citi. Led by museum curator Michael Gray, the panel’s all-star lineup included musicians Charlie Daniels and Ron Cornelius, pianist Bob Wilson, and award-winning author and music journalist Sylvie Simmons.

(Pictured, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia, Charlie Daniels, Bob Wilson, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray, music journalist Sylvie Simmons, and Ron Cornelius. Photo: Rick Diamond

(Pictured, L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia, Charlie Daniels, Bob Wilson, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray, music journalist Sylvie Simmons, and Ron Cornelius. Photo: Rick Diamond

Inaugural April Fool’s Benefit Raises $30k for Music Health Alliance

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Pictured (L-R): Phil Barton, Liz Rose (front), Wynn Varble (back), Roxie Dean, Tatum Hauck-Allsep (Music Health Alliance Founder), Rivers Rutherford, Sandy Knox, Richard Leigh, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Beth Gwinn

Pictured (L-R): Phil Barton, Liz Rose (front), Wynn Varble (back), Roxie Dean, Tatum Hauck-Allsep (Music Health Alliance Founder), Rivers Rutherford, Sandy Knox, Richard Leigh, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Beth Gwinn

The inaugural First And The Worst event was held last week (April 1) at 3rd and Lindsley, raising over $30,000 to benefit the Music Health Alliance.

The show featured hit songwriters performing the first and the worst songs they ever wrote. Hit songwriters participating included Rivers Rutherford, Richard Leigh, Liz Rose, Phil Barton, Roxie Dean, and Wynn Varble.

Hosted by music critic Peter Cooper, the evening included a silent auction and awarded a songwriter for penning one of the worst hit songs ever written. The inaugural CRAPPY award went to Varble for his song, “Jackass.”

The non-profit organization assists songwriters, artists and music industry professionals in finding affordable health solutions and financial resources at every stage of their career. In two years, they have saved over $5.5 million dollars in insurance premiums, reduction of medical bills, and prescription savings.

Pictured (L-R): Wynn Varble, Rivers Rutherford, Roxie Dean, Richard Leigh, Phil Barton, Liz Rose, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Beth Gwinn

Pictured (L-R): Wynn Varble, Rivers Rutherford, Roxie Dean, Richard Leigh, Phil Barton, Liz Rose, and Peter Cooper. Photo: Beth Gwinn

Artist Updates: Warner Bros., Dwight Yoakam, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker

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Warner Bros. Records Artists Set For Nashville GROWCO Conference

growcoWarner Bros. artists Frankie Ballard, Dan + Shay, and The Railers will perform for business leaders and personalities as they gather April 7-9 in Nashville for the annual GROWCO, produced by Inc. Magazine.

They will join fellow artists Dean Alexander, Anderson East, and Ryan Kinder. Also on hand for the event will be actress Jessica Alba, Airbnb co-founder Joe Gebbia, and television personalities Daymond John (ABC’s Shark Tank) and Marcus Lemonis (CNBC’s The Profit).

 

Dwight Yoakam Announces Ryman Auditorium Concert

DwightYoakam15_600x600Dwight Yoakam will perform at the Ryman Auditorium on Friday, Sept. 4, 2015. Showtime begins at 7:30 p.m. Tickets will go on sale at 10 a.m. on Friday, April 10 at ticketmaster.com and ryman.com. Tickets range from $42.50 to $65.50.

Each ticket purchase includes a download of Yoakam’s latest album Second Hand Heart, set for release April 14. Ticket sales are online only.

 

Lady Antebellum Extends ‘7FOR7’ Campaign with Quicken Loans

lady antebellum 2015

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum has teamed with mortgage lender Quicken Loans to offer seven fans a backstage experience, and a year of relief from their mortgage with the launch of ‘7FOR7 Sweepstakes.’

The campaign supports the band’s upcoming Wheels Up 2015 Tour presented by Quicken Loans, which begins May 1. The sweepstakes is an extension of the trio’s charity-focused 7FOR7 campaign, and will offer seven grand prize winners a year’s worth of mortgage payments courtesy of Quicken Loans, as well as a VIP concert experience for them and a guest, including meet-and-greet passes and complimentary travel.

 

Darius Rucker To Host ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker

Darius Rucker will return to host the ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic presented by G. Debbas Chocolatier and GoPicnic for the fourth consecutive year on Saturday, April 18, 2015 at Brookhaven Country Club in Dallas, Texas. The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic, the ninth held since 2004, brings together country music artists Kix Brooks, Charles Kelley, Chris Young, Branch & Dean, and more artists to be announced as well as other members of the music community in a scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund.

 

 

 

ASCAP Appoints Alice Kim New Chief Strategy, Development Officer

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Alice Kim

Alice Kim

ASCAP announced Monday, April 6, the appointment of Alice Kim as the organization’s EVP, Chief Strategy & Development Officer, reporting to ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. Kim will oversee strategy, business development, product development and administration services as ASCAP charts a new course to offer enhanced services to its songwriter, composer and music publisher members and to its licensing partners.

Kim started her career in investment banking at Dean Witter and venture capital at CIBC Capital Partners and Dolphin Equity. She then joined a couple of start-ups, PreCache and Enpocket, both of which were acquired by Fortune 100 companies. Kim continues to be an avid angel investor and a strong advocate of start-ups in NYC.

“ASCAP is transforming to offer innovative new services to our members and licensing partners in order to meet their needs in this new and evolving era in the music and media landscape,” says Matthews. “Alice has deep expertise of consumer behavior, trends in digital content adoption and monetization models. She is uniquely positioned to help us harness our assets for the benefit of our songwriters, composers and publishers as well as our licensing partners as we move into a world of increased data transparency and efficiency.”

Trace Adkins Finds New Label Home With BBR Music Group

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(Pictured, L-R): Almon & Pike’s Orville Almon; Vector Management’s JW Williams; BBRMG EVP Jon Loba; BBRMG General Manager Rick Shedd; BBRMG’s Colton McGee; Trace Adkins; BBRMG President & CEO Benny Brown.

(Pictured, L-R): Almon & Pike’s Orville Almon; Vector Management’s JW Williams; BBRMG EVP Jon Loba; BBRMG General Manager Rick Shedd; BBRMG’s Colton McGee; Trace Adkins; BBRMG President & CEO Benny Brown. Photo: BBR Music Group

Multi-talented recording artist, actor, author, and spokesperson Trace Adkins has signed a new recording contract with BBR Music Group.

Adkins is currently working on his 13th studio album with producer Mickey Jack Cones, who has produced Joe Nichols and Randy Houser.

“Trace Adkins has built a career and a legacy doing things his own way, never bowing to trends or society. He’s a straight shooter whose philosophy aligns with BBR Music Group’s independent, hands on approach. The music is what matters at BBR Music Group and that’s a viewpoint we share with Trace. We’re excited to welcome Trace to the BBR Music Group family and look forward to collaborating on new, amazing music,” said Benny Brown, President/ CEO of the BBR Music Group.

Adkins is managed by Vector Management, booked by Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and represented by publicity agency Sunshine Sachs. He is an ASCAP-affiliated songwriter.

Adkins entered the music scene with the 1996 release of Dreamin’ Out Loud on Capitol Nashville, his label home for more than a decade. He went on to become one of country music’s most distinctive vocalists, selling more than 10 million albums, and notching hits including “Every Light in the House Is On,” “Songs About Me,” “Honkytonk Badonkadonk,” “Ladies Love Country Boys,” and more.

He later recorded albums for Show Dog-Universal and released a Christmas project, The King’s Gift, on the Caliburn label in 2013.

Adkins parlayed his music success into television and movies, as a runner-up on the 2008 season of Donald Trump’s The Celebrity Apprentice, and later won The All-Star Celebrity Apprentice. Adkins has appeared in The Lincoln Lawyer alongside Matthew McConaughey, Wyatt Earp’s Revenge, Mom’s Night Out, and more.

He served as a spokesperson for The American Red Cross and Wounded Warriors. Adkins also penned an autobiography entitled A Personal Stand: Observations and Opinions from a Free-Thinking Roughneck, which was released in late 2007.

“When you’ve been doing this as long as I have, you don’t always get the feeling that the sky’s the limit,” said Adkins. “I feel that way right now. When I sign up for something, I go all-in. Since Benny, Jon and I shook hands and said ‘let’s do this thing,’ we’ve been all-in together.”

“Trace Adkins is not only a Country music megastar but an accomplished film and TV actor who has become a highly-recognizable celebrity. In this incredibly fractured entertainment environment, it’s an extraordinary accomplishment to have achieved touch points across multiple forms of media. The BBR Music Group is ecstatic to add an artist of international acclaim to its roster,” said BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba.