Alan L. Mayor
Veteran music industry photographer Alan Mayor passed away overnight. He was 65. For five decades, he was the go-to photographer for Nashville’s top artists, publicists and labels. He photographed the Grand Ole Opry, numerous concerts, No. 1 parties, songwriter events and more.
He was a longtime contributor to MusicRow magazine, having joined the masthead of the music trade publication in December 1984 and continuing his work with the magazine until his health declined in recent years.
Mayor chronicled his career with the 2000 release of The Nashville Family Album: A Country Music Scrapbook. He also contributed to Mary Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann’s Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music, and Barry McCloud’s Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music, among many other books.
Mayor photographed countless country stars, and had a particularly close relationship with Garth Brooks. “Seeing Alan Mayor at an event brought a comfort to artists like few photographers could do. That speaks volumes for him as a human being,” Brooks told MusicRow when notified of his passing. “Seeing unbelievable photos from an event you didn’t know Alan Mayor was at, speaks volumes for him as a professional.”
Longtime friend and colleague Oermann says, “Alan was so good at what he did. Of all the freelance photographers, he was absolutely the best. Whenever I went into a press room, I made it a point to hang with him. He had the best attitude and was so kind. In the press corp he was somebody you could always count on. I’ll miss him terribly.”
Alan Leslie Mayor was born August 21, 1949. With a father in the Air Force, his family moved frequently before settling in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1966. He attended Austin Peay State University where he was staff photographer and graduated with degrees in theater, English and philosophy. When one of his college professors was hired as the first musical director of Opryland, Mayor eventually joined him as a stage manager at the park in 1973.
Mayor initially moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. When recounting his early days in Music City, he recalled buying an Alverez guitar at Cotten Music from a young Paul Worley. “I write songs like everybody else in this town, but I wasn’t about to pull out a guitar in front of these stars,” Mayor said in a 1985 interview with Oermann. “So I pulled out another instrument, a camera.”
Indeed, in 1973 he decided to focus on photography. When Opryland flooded in 1974, his photograph of the damage was used on the front page of fan publication Music City News—after dabbling in sports and advertising photography, this was his entrée into the world of music. His first exhibit was at Mill’s Bookstore in Nashville and his first paying gig was when MGM Records hired him for a Hank Williams Jr. photo shoot. Soon after, Mercury Records hired him and work with Reba McEntire, The Statler Brothers, and Jerry Lee Lewis followed. In 1975, his photograph of Linda and Paul McCartney backstage at the Opry was published in The Tennessean.
His career thrived for more than thirty years.
In March 2007, Mayor was diagnosed with cirrhosis and given six months to live. He underwent a liver transplant and survived. Iconic BMI leader Frances Preston helped him secure treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where her name graces a lab at the cancer center.
“I wasn’t going out without a fight,” he wrote in an unreleased memoir chronicling the experience. “I now understood why I had been blessed with a few more years on this earth. That purpose is to do what I can to make a difference. I have a story to tell—warts and all. I know I can make a difference, simply by living and sharing my experience. Maybe I can help others who are going through what I’ve gone through with a little bit of hope.
Maybe I can help them know that they should never give up, and with God’s grace and the power of lasting friendships, they will make it, no matter whatever anyone else says. Life is a gift. It is our choice live it.”
In recent months he had suffered a series of strokes, and was living in a Clarksville rehabilitation center. Even yesterday before he died, he wanted to continue the work he loved, and asked his sister to deliver his camera and laptop.
He is preceded in death by mother Rosemary Fulmer Mayor and father Lt. Col Albert Mayor Jr. USAF. He is survived by sister Theresa Mayor Smith (Lee) and brother Kenneth Albert Mayor. A private family service will be held, with a public memorial to follow at a later date.
Alan Mayor and Garth Brooks
Taylor Swift Tops IFPI List of Global Recording Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift awarded with the IFPI Global Recording Artist of 2014 Award. Photo: IFPI.com/Dave Hogan for Getty Images
International trade group IFPI has named Taylor Swift as Global Recording Artist of the Year for 2014. The annual accolade takes into consideration album sales across various mediums, including digital, CD and vinyl formats; singles, both downloaded and physical; on-demand audio streams and music videos. The chart includes all the music of each artist featured, not just one track or album. It uses track and album equivalents to combine measurements of downloads, physical sales and streams.
Swift’s fifth album 1989, has sold more than 8.6 million copies worldwide, and garnered two chart-topping songs, including “Blank Space” and “Shake It Off.”
“Congratulations to Taylor Swift,” said IFPI chief Frances Moore. “She merits this result as she is a hardworking and talented performer who has an amazing ability to connect with audiences worldwide. This IFPI award reflects the global popularity of recording artists across the diverse ways in which fans choose to listen to music today.”
The Top 10 Global Recording Artists for 2014 include:
1. Taylor Swift
2. One Direction
3. Ed Sheeran
4. Coldplay
5. AC/DC
6. Michael Jackson
7. Pink Floyd
8. Sam Smith
9. Katy Perry
10. Beyoncé
Festival Organizers Have New Digital Options With Golive
/by Eric T. ParkerHaving served over 200 festivals worldwide, Greencopper will bring its five years of experience to the more affordable product, Golive. Festival organizers will be able to customize the appearance of mobile apps and websites with its online interface. Country Thunder has signed on to be a client of the new service.
“Golive will empower music festivals of all sizes to easily build their own branded mobile apps and web widgets based on Greencopper’s proven core technology, previously reserved only for major events,” said Greencopper’s CEO and founder Gwenaël Le Bodic.
For more information, visit golive.fm.
Glen Campbell Documentary To Get CNN Broadcast
/by Jessica NicholsonCNN intends to broadcast the documentary in June, with an encore in November 2015.
Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me was directed by James Keach, and produced by Keach with Trevor Albert. The documentary spotlights five-time Grammy award winner, singer-songwriter Glen Campbell during his struggle with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease and the progression of the illness throughout his “Goodbye Tour” in 2011 and 2012. Though the tour was originally planned as a five-week run, Campbell’s health, as well as demand from fans, allowed the tour to expand to 151 shows.
“We look forward to having the Campbells’ brave story – unfortunately familiar to too many American families – on CNN. This partnership will guarantee that millions of people will have the opportunity to see our movie and understand just how important it is to both raise awareness – and find an end – to Alzheimer’s disease,” said Albert.
“Eli Lilly and Company has been committed to advancing Alzheimer’s research and treatment for over 25 years,” said Katrina Cukaj, executive vice president, CNN Ad Sales. “Through this thoughtful partnership, we are proud to align our efforts around this powerful film.”
Keach added, “Here’s a guy, an iconic musician, who was faced with having to hang up his guitar, his career over, but instead, he says, ‘I ain’t done yet. I’m going out to show what this disease is,’ because he wants to change the conversation. If that ain’t a hero, I don’t know what is.”
The acquisition deal between CNN Films and PCH Films was negotiated by Courtney Sexton and Stacey Wolf of CNN, and by Lisa Callif of Donaldson+Callif on behalf of the filmmakers.
The film’s soundtrack, which features the Grammy-nominated song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” is available on Big Machine Records.
“High Cost of Living” Writer Set For Vanderbilt Benefit Show
/by Jessica NicholsonJames Slater
Singer-songwriter James Slater is set to perform during the Music City Tennis Invitational Showcase on Thursday, March 5 to benefit Vanderbilt’s child development program. The event, which begins at 6 p.m., will be held at B.B. King’s Blues Club and Restaurant in Nashville. The evening will feature a cash bar and food available from B.B. King’s Restaurant dinner menu.
Slater’s hits include “High Cost of Living” (Jamey Johnson); “In My Daughter’s Eyes” (Martina McBride); “Lookin’ for That Girl” (Tim McGraw); “There’s More to Me Than You” (Jessica Andrews); “Unstoppable” (Rascal Flatts); and songs recorded by Julio Iglesias Jr., Lady Antebellum, and Kellie Pickler.
Reserved tickets are $12.00. or $15.00 at the door.
The 42nd Annual Music Tennis Invitational 2015 presented by Jackson National Life Insurance Company will be held on Saturday, April 18 and Sunday, April 19 at the Brownlee I. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University in Nashville. For more information on how to register as a player, become a sponsor or volunteer, please visit www.musccitytennis.com.
LifeNotes: Beloved Photographer Alan Mayor Passes
/by Sarah SkatesAlan L. Mayor
Veteran music industry photographer Alan Mayor passed away overnight. He was 65. For five decades, he was the go-to photographer for Nashville’s top artists, publicists and labels. He photographed the Grand Ole Opry, numerous concerts, No. 1 parties, songwriter events and more.
He was a longtime contributor to MusicRow magazine, having joined the masthead of the music trade publication in December 1984 and continuing his work with the magazine until his health declined in recent years.
Mayor chronicled his career with the 2000 release of The Nashville Family Album: A Country Music Scrapbook. He also contributed to Mary Bufwack and Robert K. Oermann’s Finding Her Voice: Women in Country Music, and Barry McCloud’s Definitive Country: The Ultimate Encyclopedia of Country Music, among many other books.
Mayor photographed countless country stars, and had a particularly close relationship with Garth Brooks. “Seeing Alan Mayor at an event brought a comfort to artists like few photographers could do. That speaks volumes for him as a human being,” Brooks told MusicRow when notified of his passing. “Seeing unbelievable photos from an event you didn’t know Alan Mayor was at, speaks volumes for him as a professional.”
Longtime friend and colleague Oermann says, “Alan was so good at what he did. Of all the freelance photographers, he was absolutely the best. Whenever I went into a press room, I made it a point to hang with him. He had the best attitude and was so kind. In the press corp he was somebody you could always count on. I’ll miss him terribly.”
Alan Leslie Mayor was born August 21, 1949. With a father in the Air Force, his family moved frequently before settling in Clarksville, Tennessee in 1966. He attended Austin Peay State University where he was staff photographer and graduated with degrees in theater, English and philosophy. When one of his college professors was hired as the first musical director of Opryland, Mayor eventually joined him as a stage manager at the park in 1973.
Mayor initially moved to Nashville to be a songwriter. When recounting his early days in Music City, he recalled buying an Alverez guitar at Cotten Music from a young Paul Worley. “I write songs like everybody else in this town, but I wasn’t about to pull out a guitar in front of these stars,” Mayor said in a 1985 interview with Oermann. “So I pulled out another instrument, a camera.”
Indeed, in 1973 he decided to focus on photography. When Opryland flooded in 1974, his photograph of the damage was used on the front page of fan publication Music City News—after dabbling in sports and advertising photography, this was his entrée into the world of music. His first exhibit was at Mill’s Bookstore in Nashville and his first paying gig was when MGM Records hired him for a Hank Williams Jr. photo shoot. Soon after, Mercury Records hired him and work with Reba McEntire, The Statler Brothers, and Jerry Lee Lewis followed. In 1975, his photograph of Linda and Paul McCartney backstage at the Opry was published in The Tennessean.
His career thrived for more than thirty years.
In March 2007, Mayor was diagnosed with cirrhosis and given six months to live. He underwent a liver transplant and survived. Iconic BMI leader Frances Preston helped him secure treatment at Vanderbilt University Medical Center, where her name graces a lab at the cancer center.
“I wasn’t going out without a fight,” he wrote in an unreleased memoir chronicling the experience. “I now understood why I had been blessed with a few more years on this earth. That purpose is to do what I can to make a difference. I have a story to tell—warts and all. I know I can make a difference, simply by living and sharing my experience. Maybe I can help others who are going through what I’ve gone through with a little bit of hope. Maybe I can help them know that they should never give up, and with God’s grace and the power of lasting friendships, they will make it, no matter whatever anyone else says. Life is a gift. It is our choice live it.”
In recent months he had suffered a series of strokes, and was living in a Clarksville rehabilitation center. Even yesterday before he died, he wanted to continue the work he loved, and asked his sister to deliver his camera and laptop.
He is preceded in death by mother Rosemary Fulmer Mayor and father Lt. Col Albert Mayor Jr. USAF. He is survived by sister Theresa Mayor Smith (Lee) and brother Kenneth Albert Mayor. A private family service will be held, with a public memorial to follow at a later date.
Alan Mayor and Garth Brooks
Aldean Heats Up Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
/by Eric T. ParkerJason Aldean played his last domestic show until the end of March on Saturday (Feb. 21) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, before heading across the pond for a series of dates.
For die-hard Aldean fans, there probably wasn’t any doubt the 2015 Burn It Down Tour would continue to live up to its name. The country megastar has made a reputation for himself over the past two years, turning up the heat in arenas and stadiums, some he christened for the first time as a musical guest. Flamethrowers and pyrotechnics were obviously scaled back for Nashville’s indoor fire codes but still offered plenty of bang. Lighting and staging rose and descended to accentuate each title in the flawlessly performed set.
It has been 10 years since “Hicktown” put the Broken Bow Records star on the map. On Saturday, Aldean told the audience, “We wanted to get that music video on TV as much as possible because we thought we would be one-hit and done.”
Of course fate had much more planned for Aldean with country radio and the ticket-buying public. His sixth studio album, Old Boots, New Dirt was the fourth best-selling country album of 2014 and was the only country album released in 2014 that gained Platinum certification last year. Google Play is offering the album for free this week, donating $1 for each download to Aldean’s 10th Annual Susan G. Komen Concert For The Cure, to be held in West Palm Beach, Fla., on Oct. 24.
Some of that new music was touted by Aldean, including his upcoming single “Tonight Looks Good On You” alongside “Two Night Town,” “Just Gettin’ Started,” and “Sweet Little Something.”
But where Aldean has really etched his mark is with great songs. Fifteen No. 1s to be exact. Those radiated and sparkled even more intensely than the inferno of special effects. Songs like “Tattoos On This Town,” “Amarillo Sky,” “The Truth,” “Fly Over States,” “When She Says Baby,” or “Crazy Town.”
Such star power attracted an even bigger star, namely Randy Owen of the legendary band Alabama. Owen took the stage for a rendition of “Tennessee River” before playing “My Home’s In Alabama,” a title Aldean noted he learned to perform at a young age, while turning to his father in the audience.
Alabama’s Randy Owen and Aldean
For “The Only Way I Know,” a song recorded with Eric Church and Luke Bryan, Aldean invited his tourmates Cole Swindell and Tyler Farr to the stage.
Earlier in the evening Farr donned form-fitting camo pants on stage while the audience surged in appreciation for titles including “Whiskey In My Water,” “A Guy Walks Into A Bar,” and a new single expected for April “Going Through Withdrawls.”
Swindell sold the audience with his smile and aw-shucks charm, reminiscent of pal Luke Bryan. Swindell, a co-writer of Bryan’s hit “Roller Coaster,” led the audience in a performance of the song.
The show was a much-improved hometown set for the Warner Nashville artist, who sang himself hoarse. The set boasted the Bryan and Florida Georgia Line hit “This Is How We Roll,” also penned by Swindell. Additional ear candy included “Hey Y’all,” “Chillin It,” “Lonely Tonight,” and “You Ain’t Worth The Whiskey.”
Every performer proved their value to country music, but none with quite as big of a bang as Aldean.
Aldean meets with press backstage before show.
Blackberry Smoke Teams with Ole Smoky Tennessee Moonshine
/by Jessica NicholsonBlackberry Smoke’s Charlie Starr reflects, “It’s great to be able to partner with an authentic Company like Ole Smoky Moonshine.” He continues, “It’s important for us to work with genuine brands.”
Bandmate Brit Turner adds, “It’s great to work with another American company that shows such great respect to their employees and customers. Ole Smoky Moonshine has the best product in the legal moonshine game.”
“We are thrilled to partner with one of our favorite bands, Blackberry Smoke, on their upcoming tour. Rocking out with them across the country and meeting old and new fans of Ole Smoky is an honor. We are an American brand, by the people and for the people, and can’t wait to get out on the road with the band and make some great memories,” said Ole Smoky co-founder Joe Baker.
Blackberry Smoke Winter/Spring 2015 US Tour Dates:
2.24 Lincoln, NE – The Bourbon Theater
2.26 Des Moines, IA – Wooly’s
2.27 Minneapolis, MN – First Avenue
2.28 Springfield, IL – Boondocka
3.5 Milwaukee, WI – Rave
3.6 Chicago, IL – Joe’s Sports Bar
3.7 Detroit, MI – The Fillmore Detroit
3.11 Green Bay, WI – Meyer Theater
3.12 Madison, WI – Majestic Theatre
3.13 Indianapolis, IN – Egyptian Room at Old National Centre
3.14 Louisville, KY – Mercury Ballroom
3.19 Cleveland, OH – House of Blues Cleveland
3.20 Philadelphia, PA – The Electric Factory
3.21 Munhall, PA – Carnegie Music Hall
3.22 Buffalo, NY – Town Ballroom
3.24 Burlington, VT – Higher Ground Ballroom
3.26 Portland, ME – State Theatre
3.27 Boston, MA – House of Blues Boston
3.28 New York, NY – Webster Hall
4.3 Nashville, TN-Ryman Auditorium
4.8 Norfolk, VA – The NorVa
4.9 Richmond, VA – The National
4.10 Silver Spring, MD – The Fillmore Silver Spring
4.11 Columbus, OH – LC Pavilion
4.16 Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
4.17 Charlotte, NC – The Fillmore Charlotte
4.18 Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues Myrtle Beach
4.22 Columbia, SC – Music Farm Columbia
4.23 Charleston, SC – Music Farm
4.24 Dothan, AL – Toadlick Music Festival
4.25 Orlando, FL – House of Blues Orlando
4.30 Austin, TX – Emo’s
5.1 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
5.2 New Orleans, LA – House of Blues
5.7 Houston, TX – House of Blues
5.8 Dallas, TX – House of Blues
5.9 San Antonio, TX – Aztec Theater
Martina McBride To ‘Let Freedom Sing!’ in July
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride. Photo: Kristin Barlowe
Martina McBride is slated to headline Nashville’s annual Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! concert. The lineup will also include Mikky Ekko and the Nashville Symphony Orchestra. The event will include live music and family activities throughout the afternoon and evening, with the headlining concert to be followed by a choreographed fireworks display.
In 2014, Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing! generated $7.63 million in direct visitor spending, and brought in an estimated 284,000 people to view the concert and fireworks display.
This year’s “Music City July 4th: Let Freedom Sing!” is presented by Dr Pepper and is sponsored by Anderson Benson Insurance, Budweiser, Bud Light, Carl Black Chevrolet, Durango Boots and Jack Daniel’s.
Tyler Farr To Release Sophomore Album ‘Suffer In Peace’ On April 28
/by Troy_StephensonSharing the production duties are Jim Catino and Julian King; both of whom produced Farr’s debut album Redneck Crazy, which landed at No. 2 on the Country Album Charts and No. 5 on the Billboard Top 200 Album Chart.
The debut single from Suffer In Peace, “A Guy Walks Into A Bar”, is currently at No. 4 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
Pre-orders for the physical version of Suffer In Peace is available at Amazon Music.
Farr is currently road-testing songs from his new album on Jason Aldean’s Burnin’ It Down Tour and also has headlining dates leading up to and following the release.
A track listing for Suffer In Peace is forthcoming.
For A full list of tour dates, click here.
Music City Venues, Execs Top Pollstar Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonSome of the top concert venues, artists, and promoters in the touring world were honored Saturday (Feb. 21) during the 2015 Pollstar Awards.
Musical legend Paul McCartney earned Major Tour of the Year, while newcomer Sam Smith earned Best New Touring Artist.
The Ryman Auditorium, which hosted the awards, was named Theatre of the Year, while The Ryman’s Sally Williams was honored as Facility Executive of the Year.
The Ryman Auditorium wasn’t the only Nashville venue to be honored. Music City’s Bridgestone Arena was named Arena of the Year.
Other Music City honorees included Live Nation Nashville’s Brian O’Connell was named Talent Buyer of the Year, while William Morris Endeavor’s Kevin Neal earned Third Coast Agent of the Year.
Creative Artist Agency’s John Huie earned the Bobby Brooks Award Agent of the Year honor. Nashville’s Moo TV earned Video Company of the Year.
Pollstar Awards Winners (Full List)
Major Tour Of The Year – Paul McCartney
Most Creative Stage Production – Katy Perry
Comedy Tour Of The Year – Dave Chappelle
Best New Touring Artist – Sam Smith
Major Music Festival Of The Year – Austin City Limits Austin, Texas
Music Festival Of The Year – Telluride Bluegrass Festival Telluride, Colo.
International Music Festival Of The Year – Glastonbury Festival United Kingdom
Nightclub Of The Year – 9:30 Club Washington, D.C.
Theatre Of The Year – Ryman Auditorium Nashville, Tenn.
Arena Of The Year – Bridgestone Arena Nashville, Tenn.
Red Rocks Award Best Small Outdoor Venue – Greek Theatre Los Angeles, Calif.
Best Major Outdoor Concert Venue – Hollywood Bowl Los Angeles, Calif.
Best New Major Concert Venue – Forum Inglewood, Calif.
International Venue Of The Year – The O2 London, United Kingdom
Facility Executive Of The Year – Sally Williams Ryman Auditorium – Nashville, Tenn.
Nightclub Talent Buyer Of The Year – Roger LeBlanc Canyon Club / The Coach House / So. Calif.
Talent Buyer Of The Year – Brian O’Connell Live Nation Nashville
Bill Graham Award Promoter Of The Year – Charles Attal C3 Presents
International Promoter Of The Year – Barrie Marshall Marshall Arts
Third Coast Agent Of The Year – Kevin Neal WME
Bobby Brooks Award Agent Of The Year – John Huie Creative Artists Agency
Independent Booking Agency Of The Year – The Windish Agency
Booking Agency Of The Year – WME
United Kingdom Booking Agent Of The Year – Emma Banks Creative Artists Agency UK
Personal Manager Of The Year – John Silva Nine Inch Nails, Foo Fighters, Queens of the Stone Age
Road Warrior Of The Year – Gus Brandt Foo Fighters, Pharrell Williams
Lighting Company Of The Year – Bandit Lites
Sound Company Of The Year – Clair
Staging / Equipment Company Of The Year – Stageco
Transportation Company Of The Year – Rock-It Cargo
Video Company Of The Year – Moo TV