The Music Business Association (Music Biz) has announced a preliminary schedule for its flagship Music Biz 2015 conference, held for the first time in Nashville on May 12-14 at the Sheraton Downtown Hotel.
As previously announced, Martina McBride and Scott Borchetta will be honored during the awards luncheon on May 14. The Doobie Brothers and Waterloo Records & Video Owner/President John T. Kunz will additionally be honored.
Key retailers, record labels, artists, managers, startups, and more will be in attendance throughout the week. This year’s event will feature the third annual Metadata Summit, the Music Startup Academy educational sessions, and the Entertainment and Technology Law Program as well as various Special Interest Town Halls, Genre-Based Meetups, Breakout Sessions, and Live Music Showcases. Highlights from the currently confirmed agenda are below.
“We’re thrilled to bring Music Biz 2015 to Nashville for the first time in the event’s 56-year history and have crafted a far-reaching program that will appeal to attendees from all industry sectors,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Whether you’re a major music executive or a student trying to break into the business, we’ve made sure that there’s something for everyone.”
Registration is available, with early bird discounts available until March 8.
Select Events for Music Biz 2015
Metadata Summit
Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join others who share your metadata concerns during our third annual Metadata Summit, sponsored by DDEX and Sony DADC. From the music datapocalypse to interoperability to high-quality images, these conversations are sure to set the course for solutions to current metadata issues.
Music Startup Academy: Startups, Rights & Artists
Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Calling all startups, app developers, and music entrepreneurs: Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to break through the barriers of entry into the music biz. You’ll meet seasoned music business professionals, who will lead sessions on licensing, business development, music APIs, and more. Our popular ‘Elevator Pitch Shark Tank’ session will give you the chance to pitch their ideas to our biz dev experts.
Breakfast & Business Session
Wednesday, May 13, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean welcomes Music Biz to Music City. With the highest concentration of music jobs in the country, Dean will discuss how he and the Music City Music Council work to attract and retain music industry professionals in Nashville. Music Biz President James Donio will take the stage to offer an update on Association initiatives. Board Chairman Fred Beteille of YouTube will announce the Scholarship Foundation Class of 2015 and welcome the 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Rounding out the morning, Donio will present the 2015 Independent Spirit Award to John Kunz, Owner and President of Austin’s iconic independent record store Waterloo Records & Video Inc. and an over 40-year music industry veteran.
Metadata for Artists
Wednesday, May 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Metadata. It’s often one of the main things standing between artists and a variety of new opportunities to make money. Join our panelists to discuss the essentials that artists need to know about metadata, in addition to more forward-thinking areas of how metadata will be a catalyst in building the products of the future.
Awards Luncheon
Thursday, May 14, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Each year, Music Biz honors some of the biggest stars in the music industry at the Awards Luncheon. This year, the prestigious Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement will go to Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group and a mentor on American Idol, who has helped his label’s first signee, Taylor Swift, score three straight million-plus-selling album debuts. Country superstar Martina McBride will then receive the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her tireless efforts to end domestic violence, and top-selling Rock band The Doobie Brothers will receive the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement. Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year recipients will be announced shortly.
Entertainment & Technology Law Conference
Thursday, May 14, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Entertainment & Technology Law Conference program will gather top legal minds from the entertainment and technology industries to discuss a variety of topics at the forefront of both trades. Topics currently scheduled to be covered at Music Biz 2015 include “The Rules of the Road: An Examination of the Current State of Touring” and “Music’s Middle Class: An Endangered Species?”
Industry Pics: Leadership Music, Row Entertainment, Sony Music Nashville
/by Jessica Nicholson(L-R): Leadership Music’s Gift of Service Chair Stacy Widelitz, President-Elect Mike Craft, President Diane Pearson and Second Harvest Food Bank’s Jaynee Day.
Leadership Music Presents Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN with Donation
At the recent Leadership Music board meeting, Jaynee Day, President and CEO of Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle TN, was presented with a check from Leadership Music for their first annual Virtual Food Drive held during the holiday season. The friendly competition among the 26 classes, raised almost $26,000 with the Class of 2012 raising the most money. Co-sponsored by Leadership Music and MusicRow Publications, and thanks to the added bonus from Nissan that doubled the proceeds, 200,000 meals were provided.
Members of Leadership Music’s Class of 2012 gathered this week at Sinema Restaurant & Bar in Nashville.
Row Entertainment Holds Industry Showcase Featuring Tim Rushlow
Independent label and publishing company Row Entertainment recently hosted a party to introduce the new company Thursday night at the Rosewall in Nashville’s Gulch district. The retro-themed bash resembled a Las Vegas supper club, complete with a martini bar and a host of hors d’oeuvres, as industry members took in a performance from Tim Rushlow, former Little Texas lead vocalist.
Row Entertainment was started by songwriter/producer Jimmy Ritchey, Rushlow and businessman Kyle Waites. Row Entertainment’s offices are located at 2818 Azalea Place in Nashville.
Pictured (L-R): Kyle Waites, Tim Rushlow and Jimmy Ritchey of Row Entertainment.
Sony Music Nashville Presents New Artists to iHeartRadio
Sony Music Nashville and iHeartRadio presented Sony Nashville’s new class of artists during an event recently at Honky Tonk Central in Nashville.
(Seated, L-R): Columbia Nashville’s Steven Lee Olsen, Arista Nashville’s Cam, Columbia Nashville’s Josh Dorr and Arista Nashville’s Logan Mize; (in the midst of the crowd) Clay Hunnicutt, Executive Vice President of National Programming Platforms, iHeartMedia; Sony Music Nashville’sChairman & CEO Gary Overton; Keith Gale, SVP, Promotion, RCA Nashville; Lesly Simon, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; and, Norbert Nix, VP, Columbia Nashville.
iHeartRadio Music Awards Reveals Nominees
/by Sarah SkatesIggy Azalea and Sam Smith lead with five nominations each, while Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande were right behind with four apiece.
The 2015 iHeartRadio Music Awards will be televised live on NBC from 8-11 p.m. ET/PT and broadcast simultaneously on iHeartMedia stations nationwide and across the iHeartRadio digital music platform.
Fan voting will determine Best Fan Army, Best Lyrics and the first-ever Renegade Award, sponsored by Jeep. Voting will run Monday, March 3 through Friday, March 20.
The inaugural 2014 iHeartRadio Music Awards telecast showcased the year’s most popular artists and songs determined by the iHeartRadio Chart and music fans nationwide who cast more than 65 million votes using hashtags on Facebook and Twitter.
Artist of the Year
Ariana Grande
Iggy Azalea
Luke Bryan
Sam Smith
Taylor Swift
Song of the Year
“All About That Bass” – Meghan Trainor
“All of Me” – John Legend
“Happy” – Pharrell Williams
“Shake It Off” – Taylor Swift
“Stay With Me” – Sam Smith
Best Collaboration
“Bang Bang” – Jessie J + Ariana Grande + Nicki Minaj
“Dark Horse” – Katy Perry featuring Juicy J
“Fancy” – Iggy Azalea featuring Charli XCX
“Problem” – Ariana Grande featuring Iggy Azalea
“Talk Dirty” – Jason Derulo featuring 2 Chainz
Best New Artist
Bastille
Cole Swindell
Iggy Azalea
Meghan Trainor
Sam Smith
Country Song of the Year
“Bartender” – Lady Antebellum
“Burnin’ It Down” – Jason Aldean
“Dirt” – Florida Georgia Line
“Give Me Back My Hometown” – Eric Church
“Play It Again” – Luke Bryan
Hip Hop/R&B Song of the Year
“Don’t Tell ‘Em” – Jeremih featuring YG
“Drunk in Love” – Beyoncé featuring Jay Z
“Flawless” – Beyoncé
“Loyal” – Chris Brown featuring Lil Wayne and Tyga
“New Flame” – Chris Brown featuring Usher and Rick Ross
Dance Song of the Year
“Animals” – Martin Garrix
“Blame” – Calvin Harris featuring John Newman
“La La La” – Naughty Boy featuring Sam Smith
“Summer” – Calvin Harris
“Waves” – Mr. Probz
Alternative Rock Song of the Year
“Come With Me Now” – KONGOS
“Do I Wanna Know?” – Arctic Monkeys
“Fever” – The Black Keys
“Something From Nothing” – Foo Fighters
“Take Me to Church” – Hozier
Best Lyrics
“All of Me” – John Legend
“Blank Space” – Taylor Swift
“Counting Stars” – OneRepublic
“Habits (Stay High)” – Tove Lo
“Stay With Me” – Sam Smith
“Thinking Out Loud” – Ed Sheeran
Best Fan Army
5SOSFAM – 5 Seconds of Summer
Arianators – Ariana Grande
Bey Hive – Beyoncé
Team Breezy – Chris Brown
Sheerios – Ed Sheeran
Church Choir – Eric Church
Directioners – One Direction
Selenators – Selena Gomez
Mendes Army – Shawn Mendes
Swifties – Taylor Swift
Renegade
Brantley Gilbert
Charli XCX
Hozier
Iggy Azalea
Meghan Trainor
Fourteen Songwriters Honored With CMA Triple Play Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): Luke Laird, Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Michael Carter; (third row, L-R) Josh Osborne, Cole Swindell, Brett Waren, Jon Nite; (second row, L-R): Ashley Gorley, Chris Tompkins, Brad Warren, Rodney Clawson; (front row, L-R): Jon Loba, Executive Vice President of BBR Music Group and CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Chairman; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing and CMA Board member. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
Fourteen of Nashville’s top tunesmiths were honored Tuesday (Feb. 3) with the CMA Triple Play Awards during the sixth annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon, held at Nashville’s Marathon Music Works.
These writers each penned at least three songs which reached No. 1 within a 12-month period. The songwriters and songs honored during the event include (in alphabetical order):
Rhett Akins: “It Goes Like This,” “When She Says Baby,” “Get Me Some Of That”
Michael Carter: “Get Me Some Of That,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight,” “Roller Coaster”
Rodney Clawson: “American Kids,” “Dirt,” “Burnin’ It Down,” “Helluva Life,” “Lettin’ The Night Roll,” “Bartender”
Dallas Davidson: “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Play It Again,” “I Don’t Dance”
Ashley Gorley: “Hey Girl,” “That’s My Kind Of Night,” “Rewind”
Josh Kear: “Helluva Life,” “Drunk On A Plane,” “Neon Light”
Luke Laird: “Downtown,” “Beat This Summer,” “Give Me Back My Hometown”
Jon Nite: “We Were Us,” “Whatever She’s Got,” “Beachin’”
Josh Osborne: “Drunk Last Night,” “My Eyes,” “We Are Tonight”
Jason Sellers: “If I Didn’t Have You,” “Sunny And 75,” “Goodnight Kiss”
Cole Swindell: “Chillin’ It,” “Get Me Some Of That,” “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
Chris Tompkins: “Redneck Crazy,” “Helluva Life,” “Drunk On A Plane”
Brad Warren: “Highway Don’t Care,” “Little Bit Of Everything,” “Drink To That All Night”
Brett Warren: “Highway Don’t Care,” “Little Bit Of Everything,” “Drink To That All Night”
Pictured (L-R): Kerri Edwards, President of KP Entertainment and CMA Board member; Triple Play Award recipient Cole Swindell; and Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, gather at the Sixth Annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon Tuesday at Marathon Music Works in Nashville. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
“It’s an honor to host this event that shines the light on songwriters,” said Troy Tomlinson, former CMA Chairman of the Board and President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville. “Songwriters are the foundation of country music and today we get to honor their creative contributions.”
“Songwriters touch lives with their craft,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is their words and melodies and stories that connect with the millions of fans of country music. I want to congratulate all of the Triple Play Award winners for their amazing accomplishments.”
Also in attendance were hit tunesmiths from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, as well as songwriter members of CMA and representatives of some of the most successful publishers in Music City.
Pictured (L-R): Brian O’Connell, President of Live Nation Country Touring and CMA Membership Committee Chairman; Kerri Edwards, President of KP Entertainment and CMA Board member; Frank Bumstead, Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy and CMA Board Chairman; Victoria Shaw, CMA Artist Relations Committee Chairman; Shane McAnally, CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Vice Chairman; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Jon Loba, Executive Vice President of BBR Music Group and CMA Awards and Recognition Committee Chairman; and Troy Tomlinson, President and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Publishing and CMA Board member. Photo: Donn Jones / CMA
MusicRowPics: James Carothers
/by Jessica NicholsonJames Carothers artist visit
Independent artist James Carothers displays a whiskey-soaked brand of country music and craggy vocals hardened from years of struggle and barroom performances. His style of singing and songwriting is more akin to the likes of Jamey Johnson, Steve Earle, and country’s famed Outlaws than to the hip-hop and rock-flavored country music favored by today’s radio listeners. The native Southerner was raised in the Tennessee dirt of Selmer, and recently relocated to Nashville after several years of living with his family in Los Alamos, N.M.
During a recent visit to the MusicRow office, Carothers demonstrated his witty, devil-may-care banter alongside acoustic versions of tracks from his project Honky Tonk Land.
“New Country Singers” highlights the disarming honesty and sharp observations in his songwriting. A lighthearted shot at “modern” country music, the tune questions the authenticity of today’s popular drinking songs: “They don’t get caught cheatin’/And they don’t wreck their cars/So I’ve come to the conclusion/That they don’t drink as much as me.”
Carothers penned each of the eight tracks on Honky Tonk Land, with the exception of “Trouble in Paradise,” which was written by his father and fellow songwriter, Jim Carothers.
“I always wanted to have something to keep me interested in music,” he says of his foray into songwriting. “You can observe all the funny behaviors of people in a way that they don’t know you are writing about them.”
The acoustic performance proved Carothers is equally deft at sarcasm and sentimentality, with a rendition of “Where Did We Come From,” a nostalgic song with lyrics about trading farms for big box stores, and outsourcing production. The song’s theme of contemplating the price paid for so-called progress could easily translate to today’s country music, making it a fitting finale for Honky Tonk Land.
James Carothers artist visit
Soak Up The Sun At The Key West Songwriters Festival
/by Sarah SkatesThe Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association’s Key West Songwriters Festival, presented by BMI, will be held May 6-10, 2015. The impressive list of performers at the 20th annual event includes headliners Chris Young, Robert Earl Keen, Dean Dillon, Jeffrey Steele, Kacey Musgraves, Rhett Akins, Bob DiPiero, Lee Thomas Miller, Raul Malo, Al Anderson, Pat MacLaughlin, Shawn Camp, Lori McKenna, Liz Rose, James Slater, Even Stevens, Steve Bogard, Steve McEwan, Guthrie Trapp and the Mulekickers, Chuck Cannon, Loving Mary, Josh Dorr, Dylan Altman Blues Band, Kostas, Aaron Watson and many more.
“The Key West Songwriters Festival exhibits BMI’s strong commitment to nurturing the careers of our songwriters and is the perfect place for songwriters to showcase their talent,” says Mark Mason, BMI’s Executive Director of Writer/ Publisher Relations. “We’re thrilled to be able to partner with the Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association in such a unique location to host show after show of some of the best songwriters in the country.”
The festival will kick off with a concert on Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier, followed by daily stages at the Southernmost Hotel Collection, sunset shows on Pier House Resort’s beach and The Westin, Main Stage Duval Street Concert featuring Chris Young, and rounded out with a closing concert at the historic Casa Marina Resort. In addition, NSAI will present a special Bluebird at Blue Heaven show on Thursday, May 7. Select shows require separate tickets.
Proceeds from the festival will benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Sponsors include SunTrust Bank, Texas Roadhouse, HD Radio, Epiphone, and Texas Heritage Songwriters Association.
BMI’s Road to Bonnaroo 2015 will let 30 local standouts vie for three performance slots at Bonnaroo. The event will take over the Mercy Lounge and High Watt on three upcoming Mondays in Nashville: February 23, March 9, and April 6.
The lineup slated for Feb. 23 is DeRobert & The Half Truths, Koa, Sol Cat, Elise Davis, Liz Cooper & The Stampede, Tesla Rossa, The Future, Sexx, The Trinity Schill Kill, and The Wans. Doors open each night at 7 p.m., the music starts at 8 p.m., and there’s never a cover charge.
RTB 2015 will follow the rules established in previous years: ten bands will perform three-song sets during each installment of the series. To select the evening’s top contender, an industry panel comprised of local music journalists, bloggers, 8 off 8th hosts, and past RTB winners will contribute one half of the verdict, while fan votes through onsite ballots determine the other half.
RTB was Nashville’s first collective effort to send homegrown talent to ‘Roo when it debuted seven years ago.
Bonnaroo is slated for June 11-14 in Manchester, Tenn.
Nashville Says “Bottoms Up” For Brantley Gilbert Chart-Topper
/by Troy_Stephenson(L-R): Back row: BMI’s Jody Williams, Cornman Music’s Nate Lowery, producer Dan Huff, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Valory Music Co.’s George Briner, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, BMI’s Bradley Collins. Front row: ASCAP songwriter Brett James, BMI songwriter Brantley Gilbert, ASCAP songwriter Justin Weaver.
The Pour House in Nashville was an industry hotspot yesterday, as BMI and ASCAP co-hosted a celebration of the No. 1 song “Bottoms Up” by Brantley Gilbert. The song was written by BMI songwriter Gilbert, ASCAP songwriter Brett James and ASCAP songwriter Justin Weaver.
The song reached the top of the charts 11 months ago, but it was a challenge to arrange a time that worked for all parties involved. Gilbert does not live in Nashville and has been busy touring. But James was determined to have the success of this song celebrated. “This is Justin’s (Weaver) first No. 1 song, there was no way were weren’t going to have a party for him,” said James.
Weaver has been a songwriter for almost 13 years and took his time to thank everyone that supported him during the journey to his first chart topper. “It’s been a long road,” said Weaver. “But it’s always been about taking baby steps, pushing forward and always doing the right thing and I think we did.”
The song marks James’ 21st No. 1 song. It is Gilbert’s 5th as a songwriter and 3rd as an artist.
“When I was first starting out, I was anti-Nashville,” says Gilbert. “I didn’t want a booking agent, management or any of that. I just didn’t trust anyone. But I see now that this town is all about family and I thank you for allowing me to be a part of yours.”
Ron Cox of Avenue Bank was present to make a donation on behalf of the songwriters to the Kory Potts Scholarship Foundation, in memorandum of Brantley’s close friend who lost his battle with Leukemia and became the inspiration behind his current single, “One Hell of an Amen.”
Also recognized was producer Dann Huff who has now produced 41 No. 1 records.
Valory Music Group’s George Briner awarded Gilbert a plaque commemorating 1 million sales of the single, but explained that the plaque was made last year, and as of that night the sales have reached 2 million.
Additional guest presenters included representatives from the CMA, Cornman Music, and Warner/Chappell.
Industry Ink: Arista Nashville, Music Services, Brenda Lee, YEP, AMA
/by Jessica NicholsonArista artist Cam visits SiriusXM
Arista Nashville’s newest artist, Cam, recently stopped by SiriusXM to discuss her new single “My Mistake” and her first radio promo tour.
Pictured (L-R): Lesly Simon (VP, Arista Nashville), John Marks (SiriusXM), and Cam.
Napier Exits Music Services
Napier can be reached at jillnapier510@comcast.net or (615) 613-1323.
Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Event To Feature Lauren Alaina
The evening will begin at 6:30 p.m., followed by a networking hour from 7:30 pm.
Americana Music Association Extends Registration Rate
This year, the association will restrict the number of registrations sold to 2,000. The current non-member rate is $415. For more information, visit americanamusic.org.
Brenda Lee Signs New Booking Agency Deal
Brenda Lee
Brenda Lee has signed with The Agency Group for worldwide representation.
Neil Warnock has signed on as Lee’s agent.
Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Mo Pitney, More Set For Opry’s CRS Performance
/by Jessica NicholsonThe star-studded lineup includes Chase Bryant, Eli Young Band, Lady Antebellum, Lee Brice, Mickey Guyton, Mo Pitney, Oak Ridge Boys and RaeLynn. The event will begin at 7 p.m., immediately following the annual CRS Opening Night Welcome Reception. All CRS registrants can attend, with both seating and standing room available. The Grand Ole Opry at CRS is sponsored by My Well-Being Powered by Humana.
“The Opry at CRS has become one of our favorite shows of the year,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “We look forward each year to showcasing for our country radio friends from across the country the Opry’s unique brand of entertainment, which features superstars topping the charts, legends of the genre who have paved the way for those superstars, and new artists who have caught our attention and excited Opry audiences since the previous year’s CRS Opry.”
The Opry, radio’s longest-running program, has rarely staged shows outside its regular program schedule and its permanent home (the Grand Ole Opry House) or its winter residence (Ryman Auditorium). Past Opry performances played outside the show’s home venues include performances staged at prestigious theaters such as New York City’s Carnegie Hall and the Kennedy Center in Washington, D.C.
CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27 at the Nashville Convention Center.
Shania’s Vegas Show Takes Over TV
/by Sarah SkatesTwain’s stage performance includes a 13-piece band, dancers, trained horses, and a flying motorcycle. There will also be an hour of never-before-seen footage covering everything from the show’s conception to rehearsals to costumes.
Shania: Still the One Live from Las Vegas is produced and directed by Mark D. Allen and Raj Kapoor and is executive-produced by Twain.
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time.
Music Biz Conference Announces Nashville Schedule
/by Eric T. ParkerAs previously announced, Martina McBride and Scott Borchetta will be honored during the awards luncheon on May 14. The Doobie Brothers and Waterloo Records & Video Owner/President John T. Kunz will additionally be honored.
Key retailers, record labels, artists, managers, startups, and more will be in attendance throughout the week. This year’s event will feature the third annual Metadata Summit, the Music Startup Academy educational sessions, and the Entertainment and Technology Law Program as well as various Special Interest Town Halls, Genre-Based Meetups, Breakout Sessions, and Live Music Showcases. Highlights from the currently confirmed agenda are below.
“We’re thrilled to bring Music Biz 2015 to Nashville for the first time in the event’s 56-year history and have crafted a far-reaching program that will appeal to attendees from all industry sectors,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “Whether you’re a major music executive or a student trying to break into the business, we’ve made sure that there’s something for everyone.”
Registration is available, with early bird discounts available until March 8.
Select Events for Music Biz 2015
Metadata Summit
Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m.
Join others who share your metadata concerns during our third annual Metadata Summit, sponsored by DDEX and Sony DADC. From the music datapocalypse to interoperability to high-quality images, these conversations are sure to set the course for solutions to current metadata issues.
Music Startup Academy: Startups, Rights & Artists
Tuesday, May 12, 9 a.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Calling all startups, app developers, and music entrepreneurs: Arm yourself with the knowledge you need to break through the barriers of entry into the music biz. You’ll meet seasoned music business professionals, who will lead sessions on licensing, business development, music APIs, and more. Our popular ‘Elevator Pitch Shark Tank’ session will give you the chance to pitch their ideas to our biz dev experts.
Breakfast & Business Session
Wednesday, May 13, 8:30 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.
Nashville Mayor Karl Dean welcomes Music Biz to Music City. With the highest concentration of music jobs in the country, Dean will discuss how he and the Music City Music Council work to attract and retain music industry professionals in Nashville. Music Biz President James Donio will take the stage to offer an update on Association initiatives. Board Chairman Fred Beteille of YouTube will announce the Scholarship Foundation Class of 2015 and welcome the 2015-2016 Board of Directors. Rounding out the morning, Donio will present the 2015 Independent Spirit Award to John Kunz, Owner and President of Austin’s iconic independent record store Waterloo Records & Video Inc. and an over 40-year music industry veteran.
Metadata for Artists
Wednesday, May 13, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m.
Metadata. It’s often one of the main things standing between artists and a variety of new opportunities to make money. Join our panelists to discuss the essentials that artists need to know about metadata, in addition to more forward-thinking areas of how metadata will be a catalyst in building the products of the future.
Awards Luncheon
Thursday, May 14, 12:30 p.m. – 2 p.m.
Each year, Music Biz honors some of the biggest stars in the music industry at the Awards Luncheon. This year, the prestigious Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement will go to Scott Borchetta, President and CEO of the Big Machine Label Group and a mentor on American Idol, who has helped his label’s first signee, Taylor Swift, score three straight million-plus-selling album debuts. Country superstar Martina McBride will then receive the Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award for her tireless efforts to end domestic violence, and top-selling Rock band The Doobie Brothers will receive the Chairman’s Award for Sustained Creative Achievement. Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Artist of the Year recipients will be announced shortly.
Entertainment & Technology Law Conference
Thursday, May 14, 3:30 p.m. – 6 p.m.
The Entertainment & Technology Law Conference program will gather top legal minds from the entertainment and technology industries to discuss a variety of topics at the forefront of both trades. Topics currently scheduled to be covered at Music Biz 2015 include “The Rules of the Road: An Examination of the Current State of Touring” and “Music’s Middle Class: An Endangered Species?”