Pictured (L-R): Daniel Hill, Trustee, Nashville Chapter; Grammy nominee Taylor Swift; Nashville Chapter Trustees Fletcher Foster, Chandra LaPlume, Terry Hemmings; and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 478
More than 50 members of the Nashville music community are nominated for Grammy Awards this year, and it seemed as if all of Music Row turned out to celebrate them on Monday evening (Jan. 26).
The Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy teamed up with Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel to host the party honoring the 2014 Grammy anointed. There are, “23 categories represented by our nominees,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “The talent in this town is unbelievable,” said chapter president Jeff Balding, pointing out that Nashvillians are nominated in all of the “big four” Grammy categories, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
It’s true that Music City is all over the Grammy musical map, from our rockers Jack White, Cage the Elephant, Paramore and The Black Keys to Americana songsmiths John Hiatt, The Del McCoury Band and Sturgill Simpson. Engineers Chuck Ainlay and Richard Dodd are up for top awards, as is Producer of the Year nominee Jay Joyce.
Representing their categories at the party were Contemporary Christian Music greats For King & Country, MercyMe and Royal Tailor, Americana bluesman Keb’ Mo’ and bluegrass nominees Rhonda Vincent, Bryan Sutton and Shawn Camp (who is in The Earls of Leicester). Folk nominees Old Crow Medicine Show and Rob Ickes mingled with Children’s Album contender Secret Agent 23 Skidoo a.k.a Debrissa McKinney.
Roots Gospel contenders T. Graham Brown, Mike Farris and Tim Menzies rubbed shoulders, as did such songwriting nominees as Kevin Kadish, Shane McAnally, Ben Glover and Jaren Johnston.
Our own Hunter Hayes and Lee Ann Womack accepted multiple congratulations for their Country nominations, as did Brandy Clark, nominated for Best New Artist as well as Best Country Album.
Pictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, co-producer of the nominated Best Country Album The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack, GRAMMY nominee for The Way I’m Livin’, and Alicia Warwick, Executive Director, The Recording Academy, Nashville Chapter.
“Thank you for all that you do for this city,” said Mayor Karl Dean to the all the creative folks who packed the Loew’s ballroom. “This will be the last Grammy nominee party I will be attending as Mayor….Nashville is a unique city because of its diversity and its entrepreneurial spirit. It’s because of you folks. It’s because of music. Nashville’s best days are still ahead of us. And you are a huge part of that.”
As the speeches ended, there was a wave of crowd motion toward the ballroom entrance as superstar Taylor Swift quietly joined the merriment. Smart gal. It was an opportune time to return to Nashville: Monday night was not one you wanted to spend in New York, since two feet of snow were expected.
Perhaps it’s because this is the first big party of the year, but every, every, I mean EVERYbody was there, all delighted to be schmoozing with one another again. Terry Hemmings, Terry Bumgarner, John Mullins, John Huie, John Briggs, Jon Randall Stewart, Leslie Fram, Leslie Roberts, Sherod Robertson, Jill Douglas, Doug Howard, Perry Howard, Allen Brown, Michael Baum, Ron & Regina Stuve, Rod Essig, Ronna Rubin, Fletcher Foster, Scott Stem, Susan Stewart, Susan Niles, Eric Parker, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Kay West, Wes Vause and Victoria Shaw were all in the New Year’s love fest.
Mayoral candidate Megan Berry was working the room, which wasn’t so hard, since she’s a Leadership Music alumnus. She could easily schmooze fabulons such as Jeff Walker, Jody Williams, Julian King, David Corlew, Dan Hill, Steve Buchanan, Celeste Buckingham, Lisa Harless, Debbie Carroll, Allison Jones, Beverly Keel, Holly Bell, LeAnn Phelan, Chandra LaPlume, Nancy Shapiro, Diane Pearson, Kelsey Grady, Tracy Gershon, Cyndi Forman, Tree Paine, Joanna Carter, Lori Badgett and Lacy Cavalier.
Pictured (L-R): Nominees Hunter Hayes and Joel Smallbone of for King & Country.
Is 17 too many women to name-drop in a row? Very well: Ansel Davis, Andrew Kintz, Pat Higdon, Hunter Kelly, George Flanigan, Garth Fundis, Ben Fowler, Tim Fink, Kirt Webster, Earle Simmons, Ed Morris, Frank Liddell. Like I said, everybody.
In gratitude for hosting this annual event, again, Tony Phillips of Loew’s was presented with framed artwork of the 57th annual Grammy Awards. He treated the attendees to barbecue meatloaf sliders, mac and cheese, marinated brussell sprouts and other cocktail-supper delights.
Artist Updates: Blake Shelton, Zac Brown Band, Carrie Underwood, Taste of Country Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton
Blake Shelton Tapped for Adam Sandler Movie Role?
Blake Shelton could be set to parlay his success in television (including roles as a coach on NBC’s The Voice and his hosting role on Saturday Night Live) to a movie role. According to thewrap.com, Adam Sandler has tapped the entertainer for the cast of Ridiculous 6, a Happy Madison production.
The all-star lineup is also set to include Taylor Lautner, Nick Nolte, Whitney Cummings, as well as Happy Madison regulars Steve Buscemi, Rob Schneider, Dan Aykroyd, Will Forte, Nick Swardson, Terry Crews, Jon Lovitz and Vanilla Ice.
Shelton is being considered to portray Wyatt Earp.
Netflix confirmed that Ridiculous 6 will be Sandler’s first Netflix feature, and production will begin in February.
Zac Brown Band To Launch New Season of ‘Live From The Artists Den’
Zac Brown Band
Zac Brown Band will launch the ninth season of Live From The Artists Den nationwide on public television with a performance at Forest Hills Stadium in Queens, N.Y. The band’s performance is filled with fan favorites including “Jump Right In,” “Colder Weather,” and “Free.”
The ninth season launches Jan. 30.
The new season also features performances from Alabama Shakes, Cage the Elephant, and Damien Rice.
Carrie Underwood To Star In Opening Theme For NBC’s Super Bowl XLIX Broadcast
Carrie Underwood. Photo: NBC Sports
Carrie Underwood will return to star in the “Waiting All Day for a Super Bowl Fight” opening theme for NBC’s broadcast of Super Bowl XLIX on Feb. 1, 2015. Each week of the last two NFL seasons, Underwood’s performance of “Waiting All Day for Sunday Night” has kicked off Sunday Night Football.
The opening theme for NBC’s coverage of Super Bowl XLIX will feature new elements, including lyrics featuring the AFC champion New England Patriots and NFC champion Seattle Seahawks, and a special set design. NBC will broadcast Super Bowl XLIX on Sunday, Feb. 1 from Glendale, Ariz., beginning at Noon ET.
“I’m so honored to again be a part of the Super Bowl, this time joining NBC Sports in helping kick everything off! I can’t wait to watch the game!,” says Underwood.
Lineup Announced For Third Annual Taste of Country Festival
Billy Currington
Billy Currington, Eli Young Band, Jerrod Niemann, Sara Evans, Easton Corbin, Chase Bryant, Colt Ford, Josh Abbott Band, Tracy Lawrence, LOCASH, as well as Logan Mize, Western Underground, Rachel Lipsky, Sasha McVeigh, Jackson Michelson and Annie Bosko have been added to the lineup for the third annual Taste of Country Music Festival.
The festival will be held June 12-14, 2015 at Hunter Mountain Resort (Hunter, N.Y.) in the Great Northern Catskills of Greene County.
Previously announced superstars Tim McGraw, Keith Urban and Toby Keith will headline this year’s festival.
T.J. Martell Reveals First Stars For March Gala
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (Top-Bottom): Lady Antebellum, Emmylou Harris, Chip Esten.
The T.J. Martell Foundation has announced Chip Esten will return as host for the 7th Annual Honors Gala, with additional talent including Emmylou Harris and Lady Antebellum. The Omni Hotel will host the March 30 event, and is expected to reveal additional talent in the coming weeks.
Previously announced award recipients for the 5:30 p.m. evening include Ken Levitan, Dr. Jeffrey Balser, Billy Ray & Bill Hearn and Becca Stevens. A cocktail reception, silent auction, awards presentation, musical performances and a live auction are all scheduled.
Having netted over 2 million dollars for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS research since 2009, the gala is produced and directed by High Five Productions. Co-chairs for the 2015 event are Ree Buchanan, George Anderson and Danielle Bouharoun.
Table sponsorships range from $11,500 to $100,000. Individual tickets are $1,000. Contact Tinti Moffat at the T.J. Martell Foundation at (615) 256-2002. Sponsorships and congratulatory ads may be purchased in the commemorative journal. Email Allyson Baggott at abaggott@tjmartell.org.
For more information, visit tjmartell.org.
Maddie & Tae Prep Video For Sophomore Single
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured: (L-R): Maddie & Tae sit high atop a wall of chairs while filming “Fly.”
Photo: Joseph Llanes
MusicRow Magazine 2015 Next Big Thing artist, Maddie & Tae, premiered a taste of the official music video for the sophomore single, “Fly,” with the release of a photo in suspended chairs. The 19-year olds turned to director Brian Lazzaro (Rilo Kiley, Cory Chisel, The Cadillac Three, Eli Young Band) to shoot a clip for the song.
“We didn’t want our second video to be anything like our first one, which was so fun,” Tae Dye explains. “I think Brian really took the idea of how vulnerable you feel when you’re trying and it’s crazy… and found ways that weren’t literal to represent that.”
“Brian’s amazing: the idea of ladders and chairs to show the climb?” continued Maddie Marlow. “Being suspended – which we are in the performance – is just how it feels when you want everything to happen, but you’re sort of stuck in what you want and how it is.”
Pictured (L-R): Maddie & Tae. Photo: Twitter.
In promotion of the single, the girls were in Chicago yesterday (Jan 26) performing live at 35,000 feet with Southwest Air. They also surprised each passenger with a copy of the Dot Records debut EP.
Only the third female duo in over 70 years to have a No. 1 with their first single, the girls brought their second single to the The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon last Friday (Jan. 23). Additionally, they have an opening spot on Dierks Bentley’s Sounds Of Summer Tour.
A release date for the official video has yet to be set. Listen to the “Fly” here.
Maddie & Tae with label and crew. Photo: Twitter
Juno Nominations Revealed
/by Sarah SkatesMAGIC! garnered a leading five nominations. Close behind with four nods were Kiesza and Leonard Cohen. Artists with three nods each are Hedley, Nickelback, and Serge Fiori.
The Bros. Landreth, signed to Slate Creek Records, earned a nomination for debut album Let It Lie in the Roots & Traditional Album of the Year: Group category.
Select nominations:
Country Album of the Year
Lifted Dallas Smith, 604*Universal
Light Up The Night Jess Moskaluke, MDM*Universal
Caffeine & Big Dreams Kira Isabella, Sony
MacKenzie Porter Mackenzie Porter, Road Angel*Warner
Wheels The Road Hammers, Open Road*Universal
Contemporary Christian/Gospel Album of the Year
Introducing Chelsea Amber Chelsea Amber, Independent*David C. Cook
Analog Love in Digital Times Drew Brown, Independent
The Moment Manafest, Manafest Productions*Fontana North
VIP Manic Drive, Bema Media*David C. Cook
The Joy Tim Neufeld, Independent*David C. Cook
To view a complete nominee list go to www.junoawards.ca.
SOURCE Nashville Names Co-Presidents for 2015
/by Jessica NicholsonCrosby York has been with Major Bob Music since 2006. As VP of Administration, she oversees day-to-day company activity, including songwriter royalty and accounting, audit and songwriter management, accounts receivable and payable, and more. She previously served as Secretary of SOURCE Nashville.
Collins is making the move to Arkansas, where she will build the development department of the Boys and Girls Club of Bentonville, Ark. In the new role, she will return to Nashville every six to eight weeks to connect the Boys and Girls Club with the music community in Nashville. Collins previously served as Vice President of SOURCE Nashville.
Sonia Leigh Signs With HoriPro
/by Jessica NicholsonBack Row: HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Lee Krabel, BMI’s David Preston, HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Tim Stehli, BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley. Front Row: HoriPro Entertainment Group’s Butch Baker and Kaz Hori, BMI songwriter Sonia Leigh, attorney Jim Zumwalt
HoriPro has signed singer/songwriter Sonia Leigh to its roster. Leigh visited BMI’s Nashville office on Jan. 26 to celebrate the new venture with HoriPro, which has also represented artists and songwriters including Dean Dillon, Sophie B. Hawkins, Jerry Reed, Mike Walker, Elise Davis, and more.
Leigh, an active force on the Nashville songwriting scene, was featured at Jake Owen’s Beach Party concert, held at BMI Nashville in August 2014. Her newest single, “When We Are Alone” is available now.
Bobby Karl Works The 2015 Nashville Grammy Nominee Party
/by Bobby KarlPictured (L-R): Daniel Hill, Trustee, Nashville Chapter; Grammy nominee Taylor Swift; Nashville Chapter Trustees Fletcher Foster, Chandra LaPlume, Terry Hemmings; and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding.
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 478
More than 50 members of the Nashville music community are nominated for Grammy Awards this year, and it seemed as if all of Music Row turned out to celebrate them on Monday evening (Jan. 26).
The Nashville chapter of The Recording Academy teamed up with Loew’s Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel to host the party honoring the 2014 Grammy anointed. There are, “23 categories represented by our nominees,” said chapter executive director Alicia Warwick. “The talent in this town is unbelievable,” said chapter president Jeff Balding, pointing out that Nashvillians are nominated in all of the “big four” Grammy categories, Record of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year and Best New Artist.
It’s true that Music City is all over the Grammy musical map, from our rockers Jack White, Cage the Elephant, Paramore and The Black Keys to Americana songsmiths John Hiatt, The Del McCoury Band and Sturgill Simpson. Engineers Chuck Ainlay and Richard Dodd are up for top awards, as is Producer of the Year nominee Jay Joyce.
Representing their categories at the party were Contemporary Christian Music greats For King & Country, MercyMe and Royal Tailor, Americana bluesman Keb’ Mo’ and bluegrass nominees Rhonda Vincent, Bryan Sutton and Shawn Camp (who is in The Earls of Leicester). Folk nominees Old Crow Medicine Show and Rob Ickes mingled with Children’s Album contender Secret Agent 23 Skidoo a.k.a Debrissa McKinney.
Roots Gospel contenders T. Graham Brown, Mike Farris and Tim Menzies rubbed shoulders, as did such songwriting nominees as Kevin Kadish, Shane McAnally, Ben Glover and Jaren Johnston.
Our own Hunter Hayes and Lee Ann Womack accepted multiple congratulations for their Country nominations, as did Brandy Clark, nominated for Best New Artist as well as Best Country Album.
Pictured (L-R): Frank Liddell, co-producer of the nominated Best Country Album The Way I’m Livin’, Lee Ann Womack, GRAMMY nominee for The Way I’m Livin’, and Alicia Warwick, Executive Director, The Recording Academy, Nashville Chapter.
“Thank you for all that you do for this city,” said Mayor Karl Dean to the all the creative folks who packed the Loew’s ballroom. “This will be the last Grammy nominee party I will be attending as Mayor….Nashville is a unique city because of its diversity and its entrepreneurial spirit. It’s because of you folks. It’s because of music. Nashville’s best days are still ahead of us. And you are a huge part of that.”
As the speeches ended, there was a wave of crowd motion toward the ballroom entrance as superstar Taylor Swift quietly joined the merriment. Smart gal. It was an opportune time to return to Nashville: Monday night was not one you wanted to spend in New York, since two feet of snow were expected.
Perhaps it’s because this is the first big party of the year, but every, every, I mean EVERYbody was there, all delighted to be schmoozing with one another again. Terry Hemmings, Terry Bumgarner, John Mullins, John Huie, John Briggs, Jon Randall Stewart, Leslie Fram, Leslie Roberts, Sherod Robertson, Jill Douglas, Doug Howard, Perry Howard, Allen Brown, Michael Baum, Ron & Regina Stuve, Rod Essig, Ronna Rubin, Fletcher Foster, Scott Stem, Susan Stewart, Susan Niles, Eric Parker, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Kay West, Wes Vause and Victoria Shaw were all in the New Year’s love fest.
Mayoral candidate Megan Berry was working the room, which wasn’t so hard, since she’s a Leadership Music alumnus. She could easily schmooze fabulons such as Jeff Walker, Jody Williams, Julian King, David Corlew, Dan Hill, Steve Buchanan, Celeste Buckingham, Lisa Harless, Debbie Carroll, Allison Jones, Beverly Keel, Holly Bell, LeAnn Phelan, Chandra LaPlume, Nancy Shapiro, Diane Pearson, Kelsey Grady, Tracy Gershon, Cyndi Forman, Tree Paine, Joanna Carter, Lori Badgett and Lacy Cavalier.
Pictured (L-R): Nominees Hunter Hayes and Joel Smallbone of for King & Country.
Is 17 too many women to name-drop in a row? Very well: Ansel Davis, Andrew Kintz, Pat Higdon, Hunter Kelly, George Flanigan, Garth Fundis, Ben Fowler, Tim Fink, Kirt Webster, Earle Simmons, Ed Morris, Frank Liddell. Like I said, everybody.
In gratitude for hosting this annual event, again, Tony Phillips of Loew’s was presented with framed artwork of the 57th annual Grammy Awards. He treated the attendees to barbecue meatloaf sliders, mac and cheese, marinated brussell sprouts and other cocktail-supper delights.
It’s Official: Google Fiber Coming to Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonThe service will mean faster internet connection and television service–up to 100 times faster than traditional broadband. It is also more affordable. The service is free after an up-front $300 installation fee, or $25/month for 12 months. Access to Google Fiber will be based on community demand, so it is possible that not all Nashville neighborhoods will obtain the service.
“The national buzz about Nashville has a lot to do with our music and our food, of course, but it’s also about our city’s creativity and entrepreneurial spirit in other areas: technology, healthcare, digital media and entertainment, and social enterprise,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “Google Fiber’s presence here will enhance the work done in those fields by making collaboration and the exchange of good ideas faster and easier.”
In February 2014, Google revealed that it was considering expanding Google Fiber to nine metro areas, including Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, N.C., Charlotte, N.C., Atlanta, San Antonio, Portland, Ore., Salt Lake City, and the San Jose and South Bay areas.
The next step in the process is to craft the design for fiber to be installed throughout the city. Lo did not offer details on timing, though the process is expected to take several months.
Nashville residents can keep up-to-date on new information by signing up for online updates.
CRS Promises ‘Special Announcements’ During CRS 2015 Opening Ceremonies
/by Jessica NicholsonSome of the highlights include the reveal of the Country Radio Hall of Fame Class of 2015, a presentation recognizing Lady Antebellum for being the recipient of the CRS 2015 Artist Humanitarian Award, an appearance by Mayor Karl Dean, presentation of the 2015 Tom Rivers Award to Jeff Smulyan and awarding the Rusty Walker scholarship winners, the endowment presentation to the University of North Texas, and a special announcement that attendees will not want to miss.
In addition, the Opening Ceremonies will kick off with the U.S. Marine color guard making an appearance and Capitol recording artist Mickey Guyton performing the national anthem.
CRS President Charlie Morgan comments, “What better way to kick off CRS 2015 than showing our pride in the US Marine Corps, spotlighting a great new talent, giving scholarships, an endowment, and paying tribute to two of our formats greats! I’ve also got a HUGE announcement that I can’t wait to unveil, so you better be there!”
ACM Awards Broadcast To Be Extended By A Half-Hour
/by Jessica NicholsonThe broadcast is also slated to include performances honoring seven artists who have achieved significant milestones in ACM history.
As previously announced, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton will return to co-host the awards special, which will broadcast live from AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.