The landscape of Music City continues to change as one of Nashville’s longstanding music venues will close in late February. According to 12th & Porter owner Keith Hayman, the music venue will hold its last event on Feb. 28.
The business is being sold to a party with “intentions to enhance the North Gulch” area of Nashville, according to Hayman. Details of the sale were not disclosed.
As the home of classic live recordings dating back to Townes Van Zandt’s Live and Obscure, recorded in April 1985, the stage at 12th and Porter has hosted some of the greatest touring artists and songwriters ever to play including such notables as Mickey Avalon, Keith Urban, Kings of Leon, Ke$ha, Safety Suit, Jon Bon Jovi, Run-DMC, Vince Gill, Richard Marx, Jonny Lang, Marc Broussard, John Hiatt, Beauty School Dropouts, OURS, Bob Schneider, Jayhawks, Tim Easton, Amy Ray, Ryan Adams, Will Hoge, King Crimson, Angie Aparo, Medeski Martin and Wood, The Features, Radney Foster, Allison Moorer, Glenn Tillbrook, Michelle Shocked, Trent Sumnar, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy and Julie Miller, John Prine, Reckless Kelly, Pinmonkey, Jay Farrar, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Jill Sobule, Jewel, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, David Meade, Muzik Mafia, Family Force 5, the Katies, Silvertide, Florez, Sam Brooker, Tyler James, Chris Mann, Jody Raffoul, Crew, Michael Inge, Vic Chesnutt, Bushwalla, Anthony Smith, Black Label Society, Wichita Stallions, Auto Vaughn, Big Fella and Te’Arthur, Chris Mann, Cecil Adora, Submersed, LIGION, The Black Andy Roddick Show, Jonathon Richman, Tyler Cain, Chris Milam, Mista D, Jeffrey Steele, Luna Halo, Atomic Blonde, and countless others.
Hayman took over management of 12th & Porter in 2014, acquiring 100 percent management of the venue. He is also an owner of Music City Pizza.
Artist Pics: SaraBeth, Mickey Guyton, Jana Kramer, Craig Morgan
/by Kelsey_GradyCircle S Records artist SaraBeth visited with friend and fellow artist Mickey Guyton before Guyton’s performance at the Nashville Lifestyles sold out 11th Annual Music in the City event, held at Omni Barlines.
A portion of the proceeds from the event benefit Musicians on Call. Additional performers included Danielle Bradbury, Lindsay Ell, Native Run and others.
Pictured (L-R): Circle S Records artist SaraBeth and Capitol Records artist Mickey Guyton.
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Celebrities and their families turned out Friday night (Jan. 23) for the Nashville premiere of Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey Presents Legends at Bridgestone Arena.
Singer and actress Jana Kramer with fiancé, NFL free agent Mike Caussin, Jonathan Jackson (“Avery” on ABC’s Nashville) with his band Enation and family, Kings of Leon lead guitarist Matthew Followill with his wife and kids, country duo Love & Theft’s Stephen Barker Liles and Eric Gunderson with their toddlers, country singer Clay Walker and family, Christian artist Plumb and Miss Nashville Hannah Bobinger, were among the Nashville-based celebrities who were treated to a private pre-show “behind-the-scenes”
Pictured (L-R): Michael Caussin, Sabina, Jana Kramer, and Ringmaster Johnathan Lee Iverson attend the Ringling Bros. Presents LEGENDS Nashville Celebrity Event on January 23, 2015 at Bridgestone Arena. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Feld Entertainment
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Outdoor Channel unveiled the winners for its 15th Annual Golden Moose Awards, the most popular and longstanding outdoor television awards ceremony in the country, last week from the Venetian Theatre in Las Vegas. Country star and TV host Craig Morgan was among the honorees, winning the award for Best Comedy for the fifth season of his hit television series “Craig Morgan: All Access Outdoors.” Taking place during the Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show (SHOT Show), the Golden Moose Awards honor the producers and on-air talent from Outdoor Channel’s industry-leading programming.
Craig Morgan. Photo: Outdoor Channel
SESAC Adds To Songwriter Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonSongwriter Casey Kelly has signed with SESAC for representation. Kelly has numerous radio singles to his credit including “The Cowboy Rides Away,” released by George Strait and used by Strait as the title for his farewell tour of 48 shows throughout 2013 and 2014. Kelly has also written hits for Kenny Rogers, Tanya Tucker and Joe Diffie.
Pictured (L-R): Kelly and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge
Day Passes, Panel Passes Available For CRS 2015
/by Troy_StephensonSingle-day passes and panel passes for Country Radio Seminar 2015 will be made available on-site throughout the three-day event, set for Feb. 25-27, 2015 at the Nashville Convention Center in downtown Nashville, Tenn. Single-day passes are $200 and panel passes will be $40 per panel.
Day passes include access to panels, speakers, luncheons and networking destinations on day of pass purchase, with the exception of Friday’s New Faces of Country Music show. The panel pass affords attendees the opportunity to select any panel or presentation for only $40.
In addition, a $99 Unemployment Rate is also now available.
Proof of unemployment will be subject to verification by Country Radio Seminar.
For more information or to register for CRS 2015, please contact the CRS offices at 615-327-4487.
Nashville’s Longstanding Music Venue 12 & Porter To Close
/by Sherod RobertsonThe business is being sold to a party with “intentions to enhance the North Gulch” area of Nashville, according to Hayman. Details of the sale were not disclosed.
As the home of classic live recordings dating back to Townes Van Zandt’s Live and Obscure, recorded in April 1985, the stage at 12th and Porter has hosted some of the greatest touring artists and songwriters ever to play including such notables as Mickey Avalon, Keith Urban, Kings of Leon, Ke$ha, Safety Suit, Jon Bon Jovi, Run-DMC, Vince Gill, Richard Marx, Jonny Lang, Marc Broussard, John Hiatt, Beauty School Dropouts, OURS, Bob Schneider, Jayhawks, Tim Easton, Amy Ray, Ryan Adams, Will Hoge, King Crimson, Angie Aparo, Medeski Martin and Wood, The Features, Radney Foster, Allison Moorer, Glenn Tillbrook, Michelle Shocked, Trent Sumnar, Jim Lauderdale, Buddy and Julie Miller, John Prine, Reckless Kelly, Pinmonkey, Jay Farrar, Kenny Loggins, Ben Folds, Jill Sobule, Jewel, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, David Meade, Muzik Mafia, Family Force 5, the Katies, Silvertide, Florez, Sam Brooker, Tyler James, Chris Mann, Jody Raffoul, Crew, Michael Inge, Vic Chesnutt, Bushwalla, Anthony Smith, Black Label Society, Wichita Stallions, Auto Vaughn, Big Fella and Te’Arthur, Chris Mann, Cecil Adora, Submersed, LIGION, The Black Andy Roddick Show, Jonathon Richman, Tyler Cain, Chris Milam, Mista D, Jeffrey Steele, Luna Halo, Atomic Blonde, and countless others.
Hayman took over management of 12th & Porter in 2014, acquiring 100 percent management of the venue. He is also an owner of Music City Pizza.
For Nashville Music Industry Job Seekers
/by Sherod Robertson• PR Copy Writer/Communications Assistant: The AristoMedia Group
• Marketing position: The AristoMedia Group
• Senior Accounting Manager: Tri-Star Sports and Entertainment Group
• Senior Cost Accountant: Tri-Star Sports and Entertainment Group
• Legal Assistant: CMT, Business and Legal Affairs
• Executive Director: International Bluegrass Music Assoc.
• Social Media Assistant: Dawson McAllister Show
• Female Singer: Format Entertainment
• Writers: Wide Open Country
• Account Manager: BubbleUp
• Licensing Assistant: Bluewater Music
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As always, navigate anytime to the MusicRow Marketplace by clicking the “Marketplace” tab in the menu bar at the top of MusicRow.com.
MusicRowPics: Logan Mize
/by Jessica NicholsonLogan Mize Artist Visit
A native of small town Kansas, where his father was a butcher and his mother a schoolteacher, singer-songwriter Logan Mize was drawn to music at an early age, singing and learning different instruments.
The singer-songwriter has resided Nashville for nine years, and has been a writer for Big Yellow Dog Music for five years. In 2012, he released his second independent album, Nobody in Nashville (Big Yellow Dog Music), which caught the attention of label executive Jim Catino, who later signed on to co-produce Mize’s forthcoming major label debut on Sony Music Nashville imprint Arista Nashville.
Logan Mize Artist Visit
In recent years, Mize logged countless hours on the road, building an audience and homing his performance craft, before spending more time in Nashville and developing industry relationships. “I don’t know if there is one right way to do it, but I saw a lot of friends that stayed in town and didn’t go on the road, and they had a chance to move a little quicker,” said Mize. “I may have went out there and developed some chops, but I also didn’t develop in-town relationships as much. I didn’t start writing songs until I was 18, so it might have been a good thing that I was on the road for several years developing before coming back to Nashville and really making those connections.”
Mize recently visited the MusicRow office to preview several cuts from the upcoming album, including the gorgeous composition “Welcome to Prairieville,” which he calls a possible title cut on the project. The song’s arresting images depict the enduring charm of a slowly waning small town. He also offered his current single, the party-ready radio single “Can’t Get Away From A Good Time,” co-written by Mize, Blake Chaffin, and Kelly Archer.
Arista Nashville artist Logan Mize with MusicRow staffers
“When I signed with Arista, it was really a new opportunity to spend a good amount of time recording these songs, and focusing on the details of the music,” said Mize. “With ‘Can’t Get Away From A Good Time,’ we were able to put a really cool groove on it, whereas when I first cut the song [prior to his Arista signing], it was real on top of the beat, more vanilla. I think it sounds more like a radio song now, and the album will have a much fuller sound.”
Industry Ink: Regions Bank, Sony Music Nashville, ASCAP
/by Jessica NicholsonLisa Harless Named To Nashville Business Journal’s “Women of Influence” for 2015
Harless is being recognized for her successful 30-year career as an entertainment banker and for her involvement in numerous charitable organizations in Nashville.”
Sony Music Nashville Showcases New Talent For CBS Radio Execs
Sony Music Nashville showcased the talents of several of its new artists by hosting the The New Faces of Country Showcase for CBS Radio at The Sutler in Nashville, Tenn., on Wednesday, Jan. 21. Among the artists highlighted were Arista Nashville’s Cam, RCA Nashville’s Josh Dorr, Columbia Nashville’s Steven Lee Olsen, and Arista Nashville’s Logan Mize.
Front Row (Seated) : Arista Nashville’s Cam, RCA Nashville’s Josh Dorr, Columbia Nashville’s Steven Lee Olsen, Arista Nashville’s Logan Mize. Second Row: Keith Gale, Lee Douglas, Lesly Simon, Lauren McLeash, Rob Morris, Bruce Logan, Adam Wiener, Ed Hill, Ryan Riccetti, Chris Oliviero, Mick Anselmo, Norbert Nix, Tim Richards, Gary Overton. Back Row: Tim Roberts, Shelly Easton, Jeff Kapugi, Tim Pohlman, Bryon Kennedy, Jeff Sottolano, Mark Anderson, Michael Martin. Photo: Edwards Photography Studios, Angelynn Tinsley
ASCAP Presents During 30A Songwriters Festival
Elevating its presence at the 6th annual 30A Songwriters Festival, The American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP) presented two consecutive nights of songwriters rounds that featured hitmakers Marc Beeson (“We Are Tonight” – Billy Currington), Deana Carter (“You and Tequila” – Kenny Chesney), Ryan Hurd (“Lonely Tonight” – Blake Shelton), Jaren Johnston (“Sunshine & Whiskey” – Frankie Ballard), Tony Lane (“I Need You” – Tim McGraw & Faith Hill), Earl Bud Lee (“Friends in Low Places” – Garth Brooks), Jonathan Singleton (“Let It Rain” – David Nail), Jeremy Stover (“Lettin’ the Night Roll” – Justin Moore), Mark D. Sanders (“I Hope You Dance” – Lee Ann Womack”) and Brad Tursi (“A Guy Walks Into a Bar” – Tyler Farr), as well as emerging songwriter-artists Brandon Lay (Warner/Chappell Music Publishing), Hunter Phelps (Tape Room Music) and Jameson Rodgers (Combustion Atlas).
Held on Jan. 16 through the 18, the festival also featured performances by ASCAP artists Leon Russell, Sara Watkins (Nickel Creek), Glen Phillips (Toad the Wet Sprocket), Angaleena Presley, Mary Gauthier, Bob Schneider and more.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, Jonathan Singleton, Hunter Phelps, Jameson Rodgers, Brad Tursi (seated), Tony Lane, Jaren Johnston, Ryan Hurd, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe, Marc Beeson, Deana Carter (seated), Jeremy Stover, Brandon Lay, Mark D. Sanders (seated), ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Earl Bud Lee and ASCAP’s Mike Sistad
‘Nashville,’ ‘The Voice’ Honored By Guild of Music Supervisors Awards
Other movies and television series honored included The Fault in our Stars, Begin Again, and Guardians of the Galaxy.
CMA Helps Host YouTube’s First Nashville Seminar
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Damon Whiteside (CMA SVP of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships); Vivien Lewit (YouTube Director of Music Partnerships); and Lance Podell (YouTube Next Lab Director and Global Head). Photo: Rick Diamond
Let the YouTube educational seminars begin!
Yesterday (Jan. 22) the Country Music Association (CMA) helped YouTube hold the first in a series of free YouTube Music Nashville workshops, announced late last year.
Held at Houston Station in Nashville, CMA members learned fundamentals of music on YouTube, and provided hands-on time with equipment.
CMA artist members Erin Enderlin and Kenny Foster participated in demonstrative performances and interviews that will later appear on their respective YouTube channels.
The first workshop happens as the Google-owned service has reportedly began blocking artist videos not participating in Music Key, YouTube’s new subscription streaming service.
YouTube personality Todd Womack (L) introduces a performance from Erin Enderlin (R). Photo: Rick Diamond
Chris Stapleton Shares Details On Upcoming Debut Solo Album
/by Sherod RobertsonChris Stapleton
Chris Stapleton’s highly anticipated solo debut album, Traveller, will be released May 5 on Mercury Records Nashville.
Recorded at Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A (with additional production at The Castle and Blackbird Studio), Traveller was produced by Dave Cobb (Sturgill Simpson, Jason Isbell) and recorded by Vance Powell (Jack White). In addition to renditions of Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove’s “Tennessee Whiskey” and Don Sampson’s “Was It 26,” the album features 12 original songs, including fan-favorite “Sometimes I Cry.”
Last night (Jan. 22), during a special album reveal party, Stapleton returned to RCA Studio A to record a new version of “Sometimes I Cry” live-to-tape in front of an audience of media and industry members—allowing a unique, once-in-a-lifetime glimpse inside the making of the album. The track is currently being mastered and will be added to the final track-listing shortly. The walls of RCA Studio A were donned with black and white photos of Stapleton as guests entered and were treated to cocktails and noshes while the album played.
For those wanting a more intimate listening experience, head phone listening stations were available, giving opportunists an option to mute the party, completely getting lost into the music. Stapleton greeted guests expressing his joy that RCA Studio A had been saved from demolition and was please his album would not be the last recording in the iconic Music Row studio. Of his inspiration behind the album, Stapleton commented, “This record was made standing on the shoulders of friends, family, and heroes. I hope people enjoy listening to it as much as I’ve enjoyed making it.”
Chris Stapleton records new version of “Sometimes I Cry” live-to-tape in front of guests at RCA Studio A on Jan. 22, 2015.
Stapleton has enjoyed five No. 1 hits as a songwriter including the five-week No. 1 “Never Wanted Nothing More” recorded by Kenny Chesney, George Strait’s “Love’s Gonna Make it Alright” and Luke Bryan‘s “Drink A Beer,” which Stapleton recently performed with Lady Antebellum at the CMT “Artists of the Year” show. He has penned over 170 album cuts, including songs recorded by Adele, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, and has such notable co-writers as Vince Gill, Peter Frampton and Sheryl Crow, among others. Additionally, Stapleton has shared the stage with such respected artists as Gill, Alison Krauss, Marty Stuart, Emmylou Harris and more. As lead vocalist for critically acclaimed bluegrass band The SteelDrivers, Stapleton earned three Grammy nominations including “Best Bluegrass Album,” as well as an International Bluegrass Music Association Award for “Emerging Artist of the Year.” He’s also won eight ASCAP Awards and has contributed to the soundtracks of several feature films including Cars 2 and Valentine’s Day.
Stapleton will join Little Big Town on their Pain Killer Tour in March followed by a series of The Outsiders World Tour shows with Eric Church in May.
Traveller Album Tracklist:
1. Traveller (Chris Stapleton)
2. Fire Away (Chris Stapleton and Danny Green)
3. Tennessee Whiskey (Dean Dillon and Linda Hargrove)
4. Parachute (Chris Stapleton and Jim Beavers)
5. Whiskey And You (Chris Stapleton and Lee Thomas Miller)
6. Nobody To Blame (Chris Stapleton, Barry Bales and Ronnie Bowman)
7. More Of You (Chris Stapleton and Ronnie Bowman)
8. When The Stars Come Out (Chris Stapleton and Dan Wilson)
9. Daddy Doesn’t Pray Anymore (Chris Stapleton)
10. Might As Well Get Stoned (Chris Stapleton and Jimmy Stewart)
11. Was It 26 (Don Sampson)
12. The Devil Named Music (Chris Stapleton)
13. Outlaw State Of Mind (Chris Stapleton, Ronnie Bowman and Jerry Salley)
TBD Sometimes I Cry (Chris Stapleton and Clint Ingersoll)
Ram Truck, Miranda Lambert Launch New Marketing Initiative
/by Jessica NicholsonThe campaign includes television, print, digital, social media and long-form video elements and is the next phase of the partnership between Lambert and Ram, which was first announced in November 2014.
“Ram has become the fastest growing truck brand by challenging the status quo, and our partnership with Miranda Lambert does just that,” said Olivier Francois, Chief Marketing Officer, FCA – Global. “Building a new marketing campaign around the hugely successful and popular country music artist, and her original song inspired by the characteristics of our brand, is a first for Ram. It is courageous, just like Ram and Miranda. It will broaden the appeal of both of our brands beyond our core audiences as we connect with our respective fans in new, meaningful ways.”
Lambert’s story is told through live action video combined with illustrations, animation and vintage styling. Many of the landscapes are actual locations that are part of Lambert’s life and all of the featured still photos are her personal family photos.
“I am very inspired by what the Ram brand stands for – being who you are, working hard, staying true to your roots,” Lambert said. “I wanted to write a song that would represent all of those things. ‘Roots and Wings’ is personal to me about where I come from and where I am going. The guys at Ram really made the lyrics come to life with the imagery and I hope it speaks to people the way it does to me.”
The “Roots and Wings” video will include 30- and 60-second spots, which launched Jan. 22 on broadcast and cable networks. A 15-second digital spot will also run in select media. The campaign will also include print advertisements.
Lambert’s Certified Platinum Tour will include Ram Truck branding. The 60-second “Roots and Wings” video will be played just before Lambert takes the stage after intermission and in-venue creative displays will also be visible. The silver Ram 1500 Laramie Longhorn is the Official Truck of the Certified Platinum tour, and will tow Lambert’s Airstream trailer, “Wanda the Wanderer,” to each venue. The truck will also be on display, allowing fans who attend the concerts to post pictures at #RootsWingsRAM for a chance to win a Miranda Lambert and Ram prize pack.
The campaign was created in partnership with Ram Trucks’ advertising agency Dallas-based The Richards Group and Nashville-based G7 Entertainment Marketing.