Farrah Usmani
Marcus & Colvin, LLP, has added
Farrah A. Usmani, Esq., as a senior associate to its entertainment industry practice. Usmani spent several years in business affairs at CAA, and earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2012.
Attorneys
Kent Marcus and
Jeff Colvin formed the firm in 2011, providing an entertainment law firm offering focused business affairs and legal counsel for artists and companies in the music industry. Usmani can be reached
farrah@mcentlaw.com or at 615-341-0755.
• • •
Reviver Records has added singer-songwriter Samantha Landrum to its roster. Her upcoming single, “I’ll Still Need Your Shoulder,” is slated to release in 2015. The Laurel, Miss., native began performing by joining her family’s business, The Landrum Homestead & Village, a recreation of a late 1800s settlement.
Landrum’s latest release for Reviver is the Christmas single, “Light A Candle.”
“Samantha brings a unique talent to our brand,” says Reviver Records President and CEO David Ross. “The entire team is excited about bringing her music to the forefront of the music industry and to lead the Samantha Landrum charge at radio. We truly think that Samantha has the talent, drive and determination to become one of the industry’s most respected female vocalists. We can’t wait to be part of that story.”
• • •
Tri Star Sports & Entertainment Group (11 Music Circle South) is facilitating donations to Second Harvest Food Bank by providing donation boxes to Music Row area business. This will make it easy for employees and visitors to those businesses to make donations of canned food items. Tri Star will then pick up the boxes and goods on or around Dec. 23. Companies who would like to receive a box should email Sonja@team-tristar.com for more information. In addition, Tri Star has a donation box at their office where individuals can drop off food. The most-needed items this season include: peanut butter, canned meat (chicken or tuna), canned vegetables, canned fruit, pasta, and cereal.
ASCAP CEO LoFrumento Announces Retirement
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP’s John LoFrumento
ASCAP’s John LoFrumento has announced that he will retire as CEO of the performing rights organization, effective Jan. 1.
LoFrumento spent 33 years at ASCAP, with 17 of those year in the CEO role. LoFrumento’s career began in accounting, where he worked his way to a vice president and controller role at American Express prior to joining ASCAP as a controller in 1981. He worked his way through organization’s ranks, becoming CEO in 1997.
“When I became CEO in 1997, we set a course aimed at transforming ASCAP into a new kind of organization that would be ready to meet the demands of the 21st century, and I am so proud of what we have achieved,” LoFrumento said in a statement to staff. “Through a commitment to innovation and continuous improvement in all areas of our operation, ASCAP has become the world’s most sophisticated and efficient music rights organization, home to more than 520,000 of the world’s greatest music creators. And I am able to retire with tremendous confidence in ASCAP’s future, knowing that the Board’s search for a new CEO is well underway.”
ASCAP is home to many of music’s top songwriters and artists, including Beyonce, Justin Timberlake, Drake, Brad Paisley, Dierks Bentley, Brandy Clark, and Jennifer Nettles.
“I started out as an accountant and I never imagined I would end up in a career that brought me the absolute joy of helping to serve and protect the world’s greatest songwriters – many of whom have become great friends,” LoFrumento summed in the memo. “It has been an incredible journey — not always easy, but endlessly exciting and fulfilling.”
LoFrumento’s successor will be named shortly.
The Peach Pickers To Bring Georgia Show to Ryman Auditorium
/by Jessica NicholsonThe show moves to a larger venue next year, at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tickets go on sale Friday, Dec. 12, with proceeds benefiting the Georgia Music Foundation. The benefit’s first show at 3rd & Lindsley featured surprise appearances from Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Cole Swindell, along with Georgia songwriters Pat Alger, Tony Arata and Brent Cobb.
“Ben, Rhett and I were so humbled to have so many friends come together last year,” explains The Peach Pickers’ Davidson. “All of us in Nashville today who are from Georgia share this bond that’s connected to the land, but also to the deep musical roots in our state. As chair of the Georgia Music Foundation, I had the opportunity to see the students from the James Brown Academy perform this fall, I was so moved to see what a profound impact that programs that provide music education and teach about music heritage have on students.”
Tickets are $49.50 and $39.50, and will be available at Ticketmaster outlets, ticketmaster.com, ryman.com or by calling 1-800-745-3000.
WMG Releases Fiscal Year-End Report
/by Sarah SkatesWarner Music Group Corp. today (Dec. 11) announced its full-year financial results for the period ended Sept. 30, 2014.
Total revenue increased 5.2 percent to $3.02 billion. Total digital revenue grew 10.9 percent to $1.2 billion and represented 39.5 percent of total revenue.
Net loss was $303 million.
Recorded music revenue grew 5.6 percent to $2.5 billion, due to income from Parlophone Label Group, which WMG purchased last year. Digital revenue from recorded music grew 10.4 percent to $1.1 billion.
Music publishing revenue rose 3 percent to $517 million.
Industry Ink: Marcus & Colvin, Reviver Records, Tri Star Hosts Food Drive
/by Jessica NicholsonFarrah Usmani
Marcus & Colvin, LLP, has added Farrah A. Usmani, Esq., as a senior associate to its entertainment industry practice. Usmani spent several years in business affairs at CAA, and earned her J.D. from the University of Houston Law Center in 2012.
Attorneys Kent Marcus and Jeff Colvin formed the firm in 2011, providing an entertainment law firm offering focused business affairs and legal counsel for artists and companies in the music industry. Usmani can be reached farrah@mcentlaw.com or at 615-341-0755.
• • •
Landrum’s latest release for Reviver is the Christmas single, “Light A Candle.”
“Samantha brings a unique talent to our brand,” says Reviver Records President and CEO David Ross. “The entire team is excited about bringing her music to the forefront of the music industry and to lead the Samantha Landrum charge at radio. We truly think that Samantha has the talent, drive and determination to become one of the industry’s most respected female vocalists. We can’t wait to be part of that story.”
• • •
Jordan Rager Signs Deal with Ole, Blue Chrome Key Publishing
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured, seat (L-R): Jordan Rager and producer Jeremy Stover. (Standing, L-R): Peter Hartung, co-manager of Jordan Rager, and John Ozier, ole General Manager of Creative Nashville. Not pictured: Barry Williams, co-manager of Jordan Rager.
ole and Blue Chrome Key Publishing have inked a deal that gives ole worldwide administration rights to singer/songwriter Jordan Rager.
After appearing on The Voice at the age of 17, he has toured with Justin Moore and played shows with Kip Moore, Casey James, Love & Theft, Gretchen Wilson, Bo Bice, and David Allen Coe. Rager recently signed a record deal with Broken Bow Records and is currently recording his debut album with producer Jeremy Stover, a fellow ole songwriter.
“Jordan is only 20 years old, but he’s already accomplished more than many musicians do in an entire lifetime,” said John Ozier, General Manager of Creative at ole. “From his upcoming album with Jeremy, to his touring success, to his original appearance on The Voice, Jordan’s certainly off to a great start. We’re happy he chose to work with us at ole and are excited to help him reach new heights with his music.”
“I’ve been lucky enough to get some truly amazing opportunities in my career, and working with ole – Blue Chrome Key is yet another big step forward for me musically,” said Rager. “I’ve had a blast working with their staff, especially Jeremy, and we’ve only just gotten started. I’m excited for the road ahead.”
Nine North Promotes Jeff Davis To VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonJeff Davis
Nine North/Turnpike Music has promoted Jeff Davis to the role of VP, Promotion & Marketing, effective immediately.
Davis’ industry career has included radio gigs in Gainesville, Charlotte, Tallahassee, Daytona Beach, and Jacksonville, before he switched over to radio promotion. Nine North Records/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music was launched by Larry Pareigis in 2007 as Nashville’s first virtual label. The company has worked with Tracy Lawrence, Ashley Monroe, Joey+Rory, Court Yard Hounds, and others.
“I’m honored to be chosen to step up,” says Davis. “Larry and Kevin have built an amazing team, and their vision and passion inspires me on a daily basis! I look forward to all that we have on the horizon in 2015 and beyond!”
Davis can be reached at jeff@ninenorthmail.com.
iHeartMedia Announces Sale Of Radio Towers For $400 Million
/by Sherod RobertsoniHeartMedia, Inc., (previously known as Clear Channel), announced today the sale of a select portfolio of its tower assets to Vertical Bridge for up to $400 million. The transaction is subject to due diligence and other customary closing conditions.
The transaction is expected to close in the first quarter of 2015 and the company will subsequently enter into a lease with respect to the sold tower assets so its broadcast operations will continue without interruption.
“This is a great example of how we continue to optimize our balance sheet and maximize liquidity — and how we continually review our entire portfolio of assets to ensure we operate them in the most efficient way possible and invest our resources in the highest return opportunities,” said Richard J. Bressler, President and Chief Financial Officer of iHeartMedia, Inc.
The buyer, Vertical Bridge Holdings, is a privately-owned real estate investment trust focused on the ownership of wireless communication towers in the U.S.
Tom Moran Named To VP Role at I.R.S. Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Moran
Tom Moran has been named Vice President of Promotion for I.R.S. Nashville Records, announced label President John Grady.
“I am so proud to announce the addition of Tom to our I.R.S. team,” Grady said. “I have always felt that he is the best face-to-face promotion man I have ever met. We will try to make some more musical history together.”
Most recently, Moran was Senior Vice President of Promotion and Marketing for Nine North Records. His career has included stints as Vice President of Promotion for Show Dog Records and Epic Records, as well as promotion positions with Columbia Nashville, Warner Bros. Nashville, Equity Records and Polydor Nashville, following successful stints in the pop music world with Arista and Geffen Records.
Throughout his career, Moran has worked with artists including Aerosmith, Aretha Franklin, Faith Hill, Randy Travis, Whitney Houston, Toby Keith, Guns N’ Roses, Gretchen Wilson and Travis Tritt. Moran, who began his career in the charts department at Billboard, worked with Grady at Sony Music Nashville.
“There isn’t a better music executive in Nashville than John Grady,” Moran said. “Factor in the iconic I.R.S. brand and a solid parent like Capitol LA and I couldn’t be more excited!”
I.R.S. was launched in 1979 by Miles Copeland III, Jay Boberg and Carl Grasso. The label was shuttered in 1996 and revived in 2011 as a joint venture between EMI Music North American and Crush Management.
Caroline, the independent services division of Capitol Music Group, created I.R.S. Nashville in 2013. I.R.S. Nashville’s first artist signing is duo Striking Matches whose upcoming debut album will be released first quarter 2015.
Joe Nichols Signs with WME
/by Jessica NicholsonJoe Nichols
Red Bow recording artist Joe Nichols has signed with WME, MusicRow has confirmed. Nichols is managed by Triple 8 Management.
He recently celebrated the success of “Yeah,” the single which follows his No. 1 hit “Sunny and 75” and is his second consecutive No. 1 hit from his critically acclaimed album Crickets.
His new single “Hard To Be Cool” is now climbing the charts at country radio.
Carrie Underwood Launches Fitness Lifestyle Brand With NYC Press Event
/by Kelsey_GradyCarrie Underwood with emcee Alicia Quarles and DICK’s Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott at press event in New York City for the unveiling of CALIA by Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood unveiled CALIA by Carrie Underwood, a fitness lifestyle apparel brand, during a press conference in New York City. The clothing line will be sold exclusively at DICK’S Sporting Goods stores nationwide and online beginning March 2015.
CALIA by Carrie Underwood is designed for today’s woman who embrace an active lifestyle and demands more versatility from her wardrobe. The fitness line features high-quality garments built to support the female body in motion, incorporating functional details and performance-driven fabrics.
“It has been such a rewarding experience working with DICK’S Sporting Goods on all aspects of the design process for CALIA, from choosing fabrics to making sure the look, feel and fit is right for active women,” said Underwood. “The inspiration for this line came from my desire to have clothes that seamlessly take me from workouts, to errands, to rehearsals and beyond. As someone who is passionate about health and fitness, I’m excited to offer women a wardrobe that will move with them and encourage them to stay the path of leading an active lifestyle.”
“We are proud to be working with Carrie on this exciting new line,” said Lauren Hobart, Senior Vice President & Chief Marketing Officer, DICK’S Sporting Goods. “From the very beginning of our partnership, we aligned with Carrie around a vision to provide fitness apparel and accessories that are as versatile as they are functional. The result is a collection that will truly fit the incredibly busy lives of active women.”
Carrie Underwood with DICK’s Sporting Goods designer Alycia Scott