(L-R): AJ Burton (Nettwerk One), Mark Jowett (Nettwerk One), Barry Coburn (Ten Ten Music), Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One)
Nettwerk One Music (NW1) has acquired a 50 percent stake in Ten Ten Music and the two companies have formed a publishing joint venture.
Under the acquisition agreement, NW1 now retains publishing interest in significant hits including Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town,” Reba McEntire’s “Turn On The Radio,” Papa Roach’s “Kick In The Teeth,” Tracy Byrd’s “Watermelon Crawl,” Blake Shelton’s “The Baby,” Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” and “Between The Devil And Me,” and many others.
NW1 will take over worldwide copyright and administration duties for the existing catalogue and will provide film, TV and advertising sync services through its existing team based in Los Angeles, New York and London. NW1 is the publishing division of Nettwerk Music Group.
Through the joint venture, NW1 and Ten Ten will combine creative resources to work already signed writers
David Lee, Porcelain Black, Scott Stepakoff and
Femke Weidema, and will look to build on that roster together with Nettwerk Nashville head,
AJ Burton, and the Ten Ten team.
NW1’s
Blair McDonald says, “We are thrilled to be in business with
Barry Coburn and his team at Ten Ten. This opportunity immediately felt like a great fit for everyone involved. Barry has proven over the years that he has a great understanding of songs, songwriters and the world of music publishing. During his career, he has also been enormously successful as an artist manager, concert promoter, live agent and record company executive. That broad experience makes him a great partner for Nettwerk. This catalogue is a very significant addition to Nettwerk’s growing publishing business, but just as importantly, we look forward to building on the roster and creating one of the most vibrant, international and forward thinking independent publishing houses in Nashville.”
Ten Ten President Barry Coburn adds, “I am so glad to be launching a new beginning for Ten Ten Music Group with Nettwerk One Music. We discovered that we formed our independent companies, one in Vancouver, the other in Nashville, within a few days of one another 30 years ago in September. The spirit of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of great music was a major factor in us coming together in this new venture. Nettwerk has developed so many great artists and writers, as has Ten Ten, and we look forward to building a great strong presence as publishing partners.”
SOLID Announces Board Members for 2015
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): 2015 SOLID Officers Eric Wright, Berkley Myers, Brian O’Neil and Kent Wolfenbarger.
Photo: Lauren Robertson
Music industry organization The Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID) has announced its board members for 2015.
2015 SOLID Board members:
President: Brian O’Neil, Iconic Entertainment
Vice President: Kent Wolfenbarger, Law Office of David Wykof
Treasurer: Berkley Myers, APA
Secretary: Eric Wright, SESAC
Education Chair: Stefany Reed, Aloompa, LLC
Education Co-Chair: Jenny Smith, NAXOS
Communications Chair: John Huelsman, Big Enterprises
Communications Co-Chair: Cassandra Lavoro, Sony/ATV
Social Chair: Jaime Sarrantonio, The Agency Coalition
Social Co-Chair: Ryan Slone, New Frontier Touring
Community Outreach Chair: Emma Tur, Warner Music Group
Community Outreach Co-Chair: Basak Kizilisik, Morris Higham Management
University Outreach Chair: Jeff Hoehne, Nashville Symphony
University Outreach Co-Chair: Rachel Cunningham, The Collective
In 2014, SOLID raised $46,158 for charities including Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee, St. Jude Children’s Hospital and the Muscular Dystrophy Association, with special funding donated to SOLID alumni Ryan Huie’s MusiCares Fund and Matt Rizor’s RizeUp Fund. SOLID also collected 2.5 tons worth of food for Second Harvest Food Bank of 2014.
SOLID recently named Tim Gray of Grayscale Entertainment its 2014 Member of the Year.
Jennifer Nettles Set For Broadway
/by Sarah SkatesReba McEntire is another country singer who played on Broadway. She acted in Annie Get Your Gun.
Jason Aldean's 'Old Boots, New Dirt' Gets RIAA Platinum Cert
/by Troy_StephensonJason Aldean
Jason Aldean’s latest album New Dirt, Old Boots is the only country album released this year to be certified platinum. This comes less than eight weeks after the album debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Top 200 chart with over 280,000 copies sold. Aldean is also only one of three artists across all genres to release an album that went platinum in 2014 (the other two being Taylor Swift and Ariana Grande).
“We put so much time and passion into choosing the best songs for this album, and this brings a lot of hard work full circle for me,” Aldean says. “It’s like Christmas came early! I couldn’t do it without the best country music fans in the world, who never stop believing in what I do and always follow me, even if I may take a creative left turn every now and then.”
Additionally, the album had the fourth biggest debut week in all genres this year, selling more than 278,000 copies in its premiere week. Its first single, “Burnin’ It Down,” was Aldean’s first tune to ever top the all-genre digital songs chart.
Nettwerk Acquires Stake In Ten Ten, Launches Joint Venture
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): AJ Burton (Nettwerk One), Mark Jowett (Nettwerk One), Barry Coburn (Ten Ten Music), Blair McDonald (Nettwerk One)
Nettwerk One Music (NW1) has acquired a 50 percent stake in Ten Ten Music and the two companies have formed a publishing joint venture.
Under the acquisition agreement, NW1 now retains publishing interest in significant hits including Miranda Lambert’s “Fastest Girl In Town,” Reba McEntire’s “Turn On The Radio,” Papa Roach’s “Kick In The Teeth,” Tracy Byrd’s “Watermelon Crawl,” Blake Shelton’s “The Baby,” Alan Jackson’s “Here In The Real World” and “Between The Devil And Me,” and many others.
NW1 will take over worldwide copyright and administration duties for the existing catalogue and will provide film, TV and advertising sync services through its existing team based in Los Angeles, New York and London. NW1 is the publishing division of Nettwerk Music Group.
Through the joint venture, NW1 and Ten Ten will combine creative resources to work already signed writers David Lee, Porcelain Black, Scott Stepakoff and Femke Weidema, and will look to build on that roster together with Nettwerk Nashville head, AJ Burton, and the Ten Ten team.
NW1’s Blair McDonald says, “We are thrilled to be in business with Barry Coburn and his team at Ten Ten. This opportunity immediately felt like a great fit for everyone involved. Barry has proven over the years that he has a great understanding of songs, songwriters and the world of music publishing. During his career, he has also been enormously successful as an artist manager, concert promoter, live agent and record company executive. That broad experience makes him a great partner for Nettwerk. This catalogue is a very significant addition to Nettwerk’s growing publishing business, but just as importantly, we look forward to building on the roster and creating one of the most vibrant, international and forward thinking independent publishing houses in Nashville.”
Ten Ten President Barry Coburn adds, “I am so glad to be launching a new beginning for Ten Ten Music Group with Nettwerk One Music. We discovered that we formed our independent companies, one in Vancouver, the other in Nashville, within a few days of one another 30 years ago in September. The spirit of entrepreneurship and the pursuit of great music was a major factor in us coming together in this new venture. Nettwerk has developed so many great artists and writers, as has Ten Ten, and we look forward to building a great strong presence as publishing partners.”
Capitol Music Group Hires Boddy, Cooney To Publicity Roles
/by Eric T. ParkerJennie Boddy (L), Erin Cooney (R).
Jennie Boddy and Erin Cooney have joined Capitol Music Group (CMG) as Vice Presidents of Publicity, announced Monday (Dec. 8) by Ambrosia Healy, the company’s SVP and Head of Media Strategy & Relations, to whom Cooney and Boddy will report.
In new positions, Boddy and Cooney will design and execute publicity plans for CMG artists and projects spanning the company’s portfolio of labels, including Capitol, Virgin, Motown, Harvest, Blue Note and Astralwerks. Boddy will be based in the company’s recently expanded New York offices, while Cooney will be based in Hollywood.
Both Boddy and Cooney come to CMG and reunite with Healy from the latter’s independent PR firm The Fun Star. Cooney joined Healy at The Fun Star 10 years ago, working closely with Tim McGraw, Coldplay, Robyn, Fiona Apple, Alabama Shakes, Nine Inch Nails, Bastille, Emeli Sandé, Dave Matthews Band and Phish. In 2001 Cooney joined the publicity department of Capitol Records.
Boddy began her career in 1988 as the first publicist for the Seattle-based independent label Sub Pop. She joined Interscope Records in 1994, working with artists such as M.I.A., Marilyn Manson, The Hives, Rocket From The Crypt and Tom Jones.
CRS Names Rusty Walker Scholarship Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonAndrea Bogdonas (Morning Show Co-Host, Promotions Director and Social Media Producer/Designer – WFMB/Springfield, IL), Colton Bradford (Night Host and Morning Stunt Guy – WKSJ/Mobile, AL) and Annie Brooks (Marketing and Promotions Director – KWJJ/Portland, OR) are the three recipients of this year’s scholarship.
The Rusty Walker Scholarship program was created in 2012 by the Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc. to honor Country Radio Hall of Fame member, Rusty Walker, who passed away in May 2012. Scholars will be recognized at the CRS 2015 opening ceremonies and will have the opportunity to meet CRS board members during the three-day seminar.
CRS 2015 will be held Feb. 25-27, 2015 at the Nashville Convention Center. To register for CRS at the regular rate of $499 visit www.countryradioseminar.com.
Will Hoge Brings Career Lessons to Nashville School of the Arts
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Lightning 100 on-air personality Wells Adams and singer-songwriter Will Hoge. Photo: Catrina Engelby
Will Hoge recently visited Nashville School of the Arts (NSA) as the featured guest for its student-produced program, NSA Presents, on Friday (Dec. 5). The program, developed by former NSA counselor and Hoge’s wife Julia Hoge, connects students with songwriters and industry members to help students determine avenues for launching their careers. The series is hosted by Lightning 100 On-Air personality Wells Adams.
The session offered an interview with Hoge about his life on the road, his path to success in music, and the craft of songwriting. Hoge also participated in a Q&A session with students and performed “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” the chart-topping song he co-wrote, with NSA’s student swing band.
“NSA Presents is a great way to connect students with singer songwriters and music industry professionals. For me, taking time to talk with the students at NSA was incredibly refreshing and inspiring because they are so talented and eager to learn about careers in the music industry,” said Hoge.
Other celebrities that have participated in “NSA presents” include Chris Young, Janelle Monae, Chip Esten and Ruby Amanfu.
Razor & Tie To Open "Hub" In Nashville's SoBro Area
/by Jessica NicholsonThe new hub will open in March 2015.
“We are excited to develop a new space in a hot new area of Nashville where we can continue to provide our writers and artists with the right ‘vibes’ to create great music,” Razor & Tie co-owners Cliff Chenfeld and Craig Balsam said.
Top Albums and Songs Revealed at iTunes
/by Eric T. ParkerThe top selling country albums included Eric Church at No. 9 (The Outsiders), Luke Bryan at No. 12 (Crash My Party), and Jason Aldean at No. 14 (Old Boots, New Dirt). Interestingly, Soundscan credits Bryan with moving the most units of the three superstars; Church and Aldean respectively follow. Topping out the all-genre album list was the soundtrack to Disney’s Frozen, followed by Taylor Swift (1989), and Coldplay (Ghost Stories).
Top selling songs included Nashville’s Meghan Trainor at No. 7 (“All About That Bass”) and Swift at No. 12 (“Shake It Off”). The top three tracks include Pharrell Williams (“Happy”), John Legend (“All of Me”), and Katy Perry (“Dark Horse [feat. Juicy J]”).
The editorial pick for country album went to Little Big Town’s Pain Killer. Swift’s 1989 received selective nods for Best Album in addition to Pop Album.
Artist Updates: Florida Georgia Line, Craig Morgan, Scotty McCreery
/by Jessica NicholsonFlorida Georgia Line
Florida Georgia Line has teamed with their home church, Cross Point Church, in its Dollar Club initiative. The duo encourages fans and friends to give one dollar to the Dollar Club, which partners with various organizations to help those in Nashville who are in need.
Founded in January 2014, Cross Point Church’s Dollar Club gives 100 percent of monies raised directly to people in need. For more, visit dollarclub.tv or facebook.com/floridageorgialine.
• • •
Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan has teamed with MoonPie to ship more than 35,000 MoonPies to USO centers across the country this week as a thank you treat for U.S. troops who are heading home for the holidays. Morgan was tapped to assist with a six-month social media campaign that invited MoonPie and Morgan fans to donate a free MoonPie to the troops. Morgan was featured on 250,000 MoonPie retail cartons this summer and fall, and has actively promoted the campaign at concerts and online.
“Chattanooga Bakery has demonstrated its ongoing support for our troops since WWII,” said Tory Johnston, VP of Marketing at MoonPie. “Partnering with Craig Morgan and the USO was really perfect for this thank you campaign for our servicemen and women.”
• • •
Scotty McCreery‘s recent fundraising concert at the Toyota Oakdale in Wallingford, Conn. raised $60,000 for the 12.14 Foundation. The organization’s long-term goal is to build a special center to house multi-disciplinary educational programs focused on helping children, including a performing arts center, which will be based in Newtown, Conn., but its doors will be open to benefit people nationwide.
The center will honor those lost during the school shooting in Newtown, Conn., on Dec. 14, 2012, while providing a venue that supports many forms of healing.
Pictured (L-R): Jay Winuck, 12.14 Foundation Board Member; Scotty McCreery; and Michael Baroody, MD, 12.14 Foundation Founder.
Photo: Judy McCreery