Documentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan delivered the keynote address at the quarterly CMA Board of Directors meeting Wednesday (Nov. 19) in Nashville. Burns and Duncan, Emmy winners for their work on the PBS documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” are working together on a major series on the history of Country Music, slated for release in 2018.
Pictured (L-R): Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns deliver the keynote address during the CMA Board of Directors meeting Wednesday in Nashville. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Jim Free, CMA ex-officio Board member and President/CEO of The Smith-Free Group; Ken Burns; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Dayton Duncan; Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Jim Free, CMA ex-officio Board member and President/CEO of The Smith-Free Group; Ken Burns; Dierks Bentley, CMA Board member; Dayton Duncan; Kix Brooks, CMA Board Member. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
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The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) has announced its incoming officers and committee co-chairs for 2015. Current WMBA president Raeanna Mowl introduced the officers for 2015:
President-Alison Toczylowski, Director of Marketing & Communications, ASCAP
Vice President-Makayla Telfer, Marketing Director, StudioNow
Secretary-Dana Lalevee, Business Operations Analyst, BMI
Treasurer-Marissa Bond, Account Assistant, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
The WMBA’s committee co-chairs for 2015 include:
Membership & Marketing Committee: Jen Sackett and Elizabeth Motley
Events & Education Committee: Stacy Scism and Ellen Mundy
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Nashville-based Music Industry Forum has launched its new online outpost, musicindustryforum.com, a gathering spot for industry members, artists, and others to engage in discussions, share information, and create opportunities.
“We are pleased to announce the release of the Music Industry Forum website,” said Tom Truitt, MusicRowSearch founder and industry headhunter. “We designed Music Industry Forum to facilitate collaborative discussions, news and popular blog feeds. We look forward to growing with the community we serve.”
Music Industry Forum, which began as a LinkedIn discussion group seven years ago, has grown into an online community with more than 67,000 global members. The expansion has led to a standalone forum, which includes industry members Billy Block, Jim Griffin, Kalatech and DevDigital. The new website is designed to accommodate increased demand.
“If you have an opinion, a blog or a popular site and want it to be part of Music Industry Forum, simply visit the site and engage in the ongoing dialog about issues that matter,” said Billy Block, Music Industry Forum partner.
In addition to the web platform, Truitt plans for monthly meetups in multiple cities. The first meetup is planned for late January 2015. Anyone interested in attending a meetup can contact Music Industry Forum via info@musicindustryforum.com.
Weekly Chart Report (11/21/14)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
CMA Presents Music Discovery Research Findings
/by Jessica NicholsonCMA Senior Director of Market Research Karen Stump (far right) presents consumer music discovery research to CMA members during the annual membership meeting Thursday in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
The Country Music Association presented its Music Discovery Research findings, regarding music discovery behaviors among music fans, to CMA members recently during the annual membership meeting in Nashville.
The study also sought to identify top music discovery sources and their impact on music purchasing.
“An important part of our mission as the trade association for the format is to provide meaningful research and tools to help our constituents advance their business interests by gaining a better understanding of the general music consumer as well as the core Country fan,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The annual membership meeting was the perfect platform to present these important findings directly to our stakeholders in the industry.”
Research was conducted among 1,600 Adults 18+ who had “discovered” a new song within a seven-day period around the research field dates (July 22–31). The reported findings represent consumer actions that occurred within the same seven-day window.
Among the key findings presented by Karen Stump, CMA Senior Director of Market Research:
CMA Foundation Salutes Joe Galante, Kitty Moon Emery
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Board Chairman; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
In recognition of their volunteer service to the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, former Chairman Kitty Moon Emery and outgoing Chairman Joe Galante were presented with mementos commemorating their many contributions to the Board. The presentation was made by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern at the annual CMA Board membership meeting in Nashville yesterday (Nov. 20).
To date, the CMA Foundation has awarded more than $10 million to organizations that support music education across the United States. The funds are donated on behalf of the artists who support CMA Music Festival each June, meeting fans and performing for free.
CMA created the nonprofit (501C3) CMA Foundation in 2011. The Foundation exists to provide financial support to worthwhile causes that are important to CMA and the Country Music community. The group places special emphasis on serving the needs of CMA’s core constituents and nonprofit organizations with initiatives that preserve the legacy of the format, support music education, and respond to other needs identified by CMA.
Pictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; Kitty Moon Emery, former CMA Foundation Board Chairman; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Warner/Chappell Music, Neon Cross Sign Spillman
/by Jessica NicholsonJeremy Spillman
Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the music publishing arm of Warner Music Group, along with publisher Neon Cross, have signed a worldwide publishing agreement with songwriter Jeremy Spillman.
Spillman said, “Warner/Chappell has felt like home since day one and working with Jay Joyce is a dream come true. It’s the best of both worlds.”
Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville, said, “Jeremy Spillman is a show-up-every-day, thoughtful, & diverse songwriter that co-writers love to spend time creating music with. It’s a real honor to support his songs working in conjunction with Jay Joyce & Neon Cross.”
“Jeremy Spillman is the perfect addition to our team,” said Jay Joyce, Founder, Neon Cross. “He has always been one of my favorite writers—he works hard and is committed to his art. I can’t wait to see the crazy places this partnership will take us.”
In just the past year, Spillman has had a diverse collection of songs recorded by such renowned artists as Eric Church, Brantley Gilbert, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, Keith Urban, Frankie Ballard, and Charlie Worsham.
Upcoming Songwriting Competitions: ASCAP, ISC
/by Jessica NicholsonAll sessions will be held at ASCAP’s Nashville office on the following dates: Monday, Dec. 1 (6 p.m.-9 p.m.), Tuesday, Dec. 2 (6 p.m.-9 p.m.), and Thursday, Dec. 4 (2 p.m.-5 p.m.).
The deadline for submissions is Nov. 25, 2014. Submissions should include MP3s of two original songs (with lyric sheets), and a brief biography including address, phone number and email.
Applicants should send submissions to ascapchristianworkshop@gmail.com.
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ISC’s Love Song promotion is for songs about love, falling in love, heartbreak, etc. One Overall winner from the promotion will receive 4,000 Radio Airplay credits ($100 value), and their love song included on the Jango.com Love Songs station with artists like Bruno Mars, Christina Perri, Jason Mraz, Adele, Journey, and others. They will also receive promotion on Radio Airplay’s social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, an artist spotlight feature in the Radio Airplay blog and newsletter, plus top placement in rotation on Jango.com’s Love Song station.
Nine runners up receive 500 Radio Airplay credits each, promotion on Radio Airplay’s social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and top rotation on the Independent Love Songs station. Winners will be announced in February 2015. Click here to enter.
ISC’s Pick Your Cause promotion is for songs about any sort of social cause. One Overall winner from the promotion will receive 4000 Radio Airplay credits ($100 value), promotion on Radio Airplay’s social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, an artist spotlight feature in the Radio Airplay blog and newsletter, plus top placement in rotation on Sounds Of Social Cause.
Nine runners up receive 500 Radio Airplay credits each, promotion on Radio Airplay’s social media outlets such as Twitter and Facebook, and top rotation in on the Sounds Of Social Cause station. Winners will be announced in February 2015. Click here to enter.
Ty Herndon on Being Gay: 'I'm Still The Same Person'
/by Sarah SkatesTy Herndon
Ty Herndon sat down with Entertainment Tonight and People to share his truth about being a Country music singer who is also gay. The ET interview will air tonight (Nov. 20). “I’m still the same person. Fans just know a little more about me now,” he said.
He also discussed the significance of Kacey Musgraves’s LGBT-approving hit “Follow Your Arrow” winning CMA Song of the Year.
Herndon, best known for the ‘90s hits “What Mattered Most,” “Living in a Moment” and “It Must Be Love,” continues to make music and tour. His latest album, Lies I Told Myself, was released in 2013. In the ET interview, he said the biggest lie he told himself is “that I couldn’t be gay in Country music.”
Supporting Herndon during his public coming out is longtime partner Matt, and fellow Country singer Chely Wright, who also came out in recent years.
Herndon said he hopes gay children know, “They can be loved by God, they can be married one day, they can have a family, they can give their parents grandkids. And they’re not broken, they’re not sinners and they’re perfectly beautiful.”
Bob DiPiero Receives CMA Chairman's Award
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy; DiPiero; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; John Esposito, CMA Board President-elect and President/CEO of Warner Music Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
A member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and longtime host of the popular CMA Songwriters Series, Bob DiPiero was recognized today (Thursday November 20, 2014) during the CMA Board of Directors meeting in Nashville. He was presented the CMA Chairman’s Award by CMA Board Chairman Ed Hardy.
“Bob has been a creative force and passionate supporter of songwriters and the CMA Songwriters Series in the U.S. and in Europe – expanding the genre and creating new fans everywhere he goes,” Hardy said. “Bob is highly regarded as a songwriter, but serving with him on the CMA Board, I have a much deeper appreciation for his business acumen, his absolute dedication to the creative process, and his trademark sense of humor.”
“This award is truly a highlight of my ongoing career,” said DiPiero. “To be awarded this by Ed Hardy in front of the CMA Board members humbles me. The dream goes on.”
The Chairman’s Award is given annually at the discretion of the Chairman of the Board. At the presentation, Hardy praised DiPiero’s leadership and tireless efforts on behalf of the format and CMA Songwriters Series, which celebrates its tenth anniversary in 2014.
Americanafest Dates Announced for 2015
/by Jessica NicholsonEarly bird registrations for the 16th annual Americana Music Festival and Conference are now available by visiting eventbrite.com. The cost is $265 for Americana members and $365 for non-members.
Room blocks are also available for reservation at the Hutton Hotel. After registering for the 2015 Americanafest, attendees can call 866-894-4609 or email reservations@huttonhotel.com to book a stay during Americanafest.
Industry Ink: CMA, WMBA, Music Industry Forum
/by Jessica NicholsonDocumentary filmmakers Ken Burns and Dayton Duncan delivered the keynote address at the quarterly CMA Board of Directors meeting Wednesday (Nov. 19) in Nashville. Burns and Duncan, Emmy winners for their work on the PBS documentary “The National Parks: America’s Best Idea,” are working together on a major series on the history of Country Music, slated for release in 2018.
Pictured (L-R): Dayton Duncan and Ken Burns deliver the keynote address during the CMA Board of Directors meeting Wednesday in Nashville. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Jim Free, CMA ex-officio Board member and President/CEO of The Smith-Free Group; Ken Burns; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Dayton Duncan; Frank Bumstead, CMA Board President and Chairman of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
Pictured (L-R): Jim Free, CMA ex-officio Board member and President/CEO of The Smith-Free Group; Ken Burns; Dierks Bentley, CMA Board member; Dayton Duncan; Kix Brooks, CMA Board Member. Photo: Caitlin Harris / CMA
• • •
President-Alison Toczylowski, Director of Marketing & Communications, ASCAP
Vice President-Makayla Telfer, Marketing Director, StudioNow
Secretary-Dana Lalevee, Business Operations Analyst, BMI
Treasurer-Marissa Bond, Account Assistant, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
The WMBA’s committee co-chairs for 2015 include:
Membership & Marketing Committee: Jen Sackett and Elizabeth Motley
Events & Education Committee: Stacy Scism and Ellen Mundy
• • •
“We are pleased to announce the release of the Music Industry Forum website,” said Tom Truitt, MusicRowSearch founder and industry headhunter. “We designed Music Industry Forum to facilitate collaborative discussions, news and popular blog feeds. We look forward to growing with the community we serve.”
Music Industry Forum, which began as a LinkedIn discussion group seven years ago, has grown into an online community with more than 67,000 global members. The expansion has led to a standalone forum, which includes industry members Billy Block, Jim Griffin, Kalatech and DevDigital. The new website is designed to accommodate increased demand.
“If you have an opinion, a blog or a popular site and want it to be part of Music Industry Forum, simply visit the site and engage in the ongoing dialog about issues that matter,” said Billy Block, Music Industry Forum partner.
In addition to the web platform, Truitt plans for monthly meetups in multiple cities. The first meetup is planned for late January 2015. Anyone interested in attending a meetup can contact Music Industry Forum via info@musicindustryforum.com.
Kix Brooks To Receive CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, Kix Brooks, CMA Board President Frank Bumstead and CMA Board Member Joe Galante. Photo Credit: CMA / Caitlin Harris
Acclaimed artist, radio personality, entrepreneur, and member of the CMA Board of Directors Kix Brooks was named the first recipient of the CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award.
The CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award was developed by the CMA Awards and Recognition Committee and approved by the CMA Foundation. The Award recognizes an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism, and advocacy. Those recognized must be a Country Music professional who has evidenced commitment to worthwhile causes that are important to the Country Music Association and the Country Music community.
“It’s embarrassing to be singled out in such a giving community,” said Brooks. “It’s easy to look around and be inspired by people who do more. I’ll keep trying – this is very special.”
Brooks has been an active member of the CMA Board of Directors since 1998, serving and chairing numerous committees as well as presiding as President of the Board in 2004 and Chairman in 2005. During this 16-year period, Brooks contributed to the unprecedented growth of the organization, but was instrumental in creating and developing several initiatives that have touched the lives of countless members of the music community.
The Award will be presented at an event in January 2015.