Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year winner Noam Pikelny (front) Del McCoury (behind). Photo: James McKelvey.
The 25th Annual
International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards took place Thursday night (Oct. 2) at Raleigh, N.C.’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Award highlights (full winners list below) include
Balsam Range taking home Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Male Vocalist (
Buddy Melton). Banjo player
Noam Pikelny had a breakout night, winning Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year for
Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. At an earlier awards ceremony, Hall of Fame inductee
Neil Rosenberg won Best Liner Notes for the same album.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees,
The Seldom Scene and
Dr. Neil Rosenberg, were honored in special presentations. Rosenberg was celebrated with a performance from fellow Canadians
The Spinney Brothers, joined by fiddle players
Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, and
Jason Carter. Original members
Ben Eldridge, John Starling and
Tom Gray accepted their award to a standing ovation, noting the late
John Duffey and
Mike Auldridge. Both original members and current members then performed the signature hit “Wait A Minute.”
2014 Hall of Fame inductees, The Seldom Scene with current members, and Chris Eldridge. Photo: Dave Brainard.
Performances included
The Boxcars, Claire Lynch, Gibson Brothers, Della Mae, Blue Highway, Noam Pikelny, Del McCoury Band, Balsam Range, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Hosts
Lee Ann Womack and
Jerry Douglas also performed at the 2014 show, which is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week’s (Sept. 30–Oct. 4) IBMA Business Conference and Wide Open Bluegrass festival.
Awards found broadcast partners including Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) and streaming from Music City Roots. Syndication will take the event to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The show will also be posted on AirPlay Direct. Awards are voted on by the professional membership of IBMA.
Instrumental Group of the Year, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Photo: Willa Stein.
The 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards
Hall of Fame Inductees: The Original Seldom Scene, Neil Rosenberg
Entertainer of the Year: Balsam Range
Vocal Group of the Year: Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Male Vocalist of the Year: Buddy Melton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Amanda Smith
Emerging Artist of the Year: Flatt Lonesome
Album of the Year: Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe – Noam Pikelny (artist) Gabe Witcher (producer), Compass Records
Song of the Year: “Dear Sister” – Claire Lynch (artist), Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb (writers)
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”- Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown (artists), Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (album), John Martin Sommers (writer), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: “Won’t It Be Wonderful There” – Dailey & Vincent (artist), Brothers of the Highway (album), Mildred Styles Johnson (writer), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
Recorded Event of the Year: “Wild Montana Skies” – Special Consensus with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Mandolin Player of the Year: Adam Steffey
Dobro Player of the Year: Phil Leadbetter
Bass Player of the Year: Barry Bales
Fiddle Player of the Year: Jason Carter
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Banjo Player of the Year: Noam Pikelny
Special Awards (presented Oct. 2)
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Tim Stafford
Broadcaster of the Year: Kyle Cantrell, Bluegrass Junction, Sirius XM
Print/Media Person of the Year: Chris Jones, writer at Bluegrass Today
Bluegrass Event of the Year: Bluegrass Underground
Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project: Lou Everhart (designer), Lonely Comes Easy, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Rebel Records
Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project: Neil V Rosenberg, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Noam Pikelny, Compass Records
Distinguished Achievement Award recipients: Bill Keith, Deering Banjos, the European Bluegrass Music Association, Hillbilly at Harvard, and The Delmore Brothers.
Momentum Awards (presented Oct. 1)
Instrumentalists of the Year: Dominick Leslie (mandolin), Jake Stargel (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo)
Vocalist of the Year: Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)
Band of the Year: The Barefoot Movement
New Festival or Venue of the Year: Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association
Industry Involvement of the Year: Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground
Mentor of the Year: Tim Surrett
IBMA Awards Celebrate Silver Anniversary in Raleigh
/by Eric T. ParkerBanjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year winner Noam Pikelny (front) Del McCoury (behind). Photo: James McKelvey.
The 25th Annual International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) Awards took place Thursday night (Oct. 2) at Raleigh, N.C.’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts.
Award highlights (full winners list below) include Balsam Range taking home Entertainer of the Year, Vocal Group of the Year, and Male Vocalist (Buddy Melton). Banjo player Noam Pikelny had a breakout night, winning Banjo Player of the Year and Album of the Year for Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe. At an earlier awards ceremony, Hall of Fame inductee Neil Rosenberg won Best Liner Notes for the same album.
Bluegrass Hall of Fame inductees, The Seldom Scene and Dr. Neil Rosenberg, were honored in special presentations. Rosenberg was celebrated with a performance from fellow Canadians The Spinney Brothers, joined by fiddle players Michael Cleveland, Stuart Duncan, and Jason Carter. Original members Ben Eldridge, John Starling and Tom Gray accepted their award to a standing ovation, noting the late John Duffey and Mike Auldridge. Both original members and current members then performed the signature hit “Wait A Minute.”
2014 Hall of Fame inductees, The Seldom Scene with current members, and Chris Eldridge. Photo: Dave Brainard.
Performances included The Boxcars, Claire Lynch, Gibson Brothers, Della Mae, Blue Highway, Noam Pikelny, Del McCoury Band, Balsam Range, Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen. Hosts Lee Ann Womack and Jerry Douglas also performed at the 2014 show, which is the centerpiece of the World of Bluegrass Week’s (Sept. 30–Oct. 4) IBMA Business Conference and Wide Open Bluegrass festival.
Awards found broadcast partners including Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction) and streaming from Music City Roots. Syndication will take the event to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks. The show will also be posted on AirPlay Direct. Awards are voted on by the professional membership of IBMA.
Instrumental Group of the Year, Frank Solivan and Dirty Kitchen. Photo: Willa Stein.
The 2014 International Bluegrass Music Awards
Hall of Fame Inductees: The Original Seldom Scene, Neil Rosenberg
Entertainer of the Year: Balsam Range
Vocal Group of the Year: Balsam Range
Instrumental Group of the Year: Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Male Vocalist of the Year: Buddy Melton
Female Vocalist of the Year: Amanda Smith
Emerging Artist of the Year: Flatt Lonesome
Album of the Year: Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe – Noam Pikelny (artist) Gabe Witcher (producer), Compass Records
Song of the Year: “Dear Sister” – Claire Lynch (artist), Claire Lynch and Louisa Branscomb (writers)
Instrumental Recorded Performance of the Year: “Thank God I’m A Country Boy”- Special Consensus with Buddy Spicher, Michael Cleveland and Alison Brown (artists), Country Boy: A Bluegrass Tribute to John Denver (album), John Martin Sommers (writer), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Gospel Recorded Performance of the Year: “Won’t It Be Wonderful There” – Dailey & Vincent (artist), Brothers of the Highway (album), Mildred Styles Johnson (writer), Jamie Dailey and Darrin Vincent (producers), Rounder Records
Recorded Event of the Year: “Wild Montana Skies” – Special Consensus with Claire Lynch & Rob Ickes (artists), Alison Brown (producer), Compass Records
Mandolin Player of the Year: Adam Steffey
Dobro Player of the Year: Phil Leadbetter
Bass Player of the Year: Barry Bales
Fiddle Player of the Year: Jason Carter
Guitar Player of the Year: Bryan Sutton
Banjo Player of the Year: Noam Pikelny
Special Awards (presented Oct. 2)
Bluegrass Songwriter of the Year: Tim Stafford
Broadcaster of the Year: Kyle Cantrell, Bluegrass Junction, Sirius XM
Print/Media Person of the Year: Chris Jones, writer at Bluegrass Today
Bluegrass Event of the Year: Bluegrass Underground
Best Graphic Design for a Recorded Project: Lou Everhart (designer), Lonely Comes Easy, Chris Jones & the Night Drivers, Rebel Records
Best Liner Notes for a Recorded Project: Neil V Rosenberg, Noam Pikelny Plays Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe, Noam Pikelny, Compass Records
Distinguished Achievement Award recipients: Bill Keith, Deering Banjos, the European Bluegrass Music Association, Hillbilly at Harvard, and The Delmore Brothers.
Momentum Awards (presented Oct. 1)
Instrumentalists of the Year: Dominick Leslie (mandolin), Jake Stargel (guitar), Cory Walker (banjo)
Vocalist of the Year: Jesse Gregory (Jesse Gregory & Faultline)
Band of the Year: The Barefoot Movement
New Festival or Venue of the Year: Bluegrass Situation showcases at Bonaroo & Americana Music Association
Industry Involvement of the Year: Ashlee-Jean Trott, Music City Roots/Bluegrass Underground
Mentor of the Year: Tim Surrett
The Agency Group Signs James Otto
/by Jessica Nicholson“We are beyond thrilled to have James Otto join The Agency Group family,” says Otto’s agent Alec Vidmar. “He is one of the best songwriters and one of the most soulful voices in country music. We can’t wait to bring his talent to people all around the globe.”
In August, The Agency Group acquired The Bobby Roberts Company, and earlier this year, The Agency Group celebrated the second anniversary of the establishment of its Nashville office.
The Turtles Launch $25 Million Lawsuit Against Pandora
/by Jessica Nicholson“Pandora understands that having a vast range and array of music is critical to the success of any music service which is why pre-1972 recordings constitute a significant part of the Music Service,” says the lawsuit. “Pandora is aware that it does not have any license, right, or authority to reproduce, perform, distribute or otherwise exploit via the Music Service any pre-1972 recordings (including The Turtles’ Recordings),” alleges the complaint.
Pandora states that it pays out publishing royalties for all music plays, including pre-1972 music. This means that songwriters are compensated, but not necessarily performers of the songs. Pandora claims its platform aids in elongating artists’ careers, but says it would lend its support to “the full federalization of Pre-72 sound recordings under a technology-neutral approach that affords libraries, music services and consumers the same rights and responsibilities that are enjoyed with respect to all other sound recordings.”
The Turtles’ recently won lawsuit against SiriusXM involved $100 million in damages. Flo & Eddie claimed SiriusXM did not seek authorization (and did not pay royalties) to play songs including “Happy Together,” “It Ain’t Me Babe,” and other Turtles hits.
Meanwhile, the RIAA is going against Pandora in a separate lawsuit involving pre-1972 music. The RIAA lawsuit is happening in New York, while the Flo & Eddie lawsuit is taking place in California, a state where the plaintiffs hope to use the recent precedent on public performance rights to their advantage.
Weekly Chart Report (10/03/14)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
WSIX To Host 2nd Annual Nashville Halloween Music Festival
/by Troy_StephensonThe event will benefit the T.J. Martell Foundation’s FTL Sarcoma Fund in honor of Lindsay Walleman, a 28-year-old industry pro who lost her battle with the disease last April. The organization seeks to expand national sarcoma awareness with fundraising initiatives geared specifically towards sarcoma research among the nation’s leading institutions, scientists and doctors.
Thirteen acts across four stages are set to perform that night, including Jake Owen, Big & Rich, Gary Allan, Scotty McReery, and WSIX Morning Show host Bobby Bones & The Raging Idiots.
Tickets to the event range from $45 for general admission to $150 for VIP with limited group packages available. Tickets are now on sale at Ticketweb.com or by visiting wsix.com.
Manhead Merch To Open Nashville Office
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville office will offer design and product development, tour merchandise services, retail and licensing, and e-commerce. Clients have included Ben Folds Five, Britt Nicole, The Civil Wars, Gavin DeGraw, Phil Vassar, OneRepublic, Train, and Sara Bareilles.
For more information, visit manheadmerch.com.
Artist Updates: Love and Theft, Jerrod Niemann, CMA Awards, RaeLynn, Brett Eldredge
/by Jessica NicholsonThe sweepstakes, which launched earlier this month and runs through Oct. 8, offers one winner and a guest the opportunity to sing onstage with Love and Theft, two tickets to the Gramercy Theatre performance, two roundtrip airfare tickets to NYC, two-night hotel accommodation, artist meet and greets and a merchandise package.
For more information, visit loveandtheft.com.
• • •
Jerrod Niemann
Jerrod Niemann will perform at the 2014 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on Sunday, Nov. 2 at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Niemann’s recent chart-topper, “I Can Drink To That All Night,” was penned by SESAC affiliate Lance Miller.
Highlights of the evening will feature the presentation of special awards including Songwriter of the Year, Song of the Year and Publisher of the Year.
• • •
Lady Antebellum
Additional performers have been added to the 48th annual CMA awards. Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, and The Band Perry will join previously announced performers Luke Bryan, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, and Keith Urban.
The 48th annual CMA Awards will take place Wednesday, Nov. 5, airing live on ABC from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
• • •
The Valory Music Co. artist RaeLynn made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday (Sept. 26), performing her debut single, “God Made Girls,” as well as two other songs, “Love Triangle” and “Young.”
“I’m so excited to be able to share such a special moment in my career with my family, fans and amazing team. They all mean so much to me and I wouldn’t be here without them. Being invited to sing at the Grand Ole Opry is an absolute dream come true,” said RaeLynn. “Standing in the same hallowed circle as my heroes and looking out into that crowd performing my own music is a moment I will never forget. Someone pinch me please!”
Pictured (L-R): The Valory Music Co.’s VP Promotion George Briner, Grand Ole Opry VP/General Manager Pete Fisher, RaeLynn, Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta and Grand Ole Opry President Steve Buchanan. Photo by Chris Hollo, Courtesy Grand Ole Opry© 2014
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Brett Eldredge and Bill Anderson
CMA New Artist of the Year nominee Brett Eldredge returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage Tuesday night to perform two chart-topping songs, along with his latest single, “Mean To Me.”
Prior to his performance, he chatted backstage with Opry member Bill Anderson. Eldredge, Anderson and Brad Crisler penned “Signs,” a track from Eldredge’s album Bring You Back.
Findley, Flick Promoted at BBR Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonMary Forest Findley
The BBR Music Group has promoted Mary Forest Findley to the role of VP, Marketing, reporting to EVP Jon Loba and GM Rick Shedd. Findley will oversee brand partnerships, strategic marketing opportunities, and work to coordinate marketing efforts between each of the music group’s departments. She will continue to oversee national syndicated radio promotion.
Findley served as the music group’s Director of National Syndication and Radio Strategy since December 2012. Prior to her work at BBRMG, Findley worked six years as VP of Sales & Marketing at Country Aircheck. Previously served as R&R’s Country record label sales representative. She also worked for the Country Music Association and for Premiere radio.
Chelsey Flick has been promoted to the role of Manager of National Syndication and Radio Strategy, where she will manage national radio syndication directives for all three labels under BBR Music Group, and will report to Findley.
Chelsey Flick
Flick served as radio promotion coordinator for both Broken Bow and Stoney Creek since October 2012. She previously worked as Office Manager for Crowd Surf, and as a booking agent assistant for Artist Events and a publicity assistant for Loudmouth PR.
Both promotions are effective immediately. A replacement for the Broken Bow and Stoney Creek Records radio promotion coordinator position will be announced soon.
Mary Forest Findley may continue to be reached at: 615-610-2098 and maryforest@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Flick can be reached at 615-610-2106 and chelsey@bbrmusicgroup.com.
Wes Vause To Begin WMN Sr. VP/Publicity Role Oct. 6
/by Troy_StephensonWes joins WMN from Sony Music Nashville, where he held the role of VP, Media. He is based in Nashville, reports to John Esposito, President and CEO, WMN.
“After 14 years with Sony Nashville, I’m thrilled about my new opportunities at Warner Music Nashville,” said Vause. “In just five years with WMN, John Esposito and his team have done an amazing job of signing and developing great artists and I look forward to working under his passionate leadership, and joining the Warner family!”
Esposito added, “We are truly thrilled to have Wes join our special Warner Music Nashville family. Not only is he a proven veteran with a great track record, but he also is one of the most artist sensitive people I have met, making him a perfect fit for our team.”
Prior to Sony, Vause held positions at Asylum and Polydor Records. Vause is a member of the Country Music Association, as well as the Academy of Country Music, and is an alumnus of Leadership Music, Class of 2010. Vause graduated from Belmont University with a degree in Music Business, and currently resides in Nashville.
He can be reached at wes.vause@wmg.com or 615-214-1500.
Signings About Town: The Agency Group, SESAC
/by Eric T. Parker“We are beyond excited to have The LACS join The Agency Group’s Worldwide Roster,” states Lance Roberts, VP of The Agency Group Nashville. “Though they are already an established brand in today’s market, I am excited to watch Alec Vidmar’s passion and vision take The LACS to the next level.”
The LACS are gearing up to release Nothing In Particular, an 11-track collection of fan-favorite songs on Oct. 28. The duo is currently on a 22-city Nothing In Particular – Road to Lactoberfest tour culminating at their annual fall fan-fest, Lactoberfest, in Bloomingdale, Ga. at the Big Nasty ATV Park.
Vidmar can be reached at 615-5642580 or alecvidmar@theagencygroup.com.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): LBK Entertainment’s Marty Wheeler, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Layne, Ed Cash, Be Music’s Chris DeTray, Scott Cash, Be Music’s Michael Blanton and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Ed Rode
Singer/songwriter Ivory Layne has signed with SESAC for representation. Layne stopped by the SESAC Music Row headquarters with members of her management and publishing team to visit and celebrate.
Her song performance of “Something’s Gonna Happen” is currently featured in the fall TV campaign for the popular women’s clothier, White House|Black Market.