Pictured (L-R): John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Brian Brasher (Panelist), Lindsey Williams (Panelist), Randy Wachtler (Panlist), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Hunter Williams (Production Music Association), Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Paul Jones (Panelist). Photo: Misha Tristan
The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville and Fifth Third Bank hosted the Production Music Association for a sold out Production Music 101 panel on Aug. 6 at ASCAP’s Connie Bradley Board Room, getting insight and perspective from panelists Randy Wachtler (Warner/Chappell Production), Brian Brasher (Pitch Hammer Music), Paul Jones (Auralation Music) and Lindsey Williams (Composer/Really Big Bison Music) and moderated by Hunter Williams (PMA).
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Nickel Creek‘s self-titled album, released in 2000, has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America. The album was the trio’s first release through Sugar Hill Records, and earned them their first Grammy nominations for Best Bluegrass Album and Best Country Instrumental for “Ode to a Butterfly.”
Nickel Creek was produced by Alison Krauss and engineered by Gary Paczosa, now Sugar Hill Records’ Vice President of A&R.
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The Academy of Country Music has revealed the first ACM commemorative book, This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards. The 224-page book includes a foreword by Reba, and is written by the Academy’s Lisa Lee. Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Loretta Lynn, Alabama’s Randy Owen, Reba, Blake Shelton, George Strait, Marty Stuart, Kenny Chesney, Merle Haggard, Faith Hill, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and more contributed to the book.
This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards will release Tuesday, Sept. 23, and is available for pre-order at Amazon. Proceeds from the sales of the book go to ACM Lifting Lives.
Product Partnerships: Lucas Hoge, Veronica Ballestrini
/by Jessica NicholsonThe venture ties with Hoge’s new single, titled “Flip Flops,” co-written by Hoge and JD Wood.
Veronica Ballestrini. Photo: Mackenzie LaRoe
Singer-songwriter Veronica Ballestrini has been named a brand ambassador for Davy Crockett’s Cookies & Cream Whiskey, based in Gatlinburg, Tenn. “I’m so thrilled to be entering into this partnership with Davy Crockett’s distillery,” says Ballestrini. “I not only have a single that I’m proud to be delivering to my friends at radio, but I also have some great whiskey that I’m packin’. My friends at radio better watch out—they haven’t tasted any whiskey like this!”
Ballestrini’s single, “Cookies and Cream” is featured on her sophomore album, Flip Side, which released June 17. Ballestrini co-wrote all 11 tracks on the project.
Chuck Edwards of Davy Crockett’s Whiskey added, “Davy Crockett’s Cookies and Cream Whiskey is proud to be partnering with Veronica. Her strong social media presence and her ability to connect with her fans, along with the release of her single ‘Cookies and Cream,’ made a partnership with her just seem natural.”
Industry Pics: BMI, Grand Ole Opry
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI recently hosted a songwriter mixer on Aug. 12 which took place at their Nashville offices in their Writer/Publisher lobby. More than 75 writers attended the event and enjoyed dinner and drinks while networking with other songwriters and setting up future collaborations.
Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Perry Howard, songwriter Matt Chase, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, songwriter James McNair.
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The Grand Ole Opry welcomed internet sensation EmiSunshine to its stage on Tuesday, Aug. 5. The 10-year old, who hails from Madisonville, Tenn., recorded her first two albums at age 7 and has a new album out now, Black Sunday ’35. In addition to making her Opry debut she also recently appeared on the Today Show and performed at Marty Stuart’s Late Night Jam at the Ryman this summer.
Grand Ole Opry’s Vice President and GM Pete Fisher with EmiSunshine. Photo: Chris Hollo
Target Retailers Score Swift's Deluxe Release
/by Eric T. ParkerThe Minnesota-based box retailer will offer D.L.X., featuring three extra songs to consumers along with three voice memos, which Swift announced in the Aug. 18 livestream. For Canadian shoppers, Swift’s deluxe album will include just one of the exclusive songs and three voice memos.
“I’ve gotten a lot of questions about songwriting, about the process, about what happens when I get an idea,” Swift told fans in her livestream from New York City. “The first thing I do is grab my phone and either sit it on the edge of the piano or put it on my bed in front of my guitar and play whatever melody/gibberish that comes to my brain first. I’ve never released any of that before but I actually have three bonus tracks that are just voice memos from my phone. You’ll hear me singing an idea and melody and some words, an you’ll be able to go to the record to see what it ended up being when it was finished.”
Available for pre-buy at retailers including Amazon, the 13-track physical album includes a CD booklet designed by Swift and one of five collectable sets of 13 exclusive print photos, and also available with the 16-track D.L.X. Pre-order the D.L.X. at Target.com.
From TaylorSwift.com, fans are directed not only to Target, but to pre-order the 13-track digital album on iTunes, where a short behind-the-scenes video clip is available for viewing. The album’s first single “Shake It Off” is currently available for download.
Although Yahoo! hasn’t released viewership figures for the August 18th livestream, Swift’s “Shake It Off” music video received over 4.5 million on VEVO by the next day. Fans can share #1989ERS on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or Tumblr for a chance to “attend a top-secret event.” Additional 1989 promotions include the Swiftstakes. Exclusive album codes offer a chance to win one of 1989 items (250 sets of two tickets with meet and greets, 250 sets of 2 tickets, 300 autographed pictures, 300 1989 Tote bags, 389 specialty pick packs).
Industry Ink: AIMP, ACM, Nickel Creek
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Marc Driskill (AIMP Exec. Director/Sea Gayle), Kari Barnhart (5/3 Bank), Brian Brasher (Panelist), Lindsey Williams (Panelist), Randy Wachtler (Panlist), Brad Peterson (5/3 Bank), Hunter Williams (Production Music Association), Tim Fink (SESAC), Michael Martin (ASCAP), Paul Jones (Panelist). Photo: Misha Tristan
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Nickel Creek was produced by Alison Krauss and engineered by Gary Paczosa, now Sugar Hill Records’ Vice President of A&R.
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This Is Country: A Backstage Pass to the Academy of Country Music Awards will release Tuesday, Sept. 23, and is available for pre-order at Amazon. Proceeds from the sales of the book go to ACM Lifting Lives.
Artist Updates: Joel Crouse, Alabama, Lindsay McCaul
/by Jessica NicholsonProduced by Jamie Houston, the project includes Crouse’s lead single, “Don’t Tell Me.”
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The deluxe edition will contain three exclusive tracks not found on the regular edition, which will release later in September on Gaither Music Group. Tracks on the deluxe version include “I Saw The Light,” “Because He Lives,” “Raising Alabama,” and other classics.
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Ty Bates Signs With PLA Media
/by Troy_StephensonRed Light Management artist Ty Bates has been added to PLA Media’s roster. The Georgia native’s debut EP, recorded at Warner Bros. Studio, is available at online retailers today (Aug. 19).
“We first met Ty when he volunteered to perform at the Manny Cuevas benefit that our office was handling PR for and he blew us away,” says PLA Media president Pam Lewis. “He has such a distinctive tone and quality in his voice. We look forward to a long-term run launching this unbelievable talent.”
Bates will host an album release party on Thursday, Aug. 21 at 12th and Porter in Nashville.
His current tour schedule is listed below:
Aug. 22 | 9 PM| The Wing Cafe and Tap House, Marietta, GA
Aug. 3 | 8 PM | Coo Coo’s Nest, Cumming, GA
Aug. 2| 8 PM| Southern Ground Social Club, Senoia, GA
Aug. 29 |9:30 PM| The Brickhouse, Newnan, GA
Aug. 30 |9 PM| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee, NC
Sept. 12 |8 PM| Treasure Island Casino, Welch, MN
Sept. 13 |8 PM | Treasure Island Casino, Welch, MN
Sept. 20 |10 PM| Whiskey Barrel Saloon, Lansing, MI
Sept. 27 |8 PM| Harrah’s Cherokee Casino, Cherokee, NC
Oct. 17 |9 PM| Mama’s Country Showcase, Griffin, GA
Oct. 18 |8 PM| Barnesville Barn Party, Barnesville, GA
Oct. 23 |7 PM| Backroads Saloon, Marshall, MI
Oct. 25 |10 PM| Red Rock Saloon, Madison, WI
Nov. 1 |11 AM| Rita’s Bus Trip GA/FL Game, Jacksonville, FL
Nov. 20 |9 PM| Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Rosemont, IL
Nov. 21 |9:30 PM| Skooter’s Roadhouse, Shorewood, IL
Nov. 22 |9 PM| Wildwood Saloon, Iowa City, IA
Dec. 13 |9 PM| Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill, Rosemont, IL
Taylor Swift Announces Official Pop Album, '1989'
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift announced her first official pop album, 1989, slated for release Oct. 27. She made the announcement from New York City. During the worldwide livestream on yahoo.com, she first greeted viewers from atop the Empire State Building, before joining an intimate group of hand-selected fans to announce the album, as well as its first single, “Shake It Off.”
“We made the most sonically cohesive album I’ve ever made. I was listening to a lot of late ’80s pop, because I love the chances they were taking, and how bold it was, and how ahead of its time it was,” said Swift. “What I found from reading up on it and really diving into the late ’80s, was it was apparently a time of limitless potential and this idea that you can be who you want, wear what you want, love who you want. The idea of that was so inspiring to me, so limitless possibility was a theme for me.”
1989 will feature 13 songs, a cd booklet designed by Swift, one of five collectible sets of 13 exclusive photo prints. The Deluxe 1989 album will include additionally include three bonus songs, three of Swift’s songwriting voice memos, and a code to enter the 1989 Swiftstakes. The digital collection will include 13 songs, a digital cd booklet designed by Swift, one set of 13 exclusive photo prints and a code to enter the 1989 Swiftstakes. The Swiftstakes includes chances for concert tickets and meet-and-greets with the star.
The project is available immediately for pre-buy on taylorswift.com, iTunes, and Target.
She also previewed the video for “Shake It Off” (see video below). The clip was directed by Mark Romanek, who has worked with Madonna, Michael Jackson, Janet Jackson, Lenny Kravitz, Johnny Cash, R.E.M., and others.
“Shake It Off” is now available for download on Play MPE.
BMI Brings Nashville Music To Chicago Area
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): BMI’s Dan Spears, Brandon Kinney, Famous Dave’s President & CEO Ed Rensi, Kendell Marvel.
BMI partnered with Famous Dave’s recently to present the Country Songwriter Series at three of the barbeque restaurant chain’s Chicago area locations on Aug. 13-Aug. 15. Nashville songwriters Brandon Kinney and Kendell Marvel performed their hits and told the stories behind their songs in front of packed crowds in Bolingbrook and Oswego. Marvell has penned hit songs for George Strait, Jake Owen and Gary Allan. Kinney has written chart-topping tunes for Craig Campbell, Lonestar and Randy Houser.
The chain is considering rolling out the songwriter series across all of their Chicago area stores over the next few months.
Pictured (L-R): Brandon Kinney and Kendell Marvell perform.
Artist Updates: Kacey Musgraves, Lori McKenna, Robby Johnson, The Secret Sisters
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Brian Wright (UMG Nashville SVP, A&R), Cindy Mabe (UMG Nashville President), Shane McAnally (Album co-producer and co-writer of “Merry Go ‘Round” and “Follow Your Arrow”), Kacey Musgraves, Jason Owen (Sandbox Entertainment owner). Photo: Jessica Wardwell
Kacey Musgraves was celebrated following her Saturday night appearance at KFC Yum! Center in Louisville, Ky. as part of Katy Perry‘s Prismatic World Tour. Her label, Mercury Nashville, presented the singer-songwriter with two RIAA Gold certifications and one platinum certification. Musgraves’ debut album Same Trailer, Different Park and her song “Follow Your Arrow” both recently reached Gold status by the RIAA. Her debut single “Merry Go ‘Round” has also reached platinum status from the RIAA.
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Lori McKenna
Lori McKenna will release a new acoustic record Numbered Doors, available worldwide on Sept. 23. The project was live-tracked with producer Mark Erelli at Chris Rivals’ Middleville studios. McKenna is also set to perform at Nashville’s Bluebird Cafe on Friday, Oct. 3.
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The video was directed by Ryan Smith, whose credits include Jason Aldean‘s “My Kind of Party” video.
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Nashville Booking Agent Injured in Weekend Accident
/by Jessica NicholsonMatt Rizor
Nashville booking agent Matt Rizor was a victim in a hit-and-run this weekend. Metro police say 34-year-old Rizor was walking across West End Avenue near 17th Ave. on Saturday morning (Aug. 16) around 3 a.m. when a dark colored sedan hit him, leaving Rizor with life-threatening injuries.
Rizor, known to friends as “Mateo,” is a booking agent at Bobby Roberts, which recently merged with The Agency Group. His family says he suffered several injuries and is in a coma.
Metro police state they are still looking for the driver, and are asking for the public’s help in finding the suspect. Evidence at the scene suggests the dark sedan has a damaged windshield and headlight. Anyone with information can contact the Emergency Communications Center at 862-8600.
A fund has been set up to aid Rizor and his family with medical expenses. To donate, visit gofundme.com.