Network drama Nashville has been slated to return as a joint production of ABC, Lionsgate and Ryman Entertainment, despite a $5.25 million decrease in state and local incentives for the production.
“It was not an easy decision to make,” noted Nashville Mayor Karl Dean. “We obviously had lots of conversations, and I’m sure it’s not the amount they wanted.”
The Tennessean noted that an $8 million incentive package for 22 episodes of ABC’s Season Three was accepted after weeks of negotiations, concluding as such:

• $5.5 million from the state’s film incentive program
• $1 million from Metro (subject to council approval)
• $500,000 Nashville Convention and Visitors Corporation
• $500,000 from the city’s event marketing fund under the Nashville Convention Visitors Corporation
• $500,000 from Ryman Hospitality Properties

“We’re [investing] for the ability to communicate what this city has to offer to people who historically have never been exposed to Country music and the music scene of this fabulous city,” noted CEO, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Colin Reed, to the paper.
By comparison, Season Two’s 2013-14 incentives totaled 13.25 million proposed dollars, $500,000 of which from Metro Nashville’s first investment in the production, whereas the production enjoyed a sole state investment of between 25-32 percent of Tennessee-based costs for the 2012-13 debut season. Those incentives are noted as totaling a reported $14 million.
International distribution of the program to more than 50 countries was noted as a major reason for the continued investment. “It’s been an overwhelmingly good thing for the city,” continued Dean. “We have a strong tourism economy and a strong convention economy, but this just adds to it in a way that we would never be able to do on our own.”
The paper notes that payroll for non-actors totaled $13 million for Season Two, with 90 percent of the staffing being local. News 2 notes the production has a $40 million per year impact on Nashville while supporting up to 500 local jobs.
Big Machine Records, in association with ABC Studios, Lionsgate and ABC Music Lounge, has released a total of four soundtracks for the program, contributing to sales of over 600,000 albums and 3 million individual track downloads.

Rascal Flatts toasted the release day of its new album, Rewind, with a completely unique event Tuesday (May 13) in Hollywood, Calif. at Avalon Hollywood, located at the legendary intersection Hollywood & Vine. The project’s 13 cuts include the title track, which hit No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on April 3. The Deluxe version includes an additional 4 original songs. An extravagant dinner preceded a concert by the band. One hundred percent of ticket sales for the event will be donated to the Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt in Nashville.
Big Machine Records, in partnership with Citi Private Pass, offered VIP attendees a luxury listening experience, treating them to a seated dinner in the Mezzanine outdoor atrium of Avalon. World-renowned wine maker Michael Hendry of Hendry Ranch Wines served as the host, on what turned out to be one of L.A.’s hottest days this year.

Rascal Flatts toasted the release day of its new album, Rewind, with a completely unique event Tuesday (May 13) in Hollywood, Calif. at Avalon Hollywood.

Rascal Flatts’ Jay DeMarcus, MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, Rascal Flatts’ Joe Don Rooney, Rascal Flatts’ Gary LeVox

The Nashville-based trade organization International Bluegrass Music Association will keep its World of Bluegrass event (including the Wide Open Bluegrass festival) in Raleigh, N.C. through 2018.
The initial lineup of performers for World of Bluegrass 2014 will include Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder with Bruce Hornsby, Del McCoury Band with special guests, the return of Hot Rize (one of the 1980s’ most influential bluegrass acts, Hot Rize will release their first new studio album since 1990), Gibson Brothers, Steep Canyon Rangers, Sierra Hull and Wide Open Jam, which will include a lineup of Sam Bush, Bela Fleck, Jerry Douglas, Edgar Meyer, Bryan Sutton and Stuart Duncan.
IBMA’s World of Bluegrass event includes four parts: the IBMA Business Conference (Sept. 30-Oct. 2), the 25th annual International Bluegrass Music Awards (Oct. 2), the Wide Open Bluegrass Music Festival (Oct. 3-4) and the Bluegrass Ramble, a series of showcases dubbed the Bluegrass Ramble (Sept. 30-Oct. 2).
“The immense success of moving IBMA’s World of Bluegrass events to Raleigh last year had a huge impact on raising the profile of bluegrass music and the IBMA as an organization,” said IBMA’s Nancy Cardwell. “We continue to receive compliments about last year’s events, we’ve seen a 39 percent increase in membership during the past two years, and the support and enthusiasm of the Local Organizing Committee in Raleigh and everyone in North Carolina has been so gracious and genuine. We are thrilled to announce the extension of our partnership with Raleigh, North Carolina through 2018, and we look forward to adding even more exciting elements to World of Bluegrass Week, as we continue to facilitate connections in the bluegrass music industry and work together to introduce the best music in the world to new audiences and fans. If bluegrass music moves you, I invite you to attend the event that moves the bluegrass music world.”
Last year’s World of Bluegrass welcomed a total estimated attendance of more than 154,000 to witness over 300 performances from more than 160 different artists.