Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, ASCAP’s Paul Williams and LeAnn Phelan. Photo by Ed Rode.
Nashville’s Christian music industry had a night to shine at the elegant Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., for the 36th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards. Rising group
PawnShop Kings opened the evening with their bluesy rock vibe of “Love Like Jesus.”
ASCAP president
Paul Williams was on hand to welcome the industry-only crowd.
“This is the second time I’ve been here for the awards,” said Williams. “There is such a vibe here in Nashville. Every day I say, ‘Surprise me God, and lead me where you need me. Your work is holy work and I love being here.'” ASCAP’s
Michael Martin, LeAnn Phelan, Kele Currier and Ryan Beuschel were on hand to honor the artists, publishers and songwriters behind the past year’s most performed songs.
PawnShop Kings perform “Love Like Jesus.” Photo: Ed Rode.
was the evening’s big winner, taking home the Songwriter of the Year honor as well as the Song of the Year honor for “Hello, My Name Is,” a song that spent 17 weeks at the top of the
Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. In 2013, West took home ASCAP’s Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor.
Before West stepped onstage to perform an acoustic version of the song, a video told the story behind “Hello, My Name Is,” the second single from West’s
Into The Light project. West crafted the songs on the album as a way to share fans’ stories of hardship and victory, culled from thousands of letters and emails he has received.
“Hello, My Name Is” was inspired by the story of Jordan Jeffers, a one-time “all-American athlete,” who became addicted to prescription pain medication following a sports injury. His college let him go, and his parents took him to addiction center Teen Challenge. After going through the addiction program, Jeffers completed his degree and began working as a coach for the same college that had let him go a few years earlier.
“I’ve been coming here and never once felt like I belong with such amazing talent. I hope I always feel that way,” West said upon accepting the Songwriter of the Year honor. “For Paul [Williams] to be here two years in a row I think shows how much they believe in this music we are doing.”
The Publisher of the Year award went to
Capitol CMG Publishing. This marks the publishing company’s 11th consecutive year as the recipient .
Michael W. Smith and MercyMe’s Bart Millard. Photo: Ed Rode
and
Michael W. Smith were both honored with ASCAP’s Century award, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th birthday, which recognizes the enduring influence of their careers on the Contemporary Christian Music industry.
In tribute to some of the musical genre’s most beloved compositions, Smith performed “Awesome God,” from the late Rich Mullins, and brought
MercyMe lead singer
Bart Millard to the stage for what Smith noted was their first collaboration. Smith backed Millard on MercyMe’s signature hit, “I Can Only Imagine.” Later in the program,
Ashley Cleveland accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, performing “Thy Word,” from Grant’s 1984 album
Straight Ahead.
Producer
Brown Bannister and Nashville pastor
Don Finto were on hand to pay tribute to Grant and Smith. “When you were starting out, there were practically no charts to top. It’s not about the hit and the success. It is about the long obedience, and you embody everything that is great about CCM. You just had a desire to share your hearts, and you’ve done it for three decades. That is long obedience in the same direction.”
“I heard Tom Petty say there are enough great songs in the world, but we keep writing because that’s what we do,” Grant said. “I will sing until the day I die because I love it. I love seeing the new music that has come up behind us.” Speaking to the artists and industry members, she said, “The great thing about knowing Jesus is that we don’t have to change anyone, manipulate anyone. We are free to love everyone because that’s who He died for.”
Songs Honored During the 2014 ASCAP Christian Music Awards
“Strangely Dim,” Francesca Battistelli
“Words,” Hawk Nelson feat. Bart Millard
“Build Your Kingdom Here,” Rend Collective
“We Won’t Be Shaken,” Building 429
“You Are I Am,” MercyMe
“Lord I Need You,” Matt Maher
“Your Love Never Fails,” Newsboys
“God’s Great Dance Floor,” Chris Tomlin
“Live With Abandon,” Newsboys
“My God,” Jeremy Camp
“Already There,” Casting Crowns
“Hurricane,” Natalie Grant
“Great I Am,” Phillips Craig & Dean
“Should’ve Been Me,” Citizen Way
“Lift My Life Up,” Unspoken
“Who You Are,” Unspoken
“He Is With Us,” Love and the Outcome
“You Are,” Colton Dixon
“Carry Me,” Josh Wilson
“Overcomer,” Mandisa
“Every Good Thing,” The Afters
“Yours Will Be (The Only Name),” Big Daddy Weave
“Gold,” Britt Nicole
Matthew West Leads 36th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Michael Martin, Capitol CMG Publishing’s Eddie DeGarmo, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, Matthew West, ASCAP’s Paul Williams and LeAnn Phelan. Photo by Ed Rode.
Nashville’s Christian music industry had a night to shine at the elegant Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tenn., for the 36th Annual ASCAP Christian Music Awards. Rising group PawnShop Kings opened the evening with their bluesy rock vibe of “Love Like Jesus.”
ASCAP president Paul Williams was on hand to welcome the industry-only crowd.
“This is the second time I’ve been here for the awards,” said Williams. “There is such a vibe here in Nashville. Every day I say, ‘Surprise me God, and lead me where you need me. Your work is holy work and I love being here.'” ASCAP’s Michael Martin, LeAnn Phelan, Kele Currier and Ryan Beuschel were on hand to honor the artists, publishers and songwriters behind the past year’s most performed songs.
PawnShop Kings perform “Love Like Jesus.” Photo: Ed Rode.
Matthew West was the evening’s big winner, taking home the Songwriter of the Year honor as well as the Song of the Year honor for “Hello, My Name Is,” a song that spent 17 weeks at the top of the Billboard Hot Christian Songs chart. In 2013, West took home ASCAP’s Christian Music Songwriter/Artist of the Year honor.
Before West stepped onstage to perform an acoustic version of the song, a video told the story behind “Hello, My Name Is,” the second single from West’s Into The Light project. West crafted the songs on the album as a way to share fans’ stories of hardship and victory, culled from thousands of letters and emails he has received.
“Hello, My Name Is” was inspired by the story of Jordan Jeffers, a one-time “all-American athlete,” who became addicted to prescription pain medication following a sports injury. His college let him go, and his parents took him to addiction center Teen Challenge. After going through the addiction program, Jeffers completed his degree and began working as a coach for the same college that had let him go a few years earlier.
“I’ve been coming here and never once felt like I belong with such amazing talent. I hope I always feel that way,” West said upon accepting the Songwriter of the Year honor. “For Paul [Williams] to be here two years in a row I think shows how much they believe in this music we are doing.”
The Publisher of the Year award went to Capitol CMG Publishing. This marks the publishing company’s 11th consecutive year as the recipient .
Michael W. Smith and MercyMe’s Bart Millard. Photo: Ed Rode
Amy Grant and Michael W. Smith were both honored with ASCAP’s Century award, in honor of ASCAP’s 100th birthday, which recognizes the enduring influence of their careers on the Contemporary Christian Music industry.
In tribute to some of the musical genre’s most beloved compositions, Smith performed “Awesome God,” from the late Rich Mullins, and brought MercyMe lead singer Bart Millard to the stage for what Smith noted was their first collaboration. Smith backed Millard on MercyMe’s signature hit, “I Can Only Imagine.” Later in the program, Ashley Cleveland accompanied herself on acoustic guitar, performing “Thy Word,” from Grant’s 1984 album Straight Ahead.
Producer Brown Bannister and Nashville pastor Don Finto were on hand to pay tribute to Grant and Smith. “When you were starting out, there were practically no charts to top. It’s not about the hit and the success. It is about the long obedience, and you embody everything that is great about CCM. You just had a desire to share your hearts, and you’ve done it for three decades. That is long obedience in the same direction.”
“I heard Tom Petty say there are enough great songs in the world, but we keep writing because that’s what we do,” Grant said. “I will sing until the day I die because I love it. I love seeing the new music that has come up behind us.” Speaking to the artists and industry members, she said, “The great thing about knowing Jesus is that we don’t have to change anyone, manipulate anyone. We are free to love everyone because that’s who He died for.”
Songs Honored During the 2014 ASCAP Christian Music Awards
“Strangely Dim,” Francesca Battistelli
“Words,” Hawk Nelson feat. Bart Millard
“Build Your Kingdom Here,” Rend Collective
“We Won’t Be Shaken,” Building 429
“You Are I Am,” MercyMe
“Lord I Need You,” Matt Maher
“Your Love Never Fails,” Newsboys
“God’s Great Dance Floor,” Chris Tomlin
“Live With Abandon,” Newsboys
“My God,” Jeremy Camp
“Already There,” Casting Crowns
“Hurricane,” Natalie Grant
“Great I Am,” Phillips Craig & Dean
“Should’ve Been Me,” Citizen Way
“Lift My Life Up,” Unspoken
“Who You Are,” Unspoken
“He Is With Us,” Love and the Outcome
“You Are,” Colton Dixon
“Carry Me,” Josh Wilson
“Overcomer,” Mandisa
“Every Good Thing,” The Afters
“Yours Will Be (The Only Name),” Big Daddy Weave
“Gold,” Britt Nicole
BMI Nashville Promotes Three
/by Jessica NicholsonErica Glidewell
BMI has promoted three employees in its Nashville offices, Erica Glidewell, Leslie Roberts and Noelle Michon. Glidewell, previously Exec. Assistant to BMI Writer/Publisher Vice President Jody Williams, has been promoted to Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations and Roberts, previously Associate Director, has been promoted to Director, Writer/Publisher Relations.
Glenda Hart, BMI Assistant VP, Special Projects, has promoted Michon to Director, Special Projects.
Williams noted, “Erica’s contribution to our department is simply invaluable. Her organizational skills, office management expertise, and excellent industry relationships combine to strengthen BMI’s special place in this community. It is an honor to work with such a dynamic and bright individual. I’m especially proud to see Erica receive this well deserved promotion.”
Leslie Roberts
Glidewell will continue to assist Williams and work with songwriters, publishers and producers in Country, pop and Christian music genres. Prior to her work at BMI, Glidewell worked for The Dave Ramsey Show as a Live Events Coordinator and Global Expeditions as the Leadership Development Coordinator.
And in regard to Roberts, Williams remarked, “Leslie has proven to be one of the most vital members of the Nashville writer relations team. For the past five years, songwriters from multiple genres of music have benefitted from Leslie’s caring manner and industry expertise. This promotion is certainly well deserved and sets the stage for her next chapter of success at BMI.”
Noelle Michon
Roberts will continue to sign and work with songwriters, publishers and producers in various genres, and will continue to oversee creative and educational programs. She also plays a large role in the coordinating of BMI’s annual Country Awards, as well as the Christian Awards. Prior to her work with BMI, Roberts worked as a Manager, Artist & Repertoire at Sony BMG Nashville. She also previously served three years as a song plugger for Mighty Isis Music.
As Director, Special Projects, Michon will be responsible for managing all aspects of the BMI award selection process, including the research and analysis of performance information to identify award songs for Pop, Country, R&B/Hip-Hop, Latin, London, Christian and Trailblazer awards. In addition, she will be responsible for conducting research to confirm writer and publisher ownership information for all million-performance award citations. Michon will coordinate and conduct meetings with Writer/Publisher Relations, Performing Rights, and Research and Information to develop award criteria.
More Tickets Released For Roast of Rob Beckham
/by Sarah SkatesRob Beckham
Eighty tickets have been released to the sold-out Roast of Rob Beckham. The T.J. Martell Foundation will highlight the career of Beckham, Co-Head of William Morris Endeavor Entertainment’s Nashville office, with a “roast” at its inaugural Ambassador of the Year event. The celebration will be held at The Rosewall on May 12 at 6:00 p.m. with proceeds benefiting leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.
The T.J. Martell Foundation’s “Ambassador of the Year” recognition is presented to a gifted professional who has earned the respect of industry veterans and serves as a mentor to the next generation of executives.
The VIP evening includes a cocktail reception, buffet dinner and special presentation where Beckham’s clients, colleagues and friends will share colorful stories.
“Rob Beckham is extremely generous and giving of his time,” says Tinti Moffat, Director of Strategic Development at the T.J. Martell Foundation. “His unwavering commitment to projects that are meaningful to him and to people he believes in, coupled with his willingness to invest in them, make him a most worthy recipient of this accolade.”
Beckham’s roster includes Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Gary Allan, Chris Young, Easton Corbin and Jerrod Niemann among many others. He serves on the Boards of Directors of the Country Music Association, the T.J. Martell Foundation and Make-A-Wish for Middle Tennessee.
Tickets can be purchased at www.TJMartell.org. Sponsorships are available by contacting Tinti Moffat at 615-256-2002.
• • • • •
On May 1 The T.J. Martell Foundation raised $100,o00 at its second annual Women of Influence Awards at New York’s Essex House. Honorees at the sold out event included NBC’s Today Show Hoda Kotb, famed New York fashion designer Randi Rahm, Z100 Radio’s Sharon Dastur and Founder and Chairperson of Radio One, Inc. Cathy Hughes. The T.J. Martell Foundation’s Chief Executive Officer Laura Heatherly welcomed the crowd. T.J. Martell Foundation Board President Marcie Allen and President of MAC Presents was also in attendance.
Pictured (L-R): actress Megan Sikora, honoree Randi Rahm, performer Jetta, honoree Hoda Kotb, T.J. Martell CEO Laura Heatherly, TV personality Kathie Lee Gifford, honoree Sharon Dastur, event host Robin Quivers, and actress Kerry Butler. Photo: Getty Images
2014 Americana Awards Nominees To Be Announced
/by Troy_StephensonThe nominations will be broadcast live on SiriusXM’s Outlaw Country, along with a live stream on musiccityroots.com. The live broadcast will feature music from hosts Elizabeth Cook, Buddy Miller, Jim Lauderdale, as well as special guests Hurray for the Riff Raff and Parker Millsap.
The Americana Honors and Awards will take place at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville on Wednesday, Sept. 17. It will also be the first day of Americanafest, which runs through Sunday, Sept. 21. More information can be found at americanamusic.org.
CRS Agenda Committee Adds Ten New Members
/by Jessica NicholsonJeff Green (Partner/Stone Door Media Lab), Tom Hanrahan (Regional Program Manager/Clear Channel Media and Entertainment) and John Trapane (SW Regional/EMI Nashville) are leading this year’s committee.
CRS 2015 takes place Feb. 25-27 in Nashville’s downtown Convention Center.
• • •
Additionally, CRS is seeking a replacement for Director of Brand Marketing and Strategic Relationships Michelle Kammerer, who will exit CRS at the end of this month to pursue a new opportunity. Kammerer has been with the company since 2011 and can be reached at michelle@crb.org. Resumes for the opening can be sent to bill@crb.org.
MGM Resorts, AEG Break Ground on $375 Million Arena
/by Jessica NicholsonDan Beckerman, President & CEO of AEG and Jim Murren, Chairman and CEO of MGM Resorts International were on hand for the ceremony to begin the construction of the 16-acre site. The new arena is expected to host 100 events annually. It is designed to meet the U.S. Green Building Council’s standards for LEED Gold Certification, and will include 50 luxury suites, more than two dozen private loge boxes and other hospitality offerings.
The new site was recently named as a location possibility for the 2016 ACM awards show. In 2015, the Academy of Country Music will celebrate its 50th anniversary by holding the show at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas.
AEG Global partnerships will oversee the sale of naming rights, sponsorships, premium seating and luxurity suite sales for the new Las Vegas venue.
Parton Offers Early Look at Dollywood's DreamMore Resort
/by Jessica NicholsonA rendering of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort.
Dolly Parton has offered an early look at conceptual drawings of Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort, the latest addition to the multi-talented entertainer’s Dollywood family amusement park in Pigeon Forge, Tenn.
The 230,000-square-foot complex will have more than 300 guest rooms, indoor and outdoor pools, a spa and a full-service restaurant. It will also feature a family activities center, reports The Tennessean.
This is the second capital investment in a 10-year plan that will include more than $300 million in development for various Dollywood properties.
Dollywood’s DreamMore Resort is slated for a summer 2015 opening.
Concert News: SDU Fan Party, Martina McBride at The Ryman
/by Sarah SkatesShow Dog – Universal Music, in conjunction with Country Music Is Love, will host their second annual Fan Appreciation Party the week of CMA Music Fest with proceeds benefitting Dreams With Wings and the Sarah Cannon Fund. The event featuring performances by Josh Thompson, JT Hodges, Krystal Keith, Joel Crouse and Native Run is set for Thurs., June 5, 3- 5 p.m. at Silver Dollar Saloon.
The $25 VIP tickets include the artist meet and greet. General Admission tickets are $10 or fans can get their tickets at the door for the same price (cash only accepted day of show). Details here.
• • • •
Martina McBride will perform at the Ryman Auditorium on Sat., Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.
Tickets start at $39.50 and go on sale Fri., May 9 at 10:00 A.M. via Ticketmaster outlets.
McBride recently released Everlasting, where she reimagined treasured classics by artists such as Etta James, Sam Cooke and The Supremes, with the help of legendary producer Don Was.
• • • •
Also recently added to the Ryman’s performance schedule is Beck, who will play Mon., July 14 and Tues., July 15. Tickets for those shows go on sale Fri., May 9 at 10 a.m. and start at $54. Details here.
Bone McAllester Norton Adds Entertainment Attorney Loren Mulraine
/by Jessica NicholsonLoren Mulraine
Bone McAllester Norton PLLC has hired entertainment attorney and Belmont Law professor Loren E. Mulraine. He is the law firm’s 38th attorney.
He will serve as Of Counsel at Bone McAllester Norton, and will focus on entertainment law, intellectual property, as well as business and corporate law. Additionally, he will continue in his role at Belmont University College of Law, where he teaches courses in copyright law, entertainment law, media law and intellectual property law.
“Loren is a dynamic attorney who brings unique experience from a career based in the entertainment industry and the college classroom,” said Charles W. Bone, founder and chairman of Bone McAllester Norton. “We look forward to sharing his depth of experience with our clients and sharing our firm’s full-service expertise with Loren’s clients.”
Previously his career has ranged from an on-air radio personality and music producer to serving as a government contracts attorney with the Federal Aviation Administration in Washington, D.C. He also previously worked as a full professor and chair of the department of Recording Industry at Middle Tennessee State University, where he taught for 14 years.
A graduate of the University of Maryland and the Howard University School of Law, Mulraine is a member of the Nashville Bar Association, the Institute for Intellectual Property and Social Justice, Black Entertainment and Sports Lawyers Association, The Recording Academy (Grammy-voting member) and the Gospel Music Association.
Artist Updates (5/5/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonScotty McCreery
Singer and North Carolina State University singer Scotty McCreery was visiting friends at a North Carolina apartment Monday morning (May 5) when three gunmen broke in and held up those inside the apartment, reports WRAL.
The break-in occurred before 2 a.m. when the three gunmen forced entry into the apartment at Wolftech Lane in Raleigh, N.C. Those inside, including McCreery, were not hurt, but some were robbed of cell phones and wallets. Police are not certain if the apartment was specifically targeted by the gunmen.
• • •
Matt Stillwell
Matt Stillwell has entered into an association with Morton Buildings. The Illinois-based company builds a variety of structures ranging from farm shops, airplane hangars, custom homes, churches, general storage buildings, commercial structures and more. The company constructs in 42 states.
“I’m very proud to be associated with such a tradition rich company like Morton,” says Stillwell. “The foundation of what I do is based on hard work and I share that with Morton and the people who have and use their buildings. I’m excited about the possibilities of what we will be able to do together!”
• • •
Last year, Bigger Picture Group artist Chelsea Bain performed a two-month residency at Nashville’s popular Billy Block Show. Sunday evening (May 4), Bain took part in Play One For Billy, an event to raise funds for host Billy Block‘s battle with cancer. To donate, visit yepnashville.com and click on the Play One for Billy banner.
Pictured (L-R): Chelsea Bain and Billy Block.