(L-R): Hank Cochran, Mac Wiseman and Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap, the late Hank Cochran, and Mac Wiseman were introduced as 2014’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during an emotional ceremony the Country Music Association held this morning (April 22) at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Hall will induct Milsap in the Modern Era category, Cochran in the Songwriter category and Wiseman in the Veterans Era category. They’ll be honored at an invitation-only ceremony later this year at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, CMHoF leader Kyle Young and Kix Brooks welcomed attendees.
Bobby Bare and Suzi Cochran announce the late Hank Cochran as the “Songwriter” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
2013’s inductee into the Veteran Era category,
Bobby Bare, named Cochran as this year’s induction for that category. “He called himself ‘The Legend’ before he was a legend, and I’ve been his friend for 60 years,” said Bare. Cochran’s wife
Susan thanked attendees. “Though I always believed he would get here, I never dreamed it would be me, not Hank, standing here. It’s hard to imagine him without a pen and paper in his hand. He loved words, he loved music, he loved songs, he loved songwriters and he loved the musicians and artists who agave life to his songs.”
Cochran died in 2010. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1974. His body of work includes “Ocean Front Property,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me” and “The Chair.” Born in Mississippi, at age 24 Cochran hitchhiked to Hollywood, but ended up in Nashville in 1960. He co-wrote “I Fall to Pieces” with Harlan Howard, as well as “She’s Got You” and “Why Can’t He Be You.” In 1960, he penned “Make The World Go Away,” which became a hit for Ray Price.
Ronnie Milsap is announced as the “Modern Era Artist” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
introduced Mac Wiseman. “This is the height of things that have happened to me in the 70 years I have been in the music business professionally, and I hope I will prove worthy of the honor,” said Wiseman. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to go in the same year as Hank Cochran.”
The Virginia native began his career as a disc jockey in his home state. He became an upright bass player for country singer Molly O’Day. He played guitar for The Foggy Mountain Boys, and later with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys. After a performance on the
Louisiana Hayride, he became a popular solo artist. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1993.
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bare, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Wiseman participate in a panel hosted by Kix Brooks at the 11th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon following the announcement that Milsap and Wiseman are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
introduced Ronnie Milsap. “Let the celebration begin! What a wonderful get together,” he said, praising Hayes for his musicianship. “I’ve wanted to be in the Hall of Fame for as long as I remember. I didn’t get to Nashville until I was 30. I’ve often thought if I got here earlier, things would have been different. I thank my friends who have been pulling for me for a long time.”
Milsap is one of the most successful and versatile country singers of his time. His hits include “It Was Almost Like A Song,” “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World,” “Stranger In My House,” and many others. He has six Grammy awards and 40 No. 1 Country songs to his credit.
The Medallion Ceremony will be held at CMA Theater at the Country Music Hall of Fame later this year.
2014 R.O.P.E. Brunch/Show Coming June 4
/by Jessica NicholsonHosted by R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers), artists featured include Bill Anderson, Razzy Bailey, Baillie & The Boys, Jim Ed Brown, Tommy Cash, David Church, Jim Glaser, Marty Haggard, George Hamilton, IV, Jan Howard, Dickey Lee, Bobby Lewis, Charlie McCoy, Moore & Moore, Jimmy C. Newman, Bobby G. Rice, Rattlesnake Annie, Lulu Roman, Jean Shepard, Jeannie Seely, Dianne Sherrill, Jenny Tolman, Jett Williams, Leona Williams, and newly named Country Music Hall of Fame 2014 inductee Mac Wiseman. The event will take place from 11 a.m. until 2 p.m. at Al Menah Shrine Temple, located at 1354 Brick Church Pike in Nashville.
Tickets are $35.00 per adult and $15.00 for children ages 6-12. Reservations for the brunch should be made by May 29. Checks and money orders can be sent to P.O. Box 2048, Madison, TN, 37116.
Musicians Hall of Fame Partners with SAE Institute Nashville
/by Jessica Nicholson“It’s important to understand the history of any industry, no matter what it is. But it’s particularly important in the music industry when there is so much focus on a musician’s inspiration and influence,” said Joe Chambers, founder of the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
“SAE is thrilled with every opportunity to enrich our students’ educational experiences. The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum is a terrific organization with a wealth of artifacts and multimedia experiences which during our tour added tangible value to our already robust curriculum,” said Jonathan Parrish, SAE’s Marketing Coordinator.
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum honors musicians who have performed on many legendary recordings, and features instruments from Johnny Cash, Elvis Presley, Jimi Hendrix and more. The SAE Institute Nashville offers associate degree and diploma programs in Music Business and Audio Technology.
SAE students visit the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
BMG Chrysalis Signs Dunn
/by Jessica NicholsonBMG Chrysalis has signed recording artist and songwriter Clare Dunn. Dunn’s current single “Get Out” is in full rotation on Sirius/XM’s The Highway and is approaching Top 30 status on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. She co-wrote and co-produced the song with Ben West, and has worked with other top songwriters including Terry McBride, Brice Long, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Stephony Smith, Dylan Altman, Troy Verges, Angelo, Chris Lindsey, Will Hoge, Marshall Altman, and others.
A Belmont graduate, Dunn is currently touring heavily and has recently opened shows for Florida Georgia Line, Parmalee, Will Hoge, Colt Ford, and others.
Pictured (L-R, Front): Austin Neal (Buddy Lee Attractions); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis, Senior Creative Director); Clare Dunn; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis, Executive Vice President); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis, Vice President); Derek Crownover (Crownover Firm, P.C.); Back: Mike Sistad (ASCAP, Senior Creative Director); Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis, Creative Director); Kevin Neal (Buddy Lee Attractions, President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis, VP, Creative); Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis, Senior Creative Director)
Country Music Hall of Fame Announces Class of 2014
/by Jessica Nicholson(L-R): Hank Cochran, Mac Wiseman and Ronnie Milsap
Ronnie Milsap, the late Hank Cochran, and Mac Wiseman were introduced as 2014’s Country Music Hall of Fame inductees during an emotional ceremony the Country Music Association held this morning (April 22) at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Hall will induct Milsap in the Modern Era category, Cochran in the Songwriter category and Wiseman in the Veterans Era category. They’ll be honored at an invitation-only ceremony later this year at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Bobby Bare and Suzi Cochran announce the late Hank Cochran as the “Songwriter” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
2013’s inductee into the Veteran Era category, Bobby Bare, named Cochran as this year’s induction for that category. “He called himself ‘The Legend’ before he was a legend, and I’ve been his friend for 60 years,” said Bare. Cochran’s wife Susan thanked attendees. “Though I always believed he would get here, I never dreamed it would be me, not Hank, standing here. It’s hard to imagine him without a pen and paper in his hand. He loved words, he loved music, he loved songs, he loved songwriters and he loved the musicians and artists who agave life to his songs.”
Cochran died in 2010. He was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Association International Hall of Fame in 1974. His body of work includes “Ocean Front Property,” “Don’t You Ever Get Tired Of Hurting Me” and “The Chair.” Born in Mississippi, at age 24 Cochran hitchhiked to Hollywood, but ended up in Nashville in 1960. He co-wrote “I Fall to Pieces” with Harlan Howard, as well as “She’s Got You” and “Why Can’t He Be You.” In 1960, he penned “Make The World Go Away,” which became a hit for Ray Price.
Ronnie Milsap is announced as the “Modern Era Artist” inductee. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
Jo Walker-Meador introduced Mac Wiseman. “This is the height of things that have happened to me in the 70 years I have been in the music business professionally, and I hope I will prove worthy of the honor,” said Wiseman. “I can’t tell you how pleased I am to go in the same year as Hank Cochran.”
The Virginia native began his career as a disc jockey in his home state. He became an upright bass player for country singer Molly O’Day. He played guitar for The Foggy Mountain Boys, and later with Bill Monroe’s Bluegrass Boys. After a performance on the Louisiana Hayride, he became a popular solo artist. He was inducted into the International Bluegrass Music Hall of Honor in 1993.
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bare, Ronnie Milsap, and Mac Wiseman participate in a panel hosted by Kix Brooks at the 11th Annual CMA Artist Luncheon following the announcement that Milsap and Wiseman are the newest inductees to the Country Music Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Poizner / CMA
Hunter Hayes introduced Ronnie Milsap. “Let the celebration begin! What a wonderful get together,” he said, praising Hayes for his musicianship. “I’ve wanted to be in the Hall of Fame for as long as I remember. I didn’t get to Nashville until I was 30. I’ve often thought if I got here earlier, things would have been different. I thank my friends who have been pulling for me for a long time.”
Milsap is one of the most successful and versatile country singers of his time. His hits include “It Was Almost Like A Song,” “Smoky Mountain Rain,” “There’s No Gettin’ Over Me,” “I Wouldn’t Have Missed It For The World,” “Stranger In My House,” and many others. He has six Grammy awards and 40 No. 1 Country songs to his credit.
Beats Music Updated With In-App Subscriptions
/by Jessica NicholsonPreviously, users were required to subscribe to Beats Music via the service’s website, which allowed Beats to bypass Apple’s 70/30 split with developers. That split would result in Apple netting $3 per month from Beats Music’s $10 per month fee for every subscriber Beats adds within the app.
Streaming services such as Rdio and Rhapsody also sell in-app subscriptions. Spotify does not offer in-app subscriptions, instead opting for a free, ad-supported mode available in its app.
Music Supervisor Events at Nashville Film Festival
/by Sarah SkatesPanelists scheduled to appear include Sue Jacobs (music supervisor, American Hustle, Silver Linings Playbook), JT Griffith (Nike, in-house music supervisor), Frank Palazzolo (music supervisor, Parenthood, About A Boy, Twisted), David Rockwood (GSD&M, music supervisor), Jennifer Reeve (music supervisor, Boardwalk Empire, Behind The Candelabra), Aaron Mercer (Wool & Tusk, music supervisor and artist partnerships), Sam Walsh (Team One, Executive Producer), Paul Logan (VH1, music supervisor, original programming) and Anastasia Brown (Format Entertainment, music supervisor, It’s Complicated, Footloose, Taken).
The supervisors will detail why they choose the music they do for films, television, and advertising, and offer inside information for artists, writers, labels and publishers on the best approaches to getting their music licensed.
Music supervisors are hired by directors to establish the music direction for a film or television show, find the music and license the right to use it. Advertising agency music producers fill a similar role in the advertising and branding world. According to NaFF, the supervisors and producers typically negotiate an upfront fee to be paid to the music owner for the right to use the music, with additional income earned from radio and television performances collected through ASCAP, BMI and SESAC.
“You’ve likely seen the work of our panelists if you’ve seen a movie, television show or ad this year, from American Hustle to Nike and Lexus to Parenthood. The supervisors coming to the festival are creating award-winning work we all see every day,” says Jim Scherer, President of Whizbang Music and a Nashville Film Festival board member. “It is a rare opportunity to have them all together in a room and tap into that kind of inside information.”
The Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) runs through April 26 and is presented by Nissan North America.
Also, new this year is NaFF Downtown at Walk of Fame Park, offering free films nightly through Sat., April 26. More here.
WMN Appoints Bright As National Director of Promotion
/by Jessica NicholsonKatie Bright
Katie Bright has been appointed National Director of Promotion at Warner Music Nashville. Bright began her tenure at WMN in March 2012 as Regional Promotion Manager for the Midwest/Northeast, and has been part of the radio promotions team that accumulated 11 No. 1 records in the past two years. She will relocate to Nashville for her new role.
“Katie has proven every day why she is the perfect candidate for this position. Her work ethic and relationships at radio are unparalleled and we are beyond excited that she is joining the National team,” said Kristen Williams, Vice President, National Promotion for the WMN team.
Prior to Warner Music Nashville, Bright worked in radio where she was part of an award-winning morning show in Eau Claire, Wis. In 2010, she joined Gerry House and The House Foundation at WSIX in Nashville and in 2011 made the leap from radio to record promotion, working for Diane Richey Promotions.
Carrie Underwood Named 'Billboard' Milestone Award Finalist
/by Jessica NicholsonFinal round fan voting is now underway through the Billboard Music Awards, which will air live Sunday, May 18 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC. For more information, visit billboard.com/milestone.
Additional Music Row Properties Sold For Virgin Hotel
/by Jessica NicholsonAs previously reported, the address of the new hotel will be One Music Row, and is expected to open in 2016. The hotel will feature multiple concept suites, food and beverage outlets, and a cutting edge recording studio. Specifically, the Wall Street Journal reports it will have 30 suites, a rooftop bar and restaurant, and spa.
The Nashville Post reports that Hummingbird Productions executive Bob Farnsworth sold his Music Row property to NV Music Row, the company that will develop Virgin Hotel in Nashville. This property, located at 7 Music Sq. W., was sold for $1.057 million.
Additionally, Robert T. Porter has sold the lots next to Farnsworth’s, located at 9 and 11 Music Sq. W., for $2.17 million.
The Queen Anne style building located at 1 Music Sq. W., which sat across from ASCAP at the corner of Division and Music Sq. W. (the lower end of 17th Ave. S.), was the first building torn down last week (April 16) in preparation for the new hotel and was sold for $3.18 million.
The three combined parcels have sold for a total of $6.4 million to NV Music Row, led by David Chase to develop the 240-room hotel.
AT&T's GigaPower Could Be Zooming In To Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesAlready available in Austin and coming to Dallas this summer, AT&T U-verse with GigaPower services include Internet speeds reaching up to 1 Gigabit per second. At this speed, AT&T reports users can download an HD online movie in less than 36 seconds, download 25 songs in one second, and download a TV show in less than 3 seconds. It also means access to TV services that include the most advanced AT&T Total Home DVR with more HD TV streams to record and watch multiple shows simultaneously, plus greater DVR storage capacity.
AT&T says it will work with local leaders in these 21 markets to discuss ways to bring the service to their communities. Communities that have suitable network facilities, and show the strongest investment cases based on anticipated demand and the most receptive policies will influence these future selections.
On Feb. 19, 2014, Google announced it was also investigating the expansion of its Google Fiber network to Nashville. With an Internet connection 100 times faster than traditional broadband service, Google is exploring options in nine U.S. metropolitan cities, including Nashville, Raleigh-Durham, Charlotte, Atlanta, San Antonio, Phoenix, Salt Lake City, Portland and the San Jose and South Bay areas. Google Fiber is currently offered in Provo, Utah, and Kansas City. Construction has begun in Austin.