The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) has named music and entertainment executive David Renzer to the organization’s board, effective immediately. Renzer is the chairman of Spirit Music Group.
“David has been in the publishing business for over a quarter of a century, and was at the forefront of shepherding our industry through the transition to the digital age,” said Irwin Z. Robinson, chairman of the NMPA Board.
Prior to joining Spirit, Renzer served as chairman and CEO of Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG). Major signings include the catalogs of Elton John and Bernie Taupin, Justin Timberlake, Paul Simon, Elvis Costello, U2, and Mary J. Blige. He began his career at Zomba Music Publishing.
“The strength of our organization comes from the commitment of Board members to the songwriting and publishing community,” said NMPA president and CEO David Israelite. “David’s leadership and experience is a tremendous asset to our organization.”

After five years at Loveless Cafe Barn, Music City Roots has plans to move to the historic Factory at Franklin for the start of its Summer 2014 season, which launches July 9.
The Factory, which is listed on the National Register of Historic Places, also houses the Americana Music Association, Sugar Hill Records, Dark Horse studios, and several other organizations in the music community.
“Music City Roots is the perfect flagship for our vision to highlight Americana music and regional art and food culture here at The Factory at Franklin,” said its events manager Tami Pryce.
Most Wednesdays, Roots will be staged in The Factory’s 10,000 square foot Jamison Hall, though when a larger capacity is needed, MCR will move to the larger Liberty Hall. The show will continue to be broadcast live over local radio partner Hippie Radio 94.5 FM and webcast via its own website at musiccityroots.com.
MCR’s streaming service, RootsRadio.com, will create a broadcast booth in The Factory’s main hall, allowing opportunities for live programming and interviews alongside its regular 24-hour stream of Music City Roots performances.
“We have loved our home out ‘on the edge of Music City’ at the Loveless Cafe and deeply appreciate the magical musical moments we created together at the Loveless Barn…and we look forward to continuing the tradition at the historic Factory.” says Music City Roots co-executive producer and creator Todd Mayo.
“Loveless Cafe is pleased to have been the original setting for Music City Roots,” says Jessica Charlton, Loveless Cafe Brand Manager. “We celebrate the show’s growth and look forward to continued partnership opportunities.”
The final MCR “Spring Season” at the Loveless Barn will run April 9 through June 18.

Patty Griffin and John Hiatt are set to co-headline the 2nd Annual Cross-County Lines festival, presented by Nissan. The festival, which takes place May 31 at The Park at Harlinsdale Farm in Franklin, Tenn., pays homage to roots-inspired music.

Also performing during the two-stage, seven-hour event are Ashley Monroe, “Stripes” singer-songwriter Brandy Clark, Parker Milsap, Joe Pug and Luther Dickinson.
The Park at Harlinsdale Farm is located across the street from the Americana Music Association headquarters at the Factory at Franklin.
Last year’s inaugural event featured Jerry Douglas, Alison Krauss, Amos Lee and Shawn Colvin, among others.
AEG-TMG will co-produce the event, which begins at 4:30 p.m., with doors opening at 3:30 p.m. Tickets for the event are $35 per person, and will be available to the public beginning Friday, April 11 at 10 a.m. CT at Ticketmaster and The Franklin Theatre box office.
 

The 2nd Annual ACM Party for a Cause Festival, hosted by Outnumber Hunger, launched Friday (April 4) at the LINQ with headlining trio Rascal Flatts. The “Outnumber Hunger Live!” concert featured Florida Georgia Line, Justin Moore, Thomas Rhett, Cassadee Pope, Danielle Bradbery, The Cadillac Three, Will Hoge, Chase Rice and Charlie Worsham.
On Saturday (April 5), headliner Keith Urban anchored the second evening of the Party For A Cause Festival. Lee Brice, Brett Eldredge, Tyler Farr, Kip Moore, Joe Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Chris Young, Love and Theft, Parmalee, Joel Crouse, Jon Pardi, Leah Turner, Austin Webb and Dan + Shay performed.
Photos: Getty Images for ACM

Pictured (L-R): Cassadee Pope, Thomas Rhett

Charlie Worsham

Pictured (L-R): Danielle Bradbery and RaeLynn

Rascal Flatts perform.

Pictured (L-R): Kip Moore, Brett Eldredge

Keith Urban

Pictured: The Swon Brothers with Jerrod Niemann.