Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley; Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks Head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom Pres. and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott; Dave Haywood; Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo: Getty Images for CMT
will launch its News & Docs division with a full slate of documentaries and projects from producers including
Ridley Scott, Morgan Spurlock and many others.
Jayson Dinsmore, Exec. VP of CMT Programming and Development, made the announcement at the network’s upfront presentation at TimesCenter in Manhattan, which included a three-song set from
Lady Antebellum.
“We’re fulfilling our promise to create a CMT News & Docs division with a slate of bold and compelling stories that reflect big personalities and monumental events that helped define America, our music and our spirit,” said Dinsmore. “We’ve partnered with some of the most respected and visionary filmmakers working today, all charged with producing unique documentaries through an authentic and distinctive lens.”
The forthcoming documentaries include
Promiseland, from executive producer
Ridley Scott. The four-hour miniseries
Promiseland will highlight an often unsung American hero, the American farmer.
They Called Us Outlaws, an eight-hour documentary from
Eric Geadelmann and
Mark Johnson, will focus on the happenings in Nashville and Austin in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists including
Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and others were breaking the rules and making music their own way.
Freedom from
Morgan Spurlock explores the meaning of freedom in America.
Meanwhile,
Urban Legend: When A Nation When Country from
John Dorsey and
Andrew Stephan (producers of ESPN’s
Pony Excess) examines the Country music scene in the 1980s.
Additionally, there is
Johnny Cash—American Rebel, as well as episodes of the returning CMT series
Inside Fame, which will spotlight
Florida Georgia Line and
Hunter Hayes. No air dates have been set for the documentaries or
Inside Fame series.
5th Annual Music Row Rally Set For April 15
/by Jessica NicholsonBig Loud Shirt’s Craig Wiseman
Songwriter Craig Wiseman and Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee will hold the 5th annual Music Row Rally on Tues., April 15.
The event will be held in the Big Loud Shirt parking lot located at 1111 16th Ave. S. Wiseman will be joined by Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee, and a few local food trucks, including fan favorites Riffs Fine Street Foods, Deg Thai, Jeni’s Splendid Ice Cream, and Smoke Et Al from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
Ten percent of all profits made by the food trucks will be donated to Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee. A $1 donation is requested from all attendees at the door as an additional way to give to this incredible charity.
The Music Row Rally leads in to the 10th annual Stars For Second Harvest benefit, slated for Tues., June 3, 2014 at 7:30 p.m. at the Ryman Auditorium. Presented by O’Charley’s and hosted by Wiseman, Country duo Florida Georgia Line will headline the benefit for the third year in a row. Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com.
Writers Roundup (4/3/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonAshley Monroe
Warner Music Nashville singer/songwriter Ashley Monroe will perform in Nashville on Monday, June 5 at 3rd and Lindsley beginning at 5 p.m. CT. She will be joined by special guests Striking Matches.
To purchase tickets, visit 3rd & Lindsley’s site.
Monroe penned several songs featured in ABC’s Nashville, and will star in a one-hour show Nashville: On The Record, which airs April 23 on ABC.
• • •
Jeffrey Steele
3 Ring Circus Music will host the YMCA Songwriters Night at 3rd & Lindsley on Thursday, April 17 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The lineup includes Jeffrey Steele, Alissa Moreno, The Shuggah Pies, Brandon Hood, Adam James, Alyssa Bonagura, Charlie Crowe, Jimmy Stewart, Willow Park and others.
The event will benefit the Brentwood Family Y of Middle Tennessee. Tickets are available by visiting 3rd & Lindsley’s site.
• • •
There’s a new songwriters round in Nashville, this one combining the richness of songs and coffee.
“Songwriters Singing For Coffee—Where Lyrics and Lattes Collide” launched its first show at Starbucks in Green Hills on April 2. Songwriters Billy Yates, Greg Friia, Scott Reeves and Pete Sallis performed several of their well-known songs.
For a list of upcoming shows, visit songwriterssingingforcoffee.com.
Photos by Bev Moser.
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Leah Turner To Release Debut EP May 6
/by Jessica NicholsonThe California native’s career took a leap forward when she happened to meet singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins during a college class; Loggins encouraged Turner to pursue her musical dreams in Los Angeles. There, she worked with David Foster and other industry execs, but Turner says her heart has always been in Country music. “Roots run deep, you know? My roots were in Country music, so I prayed about it and felt I needed to move to Nashville,” Turner told MusicRow during a recent visit. Once in Music City, Turner began lining up co-writing sessions, and eventually met Sony Music Nashville’s Jim Catino. “I played him a worktape, and he said he wanted to sign me to a deal. I was so excited; I couldn’t believe it,” says Turner. “That was a year ago.”
Turner will soon hit the road with Arista Nashville artist Brad Paisley‘s summer tour and celebrate the release of her upcoming EP.
“Take the Keys” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
“Pull Me Back” (Leah Turner/Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins)
“Bless My Heart” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“Beat Up Bronco” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“My Finger” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
Starting today, fans can pre-order the EP Leah Turner.
Artist Pics (4/2/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonDierks Bentley performed at Nashville’s Station Inn Tuesday night (April 1) with a host of industry friends.
Dierks Bentley performs at Nashville’s Station Inn. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
• • •
Tuesday night (April 1), during an exclusive listening event for her latest album Everlasting at Nashville’s BMI office, Martina McBride was presented with a custom “Nancy” comic strip by illustrator Guy Gilchrist.
Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations; Martina McBride; Guy Gilchrist, “Nancy” Comic Illustrator. Photo: Steve Lowry
• • •
After his performance at iHeartRadio Country Festival in Austin, RCA Nashville artist Dee Jay Silver is gearing up for the Saturday launch of his weekly syndicated radio show, The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver.
Pictured (L-R): Silver and “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver” OM Keith Kaufman. Photo credit: Ivor Karabatkovic
• • •
On Wednesday (April 2), singer-songwriter-guitarist Frankie Ballard performed his recent chart-topping single “Helluva Life” on NBC’s Today Show.
Pictured (L-R): Kathi Lee Gifford (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show), Frankie Ballard, Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show). Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity
Industry Ink (4/2/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Academy of Country Music awards will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton and broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
• • •
SESAC has signed Sharon Koltick, lead singer and bassist of the Nashville rock band Kink Ador. Koltick stopped by the organization’s offices to visit with SESAC’s Dennis Lord and manager Bennett Davidson from Bluewater Music.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Dennis Lord, Koltick, and Bluewater Music’s Bennett Davidson. Photo: Peyton Hoge.
• • •
Singer-songwriter Holly Williams will join the celebration by offering prints of these photos for purchase through her clothing boutique, H. Audrey, located across the street from The Bluebird Cafe. These archival printed, signed (or estate signed) editions and framed photographs will be exhibited through Sept. 21, 2014.
Morrison Hotel Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Blachley, retail music industry professional Richard Horowitz, and photographer Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast Gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood.
Warner/Chappell Music Appoints A&R Manager
/by Jessica NicholsonTravis Carter
Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., has appointed Travis Carter to the role of A&R Manager. Carter will report to Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP, Warner/Chappell Nashville.
Carter, a former touring musician, previously held roles at publishing companies Love Monkey Music and Tom-Leis Music, as well as at Sony Music, where he worked as an A&R Consultant.
McBride Samples 'Everlasting' for Nashville Industry
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Martina McBride, Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Steve Lowry
An intimate group of industry professionals gathered in BMI’s first floor hall for part two of a Q&A and listening for Martina McBride‘s forthcoming Everlasting release. Yesterday’s (April 1) program gathered an industry-focused audience, similar to McBride’s Two Old Hippies preview in January for press.
Host, Jody Williams, introduced Robert K. Oermann who again interviewed the songbird to shed light on the creation and inspiration of her first independent release, in partnership with Kobalt Label Services. “I’ve had two record company experiences in Nashville, both have been fantastic,” said McBride of the challenge of producing and marketing her own master recordings. “RCA and Republic Nashville provided me a base to build a model for Everlasting.”
Recorded after whittling standards for seven months with New York A&R executive Monica Lynch, Everlasting took form under the care of producer Don Was. The project was tracked and mixed by McBride’s husband John at their Blackbird studios in Nashville. “It’s easy working with John,” said McBride of the collaboration. “We are so used to it — he wants what I want.” Similar to McBride’s classic Country album, Timeless, the A-list studio provided the vintage gear played by a sparse collaboration of musicians, including Memphis Boys member and Elvis session man Reggie Young, who makes an appearance on “Suspicious Minds.” Two duets are included on the collection, Sam Cooke‘s “Bring It On Home To Me” (featuring Gavin DeGraw), as well as Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto‘s “In The Basement” (featuring Kelly Clarkson).
On release day (April 8) McBride will practically be everywhere, performing “Suspicious Minds” on the Today Show, on GAC, performing a free show in the Big Apple at the Hard Rock, not to mention appearing on VH-1, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly. Six tracks are available today, in addition to a vinyl pre-order.
CMT Launches News & Docs Division, Preps Documentaries
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Charles Kelley; Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks Head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom Pres. and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott; Dave Haywood; Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo: Getty Images for CMT
CMT will launch its News & Docs division with a full slate of documentaries and projects from producers including Ridley Scott, Morgan Spurlock and many others. Jayson Dinsmore, Exec. VP of CMT Programming and Development, made the announcement at the network’s upfront presentation at TimesCenter in Manhattan, which included a three-song set from Lady Antebellum.
“We’re fulfilling our promise to create a CMT News & Docs division with a slate of bold and compelling stories that reflect big personalities and monumental events that helped define America, our music and our spirit,” said Dinsmore. “We’ve partnered with some of the most respected and visionary filmmakers working today, all charged with producing unique documentaries through an authentic and distinctive lens.”
The forthcoming documentaries include Promiseland, from executive producer Ridley Scott. The four-hour miniseries Promiseland will highlight an often unsung American hero, the American farmer.
They Called Us Outlaws, an eight-hour documentary from Eric Geadelmann and Mark Johnson, will focus on the happenings in Nashville and Austin in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and others were breaking the rules and making music their own way.
Freedom from Morgan Spurlock explores the meaning of freedom in America.
Meanwhile, Urban Legend: When A Nation When Country from John Dorsey and Andrew Stephan (producers of ESPN’s Pony Excess) examines the Country music scene in the 1980s.
Additionally, there is Johnny Cash—American Rebel, as well as episodes of the returning CMT series Inside Fame, which will spotlight Florida Georgia Line and Hunter Hayes. No air dates have been set for the documentaries or Inside Fame series.
MusicRow Realty Update
/by Michael_Smith• • •
“In the long term, we’ll evaluate whether to lease it to a third-party or use it for our own purposes,” said Ryman Hospitality’s spokesman Brian Abrahamson. “The street level space is home to our Opry Originals retail shop, and the building purchase secures this location as an important Opry retail outlet for the long term.”
While Ryman Hospitality looks downtown, space is available in its current headquarters, where the company only uses 32k of 80k available sq. ft. OakPoint Advisors’ John Keller is helping Ryman find tenants for the open space.
Weekly Register: Cash, Niemann
/by Michael_SmithAlbums
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists continues as the top overall album, selling 161k units this week (1.7 million RTD.). Shakira’s self-titled album is the top overall debut, appearing at No. 2 with 35k units sold.
YTD, Country album sales are down 15.1 percent, while overall album sales are down 16.6 percent. If we analyze the TEA index (Track Equivalent Albums), where 10 tracks equal one album, we see that overall album sales are down 15.2 percent (versus 16.6 percent). The same week last year, Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience persisted as the No. 1 overall album, selling 318k units, while Blake Shelton’s Based On A True Story debuted as the top Country album, with 199k units sold.
Tracks
YTD, overall track sales are down 12.5 percent, while Country track sales are down 17.2 percent. The same week last year, Pink’s “Just Give Me A Reason” was the top overall track, selling 286k units, while Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” was the top Country track, selling 93k units.
Next week’s numbers will receive a boost from the upcoming ACM Awards, and include the following debuts: Dan+Shay’s Where It All Began, Josh Thompson’s Turn It Up, The Infamous Stringdusters’ Let It Go and Charlie Daniels’ Off The Grid—Doin’ It Dylan.