John Anderson and Tracy Lawrence wrapped a special concert series this week that included the hit duo performing in some of the most renowned music venues in the US. Concert goers experienced one of kind performances as the two shared some of their biggest hits together.
While in LA for a concert stop, Lawrence took time to visit with actor Michael Roark, the co-star of his new music video “LIE.” Roark, best known for his film and TV roles in Dolphin Tale, Magic Mike, Sleepy Hollow, Banshee, The Following and Revolution, plays the friend of Lawrence in this steamy tale of love, friendship, and betrayal.
Pictured (L-R): John Anderson, Michael Beyer, Michael Roark, Tracy Lawrence.
Photo By Alex Torrez
• • •
Bigger Picture Group’s Chelsea Bain has partnered with Webasto Thermo & Comfort North America, a world leader in engine-off vehicle heating equipment, to promote the benefits of its Air Top 2000 ST bunk heaters and Thermo Top C coolant heaters among trucking owner-operators.
At the Mid-America truck show in Louisville, Ky., Bain met fans and performed in Webasto’s booth, while over 80,000 attendees gathered at the annual forum for the heavy duty trucking industry.
• • •
Black River Entertainment held an event last week that mixed the worlds of country music and professional hockey. The night was a chance for country music industry tastemakers to mix and mingle with players from the Buffalo Sabres and Black River Entertainment recording artists Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan and Kelsea Ballerini.
Black River and the studios at Sound Stage provided a Nashville VIP experience that included catering from Edley’s Bar-B-Que and Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Guests also stopped by Ronnie’s Place recording studio to sample Tennessee Whiskey in the Jack Daniel’s Room. The evening concluded with a pickin’ party, complete with bonfire, s’mores and music provided by Ballerini, Passport Records’ Brassfield Aly, and Black River Publishing’s Josh Kerr.
Pictured (L-R): Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, Black River Entertainment recording artists Kellie Pickler and Craig Morgan, and CEO Gordon Kerr. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Black River Entertainment
• • •
Natalie Stovall and The Drive spent a good portion of the last two weeks in Panama City Beach, Fla. At the favored Panama City destination Spinnaker Beach Club, the band wrapped eight nights of shows for 40,000 fans.
Natalie Stovall and The Drive
• • •
Soul Circus Cowboys will perform at Nashville’s The Rutledge on Tuesday, April 29, at 6 p.m. Doors open at 5:30 p.m. The Florida-based band is comprised of lead vocalist Billy McKnight, drummer Jason Alfano, bassist Michael Bach, guitarist/vocalist Terry Cole, and guitarist Stephen Haendiges.
Artist Updates (4/4/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Anderson and Tracy Lawrence wrapped a special concert series this week that included the hit duo performing in some of the most renowned music venues in the US. Concert goers experienced one of kind performances as the two shared some of their biggest hits together.
While in LA for a concert stop, Lawrence took time to visit with actor Michael Roark, the co-star of his new music video “LIE.” Roark, best known for his film and TV roles in Dolphin Tale, Magic Mike, Sleepy Hollow, Banshee, The Following and Revolution, plays the friend of Lawrence in this steamy tale of love, friendship, and betrayal.
Pictured (L-R): John Anderson, Michael Beyer, Michael Roark, Tracy Lawrence.
Photo By Alex Torrez
• • •
At the Mid-America truck show in Louisville, Ky., Bain met fans and performed in Webasto’s booth, while over 80,000 attendees gathered at the annual forum for the heavy duty trucking industry.
• • •
Black River Entertainment held an event last week that mixed the worlds of country music and professional hockey. The night was a chance for country music industry tastemakers to mix and mingle with players from the Buffalo Sabres and Black River Entertainment recording artists Kellie Pickler, Craig Morgan and Kelsea Ballerini.
Black River and the studios at Sound Stage provided a Nashville VIP experience that included catering from Edley’s Bar-B-Que and Puckett’s Grocery & Restaurant. Guests also stopped by Ronnie’s Place recording studio to sample Tennessee Whiskey in the Jack Daniel’s Room. The evening concluded with a pickin’ party, complete with bonfire, s’mores and music provided by Ballerini, Passport Records’ Brassfield Aly, and Black River Publishing’s Josh Kerr.
Pictured (L-R): Terry Pegula and Kim Pegula, Black River Entertainment recording artists Kellie Pickler and Craig Morgan, and CEO Gordon Kerr. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Black River Entertainment
• • •
Natalie Stovall and The Drive spent a good portion of the last two weeks in Panama City Beach, Fla. At the favored Panama City destination Spinnaker Beach Club, the band wrapped eight nights of shows for 40,000 fans.
Natalie Stovall and The Drive
• • •
Industry Pics (4/4/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonASCAP hosted its monthly songwriters showcase at The Bluebird Cafe on Wednesday, April 2 at 6 p.m. The in-the-round performance featured songwriter-artists Jonathan Kingham and Shane Hines (of Paperhouse), Big Machine Music songwriter-artist Courtney Cole and up-and-coming songwriter-artist Brad Blackburn.
The Bluebird Cafe’s late show included ASCAP Songwriter of the Year winner Dave Berg, Blue Sky Riders (Kenny Loggins, Gary Burr) member Georgia Middleman, and songwriters Philip Coleman and Annie Tate.
Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Brad Blackburn, Courtney Cole, Shane Hines and Jonathan Kingham. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.
Pictured (L-R): Dave Berg, Georgia Middleman, Philip Coleman and Annie Tate. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.
• • •
Ken Paulson, Dean of the College of Mass Communication at MTSU, spoke at a recent SOURCE luncheon. Paulson, who was executive director of the First Amendment Center for many years, spotlighted five women whose songs changed the world with a song.
Pictured (L-R): SOURCE President Denise Nichols, Past-president Debbie Carroll, Paulson and former President Lainie Allbee.
• • •
SESAC sponsored The Recording Academy’s 2014 Grammys On The Hill Awards in Washington, D.C. on April 2. Seven-time Grammy winners Lady Antebelllum were presented with the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award in recognition of their artistic accomplishments and advocacy.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Pat Collins, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley & Hillary Scott, the Recording Academy’s Neil Portnow and Lady Antebellum’s Dave Haywood.
Weekly Chart Report (4/4/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson[Updated]: LifeNotes (3/31/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson[Updated]: Visitation for Ryan Huie will be held from 10 a.m.-1 p.m. Tuesday, April 8 at Brentwood Baptist Church, located at 7777 Concord Rd., Brentwood, TN, 37027. A celebration of life will follow from 1pm-3pm. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to The Jason Foundation. Ryan Huie, son of CAA’s John Huie, worked as a booking agent at The Agency Coalition in Nashville. MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends.
[Original post, March 31, 3:40 p.m.]:
MusicRow sends its condolences to CAA’s John Huie and his family in the death of Huie’s son, Ryan Huie, on Sunday, March 30. Ryan Huie worked as a booking agent at The Agency Coalition in Nashville.
• • •
Raymond Schmidt, father of Joey Schmidt (Alan Jackson’s keyboard player) and father-in-law of Jessie Schmidt (publicist and owner Schmidt Relations), passed away on Saturday, March 29. Visitation is Monday afternoon at St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon, ND and the funeral is Tuesday, April 1 at 10:30am at St. Philip Neri Church in Napoleon, N.D.
MusicRow sends its condolences to Schmidt’s family. Condolences can be sent here.
McGraw To Release 'Sundown Heaven Town' in September
/by Jessica NicholsonBeginning on Sunday, April 6, during his performance on the ACM Awards, McGraw will launch “Countdown To Sundown.” When fans Shazam his ACM performance, they can join the Countdown program and will have access to exclusive content and be entered to win a season pass for two tickets to each of McGraw’s summer tour dates, including an all expense paid trip to the tour’s opening night on May 8. McGraw will be revealing new songs from the album through major primetime television performances and will provide fans with exclusive access to free downloads, first listens, behind the scenes looks, exclusive tour experiences, contests and more through countdowntosundown.com.
On May 8, McGraw will begin his Sundown Heaven Town 2014 Tour, covering more than 30 cities. Joining him for the summer run will be Kip Moore and Cassadee Pope.
Jack White Aims to Set Guinness Record For World's Fastest Record
/by Jessica NicholsonThe whole process is slated to take place from 10 a.m. until 4 p.m. After the direct-to-acetate project is recorded, the masters will then be run to United Record Pressing, which will begin press 45s and then taken back to Third Man to sell to waiting fans, according to The Hollywood Reporter.
As long as fans are waiting in line to buy the single, United Records will continue press the 45s.
Tickets for this whole day – “Ultra Tickets” – are limited and will be available exclusively through the Third Man Records Vault to Platinum Members. Ultra Ticket holders will get to watch Jack White live recording his world’s fastest record, and will receive copies of both the 7-inch and the Whirlwind Heat Record Store Day LP release.
T.J. Martell Foundation To Honor Rob Beckham
/by Jessica NicholsonRob Beckham
The T.J. Martell Foundation will honor the career achievements of Rob 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 take place May 12 at Nashville’s The Rosewall at 6 p.m.
“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 both 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 is a Partner at WME, and has spent nearly 25 years working in the entertainment industry. His client roster includes Blake Shelton, Brad Paisley, Reba, Rascal Flatts, The Band Perry, Gary Allan, Chris Young, Easton Corbin and Jerrod Niemann among many others. In addition to his work at WME, Beckham also serves on the Board of Directors for the Country Music Association, the T.J. Martell Foundation and Make-A-Wish for Middle Tennessee.
The 2014 Ambassador of the Year event will include a cocktail reception, buffet dinner and special presentation. Beckham’s clients, colleagues and friends will come together on stage to pay homage to him by sharing colorful stories born from the miles logged together on the road.
Tables range from $1,500 to $2,500 and individual tickets are $50 to $75 on sale now at tjmartell.org.
Industry Ink (4/3/14)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
According to Robert Frost, president of Frost Specialty, this is a significantly-reduced premium designed specifically for the songwriter members of NSAI who are often required by venues to carry liability insurance for their performance.
For more information on the general liability insurance policy, contact 615-322-9171 or info@frostspecialty.com.
• • •
SOLID welcomed Sony/ATV Music Nashville Pres./CEO Troy Tomlinson to speak at their General Assembly meeting, held April 1 at Oceanway Studios in Nashville. Tomlinson spoke to the SOLID membership about believing in what you do and the importance of staying present in the moment. “You’ve got to be present,” Tomlinson said. “You’ve got to be awesome at what you do and where you are. People will notice.”
Photo (L-R): Michelle Tigard Kammerer, SOLID Vice President; Brian O’Neil, SOLID President; Troy Tomlinson; Alex Luebbert, SOLID Education Committee Chair; Stefany Reed, SOLID Education Committee Co-Chair.
Big Brands Want To Woo Country Fans
/by Sarah SkatesIn January Carrie Underwood welcomed Almay and numerous beauty editors to Nashville to launch her campaign as their Global Brand Ambassador.
Major brands are working hard to connect with Country music fans, due to the genre’s growing popularity. An article in Marketing News explores the trend, which has brands Coors Light, Cover Girl, Diet Coke, Lipton Tea and Ram Trucks partnering with country star endorsers.
Damon Whiteside, CMA Sr. VP of Marketing and Partnerships told the magazine, “Brands are now more proactive about reaching out to country artists, whereas before, we had to do more of an educational process with them…Now artists can be a little bit more choosy about what brands fit their image.”
Country fans are more affluent than 10 years ago, with annual household incomes averaging $75,000 in 2013, versus $54,000 in 2003 (Nielsen). This has attracted more partnerships with luxury and tech brands than in the past.
According to the article, the CMA’s year-round brand partners are American Airlines, Anheuser-Busch, Pepsi, Patrón and Chevrolet, with about 50 more brands sponsoring CMA’s events.
Blake Shelton is the most effective celebrity endorser, reports The Marketing Arm, which ranks celebrities based on consumer awareness, likability and trustworthiness. Carrie Underwood ranks No. 2 on the list, followed by Reba McEntire at No. 5 and Faith Hill at No. 6.
Linn Launches AmpliFLY Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonStephen Linn
Stephen Linn, formerly a Sr. Director of Music Programming and Promotion with CMT, has launched AmpliFLY Entertainment, a consulting firm specializing in strategic artist development, branding and music marketing.
“When you’re on stage, you’re an artist; when you’re not, you’re running for governor,” Linn said. “We’ll help with all of the ‘running for governor’ stuff.”
Most recently, he served as Sr. VP at BBR Management, the artist management division of the Broken Bow Records Label Group.
Linn can be contacted at stephen@ampliflyent.com or 615-306-9407. For more information, visit ampliflyent.com.