Pictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Jonathan Singleton, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Striking Matches Justin Davis, NOTES for Education Co-Founder & President Debi Cali, Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmermann, ASCAP’s Anna Maki, David Lee Murphy, Ray Stephenson, NOTES for Education Board Member Julie Meirick, ASCAP’s Meghan Muse, NOTES for Education Board Member Fran Leach, Jon Randall Stewart, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Mike Sistad and Alison Toczylowski. Photo: Ed Rode.
If a glass of Zinfandel supports music in schools, why not have a whole bottle? That’s exactly the idea behind the second annual
Napa in Nashville event, which took place on the veranda at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday (March 6). For the
past five years in Napa, the two cities have combined creative exports – winemaking and songwriting – to support
Notes for Education.
The success of Notes is due in large part to
Debi Cali. She found support in
ASCAP‘s
Mike Sistad, who curates the songwriters who perform as part of the program. Naturally, the second half of the program is carried by the Napa Valley vintners—all to support elementary through high school music programs in Napa and Nashville.
Throughout the Nashville evening, it was clear the sister cities share the craft of storytelling. Casual conversations included stories of winemaker struggles, one even sleeping in an SUV until they were able to support the first crop of grapes. Cali recognized the perseverance and patience required to succeed in the winemaking process. Of the communal experiences while wine matures, Cali made reference to
Jackalope, the Nashville brewery participating in the event, “It takes a lot of beer to make wine!”
Big Machine Music’s
Mike Molinar, who took home the raffle grand prize at last year’s event, embraced his “responsibility” to sponsor this year’s Nashville event.
SunTrust has played a large part in the success of the Napa events as well.
Tastings were offered prior to two sets of acoustic songwriter rounds.
Sarah Zimmermann of
Striking Matches, whose “When The Right One Comes Along” handwritten lyrics were available for auction, mentioned, “This is our favorite event of the year, second to the one in California!”
Ray Stephenson contributed artwork and performed a set including “Hemmingway’s Whiskey,” another song with handwritten lyrics available for auction.
Although the anchor Napa winery
Baldacci, host of the Napa events, does not have wine available in Nashville stores, a few of the Napa area’s varietals can be found locally.
Phifer Pavitt wine is available at Etch and Kayne Prime. Nashville resident
Gary Carr co-founded
BNA Wines, produced in California and available at Nashville’s Lockeland Table, among many others.
Bellaterra Ranch is based in Franklin, Tenn., pairing cigars with California-grown varietals. Cali has created her own Notes,
Harmony Zinfandel, which supports the cause she leads with help from Napa’s
Fran Leach and Nashville’s
Julie Meirick.
Rounding off the Nashville evening were veteran hit makers
David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”),
Jon Randall Stewart (“Whiskey Lullaby”), and
Jonathan Singleton (“Let It Rain”).
For more information on the organization or its annual events in Nashville or Napa, visit
notesforeducation.org.
Special thanks to Luckey at Hat Creek Carriages for
MusicRow‘s complimentary transportation to the event!
Industry Pics (3/7/14)
/by Michael_SmithASCAP recently hosted its monthly songwriters-in-the-round showcase at Nashville’s Bluebird Café on Wednesday, March 5th. The event featured four of ASCAP’s new all-female songwriter-artist mentoring group, including Kelsea Ballerini (Black River Entertainment), Bonner Black, Sarahbeth Taite (KyeCatt Music) and Jordyn Shellhart (Sea Gayle Music Publishing).
Pictured (lL-R): ASCAP’s Meghan Muse, Bonner Black, Kelsea Ballerini, Jordyn Shellhart, Sarahbeth Taite and ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan. Photo: ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski.
• • •
Natalie Stovall of Natalie Stovall and the Drive thanked American Country Countdown host Kix Brooks on March 6 for playing the singer’s hit single “Baby Come On With It.”
Pictured (L-R): Stovall, Brooks
• • •
Big Machine’s Danielle Bradbery has been busy visiting schools across the country as part of the Music In Our Schools Tour. The singer recently visited schools in Houston, Nashville, North Carolina and, today (March 7), Florida.
Bradbery (center) visits with students in Houston, TX
Dan+Shay To Release Debut Project in April
/by Jessica NicholsonThe duo will join Hunter Hayes‘ We’re Not Invisible Tour on March 20, and will join Blake Shelton‘s Ten Times Crazier Tour in June.
DAN + SHAY’S WHERE IT ALL BEGAN ALBUM TRACK LISTING
1. Show You Off
2. Stop Drop + Roll
3. 19 You + Me
4. What You Do To Me
5. Can’t Say No
6. First Time Feeling
7. Nothin’ Like You
8. Somewhere Only We Know
9. Parking Brake
10. I Heard Goodbye
11. Party Girl
12. Close Your Eyes
Big Machine Records Named Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville Title Sponsor
/by Jessica NicholsonFormer three-time Super Truck Fairgrounds Champion & Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta said, “The Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville is one of the most revered, competitive and trickiest tracks in all of racing. Some of the greatest stock car racers of all time called this speedway home, including Daytona 500 Winners Darrell Waltrip and Sterling Marlin. All at the Big Machine Label Group are thrilled to be able to turn up the volume for Nashville area drivers, as well as drivers throughout the southeast, to make this season one of the most competitive and most talked about anywhere in racing.”
The new series will debut Nashville’s opening race on April 5. This will mark the Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville’s 56th season of racing.
Tony Formosa, the Promoter of Fairgrounds Speedway Nashville said, “This is the greatest thing to happen at the Speedway in my three years as the Promoter. The word is already spreading like wildfire. The only issue that I have with it is that I can’t race in the series! This will definitely make the pie a lot sweeter. I can’t wait to get it started.”
Taylor Swift and Longtime Publicist Paula Erickson Part Ways
/by Jessica NicholsonPaula Erickson and Taylor Swift. Photo: Reuters
Taylor Swift and her longtime publicist, Paula Erickson, have parted ways, MusicRow has confirmed.
Erickson and Swift began working together in 2007, beginning a seven-year professional relationship. In that time, Swift soared to worldwide success and released four albums that have all been certified multi-platinum.
During Erickson’s tenure with Swift, she coordinated numerous high-profile media appearances for the superstar, including hosting duties on Saturday Night Live and performances at the Grammy Awards, Country Music Association Awards, Academy of Country Music Awards, and MTV Video Music Awards, along with cover stories in publications including Glamour, Vogue, and Vanity Fair.
Erickson’s other clients include Show Dog-Universal. Previously, the PR maven was awarded the Publicist Guild’s Maxwell Weinberg Publicist Showmanship Award for work with the Academy Award-winning motion picture Walk The Line.
Napa and Nashville Say 'Cheers' For Charity
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, Jonathan Singleton, ASCAP’s Ryan Beuschel, Striking Matches Justin Davis, NOTES for Education Co-Founder & President Debi Cali, Striking Matches’ Sarah Zimmermann, ASCAP’s Anna Maki, David Lee Murphy, Ray Stephenson, NOTES for Education Board Member Julie Meirick, ASCAP’s Meghan Muse, NOTES for Education Board Member Fran Leach, Jon Randall Stewart, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, Mike Sistad and Alison Toczylowski. Photo: Ed Rode.
If a glass of Zinfandel supports music in schools, why not have a whole bottle? That’s exactly the idea behind the second annual Napa in Nashville event, which took place on the veranda at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe on Thursday (March 6). For the past five years in Napa, the two cities have combined creative exports – winemaking and songwriting – to support Notes for Education.
Throughout the Nashville evening, it was clear the sister cities share the craft of storytelling. Casual conversations included stories of winemaker struggles, one even sleeping in an SUV until they were able to support the first crop of grapes. Cali recognized the perseverance and patience required to succeed in the winemaking process. Of the communal experiences while wine matures, Cali made reference to Jackalope, the Nashville brewery participating in the event, “It takes a lot of beer to make wine!”
Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar, who took home the raffle grand prize at last year’s event, embraced his “responsibility” to sponsor this year’s Nashville event. SunTrust has played a large part in the success of the Napa events as well.
Tastings were offered prior to two sets of acoustic songwriter rounds. Sarah Zimmermann of Striking Matches, whose “When The Right One Comes Along” handwritten lyrics were available for auction, mentioned, “This is our favorite event of the year, second to the one in California!” Ray Stephenson contributed artwork and performed a set including “Hemmingway’s Whiskey,” another song with handwritten lyrics available for auction.
Although the anchor Napa winery Baldacci, host of the Napa events, does not have wine available in Nashville stores, a few of the Napa area’s varietals can be found locally. Phifer Pavitt wine is available at Etch and Kayne Prime. Nashville resident Gary Carr co-founded BNA Wines, produced in California and available at Nashville’s Lockeland Table, among many others. Bellaterra Ranch is based in Franklin, Tenn., pairing cigars with California-grown varietals. Cali has created her own Notes, Harmony Zinfandel, which supports the cause she leads with help from Napa’s Fran Leach and Nashville’s Julie Meirick.
Rounding off the Nashville evening were veteran hit makers David Lee Murphy (“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not”), Jon Randall Stewart (“Whiskey Lullaby”), and Jonathan Singleton (“Let It Rain”).
For more information on the organization or its annual events in Nashville or Napa, visit notesforeducation.org.
Special thanks to Luckey at Hat Creek Carriages for MusicRow‘s complimentary transportation to the event!
St. Jude Adds Moon In Radio Development Department
/by Jessica NicholsonTravis Moon
Travis Moon has joined St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in the newly created position of Sr. Liason/Programming in the organization’s Radio Development department. The position is based in Nashville.
Travis will remain at his job as PD of Clear Channel Country station KAJA in San Antonio until Wednesday, April 30. Travis can be reached at travismooncountry@hotmail.com.
CMHoF Offers Pete Anderson Program, Merle Haggard Film
/by Sarah SkatesOn March 22, at 2:30 p.m., Anderson will sit for an interview in the Ford Theater with the museum’s curatorial director, Mick Buck. Pete Anderson: California Country’s Second Generation will feature a discussion of his career as a guitarist and producer. Anderson gained prominence in the 1980s for his guitar and production work with Dwight Yoakam. The pair generated over a dozen Top Ten singles and led a renewal of interest in the Bakersfield Sound. Anderson also produced records for Mark Chesnutt, Sara Evans, Roy Orbison and others. In addition to the interview, Anderson will perform songs from the Bakersfield repertoire and from his latest release, Bird Above Guitarland. The program will be streamed live at countrymusichalloffame.org/streaming.
On March 30, at 2:00 p.m. in the Ford Theater, the museum will screen Merle Haggard: Learning to Live with Myself (2010). This 90-minute installment of American Masters (PBS) by filmmaker Gandulf Hennig includes concert footage and interviews with Haggard, his family, friends and fellow artists. The film tracks Haggard’s life and career through growing up in Oildale, California, his incarceration at San Quentin and his successful career as a songwriter and singer. John Fogerty, Kris Kristofferson, Keith Richards and Don Was also appear in the film.
The film screening is free, and the Anderson program is included with museum admission and free to museum members. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org/ for complete admission details.
Edgehill Village Sold for $9.2 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonThe area was sold by Wade Elam, who reinvented the buildings in 2002 with Steve Asbury. The buyer is Edgehill Village Investors LLC. The area offers 57,000 square feet of space, including some office and apartments. The eight buildings that make up the area are located at Edgehill Ave. and Villa Place.
“We are excited about the opportunity to purchase Edgehill Village,” said Lowe, who is a principal at Cassidy Turley Commercial Real Estate Services. “We’ve long admired the property for its uniqueness. The former owners did a wonderful job with the redevelopment, and it shows in the terrific mix of tenants. Our goal is to continue Edgehill Village’s success and to add value where we can.”
Lady A To Receive Recording Artists' Coalition Award
/by Sarah SkatesLady Antebellum
Lady Antebellum will be honored with the Recording Artists’ Coalition Award during The Recording Academy’s 2014 Grammys on the Hill Awards. The event is set for Wednesday, April 2, at The Hamilton Live in Washington D.C.
“We are proud to honor Lady Antebellum for their artistry and inventiveness in the country arena as well as their philanthropic efforts to make a difference for disadvantaged children here and abroad,” said Recording Academy President/CEO Neil Portnow. The Recording Artists Coalition Award is named for The Academy’s artists’ rights program founded by Don Henley and Sheryl Crow.
Lady A, seven-time Grammy winners, started the LadyAID Fund to support children’s hospitals in the United States and Canada, and support the overall betterment of children’s lives around the world.
House of Representatives majority whip Kevin McCarthy (R-Calif.) and House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) will also be honored for their support of music creators. In addition, Westfield Academy and Central School (Westfield, N.Y.) music teacher Kent Knappenberger will be the recipient of the inaugural Music Educator Award. The event will include live performances and one-of-a-kind tributes.
Among those expected to attend are SESAC hit songwriters Gary Burr and Victoria Shaw, pop music legend Dionne Warwick, Los Lonely Boys, Hanson, and Wesley Schultz of The Lumineers.
The Grammys on the Hill Awards are sponsored by SESAC, and proceeds from the event will benefit underserved music programs through Grammy Signature Schools.
On April 3, the day after the awards, The Recording Academy will host Grammys on the Hill Advocacy Day, where hundreds of music professionals from across the country will visit with lawmakers to advance policies that improve the environment for American music. Now in its 10th year, the program is the music community’s only annual advocacy day in Washington, D.C.
Weekly Chart Report (3/7/14)
/by Michael_Smith