Pictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, John Milstead, Caroline Kole, Jimmy Metts, Julie Forester, Kellys Collins, Liz Hengber, Will Robinson, Alex Kline.
has re-opened its doors in Nashville. The company is currently helmed by
Jimmy Metts, who has previously worked with Famous Music, Curb Music, Malaco Music, Stroudavarious Records, and Cauley Music Publishing.
A successful independent music publisher, Starstruck Writers Group was sold to Warner/Chappell in 2000 and has since been inactive. Starstruck Entertainment chief operating officer
Cliff Williamson explains, “It’s time to do it again. There’s a spot waiting for an indie publisher making great music. For months we’ve been laying the foundation gathering a group of special writers.”
The group’s writers include
Alex Kline (formerly of the Lunabelles, produced
Erin Enderlin’s most recent project),
Caroline Kole (Starstruck Records artist, currently on tour with
Reba),
Julie Forester,
Kellys Collins (“Goodbye Looks Good On Me,” recorded as Reba’s
Malibu Country theme song), and
John Milstead.
Most notably, Starstruck Writers Group includes veterans
Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart,” “And Still,” “It’s Your Call,” all recorded by Reba, and “She’s More,” recorded by
Andy Griggs) and
Will Robinson (“There’s No Way” by
Alabama, “I Know How He Feels” by Reba, “What I’d Say” by
Earl Thomas Conley).
[Updated]: Lifenotes: Gospel Exec. Norman Holland
/by Sarah Skates[Original article, published March 12, 2014]:
Southern Gospel music executive Norman Holland passed away on Monday, March 10, 2014, due to heart failure.
Norman began his 35-year Gospel music career in radio promotions at the Benson Company in 1980, and through the years became a catalyst in the careers of such artists as the Cathedral Quartet, the Speer Family, the Kingsmen Quartet, J.D. Sumner and the Stamps Quartet, Gold City, Jeff and Sheri Easter, and Greater Vision. Later, Holland headed the A&R department for Chapel Records (now Spring Hill) where he worked on the Gaither Homecoming Series and helped launch the careers of Brian Free and Assurance and the Martins.
For the past 16 years, Holland served artists as Vice President of A&R at Daywind Records, guiding the careers of Greater Vision, the Perrys, Legacy Five, the Booth Brothers, Brian Free and Assurance, the Nelons, Karen Peck and New River, the Mark Trammell Quartet, Mark Lowry, Sisters, Barbara Fairchild, and many more. He received a lifetime achievement award from the Southern Gospel Music Guild in 2012.
Services will be at Sorrell’s Funeral Home, 2744 W Magnolia Ave, Geneva, Alabama, 36340. Visitation will be 1 – 2 p.m. on Saturday, March 15, 2014, followed by the funeral at 2 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the Norman Holland Memorial Fund c/o Norman’s sister, Edith Brown, 1209 Glenwood St., Dothan, Alabama, 36301. The balance of the fund after funeral expenses will be donated to the Gospel Music Trust Fund.
A memorial service will be held in Nashville within the next month.
John Rich Launches Lifestyle Brand Redneck Riviera
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Rich
John Rich has launched the lifestyle brand Redneck Riviera. Rich made the announcement during a press conference at Spinnaker in Panama City Beach, Fla., along with Doug Allen of FunTees, and Sparky Sparkman, owner of Spinnaker.
The merchandise line includes tank tops, shirts and headgear for men and women, as well as accessories including koozies, drinkware, license plates and decals. A line of youth merchandise should be made available online soon.
Rich serves as the brand ambassador and is involved in decisions regarding design, marketing, promotion and retail/licensing partners. Delta Apparel, Inc. and To The Game serve as the merchandising arm, while Earthbound handles brand management and licensing.
“After seeing so many people enjoying the laid-back, carefree beach lifestyle of the ‘Redneck Riviera,’ I realized it is not just a place,” said Rich during the press conference. “It’s a state of mind that can be found coast to coast and every land-locked town in between. My main goal is to make sure this product lives up to the lifestyle,” he continued.
For more information, visit redneckriviera.com.
CRS Accepting Agenda Committee Applicants for 2015
/by Jessica NicholsonApplicants must be available to attend agenda meetings in Nashville from June 18-20, 2014, and should attend panels and meetings at CRS 2015, which will be held Feb. 26-28, 2015.
The agenda committee plans events for the upcoming year’s Country Radio Seminar. Agenda committee inquiries can be directed to Sheree Latham at 615-327-4487 or sheree@crb.org.
Charity News (3/18/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonDarius Rucker. Photo: Chris Hollo
Capitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker will host his fifth annual “Darius and Friends” benefit concert on Monday, June 2 in Nashville. The concert will be held at the Wildhorse Saloon, and proceeds will go to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
An exclusive pre-sale for last year’s ticketholders will begin Wednesday, March 19 at 11 a.m. CDT, with general on sale opening at 11 a.m. CDT on Saturday, March 21. Prices start at $35 for General Admission and go up to $100 for VIP table options. Tickets will be available through the Wildhorse Saloon box office, or at WildhorseSaloon.com, and DariusRucker.com.
Birdhouses were designed and decorated by Nashville celebrities, as well as professionals including Music Row exec Ted Wagner, interior designer Lisa Stevens, architect Tom Bauer, chef Arnold Myint and local artists Delia Seigenthaler and Jay Swafford.
An online celebrity auction with concert tickets and meet-and-greet passes will also be available. Tickets for Spring Fling: The Birdhouse Thing are $40 in advance, and $60 at the door. Tickets previously purchased online or in-person for the original date will be honored.
• • •
Jake Owen
The Music City Tennis Invitational has named Jake Owen as its celebrity spokesperson for the 41st annual event. The tournament will be held April 26-27 at the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. Proceeds directly benefit the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt.
RIAA Report Shows Streaming Growth In 2013
/by Sarah SkatesIn 2013, strong growth in streaming revenues contributed to a US music industry that was stable overall at $7 billion for the fourth consecutive year. The report shows the continuing emergence of streaming music models as meaningful contributors to industry revenues.
According to the RIAA an increase in digital sales was driven by streaming music services, which at $1.4 billion were up 39 percent over 2012.
Paid subscription services grew the fastest of the digital formats, up 57 percent to $628 million in 2013. Growth came not just in dollars, but also in the number of subscribers.
Revenues from permanent digital downloads (including albums, single tracks, videos, and kiosk sales) declined 1.0 percent to $2.8 billion.
Shipments in physical formats continued to decline in 2013, overall down 12 percent in value from $2.8 billion in 2012 to $2.4 billion in 2013.
Click to download the full report.
Artist Updates (3/18/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Lee Thomas Miller, Brad Paisley, Kelley Lovelace, Chris DuBois. Photo By: Ben Enos
• • •
Brandy Clark. Photo Credit: Becky Fluke
Brandy Clark will make her debut appearance on the nationally-syndicated Ellen DeGeneres Show this Thursday, Mar. 20. During the appearance, Clark will perform “Stripes,” which can be found on her first album, 12 Stories.
• • •
Jason Crabb
Jason Crabb will host the Southern Gospel Music Guild’s 2014 Harmony Honors. The event will be held March 25 at Trinity Broadcasting Network’s Trinity Music City in Nashville.
Among the musical guests for this year’s Harmony Honors are LeFevre Quartet, the Perrys, the Tribute Quartet, Legacy Five, Three Bridges, the Nelons, Gerald Wolfe from Greater Vision, Karen Peck and New River, the Whisnants, and the Mylon Hayes Family.
Admission to the March 25 live TBN taping of the Harmony Honors at Nashville’s Trinity Music City is free to the public, with 1,500 seats available. Doors open at 6 p.m. (Central Time) and the program begins at 7 p.m.
• • •
Charlie Worsham was a featured player at SXSW’s Tunes and Tacos Guitar Pull on March 12.
Pictured (L-R): Wade Bowen, Robert Ellis, Rodney Crowell, Charlie Worsham
• • •
The two-hour live event will bring the miniseries The Bible and 20th Century Fox film Son of God to life with immersive video, visual effects, and performances of popular songs by artists Francesca Battistelli, Sidewalk Prophets, Natalie Grant, Chris August, Meredith Andrews and Jason Gray.
Word Music Publishing Signs Brice Long
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Rod Riley (President/CEO Word Entertainment), Scott Safford (Safford/Motley), Shannan Hatch (SESAC), Brice Long, Janine Appleton (Creative Director/Country/Pop Word Music Publishing), Joel Timen (Creative Director- TV/Film, Word Music Publishing), Dale Mathews (VP Word Music Publishing).
Word Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Brice Long. Long, best known for the songs “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), “Anything Goes” (Randy Houser), and “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night,” (Casey James), has also had cuts on artists including John Michael Montgomery, Josh Turner, Reba McEntire, Gary Allan, Darryl Worley, Randy Houser, James Otto, Laura Bell Bundy, Tracy Byrd, Chris Young, Steve Holy, Randy Travis, Craig Campbell, Gretchen Wilson, Kevin Fowler, Carter’s Chord, Rose Falcon, Jon, Pardi, The Grascals and Porter Wagoner.
The Kentucky native signed a recording agreement with Columbia records in 2005, creating two radio singles.
“I’m thrilled to work with such a hard-working and stand up guy,” stated Janine Appleton, Creative Director, Word Music Publishing. “Brice has been doing this for a long time, and I’m excited about what we’ll be able to do together. He’s got lots of Country music hits in him just waiting to be written!”
James Inks Contract With Big Deal Music, BMG Chrysalis US
/by Jessica NicholsonSeated: Pete Robinson (Big Deal), Tim James, Sara Knabe (BMG Chrysalis). Standing: Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis), Dale Bobo (Big Deal), Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis), John Allen (BMG Chrysalis), Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis), Greg Gallo (Big Deal).
Big Deal Music and BMG Chrysalis US have signed Country songwriter Tim James to a worldwide publishing agreement under their joint venture.
James’ list of Country music hits includes George Strait‘s chart-topping single “Give It All You Got Tonight,” Lee Brice‘s “Love Like Crazy,” Trace Adkins‘ “All I Ask For Anymore,” Toby Keith‘s “My List,” and The Lost Trailers‘ “Holler Back.” James has also had cuts with Darius Rucker, Chris Young, Montgomery Gentry and Lee Ann Womack.
Kos Weaver, EVP of BMG Chrysalis Nashville, said, “Tim is an extraordinary talent and a highly respected songwriter that I have been fortunate to work with in the past. We at BMG are proud to be his new publishing partner along with Big Deal and expand upon his already impressive catalog with many more hits.”
Dale Bobo at Big Deal Music added, “Tim James is an accomplished, often awarded songwriter who has the enthusiasm of a guy just arriving on Music Row. Tim, Kos Weaver and I worked together a few years ago and it was awesome. I’m tremendously excited about supporting Tim again with our new teams.”
James summed, “I’m pumped to be working again with Kos and Dale. They are two of my favorite people and two of the most respected names in music publishing. The dedicated BMG and Big Deal executives together make a formidable team. I look forward to much success.”
Starstruck Writers Group Relaunches
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Cliff Williamson, John Milstead, Caroline Kole, Jimmy Metts, Julie Forester, Kellys Collins, Liz Hengber, Will Robinson, Alex Kline.
Starstruck Writers Group has re-opened its doors in Nashville. The company is currently helmed by Jimmy Metts, who has previously worked with Famous Music, Curb Music, Malaco Music, Stroudavarious Records, and Cauley Music Publishing.
A successful independent music publisher, Starstruck Writers Group was sold to Warner/Chappell in 2000 and has since been inactive. Starstruck Entertainment chief operating officer Cliff Williamson explains, “It’s time to do it again. There’s a spot waiting for an indie publisher making great music. For months we’ve been laying the foundation gathering a group of special writers.”
The group’s writers include Alex Kline (formerly of the Lunabelles, produced Erin Enderlin’s most recent project), Caroline Kole (Starstruck Records artist, currently on tour with Reba), Julie Forester, Kellys Collins (“Goodbye Looks Good On Me,” recorded as Reba’s Malibu Country theme song), and John Milstead.
Most notably, Starstruck Writers Group includes veterans Liz Hengber (“For My Broken Heart,” “And Still,” “It’s Your Call,” all recorded by Reba, and “She’s More,” recorded by Andy Griggs) and Will Robinson (“There’s No Way” by Alabama, “I Know How He Feels” by Reba, “What I’d Say” by Earl Thomas Conley).
CMA Rebrands International Party During CMA Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThe concert began in 2004 as the Global Artist Party. CMA CEO Sarah Trahern made the rebranding announcement during the Second Annual International Marketing Summit at the 02 in London.
“The Summit was the perfect platform and this was the ideal audience to announce the strategic growth of the international showcase from a club gathering to a main-stage event,” said Trahern. “Moving this incredibly popular event from a club setting to a large stage with international food and beverage vendors will enhance the experience for our visiting artists, and create a bigger platform to reach an even broader audience of fans and press from around the world. Country Music is not limited by its American roots. Closer than a click, through technology we are reaching a broader audience and developing new fans around the world.”
Throughout the year, CMA also honors those in the international community with awards including the International Country Broadcaster Award, International Artist Achievement Award, Global Country Music Artist Award, the Wesley Rose International Media Achievement Award, and the Jo Walker-Meador International Award, which is named for the original executive director of CMA.
The 2014 CMA Music Festival will be held in Nashville from Thursday through Sunday, June 5–8.