Pictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Holly Williams, Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Emmylou Harris, Rita Wilson and Jason Mraz. Photo: Brandon Clark/ABImages
Los Angeles’ Club Nokia welcomed a star-studded, eclectic lineup of artists for the
All For The Hall fundraising event benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The event took place Tuesday, March 4, and featured music from
Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Heart, Jason Mraz, Holly Williams, and
Cam Ochs.
Gill performed
Merle Haggard‘s “I Can’t Be Myself,” his own “Whenever You Come Around,” and the
Buck Owens classic “Together Again,” with Harris lending her signature harmonies. Harris offered “Home Sweet Home,” from her 2011 album
Hard Bargain, as well the
Gillian Welch song “Orphan Girl,” and a cover of “Tears In Heaven,” the
Eric Clapton ballad penned by
Will Jennings.
Ann and
Nancy Wilson of
Heart gave a stirring rendition of their hit “Dog & Butterfly.”
Mraz performed his hits, “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up.”
One of the guests for the evening was actress and singer-songwriter
Rita Wilson, who performed “You’re Still Gone,” which she co-wrote with Nashville writers
Jessi Alexander and
Jon Randall Stewart.
The audience was delighted by the performers’ renditions of many of their hits, and the performers relished opportunities to add a few somber selections to the mix. “I love singing sad songs,” said Ann Wilson. “I guess if you sing too many in a row, the audience starts going, ‘Ahhhhh,'” Harris stated, “We can’t get enough sad songs,” to which Wilson replied, “You can’t beat a good ol’ dying song.”
Williams performed “Waiting on June,” about the life and death of her maternal grandparents, Warren and June White. “She’s one of my favorite singers and songwriters around these days,” Gill praised Williams.
“Nashville is this amazing town, with this great songwriting community, and it also has this incredible museum,”
Rita Wilson said, stating that she is drawn to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection of stage wear designed by Nudie the Rodeo Tailor. “I hope if you do plan a trip [to Nashville], go there and see the museum.”
Gill closed the show with a rendition of the
James Taylor song “Bartender’s Blues,” which was later a hit for
George Jones. The two-hour performance resulted in a standing ovation for the performers.
Weekly Chart Report (3/7/14)
/by Michael_SmithIndustry Ink (3/7/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonJD May
Nashville’s FLO {thinkery} has added JD May in the newly created position of EVP/Global Business Development. May will be responsible for directing the sales efforts for FLO {thinkery}, Made-In Network, and all FLO-developed and managed businesses, and for driving the growth of the company’s business model; and developing new opportunities.
May has previously worked with echomusic, Ticketmaster, Front Gate Tickets, Sony Music Publishing, and Mozes. He also served as the first Executive Director at the Americana Music Association.
• • •
EJ Bernas
EJ Bernas has exited his promotions post at Curb Records. Bernas joined Curb in May 2013, and previously worked for Bigger Picture Group as Director of National Promotion.
He has spent time as VP of Music and Entertainment for the Tin Roof Corporation. Prior to that he spent eight years at Universal Music Group as Senior Director of Southwest Promotion for MCA.
• • •
The Copyright Society of the South recently held a standing room only meeting at ASCAP, hosting a panel titled, “Lawyers In The Round.” The distinguished panel discussed the possibility of eliminating the controlled composition clause, music streaming overseas, terminations, and other topics.
Pictured (L-R): Front row: Mike Milom, Orville Almon, and Matthew Beckett with Rush Hicks (moderator). Back row: Denise Stevens (CSOS, Treasurer), Ted Goldtrhope (board member), Jill Napier (CSOS, Vice Chairman), Kele Currier (CSOS, Secretary), Wendi Crosby (board member) and Misha Hunke (board member). Photo credit: Chelsea Jones
• • •
Toby Keith To Launch New Tour in May
/by Jessica NicholsonToby has again partnered with Tickets-For-Charity to offer fans some of the best seats in the house, while benefiting charity.
Shut Up And Hold On Tour, Presented by Ford F-Series dates thus far (subject to change):
May 25- Forest City, IA-Tree Town Music Festival
May 30-San Bernardino, CA-San Manuel Amphitheater *
May 31-Mountain View, CA-Shoreline Amphitheater *
June 1-Sacramento, CA-Sleep Train Amphitheater *
June 13-Burlington, IA-Burlington Steamboat Days
June 14-Winsted, MN-Winstock Music Festival
June 28-Washington, DC -Jiffy Lube Live *
June 29-Cleveland, OH-Blossom Music Center *
July 12- St. Louis, MO -Verizon Wireless Amphitheater *
July 13 -Chicago, IL-First Midwest Bank Amphitheater *
July 19 -Tooele, UT-Tooele County Fairgrounds
July 25-Holmdel, NJ -PNC Bank Center *
July 26-Hartford, CT- XFINITY Theatre *
July 27 -Bethel, NY-Bethel Woods Center *
Aug. 1-Bowmanville, ON-Boots and Hearts Festival
Aug. 8-Cincinnati, OH-Riverbend Music Center *
Aug. 9-Pittsburgh, PA-First Niagara Pavilion *
Aug. 23-Lima, OH -Allen County Fair
Sept. 13-Indianapolis, IN-Klipsch Music Center *
Sept. 27 -Philadelphia, PA-Susquehanna Bank Center *
* featuring Colt Ford
Nashville To L.A.: CMHoF's All For The Hall
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Vince Gill, Holly Williams, Nancy Wilson, Ann Wilson, Emmylou Harris, Rita Wilson and Jason Mraz. Photo: Brandon Clark/ABImages
Los Angeles’ Club Nokia welcomed a star-studded, eclectic lineup of artists for the All For The Hall fundraising event benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The event took place Tuesday, March 4, and featured music from Vince Gill, Emmylou Harris, Heart, Jason Mraz, Holly Williams, and Cam Ochs.
Gill performed Merle Haggard‘s “I Can’t Be Myself,” his own “Whenever You Come Around,” and the Buck Owens classic “Together Again,” with Harris lending her signature harmonies. Harris offered “Home Sweet Home,” from her 2011 album Hard Bargain, as well the Gillian Welch song “Orphan Girl,” and a cover of “Tears In Heaven,” the Eric Clapton ballad penned by Will Jennings. Ann and Nancy Wilson of Heart gave a stirring rendition of their hit “Dog & Butterfly.”
Mraz performed his hits, “I’m Yours” and “I Won’t Give Up.”
One of the guests for the evening was actress and singer-songwriter Rita Wilson, who performed “You’re Still Gone,” which she co-wrote with Nashville writers Jessi Alexander and Jon Randall Stewart.
The audience was delighted by the performers’ renditions of many of their hits, and the performers relished opportunities to add a few somber selections to the mix. “I love singing sad songs,” said Ann Wilson. “I guess if you sing too many in a row, the audience starts going, ‘Ahhhhh,'” Harris stated, “We can’t get enough sad songs,” to which Wilson replied, “You can’t beat a good ol’ dying song.”
Williams performed “Waiting on June,” about the life and death of her maternal grandparents, Warren and June White. “She’s one of my favorite singers and songwriters around these days,” Gill praised Williams.
“Nashville is this amazing town, with this great songwriting community, and it also has this incredible museum,” Rita Wilson said, stating that she is drawn to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s collection of stage wear designed by Nudie the Rodeo Tailor. “I hope if you do plan a trip [to Nashville], go there and see the museum.”
Gill closed the show with a rendition of the James Taylor song “Bartender’s Blues,” which was later a hit for George Jones. The two-hour performance resulted in a standing ovation for the performers.
[Updated] Rounder Opens Nashville Headquarters
/by Sarah SkatesAdditionally, Gershon continues her role working with artists Natalie Stovall and The Drive, and Ella Mae Bowen, in conjunction with Red Light Management.
Also on board at Rounder’s Nashville office are Sr. Director of Promotion Howard Frank and Project Manager Liza Levy. Director of Publicity Regina Joskow will retain her role from her base in New York City.
Rounder’s new offices are located in the Gulch at 1209 Pine Street, Suite 100, Nashville, TN 37203.
The move was first reported by MusicRow in September 2013.
Rounder is the recording home to artists Alison Krauss & Union Station, Mandy Barnett, Steep Canyon Rangers, Dailey & Vincent, and more.
Concord Music Group, which purchased Rounder in 2010, also encompasses jazz, soul and speciality imprints including Prestige, Fantasy, Milestone, Riverside, Specialty and Stax Records, and Hear Music, a partnership with Starbucks.
Rounder Records was founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Marian Levy, and Bill Nowlin.
Jesse Willoughby Joins Kobalt
/by Sarah SkatesJesse Willoughby
Kobalt Neighbouring Rights (KNR) has appointed Jesse Willoughby Business Development Manager. He will represent KNR in the US, managing and further developing relationships with existing clients, as well as identifying and adding new clients to the KNR roster.
Based in LA, he will report to KNR’s Managing Director Ann Tausis in London.
Willoughby brings with him over eight years of experience in performing rights from his various roles at ASCAP. Most recently he was Director for the pop/rock membership and, prior to that, Associate Director for the Nashville membership.
Tausis said of the appointment, “We’re happy to welcome Jesse to the Kobalt family. His experience in the performing rights sector, and particularly in relationship management, will be hugely valuable as we look to take KNR further forward in the US – a market which is notably more complex when it comes to Neighbouring Rights.”
Willoughby added, “I’m very excited to have the opportunity of joining a company with the global impact of Kobalt. The reputation of the company precedes it, and I look forward to being part of the KNR team and contributing to its ongoing success.”
Based in London, Kobalt Neighbouring Rights is a separate limited company operating as part of the Kobalt Music Group.
AT&T U-Verse Launches Country Deep Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonJana Kramer
AT&T U-Verse will bring a few of Country’s favorite artists to stages across the nation with The Country Deep Tour presented by AT&T U-Verse. The tour launched Feb. 28 in Columbus, Ohio, and will visit more than 20 cities.
David Nail and Jana Kramer are set to headline the tour, with Kramer headlining the first leg of the tour, and Nail headlining the second leg of the trek. Canaan Smith, Austin Webb, and Sam Hunt will open the shows.
David Nail
Shaun Silva‘s Tacklebox Films has been brought in to shoot behind-the-scenes/hometown content to edit into tour episodes that will be added to AT&T U-Verse’s Country Deep platform.
Ticket and show information is available at att.com/country.
John Oates Prepares For Album Release, Rock Hall Induction
/by Sarah SkatesJohn Oates is preparing for the release of his latest solo project Good Road To Follow (PS Records / Elektra Records) on March 18, 2014. What started as a yearlong series of digital singles has culminated in a three-disc set of EPs aptly named Route 1, Route 2, and Route 3.
Oates collaborated with renowned music makers on the cross-genre project including Vince Gill, Jerry Douglas, Jim Lauderdale, and Hot Chelle Rae. The lead single “Stone Cold Love” was written, performed and produced with OneRepublic front man Ryan Tedder.
“Almost every song was recorded with a different producer and a different co-writer, so I got to step into the worlds of so many creative and inspiring people,” said Oates. “I reached out to the songwriters, musicians and producers that I respect and asked them if they would work with me on one individual song. Each song became an intense and focused creative experience…it was a pure collaboration from beginning to end.”
Oates, a part-time Nashvillian, will be inducted in to the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame on April 10 as part of Hall & Oates. The ceremony will be at the Barclays Center in Brooklyn, New York. Other inductees include Cat Stevens, Nirvana, Kiss, Linda Ronstadt, Peter Gabriel, Andrew Loog Oldham, Brian Epstein and The E Street Band.
BMI teamed with Warner Music Nashville to present a BMI Legends Session with John Oates at CRS on Feb. 21. Oates talked about writing some of Hall & Oates biggest hits, including “Sara Smile” and “Out of Touch,” as well as his upcoming project, Good Road to Follow. Pictured (L-R): CRB’s Charlie Morgan, CRB Board Member Mike Culotta, BMI’s Dan Spears, John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville, John Oates, BMI’s Jessica Frost, XM Sirius’ Charlie Monk, and Clear Channel Media’s Clay Hunnicut. Photo: Rick Diamond
[Updated] Lifenotes: Lorna Flowers
/by Jessica NicholsonLorna Flowers
[Update, 12:19 p.m.]
[Original Story, 10:36 a.m.]
Songwriter Lorna Flowers died Wednesday, March 5.
Flowers found success on the European Country radio charts during her career, and wrote with songwriters including Bob Welch, Roger Cook, John Peoppard and many others.
She moved to Nashville in July 2004 after nine years of visiting three times a year and building a network of great writer, publisher and artist connections.
In 2007, Flowers had a chart-topping song in Australia with Lucie Diamond‘s “Don’t Even Think About It” and had her first U.S. cuts with Kathy Chiavola and Heather Wilkins.
Flowers had produced demo projects since 1997, and was a co-producer on Sue James‘ UK debut 5 Stars and the Moon. She was producer for Blue Orchid‘s UK release of “Slow Down For A While,” which gained a Best Album nomination at the UK Country Radio Awards in 2004.
She performed in UK/Europe on tours and festivals with Charley Pride, Gail Davies, George Hamilton V, Rivers Rutherford. In 2012, she made her debut on the prestigious Pensacola and Frank Brown International songwriter festivals. Flowers also set up her own demo production company, Lorna Flowers Productions.
Funeral arrangements have not been finalized at this time.
First Round of ACM Awards Performers Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonBryan and Shelton return this year as co-hosts. As previously reported, in addition to Bryan’s ACM Awards performance at the MGM Grand Garden Arena, Bryan will take part in a performance with Florida Georgia Line at the 4th Annual ACM Fan Jam via live remote at the Mandalay Bay Events Center during the awards show.
The show is set to be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 6 on CBS Television Network.