Pictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors).
(International Entertainment Buyers Association) will award scholarships to 10 students interning in the live entertainment industry this summer. Each student will receive an individual scholarship of $1,500. Applications are available now at
ieba.org. The application deadline is March 31.
In order to apply, students must be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college or university or vocational/technical school. Applicants must have completed 45 hours of academic coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The applicant is responsible for securing and completing an internship for summer 2014, however the internship does not have to be secured at the time the application is submitted. Funds will only be released to students who obtain internships.
IEBA Executive Director
Pam Matthews says, “I began my career in the industry at the age of 15 as a runner for Mid-South Concerts. The working knowledge I acquired with a promoter led me to tour accounting, venue management, and artist management. This inside look at the business was truly the first step on my career path.”
The scholarship program is designed to help offset living expenses associated with an internship, and to give students the opportunity to temporarily relocate for the experience of interning with a fair, festival, venue, agency, promoter or other professionals in the live music industry.
The 2014 Summer Internship Scholarships are made possible by IEBA’s 2013 Artist Auction and the support of
The Agency Group, Seether, Romeo Entertainment, CAA, Kellie Pickler, The Bazel Group, and
Todd Boltin.
IEBA To Offer Summer Internship Scholarship
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Juliana Lee, Sally Williams (General Manager of Ryman Auditorium, IEBA Board of Directors), Ali Harnell (SVP AEG Live / The Messina Group, IEBA Board of Directors), LaTaevia Berry, Jared Worth, Jay Williams (WME), Barry Jeffrey (WME, IEBA Board of Directors).
IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association) will award scholarships to 10 students interning in the live entertainment industry this summer. Each student will receive an individual scholarship of $1,500. Applications are available now at ieba.org. The application deadline is March 31.
In order to apply, students must be enrolled in an accredited two or four-year college or university or vocational/technical school. Applicants must have completed 45 hours of academic coursework with a grade point average of 3.0 or higher. The applicant is responsible for securing and completing an internship for summer 2014, however the internship does not have to be secured at the time the application is submitted. Funds will only be released to students who obtain internships.
IEBA Executive Director Pam Matthews says, “I began my career in the industry at the age of 15 as a runner for Mid-South Concerts. The working knowledge I acquired with a promoter led me to tour accounting, venue management, and artist management. This inside look at the business was truly the first step on my career path.”
The scholarship program is designed to help offset living expenses associated with an internship, and to give students the opportunity to temporarily relocate for the experience of interning with a fair, festival, venue, agency, promoter or other professionals in the live music industry.
The 2014 Summer Internship Scholarships are made possible by IEBA’s 2013 Artist Auction and the support of The Agency Group, Seether, Romeo Entertainment, CAA, Kellie Pickler, The Bazel Group, and Todd Boltin.
APA Nashville Signs Sister Trio Michaelis
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Steve Lassiter (APA), Cass Scripps (APA), Madeline Michaelis, Meagan Michaelis, Mallory Michaelis and Pete Olson (AMP). Photo: Jeremy Westby
APA has signed the sister trio Michaelis. The Michaelis sisters – Meagan (25), Mallory (21) and Madeline (18) – are currently featured in Season 3 of the national syndicated documentary series, Troubadour, TX, where they appear along with Kris Kristofferson, Wade Bowen, Roger Creager, Randy Rogers and others.
APA Nashville’s Cass Scripps has signed on as the trio’s agent. “These young ladies are a breath of fresh air,” he says. “Incredible harmonies, stand-out songwriting and a vibrant stage presence are the trio’s calling cards, and we’re excited to be on board so early in their career.”
Michaelis collaborated with producer Dave Brainard (Jerrod Niemann, Brandy Clark) before releasing their single, “Shoot Straight,” in July 2013.
Promotions, Departures at BMLG
/by Jessica NicholsonColleen Taylor. Photo: BMLG
Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) has promoted Colleen Taylor to the role of Executive Assistant for President/CEO Scott Borchetta. The Connecticut native and Belmont University grad began her career at the label as an intern in various departments, prior to Borchetta creating an Administrative Assistant position for her.
With the promotion, Taylor fills the seat vacated by long-time Executive Assistant Harry Lyons who has joined G Major Management, working with Big Machine Label Group artists Thomas Rhett and Danielle Bradbery. He can be reached at harry@gmajormgmt.com.
BMLG will fill the Administrative Assistant opening immediately. The role will work closely with Taylor to provide day-to-day scheduling and organizational support while facilitating increased efficiency and effectiveness for Borchetta and the label group. Prospective candidates should submit resumes to hr@bmlg.net.
Taylor can still be reached at colleen.taylor@
Universal Music Publishing Group Renews Deal With Dorff
/by Michael_SmithAndrew Dorff
Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville has renewed its exclusive publishing deal with songwriter Andrew Dorff. Dorff co-wrote Hunter Hayes‘ hit “Somebody’s Heartbreak” with UMPG songwriters Hayes and Luke Laird. Dorff also co-wrote Ronnie Dunn‘s Top 10 hit, “Bleed Red.”
“Andrew is a gifted songwriter and a rising star in the Nashville songwriting community,” said UMPG’s Executive VP/GM Kent Earls. “He is delivering songs that are taking him to the next level. We look forward to building on the success that we have already achieved over the past four years.”
“It doesn’t get any better than Universal Music Publishing and the creative staff I get to work with everyday… I’m beyond excited to continue what we have started…I’m a lucky dude,” said Dorff.
Additionally, Dorff has secured cuts by Blake Shelton, Justin Moore, Sara Evans, Tim McGraw and The Robertson Family. He has upcoming cuts with McGraw, Evans and Kenny Chesney.
BandMerch, Cinder Block To Merge
/by Jessica NicholsonThe company will be home to numerous artists including The Who, Death Cab for Cutie, Postal Service, and others. The company will continue as BandMerch and will operate from Los Angeles. The new entity will continue a strategic relationship with AEG Live.
“We’re extremely excited about this transaction as it pairs two like-minded companies who are focused on bringing the highest level of customer service to our clients,” said Joseph Bongiovi, President of the merged companies. “I believe that this combination puts us in a unique place in the market relative to our less sophisticated competitors and, for clients who want a hands-on, full service merchandising strategy, I think we will be the only place to call home.”
Jason Green, CEO of Cinder Block, will continue in that capacity in the new entity.
“The business rationale makes perfect sense and the values of BandMerch – customer service, loyalty, dedication – are values that AEG shares and promotes. We think this will be a transformational transaction for both companies,” said Rick Webking, CFO of AEG Live.
'InCharge' Applications Being Accepted This Week
/by Eric T. ParkerApplications will be accepted online through Friday, March 7, 2014 from top Nashville industry professionals who buy or sell significant quantities of goods and services, and who are crucial in building entertainment careers.
Since 1987, MusicRow has curated a list of Nashville’s Music Industry Decision Makers –the top executives responsible for the successful careers of today’s biggest artists. This reference guide is a great resource for anyone entering the music industry, for established veterans with long successful careers, and for just about everyone in between. InCharge contains a wealth of information about Nashville’s music industry and highlights the faces and personalities of those whose combined achievements reshape the future of our city’s renowned music enterprise. Each person listed in the directory represents many others that serve vital roles of supporting and helping our industry to thrive.
For advertising inquiries in the InCharge issue, readers should email sales@musicrow.com or contact Publisher/Owner, Sherod Robertson at (615) 499-5418.
Yamaha Helms Elton John's New Concert Movie
/by Sarah SkatesElton John in The Million Dollar Piano.
Franklin-based Yamaha Entertainment Group oversaw filming of the concert production of Elton John’s The Million Dollar Piano. This month movie theaters around the globe will show the film of the superstar’s concert series at The Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. John has been performing at Ceasars to rave reviews and sold-out crowds since 2011.
The movie was filmed in 2012 with Yamaha Entertainment Group founder Chris Gero at the helm.
Fathom Events, CinemaLive and Rocket Music Entertainment Group are now bringing the concert experience to moviegoers in 1,200 theaters across 40 countries on March 18 and March 26 at 7:00 p.m. local time.
At the centerpiece of this larger-than-life concert event is the show’s namesake Yamaha piano, a one-of-a-kind engineering marvel featuring more than 68 LED video screens. The piano weighs in at nearly 3,200 pounds and is the brainchild of Elton and Gero and was designed by Yamaha industrial designer Akie Hinokio.
For The Million Dollar Piano, Elton is accompanied by his band, which includes Davey Johnstone on guitar, the late Bob Birch on bass, John Mahon on percussion, Nigel Olsson on drums and Kim Bullard on keyboards, with a special appearance by percussionist Ray Cooper.
Gero has an impressive history of creating productions with Elton John, the first being A Tribute to Elton John in 2003, followed by The Red Piano, The Million Dollar Piano, and Yamaha’s 125th Anniversary Concert in 2012, where Elton made history by playing Disklavier pianos remotely in real time across the world from the stage of the Hyperion Theater at Disney California Adventure park.
Details and tickets for Elton John – The Million Dollar Piano are available at www.FathomEvents.com.
Big Smo To Release Debut Warner Bros./Elektra Project
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country ‘hick-hop’ artist is also slated to star in the A&E Network original reality series Big Smo, produced by Brownstone Entertainment.
Track Listing for Kuntry Livin’
1. Workin’
2. Bumpy Road
3. Hick Ross
4. Anything Goes
5. Cover My Eyes
6. Down In The Backwoods
7. Come On
8. Redneck Rich
9. Who I’ll Be
10. Got Me
11. Ain’t Nothin Free
12. I’m So Kuntry
13. Lawdy Lawdy
Mark Your Calendar – March 2014
/by Eric T. ParkerMarch 4
CMHoF tributes Hee Haw at the CMA Theater, part of Pop Goes Rochelle Presents An All-Star Salute to Hee Haw
March 7-16
SXSW
March 10
TJ Martell 10th Annual Honors Gala at Nashville’s Omni
March 11-15
First iTunes Festival at ACL Live at the Moody Theater
March 17
ACM Awards Final Round Ballot Closes
March 21
March 25-29
Tin Pan South festival
March 29
iHeartRadio Country Festival at Austin’s Frank Erwin Center
March 31
Applications due for Leadership Music class of 2015
March 3
The Swon Brothers/Later On/Arista Nashville
David Nail/Kiss You Tonight/MCA
Kellie Pickler/Closer To Nowhere/Black River
The Band Perry/Chainsaw/Republic Nashville
Levi Riggs/I’m Good/Windridge Records
Tracy Lawrence/Lie/Lawrence Music Group
Don Williams/I’ll Be Here In The Morning/Sugar Hill
March 10
Joe Bachman/Lookatchu/Rock Ridge
Scott Hooper/Giddy Up/Lamon
March 17
Gwen Sebastian/Annie’s New Gun/Flying Island Entertainment
Steve Richard/South Of Heaven/Force Mp Entertainment
Jetset Getset/Stronger (Than You Seem)/Playback
March 24
Andy Ross/Rebel/Buckshot Collective
March 31
Brandon Alan/Different Way/Creative Arts Group
March 4
David Nail/I’m A Fire/MCA Nashville
Eli Young Band/10,000 Towns/Republic Nashville
Sundy Best/Bring Up The Sun/Entertainment One
Bill Anderson/Life/Red River Records (Physical release)
Kevin Fowler/How Country Are Ya?/Kevin Fowler Records-Thirty Tigers
Dallas Smith/Tippin’ Point [EP]/Big Loud Mountain-Republic Nashville
March 11
Sara Evans/Slow Me Down/RCA Nashville
Luke Bryan/Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever [digital EP]/Capitol Nashville
Don Williams/Reflections/Sugar Hill Records
Sherry Lynn/It’s A Beautiful Life/Steal Heart
Matt Stillwell/Right On Time/Still7-Average Joes
Cowboy Troy/King Of Clubs/WMN
March 18
Jo Dee Messina/Me/Dreambound Records
March 25
Johnny Cash/Out Among the Stars/Legacy Recordings
Jerrod Niemann/High Noon/Sea Gayle Records-Arista Nashville
Elton John/Goodbye Yellow Brick Road [deluxe edition]/Island
Sarah Davidson/Sarah Davidson [EP]/Suretone Entertainment
The Bobby Bones Show Celebrates One-Year Anniversary
/by Jessica NicholsonPimpin’ Joy is a movement dedicated to inspiring people to choose joy, spread happiness, and do good things for others. It was first launched to honor co-host Amy and her mother Judy, who has been battling Cancer for two years.
Bones stated, “It’s awesome to see the Country community come together for a cause that is so important to us and our listeners. There is too much negativity in the world today, and this week is all about making a conscious effort to choose joy, and promote happiness.”
The Bobby Bones Show launched nationwide in February 2013, and is aired on more than 60 stations.