Nashville Benefit Concerts Planned For Billy Block

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billy block

Billy Block


As previously reported, longtime Nashville music industry member Billy Block, host/producer of The Billy Block Show, has been diagnosed with stage 4 metastatic melanoma. As Block has been undergoing treatment, the Nashville music industry has rallied to support him. Several benefit shows have cropped up around Music City.
Today’s (Feb. 5) edition of The Billy Block Show will highlight The Jim Lauderdale Band, Kristi Rose & Fats Kaplin, Rocky Block, Bill LaBounty and a Tribute to Walter Hyatt, Duane Jarvis and Buck Jones, featuring David Ball, David Olney, Jon Byrd, Taylor Hyatt, Rocky & Grady Block, Jim Hoke and more. The show takes place each Tuesday at Mercy Lounge at 7 p.m. Tickets are $5.
Benefit details include:

XOXO Billy at The Hard Rock Cafe

What: Benefit Concert, featuring Black Diamond Experience, Truth & Salvage Co., Supe & The Sandwiches, Chris Casello Trio and Jane Rose and the Bearded Boys
When: Thursday, 7:30 p.m.
Where: Hard Rock Cafe, 100 Broadway
Tickets: $15. All proceeds benefit the Billy Block Family Fund. For more information, visit hardrockcafe.com.

A Benefit For Billy Block at The Bluebird Cafe

What: A Benefit for Billy Block, featuring Rivers Rutherford and Jeffrey Steele
When: Friday, 9:30 p.m.
Where: Bluebird Cafe, 4104 Hillsboro Rd.
Tickets: $100. All proceeds go to the Billy Block Family Fund, and are available through bluebirdcafe.com.

All Around the Block at The Rutledge

What: All Around The Block, a tribute night featuring numerous artists, including Jim Lauderdale, Guy Gilchrist, Twangtown Paramours, Buddy Jewell and dozens more.
When: Monday, Feb. 17, 2014, 3 p.m. until midnight
Where: The Rutledge, 410 Fourth Ave. S.
Tickets: $10, payable at the door. All proceeds go to the Billy Block Family Fund.

Cruisin’ The Block at 3rd & Lindsley

What: Cruisin’ The Block, a night of music benefitting Billy Block, featuring Delbert McClinton, the Paul Thorn Band, Etta Britt, The McCrary Sisters, Lari White, The Rocky Block Band and more.
When: Wednesday, Feb. 19, 6 p.m.
Where: 3rd & Lindsley, 818 3rd Ave. S.
Tickets: $25, available at 3rdandlindsley.com or at the door, with all proceeds going to the Billy Block Family Fund.
Funds can be donated to Billy Block Family Fund via Paypal account billyblockfamilyfund.gmail.com
A Billy Block Family Fund has been set up at Wells Fargo bank, visit any Nashville Wells Fargo bank office.
Out of town donations can be made via check, payable to Billy Block Family Fund, and mailed to:
Wells Fargo Private Bank
3100 West End Ave.
One American Center, Ste. 550
Nashville, TN 37203

Markland To Lead Downtown Music Publishing's Nashville Office

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Steve Markland. Photo: Steve Lowry

Steven Markland. Photo: Steve Lowry


Steven Markland has joined Downtown Music Publishing, where he has been appointed as Vice President of A&R and will establish the company’s first office in Nashville, according to Justin Kalifowitz, Founder/President of Downtown.
In his new role, Markland will sign and develop emerging and established songwriters, acquire catalogs and work closely with Downtown’s creative teams in New York and Los Angeles to create new opportunities for the Company’s writer roster.  He will report to Kalifowitz and Downtown’s Chief Operating Officer, Andrew Bergman.
A 25-year veteran of the music publishing industry, Markland has nurtured some of the most talented songwriters in Nashville including Brett James and Jeffrey Steele, as well as the two-time 2014 Grammy winner Kacey Musgraves.
Prior to joining Downtown, Markland served as Vice President of A&R, Nashville at Warner/Chappell Music, a position he held since 2009. Previously, Markland was tapped to open Windswept Publishing’s Nashville office in 1996. From 1993 to 1996, Markland was Director of Creative Affairs at Patrick Joseph Music. A native of Ohio, Markland began his career in the music industry as an intern at RCA Records while attending Belmont University in Nashville.
“For over two decades, Steve has proven to be a tireless champion of songwriters,” said Kalifowitz.  “As we expand our business to Nashville, home to one of the most vibrant songwriting communities in the world, Andrew and I couldn’t be more delighted to welcome such a passionate and talented executive to our team.”
Katie Armiger, Rich Robinson and Dave Berg are among the writers affiliated with Downtown Music Publishing. The growing company established an office in Los Angeles in 2013. Downtown’s catalog spans over 60,000 titles including the works of such diverse writer/artists as The Beatles, John Lennon & Yoko Ono, The Kinks, Hans Zimmer, Motley Crue, Seal, Ellie Goulding, and Neon Trees.

Big Loud Mountain Records Adds VP, Radio Promotion

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Bart Allmand

Bart Allmand


Big Loud Mountain Records has added Bart Allmand to the BLM team as Vice President of Radio Promotion. Allmand will report directly to the company’s four partners – Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and Seth England. Allmand can be reached at bart@bigloudmountain.com or at 615-476-2726.
“Since the day we started Big Loud Mountain, we have dreamed of hiring a radio promotion veteran,” shares England. “We are beyond excited that Bart Allmand has decided to rejoin the radio promotion community and make Big Loud Mountain his home. Bart has a very successful resume in radio and we look forward to watching him guide our team.”
Allmand began his career at 16th Avenue Records working in promotion, covering secondary markets for acts such as Charlie Pride and Canyon (Lonestar). Soon he was hired by RCA as Mid-West Promotion Manager where he worked the label’s roster including Clint Black, Alabama, Martina McBride, Restless Heart, Don Williams, Robert Ellis Orrall and K.T. Oslin. In 1994, Allmand formed 3rd Coast Entertainment, a promotion and marketing group. After three years, he was offered a great opportunity to start up Monument Records as National Director of Promotion where he was instrumental in breaking one of country music’s top acts, the Dixie Chicks, in addition to working with Yankee Grey and Jeffrey Steele. While out with Jeffrey Steele, he formed a friendship that later turned into a new career opportunity, pursuing his lifelong dream of being a songwriter. After earning several cuts on major releases and a No. 1 hit, Allmand is ready to return to radio. A native of Holdredge, Nebraska, Allmand made the move to Nashville in 1987.
Big Loud Mountain is an independent music company that provides in-house publishing, management and production. The company successfully launched the career of Florida Georgia Line, who started as an independent duo and skyrocketed to stardom since releasing four consecutive, multi-week No. 1 smashes in the US and Canada with Gold-certified hits “Stay” and “Round Here,” Platinum-certified “Get Your Shine On” and breakout debut “Cruise,” which has sold over 6.8 million downloads in the US alone and is the best-selling digital Country single of all time according to SoundScan.

DISClaimer (2/5/14)

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hunter hayes1111

Hunter Hayes


Nashville’s Country music makers are doing everything they can to brighten this dreary winter. Rhonda Vincent, Darius Rucker and Joel Crouse are at the forefront of a parade of sounds tailored to perk you up. The Disc of the Day prize goes to Hunter Hayes for a message song with melody in spades. This week, the DisCovery Award is shared by two equally promising young men. Native Texan and former competitor on The Voice Curtis Grimes is one of them, and scruffy Canadian country rocker Marshall Dane is the other.
JOEL CROUSE/Why God Made Love Songs
Writers: Joel Crouse/Jamie Houston/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Jamie Houston; Publishers: Stafford Road/Seven Peaks/John & Nancye’s Son’s/EMI Blackwood/Beattyville/Great Day at This, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog
-Crouse’s second single fulfills the promise of his winning debut. As before, he exudes youthful verve. Hallmarks of this dandy disc include an upbeat lyric, stacked vocal harmonies, irresistible rhythm and a sing-along chorus.
ASHLEY GEARING/Boomerang
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Heather Morgan; Producers: Kenny Greenberg/Chad Cromwell/Publishers: Sony ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Sony ATV Tree, ASCAP/BMI; Curb (CDX)
-This jaunty toe-tapper has loads of catchy, crunchy stuff in the production. Her coy, saucy vocal has personality to spare. Endearing.
SHERRY LYNN/Girls Will Be Girls
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Bryan Simpson/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Steal Heart
-She’s aiming to get into trouble as soon as she can. The rocking — if somewhat “busy” — track is in complete agreement.
Curtis Grimes

Curtis Grimes


CURTIS GRIMES/The Cowboy Kind
Writers: Trent Willmon/Brent Rupard; Producer: Trent Willmon; Publishers: ASCAMP/Barns and No Bull/Amplified/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; AMP (track)
-Hearty singing, dynamic percussion and searing guitar solos are just three of the ingredients that make this insistent pile driver an instant ear grabber. This fellow has the goods.
RHONDA VINCENT and WILLIE NELSON/Only Me
Writers: Billy Yates/Roger Brown; Producers: Rhonda Vincent/Buddy Cannon; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Green Ivy, BMI; Upper Management
-Rhonda’s new double CD has one disc of country and one disc of bluegrass. The package’s title tune is on the bluegrass disc and features her lustrous, flawless singing as well as her band’s silvery instrumental work. Willie’s behind-the-beat phrasing, deft harmonizing and distinctive guitar picking alongside the grassers’ lickety-split licks make for fascinating listening. Definitely a pin-your-ears-back moment.
DEBBIE COCHRAN/What’s Going On
Writers: Debbie Cochran; Producer: Kent Wells; Publisher: DMC Anniston; BMI; Go Time (track)
-Her warm, resonant alto is super compelling. In the ballad’s lyric, he’s drifting away from her, and you hang on every word. Vibrantly listenable.
HUNTER HAYES/Invisible
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Bonnie Baker/Katrina Elam; Producers: Dann Huff/Hunter Hayes; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Happy Little Man/Play Fairchild/Devon/Katrinkadink, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
-Introduced by Hunter at the Grammy Awards, this soaring song is addressed to bullying victims everywhere. Dare to be different. Don’t be afraid to be an outcast. Trust your heart. March to your own drummer. Because someday all the pain you’re going through now will have vanished. Amen, brother.
KATIE ARMIGER/Safe
Writers: Katie Armiger/Mallary Hope; Producer: Chad Carlson; Publishers: Purple Monkeys/Sony ATV, SESAC/BMI; Cold River
-She’s singing as well as ever. But this listless, meandering, hookless song does her no favors.
marshall dane111

Marshall Dane


DARIUS RUCKER/Miss You
Writers: Darius Rucker/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaja/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; Capitol Nashville
-The spark has gone out of their relationship, and Darius sings of it with sadness, yearning and passion. This extremely well-produced power ballad is beautifully melodic and evocative.
MARSHALL DANE/Alcohol Abuse
Writers: Kim Williams/Billy Yates; Producer: Dan Brodbeck; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Green Ivy/Sony ATV Cross Keys/Triple Cross, BMI/ASCAP; Gold Lake
-This barroom rocker kicks serious butt. When booze is spilled in the roadhouse brawl, it’s alcohol abuse. The country-rock tempo is frothing and furious; the band is firing on all cylinders; the chorus harmonies are joyous; the clever lyric name-checks every cocktail you’ve ever heard of. Play it again.

Herring Named Sr. VP, Promotion at WMN

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Kevin Herring

Kevin Herring

Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based recorded music operation of Warner Music Group (WMG), today announced the appointment of Kevin Herring to Senior Vice President, Promotion, and Kristen Williams to Vice President, Promotion. Herring—who will report directly to Peter Strickland, Executive Vice President & General Manager, WMN—will oversee all radio promotion on behalf of WMG’s country divisions, which include Atlantic, Elektra, and Warner Bros. He previously served as Vice President, Promotion, and replaces Chris Stacey who is leaving the company. Williams will report to Herring.

“I feel like Espo and Peter Strickland have given me the keys to the Ferrari!” said Herring. “Being able to lead the Warner Music Nashville promotion team is a true honor and privilege that I do not take lightly. I am surrounded by the most talented promotion people in the business—which includes our newly appointed Vice President of Promotion, Kristen Williams along with her counterpart, Chris Palmer—but most importantly we work with the best music and artists on the planet.”

“I’ve been extremely fortunate to work for Warner Music Nashville for over 10 years and to be recognized for my efforts in this way is truly an honor,” said Williams. “I’m humbled by John Esposito, Peter Strickland and Kevin Herring’s confidence in me and am extremely excited to work alongside them, as well as this exceptional staff and artist roster. 2014 is going to be an amazing year!”
warner logo1“Kevin and Kristen are amazing promotion executives and it is beyond a pleasure to work with them,” said John Esposito, President & CEO, WMN. “The relationships they have with our artists and radio partners are unparalleled, and Warner Music Nashville is very lucky to have them and Chris Palmer at the helm of our promotion efforts.”
Prior to WMN, Herring served as Vice President, Promotion, for EMI and spent 13 years as Vice President of Promotion for Disney’s Lyric Street Records. Herring is a 30-year veteran of the music industry whose previous stints also included Mercury Nashville. His career started in radio at WWWW in Detroit, MI.
Williams first joined Warner Music Nashville in 2003 as Manager, Secondary Promotion. From there, she climbed the ranks to Regional Promotion Manager and, most recently, Director, National Promotion.

T.J. Martell, Warner Music Nashville, Clear Channel Donate To Ingram Cancer Center

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The TJ Martell Foundation, Warner Music Nashville, and Clear Channel presented a check to the Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center for the FTL Sarcoma Fund that was recently created in memory of WMN’s W.A.R. promo rep Lindsay Walleman, who passed away from Sarcoma last spring.

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, CEO & president of Warner Music Nashville, Kimsey Kerr, Special Events coordinator of Clear Channel, Michael Bryan, program director, The BIG 98 WSIX, Emily Bermann, senior promotions manager of Clear Channel, Candace Price, special events director of Clear Channel, Annette & George Walleman, Lindsay’s parents, John Huie, T.J. Martell Foundation Board President, Dr. Christine Lovely, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center, Jordan Petitt, national director of promotion of Warner Music Nashville, Chris Palmer, vice president of promotion of Warner Music Nashville, and Tyler Reese, APD/MD/Afternoons for BIG 98 WSIX.

Pictured (L-R): John Esposito, CEO & president of Warner Music Nashville; Kimsey Kerr, Special Events coord. of Clear Channel; Michael Bryan, program director, The BIG 98 WSIX; Emily Bermann, Sr. promotions manager of Clear Channel; Candace Price, special events director of Clear Channel; Annette & George Walleman, Lindsay’s parents; John Huie, T.J. Martell Foundation Board President; Dr. Christine Lovely, Vanderbilt Ingram Cancer Center; Jordan Petitt, national director of promotion of WMN; Chris Palmer, VP of promotion of WMN; and Tyler Reese, APD/MD/Afternoons for BIG 98 WSIX. Photo: Randi Radcliff

CMA Honors Songwriters With Triple Play Awards

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Back row (L-R): Jimmy Robbins; Rhett Akins; Ben Hayslip; Dallas Davidson; Tomlinson; CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern; Luke Laird; Natalie Hemby; Shane McAnally, who is also a member of the CMA Board; CMA Board member Rob Beckham. Front row (L-R): Chris DeStefano; Hunter Hayes; Troy Verges.

Back row (L-R): Jimmy Robbins; Rhett Akins; Ben Hayslip; Dallas Davidson; Troy Tomlinson; CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern; Luke Laird; Natalie Hemby; Shane McAnally, who is also a member of the CMA Board; CMA Board member Rob Beckham. Front row (L-R): Chris DeStefano; Hunter Hayes; Troy Verges.


The CMA Triple Play Awards were handed out at today’s (Feb. 4) Fifth Annual CMA Songwriters Luncheon at Marathon Music Works. Fifteen of Nashville’s top tunesmiths received the award, which is presented to songwriters who pen three chart-topping hits in a 12-month period.
“I am thrilled to be able to host this event once again,” said Troy Tomlinson, former CMA Chairman of the Board and President, and CEO of Sony/ATV Music Nashville. “Any opportunity I am afforded to honor songwriters is one that I look forward to with much respect and excitement.”
“Songwriters are the foundation of this industry,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “The words they write touch our hearts. They make us laugh, cry, and dance. I want to congratulate all of the Triple Play Award winners for their amazing accomplishments.”
Attending today’s luncheon were honorees Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, Hunter Hayes, Ben Hayslip, Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Jimmy Robbins, and Troy Verges. Also in attendance were hit tunesmiths from ASCAP, BMI, and SESAC, as well as songwriter members of CMA and representatives of some of the most successful publishers in Music City.
Songwriters Rodney Clawson and Chris Tompkins were awarded two Triple Play Awards during the ceremony as both had six songs make it to the top spot on the charts.
Absent from today’s ceremony were honorees Josh Kear and Hillary Lindsey.
In alphabetical order, the recipients of CMA’s Triple Play Award included:

  • Rhett Akins: “Boys ‘Round Here,” “Point At You,” “Hey Girl”
  • Rodney Clawson: “One of Those Nights,” “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Crash My Party,” “Round Here,” “Southern Girl”
  • Dallas Davidson: “The One That Got Away,” “Boys ‘Round Here,” “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight”
  • Chris DeStefano: “Don’t Ya,” “Hey Girl,” “That’s My Kind of Night”
  • Ashley Gorley: “Crash My Party,” “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight,” “Don’t Ya”
  • Hunter Hayes: “Wanted,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” “I Want Crazy”
  • Ben Hayslip: “The Only Way I Know,” “Anywhere With You,” “Point At You”
  • Natalie Hemby: “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” “Downtown”
  • Josh Kear: “Two Black Cadillacs,” “Highway Don’t Care,” “Redneck Crazy”
  • Luke Laird: “Pontoon,” “One of Those Nights,” “Somebody’s Heartbreak”
  • Hillary Lindsey: “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain),” “Two Black Cadillacs,” “See You Again”
  • Shane McAnally: “Better Dig Two,” “Downtown,” “Mama’s Broken Heart”
  • Jimmy Robbins: “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” “It Goes Like This,” “We Were Us”
  • Chris Tompkins: “Drunk On You,” “Blown Away,” “One Of Those Nights,” “Sure Be Cool If You Did,” “Get Your Shine On,” “Round Here”
  • Troy Verges: “Wanted,” “Beer Money,” “I Want Crazy”

MusicRow Roundup (2/4/14)

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Fletcher Foster

Fletcher Foster


Industry veteran Fletcher Foster has resigned from Red Light Management to pursue new opportunities. He can be reached at fletcher@fletcherfoster.com.
Foster spent over three years with Red Light, whose roster has grown with such artists as Alabama, The Mavericks, The Band Perry and Lady Antebellum. His career also includes time as a label executive and conceiving the first Leadership Music Digital Summit. Foster is also producer of Fox’s American Country Awards.

                                                                                                                                         • • •

Tamara Saviano

Tamara Saviano


Nashville music industry entreprenuer Tamara Saviano celebrates the publication of her memoir, The Most Beautiful Girl: A True Story of a Dad, a Daughter, and the Healing Power of Music with a hometown book reading on Thursday Feb. 13 at  6 p.m., at Howlin’ Books.
The event will also feature acclaimed musician Shawn Camp in an acoustic performance highlighting musical themes from the memoir. Howlin’ Books is located at 1702 8th Ave. S., next to Grimey’s New & Pre-Loved Music.
                                                                             • • •
gibson1In 2009 and 2011, federal agents raided Gibson Guitars under provisions of the Lacey Act, a wildlife and forest protection law. Federal agents confiscated the exotic wood used in Gibson guitars, but after the settlement, Gibson has their supplies back and are putting the wood supplies into a new line of guitars.
The company has unveiled the Gibson Government Series, along with a list price of $1,099. The website states the guitars are a way to “fight the powers that be.” Included in the series is the mahogany-bodied Government Series II Les Paul, a “striking new guitar from Gibson USA for 2014 that suitably marks this infamous time in Gibson’s history,” according to the website. For more information on the guitar series, visit gibson.com.

Brooks Adds Fourth Ireland Show

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garth brooks ireland11An extra show is being added to Garth Brooks‘ upcoming comeback special event at Croke Park in Ireland. The comeback special was originally scheduled for two nights but due to the overwhelming demand for tickets, a third night was added and now a fourth.
The Garth Brooks Comeback Special Event will take place on July 25-28. Tickets for the July 28 show go on sale this Thursday, Feb. 6, at 9 a.m. Tickets are €65.45. Tickets limited to six per person and can be purchased only at Ticketmaster.

MusicRowPics: Dan+Shay

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dan+shay11Pennsylvania native Dan Smyers and Arkansas native Shay Mooney, better known as Dan+Shay, recently stopped by the MusicRow offices to perform songs from their upcoming debut album.
Together, the duo’s career has risen at lightening speed. Dan+Shay have been performing together for barely a year; in that time they have been signed to Warner Bros. Records, released the debut single “19 You + Me” that currently sits at No. 22 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart, and will soon hit the road with Hunter Hayes and then Blake Shelton‘s Ten Times Crazier Tour, which also features The Band Perry and Neal McCoy.
Smyers and Mooney first met at a house party in a run-down area of Nashville, where Smyers lived at the time. “We had no heat and needed to keep warm, so we bought sheets and put them up in the living room,” Smyers recalled. Mooney added, “They had draped all these sheets everywhere so it looked pretty cool. You can imagine my surprise the first time I walked in.” The next day, Mooney and Smyers penned their first song together.
During the visit at MusicRow, Dan+Shay performed “19 You + Me,” their first single on Warner Music Nashville; Mooney and Smyers co-wrote the song with Danny Orton. They also offered a soulful cover of Tom Petty’s “Free Fallin’,” and the original tune “First Time Feeling” which was co-written with Ben Hayslip. “Getting to go into this room with songwriters whose songs you have listened to all your life is an accomplishment in itself,” said Smyers.
The duo’s forthcoming album was produced by Smyers and executive produced by Scott Hendricks.
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