Signings & Hirings (1/24/14)

/by

calabrese111

Kayla Calabrese


Kayla Calabrese has signed with Next Generation Artist Management, a division of Spin Doctors Nashville.
“I have known Al Brock and Kristin Johnson for a while and I’ve come to trust them and their judgment,” Calabrese says. “Spin Doctors’ radio promotion department was already promoting my new single, to radio, so it just made sense to have their management company involved in my entire career instead of just part of it.”
“We are so proud to have Kayla on our team,” adds Next Generation Artist Management president Kristin Johnson. She is a true gem with a heavenly voice and a great head on her shoulders. She will go far in Country music.”
Calabrese’s first single, “Kiss Me,” from her self-titled album, reached No. 59 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart; Calabrese recently released her second single, “This Is How It Feels.”

• • •

Given Music Publishing has signed songwriter/instrumentalist Chris Caminiti to its roster. Caminiti, a Chicago native, moved to Nashville in 2005 to further his songwriting craft. He was a Top 4 finalist in consecutive years in the CMT/NSAI song contest, and has performed during Tin Pan South and Key West Songwriter’s Festivals.

“I have watched Chris Caminiti blossom as a writer over the last year, and in the last six months he has really come into his own,” said the company’s VP/GM Mike Sebastian. “Chris’ unique take on lyrics, combined with his production and melody chops, make him sure to be a successful and diverse writer.”

Pictured (Front row,L-R): Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. (Back row, L-R): Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.

Pictured (Front row, L-R): Mike Sebastian, VP/General Manager, Given Music Publishing; Chris Caminiti. (Back row, L-R): Michael Martin, Senior Creative Director, ASCAP; Denise Stevens, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb LLP.

• • •

Landon dirickson

Landon Dirickson


Landon Dirickson has been named a partner in the Nashville, Tenn., based law firm of Davis Dirickson, PLLC (formerly Ansel L. Davis & Associates, PLLC).
The firm’s practice is focused on a range of entertainment related matters including negotiation of agreements for artists, producers, managers, publishers, songwriters and executives. In his new position, Dirickson will play a continuing role in the representation of many of the firm’s current clients as well as focusing on the growth of new business.
The Tulsa, Okla., native joined the firm shortly after graduating from law school in 2005 and was admitted to the Tennessee Bar that same year. While at the University of Tulsa Law School Dirickson was one of two students selected from his class for publication of a legal article concerning trademark dilution under Federal Trademark Law. He is a member of the Troubadour Society of the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, the Country Music Association, Academy of Country Music, Young Entertainment Professionals and is an alumnus of Society of Leaders In Development.

Execs With Nashville Ties Featured in 'Billboard' Power 100

/by

billboard100111

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Brian O’Connell, Mike Dungan, Clint Higham, Scott Borchetta and Gary Overton.


Several music industry executives with Nashville ties have been included in Billboard‘s Power 100 roundup.
The top 10 on the Power 100 list included:
1. Jay-Z and Beyonce
2. Lucian Grainge, Chairman/CEO of Universal Music Group
3. Coran Capshaw, Founder/owner, Red Light Management, Starr Hill Presents; Partner, ATO Records, TBD Records
4. Michael Rapino, CEO Live Nation
5. Martin Bandier, Chairman/CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
6. Doug Morris, Chairman/CEO, Sony Music Entertainment
7. Irving Azoff, Chairman/CEO, Azoff MSG Entertainment
8. Len Blavatnik, Vice chairman/owner, Warner Music Group Founder/chairman, Access Industries
9. Rob Light, Managing partner/head of music, Creative Artists Agency
10. Jimmy Iovine, Chairman, Interscope Geffen A&M; 
Co-founder/CEO, Beats Electronics
Among those with Nashville ties include:
Red Light Management’s Coran Capshaw ranks in the Top 10 at No. 3. His management company oversees careers of artists including Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry, and others.
Live Nation’s Brian O’Connell lands at No. 34. He oversees country touring operations, where he promotes tours for artists including Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum and others.
Joel Katz ranked at No. 39. Katz, Chairman of Global Entertainment and Media Practice, began his practice in 1971 with his first client James Brown. His client roster has included artists such as Gary Allan, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Sheryl Crow, Alan Jackson, Kris Kristofferson, Brad Paisley, George Strait and more. His corporate clients have included Country Music Association, BMG Rights Management, Dick Clark Productions, Anschutz Entertainment Group (AEG), The National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, and more.
BMLG founder, President and CEO Scott Borchetta was included at No. 40. The label group encompasses Big Machine Records (founded in 2005), The Valory Music Co. (2007) and Republic Nashville. His artist roster includes Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Reba, The Band Perry, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, Thomas Rhett, Brantley Gilbert and others.
Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville, ranked at No. 41 on the list. After 12 years at the helm of Capitol Nashville, Dungan took the reins at UMG Nashville in 2012. UMG Nashville is the home of imprints MCA, Capitol Nashville, Mercury and EMI Nashville. The roster includes Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Chris Stapleton, Darius Rucker, and many others.
Clint Higham is listed at No. 75 in the Power 100. As President of Morris Artists Management, Higham has been with the company for 18 years, where he manages artists including Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen and others.
Gary Overton is ranked at No. 84 on the list. As Chairman and CEO of Sony Music Nashville, Overton’s artist roster includes Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Miranda Lambert, and others. Overton arrived at Sony in 2010 after 15 years as Exec. VP and GM of EMI Music Publishing.

Weekly Chart Report (1/24/14)

/by

Screen Shot 2014-01-24 at 8.44.19 AMTo access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report, click here or above.

The Oak Ridge Boys To Release First Live Country Album

/by

orb boys night hout111Given that The Oak Ridge Boys‘ career has spanned six decades and more than 41 million albums sold, with hits including “Elvira,” “American Made,” and others, it is hard to believe that this group has never before released a full-length, official hits concert album.
That will change on April 15, when Cleopatra Records will release Boys Night Out in three formats, including CD, vinyl and digital download. In early 2013, lead vocalist and producer Duane Allen began capturing performances of their current concert show, dubbed “Boys Night Out,” to create a live project for fans.
Track Listing for Boys Night Out
1. You’re The One
2. American Made
3. (I’m Settin’) Fancy Free
4. Love Song
5. Y’all Come Back Saloon
6. Sail Away
7. Dream On
8. This Crazy Love
9. Trying To Love Two Women
10. Come On In
11. Make My Life With You
12. Thank God For Kids
13. Elvira
14. Bobbie Sue

'Country Weekly' Magazine To Reconfigure as 'Nash'

/by

nash logo11According to reports from Bloomberg BusinessWeek, Cumulus’ Lewis Dickey states the company has reached an agreement with American Media Inc., parent company for music magazine Country Weekly, to reconfigure the magazine as Nash Magazine.
Dickey says the transition can be expected some point in the next couple of quarters of 2014. The transition is expected to increase the digital presence for Nash. “The Web will, in essence, follow suit with video and audio from all the things we are doing,” says Dickey.
No official statement has been released from American Media Inc. or Country Weekly at this time.

Dick Clark Productions Launches International Division

/by

dick clark productions11Dick Clark Productions has its eye on global expansion, and to that end, is launching Dick Clark Productions International, according to The Hollywood Reporter. DCP has tapped industry veteran Mark Rafalowski in the newly created role of executive VP, International. In this role, he will be responsible for growing the division’s distribution and content development.
The new division will be based out of the company’s Santa Monica headquarters, and Rafalowski will report to DCP president Mike Mahan.
“Mark’s track record in both domestic and international distribution makes him the perfect executive to oversee our vision for a full service in-house international division,” said Mahan. “He understands the international television landscape and the importance of having the right partners on a global scale to create and grow TV brands worldwide.”
“With the ever-increasing global consumption of TV content and Dick Clark Productions’ strategic growth trajectory, it is a perfect time to join the team under the superior leadership of [CEO] Allen Shapiro and Mike Mahan,” said Rafalowski. “International distribution gives us the ability to develop and grow all areas of the television business from reality and scripted to formats and acquisitions. We look forward to building on our current relationships and actively growing the business internationally.”
Rafalowski served as DCP’s VP, Business Development in the late 1990s before taking on the role of president at Rive Gaunche Television from 2003 to 2009. He also served as COO at Radical Studios.

Kenny Rogers Receives Honorary Master of Photography Degree

/by

Kenny Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from PPA at Imaging USAon Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Photo by Jose Yau.

Kenny Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from PPA at Imaging USA
on Tuesday, Jan. 14 at the Phoenix Convention Center. Photo by Jose Yau.


On the heels of his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2013, Kenny Rogers picked up another career achievement last week in Phoenix, though he was celebrated not for his music or decades-long career, but for his talent and enthusiasm for photography.
Rogers received an honorary master of photography degree from Professional Photographers of America (PPA) at its annual conference, Imaging USA, during the PPA Award & Degree ceremony.
The ceremony took place Tuesday night, Jan. 14, at Symphony Hall in Phoenix, where more than 145 award and degree recipients were honored. Prior to the ceremony, he gave an exclusive live Q&A with convention-goers, discussing his life and work. Rogers also shared photos from his forthcoming photography book, Places I’ve Been, Things I’ve Seen.
Imaging USA is the longest-running photography convention and expo in the nation. Up to 10,000 photographers attended, seeking education, inspiration, networking, exclusive parties and one of the nation’s largest photography trade shows to help boost their business for the year ahead.
“We could see in his work that Mr. Rogers is an accomplished photographer, but when we approached him about the honorary master’s degree, we were immediately impressed with his enthusiasm for photography,” said PPA president, Ralph Romaguera Sr., M.Photog.Cr., CPP, API, F-ASP. “He’s obviously well-known as an entertainer, but he truly is a remarkably talented photographer.”
“You start off doing something because you really love it, and it gives you great pleasure,” Rogers said. “With any luck at all, you get better. It was special to receive the highest honor that my photography has to offer. I felt a little intimidated but very flattered and somehow undeserving. What a thrill!”

ACM Sets Date For 8th Annual ACM Honors

/by

ACMHonorsThe 8th Annual ACM Honors will be held Tuesday, Sept. 9 at the Ryman Auditorium.
The evening will include musical tribute performances and award presentations to honor the non-televised award recipients and winners from the 49th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards.
Among the categories being honored are Industry Award, Studio Recording Award (previously known as Musician/Bandleader/Instrumentalist or MBI Awards), Special Award recipients and the Songwriter of the Year award.
Honorees will be announced at a later date.

No. 1 Song: "Sunny and 75"

/by

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Broken Bow Records’ Jon Loba and producer Derek George; (Middle row, L-R): producer Mickey Jack Cones, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Abbey Adams; (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, co-writers Michael Dulaney and Paul Jenkins, Joe Nichols, co-writer Jason Sellers, and BMI’s Penny Everhard. Photo credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (Back row, L-R): Broken Bow Records’ Jon Loba and producer Derek George; (Middle row, L-R): producer Mickey Jack Cones, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, and Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Abbey Adams; (Front row, L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, co-writers Michael Dulaney and Paul Jenkins, Joe Nichols, co-writer Jason Sellers, and BMI’s Penny Everhard. Photo credit: Steve Lowry


Nashville industry executives gathered at the Country Music Association‘s offices on a chilly January afternoon on Wednesday (Jan. 22) to celebrate those behind the success of Joe Nichols‘ latest No. 1 song, “Sunny and 75.” The upbeat tune marked songwriters Michael DuLaney‘s seventh, Paul Jenkins‘ fourth and Jason Sellers‘ fourth No. 1 hits. With the tune, Nichols notched his fifth chart-topping song and his first No. 1 song since “Gimmie That Girl” (2010). “Sunny and 75” is the first chart-topping song for Broken Bow Records (BBR) Music Group’s Red Bow label. Derek George and Mickey Jack Cones, co-producers on “Sunny and 75,” were also honored during the celebration.
“When we find out your vocal will be on one of our songs, we get thrilled. We appreciate all the songs you have cut and look forward to many more,” said Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson said to Nichols.
Nichols stated he was initially hesitant to record the “Sunny and 75,” which he didn’t consider to be melodically in his wheelhouse. “When I first heard the song and Jason [Sellers] was singing it, it was hard to envision myself singing it,” said Nichols. “[Broken Bow Records’] Benny [Brown] suggested I try it and it worked, so I appreciate the confidence they have in me.” He offered a round of thanks for everyone who supported his music, including publicist Jenny Bohler, booking agency CAA, and his band and crew, “because they don’t get enough credit,” said Nichols.
Ron Cox was on hand to present Avenue Bank’s donation to the Make-A-Wish Foundation on behalf of the songwriters.
Among those on hand to celebrate the song’s success were Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown and Jon Loba, Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, Warner-Tamerlane Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, ASCAP‘s LeAnn Phelan, Sony/ATV’s Abbey Adams, BMI‘s Penny Everhard, and Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, Nichols’ manager.

War Memorial Auditorium Expands Attendance Capacity

/by

Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.

Pictured above, Mumford & Sons perform to a packed house at WMA.


War Memorial Auditorium has expanded to a 2,000+ capacity with an open-floor configuration.
“WMA always has been a first-rate performance hall, offering superior live concert experiences,” said Brent Hyams, COO at War Memorial Auditorium. “We are extremely excited to have the capacity close to what it was when the venue first opened in 1925. Originally, the capacity was 2,200, and that was reduced shortly thereafter to 1,661. Patrons consistently pack the house, and we are pleased to be able to kick up the energy with this recalculation.”
War Memorial Auditorium’s new venue capacity is 2,044. Prior to the increase in capacity, the theatrical configuration allowed for a maximum capacity of 1,789. The reconfiguration adds 255 tickets available for standing room on the floor.