PBS' Ken Burns Crafting Country Music Documentary

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pbs11PBS documentary maker Ken Burns is examining Country music’s roots and how the musical genre has changed through the present day for a multi-episode series on public broadcasting, titled Country Music. The project will explore the question, ‘What is Country music?’ The show will track the careers of The Carter Family, Jimmie Rodgers, Bob Wills, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson and others.
Country fans and industry members have a long wait ahead of them, though. PBS states that the project is not slated to air until 2018.
Burns has additional projects in the pipeline for PBS, including works on the Gettysburg Address, the Roosevelts, Jackie Robinson, and Vietnam.
Country Music is a production of Florentine Films and WETA Washington, D.C., and is directed by Burns. Funding for Country Music is provided by Bank of America; the Arthur Vining Davis Foundation; Public Broadcasting Service; Corporation for Public Broadcasting and members of the Better Angels Society.

Sarah Jarosz Set For Network TV Debut

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sarah jaroszSinger-songwriter Sarah Jarosz is making her network television debut this week. The Americana artist is set for Conan on TBS tomorrow (Jan. 21) at 10 p.m./CT. On Thurs., Jan. 23 she will play The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, airing on CBS at 11:35 p.m./CT. She’ll perform with musicians Alex Hargreaves and Nathaniel Smith on both shows.

Jarosz’s latest release Build Me Up From Bones (Sugar Hill) is nominated for two Grammy awards at the Jan. 26 ceremony. The album received a nod in the Best Folk Album category, and the title track received a nomination in the inaugural year of the Best American Roots Song category.

The acclaimed 22-year-old is managed by Denise Stiff’s DS Management.

Industry Ink (1/20/14)

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IEBAInternational Entertainment Buyers Association has announced the dates for IEBA 2014. IEBA’s 44th annual conference will take place Sept. 27-30 at Nashville’s Omni Hotel.
More details are forthcoming.

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Melissa Schleicher


Makeup artist and hairstylist Melissa Schleicher, known for her work with clients including Carrie Underwood and Lauren Alaina, has added a Beauty Bus to her list of services, according to The Tennessean. Schleicher opened Brentwood, Tenn. salon Parlour 3 in 2012. The Beauty Bus, which can accommodate six customers at once, has not yet launched; Schleicher is currently remodeling the bus’ interior.

Once it is one the road the Beauty Bus will offer customers a myriad of options, including use for photo and/or video shoots, wedding parties, and more. The bus will also make an appearance at this year’s CMA Music Festival.

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Tamara Johnson-George


Tamara “Taj” Johnson-George has re-teamed with vocalists Cheryl “Coko” Gamble and Leann “Lelee” Lyons to launch the reality television show SWV: Sisters With Voices. SWV was one of the top R&B vocal groups of the ’90s. After the group disbanded, Johnson-George signed on at Ford Modeling Agency. In 2002, she enrolled at Nashville’s Belmont University to complete her business degree. Most notably, she has been recognized for her work with non-profit organization Visions with Infinite Possibilities (VIP).
SWV: Sisters With Voices premieres Thursday, Jan. 23 on WE tv, and follows SWV as they prepare to release their first album since 1997.

YouTube video

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NBCThe success of NBC’s live version of the musical Sound of Music (starring Carrie Underwood) in December 2013 has inspired the network to commission a live musical production of Peter Pan. The musical will air Dec. 4, 2014, according to the nydailynews.com. Craig Zadan and Neil Meron will return as producers; no actors have been cast yet.

Rosanne Cash Releases 'The River & The Thread'

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rosanne cashRosanne Cash’s new album, The River & The Thread (out now via Blue Note Records) contains eleven songs she wrote with producer/ husband John Leventhal. It is an exploration of the music of the south and features appearances by Cory Chisel, Rodney Crowell (who also co-wrote one song), Amy Helm, Kris Kristofferson, Allison Moorer, John Prine, Derek Trucks, John Paul White (The Civil Wars), Tony Joe White and Gabe Witcher (The Punch Brothers).
Cash has lived in New York City for two decades, but she reconnected with the south after a series of road trips to Arkansas, Tennessee and the Mississippi Delta.
To promote the album she has appeared on the Late Show with David Letterman and CBS Sunday Morning (see clip below) and will visit The Katie Couric Show on Friday, Jan. 24. She will launch a North American tour with Leventhal, with highlights including an evening at New York City’s Metropolitan Museum of Art on Feb. 22.
Cash recorded a podcast series about the project and posted an interactive map on Pintrest, linking song lyrics with specific locations.
The River & The Thread follows 2009’s The List, which was nominated for two Grammys and won the Americana Music Award for Album of the Year.

Fifth Annual 'Music at the Mill' Slated For Feb. 15

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music at the mill11Collin Raye, Bryan White, Marty Raybon, Meghan Linsey, Phil Keaggy, The Willis Clan, and Sal Gonzalez will perform Feb. 15 for the fifth annual Music at the Mill. The benefit concert will support McClain Christian Academy (MCA) in Lebanon, Tenn., and will begin at 7 p.m. at The Mill, located at 300 North Maple Street in Lebanon.
Tickets are available by calling 615-486-1058. General admission seating is $50 (chairs only), while reserved table seating is $75. VIP seating includes reserved table seating with dinner for $125. Platinum seating includes reserved front of venue table seating, dinner, and a meet-and-greet with the artists. Platinum seating is $150.
MCA is a small, non-profit school that offers many extracurricular activities, such as basketball, cheerleading, tennis, drama, music and art to elementary, middle and high school-level students.
“All our families, staff, and students have a close bond,” stated Dr. Charles Poston, Chairman of the Board of Directors. “This bond strengthens throughout the year due to our 98 percent student body participation in athletics and fine arts programs. McClain builds their students into confident, well-rounded individuals.”

Centricity Music Promotes Two

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centricity music logoCentricity Music has promoted two key staff members. Ben Stauffer has been promoted from Finance Director to VP of Finance, and Kris Love from Director of Radio Promotions to Sr. Director of National Promotions. Stauffer will take on an expanded role of the financial duties for Centricity Music and Centricity Publishing, while Love will oversee all activities in the radio department including tracking, promotions, radio visits and promotional tours.
Stauffer will continue to report to General Manager Caren Seidle, and Love to Steve Ford, VP of Marketing.
A Pennsylvania native, Stauffer joined Centricity Music while completing his graduate degree. After time working with Flood, Bumstead, McCready and McCathy, Stauffer rejoined the Centricity team initially as Finance Director.
Love hails from Knoxville, Tenn., and previously worked at AC and CHR radio stations in the city. He then moved to Nashville and became a top independent radio promoter before joining Centricity Music as Director of Promotion.
Based in Franklin, Tenn., Centricity Music was founded in 2005, and includes artists Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Carrollton, Jason Gray, Jonny Diaz and others.

Round Hill Music Opens Nashville Office, Acquires Big Tractor Catalog

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round hill music1Round Hill Music, a full-service creative rights management company with a focus on music publishing, has opened a Nashville office at 1004 18th Ave. S.
Mark Brown has joined the team as VP and General Manager of the Nashville office. Brown previously spent three years as Chief Creative Officer at MPR Entertainment Group’s publishing arm, Root 49 Music. During his career, Brown has spent time as Creative Director for Universal Music Publishing Group, as well as Sr. Director of A&R for Sony Records.
Brown joins Director of A&R, Kari Smith, who joined Round Hill Music in Spring of 2013.
Round Hill Music has acquired the Big Tractor catalog, which includes the titles “Doin’ What She Likes” (Blake Shelton), “All Over The Road” (Easton Corbin), “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me” (Hunter Hayes), “I Saw God Today” (George Strait), and “Amazed” (Lonestar), among many others.
Also attached to the Big Tractor catalog is writer Wade Kirby, whose songs have been recorded by Kenny Rogers, Rodney Atkins and Faith Hill. Writer Rachel Proctor is also attached to the Big Tractor catalog; Proctor has penned songs for Jessica Simpson and Jesse Lee.
“We are honored to continue the legacy of what Scott Hendricks built with Big Tractor as that catalog is the main basis for our Nashville beginning,” Neil Gillis, President of Round Hill Music, said. “With industry creative vet Mark Brown at the helm being joined by Kari Smith for all creative services and plugging and with the continuing all purpose creative efforts of Clay Myers, the future looks bright.”
Round Hill Music was founded by Josh Gruss in 2010.

SESAC Plans $20 Million Building

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sesacSESAC is building a new $20 million home on Music Row. The 110,000-square-foot space will be located at 35, 37, 39 and 41 Music Sq. E., reports the Tennessean. Groundbreaking could take place in the next two months. SESAC is expected to use about 35,000 square feet of the complex and lease the remainder. Completion is scheduled for 2015.
The properties on Music Sq. E. were purchased from The BBR Music Group owner Benny Brown and his wife Carolyn for $3.5 million according to reports. In turn, the Browns bought a 25,000-square-foot property at 65 Music Sq. W., formerly home to Sony/ATV’s administration division, for $4.1 million and will move BBR operations there.
The admin arm of Sony/ATV recently moved downtown to the Fifth Third Center at 424 Church Street. Sony/ATV’s creative division remains at 8 Music Sq. W.
SESAC is currently in two buildings at 55 Music Sq. E and 66 Music Square W.

Townsquare Media Partners With Just Jared Inc.

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townsquaremediaTownsquare Media Group has partnered exclusively with entertainment group Just Jared Inc. Just Jared will work with Townsquare’s national digital business, which, according to Comscore, includes music and entertainment digital properties that reach more than 60 million unique U.S. visitors monthly.
“Townsquare Media continues to attract top notch entertainment partners that reflect our solutions-focused, multi-platform business. We are thrilled to add Just Jared to our influential premium portfolio,” said Sr. VP, National Digital Sales Andi Poch. “They approach celebrity news with an authentic and refreshing perspective and are very well-respected by readers, advertisers and the entertainment industry alike.”
Brothers Jared and Jason Eng run Just Jared Inc., which includes various websites, YouTube Channels and branded events. The company was founded in 2005.
“We are excited to partner with Townsquare Media and look forward to strengthening our sales, branding and operational efforts across the board, while at the same time, adding a robust and loyal audience to Townsquare’s growing entertainment portfolio,” said Just Jared Inc.’s CEO Jason Eng. “Our brand continues to expand into exciting areas, including our newly launched JJ Spotlight series – which features both established & up-and-coming talent with exclusive interviews and photo shoots.”

Tamela Mann Tops Stellar Awards

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Tamela Mann


Tamela Mann was the big winner at the 29th annual Stellar Gospel Music Awards, which were held Saturday, Jan. 18, at the Municipal Auditorium.
Mann was awarded trophies for Artist of the Year, Albertina Walker Female Vocalist of the Year, CD of the Year (for Best Days), Traditional Female of the Year, Urban/Inspirational Single or Performance of the Year, and Praise and Worship CD of the Year (for Best Days). The actress and singer currently stars in Tyler Perry’s Meet The Browns.
Song of the Year went to Kirk Franklin‘s “Take Me To The King.”
Atlanta vocalist Tasha Cobbs earned New Artist of the Year and Contemporary Female of the Year honors.
Winners List:
Artist Of The Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days, Tillyman Music
Song Of The Year
Kirk Franklin, “Take Me To The King” – Best Days, Tillyman Music
Male Vocalist Of The Year
Tye Tribbett
Albertina Walker Female Vocalist Of The Year
Tamela Mann
Group/Duo Of The Year
Anthony Brown & Group Therapy
New Artist Of The Year
Tasha Cobbs, EMI Gospel (Motown Gospel)
CD Of The Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days, Tillyman Music
Choir Of The Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation, RCA Inspiration
Producer Of The Year
Fred Hammond & Derek “Dc” Clark, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson, RCA Inspiration
Contemporary Group/Duo Of The Year
Fred Hammond United Tenors, United Tenors Hammond Hollister Roberson Wilson, RCA Inspiration
Traditional Group/Duo Of The Year
John P. Kee And New Life
Contemporary Male Of The Year
Anthony Brown
Traditional Male Of The Year
John P. Kee
Contemporary Female Of The Year
Tasha Cobbs
Traditional Female Of The Year
Tamela Mann
Contemporary CD Of The Year
Tasha Cobbs
Traditional CD Of The Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days, Tillyman Music
Urban/Inspirational Single Or Performance Of The Year
Tamela Mann, “Take Me To The King,” Best Days, Tillyman Music
Music Video Of The Year
Brand X, Testimony – Anthony Brown & Group Therapy, Tyscot Music And Entertainment
Traditional Choir Of The Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation, RCA Inspiration
Contemporary Choir Of The Year
Earl Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir, Bishop K.W. Brown Presents Earl Bynum & The Mount Unity Choir, K.W. Brown Ministries
Special Event CD Of The Year
Hezekiah Walker, Azusa: The Next Generation, RCA Inspiration
Rap Hip Hop Gospel CD Of The Year
Lecrae, Gravity, Reach Records
Childrens Project Of The Year
Jekalyn Carr, Greater Is Coming, Lunjeal/Malaco
Fan Favorite Quartet Of The Year
Doc Mckenzie & The Hi-Lites
Recorded Music Packaging Of The Year
Patrick Dopson, Best Days, Tillyman Music
Praise And Worship CD Of The Year
Tamela Mann, Best Days, Tillyman Music