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!”
Weekly Chart Report (1/24/14)
/by Michael_SmithThe Oak Ridge Boys To Release First Live Country Album
/by Jessica NicholsonThat 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 Jessica NicholsonDickey 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 Jessica NicholsonThe 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 Jessica NicholsonKenny 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 Jessica NicholsonThe 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 Jessica NicholsonPictured (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 Jessica NicholsonPictured 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.
CMT Partners With Kicker Country Stampede
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan, Eric Church, Chris Young, Joe Nichols, Dustin Lynch, Thomas Rhett, Charlie Worsham, Tyler Farr, Joe Diffie, Jon Pardi, Sarah Darling, 6 Degrees West and Logan Mize are among the performers for the four-day festival in Manhattan, Kan. on June 26-29, 2014.
Additional performances will be announced this weekend during the CMT Hot 20 Countdown on Saturday, Jan. 25, beginning at 11 a.m. ET. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit countrystampede.com.
WME Opens Christian Division In Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesAgent Mike Snider will head the Christian division.
William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) is launching a Christian Music Division in its Nashville office. Heading the department will be 20-year industry vet Mike Snider. He joins the WME team along with fellow agents Kevin Huffman and Dan Rauter.
They come to WME from Paradigm and will be bringing clients including Andy Mineo, CeCe Winans, Jeremy Camp, Kari Jobe, Kutless, Lecrae, Matt Maher, MercyMe, Phil Wickham, Red, Rend Collective Experiment, Shane & Shane, Tedashii, Tenth Avenue North, and Trip Lee.
Snider, Huffman and Rauter came onboard at Paradigm in 2010 when it purchased Third Coast Artists Agency, where they previously worked. Snider co-owned Third Coast and joined Paradigm as co-head of its Nashville office. There he oversaw operations and handled acts in Christian and Country music.
Huffman started his career as an agent in 1999. He has worked with artists including Caedmon’s Call, Bebo Norman, Skillet, All Star United.
Rauter began his career as President of CommonRock Entertainment, an artist management company, representing Grammy and Dove Award nominated artists including All Star United and Seven Day Jesus.