BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 444
Pictured: Little Big Town with Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding and Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert. Photo: Ed Rode
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy (NARAS), and the celebration began on Sunday evening (Jan. 12) at its annual
Grammy Nominees Party.
“We’re here to celebrate our nominees,” said chapter board president
Jeff Balding. “And the Nashville chapter was founded in 1964. This is our 50th anniversary, and we’re going to be celebrating all year long.”
So even before most of the nominees walked the red carpet, 10 of the 20 living former chapter presidents gathered for a celebratory group photo. In addition to Balding (2013-15), they included
Harold Bradley (1964-66),
Jim Black (1983-85),
Ralph Murphy (1985-86),
Jimmy Gilmer (1989-91),
Katie Gillon (1994-96),
Garth Fundis (1998-2000),
Tony Brown (2000-02),
Doug Howard (2004-06) and
Dan Hill (2010-12).
Bradley, the first president, recalled that the chapter formed in response to the facts that the 1958 “Country” Grammy Award went to The Kingston Trio and the 1962 “Country” Grammy went to Burl Ives. Black noted that he was proud to be the board president the year that the chapter became financially viable. Gillon remains the only female board president to date. Fundis went from chapter prez to the national board presidency and spearheaded the organization’s transition into its current mode.
Expect to see more evidence of the “50 Years of Grammy Gold” anniversary commemoration at chapter events throughout the year.
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert, GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductee B.J. Thomas, Recording Academy South Regional Director Susan Stewart and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding
The nominee party was held, once again, at The Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel. By the way, the public/lobby/bar/restaurant areas of this venue have been totally transformed. Go see.
Walking the red carpet were such new Grammy nominees as
Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Tim O’Brien, Buddy Miller, Beth Nielsen Chapman and
Guy Clark.
B.J. Thomas, whose “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” is being inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame, was also there. Other RSVPs to the party invitation (please note: the word is “invitation;” the word “invite” is a verb, not a noun), included
Matt Maher, TobyMac, Connie Harrington, Jason Roy of the CCM band
Building 429, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Moore, Chad Carlson and
Justin Niebank.
In addition to being the first major Nashville music biz party of the year, it is also one of the very best. Loews really does a top job with its catering. Guests sampled beef sliders with pimento cheese, pickled fried chicken biscuits with cider apple preserves, white bean hummus on corn bread, duck tater tots with peach ketchup, shrimp and grit cakes, pulled pork in red potato skins and veggies with sundried tomato ranch dip, plus spicy meats and cheeses.
Mingling among the party’s giant gold Grammy statuettes were
Mark Collie, Eddie DeGarmo and
Sandy Knox. I congratulated
Nashville TV star
Jonathan Jackson (“Avery”) on landing a Country recording contract. He said he hasn’t chosen a producer yet. His TV co-star
Charles “Chip” Esten (“Deacon”) was also amiably socializing. Both of them are super-nice, by the way. And they love our fair city. Attendee
Carolyn Corlew is about to tour as Ms. Senior America. The Charlie Daniels backup singer says she sang the Etta James hit “Tell Mama” as her talent to win her title.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Maher, Jason Roy (Building 429), TobyMac, Ryan Stevenson and Jamie Moore
Music-biz fabulons working the room included Tim Fink, Earle Simmons, Pat Higdon, Charlie Monk, Karen Clark, Jeff Walker, Jed Hilly, Andrew Kintz and Erika Wollam-Nichols. The current Nashville NARAS board was well represented by CCM star Brandon Heath and singer-songwriter-producer Victoria Shaw, plus Scott Hendricks, Scott Robinson, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Fram, Fletcher Foster, Allen Brown, Lori Badgett, Ben Fowler, Steve Gibson, Pat McMakin, David Corlew, Rod Essig and Woody Bomar.
“Isn’t this a fun party?” asked NARAS regional director Susan Stewart. “We have so many genres [in this year’s Grammy nominations]. We are in 18 genres this year. It’s incredible. It’s always great to see the respect that the Grammy voters have for Nashville.”
She and Balding recognized national vice president Nancy Shapiro and MusiCares exec Debbie Carroll. The party was extra special because national board chair Christine Albert attended.
“I travel to chapters around the country,” she said. “Nashville is really near and dear to my heart. I love this city.” It turns out that this Texan is former Maypop staff songwriter. Who knew?
The event was well covered by media mavens. Hacks and flacks on the scene included Storme Warren, Jimmy Carter, Ronna Rubin, Tom Roland, Janet Bozeman, Hunter Kelly, Susan Niles, Doak Turner, George Walker IV, Ed Morris and MusicRow‘s fearless leader Sherod Robertson.
Bobby Karl Works The Grammy Nominees Party
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 444
Pictured: Little Big Town with Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding and Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert. Photo: Ed Rode
This year marks the 50th anniversary of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy (NARAS), and the celebration began on Sunday evening (Jan. 12) at its annual Grammy Nominees Party.
“We’re here to celebrate our nominees,” said chapter board president Jeff Balding. “And the Nashville chapter was founded in 1964. This is our 50th anniversary, and we’re going to be celebrating all year long.”
So even before most of the nominees walked the red carpet, 10 of the 20 living former chapter presidents gathered for a celebratory group photo. In addition to Balding (2013-15), they included Harold Bradley (1964-66), Jim Black (1983-85), Ralph Murphy (1985-86), Jimmy Gilmer (1989-91), Katie Gillon (1994-96), Garth Fundis (1998-2000), Tony Brown (2000-02), Doug Howard (2004-06) and Dan Hill (2010-12).
Bradley, the first president, recalled that the chapter formed in response to the facts that the 1958 “Country” Grammy Award went to The Kingston Trio and the 1962 “Country” Grammy went to Burl Ives. Black noted that he was proud to be the board president the year that the chapter became financially viable. Gillon remains the only female board president to date. Fundis went from chapter prez to the national board presidency and spearheaded the organization’s transition into its current mode.
Expect to see more evidence of the “50 Years of Grammy Gold” anniversary commemoration at chapter events throughout the year.
Pictured (L-R): Recording Academy Chair of the Board of Trustees Christine Albert, GRAMMY Hall of Fame inductee B.J. Thomas, Recording Academy South Regional Director Susan Stewart and Nashville Chapter President Jeff Balding
The nominee party was held, once again, at The Loews Vanderbilt Plaza Hotel. By the way, the public/lobby/bar/restaurant areas of this venue have been totally transformed. Go see.
Walking the red carpet were such new Grammy nominees as Lee Brice, Little Big Town, Tim O’Brien, Buddy Miller, Beth Nielsen Chapman and Guy Clark. B.J. Thomas, whose “Raindrops Keep Fallin’ on My Head” is being inducted to the Grammy Hall of Fame, was also there. Other RSVPs to the party invitation (please note: the word is “invitation;” the word “invite” is a verb, not a noun), included Matt Maher, TobyMac, Connie Harrington, Jason Roy of the CCM band Building 429, Ryan Stevenson, Jamie Moore, Chad Carlson and Justin Niebank.
In addition to being the first major Nashville music biz party of the year, it is also one of the very best. Loews really does a top job with its catering. Guests sampled beef sliders with pimento cheese, pickled fried chicken biscuits with cider apple preserves, white bean hummus on corn bread, duck tater tots with peach ketchup, shrimp and grit cakes, pulled pork in red potato skins and veggies with sundried tomato ranch dip, plus spicy meats and cheeses.
Mingling among the party’s giant gold Grammy statuettes were Mark Collie, Eddie DeGarmo and Sandy Knox. I congratulated Nashville TV star Jonathan Jackson (“Avery”) on landing a Country recording contract. He said he hasn’t chosen a producer yet. His TV co-star Charles “Chip” Esten (“Deacon”) was also amiably socializing. Both of them are super-nice, by the way. And they love our fair city. Attendee Carolyn Corlew is about to tour as Ms. Senior America. The Charlie Daniels backup singer says she sang the Etta James hit “Tell Mama” as her talent to win her title.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Maher, Jason Roy (Building 429), TobyMac, Ryan Stevenson and Jamie Moore
Music-biz fabulons working the room included Tim Fink, Earle Simmons, Pat Higdon, Charlie Monk, Karen Clark, Jeff Walker, Jed Hilly, Andrew Kintz and Erika Wollam-Nichols. The current Nashville NARAS board was well represented by CCM star Brandon Heath and singer-songwriter-producer Victoria Shaw, plus Scott Hendricks, Scott Robinson, Leslie Roberts, Leslie Fram, Fletcher Foster, Allen Brown, Lori Badgett, Ben Fowler, Steve Gibson, Pat McMakin, David Corlew, Rod Essig and Woody Bomar.
“Isn’t this a fun party?” asked NARAS regional director Susan Stewart. “We have so many genres [in this year’s Grammy nominations]. We are in 18 genres this year. It’s incredible. It’s always great to see the respect that the Grammy voters have for Nashville.”
She and Balding recognized national vice president Nancy Shapiro and MusiCares exec Debbie Carroll. The party was extra special because national board chair Christine Albert attended.
“I travel to chapters around the country,” she said. “Nashville is really near and dear to my heart. I love this city.” It turns out that this Texan is former Maypop staff songwriter. Who knew?
The event was well covered by media mavens. Hacks and flacks on the scene included Storme Warren, Jimmy Carter, Ronna Rubin, Tom Roland, Janet Bozeman, Hunter Kelly, Susan Niles, Doak Turner, George Walker IV, Ed Morris and MusicRow‘s fearless leader Sherod Robertson.
Signings & Hirings (1/13/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonWyatt Thomas
Sandbox Entertainment has added Wyatt Thomas as the new Manager of Digital Strategy and Initiatives. He will create content, implement, and analyze digital results for all of the acts on Sandbox’s roster, which includes Shania Twain, Little Big Town, Kacey Musgraves, Dan+Shay, and Blackberry Farm.
Thomas’ background in the digital world includes work for Warner Bros. Records (LA) and Sony Music Nashville. He also fronted the Nashville office for ground(ctrl), handling artist services and new business.
“I am very excited to have Wyatt join the Sandbox team. He has an amazing understanding of the digital world and will bring fresh, new ideas to the table. His passion and motivation for the music business will be a great addition and we look forward to an exciting future with him,” said Sandbox Entertainment’s President/CEO, Jason Owen.
Wyatt can be reached at wyatt@sandboxmgmt.com or 615-829-5218.
• • •
Jacob Knight
Magic Mustang Music has hired Creative Assistant Jacob Knight.
Knight previously worked as executive assistant to Jake Kennedy at CAA in Nashville after graduating from the University of Georgia in May 2013.
“I’m more than excited to be a part of the family here. Magic Mustang and BBR Music Group have a great team that I’m very proud to be a part of,” says Knight. “I’m looking forward to what’s ahead!”
“We are thrilled to welcome Jacob Knight to the Magic Mustang family,” says Juli Newton-Griffith, Sr. Creative Director at Magic Mustang Music. “We are confident that with his dynamic vigor and zest for the industry, he will be an excellent asset to the team.”
Part of the BBR Music Group, Magic Mustang Music is an independent music publishing company based in Nashville, TN. Magic Mustang Music also represents songwriters Jason Aldean, Thompson Square, Steve Bogard, Sherrie Austin, Lindsay Ell, David Fanning, Rob Hatch, Kristy Lee Cook, Kurt Allison, Tully Kennedy, John Edwards, Rich Redmond, Justin Lantz, Jason Delkou, Justin Wilson and Westin Davis.
Knight can be reached at Jacob@magicmustang.com
• • •
MTS will also oversee the US and international release and radio campaign for Marshall’s single, “Alcohol Abuse.” A Feb. 10, 2014 radio release is scheduled, with a spring US radio tour is currently in the works.
Industry Pics (1/13/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville-based actor Todd Truley was in New York recently to attend the premiere of the Robert DeNiro / Sylvester Stallone comedy, Grudge Match, in which he plays physician, Dr. Camare. Truley, a Nashville native, has acting credits in Prisoners starring Hugh Jackman and Jake Gyllenhaal as well as on TV shows “Homeland,” “Army Wives,” and “Drop Dead Diva.” Most recently, Truley was a regular on ABC-TV series Nashville as Marshall Evans.
Truley was on the Grudge Match red carpet with his wife, Ellen Truley, an executive with SESAC. Ellen Truley was recently included in Billboard Magazine’s Women in Music issue in a spotlight “Women of the PROs” feature.
Photo by David Pomponio
• • •
On Thursday (Jan. 9), Will Hoge performed his single, “Strong,” on CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman. “Strong” serves as the current Chevy Silverado campaign anthem. Hoge’s album Never Give In (Cumberland/Thirty Tigers) is currently in the Top 5 on the Americana music charts.
Will Hoge on CBS’ The Late Show with David Letterman
• • •
Craig Morgan will return to television with a performance during the premiere of A&E’s new original series Crazy Hearts: Nashville on Wednesday, Jan. 15 at 10 p.m. CT.
Filmed at the Bluebird Café, Black River Entertainment recording artist Morgan’s performance of his hit single, “Wake Up Lovin’ You” will be featured when the viewing audience is introduced to aspiring singer/songwriter Jimmy Stanley and his girlfriend/manager April Nemeth. “Wake Up Lovin’ You” was penned by Josh Osborne, Matt Ramsey, and Trevor Rosen, and is featured on Morgan’s project The Journey (Livin’ Hits).
Pictured (L-R): Jimmy Stanley and Craig Morgan
Dick Clark Productions Thrives On Live Events
/by Sarah SkatesLuke Bryan and Blake Shelton will host the ACM Awards in 2014.
In a DVR-driven world, live events drawing real-time viewers are a big win for networks and production companies. A recent New York Times article explains that awards shows are a key ingredient in the success of Dick Clark Productions, the company behind the Academy of Country Music Awards, set for April 6 on CBS, and 13 other major shows this year.
Live programming, such as awards extravaganzas, sporting events and specialty shows including Dick Clark’s New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest, attract loads of viewers. In turn, advertising dollars follow. According to the NYT, “Advertisers spent roughly $500 million on envelope-opening shows and live non-sports events last year, a 25 percent increase compared to five years ago.”
16 million viewers tuned in to the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards telecast on April 7, 2013. ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night, also from Dick Clark Productions, drew 11 million viewers, combined from airings on May 19 and July 26, 2013.
Dick Clark Productions delivered last night’s (Jan. 12) Golden Globe Awards on NBC, which hit a 10-year ratings high. DCP is also behind the new People Magazine Awards, slated for late 2014 on NBC.
The company, helmed by Allen Shapiro, also produces the American Music Awards, and Billboard Music Awards.
Tim McGraw's 'Sundown Heaven Town 2014 Tour' Coming in May
/by Jessica NicholsonOfficial tour dates on the 30+ city tour will be released at a later date. McGraw’s latest single, “Lookin’ For That Girl,” was sent to radio today (Jan. 13).
“This last year was unbelievable, and I don’t have any plans to let off the gas now. We didn’t want to waste any time getting new music out,” said McGraw. “With every album, my approach is to push a few of my own boundaries and try things I’ve never done before. It was hard to choose a lead single off this project because I really felt like we had six or seven good options. I kept coming back to ‘Lookin For That Girl’ because even though it may be a little different for me sonically, I couldn’t get it out of my head!”
SUNDOWN HEAVEN TOWN 2014 Tour Cities
Sacramento, Calif.
Mountain View, Calif.
Phoenix
San Diego
Irvine, Calif.
Pittsburgh
Indianapolis
Cleveland, Ohio
Hartford, Conn.
Washington, D.C.
Philadelphia
Virginia Beach, Va.
Charlotte, N.C.
Raleigh, N.C.
St. Louis
Chicago
Cincinnati
West Palm Beach, Fla.
Tampa, Fla.
Brooklyn, Mich.
St. Clairsville, Ohio
Toronto, ON
Atlanta
Salt Lake City
Albuquerque, N.M.
Houston
Dallas
CMA's Keep The Music Playing Concert To Feature Eric Paslay
/by Jessica Nicholson“CMA’s support of music education is so important and I am honored to be part of this special event,” said Paslay. “Music was such a huge part of my childhood and I was lucky to have teachers and family who encouraged me. I can’t wait to see these talented students perform.”
The event will feature performances from five Nashville school groups including Hillwood High School Wind Ensemble; Hull-Jackson Montessori Strings; Hume-Fogg Academic Magnet and Martin Luther King Academic Magnet School Strings; John F. Kennedy Middle School Choir and Concert Band; and the McGavock High School Capital Sounds Show Choir.
“This concert is all about celebrating the next generation of musicians,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It is a special night made possible by the hundreds of artists who performed at the 2013 CMA Music Festival for free. These children are able to enjoy a first-class music education program because of the generosity of our artist community and the commitment of The CMA Foundation to support music education in our schools.”
Since 2006, proceeds from CMA Music Festival have been donated to Keep the Music Playing to provide Metro Nashville Public Schools with musical instruments and music labs. CMA has donated more than $7.6 million to Keep the Music Playing, which includes $6.5 million sent directly to Metro Nashville Public Schools.
Watch Eric Paslay’s Keep the Music Playing announcement below:
Clear Channel Extends Pittman's Contract
/by Sarah SkatesBob Pittman
CC Media Holdings has extended the contract of Chairman and CEO Bob Pittman for an additional five-year term. Pittman joined Clear Channel in November 2010 as Chairman of Media and Entertainment Platforms. He became the CEO in 2011 and added the Chairman responsibilities in 2013.
The company also announced that John Hogan, Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment, is retiring. He has been awarded the title of Chairman emeritus of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment. Hogan joined Clear Channel in 1999 when the company acquired Jacor Communications, where he was Sr. VP of Radio. He became President and CEO of Clear Channel Radio in 2002. He was named Chairman and CEO of Clear Channel Media and Entertainment in 2012.
Clear Channel Media and Entertainment will now report directly to Pittman and Clear Channel’s President and Chief Financial Officer, Rich Bressler. William Eccleshare continues as CEO of Clear Channel Outdoor and reports to Pittman.
Uber Car Service Comes To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonUberBLACK, which has been used by music industry executives in New York and Los Angeles, allows riders to get curbside pickup in a black sedan.
Mayor Karl Dean, Chairman Ronnie Steine, and the Nashville Metro Council adopted changes that eliminate the $45 minimum fare and a mandatory 30-minute wait time for sedan rides, allowing for the new service to take root in Nashville. The price cuts allow for rate comparable to taxi rides.
Sample rates include:
12South to LP Field: $12
Vandy to Green Hills Mall: $17
Ryman Auditorium to Opryland: $33
The base fare for an UberX car is $2.19 plus .20 per minute. Minimum fare is $4.80 and there is a $10 cancellation fee. Sample cars include Toyota Camry, Dodge Grand Caravan, and Honda Accord.
The base fare for an UberBLACK car is $5.95 plus .30 per minute. Minimum fare is $13 and there is a $10 cancellation fee. Sample cars include Lincoln Town Car Signature, Chrysler Aspen, and Infiniti M35X.
For more information, visit uber.com.
Touring Business Boomed in 2013
/by Sarah SkatesSwift performs in Nashville in 2013.
The North American touring business hit an all-time high last year, bringing in $5.1 billion in revenue, according to new data from Pollstar. This is a significant boost from $1.7 billion in 2000.
The touring trade magazine ranked the Top 100 tours in North America last year. Compared to 2012, the number of tickets sold on those outings was up 9.2 percent since 2012, or 3.37 million, for a total of 40.07 million. Those tours brought in a record high of $2.79 billion, a 10.3 percent increase year over year. The average price of a ticket was $69.52, up only 1.1 percent.
Taylor Swift beat her own 2011 record to become the top grossing Country tour in history, raking in $112.7 million in 2013. Her outing, promoted by The Messina Group, was also the top grossing North American tour last year.
Below is a list of Country stars and their 2013 concert gross totals, from Pollstar’s Top 200 list. For the full list and details including ticket price, tickets sold, number of shows and agency, visit pollstarpro.com.
In related news, Pollstar Live is being held outside L.A. or Las Vegas for the first time when it takes place in Nashville from Feb. 19-21 at the Omni.
Taylor Swift— 112.7 million
Kenny Chesney— 90.9
Jason Aldean— 51
Luke Bryan— 44.4
Zac Brown Band— 43.1
George Strait— 40.9
Miranda Lambert— 34.2
Rascal Flatts— 29.8
Tim McGraw— 27.2
Carrie Underwood— 26.3
Brad Paisley— 25.3
Keith Urban— 20.4
Blake Shelton— 19.5
Willie Nelson— 14.2
Toby Keith—12.9
Florida Georgia Line— 8.3
Alabama— 6.5
Eric Church— 6.1
Brantley Gilbert— 5.3
Darius Rucker— 5.2
Reba— 4.9
Strait Kicks Off Final Leg Of Tour
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): George Strait and Jason Aldean
Last week, Country icon and CMA Entertainer of the Year George Strait kicked off the final leg of his The Cowboy Rides Away Tour at CenturyLink Center in Bossier City, La. Strait played to a massive audience of 13,957 attendees and broke his own previous record for highest grossing show of all time at that venue.
Strait performed several hits, including “Fool Hearted Memory” alongside special guest Jason Aldean, “Amarillo By Morning,” “Check Yes Or No” and “I Got A Car,” which is currently at No. 16 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Continuing his partnership with the Military Warriors Support Foundation, Strait teamed up with Lieutenant General Leroy Cisco, U.S. Army (Retired) to present the keys to a home to U.S. Army Specialist Douglas Michael Edds and wife Tanya Edds.
The Cowboy Rides Away Tour will include shows throughout the country and guest performances by several big names. On March 21, Strait will play Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena with special guest Sheryl Crow. On June 7, 2014, Strait will play his final tour date in Arlington, Texas with special guests Aldean, Alan Jackson, Crow, Vince Gill and more.
For more information, visit georgestrait.com.