Music Industry matriarch and Hall of Fame member Jo Walker-Meador was honored recently with the 2013 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award at an intimate reception held at the Country Music Association. The award is given annually to an individual whose life and work paved the way for future generations of music industry members. Past recipients of the honor include Mike Curb, Tony Brown, Wynonna Judd, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam and Amy Grant.
Pictured (L-R): Terry Clements, Harold Bradley, Mayor Karl Dean, Sarah Trahern, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Jo Walker-Meador, Mike Curb, La Rawn Scaife Rhea, and Joe Scaife
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Pictured (L-R): CMA Board President Ed Hardy, Walker, Generosity’s Bethni Hemphill, and The Bridge’s Candy Christmas. Photo: Karen Hicks/CMA
Tennessee Titan
Delanie Walker stopped by the processing center where gifts are collected and sorted for
CMA’s “A Gift for All” to sign footballs for children who are often overlooked.
“A Gift for All” works with Nashville-based partner charities Generosity and The Bridge, Inc. to collect and distribute gifts for children in need.
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Pictured (L-R): Pres & CEO, Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito; Mark Burnett; Francesca Battistelli; Pres & CEO, Word Entertainment, Rod Riley.
Mark Burnett (producer of The Voice, Survivor, The Bible mini-series, The Apprentice) was recently in Nashville for a screening of his upcoming 20th Century Fox feature film Son of God and to announce The Bible Tour in partnership with Word Entertainment.
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Pictured (L-R): Kenny MacPherson, Damon Bunetta, Zach Katz, John Ryan, Laurent Hubert, and Casey Robison.
Songwriter John Ryan has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Big Deal Music & BMG Chrysalis US. Ryan has co-written multiple One Direction hits including “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life.” Additionally, he has co-written cuts by Cody Simpson, JLS, Avicii and Olly Murs, among others.
Ryman Auditorium To Launch Webseries
/by Jessica Nicholson“Nissan is a proud partner of Ryman Auditorium and is pleased to present this Backstage web series,” said Jon Brancheau, Nissan’s VP of Marketing. “We’re excited to provide access to innovative and unique content. We’re certain that these videos will resonate with both existing fans of the artists and those who simply value diverse perspectives on this historic venue.”
The series will launch today (Nov. 26) with new Country Music Hall of Fame inductee Kenny Rogers. New episodes will be released via Ryman Auditorium’s YouTube Channel.
The upcoming series will include Old Crow Medicine Show, Ben Harper & Charlie Musselwhite, Jason Isbell, Gov’t Mule and Dawes, among others.
The Mavericks To Take Part in PBS Pledge Drive
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Mavericks. Photo: Mark Tucker
The Valory Music Co. group The Mavericks will bring their signature sounds to the PBS audience to help raise funds during the network’s December pledge drive programming. Beginning this Saturday (Nov. 30), and throughout December, stations nationwide will air The Mavericks: In Time. The special television event will feature hits like “All You Ever do is Bring Me Down” and “Here Comes the Rain” in addition to infectious new tunes such as “Come Unto Me” and “Back In Your Arms Again” from their latest album, In Time.
High Five Entertainment produced The Mavericks: In Time, a 90-minute DVD exclusively available to those who pledge support their local PBS stations. The Mavericks: In Time will air nationwide in several major markets, including Los Angeles, Houston, San Francisco, Seattle and Nashville.
Check local PBS listings for additional markets, airdates and times.
Bigger Picture Group Signs Bain
/by Jessica NicholsonChelsea Bain
Bigger Picture Group has added new artist Chelsea Bain to its roster with an exclusive worldwide recording agreement. Bain headlined the Coca-Cola Stage at over 40 NASCAR races this year.
“We are extremely happy to have Chelsea as part of the Bigger Picture family,” said Bigger Picture Group CEO David Robkin. “She is an incredible artist, performer and young woman. We look forward to rocking with Chelsea in 2014.”
“Work ethic, passion and drive mean a lot in this business, and Chelsea has all of them!” added Michael Powers, President of Bigger Picture Group. “We look forward to helping take her to a whole new level. We are proud to welcome Chelsea to our awesome family of artists at BPG.”
Bain released the independent single “James Dean” earlier this year, along with a music video which premiered on big screens and monitors around the Atlanta Motor Speedway in August.
Industry Ink (11/26/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughMusic Industry matriarch and Hall of Fame member Jo Walker-Meador was honored recently with the 2013 Cecil Scaife Visionary Award at an intimate reception held at the Country Music Association. The award is given annually to an individual whose life and work paved the way for future generations of music industry members. Past recipients of the honor include Mike Curb, Tony Brown, Wynonna Judd, David Briggs, Norbert Putnam and Amy Grant.
Pictured (L-R): Terry Clements, Harold Bradley, Mayor Karl Dean, Sarah Trahern, Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn, Jo Walker-Meador, Mike Curb, La Rawn Scaife Rhea, and Joe Scaife
• • •
Pictured (L-R): CMA Board President Ed Hardy, Walker, Generosity’s Bethni Hemphill, and The Bridge’s Candy Christmas. Photo: Karen Hicks/CMA
Tennessee Titan Delanie Walker stopped by the processing center where gifts are collected and sorted for CMA’s “A Gift for All” to sign footballs for children who are often overlooked.
“A Gift for All” works with Nashville-based partner charities Generosity and The Bridge, Inc. to collect and distribute gifts for children in need.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Pres & CEO, Warner Music Nashville, John Esposito; Mark Burnett; Francesca Battistelli; Pres & CEO, Word Entertainment, Rod Riley.
Mark Burnett (producer of The Voice, Survivor, The Bible mini-series, The Apprentice) was recently in Nashville for a screening of his upcoming 20th Century Fox feature film Son of God and to announce The Bible Tour in partnership with Word Entertainment.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Kenny MacPherson, Damon Bunetta, Zach Katz, John Ryan, Laurent Hubert, and Casey Robison.
Songwriter John Ryan has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Big Deal Music & BMG Chrysalis US. Ryan has co-written multiple One Direction hits including “Best Song Ever” and “Story of My Life.” Additionally, he has co-written cuts by Cody Simpson, JLS, Avicii and Olly Murs, among others.
Lady A, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler To Perform on ACAs
/by Lorie HollabaughNo Shave November Beard Bash Tonight
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 3rd Annual Beard Bash will be held tonight (Nov. 26) at the Tin Roof in Nashville, beginning at 6 p.m. The event is the culmination of the 3rd Annual No Shave November benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Awards will be given out in a variety of categories to participating teams. Overall fundraising awards will be announced Nov. 30.
The event will feature performances from Anthony Smith, Benton Blount, Austin Webb, Mallary Hope, Cowboy Troy, James Otto, Craig Campbell and headliner Steve Wariner.
Admission to the event is free. Tin Roof Nashville is located at 1516 Demonbreun Street.
Sirius XM Prime Country Celebrates 'Deana Day'
/by Jessica NicholsonThe singer-songwriter will head to New York to perform a two-night stand at the famous Joe’s Pub on Dec. 4-5 as part of the critically-acclaimed CMA Songwriter Series.
“I am so anxious to share this new music with everyone,” says Carter. “I know it has been a really long time since I have released anything and a lot of people are hitting me up on my socials wanting to know. Well, Cyber Monday it is. This has been a very cathartic process for me. I am so proud to be able to say that this is the debut on Little Nugget Records as well,” she continues.
Carter recently made her Grand Ole Opry debut, and launched Little Nugget Records, a tribute to her father’s Nugget Records.
For further information, visit deana.com.
Through The Lens (11/26/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): John Osborne, David Nail, T. J. Osborne
David Nail wrapped his North American tour with a sold out show at Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom with the Brothers Osborne this past Saturday evening (Nov. 23). Nail embarked on his 40-city tour in September, playing markets like L.A., Dallas, Houston, Chicago, New York, and Atlanta.
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She’ll also appear in an hour-long special, The Making Of The Sound Of Music Live! on Nov. 27 on NBC.
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Pictured (L-R): Danny Myrick, Kent Blazy, Kris Rochester, Kendell Marvel and Phil O’Donnell
Hit Makers & Rum Chasers, the seasonal songwriter series set in St. Thomas, US Virgin Islands, launched Saturday night (Nov. 23) at the Reichhold Center for the Arts. Hosted by Kris Rochester, of the syndicated Tony & Kris radio show, the evening featured performances by Danny Myrick, Kent Blazy, Kendell Marvel, and Phil O’Donnell, who revealed the stories behind the songs.
ACM and CBS Launch "ACM Sessions" with Moore and Eldredge
/by Jessica NicholsonJustin Moore
The Academy of Country Music and CBS have launched two new performances in the “ACM Sessions” online concert series. “ACM Sessions” with Justin Moore and Brett Eldredge are now available on-demand exclusively on CBS.com and CBS Audience Network partner sites.
ACM Sessions features performances from the artists, as well Q&A sessions with the artists, hosted by the ACM’s Lisa Lee. The performances were taped at The Stage on Broadway in Nashville.
“’ACM Sessions’ brings fans regular access to the country music superstars we feature annually during the ‘Academy of Country Music Awards,’” said Marc DeBevoise, EVP and GM, Entertainment, Sports and News, CBS Interactive. “The series is a great opportunity to expand our partnership with the Academy of Country Music and further support musicians throughout the year alongside our other long-running music programs like ‘Live On Letterman’ and ‘GRAMMY® Live.’”
Fans can watch “ACM Sessions” for Justin Moore and Brett Eldredge on-demand on CBS.com.
Country Christmas Projects For the 2013 Holiday Season
/by Jessica NicholsonSarah Darling/Have A Merry Little Christmas Darling (released Nov. 19, 2013)
– Produced by Steve Gibson, the four-track project includes “The Christmas Song,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas,” “Silent Night” and a cover of the Joni Mitchell track “River.”
Kelly Clarkson/Wrapped In Red (released Oct. 29, 2013)
-This formidable vocalist balances five original tunes with five holiday classics on her first seasonal album. Reba McEntire, Trisha Yearwood, and Ronnie Dunn are featured guests.
Trace Adkins/ The King’s Gift (released Oct. 29, 2013)
-Straying from the typical collection of holiday standards, Adkins takes on a number of Celtic Christmas carols. The Chieftains and British fold singer Emma Stevens are featured guests.
Duck Dynasty/Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas (released Oct. 29, 2013)
Jewel/A Holiday Collection (Sept. 24, 2013)
-Jewel’s first holiday album, Joy, released in 1999. This fresh collection blends the singer-songwriter’s affinity for folk, Country and pop tunes.
Martina McBride/The Classic Christmas Album (Oct. 8, 2013)
-McBride lends her powerful, soaring voice to several holiday classics, including “Away In A Manger,” “O Come All Ye Faithful,” and “Do You Hear What I Hear.”
Gretchen Wilson/Christmas In My Heart (Oct. 8, 2013)
-The 10-song album combines original songs with holiday classics including “I Want A Hippopotamus For Christmas,” “Blue Christmas,” and “Have A Holly Jolly Christmas.”
Restless Heart/Restless Heart Christmas (Oct. 29, 2013)
Other holiday releases this year include:
Johnny Cash/The Classic Christmas Album (Oct. 8, 2013)
George Jones and Tammy Wynette/The Classic Christmas Album (Oct. 8, 2013)