Brian Kaplan
has been upped to Associate Director, Digital Strategy, for
Sony Music Nashville. Most recently Manager of Digital Marketing for Sony Music Nashville’s Arista imprint, Kaplan has been with the label for the past two years. Reporting to Sony Nashville Marketing Sr. VP
Paul Barnabee,
Kaplan will spearhead the exploration, development, and implementation of digital opportunities and partnerships for the label. Before joining Sony Kaplan served as Director of Digital Media for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and in digital marketing roles at Universal Music Group Nashville, Geffen, and Interscope Records in Los Angeles.
• • •
The Cornerstone Agency, known for its campaigns for Diageo, Pepsi, Nike, and others, has announced a wide-ranging global expansion, encompassing a heightened profile in the UK and expansion of existing campaigns into new markets around the world. The UK expansion involves new headquarters in London’s East End and the addition of five new senior hires.
New additions to Cornerstone UK are: Adam Hanim, content manager, who previously served at Converse and MTV; Fiona Ghobrial, senior account manager, previously at Domino; Joe Strinati, senior account director, formerly at FRUKT; and in January, Karen Piper, digital director, formerly head of digital marketing at Columbia Records and owner-managing director of her own agency, Radar Maker. The company has offices in New York, L.A., Nashville, and London.
• • •
The Eleven Seven Music Group has signed an exclusive, worldwide administration agreement with BMG Chrysalis US, covering both master and publishing rights. The companies will work together to secure sync opportunities for artists on Eleven Seven’s roster. Eleven Seven Music Group was founded by industry veteran Allen Kovac and its label roster includes alternative acts such as Shiny Toy Guns, Nico Vega, Oh No Fiasco and Dirty Heads.
“We are already on a roll with BMG, having secured a H&M partnership for Blondie, Dodge sync for Motley Crüe, A&E’s Bonnie & Clyde for Nico Vega, and NFL’s Monday Night Football for Escape The Fate — all before we even made this announcement. Laurent and Hartwig have invested in a global infrastructure that is a perfect synergy for our future growth of Eleven Seven and Five Seven,” says Eleven Seven Music Group CEO, Allen Kovac.
• • •
Erin Oprea
Nashville-based personal trainer
Erin Oprea works with many business execs and celebrities (among them
Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Jennifer Nettles and Alan Jackson’s wife
Denise Jackson). Oprea is expanding her staff of certified trainers at Oprea Personal Fitness to meet a growing client base in Nashville. Trainers are available to trainer privately at clients’ homes and on the road when necessary.
Oprea received her first certification as a personal trainer at the age of 18. When she turned 20, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and nine years of service included two tours of duty in Iraq. She made history when she was appointed to lead the first female platoon attached to the infantry in a war zone. As a result of her military career, she became even more highly aware of the importance of physical fitness and nutrition. She currently resides in Nashville with her husband and two sons and has been in business since 2006.
For additional information, visit
opreapersonalfitness.com.
Swift, Florida Georgia Line Lead Nashville AMA Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift is the darling of American music, as evidenced by the 23-year-old earning four trophies at last night’s (Nov. 24) American Music Awards. Swift took home the night’s top honor, Artist of the Year, a title she previously took home in 2011.
She also took home trophies for Favorite Album, Country (for RED), along with Favorite Female Artist, Country, and Favorite Female Artist, Pop/Rock, solidifying her reign as an artist who can successfully straddle both genres. Swift has held the title of Favorite Female Artist, Country, since 2008.
Duo Florida Georgia Line won their first American Music Award, earning the all-genre honor of Single of the Year for their remix of “Cruise” (featuring Nelly).
Meanwhile, Luke Bryan repeated his win in the Favorite Male Artist, Country category, while Lady Antebellum walked away with the trophy for Favorite Band, Duo or Group, Country. The trio has held that title since 2010.
Matthew West was honored as Favorite Artist, Contemporary Inspirational.
All photos by Matt Brown/ABC.
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Hummingbird Productions' 'It's a Wonderful Life' Sequel May Halt
/by Jessica NicholsonEarlier reports announced Nashville-based production company Hummingbird Productions, with Star Partners, planned to produce It’s A Wonderful Life: The Rest of the Story, a sequel to the 1946 holiday classic featuring James Stewart as George Bailey and Donna Reed as Mary Hatch. The sequel would feature Karolyn Grimes, who played George Bailey’s daughter in the original film.
Hummingbird Production’s president Bob Farnsworth previously told The Hollywood Reporter that the property’s rights were in the public domain.
'MusicRow' No. 1 Song
/by Eric T. ParkerSongwriters Jaren Johnston and Neil Mason helped wet the appetite of Owen’s fans hungry for new music with the 12-track album’s first single.
From a production aspect, MusicRow recently talked with Joey Moi about his contributions to the 2013 release. “Jake’s such a good singer, but we needed to brand Jake in a way. He has a special gift with his voice. The best way to answer that is for him to find those songs that accent his voice.”
And what about the music video? Owen left his 2013 Malibu Wakesetter at home for a 2014 model, which was featured in the video. But who wouldn’t want a chance to get on the lake any way you can? As Owen’s trademark become increasingly synonymous with water activities, director Mason Dixon primed fans with part one of a to-be-continued music video. The ending teases two lake-goers jumping in a raised Chevy truck, headed for Daytona Beach at dusk. Watch the “Days of Gold” music video below.
Pre-order the album at Target for four additional tracks.
Industry Ink (11/22/13)
/by Lorie HollabaughBrian Kaplan
Brian Kaplan has been upped to Associate Director, Digital Strategy, for Sony Music Nashville. Most recently Manager of Digital Marketing for Sony Music Nashville’s Arista imprint, Kaplan has been with the label for the past two years. Reporting to Sony Nashville Marketing Sr. VP Paul Barnabee,
Kaplan will spearhead the exploration, development, and implementation of digital opportunities and partnerships for the label. Before joining Sony Kaplan served as Director of Digital Media for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, and in digital marketing roles at Universal Music Group Nashville, Geffen, and Interscope Records in Los Angeles.
• • •
New additions to Cornerstone UK are: Adam Hanim, content manager, who previously served at Converse and MTV; Fiona Ghobrial, senior account manager, previously at Domino; Joe Strinati, senior account director, formerly at FRUKT; and in January, Karen Piper, digital director, formerly head of digital marketing at Columbia Records and owner-managing director of her own agency, Radar Maker. The company has offices in New York, L.A., Nashville, and London.
• • •
“We are already on a roll with BMG, having secured a H&M partnership for Blondie, Dodge sync for Motley Crüe, A&E’s Bonnie & Clyde for Nico Vega, and NFL’s Monday Night Football for Escape The Fate — all before we even made this announcement. Laurent and Hartwig have invested in a global infrastructure that is a perfect synergy for our future growth of Eleven Seven and Five Seven,” says Eleven Seven Music Group CEO, Allen Kovac.
• • •
Erin Oprea
Nashville-based personal trainer Erin Oprea works with many business execs and celebrities (among them Carrie Underwood, Lauren Alaina, Jennifer Nettles and Alan Jackson’s wife Denise Jackson). Oprea is expanding her staff of certified trainers at Oprea Personal Fitness to meet a growing client base in Nashville. Trainers are available to trainer privately at clients’ homes and on the road when necessary.
Oprea received her first certification as a personal trainer at the age of 18. When she turned 20, she enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corp and nine years of service included two tours of duty in Iraq. She made history when she was appointed to lead the first female platoon attached to the infantry in a war zone. As a result of her military career, she became even more highly aware of the importance of physical fitness and nutrition. She currently resides in Nashville with her husband and two sons and has been in business since 2006.
For additional information, visit opreapersonalfitness.com.
Eric Paslay's Debut Album To Release in February
/by Eric T. ParkerThe announcement was made this week (Nov. 20) by UMG Nashville Chairman/CEO Mike Dungan during a luncheon at the city’s new restaurant in the Omni Hotel, Barlines.
The Texas native’s 2014 debut will feature 11-titles (full track listing below), including “Friday Night,” which has been featured during weekly ESPN College Football Friday primetime broadcasts.
Wednesday’s luncheon included a live preview of five songs including “Friday Night;” a catchy rocking’ tune “Keep On Fallin’;” a reminder of the power of compassion and forgiveness with “Less Than Whole,” written with Big Kenny; “Country Side of Heaven” featuring Little Big Town‘s vocals on the record; and ‘Song about a Girl,” a co-write that “’aint about tailgates, bonfires, water towers, back roads, hometowns or Chevys. ”
Paslay is a co-writer on a number of hits over the past few years, including “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” (Eli Young Band), “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” (Jake Owen), “Angel Eyes” (Love & Theft), as well as album cuts, including the title track of Lady Antebellum’s album Golden, which Paslay co-wrote with the band.
Paslay worked with producers Marshall Altman and Daniel Hill/Billy Lynn for Cal IV Productions on his debut album.
Paslay will be touring with Eli Young Band through the end of this year.
Eric Paslay Track Listing:
1. “Keep On Fallin’” (Written by Eric Paslay, Matt Nolan and Skip Black)
2. “Friday Night” (Written by Eric Paslay, Rose Falcon and Rob Crosby)
3. “Less Than Whole” (Written by Eric Paslay and Kenny Alphin)
4. “Country Side Of Heaven” (Written by Eric Paslay, Dylan Altman and Shane McAnally)
5. “Never Really Wanted” (Written by Eric Paslay and Walt Aldridge)
6. “Here Comes Love” (Written by Eric Paslay and Anthony Cappolino)
7. “Like A Song” (Written by Eric Paslay and Jason Delkou)
8. “Good With Wine” (Written by Eric Paslay, Jessi Alexander and Gordie Sampson)
9. “She Don’t Love You” (Written by Eric Paslay and Jennifer Wayne)
10. “Song About A Girl” (Written by Eric Paslay, Jessi Alexander and Gordie Sampson)
11. “Deep As It Is Wide” (Written by Eric Paslay)
3rd Annual Beard Bash Set For Nov. 26
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 3rd Annual No Shave November benefiting St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital®, has raised $115,000 toward this year’s goal of $150,000 thus far. Participants are awaiting The Beard Bash at Nashville’s Tin Roof next Tuesday, Nov. 26 at 6:00pm. Steve Wariner, Craig Campbell, Terri Clark, James Otto, Cowboy Troy, Anthony Smith and Austin Webb are scheduled to perform with ’90s Country cover band The Old 96ers. Additional artists will be announced closer to the date.
Various awards will be presented at the Beard Bash, and overall fundraising awards will be announced on Nov. 30. Local beard product company Beardition will provide prizes for all winners, while Dollar General has donated shaving cream and razors to No Shave November participants.
The 2013 Honorary Chairman Of The Beard, Keifer Thompson of Thompson Square, was last year’s top fundraising artist and is hoping to repeat this year. Team LOGS is currently in the fundraising lead, and Team UMG, lead by Captain Willie Robertson (who had a several year head-start on his beard) is currently in second place. Warner Music Group’s “Warner Whiskers” is in third, and Team Big 98/Bobby Bones Show and the Chris Young Fan Club round out the top five.
Each team and individual has been rallying friends, family, fans and listeners to make donations to St. Jude in support of the teams’ efforts. Donations raised during No Shave November will help St. Jude continue its lifesaving mission of finding cures and saving children battling cancer and other deadly diseases.
Visit waystohelp.st.jude.org to donate.
International Music Streaming Service Deezer Eyeing America
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“The launch date is not final yet. But 2014 will be an American year for us,” co-founder and CTO Daniel Marhely told the news agency AFP.
BMLG Hires Halpern As Sr. Director, Special Projects/Radio Promotion
/by Jessica NicholsonMarni Halpern
The Big Machine Label Group has added Marni Halpern for the newly-created role of Sr. Director of Special Projects/Radio Promotion. Halpern will work across the entire Big Machine Label Group network.
“Marni is an incredible promotion executive who brings years of experience, a wealth of knowledge, an incredible passion for airplay domination and is a lightning bolt of fresh energy that adds mightily to our cache of weapons for 2014,” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta.
In the early 90s, Halpern began honing her skills at Roadrunner Records, working with college radio promotion. She followed with stints at Motown Records and Epic Records as the Northeast Regional before spending five years as the VP of Pop Promotion for Atlantic/Lava Records. Most recently, Halpern returned to Epic Records for a seven-year tenure as VP of Pop Promotion. She can now be reached at marni.halpern@bmlg.net.
500 Extra Tickets Released For George Jones Tribute Show Tonight
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Jones
MusicRow has confirmed that 500 extra tickets have been released for tonight’s (Nov. 22) Nashville tribute concert for George Jones. The tickets can be purchased at the box office, through Ticketmaster or at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Playin’ Possum! The Final No Show will also be broadcast live on a jumbotron outside the Bridgestone Arena plaza.
More than 100 artists will perform tonight to honor the late superstar. Jones died in April of this year.
The show at Bridgestone Arena starts at 7:30 p.m.
Among the artists to perform at tonight’s event are Alabama, Alan Jackson, Baillie & the Boys, Big & Rich, Bill Anderson, Blake Shelton, Bobby Bare, Brad Paisley, Brenda Lee, Chad Warrix (Halfway to Hazzard), Charlie Daniels, Collin Raye, Craig Morgan, Dailey & Vincent and many others.
Deana Carter's 'Southern Way Of Life' Releasing Next Month
/by Lorie HollabaughProduced by Carter and recorded at Hollywood Sound Studio, the new CD includes songs co-written with Kacey Musgraves (“I Don’t Want To”), Kimberly Perry (“You Can’t Stay”), Tyler Hilton (“Waiting For You To Come Home”), and more.
“Most of these songs mimic my own life,” says Carter. “Instinctively autobiographical, the project weaves through many levels of emotions and situations culminating with the title track that will make any Southerner smile.”
USA Today debuted a new video for “Do Or Die” online on Nov. 20, and Carter is also planning a re-release of her holiday album Father Christmas in December.
1. You Can’t Stay
2. Before You Left
3. I Know Better
4. I’ll Save My Love
5. I Don’t Want To
6. That’s Just Me
7. Waiting For You
8. I Barely Knew
9. Do or Die
10. Southern Way of Life