Pictured (Back row, L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and BMI’s Clay Bradley; (Front row, L-R): co-writer Troy Verges, Hunter Hayes and co-writer Lori McKenna.
This is shaping up to be a great week for
Hunter Hayes; not only is he gearing up to
headline the
CMT On Tour: Hunter Hayes’ Let Be Crazy Tour on Oct. 10, but he recently celebrated his chart-topping single “I Want Crazy.”
“I Want Crazy” was penned by Hayes,
Lori McKenna and
Troy Verges, and published by Songs of Universal, Happy Little Man Publishing, Songs from the Engine Room, and Hoodie Songs.
The writers were honored at a No. 1 party yesterday (Oct. 8) at BMI’s Nashville office. Among those honored included
Kent Earls for Universal Music Publishing Group, album co-producer
Dann Huff, Universal Music Publishing Group’s
Cyndi Forman, and Warner Music Nashville’s
John Esposito.
This marks the first chart-topping song for McKenna, who has had songs recorded by
Faith Hill and other artists. “The day we wrote this song in Nashville I knew I was the luckiest woman in Nashville for being in the room with these writers,” said McKenna. “
Barry Dean has a song called ‘Judge A Man,’ which talks about how you can judge a man by the woman that he’s with. If I am judged by the songwriters I’m around, I am a lucky woman.”
“This is one of those dream songs,” said Huff. “For those of us who are in love, it says what we want to say. Lightning struck twice with this and ‘Wanted.’ Then you have someone like Hunter who performs it so well,” said Huff.
Avenue Bank’s
Cooper Samuels was on hand to announce a donation that Avenue Bank would be making to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters. BMI’s
Jody Williams and
Clay Bradley,
Brandi Simms from the Country Music Association and
Michelle Kammerer from the Country Radio Broadcasters also honored the songwriters.
“I am a fan of these professors of songwriting,” said Hayes. “I learn so much from everyone that I write with.” The celebration ended with McKenna, Verges and Hayes performing “I Want Crazy” for the enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers.
Given Music Publishing Forms; Names Sebastian VP/GM
/by Jessica NicholsonMike Sebastian
The newly formed Given Music Publishing has appointed veteran music publisher Mike Sebastian as VP/General Manager.
“Songwriters are the heartbeat of our industry,” said industry veteran Cindy Owen and partner Jim Kacmarcik in a joint statement. “It was important to find someone with the vision, track record and a strong commitment to the writers and the songwriting community to lead our publishing division. We have found all of that in Mike and are honored to have him join our executive team as we build our Given Entertainment family.”
Sebastian was formerly the Senior Director of Catalog for ole music following the sale of his company, Blacktop Music Group, to ole in 2010. Prior to Blacktop, Sebastian was the VP/GM of Starstruck Writers Group until its sale to Warner/Chappell in 2001.
“Knowing Cindy for 20 years and the reputation she has in the industry and the businessman I have come to know in Jim, I am thrilled to have this opportunity with them,” said Sebastian. “I look forward to building a great publishing company together. After the success of Blacktop, I’ve been wanting to start a company again, and they have provided me the chance,” said Sebastian.
Mike can be reached at mike@givenmusicpublishing.com or 615-430-2491.
'CMA Country Christmas' To Air In December
/by Eric T. ParkerPreviously announced performers for the CMA event include host Jennifer Nettles in addition to Trace Adkins, Luke Bryan, Sheryl Crow, Lucy Hale, Jake Owen, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker and Michael W. Smith.
Audience members for the special, which tapes live at Nashville’s Bridgestone arena on Friday, Nov. 8, are encouraged to bring a new, unwrapped toy to be distributed to Nashville area homeless families. Nashville-based, non-profit group Generosity will collect the toys in specially marked bins starting Friday, Nov. 8 at 1:00 p.m./CT at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza. Last year, more than 5,000 toys were collected.
Tickets for the program range from $25-50 and can be purchased at ticketmaster.com; by calling 800-745-3000; or at the Bridgestone Arena Box Office. Tickets are not required to drop off a toy.
Taylor Swift, Florida Georgia Line Score Multiple AMA Nominations
/by Jessica NicholsonSwift was nominated in the Artist of the Year category, alongside Justin Timberlake, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis. She also earned a nod for Favorite Female Artist-Pop/Rock, alongside P!nk and Rihanna. Her album RED will compete for Favorite Album-Pop/Rock alongside Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience and One Direction‘s Take Me Home.
Florida Georgia Line was nominated in the all-genre New Artist of the Year Award category, alongside Ariana Grande, Imagine Dragons, Phillip Phillips and Macklemore & Ryan Lewis; the duo’s collaboration with Nelly on a remix of “Cruise” also earned a Single of the Year nomination, alongside “Blurred Lines” (Robin Thicke ft. Pharrell & T.I.) and “Thrift Shop” (Macklemore & Ryan Lewis ft. Wanz).
The Favorite Male Artist-Country category features nominees Blake Shelton, Luke Bryan and Hunter Hayes. Swift, Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood are nominated for Favorite Female Artist-Country, while The Band Perry, Florida Georgia Line and Lady Antebellum will compete for the title of Favorite Band, Duo or Group-Country. In the Favorite Album-Country category, Bryan’s Crash My Party, Swift’s RED, and Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times are up for the honor.
It was also announced that Miley Cyrus and Imagine Dragons will be performing on this year’s show, which will be broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. live on Sunday, Nov. 24 (8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT) on ABC. Additional acts and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks.
View the full list of nominations below.
2013 AMERICAN MUSIC AWARDS NOMINEES:
ARTIST OF THE YEAR
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR PRESENTED BY KOHL’S
SINGLE OF THE YEAR
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – POP/ROCK
FAVORITE BAND, DUO OR GROUP – POP/ROCK
FAVORITE ALBUM – POP/ROCK
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – COUNTRY
FAVORITE BAND, DUO or GROUP – COUNTRY
FAVORITE ALBUM – COUNTRY
FAVORITE ARTIST – RAP/HIP-HOP
FAVORITE ALBUM – RAP/HIP-HOP
FAVORITE MALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
FAVORITE FEMALE ARTIST – SOUL/R&B
FAVORITE ALBUM – SOUL/R&B
FAVORITE ARTIST – ALTERNATIVE ROCK
FAVORITE ARTIST – ADULT CONTEMPORARY
FAVORITE ARTIST – LATIN
FAVORITE ARTIST – CONTEMPORARY INSPIRATIONAL
FAVORITE ARTIST – ELECTRONIC DANCE MUSIC (EDM)
TOP SOUNDTRACK
Roger Cook Latest 'Poet And Prophet' Honored By Hall Of Fame
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): John Prine, Roger Cook, Bobby Wood and Museum Editor Michael Gray
Songwriter Roger Cook was honored recently in the Country Music Hall of Fame’s quarterly series “Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters.” He is the pen behind hits like “Here Comes That Rainy Day Feeling Again,” “Long Cool Woman (in a Black Dress), “I Believe In You,” and the well-known ’70’s Coke jingle “I’d Like To Teach The World To Sing (in Perfect Harmony).”
The Poets and Prophets programs showcase the careers of songwriters who have made significant contributions to country music history.
Underwood Receives Multiple Sales Honors in New York
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Carrie Underwood and Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton.
Carrie Underwood was recently surprised with multiple honors by Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Gary Overton. Following her Sound of Music rehearsal on Monday (Oct. 7) in New York City, Underwood was presented with three plaques commemorating recent RIAA certifications. “Good Girl” reached double platinum status for more than 2 million downloads, while “Two Black Cadillacs” is now platinum for more than 1 million downloads. Her debut DVD, The Blown Away Tour: LIVE has reached gold status.
Underwood is up for three trophies at this year’s CMA Awards, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (Blown Away) and Video of the Year (“Blown Away”).
Underwood is temporarily residing in New York as she rehearses for the live three-hour broadcast of the original Broadway production of The Sound of Music on NBC on Dec. 5 at 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET. Underwood will return briefly to Nashville to-host the 47th Annual CMA Awards with Arista Nashville label-mate Brad Paisley on ABC on Nov. 6 at 7 p.m. CT/8 p.m. ET.
Michael Knox Produces ‘Nashville’ Single
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): ABC’s Nashville Executive Music Producer Buddy Miller, actor/singer Chris Carmack and producer Michael Knox.
Producer Michael Knox has produced the next single for ABC’s Nashville, called “What If I Was Willing.” The single will air on tonight’s episode (Oct. 9) at 9 p.m. CST.
Chris Carmack, who portrays rising Country entertainer Will Lexington on the show, performed the single, which was co-written by Randy Montana, Billy Montana and Brian Davis. Knox has previously worked with the ABC show, co-producing “The Wrong Song” featuring Connie Britton and Hayden Panettiere with T-Bone Burnett, as well as “I’m A Girl” featuring Panettiere.
“I had the privilege of cutting a couple things on the show last year and the producers called me this year and wanted to know if I wanted to be a part of it,” said Knox. “It’s a great experience and I loved the cast that I got to record with.”
Knox has produced work for multiple artists, including Jason Aldean, Bush Hawg, Rachel Farley, Trace Adkins, Thomas Rhett, Big SMO, Kelly Clarkson, Ludacris, Luke Bryan & Eric Church, Montgomery Gentry, Randy Owen, Josh Thompson, Frankie Ballard, Hank Williams Jr., Brother Trouble, Chuck Wicks and others.
Fans can visit ABC Music Lounge to view an extended performance of “What If I Was Willing.” The single is available for download on iTunes.
Yahoo Becomes Digital Partner of American Music Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughYahoo will also live stream a three-hour digital red carpet pre-show special as part of the new partnership, and will carry a variety of AMA digital programming and content, including rehearsal exclusives, artist interviews, backstage coverage and more. The American Music Awards will broadcast live from L.A.’s Nokia Theatre in downtown Los Angeles on Sunday, Nov. 24th at 8 p.m. ET on ABC. Produced by dick clark productions, the show is seen each year in more than 160 countries around the world.
Performers Added to Buds-n-Suds Nashville Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonThe event will support the Crohn’s & Colitis Foundation of America (CCFA) Tennessee Chapter. General admission tickets are free and VIP tickets are available for a $50 donation. VIP tickets include a special seating area, drink tickets and light appetizers. Doors will open at 5:30 p.m.; Loser’s is located at 1911 Division Street in Nashville.
Buds-n-Suds is produced by Harbor Entertainment.
No. 1 Celebration: Hunter Hayes' "I Want Crazy"
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and BMI’s Clay Bradley; (Front row, L-R): co-writer Troy Verges, Hunter Hayes and co-writer Lori McKenna.
This is shaping up to be a great week for Hunter Hayes; not only is he gearing up to headline the CMT On Tour: Hunter Hayes’ Let Be Crazy Tour on Oct. 10, but he recently celebrated his chart-topping single “I Want Crazy.”
“I Want Crazy” was penned by Hayes, Lori McKenna and Troy Verges, and published by Songs of Universal, Happy Little Man Publishing, Songs from the Engine Room, and Hoodie Songs.
The writers were honored at a No. 1 party yesterday (Oct. 8) at BMI’s Nashville office. Among those honored included Kent Earls for Universal Music Publishing Group, album co-producer Dann Huff, Universal Music Publishing Group’s Cyndi Forman, and Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito.
This marks the first chart-topping song for McKenna, who has had songs recorded by Faith Hill and other artists. “The day we wrote this song in Nashville I knew I was the luckiest woman in Nashville for being in the room with these writers,” said McKenna. “Barry Dean has a song called ‘Judge A Man,’ which talks about how you can judge a man by the woman that he’s with. If I am judged by the songwriters I’m around, I am a lucky woman.”
“This is one of those dream songs,” said Huff. “For those of us who are in love, it says what we want to say. Lightning struck twice with this and ‘Wanted.’ Then you have someone like Hunter who performs it so well,” said Huff.
Avenue Bank’s Cooper Samuels was on hand to announce a donation that Avenue Bank would be making to MusiCares on behalf of the songwriters. BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley, Brandi Simms from the Country Music Association and Michelle Kammerer from the Country Radio Broadcasters also honored the songwriters.
“I am a fan of these professors of songwriting,” said Hayes. “I learn so much from everyone that I write with.” The celebration ended with McKenna, Verges and Hayes performing “I Want Crazy” for the enthusiastic crowd of well-wishers.
Industry Ink (10-9-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonJay Thomas
Jay Thomas has returned to the independent promotions business by reopening his Jay Thomas Promotions, which previously operated for more than two years from 2010 to 2012. Thomas has extensive radio contacts throughout the country at Mediabase & BDS-monitored stations, as well as in the secondary markets on the Billboard Indicator and MusicRow levels.
He spent 20 years in Country radio as a program director, music director, and on-air host. In addition to his own promotion business, Jay has been a regional promoter for Streamsound and Treehouse Records and has covered the Northeast, Midwest and Southeast regions. Thomas can be contacted at jaythomaspromo@gmail.com or at 703-888-1826.
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Items autographed by Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert, Aaron Lewis and other artists will be up for auction on Thursday (Oct. 10) as part of the Safe Haven Hike for the Homeless Patron’s Party, which will take place at Nashville’s Pinnacle Building (28th floor). Attendees can enjoy food, drinks, and live music from musician Rick Monroe. The party is in support of the ninth annual Hike for the Homeless, which will take place at Edwin Warner Park on Saturday, Nov. 2.
The event cost is a $50.00 per person donation and tickets can be found at safehaven.org.
• • •
All proceeds of the event will be donated to Songs for Sound, a Nashville-based charity benefiting profoundly deaf children through cochlear implants. Anyone wishing to opt out of the karaoke portion can donate $10. There will also be contests including the Jack-O-Lantern contest (the professionals with the best pumpkin will win a price), the Bobbing for Apples Challenge and a Costume Contest with prices for Most Inappropriate, Scariest, Most Original, Best Couple/Group Costume.
Limited drinks and appetizers will be provided courtesy of SOLID and WMBA.