J.P. Arencibia and Kimberly Perry
had a lifelong dream come true Monday night (Sept. 30) when she accepted a proposal from boyfriend, Torontos Blue Jays pitcher
J.P. Arencibia, her publicist confirms. Arencibia surprised Perry by appearing under a huge old oak tree on her parents’ property with ring in hand. She had always envisioned getting proposed to under that tree, and when she realized what was happening, her mother urged her to go put on her favorite pink dress – also part of her dream proposal scenario. Inside with the dress Perry found a letter from her family along with a locket bracelet her grandfather had given her grandmother years ago in their early days of courtship.
The couple first met in 2012 at the Florida Strawberry Festival and have been dating for a year and a half. The other men in Kimberly’s life, her father, and siblings
Reid and
Neil, wholeheartedly approve of Arencibia — a first for the brothers, according to Kimberly. The couple are planning to be married next Summer.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Purple Heart Recipient and Former SEAL, B.K. (Bert Kellerman); Lauren Kellerman, Navy SEAL Foundation Director of Programming; Urban; Petty Officer First Class Emily Feeks, (wife of Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Patrick Feeks, KIA Afghanistan
has donated his royalties from his song, “For You,” which was penned for the film
Act of Valor, to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The non-profit helps SEAL families and their parent commands with financial burdens and offers needed support and activities. Urban presented a $300,000 check to the organization last Saturday night at his San Diego show.
“The Navy SEAL Foundation is humbled by Keith’s generosity and support of our community and its families,” said
Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation. His generous donation will help fund resiliency retreats for 120 SEALs and their families, fund the opportunity for over 500 Naval Special Warfare children to attend summer camp in 2014, where they’ll learn the importance of teamwork, communication, cooperation, goal setting and overcoming adversity.”
• • •
Taylor Swift
is taking her
Red tour across the pond for several shows in London at the O2 Arena on Feb. 1, 2, and 4. She announced the new dates via
YouTube and social media, and the dates mark a return to the UK for the young superstar, who also played the O2 on her
Speak Now World Tour in 2011.
• • •
Josh Thompson
has partnered with the
Chicago Beer Company in support of his latest single, “Cold Beer With Your Name On It.” Illinois fans will receive a
free download of the song with the purchase of a six-pack of Chicago Beer. The company will also host a VIP reception/sound check event at his Nov. 30 show, and at three other Chicago shows in 2014 which will feature a three-song, acoustic set by Thompson.
• • •
Christian artist Jason Crabb premiered the video for his new single, “Love Is Stronger,” yesterday on USAToday.com. His new CD of the same title is out now.
Vector Management, Ronnie Dunn Part Ways
/by Jessica NicholsonRonnie Dunn
Singer-songwriter Ronnie Dunn is no longer signed with Vector Management.
“FYI…..I’m no longer with VECTOR Management. No bad blood just headed in another direction. Love Ken Levitan and that whole bunch. Thanks for the friendship and learning experience. Let’s go Little Will-e!” Dunn stated via social media.
The entertainer recently formed his own record label, Little Will-E Records. His recent single, “Kiss You There,” was promoted through a deal with HitShop Records.
Dunn is listed as one of the special guest performers during the final leg of George Strait‘s The Cowboy Rides Away Tour, and has recorded a duet with Kelly Clarkson for her upcoming Christmas album, Wrapped in Red, which debuts Oct. 29.
Mark Your Calendar – October 2013
/by Eric T. ParkerAlbum Releases
Charlie Robison/High Life/Thirty Tigers
Colt Ford/Ride Through the Country Revisited/Average Joes
Those Darlins/Blur The Line/Oh Wow Dang
October 8
Cassadee Pope/Frame By Frame/Republic Nashville
Kenny Rogers/You Can’t Make Old Friends/Warner Bros. Records
Joe Nichols/Crickets/Red Bow Records
Joey+Rory/Made To Last/Farmhouse Recordings
Larry Cordle/The Cord Files: All-Star Duets/MightyCord Records
Amos Lee/Mountains Of Sorrow, Rivers Of Song/Blue Note Records
Patty Griffin/Silver Bell/Universal Music Enterprises
October 15
Scotty McCreery/See You Tonight/19 Recordings
Jason Aldean/Night Train Tour [DVD]
Natalie Grant/Hurricane/Curb Records
Logan Brill/Walking Wires/Carnival Music
Will Hoge/Never Give In/Cumberland Recordings
Chase Rice/Ready Set Roll
October 17
Madeleine Slate/Fine Lines
October 22
Brandy Clark/12 Stories/Slate Creek Records
October 29
Toby Keith/Drinks After Work/SDU
Thomas Rhett/It Goes Like This/The Valory Music Co.
Robertson Family/Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas/Universal Music Group Nashville
Julie Roberts/Good Wine and Bad Decisions/Sun Records-Red River-Sony RED
George Ducas/4340/Loud Ranch
Kelly Clarkson/Wrapped In Red/RCA-Columbia Nashville
Restless Heart/A Restless Heart Christmas/Red River Entertainment
Trace Adkins/The King’s Gift/Caliburn Records-Sony RED
Mindy Smith/Snowed In [EP]/Giant Leap-TVX Records
Pictured (L-R): Bobby Bare, “Cowboy” Jack Clement, and Kenny Rogers inducted to the Country Music Hall of Fame during Medallion Ceremony. Photo: John Russell.
Industry Events
October 1-6
Pensacola Beach Songwriters Festival
October 4-6
Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 5-8
5th Annual Country on the Beach at the Reach Resort in Key West
October 11-13
Austin City Limits Music Festival
October 13
43rd Annual Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony at the Music City Center
October 15
Dove Awards at Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena
October 19-22
43rd annual IEBA Conference at Nashville’s Omni Hotel
October 22
T.J. Martell New York Honors Gala at the Cipriani
October 20-24
2013 ICM Faith, Family and Country Convention and Awards at Two Rivers Fellowship at Opryland
October 24
19th annual Inspirational Country Music Awards at Two Rivers Fellowship at Opryland
October 27
Medallion Ceremony at the Country Music Hall of Fame
October 28
Final CMA ballot closes at 5:00 p.m. CT
October 31
Last day to submit for the 2013 NSAI Song Contest presented by CMT
October 7
Leah Turner/Take The Keys/Columbia Nashville
Aaron Watson/July In Cheyenne/HTK Records
Brad Long/Every Heart Has a Different Road/Blackwater Records
Susan Ashton/Moonshine/Be Music & Entertainment
Florida Georgia Line/Stay/Republic Nashville
Josh Pruno/Cut Offs/Lawrence
October 14
Aaron & Amanda Crabb/If I’m Guilty/differencemedia
Grayson/You & America/Way Outback Records
Old Crow Medicine Show/Dixieland Delight/ATO Records
Dan + Shay/19 You + Me/Warner Bros.-WAR
Rodney Atkins/Doin’ It Right/Curb
Sins Country/Muscadine/Go Time Records
Lady Antebellum/Compass/Capitol Nashville
October 21
Samantha Landrum/What If/Reviver Records
Ty Herndon/Lies I Told Myself/Flying Island
Blackjack Billy/Get Some/Bigger Picture
Jerrod Niemann/Drink To That All Night/Sea Gayle-Arista Nashville
Rachel Farley/Midnight Road/Red Bow
Weston Burt/Smile That Smile/HitShop
October 28
Little River Band/You Dream, I’ll Drive/Frontiers
Mitch Goudy/Blow These Speakers Out/Third Floor Records
Artist Growth Names Advisory Board
/by Lorie HollabaughArtist Growth has also added another partner to streamline the management of online platforms for artists and managers: Bandsintown, an app used by over 170,000 artists. The app gives Artist Growth clients the ability to sync their AG accounts with their Bandsintown accounts. Artist Growth is also preparing an “EP Package” geared specifically for indie artists who don’t fall under the umbrella of its major management partners. As a free benefit, any artist can access basic management tools including event listing, inventory, finance ledger, and task management.
AC Entertainment To Open Nashville Office
/by Michael_SmithMiller has spent more than 25 years in the entertainment industry, working in events, promotion, artist relations and philanthropy. She has previously held positions at Gibson Brands and The Gibson Foundation, and currently serves on the advisory committee for Music Makes Us and Music Health Alliance.
“Nashville has felt like a second home to us for more than a decade. It was time to make it official,” said AC Entertainment founder Ashley Capps. “Whether we are strengthening our Bonnaroo initiatives with the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau and the city of Nashville or nurturing our relationships with the venues and industry folks in town, Nashville is core to the work we are doing as a company. The city is bursting with inspiration and energy, and we are excited to be spending more time here.”
Nina Miller
“With Nina at the helm, our Nashville office will allow us to further develop the connection between our current projects and Nashville’s continually expanding music and entertainment community,” added Capps. “It will also better enable us to explore opportunities and support projects elsewhere.”
AC Entertainment has developed several relationships in the Nashville community. In addition to Bonnaroo, AC has working relationships with the Ryman Auditorium, Bridgestone Arena, Municipal Auditorium, the Cannery Ballroom, the Nashville Symphony for the Schermerhorn Symphony Center and more.
AC’s new office will continue to assist clients with festival and event creation and production, booking, marketing and promotion throughout the country.
Miller can be reached at nmiller@acentertainment.com.
Bryan's 'Crash My Party' Certified Platinum
/by Jessica NicholsonThe album’s title track has sold 1.3 million downloads and Crash My Party follows his double-platinum 2011 Tailgates & Tanlines.
Bryan is currently gearing up to launch his fifth Farm Tour 2013 this week, with eight shows from Oct. 2 to Oct. 12. Special guests performing during the tour include Chancie Neal, Cole Swindell and the Peach Pickers (Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip).
Combustion Music Premieres Uncut Songs
/by Eric T. ParkerCombustion President and Owner Chris Farren welcomed attendees and extended appreciation to Northwestern Mutual and Tacklebox Films alongside Vice President Chris Van Belkom and Creative Director Kenley Flynn. “This video was done in one day at Ocean Way,” said Farren. “It is something we are very proud of, and most of the writers are here.”
Nicole Flamia Produced the piece for Tacklebox, while Ryan Lassan directed and edited the video in an effort to make the publishing company’s copyrights more compelling for major release. The first Songwriter Session achieved four cuts since the video’s release, while the second yielded six cuts from its track listing. After premiering, videos are then individually uploaded to YouTube for additional promotional exposure.
Combustion songwriters including Brett James, Ashley Gorley, Brett Tyler, Kelly Archer, Zach Cromwell, Matt Jenkins, Blair Daly, Jerry Flowers, recently signed Show Dog-Universal duo Native Run (Rachel Beauregard, Bryan Dawley), and Matthew West performed titles alongside co-writers and musicians in the Nashville studio. Vocalists on various tracks included Sarah Buxton, Mickey Guyton, Shane McAnally, Natalie Hemby and Steve Moakler.
Copies of songs were available to attendees on CD as they exited the theatre. Songs are available for listening on Combustion’s Soundcloud.
Combustion Songwriter Sessions Vol. III Track List:
“Sober Sunrise” (Brett James/Steve Moakler/Jessi Alexander)
“Drink It Up” (Ashley Gorley/Phil O’Donnell/Wade Kirby)
“Love On Ya” (Brett Tyler/Lucie Silvas/Eric Snyder/John Osborne)
“Dirt Road Therapy” (Kelly Archer/Zach Crowell/Matt Jenkins)
“Something We Shouldn’t Do” (Jenkins/Shane McAnally/Jimmy Robbins)
“Something Borrowed” (Kelly Archer/Natalie Hemby/Butch Walker)
“Maps Out The Window” (Sarah Buxton/Blair Daly/Nathan Chapman)
“You’re The One” (Jerry Flowers/Kelly Archer/Zach Crowell/Mickey Guyton)
“High Heels and Four Wheels (Native Run/Ryan Hurd)
“Into The Light” (Matthew West/Pete Kipley)
Artist Updates (10-1-13)
/by Lorie HollabaughJ.P. Arencibia and Kimberly Perry
Kimberly Perry had a lifelong dream come true Monday night (Sept. 30) when she accepted a proposal from boyfriend, Torontos Blue Jays pitcher J.P. Arencibia, her publicist confirms. Arencibia surprised Perry by appearing under a huge old oak tree on her parents’ property with ring in hand. She had always envisioned getting proposed to under that tree, and when she realized what was happening, her mother urged her to go put on her favorite pink dress – also part of her dream proposal scenario. Inside with the dress Perry found a letter from her family along with a locket bracelet her grandfather had given her grandmother years ago in their early days of courtship.
The couple first met in 2012 at the Florida Strawberry Festival and have been dating for a year and a half. The other men in Kimberly’s life, her father, and siblings Reid and Neil, wholeheartedly approve of Arencibia — a first for the brothers, according to Kimberly. The couple are planning to be married next Summer.
• • •
Pictured (L-R): Purple Heart Recipient and Former SEAL, B.K. (Bert Kellerman); Lauren Kellerman, Navy SEAL Foundation Director of Programming; Urban; Petty Officer First Class Emily Feeks, (wife of Petty Officer First Class (SEAL) Patrick Feeks, KIA Afghanistan
Keith Urban has donated his royalties from his song, “For You,” which was penned for the film Act of Valor, to the Navy SEAL Foundation. The non-profit helps SEAL families and their parent commands with financial burdens and offers needed support and activities. Urban presented a $300,000 check to the organization last Saturday night at his San Diego show.
“The Navy SEAL Foundation is humbled by Keith’s generosity and support of our community and its families,” said Robin King, CEO of the Navy SEAL Foundation. His generous donation will help fund resiliency retreats for 120 SEALs and their families, fund the opportunity for over 500 Naval Special Warfare children to attend summer camp in 2014, where they’ll learn the importance of teamwork, communication, cooperation, goal setting and overcoming adversity.”
• • •
Taylor Swift
Taylor Swift is taking her Red tour across the pond for several shows in London at the O2 Arena on Feb. 1, 2, and 4. She announced the new dates via YouTube and social media, and the dates mark a return to the UK for the young superstar, who also played the O2 on her Speak Now World Tour in 2011.
• • •
Josh Thompson
Josh Thompson has partnered with the Chicago Beer Company in support of his latest single, “Cold Beer With Your Name On It.” Illinois fans will receive a free download of the song with the purchase of a six-pack of Chicago Beer. The company will also host a VIP reception/sound check event at his Nov. 30 show, and at three other Chicago shows in 2014 which will feature a three-song, acoustic set by Thompson.
• • •
Lindsey Appointed to A&R Director at Sony Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Lindsey
Taylor Lindsey has joined Sony Music Nashville as Director, A&R. In her new role, Lindsey will share day-to-day A&R responsibilities for all Sony Music Nashville artists, including the Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville and RCA Nashville rosters. Already in her new role, she reports to Sony Music Nashville’s VP of A&R, Jim Catino, who continues to report to Gary Overton, Chairman and CEO, Sony Music Nashville.
Lindsey joins the company from BMG Chrysalis in Nashville, where she served as Sr. Creative Director since January 2011 and was a songplugger for the organization’s numerous writers. Prior to that, Taylor worked at Raylene music with her sister, songwriter Hillary Lindsey, and as a College Membership Representative in the Athens and Atlanta areas for ASCAP from 2007 through 2009. Taylor attended the University of Georgia in Athens, Ga. and currently resides in Nashville.
She can be reached at Taylor.Lindsey@sonymusic.com.
Headliner Announced For New Year's Eve "Bash on Broadway"
/by Jessica NicholsonHank Williams, Jr.
The fifth annual Music City New Year’s Eve “Bash On Broadway” has revealed Hank Williams, Jr. as this year’s headliner. Music City will offer multiple days of free live music and Nashville’s own midnight Music Note Drop.
“Football, football and Hank! All our rowdy friends are staying over this year,” said Butch Spyridon, president and CEO of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp. “This may be the best end-of-year ‘mash-up’ we have ever had with the Titans, the SEC and Hank ringing in the New Year. Are you ready?”
“This year is going to be very special on New Year’s Eve,” says Hank Williams Jr. “December 31st will mark the 60th anniversary of daddy’s death. For years, I have not performed on New Year’s Eve in honor of my father, but this year is a monumental year in the history of Hank Williams. If daddy would have lived, he would have been 90 years old this year. I hope Music City is ready to boogie woogie, because Bocephus is going bring the party to Nashville.”
Sponsors of this year’s New Year’s Eve ‘Bash on Broadway’ include Miller Lite, Coors Light, Jack Daniel’s, Advance Financial 24/7 and McDonald’s.
CMA EDU Expands to Universities of Florida and Nebraska
/by Michael_Smith“With six official chapters, CMA EDU has the potential to reach nearly 170,000 college students,” said CMA Community Outreach Manager Matthew Seaton. “That is a substantial sampling of a very important demographic for the format.”
Several clubs held opening meetings in September, including the University of Central Florida, which enjoyed a performance by Uncle Kracker. Meanwhile, the University of Nebraska welcomed Dee Jay Silver to its inaugural meeting on Sept. 16. The University of Florida chapter will hold its inaugural meeting later this month and celebrate with a Luke Bryan concert ticket giveaway.
Events for the upcoming year include a speech by radio personality Bobby Bones at MTSU in October. Last night (Sept. 30) Billy Currington paid a visit to Belmont University.
Nashville chapters can also participate in an industry career shadow day in partnership with the Society of Leaders in Development (SOLID). Students in the program will have opportunities to be involved in events, including the Country Radio Seminar, the Leadership Music Summit, PollStar LIVE, CMA Awards and CMA Music Festival.
For more information, visit cmaworld.com.