• Music icon Brenda Lee traced her half-century career for Leadership Music’s quarterly Off the Record series on Wednesday (June 26) at Nashville’s Sambuca. Music historian, MusicRow contributor, Leadership Music alum and co-author of Brenda Lee’s biography, Bob Oermann interviewed the legend during the 90-minute lunch-and-learn presentation.
Pictured (L-R): Bob Oermann, Lee, incoming Leadership Music President Sally Williams and outgoing Leadership Music President, Jeff Gregg.
Will Hoge
•
Will Hoge has partnered with
Thirty Tigers to release his ninth studio album,
Never Give In, via the independent company on Oct. 15, 2013. “Will Hoge is a versatile talent who has found success as a writer, performer, and recording artist and we are honored to work with him. We look forward to many more successes to come!” shared Thirty Tigers’
David Macias.
Said Hoge, “The team at Thirty Tigers are all great folks that I’ve either worked with before in other arenas or have always wanted to work with. The music they’ve been able to build already and the things we can do together have me really excited to be part of the roster.”
•
Kelly Clarkson and
Trisha Yearwood will trace their family ancestries on TLC’s
Who Do You Think You Are?. The new season is slated to begin Tuesday, July 23. Other celebrities featured include
Christina Applegate, Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Chelsea Handler, Chris O’Donnell and
Jim Parsons.
•
The Commorative Air Force’s (CAF) Boeing B-29 Superfortress will visit Smyrna Airport near Nashville for a six-day stay, beginning Tuesday, July 2.
Aaron Tippin will be flying copilot when the airplane arrives. Tippin, a CAF member and a spokesperson for the organization, is part of the B-29 crew and also flies their B-24 Liberator. The aircraft will be on display through July 7 for cockpit tours and rides.
Tippin dedicates his time and talent appearing and performing at various Commemorative Air Force events across the country, including the Red, White & Loud Tour celebrating America’s freedom through song and the flight of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, FIFI. “For me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to bring aviation enthusiasts and country fans together,” says Aaron, “I’m blessed because my kind of country music is patriotic and all-American. My involvement with the CAF caters to both aviation and country music enthusiasts.”
Aaron Tippin
Nashville's Leadership Music Summit Coming in September
/by Jessica Nicholson“Our goal with this year’s event is to introduce members of the music community to the growing number of digital marketing and platform opportunities that are being developed by entrepreneurs,” says McBee. The 2013 event is targeted to attendees and participants ranging from college students to movers-and-shakers of the entrepreneurial community across the Southeast to a variety of music industry leaders and decision-makers, including artist managers, record label staff and executives, attorneys, business managers and members of the media, marketing and publicity communities.
Planned panel topics include “Bringing Content to Fruition” and “Marketing & Engagement.” An anticipated highlight is “The Dream Projects,” a competition where content “owners” (i.e. record labels, managers, publishers, artists) can pre-submit a need that would benefit from digital ideas and initiatives. Three “finalists” will be chosen from the pool of submissions; each will be provided a 10-minute presentation opportunity at the Summit. A panel of judges will choose a “winner,” and assist that content owner in connecting with potential digital solution providers. An inverse opportunity will also be provided to digital start-ups – three “finalists” will be selected from a field of pre-submitted initiatives, each will be allowed to present their idea of a dream project and connections will be made with music industry entities who can utilize the “winning” concept. In addition to receiving a cash prize, the winning projects will be included in the feature news in MusicRow.
Apple Sets iTunes Radio Royalty Rate For Independent Artists
/by Jessica NicholsoniTunes Radio will also allow listeners up to six song skips each hour, provided they skip within the first 20 seconds of a song. This also allows Apple to not pay for song skips. According to Billboard, the minimum royalty rate includes 45 percent of net advertising revenue plus $21.25 for each 1,000 listener hours in the first year and $22.25 for the remainder of the license agreement.
Also, Digital Music News reports Apple is threatening to punish iRadio holdouts by removing their music from the iTunes music store.
Below is a portion of the non-negotiable form contract sent to independent and non-major label artists:
Hunter Hayes To Launch Headlining Tour in October
/by Michael_SmithHayes is currently celebrating his first No. 1 album with the release of Hunter Hayes (Encore). The album features the singer’s hit song “I Want Crazy,” in addition to collaborations with Jason Mraz and Ashley Monroe.
For more information on Hayes’s upcoming tour, visit HunterHayes.com/Shows.
CMT on Tour: Hunter Hayes Let’s Be Crazy Tour Dates
Oct. 10 Knoxville, Tenn. – Knoxville Civic Auditorium
Oct. 11 Savannah, Ga. – Johnny Mercer Theatre
Oct. 12 Columbia, S.C. – South Carolina State Fair
Oct. 17 Atlanta – Fox Theatre
Oct. 18-19 Nashville, Tenn. – Ryman Auditorium
Oct. 24 Muncie, Ind. – Emens Auditorium at Ball State University
Oct. 25 Chicago – Rosemont Theatre
Oct. 26 Louisville, Ky. – The Louisville Palace Theater
Nov. 1 Birmingham, Ala. – BJCC Concert Hall
Nov. 2 Greensboro, N.C. – War Memorial Auditorium
Nov. 8 Evansville, Ind. – The Aiken Theatre at The Centre
Nov. 9 Cleveland, Ohio – State Theatre at Playhouse Square
Nov. 10 Detroit – Fox Theatre
Nov. 14 St. Louis – Fox Theatre
Nov. 15 Sioux City, Iowa –Orpheum Theatre
Nov. 16 Omaha, Neb. – Orpheum Theater
Nov. 20 Lafayette, La. – Heymann Performing Arts Center
Nov. 22 Dallas – Verizon Theatre at Grand Prairie
Nov. 23 Tulsa, Okla. – Brady Theater
Dec. 4-5 Minneapolis – Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 6-7 Kansas City, Mo. – The Midland by AMC
Artist News (6-27-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• Music icon Brenda Lee traced her half-century career for Leadership Music’s quarterly Off the Record series on Wednesday (June 26) at Nashville’s Sambuca. Music historian, MusicRow contributor, Leadership Music alum and co-author of Brenda Lee’s biography, Bob Oermann interviewed the legend during the 90-minute lunch-and-learn presentation.
Pictured (L-R): Bob Oermann, Lee, incoming Leadership Music President Sally Williams and outgoing Leadership Music President, Jeff Gregg.
Will Hoge
• Will Hoge has partnered with Thirty Tigers to release his ninth studio album, Never Give In, via the independent company on Oct. 15, 2013. “Will Hoge is a versatile talent who has found success as a writer, performer, and recording artist and we are honored to work with him. We look forward to many more successes to come!” shared Thirty Tigers’ David Macias.
Said Hoge, “The team at Thirty Tigers are all great folks that I’ve either worked with before in other arenas or have always wanted to work with. The music they’ve been able to build already and the things we can do together have me really excited to be part of the roster.”
• Kelly Clarkson and Trisha Yearwood will trace their family ancestries on TLC’s Who Do You Think You Are?. The new season is slated to begin Tuesday, July 23. Other celebrities featured include Christina Applegate, Cindy Crawford, Zooey Deschanel, Chelsea Handler, Chris O’Donnell and Jim Parsons.
• The Commorative Air Force’s (CAF) Boeing B-29 Superfortress will visit Smyrna Airport near Nashville for a six-day stay, beginning Tuesday, July 2. Aaron Tippin will be flying copilot when the airplane arrives. Tippin, a CAF member and a spokesperson for the organization, is part of the B-29 crew and also flies their B-24 Liberator. The aircraft will be on display through July 7 for cockpit tours and rides.
Tippin dedicates his time and talent appearing and performing at various Commemorative Air Force events across the country, including the Red, White & Loud Tour celebrating America’s freedom through song and the flight of the Boeing B-29 Superfortress, FIFI. “For me, this is an opportunity of a lifetime to bring aviation enthusiasts and country fans together,” says Aaron, “I’m blessed because my kind of country music is patriotic and all-American. My involvement with the CAF caters to both aviation and country music enthusiasts.”
Aaron Tippin
The Media Collective Promotes Lai to Director of Publicity
/by Jessica NicholsonSarah Lai
The Media Collective has promoted Sarah Lai to Director of Publicity.
Lai joined the team at The Media Collective last summer and has worked with clients including TobyMac, Mandisa, Skillet, Matt Redman, Amy Grant, and The Afters. Lai joined The Media Collective following her publicist role at Warner Music Nashville (WMN) and Word Entertainment.
Helmed by 22+ year public relations veteran Velvet Kelm, The Media Collective has garnered press in publications including People, Entertainment Weekly, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, USA Today, The Los Angeles Times, The Associated Press, CCM Magazine and other outlets.
Toby Keith Covers 'Forbes' Celebrity 100 Issue
/by Sarah SkatesThe latest issue of the money magazine focuses on the Celebrity 100 list, a ranking of star power that takes into consideration money, tv and radio, press, marketability and social influence.
Among the country set, Taylor Swift ranks No. 6 on the list, with earnings between June 2012 and June 2013 of $55 million. Keith comes in at No. 43 with $65 million. Carrie Underwood ranks No. 46 ($31 million), followed closely by Kenny Chesney at No. 47 ($53 million).
The top five is made up of Oprah Winfrey, Lady Gaga, Steven Spielberg, Beyonce Knowles and Madonna.
No. 1 Party: Hunter Hayes "Somebody's Heartbreak"
/by Jessica NicholsonBMI toasted the team behind Hunter Hayes’ No.1 smash “Somebody’s Heartbreak” on Tuesday, June 25 at BMI Nashville. Hayes co-wrote the song with Andrew Dorff and Luke Laird. This is Hunter’s second No. 1 off his Atlantic Records debut album. He released its follow-up last week, Hunter Hayes (Encore) and announced his CMT On Tour: Let’s Be Crazy Tour which kicks off Oct. 10. Dorff and Laird celebrated their first and thirteenth No. 1 songs, respectively.
Pictured (Top row, L-R): Lou Ramirez, Peter Strickland, Chris Stacey, Kevin Herring (Bottom row, L-R): Scott Hendricks, HH, John Esposito
Pictured are (Front row, L-R): co-writer Luke Laird, Hunter Hayes, co-writer Andrew Dorff, and producer Dann Huff; (Back row, L-R): Martingale Entertainment’s Betsy McHugh and Ansel Davis, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls and Cyndi Forman, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, and BMI’s Jody Williams and Clay Bradley. Photo by Rick Diamond
On The Cover: Shane McAnally (June/July 13)
/by contributorMcAnally went on to co-write a string of No. 1 hits, including Kenny Chesney’s “Somewhere with You” and “Come Over,” Jake Owen’s “Alone with You,” Luke Bryan’s “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” The Band Perry’s “Better Dig Two,” Lady Antebellum’s “Downtown” and Miranda Lambert’s “Mama’s Broken Heart.” He co-produced Kacey Musgraves’ major label debut, Same Trailer Different Park, and co-wrote nine of the album’s twelve tracks, including the first two singles: “Merry Go ‘Round” and “Blowin’ Smoke.”
An ASCAP member for over 15 years, McAnally marks his 100th major label song cut with “Come Back to Me,” recorded by Keith Urban for his upcoming album, Fuse, due out this fall. He recently completed production work on new country music for Kelly Clarkson, including her single, “Tie It Up,” which he also wrote. In addition, McAnally is working with emerging acts Sam Hunt and Old Dominion.
McAnally’s many recent successes landed him on the Top 10 Billboard Songwriters Airplay Chart for the first quarter of 2013, alongside a diverse list of fellow ASCAP members including Max Martin and Bruno Mars. He was nominated for Songwriter of the Year at the Academy of Country Music Awards in April and was featured in Billboard and The New York Times in May.
Asked if he has any advice for young songwriters, McAnally said, “Please be sure you have exhausted all other avenues…I tried everything and I just couldn’t make anything work except for music. When I hear people say, ‘I’ve been thinking about writing songs,’ I say, ‘Well then, think about something else.’ If you just decided you’re going to be a songwriter, you’re not a songwriter. It chooses you.”
Read more about McAnally, co-writer of MusicRow Song of the Year “Merry Go ‘Round,” here.
Industry Celebrates George Strait's 60th No. 1 Song
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, HoriPro Entertainment’s Butch Baker, co-writers Mark Bright and Tim James, Tony Brown, BMI’s Perry Howard, co-writer Phil O’Donnell, Delbert’s Boy Music’s Kirsten Wines, and Warner/Chappell’s Alicia Pruitt and Ben Vaughn. Photo by Ed Rode.
ASCAP and BMI celebrated George Strait‘s 60th No. 1 single, “Give It All We Got Tonight” on Monday (June 24) at the Country Music Association offices. The ballad became Strait’s 115th career single and was the first release from his 40th studio album, Love Is Everything. The song was penned by ASCAP member Mark Bright and BMI’s Tim James and Phil O’Donnell. It marked the first No. 1 song as a songwriter for Bright, who is well-known for his success as Carrie Underwood‘s producer. Bright received ASCAP’s customary gift to songwriters who earn their first No. 1, an ASCAP guitar.
Strait’s longtime producer and former MCA Nashville CEO Tony Brown was on hand for the celebration. This marks Brown’s 19th album with Strait. Current UMG Nashville CEO Mike Dungan was also on hand to honor the artist, label staff and the songwriters. “It’s an honor to work with George Strait, and to experience the 60th No. 1 is spectacular,” said Dungan. “I want to recognize the marketing team for the promotion 60for60. We have the best staff in the world,” he said before giving awards (affectionately known as “The Impaler Award”) to the songwriters and to Brown. MCA Nashville’s “60for60” promotional campaign, designed to give Strait 60 No. 1 songs while he was still 60 years old, pushed “Give It All We Got Tonight” to No. 1 on the Mediabase chart the week of May 12- 18, 2013 — just days before Strait’s 61st birthday.
Publishers Delbert’s Boy Music, Butch Baker of HoriPro Entertainment and Ben Vaughn from Warner/Chappell were also on hand to congratulate the group.
MusicRowPics: 2013 MusicRow Awards
/by Caitlin RantalaMusicRow Magazine presented its 25th annual subscriber-voted MusicRow Awards on June 25 during a ceremony hosted by ASCAP at the organization’s Nashville offices. The event recognized the 2013 Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, Song of the Year, Producer of the Year and Top Ten Album All-Star Musicians. Enjoy the MusicRowPics below and see the complete winners list or Bobby Karl’s exclusive party coverage.
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