Patrick Clifford
has been named Vice President of Music Publishing and A&R for Disney Music Publishing in Nashville, it was announced today (June 17) by
Mio Vukovic, Disney Music Group’s Sr. VP of A&R and Creative. In his new post, Clifford is responsible for exploiting the company’s extensive catalog of existing songs, as well as providing creative direction, leadership and growth of the writer roster of Disney Music Publishing. He will also oversee A&R functions for Disney Music Group in Nashville.
Clifford was most recently vice president of A&R for Ten Ten Music Group in Nashville, a post he held since 2005. His career began with artists James Taylor and Cat Stevens at Nemperor Artists, and he discovered and recorded The Romantics at Nemperor Records. He later served in the A&R departments of major labels including Epic, A&M, Chrysalis and Capitol, working with the Miami Sound Machine, Blues Traveler and the Neville Brothers. Later, as a senior A&R executive with BMG he worked with scores of important artists, from Etta James to Ziggy Marley.
Said Vukovic, “Patrick’s stellar career speaks for itself. As an A&R man with companies like A&M Records, Capitol, BMG and Ten Ten Music Group, he led the charge, finding and developing great artists and songwriters. He’s going to be a tremendous asset for us, not only in Nashville but globally as well.”
Added Clifford, “I’d like to express my gratitude to all of my new colleagues at DMG for the warm embrace and encouragement. I look forward to working closely with them and with the local, national, and international creative community at large. I am fortunate to be part of this team in representing DMG in one of the most vibrant music locales on earth, Nashville, Tennessee.”
Reach Patrick Clifford at Patrick.Clifford@disney.com and Ciara Gardner at Ciara.Gardner@disney.com or by phone at 615-244-4900.
Disney Music Publishing Names Nashville Head
/by Jessica NicholsonPatrick Clifford
Patrick Clifford has been named Vice President of Music Publishing and A&R for Disney Music Publishing in Nashville, it was announced today (June 17) by Mio Vukovic, Disney Music Group’s Sr. VP of A&R and Creative. In his new post, Clifford is responsible for exploiting the company’s extensive catalog of existing songs, as well as providing creative direction, leadership and growth of the writer roster of Disney Music Publishing. He will also oversee A&R functions for Disney Music Group in Nashville.
Clifford was most recently vice president of A&R for Ten Ten Music Group in Nashville, a post he held since 2005. His career began with artists James Taylor and Cat Stevens at Nemperor Artists, and he discovered and recorded The Romantics at Nemperor Records. He later served in the A&R departments of major labels including Epic, A&M, Chrysalis and Capitol, working with the Miami Sound Machine, Blues Traveler and the Neville Brothers. Later, as a senior A&R executive with BMG he worked with scores of important artists, from Etta James to Ziggy Marley.
Said Vukovic, “Patrick’s stellar career speaks for itself. As an A&R man with companies like A&M Records, Capitol, BMG and Ten Ten Music Group, he led the charge, finding and developing great artists and songwriters. He’s going to be a tremendous asset for us, not only in Nashville but globally as well.”
Added Clifford, “I’d like to express my gratitude to all of my new colleagues at DMG for the warm embrace and encouragement. I look forward to working closely with them and with the local, national, and international creative community at large. I am fortunate to be part of this team in representing DMG in one of the most vibrant music locales on earth, Nashville, Tennessee.”
Reach Patrick Clifford at Patrick.Clifford@disney.com and Ciara Gardner at Ciara.Gardner@disney.com or by phone at 615-244-4900.
Parallel Music Acquires Catalog From Songs of Bigger Picture
/by Sarah SkatesIncluded in the transaction are songs penned by notable Nashville writers Brandy Clark, Brian D. Maher, Josh Osborne and Brice Long. Additionally, songwriters Michael White and Lance Carpenter have joined the Parallel Music Publishing team.
Songs of Bigger Picture is still active as the publishing division of Bigger Picture Group. Bigger Picture Artist Ventures remains home to Chris Cagle, Craig Campbell, Chris Janson, Rachel Bradshaw, and Ryan Kinder.
Tim Hunze is managing partner of Parallel Music Publishing, which is part of Los Angeles based talent management and production company Parallel Entertainment. Headed by CEO J.P. Williams, Parallel is known for work with the Blue Collar Comedy and Larry The Cable Guy brands including feature films, DVD premiere features, comedy and music albums, and television series and specials. It most recently worked on MTV’s Buck Wild. Upcoming projects include the CMT animated series Bounty Hunters and a drama for TNT starring Bill Engvall.
JD Souther Inducted Into Songwriters Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonJD Souther with Alison Krauss
Nashville songwriter JD Souther was among the inductees at the 2013 Songwriters Hall of Fame 44th Annual Induction and Awards Dinner, along with Tony Hatch, Mick Jones and Lou Gramm, Holly Knight, Steven Tyler and Joe Perry. Honored with special awards were Elton John and Bernie Taupin who were presented with the Johnny Mercer Award; Benny Blanco, who received the Hal David Starlight Award; Sam Cooke’s “A Change Is Gonna Come” was honored with the Towering Song Award; and the Pioneer Award was awarded to Berry Gordy.
Souther saluted the wide array of artists he has collaborated with and has been influenced during his career, proclaiming he has “the best job in the world.” Alison Krauss, who inducted Souther, gave a moving rendition of “Faithless Love.” The Souther-penned song was originally recorded by Linda Ronstadt. Among his biggest hits are the Eagles’ “Best of My Love,” “Victim of Love,” “Heartache Tonight,” and “New Kid in Town.” During the past year he has also acted on ABC’s Nashville.
Others who were on hand to induct the honorees and/or perform during the evening include Petula Clark, Patty Smyth, Billy Joel (who inducted Gramm and Jones), Rob Thomas, Wiz Khalifa, Chad Kroeger, Ryan Peake (who performed Aerosmith‘s “Sweet Emotion”), Jordin Sparks, Smokey Robinson and the cast of Motown: The Musical.
Farm Aid Music and Food Festival Heads to New York
/by Eric T. ParkerFarm Aid Board Members pictured (L-R): Dave Matthews, Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp and Neil Young.
Farm Aid announced its annual all-day music and food benefit concert will return to the northeast on Saturday, Sept. 21, with performances from board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young and Dave Matthews at the Saratoga Performing Arts Center (SPAC) in Saratoga Springs, N.Y.
Concertgoers will have the opportunity to meet farmers, engage in hands-on food and farm activities, and taste the local and organic foods in HOMEGROWN Village. Additional multi-genre performers are forthcoming for the event, which benefits family farmers, strengthening and revitalizing America’s food system, and supporting the growth of the Good Food Movement.
“In New York and across the northeast, family farmers are pioneering change in our farm and food system,” said Farm Aid President Nelson. “This region has strong agricultural roots and offers fertile ground for new farmers and sustainable agriculture. On the Farm Aid stage in September, we’ll celebrate the hard work of family farmers and support their efforts to grow strong and healthy communities for all of us.”
Farm Aid has long collaborated with and supported organizations and organizers in the northeast, many have been served by Farm Aid’s hotline and Farmer Resource Network. Over the past 28 years, Farm Aid has made grants of more than $2.5 million in the northeast region, supporting programs that expand access to family farm food and grow new markets for farmers, create change in the food system, and help farmers thrive.
Tickets for Farm Aid 2013 are available first to Farm Aid members on June 18 at farmaid.org. General admission becomes available Friday, June 28, at 10 a.m. ET.
Farm Aid welcomes sponsorship opportunities by contacting Glenda Yoder.
Blake Shelton, Hunter Hayes Bringing Shows to Nashville
/by contributorTickets to the upcoming show go on sale Friday, June 21 at 10 a.m. Tickets are $54.75, $39.75 and $25.00 plus applicable service fees and can be purchased at livenation.com, at the Bridgestone Arena box office or by phone at 800-745-3000.
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Hunter Hayes sold out both of his Let’s Be Crazy tour dates at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. The appearances, which sold out in under an hour, will take place on Oct. 18 and 19.
–Jessica Nicholson and Michael Smith“One night at the Ryman is something I’ve dreamed about for a long time,” says Hayes. “It makes it even better that we get to do two, and the fact that they sold out that quick is just such a thrill. I’m so excited! This pretty much guarantees it’s going to be crazy!”
The concerts will include Hayes’ Warner Bros. labelmate Ashley Monroe.
AIMP Elects Officers and Board of Directors for 2013-2014
/by Jessica NicholsonOfficers Elected:
Executive Director—Marc Driskill, Sea Gayle Music
Secretary—Denise Nichols, The Primacy Firm
Treasurer—Ree Guyer Buchanan, Wrensong
Directors Elected:
Craig Currier, peermusic
Kim McCollum-Mele, Words & Music
Michael Martin, ASCAP
Randy Wachtler, 615 Music
Tim Fink, SESAC
Alternate Directors Elected:
David Preston, BMI
John Allen, BMG/Chrysalis
“I am honored to step into this role with the AIMP and humbly accept the responsibility to continue the dedicated work that Kevin Lamb and the previous officers put forth to establish a platform for independent music publishers in Nashville,” says Driskill. “We all owe Kevin and the founding Board a debt of gratitude for doing the heavy lifting of creating the foundation for the Nashville Chapter. I believe it is a critical time for independent publishers to strengthen our business models and establish a collective voice for our music and our rights. We are going to support each other, have some fun, and also shine a spotlight on the most important part of our business, the music.”
“Establishing the Nashville Chapter was accomplished because we had a dedicated board of 13 people who wanted to see this come to fruition,” says Kevin Lamb (peermusic), Outgoing Executive Director AIMP Nashville CHapter 2012. “This Chapter has a lot of potential – not just in the organization’s mandate of furthering industry education and awareness, but bringing the Nashville publishing industry to new levels of industry involvement and the potential to be more ‘hands on’ with our own destiny. Marc has some great ideas, which I fully support. It will be exciting to watch this new Board move these agendas forward.”
Jordan Anderson – "You Ain't Ready For Me"
/by Caitlin RantalaTeaming up with Grammy-nominated producer Kent Wells (Dolly Parton) and his own label GTR Records to create her debut album, Key To My Heart, Jordan had the opportunity to collaborate with well-known songwriters such as Rob Crosby (Martina McBride) and Karen Staley (Reba McEntire, Faith Hill) and wrote or co-wrote all of the thirteen tracks on her album, Toxic, which hit number 50 on the MusicRow Chart was Jordan’s first release to National Radio. Jordan has been busy writing new songs and is currently in the studio working again with Wells to create her next project. Her latest single co-written with Wells and Preston Brust, “You Ain’t Ready For Me”, is currently climbing up the MusicRow Charts!
Learn more at jordanandersoncountry.com.
Lynne Connolly
PCL Music Promotions
lynne@pclmusic.com
Regina Raleigh
Promotions by Regina
reginagr1@comast.net
Bluegrass Nights At The Ryman Concert Series Launches June 20
/by Jessica NicholsonThe 2013 series will take place every Thursday night from June 20-July 25, when it will close out with a show featuring Ricky Skaggs and Kentucky Thunder. Additional artists who will perform during the series include Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver, the Gibson Brothers, Ralph Stanley and Jim Lauderdale, and Dailey & Vincent.
Since 1994, the show has taken place each Thursday from June 20-July 25.
2013 Springer Mountain Farms Bluegrass Nights at the Ryman line-up:
June 20 Vince Gill
June 27 Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
July 4 The Gibson Brothers
July 11 Ralph Stanley & His Clinch Mountain Boys & Jim Lauderdale
July 18 Dailey & Vincent
July 25 Ricky Skaggs & Kentucky Thunder
All shows begin at 7:30 p.m. and are preceded by 650 AM WSM’s Pickin’ on the Plaza featuring regional bluegrass bands from 6 p.m. to 6:45 p.m. The free showcases take place just outside the main entrance on the plaza near the statue of Captain Thomas G. Ryman.
Tickets to each show are $27.50, while season passes are available for $147.00. Tickets may be purchased by calling (615) 458-BLUE, by visiting the Ryman or Grand Ole Opry box office, or at Ryman.com.
Toby Keith Honored with NMPA 2013 Songwriter Icon Award
/by Jessica NicholsonNMPA President and CEO David Israelite presents Toby Keith with the 2013 Songwriter Icon Award
Toby Keith performs during the NMPA’s annual meeting
Country on Television: Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Maggie Rose
/by Jessica NicholsonHighlights during the new episodes will include a trip to the Arctic Circle for the Fjällräven Polar dog sled race, fishing for Wahoo in the Bahamas, chasing elk and deer in Montana, and an exciting stint being knocked around by a bull as a rodeo clown.
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The song will be featured on her upcoming new album, which will be released later this year.
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While in NYC, Rose will stop by CBS’ The Couch for a performance, as well as perform and answer questions live from Livestream’s New York studios for their popular “Livestream Sessions” on Tuesday (June 18) beginning at 5 p.m. ET.
To view the session, visit new.livestream.com/livestreamsessions/MaggieRose