Forty-five new members have been selected to participate in the 25th class of Leadership Music. The annual program is designed to create a forum for established music community leaders to identify and explore issues currently affecting the music industry. Founded in 1989 by eleven music industry alumni of Leadership Nashville, Leadership Music has graduated more than 950 leaders.
“The Leadership Music Class of 2014 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Lori Badgett, Vice President of Entertainment at City National Bank, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, chaired the selection committee. “Choosing 45 applicants from among hundreds who applied is one of the most daunting tasks I’ve ever faced. The selection committee, composed of 20 alumni from every facet of the industry, deliberates over a five week period, and makes every effort to choose the most balanced and diverse class possible. We all consider it a privilege to be charged with playing a role in the future of this organization.”
Members of the Class of 2014 are:
Matt Adams, Director, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville
Trip Aldredge, partner, Aldredge Law Firm
Abby Wells Baas, agent, William Morris Endeavor
Megan Barry, Metro Council-at-Large
Jessica Beutler, Vice President, MAC Presents (New York)
Todd Coder, TicketBiscuit/Hangout Music Festival (Birmingham, AL)
Julie Craig, Marketing Manager, Exclusive Music, Cracker Barrel
Kele Currier, Director of Strategic Services, ASCAP
Vanessa Davis, President, Splash! PR
Katie Dean, Vice President, Radio Marketing, Universal Music Nashville
Kella Stephenson Farris, Owner, The Kella Stephenson Company
Liz Allen Fey; CEO, Strategy & Leadership LLC
Cyndi Forman, Vice President, Creative, Universal Music Publishing
Leslie Fram , Senior Vice President, Music Strategy, CMT
Robert Frost, President, Frost Specialty
Chris Gero, Vice President/Founder, Yamaha Entertainment Group
Kelli Cashiola Haywood, Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development, Starstruck Management
Todd Herreman, Faculty, Mass Communications and Media Arts, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL)
BJ Hill, Senior Director of A&R, Warner/Chappell Music
David Hughes, Senior Vice President, Technology, RIAA (Washington, DC)
Laura Hutfless, agent, CAA
Scott Johnson, President, Scojo, Inc.
Andrew Kautz, COO, Big Machine Label Group
David Kells, Vice President, Booking, Bridgestone Arena
Jerry Kimbrough, musician/producer
Lenore Kinder, Talent Buyer/Marketer, AEG Live/The Messina Group
Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, PR & Media Production, ACM (Los Angeles)
Lauren Lucas, songwriter/artist
Amy Sue Macy, Recording Industry Professor, MTSU
Angela Miles-Powell, Vice President, Client Development, Ticketmaster (Memphis)
Andy Moats, Executive Vice President/CCO, Avenue Bank
Lynn Oliver, Vice President Publishing and A&R, Southern Ground Artists
Tim Roberts, Operations/Program Director, CBS Radio (Detroit)
Colin Rushing, General Counsel, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
Shaun Silva, Owner, TackleBox Films/FORWARD
Rob Simbeck, writer, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 Countdown
Tom Storms, artist manager, Suretone Entertainment
John Strohm, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Karen Stump, Senior Director, Market Research, CMA
Tammy Taylor, President/CEO, One EnTiTy
David Thoener, Recording/Mixing Engineer and Producer
Alicia Warwick, Senior Project Manager, The Recording Academy
Jim Weatherson, Senior Vice President, 19 Entertainment
David Whitney, U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary (Washington, DC)
Kristen Williams, Director of National Promotion, Warner Music Nashville
Congratulations to the new class of 2014.
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
SESAC Inks Deal with Discovery Communications, LLC
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Discovery Communications, LLC networks encompass a range of channels including Discovery Channel, Animal Planet, TLC, Investigation Discovery, Science Channel, Military Channel, Oprah Winfrey Network and Discovery Fit & Health and features a variety of reality and true crime programs including Who the Bleep Did I Marry, Stolen Voices/Buried Secrets, Nightmare Next Door, Say Yes To The Dress, Cake Boss and Moonshiners.
“SESAC is thrilled to announce this agreement with Discovery Communications, LLC,” said Deborah Houghton, SESAC’s Vice President, Cable. “This will provide Discovery Communications, LLC with the brilliantly diverse repertoires of SESAC’s songwriters and composers while offering our affiliates a host of new and exciting opportunities. While working on this mutually beneficial deal, we were delighted with the high level of knowledge and professionalism of the Discovery Communications, LLC executives and we look forward to a long and productive relationship.”
Sony/ATV Signs Jack Ingram
/by Jessica NicholsonSony/ATV has signed singer-songwriter Jack Ingram to a publishing deal. Ingram notched three Top 10 singles as a recording artist and is currently finishing up a new album project. Ingram splits his time between Austin, Texas and Nashville.
Earlier this year, Ingram was involved with the fundraising concert Jack & Friends, with football coach Mack Brown and actor Matthew McConaughey (and featuring Kris Kristofferson) at Moody Theater in Austin. Funds raised by the concert supported organizations that positively impact the lives of children across the country.
Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Jack Ingram, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Triple 8 Management’s George Couri
C.F. Martin & Co. Joins Hunter Hayes for Facebook Contest
/by Jessica NicholsonThe contest runs June 10-Sept. 3 and fans can enter by ‘liking’ the Martin Facebook page, Hunter’s Facebook and Martin Strings Facebook. Fans can earn up to 19 more entries by inviting their friends to enter as well. The winner will be announced via Facebook in October.
Hunter will also be featured in Martin Guitar’s 2013 print and online campaign. For more information, visit hunterhayes.com
Leadership Music Reveals Class of 2014
/by Jessica Nicholson“The Leadership Music Class of 2014 is an impressive group of industry professionals with a wealth of experience and expertise from a diverse field of music businesses,” said Lori Badgett, Vice President of Entertainment at City National Bank, who, as immediate past president of the board of directors, chaired the selection committee. “Choosing 45 applicants from among hundreds who applied is one of the most daunting tasks I’ve ever faced. The selection committee, composed of 20 alumni from every facet of the industry, deliberates over a five week period, and makes every effort to choose the most balanced and diverse class possible. We all consider it a privilege to be charged with playing a role in the future of this organization.”
Members of the Class of 2014 are:
Matt Adams, Director, Legal & Business Affairs, Sony Music Nashville
Trip Aldredge, partner, Aldredge Law Firm
Abby Wells Baas, agent, William Morris Endeavor
Megan Barry, Metro Council-at-Large
Jessica Beutler, Vice President, MAC Presents (New York)
Todd Coder, TicketBiscuit/Hangout Music Festival (Birmingham, AL)
Julie Craig, Marketing Manager, Exclusive Music, Cracker Barrel
Kele Currier, Director of Strategic Services, ASCAP
Vanessa Davis, President, Splash! PR
Katie Dean, Vice President, Radio Marketing, Universal Music Nashville
Kella Stephenson Farris, Owner, The Kella Stephenson Company
Liz Allen Fey; CEO, Strategy & Leadership LLC
Cyndi Forman, Vice President, Creative, Universal Music Publishing
Leslie Fram , Senior Vice President, Music Strategy, CMT
Robert Frost, President, Frost Specialty
Chris Gero, Vice President/Founder, Yamaha Entertainment Group
Kelli Cashiola Haywood, Director of Strategic Marketing and Business Development, Starstruck Management
Todd Herreman, Faculty, Mass Communications and Media Arts, Southern Illinois University (Carbondale, IL)
BJ Hill, Senior Director of A&R, Warner/Chappell Music
David Hughes, Senior Vice President, Technology, RIAA (Washington, DC)
Laura Hutfless, agent, CAA
Scott Johnson, President, Scojo, Inc.
Andrew Kautz, COO, Big Machine Label Group
David Kells, Vice President, Booking, Bridgestone Arena
Jerry Kimbrough, musician/producer
Lenore Kinder, Talent Buyer/Marketer, AEG Live/The Messina Group
Lisa Lee, Senior Vice President, PR & Media Production, ACM (Los Angeles)
Lauren Lucas, songwriter/artist
Amy Sue Macy, Recording Industry Professor, MTSU
Angela Miles-Powell, Vice President, Client Development, Ticketmaster (Memphis)
Andy Moats, Executive Vice President/CCO, Avenue Bank
Lynn Oliver, Vice President Publishing and A&R, Southern Ground Artists
Tim Roberts, Operations/Program Director, CBS Radio (Detroit)
Colin Rushing, General Counsel, SoundExchange (Washington, DC)
Shaun Silva, Owner, TackleBox Films/FORWARD
Rob Simbeck, writer, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 Countdown
Tom Storms, artist manager, Suretone Entertainment
John Strohm, Senior Counsel, Loeb & Loeb
Karen Stump, Senior Director, Market Research, CMA
Tammy Taylor, President/CEO, One EnTiTy
David Thoener, Recording/Mixing Engineer and Producer
Alicia Warwick, Senior Project Manager, The Recording Academy
Jim Weatherson, Senior Vice President, 19 Entertainment
David Whitney, U. S. House of Representatives Committee on Judiciary (Washington, DC)
Kristen Williams, Director of National Promotion, Warner Music Nashville
Congratulations to the new class of 2014.
Sold-out CMA Songwriter Series To Feature Miranda Lambert, Kip Moore
/by Jessica NicholsonMiranda Lambert
[Update]: The CMA Songwriters Series at Royale Boston Nightclub has sold out. Tickets, which went on sale this morning (June 14) sold out in five minutes.
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The CMA Songwriters Series will return to the Royale Boston Nightclub in Boston for a special event on Thursday, July 11 (doors open at 6:30 p.m./ET and show time is 7:30 PM/ET). The show will feature special guests Miranda Lambert, Brett James, Kip Moore and Bob DiPiero, who will also serve as the evening’s host. Tickets go on sale Friday (June 14) at 12 p.m./ET.
“Nashville’s songwriters are the best in the world and CMA is excited to return to Boston to showcase some of these spectacular artists again,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “It’s great to see how this series has grown since it began in 2005, expanding to play in cities across the U.S., and overseas in places like the U.K. and Paris as well. Boston has given us such a warm reception and we are thrilled to continue to share the remarkable stories behind the hit songs with the terrific fans there.”
Tickets for the July 11 CMA Songwriters Series at Royale are on sale today ($70 for best floor seats / $40 back of floor / $30 for general admission balcony). Tickets are available at ticketmaster.com or at 800-745-3000.
Mumford & Sons Bassist Recovering From Brain Surgery
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Winston Marshall, Ben Lovett, Marcus Mumford and Ted Dwane.
Mumford & Sons bassist Ted Dwane has been discharged from the hospital after successful brain surgery and is on the road to recovery, according to a statement on the Mumford & Sons Facebook page. “
The Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival was informed yesterday (June 13) that Mumford & Sons had to cancel their Saturday headlining appearance due to Dwane’s medical condition. In Mumford & Sons’ place, festival organizers have announced Jack Johnson will now headline Bonnaroo on Saturday night.
Charlie Cook On Air: Go Where The Kids Go
/by contributorCharlie Cook
I have been a research geek forever. Going back to my early years in radio with Bill Moyes research and up through Stratford and Edison media, I have always been fascinated to see what the consumers like about radio, music, personalities and trends. This is why I am so impressed with what CMA Senior Director of Market Research Karen Stump does with her staff for the country music/radio community.
I’m not sure how many of my radio colleagues have seen the most recent study, released last month. The radio and record industries are tied to the consumer’s discretionary time and money. Radio can use this material to make some money with clients and the record industry can intersect the listener’s lifestyle for their entertainment dollars.
This research identified how families spend their money on entertainment. The study looked at country music fans and helps us understand how our users spend their flexible time. Most of these studies are culled from the 13,000 country music consumers who have opted into the CMA program. This helps us identify active partisans. Otherwise known as “our target.”
One finding is the amount of money, energy and time families spend on entertainment. Eighty-six percent of country music households with children participated in paid family activities in the last 12 months. Top single day events include going to the movies (maybe a GREAT venue to run a radio station commercial), attending concerts and music festivals, and visiting family entertainment centers like bowling, miniature golf, skating rinks and go-carts. Zoos, museums, water parks and camping are all high on the list of family activities.
If families pack the car for multi-day trips, amusement parks like Disney and Six Flags were the number one choices. If you think the economy is putting pressure on money spent for family entertainment, think again. Forty percent of families participate in weekly events and 72 percent of country music families, that make more than $75,000 per year, spend $100 or more per month on single day family activities.
I wonder what it would take for a family of four to attend a concert? With tickets, parking and refreshments would this one day event be closer to $400? Is there an opportunity to put together some newer act tours where the performers are not doing 100 free shows a year but families can enjoy the time together and at the same time see great live music? And the performers can generate a little income and merch money.
In fact, attending a live concert/music festival scored an A+ for family enjoyment. The highest score recorded. The zoo and camping were close behind. I do like that 73 percent of the consumers say “spending quality time as a family” is the primary goal of participating family activities. This tells me the money is not a deal breaker. Walt Disney World and one of the Six Flags parks lead the pack for top parks visited by country music households in past 12 months. As an aside, I live three miles from Six Flags Magic Mountain and I have NEVER been there.
For radio station sales staffs, this report gives you a heads up to the listener’s plans in the immediate future. Disney World, Universal Studios, Sea World and Six Flags lead the desired list and maybe there is an opportunity for sales and or promotions. For artists, knowing these are the places your fans are going to go over the summer, maybe tying in or doing shows at the parks would be an opportunity. Check out the study at cmaworld.com, and drop Karen a note telling her how important this information is to the format’s health.
Happy Travels…in and out of town.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)