BMI Presents Inaugural Stage at the 2013 Hangout Music Festival
BMI presented its inaugural stage at the 2013 Hangout Music Festival recently in Gulf Shores, Ala., hosting great music from a wide range of artists. Performers included Colin Lake, Luella & the Sun, The Weeks, Anders Osborne, Wild Cub, The Mowgli’s, The Kingston Springs, the Tontons, the Wild Feathers, Chancellor Warhol, Space Capone and Jason Isbell.
Luella & the Sun gather with BMI’s Mark Mason, Brook Ivey and Penny Everhard at Hangout Music Fest on Friday, May 17, 2013.
Members of the planning committee for the 2013 Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament (MRLGT) and Show Dog-Universal recording artist
Josh Thompson joined United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCPMidTN) on Wednesday (May 29) to build a wheelchair ramp for someone in need.
The ramp build coincides with the announcement of the 27th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament, set for Monday, Aug. 19 at Old Natchez Country Club in Nashville. Sponsors include ASCAP, City National Bank, Tim McGraw and McGhee Entertainment. Registration for this year’s event will open June 19 at a 5 p.m. songwriter round kick-off party at Rebar (1919 Division St.), one of the tournament’s sponsors.
The tournament has raised over $1.7 million for UCPMidTN since its launch.
Pictured (l-r): Creekhouse Management’s Ashley Cantrell, me gusta music’s Trina Smith, BMI’s Penny Everhard, Josh Thompson, ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee, NSAI’s Susan Myers, Frank Rogers Productions’ Courtney Crist and UCPMidTN’s John Pickett. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski
Charlie Cook On Air: Radio's Role In Introducing New Artists
/by contributorThe No Shoes Nation Tour is a big one out there this year. Kenny puts together an incredible six hour show each year and this, the 2013 version, is no exception. Kenny brought along newcomer Musgraves this year and while about 10 percent of the eventual crowd was in the house when she took the stage at 5 p.m., she worked like there were a million people in Fed Ex Field. Jason Aldean is out with his 2013 Night Train Tour and last year Jason was the spring board to Luke Bryan taking the format by storm, eventually winning the ACM Entertainer of the Year. On tour, Aldean is joined by Jake Owen and newcomer Thomas Rhett. By the way, once concert goers get a listen to Rhett live, there is going to be no stopping this kid.
Miranda Lambert and Dierks Bentley are Locked and Reloaded with Lee Brice, Randy Houser and Joanna Smith providing the early ammunition. This is another opportunity for your station’s listeners to be introduced to superstar and newer performers. Carrie Underwood extended her Blown Away Tour throughout the year and has done no harm by keeping Hunter Hayes on the bill. Hayes is no longer a newcomer but not all fans have yet to experience him live in concert and when they do, will come away very impressed.
The aforementioned Luke Bryan is out with his Dirt Road Diaries Tour and has Thompson Square and Florida-Georgia Line warming up the crowd. No affront to Ms. Musgraves, who will quickly build a loyal following, but the opening acts to the other tours I mentioned should guarantee fans will get their beer cups filled during breaks and not during warm up acts. There will be no 10 percent crowds for these acts who have established radio track records already.
I could list another half dozen tours this year, including Brad Paisley, Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift, and on and on. Additionally, the best weekend for country music in Nashville will be going on next week during the CMA Music Fest. Plenty of music, not only the four nights at LP Field, but from morning through evening, there will be music stretching from 6th Ave. to the river. The non-stadium shows are filled with newcomers and middle level acts that are great entertainers. The summer is the season for country music.
Back in Landover, the kids were at Fed Ex Field to dance, drink and party as they kicked off the summer in high (word chosen carefully) fashion. Sunday afternoon—late in the afternoon—after they woke up, I’m sure they were still texting and tweeting about the event.
Country radio must aggressively get on board. Take, don’t send, listeners to these concerts. Host pre- and post-parties on-air when the big stars come to your area this summer. Find and participate in the summer fairs that have new, local and established acts. I believe that it is important for the local country station to educate the market about the range of country artists out there. If country radio does it job and “sells” acts like Kacey Musgraves, the fan will make an effort to be in their seats to hear her. This is how we learned about Kip Moore on Church’s tour last year.
I am lucky to live in a part of the country where I am within a few hours drive of many events. In fact, this weekend I am going to go to Pittsburgh and see Brad Paisley, Lee Brice and Chris Young, and maybe meet new friends The Henningsens. I know I will be there in time to see them all perform because my local station has gotten me excited about their music.
(The views expressed in this article are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of MusicRow.)
Songwriter, Producer and Journalist Larry Wayne Clark Dies
/by Eric T. ParkerLarry Wayne Clark
Songwriter, producer and journalist Larry Wayne Clark has passed after an extended battle with cancer. His wife Maggie Ross was at his side.
Clark, a Canadian native, is a former editorial contributor to MusicRow Magazine, in addition other media outlets. He interviewed Gordon Lightfoot, Hank Cochran, Bobby Braddock, Merle Kilgore, Mel Tillis, Roger Cook and many others.
As a songwriter, Clark co-penned Chris Young’s breakout Nashville Star single, “Drinkin’ Me Lonely,” Lee Greenwood’s “Between A Rock And A Heartache,” The Statler Brothers’ “To Make A Long Story Short” and Buddy Jewell’s “Addicted To The Rain.”
Clark was inducted into the British Columbia Country Music Hall of Fame in April 2011. Clark will be honored this summer in Nashville with a celebration of life ceremony. No information on this ceremony has yet been released.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Cards and letters can be sent to: 10-14 Sierra Ave., Rothesay NB E2E 2M8, Canada. Donations can be made in his name online with Bobby’s Hospice Greater Saint John.
U.S. Postal Service To Celebrate Launch of Johnny Cash Forever Stamp June 5
/by Jessica NicholsonDesigned by Greg Breeding, the stamp features a photograph taken by Frank Bez during the photo session for Ring of Fire: The Best of Johnny Cash (1963). The stamp is part of the U.S. Postal Service’s Music Icon series; other artists paid tribute to in the series include Lydia Mendoza and Ray Charles (to be released in September).
Artists set to appear, perform or speak at the first-day-of-issuance ceremony on June 5 include John Carter Cash, Carlene Carter, Larry Gatlin, Jamey Johnson, The Oak Ridge Boys, The Roys, Marty Stuart and Randy Travis, among others. 650AM WSM personality Bill Cody will serve as emcee of the event.
“It is an amazing blessing that my father Johnny Cash be honored with the issue of this stamp. Dad was a hard-working man, a man of dignity. As much as anything else, he was a proud American, always supporting his family, fans and country. I can think of no better way to pay due respect to his legacy than through the release of this stamp,” said John Carter Cash.
“My family is thrilled that my father will grace a United States ‘Forever’ stamp, a great honor for any American, and an honor that would have particularly delighted him. It is a joy to know that generations will use this stamp, and my father will forever be where he loved to be: traveling the world,” added Rosanne Cash.
Blake Shelton's 'Healing in the Heartland' Concert Raises More Than $6 Million
/by Jessica NicholsonUsher and Blake Shelton
Wednesday evening’s (May 29), Healing in the Heartland: Relief Benefit Concert hosted by Blake Shelton and NBC has raised more than $6 million in pledges and ticket sales for the United Way of Central Oklahoma May Tornadoes Relief Fund.
United Way of Central Oklahoma spokeswoman Karla Bradshaw told newsok.com that there was about $3 million in the relief fund prior to the concert; the fund should now top $9 million. According to Bradshaw, 100 percent of the event’s proceeds will go directly to the fund.
The evening featured performances and appearances from Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Alicia Keys, Miranda Lambert, Reba, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Ryan Tedder, Usher, Carrie Underwood and many others.
Sugar Hill Records Adds David Newmark
/by Jessica NicholsonDavid Newmark
David Newmark has joined Sugar Hill Records as Sr. Director of Promotion & Field Marketing. Newmark previously ran CO5’s country promotion team and before that held posts at several labels, including Columbia, Epic, RCA and DreamWorks.
Sugar Hill’s GM/Sr. VP Cliff O’Sullivan states, “David is a wonderful addition to Sugar Hill’s marketing staff. He brings a wealth of promotion experience with him and is exactly what we have been looking for to help take the label to the next level of success. David and I worked together for many years at Epic and Columbia Records, and we are delighted to have him join the Welk Music Group team.”
He can be reached at 615-465-6783 or dnewmark@sugarhillrecords.com.
Industry Ink (5-30-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Ken Tucker
Industry veteran Ken Tucker has joined Beats Music as Head of Country/Christian Programming. Tucker was formerly the Managing Editor for Country Weekly magazine. His career has included stints at Billboard, Radio & Records, Warner Bros. Nashville. He can be reached at ktucker@beatsmusic.com.
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Gloriana
Gloriana‘s “(Kissed You) Goodnight” has been certified platinum by the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for 1 million units shipped.
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“Wow! That’s all I can say,” says Gray. “Of all my songs, the one I most look forward to singing is ‘Nothing Is Wasted’ because I know there’s always someone in the audience who needs to hear it. I’m so grateful for the support radio has given this single and that it’s finding its mark in the hearts of so many people.”
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Out-Write Music Publishing has signed exclusive publishing agreements with two songwriters, Gary Loyd and Rhean Boyer.
Pictured (L-R): Rhean Boyer, Out-Write Music Creative Director Brandyn Steen, Gary Loyd and Out-Write Business Manger Adam Roberts
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Stray Star Music‘s Brad Anderson recently signed on as a writer with performing rights organization SESAC.
Pictured (L-R): Tim Fink (vice president writer/publisher relations), Joe Paris (Stray Star Music), Brad Anderson, Shannan Hatch (senior director writer/publisher relations). Photo by Peyton Hoge.
MusicRowPics: Dakota Bradley Artist Visit
/by Caitlin RantalaDakota Bradley visited MusicRow headquarters earlier last week (May 23). Currently on radio tour, Bradley appeared on Ellen after one of his YouTube videos was discovered.
Bradley shared four songs, including a song Tim McGraw gave him called, “Name On It.” His next song, “Addict,” also had a McGraw tie-in. “I had to serenade Tim with a love song once,” Bradley laughed. “This is it. I wrote it a week before I had my meeting with him.
Dakota also played “Hurt Awhile” and his current single, “Somethin’ Like Somethin.'”
For more information visit dakotabradley.com.
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2013 CMT Music Awards Announces First Presenters
/by Jessica NicholsonHosted by Jason Aldean and Kristen Bell, The CMT Music Awards will air live on Wednesday, June 5 at 8 p.m. ET on CMT and CMT.com.
Female Video of the Year and Breakthrough Video of the Year nominee Jana Kramer will host the 2013 CMT Music Awards Video of the Year special on Saturday (June 1) beginning at 2 p.m. ET. She will present the nominees in the Video of the Year category during the one-hour special.
Lineup Announced For 'Darius and Friends' Benefit Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonRadney Foster and Darius Rucker perform at the inaugural “Darius And Friends” on June 7, 2010.
Luke Bryan, Sam Bush, John Cowan, Radney Foster, Randy Houser, Dustin Lynch and Justin Moore will join Darius Rucker for his sold-out, fourth annual “Darius And Friends” benefit concert on Monday, June 3 at the Wildhorse Saloon in Nashville. Proceeds from the event go directly to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
“I always look forward to this event each year, and I’m so happy to have Luke, Sam, John, Randy, Dustin, Justin, and of course my hero, Radney, join me to help raise funds for St. Jude,” says Rucker. “A few years ago I visited the St. Jude campus in Memphis and instantly became a ‘true believer’ in everyone there and the work they do to help treat kids and cure disease. I am happy to help raise funds for such a worthwhile cause and thrilled that some of my friends can join me.”
Since its inception, “Darius And Friends” has grown to include a charity auction and a celebrity golf tournament and has raised more than $225,000 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.
This year’s event is sponsored by Transitions® lenses and Visionworks®, including the “Darius And Friends” golf tournament to be held in Nashville on June 4. Celebrity golfers include Nashville Predator J.P. Dumont, country artists Jay DeMarcus (Rascal Flatts), Colt Ford, JT Hodges, Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum), Dustin Lynch, Justin Moore, David Nail, Joe Don Rooney (Rascal Flatts), NASCAR Hall of Famer Darrell Waltrip and more.
Industry Pics: Hangout Festival, Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament
/by Sarah SkatesBMI Presents Inaugural Stage at the 2013 Hangout Music Festival
BMI presented its inaugural stage at the 2013 Hangout Music Festival recently in Gulf Shores, Ala., hosting great music from a wide range of artists. Performers included Colin Lake, Luella & the Sun, The Weeks, Anders Osborne, Wild Cub, The Mowgli’s, The Kingston Springs, the Tontons, the Wild Feathers, Chancellor Warhol, Space Capone and Jason Isbell.
Luella & the Sun gather with BMI’s Mark Mason, Brook Ivey and Penny Everhard at Hangout Music Fest on Friday, May 17, 2013.
Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament Ramps Up 2013 Event
Members of the planning committee for the 2013 Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament (MRLGT) and Show Dog-Universal recording artist Josh Thompson joined United Cerebral Palsy of Middle Tennessee (UCPMidTN) on Wednesday (May 29) to build a wheelchair ramp for someone in need.
The ramp build coincides with the announcement of the 27th annual Music Row Ladies Golf Tournament, set for Monday, Aug. 19 at Old Natchez Country Club in Nashville. Sponsors include ASCAP, City National Bank, Tim McGraw and McGhee Entertainment. Registration for this year’s event will open June 19 at a 5 p.m. songwriter round kick-off party at Rebar (1919 Division St.), one of the tournament’s sponsors.
The tournament has raised over $1.7 million for UCPMidTN since its launch.
Pictured (l-r): Creekhouse Management’s Ashley Cantrell, me gusta music’s Trina Smith, BMI’s Penny Everhard, Josh Thompson, ASCAP’s Suzanne Lee, NSAI’s Susan Myers, Frank Rogers Productions’ Courtney Crist and UCPMidTN’s John Pickett. Photo by ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski