TKO Artist Management has promoted Michelle Garramone to the role of Brand Coordinator. Garramone graduated from Belmont University in May 2012. She worked at TKO Artist Management as a part-time receptionist and was promoted to full-time brand assistant upon graduation. She can be reached at wildshot@tkoartistmanagement.com.
Emily Gallo has been hired as an assistant. Gallo graduated from the College of Charleston and first worked at TKO as a summer intern in 2012. She can be reached at emily@tkoartistmanagement.com.
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Tommy Cecil recently signed on as a BMI writer. Cecil, a Nashville-based singer/songwriter who writes for HoriPro Entertainment Group, played at the Key West Songwriters Festival earlier this month.
Pictured are (L-R): HoriPro’s Lee Krabel and Butch Baker, Tommy Cecil, and BMI’s Bradley Collins.
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APA Nashville has signed bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent to their roster. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the award-winning and multi-talented Dailey & Vincent. Adding them to our roster will open many exciting doors of opportunity in the future,” comments APA’s Cass Scripps.
Pictured (L-R): Zac Koffler (APEX Entertainment Management), Ray Shelide (APA), Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Cass Scripps (APA), Matt McGuire (APA), Michael Stevens (APA)
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IMMERSE, the Gospel Music Association’s Music Training Experience, has announced two scholarship opportunities, including the “Music Makes” scholarship to attend the upcoming IMMERSE event, as well as three $5,000 scholarships to “reVIEWyou” winners in the songwriting, singer/songwriter-female and singer/songwriter-male categories. Hosted by Plumb, the Tuesday Night Songwriter Showcase (May 28) will feature artists Matt Hammitt, Jon Steingard, Seth Mosely, Kevin Max, David Zach, Meredith Andrews, Karen Peck and others.
The event’s Monday night concert (May 27) will feature MIKESCHAIR. IMMERSE will take place May 26-29 at Nashville’s Lifeway Christian Resources building. IMMERSE allows rising songwriters and business professionals to get hands-on training directed by industry leaders.
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SOLID‘s annual yard sale will take place Saturday, June 8 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. It is an opportunity to fans from across the country to connect with their favorite stars and for industry personnel to clear out their promo closets. Donations are needed for the event. Desired items include press items from awards shows, unused promo from album releases and tours, posters, press kits, ANYTHING signed (clothing, albums, posters), T-shirts, jackets, meet & greet opportunties and much more.
SOLID will provide bins and pick up any merchandise to be donated. The deadline for donations is June 1. To donate to SOLID’s annual yard sale, contact Eric Wright at musicmarketer@gmail.com or Jeff Hoehne at jeff.hoehne@gmail.com.
Hard Rock to Celebrate Willie Nelson's 80th Birthday
/by Caitlin RantalaThe event, held on June 6, will also kick off the Hard Rock International Artist Spotlight Willie Nelson merchandise program, benefiting the Biodiesel Alliance and the Animal Welfare Institute. A VIP reception begins at 6 p.m., while the event starts at 7 p.m.
Hard Rock’s Willie Nelson Artist Spotlight t-shirt, pin and bandanna will be available online at www.hardrock.com and at Hard Rock Cafe, Hotel and Casino locations in New York, New Orleans, Maui, San Antonio, Nashville and Houston.
Carlo’s Bakery, setting of the hit TLC show Cake Boss, will be making a special birthday cake for the country legend to present to him at the June 6 celebration.
Industry Ink (5-21-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonEmily Gallo has been hired as an assistant. Gallo graduated from the College of Charleston and first worked at TKO as a summer intern in 2012. She can be reached at emily@tkoartistmanagement.com.
• • •
Tommy Cecil recently signed on as a BMI writer. Cecil, a Nashville-based singer/songwriter who writes for HoriPro Entertainment Group, played at the Key West Songwriters Festival earlier this month.
Pictured are (L-R): HoriPro’s Lee Krabel and Butch Baker, Tommy Cecil, and BMI’s Bradley Collins.
• • •
APA Nashville has signed bluegrass duo Dailey & Vincent to their roster. “I am thrilled to have the opportunity to represent the award-winning and multi-talented Dailey & Vincent. Adding them to our roster will open many exciting doors of opportunity in the future,” comments APA’s Cass Scripps.
Pictured (L-R): Zac Koffler (APEX Entertainment Management), Ray Shelide (APA), Jamie Dailey, Darrin Vincent, Cass Scripps (APA), Matt McGuire (APA), Michael Stevens (APA)
• • •
The event’s Monday night concert (May 27) will feature MIKESCHAIR. IMMERSE will take place May 26-29 at Nashville’s Lifeway Christian Resources building. IMMERSE allows rising songwriters and business professionals to get hands-on training directed by industry leaders.
• • •
SOLID will provide bins and pick up any merchandise to be donated. The deadline for donations is June 1. To donate to SOLID’s annual yard sale, contact Eric Wright at musicmarketer@gmail.com or Jeff Hoehne at jeff.hoehne@gmail.com.
Warner Music Nashville To Host Lindsay Walleman Memorial
/by Jessica NicholsonLindsay Walleman
Warner Music Nashville will host a memorial, “For the Linds (Remembering & Celebrating the life of Lindsay Walleman)” on Tuesday, June 4. The event will take place on the Warner Music Nashville patio from 6 p.m. until 9 p.m. The event will include music, cocktails and a picture slide show of Walleman throughout her life. Those wishing to make a donation can give to the FTL Sarcoma Fund that is currently being established. More details on the fund are forthcoming.
Walleman died of cancer on April 9, 2013. She was Manager of Midwest/Northeast Promotions, W.A.R. team at Warner Music Nashville.
RSVP for “For The Linds,” at wmn.rsvp@wmg.com.
Randy Owen To Headline Benefit Concert During CMA Fest Week
/by Sarah SkatesAlso performing at the concert during CMA Music Festival week will be hit tunesmiths Dallas Davidson, Frank Myers, Brian White, Anthony Smith, Kylie Sackley, Dave Turnbull, Rob Hatch, Allen Shamblin and Dan Couch.
General admission tickets start at $15, VIP packages are also available. Details at afsp.org/middletn.
Artists Respond To Oklahoma Tornado Tragedy
/by Jessica NicholsonArtist Reactions:
This storm has devastated the community that I grew up in. I rode my bike through those neighborhoods. I have family and friends in Moore. My heart and prayers go to those that have lost so much. But Moore is strong and we will persevere. God be with you all—Toby Keith (via a statement)
Our prayers and thoughts are with those in Oklahoma dealing with the aftermath of the storms Gods Speed—Craig Morgan
The devastation in Oklahoma is heartbreaking. I hope everyone effected can find some kind of safety and peace tonight
#prayersforoklahoma—LeAnn RimesAll my prayers go out to the folks in Oklahoma dealing with these tornados. Stay safe everyone!!!!—Reba McEntire
Growing up in tornado alley, you always know what could happen…it doesn’t change how devastating it is when something does happen—Carrie Underwood
Pray for everyone devastated by these storms, but especially for those families in Moore, OK right now…God, wrap your arms around this community—Trisha Yearwood
My heart is breaking. So much devastation. Praying for all affected & those still in the wake of this storm be safe!—Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott
Our hearts are crushed for Oklahoma, keeping you in our thoughts and prayers—The Band Perry
God Bless Oklahoma victums [sic]- prayers are with all the families – will wake up tomorrow and start working on the best way to help—Kix Brooks
Crazy footage. Praying for Oklahoma right now—Chris Young
Performers Announced For 'Country Weekly' Kick-Off Party
/by Jessica NicholsonAll proceeds from the event will benefit Musicians On Call Nashville, a non-profit organization that brings music to the bedsides of healthcare facility patients.
Doors will open at 7 p.m., with the show beginning at 8 p.m. Attendees will get their own star treatment with a red carpet arrival, lights and a backdrop for photos. The event is sponsored by Boot Barn, Durango and Roper.
For more information on the event, ticket options and MOC Nashville, please visit musiciansOnCall.org.
Ratings Report: Trace Adkins Wins 'Celebrity Apprentice'
/by Sarah SkatesTrace Adkins and Donald Trump.
Vote Kellie tonight on “Dancing…”
Last night’s (May 19) major network television line up was packed with country music talent. Here’s how early ratings are stacking up, according to Zap2It.com:
• The season finale of All-Star Celebrity Apprentice (NBC) scored a 1.5 in adults 18-49, down 32 percent from a 2.2 for last year’s season finale. About 5.26 million viewers tuned in to see Trace Adkins win. During the season finale, Adkins raised $564,000 for the American Red Cross, which contributed to his total of $1.5 million for the charity. Joining him on the show to contribute to the cause were The Oak Ridge Boys, Thompson Square, Billy Ray Cyrus and Wynonna Judd. Adkins performed “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and “Love Will.”
• ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’ Superstar Summer Night (CBS) earned a 1.2 adults 18-49 rating, with about 6.19 million viewers.
• The 2013 Billboard Music Awards (ABC) won the night. Taylor Swift swept the show, which came in at number one among adults 18-49 and with total viewers. The show scored a ten-year high 3.6 rating among adults 18-49, and attracted 9.47 million viewers.
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• Kellie Pickler’s hot streak continues on the season finale of Dancing With The Stars tonight (May 20) on ABC. The country star and dance partner Derek Hough will vie for the viewer-voted win at 7 p.m. CT, and the champions will be announced on tomorrow night’s show at 8 p.m. CT.
• Last Thursday’s (May 16) season finale of American Idol slumped compared to last year’s ratings. The ABC show earned a 3.6 adults 18-49 rating, about 44 percent lower than last year. It averaged 14.31 million viewers, coming in below the 20 million mark for the first time in history. Still, it was number one among adults 18-49 and with total viewers. Nashvillian Kree Harrison was named runner up of the competition.
Keith Urban and Taylor Swift join Tim McGraw for his ACM special.
Songwriter Alan O'Day Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonA Southern California native, O’Day signed with Warner Bros. Music in 1971. He wrote “Train of Thought” for Cher, “Rock and Roll Heaven” for the Righteous Brothers and “Angie Baby” for Helen Reddy. In 1977, O’Day released the solo effort “Undercover Angel,” which became a No. 1 Billboard hit.
O’Day co-wrote “There’s Only One Ariel” for Disney’s Little Mermaid, as well as nearly 100 songs for the television series Jim Henson’s Muppet Babies.
In February 2013, 1st Phase Records country-recording artist Paul Scott released his debut album Make Me Believe featuring two songs co-written by O’Day, “NASCAR Crazy” and “Uh-Uh (What She Wants).” O’Day’s songs were also recorded by Olivia Newton-John, Anne Murray, Three Dog Night, John Kay, Dave Mason, Johnny Mathis, The 5th Dimension, Larry Carlton, Captain & Tenille, Tom Jones, Peggy Lee, Nancy Wilson, John Travolta, Dusty Springfield, Bobby Sherman, David Clayton Thomas, Tony Orlando & Dawn, Paul Anka and Gene Pitney.
Funeral services are pending.
George Strait Celebrates 60th No. 1 Single
/by Jessica NicholsonThe UMG Nashville staff celebrates George Strait’s 60th No. 1 hit.
Country Music Hall of Fame member and UMG Nashville artist George Strait became the first music artist in history, regardless of genre, to place 60 songs at the top of the charts when Mediabase named “Give It All We Got Tonight” as this week’s most played song on country radio. The song is the first single from Strait’s new album Love Is Everything, which released last week. “Give It All We Got Tonight” was written by Mark Bright, Tim James and Phil O’Donnell.
“I didn’t realize we were making history — I just hoped we were putting out music that my fans would enjoy,” said Strait. “As always, I’m thankful to the fans and country radio for their support on all 60 of these number one songs as well as my entire career. They are the ones who made this happen.”
Strait fans, radio stations and several country artists joined the “Sixty For Sixty” movement to help Strait earn his 60th No. 1 single, while he was 60 years old. It came down to the wire, as Strait turned 61 over the weekend (on Saturday, May 18).
“The amount of support shown by fans, industry and especially country radio to give George his 60th No. 1 single is the ultimate testament in a format that has been defined by his music,” said Royce Risser, Sr. VP, Promotion for Universal Music Group Nashville. “No one is more deserving of this accomplishment than George Strait, the undeniable King of Country Music. Happy Birthday George!”
Watch Brad Paisley, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Gary Allan, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelly and Hillary Scott and others congratulate Strait on his 60th No. 1 song.
Artists Announced For CMA Music Festival's Bud Light Stage
/by Jessica NicholsonFree and open to the public, the Bud Light Stage launches on Thursday, June 6 at 10:30 a.m. CT.
“The location of the Bud Light Stage is perfectly situated to provide a place to discover new talent and reconnect with well-known hitmakers,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “This stage was one of our most popular destinations in 2012 and I’m expecting the same level of enthusiasm and attendance again this year.”
Artists performing on the Bud Light Stage at the Bridgestone Arena Plaza include: Lauren Alaina, Dean Alexander, Katie Armiger, Frankie Ballard, Kelleigh Bannen, Big Smo, Bucky Covington, Dailey & Vincent, Sarah Darling, Emerson Drive, Rose Falcon, Andy Gibson, JT Hodges, Chris Janson, Angie Johnson, Krystal Keith, LoCash Cowboys, Robin Meade, Randy Montana, David Lee Murphy, Parmalee, Mac Powell, Michael Ray, Chase Rice, Canaan Smith, Joanna Smith, Chris Stapleton, Steel Magnolia, Pam Tillis with Lorrie Morgan, James Wesley, Chuck Wicks and Drake White.
For more information, visit cmafest.com.