Young songwriters will fill the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s Ford Theater on April 30 during the museum’s annual Words & Music Night. Nashville-area students will perform their original songs accompanied by volunteer professional songwriters during the event, which will be hosted by Grammy Award-winning artist Gretchen Wilson. The program begins at 6 p.m. and is open to performing students and their families.
Words & Music allows students to express themselves creatively and learn the craft of lyric writing. The program also provides a unique curriculum-based teaching tool for educators,” said Ali Tonn, director of education and public programming. “The Words & Music Night recital showcases the breadth, depth and quality of those student compositions. This year songs run the gamut, from a witty tune about running from zombies, to a poignant song about the heroism of President John F. Kennedy. When the students perform their songs on the Ford Theater stage with professional songwriters, it is not only a proud moment for the audience of parents, teachers and museum staff, but also an evening of first-rate entertainment. We look forward to it every year.”
Words & Music Night is the culmination of the yearlong Words & Music school program. Classes participating in the program complete creative writing lessons, developed by the museum, which highlight the lyric-writing process and support education standards in language arts and music. Students write or co-write lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then given to professional songwriters, who refine their lyrics and add melodies. Finally, students visit the museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter.
More than 4,400 2nd through 12th grade students at 46 Tennessee schools wrote songs that were put to music by 36 volunteer professional songwriters throughout the 2012–13 school year. This is the 34th year that the museum has offered its Words & Music program. The Tuesday night showcase will include performances by students, ranging from 4th to 12th-graders, from Andrew Jackson Elementary, Battle Ground Academy, Bordeaux Elementary, Ensworth School, Grassland Elementary, Joelton Elementary, McFadden School of Excellence, Meigs Magnet Middle School, Mt. View Elementary, Norman Binkley Elementary, Scales Elementary (Williamson County), Spring Hill High School, Thomas Edison Elementary and Woodland Middle School.
The Words & Music program is made possible by the Country Music Association Endowment for Words & Music.
Hunter Hayes Featured in 'Esquire'
/by Jessica NicholsonHunter Hayes will be featured in a fashion spread in Esquire Magazine’s May issue. The segment on Hayes features shots of the singer-songwriter in apparel by Dior Homme, Rag & Bone and Dolce and Gabbana, as well as a brief interview. The spread also features Wiz Khalifa, Ne-Yo and Cold War Kids.
Photo Credit: Ture Lillegrave
Photo Credit: Ture Lillegraven
Industry Signings (4-16-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson“I couldn’t have found a better home. I feel very fortunate to be able to work alongside Mike Sebastian and the ole team,” says Lee. “They believe in me as a songwriter and have had tremendous success as an independent company. I’m so excited to become a part of their team and look forward to having great success together.”
“Jesse is a very diverse and talented writer and I’m extremely pleased to be working with her,” remarks ole Senior Creative Director, Mike Sebastian. “She continues to grow by leaps and bounds as a writer and an artist and ole looks forward to being instrumental in furthering her career and our collective goals. We are thrilled that she has decided to become a part of the ole team.”
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“I’m excited to be joining the Imagem family,” said Doyle. “I’ve already started to feel the enthusiasm within the company for my songs and I’m looking forward to seeing what we can get done as a team.”
Words & Music Night Coming To Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum April 30
/by Jessica NicholsonWords & Music allows students to express themselves creatively and learn the craft of lyric writing. The program also provides a unique curriculum-based teaching tool for educators,” said Ali Tonn, director of education and public programming. “The Words & Music Night recital showcases the breadth, depth and quality of those student compositions. This year songs run the gamut, from a witty tune about running from zombies, to a poignant song about the heroism of President John F. Kennedy. When the students perform their songs on the Ford Theater stage with professional songwriters, it is not only a proud moment for the audience of parents, teachers and museum staff, but also an evening of first-rate entertainment. We look forward to it every year.”
Words & Music Night is the culmination of the yearlong Words & Music school program. Classes participating in the program complete creative writing lessons, developed by the museum, which highlight the lyric-writing process and support education standards in language arts and music. Students write or co-write lyrics in the classroom; the lyrics are then given to professional songwriters, who refine their lyrics and add melodies. Finally, students visit the museum for a tour and a performance of their songs by their participating songwriter.
More than 4,400 2nd through 12th grade students at 46 Tennessee schools wrote songs that were put to music by 36 volunteer professional songwriters throughout the 2012–13 school year. This is the 34th year that the museum has offered its Words & Music program. The Tuesday night showcase will include performances by students, ranging from 4th to 12th-graders, from Andrew Jackson Elementary, Battle Ground Academy, Bordeaux Elementary, Ensworth School, Grassland Elementary, Joelton Elementary, McFadden School of Excellence, Meigs Magnet Middle School, Mt. View Elementary, Norman Binkley Elementary, Scales Elementary (Williamson County), Spring Hill High School, Thomas Edison Elementary and Woodland Middle School.
Second Soundtrack for ABC's 'Nashville' To Release May 7
/by Jessica NicholsonAward-winning producers T Bone Burnett, Buddy Miller, Gabriel Witcher, Garth Fundis, Frank Liddell, Dan Auerbach, and Ross Copperman worked together to showcase the original content on both the show and soundtrack, respectively. Target will simultaneously release an exclusive version of the soundtrack that will include five additional bonus tracks.
TRACKLISTING:
1. Fade Into You
Performed by Sam Palladio, Clare Bowen
Written by Matt Jenkins, Shane McAnally, Trevor Rosen
2. Ho Hey
Performed by Lennon Stella, Maisy Stella
Written by Jeremy Fraites, Wesley Schultz
3. Gun For A Mouth
Performed by Sam Palladio
Written by David Poe
4. We Are Water
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Patty Griffin
5. Looking For A Place To Shine
Performed by Clare Bowen
Written by Natalie Hemby, Angela Lauer
6. Stronger Than Me
Performed by Connie Britton
Written by Sarah Buxton, Kate York
7. Bitter Memory
Performed by Connie Britton
Written by Lucinda Williams
8. Let There Be Lonely
Performed by Jonathan Jackson
Written by Laura Rogers, Lydia Rogers, Gordie Sampson
9. Hypnotizing
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Cary Barlowe, Steve Robson, Caitlyn Smith
10. I Will Fall (Studio Version)
Performed by Clare Bowen, Sam Palladio
Written by Tyler James, Kate York
11. Nothing In This World Will Ever Break My Heart Again
Performed by Hayden Panettiere
Written by Sarah Buxton, Kate York
Compass Records Signing
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Bankesters
Compass Records has added The Bankesters to its roster of bluegrass artists. The band includes Phil and Dorene Bankester and their three daughters and son-in-law. They are currently at work gathering material for a new album to be produced by Alison Brown and tentatively slated for a fall 2013 release. In the meantime, Compass will be re-releasing the band’s latest album Looking Forward on May 28 for international distribution.
Compass Records Group is home to more than 500 releases across the Compass Records, Green Linnet and Mulligan Records imprints with a roster that boasts a variety of artists including Colin Hay, Victor Wooten, Claire Lynch, Altan, Peter Rowan, The Gibson Brothers, Darden Smith, BeauSoleil, Catie Curtis and label co-founder Alison Brown.
Artist Snapshots (4-16-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonFollowing a big win at the ACM Awards, Florida Georgia Line’s first visit to Colorado on Saturday night (April 13) proved to be more “icing on the cake.” Just before taking the stage for their sold-out, headlining show in Denver, KWOF’s Jonathan Wilde and Brooke Diaz and Grizzly Rose owner Scott Durland surprised the ACM Award Winners for New Artist of the Year with a giant cake.
Pictured (L-R): Grizzly Rose Owner Scott Durland, FGL’s Tyler Hubbard, KWOF MD Brooke Diaz, KWOF PD Jonathan Wilde, Republic Nashville’s Lois Lewis
and FGL’s Brian Kelley
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Pictured (L-R): McCreery, John Ray Clemmons, Nashville RBI Board Chairman, and JoLyn Hilliard, Nashville RBI Executive Director.
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The music video for Brad Paisley’s current single, “Beat This Summer,” debuted on Friday, April 12. The clip was directed by Roman White (Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift), and filmed in Santa Monica, Calif. The video captures the thrills and heartbreak of a summer crush between a young boy and a young girl. Watch the video here.
Brad Paisley on the set of his video for “Beat This Summer.”
Country Stars To Decorate Best Cellars Dinner
/by Eric T. ParkerThis exclusive wine and food celebration pairs “Best Sellers” (popular chart-topping artists) with “Best Cellars” (top wine collectors) who share rare wines with guests at their tables.
This year’s wine hosts include Sam and Celeste Beall; co-chair Tom Black, Keith and Pam Browning; co-chair John and Chantel Esposito; co-chair Bill Hearn and Elise Loehr; Billy Ray and Nancy Hearn; Clint Higham and Joe Galante; Chris Johnson and Jeff Roberts; Eliza Kraft Olander; Keith and Deby Pitts; Bill Shea and Kip and Valerie Summers.
Unique to this year, a reception sponsorship by SunTrust Bank, and post-dinner attendees may now also choose to purchase separate admission to the previously invite-only Tom Black After Party with performances by Warner Music Nashville’s Brett Eldredge and Charlie Worsham.
The four-course dinner will be created by Bob Waggoner (Watermark) and Sean Brock (McCrady’s and Husk in Charleston and Husk in Nashville).
Since the inaugural dinner, created by Billy Ray Hearn in 1999, the Best Cellars Dinner has raised more than $1.65 million to support the foundation’s mission of funding ground-breaking leukemia, cancer and AIDS research.
To purchase tickets and sponsorships for this event, please call Cindy Lovelace at 615-256-2002 or click here.
Artist Updates (4-16-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Stevens, a former blue collar road worker for the city, won the second season of The X Factor. Among those viewers that season was a contingent of Belton residents, who led the charge to raise 100 percent of the funds for the water tower repainting and dedication. “It’s moments like this that really make me smile,” says Stevens. “The support I’ve felt from the community is incredible, and I hope I can continue to make them proud. I’m so incredibly humbled by this honor.”
Guests expected to attend this year include actress Jane Seymour, fashion designer Lauren Conrad, NFL Hall of Fame member Warren Moon, actress Jennifer Tilly, actor William Fichtner and actress Patrika Darbo, author Nora Roberts, recording artist Ski Johnson, among others.
Industry Ink (4-16-13)
/by Jessica Nicholson• • •
Australian singer-songwriter Kane Harrison has joined SESAC‘s roster of writers. Harrison has released two singles, “Crazy” and “Slow Burn.” Harrison recently stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters to celebrate the new partnership.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Harrison. Photo: Peyton Hoge
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Joanna Smith performed an acoustic set for the WDKN Open House last week.
Pictured (L-R): RG Jones, Sony Music Secondary Promotion Manager Robert Freeman, WDKN Music
Director Kenneth Forte, President/WDKN Joanna Smith, RCA artist Dale Turner,
WDKN Mornings Rusty Sherrill, Sony Music Secondary Promotion
CD Baby Partners with Songtrust To Offer CD Baby Pro
/by Jessica NicholsonThe new service interfaces with performance rights organizations to collect royalties on behalf of US-based artists. The offering is made of four primary services including music distribution, songwriter affiliation and/or registration with performing rights organizations ASCAP or BMI, song registration with ASCAP or BMI and international collection agencies, and global royalty collections.
The service will be an add-on opportunity for existing CD Baby Artists, at a cost of $59 per album or $39 per single.