Promotions, Hirings at Country Music Association

CMA LOGO 07The Country Music Association has announced a round of hirings and promotions in their communications, finance and administration, marketing and Membership and Balloting departments.
Communications

  • Courtney Beebe joins CMA as Communications Assistant

Finance and Administration

  • Ken Sanderson has been promoted to Director of Information Technology (IT)
  • Keris Patton has been promoted to the Manager of Accounting Services
  • Taylor Tapp has been promoted to Senior Technical Services Coordinator
  • MaryAnn Dicks joins CMA as Finance and Administration Coordinator
  • Christopher Tompkins joins CMA as Finance and Administration Coordinator

Marketing

  • Scott Frans joins CMA as Manager of Digital Media
  • Mary Gellott, who has been working in a temporary capacity in the Marketing Department, officially joins CMA as Media Manager

Membership and Balloting

  • Brandi Simms has been promoted to Director of Membership and Balloting
  • Betsy Walker has been promoted to Manager of Membership and Balloting
  • Brenden Oliver has been promoted to Coordinator of Membership and Balloting

 

Blake Shelton Tapped For Opening Performance on ACM Awards

Shelton

Blake Shelton will open the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards with a group of high-profile friends. Shelton, who is also co-hosting the awards show with Luke Bryan, will open the telecast with a performance with Bryan, Brad Paisley on guitar, Sheryl Crow and Pistol Annies, including Miranda Lambert, Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley.
They will perform Shelton’s new single, “Boys Round Here,” the second single from his latest album Based On A True Story
The ACM Awards will be broadcast LIVE from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 7, 2013 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
 
 

Industry Ink (4-4-13)

AWMG Entertainment has signed songwriter Tammy Jacobs. Jacobs moved to Nashville in 2001 and has recently had songs placed on Say Yes to the Dress, Access Hollywood and Live with Kelly.

AWMG Tammy Jacobs signing picture11

Seated (L-R): Ann Wilson, Tammy Jacobs
Back row (L-R): Katy Bishop, Shane Barrett, Amy Rathburg

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peter cooper1111Eric Brace and Peter Cooper will release their third duo album, The Comeback Album, on April 23. The project includes nine self-penned songs, along with compositions from Tom T. Hall, Karl Straub and David Halley. Joining Cooper and Brace on the project are Marty Stuart, Richard Bennett, Jen Gunderman, Rory Hoffman, Paul Griffith, David Jacques, Fats Kaplin, Thomm Jutz and Lloyd Green.  The project will release April 23.

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SOURCE held its monthly members’ luncheon at ASCAP on March 28, 2013. Bill Cakmis, Talent Coach/Media Trainer, was the guest speaker. For over 25 years Cakmis has mentored, trained and developed the country’s leading actors, anchors, television show hosts, singers, doctors, lawyers, athletes, CEOs and politicians. As a media consultant and Show Doctor he has partnered with major film studios, production companies, local television stations, and the country’s top networks and cable stations to create productions.

Bill Cakmis source11

Pictured (L to R): Lainie Allbee (Martin Allbee & Associates), Bill Cakmis (Talent Coach), Debbie Carroll (Exec. Dir. MusiCares), Lisa Harless (Sr. VP Regions Bank).
Photo Credit: Denise Fussell

Performers Added To Tim McGraw Special

tim mcgraw1111John Fogerty, Faith Hill, The Band Perry and Florida Georgia Line (with rapper Nelly) have been added as performers scheduled for the ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night taping on Monday (April 8) at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas.
They join the previously released lineup of Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Ne-Yo, Pitbull and Lady Antebellum.
The special will air on Sunday, May 19 at 9 p.m. ET on CBS Television Network.
 

Tin Pan South Photos–Tuesday, April 2

Tuesday night (April 2) featured several all-star lineups across Nashville.
In a late addition to the Tin Pan South lineup, cast members from ABC’s Nashville, including Hayden Paniettiere (“Juliette Barnes”), Connie Britton (“Rayna James”), Charles Esten (“Deacon Claybourne”) Lennon and Maisy Stella (who portray Rayna’s daughters), Clare Bowen (“Scarlett O’Conner”) and Sam Palladio (“Gunner Scott”) and others performed at 3rd & Lindsley’s late show.
Other singer-songwriters featured Tuesday night include Dustin Lynch, Jeffrey Steele, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum, Dave Barnes, Radney Foster, Jon Randall, Wade Bowen and many others.

Tuesday 3rd and Lindsley Jonathan Jackson and Buddy Miller11111

Pictured (L-R): Colin Linden, Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley on ‘Nashville’) and Buddy Miller


Listening Room Emerson Hart Kevin Griffin Better than ezra charles kelley dave barnes111111

Pictured (L-R): Emerson Hart, Kevin Griffin of Better Than Ezra, Charles Kelley of Lady Antebellum and Dave Barnes


Tuesday 3rd and Lindsley Robison Foster Bowen Randall1111

Pictured (L-R): Bruce Robison, Radney Foster, Wade Bowen and Jon Randall


Tuesday Douglas Corner Dustin Lynch Jeffrey Steele11

Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch and Jeffrey Steele

Kenny Chesney Holds Listening Event For New Album

ChesneyEvent

(L-R:) Producer Buddy Cannon, Chesney, Gary Overton (Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO)


Kenny Chesney and Blue Chair/Columbia Records offered media a private listening preview of Chesney’s upcoming album Life on a Rock this week (Apr. 2) at The High Watt on Cannery Row in downtown Nashville. Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman and CEO Gary Overton welcomed guests to the special event and Sony/ATV Music Publishing head Troy Tomlinson shared with the media his enjoyment of watching Chesney’s career grow into such a success.
Large replicas of the album packaging donned the walls of the venue while attendees listened to the first tune “When I See This Bar” written by Chesney and Keith Gattis. Describing the song, Chesney said it was about how life goes by so fast and how going back to certain places can bring back those friendships and memories you’ve made along the way. He continued to share intimate stories of each song as they were played, calling the album “incredibly autobiographical, incredibly personal.”
Chesney added these songs are “simple reflections of my life” which are centered around his experiences spending time at his home in the Virgin Islands. “Lindy” and “Happy on the Hey Now (A Song for Kristi)” are poignant recollections of individuals that made significant impressions on Chesney. “There Must Be Something I Missed” written with Mac McAnally originated from a conversation between the two when Chesney admitted, “I’ve got to find a way not to just exist in my life but to live it.” The title track “Life on a Rock” reflects the lifestyle and closeness of friends on the Virgin Isles while “Marley” written by Chesney and Tom Douglas centers around escaping from it all to a place of solitude and silence.
Chesney summarized how honest and authentic this album is and how “it grounded me in ways I didn’t see coming.” The project features appearances from Willie Nelson on “Coconut Tree” and the Wailers Band on “Spread The Love.” Produced by Buddy CannonLife on a Rock is slated for an April 30 release.

Primetime 'Nashville': 'I Saw The Light'

Juliette finds out Dante is good at more than counseling.

Juliette finds out Dante is good at more than counseling.


“I Saw the Light”
Season 1 | Episode 116 | Aired 04/03/2013
Rayna’s and Juliette’s tour visited New York on last night’s episode of Nashville, where Music City streets stood in as the streets of Manhattan. Rayna had her daughters and sister in tow, Deacon brought his new veterinarian girlfriend, and Juliette’s entourage included her mom and mom’s substance abuse counselor.
During a soundcheck, Rayna’s daughters proved they inherited mom’s performance chops with an acoustic cover of “Hey Ho.” Unbeknownst to Maddie, she has two sets of musical DNA working in her favor—her biological father is Deacon.

Juliette scored a major sponsorship thanks to the help of the counselor, Dante, who’s background is in business. By the end of the show, those two celebrated by hopping in bed together, and next week’s preview indicates that he might also have the hots for her mom, Jolene.
Deacon’s new squeeze could tell that there is still some emotion between him and Rayna, but he likes Stacey enough to consider getting off the road and settling down as a studio musician.
Rayna’s powerful and scheming father Lamar returned to the show after being absent for several episodes. He found out Peggy leaked rumors about Rayna and Teddy to the tabloids, and threatened to tell Teddy about it if she didn’t help him sway mayor Teddy’s opinion about a building project on the river. The show’s biggest cliff hanger was when Lamar had a heart attack at the end of the episode.
Though Scarlett tried to convince the folks at Rayna’s new record imprint that she and Gunnar work best as a duo, he was a supportive boyfriend and talked her into signing the solo offer. They also met a new neighbor, Will, played by Chris Carmack, who is likely a returning character. Huddled around the backyard campfire, Gunnar and Will wrote the show’s only new tune, “Tough All Over.” The song was actually penned by Jim Lauderdale and Odie Blackmon. Gunnar and Will may shape up to be a better duo than Gunnar and Scarlett.
After ditching his record deal and ticking off his publisher, Avery had no choice but to hit Lower Broadway, pickin’ and grinnin’ for tips. He eventually decided being a roadie was more lucrative and took off to join a tour. All we know is he’s headed to New York….
Producers need volunteer extras for a party scene shooting today (Wednesday, April 3) at noon on the General Jackson Showboat. Details at www.nashvilleextras.com.

Jo Dee Messina To Perform "Live Rehearsal" April 16 at 3rd & Lindsley

MessinaJo Dee Messina is set to perform a “live rehearsal” for her upcoming 30+ date spring/summer tour at 3rd & Lindsley in Nashville on April 16, 2013 at 7:00 p.m. The performance is open to the public and will feature music from Messina’s new album, set to release Fall 2013.

“I’m so excited about making a new record and I’m loving the songs we’re recording. It’s going to be such fun to perform them for a crowd. We thought, no place better than 3rd & Lindsley to do a show featuring new material with the hits. The crowd there is always appreciative of artists,” says Messina about her new tour and rehearsal show.

The opening act, selected by Messina’s fans via Twitter, will be selected on Friday, April 5. Messina sent a Tweet in March asking for videos from her fans that were interested in opening for the rehearsal date. The singer personally viewed all the entries and narrowed down the finalist. She setup a poll on her Facebook page for her fans to help choose the winner of the opening slot, and  fans can help Messina by voting now through Friday.

Tickets on sale now at JoDeeMessina.com

 
 
 
 

MusicRowPics: Tyler Barham Artist Visit

Last week (3/27), Tyler Barham visited MusicRow headquarters. The Montana native got his start on YouTube posting cover videos, but now sings originals of his own.
Barham shared four songs, including his single, “17 and Young.” He also played “It’s All Because of You,” “Dance With The One That Brought You,” and “Just Two Kids.”
Barhamn’s music is currently available on iTunes. For more information visit www.tylerbarham.com or click here to see his YouTube channel.
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Industry Ink (4-3-13)

Carrie Underwood

Carrie Underwood


Carrie Underwood has returned from a series of overseas dates and has played to sold-out crowds each night so far on the 2013 U.S. leg of her The Blown Away tour. All 22 tour dates performed so far this year  have been sell-outs, including Buffalo’s First Niagara Center, Hamilton, ON’s Copps Coliseum, Spokane’s Spokane Arena, and Fresno’s SaveMart Center, each with sold-out crowds of over 10,000 attendees.
“The Blown Away Tour” broke records at the WFCU Centre in Windsor, ON, Canada as the fastest sell-out to date for the arena, as well as record-breaking attendance. The tour, which launched last June, has played across the United States, Canada, the U.K., Ireland, and Australia, and will perform a total of 111 dates in less than a year before wrapping on May 23 in Abbotsford, BC, Canada.

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bernie taupin111

Bernie Taupin and Elton John


The Rymer Gallery, Nashville’s premier Fine Art Gallery, presents “Beyond Words”, an extraordinary collection of contemporary artworks by legendary songwriter and lyricist Bernie Taupin. Beginning on March 30, the public will be able to preview the artwork at The Rymer Gallery – 233 5th Avenue North. Exhibition previews will run through April 7, with special appearances by Taupin on Saturday, April 6 (1-3 p.m.) and Sunday, April 7 (1-3 p.m.). Visit www.therymergallery.com for more information.
 

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manuel1111

Manuel


Clothier Manuel has started the Indiegogo campaign to fund New Vision, an inspired design direction that speaks to the demand for individualism in fashion. Launching on April 9, 2013, Manuel American Designs is hosting a 40-day long pledge drive to raise $250,000 to purchase state-of-the art equipment; establish an artisan co-operative; restructure business operations; and to produce and promote first run items. Ushering in this New Vision in his storied career, Manuel is bringing to life a unique line of one-of-a-kind American apparel pieces and accessory items that will include a variety of accessories, leather goods, boots, dresses, pants, shirts, skirts and other apparel items for men and women priced from $50-$600.
“In a world of mass produced clothing and a culture that has rewarded ‘sameness’ for three decades, Manuel is calling for a new age for individualism,” said Corissa Benchley, Marketing, Sales, and Product Development Manager for Manuel American Designs. “Fashion is a natural outlet for people to express who they are and, up until now, the kind of high fashion Manuel creates was limited to wealthy consumers. New Vision is a way for Manuel to reach the new audience of the ‘everyday American’ while preserving his legacy of art and craftsmanship.”
In addition, Manuel American Designs is hosting an official campaign launch party with singer Jordan Allena on Wednesday, April 10 from 5-7 p.m. A Manuel Pub Crawl” will follow as party-goers at acclaimed Nashville hot-spots will preview a sampling of some of the New Vision pieces and can pledge their support. For more information, visit manuelcouture.com