Pictured (L-R): Exec. Dir. Pam Matthews, Dir. of Strategic Alliances and Operations Candice Davis, and Dir. of Events and Membership Mallori Kirchenschlager
has been appointed the Executive Director of
IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association). The announcement was made by the trade organization’s Board of Directors. She previously spent seven years at Gaylord Entertainment as General Manager of the historic Ryman Auditorium. During her tenure, the theatre received its National Historic Landmark status, its first
Pollstar Theatre of the Year honor, Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year, and IEBA Venue of the Year. In 2006,
Billboard magazine ranked Matthews among its “Twenty Top Women in Music.” Prior to that, Matthews spent 12 years with
The Judds as Vice President and Treasurer of
Wynonna, Inc. and J2K, Inc. Her career began at Mid South Concerts in Memphis, and she landed in Nashville as part of the Pace Concerts team that designed and operated Starwood Amphitheatre.
IEBA Chairman and President of Signature Entertainment
Lori Otelsberg comments, “I believe Pam has the greatest vision and ability to continue building on IEBA’s success, while bringing new and creative ways to better our association, and building relationships within the industry to strengthen our reputation as the premier conference for live entertainment.”
Matthews adds, “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day. To be of service to my industry, and to an organization with such a rich history and such a commitment to its members and the community at large, is an honor indeed. It is with genuine excitement that I begin this new adventure.”
Matthews joins IEBA staffer
Candice Davis, Director of Strategic Alliances & Operations. 2013 marks Davis’s fifth IEBA Conference and third year as a full-time employee of the association. She plays a vital role in conference planning and is responsible for IEBA Interactive student programs and all aspects of business operations.
Mallori Kirchenschlager is IEBA’s new Director of Events & Membership. She is a Belmont University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business and Accounting. She comes to IEBA following five years of experience at Creative Artists Agency, where she was mentored by
Rob Light, Head of Music and Managing Partner in Los Angeles, and
Marc Dennis in Nashville.
IEBA President and Co-owner of Chicago’s Joe’s Bar
Ed Warm says, “We love Mallori’s approach; her ideas are fresh and creative. Her agency experience brings an important perspective. And having a staff member dedicated to the membership represents our dedication to IEBA’s mission statement and to the mutual success of our organization and the industry as a whole.”
The 43
rd annual IEBA Conference will take place October 19-22, 2013 at the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Aldean, Greenwood Surprise Guests At Scholarships For Heroes Concert
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Chris Young, Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood and the Tennessee National Guard Color Guard. Photo:
Jeremy Westby
Charlie Daniels, Jason Aldean, Lee Greenwood, Chris Young, The Grascals, Keni Thomas, Bleach and Lynyrd Skynyrd guitarist Sparky Matejka all made appearances during a free concert on Tuesday (March 5) as part of the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes Event at Lipscomb University. The event is part of the university’s Yellow Ribbon Enhancement program.
“The motto for the USO is ‘until they all come home.’ Last night’s event at Lipscomb addressed the fact that many did not come home,” explained Greenwood. “I’m proud to have been a part of this event and congratulate my friend Charlie Daniels for being a leader in our Nashville community.”
Daniels, a staunch supporter of the military, was pleased with the event and the support by the community. Corporate sponsors and donors included iostudio, Humana, Waltrip Brothers’ Charity Championship, Cracker Barrel Old Country Store, Twice Daily, Bridgestone, Chase, Operation Homefront, Clear Channel, Dollywood, Shofner Vision Center, Trauger & Tuke, Glover Group Entertainment, SunTrust and DSI.
“We have so many heroes whose needs fly below our radar,” said Daniels. “This shouldn’t be happening and this event is helping to make sure it doesn’t.”
Industry Ink (3-7-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonShirley Hutchins
Music Row Administrators Group has announced their “2013 Spring Series” of speaker meetings, with an “Emphasis on Multi-Media.”
–On March 21, Mike Stewart, President and Founder of Soundpages, Inc. will speak. Soundpages, Inc. is a complete multi-media production facility in Atlanta. Stewart and Tom Long released “This Guitar Can Talk” and both will speak on making money online with music, books and video, using social media case studies. A Q&A will follow.
–On April 18, Savannah Music Group GM Bob Saporiti will speak. Throughout the 70s, Saporiti became owner/operator of Free Spirits Studios. In 1984, he became Nationa Promotion Director of Warner Bros. Records, where he rose through he ranks to Senior VP Promotions.
–On May 16, Sybril Bennett, Ph.D. and Exec. Director of the Department of Media Studies at Belmont University will speak. She coaches individuals and organiztions on implmenting multi-media strategies using traditional as well as social media.
All three meetings will be held on BMI Nashville’s 6th Floor Theater. Each meeting begins at 1 p.m. CT and will last approximately one hour. To be added to the MRAG e-vite directory, send name, company, contact info and e-mail address here. Reservations are required at each session.
• • •
Since opening Pro Music Academy in Nashville’s Berry Hill neighborhood in June 2012, Chapin says the reaction from the local music community has been overwhelmingly positive, with the school currently serving more than 100 students and working with approximately 40 different instructor musicians. PMA offers weekly classes for students of all ages in guitar, drums, bass, piano/keyboards, songwriting, mandolin, cello and violin. The school also offers vocal lessons from a host of renowned vocal coaches and works with students across the country.
Pro Music Academy is located at 2801 Bransford Ave., Nashville, TN 37204. Contact PMA at (615) 200-0604. A list of current instructors and pricing is available online at www.ProMusicAcademy.com.
• • •
Dylan Altman
Songwriter Dylan Altman will be at Nashville’s Belcourt Taps on March 19 beginning at 9:30pm. Altman has had three No. 1 songs: Tim McGraw’s “Watch The Wind Blow By,”Jake Owen’s “Barefoot Blue Jean Night” and most recently Jason Aldean’s “Take A Little Ride.” Other artists who have recorded Dylan’s songs include Trace Adkins, Will Hoge and Gabe Dixon. He is an avid supporter and volunteer for Musicians On Call, an organization that provides live music for patients in area hospitals, and he co-hosts an annual benefit for JDRF (Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation) with good friend and frequent collaborator EMI Records Nashville recording artist Eric Paslay.
Nashville To Host 'Pollstar' Awards in 2014
/by Sarah SkatesTouring industry trade publication Pollstar will bring its 2014 conference and awards show to Nashville for the first time. The outlet confirmed the news on its Facebook page, adding that more details are to follow.
This is the latest prominent national music industry event to venture to Nashville, following the Grammy nominations concert in late 2012.
The three-day conference, known as Pollstar Live, will open Feb. 19, 2014 at the Omni Nashville Hotel, and be capped by the 25th annual awards show on Feb. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium. Usually held in Los Angeles, Pollstar has also moved its annual gathering to Las Vegas and New York in the past.
The 2013 conference took place Feb. 5-7 in Los Angeles and included a keynote presentation by marketing guru Seth Godin. This year’s honors were presented at Club Nokia during a ceremony hosted by Michael McDonald. Several Nashvillians earned trophies at the event including:
Theatre Of The Year – Ryman Auditorium (Nashville, TN)
Bobby Brooks Award / Agent Of The Year – (tie) Chip Hooper (Paradigm) and Rod Essig (Creative Artists Agency)
Third Coast Agent Of The Year – John Huie (Creative Artists Agency)
Other honors included Booking Agency Of The Year – Creative Artists Agency, and Major Tour Of The Year – Roger Waters.
Pictured at the 2013 Pollstar Awards (L-R): NS2’s Darin Lashinsky, Frank Productions’ Larry Frank, and CAA’s Rod Essig. Photo: Pollstar.com
Warner Chappell and THiS Music Extend Co-Publishing Partnership
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Phil May (Vice President and General Manager, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville), Tim Nichols (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Connie Harrington (Co-Owner, THiS Music), Rusty Gaston (Co-Owner and General Manager, THiS Music), Ben Vaughn (Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville). Photo credit: William Patton.
Warner Chappell and THiS Music have extended their long-term partnership. Under the agreement, Warner/Chappell will continue to publish and administer THiS Music’s repertoire. THiS Music was formed in 2006 by General Manager Rusty Gaston and songwriters Tim Nichols and Connie Harrington, and launched in partnership with Warner/Chappell Music.
“THiS Music is a renowned Nashville brand known for top shelf hit songs, and extraordinary songwriters who are helped to achieve their best by Rusty and his team,” said Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “On behalf of everyone at Warner/Chappell Music, it is with great pleasure that we announce the continuation of our partnership with Rusty, Tim and Connie.”
“We are blessed and thrilled with how far THiS Music has come in building a hands-on boutique environment for some of today’s best songwriters,” said Gaston, GM, THiS Music. “Warner/Chappell Music has been a rock solid partner over the course of the past seven years, and together our teams have helped to create hit singles and influential country music that we are extremely proud of. Extending our arrangement with Warner/Chappell was an easy decision and we look forward to continue working with them.”
THiS Music has a roster of some of today’s brightest artists and songwriters, including Tim Nichols (Tim McGraw’s “Live Like You Were Dying”); Ben Hayslip (Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie That Girl,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me,” Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight” and “Honey Bee,” Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night to End,” and Jason Aldean’s “Only Way I Know”); Connie Harrington; Marv Green; Deric Ruttan; Troy Olsen; singer-songwriter and member of Sparrow Records Christian duo City Harbor, Molly Reed; Jeff Outlaw; and up and coming talent Michael Thomas & Drew Baldridge.
George Jones To Bring More Guests to Final Nashville Show
/by Caitlin RantalaThe show has already announced Dierks Bentley, Charlie Daniels, Jamey Johnson, Montgomery Gentry, Shelby Lynne, Sam Moore, Lorrie Morgan, The Oak Ridge Boys, Randy Travis, Tanya Tucker, Josh Turner and Gene Watson as participating in the evening of music.
In addition, Brenda Lee, John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, Eddy Raven, The Roys, Janie Fricke, T.G. Sheppard, Dailey & Vincent, Gary Morris, Jessi Colter, Bobby Bare, Jim Ed Brown, Little Jimmy Dickens, Stonewall Jackson and more will all take the stage during the finale performance.
More stars are expected to be announced as performers gear up to pay tribute to one of the world’s most accomplished recording artists.
“Alan and Denise Jackson have been friends of Nancy and I for years, so this show wouldn’t be the same without him,” said Jones. “I am also so grateful that my dear friend Garth Brooks is going to be on stage with me. I am not sure who will be crying more, me or him.”
Country Comes To The Small and Silver Screens
/by Jessica NicholsonJake Owen
Jake Owen will appear on BRAVO’s Watch What Happens Live on today (March 7) at 11:00 p.m. ET. Owen will join host Andy Cohen discuss his recent performance at Madison Square Garden. Actress Jennifer Love Hewitt will also appear.
• • •
Will Hoge
Will Hoge will perform his ACM-nominated song “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” on WGN Midday New ‘Music Lounge’ today (March 7) at 12 noon CT.
• • •
Jana Kramer has roles in two upcoming films, Heart of the Country and Approaching Midnight. In Heart of the Country, Kramer’s character, Faith, heads to New York City in pursuit of a music career, but ends up falling in love with her husband, Luke. After she finds out that Luke is not as he seems and he ends up getting arrested, Faith heads back to North Carolina, where she renews her friendship with Lee, a doctor. The film also follows her relationship with her father (portrayed by Gerald McRaney).
Jana Kramer
In the war-themed film Approaching Midnight, Kramer plays Aspen Malverne, daughter of a small town mayor. According to the trailer, Kramer’s character dies in the film, lending mystery to the plot. Sam Khaleghi portrays a soldier returning from war in Afghanistan (Malverne was his girlfriend), to the ensuing drama of his girlfriend’s death and the suspicion that her father might be running an illegal arms trade.
Watch the trailers for Approaching Midnight here and Heart of the Country here.
• • •
Cassadee Pope
The Voice‘s Season 3 winner Cassadee Pope is working on a reality series with CMT, titled The Cassadee Pope Project, which will offer a behind-the-scenes look at Pope’s journey from musical competition winner to star.
No. 1 Party: The Band Perry's 'Better Dig Two'
/by Sherod RobertsonPictured (L-R): Larga Vista Music’s Stephanie Cox; Bigger Picture’s Jeff Carlton; Little Blue Egg’s Robin Palmer; ASCAP’s Robert Filhart; Shane McAnally; Brandy Clark; Trevor Rosen; The Band Perry’s Neil, Kimberly and Reid Perry; Dann Huff; BMLG’s Scott Borchetta and Jimmy Harnen. Photo by Fred Breedon.
It may have been a cold Tuesday night (March 5), but there was plenty of heated excitement inside the Hard Rock Cafe as the industry elite gathered to celebrate The Band Perry‘s third No. 1 hit, “Better Dig Two.” Written by Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally and Trevor Rosen, the song is published by Little Blue Egg, Rehits Music, Bigger Picture, and Vista Loma Music.
Hosted by ASCAP’s Robert Filhart, the celebrated chart-topper is the first single from The Band Perry’s upcoming sophomore album Pioneer, slated for an April 2 release. Produced by Dann Huff, “Better Dig Two” is Huff’s 34th No. 1 single.
It was a standing room-only crowd as Exec. VP of Big Machine Label Group Jimmy Harnen shared, “It takes a village to break an act,” adding the song was the band’s highest charting debut at 30 with 91 stations on in its first week. Giving thanks to everyone involved, CEO of BMLG Scott Borchetta told the writers and publishers, “Thank you for a brilliant song. This song just kills us.”
President/Owner of Wrensong, Ree Guyer handed out accolades on behalf of the song publishers and shared, “We had ‘demo-itus’ of this song, but you [Dann Huff] took it to another level.” Sr. Manager Brandi Simms also bestowed honors with the coveted No. 1 medallions from the CMA.
The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry joined her brothers onstage to thank the incredible team behind their hit adding, “It truly is a sacred relationship between the songwriter and the artist.”
Co-writer Clark gave heartwarming thanks to many including Big Machine VP of A&R, Allison Jones stating, “She has always been a champion of my songs.” Clark received her first cut in 2006 and “Better Dig Two” is her first No. 1 song. Clark said, “I feel more supported than my heart can even hold.” Co-writer Rosen, who signed with Guyer and co-writer McAnally almost 10 years after moving to Nashville, shared, “To get to this point, it requires a lot of people to believe in you.” McAnally joked, “I’m a little bit afraid of Kimberly after the performance of this song,” adding a sincere reflection, “I’ve had an unbelievably blessed year.”
IEBA Names Executive Director
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): Exec. Dir. Pam Matthews, Dir. of Strategic Alliances and Operations Candice Davis, and Dir. of Events and Membership Mallori Kirchenschlager
Pam Matthews has been appointed the Executive Director of IEBA (International Entertainment Buyers Association). The announcement was made by the trade organization’s Board of Directors. She previously spent seven years at Gaylord Entertainment as General Manager of the historic Ryman Auditorium. During her tenure, the theatre received its National Historic Landmark status, its first Pollstar Theatre of the Year honor, Academy of Country Music Venue of the Year, and IEBA Venue of the Year. In 2006, Billboard magazine ranked Matthews among its “Twenty Top Women in Music.” Prior to that, Matthews spent 12 years with The Judds as Vice President and Treasurer of Wynonna, Inc. and J2K, Inc. Her career began at Mid South Concerts in Memphis, and she landed in Nashville as part of the Pace Concerts team that designed and operated Starwood Amphitheatre.
IEBA Chairman and President of Signature Entertainment Lori Otelsberg comments, “I believe Pam has the greatest vision and ability to continue building on IEBA’s success, while bringing new and creative ways to better our association, and building relationships within the industry to strengthen our reputation as the premier conference for live entertainment.”
Matthews adds, “Opportunities like this don’t come along every day. To be of service to my industry, and to an organization with such a rich history and such a commitment to its members and the community at large, is an honor indeed. It is with genuine excitement that I begin this new adventure.”
Matthews joins IEBA staffer Candice Davis, Director of Strategic Alliances & Operations. 2013 marks Davis’s fifth IEBA Conference and third year as a full-time employee of the association. She plays a vital role in conference planning and is responsible for IEBA Interactive student programs and all aspects of business operations.
Mallori Kirchenschlager is IEBA’s new Director of Events & Membership. She is a Belmont University graduate with a Bachelor’s Degree in Music Business and Accounting. She comes to IEBA following five years of experience at Creative Artists Agency, where she was mentored by Rob Light, Head of Music and Managing Partner in Los Angeles, and Marc Dennis in Nashville.
IEBA President and Co-owner of Chicago’s Joe’s Bar Ed Warm says, “We love Mallori’s approach; her ideas are fresh and creative. Her agency experience brings an important perspective. And having a staff member dedicated to the membership represents our dedication to IEBA’s mission statement and to the mutual success of our organization and the industry as a whole.”
The 43rd annual IEBA Conference will take place October 19-22, 2013 at the new Omni Hotel in downtown Nashville.
Aldean Celebrates Two No. 1 Songs
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean celebrated not one, but two No. 1 singles yesterday (March 5). First, a crowd of industry members gathered at BMI‘s Nashville office to celebrate “Take A Little Ride.” Accepting honors along with Aldean were the song’s co-writers, Dylan Altman, Rodney Clawson and Jim McCormick. In addition, producer Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, Big Red Toe Music’s Craig Wiseman and Cal IV’s Daniel Hill were part of the commemoration, along with a throng of industry well-wishers.
Pictured (back row, l-r): BMI’s Clay Bradley, producer Michael Knox, Broken Bow Records’ Benny Brown, BMG Chrysalis Music’s Daniel Lee, Big Red Toe Music’s Craig Wiseman and Music of Cal IV’s Daniel Hill; (front row, l-r): Jason Aldean; and co-writers Dylan Altman, Jim McCormick and Rodney Clawson. Photo by Rick Diamond
From there, Aldean headed to ASCAP‘s Nashville office to celebrate the hit “The Only Way I Know” (featuring Luke Bryan and Eric Church). The song’s co-writers David Lee Murphy and Ben Hayslip were on hand for the celebration. Producer Knox, along with representatives of This Music, N2D Publishing Company, and Warner/Chappell were on hand to celebrate.
Pictured (L-R), front row: Jason Aldean, Ben Hayslip, David Lee Murphy and Michael Knox. Back row (L-R): Warner Chappell’s B.J. Hill, This Music’s Connie Harrington and Tim Nichols, Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, This Music’s Rusty Gaston and N2D Publishing’s Douglas Casmus. Photo: Ed Rode.
Pictured (L-R): Ben Hayslip, Jason Aldean, David Lee Murphy. Photo: Ed Rode.
Artist Updates (3-6-13)
/by Jessica NicholsonAverage Joes Entertainment and CMT hosted “Colt Party Live,” an exclusive live stream event with CMT during CRS Week. The 90-minute show featured performances by Average Joes Artists including JB and the Moonshine Band, Montgomery Gentry, The LACS, JJ Lawhorn, LoCash Cowboys and Colt Ford.
Pictured (L-R): Stacey Cato, CMT, Manager, Music Strategy; Brian Bayley, CMT Music Strategy; AJE’s Colt Ford; Shannon Houchins, CEO/Average Joes Entertainment; and Charles R. (Randy) Cain, Project Portfolio Director, Viacom Media Networks
• • •
Kimberly Schlapman
Little Big Town’s Kimberly Schlapman will kick off a second season of Kimberly’s Simply Southern on GAC on Saturday (March 9). Guests this season will include Josh Turner, Martina McBride, Craig Morgan, Sunny Sweeney, Ashton Shepherd, Jerrod Niemann, Dustin Lynch and model Niki Taylor.
“Cooking has always been Kimberly’s passion, and our Great American Country audience also loves to see her in the field hunting for treasures as well as cooking in the kitchen so the series combines the best of both worlds,” says Sarah Trahern, senior vice president and general manager, Great American Country.
• • •
CMT hosted its upfront event at the Times Center in Manhattan, where the network announced the addition of four new series, four returning series and a variety of projects in development and the newly-created News & Docs division. CMT also announced that the CMT Music Awards will air live from Nashville on June 5. The event included a four-song set from Sheryl Crow, featuring her current single “Easy” and more material from her latest album.
Pictured (L-R): Brian Philips (CMT President), Sheryl Crow, John Esposito (President, Warner Music Nashville), Peter Strickland (EVP & General Manager, Warner Music Nashville). Photo credit: PictureGroup
• • •
Craig Morgan
Craig Morgan will travel to Sweden in April to participate in the sixth annual Fjallraven Polar, a 200-mile dog sled excursion above the Arctic Circle. The five-day adventure will take place April 9-13. Morgan will be among 20 people from 10 countries who will participate. The trip will journey from the Norwegian shores of the Arctic Ocean (Signaldalen, Norway) to the mountaintops of Sweden (Jukkasjarvi, Swedish Lapland), pulled along by huskies. Morgan will learn to drive and care for his own team of dogs, to pitch a tent and survive in snow and sub-zero temperatures.
“Everyone would agree I have been a daredevil all my life,” says Morgan. “I love to travel to new places and will try just about anything, so when Fjallraven invited me to join them for the Polar, I said ‘Yes’ without giving it a second thought.” Morgan will also get to experience the Northern Lights and visit with the Sami people, the indigenous people of Sweden. He will even grow a full beard to protect his face during the expedition.