The Crested Butte Songwriters Festival is set to take place January 18-19 at the Crested Butte Mountain Resort’s elevation-hotel-and-spa in Colorado. Performers include Dean Dillon, Chris Young, Marti Frederiksen, Even Stevens, Paul Overstreet, Colin Lake, Wendell Mobley, Bri Bagwell, Rodney Clawson, Nicolle Galyon, Tyler Hansen & Stephanie Lane Stevenson, Bill Dowell, Chris Coady, and The Heard. The event will take place at five different venues.
Building on last year’s successful debut, which raised more than $40,000 for Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the TJ Martell Foundation, this year’s festival will once again raise money and awareness to fight breast cancer.
The two Saturday night shows will be in-the-round concerts hosted by Storme Warren and will benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink.
Friday, Jan. 18
8:00PM – Maxwell’s
Chris Coady
Nicolle Galyon & Colin Lake
Paul Overstreet & Even Stevens
8:00PM – Talk of the Town
Tyler Hansen & Stephanie Lane Stephenson
Kylie Sackley & Wendell Mobley
10:00PM – The Eldo
Hosted by Storme Warren
Bill Dowell
Rodney Clawson, Dean Dillon, & Chris Young
10:00PM – Lobar
Marti Frederiksen & Bri Bagwell
Colin Lake
The Heard
Saturday, Jan. 19
6:00PM – Center for the Arts
Bri Bagwell, Wendell Mobley, & Rodney Clawson
Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, Even Stevens, & Chris Young
8:30PM – Center for the Arts
Colin Lake & Marti Frederiksen
Rodney Clawson & Nicolle Galyon
Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, Even Stevens, & Chris Young
Industry Notes (11/26/2012)
/by Eric T. ParkerFor more information, e-mail or call Jackie: 615-320-0466.
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Big Ride is home to artists including Marlee Scott, Craig Wayne Boyd, and Donny Fallgatter. For more information on the company, visit bigride.us.
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Applicants with a working knowledge for bluegrass music, experience in journalism, publicity, education, social networking and events origination are encouraged to submit a resume and a brief statement of interest to Nancy Cardwell by Dec. 20.
IBMA expresses appreciation to Caroline Wright who assumed responsibilities in the interim.
Artist Updates (11/26/2012)
/by Eric T. ParkerTim McGraw
Tim McGraw will invite fans to watch the making of his latest music video, “One Of Those Nights,” when it begins tomorrow (11/27) at 3:30 p.m. CT.
The live Ustream feed will feature on-location footage during the Nashville shoot with periodic opportunities for fans to interact. Tune in here.
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Jake Owen and wife Lacey welcomed their first child, Olive Pearl Owen, on Thanksgiving day (11/22) in Nashville.
Weighing in at 6 pounds, 3 ounces and 19 1/2 inches long, the little bundle will go by “Pearl,” after Owen’s godmother who passed months after the newlyweds discovered they were expecting.
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Guest stars joining Clark on the release include Reba McEntire for her “How Blue,” Dierks Bentley for “Golden Ring,” and Tanya Tucker on her “Delta Dawn.”
Clark produced the album with Jeff Jones.
Country Stars Set For Music In The City
/by Sarah SkatesThe annual showcase features some of Nashville’s hottest rising artists. Hosted by CMT, the event will benefit the W.O. Smith Music School.
Tickets are available here starting at $20.
Nashville Songwriters Heading To Crested Butte
/by MichelleBuilding on last year’s successful debut, which raised more than $40,000 for Cattlemen’s Days Tough Enough to Wear Pink and the TJ Martell Foundation, this year’s festival will once again raise money and awareness to fight breast cancer.
The two Saturday night shows will be in-the-round concerts hosted by Storme Warren and will benefit Tough Enough to Wear Pink.
Friday, Jan. 18
8:00PM – Maxwell’s
Chris Coady
Nicolle Galyon & Colin Lake
Paul Overstreet & Even Stevens
8:00PM – Talk of the Town
Tyler Hansen & Stephanie Lane Stephenson
Kylie Sackley & Wendell Mobley
10:00PM – The Eldo
Hosted by Storme Warren
Bill Dowell
Rodney Clawson, Dean Dillon, & Chris Young
10:00PM – Lobar
Marti Frederiksen & Bri Bagwell
Colin Lake
The Heard
Saturday, Jan. 19
6:00PM – Center for the Arts
Bri Bagwell, Wendell Mobley, & Rodney Clawson
Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, Even Stevens, & Chris Young
8:30PM – Center for the Arts
Colin Lake & Marti Frederiksen
Rodney Clawson & Nicolle Galyon
Dean Dillon, Paul Overstreet, Even Stevens, & Chris Young
Red Bow Rounds Out Promo Team
/by Sarah SkatesReneé Leymon, VP of Promotion
Red Bow Records has added Hilary Hoover as Northeast Director of Promotion. She will report directly to Shelley Hargis, National Director of Promotion, and Reneé Leymon, VP of Promotion.
Hoover most recently served as the Editorial Assistant for All Access Music Group in Nashville. As a recent graduate of Purdue University, she previously held a position as the Production Director for the Purdue Concert Committee. Prior to that, Hoover served as Assistant to the Advanced Crew Tour Manager for The Black Eyed Peas.
“I’m thrilled to be a part of this exciting new chapter at Broken Bow Music Group,” she said. “I’m so thankful for the opportunity Benny, Jon and Carson are providing and look forward to learning from Reneé and Shelley…undoubtedly two of the most passionate promotion executives in the industry! I can’t wait to meet everyone in the Northeast!”
Shelley Hargis, National Director of Promotion
“It’s all about passion and taking a chance on people who are full of passion,” added Leymon. “Someone took a chance on me, and look what happened! I’m thrilled to have everyone on this team…now let’s get to work!”
Hoover begins her new duties immediately. She can be reached at Hilary@redbowrecords.com.
As previously reported the Red Bow promotion staff can be reached at firstname@redbowrecords.com and includes:
(L-R): Danielle DeMott, Southeast Director; Kendra Whitehead, West Coast Director; Bethany Dean, Promotion Coordinator; and Hilary Hoover, Northeast Director
Snapshots (11/26/12)
/by MichelleAs previously reported, Krystal Keith has signed with Show Dog-Universal Music. She and manager TK Kimbrell stopped by the label to celebrate recently. She is finishing up her debut album, which is being co-produced by label president Mark Wright and label principal/artist, Toby Keith.
(L-R): Mark Wright, Krystal Keith and manager TK Kimbrell, TKO Artist Management
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Hunter Hayes (R) hung with Kenny Rogers (L) backstage at the Tulsa stop of Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away tour, where Hayes is the opening act.
Photo: Chris Tate
Ashley Monroe Preps Full-Length Release
/by Eric T. ParkerThe 26-year-old singer’s solo project, produced by Vince Gill and Justin Niebank, features a duet with Blake Shelton titled “You Ain’t Dolly (And You Ain’t Porter).”
“We just got the band in a circle and started playing the songs,” Monroe said. “Once we felt like we had a feel for it, I’d do my vocal live—I never went back in to do a second vocal. It felt like a big old family, the way records used to be made.”
Notable co-writers include Guy Clark for the album’s title track, Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild on “You Got Me,” Jon Randall Stewart for “She’s Driving Me Out Of Your Mind,” and Shane McAnally with “Two Weeks Late.”
Additional album tracks are “Monroe Suede,” “Morning After,” “Weed Instead of Roses,”and a new rendition of “Used” from her 2009 Satisfied album, which yielded two singles, including a duet with Ronnie Dunn.
Her Columbia Nashville side project, Pistol Annies, features Angaleena Presley and Miranda Lambert, whose “Heart Like Mine” Monroe co-penned. The trio’s 2011 project Hell on Heels, continues to produce singles as the band prepares to record a sophomore album.
The Knoxville native is also featured on Trent Dabbs’ EP, Wanda Jackson’s project produced by Jack White, and Train’s recent song “Bruises.”
Black River Adds West Coast Regional
/by Sarah SkatesBrian Fee
Black River Entertainment’s Vice President of Promotion Bill Macky has hired Brian Fee as Director of Promotion-West Coast, completing the department’s recent expansion. In a little over a year, Black River has doubled the size of the promo team to eight members.
Fee’s background includes time as an on-air personality, radio promotion covering multiple regions, and as a west coast booking agent. His twelve-plus years of experience include stops at Lofton Creek Records, Quarterback Records, The Bobby Roberts Co. Inc. and, most recently, Flying Island Entertainment.
“Brian’s record, radio and agency experience bring a totally unique set of skills to our team. In addition to his West Coast duties, he will also serve our Texas radio partners,” states Macky. “The BRE promotion team is now fully staffed and highly motivated to make Black River Entertainment a major force in our industry.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to join the Black River family! It’s an incredible opportunity for me to be able to work with this exceptional team, amazing artists and great music! I can’t wait to hit the ground runnin’!” exclaimed Fee.
Black River is home to Craig Morgan, Kellie Pickler, Sarah Darling, Due West and Glen Templeton.
Currently based out of Black River’s Nashville office, Fee is already on the job and can be reached at bfee@blackriverent.com or (615) 945-7331.
ole President Exits Under Restructuring
/by Sherod Robertsonole Chairman and CEO Robert Ott
ole Chairman and CEO Robert Ott announced the company will not renew its contract with current President Michael McCarty, which terminates at the end of this year, and will eliminate the position.
Other changes to the company’s executive structure include the addition of a new position, Chief Operating Officer, and the recent addition of VP Finance & Administration. According to ole, these changes will strengthen the operational functions of the company given its rapid growth. In its ninth year of operations, ole recently added staff in Creative, Acquisitions, Administration and Media, and employs approximately 45 people in Toronto, New York, Los Angeles and Nashville.
“ole has experienced 50% growth in the last twelve months. As a result, we have a need to continuously strengthen our operational capacity,” says Ott. “ole has nearly a quarter of its staff dedicated to the creative function and remains highly committed to growth in this area. I wish outgoing President Michael McCarty every success in his endeavors and I thank him for his contributions to ole.”
A-Blake Records Hires David Newmark
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Newmark
A-Blake Records, home to flagship artist Jason Cassidy, has tapped David Newmark to serve as VP of Promotion and Acquisitions. He will work to strengthen the Texas label’s presence in Nashville, including securing and managing a radio promotion staff and signing new talent.
Newmark comes to ABR from CO5 Music where he formed and supervised a radio promo team as VP of Country Promotion. A 35-year promotion veteran, Newmark has enjoyed long tenures at major labels including Columbia, Epic, RCA and DreamWorks.
Cassidy scored a No. 1 on the Texas Regional chart with “Honky Tonk Heaven” which he followed with two Top 10’s, “What If,” and current single, “Ride of Your Life.” His next single, “Blame It On Waylon,” will be out early next year.
ABR was founded in 2011 in Deer Park, Texas by business owner Blake Barnes and entertainment attorney Daniel Sanders. They hired Dave Darus, who has worked with Melissa Etheridge, Maroon 5, Elton John and the Bee Gees, as President in August 2011.
Darus said, “We are excited and proud to have an executive of such caliber as David Newmark join our team. His relationships and expertise in the country music industry are second to none and his experience in independent promotion will be valuable as we expand into Nashville.”
Newmark added, “I look forward to growing A-Blake Records into a major independent force in Nashville. My goal is to make A-Blake the premier place for artists to have a voice in their creative and career development.”
Newmark is on the job in Nashville and can be reached at (615) 469-1756 and factor@ablakerecords.com.