Show Dog and Universal Music Renew Agreement

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Toby Keith and SDU Music president Mark Wright, along with Mike Dungan, Chairman & CEO Universal Music Group Nashville, announced that Show Dog and Universal Records South have renewed their joint venture agreement for Show Dog-Universal Music, LLC.

“We are committed to expanding our creative investment in all areas of country music,” stated Mr. Dungan. “Show Dog-Universal Music is on solid ground, and is uniquely situated as one of the premier custom-shop labels in Nashville. With Toby and Mark at the helm, I’m confident that they will be able to expand the label even further.”

“We are extremely proud to be part of the Universal family and their commitment and belief speaks volumes at this time in the music business,” added SDU Music President, Mark Wright.

Since forming Show Dog-Universal Music in 2009, Keith and Wright have expanded the label’s roster to include Trace Adkins, Josh Thompson, JT Hodges, Joel Crouse, Rose Falcon, Jessie James, and Krystal Keith.

Kellie Pickler Finds New Label Home

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Pictured (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley's, Larry Fitzgerald; Black River's VP of A&R, Doug Johnson; Kellie Pickler; Black River's CEO, Gordon Kerr; Black River's GM, Greg McCarn

It was announced today (10/8) that Kellie Pickler has signed a recording contract with Black River Entertainment.

“From our initial meeting, it was clear to me how much the entire team respects the artists’ musical vision, and I’m really looking forward to getting back into the studio to record and release new music to country radio,” said Picker.

“Anyone who loves country music deserves to turn on their radio and hear Kellie Pickler,” said Doug Johnson, VP of A&R at Black River. “I am honored to have the opportunity to help share her music with the world.”

“She’s real, she adores her fans, she’s rooted in and committed to country music and she’s genuine,” praised Gordon Kerr, CEO of Black River Entertainment. “How can you ask for more than that?”

Pickler has spent the past 6 years with 19/BNA Records for whom she released three albums after appearing on American Idol. Her 2006 debut album, Small Town Girl, sold 800,000 copies and contained the breakout singles, “Red High Heels,” and “I Wonder.”

In 2008, the Albemarle, North Carolina native released her self-titled sophomore record featuring the Taylor Swift co-write and first Top 10, “Best Days of Your Life.”

Pickler co-wrote six of the 11 tracks on her current Frank Liddell and Luke Wooten-produced release, 100 Proof, which she is currently touring to support. She returns to co-host Anderson Live today (10/8) alongside Anderson Cooper, establishing herself as the only co-host to appear twice in history of the show.

Black River is also home to recording artists Craig Morgan, Sarah Darling, Due West and Glen Templeton. The company operates the newly renovated Ronnie’s Place and Sound Stage recording studios, Black River Records, Black River Publishing and Black River Management.

For a full list of appearances by the singer, visit www.kelliepickler.com.

Lynda Weingartz Promoted at AirPlay Direct

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AirPlay Direct has announced the appointment of Lynda Weingartz to Executive VP of Operations. Weingartz joined the company in early 2011, and has created successful partnerships with Hard Rock Cafe, the IBMA and more.

“I am very proud to have been a contributor to the accomplishments of AirPlay Direct since joining the team,” said Weingartz. “And I look forward to all of the on-going challenges we will face as a company, as well as to the successes I expect in the future.”

In her over 25 years of experience in the entertainment industry, Weingartz has worked in management, talent development, as well as content development for corporate entities such as AT&T, Coca-Cola, UPS and more.

Congratulate her here.

Aristo International Report Highlights CCMA Awards, Americana Week and More

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Click to view the newsletter.

The AristoMedia Group has issued the October issue of its Aristo International Report. Highlights include:

• The 2012 CCMA Awards in Saskatoon

• Australian activities at the Americana Music Conference and Festival in Nashville

• A preview of next year’s CMC Rocks the Hunter festival lineup

• A look back at Lady Antebellum’s hugely successful world tour

• The CMA posthumously honors journalist Rineke Van Beek

• The British Country Music Award winners and Hall of Fame inductees

• Aristo Q&A with RGK Entertainment’s Ron Kitchener

• Photos from this year’s CCMA Awards and Americana Week

The company has been issuing this quarterly review of global activities since 2008. Please click to view the newsletter online at www.AristoMedia.com or download the pdf.

CMA Celebrates Country Music Month

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(L-R) Mayor Dean, CMA Board Chairman Gary Overton, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore, CMA President-Elect Ed Hardy Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

The Country Music industry and CMA are celebrating Country Music Month with events and activities designed to heighten awareness of the format leading up to Country Music’s Biggest Night, The 46th Annual CMA Awards, on Thursday, Nov. 1.

Nashville Mayor Karl Dean issued a proclamation from the city citing the important role and meaningful impact of the Country music industry on Nashville’s economy and reputation as a center for the entertainment business and global tourism. Country Music Month was also recognized by Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam, who stated in the proclamation: “I Bill Haslam, Governor of the State of Tennessee, do hereby proclaim October 2012 as Country Music Month in Tennessee and encourage all citizens to join me in this worthy observance.”

As part of the Country Music month celebration, the popular CMA Songwriter Series will take place at Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Oct. 24 and Joe’s Pub in New York City on Oct. 25. Both shows feature feature Sunny Sweeney, Kendell Marvel, Leslie Satcher, and host Bob DiPiero. 

The CMA Songwriters Series will also return to Nashville on Wednesday, Oct. 31 (9:00 PM/CT) at Marathon Music Works for a show featuring Kristian Bush, Brantley Gilbert, and host Bob DiPiero. For more information on the CMA Songwriters Series, visit CMAsongwritersseries.com.

“CMA’s mission is to advance Country Music around the world,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “And Country Music Month is another tool for reaching consumers who embrace our artists and the format culminating with the live broadcast of the CMA Awards.”

CMA events and industry activities planned for the October include:
• Return of the CMA SRO Awards, honoring members of the touring industry, on Oct. 9
• CMA Songwriter Series events in Chicago (Oct. 24), New York (Oct. 25), and Nashville (Oct. 31)
• Private reception for the 2012 CMA Awards nominees
• CMA Channel for Country Music Month on iHeartRadio
• The 87th birthday celebration of the Grand Ole Opry
• Awards banquets for Nashville performing rights organizations
• CMA giveaways and more featured on CountryMusicMonth.com

Gene Higgins Announces Retirement

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Industry veteran Gene Higgins has announced his retirement as president of the Inspirational Country Music Association, where he has served for 20 years. Jason Higgins will now serve as President, CEO and Chairman of the Board.

“It has been an incredible journey with a whole lot of blessings and satisfaction seeing what this organization has turned into today,” said Gene Higgins. “I would love to invite all the media, industry and friends to come share in this 20 year celebration and retirement ceremony.”

Gene will continue working with Power Source Music, which promotes songs that fit the organization’s motto of Faith, Family and Country.

A special farewell to Gene is planned for Sunday, October 14 at Cornerstone Church (726 W. Old Hickory Blvd., Madison, TN). The music begins at 6:45 pm with performers including T. Graham Brown, John Berry, Stella Parton, The Roys, Jeff Bates, and many more.

The organization’s 18th Annual ICM Faith, Family, & Country Awards are scheduled for Thursday, October 18. Tickets are available here.

Swift to Appear on SiriusXM’s “Town Hall” Series

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Taylor Swift’s new album Red hits stores on Monday, October 22 and on release day she will be in New York City for a live Q&A session as part of SiriusXM’s “Town Hall Series.”

“SiriusXM’s Town Hall with Taylor Swift” will air live on The Highway, channel 59, Monday, October 22 at 2 pm/ET. The intimate gathering will be hosted in front of listeners by SiriusXM’s Al Skop, and Swift will answer questions from the audience. The special will also feature songs from Red. Other “Town Hall” specials have featured Bruce Springsteen, Tom Petty, Coldplay, Ronnie Dunn, and more.

“There are few artists today who have reached such a large audience around the world and across multiple genres. Taylor Swift has a personality that her fans love and some lucky few are now getting the chance to share the same room with her and ask her questions,” said Scott Greenstein, President and Chief Content Officer, SiriusXM.

Fans will have a chance to attend Swift’s “Town Hall.” Details will be available Monday, Oct. 8 by visiting www.siriusxm.com/thehighway.

Comedy Fundraiser For Rocketown

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Comedy for a Cause will benefit Nashville organization, Rocketown, on Tuesday, October 9 with appearances from its founder Michael W. Smith, plus comedians Henry Cho and Jeff Allen.

The VIP reception, hosted by Rocketown Board of Directors, will feature a silent auction, dinner and entertainment. Auction items are currently available for bidding here.

The nonprofit outreach home for teens provides opportunities in arts, music, action sports and mentoring programs. Courses in film, art, dance, rhyme, song writing, journalism and graphic design have benefited Nashville youth since opening in 2003.

Cho was the keynote entertainer for The 59th Annual Radio & Television Correspondents’ Dinner attended by the Bush Administration and has worked with artists including Vince Gill, Amy Grant, Willie Nelson, and Carrie Underwood. This spring, Henry sold a special/pilot to GAC in which he’ll serve as host, co-writer, and co-producer.

Allen has performed on every U.S. cable comedy show and across the country. He has starred in his own sitcom pilot, Happy Wife, Happy Life, for PAX TV, and on his own DVD collections.

For more information, visit http://www.rocketown.com.

The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation Adds Four to Staff

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Pictured (L-R): Stacy Eaton-Carter, Elizabeth Vazquez, Bailey Groetsch, Tracy Rode

The Minnie Pearl Cancer Foundation (MPCF) has expanded its staff to include Tracy Rode (Director of Client Services), Bailey Groetsch (Oncology Social Worker), Elizabeth Vazquez (Oncology Content Coordinator), and Stacy Eaton-Carter (Director of Development, Annual Giving).

The additions cap three years of growth, nearly tripling the size of the organization. With a reach beyond Nashville, the foundation has offered free support, education, and one-on-one guidance to thousands of adults facing cancer across 36 states, 3 Canadian provinces, and South Africa.

“I am confident the expertise and talents we’ve added to our already amazing team will help further fulfill our mission to create a more confident cancer journey for adults anytime, anywhere,” said Susan Hosbach, Executive Director of MPCF.

Rode is a Tennessee native and graduate of Vanderbilt University. Since 1998, she served as President of Vision3 Interactive. Currently, she is President of FiftyForward’s Board of Directors.

Groetsch is a native of New Orleans, an undergraduate in psychology and masters in social work. Bailey is a licensed master social worker in Tennessee and is a member of the Association of Oncology Social Workers.

Vazquez, a Registered Nurse with over 14 years of research experience with anxiety disorders, marketing, and oncology. She also works at the Sarah Cannon Research Institute where she assisting oncologists.

Eaton-Carter is a nonprofit professional with more than 15 years of experience as the Director of Corporate and Institutional Giving with Cheekwood and more than 12 years with the Nashville Symphony’s development department. The board treasurer of the Nashville Chapter of the Association of Fundraising Professionals, she is only one of 20 fundraising professionals decorated with the CFRE (Certified Fundraising Executive) in the Middle Tennessee area.

In addition to celebrating 25 years in 2012, the MPCF celebrates Minnie Pearl’s 100th birthday. For more information and latest news, visit www.minniepearl.org.

“No Shave November” Returns to Benefit St. Jude

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Things are about to get a little hairy, when the “No Shave November” competition returns for a second year to raise funds for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. Participants from Music Row and Country Radio will put the razors aside for an entire month in hopes of meeting the $100,000 goal for St. Jude. Beginning this year, Country Cares radio stations are also encouraged to start teams with 100 participants and throw their own “Beard Bash.”

On Nov. 1, participants will start with a clean shave and post a photo with that day’s newspaper. On Nov. 30, participants will submit final photos with proof of date. All participants can then gather for a “Beard Bash” (location TBA), where prizes will be awarded to finalists in a variety of categories. A “Beard” of Directors (included below) has been appointed to aid the proceedings.

Cost to enter is $30 and sign-up is here: www.stjude.org/noshavenovember

“No Shave November” Beard of Directors
President – April Johnson (Warner Music Nashville)
Lou Ramirez (Warner Music Nashville)
George Meeker (State Farm Insurance)
Chuck Aly (Country Aircheck)
Josh Easler (Sony & Country Cares Board of Directors)
Keith Kaufman (Center Stage Tour Promotions & Country Cares Board of Directors)