Artist Updates (10/01/12)

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Taylor Swift’s weekly iTunes song rollout for Red (10/22) continues this morning on ABC’s Good Morning America, where the artist is giving viewers a 30 second clip of a new song from the album. The song will be available for download on iTunes at midnight tonight. Additionally, Swift will be interviewed by Cynthia McFadden on ABC’s Nightline, airing tonight (10/1).

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Kip Moore will perform his hit No. 1 single “Somethin’ ‘Bout a Truck” today (10/1) on NBC’s Today from the campus of the University of Tennessee in Knoxville. The performance is part of a special show, “Kathie Lee and Hoda Go Back to College,” and UT won a contest to host the episode. “The energy level at a college is always heightened,” Moore says. “You’ve got so much spirit among the student body. That gives us energy when we are playing, so we always look forward to playing on college campuses.”

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The video for Luke Bryan’s “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye” is set for an exclusive debut on E! News Tuesday, October 2 at 7 pm and 11:30 pm/ET. The clip will also be airing on www.eonline.com for 24 hours after the premiere. Shaun Silva worked with Bryan on the video for “Kiss Tomorrow Goodbye,” which is the fourth single from Bryan’s tailgates & tanlines.

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Big & Rich will offer four director’s cut music videos of songs from their new album Hillbilly Jedi on CMT’s “Hillbilly Hijack” segment October 5. The duo handpicked directors to apply a creative vision to songs “Party Like Cowboys,” “Born Again,” “Lay It All On Me,” and “Cheat On You,” which will all air in the segment. Directors The Edde Brothers, Ryan Hamblin, Kip Kubin and Jeff Venable are the director talents behind the clips.

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Craig Morgan has been tapped to co-host the upcoming season of Field & Stream Total Outdoorsman Challenge, which debuts Wednesday, October 3 at 9:30 pm/ET on Outdoor Channel. Field & Stream editor-at-large T. Edward Nickens will co-host the reality program, which follows the journey of outdoor enthusiasts to become the Total Outdoorsman champion.

(L-R): Allen Treadwell, T. Edward Nickens, Craig Morgan. Photo Courtesy Outdoor Channel.

Party Pics: CRS Battle of the Bands

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Five label groups formed bands and rocked 3rd & Lindsley Thursday night, Sept. 27, at the inaugural CRS Battle of the Bands. The sold out evening featured entertaining lineups from BBR Music Group, Capitol Nashville, Sony Music Nashville, UMG Nashville and Warner Music Nashville. UMG Nashville was declared the winner, based on an audience applause-meter and monetary donations from the crowd. The industry event raised money for the CRS Scholarship Fund and The Country Radio Hall of Fame.

CRS Battle of the Bands 2012 winners, UMG Nashville’s Tiny Huge City

Sony Music Nashville’s Bushido

Warner Music Nashville’s The Almighty Warner Band

 

BBR Music Group’s One Night Stand Band

Capitol Nashville’s Capitol eMERGing Artists

BMI Promotes Two in Nashville Office

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Mark Mason, Bradley Collins

BMI has announced the promotions of Mark Mason and Bradley Collins, both of whom are key team members in the organization’s Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations department.

“BMI is lucky to have two such engaged and forward-thinking Writer/Publisher executives on our Nashville team,” said Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations. “Mark Mason consistently creates win-win opportunities for BMI songwriters by providing showcase opportunities, as well as through strategic partnerships he develops. Bradley Collins is an amazing talent scout, organizational point person and problem solver. Mason and Collins have a unique ability to amplify songwriters’ talents and mentor them, without losing sight of what makes a writer special.”

Previously a Senior Director, Mason has been upped to Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations. He started his career at RCA and joined BMI in 1995 as Associate Director, assuming increasing levels of responsibility for developing and coordinating showcases in Nashville and the region.

Collins has been promoted to Senior Director, Writer/Publisher Relations from his previous role as Director. He joined the organization in 2002 from Acuff-Rose Music Publishing. His duties include coordinating writer events, creating opportunities for BMI writers and publishers, and identifying new sources of revenue and exposure for artists.

Demonbreun Property Changes Hands

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A 1.5 acre piece of property on Demonbreun near the roundabout sold last week for $6.75 million, according to the Nashville Post. The land at 1515 Demonbreun is currently a parking lot across the street from the row of shops and restaurants.

Demonbreun-FCA, a subsidiary of Charlotte, N.C. based Faison Enterprises, purchased the lot. No word on the company’s plans for the land, but the Post reports Faison’s history of developing mixed-use properties, including the Avenue Murfreesboro.

The Lionstone Group unloaded the parcel, but retained another 1.5 acres on the roundabout itself.

Apple Streaming Service Delayed

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Apple’s plans to compete in streaming radio markets against stalwart companies Pandora, Spotify and iHeartRadio have been delayed after an agreement with publisher Sony/ATV and record labels failed to transpire, according to the New York Post.

Coupling with this news, Sony/ATV is reportedly planning to withdraw digital rights from ASCAP and BMI at the end of 2012, collecting compulsory licenses directly. This would follow a move made last year by EMI to pull digital license services away from its previous administer, ASCAP.

Apple’s plan to have its own music-streaming service built into the iPhone 5 was dramatically dashed when talks between the tech giant and Sony/ATV hit a last-minute snag.

Sony/ATV, the world’s largest music publisher, and Apple couldn’t agree on a per-song rights fee.

At the same time, Sony/ATV is about to set the music streaming sector on its ear as it will pull out of the two main copyright associations, ASCAP and BMI, in January.

Apple’s talks with the labels involves an element of promotion based on what music labels are pushing in any one month. Apple is talking about more flexible licenses than Pandora’s since it would allow the tech giant to point people directly to its iTunes store to generate sales. Apple’s streaming licenses would also allow it to play a selected artist more times than Pandora’s rights allow it to.

Sony/ATV–owned by the Sony Corp. and the Michael Jackson estate–brings incredible leverage in negotiations especially since it recently acquired the EMI publishing catalog, now controlling rights to about 3 million songs.

In related Apple news, the company released the iPhone 5 in 22 additional countries today (9/28) with plans to be available in over 100 by the end of the year. In a rare statement of apology today (9/28), CEO Tim Cook acknowledged the dysfunction of the Apple Maps update associated with operating system changes surrounding the iPhone 5 release.

Hunter Hayes Offers Free Unreleased Song

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Road Trips and Guitar Picks, created by Country Financial, has partnered with Hunter Hayes to offer fans a free download of the previously unreleased title, “Light Me Up” on the company’s Facebook page. Until now, the track could only be heard live in concert.

“I am really excited to finally release ‘Light Me Up’,” Hunter says. “This is such a great way to say thanks to all the fans for their support!”

Additionally, CF has partnered with Hayes for 15 dates as he tours with Carrie Underwood’s Blown Away Tour. Fans can enter a sweepstakes to win a VIP experience, concert tickets and backstage passes to meet Hayes and receive a special performance. Additional offerings include support for an upcoming Livestream tour where Hayes will give free exclusive concerts, as well as a chance for fans to participate in the upcoming “Light Me Up” video.

Hayes is also slated to perform on Late Night With Jimmy Fallon tonight (9/28), which airs at 11:37 pm/ET.

Over the past three years, Road Trips and Guitar Picks has partnered with artists as Train, Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean and Little Big Town.

Willie Nelson Reflects In His New Book

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Willie Nelson will offer a personal look into his life as a songwriter, performer and legend in a new book titled, Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die (William Morrow).

In the November 13 release, Nelson opens up about his music, politics, his home state of Texas, religion, past relationships, his wife and children and includes never-before seen photos and stories from family, friends, and band mates.

The Red Headed Stranger, who talks about living in Hawaii and his Maui tribe, shares what it’s like to live in an entirely solar-powered community and how much that means to him.

The Outlaw tells of moving to Tennessee where Patsy Cline decided to record “Crazy” after she heard Nelson’s version, and how Hank Cochran hired him as a songwriter after hearing him play with Jimmy Day and Buddy Emmons. Kinky Friedman penned the foreword.

The book will be available from publisher William Morrow, an imprint of HarperCollins, for $22.99/$24.99 Can.

Nelson has recorded more than one hundred albums over six decades, appearing in several films, and written two New York Times bestsellers, as well as been named a Kennedy Center honoree in 1998. He was presented with a Grammy Lifetime Achievement Award in 2000. He is currently nominated for the 2012 Vocal Event of the Year at the 46th Annual CMA Awards alongside Snoop Dogg, Kris Kristofferson, and Jamey Johnson for “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die.”

Jagermeister Presents Jerrod Niemann

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Jagermeister and tour headliner Jerrod Niemann will kick off over 20 shows across the United States starting October 10 at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley.

For Niemann, the upcoming tour will be in conjunction with the release of his sophomore album, Free The Music, on October 2.

Jagermeister, the No. 1 selling imported liqueur in America and the eighth largest selling premium spirit in the world, has a history of supporting bands, both from a local level to national amphitheater acts.

“We both come from German origins and both believe in the power of music,” said Niemann, of Jagermeister.

For tickets and information, visit www.facebook.com/jagerusa. Tour dates listed below.

10/10 Nashville, TN (3rd and Lindsley)
10/11 Oxford, MS (The Lyric Oxford)
10/13 Bradenton, FL (Joyland IV)
10/25 Farmington, NM (Farmington Civic Center)
11/8 Tulsa, OK (Cain’s Ballroom)
11/9 Oklahoma City, OK (Diamond Ballroom)
11/14 Clifton Park, NY (Upstate Concert Hall)
11/16 Poughkeepsie, NY (The Chance Theatre)
11/17 Stamford, CT (Palace Theater)
11/30 Indianapolis, IN (8 Seconds Saloon)
12/1 Wisconsin Dells, MN (Crystal Grand Music Theatre)
12/2 Milwaukee, WI (Turner Hall Ballroom)
12/5 Macomb, IL (The Forum Live)
12/15 Rootstown, OH (Dusty Armadillo)

Dolly Parton Withdraws From Nashville Water Park

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Dolly Parton has announced that she will no longer be involved with Gaylord Entertainment in the development of a new water park in Nashville. The announcement arrives following the approval of Marriott International’s $210 million purchase of Gaylord’s hotel management/operations arm and the company’s subsequent re-branding as Ryman Hospitality Properties.

“Gaylord makes decisions that they feel are good for their company and their stockholders and I have to make decisions based on what is best for me and the Dollywood Company,” said Parton in a statement. “Governor Haslam, Mayor Dean, and all the folks in government have been great to work with. I really appreciate their support through this process.”

The proposed water park was originally announced in early 2012 as a 50/50 joint venture between Parton’s Dollywood Company and Gaylord, with Dollywood Company serving as the operating partner. The 114-acre family entertainment center would boast both water and snow park features, and employ up to 450 full-and-part time features. The original plan was for construction to begin in late 2012 and be ready to open in summer 2014 but with this announcement the park’s future remains uncertain.

Snapshots: Tracy Lawrence and Colt Ford

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Tracy Lawrence received two special honors from his community on Tuesday (9/25) evening at the Wilson County Humanitarian Award Gala for his philanthropy and charitable efforts. Community leaders showed their appreciation to a sold out crowd during the gala event, hosted by Storme Warren, by honoring Lawrence with the first ever Wilson County Humanitarian Award and proclaiming September 25th as Tracy Lawrence Day. “I feel very blessed to be the first to receive the Humanitarian Award,” said Lawrence. “I hope this will inspire others to the take time, give back and realize that we all can make a difference in the community.”

Special guests told the story of how Lawrence has helped make a difference in the community through his efforts with charities such as New Leash On Life, Golf & Concert For A Cure, Music with a Mission, and the annual Mission Possible Turkey Fry. Casey Beathard, the songwriter of Lawrence’s song, “Find Out Who Your Friends Are,” shared his thanks to the entertainer and performed for the audience. In addition, the event served as a benefit for New Leash On Life, an organization dedicated to providing care and improving the welfare of stray and abused animals in need.

(L-R): Wilson County Mayor Randall Hutto, Tracy Lawrence, Mayor of Lebanon Philip Craighead Photo: Alex Torrez

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At the first annual Colt Ford & Friends Celebrity Golf Classic benefiting St. Jude, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker, Justin Moore, John Anderson, John Michael Montgomery and Ken Block (Sister Hazel) surprised Colt Ford during his performance with a No.1 plaque commemorating his fourth studio release, Declaration of Independence. The album, released August 7, marked a career-high debut for Ford.

Others in attendance but not pictured at the inaugural event, were PGA stars Stewart Cink and Boo Weekley, NFL alumni Corey Miller, Atlanta Falcons placekicker Matt Bryant, NASCAR Driver David Ragan, and many others.

Pictured L-R: Justin Moore, Colt Ford Jake Owen, John Anderson, Ken Block, John Michael Montgomery and Darius Rucker.