Last Friday (9/7), entertainers came together for the Stand Up To Cancer fundraising event. ABC, CBS, FOX and NBC donated one hour of simultaneous, commercial-free prime time for the special, which was broadcast live from the Shrine Auditorium in Los Angeles.
Gwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Samuel L. Jackson, Tobey Maguire, Jeremy Renner, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Justin Timberlake, Sofia Vergara, Robert Pattinson and SU2C co-founder Katie Couric were among those featured on the broadcast. Additionally, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Tim McGraw delivered one-of-a-kind musical performances.
Swift performed a new song “Ronan,” written for Ronan Thompson, who was nearly four years old when he passed away during his fight with neuroblastoma. Swift had been following a blog written by Ronan’s mother, Maya Thompson, which detailed the his story. Moved by what she read, Swift wrote the song, crediting Maya as her co-writer on the piece, since her blog influenced the lyrics. According to one of Maya’s blog posts, Swift personally called the mother to tell her that not only had she written the song, but to ask permission to perform it and use Ronan’s photo on the SU2C telecast. Maya agreed. The song is currently available on iTunes, all proceeds from the song are being donated to cancer research.
As of today (9/1), Stand Up To Cancer announced that more than $81 million has been pledged so far in connection with its star-studded fundraising telecast to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible, including pediatric cancer patients through the creation of a new pediatric cancer research “Dream Team.”
Celebrities also staffed the SU2C phone bank, which, for the first time on any televised fundraising special, included a fully interactive “media bank” with celebrities talking to viewers via social media and doing live VOKLE video chats. Simon Baker, Jordana Brewster, Diem Brown, Kobe Bryant, Ty Burrell, Dana Delany, Rocco DiSpirito, Gabrielle Douglas, Donald Faison, Missy Franklin, Jennie Garth, Max Greenfield, Chelsea Handler, Marg Helgenberger, Felicity Huffman, Stacy Keibler, Minka Kelly, Joe Manganiello, Jillian Michaels, Masi Oka, Robert Pattinson, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Ana Maria Polo, Ray Romano, Eric Stonestreet, Alison Sweeney, and Ethan Zohn were those personalities who donated their time. Viewers were also able to donate via text-to-give and at standup2cancer.org.
Paltrow, the show’s co-executive producer, lost her father Bruce to cancer 10 years ago and said, “I am deeply moved by and proud of this broadcast. This is very personal for me, as it is for so many of us. Our program honored all those we’ve lost to the disease, emboldened those brave survivors among us to continue fighting, and highlighted SU2C’s remarkable progress in cancer research. The results are tangible, and the potential for breakthroughs in the coming years is very exciting.”
Matthew Hargis Promoted at Republic Nashville
/by Sarah SkatesMatthew Hargis
Republic Nashville President/Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen announced today (9/10) the promotion of Matthew Hargis to Republic Nashville Vice President of Promotion.
Hargis will continue to spearhead the radio promotion department (a.k.a. “The Apes”) for the entire Republic Nashville roster, which includes Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Florida Georgia Line, Greg Bates, RaeLynn and Jackie Lee.
“Matthew is one of the hardest working, most-driven and caring executives I have ever known,” said Harnen. “What he has successfully done in a short amount of time at Republic Nashville is nothing short of spectacular. He is a fantastic leader who always does the right thing, and it gives me great joy to present him with these very well deserved VP stripes!”
Hargis added, ”I cannot thank Scott and Jimmy enough for their leadership, coaching and mentoring. The culture they have built at BMLG is outstanding. I am so proud to come into work every day and fight like an ape with all of my brothers and sisters in the Republic ape den!”
Hargis’ other career stops include All Access and Capitol Records Nashville. He can be reached via 615-324-7902 or matthew.hargis@republicnashville.com.
Aldean Partners With Coors Light
/by Freeman“Coors Light is associated with so many of my favorite experiences… tailgating before University of Georgia games, vacations to the beach with my friends, playing bars and clubs when I was coming up in my career,” said Aldean. “This was a no-brainer partnership for me, and I’m especially looking forward to the fridge full of Coors Light they promised all of us for the road.”
Included in the partnership are retail promotions to support the Oct. 16 release of Aldean’s fifth album Night Train. Point-of-sale materials found at outlets like Walmart will feature Aldean’s image and Coors Light Brandling.
In other Aldean news, the young star was recently nominated for three CMA Awards for the Nov. 1 show, including Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Single of the Year (for “Dirt Road Anthem”). His new single “Take A Little Ride” is zooming toward the tops of all the charts after its release in July.
SOLID September Marks 15 Years of Success
/by Sarah SkatesNetworking
“SOLID has been growing leaps and bounds since it started in 1997,” explained SOLID Pres. Jon Romero during a recent interview. “It has evolved every year with different groups of members, but its goal has always been the same, to bring together young industry professionals.”
Founding member Chris Neese recalled the meetings that led to the organization. “A small group of friends gathered to discuss our future. We saw a need to bring aspiring music industry professionals together to create strong social networks, provide education training, promote leadership, and inspire community involvement. Our solution was SOLID.” The group debuted with a party at the Country Music Hall of Fame.
Accordingly, the 15th Anniversary Reception will be held at the Hall of Fame on Tues., Sept. 25, 6:30 – 8:30 p.m., where highlights will include interviews with SOLID alumni and an awards ceremony.
Most SOLID events combine networking with education or outreach, as is the case with tomorrow’s (Tues., Sept. 11) Food Truck Frenzy. Running from 11 a.m.- 2 p.m. at the SESAC parking lot, 10% of the profits will benefit the charity Linda’s Hope, which fights pancreatic cancer.
Education
Anniversary events kicked off on Sept. 4 with a Conversation with Gene Simmons and Doc McGhee. “Every year we set the bar higher and higher,” said Romero, who works at Vector Management. “It was the biggest panel we’ve put together and it happened thanks to our members’ hard work and connections.”
Throughout the year, the group’s education initiatives include quarterly SOLID After-Work Shops. “We are always bringing in industry leaders for direct dialog with our members,” explained Romero of the panels. “We try to put them in a small setting so our members can ask questions and bounce ideas off of them.”
Outreach
Outreach opportunities focus on serving the community at large, as well as music business college students. To that end, this month SOLID is organizing a Job Shadow Day on Thurs., Sept. 20, and a Habitat For Humanity Build on Sat., Sept. 15.
SOLID is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization with annual fundraisers including Big Brothers Big Sisters Bowl for Kids’ Sake, and the SOLID Yard Sale held during CMA Music Festival. “This year we’ve given away $50,000 to different charities,” said Romero. “That’s leaps and bounds over last year’s $18,000. We want the industry to know we are doing a lot for the community with our sweat and action by our members. There are a lot of legs coming out of SOLID, such as Women Rock For The Cure, and Buds-N-Suds for Crohn’s and Colitis.” Both groups have roots among SOLID members and have since become stand alone charities.
“We set the bar and then reach over it,” summed Romero. “In the next 15 years I hope that we continue to build our reputation on Music Row and that the executives continue to seek our members and know the value of the organization.”
Visit SOLID online, on Facebook, or Twitter.
Lady Antebellum Announces Christmas Album
/by Caitlin Rantala“We recorded this album in two sections, but both times were in the summertime,” noted Dave Haywood. “It is always weird to be in the studio working on Christmas music in June and July, so we decorated the entire studio, we really did. We brought out lights, fake trees and decorated the place to get in the Christmas spirit. You’d leave the studio, and it’d be 100 degrees out in Nashville, but nonetheless, a great experience.”
Between legs of their Own The Night 2012 World Tour earlier this year, Lady A hit the studio in Nashville to record the holiday collection which they co-produced alongside Paul Worley. For the festive release, the trio penned the album’s title track and created their own arrangements for two of the disc’s additional 11 holiday classics.
On This Winter’s Night Track List:
1. A Holly Jolly Christmas
2. Christmas (Baby Please Come Home)
3. All I Want For Christmas Is You
4. I’ll Be Home For Christmas
5. This Christmas
6. The First Noel*
7. On This Winter’s Night
8. Let It Snow, Let It Snow, Let It Snow
9. Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas
10. Silent Night (Lord Of My Life)*
11. Blue Christmas
12. Silver Bells
*Arranged by Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley and Hillary Scott
Donna Hilley to Receive Posthumous Honor From NaSHOF
/by Eric T. ParkerDonna Hilley
The late publishing icon, Donna Hilley, will receive the 2012 Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award from the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.
Hilley, who passed within a week of Preston in June 2012, became president and CEO of Sony/ATV Nashville after negotiating Tree International’s purchase while it was under her leadership. She worked for more than 30 years for the company.
“Donna was a truly amazing woman who rose from typist at a radio station to be one of the most successful music publishing executives ever,” said John Van Mol, chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation.
The honor will be acknowledged at the organization’s 42nd Anniversary Dinner & Induction ceremony on October 7 alongside previously announced Hall of Fame inductees Tony Arata, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Larry Henley and Kim Williams. The ceremony also includes NSAI’s annual awards for the year’s Best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by the professional songwriters division.
Previous recipients of the Frances Williams Preston Mentor Award include Bob Beckham (2008), Bill Hall (2009), Preston (2010) and David Conrad (2011).
Tickets for the event are $225 each with a limited number available to the public by contacting Mark Ford hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com.
Capitol Street Party Performers, New Location Revealed
/by FreemanThe annual free concert will be held on Lower Broadway between 1st and 2nd Avenues, and up-and-coming Capitol Nashville artists Kelleigh Bannen and Jon Pardi will also perform.
“When Capitol asked me if I wanted to be part of this year’s Street Party, I thought, ‘Let’s make it the biggest one yet,’” Bryan told the Tennessean. “What better way to do that than to take over Lower Broadway in downtown Nashville.”
Just last week, Luke Bryan helped announce the CMA Award nominations and wound up with a couple of his own. His platinum selling album tailgates & tanlines is up for Album of the Year and he will also compete for Male Vocalist of the Year.
Niemann Announces ‘Free The Music’ Campaign
/by Eric T. ParkerAdditionally, fans are able to subscribe to Niemann’s Free The Music Spotify Playlist and enter to win a free upgrade to a year-long premium Spotify account, until tomorrow (9/11).
Further announcements will be made promoting the Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville release, which Niemann co-produced and contributed co-writing credits to every track.
“This album is my interpretation of how I feel about country right now,” said Neimann. “The pedal steel guitar has come to define country music, but there were years and years of country being made before that instrument was even invented. Horns have been in country going back to the 1920s, and fiddles and other string instruments date back even further.”
For access to Niemann’s Fan Pub (a.k.a. fan club) visit www.dehydrationnation.net.
Swift Debuts Song For Stand Up To Cancer Special
/by Caitlin RantalaGwyneth Paltrow, Julia Roberts, Matt Damon, Tom Hanks, Michael Douglas, Halle Berry, Jessica Biel, Samuel L. Jackson, Tobey Maguire, Jeremy Renner, Seth Rogen, Emma Stone, Justin Timberlake, Sofia Vergara, Robert Pattinson and SU2C co-founder Katie Couric were among those featured on the broadcast. Additionally, Taylor Swift, Coldplay, Alicia Keys and Tim McGraw delivered one-of-a-kind musical performances.
Swift performed a new song “Ronan,” written for Ronan Thompson, who was nearly four years old when he passed away during his fight with neuroblastoma. Swift had been following a blog written by Ronan’s mother, Maya Thompson, which detailed the his story. Moved by what she read, Swift wrote the song, crediting Maya as her co-writer on the piece, since her blog influenced the lyrics. According to one of Maya’s blog posts, Swift personally called the mother to tell her that not only had she written the song, but to ask permission to perform it and use Ronan’s photo on the SU2C telecast. Maya agreed. The song is currently available on iTunes, all proceeds from the song are being donated to cancer research.
As of today (9/1), Stand Up To Cancer announced that more than $81 million has been pledged so far in connection with its star-studded fundraising telecast to accelerate ground-breaking research and bring new treatments to patients as quickly as possible, including pediatric cancer patients through the creation of a new pediatric cancer research “Dream Team.”
Celebrities also staffed the SU2C phone bank, which, for the first time on any televised fundraising special, included a fully interactive “media bank” with celebrities talking to viewers via social media and doing live VOKLE video chats. Simon Baker, Jordana Brewster, Diem Brown, Kobe Bryant, Ty Burrell, Dana Delany, Rocco DiSpirito, Gabrielle Douglas, Donald Faison, Missy Franklin, Jennie Garth, Max Greenfield, Chelsea Handler, Marg Helgenberger, Felicity Huffman, Stacy Keibler, Minka Kelly, Joe Manganiello, Jillian Michaels, Masi Oka, Robert Pattinson, Dr. Drew Pinsky, Ana Maria Polo, Ray Romano, Eric Stonestreet, Alison Sweeney, and Ethan Zohn were those personalities who donated their time. Viewers were also able to donate via text-to-give and at standup2cancer.org.
Paltrow, the show’s co-executive producer, lost her father Bruce to cancer 10 years ago and said, “I am deeply moved by and proud of this broadcast. This is very personal for me, as it is for so many of us. Our program honored all those we’ve lost to the disease, emboldened those brave survivors among us to continue fighting, and highlighted SU2C’s remarkable progress in cancer research. The results are tangible, and the potential for breakthroughs in the coming years is very exciting.”
Americana Festival Kicks Off Wednesday
/by FreemanIt all gets started on Wednesday, Sept. 12 when the 13th Annual Americana Music Festival & Conference brings the best in roots, folk, blues, r&b, and more to Nashville. Live music begins with the 11th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Wednesday evening, 7 pm at the Ryman Auditorium and continues with nightly showcases across town.
During the Honors & Awards, Jones, Thompson, and Raitt will all perform and be presented with Lifetime Achievement Awards. Other show performers include The Alabama Shakes, Carolina Chocolate Drops, Deep Dark Woods, Guy Clark, Hayes Carll with Cary Ann Hearst, Jason Isbell and the 400 Unit, John Hiatt, Robert Ellis, The Mavericks, and more. As usual, Jim Lauderdale will host the proceedings and Buddy Miller will lead the house band. Check here for a list of nominees.
Prior to the Awards on Wednesday (9/12), the conference keynote will feature Raitt being interviewed by NPR music critic Ann Powers. On Thursday, September 13, Jones will be interviewed at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The program runs Noon – 2 pm, and is included with museum admission or conference registration.
Later on Thursday at 6 – 7:30 pm, BMI will present Phil Madeira with special guests performing selections from the acclaimed Mercyland: Hymns For the Rest of Us at Downtown Presbyterian Church. Guests include Emmylou Harris, Shawn Mullins, North Mississippi Allstars, Buddy Miller and more.
Nightly concert highlights include Corb Lund followed by an all-star tribute to the late Levon Helm at Mercy Lounge on Wednesday (9/12); a Memphis-themed show Thursday (9/13) at The Rutledge featuring Jim Lauderdale with the North Mississippi Allstars, The Bo-Keys, and the songs of Big Star; a free Wallflowers concert at Live on the Green also Thursday night; and Buddy Miller with Lee Ann Womack at Mercy Lounge on Saturday (9/15), among many others. For the full showcase lineup, check here.
Get wristbands for the nightly concerts for $50 here.
In related news, CMT is getting into the rootsy spirit by launching a new blog called CMT Edge to spotlight artists that land outside the country mainstream. It will be a home for editorial and the network’s performance series like Concrete Country. Upcoming guests include Punch Brothers, Shovels & Rope, Delta Rae, Jason Isbell and more.
Johnny Reid, Dean Brody Big Winners At CCMA Awards
/by Sarah SkatesJohnny Reid wins the Fans Choice Award. Photo: Liam Richards/The Canadian Press
The 2012 Canadian Country Music Association Awards took place at Saskatoon’s Credit Union Centre last night (9/9), where Johnny Reid won the evening’s top prize, the coveted Fan’s Choice Award. The previous night he was honored at the CCMA Gala Awards for Top Selling Canadian Album of the Year.
Dean Brody received CCMA Awards for Album of the Year and Male Artist of the Year. He set the stage for an outstanding night of performances with his opening number, “Canadian Girls.”
Other big name performers included Jason Aldean, Pistol Annies, Eric Church and Miranda Lambert.
The 2012 CCMA Generation Award went to Taylor Swift. Carolyn Dawn Johnson was named Female Artist of the Year.
Presenters included Swift, Alan Doyle, Allan Hawco, Amber Marshall and Graham Wardle, and Theo Fleury.
The CCMA Awards were presented as part of PotashCorp Country Music Week, which took place in Saskatoon, SK Sept. 6 – 9.
Fans’ Choice Award Johnny Reid
Album of the Year Dirt, Dean Brody
Female Artist of the Year Carolyn Dawn Johnson
Male Artist of the Year Dean Brody
Group or Duo of the Year Hey Romeo
CMT Video of the Year In This House, The Stellas
Rising Star Kira Isabella
Single of the Year “They Don’t Make Em’ Like That Anymore,” Jason Blaine
CCMA Generation Award Taylor Swift
The 2013 Country Music Week will take place in Edmonton, AB from Sept. 5-8, culminating with the 2013 Canadian Country Music Association Awards on Sun., Sept. 8, 2013.