(L-R): Mike Dungan, Luke Lewis
Universal Music Group officially announced today (2/29) the appointment of Mike Dungan to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Nashville Entertainment. The move was first reported by MusicRow on Feb. 24. He will succeed current Chairman & CEO Luke Lewis, who has decided to focus on launching a new music venture in partnership with UMG, with details to be announced shortly.
Lewis will continue to lead UMG Nashville until Dungan takes office starting May 1. The announcement was made today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, and Zach Horowitz, President & COO of the company, to whom Dungan co-reports.
“UMG is committed to expanding opportunities for artists on Music Row and Mike’s appointment is testament to that fact,” stated Grainge. “He is one of music’s most formidable creative executives, whose determination, talent and passion for music have given rise to the careers of countless superstar artists. We’re delighted to welcome him to the UMG family.”
“I am thrilled to join the Universal team, honored to represent the fine roster of artists under the storied MCA, Mercury, and Lost Highway labels, and proud to have the opportunity to expand on the great legacy that Luke Lewis has built,” said Dungan.
“Mike is one of the best music executives in the business, with a great eye for talent, great ear for songs and great instincts for artist development,” commented Horowitz. “We’re thrilled he has chosen to make UMG his home.”
“During his long, successful tenure leading our Nashville family of labels, Luke has been a bold maverick in applying fresh new approaches to nurture and break country artists,” added Grainge. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with him.”
Credited as one of the leading executives behind country music’s broadening appeal, Dungan has for the last twelve years served as President & CEO of Capitol Nashville, where he assembled a stylistically diverse roster of superstars, including Lady Antebellum, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan.
Dungan joined Capitol following time as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Arista Nashville. He was instrumental in developing the careers of artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, and BlackHawk. Prior to that he held a variety of promotion, sales, and marketing positions with Arista, RCA Records and BMG Distribution.
Artist Updates (3/1/12)
/by Freeman• • •
Mercury Nashville/19 Recordings/Interscope artist Lauren Alaina will make her return to the American Idol stage on March 8, where she will perform her single “Georgia Peaches.” Currently on Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party tour, Alaina was also recently named as one of two opening acts on select dates of the upcoming Sugarland In The Hands of the Fans tour.
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Singer/Songwriter Sunny Sweeney has been named the NRA Country Artist of the Month for March.
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As of March 1, guitar wizard Steve Wariner has launched a new mobile website. Fans are being offered a free ringtone, instructional videos, and opportunities to win prizes. Check it out at www.stevewariner.com.
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(L-R): George “Goober” Lindsey, Ralph Emery, Stevens. Photo: Alan Mayor
Ray Stevens recently released Encyclopedia of Recorded Comedy Music (Clyde Records), a nine CD, 108 song box set of classic comedy songs through the ages such as “Monster Mash,” “Yakety-Yak,” and “Grandma Got Run Over By A Reindeer.” Stevens celebrated the release with an invitation-only listening party Tuesday, Feb. 28.
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Multi-platinum trio Point of Grace (Shelley Breen, Leigh Cappillino, Denise Jones) has launched lifestyle and music radio show “Graceful Living,” which is being syndicated through KMG Networks. Starting Saturday, March 3, the three-hour program will be available to Contemporary Christian and Country Stations. More info at gracefullivingradio.com.
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Austin-based singer-songwriter Darden Smith is recording his new album in Nashville. The new release, produced by Jon Randall and Gary Paczosa, is due later in 2012. Writing collaborators on the project include Radney Foster, Jack Ingram, Jay Clementi, Gary Nicholson, and Harley Allen.
Country Throwdown Tour Adds Performers, Preps For Kick-off
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Gary Allan with Country Throwdown Tour Co-Producers Sarah Baer and Kevin Lyman. Photo: Chaise Crosslin
Gary Allan is headlining the 2012 Country Throwdown Tour Fired Up by Kingsford. He and tour co-producers Sarah Baer and Kevin Lyman discussed the upcoming trek with members of the media on Monday (2/27) during an event at Allan’s Nashville store, The Label.
Josh Thompson, Eric Paslay, and Sunny Sweeney are set for the full tour, opening May 18 in Gulfport, Miss. and visiting 20 cities through July 8. Special guests on select dates include Rodney Atkins (June 1-30) and Justin Moore (May 18-27). Newcomers Florida Georgia Line and Maggie Rose are also scheduled for the run.
One of the tour’s three stages will spotlight emerging singer-songwriters. Performing on the Bluebird Cafe Stage will be Channing Wilson, Rose Falcon, and Carly Pearce.
The third-annual, outdoor amphitheater trek is produced by 4 FINI Inc. No Nashville date is scheduled at this time.
WKSR’s Carter Honored During CRS
/by Freeman(L-R): record promoter Christina Bear, honoree Ed Carter, record promoter Jan Woods, KMGO’s Russ Ocker
The 2012 Randy Jones Memorial Award was presented Tuesday, Feb. 21 during the Billy Block Show at the Rutledge. The second-annual CRS-week honor was conferred to Ed Carter of WKSR/Pulaski, TN by last year’s winner, Russ Ocker of KMGO/Oskaloosa, IA.
Carter has over 25 years of experience and has worked to raise funds for numerous charities as well as disaster relief. His award was voted upon by a panel of independent MDs, PDs, and music industry professionals.
The Randy Jones Memorial Award recognizes an on-air personality for exceptional commitment to charitable work, dedication to listeners, and daily preservation of Country music. The award is given in memory of Randy Jones of WDHR/Pikeville, KY, who was a community leader in his town, an exemplary fundraiser, and a passionate fan of country music.
Trisha Yearwood To Perform “A Celebration of Paul Newman’s Dream”
/by Eric T. ParkerJoanne Woodward will host the event, billed as Paul Neuman’s Dream, which is scheduled to take place April 2 at New York’s Avery Fisher Hall in Lincoln Center. Camp alumni from the network of 14 camps worldwide will be in the audience for an evening of music, and appearances by Jake Gyllenhaal and Jimmy Fallon.
The 2010 Celebration of Paul Newman’s Hole in the Wall Camps raised more than $3 million and featured guests including Renee Zellweger, Bette Midler, Bill Cosby, Stevie Wonder, John Mellencamp, Emmylou Harris and Lyle Lovett.
Show-only tickets for this year’s event begin at $35 and escalate to $1,500, to include a post-performance supper, inquiries accepted with the Lincoln Center Box Office.
Photo: “Drink In My Hand” No. 1 Party
/by Caitlin RantalaL-R: (back row) Kent Earls, Executive Vice President/General Manager, Universal Music Publishing Group; Mike Dungan, President/CEO, Capitol Records, Nashville; Jody Williams, Vice President of Writer/Publisher Relations Nashville, BMI; and Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville; (front row) co-writer Luke Laird, Eric Church, and co-writer Michael Heeney.
Music industry professionals gathered at BMI’s Nashville office yesterday (Feb. 28) to celebrate Eric Church’s first No. 1 song, “Drink in My Hand.” The rowdy anthem is the second single off of Church’s hit album, Chief. The song was co-written by Luke Laird, who has nine No. 1 hits to his credit, and Church’s long-time collaborator, Michael Heeney, who now has three No. 1s.
Sugarland Launches Fan Interactive Tour
/by Eric T. Parker“The fans will make the requests that will help form the set list and guide the show through texts, handwritten signs, the Internet (Twitter, Facebook, etc), phone calls made during the show and selections directly from the stage,” explained Nettles. “The fans will become the conductors as well as the audience. If it’s on one of our records or if we’ve played it on a stage it is fair game.”
Specific guidelines and details will be forthcoming on the duo’s website about how to specifically engage with the interactive tour.
In The Hands of the Fans dates:
4/5 – Toledo, OH
4/6 – Youngstown, OH
4/10 – Niagara, ON
4/11 – Niagara, ON
4/13 – Pikeville, KY
4/14 – Louisville, KY
4/19-20 – Thackerville, OK
4/21 – Mississippi State, MS
4/26 – Virginia Beach, VA
4/27 – Charlotte, NC
4/28 – Raleigh, NC
5/25 – Rancho Mirage, CA
5/31 – San Diego, CA
6/1 – Mountain Valley, CA
6/21 – Oshkosh, WI
6/22 – Cadott, WI
6/23 – Chicago, IL
7/21 – Harrington, DE
7/22 – Bristow, VA
7/27 – Tampa, FL
7/28 – Valdosta, GA
7/29 – West Palm Beach, FL
8/3 – Cincinnati, OH
8/10 – Sturgis, SD
8/17 – Brownsville, OR
8/18 – Stateline, NV
Industry Ink (2/29/12)
/by Freeman(L-R): BMI’s Mark Mason, Julie Stuckey, and Leslie Roberts; AC Entertainment’s Neeley Polka; one of 2011’s Road to Bonnaroo winners Chancellor Warhol; Mercy Lounge’s Drew Mischke, Toy’s Alana Grace, AC Entertainment’s Carissa Stolting; Colorfeels’ Parker Cason; and BMI’s Penny Everhard and Thomas Cain. Photo: Drew Maynard
BMI, Mercy Lounge, the Nashville Scene and the Bonnaroo Music & Arts Festival kicked off the 2012 edition of the Road to Bonnaroo music competition at 8 off 8th on Monday, Feb. 27. The lineup featured local bands Colorfeels, By Lighting, Toy, The Hollywood Kills, Quichenight, Sam & Tre, Laura Reed, and Brandon Jazz & His Armed Forces. By Lightning emerged as the winner, earning a coveted performance slot at Bonnaroo, June 7-10 in Manchester.
The second round of Road to Bonnaroo 2012 will be held Monday, March 26 at Mercy Lounge. Performers include Wild Cub, Five Knives, The Running, Tesla Rossa, Static Revival, Marquee Mayfield, Nikki Lane, and Evan P. Donahue.
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Billy Dean and Ron Rainey
Billy Dean has signed an exclusive artist management contract with Beverly Hills-based Ron Rainey Management. He joins existing Rainey clients The Marshall Tucker Band, John Kay & Steppenwolf, Alvin Lee, and Kid Creole and the Coconuts, among others.
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Flat Earth Music has announced the signing of Canadian-born singer/songwriter Dawson Reigns to a publishing deal. Reigns scored a hit in 2010 with “If Crazy Wasn’t So Beautiful,” and also released singles “Someone Watching Over Me” and “Empty Handed.” Now a Nashville resident, Reigns has been working with other writers in town on material for his next album.
(L-R): David Wilson, Flat Earth Bus. Development Dir.; Reigns; Todd Wilkes, Flat Earth Creative Dir.
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Heath Forbes
Luna Chica Records International has signed country artist Heath Forbes to the artist roster. The Monroe, LA native is currently touring with former NFL player Kyle Turley and will be opening for David Allan Coe in spring. Complete tour dates at heathforbes.com.
Bigger Picture Group Promotes Powers, Cahill
/by Sarah SkatesPresident, Bigger Picture Artist Ventures Michael Powers
Bigger Picture Group today announced the promotions of founding partners Michael Powers and Bob Cahill. The industry vets head up the Bigger Picture Artist Ventures division which includes the promotion team and recorded music departments, where Powers is now president, and Cahill is appointed executive vice president/general manager.
In addition, Matt Corbin was promoted to vice president of promotion, and radio exec Allen Mitchell was hired to the promotion team.
Powers and his team were instrumental in the promotion of Zac Brown Band’s highly successful two albums and nine consecutive No. 1 singles.
Exec. VP/GM, Bigger Picture Artist Ventures Bob Cahill
“Both Michael and Bob bring years of experience, credibility and sensibility to our partnership,” says Keith Stegall, chairman and chief creative officer of Bigger Picture Group. “As we continue to distill the essence of Bigger Picture Group, we’re blessed to have such an amazing executive talent pool.”
Dungan Gets UMG Start Date, Lewis Plans New Venture
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Mike Dungan, Luke Lewis
Universal Music Group officially announced today (2/29) the appointment of Mike Dungan to Chairman & CEO of Universal Music Nashville Entertainment. The move was first reported by MusicRow on Feb. 24. He will succeed current Chairman & CEO Luke Lewis, who has decided to focus on launching a new music venture in partnership with UMG, with details to be announced shortly.
Lewis will continue to lead UMG Nashville until Dungan takes office starting May 1. The announcement was made today by Lucian Grainge, Chairman & CEO of UMG, and Zach Horowitz, President & COO of the company, to whom Dungan co-reports.
“UMG is committed to expanding opportunities for artists on Music Row and Mike’s appointment is testament to that fact,” stated Grainge. “He is one of music’s most formidable creative executives, whose determination, talent and passion for music have given rise to the careers of countless superstar artists. We’re delighted to welcome him to the UMG family.”
“I am thrilled to join the Universal team, honored to represent the fine roster of artists under the storied MCA, Mercury, and Lost Highway labels, and proud to have the opportunity to expand on the great legacy that Luke Lewis has built,” said Dungan.
“Mike is one of the best music executives in the business, with a great eye for talent, great ear for songs and great instincts for artist development,” commented Horowitz. “We’re thrilled he has chosen to make UMG his home.”
“During his long, successful tenure leading our Nashville family of labels, Luke has been a bold maverick in applying fresh new approaches to nurture and break country artists,” added Grainge. “We look forward to continuing our relationship with him.”
Credited as one of the leading executives behind country music’s broadening appeal, Dungan has for the last twelve years served as President & CEO of Capitol Nashville, where he assembled a stylistically diverse roster of superstars, including Lady Antebellum, Alan Jackson, Keith Urban, Darius Rucker, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, and Luke Bryan.
Dungan joined Capitol following time as Senior Vice President and General Manager for Arista Nashville. He was instrumental in developing the careers of artists including Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, Pam Tillis, Diamond Rio, and BlackHawk. Prior to that he held a variety of promotion, sales, and marketing positions with Arista, RCA Records and BMG Distribution.
Little Big Town Previews New Album Via Livestream
/by Caitlin RantalaKaren, Kimberly, Jimi and Phillip will be giving fans a glimpse inside the studio and the recording process tonight (Feb. 29) via Livestream. The band will give fans details on the new record with a live chat beginning at 5:45 PM/CT and then leave the stream open for the rest of the night. Use the following link for access to the live feed (compatible with most smartphones): http://new.livestream.com/littlebigtown/studiocam.