YEP To Host 90’s Night

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Tonight (12/12) the Young Entertainment Professionals Network invites Nashville to take a break from holiday parties and join them for 90’s Night. The concert at Exit/In will kick off at 6:30 p.m. with hit cover songs from the 90’s most popular artists. Tickets can be purchased here in advance.

The event is a benefit for the Be The Match Bone Marrow Registry.

The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) Network is an organization for up and comers in the entertainment industry, which plans mixers, showcases and educational events throughout the year.

90‘s Night performers include Thomas Rhett, Charlie Worsham, Jessica Cayne, Brinn Black, Ward Guenther, Lindsay Brandt, Josh Grider, Morgan Myles, Brinley Addington, Shea Raye, Kelly Paige, Landon Austin, Joshua Eric Wright, Melany Watson, Robert Kelly, Chase Foster, Joey Hyde and Brent Cobb.

Memorial Services Set For Dobie Gray

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Dobie Gray

Arrangements for artist and songwriter Dobie Gray have been announced. As previously reported Gray, age 71 of Nashville, passed away on Tuesday, Dec. 6, 2011.

Visitation will be at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home from 3 p.m – 8 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 14, and noon until 2 p.m. at Brentwood Baptist Church on Thursday, Dec. 15. The funeral will follow at 2 p.m. Dec. 15, with interment to take place at Woodlawn Memorial Park. Brentwood Baptist is located at 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027.

In lieu of customary floral tributes, memorials may be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, or the Tennessee School for the Blind.

Gray was born on July 26, 1940, in Simonton, TX. He is survived by sisters Vivian Jean Outley (H.L.-deceased), Arthurine Brown Williams (James) and Naomi Mason (Earl-deceased); brother, Lee Clifton Brown; a host of nieces and nephews, and many others.

Christmas 4 Kids’ Tour Bus Show Tonight

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Christmas 4 Kids will spread holiday cheer to hundreds of underprivileged children throughout middle Tennessee with tonight’s (12/12) Annual Tour Bus Show and Artist Meet & Greet. The event will be held at the Hendersonville WalMart from 5:00 p.m. – 9:00 p.m.

For a small donation, fans can visit the tour buses of more than fifty artists and celebrities and many artists will be present to sign autographs. All proceeds from the event will go to Christmas 4 Kids to provide underprivileged children with the funds to purchase Christmas gifts for family and loved ones.

Proceeds generated by this year’s concert featuring Charlie Daniels, and the Tour Bus Show event will provide over 400 children from 29 different schools a day-long shopping excursion. The special day consists of a chauffeured trip from their schools aboard an entertainer’s luxury tour bus, lunch and a party hosted by Santa and Mrs. Claus. To wrap up the day, these children will receive a brand new winter coat and $150 of Christmas spending money.

Next spring, Christmas 4 Kids will also host their 1st Celebrity Golf Tournament presented by Prevost. The tournament will be on Apr. 10 at the Pine Creek Golf Course in Mt. Juliet, TN. The annual event will be hosted by the newly-awarded ICM Bluegrass Artist of the Year recipients,  brother and sister duo The Roys.

For more information on Christmas 4 Kids, please visit, www.Christmas4kids.org.

Artists and Celebrities Expected at the Tour Bus Show:
10th Ave. North
Brandon Heath
Rob Bironas
The Roys
Jeff Bates
Burns & Poe
Daryle Singletary
Lynn Anderson
Riders In the Sky
Jessica Frech
Jeremy Parsons
Robert Burgeis
Bo Bice
Nathan Douglas
Barry Michael
Adam Fisher
Aaron Kelly
Dustin Wilkes
Mason Douglas
Brasher/Bogue
Shane Thomas
Eric Lee Beddingfield
Wayne Mills Ban
Phoenix Drive
Lucus Hoge
Ty Brown
Jesse Keith Whitley
Crystal Rose
Johnny Gates
Randy Montana
Paul Stout

Bassist “Bee” Spears Passes

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Bee Spears

Dan “Bee” Spears, the longtime bass player for Willie Nelson, died on Dec. 8 due to accidental exposure after a fall outside his Nashville home. He was 62.

The Texas native joined Nelson’s band in 1968, leading to more than 40 years of work together. Spears played with Nelson on the road and in the studio. His work can be heard on Nelson’s classic albums including Red Headed Stranger, Stardust and Always on My Mind. He also played on recordings by Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, and the Highwaymen, comprised of Nelson, Jennnings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

Visitation will be today (12/ 12) from 4-8 p.m., as well as tomorrow (12/13) from 10 a.m.- 12 noon, prior to the noon funeral service at Williamson Memorial. (615) 794-2289.

Cooper Moves To Morris; Meacham Promoted At Columbia/BNA

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Buffy Cooper

Morris Artist Management has named Columbia/BNA Dir./National Promotion Buffy Cooper to the brand new post of VP Radio & Marketing. In her new role, she will be working with the company’s entire roster including Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, and Martina McBride. Cooper has been working with Sony Music for 14 years, and begins her new adventure at the start of 2012. Congratulate her here.

RJ Meacham

Meanwhile over at Sony Music Nashville, RJ Meacham has been named as Cooper’s successor in the Dir./National Promotion position for Columbia/BNA. Meacham was most recently Manager, Northeast Regional Promotion for the imprint, and joined the Sony Music Nashville team in 2007. He will continue to be based in Nashville, and report directly to Columbia/BNA VP Promo Norbert Nix.

Meacham’s 15 years promotion experience also include time with Monument Records and Curb/Asylum. Congratulate him here.

The Columbia/BNA promotion team is responsible for artists on both imprints, which includes Wade Bowen, Kenny Chesney, Casey James, The Lunabelles, Kellie Pickler, Tyler Farr, Bradley Gaskin, Jordyn Shellhart, and Joanna Smith.

The Boom Labs Opens for Business

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The Boom Labs Control Room

Industry vets Pino Squillace and Jerry Navarro have announced the development and grand opening of The Boom Labs, a Nashville-based artist development and production ‘boot camp’ company.

The Boom Labs have trained a diverse staff providing individual attention towards developing writing skills, finding the unique sound, or producing and perfecting stage performance.

“With our collective experience, we can put a plan on paper and make it happen,” says Navarro. “We know what works. We are not just a recording studio, we are a full-service artist development studio. With our network of resources we can record any style of music and compete at any level.”

In addition to artist development and production, The Boom Labs provide another resource for indie artists to build brand awareness with film and television placements in association with Anastasia Brown. Current film credits include an upcoming Justin Timberlake DVD and motion picture with Matthew McConaughey.

Guests are invited to attend The Boom Labs’ Grand Opening reception at the 56 Music Square W., starting 4:30 pm on Monday, December 12.

Friday Photos (12/9/11)

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WMBA Tunes for Tots

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held its annual “Tunes for Tots” benefit Dec. 6 at the Listening Room Cafe. The benefit supporting the Toys for Tots Foundation, featured in-the-round performances by ’80s pop icon gone country Tiffany, R&J recording artist Margaret Durante and hit songwriter Bobby Pinson. The United States Marines collected loads of toys in addition to $254 in cash donations for the Toys for Tots Foundation on behalf of WMBA. (L-R): Betsy Walker, WMBA Membership Chair; Amery Fridenstine, WMBA Treasurer; Amanda Fletcher, WMBA Social Co-Chair; Durante; Holly Ashby, WMBA VP; Josee Deschenes, WMBA Social-Co-Chair; Tiffany; Pinson; Trina Lloyd-Weidner, WMBA Secretary; Brandi Simms, WMBA Pres.; and Kama Upton, WMBA President-elect.

Photo: Thomas Newton

 

Cory Wagar Visits MusicRow

Cory Wagar visited MusicRow’s headquarters on Dec. 7 and sang her song “Huricane” as well as her current single “I Hate My Boyfriend,” which is at No. 55 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): MR’s Christie King, Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson; Wagar; and MR’s Jon Freeman and Eric Parker.

Lady A’s Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest

Lady Antebellum is urging fans to bring some tacky Christmas spirit to December Own The Night Tour dates, thanks to KKWF/Seattle morning host Fitz.

When Lady A appeared with Fitz’ show, the conversation quickly turned to Charles Kelley’s fondness for ugly Christmas sweaters. Fitz suggested Lady A do an ugly sweater contest at their concerts and now it’s actually happening.

Fans are encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday sweater to the show they will be attending and tweet @ladyantebellum photos of their outfits with the #OwnTheNightTour and #TackySweater hashtags, so they can be put on the concert screen and brought into the Inner Circle for the show, and receive a Twitter shout out from Lady A!

At the end of December all photos received will be posted to an album on Lady A’s Facebook page. One lucky winner will be chosen to be featured on Lady A’s 365 blog and receive a prize.

Upcoming Own The Night dates include Sioux City, IA (12/9); Springfield, MO (12/10); and Murray, KY (12/11).

Rascal Flatts Gets “Easy” Gold

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Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield perform "Easy" at the 2011 CMA Awards on November 9, 2011. Photo: by CMA

Rascal Flatts’ current single, “Easy,” has been certified Gold from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding 500,000. This accolade comes while the single is a Top 10 hit across the board at country radio.

Pop star Natasha Bedingfield also lent her vocals to “Easy,” which was written by veteran songwriters Katrina Elam and Mike Mobley. Flatts and Bedingfield have performed the hit together on multiple televised shows, including the 2011 CMA Awards on ABC and the TODAY Show on NBC.

Nothing Like This, Rascal Flatts’ first album for Big Machine, debuted at No. 1 on the country album sales chart in November 2010 and made them one of only four country acts to debut six consecutive studio albums at the top. The album has since reached Platinum status.

CMT/GAC TV Premieres and MD Records Launch

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CMT will honor Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift as the top artists of the year in the new 90-minute special, CMT Artists Of The Year. The show brings the honorees together with their peers, as well as celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum for a glamorous evening of star-studded performances from the country world and beyond, all in celebration of the successes of the past year. Read a review of the show here. Premieres Tues., Dec. 13 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. CMT

>>Martina McBride: The Road To Eleven will premiere on GAC on Mon., Dec. 12, 2011, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern. The hour-long special gives fans an intimate look inside the life of Martina as a superstar entertainer, wife and mother to three daughters — in the midst of undergoing career changes, delving into songwriting and finalizing plans for her new album. Specifically it begins with her Republic Nashville label signing and continues through her recent four day train trek across America.

 

>>MD Records has launched under the leadership of President, Kelli McGarraugh. Kellie Vap heads Artist Promotion/Fan Development and Mark Burch is on board as staff producer. Mason Dixon Productions is handling marketing and promotion for MD Records artists. According to the company website, Jason Thomas is the first artist signed to the new label.

Toby Keith Foundation To Build OK Kids Korral

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The Oklahoman is reporting that the Toby Keith Foundation will move forward with its plans to build the Oklahoma City-based OK Kids Korral, a place to rest for families with children undergoing cancer treatment. Keith became a champion for children stricken with cancer after a friend’s child passed away.

The planned $8.5 million structure will be built on land owned by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, which has approved project plans and designs. Construction on the 25,000-square-foot building is expected to start in spring 2012 and complete late in 2013.

Accommodations include 12 overnight suites, with the capacity to host five people each. There are an additional four suites reserved for families who have to wait for afternoon appointments.