Nashvillians Honored As Top Women In Music

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Mary Ann McCready

Several Nashville execs appear on the new Billboard Women in Music list. Included in the 40 slots are Mary Ann McCready of Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarth; Kelly Rich of Big Machine Label Group; Ellen Bligh Truley of SESAC, and Nashville native Marcie Allen of MAC Presents. Taylor Swift was named Woman of the Year, the youngest superstar to ever receive the honor. The women were celebrated recently at an event in New York City.

The Women in Music list is selected by Billboard editors based on achievements in the last 12 months from a pool of nominees sent in by readers.

• As President of business management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Mary Ann McCready represents some of the biggest names in sports and entertainment. FBMM’s roster includes Keith Urban, Pearl Jam, Kings of Leon, Rascal Flatts, Lady Antebellum, and Blake Shelton. As a community leader, McCready helped found the Music City Music Council with Mayor Karl Dean and is a trustee of the Country Music Hall of Fame and an active supporter of MusiCares and the W.O. Smith Music School.

Kelly Rich

• Kelly Rich is VP of Sales, Marketing and Interactive at Big Machine Label Group. She and her team helped propel Taylor Swift’s Speak Now to more than 3.7 million in sales, and led success by The Band Perry (platinum album and triple platinum single) and Rascal Flatts (platinum album). She also handles social media and led the relaunch of BigMachineRecords.com with a sponsorship of the Brickyard 400 at the Indianapolis Motor Speedway.

Ellen Truley

• Ellen Truley has been with SESAC for 15 years and currently serves as VP of Corporate Relations, overseeing marketing and sponsorship initiatives for the PRO. This ranges from the SESAC magazine and e-newsletter, to the organization’s multiple awards ceremonies. Her team also handles digital initiatives and SESAC EDU for high school and college music programs.

Marcie Allen

• At her company MAC Presents, Marcie Allen pairs brands and artists. Among her recent success stories are Keith Urban and Samsung Infuse, who teamed to host private dinners for fans on his tour. She also paired BlackBerry and the Foo Fighters, and Windows Phone 7 with Katy Perry and Maroon 5.

 

VH1 Divas Special Adds Parton, Jackson, Staples

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The latest installment of the popular VH1 Divas series, set to air Monday, December 19 at 8 PM/CT, will pay tribute to great cities of soul music including Chicago, Detroit, London, Memphis and Philadelphia.

Newly added performers on the bill at New York City’s Hammerstein Ballroom include Wanda Jackson, Anita Baker, Mavis Staples, and Ledisi. Additionally, presenters will include Dolly Parton, Queen Latifah, Terrence Howard, Nas, Common and La La Anthony.

Previously announced headlining “divas” include Mary J. Blige, Kelly Clarkson, Florence + the Machine, Jennifer Hudson, Jessie J., and Jill Scott. Also performing will be Chaka Khan, Erykah Badu, Sharon Jones & the Dap-Kings, Boyz II Men, Estelle, Marsha Ambrosius, and Travie McCoy. Performers will be backed by hip-hop/soul band The Roots, with drummer Questlove and Adam Blackstone serving as musical directors.

For the first time, the red carpet for the event will be livestreamed on vh1.com Sunday, December 18 from 4-6 PM/CT and hosted by VH1 personality La La Anthony. As always, the event will benefit VH1’s Save The Music Foundation, dedicated to raising awareness about the importance of music education. Special ticket packages for the event are being auctioned here.

Rock Hall Announces 2012 Inductees

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Hip hop legends Beastie Boys are among the 2012 Rock Hall inductees.

The Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland announced its 2012 inductees today. The 27th Annual Rock Hall Induction Ceremony will take place April 14, 2012 in Cleveland and premiere on HBO in early May. The ceremony will be again be open to the public, as it was for the 2009 inductions.

Performers being inducted include some of the 1980s’ biggest rock stars, like early hip hop outfit Beastie Boys, L.A. funk rock troublemakers Red Hot Chili Peppers, and hard rock legends Guns N’ Roses (the remnants of whom just played Nashville last Sunday, Dec. 4). 1960s Scottish psychedelic folkie Donovan also made the cut, as did English rockers The Small Faces, and its later Rod Stewart-fronted incarnation known simply as Faces. The late singer/songwriter Laura Nyro, responsible for penning hits such as “Wedding Bell Blues” and “Stoned Soul Picnic” for the 5th Dimension and many more, will also be honored. Blues legend Freddie King will be inducted posthumously as an Early Influence, thanks to the impact he had on Eric Clapton, Mike Bloomfield, Jeff Beck and countless other blues-based guitar players.

The Ahmet Ertegun nonperformer induction will be presented to veteran Don Kirshner, whose work as co-owner of Aldon Music published some of the Brill Building’s biggest songwriters including Carole King, Gerry Goffin, Neil Sedaka, and more. He additionally served as producer for The Monkees, and collaborated with Bobby Darin on many jingles and songs. He passed away earlier in 2011, at the age of 76.

Inductions for Musical Excellence go to New Orleans engineer Cosimo Matassa, who engineered and recorded music by Fats Domino, Dave Bartholomew, Professor Longhair and many of the city’s finest R&B performers at his studio; Tom Dowd, who engineered and produced albums for Atlantic Records including Ray Charles, LaVern Baker, and Aretha Franklin among others; Engineer and producer Glyn Johns, who produced the Who’s Who’s Next, Rolling Stones’ Sticky Fingers and Faces’ A Nod Is As Good As A Wink To A Blind Horse, in addition to the Eagles’ first three albums.

2012 Inductees:

Performer Category:
Beastie Boys
Donovan
Guns N’ Roses
Laura Nyro
Red Hot Chili Peppers
The Small Faces/The Faces

Early Influence:
Freddie King

Ahmet Ertegun (nonperformer) Award:
Don Kirshner

The Award for Musical Excellence:
Cosimo Matassa
Tom Dowd
Glyn Johns

Republic Nashville Signing

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(L-R) Front Row: BMLG Vice President, A&R Allison Jones; Greg Bates; BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta; Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen and BMLG General Manger Andrew Kautz; Back Row: BMLG A&R Coordinator Shea Fowler; Effusion Entertainment’s Martha Earls and Mike Molinar. Photo: Mike Moore

Republic Nashville has signed singer-songwriter Greg Bates. The Nashville native developed his musical talent at Belmont University and after graduation inked a co-publishing/artist development deal with Effusion Entertainment and Super 98 Music, the publishing arm of the Big Machine Label Group.

Bates, 24, is in the studio with producer Jimmy Ritchey. He is also busy co-writing and has opened for Darius Rucker, Rodney Atkins, Willie Nelson, Kellie Pickler and Randy Travis.

“We could not be more proud to add Greg Bates to our roster of top country acts. The music Greg has been creating in the studio is spectacular and everyone at Republic Nashville is excited to share it with the industry next spring,” said Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen. The label is also home to Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Sunny Sweeney.

“I am so excited to now be a part of the Republic Nashville family and thankful for Scott, Jimmy, Allison and everybody at the Big Machine Label Group. I can’t wait for everyone to hear what we’ve been working on!” said Bates.

Cook Joins Webster & Associates Staff

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Webster & Associates Public Relations president Kirt Webster has announced the addition of music industry veteran Claire Cook as Senior Director, Publicity.

Most recently she served as an independent publicist through her own Cook Media & Marketing firm, where she worked with a variety of artists and projects such as Keni Thomas and City of Hope Celebrity Softball Challenge. Prior to that, she served as Director, Media/Artist Relations for Dreamcatcher Entertainment.

Cook earned a B.A. in Journalism from California State University, Northridge, and started her career at Capitol EMI/America Records in Los Angeles. She later joined Windsor Publications as a book publicist before moving to Nashville to work with Magnatone Records.

Reach her here or 615-777-6995 ext. 224.

Shelton Sets Sail In October, Announces New Acts

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Blake Shelton

Blake Shelton is setting sail with some of his Country music friends on the Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise from Oct. 14-21, 2012. Joining previously announced acts Trace Adkins, Easton Corbin and Neal McCoy, are Lee Brice, Randy Houser, Justin Moore and Jerrod Niemann.

The Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise is a seven-day cruise to the Caribbean on board the Norwegian Cruise Lines “Pearl.” See  www.BlakeSheltonCruise.com.

Shelton is nominated for three Grammy Awards at the February ceremony, and will return to his coaching gig on The Voice in 2012.

Lee Brice

Curb artist Brice recently wrapped up Willie Nelson’s Country Throwdown Tour and toured alongside Josh Thompson and Luke Bryan for CMT’s Tailgates and Tanlines 2011. “A Woman Like You,” the first single from his sophomore album, is at radio now.

Randy Houser

With over 150 performances this year, Houser appeared on the renowned Country Throwdown Tour with Willie Nelson and others. He recently signed with Stoney Creek Records.

Justin Moore

Moore’s sophomore album Outlaws Like Me debuted at No. 1 and includes the fastest-rising single of his career, “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” He just wrapped up a summer tour with BMLG labelmates Rascal Flatts, and a few dates this fall with Darius Rucker and Miranda Lambert, and will open for Shelton in 2012.

Jerrod Niemann

Niemann, a Sea Gayle/Arista Nashville recording artist, is enjoying the success of his third single, “One More Drinkin’ Song,” off his album Judge Jerrod And The Hung Jury. The third hit follows his two RIAA-certified Gold Digital Singles, “What Do You Want” and “Lover, Lover.” Jerrod will hit the road on Lambert’s 2012 On Fire tour beginning in January.

CRS 2012 Updates

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Country Radio Seminar has commissioned a comprehensive Country music research study for presentation at CRS 2012, with data focusing on a broader spectrum of Country music fans than previous CRS research studies.

The extensive research surveys more than 1,000 randomly selected male and female Country music listeners, ages 18-54, from a representative sample of Country music fans across the U.S. It will provide a comprehensive look at listening habits, music discovery trends and technology usage. The presentation will also include video interviews conducted with Country music fans from around the country.

New Jersey-based market research firm Edison Research is conducting the study and will present its results during the CRS research panel at 2:30 p.m. on Wednesday, Feb. 22. The CRS research study is sponsored by St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

“This unique approach will provide the macro look at the marketplace and the micro view from the individual perspective. The results will provide CRS attendees with actionable tools to improve their business performance,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.

CRS 2012 will be held Feb. 22-24, 2012, at the Nashville Convention Center.

$99 Unemployment Rate: For the third straight year, the $99 Unemployment Rate is being offered at Country Radio Seminar. Available through Jan. 27, 2012, the $99 rate provides CRS attendees access to more than 30 on-site educational panels and roundtable discussions. However, tickets to the Lady Antebellum show, New Faces of Country Music Show and daily luncheons must be purchased separately at an additional cost.

An on-site $99 Unemployment Rate will be available for walk-up registrants, but advance Unemployment Rate registrations must be received at the CRS offices for processing no later than Jan. 27. Contact Kristen McRary at (615) 327-4487 or Kristen@CRB.org for registration materials. Proof of unemployment may be subject to verification.

Radio Humanitarian Awards: Submissions are now being accepted through Monday, Jan. 9, 2012, for the Radio Humanitarian Awards. The awards are presented at CRS to full-time Country radio stations for their efforts to improve the quality of life for the communities they serve. Awards are presented to stations in Large (markets 1-50), Medium (markets 51-130) and Small (markets 131+) categories for public service performed between Nov. 1, 2010, and Dec. 31, 2011. Applicants should submit a brief written presentation (two pages maximum, including photos) to humanitarian@crb.org, summarizing the details of the station’s community service efforts performed during that period.

Jason Aldean, The Band Perry Added To CMA Music Festival

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Jason Aldean. Photo: Donn Jones

CMA Award winners Jason Aldean and The Band Perry have joined the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field during 2012 CMA Music Festival. The event is scheduled to take over downtown Nashville for four days next summer from Thursday-Sunday, June 7-10, 2012.

Aldean received his first two CMA Awards in November when he won Album of the Year for My Kinda Party and Musical Event of the Year for “Don’t You Wanna Stay” with Kelly Clarkson.

The Band Perry also won their first two CMA Awards last month, winning New Artist of the Year and Single of the Year (for “If I Die Young”). Lead singer Kimberly Perry won an additional CMA Award for Song of the Year for writing “If I Die Young.”

Five-time CMA Award winner Carrie Underwood has also been previously announced as a performer for next year. More artists will be revealed in the coming weeks.

Tickets for next year’s CMA Music Festival can be purchased through Ticketmaster at Ticketmaster.com or 1-(800)-745-3000. They can also be purchased by calling 1-(800)-CMA-FEST (262-3378).

The Band Perry. Photo: John Russell

 

“Brothers Of The Sun” Ticket Sales Tally Up

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By the end of the day Saturday (12/3), Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s 2012 Brothers of the Sun Tour sold nearly 275,000 tickets for its first eight dates, more than any of Chesney’s previous initial on-sales. Shows dates rapidly approaching sell-outs include Dallas, Foxboro, and Chicago, where Chesney had his strongest initial on-sale to date.

With tickets for 12 shows still set to go on-sale, Chesney, whose “You and Tequila” featuring Grace Potter was recently nominated for two Grammy Awards, is looking at another one-million ticket summer after reaching that milestone for his last eight consecutive tours.

The Brothers of the Sun Tour is the first time in 10 years that Chesney and McGraw have hit the road together. Featuring Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen, the blockbuster tour will hit stadiums across the country including East Rutherford’s MetLife Stadium, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Nashville’s LP Field, and two shows at Foxboro’s Gillette Stadium.

Brothers of the Sun Tour 2012:

Sat. June 2 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium (On Sale Dec. 9)
Sun. June 3 – Atlanta, GA – Georgia Dome (On Sale Dec. 10)
Sat. June 9 – Dallas, TX – Cowboys Stadium (On Sale Now)
Sun. June 10 – Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium (On Sale Dec. 9)
Sat. June 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field (On Sale Now)
Sat. June 23 – Nashville, TN – LP Field (On Sale Dec. 9)
Sun. June 24 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium (On Sale Dec. 9)
Sat. June 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Field (On Sale Now)
Sun. July 1 – Cincinnati, OH – Paul Brown Stadium (On Sale Dec. 10)
Sat. July 7 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field (On Sale Now)
Sun. July 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field (On Sale Dec. 10)
Sat. July 14 – Anaheim, CA – Angel Stadium (On-Sale Date TBA)
Sat. July 21 – Denver, CO – Sports Authority Field at Mile High (On Sale Dec. 10)
Sat. July 28 – Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium (On-Sale Dec. 16)
Sun. July 29 – Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Browns Stadium (On-Sale Dec. 16)
Sat. August 11 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium (On Sale Now)
Sun. August 12 – Washington, DC – FedExField (On-Sale Dec. 16)
Sat. August 18 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field (On Sale Now)
Fri. August 24 – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium (On Sale Now)
Sat. August 25 – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium (On Sale Now)

Singer-Songwriter Dobie Gray Has Died

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(L-R): Jackson Browne, Mentor Williams, Paul Williams and Dobie Gray at the 2003 ASCAP Awards

Dobie Gray

Singer and songwriter Dobie Gray, best known for recording the 1973 classic “Drift Away,” died yesterday (12/6). He was 71. Gray had called Nashville home since the 1970s.

Varying reports list his birth name as Lawrence Darrow Brown and Leonard Victor Ainsworth. The Houston native made his way to Los Angeles in the ‘60s to pursue an entertainment career, particularly theater. In LA, he met Sonny Bono, who helped guide his early path, and  eventually signed with Almo/Irving as a songwriter.

By the early ‘70s Gray was working in Nashville as an artist. Quadrafonic Studios, which was then owned by renowned session musicians Norbert Putnam and David Briggs, is where he recorded the Mentor Williams-penned “Drift Away.” He followed that with the hit “Loving Arms.”

Dobie Gray with Charlie Daniels at Daniels' 1979 Volunteer Jam. Photo: Alan Mayor

Throughout Gray’s career, his label homes included Decca, Decca, Capricorn, and Capitol. He charted a few other singles over the decades, such as the mid-80s Harold Shedd-produced country tracks “That’s One to Grow On” and “From Where I Stand.”

Gray also focused on songwriting, garnering cuts by Ray Charles, Johnny Mathis, George Jones, Don Williams, Exile, John Conlee, Tammy Wynette, Etta James, Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Three Dog Night, Julio Iglesias, and John Denver. Click here for a complete list. He was also a successful jingle writer, penning the famed ditty “Momma’s Got The Magic of Clorox 2.”

“Drift Away” became a hit again in 2003, when it was covered by Uncle Kracker, featuring Gray as a guest vocalist.