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
Owen Raises Money For St. Jude’s From His Kitchen
/by Caitlin RantalaOwen’s philanthropy continues on Dec. 10 at the Mardy’s Tennis & Jake’s Music Fest. Owen and his childhood friend and professional tennis player, Mardy Fish, are hosting the sixth annual event in their hometown of Vero Beach, FL. The concert will include performances by Eric Paslay, Chris Young and Owen. Owen’s portion of the proceeds will be donated to St. Jude and The Mardy Fish Foundation, whose mission is to provide children access to after school exercise, nutritional and enrichment programs. Tickets can be purchased here.
In addition, AOL’s The Boot is hosting exclusive “Behind the Scenes” footage from Owen’s newest music video “Alone with You.” Click here to view. AOL is also featuring Owen in its “Sessions” series, which includes all genres of music. His four performances from Barefoot Blue Jean Night can be viewed here.
Hank Jr. Concert Raises $75K For Hall of Fame
/by Eric T. ParkerHank Williams Jr. Photo: Michael Krouskop
Hank Williams Jr. performed an acoustic benefit concert at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on Dec. 6, marking the close of a four-year run of Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy exhibit.
Hank Jr.’s performance infused personal memories and raised $75,000 to benefit the Hall. He also announced that many artifacts he loaned for the exhibition will stay in the museum and archives.
The 90-minute show included Williams’ own hits, youngest son Sam singing “The Blues Man,” new tunes from a forthcoming CD, and classics from Hank Williams, Johnny Cash and Waylon Jennings.
Special guests in the audience included Jessi Colter, Shooter Jennings, Jamey Johnson, Williams’ wife Mary Jane, and children.
After the concert, Williams greeted audience members and posed for pictures in the Ford Theater. A reception followed in the Hall of Fame Rotunda, and fans received a signed poster commemorating the exhibit.
Family Tradition opened on March 28, 2008. Originally scheduled to close on Dec. 31, 2009, the exhibit became the most popular and acclaimed exhibition in the museum’s history and was eventually extended through Dec. 31, 2011.
Thursday Photos
/by Caitlin RantalaBrent Anderson Makes Opry Debut
Sea Gayle Records/Arista Nashville recording artist Brent Anderson made his Grand Ole Opry debut this past weekend from the stage of the Ryman Auditorium. Remarking on the experience, the Pascagoula, MS, native shared, “Playing at the Opry was incredible for me. To stand on that stage, where so many legends have stood, is without a doubt the coolest thing I’ve ever gotten to do.” Anderson is on the radio now with debut single, “Amy’s Song.” (L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Steve Emley; Arista Nashville promo team members Ryan Dokke and Lauren Thomas; Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Promotion Skip Bishop; Anderson; and the Arista Nashville promo team’s Chris Waters, VP Lesly Tyson, John Sigler, Rusty Sherrill, and Tyler Waugh.
Photo: Chris Hollo
Christmas at Belmont Taped at Schermerhorn Symphony Center
Laura Bell Bundy hosted “Christmas at Belmont” at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center Monday night (12/5), where nearly 700 Belmont University students and faculty performed. The annual production of traditional carols, classical masterworks, world music and seasonal favorites will air on PBS stations nationwide beginning Thurs., Dec. 22. Check local listings for air dates and times. Nashville Public Television (NPT Ch. 8 ) will air “Christmas at Belmont” on Dec. 22 at 8 p.m. (CST) and re-broadcast it on Christmas Day at 7 p.m. (CST).
Nashvillians Honored As Top Women In Music
/by Sarah SkatesMary 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
/by FreemanNewly 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
/by FreemanHip 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
/by Sarah Skates(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
/by FreemanMost 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
/by Caitlin RantalaBlake 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
/by Caitlin RantalaThe 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.