O'Shea
Nashville-based, Australian-born husband and wife duo O’Shea have signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Their debut album Mr. and Mrs. will be released in Australia Friday, September 30 and the couple wrote or co-wrote all of its 11 tracks. Mark and Jay O’Shea moved to Nashville in 2007 and were introduced to American audiences on CMT’s Can You Duet, where they made it into the Top 5. The pair recently gave birth to their daughter, Finley Avalon O’Shea. “We’re so excited to be working with the guys at Sony. When you’re young, you dream about one day signing to a label like this!” says Jay. Mark adds, “This album has been a long time comin’…but now being able to work with such a great team, has really made it worth the wait!”
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Caitlin Rose
Nashville’s Caitlin Rose has inked with ATO Records, which will release her full-length debut Own Side Now September 27. Co-produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Will Oldham), Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle) and Rose, Own Side Now was inspired by female greats like Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline and Stevie Nicks. Additionally, Rose has scheduled several fall tour dates with Americana faves Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell, and Hayes Carll (full dates on her website). ATO Records was co-founded by Dave Matthews and Michael McDonald and is the label home to My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, and Patty Griffin. Rose is also the daughter of songwriter Liz Rose, who co-wrote Taylor Swift hits “You Belong With Me,” “White Horse” and more.
• • • • •
Dean Alexander
The Paradigm Agency’s talent roster is expanding with its signing of Warner Music Nashville recording artist Dean Alexander for booking representation. Alexander has been a fixture of the Nashville club scene for years and opened shows for Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy, in addition to writing songs with Stage Three Music. “Dean Alexander is a perfect fit for our agency,” says Paradigm Nashville co-head Mike Snider. “We have big plans for his future.”
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(L-R): Standing: Herman DeBoard CEO Liquid Spins, Christy DiNapoli Artist Manager/President Liquid Spins Entertainment Division. Seated: Tim Rushlow, Paul Myers COO Liquid Spins
Former Little Texas frontman Tim Rushlow has landed a deal with Liquid Spins Records, where he will be the company’s flagship artist. His first EP, Unfinished Symphony, is a collection of Christian songs and is due later in fall. The first single “Rain Down On Me” has been released to Christian radio. Rushlow is the first artist signed to Liquid Spins, which has completed agreements with EMI, Sony, Warner, and UMD to distribute music via QR codes. The company is readying its platform to accept other independent artists in the future.
Inking Big: O’Shea, Caitlin Rose, Dean Alexander, Tim Rushlow
/by FreemanO'Shea
Nashville-based, Australian-born husband and wife duo O’Shea have signed a recording contract with Sony Music Australia. Their debut album Mr. and Mrs. will be released in Australia Friday, September 30 and the couple wrote or co-wrote all of its 11 tracks. Mark and Jay O’Shea moved to Nashville in 2007 and were introduced to American audiences on CMT’s Can You Duet, where they made it into the Top 5. The pair recently gave birth to their daughter, Finley Avalon O’Shea. “We’re so excited to be working with the guys at Sony. When you’re young, you dream about one day signing to a label like this!” says Jay. Mark adds, “This album has been a long time comin’…but now being able to work with such a great team, has really made it worth the wait!”
• • • • •
Caitlin Rose
Nashville’s Caitlin Rose has inked with ATO Records, which will release her full-length debut Own Side Now September 27. Co-produced by Mark Nevers (Lambchop, Will Oldham), Skylar Wilson (Justin Townes Earle) and Rose, Own Side Now was inspired by female greats like Linda Ronstadt, Patsy Cline and Stevie Nicks. Additionally, Rose has scheduled several fall tour dates with Americana faves Justin Townes Earle, Jason Isbell, and Hayes Carll (full dates on her website). ATO Records was co-founded by Dave Matthews and Michael McDonald and is the label home to My Morning Jacket, Drive-By Truckers, and Patty Griffin. Rose is also the daughter of songwriter Liz Rose, who co-wrote Taylor Swift hits “You Belong With Me,” “White Horse” and more.
• • • • •
Dean Alexander
The Paradigm Agency’s talent roster is expanding with its signing of Warner Music Nashville recording artist Dean Alexander for booking representation. Alexander has been a fixture of the Nashville club scene for years and opened shows for Josh Turner and Laura Bell Bundy, in addition to writing songs with Stage Three Music. “Dean Alexander is a perfect fit for our agency,” says Paradigm Nashville co-head Mike Snider. “We have big plans for his future.”
• • • • •
(L-R): Standing: Herman DeBoard CEO Liquid Spins, Christy DiNapoli Artist Manager/President Liquid Spins Entertainment Division. Seated: Tim Rushlow, Paul Myers COO Liquid Spins
Former Little Texas frontman Tim Rushlow has landed a deal with Liquid Spins Records, where he will be the company’s flagship artist. His first EP, Unfinished Symphony, is a collection of Christian songs and is due later in fall. The first single “Rain Down On Me” has been released to Christian radio. Rushlow is the first artist signed to Liquid Spins, which has completed agreements with EMI, Sony, Warner, and UMD to distribute music via QR codes. The company is readying its platform to accept other independent artists in the future.
Atkins Gears Up For Fall Release
/by Sarah SkatesLast week Atkins was in Harrogate, Tenn. for a taping of GAC Origins. During the trip he performed for thousands of fans at a Bristol, Tenn. NASCAR event. The singer also spent time at one of his favorite charities, the Holston Children’s Home, where he lived as a baby until being adopted.
Atkins is shooting his video today and tomorrow around Middle Tennessee for “Take A Back Road” with TV /film director Andy Tennant (Sweet Home Alabama, Ferris Bueller’s Day Off, The Bounty Hunter).
This fall, football fans can follow Atkins’ picks on popular SEC site SouthernPigskin.com, where he will be the celebrity game predictor.
Harrogate, Tenn. Mayor Bill Fultz Atkins presents Atkins with the key to the city.
Biggest Loser Gets Vinny, Grainge Talks A&R, Lady A Fans Scavenge
/by adminBig Vinny
>>Big Vinny from Trailor Choir (aka Vicent Hickerson) is set to become a big loser this coming year as he competes on season 12 of the NBC hit reality show The Biggest Loser. Big Vinny will be one of 15 contestants weighing over 400 pounds and hoping to win the $250,000 prize. The season premiere begins Sept. 20.
Lucian Grainge
>>“A&R people are an indication of your commitment to new music and to new artists,” Universal Music Group Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge tells the New York Post. “There are so many categories of A&R people; some are talent scouts, some have an instinctive sense of marketing, and others are brilliant at making records…The demographics are constantly changing—there are so many scientific factors and analytical tools—but some things will never change: the magic of innovation and raw talent.”
Signings: Bobby Terry, Rose Falcon
/by FreemanBobby Terry
Southern Crossroads Music has announced the signing of producer/songwriter/musician Bobby Terry to a worldwide publishing agreement. Southern Crossroads will represent Terry’s futures and back catalog, which includes cuts on Brad Paisley’s Time Well Wasted, Faith Hill’s Fireflies, and Tim McGraw’s Live Like You Were Dying.
“Bobby represents the important first brick in building a publishing company from the ground up in that he is a prolific writer and talented producer,” says Southern Crossroads Nashville Partner Pat Finch. “We are incredibly fortunate to have him and look forward to adding to such a stable foundation!”
Southern Crossroads also represents Nashville singer/songwriter Jabe Beyer whose songs have been featured in HBO’s True Blood and the Fox-TV’s Lie to Me, among others. Also on the roster are UK-based Americana acts Danny and the Champions of the World and Owen James Harvey.
• • •
Show Dog-Universal Music has signed Rose Falcon to an exclusive recording contract. The Nashville-raised singer is the daughter of singer/songwriter Billy Falcon (“Power Windows”) and previously recorded a pop album (Rose Falcon) with Columbia in 2003. She is signed to Cal IV for publishing, and her songs have been featured in numerous television shows and commercials. Recently, “Give Into Me,” a song she wrote with her father and Elisha Hoffman, was recorded by Faith Hill for the Country Strong soundtrack.
(L-R): Manager Dan Harrell, Falcon, SDU label President Mark Wright and Cal IV Entertainment President Daniel Hill
Americana Honors Set For Live TV Broadcast
/by Sarah SkatesJim Lauderdale will host the Americana Music Association's Honors and Awards, which will air live on NPT Oct. 13.
The upcoming Americana Music Association Honors and Awards will be broadcast live on Nashville Public Television to the Middle Tennessee viewing area on NPT channel 8. Confirmed to appear at the Oct. 13 show at the Ryman are genre stalwarts and rising stars including Jim Lauderdale, Robert Plant, Lucinda Williams, Gregg Allman, Elizabeth Cook, Hayes Carll, The Secret Sisters, Justin Townes Earle, Jessica Lea Mayfield, and The Civil Wars.
“It was time to bring the Americana Honors to another level,” explains Jed Hilly Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “We could not have better partners in Nashville Public Television President and CEO Beth Curley for our Middle Tennessee premiere and Austin City Limits Executive Producer Terry Lickona to take this to a national audience.”
In addition to the live awards broadcast, an edited version of the show will be aired Nov. 19 as a special episode of the new season of acclaimed PBS series Austin City Limits (check local listings).
The program will be taped by High Five Entertainment and co-produced by its President Martin Fischer along with Lickona, Courtney Gregg, Holly Lowman, and Hilly.
The Honors and Award Show is the capstone event of the Americana Music Festival and Conference presented by Nissan, running Oct. 12-15, 2011 in Nashville. A limited number of awards tickets are available at ryman.com. For more information go to americanamusic.org.
Nettles To Host “CMA Country Christmas”
/by Sarah SkatesJennifer Nettles hosting last year's "CMA Country Christmas" special.
For the second consecutive year, Jennifer Nettles of Sugarland will host CMA Country Christmas, set to air on the ABC Television Network during the upcoming holiday season.
The show will tape in front of a live audience on Thursday, Nov. 10 at the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. This is the evening following the Nov. 9 CMA Awards, which will also take place at the Bridgestone. Performers, television airdate, and ticket information will be announced soon.
In 2010, the first CMA Country Christmas drew an average audience of 7.3 million viewers in its first airing on Nov. 30, 2010, topping original programming on NBC and FOX by wide margins. The special re-aired on Dec. 22, 2010, reaching another 4.25 million viewers, for a combined total of more than 11.5 million viewers.
Robert Deaton is the executive producer, Paul Miller is the director, and David Wild is the writer.
Chesney Ends Tour With Hurricane of Activity
/by admin(l-r): Morris Artists Management Group Executive Vice President and CMA Board member Clint Higham, CMA Board member Connie Bradley, CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore, CMA Board member Bob DiPiero, Matraca Berg, Kenny Chesney, Brett James, Wendell Mobley, and Craig Wiseman. Photo credit: Natasha Moustache
Kenny Chesney’s
2011 Goin’ Coastal Tour celebrated its last weekend, in Boston, with a two-show hurricane of activity. To be exact, the Sunday 8/28 performance was rescheduled for Friday 8/26 because of approaching hurricane Irene and Saturday went on as scheduled. Together, the two shows sold over 106,000 tickets at the Gillette Stadium in Foxboro, MA. Chesney called the crowd, “one of the loudest and most loving crowds of the tour.”Guests included Billy Currington and Zac Brown Band. Mid-show, CMA President Steve Moore presented Chesney keyboardist Wyatt Beard with the organization’s first-ever Touring Musician of the Year Award.
While in Boston the Luttrell, TN homeboy appeared with hit songwriters Bob DiPiero, Matraca Berg, Brett James, Wendell Mobley and Craig Wiseman as part of the CMA’s sold-out Songwriter Series at the Royale Nightclub. The show was streamed live on Chesney’s Noshoesradio Internet station. Chesney also visited with Boston College football team, the Eagles and later spent an hour practicing with the New England Patriots. (Reportedly he missed a pass from quarterback Tom Brady…)
The weekend capped an incredible run with over 1.1 million tickets sold for the Goin’ Coastal Tour.
Four-time CMA Entertainer of the Year Kenny Chesney and CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore presented the inaugural CMA Touring Musician Award to Chesney keyboard player Wyatt Beard Saturday during the Foxboro Stadium concert date in Boston. (l-r): Wyatt Beard; Shirley Beard, mother; Chesney; Karyn Beard, wife; Moore; and RD Beard, father. Photo courtesy of Sony Music Nashville.
Country Hall Hosts Jerry Foster • Newcomers Play Puckett’s
/by Sarah SkatesJerry Foster
Poets and Prophets With Jerry Foster
Acclaimed songwriter Jerry Foster will take a seat at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum on Sat., Sept. 10 as the latest subject of the Poets and Prophets: Legendary Country Songwriters series. Along with Bill Rice, the acclaimed duo wrote songs for some of country music’s biggest stars of the 1960s and ’70s, including Mickey Gilley (“Here Comes the Hurt Again”), Jerry Lee Lewis (“Would You Take Another Chance on Me”), Johnny Paycheck (“Someone to Give My Love To”), Charley Pride (“The Day the World Stood Still”) and Conway Twitty (“Ain’t She Something Else”). The duo is one of the most honored songwriting teams in history, and both were inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1994.
Foster will sit down with Museum Editor Michael Gray for the 90-minute interview on Sept. 10 at 1:30 p.m. in the Museum’s Ford Theater. It will include a performance, recordings, photos and film clips from the Museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Immediately following, Foster will sign autographs in the Museum Store. Details and live streaming of the interview at www.countrymusichalloffame.org.
The Lunabelles
Puckett’s Up ‘N’ Comers Night
Puckett’s Grocery in downtown Nashville has teamed with Sony, ASCAP, and PCG Nashville to showcase new artists on Monday nights. The series called Puckett’s Up ‘N’ Comers Night launches with a string of performances by Sony act The Lunabelles, including a show tonight (8/29) as well as Sept. 19. The band is currently working on its debut album.
On Sept. 26 the showcase series will feature rising songwriters Carly Pearce, Elliot Collett, Brent Cobb and Cailtlyn Smith.
Details at puckettsgrocery.com.
Industry Ink: Dierks, Lifenotes, HealthTrust Dinner
/by Freeman• • • •
Things are about to get spooky for the Paradigm Agency, which just signed Funk/R&B group Here Come The Mummies to its talent roster. The mysterious nine piece band, comprised of several professional musicians, performs onstage in mummy costumes in order to remain anonymous. Members have adopted stage names such as Eddie Mummy, Mummy Cass, and K.W. Tut. “Here Come the Mummies are a fresh, original music act,” says Bob Kinkead of the Paradigm Agency. “They combine incredible musical skill with unparalleled showmanship. They represent everything Paradigm looks for in a new act.” Here Come The Mummies is currently touring and will release its fifth independent album in October.
• • • •
Farris Nicole Warwick
Congratulations go out to Recording Academy Project Manager Alicia Warwick and husband Chris on the birth of their daughter Farris Nicole Warwick. She was born August 16 and weighed 6 lbs., 14 oz.
• • • •
Condolences to family and friends of Lofton Creek Records founder and CEO Harold Shafer, who passed away Saturday (8/27) from complications following a fall and a stroke. He was 76. The successful businessman from Jacksonville, Florida launched Lofton Creek Records and brought in Mike and Martha Borchetta to help run the business. The label first hit with Keith Bryant’s “Riding With The Legend” in 2004 and then had another smash with Heartland’s “I Loved Her First” in 2006. In 2008, Lofton Creek was named MusicRow’s Mid-Size Label of the Year. Shafer’s visitation will take place 6-8 pm Tuesday (8/30), and his memorial service is 11 am Wednesday (8/31) at Hardage Giddens Funeral Home in Jacksonville.
• • • •
The first Evening in the Round at the HealthTrust Conference Dinner, sponsored by BMI, took place at the Opryland Hotel on August 16. Over 600 attendees from the hospital industry enjoyed performances from songwriters Sarah Buxton, Billy Montana, Lee Thomas Miller, and Doug Johnson.
(L-R): (back) BMI’s Bradley Collins and Rick Schrock, guitarist Tom Bukovac, BMI’s Jack Flynn, HealthTrust COO Ed Jones, Doug Johnson, Billy Montana, Trinity Health Leadership Sr. VP Supply Chain & Capital Projects Management Louis Fierens II, and HealthTrust VP Marketing & Members Services Doug Swanson; (front) Lee Thomas Miller, BMI’s Jessica Frost, and Sarah Buxton. Photo: Julie Stuckey
Gershon Joins Red Light Management
/by Sarah SkatesTracy Gershon
As first tipped by MusicRow last week, Red Light Management has officially announced the hiring of longtime music business pro Tracy Gershon. She joins the Nashville office where she will continue to co-manage Big Machine recording artist Ella Mae Bowen, and Erin Enderlin, as well as manage the writing interests of Grammy-winning artist and songwriter Rodney Crowell. She will also take an active role handling A&R for the Red Light roster.
Gershon was most recently a Sr. VP at Warner Chappell Music, and has held executive posts at EMI and Sony Music publishing, Sony Records and Warner Bros. records.
“Returning to management makes perfect sense for me,” says Gershon. “I moved to Nashville from Los Angeles in 1988 and managed several artists. For the past two decades, I have worked as an A&R executive at both record labels and publishing companies. This experience, along with the vision and resources of [Red Light head] Coran Capshaw, make the transition to Red Light an exciting foundation for which to build my clientele.”
The management firm’s Nashville roster includes Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Alabama, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, The Lunabelles, Jennette McCurdy, Kip Moore, Jon Pardi, Tammy Wynette estate, Third Day and Kerrie Roberts.
Gershon can be reached at:
124 12th Ave. S., 6th Floor
Nashville, TN 37203
(615) 279-3784, tracy.gershon@redlightmanagement.com
Red Light Management has offices in Charlottesville, Denver, Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.