Hot Day, Cool Pics

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Chris Young kicked-off release day for Neon Tuesday morning (7/12) with a performance on ABC’s Good Morning America.

(L-R): Sam Champion, George Stephanopoulos, Chris Young, Josh Elliott, Robin Roberts, Lara Spencer


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Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones of Steel Magnolia played fan-selected new single, “Without You” on Jimmy Kimmel Live!

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CMT Unplugged: The Avett Brothers debuted this week at www.unplugged.CMT.com and on the Starburst® Facebook page, the exclusive sponsor for the series.

Gregg Allman, Robert Plant Set For Americanafest

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Robert Plant and Gregg Allman are confirmed for the Americana Music Association Festival and Conference.


The Americana Music Festival and Conference, running October 12 -15 in Nashville, has announced appearances by Gregg Allman, Robert Plant and the Band of Joy, Justin Townes Earle, the Jayhawks, North Mississippi Allstars, Foster and Lloyd, and The Civil Wars.
Sure to be a highlight of the four-day event is the Americana Honors & Awards show, set for Thurs., Oct. 13 at the Ryman Auditorium. Jim Lauderdale will continue his tenure as master of ceremonies, joined for another year by Buddy Miller and his All-Star house band.
Daytime conference sessions will primarily take place at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown hotel and nighttime Festival showcases will feature 100-plus acts at five local hotspots. All conference registrants get priority access to the evening shows and a ticket to the Honors and Awards.
Early bird Festival and Conference registration ends July 31, offering a discounted fee and priority awards show seating. Americana Music Association members receive a discounted registration rate over non-members. Single tickets to the awards go on sale July 29 to the general public. Details at americanamusic.org.

Luke Bryan's Samsung Summer Krush Concert in Nashville

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Capitol Records Nashville artist Luke Bryan will kick-off the Samsung AT&T Summer Krush concert series in Nashville on Wed., July 20. Tickets to the one-hour concert at the Grand Ole Opry House are free through radio promotions, street teams, and registration at www.samsungsummerkrush2011.com. Prior to the show, fans will have the opportunity to experience the Samsung Infuse™ 4G.
A portion of the performance will air exclusively on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! on Aug. 11 as part of Bryan’s Tailgates & Tanlines album launch week. The album will be in stores Tues., Aug. 9.
Other artists performing as part of this series include Coldplay and The Band Perry who are participating in other cities and venues this summer.

Industry Ink Thursday (7/14)

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Mark Gray


Republic Adds To Radio Team
Republic Nashville has hired Mark Gray as Director of Southwest Promotion. Gray will begin immediately, based in Nashville and working Republic Nashville acts Martina McBride, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band and Sunny Sweeney.
Gray replaces Crystal Williams and will report directly to National Director of Promotion Matthew Hargis. “Mark is a road dawg with a big heart who loves Country music!” says Hargis. “We are very excited to have him join the Ape den at Republic Nashville.”
Gray’s career began at Clear Channel in Charlotte, NC. He quickly moved up the ranks and landed the job of WKKT Marketing Director. Eventually Gray relocated to Nashville to be tour manager for Troy Olsen. “Republic Nashville has amazing talent and I’m ready to hit the road running,” says Gray. “This is a great opportunity and I can’t wait to roll up my sleeves and tackle the Southwest. It’s an honor be a part of this team.” He can be reached at (704) 906-4970 or mark.gray@republicnashville.com.
TCN Relocating Headquarters
The Country Network is moving its headquarters from Nashville to Boca Raton, Fla. The change was announced recently in the Palm Beach Post. According to the newspaper, TCN will maintain an office in Nashville. The network plans to hire 20 employees in its new home base, where it has leased a 3,800-square-foot office and is looking for studio space. TCN CEO Warren Hansen owns a home in Boca Raton.

Kay Clary (L) in an inspired vintage gown at the Americana Music Awards with Jayne Rogovin and Jim Lauderdale. Clary often scores saris like this at Goodwill and alters them to her taste.


• • • BMI media maven Kay Clary is profiled in today’s Tennessean, in an article highlighting her cool vintage fashion sense. She discusses her favorite stores, love of pieces circa 1964, and thrift-store hunting for newbies.
• • • Media industry veteran Erik Logan is continuing with Oprah’s Harpo Studios in a new role. Along with fellow Harpo Pres. Sheri Salata, Logan will serve as president of OWN network. Logan’s ties to Nashville include serving on the CMA board of directors and a successful career in radio.
• • • Former SoundExchange Executive Director John L. Simson has re-established a law practice in Washington, D.C. and has joined Lommen, Abdo, Cole, King & Stageberg.
• • • ZMX Music is a growing company offering direct-to-fan sheet music delivery through artist websites, Facebook, and MySpace. Founder Eric Ziering will be in Nashville July 19–22 for meetings about the company. Contact Lori Meadows at lmeadows@zmxmusic.com or Kate Richardson at kate@richlynmarketing.com to inquire about an appointment. Among the artists already on board with ZMX Music is Josh Kelley.
• • • Known as The Claw, the stage from U2’s 360 tour will be hitting the auction block after the tour ends. For additional information, 3D renderings, size specs and more visit www.panthermanagement.com/theclaw.
• • • United Stations Radio Networks has launched www.countrymusicontheroad.com, a full-time, internet-only radio station programmed with live Country music concerts. Now in its eighteenth year, “The Road” is a nationally distributed radio show hosted by Charlie Cook and offering concert performances from country stars. CountryMusicOnTheRoad.com offers the archived concerts from the radio show.

Warner To Sell $1.05b in Junk Bonds Before Sale

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Bloomberg.com reported (7/6) that Warner Music Group (WMG) is planning to sell $1.05 billion of high-yield bonds before the company is taken over. The bonds being offered will consist of:

  • $150 million 9.5% senior secured notes by WMG Acquisition Corp due June 2016
  • $695 million senior debt due Oct. 2018 by WMG Acquisition Corp
  • $200 million senior bonds due Oct. 2019 by WMG Holdings Corp.

The Wall Street Journal notes 7/13 that the price guidance on the bonds has been set at, “weaker-than-expected levels.” WSJ notes, “The talk on the secured senior notes of $150 million is at a price of 104 to 104.5, while the $695 million notes due Oct. 1, 2018 are at a yield of 11.55% to 11.75%, and the $200 million senior notes are at 13.25% to 13.75%.”
Bloomberg Business Week explains the background behind the sale terms. “The all-cash acquisition by U.S. billionaire Blavatnik’s Access Industries Holdings LLC is valued at $3.3 billion and will be funded with committed financing from Credit Suisse Group AG and UBS AG and equity funding from Access. Warner Music’s shareholders agreed to the acquisition at a special meeting for $8.25 per share in cash, according to a statement distributed by Marketwire.”

Spotify Launches In U.S.

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The wait is over. Popular digital music streaming service Spotify launched in the U.S. today (7/14) after long negotiations and numerous delays.
The service offers users the ability to listen for free to any track on demand, with audio advertising being served every few tracks. Users have access to “millions and millions” of tracks, plus the ability to share tracks and playlists with friends. A premium ad-free version is available for $5 per month, or an unlimited version with offline storage can be had for $10 per month.
The Stockholm, Sweden-based company has been a huge hit in Europe, but its U.S. launch has long been mired in the labyrinth of negotiations and licensing. As of today’s launch, the four major labels and Spotify have reportedly reached an agreement. Performing rights organization ASCAP also announced an agreement with Spotify for performance of over 8.5 million works in its repertory. As part of the exchange, ASCAP and Spotify will use a Digital Data Exchange standard for music use reporting.
Desktop and mobile versions of the service are currently on the market, but no tablet version exists yet. Spotify distinguishes itself from Pandora and similar offerings by adding the element of user control promised by many cloud services. Its entry to the U.S. music market could pose a problem for companies getting in the cloud game, especially Apple’s yet-to-launch iCloud service.
Currently Spotify is only available by invitation, but the website has a handy email sign up for anyone eager to try it out. For those who just can’t wait, purchasing either the $5 or $10 premium options will grant immediate access.

Loretta Lynn Cancels Appearances Due to Hospitalization

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Loretta Lynn was forced to cancel shows through the end of July from her 2011 tour after severe dehydration caused the country music icon to be hospitalized.
A statement on the website of Ohio music festival Jamboree In The Hills offered an apology from Lynn. She was scheduled to perform there on Sunday, July 17.
“I’m sad to have to cancel any shows—I’ve been looking forward to getting back out there to see all my fans,” Lynn said in the statement. According to festival organizers, high temperatures in Tennessee are to blame for her dehydration, as the heat index soared to over 100 degrees this week in many parts of the country.
Many of the canceled shows are expected to be rescheduled where possible.

New Artists Visit "MusicRow" To Debut Songs

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MusicRow’s conference room is a happening place this week, with visits from rising artists Kip Moore and Jason Jones.
Monday (7/11) UMG Nashville artist Kip Moore stopped by to play songs from his upcoming debut album. The south Georgia native’s first single “Mary Was The Marrying Kind” is making its way up the charts. Moore is managed by Red Light’s Shawn McSpadden.

Back row (L-R): MusicRow's Jon Freeman, Christie King, Sherod Robertson and Robert Oermann. Front row: Sarah Skates and Kip Moore


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Tuesday afternoon Warner Music Nashville’s new act Jason Jones offered songs from his soon-to-be-released EP, including climbing lead single “Ferris Wheel.” After growing up in Florida, Jones moved to Nashville and soon signed with Warner Chappell Music. He is working with producer Brett Beavers.

Jones brought carnival treats to celebrate his debut single "Ferris Wheel." (L-R): MusicRow's Christie King, Sarah Skates, Sherod Robertson, artist Jason Jones, Jon Freeman, David Ross, WMG's Cris Lacy, and Rogue Management's Pete Olson




 
 

Michael Martin Murphey Signs; Amber Hayes Visits

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Michael Martin Murphey, who’s hits include “Wildfire,” “Carolina In The Pines,” and “What’s Forever For,” has signed an agency representation agreement with New Hampshire-based Skyline Music says company President Bruce Houghton. (Not connected with Nashville’s Skyline Music/Skyville Records.)
“We’re excited to be working with Michael Martin Murphey; not just because of his rich past, but also because he continues to reinvent himself, releasing a new album every year and pushing musical boundaries,” said Houghton. “His fans love him for it and we’re honored be part of his ongoing journey.” Murphey’s responsible Skyline agent is Barron Ruth 866-531-2172 x 102 or barron@skylineonline.com.

Amber Hayes with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews


>>Amber Hayes visits with WCOW PD Arnie Andrews in Sparta/LaCrosse, WI to introduce her new single, “Wait.”
After her visit at Cow97, Hayes treated contest winners to a performance and meet and greet that included a free lunch.

"Carolina" Mines Gold For Eric Church

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Shades of Gold. (L-R): Capitol VP Promotion Shane Allen; EMI VP Promotion Angela Lange; Capitol SVP Promotion Steve Hodges; Capitol COO Tom Becci; Eric Church; Capitol SVP Marketing Cindy Mabe; Capitol President and CEO Mike Dungan; Capitol VP Creative Joanna Carter and Capitol VP A&R Autumn House. Photo: Alan Poizner


EMI Records Nashville celebrated the RIAA Gold certification of Eric Church’s Carolina Tuesday night (7/12). Industry revelers and Church team members gathered at Nashville’s Whiskey Bent Saloon to mark the success of the album that produced hit singles “Love Your Love The Most,” “Hell On The Heart” and “Smoke A Little Smoke.” Producer Jay Joyce, who helmed Church’s sophomore effort, joined Capitol/EMI staffers in sporting Church’s signature shades at the event.
On the heels of winning ACM Top New Solo Vocalist, Church is gearing up for the release of his third studio album Chief on July 26. The lead single “Homeboy” has already reached No. 6 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Fans can pre-order the album through www.EricChurch.com and receive an instant download of “Creepin.’”