Hall of Fame Preps Chet Atkins Exhibit

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will pay tribute to one of country music’s most versatile and visionary artists, Chet Atkins with a new exhibit opening Friday, Aug. 12. Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player will run for 10 months and is made possible by the Gretsch Company with additional support by GAC.
Highlights of the opening weekend festivities include a talk by a Museum curator, and a panel discussion featuring Ray Stevens, Steve Wariner and Billy Edd Wheeler. The exhibit will be accompanied by a companion book, also titled Chet Atkins: Certified Guitar Player.
Included in the exhibit will be Chet’s first guitar, a Sears Silvertone he acquired at age 11 and upon which he taught himself to play; Chet’s 1938 Gibson L-10 designed for original owner Les Paul; and a 1946 recording contract with Bullet Recording Co. There is also a meticulous re-construction of the work-bench and shelves in Chet’s basement home studio, including tools, meters and personal effects. The exhibit employs a wealth of instruments, vintage photos, personal possessions and correspondence, as well as career-spanning audio and video.
More at Countrymusichalloffame.org.

Bluegrass Musician Kenny Baker Passes

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Acclaimed bluegrass fiddler Kenny Baker died Friday, July 8, 2011 at age 85. The Kentucky native, best known as one of Bill Monroe’s Blue Grass Boys, influenced future generations of fiddle players with his “long-bow” style. His four-decade career included about 20 years on-and-off with Monroe, who introduced him onstage as “the greatest fiddler in bluegrass music.” Baker is an inductee of the IBMA Bluegrass Hall of Fame, and a recipient of the National Heritage Fellowship from the National Endowment For The Arts. At the time of his death, he was residing outside Nashville in Cottontown, Tenn.
Kenneth Baker was born June 26, 1926 in Burdine, Ky. During World War II he joined the U.S. Navy, and eventually returned home to marry Audrey Sizemore in 1946. Born into a family of fiddle players, Baker fostered his musical career while touring the South Pacific with the USO. In 1953, Don Gibson gave Baker his first break. By 1956, he had teamed with Monroe on a journey that would last intermittently until 1985. Baker helped bring Del McCoury and banjo player Bill Keith into the Blue Grass Boys.
After leaving Monroe’s band, Baker went on to play with Josh Graves, Eddie Adcock, and Jesse McReynolds.
Not surprisingly, Baker’s most popular solo album is Kenny Baker Plays Bill Monroe.
He is survived by wife Audrey, sons Kenneth Jr. (Holly) and Johnny Lee (Debbie), several siblings, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Services were held today July 12, 2011 at the Burdine Freewill Baptist Church in Burdine, Ky. Arrangements by Carty, Polly & Craft Funeral Home, (606) 832-2191

Likes? Follows? Why Bother?

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Looking for an afternoon info break? Some cranial nourishment? Good. Then let’s re-visit the reasons that influence a customer to follow a brand and how it affects their engagement with that brand..
The attached graphic spells out the story, but here are some of the big picture overview ideas…
One of the key drivers mentioned by both Twitter and Facebook respondents that causes someone to follow or like a brand is “special offers/deals.” The No. 2 reason is because a person is a current customer.
Most people, according to this research culled from reports by Razorfish.com, econsultancy.com and socialmedia.com, “like” 2-5 brands on FB (53.47%). About 21.2% of respondents “like” 5-10 brands on FB.
Is attracting likes and followers worth it? Does it add to a company’s bottom line? The results say definitely. In fact “an overwhelming majority are influenced by their online experience.” Of those who follow or like a brand, 70% have participated in a brand-sponsored contest and 24% have produced content to participate in a contest.
The Top five brands on Facebook and Twitter according to the information are Facebook, YouTube, CocaCola, Disney and Starbucks.
(Find this graphic here.)

 

Randy Goodman Co-chairs Nashville Music Council

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Mayor Karl Dean announced today that Music Row veteran Randy Goodman will serve as co-chairman of the Nashville Music Council. Goodman most recently served as president of Lyric Street Records in Nashville. Goodman is a member of the Country Music Association board of directors and served as president and chairman of the board in 2008 and 2009. He is also a trustee for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

“Randy is the right person to promote our Music City brand and to help Nashville continue to attract and retain musicians and other creative people,” said Mayor Dean, who also serves as co-chairman of the Nashville Music Council. “He will help us continue to improve music education in Nashville,” Mayor Dean said. “He is the right guy to convince companies that Nashville is the place to be if they want to do business in the music industry. And, like me, he believes you can never have too much live music happening in our city.”

The Nashville Music Council was launched in 2009 as a partnership between the Mayor’s Office, the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau to capitalize on Nashville’s identity as Music City.

“Mayor Dean has been the strongest advocate, friend and supporter of the music industry of all the elected officials I have worked with in my 30 years in the business,” Goodman said. “To get the chance to serve as a co-chair is an honor and an exciting opportunity for me. I am eager to give back and to help Mayor Dean help the entertainment industry thrive as a business in a city that attracts musicians from all genres.”

Over the past year, the Nashville Music Council has also established a partnership with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center to help incubate startups in digital media and entertainment.  Additionally, it created an education plan for 2012 and helped develop plans for Nashville’s first artists’ residence, The Ryman Lofts.
For more information, visit www.nashvillemusiccouncil.com.
 

Fox-Metoyer Promoted

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Kerri Fox-Metoyer has been named vice president of Sony United, effective July 18. In this new role, she will partner with Sony sister companies to distribute and market products and services across the Sony brand. She will continue to be based in Nashville, but outside the Sony Music office.
“Kerri has been a valued member of the Sony Music team and we are happy that her talents as a sales and marketing executive will now benefit the entire Sony family in this important new role,” says Thomas Hesse, President, Global Digital Business, U.S. Sales and Corporate Strategy, Sony Music Entertainment. “We look forward to working with her in the future to drive Sony United initiatives across our various retail partnerships.”
Fox-Metoyer was most recently VP Sales for Sony Music Nashville, where she oversaw sales and retail marketing initiatives for the label’s roster. A 20-year industry veteran, she joined the company in 2009 after previously serving as VP Sales for Walt Disney Records. Her background also includes tenures with Liquid Audio and EMI Christian Music Group.

BE Music & Entertainment Announces Team Members

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(L-R): Chelsea Drimmel, Elisabeth Jordan


Dallas and Nashville-based artist development company BE Music & Entertainment has announced its new management team. The company recently opened its Nashville office.
BE Music & Entertainment Pres. Michael Blanton has named Chelsea Drimmel as Artist Development Manager for the Nashville office and Elisabeth Jordan as Artist Development Manager for the company’s Dallas office. Both will be responsible for overseeing all operations in their respective offices. BE is headed by Blanton with Carl Kornmeyer, and is a subsidiary of Dallas-based London Broadcasting Company headed by Terry London.
Artist managers David McCollum, James Hodgin, and Chris DeTray and Assoc. Artist Manager Jami Crockett also join the BE team following a merger with Dryve Artist Management. The merger includes artists Dave Barnes (whose song “God Gave Me You” is Blake Shelton’s new single), Dove Award winner Chris August, Jackopierce, Cary Pierce, Manafest, Derek Webb, Shawn McDonald, Nathan Angelo, Slugs & Bugs, Stephen Gause, Bryan Brown, Downhere, All Sons & Daughters and Andrew Ripp.
“In a music business where rules are being rewritten and ingenuity is the necessary status quo, we relish the opportunity of this new partnership. The BE Music creative vision of the future, experienced leadership, and fairness model align perfectly with our team and we couldn’t be more excited,” says McCollum.
The company has also announced a relationship with Nashville production team Sorted Noise, which specializes in artist branding and TV/film production and licensing. BE is also building audio/video production space in the Terrazzo development in the Gulch with offices, writing rooms, performance space and more. For general inquiries about BE, contact info@BEMusicEntertainment.com.

(L-R): David McCollum, James Hodgin, Chris DeTray, Jami Crockett

Tabloid Tuesday: Lambert, Milsap, Pickler and Pistol Annies

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(L-R) Ashley Monroe, GMA’s Lara Spencer, Lambert, Angaleena Presley, & GMA’s Sam Champion. Photo: Fred Lee/ABC


 

Miranda Lambert’s dual career now includes a new solo album plus a digital release with her new trio, Pistol Annies. The singer songwriter made announcements on Good Morning America (7/8) that her Columbia Nashville solo effort will be released on Nov. 1 and named Four The Record. The all-girl trio, which features Ashley Monroe and Angaleena Presley will debut a digital-only effort named for its single, Hell On Heels which the trio performed on GMA’s morning Summer Concert Series.
Lambert’s previous solo album, Revolution earned a Platinum certification with No. 1 singles such as “White Liar,” “House That Built Me” and “Heart Like Mine.”
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Ronnie Milsap and Kellie Pickler. Photo: Montine Felso


 

Ronnie Milsap and Kellie Pickler made time for a quick visit during CMA Music Festival while both were visiting radio station remotes.
Milsap is promoting a new album that will be released on July 26, Country Again. Pickler’s new single “Tough” has just started climbing radio charts.
 
 

Robertson Taylor Co-Founder Passes

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Willie Robertson passed away on July 9. Photo: Lawrence White


Willie Robertson, co-creator of live entertainment brokerage firm Robertson Taylor, passed away July 9, 2011 after a short but determined fight against cancer.
His company’s board, management team and staff describe him as an “inspirational and passionate leader, business partner and friend.”
Robertson was also a dedicated philanthropist, and founded charity Nordoff Robbins, which used music to brighten the lives of those in need. He was actively involved in the organization since he helped start it 36 years ago.
Robertson teamed with Bob Taylor and Ian France to establish Robertson Taylor in 1977, offering insurance for live entertainment events.
Upon Robertson’s passing, Taylor said, “Ian France and I were his partners and friends for in excess of 40 years and to say that he will leave a gap in our lives is truly an understatement. Willie was a prolific producer of business and a tough and challenging partner throughout our long and incredibly successful relationship.
“Over the years he made many life-long friends who have been in regular contact with his family and I over the last few weeks. The support has been overwhelming coming from all across the world.
“I am extremely saddened by this news after such a short illness but, I am equally determined that all his good work will go on.”
Robertson Taylor is headquartered in London, with offices in Nashville, Los Angeles and other cities.
Donations in memory of Robertson can be made to Nordoff Robbins at www.nordoff-robbins.org.uk.

Sarah Darling Teams With Producer Dann Huff

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(L-R) Sarah Darling and Dann Huff.


Black River Entertainment artist Sarah Darling, whose recent video “Something To Do With Your Hands,” reached No. 2 on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown and spent multiple weeks at No. 1 on CMT.com, will join forces with producer Dann Huff for her next album.
Huff has won awards for projects with artists such as Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Rascal Flatts and others. Darling also supported her last album Angels and Devils with  multiple appearances on the Grand Ole Opry.  Photo credit: Sara Kauss

New Releases Coming: Katie Armiger and Reggae's Gone Country

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Katie Armiger is releasing a deluxe package with added content of her current album, Confessions of a Nice Girl via iTunes Sept. 20. The deluxe edition features four new original songs including her single, “I Do, But Do I” plus a dance mix of her hit, “Best Song Ever.” Also included are videos for “Best Song Ever,” and “I Do, But Do I.”
“I wanted to do something special to get new material out to my fans that have shown me so much support over the years,” says Armiger. “I knew immediately when I heard ‘I Do, But Do I’ that I had to record it and I am so grateful that fans have embraced it as much as I have and already voted it #2 on the GAC Top 20 Countdown.”
 
 
 
VP Records and Warner Music Nashville will release Reggae’s Gone Country’ on Aug. 30, a musical roots-connecting dialogue between Kingston and Nashville. The compilation features classic country hits covered by Jamaica’s top musicians (Beres Hammond, Tarrus Riley, Tessanne Chin, Etana, Luciano, Sly & Robbie) as well as supporting vocals provided by original recording artist and country icon Larry Gatlin of The Gatlin Brothers. Country music devotee Cristy Barber, VP of Marketing and Promotions at VP Records, the world’s largest reggae label envisioned this project two years ago and teamed up on lead production with John Rich, and the acclaimed Jamaican saxophonist and top reggae producer Dean Fraser.
“Reggae’s Gone Country is taking some of Jamaican’s favorite classic American country songs and putting their beats and whole instrumentation around it while still having that root of country… It is this crazy cool idea,” says John Rich.
 
Track Listing
1. California – Romain Virgo & Larry Gatlin
2. He’ll Have To Go – Luciano
3. Wolverton Mountain – Richie Stephens
4. Crazy – Etana
5. The Chair – Tarrus Riley
6. He Stopped Loving Her Today – Beres Hammond
7. Suspicions – Duane Stephenson
8. Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes – Tessanne Chin
9. Feel So Right – Gramps Morgan
10. King Of The Road – Freddie McGregor
11. El Paso – Sanchez
12. Flowers On The Wall – L.U.S.T.
13. The Gambler – Busy Signal
14. Straight Tequila Night – Tarrus Riley [iTunes Bonus Track]