Pickin’ On The Patio
Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ On The Patio drew a packed house Thursday night (6/23) for performances by Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes and Jason Jones. The event is held the fourth Thursday of every month, from May to September, on the WMN Patio, with the next one set for July 28. Eldredge’s new single “It Ain’t Gotta Be Love” was released to country radio today (6/27). The song is from his upcoming debut album, produced by hitmaker Byron Gallimore.
Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville VP Promotion Chris Palmer, Sr VP Brand Management and Sales Peter Strickland, WQYK’s Mike Cullotta, Clear Channel’s Clay Hunnicutt, KMPS’ Becky Brenner, Jason Jones, Brett Eldredge, Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Sr VP Promotion Chris Stacey, Hunter Hayes, VP Promotion Bob Reeves and CRB’s Bill Mayne. Photo: Randi Radcliff
Columbia Nashville artist
Bradley Gaskin performed at
John Rich’s home “Mt. Richmore” in Nashville recently, playing for the industry execs in town for the CRB/CRS agenda and board committee meetings. Rich produced Gaskin’s current single, “Mr. Bartender.”
Pictured (L-R): CRB board member/Sony Music Nashville's Skip Bishop, artist/producer John Rich, Sony Music Nashville CEO Gary Overton, Columbia Nashville artist Bradley Gaskin, CRB President Mike Culotta, CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, Columbia Nashville's Jimmy Rector. Photo: Kristen England.
team, including CAA and Bigger Picture Group (BPG) staffers, came out to support the artist at the Nashville stop of the
Country Throwdown Tour earlier this month. The multi-act tour played at Fontanel.
Pictured (L-R): Jason Campbell (BPG), Dale Manning (BPG), Mark Dennis (CAA), Aaron Tennenbaum (CAA), Bill Heim (BPG), Craig Campbell, Bob Cahill (BPG), John Huie (CAA), Alan Kates (BPG), Rod Essig (CAA), Shannon Casey (CAA), Nick Garvin (BPG). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Urban Tour Going Strong
/by Sarah SkatesKeith Urban pictured June 23, 2011 on stage in Columbia, SC.
Keith Urban’s Get Closer 2011 World Tour opened in Biloxi, MS earlier this month, embarking on a 50-plus city run. He has dates scheduled through mid-October, including a stop Aug. 6 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
His new production features a main stage as well as four smaller platforms that bring Urban out into the audience. The design is inspired by an amusement park, including a roller coaster style backdrop.
He is touring in support of his sixth album, Get Closer, which includes current single “Long Hot Summer.”
Jake Owen will appear on all U.S. dates, while the Canadian leg in July will feature The Band Perry.
AT&T/Samsung are the presenting sponsors of the Get Closer 2011 World Tour, which plays in St. Louis, MO (6/29) and Moline, IL (6/30) this week.
Urban shows his new stage set, which is inspired by an amusement park.
Inspirational Country Awards Move To New Venue
/by Sarah SkatesICM Awards hosts Megan Alexander and Storme Warren.
The Inspirational Country Music Awards will be held in a new location this year, with the 17th annual event set to move to Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center.
The awards show on Oct. 28 is the capstone of Inspirational Country Music Week, running October 24-28, 2011 at The Millennium Maxwell House Hotel.
Returning as hosts for the ICM Awards will be television personalities Megan Alexander of Inside Edition, and Storme Warren of GAC and Sirius/XM.
The Christian Country Music Association, the organization behind the ICM Awards, has also teamed with the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition for fundraising and awareness events during Inspirational Country Music Week, including a silent auction, and a Pink Carpet Gala. More here.
Joss Stone Records in Nashville, Signs With Kobalt
/by Sarah SkatesJoss Stone
British soul singer Joss Stone recently wrapped recording of a new album in Nashville. She has signed an exclusive, worldwide administration deal with Kobalt Music Group, who will represent the solo project LP1. The album is to be released by her newly established label, Stone’d Records, in partnership with Surfdog Records, on August 1 in the U.K., and July 26 in the rest of the world. Dave Stewart, known for his work with the Eurythmics, produced the project as well as contributed to the writing.
Kobalt, headed by CEO and Founder Willard Ahdritz, will also represent the works Stone has co-written for Superheavy, her new band with Stewart, Mick Jagger, A.R. Rahman and Damian Marley.
Stone is a Grammy and Brit Award winner who has sold over 11 million albums.
Artist Action: TV Spots, New Music, and More
/by FreemanTV Appearances
Marty Stuart will appear on The Late Show With David Letterman Wednesday, June 29. Stuart and his band The Fabulous Superlatives will perform “Country Boy Rock & Roll” from his album Ghost Train (The Studio B Sessions).
Kid Rock recently visited Hazel Smith for an episode of CMT’s Southern Fried Flicks. The show is set to air Saturday, July 2.
Shawna Russell has released her self-titled sophomore album (Way Out West Records), which is available at iTunes, Amazon and more. The album was produced by Julian King, Clif Doyal and Tim Russell and features the single “Get Right Or Get Left.” Russell is also set to play the Summer Oil Patch Festival July 4 in Drumright, Oklahoma with co-headliner Richochet.
Eli Young Band’s current single “Crazy Girl” has broken the 350,000 total downloads mark, averaging weekly sales of 25,000. The group’s forthcoming album Life At Best (Republic Nashville) is due out August 16.
Phil Vassar has recorded “Rattler Hum,” a custom version of his new single “Let’s Get Together” for the Arizona Rattlers arena football team, which will be used as their new fight song. “Ron Shurts, one of the owners of the Rattlers, is a friend of mine and he brought Coach (Kevin) Guy and some of the Rattlers players to one of my shows and we just clicked,” says Vassar. “Tony Mullins and I decided to write a little ‘spin off’ of ‘Let’s Get Together’ for them to play at their home games.”
Big Machine Records duo Steel Magnolia (Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones) will get a taste of late night tonight (June 27) when they make their debut on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live! at 11 pm CT. The duo will perform a new song from their album, which their fans have helped choose.
Album and Single Releases
Former pop star Tiffany (“I Think We’re Alone Now,” “Could’ve Been”) has returned to music with the release of her debut country album Rose Tattoo. The first single, currently going for adds, is “Feel The Music,” which Tiffany wrote with Julie Forester and Dee Briggs.
Guy Clark will get his own tribute November 1, but prior to that he will release his new live album Songs and Stories (Dualtone) on August 16. Recorded at Nashville’s Belcourt Theatre, Songs and Stories features Clark performing works from across his career surrounded by bandmates Verlon Thompson, Shawn Camp, Bryn Davies, and Kenny Malone.
Artist Action
Warner Bros. duo the JaneDear girls are joining with Nick Jonas and Quaker Chewy to find the first Quaker Chewy Superstar. Children ages 8-14 are invted to sing one of four songs for the contest, one of which is tJDg’s “Wildflower.” The contest winner will receive a $5000 cash prize, record a song produced by Jonas, and be signed to the Jonas Management Group. More info here.
Industry Ink Monday
/by Sarah SkatesNSAI board members including hit songwriters President Steve Bogard, Legislative Chair Bob Regan, and Lee Miller traveled to Washington, D.C. to campaign for anti-piracy legislation earlier this month. “We expect legislation to stop ‘rogue websites’ will be introduced in the next few days,” said NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “The U.S. Senate has already introduced the legislation which will be the most aggressive anti-piracy legislation ever adopted.” Click for more information on the trip or the Senate Bill.
NSAI Vice President Brett James (left) and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison (center) visit with Rep. Howard Coble's (NC) Washington staff.
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The RIAA spent $2.1 million on lobbying efforts during the first quarter of this year, according to a report last week by the Associated Press. Intellectual property enforcement, and fighting the installation of FM radio chips in cell phones, were among the top priorities for the RIAA at the federal level. The reports says the organization’s lobbying costs rose from $1.5 million in the fourth quarter of 2010.
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Local publicist Chuck Whiting will host a public relations workshop called “Publicizing Your Dream” on Sat., July 23 at Gallery F at Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville. Details at PublicizingYourDream.com.
• • • •
Beauty products company Avon is hosting the Avon Voices online talent search through July 1. Songwriters can submit a 3-4 minute original song that inspires or shares hope and optimism. Learn more at AvonVoices.com.
CMA Awards Voting Schedule
/by Sarah SkatesThe eligibility period for the 2011 CMA Awards is July 1, 2010 to June 30, 2011.
Nominating Round: June 27—July 13, 5:00 PM/CT
Second Ballot: Aug. 9—Aug. 23, 5:00 PM/CT
The final nominees in each of the 12 categories will be announced in early September.
Final ballot: Oct. 14— Nov. 1, 5:00 PM/CT
The 45th Annual CMA Awards will air Wednesday, Nov. 9 on ABC, live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn.
Photo Spread
/by Sarah SkatesPickin’ On The Patio
Warner Music Nashville’s Pickin’ On The Patio drew a packed house Thursday night (6/23) for performances by Brett Eldredge, Hunter Hayes and Jason Jones. The event is held the fourth Thursday of every month, from May to September, on the WMN Patio, with the next one set for July 28. Eldredge’s new single “It Ain’t Gotta Be Love” was released to country radio today (6/27). The song is from his upcoming debut album, produced by hitmaker Byron Gallimore.
Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville VP Promotion Chris Palmer, Sr VP Brand Management and Sales Peter Strickland, WQYK’s Mike Cullotta, Clear Channel’s Clay Hunnicutt, KMPS’ Becky Brenner, Jason Jones, Brett Eldredge, Warner Music Nashville President and CEO John Esposito, Warner Music Nashville Sr VP Promotion Chris Stacey, Hunter Hayes, VP Promotion Bob Reeves and CRB’s Bill Mayne. Photo: Randi Radcliff
Bradley Gaskin Plays For CRB/CRS Committees
Columbia Nashville artist Bradley Gaskin performed at John Rich’s home “Mt. Richmore” in Nashville recently, playing for the industry execs in town for the CRB/CRS agenda and board committee meetings. Rich produced Gaskin’s current single, “Mr. Bartender.”
Pictured (L-R): CRB board member/Sony Music Nashville's Skip Bishop, artist/producer John Rich, Sony Music Nashville CEO Gary Overton, Columbia Nashville artist Bradley Gaskin, CRB President Mike Culotta, CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, Columbia Nashville's Jimmy Rector. Photo: Kristen England.
Craig Campbell And His Team
Craig Campbell’s team, including CAA and Bigger Picture Group (BPG) staffers, came out to support the artist at the Nashville stop of the Country Throwdown Tour earlier this month. The multi-act tour played at Fontanel.
Pictured (L-R): Jason Campbell (BPG), Dale Manning (BPG), Mark Dennis (CAA), Aaron Tennenbaum (CAA), Bill Heim (BPG), Craig Campbell, Bob Cahill (BPG), John Huie (CAA), Alan Kates (BPG), Rod Essig (CAA), Shannon Casey (CAA), Nick Garvin (BPG). Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
Kenny Rogers Finds New Management Home
/by Sarah SkatesKenny Rogers has signed with Ken Levitan’s Vector Management for representation. The legendary singer was most recently managed by Dreamcatcher, headed by Pres./CEO Jim Mazza.
Making the move to Vector with Rogers are former Dreamcatcher employees Bob Burwell and Jason Henke.
Celebrating 50 years in the music business, Rogers is working on an autobiography tentatively scheduled for release this fall by HarperCollins. His latest album, The Love Of God, is a collection of inspirational classics such as “Amazing Grace,” and “I’ll Fly Away.”
Among Vector’s other artists are Trace Adkins, Dierks Bentley, Craig Morgan, Trisha Yearwood and Hank Williams Jr.
Reach Burwell at Bob@vectormgmt.com and Henke at Jason@vectormgmt.com.
Team Toasts Urban's Latest No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesBMI toasted the team behind Keith Urban’s latest No. 1, “Without You,” during a packed party at Cabana on Wednesday, June 22 in Nashville. Written by BMI songwriting team Dave Pahanish and Joe West, “Without You” first captured the ears of songwriter/artist Emily West, who shared the tune with Urban.
“Without You” marks the third time Pahanish and West have topped the charts together. It is the 12th No. 1 single of Urban’s career.
Pictured (L-R): Capitol Records’ Steve Hodges, producer Dann Huff, Keith Urban, My Good Girl Music’s Ashley Hertzog, co-writer Joe West, My Good Girl Music’s Kirsten Wines, Wright of Center Music’s Cole Wright, co-writer Dave Pahanish, Sony ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: John Russell
Groupon Grows Ties To Music Biz
/by Sarah SkatesDavid Gray's new album is available exclusively via Groupon.
Groupon is the latest unconventional outlet for selling music. Today the deal site is offering digital downloads of the new album from pop/rock star David Gray. Lost and Found-Live in Dublin 2011 is available exclusively on the coupon e-tailor for the deeply discounted price of $6, listed as a $13 value. Additionally, Groupon subscribers will be able to sample a track from this release for free via a Groupon RCRDLBL-branded widget. Gray’s label home, Downtown Records, will do a physical release of the album later this year.
This follows a similar Groupon deal with Rihanna’s album in November 2010, and the May 2011 announcement of GrouponLive, a partnership between the deal factory and Live Nation.
Groupon has also offered tickets to Britney Spears’ current Femme Fatale trek for $31, about half the face value of $61.
Seeking increasing name recognition, Groupon was a big sponsor of Saturday’s (6/25) MTV Video Music Aid Japan concert special.
Forbes reports Groupon has 83 million email subscribers, and matched last year’s total coupon sales of 30 million in the first quarter of 2011. Still, the company lost $413 million last year.