Lady A's "Just A Kiss" Enters Record Books

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The lead track from Lady Antebellum’s upcoming new album has just gone into the record books.
“Just A Kiss” debuted at No. 7 on the Billboard Hot 100 chart, the highest debut by a country group in the chart’s 52-year history. The single also sold over 211,000 downloads in its first week earning it the top position on the iTunes country singles chart.
Driving the excitement was the song’s unprecedented radio acceptance making the track the trio’s highest charting radio single debut to date and fastest gainer, earning Top 20 status in only two weeks.
Lady A’s appearance on American Idol set in motion a wave of fan discussion along social networks reflected in all the above sales and airplay statistics. And it has been announced recently that they will appear on the 2011 Billboard Music Awards which air live from Las Vegas on May 22.
The new album, scheduled for release later this year, follow’s Lady A’s Need You Now, which has sold over 5 million units worldwide.
 

Chambers Wins ISC Grand Prize

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Kasey Chambers


Australian native Kasey Chambers has been awarded the 2010 International Songwriting Competition (ISC) Grand Prize for her song “Beautiful Mess” entered in the Folk/Singer-songwriter category. Chambers also won first place in the Americana Category for “Devil On Your Back” and Second Place in the Performance Category for “Little Bird.” Chambers wins $25,000 in cash and $20,000 in merchandise and services for her Grand Prize award.
Winners were selected from over 15,000 songs by judges who included Peter Gabriel, Tom Waits, Kings of Leon, Jeff Beck, Robbie Williams, McCoy Tyner, Kelly Clarkson, Train, Michael W. Smith, Robert Smith (The Cure), Wynonna, plus five record label presidents.
Candace Avery, the Founder and Director of ISC, says this of Chambers, “Kasey is that rare artist whose beautifully crafted songs cross over into such a wide variety of genres, including Country, Americana, Pop, Folk, and AAA. She has even put out an album of children’s music. But, it is the authenticity and sincerity of her music and lyrics that make her songs resonate so strongly with her fans – and also with the ISC judges. We are proud to have her as the 2010 ISC Grand Prize winner.”
To sample some of the winning songs and see a complete list of winners click here.

Laura Heatherly Promoted To CEO of TJ Martell Foundation

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Laura Heatherly




Laura Heatherly, Executive Director of the T.J. Martell Foundation Southern Region, has been named Chief Executive Officer of the nationwide organization. Heatherly, who has been with the Martell Foundation for over seven years, has a background that includes twenty-five years of experience in non-profit fundraising.
“We are very fortunate to have someone from within our ranks who is qualified for this position,” explained Founder and Chairman Tony Martell. “Laura has done a phenomenal job for us in Nashville and other parts of the south. I am sure she will do an equally fine job on a national level. Laura will take the place of Peter Quinn, who will be retiring early next year. Peter did an outstanding job as CEO of the Foundation, and we’re going to miss him.”
Prior to the non-profit sector, Heatherly followed a sports marketing path with companies such as Texas Rangers Baseball, the Harlem Globetrotters and the Los Angeles Olympic Organizing Committee. “I am honored to have this wonderful opportunity with such a fine organization that focuses on the mission of funding innovative research for leukemia, cancer and AIDS,” said Heatherly. “My immediate focus is to cultivate new relationships with corporate America and create new out-of-the-box ideas that will combine the music, medical and business communities with our fundraising initiatives.”
The T. J. Martell Foundation is the music industry’s largest foundation that funds innovative medical research focused on finding cures for leukemia, cancer and AIDS. The Foundation funds eleven top research hospitals in the United States and has raised more than $250 million since its inception in 1975.
The Foundation currently has offices in New York, Nashville and Los Angeles, and raises funds through special events, private and corporate contributions. Laura Heatherly can be reached at (615) 256-2002 or email Lheatherly@tjmartellfoundation.org.
www.tjmartellfoundation.org

Mike Carpenter Named Cumulus Nashville GM

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Mike Carpenter


Radio veteran Mike Carpenter will take the helm as General Manager of Cumulus Radio’s Nashville stations on May 23. With over two decades of radio experience, Carpenter makes the move from Clear Channel where he served as General Sales Manager for many years.
“I am thrilled with the opportunity and the challenges that lie ahead,” states Carpenter. “I look forward to working with this incredibly talented staff and making our stations No. 1 in the market.”
Carpenter replaces the exiting Senior Vice President Mark Sullivan, who is transferring to Kansas City take over the General Manager and Mid-West Market Manager duties.
Cumulus Nashville is a radio conglomerate consisting of five stations: SuperTalk 99.7 (WTN), 92Q (WQQK), 95.5-FM WSM, Classic Hits 97.1 (WRQQ) and i106 (WNFN).

Industry Pics

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Music City Walk of Fame Inductions
Bill Anderson and Keith Urban are the newest inductees into the Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar. The honorees were recognized at a public ceremony yesterday (5/15) where commemorative sidewalk markers were unveiled in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville on Demonbreun St. between 4th and 5th Aves. S. This induction brings the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 50.

Bill Anderson (L) and Keith Urban (R) were inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame yesterday (5/15). Photo: Alan Mayor


RCA Studio B Honored
RCA Studio B was given the “Commissioner’s Award” by the Metro Historical Commission in a ceremony at the downtown Nashville Public Library on May 11. Linda and Mike Curb accepted the award from Commission member Don Cusic on behalf of the Mike Curb Foundation, the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Curb College at Belmont University.

Pictured (L-R): Don Cusic, Mayor Karl Dean, Mike and Linda Curb, and Tim Walker, Executive Director of the Metro Historical Commission


Chicken Soup for the Country Music Soul
Writer Randy Rudder interviewed the songwriters of 101 classic country songs for his new book Chicken Soup for the Soul / Country Music edition. ASCAP recently hosted a party to celebrate the release which includes the stories behind “Green, Green, Grass of Home,” “Delta Dawn,” “Long, Black Train,” “Live Like You Were Dying,” and “The House That Built Me.”

Standing (L-R): songwriters Dickey Lee, Archie Jordan, Jeff Black, author Randy Rudder, Pat McManus, and Jim Janosky. Seated (L-R): Jamie Teachenor, Joie Scott, Rory Feek, Rand Bishop and Tia Sillers. Photo: Alan Mayor

Triple 8 Management Expands

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There has been recent expansion at Triple 8 Management, which handles the careers of Eli Young Band, Jack Ingram, Joe Nichols, and Kevin Fowler.
Owner George Couri announced today (5/16) the addition of two employees as well as several in-house promotions, for a total of eight full-time team members.
Jenn Poppe has joined the company as Day-to-Day Manager for Eli Young Band and Joe Nichols. Poppe previously enjoyed an eight-year stint at GHM/Red Light Management where she worked with artists such as Rodney Atkins, Phil Vassar, and The Warren Brothers. Reach her at jennpoppe@triple8mgmt.com.
Karen McGuire has been hired as Director of Radio Promotions. Her experience is in regional radio promotions, most recently with Universal South, and previously with Curb Records for 16 years. She can be contacted at karen@triple8mgmt.com.
Promotions include Larry Murray rising to lead the New Media and Tour Marketing department. He will be supported by Jenn Adams who has been in that department since 2009.
Other staffers include Sarah Blincoe, Day-to-Day-Manager for Jack Ingram and Kevin Fowler; Merchandising head Kelly Vermillion; and Office Coordinator Haley Elander.
Triple 8 can be reached at (512) 444-7600 or www.triple8mgmt.com.

Flat Earth Music Adds Todd Wilkes

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Todd Wilkes


Flat Earth Music has hired Todd Wilkes as Creative Director. He brings experience in music publishing and artist management to the newly created role at the small Nashville publishing company. He took office earlier this month, where he is leading the growing stable of songwriters and pluggers.
Since launching in 2005, Flat Earth Music’s biggest success has been with “Turn On The Radio,” the No. 1 hit recorded by Reba McEntire. Leading Flat Earth Music are company President Greg Flatt and Business Development Director Dave Wilson.
Wilkes’ track record includes work with Randy Travis, George Strait, Martina McBride, Blake Shelton, Reba McEntire, Kenny Chesney, Alison Krauss and many others. He said, “When I met Greg and began to learn about his vision, I couldn’t help but feel compelled to be a part of Flat Earth Music.”
Flatt says he is excited to have someone of Wilkes’ caliber on staff “to provide the creative Yen to my business Yang.”
Contact information for Flat Earth Music
1907 Acklen Ave., Nashville, TN 37212
(615) 866-6883
info@flatearthmusic.com
www.flatearthmusic.com

Caroline Davis Joins Watkins College

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Caroline Davis has joined Watkins College of Art, Design & Film as Director of External Relations and Assistant Director of Development. In her new role she will handle the school’s communications and media relations as well as contributing to special event, fundraising and alumni services efforts.
Davis’ previous experience includes stints with Performing Songwriter magazine, BMI (both in Nashville and Los Angeles) and the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau.
She is an alumna of Vanderbilt University and also did graduate work at USC’s school of cinematic arts. She is currently on the board of Leadership Music.
Contact her at 615-277-7403 or cdavis@watkins.edu.

Bright Joins Diane Richey Promotions

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Diane Richey Promotions has announced the addition of Katie Bright to its staff. Bright was most recently part of the celebrated morning team The House Foundation with Gerry House on WSIX/Nashville, which she joined in 2010. Prior to that, she spent five years at WAXX in Eau Claire, Wisconsin where she co-hosted mornings with George House. Reach her at richeypromokb@comcast.net.

Chrisman Launches New Promotion Company

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Veteran radio promoter Ann Chrisman has opened Ann Chrisman Promotions, where she will specialize in secondary promotion to MusicRow and Billboard Indicator stations.
Most recently with Diane Richey Promotions, Chrisman originally opened her own promotion outfit in 1993 after leaving Disc Jockey Records. She joined Richey in 2001, where she worked with artists from Capitol Records, Lyric Street, Show Dog-Universal, Broken Bow/Stoney Creek, and more.
“I am thrilled and excited to make this announcement,” says Chrisman. “I am looking forward to this new chapter of my career!”
Reach Chrisman at 615-587-0674 or ann.chrisman1@att.net.