Jeremy Spillman (L) has signed Jared Crump (R) to his new company.
Hit songwriter Jeremy Spillman has launched his own publishing and production outfit, Brave Music Company. With cuts by Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, and Brantley Gilbert, Spillman is celebrating his most successful single yet, Eric Church’s “Hell On The Heart.”
Now Spillman has signed Jared Crump to Brave Music. The new artist/songwriter moved to Nashville two years ago from Texas, and recently celebrated his first cut. Spillman is also working with and producing rising artist Carly Pearce. Contact him at info@bravemusiccompany.com.
• • • • • •
Brittany Spyksma
Brittany Spyksma has returned to her post as Creative Manager at
Dan Hodges Music following a year-plus hiatus, during which
Anthony Corder held the job.
In turn, Corder has left DHM to become office manager/creative head at Anchor Down Entertainment.
Spyksma can be reached at brittany@danhodgesmusic.com.
Corder can be reached at anthony@anchordownent.com.
Lifenotes: Mark Russo
/by Sarah SkatesLongtime tour production manager Mark Russo has died at age 55. The Albuquerque, NM native passed away on Sunday, March 13, 2011.
Russo spent several years with the Tim McGraw tour, and later worked at Production Impact. His career also included time as a lighting director, and entrepreneur. Loved ones describe him as a father, artist, friend and mentor.
In the summer of 2000, Russo even got tossed in jail with McGraw and Kenny Chesney during a beef with the Erie County, New York sheriff’s officers which started when Chesney rode one of their horses.
Russo is survived by son Aaron, and daughter Kristin. A memorial will take place Sun., March 27 in Albuquerque. Details are yet to be announced.
In lieu of flowers, the family is asking for contributions to the “Mark Russo Burial Account” at Bank of America, account # 439004431288. For questions please contact Marco Nunez at thearkiteks@aol.com.
Ferlin Husky Passes
/by Sarah SkatesFrom 1953-1975, he charted almost 50 singles, including signature songs “Wings of a Dove,” and “Gone.”
The Missouri native got his start in the music business with a DJ gig in Bakersfield, CA, where he would become an architect of that area’s country music scene.
He signed his first record deal in 1949, and by ’51 had replaced Tennessee Ernie Ford on the Hometown Jamboree television show. It was in this way that he met Cliffie Stone, who helped him sign with Capitol Records a year later. His first singles were recorded under the stage name Terry Preston. He was also known to go by the comedic alter ego, Simon Crum.
Husky topped the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks in 1957 with “Gone,” featuring the production work of Ken Nelson and backing vocals by the revered Jordanaires and songstress Millie Kirkham. In retrospect, historians would deem that track one of the earliest examples of the Nashville Sound production style.
In 1960, Husky released his signature hit, “Wings of a Dove,” which was No. 1 on the Billboard Country singles chart for 10 weeks.
Husky dabbled in acting and made appearances on several of the top television variety shows of the time, including The Steve Allen Show and Toast of the Town.
NYT Paywall Starts March 28
/by adminThe changes began for Canadian readers today (3/17) and are expected to impact U.S. readers and the rest of the world on March 28. Home delivery subscribers will continue to receive full access across print, computer, smartphone and tablet platforms. For those who are not paid print subscribers, here’s how the rules will work.
Access to web and smartphone app is $15 every four weeks. Web and tablet app is $20 every four weeks and Access across all apps and web is $35 every four weeks.
“Our decision to begin charging for digital access will result in another source of revenue, strengthening our ability to continue to invest in the journalism and digital innovation on which our readers have come to depend,” said New York Times publisher Arthur Sulzberger, Jr. “This move will enhance The Times’s position as a source of trustworthy news, information and high-quality opinion for many years to come.”
Newspapers, not unlike the music industry have been suffering as they grapple with how to monetize in the digital era. At first, newspapers and other news sites believed that high traffic would create advertising demand that would make up for lost subscription revenue and print advertising. Unfortunately, that has not worked in most cases. Similarly, in the music industry digital download sales have not made up for the loss in physical sales.
The New York Times paywall will be a closely watched experiment by many other journalistic endeavors who will be carefully measuring if consumers are willing to pay for news and stories.
Miranda Lambert On Raging Tour, Redbook Cover
/by Sarah SkatesWith almost 74,000 in attendance, it was the rodeo’s largest crowd this year, and the third largest in its 79-year history.
Lambert’s Revolution Continues tour opened earlier this year at famed Billy Bob’s Texas, where she became the first artist to sell out back-to-back shows in the history of the venue.
Fans can read more about the singer and her fiancee Blake Shelton, in her cover story for the April issue of Redbook (on newsstands now). Under the headline “Country Glamour and True Grit,” Redbook talks to Lambert about her pending nuptials, performing onstage, exercise, and getting advice from Reba. Shelton also participated in the exclusive interview, sharing his insight about their careers and romance.
Lambert is up for seven ACMs at the April 3 awards show.
Photos from the April issue of Redbook. (R): Publisher Ree Guyer-Buchanan admires Lambert's ring.
Gaga Passes Rihanna And Swift In Digital Single Sales
/by adminThe Recording Industry Association of America is the trade group that represents the U.S. recording industry. A complete chart of the criteria for digital and physical sales certs can be found here. In addition an online searchable database with aritsts and awards can be found here.
RIAA February 2011 Certifications
Digital—Gold Single
Billy Currington/Pretty Good At Drinkin Beer/Merc-9/21/2010
Thompson Square/Are You Gonna Kiss Me…/Stoney Creek-8/3/2010
Gold Albums
Alan Jackson/34 Number Ones.Arista Nash-11/22/2010
Brad Paisley/Hits Alive/Arista Nash-11/2/2010
The Band Perry/TBP/Big Machine-10/12/2010
Publishing Notes
/by Sarah SkatesJeremy Spillman (L) has signed Jared Crump (R) to his new company.
Hit songwriter Jeremy Spillman has launched his own publishing and production outfit, Brave Music Company. With cuts by Josh Turner, Lee Ann Womack, Trace Adkins, and Brantley Gilbert, Spillman is celebrating his most successful single yet, Eric Church’s “Hell On The Heart.”
Now Spillman has signed Jared Crump to Brave Music. The new artist/songwriter moved to Nashville two years ago from Texas, and recently celebrated his first cut. Spillman is also working with and producing rising artist Carly Pearce. Contact him at info@bravemusiccompany.com.
• • • • • •
Brittany Spyksma
Brittany Spyksma has returned to her post as Creative Manager at Dan Hodges Music following a year-plus hiatus, during which Anthony Corder held the job.
In turn, Corder has left DHM to become office manager/creative head at Anchor Down Entertainment.
Spyksma can be reached at brittany@danhodgesmusic.com.
Corder can be reached at anthony@anchordownent.com.
Cassandra Tormes Joins Cotton Valley Records
/by Sarah SkatesCassandra Tormes
Cotton Valley Records (CVR) has hired Cassandra Tormes as Creative Director where she will be responsible for developing and exploiting the Cotton Valley Worldwide Publishing catalogue. In addition to working with songs and songwriters, she will assist CVR’s management and label divisions to raise the company’s profile.
Producers J. Gary Smith and John Smith founded Cotton Valley Music, LLC, in 2010. It is comprised of CVR, CVR Management and Cotton Valley Worldwide Publishing. The roster includes Mark Cooke, rock band Goodbye June, and Steve Holy.
Longtime music publishing exec. Tormes was most recently Creative Director at Cherry Heart Music.
She can be reached at Cassandra@cvrmusic.com or 615-730-9845. The company is located at 713 18th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37203.
Toby Keith Building Retreat For Pediatric Cancer Patients And Families
/by Sarah SkatesNow in its eighth year, the event is set for May 20-21 in Norman, Oklahoma. With a “Denim & Diamonds” theme, it will again feature live and silent auctions, dinner, entertainment and golfing.
Proceeds benefit the Toby Keith Foundation’s efforts to build the OK Kids Korral, which will provide a home for pediatric cancer patients and their families while they receive treatment in Oklahoma City.
“We are doing our best to address issues that arise while a child is in treatment such as weakened immune systems and sensitivity to light,” says Keith of the house. “More than anything, we want it to be a home of inspiration, encouragement and hope.”
Keith’s personal connection to the cause dates to 2003 and the devastating loss of Allison Webb, the young daughter of close friends. In Webb’s memory, the singer helped her family create Ally’s House, which provides financial assistance to families of children with cancer. He extended his efforts last year by turning his foundation’s focus to creating a cost-free, state-of-the-art overnight lodging facility where multiple families can enjoy a relaxing haven as they work to get their little ones healed.
White House Pushing For Radio Performance Royalty
/by Sarah SkatesThe Obama Administration is pushing for legislation to ensure artists are paid when their sound recordings are played over the radio. The recommendation came earlier this week as part of a white paper released by White House U.S. Intellectual Property Enforcement Coordinator Victoria Espinel. The 20-page memo was sent to Congress.
This ongoing debate about the performance royalty has been a hot-button issue in the music business in recent years. Radio stations and their trade group the National Association of Broadcasters have been fighting the royalty, arguing that playing the artist’s music is free advertisement for the act, which in turn drives sales. Meanwhile, record labels and artists have been arguing to have the performance royalty instituted, arguing that without music to play, radio stations wouldn’t attract as many listeners.
Another key point in the new white paper, is a recommendation to make illegal streaming a felony offense.
Cody Entertainment Group Opens Nashville Office
/by Freeman
Winchester, VA based Cody Entertainment Group has opened its new Nashville office. The address is 1300 Division St., Ste. 207, Nashville, TN 37203 and the phone number is 615-750-5399.
Cody Entertainment Group has been in business 35 years, providing full production services and staging for fairs, festivals and other events nationwide. The company also acts as the exclusive booking agency for vocal group Ricochet. Company President Phil Smallwood (phil@codyentertainment.com) is the group’s agent.