Lamar Fike, an enduring member of Elvis Presley’s so-called “Memphis Mafia,” as well as a Music Row businessman, has died in Arlington, Texas.
Mr. Fike was 75 years old. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi on Nov. 11, 1935, he was briefly a radio disc jockey at KEBE in Jacksonville, FL. He joined Presley’s inner circle in 1957. After Red West, he was the longest tenured of the Memphis Mafia members.
He remained by Presley’s side during the star’s Army service in Germany. Following their return, he became Presley’s tour manager.
Beginning in 1961, he alternated between being in Presley’s camp and serving as the road manager for Brenda Lee. In 1963, Mr. Fike moved to Nashville to run the Hill and Range Publishing office. He continued in this capacity until 1972.
He brought Presley such songs as “Kentucky Rain,” “Indescribably Blue” and “It Hurts Me.”
Elvis and Lamar Fike
When Presley began starring in Las Vegas, Mr. Fike became his lighting director. He remained by Presley’s side up until the star’s death in 1977.
In later years, Lamar Fike returned to Nashville to work as an assistant to record producer and label executive
Jimmy Bowen, most notably during Bowen’s tenure as the head of Capitol Records, 1989-1995.
Mr. Fike was the co-author of the 2005 book
Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. He also appeared in the documentaries
The Elvis Mob (2004) and
All the King’s Men (1997). At the time of his death, he was reportedly writing his memoir,
Fike: An Uncommon Journey.
Mr. Fike had been hospitalized for lymphoma, on and off, since last October. He died Friday, January 21, according to fellow Memphis Mafia member
Marty Lacker. The Brown, Owen, Brumley Funeral Home in Ft. Worth, Texas is handing the funeral arrangements. Mr. Fike wished to be cremated. According to Lacker, a memorial service will be held in Mart, Texas at a date to be announced later.
Luke Bryan Plans New Spring Break EP
/by MichelleLuke Bryan
Luke Bryan will release his third Spring Break themed EP, Spring Break 3…It’s A Shore Thing, on March 1, 2011. His third annual spring break show is set for March 8 and 9 at Spinnaker’s Beach Club in Panama City, FL.
The EP features four never-before-released songs co-written by Bryan, “If You Ain’t Here To Party,” “Faded Away,” “Love In A College Town,” and the title track “It’s A Shore Thing.” Bryan released his first Spring Break With All My Friends EP in 2009 followed by last year’s Spring Break 2…Hangover Edition.
“Are you kidding me? This is one of my favorite times of the year,” exclaimed Bryan. “I get to let loose, write new songs that are a little out of the box, play on the beach for 2 days and have fun with the fans during one of the best times of their lives!”
Photos: Paisley, the JaneDear girls, Jacob Lyda
/by FreemanPaisley Joined By GB Packers QB Onstage • the JaneDear girls Go Shopping With A Fan • Newcomer Jacob Lyda Performs A Private Showcase
Brad Paisley appropriately kicked off his H2O Frozen Over Tour in frozen Green Bay, WI last week (Jan. 21). The sold-out crowd was taken to another level of frenzy when Aaron Rodgers (L), starting quarterback for the NFC Champion Green Bay Packers, joined Paisley for a duet on “Still A Guy.” (Photo: Ben Enos)
Skyville Records Scores Sony Distribution
/by Sarah SkatesStealing Angels
Skyville Records has entered an exclusive worldwide distribution deal with Sony Music Nashville. The fall debut from Stealing Angels will be the first release via the new partnership.
Under the agreement, Sony Music Nashville will offer manufacturing, sales, copyright administration and website development. Under the creative direction of producer Paul Worley, Skyville will find, develop and produce the talent, as well as handle promotion, business development and legal affairs for its roster.
“Paul Worley has amassed an amazing track record through the years,” remarks Gary Overton, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville. “Supported by his talented staff and roster, Skyville is poised for an exciting future, and we’re privileged to share in it.”
“Our partnership with Sony Nashville is a distinctive one,” declares Kevin Herring, Skyville Records President. “This speaks volumes about Gary’s vision for the future and for our mutual commitment to reshaping the music business in the 21st Century.”
Industry veterans Worley, Wally Wilson and Glen Morgan joined forces in 2004 to launch Skyline Publishing. Wayne Halper joined the organization in 2009 as head of business and legal affairs. After many years of successful chart action, the partners founded Skyville Records in 2010, with a focus and emphasis towards toward recognizing and nurturing the talents of new artists and artist/songwriters.
A Message from Al & Dawn Bunetta
/by Sarah SkatesDear Friends & Family,
The past few weeks have been indescribable for our family. Losing our beloved son Juri Bunetta was a tragedy like no other. But through this event, we found out so much more about him, the rest of our family and even ourselves.
We learned that true friendship has no limits or boundaries. It is timeless. And we learned of the lasting and large impact our son had on the lives of not only his family, but also his peers at school and at work. We will take solace in these stories and memories for the days, weeks and years to come.
To all of you who have comforted us and helped our family navigate through this unknown, we thank you. We are truly humbled by your sustained love and prayers. Let us all move forward with love and forgiveness for one another. We will turn this sorrow and anger into joy and understanding. Thank you.
-Al & Dawn Bunetta
FBMM Promotes Julie Boos, Trey Dunaway
/by Sarah SkatesJulie Boos
Nashville-based business management firm Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy (FBMM) has announced that Julie Boos, business manager, Nashville; and Trey Dunaway, chief compliance officer and vice president of tax and royalties; have become vice presidents and owner/shareholders of the firm.
Dunaway and Boos join founding owners Chuck Flood, Frank Bumstead and Mary Ann McCready, as well as more recent owners Jamie Cheek, Duane Clark, and Carmen Romano. According to the firm, these promotions complete and solidify its second generation of ownership.
Boos is a 1992 graduate of Kansas State University and a 2006 graduate of Belmont’s Massey School of Business where she earned her MBA. The Hiawatha, KS, native is president of the Nashville Film Festival Board and a 2008 graduate of Leadership Music.
Trey Dunaway
Dunaway is a 1996 honors graduate of Vanderbilt, who earned his MBA in 1997 from Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management. He became a CPA in 2003. The Thomson, GA, native has also earned the AICPA’s Personal Financial Specialist designation. He is the former director of finance for the Universal Music Group, a current member of the AICPA and TN Society of CPAs, and a 2010 graduate of Leadership Music.
Established in 1990, FBMM specializes in comprehensive business management for music artists, athletes and more. It has offices in Nashville and New York City, with clients including Kings of Leon, Rascal Flatts, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, My Chemical Romance, Pearl Jam, Kelly Clarkson, Vince Gill, Gary Allan, Joe Nichols, Gnarls Barkley, Dierks Bentley, MGMT, and John Hiatt.
[update] Nick Hunter Memorial Celebration
/by Sarah Skates[Updated] Organizers are offering a live Internet stream for Nickfest, a celebration of Nick Hunter’s life and legacy to be held January 25, 2011, at 6 p.m. at 2602 Soundstage (2602 Westwood Dr. Nashville, TN 37204).
For those not able to make it to Nashville for Nickfest (or if you know friends of Nick that can’t), click HERE and join us live via uStream. Let us know you’re watching by using the chat box. We won’t be chatting with you on the broadcast but we’d like to know you’re watching. Please pass along to anyone you know that might want to join us by internet.
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Friends of late music executive Nick Hunter are organizing Nickfest, a celebration of his life and legacy, to be held Tues., January 25, 2011, at 6 p.m. at 2602 Soundstage (2602 Westwood Dr. Nashville, TN 37204).
Music industry colleagues and fellow baseball buddies are encouraged to attend and bring their favorite Nick Hunter stories to share. Organizers say dress for the evening will be standard “Nick Attire.”
Hunter’s family, including wife Margie and children Kate and Sam, are assembling a photo gallery to be displayed at the memorial and would like friends to send images of Nick (digital or print) to nickfest160@gmail.com or to 2709 Woodlawn Drive, Nashville, TN 37212.
Please RSVP for the memorial by January 18 to nickfest160@gmail.com.
Those wishing to make memorial donations can send them to the American Cancer Society, the Nashville Humane Association, or to 2709 Woodlawn Drive, Nashville, TN 37212. Donations will also be collected at Nickfest.
Organizers suggest the following accommodations for out-of-town guests:
Hampton Inn Suites, 2330 Elliston Place. 615-320-6060
Courtyard by Marriot, 1901 West End Ave. 615-327-9900
Holiday Inn Select Vanderbilt, 2613 West End Ave. 615-327-4707
ACM Nominations Coming Next Week
/by Sarah SkatesRonnie Dunn and Miranda Lambert
On Tues., Feb. 1 Miranda Lambert and Ronnie Dunn will announce the nominations for the Academy of Country Music Awards.
Nominations for the 46th annual event will be revealed that morning at a press conference at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
The ACM Awards, known as Country Music’s Party of the Year™, will be broadcast live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Sunday, April 3, 2011 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
Last year’s nominations announcement aired on the CBS Early Show.
“Memphis Mafia” Member Lamar Fike Passes
/by Robert K OermannMr. Fike was 75 years old. Born in Cleveland, Mississippi on Nov. 11, 1935, he was briefly a radio disc jockey at KEBE in Jacksonville, FL. He joined Presley’s inner circle in 1957. After Red West, he was the longest tenured of the Memphis Mafia members.
He remained by Presley’s side during the star’s Army service in Germany. Following their return, he became Presley’s tour manager.
Beginning in 1961, he alternated between being in Presley’s camp and serving as the road manager for Brenda Lee. In 1963, Mr. Fike moved to Nashville to run the Hill and Range Publishing office. He continued in this capacity until 1972.
He brought Presley such songs as “Kentucky Rain,” “Indescribably Blue” and “It Hurts Me.”
Elvis and Lamar Fike
When Presley began starring in Las Vegas, Mr. Fike became his lighting director. He remained by Presley’s side up until the star’s death in 1977.
In later years, Lamar Fike returned to Nashville to work as an assistant to record producer and label executive Jimmy Bowen, most notably during Bowen’s tenure as the head of Capitol Records, 1989-1995.
Mr. Fike was the co-author of the 2005 book Elvis and the Memphis Mafia. He also appeared in the documentaries The Elvis Mob (2004) and All the King’s Men (1997). At the time of his death, he was reportedly writing his memoir, Fike: An Uncommon Journey.
Mr. Fike had been hospitalized for lymphoma, on and off, since last October. He died Friday, January 21, according to fellow Memphis Mafia member Marty Lacker. The Brown, Owen, Brumley Funeral Home in Ft. Worth, Texas is handing the funeral arrangements. Mr. Fike wished to be cremated. According to Lacker, a memorial service will be held in Mart, Texas at a date to be announced later.
CMA To Receive LM's Dale Franklin Award
/by Freeman“Leadership Music is excited to recognize CMA as the 2011 recipient of the Leadership Music Dale Franklin Award,” says Jamie Cheek, president of Leadership Music Board of Directors. “As one of the foremost leaders in the music business, CMA has played an integral role in supporting many great artists as well as numerous businesses and organizations, including Leadership Music. We look forward to an extraordinarily special and intimate evening celebrating CMA’s accomplishments and years of service to our industry and community.”
The Dale Franklin Award was created in 2004 to recognize a music industry leader who exemplifies the highest quality of leadership and leading by example. Since the honor’s inception in 2004, recipients have included Tony Brown (2004), Gerry House (2005), Emmylou Harris (2006), Frances W. Preston (2007), The Bradley Family: Owen, Harold, Jerry, Connie and Patsy (2008); Garth Brooks, Jim Foglesong and Allen Reynolds (2009); and Fred Foster, Willie Nelson, and Kris Kristofferson (2010).
Analysis: Over the last three years, groups of individuals have been honored for the Dale Franklin Award but CMA is the first ever organization to be recognized. Leadership Music Exec. Dir. Karen Oertley explains that, while the award has historically been given to individuals, the criteria language specifies only that it will be awarded to a music industry “leader.” The Leadership Music board of directors felt that CMA’s initiatives such as the Awards, Music Festival, and Songwriter Series, combined with the generous donation of all net proceeds ($2.9 million) from the 2010 CMA Music Festival for flood relief and music education made all speak very favorably toward CMA’s leadership role in the community.
Tickets for this invitation-only event will be available in March.
Publishing Notes: Kobalt, BMG
/by Sarah SkatesThe company has worked for the last 18 months to develop a global extended rights collections platform which combines multiple rights into one large database. Kobalt’s new online synch database and licensing system will debut in late spring 201l at www.kobaltmusic.com.
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BMG also announced that its North American division has signed an exclusive worldwide agreement with Yusuf (formerly Cat Stevens) which sees BMG handling all of the artist’s administration, collection and exploitation efforts worldwide on both back catalogue and recent releases.