Grascals, Vincent Earn Multiple SPBGMA Nominations

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Nominations from the Society for the Preservation of Bluegrass Music of America (SPBGMA) Awards were recently announced, with the Grascals and Rhonda Vincent & The Rage both earning multiple nominations.

Reigning SPBGMA Bluegrass Band of the Year The Grascals are up for 10 SPBGMA Awards, including Album of the Year (The Famous Lefty Flynn’s), Entertaining Group of the Year and numerous instrumental awards for individual band members.

Rhonda Vincent & The Rage claims to be the most awarded band in bluegrass, and the eight additional nominations this year could add to their total of over 75 awards won. Nominations include Vocal Group of the Year, Bluegrass Band of the Year, and several instrumental nominations for members of the Rage.

The 37th Annual SPBGMA Convention will be held on February 3 – 6, 2011 in Nashville, TN at the Music City Sheraton, with the Awards ceremony on Sunday, February 6, 2011. A full list of nominations is available here.

Hot Schatz and Adkins End Business Relationship

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Schatzi Hageman

Schatzi Hageman, President and founder of Hot Schatz PR, has announced that her long-term professional relationship with Trace Adkins will be ending at the end of the year. Hageman and Adkins have worked together since 1998.

“Changes like these are difficult, but they can be very invigorating and energizing, as well,” Hageman continues. “I’m really looking forward to new collaborations that are as fruitful as what Trace and I have had.”

Beginning January 2011, all press inquiries for Adkins should be directed to Natalie Moore, Manager of Artist Development & Creative Services at Show Dog-Universal Music (Natalie.Moore@sdumusic.com).

Durante Plays WPOC Show

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(L-R) Nine North’s Stan Marczewski, WPOC’s Justin Cole & Margaret Durante.

Emrose/Stroudavarious/Nine North’s Margaret Durante played the WPOC Charm City Country Showcase at Hightopps Backstage Grill in Baltimore last night while promoting her single “Mississippi’s Crying.”

Durante, now 22 years old is a native of Potomac, Maryland. Some of her influences include Mary Chapin Carpenter and Bonnie Raitt whose voices gave her a love of “soulful, story-telling music.”

Durante has been writing with such Nashville songwriters as Stephony Smith, Shelly Fairchild and Lisa Carver. Her debut album project is scheduled for release in early 2011.

Artist Tidbits: Jay DeMarcus, Eddie Montgomery and Joanna Smith

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Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus (L) and wife Allison DeMarcus (R) welcomed their first child on Fri., December 17. Madeline Leigh DeMarcus was born in Nashville at 4:49pm, weighing in at 6 pounds and 9 ounces. “Allison and I are thrilled!” shares Jay.  “Madeline is absolutely gorgeous; she looks just like her daddy! Both mom and baby are doing well.” Jay and Allison were married on May 15, 2004.

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Eddie Montgomery is happy to report that he is resting at home after a successful surgery to treat prostate cancer earlier this week. The doctors report that no further treatment should be needed, and he plans to enjoy some down time at home with his family. After a break to enjoy the holidays, Montgomery and duo partner Troy Gentry will be heading out on a USO Tour in early 2011.

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Columbia Nashville’s Joanna Smith (R)  helped cook a Christmas dinner on Southern Fried Flicks with Hazel Smith (L) which aired twice Sunday 12/19.

Nashville’s Street Corner Symphony In “The Sing Off” Finale

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Nashville’s own Jeremy Lister and Street Corner Symphony have made the finals of NBC’s The Sing Off, which will air live tonight (12/20) at 7 pm CT. The a capella singing competition began with 10 vocal groups and has been whittled down to a final four groups: Street Corner Symphony, Committed (Huntsville, AL), The Backbeats (Los Angeles, CA), and Jerry Lawson and Talk of the Town (Oakland, CA).

The Sing Off is hosted by Nick Lachey, with help from judges Ben Folds, Shawn Stockman (Boyz II Men), and Nicole Scherzinger (Pussycat Dolls).

Hot Schatz Adds Lorge; Al Brock Launches Spin Doctors

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Hot Schatz PR has hired Michelle Lorge as Associate Publicist and Operations Manager. In this role, Lorge will be responsible for implementing regional media campaigns for Hot Schatz artists as well as overseeing the office’s day-to-day administrative functions.

“I’m very excited about adding Michelle to the Hot Schatz PR team,” says President/Owner Schatzi Hageman. “With her hard work ethic and publicity expertise, I have no doubt that we can continue to offer the very best to our clients.”

Lorge’s previous experience includes stops at Sony Music, Sweet Talk Publicity, and Nicole Pope Gaia Publicity. Reach her at info@hotschatzpr.com or 615-782-0078.

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Radio programming veteran Al Brock has launched Spin Doctors Promotions, LLC, offering promotion services for labels and independent artists. The Nashville-based company will also offer media training, venue tour support, and creating broadcast specials.

Spin Doctors is currently working with Andy Griggs on his new single “Can I Get An Amen,” which goes for adds in January. Reach Brock at POB 17159, Nashville, TN, or 615-969-2259 or albrock@hotmail.com.

Cannon Records Curtis and Luckey

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Grammy winning producer and songwriter Buddy Cannon and KMG recording duo Curtis and Luckey recently recorded new music at Blackbird Studios. Cannon said of the duo, “The songs these guys are writing and recording offer a fresh, energetic and exciting take on country music.” (L-R): Cannon, Curtis Baxter and Luckey Moore (standing).

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Almon Opens Private Practice

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Orville Almon has announced he will open a private practice on Jan. 3, 2011. Almon, a founding partner of Zumwalt, Almon and Hayes and known for his expertise in contract law, is now making the jump to focus more on business affairs for entertainment and corporate entities.

“The business model for an entertainment law firm has changed and I needed to change with it,” Almon said in a prepared press release. “I felt that, for a lawyer based in entertainment and corporate law, the current economic changes called for more strategic focus on the business side of the entertainment field.”

Joining Almon in the new venture will be Noah McPike, Esq. McPike recently left a Music Row firm he had practiced with for approximately 3 years. McPike will focus on, among other things, all related services within all areas of the entertainment industry, new media, intellectual property, copyrights, trademarks and corporate business matters. Also joining Almon Law, PLLC will be Almon’s longtime assistant, Karen Thomas, and industry vet, Lynsey McDonald.

Almon has earned many awards and accomplishments including being recognized in Best Lawyers in America (2007-2010), Mid-South Super Lawyers (2007-2010) and recently by BusinessTN as one of Tennessee’s Best 150 Lawyers (2010).

iTunes And Amazon Consolidate Leads

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According to a recent Wall Street Journal article, “Amazon Can’t Dent iTunes,” when it comes to selling music.

One of the key differences between the two music retailers is pricing. Amazon often employs steep discounts to draw consumers. For example, Amazon will sometimes price new front line albums $3.99. iTunes usually sells albums for $9.99 to $14.99 the article states. However, despite Amazon’s retail price, it normally pays the entire wholesale price to the supplier. Amazon’s also offers monthly promotions of up to 100 specially priced CDs at $5 each. This product, the article states is the result of a cooperative deal between record labels and distributors.

According to NPD Group, iTunes share of the paid digital music market rose in 2010 from 63.2% to 66.2%. Amazon’s hare also increased shifting up to 13.3% from 11% in the previous year. While album sales overall are shrinking, the digital percentage of those sales continues to grow as consumers switch to the non-physical  format. YTD 2010 physical album sales are off 20% while digital album downloads are up 13%. (The article doesn’t mention that digital album downloads are about 27.5% of total album sales for 2010.)

Image source; WSJ. Click to read full article.

Wall Street Journal article, “Amazon Can’t Dent iTunes,” when it comes to selling music.

One of the key differences between the two music retailers is pricing. Amazon often employs steep discounts to draw consumers. For example, Amazon will sometimes price new front line albums $3.99. iTunes usually sells albums for $9.99 to $14.99 the article states. However, despite Amazon’s retail price, it normally pays the entire wholesale price to the supplier. Amazon’s also offers monthly promotions of up to 100 specially priced CDs at $5 each. This product, the article states is the result of a cooperative deal between record labels and distributors.

According to NPD Group, iTunes share of the paid digital music market rose in 2010 from 63.2% to 66.2%. Amazon’s hare also increased shifting up to 13.3% from 11% in the previous year. While album sales overall are shrinking, the digital percentage of those sales continues to grow as consumers switch to the non-physical  format. YTD 2010 physical album sales are off 20% while digital album downloads are up 13%. (The article doesn’t mention that digital album downloads are about 27.5% of total album sales for 2010.)

Upcoming Media Appearances For Adkins and Reba

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Trace Adkins will appear on CBS’ new daytime talk show The Talk today (12/17) at 1 pm CT as a guest and performer. He will talk with show hosts Julie Chen, Leah Remini, Sharon Osbourne, Holly Robinson Peete, Marissa Jaret Winokur, and Sara Gilbert as well as performing the holiday classic, “The Christmas Song.”

Adkins will also appear on World Wrestling Entertainment’s Tribute to the Troops on Saturday (12/18), which will air 8 pm CT on NBC. Adkins will perform “Whoop A Man’s Ass” from his Cowboy’s Back In Town album. Other guests on the special include Sean “Diddy” Combs, Cedric The Entertainer, The View’s Sherri Shepherd, and many more.

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Reba will join After MidNite host Blair Garner to co-host a three-hour commercial-free New Year’s Day special. The two will play top music from 2010 and listeners will hear interesting insights from Reba. The special is available to After MidNite affiliates in the U.S.

“I’m so honored that Reba agreed to host this special with me,” said Blair Garner. “She has been a huge supporter of After MidNite and is one of the hardest-working entertainers in the business. I’m looking forward to kicking off 2011 with Reba and our listeners.”