Dozens of instruments belonging to Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and other stars are headed for the online auction block through nonprofit organization NASH2O (nash-2-oh), starting tomorrow (10/12) to support local flood relief.
NASH2O’s official launch kicks-off tomorrow (10/12) at 4 PM with a VIP reception and press conference at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Nashville, featuring appearances by artists, a silent auction, and the display of some instruments from the auction. Industry guests RSVP to Jayne Rogovin at jrogovin@mac.com.
Following the May floods, instrument gurus and musicians George Gruhn, Joe Glaser, and Bruce Bouton organized NASH2O to benefit flood victims. The NASH2O auction is unique because the instruments offered for sale are musical artifacts from the record flooding that tore through Nashville. As Gruhn explains, the instruments themselves are unlike what is usually available to fans. “It’s fairly common to see instruments, signed by artists, for sale in charity efforts or given as contest prizes,” he says. “But those are almost always pieces donated by a manufacturer for that purpose. They’re handed to the artist, he signs them, and that’s really the only connection he has with them. The NASH2O pieces are the artists’ personal instruments. [We are auctioning] Peter Frampton’s Les Paul, and Brad Paisley’s Tele-style guitar. You hear that guitar on the records. You saw it in his hands in concert. These are very personal, cherished tools of the trade, and buyers can own a piece of that history, that pedigree.”
Instruments were donated by Peter Frampton, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Amy Grant, Keb Mo, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, John Hiatt, Brent Mason, Raul Malo, Kathy Mattea, John Jorgenson, Chris Leuzinger, Bill Cooley, Steve Farris, Jerry McPherson, Kevin Grantt, Martin Guitars, Paul Reed Smith, Collings Guitars, Fender and more. The public online auction opens tomorrow (10/12) and runs through Dec. 10 at http://nash2o.org.
Proceeds will go to MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund for music industry professionals, Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund for those musicians that were uninsured, and Middle Tennessee fire and rescue departments.
Dierks Bentley, Trace Adkins Plan Nashville Fundraisers
/by Sarah SkatesDierks Bentley
The talent keeps piling up for Dierks Bentley’s “Miles & Music for Kids” celebrity motorcycle ride and benefit concert, taking place Sunday, Oct. 17 in Nashville. Joining already announced Miranda Lambert and Jerrod Niemann, are Luke Bryan, Heidi Newfield, Del McCoury and Laura Bell Bundy.
The hour-long motorcycle ride will kick off at the Harley-Davidson of Columbia, TN, and end at Riverfront Park in downtown Nashville for the star-studded concert.
Tickets for the family-friendly event are on sale now through Ticketmaster. Tickets for the ride, concert and commemorative T-shirt are $50, or $20 for the concert only. Special VIP packages are also available. Sponsored by Nationwide Insurance, proceeds from the Nashville event will benefit the Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital.
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Trace Adkins
Trace Adkins will perform an intimate concert at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe to benefit Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities. The show on Mon., Oct. 25 is part of MOC’s Month of Music initiative, a series of events in New York, Nashville, and Miami during the month of October. Tickets are on sale at www.TicketAlternative.com. Tickets start at $25 and VIP packages are available.
Adkins also has plans to travel to the Middle East to visit and perform for troops on his third USO/Armed Forces Entertainment tour.
Industry Items: Signing, Hiring, Lifenotes
/by Sarah SkatesPictured l to r: Due West’s Brad Hull, Catapult’s Scott Whitehead, DW's Tim Gates, DW's Matt Lopez, and Nancy Tunick of Catapult Management and GrassRoots Promotion.
Emerging group Due West has signed with Catapult Management, in a co-venture with GrassRoots Promotion, for artist management. The Black River Music Group band is currently working its debut single for the label, “The Bible and the Belt.”
Also at Black River, Emily Hungate has joined the team in the newly created position of Director of Business Operations. She will oversee financial operations, accounting, royalty and licensing administration, and mechanical licensing for film and television. She will report
directly to the Chief Operating Officer, Gordon Kerr. Hungate previously worked as the Manager for Finance and Business Affairs at Dualtone Music Group. She also coordinated special events for Festival Miami and holds a Masters of Music in Music Business and Entertainment Industries from the University of Miami.
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Condolences to Sony Music Nashville Promotion Vice President Skip Bishop and his family on yesterday’s (10/11) unexpected passing of his mother Grace Bishop. She was a resident of Alabama. No further information is available at this time. Services are pending, and we will share additional information as it becomes available.
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Paisley To Offer “Hits Alive”
/by Sarah SkatesBrad Paisley, known for pulling pranks on his opening acts, throws biscuits at Easton Corbin onstage.
Brad Paisley is busy selling out shows on his H2O World Tour, and soon fans will be able to take home a piece of the action. Paisley is the latest artist planning a fourth quarter release of a greatest hits packages, which will include tracks from the studio, as well as live songs from his tour. The two-disc set, Hits Alive, is due from Arista Nashville on Nov. 2.
Paisley’s successful H2O World Tour presented by Chevy just wrapped a Canadian run of four sold-out shows and topped it off in Grand Forks, ND over the weekend with another sold-out night. The popular “Water World Stage” with Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia and Josh Thompson finished its run on the tour a couple of weeks ago, but not before each act was pranked by Paisley and crew. Take a look at the video below.
Darius Rucker and Justin Moore will continue with the tour as special guests. Dates are scheduled through Nov. 20, including this weekend’s Concert For The Coast in Gulf Shores, Ala. to bring economic relief to the region. Chevy is title sponsor for the tour with Skinny Water continuing as support sponsor.
Gator Michaels Named GM For Davis Music Group
/by Sarah SkatesGator Michaels
Longtime label executive Gator Michaels is setting up shop as General Manager of the newly established Davis Music Group. Started by Texas based entrepreneur Jim L. Davis, the company will offer artist development, management, publishing and production services.
The first artists signed to Davis Music Group are singer-songwriter Jacob Lyda and Texas artist Kelly Kenning. Joining Michaels in the Nashville offices are Management/Marketing Directors Ashley Jennings and Mallory Opheim, handling day-to-day for Kenning and Lyda, respectively.
“Davis Music Group is a full-service artist development and publishing company,” explains Michaels. “Our goal is to develop our roster of acts to their highest potential, assisting in all areas of their career. We will find them the right producer, the right songs, the right images and ultimately, find the right home for their music.”
Additional staff and roster announcements will be made at a later date.
Contact information:
Davis Music Group
1222 16th Ave. S., Suite 24
Nashville, TN 37212
Office Phone: 615-873-1224
Fax line: 615-873-1230
Gator Michaels, gmichaels@davismusicgroup.com
Ashley Jennings, ajennings@davismusicgroup.com
Mallory Opheim, mopheim@davismusicgroup.com
Lee Brice Single Goes Gold
/by Sarah SkatesCurb Records artist
Lee Brice has scored his first gold single with the certification of “Love Like Crazy,” which has sold in excess of 500,000 digital downloads.
The announcement comes on the heels of another milestone for the song, which recently spent a record-setting 55 weeks on the Billboard Country Songs chart. The previous record holder was Eddy Arnold’s “Bouquet of Roses,” which debuted the week of May 15, 1948, and spent 54 weeks on the chart.
Brice’s follow-up single is the just released “Beautiful Every Time,” a song he wrote with Rob Hatch and Lance Miller. The single goes for adds October 25.
Incredible Machine To Start Up Oct. 19
/by adminThe project is already getting notice from critics because it takes the duo into musically uncharted waters. “We are in a place of discovery,” Jennifer says. “It is the essence of who we are as people in this band.” Adds Kristian, “It’s just the two of us. In the story of who we are, this album is more us than we’ve ever been.”
The CD’s 11 songs were all co-written and co-produced by Jennifer Nettles and Kristian Bush who worked in the studio with producer Byron Gallimore. Lead single from the new package, the Top 5 hit “Stuck Like Glue” has already been certified Gold for digital downloads.
itunes is making a new track from The Incredible Machine available every tuesday. To date fans can download/purchase the title track plus “Wide Open.” “Little Miss” will be posted for download on Oct. 12.
Here’s some background about the inspiration of this album from Kristian’s blog on www.sugarlandmusic.com…
NASH2O Launch Party Tomorrow
/by Sarah SkatesDozens of instruments belonging to Peter Frampton, Brad Paisley, Kenny Chesney, Keith Urban, Vince Gill and other stars are headed for the online auction block through nonprofit organization NASH2O (nash-2-oh), starting tomorrow (10/12) to support local flood relief.
NASH2O’s official launch kicks-off tomorrow (10/12) at 4 PM with a VIP reception and press conference at the Hard Rock Café in downtown Nashville, featuring appearances by artists, a silent auction, and the display of some instruments from the auction. Industry guests RSVP to Jayne Rogovin at jrogovin@mac.com.
Following the May floods, instrument gurus and musicians George Gruhn, Joe Glaser, and Bruce Bouton organized NASH2O to benefit flood victims. The NASH2O auction is unique because the instruments offered for sale are musical artifacts from the record flooding that tore through Nashville. As Gruhn explains, the instruments themselves are unlike what is usually available to fans. “It’s fairly common to see instruments, signed by artists, for sale in charity efforts or given as contest prizes,” he says. “But those are almost always pieces donated by a manufacturer for that purpose. They’re handed to the artist, he signs them, and that’s really the only connection he has with them. The NASH2O pieces are the artists’ personal instruments. [We are auctioning] Peter Frampton’s Les Paul, and Brad Paisley’s Tele-style guitar. You hear that guitar on the records. You saw it in his hands in concert. These are very personal, cherished tools of the trade, and buyers can own a piece of that history, that pedigree.”
Instruments were donated by Peter Frampton, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Duane Eddy, Amy Grant, Keb Mo, Kenny Chesney, Brad Paisley, John Hiatt, Brent Mason, Raul Malo, Kathy Mattea, John Jorgenson, Chris Leuzinger, Bill Cooley, Steve Farris, Jerry McPherson, Kevin Grantt, Martin Guitars, Paul Reed Smith, Collings Guitars, Fender and more. The public online auction opens tomorrow (10/12) and runs through Dec. 10 at http://nash2o.org.
Proceeds will go to MusiCares Nashville Flood Relief Fund for music industry professionals, Nashville Musicians Association Flood Relief Fund for those musicians that were uninsured, and Middle Tennessee fire and rescue departments.
Conway Signs Matt Gary; TCN Adds Jones
/by Sarah SkatesTony Conway (L) has signed newcomer Matt Gary (R).
17 Music Entertainment’s Matt Gary continues building his team and has signed with veteran agent Tony Conway’s Conway Entertainment Group for exclusive touring representation.
Under the Conway Entertainment Group umbrella (which encompasses management, a full-service talent agency, touring and live event production company), Gary joins Lorrie Morgan, LoCash Cowboys, Flynnville Train, Mandy Barnett, The Cleverlys, Sweethearts of the Rodeo and more.
Gary’s new single, “I’m Just Sayin’,” goes for radio adds on Oct. 25. Penned by Frank Myers, Gary B. Baker and Billy Montana, it is the title track of his six-pack album coming in November.
He is seeking the most creative “I’m Just Sayin'” video at JustSayin.me and the winner will get to appear in the music video.
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Bill Jones
Former Cumulus Media National Country Format Director, Bill Jones, has joined The Country Network (TCN) as Programming Director. Jones, a 33-year broadcasting veteran, will oversee the network’s overall presentation, including selection of music videos and the development of new shows.
“It’s incredible what TCN has done in such a short amount of time,” said Jones. “The Sinclair Broadcasting Group agreement alone will push the network past 17.7 million U.S. households and I am thrilled to be joining the team.”
The Country Network’s Founder and CEO Warren Hansen stated, “With Mr. Jones directing the programming effort, we have an insider that completely understands the genre and the industry, as well as the needs of the artists. His addition to the core team ensures that we will continue to provide the compelling and relevant content our viewers demand.”
The new music video channel The Country Network (TCN) has been picked up by Sinclair Broadcast Group and will be available in some markets by October. Tammy Genovese is Pres. TCN Nashville.
Contact Bill Jones at bjones@tcncountry.com or 877-655-2351 ext 704.
ICM Awards Mix Mainstream And Inspirational
/by Sarah SkatesRicky Skaggs is a performer and 4-time nominee at the upcoming ICM Awards.
The Inspirational Country Music Awards Show (ICM Awards) will take place Thursday, Oct. 14, with mainstream and inspirational stars performing and competing for top honors. On the line-up are Ricky Skaggs, Love And Theft, Joey + Rory, The Roys, Nathan Stanley, Dr. Ralph Stanley, Katrina Elam, Steve Richard, Andy Griggs, Jeff Bates, Sarah Darling, Branded, The Springs, Tommy Brandt, Emma Jacob, Mary James, Russ Murphy and 2009 ICM Entertainer of the Year CrossCountry The Band.
Among the presenters are Leigh Anne Tuohy (of The Blind Side fame), David Nixon, Chuck Day, Rhonda Towns and Laura Dodd. Storme Warren, host of Great American Country’s Headline Country and Sirius XM’s The Highway, will co-host the award show along with Megan Alexander, Inside Edition correspondent.
Tickets for the October 14 show at the Trinity Music City USA Auditorium in Hendersonville, Tenn. are $45.00, with group rates available. Some proceeds will go to Soles4Souls, the international shoe charity. For tickets, more information and show highlights, please visit www.icm-awards.com or call 888-968-9993.
Select final nominees:
Entertainer of the Year*: Andrew Heller; Barry McGee; Jason Crabb; Point of Grace; Steve Richard; Tommy Brandt
Male Vocalist: Greg McDougal; Jason Crabb; Philip Dain Powell; Russ Murphy; Tommy Brandt
Female Vocalist: Amanda Fessant; Emma Jacob; Kathy Joy Bell; Mary James; Sandra Dee
Vocal Duo: Austins Bridge; Branded; Jeff & Sheri Easter; Joey & Rory; The Roys
Vocal Group*: Corey Brooks Band; CrossCountry The Band; Katalyst; Last Light Band; Point of Grace; The Springs
Mainstream Country Artist: Carrie Underwood; Craig Morgan; Josh Turner; Jeff Bates; Ricky Skaggs
Mainstream Inspirational Country Song:
Love Like Crazy – Lee Brice
That’s God – Jo Dee Messina
Temporary Home – Carrie Underwood
The Man I Want To Be – Chris Young
This Ain’t Nothing – Craig Morgan
Video:
All I Ask For Anymore -Trace Adkins, Capitol Nashville, Director: Deaton-Flanigen
Temporary Home – Carrie Underwood, Arista Nashville, Director: Deaton-Flanigen
The House That Built Me – Miranda Lambert, Columbia Nashville, Director: Trey Fanjoy
The Man I Want To Be – Chris Young, RCA Nashville, Director: David McClister
This Ain’t Nothing – Craig Morgan, BNA Nashville, Director: Steven L. Weaver
Musician: Dennis Agajanian; Gordon Mote; Greg McDougal; Ricky Skaggs; Tim Atwood
*denotes tie
See the complete list.
Opry Celebrates 85 Years
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor Swift and Dolly Parton helped the Opry celebrate its 85th birthday.
Some of country music’s biggest stars and more than 8,800 fans packed the Grand Ole Opry House Saturday night (10/9) to celebrate the Opry’s 85th Birthday. Among the many artists marking the occasion were Trace Adkins, Roy Clark, Dolly Parton, and Taylor Swift. A giant cake was brought onstage for the event, which occurred days after the Opry returned home to the Opry House following the devastating May floods.
Fun continues this month at the Grand Ole Opry, when the “Opry Goes Pink” on Friday, Oct. 15. Together with Women Rock For The Cure and Susan G. Komen for the Cure, the Opry will join in the fight against breast cancer by turning its signature barn backdrop pink for the show. The Judds will do the honors of flipping the switch to “go pink.” Actress Kimberly Williams-Paisley and FOX News anchor Greta Van Susteren will be guest announcers. In addition to The Judds, the show will include performances by John Anderson, Joey + Rory, Marty Stuart, and others as well as special activities recognizing breast cancer survivors and the continuing fight against the disease.
Mention the code OPRYPINK when ordering tickets via telephone (800-SEE-OPRY) or when purchasing tickets online (opry.com), and $5 from the sale of those tickets will be donated to Women Rock For The Cure and the Greater Nashville affiliate of Susan G. Komen for the Cure. Special VIP Pink Packages are available at opry.com and include a meet and greet with The Judds.