Monroe Re-Signs; Bice Opines

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Wrensong/Reynsong reports it has re-signed Ashley Monroe to a new publishing deal.

(L-R) Ashley Monroe and Wrensong President Ree Guyer Buchanan

Bo Bice stopped into the WKLB Boston Country 102.5 studio for a live webcast last week, where he played songs from his latest album ‘3’, including the current country single “You Take Yourself With You” and answered some questions with morning show host Lori Grande.

(L-R) New School Entertainment's Chris Borchetta, WKLB Intern Ashley Cook, morning show host Lori Grande, Bice, WKLB MD Ginny Rogers and WKLB Promotion Director Dawn Santolucito.

MTV And Swift Offer “Speak Now” Promotion

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CMT and MTV Networks will host an international streaming event and online contest to celebrate the release of Taylor Swift’s new album Speak Now at the United Nations in New York on the album’s release date, Monday, October 25.

The online contest, Speak Now With Taylor Swift In New York City, is live now at www.WinWithTaylor.com, offering fans the opportunity to see Swift perform live in New York and join her on a cross-country flight to Los Angeles, where they will have the chance to ‘speak now’ with the superstar mid-air.

CMT and many MTV Networks web properties worldwide, including CMT.com, MTV.com, VH1.com and websites across Europe, Asia, Australia and Latin America, will stream the event from New York at approximately 5:00 PM ET, which is set to include an intimate performance from Swift. 

CMT and MTV Networks recently hosted the global video premiere of “Mine,” which reached more than 160 countries. MTV Music Group ranks as the most visited online music destination according to the newly released U.S. comScore MediaMetrix numbers for August 2010.

In addition to their international reach, Big Machine Records will offer select radio partners from across the United States the opportunity to qualify winners for their own Speak Now With Taylor Swift In New York City similar contest.

Following the New York City event, a select number of Grand Prize winners from both radio and international entries will also fly across the United States with Swift from New York City to Los Angeles. While mid-flight, the winners will ‘speak now’ with Swift at more than 30,000 feet above America, conducting live radio interviews with the superstar. Winners will experience first-hand the whirlwind surrounding a major album release.

To enter to win or for more information, visit www.WinWithTaylor.com.

Next Big Nashville/Digital Summit Announce Lineup

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Next BIG Nashville (NBN) and Leadership Music DIGITAL SUMMIT (LMDS) have announced the final schedules for their upcoming September 29- October 2 festival and conference in Nashville. Events include; 150+ bands performing during the four-day, multi-genre music festival in Nashville’s coolest venues, the digital summit, featuring guest speakers and panelists from every corner of digital music technology, VIP events, parties and so much more. All events and registration information can be found at NBNsummit.com.

NBN’s line-up of artists includes Yeasayer, RJD2, WAVVES, David Bazan, Tennis, Washed Out, Dylan LeBlanc, The Ponys, Moon Duo, The Knocks, Chief, Jonathan Tyler & The Northern Lights, Vonnegutt, Free Sol, A Place To Bury Strangers, The Hood Internet, The Infamous Stringdusters and more. NBN maintains a strong focus on the best local and regional artists from across all genres including Jeff The Brotherhood, The Protomen, Keegan DeWitt, The Ettes, Madi Diaz, Tristen, Tallest Trees, The Apache Relay, Turbo Fruits and more than 100 others. Click here to view entire lineup

The LMDS will present a compelling two-day exploration of the new music business featuring panel topics such as, The Evolution of the 360 Deal, Discovery and Development In the Digital Age: Art or Science, New Challenges and Opportunities for Songwriters and Music Publishers, Working Around Legal Barriers To Achieve Innovation, The Art & Science of Measuring Your Audience, Developing Artists The Old Way In The New World and The Current State Of The Touring Industry.

These special events will feature some of the brightest minds, risk takers, and innovators from the digital music world, including, Tim Westergren (CEO, Pandora), Ian C. Rogers (CEO, TopSpin), Troy Carter (Atom Factory Management, Lady Gaga), David Israelite (CEO, NMPA), Eric Garland (Big Champagne), Jeff Price (CEO, TuneCore), Dorrian Porter (CEO, Mozes), Mitch Bainwol (President, RIAA), Alex White (CEO, Next Big Sound), J Sider (CEO, RootMusic), Scott Borchetta (Pres., CEO, Big Machine), Jim Lucchese (CEO, The EchoNest), and Jon Cohen (Co-Founder, Cornerstone) among many others.

Click here to see all topics, panels and speakers.

For ticket sales information details about artists, speakers and schedules, please visit www.nbnsummit.com

For press information about Next BIG Nashville & Leadership Music Digital Summit, please contact Jim Flammia at All Eyes Media (615) 227-2770 or jim@alleyesmedia.com or Brent Bowers at contact@alleyesmedia.com.

Lady A Plays For Musicians On Call

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Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, announced a special performance by renowned trio Lady Antebellum at City Winery in New York on October 13, 2010. The show, which will benefit MOC, is part of the organization’s Month of Music initiative, a series of fundraising events in New York and Nashville during the month of October. An exclusive V.I.P event with red carpet appearances by artists and celebrities who support MOC, the show promises to be a very special evening for Lady Antebellum fans. Individual tickets start at $150 and go up to $1000 which includes front row seats and a meet and greet with the artists. Tickets can be purchased at www.musiciansoncall.org.

MOC has partnered with many renowned artists for its annual fundraising events—James Taylor, Seal, and John Mayer have all been featured acts in the past. This year, as the organization launches its Month of Music initiative for the first time, MOC is particularly excited to be working with such a critically-acclaimed group as Lady Antebellum.

“MOC prides itself on working with the most talented and relevant artists in the music industry and Lady Antebellum certainly fits the bill,” said MOC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Faerstein. “We’re also extremely impressed by their thoughtfulness and generosity.  They are really going above and beyond to make the evening unforgettable for their fans.”

Salamon Named CEO of Savannah Music Group

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Ed Salamon and Chairman Jeff Cohen. (PRNewsFoto/Savannah Music Group)

Ed Salamon has been named chief executive officer of Savannah Music Group, effective Oct. 1. Salamon approached SMG President Dave Gibson after Savannah took the unprecedented step among music publishing companies and record labels of opposing mandatory Performance Rights fee legislation. Since both believe that proposed legislation could reduce the amount of music played on radio and be especially damaging to small independent companies like SMG, the veteran broadcast executive offered his help. Having known Salamon from his days as namesake of the Gibson-Miller Band and pleased to find a like-minded executive with a broad background in the music industry, Gibson introduced Salamon to Savannah Music Group Chairman Jeff Cohen.

“Ed is one of the most dynamic and well-connected people in the music industry,” says Cohen in making the appointment. “He has a great track record in the entertainment industry and with start ups, and we are pleased to have him lead Savannah Music Group.”

Salamon is former President-Programming of Westwood One Radio Network and a co-founder and partner with Dick Clark in the United Stations Radio Network. Most recently he served as Executive Director for Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., the non-profit organization that presents the Country Radio Seminar (CRS).

Mandy Barnett Brings Holidays To Cracker Barrell

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The newest CD in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s music program is Winter Wonderland, a holiday album from Mandy Barnett. In addition to the title track, holiday standards such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Marshmallow World,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “White Christmas” are all included in the holiday collection.

In recapturing a golden era for holiday music, Barnett was aided by a cast of musical veterans including Harold Bradley, Lloyd Green, Louis Nunley, Gene Chrisman and Tony Migliore. Guitarist Bradley and back-up singer Nunley actually appeared on the original versions of several of these songs, including “Jingle Bell Rock.” The album is available only at Cracker Barrel.

“I wanted this album to be a classic and to remind people of the simpler times they had when they were children,” said Barnett. “It was important to record these songs in an authentic fashion so people would connect with them emotionally.”

Barnett is best known for portraying country music legend Patsy Cline in the stage show Always…Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium. Her performances were sold out nightly and received impressive reviews across the country. Barnett went on to record various albums, including one with legendary producer Owen Bradley. She is an active performer nationally and internationally, and is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry.

“Mandy has a strong, resonant voice that warms your heart as soon as you hear it,” says Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing Peter Keiser. “Cracker Barrel is very pleased to provide this high quality, pleasing CD for our guests’ holiday entertainment and gift-giving.”

Music Rising Supports Gulf Coast Culture

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Music Rising, an award-winning initiative co-founded in 2005 by U2’s the Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, has announced a $1 million program in partnership with Tulane University to develop a college curriculum that will provide a permanent, comprehensive and definitive study of the musical heritage of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. The Music Rising program is administered by the Gibson Foundation.

Music Rising has worked closely with Nick Spitzer, professor of anthropology and American studies and creator of Tulane’s public radio program American Routes, in creating the connection with Tulane. The curriculum for the program on music and culture of the Gulf Coast will be implemented at Tulane and available to other universities through web and print materials. In addition to drawing from field, studio and live interviews, programs and performances of the American Routes Collection, the curriculum will draw upon the resources of the William Ransom Hogan Archive of New Orleans Jazz as well as the Maxwell Music Library, the Louisiana Collection, the Southern Institute and the New Orleans Gulf South Center, all housed at Tulane.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unique musical heritage that is New Orleans,” said U2’s the Edge. “So much has come from that part of America. From the birth of jazz, the roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B, to the traditional celebrations in the streets, New Orleans has provided all of us with great musical traditions. This new curriculum, which I am personally very proud of, will help preserve this history and educate for many years to come.”

“Our goal has always been to preserve the musical culture of New Orleans and the Central Gulf. We started by replacing instruments that were lost in the hurricanes of 2005,” said Bob Ezrin. “And now we are thrilled to be working with the wonderful folks at Tulane University to develop a course of study that will allow people from the region and all over the world to study and understand that culture and the music that creates it.”

The Music Rising curriculum at Tulane will preserve the great musical heritage of the Gulf Coast region and eventually be adapted to educational levels ranging from elementary through high school. Preserving the music of the region has always been the driving force behind the many initiatives Music Rising has supported since its inception in 2005 after the devastating hurricanes of Katrina and Rita. It is critical to the organization that the various styles of music which have borrowed from earlier traditions be understood and taught to future generations. Building the Music Rising curriculum will also serve as a catalyst to develop a comprehensive system of archives that will preserve a vast amount of Gulf Coast based cultural history.

“Tulane University is the perfect partner for this venture,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “From their Music and Humanities departments, which are world renowned, to Nick Spitzer’s American Routes and the amazing archives that they have built over the decades. Now, all of these departments and disciplines will be engaged in a historical collaboration in creating this amazing course of study. We are very proud that Gibson Foundation could play such an integral role.”

Loretta Lynn’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

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Country music legend Loretta Lynn will celebrate her 50th year making music with a special invitation-only event to be held this Friday (9/24) at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Held on-site at Lynn’s 18,000 square foot Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum and billed as A Tribute to an American Icon, the evening’s activities include a catered reception, media Q&A session and a performance by Lynn’s sister, Crystal Gayle, following the official unveiling of Gayle’s new display inside the museum. Event invitations were extended to select industry, media and artists, as well as Lynn’s family and closest friends.

The media Q&A session begins at 5:30 PM/CT, with the reception following at 6:00 PM. Lynn will appear at the reception to briefly address the event’s attendees and mingle with other artists, industry and media. Gayle’s performance is at 9:00 PM and is open to the public.

Lynn’s A Tribute to an American Icon 50th anniversary celebration coincides with the superstar’s final performance of the year at her Hurricane Mills ranch and home, to be held Saturday, Sept. 25. The concert is open to the public and is one of the special attractions available during the weekend events for Lynn’s fans and the general public.

Lynn’s much-anticipated tribute album, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn, will be released on Columbia Records on Nov. 9, 2010. The project, which features special guests Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Allison Moorer, Paramore, Reba, Carrie Underwood, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack, features an updated version of her classic track, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”  The single, performed by Lynn with Lambert and Crow, shipped to Country radio on Sept. 14 and is available for digital download purchase on Sept. 28.

The Loretta Lynn Ranch and Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum is located at 44 Hurricane Mills Road, Hurricane Mills, TN, 37978. Call (931) 296-7700 or visit www.LorettaLynn.com for tickets and more information.

Worley’s Tennessee River Run A Big Success

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Darryl Worley’s ninth annual Tennessee River Run took place this past weekend (9/16 through  9/18). Once again, the singer/songwriter put together an all-star cast to participate in the three-day festival. Worley performed with a stellar lineup including hit songwriters Wynn Varble, Jim “Moose” Brown and Phil O’ Donnell, and artists including The Marshall Tucker Band, Danny Gokey, Joe Diffie and Lee Brice.

Proceeds benefited the Darryl Worley Foundation, which has provided more than a million dollars to help numerous charitable organizations and thousands of people in need throughout his community. The foundation is also funding the new Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center that’s presently being built in Savannah, TN as part of the Hardin Medical Center.

(l-r): Danny Gokey, Joe Diffie, Darryl Worley and Lee Brice.

DISClaimer Pop/Rock Single Reviews (9/20/10)

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It’s high time we checked up on Nashville’s ever-expanding pop/rock community.

There’s a little big of everything to sample, from the hard rock of November to the singer-songwriter vibe of Alyssa Bonagura, from the over-the-top personality of Joanna Cotten to the introspective-and-hooky Dave Barnes, from the soul sisters of Kentucky Thunder to the new-wavey Jeff the Brotherhood.

The Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to the pounding, mighty American Bang. I’m giving a DisCovery Award to the marvelously melodic Brooke Waggoner.

BROOKE WAGGONER/Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Swoon Moon/Brooke Waggoner, BMI; BW (track) (www.brookewaggoner.com)
—Last year’s winner of the Next Big Nashville Emerging Artist award at the Nashville Music Awards has a stunning pop collection full of gorgeous string arrangements and sweeping sonic landscapes. On the CD’s title ballad, she layers her soprano vocals and wafts airily amid piano and violin washes. Invite this woman into your life.

AMERICAN BANG/Wild And Young
Writer: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/James Michael; Producer: Bob Rock; Publisher: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Silent Cue/Music of Combustion/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Little Big Guy/Warner-Tamerlane, ASCAP/BMI; Reprise (track) (www.americanbang.com)
—I am addicted to this album. American Bang is aiming to join Paramore, Jack White and Kings of Leon as Nashville-based, major-label rock stars. This ultra-catchy, rocking new single has a pile-driving Springsteeny vibe, but with more youthful vocals. Buy American Bang at once. I guarantee you will dig ‘em.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD/Heavy Days
Writer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Producer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Publisher: Jeff the Brotherhood, ASCAP; Infinity Cat (track)
—Jeff the Brotherhood is comprised of Robert Ellis Orrall’s sons Jake and Jamin Orrall. This title tune to their CD begins with bees buzzing over a steady Jamin beat and then romps into a jittery, new-wavey party piece. Quirky and loads of fun.

NOVEMBER/Sugarfree
Writer: Michael Dale; Producer: The One and Onlys; Publisher: none listed; 55BC (track) (www.novembernow.com)
—The title tune to this Nashville rock band’s CD is a mighty slab of sound. If you like it loud and proud and in your face, November is the act for you. This is aggressively hard rocking, screaming-guitars stuff.

JOANNA COTTEN/Sexy Rich
Writer: Joanna Cotten/Angie Russell/Daryl Burgess; Producer: Joanna Cotten; Publisher: none listed; JC (track) (www.joannacotten.com)
—Joanna made a marvelous CD for Warners country division, but it never came out. So she turned around and made a pop album for herself. This bopping track bubbles with personality and effervescent attitude. The lyric is all about our celeb/tabloid world. You will smile while you tap your toes.

KENTUCKY THUNDER/Paper Thin
Writer: J. Hiatt; Producer: Kentucky Thunder; Publisher: Universal, BMI; KT (track) (www.kentuckythundergirls.com)
—For the past 14 years, these four sizzling soul sisters from the Blue Grass State have been burning down Nashville nightclubs. Now, finally, Etta Britt, Vicki Carrico, Sheila Lawrence and Jonell Mosser have recorded a CD. It documents one of their rafter raising performances at 3rd & Lindsley last April and is titled, fittingly, ‘Bout Damn Time. The four come blazing out of the starting gate with this rocking Hiatt number. Other extra hot slabs of soul include Mosser’s “One Thing I Know” and Britt’s “Baton Rouge.” Their a cappella, set-closing quartet harmony vocal on Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” will leave you with your jaw ajar.

ALYSSA BONAGURA/Leaving This Heartache For A Song
Writer: Alyssa Bonagura; Producer: Alyssa Bonagura; Publisher: Alright Love, ASCAP; AB (track) (www.myspace.com/alyssabonaguramusic)
—Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura of Baillie & The Boys fame. So you know she’s got singing in her genes. Here’s the rest of it. She got a scholarship to Paul McCartney’s music school in Liverpool. When she played her original songs there, she was told she was already too good to be a songwriting major, so why didn’t she study audio engineering instead? And that’s how she came to create her The English Diaries CD, on which she plays, sings and produces everything. I am particularly taken with this acoustic ballad on it. The thing sounds exactly like a hit.

DAVE BARNES /God Gave Me You
Writer: Dave Barnes; Producer: Ed Cash & Dave Barnes; Publisher: No Gang/Razor & Tie, ASCAP; Razor & Tie (track) (www.davebarnes.com)
—I remain a fan. This single from Dave’s What We Want, What We Get collection manages to be both crunchy and twinkling at the same time. The buzzing guitars in the choruses are cool, too. The brilliant dynamics in this record’s production prove beyond any doubt whatsoever that Nashville is so much more than country music.