Sam Cerami
Salvatore “Sam” Cerami, a radio promotion veteran who helped propel decades of hits, has passed away. He was 89.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Cerami’s passion for music began at a young age. His mother recognized his talent as a singer, and facilitated his formal training from a teacher who had been an opera singer in Italy. Eventually, singing at his teacher’s studio would lead to him meeting his wife and duet partner, Beverly Salatino.
With a desire to stay in music, Cerami took a job at Coral Records in their record distribution center. His knack for sales soon became apparent, and while traveling to sell records, he also stopped by radio stations to secure airplay. His efforts were so successful that Coral’s sister company, Decca Records, brought him on as a regional promoter—launching a remarkable seven-decade career in the music business.
As a Promoter, Regional Manager and then National Sales & Promotion Manager, Cerami took some of the most popular songs to No. 1 on the charts. His career moved from pop, rock and R&B to classical, country and even comedy. After notching his first No. 1 as a promoter with “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley, Cerami had hits with Buddy Holly, Moody Blues, Ides of March, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Johnny Mathis, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton John, Tanya Tucker, Glen Campbell, the Gatlins, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Tammy Wynette, Lee Greenwood, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Steve Martin and many more.
Cerami’s expertise was recognized by the industry when he was named Billboard’s Promotion Man of the Year for 1978 and received Gavin’s National Promotion Director of the Year in 1991.
Cerami was preceded in death by his parents Salvatore Cerami and Virginia (Catanzaro) Cerami, his brother Joseph Cerami, his aunt and uncle Pearl (Catanzaro) and Anthony Cerami and his sister-in-law Lenora Cerami. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly (Cerami) Herbert; his sisters-in-law, Anne (Pauly) Cerami and Alana Salatino; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A Celebration of Life event and dinner will be held Wed., Dec. 18th. Details and an RSVP form can be found on samcerami.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Tunnels to Towers or your local animal shelter, as these were Cerami’s favorite charitable organizations.
CMA Presents Industry Honors
/by LB CantrellMike Curb (Chairman and Owner, Curb Records and Curb Word Entertainment) and Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer). Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
The Country Music Association presented a series of honors to industry members during its Board of Directors meeting on Wednesday (Dec. 4).
Country Music Hall of Fame member Marty Stuart presented country music historian Bill Malone with the 2024 Joe Talbot Award in recognition of his outstanding leadership and contributions to the preservation and advancement of country music’s values and traditions.
Pictured (L-R): Jim Beavers (Composer and CMA Board member), Kella Farris (2024 CMA Board Chairman and Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC), Bill Malone (country music historian) and Sarah Trahern (CMA Chief Executive Officer). Photo: Drew Noble/CMA
Songwriter and board member Jim Beavers presented Chairman and Owner of Curb Records and Curb Word Entertainment, Mike Curb, with the 2024 Irving Waugh Award of Excellence. The honor is given to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
Singer-songwriter Charlie Worsham presented Founder and Former Executive Director of Porter’s Call, Al Andrews, with the 2024 CMA Foundation Humanitarian Award, awarded to an individual who has served as a humanitarian through community leadership, financial support, personal volunteerism and advocacy.
During the Board dinner on Thursday (Dec. 5), Founder of Spalding Entertainment, Clarence Spalding, was presented with the 2024 J. William Denny Award by Country Music Hall of Fame member Kix Brooks. This award is presented in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors.
In recognition of their service to the CMA Board of Directors, CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern presented mementos to outgoing CMA Board Chairman Kella Farris (Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC) as well as current President and incoming 2025 CMA Board Chairman Jennie Smythe (Founder and CEO, Girlilla Marketing). Farris also presented the CMA Chairman’s Award to Amy Smartt (CMA Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration). This award is not given annually, but when the incumbent Chairman feels an individual, through outstanding service to CMA, merits the recognition.
Al Andrews (Founder and Former Executive Director, Porter’s Call) and Charlie Worsham. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
Clarence Spalding (Founder, Spalding Entertainment) and Kix Brooks. Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
Kella Farris (2024 CMA Board Chairman and Partner, Farris, Self & Moore LLC) and Amy Smartt (CMA Senior Vice President, Finance and Administration) Photo: Jamie Schramm/CMA
Keith Urban To Fire Up ‘High And Alive Tour’ In May
/by Lorie HollabaughKeith Urban
Keith Urban returns to the road on tour for the first time in three years on his new “High and Alive World Tour,” which kicks off May 22 in Alabama.
Chase Matthew, Alana Springsteen and Karley Scott Collins join Urban on the new trek, which will include stops in Charleston, Cincinnati, Denver, Houston, Salt Lake City and more, with a Nashville show on Oct. 13 at Bridgestone Arena. Dates will go on sale starting this Friday, Dec. 13 and info about the tour is available at keithurban.com. Additional North American dates will be announced in the coming months.
“Playing live is what I live to do,” says Urban. “Looking out from a stage and seeing people singing, forgetting about all the stress in their lives, cutting loose, and feeling ALIVE—that’s what it’s about for me. Lots of hits, new songs, things we won’t even think about until we’re onstage—and loads of guitar. We’re gonna make this tour the best night of your life!”
The hitmaker with 24 No. 1s under his belt also returns to Las Vegas on Feb. 14-15, 19 and 21-22 for “Keith Urban’s High” in Vegas at the Fountainebleau.
Keith Urban’s “High And Alive World Tour” (U.S.):
May 22: Orange Beach, AL – The Wharf Amphitheater
May 23: Alpharetta, GA – Ameris Bank Amphitheatre
May 24: Charleston, SC – Credit One Stadium
May 30: Charlotte, NC – PNC Music Pavilion
May 31: Raleigh, NC – Coastal Credit Union Music Park Raleigh
June 12: Gilford, NH – BankNH Pavilion
June 13: Holmdel, NJ – PNC Bank Arts Center
June 14: Wantagh, NY – Northwell at Jones Beach Theater
June 19: Columbia, MD – Merriweather Post Pavilion
June 22: Clarkston, MI – Pine Knob Music Theatre
June 26: Cincinnati, OH – Riverbend Music Center
June 27: Cuyahoga Falls, OH – Blossom Music Center
June 28: Noblesville, IN – Ruoff Music Center
July 17: Denver, CO – Fiddler’s Green Amphitheatre
July 18: Salt Lake City, UT – Utah First Credit Union Amphitheatre
July 19: Nampa, ID – Ford Idaho Center Amphitheater
July 24: TBA
July 26: Inglewood, CA – Intuit Dome
September 25: Chicago, IL – United Center
September 26: TBA
September 27: Omaha, NE – CHI Health Center
October 2: Hershey, PA – Giant Center
October 3: Uncasville, CT – Mohegan Sun Arena
October 4: Bristow, VA – Jiffy Lube Live
October 9: Fort Worth, TX – Dickies Arena
October 11: Houston, TX – The Cynthia Woods Mitchell Pavilion presented by Huntsman
October 16: Greenville, SC – Bon Secours Wellness Arena
October 17: Nashville, TN – Bridgestone Arena
Luke Combs’ Category 10 To Host First New Year’s Eve Party
/by Lorie HollabaughGuests will have access to the Honky-Tonk, the Five Leaf Clover Sports Bar and Hurricane Hall as well as line dance lessons, a light show and live music performances all night long. Additionally, Category 10’s full menu of signature cocktails and scratch-made dishes will be available for purchase.
Fans can elevate their New Year’s Eve experience by purchasing VIP tables for the evening, which offers access to The Still bourbon lounge complete with a private bar. In addition to a reserved for up to eight guests on the second floor, the package includes complimentary hors d’oeuvres at the table and a charcuterie board, a bottle of champagne for a New Year’s toast.
Doors open at 8 p.m. For more information, click here.
‘Dolly: An Original Musical’ Launches ‘The Search For Dolly’
/by Liza AndersonDolly Parton, Danny Nozell and ATG Productions have launched “The Search for Dolly,” which will give those chosen the chance to travel to New York to formally audition for a role in Dolly: An Original Musical (formerly titled Hello, I’m Dolly).
The musical is searching for performers of all ages to portray Parton at different stages of her life. Applicants are asked to capture a video of them singing one minute of their favorite Parton song, upload it to the social media account of their choice, and tag #SearchForDolly. They must also fill out an application form to be fully registered.
For applicants under the age of 18, a parent or guardian can upload a one-minute video of the candidate singing a Parton song, and complete the application including granting permission and submitting the candidate’s date of birth. For more information, click here.
All applications must be submitted by 11:59 p.m. ET on Sunday, Jan. 12. After the application window closes, the show’s casting team will review all submitted videos with accompanying completed application, and invite anyone who they feel could be a part of the cast to participate in the formal audition process.
“We’re looking for talented performers who can capture the spirit of my journey, whether you’re an experienced theater professional or an undiscovered gem with that little special something. So, what are you waiting for? This might be your moment to take center stage and step into the spotlight,” said Parton in a video released yesterday (Dec. 5). “Break a leg!”
Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up Offering Bayou Fun For New Year’s Eve
/by Lorie HollabaughMain dining area in Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up
Lainey Wilson’s Bell Bottoms Up will host its first-ever New Year’s Eve celebration.
The three-story venue features two live music stages, a frozen daiquiri bar, dance floor space and rooftop patio access. The dueling piano bar, Bayou Keys, is also accepting New Year’s Eve reservations for $100 per seat that include full access to Bell Bottoms Up.
General Access Tickets are $50. Additionally, Platinum Passes, which offer expedited access to all of TC Restaurant Group’s downtown Nashville establishments like Casa Rosa, Luke’s 32 Bridge, Jason Aldean’s Kitchen + Rooftop Bar, Morgan Wallen’s This Bar and Bell Bottoms Up, are available for are $250. Platinum Pass entry is contingent on venue capacity.
For more information, click here.
Industry Veteran Sam Cerami Passes
/by LB CantrellSam Cerami
Salvatore “Sam” Cerami, a radio promotion veteran who helped propel decades of hits, has passed away. He was 89.
A native of Chicago, Illinois, Cerami’s passion for music began at a young age. His mother recognized his talent as a singer, and facilitated his formal training from a teacher who had been an opera singer in Italy. Eventually, singing at his teacher’s studio would lead to him meeting his wife and duet partner, Beverly Salatino.
With a desire to stay in music, Cerami took a job at Coral Records in their record distribution center. His knack for sales soon became apparent, and while traveling to sell records, he also stopped by radio stations to secure airplay. His efforts were so successful that Coral’s sister company, Decca Records, brought him on as a regional promoter—launching a remarkable seven-decade career in the music business.
As a Promoter, Regional Manager and then National Sales & Promotion Manager, Cerami took some of the most popular songs to No. 1 on the charts. His career moved from pop, rock and R&B to classical, country and even comedy. After notching his first No. 1 as a promoter with “Rock Around the Clock” by Bill Haley, Cerami had hits with Buddy Holly, Moody Blues, Ides of March, The Beatles, Frank Sinatra, Barbra Streisand, Rolling Stones, Pink Floyd, Tom Jones, Engelbert Humperdink, Johnny Mathis, Fleetwood Mac, Olivia Newton John, Tanya Tucker, Glen Campbell, the Gatlins, Eddie Rabbitt, Crystal Gayle, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Kenny Rogers, Faith Hill, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Alabama, Barbara Mandrell, Tammy Wynette, Lee Greenwood, Garth Brooks, Keith Urban, Reba McEntire, Trace Adkins, Rascal Flatts, Steve Martin and many more.
Cerami’s expertise was recognized by the industry when he was named Billboard’s Promotion Man of the Year for 1978 and received Gavin’s National Promotion Director of the Year in 1991.
Cerami was preceded in death by his parents Salvatore Cerami and Virginia (Catanzaro) Cerami, his brother Joseph Cerami, his aunt and uncle Pearl (Catanzaro) and Anthony Cerami and his sister-in-law Lenora Cerami. He is survived by his daughter, Beverly (Cerami) Herbert; his sisters-in-law, Anne (Pauly) Cerami and Alana Salatino; and many nieces, nephews, grand-nieces and grand-nephews.
A Celebration of Life event and dinner will be held Wed., Dec. 18th. Details and an RSVP form can be found on samcerami.com.
In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to St. Jude Children’s Hospital, Tunnels to Towers or your local animal shelter, as these were Cerami’s favorite charitable organizations.
Julia Minichiello Inks With River House Artists
/by Madison HahnenPictured (L-R, back Row): River House Artists’ Lynn Oliver-Cline, Lance Houston and Zebb Luster. (L-R, front row): River House Artists’ Kayla Adkins, Julia Minichiello, Odyssey Entertainment’s Nicole Kasper and Abby Coleman.
Pop artist Julia Minichiello has signed an artist development and distribution deal with River House Artists.
Hailing from Canton, Massachusetts, the 23 year old has been making waves in Nashville. With a degree in marketing from the University of Massachusetts Amherst, Minichiello blends her musical talent with strategic marketing skills. She saw her breakthrough moment when she won the #Sing2gether TikTok contest hosted by Universal Pictures and Illumination Entertainment with her performance of “Girl on Fire.” This earned her a performance slot at the Sing 2 premiere in Los Angeles and led to a guest appearance on The Kelly Clarkson Show.
Her influences consist of artists such as Gracie Abrams, Lewis Capaldi and Noah Kahan. With her genre-bending style, alongside her vocal power, her music has resonated with her over 290,000 followers on TikTok and Instagram.
“Julia’s artistry and vocal ability blow away our entire team,” shares River House Artists’ Zebb Luster. “She truly has the total package! Her refreshing sound is something that stands out and something the young generation of music listeners need. We are blessed to be a part of her journey.”
In addition to her new signing, Minichiello also released her debut song “Always Know The Exits” today (Dec. 6). Co-written alongside Lukas Scott and Sara Bares, the tune combines clever lyricism with irresistible pop melodies. The song connects to anyone who has ever gone through the complexities of love, showcasing the tension between the want to connect and the need to protect oneself.
“My favorite thing is when a song calls out such specific thoughts and emotions that I’ve always felt alone in experiencing, which makes me feel so seen. I hope ‘always know the exits’ is exactly that for people,” says Minichiello. “I also want to give a huge shoutout to Sara Bares and Lukas Scott for helping make this song everything it is. We initially weren’t completely sold on the song when we wrote the beginning, and it had a different production vibe. Once we found people connected with a very stripped and organic version that I posted on social media, we quickly realized that the lyrics should be the main focus, and we turned it into something we loved.”
Minichiello is managed by Odyssey Entertainment Group.
Tom Baldrica Retiring From Midwest Communications
/by Lorie HollabaughTom Baldrica
Longtime Nashville record label exec and current Midwest Communications Corporate Country Brand Strategist Tom Baldrica has announced his final day on the air and at Midwest/Hibbing, Minnesota will be Dec. 13.
Baldrica joined BNA Records in 1993 as the Southeast Region Promotion Manager in Atlanta, and in 1997, was promoted to VP/National Promotion for BNA and relocated to Nashville. In 2006 he was elevated to VP/Marketing for Sony Music Nashville, and in 2010, he joined Average Joe’s Entertainment as President of the label. In 2012, Baldrica returned to northern Minnesota and ran the Show Dog Universal Promotion team until 2014. A year later he returned to his radio roots, when Midwest Communications created the Corporate Country Brand Strategist position for him.
“I am retiring from a full-time job, but I am not finished creating,” says Baldrica. “I’ve got a few things up my sleeve and I’m always willing to talk about an interesting project. So, if any of my longtime radio and records friends have any ideas where I could be of assistance, just send up the Bat Signal! A small town kid from Northern Minnesota could’ve never imagined a career as rewarding and fulfilling as this one. I am so grateful for the people I’ve met, the opportunities I’ve been given, and the countless memories made by the music. What a BAT-tastic ride it has been!”
Reach Baldrica at bnabatman@gmail.com.
The MLC’s Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal Surpasses 100 Partners
/by Liza AndersonThe Mechanical Licensing Collective (The MLC)’s Distributor Unmatched Recordings Portal (DURP) has now surpassed 100 partners.
These partners serve customers in over 20 countries, and include music distributors Believe, CD Baby, DistroKid, Empire, ONErpm, The Orchard and TuneCore.
Since its launch, the DURP has sought to provide The MLC with an efficient and effective way to identify independent, self-administered songwriters who are not yet receiving their digital audio mechanical royalties. Distributor partners receive access to a portion of The MLC’s public data that pertains specifically to sound recordings they have distributed to help them identify their customers who own those recordings, and may also be entitled to receive a share of the unmatched mechanical royalties The MLC has accumulated for the songs embodied in those recordings. Participating distributors can then notify their customers about the unclaimed royalties associated with their sound recordings and potentially encourage them to become members and register their songs with The MLC, so that they can receive the unmatched royalties associated with their work.
Distributors that provide publishing administration services can also offer these additional services to their customers, enabling those customers to engage their distributor to collect their mechanical royalties from The MLC on their behalf.
Through the DURP, millions of dollars in previously unmatched royalties have been identified and distributed to these songwriters.
“Surpassing 100 distributor partners worldwide is a testament to the value the DURP provides to independent creators and their distributors,” says Dae Bogan, Head of Third-Party Partnerships, The MLC. “By simplifying the process of identifying and claiming unmatched royalties, we’re helping ensure every dollar reaches its rightful owner.”
“The DURP is a first-of-its-kind initiative that was born out of Dae’s well-known and long-held passion for serving and empowering independent music creators,” adds Kris Ahrend, CEO, The MLC. “This initiative is a great example of The MLC’s willingness to collaborate with other companies in the industry to find new and innovative ways to fulfill our mission of ensuring that songwriters and their partners receive the digital audio mechanical royalties they have earned.”
Brooks & Dunn & Kacey Musgraves’ ‘Neon Moon’ Shines Platinum
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L–R): RIAA’s Mitch Glazier, Kix Brooks, Kacey Musgraves, Ronnie Dunn and RIAA’s Erin D. D. Burr. Photo: Hunter Berry/CMA
Brooks & Dunn and Kacey Musgraves were recently recognized for their collaboration on the duo’s 1992 single “Neon Moon,” which has officially been certified Platinum by the RIAA.
Featured on Brooks & Dunn’s first Reboot project, Musgraves co-produced the reimagined track with Dann Huff. The pair recently dipped back into the vault to curate a new set of collaborations on Reboot II, and announced dates for the first leg of their “Neon Moon Tour.”
Additionally, Musgraves released her fifth studio album, Deeper Well, earlier this year, which marked her largest-selling debut and her fifth No. 1 debut on the Top Country Albums chart. The collection also landed at No. 1 on the Top Album Sales chart.