The newly combined Next BIG Nashville (NBN) and Leadership Music Digital Summit (LMDS) have announced artists, speakers and details for their highly anticipated September 29-October 2 event in Nashville. NBN and LMDS recently joined forces to become Nashville’s most progressive music event: combining a four day multi-genre music festival with a two-day digital summit engaging industry leaders, innovators and instigators in lively conversations and presentations. Rounding out the week will be films, parties and special events.
The current festival artist lineup includes Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, David Bazan, Javelin, The Hood Internet, Garotas Suecas, Moon Duo, The Mynabirds, Otouto, Peelander-Z, Elf Power and many more. In total, 150+ acts will play over four nights in Nashville’s premiere music venues. Nationally recognized artists will appear with a full slate of established and emerging names from Nashville and the Southeast including Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Keegan DeWitt, Futurebirds, Andrew Belle, Katie Herzig, Megan McCormick, Kopecky Family Band, The Apache Relay, Mikky Ekko, The Protomen, The Non Commissioned Officers, Roman Candle, The Silver Seas and more. Record labels, organizations and brands will also present showcases, VIP events and exclusive after parties.
The LMDS continues to position Nashville directly in the epicenter of the evolving music business by bringing together thought provoking panelists and presenters to discuss what’s working, what’s not and what’s next. This year’s speakers include Tim Westergren (CEO, Pandora), Ian C. Rogers (CEO, TopSpin), Troy Carter (Atom Factory Management, Lady Gaga), David Israelite (CEO, NMPA), Randall Poster (Music Supervisor), Eric Garland (Big Champagne), Russ Crupnick (NPD), Jim Griffin (OneHouse), Dorrian Porter (CEO, Mozes), Ariel Hyatt (Ariel Publicity), Mitch Bainwol (Pres., RIAA), Jon Cohen (Co-Founder, Cornerstone), Brendan Mulligan (Sonicbids), Livia Tortella (GM, Atlantic), and David Airaudi (Universal) among many others.
Earlybird festival wristbands and conference/festival badges will be available at a significantly reduced price for the next two weeks, concluding on Tuesday, Aug. 10. All tickets available via www.nbnsummit.com. Click here to view a recap of Next BIG Nashville 2009.
To view highlights from the past Leadership Music Digital Summits, click here.
Lambert and “Friends” Shine in New Video
/by contributorMiranda Lambert invited her friends Kellie Pickler, Laura Bell Bundy and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott to join her in the video for her new single, “Only Prettier.” The video is a mini-movie about two rival cliques of girls attending a 1950’s high school sock hop. The “Only Prettier” video will make its world premiere on VEVO August 3rd at 12AM ET with a 48-hour exclusive. The video will be available on all media outlets beginning August 5.
(l-r): Sock-hoppers Laura Bell Bundy, Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott and Miranda Lambert
“Next Big” Digital Summit Coming To Nashville
/by contributorThe current festival artist lineup includes Yeasayer, WAVVES, Ponys, David Bazan, Javelin, The Hood Internet, Garotas Suecas, Moon Duo, The Mynabirds, Otouto, Peelander-Z, Elf Power and many more. In total, 150+ acts will play over four nights in Nashville’s premiere music venues. Nationally recognized artists will appear with a full slate of established and emerging names from Nashville and the Southeast including Madi Diaz, Kyle Andrews, Keegan DeWitt, Futurebirds, Andrew Belle, Katie Herzig, Megan McCormick, Kopecky Family Band, The Apache Relay, Mikky Ekko, The Protomen, The Non Commissioned Officers, Roman Candle, The Silver Seas and more. Record labels, organizations and brands will also present showcases, VIP events and exclusive after parties.
The LMDS continues to position Nashville directly in the epicenter of the evolving music business by bringing together thought provoking panelists and presenters to discuss what’s working, what’s not and what’s next. This year’s speakers include Tim Westergren (CEO, Pandora), Ian C. Rogers (CEO, TopSpin), Troy Carter (Atom Factory Management, Lady Gaga), David Israelite (CEO, NMPA), Randall Poster (Music Supervisor), Eric Garland (Big Champagne), Russ Crupnick (NPD), Jim Griffin (OneHouse), Dorrian Porter (CEO, Mozes), Ariel Hyatt (Ariel Publicity), Mitch Bainwol (Pres., RIAA), Jon Cohen (Co-Founder, Cornerstone), Brendan Mulligan (Sonicbids), Livia Tortella (GM, Atlantic), and David Airaudi (Universal) among many others.
Earlybird festival wristbands and conference/festival badges will be available at a significantly reduced price for the next two weeks, concluding on Tuesday, Aug. 10. All tickets available via www.nbnsummit.com. Click here to view a recap of Next BIG Nashville 2009.
To view highlights from the past Leadership Music Digital Summits, click here.
Black River Music Signs Matt Lopez
/by contributorBlack River Music Publishing has signed Matt Lopez to a publishing deal.
“I am looking forward to working with Matt,” said Celia Froehlig, Vice President of BRMG Publishing. “He is a wonderful addition to the BRMG publishing family!”
Lopez is a member of the emerging group Due West who recently signed a record deal with Black River Music Group’s label. He has had songs recorded by Lady Antebellum and Joanna Smith.
(l to r): Celia Froehlig, Matt Lopez and Tonya Ginnetti, BRMG's Vice President/Director Artist Relations.
Rascal Flatts to Join Big Machine
/by FreemanThe trio’s most recent album, Unstoppable, was their last with Disney-owned Lyric Street Records. The Rascal Flatts catalog will remain with the Disney Music Group. There is no official word on the status of remaining Lyric Street staff.
“Rascal Flatts are the biggest band in country music and we’re honored and thrilled to have them join the Big Machine Records family,” said Big Machine Records founder/CEO Scott Borchetta. “While they are celebrating the first ten years together I selfishly can’t wait to start on their next ten years. They have made a fantastic new album and they are completely energized and ready to take on not only the US but also the rest of the world. Why wait?”
“We are extremely excited about our new partnership with Big Machine Records,” says Rascal Flatts bassist Jay DeMarcus. “We believe that Scott Borchetta and all of the folks over there are a perfect fit for what Rascal Flatts is trying to accomplish over the next few years. The last 10 years have been amazing but we are even more excited out the next phase of our career; Scott understands us, he knows what we’re about and it’s always a wonderful thing to have someone who believes in you and your music that much in your corner.”
Hall of Fame Celebrates Elvis
/by contributorIncorporating documents and artifacts from the Museum’s collection, the exhibit examines Presley’s continuing global appeal and the enduring support of his fans more than thirty years after his passing. Items to be displayed include a Munsingwear bathrobe and a Lord Nelson wristwatch owned by the King himself. Also featured are collectible items bearing Presley’s likeness, including a bronze bust designed by Armand LaMontagne, a Christmas ornament, a bottle of “Always Elvis” white wine, a porcelain music box and more.
Spotlight exhibits are narratives that supplement themes or aspects of the Museum’s core exhibition, Sing Me Back Home: A Journey Through Country Music. These short-term, informal displays either provide a closer look at a particular person, group or aspect of country music, or spotlight recently donated items or special anniversaries. Rotated often, spotlight exhibits also offer a glimpse into the Museum’s unique collection, which includes recorded discs, historical photographs, films and videotapes; thousands of posters, books, songbooks, periodicals and sheet music; personal artifacts such as performers’ instruments, costumes and accessories; and more.
Wynonna Named Cecil Scaife Visionary
/by contributorThe event will be held at Conservation Hall at the Tennessee Residence in Nashville. The invitation-only gala begins at 6:30 PM. The evening will be filled with music and tributes from friends and esteemed members of the community including a proclamation from U.S. Congresswoman Marsha Blackburn. Invitations may be requested by emailing NashvilleCelebrates@gmail.com accompanying a donation of $200. All donations benefit the Cecil Scaife Music Business Scholarship Endowment for an educational scholarship to be awarded in Wynonna Judd’s name.
The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award was founded in the name of the Music Row pioneer and veteran, who was instrumental in the formation of the music business program that is now known as the Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.
Passionate about the music industry and education, it was Scaife’s vision to form a college level program to produce successful musicians, artists and music business executives by giving students an opportunity to formally learn about the industry that was so fulfilling and exciting for him.
“Wynonna personifies the spirit of this award,” said LaRawn Scaife Rhea. “She has given so generously of her heart, talent and time to help the next generation realize a better life and better chance at success through her work with youth in our community and students pursuing a career in the music industry. It is a great honor to award The Cecil Scaife Visionary Award to Wynonna for the many special opportunities that she has made available to students through her special mentorship.”
Music industry leader, Mike Curb, was the inaugural recipient of The Cecil Scaife Visonary Award in 2008. Record producer and music industry leader, Tony Brown, received the award in 2009.
Baldrica Exits Sony Music Nashville
/by FreemanBaldrica was elevated to VP Marketing in Sept. 2006 after joining the organization’s promotion department in 1993. His current role was to oversee artist development, media, creative services and strategic marketing for the label groups imprints which include Arista Nashville, BNA Records, RCA Records and Columbia Records.
DMX Wins Rate Court Lawsuit Against BMI
/by contributorThe decision could portend a shift of many more music performances out of the hands of ASCAP, BMI and SESAC and into direct licensing deals with publishers and writers. The decision could potentially change the landscape of performing rights in the US. The
majority of music users currently use a blanket license from from either BMI, ASCAP or SESAC. The adjustable fee blanket license gives copyright owners the ability to directly license their own content and is expected to put pressure on performing rights organizations to reduce their fees and increase transparency in the face of this new competition.
Attorney R. Bruce Rich, who represents DMX, describes the court’s decision as “a gratifying affirmation of the role of the rate court as a means of establishing meaningful alternative license structures to the blanket license. The Court’s implementation of a sensible crediting mechanism against blanket license payments otherwise owing where a user such as DMX has made significant investments in direct licensing should have broad application for other industries.”
“We strongly disagree with the court’s decision in the DMX case, which ignores the long history of Performance Right Organization (PRO) licensing agreements in the background music industry,” BMI said in a statement. “We are examining the decision in depth and evaluating the basis for an appeal.”
For more on this decision…from Digital Music News
Rod Riley Named President of Word Entertainment
/by contributorRod Riley
Warner Music Nashville (WMN), the Nashville-based music operations of Warner Music Group Corp., today announced that Rod Riley has been named President and CEO of Word Entertainment, WMG’s Christian music division. In his new role, Riley will oversee Word’s entire operation, including A&R, sales and marketing, music publishing, distribution, church resources and artist services. Riley succeeds Mark Bright and will report directly to John Esposito, President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville. Bright, one of Nashville’s most acclaimed producers, will continue to work with WMN under the terms of his existing production deal with Warner Bros. Nashville.
In making the announcement, Esposito said: “Mark has done an outstanding job as the head of Word, and it is a testament to the great depth of talent we have at WMN that allows us to not only continue our relationship with him under the terms of his existing production deal but also to not miss a beat by appointing Rod as the head of Word Entertainment. And while we are delighted to give Rod this well-deserved promotion, we are thrilled that we can make this change while also allowing Warner Music Nashville to continue its very valuable relationship with Mark. We could not be more supportive of Mark’s decision to go back full time to being one of the best producers in country music, and I look forward to continuing to work with him through his production deal with Warner Bros. Nashville.”
“I am deeply honored to accept this role as we prepare to enter Word’s 60th year of making Christian music,” Riley said. “It’s been a great pleasure to work as part of the Word organization, especially since it has meant seeing this team bring about consistently incredible results, both in our established businesses, as well as in all of the new areas we have entered. We’re in the midst of the music industry’s most challenging transition period, so I’m even more thankful to Espo for trusting me with these new responsibilities. I’m confident that working together with this exceptional Word team we’ll see that Word’s best days are before us.”
“I believe that Rod Riley is the perfect choice to lead Word into the next decade,” said Mike Curb, Chairman of Word Entertainment. “He has the vision and the experience to meet this major challenge.”
Riley has served as Chief Operating Officer of Word Entertainment since 2008, and has been responsible for all the business operations of Word Label Group, Word Music Publishing, Word Distribution and Word Music. Since joining Word Entertainment in 2005 as Senior Vice President of Marketing, he has been instrumental in revitalizing the company’s staff and artist roster, as well as aggressively expanding Word’s artist services business, including launching or acquiring businesses in merchandising, e-commerce, artist booking, touring, brand management and sponsorship.
Prior to joining Word, Riley served as Senior Director of Sales at Provident Music, Sony Music’s Christian music label. In 1999, while still with Sony, Riley and his wife, Susan, launched Fervent Records, a record label and music publishing company that is home to such acclaimed artists as BarlowGirl, Francesca Battistelli, Group 1 Crew, Sidewalk Prophets, pureNRG and Big Daddy Weave. Originally distributed through Sony, Riley sold Fervent to Word Entertainment in 2005.
New Morning Team for WSM 95.5 The Wolf
/by contributorOver the last few months, Cumulus Radio’s 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM) in Nashville has been assembling a new team for its morning show, the Wake Up with the Wolf Show. Show host Rick Marino, who has been a fixture on the Nashville airwaves since 1994, was joined in May by another well-known market face, TV meteorologist and newsman Tim Ross.
As reported in last week’s MusicRow chart report, Beth Brightwell, a 10-year radio and morning show veteran of North Central Florida, has also joined the new morning crew. Completing the team at WSM is Ashley Mann, who offers a unique perspective, having stinted at KZLA (Los Angeles) and produced syndicated seasonal radio shows. Mann has also worked as a successful label songwriter and demo/commercial jingle singer. The team’s first official broadcast takes place tomorrow (7/29) from 5:30 to 10 a.m. on 95.5 The Wolf.
Cumulus Senior VP of Programming, Jan Jeffries comments, “A nation-wide search was conducted over several months for the perfect complement to round out the cast of WSM-FM’s The Wake Up With The Wolf Show. Rick, Beth, Tim and Ashley remind me of a modern-day version of the legendary TV series Cheers. Each personality on the show is distinctly different, making for an unpredictable and consistently entertaining morning show. We are extremely enthusiastic to kick off mornings each day with this highly talented group.”
“The team offers something for everyone to like,” stated Russ Penuell, Program Director of 95.5 The Wolf (WSM-FM). “It’s a distinctive team that offers a variety of fresh perspective to get your morning going…like that first freshed-brewed cup of coffee.”
(l-r) Wake Up With the Wolf on-air team members Tim Ross, Ashley Mann, Beth Brightwell and Rick Marino