Regular tickets to Brooks & Dunn’s farewell show are sold out, but a few VIP packages are still available. The August 10 [rescheduled to 9/2] concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena is a benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Check out the VIP offerings below and help a great cause.
Hillbilly Deluxe Package ($750)
One (1) Invitation to an intimate dinner the evening of Sept. 1 in the Hall of Fame Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, hosted by a few of Brooks & Dunn’s closest musical collaborators (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will not attend)
One (1) Floor Concert Seat
Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with Brooks & Dunn on Sept 2, 2010
One (1) complimentary parking space for both the Sept 1 dinner and the Sept 2 concert, within a one-block vicinity of the dinner and concert venue
One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package
One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn
Play Something Country Package ($300)
One (1) Floor Concert Seat
One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package
One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn
“Friend of the Museum” Option
Become a “Friend of the Museum” at the $250 level and receive one (1) ticket to the sold-out Last Rodeo stop in Nashville, in addition to the other benefits of membership. Join at the $500 level and receive two tickets.
A portion of the package price is tax deductible. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org for details and to purchase.
ASCAP Hires Jessica Draper
/by Sarah SkatesShe had served at the magazine since 2008 and worked there until it ceased publcation in June 2009. Her other career stops include time as a Public Relations Associate at classical music PR and artist management firm Kirshbaum Demler & Associates in New York City. The MTSU graduate’s background also includes internships in Nashville at Larga Vista Music publishing, and publicity firm Schmidt Relations.
“Jessica’s knowledge of the industry on both the creative and business side will prove an immediate asset to our team,” said Tim DuBois, VP and Managing Executive of operations at ASCAP Nashville. “I am very pleased to welcome her into the ASCAP family.”
“I am delighted to join this vibrantly talented creative team and remarkable organization,” added Draper. “I have long known ASCAP as one of the foremost advocates of songwriters–and of the interests of the music community as a whole–and I look forward to serving and supporting our writer and publisher members in this capacity.”
She can be reached at jdraper@ascap.com or 615-742-5073.
Brooks & Dunn Hall of Fame Show Rescheduled
/by Sarah SkatesHillbilly Deluxe Package ($750)
One (1) Invitation to an intimate dinner the evening of Sept. 1 in the Hall of Fame Rotunda at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum, hosted by a few of Brooks & Dunn’s closest musical collaborators (Kix Brooks and Ronnie Dunn will not attend)
One (1) Floor Concert Seat
Meet & Greet and photo opportunity with Brooks & Dunn on Sept 2, 2010
One (1) complimentary parking space for both the Sept 1 dinner and the Sept 2 concert, within a one-block vicinity of the dinner and concert venue
One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package
One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn
Play Something Country Package ($300)
One (1) Floor Concert Seat
One (1) Brooks & Dunn merchandise package
One (1) item autographed by Brooks & Dunn
“Friend of the Museum” Option
Become a “Friend of the Museum” at the $250 level and receive one (1) ticket to the sold-out Last Rodeo stop in Nashville, in addition to the other benefits of membership. Join at the $500 level and receive two tickets.
A portion of the package price is tax deductible. Visit countrymusichalloffame.org for details and to purchase.
Songwriter Larry Jon Wilson Passes
/by Sarah SkatesWilson didn’t start writing songs until age 30, but within a few years he had signed with a Nashville label and publisher. Monument released four of his records in the ‘70s (New Beginnings, Let Me Sing My Song To You, Loose Change, and Sojourner), but by the ‘80s he was disillusioned with the music business and returned to Augusta, GA.
Wilson’s career was mostly quiet for the next twenty-five years, but he still performed at listening rooms like Eddie’s Attic in Decatur, GA , the Bluebird Cafe in Nashville, and the Flora-Bama Lounge, in Perdido Key, FL. In recent years his music career saw a revival, spawning a new self-titled album, an overseas tour, and new fans.
Rascal Flatts Embarks On New Tour
/by Sarah SkatesThe recently wrapped Rascal Flatts American Living Unstoppable Tour, played 57 shows between June 2009 and March 2010 with a fan attendance near 800,000. This total includes two sold-out stadium concerts at Chicago’s Wrigley Field and Columbus’ Crew Stadium.
Golden Music Nashville Closes
/by Sarah SkatesA rep for the company says the publishing division, Wide Open Music, is still in business.
Lisa Strickland served as Executive Vice President of Promotion & Marketing. She can be reached at 615-289-2319 or lpstrick@gmail.com. Brad Howell, former VP of Promotion and Marketing, can be contacted at bradhowell615@gmail.com or 615-500-2246.
It was a sign of things to come when Pres./CEO Brinson Strickland exited his post in April. He can be reached at brinson@262five.com or 615-969-0334.
CEO Noel Golden started the label in 2007 with offices in Nashville, and Greenville, SC. He had more than 25 years of experience in the music industry, including work with artists such as matchbox twenty, Edwin McCain, Tom Cochrane, Sister Hazel, Willie Nelson and Lee Ann Womack.
Google Music To Debut This Year
/by Sarah SkatesGoogle Music is expected to integrate with the company’s Android mobile phone operating system. WSJ sources say that the download store would be the first step toward Google’s launch of a cloud-based subscription service which lets users stream music online via the Android system, without having to store it on their phones.
With Apple’s iTunes store accounting for 28% of all U.S. music purchases in the first quarter (NPD Group), some in the entertainment industry are hoping Google will be iTunes’ first viable competitor. After all, the Android is being called the first true competitor to the Apple iPhone.
Meanwhile, rumors abound that Apple has its own cloud-based version of iTunes in the works.
Nashville Rising Concert Sold Out
/by Sarah SkatesThe Diamond VIP Package ($1000) includes a premium reserved seat in the first 13 rows of the floor, entrance to post show artist reception at The Palm, signed memorabilia, a Hatch Show print, and a VIP commemorative laminate.
Nashville Rising will benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The event is being presented by AEG Live/The Messina Group, Live Nation and Outback Concerts.
VIP packages and details at www.nashvillerising.org.
WDHR’s Randy Jones Passes Away
/by FreemanPictured (L-R): Randy Jones, promoter Regina Raleigh, promoter Christina Bear, and KMGO's Russ Ocker
MusicRow is saddened to report that Randy Jones, PD of East Kentucky Broadcasting’s WDHR/Pikeville, KY passed away at his home yesterday (6/20). He was 59 years old. A beloved local radio fixture, Jones was the longtime announcer for Pikeville High School basketball and football games and the voice of WDHR radio. He was born in Pike County, Kentucky, and graduated from Pikeville High School and the Emory Riddle Pilot School. Along with his parents, Jones was preceded in death by one son, Randall Corey Jones, and one brother, John Paul Jones. He is survived by his wife Paulette, son Austin and brother David.
Visitation will be held at 6 pm at the J.W. Call Funeral Home Chapel in Pikeville on Tuesday (6/22), with Masonic services at 7 pm. Funeral services will take place at 1 pm on Wednesday (6/23) at the J.W. Call Funeral Home Chapel and burial will follow at the Annie E. Young Cemetery in Shelbiana, Kentucky. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions be made in Randy’s memory to Hillbilly Christmas in July, PO Box 4333, Pikeville, Ky. 41502 or the Randy and Corey Jones Scholarship Fund, c/o Pikeville High School, 148 2nd St., Pikeville, KY 41501.
Jaron Debut Out Tomorrow
/by Sarah SkatesJaron joined Chuck Wicks for a performance for Wounded Warriors at CMT recently. Pictured above following the event (l-r): Rick Autry, Director of Special Projects, CAMMO (The Center for American Military Music Opportunities) who organized the event; Lucia Folk, Sr. Director/Public Affairs-CMT; Jay Frank, SVP/Music Strategy-CMT; John Zarling, Sr. Director/New Media & National Promotion Strategy-Big Machine; Chuck Wicks; Jaron; Stephen Linn, Sr. Director/Music Programming & Promotion-CMT; and Laura McKinley, Associate Director/Marketing & Artist Development-RCA.
The debut album from Jaron And The Long Road To Love will be released tomorrow (6/22) on Jaronwood/Universal Republic Records in association with Big Machine Records. The first single from Getting Dressed in the Dark is “Pray For You,” currently at No. 7 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart. The “Pray for You” video features Jaime Pressly of My Name Is Earl fame and is getting strong airplay of CMT and GAC.
Among the promotions surrounding the album is an iTunes pre-sale, going on now. Single digital sales have passed 400k and are growing.
Jaron first found fame with his twin brother as the pop duo Evan and Jaron and their hit “Crazy For This Girl.”
Paradigm agent Brian Hill put his son Jack to "work" shredding photos of client Jaron....Hill and Jaron share a running series of practical jokes.
Music City Roots Salutes IBMA
/by Sarah SkatesA special $25 ticket includes a reception, food and an early evening hang with IBMA members and artists. Regular tickets are $10 or $5 with college ID. Ticket info and live streaming at www.musiccityroots.com.
In more MCR news, the show has started using NewTek TriCaster for live streaming. Last Wednesday was the first time fans could watch the weekly concert online. The radio show is broadcast on legendary WSM/650 AM.