Sony Promotes Scott McDaniel To VP Creative

/by

Scott McDaniel

Scott McDaniel has been promoted to Vice President, Creative Services, for Sony Music Nashville. He joined the company in March 2008 as Sr. Director, Creative Services with 15 years of design and production experience to his credit.

In his new post, McDaniel will continue to head the Sony Music Nashville creative team, overseeing artist imaging and all operations related to print and video creation, including video production, album packaging, photography, and design for the label group and its four recording imprints: Arista Nashville, BNA Records, Columbia Nashville, and RCA Nashville.

VP, Marketing Tom Baldrica announced the promotion. “Scott has made an impact on all aspects of our creative process from the day he came to Sony Music Nashville,” said Baldrica. “He has raised the bar on videos, album packaging, and photo shoots, all while dealing with the changing economics of our business. He inspires his team, our artists, and our company on a daily basis.”

McDaniel remarked, “It is a privilege to serve with such an innovative creative department, the Sony Music Nashville team, world renowned photographers, landmark directors, artist managers, and our collective family of recording artists. To be entrusted in executing the visual art that will best communicate our artists’ music is a treasure. Without question, this career benchmark is humbling.”

McDaniel’s prior tenures include LifeWay, EMI Christian Music Label, CCM Communications, and ForeFront Records.

ASCAP Hires Two In Creative Dept.

/by

L-R: Michael Martin, Robert Filhart

ASCAP’s Nashville office today announced the hiring of Michael Martin as Sr. Creative Director and Robert Filhart as Creative Manager. Over the last several months the performing rights organization has reworked its Nashville operations to serve as a regional headquarters.

Martin comes to ASCAP from Extreme Writers Group (EWG) where he was Partner and Co-Founder with Jason Houser and shared responsibilities for the day-to-day operations of the publishing and content development companies. EWG has enjoyed numerous No. 1’s, including the recent success of Rascal Flatts’ “Here Comes Goodbye” and George Strait’s “I Saw God Today,” as well as the current Top 5 single “Crazy Town” by Jason Aldean. Since launching in 2000, EWG also had the 14-week Christian chart-topper “The Motions” by Matthew West, and hits with Big & Rich’s “Lost In This Moment” and Jason Aldean’s “Johnny Cash” and “Why.” As a graduate of University of Texas Arlington, Martin began his career in music publishing as VP of Creative Services at Moraine Music.

Filhart joins ASCAP from his most recent post as an Associate Manager at Dottore-DuBois Artist Management. In this position, he handled day-to-day activities for Matt Jenkins and Connie Smith. He was previously employed with Still Working Music, where he worked primarily as a songplugger while also handling day-to-day logistics for Danielle Peck. He began his career interning for Universal South Records and, later, at Major Bob Music/Bob Doyle & Associates. Filhart graduated with a B.S. in Business/Music Industry Management from Ferris State University in Michigan.

“We’re delighted to bring the diverse talents of Michael and Robert to our organization,” said Tim DuBois, VP and Managing Executive of operations at ASCAP Nashville. “Their experience, passion for the craft, and dedication to writers and artists wonderfully complement the overall vision of ASCAP, as well as the new elevated role in expanding and enhancing our relationships with our writers and publishers across all musical genres.”

“I have loved being a music publisher, and working closely with writers and artists and the songs they create is an amazing process,” added Martin. “To continue to be a part of this process while working with the ASCAP community and its members is an opportunity I am thrilled to be taking.”

“I am very excited to be a part of this amazing creative team that is ASCAP Nashville,” said Filhart. “The foundation for a successful music industry has always been great songs created by great writers, and I am looking forward to creating opportunities to help our members do what they do best.”

CMT Awards Adds New Artist Stage, Charity Donation

/by

The most recent issue of "USA Weekend" had a cover story about Carrie Underwood and the CMT Music Awards. One of the awards on the Wednesday night show is the "USA Weekend" Breakthrough Video of the Year, where nominees include Easton Corbin, Laura Bell Bundy, Luke Bryan and Steel Magnolia.

Updated 6/8: Just announced presenters: Laura Bell Bundy, Gloriana, Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton, Taylor Swift, Erin Andrews and Maks Chmerkovskiy, Sheryl Crow, Jada Pinkett-Smith and David Spade, and Nicole “Snooki” Polizzi and Mike “The Situation” Sorrentino from MTV’s The Jersey Shore.

The CMT Music Awards are coming on Wednesday night, June 9, and here is some of the latest news about the show airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.

Rising country stars, including Laura Bell Bundy, Easton Corbin, Justin Moore, Steel Magnolia, Trailer Choir and Chris Young, will perform on the Nationwide Insurance stage. Also as part of their sponsorship, the Nationwide Insurance On Your Side® Award will be presented to a new artist based on fan voting at CMT.com. Award nominees include Ryan Bingham, Randy Houser, Justin Moore and Chris Young. Nationwide will also host a CMT Music Awards public viewing party on June 9 at 6:30 pm at Rippy’s Ribs & Barbecue.

CMT will be making a $40,000 donation to Feeding America in lieu of celebrity gift bags this year. The donation will provide 160,000 meals for over 400 school-aged children during the entire 2010-2011 school year through the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee’s BackPack Program, which will in turn help children whose families’ have been affected by the recent flood. Trisha Yearwood and star chef Paula Deen will make the donation at an event on Thursday, June 10.

And as part of the CMA Music Festival, CMT will honor Rascal Flatts for 10 years of “Unstoppable” music on Saturday, June 12 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. CDT. There will be a short acoustic set in the convention center hall, and Rascal Flatts will sign autographs in the CMT booth located in the Greased Lightning® Fan Fair® Hall.

Hosted by Kid Rock, the 2010 CMT Music Awards features performances from Toby Keith, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and Zac Brown Band. Previously announced presenters include Paula Deen, Kara Dioguardi, Terrell Owens, Hayden Panettiere, Richard Petty and Kenan Thompson, Trisha Yearwood and Zac Brown Band. Red carpet arrivals will be hosted by The Singing Bee’s Melissa Peterman and CMT’s Evan Farmer beginning at 7:00 p.m., ET/PT.

Dan Bowen Exits CMA

/by

It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that CMA VP of Strategic Marketing & Communications, Dan Bowen, has exited the Country Music Association, as a result of his position being eliminated.

According to his CMA public phone message, Bowen can now be reached at DanBowenDB@gmail.com or 615-440-6346.

ACM Announces $1 Million Endowment

/by

(L-R Front Row): Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Kix Brooks, Ronnie Dunn, Reba McEntire, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood (L-R Middle Row) Taylor Swift, Miranda Cosgrove, Keith Urban, Kenny Chesney, Jennifer Hudson, George Strait, Miranda Lambert and Jason Aldean (L-R Back Row) Darius Rucker, Kristian Bush, Dave Haywood, Jennifer Nettles, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley, Gary LeVox, Jay DeMarcus and Joe Don Rooney. COPYRIGHT PETER YANG/FOR PEOPLE MAGAZINE 2010

The Academy of Country Music has announced a $1 million endowment to ACM Lifting Lives, made on behalf of the artists who participated in the taping of ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo in Las Vegas in April. Ticket proceeds from the taping went to ACM Lifting Lives, which in turn quickly earmarked funding for those affected by the recent floods in Middle Tennessee.  The gift successfully completes a three-year funding commitment and fundraising campaign the Academy initiated in 2008.

Honorees Brooks & Dunn along with Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Faith Hill, Jennifer Hudson, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Reba McEntire, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban all participated in the taping, with more than 10 million viewers tuning in to the special on CBS on May 23.

“These artists generously donated their time and talent for this event,” said Erin Spahn, Director of ACM Lifting Lives. “We are so thankful to them, and we’ve worked to immediately turn around this endowment to fund programs that will quickly respond to the needs of those affected by the recent flooding in Middle Tennessee.”

Two major disbursements from the $1 million endowment have already taken place—with more planned in the coming weeks.

On May 16, superstars Lady Antebellum and Paisley presented the first disbursement, a $250,000 check on behalf of ACM Lifting Lives to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. The presentation was made live during the Great American Country (GAC) telethon, Music City Keep On Playin’ – A Benefit for Flood Relief.

(L-R) ACM President Bill Mayne, ACM VP Sarah Trahern and ACM Chairman John Grady, present $1 million to ACM Lifting Lives VP Mark Hartley, ACM Lifting Lives President Gayle Holcomb and ACM Lifting Lives Chairman Gary Haber.

Last week, reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year Underwood and ACM Lifting Lives announced the creation of the new ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home Fund to support flood relief efforts. The Fund takes its name from Underwood’s co-penned hit song “Temporary Home,” in acknowledgement of the immediate needs surrounding those impacted by the floods. Seed money to start the Fund represents the second disbursement from the $1 million endowment, with ACM Lifting Lives and Underwood each providing a portion to get it off the ground.

“We approached Carrie about how she wanted to use the matching grant she would receive as our 2009 Entertainer of the Year, and she leapt at the chance to help people in need of shelter,” said Spahn. “Our goals fit perfectly, and the Temporary Home Fund was created.”

A text-to-donate campaign for the Temporary Home Fund officially launched May 20 and continues through August. Underwood taped a PSA call-to-action inserted into ACM Presents: Brooks & Dunn – The Last Rodeo when it aired on May 23, encouraging viewers to text ACM to 501501 to make a one-time $10 donation. These donations will benefit The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and are earmarked specifically for nonprofits serving those displaced from their homes due to floods.

The ACM Lifting Lives Temporary Home will be administered in part by MusiCares and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, to help ensure that people in need of temporary housing will have the support of nonprofits able to help.  Donations can be made NOW by texting ACM to 501501 through August 2010.  Text donations are confirmed by replying with YES, and can be made up to three times. Donations can also be made online at www.ACMliftinglives.org.  For information on the funding application process, visit www.cfmt.org.

Marty Stuart Honors Country’s Mississippi Roots

/by

Country music legend Marty Stuart unveiled the first marker, in honor of Jimmie Rodgers, for the Mississippi Country Music Trail in his home state on Tuesday, June 1. Stuart played an instrumental role in developing and campaigning for this program to pay tribute to Mississippi’s stronghold on country music’s history.

“It was a very special day for me to be able to present the first plaque for the Country Music Trail in Mississippi,” says Stuart. “What makes it even more special is that this marker honors the father of country music, Jimmie Rodgers, who is a hero and true inspiration to me. He laid the blueprint for what country music is all about and I’m proud to represent our state and help acknowledge its place in country music history.”

The next marker on the trail will honor Stuart, in his hometown of Philadelphia, Mississippi. Other trail markers will feature Charley Pride, Conway Twitty, Jerry Clower, Faith Hill and Paul Overstreet, among others.

Continuing his crusade to pay tribute to Mississippi’s rich American musical heritage, Stuart will bring his acclaimed traveling personal memorabilia collection, Sparkle & Twang: Marty Stuart’s Musical Odyssey, to Meridian, MS beginning July 10 and is also set to perform with Merle Haggard at the MSU Riley center on July 25.

For more information visit www.martystuart.net.

New Boots, New Single, NASCAR For Curb’s Rio Grand

/by

Nashville based Brand N Music Partnerships, has announced that Corral Boots and Curb Records artists Rio Grand have entered into a one-year brand partnership and endorsement agreement. This strategic integrated marketing campaign includes tour bus decals, product endorsements, retail appearances, digital components and a tour sponsorship element.

The campaign launched in May with a concert at Hillbilly’s in McAllen, Texas, located near the Corral Boot headquarters. Additionally, Rio Grand will make appearances in many key account retail stores nationwide.

“Rio Grand represents the face of Texas and country music, something that we feel is critically important to the Corral Boots brand,” says General Manager Distribution Retail Sales, George Allen. “We hope that this is just the beginning of a long and lasting relationship between Rio Grand and Corral Boots.”

“We are very excited about our relationship with Corral Boots and this is really a natural partnership,” Fred Stallcup, lead guitarist of Rio Grand says. “We believe in the product, the brand, and we wear it proudly. The timing is right and coincides with the launch of our new single ‘Beckett’s Back 40,’ which is making its way to radio right now.”

Rio Grand and Corral Boots will also offer fans the opportunity to win an exciting grand prize package that includes custom Corral Boots, plus tickets and backstage passes to a Rio Grand concert of their choice, and other contests throughout the year.

In other Rio Grand news, the band will be joining NASCAR drivers Scott Lagasse, Scott Wimmer and Trevor Bayne on EPSN Television.

The segment will air tomorrow (6/5) during the live telecast of the Federated Auto Parts 300 from Nashville Super Speedway. The Rio Grand appearance will include some on-camera time with the drivers and an acoustic performance. The segment and race will air on EPSN2 beginning at 7:30 PM/CT.

Buddy Cannon Recovering From Surgery

/by

Buddy Cannon

Producer/songwriter Buddy Cannon, MusicRow’s 2004 Producer of the Year, is recovering at home after  undergoing successful surgery to clear a blockage in his right side carotid artery.

The surgery was performed Tuesday morning at Vanderbilt Hospital. He was released Wednesday and is chilling out at home. The blockage was discovered after an ultrasound scan and surgery was deemed necessary. Cannon plans to resume daily activities next week.

Cannon currently produces Kenny Chesney, Ashton Shepherd and Ash Bowers. As a songwriter, he is responsible for country classics including “Set “Em Up Joe,” “Give It Away” and “I’ve Come To Expect It From You.”

“Block Party” Returns To CMA Fest

/by

The ABC Summer Block Party will return to the CMA Music Festival in Nashville. The party gets started on Friday, June 11 continuing through Saturday, June 12 and will run from 11:30 AM-5:00 PM/CT.

This year’s Block Party, hosted by Rossi Morreale (Dating in the Dark) and Brandon Barash (General Hospital), is filled with entertainment for the entire family. Located at the CMA Music Festival Family Zone in the Walk of Fame Park (between Fourth and Fifth Avenue on Demonbreun) the party will include daily activities and games such as “Name that ABC Tune” and “Daytime Drama.”

In addition to the games, autograph sessions and Q&A sessions will be held with Jillian Harris, Paige Hemmis, and Tracy Huston (Extreme Makeover: Home Edition); Bobbie Eakes (All My Children); Melissa Archer, Bree Williamson, and Kassie De Paiva (One Life to Live); and Kelly Monaco, Bradford Anderson, Laura Wright, Steve Burton, and Scott Reeves (General Hospital). ABC-branded souvenirs will be given away, including T-shirts, totes, journals, electric fans, and towels.

There will be plenty of music as well with scheduled performances on Friday, June 11 by Capitol Nashville recording artist Emily West and BNA recording artist Chris Janson in addition to Port Chuck: Steve Burton, Brandon Barash, Bradford Anderson, and Scott Reeves (Jason Morgan, Johnny Zacchara, Damien Spinelli, and Steve Webber on General Hospital). On Saturday, June 12 the Divas of Daytime: Kathy Brier formerly from One Life to Life, Kassie DePaiva (Blair Cramer on One Life to Live), and Bobbie Eakes (Krystal Carey on All My Children) will perform and mark their return to the Block Party as a trio.

Also, ABC and Soapnet have donated $50,000 to The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee to help with the flood recovery. In partnership with the Office of the Mayor and Davidson County’s Office of Emergency Management, The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee ensures that one gift can impact the widest range of charitable needs in times of disaster.

Gibson Unveils Brad Paisley Signature Acoustic

/by

In celebration of Brad Paisley’s picking prowess, Gibson Acoustic has introduced the Brad Paisley J-45 Model, a custom-appointed acoustic guitar from Gibson’s luthier’s shop in Bozeman, Montana. Constructed in the image of the J-45 “round-shouldered” dreadnought with Paisley’s own preferences for a solid Adirondack Red Spruce top, solid mahogany back and sides, and one-piece custom mahogany neck with “modified V” profile and 24 3/4”-scale rosewood fingerboard, it’s a sultry instrument on par with the best pre-War Gibson flat-tops, yet equipped as a top-flight performance machine for today’s professional.

Only 300 Brad Paisley Model guitars are being  produced by Gibson Acoustic, and each one comes with a formfitting hardshell case with plush blue lining, an owner’s manual, Gibson’s Gold Warranty, label personally signed by Paisley, and a Certificate of Authenticity.

Details such as original 1942-spec scalloped red spruce & hide glue X-bracing, a Fishman Ellipse Aura pickup and preamp system and a bone nut and saddle all work to ensure rich, resonant tones, either unplugged or fully amplified, while a hand-sprayed nitrocellulose a bright Cherry Sunburst finish, multi-ply top binding, double-ring rosette, tortoiseshell pickguard with paisley engraving, mother-of-pearl dot inlays with MoP paisleys at the 12th fret, and “Brad Paisley” signature engraved truss-rod cover all declare that this is a rare and exclusive instrument.