Water Pressure Closes BMI Row Office; Staff Remains Online

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“BMI’s Nashville office remains closed for the second consecutive day due to a lack of water pressure in the 6-story Music Row building, home to over 400 employees,” reports VP Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams.

“As a result, scheduled events including the Jason Blume Songwriting Workshop have been canceled. However, most executives are still readily accessible by email. BMI computer systems are operating normally, and writers and publishers can access their online accounts for royalty information, catalogs and new works registration as they always do.”

Up to date information on the status of the BMI offices will be available at bmi.com.

Renee Leymon At Bigger Picture/New Revolution; Capitol Hiring

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Renee Leymon

Twenty-year radio promotion executive Renee Leymon has joined Bigger Picture and New Revolution Entertainment. In her new roles, Leymon will be assisting Rob Dalton in growing and developing the promotion staff at New Revolution Entertainment, and she will also assist the promotion staff at Bigger Picture in securing radio airplay.

Leymon was most recently at Lyric Street Records, working with Rascal Flatts, SHeDAISY, Josh Gracin, Bucky Covington, Sarah Buxton and others.

“As you know, we don’t do titles, so like everyone else, Renee will be coming in as a Promotions Executive, custom building the position and which stations she’ll be working to suit her expertise,” said Powers. “We’re excited to have someone of her caliber join us in working the careers of our fine acts like the Harters, Zac Brown Band, Gloriana, Kid Rock, Lee Brice, Tim McGraw and others.”

“I’ve known and trusted Jeff Solima for many years and always wanted to work with him,” says Leymon. “Getting to work with Michael Powers, Rob Dalton and the entire staffs of both teams are an honor for me.”

Leymon can be reached at 615-417-7484 or calebsmeme1@aol.com.

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Capitol Nashville/EMI Records Nashville has added Rachel Dobson as Promotion Coordinator. She can be reached at 615-269-2047 and rachel.dobson@emicap.com. Dobson replaces Alisa Bowman who was promoted to Manager, Syndication & Special Projects.

Flooding At Soundcheck, Schermerhorn, CMHF

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Country Music Hall of Fame, Photo by Jude Ferrara for The City Paper

Everyone here at MusicRow hopes that our readers experienced minimal flood damage, but if you have any news, photos, stories or updates you would like to share, please email us at news@musicrow.com.

BMI’s Nashville chief Jody Williams tells MusicRow that BMI is closed today. A full update is coming soon.

Wrensong Publishing and AristoMedia are two of the latest on the Row to report flooding in their offices.

Water is receding at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, which suffered flooding up to the third row of seats in the Ford Theater last night. Today the Museum remains closed and without power. None of the artifacts were damaged.

The Bridgestone Arena is also without electricity.

The basement of the Schermerhorn Symphony Center was filled to the ceiling with water, severely damaging many items including the symphony’s prized $2.5 million pipe organ. The Nashville Scene’s Jim Ridley reports that the enormous pipe organ’s operating mechanism and console were stored in the basement and suffered damage but the full extent won’t be known until the waters recede.

Schermerhorn Symphony Center, Photo by Chris Ferrell for The City Paper

Soundcheck Nashville, the music rehearsal, storage and rental facility located on Cowan St. near the Cumberland River, is flooded. The company’s Ben Jumper reports that no one is allowed inside the building until government officials give the okay, which will probably be when the Cumberland is below the flood stage of 40′. Rehearsals have been canceled until further notice. Jumper and Jan Greenfield are handling calls on their cell phones and updating a blog daily at 9 AM, noon, 4PM, and 9 PM.

Soundcheck from the river looking towards I-24. Photo by Amanda DeAngelis

Opry House Under Water, Show Moved

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The Grand Ole Opry House has suffered extensive damage due to flooding that has overtaken most of the Opryland area of Nashville, including the Gaylord Opryland Hotel and Opry Mills mall. But the show must go on, and management is temporarily moving the Grand Ole Opry to the Ryman Auditorium and War Memorial Auditorium.

The Tuesday Night Opry performance scheduled for tonight (5/4) will take place at the War Memorial Auditorium. Weekend performances will move to the historic Ryman Auditorium in downtown Nashville. Thursday’s performance of Opry Country Classics will remain at the Ryman as previously scheduled. Both the War Memorial and the Ryman are former homes of the Opry.

“While we ourselves are shaken by the impact of the flooding of the Opry House and throughout the area, it is important that Nashville’s most treasured tradition continues with this week’s shows,” said Grand Ole Opry Vice President Pete Fisher. “We look forward to coming together both as the Opry family and as a great American city just as we have every week for nearly 85 years. Our hearts go out to all of those affected in the Middle Tennessee area.”

The last time the Opry had to relocate was in 1975 to Nashville’s Municipal Auditorium, just one year after the opening of the Grand Ole Opry House. That move was also caused by Cumberland River flooding.

It is too early to determine how long Opry operations will be impacted at this time. Updates are being posted at opry.com, and on Facebook and Twitter.

Fellow SouthComm outlet the NashvillePost.com reports that “Gaylord has business interruption and flood damage coverage for up to $50 million in damages. However, over the past three years, the hotel complex generated an average of $66.7 million in revenue during the second quarter and about $61 million in the third quarter.”

Clear Channel Rallies For Flood Relief

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Clear Channel Nashville is holding a daylong radiothon today (5/4) to benefit local flood relief efforts. All five stations in the cluster (WSIX, WRVW, WLAC, WNRQ, WUBT) will be simulcasting, with on-air talent from each outlet sharing hosting duties until midnight. Proceeds will go to the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee’s Tennessee Disaster Response Fund.

The hosts are encouraging donations and keeping listeners up-to-date with the latest news and interviews. This morning Gerry House spoke to Gov. Phil Bredesen and Chief of Police Ronal Serpas during his 7-9 AM time slot.

Artists Engage Fans With Contests, Websites, and More

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Keith Urban

Fan engagement is key to artist success these days. Here are some of the latest ways musicians are exciting consumers and getting them involved.

To mark next week’s release of his latest single “I’m In,” Keith Urban is asking fans to submit their favorite “I’m In” story at his website for the chance to win music, concert tickets or an autographed guitar. “I’m In” stories can include making a commitment to a significant other, dedicating oneself to a charity, or any number of interpretations.

Kenny Chesney’s online station No Shoes Radio has teamed with Hooters to launch a national sweepstakes for a trip to his July 2 show at the Joint at the Vegas Hard Rock. There is also a text-to-win component where fans text “Kenny” to 36832 to register. Fans can pick up a free 4-song Chesney compilation, produced exclusively for Hooters/No Shoes Radio, at select locations.

Randy Houser

Randy Houser is offering fans a free ringtone when they vote for him for USA Weekend Breakthrough Video of the Year at the upcoming CMT Awards. His hit “Boots On” is in the running at CMT.com. As a thank-you, fans can opt to receive a free ringtone of Houser laughing, taken from his popular “LOL” viral video.

Wynonna Judd has launched a new online community at wynonna.com built by Nashville-based social commerce network Moontoast.com. Moontoast combines traditional social networking with commerce tools. Now Wy’s fans can communicate with each other, connect with her on Facebook and Twitter, access exclusive content and enjoy broader access to her merchandise and music.

David Bradley is challenging fans to creatively utilize the title of his new single “Soak It Up,” along with radio call letters, DJ names, or other outlet ID’s in a video. The footage will possibly be included in the song’s music video. Bradley is a staff songwriter with Wrensong Publishing in Nashville.

The Harters are blogging from the road to give fans an inside look at life on tour. The band (siblings Michael, Leslie and Scott) is currently on a rigorous nationwide radio tour in support of their debut single “Jenny” and fans can be there every step of the way by visiting their website (www.theharters.tv) and checking out their weekly blogs featuring stories, photos and video.

Videos: Roy Orbison Tribute; Joe Nichols’ Message

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The Roy Orbison Birthday Benefit Concert was held April 23 at the Hard Rock Cafe in Nashville to celebrate what would have been the late performer’s 74th birthday. Proceeds from the event benefited Musicians On Call.

See more from the Roy Orbison tribute here.

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Joe Nichols with Big D and Bubba

Joe Nichols recently spent three weeks at No. 1 on MusicRow’s Country Breakout chart, thanks to his latest single “Gimmie That Girl.” Click here to see his special thank-you video message to country radio and fans. Or check out some clips from his visit with Big D and Bubba.

Swift On Time 100 List, New Face of Cover Girl

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Swift's Cover Girl photo shoot

Taylor Swift is cementing her celebrity status with news this week that she is the latest face of Cover Girl cosmetics. The brand with worldwide recognition has a long history of using only A-list females for its advertisements. Swift will be representing a new luxury product line, and joins other current Cover Girl superstars Queen Latifah, Ellen DeGeneres, Rihanna, and Drew Barrymore. The 20-year-old just finished the photo shoot for her first advertisements which are scheduled to debut in January 2011.

Swift has also been chosen as one of the TIME 100, the news magazine’s list of the people who most affect the world. Swift’s profile piece was written by Stevie Nicks, with whom Swift collaborated on this year’s GRAMMY Awards. She is on the list alongside a range of icons, celebrities and personalities including Oprah Winfrey, Barak Obama, Simon Cowell, Lady Gaga and Sandra Bullock.

Taylor Swift photo essay by Christopher Morris / VII for "TIME"

SESAC Promotes Tim Fink

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SESAC has promoted Tim Fink to Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. The 20-year veteran of the performing rights organization previously served as Associate Vice-President, Writer/Publisher Relations.

Since joining SESAC in 1990, Fink has held positions on the licensing and affiliations sides of the company. Appointed the head of the Nashville Writer/Publisher Relations team in 2002 as Associate Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, Fink works with songwriters and publishers across a wide range of genres.

“Tim Fink has proven himself to be a talented and dedicated executive, a consummate professional,” said Trevor Gale, Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations. “Tim possesses great instincts and a keen insight when identifying and nurturing talent which has played an integral part in SESAC’s remarkable growth. SESAC is delighted to announce this much deserved promotion and we all look forward to continuing on with providing unprecedented service and support to our songwriter and publishing affiliates.”

Pop Artist Owsley Passes

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The Nashville pop-music artist billed as Owsley died Friday, April 30.

Owsley’s 1999 self-titled debut solo album on Giant Records was nominated for a Grammy Award in the engineering field. His second, self-released, CD was titled The Hard Way.

Earlier, he was in the Nashville pop-rock band The Semantics. Owsley was also noted as a guitarist for Shania Twain and Amy Grant.

His full name was Will Owsley, and he was originally from Anniston, Alabama.

According to The Tennessean, Owsley died of an apparent suicide. He is survived by his wife and two children.