Dierks Bentley, Mike Diamond, Danny Gokey, Jewel, Julianne Hough, Big Kenny, Gary Allan, Sarah Buxton, Martina McBride, Kellie Pickler, Blake Shelton and Phil Vassar will be in attendance to assist the T.J. Martell Foundation with celebrating the Eco-Energy Best Cellars Dinner on Monday, April 26 at the Hutton Hotel.
The event, sponsored by Eco-Energy Inc., is one of the Foundation’s signature events that is known for pairing Best Sellers (country music’s top selling artists and other celebrities) with Best Cellars (Nashville’s top wine collectors) and an extraordinary gourmet meal prepared by a world renown guest chef.
“This is one of the premier events of the T.J. Martell Foundation that raises significant funds for the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center,” says Bill Hearn, President of EMI Christian Music Group and Co-Chairman of the Best Cellars Dinner. “It is a great opportunity to enjoy some world class wine, savor an incredible meal prepared by one of the leading chefs in the country and socialize with some of music’s best known artists and other guests in an intimate setting.”
This year’s guest chef is Josiah Citrin, award-winning chef/owner of Mélisse Restaurant in Santa Monica, California, and co-owner of Lemon Moon Café in West Los Angeles. Citrin has been featured on several television food shows, and his restaurant and his recipes have been written up in numerous national food publications.
“We thought it would be fun to invite some different wine collectors from around the country to be involved as Wine Hosts this year,” says Tom Black, owner of The Tom Black Center for Selling and Co-Chairman of the Best Cellars Dinner. “Some of the wine hosts are winery owners, artist managers, top restaurant owners in the country and business professionals.”
The wines that will be poured will be from the cellars of some of the top wine collectors in Nashville and the United States. The featured Best Cellars include Black, Larry Beckwith, Jim Clendenen, Bruce Fingeret, Billy Ray Hearn, T.K. Kimbrell, Irv Lingo, Tom Milam, Eliza Kraft Olander, Keith Pitts, Bill Shea and Dave Sokolin.
More information is available here.
William Morris Endeavor Acquires 360 Artist Agency
/by contributorJoey Lee
(Nashville, TN__April 15, 2010)__ William Morris Endeavor Entertainment (WME) has acquired Joey Lee’s 360 Artist Agency. Lee joins WME with agents
Henry Glascock and Risha Rodgers, who will be based out of WME’s Nashville office. They bring country music artists Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Josh Abbott Band, Keith Anderson, Wade Bowen, Lee Brice, Mark Chesnutt, Neal McCoy, Whiskey Myers, Randy Rogers Band, and Clay Walker.
Lee’s clients join WME’s formidable country music roster, a sampling of which includes Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Brooks & Dunn, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, The Judds, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Kenny Rogers, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, and Taylor Swift.
An industry veteran, Lee formed 360 Artist Agency in 2007, a full-service talent agency that was nominated for Pollstar’s Boutique Agency of the Year Award earlier this year. Lee is on the Country Music Association Board of Directors, a member of the International Entertainment Buyers Association, and a member of the Academy of Country Music, where he was Vice President for three years.
Ram Truck and ACM Introduce Text-To-Vote
/by contributorVoting will begin at the start of the telecast, when codes for each artist are given simultaneously, and will continue until the third hour of the show. Until then, fans may log onto www.VoteACM.com, also powered by Ram Truck, to vote.
“The Academy strives to expand the reach of country music by finding new ways to engage fans and consumers,” says Bob Romeo, Executive Director of the Academy of Country Music. “We have had tremendous success incorporating fan voting into our awards show and are thrilled to partner with the distinguishable, country-friendly Ram Truck Brand to give fans an immediate, interactive awards show experience through text voting for Entertainer of the Year.”
Orchard Opens Nashville Office
/by contributor“Nashville has always had it right; it’s about the songs,” commented Brad Navin, CEO of The Orchard. ”We hope to apply our expertise around the digital music business to deliver marketing, strategic planning and promotions to Nashville’s top independent labels, artists and publishers for success at digital retail – where it too, is about the songs!”
Through The Orchard’s platform, clients can quickly deliver music and video to digital and mobile storefronts around the world, track where sales occur, and leverage The Orchard’s data analytics tools to maximize sales and promotions. Additionally, clients may tap The Orchard’s suite of services, utilizing physical distribution, retail promotions, online marketing, iPhone application creation, and song placement in film, TV and advertising.
The Orchard’s newest office in Nashville will be led by long time Nashville music veteran, David Kastle. Kastle previously served as VP of Buddy Killen Music Group (KMG), where he signed songwriters including Holly Lamar, Vicky McGehee, Trent Tomlinson, Trey Matthews and David Chamberlain. He started his career at Acuff Rose Publishing and also founded MovieCues, an online music licensing resource to connect independent musicians/songwriters with music supervisors.
To coincide with the opening of the Nashville office, The Orchard signed an exclusive partnership with FUNL, a new venture from music industry veterans Pam Browne, Tamara Alan and Nancy Eckert. The Orchard and FUNL will kick things off with the return of multi-platinum country recording artist Ty Herndon, whose first single “Journey On” is now available across digital retail. The Orchard will also distribute Herndon’s upcoming Journey On, with a June 8 release date.
Also signed on with The Orchard is Turnpike Music, Nashville veteran Larry Pareigis’ independent radio promotion agency, as well as Nashville 2 You (N2U), industry veteran Rick Barker’s marketing agency. The Orchard will handle digital distribution for select clients for each company. To commemorate the new office, Kastle and The Orchard will host a launch party on April 22 at Nashville’s Tin Roof.
Brian Rhoades Joins EMI Nashville Promotion Staff
/by contributor“Brian brings an extensive promotion background to EMI,” says Hodges. “He will be a great asset to this team adding to an exciting future. Hold on tight, it’s going to be a fun ride!”
Rhoades most recently owned his own independent marketing company, working with clients such as CBS Records, Sony Music, IDJMG and A&M/Octone.
EMI Records Nashville Staff Contact Information:
Steve Hodges, SVP/Promotion / 615-269-2033 / Steve.Hodges@emimusic.com
Angela Lange, VP/Promotion / 615-269-2085 / Angela.Lange@emimusic.com
Chuck Swaney, Dir Promotion, MW/SW / 615-269-2084 / Chuck.Swaney@emimusic.com
Brian Rhoades, Dir Promotion, NE / 615-269-2083 / Brian.Rhoades@emimusic.com
Trudie Daniell, Dir Promotion, SE / 770-253-1784 / Trudie.Daniell@emimusic.com
Ron Bradley, Dir Promotion, West Coast / 702-334-1898 / Ron.Bradley@emimusic.com
Stars Come Out For Best Cellars Dinner
/by Bobby KarlThe event, sponsored by Eco-Energy Inc., is one of the Foundation’s signature events that is known for pairing Best Sellers (country music’s top selling artists and other celebrities) with Best Cellars (Nashville’s top wine collectors) and an extraordinary gourmet meal prepared by a world renown guest chef.
This year’s guest chef is Josiah Citrin, award-winning chef/owner of Mélisse Restaurant in Santa Monica, California, and co-owner of Lemon Moon Café in West Los Angeles. Citrin has been featured on several television food shows, and his restaurant and his recipes have been written up in numerous national food publications.
“We thought it would be fun to invite some different wine collectors from around the country to be involved as Wine Hosts this year,” says Tom Black, owner of The Tom Black Center for Selling and Co-Chairman of the Best Cellars Dinner. “Some of the wine hosts are winery owners, artist managers, top restaurant owners in the country and business professionals.”
The wines that will be poured will be from the cellars of some of the top wine collectors in Nashville and the United States. The featured Best Cellars include Black, Larry Beckwith, Jim Clendenen, Bruce Fingeret, Billy Ray Hearn, T.K. Kimbrell, Irv Lingo, Tom Milam, Eliza Kraft Olander, Keith Pitts, Bill Shea and Dave Sokolin.
More information is available here.
Ben Vaughn To Head EMI Music Publishing
/by contributor“Ben is one of the most talented executives working in Nashville today, and after more than eight years of working alongside Gary Overton, this is not only the natural next step for him – it is the right step,” says Faxon. “I am personally grateful to Gary, who over fifteen years has helped to make EMI Music Publishing such an important force in country music. I have no doubt that Ben is the right man to help take the Nashville business and the songwriters it represents on to even greater heights.”
Vaughn joined EMI Music Publishing in 2002, and has played a key role in the signing and development of the company’s roster of writers including Rhett Akins, Guy Clark, Dallas Davidson, Jerry Flowers, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Kelley Lovelace, Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott, Tom Shapiro, and Jeremy Stover. EMI Music Publishing’s songwriters have helped the company win numerous industry awards, including the ASCAP Country Music Publisher of the Year prize which it picked up in October. Before joining EMI, Vaughn ran Big Tractor Music, the successful independent publishing company owned by Scott Hendricks.
“It has been a dream of mine to lead EMI Music Publishing’s Nashville business, and I appreciate Roger Faxon’s trust and empowerment,” Vaughn says. “It’s my great fortune to have found some real mentors & friends in my 14 years in the publishing business. It’s been a real honor to work beside Gary Overton, and I wish him all the best in the future. Our goals at EMI Music Publishing are to serve our songwriters, protect their interests, and grow their careers, and I’m excited about working with the team here to continue that important work.“
Overton is leaving the company after fifteen years to become CEO of Sony Music Nashville.
“It’s difficult to leave EMI Music Publishing after so many years, and to say goodbye to my staff and the writers who I care so deeply about,” Overton says. “However I know they will be in good hands under Ben’s leadership. I could not think of anyone better than Ben Vaughn to lead the company and its writers. I’m certain that he will be a huge success, and I’m looking forward to working with him in my new role.”
Judds To Open CMA Festival
/by contributor“The Judds performing on the Riverfront Park Stage – that is something worth waking up for!” says Steve Moore, CMA Chairman of the Board. “We are so excited to have Naomi and Wynonna reunite at CMA Music Festival and kick off all the festivities. We know this will be a one-of-a-kind performance as only The Judds can do.”
“We are totally psyched to get to kick off CMA Music Fest this year on the Riverfront Park Stage,” said Naomi and Wynonna Judd. “We can’t wait to be live with fans and music lovers from across the country. It’s such a privilege to partner with CMA to spread the word about our final tour. Plan your life around it. The Judds are coming back.”
This will be The Judds’ sixth time to perform together at CMA Music Festival. They previously performed together at the event in 1984, 1985, 1990, 2003 and 2009. Wynonna has also performed solo at the Festival seven times in the past (1992, 1995, 1999, 2004-2006, and 2009). The Judds won a total of nine CMA Awards, including four consecutive wins as Vocal Duo of the Year (1988-1991), three consecutive wins as Vocal Group of the Year (1985-1987), Single of the Year (1985 for “Why Not Me”), and the Horizon Award (1984).
In preparation for The Judds’ highly anticipated 2010 final tour later this year, the duo has invited fans to submit names for the Name That Tour Contest. The winning name will be selected by The Judds and awarded credit in the 2010 Commemorative Judds Tour Book, a thank you video from The Judds, and $500 in tour merchandise. The contest ends on April 23. For details, visit www.wynonna.com.
Sweet Tweets: Ads Come To Twitter
/by adminYesterday Twitter launched its first profit spinning initiative, a promising advertising component called Promoted Tweets. A handful of big name advertisers including Starbucks, Sony Pictures, Virgin America, and Best Buy are the first on board.
With a growing number of marketers and music artists using Twitter as a promotional tool, advertising will be a significant new option when it is opened up to other companies. In fact, so many artists use Twitter to reach fans, MusicRow started a Twitter chart, ranking artists by the number of Followers. Until yesterday, Twitter users could only communicate with their Followers, but with Promoted Tweets, marketers will be able to push their message.
Ads appear when a user searches Twitter, similar to the way Google filters ads. For example, search for “coffee,” and if Starbucks sprung for that keyword, a Starbucks ad will appear at the top of the search results.
According to Twitter’s web site, “If users don’t interact with a Promoted Tweet to allow us to know that the Promoted Tweet is resonating with them, such as replying to it, favoriting it, or Retweeting it, the Promoted Tweet will disappear.”
Currently, ad prices are based on every 1000 impressions, but the Wall Street Journal predicts an evolving model that eventually leads to charging based on how users interact with the messages.
Twitter draws some revenue from licensing partnerships with Google, Microsoft, and Yahoo, where Tweets appear in each company’s respective Internet search results. This ties into later plans for Promoted Tweets to show up across the Web. Other future plans may place ads in the stream of posts users see when they log in to the site.
Overton to Head Sony Music Nashville
/by contributorOverton, currently EMI Music Publishing’s executive VP and GM, will replace Joe Galante who announced yesterday that he is exiting his position of chairman of Sony Music Nashville. Galante is expected to assist during a transition period.
In turn, Ben Vaughn will be tapped to lead EMI Music Publishing, replacing Overton. Vaughn was previously VP of writer and artist development and will be named executive VP and GM. He’ll report to EMI Music Publishing chairman and CEO Roger Faxon.
Writer’s Den Adds iPhone App
/by contributor“I’m excited that music industry insiders, artists and songwriters will have a new way to hear our catalog anytime, anywhere 24/7,” says Moore. “Literally having the latest demos at their fingertips!”
The app is available for free. With an iPhone or iPod Touch, users can download by searching the app store for Writer’s Den.
The Writer’s Den’s current roster of songwriters includes Bonnie Bishop, Ben Cooper, Tami Hinesh, Trent Jeffcoat and Adam Wright. The company has secured cuts and TV placements, including “Taillights Blue” from Alan Jackson’s new album Freight Train; “Rains Here Too” (Tami Hinesh with Kate York) recently featured on the CW Network’s One Tree Hill; “Courageous” (Ben Cooper and Melinda Schneider) recorded by both Olivia Newton John and Australian artist Melinda Schneider; and “I’m Gonna Make You Want To” (Tami Hinesh with Betsy Ulmer and Kelly Archer) recorded by Nathalia on Universal Records in Brazil.