Longtime promotion
executive Gator Michaels has been named VP, National Promotion at McMurry Records. He previously spent seven years at Warner Music Nashville, ending as Sr. VP Promotion.
Michaels’ background also includes promotion stops at Dreamcatcher Records, and ten years on the radio side in Florida.
Howard Fields and Everett Zinn launched Nashville based McMurry Entertainment Group in November 2009. The enterprise is a three-way partnership between Fields, Zinn and Wyoming entrepreneur Doris McMurry, and is comprised of a record label and management company all under the MEG moniker.
Fields has been involved in artist management since 1992 and has worked with such artists as Kenny Rogers, Jo Dee Messina, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Ashley Gearing. Zinn published George Strait’s early hits, including “Unwound,” “Down and Out,” and “Marina Del Rey.”
Consultant Larry Shell is heading up MEG’s A&R efforts. Claire Cook is handling publicity and marketing efforts.
McMurry Entertainment Group is located on Music Row at 1103 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212; Phone 615-457-1515; Fax 615-457-1616. E-mails addresses include: gmichaels@mcmurryentertainment.com, hfields@mcmurryentertainment.com, lshell@mcmurryentertainment.com, and ccook@mcmurryentertainment.com.
“Ringside” Benefit Set For March
/by contributorIn addition, the evening will include a “Rumble on the Row” match-up pitting Columbia Nashville VP of National Promotion Jimmy Rector against amateur boxer Jon Jayne.
“I love the work the Charley Foundation does on behalf of Nashville’s children,” says Rector. “If me getting hit in the face a few times can make a child’s’ life better, then I am in.”
Table sponsorships for the event are available, as well as individual tickets at $250.00 each. Online donation can be made here. Contact Carolyn Miller at (615)297-3099 ext. 103 for details.
Last year’s event, The 5th Annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids featured special guest Martina McBride and raised over $100,000 dollars for The Charley Foundation.
Chesney Joins Steve Miller for “CMT Crossroads”
/by FreemanKenny Chesney, Steve Miller
In the latest installment of CMT Crossroads, country superstar Kenny Chesney will share the stage with one of his biggest influences, Rock & Roll Hall of Famer Steve Miller. CMT Crossroads: The Steve Miller Band and Kenny Chesney will tape in March and premiere on CMT later in 2010.
This will be Chesney’s second appearance on the Crossroads series, after a 2003 episode with John Mellencamp. Chesney is a longtime friend of Miller’s, whose 40-year career includes more than 25 million records sold, numerous No. 1 hits, and a regular tour schedule even today.
“When Steve called and asked, I was ready to go,” Chesney says. “His songs are so much fun, so much a part of who anyone growing up who’s a rock fan is. He’s so down-to-Earth, so easy-going, you’d never know what a big star he is. Everything he’s done… songs like ‘Take The Money and Run,’ ‘Jet Airliner,’ ‘Fly Like An Eagle,’ ‘Livin’ In The USA’ and ‘The Joker’. He’s been on the road for four decades and he’s just as good now, not to mention the way he can play a guitar! It is truly an honor to get to do this with him.”
David Nail, Laura Bell Bundy Visit ACM
/by MichelleRising UMG Nashville artists David Nail and Laura Bell Bundy visited the Academy of Country Music offices during recent trips to Los Angeles.
David Nail visited the Academy of Country Music in Los Angeles recently to perform for ACM staffers. He was in LA taping CBS' The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson, which aired Feb. 15. Pictured: L-R: David Nail, Bob Romeo, ACM Executive Director
Mercury Nashville recording artist Laura Bell Bundy visited the ACM recently to sign up for professional membership. The Tony Award nominee's debut album, "Achin' and Shakin'," will be released in 2010. Pictured (L-R): Stuart Dill, Sanctuary Artist Management, Gayle Holcomb, WME, Laura Bell Bundy, Bob Romeo, ACM
Krauss, Big Kenny Set Haiti Relief Show
/by MichelleAlison Krauss and Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas will headline a concert at the Ryman to benefit Compassion International’s Haiti disaster relief fund.
Big Kenny is hosting this Nashville edition of “Help Haiti Live” on Feb. 27, while another fundraiser will take place simultaneously in Los Angeles. Kenny will perform at the Ryman show along with Jars of Clay, Mat Kearney, Brandon Heath, Dave Barnes, and Matt Wertz.
On the Los Angeles schedule are Amy Grant, Rebecca St. James, NEEDTOBREATHE, Francis Chan and a yet-to-be announced guest. The concerts are sponsored by Gaylord Entertainment Company and will be streamed live at HelpHaitiLive.com.
Tickets will range in price from $25-$65, and can be purchased via Ticketmaster, as well as through the Ryman box office (800–745-3000) and The Ryman’s web site.
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Another local concert raised money to help Haiti last month. The Haiti Relief Concert at Brentwood United Methodist Church, starring co-hosts Point of Grace and Mark Schultz, raised over $50,000 to benefit the relief efforts of United Methodist Committee on Relief. That amount does not include on-line giving made available during the live webcasts.
Pictured: (L-R) Front Row: David Lee, Sanctuary Artist Mgmt; Stuart Dill, Sanctuary Artist Mgmt; Rev. Cliff Wright, BUMC; Amy Perry, Selah; Shelley Breen, POG; Leigh Cappillino, POG; Denise Jones, POG; Ginny Owens, Jill Tomalty, Word. Back Row: Greg Lucid, Lucid Artist Mgmt; Rev. Rob Huckaby, BUMC; J. Rollins, UMCOR;, Todd Smith, Selah; Mark Schultz, Larry Stewart, Rod Riley, Word; Melissa Hinnen, UMCOR.
Bentley To Honor Brooks and Dunn at Country DJ HoF Induction
/by FreemanDuring the event Bentley will give an acoustic tribute to Brooks & Dunn, who will be honored with CRB’s Career Achievement Award. Longtime B&D fan Bentley traveled to Australia with the duo in 2009 and as their tour together closed, they were all honored with the CMA’s International Artist Achievement Award for contributions to country music outside the United States.
“Kix and Ronnie are the original modern day honky-tonkers,” says Bentley. “A lot of acts playing down on Lower Broadway try to emulate those guys. When we toured together, I watched their show every night from side-stage in total awe of the number of hits they’ve had and what they’ve built over the last few decades. They’ve done it all. I still can’t believe they’re about to retire. In true B&D fashion, I have no doubt they’ll go out in a BIG way and leave us wanting more. I’m honored the CRB asked me to help recognize them and their huge contribution to our format.”
The 2010 Country Music DJ inductees this year include Bill Bailey, Laurie DeYoung and Rudy Fernandez, while Cy Blumenthal, Dan Halyburton and Michael Hammond will be inducted into the Country Music Radio Hall of Fame. Charlie Cook will receive the CRB President’s Award.
CRS registrants can purchase tickets to the ceremony for $90. Non-registrant advance tickets are $100, and the on-site rate is $125. Tickets are available at www.crb.org
SESAC Ups Ellen Truley To VP
/by Sarah SkatesAs VP, Truley will oversee SESAC’s advertising, promotion, sponsorships, website, online marketing and corporate magazine endeavors. Additionally, she will be instrumental in the formulation of SESAC’s future marketing and creative strategies.
“Ellen Truley is a highly creative marketing executive and consummate professional,” said Collins. “Her expertise in all aspects of the creative fold coupled with her unfailing business acumen has been instrumental in helping SESAC progress and succeed over the past decade. This promotion is richly deserved and we anticipate her efforts will help take SESAC to the next level.”
Truley is a Nashville native who graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Advertising/Journalism. She is a member of NARAS, CMA and ACM.
McMurry Taps Promo Boss Gator Michaels
/by Sarah SkatesLongtime promotion
executive Gator Michaels has been named VP, National Promotion at McMurry Records. He previously spent seven years at Warner Music Nashville, ending as Sr. VP Promotion.
Michaels’ background also includes promotion stops at Dreamcatcher Records, and ten years on the radio side in Florida.
Howard Fields and Everett Zinn launched Nashville based McMurry Entertainment Group in November 2009. The enterprise is a three-way partnership between Fields, Zinn and Wyoming entrepreneur Doris McMurry, and is comprised of a record label and management company all under the MEG moniker.
Fields has been involved in artist management since 1992 and has worked with such artists as Kenny Rogers, Jo Dee Messina, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and Ashley Gearing. Zinn published George Strait’s early hits, including “Unwound,” “Down and Out,” and “Marina Del Rey.”
Consultant Larry Shell is heading up MEG’s A&R efforts. Claire Cook is handling publicity and marketing efforts.
McMurry Entertainment Group is located on Music Row at 1103 16th Ave. S., Nashville, TN 37212; Phone 615-457-1515; Fax 615-457-1616. E-mails addresses include: gmichaels@mcmurryentertainment.com, hfields@mcmurryentertainment.com, lshell@mcmurryentertainment.com, and ccook@mcmurryentertainment.com.
AirPlay Direct Offers Orbison To Radio
/by adminAPD, founded in 2005, represents music from every virtually every genre of music, including Rock, Country, R&B, Rap, Christian, Hip Hop, Pop, Gospel, Folk, New Age, Native American and Americana. Currently the site has over 25k artist/label members and about 4,400 radio stations from around the world. Last November, APD CEO Robert Weingartz relocated the company from Atlanta to Nashville.
BLA Adds Brian Waymire As Agent
/by Sarah SkatesBrian Waymire
Brian Waymire has joined Buddy Lee Attractions as an agent, and brings with him clients Here Come the Mummies and the RedGorilla Music Fest. He will head the College and International division at BLA.
“We are very excited about Brian coming aboard at BLA, and this adds another piece to our rebuilding process. His vast experience in the College and International market will greatly enhance opportunities for our artists. In addition, we are very excited to represent Here Come the Mummies and RedGorilla,” said Kevin Neal, President of BLA.
In 2000 Waymire moved to Nashville and established himself as an agent and manager for artists such as AutoVaughn, Here Come the Mummies, and others. During this time, Waymire also founded the RedGorilla Music Fest which takes place every March in Austin, Texas and showcases over 500 bands. Brian is a member of both NACA and APCA.
BLA has secured Here Come the Mummies to open the Pollstar Concert Industry Awards on February 17.
Brian Waymire can be reached at 615-244-4336 and by email at bwaymire@blanash.com. For full client roster, please visit www.buddyleeattractions.com.