Foster Joins Treehouse Promotion Staff

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Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster

Gwen Foster has joined Treehouse Records’ promotion staff, handling the California, Arizona, New Mexico, Louisiana, Texas and Southern Oklahoma territories. Foster comes to the Treehouse team after 19 years in the Phoenix radio market where she won R&R Country Music Director of the Year twice (2005 and 2006). Foster can be reached via email at gwen@treehouserecords.us and by phone at 480-495-2209. She will be based out of Phoenix.

The label’s anchor artist, Blaine Larsen, will release second single “Chillin'” in the coming week. Dale Morris, Clint Higham, and Mike Betterton have managed Larsen for six years. His previous hit singles include “How Do You Get That Lonely,” and “I Don’t Know What She Said.”

Music business executives Morris, Higham, Betterton and Irving Azoff founded Treehouse Records in 2009 after Azoff’s Frontline Management acquired Morris Management Group.

Show Dog-Universal Music Makes Staff Announcement

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toby-mark

Toby Keith and Mark Wright

Staff members are in place for the newly merged Show Dog—Universal Music label. Toby Keith, who started Show Dog Nashville as an independent record company in 2005, is Principle of the combined outfit, and previous Universal South Pres. Mark Wright will remain on as President of the merged venture. The artist rosters for both labels remain intact at this point, led by hit acts Keith, Joe Nichols, Randy Houser and Phil Vassar.

Show Dog—Universal Music staffers:
George Nunes, General Manager, george.nunes@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7780
Teddi Bonadies, VP Strategic Marketing and Promotion, teddi.bonadies@umusic.com, 615-259-5308
Bill Kennedy, VP Sales, Marketing & New Media, bill.kennedy@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7771
Rick Moxley, VP Promotion, rick.moxley@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7766
Cliff Audretch, III, Sr. Director A&R/Staff Producer, cliff.audretch@umusic.com, 615-259-5309
Carie Long, Sr. Director A&R Operations, carie.long@umusic.com, 615-259-5303
PJ Olsen, Director, Research & Information Systems, pj.olsen@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7775
Sloane Cavitt, Manager Sales, Marketing & New Media, sloane.cavitt@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7772
Laurie Gore, Manager of Promotion, laurie.gore@umusic.com, 615-259-5380
Natalie Moore, Manager of Artist Development & Creative Services, natalie.moore@umusic.com, 615-259-5390
Suzanne Durham, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, suzanne.durham@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7768
Rick Hughes, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, rick.hughes@umusic.com, 615-259-5371
Lisa Owen, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, lisa.owen@showdogmail.com, 310-376-2258
Jordan Pettit, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, jordan.pettit@umusic.com, 615-259-5383
Greg Sax, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, greg.sax@showdogmail.com, 615-324-7778
Macy Morgenthaler, A&R Coordinator, macy.morgenthaler@umusic.com, 615-259-5307

Others on the roster include Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts, Trailer Choir, Baylie Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Andy Gibson, Jennifer Hanson, Shooter Jennings, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Ashley Ray, Angela Wolff, and Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Contact information for exiting staffers:
Jay Bradley, 615-500-3436, jaybradley@yahoo.com
Arturo Buenahora, 615-417-4573, arturo_buenahora@comcast.net
Bruce Burton, 615-428-3077, bruceburton@live.com
Rhonda Christensen, 818-521-8593, rhondachristensen@pacbell.net
Marty Craighead, 615-545-3111, martyc24@bellsouth.net
Karin Cupit, 615-305-9657, karincupit@gmail.com
Van Fletcher, 615-210-2920, van.fletcher@live.com
Fletcher Foster, 615-519-9071, fletcher-foster08@comcast.net
Karen McGuire, 512-639-8997, kmcgatmcg@aol.com

Chesney Ranks In Top Tours of the Decade

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From kennychesney.com

Photo from kennychesney.com

Kenny Chesney comes in at No. 3 on Pollstar’s new list of the Top Tours of the Decade, based on gross box office receipts. With $455 million made on the road over the last decade, he is the only mainstream country star on the list. Chesney spent eight of the last 10 years spent as a headliner.

Coming in at No. 1 is his friend and duet partner Dave Matthews with $529 million, followed by Celine Dion’s Vegas residency drawing $522 million. Rounding out the decade’s Top 10 are stalwarts Bruce Springsteen, the Rolling Stones, U2, Madonna, the Eagles, Elton John and Jimmy Buffett.

On Pollstar’s Top 10 Tours of 2009, Chesney is the only country act, finishing at No. 6 with a gross of $71.1 million. With U2’s stadium-only tour coming in at No. 1, Bruce Springsteen, Elton John & Billy Joel, Britney Spears and AC/DC round out the top 5.

Those who did—or didn’t—catch Chesney’s last run can see his live concert 3-D movie, coming in April.

Tidbits: All Access Ent., Steel Magnolia, Dann Huff, More

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all accessScott Edwards and Dee Burgess have formed All Access Entertainment, specializing in public relations, marketing, image consulting, event planning and artist development. Their new offices are located at 7 Music Square West. Former NFL player Kyle Turley is on board as a client, and the firm says it plans to work with artists, non-profits and corporations. With over twenty-five combined years in the industry, Edwards and Burgess have worked on campaigns for such clients as John and June Carter Cash, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, and Wynonna Judd, handling public relations, marketing, artist development, journalism, A&R, and production. All Access can be reached here and at (615) 915-3676.

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steel magnoliaSteel Magnolia, the Big Machine duo made up of Joshua Scott Jones and Meghan Linsey, have been recording their debut album with Dann Huff in the producer’s chair. They are planning to launch the second leg of their radio tour in January.
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Songwriters including Billy Montana are judging a poem contest hosted by The Hermitage Hotel. Romantic poems can be posted to the upscale hotel’s Facebook page to celebrate Valentine’s Day. The winner gets a deluxe romance package for two. The contest runs Tuesday, Jan. 5, 2010 through Wednesday, Feb. 3, 2010.

Wayne’s Walk Starts In Frigid Weather

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Pictured above (back row l-r): Valory’s Scott Borchetta, Tennessee Congressman Jim Cooper, Big Machine’s Erik Powell, Valory’s Harry Lyons, Valory’s Madalyn Hankins, Valory’s Brooke Yancey, Valory’s Jon Loba, Valory’s JoJamie Hahr and Valory’s John Zarling; (front row l-r): Jimmy Wayne, Valory’s George Briner and Valory’s Natalie Kilgore.

Jimmy Wayne left Nashville on New Year’s Day and began his walk to Phoenix, AZ to raise awareness about homelessness. Around 100 people gathered on the front lawn of the Monroe Harding foster care center that day to see Wayne off, and nearly 75 of those joined him on the first mile of his journey. A $50,000 donation from Wayne’s label home, The Valory Music Co., jumped started his Meet Me Halfway campaign, which is so named because he is walking halfway across the country.

During the walk, Wayne is sleeping in a tent and sleeping bag on the ground. The singer’s camp admits that single digit temperatures have made travel more challenging than anticipated. “But that’s what the homeless are dealing with each and every winter they go without a home of their own,” explains Wayne, who grew up in foster and group homes, and was occasionally homeless as a teen. Eventually an older couple took him in and gave him a second chance.

Wayne is particularly passionate about homeless youth and young adults, so money raised through his walk will go to organizations that work with the young homeless; Phoenix based HomeBase Youth Services and Nashville’s Monroe Harding.

“Valentine’s Day” Soundtrack Powered by Big Machine

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valentinesLovers and hopeful romantics alike will receive something special February 12 in the form of a feature film called Valentine’s Day. The accompanying soundtrack, due out February 9, will be released by Big Machine Records and features new music from Taylor Swift (“Today Was A Fairytale”) and Jewel, whose “Stay Here Forever” is being released as the lead single. Two other Big Machine tracks, Swift’s “Jump Then Fall” and Steel Magnolia’s “Keep On Loving You,” will also be included on the collection. A complete track list is below.

Directed by Garry Marshall (Beaches, Pretty Woman, The Runaway Bride) and written by Katherine Fugate (Army Wives), the movie, according to imdb.com, follows “intertwining couples and singles in Los Angeles [as they] break-up and make-up based on the pressures and expectations of Valentine’s Day.” The all-star cast includes Taylor Lautner, Taylor Swift, Bradley Cooper, Ashton Kutcher, Anne Hathaway, Jessica Biel, Jessica Alba, Julia Roberts, Emma Roberts, Jennifer Garner, Patrick Dempsey, Topher Grace, Jamie Foxx, Joe Jonas, Queen Latifah, Shirley MacLaine, George Lopez and Hector Elizondo.

Valentine’s Day track list:
1. Taylor Swift – “Today Was A Fairytale”
2. Michael Franti & Spearhead – “Say Hey (I Love You)”
3. Jools Holland and Jamiroquai – “I’m In The Mood For Love”
4. Willie Nelson – “On The Street Where You Live”
5. Sausalito Foxtrot – “Everyday”
6. Jewel – “Stay Here Forever”
7. Ben E. King – “Amor”
8. Amy Winehouse – “Cupid”
9. Maroon 5 – “The Way You Look Tonight”
10. Joss Stone – “4 and 20”
11. Diane Birch – “Valentino”
12. Nat King Cole – “Te Quiero Dijeste”
13. Taylor Swift – “Jump Then Fall”
14. Black Gold – “Shine”
15. Steel Magnolia – “Keep On Lovin’ You”
16. Leighton Meester featuring Robin Thicke – “Somebody To Love”
17. the bird and the bee – “I’m Into Something Good”
18. Anju Ramapriyam – “Signed Sealed Delivered I’m Yours”

Country Crossing Resort Opening Soon

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CountryCrossingLogo_smOver twenty acts will perform at the three-day grand opening celebration for Country Crossing, the new entertainment destination in Dothan, AL being developed by Ronnie Gilley Entertainment. From Jan. 15-17, the free, public event will include performances by Tracy Lawrence, Darryl Worley, Lorrie Morgan and John Anderson, who all have interests in the development.

There is an amphitheater and RV park, as well as several artist themed establishments. In addition to the George Jones Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast, Morgan has a hot chicken restaurant, Anderson’s name is on a cafeteria and Worley has a saloon. 

Set to appear at the grand opening are Joe Nichols, Matt Kennon, Confederate Railroad, Restless Heart, Little Texas, Aaron Tippin, Neal McCoy, The Grascals, Houston County, John Conlee, Pam Tillis, Blackhawk, LoCash Cowboys, Blackberry Smoke, Bellamy Brothers and the Commodores.

Ronnie Gilley Entertainment’s music interests include Stroudavarious Records, Country Crossing Records and BamaJam Records. The company also produces the annual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music and Arts Festival.

Cumulus Adds Shelly Mullins As Mktg. Dir.

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cumulusCumulus Nashville has added Shelly Mullins as Marketing Director for the radio conglomerate which is made up of 95.5 The Wolf, 97.1 RQQ, SuperTalk 99.7 WTN, 92Q, and i106. Mullins’ more than two decades of experience in the entertainment business includes six years handling publicity and marketing, most recently at Kaleidoscope Media.

Mullins has worked in television and event production on awards shows and programs such as the Farm Aid special. Her other stops include Shop At Home Television, Webster PR, High Five Entertainment, William Morris and Southern Writers Group. She has worked with clients including The Bellamy Brothers, Hank Williams Jr., Ronnie Milsap, Rhonda Vincent, Lee Greenwood, Sprint Sound and Speed, Barney, and the Nashville Screenwriters Conference. Her career began with a gig playing keyboards on the road with David Frizzell.

With the addition of Mullins, Jane Crossman will move to Webmaster within the marketing department, overseeing websites, e-blasts and digital branding. Mark Sullivan is Senior Vice President and General Manager of Cumulus Nashville.

Mullins can be reached at shelly.mullins@cumulus.com or by calling (615) 312-3529.

Nashville Star, Earl Gaines: 1935-2009

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Earl-GainesNashville r&b star Earl Gaines died on New Year’s Eve at St. Thomas Hospital. He was 74 years old. Gaines was a gruff-voiced shouter who was a central figure in Music City’s soul scene for decades. That fact was underscored by his prominence in the Country Music Hall of Fame exhibit and Grammy Award winning CD set Night Train to Nashville.

He first achieved prominence in 1955 by singing lead on the original version of the standard “It’s Love Baby (24 Hours a Day)” for Louis Brooks & His Hi-Toppers. As a solo star, he had later hits with “The Best of Luck to You” in 1966 and “Hymn Number 5” in 1973. The Night Train compilations reissued his “White Rose,” recorded in 1959, and “Don’t Take My Kindness for a Weakness,” from 1965, as well as “It’s Love Baby.” He also performed memorably at the museum exhibit’s opening celebration.

The material he recorded in 1967-73 for the Starday/King imprint DeLuxe Records was reissued in 1998, and he released a new CD titled Everything’s Gonna Be Alright in that same year. He also recorded for such labels as Excello, Champion, Poncello, Hanna-Barbera, HBR, Athens, Sound Stage 7, Ace, Meltone, Appaloosa, Black Top, Ecko and Blue Fye. Often cited as the greatest r&b singer Nashville ever produced, Earl Gaines was in addition notable for his long career. He toured and recorded from the 1950s onward, issuing new CDs as recently as 2005 and 2008, The Different Feelings of Blues and Soul and Nothin’ But the Blues.

The loss of Earl Gaines compounds what has been a devastating year for Nashville’s r&b pioneers. Producer/singer/songwriter Ted Jarrett died last March. Guitarist/singer Johnny Jones passed away in October, as did Ted Acklen Jr., who chronicled the legacy of his father’s famed Jefferson Street nightclub, The Club Del Morocco.

NYE Bash on Broadway With Rodney Atkins

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rodneyNashville’s big New Year’s Eve celebration tonight (12/31/09) will go on regardless of a frigid forecast. The street party will close Lower Broadway and headliner Rodney Atkins will cap five hours of live music with a string of hits. The free public event will include a Guitar Drop at midnight, and a large fireworks display.

Organizers, including the Convention and Visitors Bureau and the Hard Rock Cafe, are hoping to make this an annual event, which might be televised in future years.

Atkins will be joined by Tommy Sims and Friends, Marc Broussard, The Dirt Drifters and Gabe Dixon Band, with music starting at 7:30 PM.

The first 2,500 people will receive hand and foot warmers.