Warner Music Group Corp. is expanding its Nashville operations with the formation of Warner Music Nashville, which will include Warner Bros. Nashville, Word Entertainment, and the re-launched Atlantic Nashville label. The story was first reported by MusicRow on Aug. 21, via a subscriber-only Breaking News Bulletin.
The division will be led by music industry veteran, John Esposito, who has served since 2002 as President, and then President and Chief Executive Officer of WMG’s sales and marketing division, WEA Corp. Effective immediately, Esposito will assume the newly created position of President, Warner Music Nashville and will be based in Nashville. As a result, Bill Bennett, EVP and General Manager of Warner Bros. Nashville will leave the company to pursue new opportunities. During his tenure, Bennett was instrumental in numerous successes at Warner Bros. Nashville, including multi-Platinum artists Big & Rich and Blake Shelton, as well as emerging stars The Wreckers, Gloriana and James Otto, among many others. Mark Bright will continue to lead Word Entertainment as President and CEO. Mike Jbara, WEA’s EVP and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Esposito.
Esposito said, “This is a dream come true for me. I have long been involved with and have loved the artistry, creativity and wonderful vibe of Nashville. I look forward to enhancing Warner Music’s business there by building upon Warner Bros.’ and Word’s great accomplishments while also working to establish Atlantic as a powerful and artist-friendly destination in the Nashville community.”
In making the announcement, Lyor Cohen, WMG’s Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music – Americas and the UK said, “Nashville is a critical music community, both creatively and economically. Warner Bros. Records Nashville under the leadership of Bill Bennett has done an excellent job representing WMG in this vibrant music capital. With the creation of Warner Music Nashville, we will build upon the outstanding work of Bill and his team and create even more A&R, marketing and promotional firepower.”
“I am very proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the years, especially the fantastic success we’ve seen from our multi-Platinum artists such as Faith Hill, Michelle Branch, and Big & Rich, as well as the outstanding results we are seeing from developing artists such as Gloriana, James Otto and Word’s Francesca Battistelli,” said Warner Bros. Records’ Chairman and CEO, Tom Whalley. “To now be given an even greater mandate from WMG and the dedicated efforts of a talented executive such as Espo is a terrific opportunity for our team in Nashville to focus on expanding WMG’s presence in the Country and Christian genres. Bill is a terrific executive who’s leaving at the top of his game and I want to personally thank him for his excellent work leading Warner Bros. Nashville to its best performance in many years.”
Atlantic Records’ Chairman and CEO, Craig Kallman said, “The past year has seen Atlantic Records return to the country world for the first time in nearly a decade…The phenomenal success of the Zac Brown Band has proved that our instincts and our timing were right and, along with upcoming artists like Jesse Lee and the Invite, they are taking us down the country path again.”
As President and CEO of WEA, Esposito was responsible for WEA Corp.’s sales, distribution and marketing activities as well as the global management and distribution of WMG’s digital assets. In addition, Esposito was responsible for the Digital Sales and Marketing group, which manages the mobile and online business for WMG’s U.S. labels. Esposito also oversaw WMG’s independent Alternative Distribution Alliance.
Esposito joined WMG from The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) where he was General Manager/Executive Vice President. Prior to IDJ, Esposito held a variety of executive positions at PolyGram, Inc., as well as chief operating officer of music and movies at The Wiz retail chain, and Regional Vice President of Mitsubishi Electronics America. He is an active environmentalist and serves on the Board of Directors for the TJ Martell Foundation.
Rounder Records 40th Anniversary Celebration
/by Sarah SkatesPhoto of Rounder Records founders, from left, Marion Leighton-Levy, Ken Irwin, and Bill Nowlin after their label won the 2009 Grammys for album and record of the year. (Jonathan Alcorn, The Boston Globe)
Rounder Records will celebrate 40 years of making music with a concert by its star artists Alison Krauss & Union Station featuring Jerry Douglas, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Bela Fleck, Irma Thomas and others yet to be announced. Minnie Driver will host the October 12 event at The Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville, TN. The show will be filmed by High Five Entertainment for a PBS television special that will begin airing on the network in March 2010. A portion of the ticket proceeds will be donated to NARAS’ Grammy® in the Schools Programs.
Rounder Records was founded in 1970 by Ken Irwin, Marian Leighton Levy and Bill Nowlin. With no record industry experience the then Boston area college students and music lovers started what would become one of the country’s preeminent roots music labels. Their legacy continues with winning Album of the Year for Alison Krauss and Robert Plant’s Raising Sand at the 2009 Grammy® Awards.
Concert tickets are on sale via Ticketmaster and Gaylord/Grand Ole Opry outlets.
Charlie Daniels Headlines NSAI Benefit
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (L-R): AristoMedia President Jeff Walker; NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison; Charlie Daniels' Manager/Co-owner Blue Hat Records David Corlew; Daniels; Daly and BMI Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams. Photo Credit: Bev Moser
Charlie Daniels Band headlined the second concert in NSAI’s “It All Begins With A Song” Performance Series at the Wildhorse Saloon on Thursday night (8/27). The packed house was treated to a few tunes by Old Union prior to an energetic performance by the CDB, which included hits “Long Haired Country Boy,” “The South’s Gonna Do It Again” and the gospel classic “How Great Thou Art.” As the night concluded, Daniels was presented with BMI MillionAir Awards for one million performances of “The South’s Gonna Do It Again,” “In America,” “Drinking My Baby Goodbye,” and four million performances of “The Devil Went Down to Georgia.” He also received specially autographed lyrics of the “Tennessee Waltz” from NSAI for his contributions to the music industry. During the band’s final song, “The Devil Went Down to Georgia,” the CDB was accompanied by Pro Golfer John Daly.
HFA Publisher Services Team Lead Danielle Boone was pleased to be on hand to applaud her former boss – she worked for CDB Music, LLC prior to joining HFA. Pictured from left to right: Bob Regan (Legislative Chair NSAI and songwriter), Charlie Daniels, Danielle Boone (HFA Publisher Services Team Lead) and Barton Herbison (Executive Director, NSAI). Photo: Bev Moser
News From Trace, Luke, Brad and More
/by Sarah SkatesT
race Adkins has joined the cast of the independent feature film Lifted, currently shooting in Birmingham. Written and directed by Lexi Alexander (Punisher: Warzone) and produced by Deborah Del Prete (Wedding Planner), Lifted is about a young singer whose family life is disrupted when his Marine father is re-deployed to Afghanistan. Adkins plays country superstar, “Jimmy Knox,” a guest judge at the American Idol-like “Teen Starquest.”
Adkins is also set to perform the national anthem at this year’s ceremony to honor the 40 heroes of United Flight 93, who lost their lives on 9/11 in a field in Shanksville, PA. The ceremony will begin at 9:45 AM on September 11, 2009, adjacent to the temporary memorial site in Shanksville.
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Luke Bryan’s “Do I” has sold more than 100,000 digital downloads since June. It is the lead single off the Georgia native’s sophomore album Doin’ My Thing, scheduled for release Oct. 6. The video, shot in downtown Nashville by director Shaun Silva, is No. 1 this week on GAC’s Top 20 Countdown. “Do I” was written by Bryan and his Capitol Nashville labelmates Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood of Lady Antebellum.
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Jewel will remain on the road through the fall doing an acoustic tour. She has been touring behind her Lullaby release, and heads back out Oct. 27 with stops in 16 cities. She is also offering VIP meet-and-greet packages with backstage access and autographed memorabilia via her Web site.
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This past weekend Brad Paisley took his American Saturday Night tour to the Northeast United States and played to sold-out crowds in Meadville, PA; Cleveland, OH; Bethel Woods, NY and Essex Junction, VT. The Northeast has been getting blasted with the effects of recent tropical storms and hurricanes but concert attendees didn’t let a little rain deter their fun.
Paisley continues the tour this week and heads a little farther north into Canada – shows in Halifax, NS; Saint John, NB and Allentown, PA. Despite having torrential storms over the past two weeks in Halifax the tour has opened additional seating to accommodate the overwhelming demand for tickets.
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GAC’s Storme Warren, Jason Meadows, Brett Warren and others are scheduled for the Mounted Shooter competition at Murfreesboro’s Tennessee Miller Coliseum on Wed., Sept. 2. “Shoot for a Cure” is an exhibition and competition, with performances and a live auction benefiting the Susan G. Komen Greater Nashville for breast cancer awareness. Event is at 6 pm. Tickets are available at the venue. $10 for adults, $5 for students, children under 10 free .
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Ralph Stanley will headline the Mount Juliet Homecoming, Oct. 9 – 10. The picnic style event will have live music, food, and attendees are encouraged to bring their musical instruments for open jam sessions. It will be held at Happy Hollow Farms in Mount Juliet, Tenn. (563 Main Street, Mount Juliet, TN, 37122).
SOLID Recruitment, NELA Winner
/by Sarah SkatesSOLID member Jessica Myers (L) was a winner at the 2009 Nashville Emerging Leader Awards, held recently at David Lipscomb. Myers is Bluewater Music's Manager of Administrative Services. Pictured at the awards with SOLID Pres. Alicia Warwick (R).
SOLID (Society of Leaders In Development) will hold its new member recruitment party on Wednesday, Sept. 16 at The Rhythm condos located on 501 Demonbreun Street, 5th Floor. Potential members are invited from 5:00 to 7:30 PM to meet and mingle with current SOLID members and alumni. Food and drinks will be provided.
Those who have been working in the music business for a year are eligible to apply. Check out www.solidnashville.com for more information. Applications must be in by Oct. 31.
Tech Trail: Apple, Twitter, And Rock Band
/by Sarah SkatesLove And Theft’s Brian Bandas, Eric Gunderson and Stephen Barker Liles are active Twitter users and recently drew on the social networking site to connect with their fans on the release of their debut album, World Wide Open.
Last Tuesday, Love And Theft, or @LNTweet as they are known to their Twitter followers, Tweeted that they would be stopping at a Nashville area Best Buy store to purchase the first copy of their CD. They were happily greeted by a large gathering of fans who showed up at the store to pick up the record and get it signed by the band.
Love And Theft at Best Buy, Photo: Aaron Crisler
You can see all the latest Tweets from your favorite artists like Love And Theft on MusicRow’s Artist Twitter Talk page here.
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Theories abound about Apple’s big announcements coming Wednesday, Sept. 9 in San Francisco. The iPod will be the focus, but details aren’t confirmed. It is likely a new version of the iPod will be introduced, including a camera, as well as the next-generation iPhones, which will include video recording capabilities. Many experts also say the iPhone may soon be available through carriers other than AT&T.
Other rumors on AppleInsider.com suggest the introduction of iTunes 9, which might have social networking features and support the Blu-ray format.
The Web site reports, “The Sept. 9 date has also fueled rumors that The Beatles’ discography could finally make its long-awaited appearance on iTunes. That Wednesday is the same day the band is re-releasing its entire catalog, as well as the game The Beatles: Rock Band.”
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Harmonix Music Systems and MTV Games are launching “Rock Band Bar Nights,” which will provide tools for U.S. bar owners to host their own Rock Band Nights. It’s like karaoke on steroids.
Warner Music Group Expands Nashville Operations
/by Sarah SkatesThe division will be led by music industry veteran, John Esposito, who has served since 2002 as President, and then President and Chief Executive Officer of WMG’s sales and marketing division, WEA Corp. Effective immediately, Esposito will assume the newly created position of President, Warner Music Nashville and will be based in Nashville. As a result, Bill Bennett, EVP and General Manager of Warner Bros. Nashville will leave the company to pursue new opportunities. During his tenure, Bennett was instrumental in numerous successes at Warner Bros. Nashville, including multi-Platinum artists Big & Rich and Blake Shelton, as well as emerging stars The Wreckers, Gloriana and James Otto, among many others. Mark Bright will continue to lead Word Entertainment as President and CEO. Mike Jbara, WEA’s EVP and Chief Operating Officer, will succeed Esposito.
Esposito said, “This is a dream come true for me. I have long been involved with and have loved the artistry, creativity and wonderful vibe of Nashville. I look forward to enhancing Warner Music’s business there by building upon Warner Bros.’ and Word’s great accomplishments while also working to establish Atlantic as a powerful and artist-friendly destination in the Nashville community.”
In making the announcement, Lyor Cohen, WMG’s Vice Chairman and Chairman and CEO, Recorded Music – Americas and the UK said, “Nashville is a critical music community, both creatively and economically. Warner Bros. Records Nashville under the leadership of Bill Bennett has done an excellent job representing WMG in this vibrant music capital. With the creation of Warner Music Nashville, we will build upon the outstanding work of Bill and his team and create even more A&R, marketing and promotional firepower.”
“I am very proud of the work we’ve accomplished over the years, especially the fantastic success we’ve seen from our multi-Platinum artists such as Faith Hill, Michelle Branch, and Big & Rich, as well as the outstanding results we are seeing from developing artists such as Gloriana, James Otto and Word’s Francesca Battistelli,” said Warner Bros. Records’ Chairman and CEO, Tom Whalley. “To now be given an even greater mandate from WMG and the dedicated efforts of a talented executive such as Espo is a terrific opportunity for our team in Nashville to focus on expanding WMG’s presence in the Country and Christian genres. Bill is a terrific executive who’s leaving at the top of his game and I want to personally thank him for his excellent work leading Warner Bros. Nashville to its best performance in many years.”
Atlantic Records’ Chairman and CEO, Craig Kallman said, “The past year has seen Atlantic Records return to the country world for the first time in nearly a decade…The phenomenal success of the Zac Brown Band has proved that our instincts and our timing were right and, along with upcoming artists like Jesse Lee and the Invite, they are taking us down the country path again.”
As President and CEO of WEA, Esposito was responsible for WEA Corp.’s sales, distribution and marketing activities as well as the global management and distribution of WMG’s digital assets. In addition, Esposito was responsible for the Digital Sales and Marketing group, which manages the mobile and online business for WMG’s U.S. labels. Esposito also oversaw WMG’s independent Alternative Distribution Alliance.
Esposito joined WMG from The Island Def Jam Music Group (IDJ) where he was General Manager/Executive Vice President. Prior to IDJ, Esposito held a variety of executive positions at PolyGram, Inc., as well as chief operating officer of music and movies at The Wiz retail chain, and Regional Vice President of Mitsubishi Electronics America. He is an active environmentalist and serves on the Board of Directors for the TJ Martell Foundation.
Songwriters Hall Names New Class
/by Sarah SkatesKye Fleming
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation (NaSHOF) is pleased to announce this year’s inductees for the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame: from the Songwriter category, prolific writers Kye Fleming and Mark D. Sanders; and from the Songwriter/Artist category, late Country music icon Tammy Wynette.
The three new inductees will be welcomed into the elite songwriting fraternity by their peers at the 39th Anniversary Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony, presented by AT&T, on Sunday, October 18, at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel.
Mark D. Sanders
“Kye, Mark and Tammy have made many poignant and enduring contributions to the music world and certainly deserve to take their places among their gifted peers,” said Roger Murrah, Chairman of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation. “It’s an honor for us to recognize them for their outstanding accomplishments.”
Tammy Wynette
Fleming’s songwriter credits include hits such as “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool” (Barbara Mandrell) and “Smoky Mountain Rain” (Ronnie Milsap). Sanders’ resume is known for “I Hope You Dance” (Lee Ann Womack) and “It Matters To Me” (Faith Hill). Wynette popularized many of her own compositions, including the standard “Stand By Your Man” and “‘Til I Can Make It On My Own.”
The Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Dinner & Induction Ceremony features tributes and performances of the inductees’ songs by special guest artists. NaSHOF’s sister organization, the Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI), also presents its annual awards for the year’s best Song, Songwriter and Songwriter/Artist, as well as the Top 10 “Songs I Wish I Had Written,” as determined by its professional songwriters division. Tickets for the event are $200 each. A limited number of seats are available to the public this year and may be purchased by contacting event director Mark Ford at hoftix@nashvillesongwriters.com or 615-256-3354.
George Strait’s Video Premieres on CMT
/by Sarah SkatesCMT presents the exclusive world premiere of George Strait’s top 5 hit, “Living For The Night” available now on CMT.com and CMT Mobile. “Living For the Night” will have its broadcast premiere Monday, August 31 at 6:00 a.m., ET/PT on CMT and will be in Hot Shot rotation.
CMT will extend its promotion of Strait’s new video across all of the network’s multiple platforms, including CMT.com, CMT Radio Networks, CMT Mobile, and the digital 24-hour music channel CMT Pure, among others.
More CMT Music
More CMT Music Videos
Artist News Notes
/by Sarah SkatesDo you look like Tanya Tucker?
Saguaro Road Records is inviting Tanya Tucker look-a-likes to email their photos to tanyacontest@gmail.com by Sept. 20, along with name and contact information. Three finalists who most resemble the singer will be selected and fans will vote for the grand prize winner, who will be announced in late September. The winner will receive an autograph from Tucker, a copy of her new CD, My Turn, a Saguaro Road Records flash drive and will also be showcased on www.saguaroroad.com.
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Brad Paisley’s music video for his current hit, “Welcome to the Future,” will be used in ABC’s coverage of the 2009 Little League World Series of Baseball this coming weekend. The video—originally filmed in New York City; Washington, DC; Los Angeles; Tokyo and Kumamoto Japan—is being customized into three special versions for the Little League games.
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Toby Keith is opening another of his I Love This Bar & Grills in WinStar World Casino, about an hour outside Dallas/Ft. Worth. The restaurant/bar/venue is under construction and is scheduled to be finished in mid December 2009.
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Nashville based Blue Steel Records is releasing the debut single from Anna Garrott via CDX Vol. 482. “What A Way To Go,” goes for adds Sept. 8.
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The R.O.P.E. Awards (Reunion of Professional Entertainers) will be Oct. 8 at the Shriner’s Almeda Temple. Awards will be handed out, there will be dinner, and a performance including Jett Williams giving a tribute to Don Helms and Hank Williams. Tickets are $45 each or $1000 per table for a party of 10. Call 615-860-9257 for reservations and details.
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Jody Kristofferson, son of legendary songwriter, actor and activist Kris Kristofferson, made his pro-wrestling debut on Aug. 15. The 24-year-old started wrestling competitively at the age of seven in his home state of Hawaii. He is signed with northern California’s All Pro Wrestling and made his professional debut with the stage name “Big Country” Jody Kristofferson in Hayward, California.
Radney Foster, BBR, Steve Wariner and JabbRRR
/by Sarah SkatesTomorrow Radney Foster will release of his album Revival on a custom Interactive Flash Drive. It contains the album, five new bonus tracks, exclusive photos, and the feature-length (90-minute) documentary Behind the Confessions which Foster produced with his wife Cyndi and film maker Jeff Horny. The interactive flash drive, designed to look and act like an actual VIP pass, will also provide fans access to pre-show meet-and-greets and other special events that Foster has in the works. The new format will also enable Foster to send exclusive digital content updates directly to VIP IFD holders throughout the tour providing fans with a new level of interaction. The company behind the technology is Gigmark Interactive Media of Knoxville, TN.
Behind The Confessions will be screened during the Americana Music Festival at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theater on Thursday, Sept. 17 at noon.
Video of “A Little Revival.”
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Broken Bow Records Southeast Manager Nancy Johnson is departing the label to be a full-time mother to her 3-year-old son, Benjamin. Her last day will be Sept. 3. Carson James, SVP of Promotion for Broken Bow Records, has announced Clay Henderson as her replacement. “We are sad to see Nancy leave, but still very happy and supportive of her decision. She will be greatly missed on the BBR team,” says James. Prior experience for Henderson includes working the Southeast region for Universal South, Midas Records and most recently 1720 Entertainment. He starts tomorrow and will report directly to VP of Promotion Lee Adams. Based out of Nashville, Henderson can be reached at 615-244-8600 and clay@brokenbowrecords.com.
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Steve Wariner’s SelecTone Records has reached an agreement with Allegro Media Group, one of the largest independent distributors of music in North America, to distribute his upcoming album, My Tribute to Chet Atkins. The 11-song tribute to Wariner’s friend, mentor, and former boss, first made available this summer as a Limited Edition release through Wariner’s Web site, will be available through brick-and-mortar and online retailers on Nov. 10. Allegro will also distribute the SelecTone back-catalog.
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JabbRRR is a new social network platform exclusively for country music makers and fans. It offers member profiles, news, gossip, photos and more.
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