CMT To Host CMA Fan Social

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cmt2With the CMT Awards scheduled for June 16 — just a couple of days after the close of the CMA Music Festival – CMT is offering some fan-centric opportunities for Festival attendees. The third annual CMA Fan Social Presented by CMT is a free concert and autograph session hosted by CMT’s Lance Smith. The Fan Social will take place on Saturday, June 13 at 3 PM at a secret location, and it’s already creating a buzz at CMT.com. CMT will sponsor the event for the first time this year, which will bring online friends together offline and will feature performances by Eli Young Band, Gloriana, Holly Williams, Emerson Drive, Joey + Rory and The Carter Twins. In what might be called a cyber-scavenger hunt, fans have been gathering video clues from artists online at CMT.com, on their wireless phones, Rhapsody.com and Verizon Wireless, as well as hints via CMA’s and CMT’s newsletters, MySpace, Facebook and Twitter accounts, beginning May 13. You can find out more here.

Darius Rucker Has a “Give-Back Birthday”

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dariusCapitol Records Nashville artist Darius Rucker celebrated his birthday on May 13, but the chart-topping artist is forgoing presents this year for a good cause. Rucker is asking communities to support “classroom requests” from high-poverty schools in his home state of South Carolina through his Give-Back Birthday. In addition to specific classroom requests posted on his website, Rucker will perform at Owenton, Kentucky’s Elk Creek Vineyard’s outdoor amphitheater on Friday, July 17, and Elk Creek will be donating ten percent of ticket sales purchased Friday, May 15 to the singer’s Give-Back Birthday program. The concert is part of Elk Creek Vineyards’ 2009 Summer Concert Series presented by Kroger. Other scheduled shows include Buddy Guy (June 13) and The Temptations (August 22). Give-Back Birthday donations apply only to tickets purchased on Friday, May 15 for the Darius Rucker concert. You can find more information here.

Nashville Screenwriters Conference Ready to Roll

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nashville-scThe eleventh annual Nashville Screenwriters Conference is coming to the Union Station Hotel May 29-31. On Saturday, May 30 at 12:00 PM, the Conference will present the Music in the Movies luncheon. Held at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Ford Theatre, the luncheon will feature advice from top music supervisors for songwriters, composers, artists and publishers hoping to tap into the world of song placement in television and film. The panel will be hosted by 821 Entertainment Group President, Anastasia Brown (Billy: The Early Years, August Rush and Taken) and will feature opportunities for individuals to submit music for placement in upcoming projects.

“Film and television are joining radio in successfully launching and building music careers,” says Brown. “Nashville has such an abundance of talent and this panel will further educate us all on how to get the music heard.”

Joining Brown will be Music Supervisors Julia Michels (Marley and Me, Sex and the City: The Movie and The Devil Wears Prada), Julianne Jordan (Hotel for Dogs, Mr. & Mrs. Smith and Fools Gold), Dana Sano (Two Lovers, Dan in Real Life and Shoot ‘Em Up) and Darren Higman (Shark Tale, Two Weeks Notice and State of the Union), as well as NBC Vice President of Music Creative Services, Alicen Catron Schneider (Heroes, Trauma and Caprica) and music journalist Phil Gallo.

The open-to-the-public conference, which Script magazine calls “one of the best screenwriters conferences in America,” will bring Hollywood’s top writers, producers, directors, managers, agents and other studio executives to Nashville to provide aspiring screenwriters and individuals interested in worlds of film and TV the opportunity to network, learn and explore the inner-workings of Hollywood.  All panels will be available a la carte for purchasing individual tickets. You can find more information and a complete schedule of panels here.

Gettin’ Set For The Three Day Weekend

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crystal_ballAs another work week begins, the skies over Music Row have cleared. And while “the many” are focused on the coming long weekend, “the experienced few” can’t help but feel a sixth sense tug that says something is going on. Picture a duck swimming like a big machine across a pond…on the surface it is gliding so slowly, but under the water its feet are moving swift-ly. Tongues aren’t wagging, but could Capitol’s former promo guy, Mr. “no comment” Harnen be going independent??? or is he joining a Republic? Ah that is a question to ponder.

Deals, deals deals. While everyone has been watching the changes in the management field concerning players such as Coran Capshaw, Frontline Management, rpm management, Red Light and most recently Morris Management, there has also been plenty of action surrounding a new hybrid label model that slowly seems to be emerging.

For example, Atlantic country artists Zac Brown Band and Jesse Lee have a nimble, but small Nashville-dedicated team. Meanwhile, the label’s main support staff remains quartered in New York headed by Chairman/CEO Craig Kallman.

Then there is Emblem who is making a not-so-small noise with Gloriana. They recently formed a strategic alliance with Warner Bros. for distribution and possibly more, but again the main label guns—the Serletic brothers, Dean and Matt—work far away from Nashville in lovely Calabasas, CA.

Arguably Lyric Street may have started the trend in 1997 when it formed an unusually compact Disney outpost. Now they are also tweaking tactics with the formation of a second imprint and by hosting the Miley Cyrus Hannah Montana soundtrack currently topping the country charts.

So yes, if one were to wonder about the odds of Big Machine and Valory Music getting a new sibling, perhaps a Republic, it hardly seems outlandish especially considering the chart success that Borchetta’s engine-that-could is scoring with names like Justin Moore, Jack Ingram and Taylor Swift on the current country chart and many others that have appeared or are soon to appear again. They say that the music biz is a lot like horseracing and look what is going on over in that arena at the first two races of the Triple Crown.

Ah well, it’s a long weekend, try to get an early start—beat the traffic….

Stuart Dill Named President of Sanctuary

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stuartVeteran Nashville artist manager Stuart Dill has been named President of Sanctuary Artist Management Nashville. Sanctuary manages artists in the fields of pop, rock, country and Christian, and Dill, a 25-year veteran of Nashville’s country music scene, will be pivotal in expanding the Sanctuary roster. Sanctuary CEO Carl Stubner and Dill have been closely associated in the industry for several years through various artist dealings and have maintained strong ties. Sanctuary Artist Management represents a wide range of artists including Fleetwood Mac, ZZ Top, Lonestar, Velvet Revolver, Tommy Lee, Tonic, Trent Tomlinson and Brooke White (American Idol).

Stuart Dill’s management team will bring Jo Dee Messina, Jessica Harp, Point of Grace, Holly Williams, Laura Bell Bundy, Ashley Gearing and Two Foot Fred to Sanctuary.  Dill’s previous credits include working with Minnie Pearl, Freddy Fender (and the Texas Tornadoes), Dwight Yoakam, Bellamy Bros., Michael Martin Murphey, Holly Dunn, Forester Sisters, Desert Rose Band and The Wreckers. Dill is a longtime member of Leadership Music and is a member of the Academy of Country Music and the Country Music Association.

“Sanctuary has a rich history of managing some of our greatest musical icons on a global level,” Dill said. “As its name implies, Sanctuary has always taken great strides in protecting the creative process, partnering with artists and their creative visions and then helping take those efforts successfully to the marketplace. That tradition will continue as Sanctuary recommits and expands its energy and resources in Country music.”

Dill can be reached at Stuart.dill@sanctuarygroup.com or at  615-524-7740.

Performance Royalties Act Goes To House

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In a 21 to 9 vote today (5/13), the House Judiciary Committee voted to send the Performance Royalties Act to the full House for a vote. During a heated three-hour hearing, three amendments to the bill were offered and only one amendment, which reduced the fees to small broadcasters, was embraced. Broadcasters were buoyed when Democratic California representative Maxine Waters reversed her support for H.R. 848, stating concern about the bill’s potential financial impact on broadcasters.

Bobo Weighs In on Hot-Button Royalty Issue

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boboAs the House Judiciary prepares to vote this week on the Performance Rights Act, longtime Nashville music executive Dale Bobo, who spent many years at Warner Chappell Music Publishing, has weighed in with an editorial for Hits magazine supporting the idea that terrestrial radio pay to artists, musicians, and master rights holders a performance royalty similar to that which is paid by terrestrial radio to songwriters and publishers. Bobo’s essay makes a clear and strong case and is an informative read for anyone interested in this hotly contested issue. Bobo also reveals that he once worked as a radio disc jockey. Who knew? You can read Bobo’s editorial here.

Country Weekly Set For Fashion Show

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cw-fashionCountry Weekly has announced the lineup for the 2009 Country Weekly Fashion Show and Concert, benefiting Musicians On Call. The show will be held on Wednesday June 10 at the Wildhorse Saloon and will be sponsored by Durango, Lifetime Networks and Chevy. Clothing and boots from Durango, Flavour boutique and Wrangler will be featured on the runway. Chuck Wicks, Jessica Harp and GAC’s Suzanne Alexander will co-host this years event and the talented lineup will include Keith Anderson, Chris Young, John Michael Montgomery, Mark Wills, Adam Gregory, Trent Willmon, Emily West, Aaron Tippin & Thea Tippin, Sarah Buxton, Trent Tomlinson, Jennifer Hanson, Richard Sterban of the Oak Ridge Boys, Bo Bice, Katie Armiger, Joey + Rory, Whitney Duncan, The Roys, Crystal Shawanda, Megan Mullins, Justin Moore, Dean Brody, Mica Roberts, Carter’s Chord, Bomshel, Jypsi, LoCash Cowboys, Krista Marie, Love & Theft, Brad Cotter and Eric Durrance.

You can find more information here.

Mayor Convenes Music Business Council

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nashNashville Mayor Karl Dean, in partnership with the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce, has created a Music Business Council made up of artists and industry executives who will spearhead various economic development efforts that capitalize on Nashville’s identity as Music City. The priorities Dean has established for the Council include increasing live music venues in the city, increasing music business relocations, improving Nashville’s public school music education program, expanding the CMA Music Festival and developing a new multi-genre music festival. The Music Business Council will serve as an ongoing industry support organization to accomplish these and other goals.

“Nashville is not any city, we’re Music City,” Dean said. “We have an opportunity to grow that identity and benefit both our city and the music industry in the process. My goal is to make Nashville the destination for music performances, festivals, business and education.”

Music Business Council Members:

Mary Ann McCready, Flood Bumstead McCready & McCarthy – chair

Tim Dubois, Vanderbilt University Owen Graduate School of Management  – facilitator

Jim Hester – Mayor’s Office liaison

Tawn Albright, echo

Connie Bradley, ASCAP

Kix Brooks, Artist

Tony Brown, Tony Brown Enterprises

Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment

Pat Collins, SESAC

Karl Dean, Mayor

Kylee Ervin, Diamond Coach

Rod Essig, CAA

Kira Florita, Leadership Music

Jay Frank, CMT

Eric Geadelmann, 821 Entertainment

Tammy Genovese, CMA

Mike Golden, Bandit Lights

Randy Goodman, Lyric Street Records

Emmylou Harris, Artist

Dan Hays, IBMA

Bart Herbison, NSAI

Pat Higdon, Universal Music Publishing

Jed Hilly, Americana Music Association

Barrie Kessler, SoundExchange

Ken Levitan, Vector Management

Rich Maradik, Gaylord Entertainment

Janet Miller, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Mark Montgomery

Steve Moore, AEG Live

Dave Pomeroy, Nashville Association of Musicians

David Ross, Music Row Publications

Rivers Rutherford, Songwriter

Ralph Schulz, Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce

Jim Selby, Naxos

Nancy Shapiro, NARAS

Butch Spyridon, Nashville Convention & Visitors Bureau

Demetrus Stewart, Pure Springs Gospel

John Styll, GMA

Bo Thomas, Belmont University

Crom Tidwell, CT Merchandising

Cal Turner, III, Cal IV Entertainment

Alan Valentine, Nashville Symphony

Garry West, Compass Records

Jack White, Artist

Jason Moon Wilkins, Next Big Nashville

Jody Williams, BMI

Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum

Industry News: TuneCore, NAMM, CMT, Underwood & Knake

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TuneCore and Musicnotes Team for Musicians

tunecoreOnline music distributor TuneCore (www.tunecore.com) has teamed up with online sheet music company Musicnotes (www.musicnotes.com) to provide yet another way for musicians to make money from their music. Starting in May, any TuneCore artist selling over 25,000 songs within 90 days can have at least one of their songs professionally scored, translated to sheet music and made available for sale via paid download at Musicnotes.com, earning money from each sale. The seeds of this innovative partnership were planted at this year’s Leadership Music Digital Summit where TuneCore CEO Jeff Price first encountered Tim Reiland, Chairman and CFO of Musicnotes. Musicnotes.com has sold over five million sheet music downloads since its inception in 2000 at an average price of $4.95. This relationship further democratizes the industry by providing, for musicnotesthe first time in the history of the music and publishing industry, a unique opportunity for artists based on sales numbers, not an editorial filter. “The music industry began in many ways with the selling of sheet music,” said Price. “The irony of the intertwining of digital downloads with sheet music is not lost on both companies.”

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nammNAMM Returns to Music City

NAMM, the National Association of Music Merchants, is getting ready to hold its 2009 Summer NAMM, the second annual gathering of the music products industry which will be held at the Nashville Convention Center July 17-19. NAMM unites its member manufacturers, retailers and distributors under one roof for the summertime musical instrument and products show. Online pre-registration is now open for Summer NAMM. For more information and to register, click here.

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cmt1Adkins, Aldean And Bentley To CMT Awards

Trace Adkins, Jason Aldean and Dierks Bentley have been added to the performance line-up for the 2009 CMT Music Awards, which will premiere live on Tuesday, June 16 at 7:00 CT on CMT and CMT.com. Previously announced performers include Toby Keith, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Keith Urban and British rockers Def Leppard.

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Underwood’s African Tour

849229c1-3048-8909-cc789d89351a1d3a_200Carrie Underwood made her second trip to Africa earlier this month, visiting orphanages and health centers near Luanda, Angola where she participated in the area’s cause to help fight malaria. Underwood’s visit was part of American Idol’s “Idol Gives Back” charitable endeavors. A special video package will air on American Idol tonight (5/12), to help show viewers how their donations have helped with various relief programs.
While in Angola, Underwood visited an all-girl orphanage in Luanda where the girls performed songs and poetry after she delivered bed nets and backpacks with school supplies to the orphanage. Underwood also participated in a community bed net giveaway in Ngangula, and wrapped up her 3-day trip by visiting a health center in Luanda where pregnant women received malaria counseling and treatment. American Idol and the Charity Projects Entertainment Fund (CPEF) partnered last year to raise awareness and funds for organizations that provide relief programs to help children and young people in extreme poverty in America and Africa. ExxonMobil sponsored Underwood’s most recent trip to Africa.

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Kami Knake to Topspin

Kami Knake, formerly Director of Digital Sales and Marketing for Warner Bros. Records in Burbank and in Nashville, has left the company. Knake is now consulting for Topspin, a technology-driven marketing, management, and distribution platform for the direct-to-fan channel. She is also consulting on online marketing  and sales for brands, bands, and managers. Artists wanting help growing their online business and reach Knake at butrmgmt@gmail.com or at kknake@topspinmedia.com.