Tag Archive for: In Charge

Leadership Music Begins Exec. Dir. Search

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lmuNashville-based Leadership Music has begun its search for a new executive director to replace Kira Florita, whose resignation as the chief staff executive becomes effective Jan. 18. Pat Collins, SESAC chief operating officer and president of the Leadership Music Board of Directors, is chair of the five-member search committee.
Applicants must have experience leading small teams, a history of working well with volunteers as well as board members, and a background in accounting/finance. Resumes and letters of interest should be sent to [email protected]. A more detailed description of this position can be found at www.leadershipmusic.org . Resumes will be accepted through Feb. 8.
Leadership Music, Inc. is an educational non-profit 501(c)(3) organization founded in 1989. Its mission is to nurture a knowledgeable, issue-oriented community of music industry professionals through an annual education program and other events.

Adkins Joins Show Dog Universal

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toby-marktraceadkinsPlatinum star Trace Adkins is the first signing under the newly combined Show Dog-Universal Music. Principle Toby Keith and President Mark Wright held a press conference today (1/13) at BMI in Nashville to share the news and discuss the evolving label.

Adkins—celebrating his birthday today—joined them at the event, telling reporters that he had 15 good years at Capitol Records, but was excited about the new partnership. He and Keith have known each other for many years but became better acquainted and discovered how much they have in common on tour together last summer. Adkins recalled seeing Keith onstage every night, describing him as “a 12-year-old on Christmas morning.” Then joking, “It’s real…he ain’t that good an actor.”

Adkins has been working on new music; of it Keith told the crowd, “he finally saw what he wants and went for it… it’s got edge, it’s got smile.”

Keith and Wright, who have known each other at least 16 years, talked of other details of the merger, calling the newly combined label a “perfect match.”

Keith’s superstar power is expected to bring big opportunities for the newer acts signed to the label. They can join him on the road, and play his namesake Bar And Grills.

Known for operating his Show Dog outside of the major label system, Keith said navigating Nashville’s political waters is one of the many assets Wright brings to the deal. While Keith has distanced himself from the Nashville system, and the benefits that go with it, he said the rising artists at Show Dog-Universal deserve the chance to be part of it if they want, specifically the awards shows.

In negotiations, Keith said he basically laid everything he could ever want, including ownership of masters, on the table and Universal agreed.

Conway’s New Firm Consulting For Ronnie Gilley Entertainment

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tonyVeteran Nashville talent executive Tony Conway has formed an entertainment consulting firm and will be acting as talent consultant and executive producer for Ronnie Gilley Entertainment. RGE’s live entertainment interests include the annual BamaJam Music & Arts Festival, as well as the multiplex of venues at the new multi-million dollar Country Crossing destination near Dothan, Alabama, which is having its grand opening this weekend.

This is the first of several projects and companies Conway will announce in the next few weeks.

Last November Conway left his post as CEO and co-owner of Nashville based Buddy Lee Attractions after 33 years with the agency.

Conway is currently serving as Executive Producer of RGE’s 2010 BamaJam Music & Arts Festival, running June 3-5 in Enterprise, Alabama; as well as the CMA Music Festival in Nashville, June 10-13.

As part of his new association, he will consult on talent and the development of additional special events, festivals and live music concert presentations in the planning stages for the Ronnie Gilley Entertainment group.

Conway is taking the talent reins for RGE’s 3rd Annual Verizon Wireless BamaJam Music & Arts Festival, with more than 40 artists scheduled to appear on four music stages, including Hank Williams, Jr., Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, Miranda Lambert, and LoCash Cowboys. The event near Enterprise, Alabama drew in excess of 125,000 fans last year.

Conway is also overseeing this weekend’s (Jan. 15-17) Grand Opening celebration at Country Crossing. Twenty artists are set to perform at the three-day extravaganza, including Tracy Lawrence, Joe Nichols, Darryl Worley, Neal McCoy, Lorrie Morgan, John Anderson, The Commodores, and Pam Tillis. The attraction’s venues set to celebrate official openings this weekend are the George Jones Possum Holler Bed & Breakfast, Lorrie Morgan’s Hot Chicken, John Anderson’s Cafeteria, Darryl Worley’s Worley Bird Saloon, and The Grascals Bluegrass Hollow RV Park.

In his work with RGE, Conway will continue to based in Nashville. Contact information for Conway is: [email protected] / 615-478-4989

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, [email protected], 615-324-7780
Teddi Bonadies, VP Strategic Marketing and Promotion, [email protected], 615-259-5308
Bill Kennedy, VP Sales, Marketing & New Media, [email protected], 615-324-7771
Rick Moxley, VP Promotion, [email protected], 615-324-7766
Cliff Audretch, III, Sr. Director A&R/Staff Producer, [email protected], 615-259-5309
Carie Long, Sr. Director A&R Operations, [email protected], 615-259-5303
PJ Olsen, Director, Research & Information Systems, [email protected], 615-324-7775
Sloane Cavitt, Manager Sales, Marketing & New Media, [email protected], 615-324-7772
Laurie Gore, Manager of Promotion, [email protected], 615-259-5380
Natalie Moore, Manager of Artist Development & Creative Services, [email protected], 615-259-5390
Suzanne Durham, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, [email protected], 615-324-7768
Rick Hughes, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, [email protected], 615-259-5371
Lisa Owen, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, [email protected], 310-376-2258
Jordan Pettit, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, [email protected], 615-259-5383
Greg Sax, Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, [email protected], 615-324-7778
Macy Morgenthaler, A&R Coordinator, [email protected], 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, [email protected]
Arturo Buenahora, 615-417-4573, [email protected]
Bruce Burton, 615-428-3077, [email protected]
Rhonda Christensen, 818-521-8593, [email protected]
Marty Craighead, 615-545-3111, [email protected]
Karin Cupit, 615-305-9657, [email protected]
Van Fletcher, 615-210-2920, [email protected]
Fletcher Foster, 615-519-9071, [email protected]
Karen McGuire, 512-639-8997, [email protected]

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.

CMA Assembles Exec. Dir. Search Team

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cma-logoCharlie Anderson, President/CEO of Anderson Merchandisers and former Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors, has been tapped to lead the committee responsible for defining the role of CMA executive director, and hiring a national search firm to fill the vacancy. Former  CMA head Tammy Genovese resigned from the company on Dec. 2.

The committee will convene and the search will begin in January, according to Randy Goodman, Chairman of CMA’s Board of Directors. The search committee consists of current members of the CMA Board of Directors who have served as Chairman.

The collective experience of the group dates back to 1975. The group is charged with defining the duties and establishing the necessary qualifications for potential applicants. The committee is also charged with hiring a national search firm to identify and vet qualified applicants. A process for submitting applications will be announced at a later date. At this time, no applications are being accepted. Search firms should contact Anderson at [email protected].

Show Dog-Universal Music Launches

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Toby Keith, Mark Wright

Toby Keith, Mark Wright

Toby Keith‘s Show Dog Nashville is merging with Universal Records South to become Show Dog-Universal Music. Keith will serve as a Principle of the new label and previous Universal South Pres. Wright is on board as President of the newly combined entity.

More announcements are expected in January.

“Show Dog-Universal will still have the feeling of being an independent label with strong and personal relationships with all our artists. That is what Show Dog Nashville and Universal South have always been about, but combine the two labels and you have a powerhouse with more staff and better opportunities for our artists. I look forward to working closely with my friend and partner Mark Wright,” said Toby.

“The launch of this new company creates even more value for our combined artists, employees and business partners,” stated Wright. “Together, our best-in-class team will create even more opportunities for our artists, while expanding the services we offer. This is truly one-plus-one equaling three. Moreover, I am delighted to be partnering with Toby, with whom I have shared a close friendship for many years. His remarkable achievements as an artist and businessman define creative leadership at its very best. He will be invaluable to taking this company to even greater heights.”

Toby Keith has been among the top musical performers in any genre throughout this decade, and is ranked among the top selling artists in all-genres at #3 on Billboard‘s Top 200 Artists of the Decade. He was also named Billboard‘s #1 Country Artist of the Decade and #1 Country Songwriter of the Decade, and was honored by NSAI with its prestigious Songwriter/Artist of the Decade Award.

Keith’s business empire encompasses restaurants, movies, and a clothing line. In 2009, his U.S. America’s Toughest Tour played to more than a million people.

Some restructuring is expected following today’s announcement. Here are the label teams prior to the merger: Show Dog—GM George Nunes, VP Promotion Rick Moxley, and Head of Sales & Marketing Bill Kennedy. Roster—Carter’s Chord, Mica Roberts and Trailer Choir.

Universal Records South—Pres. Mark Wright, Sr. VP/GM Fletcher Foster, Sr. VP Sales & Operations Van Fletcher, VP National Promotion Teddi Bonadies, and VP A&R Arturo Buenahora. Roster—Baylie Brown, Cross Canadian Ragweed, Eli Young Band, Andy Gibson, Jennifer Hanson, Randy Houser, Shooter Jennings, Joe Nichols, Jonathan Singleton & The Grove, Ashley Ray, Phil Vassar, Angela Wolff, and Kevin Costner & Modern West.

Photos: Sony Salutes Waugh Upon Retirement

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VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

VP Marketing Tom Baldrica, VP RCA Nashville National Promotion Keith Gale, Chairman Joe Galante, VP BNA Records National Promotion Bryan Frasher, Waugh, VP Promotion Skip Bishop, Dir. of Arista Nashville National Promotion Lesly Tyson, Senior VP Sales & Operations Paul Barnabee

“We Are Family”—Sony Music Nashville said goodbye to friend and EVP/GM Butch Waugh on his last week in the office. As an employee of 27 years, Waugh accumulated a series of “Butchisms,” or recognized catchphrases within the SMN family, some of which were printed on the T-shirts worn by the entire staff during his farewell toast (see above).

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Waugh and Sony Music Nashville Chairman Joe Galante

Publishing Update: BMG Rights Mgmt.; Israelite Re-ups

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bmgBMG Rights Management, the global company which purchased the Crosstown Songs America catalog earlier this year, has officially established it US operations and announced the opening/transitioning of offices in New York, Los Angeles and Nashville. The Nashville office will continue being headed by Dann Huff along with Sr. VP Creative Darrell Franklin. The publisher is home to Neil Thrasher, Desmond Child, Jonathan Singleton and more.

Laurent Hubert has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, North America, and will be building US operations from the company’s New York office. Deirdre O’Hara has been appointed Chief Creative Officer, North America, and will work out of Los Angeles and New York. Both will report to Hartwig Masuch, CEO of BMG Rights Management. Headquartered in Berlin, Germany, BMG Rights Management also has offices in the UK, France, Italy, Spain and the Netherlands. The music venture, which is owned by Bertelsmann and KKR, purchased Crosstown for an estimated $70 million.

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David Israelite

David Israelite

David Israelite has accepted a contract extension to continue his role as President and CEO of the National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) through 2014. Israelite has served in this capacity since February, 2005 and is responsible for overseeing all aspects of the NMPA’s operations, from legal strategy and implementation to government affairs and advocacy.

His tenure to date has produced legal successes on behalf of publishers, including work on the Copyright Royalty Board’s royalty rate setting deliberations, negotiating a rate agreement with multiple industry trade groups on interactive streaming and limited downloads, a recent settlement with the RIAA regarding late fee payments to publishers and songwriters, and the PRO-IP Act.

Grammys To Honor Loretta Lynn, Harold Bradley, Walter Miller

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Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn

Loretta Lynn, Harold Bradley, and Walter Miller will be honored by the Recording Academy this Grammy season. They will be feted at a special invitation-only ceremony to be held Saturday, Jan. 30, as part of Grammy week. A formal acknowledgment will also be made during the 52nd Annual Grammy Awards telecast, set for the next day at the L.A. Staples Center.

Lynn, a three-time Grammy winner, will receive a Lifetime Achievement Award for her nearly 50 years in the music industry. She strutted to the forefront of country music with her 1960 debut single “I’m A Honky Tonk Girl,” and an illustrious career followed. She has had more than 70 hits including the classics “You Ain’t Woman Enough,” “Don’t Come Home A-Drinkin’ (With Lovin’ On Your Mind)” and “Coal Miner’s Daughter,” which was also the name of her autobiography that was later adapted into a Hollywood film. Her most recent success came in 2004 when she won a pair of Grammys for her collaboration with Jack White on the album Van Lear Rose.

Harold Bradley

Harold Bradley

Acclaimed musician Bradley and longtime CMA Awards producer Miller will receive Trustees Awards, recognizing outstanding contributions to the industry in a non-performing capacity.

Often called the most recorded musician in history, Harold Bradley and his brother Owen built Music Row’s first recording facility the Quonset Hut in the 1950s. Harold was president of AFM Local 257 for 17 years and has served as its international vice president for the past 10 years. He was the first president of The Recording Academy’s Nashville Chapter and was also a Nashville session musician for more than 50 years, which earned him a place in the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2006.

Walter Miller

Walter Miller

Miller has worked in television for more than 60 years as a producer and director of the Tony Awards, CMA Awards and for the last 29 years, the Grammy Awards. Miller was instrumental in helping shape some of Grammys’ most memorable moments including Aretha Franklin’s last-minute, unrehearsed rendition of “Nessun Dorma”; Bono presenting an award to Frank Sinatra; and Herbie Hancock and Lang Lang’s complex and thrilling piano performance of “Rhapsody In Blue.” The six-time Primetime Emmy® winner remains one of the most respected directors in the industry.

The Lifetime Achievement and Trustees awards are voted on by The Recording Academy’s National Board of Trustees. Leonard Cohen, Bobby Darin, David “Honeyboy” Edwards, Michael Jackson, André Previn, and Clark Terry will also receive Lifetime Achievement Awards; and Florence Greenberg joins Bradley and Miller as a Trustees Award winner. AKG and Thomas Alva Edison will receive Technical Grammy Awards.