Tag Archive for: Musical Chairs

Matt Hargis Promoted At Capitol; Absolute Publicity Adds Mary Michael

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Steve Hodges, Senior Vice President, Promotions for Capitol Records Nashville announced today (3/16) the promotion of Matt Hargis to Director Regional Promotion for the Southeast. He will replace Angela Lange who has joined EMI Records Nashville as Vice President of Promotion.

Hargis has been with Capitol Records Nashville since 2006 and has most recently spearheaded national radio syndication and special projects for the label which is home to Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Darius Rucker, Kenny Rogers, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Emily West, Jennette McCurdy and Walker Hayes.

“Matt is one of the hardest working individuals in the music business,” explains Hodges. “I’m elated that he has agreed to take over the Southeast Region.  He has been, and will continue to be, an integral part of our Capitol team.”

“I am very excited to tackle this new challenge,” shares Hargis. “I want to thank Mike Dungan, Steve Hodges and Shane Allen for this amazing opportunity. I look forward to continue building on the great partnership Angela Lange has worked so hard to cultivate between Capitol Nashville and all of our radio friends in the Southeast.”

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Don Grubbs and Mary Michael

Publicist Mary Michael has joined the Nashville-based firm Absolute Publicity, Inc. as Managing Partner and Account Executive. Absolute Publicity is headed by President and CEO Don Grubbs. Effective immediately, Michael will be overseeing the company’s plans for expansion, and assist with publicity services for the roster which includes Larry Gatlin & the Gatlin Brothers, Pam Tillis, WWE’s Mickie James, Jeff Cook, Danielle Peck, American Idol’s Mishavonna, Pro-wrestling Hall of Famer Jerry Lawler, Scott Lindsey, Nash Street and Tay Humphrey.

Contact them at:

Don Murry Grubbs, President / CEO
o. 615.275.8380
[email protected]

Mary Michael, Managing Partner
o. 615-310-1159
[email protected]

1009 16th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212

Mayne Named Exec. Dir. of CRB

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Bill Mayne

The Country Radio Broadcasters (CRB) Board of Directors has named Bill Mayne CRB Executive Director, effective April 1, 2010. Mayne, a radio veteran and owner of Nashville-based Mayne Street Consulting, had been serving as the organization’s interim director in recent months.

Mayne says he is “honored by this opportunity…and the confidence shown in me by the CRB Board of Directors. This organization has a clear vision, a great staff and a dedicated Board to help craft the future course for the Country Radio Seminar and all its associated endeavors. CRS 2010 was a successful first step in the process of serving the best interest of Country radio and the Country music industry in the years to come.”

The CRB’s flagship event, Country Radio Seminar, closed on Feb. 26 with a 3.5 percent year-to-year increase in attendance, totaling 2,181 registrants.

“It became evident, during the difficult transitional period leading up to CRS 2010, that Bill had the leadership, passion and vision to steer the organization in the direction it needs to go,” reports CRB President Mike Culotta. “We are confident that CRB is in good hands going forward.”

Mayne is a Country radio and music industry veteran with senior level experience in radio broadcasting, including programming and operations management at KZLA/KLAC (Los Angeles), KSCS/WBAP (Dallas) and KASE (Austin). His resume also includes work in artist development, management and at record labels, where he was Sr. VP GM and VP Promotion at Warner Bros. Nashville, and VP of Promotion and Artist Development at 903 Music. His Mayne Street Consulting provides guidance in radio, marketing, management and artist development to clients such as CRB, Inc., GAC, IEBA, Nexshow, Dualtone Records, Muscle Shoals Music Group, Fame Records and RGK Entertainment. Mayne also serves as current President of the Academy of Country Music.

CRS 2011 will be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. Visit www.CRB.org for more information.

CMT Promotes Lisa Chader, Anthony Barton

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Lisa Chader and Anthony Barton

CMT today announced the promotions of Lisa Chader and Anthony Barton, both to Senior Vice President.

Chader has been promoted to Senior Vice President, Corporate Communications from Vice President, Corporate Communications, CMT; it was announced today by CMT President Brian Philips. Chader is based in Nashville and reports to Philips. In her new role, she will continue to oversee the creation and execution of network publicity strategies for original programming, digital media, special events and corporate public relations policies across all CMT properties.

Chader joined CMT in 2005 when she relocated from Los Angeles, where she had been Director of Corporate Communications for MTV Networks, representing Comedy Central, VH1 and Spike TV. She served as unit publicist on such shows as the Emmy-winning series “South Park,” as well as “Chappelle’s Show” and such reality programming as “Surreal Life.”

With 20 years of experience in television publicity, Chader sits on the Executive Board of the T.J. Martell Foundation, and is a member of the Academy of Television Arts and Sciences, PRSA, Television Publicity Executives Committee, Women in Cable and Leadership Music.

Barton has been promoted to Senior Vice President Integrated Marketing, from Vice President, Integrated Marketing, CMT, it was announced by Philips. Barton is based in Nashville and reports to Brian Philips and Jeff Lucas, EVP Entertainment Group Ad Sales, MTVN.

Barton joined the CMT Integrated Marketing team as Vice President in 2004. In his new role as Senior Vice President, he will continue to create innovative custom content for all CMT platforms that engages the audience, delivers measurable ROI and generates revenue for the network. Barton has worked with such high profile clients as Verizon, Bing and Nationwide Insurance on campaigns for the network’s biggest event of the year, the CMT Music Awards, as well as Paramount Studios, Warner Bros. and Fox Filmed Entertainment.

In his 14 years with MTV Networks, Barton has worked in several divisions. After splitting his time between New York City and Nashville, Barton relocated to Nashville in 2007. The Vanderbilt University graduate is a member of the Country Music Association and currently serves on the Board of the Brooks Fund.

ASCAP Elevates Nashville to Regional Office to Serve all Musical Genres To Be Led By Industry Veteran Tim DuBois

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Official press release: Nashville, TN — ASCAP CEO John LoFrumento announced a major expansion of the company’s Nashville operations which will be elevated to a Regional Office serving all genres of music.

Effective immediately, the newly established ASCAP Nashville Regional Office will be overseen by Nashville-based industry veteran Tim DuBois, who has been appointed Vice-President and Managing Executive of the operations, reporting to ASCAP Senior Vice-President and head of Domestic Membership Randy Grimmett. Connie Bradley, Senior Vice-President of ASCAP Nashville, will continue to serve the company as a Senior Advisor, reporting to Grimmett, in a role she had been discussing with LoFrumento for some time. In her new role, Bradley will advise the organization on trends and developments, travel on behalf of ASCAP and work closely with high-profile writers on special projects.

As a result of ASCAP’s expanded emphasis and investment in Nashville, the new Regional Office will now serve a broader array of members across musical genres and a multi-state geographic footprint while bolstering its services to new and existing members, according to LoFrumento.

“The City of Nashville commends ASCAP for recognizing Music City’s evolution into a vibrant mecca, known worldwide for developing musical talent of all genres,” Nashville Mayor Karl Dean said. “As the 2010 Grammys indicated, Nashville is producing today’s most popular music, and boasts one of the most energetic and talented pools of writers and performers in the country.”

The expansion reflects Nashville’s growing importance as a global music capital that is a magnet for songwriters and publishers in a spectrum of genres. Nashville is today the launching pad for many of the most talented writers and performers in all genres of music and the ASCAP office will respond to this growth and change in the marketplace by taking on a regional approach to its core mission in Nashville. ASCAP also expects to expand the geographic region the office serves, serving other parts of Tennessee, as well as Texas, Alabama, Georgia, Mississippi, Oklahoma, the Carolinas, Florida and Virginia, among others, LoFrumento said.

“From Brad Paisley to Paramore, from the Kings of Leon to Alan Jackson, Nashville is the home to many of the most exciting developments in today’s music industry,” said LoFrumento. “Our office, while continuing to serve the needs of Country and Christian music’s greatest writers and publishers, will expand our vision and strategy to also meet the needs of the Pop, International, Urban and Folk writers, as well as film and television composers, who work, live and thrive in this region.”

In announcing DuBois’ appointment, Grimmett said, “ASCAP is privileged that an executive of Tim’s stature has joined us in this leadership role. Tim’s vision of the music industry and of Nashville’s prominent role dovetail perfectly with our expanded focus in Nashville. He will direct the daily operations of our team and office here, while assuring that ASCAP’s importance and impact grow even greater. We look forward to helping Tim fulfill that mission during this exciting time of expansion for ASCAP.”

DuBois stated, “I am excited about this opportunity to lead ASCAP’s Nashville Regional office. I believe ASCAP’s recognition of the influx and development of other successful genres of music in Nashville speaks volumes about the company’s commitment to our whole community. In addition, I hope to be able to address the growing needs of the business professionals who represent all genres of music here and to align the mission, goals and business strategies of this office with those of ASCAP’s Domestic Membership.”

DuBois has had a long career as one of the most successful executives in the recording industry having led both Arista Records and Universal South Records. A Clinical Professor of Management at Vanderbilt’s Owen School of Management and long-time ASCAP member, DuBois’ storied career has included recognition as a songwriter, manager, record executive and producer. Five songs that he has co-written have been No. 1 hits. DuBois’ songs have received numerous awards, and two Grammy Award nominations. As a producer, his accolades have included over twenty No. 1 and top 5 singles and more than a dozen gold, platinum, and double platinum albums. Tapped to open a Nashville division of Arista Records in 1989, DuBois discovered and signed Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, Brad Paisley, BlackHawk, Pam Tillis and Diamond Rio. DuBois quickly turned the new label into one of the most successful in country music history, selling more than 75 million records worldwide in just four years.

After serving as president of Gaylord Entertainment’s Creative Content Group in 2001, DuBois went on to head Universal South Records with producer Tony Brown in 2002, a position he held until 2006. DuBois was recognized as the most powerful person in the music industry by Business Nashville in 1996, Record Executive of the year in 1992 by Pollstar, and was included in Entertainment Weekly’s list of 101 Most Powerful People in Entertainment in 1994 and 1995.

DuBois currently sits on the Board of Directors of the Country Music Association and the Academy of Country Music, and has served as a board member of the Country Music Foundation, Nashville Songwriters Association International, Leadership Music, and the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences. He is a co-founder and board member of MyWerx LLC, the former chairman of the Nashville Convention and Visitors Bureau, and is a board member of Sun Trust Bank in Nashville.

“We applaud Connie Bradley’s contributions to ASCAP over her 34 years with our organization,” said LoFrumento. “Her name will always be synonymous with ASCAP Nashville. She is a dedicated and hardworking executive, and we are thrilled that her vast knowledge base will continue to inform our strategic plans as an advisor for us.”

“John LoFrumento and I have been discussing this transition and new role for some time and I am pleased that it these changes have come to fruition,” Bradley said. “After 34 years, this new role as a Strategic Advisor is an exciting change for me. I can focus on the strategic direction and vision for ASCAP, an organization I have loved for my entire career. I am also looking forward to having a bit more time to spend with my family. I am delighted to welcome my good friend Tim DuBois to ASCAP and to work with him during such a dynamic time of change as our organization broadens to meet the expanded role of Nashville as a music capital.”

ASCAP Nashville Restructures Leadership

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Connie Bradley and Tim DuBois

It remains unofficial, but MusicRow has learned that ASCAP is restructuring its Nashville office to take on a more focused regional role for all genres. Under the new arrangement, Sr. VP Connie Bradley will step down from her longstanding position of leadership. Tim DuBois is expected to be named as ASCAP’s new Nashville head. The change reportedly happened this morning.

Bradley rose through the ASCAP ranks from her start as a Membership Representative. Always a strong advocate for creative rights, under her tenure she has acted as as cheerleader, advisor and confidant to ASCAP members such as Kenny Chesney, Alan Jackson, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Reba McEntire, Sugarland and many more.

DuBois has recently been a faculty member at Vanderbilt’s Owen Graduate School of Management, but first established his career as a hit songwriter and producer. He started the Arista Nashville office around 1989 and went on to sign, develop and create superstars such as Alan Jackson, Brooks & Dunn, and many others.

Borman Ups Donna Jean Kisshauer

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Donna Jean Kisshauer has been named Vice President, Radio and Tour Marketing for Borman Entertainment. In her 11 years with the artist management company, Kisshauer has coordinated tour and sponsorship efforts, as well as radio campaigns, including chart activity across four radio formats.

“DJ’s passion for our artists and their music has fueled her persistence at radio promotion and the marketing of their live performance,” says company founder Gary Borman. “Her commitment to her work and her ability to seamlessly coordinate our company’s marketing efforts is an asset to all involved in our campaigns.”

Borman Entertainment Nashville’s roster includes Keith Urban, Lady Antebellum, Michael Franti and Spearhead, and Randy Montana. Borman Entertainment has offices in Nashville and Los Angeles.

SESAC Ups Ellen Truley To VP

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SESAC has promoted longtime employee Ellen Bligh Truley to Vice President, Corporate Relations. She has worked for the performing rights organization since 1996, starting as a Advertising/Promotion Manager. SESAC Pres./COO Pat Collins announced her promotion from her previous role of Associate Vice President, Corporate Relations.

As 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

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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: [email protected], [email protected], [email protected], and [email protected].

BLA Adds Brian Waymire As Agent

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Brian 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 [email protected]. For full client roster, please visit www.buddyleeattractions.com.

Rider Named Stoney Creek GM

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Stoney Creek Records CEO/President Benny Brown announced today (2/8) the addition of April Rider as General Manager of Operations for Stoney Creek Records, effective Feb. 15.

Rider recently exited her position as Curb Records VP Promotion after ten years with the label. She now joins fellow former Curb promo exec Carson James at Stoney Creek, an imprint of Broken Bow Records.

“We are excited to have April join the Stoney Creek family. Her extensive knowledge and successful background will continue to move the Stoney Creek imprint to new levels of success,” says Brown.

Rider adds, “With such a great staff and artist roster to work with, I am thrilled for this exciting opportunity to grow my career. I look forward to working with my longtime colleague and friend Carson James, and the rest of the Stoney Creek family.”

April Rider can be reached at [email protected] and by phone at 615-320-1372.