Musical Chairs Archives - Page 7 of 11

BMI Promotes Jessica Frost

November 25, 2009/by Michelle

Jessica Frost

BMI has promoted Jessica Frost to Director, Business Development/Licensing. Based in the organization’s Nashville office, Frost began working for BMI in 1999 as a Customer Relations Executive. She was promoted to Account Representative in 2000, and then was named Account Executive in 2001. She became Assistant Manager, Industry Development in 2003, and was promoted again in 2007 to Associate Director, Business Development, a position she held until her current promotion. Frost reports directly to Michele Reynolds, Assistant Vice President, Business & Industry Development, General Licensing.

Combustion Promotes Chris Van Belkom

November 24, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Chris Van Belkom (L) with Combustion Music Pres. Chris Farren (R).

Combustion Music has promoted Chris Van Belkom to Sr. Creative Director. He previously served as Creative Director and has spent five years with the publisher, helping oversee the careers of songwriters including Blair Daly, Ashley Gorley and Gordie Sampson, as well as local major label rockers Kings Of Leon and American Bang, and duo Sam & Ruby. Under Van Belkom’s new agreement with Combustion, he joins VP Stephanie Greene in heading up the publisher’s creative forces.

Sony Adds Uhlir To Marketing Department

November 23, 2009/by admin

Ray Uhlir

Ray Uhlir joins Sony Music Nashville as Senior Director, Marketing and Artist Development, reporting directly to Marketing VP Tom Baldrica. Uhlir most recently served as VP of Brand Licensing for Gibson Guitar.

Baldrica, who made the announcement commented, “Ray is a marketing leader with proven experience and demonstrated marketing success. His tremendous skills and his unique perspective will be a great addition to our marketing department. I am so excited to have him join us.”

Uhlir, based in Nashville, and already on the job, can be reached at [email protected] or 615-301-4351.

Sony Nashville’s marketing department, was altered by last week’s retirement of Executive VP Butch Waugh. Also, Laura McKinley has assumed the position of Manager, Marketing and Artist Development for the group’s Arista and RCA imprints. In addition, Kerri Fox-Metoyer was recently named Sony VP Sales.

Lance Smith And CMT Part Ways

November 23, 2009/by Sarah Skates

lance After more than eight years on CMT, host Lance Smith is leaving the network to focus on his acting career. Smith joined CMT in 2001 as the network’s first VJ and went on to host over 400 episodes of the CMT Top 20 Countdown. He has logged countless hours on camera and hosted dozens of different shows and specials.

“He leaves Top 20 at the height of its biggest ratings streak ever,” says CMT Pres. Brian Philips, “and his shoes will be hard to fill.”

“I’ll continue to pursue a place in front of a mic or camera, but it will be under a different set of lights,” explains Smith. “Once upon a time, before my decade long stint as a host, I was an actor and it’s time to wear that hat once again. ”

He is currently working on an independent film being shot in the Nashville area, and will continue his hosting career while he pursues acting.

Smith and Big Kenny on a recent episode of "CMT Top 20 Countdown." Photo: Ben Wilder

Smith continues, “I will forever be grateful for every chance and opportunity given to me by CMT and Country Music. There’s not a better fan base in the world. But most of all I will miss the crews—my friends behind the scenes. It’s the show behind the curtain that I was most fortunate to see.”

“Growing up before our viewers’ eyes, Lance has developed remarkable versatility — sly humor, perfect timing, strong relationships with our stars, and the ability to gracefully handle everything we’ve thrown at him,” adds Philips. “We applaud his ambition, and look forward to the next great phase of Lance’s career. His extended family at CMT and MTV Networks thank him for his terrific run.”

Smith is represented by longtime manager Ken Madson of Full Scope Entertainment who can be reached by calling 615-329-4762 or via email at [email protected].

Briefs: ZBB/Buffett “Crossroads”; Ride Records Hiring

November 19, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Known for his high-energy sold-out shows, beach inspired tropical tunes and devoted and enthusiastic fans, singer-songwriter Jimmy Buffett will share the stage with this year’s breakout artist known for its Southern Rock and dynamic stage show, the Zac Brown Band. They team up for the latest episode of the critically-acclaimed CMT Crossroads series. The show will tape before an invitation only audience next month in Nashville. The episode will premiere in March 2010 on CMT.

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Mark Westcott

Ride Records, the independent label founded by artist Steve Azar, has added Mark Westcott as Midwest Regional. Westcott’s recent experience includes regional promotion duties for Curb and Epic. Prior to moving to country promotion in 1994, he served in various local and regional posts for Columbia Records and Motown Records. Based in Chicago, Westcott takes office at Ride on Tuesday, December 1. He can be reached at [email protected] or 847.397.6860.

The Ride promotion team also includes VP David Shaw and Harry Nelson. Azar’s new single “Sunshine” will be out in January 2010.

Kerri Fox-Metoyer Joins Sony as VP Sales

November 17, 2009/by Sarah Skates

fox

Kerri Fox-Metoyer has joined Sony Music Nashville as Vice President, Sales. With 18 years of experience, she previously held the same title at Walt Disney Records.

She will spearhead Sony Music Nashville’s initiatives in sales, catalog exploitation, non-traditional and new business initiatives, as well as managing relationships with retail in conjunction with Sony’s distribution arm.

Fox-Metoyer will report directly to Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations, Paul Barnabee. With today’s announcement, Barnabee remarked, “We’re excited to have someone of Kerri’s expertise joining our family. She brings a dynamic perspective to the team as we navigate today’s music environment, working with traditional retail accounts while also identifying new business channels.”

Having previously worked in Tennessee, Fox-Metoyer offered, “I am thrilled to be back in Nashville. I look forward to working with the highly respected Sony Music Nashville family and its amazing roster of artists.”

Fox-Metoyer is on the job now and can be reached at [email protected].

Earlier this month, Sony reps said they also plan to announce a new head of marketing and artist development for Arista Nashville and RCA.

Kevin Neal To Head Buddy Lee Attractions, More Changes Coming

November 16, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Kevin Neal

Longtime Buddy Lee Attractions agent Kevin Neal has been named President of the company following Friday’s (11/13) resignation of former President Tony Conway. Neal has been with the agency for 20 years where he previously served as Senior Vice President. He is the responsible agent for Jason Aldean, Colt Ford, and Ash Bowers among others, and was the 2006 and 2008 IEBA Talent Agent of the Year and the 2007 NATD Talent Director of the Year.

Additional staff and roster changes at BLA are forthcoming. Neal explains, “The changes we’re about to undergo as a company will be made to benefit our client roster. In addition, we will be announcing some strategic alliances that will enable our roster to further profit in years to come. I am honored to be asked to help direct this company, and I feel that there is a great opportunity for growth.

Neal was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in the music business as son of the legendary agent/manager Bob Neal. He joined the Neal Agency in 1981 and worked with his father, before eventually settling at Buddy Lee Attractions.

Neal can be reached at 615-244-4336 or at [email protected].

Shriver, Nadler Named Presidents of Country Crossing Records

November 16, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Country Crossing co-President Susan Nadler, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment President James Stroud, Country Crossing artist Lorrie Morgan, Country Crossing co-President Evelyn Shriver

Country Crossing Records will be headed by co-Presidents Evelyn Shriver and Susan Nadler, the longtime music business partners which previously ran George Jones’ Bandit Records.

Country Crossing is part of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, which also includes James Stroud’s Stroudavarious Records and BamaJam Records. The label is home to John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan, who has a long history working with Shriver and Nadler. Country Crossing has released Morgan’s A Moment In Time, Anderson’s Bigger Hands, as well as projects from Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood and others. A collection of standards from Louise Mandrell is in the works.

With a background in publicity, Shriver became the first female President of a major country label when she took the helm of Asylum Records. With Nadler as Executive VP/A&R, the duo’s collaboration at Asylum resulted in two Grammy wins during their first year of business. Shriver and Nadler formed Bandit in 2001 with Jones. They also opened HD Ready, a high definition TV production company which handled PBS’s show SoundStage.

Country Crossing Records can be reached at 615-242-1234.

Conway To Depart Buddy Lee Attractions

November 13, 2009/by admin

Nashville, TN [Press] – Tony Conway, CEO and co-owner of Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc., is departing the talent agency after thirty-three years.

“It has been an extraordinary experience, and I have worked with the most amazing group of artists and staff for over three decades,” says Conway. “I want to thank the late Buddy Lee for mentoring me in the business and the Lee family for allowing me to be a part of country music history. I feel I have completed my mission at B.L.A. and leave it in very capable hands. I am now excited about the next chapter in my own business ventures and the opportunity to apply my experience to new projects.”

The departure was also announced by Donna Lee, VP/co-owner of Buddy Lee Attractions in a separate press release.

Conway will announce his plans in the near future and can be reached at [email protected]

B.L.A. has represented some of the biggest superstars in country music, such as Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, and Lee Ann Womack.

Currently B.L.A. represents Jeff Foxworthy, Jason Aldean, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. Conway is a 34-year veteran of the music business who, along with Buddy Lee, produced and promoted the Farm Aid concerts. He is the recipient of the Hubert Long Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Talent Directors, and the CMA President’s Award.

Sony Moves McKinley, Reworks Marketing Dept.

November 9, 2009/by Sarah Skates

Sony Music Nashville Marketing Vice President Tom Baldrica announced today (11/9) that Laura McKinley has assumed the post of Manager, Marketing & Artist Development for the label group’s Arista Nashville and RCA Nashville imprints. A seven-year company veteran, McKinley first became Manager, Marketing & Artist Development in 2007, most recently working with the BNA and Columbia Nashville labels.

Remarking on the shift in responsibilities, Baldrica praised, “Laura’s drive, focus, and creativity are undeniable. We’re currently in the process of filling a senior vacancy in the department, and having Laura’s experience and ability in place for these labels is ideally suited to keeping things on track and flowing smoothly.”

In her new role, McKinley will be a key member of the marketing team working with such artists as Brooks & Dunn, Jason Michael Carroll, Sara Evans, Danny Gokey, Alan Jackson, Jypsi, Martina McBride, Jake Owen, Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chuck Wicks, and Chris Young.

An announcement of a new head of marketing & artist development for Arista Nashville and RCA will be forthcoming.

Jon Elliot was previously VP of Marketing & Artist Development for Arista Nashville and the RCA Records label. In June he and fellow former Sony exec. Christian Svendsen formed W.A.Y. Entertainment, offering management and marketing services.

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