Tag Archive for: Musical Chairs

McMurry Entertainment Opens On The Row

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Howard Fields

Longtime music businessmen Howard Fields and Everett Zinn have launched McMurry Entertainment Group, an independent music company based in Nashville. 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. In the works are a distribution deal and artist signings to be announced in the coming weeks.

Consultant Larry Shell will head up MEG’s A&R efforts. Most recently, he was VP of A&R at Broken Bow Records. Claire Cook will oversee publicity for the new company and consult on public relations and marketing efforts.

Fields, a former army lieutenant colonel, 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.”

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: hfields@mcmurryentertainment.com, lshell@mcmurryentertainment.com, and ccook@mcmurryentertainment.com.

Lyric Street Shutters Carolwood Imprint

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[Press Release] Lyric Street/Carolwood Records President Randy Goodman announced today (11/3) the restructuring of that Group’s imprints, which functionally will mean the shuttering of the year-old Carolwood Records while strengthening the Lyric Street promotion staff as both John Ettinger and Chris Palmer, Carolwood Sr. Directors, will move to Lyric Street Records, augmenting that already seasoned team.

In this transition, John Ettinger has been tapped to lead the newly restructured Lyric Street Records Regional Staff as Sr. National Director, which includes long-time veterans Renee Leymon, Chris Palmer, Neda Tobin, Theresa Ford, Michelle Tyrrell, and Kris Lamb. Ettinger will report to Kevin Herring, VP of Promotion for Lyric Street Records. Carolwood Promotion Coordinator, Katie McCartney, will segue to Sales/Marketing while current Lyric Street Promotion Coordinator, Jackie Schwarz, will continue in that role for the newly structured Lyric Street regional staff.

Dale Turner, VP of Promotional Marketing, will continue in his current role, also reporting to Herring, and supported by Coordinator Landon Morgan.

Carolwood staffers, Dave Collins, Trudie Daniell, and Stephanie Keshe, will immediately leave the imprint and can be reached at the contact information below.

Current charted Carolwood artists Love and Theft, and Trent Tomlinson, will be folded into the Lyric Street stable and thus worked by the newly reorganized team but will continue to carry the Carolwood label for their current product.

Goodman concluded, “I am very optimistic that this newly organized, aggregated Team will bring new focus and energy to our entire staff and roster and thus have great expectations that they will be the catalyst for resetting us towards better serving our Artists and Radio partners while achieving our cost goals.”

The newly consolidated Lyric Street roster includes multi-platinum superstar group Rascal Flatts; Platinum selling sisters SHeDAISY; American Idol alum Bucky Covington; new group break-thru Love and Theft, Trent Tomlinson, Sarah Buxton and new and developing artists, Ruby Summer, Tyler Dickerson, Kevin Fowler and The Parks.

Contact information for former Carolwood staffers:
Dave Collins: (480) 223-8337
Trudie Daniell: (770) 843-2858
Stephanie Keshe: (615) 418-3519

Updated: Ed Salamon Exits CRB

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Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon

Ed Salamon is departing his role as Executive Director of Country Radio Broadcasters Inc., MusicRow has confirmed.

Although there has been no official report, it appears that Salamon has exited the organization effective immediately. Official CRB spokesperson, Aristomedia’s Jeff Walker noted, “CRB does not comment on employment matters,” but MusicRow has verified reports which began to surface yesterday evening (10/28) regarding Salamon’s departure.

The leadership change arrives with planning for the organization’s annual event Feb. 24-26, 2010, in full swing. Word of the Board’s decision began to spread after the adjournment of Nashville CRB Board meetings which concluded yesterday.

Salamon was responsible for production and fundraising for all CRB initiatives and also serves as an adjunct professor at Belmont University. His past posts include President of Programming for Westwood One Radio. Salamon was inducted into the Country Radio Hall of Fame in 2006.

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CRB President Becky Brenner

According to CRB President Becky Brenner of KMPS, “For the past 12 months, Country Radio Broadcasters has conducted an extensive review of its operations in terms of the organization’s administrative functions and the execution of its flagship event, Country Radio Seminar. As a result of this review process, the CRB Board of Directors has initiated several internal changes, which are designed to keep the organization growing in this very challenging economic climate. A number of adjustments have already been made. As we continue our ongoing effort to ensure the vitality of our organization and achieve our mission of growth through sharing, we do anticipate additional changes.”

CRS-41: The early bird registration rate of $499 for CRS 41 expires on Friday, Oct. 30. Registration is available online at www.CRB.org or by contacting the Country Radio Broadcasters at 615-327-4487.

Country Radio Seminar is packed with top-notch talent and expert speakers once again this year. Superstar Taylor Swift performs at the popular Music City Jam™ (sponsored by the Academy of Country Music), and financial authority Dave Ramsey kicks off the event with CRS 41’s Keynote Address. 

Additionally, a new, streamlined agenda delivers more universally appealing panels and research presentations for all attendees, regardless of market size. Best-selling business author and journalist Bob Rosner provides attendees the necessary skills to survive in a tough economy with his “Workplace 911” panel. Also new this year is a Friday morning focus group, titled “Normal People: From the Mouths of the Consumer.”

Signings And Musical Chairs

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Lisa Strickland

Golden Music Nashville has hired Lisa Strickland as Regional Director Northeast Promotion and Marketing, effective Mon., Nov. 2. She has spent the last two years at Citadel Media as Director of Affiliate Relations and Distribution Sales, working on American Country Countdown with Kix Brooks.

The move to Golden, whose roster includes Williams Riley and Benton Blount, reunites Strickland and Brad Howell who first worked together in the Warner Bros. promotion department. Strickland’s 20 years in the business also includes being KZLA’s MD/Asst. PD, and time as a regional director with Asylum Records, Warner Bros., Dream Catchers, and Universal South.

She can be reached at 615-289-2319 or lisa@goldenmusic.biz.

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John Michael Montgomery has signed with The Bobby Roberts Company for concert booking.

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Sara Evans has signed with Spalding Entertainment, the company which also manages Brooks & Dunn, Jason Aldean and others.

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Average Joe’s Entertainment, the label home to Colt Ford, has signed Brantley Gilbert. With Atlanta and Nashville offices, the label is headed by CEO Shannon Houchins and other employees include Ken Madson.

Gilbert is managed by Ken Fulghum. His album A Modern Day Prodigal Son was released earlier this month and the follow-up Halfway To Heaven is due in February 2010.

Average Joe’s Entertainment is located at 1010 17th Ave. South, Nashville, TN 37212 and can be reached by phone at 615-329-4762.

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Mickie James, a star of World Wrestling Entertainment, has signed with Sherry Massaro of Skyline Management Group, Inc. for management and Absolute Publicity’s Don Grubbs for public relations. She has also obtained the services of local stylist Lori Bumgarner and is expected to announce plans for a country music career in the coming weeks.

Morris Joins Zavitson Music Group

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jmorris101409Jason Morris has been hired to the post of Sr. Creative Director for Zavitson Music Group, LLC, the publishing company jointly owned by Debbie Zavitson, Russ Zavitson, and Beverly Miller. Prior to joining Zavitson, Morris headed his own company, Morris Code Music. Additionally he has held creative offices for Big Picture Entertainment, Hori Pro Music, Ten Ten Music Group, Fame Music and Gary Morris Music. Contact him at 615-321-2212 or jason@zmgllc.com.

Markland Moves To Warner/Chappell

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Steve-Markland-08Veteran music publisher Steve Markland has joined Warner/Chappell Music as Vice President of A&R, Nashville. He will report to Tracy Gershon, Senior Vice President and Head of A&R, and they will work together on signing emerging and established songwriters, catalog acquisition, and song placement.

Markland most recently served as VP/GM of Crossfire3, the publishing venture launched in 2007 by Vector Management, Red Light Management, and Chrysalis Music Group.

Prior to that he spent 11 years as Vice President at Windswept Publishing, after opening the company’s Nashville office in 1996. Under Markland’s leadership, Windswept won more than 50 BMI and ASCAP “Most Performed Songs” awards and worked with star tunesmiths including Jeffrey Steele, who won multiple “Songwriter of the Year” awards.

In addition, Markland has managed a number of other established songwriters, such as “Big” Al Anderson, and producer/writer Angelo. From 1993 to 1996, Markland was Director of Creative Affairs at Patrick Joseph Music in Nashville. In this role, the Ohio native helped develop the careers of award-winning songwriters including Brett James, Matraca Berg, Tim Mensy, Randy Sharp, Vince Melamed and Jim Photoglo. The Belmont University graduate’s background also includes founding Coyote Moon Music and signing a young James, as well as time at Warner/Chappell Music in Los Angeles, and RCA Nashville.

When announcing the hiring, Gershon said, “With more than 20 years of music industry experience, Steve has a solid track record in discovering and nurturing talented songwriters, and with successfully pairing songs with recording projects and artists. As a label executive, I grew to respect Steve’s talent and dedication to the artists and the music with which he worked. I look forward to having him on our team as we continue to expand Warner/Chappell’s Nashville footprint.”

Sony Musical Chairs

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Lauren-(L.T.)-ThomasSony’s revolving door has Lauren (L.T.) Thomas replacing Kates Rogers as Arista Nashville’s new National Promotions Coordinator. Thomas joins the label on Mon., Oct. 12. Her most recent job was Associate Director of Promotion for Golden Music Nashville, and her background also includes a five-year stint as Promotions Manager for KMLE Phoenix. Rogers exited on Fri., Oct. 2.

Pat Green and Keith Anderson are no longer signed to Sony. Green was on the BNA imprint and Anderson was part of the Columbia roster. Also, Caitlin & Will, who were picked up by Columbia following their win of CMT’s Can You Duet, are no longer a duo.

GAC Nights Radio Show Shuts Down

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gacThe syndicated radio show GAC Nights: Live From Nashville is coming to an end tomorrow (9/30). It was on-air almost two years but couldn’t find another home when its contract with Citadel radio ran out. Exiting are Executive Producer Donna Hughes, co-host Buzz Brainard, and Associate Producer Renee McNeill.

Hughes, with 21 years of experience in the country music industry, will be focusing on freelance work. Her career includes time as a journalist, talent booker/coordinator, writer, interviewer, producer, executive radio producer, and on-air talent. She can be reached at donnah7575@yahoo.com. Brainard is at me@cambuzzbrainard.com and McNeill can be contacted at Reneelmc5@aol.com.

CO5 Adds Roberts, Reworks Staff

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Denise Roberts

Radio promotion and marketing company CO5 Music is reshaping its operation announced co-CEOs Tracy Brown and Todd Sievers today (9/16). David Newmark, who served as VP Country Promotion since starting the Nashville division of CO5 in 2005, has been named VP of Business Development and will focus on new business ventures and business relations.

Denise Roberts has been hired as VP Country Promotion and will oversee the regional staff. At the end of July Roberts left a similar post at Stoney Creek Records, where she had been since March. Prior to that she worked as Director National Promotion for Universal South.

At CO5 Karen Durkot takes on added responsibilities as Senior Director of Country Promotion, becoming the veteran staff sergeant while Annie Sandor will focus on marketing strategies.

Jen Dalton has exited CO5 to take a position with Jive Records and will be based in Texas.

David Newmark

David Newmark

Also leaving is “Bubba” Wayne McManners who says he is going to be an entrepreneur. He adds, “I have really enjoyed my tenure with CO5 Nashville. In the last three years, I made a whole new world of friends in Country Music and I promise I will stay in touch with all of you. I wish everybody at CO5 the best.”

Roberts can be reached at denise@co5music.com or 818-679-5479. Other announcements are pending.

Worley Signs With Schatzi, Biddy Leaves Stringtown, Aristo Int’l Report

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worleyHot Schatz Public Relations has signed platinum-selling Darryl Worley to its roster of clients for independent publicity services. He broke onto the country music scene in 2000 with “When You Need My Love” and has charted 17 songs including “I Miss My Friend,” “Awful, Beautiful Life” and “A Good Day to Run.” His biggest career hit came in 2003 with the 9/11 tribute song, “Have You Forgotten?” Worley’s latest single and Top 20 hit, “Sounds Like Life to Me,” is the second single from his sixth studio album, Sounds Like Life, on Stroudavarious Records, released in early June.

Hot Schatz PR opened its Nashville offices in 1992 under the leadership of owner Schatzi Hageman. In addition to Worley, current clients include Trace Adkins, Steve Azar, Jason Michael Carroll, Jamie O’Neal, Rissi Palmer, Shooter Jennings, Skyline Music Publishing and country newcomer Stevie Walker.

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Due to slowed financial resources Shelia Shipley Biddy is no longer working as President of Stringtown Records, the label that is home to John Michael Montgomery. She is seeking other opportunities and can be reached at Hallmark Direction Company at (615) 320-7714 ext. 226 or by email at ssbiddy@hallmarkdirectionco.com.

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The Aristo International Report – Summer Issue is now available, with articles such as “Global Showcases Spotlighting International Talent Jump-starts 2009 CMA Music Festival” and “Globe-trotting with the Bellamy Brothers.” Read it here.