Tag Archive for: Publicity

Clif Doyal Promoted; Martha Moore Signing

Martha Moore

Updates from indie publicists Martha Moore and Clif Doyal.

Longtime industry publicist, Martha “skates” Moore, President of so much MOORE media, has signed former Gaither singer Guy Penrod. Moore will handle all aspects of public relations efforts for Penrod’s new country disc, Breathe Deep (Servant Records/Gaither Music Group). Penrod is a 14-year veteran of the GRAMMY ® and Dove Award-winning Gaither Vocal Band.

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Clif Doyal

Clif Doyal has been promoted to Strategic Business Development executive for AirPlay Direct, as well as Editor of the Direct Buzz, the company’s digital / interactive publication. Robert Weingartz, CEO of AirPlay Direct, announced the promotion. In the new roles, Doyal will oversee both existing and new business development for the global digital-to-radio delivery platform and manage content for their digital publication. He remains in charge of media relations for the firm. Doyal’s 37 years of experience includes booking, artist management, audio/video production, publicity and marketing.

CRS Names Agenda Committee; Newfield Inks With EB Media

Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc.® has announced its 2010-2011 Agenda Committee for CRS 2011, to be held March 2-4, 2011, at the Nashville Convention Center. The Agenda Committee is made up of volunteers from all areas of the Country radio and record industries and gathers each year to plan events for the upcoming Country Radio Seminar. This year’s committee, which features 11 new members (marked with an asterisk), will meet June 23-25, 2010, to put together the framework and topics for next year’s event. John Paul is serving as Agenda Chair.

The 2010-2011 Agenda Committee for CRS 2011:

Brad Austin / Madison, WI
Jackie Campbell* / WUSN / Chicago, IL
Karin Cupit / Nashville, TN
Andy Denemark / United Stations / New York, NY
Dale Desmond / KTHK / Idaho Falls, ID
Jerry Duncan / Jerry Duncan Promotions / Nashville, TN
Shelly Easton* / WXTU / Philadelphia, PA
Keith Gale / RCA / Nashville, TN
Jeff  Green* /Country Aircheck / Nashville, TN
JoJamie Hahr / The Valory Music Co. / Nashville, TN
Gator Harrison* / WGSQ / Cookeville, TN
Chris Huff / KSCS/KTYS / Dallas, TX
Jay Jennings / WYCD / Detroit, MI
Lisa Juillerat*/ WLHK / Indianapolis, IN
John Kijowski* / WIL / St. Louis, MO
George King / WCTO / Allentown, PA
Gene Kuntz / WITZ/WQKZ / Jasper, IN
Kris Lamb / The Disney Music Group / Phoenix, AZ
Bruce Logan / WKKT / Charlotte, NC
Gary Marince* / Arbitron Inc. / Coraopolis, PA
Clint Marsh / WAWC / Warsaw, IN
Mandy McCormack* / Big Machine Records / Nashville, TN
Sharla McCoy / McCoy & Associates / Nashville, TN
Adrian Michaels / Curb / Nashville, TN
Travis Moon / KAJA / San Antonio, TX
Rick Murray / Premiere Radio Networks / Nashville, TN
Mike O’Malley* / Albright & O’Malley / Milltown, NJ
John Paul / Dial Global / Denver, CO
Annie Sandor / Curb Records / Miami, FL
Chad Schultz / Mozes / Nashville, TN
Jenni Smythe / Girlilla Marketing / Nashville, TN
John Trapane* / Capitol Records / Springs, TX
John Windus* / Columbia River Media Grp / Wentcheewa, WA

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Curb Records artist Heidi Newfield has signed with Ebie McFarland’s Essential Broadcast Media for public relations representation.

Newfield is working on her sophomore solo album with producer Blake Chancey and a single is expected later this year. It will be the follow-up to her hit “Johnny & June.” The singer who got her start with the band Trick Pony (“Pour Me” and “It’s A Heartache”) will spend the summer on the Country Throwdown Tour.

Newfield’s team also includes Greg Hill at GHM/Red Light Management and Stan Barnett at Creative Artist Agency.

Essential Broadcast Media also represents Darius Rucker, Randy Houser, Colt Ford and others. McFarland can be reached at ebie@ebmediapr.com or by calling (615) 327-3259.

Treehouse Hires Nate Ritches; Compass Adds Emilee Warner

Emilee Warner

Compass Records Group has tapped Emilee Warner as Director of Publicity and Promotions. She started the role earlier this month and can be reached at emilee@compassrecords.com, W: 615-320-7672, or M: 615-418-4846.

Compass Records has also signed Richard Julian and will release his album Girls Need Attention May 4. The project was recorded at Norah Jones’s home studio.

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Tony Benken, VP of Promotion for Treehouse Records, has hired Nathan “Nate” Ritches for Midwest regional promotion duties. Ritches will be based out of Nashville and will start immediately.

“Nate has the kind of experience that regionals need these days…not only radio experience through a syndicator, but he’s worked for a production company, a talent buyer, and his own business,” says Benken. “He’s a tenacious self-starter that fits into what Treehouse is all about, and I’m happy to have him join us!”

The label is currently working Blaine Larsen’s single, “Chillin.'”

Ritches can be reached at 541-678-4282 or nate@treehouserecords.us.

Matt Hargis Promoted At Capitol; Absolute Publicity Adds Mary Michael

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
don@absolutepublicity.com

Mary Michael, Managing Partner
o. 615-310-1159
mary@absolutepublicity.com

1009 16th Ave S
Nashville, TN 37212

Publicists Featured On CMA Industry InSite

cma-logoUnderstanding the importance of publicity is the focus of the latest installment of CMA Industry InSite, an online educational series, which is now available on CMA’s member Web site, My.CMAworld.com.

The eighth episode, “Publicity – The Portal to the People,” is available now and features interviews with Mary Hilliard Harrington, President, The Greenroom; Dixie Owen, Sr. Director, Media & Public Relations, Capitol Records Nashville; Wes Vause, Vice President Media, Sony Music Nashville; and Jeff Walker, President, AristoMedia/Marco Music Group.

The series is part of CMA’s ongoing strategic mission of being a resource for the Country Music industry. The Association launched the monthly online educational series in May. The series is an exclusive benefit for members of CMA.

Episodes are posted on the third Monday of the month. With each new episode, CMA members are able to submit questions to the panel of experts. Each segment, which is roughly 10 minutes long, is archived for easy access at any time.

ON THE COVER: Anthony Smith

MR-AR-200Label: Stroudavarious

Forthcoming Album: Sunshine, set for release in 2010

Current Single & Video: “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine”

Current Producer: James Stroud and Anthony Smith

Interesting Facts: #1: The album is scheduled to include an instrumental track called “Anaconda Cowboys,” performed with Smith’s band of the same name. #2: Smith’s first album was on Mercury Records. #3: Sunshine features a tune with Smith and the late Porter Wagoner.

Anthony Smith, the long-haired “country boy” from East Tennessee, has been known to break rules and ignore the usual polite conventions— he approaches life with the same hold-nothing-back passion that fills his music. Smith explains, “I have never tried to sound like anyone else. I have always wanted to be an original, because if you look at music, the ones who sound like nobody else are the same ones who break new ground and start new trends. I’m doing the kind of music I love in the only way I know how.”

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith’s “Bringin’ Back The Sunshine” is the debut single from his first album on Stroudavarious Records. The song went for adds August 10 and is from his forthcoming album, Sunshine, scheduled for release in early 2010. The album is a collection of Smith original compositions, co-produced by Smith and label head/veteran hitmaker James Stroud. Smith also brought in the late Country Music Hall of Fame member Porter Wagoner on the album for one of his last studio recordings—”Hillbilly Romeos” features Wagoner’s witty commentary playing off of Smith’s lead vocals, for a fitting tribute to a country legend who loved songs that were playful and about rural life. Set for release in September, the accompanying music video was shot by Traci Goudie and features Derek Phillips (from Friday Night Lights and The Closer) and Danielle Rene (from the upcoming Terrence Maiick film starring Sean Penn and Brad Pitt).

Smith’s experience includes previous success as an artist, with three Top 40 songs from his critically acclaimed first album, If That Ain’t Country. He’s also had a long string of hits as a songwriter—including George Strait’s “Run,” Trace Adkins’ “Chrome” and “I’m Tryin’,” Tim McGraw’s “Kill Myself” and “Kristofferson,” Rascal Flatts’ “My Worst Fear” and Montgomery Gentry’s “What Do Ya Think About That?,” as well as memorable cuts by Faith Hill, Reba McEntire, Gretchen Wilson, Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood and many others.

Despite his many songwriter hits, Smith has always seen himself as a performer first. “I’ve never written a song for another artist to cut,” he says. “I always wrote songs for myself, for me to do on stage and to record. Other artists heard them and wanted to cut them, and that’s tremendously flattering to me. But my intent was always to be the one on stage singing what I write.”

The distinctive music Smith makes injects a rock ‘n’ roll swagger and funky, fresh rhythms into a style of music that is undeniably contemporary—and undeniably country. “I like getting a reaction,” he says. “My music isn’t the kind you sit and passively listen to. It’s going to make you move, and it’s going to make you react and feel something. I want an emotional response—whether it’s good or bad or romantic.”

What runs through each song is a big personality and the accompanying jolt of energy that Smith brings to everything he does. “I don’t like holding back,” Smith says. “I like to put it all out there, on the page and on the stage. Audiences know when you’re being real, when you’re talking about what you know and what you feel.”

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

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.