Paradigm Acquires Third Coast
Hollywood talent agency Paradigm, continuing its expansion into music, announced today (4/23) that it had bought Nashville-based Christian music booking firm Third Coast Artists Agency. The deal is the latest move by Beverly Hills-based Paradigm to increase its presence in the music sector through a series of low-key acquisitions. In the last five years, Paradigm has acquired Monterey Peninsula Artists and Little Big Man Booking, specialty talent boutiques with a niche in music. The move comes as a merger between rival talent agencies William Morris, which has a strong music department, and Endeavor moves closer. Co-founded in 1999 by Mike Snider and his wife, Lisa, Third Coast Artists Agency’s Christian music clients include MercyMe, Natalie Grant and Hawk Nelson. The firm’s 10 employees and 30 artists will move into Paradigm’s Nashville offices just off Music Row, which currently house a major part of Paradigm’s music business, alongside the agency’s offices in New York and Monterey. Financial terms were not disclosed. Music clients at Paradigm include Coldplay, the Black Eyed Peas and Toby Keith.
“It fits strategically into our music business, which is an important, growing and profitable area,” said Paradigm Chairman Sam Gores. “We’re very committed to taking the great platform we already have and building on that by tapping into Christian music. And this allows us to expand in Nashville, which is a very important market.”
Returning to Joe’s Pub for the fifth year, the CMA Songwriters Series remains one of New York City’s most popular nights of music. Showcasing some of Nashville’s finest songwriters, the series is back for another show on Thursday, May 21. Host Bob DiPiero (“If You Ever Stop Loving Me,” “Blue Clear Sky,” “Take Me As I Am”); will welcome fellow hit writers including Dean Dillon (“The Chair,” “Unwound,” “Ocean Front Property”); Scotty Emerick (“I Love This Bar,” “Good As I Once Was,” “Beer For My Horses”); and Valory Music Company artist Jimmy Wayne (“Stay Gone,” “I Love You This Much,” “Paper Angels”).
At the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s recent quarterly board meeting, cultural arts activist Steve Turner, founder of Butler’s Run LLC, was tapped for a second term as Chairman; and Hall of Fame member Vince Gill was re-elected to an eighth consecutive term as President. New trustees, elected for three-year terms, include Creative Artists Agency talent agent Rod Essig; Vector Management President Ken Levitan; and Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy President Mary Ann McCready. Trustees Keel Hunt (Secretary) and Turner were re-elected. New officers include Mark Bloom, Senior VP-investments, UBS Financial Services; and renowned record producer Tony Brown, Tony Brown Enterprises. Country Music Hall of Fame member Frances Preston was named trustee emeritus. Preston joins Trustees Emeriti Nelson Andrews, Jim Foglesong, Richard Frank, Emmylou Harris, Bruce Hinton, Kenneth Roberts, Chairman Emeritus E. W. “Bud” Wendell and Janice Wendell.
Plans continue to come together for the 2009 CMA Music Festival, and now comes the announcement that the CMA will add country stars Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, and Wynonna (with a special appearance by The Judds) to the performance lineup for the Nightly Concerts at LP Field.
You never know where you’re going to run into ACM Song of the Year winner Jamey Johnson. The editors of Playboy magazine recently caught up with the hirsute singer/songwriter at Music Row watering hole Loser’s Bar. The magazine featured Johnson in an online segment called “Uncovered.” Sitting at the bar — fully clothed — Johnson discusses what inspires him musically before delivering a heartfelt version of the Waylon Jennings classic, “Dreaming My Dreams With You.” When the boss isn’t looking, you can check out Johnson’s stirring solo performance 
For several weeks, country fans have been watching and forwarding a YouTube video of a 4-year-old named Drake lip syncing Randy Houser’s new hit single “Boots On,” (currently the fastest climbing single in the Top 25 by a new artist). Drake’s nanny captured the young performer on video when he was in his car seat in the back of her vehicle. The viral video hit was seen by Universal Records South execs and like everyone else, they were amazed by Drake’s unique interpretation complete with facial expressions and tapping boots. You can check out Drake’s car seat performance 
Tomorrow night (4/22), at 7:00 PM, a great lineup of Nashville artists will join the famed African Children’s Choir and The Lost Boys of Sudan for a Night of Hope at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. Big & Rich’s Kenny Alphin and Nashville singer/songwriter Damien Horne will host the inaugural Nashville4Africa benefit concert. The event will also include performances by Keith Urban, Faith Hill, Dierks Bentley, Martina McBride, Brad Arnold (3 Doors Down), Third Day, Jars of Clay, Ashley Cleveland, The SteelDrivers and Michael Rhodes.