Bentley Sets Album Release Date, Hometown Show

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Dierks Bentley announced today (11/14) that his sixth Capitol Nashville studio album Home will be released on Feb. 7, 2012. “Home,” the title track off the album, was released as a single last week on iTunes.

Bentley will play a special album release show in Nashville at the historic Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 2. Fans can purchase tickets beginning this Friday, Nov. 18 at 10:00 AM/CT at the Ryman box office, on ryman.com and through all Ticketmaster locations.

“My home is in Nashville with my family, my home is on the road with our fans and my home is definitely in country music,” said Bentley. “This album is more than a year’s worth of writing, recording and testing out material on the road in front of our hard core fans. The end result is an album that runs through all the types of country songs and sounds I enjoy singing and playing. I can’t wait to share it with the fans!”

Bentley will perform “Home” on Late Night with Jimmy Fallon this Thursday, Nov. 17 at 11:35 PM/CT. “Home” follows the album’s first single, “Am I The Only One,” which recently became Bentley’s eighth career number one hit.

Bentley wraps the first leg of his headlining Country & Cold Cans Tour this weekend with shows in Nampa, ID (11/16), Bozeman, MT (11/17), Rapid City, SD (11/18) and Denver, CO (11/19). The tour will pick up in Feb. 2012 with dates already scheduled in Canada and Australia. For more information and a full list of tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

Hirings: Mullins, DeSalvo, Brown

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Shelly Mullins

Shelly Mullins has joined Webster & Assoc. Public Relations as Sr. Director/Media & Marketing, where she will oversee corporate brand management, publicity and marketing. Most recently Marketing Director for Cumulus Nashville, Mullins previously worked with Webster & Associates in 1999 before leaving to work with Shop At Home television in 2003. She later moved on to work as a publicist for Kaleidoscope Media before she joining Cumulus. Congratulate her here.

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Nashville School of Law (NSL) has added music industry veteran Ramona P. DeSalvo to its faculty as an intellectual property law instructor. Most recently, her varied experience includes running a private practice, operating her own Vision Management, working for firm King & Ballow, and teaching law at Middle Tennessee State. She is a graduate of UC-Berkeley and obtained her doctor of jurisprudence from the University of Cincinnnati College of Law.

“Nashville School of Law is delighted to welcome such a dynamic attorney to our faculty,” said Judge Joe Loser, Jr., Dean of Nashville School of Law. “Ms. DeSalvo’s vast expertise in intellectual property and entertainment law, along with her diverse roles in the music business, will bring invaluable insight to our students.”

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Darin Lashinsky, CEO of National Shows 2 (NS2), has announced the addition of Tahnee Brown to the team’s marketing department, where she will promote NS2 shows. Her previous work experience includes time with AEG Live, Knitting Factory Entertainment and House of Blues.

“I am very excited to have Tahnee working with us. Tahnee is bringing a wealth of marketing experience that covers all genres and crosses the entire US,” says Lashinsky.

A Washington native, Brown graduated from Central Washington University in 2005 with a degree in Business Administration. Reach her here.

Events: Pinsons Open Cafe; Whitelaw’s Music Placement Session

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Jimi Whitelaw of Nashville Demo Studio is holding a free industry-only event today (11/14) at 5:30 p.m. Whitelaw will speak on the process of placing music in film and television.

The following topics will be covered: Overview, Do You Qualify, Copyrights, Publishing, Master Rights, Splits, Broadcast Quality, Mixes You Need, Film and TV Lingo, Who’s Who, Contracts, Synch Fees and Money Generated, What’s Realistic to Expect, Buy Outs, Instrumentals vs Songs with Vocals, Movie Showings, Re-Runs, Foreign Country Placements, DVD Sales, Soundtracks, How to Pitch Your Songs to Film and TV, Pitch Communications, The Best and Most Lucrative Time to Pitch to Film and TV, Where to Start and Sharing Contacts.

The casual event will also be complimented with finger foods and drinks. It will be held at Nashville Demo Studio, located on 515 East Iris Drive Nashville, TN 37204.

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Songwriter Bobby Pinson and wife Lucy Pinson will open Lucy’s Cafe Express tomorrow (11/15). The grand opening will take place between noon and 2 p.m.

Their new snack shack, located at 30 Music Square West Suite 101, will be open regularly from 9:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m. Lucy’s will serve fresh soups, stews, homemade sandwiches, entree specials and a variety of other snacks.

Lucy’s also delivers to Music Row and caters events. To place a future order with Lucy’s call 615-410-1311.

BMG Chrysalis Signing Announcement

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Kylie Sackley

BMG Chrysalis recently signed hit singer songwriter Kylie Sackley. She spent a few years touring her native Australia and was honored with the Country Music Association of Australia’s new artist award before deciding to focus solely on her songwriting and move to Nashville.

Sackley has two Top 5 singles to her name, including LeAnn Rimes’ “Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense” and Faith Hill’s “Sunshine and Summertime.” She also penned the Alan Jackson single “It’s Just That Way” and has a cut on Jackson’s upcoming album titled “She Don’t Get High.’’

Spika Borchetta Honored For Fashion Designs

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Sandi Spika Borchetta with three of her most revered designs during her induction into the Tennessee State Museum Costume and Textile Institute.

Sandi Spika Borchetta, Vice President of Creative for the Big Machine Label Group, was inducted into the Tennessee State Museum Costume and Textile Institute on Friday night (11/11) for her work as a stylist and fashion designer. Along with three other 2011 inductees, she was honored at a special event entitled “Sparkle & Twang” at Nashville’s Loveless Barn where three of her most celebrated gown designs were on display.

At Big Machine Sandi oversees the visual and design elements for the label’s star-studded artist roster. She plays a crucial role in managing the aesthetics of all music videos, photography and product packaging for such talented entertainers as Reba, Taylor Swift, Rascal Flatts and Martina McBride.

With more than two decades of experience in the music industry, she has designed fashions for and/or styled such artists as Faith Hill, Martina McBride, Trisha Yearwood, LaToya Jackson and The Band Perry. Most notably, Spika Borchetta designed the cream gown Swift wore in her 2009 award-winning “Love Story” music video. She also designed Reba’s striking “Red Dress,” worn during the 1993 CMA Awards which is now a part of the permanent collection at the Country Music Hall of Fame in Nashville.

Chesney and McGraw Reunite For Tour

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Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw will hit the road together in 2012 for their Brothers of the Sun Tour. The 19-date stadium tour includes stops at Nashville’s LP Field, Philadelphia’s Lincoln Financial Field, Dallas’ Cowboys Stadium, Detroit’s Ford Field and New Jersey’s MetLife Stadium.

Brothers of the Sun will be the first time in 10 years that Chesney and McGraw have toured together. The reunion will kick off June 2 in Tampa, FL and will feature stadium shows on weekend dates at venues across the country. Brothers of the Sun will also feature special guests Grace Potter & The Nocturnals and Jake Owen.

“Tim and I have been great friends since we first toured together, and I can’t wait to get back on the road with him,” Chesney said. “He’s one of my closest friends in music and in life, and I know this tour is going to be something special.”

“Our friendship was forged on the road, so it’s going to be a blast heading out with Kenny again,” said McGraw. “We’ll be having as much fun on stage as the fans will be having in the audience.”

Tickets for the Dallas, Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, Chicago, East Rutherford, Detroit and Foxboro shows will go on sale Saturday, Dec. 3 through Ticketmaster. On-sale info for the remaining dates will be announced in the coming weeks.

2012 Brothers of the Sun Tour Dates:

Sat. June 2 – Tampa, FL – Raymond James Stadium
Sun. June 3 – Atlanta, GA – Georgia Dome
Sat. June 9 – Dallas, TX – Cowboys Stadium
Sun. June 10 – Kansas City, MO – Arrowhead Stadium
Sat. June 16 – Philadelphia, PA – Lincoln Financial Field
Sat. June 23 – Nashville, TN – LP Field
Sun. June 24 – Charlotte, NC – Bank of America Stadium
Sat. June 30 – Pittsburgh, PA – Heinz Field
Sun. July 1 – Cincinnati, OH – Paul Brown Stadium
Sat. July 7 – Chicago, IL – Soldier Field
Sun. July 8 – Minneapolis, MN – Target Field
Sat. July 14 – Anaheim, CA – Angel Stadium
Sat. July 21 – Denver, CO – Sports Authority Field at Mile High
TBA – Indianapolis, IN – Lucas Oil Stadium
TBA – Cleveland, OH – Cleveland Browns Stadium
Sat. August 11 – East Rutherford, NJ – MetLife Stadium
Sun. August 12 – Washington, DC – FedExField
Sat. August 18 – Detroit, MI – Ford Field
Sat. August 25 – Foxboro, MA – Gillette Stadium

New York No. 1 For Country Album Sales

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New York City is the No. 1 market for country music albums according to new data released by Nielsen SoundScan which measures 2011 YTF through Oct. 30. Los Angeles and Dallas-Fort Worth are second and third largest markets respectively. Over 31.8 million country albums have been purchased during the measured period.

Eric Weinberg, Nielsen President Entertainment sates, “New York owes its top spot more to population than popularity. When looking at music sales by genre, the South and Midwest stayed true to their country roots. Music lovers in Charleston-Huntington, W.V., were the most likely to buy country albums, and Nashville holds the number five spot in this list. Nashville residents were nearly twice as likely to buy country albums as the general U.S. population.”

Surprisingly, New York, is the only top media market to not have its own country radio station. Country currently ranks fourth among top selling genres behind Rosck, R&B and Alternative.

Tee Up Media Takes A Swing

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(Top-Bottom) Chris Kulick, Pandora Duffer, Laurie Helenburg

Radio and marketing veterans Chris Kulick, Pandora Duffer and Laurie Helenburg have announced the launch of Tee Up Media, a full-service marketing and media management company.

The Nashville-based business will specialize in all aspects of media management including the development and implementation of creative campaign strategies. Current clients include Duckhead Apparel, Freeland Chevrolet Fleet Sales and Vietti Chili’s sponsorship for the Tennessee Titans.

“We have spent years developing our reputations as hard working, honest and creative media consultants,” says Kulick. “With our backgrounds in social media, traditional media and event sponsorship, Tee Up Media is a triple threat.” Kulick’s background includes managing sales and promotions for Nashville’s Supertalk 99.7/WTN, Titans Radio Network and 104.5/The Zone. Kulick also served for seven years as GM for 650AM WSM.

“Tee Up Media specializes in delivering targeted, measurable results in a fun, ‘out of the box’ positive environment!” says Duffer, who brings eight years of experience from events and sponsorships for the Titans Radio Network, 104.5/The Zone and Citadel’s WKDF.

Laurie Helenburg, a 20-plus year radio veteran from WUBU/Mix 106, Dick Broadcasting and Titans Radio Network also joins the team.

Kulick can be reached at Chris@TeeUpMedia.com. Duffer at Pandora@TeeUpMedia.com. For more information, visit www.TeeUpMedia.com

More Awards Week Photos

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Patrón Tequila supported the CMA’s Keep The Music Playing foundation in Nashville during the CMA Awards. The spirits company created a 10 foot fiberglass guitar that was signed by country’s biggest names including Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton, Miranda Lambert, LeAnn Rimes, Sugarland, Gregg Allman, Zac Brown Band and many more. Following the show, the guitar was auctioned off to benefit Keep The Music Playing. Below, country star Clay Walker adds his signature.

Sixty-seven songwriters were honored for performance awards at BMI’s Country Awards Nov. 8, and 17 of those writers were first-time honorees. Several of the first-timers winners gathered for a photo.

(L-R): Jamie Paulin, BMI’s Clay Bradley, Brantley Gilbert, Jeremy Spillman, Josh Thompson, JT Harding, Jessie Joe Dillon, Kimberly Perry, Marti Frederiksen, Marty Dodson, Kevin Griffin, Shane Stevens, busbee, and BMI’s Jody Williams. (First-time award winners not pictured: Shy Carter, Kara DioGuardi, Daniel Pritzker, Jimi Westbrook, and Karen Fairchild.) Photo: John Russell

Country music’s biggest stars lined up to interview with Premiere Networks affiliates prior to the 45th Annual CMA Awards, and Faith Hill sat down to chat with The Big D and Bubba Show. Hill also performed her new single “Come Home” on the Awards show broadcast.

(L-R): Bubba, Hill, Big D

See? They’re not the same person. Bigger Picture recording artist Craig Campbell and longtime Music Row publicist Craig Campbell alleviated the confusion once and for all by posing together in a photo on the CMA Awards Red Carpet.

(L-R): artist Craig Campbell, publicist Craig Campbell

Freddie Crespo Promoted at SESAC

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SESAC has promoted Freddie Crespo to the position of Director of Payroll & Budgeting. In his new role, his responsibilities will include reinforcing the accuracy and timeliness of SESAC’s payroll activity and budgeting. Crespo has been with SESAC for 14 years and was formerly the Senior Payroll Manager/Senior Accountant.

“Freddie has been a valuable part of SESAC’s Finance team,” said Joanne Jenkins, Vice President, Finance. “He has contributed significantly in the development and implementation of procedural methods that has enhanced our efficiency.”

Crespo, also a member of the local Nashville Payroll chapter, moved to Nashville 17 years ago from Brooklyn and has worked in the accounting field for over 22 years. He is a graduate of Brooklyn College and holds a degree in accounting.