'Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas' Coming in October

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DuckTheHallsUniversal Music Group Nashville will release Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas on Oct. 29. Besides running the successful Duck Commander Sporting Empire and starring in A&E’s reality series Duck Dynasty, the Robertsons enjoy showcasing their musical talents.
Buddy Cannon produced the family’s album, which features guest performances by Alison Krauss, George Strait, Luke Bryan and Josh Turner. A video sneak peek has been made of the making of the album featuring Strait and Bryan.
To preorder the album and find out more, visit duckthehalls.com.
Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas Track Listing:
1. “Ragin’ Cajun Redneck Christmas” (Willie Robertson)
2. “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” (Missy Robertson)
3. “You’re A Mean One, Mr. Grinch” (Uncle Si Robertson)
4. “Christmas Cookies” (Phil Robertson and George Strait with Miss Kay)
5. “Away In A Manger” (Sadie Robertson with Alison Krauss, Luke 2: 8-14 Scripture Reading by Mia)
6. “Hairy Christmas” (Willie Robertson and Luke Bryan with Phil, Uncle Si, Jase, Jep)
7. “Baby, It’s Cold Outside” (Missy and Jase Robertson)
8. “Duck The Halls” (Robertson Family)
9. “Camouflage And Christmas Lights” (Reed Robertson)
10.“Rudolph The Red-Nosed Reindeer” (Sadie Robertson and Robertson kids with Uncle Si)
11.“Night Before Christmas” (Uncle Si Robertson)
12.“Why I Love Christmas” (Missy Robertson with Josh Turner)
13.“Silent Night” (Robertson family)
14. Phil’s Prayer, Willie’s Closing

Industry Ink (9-30-13)

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Producer’s Chair founder James Rea stopped by the MusicRow offices on Friday, Sept. 27 to celebrate the seventh season of the Nashville program. During the visit, Rea met with MusicRow staff and presented a plaque to MusicRow Enterprise Owner Sherod Robertson commemorating the important role RowFax and MusicRow have played in the success of the monthly program.
Rea hosted his seventh anniversary event at Douglas Corner on Thursday (Sept. 26) with producer Mark Bright.
The Producer’s Chair monthly column runs exclusively on RowFax prior to the Douglas Corner program, which is held the last Thursday of the month with varying producers. MusicRow subsequently runs the column for subscribers-only.

Pictured (L-R): Eric Parker, MusicRow Enterprise Owner Sherod Robertson, Producer's Chair founder James Rea.

Pictured (L-R): Eric Parker, MusicRow owner Sherod Robertson, Producer’s Chair founder James Rea.


producers chair musicrow

James Rea visits with MusicRow staff. Pictured (L-R): Michael Smith, Eric Parker, Sherod Robertson, James Rea, Jessica Nicholson, Caitlin Rantala.

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Songwriter Rich Karg has signed with Green Hills Music Group and Grin Like A Dog Songs for publishing. A native of Nashville, Karg is a former member of the Karg Brothers.
“Rich Karg is a delight to work with,” said Steve Mitchell, President of Grin Like A Dog Songs. “As a writer, he digs in deep for the substantial ideas, comes up with superb melodies, and is game to explore almost any musical direction you can think of. We are all the richer to have him on the team.”
Green Hills Music Group was founded in 2007 and has cuts by Hunter Hayes, Rascal Flatts, George Strait, Jake Owen, Don Williams, Bucky Covington and Luke Bryan. Grin Like A Dog Songs has published songs recorded by Joe Nichols, Kassie DePaiva of ABC’s One Life to Live, Canadian artist Sean Hogan and Christian artist Suzzette Michaels.

(L to R):Leslie Mitchell, Grin Like A Dog Songs, Woody Bomar, Green Hills Music Group, Rich Karg, Steve Mitchell, Grin Like A Dog Songs

Pictured (L to R): Leslie Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs), Woody Bomar (Green Hills Music Group), Rich Karg, Steve Mitchell (Grin Like A Dog Songs).

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The Academy of Country Music welcomed Stoney Creek Records recording artists Thompson Square to its Los Angeles office recently. The ACM Vocal Duo of the Year and ACM staff celebrated the duo’s recent success, including the Gold RIAA certification for their recent single, “If I Didn’t Have You.”

Pictured (L-R): Bob Romeo, ACM CEO; Shawna Thompson; Keifer Thompson; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

Pictured (L-R): Bob Romeo, ACM CEO; Shawna Thompson; Keifer Thompson; Tiffany Moon, ACM Executive Vice President/Managing Director. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

WKDF Launches New Morning Show With McFly, James, and Walls

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PrintWKDF Nashville is launching a new morning show with veteran air talents Marty McFly, Stew James, and Becca Walls.
The Cumulus station’s new team is on the air from 5:30-10 a.m. each morning, bringing celebrity and country news, local traffic and weather, and happenings from around the city to listeners.
“When the opportunity to do a fun, hip, plugged-in, conversational morning show on the station I have called home for so long was presented to me, it was too good to pass up,” said Walls. “I am in love with Nashville, I have a passion for country music, and I love keeping up with pop culture, so the opportunity to combine all of that and share it with listeners I have come to know and love over the last 13 years is a dream come true and a challenge that I am beyond excited to take on with Marty McFly, Stew James and our producer, Jeff Lyon.”

Avenue Bank Welcomes Music and Entertainment Division VP

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Ellen May

Ellen May


Avenue Bank has welcomed Ellen May as a VP, Senior Relationship Manager and Mortgage Loan Originator in the Music and Entertainment Private Banking division. In addition to mortgage loans, she will also focus on all facets of business development, including consumer and commercial loans and deposits. May has more than 25 years of banking experience.
She most recently worked with SunTrust Bank’s Sports and Entertainment Division as a mortgage loan originator for the past 14 years.
“We are thrilled to have Ellen join our team, bringing her wealth of experience, relationships and commitment to client service. She is one of the most respected financial professionals in the music industry, and it is truly a pleasure to work with Ellen,” stated Ron Cox, Sr. VP and Director of Avenue’s Music & Entertainment Division.
May is an active member of the Tennessee Mortgage Bankers Association, the CMA, ACM, and NARAS. She is also involved in various volunteer efforts with her church as well as supporting many music industry events and activities.

William Morris Endeavor Signs Turner

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L to R: Lane Wilson, Doug Neff, Abby Baas, Rush Davenport, Columbia Nashville’s Leah Turner, Barrett Sellers, Risha Rodgers

Pictured (L to R): William Morris’ Lane Wilson, Doug Neff, Abby Baas and Rush Davenport; Columbia Nashville’s Leah Turner; William Morris’ Barrett Sellers and Risha Rodgers.


Columbia Nashville artist Leah Turner has inked with William Morris Endeavor for booking. Risha Rodgers will serve as her main point of contact along with Rob Beckham. Signed to Columbia in July 2013, Turner is releasing her debut single, “Take The Keys,” to radio on Oct. 7. She is managed by Morris Management’s Clint Higham.
MusicRow‘s Robert K. Oermann recently praised Turner’s “winning, confident vocal performance” on her debut single.

Daniel Miller, Regina Stuve Launch Fusion Music

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daniel miller headshot11

Daniel Miller


Music industry veterans Daniel Miller and Regina Stuve have launched Fusion Music, a new artist management and development company. The Fusion Music team includes Miller as CEO/managing partner and Stuve as EVP, Publicity & Marketing, along with Brian Wolf (VP, Touring and Live Entertainment), Emma Poliseno (Director, Digital & Social Media) and Zach Sutton (Director, Artist Development).
Fusion Music’s current artist roster includes MCA recording artist David Nail, recently signed Show Dog-Universal Music duo Native Run and finalist from last season’s The Voice, Amber Carrington.
“As the industry shifts, so does the artist-manager relationship,” says Miller (CEO/managing partner). “In today’s rapidly changing music climate, it is increasingly difficult for one person to remain educated and effective in all areas. At Fusion Music, we have put together a dedicated team of specialists from the fields of publicity, marketing, digital/social media, live performance and artist development.”
Regina Stuve

Regina Stuve


Miller adds, “Our team will bring their unique experiences and expertise into a collective effort and we will be able to tailor a specific long-term plan for each act to reach their individual goals. We are not reinventing the wheel, we’re just changing out the spokes.”
While primarily serving the country music community, Fusion Music will be structured in a way through partnerships in other genres to allow for crossover opportunities both in the United States and internationally.
Stuve can be reached at [email protected] or at 615-988-9010.
For more information, visit fusionmusicmgmt.com.
 
 

Southern Ground Expands Nashville Festivities

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Zac Brown Band Performs at Nashville's 2013 Southern Ground Festival.

Zac Brown Band performs at Nashville’s 2013 Southern Ground Festival.


Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Music and Food Festival took over Nashville’s Lawn at Riverfront Park last weekend (Sept. 27-28) for a two-day extravaganza featuring performances from Kenny Rogers, Kenny Chesney, Willie Nelson & Family, Kacey Musgraves, Eli Young Band, Grace Potter, John Fogerty, Lennon & Maisy and their parents The Stellas, Jason Mraz, Amos Lee and many more.
Zac Brown Band’s (ZBB) familiar hits including “Keep Me In Mind,” “Colder Weather,” “Goodbye In Her Eyes,” “No Hurry,” and “Free” indulged guests. A real treat for patrons were last-minute performance announcements from 2013 CMHoF inductee Kenny Rogers (“Just Dropped In – To See What Condition My Condition Was In,” “The Gambler”) on Friday, and 1993 CMHoF inductee Willie Nelson the following day.
Kenny Rogers performs Friday (Sept. 27) with Zac Brown Band at Nashville's Southern Ground Fest.

Kenny Rogers performed Friday (Sept. 27) with Zac Brown Band at Nashville’s Southern Ground Fest.


Nelson’s Saturday set extended 20-minutes beyond the schedule, while the legend played through his broken shoulder. Tunes included self-penned cuts (“Crazy,” “Good Hearted Woman”), covers (“Mammas Don’t Let Your Babies Grow Up To Be Cowboys,” “Always On My Mind,” “Georgia On My Mind”), signature hits (“On The Road Again,” “Whiskey River” “Angel Flying Too Close To the Ground”), recent duets (“Beer For My Horses,” “Roll Me Up And Smoke Me When I Die”) and gospel tunes (“Circle Be Unbroken/I’ll Fly Away,” “I Saw The Light”).
Musgraves gave a bold performance on the Landshark satellite stage just 48 hours prior to boarding an airplane to begin her European tour. The six-time CMA Award nominee’s show featured just one cover, which she wrote (“Mama’s Broken Heart”) in addition to her own album cuts including “Stupid,” “Silver Lining” and debut single “Merry Go ‘Round.” Musgraves additionally performed her self-proclaimed latest single, “Follow Your Arrow,” which was again featured on the main stage with ZBB later that evening.
Chesney and Fogerty performed a handful of titles with the ZBB on Friday and Saturday night, respectively. Chesney offered vocals on “Knee Deep” and “Running Down A Dream.” Fogerty’s performance wrapped Saturday guests with songs “Lookin’ Out My Back Door,” “Centerfield” and “Bad Moon Rising,” which was featured as a duet on Fogerty’s Wrote A Song For Everyone album with the ZBB.
Southern Ground’s food and drink offerings also took center stage. Organizers partitioned the park’s space even more efficiently than last year’s inaugural Nashville event, to include an expanded food court complete with a ferris wheel for viewing perspective. Vendors included Margot/Marche, Watermark, Peg Leg Porker, among others, while over eight food trucks including Jeni’s ice cream and the Grilled Cheeserie lined the walkway to the Landshark satellite stage. The Listening Room Cafe was also incorporated into this year’s events.
Southern Ground Nashville Map.

Southern Ground Nashville Map.


VIP tents offered particular patrons an unlimited beverage and food throughout both evenings, including oyster po’ boy, rib eye with corn and okra, shrimp and grits, ribs, wings, jambalaya, cornbread, beans and rice. Dessert included banana pudding, brownies and individualized pie selections. Exclusive stage boxes, which maintained a wait list due to the immediate sell-out, treated patrons to even more exclusive delicacies from ZBB’s personal chef, Rusty Hamlin.
Charleston, S.C. will host the festival Oct. 19-20.

Nielsen Acquires Arbitron

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nielsenNielsen Holdings N.V., a global information provider, has announced its acquisition of international media and marketing firm Arbitron Inc. Nielsen received FTC approval to purchase Arbitron earlier this month.
“This is a great day for Nielsen and a natural step in our evolution,” said Nielsen CEO David Calhoun. “Arbitron will allow us to analyze and understand an additional two hours of the U.S. consumer’s day while bringing us another opportunity to provide advertisers with metrics on the effectiveness of the mediums that they advertise on.”
Arbitron has been rebranded Nielsen Audio and will be integrated into Nielsen’s U.S. Watch business segment, which primarily provides information to the media and advertising industries across different mediums. Nielsen’s newest acquisition will allow it to measure eight hours a day per person of media consumption.
“Our combined capabilities offer opportunities to measure unmeasured areas that are important to the industries and clients we serve, like streaming audio, out-of-home measurements for television consumption and deeper measurement of multicultural audiences in the U.S.,” said Calhoun. “Globally, this is an opportunity to expand our measurement of consumer behavior and introduce audio measurement capabilities in new markets.”
On Dec. 17, 2012 Nielsen agreed to purchase all of Arbitron’s outstanding common stock for a total of $1.3 billion. Nielsen expects $0.26 of accretion to adjusted net income per share during its first full year of operation and $0.32 during its second year.
Nielsen will provide further information on its upcoming year during the Q3 2013 earnings conference call, which will be held on Oct. 23.

Nashville's Omni Hotel To Open Monday

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A sketch of The Omni Hotel Nashville.

A sketch of The Omni Hotel Nashville.


The Omni Hotel is set to open in downtown Nashville on Monday (Sept. 30). To commemorate the opening of Nashville’s newest hotel, a ribbon-cutting ceremony has been scheduled for 10:30 a.m., though the hotel will not be open to the public until 7 p.m.
The Omni Hotel boasts 800 guest rooms and suites, more than 80,000 square feet of meeting and event space, five culinary and entertainment venues, a rooftop pool and other amenities. The hotel is located at the corner of Demonbreun Street and 5th Ave. S., adjacent to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The Omni will fully integrate with an expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on three levels; the expansion is expected to be complete in 2014.
Eating establishments at the hotel include restaurant Barlines, Bob’s Steak & Chop House, and a Bongo Java coffee establishment.
In April 2013, the hotel booked its 250,000th room, a full four months ahead of schedule.

Luke Bryan, Brett Eldredge Join Miles & Music For Kids Ride

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0c82e07f25f20a545a975b2e_284x440Luke Bryan and Brett Eldredge have signed on to join Dierks Bentley’s upcoming Miles & Music For Kids celebrity motorcycle ride and concert, slated for Sunday, Nov. 3 in Nashville. The annual charity event benefits Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, and will kick off CMA Week this year. Jake Owen and Easton Corbin are already on board to ride and perform at this year’s event, which launches from Harley Davidson Columbia and culminates later in the day with a celeb-studded concert downtown at Nashville’s Riverfront Park.
Registration for the ride begins at 11 a.m. on Nov. 3, while gates will open at 1:30 p.m.
Combo tickets for the ride and concert are available for $50 and individual concert tickets are $30 through Ticketmaster. VIP packages are also available, and more ticket information can be found at dierks.com.