Nashvillians At WC Handy Music Festival

08/11/2008

ASCAP co-sponsored a Film and TV Panel during the recent WC Handy Festival in Florence, Alabama. The panel was moderated by Randy Wachtler, owner 615 Music. Panelists included Shawna Hilleary, Esq. of Artists Law Group; Paul Majors of Majors Music; and Janine Kerr of Promo Music Services, NBC.

(L-R): ASCAP’s John Briggs, Majors, Hilleary, Kerr, Wachtler and ASCAP’s Chad Green.

Country Bluegrass Homecoming

08/11/2008

Vince Gill is one of the many artists joining Gospel music legend Bill Gaither for his new concert release A Country Bluegrass Homecoming Volumes 1 and 2. George Jones, Marty Stuart, Ralph Stanley, Daily and Vincent, The Grascals and others are also featured on the projects, to be released Aug. 19 on DVD and CD by Gaither Music Group. An abbreviated version of the videos will begin airing on a dozen television networks the week of Aug. 12. Check local listings for date, time and channel.

(L-R): Vince Gill and Bill Gaither enjoy a laugh during the taping. Photo: Russ Harrington

Jewel Marries In Bahamas

Sarah Skates – 08/08/2008

Jewel

Jewel married longtime boyfriend Ty Murray yesterday (8/7) at the Atlantis/Cove Resort in the Bahamas. She donned a traditional wedding gown and diamonds, while Murray, a 9-time World Champion Cowboy, wore jeans and a button-down shirt.

Jewel is on break from tour with Brad Paisley promoting her country album, Perfectly Clear. Appropriately, she penned new single “I Do” about her 10-year relationship with Murray, and features him in the music video. The couple reside on a 2200-acre working ranch in Stephenville, TX.

ACM Honors To Become Annual Event

Sarah Skates – 08/08/2008

The ACM will hand out Special Awards and off-camera category awards, including MBI (musician, bandleader, instrumentalist) trophies, at the first official Academy of Country Honors. Martina McBride will host the event on Wed., Sept. 17 at Nashville’s Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum. “A similar reception we held last year was so well-received that we’re naming and officially devoting this new annual Academy event,” explained Michelle Goble, ACM Director of Membership and Events.

The Academy of Country Music Special Awards, voted on by the ACM Board of Directors, are awarded only when there are clearly deserving candidates. Dick Clark will receive the Jim Reeves International Award, presented to an individual for outstanding contributions to the acceptance of country music worldwide. Bill Anderson and the late Fred Rose will receive the first-ever Poet’s Award, honoring songwriters for outstanding musical and/or lyrical contributions throughout their careers in the field of country music. Brenda Lee, The Oak Ridge Boys, the late Conway Twitty, and the late Porter Wagoner will receive the Cliffie Stone Pioneer Award honoring individuals who blazed new trails in the country music genre.

The winners of the MBI awards are voted based on Academy of Country Music ballots in their respected category. Honorees include:
Top Guitarist Of The Year—Dann Huff
Top Piano/Keyboard Player Of The Year—Matt Rollings
Top Bass Player Of The Year—Michael Rhodes
Top Percussionist/Drummer Of The Year—Shannon Forrest
Top Steel Guitar Player Of The Year—Paul Franklin
Top Fiddle Player Of The Year—Stuart Duncan
Top Specialty Instrument Player Of The Year—Jerry Douglas
Audio Engineer Of The Year—Justin Niebank
Producer Of The Year—Mark Wright

Live Nation Posts Slim Second Quarter Profit

Sarah Skates – 08/08/2008

Increases in the number of events (+42%), total attendance at these concerts (+14%), and spending per fan attending the concerts (+6%) added up to a small but unexpected profit for Live Nation’s second quarter, which ended June 30, 2008.

The concert promoter’s net profit came in at $1.2 million, down 88% from $9.9 million for the same time last year. Meanwhile, revenue saw an 18% jump to $1.16 billion, up from $986 million for the same quarter in 2007. North American music, the company's largest segment, saw revenue increase 33% to $619.7 million.

"The concert environment remains strong and the fundamentals of our core business continue to improve," Pres./CEO Michael Rapino said in a prepared statement. "We have two priorities in 2008—to continue to grow our concert business and to prepare to vertically expand into the ticketing business... We believe we are on plan to launch our ticketing operation on January 1st, 2009, which will complete our connection to the fan and transform Live Nation into the only music company that is vertically integrated from artist to fan as a direct distributor."

Live Nation stock has fallen 41% since it announced its first 360 deal in October.

Tammy Hyler signs with Ann Wilson and Godfather Rich Muzik

08/08/2008

Tammy Hyler recently signed a co-venture agreement with John Rich’s Godfather Rich Muzik and Ann Wilson Music.

(L-R): Ann Wilson, Hyler (seated), ASCAP’s Pat Rolfe and Robin Mitchell Joyce Esq. Photo: Jessica Tompkins

Hank Williams Jr. Celebrates 20 Years of Monday Night Football

08/08/2008

(L-R): ESPN VP Bob Toms, ESPN Monday Night Football producer Val Fischler, GAC host Storme Warren, Hank Williams Jr., ACM’s Michelle Goble and Williams’ manager Ken Levitan.

Sugarland Dual Album Strategy Maximizes Fan Choice

In 2008 it’s nice to have a few of these moments,” says UMG Nashville Executive VP Sales, Marketing and New Media Ben Kline, “where everyone is feeling good and a plan comes together.” Kline is...

Industry News Friday (8/8/08)

Taylor Swift’s sophomore album Fearless will arrive in stores Nov. 11 via Big Machine Records. The 13 track project was co-produced by Swift and Nathan Chapman, who helmed her triple platinum debut. The album’s...

The Stark Truth—You’re So Music Row If...
Part 2

You make laminates for birthday parties. –Tony Benken, Robbins Nashville

• You’ve tickled the ivories and had lunch with Owen Bradley in the park. –Larry Holden, Country Weekly

• Your resume includes more than three now defunct labels. –Ken Tucker, Billboard/Radio...