Vassar and Guests Honor Jamie Redford

Michelle Ross – 12/13/2006

Phil Vassar and wife Julie Wood-Vassar had a dinner party recently at their Nashville home in honor of Jamie Redford, son of actor Robert Redford and founder of the James Redford Institute for Transplant Awareness (JRI). The Vassars welcomed 20 Nashville couples at the reception including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill and Tony and Anastasia Brown. The gathering served as a warmup for an upcoming concert scheduled for March that will benefit JRI. It will take place in Omaha, Neb. where Jamie received his own emergency liver transplant at the University of Nebraska Medical Center in 1993. Vassar is among the performers at the upcoming benefit.

New Officers of Country Music Retirement Community

The Country Music Retirement Community (CMRC) Board of Directors has elected new officers for 2007: President Randy Himes (AFTRA), Exec. VP Tandy Rice (Top Billing Agency), Treasurer Paul Corbin, and Secretary Jeanne Pruett (artist). New...

Little Big Town On the Opry

12/13/2006

Equity Music Group recording artists Little Big Town recently performed on the Grand Ole Opry at the historic Ryman Auditorium. Little Big Town performed their current single “Good As Gone,” “Stay,” and the hit single “Boondocks,” from their Grammy nominated album, The Road To Here. While backstage they met Big Machine artist Taylor Swift. Pictured (L-R): Kimberly Roads, Jimi Westbrook, Swift, Phillip Sweet and Karen Fairchild.

Sony/ATV Honors Writers

12/13/2006

At its annual Christmas brunch this past Sunday (12/10) Sony/ATV Nashville honored current staff writers with at least 20 years of catalog with the company, and named Tony Martin its "2006 Songwriter of the Year." Pictured (L-R): Tony Martin; Bobby Braddock (40 years); Bill Anderson (38 years); Troy Tomlinson, Sony/ATV Nashville's Pres./CEO; Curly Putman (42 years); Jamie O'Hara (31 years); Don Cook (30 years); and Terry Wakefield, Sr. VP Creative. Not pictured: Kix Brooks (21 years).

Game Show Gone Country

Sarah Gilbert – 12/13/2006

Wheel Of Fortune will air a Country Music Stars Week Feb. 12- 16. Spinning the big wheel will be Steve Azar, Terri Clark, Montgomery Gentry, Josh Gracin, members of Lonestar, Lorrie Morgan, Julie Roberts, Trent Tomlinson, Mark Wills, Wynonna, and Trisha Yearwood. Each star will be paired with a fan and the winnings will be donated to their favorite charities. Taping is set for Jan. 13 in Charleston, S.C.

Cupit Hires Joe Redmond

Sarah Gilbert – 12/13/2006

Joe Redmond has joined Cupit Records as National Director of Promotions. He comes to Cupit from Warner Bros., where he spent more than three years as Director of Specialty Programming. Redmond also worked at Mediabase for three years. He begins at Cupit immediately and can be contacted at (615) 731-0100 and joe@cupitmusic.com.

The Fray and Rack-N-Roll

12/13/2006

Producer and Rack-N-Roll Owner Rob Dennis (Cross Canadian Ragweed: Back To Tulsa) was tapped to record the band the Fray for an iTunes exclusive at Gibson Showcase Friday night. Pictured (L-R): Epic Records VP Mike Flynn, Joe King, Dennis, David Welsh and Ben Wysocki.

KWNR Vegas Toys For Tickets All-Star Jam

12/13/2006

Rodney Atkins, Steve Holy, Chris Young, Emerson Drive and Ira Dean of Trick Pony lit up the stage as they made surprise performances at this year’s Toys for Tickets All Star Jam held at Green Valley Ranch Resort, Spa and Casino in Las Vegas Dec. 3. The event was sponsored by Station Casinos and KWNR New Country 95.5 FM. Donations of toys were exchanged for a free ticket to the third annual event. Toys for Tickets raised $37,500 and more than 2,500 toys for the Children’s Advocacy Alliance. Pictured: Emerson Drive with KWNR PD Brooks O'Brian and morning man Mitch Kelly.

Heuerman Exits WB

David M. Ross – 12/13/2006

Warner Bros. Director of Marketing Scott Heuerman has exited the label after 18 years. He helped launch a number of high profile careers including artists such as Faith Hill, Jeff Foxworthy, The Wreckers and Big & Rich. Recently he was working on new projects from Lori McKenna and Ray Scott. “I’ve been proud to have had a front row seat to watch these great music and comedy artists develop and be part of the team that helped make it happen,” he said. Heuerman can be reached at heuermanscott@comcast.net.

Bradley Honored with Harmony Award

12/13/2006

ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley was honored with the Harmony Award at the 22nd annual Symphony Ball in Nashville on Dec. 9 at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center. The Harmony Award, the Symphony's highest honor, is presented to individuals who have demonstrated continued interest and support of music in Nashville. ASCAP’s 2006 Voice of Music Award winner Jimmy Webb performed at the gala event. Pictured (L-R): Webb, Bradley and Herky Williams. Photo: Peyton Hoge