McGraw Co-wrote New Def Leppard Song

Sarah Skates – 01/23/2008

Tim McGraw co-wrote the new single from rock band Def Leppard. He got together with band members Phil Collen, Joe Elliot and Rick Savage to pen “Nine Lives,” the first single from the forthcoming album Songs From the Sparkle Lounge.

McGraw, a current Grammy nominee as a songwriter for “If You’re Reading This,” initiated the co-write idea three years ago through his longtime tour manager Robert Allen, brother of Def Leppard drummer Rick Allen. The actual collaboration began when McGraw sat in on the band’s Hollywood Bowl show in 2006. "We didn't start with any preconceived notions about the song," said McGraw. "Each of us brought something different to the table and we drew on each others influence to finish it out. They are simply one of the best rock bands ever and it was a great time working together."

Night At Taylor’s Prom

05/16/2008

Taylor Swift celebrated her recent triple-platinum album and multi-week No. 1 single with a Senior Prom theme party in Nashville Monday night. Guests were encouraged to dress up in prom attire through the years, and the Big Machine/Valory staffers joined in on the fun too.

(Back row, L-R): Justin McIntosh, Anna Rushworth, Miranda Williams, Harry Lyons, Erik Powell, Bobby Young, Andrew Kautz, George Briner, David Beller, John Zarling, Larry Hughes; (middle row, L-R): Jayme Austin, Kelly Rich, Brooke Yancey, Ashley Ramsey, Mandy McCormack, Whitney Sutton; (front row, L-R): Natalie Kilgore, JoJamie Hahr, Jack Purcell, Scott Borchetta, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Jon Loba.

Industry News Friday (5/16/08)

Sarah Skates – 05/16/2008

Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz (L) presented Apple co-founder Steve Wozniak with a Gibson Hummingbird guitar on behalf of the Gibson Foundation and Leadership Music on Friday, May 9. Wozniak was in Nashville to speak to Leadership Music alumni and the Class of 2008.

echo plans to open an office in London by fourth quarter 2008. The entertainment marketing company has more than doubled in the last year, adding 45 employees, for a total of 75 Nashville-based staffers. echo recently added clients Janet Jackson, Aly & AJ, Jewel, Ice Cube, Donna Summer and the Professional Bull Riders Association, with more major client announcements coming in the second quarter. Since March 2007, when IAC/Ticketmaster acquired a majority stake in echo, the company has become an online partner for Kanye West, the Jonas Brothers, Dolly Parton, Faith Hill, Korn, Brooks & Dunn and Alison Krauss & Robert Plant. echo provides Web site design, marketing, sponsorship, fan club/community building, e-commerce, street teams and more.

truTV is the title sponsor for the Fan Fair Hall at the Nashville Convention Center for the upcoming CMA Music Festival. Making its debut appearance, the cable network is promoting its real life series about oil drilling, Black Gold, with a theme song written and recorded by Trace Adkins. Among those scheduled to meet and greet fans are Rodney Atkins, Bucky Covington, Emerson Drive, Josh Gracin, Denise Jackson, Little Big Town, James Otto, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Gretchen Wilson, and Wynonna. Also at the Fan Fair Hall, Mary Kay Presents the Acoustic Corner, and Borders Books & Music will host book and CD signings, as well as booths at Riverfront Park and LP Field.

The 2008 CMA Global Artist Party will be Mon., June 2, 6-10:30 at The Stage on Broadway. Jace Everett will host the event with performers from Australia, Canada, Belgium, Ireland and the Netherlands. Artists include Jasmine Rae, Jessie Farrell, Johnny Reid and The Murphy Band. The AristoMedia Global Showcase is set for Tues., June 3, 3-6 PM at the Second Fiddle with host Robert Reynolds and eight musical performers from Australia and Canada.

OMNIsound Studios, headed by General Manager Steve Tveit, recently expanded with the addition of a mixing/mastering facility next door. The new setup includes a 32-fader ICON integrated console system and D-Control from Digidesign with two 16-fader packs, Pro Tools HD®3 Accel system, and more.

Ebie McFarland’s EB Media has moved to 21 Music Sq. W., Nashville, TN 37203. Phone numbers and E-mail will remain the same: 615-495-5491 or ebie.mcfarland@gmail.com. The company has also added new employee Andrew Parvin, handling administrative tasks and tour press. He may be reached at Andrew@essentialbroadcastmedia.com. EB Media’s clients include Jypsi, Darius Rucker, Crystal Shawnda, Colt Ford and many more.

The Grand Ole Opry presented by Cracker Barrel Old Country Store is kicking off its CMA Music Festival week of shows on Tues., June 3. The night starts with an Opry Plaza Party presented by Humana featuring fan activities and a free performance by Luke Bryan. Then, the Tuesday Night Opry features Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry, The Oak Ridge Boys, and Bryan.

The Recording Academy will honor Edwin and Walter Hawkins, Sandi Patty and The Winans with the President's Merit Award at the "2008 GRAMMY Salute to Gospel Music." The June 18 event, to be held at the historic Lincoln Theatre in Washington D.C., will include performances from artists under the direction of GRAMMY-winning producer Donald Lawrence.

Daryl Hall & John Oates will be honored as BMI Icons at the 56th annual BMI Pop Awards on Tues., May 20 in Beverly Hills.

Adroit Records, recently founded by Jim Tract and Tim Boylan, has signed songwriters Karleen Watt and Craig Monday. The label’s first project will be a compilation by Nashville-based songwriters. The Adroit Web site will also include songwriters’ versions of hit songs available for download such as Vince Melamed’s Trisha Yearwood hit “Walk Away Joe.” www.AdroitRecords.com.

Emerald Sound Gets Elevated

Sarah Skates – 05/15/2008

Elevation Music Publishing Partner Mark Utley has acquired 1033 16th Ave. S., the site of the former Emerald Sound studios. The building will become the new home to Elevation’s creative offices later this summer, and Utley is in discussions to lease several other spaces including legendary Studio A.

“The last few weeks have been a unique course in Nashville’s music history for me, and a walk down memory lane for the numerous, talented, professionals who have shared their behind-the-music moments,” Utley explained. “My immediate priority is to make the necessary renovations to preserve both the building and its rich history as a recording facility, while also preparing it for the future.”

Elevation Music Publishing’s current home at 1311 16th Ave. S. will be available for lease in August. The company, founded in June 2007 with veteran music publishers Mike Molinar and Martha Irwin, has a catalog with cuts by Trace Adkins, Rodney Atkins, Montgomery Gentry, Emerson Drive and Blake Shelton. Elevation’s current writer roster includes George Teren, Mike Mobley, Mike Lane, Aaron Scherz and Sam Moore.

Originally opened in 1982 by producers David Malloy and Even Stevens, Emerald Sound Studios became a landmark due to its role in making albums by The Highwaymen, George Strait, Reba McEntire, Wynnona, Eddie Rabbit, Rosanne Cash, J.D. Souther, Steve Winwood and Bon Jovi, among many others. According to Kerry Kopp, the facility’s VP of Engineering Services and Chief Engineer for more than 20 years, the renowned studio has been a part of over 200 RIAA certified gold and platinum albums.

For lease inquiries or to help preserve the history of the former Emerald studios, contact mark@elevationmusicpub.com.

Grammys Rock The Block

05/15/2008

The 10th Annual Grammy Block Party was held Tuesday (5/13) night at its new location—Owen Bradley Park on the Music Row roundabout. Damien Horne, Lady Antebellum, 3 Doors Down, Gretchen Wilson, and Montgomery Gentry provided an eclectic set of performances for the industry crowd.

Pictured: Lady Antebellum with Susan Stewart, Recording Academy regional director, south and Pete Fisher, board president. Credit: The Recording Academy/Rick Diamond/WireImage

Frances Preston in the Wall Street Journal

Growing Staff at Echo

Sarah Skates – 05/15/2008

Echo has announced many new hires to the entertainment marketing company:
Jonathan Tarlton, Account Manager, formerly New Media Director/Marketing Coordinator for Dolly Parton Management/Dolly Records;
Seth Riddle, Associate Account Manager, formerly head of A&R at Rough Trade America;
Christy Montoya, Associate Account Manager, previously, she was Grassroots/New Media Manager at INO Records.
Amy Jackson, Artist Community Manager, previously Country Music Business Development Manager with Entertainment Media Works;
Candace Comer, Artist Community Manager, previously with Creative Artists Agency (CAA) and the Pacific Amphitheatre in Costa Mesa, Calif.;
Jon Armstrong, Artist Community Representative, formerly Creative Director with Muzik Mafia.
Annie Ortmeier, Merchandising Manager, formerly Marketing and Merchandising Coordinator with CMT/MTV Networks (for CMT, VH1 and LOGO).
Paul Shoemaker, LAMP Developer, previously Data Analyst/.Net Developer at Dell, Inc.
Chrissy Sievers, Creative Coordinator, formerly Pre Legal Coordinator with BMI.

Industry News Thursday (5/15/08)

Kenny Chesney's “Better As A Memory” has entered the Top 10 on the Billboard/R&R Country Chart, marking his 24th straight Top 10. It is also the longest consecutive run of Top 10 hits...

Big Wheels Roll into Charleston for Chesney

05/14/2008

Some of the Sony BMG gang and other music industry executives caught up with Kenny Chesney's Poets & Pirates Tour last week in Charleston, WV.

Pictured (L-R): BNA Promotion VP Bryan Frasher, SBMG Exec. VP Butch Waugh, SBMG VP Mktg. Tom Baldrica, Chesney, XM Sr. PD Country Jon Anthony, SBMG Chairman Joe Galante, SBMG Sr. Dir. Creative Services Scott McDaniel, and EMI Music Publishing Exec. VP/GM Gary Overton.

Clear Channel Deal Moves Forward

Sarah Skates – 05/14/2008

Thomas H. Lee Partners and Bain Capital have secured loans to fund a $17.9 billion buyout of Clear Channel radio. The deal prices stock at about $36 per share, down from the original offering of $39.20 per share, following a three-way disagreement between the purchasers, banks and CC. The deal, pending shareholder approval, must close by New Year's Eve.

Montage Adds Songwriter, Staffer

Sarah Skates – 05/14/2008

Montage Music Group has signed Trent Jeffcoat to its publishing division. Bobby Rymer, Head of Publishing, made today’s (5/14) announcement. Jeffcoat is a native of Lexington, SC who has been writing songs since age eight. He has performed for years around his home state and lists Vern Gosdin, Paul Overstreet, Randy Travis, George Strait, Alan Jackson, Keith Whitley, Hank Williams Jr., and Lynyrd Skynyrd as influences.

In addition, Adam Moore has joined Montage’s Internet Marketing Team. He most recently worked as a lifestyle marketing rep for Epic and Columbia Records leading a small grassroots promotion team. Deb Haus, Head of Marketing and Artist Development, said she is thrilled Adam is on the team because he wears brightly colored shirts and cool shoes but most importantly because he is “incredibly good at conceptualizing innovative internet marketing campaigns and has a passion for the great music." Moore can be reached at amoore@montagemusicgroup.com.