CMA Elects New Board, Steve Moore Becomes President

The Country Music Association held its annual Board of Directors election meeting in Nashville this week. The new Board year does not begin until Nov. 13, the day after "The 42nd Annual CMA Awards." Taking...

Industry News Thursday (10/23/08)

Ticketmaster will acquire a controlling equity interest in Front Line Management Group and its head Irving Azoff will become Chief Executive Officer of Ticketmaster. Front Line, founded in 2004 by Azoff and Howard Kaufman, represents...

Brad Paisley Celebrates Two No. 1 Songs

10/22/2008

ASCAP and BMI welcomed members of Music Row’s community to the Musicians Hall of Fame Oct. 20 for a two-pronged celebration of Brad Paisley’s latest Frank Rogers-produced chart-toppers: “I’m Still a Guy,” co-written by Kelley Lovelace, Lee Thomas Miller and Paisley; and “Waitin’ on a Woman,” co-penned by Don Sampson and Wynn Varble.

Paisley has earned a total of 12 chart-topping songs throughout his career. “Waitin’ on a Woman” became Paisley’s eighth consecutive non-seasonal No. 1 single, making the reigning CMA Male Vocalist of the Year the purveyor of more consecutive top singles than any other country artist in the 18-year history of Nielsen BDS-monitored airplay.

(L-R): Fitzgerald Hartley’s Bill Simmons; Sea Gayle Music Managing Partner Chris DuBois; ASCAP Sr. VP Connie Bradley; songwriter Don Sampson; Brad Paisley; songwriter Wynn Varble; BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville Jody Williams; Warner/Chappell Music VP A&R Kos Weaver and Warner/Chappell Music Sr. VP Dale Bobo. Photo: Kay Williams

Copyright Exchange Hires Richard Orga

Sarah Skates – 10/22/2008

Richard Orga

Richard Orga has been appointed Vice President of Business Development for Copyright Exchange, which aids in the buying and selling of music catalogs. He previously operated Alexhan Music Publishing, a co-venture with Warner-Chappell Nashville, that scored the Grammy Award winning cut "It's Five O'clock Somewhere" (recorded by Alan Jackson and Jimmy Buffett), and ACM Song Of The Year "I'm Movin' On" (recorded by Rascal Flatts).

In his new position, Orga will work closely with Copyright Exchange Pres. Dwight Wiles, GM/VP of Business Affairs Chip Petree, and Financial Analyst Kevin Dalton.

Copyright Exchange, founded in 2005 by Wiles and his late partner Gary Smith, has negotiated the sale of numerous song catalogs that include hits by such diverse artists as Alicia Keys, Big & Rich, Carrie Underwood, Dierks Bentley, Faith Hill, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Eric Clapton and Widespread Panic.

Orga and other staff can be reached at firstinitiallastname@copyrightexchange.com. Copyright Exchange can be contacted at 900 Division Street, Nashville, TN 37203; (615) 250-3939; and www.copyrightexchange.com.

Taylor Swift Snags Performance on Grammy Nominations Special

Sarah Skates – 10/22/2008

Taylor Swift will perform on The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night®. The previous nominee will join other performers including five-time GRAMMY® winner Celine Dion, six-time GRAMMY winners the Foo Fighters, 14-time GRAMMY winner B.B. King, and five-time GRAMMY winner John Mayer. The one-hour special—which will also celebrate the grand opening of the GRAMMY Museum at L.A. LIVE—takes place on Wed., Dec. 3, at NOKIA Theatre L.A. LIVE, and will air live on CBS at 8 PM/CT.

The GRAMMY Nominations Concert Live!! — Countdown To Music's Biggest Night will announce nominations in at least six categories for the 51st Annual GRAMMY Awards, taking place Feb. 8, 2009. The special also marks the first time nominations for the annual GRAMMY Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Additional performers and presenters will be announced shortly. Tickets to the event will be available to the public beginning Oct. 27 via Ticketmaster, with proceeds benefiting the GRAMMY Museum.

Lifenotes: Emmie Anderson-Wisniewski

10/22/2008

Emmie Anderson-Wisniewski

UMG Nashville today (10/22) released the following statement:

It is with great sorrow that Universal Music Group Nashville announces the passing of Emmie Anderson-Wisniewski, 33, Senior Director of Marketing of UMG Nashville, due to complications with pregnancy.

A UMG employee of over 10 years, Emmie was a talented, dedicated and courageous executive and friend, who not only earned the respect and admiration of her colleagues and artists within UMG, but with those throughout the entire music industry.

The entire Universal Music Group family extends their deepest condolences to Emmie’s family and friends during this difficult time. She will forever remain in our hearts.

Arrangements have been announced as follows:
Visitation—Tomorrow, Thurs. Oct. 23 from 6–8 PM, at Brentwood Baptist Church, 7777 Concord Road, Brentwood, TN 37027
Memorial Service—Fri., Oct. 24 at 11 AM, also at Brentwood Baptist Church

Memorial donations may be made to Anderson-Wisniewski’s charity of choice: Campus Crusade for Christ, 100 Lake Hart Drive, Orlando, Florida 32832

The UMG Nashville office will be closed on Fri., Oct. 24 to honor and pay our respects to our friend and colleague.

Music Row also sends its condolences to Anderson-Wisniewski’s loved ones and industry colleagues.

Clay Walker & BAMS Donate $25,000 for MS Research

10/22/2008

Clay Walker recently presented a check for $25,000 to Dr. Subramaniam Sriram, Director of the Vanderbilt University Medical Center Multiple Sclerosis (MS) Center. Walker, who was diagnosed with MS in 1996 and subsequently started the Band Against MS (BAMS) Foundation in 2003, has demonstrated his commitment to furthering MS research over the past five years, with this latest donation bringing his total contribution to VUMC to $75,000.

(L-R): Sriram and Walker. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Show Dog Cheers Keith’s Latest No. 1

Sarah Skates – 10/21/2008

The Show Dog Nashville staff recently celebrated Toby Keith’s 24th No. 1 single, “She Never Cried in Front of Me,” by sporting their team colors—black and denim. The hit is the lead single from his forthcoming album That Don’t Make Me A Bad Guy, in stores Oct. 28. Following the success of this single, the Show Dog team is already focusing on the next single, "God Love Her." The superstar even made his first video in more than a year for the song, which is described as a story of rebellion and redemption written by Keith and Vicky McGehee.

(L-R) back row: Rick Moxley, VP Promotions; PJ Olsen, Dir. Information Services; George Nunes, GM; and Bill Kennedy, VP Sales, Mktg & New Media. Front row: Tracy Arnold, Publicity & Mktg. Mgr.; Suzanne Durham, NE Rep; Sloane Cavitt, Sales, Mktg. & New Media Coord. and Ali Sparico, Promo Coord.

SESAC Presents Debuts At New Venue

10/21/2008

SESAC recently moved its songwriter showcase series called SESAC Presents to the popular 12th & Porter venue. Among the diverse writers performing to the packed house were Ezra Jane, Roxie Dean, Amanda Williams, Lance Miller, Troy Johnson, Brian White and Seth Jones.

(L-R): SESAC's John Mullins, Troy Johnson, Lance Miller, Brian White and SESAC's Shannon Tipton-Neese. Photo: Ed Rode

Nashville RIAA Certifications For August and September

Sarah Skates – 10/21/2008

During August and September, the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certified Sugarland’s 2008 Mercury Nashville release Love on the Inside Gold and Platinum within only two months of its release. Toby Keith earned his 12th career Platinum certification for Toby Keith's 35 Biggest Hits. The Oklahoma native has sold more than 23 million albums since releasing his self-titled debut album in 1993.

Multi-Platinum Album
Greatest Hits; McGraw, Tim; Curb (6x)
Platinum Album
Love On The Inside; Sugarland; Mercury Nashville
35 Biggest Hits; Keith, Toby; UME/Show Dog
Gold Album
35 Biggest Hits; Keith, Toby; UME/Show Dog
Three Wooden Crosses; Various; Word
Living Hard; Allan, Gary; MCA Nashville
Love On The Inside; Sugarland; Mercury Nashville
Digital Platinum Single
“Misery Business;” Paramore; Atlantic
Digital Gold Single
“Should've Said No;” Swift, Taylor; Big Machine
“Crushcrushcrush;” Paramore; Fueled By Ramen