Stevens Signs with APA

Tate Stevens

Tate Stevens


Tate Stevens, the champion of 2012’s The X Factor competition on FOX, has signed with APA.
“We are very pleased to have Tate join our diverse roster,” said APA Nashville Sr. VP, Steve Hauser. “He is the epitome of today’s Country, as proven by his overwhelming victory on the ‘The X Factor.’ Tate is an incredible live entertainer who knows how to win over a crowd, and we are really looking forward to some exciting times together.”
“APA understands the life,” commented Stevens. “They are an amazing group of people with all the good and right connections. I’m really looking forward to large scale touring again.”
Since his triumph on the competition, Tate has been in the studio recording new music and signed with Scott Siman of RPME for management.

"Save The Music Day" Proclaimed in Tennessee

Pictured (L-R): Lloyd Krein (STMA Co-Founder and Marketing Executive),Mark Dreyer (STMA Executive Director), Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director). Photo Credit: Jennifer Pinckney

Pictured (L-R): Lloyd Krein (STMA Co-Founder and Marketing Executive),
Mark Dreyer (STMA Executive Director), Bart Herbison (NSAI Executive Director). Photo Credit: Jennifer Pinckney


As part of the Save The Music America: Perspective 2013 in Nashville, a kick-off event was held at the Nashville Songwriters Association International offices (NSAI) on Thursday (Dec. 5). Mayor Karl Dean, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam and Beth Harwell, Speaker of The House of Representatives, issued a proclamation declaring Dec. 5, 2013 as “Save The Music Day” in Tennessee.
STMA Executive Director Mark Dreyer and NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison, among others, addressed the issue and consequence of illegal downloading and its effects on creativity, the songwriters’ livelihood and the economy in a formal presentation before an attentive assembly of music industry professionals.
Andy Griggs, who was in attendance at the symposium, shared his thoughts regarding the Save The Music America initiative, saying, “I’ve always known that there was a pink elephant that existed in the closet; but, I never knew how enormous it was until now. I don’t think artists, or even the songwriters, have any idea about how much money is being taken out of our pockets. I’ve learned so much in just the last thirty minutes–it’s mind-boggling. It’s been an education for me and I plan to challenge each and every songwriter…every artist…that I know to stand up with me to ‘save the music.'” The forum provided Griggs with statistics using his own music; more than 70,000 Andy Griggs’ songs had been downloaded illegally in the last 30 days.
The Save The Music America: Perspective 2013 program proceeded and concluded at Nashville’s The Listening Room Cafe. The event featured guest speakers and some of Nashville’s singer/songwriters, including Borrowed Blue, Andy Griggs, Eric Heatherly, Lucas Hoge, Buddy Jewell, Billy Yates and others, donated their time and talents perform.
Pictured (L-R): Billy Yates (Hit Songwriter), Mark Dreyer, Barry Neil Shrum (STMA Board Member, Educator and Attorney), Bart Herbison, Craig Kampf (Secretary/Treasurer of Nashville Musicians Association),Buddy Jewell (Singer/Songwriter), Andy Griggs (Singer/Songwriter), Lucas Hoge (Singer/Songwriter). Photo Credit: SoCo Media & Design

Pictured (L-R): Billy Yates (Hit Songwriter), Mark Dreyer, Barry Neil Shrum (STMA Board Member, Educator and Attorney), Bart Herbison, Craig Kampf (Secretary/Treasurer of Nashville Musicians Association), Buddy Jewell (Singer/Songwriter), Andy Griggs (Singer/Songwriter), Lucas Hoge (Singer/Songwriter). Photo Credit: SoCo Media & Design

Wayne Mills Remembered During Alabama Memorial Service

photo credit: ©2013/Foxland Hall-Melinda J.P. Harlan, All rights reserved.

photo credit: ©2013/Foxland Hall-Melinda J.P. Harlan.


Country singer-songwriter Wayne Mills was remembered during a memorial service on Sunday afternoon (Dec. 8) in the auditorium of Arab High School in his hometown of Arab, Ala.
Wayne, who died at age 44 on Nov. 23, was the lead singer of the Wayne Mills Band, which toured nationally for more than 15 years and recorded seven albums. Artists including Jamey Johnson, Blake Shelton and Taylor Hicks opened for the Wayne Mills Band early in their careers.
Mills’ black boots and his acoustic guitar, decorated with the numerous signatures of the friends he made during two decades of touring, were displayed in front of his black casket, which was adorned with a small University of Alabama sticker. The singer-songwriter’s guitar strap was draped simply across the casket’s top.
His white cowboy hat and crimson University of Alabama No. 91 football helmet were encased in glass boxes beside his casket. Before the service, several of Mills’ songs played as his widow, Carol, greeted friends and family. She handed each mourner a black guitar pick embossed with “WMB” and his band logo on the front and “Wayne Mills” and “1969-2013” on the back.
The service opened with Heather Little Standifird singing Willie Nelson’s “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground.” Pastor Don Ware of Highlands Baptist Church read from Psalms and recited Wayne’s obit. He gave an example of Mills’ selflessness and generosity. “When the tornadoes hit here in Arab, he was the one who came and put on a performance for those who lost everything in that storm.”
“Those grieving with us today and around the world–his reach was that far–do so because of the man that Wayne was, not necessarily his talent,” said Mills’ friend Gary “Sarge” Sargant said. “While he was an extremely talented and gifted artist, the only thing bigger than his talent was his heart. A man deeply committed to family, he was also deeply committed to his musical family. He was a friend, a mentor, a critic when needed, but more importantly, he was a voice for each and every artist doing it the right way and working hard. The music always came first for Wayne.”
Mills was on the board of directors of the Outlaw Music Association; it was announced that the Guardian award has been renamed the Wayne Mills Memorial Award. “It is up to us to move forward and make sure that his dream of a family of musicians and artists, each and every one of us, happens and comes together where we can love one another and be kind to one another and help one another as he did on a daily basis,” said Sargant.
After the service, the family gathered for a private burial.

Cooper Signs With Bobby Roberts Company

Lenny Cooper

Lenny Cooper


Average Joes Entertainment/BackRoad Records‘ artist Lenny Cooper has signed with Bobby Roberts Company for booking representation. The 23-year-old North Carolina native has opened for Colt Ford, and his sophomore album, Mud Dynasty, was produced by Average Joes Entertainment CEO Shannon Houchins. Houchins’ credits include T.L.C., Usher, Jagged Edge and others.
“I am ecstatic to be working with the Bobby Roberts Company,” states Cooper. “Bobby and his team have been instrumental in the success of so many artists’ careers throughout the years, and I am very thankful to be working with him and to have his team as a part of my team.”
“Average Joes’ artist Lenny Cooper fits perfectly into our plan of expanding the Bobby Roberts Company. He has an active fan base and has been playing shows all over the southeast and beyond with tremendous response from the crowds. Our agency is proud to represent Lenny and his music to the live touring industry,” states Bobby Roberts, CEO.

John Oates To Perform During BMI Legends Session At CRS 2014

John Oates (Photo by © 2013 Juan Patino)

John Oates (Photo by © 2013 Juan Patino)


John Oates has been chosen as the featured artist for the “BMI Legends Session,” during CRS 2014 at the Nashville Convention Center. Scheduled for Feb. 21, the session will provide attendees the rare opportunity to get up close and personal with the musical legend. One-half of the award-winning duo Hall & Oates, Oates will discuss his career, current projects, life in Nashville and his songwriting. Oates will also perform a couple of his songs acoustically. John Esposito, President of Warner Music Nashville, will moderate.
Oates has sold more than 80 million units during his career in the rock duo Hall & Oates. A member of the Songwriter’s Hall of Fame, he began his solo career in 1999. In October, he released his fifth single, “Close,” from his project “Good Road to Follow.” He currently splits his time between Nashville and his Colorado ranch.

CRS 2014 will be held Feb. 19-21 at the Nashville Convention Center. To register for CRS at the regular rate of $499 visit countryradioseminar.com.

Billy Currington to Launch 'We Are Tonight Tour' in March

billy currington

Billy Currington


Mercury Records artist Billy Currington will visit cities across the U.S. on his We Are Tonight Tour with Brett Eldredge and Chase Rice. The first show is slated for March 6 in Tulsa, Okla. The 16-city tour will run through May 2014.
In September, Currington released We Are Tonight, his first album in three years. The album features his chart-topping song “Hey Girl,” and current single, “We Are Tonight.”
Eldredge recently released his debut album Bring You Back, featuring the No.1 single “Don’t Ya” and current single “Beat Of The Music.” Rice co-wrote Florida Georgia Line’s single “Cruise” and recently released his hot-selling EP, Ready Set Roll.
We Are Tonight Tour
March 6-The Joint-Tulsa, Okla.
March 7-The Grand Casino Resort-Shawnee, Okla.
March 8-Verizon Arena-Little Rock, Ark.
March 14-Hard Rock Hotel & Casino-Biloxi, Miss.
March 15-Harrah’s Tunica – Event Center Tunica, Miss.
March 20-NIU Convocation Center-DeKalb, Ill.
March 21-Mayo Civic Center Auditorium-Rochester, Minn.
March 22-The Rave-Milwaukee, Wis.
March 27-Sands Bethlehem Event Center-Bethlehem, Pa.
March 28-Cambria County War Memorial Arena-Johnstown, Pa.
March 29-Hobart Arena-Troy, Ohio
April 10-Eastern Kentucky Expo Center-Pikeville, Ky.
April 11-North Charleston PAC-North Charleston, S.C.
May 1-ACL Live-Austin, Texas
May 2-Horseshoe Bossier City-Riverdome Bossier City, La.
May 3-Fort Smith Convention Center-Ft. Smith, Ark.

'Billboard' Selects Top Women In Music For 2013

billboardBillboard has selected its “Women In Music” list for 2013, and Kelly Rich, Mary Ann McCready, and Marcie Allen are among the females with Nashville ties making this year’s list. For the fourth year in a row, Julie Greenwald, Chairman and COO of Atlantic Records Group, topped the prestigious ranking. The list recognizes female execs for their exemplary vision, dedication and hard work. The magazine invited readers worldwide to submit nominations on Billboard.biz, and execs in every industry sector were eligible. A team of Billboard editors then reviewed the submissions, and the top 40 nominees were chosen and ranked based on their achievements during the past 12 months.
The issue highlighting Women In Music will also include SESAC’s Ellen Truley in a feature spotlighting women in performance rights organizations. Truley is based in Nashville.
The 2013 Billboard Women in Music List:
1. Julie Greenwald
Chairman/COO, Atlantic Records Group
2. Kathy Willard
Executive VP/CFO, Live Nation Entertainment
3. Jody Gerson
Co-President, Sony/ATV Music Publishing
4. Julie Swidler
Executive VP of Business Affairs/General Counsel, Sony Music Entertainment
5. Debra Rathwell
SVP, AEG Live
6. Brenda Romano
President, Promotions, Interscope Geffen A&M
7. Sharon Dastur
Programming Director, Z-100 New York, Nick Radio, Clear Channel Media & Entertainment
8. Lia Vollack
President, Worldwide Music; Executive VP, Theatrical, Sony Pictures Entertainment
9. Amanda Marks
Global Head of Digital Accounts, Universal Music Group
10. Michelle Jubelirer
Executive Vice President, Capitol Music Group
11. Debra Lee
Chairman/CEO, BET Networks
12. Melissa Lonner
Senior Entertainment Producer, NBC News
13. Jennifer Breithaupt
SVP, Entertainment Marketing, Citi
14. Marsha Vlasic
SVP, Concerts, ICM Partners
15. (TIE) Sarah Moll
Director, Entertainment and Television Programming, National Football League
15. (TIE) Tracy Perlman
VP, Entertainment Marketing & Promotions, National Football League
16. (TIE) Emma Banks
Agent, Creative Artists Agency
16. (TIE) Marlene Tsuchii
Agent, Creative Artists Agency
17. Anne Stanchfield
Divisional Merchandise Manager of Entertainment, Target
18. (TIE) Bozoma Saint John
Director, Cultural Branding, Music &  Entertainment Marketing, PepsiCo
18. (TIE) Ellen Healy
Senior Marketing Director, Global Consumer Engagement, PepsiCo
19. Tifanie Van Laar-Frever
Senior Music Buyer, Walmart
20. Melissa Ormond
President, MSG Entertainment
21. Kelly Rich
SVP of Marketing, Sales and Interactive, Big Machine Label Group
22. (TIE) Sara Newkirk Simon
Partner, William Morris Endeavor
22. (TIE) Samantha Kirby Yoh
Partner, William Morris Endeavor
23. Linda Newmark
Executive VP/Head of Acquisitions and Strategic Products, Universal Music Publishing Group
24. Alexandra Patsavas
Owner, Chop Shop Music Group
25. Marcie Allen
President, MAC Presents
26. Zahavah Levine
Director of Global Music Partnerships, Google Play/Android
27. Ethiopia Habtemariam
Executive VP/Head of Urban Music, Universal Music Publishing; Senior VP, Motown Records
28. Diana Mogollón
Executive VP/GM, mun2
29. Anya Grundman
Director and Executive Producer, NPR Music
30. Lisa Worden
Assistant PD/Music Director, KROQ Los Angeles, CBS Radio
31. Mary Ann McCready
President, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy
32. Jackie Wilgar
Executive VP of Marketing, North America, Live Nation Entertainment
33. Amy Doyle
Executive VP, Music and Talent Strategy, MTV Brands
34. Kathy Spanberger
President/COO, peermusic
35. Deborah Curtis
VP, Sports and Entertainment, American Express
36. Molly Peck
Director, Advertising and Sales Promotions, Chevrolet
37. Orly Adelson
President, ITV Studios America
38. Allison Kaye
General Manager, Scooter Braun Projects
39. Kate Des Enfants McMahon
VP/Senior Director of Marketing, The Messina Group/AEG Live
40. Mika El-Baz
Executive Vice President, Publicity, RCA Records

“Rumble On The Row” Fighters Announced

ringside The 10th Annual Ringside: A Fight for Kids gala will see Country radio promotion executives Van Haze (VP National Promotion, MCA Nashville) and Shane Allen (VP Promotion, UMG Nashville) jump in the ring for charity, during the gala’s main event, “Rumble on the Row.”
Proceeds from the event will benefit Nashville’s The Charley Foundation, which helps charitable organizations benefit children throughout Middle Tennessee.
“We are thrilled to have these two music industry ‘heavyweights’ on board,” said The Charley Foundation’s founder and chairman Carolyn Miller. “Their intense physical training is already under way and their tremendous dedication will directly help make an impact on the lives of so many local children.”
The Ringside event will also feature four professional boxing matches, sanctioned by the Tennessee Athletic Commission, and will include gourmet dining, live music, celebrity guests and a live auction.
The event will take place at Liberty Hall in the Factory at Franklin on March 7, 2014. For more information, visit charleyfoundation.org.

Yahoo! Acquires Live Concert Platform Evntlive

evntlive11Yahoo! has acquired Evntlive, an online platform for live concerts, according to Evntlive’s official website. Evntlive allows fans to stream concerts on their computer, tablet or phone. The platform allows users to switch camera angles, to view artist interviews, and to chat with other concert-goers in the app feature.
Evntlive was founded in late 2011 and launched in beta in April 2012. The company has streamed live performances of artists ranging from Bon Jovi to The Lumineers. Similar to other companies Yahoo! has acquired, Evntlive will shut down and the team will work on Yahoo! projects.
“Since launching our beta service in April 2013, we have live streamed hundreds of performances from amazing artists and festivals to fans all over the world,” the company wrote on its website. “Although our service will no longer be available, we are excited to be joining Yahoo’s video team.”

Garth Brooks Announces World Tour Slated for 2014

garth-wynnRumors of a Garth Brooks tour have been swirling for months, especially given that the singer recently released a box set of new music. The singer-songwriter confirmed to anchor Robin Roberts of Good Morning America that the long-awaited tour will indeed happen in 2014.
“You know what, since it’s you and since we’ve had a history forever, let’s announce it. We’re going on a world tour in 2014,” Brooks told Roberts. “I can’t believe I just did that but you are a doll.” Brooks, 52, made the Good Morning America appearance to promote his six-disc collection Blame It All on My Roots: Five Decades of Influences.
“It sure feels good to get to throw your hat back in the ring,” Brooks said of returning to touring. “All my babies are fine with it. Ms. Yearwood is fine with it. So now I get to do what I love to do, which is play music. I get to be with the person I want to be with, which is Ms. Yearwood. Our baby is a senior in high school,” he said. “My children are off on their own so the guilt of not being there…I’m a phone call dad now. ‘Hey Dad, I love you, can I borrow some money?’”
Brooks will first return to the Wynn in Las Vegas for two days of full-band shows in January 2014. “Wynn has allowed me to keep that room as a laboratory type of thing so I’m going to bring the band out there and let the band experience this room,” Brooks said.