****
Company Nashville, home of Capitol Records
Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville, and (by extension) KACEY MUSGRAVES, GEORGE STRAIT, DIERKS BENTLEY, ERIC CHURCH, ALAN JACKSON, DARIUS RUCKER, CHRIS STAPLETON, LITTLE BIG TOWN, SHANIA TWAIN, KEITH URBAN, VINCE GILL and LUKE BRYAN, is looking for a ''production
& finance coordinator.''
The perfect hire will ''work with Internal and External Clients to
gather and maintain information such as label copy, PRO and
splits. Keep production schedules updated and distribute as
required. Assist the COO, SVP of Business & Legal
Affairs and other team members in scheduling meetings and providing
agendas... Schedule, plan and coordinate travel arrangements for the
COO,'' etc.
Qualified Applicants, those with a ''Bachelors degree, preferably with
a concentration in finance or business administration... 3+ years'
finance or business-related experience'' and ''proficiency in Excel, Word and Power Point'' who preferably have ''Experience in
production software'' are encouraged to ''Bring your vibe.''
As for ''What's in it For You?'': A ''Competitive
Compensation Package includes Salary, Benefits and Generous 401k
Savings Plan, Paid Time Off- Paid Holidays, 'Gift Week,' Summer
Fridays, Student Loan Repayment Assistance, Employee Development
Support, Annual Gym Reimbursement Package, Pet Insurance, plus much
more!''
****
Between May and September, 2020, ''GlobalGiving,
via the Red Backpack Fund, will award at least 1,000
emergency assistance grants to majority women-owned businesses'' and
United States nonprofits. Each $5,000 grant will be awarded to
those entities with less than 50 people on staff. Grant
eligibility is also limited to applicants that are in ''good
standing,'' are ''incorporated as a legal entity'' and are able ''to
demonstrate that COVID-19 is causing hardship.''
****
Music
Row vets: Are you looking for a job?
If you have a college degree (Master's or equivalent preferred), a
minimum of a decade's "experience in an executive position interfacing
with creators, users and/or rights owner" and "at least five years' in
management roles," BMI wants to hire you
as a "VP Creative."
****
MICHAEL BRANDVOLD
is first with the news that the Clifton, New Jersey non-profit D.A.D. (Drums and Disabilities)
is offering a free, online (via Skype) online
drumming program ''in an effort to help parents entertain their
children and families" during coronavirus quarantine.
To schedule a
free, online Drum Therapy session for children, yourself and/or family
members who might benefit from this stress and anxiety-relieving
opportunity to have fun while developing physical and cognitive
abilities, click here.
****
An open appeal to KALIE SHORR: Let this public notice serve to
inform you that I am trying to reach you as part of an obligation to
exercise my responsibility as a reporter and to exercise due diligence
as I
try to make sense of a developing inquiry.
Know that I have been in contact with ZACH FARNUM and TODD CASSETTY
in an effort to verify and otherwise authenticate some information that
may pertain to you, as part of what is becoming that larger
story. (So many times entertainers react to news coverage by
complaining that there was never any attempt to reach them when, in
fact, their handlers have been informed and have simply chosen not to
get ahead of the story or to otherwise respond in a responsible- in
this case to a client- manner.)
Please contact me via email
by April 15, 2020 so that I may respond with some written questions
prior to concluding my investigation. Following the deadline and
posting of whatever information I have been able to attain to that
point, if you, or anyone else mentioned or otherwise affected, have
additions or corrections, rest assured I will be happy to include those
in any ongoing updates that arise as new sources/information become
available.
****
Confirming my exclusive of several days before, the Country Music
Association waited until March 31st to do so, but the CMA has
made it official : The 2020
CMA Music Festival has been canceled. News that advance
registrants, unless they request a full refund, may consider themselves
registered for next year's event coincide with a Nashvillians being
advised that their mayor,
besieged by his predecessor(s) representing Music
City's debt as a surplus, coupled with a legal requirement to
balance the budget in the wake of recent revenue depletion due to the
recent tornado or coronavirus disasters, is recommending passage
of a "substantial" property tax increase.
Assuming an eventual referendum resulting in approval of the full
amount of the recommendation, Nashville's coffers will still be
underfunded. This means when tourists return in 2021, they may
expect to be paying an increase in the hotel/motel tax, shop locally
(due to an increase in the sales tax) or to park downtown, if not
otherwise sharing the pain Nashvillians will be feeling when faced with
a dependence on other sources of revenue, such as increased business
taxes and hikes in rent.
****
Thanks to Harvard Business School Professors of Business
Administration ZOE CULLEN and CHRIS STANTON for requesting Stacy's
Music Row Report's participation in a survey of conducted by
academics from Harvard and the University of Chicago. My fellow academicians "are looking to better understand the
impact the coronavirus is having on the local business
ecosystem- and
what can be done to help local businesses.
"We hope that it will help to
communicate your current needs to
policymakers."
Thanks also to TINA ARNOLDI, MA., author of Social Media Use
in a Volatile Political Climate, for publishing my views on the
subject in her Theravive article.
****
UPDATE: The Navex Global
inquiry has concluded, and frankly, it's gotten rather snarky and
otherwise ugly.
Before I elaborate, I'm still hoping to reach AUSTIN RICK, and to hear from JESSE
KNUTSON on where Jesse has landed, as well
as to determine the true victims and villains (if possible) in the
drama that has resulted.
****
Column's
sympathy to JOE DIFFIE's family, friends and fans on Joe's
passing on March 29, 2020 due to COVID-19 complications, just two days after Joe,
through his publicist, SCOTT
ADKINS, had gone public with Diffie's
diagnosis.
The March 27, 2020 statement, coming several days after Joe tested
positive, telegraphed the inevitable with the familiar language of
requesting "privacy at this time."
Meanwhile, the superstition re: deaths of occurring in threes after the
deaths of Joe Diffie and JAN HOWARD is troubling fans of JOHN PRINE. Prine, whose wife/manager FIONA is recovering from coronavirus, has himself
been hospitalized, in critical condition, since March 26, 2020 with
symptoms suggesting the disease.
****
If you were watching the Grand Ole Opry live on March 28, 2020 and saw the
clumsy way the Opry tried to align the radio and TV simulcast, you
could only imagine, based on what you heard from an off-camera
announcement in mid-sentence following a commercial break, that
something bad had happened to JAN HOWARD.
The radio audience, having heard the full announcement and that the
evening's show was being presented in dedication to one of its last
"grand ladies," became immediately aware that Jan had passed away. The
TV audience had to wait for "confirmation" from the hour-long segment
host VINCE GILL.
The sloppy sendoff was in keeping with the Opry's historic treatment of
Jan. As
I have written: "In her 1987 autobiography, Sunshine and Shadow, Howard recalls attending a
March, 1971 party at [BILL] ANDERSON's house. [Grand Ole
Opry manager] BUD
WENDELL also attended the soirée.
"Upon leaving the party, Bud told Jan 'See you tomorrow night.'
"Howard,
who not only toured with Bill Anderson but was also a featured
performer on his self-titled syndicated television series, assumed that
Wendell thought Anderson was scheduled for the Friday night Opry.
"When
Jan told Bud 'Bill won't be there tomorrow night,' Wendell rhetorically
asked if Howard would appear. Jan indicated she would not and Bud
wanted to know why, since she was a member, wasn't she?
"'No,
I've never been. I guess I've just been on so long I'm a fixture.''
I
will always remember Jan for her candor and outspokenness. In
later years, she became my
neighbor and we often ran into each other at the H.G. HILL's grocery store (now Publix) on Nashville's
Harding Road
where she never hesitated to let me know what was on her mind.
****
Sometimes
engaged couples have wedding jitters but the outcome is usually a
literally different one than the following: Indeed, NATALIA ROSE MOUNT, a veteran of
the Nashville club scene (prior to its current lockdown), got the year
off to a great start with the New Year's Day release of City.
Unfortunately, the 23-year-old singer songwriter who has entertained
crowds ranging from patrons of Honky Tonk
Central to Virginia Beach, Virginia's Cutty Sark Marina (not to mention the National Wild Turkey Federation) was arrested on
March 22, 2020 in West Nashville. There Mount was charged with
domestic assault
following an incident that evidently began as a lovers' quarrel.
As a result, Natalia Mount and her fiancée MICHAEL
DREWS (originally from Virginia Beach) may be rethinking their
engagement.
Police were summoned to a domestic disturbance at a Cabot Drive
residence where Natalia informed them that she and Mike had been
arguing. Both parties admitted that a verbal argument became
physical. Natalia's version was that, as Michael was attempting
to hold her, she pushed his face.
But Mike says Natalia hit his face and nose,
bloodying Drews' schnozz.
After observing Michael's injuries, the police arrested and booked
Natalia on a charge of domestic assault on a $1,500 bond.
****
Mazel Tov to
my neighbors SONYA and RHETT AKINS on the birth of their son BRODY.
****
Dating
one of the show's crew members at the time, many of
my earliest, favorite Nashville
music industry memories occurred during time on
the WLAC-TV
Hee-Haw
set.
It was fun getting to know the regulars but quite a shock, frankly, to
arrive
at a rehearsal just as a street-clothed familiar face i had never met
was
exiting the TV station.
Having grown up loving the FIRST EDITION and watching Rollin' on the River I
instantly recognized the face of the band, Kenny Rogers. What was KENNY ROGERS
doing in Nashville?
The rock group and its syndicated TV series had long bitten the dust
and Rogers
was grateful for a fan's brief attention at what was, unbeknownst to me
at the
time, one of the lowest point in his life. (That, of course, quickly
changed
when Kenny got to know MARIANNE GORDON!)
Several years would pass before I saw Rogers again, but we became
reacquainted
when Kenny became the promotional face of Kenny
Rogers' Roasters, his books
(which I reviewed for country-music's leading publications and the Nashville
Banner), and at a few events during the KEN KRAGEN and KIRT WEBSTER years
including a news conference announcing Rogers' 50th anniversary TV
special, a
career retrospective at the Country
Music Hall of Fame and Museum and earlier
photo exhibit culled from one of Kenny's photography books at the Hall
of Fame.
During the latter, an event publicist turned bully with a false
accusation as a
result of a misunderstanding. Everyone in the vicinity- the publicist
was not
originally among us- knew the facts and Kenny took it upon himself to
be among
those who had my back.
Yes, like everyone else, I'll remember Kenny's music and his other
professional
ventures. But while, I admire the polymath for his drive and affable
disposition, I'm even more impressed with the mensch.
R.I.P. sweet music man...
****
The Country Music
Association is feeling the heat.
The 2020 CMA Music Festival will not go on as
scheduled. Unofficially, that's a no-brainer.
Historically, the "official" word from the Country Music Association
about anything of interest to its membership, media and country-music
fans always follows the obvious.
CMA Fest 2020, as planned, is dead on the water. To paraphrase my
fellow Minnesotan, WALTER MONDALE: They (in this case, the Country
Music Association), won't tell you, I just did.
****
Covid-19 is not deterring S.G. GOODMAN from showcasing The Way I Talk at the Cannery
Ballroom on March 20, 2020.
Thanks to DOUG HALL
and LUCY VOLPE
for the invitation to attend this media event.
****
Opining (see below) on my mention of AARP: The Magazine choosing SHANIA TWAIN as its "cover girl," JOHNNY COUNTERFIT writes (in an email used with
permission) "As per your Shania piece, I'll take a great looking 50
year-old like Shania over a tattooed 'inked' 25 year-old... anytime!"
****
Was it
something I said? (See below.)
As instructed, Nashville supporters and undecided voters gathered at
Public
Square Park at 2 p.m. February 29, 2020 for an opportunity to hear
Presidential
Candidate PETE BUTTIGIEG
ask for their vote, but it wasn't until over an hour later that Mayor
Pete
finally arrived.
In the meantime, the crowd listened to what could best be described as
a mix
tape of TIM McGRAW
(My Next 30 Years),
BRAD PAISLEY
(Country Nation)
and nearly a score of non-country singers' hits while waiting for the
man of
the hour. (I didn't make AMY KLOBUCHAR's
Nashville rally of a day earlier because I only found out its time and
location
after the fact. I wonder what Amy's reaction would have been if
I'd
been able
to show her a satirical column
her
famous father JIM KLOBUCHAR
wrote about me when Amy was only seven years old!)
I've met and covered presidential candidates (and later presidents and
former
presidents) without regard to political affiliation since 1967
and was
pleased to have the opportunity to shake hands with both Pete and CHASTEN BUTTIGIEG.
Given the opportunity, I couldn't resist doing something I rarely
do: Offer
(Mayor Pete) a little unsolicited advice.
No known connection but on March 1, 2020- one day after we met-
Buttigieg
dropped out of the race. (If you want to know what my words of
wisdom
were, you know the drill: Email me with ADVICE FOR MAYOR PETE in the subject
line and your name, city and
state [or province/country
is outside the U.S.A.] in the BODY
of
your email request.)
Undeterred
by all the mishigas,
on Monday, March 2, 2020 the day before Super Tuesday, I made it a point to be on hand for
an ELIZABETH WARREN rally at the Exit In.
It was
great to see one of Warren's biggest boosters, ASHLEY JUDD, again after several decades.
Years ago when I was backstage waiting for an interview with
Ashley's newly/about-to-be-famous mother and half-sister, I struck up a
conversation with a stranger, making small talk as I awaited being
beckoned away.
The
stranger was giving me some anecdotal information I hadn't seen in any
of THE JUDDS' publicity materials or in what few
articles I'd read about them.
"Oh, do
you know them (personally)?" I asked.
That's
when the otherwise unknown teenager- and future Hollywood star-
introduced herself to the embarrassed entertainment writer.
After
Ashley gave her stump speech at the Warren rally and I watched the
candidate's other boosters, DELTA RAE perform, I was ready to watch, listen to
and perhaps meet the candidate. I won't tell you how long I
waited or why I was oblivious to what everyone else there apparently
knew from the git-go, but not only was Elizabeth Warren not present,
rally organizers never said that she would be on hand.
I
obviously didn't get the memo, but I've never heard of a rally for a
(major) presidential candidate at which the candidate did not at least
intend to appear.
Again,
no
known connection, but, as with the other candidates for whom I turned
out (or intended to) at Nashville rallies (I've been to three Donald Trump rallies but none have been yet
scheduled for Nashville in 2020), Elizabeth Warren officially dropped
out of the race after the Super Tuesday results were announced.
****
SHANIA TWAIN graces the cover of the
February/March issue of AARP: The Magazine. The cover story's byline
belongs to one of my favorite writers (and fellow authors), ALANNA NASH.
****
UPDATE: (See
below and for possible future reference.) Here's the time line: I
forwarded a copy of my original email to JESSE KNUTSON and SANDY BOONSTRA to Jesse and Sandy on February 18, 2020, with the
query "Did you receive this?"
On February 20, 2020, having received no response to that point, and
because of some other information I will disclose if and when I'm am
able to authenticate it and confirm its relevancy, if any, to what, if
true, will be a larger story, I contacted Navex Global
during business hours. (E.W. SCRIPPS Company, WTVF's parent
company outsources risk management and compliance issues, relying upon
Navex to conduct independent investigations.)
I was asked by Navex's intake screener if I wanted to provide my
name. (He told me I could remain anonymous.)
Obviously, I provided my name, limiting my inquiry to the desire
to hear from either Jesse or Sandy. I was provided a report key
and password. (A little too cloak-and-dagger for me, but I don't make
the rules...)
Wouldn't you know it? As sure as Mercury is in retrograde motion, at 5:24 p.m.
Jesse emailed me, in part, "I saw you posted on your website about
this... I have not applied for a job at 117 Entertainment nor been extended an official
offer from 117. So the information you have been given is false,
and I'd appreciate it if you [would] remove it so any potential
employers don't think I'm unavailable."
I'm happy to
reiterate Knutson's availability to potential employers, as a
result of excerpting his email to me as a part of this update. (I have
several email accounts, and since I didn't see Jesse's email until
close to midnight, my immediate response is a next-day reply.)
****
Speaking (writing?) of politics,
didja know that, like yours truly, ZACH FARNUM
has a political background? Zach was once a candidate for state
senate in his home state of Rhode Island.
I've always explained my career change by saying I found my fill of
politics in the music industry. I'm feeling that same sensation
as I try to track down AUSTIN RICK (who seems to have done a disappearing
act after reaching out to me not long ago- assuming I was not dealing
with an imposter).
It's a crazy business: On February 15, 2020 I received, via first class
mail, what appears to be a photocopy of an internal memo on
"Newschannel 5 HD Network" letterhead. The mailing did not
include a return address nor any other evidence of its origin, save for
a Nashville postmark.
I receive tips all the time, and obviously prefer, and give more
credence to, those that are not sent anonymously, but this memo, dated
January 13, 2020, was one I wanted to check out. The process, I
reasoned, was easy enough as the communication, which appears to have
originally been an email reads "To: NewsChannel5 Staff, From SANDY BOONSTRA, Re: JESSE KNUTSON.
"Jesse Knutson is leaving NewsChannel 5. Jesse has done a
remarkable job covering the music industry in Nashville. He owned
it! No one could surpass his passion for the entertainment
beat. So much so, that Jesse has decided to leave broadcasting to
pursue a career in the music industry. Jesse's last day will be
March 9th. We wish him all the best!"
I emailed Zach Farnum "I understand Jesse Knutson will be joining the
117 Group next
month. Could you confirm that for me and, if my
information is correct, the day Jesse will be starting his new career,
his job title, etc.?"
My question
received an unexpected reaction, including Zach's advising "This is
inaccurate information."
Upon contacting Zach, I simultaneously emailed Boonstra and Knutson,
with whom I have, at separate points in time, interacted in the
past. Where Farnum responded right away, I have yet to receive a
response from neither Sandy nor Jesse re: clarification of Knutson's
professional plans.
As we say in TV, "Stay tuned."
****
It's
presidential primary season and early voting in Nashville has
begun. According to FEC stats, some on Music
Row (including those with the flimsiest of connections) are
financial backers of their favorite candidates.
These include the following: MIKE CURB, SCOTT MOFFATT and BUZZ CASON. DONALD TRUMP supporters all, Mike has donated
$5,600 Scott $45 and Buzz $35 to President Trump's re-election
campaign.
Meanwhile, SARAH
TRAHERN and DON SCHLITZ are solidly in the JOE BIDEN camp. (Sarah has contributed
$1,000 to the Biden campaign, Don's contribution? $200.)
PETE BUTTIGIEG's campaign's financial supporters
include HUNTER
KELLY ($1,055) and CLINT HIGHAM ($1,000).
Feeling the Bern, BRANDI CARLISLE wanted to give a little more to
the BERNIE SANDERS campaign than the average $18
donation Sanders has suggested he receives from his working class
supporters, so she's ponied up $1,600.
BETTE MIDLER is apparently hedging her bets,
donating $2,800 each to AMY KOBUCHAR's and ELIZABETH WARREN's presidential campaigns.
(Midler's husband, MARTIN VON HASELBERG has also donated $2,800 to
the Warren campaign.)
It's causes more than candidates, per sé, that have drawn EMMYLOU HARRIS' and BILL DENNY's
attention. Emmylou has donated $837 to Act Blue's
effort to end Citizens
United while Bill donated $455 to the NRA of America
Political Victory Fund.
****
SCOTT ADKINS Publicity
invites Nashville media to journey to Crestwood, Kentucky's Fox Hollow Farm.
The occasion is a February 18, 2020 press conference announcing the
September 12-13, 2020
Hometown Rising Country Music & Bourbon Festival talent roundup
"as well as... updates" on "partnerships and new initiatives for DANNY WIMMER
Presents™ 2020 Louisville Trifecta festival series.
STACY HARRIS IS ON THE MAP!
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