November 2013

The CMA Board of Directors has named music and television industry veteran Sarah Trahern as CMA’s Chief Executive Officer, effective January, 2014. She joins CMA from Scripps Networks Interactive’s Great American Country (GAC) where she has been Senior Vice President and General Manager. “The CMA Board Search Committee, chaired by Board Secretary/Treasurer and Warner Music Nashville President and CEO, John Esposito, conducted a thoughtful, thorough nationwide search to find the best possible candidates – and there were many. But, not surprisingly, the best person was right here in our industry in Nashville,” said Troy Tomlinson, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors. “Sarah possesses the leadership skills, diverse qualities, relationships, and extensive experience necessary to collaborate with the CMA Board of Directors to expand the mission and strategic objectives of the CMA while being mindful of the unique legacy and spirit of the organisation. She is not only well-known in the Country Music and television world, but a highly respected executive with strong relationships with many of our members, including record labels, managers, publicists, publishers, and Country artists as well. We are so thrilled that she was ultimately interested in assuming this very important role, leading the CMA.” Trahern said: “I moved to Nashville in 1995 to combine my experience in live television with my passion for music and especially, Country Music. Now, years later, to be able to serve as leader of the Country Music Association is an exciting challenge. I look forward to collaborating with the Board, the management team, staff, and the membership to continue to grow our genre in multiple arenas. It’s an exciting and dynamic time in the Country Music business with tremendous growth opportunities as well as an ever changing marketplace. The ratings success of the CMA Awards last week is indicative of the strength of our genre across multiple demographic groups.” Since July 1, 2013 CMA Board President Ed Hardy has assumed that leadership role as the board liaison with the staff and management of the CMA on a day-to-day basis and will continue to do so until Trahern transitions into the position. Tomlinson said, “Words cannot express the deep appreciation that the CMA Board of Directors, management, and staff feel for the leadership and hard work Ed Hardy has contributed during this interim period. We look forward to him being engaged in the leadership of the CMA Board going forward.” As CEO, Trahern will work closely with the CMA Board to develop and execute strategies and long-range plans for the continued growth of the organisation as well as manage external business relationships including the Association’s network television partner ABC and numerous corporate partners. CMA Board President Hardy said: “I’ve known Sarah for nine years and worked with her for eight of those years, after hiring her at Scripps Networks. Her deep roots in our industry, her passion for Country Music and her leadership skills and style are among the reasons I selected Sarah as my successor at GAC. They are also the reasons she is the perfect choice for this vitally important role leading the CMA. I look forward to working with her again in my leadership role on the CMA Board over the next year. It has been a real honour and pleasure for me to have gotten to know and work side by side with the talented, hard-working and dedicated management and staff of the CMA in this interim leadership role.” Trahern has more than 27 years of experience in the network television business, 18 years of it producing or overseeing Country Music programming. As Senior Vice President and General Manager of Scripps Networks Interactive’s GAC, Great American Country, she has been responsible for the strategic direction of the network and oversees all aspects of the network including programming, marketing, creative, and digital. In 2010, she was named one of 30 Woman ‘Power Players’ in the music business by Billboard Magazine. In December 2011, she was the subject and honouree of the Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She was recently recognised by Source as a top leader in the music business. Trahern moved to Nashville in 1995 to oversee specials and entertainment series for TNN. She began her cable career at C-SPAN in Washington, D.C. covering politics and public affairs and producing the popular series Booknotes. She joined GAC in 2005 with Scripps’ ownership of the network. She was promoted to SVP of Programming and in 2010, General Manager of the network. She assumed senior leadership duties in January of 2013 with the retirement of GAC President Ed Hardy. She is a board member and immediate past chair of the Academy of Country Music Association, a member of the Advisory Board of All About Women, and a member of the Board of Directors of the Monroe Carell Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. She recently participated in the Department of Defense’s 84th class in the Joint Civilian Orientation Conference and is a graduate of Women in Cable Television (WICT)’s Betsy Magness Leadership Institute. Trahern is a graduate of Georgetown University and has an MBA from the Owen Graduate School of Management at Vanderbilt. A native of Champaign-Urbana, Ill., she resides in Nashville with her husband Wayne Flatt. More than 7,000 music industry professionals and companies around the globe are members of the Country Music Association. The organisation’s objectives are to serve as an educational and professional resource for the industry and advance the growth of Country Music around the world. This is accomplished through CMA’s strategic imperatives – CMA Music Festival and the CMA Awards. For information about CMA visit: www.CMAworld.com

Liverpool Sound City is giving emerging talent the chance to perform at the festival as well as the chance to open Jools Holland’s Manchester show Last year, it saw 41,500 music fans flock to venues all over the city to watch over 360 artists in just three days, whilst 3,500 delegates attended its leading music, media and technology conference. For 2014, the seventh edition of Liverpool Sound City – taking place May 1-3 – is set to be bigger, better and even more unmissable. Sound City uniquely combines an internationally renowned music festival, which celebrates new talent alongside the biggest names in the British music scene, with the UK’s leading industry conference – all in the world’s most legendary music city. In 2013, the eclectic line-up included the likes of Noah and the Whale, AlunaGeorge, The Walkmen, Enter Shikari and hundreds more, whilst the conference hosted key speakers like Dan Smith from Bastille, Michael Murphy from The Wombats, Manager of the Rolling Stones Andrew Loog Oldham and Simon Moran, founder and CEO of SJM Concerts. What makes Sound City stand out from other festivals is its focus on new and emerging and talent. Sound City 2013 saw over 300 emerging bands and artists taking to the stage during the festival – following an open application process and this year they they’re looking to offer even more up and coming artists the chance to play. Not only will those who apply be in with the chance of performing at one of the UK’s leading festivals, alongside some of the biggest names in the music industry; this year Sound City are giving those who apply the opportunity to win the chance to ‘open’ Jools Holland’s show in Manchester on December 7. Alex Simmonds, Marketing and Ticketing Manager, said: “We’re extremely excited to be planning for Liverpool Sound City 2014 and we’re definitely expecting big things. “Last year, there was fantastic response to our open band application process and we’re sure it will be even better this year. We’re looking for a very high level of talent and performance ability, we want something groundbreaking – basically, bands who could be the next big thing.” Applications are invited from all over the world (performers from over 18 countries took part in the festival in 2013) and from all music genres. Applications will close on the 31st January 2014. For full details on Liverpool Sound City and to apply to perform in 2014, visit www.liverpoolsoundcity.co.uk

In his final two years of touring George Strait returned to the CMA Awards yesterday evening to be named Entertainer of the Year. It was his third win in the category, but his first since 1990. The 61-year-old Texan is retiring from touring and is currently involved in his The Cowboy Rides Away tour. “This blows me away,” he said as he accepted the award. “This means the world to me, I appreciate it. Thank you.” Fellow Texan Miranda Lambert won her fourth straight Female Vocalist of the Year Award while her husband, Blake Shelton, won Album Of The Year and Male Vocalist—a category he also won for the fourth year in a row. “I really didn’t think this was going to happen this year,” Lambert said before thanking each of the other nominees. The husband and wife have been favourites of the CMA’s 6,000 voters for the last three years and Wednesday was no different. Shelton’s Album Of The Year win for BASED ON A TRUE STORY… was a bit of a surprise, a year after taking entertainer of the year. “I had mentioned earlier today that if there was an award that would mean the most to me tonight, it would be Album of the Year,” said Shelton. Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley scored single and vocal duo of the year. Their quick tally was more proof the so-called bro country movement is the sound of the moment in mainstream country. FGL kicked off the show performing a fist-pumping medley with Luke Bryan, and very quickly returned to the stage to take the trophy for single of the year for their Cruise remix featuring Nelly. They also played their new song, Round Here. Meanwhile, Kacey Musgraves—who, along with Taylor Swift, led all nominees with six—won the New Artist Trophy, beating a field including Florida Georgia Line. With smart songwriting, a progressive bent and a strong sense of self like country’s other top women, Musgraves made an auspicious mainstream country debut this year with her album SAME TRAILER DIFFERENT PARK. “This first year for me has just been indescribable,” said Musgraves, who set a record for nominations for a woman in her first year on the show. Taylor Swift later performed a sombre, acoustic version of her hit Red with Vince Gill, Alison Krauss and Sam Bush and was given the CMA’s Pinnacle Award. The award goes to artists who take country music to a worldwide audience. Garth Brooks is the only previous winner. He won in 2005. The CMA brought a star-studded welcoming group out on stage for Swift that included George Strait, Rascal Flatts, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Keith Urban and Brad Paisley—all of whom gave Swift a chance to open for them on the road as a teenager. A video salute followed with appearances by Justin Timberlake, Julia Roberts, Reese Witherspoon, Ellen DeGeneres, Carly Simon, Ethel Kennedy and Mick Jagger—whose appearance made Swift shout. Accepting the award, the 23-year-old Swift said: “You’ve made me fell so special right now, thank you.” George Strait and Alan Jackson joined together to salute the late George Jones with a rendition of She Stopped Loving Him Today. And in one of the night’s most anticipated moments, Kenny Rogers received the CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award and was saluted by Jennifer Nettles, Rucker and Rascal Flatts. Rogers sat on stage and mouthed along as Rascal Flatts sang Just Dropped In (to See What Condition My Condition Is In), the crowd helped Rucker sing The Gambler and Nettles and Rogers finished the tribute by singing Islands in the Stream. “It’s been a hell of a month,” Rogers said. “The (Country Music) Hall of Fame last week, this this week. I can’t wait to see what’s coming next week.” CMA 2013 Award Winners Entertainer of year: George strait Male Vocalist: Blake Shelton Female Vocalist: Miranda Lambert Album of the Year: BASED ON A TRUE STORY – Blake Shelton Single of the Year: I Drive Your Truck – Lee Brice Song of the Year: Cruise – Florida Georgia Line Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line Group: Little Big Town Best New Artist: Kacey Musgraves Musician of the Year: Mac MacAnally Video of Year: Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban Vocal event of Year: Highway Don’t Care – Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban

Listeners took to Twitter over the weekend, to voice their confusion as two different segments of Bob Harris’ show were played simultaneously. During the second hour of Harris’s three-hour pre-recorded show it was disrupted, as the clocks went back and the UK switched from British summer time to Greenwich mean time in the early hours of Sunday morning. Harris later told his followers on Twitter that he was “so sorry that a technical fault had such a big impact” and he was “particularly disappointed” that his listeners had been unable to hear a special session recorded with new singer-songwriter Nick Capaldi. ‘Whispering Bob’, the former host of 1970s music show The Old Grey Whistle Test, also assured fans that Radio 2 would be re-broadcasting the session “as soon as we can.” An emergency tape did kick in after around 20 minutes. It featured tracks including Abba’s Dancing Queen and lasted for approximately 30 minutes. Many listeners expressed their surprise that the programme was not broadcast live. However, the show, which runs from midnight until 03:00 GMT on a Sunday morning, is usually pre-recorded. It features a selection of rock, country and folk music and live sessions with artists. A Radio 2 spokesperson said: “On Sunday morning between 1am and 2am there was a technical glitch which affected Bob Harris’s show. We are currently looking into the cause and apologise to listeners tuning in at that time.” www.bbc.co.uk/radio2