Music News 8/26/2010

Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke

United States Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke will visit Nashville next week to hear from the music industry about the impact of rampant music piracy. Locke will conduct a Discussion Forum on Monday, Aug. 30, from 2:00 PM to 3:30 PM at a location near Music Row.

“With an estimated one of 20 songs purchased legally, we must focus on this issue,” said 5th District Congressman Jim Cooper, who is hosting the forum, along with Secretary Locke.

Tennessee Governor Phil Bredesen and Nashville Mayor Karl Dean are also expected to be on hand to share their perspectives on an issue that is of such great importance to our city and state’s creative industries.

NSAI President/Grammy-nominated songwriter Steve Bogard said, “This is a rare opportunity to directly tell those in charge at the Federal level about the real-life impact of piracy on songwriters and our entire industry.”

Secretary Locke wants to hear from songwriters and other segments of the music industry about how piracy has impacted their income streams and business opportunities.

“Songwriters, we really need a strong showing at this Discussion Forum,” says NSAI Executive Director Bart Herbison. “I personally ask that you change your calendars if necessary to attend.”

More information will be forthcoming this week. To RSVP – or for specific questions – contact Debi Cochran at (615) 256-3354 or debi@nashvillesongwriters.com.

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Longtime record label executive Jason Owen is launching a management firm with Shania Twain as his first client. Today he is announcing the launch of Sandbox Entertainment, a full-service management and entertainment company which will be based in Nashville and open its doors on Sept. 7.

Jason Owen

Owen’s last day as Senior Vice President of Artist Development and Marketing for Universal Music Nashville will be Sept. 3. However, he will continue his nearly decade-long association with the label in a consultancy role, working with Chairman & CEO Luke Lewis.

“Shania and I have been together for over eight years in my role at UMG and to start this new journey with her is a true privilege for me,” said Owen. “Shania is a true music icon who has broadened country music’s boundaries and brought many new fans to the genre. We have some exciting plans in the works that will expand her worldwide career into new areas of music and entertainment, which will all be revealed very soon.”

While at Universal Music Nashville, Owen developed and implemented successful publicity, marketing and creative initiatives for such chart-topping artists as Sugarland, Reba McEntire, George Strait, Billy Currington, and Laura Bell Bundy.

He launches Sandbox with extensive experience in building and managing campaigns across a wide range of platforms, and is credited for his work on high-level programs for Twain and Sugarland, including producing the hit ABC-TV special, Sugarland: Live On The Inside.

Prior to joining Universal, Owen enjoyed an extensive and successful career in television, serving as Director of Marketing and Talent Relations at Columbia TriStar Television. His background also includes stints with Spelling Entertainment and New Line Cinema/Fine Line Features.

“During my time at Universal, I’ve also worked with many of the world’s most talented artists and many of the most dynamic people in the business, most notably, my mentor and friend, Luke Lewis,” added Owen. “I am fortunate to be able to continue my relationship with him and UMG, while branching out with this exciting new venture.”

“Jason has done a tremendous job in helping us to guide the careers of many of our artists,” commented Lewis. “While we are sorry to see him move on, we certainly understand it. We wish him only the very best and are delighted that we will continue to work with him in his consultancy role.”

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The 2nd Annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriter’s Festival takes place Sept. 24-25 on the famous island off the Massachusetts coastline. Concerts will take place at Mansion house in Vineyard Haven and at Union Chapel in Oak Bluffs. The festival features a variety of BMI pop and country writers in exclusive lineups and intimate settings. Advance tickets for each show are $25 and can be purchased at www.ticketsMV.com.

Featured performers will include producer/writer Keith Stegall, Tom Douglas, Thom Schuyler, Even Stevens, and a host of others. In addition to the concert, part of the reason for the event is to allow the composers to establish new creative partnerships in the retreat-like setting. The second annual Martha’s Vineyard Songwriters Festival is sponsored by BMI, Southwest Airlines, Mansion House, Key West Songwriters Festival, Fury Key West, ticketsMV.com, and Bose.

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Muscle Shoals, Alabama’s renowned Fame Studios, its publishing company, and record label are experiencing a revival. Hit Nashville songwriter Brad Crisler has signed with House of Fame Publishing, where Music Row veteran Steve Williams has been hired on as Creative Director.

For Crisler, it is a return the publishing company where he had early success. His credits include cuts by Tim McGraw, Brooks & Dunn, Rascal Flatts and Kenny Chesney, as well as the hits “Sweet Southern Comfort” (Buddy Jewell) and “Hillbilly Deluxe” (Brooks & Dunn).

Williams brings his two decades of experience to Fame, including time at Arista Nashville and later as Creative Director at Sea Gayle Music.

Throughout the 1960s, artists that recorded at founder Rick Hall’s Fame Studios included Aretha Franklin, Little Richard, and Otis Redding. Decades of hits followed with The Osmonds, Bobbie Gentry, Jerry Reed, and Shenandoah laying down tracks at the southern soul studio. Since its inception, Fame has been involved in projects selling over 350 million copies worldwide.

Williams can be reached at 603 East Avalon Avenue, Muscle Shoals, AL 35661; steve@fame2.com.