The Nashville Chapter of the Recording Academy will present The Art & Business of Music, a GRAMMY Professional Development Program, on Thursday, May 1, at the Great Aunt Stella Center. The program will consist of an in-depth panel discussion addressing issues surrounding the climate of today’s music industry. Following the panel/Q&A session will be a demo critiquing session (yes, you can bring your own music). The event will end with a networking reception. Featured panelists are: Bob DiPiero, songwriter/ artist (songwriting credits include Faith Hill, Neil Diamond, George Strait); Ree Guyer Buchanan, owner of Wrensong Music Publishing; Gary Overton, GM of EMI Music Publishing, Nashville; Kim Patton-Johnston, songwriter/artist (songwriting credits include Bill & Gloria Gaither, the Martins, Trisha Yearwood); Tommy Sims, songwriter/ artist/musician/ producer (songwriting credits include CeCe Winans, Neville Brothers, Eric Clapton). Registration starts at 5pm and the panel begins at 5:30pm. Tickets cost $25 in advance or $35 at the door. Admission is free if you join the Recording Academy before the event. Anyone interested in attending can call 615-327-8030.
Charlotte-based indie label, MoRisen Records, has signed three new acts: Chapel Hill’s Snatches of Pink and Jennyanykind, and Pittsboro’s The b-Sides. The label will also be presenting the second installment of its live showcase, the New Music Xtravaganza, on Saturday, May 3 at the Visulite Theatre. The show will feature Elevator Action, Marat, The Talk and Jennyanykind. In addition to the showcase, MoRisen has upcoming tour plans for its artists that include dates in both the US and Europe. The label will also be releasing a 17 band, 17 song compilation CD entitled Underground Radio — Volume High on June 3. The compilation will feature MoRisen artists (which also include Leisure McCorkle and Marat) as well as Elevator Action, Park Life, and many more. For more details, go to www.MoRisen.com.
Congratulations to the folks at the Evening Muse who will be celebrating the club’s 2-year anniversary on Saturday, April 26. Performers for the night include Tesser, Jonathan Byrd, John Dungan, and Steve Simpson.
The folks at Reggae Central are hosting a birthday bash for WPEG’s DJ Ceez (producer of the weekly Reggae mix show that airs on Power 98 each Sunday) on Thursday, May 1, at Tremont Music Hall. The show will feature Buju Banton, who is currently touring with The Shiloh Band. Jah Creation, Emron, Livewire Sound and, of course, DJ Ceez are also on the bill. Tickets cost $20 in advance and $25 the day of the show. Call Reggae Central at 704-377-2782 or 803-324-4743 for more info.
The Stragglers are in the studio working on a new release which they hope to have out in June. They’re recording with Art Bordeaux at the Sound Farm and the band is producing the record.
Ziggy’s in Winston-Salem recently kicked off its “Sunset Concert Series,” which is scheduled to take place once a month through the summer. Shows will be held outside (weather permitting) with gates opening at 4:30pm and bands starting at 5:30pm (performances will be held inside in the event of rain). Kids are welcome as children 12 and under are admitted free, otherwise advance tickets cost $10. For more info call 336-748-1064 or check out www.ziggyrock.com.
Bianchi Promotions and Socials of Charlotte have joined forces to create Elevate Entertainment. According to co-owners Scott Bianchi and Steve Caldwell they plan to create, manage and promote 15 to 20 events in the upcoming year in various venues. Earlier this month they kicked off a five week outdoor concert series called The Roof @ 5. For more info on the new collaboration and a look at upcoming events go to www. elevatecharlotte. com.
The Free Times, Columbia’s free weekly, is hosting its annual Colossal Music Crawl on Saturday, April 26. Charlotte acts First Night On Earth and Les Dirt Clods were among the 24 acts selected to perform. Other regional acts include Danielle Howle and the Tantrums, Captain Easy, Isabelle’s Gift and Squeezetoy. A panel discussion will take place from 11am-2pm at Senate Park (in the Vista, 931-B Senate Street). Bands are encouraged to bring their press kits for feedback. Confirmed panelists include Ryan Goforth (talent buyer for Senate Park), Dick Hodgin (Management 101, former manager of Cravin’ Melon), Rusty Harmon (Management 101, former manager of Hootie & The Blowfish), Ry Adams (of Republic Records artist The Boxing Day) and Brent Caley (local music buyer for Manifest). Admission to the panel is free and five acts will perform immediately after the event. All other showcases begin at 8pm. A wristband cost $5 and allows admission to all five of the participating venues. The Crawl is open to ages 18 and up. For more details call 803-765-0707.
This article appears in Apr 23-29, 2003.
