Industry Ink: Applause Award, Big Branch Productions, Outloud Music Festival

Former BMI Exec To Receive Applause Award

The nonprofit Tennessee Performing Arts Center (TPAC) will present its highest honor, the Applause Award, to Bridgestone Americas and John Cody, the former Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer of Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI), at the 2018 TPAC Gala, on Saturday, Aug. 25.

Cody served at BMI from 2006-2010, served on TPAC’s Board of Directors from 2007 to 2016, including two years as chairman from 2010 to 2012. During that time, his passion for the performing arts and his willingness to roll up his sleeves and dig into major projects like TPAC’s historic step to launch a national tour of “9 to 5” with Dolly Parton in 2010 was evident.

Big Branch Productions Launches In Los Angeles, Nashville

Bart Peters

Bart Peters, former Audience Network executive, has launched Big Branch Productions, with offices in Los Angeles and Nashville. The new company will produce original content for live events, film, and television.

Big Branch Productions’ initial programming slate includes “Super Saturday Night with JLo,” which aired prior to Super Bowl LII on Audience Network; “Audience Music,” Audience Network’s Friday night concert series; and the Audience Network comedy series “Loudermilk.”

“My vision for Big Branch Productions is to create a production company that isn’t limited to any specific genre or programming type – but encompasses a variety of content across genres, including live audience events – an approach in synch with today’s ever expanding TV and film landscape,” said Peters. “I love the opportunity to bring the full extent of my experience as a television executive, producer and director to the projects that Big Branch develops. I look forward to partnering with old and new friends within the creative community and produce innovative programming that has global appeal.”

OUTLOUD Music Festival To Feature Betty Who, Big Freedia

OUTLOUD Music Festival kicks off in Nashville on Sept. 8. The one-day, music-centric event includes Betty Who, Big Freedia, CupcakKe, Cazwell and many more on two stages. Along with the festival headliners, the event features Shelly Fairchild, Jake Wesley Rogers, Zoe Cummins, Stasney Mav, Myylo, Fame & Fiction, Kiya Lacey and several drag performances.

Betty Who burst onto the scene in 2016 with her hit single “I Love You Always Forever”.  Her second album, The Valley, was released in 2017 to rave reviews and a sold out tour. Her shows are non-stop energy and not something to miss.

Big Freedia is a New Orleans-based rapper and the undisputed Queen of Bounce. A vibrant twist on hip-hop, Bounce music is characterized by call-and-response lyrics over rapid-fire beats and booty-shaking. After running the New Orleans club scene for over two decades, the GLAAD media award winner is bringing the Bounce movement world-wide.

CupcakKe hails out of Chicago and released her first two singles on the internet becoming a viral sensation. She released her debut mixtape in 2016 and was placed in Rolling Stone’s “Best Rap Albums of 2016”. She uses her music as platform for advocacy including causes such as LGBT rights and female empowerment.

General Admission early bird tickets are $30.00 until the week of the event.  Betty Who, Big Freedia, and CupcakKe meet and greet tickets are also available at outloudmusicfestival.com.