Industry Ink: CMA, Americana Music Association, Reviver Entertainment Group

CMA Songwriters Series Makes Birthplace Of Country Music Museum Debut

Pictured (L-R): Barry Dean, Tracy Lawrence, Rick Huckaby, and Luke Laird perform during the CMA Songwriters Series Thursday at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Va. Photo: Rob Moore / CMA

Tracy Lawrence was joined by Barry Dean, Rick Huckaby, and Luke Laird on Thursday (Sept. 8) for the CMA Songwriters Series debut at The Birthplace of Country Music Museum in Bristol, Virginia. The show was one of several special events leading up to the historic rivalry football game between the University of Tennessee Volunteers and the Virginia Tech Hokies.

The CMA Songwriters Series is in its 12^th season, kicking off the first show of this year at indigo at The O2 in London during the C2C Festival. That was followed by its debut appearance at SXSW at the Paramount Theatre in Austin, Texas, and a stop in Washington, D.C. at the renowned Library of Congress. Since 2005, the CMA Songwriters Series has presented more than 90 shows in 15 cities including Austin, Belfast, Chicago, Dublin, London, Los Angeles, New Orleans, New York, and Paris.

Americana Music Association Adds Director of Marketing and Research

Sarah Comardelle

The Americana Music Association has promoted Sarah Comardelle to Director of Marketing and Research. In her new role, Comardelle will oversee the implementation of marketing, social media and special event initiatives, including the Americana Music Festival & Conference. She reports directly to Executive Director Jed Hilly .

Prior to stepping into her current role at the feisty not for profit music association, the Belmont University graduate first joined the Americana Music Association as a volunteer and has served as manager of Marketing and AmericanaFest conference Coordinator.

“Sarah is one of the most dedicated and hard working individuals I have ever met,” said Hilly, “and has become an invaluable member of our community – I am thrilled to announce this deserving promotion.”

Comaardelle can be reached at sarah@americanmusic.org.

Will Robinson Joins Reviver Entertainment Group

Will Robinson

Will Robinson has joined Reviver Entertainment Group as Northeast/Midwest Regional Promotion Manager. Robinson will report to Reeves.

“Will’s depth of experience as a programmer and promotion manager will provide 1608 unparalleled expertise, experience and results. We are thrilled to have Will as our boots on the ground in the Northeast and Midwest,” Bob Reeves, Sr. Vice President of Promotion for Reviver Entertainment Group, said.

Robinson previously worked as a programmer at WRBQ in Tampa and WQYK with stops at WNEW in New York, WCAT in Harrisburg and WFRE in Frederick. After 16 years in programming, he began working records with Nine North. He continued down the promotion path at RPM and I.R.S.

Robinson joins 1608 Regional Promotion Managers Clay Henderson leading the Southwest/Midwest and Ben Bieri overseeing the West Coast. Hayley Cowoski continues as Promotion Coordinator for Reviver Records and 1608.