Industry Ink: Devon Kolozsi, Barbershop Harmony Society, Benefit For CCM Artist Rick Elias

Devon Kolozsi Joins Marketing Agency k2forma

Devon Kolozsi

Former BMI exec Devon Kolozsi has joined Nashville-based marketing and creative services agency k2forma as Director, New Business. Kolozsi spent 13 years at BMI, working in general licensing and sales.

k2forma, launched by Kelly Koeppel in 2007, has worked with companies including Third Man Records and Houzz. “I identified Devon as a self-starter, driven by big-picture growth. She’s someone who shares our commitment to customer satisfaction and high-quality service. That mindset, combined with her existing knowledge of branding solutions makes her a welcomed addition to the team” said Koeppel.

 

Barbershop Harmony Society To Hold Midwinter Convention Beginning Jan. 22

The Barbershop Harmony Society will host its annual Midwinter Convention at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry Jan. 22-27. Notably, this marks the first convention following the June 2018 announcement that the organization would begin accepting women for the first time in the organization’s 80-year history. In 2009, women were allowed to participate in the organization as associates, but couldn’t join chapters or quartets.

This year’s convention will celebrate the rule change, with performances from all-female quartets, mixed-gender choruses and more, as well as groups of all ages, backgrounds, race, sexual orientation and more. On Thurs., Jan. 24, the Heritage of Harmony event will highlight performances from the Fisk Jubilee Singers®, The Fairchild Four, HALO quartet and past world champions Crossroads and After Hours. This event seeks to embrace the culture of barbershop back to its roots in African American history.

Free events include performances by Barbershop members at the Second Harvest Food Bank and the Nashville Farmer’s Market on Fri., Jan. 25, as the organization helps give back to Nashville’s community by way of song. Individuals can also donate to the American Red Cross of Nashville on Sat., Jan. 26 for the convention’s Red Cross Blood Drive from 10 AM CST – 5 PM CST at Gaylord Opryland Resort.

A full schedule of events can be found at barbershop.org

 

Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith Set For Benefit Concert For Rick Elias

Contemporary Christian music artist Rick Elias, a founding member of A Ragamuffin Band, was recently diagnosed with terminal brain cancer. Friends and colleagues have banded together to produce a benefit concert slated for Feb. 2 at Christ Community Church in Franklin, Tennesee, designed to help defray the expenses associated with the treatment of the disease.

A Ragamuffin Benefit for Rick Elias: The Jesus Record Live concert event will raise money for his medical expenses, and allow attendees to hear the 1998 album The Jesus Record performed live in its entirety. The concert will feature performers from the original recording, including Elias, Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, A Ragamuffin Band (Elias, Mark Robertson, Jimmy Abegg, and Aaron Smith), and more. Even the sound engineer, concert producers, graphic artist, select session players and others who contributed to the original album are donating their time for this significant evening.

The historic Jesus Record was scheduled to be the ninth release by the late Rich Mullins (1955-1997). When Mullins met an untimely death, his foundation, band, and record company determined to move forward with recording the project in Rich’s honor with guest artists who were his friends. The project included two discs; Disc One–the nine rough song demos recorded by Mullins, and Disc Two–the studio version of the same songs, produced by Elias. The Jesus Record was released on July 23, 1998. Shortly thereafter, A Ragamuffin Band toured the U.S., featuring music from The Jesus Record on their Homeless Man Tour.

Tickets to A Ragamuffin Benefit for Rick Elias: The Jesus Record Live concert event may be purchased online at eventbrite.com.  A GoFundMe page has also been set up.

[fbcomments count="off" num="3" countmsg="Comments" width="100%"]
Follow MusicRow on Twitter

Category: Featured

About the Author

Jessica Nicholson serves as the Managing Editor for MusicRow magazine. Her previous music journalism experience includes work with Country Weekly magazine and Contemporary Christian Music (CCM) magazine. She holds a BBA degree in Music Business and Marketing from Belmont University. She welcomes your feedback at jnicholson@musicrow.com.

View Author Profile