On Music Row: TicketMaster CEO in on local label launch

Also: Nashville Music Awards returning and Sugarland plan a Wal-Mart launch [From our print edition featured in Monday's City Paper]

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Irving Azoff

Blaine Larsen will be the flagship artist of Treehouse Records, the new label launched by Morris Management Group through a partnership with Front Line Management and TicketMaster CEO Irving Azoff.

“This is a labor of love for Blaine, because we believe in him,” said Morris Management’s Clint Higham said.

Larsen, 23, has been signed with Morris Management for five years, whose principals have grown his career and feel he is poised for major success. When deciding what the next move was for Larsen, Higham said, “We didn’t want to wait in line at another label.”

Morris Management was already under Front Line Management’s umbrella when the companies began considering opening a label. “We thought, ‘Labels are gearing up to be in management, so why couldn’t we do the same thing,’” Higham said.

One advantage to the small roster, he added, is that while “other labels are asking [radio] for 20 artists, we’re asking for one.” Larsen started his radio tour last week, with the first single due in July. The album, seven months in the making, is complete. Besides radio, digital marketing will also be a large component of Larsen’s launch because he is already very active online.

Larsen, a former BNA Records artist, had a Top 20 hit in 2005 with “How Do You Get That Lonely,” followed a year later by “I Don’t Know What She Said,” which went Top 25.

Treehouse, which shares its moniker with the nickname for the Morris Management offices, will be housed with Morris Management for the time being. Announcements about staff and distribution are expected in the coming weeks. As far as any other acts being added to the roster, Higham said, “Only time will tell.”

Nashville Music Awards return

Next Big Nashville and Leadership Music are working together to revive the Nashville Music Awards, which were originally produced by Leadership Music from 1995 to 2000. The NMAs recognize all genres of music, and celebrate the diversity and quality of artists and music professionals who call Nashville home.

Winners of this year’s awards will be announced on the first evening of the 2009 Next Big Nashville festival in October. Nominations are being accepted from the public in 19 categories until July 15. Popular online voting will determine the winners.

Sugarland special set for Wal-Mart

Sugarland will release a special CD/DVD set called “Live On The Inside” Aug. 4 at Wal-Mart and walmart.com. The package will retail for $12.

The DVD, consisting of 16 live tracks and performance footage from their Love On The Inside Tour, was filmed in high-definition in Lexington, Ky. Fans will find all five of the duo’s No. 1 hits as well as many other popular songs.

The accompanying 10-track CD includes Sugarland’s take on covers made famous by Beyonce (”Irreplaceable”), The B-52s (”Love Shack”), Pearl Jam (”Better Man”), Edie Brickell (”Circle”), Kings of Leon (”Sex On Fire”) and R.E.M. (”The One I Love,” “Nightswimming”). The CD also includes live recordings of three of Sugarland’s biggest hits, including their Grammy-winning song, “Stay,” and “All I Want To Do.”