News Category: Museum

The Birthplace of Country Music Offers Seminar May 21

As the saying goes, “you can’t swing a banjo on State Street without hitting a musician.” Now the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is offering a lifeclass for area musicians who are interested in learning more about the legal side of their careers. On Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. the BCM will present “Music Law for Musicians,” a seminar for musicians, music business professionals, or anyone interested in the legalities of the music business.

Who owns the copyright to a song written and arranged by members of a performance group? How do you protect your band name? What provisions should be considered to ensure your band’s operations align with goals and expectations?

Justin Laughter, a business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney with Threshold Counsel, PC in Richmond, Virginia, will lead the seminar consisting of three separate hour-long programs providing a crash course in the following:

• • Choosing and Protecting Your Band or Artist Stage Name
• • Songwriting and Sound Recording Law 101
• • Band Entities and Agreements

“This class offers first steps into understanding basic legal topics that any touring musician should know,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music. “We have a huge community of touring artists right here in our region who could really benefit from this seminar.”

Attendees will gain essential background information into the legal areas relevant to their creative careers as well as practical advice to help them avoid common pitfalls. Laughter’s experience representing clients is wide-ranging, including business and nonprofit structuring and operations, copyright and trademark protection and enforcement, internet law, and private securities. He regularly counsels start-ups, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs.

The cost to attend the class is $25. The seminar will be held in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

CLICK HERE TO PURCHASE TICKETS

REGISTRATION FORM

WHEN:
Tuesday, May 10 | 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.
Tuesday, May 17 | 5:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.

WHERE:
Birthplace of Country Music Museum

If you are interested in working behind the scenes at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, become a volunteer! Help is needed in a number of areas including gallery assistants, archives, special events, and curatorial. Your level of involvement can include meeting the public or working behind the scenes.

The Volunteer Overview Session allows you to discern your area of interest at the museum. The session takes place on Tuesday, May 10 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.

A follow-up In-Depth Training Session is scheduled for Tuesday, May 17 from 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
For more information, email volunteercoordinator@birthplaceofcountrymusic.org.

Ralph Peer II took time to visit the Birthplace of Country Music Museum for the opening of a new display honoring his father, Ralph Peer, the legendary producer who recorded the 1927 Bristol Sessions. Using artifacts loaned by the Peer Family Archives, the display gives visitors a glimpse into Peer’s influence beyond the Bristol Sessions and country music.

“In terms of creating his own publishing, it happened due to the Sessions that happened here in Bristol,” Peer said during his visit.

Peer is now the Chairman and CEO of his father’s empire at peermusic, the largest independently owned music publishing company in the world. From The Beatles to Justin Bieber, peermusic holds over a quarter million copyrights to a vast array of music titles internationally.

The Ralph Peer display is integrated into the Birthplace of Country Music’s permanent exhibits and will be open through August 1.

Click here to read Tom Netherland’s article on Peer’s visit in the Bristol Herald Courier.

The Birthplace of Country Music Offers Seminar May 21

As the saying goes, “you can’t swing a banjo on State Street without hitting a musician.” Now the Birthplace of Country Music (BCM) is offering a life class for area musicians who are interested in learning more about the legal side of their careers. On Saturday, May 21, 2016 from 9:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. the BCM will present “Music Law for Musicians,” a seminar for musicians, music business professionals, or anyone interested in the legalities of the music business.

Ever wonder who owns the copyright to a song written and arranged by members of a performance group? How do you protect your band name? What provisions should be considered to ensure your band’s operations align with goals and expectations?

Justin Laughter, a business, intellectual property, and entertainment attorney with Threshold Counsel, PC in Richmond, Virginia, will lead the seminar consisting of three separate hour-long programs providing a crash course in the following:

1. • Choosing and Protecting Your Band or Artist Stage Name
   • Songwriting and Sound Recording Law 101
   • Band Entities and Agreements

“This class offers first steps into understanding basic legal topics that any touring musician should know,” said Leah Ross, Executive Director of the Birthplace of Country Music. “We have a huge community of touring artists right here in our region who could really benefit from this seminar.”

Attendees will gain essential background information into the legal areas relevant to their creative careers as well as practical advice to help them avoid common pitfalls. Laughter’s experience representing clients is wide-ranging, including business and nonprofit structuring and operations, copyright and trademark protection and enforcement, internet law, and private securities. He regularly counsels start-ups, makers, and other creative entrepreneurs.

The cost to attend the class is $25. Visit www.BirthplaceOfCountryMusic.org to register. The seminar will be held in the Performance Theater at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.

About Justin Laughter

Justin has been honored as a Virginia Super Lawyers-Rising Star in IP (2013-2016), part of Virginia Business Magazine’s Legal Elite (2011, 2014) and as one of Richmond’s Top 40 under 40 by Style Weekly Magazine (2008). He is a 2003 graduate of the University of Virginia (Phi Beta Kappa) and a 2006 graduate of William and Mary Law School (Order of the Coif).
He is also active in the nonprofit, creative, and entertainment community. Justin is a Board Member of C3: The Creative Change Center, Board Member of JAMinc, Board Member of AMP! Metro Richmond, Board Member of OneVoice, Board Member of Gallery5 (museum, art, and performance), a member of Lawyers for the Arts, and a member of the Richmond CenterStage Associates Board. He is also the former Interim Executive Director of Virginians for the Arts, a statewide arts advocacy nonprofit organization. Further, Justin is a voting member of the National Academy of Recording Arts and Sciences, known for its Grammy Awards. He routinely speaks to community audiences, law students, and professionals on legal topics.
Justin is Co-Founder of Educational Media Creations Company, LLC a.k.a. Silly Bus, an educational media company organized to help children feel confident, successful, and happy while learning foundational components of elementary education (see www.sillybus.net).

It all started with Ralph Peer, the ambitious record producer who recorded the 1927 Bristol Sessions and helped make The Carter Family and Jimmie Rodgers into household names. On March 30, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will open a special display on the legacy of Ralph Peer using artifacts loaned by the Peer Family Archives. The display will give visitors a glimpse into Peer’s influence beyond the Bristol Sessions and country music.

Ralph Peer II, the son of Ralph Peer, will be honored at a private reception at the museum after hours on March 30. Ralph Peer II, the current Chair and CEO of peermusic, oversees a global network of music publishing companies operating from 35 offices in 28 countries. With well over a quarter of a million titles in the company’s catalogue, and songs that vary from country, blues, jazz and pop to Latin, concert and rock ‘n’ roll, Ralph Peer II directs the largest privately owned company of its kind in the world.

“From Elvis and the Beatles to Beyoncé and Katy Perry, peermusic copyrights make up a vast catalogue of popular music recordings internationally,” said Museum Director Dr. Jessica Turner. “There’s a larger story to tell about Peer’s success beyond the Bristol Sessions. We are excited for the opportunity to share that story at the Birthplace of Country Music Museum.”

The Ralph Peer display will be integrated into the museum’s permanent exhibits on the upper level of the museum and will be open through August 1.

Join the The Palace Pickers band at Pick Along! Summer Camps 2016!

Week 1: June 20-24
String Instrument Camp ages 7-10

Week 2: June 27-July 1
String Instrument Camp ages 11-14

Week 3: July 11-15
Songwriting Camp ages 10-14

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum’s Pick Along! Summer Camps are back for a second season! Not only will your child learn about Bristol’s important role in country music history and its lasting influence on the music of today, they’ll actually learn to play an instrument!

Children ages 7 to 14 will get expert instruction on the same style of instruments that were used in the 1927 Bristol Sessions recordings. They will not only learn how to play music, they will learn fundamental skills in various music styles. Campers get to explore the Birthplace of Country Music Museum, learn about the music of Bristol and our region, receive instruction in singing and dancing, and will be introduced to other concepts and disciplines that make up the rich tapestry of country music.

The final week of Pick Along! Summer Camp is designed for students ages 10-14 whom are interested in the craft of songwriting—singers, instrumentalists, and lyricists alike. They will get to explore music theory principles, common historical themes, and the different ways to combine and structure them into song.

No previous musical experience is required for Pick Along! Summer Camps, only interest in music and a desire to learn and have fun! This camp is designed for beginners and anyone interested in our musical heritage. Whether you know just a little or absolutely nothing, this is the place for you!

Class size is limited so register now to reserve space. The deadline for registration is June 1, 2016.

Hours: 

Half Day 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m.
Includes a healthy mid-morning snack, individual instruction on multiple instruments, group activities and games, exploration of music, sound technology experiments, and local history.

Full Day 9:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m.
In addition to half-day offerings, full days include extended individual and group instrument instruction, additional activities, advanced engagement with favorite instruments, a more immersive experience, and a healthy afternoon snack. Full Day campers will need to bring a bag lunch and drink each day.

Pricing:

Museum Members: Half Day $75, Full Day $125

Non-members: Half Day $125, Full Day $175

Instrument Rental: $25 per week

15% discount if signing up for multiple weeks

Other information:

Our professionally trained museum staff ensures a fun, safe, and enriching environment for music instruction as well as museum play, theme-related activities and experiments, and healthy snacks and friendship building opportunities for everyone.

REGISTRATION FORM

PAY TUITION

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum celebrates Spring Break with a special promotion that’s as easy as  1 + 2 = FREE!

During the months of March and April two students get in for free at the museum with one paid adult. Passes are good for the entire day so you can take in part of the museum, perhaps go to lunch at one of our amazing downtown eateries, then come back and take in the rest of the museum!

Tuesday, April 12 | 7:00 p.m.

Multi-instrumentalist Dr. Lee Bidgood, Assistant Professor of Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies at East Tennessee State University (ETSU), will present a lecture detailing the history of mandolin orchestras, their wide repertoire, and some of the catalogs of companies like Gibson who marketed mandolin and banjo orchestras.  A performance by the ETSU Mandolin Orchestra – one of the newest ensembles within ETSU’s Bluegrass, Old Time, and Country Music Studies program – will also be part of this event.

This is a free event.

March 30 – August 1

On March 30, the Birthplace of Country Music Museum will open a special display on the legacy of Ralph Peer, the Victor record producer who recorded the legendary 1927 Bristol Sessions. Using artifacts loaned by the Peer Family Archives, the display will give visitors a glimpse into Peer’s influence beyond the Bristol Sessions and country music. The display will be integrated into the museum’s permanent exhibits and will be open through
August 1.

Wednesday, April 6 | 7:00 p.m.

The Birthplace of Country Music Museum

The Director of the Center for Popular Music at Middle Tennessee State University, Gregory Reish, Ph.D., will offer a lecture and demonstration on the guitar styles of musicians who recorded on the 1927 Bristol Sessions. The focus of this fascinating program will be on Mother Maybelle Carter’s fingerpicking style known as the “Carter Scratch,” and Alfred G. Karnes’ technique on the harp guitar, among others. Admission is free.