Texan Aaron Watson Builds Nashville Team

watsonWith nine albums under his belt, Texas musician Aaron Watson has joined forces with several notables around Nashville. Watson and Unrest Music Group have teamed with David Haley at Edgehill Music and Media, Larry Pareigis and Tom Moran of Nine North Records, Nancy Tunick’s Grassroots Promotion, and Jules Wortman’s Wortman Works Media & Marketing. It was over a year ago that Watson signed with Paradigm for booking, and Sony RED handles his distribution.

The Abilene native just released the CD/DVD set Deep In The Heart Of Texas: Aaron Watson LIVE, which led to his third consecutive appearance on the Billboard Country Charts. He is writing, recording and self-producing his next project, due out this spring. Lead single, “The Road,” is already at radio.

Faith Hill And Borman Part Ways

faith_homeFaith Hill and Gary Borman have agreed to dissolve their long business association.

“We are so proud of what we have achieved together over the past 16 years,” said Hill and Borman in a joint statement. “We love each other like a sister and a brother, but have made the difficult choice to dissolve our professional relationship.”

Borman Entertainment’s other clients include Keith Urban and Lady Antebellum. Gary Borman opened the company in 1976, which now has offices in Los Angeles and Nashville.

Kerri Fox-Metoyer Joins Sony as VP Sales

fox

Kerri Fox-Metoyer has joined Sony Music Nashville as Vice President, Sales. With 18 years of experience, she previously held the same title at Walt Disney Records.

She will spearhead Sony Music Nashville’s initiatives in sales, catalog exploitation, non-traditional and new business initiatives, as well as managing relationships with retail in conjunction with Sony’s distribution arm.

Fox-Metoyer will report directly to Senior Vice President, Sales & Operations, Paul Barnabee. With today’s announcement, Barnabee remarked, “We’re excited to have someone of Kerri’s expertise joining our family. She brings a dynamic perspective to the team as we navigate today’s music environment, working with traditional retail accounts while also identifying new business channels.”

Having previously worked in Tennessee, Fox-Metoyer offered, “I am thrilled to be back in Nashville. I look forward to working with the highly respected Sony Music Nashville family and its amazing roster of artists.”

Fox-Metoyer is on the job now and can be reached at kerri.foxmetoyer@sonymusic.com.

Earlier this month, Sony reps said they also plan to announce a new head of marketing and artist development for Arista Nashville and RCA.

Kevin Neal To Head Buddy Lee Attractions, More Changes Coming

Kevin Neal

Kevin Neal

Longtime Buddy Lee Attractions agent Kevin Neal has been named President of the company following Friday’s (11/13) resignation of former President Tony Conway. Neal has been with the agency for 20 years where he previously served as Senior Vice President. He is the responsible agent for Jason Aldean, Colt Ford, and Ash Bowers among others, and was the 2006 and 2008 IEBA Talent Agent of the Year and the 2007 NATD Talent Director of the Year.

Additional staff and roster changes at BLA are forthcoming. Neal explains, “The changes we’re about to undergo as a company will be made to benefit our client roster. In addition, we will be announcing some strategic alliances that will enable our roster to further profit in years to come. I am honored to be asked to help direct this company, and I feel that there is a great opportunity for growth.

Neal was born in Shreveport, Louisiana and raised in the music business as son of the legendary agent/manager Bob Neal. He joined the Neal Agency in 1981 and worked with his father, before eventually settling at Buddy Lee Attractions.

Neal can be reached at 615-244-4336 or at kneal@blanash.com.

Adkins Inks BC Powder Deal; Wanda Jackson/Jack White Collaborate

adkinsTrace Adkins has entered an agreement with BC Headache Powder to be its spokesperson for the next two years. He will record radio ads, be included in images at retail stores and on BC’s website (www.bcpowder.com), perform at exclusive events, and conduct a BC Headache Powder sponsored concert tour in 2010 that will include more than 80 stops. Currently, Adkins is sponsored by BC Headache Powder for 38 dates on the Shine All Night Tour with Martina McBride. He is following in the footsteps of country star Faron Young who endorsed BC in the 1970s.

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Rockabilly queen Wanda Jackson told The Oklahoman newspaper that she is working on a new album with Jack White. The 72-year-old Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee had a string of hits in the late ’50s and early ’60s running the gamut from rock to country (“Let’s Have a Party,” “Fujiyama Mama”).

In similar fashion, producer/rocker White worked with Loretta Lynn on her 2004 release Van Lear Rose.

Jackson’s most recent album was 2003’s Heart Trouble, which featured Elvis Costello.

Signings At Blue Guitar Music

Blue Guitar Music Publishing has added artist/songwriters David Kroll and Blake Gray to its roster.

Kroll has had a single on Sean Patrick McGraw, performed on Jimmy Kimmel and on CMT & GAC. Pictured (L-R) Back: Owner Daniel Wood, staff writer Blake Gray, Creative Director Holly Nance, Owner Danny Pool, Seated: Kroll.

Kroll has had a cut recorded by Sean Patrick McGraw, which was released as a single. Pictured (L-R) back: Blue Guitar owner Daniel Wood, staff writer Blake Gray, Creative Director Holly Nance, and owner Danny Pool; Seated: Kroll.

Blue Guitar Music Publishing has signed artist/ songwriter Blake Gray to it's roster. Gray is managed by Perdieu Management. Pictured (L-R) Back: Owner Daniel Wood, staff writer David Kroll, Creative Director Holly Nance, Owner Danny Pool, Seated: Gray

Blake Gray also signed with the company. Her career is overseen by Perdieu Management. Pictured (L-R) Back: owner Daniel Wood, staff writer David Kroll, Creative Director Holly Nance, and owner Danny Pool; Seated: Gray

Opinion: Is Taylor The New Garth; Does History Repeat?

ts

Further evidence? Taylor on the new cover of "InStyle."

Country’s last popularity peak was spearheaded by Garth Brooks who attracted both countryphiles and musicphiles—fans with a wide variety of musical tastes. Today there are a great many similarities to those times with the media’s strong attraction toward Taylor Swift and her music which to date has sold over 10 million records.

When Garth was riding his wave of popularity he helped, (and was helped), by what we now call the class of ’89. Is there a new class of ’09? Hot acts were showcased on the CMA Awards such as Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Jason Aldean, Miranda Lambert, Zac Brown Band, Jamey Johnson and Billy Currington. Favorites such as Carrie Underwood, Brad Paisley, Sugarland, George Strait, Kenny Chesney, Martina McBride and Reba proved themselves current and cutting edge. It was an amazing tour de force of new, developing and established talents.

Could country be on the verge of a strong expansion lead by the 19-year-old singer/songwriter and reinforced by a vigorous rising class of appealing artists ready to benefit from the format’s increased attention? Let’s examine some of the recent dots
on our tastemaker radar and see if they connect.

A lot of high profile happenings have taken place in a short timespan. The CMA Awards show this week drew its highest ratings since 2005 with an estimated 35 million viewers watching at least some portion of the show. Swift performed twice and won four trophies. The precocious prodigy also brought Saturday Night Live its best ratings of the season when she appeared as host and musical guest on Nov. 7. Bundle Swift’s recent appearance/performance on Oprah, the VMA/Kanye West incident which brought worldwide coverage, plus her sold-out tour and it is easy to see why she is now the largest selling artist across all formats. And where is she from? What does she call herself? [Answers: Nashville; country.]

A grassroots indication that attention is turning toward country music, also happened the day following the Awards when MusicRow.com experienced its largest ever one-day traffic numbers—a staggering increase of 37% over its previous all-time best day. People were searching out information about Swift, the awards and the format in numbers we have never seen before.

Is Taylor the new Garth? Will her magnetic popularity reconnect country with a larger multi-format audience? Is there a class of ’09? Time will tell, but it appears that a new energy in country music is starting to rumble across America. Hopefully we’ll see it reflected on the holiday sales charts. If these dots are connecting, it will mean good things for everyone on Music Row in the coming year. Bring it on!

Covington Plans Live Release

buckyLyric Street’s Bucky Covington is gearing up for the Nov. 17 release of a digital EP, a five song outing of  new music and hits. Live From Rockingham was recorded at his recent hometown concert in Rockingham, NC and debuts new single “Gotta Be Somebody,” a country take on the Nickelback hit of the same name which will be on Covington’s sophomore album. Also included in the download is the “Gotta Be Somebody” music video, which was filmed at the Rockingham homecoming show attended by more than 6000 fans.

The digital EP also features a preview of “Mexicoma,” which will be on the spring 2010 release I’m Alright, as well as hits “A Different World,” “It’s Good To Be Us” and “I’ll Walk.”

Shriver, Nadler Named Presidents of Country Crossing Records

Country Crossing co-President Susan Nadler, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment President James Stroud, Country Crossing artist Lorrie Morgan, Country Crossing co-President Evelyn Shriver

Country Crossing co-President Susan Nadler, Ronnie Gilley Entertainment President James Stroud, Country Crossing artist Lorrie Morgan, Country Crossing co-President Evelyn Shriver

Country Crossing Records will be headed by co-Presidents Evelyn Shriver and Susan Nadler, the longtime music business partners which previously ran George Jones’ Bandit Records.

Country Crossing is part of Ronnie Gilley Entertainment, which also includes James Stroud’s Stroudavarious Records and BamaJam Records. The label is home to John Anderson and Lorrie Morgan, who has a long history working with Shriver and Nadler. Country Crossing has released Morgan’s A Moment In Time, Anderson’s Bigger Hands, as well as projects from Aaron Tippin, Lee Greenwood and others. A collection of standards from Louise Mandrell is in the works.

With a background in publicity, Shriver became the first female President of a major country label when she took the helm of Asylum Records. With Nadler as Executive VP/A&R, the duo’s collaboration at Asylum resulted in two Grammy wins during their first year of business. Shriver and Nadler formed Bandit in 2001 with Jones. They also opened HD Ready, a high definition TV production company which handled PBS’s show SoundStage.

Country Crossing Records can be reached at 615-242-1234.

Conway To Depart Buddy Lee Attractions

tony_conway_2Nashville, TN [Press] – Tony Conway, CEO and co-owner of Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc., is departing the talent agency after thirty-three years.

“It has been an extraordinary experience, and I have worked with the most amazing group of artists and staff for over three decades,” says Conway. “I want to thank the late Buddy Lee for mentoring me in the business and the Lee family for allowing me to be a part of country music history. I feel I have completed my mission at B.L.A. and leave it in very capable hands. I am now excited about the next chapter in my own business ventures and the opportunity to apply my experience to new projects.”

The departure was also announced by Donna Lee, VP/co-owner of Buddy Lee Attractions in a separate press release.

Conway will announce his plans in the near future and can be reached at tcagent@aol.com

B.L.A. has represented some of the biggest superstars in country music, such as Hank Williams Jr., George Strait, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Ronnie Milsap, Garth Brooks, Dixie Chicks, and Lee Ann Womack.

Currently B.L.A. represents Jeff Foxworthy, Jason Aldean, Lorrie Morgan, Billy Ray Cyrus and others. Conway is a 34-year veteran of the music business who, along with Buddy Lee, produced and promoted the Farm Aid concerts. He is the recipient of the Hubert Long Lifetime Achievement Award from the National Association of Talent Directors, and the CMA President’s Award.