Lyric Street Records’ VP, National Promotion Kevin Herring has announced that Sr. Director of Promotion Renee Leymon is exiting the label. A 12-year veteran of the label, Leymon is leaving to pursue her next opportunity.
“Renee is not only an amazing promotion person, she is a 1st class human being, co-worker, and friend,” Herring says. “We are going to miss her passion and spirit in the halls of Lyric Street and know she will continue to shine.”
On Monday, March 29, BMI celebrated yet another No. 1 song co-penned by Dallas Davidson. Recorded and co-written by Billy Currington, “That’s How Country Boys Roll” is Davidson’s third chart-topper on the heels of Brooks & Dunn’s “Put a Girl in It” and the Brad Paisley and Keith Urban collaboration “Start a Band.” His hot streak shows no signs of cooling: six of Davidson’s songs also are currently climbing charts.
(l-r): Parallel Entertainment’s John Dennis, UMG Nashville’s Luke Lewis, EMI Music Publishing’s Gary Overton, co-writers Brett Jones, Dallas Davidson and Billy Currington, producer Carson Chamberlain, and BMI’s Clay Bradley.
Hand-shaking, baby-kissing politicians have long been aware that winning elections is all about getting out there and campaigning, and with the advent of fan-voted awards shows, country artists have gotten that message in a big way. While CMT were early champions of the concept with their “fan-voted” CMT Awards, things seem to have reached a critical mass with the upcoming fan-voted ACM Awards “Best New Artist” category, as nominees for Top New Solo Vocalist, Top New Duo and Top New Group take to the Internet with “campaign” videos designed to motivate fans to go to the online “polls.”
Avoiding the serious issues and hot-button topics favored by politicians, artists including Luke Bryan, Joey + Rory and Gloriana have released viral videos that utilize music and humor to win the hearts and minds of their voting fans. What part those videos played in the election results is still an open question, but, tellingly, each of the above artists emerged as a winner in their respective categories.
As effective (and entertaining) as these campaign videos can be, not every country artist is ready to hit the campaign trail just yet. ACM Entertainer of the Year nominee Brad Paisley has been up front regarding his distaste for the process.
“I’m uncomfortable campaigning,” Paisley said at a recent No. 1 party. “Honestly, I don’t like that part of it. I understand that people love to get involved and it’s cool that they can, but vote for who you want.”
MusicRow won’t be polling our readers on the issue, but we’ve compiled a few of the current ACM campaign videos for your perusal. You be the judge.
Luke Bryan
Joey and Rory
Gloriana
This just in from NSAI Communications Director Erin Burr – A Report on Tin Pan South – Day 2
(l-r): Gary Nicholson, Seth Walker and Jessi Alexander are absorbed in Jon Randall’s emotional song at 3rd & Lindsley.
How much talent is in Nashville during the 18th Annual Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival Presented by Regions Bank? The Listening Room hosted Andrew Dorff, Mark Irwin, Josh Kear and Chris Tompkins, who joked around with each other in between – and sometimes during – songs like “Before He Cheats,” “Here In The Real World,” “Watch The Wind Blow By” and “To Love Somebody.” Complimenting each other with harmonies and instrumental accompaniment, these guys seemed to be having
fun together. Rounding out the evening was a song Lady Antebellum took to #1,“Ne
ed You Now,” co-written by Kear. This show wasn’t just for music lovers; industry pros like ASCAP’s Anna Maki, Pat Rolfe, Jesse Willoughby and Mike Sistad, as well as Tin Pan South songwriters Bo Bice, Sage Keffer, Bobby Tomberlin and proud papa Steve Dorff, helped pack the house.
The theme at the 3rd & Lindsley shows last night was extraordinary musicianship. During the American Federation of Musicians show, the best in the business (keyboardist Bill Cuomo, guitarist Kenny Greenberg, guitarist Warner Hodges, drummer Craig Krampf and bassist Dave Pomeroy) posed as the all-star house band for Paris Delane and special guests Ashley Cleveland, Elio Giordiano and Dan Baird, to name a few. The core group has played on just about every record out there and has had songs in the movies Flashdance and Better Off Dead.
(l-r): The Hard Rock Café hosts tunesmiths Kelley Lovelace, Rivers Rutherford, Dave Berg and Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless, Lee Blank and Nick Stonestreet.
Next up was a round that made you feel like you were relaxing in your living room and that they were playing just for you. The cool vibe mixed with tons of onstage and crowd interaction was full of blues, country and charity (the show was dedicated to The John Jarrard Foundation). Each member seemed genuinely impressed with one another. “I want my fellas in my monitor so I can enjoy some hot-pickin,” said Gary Nicholson as the show began. After Jessi Alexander finished “The Climb,” her husband Jon Randall quipped, “This song was 15 weeks at #1, and all I got was this t-shirt.” A hitmaker in his own right, Randall sang the intense “Whiskey Lullaby” but kept his commentary light and joined his wife on a few tongue-in-cheek songs like “Drown Me” and “Let’s Get Trashed.” Nicholson performed a song he wrote with the late Stephen Bruton for the movie Crazy Heart. While he may be new to Nashville, Seth Walker certainly isn’t new to the music scene as he and Nicholson traded guitar solos throughout the night.
Rocker Bo Bice belts out a song during his round at Douglas Corner Café.
The Hard Rock Café was another hot spot that came alive with hit after hit. During the early show, Dallas Davidson (“Start A Band”), Brett Eldredge (“Ain’t Gotta Be Love”), Scotty Emerick (“Beer For My Horses”) and James T. Slater (“The High Cost of Living
”) jammed out to a packed audience. Behind every great artist, there’s a great songwriter, and Dave Berg (“Stupid Boy”), Kelley Lovelace (“He Didn’t Have To Be”) and Rivers Rutherford (“Real Good Man”) are some of the greatest. These guys took the stage for the late show, performing for local fans, as well as travelers from all across the country. Regions Bank’s Lisa Harless also made an appearance to introduce the group.
Douglas Corner Café’s Front Men In The Round show sold out quickly with American Idol favorite Bo Bice, Daryl Burgess, Greg Crowe and A.J. Masters. With their booming vocals and rockin’ rhythms, it’s no wonder the crowds were lined up down the street. These men have made their mark on the music scene with Faith Hill’s “Love Ain’t Like That” (Masters), Aaron Pritchett’s “Big Wheel,” the official song of the Tennessee Titans (Burgess) and “We’re Fired Up” (Crowe). Adding in the energetic and talented Bice (“Take The Country Outta Me”), who made the rounds supporting various writers every night, made for a stellar show!
Over at The Bluebird Café Pat Alger began his list of tunes with Kathy Mattea’s first #1, “Going, Gone,” and “You’re Gone,” which
(l-r) (Clockwise): Richard Leigh, Jon Vezner, Kathy Mattea and Pat Alger play to a full house at The Bluebird Café.
Garth Brooks recorded but Diamond Rio released. Coincidentally Jon Vezner also sang the tune “Where’ve You Been” that Garth performed the night he was discovered at The Bluebird Café and helped catapult Mattea’s career. She sang one of her biggest hits “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses,” as well as an a cappella cover of “Now Is The Cool Of The Day,” which she recorded for her album Coal. Richard Leigh also upped the ante for the group with “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” and “The Greatest Man I Never Knew.” The audience was also treated to Allen Reynolds who joined the round for a tune. Though she didn’t perform, Lorrie Morgan attended to support and enjoy a great show.
The Rutledge welcomed Gary Burr, Victoria Shaw, Mark Hudson and a couple of special guests – Lila James and South of Eden. The night was a mix of songs and comedy, led primarily by the rainbow-bearded Hudson, whose list included “Livin’ On The Edge,” as well as a song co-written with Carole King called “The Reason.” When he wasn’t “napping” through Hudson’s lengthy – and hilarious – stories, Burr entertained the crowd with “Nothin’ ‘Bout Love Makes Sense,” “What Mattered Most” and “Love Said,” co-written with Richard Marx. The night’s leading lady, Shaw, showcased her songwriting talents during “The River,” I Love The Way You Love Me” and debuted a new tune. The group’s cohesiveness was apparent when they all took turns singing a song they co-wrote – Sarah Buxton’s “Outside My Window.”
LA-based music footage library Reelin’ In The Years Productions has uncovered a 30-minute film of home movies from the 1950s featuring country legend Hank Williams Sr. along with Marty Robbins, the Carter Family, Merle Travis, Lefty Frizzell, Hank Snow, Maddox Bothers & Rose, Bill Monroe and a host of others.
Hank Williams, Sr.
The Carter Family
The images, shot in pristine 16mm color film, capture the artists in performance and in rare candid moments. Highlights include Williams singing at a disc jockey convention in Nashville, Robbins playing guitar on a front lawn, Kitty Wells standing in front of her tour car and Travis preparing to board a small plane.
The newly recovered footage was shot by John Banks, part owner of radio station KRDU in Dinuba, CA while these artists were at the station and at his home. In addition to filming these artists in California, Banks took his 16mm camera to Nashville and captured many artists backstage during a convention of disc jockeys held in the early 1950s.
“There exists precious little footage of many of these artists shot so early in their careers,” says David Peck, President of Reelin’ In The Years Productions. “To now have pristine color film documenting Hank Williams just a few short years before his untimely death, is thrilling. This is an important piece of country music history.”
Ernest Tubb
Lefty Frizzell
The forgotten original 16mm color films had been in the garage of Banks’ widow Bernice until their recent discovery. The film has now been restored and transferred directly to digital
format, highlighting the richness of depth and color that 16mm film offered.
Another recent discovery by Reelin’ In The Years is 50 minutes of home movies from the Louisiana Hayride in the late ‘50s and early ‘60s featuring color 8mm footage of Johnny Cash, George Jones, Ray Price, Faron Young and Hawkshaw Hawkins, among others.
For more information and licensing inquiries visit www.reelinintheyears.com.
Chrysalis Music Publishing has announced its acquisition of Irish company First State Media Group, a music publishing firm with operations under the S1 Songs and State One Music brands. Included in the purchase is S1 Songs’ Nashville operation.
FSMG controls over 45,000 music copyrights including the catalogue of Sheryl Crow, the former Dreamworks Publishing catalogue – including “Leaving on a Jetplane,” and “Take Me Home Country Roads” (John Denver), 
“Disco Inferno” (The Tramps) and “Somebody to Love” (Jefferson Airplane), “Superstar” (The Carpenters). Among the hits to have emerged from S1’s Nashville office are Easton Corbin’s “A Little More Country Than That,” Joey + Rory’s “Cheater Cheater,” Dierks Bentley’s “Feel That Fire” and Jake Owen’s “Eight Second Ride.”
As a result of the transaction, Chrysalis will manage music copyright assets worth in excess of $155 million. The acquisition positions Chrysalis as a significant partner for investors interested in stable music copyright assets.
The acquisition is being fully funded from Chrysalis’ existing facilities.
Laura Bell Bundy Will Perform on ACM’s
Mercury Records artist Laura Bell Bundy is making plenty of noise with her rowdy debut single, “Giddy On Up,” and the folks at the Academy of Country Music have obviously caught the buzz. The Broadway veteran/country newcomer will perform the song on the upcoming ACM Awards, recreating the video’s frontier-town dance number.
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Jewel Gets Charitable at the Bluebird
Valory Music Company’s Jewel will perform two shows at the Bluebird Café to benefit Project Clean Water, the charity she founded over a decade ago. The singer/songwriter will perform an acoustic set at 6:00 p.m. and at 9:00 p.m.
“I’m thrilled to be performing at the Bluebird and supporting a cause so dear to my heart, Project Clean Water,” says Jewel. “So many country songwriters I admire have performed at the café. It’s wonderful to perform some of my favorite compositions in such an intimate setting and help those in need at the same time.”
Tickets to the shows are available at the Bluebird Café’s website at www.bluebirdcafe.com.
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Kenny Chesney To Tonight on April 15
BNA superstar Kenny Chesney is getting ready to release his highly anticipated concert film, Kenny Chesney: Summer in 3D, and he’ll visit The Tonight Show With Jay Leno on April 15 to promote it. Opening for a limited time on April 21 at close to 1000 3D theaters, the film chronicles Chesney’s high-energy stage show while offering behind the scenes footage and archival moments.
“It’s sorta strange to be going on The Tonight Show with a movie coming out,” Chesney says. “It’s very different, the idea of showing clips and talking about the experience of making this film, and it’s definitely getting me out of my comfort zone.”
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Yoakam and McGraw Share Movie Billing
Country stars Dwight Yoakam and Tim McGraw will join Hollywood stars Mila Jovovich, William H. Macy, and Mary Steenburgen in the upcoming indie comedy film, Dirty Girl. Set in 1987 in Oklahoma, the film stars Juno Temple as a high schooler seeking the father she never knew. Helmed by first-time writer-director Abe Sylvia, Dirty Girl is currently shooting in Los Angeles.
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Zac Brown Band is Off to the Races
The Grammy-winning Zac Brown Band has been invited to play the main stage on the public infield at Pimlico Race Course as part of the 2010 Preakness InfieldFEST, prior to the running of the Preakness, the middle race of thoroughbred racing’s Triple Crown. Jason Michael Carroll will also be part of the festivities, playing on the second stage. Last year the Preakness drew over 121,000 people. More details are available here.
When Valory Music Company artist Jimmy Wayne walks into Amarillo, TX this Saturday (4/3), he will reach the halfway point of his walk halfway across America after spending 93 days on the road and covering approximately 977 miles. He will end his walk in Phoenix, AZ, with a goal of raising His goal is raising awareness of America’s homeless teens.
Wayne began the walk on New Year’s Day, leaving Nashville on an icy cold morning to kick off an initiative he calls Meet Me Halfway. The singer was inspired to create the Meet Me Halfway campaign by the almost epidemic number of homeless teens in the US and the foster children who ‘age out’ of the system without any sort of support system. Wayne’s own childhood was spent in and out of foster and group homes, and at one time he was also homeless.
The halfway point will be marked be a celebration at the Hastings Record Store in Amarillo, where Wayne will share his experiences on the road, and the reasons he undertook the walk.
In other news, Wayne will be joining The Rick & Bubba Show and Bryan Foods for The Ultimate Bryan Neighborhood Grill-Out.
Potential contestants can submit their favorite Bryan Foods-related family memory to The Rick & Bubba Show website, www.rickandbubba.com/contests.php, by April 30. The winner will receive a neighborhood grill-out hosted by Wayne, who also will perform. Bryan grill masters will prepare the food, categorized as “southern grill-out fare.” Four runners-up also will be awarded a year supply of Bryan food products, T-shirts, aprons and more. Bryan Foods is making a large food donation to Wayne’s Meet Me Halfway project.
Award-winning artist Gary Morris has signed for booking with New Frontier Touring Agency. In making the announcement, New Frontier President Paul Lohr said, “Not only is Gary Morris one of the great voices of our time, he is a wonderful person that makes you happy to be in his presence! We are honored to be working with this brilliant artist.”
Morris has recently completed two recording projects. The first is a recording of traditional hymns he sang as a boy in the Baptist Choir. The other project, Shine, is a contemporary mosaic of songs written and co-written by Morris and his son, Matt Morris, who is already a formidable force in pop music. Matt’s debut release, When Everything Breaks Open, recorded under the tutelage of his fellow former Mouseketeer, Justin Timberlake, is currently garnering critical acclaim.
The elder Morris’ new show will include his stirring rendition of “Wind Beneath My Wings” and “Bring Him Home” from Les Miserable, in addition to new music.
Responsible agent at New Frontier Touring will be Logan Bosemer. She can be reached at [email protected] or 615-321-6152.
The Country Music Association has announced that Fontanel Mansion, the 27,000 square foot log home formerly owned by Country Music Hall of Fame member Barbara Mandrell, will open to the public on June 1. Fontanel Mansion has partnered with the CMA to offer CMA Music Festival Attendees an exclusive ticket and discount on admission to tour the home between June 7 and 13.
Additionally, Fontanel will donate $1 from the sale of each CMA attendee’s tour ticket to the CMA’s Keep the Music Playing charity, benefiting music programs in Metro Public Schools.
“This is a great opportunity for fans of country music to walk through the home of a living legend, and it’s a limited-time offer for CMA Fest attendees” said Marc Oswald, co-owner of Fontanel Mansion. “One of our intentions with the home, restaurant, hiking trails and music venue is to really engage our community, both our community of music fans and the local Nashville community, and partnering with the CMA is the perfect way to reach that goal.”
The $5.00 discount lowers admission to $14.00 for an adult and $4.00 for youth ages 6-17. Admission for children under age five is free. Tickets are limited and are being offered to CMA Music Fest attendees before sales are opened to the general public. All tickets must be purchased in advance in order to secure a tour. Fontanel Mansion will offer free round-trip shuttles from downtown Nashville for CMA Music Festival attendees. Tickets can be purchased beginning April 1, 2010 by visiting www.fontanelmansion.com.
Located less than 15 minutes from downtown Nashville, Fontanel Mansion boasts three stories, over 18 rooms, 13 bathrooms, five fireplaces, two kitchens, an indoor pool and even an indoor shooting range on 136 acres. The home and grounds have been the setting for numerous photo and video shoots, CMT’s top-rated Gone Country show and more.
Visitors to the Mansion can also enjoy a meal at The Farm House, a 140-seat restaurant that will showcase local produce, dairy and meats delivered from sustainable sources and neighboring farms.
“CMA Music Festival attendees are some of country music’s most dedicated fans, and many of them have traveled countless miles to get to the events that week,” added Oswald. “We’re anxious for them to come out and enjoy an experience never before available in Nashville.”