Nashville Rising Wrapup Video

Nashville Rising, a benefit concert for flood recovery was held on June 22, 2010 at the Bridgestone Arena to benefit the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee. Over 20 performers donated their talents including Tim McGraw and Faith Hill who spearheaded the event, plus Jason Aldean, Martina McBride, Toby Keith, Carrie Underwood, Blake Shelton and many more…this video was provided by Travis TV/Aristomedia…

Friday News Bits & Pieces

Garth Brooks Joins Daytime Emmys
Garth Brooks will be taking part in next month’s Daytime Emmy Awards. HollywoodReporter.com reports that the country superstar is among the celebrities who’ve signed on to help celebrate American Bandstand and its iconic host, Dick Clark, at the event. Others confirmed for the Bandstand salute include Cher, The Spinners, and Marie Osmond, along with Barry Manilow, Ann Margaret, American Idol judge Simon Cowell and Jay Leno.

Brad Paisley Charms British Media
Brad Paisley is in London performing two sold-out shows and guesting on BBC Breakfast on BBC One TV, the UK’s highest-rated morning show. He and show hosts Charlie Stayt and Sian Williams, chatted about why he wears a hat, how he met his wife and why he loves country music. On Wednesday Paisley visited with BBC Radio 2’s Bob Harris and taped a segment complete with an acoustic performance for Harris Country and also visited with Mark Coles on BBC World Service The Strand.

Lynyrd Skynyrd Honored by U.S. Congress
Legendary southern rock band Lynyrd Skynyrd was honored this week in the U.S. Congress by Florida Congressman Connie Mack and Alabama Congressman Spencer Bachus during a reception at the U.S. Capitol. The congressional honor for the group came during a visit to Washington including stops at both the Capitol and the White House. Representatives Bachus and Mack presented a Congressional Record tribute to the band members, recognizing the band’s career and successes.

Jaron Takes The Short Road To No. 1
Fans have been flocking to iTunes for the debut album from Jaron and The Long Road To Love, causing the album to soar to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Chart less than 24 hours after its release. Released on Tuesday (6/22), Getting Dressed in the Dark is currently in the Top 10 overall albums on iTunes. The albums leadoff single, “Pray For You,” has already reached Gold status, selling more than 500,000 copies.

The Return of Coal Miner’s Daughter
Loretta Lynn’s best-selling memoir, Loretta Lynn: Coal Miner’s Daughter, will be re-issued in September as an E-book, as an Audio Book and as a new trade paperback from Vintage Books. The audio book will be narrated by Sissy Spacek, who portrayed Lynn in Coal Miner’s Daughter, the Academy Award-winning film adaptation of the book. The publication coincides with the 50th anniversary of Lynn’s first single and the 30th anniversary of the film’s release.

Todd O’Neill – The Human Jukebox
Country newcomer Todd O’Neill is currently on a radio tour promoting his latest release “Somethin’ With Some Attitude,” and executives from his label are learning something new about the singer.

“He can basically sing anything from Otis Redding to Nickelback,” says Aria Records’ Barbara Farkas.
O’Neill started taking requests during station visits, amazing station staffers with his ability to perform virtually anything from any genre. From there, things evolved into a game where staffers write down requests and O’Neill plays them on the spot.

“He’s only been stumped twice,” Farkas says. “There was a Styx tune he
didn’t know and a rap song. That’s it. We call him the human jukebox.”

Currently collaborating with producer Jim Allison in the studio, O’Neill will be featured in Great American Country’s (GAC) Get To Know segments in July.

Nashville’s Cooperstand “Best Of Show” at NAMM
Last weekend’s NAMM show at the Nashville Convention Center featured well-known mega-companies like Fender, Gibson and Yamaha, but also turned the spotlight on smaller companies and products. One such product is the Nashville-made Cooperstand, a diminutive-and-durable instrument stand that folds up and fits into the headstock area of a guitar case. The brainchild of two Nashville songwriters – Melanie Dyer and Daniel Cooper – this innovative product was nominated in NAMM’s “Best of Show” category, the only Nashville-made product to earn that distinction. To learn more about this cool accessory, visit www.cooperstand.com.

MusicRow Readers Name “House” Song of the Year

Bobby Karl Works The Room, Chapter 341
Photos: Alan Mayor

Chris Young

Host Clay Bradley has the magic touch: He actually got the capacity crowd of schmoozers to shut up during the presentation of the MusicRow Awards in the notoriously loud BMI lobby on Thursday (6/24).

Anthony Smith, Frank Myers, Trisha Walker-Cunningham, Alan Kates, Chuck Thompson, Preston Sullivan, Phil Sweetland, Richard Fagan, Doak Turner, Melanie Howard and their pals were models of good behavior this year. This, by the way, was the incredible 22nd year of the event.

“2010 has been an exceptional year for music,” said Clay in greeting the assembled multitude. “We’re proud to represent the greatest creative community in the world. Thank you for coming.”

Clay also announced that BMI is going to match any Music Row flood-relief donations up to $50,000. Go to BMI.com for more info.

Tom Douglas, MR's David Ross & Allen Shamblin

David Ross read a letter from the AFM’s Dave Pomeroy and Craig Krampf thanking the publication for spotlighting session musicians. MusicRow reviewer Larry Wayne Clark is recovering from cancer treatments in Canada. His letter, also read by Ross, was encouraging and concluded with, “We miss the Nashville buzz. But things could be a lot worse.”

Echoing Clay’s sentiment, David added, “I continue to be amazed by the stream of creativity that continues to come from this town.”

Jon Freeman and Sarah Skates presented the Top Ten Album All-Star Awards to the year’s hottest session players. The 2010 winners were Aubrey

Haynie (fiddle), Paul Franklin (steel), Wes Hightower (vocals), Justin Niebank (engineer), Shannon Forrest & Chris McHugh (drums), Brent Mason (guitar), Charles Judge (keyboards) and Glenn Worf (bass).

Artist of the Year Zac Brown Band producer Keith Stegall & Roar Mgmt.'s Matt Maher

Looking every inch the Southern gentleman in an off-white linen sport coat and South Carolina straw chapeau, Robert K. Oermann stated that, “The past five winners of the Breakthrough Artist Award have been Miranda Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum and Jamey Johnson. So this year’s winner is in excellent company.” Accepting for the Zac Brown Band were its producer, Keith Stegall and Roar management’s Matt Maher.

“Producer of the Year has been an annual MusicRow award since 1982,” said Oermann. “This year, we have two winners, the first time a production team has won.” Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke accepted for their outstanding work with Miranda Lambert and David Nail.

Ross retook the stage to present the Breakthrough Songwriter Award to Chris Young. Chris told of how his
do-or-die hit “Getting You Home (The Black Dress Song)” struggled up the charts. With plaque in hand, he added, “This is going on my wall immediately after I leave here.”

To the delight of one and all, he sang his winning tune. Splendidly.

MR's Robert K. Oermann, Frank Liddell & Mike Wrucke

“We all pride ourselves on being able to hear a hit song,” said Ross presenting the Song of the Year honor. “But if it was that easy we’d all be a lot richer. Regardless, we are all a lot richer for having this incredible song in our lives.” This year’s Song of the Year honor went to Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas for “The House That Built Me.”

“No one is more surprised than Allen and me,” said Tom. He recalled that it was pitched to Scott Hendricks, who sent it along to Blake Shelton, who gave it to his fiancée Miranda Lambert, who took it on a four-week trip to No. 1. “God’s fingerprints are on all of this,” said Allen. “I like it!” added publisher Troy Tomlinson.

Allen and Tom performed their special composition and mesmerized the crowd, swapping verses while playing guitar and piano, respectively.

Among the many working the room were such fabulons as Gary Overton, Billy Block, Ben Vaughn, Jon Lytle, Allen Brown, Cathy Gurley, Judy Harris, Sherod Robertson, Mike Milom, Michael Martin, Alan Kates, Tom Roland and Wes Vause.

MusicRow Reader-Voted Awards
Breakthrough Artist: Zac Brown Band
Breakthrough Songwriter: Chris Young
Song of the Year: “The House That Built Me” written by Allen Shamblin and Tom Douglas; published by Sony/ATV Tree Publishing Co., Built On Rock Music, and Tomdouglasmusic
Producer of the Year: Frank Liddell and Mike Wrucke

Top Ten Album All-Star Musicians
Bass: Glenn Worf
Drums: Chris McHugh and Shannon Forrest
Engineer: Justin Niebank
Fiddle: Aubrey Haynie
Guitar: Brent Mason
Keyboards: Charles Judge
Steel: Paul Franklin
Vocals: Wes Hightower

Musician winners Charles Judge, Aubrey Haynie, Chris McHugh and Wess Hightower; & MR's Sarah Skates and Jon Freeman. Photo: IzzyNashville.com

Rodney Atkins Scores With “Farmer’s Daughter”

Curb Record artist Rodney Atkins’ latest single, “Farmer’s Daughter,” is currently racing up the iTunes download charts and the song’s just-released video is now airing on Turbo Track rotation on Great American Country (gactv.com).

Atkins’ tune about a hot summer romance that turns to true love has become the fastest climbing single in the singer’s career, selling more than 140,000 downloads on iTunes in only a few weeks. His previous No. 1 hits, “If You’re Going Through Hell,” “These Are My People,” and “Cleaning This Gun,” are approaching three-quarters of a million single downloads and with the rapid rise of “Farmer’s Daughter,” he is sure to break the million mark soon.

Filming the video in rural Franklin, Tennessee, Atkins got a taste of authentic farm life, driving a tractor and bucking hay. Chris Hicky directed the clip which features Atkins’ real-life wife, Tammy Jo, as the “Farmer’s Daughter” whom he ends up marrying.

Hicky also directed Miranda Lambert’s “White Liar,” recently winning Best Female Video of the Year at the CMT Awards.

“Farmer’s Daughter” is the fourth single from  Atkins’ third studio album It’s America. The title cut went to No. 1. Atkins’ 2006 album If You’re Going Through Hell yielded four chart-toppers.

Raul Malo Readies “Sinners & Saints”

Former Mavericks frontman Raul Malo is getting ready to release his new album, Sinners & Saints. Self-produced in the singer’s home studio, Sinners & Saints is being touted as “the most intimate, honest and complex album Malo has made in an already distinguished career.” The album is set for a September 28 release on Fantasy Records/Concord Music Group. Sinners & Saints follows 2009’s critically acclaimed album Lucky One, Malo’s Fantasy debut.

Rooted in Malo’s lifelong connection to Latin music but infused with his wide-ranging love of country, blues, jazz and vintage rock ’n’ roll, Sinners & Saints combines sonic ingenuity with emotional sincerity.

In a departure from past projects, Malo took tracks from his home studio in Nashville to Austin, where he joined longtime friend Ray Benson at his Bismeaux Studios and finished the album with the help of Sir Douglas Quintet and Texas Tornado keyboard veteran Augie Meyers and guitarist Shawn Sahm, son of legendary Texas singer/songwriter Doug Sahm. The Trishas (Savannah Welch, Kelley Mickwee, Liz Foster and Jamie Wilson) provided background vocals.

Coming of age in Miami, Malo spent many nights in neighborhood music rooms listening to local artists perform their Flamenco zarzuelas. Malo wrote “Sinners & Saints” by conjuring up those nights in his head, and playing his electric guitar with a cross between Flamenco melodicism and retro surf-twang. “It has no chorus, no repeatable line,” Malo says, “And it’s long. Purposefully long.”

Along with original songs like “Living for Today,” “Superstar” and “San Antonio Baby,” Malo turns in distinctive cover versions of Rodney Crowell’s “Til I Gain Control Again,” Los Lobos’ “Saint Behind The Glass,” as well as songs from acclaimed songwriters Todd Snider and James McMurtry.

“This is the hardest I’ve ever worked on an album,” Malo says. “This really is about me and my point of view. I realized that after I’d done it. It reflects really how I feel about a lot of things. That’s why this is as much of me as I’ve ever put on a record.”

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/24/10)

I just love discovering new music, don’t you?

For me, it’s a very, very good week when there are four solid contenders for a DisCovery Award. Michael Sarver, Savannah Jack, Rosehill and No Justice all have debut singles that deserve the honor. But only one of them has the brilliant Radney Foster sitting in the producer’s chair. That would be Rosehill. Salutations, brothers!

All four of those records are also good enough to be contenders for Disc of the Day. So is the inspirational item from Ty Herndon. If you’re into bluegrass, it doesn’t get much better than The Grascals. And Mandy Barnett, as usual, is a delight.

But at the end of the day, Darius Rucker could not be denied. “Come Back Song” is as cool as the breeze.

RAY STEPHENSON/Farmboy
Writer: Ray Stephenson/Bob DiPiero; Producer: Ray Stephenson & Bill McDermott; Publisher: Sony-ATV/Love Monkey, ASCAP/BMI; TWANG Town (www.raystephenson.com)
—His voice won’t blow you away. In fact, he’s barely adequate in the singing department. But there’s an easy-going jauntiness about this hick ditty.

DARIUS RUCKER/Come Back Song
Writer: Darius Rucker/Chris Stapleton/Casey Beathard; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: Cadaja Music/House of Sea Gayle Music/New Son of a Miner Songs /Sony/ATV Acuff Rose Music/ Six Ring Circus Songs; Capitol Nashville
—Insanely catchy and kind of like a Hootie tune. It seems to me that his singing becomes more and more relaxed and less mannered the deeper he wades into the country idiom. Whatever the case, this is his strongest Nashville single to date.

TY HERNDON/Journey On
Writer: Caleb Collins/Ty Herndon; Producer: Ty Herndon & Wayne Haun; Publisher: Sunset Gallery/Journey On, no performance rights listed; Funl (track)
—Ty’s latest is a gospel outing, and this is its title tune and 2010 single. As always, he sings with immense expression and range. Blessed with a soaring melody and a gorgeous arrangement, this is truly inspirational sounding.

ROSEHILL/White Line And Stars
Writer: Jay Clementi/George Ducas/Blake Myers; Producer: Radney Foster & Jay Clementi; Publisher: Myers McBain/WB/Mountain Morning, BMI/ASCAP; Cypress Creek (track) (www.rosehill-live.com)
—Rosehill is a new male duo consisting of Blake Myers and Mitch McBain, but judging from the superb sound of this, the team already has its act together. The sweeping, rolling production lifts their pitch-perfect harmonies aloft and carries the delicious melody skyward. Essential listening.

NO JUSTICE/Love Song
Writer: none listed; Producer: Dex Green; Publisher: none listed; Carved (track) (www.nojustice.com)
—This band is evidently a big deal down in Texas and Oklahoma. The sound here is big, beefy and rocking, with a soulfully raspy lead vocal. A hillbilly ZZ Top?

SAVANNAH JACK/I Know
Writer: Don Gatlin/Rob Crosby/Billy Montana; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Singing Honey Tree/Ann Wilson/ICG/Mike Curb/House of Moraine, ASCAP/BMI; McMurry (www.savannahjack.com)
—They harmonize splendidly. The electric guitar accompaniment is somewhat loud and overdone. But every time they swung into those trio choruses, I got hooked all over again.

DOUG ADKINS/Why Not
Writer: Doug Adkins; Producer: Brent Mason; Publisher: Lyric Mountain, BMI; Lyric Mountain (track) (www.dougadkins.com)
—Talk about “country,” this is one big, fat slab of honky-tonk music. He drawls like a true “old school” baritone. The steel and twang guitarists have a field day. And any song that starts with, “Why not one more drink?” has got to have grit. A roadhouse roar.

MANDY BARNETT/Walking After Midnight
Writer: Don Hecht/Alan Block; Producer: Larry Klein; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff Rose, no performance rights listed; Favored Nations (track) (www.crazy-themovie.com)
—Next Tuesday sees the release of the DVD and CD soundtrack to the indie film Crazy: The Hank Garland Story. Garland was the greatest of all the early Nashville guitar pickers, and he is portrayed brilliantly in the flick by Sammi Smith’s son Waylon Payne. The plot takes quite a few liberties with the historical facts, but the music holds up brilliantly, with country classics revived by Shawn Colvin, former dance-pop hitmaker Stacy Earl, jazz chanteuse Madeleine Peyroux and more. Ms. Barnett is completely captivating on her version of this Patsy Cline standard.

MICHAEL SARVER/Ferris Wheel
Writer: Thibodeau/Kyle Jacobs/Charles Kelley; Producer: Michael Sarver & Rachel Thibodeau; Publisher: none listed; Dream/Fontana (track) (www.michaelsarversite.com)
—Sarver was a contestant on American Idol’s Season 8 in 2009. His feathery tenor is perfect for this dizzy, swirling tune about being giddy in love. The little falsetto notes he tosses in are charming. Promising as all get out.

THE GRASCALS/Last Train To Clarksville
Writer: Tommy Boyce/Bobby Hart; Producer: The Grascals; Publisher: Screen Gems EMI, BMI; Rounder (track) (www.grascals.com)
—It will come as no surprise to most of you that this Monkees oldie works splendidly as a country tune. In fact, Ed Bruce put out as a single back in 1967. Now the song is a bluegrass single, complete with banjo, mandolin and fiddle solos. I hear that the band is working on a video of it this week. Enjoy.

New Single, New Video For Miranda Lambert

Hot on the heels of her four-week, No. 1 single “The House That Built Me,” Miranda Lambert is ready to release follow-up single “Only Prettier,” from her ACM Album of the Year, Revolution. The single, which shipped to radio Monday was written by Lambert and Natalie Hemby.

“To me, ‘Only Prettier,’ is an anthem, it’s my own anthem, and I want girls to have their fists in the air singing ‘Only Prettier,’” Lambert says. “It’s antagonistic in a fun way, and I loved the attitude behind it. It kind of fools you, because it’s got this really country, laid-back intro, but then it’s balls-to-the-wall the rest of the way. It’s so much fun!”

For the song’s video, Lambert asked a few of her girlfriends, including Kellie Pickler, Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum and Laura Bell Bundy, to join her. While the particulars of the video are being kept under wraps, Lambert and friends portray two rival cliques attending a high school sock hop.

Lambert, a three-time Grammy nominee, platinum-selling recording artist and hit singer/songwriter, recently added her first CMT Award to an already impressive list of accolades. The fan-voted CMT Award for Female Video of the Year joins Miranda’s recent ACM wins for Album of the Year, Female Vocalist of the Year and Video of the Year (“White Liar”). Her current single, “The House That Built Me,” has held the No. 1 position for four straight weeks. It follows “White Liar,” Miranda’s first career No. 1.

 Lambert recently wrapped up her Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars headlining tour and will be joining the Lilith Fair tour this summer. For more information, visit www.MirandaLambert.com

Red Mountain To Produce Fontanel Shows

Dale Morris and Marc Oswald, co-owners of Nashville’s newest live music venue, The Woods at Fontanel, have announced that live music producer Red Mountain Entertainment will serve as the producer for events at the facility. In addition to operating the venue, Red Mountain’s responsibilities will include booking and producing concerts, selling sponsorships and special seating packages and offering general consulting services. Based in Birmingham, Alabama, the company will be opening an office in Nashville in July.

The first event booked at the venue is Songwriters Sing for Nashville, a benefit for flood relief featuring one of the most impressive groups of Hall of Fame songwriters ever assembled on one stage, on Saturday, July 17.

“Dale and I have spent years on the road playing virtually every venue in North America,” said Oswald. “The goal for the Woods was to integrate every great component of a venue we’ve experienced in our travels, and we feel The Woods at Fontanel accomplishes that. Combining this beautiful facility with the expertise that Gary Weinberger and John Ruffino bring to the table is exciting to us, as we are now able to offer this first class play to artists, managers, agents and promoters to bring a unique musical experience to the public.”

The Woods at Fontanel is a beautiful wooded green space nestled in a terraced setting on the property that also houses the Fontanel Mansion, Farm House Restaurant and the Trails at Fontanel, which all opened to the public on June 7. The intimate outdoor stage is capable of handling sound, lights, and video comparable to most state-of-the-art arenas and amphitheaters.

“Dale and Marc have been two of the most successful managers and entrepreneurs in our business for over 30 years, and they have a great vision for this special venue,” said Weinberger, who along with Ruffino is the operating partner of Red Mountain. “We have worked with them for many years, and we are excited they have given us the opportunity to work with them on this project. We believe the Woods at Fontanel will grow to be one of Nashville’s crown jewels.”

Red Mountain Entertainment has been named co-promoter of the year by the International Entertainment Buyers Association. Red Mountain has also been nominated as Independent Promoter of the Year by Pollstar and Promoter of the Year by the Academy of Country Music. The company produced concerts and events in 78 cities in 28 states in 2009.

David Andersen – Nashville’s Musical Ambassador

Multifaceted guitarist David Andersen, known as the Ambassador of Music City from his daily appearances at the Country Music Hall of Fame, recently donated a portion of his CD sales to the American Red Cross Flood Relief to support those affected by the Nashville flood. Andersen is thankful to fans who sent letters, emails, phone calls, cash and prayers for Nashville.

“When the rains came and the waters started to rise, many musicians were in trouble or their instruments were in high water,” said Andersen. “Many beloved musical instruments were damaged or destroyed. This is touching proof of people’s love of Music City.”

Andersen recently made appearances at the William Lee Golden art exhibition at the Tennessee State Museum as well as Tennessee Repertory Theater’s 25th Anniversary Party at the home of Martha Ingram.

His mission is to give Nashville’s visitors the authentic experience they seek. A music prodigy raised in Long Beach, California, Andersen was playing music before he could talk. An accomplished songwriter proficient on multiple instruments, he gives every new friend he meets at the Country Music Hall of Fame his signature guitar pick and challenges them to “remember why they came to Nashville and to take time to enjoy the music they came here to find.”

For more information and to view his upcoming performances, visit www.davidandersenmusic.com

Jimmy Webb Records With Nashville’s Finest

On June 29, Songwriting legend Jimmy Webb (“By The Time I Get To Phoenix,” Wichita Lineman,” “Highwaymen”) will release Just Across The River, a collection of new and old material recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium with a supporting lineup of some of Nashville’s finest musicians.

Among the album’s songs are “If You See Me Getting Smaller,” featuring Willie Nelson, and “Galveston,” with Lucinda Williams. Also making guest appearances are Nashvillians Vince Gill (“Oklahoma Nights”), J.D Souther (“I Was Too Busy Loving You”) and Michael McDonald (“Where Worlds End”).

Much of Just Across The River was recorded live over two days, with contributions from acclaimed session players like guitarists Bryan Sutton and Pat Buchanan, fiddler Stuart Duncan, and dobro master Jerry Douglas. Guest contributors from the pop side of the fence include Mark Knopfler, Jackson Browne, Linda Ronstadt and Billy Joel.

“From the very first song, first take, first note this record seemed blessed,” Webb says. “And then as each piece fell into place, a fully realized, conceptual work of art emerged. I hope everyone else feels what we did as we listened to the first rough mixes.”

Below is a track listing for Just Across The River:
1. “Oklahoma Nights” featuring Vince Gill
2. “Wichita Lineman” featuring Billy Joel
3. “If You See Me Getting Smaller” featuring Willie Nelson
4. “Galveston” featuring Lucinda Williams
5. “P.F. Sloan” featuring Jackson Browne
6. “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” featuring Glen Campbell
7. “Cowboy Hall Of Fame”
8. “Where Words End” featuring Michael McDonald
9. “Highwayman” featuring Mark Knopfler
10. “I Was Too Busy Loving You” featuring J.D. Souther
11. “It Won’t Bring Her Back”
12. “Do What You Gotta Do”
13. “All I Know” featuring Linda Ronstadt