Phil Walden Jr. In Fatal Car Accident

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The son of Capricorn Records co-founder Phil Walden, Phil Walden Jr. (48) died Tuesday evening (6/7) in Atlanta in automobile accident in a parking garage. According to a Macon newspaper. Walden was leaving an athletic club when the accident took place.
An Atlanta policewoman told the publication, “It appeared the victim placed the vehicle in reverse, and then noticed his sunglasses had fallen outside of his truck. At some point the vehicle (rolled) back, possibly from his foot coming off the brake, pinning him against (a) pillar.” Walden Sr., passed away in 2006.
Phil Jr. was a Stratford Academy graduate who attended law school at Mercer University. He is survived by his wife and four children.
 

Reid Honored By CCMA

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Johnny Reid will be awarded the 2011 Canadian Country Music Humanitarian Award. The honor was created in 1989 to recognize Canadian country artists whose humanitarian contributions have positively enhanced the social fabric of Canada.
Since the early days of his music career, Reid has been at the forefront of fundraising and social awareness events for organizations such as the World Vision Foundation, Children’s Aid Foundation and the Make A Wish Foundation of Canada, among many others. He performs regularly at benefit concerts in support of humanitarian causes and will participate in the upcoming Slave Lake Benefit Concert on June 15 in support of those who lost their homes in last month’s wildfires.
“Each year, the CCMA Board of Directors has the opportunity to recognize a person and/or event that has made an outstanding contribution in the support of humanitarian causes,” said Ted Ellis, Chair, CCMA Board of Directors. “Johnny is an incredibly talented musician who has made it a priority to better the lives of others. He is a role model for our community and our country.”
“I am both humbled and honored to receive this award on behalf of all of us who strive to offer hope and love to those who need it the most,” said Reid.
Canadian Country Music Week will take place Sept. 9-12, 2011, in Hamilton, Ontario culminating in the live broadcast of the Canadian Country Music Awards, Monday, Sept. 12, 2011 on CBC Television and CMT Canada.
For more info visit www.ccma.org.
 

Black River Adds Lubitz To Promotion Staff

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Black River Entertainment has announced the addition of Bill Lubitz to its staff as Director of Promotion, West Coast. Lubitz will continue to be based in Las Vegas.
Previously West Coast Promotion Manager with Quarterback Records, Lubitz has an extensive background in radio where he spent nine years with KWNR/Las Vegas. He was also part of the original team that opened Stoney Creek Records.
“Bill was the perfect person for this job,” says Black River VP Promotion Rick Baumgartner. “Greg McCarn (Black River GM) and I heard his name from so many people that we thought he had a huge PR machine behind him. That says a lot about how well he does his job.”
Congratulate him at [email protected].

Shania Announces Vegas Residency

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Shania Twain announces her Las Vegas residency during a press event in Nashville. (L-R): Gary Selesner, Twain and John Meglen. Photo: Alan Mayor


Shania Twain will head to the Colosseum at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas for a two-year residency beginning December 1, 2012.

The superstar said she was “beyond excited” as she shared the news at a press conference today (6/8) at Nashville’s Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. She appeared with Caesar’s Palace Pres. Gary Selesner and AEG Live/Concerts West Pres./co-CEO John Meglen. They announced that she will play 60 dates a year at the venue, confirming recent rumors about the engagement.
“I feel like I’ve climbed a giant mountain and I’m standing right on top with my arms wide open,” she exclaimed.
Reuniting with her fans seemed to be what Twain was genuinely most excited about, referring to performing for them as “one of my greatest pleasures.”
Planning of the show and stage production has yet to begin, but Twain said she will give “a whole new meaning for the old music.” She said she will let her creativity flow. “I’m going to go nuts! Anything is possible at Caesars.”

Photo: Alan Mayor


Twain addressed the recent medical issues with her singing voice, noting numerous appointments with specialists, including the team at Vanderbilt University Medical Center. She also spoke briefly about the personal challenges she experienced during her time away from the spotlight, calling the past year a “healing year.”
The start of the Vegas residency will coincide with an expansion opening of the resort casino, including a new hotel. Twain will be the Colosseum’s first resident headliner, joining fellow international superstars Celine Dion, Elton John, and Rod Stewart who have had extended runs there.
Twain didn’t directly answer whether or not she will move her family to Las Vegas. She only said she is in a very “artist-friendly” situation.
A pre-sale exclusively for American Express cardholders opens tonight during Twain’s appearance on the CMT Music Awards. She will be a presenter, and star alongside Taylor Swift in the Thelma & Louise inspired show opening.
This follows the news that Twain is releasing “Today Is Your Day,” her first new music in over six years. She will also be signing copies of her book From This Moment On, Friday, June 10 at the Bridgestone Arena during CMA Music Fest.

Additive Choices Build Label/Artist Success

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One of the highlights at this year’s 2nd annual Billboard Country Music Summit (June 6-7) in Nashville was about label business models. Moderator Glenn Peoples, Sr. Editorial Analyst BB focused first on industry measurements and then on the differences between labels of different sizes. Here are a few quotes from the panel participants…











John Esposito








John Esposito, President/CEO WarnerMusic Nashville: I was happy to discover [when I arrived here two years ago] we had a great A&R dept., but bringing focus was key. When I said we were going after Blake Shelton everyone knew that was a rallying cry to raise him up to the next level. We hoped to create energy and momentum with three bodies of work in nine months. Also the promo dept. delivered. The experiment for Blake was hugely successful and profitable. For decades our industry has based success on SoundScan, but now we have business models that aren’t even measured. We’ve been active with music/merchandise bundles that don’t register on SS, but they show up on our P&L. I got good advice from WMG’s Lyor Cohen. “Focus on a very few and give it your all.”















Tom Baldrica








Tom Baldrica, President Average Joes Entertainment: After spending so much time on the biggest boat in the water [Sony], I was amazed that so much was going on among the smaller boats. Average Joes had figured out a smart way to make money on nickels and dimes without nickel and dime-ing their partners. It’s about a level of artist authenticity. Today people put up with less bullshit. Our philosophy is to find things that react and then go fish where the fish are. Connect the dots with a more focused roster. Also we don’t have a corporate time line to contend with that forces us to make decisions, so we can take our time and get it right. This town has ruined a lot of kids by throwing them into the big time too quickly. That’s something we have the luxury or not having to do.












Michael Powers








Michael Powers, Partner/Co Sr.VP Promotion Bigger Picture Group: We don’t do record deals, that model is broken. We do artist deals. The key is having enough gas left in the tank to get there and find the all-important radio hit. Fire a machine gun spray of bullets or shoot carefully, but don’t give up. Our promotion group has just as many people on our digital team as on the radio side.

















John Allen







John Allen, VP Bug Music: Most people don’t think of publishing companies as owning masters, but we make lots of recordings every year. Many of our artists are starting their own labels.

It just evolved. We farm out promotion and marketing, but are set up in the digital world. It’s especially advantageous and efficient for songs placed in film and TV.

















Jay Frank







Jay Frank, Sr. VP Music Strategy CMT: Why is there a smattering of applause about CD sales in this room? We need to do more about where we are going, not where we have been.

Why focus on the rotary phone? The CD is one revenue stream amongst many. Most people think a hit is just what gets to No. 1 on the radio chart, but the definition of a hit has been obliterated. We need new measurements for what a hit is. Sometimes it’s tickets, sales or radio and more, it is spread out over many things.
 

City National Bank Opens On Music Row

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Pictured (L-R): Lori Badgett, David Innes, Holly Bell, Diane Pearson, and Mandy Gallagher.


City National Bank has opened its first banking office in Nashville, Tenn. with a full staff headed locally by Holly Bell. With offices across the country, the bank has long established roots in the entertainment business, including many Music City clients.
Bell brings two decades of Nashville music business banking experience to her new post, Sr. VP for Entertainment and Team Manager. She was formerly a entertainment and private bank manager with Wells Fargo. Bell reports to Martha Henderson, the Exec. VP and Manager of City National’s entertainment division. “Expanding into Nashville is an exciting step for City National,” said Henderson. “It’s a logical extension of our very strong entertainment business in California and New York. We’ve recruited an outstanding team of local bankers, and their experience will further strengthen our ability to serve the entire music industry.”
Joining Bell on the City National team are Senior Relationship Managers Lori Badgett and Diane Pearson, who were previously with SunTrust Bank’s Nashville entertainment division for 15 and 20 years, respectively. Fellow former SunTrust banker Mandy Gallagher is also on board as a Relationship Manager with 12 years of experience.

David Innes is a Senior Relationship Manager who will serve Atlanta based music industry clients. Innes’ two decades of service include time at Wells Fargo and SunTrust.
City National’s Account Managers include seasoned bankers Adrian Foreman, Meridy Kizer, Jamie Lay and Kristy Sargent.
Coming to the new Nashville location from other City National branches are Jason Plum as Credit Officer, and Will Hurst as Office Administrative Manager.

City National Bank’s temporary office in Nashville is open at 60 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203, and can be reached at (615) 782-5620. Employees can be reached at [email protected] (ex. [email protected]).
The permanent location is scheduled to open later this summer at 54 Music Square East, Nashville, TN 37203.
City National Bank is America’s 25th largest bank, with 80 offices, including 16 full-service regional centers. It is backed by $21.6 billion in total assets.

Photos: CMA Music Fest in Full Swing [updated]

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Star-Packed Opry Shows
The Grand Ole Opry presented by Humana hosted two sold-out, star-studded shows last night (6/7) with performances by Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, Martina McBride, Darius Rucker, Oak Ridge Boys, Jimmy Dickens, Bill Anderson, and Jerrod Niemann. During the first of two shows, Opry member Underwood introduced the newest American Idol winner Scotty McCreery and runner-up Lauren Alaina on stage. They will make their Opry performance debuts this Fri., June 10.

Lady Antebellum at the star-studded Opry.


Vince Gill at Premiere Radio Remotes
Vince Gill helped kick-off the Premiere Radio Remotes. Premiere Networks, the official radio partner of the 2011 CMA Music Festival, will be broadcasting from the Nashville Convention Center this week. Premiere will play host to 18 of Country radio’s biggest stations, as well as the syndicated radio shows After MidNite with Blair Garner and The Crook & Chase Countdown.

Vince Gill performs at the Premiere Radio Remotes.


Ashton Shepherd Previews New Music
MCA Nashville’s Ashton Shepherd kicked off her CMA Music Fest week with a media/industry luncheon hosted by MCA Nashville and BMI at BMI’s Music Row offices. The 24-year-old singer/songwriter performed a selection of songs from her sophomore album, Where Country Grows, which hits streets on July 12. Representatives from Grand Ole Opry Group, Country Weekly, Wall Street Journal, AOL, Rhapsody, Microsoft, Citadel Digital, Country Aircheck, Academy of Country Music, CMT and William Morris Endeavor were just some who enjoyed the luncheon performance.

Pictured (L-R): BMI VP, Writer/Publisher Relations Jody Williams; Ashton Shepherd; Beverly Keel, Sr. VP Artist & Media Relations, UMG Nashville; and Faith Quesenberry, Vector Management. Photo: Erika Goldring


Carrie Underwood’s Fan Club Party at The Opry
Opry member Carrie Underwood held her annual fan club party at the Grand Ole Opry yesterday (6/7) morning. Her fans began lining up the night before for a chance to see their favorite artist. The party, emceed by Storme Warren, kicked off with a 45-minute performance by Carrie and her band, followed by a question and answer session. The event ended with a game of “Fan Club Feud” with prizes including a fly-away trip to one of Underwood’s concerts plus backstage passes. She will return to the Opry stage tonight to perform as part of two-sold out shows. Tomorrow, she heads to Australia for a two-week promotional trip to support her Play On: Deluxe Edition CD.

Carrie Underwood leads "Fan Club Feud" at her party. Photo: Chris Hollo, Hollophotographics


Aussie Connie Kis Andersen Joins Yallwire For Southern Cooking
While in Nashville for the CMA Music Fest, Australian country artist Connie Kis Andersen enjoyed some southern cooking. Stephanie Langston, host for Yallwire, took Andersen to Arnold’s restaurant to dine on its famous turnip greens, fried green tomatoes and chess pie. Andersen is working her current single, “Steamy Dreams.”

(L-R): Stephanie Langston and Connie Kis Andersen

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/8/11)

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We have a mixed bag of sounds on tap today.
The listening session was dominated by indies. Some of them were quite listenable (Stephanie Urbina Jones, Aaron Einhouse), others not so much. The one who stood out as a DisCovery Award winner was Drake Jensen. Other than the fact that he is managed out of Ottawa, I know next to nothing about him.
Lady Antebellum was, as always, a luscious listening experience. But the Disc of the Day belongs to Kellie Pickler. “Tough” is the perfect song for this personality-packed performer.
I don’t have an awards category for this, but maybe I should honor someone each week who reminds us all what hardcore country music really sounds like. If I did, I would certainly polish a statuette for the supremely soulful stylings of Gene Watson & Rhonda Vincent. Their album is called Your Money and My Good Looks. It dropped this week. Get it.
JIMMY LEHOUX/Twenty Toes In The Sand
Writer: Liz Miller/Tom Stipe; Producer: Tom McBee; Publisher: Check to Rex/Pen, ASCAP; Ruby (www.jimmylehoux.net)
—Half of this town has been ripping off Jimmy Buffett for years.
DRAKE JENSEN/Wash Me Away
Writer: M. Narmore/M. McGuire; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publisher: Oven/Avalon Avenue, BMI/ASCAP; Soaring Eagle (track)
—Very dramatic. Unmistakably country, but with a certain sonic majesty and terrific, multi-layered production finesse. Not only is the song finely crafted, he sings with open throated confidence and clear conviction. A winner.
KELLIE PICKLER/Tough
Writer: Leslie Satcher; Producer: Frank Liddell & Luke Wooten; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Leslie Satcher, BMI; BNA
—At last! The giant hit that Pickler has always deserved is finally here. This rumbling, romping rhythm number has a lyric with real moxie, and she delivers it with just the right amount of sass.
T.J. BROSCOFF/Pillow
Writer: T.J. Broscoff; Producer: Bill Green; Publisher: Bill Green, BMI; BGM (www.tjbroscoff.com)
—Take vocal lessons to learn how to hold a note longer than a nanosecond.
CLAUDIA NYGAARD/His Left Side
Writer: Claudia Nygaard; Producer: Claudia Nygaard; Publisher: Cattlelog, BMI; Bet the Ranch (track) (www.claudianygaard.com)
—This one’s a story song on the folkie side of things. His wife has passed away, and he wants to come back to work the land as soon as he recovers from a stroke. Instead, he comes home to die, holding the reins of his old horse standing by his bedside on the front porch.
GENE WATSON & RHONDA VINCENT/Gone For Good
Writer: Jimmy Melton; Producer: Herb Sandker; Publisher: Castle Street/Bughouse/Bug, ASCAP; Upper Management (track) (www.geneandrhonda.net)
—The first duet album by these two superb country vocalists features chestnuts like “My Sweet Love Ain’t Around,” “Sweet Thang,” “Til the End,” “Out of Hand” and “You Could Know as Much About a Stranger,” plus three Rhonda originals. Among the new tunes by others, this lost-love weeper is the awesome single/video. If you yearn for a real honky-tonk ballad with emotion-soaked harmony and moaning steel, this will smack you right between the eyes. A match made in hillbilly heaven.
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Just A Kiss
Writer: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Paul Worley & Lady Antebellum; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/DWHaywood/Radiobulletspublishing/EMI Foray/Hillary Dawn/EMI Blackwood/String Stretcher, BMI/SESAC; Capitol Nashville (CDX)
—A delirious dream of harmony vocalizing. It is, indeed, the audio equivalent of a romantic kiss.
AARON EINHOUSE/The Cougar Song
Writer: Aaron Einhouse; Producer: Walt Wilkins; Publisher: none listed, BMI; AE  (www.aaroneinhouse.com)
—Three husbands down, the lady at the bar is waiting for you to light her cigarette, if you catch my drift. Bouncy, and sung with drawling good humor.
CONNIE KIS ANDERSEN/Steamy Dreams
Writer: Connie Kis Andersen; Producer: Doug Wayne; Publisher: Kismana, APRA; Kismana (track) (www.conniekisandersen.com.au)
—This has reportedly already been a top-5 country hit in Australia. She sings capably in a slightly bluesy way, and the swampy guitar work is exemplary. But the whole thing is just too “white” for my taste.
STEPHANIE URBINA JONES/I’m Not A Pinata
Writer: Stepahnie Urbina Jones/Mark Marchetti; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Casa Del Rio/Baby Z, SESAC/BMI; Texican Entertainment (www.stephanieurbinajones.com)
—The instrumental single is a snappy country rocker with a whiplash beat. The vocal version has a husky alto intro before the smoking track catches fire. I have long been a fan of this performer, and this time around she’s really kicking tail.

Quick Pics

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The LoCash Cowboys with show host Adam Richman.


LoCash Cowboys Take On Man v. Food Nation
The LoCash Cowboys taped an episode of the Travel Channel’s Man v. Food Nation at Rooster’s Texas Style BBQ in Nashville earlier this year, and it will air tomorrow night (6/8). The restaurant is holding a public viewing party at 8 PM/CT to see the duo take on a 72-ounce steak challenge. 
See a clip here.
The LoCash Cowboys will appear at that party, as well as at other events this week including the CMA Music Festival Kick-Off Parade (6/8), the Musicians On Call benefit concert at Hard Rock Café (6/9), and the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage (6/12). Tonight (6/7) at Rocketown they will model in the Country Weekly Fashion Show, also benefiting Musicians On Call.


Casey James and Robin Rhodes


 


Birthday Surprise From Casey James
BNA Records artist Casey James was the surprise guest at Robin Rhodes‘ birthday party on Saturday night (6/4) at the Wine Loft in Nashville. Rhodes is the Senior Director of Music Initiatives for After Midnight With Blair Garner.
CMA Hosts Chevy Test Drive
Chevrolet, The Official Ride of Country Music, hosted an Industry Test Drive at the CMA offices on Friday, June 3. Participants had the opportunity to test drive several different exciting Chevrolet vehicles, and the car manufacturer donated $25 for each test drive to the CMA Foundation, which benefits music education through CMA’s Keep the Music Playing campaign.

(L-R): CMA Board Member Troy Tomlinson; Phil Caruso, manager of national promotions for Chevrolet; CMA CEO Steve Moore; and CMA Board Member Mike Dungan display Chevrolet's Patron Organizational member certificate. Photo: Amanda Eckard/CMA

Eric Church To Preview Album Live From CMA Fest

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Eric Church


EMI Records’ Eric Church will offer members of his fan club, the Church Choir, and Sirius XM listeners an exclusive preview of his new album Chief this week. As part of CMA Music Festival, he is set to perform Thurs., June 9, 4 p.m. at the Music City Theater. The acoustic set will be limited to 60 guests who will win entry via the fan club. Church will share stories behind the songs with Sirius XM’s The Highway host Storme Warren, and the entire performance will air at a later date on The Highway.
Chief, which hits stores July 26, will be Church’s third studio set, and reunites him with longtime producer Jay Joyce. Complete track list here.
For tomorrow (6/8) night’s CMT Music Awards, Church is nominated for the Nationwide® Insurance On Your Side® award for best new live act.
He just wrapped a tour with Jason Aldean, and will join Toby Keith on the road beginning June 30 and continuing through the fall.