Americana Fest: Friday Night Showcases

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Buddy Miller performs with Jim Lauderdale at Cannery Ballroom, courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Kim Jameson

Experience and youth shared the spotlight during the Friday (Oct. 14) night Americana Fest showcases. I’m pleased to report that both camps performed exceedingly well, so let’s call it a draw.

In one corner was Alabama sister duo The Secret Sisters, who were a late addition to the Cannery Ballroom lineup. Laura and Lydia Rogers just released their first recordings in 2010, but sound like they could have been transported via time machine directly from the 1950s.

But it’s not fair to dismiss them as a nostalgia act. Sure, they have a genuine affection for and knowledge of classic country, but their original compositions fit seamlessly between covers of The Davis Sisters’ “I Forgot More Than You’ll Ever Know” and Jim Reeves’ “Four Walls.” Their set consisted of only their two voices and an acoustic guitar, but that was enough. They harmonized beautifully, recalling the Everlys or Louvins, and finished with a stunning a capella version of Patience & Prudence’s “Tonight You Belong To Me” just to drive the point home.

In the other corner performing later on the Cannery stage were Americana all-stars Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale. Both have built singular, long-lasting careers as songwriters, musicians, guest performers, and recording artists. Add producer to the list in Miller’s case, and radio personality/emcee to Lauderdale’s. They’ve been to a few rodeos, to be sure. Seeing them play together, pooling their experiences, was thrilling.

First off, there’s not another guitar player in Nashville—nay, the world—like Buddy Miller. Instead of playing the ever-popular Telecaster, Les Paul or ES-335, he’s usually armed with an obscure but unmistakable-sounding Wandre instrument. He can also change his playing style like a chameleon, channeling countrified chicken-picking or gale-force noise with equal ease. Is it any wonder that Robert Plant loves him or that he keeps sweeping the Americana Honors?

Backed by pros Chris Donohue, Greg Liesz, and Brian Mullins, the two sang together like they’ve been doing it since childhood, tossing covers of George Jones (“Why Baby Why,” “Race Is On”) and Webb Pierce (“Poison Blood”) in with their own work like “I’m Pretending,” “King Of Broken Hearts,” “Hold On My Love,” “Halfway Down,” and a righteous “Hole In My Head,” which they penned together. It was an energetic, honky tonk tour de force.

By the end, Lauderdale had begun to overheat. “We’re sweatin’ up here like Rush Limbaugh at a Steve Earle concert,” he joked.

Luther Dickinson of North Mississippi Allstars at Cannery Ballroom, Courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Kim Jameson

Elsewhere during the evening Memphis artist Amy LaVere displayed a jazzy, almost avant garde sensibility, skillfully handling her upright bass on numbers like “Cry My Eyes Out,” “Washing Machine” and Tom Waits’ “Green Grass.” Elizabeth Cook showcased the different sides of her personality on “El Camino,” and “Heroin Addict Sister.” A solo John Oates showed his soulful side on Leiber/Stoller’s “Searchin’” and the Hall & Oates smash “Maneater.” North Mississippi Allstars showed tremendous instrumental prowess on their funky, bluesy jam rock, including an instrumental requiring drummer Cody Dickinson to keep time with his feet while picking complex leads on an acoustic guitar.

Will Kimbrough performs at the Rutledge, courtesy of the Americana Music Assocation. Photo: Tacy Judd

Showcasing across town at the Rutledge were The Vespers, Matraca Berg, Eric Brace & Peter Cooper, The Bottle Rockets and a midnight set by Will Kimbrough. Station Inn featured David Wax Museum, The Farewell Drifters, and the Black Lillies. At the Basement were Tommy Womack & the Rush to Judgment, Ian McLagan, Henry Wagons, and New Country Rehab.

One more night to go. Scheduled to perform are James McMurtry, Farewell Milwaukee, Blackie and the Rodeo Kings, Sieraa Hull and Highway 111, and Sam Llanas of the BoDeans. Come on out and hear some tunes, y’all.

Photo Friday

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MCA Nashville singer/songwriter Kip Moore stopped by the CMA offices recently (10/11) to perform several songs for the staff including his new single “Somethin’ ‘Bout A Truck.”

(L-R) CMA Senior Coordinator of Member Relations and Services, Betsy Walker; Kip Moore; CMA Senior Manager of Membership and Balloting, Brandi Simms; CMA Chief Executive Officer, Steve Moore. Photo: Christian Bottorff/CMA

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (10/13) hosted a reunion of musicians, producers, songwriters and performers who helped pioneer and popularize the Muscle Shoals music industry. During the panel discussion, Land of 1,000 Dances: The Groundbreaking Sounds of Muscle Shoals, Rick Hall discussed the founding of FAME Studio and its role in soul music with artists like Clarence Carter, Aretha Franklin, Etta James, Wilson Pickett and Candi Staton. The panel was presented in partnership with the Americana Music Association (AMA).

(L-R) front row: Holly George-Warren, moderator, and Michael Gray, Museum Editor. back row: Norbert Putnam, Jimmy Johnson, Rick Hall, David Briggs, Candi Staton, Dan Penn, Donnie Fritts and Spooner Oldham. Photo: Donn Jones

• • • •

GRAMMY nominee and three-time ASCAP Christian Song of the Year winner Matthew West celebrated his fourth No. 1 hit, “Strong Enough,” during a party at ASCAP earlier this week. West kicked off another leg of his Story of Your Life Tour on Thursday, and recently debuted his first, full-length holiday project, The Heart of Christmas, on October 4.

(L-R): Combustion Music's Chris Van Belkom, ASCAP's Michael Martin, Combustion Music's Chris Farren, ASCAP's Tim DuBois, Emilly West, Delaney West, Lulu West, Matthew West, Warner/Chappell's Steve Markland, ASCAP's Marc Driskill, Warner/Chappell's Phil May. Photo: Lauren Perry

Americana Fest: Thursday Night Showcases

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So much to see and do, man.

Thursday, October 13, was the second night of the Americana Music Association’s Conference and Festival and also the organization’s 10th Annual Honors and Awards. For those who couldn’t make it out to that fine affair, I’d suggest reading about it right here.

Nightly showcases got off to a late start because of the Awards, so many bands across town weren’t hitting the stages until after 10 pm. But once again we were off to our beloved Mercy Lounge, where Athens, Ga.-based songwriter Lera Lynn started off the evening. The young performer favored a rock band setup for her music, which drew on influences of British and American folk, and jangly 60s rock. She even paid homage to one of the forebears of Americana and Country, turning in an eerie minor-key version of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.”

Carrie Rodriguez performs at The Cannery Ballroom, Courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Krissie Gregory

Downstairs in the Cannery Ballroom, performer Carrie Rodriguez was delighting the audience with her dazzling fiddle skills, leading the band through some hypnotic instrumental jams. Her set also included “La Punalada Trapera,” a Spanish language song written by her great aunt that appears on her 2010 album Love and Circumstance.

Nashville singer/songwriter Will Hoge was next up on the Mercy Lounge stage, and by the time I made it upstairs he and band were ripping through “Sex, Lies and Money” from his 2007’s Draw The Curtains. He joked that he and his musical compatriots had journeyed to the show from “a faraway land, called Inglewood.”

Hoge, it must be said, is a dynamite live performer. His voice last night was pure soul, adding the precise amount of emotional heft to tracks like “When I Get My Wings,” a standout from his current album Number 7. Other selections included “Trying To Be A Man,” “Fool’s Gonna Fly,” and “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” which Eli Young Band cut for their recently-released Life At Best collection.

Will Hoge and band at the Mercy Lounge, Courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Stacie Huckeba

Mark Olson of the Jayhawks at the Cannery Ballroom, Courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Krissie Gregory

Attendees were also crammed into the Cannery Ballroom to see the Jayhawks perform. The Minnesota band has been mining the fertile lands of planet country-rock since well before “Americana” had a name, and they played an important role in shaping its current sound. Band principals Gary Louris and Mark Olson sounded uncannily like their finest recordings, blending their voices in pristine harmony. Their set featured “Two Hearts,” “She Walks In So Many Ways,” “I’d Run Away,” “Tiny Arrows,” and their gorgeous, enduring minor hit “Blue” from 1995’s Tomorrow The Green Grass.

Americana opened its borders for Romantica, a folk-rock band from Minneapolis-via-Belfast and the final performers at Mercy Lounge on Thursday. Their sound fused the obligatory Gram Parsons influence with a little chamber pop and classic rock ‘n’ roll.

Band leader Ben Kyle professed his love of Nashville mid-set. “I love this town, because it’s where country music comes from.” Hey, we like it too!

Lori McKenna performs at the Rutledge, courtesy of the Americana Music Association. Photo: Kim Jameson

Across town at the Rutledge, songwriter Lori McKenna played a with a full-band that included her producer, Barry Dean. Performances included the title track from her 2011 album Lorraine, “Buy This Town,” “Witness To Your Life” and “Stealing Kisses,” which Faith Hill cut in 2005.

Performers around town included Mollie O’Brien & Rich Moore, followed by JD Souther at The Station Inn. The lineup at the Basement included Amanda Shires, Pokey LaFarge & The South City Three, and Malcolm Holcombe, who set the Twitterverse abuzz following his set.

Last night was a late one for yours truly, so feel free to rattle me awake tonight if you catch me dozing against the wall. On tap for later: Matraca Berg, Will Kimbrough, Amy LaVere, Elizabeth Cook, Jim Lauderdale and Buddy Miller, and much more.

Also: look on musicrow.com for more coverage of AMA showcases tomorrow and Sunday.

SESAC hosted the opening reception at the 12th Annual Americana Music Festival and Conference on Wednesday, October 12 at Sheraton Downtown Nashville. The event featured performances by Americana artists Amy Black and Robby Hecht. (L-R): SESAC’s Amy Beth Hale, Robby Hecht, Amy Black and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Event To Benefit Local Veterans

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(L-R) Ira Blonder, Board member and managing General Partner of Sound Kitchen Studios; Mary Lankford Benson, Board member and Senior Vice President at Tennessee Commerce Bank; and Tim Gregath, Executive Director of We Are Building Lives

The 4th Annual No Veteran Left Behind event will take place Saturday, Oct. 22 from 6 – 9 pm at Lexus of Nashville, Cool Springs. The special event benefits We Are Building Lives, a non-profit organization serving homeless veterans in the Nashville area. The night includes a wine tasting and live musical entertainment.

“It’s going to be a great evening for an incredible cause,” says Mary Lankford Benson, We Are Building Lives Board Member. “We are so fortunate to have individuals willing to serve and protect our country. Now it’s our turn to help and serve them. Events like this allow us the means to offer them the assistance they need.”

Tickets are $75 and can be purchased at www.WeAreBuildingLives.org or by contacting Benson at 615-308-1639. An additional $1,000 event sponsor packet is also offered at a special value, including ten VIP tickets, special seating and a personalized event poster. All proceeds will be donated to We Are Building Lives.

ICM Association Will Go Pink, Stream Awards

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The Inspirational Country Music Association is “Turning Nashville Pink” this year from Oct. 24-28 in honor of October’s national theme of breast cancer awareness and to raise funds to benefit the Tennessee Breast Cancer Coalition. The ICM Association will turn the city pink during its Inspirational Country Music Week and the ICM Faith, Family, & Country Awards. Throughout the week, downtown Nashville businesses will display pink in support of the cause. The state capitol will follow suit and light up pink for the entire week.

This year’s Inspirational Country Music Week schedule is slated to draw a cross section of industry, music fans, broadcast media and artists in a showcase of music and seminar-related activities. The 2011 ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards will be the highpoint finale of Inspirational Country Music Week on Oct. 28

The presentation of the 17th Annual ICM Faith, Family & Country Awards at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center will stream online this year, hosted as an online ticketed webcast via www.StageIt.com. Music fans can access sign-up information for the webcast, as well as buy tickets for the online awards ceremonies, at www.stageit.com/faithfamilycountry.

“The live webcast of this year’s awards is being presented through an agreement we’ve signed with StageIt, a very innovative California-based production team that specializes in delivering major artist music driven ‘event experiences’ online,” says Jason Higgins, Executive Director of the Inspirational Country Music Association.

GAC Network’s Storme Warren and Inside Edition’s Megan Alexander will be on the pink carpet, hosting the event. Artists already announced to perform that night include Lee Greenwood, Ricky Skaggs, Joey+Rory, The Roys, Guy Penrod, Buddy Jewell and Chuck Day.

Major artist nominees on the Top 5 ballot for this year’s awards include Carrie Underwood, Lady Antebellum, The Band Perry, Ronnie Dunn, The Roys, Josh Turner, Jeff Bates, Randy Travis, The Grascals, Ricky Skaggs, The Oak Ridge Boys, Point of Grace, The Isaacs and George Strait. Film honors finalists include Country Strong, Secretariat and The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader.

For more information, please visit www.ccma.cc.

SHeDaisy Signs Management Agreement

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SHeDAISY, the platinum-selling sister trio, has signed an exclusive management agreement with Stuart Dill and John Ferriter of Octagon Entertainment.

“I’ve been a fan of SHeDAISY since I first saw the girls perform. Their voices blend so beautifully and I couldn’t be more excited to work them and call them friends and clients,” said Ferriter.

Utah-native sisters Kristyn, Kelsi and Kassidy Osborn of SHeDAISY have had five albums, charted fifteen times on Billboard and released a Best of SHeDAISY LP in 2008. The trio released their debut album, The Whole Shebang, with Lyric Street Records in 1999. The debut album went platinum and gave the sisters three Top Ten country hits.

“Major plans are underway for a new album and tour. We look forward with great anticipation to ramping up SHeDAISY in the coming year,” noted Dill.

SHeDAISY joins Octagon Entertainment-Nashville artists Billy Ray Cyrus, Jo Dee Messina, Laura Bell Bundy and Weston Burt, as well Octagon Entertainment clients Piers Morgan, Nancy O’Dell, Erin Burnett, Dr. Drew Pinsky and Curt Menefee.

Industry Ink Friday

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David Andersen

• Show Dog-Universal Music has appointed David “Bubba” Berry to the position of Regional Promotion & Marketing Director, Midwest, it was announced by SDU VP Promotion Rick Moxley. Berry fills the slot recently vacated by the departing Jordan Pettit, and will continue to be based out of Texas. “Bubba is a seasoned professional,” says Moxley. “His passion for the business and extensive knowledge of country music is unmatched. He’s worked with several of our staff already and will be an easy fit.” Berry was most recently in the promotion department of BNA Records. Congratulate him here.

• David Andersen offers his fourth jazz album, Revelations. Recorded with The Revelations Jazz Band, it salutes jazz pioneers such as Louis Armstrong, WC Handy and Jelly Roll Morton. It was recorded in front of a live audience in Anaheim, Calif.

• Entries for the NSAI Song Contest Presented by CMT are due by Oct. 31. The Grand Prize Winner will receive an exclusive mentoring session with Charlie Daniels. For more information, visit nsai.cmt.com.

• Our thoughts are with IFCO’s Kay Johnson, who is being treated for Large B Cell Lymphoma at Vanderbilt Hospital.

• The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum will dim the lights on its mega-popular, critically acclaimed exhibition Family Tradition: The Williams Family Legacy, Presented by SunTrust, on Dec. 31. In anticipation of the exhibit’s close, the museum is presenting several Family Tradition-themed programs in the coming weeks, including an Oct. 29 panel discussion on southern rock that will feature Bonnie Bramlett, Charlie Daniels, Jimmy Hall, Mike Hyland and Ed King.

• Nashville-based Howling Music Group composer David Grow recently completed the score to a new documentary, Free Throw. The film is scheduled to premiere in October at the prestigious Sundance Film Festival.

Larry Murray

• Larry Murray is leaving his gig at Triple 8 Management, where he serves as day-to-day manager for Joe Nichols and Eli Young Band. His new role is Director of Operations for The Boot Campaign.

• Film composer George S. Clinton, the man behind the music of Mortal Kombat, The Santa Clause 2 and the Austin Powers films, will share his expertise with MTSU Oct. 19-20 as the 2011 Department of Recording Industry Artist-in-Residence.

• SESAC recently partnered with Belmont University on an educational panel featuring some of Christian music’s most successful songwriters. The symposium offered Belmont University students a chance to hear professional insight from Christian songwriters Seth Mosley (writer of hits for Newsboys, Peter Furler), Aaron Rice (writer of hits for tobyMac, Krystal Meyers) and A.J. Babcock (writer and member of Christian group, House Of Heroes).

(L-R): Belmont’s Drew Ramsey, songwriter Seth Mosley, Belmont’s James Elliot, songwriters Aaron Rice and AJ Babcock and SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Donald Hedden

Nichols To Release New Album

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Joe Nichols is slated to release his sixth studio album, It’s All Good (Show Dog-Universal) on Nov. 8. A follow-up to his Greatest Hits release, It’s All Good features ten tracks, including the single, “Take It Off.” The “Take It Off” music video has already exceeded 1.3 million views on YouTube and is No. 10 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

It’s All Good was co-produced by Mark Wright and Buddy Cannon.

It’s All Good track list:

1. Take It Off // Written by Dallas Davidson, Ashley Gorley and Kelley Lovelace

2. The More I Look // Written by Rodney Clawson, Dallas Davidson and Jim Beavers

3. Somebody’s Mama // Written by David Lee Murphy and Kim Tribble

4. It’s All Good // Written by Gary Burr and Georgia Middleman

5. This Ole Boy // Written by Dallas Davidson, Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip

6. I Can’t Take My Eyes Off You // Written by Jon Wolfe, Tim Johnson and James Dean Hicks

7. No Truck, No Boat, No Girl // Written by Adam Wright and Jay Knowles

8. Never Gonna Get Enough // Written by Mark Nesler and Deric Ruttan

9. She’s Just Like That // Written by Thomas Rhett Akins, Tyler Farr and Jaron Boyer

10. How I Wanna Go // Written by Rivers Rutherford and Tim James

10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Winners

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Robert Plant and his frequent collaborator, musician/songwriter/producer Buddy Miller were among the big winners at the 10th Annual Americana Honors and Awards Show, held last night (Oct. 13) at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium.

Plant’s Band of Joy album, on which Miller played guitar and produced, picked up Album of the Year honors. Miller earned the Artist of the Year Award, as well as Instrumentalist of the Year. Other winners included Justin Townes Earle (Song of the Year, “Harlem River Blues”) and The Avett Brothers (Duo/Group of the Year) picking up their fourth career win. A full list of winners is included.

2011 Americana Honors and Awards recipients:
ALBUM OF THE YEAR: Band Of Joy, Robert Plant
ARTIST OF THE YEAR: Buddy Miller
INSTRUMENTALIST OF THE YEAR:  Buddy Miller
NEW / EMERGING ARTIST: Mumford & Sons
SONG OF THE YEAR: “Harlem River Blues” by Justin Townes Earle
DUO / GROUP OF THE YEAR: The Avett Brothers

Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriter: Lucinda Williams
Lifetime Achievement Award for Performance: Gregg Allman
Lifetime Achievement Award for Instrumentalist: Jerry Douglas
Jack Emerson Lifetime Achievement Award for Executive: Rick Hall
Trailblazer Award: Bob Harris

To read Bobby Karl’s complete coverage of the show CLICK HERE.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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In 1965, entertainers Sonny & Cher recorded and released their signature No. 1 “I Got You Babe,” which would eventually become a touchstone of the free-lovin’ ’60s. It’s cute, fuzzy, and sweet on the surface, but underneath there’s a theme of the all-encompassing, saving power of young love that informs many of music’s greatest works. (See also: “Be My Baby,” “God Only Knows”).

Fast forward to the present day, 2011. Stoney Creek Records husband-wife duo Thompson Square has scored their second CountryBreakout Chart No. 1 hit with their similarly titled “I Got You.” Sonically and melodically it’s miles away from the Sonny & Cher track, but the same starry-eyed us against the world mentality shines through in every harmony. Someone in Keifer and Shawna Thompson’s camp clearly noticed the parallels, because the song’s video is a clever sendup of the The Sonny and Cher Comedy Hour program with all parts played by the two band members. And in a reality-bending twist, Thompson Square even gets to play themselves as musical guests promoting a new single on the wacky variety show.

Thompson Square will surely be counted among 2011’s great country success stories, following their breakout No. 1 hit “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.” Since then, the duo has scored CMA nominations for New Artist of the Year and Vocal Duo of the Year, as well as a whopping seven (!) nominations for the American Country Awards scheduled for December. To date, “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” has sold over 1.5 million digital downloads and the pair has been out on the road with Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party Tour. Later this Fall, they’ll join up with Darius Rucker’s tour for more live dates.

“The last year of our lives have been completely surreal,” says Keifer. “We’ve never had a dream come true before. We didn’t know what that felt like until recently.”

Kind of like having your own variety show, right?