Bassist “Bee” Spears Passes

Bee Spears

Dan “Bee” Spears, the longtime bass player for Willie Nelson, died on Dec. 8 due to accidental exposure after a fall outside his Nashville home. He was 62.

The Texas native joined Nelson’s band in 1968, leading to more than 40 years of work together. Spears played with Nelson on the road and in the studio. His work can be heard on Nelson’s classic albums including Red Headed Stranger, Stardust and Always on My Mind. He also played on recordings by Waylon Jennings, Jerry Jeff Walker, Guy Clark, and the Highwaymen, comprised of Nelson, Jennnings, Johnny Cash and Kris Kristofferson.

Visitation will be today (12/ 12) from 4-8 p.m., as well as tomorrow (12/13) from 10 a.m.- 12 noon, prior to the noon funeral service at Williamson Memorial. (615) 794-2289.

Cooper Moves To Morris; Meacham Promoted At Columbia/BNA

Buffy Cooper

Morris Artist Management has named Columbia/BNA Dir./National Promotion Buffy Cooper to the brand new post of VP Radio & Marketing. In her new role, she will be working with the company’s entire roster including Kenny Chesney, Jake Owen, and Martina McBride. Cooper has been working with Sony Music for 14 years, and begins her new adventure at the start of 2012. Congratulate her here.

RJ Meacham

Meanwhile over at Sony Music Nashville, RJ Meacham has been named as Cooper’s successor in the Dir./National Promotion position for Columbia/BNA. Meacham was most recently Manager, Northeast Regional Promotion for the imprint, and joined the Sony Music Nashville team in 2007. He will continue to be based in Nashville, and report directly to Columbia/BNA VP Promo Norbert Nix.

Meacham’s 15 years promotion experience also include time with Monument Records and Curb/Asylum. Congratulate him here.

The Columbia/BNA promotion team is responsible for artists on both imprints, which includes Wade Bowen, Kenny Chesney, Casey James, The Lunabelles, Kellie Pickler, Tyler Farr, Bradley Gaskin, Jordyn Shellhart, and Joanna Smith.

The Boom Labs Opens for Business

The Boom Labs Control Room

Industry vets Pino Squillace and Jerry Navarro have announced the development and grand opening of The Boom Labs, a Nashville-based artist development and production ‘boot camp’ company.

The Boom Labs have trained a diverse staff providing individual attention towards developing writing skills, finding the unique sound, or producing and perfecting stage performance.

“With our collective experience, we can put a plan on paper and make it happen,” says Navarro. “We know what works. We are not just a recording studio, we are a full-service artist development studio. With our network of resources we can record any style of music and compete at any level.”

In addition to artist development and production, The Boom Labs provide another resource for indie artists to build brand awareness with film and television placements in association with Anastasia Brown. Current film credits include an upcoming Justin Timberlake DVD and motion picture with Matthew McConaughey.

Guests are invited to attend The Boom Labs’ Grand Opening reception at the 56 Music Square W., starting 4:30 pm on Monday, December 12.

Friday Photos (12/9/11)

WMBA Tunes for Tots

The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) held its annual “Tunes for Tots” benefit Dec. 6 at the Listening Room Cafe. The benefit supporting the Toys for Tots Foundation, featured in-the-round performances by ’80s pop icon gone country Tiffany, R&J recording artist Margaret Durante and hit songwriter Bobby Pinson. The United States Marines collected loads of toys in addition to $254 in cash donations for the Toys for Tots Foundation on behalf of WMBA. (L-R): Betsy Walker, WMBA Membership Chair; Amery Fridenstine, WMBA Treasurer; Amanda Fletcher, WMBA Social Co-Chair; Durante; Holly Ashby, WMBA VP; Josee Deschenes, WMBA Social-Co-Chair; Tiffany; Pinson; Trina Lloyd-Weidner, WMBA Secretary; Brandi Simms, WMBA Pres.; and Kama Upton, WMBA President-elect.

Photo: Thomas Newton

 

Cory Wagar Visits MusicRow

Cory Wagar visited MusicRow’s headquarters on Dec. 7 and sang her song “Huricane” as well as her current single “I Hate My Boyfriend,” which is at No. 55 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. (L-R): MR’s Christie King, Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson; Wagar; and MR’s Jon Freeman and Eric Parker.

Lady A’s Tacky Christmas Sweater Contest

Lady Antebellum is urging fans to bring some tacky Christmas spirit to December Own The Night Tour dates, thanks to KKWF/Seattle morning host Fitz.

When Lady A appeared with Fitz’ show, the conversation quickly turned to Charles Kelley’s fondness for ugly Christmas sweaters. Fitz suggested Lady A do an ugly sweater contest at their concerts and now it’s actually happening.

Fans are encouraged to wear their tackiest holiday sweater to the show they will be attending and tweet @ladyantebellum photos of their outfits with the #OwnTheNightTour and #TackySweater hashtags, so they can be put on the concert screen and brought into the Inner Circle for the show, and receive a Twitter shout out from Lady A!

At the end of December all photos received will be posted to an album on Lady A’s Facebook page. One lucky winner will be chosen to be featured on Lady A’s 365 blog and receive a prize.

Upcoming Own The Night dates include Sioux City, IA (12/9); Springfield, MO (12/10); and Murray, KY (12/11).

Rascal Flatts Gets “Easy” Gold

Rascal Flatts and Natasha Bedingfield perform "Easy" at the 2011 CMA Awards on November 9, 2011. Photo: by CMA

Rascal Flatts’ current single, “Easy,” has been certified Gold from the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) for sales exceeding 500,000. This accolade comes while the single is a Top 10 hit across the board at country radio.

Pop star Natasha Bedingfield also lent her vocals to “Easy,” which was written by veteran songwriters Katrina Elam and Mike Mobley. Flatts and Bedingfield have performed the hit together on multiple televised shows, including the 2011 CMA Awards on ABC and the TODAY Show on NBC.

Nothing Like This, Rascal Flatts’ first album for Big Machine, debuted at No. 1 on the country album sales chart in November 2010 and made them one of only four country acts to debut six consecutive studio albums at the top. The album has since reached Platinum status.

CMT/GAC TV Premieres and MD Records Launch

CMT will honor Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley and Taylor Swift as the top artists of the year in the new 90-minute special, CMT Artists Of The Year. The show brings the honorees together with their peers, as well as celebrities from across the entertainment spectrum for a glamorous evening of star-studded performances from the country world and beyond, all in celebration of the successes of the past year. Read a review of the show here. Premieres Tues., Dec. 13 at 9:00 p.m., ET/PT. CMT

>>Martina McBride: The Road To Eleven will premiere on GAC on Mon., Dec. 12, 2011, at 11:00 p.m. Eastern. The hour-long special gives fans an intimate look inside the life of Martina as a superstar entertainer, wife and mother to three daughters — in the midst of undergoing career changes, delving into songwriting and finalizing plans for her new album. Specifically it begins with her Republic Nashville label signing and continues through her recent four day train trek across America.

 

>>MD Records has launched under the leadership of President, Kelli McGarraugh. Kellie Vap heads Artist Promotion/Fan Development and Mark Burch is on board as staff producer. Mason Dixon Productions is handling marketing and promotion for MD Records artists. According to the company website, Jason Thomas is the first artist signed to the new label.

Toby Keith Foundation To Build OK Kids Korral

The Oklahoman is reporting that the Toby Keith Foundation will move forward with its plans to build the Oklahoma City-based OK Kids Korral, a place to rest for families with children undergoing cancer treatment. Keith became a champion for children stricken with cancer after a friend’s child passed away.

The planned $8.5 million structure will be built on land owned by the Oklahoma City Urban Renewal Authority, which has approved project plans and designs. Construction on the 25,000-square-foot building is expected to start in spring 2012 and complete late in 2013.

Accommodations include 12 overnight suites, with the capacity to host five people each. There are an additional four suites reserved for families who have to wait for afternoon appointments.

Artist Compilation (12/9/11)


For the second consecutive year, RCA Nashville recording artist Chris Young is sponsoring a special holiday tree in the Gaylord Opryland Resort’s fifth annual Hall of Trees to benefit St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital.

Each tree in the Hall of Trees includes major gifts donated by sponsors and is tied to a charity. Tree decorations, along with all the gifts, will be auctioned off to benefit the sponsor’s designated charity. Chris, a Country Cares for St. Jude Kids supporter, has chosen St. Jude to benefit from the proceeds of his NEON tree, which is currently on display.

• • •

Brad Paisley will be featured this Sunday (12/11) on CBS Sunday Morning with Charles Osgood at 9 AM/ET.  Bob Schieffer, host of Face the Nation, joined Paisley on tour earlier this year for a behind the scenes look and then spent the day with him in his hometown of Franklin, TN.  Paisley and Schieffer also visited The Castle recording studio and had lunch at one of Paisley’s favorite restaurants, Barbara’s Homecookin’.

Photo: CBS Sunday Morning

• • •

Jennifer Nettles hosts "CMA Country Christmas"

CMA Country Christmas, hosted for the second year by Jennifer Nettles, of reigning CMA Vocal Duo of the Year Sugarland, re-airs Saturday, Dec. 17 (9:00-11:00 PM/ET) on the ABC Television Network.

“Viewers now have a second opportunity to experience the music, memories, and stories of the season with some of our format’s biggest stars and their families,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “Fans have been calling since the original airing asking for more, and we are glad to give them a second helping.”

Artists who perform in the special and share their favorite holiday traditions include Lauren Alaina, Amy Grant, Faith Hill, Little Big Town, Martina McBride, Scotty McCreery, Kellie Pickler, Rascal Flatts, Darius Rucker, Brian Setzer with special guest Brad Paisley, Sugarland, Keith Urban, and Vince Gill with Miss Piggy.

• • •

Jo Dee Messina, who recently announced she’s expecting her second child with husband Chris Deffenbaugh, has debuted a new parenting blog, The Fumbling Mom.

The blog is inspired by her everyday adventures being a mother and gives fans a look into Messina’s personal life at home and on the road. She shares tips, personal photos of her family and home and openly discusses the challenges of being a good mother while balancing a successful music career.

To mark the debut of the blog, Messina has decided to give away something every mom is searching for: quiet time and a little pampering for herself. Now through Wednesday, Dec. 14, a $100 gift certificate for a spa day will be randomly selected for five twitter followers. To enter, fans need to follow Messina’s twitter account @fumblingmom and re-tweet the contest. For more information, visit www.fumblingmom.com/13571060977.

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

It’s December, which means it’s time for everyone to start putting together those “Best of 2011” lists so we can see what gems we might have missed during the last 12 months. One album that has been popping up consistently on those lists is Eric Church’s Chief, and it’s certainly received a few spins around our office.

Well, some magazine called Rolling Stone apparently liked Chief too, because it just landed at No. 19 on the publication’s 50 Best Albums of 2011 list. Here’s what they said:

“Church is a country singer a rock fan could love – saluting Jesus and Springsteen, mixing up backwoods twang with power chords and Stones riffs. If he’s great at playing the boozed-up tough guy, the lilting songs on his third LP show he’s got an endearing soft side when he sobers up – sometime around 11 a.m. Monday.”

He’s in full-on “boozed-up tough guy” mode for “Drink In My Hand,” which earns its second week at No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart. Though it’s been an pretty great 2011 for Church, he has plenty to look forward to in 2012: Chief is nominated for a Grammy for Best Country Album, and he’s also embarking on his Blood, Sweat, & Beers tour of the U.S. in January with partner-in-booze Brantley Gilbert.

So raise your glasses, and have a great (but responsible!) weekend.

Weekly Chart Report (12/9/11)

Stoney Creek/Broken Bow labelmates Thompson Square and Jason Aldean celebrated their multiple wins backstage after the American Country Awards in Las Vegas Nov. 5. The artists took home a combined nine honors at the ACAs, including an Artist of the Year win for Aldean and Single of the Year by a Group for Thompson Square’s “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not.”

SPIN ZONE
It’s a perpetual party on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart, as Eric Church’s “Drink In My Hand” maintains its slightly buzzed footing to stick at No. 1 for a second consecutive week. (More on that here). The Band Perry’s “All Your Life” is still at No. 2, followed by new No. 3 Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End.” Angling for Top 5 status soon are Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love YOu Through It” at No. 6, followed by Dierks Bentley’s “Home” at No. 7.

Drinking is a fairly common theme in country music, of course, and there are some other boozy songs besides “Drink In My Hand” right now. Sunny Sweeney’s “Drink Myself Single” at No. 19 comes to mind, but perhaps the most notorious and polarizing of them all is Toby Keith’s consumer-friendly “Red Solo Cup,” (currently at No. 15) which just got the Glee treatment in Tuesday’s (12/6) episode. Veteran songplugger Sherrill Blackman predicts, with tongue in cheek, that Keith’s latest could signal the start of a new trend for the Nashville song machine.

“Writers and artists will want to jump on the bandwagon to try to achieve similar success with product endorsements. Thus, in the coming months, we will have singles released with such titles as ‘Yellow Post-It Note,’ ‘Black Sharpie Pen,’ and ‘Green Giant Beans.’ Writers will only be limited by their imaginations and available color schemes.”

So there’s hope someone might write “Pink Pepto Bismol”? Fingers crossed.

Frozen Playlists: KBCN, KMKS, KSED, KVVP, KYKX, WKWS, WRHT, WMEV, WOWF

Toys collected at WKDF/WGFX Toy Field on Wednesday, Dec. 7

GOOD WORKS
Congrats and kudos to Nashville Cumulus stations WKDF and sports sibling WGFX/104.5 The Zone for collecting over 8,600 toys during the annual Toy Field event Dec. 7 at LP Field to benefit Salvation Army’s Forgotten Angel Program.

Upcoming Singles
December 12
Josh Thompson/Comin’ Around/RCA
Tim Dugger/Way Past My Beer Time/Curb
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory

January 9
Canaan Smith/We Got Us/Mercury

January 16
Ronnie Dunn/Let The Cowboy Rock/Arista

• • • • •

New On The Chart—Debuting This Week
Artist/song/label — chart pos.
Tim McGraw/Better Than I Used To Be/Curb — 52
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory — 61
Love and Theft/Angel Eyes/RCA — 70
Wade Bowen/Saturday Night/Sea Gayle/BNA — 78

Greatest Spin Increase
Artist/song/label — spin+
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine — 550
Tim McGraw/Better Than I Used To Be/Curb — 457
Keith Urban/You Gonna Fly/Capitol — 246
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory — 241
Dierks Bentley/Home/Capitol — 240

Most Added
Artist/song/label — New Adds
Tim McGraw/Better Than I Used To Be/Curb — 35
Taylor Swift/Ours/Big Machine — 33
Brantley Gilbert/You Don’t Know Her Like I Do/Valory — 19
Tyler Farr/Hot Mess/BNA 9
Lady Antebellum/Dancin’ Away With My Heart/Capitol — 9
Neal McCoy/A—Ok/Blaster Records — 8
The Lost Trailers/Underdog/CO5 — 8
Love and Theft/Angel Eyes/RCA — 8

On Deck—Soon To Be Charting
Artist/song/label — spins
Sawyer Brown/Travelin’ Band — 171
Oak Ridge Boys/What’cha Gonna Do/Cracker Barrel — 168
Shawna Russell/Waitin’ On Sunrise/Way Out West Records — 164
Jackie Arredondo/Rockin’ the Trailer/Gold Voice — 161
The Farm/Home Sweet Home/All In/Elektra/New Revolution — 153

• • • • •

Several major market radio outlets gathered to broadcast at the Music Row Live! Fall Remote during CMA Awards week in Nashville. Attendees also celebrated Music Row Live! Owner & Operator Sharla McCoy’s 10th year in business. The theme was Wild Wild West and Rugged Country, and PRCA Rodeo Announcer of the Year Wayne Brooks co-hosted the kickoff party.

Pictured: Marty Mitchell (WKMK/NYC-NJ); Tom Owens & Becky Palmer (WBBS/Syracuse); Mason & Remy (KSD/St. Louis); Danger Frog (WOGI/Pittsburgh); Jessie Roberts and Owens & Crockett (WGGY/Scranton); Shane Collins (WPAP/Panama City), Mike & Kera (WPKX/Springfield); Jonathan Wilde and Mudflap & Brooke (KWOF/Denver); Keith & Noelle Stubbs (KEGA/Salt Lake City); Sue Wilson, Scott Wynn & Jody Wheatley, Donna Reusser (WQMX/Akron); Cassandra Tluczek (RAM Country Music) Captain Jack and Bob Steele (Renegade Radio Nashville); John Ritter (Rise Up); Jack Waren (Nashville Music Minute), Sharla McCoy (McCoy & Associates). Photo: AJC Entertainment, LLC / Arron & Jody Christopherson