Barbara Orbison Passes

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Barbara Orbison, widow of rock legend Roy Orbison, passed away in Los Angeles yesterday (12/6) following a battle with pancreatic cancer. In May of 2011 she underwent treatment at USC Medical Center and was ultimately re-admitted in mid-November. She was 60.

Roy Orbison passed away on the same day 23 years ago in 1988. The two met at a nightclub in Leeds, England in 1968 when Barbara was 17 and Roy was 32. They were married in Nashville in 1969.

Barbara Orbison (born Barbara Anne Marie Wilhonnen Jacobs in Germany) managed her husband’s career and estate since the 1980s, including co-producing the 2008 box set titled Roy Orbison: The Soul of Rock and Roll (Sony Legacy), the first all-inclusive anthology of Roy’s lengthy career. In 1998, she accepted the Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Award for Roy, and in 2010 accepted his star on the Hollywood Walk of Fame Boulevard.

A respected entrepreneur, Barbara ran operations for Nashville-based publishing company Still Working Music, which was awarded with BMI’s Song of the Year honor in 2010 for Taylor Swift’s “You Belong With Me.” She also developed and launched a perfume line called Pretty Woman in 2009.

“Barbara loved the Nashville music community and was adored by many here and all over the world,” said Clay Myers, GM/VP for Orbison Music/Still Working Music. “She was a true champion for songwriters and loved the music publishing business! I have truly been blessed to have been able to work for her for the past 10 years. She was a great lady who will be deeply missed.”

She is survived by sons Roy Kelton Orbison, Jr., and Alexander Orbison.

Barbara will be buried next to her husband at Westwood Village Memorial Park in Los Angelas, and a private graveside service will be held. The family will announce plans for a Celebration of Life reception at BMI’s offices in Nashville. Donations in her memory may be made to the Roy Orbison Foundation, c/o Leeann Hard, Forte Management, 725 Arizona Ave., Ste. 206, Los Angeles, CA 90401. The family requests that messages be sent to: [email protected].

DISClaimer Single Reviews (12/7/11)

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Nashville’s country scene seems eerily quiet these days, but the city’s pop/rock community is making plenty of noise.

I have made no secret of my affection for the music of Mat Kearney. Once again, he did not disappoint. He would have totally owned the Disc of the Day award had it not been for the Grammy nominated Keb Mo. Both men’s music belong in your life, so they’re sharing the prize this week.

Gabe Dixon has been making music in The Gabe Dixon Band for a solid decade and three albums worth. Now he’s a solo artist and a Nashvillian, so I don’t care how long he’s been around: He deserves a DisCovery Award for reinventing himself.

STEPHEN SIMMONS/Spark
Writer: Stephen Simmons; Producer: Stephen Simmons; Publisher: Shiny Geode, SESAC; Locke Creek (track) (www.stephensimmonsmusic.com)
—This CD, The Big Show, is the Woodbury, TN native’s sixth album. Its emphasis track is a rootsy country-rocker with a gentle rumble and a plaintive, love-struck vocal. Americana programmers take note.

KYLE ANDREWS/Lazer Tag With Imaginary Friends
Writer: Kyle Andrews/Greg Burgess; Producer: Kyle Andrews, Chris Grainger & Greg Burgess; Publisher: none listed; Elephant Lady (track) (www.kyleandews.com)
—Kyle Andrews makes electro pop with weird audio squiggles, jumpy beats, goofy noises and frequent tempo shifts. This quirky track comes from his new Robot Learn Love collection. It’s kind of arty and over my head, but there’s no mistaking his talent.

MAT KEARNEY/Hey Mama
Writer: Mat Kearney/Jason Lehning; Producer: Richard Marvin & Jason Lehning; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Facade Aside/Tastes Like Chicken, BMI; Aware/Universal Republic (track) (www.matkearney.com)
—If there’s any justice at all, Mat Kearney will be the next pop-rocker to break big out of Music City. This hand-clapping single from his Young Love album is so ridiculously catchy and irresistible it ought to have a warning label about possible addiction. It makes you want to skip around the room wearing a silly grin.

STEPHAN DUDASH/Paradise
Writer: Stephan Dudash; Producer: Stephan Dudash & Chris Rhyne ; Publisher: Gypsyquest Muzik, BMI; Gypsyquest (track) (www.stephandudash.com)
—Dudash’s current Gypsy Quest CD contains this utterly lovely violin instrumental that wafts like blossoms in a spring breeze. The rest of the collection draws on Latin, swing, folk, pop and jazz idioms. He has played or toured with a wide variety of talents—Shania Twain, Olivia Newton-John, BadaBing BadaBoom, Janie Fricke and Lee Greenwood among them. This virtuoso can also be heard playing thrilling gypsy jazz with guitarist John Jorgenson’s Quintet. For more audio samples, check out his website.

KEB MO/The Whole Enchilada
Writer: Kevin Moore/John Lewis Parker; Producer: Keb Mo; Publisher: Kebnote/Wixen/Parker’s Pen, BMI; Yolabelle/Ryko (track)
—This Nashvillian is nominated for a Blues Grammy Award for his current CD The Reflection. But although this single from it sounds appropriately laid back and funky, Keb Mo is more than just a “blues” artist. Elsewhere on the collection, you’ll find echoes of pop and folk as well. Whatever the genre, he’s an essential listening experience.

GLOSSARY/A Shoulder To Cry On
Writer: Joey Kneiser; Producer: Glossary & Mikey Allred; Publisher: Lytle Street Kitchen, BMI; Last Chance (track) (www.glossary.us)
—Long Live All of Us is the seventh album by this Murfreesboro rock quintet. With its bright horn bursts and neo-soul vibe, this track typifies its rump-shaking new sonic approach. Mighty fine, mighty fine.

GABE DIXON/My Favorite
Writer: Gabe Dixon/Dan Wilson; Producer: Marshall Altman; Publisher: Five R/G and L/Sugar Lake/Chrysalis, BMI/ASCAP; Fantasy/Concord (track) (www.gabedixon.com)
—This guy has it all—a cooly soulful tenor singing voice, outstanding piano chops, a talent for pop tune crafting and propulsive energy. This track from his new One Spark CD is a slab of audio joy from start to finish. This is  definitely the month to become a Gabe fave. He’s WRLT Lightning 100’s “Artist in Residence” throughout December and will be appearing and/or performing at various venues to boost donations to Second Harvest Food Bank and Toys for Tots. He’ll be singing at Whole Foods on Friday (12/9) and at Zumi Sushi next Wednesday (12/14), among several other gigs. If you see/hear him just once, I promise you’ll walk away a fan.

JAY PATTEN/Crystal Nights
Writer: Jay Patten; Producer: Cristos/Ric Lonow & Jay Patten; Publisher: Standard Blue, BMI; Flamingo (track) (www.jaypatten.com)
—Smooth saxophone stylist Jay Patten has been Crystal Gayle’s bandleader for many years, so he dedicates his latest CD to her. Its title tune is a toe-tapping, jazz-inflected instrumental bopper that perfectly captures the horn man’s style. The 13-track collection includes six vocals, one of which is a duet with Crystal on “Memories Are Made of This.”

BARRY WALSH/Marathon Motorworks
Writer: Barry Walsh; Producer: Barry Walsh; Publisher: Barry Walsh, ASCAP; Scarlet Letter (track) (www.barrywalshmusic.com)
—Walsh is the keyboard accompanist and husband to singer-songwriter Gretchen Peters. His mostly instrumental Paradiso CD is performed on concert grand piano. Here, he’s joined by Dobro master Rob Ickes and cellist David Henry. The piano collection never feels predictable, partly because of the variety of his compositions and partly because electric guitar, accordion and synthesizer sounds pop up at various times.

BILL MILLER/Birds Of Prey
Writer: none listed; Producer: Bill Miller & Michael Von Muchow; Publisher: none listed; Cool Springs (track) (www.billmillerarts.com)
—One of our most distinctive musical residents is Native American singer, songwriter and flautist Bill Miller. His Spirit Wind North CD won last year’s Grammy in the Native American category, which was his third such trophy. The category has been discontinued this year. Nevertheless, he’s still an outstanding artist, as illustrated by  the haunting tones of his flute on this gorgeous instrumental embellished with bird calls. The sound of purity.

Signings: J.J. Lawhorn, Ira Dean

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Average Joe’s has signed EMI Music Publishing songwriter J.J. Lawhorn to a recording agreement. Lawhorn is working with producer Jeremy Stover and his debut video for “Sitting On A Tailgate”—featured on Average Joe’s Muddigger 2 compilation—will soon premiere across multiple platforms.

(L-R) Standing: Attorney Jeff Colvin; LeAnn Phelan, ASCAP; Ben Vaughn, EMI Music Publishing; Ken Madsen, Average Joe’s; Tom Luteran, EMI Music Publishing; Laura Wright, EMI Music Publishing; Seated: J.J. Lawhorn; Jeremy Stover

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EMI Music Publishing and Average Joe’s have also combined forces to sign Ira Dean to a publishing agreement. Dean is currently working on his debut album for Average Joe’s and has had songs recorded by Chris Young, Jake Owen, Gary Allan and his labelmates Montgomery Gentry.

Stars Autograph For Charity At ACAs

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Stars came out to the Backstage Creations Celebrity Retreat held in the MGM Grand following the American Country Awards last night (12/5), where they signed items for charity and checked out some of the hottest holiday gift items.

Pistol Annies, The Band Perry, Kristin Chenoweth, Blake Shelton, Lauren Alaina, and Scotty McCreery all autographed custom designed belt buckles which will be hand cast in bronze and given to Childhelp, a leading non-profit dedicated to helping victims of child abuse and neglect, for auction. Visit www.childhelp.org/metalcast for more info. Gift items backstage included BiGR Audio headphones, Croton Timepieces, Gypsy Soule shoes, and Dooney & Bourke bags.

Left: Blake Shelton signs the Metalcast Kit belt buckle for Childhelp. Photo: Angela Weiss/WireImage. Right: Kristin Chenoweth checks out Gypsy Soule flip flops backstage. Photo: David Becker/Wire Image

Country Christmas With The Skaggs, Joey+Rory, Little Big Town & Charlie Monk

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Ricky Skaggs, wife Sharon White, and their children Luke and Molly appear in A Skaggs Family Christmas Live, airing on RFD-TV Dec. 8-9.

The TV special includes Buck and Cheryl White and Cheryl’s daughter Rachel Leftwich, Jim Gray and the Nashville Session Players with Ricky’s band, Kentucky Thunder. The program was taped at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium. For broadcast details click here.

The 2011 Skaggs Family Christmas tour stops at Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony on Thursday, Dec. 22.

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Little Big Town has released their version of the Christmas classic “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” for digital purchase.

“This is one of my favorite things we’ve ever done as a band,” says Karen Fairchild. “It’s a great challenge to interpret a classic and make it your own. I’m really proud of the way this turned out and am hoping we make a bunch of folks’ Christmas playlists for years to come.”

Little Big Town performed “Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas” and “Santa Clause Is Back In Town” on the televised CMA Country Christmas earlier this month.

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Joey+Rory are promoting their A Farmhouse Christmas CD and tour with a new television special.

Country’s Family Reunion Presents Joey+Rory’s A Farmhouse Christmas will air on RFD-TV 12/23, and 12/24.

“We’re thrilled at how it turned out. Funny thing is, we don’t even have a tv, so we’ll have to go visit someone and catch it one these nights!” said Rory.

Joey+Rory mixed songs with their band from A Farmhouse Christmas with conversation as they performed on a set they built in their 1870’s farm house and barn in Pottsville, TN.

“It was decked out like a winter wonderland,” said Joey. “You won’t even be able to tell Rory usually has his old cars and boat parked where we were singing!”

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Nashville’s ‘Mayor of Music Row,’ Charlie Monk, releases spoken-word song, “Andy and Opie Christmas” to radio stations across the US. See the video below:

Nashville Unlimited Benefit Show Tunes Up For 12th Year

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Many of Nashville’s best singers and players will convene for the 12th Annual “Nashville Unlimited” Christmas Concert next Wednesday, Dec. 14, 7 PM at Christ Church Cathedral (900 Broadway). The annual holiday concert benefits Nashville’s Room In The Inn homeless outreach.

Performers already confirmed include The Time Jumpers, Danny Flowers, The McCrary Sisters, Music City Baroque, Duffy Jackson Big Band, Pat Bergeson & Annie Selleck, Nashville Mandolin Ensemble (playing for the 12th year in a row), The Boxwoods, and more, plus special mystery guests yet-t0-be named.

The free concert is organized and hosted by bassist and Musicians Union President Dave Pomeroy. Proceeds from donations will go to benefit Room In The Inn. Seating is first come, first serve with a suggested minimum donation of $20. Last year’s event raised over $8,000 and featured the talents of Emmylou Harris, Music City Baroque, Vinnie Vidivici, and Buddy Miller. Since 1992, the concerts have raised over $100,000 for Room In The Inn.

Grammy Awards Voting Timeline

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The Civil Wars celebrate their nominations backstage at the recent GRAMMY Nomination Concert Live!

Final Grammy nominees were revealed last week, so here’s a recap of important dates and the voting timeline.

Dec. 14—Final ballot mailed to voting members

Jan. 11—Final ballot due

Jan. 17—Nashville Grammy Nominee Party, invitation-only, Loews Hotel

Feb. 11—Special Merit Awards Ceremony & Grammy Nominee Party, Los Angeles Wilshire Ebell Theater

Feb 12—54th Annual Grammy Awards, Los Angeles Staples Center, CBS, 7:00 PM/CT

Dec. 11/Jan. 12—On the Cover: The Peach Pickers

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Click To Get Your Copy

Country music songwriting trio The Peach Pickers, comprised of Rhett Akins, Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip, have penned a long list of hits including Frankie Ballard’s “A Buncha Girls,” Blake Shelton’s “All About Tonight,” Josh Turner’s “All Over Me,” Joe Nichols’ “Gimmie that Girl” and “The Shape I’m In,” Luke Bryan’s “I Don’t Want This Night To End,” Craig Morgan’s “This Ole Boy,” Jack Ingram’s “Barefoot and Crazy” and more. The three members have also been honored with awards such as 2011 ASCAP & BMI Songwriters of The Year and Billboard Top 5 Country Songwriters.

 

Rhett Akins

Publisher: EMI Music/Rhettneck
Recent Singles: Rodney Atkins’ “Take A Back Road,” Justin Moore’s “Bait A Hook,” Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” (along with Hayslip) and Rodney Atkins’ “Farmer’s Daughter” (along with Hayslip)
Hometown: Valdosta, GA
Birthday: Oct. 13
Outside Interests: Hunting of all kinds but mainly deer and turkey. I also like history, classic literature and biographies such as Civil War, world history and classics from Homer to Charles Dickens.
Musical Influences: Hank Williams, Hank, Jr., George Strait, The Rolling Stones, The Allman Brothers, Van Halen, Led Zeppelin, Bill Monroe, KISS, ‘80s hair bands, Muddy Waters, Robert Johnson, George Jones, Conway Twitty, Lynyrd Skynyrd, John Cougar Mellencamp, Tom Petty, Run DMC
Favorite Records: Hank Jr.’s Greatest Hits, George Strait Greatest Hits, KISS Alive 1 and 2, Van Halen 1, Rolling Stones (every one), Led Zep 1 thru 4, Allman Bros. Eat A Peach and Live at Fillmore East, Woodstock Soundtrack

Dallas Davidson

Publisher: EMI Music/String Stretcher
Recent Singles: Luke Bryan’s “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” and “Rain Is A Good Thing,” Justin Moore’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” Lady Antebellum’s “Just A Kiss” and “We Owned the Night,” Joe Nichols’ “Take It Off,” and Billy Currington’s “That’s How Country Boys Roll”
Hometown: Albany, GA
Birthday: March 14
Interesting Facts: I sold farmland after college. Picked up the guitar at age 24 and never thought about moving to Nashville until then.
Outside Interests: Fishing, hunting, golf and Georgia football.
Musical Influences: Otis Redding, Hank Williams Jr, Waylon Jennings, George Strait, Allman Brothers Band
Favorite Records: Clint Black’s Killing Time and Otis Redding’s The Essentials

Ben Hayslip

Publisher: Warner/Chappell Music and THIS Music
Recent Hits: Martina McBride’s “I’m Gonna Love You Through It,” Blake Shelton’s “I’ll Just Hold On,” Blake Shelton’s “Honey Bee” (along with Akins) and Rodney Atkins’ “Farmer’s Daughter” (along with Akins)
Hometown: Evans, GA
Birthday: March 11
Interesting Fact: I wrote my first song with childhood best friend and fellow Peach Picker Rhett Akins at age 14. Growing up I dreamed of being an NFL quarterback, a Major League baseball player or a professional songwriter. One out of three ain’t bad.
Outside Interests: My main interest is spending time with my family. I coach all three of my boys in baseball, football and basketball. We also spend as much time as possible on our small farm in Wilson County, Tennessee riding four wheelers, sitting around bon fires and deer hunting.
Musical Influences: Elvis Presley, Percy Sledge and Otis Redding to  Hank Williams Jr., Garth, Alan Jackson, Randy Travis, and Run DMC
Favorite Records: Randy Travis’ Storms of Life and You and You Alone, Hank Williams Jr.’s Habits Old & New and Greatest Hits, Alan Jackson’s Here In The Real World

(L-R): Ben Hayslip, Dallas Davidson and Rhett Akins

New Title For Sony VP Heather McBee

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Heather McBee

Heather McBee has been named Vice President, Artist Development/Marketing & Web Initiatives for Sony Music Nashville. Reporting to Paul Barnabee, Senior Vice President, Marketing, McBee is officially in her new role.

In the new post McBee will provide leadership in the development and execution of marketing campaigns for her assigned artists in collaboration with promotion, media, creative and sales staff. Additionally, she will oversee Sony Music Nashville’s corporate and artist websites and direct-to-consumer initiatives.

Most recently Vice President, Digital Business for Sony Music Nashville, McBee is a true up-through-the-ranks success story who interned with the company while attending Nashville’s Belmont University. After graduation, the West Virgina native joined BNA Records in June 1993 and by 1997 was overseeing the label group’s growing research and digital initiatives.

On today’s (12/6) announcement, Barnabee said, “With 18 years of experience with our label group, Heather has been an important member of our Sony Music Nashville team. Among her many diverse accomplishments, she helped guide us through the digital music space. Her passion for our artists and their music continues to drive her quest to find innovative ways to market each of them.”

The Band Perry To Spend Holidays Working On New Album

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The Band Perry at the Nov. 8 BMI Awards. Photo: Jason Kempin/Getty Images for BMI

The Band Perry will have a few weeks off the road during the holiday season, and the siblings plan to spend that time working on the follow up to their breakthrough album.

The self-titled debut was recently certified Platinum and has yielded multiple No. 1 hits. The group scored a recent all-genre Grammy nomination for Best New Artist, and  earlier this year took home the new artist trophies at the ACM Awards and CMA Awards.

Neil Perry says, “The album is starting to take shape and we’ve been taking writers out on the road all the time…It’s growing up just a little bit, not too much. But it’s gonna be really fun.”

“It’ll be the first time that we’ve had to be still,” adds Kimberly. “As creators we kind of have to decompress so that our imaginations can run wild a little bit. And we’re so excited about the songs in the store house so far and like Neil said, you know, everything feels a couple of years older. We’ve gotten to go through a mixed bag of experiences over the last twelve months. Most sweet, and then even a few bittersweet because, obviously, with our lives changing, some of the relationships and friendships in our life has changed as well. And so I feel like we’ll be responding to all of those things and way different emotions in the project.”