Songwriter Jerry Leiber Passes

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Mike Stoller (L), Elvis Presley (center), and Jerry Leiber (R) at MGM Studios in 1957. Photo: Michael Ochs Archives/Getty Images


Jerry Leiber, Songwriters Hall of Fame Member and lyricist for legendary songwriting team Leiber & Stoller, passed away in Los Angeles yesterday (8/22) at the age of 78.
Leiber met Mike Stoller in Los Angeles in 1950 and the pair forged one of the most successful songwriting partnerships in history, penning (or co-penning) numerous R&B and early rock classics such as “Hound Dog,” “Yakety Yak,” and “Love Potion No. 9.” Elvis Presley recorded numerous Leiber/Stoller compositions in addition to “Hound Dog” including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Loving You,” “Don’t,” and “You’re So Square (Baby I Don’t Care).” The pair also enjoyed a successful partnership with the Drifters, who recorded “There Goes My Baby.” Drifters singer Ben E. King enjoyed solo hits with “Spanish Harlem,” which Leiber wrote with Phil Spector, and the Leiber/Stoller anthem “Stand By Me.”
Leiber’s work touched Nashville on occasion, through his co-writing with Billy Edd Wheeler. That collaboration resulted in the hit Johnny Cash/June Carter duet “Jackson,”  “After Taxes” (Billy Edd Wheeler), “The Rev. Mr. Black,” (The Kingston Trio), and “Tonight I’m Singing Just For You” (Billy Edd Wheeler). Leiber’s hits have been cut by George Jones, Buck Owens, Ray Stevens, Ronnie McDowell, Bill Anderson, Wanda Jackson, and many more.
“He was my friend, my buddy, my writing partner for 61 years,” says Mike Stoller. “We met when we were 17 years old. He had a way with words. There was nobody better.  I’m going to miss him.”
Leiber is survived by his three sons Jed, Oliver, and Jake and two granddaughters.
 

“The songwriting and music publishing community today joins millions of Americans in remembering songwriters Jerry Leiber and Nick Ashford. Jerry Leiber brought us classic hits with Elvis Presley’s ‘Hound Dog’ and the Clovers’ ‘Love Potion No. 9’, which remain a jubilant window to the fifties and sixties. Rarely does a songwriter capture the mood and spirit of a generation so prolifically. Nick Ashford created enduring Motown classics including ‘Ain’t No Mountain High Enough’ and ‘Solid As a Rock’, which capture fusions of jazz, funk and gospel. Jerry Leiber’s and Nick Ashford’s contributions to American rock ‘n’ roll and soul are nothing short of legendary. The songwriting and music publishing community will never forget their timeless talent.” —NMPA President David Israelite

 

Artist News: Armiger, Jaron, Durante, LBT

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Katie Armiger is scheduled to make her Grand Ole Opry debut September 23, when she performs during the 7 pm show. Her Opry appearance coincides with the Sept. 20 iTunes release of the deluxe package of her album Confessions of a Nice Girl (The True Confessional), which features four songs not on the basic version. “Performing on the Grand Ole Opry is a dream come true for me,” says Armiger. “I am truly honored and thankful to be able to take that legendary stage and perform.” Armiger is currently on her summer tour, which includes supporting dates for Darius Rucker, Ronnie Dunn, Little Big Town, and Clay Walker.
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Jaron & the Long Road To Love has announced a fall tour, spanning 60 cities nationwide. The tour launches Sept. 3 at Hotel Cafe in Los Angeles, and is catering to smaller venues throughout. Former Last Call With Carson Daly band leader Joe Firstman will join Jaron for the trek, and the two have also formed a new group together called Cordovas. Full tour dates here.
• • • • •
Up-and-coming country artist Margaret Durante was recently asked to be an online guest blogger for Ladies’ Home Journal, where she has been documenting her experiences as a new artist in the country music industry. This week, Durante has finished her second installment for the monthly series “Margaret Durante’s Nashville Diaries.”
• • • • •
Little Big Town’s popular online video series “Scattered, Smothered, & Covered” has let the group churn out countrified versions of pop hits “Rolling In The Deep,” “Born This Way,” and “Price Tag,” among others. The latest installment in the series features the foursome covering the Jackson 5’s classic “I Want You Back.” Check out the video here or stream it below.

Sacks & Co. Expands Nashville Office

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Sam Reed, former staff attorney for Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper, joins Sacks & Co.’s Nashville team.

The international media relations firm’s Nashville-based artists include The Black Keys and Emmylou Harris as well as the Nashville Music Council. The company has also navigated successful campaigns for break-out duo The Civil Wars in addition to musicians Justin Townes Earle, Hayes Carll and Jessica Lea Mayfield.

Reed, an intellectual property attorney, was responsible for Rep. Cooper’s music and copyright policy.

“The music business has changed dramatically over the last 15 years but the fundamentals stay the same: the artist that can connect with his audience can successfully thrive. Carla [Sacks] understands this and demands a level of authenticity and professionalism that sets her company apart.” Adds Reed, “I’m really excited be a part of it.”

Sacks & Co. Expands Nashville Office

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Sam Reed, former staff attorney for Nashville Congressman Jim Cooper, joins Sacks & Co.’s Nashville team.
The international media relations firm’s Nashville-based artists include The Black Keys and Emmylou Harris as well as the Nashville Music Council. The company has also navigated successful campaigns for break-out duo The Civil Wars in addition to musicians Justin Townes Earle, Hayes Carll and Jessica Lea Mayfield.
Reed, an intellectual property attorney, was responsible for Rep. Cooper’s music and copyright policy.
“The music business has changed dramatically over the last 15 years but the fundamentals stay the same: the artist that can connect with his audience can successfully thrive. Carla [Sacks] understands this and demands a level of authenticity and professionalism that sets her company apart.” Adds Reed, “I’m really excited be a part of it.”

Jackson To Perform At 9/11 Concert

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Alan Jackson will perform at the Washington National Cathedral Sept. 11 for  “A Concert for Hope,” marking the tenth anniversary of the September 11 attacks.
R&B legend Patti LaBelle and renowned mezzo-soprano Denyce Graves are also slated to perform. Following the 9/11 tragedy, the National Cathedral was called on to serve as a sacred national gathering place for mourning, reflection and prayer.
Jackson wrote and recorded “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)” in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The song was later released as the lead single from his album, Drive.
The special weekend commemoration will be shared with military men and women deployed across the country and around the world by the Pentagon Channel. “A Concert For Hope” will also air live on numerous ABC affiliates nationwide Sunday, Sept.11, at 8 pm.
Viewers can watch the live stream at www.calltocompassion.com.

CMT Adds New Sr. VP

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Eliot Goldberg


CMT has tapped television industry veteran Eliot Goldberg to serve as Sr. VP, Development and Programming. From his base in Santa Monica, Goldberg is charged with developing new programming for the network, which is currently expanding its production slate. He will report to Jayson Dinsmore, EVP Development and Programming, beginning Sept. 1.
Goldberg was most recently Senior Vice President of Development and Original Programming for TV Land, where he helped boost ratings by developing scripted and non-scripted programming for the network.
Prior to TV Land, Goldberg was Executive Vice President of Programming and Development for Ryan Seacrest Productions, leading the hit franchises Keeping Up With The Kardashians, Khourtney and Khloe Take Miami and Denise Richards: It’s Complicated.
Goldberg’s track record also includes developing and overseeing Beauty and the Geek for The WB, and co-developing the Emmy- winning ABC series Jamie Oliver’s Food Revolution. He is credited with the launch of the long-running syndicated hit Access Hollywood and has held development and programming positions at Disney and VH1, where he was nominated for an Emmy for Bands On The Run.
Dinsmore joined CMT in February 2011 to lead the charge for original programming. Among the shows created under his leadership are Texas Women and Sweet Home Alabama, which have contributed to ratings gains.
In related news, last week CMT announced the hiring of industry vet Leslie Fram to serve as Sr. VP, Music Strategy.
 

WMG Leaders Switch Roles

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Edgar Bronfman Jr. (L) and Stephen Cooper (R)


Two of Warner Music Group’s top execs are trading places. Chief executive Edgar Bronfman Jr. will assume Chairman Stephen Cooper’s role, and in turn, Cooper is becoming CEO.
 
Access Industries purchased Warner about two months ago, and now Warner is bidding to acquire fellow music company EMI.
Cooper, who has a track record of getting major corporations Enron, Krisy Kreme, and MGM back on course, will take over day-to-day running of WMG, while Bronfman focuses on the bid for EMI. Some pundits say this move signals Bronfman’s pending exit.
Under the new hierarchy, WMG Chairman and CEO of Recorded Music Lyor Cohen, and Cameron Strang, Chairman and CEO of Warner Chappell Publshing, will report to Cooper.
More on WMG, EMI and its possible trickle-down effect on Music City here.

Vince Gill Offers First Music In Four Years

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Vince Gill’s first radio single in four years goes for adds on Aug. 29. “Threaten Me With Heaven” is the lead track from his latest album, Guitar Slinger, due Oct. 25 on MCA Nashville.
The Country Music Hall of Fame inductee co-wrote “…Heaven” with wife Amy Grant, Dillon O’Brian and Will Owsley. “Since the song was recorded, my friend Will Owsley took his own life, so the song has a profound impact on me now,” explains Gill. “In my lifetime, ‘Go Rest High On That Mountain’ has been the song that helped a lot of people through their grief. I think this one will in turn hopefully do the same thing. It’s a powerful, powerful song. I feel like it’s the crown jewel of the new record.”
Other tracks include “True Love,” which features Grant and her daughter, Sarah Chapman, on vocals. Daughters Jenny Gill and Corinna Gill, also make guest appearances.
Among the songwriters with credits on the upcoming project are Leslie Satcher, who penned “Bread and Water” with Gill.
For the first time, Gill recorded his new project in his home studio, which he says gave it a special warmth. “I don’t know what it is, but it’s so different than most studios in that there are windows all the way around the room. You look out and see trees,” says Gill. “There’s such a great spirit running around in the house. All the musicians have raved about the vibe.”
Guitar Slinger is the follow-up to Gill’s critically acclaimed, Grammy winning four-CD box set, These Days.
He will perform tomorrow night (8/23) at the Lyrics for Lyric Benefit Show at Roosters TX Style BBQ & Steakhouse in Nashville. Proceeds benefit two-year-old Lyric Alana Frizzell, who has a rare, aggressive form of Leukemia. The Roys will also take the stage.

Average Joe’s Hires Director of Label Operations

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Britta Coleman

Britta Coleman has been tapped by Average Joe’s Pres. Tom Baldrica to serve as Director of Label Operations. Coleman’s twenty-year career includes time in the promotions and marketing departments for Sony BMG, where she first worked with Baldrica, and also as Manager of Marketing Operations for Sony Music Nashville.

Average Joe’s is label home to Lauren Briant, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Kevin Fowler, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, Sunny Ledfurd, Rich O’Toole, Corey Smith, Matt Stillwell, JB and the Moonshine Band, The Lacs, Montgomery Gentry and Nappy Roots.

Looking forward to her new role as Director of Label Operations, Coleman shares, “I am honored and excited to be joining Tom Baldrica and the extremely talented staff at Average Joe’s Entertainment.”

“Britta has been a part of my professional career from the day I started in the record business and I couldn’t be more thrilled to reunite with her here at Average Joe’s,” Baldrica adds. “Her respect within the industry is unquestioned and her organizational skills are a perfect fit for the growing and expanding AJE label.”

Coleman can be reached at (615) 733-9983 or britta@averagejoesent.com.

Average Joe’s Entertainment has offices located at 209 10th Ave. S. in Nashville, Tenn.

Average Joe's Hires Director of Label Operations

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Britta Coleman


Britta Coleman has been tapped by Average Joe’s Pres. Tom Baldrica to serve as Director of Label Operations. Coleman’s twenty-year career includes time in the promotions and marketing departments for Sony BMG, where she first worked with Baldrica, and also as Manager of Marketing Operations for Sony Music Nashville.

Average Joe’s is label home to Lauren Briant, Ira Dean, Rachel Farley, Colt Ford, Kevin Fowler, Josh Gracin, Demun Jones, Sunny Ledfurd, Rich O’Toole, Corey Smith, Matt Stillwell, JB and the Moonshine Band, The Lacs, Montgomery Gentry and Nappy Roots.

Looking forward to her new role as Director of Label Operations, Coleman shares, “I am honored and excited to be joining Tom Baldrica and the extremely talented staff at Average Joe’s Entertainment.”

“Britta has been a part of my professional career from the day I started in the record business and I couldn’t be more thrilled to reunite with her here at Average Joe’s,” Baldrica adds. “Her respect within the industry is unquestioned and her organizational skills are a perfect fit for the growing and expanding AJE label.”

Coleman can be reached at (615) 733-9983 or britta@averagejoesent.com.

Average Joe’s Entertainment has offices located at 209 10th Ave. S. in Nashville, Tenn.