Music City Roots Releases Live Recordings

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Nashville’s weekly live radio show, “Music City Roots” is set to release a CD of live performances tomorrow (Feb. 28) titled, Roots Moments: Special Live Cuts From Season One. The album, distributed by Compass Records, features a selection of 11 performances from the inaugural season.

Included, is a selection from musical host Jim Lauderdale followed by 18 South, Holy Ghost Tent Revival, Nanci Griffith, Miss Tess and the Bon Ton Parade, Scott Miller, Caitlin Rose, Charlie Louvin, The Black Lillies and Mike Farris with the McCrary Sisters. The final number is a show-closing jam of “Up On Cripple Creek” lead by Sam Bush

“The tremendous artists who grace our stage week after week are a gift to lovers of musical authenticity and integrity the world over, and we’re proud to release what we hope to be the first of many such collections of excellent and diverse artistry,” says MCR co-founder John Walker.

Launched in October of 2009 as a throwback live radio show and new-era webcast, Music City Roots has become a curator of new and established talent in contemporary folk and Americana music.

A portion of the proceeds from the album will be donated to The Nature Conservancy.

Niemann Prepares Sophomore Album

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Sea Gayle/Arista singer/songwriter Jerrod Niemann is releasing new single “Shinin’ On Me” today. The song is the first single from his upcoming as-yet-untitled sophomore album and was co-written by Niemann with Lee Brice, Rob Hatch, and Lance Miller. Dave Brainard is once again producing.

“I am so excited to release “Shinin’ On Me” as the first single from my second album,” shares Jerrod. “Not only does it represent some of the unconventional instrumentation on this record, it’s also intended to just make you wanna roll down the window on a bad day and smile with someone ya love.”

Jerrod’s major label debut Judge Jerrod & The Hung Jury produced the RIAA-certified Platinum Digital single “Lover, Lover” and the Gold Digital single “What Do You Want.” Niemann is currently on the road with Miranda Lambert’s “On Fire” tour. See dates here.

Classic Country Songwriter Roy Baham Passes

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Roy Baham

Award-winning country songwriter Roy Baham has died at age 74.

Baham won his BMI Award for “Charlie’s Shoes,” recorded by Billy Walker. The song became Walker’s biggest hit when it rose to No. 1 on the country charts in 1962. The songwriter’s other notable success was Jimmy C. Newman’s recording of his “Blue Lonely Winter” in 1968.

He also wrote songs recorded by Carl Smith, Ray Price, Anita Carter, Lucille Starr, Burl Ives, Jack Greene & Jeannie Seely, Charlie Walker, Skeeter Davis, Bobby Bare, Justin Tubb and many others.

Dave Dudley recorded 17 of Roy Baham’s songs and released two of them as singles, 1973’s “Rollin’ Rig” and 1975’s “Fireball Rolled a Seven.”

Roy Baham died on Wednesday, Feb. 21. He is survived by his wife Helen, son Jonathan, daughter Diane, granddaughter Brianna and brother Alfred. The funeral and burial were held on Saturday in Birmingham, AL.

Alan Jackson Breaks San Antonio Rodeo Attendance Record

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Alan Jackson and The Strayhorns. Photo: Laurie Rush Photography

Alan Jackson’s Thursday night (2/23) performance at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo broke the event’s all-time attendance record. He attracted 17,000 fans, the most since the rodeo’s inception in 1950.

“The San Antonio Rodeo has welcomed me for a lot of years and it’s one of my favorite places to play,” says Jackson. “The rodeo and folks in Texas have always been good to me and I want to thank the fans for coming out to see us all these years.” It was his fifteenth time to play the rodeo, held this year at the AT&T Center.

Jackson’s current single, “So You Don’t Have to Love Me Anymore,” is climbing the country radio charts and is from his forthcoming album to be released as a joint venture between ACR (Alan’s Country Records) and EMI Records Nashville. He will perform it on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Friday, March 30.

The video by award-winning director Steven Goldmann video was shot at Coney Island in New York City and can be viewed here.

Mercury/Lost Highway’s Kacey Musgraves Joins Major Tour

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Just days after wowing a crowd of radio and industry professionals during CRS with her song “Merry Go Round,” Mercury/Lost Highway artist Kacey Musgraves has landed a spot as the sole opener on John Mayer’s 2012 U.S. tour. Full dates are included below.

“I can’t wait to get out on the road with John Mayer,” exclaimed Musgraves. “To be given this opportunity to tour with a musician and songwriter that I have such high respect for is a dream come true.”

Musgraves is currently in the studio working on her 2012 debut album, which she is co-producing with Shane McAnally and Luke Laird.

See Musgraves’ CRS Ryman showcase performance here.

John Mayer Spring Tour 2012 Dates/Markets:
Monday, April 9: Bloomington, IN
Tuesday, April 10: East Lansing, MI
Thursday, April 12: Grand Rapids, MI
Friday, April 13: West Lafayette, IN
Saturday, April 14: Detroit, MI
Tuesday, April 17: Orono, ME
Wednesday, April 18: Providence, RI
Thursday, April 19: West Point, NY
Saturday, April 21: Buffalo, NY
Sunday, April 22: Wallingford, CT
Tuesday, April 24: Richmond, VA
Thursday, April 26: Tuscaloosa, AL
Monday, April 30: Memphis, TN
Wednesday, May 2: Kansas City, MO
Friday, May 4: Albuquerque, NM
Saturday, May 5: Las Vegas, NV
Sunday, May 6: Phoenix, AZ

WCRS Live! Features All Female Lineup

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(L-R) Lori McKenna, Natalie Hemby, Leslie Roberts (BMI), Matraca Berg, Ashley Monroe, Jessica Frost (BMI)

Lyrical sirens Lori McKenna, Matraca Berg, Natalie Hemby and Ashley Monroe showcased their songwriting, the bedrock of the industry, at the WCRS! Live show presented by BMI and Country Aircheck yesterday afternoon (Feb. 24) during CRS 2012.

Natalie Hemby was fresh off the new Ryman stage from opening The Band Perry’s first headlining show on Feb. 20 and kicked the girls’ traditional Nashville songwriter round to life in an RV, “Little House on the Highway.” The recently-signed EMI Publishing writer additionally introduced “Little Black Dress,” which brought to mind a modern version of “Looking For Something In Red.” Before finishing the round, Hemby expressed her devotion to songwriting when, just six years prior to watching Gwyneth Paltrow singing “Timing is Everything” in the Country Strong trailer, she had been working at Comcast for health insurance. “I would have continued to write music regardless of whether or not it was my full-time job,” she said.

Lori McKenna drew laughs with a quip about her chart history. “I was worried I would have been introduced by how many kids I have because I don’t have any No. 1s. Just five kids.” Her gut-wrenching, sober lyrics and voice exhibited a single from her most recent album, Lorraine, “Buy This Town.” She mentioned her utility worker husband before singing a song about a woman who “keeps you in your place,” and also introduced “Make Every Word Hurt,” as the song that has been cut three times but yet to make it on an album.

Ashley Monroe previewed “Like a Rose” and “Morning After” from her upcoming solo album recorded with Vince Gill and Justin Niebank. The vocal acrobat thanked the audience of radio broadcasters for sending her future child to college from her Jason Aldean hit, “The Truth.”

Back-to-back Miranda Lambert cuts were presented by Hemby and another from Monroe, who is also in Pistol Annies, including “Only Prettier” and “Heart Like Mine,” respectively.

NSAI Hall of Fame songwriter, Matraca Berg, hosted the round and played “You and Tequila,” which she explained came after the passing of her songwriting idol, Harlan Howard. “Harlan bought me my first shot of tequila,” she said. More hits kept rolling in including the song Trisha Yearwood made famous, “Wrong Side of Memphis,” and her iconic hit for Deana Carter, “Strawberry Wine.” Berg also treated the audience to “Your Husband’s Cheatin’ on Us,” a new and entrancingly eerie song about a wife, mistress and a new mistress.

Each writer seemed burdened with admiration at the prospect of following the others’ lyrical craftsmanship. After following Lori’s “Luxury of Knowing,” Matraca mentioned, “I was gonna throw Ashley under the bus, but I’ll take the hit…I feel really great about the future of women in songwriting.”

CRS After-Hours: Photo ReCap

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L-R: Phil Vassar, Rodeowave Entertainment's Lori Hartigan and KUPL OM Scott Mahalick.

Nashville’s Past Perfect restaurant was packed Wednesday night (2/22) with Country Radio Seminar revelers at the Rodeowave/Blaster event headlined and hosted by Phil Vassar. Vassar’s latest single, “Don’t Miss Your Life,” drew the same tremendous reaction live as it has been receiving from radio programmers and listeners.

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Jana Kramer receiving a plaque containing a polaroid of her and every program director she meet along her promo tour. (L-R: Scott Hendricks, Peter Strickland, Jana Kramer, Chris Stacey, Chris Palmer, Chad Schultz.)

Warner Music Nashville kicked off CRS on Wednesday night (2/22) with their annual “Warner Wednesday” party at Nashville’s aVenue. The label’s roster rocked out to 80’s songs as part of this year’s party theme “Attack of the 80’s.”

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L-R: Tenacity National Promotion Directors Gary Greenberg and Anne Sarosdy, Darryl Worley, Tenacity label president Mike Kraski, Bill Gentry, Tenacity Senior VP of Promotion David Haley and National Promotion Director Jeff Davis.

The Ryman Room was overflowing with CRS attendees Wednesday night (2/22) when Tenacity Records threw its first CRS bash. Keeping it all about the music, Tenacity artists Bill Gentry and Darryl Worley performed their new music and kept the party going well into the night.

RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Country January Highlights

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January was a good to several country music artists.

American Idol champ Scotty McCreery took home his first Platinum award for debut Clear As Day (Mercury Nashville, 2011), while Toby Keith and Jerrod Niemann were presented their first ever Platinum download certifications for “Red Solo Cup” (Show Dog – Universal Music) and “Lover, Lover” (Sea Gayle Records).

Taylor Swift’s new year was one full of precious metals. The RIAA awarded Swift her 21st Gold download cert for new single “Ours,” a 4x multi-Platinum for popular ballad “You Belong With Me,” plus a 4x multi-Platinum album award for her 2010 album Speak Now (Big Machine Records) selling more than four million copies.

Additionally, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton each earned their second career Platinum download awards for their respective songs “Do I” and “God Gave Me You.”

Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com.

Sony Boat Show Combines New Artists and Seasoned Pros

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(L-R): Kix Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kristen Kelly, Sara Evans, Jake Owen. Photo: Alan Poizner

Sony Music Nashville’s General Jackson Show & Dinner cruise is a time-honored tradition of Country Radio Seminar, and the 26th installment on Thursday night (Feb. 23) presented the label’s diverse roster from newcomers to seasoned pros. Storme Warren, Sara Evans, and Kellie Pickler served as hosts between performances.

Jake Owen kicked off the evening, performing his current single “Alone With You,” and adding the PG-13 concert ending “I can’t be your booty call.” He also delivered a thundering version of his No. 1 hit “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”

New faces performing included Tyler Farr (on “Hot Mess” and “Hello Goodbye”), a soulful Kristen Kelly (on “You Love To Make Me Cry” and “Ex-Old Man”), and Casey James (on “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” and “Crying On a Suitcase”). Love and Theft, now a duo, came out to play “Angel Eyes” and their previous hit “Runaway,” with guitarist Josh Leo tossing in some sweet Knopfler-esque guitar solos for the extended jam. Josh Thompson stepped up for “I’m Comin’ Around,” and “Way Out Here.” Kix Brooks had his coming out as a solo artist with “Let’s Do This Thing,” and his debut single “New To This Town.”

A satellite acoustic stage (right in front of our table!) was reserved for acoustic performances from Pickler and Evans. Pickler played “Stop Cheating On Me” and “100 Proof” from her new album 100 Proof, and Evans played her classic “Suds In The Bucket” as well as “Anywhere.”

Pickler was a delight as host, expertly cracking wise with Warren and Evans. While waiting for headliner Carrie Underwood’s band to set up, she told a bawdy story about an ex who was obsessed with Sara Evans, prompting her to dye her hair much darker with disastrous results. Underwood joked, “I think we all learned why they asked me and not Kellie Pickler to host the CMA Awards.”

Underwood played her hit “Undo It,” as well as “Someday When I Stop Loving You,” before debuting her new single “Good Girl” which was emailed to programmers while we sat on the boat. The festivities wrapped up with an ensemble rendition of Young Rascals song “Good Lovin’” that featured Underwood, Evans, Kelly, Owen, and Brooks.

Industry Updates (2/24/12)

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Unsigned Only Music Competition

The newly launched Unsigned Only Music Competition is setting out to find talent. The competition’s judging panel includes Kenny Rogers, Kelly Clarkson, Cyndi Lauper, Craig Morgan, Angie Stone, 3 Doors Down, Jeremy Camp and Aaron Shust and more.

Mentors include Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); and Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records) and more.

Entries are being accepted until March 5; must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category. Unsigned Only was created by The founders of International Songwriting Competition, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery. For more details click here.

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ASCAP Honors George Strait at UMG’s CRS Lunch

(L-R) Marc Driskill, George Strait Photo: Peyton Hoge

Vice President and General Manager of ASCAP Nashville, Marc Driskill presented George Strait with a guitar and plaque commemorating the superstar’s first No. 1 hit as a songwriter for “Here For A Good Time” during the UMG luncheon show at CRS this Wed (Feb. 22).

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CMA’s Complementary “Year of Radio” Memberships

The CMA is expanding its current 6,400 members this year by awarding year-long complimentary organizational memberships to all 2,033 country radio stations in the U.S. (valued at $200 each). In addition, PD’s and GM’s from each station will receive individual memberships (valued at $100 each).

CMA will send membership kits to stations this week including details of membership for medical insurance, telecommunications discounts, research and the ability to vote for the CMA Awards. Any current CMA radio member will be given an additional year of membership in the organization.

“Country radio professionals are among our best ambassadors and it is important for CMA to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Country Music format and make the vast resources of CMA available to support their efforts,” said CEO Steve Moore.

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Carter Twins Form Kingston; Make Nashville Debut

Kingston

Josh and Zach Carter, previously of the Carter Twins, debuted their new duo project called Kingston with a six-song set at 12th & Porter this week during CRS, inviting both fans and industry alike.

The new country duo performed several brand new tracks, including their new single “Dear Someone,” which will have a music video debuting within the next few weeks.

A copy of the duo’s EP was handed to the audience as they left.

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Flying Island at CRS

(L-R) Back: Coy Taylor (artist), Bonita Allen (FIE promo), Shooter Jennings (artist), Bucky Covington (artist), Gwen Sebastian (artist), Ty Herndon (artist) and Nancy Eckert, (FIE head). Middle: Jill Tomalty (FIE promo), Amber Hayes (artist), Levi Riggs (artist), Shelia Shipley (FIE promo). Kneeling: Brian Fee (FIE promo), Louis Newman (FIE head)

Flying Island Entertainment welcomed CRS attendees and their artists to Nashville on Feb. 21 at Rippy’s downtown with a karaoke contest.

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Anchor Down Signing

(L-R) Dan Hodges (Dan Hodges Music), Roger Springer and Anthony Corder (GM, Anchor Down)

Anchor Down Entertainment Welcomes Roger Springer to the roster, co-writer of releases by Mark Chesnutt (“I Might Even Quit Lovin’ You,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Let It Rain,” “Thank God for Believers”), Sammy Kershaw (“Matches”) and Love and Theft (“Dancing in Circles”).