DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/15/12)

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Tiffany Houghton, Clayton Gardner

Ask and you shall receive.

In last week’s column, I bemoaned the lack of a DisCovery Award contender. So this week, I got two of them.

Both are Texans. Our Male winner, Clayton Gardner, plies his trade in Lone Star State roadhouses. Our Female winner, Tiffany Houghton, has moved to Music City to record her debut, six-song EP.

Eli Young Band

The Disc of the Day goes to Eli Young Band for its warmly romantic “Say Goodnight.” Kudos for another job well done.

CLAYTON GARDNER/I Won’t Settle Down
Writer: Clayton Gardner/Mack Damon; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; CG (www.claytongardner.com)
—This breezy bopper with a touch of twang comes from a Texas newcomer with a smooth, confident, easy-going baritone. Promising.

ALI ISABELLA/Say You’ll Be Mine
Writer: Josh Foster/Julie Downs; Producer: Gregory Lattimer & Josh Foster; Publisher: Alisma, BMI; Alisma (track) (www.aliisabella.com)
—She sounds very young and quite pert. You wouldn’t call her a vocal powerhouse by any means, but this lightweight, up-tempo ditty doesn’t require her to be one. Peppy. Innocent.

KATHY MATTEA/West Virginia, My Home
Writer: none listed; Producer: Gary Paczosa; Publisher: none listed; Sugar Hill (track) (www.mattea.com)
—Mattea has scheduled a trio of Music City appearances next month to celebrate the imminent release of her Calling Me Home CD — Sept. 5 at The Bluebird Cafe, Sept. 7 at The Station Inn and Sept. 8 at the Opry House gift shop. In the meantime, this lilting, sweetly sung, acoustic track is doing the advance work on her website. The wafting, guitar-fiddle-mandolin picking by the CD’s all-star band is as heavenly as the singing.

RODNEY HAYDEN/Buckaroo Man
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Palomino
—A single with a built-in identity crisis. The band thinks it is a Southern-rock outfit. He thinks he’s a cowboy.

JERRY KILGORE/Telephone, TX
Writer: Kilgore/Guess; Producer: Jerry Kilgore & James Mitchell; Publisher: none listed; Nic Nic Neer (track)
—I have enjoyed this fellow’s work many times in the past. The title tune of his new CD is a dark and bluesy lament that showcases both his creativity as a songwriter and his charismatic vocal ability. Another winner from a man who seems fully loaded with them.

TIM DUGGER/(I Called Her) Tennessee
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Curb (www.timdugger.com)
—Talk about drawling — you could cut this guy’s Dixie accent with a jack knife. He falls for a college girl who teaches him a thing or two, except her name. The track is your typical rock ‘em, sock ‘em type.

TIFFANY HOUGHTON/Only One
Writer: Tiffany Houghton; Producer: Tiffany Houghton; Publisher: none listed; TH (www.tiffanyhoughton.com)
—She is a true Triple Threat. Her singing is forceful and expressive. Her song writing is solid. Her production finesse on the pulsing, dynamic track is exemplary. She’s Dallas gal who has moved to Music City to make it big. Keep your eyes and ears on her.

NAT STUCKEY/A Hurt as Big as Texas
Writer: Nat Stuckey; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Music Roow Talent (track)
—Nat Stuckey (1933-1988) was a country hit maker who died too soon. His widow, Ann, has been keeping his memory alive with reissues of his works. The latest, Words and Music by Nat Stuckey and Friends, includes his three best-known compositions, “Pop a Top,” “Sweet Thang” and “Waitin’ in Your Welfare Line.” Its lesser known tunes include this lively western swinger that will set your toes to tapping. Recommended listening.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Say Goodbye
Writer: Katrina Elam/Melissa Pierce/John Paul White; Producer: Mike Wrucke; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Kreative/Music of Stage Three/Gutter-N-Grace/Roger’s Dream/BMG Chrysalis/EMI Blackwood/Mr. Bright Side, BMI; Republic Nashville (track)
—The Eli Young Band is going from strength to strength. This soaring power ballad wears its ultra-romantic heart on its sleeve. Soul-tugging in every respect. You’re also going to be hearing more from its previous chart topper, “Even If It Breaks Your Heart.” It plays during the opening montage of the TV series Nashville on Wednesday nights this fall on ABC.

DAVID ANDERSEN/Malaguena
Writer: none listed; Producer: David Andersen; Publisher: none listed; Andersongs (track) (www.davidandersenmusic.com)
—Thanks to his daily strolls, strumming in the Conservatory of the Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, guitarist David Andersen is probably the most famous “unknown” musician in Nashville. He has two new CDs, Vituoso and Virtuoso II. The latter contains his deft, easy-listening run through this classical Spanish instrumental standard.

CMT.com Launches “Southern Ground Live” Series

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CMT.com and Landshark Lager have joined forces to present musicians from Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists label in a three-part, online performance series, Southern Ground Live. The series launched today with Blackberry Smoke, the Georgia-based Southern rock band.

Blackberry Smoke performed selections from its  new album The Whippoorwill, including “Six Ways to Sunday,” “Pretty Little Lie,” “Everybody Knows She’s Mine” and “Ain’t Got the Blues.” Jamey Johnson joined the group onstage and contributed vocals to a medley of “Yesterday’s Wine” and “Still Doin’ Time.”

New episodes of Southern Ground Live will feature performances from Sonia Leigh (Aug. 29), and Nic Cowan (Sept. 13) on CMT.com. The series, which can be viewed here, follows Southern Ground artists as they make music on their own terms.

Margaritaville in Nashville serves as host to the  Southern Ground Live performance series, which is produced by Lewis Bogach.

Ricky Skaggs’ New Album is ‘Music To My Ears’

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Ricky Skaggs will release his Country and Bluegrass album, Music To My Ears, September 25 on Skaggs Family Records.

The 11-tracks were produced by Skaggs and Gordon Kennedy, with all-new songs and fresh takes on older Bluegrass standards including “Soldier’s Son,” co-written by and featuring Barry Gibb. Also on the album, is “Tennessee Stud,” a special tribute for the late Doc Watson; “New Jerusalem,” a new instrumental written by Skaggs; and “You Can’t Hurt Ham,” with lyrics inspired by Bill Monroe, co-written by Kennedy and Skaggs.

Music To My Ears is available for pre-order here.

Skaggs is set to be inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame tonight (8/14) and will receive the Pioneer Award from the ACM on September 24. He has 14 Grammy Awards to his name and has release more than 30 albums.

Music To My Ears Track Listing:

1.  Blue Night
2.  Things In Life
3.  You Can’t Hurt Ham
4.  Music To My Ears
5.  What You Are Waiting For
6.  New Jerusalem
7.  Soldier’s Son
8.  Tennessee Stud – Tribute to Doc Watson
9.  Loving You Too Well
10.  You Are Something Else
11.  Nothing Beats A Family

Snapshots (8/14/2012)

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Pictured (L-R): Billy Swan, Jerry Chesnut, Dallas Frazier, Mac Davis and Museum Editor Michael Gray. Photo: Larry McCormack

The Country Music Hall of Fame presented Songs Fit for a King: Top Songwriters Remember Elvis on Saturday (8/11). Songwriters Jerry Chesnut, Mac Davis, Dallas Frazier and Billy Swan performed a selection recorded by Presley and discussed his influence on their lives and careers.

Producer Chips Moman will deliver an interview this upcoming Saturday (8/18), continuing the Celebrate the King Series.

••••

Pictured Above, L-R: Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry VP/GM and Maggie Rose

Maggie Rose made her debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage Friday, August 10 where she performed “Preacher’s Daughter” and closed with, “I Ain’t Your Mama.”

“My performance went by in a flash and I woke up the next morning still smiling,” said Rose. “It was a magical night for me.”

••••

(L-R): Philip Craighead, Mayor of Lebanon and Tracy Lawrence. Photo: Alex Torrez

The hometown Mayors of Lebanon and Wilson County proclaimed September 25 as Tracy Lawrence Day in Wilson County. Tracy Lawrence will be recognized for his philanthropy and charitable work, during the inaugural day celebration and Humanitarian Award Gala (9/25), at Legacy Farms in Lebanon, TN.

The open-to-the-public Gala will feature dinner, entertainment, special guests, and auction to benefit New Leash On Life, a charity for stray and abused animals. Tickets can be reserved by phone: 615-364-9082.

Artist Updates (8/14/12)

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Kenny Chesney and Tim McGraw’s recent Brothers of the Sun tour stop at NJ’s MetLife Stadium set the record for the largest ticketed country event in NYC/NJ history, with 56,285 tickets sold. The show broke the previous record, set by Chesney during his 2011 Goin’ Coastal tour.

“The excitement and buzz for this show was through the roof since the day it was announced,” said Interim MetLife Stadium President Ron VanDeVeen. “We couldn’t imagine how last year’s ‘Goin’ Coastal’ show could be topped, but this truly was the biggest country show we’ve ever seen.”

The show included a special appearance by Grace Potter on the duet “You & Tequila,” as well as a full cast encore of Jackson Browne’s “Running on Empty.”

• • • •

Kellie Pickler will join celebrity chefs Mario Batali, Michael Symon, and Carla Hall, as well as style expert Clinton Kelly and health enthusiast Daphne Oz on ABC’s The Chew Thursday, August 16 to create some summer dishes with farm fresh fruits and veggies. The episode airs at 12 pm/CT.

(L-R): Carla Hall, Michael Symon, Kellie Pickler, Mario Batali, Daphne Oz and Clinton Kelly.

• • • •

(L-R): President Grand Ole Opry Group Steve Buchanan, Watkins, Buckley and Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo, Hollophotographics for 2012 Grand Ole Opry.

A&M Octone Records’ Miss Willie Brown made their Grand Ole Opry Debut on Saturday (8/11).  The duo, which consists of Kasey Buckley and Amanda Watkins, performed “Bonafide” and the ballad “Let Me In.” “I remember being a little girl and taking a tour of the Opry with my parents, so to be standing on that stage was beyond humbling for me. It was a moment I’ve dreamed about since I was 10 years old,” said Watkins.

• • • •

Nashville singer Etta Britt will appear on NBC’s The Today Show on Saturday, August 25. Britt’s new release Out of the Shadows gained national attention following a recent piece about the artist on The Huffington Post.

• • • •

Streamsound Records flagship artist Jaida Dreyer has released her new single “Confessions,” which is available today (8/14) at all digital retailers. The song was written by Dreyer with Angelo and Robert Ellis Orrall. Dreyer is currently working on her debut album with producer and Streamsound co-founder Byron Gallimore.

• • •

Following Exile’s recent appearance at the Grand Ole Opry, the band met up backstage with the members of Rascal Flatts, who were also performing. Exile recently released People Get Ready, its first studio album in 15 years.

CMA Promotes One, Hires Two

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Keris Patton

The Country Music Association has announced the promotion of Melissa Maynard to Manager of Operations, and the additions of Staff Accountant Keris Patton and Membership and Balloting Assistant Brenden Oliver.

As Staff Accountant, Patton will perform a variety of accounting activities and assist with other Finance and Administration Department functions. She joins CMA from Rochford Realty and Construction Company where she served as Accountant and Property Manager. Patton’s accounting experiences also extends to Tyson Foods, Wright CPA Firm, Desoto Family Medical Center, and Property Assessment Services. She is a graduate of the University of Tennessee at Martin.

Brenden Oliver

“We are thrilled to have Keris join the Finance and Administration team at CMA and value the skills that she brings,” said CMA Sr. VP of Finance and Administration Amy Smartt. “Her broad work experiences and accounting education will make Keris a real asset to CMA.”

Oliver, a May 2012 Vanderbilt University graduate, will assist the Membership and Balloting Department with membership recruitment, applications, payment processing, and inquiries. He will also assist with CMA Awards, CMA Broadcast Awards, and Country Music Hall of Fame balloting. Oliver interned in that department as well as at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum and Aldredge Law.

Melissa Maynard

“Responding to the needs of our membership as well as maintaining the integrity of our Awards processes has always been vitally important for CMA,” said CMA Senior Manager of Membership and Balloting Brandi Simms. “With the addition of Brenden, our membership and balloting department is at full strength and we look forward to taking all of the member initiatives to the next level.”

Maynard was hired in 2006 as Administration Assistant. She was promoted to Administration Coordinator in 2009 and then to Operations and Administration Coordinator in 2011. In her new role as Operations Manager, she will primarily be responsible for all aspects of operations including CMA’s building and grounds maintenance as well as security. Maynard also organizes events to recognize and celebrate CMA staff successes

“Melissa demonstrated excellent design and management skills during the oversight of the recent remodeling of CMA’s atrium space,” said Smartt. “She has the keen ability to see what needs to be done and the creative ability to find a way to take care of it efficiently and cost effectively.”

 

McBride to Headline ‘Hymns Hams & Jams’ Benefit

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Martina McBride will perform a special concert at Nashville’s Loveless Barn on August 21 to benefit The Shalom Foundation.

The Hymns, Hams & Jams concert, hosted by Storme Warren, will feature McBride as well as a live auction with songwriter Bob DiPiero. Auction items include tickets to the 2012 World Series, Garth Brooks and Sugarland autographed guitars, concert tickets, backstage VIP experiences and more. Proceeds benefit The Moore Pediatric Surgery Center, The Shalom Foundation’s medical program in Guatemala.

Tickets are $500 and available through The Shalom Foundation at 615-595-5811 or emailing abender@theshalomfoundation.org. More on the organization here.

Weblinks: Dick Clark Productions On Auction Block

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• Dick Clark Productions, the company behind the ACM Awards and other ACM television events, is on the auction block. CBS, which is already home to the ACM shows, is reportedly a top suitor for DCP. According to the LA Times, CBS has its “eye” on the Golden Globe Awards, which are under contract with NBC until 2018. Other DCP properties include So You Think You Can Dance, the American Music Awards and New Year’s Rockin’ Eve With Ryan Seacrest.

• Former UMPG chairman and CEO David Renzer has been tapped by private investment firm Saban Capital Group to serve as president of music ventures. Saban, which also has a television division, is looking into catalog purchases, and will focus on music for film and TV. Renzer told Billboard that the humongous operation resulting from Sony/ATV’s acquisition of EMI Music Publishing could leave some songwriters and catalogs neglected, providing the opportunity for smaller companies to court them away.

• Longtime Hollywood trade publication Variety is up for bids. Avenue Capital, the hedge fund with holdings including American Media, is reportedly the top bidder with a $40 million offer. Here’s the Nashville connection: American Media is the parent company of Country Weekly, and its other publications include National Enquirer, Men’s Fitness, Shape, and Star.

• The Hollywood Reporter unmasks a few superstars’ crazy concert rider requests here. Among the strangest: Cher’s need for her wigs to have their own dressing room, Kanye West’s insistance that his drivers wear 100 percent cotton, and Prince’s request for everything to be covered in plastic wrap.

• Finally, more close to home, Hattie B’s Hot Chicken is open at 19th Ave. and Broadway. The joint, started by the owners of Cool Springs meat-and-three Bishop’s, also offers craft brews and traditional Southern fried chicken. More from the Nashville Post.

Kix Brooks Plans New Single, GMA Performance

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Kix Brooks will appear on the September 12 episode of ABC’s Good Morning America to promote his Arista Nashville solo album, New to This Town, which hits stores September 11. Brooks will perform the collection’s title track.

Brooks is also releasing his latest single “Bring It on Home,” which he co-wrote with Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson. The song impacts radio September 3.

“‘Bring It on Home’ is really about a guy just gettin’ back to what matters with love,” said Brooks. “All my life I’ve been running. When I met Barbara, I kind of had that feeling, because bein’ a musician and livin’ in bars, it was that point, meetin’ her, when, you know, it’s like, I think I may be ready to give up this lifestyle and try somethin’ that matters a little bit more.”

Fans can pre-order the self-produced 12-track collection here. Brooks co-wrote 9 titles, sharing production credits with Jay DeMarcus on the title track.

Hiatt Gets ‘Mystic’ With New Album

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Acclaimed singer/songwriter John Hiatt will release his new album Mystic Pinball (New West Records) on September 25. The album’s first single “We’re Alright Now,” is available for listening at americansongwriter.com.

Mystic Pinball was produced by Kevin “Caveman” Shirley (Aerosmith, Iron Maiden), who also produced Hiatt’s Dirty Jeans and Mudslide Hymns. Musical contributors include Doug Lancio (guitar, mandolin, Dobro), Kenneth Blevins (drums/percussion), and Patrick O’Hearn (bass). A full tracklist is included below.

Hiatt has an extensive tour planned to support the release, including dates with Steve Earle, and a two night stay at New York’s City Winery. He also has a special performance scheduled September 14 at Nashville’s Cannery Ballroom, during the Americana Music Association Festival & Conference.

Full tour info here.

Mystic Pinball track listing:
1. We’re Alright Now
2. Bite Marks
3. It All Comes Back Someday
4. Wood Chipper
5. My Business
6. I Just Don’t Know What To Say
7. I Know How To Lose You
8. You’re All The Reason I Need
9. One Of Them Damn Days
10. No Wicked Grin
11. Give It Up
12. Blues Can’t Even Find Me