DisClaimer: Stars Light Up The Marquee

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frankie ballard

Frankie Ballard


The remedy for flat country sales this week is apparently to release tracks by real stars. I don’t know if it will cure the industry’s ills, but there is certainly no shortage of marquee names in this stack of platters. George Strait, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton and Jason Aldean are all here. Despite that glittering lineup, upstart Frankie Ballard snatches away the Disc of the Day award with his delightful “Helluva Life.” Fully half of the singles here are specifically summer songs, and his is by far the best.
The runners-up as the week’s best new items would be the superb “Mine Would Be You” by Blake Shelton and “Sunshine” by the Court Yard Hounds. We only have one newcomer in this column, but she’s not strong enough to win a DisCovery Award. So there isn’t one.
RONNIE DUNN/Kiss You There
Writers: Don Schlitz/Josh Kear; Producer: Ronnie Dunn & Jeff Balding; Publishers: Global Dog/House of Sea Gayle, ASCAP; Little Willie (CDX)
-It’s not as naughty as the title might suggest. He wants to kiss her wherever they are, whether it’s in Paris, Dallas, Vegas, New York, Tijuana, Atlanta or Music City. An echoey production frames this star’s intense, electrifying vocal performance of the mid-tempo steamer.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Believe
Writers: George Strait/Bubba Strait/Dean Dillon; Producers: Tony Brown & George Strait; Publishers: Day Money/Hori Pro/Living for the Night/Sixteen Stars/Tenorado, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville
-The gospel ballad is cushioned by ethereal strings, sighing organ and sympathetic piano work. The lyric mentions “twenty-six angels,” apparently referencing the Sandy Hook Elementary School shooting victims in Newtown, Connecticut last December. Strait’s tender vocal is, of course, perfection.
DARIUS RUCKER/Radio
Writers: Darius Rucker/Luke Laird/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publishers: Universal/Cadaja/Twangin and Slangin/Creative Nation/External Combustion/Out of the Taperoom/Songs of Southside Independent, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville
-Thumpy and funky. At age 17, he drove a broken-down junker, had no money and was cruising aimlessly. It didn’t matter, as long as the car’s radio was turned up loud and accompanied a good time. Lively, romping and impossible to resist.
RACHELLE LAMB/Real Men Wear Boots
Writers: Zach Richardson/Jason Plummer; Producer: Jason Plummer; Publisher: 80 Proof Poetry and Truths, BMI; 80 Proof (CDX)
-Bluesy sass. She’s kicking aside the guy with the “preppy attitude” for a fella with a “farmer tan.” Her vocal would be more effective if it didn’t sound so forced. And double-tracking it didn’t help.
FRANKIE BALLARD/Helluva Life
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Chris Tompkins/Josh Kear; Producers: Marshall Altman and Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Play Animal/Big Loud Bucks/Global Dog/Lunalight, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Completely enchanting. The ingredients are heavenly romance, a six-pack, a night sky, a tune on the radio and a swaying dance together. It is, indeed, a helluva life. A single to get lost in. This is THE song of the summer of 2013.
UNCLE KRACKER/Blue Skies
Writers: M. Shafer/Scooter Carusoe; Producer: Keith Stegall; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Gaje/Scrambler/Abbotts Creek, BMI/ASCAP; Sugar Hill
-I have always liked this guy’s slightly pinched, squally, boyish and earnest vocal style. He retains his young-pup appeal on this lightweight, summery bopper. Innocent and endearing.
BLAKE SHELTON/Mine Would Be You
Writers: Deric Ruttan/Connie Harrington/Jessi Alexander; Producer: Scott Hendicks; Publishers: WB/Doc and Maggie/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl/Great Day at This/Vistaville/Happy Tears, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-Ultra romantic, saying the things that any young guy would like to say to his honey. In addition to being a very well written song, it’s one of Blake’s finest vocal performances in recent memory.
LONESTAR/Party All Day
Writers: Michael Britt/Richie McDonald/Frank Myers/Jerry Williams; Producer: Lonestar; Publishers: Bull Chip Ditties/NuState/Melawa/Rite Tune, BMI; 4Star
-The reunited Lonestar boys rock out on this celebration of summer play-time fun. Get up and dance.
COURT YARD HOUNDS/Sunshine
Writers: Martin Strayer/Emily Robison/Martie McGuire/Jonatha Brooke/Alex Dezen; Producers: Jim Scott, Emily Robison & Martie McGuire; Publishers: FUFF/Bingowings/MLSIV/Naughty Puppy/Warner Tamerlane/Pasa, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-The second Court Yard Hounds album by Dixie Chick sisters Emily and Martie kicks off with this jaunty tune. The guy is such a downer that she calls him “Sunshine” and goes her own way, with her positivity intact. Bottom line: “Don’t rain on my parade.” The album is titled Amelita, and it is a sonic delight throughout. Buy it.
COLT FORD & JASON ALDEAN
Writers: C. Wiseman/R. Clawson/C. Tompkins; Producer: Dan Huff; Publishers: Big Loud Shirt/Big Loud Bucks/Big Red Toe/Amarillo Sky/Big Loud Songs/Angel River, ASCAP/BMI; Average Joes
-Synth bubbles and sound-effect wooshes and burbles plunk the good-timey track along its way. Colt drawls the rap part, and Jason sings the chorus in an electronically compressed vocal. Pleasant, if not exactly country.

Local Newspaper Calls It Quits

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the city paper1The City Paper will cease publication with its Friday, Aug. 9 issue, after 13 years of operation.
“In the last few days, we made the difficult decision to stop publishing The City Paper,” says Chris Ferrell, CEO of SouthComm. “After years of being subsidized by our investors and other Southcomm publications, we finally determined that there was not enough advertiser support for the free newsweekly model we were trying to sustain. The model proved very popular with readers, but in publishing the revenue doesn’t necessarily follow the readership.”
A portion of the staff will be laid off. Others will be reassigned to other SouthComm publications.
“Going forward we will be merging some of our editorial resources into our profitable publications in Nashville in an effort to make them even stronger,” Ferrell said. “You will see some of the names you have grown familiar with in The City Paper in the masthead of the Nashville Scene and Nashville Post. Both publications will expand their news coverage to fill the gap left by the closing of The City Paper. David Boclair will continue his coverage of Nashville sports, for example.”
The City Paper, founded by Brian Brown, launched in 2000 as a free publication, available Monday through Friday. SouthComm — owner of the Scene, Post, nFocus and other publications — purchased the paper from the Thompson family in 2008; the paper eventually became a weekly publication.

Brinley Addington – Middle Of Nowhere

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Hailing from Kingsport, Tennessee, Brinley Addington’s strong passion for country music has paved a clear path for him in Nashville. In addition to developing his career under the guidance of Chris Young, he’s shared the stage with the likes of Florida-Georgia Line, Justin Moore, The Band Perry, Eli Young Band, Josh Turner, and many more. Performances include appearances at well-known stages across the country including The Bluebird Café and Chicago’s Joe’s Bar. Addington is now gearing up for the highly anticipated release of his sophomore project, Middle of Nowhere. With veteran producer Phil O’Donnell and up-and-coming producer, Aaron Eshuis, this project has been a labor of love for the Tennessee native.
“I am incredibly grateful for the opportunities I’ve been blessed with. So many cool things are happening, it’s just unreal,” says Addington. “I get to live in Nashville, TN, write with some of my songwriting heroes, and get to travel to so many cool places to play shows with artists I’ve looked up to for a long time. It’s awesome. I just want to keep writing and recording good, relatable, country music that honors tradition and still speaks to my generation. So far, I’m having a blast and can’t wait for everyone to hear this new music.”
Addington’s passion for Country music began well before the dynamic performer can even remember. At age three, Brinley began emulating his favorite legends from the Grand Ole Opry stage on top of his parent’s coffee table. Brinley was influenced early on by the hymns he heard on Sunday morning and the traditional country voices of Randy Travis, Vince Gill, and Alan Jackson. As time went by, Brinley gained inspiration from modern Country artists like Garth Brooks and Tim McGraw. Those early hymns and newly found love of modern day country inspired Brinley to begin performing at his Church in his early teens. It was at that time he realized God’s plan for his life: making music… and he never turned back…
Brinley introduced himself first to country music with the release of his debut full-length album Homegrown in 2011. This project garnered outstanding reviews from peers and music industry professionals alike. The album peaked at #53 on the iTunes country album charts independently. Homegrown produced two music videos (“Hang on a Farm,” “As Long As You Love Me”) that have already gained over 100,000 views. Booked by William Morris Endeavor, Addington has served as headliner and supporting act at numerous fairs, festivals, and college events across the country and has participated in unique country events such as the Blake Shelton & Friends Cruise.
Addington’s sophomore album Middle of Nowhere is slated for an August 5th release. The title track and lead single will be shipped to Country radio on July 21st.
Socials
Website: www.BrinleyAddington.com
Facebook: www.Facebook.com/BrinleyAddington
Twitter: @Brinley_
Instagram: http://instagram.com/brinleyaddington
YouTube: http://YouTube.com/BrinleyAddington

Artist Updates (7-23-13)

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kacey-musgravesweb-featured

Kacey Musgraves


Mercury Records singer/songwriter Kacey Musgraves will perform current single “Blowin’ Smoke” on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno Friday, July 26 (11:35 p.m. PT-ET/10:35 p.m. CT).

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the lumineers1Denver-based band The Lumineers will release a Deluxe Edition of their self-titled debut album on Aug. 20 via Dualtone Records. The deluxe edition will feature five bonus tracks, including studio recordings of songs that the band plays live often but hadn’t yet recorded at the time of their release. It also includes a DVD containing more than 25 minutes of stage performance, behind-the-scenes footage and interviews, as well as a 28-page photo booklet of never before seen photos, images and studio notes from the making of the album.

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craig morgan 2013 photo1

Craig Morgan


Craig Morgan will host his 7th Annual Charity Event on Saturday, Sept. 14 in his hometown of Dickson, Tenn. Proceeds from the event, which includes a Celebrity Off-Road Trail Ride and Concert, will benefit Billy’s Place, a component fund of the Craig Morgan Dickson County Educational Foundation (501c3). Later that evening, Morgan and friends will perform.
The organization’s primary goal is to assist foster children in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee. Tickets go on sale Aug. 1 at craigmorgan.com.

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natalie grant hurricane1Nashville-based singer-songwriter Natalie Grant is set to release her latest project Hurricane on Oct. 15, 2013 from Curb Records.
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Taylor Made

Taylor Made


Little General Records trio Taylor Made returned to their home state of West Virginia  recently to headline the opening ceremonies for the first ever Boy Scout Jamboree on Tuesday, July 16 at The Summit – a 10,600-acre spread in West Virginia’s New River Gorge region that was recently named the official home of future jamborees. The event ushered in 40,000 boy scouts from all over the United States, as well as thousands of  volunteers.

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Tenth Avenue North

Tenth Avenue North


Christian Nashville-based band Tenth Avenue North recently announced the 2013 Tenth Avenue North Classic celebrity golf tournament to take place on Aug. 12 at Brier Creek Country Club in Raleigh, N.C. The tournament will be co-hosted by Tenth Avenue North and PGA Tour winner Kevin Streelman.
The event was organized to support Compassion International and other ministries including CRU-RDU and College Golf Fellowship. Celebrities in attendance will include Tenth Avenue North, rock band NeedtoBreathe, TobyMac, Streelman and a number of other PGA, NFL and NASCAR professional athletes. For more visit tenthavenuenorth.com.
 

Artist Photos (7-23-13)

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Capitol Records Nashville’s Keith Urban visited with Shane Allen (UMG), Steve Hodges (Capitol), Grover Collins (WUBE), Ron Pille (WUBE) and Brent Jones (Capitol) on the opening night of his Light The Fuse Tour in Cincinnati (July 18, 2013).

Pictured (L-R): Shane Allen (UMG), Steve Hodges (Capitol), Keith, Grover Collins (WUBE), Ron Pille (WUBE), Brent Jones (Capitol)

Pictured (L-R): Shane Allen, Steve Hodges, Urban, Grover Collins, Ron Pille, Brent Jones.

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Cassadee Pope made her debut on the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage on July 16, performing two songs from her forthcoming Country album on Republic Nashville – “Good Times” and her lead single “Wasting All These Tears.” She also performed a cover of Miranda Lambert‘s “Over You.” Pope won season 3 of The Voice as a member of Blake Shelton‘s team.

Pictured (L to R): Kneeling – Mark Gray, Luke Harnen and Matthew Hargis; Standing – Erin Burr, Nikki Burns, Jimmy Harnen, Braden Carney, Cassadee Pope, Kelsey Chandler, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Scott Borchetta, Justin Key and Laurel KittlesonPhoto by Ivan Clow, Courtesy of Republic Nashville

Pictured (L to R): Kneeling – Mark Gray, Luke Harnen and Matthew Hargis; Standing – Erin Burr, Nikki Burns, Jimmy Harnen, Braden Carney, Cassadee Pope, Kelsey Chandler, Sandi Spika Borchetta, Scott Borchetta, Justin Key and Laurel Kittleson. Photo by Ivan Clow, Courtesy of Republic Nashville

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Duo McAlister Kemp recently entertained a packed house for an industry-only showcase at Nashville venue 3rd & Lindsley. The duo is currently recording new music with producer Jeremy Stover for their third studio album.

Pictured (L-R): Drew McAlister, Jeremy Stover, Troy Kemp and manager Dennis Dunstan

Pictured (L-R): Drew McAlister, Jeremy Stover, Troy Kemp and manager Dennis Dunstan

Southern Ground Introduces 'Foodie' Ticket, Announces Chefs

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southern ground music and food festivalThis year’s Nashville’s Southern Ground Music & Food Festival is set to include a “Foodie” ticket, a custom Jenni’s ice cream flavor, and an award-winning chef lineup for the Sept. 27-28 event.
“Foodie” passes include exclusive access to a covered lounge, complete with gourmet dinner buffet, beer and wine pairings, as well as elevated stage viewing areas. The general admission upgrade also includes chef demos, signature dishes, Q&As, meet-and-greets, and a exclusive menu at the Listening Room Café.
The Nashville event will welcome beer sommelier Gary Valentine to curate the festival’s Craft Beer Tent and offer pairing suggestions for all festival food.
All attendees have access to concessions including food from the Southern Ground Social Club, Zac Brown Band’s mobile kitchen, Nashville’s The Southern Steak & Oyster, Jeni’s Ice Cream, as well as cuisine from James Beard winner RJ Cooper‘s new Gypsy Soul, and Watermark’s Bob Waggoner, host of the new PBS show “Sing For Your Supper.”
Chefs include Stephanie Izard of Chicago’s The Goat and Little Goat, Giuseppe Tentori of Chicago’s GT Fish & Oyster and Boka restaurants, Shon Foster of Utah’s Amangiri Resort, and Southern Ground Executive Chef Rusty Hamlin.
Izard plans a “Sloppy Goat” sandwich made with Illinois farm-raised goat, topped with rosemary slaw served on a freshly baked roll. Tentori will prepare oyster po’boy sliders with kimchi and peanuts. Foster will curate the “S’mores School” with handcrafted ingredients such as homemade flavored marshmallows, dark chocolate, and organic, salt-cured bacon all prepared over an open fire.
Playing the stage at the Great Lawn at Riverfront Park will be Willie Nelson and Family, Grace Potter and The Nocturnals, Edward Sharpe and The Magnetic Zeros, Eli Young Band, Kacey Musgraves, The Head and The Heart, Trombone Shorty and Orleans Avenue, Dawes, Blackberry Smoke, The Wood Brothers, and others. Zac Brown Band’s nightly set will feature sit-in performances by John Fogerty and Jason Mraz, with forthcoming announcements soon.
Foodie tickets will be available starting tomorrow (July 24) at 10 a.m. To upgrade existing tickets, call Ticketfly at 877-4-FLY-TIX. Click here for more information.

KPI Teams With Shane Barrett

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kpi music group logo1Independent music publishing company KPI Music Group recently finalized a strategic partner agreement with Nashville songplugging entrepreneur Shane Barrett. The writer roster at Lexington, Ky.-based KPI Music Group includes Buffy Lawson, Brooklyn James, Eldon Huff, Kwan Wilson and Bo Allen. As acting A&R Director, Allen is involved with the development of new artists, as well as co-managing existing writers.
During Barrett’s A&R tenure at MCA Records-Nashville, he found songs for Gary Allan, Lee Ann Womack, Reba McEntire, Rebecca Lynn Howard, and others.
Some of Barrett’s most recent cuts have been with Luke Bryan, Gretchen Wilson, Jo Dee Messina, and the Little River Band. As Nashville Creative Director at ole Songs, Inc., he pitched/secured cuts by the Eli Young Band, Billy Currington, Montgomery Gentry, and many others.
“We are extremely proud to partner with Shane, and I fully anticipate his talent and reputation will be a distinct complement to the music created by our amazing writers,” says KPI President & CEO Louis Police.

Johnny Cash 'Life' Book and CD Coming Soon

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johnny cash life1

The life and music of Johnny Cash will continue to be remembered in two new releases. LIFE Unseen: Johnny Cash — An Illustrated Biography will be released on Aug. 13 in honor of the 10th anniversary of the entertainer’s death. The book will include 192 pages of Cash photos from the Sony archives, along with interviews featuring the singer’s family as well as new reminiscences from his children Rosanne Cash and John Carter Cash.

A new collection of music will be released via Legacy Records in conjunction with the book. LIFE Unheard: Johnny Cash features solo acoustic recordings made at the House of Cash studio at his home in Hendersonville, Tenn, as well as live concerts taped at the Newport Folk Festival and at the White House. The project will include a previously unreleased studio version of Ben Dewberry’s “Final Run,” along with “Movin’ Up,” recorded for Cash’s 1981 made-for-television special, The Pride of Jesse Hallam.
Cash died on Sept. 12, 2003, from complications from diabetes.

BMI Welcomes Gibson

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Nashville songwriter Andy Gibson recently joined the BMI songwriting family. Co-writer of Jason Aldean and Kelly Clarkson’s hit “Don’t You Wanna Stay,” Gibson is currently recording his debut album with producer James Stroud.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Gibson and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard.

Pictured (L-R): Andy Gibson and BMI’s David Preston. Photo: Drew Maynard.

SESAC Signs Aiken

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SESAC has welcomed artist/songwriter Mike Aiken for representation. Aiken, who is also a licensed United States Coast Guard captain, has released his sixth album, Captains & Cowboys, on Northwind Records.
Dan Baird (Georgia Satellites) and Ben Strano (Jack Sundrud/Poco) produced the project. The album features musicians Dan Dugmore on pedal steel; Tammy Rogers on fiddle and mandolin; Michael Webb on accordion, bass and B3; and Michael Grando on drums.
Aiken recently stopped by SESAC’s Nashville headquarters for a visit.

Pictured (L-R): Mike Aiken and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): Mike Aiken and SESAC’s Tim Fink. Photo: Peyton Hoge