Weekly Register: Bentley Rises To No. 1

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Albums

riser dierks bentley11Country album sales are down six percent week over week, while overall album sales are up five percent from last week thanks to Top 10 debuts from Schoolboy Q, Beck, Kid Cudi, Romeo Santos, The Fray, St. Vincent and Dierks Bentley.
Bentley’s Riser (Capitol Nashville) debuts as the top Country album (No. 6 overall), selling 63k units. The singer’s Riser Tour will launch on May 9 in Charlotte, N.C. with special guests Chris Young, Chase Rice and Jon Pardi. Rounding out the top five is Eric Church’s The Outsiders (EMI Nashville) at No. 2 (42k), Cole Swindell’s self-titled album (Warner Bros.) at No. 3 (19K), Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party (Capitol Nashville) at No. 4 (14k) and Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times (Republic Nashville) at No. 5 (13k). Swindell, Bryan and FGL are enjoying Top 5 tracks as well.
Schoolboy Q’s Oxymoron is the top overall album, debuting with 138k units sold. YTD, Country album sales are down 12.7 percent, while overall album sales are down 15.1 percent. The same week last year, Bruno Mars’ Unorthodox Jukebox was the top overall album, selling 95k units, while Taylor Swift’s RED remained the top Country album with 24k units sold.

Tracks

AlbumTracks-030514Brantley Gilbert’s “Bottoms Up” is the top Country track this week (No. 15 overall), selling 66k units (544k RTD). The top Country debut is Lee Brice’s “I Don’t Dance” coming in at No. 6 (No. 39 overall), selling 37k units. Pharrell Williams’  “Happy” remains the top overall track, selling 413k this this week (2.1 million RTD). Justin Timberlake’s “Not A Bad Thing” is the top overall debut, appearing at No. 23, with 50k units sold.
YTD, Country track sales are down 16.9 percent, while overall track sales are down 11.6 percent. The same week last year, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis’s “Thrift Shop” was the top overall track, selling 247k units, while Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did” continued as the No. 1 Country track, selling 74k units.
Next week’s numbers will include David Nail’s I’m A Fire, Eli Young Band’s 10,000 Towns, Sundy Best’s Bring Up The Sun, Bill Anderson’s Life and Kevin Fowler’s How Country Are Ya?

Lawrence Receives ASCAP’s Sammy Cahn Award

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Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and Sandy Lawrence


For the past 18 years, The ASCAP Foundation has celebrated the life of former Board member Sammy Cahn with its Sammy Cahn Award, presented annually to a promising songwriter. This year’s recipient is Nashville-based ASCAP member Sandy Emory Lawrence, who won for her song “The Pretty One.”
Lawrence lives in Franklin, Tenn. and cites musical influences including Bob Wills, Roger Miller, Broadway’s My Fair Lady, Joni Mitchell, Carole King, The Eagles, John Lennon, Paul McCartney and Emmylou Harris, among others.
Lawrence previously won a Kerrville songwriting award in 1988 and has released an album titled The Hammer Lands. Additionally, she performed alongside Joey + Rory at the Grand Ole Opry in 2013. More recently, ASCAP included Lawrence in its Nashville’s Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters (GPS) Project, which introduced her to Nashville’s publishing community.
Previous winners of the Sammy Cahn award include John Mayer, Josh Ritter, Lori McKenna, Daniel Mackenzie, Chris Keup, Cinco Paul, John Francis and Katie Herzig. For more information, visit ascapfoundation.org.

Cracker Barrel, Michael W. Smith Team For 'Hymns'

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MWS photo111Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® and Michael W. Smith have teamed for the release of Hymns, Smith’s newest album, which will be available on March 24 exclusively at all Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® locations and online at crackerbarrel.com. The digital album will also be available for purchase at select digital retailers.
“We are honored that Michael W. Smith has chosen to release his first-ever traditional hymns album with Cracker Barrel,” said Cracker Barrel Marketing Manager Julie Craig. “Hymns is filled with beautiful and beloved songs that we know our guests will enjoy and treasure for years.”
Hymns was produced by Kyle Lee and Jim Daneker, with track no. 15 produced by Smith. The album’s executive producers are Greg Ham and Chaz Corzine. The songs on Hymns are as follows:
1) “The Old Rugged Cross” (written by George Bennard)
2) “My Jesus, I Love Thee” (written by William R. Featherston)
3) “Were You There” (written by C. Winfred Douglas)
4) “Victory in Jesus” (written by E.M. Bartlett)
5) “How Great Thou Art” (written by Stuart K. Hine)
6) “Just As I Am” (written by Charlotte Elliott)
7) “Near the Cross” (written by Fanny Crosby)
8) “It is Well” (written by Horatio Spafford)
9) “Softly and Tenderly” (written by Will L. Thompson)
10) “When I Survey the Wondrous Cross” (written by Isaac Watts)
11) “What a Friend We Have in Jesus” (written by Joseph M Scriven)
12) “Wonderful, Merciful Savior” (written by Dawn Rodgers and Eric Wyse)
13) “Great is Thy Faithfulness” (written by Thomas O.Chisholm and William M. Runyan)
14) “God of Our Fathers” (written by Daniel C. Roberts)
15) “The Lord Bless You and Keep You” (written by Peter C. Lutkin)

Hicky Joins Tacklebox Films

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Screen shot 2014-03-05 at 9.54.34 AM111Director Chris Hicky has joined Tacklebox Films. In 2014, Hicky has completed music videos for Tyler Farr and Josh Thompson. He is best known for his video work with Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum and Thompson Square.
Hicky is set to release his first feature film, The Grace of Jake, as well as other long-form projects that are currently in production.
Shaun Silva serves as president of Tacklebox Films; other directors that have signed on to the Tacklebox Films roster include The Edde Brothers, Mason Dixon, Adam Rothlein, and Brian Lazzaro.

DISClaimer: Kings of Rock

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Robby Hecht

Robby Hecht


Nashville’s pop-rock landscape is looking brighter than ever. Four of our major-label rock bands have new sounds this week. So be sure and check out the latest from Cage the Elephant, Mona, The Wild Feathers and Kings of Leon.
There’s a little jazz in this week’s stack of platters, too. Both the Gail Davies/Benny Golson CD and the latest from The Nashville Jazz Orchestra are well worth your attention. New artists make our non-country scene continually vibrant. In addition to Mona, we have Gareth and Robby Hecht for your listening pleasure this week.
It’s good to be Kings. So Kings of Leon are crowned with a Disc of the Day prize. And to newcomer Robby Hecht, we happily bestow a DisCovery Award.
ROBBY HECHT/New York City
Writers: Robby Hecht; Producer: Lex Price; Publisher: Old Man Henry; SESAC; Old Man Henry
-This Nashville folk-pop tunesmith is a wistful, heartsick charmer on this gorgeously melodic track from his self-titled debut album. His softly winsome vocal delivery rides atop an insistent, almost nervous, rhythm track that propels him along to a hushed finale. If you’re ready for the Next Big Singer-Songwriter, give this man’s beautifully produced disc a spin. You won’t be sorry.
THE WILD FEATHERS/Hard Wind
Writers: Joel King/Ricky Young/Taylor Burns; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Effecter/Young Town Mountain/Evan Taylor Burns, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-This spectacular band of Nashville rockers introduced itself recently with the outstanding “The Ceiling.” Now The Wild Feathers have followed up with this stormy, frothing track from their self-titled debut CD. There’s more: Next month the band issues a vinyl single of the album’s chiming, harmony-drenched country-rocker “Got It Wrong” to celebrate Record Store Day. One way or another, they’re gonna catch your ears. And once they do, you’ll be hooked.
GAIL DAVIES & BENNY GOLSON/Since I Don’t Have You
Writers: Ron Davies; Producer: Gail Davies; Publisher: none listed; Little Chickadee
-Singer-songwriter Davies is generally associated with country music, but her latest outing is jazz, jazz, jazz, all the way. This breezy title tune finds her floating and flitting through loads of groovy chord changes. Her tenor saxophone accompanist is Jazz Hall of Fame member Benny Golson. His phrasing is just as cool as hers. The repertoire ranges from standards like “Am I Blue,” “Good Morning Heartache” and “Here’s That Rainy Day” to newer tunes by the chanteuse, her late brother Ron Davies and her son Chris Scruggs. Heartily recommended.
THE NASHVILLE JAZZ ORCHESTRA/It Ain’t Necessarily So
Writers: Gershwin; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Jazz Music City
–Jim Williamson’s imaginative arrangement of this Porgy & Bess standard takes it in entirely unexpected directions. Very cool indeed. This is the title tune of the orchestra’s current album of Gershwin tunes, and the whole thing is essential listening. This band swings, and how.
MONA/Goons
Writers: Nick Brown/Mona; Producer: Nick Brown; Publisher: EMI, no performance rights listed; Mercury (track)
-This Nashville rock band has been signed by Island/Def Jam and has delivered Torches & Pitchforks as its debut major-label collection. The kick-off single features strangulated, shrieking, Plant-like lead singing; loads of dark percussion and echoed, shouted gang vocals. You are powerless to escape.
kings of leon111KINGS OF LEON/Temple
Writers: Caleb Followill/Nathan Followill/Jared Followill/Matthew Followill; Producer: Angelo Petragilla; Publishers: Pistola/Sinderella’s Grass Slipper/McFearless/Coffee, Tea or Me/Bug/Silent But Violent, ASCAP/BMI; RCA (track)
-Music City’s rock Kings released this track from the Mechanical Bull CD. It truly kicks butt. I love how Kings of Leon mix dynamic guitar pyrotechnics with soulful singing and melodies that you can’t get out of your head. Did you see them burning it up recently on Saturday Night Live? They are mighty, mighty men.
GARETH/Spirit Horse
Writer: G. Laffely; Producer: Robert White Johnson; Publisher: none listed; Roaring Brook
-This Nashville youngster expertly plays Native American flutes and sings in a pure pop tenor on his CD The Journey. It’s a little bit folk, a little bit Jethro Tull-ish, a little bit new age. He definitely caught my ear for braving to be different and innovative.
DOWNTOWN MYSTIC/Way to Know
Writer: Robert Allen; Producers: Robert Allen/Ben Elliott; Publisher: Sha-La; BMI; Sha-La (track)
-Supported by E-Streeters Garry Tallent and Max Weinberg, singer-songwriter Robert Allen and his DownTown Mystic pals pull off this retro rocker with urgent energy. His vocal sounds shaky and forced at times, but he’s always earnest.
MARK KNOPFLER/Privateering
Writers: Mark Knopfler; Producer: Mark Knopfler; Publishers: Hornall Bros./Will D. Side, no performance rights listed; Verve (track)
-Knopfler recruited a who’s-who of Nashville musicians (Tim O’Brien, Richard Bennett, Glenn Worf, Paul Franklin, etc.) to craft his first double CD. Its title tune reflects the resulting Americana vibe of the whole project. Strummy, thumpy, acoustic folk rock.
CAGE THE ELEPHANT/Come A Little Closer
Writers: Cage the Elephant; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: 4U2ASKY/Sony-ATV/R&R Nomad, BMI; RCA (track)
-I understand that these guys have relocated from Bowling Green to Nashville. In any case, they’re still being produced by the brilliant Jay Joyce in Music City. This single from the Melophobia CD is a densely-packed sonic slab with cascading guitars, throbbing rhythm and cool, compressed vocals. Look for Cage the Elephant to showcase it on this afternoon’s Ellen DeGeneres TV show (Wednesday, March 5). I hope it makes her dance.

Haggard's 45th Anniversary 'Okie From Muskogee' Gets March Release

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merle haggard 2013 photo

Merle Haggard


In December 1969, Merle Haggard‘s live album Okie From Muskogee was released after the single “Okie From Muskogee” had reached No. 1 on the Billboard Country Singles Chart. The album, recorded live in Muskogee, Okla., won the Academy of Country Music award for Album of the Year in 1969, and Haggard received Top Male Vocalist, and Single of the Year for the title track.
Capitol Nashville will celebrate the project’s 45th anniversary with the release of Okie From Muskogee Anniversary Edition on March 25.
The Okie From Muskogee Anniversary Edition also includes the long out-of-print 1970 live recording The Fighting Side of Me.
TRACKLISTING:
Disc 1–Okie From Muskogee (Recorded Live In Muskogee, Oklahoma 1969)
1. Introduction by Carlton Haney
2. Mama Tried
3. No Hard Times
4. Silver Wings
5. Merle Receives Key To Muskogee
6. Mere’s Introduction to Medley
Medley:
7. Swinging Doors
8. I’m A Lonesome Fugitive
9. Sing Me Back Home
10. Branded Man
11. In The Arms Of Love
12. Workin’ Man Blues
13. Merle’s Introduction To “Hobo Bill”
14. Hobo Bill’s Last Ride
15. Billy Overcame His Size
16. If I Had Left It Up To You
17. White Line Fever
18. Blue Rock
19. Introduction To “Okie From Muskogee”
20. Okie From Muskogee
Disc 2–The Fightin’ Side Of Me (Recorded Live in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 1970)
1. Opening Theme: Hammin’ It Up
2. I Take A Lot Of Pride In What I Am
3. Corrine Corrina
4. Every Fool Has A Rainbow
5. T.B. Blues
6. When Did Right Become So Wrong
7. Philadelphia Lawyer
8. Stealin’ Corn
9. Harold’s Super Service
Medley:
10. Devil Woman
11. I’m Movin’ On
12. Folsom Prison Blues
13. Jackson
14. Orange Blossom Special
15. Love’s Gonna Live Here
16. Today I Started Loving You Again
17. Okie From Muskogee
18. The Fightin’ Side Of Me

iHeartRadio Music Awards Nominations Announced

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iheartradio music awards logo111The nominations for iHeartRadio Music Awards have been announced, with Country artists garnering nominations in several categories, including Artist of the Year, Best New Artist, Best Lyrics, and other categories.
Taylor Swift received a nomination for Artist of the Year, alongside, Rihanna, Bruno Mars, Maroon 5, Justin Timberlake, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, P!nk, Katy Perry, Imagine Dragons, and Robin Thicke; Swift also garnered a nomination in the category of Best Fan Army.
The Country Song of the Year category includes “Crash My Party” (Luke Bryan), “It Goes Like This” (Thomas Rhett), “That’s My Kind of Night” (Bryan), “Mine Would Be You” (Blake Shelton), “Runnin’ Outta Moonlight” (Randy Houser), “Boys Round Here” (Shelton), “Wagon Wheel” (Darius Rucker), “Get Your Shine On” (Florida Georgia Line), “Highway Don’t Care” (Tim McGraw w/Taylor Swift and Keith Urban), and “Night Train” (Jason Aldean).
Duo Florida Georgia Line also garnered a nomination for Best New Artist.
Shelton’s “Mine Would Be You” is nominated in the Best Lyrics, alongside songs from Lorde, Imagine Dragons, Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, and others.
The three-hour, fan-voted awards show will be held May 1, airing live on NBC from Los Angeles’ Shrine Auditorium.
For more information and voting, visit iheartradio.com.

ASCAP "I Create Music" Expo To Feature Nashville Writers, Producers

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ascap expoASCAP‘s 9th annual “I Create Music” EXPO will feature Nashville artists, writers and executives. The expo is set for April 24 – 26, 2014 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel in Los Angeles.
The expo will feature a master session from singer-songwriter Amy Grant, songwriting sessions and performance from Shane McAnally, as well as a Hit Producers Panel with Country producer Michael Knox, pop/R&B producer Rob Knox, and others. Other initial participants with Nashville ties include include Darrell Brown, and Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald. Additional participants have yet to be announced.
Programming highlights confirmed so far include:

  • Keynote Panel with Lukasz “Dr. Luke” Gottwald
  • Master Session with Amy Grant
  • Hit Songwriters Panel with Justin Timberlake’s collaborator James Fauntleroy, Boys Like Girls’ Martin Johnson, pop songwriter Savan Kotecha, “Wrecking Ball” co-writer MoZella and prolific songwriter Lindy Robbins
  • Hit Producers Panel with country producer Michael Knox, pop/R&B producer Rob Knox and others
  • Live Performance Song Feedback with Darrell Brown, a multi-part workshop
  • Artists Writing for Film & TV with Gabriel Mann, Adam Schlesinger and Jeff Russo
  • Gospel panel with Tye Tribbett, Alexis Spight and Phil Tarver
  • Legislative Session with Congressman Tom Marino and Paul Williams
  • Songwriters working in Musical Theatre with Glen Ballard, Stephen Bray, Holly Knight and Shane McAnally
  • Master Session with composer Bear McCreary
  • Music Supervisors Panel
  • Touring panel with Warped Tour’s Kevin Lyman
  • Master Session with Classical composer Morten Lauridsen
  • Performances by Richie Sambora, Shane McAnally and many others
  • …and nearly 125 more panelists are still to be announced covering over 40 panels!

Registration is available at ascap.com.

BMG Chrysalis Signs Barnes

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BMG Chrysalis has signed recording artist, songwriter and performer Dave Barnes. His solo-written No. 1 song “God Gave Me You” was recorded by Blake Shelton and has garnered both CMA and GRAMMY nominations for Country Song of the Year.
Barnes has also had songs recorded by Billy Currington, Tim McGraw, Danielle Bradbery, as well as the No. 1 single “All That I Can Do,” recorded by Bethany Dillon. His eighth studio album, Golden Days, was released in January.
• • •
In more news from BMG Chrysalis, the company has announced a promotion and a major catalog purchase. BMG recently acquired the publishing catalog by songwriting legend Hal David from his sons. The catalogue features all of David’s publishing interests in iconic songs such as “Raindrops Keep Falling On My Head,” “I’ll Never Fall In Love Again,” “Walk On By,” “What The World Needs Now Is Love,” “I Say A Little Prayer,” and “Alfie.”
Based in Los Angeles, Zach Katz is promoted to Chief Creative Officer, BMG Chrysalis North America. He will continue to report directly to Laurent Hubert, President of Marketing & Creative, and oversee the LA and NY-based creative staff. Executives Kos Weaver (Nashville), Richard Blackstone and David Hirshland will continue to report to Hubert.

Pictured (L-R, Front): Chris DeTray (Be Music & Entertainment); Sara Johnson (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); Dave Barnes; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis VP, Creative); Ryan Beushel (ASCAP); (Back): Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis Creative Director); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis Vice President)

Celebrating the signing of Dave Barnes, pictured (L-R, Front): Chris DeTray (Be Music & Entertainment); Sara Johnson (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); Dave Barnes; Kos Weaver (BMG Chrysalis Executive Vice President); Chris Oglesby (BMG Chrysalis VP, Creative); Ryan Beushel (ASCAP); (Back): Kevin Lane (BMG Chrysalis Creative Director); Daniel Lee (BMG Chrysalis Senior Creative Director); John Allen (BMG Chrysalis Vice President)

'Nashville' Music Supervisor Honored

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Nashville_logoABC’s Nashville and its music supervisor Frankie Pine were honored last week by the Guild of Music Supervisors. The organization presented its fourth annual awards on Wednesday, Feb. 26, at Mack Sennett Studios in Hollywood, recognizing outstanding Music Supervisors in 14 categories representing Motion Picture, Television, Games, Trailers and Advertising.
The honor for Best Music Supervision—Television Comedy or Musical went to Nashville and Pine. Additionally, ABC won Best Television Studio Music Department. The award for Best Music Supervision—Documentary went to Muscle Shoals. See the complete winners list.
In related Nashville news, Zap2It.com reports renewal of the show is still “on the bubble,” meaning it could fall either way by the end of the 2013-14 season in May. Last week the show attracted 4.77 million viewers, coming in third place among the major networks in its time slot.