Artist Pics (3/20/14)

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SESAC’s SXSW 2014 Showcase in Austin played to a packed house at Austin’s Lambert’s Barbecue and featured a performance from John & Jacob, the duo behind The Band Perry’s “DONE.”.
Pictured (L-R): John & Jacob (along with their band) hang with SESAC’s Trevor Gale (second from left) and Tim Fink (second from right). Photo: Cara Pastore

Pictured (L-R): John & Jacob (along with their band) hang with SESAC’s Trevor Gale (second from left) and Tim Fink (second from right). Photo: Cara Pastore

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Arista Nashville’s Brad Paisley caught up with Sony Music UK execs amid several international performances, including a show at the C2C (Country to Country) Festival in London on March 16, with upcoming tour dates in Norway and Sweden.

Pictured at C2C (L-R): Sony Music UK Head of Catalogue Jon Cauwood, Paisley, Product Manager Phil Connolly, and Commercial Group Marketing VP Phil Savill.

Pictured at C2C (L-R): Sony Music UK Head of Catalogue Jon Cauwood, Paisley, Product Manager Phil Connolly, and Commercial Group Marketing VP Phil Savill.

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Mercury Records singer/songwriter Canaan Smith proposed to girlfriend Christy over the weekend in Florida. “Of all the blessings in my life, she’s the greatest,” Smith exclaims. “We’re so excited for everything to come.” Smith is on the road on the AT&T Country Deep Tour and working on new music for his debut project.

Canaan Smith with fiancee Christy.

Canaan Smith with fiancee Christy.

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Josh Turner and Blake Shelton appeared on WestwoodOne’s Country Countdown USA recently. The two discussed Shelton’s role as coach on NBC’s The Voice and their friends with songs in the Top 30 countdown.

Pictured (L-R): Josh Turner, Blake Shelton.

Pictured (L-R): Josh Turner, Blake Shelton.

Charlie Daniels' Scholarship For Heroes Event To Be Streamed Live

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charlie daniels111

Charlie Daniels


Charlie Daniels and Lipscomb University are partnering to raise awareness and funds for veterans’ education with an all-star line-up of artists at the fifth annual Copperweld Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes event. This show will include performances by Daniels along with Clint Black, Kellie Pickler, The Grascals, the U.S. Navy Band Sea Chanters, the American Hitmen and special guests on Tuesday, March 25 at 7 p.m. in Lipscomb University’s Allen Arena. The concert will be streamed on stagehop.com/thecharliedanielsband.
Tickets to the event are free thanks to event sponsors and are available at Middle Tennessee Daily’s and Twice Daily’s locations, and the Lipscomb University box office.

“It’s an honor to be part of something special like the Charlie Daniels’ Scholarship for Heroes event,” said Black. “As if it weren’t enough that Charlie Daniels asked me to sing—our troops occupy a very special place in our history. We have to do our utmost to make sure the part we play in their history is worthy of their sacrifice and commitment. This event is playing a fantastic role, making higher education a reality for returning veterans. I’m thrilled to be a part of this special evening.”

MusicRowPics: Sarah Davidson

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Sarah Davidson visit

Sarah Davidson visit


Singer, songwriter and Private Lives of Nashville Wives cast member Sarah Davidson has been pursuing her artist career for nearly a decade in Music City.
The Georgia native stopped by MusicRow to offer a preview of selections from her five-song EP, which releases March 25. She performed “Drink You Up,” her current single. The singer-songwriter recently completed a West Coast radio tour and is gearing up to visit stations along the East Coast.
“It’s been a learning curve. I have friends who have gone on radio tours, but getting in there and meeting people is fun and a bit nerve-wracking It’s cool to establish relationships that you know will be life-long relationships.”
Davidson’s career has received another jolt of media attention since she joined the cast of the TNT series Private Lives of Nashville Wives. “Initially, I was hesitant to do the show, but I saw that they wanted to make the show about the true hard work and struggles of being an artist trying to pursue a dream,” said Davidson.
Her performance featured the song “Ride Around,” a tune that she co-wrote during a Private Lives taping. “We sat in front of the cameras and starting writing. I can look back at writing that song as a bright spot during a dark time. I’m from Valdosta, Ga., and I grew up going to Krystal on Friday night and hanging out on the farm on Saturday nights.”
Davidson co-wrote three songs on her EP, and included three songs recorded by other writers. “Drink You Up” was penned by Caitlyn Smith, Gordie Sampson and Steve McEwan, while “Get Out” was penned by her former husband, songwriter Dallas Davidson. “I started listening to uncut songs back when I was interning and working at publishing companies. Listening to those songs, I found how deep and intricate the pool of songs is in this town. I heard [“Get Out”] four years ago. My husband at the time wrote it, and I always wanted to put it on a project. We were going through a separation at the time I was recording this, and it is an emotion I relate to.”
She also penned “Bright Lights, Big City,” which became the theme-song for Private Lives of Nashville Wives. “TNT has been so supportive, and I loved that they had enough faith in me to give me a shot at writing the theme song.” “Bright Lights, Big City” will be an exclusive Walmart bonus track on the self-titled EP.
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Music Films at the Nashville Film Festival

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Nashville Film Festival LogoThe Nashville Film Festival (NaFF) announced the Music Films / Music City line-up for the 45th annual Festival, scheduled April 17-26 at Regal Green Hills Cinema 16. NaFF is the only major film festival in the U.S. to recognize this category of film with a unique award.
“We have a great slate of world premieres,” said Artistic Director, Brian Owens. “Nashville and Tennessee are well-represented, but there’s something for everyone. We have a little bit of Blues, a little bit of Country, Rock and Broadway.”
Among the films highlighting well-known artists are projects about The Carter Family, Bela Fleck and Glen Campbell.
Music Films / Music City Competition
The Winding Stream | Director: Beth Harrington.
The Carter Family didn’t just play music of the hill country, they helped invent it. The Winding Stream celebrates a roots music dynasty. From the original Carter Family to Johnny Cash to the present generation keeping the music alive.
Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me | Director: James Keach. World Premiere.
Follows Glen Campbell’s tour and journey as he fights Alzheimer’s disease.
The Ballad of Shovels & Rope | Director: Jace Freeman.
The young married couple known as Shovels & Rope won awards for Song of the Year and Emerging Artist of the Year at the 2013 Americana Music Association Awards.
Béla Fleck: How to Write a Banjo Concerto | Director: Béla Fleck. World Premiere.
Grammy Award-winning banjo trailblazer Béla Fleck goes through one of the most challenging musical journeys of his career, when he is commissioned to compose a concerto – possibly first of its kind – for banjo and an 80-piece symphony orchestra.
Take Me to the River | Director: Martin Shore.
Blues musicians record a historic album to celebrate Memphis and Stax Records. Featuring Terrence Howard, William Bell, Snoop Dogg, Mavis Staples, Otis Clay, Lil P-Nut, Charlie Musselwhite, Bobby Bland, Yo Gotti, Bobby Rush, Frayser Boy and The North Mississippi All-Stars.
The 78 Project Movie | Director: Alex Steyermark.
Using a 1930s Presto direct-to-disc recorder, folk singers, punk rockers, Gospel and Cajun singers make records the way they used to: with one microphone, one disc, and one take.
Alive Inside: A Story of Music and Memory | Director: Michael Rossato-Bennett.
Social worker Dan Cohen decided to bring used iPods to a nursing home. To his and the staff’s surprise, many residents suffering from Alzheimer’s seemed to awaken when they listened to music from their past.
Brasslands | Director: The Meerkat Media Collective.
Over half a million people descend upon the tiny Serbian village of Guča for the 50th anniversary of the world’s largest brass band competition.
A Film About Kids and Music | Director: Ramon Tort.
Children between the ages of 6 and 18 with professional jazz musicians, selling out some of Spain’s most important music venues.
I Lay Where I Fall | Director: Andrew Stubbs. World Premiere.
Juston Stens travels America to collaborate with artists including members of Wilco and Spoon.
Johnny Winter: Down & Dirty | Director: Greg Oliver.
About Blues musician Winter, who played Woodstock, dated Janis Joplin and partied with John Belushi and the Stones.
Led Zeppelin Played Here | Director: Jeff Krulik.
In 1969, Led Zeppelin performed for 50 confused teenagers at the Wheaton, Maryland Youth Center…or did they?
The Road to Fame | Director: Hao Tu.
China’s top drama academy stages the American musical Fame in the country’s first official collaboration with Broadway.

Darius Rucker To Host ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic

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darius_ruckerDarius Rucker will return to host the ACM Lifting Lives® Celebrity Golf Classic at TPC Las Vegas for the third consecutive year on Saturday, April 5, 2014. The ACM Lifting Lives Celebrity Golf Classic—the eighth held since 2004—will include Frankie Ballard, Lady Antebellum’s Charles Kelley, Scotty McCreery, Jake Owen, and Cole Swindell as well as other members of the music community in a star-studded scramble tournament to raise funds and awareness for ACM Lifting Lives’ Diane Holcomb Emergency Relief Fund.
This fund allows ACM Lifting Lives to respond quickly to immediate financial needs of music-related organizations and individuals. Funds are disbursed at the discretion of a committee made up of ACM Lifting Lives Board Members.
The fund was established to honor Diane Holcomb‘s memory by her daughter, Gayle Holcomb, who served four years as Chairman of the Board of the Academy of Country Music.

Industry Ink (3/19/14)

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Cassadee Pope celebrates with her Republic Nashville label family, band and team the platinum certification of “Wasting All These Tears” and the introduction of “I Wish I Could Break Your Heart.”

Pictured (L to R): Kneeling – Darin Murphy (CAA), Erin Burr (BMLG), Matthew Hargis (Republic Nashville); Standing – Sam Forbert (CAA), Pat McCarthy (bandmate), (bandmate), Cheyana Weekley (BMLG), Steve Fekete (bandmate), Jim McGorman (bandmate), Jimmy Harnen (BMLG), Pope, Allison Jones (BMLG), Angie Coonrod (Republic Nashville), Kelsey Hamrick (Republic Nashville), Katherine Susemichel (Republic Nashville) and Sarah Montgomery (BMLG). Photos by Photos by Sarah Montgomery for Republic Nashville

Pictured (L to R): Kneeling – Darin Murphy (CAA), Erin Burr (BMLG), Matthew Hargis (Republic Nashville); Standing – Sam Forbert (CAA), Pat McCarthy (bandmate), (bandmate), Cheyana Weekley (BMLG), Steve Fekete (bandmate), Jim McGorman (bandmate), Jimmy Harnen (BMLG), Pope, Allison Jones (BMLG), Angie Coonrod (Republic Nashville), Kelsey Hamrick (Republic Nashville), Katherine Susemichel (Republic Nashville) and Sarah Montgomery (BMLG). Photos by Photos by Sarah Montgomery for Republic Nashville.

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ASCAP’s Paul Williams appeared recently on the television show Community as a black market text book dealer. This is in addition to his day job as President of ASCAP and co-writing on Daft Punk‘s Grammy-winning album.

Paul Williams appearing in a episode of Community.

Paul Williams appearing in a episode of Community.

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wild tales1Rock and Roll Hall of Fame inductee Graham Nash will visit Nashville Public Library’s Main Library Auditorium for a brief discussion and a signing of his memoir Wild Tales: A Story of Rock & Roll Life. The event will take place Friday, March 21 from noon-2 p.m. CT.

CMA Music Fest's LP Field Performer Lineup Revealed

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Music Fest key art wFFX copyThe Country Music Association unveiled this morning (March 19) the performers for this year’s sold-out Nightly Concerts at LP Field lineup during CMA Music Fest. Performers slated for the LP Field Concerts on June 5-8 include Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Brantley Gilbert, Hunter Hayes, Lady Antebellum, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, Darius Rucker, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Keith Urban, Chris Young and Zac Brown Band.
Specific days and times for individual performances have yet to be announced.
The CMA made use of social networks by posting clues to social media outlets, allowing fans to speculate who will be performing at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field. The campaign began Monday, March 3 and ran through March 19.

DISClaimer: Curing Country Radio's Dearth of Female Artists

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haden triplets111It is pathetic how few women are on the country charts these days. Meanwhile, pop radio embraces Katy Perry, Miley Cyrus, Lorde, Beyonce, Britney Spears, Lady Gaga, Pink, Kesha and on and on. You can’t tell me that Country listeners are any different, so why aren’t those programmers doing the same?
Let me offer some suggestions. This column is ALL female, and you’d have to be deaf to deny the latest from Rachel Holder, Jamie O’Neal, Ashton Shepherd and Rachael Turner. Not to mention our Disc of the Day winner, Kacey Musgraves. The DisCovery Award goes to The Haden Triplets, with Hailey Whitters a close second.
THE HADEN TRIPLETS/Single Girl, Married Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: Ry Cooder; Publisher: none listed; Third Man (track)
-Their father is legendary jazz double bassist Charlie Haden, who grew up playing country music in the midwest and was once a sideman on The Ozark Jubilee. In 2008, he saluted his roots with the CD Rambling Boy, and that is where I first heard his talented offspring. The triplets’ self-titled album is out now on Jack White’s label, and it is completely addictive listening. This Carter Family classic is just one of its delights. They also cover Webb Pierce, Kitty Wells, The Louvin Brothers and more. Their names are Tanya, Rachel and Petra Haden. Buy their record now.
HAILEY WHITTERS/Friday Night Laundry
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HW (track)
-I like her drawling delivery, the working-gal lyric, the soulful backing guitar work and the girlfriend chit-chat touches. Very, very promising. Keep your ears on this newcomer. Love the six-song sampler. Send more.
JAMIE O’NEAL/Born To Run
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Shanachie (track)
-O’Neal’s Eternal CD drops next month. It’s a collection of country oldies. Based on this lead-off revival of Emmylou Harris’s 1982 toe tapper, we’re in for a treat. O’Neal’s forceful voice is stronger than ever. Check it out when she changes keys upward toward the finale. Very cool.
KRISTY COX/One Heartbreak Away
Writers: Jerry Salley/Gerald Crabb; Producer: Jerry Salley; Publishers: Universal/Brentwood Benson/Lasso the Moon/Hatchie Bottom/Capital CMG, SESAC/BMI; Pisgah Ridge
– The instrumentation is bluegrass, but her vocal is crystal-clear country. Sweet sounding: As rippling and frothy as a mountain stream.
RACHEL HOLDER/Shining Now
Writers: Bill Luther/Bob Regan; Producers: Chuck Howard/Wilbur Rimes; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/This Town/Dixie Stars/Regan, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
-I have always loved this lady’s work. She is a for-real singer, and this time out she kicks serious butt with a frothing, churning country rocker. Go get ‘em, honey. And whoever that guy singing harmony with you is, take him on the road with ya.
EILEEN CAREY/Let It Go
Writers: Eileen Carey/Kathryn Grimm; Producer: Travis Allen Childress; Publishers: Rolleycstr/Grimm Girl, BMI; Rolleycstr (track)
– The song is okay. But the track is too busy, and her singing voice is too generic.

Kacey Musgraves. Photographer Credit: KLRU-TV Austin City Limits. Photo by Scott Newton

Kacey Musgraves. Photographer Credit: KLRU-TV Austin City Limits. Photo by Scott Newton


KACEY MUSGRAVES/Keep It To Yourself
Writers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Producers: Kacey Musgraves/Luke Laird/Shane McAnally; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/351/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin/Crazy Water/Smack Songs/Little Blue Egg/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Mercury Nashville
– Enchanting. The percolating production bobs and swirls around her tart/sweet vocal as she details an unraveling relationship. This woman is audio magic. Embrace her.
TORI MARTIN/Done Deal
Writers: Tori Martin/Bart Rose; Producer: Bart Rose; Publisher: none listed; Martin 3
-It’s a bluesy Southern rocker, punctuated by wailing harmonica and a searing guitar solo. The gist of the lyric is that the new boyfriend is a big liar, so she’s giving him some lip.
ASHTON SHEPHERD/Seventeen Again
Writers: Ashton Shepherd; Producers: Larry Baird/Ronnie Rodgers; Publishers: Gin Road, BMI; Pickin’ Shed (CDX)
-Very enjoyable. In this lilting ditty, she figures out how to live in the moment, like she did when she was a kid. Breezy and spring-like.
RACHEL TURNER/Meet Me In The Middle
Writers: Jeff Cohen/Nathan Chapman/Cheyenne Kimball; Producer: Zach Abend; Publisher: none listed; Rustic
-The veteran indie label Rustic is back and marking its comeback with this splendid country rocker. Turner sings with power and range, nailing even the toughest notes with confidence. The spirited production has the sass to back her up, too. This gal has the goods.

Weekly Register: Bryan, Evans

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Albums

WklyRegMarch19Overall album sales are down eight percent week over week, while Country album sales are up four percent from last week, thanks to Top 10 debuts from Luke Bryan and Sara Evans. Bryan’s Spring Break 6…Like We Ain’t Ever (Capitol Nashville) is both the top Country album and the top overall debut, appearing at No. 1 (No. 2 overall), with 74k units sold. Bryan will co-host the upcoming ACM Awards alongside Blake Shelton on Sunday, April 6. Meanwhile, Evans’ Slow Me Down (RCA Nashville) debuts at No. 2 (No. 9 overall), selling 27k units (comparatively, Evan’s 2011 album Stronger sold 55k units in its debut week, thanks in part to her powerhouse single “A Little Bit Stronger”). The singer has visited several media outlets in promotion of her latest project.
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists returns as the top overall album, selling another 99k units (1.4 million RTD). YTD, overall album sales are down 14.8 percent, while Country album sales are down 12.5 percent.

Tracks

albumstracks1Florida Georgia Line and Bryan’s “This Is How We Roll” is the top Country track (No. 11 overall), selling 80k units this week (536k RTD). Bryan continues to make his mark on this week’s chart, with his single “Good Lookin’ Girl” earning the highest Country debut at No. 73, with 20k units sold.
Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” continues as the top overall track, selling 364k units this week (2.9 million RTD). The top overall debut is Foster The People’s “Best Friend” at No. 57, selling 24k units. YTD, overall album sales are down 11. 4 percent, while Country album sales are down 11.7 percent.
Next week’s numbers will include MusicRow Rising Women On the Row performer Jo Dee Messina’s Me, and John Oates’ Good Road To Follow.

YouTube, Viacom Settle Copyright Battle

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youtubeAfter seven years, Viacom and YouTube have settled a long-standing copyrights violation battle out of court, reports the New York Times. Though neither side has revealed terms of the settlement, it is reported that no money has exchanged hands.
The lawsuit was initiated two years after YouTube’s creation, when Viacom lodged a complaint that shows including SpongeBob SquarePants and The Daily Show with Jon Stewart were broadcast on YouTube without permission. Viacom sought $1 billion in damages in the complaint.
viacom1The agreement comes just before the two companies were to return to court and echoes the adapted landscape concerning allegations of copyright violations on the Web.
The joint statement by Viacom and Google included the comment, “This settlement reflects the growing collaborative dialogue between our two companies on important opportunities, and we look forward to working more closely together.”