DISClaimer: Gentlemen and a Lady

kip moore dirt road1111Just about everyone’s rocking this week, so summer must be just around the corner.
The contest for the Disc of the Day prize was a three-way battle of the rockers among Brad Paisley, Jerrod Niemann and our winner in a very close call, Kip Moore.
I am happy to report that there are loads of newcomers in this week’s stack of platters. So many, in fact, that I’m handing out two DisCovery Awards. Our male winner is the Casey Donahew Band, and our female honoree is Ally Lindeen.
MISTY RAE CARSON/Woke Up One Day
Writers: Misty Rae Carson/Robert Ellis Orrall; Producers: Jeff Savage/Jason Carson; Publishers: Higilly Pigilly/Orrall Fixation, ASCAP; LLR (CDX)
-Housewives and mothers leading dead-end lives dream of what might have been. Her soprano grates a little in its upper register, but the song is so well put together that it scarcely matters.
jerrod niemann111
DANNY GRIEGO/The Coast Is Clear
Writers: Scotty Emerick/Red Lane; Producers: Scotty Emerick, Ed Seay & Danny Griego; Publishers: Big Yellow Dog/Florida Cracker/Redairlane/Sony-ATV, BMI; Amerimonte (CDX)
-Lost on a deserted beach with tropical breezes wafting over your face while you dream of a love to come. Simply gorgeous. A heavenly little record.
ALLY LINDEEN/Teardrops Dry
Writers: Ally Lindeen/Mark Dowdy/Joie Scott; Producer: Mark Dowdy; Publisher: Audio Illusion, BMI; Rivercrest (CDX)
-She is a solid vocalist, using her throaty lower register with great emotional effect. The imaginative production supports her effectively at every turn of this mid-tempo message of encouragement. Recommended.

Casey Donahew Band

Casey Donahew Band


JERROD NIEMANN/Donkey
Writers: Kyle Jacobs/David Tolliver/Fred Wilhelm; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas/Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: Curb/Jacobsong/StyleSonic/Meaux Mercy/Float/CapitolCMG, ASCAP/BMI; Arista (track)
-This will have you smiling from ear to ear, plus dancing your butt off. Hee-haw!
JOHNNY ORR BAND/Down South
Writer: Johnny Orr; Producers: Johnny Orr/Shale Martin; Publishers: Johnny Orr, BMI; John and John
-The truck, the girl, the beer, the cooler full of ice. Ho hum.
COREY KANE BAND/Cheating on a Country Girl
Writers: Corey Vanderhoof; Producer: Corey Vanderhoof; Publishers: none listed; Sagi-Ta-Rus (CDX)
-Under produced by a country mile. It takes more than a fiddle and a drum, son. Also: stop trying to sound like Garth Brooks when you sing.
Ally Lindeen

Ally Lindeen


CASEY DONAHEW BAND/Lovin’ Out of Control
Writers: Matt Fleener/Brandon Lynn Kinney/Trent Summar; Producer: Casey Donahew; Publishers: Songs of Universal/EMI Blackwood, no performance rights listed; Almost Country
-This big and beefy rocker is packed with electric guitar and slamming rhythm. Donahew sings with country-boy authenticity. A winner.
BRAD PAISLEY/River Bank
Writers: Brad Paisley/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Brad Paisley/Kendal Marcy/Luke Wooten; Publisher: none listed; ASCAP/BMI; Arista (CDX)
– The crunchy, punchy production touches are an audio delight. As usual, the guitar work is stellar. Brad gets vocal support from a “gang” choir. The sound of summer.
KIP MOORE/Dirt Road
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Westin Davis; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Warner-Tamberlane/Against the Wind/Songs Of the Corn/Songs From the Couch/Magic Mustang/Reefer Road/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; MCA Nashville
– Gripping, intense and soulful, this is anchored by throbbing bass work and heart-attack drumming. The bro-country subject matter is hardly revolutionary, but when it is delivered with this much passion, it sounds extraordinary.
Brad Paisley

Brad Paisley


BUZZ CASON/That’s What I Love About the South
Writers: Buzz Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publisher: Buzz Cason, ASCAP; Plowboy (track)
-Buzz formed Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band, had a pop smash called “Look for a Star,” formed the Berry Hill entertainment district with his Creative Workshop studio (now Blackbird), published Jimmy Buffett and co-wrote “Everlasting Love,” “Love’s the Only House,” “Timeless and True Love,” “Soldier of Love” and more. Decades down the road, he’s still at it with a self-produced CD titled Troubadour Heart. Its single is a funky, rocking delight with dandy, Dixie-fied lyrics.

'MusicRow' Reveals Date for 26th Annual Awards

MusicRow-AwardsMusicRow magazine is pleased to announce its 26th annual subscriber-voted awards will take place Wednesday, June 18, 5:30 p.m. at BMI‘s Nashville headquarters.
MusicRow subscribed members will receive ballots on Thursday, May 15, with the ballot period ending at 5:00 p.m. CT on Wednesday, May 21.
If you are not already a subscribed member, you can still receive the upcoming ballot and event invitation by joining MusicRow by clicking here.
In addition to Breakthrough Artist of the Year, Producer of the Year, Song of the Year, and Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year, the event will also honor the 2014 All-Star Musicians, players with the most credits on albums reaching the top 10 during the eligibility period.
MusicRow’s Annual Awards print issue will be available immediately following the event at BMI, and will include profiles of the subscriber-voted winners, All-Star Musicians and exclusive editorial content.
Written by Eric Parker, Laura Hostelley.

Urban, Gill Give Their All 4 The Hall

Pictured (L-R): Brett Eldredge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Deanna Carter, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail

Pictured (L-R): Kyle Young, Brett Eldredge, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Deanna Carter, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, Lee Ann Womack, Kacey Musgraves, David Nail and Gary Borman. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


Keith Urban and Vince Gill welcomed a slew of Country music luminaries to Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena for the fifth annual All 4 The Hall concert on Tuesday evening (May 6). The concert functioned with a dual purpose—to raise funds for the Country Music Hall of Fame, and to celebrate some of the artist’s favorite songs, both new and timeless classics.
As comfortable performing solo as accompanying other artists, Urban and Gill led a superb backing band which also included Buddy Miller and steel guitarist Paul Franklin.
Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Pictured (L-R): Keith Urban and Vince Gill. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


This year’s All 4 The Hall featured one of the best lineups yet: Reba, Carrie Underwood, David Nail, Brett Eldredge, Deana Carter, soon-to-be Country Music Hall of Famer Ronnie Milsap, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Mary Chapin Carpenter, Darius Rucker, Kacey Musgraves, and Lee Ann Womack.
The show flowed in a Grand Ole Opry style-format, as each artist performed two songs. In keeping with this year’s songwriters theme, the artists shared stories behind the songs and how each song resonated with them personally.
Womack’s soothing soprano offered her 1998 hit “Little Past Little Rock” along with new tune “The Way I’m Living.” Eldredge brought the onstage enthusiasm and poise of a rising headliner.
“I was here the very first year [for All 4 The Hall], thinking how cool it would be to play this show,” said Eldredge, who performed two cuts from his debut album, his current single, “Beat of the Music” and album cut “Mean To Me.”
Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Reba McEntire. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


Other highlights of the evening included big-voiced vocalists and Oklahoma natives Reba and Underwood. The multi-talented Reba earned the cheers of the crowd before ever singing a note. She offered the signature song “Survivor” (the theme to her long-running hit television show Reba), as well as “The Night The Lights Went Out in Georgia,” which actress Vicki Lawrence‘s then-husband Bobby Russell penned in 1971. Reba recalled the song’s difficult road to being recorded. After numerous artists turned it down, Russell held such confidence in the song that he declared, “My wife could have a No. 1 hit with this song.” Industry execs urged him to give it a try; he did, and the suspenseful Southern gothic song became Vicki Lawrence’s only No. 1 hit. Reba released her own cover version in 1992.
David Nail and Lee Ann Womack

David Nail and Lee Ann Womack. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


Dolly Parton’s musical influence was undeniable. Underwood offered a flawless cover of Parton’s version of “I Will Always Love You,” while Kacey Musgraves performed a charming take on “Here You Come Again.” “Normally I don’t want to meet people I love because I find they are normal,” Underwood said. “Dolly exceeded all my expectations.”
Underwood showcased her powerful rock-tinged voice on “Last Name,” while Musgraves successfully overcame some minor technical troubles to deliver her debut single “Merry Go ‘Round.”
Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Kacey Musgraves. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


Gill recalled first hearing Deana Carter’s “Strawberry Wine” on the radio, and being enamored with the singer’s talent. “I heard her doing a live show at [now defunct] Tower Records on West End,” Gill said. “I had to drive over there and see who this woman was, and who had that voice.”
“It was the first song I ever had on the radio,” a exuberant and youthful Carter said in introducing the song to the audience. “I looked up and saw Vince and wondered if he just stopped in and needed cassette covers or something at the time. He waited to say something really kind and it meant so much to me.” Carter also offered “You and Tequila,” which was co-written with Matraca Berg, and recorded by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter.
Womack made another appearance, providing harmony vocals on a cover of Glen Campbell‘s “Galveston” with David Nail. The song is featured on Nail’s I’m A Fire, which released March. A smart pairing.
An all-star rendition of Darius Rucker's "Wagon Wheel."

An all-star rendition of Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel.” Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


In previous solo concerts at Bridgestone, Urban has included surprise acoustic performances at the rear of the venue into his set, to the delight of fans in the “cheap seats.” All 4 The Hall seemed to borrow the idea; Urban performed an acoustic rendition of “Cop Car,” then shook hands with several surrounding concertgoers. “I write a lot of songs, but this one is one of the magic ones,” Urban said. The performance went a long way in bringing intimate moments to the thousands of fans packed into Bridgestone.
Later in the show, Brantley Gilbert also performed from a side stage in the rear of the venue, notably joined by Dann Huff for a performance of the unreleased song “Grown Ass Man.” The always sharp-witted Gill would later reference the song title, saying, “Well, I’m a large ass man.”
The multi-talented Gill’s glorious tenor was smooth and faultless during his solo “What You Give Away,” which he dedicated to Urban, thanking him for his generosity in making the evening possible. He highlighted Paul Franklin during a performance of Buck Owens’ “Together Again,” from the pair’s superb Bakersfield project.
Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Ronnie Milsap. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image


Calling Out Where The Bright Lights Are one of his favorite albums, Urban introduced Ronnie Milsap, who offered his signature hits “Smoky Mountain Rain” and “Stranger In My House.” Mary Chapin Carpenter and Kip Moore also offered top shelf sets.
Recent Grammy-winner Darius Rucker walked onstage to a standing ovation from the Music City crowd. After offering his first chart-topping Country hit, “Don’t Think I Don’t Think About It,” he welcomed Underwood, Carter, Eldredge, Gilbert and Carpenter for a show-closing, crowd sing-a-long of “Wagon Wheel.”
Urban offered a surprising early statistic during the show, stating that the concert had raised over $600,000 for the CMH0F; official numbers have yet to be released.
Keith Urban's Fifth Annual "We're All 4 The Hall" Benefit Concert

Brett Eldredge and Carrie Underwood. Photo: Rick Diamond & Terry Wyatt, Getty/Wire Image

Weekly Register: Country Music Market Share

WeeklyReg050714With no big Country album debuts, and Luke Bryan and the Frozen soundtrack still sitting tight at the top of their respective album charts, there isn’t much excitement in sales land today.
On the tracks front, Brantley Gilbert debuted “My Baby’s Guns and Roses,” selling 52K.
Let’s check in on how Country is faring overall.
Market share: Country album market share is holding steady, while Country track sales are losing ground.
Country album market share is on par with this time last year at about 12 percent.
Country’s percentage of all digital albums sold is 9.3 percent, which is also in line with this week last year.
The Country track share of overall track sales is down from 12.9 percent last year to 11.9 percent this year.
Digital percentage: When buying albums, Country fans are buying 34.4 percent digital, up slightly from 32 percent this time last year. By comparison, purchases of overall albums are 44.7 percent digital, up slightly from 43.2 percent last year.
 

Music Biz Annual Convention Moving To Nashville

MBA.stack.final.bothfixAfter four years in Los Angeles, the Music Business Association‘s (Music Biz) annual convention is moving to Nashville for the first time.
Music Biz 2015 will be held at the Sheraton Nashville Downtown Hotel from May 12-14, 2015. Music Biz president James Donio made the announcement in his speech Wednesday (May 7) at the Opening Breakfast of Music Biz 2014.
“Los Angeles has been an amazing host for the last four installments of our annual convention, but now, it is time for us to reach out to another of America’s most storied musical cities,” Donio said. “Home to major musical landmarks such as the Grand Ole Opry, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, the Ryman Auditorium, and Music Row, Nashville is the home base for the Country, Gospel, and Contemporary Christian music industries as well as a hotbed of talent for artists of any genre. We look forward to tapping into Nashville’s unique musical culture and bringing Music Biz to a whole new community of artists, executives, and fans.”
Music Biz, then known as NARM, began hosting their annual convention in Los Angeles at the Hyatt Regency Century Plaza Hotel in 2011. In 2012, the event was rechristened Music Biz, and in 2014, the association held its first convention since re-branding as the Music Business Association.

Buddy Lee Attractions Celebrates 50 Years

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Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. (BLA), one of Nashville’s oldest and largest privately owned talent agencies, commemorates its 50th anniversary celebration with an expansion of services.
The BLA umbrella now includes 38 Music Artist Development and 38 Music Publishing. The artist development division will help build the artist team and oversee day-to-day activities such as songwriting, publishing, marketing, touring and more.
“This is not a novel or innovative transition, this is a Buddy Lee Attraction business standard and service that our company was founded upon,” said BLA owner Donna Lee, daughter of Buddy Lee and newly named Chief Executive Officer. “BLA has never been ‘just a booking agency;’ we are an artist career and relations group and our passion is to help the artist become valuable to the market–to sustain a long life in music and entertainment–and it all starts with a solid organizational plan with a solid team supporting the artist.”
The company has also announced its Professional Speaker & Guest Appearances Division, headed by Mike Meade, and representing authors, personalities, business leaders, and actor/entertainers available for appearances as emcees, product endorsements, at seminars, corporate events, and educational programming.
“By diversity alone, this new division brings added value to the Buddy Lee Attractions arena of services,” said Meade. “It’s a wide open area that can be explored by even the music entertainers on our roster as an alternate forum to share his or her individual talents while affording an alternate income.”
The BLA Professional Speaker & Guest Appearances Division currently works alongside Duck Dynasty’s Mountain ManAmerican Hoggers’ Krystal Pistol Campbell, American Pickers’ Lauren Wray, The Gold Family of Hardcore Pawn, Swamp People’s “Gator Queen,” music business professional Shelia Shipley Biddy and more.
The announcement of BLA’s expansion is paralleled with the departure of the agency’s former President Kevin Neal.
The BLA talent agency currently represents Jason Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Rhett Akins, Parmalee, Jared Ashley, Colt Ford, LoCash Cowboys, Will Hoge, Steve Holy, Cledus T. Judd, The McClymonts and many more.
BLA’s numerous industry awards include three Talent Agency Of The Year CMA Awards, two Tour Of The Year Pollstar awards, and the 2014 Pollstar Award for Independent Agency Of The Year.
BLA has developed and represented some of the biggest names in country music including George Strait, Willie Nelson, Garth Brooks, the Dixie Chicks and Jason Aldean.

Kevin Neal Exits BLA

Kevin Neal

Kevin Neal


Veteran agent Kevin Neal has exited his post as President of Buddy Lee Attractions, where he was the responsible agent for Jason Aldean and many more. BLA’s roster is also home to Florida Georgia Line, Colt Ford, Parmalee, John King, Jason Michael Carroll, LoCash Cowboys, and others.
“I am proud of the work we did at BLA during my tenure as President,” Neal told MusicRow. “We built the company to new prominence, especially working with Jason Aldean and Florida Georgia Line and so many more. And we won the 2014 Pollstar Award for Independent Booking Agency of the Year. Now it is time for me to move on. I wish everybody at BLA the best. There will be an announcement coming shortly.”
Neal took over the role of President in 2009 following the departure of Tony Conway. At the time, Neal had been with the agency for 20 years. 
His career includes winning IEBA Talent Agent of the Year in 2006, 2008 and 2010; and NATD Agent of the Year in 2007. He was also a 2013 NATD Honors Award Recipient.
Neal was born in Shreveport, La., and raised in the music business as son of agent/manager Bob Neal. He joined the Neal Agency in 1981 and worked with his father, before eventually settling at Buddy Lee Attractions.

Hiring, Promotion at Tom-Leis Music and Love Monkey Music

Drew Hale

Drew Hale


Love Monkey Music & Tom-Leis Music have hired Drew Hale as Creative Director and song plugger. Hale will provide support and development to Love Monkey’s and Tom-Leis’ writer rosters, as well as actively plug songs from the companies’ catalogs.
Hale, a Belmont University graduate, previously worked at Bug Music for several years in a similar role.
Additionally, Emily Peacock has been promoted to Director of Catalog and Office Management for TLM and Love Monkey Music. Peacock has been with the companies since 2011.
Emily Peacock

Emily Peacock


“Drew and Emily have my full support and backing. With our new signings we look forward to explosive growth,” Bob DiPiero says.
“We have hired Music Loving Leaders and that’s a good thing for everyone!” Leslie DiPiero adds.
Tom-Leis Music and Love Monkey Music also partner with Sony/ATV Nashville in co-publishing ventures for songwriters Brandon Kinney, Jason Gantt and Bob DiPiero. Tom-Leis Music partners with Victoria Shaw for songwriter Chad Carlson.

Westin Hotel To Change SoBro Skyline

WestinThe Westin Music City Hotel, to be built near the Music City Center Roundabout, will change the Nashville skyline. It is likely to be the SoBro district’s second tallest building.
The Nashville Post obtained documents filed with the Tennessee Department of Environment and Conservation, which propose a 25-story building.
The future site of the hotel at Eighth Ave. S. and Clark Place is an elevated part of SoBro, therefore the Westin will rise even higher than a building of the same height in another part of the area. At 29 stories and 417 feet, The Pinnacle building is the neighborhood’s tallest.
The article also notes that a Hilton Garden Inn and two Marriott hotels are in the works.

Billy Block Fundraiser Raises Over $42K

Pictured (L-R): YEP Board Member Marc Rucker, Billy Block, I.R.S Records Nashville/Crush Music President John Grady, YEP Executive Director Andrew Cohen)

Pictured (L-R): YEP Board Member Marc Rucker, Billy Block, I.R.S Records Nashville/Crush Music President John Grady, YEP Executive Director Andrew Cohen.


Play One For Billy, the musical fundraiser and tribute for Billy Block held at the Listening Room Cafe, raised over $42,000 this past Sunday (May 4).
Hosted by Zuus TV’s Kelly Sutton, performers included Billy Adams, Al Anderson, Chelsea Bain, Ella Mae Bowen, Ryan Broshear, Gary Burr, Chase Bryant, Aaron Eshuis, Feed The Birds, Wade Hayes, Kristen Kelly, Matt McGinn, Brittany McLamb, Buddy Miller, Muddy Magnolias, Danny Myrick, Gary Nicholson, The Other Brother, Marc Scibilia and Striking Matches.
“Billy has been an advocate for young people in our industry for decades,” said Andrew Cohen, Exec. Director of Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP). “We couldn’t be more proud to have helped facilitate this outpouring of love. Thank you to all the talent that came out and offered their support. The town really stepped up on this one to help one of Music Row’s finest in a time of need.”
Those supporting the cause included Chris Young, BMI, Florida-Georgia Line, Crush Music, I.R.S. Records Nashville, SunTrust Bank, Big Machine, Razor & Tie Music Publishing, Curb Records, City National Bank, Mailchimp and many more. The Ryan Huie Fund, via MusicCares, made a very special donation of $5,000.
The donation site will remain live until Friday, May 9. To donate, visit yepnashville.com and click on the “Play One For Billy” banner.