Alan Jackson, CMHoF To Celebrate 25 Years of Hits

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Alan Jackson performs during a secret show at Nashville's The Stage on June 4. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Alan Jackson performs during a secret show at Nashville’s The Stage on June 4. Photo: Chris Hollo.


More than 60 charted singles, 35 No. 1 hits, 55 music videos, 16 CMA Awards, 18 ACM awards, three CMA Entertainer of the Year awards.
These are just a sampling of the accolades Alan Jackson has amassed during his 25 years in the spotlight since the release of his first single, “Blue Blooded Woman,” in 1989, and his first No. 1 song, “Here In The Real World,” in 1990.
On Thursday, June 5, radio personality Gerry House hosted Jackson’s performance, along with Universal Music Nashville CEO Mike Dungan, CAA booking agent John Huie, and Country Music Hall of Fame’s Kyle Young at the CMHoF’s Ford Theater to announce a string of events commemorating Jackson’s 25-year career. Dungan credited “Here In The Real World” with bringing him into the world of Country music. “I could not stop playing this song. I was working around these pop music people, and I’m playing ‘Here In The Real World’ over and over. It was that song that made me feel like I want a career in Country music and in Nashville. I attribute that song to the reason I came here.”
In 2015, Jackson will launch a 25-year anniversary tour, with dates to be announced soon. On Aug. 29, 2014, the Country Music Hall of Fame will open an exhibit dedicated to Jackson’s illustrious career as a singer, songwriter and entertainer. Among the memorabilia will be the Harley Davidson bike featured on the cover of his 1992 album, A Lot About Livin’ (And A Little ‘Bout Love), as well as the red leather jacket featured in his “Mercury Blues” video.
Jackson has made his 1955 Thunderbird available for display during the exhibition’s opening weekend.
In addition, Jackson will become the Country Music Hall of Fame’s 12th Artist-in-Residence for two concerts on Oct. 8, 2014 and Oct. 22, 2014. The artist-in-residence program will take place in the 800-seat CMA Theater.
“To have all this happen and get to where I am today, it’s the American dream,” Jackson said. “People don’t realize that we had nothing and I didn’t know anything about music when I started. Some guy said, ‘You sound as good as those people on the radio, you should move to Nashville.’ So I did. So much has happened.
Jackson said, of opening his collection of memorabilia to the museum, “It’s so many awards from so many places—radio stations give me things, mayors give me keys to the city, it’s crazy. I can’t believe it when we walk through our house, it makes my head spin. I always try to take it back to the music. I came here to sing Country music, and if you keep having a song every now and then that means something, it will keep your career going for a while. I’m still a fan. I hope it all goes back to the music, ‘cause all the other stuff in the spotlight doesn’t mean anything without the music. Thanks Country Music Hall of Fame for all of this attention.”
He was quick to confirm that he doesn’t plan on retiring anytime soon. “A lot of people were asking if this was a retirement announcement. I tell people, ‘I don’t know what I will retire from, I don’t work that much now,” he quipped. “A lot of my heroes just kept working. I’ll probably do the same thing as long as I’m enjoying it and the fans enjoy it.”
 
 

Dunn Signs With William Morris Endeavor

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Clare Dunn recently signed with William Morris Endeavor for exclusive booking representation. The Colorado native has been touring in support of her self-released single “Get Out,” which is top 25 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart. Dunn has recently opened dates for Keith Urban, Florida Georgia Line, Hank Williams, Jr., Jamey Johnson, Parmalee, Colt Ford, and others.
She will be performing on the Bud Light Bridgestone Stage during CMA Fest on Saturday, June 7 at 4:30 p.m.

Pictured (L to R): WME’s Jay Williams, Clare Dunn, WME’s Kevin Neal

Pictured (L to R): WME’s Jay Williams, Clare Dunn, WME’s Kevin Neal

MusicRowPics: Akins, Hayslip Honored with 'MusicRow' Challenge Coins

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Rhett Akins and Ben Hayslip were recently honored with a MusicRow Challenge Coin for their work on Jason Aldean‘s “When She Says Baby.” The song reached No. 1 on MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout chart for the week of Feb. 6, 2014. Publishers on the song include EMI Blackwood Music, WB Music Corp., Tar-Cam-Knox Music, Get A Load Of This Music.

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, songwriter Rhett Akins, and MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson, songwriter Rhett Akins, and MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson


Pictured (L-R): MusicRow chart director Troy Stephenson, songwriter Ben Hayslip and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow chart director Troy Stephenson, songwriter Ben Hayslip and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson

MusicRow launched the MusicRow Challenge Coins in 2014 to honor songwriters and artists whose works have topped the MusicRow Country Breakout chart.
Challenge coins celebrate distinguished individuals, and the challenge coin term and tradition is believed to date back to WWI, when they were initially given to American soldiers. Varying accounts exist, but the most common story behind the coin’s name is as follows. After receiving a challenge coin, organization members carried it with them at all times. When challenged to prove membership, they would produce it to verify their membership status. Some stories add if the member couldn’t produce the coin, they had to buy the challenger(s) a drink and vice versa.

MusicRowRecess: Fan Fair Flashback

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Remember when it was called Fan Fair and it took place at the fairgrounds? Relive Nashville in the ’90s, courtesy of these photos submitted by Bev Moser and JoAnn DiUbaldo.
Shania Twain at Fan Fair
Playin Possum at Fan Fair
Martina McBride Fan Fair
Indian Outlaw Tim McGraw
I Should've Been A Cowboy
Bocephus in 1995
Alan Jackson 1990 Fan Fair

Artist Updates (6/4/14)

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Tim McGraw

Tim McGraw


By: Laura Hostelley

Tim McGraw will be featured on Oprah’s Master Class this Sun., June 8 at 10 p.m. ET/PT on OWN: Oprah Winfrey Network. The series features first-person insight into the minds and lives of top entertainers. Previous guests on the series include Reba McEntire. This season also features Justin Timberlake and Barbara Walters, among others.

• • • •
A musical tribute to Waylon Jennings and Hank Cochran will be held on July 9 to benefit the Nikki Mitchell Foundation. Jamey Johnson will host the event at Marathon Motor Works, and will be joined by Shooter Jennings, Jessi Colter, Jerrod Niemann, Chris Stapleton and other guests. VIP tickets are $35, general admission is $25.

• • • •

billanderson71111

Bill Anderson


Eddie Stubbs of 650-AM WSM will host Mother Church Memories during CMA Music Fest in the Music City Center. Presented by The Ryman, the hour-long event will take place on the CMA Close Up Stage in Fan Fair X on Thursday, June 5 at 4 p.m. Ricky Skaggs, Bill Anderson and members of Old Crow Medicine Show will share their memories of the Ryman.

• • • •

DC

Crowder debuts at the Grand Ole Opry


Last Saturday (May 31), David Crowder’s new band, Crowder, made its Grand Ole Opry debut. Opry performances that evening included Deana Carter and Ricky Skaggs. Crowder’s debut album Neon Steeple broke into the Top 10 on Billboard‘s 200 this past week.

• • • •

Duo Dailey and Vincent will debut their bluegrass sound at Carnegie Hall on Sunday, June 8 after performing at the Library of Congress on May 30. The New York appearance will be a part of Bluegrass and Gray: Sounds of Americana, which is presented by Distinguished Concerts International New York.

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LiveWire. Pictured (L-R): Bobby DeGonia, Brad Allen, Scott Kwapiszeski, Andy Eutsler and Cory Shultz. Photo: Flick Wiltshire

LiveWire. Pictured (L-R): Bobby DeGonia, Brad Allen, Scott Kwapiszeski, Andy Eutsler and Cory Shultz. Photo: Flick Wiltshire


LiveWire announced its Drivin’ You Outta My Mind Tour as its Way Out West Records’ single by the same name prepares to impact the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart this week. The tour will head out for a June 6 stop in Galena, Kansas followed by stops at festivals, casinos, club and county fairs shows through September.

Industry Ink (6/4/14)

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DualtoneNashville-based Dualtone Music Group has appointed Angie Ruiz as Director of Film & TV Licensing. Previously, Ruiz was Director of Film & TV Licensing at Razor & Tie and Creative Manager of Special Markets at Peermusic Film & TV Licensing. Ruiz will be responsible for placing Dualtone masters in TV/film, movie trailers and video games as well as helping to build out and sign writers to Dualtone’s publishing arm, Dualtone Songs.
Ruiz will be based in Los Angeles and will report to Dualtone CEO/Co-founder Scott Robinson and Dualtone President Paul Roper.
She can be reached at [email protected].

 • • •

Warner Chappell Production Music BLACK Logo111Non-Stop Trailers, a division of Warner/Chappell Production Music, recently had music featured in Disney Muppets: Most Wanted trailer, which earned the “Most Original TV Spot” at the 15th annual Golden Trailer awards.
The winning spot is titled “Across The Internet” and features the Non-Stop Trailers’ catalog track “Solace.

                 • • •

Katie LaMasters

Katie LaMasters


Curb Music Publishing has hired Kate LaMaster as Catalog Manager. LaMaster was previously employed at Universal Music Group, Skyline Music and Masville Music. Originally from Colorado, LaMaster graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a degree in Recording Industry Management.
She can be reached at [email protected] and 615-963-9318.

                                                  • • •

candle lifenotes11MusicRow sends its condolences to So Much Moore music publicist Martha Moore, on the passing of her mother Maribelle Robertson Moore. Maribelle Robertson Moore passed away peacefully June 2, 2014, in Ashland City, Tenn., at the age of 92 following a short illness. Condolences may be sent here.

Bakersfield-Inspired Restaurant To Open in Nashville

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Screen shot 2014-06-04 at 2.33.01 PM111Nashville will soon be home to a Country music-inspired Mexican restaurant.
Restaurant chain Bakersfield takes its name from the era of Country music popular in the 1950s and 1960s that boasted such musicians as Buck Owens and Merle Haggard. The restaurant is slated to open in SoBro area mixed-use tower Encore’s street-level retail space in late 2014.
The approximately 4,000-square-foot Bakersfield space, owned by John Lanni, Joe Lanni and Alex Blust, will join Encore restaurants Etch and The Farm House. Bakersfield will offer Mexican street-style tacos and tortas, along with 100 types of tequilas and American whiskeys.
The restaurant will not offer live music, but will feature the sounds of Bakersfield-era tunes. For weekend partiers, the bar and kitchen will remain open until 2 a.m. on Fridays and Saturdays.
Bakersfield launched in 2012; Nashville will be the chain’s fourth location, following locations in Columbus and Indianapolis.
Encore is located at 301 Demonbreun Street in Nashville.

Bobby Karl Works 2014 CMA Music Fest–Day One

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BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 457
As a result of my meander through downtown on Tuesday evening (June 3), let me be the first to inform you that this year’s CMA Music Festival attendees are already here in full force and ready to party.
The ones I saw were mostly young couples. They are here to celebrate Country music. They are here to celebrate one another. These are my People!

Sarah Darling performs for CMT One Country & Dentastix party.

Sarah Darling performs for CMT One Country & Dentastix party.


As the sun began to set, the fans were flocking to Lower Broadway for the “Music City Gives Back” outdoor show by Lee Brice, Jana Kramer, Josh Thompson and Rodney Atkins. This benefited the W.O. Smith Community Music School. Jimmy Carter was there grabbing fan testimonials for Channel 4’s evening newscast. Rodney and Jana got airtime, too.
The Country Music Hall of Fame was doing its part to boost the festivities. Its Tuesday show featured former Belmont students Striking Matches, plus Michael Ray and blonde newcomer Cam. They were subbing for the originally scheduled The Henningsens, who are reportedly on doctor’s orders for vocal rest. In addition to presenting music, this was also an early autographing event.
MusicRow’s Sarah Skates and Kelsey Grady shamelessly declared themselves to be part of the fan brigade. They headed for Mercy Lounge for another Tuesday benefit. This one was for “Musicians on Call,” which brings music to patients in healthcare facilities. This “Country Weekly Kick-Off Party’ starred such heartthrobs as Kip Moore, Frankie Ballard and Chuck Wicks.
Yet another benefit was taking place at 3rd & Lindsley. This one was for Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s multiple sclerosis research. Clay Walker and Montgomery Gentry were booked to headline.
Meanwhile at The Ryman, there was “Stars for Second Harvest,” yet another benefit show. Craig Wiseman “and his friends” were the stars.
Carrie Underwood at her fan club party at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.

Carrie Underwood at her fan club party at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.


I didn’t explore much beyond downtown, but out at the Opry House, there was an outstanding Tuesday lineup. The GOO was featuring Carrie Underwood (who had already had staged her fan-club party there on Monday), Jennifer Nettles, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, Terri Clark and The Oak Ridge Boys.
Instead, I headed for the warehouse Peter Nappi Studios in North Nashville for the Tuesday-eve launch party of RollingStoneCountry.com. This fiesta was pretty much wall-to-wall artists and publicists. Heading the former list were Brett Eldredge, Chris Young, Maggie Rose, Al Gore (!), Nikki Lane, John & Martina McBride, Eric Paslay, Dustin Lynch, Kellie Pickler, Dann Huff, Leah Turner and party performer Keith Urban. Not to mention Nashville TV soap cast members Jonathan Jackson (“Avery”), Clare Bowen (“Scarlett”), Sam Palladio (“Gunnar”) and Chaley Rose (“Zoe”).
Wait staff circulated with trays of exotic hors d’oeuvres. I didn’t recognize any of the food by sight, and I still couldn’t identify the two tastes I tried. The place was sweltering, but the good news was that they offered Patron Popsicles (essentially, frozen margarita on a stick).
As I mentioned, if you were looking for a friendly flack, this was the spot to be. Working the room were Scott Stem, Craig Campbell, Claire Cook, Alison Auerbach, Ronna Rubin, Erin Morris, Jenny Bohler, Regina Stuve, Jim Havey, Jacqueline Marushka, Cindy Hunt and Lyndie Wenner.
Other scene makers included John Esposito, John Grady, Heather Byrd, Lisa Konicki, Barry Mazor, Jewly Hight and the ubiquitous Tracy Gershon. Presiding were the publication’s exec Jann Wenner, his son Gus Wenner (who is all of 23 years old), plus Beville Dunkerley and Joseph Hudak.
The stars and schmoozers who weren’t at Peter Nappi’s were probably at the annual CAA barbecue downtown, which was happening simultaneously.

Weekly Register: Waiting On 'Platinum'

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WeeklyReg060414It’s release week for Country darling Miranda Lambert, so chart watchers will have to wait until next week to find out the tally for Platinum.
With no huge debuts, this week’s sales chart is fairly static, with Coldplay and Brantley Gilbert retaining their first and second places, respectively, on the all-genre album chart. Both in their second week of release, the Brit rockers moved 83K (down 78% from last week) and Gilbert sold 65K (down 69%).
Mariah Carey’s latest was the week’s top debut selling 58k and landing at No. 3. The top Country debut is courtesy of Jamie Lynn Spears with 2.1k.
The top five Country albums belong to Gilbert (65k), Rascal Flatts (17k), Luke Bryan (14.5k), Florida Georgia Line (14k), and Eric Church (7.5k).
Tracking Tracks
Bryan’s “Play It Again” is playing along in the No. 1 position on the Country tracks chart, selling 76.5k TW (1.228 million RTD). That is followed by Jake Owen’s sunny “Beachin'” (59k), FGL and Bryan’s “This Is How We Roll” (57k), Lee Brice’s “I Don’t Dance” (46k) and Dierks Bentley’s “Drunk on a Plane” (45k).
Jana Kramer’s “Love” is the best selling Country debut single, with 15.5k.
Check back after CMA Music Festival to see how this week’s new releases fared: Lambert, Lucy Hale, Big Smo, Native Run and Now That’s What I Call Country Vol. 7.

DISClaimer: The "Unstoppable" Hunter Hayes

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hunter-hayes11111featured

Hunter Hayes


The trend in today’s column is female singer-songwriters on self-made, indie discs. Cyndi Harvell, Nora Collins, Michael-Ann and Maddie Deneault are all promising in various ways. But it’s Michael-Ann who waltzes off with this week’s DisCovery Award.
The Disc of the Day prize unquestionably belongs to Hunter Hayes. The boy is unstoppable.
CYNDI HARVELL/Flood
Writers: Cyndi Harvell; Producer: Jim Greer; Publishers: Yellow Door, ASCAP; CH (track)
-Artfully done, with darkly chiming piano chords, Everly-sisters harmonies, a drama-infused string section, nervous percussion and poetic lyrics. Americana programmers, take special note.
JIM LAUDERDALE/I’m A Song
Writers: Jim Lauderdale; Producer: Jim Lauderdale; Publishers: Wudang Mountain/Bug, SESAC; Say Crunch (track)
-Next up for this oh-so-country hit songsmith is a 20-track showcase of his talents that includes his own version of his Strait smash “The King of Broken Hearts.” Guest harmonizers include Patty Loveless, Lee Ann Womack and Buddy Miller, and his songwriting collaborators include Bobby Bare, Elvis Costello and John Oates. The set’s title tune is a gently swaying, super-melodic sing-along that will have you nodding in time with a smile on your face. To know him is to love him.
HUNTER HAYES/Tattoo
Writers: Hunter Hayes/Barry Dean/Troy Verges; Producers: Hunter Hayes/Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Ogden Avenue/Magnolia Beach/Creative Nation/Country Paper/Pulse Nation, BMI; Atlantic (track)
-Jaunty and endearing, this bubbly romance tune is as bright as summer sunshine. “Your name would be a good tattoo,” he croons to his honey.
BYRON HILL/Red Leather Couch
Writers: Byron Hill; Producer: Byron Hill; Publishers: Byron Hill, ASCAP; BHP (track)
-The title tune of hit songwriter Hill’s new, 15-track showcase has an easy-going, loping tempo with a “beach-y” vibe. It’s a charming ode to loafing, creating, thinking, sleeping, relaxing and having fun on a well-worn item of living-room furniture. Listening to this record might make you fall in love with Music Row song craftsmanship all over again.
TRENT TOMLINSON/Come Back to Bed
Writers: Trent Tomlinson/Ashe Underwood/Terri Jo Box; Producers: none listed; Publishers: Big Spaces/Big Mosquito/Geormac/Songs of Merf, no performance rights listed; Gluseppe
-Tomlinson’s comeback single is a moody, feverish outing that finds him beckoning for S-E-X. The throbbing beat, swirling melody and suggestive lyrics all work together spectacularly. Play it.
NORA COLLINS/Only The Beginning
Writers: Nora Collins/Willy Porter; Producers: Kenn Fox; Publishers: Don’t Slow Down/Terra Perfuma; SESAC/ASCAP; NC (track)
-Collins is a Wisconsin teen who has won numerous “rising star” awards in her home state. Her debut CD is an acoustic effort (guitar and fiddle only) that showcases six of her original compositions, plus four covers. On its title tune, her lyrics are solid, if a mite wordy. Her soprano vocal delivery is very, very young sounding. You’re on the right path: Keep at it.
TIM MENZIES/His Way of Loving Me
Writers: Tim Menzies; Producer: Ben Isaacs; Publishers: House of Sea Gayle/Wind in My Sails, ASCAP; By Grace (track)
-Tim Mensy has reverted to the original spelling of his name for his billing on his first country-gospel collection. Its title ballad is a terrific message song about the different ways that love reveals itself. As always, he is a spectacular country baritone with immense reservoirs of feeling. Apart from the standards “Swing Low Sweet Chariot,” “I’m Working on a Building” and “I Surrender All,” he wrote or co-wrote all of these moving tunes. I remain an enormous fan.
Screen shot 2014-06-04 at 10.25.46 AM111MICHAEL-ANN/Heavy Load
Writers: Michael-Ann; Producer: Randy Ray Mitchell; Publisher: November Phoenix, ASCAP; MA (track)
-This L.A. singer-songwriter emotes beautifully on the title tune of her CD. Her moaning alto breaks in all the right places while dobro, fiddle and her own acoustic guitar drawl along in a bluesy river of sound. The rest of the album proves this track isn’t a fluke: These are all first-rate songs. Extremely promising.
RASCAL FLATTS/Payback
Writers: Aaron Eshuis/Neil Mason/Ryan Hurd; Producer: Howard Benson; Publishers: WB/Nevada House/Revelry/Nettwerk One/Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Big Machine (track)
-The beefy rock guitars are perfect for this thumper about a lady who’s out on the town trying to get over a broken heart. He’s offering to be her payback to get even with the old boyfriend. Rousing and inescapably catchy.
MADDIE DENEAULT/She Don’t Play Guitar
Writers: Mason Douglas/Courtney Cole; Producer: Kim Copeland; Publishers: Wild Cataclysm/Chobe/Little Biscuit/Words & Music/Songs of Black River, BMI/ASCAP; MD (track)
-This teenage Texan displays plenty of moxie on her sassy single. She dishes a rival by admitting her good looks, but telling the boyfriend, “She can’t carry a tune in a bucket.” Yes, she has a “pretty good chest,” knows how dance, wears tight jeans and is blonde. But that gal, “don’t play guitar.” Sprightly and lotsa fun.