Sunny Sweeney Gets 'Provoked' On New Release

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Sunny Sweeney has released her third studio album, Provoked, via Thirty Tigers. The 13-track release is filled with personal and heartbreakingly true songs, and all but two are penned by Sweeney. Brandy Clark, Jessie Jo Dillion, and Shannon Wright penned the single “Bad Girl Phase.” Other acclaimed writers on the album include Brett Beavers, Connie Harrington, Lance Miller, Ashley Monroe, Angaleena Presley, Mark D. Sanders, and The Warren Brothers.
Sweeney’s dedicated fans helped fund the album via PledgeMusic, an interactive program that allows artists and fans to connect while raising funds for upcoming music projects.
“My fans are everything to me,” says Sweeney. “If your fans’ opinions don’t matter to you, I would assume that you wouldn’t be in this business. That’s why I put a lot of songs on [the album] that I have been doing for a couple of years. If nothing else, I feel completely confident because I know my fans and I know what they want from me.”
A portion of the album’s sales will go to one of Sweeney’s favorite charities – CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Provoked track listing
1. “You Don’t Know your Husband” (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Mark D. Sanders)
2. “Bad Girl Phase” (Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillion/Shannon Wright)
3. “Second Guessing” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
4. “Carolina on the Line” (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Lance Miller)
5. “Find Me” (Sunny Sweeney/Buddy Owens/Jay Clementi)
6. “Can’t Let Go” (Randy Weeks)
7. “Front Row Seats” (Sunny Sweeney/Lance Miller/Brett Warren/Brad Warren)
8. “My Bed” (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Ashley Monroe)
9. “Uninvited” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
10. “Sunday Dress” (Sunny Sweeney/Monty Holmes/Buddy Owens)
11. “Used Cars” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
12. “Backhanded Compliment” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
13. “Everybody Else Can Kiss My Ass” (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Beavers/Connie Harrington)

LifeNotes: Music Business Vet Jimmy Key Passes

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1969 BMI Country Awards. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy C. Newman, Ed Cramer, Tom T. Hall, Jimmy Key, and Bob Jennings (Photo by Bill Preston: Property of the BMI Archives)

1969 BMI Country Awards. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy C. Newman, Ed Cramer, Tom T. Hall, Jimmy Key, and Bob Jennings (Photo by Bill Preston: Property of the BMI Archives)


Veteran country song publisher and talent agency executive Jimmy Key died on Friday, Aug. 1.
His Newkeys Music — a partnership with the late singers Jimmy C. Newman and Dave Dudley — discovered Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall. The company published songs recorded by Bobby Bare, Johnny Wright, Faron Young, Flatt & Scruggs, George Jones and Burl Ives, as well as Newman, Dudley and Hall.
Among Newkeys’ most famous copyrights was Hall’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” a pop and country smash for Jeannie C. Riley in 1968.  “I can’t help thinking – if there had been a lot more guys like Key around, more writers and performers might have made it through the rough, crazy years,” an appreciative Tom T. Hall wrote in his autobiography. Key, who published Hall’s songs in 1963-70, also got the songwriter the Mercury Records contract that made him a singing star. Key also arranged for Hall to become a Grand Ole Opry member.
In addition to Hall, the company’s staff songwriters included Kim Morrison, Roy Beham, Ronnie Rogers, Jeff Young, Hillman Hall, Chuck Wells, Jeff Elliott and Mike Morgan.
Key was the president of the publishing company. He also owned Jimmy Key Talent, which booked concerts by Newman, Dudley, Hall, Bare, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Merle Kilgore, Claude King and Shirlee Hunter, among others. Key Talent was the first agency in Nashville to open an office in Las Vegas.
In 1967, he formed Rice Records. Among those who were signed to the label were Billy Grammer, Helen Carter, Al Terry, Linda Manning and Chase Webster.
Born Emmit Martin Key in Cullman Country, Alabama in 1927, Jimmy Key started his career as a member of Big Jim Folsom’s Strawberry Pickers band in his home state. After several years as an entertainer and radio personality, he moved to Nashville.
He learned the live-performance business while working for the J. Hal Smith Artist Bureau. Then he formed his own Jimmy Key Talent agency in 1963.
Jimmy Key worked in the Country music business for more than 50 years. He died at age 87.
He is survived by sons Rick and Jack, daughter Gail Levine, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Nashville Funeral and Cremation handled the arrangements.

Pandora Aims Beyond Music For Automobile Appeal

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pandora_logoPandora is eyeing expansions beyond music programming to sports, news and talk in an effort to cater to users in cars, reports Sonali Basak with Bloomberg.
Reports note that the biggest Internet radio company can be accessed in 33 percent of new cars, compared to 71 percent that Sirius maintains with its content, including Howard Stern and the National Football League.
As competition edges from Spotify, Google and its Android Auto, and Apple and its Car Play, Pandora has seen active users stall to a 7.5 percent growth in the second quarter, compared to a 30 percent rise earlier in the year.
Pandora’s projected automobile growth is estimated at 15 million by 2017. Of course Pandora can technically already be accessed from any smartphone that plugs into cars.
Pandora’s new, 40,000 square foot Park Avenue office space were recently released in photos by Digital Music News.

The Civil Wars' John Paul White and Joy Williams Officially Part Ways

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you are my sunshine1Joy Williams and John Paul White, members of The Civil Wars, have decided to permanently part ways. The duo has been on indefinite hiatus since late 2012. As a farewell and thank you gift to fans, they are offering a download of their rendition of “You Are My Sunshine.” Recorded in 2010, the track was originally released in 2011 as a b-side to the band’s limited edition Barton Hollow 7″ vinyl. This marks the first time the song is available digitally in the U.S.
Joy Williams comments, “I am saddened and disappointed by the ending of this duo, to say the very least. JP is a tremendous musician, and I will always be grateful for the music we were able to create together.I sincerely hope that ‘You Are My Sunshine’ will be accepted as a token of my gratitude for every single person that has supported our duo throughout the years. I’m so thankful and my heart is full. Looking ahead, I’m excited to share the music that I am writing and recording in the midst of this difficult transition. I’ve loved being back in the studio, and have missed performing live. I look forward to seeing you soon.”
John Paul adds, “I would like to express sincere thanks to all who were a part of the arc of The Civil Wars—from the beginning, to the end, and all points in between. My deep appreciation goes out to all who supported, disseminated, and enjoyed the music. Whatever shape or form the next chapter takes, thanks for being a large part of this one.”
The download of “You Are My Sunshine” can be found at thecivilwars.com.

Johnny Cash Museum To Honor Legends Of Sun Records With New Exhibit

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Johnny Cash

Johnny Cash


Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum and Event Space will unveil a new exhibit to honor the Legends of Sun Records on Aug. 15. The exhibit will run for 18 months. Among the items that will be on display are never-before-seen artifacts from Elvis Presley, as well as the first drum kit that was used on the Grand Ole Opry, and the first original pair of Blue Suede Shoes.
Other artists that will be spotlighted in the exhibit include Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland.
“Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Records,” says museum founder Bill Miller. “Sun was the launch pad for several young men whose music would forever impact the world. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny came from similar backgrounds and humble beginnings. Once they walked through the door at the Memphis Recording Service, their lives would never be the same. We are proud to showcase Johnny’s labelmates from this historic period in rock and roll history.”
The Johny Cash Museum is located at 119 3rd Ave. S. More information found at johnnycashmuseum.com.

Australia Council for the Arts Continues Nashville Residency Grant

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Ben Wright Smith

Ben Wright Smith


Australian singer-songwriter Ben Wright Smith is this year’s recipient of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant, which was established last year by the Australian Government and the Australia Council for the Arts. The residency grant allows writers and artists to spend three months in Nashville to be mentored by program facilitator, Australian producer, and Nashville resident Mark Moffatt.
“The Australian government has recognized Nashville as the global music hub and made it the focus of many of their funding initiatives,” said Moffatt, who is also the current Board President of the Americana Music Association. “Ben’s talent, personality and drive made him the perfect candidate for this program.”
Melbourne native Wright Smith, 25, has already had several folk/rock releases. He visited Nashville in 2012, where he performed at the Americana Music Festival. During his three-month Nashville residency, Wright Smith will be introduced to Nashville’s creative and business community to engage in songwriting, recording, showcasing and industry networking.
Previous recipients of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant include Travis Caudle and Chris Altmann.

New York Style Diner Set For Nashville's Demonbreun Street

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Rendering of Avenue Diner

Rendering of Avenue Diner


Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, and Rippy’s, is bringing some New York City atmosphere to Nashville with the introduction of Avenue Diner. The multi-level eatery is designed after Brooklyn eatery Juniors, and is set to be built on the corner of 3rd Ave. and Demonbreun. The eatery will have a Country music theme. Jonathan Scott, former general manager for Nashville’s The Palm, will serve as Avenue Diner’s general manager.
The other corners of 3rd and Demonbreun house The Pinnacle office tower (which includes The Southern restaurant), Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Encore condos.
“I have been very fortunate to bring Nashville some of the best known honky-tonks around the country,” says Smith. While Avenue Diner will be Country music-themed, don’t expect actual live music in the venue. “There will be no live entertainment or stages in the diner, making it a place for people to enjoy good conversation with a good meal,” continues Smith.
It is estimated that Avenue Diner will be opened in early 2015.

CMA Preps Digital Promo for 'Country's Night To Rock'

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CMA-FestAdding to the Country Music Association’s previously announced iTunes and Music Choice partnerships, the organization has revealed it will align with Shazam, Spotify, Beats Music and VEVO to promote tomorrow’s (Aug. 5) CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.

  • Shazam will be featured in-show, inviting viewers to exclusive artist content. From within, website placement, social posts, and tune-in alerts will target Country fans in the app.
  • Spotify dedicate playlist to feature performers, special artist call outs, a homepage takeover, newsletter feature, banner ads, and social media support.
  • Beats Music will share a curated CMA Music Festival playlist spotlighting performers. Show hosts Little Big Town also created a playlist, which will be available exclusively to the service’s subscribers. Beats Music will promote the show via social channels, both in app and externally.
  • VEVO will feature video playlists of performers across the homepages of its web, mobile/tablet and TV apps. Additionally, CMA programming blocks will air on Vevo TV, the always on, broadcast-style linear music channels built by expert human programmers.
  • Social Media: Viewers will be able to ‘unlock’ three performances on CMAfest.com, using the social media hashtag #CMAfest. The “Flock to Unlock” bonus performances will be detailed during the ABC-TV broadcast.
  • Instagram: For the second year, select fan photos posted to Instagram with #CMAfest will appear live on-air during the broadcast.

Social marketing company Spredfast will technically execute CMAfest.com content. On behalf of the company, CEO Rod Favaron said, “Country music fans will have the opportunity to interact with the show, with each other, and feel like a valuable part of the watching experience.”

The Wild Feathers Announce Tour Dates

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The Wild Feathers


The Wild Feathers will hit the road for additional tour dates this fall this month in support of their self-titled debut album. The Nashville-based band’s audience continues to grow with each club and festival show across the country, including stops at Bonnaroo, Firefly, and Summerfest this year.
The tour includes a headlining gig in their hometown during Nashville’s Live On The Green Festival on Sept. 5, 2014.  They’ll also have the opportunity to play Irving Plaza in New York City, the Squamish Valley Music Festival in Canada, and will be part of Zac Brown Band’s festival at Hershey Park in Pittsburgh on Aug. 31.
The full list of tour dates here:
08/08   Squamish, BC               Squamish Valley Music Festival
08/13   Littleton, CO                  Denver Botanic Gardens
08/14   Houston, TX                   House of Blues
08/15   Dallas, TX                      Gexa Energy Pavilion
08/16   Austin, TX                      Emo’s
08/27   Louisville, KY                 WFPK Waterfront Wednesday
08/31   Hershey, PA                 Zac Brown Festival @ Hersheypark Stadium
09/03   Delmar, CA                    Delmar Racetrack KPRI
09/05   Nashville, TN                  Live on the Green Festival
09/07   Atlanta, GA                    Parklife Festival
09/19   Hamburg, GER               Reeperbahn Festival
09/20   St Peter Ording, GER     Beach Motel
10/02   Barcelona, Spain            Sala Bikini
10/03   Madrid, Spain                 Joy Eslavia
10/15   Kansas City, KS            The Riot Room
10/17   Denver, CO                    Gothic Theater
10/21   Salt Lake City, UT           Kilby Court
10/22   Boise, ID                    Knitting Factory
10/24   Seattle, WA                  Tractor Tavern
10/26   Portland, OR                 Doug Fir Lounge
10/28   San Francisco, CA         Great American Music Hall
10/29   Los Angeles, CA             El Rey
10/31 – Nov 2  New Orleans, LA    Voodoo Music Experience (actual show date TBC)
11/04   Indianapolis, IN             Deluxe at Old National Centre
11/06   Minneapolis, MN             Varsity Theater
11/07   Chicago, IL                  The Metro
11/08   Milwaukee, WI                The Rave
11/09   Cincinnati, OH               20th Century Theatre
11/11   Detroit, MI                  The Shelter
11/12   Toronto, ON                 Lee’s Palace
11/14   Portland, ME                 Port City Music Hall
11/15   Boston, MA                   Brighton Music Hall
11/16   Providence, RI               Fete Lounge
11/18   Philadelphia, PA             World Café Live
11/20   Washington, DC              9:30 Club
11/21   New York, NY                 Irving Plaza

MusicRowPics: Stephanie Quayle

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Stephanie Quayle visit

Stephanie Quayle visit. Photo: Kelsey Grady


Bozeman, Mont. native Stephanie Quayle is so proud of her homestate that she frequently pays homage to it. “I sneak Montana-isms in when I can,” Quayle said before performing a brief acoustic set for MusicRow staff. A multi-talented musician, she took up piano at age 4, wrote her first song at age 12, and took up guitar at age 15.
Quayle’s road to Nashville was sparked by a chance meeting with hit songwriter Kelley Lovelace in Los Angeles. After seeing Quayle perform at club Ireland’s 32, he promptly told her she needed to move to Nashville. In 2011, she made the move to Music City and began co-writing with Lovelace and host of other ace songwriters. In 2013, she released the EP Stand Back, which showcased six songs co-written and co-produced by Quayle.
“After we began writing together, I asked if he could let me hear some of his songs, and he graciously opened up his catalog to me,” says Quayle. The catalog held what would become her current single, “Sugar High,” was penned by Kelley Lovelace, Ashley Gorley, and Steve McEwen. “Finding the right song when you didn’t write it is like trying to find the right pair of jeans,” Quayle quipped. “It’s not easy. This song felt right.” Quayle recently released a video for “Sugar High,” which was shot in Watertown, Tenn. “I’m a horse lover, so the video featured all these horses and animals around.”
For songwriters, inspiration can come from anywhere, and Quayle is no exception. The idea for another song in her set, “Meant For You,” came during a pizza stop in Nashville. “I was at Mafiaoza’s in Nashville, and I was chatting with the guy making pizza. I asked him what brought him to Nashville, and he said, ‘It’s the first place I ran outta gas.’ It sounded like a good song idea.” Quayle went to a writing space and spent the next two hours building a story around the lyric. “You can craft all day long, but some songs just magically create themselves.”
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