Bassist Michael Rhodes To Be Featured At CMHoF

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michael rhodes

Michael Rhodes

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s quarterly program series Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians returns Saturday, March 7, with renowned bassist Michael Rhodes. The 2 p.m. interview, held in the museum’s Ford Theater, is included with museum admission and free to museum members.

Hosted by Bill Lloyd, the program will include an in-depth, one-on-one interview illustrated with vintage recordings, photos and film clips from the museum’s Frist Library and Archive. Seating for the program is limited, and program passes are required for admittance. Immediately following, Rhodes will sign limited edition, commemorative Hatch Show Print posters in the Museum Store.

Rhodes has performed live and played on sessions for many country and pop chart-toppers, including Brian Wilson of the Beach Boys, Steve Winwood, Dolly Parton, Randy Travis, Faith Hill, Wynonna Judd, the Dixie Chicks, Reba McEntire, Tanya Tucker, Neal McCoy, Chely Wright, Doug Stone, and many more.

He has won many awards for his musicianship—including multiple Academy of Country Music instrumental awards.

RareSpark Adds Publishing/Producer Management Talent

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Pictured (L-R): Scot Sherrod, VP/GM; Park Chisolm; Suzanne Strickland, Owner/CEO.

Pictured (L-R): Scot Sherrod, VP/GM; Park Chisolm; Suzanne Strickland, Owner/CEO.

Singer/songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Park Chisolm has signed a publishing and producer management deal with RareSpark Media Group.

A Newnan, Ga. native, Chisolm relocated to Nashville in 1996 before spending several years as a studio and road instrumentalist including time with Kevin Costner‘s band Modern West. Chisolm co-produced the band’s album Famous For Killing Each Other. Other production credits include music for the History Channel’s The Hatfields and McCoys series and CCMA artist Victoria Banks‘ album Indigo.

“Park’s talents as a writer, producer, and musician are diverse, and a very welcome addition to our RareSpark family,” says RareSpark’s Owner/CEO Suzanne Strickland of the new addition.

“We couldn’t be more excited and honored to be working with him,” adds RareSpark’s VP/GM Scot Sherrod, “Everything he works on is refreshingly authentic and second to none.”

Songwriters In The Round For Nashville School of the Arts

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Set to perform at the Nashville School of the Arts fundraiser.

Set to perform at the Nashville School of the Arts fundraiser.

Songwriter Benefit For Nashville School of the Arts

Radney Foster, Bill Lloyd, Tommy Womack and Will Kimbrough will perform a benefit concert for Nashville School of the Arts at NSA’s Roxy Theatre on March 10 at 7 p.m. These friends and frequent collaborators will perform in-the-round and give a glimpse into the creative process. Tickets are $10 in advance/$15 at the door for adults, and $7 for students. Tickets can be purchased here.

Spin Doctors’ Thursday Night Throwdown

Spin Doctors Music Group is dedicating its third annual Thursday Night Throwdown to music industry veteran Billy Block, who is battling stage IV cancer. The free event is Feb. 26 at 9 p.m. at Nashville’s Hard Rock Café. There will be acoustic performances by Ten Mile Creek, Jeremy Staubus, Justin McCorkle and Greg Shirley. SMG Records artists  set to perform include Iron Cowboy, Kayla Calabrese, New Black Seven, Chris Dags, Angel Mary & The Tennessee Werewolves, and Presley & Taylor.

Whitey Shafer Tribute Concert

Moe Bandy is hosting a tribute to Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Whitey Shafer at The Nashville Palace on Feb. 18 at 6 p.m. The lineup includes Bandy, Joe Stampley, Becky Hobbs, T. Graham Brown, Gene Watson, Johnny Lee, Jeannie Seely, Rhonda Vincent, David Frizzell, Dallas Frazier, Eddy Raven, Jett Williams, Mark Wills, John Conlee, Jimmy Fortune,Leona Williams, Lane Brody, William Michael Morgan, James Carothers, Moore & Moore, Teea Goans, and the Rhodes Family Singers. Tickets are $20 at the door, or can be purchased at www.nashville-palace.com.

DISClaimer: All Under The Country Umbrella

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Kaitlyn Jackson

Kaitlyn Jackson

Oldie revivals, Euro-country, a teenager, redneck rocking and a Grammy TV success story — today’s column has them all.

Teea Goans and Sage Keffer are the revivalists. Nicole Freytag and Fred Weston are checking in from Austria. American Idol competitor Kaitlyn Jackson is the teen queen. Montgomery Gentry are back.

And Brandy Clark’s TV performance on the Grammys was one for the record books. She might not have won an award, but she sure gained some fans. If you don’t already own a copy of her stunning 12 Stories album, you’re a fool.

But none of these seven acts won this week’s Disc of the Day prize. Instead, it goes to the always-pleasing Dan + Shay.

To the afore mentioned teen Kaitlyn Jackson, we present a DisCovery Award along with a wish for a long and happy country career.

JILL & JULIA/Cursed
Writers: Jill & Julia; Producer: Dave Moody; Publishers: Songs From American Street, BMI; Lamon (track)
-The title tune of this duo’s 7-song EP is a bluesy, minor-key, mid-tempo outing with a haunting vibe. The problems with it are a busy production and a mix so muddy that you can barely understand the lyrics. The gals seem like they have talent, but they need to get some clarity in their sound.

MONTGOMERY GENTRY/Folks Like Us
Writers: Neal Coty/Ash Bowers/Adam Craig; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: none listed; Blaster
-In praise of the “boot-wearin,’ God-fearin’” everyday people of small-town Middle America. Enthusiastic sounding.

NICOLE FREYTAG/Lay Back
Writers: Pete Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-A country label in Austria has sent in some sides for consideration in the column. This one has a lilting, Abba-esque melodic quality that is quite listenable. The rhythm track is a little on the mechanical side, but she was a sweet soprano vocal.

Dan+Shay

Dan+Shay

DAN + SHAY/Nothin’ Like You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner-Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/Highly Combustible/Sadie’s Favorite/EMI April/Sugar Glider, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
-She drives him into a spinning, dizzy, sweetly romantic swirl. The fizzy, frothy track and the youthful, innocent, tenor vocals combine to create a totally dreamy pop-country confection. I remain a fan of these boys.

KAITLYN JACKSON/All The Little Things
Writers: Kaitlyn Jackson/Joe Sins; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: none listed; KJ (track)
-This former American Idol competitor is just 16, but she sings with the assertion, power and confidence of someone much older. Her song is an upbeat message ditty about celebrating every small blessing in your life. Quite promising.

BRANDY CLARK/Hold My Hand
Writers: Brandy Clark/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publishers: Songs of Parallel/Vista Loma/Amplified Administration/Harlan Howard, ASCAP/BMI; Slate Creek (track)
-Clark’s performance of this ballad on Sunday’s Grammy Awards telecast resulted in a 3,763% increase in Pandora “station adds,” a 34% increase in Spotify streams for her CD and a 494% increase for this track. The tenderness and vulnerability of “Hold My Hand” melts the soul. Amid a sea of TV performances that tried to be over the top, her simple, acoustic, unadorned rendition of it with Dwight Yoakam singing harmony justifiably stole hearts from coast to coast. Righteous and true.

TORI MARTIN/From Here To There
Writers: none listed; Producer: Bart Rose/Billy Herzig; Publishers:none listed; Martin Enterprises
-Punchy and percussive. She’s hitting the road, leaving the mistakes of her life behind her. She’s a tiny bit vocally sharp here and there, but the energy is definitely audible.

TEEA GOANS/Memories To Burn
Writers: Dave Kirby/Warren Robb; Producer: Terry Choate; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; Crosswind (track)
-Goans is unquestionably one of the finest young traditional female country stylists working today. The title tune of her latest CD is a solid revival of a 1985 Gene Watson chestnut, complete with twin fiddles and steel guitar. There’s a delight around every corner on this collection, whether she’s tackling tunes originated by Merle Haggard (”Sing a Sad Song,” “You Take Me For Granted”), Ray Price (”I Won’t Mention it Again”) or even Michael Martin Murphey (”What’s Forever For”). Buy this record.

FRED WESTON/You Tell Me
Writers: Peter Jordan; Producer: WIR Records; Publishers: none listed; WIR (Austria)
-Recorded in Austria with a backing band called “The Dirty Nuggets,” this is a toe-tapping ditty with a feather-light, Teutonic-accented vocalist who’s asking for truthfulness. In case you might miss it, he repeats the three-word title 34 times, by my count.

SAGE KEFFER/You’re Only Lonely
Writers: John Souther; Producers: Matt Rovey/Sage Keffer; Publishers: none listed; SK (track)
-Keffer is a longtime “DisClaimer” column favorite. This time around, he’s reviving J.D. Souther’s 1980 hit, which charted country as well as pop. The new version slows the song and eliminates the original’s Orbison-like echo. These changes throw the spotlight on its still-gorgeous melody as well as on its well-constructed, desolate, aching lyric. Also: Keffer holds the finale falsetto note beyond human endurance. Well worth your spins.

CRS And CMA Partner For Welcome Reception For CRS 2015

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crs 2015

Country Radio Seminar (CRS) and Country Music Association (CMA) have partnered to present the CMA Artist Welcome Reception to open CRS 2015.

The networking event for artists and registered attendees of CRS is scheduled for Wednesday, Feb. 25 at the Nashville Convention Center starting at 5:30 p.m. CT. This is the fifth consecutive year the Artist Welcome Reception is on the CRS agenda, but this is the first year that the CMA has partnered with CRS for the opening event.

“CMA is proud of our longstanding partnership with CRB. Country radio is a key driver for discovery and exposure of great Country Music and this is always a productive week,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We are excited to help CRS kickoff an exciting 2015 and welcome our many radio members back to Nashville.”

In order to participate in the CMA Artist Welcome Reception, artists must satisfy certain guidelines, including a CRS registrant requirement and a chart requirement. For more information about the Artist/Attendee Welcome reception, please contact Christy Watkins at [email protected].

To register for CRS 2015, please visit www.crb.org or contact the CRS offices today. The current registration rate for the three-day event is $599.

Combustion Re-ups Hit Christian Songwriter with Atlas

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Pictured (L-R): John C. Beiter (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt, & Hayes), Matthew West, Combustion Music's Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn.

Pictured (L-R): John C. Beiter (Shackelford, Bowen, Zumwalt, & Hayes), Matthew West, Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Chris Van Belkom and Kenley Flynn.

Matthew West has inked a four-year worldwide publishing deal with Combustion Music and Atlas Music Publishing.

“Matthew has been with Combustion since 2008, and continues to write and create incredible music in the Christian and country genres, that moves the needle…both in sales and how it touches peoples lives,” said Chris Farren, Combustion Music owner/President. “All of us at Combustion could not be happier to be continuing this successful relationship.”

West is a five-time Grammy nominee, was named Billboard’s top Christian music songwriter of 2013, and was recently awarded his first American Music Award for Best Contemporary Inspirational Artist. West also earned his ASCAP Christian Music Songwriter of the Year award in 2014, propelled by the major success of his single, “Hello My Name Is,” which spent a record-setting 17 weeks at the top of the Christian music charts, and named ASCAP’s 2014 Christian Music Song of the Year. West’s total career album sales are well over 1 million sold. He has had more than 12 No. 1  songs, including “The Motions,” and “Forgiveness.” West has also had songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Michael W. Smith, Scotty McCreery, Casting Crowns, and many others.

An artist himself, West has released five studio albums. The title track of his 2011 holiday album inspired a television movie and his own debut acting role. His 2010 album, The Story of Your Life, landed at No. 3 on the Christian album chart in its debut week and spawned a book penned with noted author Angela Thomas, as well as a church curriculum DVD series.

Dan Hodges Music Adds To Roster

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L-R

Pictured (L-R): (front row) attorney Chip Petree, Jason Duke, Dan Hodges, (back row) ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan and Michael Martin

ASCAP songwriter Jason Duke has signed an exclusive songwriter agreement with Dan Hodges Music LLC (DHM). DHM will also provide copyright administration for Duke’s back catalog of songs.

Duke co-wrote the song “Dibs” for Black River Entertainment artist Kelsea Ballerini’s debut album. He is a graduate of the ASCAP Guidance from Publishers for Songwriters Project (GPS), which pairs promising unsigned songwriters with publishers for the purpose of career development.

“We are so impressed with the creativity Jason brings to each write. He works hard and brings out the best in his co-writers, and it is evident in each composition,” commented Hodges.

DHM published the 2008 ASCAP Country Music Song of the Year, “Good Directions,” written by Rachel Thibodeau and recorded by Billy Currington, as well as recent titles recorded by ASCAP songwriter-artists The Swon Brothers, Rascal Flatts, Reba McEntire and Ballerini.

Music City Roots Preps Second Season on Public Television

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Music City Roots is set to debut its second season on public television on Friday, Feb. 13 at 7 p.m. CT. The show’s second season will air on Nashville Public Television, Channel 8 or 1008 on all cable and broadcast systems.

The first episode will feature The Steep Canyon Rangers, modern folk band Joy Kills Sorrow, cellist-songwriter Ben Sollee, country singer Ashley Monroe, and bluegrass band The Westbound Rangers.

The remainder of the show’s second season will feature performances from Amos Lee, Earls of Leicester featuring Jerry Douglas, Sarah Jarosz, North Mississippi All-Stars, and more. The second season features many of Music City Roots’ final performances at Nashville’s Loveless Barn.

New episodes of Music City Roots, from its new home at The Factory in Franklin, air Wednesday evenings at 7 p.m. CT over Hippie Radio 94.5 FM. THe show can also be be accessed via livestream, iTunes podcast, and the Music City Roots YouTube channel. For more information, visit musiccityroots.com.

Industry Ink: ABC Radio, Warner/Chappell, BMI, Buddy Lee Attractions

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ABC-News-RadioABC Radio’s Kelly Gets New Address

ABC Radio producer Hunter Kelly has a new address, moving from his Music Cir. E. offices. His new address is: 514 Madison St., Nashville, TN, 37208. Phone and email remain the same: 615-482-5952; [email protected].

 

Warner/Chappell Adds SESAC Writer to Roster

SESAC affiliate Luke Sheets has signed with Warner/Chappell Music for publishing representation. Sheets often works with Warner Bros. recording artist Ryan Kinder. Recently, Sheets gathered with his SESAC representatives as well as executives from Warner/Chappell to visit and celebrate the new arrangement.

Pictured (L-R) Back: Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, SESAC’s John Mullins, Warner/Chappell’s Phil May, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Warner/Chappell’s Matt Michiels.Front row, (left to right): Warner/Chappell’s Travis Carter, Sheets and Warner/Chappell’s Blain Rhodes.

Pictured (L-R) Back: Warner/Chappell’s Ryan Beuschel, SESAC’s John Mullins, Warner/Chappell’s Phil May, SESAC’s Tim Fink, Warner/Chappell’s Matt Michiels. Front row, (L-R): Warner/Chappell’s Travis Carter, Sheets and Warner/Chappell’s Blain Rhodes.

BMI Foundation Launches Scholarship Programs for 2015

BMI logoThe BMI Foundation has officially launched the following 2015 scholarship programs for young musicians attending colleges and universities nationwide.

1. BMI Student Composer Awards ($20,000 in prizes–under the age of 28–deadline was February 6)
2. peermusic Latin Scholarship ($5,000–age 16 to 24–due by Feb. 13)
3. John Lennon Scholarships (three $20,000 prizes–age 17 to 24–due by Feb. 27)
4. Woody Guthrie Fellowship ($5,000 in scholarly research–deadline was Feb. 2)

For the first time, applications may be completed entirely online.

 

Buddy Lee Attractions Adds Singletary

Daryle Singletary

Daryle Singletary

Buddy Lee Attractions, Inc. (BLA) has announced the addition of recording artist Daryle Singletary to its lineup.

Singletary’s signing follows other newly signed acts in recent months including agreements with Jesse Kinch, Pete Rose and Brooke Hogan for exclusive booking representation.

Rdio Teams with AEG’s AXS Ticketing Service

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rdio logo111AEG’s AXS ticketing platform has teamed with subscription service Rdio. The partnership allows concertgoers to hear their favorite songs anywhere, even before the concert starts, via mobile phones, the web, and on internet-connected TVs and wireless speakers.

Buyers who purchase tickets using AXS can sign up for a free, 30-day trial of Rdio’s Unlimited subscription service. Consumers who choose to continue using the Rdio service can purchase through integrated billing with AXS.

Additionally, every new Rdio account will automatically be tailored to the user’s concert history. They will also get notifications when an artist or band they have seen in concert adds new music to Rdio’s library.

The partnership includes only the United States, though Rdio offers a catalog of over 32 million songs in 85 countries worldwide.

“We are thrilled to partner with AXS to provide millions of concert goers access to our vast music library of over 32 million songs through this seamless integration with the live performance purchase experience,” said Anthony Bay, CEO of Rdio. “Rdio’s music discovery features and unlimited streaming service will provide AXS customers a unique and always-on experience that is second only to hearing your favorite music live.”

“AXS has always been about more than just ticketing. Our goal is to provide technologies that unify every aspect of the event experience and Rdio’s superior user experience and deep catalog will allow AXS.com users to easily find and listen to their favorite music, discover new artists they might want to see live, and help us alert them to events by their favorite artists,” said Bryan Perez, CEO of AXS. “We are excited to partner with and support Rdio to bring the music-listening experience from the concert venue to your home, office and smartphone.”