DisClaimer: Chris Young On Edge of Superstardom With Spicy New Song

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chris young i'm comin overHandsome is as handsome does.

Sam Hunt, Chris Young, Shania Twain and Granger Smith are all undeniably good looking folks. That might get you in the door, but after that, it’s the sounds that count. And, happily, these four have the best records of today’s listening session.

The Disc of the Day award goes to Chris Young. His “I’m Comin’ Over” seasons his nice-guy personna with the spice of sensuality, and the result is the kind of record that can turn a hit maker into a superstar.

Texan Granger Smith is a veteran of seven self-released studio albums. Now, he’s teamed up with star-maker Frank Rogers (Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, Josh Turner). The result brings him a well-deserved (and long delayed) DisCovery Award.

LUKE BRYAN/Kick the Dust Up
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Chris DeStefano/Ashley Gorley; Producer: Jeff Stevens & Jody Stevens; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite/WB, BMI/ASCAP; Capitol (CDX) 
—Stomp, stomp, stomp. Drink, drink, drink. Party, party, party. Who is this guy?

BILLY DAVIS & OIL COUNTRY/Roughneck
Writer: Alex Zanetis; Producer: Eric Zanetis; Publisher: none listed; Zanetis (track) (www.oilcountrysongs.com)
—The late Nashville songwriter Alex Zanetis wrote, sang and produced a 1964 concept LP titled Ballads of the Oil Fields. Fifty years later, his son Eric produced sonically updated versions of those songs, now collectively titled Oil Country: Songs of the Oil Fields. This toe-tapper illustrates how thoroughly contemporary he makes these antiques sound. Recommended.

CLARE DUNN/Move On
Writer: Clare Dunn/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Clare Dunn & Jesse Frasure; Publisher: BMG Gold/Leer Jet 87/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—She has a dramatic, deep alto until she shifts into her upper-register overdrive on the choruses. Production-wise, it is strikingly “different” and loaded with echo and electronic effects. It is quite good, but I’m having a hard time hearing what is “country” about this record.

MIKEL KNIGHT/Roses & Mayhem
Writer: K Grisham/J. Cross/J. Deford/B. Mitchell; Producer: J. Cross & K. Grisham; Publisher: none listed; 203 (CDX) (www.mikelknight.com)
—I have always hated country rap. Especially when it’s under produced.

CHRIS YOUNG/I’m Comin’ Over
Writer: Chris Young/Corey Crowder/Josh Hoge; Producer: Corey Crowder & Chris Young; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Goodbye Pants/WB/Songs From the Rose Hotel/EMI Foray/Write 2 Be Free, ASCAP/SESAC; RCA (CDX) 
—Millions of women answer, panting breathlessly, “Yes, PLEASE, drop by anytime.” In other words, this is totally hot. It’s also a stone smash.

SOUTHERN HALO/Little White Dress
Writer: Natalia Morris/Catt Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producer: Catt Gravitt & Gerald O’Brien; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo (CDX) (www.southernhalo.net)
—The creamy female harmonies shimmer on the fabulously melodic choruses. The tuneless verses are a waste of time.

SAM HUNT/House Party
Writer: Sam Hunt/Zach Crowell/Jerry Flowers; Producer: Zach Crowell & Shane McAnally; Publisher: Universal/Three Mules/External Combustion/Who Wants to Buy My Pub/Atlas/Songs of Southside Independent/I Love Pizza/WB, ASCAP; MCA Nashville (CDX) 
—This is one rousing, romping good-time single. The track stutters and thumps  delightfully, and his vocal invites you to sing, shout and knock yourself out. Smiles for miles.

Granger Smith

Granger Smith

GRANGER SMITH/Backroad Song
Writer: Granger Smith/Frank Rogers; Producer: Frank Rogers & Granger Smith; Publisher: Climbing Windmills/House of Sea Gayle, BMI/ASCAP; Thirty Tigers (track) (www.grangersmith.com)
—He has a very attractive, intimate, smokey baritone, and his midtempo tune is irresistibly catchy. This gets my vote as a summertime song.

SHANIA TWAIN/Man I Feel Like a Woman
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Eagle Vision/Universal DVD (track) 
—Twain says she’s working on a new CD and has so many songs that she has to edit them down to a manageable group. In the meantime, we have the DVD of her Vegas residency, Still the One: Shania Twain Live From Vegas. That’s where you can see as well as hear her romp through this 1997 Grammy-winning smash. She not only looks and sounds great, the lighting, effects, dancing, camera work and staging are all simply first rate. The clip is on YouTube. It will more than convince you that this is one concert DVD that’s well worth the price of admission.

STEPHANIE QUAYLE/That’s What I’m Talking About
Writer: Lindsay Rimes/Emily Shackleton/Phil Barton; Producer: Ilya Toshinsky; Publisher: EMI Australia/Warner-Tamerlane/Better Boat/Sony-ATV, BMI; Rebel Engine 
—As if we don’t have enough men singing bro-country lyrics ….. now we have the chick version of that.

Soundcloud Reaches Deal with 20k Labels

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Soundcloud-LogoSoundcloud—a website where 180 million unique users upload, listen to and share audio files each month—today (June 4) announced an agreement with 20,000 independent labels through Merlin, the global digital rights agency for the independent sector.

Terms include the labels sharing in advertising revenue, data analytics, and control over infringing uploads. On Soundcloud, allowing advertising control for creators, was announced last year. The streaming service expects to roll out a subscription service this year.

This news comes after a breakdown in negotiations with Sony led to a removal of music from some of its largest label acts (Kelly Clarkson, Adele) early last month. At that same time, the National Music Publishers’ Association reached a publishing agreement for its independent music publisher and songwriters members to receive royalties for their work on the streaming site. Sony/ATV also reached a publishing agreement, while Warner Music Group signed a label agreement. The largest record label, Universal Music Group, is reportedly still in talks.

The free site launched in 2008 and has since been a place for artist discovery (Lorde, Leon Bridges) and music releases (Beyonce, Miguel, Drake). Among the Nashville companies who use the site frequently are Big Yellow Dog, Carnival Music, Creative Nation and Big Machine Label Group.

‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coins Celebrate No. 1 Hits

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MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart. These are some of the recent presentations. See the complete list of recipients here.

Diamond Rings And Old Barstools

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): Barry Dean, Jonathan Singleton, Luke Laird

The writers for Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings And Old Barstools” received their coins after the song went No. 1 on May 7, 2015.

Roller Coaster

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Pictured (L-R): Troy Stephenson, Michael Carter, Sherod Robertson

Songwriter, producer, and Luke Bryan’s band leader, Michael Carter receives his Challenge Coin for Bryan’s song “Roller Coaster.” It went No. 1 on the CountryBreakout Chart on September 11, 2014.

Sippin’ On Fire

Pictured (L-R):

Pictured (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Rodney Clawson, Matt Dragstrem, Cole Taylor, Hill Management’s Jeri Cooper.

Florida Georgia Line’s “Sippin’ On Fire” hit the top of the CountryBreakout Chart on May 21, 2015. The songwriters accepted their coins at the Big Loud Shirt office in Nashville.

SOURCE Awards Recipients Honored at ASCAP Luncheon

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(L to R): Mary Del Scobey, Gayle Holcomb, Phyllis Deen Hill, Nancy Shapiro, Sally Williams

SOURCE honorees (L-R): Mary Del Scobey, Gayle Holcomb, Phyllis Deen Hill, Nancy Shapiro, Sally Williams. (not pictured Cindy Mabe and the late Terrell Tye). Photo: Denise Fussell

The 2015 SOURCE awards honorees were celebrated at a special luncheon May 28 at ASCAP in Nashville. The event saluted Phyllis Deen Hill, Sun Records; Gayle Holcomb, WME; Cindy Mabe, UMG: Mary Del Scobey, Almo Irving Music; Nancy Shapiro, Recording Academy; Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium; and Terrell Tye, Forerunner Music (posthumously).

These women will again be honored for their career achievements at the 2015 SOURCE Awards ceremony at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Municipal Auditorium September 29.

SOURCE was founded in 1991 to support and recognize women in the Nashville music industry and pay tribute to those who are presently making major contributions to the industry through their work. The awards were established in 2003 to honor women who helped build and fortify the Nashville music industry through their efforts.

MusicRowPics: ‘Laugh A Little’ With Michelle Wright

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L-R: MR’s Kelsey Grady, Grassroots Promotion’s Nancy Tunick, MR’s Troy Stephenson, MR’s Eric Parker, Wright, Grassroots’ Shawna Chatfield, MR’s Sherod Robertson, MR’s Sarah Skates

Country music star Michelle Wright visited the MusicRow office to play some new music and a classic hit for the staff.

Wright was signed to Arista Nashville in 1990 and had a Top 10 hit with “Take It Like A Man.” She also had a Top 20 Billboard Hot AC hit with “Your Love.”

Since then, she has continued to dominate the Canadian country music scene. Just last month, she was awarded Female Artist of the Year by the The Country Music Association of Ontario.

Even though she has been living in Middle Tennessee since signing her record deal, she hasn’t been pursuing touring or radio airplay in the United States, until now.

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She has released a new album and single to country radio, and is working with Grassroots Promotion.

Wright performed the single, “Laugh A Little,” which was written by Jason Sellers, Lynn Hutton, and Terri Jo Box.

Wright co-wrote 10 of the 11 songs on her new album. During the visit, she also played the title track, “Strong,” which was inspired by her business manager of 28 years, Sue Ferriman, who passed away from ALS in August 2014.

The MusicRow staff also enjoyed an acoustic performance of her hit, “Take It Like A Man.” Wright recalls recording the song and coming out of the booth to the drummer saying, “If that song isn’t a hit, I will go sell shoes for a living.” Rest assured, that drummer did not end up selling shoes.

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Members Of The “Drinking Class” Celebrate No. 1 In Nashville

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Pictured Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill, Amylase’s Ben Vaughn and Whit Jeffords, producers Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure, Curb Records’ Mike Curb and Jim Ed Norman, BMI’s Bradley Collins. Front Row: BMI songwriter David Frasier, BMI singer/songwriter Lee Brice, songwriter Josh Kear, BMI songwriter Ed Hill

Pictured Back Row (L-R): ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill, Warner/Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Amylase’s Whit Jeffords, producers Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure, Curb Records’ Mike Curb and Jim Ed Norman, BMI’s Bradley Collins. Front Row: BMI songwriter David Frasier, BMI singer/songwriter Lee Brice, ASCAP songwriter Josh Kear, BMI songwriter Ed Hill

Nashville’s The Pour House was a packed house yesterday (June 3), as BMI and ASCAP co-hosted a No. 1 celebration for the song “Drinking Class,” performed by Lee Brice.

The song was penned by BMI songwriters David Frazier and Ed Hill, and ASCAP songwriter Josh Kear. After writing together for 15 years, it is their first shared No. 1. It was noted that this is Frazier’s first overall No. 1, so BMI’s Bradley Collins presented him with a BMI guitar to commemorate the milestone.

“Drinking Class” marks Brice’s fifth No. 1 as an artist. He also produced the song along with Kyle Jacobs and Matt McClure.

During the celebration, Big Yellow Dog’s Danni O’Neill and Amylase’s Whit Jeffords offered their congratulations, as did representatives from the CMA and CRB.

Curb Records founder Mike Curb spoke on behalf of his label. “In all my years in this business, I’ve never met someone that is the real deal more than Lee Brice,” said Curb.

Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation on behalf of the songwriters to The Nashville Rescue Mission.

Ed Hill has been in the music scene since the 1970s and was the 2006 BMI Songwriter of the Year. “I don’t take one second for granted,” said Hill. “I’m very proud to be a part of this record.”

David Frazier made sure he thanked everyone that supported him throughout his career. “I’m a late bloomer, but I’m thankful to be celebrating my first No. 1.”

ASCAP’s Mike Sistad took to the stage to salute Josh Kear. Sistad said that “Drinking Class” marks the eleventh No. 1 song for Kear, who was the 2013 ASCAP Songwriter of the Year and is a 4-time Grammy winner. As Kear spoke, he made a point to thank the record label. “To the Curb promotion staff. Thank you, thank you, thank you.”

Lee Brice takes pride in being a songwriter, but also gave credit to the songwriting community for their efforts. “It all starts with a song. And as a songwriter, I know what it takes to get up every day and go to work. To the writers of this song, thank you.” Lee continued, “To the producers, thank you for all the time you put it into this project.”

Acclaimed Nashville Songwriter Bobby Braddock Pens Memoir

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Bobby Braddock

Bobby Braddock

Acclaimed songwriter Bobby Braddock known for writing such hits as “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “D-I-V-O-R-C-E,” “Golden Ring,” “Time Marches On,” “I Wanna Talk About Me,” and “People Are Crazy,” among many others, will release his memoir this fall entitled, Bobby Braddock: A Life On Nashville’s Music Row.

The famed tunesmith has written some of American music’s most notable hits for Nashville’s biggest artists including George Jones, Tammy Wynette, Toby Keith, and Blake Shelton. And now, known for his sharp wit and insight into human nature, Braddock tells the story of his life as a songwriter and musician on Nashville’s historic Music Row. Published by Vanderbilt University Press/Country Music Foundation Press, the book provides readers with an inside look at the beating heart of country music through the eyes and experiences of the renowned songwriter.

“This is a memoir,” Braddock says. “But I feel that rather than a book about me, me, me, it’s a look at Nashville and country music through my eyes.”

Set to release in October 2015, Braddock has received advance praise from such notables as Dolly Parton, Blake Shelton, Bob Schieffer, and others.

“Bobby is a songwriters’ songwriter who has a great gift for portraying what is real and genuine—a true poet. I’ve always loved him, and I get a kick out of his take on things. I am sure you will feel the same reading about his life on Music Row. Enjoy!”
—Dolly Parton

“No one I’ve ever met has made such an impact on my life as Bobby Braddock. . . . I’ve always wished that everyone could hear these stories. How could so much be packed into one person’s life? Think it’s not possible? Spend a day with Bobby.”
—Blake Shelton

“Bobby Braddock is the greatest of all the country music songwriters, and he’s written a rip-roaring history of Nashville and the characters who have made it what it is. He spins the stories of the greats and not-so-greats, the dreamers and the schemers, the bit players and the stars. I laughed out loud and maybe shed a tear or two. It’s a great read for both country fans and those who wouldn’t know country from Cole Porter. I loved it!”
—Bob Schieffer, CBS News

“This memoir combines penetrating self-revelation and very readable storytelling from an almost painfully smart, always generous writer who’s able to look back at the charms and foibles of his younger, rougher self with perspective and endearing humor. There’s only one Bobby Braddock, and he’s in these pages.”
—Barry Mazor, author of Ralph Peer and the Making of Popular Roots Music and Meeting Jimmie Rodgers

“The best book ever written about writing songs on Music Row. Bobby Braddock is arguably the greatest country songwriter of all time. This [book] should be his biggest hit yet.”
—Alice Randall, author of New York Times best seller The Wind Done Gone

“The Country Music Hall of Fame songwriter’s remarkably direct, engaging, outrageously funny, and insightful memoir of his long career on the main stage of Nashville’s storied music business. A gifted songwriter’s intensely personal inside story on the fast track in Nashville, where almost a century of music has generated a wealth of legends, myths, and heartbreakingly true stories. Bobby Braddock has been there for fully half of it—making him its most articulate and unabashed eyewitness to date.”
—John Egerton, award-winning Southern author

Bobby Braddock was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 2011, the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1981, and the national Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2015. He has also authored Down in Orburndale: A Songwriter’s Youth in Old Florida. He was also honored as a BMI songwriting Icon during BMI’s 59th annual Country Awards in 2011.

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Artist Pics: Lady Antebellum, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam

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Lady A Conquers The Northeast

Lady Antebellum played for more than 46,000 fans last weekend during the northeast run of its Wheels Up Tour.

During the band’s stop in Boston, they awarded restorative nursing coordinator and mom of two special needs children Melissa Hilt with a year of mortgage relief as part of their 7FOR7 initiative with Quicken Loans.

Lady Antebellum

Lady Antebellum

Cam’s Opry Debut

New Arista artist Cam made her Grand Ole Opry debut last Friday night (May 29) and was congratulated by her Sony family following her performance.

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Pictured (L-R): Andy Elliot, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Cam; Michael Bryan, SVP/Programming iHeart Media; and Paul Barnabee, Sr. Vice President, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville

Ballerini Celebrates First Top 5

Kelsea Ballerini is celebrating the ascent of her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It” as it climbs into the Top 5 and continues to move up. The song is on Ballerini’s new CD The First Time, which was produced by Forest Glen Whitehead and Jason Massey. “As a new artist releasing a first single, all you want is for it to be heard, to make a good first impression,” shares Ballerini. “The fact that country radio is embracing it, is more than I could ask for. I want to hug everyone.”

Kelsea Ballerini

Kelsea Ballerini

Special Operation: Songwriters Bob Regan, Don Goodman Aid Military

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Operation Song, the organization started by longtime Nashville songwriters Bob Regan and Don Goodman to aid military members, made a trip to Washington D.C. on Memorial Day to perform at the WWII Memorial on the National Mall.

The group performed new single “Last Monday in May,” which was co-created by Regan and Goodman along with six veterans. Ward Davis is the vocalist on the track which is available at Operationsong.org and digital outlets. All profits from the sale will benefit Operation Song. The full album Operation Song will be available June 9, 2015.

Operation Song’s mission is to empower veterans and active duty military to tell their stories through the process of songwriting in creative and therapeutic settings. They are paired with top Nashville songwriters to share their experiences through music. Thus far, there have been more than 200 songs created.

Over the past two years, Operation Song has had weekly programs at the veterans hospitals in Murfreesboro, Tenn. and Clarksville, Tenn., and hosted songwriting retreats across the country.

Recently, the organization was featured in the New Yorker, and Regan was featured on Nekst.biz.

LEFT: Sergeant Ian Thomas Wagner, Jimmy Ray Sells and Don Goodman

(L-R): Sergeant Ian Thomas Wagner, veteran Jimmy Ray Sells and Bob Regan perform in Washington D.C.

Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree Returns June 6 After Hiatus

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Midnite Jamboree June 2015The Ernest Tubb Midnite Jamboree is back from its three-month hiatus due to financial difficulties. It will return to the Texas Troubadour Theater this Saturday, June 6 in celebration of the 68th anniversary of the Jamboree and Ernest Tubb Record Shops. The June 6 show will be hosted by Tubbs’ nephew Glenn Douglas Tubb, who along with wife Dottie has released a new gospel CD.

As reported in MusicRow, earlier this year Glenn Douglas Tubb helped established the Midnite Jamboree Association, a nonprofit organization that is working to help preserve the Jamboree for future generations of fans.

Guests throughout the summer on the show will include Buddy Jewell, Mel Tillis, Connie Smith, Stonewall Jackson, Gail Davies, Justin Trevino and more. As the nation’s second-longest-running radio program, the Jamboree has aired on WSM since it was established in 1947 by legendary country entertainer Ernest Tubb, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame.