Artist News: Hold My Beer Tour, Lee Ann Womack, Mersi Stone, DRX Showcase

Rogers, Bowen Tour

Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen kick off their 21-date Hold My Beer tour in Omaha, NE today (July 9). The duo—known individually for successful solo careers—released Hold My Beer: Vol. 1 in April. The 10-track album, produced by Lloyd Maines, was born from Rogers and Bowen’s 8-year-running acoustic tour, called Hold My Beer And Watch This.

The duo that historically sells out major Texas markets, will expand to cities including Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and West Hollywood’s famed Troubadour, closing with a headlining performance on Sept. 17 during AmericanaFest in Nashville.

randy rogers and wade bowen

(L-R): Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers

Lee Ann Womack On Daytrotter

Lee Ann Womack brings her music to tastemaker site Daytrotter for an intimate acoustic performance including songs from her Grammy-nominated The Way I’m Livin’.

She also recently performed at a tribute concert saluting Waylon Jennings at Austin’s Moody Theater. The event, titled Outlaw: Celebrating the Music of Waylon Jennings, also featured Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss and was recorded for distribution.

lee-ann-womack-the-way-i'm-livingfeatured

Mersi Stone Releases EP

Rising country music duo Mersi Stone recently released their EP, Who I Am, to iTunes. The band is comprised of sisters Kori Jean and Kelsi Olsen, who grew up in Austin, Texas. They have writing credits on all seven cuts on the project.

Kori Jean explains, “Who I Am, is the most honest and raw album that we’ve ever put out. It embodies the fun times in life, and the times where the load seems too heavy to carry. Hopefully the messages will resonate with our fans and listeners.”

Mersi Stone

 

DRX July Showcase

The DRX Artist Showcase was held July 7 at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill. Dove award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Ty Herndon hosted the July showcase, which featured performances by Brian Collins, Carissa Leigh, Sarah Ross, Nick Sturms and Amy Wilcox. The next monthly DRX showcase is scheduled for Aug. 4.

 The DRX Artist Showcase was held July 7, at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill. Dove award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Ty Herndon hosted the July showcase, which featured performances by Brian Collins, Carissa Leigh, Sarah Ross, Nick Sturms and Amy Wilcox. The monthly showcase next DRX showcase is scheduled for Aug. 4. Pictured L to R - Brian Collins, Amy Wilcox, Nick Sturms,Carissa Leigh, Ty Herndon, Sarah Ross and Digital Rodeo’s John Pyne. Photo Credit: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Pictured (L-R): Brian Collins, Amy Wilcox, Nick Sturms, Carissa Leigh, Ty Herndon, Sarah Ross and Digital Rodeo’s John Pyne. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Lambert Cancels Stampede Show Due to Vocal Cord Problems

Miranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year.

Miranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year.

Miranda Lambert had to cancel her concert scheduled for tonight (July 9) at the Scotiabank Saddledome Arena in Calgary because of inflammation on her vocal cords, according to the Stampede’s Facebook page.

“I’m so sorry that I can’t be at Stampede this week, but I’ll be back in Calgary just as soon as I can for all of my Stampede fans,” said Lambert.

Ticket holders will receive a free single admission to Stampede Park between July 8-12 with the concert ticket though, and the show is set to be rescheduled at a later date. Ticket holders should retain their ticket for the rescheduled concert, and continue to check the Stampede’s and Ticketmaster’s websites for rescheduling updates.

Willie Nelson to Receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson

Willie Nelson will receive a prestigious honor for his contributions to the musical world when he is awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in November.

The prize honors a living artist’s lifetime achievement in enhancing cultural understanding and entertaining, informing, and inspiring new generations through his or her music, and whose contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin. Former Gershwin Prize recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, the late Hal David, Carole King and Billy Joel.

“Willie Nelson is a musical explorer, redrawing the boundaries of country music throughout his career,” said Librarian of Congress James Billington. “A master communicator, the sincerity and universally appealing message of his lyrics place him in a category of his own while still remaining grounded in his country-music roots. His achievements as a songwriter and performer are legendary. Like America itself, he has absorbed and assimilated diverse stylistic influences into his stories and songs. He has helped make country music one of the most universally beloved forms of American artistic expression.”

Nelson will receive the prize in Washington, D.C. this November and be celebrated with a series of special events.

DisClaimer: Sammy Kershaw Wins Disc of the Day

sammy kershaw 2015

Sammy Kershaw

Returning veterans and promising newcomers are this week’s musical recipe here at DisClaimer.

Among the former is Sammy Kershaw, who lands the Disc of the Day prize.

Among the latter are Smith & Wesley, Allie Louise and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone. Her debut CD is titled Abbey. For some odd reason, it does not contain her single. You have to go to her website to find that. Go figure.

Neither newcomers nor veterans are The Cains, Levi Riggs and Brian Collins, all of whom are making their sophomore appearances in this column. Another thing they have in common is that all three of their new singles more than affirm the promises made by their debuts.

McKENNA FAITH/Somethin’ Somethin’
Writer: McKenna Faith/Caleb Sherman/Monique Staffile/Yvette Garcia; Producer: Caleb Sherman & McKenna Faith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Treble (CDX) (www.mckenna-faith.com)
—You mean not one of those four writers could come up with a melody?

ALLIE LOUISE/Perfect Storm
Writer: Allie Louise/Doug Kahan/Kaci Bolls; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: Sixth Beat/Dug That, ASCAP/BMI; Sixth Beat (CDX) (www.allielouiseofficial.com)
—I like the little “break” in her voice, and her songwriting is pretty decent. The production rocks and rumbles. Promising.

LEVI RIGGS/Nothin’ I Don’t Love
Writer: Brett James/Steve Diamond; Producer: Matt McClure; Publisher: Spny-ATV Cross Keys/New Diamonds/BMG Gold/Stage Three/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Windridge (CDX) (www.leviriggs.com)
—The man is a strong, strong singer. The song is a dandy. The track rocks splendidly. This one’s a winner, folks.

BRIAN COLLINS/Shine a Little Love
Writer: Brian Collins/Paige Logan; Producer: Mills Logan, Kenny Greenberg & Brian Collins; Publisher: Blue Light/Molly Jack, SESAC/ASCAP; Blue Light (CDX) (www.briancollins.com)
—At the risk of repeating myself, there already is an established country record maker with this name. He reads this column and knows about you purloining his identity. This new single is hearty and well-meaning, carrying an upbeat message, delivered vibrantly.

BLAIR MATTHEWS/Ride
Writer: Blair Matthews; Producer: Blair Matthews; Publisher: none listed, BMI; StoneyHill (CDX) (www.blairmatthews.com)
—It is a need-for-speed ode to motorcycle riding. He’s no powerhouse as a singer, so the tempo and energy try to compensate.

ABBEY CONE/Love Like Him Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: Rocky Gribble & Curtis Jojnes; Publisher: none listed; AC (track) (www.abbeycone.com)
—Kudos for launching your career with a heartbreak ballad. We need more performers with moxie (and talent) like this. She’s only 16, but there’s nothing juvenile about this vocal performance. Achingly lovely.

Abbey ConeLYNN ANDERSON/Drift Away Gospel
Writer: Mentor R. Williams; Producer: Bil VornDick & Bruce Dees; Publisher: Almo/Rockin MW, ASCAP; Center Sound (track) (www.lynnandersonshow.com)
—Veteran Anderson returns with a religious rewriting of this much-loved pop standard. Her delivery is throaty and low, with just the right touch of devotion. The gospel album it appears on, Bridges, features guests such as The Oak Ridge Boys and The Martins, plus a supporting cast of A-list Music Row players.

THE CAINS/Journey’s End
Writer: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devries; Producer: Daniel Agee; Publisher: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devies Watsky/Kobalt, ASCAP; DayStreet (track) 
—This attractive sibling trio kicks the tempo up a little to deliver this sparkling, fizzy cocktail of pop optimism. Shiny and bright, with a delightfully layered production.

SAMMY KERSHAW/Grillin’ and Chillin’
Writer: C. Beathard/S. Caruso; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Cleopatra (CDX) (www.sammykershaw.com)
—He’s still one of our finest honky-tonk vocalists. This laid-back ditty sounds exactly like a relaxing summer afternoon. Beautifully under-produced for pleasing audio simplicity. Bonus points for name-checking Dean Dillon.

SMITH & WESLEY/Need Somebody Bad
Writer: Todd Smith/Randy Boudreaux; Producer: Shayne Hill; Publisher: Dream Walkin,’ ASCAP; Garage Door (track) (www.smithandwesley.com)
—Rocking twin guitars, Allman-style. Brother-duet vocals, perfectly matched. What’s not to like?

BMI to Host Top Film, TV, Ad Execs At ‘Sync THIS’ Event

BMI sync thisBMI will introduce six top executives from the worlds of TV, film, and advertising to Nashville in a unique way in August when it hosts Sync THIS! Aug. 11-12. The invitation-only event will provide a creative setting for artists and tastemakers from the Nashville community to foster relationships with music supervisors at the top of their fields and will feature an informative panel, special performances, and private dinners at two new Music City restaurants.

“I’m so excited for this opportunity to bring music supervisors together with talented BMI performers,” said Penny Gattis, Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations. “We’re not only showing off the top songwriting talent in Nashville, but also the culinary talent, proving why Nashville is a top destination for all things creative.”

On the first night, East Nashville will be featured with a dinner at POP, hosted by house chef Daniel Herget and restaurateur/chef Sarah Gavigan. A performance by The Muddy Magnolias, DeRobert & The Half-Truths, and Tony Joe White will follow at the Basement East, and Keith Gattis and Friends will cap off the night at an after-party showing off Nashville’s top musicians late into the evening.

The second evening will highlight West Nashville with a dinner at Chauhan Ale House, the new Indian fusion restaurant from Chef Maneet Chauhan. Following the meal, music for the evening will be provided by NF, Lees of Memory and Future Unlimited at the High Watt.

Sync THIS! is being presented by BMI, City National Bank, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Production Music and Capitol CMG to create new opportunities for sync revenue for local songwriters and music publishers.

 

Holly Bell Exits City National Bank

hollybell

Holly Bell

Holly Bell, who served as City National Bank’s Sr. VP Southeast Team Manager, Entertainment Division, has exited her position to pursue a new opportunity that has yet to be announced.

Lori Badgett and Diane Pearson will now handle daily management of the Nashville office as team leaders. 

Bell joined City National Bank in 2010 where she led the specialized sports and entertainment bankers’ team. She brought two decades of entertainment, sports, and private banking experience to the post.

Bell serves on the board of YEP (Young Entertainment Professionals) and Music City Alliance, and is a Leadership Music alum. She can be reached at hollybell3@icloud.com.

Rosanne Cash Plans Residency at Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum

rosanne cash hall of fameRosanne Cash will be the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum’s 2015 artist-in-residence, where she will present intimate performances on Sept. 2, 3, and 24, at 7:00 p.m.

The first evening, Sept. 2, will feature a full-band performance of her Grammy-winning current album The River and the Thread for the first time in Nashville. The concert will also include favorites from a career spanning almost four decades.

The second evening, Sept. 3, will feature special guests Emmylou Harris and Lucinda Williams, marking the first time all three women have shared the stage for an entire evening. The first two performances will take place in the museum’s 800-seat CMA Theater.

The third installment of the residency, on Sept. 24, will be held in the museum’s more intimate Ford Theater and will feature Cash with her husband, producer, guitarist, co-writer, and creative partner, John Leventhal.

“Our annual artist residency is in its thirteenth year,” said museum CEO Kyle Young, “and every year audiences have been entertained and inspired by the creativity and generosity of our featured artists. Rosanne Cash, this year’s artist-in-residence, comes to us at the top of her game. On her latest release, The River and the Thread, Rosanne explores her deep roots in the South and delivers some of her best work in an already illustrious career. We are thrilled to welcome her for what are sure to be three unforgettable performances. It is a bonus that she takes the stage for her residency while her father is featured in a special museum exhibit, Dylan, Cash, and the Nashville Cats.”

Ticket prices range from $45-$65 for the Sept. 2 and 3 shows and $85 for Sept. 24 (plus ticketing fee). Tickets will go on sale to the general public at 10 a.m. on Friday, July 17, and can be purchased at ticketfly.com. Ticket sales are limited to six tickets per transaction for Sept. 2 and 3 and four tickets per transaction for Sept. 24.

Museum members are eligible for pre-sale beginning at 10 a.m. on Thursday, July 9. To purchase a museum membership, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

• • • •

Additionally, the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has added three members to its events and catering culinary team. Coming on board are Bobby Hammock, executive chef; David Gordon-Somers, executive sous chef; and Ian Coppock, sous chef; who join sous chef Grace Curley. Collectively, the group brings more than 100 years of culinary experience. It has been a year of growth for the division following completion of a 210,000 square foot expansion last year that created a number of new event spaces and an increase in demand for catering services.

“Last year we hosted more than 400 private events at the museum, a 200 percent increase over 2013. And this year we are on track for even more,” says Sharon Brawner, senior vice president/sales and marketing at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.

The museum’s Two Twenty-Two Grill is also going through renovations and being updated later this summer and will include a refreshed menu and full service dining.

Eli Young Band Makes A Move To The Valory Music Co.

Eli Young Band

Eli Young Band

Big Machine Label Group announced that Eli Young Band will be making the move from Republic Nashville to The Valory Music Co.

Under Republic Nashville, the band had platinum and multi-platinum No. 1s including “Drunk Last Night,” “Even If It Breaks Your Heart” and “Crazy Girl.”

The band’s 2014 album 10,000 Towns debuted at No. 1 on the country albums chart.

Since signing with Big Machine Label Group in 2011, they have earned multiple GRAMMY, CMA, ACM, CMT, ACA and Billboard award nominations.

“I am proud to announce that the Eli Young Band are joining the roster of the mighty Valory Music Co!,” said Big Machine Label Group President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “The Valory Music Co. SVP/Promotion George Briner and his team have taken VMC to new heights and the addition of EYB will further solidify the label’s stand-alone roster and Valory brand as a top player in the country music arena. All of us are thrilled to continue this very successful relationship.”

Eli Young Band will join Reba, Brantley Gilbert, Justin Moore,Thomas Rhett, The Mavericks, RaeLynn and Levi Hummon on the Valory roster.

The band’s label change could be related to BMLG’s recent purchase of Republic Nashville.

Eli Young Band is performing on Toby Keith‘s Good Times & Pick Up Lines tour and will embark on their own headlining tour this fall. 

Nielsen Teams With atVenu To Track Music Sales at Concerts

nielsenNielsen and atVenu, the provider of a mobile and web-based solution used by artists to manage merchandise logistics while on tour, today (July 8) announced a new collaboration that for the first time will allow artists to digitally report their venue sales to Nielsen’s music reporting tools, including Nielsen SoundScan, the industry-standard for music sales measurement.

Beginning Friday July 10, to coincide with the new Friday Global Release Date, atVenu will become Nielsen’s preferred venue sales data provider and automatically submit all venue sales recorded in the atVenu app directly to Nielsen.

By providing daily venue sales to Nielsen, atVenu will enable faster verification of venue sales and alignment with the new Friday-to-Thursday sales cycle for charts. The atVenu app is the only way to deliver venue sales in a digital format to Nielsen.

atvenu logo“We’re very excited to announce this new venue sales reporting solution,” said Billy Law, Nielsen’s VP Content and Business Development for its Nielsen Entertainment group. “For a long time we’ve wanted to report venue sales on the same Sales Cycle as all of the other music sales information we collect for the industry, and this collaboration with atVenu will allow us to do that in time for the new Friday Global Release Date on July 10.”

Nielsen’s music reporting services will be available via atVenu to all artists, signed and independent, in the U.S. and Canada. For labels managing multiple artist accounts, a free dashboard will be available, allowing users to manage accounts, track sales and get a better view into the sales data pipeline.

“Since launch of the atVenu platform, we’ve managed the merchandise and music sales data for over 2,500 artists at more than 65,000 concerts,” said Ben Brannen, Co-Founder and President of atVenu. “We know how important SoundScan reporting is to our artists and their teams. This exciting collaboration revolutionizes how venue music sales are reported by providing artists with an easy-to-use solution that increases both accuracy and transparency of their data.”

atVenu’s Nielsen reporting service will go live on July 10, 2015. For more information, visit www.atvenu.com/soundscan.

Sony Music Nashville Officially Names New Leaders

Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman; (top) Ken Robold, (bottom) Steve Hodges.

Pictured (L-R): Randy Goodman; (top) Ken Robold, (bottom) Steve Hodges

Randy Goodman has been appointed Chairman & Chief Executive Officer of Sony Music Nashville, effective immediately under Sony Music CEO Doug Morris. Goodman has appointed Ken Robold as Executive Vice President & Chief Operating Officer and Steve Hodges as Executive Vice President, Promotion & Artist Development. Robold and Hodges begin their new roles effective July 13.

“Randy Goodman is a highly respected member of the Nashville community with a proven track record of success in developing hit artists,” said Morris. “We are very happy to have him leading our business in Nashville and welcome him to the Sony Music family.”

“Having started my career at RCA Records Nashville, now a cornerstone of Sony Music, this is a homecoming for me, and I couldn’t be happier or more honored to be entrusted to lead this great group,” said Goodman. “And getting to work with an icon of the business, Doug Morris and his team, makes this opportunity all the more exciting. I’m thankful to Doug for his belief in me and to Julie Swidler for her dedication and commitment to me and Nashville during this transition.”

Goodman replaces Gary Overton in the Nashville leadership role, responsible for overseeing all of Sony Music Nashville operations, including Arista Nashville, Columbia Nashville, RCA Nashville, as well as Provident Music Group.

Sony-Music-Entertainment-LogoIn welcoming Robold and Hodges, Goodman remarked, “Ken and Steve are consummate professionals whose industry acumen, passion, and accomplishments speak for themselves. I am extremely proud to add their vision and experience to our already extraordinary team here at Sony Music Nashville.”

Robold remarked, “It’s an honor to be joining a company with the rich musical legacy Sony enjoys. I’d like to thank Doug Morris, Julie Swidler, and Randy Goodman for the opportunity to work with such a talented group of artists and staff, as we take Sony Music Nashville to new heights.”

On the announcement, Hodges offered, “It’s an extremely exciting time for Sony Music Nashville! It’s an exciting opportunity for me, and I can’t say enough about the vision and leadership that Randy embodies. I’m honored at his vote of confidence. I’m also thrilled to be a teammate with Ken in this endeavor. Needless to say, I’m ecstatic and ready to get to work with the incredible roster of artists and staff!”

Hodges comes to Sony with a background that includes a dozen years in radio and programming and more than 20 years in promotion with Capitol Records Nashville, dating back to the third album of superstar Garth Brooks and the career launches of such artists as Trace Adkins and Deana Carter. Beginning as a regional, Hodges advanced to Senior Vice President, Promotion in 2009, with Capitol earning “Label of the Year” honors throughout his six-year tenure, which also saw the 2010 launch of Capitol imprint EMI Records Nashville. Hodges worked from day one of the Capitol/EMI careers of such chart-topping, platinum-selling artists as Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Darius Rucker, and Keith Urban.

Robold most recently served as President of Zac Brown’s Southern Ground Artists, where he oversaw the operation’s record label, publishing, and studio divisions. The role followed nearly 22 years with PolyGram Records/Universal Music Group, where he rose to the post of Executive Vice President and General Manager of Universal Music Group Nashville. Among his many accomplishments, Robold is a past Chairman of the ACM Board of Directors.

Goodman trained under revered former Sony Nashville leader Joe Galante for 16 years in the Nashville and New York offices, when both were at RCA, the forerunner of what is now Sony Music Nashville. Goodman’s final role was Executive Vice President/General Manager of RCA Nashville, working with such superstars as Waylon Jennings, Alabama, Dave Matthews Band, Martina McBride, Clint Black, Keith Whitley, and The Judds. In 1997, Goodman opened Lyric Street Records for the Walt Disney Co., overseeing the label as President through 2010 and enjoying multi-platinum success with Rascal Flatts and SHeDAISY, as well as platinum-sellers Aaron Tippin and American Idol finalist Josh Gracin. A CMA board member and past President and Chairman of the board, Goodman has co-chaired the Music City Music Council with Nashville Mayor Karl Dean since 2011 and is a board member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. In addition, he has served in a wide range of industry consulting roles, as well as serving as an artist manager with Maverick in Nashville.

According to MusicRow’s most recent records, Sony Music Nashville is home to: Arista Nashville (Kix Brooks, Cam, The Henningsens, Logan Mize, Brad Paisley, The Swon Brothers), Columbia Nashville (Tyler Farr, Steven Lee Olsen, Chase Rice), RCA Nashville ( Josh Dorr, Sara Evans, Miranda Lambert, Old Dominion, Jake Owen, Pistol Annies, Dee Jay Silver, Chris Young), and has partnerships with 19 Recordings (Carrie Underwood, Casey James), Sea Gayle Records (Jerrod Niemann), Blue Chair Records (Kenny Chesney), Pearl Records (Garth Brooks) and Gwendolyn Records (Trisha Yearwood). Ben Gallaher, Go Down Moses, Ryan Griffin, Michael Tyler are also signed to Sony Music Nashville.