CMA Awards: Chris Stapleton, New Presenters, Country Now, AT&T
Chris Stapleton has been added to the 49th annual CMA Awards’ star-studded lineup. He will perform with a special guest who will be announced on Monday, Nov. 2.
Stapleton is nominated in the categories of Album of the Year (for Traveller), Male Vocalist of the Year, and New Artist of the Year.
Presenting trophies will be Edie Brickell and Steve Martin; Miss America 2016 Betty Cantrell; ABC’s Wicked City actress Erika Christensen; ESPN College GameDay’s Lee Corso and Kirk Herbstreit; Sports Illustrated cover model Hannah Davis; reigning New Artist of the Year Brett Eldredge; Charles Kelley of nominated Vocal Group of the Year Lady Antebellum; CMA Country Christmas host Jennifer Nettles; Heather O’Reilly and Megan Rapinoe of the U.S. Women’s Soccer Team; best-selling a cappella group Pentatonix; Reba; Darius Rucker; actor Kiefer Sutherland; Cole Swindell; and Female Vocalist of the Year nominee Lee Ann Womack.
The presentation of pre-televised CMA Awards and honors, including CMA Broadcast Personality and Station of the Year trophies, will be hosted by Warner Music Nashville’s Frankie Ballard.
The producers behind the CMA nominees for Album of the Year are being spotlighted at Country Now, a country music-dedicated YouTube channel. Country Now spoke with Buddy Cannon (Kenny Chesney’s The Big Revival), Dave Cobb (Stapleton’s Traveller), Michael Knox (Jason Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt), Jay Joyce (Little Big Town’s Painkiller), and Shane McAnally (Kacey Musgraves’ Pageant Material) about the makings of these CMA-nominated recordings.
The first two segments, featuring Musgraves’ Pageant Material and Aldean’s Old Boots, New Dirt, aired on Oct. 28. Today (Oct. 29) brings videos about Chesney’s The Big Revival and Stapleton’s Traveller.
Meanwhile, AT&T is giving country music fans a front row seat to the red carpet arrivals for The 49th Annual CMA Awards. Available to DIRECTV and U-verse subscribers, Audience Network presents the AT&T CMA Awards Red Carpet show, which will be hosted by Craig Morgan, Michael Ray and Cam, with performances from Hunter Hayes and Jana Kramer.
The AT&T CMA Awards Red Carpet will air live Nov. 4 (DIRECTV Ch. 239 or U-verse TV Ch. 1114) beginning at 7 p.m. ET to all DIRECTV and AT&T U-verse(®) TV customers, with live streaming beginning 6 p.m. ET at att.com/
Tim McGraw’s Management Team Gets New Name
Tim McGraw‘s management team has reorganized under the name Em.Co., an entertainment management company representing McGraw in the areas of music, film, publishing, branding and partnerships.
The Em.Co team spearheaded by president Scott Siman, and also includes Sr. VP Kelly Clague, VP/Marketing Brian Kaplan, and Sr. Director/Marketing James Stewart.
The company’s website is em.co.
Byron Hill Signs Co-Publishing With Dan Hodges Music
Pictured (L-R): Michelle Attardi (Creative Director, DHM), Susan Hodges (VP of Administration, DHM), Dan Hodges (Owner/GM, DHM), Byron Hill, and ASCAP’s Kele Currier, Ralph Murphy, Mike Sistad.
Dan Hodges Music (DHM) has signed award-winning songwriter/producer Byron Hill to an exclusive worldwide co-publishing agreement.
Best known for penning hits such as “Fool Hearted Memory” by George Strait, “Lifestyles of the Not So Rich and Famous” by Tracy Byrd and “Born Country” by Alabama, Hill has written titles released on 77 RIAA certified gold and platinum albums and singles, earned 10 ASCAP awards and is a four-time CCMA Producer of the Year.
His career spans four decades with Sony/ATV Music, Warner/Chappell Music and Universal Music Publishing and includes songs recorded by Ray Charles, Alabama, George Strait, Jason Aldean, Mark Chesnutt, Kenny Rogers, Don Williams, John Michael Montgomery, Anne Murray, Juice Newton, Joe Nichols, Randy Travis, Keith Whitley, Gary Allan, Rhonda Vincent, Johnny Lee, Reba McEntire, Sammy Kershaw, Mo Pitney and many others.
“I met Byron when he was head of A&R at BNA Records over 20 years ago,” said Hodges. “In that position, he helped me secure my first cut as a song plugger in the music business. His talent and determination helped build the industry in which we are blessed to work today. I look forward to the catalog and opportunities we will build together.”
“Dan’s experience and knowledge of the workings of Music Row have impressed me for more than 20 years.” said Hill. “I am very pleased to now be a creative part of the Dan Hodges Music Family.”
Cam Will Release Debut Album, ‘Untamed,’ on Dec. 11
Fueled by “Burning House” as her first gold-certified single, Cam will release her debut album, Untamed, on Dec. 11 on Arista Nashville/RCA Records.
The collection follows an EP, This is Cam Country, released in April. That set also featured her debut single, “My Mistake.”
Cam worked with producers Jeff Bhasker (Bruno Mars, Beyoncé, FUN., The Rolling Stones, Taylor Swift) and Tyler Johnson (Ed Sheeran, OneRepublic, Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus, Mikky Ekko) on the new music. She wrote or co-wrote all 11 songs on Untamed.
A native of Lafayette, Calif., Cam will be a guest on Brad Paisley’s Crushin’ It World Tour in 2016.
Metro Nashville Seeks Public Input on Music Row Design Plan
The Metropolitan Nashville Planning Department is soliciting online responses to help determine the future of the Music Row area, as part of the Music Row Design Plan. The survey covers topics including transportation, growth, infrastructure improvements, character preservation and businesses/activities/housing that would be beneficial to the area.
The survey is available at surveymonkey.com. The survey will close at 5 p.m. on Thursday, Nov. 5.
The Metropolitan Nashville Planning Commission voted in February 2015 to recommend deferral or disapproval of any rezoning request on Music Row for the next 12-18 months, to allow time for development of a design plan for that community. Since then, the Planning Department, the National Trust, the Music Industry Coalition and other community, business, and historic preservation organizations have been researching neighborhood issues and reaching out to the public to begin finding common ground on Music Row’s future.
The plan currently being developed could be presented to the Planning Commission in March 2016.
Approximately 50 community members participated in a public discussion of Music Row’s future on Oct. 26, at the first of four public meetings the Metro Planning Department is hosting to gather input on a design plan for the Music Row area.
That plan will guide the Planning Department’s and the Planning Commission’s actions on future development. Subsequent meetings will take place on Nov. 10, Dec. 2, and Jan. 11. All will take place from 6 p.m.-7:30 p.m. at the community room at Midtown Hills police precinct, located at 1443 12th Ave. S.
MusicRowPics: Alexandra Demetree
Alexandra Demetree performs for MusicRow staffers.
Over the past year, female artists such as Kelsea Ballerini, Maddie & Tae, Cam, Jana Kramer, and Mickey Guyton have found room on the country charts alongside Miranda Lambert and Carrie Underwood.
Newcomer Alexandra Demetree hopes to add her name to that list.
The Jacksonville, Fla., native co-wrote two of the five songs on her latest EP, released under SSM Nashville.
“I don’t remember not singing. I started singing Christmas carols at the age of 2 for my grandmother’s bridge group,” she recalls of her earliest involvement in music. She pursued a performing career throughout her childhood, and later entered Northwestern University with a double major in music theater and economics. She continued notching career milestones with performances at Carnegie Hall and the South African Consulate, as well as a national anthem performance at the Toyota Gator Bowl and a performance for former First Lady Barbara Bush. She co-wrote and recorded the single, “Lay It On Me,” with fellow SSM Nashville artist and former The Bachelorette cast member Wes Hayden.
Demetree, alongside guitarist Jason Roller, offered an acoustic preview of her music for the MusicRow staff, including the ballad “Hopeless,” and one of her co-written tunes, “Pick Me Up.” “It’s kind of a girl’s perspective at bar,” said Demetree. “From a girl’s perspective sometimes, it’s like, ‘He’s been looking at me the entire night, so why won’t he come talk to me and have a conversation?’ So that inspired this song.”
Her current single, “Outta My Head,” was produced by Bobby Huff and penned by Mark and Cherie Oakley, two of the co-writers behind Reba’s hit, “Turn On The Radio.”
“I loved that song when I heard it,” Demetree said of “Outta My Head.” “It talks about a situation I feel that everyone has been in. A friend had sent it to me a long time ago, and it was actually stuck in my spam folder. Later, I was cleaning out my email, I found it and listened to it, and was like, ‘Wow, I love this song. How did I miss this?’ We got in the studio a week later and recorded it.”
Demetree recently released a video for “Outta My Head.” The acoustic performance clip was directed by Brian Harstine, and shot in a warehouse in Nashville’s Germantown district.
“Outta My Head” sits at No. 59 this week on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart.
Alexandra Demetree with MusicRow staffers.
Sam Hunt Celebrates Successful Year with Nashville Street Party
Sam Hunt’s Nashville street party on October 28, 2015. Photo: Steven Worster
A well-groomed Sam Hunt threw a free, 85-minute street party in downtown Nashville yesterday (October 28) in the alcohol-approved corridor between the Omni Hotel and the Music City Center.
Over 10,000 fans held up cell phones and selfie sticks, even sitting on each other’s shoulders to remember the event. Hunt even attracted attention from the convention and pool levels of the Omni who peered down at the free extravaganza. Prime views from the patios of Bajo Sexto and Barlines were not as full as expected, as the streets bled over with onlookers during the show.
At 6:30 p.m. the event started with “Raised On It,” “Ex to See,” “Leave the Night On,” and “Single For The Summer.”
“This party is to celebrate our first record put out a year ago, yesterday,” said Hunt. “It is also a homecoming. I haven’t been home and it feels good to be back.”
That first album, Montevallo, has sold over 800,000 copies in a year’s time and was celebrated this week with the reissue of Hunt’s independent mix-tape, Between The Pines. Hunt brought supporter and blogger Katelyn Carter to the stage to thank her for helping get the word out early on.
“We put out Between The Pines for free online and Katelyn mailed out copies from her own pocket,” said Hunt, who gave her white roses on stage. “You are the reason we were able to get on the radar of labels.”
Sam Hunt runs through the crowd at his October 28th street party. Photo: facebook.com/samhuntmusic
Music continued with the Hunt-written songs of Keith Urban (“Cop Car”), Kenny Chesney (“Come Over”), and Billy Currington (“We Are Tonight”).
Hunt’s guitarist Tyrone Carreker joined the singer for covers of Bonnie Raitt (“I Can’t Make You Love Me”), Reba (“Fancy”), Trisha Yearwood (“She’s In Love With The Boy”), Mariah Carey (“Always Be My Baby”), Destiny’s Child (“Say My Name”), Cyndi Lauper (“Girls Just Wanna Have Fun”), Whitney Houston (“I Wanna Dance With Somebody”), and Deana Carter (“Strawberry Wine”).
Surprise guest Cam was invited to the stage to sing her impeccable song “Burning House” as the audience sang in unison.
Fans found a view as music continued with Hunt’s original “Speakers,” “Take Your Time,” “House Party,” “I Met A Girl,” “Make You Miss Me,” “Saturday Night,” and “Break Up In A Small Town.”
Sponsored by Bose, there was said to be free beer from additional event sponsor Anheuser-Busch.
DISClaimer: The Cox Family, The Hillbenders Offer Some of The Best in Bluegrass
The Hillbenders
People are always asking me what I’m listening to.
Well, in recent weeks, some of the coolest new records have been coming from bluegrassy acts like Donna Ulisse, The Cox Family, Dailey & Vincent, Ron Block and The Tennessee Mafia Jug Band.
Unquestionably the best of these is Gone Like the Cotton by The Cox Family. It isn’t traditional bluegrass, since several tracks feature drums, piano, steel or electric guitar. But it the Disc of the Day, whatever you call it.
The DisCovery Award goes to The Hillbenders for their audacious reimagining of a rock-music classic.’
THE HILLBENDERS/Pinball Wizard
Writer: Pete Townsend; Producer: Louis Jay Meyers; Publisher: Fabulous/Spirit One, BMI; Compass (track)
-You read that correctly. The Hillbenders are on the bluegrass charts with The Who’s “Pinball Wizard.” Not only that, the whole album is a reinterpretation of the classic Tommy, billed now as “a Bluegrass Opry.” The vocals work surprisingly well. The banjo accompaniment takes a little getting used to.
RON BLOCK/Smartville
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RB (track)
-The longtime Union Station banjo man has a new solo instrumental CD titled Hogan’s House of Music. It kicks off with this lively, bouncing ditty that has a built-in smile. Guests on various tracks on the album include Stuart Duncan, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Sierra Hull, Adam Steffey and Tim Crouch. Highly recommended.
RALPH STANLEY, BUDDY MILLER AND JIM LAUDERDALE/I Am the Man, Thomas
Writers: Larry Sparks/Ralph Stanley; Producers: Buddy Miller/Jim Lauderdale; Publishers: Zap, BMI; Cracker Barrel/Red
-This patriarch’s new CD finds him collaborating with country stars such as Dierks Bentley, Josh Turner and Lee Ann Womack, bluegrass celebrities like Del McCoury and Ricky Skaggs and even rock stars Elvis Costello and Robert Plant. On this rousing gospel chestnut, co-producers Buddy Miller and Jim Lauderdale harmonize with gusto.
DONNA ULISSE/Hard Cry Moon
Writers: Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Bryan Sutton; Publishers: Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N Paw, ASCAP; Hadley Music
-Ulisse’s new CD is No. 1 on the Roots Music Report chart and No. 3 on the Euro Americana chart. I can certainly hear why. Its title tune is a mournful, melodic ballad with a gently caressing lead vocal and some gorgeous harmony singing from Jerry Salley and Rick Stanley. Heart melting.
DAILEY & VINCENT/We’re All Here To Learn
Writers: Karen Staley/Jamie S. Dailey; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Bluegrassambassador/Hobo Lizard, BMI; Pillar
-This award-winning group’s debut live CD is a Cracker Barrel exclusive. Recorded at a concert in a Virginia performing arts center, the set opens with this uplifting, inspirational and hard-driving performance. The bluegrass ensemble is backed by The George Mason University Student Orchestra. The sound is majestic.
THE TENNESSEE MAFIA JUG BAND/Lester’s Loafin’ Lounge
Writers: Mike Webb; Producer: Eric Heatherly; Publishers: none listed, BMI; TMJB (track)
-This good-time string band is a perennial favorite on Marty Stuart’s RFD-TV series. Its new CD’s title tune is about a real place that’s situated near Goodlettsville, Tenn., where good food and pickin’ parties abound. Owner “Lonesome” Lester Armistead passed away last year. This album and this song are dedicated to him. Fear not: Tennessee Mafia Jug Band member Mikey Armistead now maintains the Lounge’s traditions. If you can’t make the trip there, get this CD, and you’ll have a taste of its hearty cheer.
MIKE AULDRIDGE, JERRY DOUGLAS, ROB ICKES/The Three Bells
Writers: Jean Villard/Bert Reisfeld; Producers: Mike Auldridge/Jerry Douglas/Rob Ickes; Publisher: Southern, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-This trio won the Instrumental Recorded Performance award at the International Bluegrass Music Awards earlier this month. No wonder: The three greatest Dobro masters of our lifetime are all on the same record together. Heaven sounds something like this.
LORRAINE JORDAN & CAROLINA ROAD AND THE KENTUCKY HEADHUNTERS/Runnin’ Water
Writers: The Kentucky Headhunters; Producers: Josh Goforth/Lorraine Jordan; Publishers: Them Young Boys/ I.B. Headed, no performance rights listed; Pinecastle (track)
-Jordan and her Carolina Road boys have titled their new CD Country Grass. It features them collaborating with John Conlee, Lee Greenwood, T.G. Sheppard, Eddy Raven, Crystal Gayle and the late Jim Ed Brown and Lynn Anderson, among others. They are midway up the Bluegrass Unlimited chart with this rip-roaring, lickety-split outing with The Kentucky Headhunters. Yee-hah!
THE INFAMOUS STRINGDUSTERS/American Girl
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Lumenhouse
-The Infamous Stringdusters’ new Undercover five-song EP entered the Billboard bluegrass chart at No. 1. It features the group reinterpreting the songs of Johnny Cash (”Big River”), Bob Dylan (”Don’t Think Twice, It’s All Right”), Jimmy Webb (”Highwayman”) and, yes, Pink Floyd (”Fearless”). Their version of Tom Petty’s “American Girl” has a pinched-nose lead vocal, woozy fiddle lines and slightly sour harmonies. But the long instrumental ride at the song’s end is outstanding.
THE COX FAMILY/Gone Like The Cotton
Writers: Sidney Cox/Suzanne Cox; Producer: Alison Krauss; Publisher: ANSALLY/Marla, BMI; Rounder (track)
-Let me just state up front that I adore this group. The title tune of its new CD is a wistful waltz about loved ones who have passed away. The blood-harmony trio voices on the choruses are lump-in-throat listening ecstasy. Elsewhere on the set are cool reworkings of songs made famous by The Louvin Brothers (”Cash on the Barrelhead”), Bread (”Lost Without Your Love”) and Crystal Gayle (”I’ll Get Over You”). The album, by the way, is a completion of one that they began recording for Asylum back in 1998. Good music is truly timeless.
MusicRow Launches First Podcast Episode With Merle Haggard
Photo: Myriam Santos
MusicRow is launching a new podcast series with the first episode featuring an interview with Merle Haggard.
Sponsored by SunTrust Bank’s Sports & Entertainment Group, the MusicRow Podcast is hosted by Sherod Robertson, the publication’s owner and publisher. In the first installment, the iconic Country Music Hall of Fame member talks about his true feelings toward hippies, recalls his friendship with Johnny Cash, and reveals the first song he’d want a new fan to hear.
Asked where he gets his drive, Haggard replies, “I’ve got a young wife who actually loves me, who is in love with me. She is a full-time nurse and should have a degree in homeopathic methods of healing. She has kept me young at heart and, you know, if I just try a little bit, I feel really good and I give her all the credit. She has changed my life and she’s sobered me up and made me a worthwhile citizen.”
Also in the the podcast, longtime industry figure Hazel Smith explains Haggard’s towering presence in country music history.
Or click here to listen in iTunes.
About the MusicRow podcast:
From Nashville’s leading music industry trade publication, The MusicRow Podcast features in-depth conversations with artists and the key industry members behind their music. Hosted by MusicRow Magazine Publisher Sherod Robertson, the series offers unique perspectives from iconic legends and rising talent to key decision makers and gatekeepers in the Nashville music industry.