DISClaimer: Chris Young, Drew Baldridge, Wes Hightower Bring Stunning Tracks

Chris Young Sober Saturday Night

I’m running late this week, so let me be brief. Without question, Chris Young has the Disc of the Day.

I’d give the great Wes Hightower a DisCovery Award if he wasn’t so super well known as a studio ace. So the promising-sounding Drew Baldridge gets the nod.

SCOTT BRANTLEY/How Summer Goes
Writers: Scott Brantley/Derrick Hampton; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Studio Gold, BMI/ASCAP
-Very classy. He sings great. The song is put together well. The production swirls invitingly. Definitely worth your spins.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Wanna Be That Song
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman/Scooter Carusoe; Producers: Ross Copperman & Brett Eldredge; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Paris Not France/EMI Blackwood/Songs By Red Room/Scrambler/Abbots Creek Music Two, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
– The magic power of music. Brett’s best yet.

REBEKAH LONG/Ain’t Life Sweet
Writers: Rebekah Long/Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Donna Ulise; Publishers: Lotta LUK/Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N Paw, ASCAP; LUK
– She sounds like she doesn’t have a lot of lung power on this bluegrass ditty. The harmony singers help her out.

 

CHRIS YOUNG/Sober Saturday Night
Writers: Chris Young/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Corey Crowder/Chris Young; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Goodbye Pants/Sagequinnjude/Famlove/Sony-ATV, BMI; RCA (track)
– This man sings so wonderfully. On this power ballad, he gives a chesty shout to a heartache lyric. Vince Gill provides harmony vocal support.

DOLLY SHINE/Rattlesnake
Writer: Zack McGinn; Producers: Josh Serrato & Ben Hussey; Publishers: none listed; Vision/Thirty Tigers
– Just to be clear, there are no women in this Texas band. And certainly none named “Dolly.” There is, however, plenty of macho snarl in this atmospheric country rocker.

CHUBBY CHECKER/Lookin’ For Me
Writers: Chubby Checker/Gary Lefkowith/Mike Rogers; Producers: The Hill & HiFi; Publishers: CC/Sotto/Wax, ASCAP/BMI; TEEC
-It’s not “twist again, like we did last summer.” No, indeed. Chubby goes country with an acoustic, bluegrassy toe tapper embellished by fiddle and steel licks. It is wildly hooky and catchy. Play it.

 

DREW BALDRIDGE/Dance With Ya
Writers: none listed; Producer: Josh Leo; Publishers: none listed; Cold River (track)
– I like his voice. It’s strong and true. The bright horn bursts give the production some r&b oomph. The song is upbeat and all-the-way fun. Highly recommended.

RAY JOHNSTON BAND/Make Mine A Double
Writers: Steve Auburn/Hunter Hutchinson/Ray Johnston; Producer: Erik Herbst; Publishers: none listed; RJB (track)
– He’s from Texas. He can hardly sing. The band is sloppy.

WES HIGHTOWER/I’m Expecting Some Good News
Writers: Tom Shapiro/Wes Hightower; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Wes Hightower; Publishers: none listed; On The Boat (track)
– For those of you who read album credits, this man’s name will be instantly recognizable. He’s sung background vocals for every superstar in country music. He also writes songs, as his new Good News CD abundantly illustrates. This lead off track brilliantly showcases his winning way with a melody. It goes without saying that his vocal performance is flawless. And need I add that his studio reputation attracts an A-list cast of supporting musicians? Let me just say this: If I could be anybody in this industry, it would be Wes Hightower.

HOMEcoverCDxsm-1

CMA Fest Adds Free Stage Inside Bridgestone Arena’s Visitor Center

2016-CMAMusicFestival-Logo-Badge-4C

When the temps get hot in Nashville during CMA Music Festival, fans can head to the festival’s only free, air-conditioned festival stage. The Music City Stage will be located inside the visitor center at Bridgestone Arena.

“We have had a long-standing tradition of providing live music at our visitor center during CMA Fest,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NVNC). “It is a huge benefit to be adopted and embraced by CMA. In addition to upgrading our lineup, it is further validation of our ever-expanding partnership.”

“We are so pleased to present a new, official Festival stage in partnership with the NCVC,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “Each of our 11 stages provides a unique experience for our fans whether it is the mainstage at Nissan Stadium, rockin’ with fan favorites at Riverfront, or smaller, more intimate performances.”

Performances on the Music City Stage will take place from 11 a.m.-4 p.m. daily during the festival, held June 9-12. The lineup includes American Young, Lauren Ashley, Barrett Baber, Risa Binder, Chad Brownlee, David Adam Byrnes, Brent Cobb, Julia Cole, Raquel Cole, Dianna Corcoran, Josh Dorr, George Ducas, Kenny Foster, Mitch Goudy, Calynn Green, Haley & Michaels, Lyndsey Highlander, Joey Hyde, Jillian Jacqueline, Jukebox Mafia, Kristen Kelly, Trea Landon, Rachele Lynae, Jordyn Mallory, Paul Malysa, Doug McCormick, Tristan McIntosh, Alyssa Micaela, Michaelis, Mockingbird Sun, Norlina, Hayley Orrantia, Brandon Ray, Mary Sarah, Caitlyn Shadbolt, Kalie Shorr, Southern Halo, Cody Webb, and Hailey Whitters. Artists subject to change.

Industry Ink: YEP, Whiskey Jam, Total Assault

YEP Goes Back In Time

Photo (L-R): Bradley Collins, BMI; Maggie Rose, artist; Derek Wells, band; Lucie Silvas, artist; MaryAnn Keen, YEP Board; Andrew Cohen, YEP Exec. Director/Suit Music; Cassadee Pope, artist; Josh Tomlinson, BMI; Nina Carter, BMI. Photo: Jason Myers Photography

Photo (L-R): Bradley Collins, BMI; Maggie Rose, artist; Derek Wells, band; Lucie Silvas, artist; MaryAnn Keen, YEP Board; Andrew Cohen, YEP Exec. Director/Suit Music; Cassadee Pope, artist; Josh Tomlinson, BMI; Nina Carter, BMI. Photo: Jason Myers Photography

The Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) hosted their quarterly YEP Rewind show on Tuesday night (May 24) at The Basement East. This time, the theme was ’90’s Night” and included performances by Dave Barnes, Maren Morris, Maggie Rose, Cassadee Pope, Ryan Hurd and more. The show sold out in 23 hours and benefitted Songs Against Slavery. See recap video here.

 

Whiskey Jam Gets International Interest

Decca logo

Decca Records/UK will partner with Nashville’s Whiskey Jam on June 7 to present some of the label’s newest artists. The free show begins at 7:30 p.m. Confirmed artists are Rhys Lewis and newly formed duo Ida Mae from the United Kingdom, as well as John & Jacob of Birmingham, Alabama, and Betti, a Nashville resident.

Rebecca Allen, Managing Director, Decca Records/UK, said the label has a passion for artists that “do things differently, distinctly, excellently and defiantly.” She added, “I believe this credo explains the strength of the bond between London and Nashville’s music communities, and why we chose to have this first of its kind concert in Nashville. Our team has long had an interest in and connection with all of the types of music that come out of this area. Likewise we found a kindred sprit with the great music that can be found on any given night at a Whiskey Jam presentation.”

 

Total Assault Adds Nashville Office

Melissa Goldberg

Melissa Goldberg

Total Assault, the Los Angeles-based digital marketing agency, has opened a Nashville office. Its clients include Dolly Parton, Kiefer Sutherland and developing artists Abi Ann and Matt Gary. Agency CMO/General Manager, Melissa Goldberg, has relocated to Music City to lead the new office.

“We are very excited to have boots on the ground in Nashville. While NY and LA will always be forces in music, we feel Nashville has started to establish itself as the center of the universe for the industry and we look forward to crafting the future of Total Assault as part of that world,” Goldberg said.

Exclusive: Keith Urban Presents “Summery, Jubilant, Groovy Music” At Tour Preview

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal 5.25.16 (C) 5 Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban and his band welcomed several dozen fans and industry members to a preview of his Ripcord World Tour 2016 on Wednesday (May 25) at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena. For about an hour and a half, Urban’s concert showed off the tour’s sophisticated lighting production and multiple stages.

Urban estimated that nine songs from his eighth studio album, Ripcord will make it into the tour’s set list. Ripcord has already spawned the hits “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16,” “Break On Me,” and “Wasted Time.”

Urban launched the preview with Ripcord’s album opener, “Gone Tomorrow (Here Today),” the same song he will use to open each show on the tour.

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal 5.25.16 (C) 2 Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“There is a huge amount of buoyant, summer songs that are just right for this kind of environment,” he told reporters. “That’s why I’m looking forward to this tour so much and I can’t wait to get these songs out in front of a live audience. We’ve never had this much of a summery, jubilant, groovy music to play before.”

The trek marks Urban’s first full-fledged, album-supporting tour in three years, and he’s anxious to bring fans a mix of previous hits and new material.

“You guys are like the real deal,” Urban told the audience. “This is like a real gig.”

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Throughout the rehearsal, the superstar singer-songwriter also offered insights into what fans can expect. He offered a rendition of another tune from Ripcord, a much-buzzed about collaboration with Carrie Underwood, “The Fighter.” Urban noted that Underwood has recorded a special video for the tour, though only her vocal track from the album was showcased during his preview.

“It will be better when Carrie is on the screen,” said Urban.

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Later in the set, Urban and two of his crew members reassembled on a smaller satellite stage for “You Gonna Fly.” The singer noted that tour opener Brett Eldredge will join him for a song on the satellite stage each evening, while fellow tour opener Maren Morris will handle Miranda Lambert’s vocal part on the 2013 collaboration “We Were Us.”

During the rehearsal, songs such as 1999’s “Where the Blacktop Ends” benefited from a grungier, extended guitar solo, while Urban stayed close to the center microphone, and was bathed in white lights during “Everybody,” a track from 2006’s Love, Pain and The Whole Crazy Thing.

Helping to bridge that sonic gap between the experimental, rhythmic fare found on Ripcord, and the grooves of his earlier hits is a custom bit of machinery constructed by Urban’s newest band member, Nathan Barlowe. Called “The Phantom,” the machine duplicates various musical elements from the album, but can also manipulate musical elements in real time, allowing for maximum musical flexibility.

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“The middle of last year when I was making Ripcord, even though I was a long way off from finishing, I could tell I was going to need a new guy in the band, but it wasn’t a role I could put a title to. I said to [band leader] Jerry Flowers, ‘We need this other person in the band. It’s not a DJ, it’s not a keyboard player, it’s not a percussionist, it’s not a utility guy, but it’s somehow all of those things wrapped up into one role. It’s not a programmer either, because everything is being done on the fly. Everything can happened in real time.’ He suggested Nathan, who started creating that thing which he calls the Phantom to do all the things we are able to do.”

Urban wrapped the preview with his current single, “Wasted Time.” His Ripcord World Tour 2016 will launch June 2 in Kansas City, Missouri.

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Keith Urban Ripcord Rehearsal. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley Releases Duet, Plans Downtown Pop-Up Store

Dierks Elle

Dierks Bentley has released a duet with Elle King titled “Different for Girls” as the second single from his new album, Black. The single is available now at country radio. Black will be released by Capitol Records Nashville on Friday (May 27). The song was written by Shane McAnally and JT Harding.

“There is a real honesty in these lyrics, and I haven’t heard a song written this way before. The differences in how guys and girls deal with a broken heart is really interesting material to me,” shared Bentley. “Having two daughters certainly has changed the way I see the world and what they have ahead. What I love about Elle being on this record, besides her uniquely powerful but vulnerable voice, is that she’s a total badass. Having her perspective really helps tell the complete story.”

“When I got the call that Dierks wanted me to sing with him I was very honored, but I get a little shy when I’m asked to sing other people’s songs – let alone a duet with one of the biggest country stars in the world,” added King. “Our voices blended really well together. Since I often write from the male perspective, I was really excited to be a part of someone else’s story that is jumping outside of the norm for a relationship song. The lyrics are really smart and I love that he is bringing a lot of attitude to modern country music.”

In related news, Bentley will bring his Black Pop-Up shop to Nashville at the corner of 4th and Broadway through CMA Music Fest weekend, as visitors can partake in the Black listening station and have the opportunity to purchase the new album along with exclusive merchandise and “enter to win” opportunities only available at the shop.

“It’s pretty cool to have a Pop-Up shop dedicated to this album just a few doors down from the most legendary honky-tonks of all-time,” said Bentley. “It’s also the future home of my bar Whiskey Row, so it’s great to be able to use the space and give the fans a place to chill during Music Fest before we start construction in there. I may have to swing by myself at some point to check it out!”

Spirit Music Group, Josh Osborne Strike Catalog Deal

Josh Osborne. Photo: Moments By Moser

Josh Osborne. Photo: Moments By Moser

Spirit Music Group has acquired Josh Osborne’s co-published interest in songs written while he was a staff writer for Black River Publishing.

The announcement was made Wednesday (May 25) by David Renzer, Chairman and CEO, Spirit Music Group and Daniel Hill, President, Spirit Music Nashville.

Osborne’s catalog features nearly 500 songs, including nine No. 1 hits, which will now be published globally by Spirit Music Group. Spirit’s deal with Osborne also encompasses a number of his unreleased songs. Black River still owns their portion of these songs.

“We’re thrilled and honored that Josh Osborne has chosen Spirit Music Nashville as the home for his incredible catalog of hits. Josh’s catalog not only contains some important #1 country hits, but with the new Sam Hunt single ‘Make You Miss Me’ and with our strong team in Nashville working the catalog we’re sure there will be more hits to come from this incredible collection of great songs,” Renzer said.

“Josh Osborne is a talented and prolific songwriter who has had amazing success in recent years. This catalog represents much hard work and inspiration, and we are proud that he has entrusted this valuable body of work to Spirit Music Nashville,” Hill said.

Among the nine No. 1 country hits included in Spirit’s acquisition of Osborne’s catalog are “Come Over” and “Wild Child” by Kenny Chesney; “Drunk Last Night” by Eli Young Band; “My Eyes” and “Sangria” by Blake Shelton; “Leave the Light On” and “Take Your Time” by Sam Hunt; “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16” by Keith Urban and “We Are Tonight” by Billy Currington.

After five years with Black River Publishing, Osborne joined SMACKSongs as a partner in June 2015.

Alabama Exhibit Coming To Country Music Hall Of Fame

Alabama

Alabama

A new exhibit titled Alabama: Born Country will open at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum on August 25. The exhibit will run through June 2017.

Coinciding, band members Randy Owen, Teddy Gentry and Jeff Cook will perform during the museum’s exclusive member concert, The Big Gig, at the CMA Theater on July 6.

The year-long exhibit will be comprised of musical instruments, performance clothing, awards, childhood mementos, tour memorabilia and photographs. A spotlight will also shine on the Country Music Hall of Famers’ humanitarian efforts, most notably the long-running June Jam in Fort Payne, Alabama. The event has raised millions of dollars for local charities.

Since signing with RCA in 1980, Alabama has scored over 40 chart-topping singles, sold more than 70 million albums worldwide and set concert attendance records. The band has been honored with three CMA Entertainer of the Year honors (1982, 1983 and 1984) and was named ACM’s Artist of the Decade for the 1980s. By 1993 the group had released 32 No. 1 singles on the Billboard Hot Country Songs chart, including “Mountain Music,” “Dixieland Delight,” “Love in the First Degree,” “Song of the South.”

In September 2015, Alabama reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with Southern Drawl, their first album of new material since 2001, released with BMG. On Thursday (May 26), the band will be inducted into the Music City Walk of Fame in downtown Nashville.

Annie Tate Signs Two Songwriters To Ghost Hollow Music

Pictured (L-R): Tenasie Bowe, Annie Tate, Matt Keyler

Pictured (L-R): Tenasie Bowe, Annie Tate, Matt Keyler

Songwriter Annie Tate has signed two songwriters to Ghost Hollow Music. A new venture, the company is independently owned and operated by Tate.

The company’s two new signings, Tenasie Bowe and Matt Keyler, were discovered when Tate was judging a songwriting competition in 2015. After hearing the song they submitted, she looked them up on YouTube, contacted them and began co-writing. She signed them to Ghost Hollow Music on Friday (May 20) and refers to them as “Ghost Writers.”

Tate said, “I am so excited to start this new venture with young people who I believe in and continue to encourage and mentor because they really want to say something with their music. I came to Nashville and made a career writing songs I hoped would raise the bar on Nashville writing in the way that all the great Nashville writers who came before me had done and to whom I owe all my success. … I can only hope to encourage some part of the next generation of Nashville writers to keep reaching higher and writing songs that might possibly change the world because they ‘say something.'”

Tate’s writing credits include Rodney Atkins’ “If You’re Going Through Hell,” Emerson Drive’s “Moments,” and Reba McEntire’s “Somebody,” among many others.

Exclusive: Sammy Arriaga Blends Latin, Country On New Mixtape

Sammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.

Sammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.

Newcomer Sammy Arriaga has songwriter Monty Powell, Facebook, and the boldness that accompanies musical ambition to thank for his move to Nashville.

Arriaga auditioned for American Idol during Season 10, earning a “golden ticket” to Hollywood. Though he didn’t win that season, he did discover a passion for country music.

“It inspired me to pick up a guitar and teach myself to write songs,” said Arriaga. “I fell in love with the genre and I knew that Nashville was the heart of the genre.”

Sammy Arriaga performs for MusicRow staff.

Sammy Arriaga and band members perform for MusicRow staff.

Arriaga dropped out of a college program in Winter Park, Florida, to pursue music on his own. He started by sending Facebook messages to several Nashville-area songwriters and publishers. Monty Powell, a songwriter and longtime Keith Urban collaborator, responded.

“He thought I had potential and said if I ever moved to Nashville, he would be glad to help out. That was enough for me,” said Arriaga.

Arriaga immediately packed and made the nearly 1,000-mile trip to Music City.

“I had never met the guy,” said Arriaga. “I grabbed my stuff, showed up in Nashville and direct-messaged him to say, ‘I’m here.’ He asked where I was staying, and I said ‘My car.’ He was like, ‘No, you’re crazy. Come stay at my place.’ He sent me his address and he guided me from that point on.”

Banjos N BongosThe wager has been a successful one. Arriaga has since inked a deal with Los Angeles label Latium Records, and recorded the acoustic mixtape Banjos N’ Bongos, which blends the salsa and merengue sounds of his Cuban heritage with a bedrock of country music, and a splash of the urban and Top 40 songs he grew up with. Arriaga co-wrote every track, collaborating with writers including Brett Beavers, Jim Beavers, Aaron Scherz, and James Slater.

During a visit to MusicRow, Arriaga performed three tracks from the mixtape, including “Margarita Talk,” “Cuban,” “Cold In Miami,” and “Banjos N’ Bongos.”

Arriaga plans to bring some of his Latin-flavored style of country to the CMA Music Festival, when he performs on the Gildan Broadway Stage at Hard Rock Cafe on June 10.

Banjos N’ Bongos is available at all digital retailers. Arriaga has signed a development deal with Sony Music Nashville and has been working with producer Dann Huff. He is booked by WME’s Kevin Neal.

 

Sammy Arriaga with MusicRow staff.

Sammy Arriaga and his band with MusicRow staff.

‘Skyville Live’ Assembles Ace Guitarists Billy Gibbons, Orianthi, Frankie Ballard, Mike Henderson

Billy Gibbons and Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images

Billy Gibbons and Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images

ZZ Top’s Billy Gibbons was joined by fellow guitar slingers Frankie Ballard, Orianthi, ZZ Ward and Mike Henderson on Tuesday night (May 24) for the latest installment of Skyville Live.

430126942,DF7AB5426E9D4C8B392

Frankie Ballard. Photo: Getty Images

The intimate concert was recorded in full HD video before a studio audience in Nashville, and live-streamed via aol.com and go90.

Gibbons launched the evening, expertly performing renditions of “Treat Her Right” and “Got Love If You Want It.” Meanwhile, Ballard offered his singles “Cigarette” and “Young & Crazy,” followed by a cover of Jim Croce’s “You Don’t Mess Around With Jim.”

430129177,6EBA16BE1FE77FE76E9

ZZ Ward. Photo: Getty Images

Ward presented “Put the Gun Down” and a passionate rendition of the cautionary tale “Last Love Song” before settling behind the piano for “365 Days.”

430127743,78B125BB81C7C8B0805

Mike Henderson. Photo: Getty Images

Diverse musician and longtime Nashville player Henderson brought Gibbons back to the stage for “Pay Bo Diddley,” while Orianthi laid down plenty of tasty guitar lines on songs including a cover of Jimi Hendrix’s “Voodoo Child.”

430130143,A9EA9BACD2B214427C1

Orianthi. Photo: Getty Images

Among the highlights were an all-star finale performance of the ZZ Top classic “Sharp Dressed Man.”