Frankie Ballard

After finally getting his shot in Nashville, Frankie Ballard decided to get out of town to make his newest album, El Rio.

The Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville artist rode a wave of success with “Helluva Life,” “Sunshine & Whiskey” and “Young & Crazy,” all No. 1 singles from his 2014 album Sunshine & Whiskey. But when it came time to follow up with new music, Ballard and producer Marshall Altman needed to figure out the next step.

As Ballard tells MusicRow, “He looked at me and was like, ‘What is it? What are we going to do?’ And I said, ‘Here’s what we’re going to do. We’re going to get better.’”

From there, the pieces started falling into place. Ballard assembled a five-piece band – including himself – with two musicians from Nashville and two musicians from Los Angeles. After selecting the 14 songs to record, the entourage traveled to Muscle Shoals Sound in Alabama to rehearse and arrange the material. (Not coincidentally, it’s the same room where his musical idol Bob Seger recorded “Old Time Rock and Roll,” although it is no longer a functioning studio.) After that, everybody headed west to Tornillo, Texas, just south of El Paso, to the Sonic Ranch.

“It’s a 3,200-acre ranch, 2,300 of which is pecan trees. And in the middle is this big hacienda and a lot of state-of-the-art recording studios,” Ballard explains. “I learned about the place from an engineer friend of mine and it sounded like a magical place to be.”

In contrast to recording in Nashville, all the meals were home-cooked and everybody slept at the ranch. Plus, Ballard was able to walk up to the banks of the Rio Grande River when he needed a moment of reflection. Overall, the change of scenery proved to be exactly what he craved – no personal distractions, limited cell phone service, and a full focus on creating. After soaking up the mojo in Muscle Shoals, Ballard and his band were ready to rip into El Rio, which will be released Friday (June 10).

“For any artist, the best they can be is when they get closest to what really turns them on,” Ballard believes. “So I said, ‘Marshall, let’s do it like a five-piece band. And try to do it live. Not a lot of overdubs and let’s try to make the music translate immediately to the live setting. And sound just like the record live, immediately. Let’s try to step out on this and refine my sound even more.’”

In response, Altman produced the record almost as if he were a sixth member of the band, standing on the studio floor instead of in the control booth. Just as other mainstream country artists have embraced their hip hop or urban influences, Ballard brought his own musical background into the mix too.

“I love that there’s all these new artists putting their influences, their genuine influences, into their music, and into country music. Guys like Sam Hunt and Florida Georgia Line, and they’re bringing a lot of ears and eyeballs and people to country music and making it this big, broad brushstroke, which I think is so positive,” Ballard observes. “But their influences are different than mine. I’m into blues and old country and rock and roll and Elvis and stuff like that, so I need to be there. I need to do that.”

Ballard says he has been building toward this moment for 12 years. He grew up in Battle Creek, Michigan, and grew up loving the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Horton, George Thorogood and Buddy Guy. He played baseball for Western Michigan University in Kalamazoo while simultaneously starting his music career in the clubs. His band won a local contest in 2008 to perform prior to two of Kenny Chesney’s area concerts.

About once a month after that, Ballard started traveling to Nashville and signed his record deal with Warner Music Nashville in 2010 and a publishing deal with Sony/ATV around the same time. An EP the following year was met with tepid response. However, the tides have since turned. “Helluva Life” became Ballard’s first gold single in 2014. The single “Sunshine & Whiskey” reached platinum certification at the end of 2015.

“I’ve been putting it together brick by brick by brick by brick. Here’s an opportunity to go say something, finally,” Ballard states. “I feel like Sunshine & Whiskey got us in the door after all those years of, ‘Hey man! Just listen. Listen to us over here!’ And now everybody’s like, ‘What! Let’s hear it, let’s have it.’ And I wanted [the direction of] this album to be what that is, now that we’ve got everybody paying attention. I feel like we took a giant leap forward toward what my sound is, and trying to find it, so I’m really excited for it to come out.”

Pictured (L-R): Eric T. Parker, Troy Stephenson, Molly Hannula, Frankie Ballard, Robert K. Oermann, Sherod Robertson, Craig Shelburne

Jordan Stone, former head of digital marketing for Taylor Swift, has launched Huckle, a new iOS and web app that allows users to instantly begin live group conversations with their Twitter followers.

Stone co-founded the company with Gregory Hill in 2015. Paula Erickson, Swift’s former publicist, joined Huckle as a principal that same year.

Huckle allows users to begin chats with one click and a tweet to create real-time group conversations that work similarly to a group text, but without having to share a phone number.

“Huckle is meant for anyone who wants to turn Tweets into instant conversations by creating on-the-fly chat rooms that are open to the public. Huckle was born from wanting to give celebrities, brands, and public figures the ability to talk WITH their audience and fans, not AT them,” said Stone, CEO of Huckle. “Huckle gives every Twitter user the power of instant group chat with their followers, and now our new web app allows anyone to chat from the comfort of a full-size keyboard.”

When a Huckle chat is started, a link to the chat is instantly tweeted from the chat creator’s Twitter account, encouraging everyone to send messages, reply to other chatters, and post reactions and photos and GIFs. Anyone who follows you on Twitter can join your chat. However, unlike a conversation conducted via the Twitter platform, the Huckle service gives the chat creator 100 percent control over the conversation, with moderation features including the ability to control content, delete any message or conversation, ban a specific user from participating and close a chat.

Huckle’s users include Jewel and Drew and Jonathan Scott of HGTV’s Property Brothers, as well as Entertainment Weekly, RaeLynn, Broken Bow Records, Lindsay Ell, The Shotgun Seat and more. Huckle already has users in more than 10 countries, including the U.S., Canada, New Zealand, the UK, the Philippines, Brazil, and the Dominican Republic.

“We designed Huckle knowing that public figures want to be able to engage instantaneously and have immediate feedback and participation,” said Stone. “When a celebrity launches a chat on Huckle, they immediately get fans rushing to chat with them, and it’s all right there in an easy-to-navigate format. No sorting through hashtags and retweeting – it’s just like a big group text.”

Photo: @chrisyoungmusic

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM

Chapter 531

It was the most perfect opening ceremony in the history of the CMA Music Festival.

The weather was flawless—a gentle breeze was blowing, the sky was cloudless and the temperature was in the low 80s. The talent was amazing. The fans were fresh, young and enthusiastic. The venue was sensational.

The event was staged on Wednesday (June 8) at Ascend Amphitheater, which was making its debut as a Fest concert location. It holds around 6,500 folks on its seats and grassy banks. Backstage areas are not generally noted for their looks, but Ascend’s are gorgeous, featuring barn-wood walls and super-stylish dressing rooms.

“Welcome to our newest venue, the AT&T Skyview Stage,” said CMA chief Sarah Trahern to the crowd. “Let’s get this party started.” She introduced AT&T Tennessee President Joelle Phillips, then brought on The Fisk Jubilee Singers and their director Dr. Paul Kwame.

The Singers delivered a moving version of “The Star Spangled Banner” and were rewarded with a giant cheer. Explosions and fireworks ensued, to everyone’s delight. Then the Fisk Jubilees drew whistles and applause for their lively rendition of the spiritual “Keep Your Hands on the Plow.”

“We have fans here from every state and 25 foreign countries,” said Sarah. She brought on the CMA’s president-elect Bill Simmons, current president Sally Williams and chairman of the board John Esposito. Then she introduced Mayor Megan Barry.

Opening #CMAFest today at @ascend_amphitheater! Welcome to Nashville, everyone! @cma

A photo posted by Megan Barry (@mayormeganbarry) on Jun 8, 2016 at 9:33am PDT

“Good morning, everybody!” exclaimed Barry. “It’s such a great honor to be with you today. It’s my first time at the Festival as the Mayor of Nashville. How many of you are not from Nashville?”

Just about every hand in the place went up.

“You are having a $60 million impact on our city. We welcome you…and hope you spend a lot of money. I just want to thank Sarah Trahern and all her team at the Country Music Association. Welcome, again, to Nashville!”

Sarah told the audience about the festival’s benefit to music education, then began her introduction of The Man: “Chris Young is our international ambassador for our genre and a true Southern gentleman. Also, one of our sexiest men [squeals from the crowd]. When we asked him to kick it off, he said, ‘I’m in.’ And here he is.”

Thanks @CountryMusic for allowing me to officially start #CMAFest 2016 this morning! pic.twitter.com/9l7x0Y21t9

— ChrisYoungMusic (@ChrisYoungMusic) June 8, 2016

“Welcome to Music City,” said Chris. “I’m from Murfreesboro, and I’ve been coming to CMA Fest as long as I can remember. Then I got a booth. Then I got on stage. This week, all the artists donate their time, but what we get back is priceless.

“If we’re really gonna kick things off right, we’ve got to do something with a little more attitude.” He brought on a snappy, 13-member drum line of Nashville high-school students. The kids thundered through a stirring succession of rhythms. Loved ‘em.

“The only bad thing is, I have to follow them,” said Chris. He brought out two of his band members for a triple-guitar lineup at the front of the stage.

From out of the crowd, a light, high female voice floated on the breeze: “We love you, Chris!” “I love you, too!” he responded.

Then came a louder, male baritone voice: “I love you, Chris!” “It’s not the same, but I appreciate it,” Chris quipped back. The star launched into “Gettin’ You Home,” and the crowd sang it back to him.

“Wear sunblock, wear sunglasses, and drink plenty of water,” he advised the fans about the long weekend to come.

These people are amazing. Not only are they kind, but they are amazing at what they do. I’m so glad to have been @ascend_amphitheater to be able to meet/perform with y’all.

A photo posted by Tristan McIntosh (@trismcintosh) on Jun 8, 2016 at 12:28pm PDT

He followed with “I Can Take It From There,” and they screamed at its “Conway Twitty” line. In keeping with the Nashville music-schools theme, he brought out 16-year-old Tristan McIntosh. She’s a Nashville School of the Arts student who competed on American Idol. They sang Keith Whitley’s “When You Say Nothing at All” together.

“How’s that for helping to kick off CMA Fest?” said Chris. “I love you guys!”

“Working the room” in various locations were Jim Catino, Larry Fitzgerald, Todd Cassetty, Aaron Hartley, Pete Robinson, Dale Bobo, Kevin Wilson, Storme Warren, Randy Goodman, Dennis Banka, Wendy Pearl, Ken Robold, Paul Barnabee and Melissa Maynard.

Like a dream. Thx @cma and @SXMTheHighway for helping us kick off #CMAFest and broadcasting the show!!

A photo posted by HIGH VALLEY (@hvalley) on Jun 8, 2016 at 2:48pm PDT

For the rest of the day, Ascend Amphitheater was the only active CMA Fest stage. Booked were Clare Dunn, High Valley, Steve Moakler, William Michael Morgan, Old Dominion, Michael Ray, Aubrie Sellers, Kalie Shorr and the day’s finale, Frankie Ballard, who’s riding on the wings of three consecutive No. 1 records.

The fans, needless to say, were totally into it. Gazing out at the 5,000+ throng, I saw them in their pristine state: still vibrant and un-bronzed by the sun, full of youthful verve and eager anticipation. And love. I saw lots of love for country music.

Tomorrow, the full onslaught of festival activities commences.

Carnival Music Gets Painted Up

Former Butler, Shine, Stern & Partners ad man Mike Shine embarked on a new career nearly three years ago, following his passion for artwork. Shine was in Nashville recently to design and paint a mural for Frank Liddell’s Carnival Music.

Mike Shine paints a mural on the side of Carnival Music.

Gary Allan Treats Fan Club Members To Two-Hour Performance

Gary Allan performed a two-hour concert for more than 1,000 fans during his annual Fan Club party, held at Rocketown in Nashville.

In the middle of his performance, Allan stopped to remember his longtime friend, the late Sharon Eaves. Eaves, who passed away in October of last year was the President of Allan’s Fan Club for almost 20 years. Jackie Proffit from St. Jude joined Allan on stage to honor Eaves and her contribution to the children’s hospital.

The fan club party also featured a live auction. Allan also hosted an online auction in Eaves’ honor last week. The auction and event raised more than $25,000 for St. Jude in Eaves’ honor.

Dale Nichols, Gary Allan, and members of Gary Allan’s fanclub.

ASCAP Celebrates Loveless Cafe’s 65th Birthday Biscuit Bash

Newcomer Lacy Cavalier To Make CMA Fest Debut

Singer-songwriter Lacy Cavalier, published by Victoria Shaw and Downtown Music, will make her CMA Music Festival debut this year. Cavalier will perform at the new Radio Disney Country Stage at Fan Fair X on Sunday, June 12 from noon-2 p.m. She joins Jana Kramer, Maddie & Tae, Lauren Alaina, Dan + Shay, Drew Baldridge and more.

Cavalier’s EP, Savin’ Pennies, Payin’ Dues, is now on iTunes.

Lacy Cavalier