Caitlyn Smith Previews ‘Starfire’ Album With Five-Song EP

 

Caitlyn Smith

Caitlyn Smith

Caitlyn Smith, an in-demand songwriter who has penned tunes for Garth Brooks, Dolly Parton, Cassadee Pope, Kenny Rogers and Meghan Trainor, is set to release her own music.

Caitlyn SmithThe singer-songwriter released five tracks on Friday (July 8) from her Paul Moak-produced, full-length debut album, Starfire, expected early next year. The tracks include the breakup ballad “Do You Think About Me,” the title track, and her rendition of “Tacoma,” which was also recorded by Garth Brooks for his 2014 project Man Against Machine.

Her catalog also includes Jason Aldean’s “It Ain’t Easy,” “You Can’t Make Old Friends” by Parton and Rogers, “Wasting All These Tears” by Pope, and “Like I’m Gonna Lose You,” by Trainor and John Legend.

“I’ve been writing and working hard for the last couple years on this project, and am so excited to finally be getting this music out there. It was extremely fulfilling to create this new music without boundaries or any agenda other than making music that I love,” Smith says. “It also feels quite magical to be releasing a handful of these new songs the same month as having my first child. A time of life I will never forget.”

“Before You Called Me Baby” from the EP is part of Spotify’s New Music Friday playlist. CMT will premiere the music video for “Tacoma” on Tuesday, July 12. Smith co-wrote the track with Bob DiPiero.

Caitlyn Smith performs "This Town Is Killing Me" at a listening party for her new EP Starfire, available July 8. Industry guests were invited to a sneak peek of the EP at her publishing firm, Cornman Music on Thursday, July 7 in Nashville.

Caitlyn Smith performs “This Town Is Killing Me” at a listening party for her new EP, Starfire. Industry guests were invited to a sneak peek of the EP at her publishing firm, Cornman Music on Thursday, July 7 in Nashville.

Weekly Chart Report (7/8/16)

Screen Shot 2016-07-08 at 8.30.05 AM

Click here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.

Big Spark Music Group To Release Olivia Lane EP July 29

OLIVIA EP

Photo: Amanda Van Sandt

Country newcomer Olivia Lane will release a self-titled EP on July 29 via Big Spark Music Group. The seven-track compilation includes her current single, “Make My Own Sunshine,” in addition to six new tracks (listing below).

The positive single has spawned the #SunshineMovement via videos and social media, encouraging others to spread joy, pay it forward and make their own sunshine.

“I’m over the moon excited to put out my new EP!” said Lane.“Over the last year and a half, I’ve been lucky enough to work with some incredible songwriters on these seven songs and I’m very proud of them. Each song is near and dear to my heart and represents exactly who I am right now in my life.”

Produced by Grammy-nominated musician and 2015 ACM Studio Recording Award recipient Ilya Toshinskiy, Lane collaborated with songwriters Jim Beavers, David Frasier, Danny Myrick and Aaron Scherz, among others.

Selected for iTunes Country New Artist Spotlight, Lane has previously released an acoustic version of “Make My Own Sunshine” on a 13-track mixtape Heart Unlocked (2015), in addition to releasing a 2015 EP, Steal Me Away and a 2014 EP, Love Thing.

On the road, Lane has opened select dates for Cam, Wynonna Judd, Kip Moore and Randy Houser. She can be seen at various venues throughout the U.S. and Canada this summer.

Olivia Lane Track Listing:

1. “Lightning” (Olivia Lane, Danny Myrick, Leland Grant, Ilya Toshinskiy)
2. “Quarter Life Crisis” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
3. “Make My Own Sunshine” (Lane, Jim Beavers, Toshinskiy)
4. “She Fits” (Lane, Beavers, Toshinskiy)
5. “My Heartache” (Leland Grant, Toshinskiy, Shaye Smith, Tammy Hyler)
6. “There’s A Guy” (Lane, Aaron Scherz, David Frasier)
7. “Keychain” (Lane, Scherz, Bobby Hamrick)

Big Loud Shirt/Round Hill Extend Deal With Songwriter Chris Tompkins

Chris Tompkins

Chris Tompkins

Big Loud Shirt Industries/Round Hill Music has extended its publishing deal with songwriter Chris Tompkins.

“This fall will be 10 years of Big Loud Shirt with Chris; 15 No. 1s, two Grammys, and a thousand beats thumping through the wall,” said Big Loud Shirt owner and hit songwriter Craig Wiseman. “It has been a fun, crazy, magical, maddening, meaningful, miraculous mayhem from the first day. And, I thank God for every day since and every day yet to come.”

Tompkins said of the continued partnership, “I’m looking forward to many more dice rolling, beer drinking, story-telling, cliff jumping, offensive, first-class moon shining and corn dog-converting good times … roll tide!”

With over 15 No. 1 singles to date, Tompkins’ hits also include Tyler Farr’s “Redneck Crazy,” Florida Georgia Line’s “Dirt,” The Band Perry’s “Don’t Let Me Be Lonely,” Chris Young’s “Voices,” Luke Bryan’s “Drunk on You,” Carrie Underwood’s “Blown Away,” Frankie Ballard’s “Helluva Life,” and Blake Shelton’s “Sure Be Cool If You Did.”

“Blown Away” was awarded the 2013 Grammy for Country Song Of The Year nod, and “Drunk on a Plane” was proclaimed one of the “Songs I Wish I’d Written” at the 2014 NSAI Awards. In 2007, Tompkins tied with Josh Kear for the honor of MusicRow‘s Breakthrough Songwriter honor.

 

Garth Brooks Teams With The GreenRoom PR

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks

Garth Brooks has added The GreenRoom PR for publicity, MusicRow has confirmed.

The GreenRoom PR will work with Brooks’ existing publicity team, Nancy Seltzer & Associates, which is based in Los Angeles.

The GreenRoom is led by Tyne Parrish and Kristie Sloan. The GreenRoom was founded by Mary Hilliard Harrington, who retains ownership of The GreenRoom, alongside Parrish and Sloan.

The GreenRoom’s clients include Jason Aldean, Lady Antebellum, Dierks Bentley, Rascal Flatts, and more.

Voting Open For NSAI’s “Song I Wish I’d Written” Awards

NSAI logo

Voting has begun for the Nashville Songwriters Association International’s (NSAI) 10 “Song I Wish I’d Written” awards.

The ballot is comprised of Nashville-associated singles that charted in the Top 20 on Billboard’s Airplay charts in the following genres: Alternative, Christian, Country, Pop and Rock. Eligible songs charted between July 1, 2015 and June 30, 2016 and must not have been awarded the previous year. The song that receives the highest number of votes will be NSAI’s Song of the Year.

Professional songwriters that are current members of NSAI during the ballot period are eligible to vote. Voting is open now through Wednesday, July 20.

NSAI will recognize 10 “Song I Wish I’d Written” awards, NSAI Song of the Year, Songwriter of the Year and Songwriter-Artist of the Year at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame Foundation Dinner and Induction Ceremony on Sunday, Oct. 9.

Ashley Gearing Exits Curb Records

Ashley Gearing

Ashley Gearing

Ashley Gearing has exited Curb Records, MusicRow has confirmed. The singer-songwriter decided to forgo the renewal of her contract, ending their nine-year working relationship. She signed to the label in 2007 at age 16 and released a self-titled EP for the label in September 2015.

Between 2008 and 2011, Gearing charted three country singles for Curb, but none of them rose above No. 55. She graduated with a degree in entertainment industry studies from Belmont University in 2013.

“I am grateful to have worked with the Curb organization for the past nine years but have decided to explore new opportunities that will enhance my musical journey at this time,” said Gearing in a statement. “I would like to thank all of the people who I have worked with at Curb for their love, commitment and all they have done to assist me during my time there. Each of them has a very special place in my heart…really looking forward to exploring new partnerships for my next adventure.”

“We have enjoyed our relationship with Ashley and appreciate her hard work. We most certainly wish her the best of luck in all her future endeavors,” Curb Records said in a prepared statement.

Gearing first found success at the age of 11 with the Top 40 country single, “Can You Hear Me When I Talk To You?” co-written by Jimmy Harnen and Rick Manwiller. At the time, she became the youngest solo artist to enter the country charts, breaking a record held by Brenda Lee. That success led to signing a record deal with Lyric Street Records at age 12 but she did not chart any other singles for the label.

Bob Goldstone Remembered, Celebration Of Life Planned

Bob Goldstone

Bob Goldstone

A gathering celebrating the life of Bob Goldstone, who died Sunday (July 3) following a cycling accident, will take place Saturday afternoon (July 9) at The Farm in Pegram, Tennessee.

The gathering, titled “Soundtrack of Bob’s Life,” will begin at 3 p.m. and conclude at 7 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to Nashville organizations W.O. Smith School of Music and MusiCares.

An obituary written by his family and published on The Tennessean stated, “Bob was happiest on the farm spending time with his family, friends, dogs and goats, always listening to music, and playing along with his upright bass.” They also noted that he was an avid outdoorsman, skier, tennis player, golfer and beachcomber.

Following his death, this career retrospective was provided to MusicRow:

Born to Bud and Dorothy, Bob Goldstone was raised on Broadway musicals and always tried out for school plays singing “Tonight” or “Maria” from West Side Story. Raised in Denver, Bob’s music progressed from “Flying Purple People Eaters” and “Tom Dooley” to “Voodoo Child (Slight Return)” and “Only Love Can Break Your Heart” and held Lennon’s “In My Life” and Neil Young’s “One Of These Days” as some of the truest expressions about life ever put to music. Bob felt and loved music more than anyone.

Bob’s music career started in 1972 at Chuck E. Weiss’s family record store in Denver for $1.75 an hour. Before that, he drove an ice cream truck before he was terminated for playing “White Rabbit” over the loudspeaker. Seeking a hippie’s fortune, he moved to the Northwest to open three record stores called Budget Tapes & Records. Once he had three stores under his belt, he took a buyers position at the now defunct Lieberman Enterprises as branch buyer. Bob sold off his stores and moved to Los Angeles as National Account Executive for Lieberman’s New Business division. Once in L.A., Bob landed the West Coast Marketing gig with IRS Records.

Bob met Phil Walden in L.A. and soon moved to Nashville as V.P. of Sales and Marketing for Capricorn Records, breaking Widespread Panic, 311 & Cake. After 4 years with Capricorn and not wanting to move to Atlanta, Bob moved to Mercury Nashville as National Director of Field Marketing, working with Kim Richey, William Topley, Kathy Mattea & Neal Coty – the beta version of what was to become Lost Highway.

Next gig was General Manager of Eminent Records, releasing Emmylou Harris’ live Spyboy, the Mike Plume Band and Jon Randall. It was a short, one-off stint but working with Emmylou was a career high point.

Bob missed retail contact with customers and worked out an agreement with Tower Records as Regional Community Relations Director. This move afforded Tower opportunities for events, community gatherings and the creation of a memorabilia room at Tower Opry Mills. Bob booked the greatest talent and exposed the newest and youngest talent from the W.O. Smith School of Music, The Nashville School of the arts and Nashville’s own local artists.

The last chapter brought him together with David Macias and Deb Markland at Thirty Tigers as partner and VP of Sales, which he served well for the last thirteen years. He was intensely proud of his part in creating an environment where his loving nature and strong commitment to being of service to their clients was paramount. It was second nature to him.

Most important to him was his wonderful wife Tami and their lovely daughter Emma, who kept him in line and changing everyday. He was a happy and cool person.

Sony/ATV Signs Jaida Dreyer In Joint Venture

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Donely, Safford Motley PLC; Scott Safford, attorney; Terry Wakefield, Sony/ATV; Jaida Dreyer; Missi Gallimore; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV; Hannah Williams, Sony/ATV

Pictured (L-R): Kelly Donely, Safford Motley PLC; Scott Safford, attorney; Terry Wakefield, Sony/ATV; Jaida Dreyer; Missi Gallimore; Tom Luteran, Sony/ATV; Hannah Williams, Sony/ATV

Sony/ATV Music Publishing has signed singer-songwriter Jaida Dreyer in a joint venture with Gary Borman and Missi Gallimore.

Dreyer celebrated her first No. 1 single in February with “Home Alone Tonight,” recorded by Luke Bryan and Karen Fairchild.

Dreyer has written nine tunes for the series Nashville, with songs also featured in A&E’s The Returned and Netflix’s Longmire. She was previously associated with Streamsound Records as a recording artist and Red Vinyl Music as a songwriter.

“Jaida is a writer whose time has arrived and I’m excited to take this journey with her,” says Gallimore. “She is one of my very favorite songwriters in town and an amazing singer, who is truly a stylist in today’s market.”

Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield says, “Jaida is such a talented singer, gifted songwriter and engaging performer. Her passion for her music is contagious!”

DISClaimer: Mickey Guyton, Drake Hayes Band Bring Energy, Attitude

Mickey Guyton

Mickey Guyton

Today, we have a gathering of old friends and promising newcomers.

In the former category we have comeback discs from Mark Chesnutt, Confederate Railroad and Ashton Shepherd. As for the newbies, check out the tunes by Cody Jinks, the Drake Hayes Band and Truck Stop Gamblers.

Alas, there isn’t a whole lot to turn hand springs over. Mostly, this column is full of competent, if unexceptional, work.

The Disc of the Day goes to a sprightly effort by Mickey Guyton. The aforementioned Drake Hayes Band lands a DisCovery Award. This otherwise would have easily gone to Cody Jinks, but he already won it, way back in 2014. Why does does this gifted fellow make me wait so long between releases?

CODY JINKS/I’m Not The Devil
Writers: Cody Jinks; Producer: Joshua Thompson; Publisher: Lake August Publishing (BMI); Cody Jinks Music/Thirty Tigers
– Stately sounding and utterly magnificent. He is a flawed man, but asks for redemption while an echoey track shudders around him. This is the second time I have encountered this mysterious fellow in this column. He is a remarkable talent. Send more, please.

 

MARK CHESNUTT/I’ve Got A Quarter In My Pocket
Writers: John Ludowitz/Billy Yates; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey; Publishers: Universal/So Bizzy, BMI; Row Entertainment (track)
– He is still as country as grits. The lead track from his new CD is a barroom toe tapper loaded with whining steel and bounced fiddle bow. Go, man, go.

CONFEDERATE RAILROAD/Lucky To Be Alive
Writers: Danny Shirley/Blue Miller/Sonny LeMaire; Producers: The Blueman & Danny Shirley; Publishers: THSONELLNVRCLR/Blue on Blue/Valentine Sky, BMI; D&B Masterworks (track)
– The title tune of the first new Confederate Railroad CD in nine years is a cool story song about a guy who grew up rough and self-destructive. It’s an intense “outlaw” ballad with plenty of atmosphere. I have always liked this act, so its return is welcome, indeed.

ASHTON SHEPHERD/With Us Tellin’ The Truth
Writers: Ashton Shepherd; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AS (track)
– Ashton’s new album is titled Out of My Pocket. Its lead-off track is a blue-collar lament about farmers and minimum-wage folks struggling to keep their heads above water while the rich relax. Country music for the working class, like it oughta be.

 

AARON VANCE/Shifting Gears
Writers: A. Vance/R. Newman; Producers: Hal & Rachel Newman; Publisher: Windy Holler, ASCAP; Windy Holler (track)
– He is trying a little too hard, vocally. But beneath that is a genuine baritone resonance. The wordy, meandering ballad about an aimless wanderer lacks hooks and commercial potential.

CAMILLE RAE/Shadows Dance Tonight
Writers: Camille Rae/Shea Taylor; Producers: Camille Rae & Amber Smith; Publisher: none listed; CRM (track)
– Tuneless. Which is probably just as well, since her vocal ability is minimal.

DRAKE HAYES BAND/I Think I Love Her
Writer: Drake Hayes; Producers: Adam Odor & Drake Hayes Band; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; DHB
– Chugging rhythms and a jaunty attitude are the hallmarks here. His youthful, innocent-sounding vocal fronts a band with loads of licks. Recommended.

 

JANA KRAMER/Circles
Writers: Brandon Hood/Alyssa Bonagura/Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Scribblin’ Dixie/This Is Gold/Jeffrey Steele, ASCAP/BMI; Elektra/Warner
-Sultry and sensuous. She’s dizzy in love, a sentiment underscored by a swirling production.

TRUCK STOP GAMBLERS/Side By Side
Writers: Logan Gray; Producer: Bart Rose; Publishers: none listed; TSG
– It’s a rolling “road” song with forward momentum, guitar grooving and a strong, drawling Texas lead vocal.

MICKEY GUYTON/Heartbreak Song
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Mark Trussell/April Geesbrecht; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publishers: Mickey’s Island/WB/Future Heartbeat/Ole Purple Cape, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
– Surprisingly feisty. Judging from the title, you might expect a weeper. Instead, it’s a saucy, sassy kiss-off. Her forceful vocal performance is abetted by a stuttering, chattering track that’s packed with energy. A winner.