Ruby Boots

The Australian Government’s Council for the Arts has named Ruby Boots (Bex Chilcott) as the recipient of the Nashville Songwriter Residency grant.

In its fourth year, the $15,000 grant is the result of a partnership between the Australia Council’s Music Board and Nashville-based producer Mark Moffatt.

Through the residency, Chilcott, who is signed to UMG/Lost Highway Australia, will reside in Nashville for three months, providing her the opportunity to work alongside the music community and further her network of artist and industry relationships.

Upcoming appearances in Nashville include Sunday (Aug. 7) at City Winery, Aug. 17 in The East Room, and Aug. 22 at The Basement. She will also perform an official showcase at the Americana Music Festival in September.

Moffatt said, “Australia is a leading global A&R source for country and Americana, so I am thrilled that the Arts Council of Australia continues to focus its resources on Nashville. The grant not only provides the opportunity for Bex to experience Nashville’s creative community for an extended period, but will also allow her to consolidate the following she has gained on her recent U.S. national tour with The Waifs.”

Chilcott said, “Having done countless trips to Nashville to write, record and perform over the past four years makes being awarded the Nashville residency even more special. Being given the opportunity to live in a city that I love more than any other in the world and spending time solely on my craft is life changing, and one of the most rewarding things that has come my way. I am so happy to be here building my musical community and writing songs for my second album — a dream come true!”

Since 2011, The West Australian Music Awards has recognized Chilcott as the Best Country Music Act five consecutive times. The release of her debut album, Solitude, has achieved international success and led to touring opportunities with Kris Kristofferson, Tony Joe White, Justin Townes Earle, Shovels & Rope, Shakey Graves, and Nikki Lane.

In 2015, Chilcott received the prestigious Professional Development Award from APRA, the Australian Performing Rights Association.

The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) will open its Alabama: Song of the South exhibition on Aug. 25, exploring the lives and careers of award-winning country music group.

Expected to run through July 16, 2017, the exhibit will detail the group’s journey to success through childhood mementos, musical instruments, tour memorabilia, awards, photographs, and more. An exhibit companion book will be available for purchase in the museum store the day the exhibition opens.

“Their songs are some of the most memorable in country music,” said Museum CEO Kyle Young. “Their musical talents are monumental. The longevity of their career speaks volumes. We’re thrilled to welcome these Country Music Hall of Fame members into their home, the museum, and to share their story through this exhibition.”

Exhibition highlights include:
• Jeff Cook’s first electric guitar, a 1960s Silvertone U-1, that he played in his first band
• Randy Owen’s Music Man Sting Ray I, used to write hits such as “Mountain Music” and played by Brad Paisley when he recorded his tribute to the group, “Old Alabama”
• Original, handwritten manuscript for “Born Country,” by Byron Hill and John Schweers
• Tabletop radio that belonged to Teddy Gentry’s grandfather, “Paw Paw,” on which Gentry heard country music growing up
• Numerous awards, including Grammy, ACM, and CMA trophies presented to Alabama
• Gibson J-50 acoustic guitar that belonged to Randy Owen’s father, used by Owen on early recordings
• Brocade suit, one of Jeff Cook’s first stage costumes
• Fringed suede shirt, given to Gentry by William Lee Golden of the Oak Ridge Boys at Alabama’s first June Jam, 1982

Cousins Jeff Cook, Teddy Gentry, and Randy Owen formed their first band as teenagers in small-town Fort Payne, Alabama. For a decade, the band honed its unique blend of country music and Southern rock, playing at nightclubs in the Southeast. In 1979, the group recruited Massachusetts-born Mark Herndon to become their drummer, and the band signed with RCA in 1980. Alabama would go on to score dozens of chart-topping singles, selling tens of millions of albums, and setting concert attendance records.

They were among the first crossover country acts to play large performance venues, incorporating arena-rock-style production and stage movements into their shows. Singing, playing their instruments, and writing many of their songs, Alabama inspired a trend toward the formation and promotion of other self-contained bands in country music.

Alabama joined the CMHoF in 2005. Founding members Cook, Gentry, and Owen continue to record and tour. In 2014 Alabama returned to its Southern gospel roots with Angels Among Us: Hymns & Gospel Favorites, earning a Dove award from the GMA. Last year Alabama reached No. 2 on the Billboard Top Country Albums chart with Southern Drawl, their first album of new material since 2001.

The Band Perry performs at Ruby in Nashville. Photo: Alan Poizner

“Despite what you’ve heard, The Band Perry is not going anywhere,” The Band Perry‘s Kimberly Perry told a crowd of industry members gathered for music listening party at Nashville venue Ruby on Monday (Aug. 1).

One year ago, The Band Perry released the single “Live Forever” to country radio; the heavily pop-leaning track fizzled. The sibling trio later parted ways with longtime label home Republic Nashville (now BMLG Records) earlier this year.

Now, as one of Mercury Nashville’s latest signings, via a joint venture with Interscope, The Band Perry is set to make their comeback.

Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry introduced their new single, the aptly titled “Comeback Kid.” A testament to strength and endurance, the song blends themes of confusion, suffering, hope, determination and, ultimately, triumph.

“‘Comeback Kid’ follows the narrative of what the three of us have been feeling over the past year, but also something bigger,” said Kimberly Perry. “It is the story of anyone who’s walked through a challenging time only to come out the other side much stronger and wiser.”

The Band Perry with Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Alan Poizner

“A few months back, [The Band Perry’s manager] Coran Capshaw called me and Mike [Dungan] and asked if we would have any interest in meeting with The Band Perry,” UMG Nashville president Cindy Mabe told the audience. “We went over and listened to the music and fell in love with these kids.

“We had been fans from the very beginning. ‘If I Die Young,’ six million copies, I think it touched everyone on the planet,” Mabe continued. “But after we got to see them and their work ethic and all they were made of, we knew this was somebody we wanted to work with. After they shared some music with us we feel deeper in love with these guys and today is our comeback day.”

Since their breakthrough single, “If I Die Young,” released in 2010, the trio has increasingly explored rock-inspired rhythms of songs like “Better Dig Two.” “Comeback Kid” marks the first time the trio has co-produced one of their own songs, alongside producer Benny Cassette.

The Band Perry’s Kimberly Perry with CMT’s Leslie Fram. Photo: Alan Poizner

“This has been an incredible year of transformation for the three of us,” said Kimberly Perry. “Our lives look completely different now than they did six months ago and all for the better. We are completely in love with our Mercury family who have been so good and embraced us as their own. It is so refreshing to be in a place that champions your music, and challenges you, but does it in a respectful way that makes you want to be better and better and work harder and harder.”

Moored by a newly-brunette Kimberly Perry’s husky vocals and onstage presence that punctuates each lyric, The Band Perry presented a unified front, complete with their signature family harmonies. Following a rendition of “Comeback Kid,” the band offered two additional fresh songs, including “The Best One Yet.”

“It’s the story of our relationship with each other, how we are so invasive of each other’s privacies, especially when it comes to relationships,” Kimberly quipped.

They followed with the smoldering new track, “Stay in the Dark,” before wrapping with the TBP hits “Better Dig Two” and “Done.”.

The trio also used the occasion to support Teen Cancer America, via the launch of a million-dollar fundraising effort. Prior to the listening party, The Band Perry donated $25,000, their winnings from an appearance on ABC’s Celebrity Family Feud, directly to the program. The band will work with Teen Cancer America and Vanderbilt University Medical Center’s Monroe Carrel Jr. Children’s Hospital throughout the year on various fundraising initiatives.

The Band Perry donates $25,000 to Teen Cancer America. Photo: Alan Poizner

Big Machine Label Group has rebranded Republic Nashville with a new label imprint identity, BMLG Records. President/CEO Scott Borchetta unveiled the imprint on Monday (Aug. 1).

BMLG has acquired 100 percent ownership of the label, which was founded in 2009 as a joint venture between Big Machine Label Group and Universal Republic Records. The roster includes Florida Georgia Line, Eli Young Band, A Thousand Horses and Cassadee Pope in addition to newcomers Brett Young and Ryan Follese.

BMLG Executive Vice President Jimmy Harnen will continue to lead BMLG Records as President with Matthew Hargis serving as VP Promotion.