Industry Pics: ASCAP Foundation, BMI Rooftop On The Row, ACM Lifting Lives

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ASCAP Foundation’s Garth Brooks Country Songwriters Workshop

​Pictured (L-R): Kali J., Chase Wright, Manon Ward, Chris Housman, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, Bailey Callahan, Mark Irwin, Regan Stewart, Chelsey Carter and Quint Robins. [Click photo to enlarge]

In May, ASCAP hosted the 2018 installment of The ASCAP Foundation Garth Brooks Country Songwriters Workshop at its Music Row offices. The workshop is part of an ongoing series designed to focus on the development and education of promising new country music songwriters.

Conducted this year by longtime ASCAP member and veteran hit songwriter Mark Irwin (“Here in the Real World,” “Highway Don’t Care,” “Neon Light”), the sessions provided hands-on advice on the art and craft of songwriting as well as information on important business-related topics including A&R and music publishing.
 

BMI Rooftop On The Row

Pictured: BMI’s David Preston, Riley Green, Travis Denning and BMI CEO Mike O’Neill gather backstage at BMI’s Rooftop On The Row. Photo: Nathan Zucker

BMI’s third installment of the Rooftop On The Row soldiered on despite rain on Wednesday (June 20). The event, sponsored by George Dickel Tennessee Whisky, NASH FM and 95.5 NASH ICON, moved to the BMI lobby for the concert. Mercury recording artist Travis Denning kicked off the night followed by Big Machine Label Group recording artist Riley Green. Attendees were treated to specialty cocktails from George Dickel, dinner from Texas Roadhouse and countless drink options provided by sponsors Topo Chico, Sam Adams and Twisted Tea. 

 

Hillary Scott, Craig Morgan Join ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp

Pictured (L-R): Callie Cunningham, Tommy Moore, Elizabeth Roof, Producer Ross Copperman, Singer-songwriter Hillary Scott, Lorie Lytle and Stuart Dill attend ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp Recording Studio Day on June 18, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Terry Wyatt/Getty Images for Academy of Country Music

The 9th Annual ACM Lifting Lives® Music Camp was in session in Nashville with campers from around the country participating in a week of activities and excursions around Music City. Closing out the last few days of Music Camp, the campers enjoyed an unforgettable experience with Hillary Scott, producer Ross Copperman, and a huge grand finale performance with Craig Morgan at the Grand Ole Opry.

Pictured: Melita Rippy, Vanderbilt University Medical Center Associate, Office of Engagement; Dan Rogers, Grand Ole Opry / Director Marketing, Communication and Artist Initiatives; Elizabeth Roof, Vanderbilt Kennedy Center, Senior Research Specialist; Dr. Elisabeth Dykens, Associate Director of Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Research on Human Development; Lorie Lytle, ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp founder; Tommy Moore, Academy of Country Music and ACM Lifting Lives Secretary; Craig Morgan; Paul Barnabee, ACM Lifting Lives Vice President; Pete Fisher, Academy of Country Music CEO; Duane Clark, Academy of Country Music President. Photo: 2018 Grand Ole Opry, photos by Chris Hollo. [Click photo to enlarge]

Tenth Avenue North Launches New Label Imprint

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Reunion Records band Tenth Avenue North’s Mike Donehey and Jeff Owen have launched a new label imprint, Remade Records. Provident Label Group will handle distribution and marketing for the new imprint.

The first band signed to Remade is Land of Color, in conjunction with Provident Label Group. Land of Color launched after South Africa native Gary Rea met Colorado-born Thomas Ewing in Montana in 2015. The band blends harmonies with pop/rock melodies and African rhythms. The duo is managed by Nashville-based Gresham Hill Management.

Tenth Avenue North debuted with Over and Underneath in 2008, and released hits including “By Your Side,” which earned a Dove Award for Song of the Year in 2010. The band’s most recent studio album, Followers, released in 2016, followed by the Christmas project Decades The Hall in 2017.

Vintage Drivin’ N Cryin’ Project To Be Reissued Via New West Records

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Drivin’ N Cryin’ are set to reissue their long out of print, 1997 eponymous album as Too Late To Turn Back Now on July 27 via New West Records.

Produced by Kosmo Vinyl, the album features the Drivin’ N Cryin’ trio of Kevin Kinney on vocals/guitar, Tim Nielsen on bass/mandolin, and Jeff Sullivan on drums. The newly christened Too Late To Turn Back Now was remastered by Chris Griffin and features new, original artwork by Kosmo Vinyl which was assembled by Kosmo and longtime Drivin’ N Cryin’ tour poster artist Mike Sears.

“Too Late to Turn Back Now started out as a series of 45 rpm 7 inches,” explains Drivin N Cryin’ frontman Kinney. “It was recorded in Clay Harper’s little Five Points studio and produced by Kosmo Vinyl.  Kosmo had done a couple of Clay’s singles…production and artwork, and I asked him if he’d be interested in working with us for a 45?  The first single was about Lenny Bruce!  ‘Let Lenny B’ was a song from my early 80s punk band The Prosecutors.  As well as the song Drivin N Cryin’.  Kosmo IS real life rock and roll legacy. I was so honored to have his energy collaborating with us in this small, hot studio!!  This is why I do this. This is who I am.  Well, one single turned to two and since we were already four songs in, let’s add a few more and make an album…’album’ refers to a collection of recorded music by the way. But it took 23 years to debut in all its vinyl glory!!  We can’t thank everyone at New West Records enough for this. It sounds amazing. It’s too late to turn back now…I’m ready!”

Several artists have been influenced by the band. Most recently, Darius Rucker teamed with Luke Bryan, Charles Kelley and Jason Aldean to cover the band’s 1986 classic “Straight To Hell,” from the band’s Mystery Road album.

Drivin’ N Cryin’ Too Late To Turn Back Now Track Listing:
1. Keepin’ It Close To My Heart
2. Roof Garden
3. I’ve Got A Message
4. Drivin’ N Cryin’
5. Around The Long Way
6. Let Lenny B
7. Paid In Full
8. Everything’s Gonna Be Alright
9. Beneath The Undertow
10. Passing Through
11. Leaving On A Jet Plane
12. Nothing To Lose

ACM Industry And Studio Award Winners Announced

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The ACM has announced the Industry Award and Studio Recording Award winners for the 53rd Academy Of Country Music Awards. Industry Award, Studio Recording Award and the previously announced Special Award winners will be honored during the 12th Annual ACM Honors, an evening dedicated to recognizing the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 53rd ACM Awards.  ACM Honors will take place on Wednesday, August 22 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Tickets are available to the public at Ticketmaster.com. Lauren Alaina and Jon Pardi will co-host the 12th Annual ACM Honors.

The Industry Awards and Studio Recording Award winners for the 53rd Academy of Country Music Awards:

INDUSTRY AWARD WINNERS:

  • NIGHTCLUB OF THE YEAR: Cotton Eyed ­Joe ­– Knoxville, TN
  • CASINO OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY: The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino – Las Vegas, NV
  • CASINO OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY: MGM Grand Garden Arena – Las Vegas, NV
  • VENUE OF THE YEAR – SMALL CAPACITY: The Georgia Theatre – Athens, GA
  • VENUE OF THE YEAR – MEDIUM CAPACITY: The Greek Theatre – Los Angeles, CA
  • VENUE OF THE YEAR – LARGE CAPACITY: Shoreline Amphitheater – Mountain View, CA
  • FESTIVAL OF THE YEAR: Country Thunder – Florence, AZ
  • DON ROMEO TALENT BUYER OF THE YEAR: R. J. Romeo – Romeo Entertainment Group
  • PROMOTER OF THE YEAR – Brian O’Connell – Live Nation

STUDIO RECORDING AWARD WINNERS:

  • BASS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jimmie Lee Sloas
  • DRUMMER OF THE YEAR – Fred Eltringham
  • GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Rob McNelley
  • PIANO/KEYBOARDS PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Jim ‘Moose’ Brown
  • SPECIALTY INSTRUMENT(S) PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Danny Rader
  • STEEL GUITAR PLAYER OF THE YEAR – Paul Franklin
  • AUDIO ENGINEER OF THE YEAR – Justin Niebank
  • PRODUCER OF THE YEAR – Dave Cobb

The Academy of Country Music Industry Awards are voted on by all professional members of the Academy. The Studio Recording Awards are voted on by professional members of the Academy classified in the artist-entertainer/musician-bandleader-instrumentalist categories and the producer-engineer-studio manager sub-category.

 

Country Radio Hall Of Fame Honors Class Of 2018

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Pictured (L-R): Steve Harmon and Scott Evans (“Harmon And Evans”) formerly of KPLX/Dallas and WXTU/Philadelphia; Andy Ritchie and Alison Mencer (“Andy & Alison”) formerly of WIVK/Knoxville; Tim Fox, Tracy Berry, and Bill Barrett (“Barrett, Fox, And Berry”) at KKNU/Eugene, OR; Michael O’Malley of the Albright, O’Malley & Brenner consulting firm. Photo credit: Kayla Schoen

The Country Radio Broadcasters held the 2018 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony Wednesday evening (June 20) in Nashville, inducting its latest Hall of Fame class which includes Michael O’Malley of the Albright, O’Malley & Brenner consulting firm, and the late Lisa McKay, VP/Programming at Curtis Media/Raleigh, who doubled as PD for WQDR.

The Air Personality category included Andy Ritchie and Alison Mencer (“Andy & Alison”) formerly of WIVK/Knoxville; Steve Harmon and Scott Evans (“Harmon And Evans”) formerly of KPLX/Dallas and WXTU/Philadelphia; and Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry (“Barrett, Fox, And Berry) still active at KKNU/Eugene, Oregon.

CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne, alongside surprise guests Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood, presented Steve Wariner with the 2018 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award, while current CRB Board President Kurt Johnson presented Sr. VP/Market Manager for Emmis New York Charlie Morgan with the President’s Award.

Many past inductees were in attendance, including Jaye Albright, Beverlee Brannigan, J.D. Cannon, Charlie Chase, Tim Closson, Lorianne Crook, Jonathan Fricke, Dan Halyburton, Lon Helton, Mike Kennedy, Jim Mantel, Charlie Ochs, Joel Raab, and Tim Roberts.

The late Lisa McKay, VP/Programming at Curtis Media/Raleigh, who doubled as PD for WQDR was honored posthumously during the Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony. Pictured (L-R): Trip Savery, President & COO of Curtis Media Group, and McKay’s partner Bill Campbell. Photo: Kayla Schoen

Senior Vice President/Market Manager of Emmis New York, Charlie Morgan, was recognized as the recipient of the 2018 President’s Award. Photo: Kayla Schoen

Steve Wariner was honored with the 2018 CRB Artist Career Achievement Award at 2018 Country Radio Hall of Fame dinner and awards ceremony on June 20, 2018, at Vanderbilt Marriott in Nashville, Tennessee. Pictured (L-R): Country Radio Broadcasters Board President Kurt Johnson, Steve Wariner, and CRB/CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo: Kayla Schoen

Integrity Music Signs Martin Smith

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Martin Smith

Integrity Music has signed singer, songwriter and producer Martin Smith and has announced the July release of Smith’s first live album, Love Song For A City.

Whether as frontman of modern worship band Delirious?, lead singer of Army Of Bones or performing solo, Smith has written and released several of CCM/modern worship’s classic songs, including “Did You Feel The Mountains Tremble?,” “Waiting Here For You,” and “I Could Sing Of Your Love Forever.”

“Having been part of Martin’s journey since our days together at Furious Records, it’s especially meaningful to me that he would continue to entrust his craft to Integrity Music over this next season,” says Jonathan Brown, President of Integrity Music. “Martin’s songs and music have had a significant impact on my life and the lives of countless others.”

 

Carolina Story Includes Several Nashville Dates on Upcoming Tour

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Husband and wife duo Carolina Story (Ben & Emily Roberts) will soon hit the road in support of their upcoming album Lay Your Head Down, due out July 13 via Black River Americana.

The duo’s album features new songs and newly-recorded versions of some older material and offers up a snapshot of their last 10 years of their lives as a couple. The duo wrote all of the material on the new album, which was mostly recorded at Nashville’s Sound Stage Studios and produced by Nick Autry.

Carolina Story’s tour will launch July 19, and will celebrate during the album’s release week with a Nashville show at The Black River Stage at The Well Coffeehouse on July 12, and a return performance to the Grand Ole Opry stage on July 14.

Carolina Story 2018 Tour Dates:
June 23 – Nashville, TN – Musician’s Corner
June 23 – Farragut, TN – Lawn Chair Concert Series
July 12 – Nashville, TN – The Well Coffeehouse (Album Release Show)
July 13 – Nashville, TN – Grimey’s In-Store
July 14 – Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
July 19 – New York, NY – Rockwood Music Hall Stage 3
August 3 – Winston, OR – Riverbend Live **
August 4 – Portland, OR – Alberta Rose Theater **
August 5 – Chicago, IL – Tranquility Salon Company
August 6 – Milwaukee, WI – Boone & Crockett
August 7 – Minneapolis, MN – 7th St Entry
August 8 – Fargo, ND – Dempsey’s Public House
August 9 – Sioux Falls, SD – Icon Lounge
August 10 – Lennox, SD – The Only One
August 12 – Helena, MT – Lewis & Clark Brewing Company
August 14 – Whitefish, MT – Great Northern Bar & Grill
August 16 – Seattle, WA – Lagunitas Brewing Company
August 18 – Seattle, WA – Substation
August 19 – Portland, OR – The Old Church
August 21 – San Francisco, CA – Hotel Utah Saloon
August 23 – Los Angeles, CA – Hotel Cafe
August 25 – Joshua Tree, CA – Joshua Tree Saloon
August 27 – Corrales, NM – Corrales Bistro Brewery
August 28 – Amarillo, TX – Six Car Pub & Brewery
August 29 – Austin, TX – Cactus Cafe
August 31 – Memphis, TN – Railgarten
September 7 – Knoxville, TN – Pretentious Beer Co.
September 8 – Gatlinburg, TN – Sugarlands Distilling Co.
September 27 – Lexington, KY – Willie’s Locally Known

** = Supporting Delta Rae

Americanafest Adds Nearly 100 Artists To Lineup

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The Americana Music Association is stacking the deck with artists for the upcoming Americanafest, slated for Sept. 11-16 in Nashville. On Thursday (June 21), the festival announced 99 more artists as part of its lineup, which will boast more than 250 artists total.

For the 19th consecutive year, the six-day festival and conference will welcome both rising artists and established Americana favorites. The second lineup announcement includes Amy Helm, Aaron Lee Tasjan, Ashley Monroe, Asleep at the Wheel, I’m With Her, Jedd Hughes, John Prine (and friends), Lucie Silvas, Mandy Barnett, Mindy Smith and more.

2018 Festival Wristbands are currently on sale to the public for $75. Available on their website and in Nashville at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music and The Groove, Festival Wristbands allow admission into all evening showcase venues and select sanctioned parties and events.

For more details on tickets to the Americana Honors & Awards, click here.

Second Round of Artists Confirmed to Play AMERICANAFEST® 2018:

Aaron Lee Tasjan
AHI
Amy Helm
Amythyst Kiah
Andrew Combs
Ashley Monroe
Asleep at the Wheel
Austin Lucas
Ben Hunter & Joe Seamons
Blackfoot Gypsies
Bobby Long
Bones Owens
Bottle Rockets
Buffalo Gospel
Caleb Caudle
Candi Staton
Carson McHone
CORDOVAS
Courtney Marie Andrews
Daniel Donato
Darling West
Doug Seegers
Esther Rose
Fanny Lumsden
Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen
Great Peacock
Greyhounds
Guthrie Trapp
Guy Davis
Hayes Carll
HYWAYS
I’m With Her
Ian Noe
J2B2 (John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band)
Jackie Greene
Jason Boland & The Stragglers
Jedd Hughes
Jill Andrews
Jim Lauderdale
Jim White
John Hiatt
John Paul Keith
John Prine and Friends
John Smith
Johnny Irion
Kaia Kater
Kelsey Waldon
Kirby Brown
Kristin Andreassen
Kyle Daniel
Leah Blevins
Lera Lynn
Logan Ledger
Lucie Silvas
Mando Saenz
Mandy Barnett
Mike Farris
Mindy Smith
Mipso
Molly Tuttle
My Politic
Nicki Bluhm
Ordinary Elephant
Peter Case
Phil Cook
Pony Bradshaw
River Whyless
Robbie Fulks with Linda Gail Lewis
Robby Hecht & Caroline Spence
Romantica
Ross Cooper
Ruby Boots
Ruen Brothers
Sam Morrow
Sarah Borges
Sugaray Rayford Band
SZLACHETKA
The Americans
The Andy Golledge Band
The Band of Heathens
The Josephines
The Last Revel
The Milk Carton Kids
The Nude Party
The Reckless Electric
The Suffers
THE WANDERING HEARTS
The Watson Twins
The Way Down Wanderers
Tim Bluhm
Tommy Ash
Treetop Flyers
Tyler Ramsey
Tyrone Cotton
Van William
Whitehorse
Will Hoge
William the Conqueror

Meghan Trainor’s Latest Album, ‘Treat Myself,’ Set For August

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Meghan Trainor is set to drop her third full-length album, Treat Myself, via Epic Records on Aug. 31. Pre-order for the new project goes live today and unlocks instant grat tracks of the songs “Let You Be Right,” “Can’t Dance,” and “No Excuses” as well as a brand new track “All The Ways.”

Trainor is signed with Nashville-based Big Yellow Dog Music as a songwriter.

“This album is my best work yet and I’m so proud of what we made,” said Trainor. “I say ‘we’ because I made this entire album with my family, my friends, and my fiancé. It’s everything I stand for and I’m excited to put an upbeat happy album out for the world.”

“All The Ways” will soundtrack a new marketing campaign for Target for the retailer’s new fulfillment services, like same-day delivery with Shipt and Drive up, showing guests all the ways they can shop at Target. The campaign launches June 24. A pre-order is live now for the Target Exclusive version of the album, including exclusive remixes of “All The Ways.” The campaign marks the second partnership between Trainor and Target, who teamed in 2016 to release a Target Exclusive of her second album Thank You.

Trainor is making several TV appearances in the coming weeks in support of the upcoming project, including tonight on a new episode of The Four on Fox 8/7c. Saturday, her Radio Disney Music Awards performance airs on the Disney Channel, and on Monday June 25, she co-hosts Today alongside Hoda Kotb in the morning and guests on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon that evening.

DISClaimer: Florida Georgia Line, Joshua Hedley Pack Banjos, Fiddles On New Tracks

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Is it hot enough for ya?

Country music has summer sounds to either cool you down or heat you up. Your choice.

In the “cool” department is our Disc of the Day winner, Florida Georgia Line. These boys have never sounded better than they do on “Simple.”

The DisCovery Award honoree is the coolest dude in today’s listening session, a retro man named Joshua Hedley.

As for turning up the heat, I suggest Kane Brown, Garth Brooks and/or newcomer Rachel Wammack.

RACHEL WAMMACK/Hard to Believe
Writers: Rachel Wammack/Jason Reeves/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Dann Huff; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– The stuttering, double-time rhythm creates an undertow of excitement as the track commences. Her personable, conversational delivery of the verses shifts into a shimmering soprano pay-off on the choruses. Astonishingly accomplished. Play it.

FLORIDA GEORGIA LINE/Simple
Writers: Mark L. Holman/Michael Wilson Hardy/Tyler Reed Hubbard; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Universal/Kobalt, no performance rights listed; Big Machine
– Wow. Utterly charming and utterly country, this is a perfectly delightful, toe-tapping summer song. The clear, uncluttered production and innocent, catchy-as-can-be song are both fabulously refreshing. All it takes is one listen, and you fall in love with it. Banjo. Whistling. Spelling. Yippee!

JOSHUA HEDLEY/I Never Shed A Tear
Writer: Joshua Hedley; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Third Man Records
– This man is our latest retro, back-to-basics country hero. His resonant baritone recalls Ray Price, and so does his steel-bedecked honky-tonk shuffle. The album is called Mr. Jukebox. If you love real country music, complete with twin fiddles, buy it now.

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GARTH BROOKS/All Day Long
Writers: Brooks/Mitch Rossell/Bryan Kennedy; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Pearl
– It’s deliberately crafted to sound like rowdy, old-school, honky-tonk Garth. And it succeeds admirably. Summer fun.

DANIELLE BRADBERY/Worth It
Writers: Danielle Bradbery/Jeff Pardo/Molly Reed; Producer: Josh Kerr; Publishers: Songs of Universal/One Voice Global/Canal/Meaux Jeaux/Da Bears Da Bears Da Bears/Capitol CMG/Dayspring/Goes Something Like This/Warner-Tamerlane, SESAC/BMI; Big Machine (track)
– I remain a fan. This soaring ballad winningly asserts her self-worth in the most simple, direct fashion. She sings her face off on it.

LeANN RIMES & STEVIE NICKS/Borrowed
Writers: LeAnn Rimes/Darrell Brown/Dan Wilson; Producers: Darrell Brown, Waddy Wachtel, LeAnn Rimes & Stevie Nicks; Publishers: none listed; Thirty Tigers
– The Rimes project is an EP titled Re-Imagined that reinterprets some of her classics in mostly stripped-down arrangements. None is more stunning than this awesome duet. Stevie’s low-alto vocal harmony shadows LeAnn at every turn. These are two, for-real, sensational singing ladies.

 

KANE BROWN/Lose It
Writers: Chase McGill/Kane Brown/William Bradfore Jr. Weatherly; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Universal, no performance rights listed; RCA (download)
– Rocked-up young country that’s light on melody and heavy on rhythm. Lyrically, it’s a come-on that’s meant to sound sexy and exciting.

ELI YOUNG BAND/Love Ain’t
Writers: Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley/Shane McAnally; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: none listed; Valory Music Co.
– Zippy and meaningful at the same time. You can bop along in oblivion or dig the message. It works either way. The song’s video about a vet’s rehab and his steadfast lover is stunning.

LEE BRICE/Rumor
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Kyle Jacobs/Lee Brice; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Warner-Chappell/Mike Curb, no performance rights listed; Curb
– I’m a big fan of this guy. This time around, he’s adopted a slightly gospel-y, blue-eyed soul vibe that sounds really cool. The small-town romance in the lyric is so warm and attractive.

 

KELLY WILLIS/Back Being Blue
Writers: none listed; Producer: Bruce Robison; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– I’ve always loved her singing, and it has been way too long since she had a solo album. Its title tune is a languid lament about being cheated on in a familiar, sad, resigned kinda way. Hubby/producer Robison keeps the track uncluttered and soulful. The electric guitar work is particularly groovy.