Grammy-Winning Engineer Jim Malloy Passes

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Jim Malloy

Recording engineer, producer and song publisher Jim Malloy died Thursday, July 5, at age 87. Malloy worked with such superstars as Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton and Willie Nelson. He won a 1963 Grammy Award for his engineering work on Henry Manclini’s movie theme “Charade” and was nominated for Grammys five other times.

Born in Illinois in 1931, he moved to the West Coast for a career in the electronics industry in 1954. He began his career in Los Angeles in the early 1960s by engineering discs by Mahalia Jackson, Duane Eddy, Duke Ellington, Doris Day, Ike & Tina Turner, Miles Davis, Lee Hazelwood, Ann-Margret, Sam Cooke, Bob Wills, Bing Crosby and Mancini.

Chet Atkins enticed him to move to Nashville. Atkins ran the Music Row office of RCA Records, for whom Malloy worked in 1965-68. He engineered albums by RCA’s Eddy Arnold, Waylon Jennings, Charley Pride, Hank Snow, Connie Smith and John Hartford, as well as Atkins, Nelson, Parton and Presley.

Jim Malloy

His record-production career began in 1968-69 with the acclaimed Townes Van Zandt albums For the Sake of the Song, Our Mother the Mountain and Townes Van Zandt.

A stint at Monument Records led to work with Roy Orbison.

Ray Stevens was also a regular production client there. Malloy produced the star’s 1969 million-selling hit “Gitarzan” among other efforts. Jim Malloy was the recording engineer for Johnny Cash’s national TV series in 1969-71. It was filmed at the Ryman Auditorium and featured a who’s-who of the music world at the time, including Bob Dylan, Ray Charles, Linda Ronstadt and Merle Haggard.

When former RCA executive Brad McEuen launched Mega Records, Malloy became that label’s regular producer.

With Malloy as her producer, Sammi Smith earned a Grammy Award for her 1971 pop-crossover million seller on Mega, “Help Me Make It Through the Night.” He also produced her hits “Today I Started Loving You Again” (1975), “City of New Orleans” (1973), “Never Been to Spain” (1974), “Long Black Veil” (1974), “My Window Faces the South” (1976) and “Then You Walk In” (1971).

The last-named was co-written by Jim Malloy’s son David Malloy. He became a staff songwriter at his father’s publishing company, DebDave Music. So did Even Stevens, and the two co-wrote with star Eddie Rabbitt. This resulted in giant hits for the firm such as “I Love a Rainy Night” and “Drivin’ My Life Away” in the early 1980s. The company also discovered such songwriters as Paul Overstreet, Dan Tyler, Frank Myers and Thom Schuyler.

Meanwhile, Jim Malloy continued to produce records. He guided four LPs by Stella Parton and continued to work with Elvis Presley and other artists. In recent years, Malloy reunited with Eddy Arnold for a series of albums. He published his memoir, Playback, in 2005.

Update [8/15/18]: A Celebration of Life will be held for Jim Malloy on Friday, Aug. 24, from 5-7 p.m. at Studio A (located at 30 Music Sq. W) in Nashville. In lieu of flowers, those wanting to make a contribution in Jim’s honor can do so to the Nashville Engineer Relief Fund.

Jim Malloy (second from left) celebrates BMI Million-Air awards with BMI’s Jody Williams, David Malloy, BMI’s David Preston and Phil Graham in January 2018. Photo: Steve Lowry

CMT Highlights World Of Music City Bachelorette Parties In New Series

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Nashville has become the popular bachelorette destination, and CMT will highlight the world of bachelorette parties and making brides-to-be happy with its new summer program, “Bachelorette Weekend,” which is part of the network’s summer programming slate.

Created from the producers of Jersey Shore and Party Down South, the series premieres Thursday, Aug. 2, and follows the employees of the Nashville-based party-planning company Bach Weekend as they work to create once-in-a-lifetime bachelor/bachelorette experiences for would-be brides and grooms celebrating their final fling before the ring.

Owner/Founder Robbie and his team, Nicole, Rosa, Liz, Rachal and Johnathan, work to ensure their high-maintenance (and often inebriated) clients have a fun-filled experience, and since every employee is given a financial stake in the company, the importance of the five-star reviews directly affects their bank accounts.

Weekly Chart Report (7/6/18)

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

Chris Janson Plays Surprise Show At Ole Red Nashville

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Chris Janson performs at Ole Red Nashville on July 4. Photo: Courtesy Ole Red

Grand Ole Opry member Chris Janson rocked a packed house at Ole Red Nashville’s inaugural Ole Red, White + Blue Bash with a surprise late-night pop-up show, following his performance at Nashville’s official July 4th celebration.

Janson most recently played Ole Red last month with labelmate Blake Shelton whose hit song “Ol’ Red,” inspired the Ole Red restaurant, live music and retail space located at 300 Broadway in downtown Nashville.

Chris Janson performs at Ole Red Nashville on July 4. Photo: Courtesy Ole Red

 

Survey Finds U.S. Musicians Experience Lower Incomes, Higher Rates Of Sexual Harassment

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A recently-released survey of more than 1,200 musicians in the United States, found that musicians in the U.S. often struggle with low incomes, discrimination, harassment and mental health issues. The study was conducted by the Music Industry Research Association (MIRA) and Princeton University Survey Research Center, in partnership with MusiCares.

According to the study, the median musician in the U.S. earns between $20,000 and $25,000 per year, and 61 percent of musicians in the study said their music-related income is not sufficient to meet their living expenses. The most common source of music-related income is live performance, followed by giving music lessons and performing in a church choir or other religious service.

Females made up nearly one-third of the musicians polled; 72 percent of the female musicians reported they have been discriminated against because of their gender, while 67 percent of the females polled reported they have been the victims of sexual harassment. These figures stand much higher than the corresponding figures for U.S. women in general, where 28 percent report they have been discriminated against on the basis of gender, while 42 percent of U.S. women in general report they have experienced sexual harassment.

Meanwhile, 63 percent of musicians of color say they faced racial discrimination, as compared to 36 percent of non-white, self-employed workers nationwide.

The study also found many musicians struggle with mental health issues, with half of musicians reporting they had been “feeling down, depressed or hopeless at least several days in the last two weeks,” as compared with less than a quarter of the adult population as a whole.

When compared to the general U.S. adult population, musicians are five times more likely to have used cocaine in the past month, 6.5 times more likely to have used ecstasy, 13.5 times more likely to have used LSD, 2.8 times more likely to have used heroin or opium, and 3.5 times more likely to have used meth. Musicians are about twice as likely to drink alcohol frequently (four or more times per
week) than the population as a whole: 31 percent versus 16 percent.

Project Admission Launches In Nashville

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Stephen Glicken and Jordan Stone have launched a new Nashville-based company, Project Admission. Project Admission creates an improved, more connected experience for the management, distribution, and exchange of digital tickets.

“The ticketing and live event space is one of the most exciting places for innovation right now,” said Glicken of his new endeavor. “Nashville is home, and we value being part of the growth of the city. For us, that means bringing our experience to the growing tech community.”

Glicken was previously head of Business Development at Songkick, where he worked with artists such as Adele, Paul McCartney, and Kenny Chesney. Before Songkick, he was the co-founder of Green Owl, a sustainably minded record label under Warner Music Group. He started his career as an audio engineer working with artists like P. Diddy, Toni Braxton, and Ghostface Killah from the Wu Tang Clan.

Stone’s former experience includes a stint leading digital marketing for Taylor Swift’s management company, 13 Management, where he launched and managed Swift’s website and fan club, and led direct-to-fan ticket sales for Swift’s Fearless, Speak Now, and Red tours. Most recently, Stone founded Huckle, a live group chat app for Twitter, which was used by celebrities and national media publications to drive engagement and growth for their accounts.

In Pictures: Spotify Celebrates Hot Country Live Inaugural Concert

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Spotify celebrated its inaugural Hot Country Live concert on July 4 in New York City, with performances by Carrie Underwood, Dan+Shay, and Filmore.

Pictured (L-R): Artist and Label Marketing Laura Ohls, Spotify Head of Artist and Label Marketing Brittany Schaeffer, Dan Smyers; Spotify Global Head of Country John Marks, Shay Mooney and Spotify Creative Manager Paul Logan attend the Spotify’s Hot Country Live Series with Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay and Filmore at Pier 17 on July 4, 2018 in New York City. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

Dan Smyers and Shay Mooney of Dan + Shay perform on stage at the Spotify’s Hot Country Live Series with Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay and Filmore at Pier 17 on July 4, 2018 in New York City. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

Filmore performs on stage at the Spotify’s Hot Country Live Series with Carrie Underwood, Dan + Shay and Filmore at Pier 17 on July 4, 2018 in New York City. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

Pictured (L-R): Spotify Global Head of Country John Marks, Spotify Head of Artist and Label Marketing Brittany Schaeffer, Carrie Underwood, Spotify Creative Manager Paul Logan and Artist and Label Marketing Laura Ohls. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

Carrie Underwood performs on stage at the Spotify’s Hot Country Live Series. Photo: Kevin Mazur/Getty Images for Spotify

In Pictures: ACM, Grand Ole Opry, CJ Solar

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ACM Welcomes Haley & Michaels

Pictured (L-R): Rick Stone, President of Stoney Pro Music Group; Tom Torii, ACM SVP, Finance & Operations; Shannon Haley; Ryan Michaels. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music

The Academy of Country Music welcomed country duo Haley & Michaels to the office while they were in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Haley & Michaels performed their current single, “High Note,” and previewed other songs from their upcoming album.

 

Levon Makes Opry Debut

After Levon made their Opry performance debut, the group posed for photos backstage with management, booking and Opry VIPs. Pictured (L-R): CAA’s Blake McDaniel; Levon’s Ryan Holladay and Michael David Hall; Gina Keltner, Director of Opry Talent Scheduling & Logistics; Levon’s Jake Singleton; and Red Light Management’s Chip Dorsch. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

New country group Levon, dually signed to Sony Music’s Columbia Nashville and Epic Records, made their Grand Ole Opry debut Saturday evening. Levon is made up of friends Michael David Hall, Jake Singleton and Ryan Holladay who released their five-song self-titled debut EP last year.

 

CJ Solar Joins Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour

Pictured: CJ Solar (center w/ball cap) joins members of Lynyrd Skynyrd prior to their set at the PNC Music Pavillion. Photo: Tom Chi

CJ Solar had a dream come true recently, when he opened for Lynyrd Skynyrd’s Last of the Street Survivors Farewell Tour in Raleigh and Charlotte.

 

DISClaimer: The Perfect Country Record?

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Is there such a thing as a perfect country record?

Thriving bluegrass darlings Darin & Brooke Aldridge might have created just such a thing. With the assistance of former Statler Brother Jimmy Fortune, they have breathed new life into The Louvin Brothers classic “Everytime You Leave.” It thrilled me so much that I played it five times in succession.

Needless to say, it is the Disc of the Day.

The rest of our DisClaimer bluegrass survey today reveals excellent works by The John Jorgenson Bluegrass Band, by David Davis & The Warrior River Boys, by Balsam Range and by banjo maestro Ned Luberecki.

The DisCovery Award goes to Sideline, who have it all going on in every department.

DAVID DAVIS & THE WARRIOR RIVER BOYS/He Rambled
Writers: Will Handy; Producers: Robert Montgomery & David Davis; Publisher: PD; Rounder (track)
– The band’s latest is a tribute to the music of the legendary Charlie Poole (1892-1931). They take his old-time tunes and ably reinterpret them as bluegrass numbers. In addition to this lively romp, the set includes versions of such timeless faves as “If the River Was Whiskey,” “Sweet Sunny South,” “White House Blues” and “May I Sleep In Your Barn Tonight Mister,” but oddly not Poole’s most famous song, “Don’t Let Your Deal Go Down.” Recommended.

O’CONNOR BAND/Emily’s Reel
Writers: Mark O’Connor; Producers: Mark O’Connor/Forrest O’Connor; Publishers: M.O.M.I., BMI; OMAC (track)
– Grammy winner O’Connor continues his journey with his family band with a live album. It kicks off with this triple-fiddled toe tapper. A smile and a delight.

HIGHER GROUND/Ned Luberecki & Dale Ann Bradley
Writers: Kelley Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Clement Luberecki/Dale Ann Bradley, BMI; CLM (track)
– Take Five is Luberecki’s deluxe banjo album. He’s bolstered on it by such guests as Missy Raines, Chris Jones & The Night Drivers, Amanda Smith, Becky Buller and, here, the splendid Kentucky bluegrass diva Dale Ann Bradley. Steve Martin and Tony Trischka provide liner notes, which should give you some idea of how classy this project is.

JOHN JORGENSON BLUEGRASS BAND/Beautiful Sound
Writers: John Jorgenson/Chris Hillman; Producer: John Jorgenson; Publishers: Jorgensongs/Bar None, BMI; Cleopatra (track)
– Jorgenson is best known to country fans via his work in The Desert Rose Band. But his talent has also led to stints with everyone from Elton John to Bob Dylan. Willie, Emmylou, Cash, Hank Jr., Seger and Bonnie Raitt have also tapped his multi-instrumental abilities. His latest project, titled From the Crows Nest sets him in a stellar bluegrass band with Herb Pedersen, Jon Randall and Mark Fain. It drops on July 13. Randall takes the lead on this tune, which sounds like a an instant anthem for the entire bluegrass industry. Indeed, the whole CD seems to be filled with songs that could become classics of the genre — “I Will Shelter You,” “Travelin’ Angels” and “Die Tryin,’” for instance.

LARRY CORDLE/I’ll Meet You In The Morning
Writers: Albert E. Brumley; Producer: Larry Cordle; Publishers: ClearBox Rights, no performance rights listed; MightyCord (track)
– A cappella gospel quartet singing done with panache. Larry’s lead vocal is backed by The Joyful Noise Quartet — Carl Jackson, Val Storey and Bradley Walker. The album is titled Give Me Jesus.

BECK BULLER/Calamity Jane
Writers: Becky Buller/Tim Stafford; Producer: Stephen Mougin; Publishers: Goodnight Sparky/Daniel House, BMI; Dark Shadow
– Fiddler-singer Buller sits at No. 1 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart this month with this rapid-fire dazzler. That’s Rhonda Vincent singing high harmony. The female-outlaw song is on Buller’s current Crepe Paper Heart collection. In addition to Vincent, it is packed with celebs including Rob Ickes, The Fairfield Four, Claire Lynch and Sam Bush.

RALPH STANLEY II & THE CLINCH MOUNTAIN BOYS/Raining In My Heart
Writers: Ralph Edmond Stanley II/Alex Leach/Joe Rose; Producer: John Rigsby; Publishers: Two Pop S, BMI; Stanley Family
-Pleasant, easy-listening ‘grass. As a singer, he lacks his famous father’s Appalachian “edge.”

SIDELINE/Thunder Dan
Writer: Josh Manning; Producer: Tim Surrett; Publishers: Daynezanezinn, BMI; Mountain Home
– This has just entered the top-10 on the Bluegrass Unlimited chart. It has a very cool backbeat and a groovy, minor-key mode. Not to mention a murder lyric, a keening tenor lead vocal and sizzling mandolin, fiddle and banjo chops. Sign me up for the fan club.

BALSAM RANGE & THE ATLANTA POPS ORCHESTRA ENSEMBLE/Trains I Missed
Writers: none listed; Producer: Balsam Range; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– “Trains I Missed” was the IBMA Song of the Year in 2011, and Balsam Range is a longtime favorite in the genre. Its current Mountain Overture project places the band’s biggest songs in an orchestral context. Needless to say, I approached this with skepticism. In general, the Atlanta Pops ensemble stays in the background, out of the way, adding washes of strings behind the band and providing evocative sighs of sound. Of course, the songs are still wonderful. So the experiment works.

DARIN & BROOKE ALDREDGE & JIMMY FORTUNE/Everytime You Leave
Writers: Charlie & Ira Louvin; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Mountain Home
– Exquisite in every way. Brooke is the reigning IBMA Female Vocalist of the Year. But Darin has always touched my heart with his Deep-Dixie vocal harmony and dexterous guitar work. They begin this in classic Louvin duet mode, which is heavenly. Then Fortune stepped in with a third harmony part and the top of my head lifted off. Absolutely essential listening. There’s a video, too.

RIAA Highlights Mid-2018’s Top-Certified Songs, Albums

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The RIAA has released its 2018 mid-year highlights, which include three gold-certified country tracks. This includes the gold-certified tunes “Tequila” (Dan+Shay), “Mercy” (Brett Young), and “You Make It Easy” (Jason Aldean).

The RIAA’s top-awarded album so far this year has been Post Malone‘s Beer Bongs and Bentleys, which was certified 2x platinum. The top-awarded song was Drake‘s “God’s Plan,” which has been certified 8x platinum.

Platinum-certified albums in the first half of 2018 include Drake‘s Scorpion, Camila Cabello‘s Camila, the Black Panther soundtrack, and Migo‘s Culture II.