At 87, William Shatner is still exploring new frontiers.

Shatner will make his Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday, Feb. 15 when he joins Alabama’s Jeff Cook to perform music from Why Not Me?, Shatner’s first country project which released on Heartland Records in 2018. Shatner is also set to emcee the evening.

Shatner, of course, is known for his love of country music, having made appearances in Brad Paisley’s videos for 2003’s “Celebrity” and 2007’s “Online.” Shatner also appeared at the 2015 CMA Awards for a segment with Paisley and co-host Carrie Underwood.

He’s also no stranger to a recording studio. Though Shatner is best known as a thespian, particularly for his signature role as Captain Kirk in Star Trek, as well as his portrayal of lawyer Denny Crane on The Practice and Boston Legal, Shatner also has 10 albums to his credit. His first, The Transformed Man, came in 1968 via Decca Records.

Shatner credits Heartland’s Brian Curl, a co-producer on the project, with suggesting that Shatner and Cook collaborate.

Shatner recorded the album at Cook’s home, which Shatner describes as a “castle,” in Fort Payne, Alabama.

“I had been performing in England and I arrived late on a Sunday or Monday night to Nashville airport and Brian drove me to Jeff’s house. It had a surreal feel to it,” Shatner told MusicRow. “I remember, arriving in the middle of the night, sleeping as best I could in a strange room, and then going into his studio the next day to lay down the tracks.”

Ever the professional, Shatner thoroughly rehearsed before heading into the studio. The pre-planning paid off when Shatner’s portion of each of the album’s 12 tracks was recorded on the first day.

“We gave ourselves a week to do the album, so it left so much time to work on the nuances and begin the orchestration,” he said.

For the upcoming Opry performance, Shatner and Cook will perform the album’s title track, which was penned by Corey Lee Barker and Shawn Sackman. The album version of the song also features Neal McCoy and vocal group Home Free.

“There are so many people in the world that need help and everybody says, ‘Let somebody else do it.’” Shatner says. “But the song challenges that. It’s that concept of feeling the responsibility and the conscience to help.”

Shatner was particularly moved by the universality of one track on the album, “What Some People Throw Away.”

“I approached it as an actor, so this character is filled with regret of a dissolved relationship and getting rid of the debris. He’s looking at this picture and wishing things had been different. The last line is about things people throw away, which is not only pencils and magazines, but relationships and love.”

The album is also peppered with humorous tracks “Too Old To Be Vegan” and “I Hate To Waste Good Beer,” and “Beam Me Up,” a lyrical ode to the signature Star Trek catchphrase.

Shatner still has plenty of creative avenues he’s eager to explore.

“They’ve asked me to do a blues album, so I’ve begun work on that,” he says. “I want to make a documentary, as well as an album. I’ve talked to Joe Louis Walker, Paul Nelson, B.B.’s daughter Shirley King and Arthur Adams. They will all be in the documentary, and maybe even on the album. It’s me diving into another musical subject I’ve loved all my life. But how to perform it? That’s another thing.”

William Michael Morgan Exits Warner

William Michael Morgan and Warner Music Nashville have parted ways, MusicRow has confirmed.

“WMN will continue to be fans and champions of William Michael for many years to come,” the label said via a statement.

In 2015, Morgan’s single “I Met A Girl,” reached No. 1 and was certified gold; his debut album Vinyl reached the Top 5 on the country sales chart. In November 2018, he premiered “Gone Enough.”

 

Wortman Works Adds Account Executive

Wortman Works Media & Marketing has hired Conner McKiever as an account executive. McKiever can be reached by emailing [email protected] or by phone at 812.736.6080.

The company, led by Jules Wortman, includes clients Natalie Grant, The SteelDrivers, the Gospel Music Association, and more.

 

John Schneider Visits MusicRow Magazine

John Schneider recently visited the MusicRow Magazine offices, to discuss his recent project Odyssey. Schneider is best-known for portraying Bo Duke in Dukes Of Hazzard and Jonathan Kent in Smallville. He also notched several Top 10 singles on the country charts in the 1980s, as well as the No. 1 hits “Country Girls” and “You’re The Last Thing I Needed Tonight.”

On Odyssey, Schneider collected 52 sterling songs from writers including, Chuck Cannon, Bobby Tomberlin, Bill Anderson and Paul Overstreet. He has released one song each week.

“My thing has always been telling stories in a unique way. Conway Twitty said, ‘You can find a lot of exceptional songs. You can only write a few.’” he told MusicRow. “It’s all about the words, the lyrics.”

He also discussed the effect streaming has had on songwriting.

“There is no room for album cuts anymore, with streaming,” he said. “If the Eagles put out new music, everything would have to be ‘Life In the Fast Lane,’ or you’re done. How scary is that? But it’s a great time if you can tell the difference between a great song and an exceptional song.”

Video and live events production company Moo TV, known for its work with artists including Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley and Dierks Bentley, has named Jason Rittenberry as Executive VP and General Manager. He will lead the company’s day-to-day operations and lead the Nashville-based team, including directing the senior leadership team. He will also be responsible for developing and overseeing implementation of all current business initiatives while assisting with the future growth of the company.

Most recently, Rittenberry served as Managing Partner of MSG Strategy, a full-service event production and strategic consulting firm. Previously, he was the President and CEO of Kentucky Venues, overseeing the operations of all state owner entertainment venues. He also had a 15-year career in venue management, during which he led Circuit of The Americas and Austin360 Amphitheater in Austin, Texas, and was President and Chief Executive Officer of IRG Sports + Entertainment, the privately held parent company of multiple sports and entertainment properties.

Moo is the eight-time Pollstar Video Company of the Year, a 2018 Nashville Business Journal Business of the Year and the reigning Parnelli Award winner for Video Production Company of the Year.

“Jason is the real deal. A straight shooter with a fantastic history of success, while at the same time being the kind of guy who will fit right in to our culture. He has that elusive combination of a stellar track record and more importantly a guy whose head and heart are in the right place,” said Scott Scovill, Founder and CEO of Moo TV. “He brings an extensive background of experience in live events, venue management, and event production and I could not be more pleased to welcome him to our Moo family. I have the utmost confidence in his ability to lead and represent Moo TV.”

“I’m excited to become a part of the Moo TV team,” said Rittenberry. “Moo is not only the best in the business, but the culture here is why our clients trust us as their partner. Scott has built an incredible company and I am honored to be leading it into the future.”

Tom Truitt, Partner with Buffkin Baker’s Nashville office, conducted the search for Moo TV.

Taillight has announced staff additions in their Nashville office. Brian Thurman joins Taillight as Executive Producer of Brand and Media Development, while Becca Fisher joins as Marketing Manager. Company VP of Development Thom Oliphant, who also co-founded Taillight’s Branded Division, has moved into a consulting position, working on special projects. He will continue to advise existing client relationships.

Thurman has spent a decade in sponsorships, branded content and brand/celebrity alignment in the entertainment industry, for companies including G7 Entertainment Marketing, and CEO of Watershed Brand Partners.

Fisher previously worked with technology companies Workday and Experian, advising Fortune 500 clients including Bank of America, Johnson & Johnson, Medtronic and Netflix.

The Taillight team also welcomes Jessy Heard as a consultant, specializing in Business Development and Client Relations.

“Coming off the success of a very busy year in 2018, creating content campaigns and connecting music influencers for national brands, we saw an opportunity to grow and better meet our client’s needs,” said President Tom Forrest. “We are thrilled to have Brian and Becca on the Taillight team who will directly support our branded division and help raise awareness for the work Taillight creates.”

Founded in 2000, Taillight and its imprint, Porchlight, has a strong history of creating critically acclaimed, music-driven programming, award-winning music videos and broadcast commercials. Recent 2018 brand campaigns include Diet Coke, smartwater, Synchrony Financial, Swisher Sweets Artist Project, CMA, Hooters, Perkins, Logan’s Roadhouse, Valvoline, Corona and Dollar General.