Songwriter David Olney Dies At 71

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David Olney. Photo: John Partipilo

Nashville songwriting great David Olney died on stage at a festival in Florida on Saturday at age 71.

Regarded as one of the finest songwriters in Music City, Olney recorded more than 20 albums over a four-decade career. His songs have been sung by Emmylou Harris, Steve Earle, Joe Ely, Del McCoury, Johnny Cash, Tim O’Brien, James King, Linda Ronstadt, Slaid Cleaves, Lonnie Brooks and many others.

He was a founder of Nashville’s alternative-rock scene, as well as of the Americana genre. He was a gripping, theatrical live performer who became widely known in Europe, as well as on America’s folk circuit.

Born in Providence, Rhode Island in 1948, he began playing guitar at age 13. During his college years at the University of North Carolina, he launched his performing career in the clubs of Chapel Hill.

He formed the band Simpson and made his recording debut in 1971. His pile-driving arrangement on Leadbelly’s “Black Betty” was picked up by Ram Jam, who made it a rock hit.

Following a period working in theater in Atlanta, he moved to Nashville in 1973. In 1978-85, Dave Olney & The X-Rays became stars of the Music City nightlife scene. The band opened for Elvis Costello, appeared on Austin City Limits, recorded two LPs and served as one of the founding groups of Nashville’s alternative-rock culture.

He began recording a string of striking solo folk LPs in 1986. He also performed and recorded in The Nashville Jug Band.

No one who ever sat transfixed by one of his solo shows could deny his talent as a thespian. Olney could be scary, hilarious, tender, loving or ironic, but he was always dramatic and unforgettable.

His striking stage abilities grew from the way he inhabited the characters in his unusual songs. At various times he enacted Jesse James, John Barrymore, Omar Khayam, John Dillinger, Barabbas, a World War I prostitute, the iceberg that sank the Titanic, a caterpillar, a boxer, a millionaire, baseball players, a huckster following Jesus and any number of criminals, scoundrels and social outcasts.

Olney was one of the music world’s great individualists. In addition to playing some of America’s biggest festivals, he performed for fans in Germany, Ireland, Scandinavia, England, Austria, Belgium, Switzerland and Holland. His albums were issued on Dutch and Italian record labels.

Opera Memphis adapted some of his songs for a theatrical work titled “Light in August.” He also performed during the Nashville Shakespeare Festival. Over the years, he opened shows for Bonnie Raitt, Kris Kristofferson and Nanci Griffith and became a favorite of such fellow troubadours as Guy Clark, Richard Dobson and Townes Van Zandt.

By the 1990s, he was a cult figure who collaborated with Rodney Crowell, John Prine and The Band’s Rick Danko and Garth Hudson, among others. He earned rave reviews in The New York Times, Stereo Review, USA Today, The L.A. Times, The Miami Herald, The Philadelphia Enquirer and more.

Olney died of an apparent heart attack while on stage in Santa Rosa Beach, Florida. He is survived by wife Regine, daughter Lillian and son Redding. Funeral arrangements are not yet available.

 

 

Romeo Entertainment Group, Beckon Entertainment Partner To Form BERO Entertainment Group

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Pictured: Nick Kulb, R.J. Romeo

Beckon Entertainment and Romeo Entertainment Group have aligned to form BERO Entertainment Group, a full-service live entertainment agency. BERO will offer artist booking and production for festivals, corporate functions, conferences and more. BERO will also offer in-house counsel, assistance with contractual processes and day-of-show execution.

“Bero is the partnership between Romeo Entertainment Group and Beckon Entertainment. REG’s reputation as a premier talent buyer and concert producer made them a natural fit for Beckon,” said Nick Kulb, President, Beckon Entertainment, Inc. “Together, we can offer a wide variety of services including booking artists and production services such as audio, lighting, video, logistics and operations, making this a one-stop service provider for talent buyers and live productions of all sizes.”

“Teaming up with Beckon is a natural way for REG to expand our presence into the festival management, corporate and private event areas,” said R.J. Romeo, President, Romeo Entertainment Group. “Nick and I have worked on several projects together and we complement each other’s skill sets. Nick’s knowledge of operations and logistics is unparalleled in the live event space. By combining our unique talents we can offer clients a full-service solution for all of their event needs. We book a lot of shows and Beckon works with a lot of production vendors. We know what things should cost and we can guarantee that we can help save corporate and private clients money over their existing event service providers who might only do a handful of shows per year.”

Kulb has nearly 20 years experience in the music and live event space, as a specialist in event logistics and production for major festivals management, operations and talent acquisition. He has worked on sponsorship and advertising deals with companies including Apple/iTunes, Sony, Disney, General Motors, Pepsi and more.

In his role as President of the 65-year-old family-owned and operated talent buying agency Romeo Entertainment Group, R.J. buys and services client events, working with an array of artists. He also offers consulting, security planning, emergency management planning, venue layout and more. Romeo was named the 2014 IEBA Fair Buyer of the Year and in 2018 earned the ACM Don Romeo Talent Buyer of the Year Award and the IEBA Fair Buyer of the Year honor.

Little Big Town’s Carefully Woven ‘Nightfall’ Album Available Today

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Little Big Town performs at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 2020. Photo: MusicRow.

Yesterday (Jan. 16), Little Big Town performed a cosmic track-by-track showcase in celebration of their ninth studio album, Nightfall, at New York City’s famed Carnegie Hall, with the album releasing to the public shortly after the show at midnight. The captivating performance winded through the 13 new tracks, and ended with some of the band’s fan favorites, including “Pontoon,” “Tornado,” “Boondocks,” and “Girl Crush” among others.

Little Big Town performs at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 2020. Photo: MusicRow.

The concert occurred just ahead of their two-night engagement, today (Jan. 17) and tomorrow (Jan. 18), at another of New York’s iconic venues, the Apollo Theatre, which officially kicks-off of their national Nightfall Tour.

The packed Carnegie Hall audience contained many familiar faces including some of the band’s family members and close friends, as well as a bevy of migrating Nashville industry peeps including the band’s management, Sandbox Entertainment head, Jason Owen, and the band’s label exec, UMG Nashville President, Cindy Mabe. Little Big Town’s support in the audience ran beyond that of their excited fans, with industry team members from all aspects of the band’s career making the voyage to New York to enjoy the highly anticipated launch of their new album.

The carefully woven project from Capitol Records Nashville is admittedly one of the band’s most intimate and powerful to date, with sophisticated messages interlaced throughout the project.

Co-writing nine of the album’s 13 tracks, the band has already garnered successful accolades with a 2020 Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance for the empowering song, “The Daughters.” The song serves as an inspirational and motivational call for young girls to pursue their passions and believe in themselves regardless of societal expectations of women.

The album’s current single, “Over Drinking,” is a pick-yourself-up and dust off the heartache anthem. The single’s music video stars Michelle Monaghan and takes inspiration from classic films like Urban Cowboy and Thelma & Louise—complete with Stetsons, fringe and a mechanical bull.

Another track from Nightfall, “Sugar Coat,” and its accompanying music video starring Kate Bosworth, tells the story of a forbearing wife and mother whose husband’s continuous philandering proves harder and harder to endure, but is pressured out of the responsibility to her family to keep smiling and wearing her ‘sugar coat.’

Little Big Town performs at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 2020. Photo: MusicRow.

Easily Little Big Town’s most nuanced project, they didn’t realize initially they were on the verge of producing their ninth studio album. But when Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Phillip Sweet, and Jimi Westbrook went into the studio to develop what was there, it wasn’t long before the fiercely musical foursome realized they’d found a new creative horizon—and they just kept going until Nightfall emerged from 34 songs, with a myriad of experiments and the inherent harmony singing that has defined the Grammy-winning group.

“From the first time we sat in the living room, it was amazing that we all gravitated to the harmonies we sing,” explains the sunny-voiced Schlapman. “In 20 years, we really have stayed with the harmonies we settle into organically. We’re all really strong and opinionated, and we’ve always been really involved, but over the years, we’ve become more comfortable with who each of us is.”

“It’s so easy to keep layering guitars on top of each other,” Westbrook says of the sonics. “Every sound is intentional on this record. We’d empty tracks out to create more space. Those spaces let the energy come through. The space allows you to absorb what we’re saying.”

“I’m a dreamer,” Sweet offers. “This music hopefully honors that as musicians in country music. If people can open their hearts and just connect with music in a way that feeds them, makes them feel what they need or want to, then we got it.”

Schlapman boils it down, “This was a journey, and still is. Whether you’re going to the mountains, or the beach, even sitting in your living room with a glass of wine, this record is an experience. It will take you through so many places in life, hopefully sink in, and take you where you need to go, or give you what you’re looking to find.”

Fairchild adds, “The sequence is deliberate to take you through the romance of Nightfall… the questions we have when we’re alone, the joy and the frolic of love and friendship, and the strength to overcome.”

Little Big Town performs at Carnegie Hall on January 16, 2020. Photo: MusicRow.

Listen to Nightfall here.https://strm.to/Nightfall

Nightfall Track Listing:
1. Next To You (Hillary Reynolds, Michael Jade, Trevor Jarvis)
2. Nightfall (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Fancy Hagood)
3. Forever And A Night (Karen Fairchild, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Foy Vance)
4. Throw Your Love Away (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Hillary Lindsey, Liz Rose, Lori McKenna)
5. Over Drinking (Carey Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Ashley Gorley, Steph Jones, Hillary Lindsey)
6. Wine, Beer, Whiskey (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
7. Questions (Karen Fairchild, Jon Green, Sara Haze)
8. The Daughters (Karen Fairchild, Sean McConnell, Ashley Ray)
9. River Of Stars (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
10. Sugar Coat (Josh Kerr, Jordyn Shellhart, Lori McKenna)
11. Problem Child (Karen Fairchild, Kimberly Schlapman, Jimi Westbrook, Phillip Sweet, Sean McConnell, Tofer Brown)
12. Bluebird (Karen Fairchild, Daniel Tashian, Ian Fitchuk)
13. Trouble With Forever (Jason Saenz, Marc Beeson, Sara Haze)

Sony Music Nashville Signs Ross Ellis

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Pictured (L-R, back row): Triple 8 Management’s Rachelle Roundtree; Sony Music Nashville’s SVP Legal & Business Affairs Angie Magill; COO/EVP Ken Robold, SVP A&R Taylor Lindsey, Steve Hodges, EVP Promotion & Artist Development. (L-R, front row): Triple 8 Management’s George Couri, Ross Ellis, Sony Music Nashville’s Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman, EVP A&R Jim Catino. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Sony Music Nashville has signed Ross Ellis to the label’s artist roster.

The Louisiana native began performing in a homespun band called Wayside while Ellis was still in high school. He moved to Nashville after graduating from the University of Louisiana at Monroe. In 2017, he independently released the song “Home For The Weekend,” followed by “Ghosts” in 2018. He is also a co-writer on “Neon Church,” which Tim McGraw released to radio in 2018. Ellis recently released “Buy and Buy,” which reached No. 1 on SiriusXM’s The Highway’s Top 30 Countdown last month.

“I’m so excited to join the Sony Music family! When I moved to this town five years ago, I was broke, had written maybe five songs and didn’t know a soul on music row,” Ellis said. “Now with an army of personal and professional support behind me and most importantly, God, I’m ready for what comes next on this crazy journey. And yes, that includes new music very, very soon!”

Ellis is a BMI affiliate, signed with Big Deal Music for publishing, and booked by WME.

John Anderson Teams With Dan Auerbach For New Album ‘Years’

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John Anderson is releasing a new album this Spring, titled Years, on Easy Eye Sound. Produced by Dan Auerbach and David “Fergie” Ferguson and set for April 10, the album includes 10 new originals as well as a special guest appearance by Blake Shelton on the track “Tuesday I’ll Be Gone.” In advance of the release, the album’s title track is premiering today.

The impetus for the project first came when Auerbach reached out to Anderson simply as a fan, and when Anderson, Auerbach and Ferguson all later met, they clicked immediately. On the spot, Anderson accepted an invitation to write the following day, which resulted in “Years,” the title track and emotional centerpiece of the album. Although he prefers not to go into details with regarding some health issues he’s experienced, Anderson’s remarkable recovery has become his testimony and it’s with Years that this testimony is told.
“We went in the studio, and I remember saying, ‘I’m going to do this like it might be my last,’” Anderson offers, “It still could be, but now the chances of that are getting slimmer and slimmer every day. I’m doing better so I’m not hardly thinking that way anymore.” He adds, “There’s a few things that I came out of this whole deal better with. Part of it is my love for music and part of it is my appreciation for my family. But the biggest part is knowing that I might die here any minute, for who knows what reason, but I know that the good Lord already came down and touched me. There’s not a doubt in my mind.”
In celebration of the album, Anderson will join Blake Shelton on his “Friends & Heroes” arena tour this winter, which includes stops in Portland, Los Angeles’ The Forum, and Detroit, among others.
YEARS Track List:
1. I’m Still Hangin’ On (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Paul Overstreet)
2. Celebrate (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach)                     
3. Years (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Pat McLaughlin, David Ferguson)
4. Tuesday I’ll Be Gone ft. Blake Shelton (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, David Ferguson)
5. What’s a Man Got To Do (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Dee White, David Ferguson)
6. Wild and Free (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Joe Allen)
7. Slow Down (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Bobby Wood)                                       
8. All We’re Really Looking For (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, Larry Cordle)
9. Chasing Down a Dream (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach, David Ferguson)
10. You’re Nearly Nothing (John Anderson, Dan Auerbach)

Kenny Chesney, Jason Aldean, Brooks & Dunn Among Country Megaticket Shows

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Live Nation has announced the artists participating in its 2020 Country Megaticket program, where one ticket gets fans into some of the biggest live country shows of the summer. This year’s participating artists include Brad Paisley, Brooks & Dunn, Chris Young, Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Luke Bryan, Old Dominion, Rascal Flatts, Sugarland, Thomas Rhett and Tim McGraw.

Fans can select one of over 30 participating Live Nation amphitheaters nearest them and purchase the Country Megaticket for their venue. The megaticket will grant them access to any of the participating country tours that are appearing there. Megaticket also allows purchasers the ability to reserve the same seat for all shows at their chosen amphitheater from the front row or the lawn, depending on package choice.

Tickets for the highly anticipated offer will be available in select cities starting Friday, Jan. 24. Additional participating venues and their respective lineups will be announced in the coming weeks.

“The 2020 Country Megaticket really packs a punch and truly delivers on its value,” said Brian O’Connell, President of Live Nation Country Touring. “The opportunity to be up close in the same seat for every show in the program, or out on the lawn where summer fun really happens, takes it up a notch. I am looking forward to another great summer with all of these amazing artists.”

Participating Artists/Tours in Select Cities:
*Full list of artists for each venue will be available at Megaticket.com

  • Brad Paisley with special guest Jordan Davis and Gabby Barrett
  • Brooks & Dunn with special guests
  • Chris Young with special guests Scotty McCreery and Payton Smith
  • Jason Aldean with special guests Brett Young, Mitchell Tenpenny and Dee Jay Silver
  • Kenny Chesney with special guests Michael Franti & Spearhead
  • Lady Antebellum with special guests Jake Own and Maddie & Tae
  • Luke Bryan with special guests Morgan Wallen and Caylee Hammack/Runaway June *support varies by market
  • Old Dominion with special guests Dustin Lynch and Carly Pearce
  • Rascal Flatts with special guests
  • Sugarland with special guests
  • Thomas Rhett with special guests Cole Swindell and HARDY
  • Tim McGraw with with special guests Midland and Ingrid Andress

Dolly Parton Inks Multi-Year Partnership For Greeting Card Line With American Greetings

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Dolly Parton. Photo: Rob Hoffman

Dolly Parton‘s iconic music and witty “Dolly-isms” will soon be used in digital and physical products for American Greetings, thanks to a new multi-year deal the company has signed with the legendary singer-songwriter. This will mark Parton’s first line of greeting cards.

The deal will include digital and physical products that will incorporate her music, while cards featuring her classic “Dolly-isms” will be available in the next few months. The digital products will be offered worldwide, while physical products will initially be offered via e-commerce channels. In honor of Parton’s upcoming birthday on Jan. 19, American Greetings will release a birthday audio and video “SmashUp” e-card, inspired by Parton’s classic “9 to 5.”

“I am so thrilled to begin this relationship with the folks at American Greetings,” says Parton. “When presented with this opportunity I knew it was perfect for me. I love connecting with people in unique ways and being able to integrate products that take inspiration from my music and the life lessons I have learned through the years makes this extra special. I know first-hand how a few words in a card can change someone’s day for the better. I am looking forward to working with the creative group at American Greetings to develop cards that do just that!”

“We are so excited to announce this relationship with Dolly because we make products that are expressions of happiness, laughter, and love, all of which are qualities that she personifies with her infectious, joyful personality,” says Rob Matousek, GM, Direct to Consumer Business at American Greetings. “We believe everyone should feel as special as they are, especially on their birthday. Creating these products with Dolly helps us inspire people to share some happiness with friends and family on their special day.”

More details on Parton’s line of greetings cards and other products will be rolled out in coming months.

 

Phil Vassar Strips It Down On Latest CD Project

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Phil Vassar is releasing his 10th studio album, Stripped Down, today. The new project features songs penned by Vassar over the past 20 years but never-before recorded, as well as “Postmarked Birmingham,” and “This is Where The End Starts,” which he co-wrote with daughter Haley. Numerous hit writers collaborated with Vassar on the album including Ross Copperman, John Rich, Don Sampson and Charlie Black.

“We’re peeling back the music to the core with this album. It’s how these songs were written and I’m really proud of how it turned out,” said Vassar. “We all have a tendency to overproduce things sometimes and we really made a conscious effort not to on this album.”

2020 marks an important anniversary for Vassar—20 years ago his first No. 1 single, “Just Another Day in Paradise,” was released. To celebrate, Vassar is embarking on a very intimate, acoustic tour titled  “Stripped Down.” The busy entertainer also has a new TV series, Phil Vassar’s Songs from the Cellar, which launched on the Circle Network and airs Thursdays at 8 p.m. CT.

STRIPPED DOWN TRACK LISTING

  1. Postmarked Birmingham (Phil Vassar, Don Sampson)
  2. Takes Me Back Again (Phil Vassar, Jack Tempchin, Lew Garrison)
  3. Where The End Starts featuring Haley Vassar (Phil Vassar, Haley Vassar)
  4. Perfect World (Phil Vassar, Charlie Black)
  5. I Won’t Forget You (Phil Vassar, Charlie Black)
  6. Lemonade (Phil Vassar, Charlie Black, Tim Ryan)
  7. Polaroid (Phil Vassar, John Rich)
  8. High School (Phil Vassar, Tom Douglas, Ross Copperman)

Ashley McBryde’s New Album, ‘Never Will,’ Coming April 3

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Warner Music Nashville’s Ashley McBryde will release her sophomore album, Never Will, on April 3. McBryde co-wrote nine of the tracks on this 11-song, Jay Joyce-produced project, which includes recent releases such as the clever “One Night Standards” and hard-charging revenge murder anthem “Martha Divine.” The project follows her 2018 major label debut, Girl Going Nowhere, which offered her breakthrough song “Girl Goin’ Nowhere,” as well as “A Little Dive Bar in Dahlonega,” and “Radioland.”

“The significance behind the album title comes from the lyrics in the title track: ‘I Didn’t, I Don’t and I Never Will,’” McBryde says with the same conviction that fueled Nowhere. “Before we recorded it with Jay [Joyce] in the studio, I said to my bandmates, ‘If we’re going to cut this and put it on the record, you’re promising anyone who ever listens to our music, we don’t listen to the noise in the background. We didn’t, we don’t and we never will. Don’t cut it unless you’re willing to promise it.’ And we cut it right then.”

Since her 2018 debut, McBryde has earned an ACM Award for New Female Vocalist of the Year, a CMA Award for New Artist of the Year, and is currently a two-time Grammy nominee at the upcoming awards show, for Best Country Song and Best Country Solo Performance, both for “Girl Goin’ Nowhere.”

See the track listing for Never Will below:

  1. Hang In There Girl (Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Bussey)
  2. One Night Standards (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Shane McAnally)
  3. Shut Up Sheila (Nicolette Hayford, Charles Chisholm)
  4. First Thing I Reach For (Ashley McBryde, Randall Clay, Mick Holland)
  5. Voodoo Doll (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Brandy Clark, Connie Harrington, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
  6. Sparrow (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford, Brandy Clark, Connie Harrington, Jake Mitchell, Aaron Raitiere)
  7. Martha Divine (Ashley McBryde, Jeremy Spillman)
  8. Velvet Red (Ashley McBryde, Patrick Savage, Daniel Smalley)
  9. Stone (Ashley McBryde, Nicolette Hayford)
  10. Never Will (Ashley McBryde, Chris Harris, Blue Foley, Matt Helmkamp, Christian Sancho, Victor Quinn Hill)
  11. Styrofoam (Randall Clay)

Weekly Chart Report (1/17/19)

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