DISClaimer Singles Reviews: Cam, Keith Urban, A Thousand Horses, And More

Photo: Cam

Baby acts, established hit makers and living legends combine for a tasty musical stew in this week’s DisClaimer edition.

In the first category, you’ll find our DisCovery Award winner, Drew Green.

In the second category are fine new tracks by Cam and Keith Urban.

Both Willie Nelson and Dan Penn are here to remind us that great music doesn’t just belong to the young.

Don’t miss the track by Billy Valentine. He’s the most famous voice you’ve never heard of. Billy was the vocalist in Young-Holt Unlimited in the 1970s, then in his family’s Valentine Brothers during the 1980s (“Money’s Too Tight to Mention”). He toured in the musical The Wiz, then was the lead vocalist on the soundtracks of the movie The Five Heartbeats (1991) and the Muhammad Ali documentary Champions Forever (1989). He sings the theme songs of the TV shows Boston Legal and Sons of Anarchy. He’s written songs recorded by Ray Charles and The Neville Brothers and sung demos for Burt Bacharach and Gerry Goffin. Now he’s singing for our own Gary Nicholson.

He’s also a contender for Disc of the Day, alongside Cam, Kevin Costner and our winner, A Thousand Horses.

A THOUSAND HORSES/A Song to Remember
Writers: Michael Hobby/Brad Warren/Brett Warren/Christopher Stevens; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Warner
– Hooky and very cool. The churning rhythm track locks you into the groove like a jailer. The tight-harmony vocals are loaded with heart. “I need a song to remember/And a drink to forget” in order get over her. Sing on, bros.

TUCKER BEATHARD/Faithful
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Marla Cannon-Goodman; Producer: Tucker Beathard; Publisher: none listed; Warner
-There’s a lot of production going on here. The electronic washes and beats somewhat overpower the lyric about fidelity, as well as his expressive vocal performance. Also, it ain’t all that “country.”

WILLIE NELSON/We Are The Cowboys
Writer: Billy Joe Shaver; Producer: Buddy Cannon; Publisher: BJ Shaver, BMI; Legacy (track)
– Willie’s 70th solo album is out. Titled First Rose of Spring, it includes this languid waltz with something to say. “We are the cowboys, the true sons of freedom….Cowboys are average American people, Texicans, Mexicans, Black men and Jews” who will cure this world of its wrongs. Other highlights on the collection include his versions of Roy Clark’s “Yesterday When I Was Young,” Johnny Paycheck’s “I’m the Only Hell My Mama Ever Raised” and Toby Keith’s “Don’t Let the Old Man In.” The 10-time Grammy winner, 87, remains an awesome musical presence.

BILLY VALENTINE/Thank You George Floyd
Writer: Gary Nicholson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; GN
-This is a super slab of Americana country-soul, with a slammin’  R&B groove and a passionate vocal by veteran Billy Valentine. Penned by stellar Nashville tunesmith Gary Nicholson, it thanks the late murder victim for making a difference in our society. It also name-checks several of the other victims of racial violence. The Black Live Matter movement couldn’t ask for a more stirring anthem and rallying cry.

KEITH URBAN/Superman
Writers: Craig Wiseman/Ben Berger/Ryan Rabin/Ryan McMahon/Keith Urban; Producer: Captain Cuts & Keith Urban; Publisher: none listed; Capitol Nashville
-It’s the familiar Urban summertime groove, spruced up with some dance beats and poppy electronics. Catchy, as usual.

HUDSON VALLEY/Right Place Now
Writers: Sarah Owens/Sherrie Austin/Will Rambeaux; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; HV
-This female-fronted band is in a celebratory mood on this crashing rocker. Lead singer Sarah Owens shows plenty of confidence and moxie while the rhythm section and electric guitarist kick up dust. You can catch the act live around Music City at such venues as Ol Red, The Sutler Saloon, the Omni Hotel, The Listening Room and 3rd & Lindsley.

CAM/Classic
Writers: Camaron Ochs/Jack Antonoff; Producer: Jack Antonoff; Publisher: none listed; Triple Tigers/RCA Records
-Indescribably zesty. This fizzes like just-opened champagne. Her bright vocal is matched by a bubbling, shuffling beat that is just deliriously fun. I remain a huge fan. Like the song says, “they don’t make ’em like this anymore.”

DREW GREEN/Little More Be Alright
Writers: Drew Green/Mark Trussell; Producer: Mark Trussell; Publisher: none listed; Villa 40/Sony
-It’s a terrific fusion of a just-folks vocal, a supremely country lyric and an echoey pop production. I dig this guy, and I absolutely love the song. Stupendous work all around.

KEVIN COSTNER & MODERN WEST/Won’t Stop Loving You
Writers: Kevin Costner/Jack Williams/Scott Lindsey/Troy Johnson; Publisher: Orchard/Kevin’s Music/Anthem Entertainment, no performance right listed; Producer: none listed; KM
-Heartbreaking and romantic. Her memory will not leave, ever. Costner sings with warmth, and the gentle acoustic backing makes the ballad glow.

DAN PENN/Living on Mercy
Writers: Dan Penn/Wayne Carson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Last Music Company (track)
-This is the title tune of the songwriting legend’s forthcoming CD, which arrives Aug. 28. The part-time Nashvillian enlisted the best sidemen of Muscle Shoals and Music City to craft a record that seethes with slow-burn, blue-eyed soul. This 78-year-old’s first album in 26 years demonstrates breathtaking endurance, perseverance and timelessness.

New Drive-In Theater Opens In Franklin, Tennessee Today

The Field at Franklin, a new drive-in theater sharing movies and events in Franklin, Tennessee, officially opens Thursday evening, located at 1810 Columbia Avenue behind Rolling Hills Community Church. The new drive-in theater will celebrate opening weekend with a screening of the 1993 movie The Sandlot, with screenings July 24-26.

The events will be hosted by Atema and his team at AP Live. Movies will be shown on a 22-by-42-foot LED screen which is similar to those used at concerts and festivals. The suggested rate per car for events is $35, but considering financial struggles from the pandemic, the company is offering a pay-what-you-can model for attendees.

To facilitate safe social distancing measures, the company will allow 175 cars in the field, which would normally fit approximately 600 cars. Audio will be transmitted through FM radio.

All payments must be made online with a confirmation sent to the user, and customers must show confirmation to an attendant at the theater. Viewers must remain in their cars during the show, but they can bring all the snacks and food they want per car, and alcohol is not allowed.

Morris Higham Management Group To Rep Roger Miller Estate

Roger Miller. Photo: Courtesy Roger Miller Estate

Morris Higham Management Group (MHM) has inked an exclusive management representation deal with the estate of Roger Miller, with MHM overseeing all future endeavors for the late Country Music Hall of Fame member.

“I have admired the work of Dale Morris and Clint Higham for years,” shares Mary Miller, widow of the late Roger Miller. “Their entire team exudes the energy and professionalism that I know will help both protect and elevate Roger’s enduring legacy.”

“We are completely humbled that Mary would entrust us to be the caretakers of such an important part of music history,” says Robert Filhart of Morris Higham Management. “We are such fans of Roger’s work… his songwriting, his artistry, the Tony award-winning Big River…his work is unmatched, and we are thrilled to help shepherd his legacy.”

The estate joins MHM clients Kenny Chesney, Johnny Dailey, Brantley Gilbert, Ryan Griffin, Joey Hendricks, Brandon Lay, Barbara Mandrell, Louise Mandrell, Carly Pearce, Michael Ray, Chase Wright, Old Dominion and Walker County.

Roger Miller died Oct. 25, 1992 at age 56. He was known for his numerous hits including “King of the Road,” “Dang Me,” and “England Swings.” He continued recording and touring through the 1980s and early ’90s, earning his final Top 20 country hit “Old Friends” (featuring Ray Price and Willie Nelson) in 1982. He wrote and performed several of the songs from the 1973 Disney animated film Robin Hood. He wrote the music and lyrics for (and also acted in) the 1985 Tony Award-winning Broadway musical Big River.

Dawes Signs With Rounder Records, Announces New Album

Dawes has signed a recording deal with Rounder Records, and will release its seventh studio LP, Good Luck With Whatever, on Friday, Oct. 2.

Produced by Dave Cobb at Nashville’s RCA Studio A, the album is heralded by the premiere of the single “Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?,” available now at all DSPs and streaming services. The high-spirited track is also bolstered by an official companion video, streaming now at the official Dawes YouTube channel.

The new LP sees Dawes frontman Taylor Goldsmith grappling with the expectations of adulthood on a cycle of new tracks fueled by many of the same elements that initially earned the band worldwide attention.

“In the past, I’ve definitely been more precious about the way I wanted the songs to sound, but that’s never as fun,” Taylor Goldsmith says. “The music we make is everyone’s mode of expression, and the other guys all have chops that I don’t have and never will. The fact that we’re able to lean on each other and celebrate each other as individuals just makes us so much more excited about getting to play together in this band.”

Dawes also recently unveiled Live From Richmond, VA, an 11-track concert recording available exclusively as a digital download via Bandcamp that benefits Reform LA Jails and Black Lives Matter Los Angeles.

Good Luck With Whatever Track Listing:
Still Feel Like A Kid
Good Luck With Whatever
Between The Zero and The One
None Of My Business
St. Augustine At Night
Who Do You Think You’re Talking To?
Didn’t Fix Me
Free As We Want To Be
Me Especially

Kane Brown Kicks Off Pandora’s New Virtual Concert Series

Kane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato

Pandora has announced a new virtual concert series kicking off with Kane Brown on July 28 that will run through the end of the year.

Brown’s performance will feature both new hits and old favorites and will be hosted by SiriusXM’s Storme Warren. Restless Road, the Nashville-based trio Kane recently signed to his label, will appear for a special performance of “Take Me Home,” marking the first time the song has been played live. Pandora’s cameras will also follow Brown to tornado-ravaged East Nashville, where a mural was created inspired by his new song, “Worldwide Beautiful.” The evening will feature an animated short film, based on a real-life experience, narrated by Kane and featuring some celebrity cameos.

“I love unexpected collaborations and finding new ways to bring my fans music, especially while we aren’t able to tour on the road,” Brown said. “You all mean so much to me and I’m happy to team up with Pandora to create an amazing virtual performance with some surprises for you.”

The concerts will feature interactive perks to connect fans with their favorite artists, and select attendees will receive access to virtual meet and greets, Q&As with the artist, exclusive merchandise, live chat functionality, and more.

Following their performance, each artist is expected to record a Pandora Story featuring personal commentary woven between hand-selected songs. Fans will also be able to tune in to the recordings of the virtual performances on Pandora, and select concerts will also be re-broadcast on SiriusXM. To further support artists, Pandora acquired merchandise that would have been sold on tour and customized it to create limited-edition fan giveaways available the night of the shows on a first-come, first-served basis.

“People are still as passionate about live entertainment as ever, and they’re craving the moments of joy and connection that those experiences bring,” said Denise Karkos, CMO at SiriusXM and Pandora. “The music ecosystem has been massively disrupted this year, and artists need to find new ways to connect with fans, share their art, and continue creating. Our role is to give entertainers a platform to reach their fans in new and meaningful ways while filling the void for listeners who want to connect with each other and the artists they love. We’re placing advertisers at key consumer touchpoints before, during, and after the events to enable these special connections.”

BMG Promotes Chris Oglesby

Chris Oglesby

BMG publishing executive Chris Oglesby has been promoted to Sr. VP, Creative, BMG’s lead creative publishing role in Nashville. He will report to head of U.S. Publishing Monti Olson.

Oglesby will oversee the creative publishing team in Nashville, and will serve to further the collaborative efforts between BMG’s roster of artists and publishing clients in both Los Angeles and New York, as well as BMG’s BBR Music Group (Broken Bow Records, Stoney Creek Records, Wheelhouse Records).

Olson said, “Chris’ relationships and understanding of our writers and the music community is unrivaled. A true song man, he has the innate ability to create synergy with our teams, offices and writers around the world, building on our USP of publishing and recording together as one. He will continue to serve as a major asset for the team in Nashville and BMG abroad.”

Thomas Scherer, EVP, Repertoire & Marketing, Los Angeles, said, “We are thrilled to have Chris take the creative publishing lead in Nashville and look forward to working more closely as we bring our recording artists and songwriters together. This is a great opportunity to strengthen our business in Nashville, with BBR Music Group, the creative synch team for film and TV, along with our LA-based creative publishing team, to produce new opportunities and deliver results for our songwriters.”

Oglesby joined BMG in 2013 as VP Creative, and has been involved with chart-topping hits including “Heaven” (Shy Carter), “God Whispered Your Name” (Chris August, Shy Carter, James Slater), “Dirty Laundry” (Hillary Lindsey), and “Hurricane” (Thomas Archer), among many others. In addition, the BMG Nashville international songwriter roster includes Andrew Farris of INXS and The Wolfe Brothers (Australia), Dave Gibson (London), and Dan Wilson and Greg Wells (Los Angeles).

Oglesby began his career at Almo/Irving Music, signing Grammy award-winner Craig Wiseman, before joining Dreamcatcher Music. He would later join former BMG Music Publishing where he spent a decade working with a roster of established songwriters and emerging talent involved with hit songs including “Check Yes or No” (George Strait), “Young” (Kenny Chesney), “Born To Fly” (Sara Evans), “So Small” and “Temporary Home” (Carrie Underwood), and “God’s Will” (Martina McBride). In 2004, he moved into songwriter management creating, Oglesby Writers Management, as part of 19 Entertainment/CKX.

Singer-Songwriter Craig Martin Laid To Rest


Country songwriter Craig Matthew Martin Sr. died suddenly this month at age 52.

The vocalist and hit tunesmith passed away on July 3 and was buried in his native West Virginia on July 11. Martin is best known for co-writing the Tim McGraw hit “Don’t Take the Girl.”

By coincidence, his cowriter on that song, Larry Johnson, died exactly three weeks before Martin did. In 1994, “Don’t Take the Girl” became the breakthrough No. 1 hit for McGraw. It sold two million copies and earned its writers a BMI Award.

Craig Martin was born in Wheeling, West Virginia. He formed a successful regional band at age 15. Following high school, he worked as a correctional officer. He moved to Nashville in 1991 and was signed as a recording artist for Mercury/PolyGram in 1992-94.

Believing in his warm, baritone singing voice, but evidently not his songwriting, the label rejected “Don’t Take the Girl.” As a result, Martin took to song to McGraw.

Craig Matthew Martin Sr. spent much of his time in Nashville billed as “Craig J. Martin.” He was a staff writer at Dennis Morgan Music and co-wrote with such top names as Morgan, Hank Cochran, Billy Don Burns, Marty Haggard and Kent Blazy.

He wrote songs for George Jones, Southern Comfort, Creed Fisher, Rod Stewart, Gerald Smith, The Backstreet Boys and Coly Preston. Clinton Gregory recorded several Martin songs, including the music-video fan favorite “She Did.” Western Flyer scored a Top 40 country hit with his “What Will You Do with M-E” in 1996.

He also continued to record, himself, notably releasing the singles “I Have a Dream,” “Let Him Walk You Home” and “I’m a Kid in Trouble.” He performed at such local venues as Nashville Shores, The Listening Room Cafe and the Maxwell House Hotel. He also worked as a Lyft driver.

Craig Martin died of a sudden “cardiac event,” according to his son, Keith. The family established a GoFundMe account to pay for his funeral expenses, and the effort achieved its financial goal within a week of his death.

Surviving are his five children, Amanda, Craig Jr., Keith, Sami and Scarlett, plus two sisters, two brothers and six grandchildren. Arrangements were handled by Altmeyer Funeral Home in McMichen, West Virginia, and he was buried in Greenwood Cemetery in Wheeling.

The Mechanical Licensing Collective Announces Partnership, Offers Data Quality Initiative To Vistex Users


The Mechanical Licensing Collective has announced it is partnering with Vistex, Inc. to offer its Data Quality Initiative to Vistex’s Music Maestro software users.

The MLC’s Data Quality Initiative provides a streamlined way for publishers, administrators and ex-US collective management organizations to compare their musical works’ data with The MLC’s data and receive reports highlighting the discrepancies between the two sets of data so they can easily identify and correct those discrepancies.

“Vistex’s Music Maestro product is used by copyright owners all over the world,” noted Richard Thompson, The MLC’s CIO. “We wanted to ensure that Vistex’s clients were able to participate in the Data Quality Initiative so that they could see where their works were not being correctly registered with The MLC and take the necessary corrective action.”

“We were delighted to have an opportunity to work with The MLC as it prepares to launch one of the most important copyright administration services in modern times,” said Amos Biegun, Global Head of Rights & Royalties for Vistex. “Our team lead by Stephen Carlisle worked with several key customers to test the new functionality we have added to our platform. Those customers were able to export and then compare their data with The MLC’s data, and the results of these tests were very encouraging.”

TikTok, NMPA Ink Multi-Year Agreement


The National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA) and TikTok have signed a multi-year agreement which accounts for TikTok’s past use of musical works and sets up a forward-looking partnership. This new partnership will give NMPA members the ability to opt-in to a licensing framework that allows them to benefit from their works included on TikTok and is effective retroactively as of May 1, 2020.

Ole Obermann, Global Head of Music at TikTok, said, “TikTok is proud to partner with music publishers and songwriters to enable artist and song discovery, and support revenue opportunities. We’re excited to partner with the NMPA to bring their member companies on to the platform and help hundreds of millions of people discover and enjoy their songs. We look forward to continuing to work with songwriters to help them use TikTok as a powerful and innovative channel to reach a global audience through a unique format of creation and engagement.”

David Israelite, President & CEO of NMPA, said, “We are pleased to find a way forward with TikTok which benefits songwriters and publishers and offers them critical compensation for their work. Music is an important part of apps like TikTok which merge songs with expression and popularize new music while also giving new life to classic songs. This agreement respects the work of creators and gives them a way to be paid for their essential contributions to the platform.”

Taylor Swift To Release Eighth Studio Album ‘Folklore’ At Midnight


Less than a year after the release of her project Lover, Taylor Swift will return with her eighth studio album, Folklore, which releases at midnight tonight. A music video for a new track, “Cardigan,” will release simultaneously with the album release.

“Most of the things I had planned this summer didn’t end up happening, but there is something I hadn’t planned on that DID happen,” Swift, 30, wrote in a series of Instagram posts Thursday morning. “And that thing is my 8th studio album, folklore. Surprise”

In detailing the release, she said, “I’ve poured all of my whims, dreams, fears, and musings into. I wrote and recorded this music in isolation but got to collaborate with some musical heroes of mine…” She worked with Aaron Dessner, Bon Iver, William Bowery and Jack Antonoff, with engineering from Laura Sisk and Jon Low, and mixing by Serban Ghenea and Low.

Dessner shared on social media that Swift had approached him to co-write tracks in late April.

“I thought it would take a while for song ideas to come and I had no expectations as far as what we could accomplish remotely,” he said. “But a few hours after sharing music, my phone lit up with a voice memo from Taylor of a fully written version of a song.” They remotely wrote 11 songs for the project. “I’m very proud of all these songs and profoundly grateful to Taylor for inviting me into and trusting me in her process.”

The 16-track album will also be available via a physical deluxe edition that will include the bonus track “The Lakes.” There will also be eight deluxe CD editions and eight deluxe vinyl editions available for one week, with each deluxe edition including unique covers, photos and artwork.

The surprise album drop is a change from Swift’s usual modus operandi, which typically involves a long buildup to an album release, complete with blockbuster singles and attention-grabbing music videos.

“Before this year I probably would’ve overthought when to release this music at the ‘perfect’ time, but the times we’re living in keep reminding me that nothing is guaranteed,” Swift added via Instagram. “My gut is telling me that if you make something you love, you should just put it out into the world. That’s the side of uncertainty I can get on board with.”

Folklore Track List:
“The 1”
“Cardigan”
“The Last Great American Dynasty”
“Exile” (featuring Bon Iver)
“My Tears Ricochet”
“Mirrorball”
“Seven”
“August”
“This is Me Trying”
“Illicit Affairs”
“Invisible String”
“Mad Woman”
“Epiphany”
“Betty”
“Peace”
“Hoax”
“The Lakes” (Bonus Track)