Blake Shelton Celebrates Gold Album, No. 1 Song At ASCAP

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Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Songwriter Deric Ruttan, Blake Shelton, songwriter Craig Wiseman. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“It’s good to be in the Blake Shelton business,” said Matt Turner, Creative Director of Big Loud Shirt, as industry members gathered to honor Shelton’s  No. 1 song, “Came Here To Forget.”

ASCAP’s Nashville office hosted the celebration, led by ASCAP’s Beth Brinker and Michael Martin, on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30).

“Came Here To Forget” marks Shelton’s 22nd No. 1 song and 17th consecutive chart-topper. Deric Ruttan and three-time ASCAP Songwriter of the Year honoree Craig Wiseman co-wrote “Came Here to Forget,” the lead single from Shelton’s If I’m Honest album.

The song marks Ruttan’s third No. 1 and Wiseman’s 26th.

Shelton was surprised with more heavy metal when presented with a plaque commemorating the gold certification of his If I’m Honest project.

“I’m always looking for a song I can relate to,” said Shelton told Ruttan and Wiseman of “Came Here To Forget.” “I have to be careful about shit I say because it ends up everywhere. I don’t think I’ve ever had a more perfect song at the perfect time in my life. Thank you guys for nailing it way better than I ever could. I’m like a puppet up here, if it wasn’t for you writers.”

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, songwriter Deric Ruttan, Big Loud Shirt's Matt Turner, Round Hill Songs' Penny Gattis, Blake Shelton, THiS Music's Rusty Gaston, songwriter Craig Wiseman, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing's Ben Vaughn, ASCAP's Beth Brinker

Pictured (L-R): Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, ASCAP VP of Nashville Membership Michael Martin, songwriter Deric Ruttan, Big Loud Shirt’s Matt Turner, Round Hill Songs’ Penny Gattis, Blake Shelton, THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, songwriter Craig Wiseman, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

THiS Music’s Rusty Gaston, Round Hill Music’s Penny Gattis, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Peter Strickland, and Scott Hendricks, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock and Brandon Blackstock, iHeartRadio’s Rod Phillips (on behalf of the Country Radio Broadcasters), and the Country Music Association’s Brandi Simms were on hand to honor the writers.

“As writers we are blessed to do what we do and I’m particularly blessed to write for a company like THiS Music,” said Ruttan. “THiS Music and Warner/Chappell is such a great home where we can feel creative and it’s a very nurturing environment.”

Gattis also surprised the songwriters by making a donation to Second Harvest Food Bank large enough to feed 2,000 people. Earlier this year, Shelton performed at Wiseman’s 12th annual Stars For Second Harvest charity event, held at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. To date, the event has raised more than $1 million to aid Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee.

Additionally, Wiseman and Shelton were congratulated for “Gonna,” which was the fourth single from Shelton’s previous album Bringing Back The Sunshine.

Pictured (L-R): Producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville CMO Peter Strickland, Blake Shelton, Starstruck Management Group's Narvel Blackstock, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Starstruck Management Group's Brandon Blackstock. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

Pictured (L-R): Producer Scott Hendricks, Warner Music Nashville CMO Peter Strickland, Blake Shelton, Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock, Warner Music Nashville Chairman/CEO John Esposito, Starstruck Management Group’s Brandon Blackstock. Photo: Ed Rode for ASCAP

“When ‘Gonna’ went No. 1, it was my 16th No. 1 song in a row, and I got a text from Earl Thomas Conley and he said, ‘Man you tied me.’” Shelton recalled. “I tied his personal record for consecutive No. 1s. I didn’t hear from me on this one. He must be pissed off that I flew past him,” Shelton quipped, just before giving thanks to the Warner Bros. promotion staff.

The celebration couldn’t last long, as Shelton and many others in attendance made their way to the Ryman Auditorium to take part in the ACM Honors, where Shelton paid tribute to Glen Campbell as part of an all-star moment featuring Keith Urban, Toby Keith, and Dierks Bentley.

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton and RaeLynn

Pictured (L-R): Blake Shelton and RaeLynn

Texas Governor Objects To DOJ Ruling On Fractionalized Licensing

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Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott

Texas Governor Greg Abbott has formally asked the Department of Justice to reconsider its recent decision regarding consent decrees and fractional licensing.

In a letter to Attorney General Loretta Lynch dated Aug. 29, Gov. Abbott wrote to express his disagreement.

He wrote, in part, “The Texas Music Office is housed within my office and is charged by law with promoting the Texas music industry. As the head of that office, I must object to the DOJ’s position in these cases, which is both legally flawed and threatens to harm the music industry in Texas. I respectfully request that the DOJ reconsider its position.”

In June, the music publishing community responded with disappointment, shock and surprise when the Department of Justice unexpectedly introduced a 100 percent licensing model involving PROs.

The decision on 100 percent licensing means that a song co-written by an ASCAP songwriter and a BMI songwriter would be available to license with approval from just one PRO. It also means that if a songwriter owns only a portion of the song, he or she can license the full song, as long as that songwriter ensures the other credited writers are getting paid. Under the current system, known as fractionalized licensing, each copyright owner in the song takes care of licensing their portion.

Later in his letter, Gov. Abbott wrote, “This drastic change in course will have severe consequences for music artists and the music industry as a whole. Specifically, the DOJ’s conclusion will inhibit collaboration between music artists, upend longstanding practices within the music industry and further reduce royalty payments to music artists.”

Abe Stoklasa Accepts MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin For “Fix”

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Pictured (L-R): Carla Wallace, Abe Stoklasa and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula

Pictured (L-R): Big Yellow Dog CEO/Partner Carla Wallace, Abe Stoklasa and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Molly Hannula

Big Yellow Dog songwriter Abe Stoklasa earned his first MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin for “Fix,” a chart-topping single for Big Loud Records recording artist Chris Lane. The title reached the top of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on July 21, 2016 after a 30-week climb.

“Fix” was written with Sarah Buxton and Jesse Frasure, who each earned a coin as a writer on the song. Publishers include Round Hill Works, Big Loud Proud Crowd, Bux Tone Music, Rio Bravo Music, Telemitry Productions, and Year Of The Dog Music. As the performer, Lane accepted his coin in July, just days after the song topped the chart.

“If it wasn’t for Carla, I don’t know where I’d be,” Stoklasa told MusicRow of his Big Yellow Dog publisher Carla Wallace. “Any opportunity she got, she would introduce me. She had faith early on and was unabashed about it.”

Referencing his “Fix” co-writers, he added, “Sarah and I have had a lot of success together and it’s hard to get in Jesse’s room lately because he’s been so in-demand.”

He continued, “I definitely spent a lot of time trying to write Dallas Davidson songs or Craig Wiseman songs and there’s a reason I failed at that—I’m not them. I needed to find what I’m good at and more importantly what nobody else was doing. I’ve found my skill-set and how it can be new to the marketplace.”

Big Yellow Dog CEO/Partner Carla Wallace (L) with "Fix" songwriter Abe Stoklasa (R). Photo: Molly Hannula

Carla Wallace (L) with “Fix” songwriter Abe Stoklasa (R). Photo: Molly Hannula

Noah Dewey Joins Magic Mustang Music

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Noah Dewey

Noah Dewey

BBR Music Group’s Magic Mustang Music has hired Noah Dewey as Sr. Creative Director of the publishing company.

Dewey has more than 20 years experience in the music industry as a music publisher, recording engineer and producer. He previously worked for Warner Bros., Still Working Music and Disney Music Publishing.

Most recently, Dewey owned independent publishing company Sonic Ark Publishing, which spawned three No. 1 records last year.

“I’m elated to be working with Juli and the amazing writers on the Magic Mustang team! It’s a fantastic opportunity to be a part of the BBR Music Group,” says Dewey.

“I have known Noah for over 20 years. I am so happy to have him as part of our family,” says Juli Newton-Griffith, VP of Magic Mustang Music. “His knowledge of publishing will be invaluable to the future of our company!”

Dewey reports directly to Newton-Griffith and is already on the job.

Americana Music Association Names Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees

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Jim Lauderdale

Jim Lauderdale

The Americana Music Association has revealed its 2016 Lifetime Achievement Award Honorees. The six recipients are William Bell, Billy Bragg, Shawn Colvin, Woody Guthrie, Jim Lauderdale and Bob Weir.

The honorees will be celebrated at Americana’s 15th Annual Honors & Awards held at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 21. The show is part of the 17th annual Americana Music Festival & Conference, held Sept. 20-25 in Nashville.

“These artists have not only influenced the Americana community, but the musical landscape as a whole,” said Jed Hilly, Executive Director of the Americana Music Association. “They all have been an inspiration to our community and we are humbled they will honor us in song at the Ryman this fall.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award for Songwriting goes to singer and songwriter William Bell. Billy Bragg is this year’s recipient of the Spirit of Americana Free Speech Award. Shawn Colvin has been named the Trailblazer honoree.

The President’s Award is posthumously awarded to Woody Guthrie. Jim Lauderdale is this year’s WagonMaster recipient. Bob Weir will be presented with the Lifetime Achievement honor in the category of Performer.

CMA Broadcast Awards Finalists Revealed

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Pictured (clockwise from top left): Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; Lon Helton; Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks.

Pictured (clockwise from top left): Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase; Lon Helton; Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks.

The Country Music Association revealed the finalists for its Broadcast Awards on Wednesday morning (Aug. 31).

Cam, who is a first-time CMA Award nominee this year with nods in the Song of the Year and Music Video of the Year categories (both for “Burning House”) notified the CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Personality and Radio Station of the Year with personalized video messages.

In the Broadcast Personality of the Year category (National), Cumulus’ America’s Morning Show (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) was nominated as well as Westwood One’s Country Countdown USA (Lon Helton), and iHeartMedia’s The Crook and Chase Countdown (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase).

Major Market finalists include KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas, KWJJ – Portland, Oregon, WKLB – Boston, WMZQ – Washington, D.C., and WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, North Carolina/Rock Hill, South Carolina.

“My friends in radio have been supportive of my career from the very beginning,” said Cam. “They are the ones getting our music out there and helping us reach new fans. I’m so happy I get to deliver the good news about their CMA Broadcast Award nominations – it’s so important to take the time and celebrate all the hard work put in.”

The winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at The 50th Annual CMA Awards to be held Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville. Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood return to host.

“Much of the sustained success of our format and rise of country’s newest stars can be attributed to the passion and drive of these key radio professionals,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They pioneer the grassroots efforts in communities across the nation to keep Country Music listeners excited and engaged with the genre.”

The categories are established by market size based on population as ranked by Arbitron. Entries for Broadcast Personality of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings, community involvement, and biographical information. Candidates for Station of the Year are judged on aircheck, ratings history, community involvement, and format leadership.

CMA members who are full-time, on-air personalities, and CMA member radio stations in the United States and Canada were eligible to enter. The entries are judged by a panel of distinguished broadcast professionals, representing all market sizes and regions.

CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:

National
“America’s Morning Show” (Blair Garner, Kelly Ford, and Chuck Wicks) – Cumulus
“Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
“The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia

Major Market
“Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
“Dave and Veronica Morning Show” (the late Dave McKay and Veronica Alfaro) – WQYK, Tampa-St. Petersburg-Clearwater, Fla.
“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico) – KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas
“Tanner in the Morning” (“Rob Tanner” Lamb, Willa Hamrick “Catherine Lane”, and “Chris Allen” Gordon) – WSOC, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.

Large Market
“AJ & Ashley In The Morning” (AJ Maguire and Ashley Stegbauer) – WWKA, Orlando, Fla.
“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“The Boxer Show” (“Boxer” Brandon Nasby) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio
“The Randy, Jamie, and Jojo Show” (Randy Carroll, Jamie Martin, and JoJo Meza) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
“Woody and the Wake-UP Call” (Woody Johnson, Dan E. Zuko, and Kayla Hanley) – WCOL, Columbus, Ohio

Medium Market
Brent Michaels – KUZZ, Bakersfield, Calif.
“The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ken, Kelley, and Daniel” (Ken Hicks, Kelley Bradshaw, and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Maverick and Lulu in the Morning” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne “Lulu” Krysz) – WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) – WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.

Small Market
“Afternoons with Cash” (Cash Williams) – KTTS, Springfield, Mo.
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“Ben and Arnie” (Arnie Andrews and Ben Butler) – WCOW, La Crosse, Wis.
“The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.

CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR

Major Market
KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
KWJJ – Portland, Ore.
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WMZQ – Washington, D.C.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.

Large Market
WCOL – Columbus, Ohio
WCTK – Providence-Warwick-Pawtucket, R.I.
WQDR – Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
WWKA – Orlando, Fla.

Medium Market
KATM – Stockton, Calif.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
WYRK – Buffalo-Niagara Falls, N.Y.

Small Market
KORA – Bryan-College Station, Texas
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WCOW – La Crosse, Wis.
WKML – Fayetteville, N.C.
WKSF – Asheville, N.C.

Toby Keith Receives Multiple BMI Million-Air Certifications

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham and Leslie Roberts, BMI singer-songwriter Toby Keith, BMI’s David Preston, BMI songwriter Scotty Emerick, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Phil Graham and Leslie Roberts, BMI singer-songwriter Toby Keith, BMI’s David Preston, BMI songwriter Scotty Emerick, BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Toby Keith was awarded BMI Million-Air certificates for seven hit songs on Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 30) at Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge in Nashville. The songs awarded totaled 23 million radio plays.

BMI executive David Preston presented Keith with the following certificates signifying the number of spins at country radio:

“How Do You Like Me Now” – 5 million performances
“Beer For My Horses”- 4 million performances
“You Ain’t Much Fun” with 4 million
“American Soldier” – 3 million performances
“Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American)” – 3 million performances
“God Love Her” – 2 million performances
“You Shouldn’t Kiss Me Like This”- 2 million performances

Toby Keith. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Toby Keith. Photo: Nathan Zucker

During his remarks, Keith told the crowd, “Going into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in New York City [in 2015] was the pinnacle reward I’ve been given. Songwriters, keep on writing songs because it’s the lifeblood of this industry and things like this can happen. Dreams can come true.”

Keith is a three time BMI Country Songwriter of the Year, with Million-Air certificates for many tracks, including “I Love This Bar” and “Should’ve Been a Cowboy.”

Pictured (L-R): Toby Keith and BMI's Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Pictured (L-R): Toby Keith and BMI’s Jody Williams. Photo: Nathan Zucker

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band Plans 50th Anniversary Live CD/DVD Set

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nitty gritty dirt band 2016

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band will issue a CD and a CD/DVD set on Sept. 30 to commemorate their 50th year as a band.

Credited to Nitty Gritty Dirt Band and Friends and titled Circlin’ Back: Celebrating 50 Years, the project will be released on the band’s own NGDB Records, LLC, and distributed by Warner Music Nashville.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band album coverRecorded live at Nashville’s historic Ryman Auditorium, the collection features guests such as John Prine, Sam Bush, Vince Gill, Jerry Jeff Walker, Alison Krauss, Rodney Crowell, Byron House, and Jerry Douglas. Jackson Browne, an early member of the Dirt Band, and former member Jimmy Ibbotson, also joined the lineup.

Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s current members are Jeff Hanna (guitars/vocals), Jimmie Fadden (drums/harmonica/vocals), Bob Carpenter (keyboards/accordion/vocals) and John McEuen (banjo/fiddle/guitar/mandolin).

The band will return to Nashville on Oct. 4 for a show with the Nashville Symphony.

CMA Awards Nominations Announced

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CMA at 50

Garth Brooks, Luke Bryan, Chris Stapleton, Carrie Underwood and Keith Urban will vie for this year’s Entertainer of the Year trophy at the 50th annual CMA Awards, the Country Music Association announced this morning.

Keith Urban, Cam, and Dierks Bentley made announcements on Good Morning America in top categories including Song of the Year, Album of the Year, Single of the Year, Entertainer of the year, Female Vocalist of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year.

The Country Music Association also announced nominations for Musical Event of the Year, Vocal Group, Vocal Duo, New Artist, Music Video, and Musician of the Year.

Eric Church, Maren Morris, and Stapleton top the list of final nominees with five nominations each. Bentley, Underwood, and Urban received four nominations and Tim McGraw received three nominations. This brings his career total of nominations to 38.

Artists receiving two nominations include Kelsea Ballerini, Brothers Osborne, Bryan, Cam, Old Dominion and Thomas Rhett.

“I am very excited about this year’s list of nominees,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “We have artists who received their first CMA Awards nominations decades ago alongside first-timers; we have critically-acclaimed songwriters and artists who have reset the bar for country music. This is going to be an exciting year in addition to celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards.”

The 50th annual CMA Awards will air live on Nov. 2 at 7 p.m. CT on ABC.

A full list of CMA Awards nominations is below:

Entertainer Of The Year
Garth Brooks
Luke Bryan
Chris Stapleton
Carrie Underwood
Keith Urban

Single of the Year
(Award goes to Artist, Producer(s), and Mix Engineer(s))

“Die a Happy Man,” Thomas Rhett
Produced by Dann Huff and Jesse Frasure
Mix Engineered by Justin Niebank
The Valory Music Co.

“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
Produced by Byron Gallimore and Tim McGraw
Mix Engineered by Byron Gallimore
Big Machine Records

“My Church,” Maren Morris
Produced by busbee and Maren Morris
Mix Engineered by Dave Clauss and busbee
Columbia Nashville/Sony Music Nashville

“Nobody To Blame,” Chris Stapleton
Produced by Dave Cobb and Chris Stapleton
Mix Engineered by Vance Powell
Mercury Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville

“Record Year,” Eric Church
Produced by Jay Joyce
Mix Engineered by Jay Joyce and Jason Hall
EMI Records Nashville/Universal Music Group Nashville

Album of the Year
Dierks Bentley, Black
Maren Morris, Hero
Eric Church, Mr. Misunderstood
Keith Urban, Ripcord
Carrie Underwood, Storyteller

Song of the Year
(Award goes to Songwriter(s))
“Burning House,” Camaron “Cam” Ochs, Tyler Johnson, Jeff Bhasker
“Die a Happy Man,” Sean Douglas, Thomas Rhett, and Joe Spargur
“Humble and Kind,” Lori McKenna
“My Church,” busbee and Maren Morris
“Record Year,” Eric Church and Jeff Hyde

Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Miranda Lambert
Maren Morris
Kacey Musgraves
Carrie Underwood

Male Vocalist of the Year
Dierks Bentley
Eric Church
Tim McGraw
Chris Stapleton
Keith Urban

Vocal Group of the Year
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Old Dominion
Rascal Flatts
Zac Brown Band

Vocal Duo of the Year
Brothers Osborne
Dan + Shay
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Maddie & Tae

Musical Event of the Year
“Different For Girls,” Dierks Bentley feat. Elle King
[Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“Home Alone Tonight,” Luke Bryan featuring Karen Fairchild
[Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“The Fighter,” Keith Urban (featuring Carrie Underwood)
[Hit Red Records / Capitol Records Nashville / Universal Music Group Nashville]
“Think Of You,” Chris Young (duet with Cassadee Pope)
[RCA Nashville / Sony Music Nashville]
“You Are My Sunshine,” Morgane Stapleton with Chris Stapleton
[Low Country Sound / Elektra Records]

Musician of the Year
Jerry Douglas, Dobro / Lap Steel Guitar
Paul Franklin, Steel Guitar
Dann Huff, Guitar
Brent Mason, Guitar
Derek Wells, Guitar

Music Video of the Year
“Burning House,” Cam
“Fire Away,” Chris Stapleton
“Humble and Kind,” Tim McGraw
“Record Year,” Eric Church
“Somewhere On A Beach,” Dierks Bentley

New Artist of the Year
Kelsea Ballerini
Brothers Osborne
Maren Morris
Old Dominion
Cole Swindell

LifeNotes: Fiddle Great Hoot Hester Passes

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Hoot Hester

Hoot Hester

Longtime Opry staff fiddler Hoot Hester died Tuesday (Aug. 30) at age 65. Hester joined the Grand Ole Opry staff band in 2000 and remained there until 2014.

He also appeared with the Western swing ensemble The Time Jumpers, was once a member of Wylie & The Wild West and had an extensive resume as a session musician. Though best known as a fiddler, Hester was also proficient on mandolin and guitar.

Born Hubert Dwane Hester in Kentucky, he was inspired by his fiddle-playing father, piano-playing mother and four uncles who were also musicians. Following high school, he joined the Louisville bluegrass band Bluegrass Alliance.

He moved to Nashville in 1973 and was hired by The Whites. Stints touring with Jerry Reed, Mel Tillis and Donna Fargo ensued.

In the 1980s, he decided to focus on studio work. He joined forces with steel guitarist Buddy Emmons and guitarist Phil Baugh to form Sound Factory. They formed the basis for the “house” bands on the TV shows That Nashville Music and Nashville Alive.

Beginning around 1983, Hoot Hester became a regular at Nashville recording sessions. Throughout the rest of that decade he backed Gary Morris, Randy Travis, Dan Seals, Moe Bandy, Vern Gosdin, Conway Twitty and more on their hit records.

Studio success continued in the 1990s, with Hester appearing on the recordings of Ricky Van Shelton, Kenny Rogers, Ray Price, The Statler Brothers, George Strait, Gene Watson, Steve Wariner and more. In the 2000-2010 era, he could be heard on the discs of such stars as Charley Pride, John Conlee, Radney Foster, Dale Watson, Bill Monroe, Earl Scruggs, Larry Gatlin, Merle Haggard and many others. More recent clients have included Alan Jackson and Charlie McCoy.

He was one of the original members of The Time Jumpers when the band was formed in 1997. In 2012, he appeared on The Time Jumpers debut album. Hoot Hester has also recorded with such diverse talents as Alabama, Manhattan Transfer, Hank Williams Jr. and Ray Charles.

In recent years, he has been performing with his daughter Rachel Hester. Billed as Rachel Hester & The Tennessee Walkers, they had a regular weekly gig at Robert’s Western Wear on Lower Broadway.