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Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris Stay Atop Charts

March 7, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Chris Stapleton and Maren Morris hold steady at No. 1 on this week’s country album chart and country digital tracks chart, respectively.

Stapleton’s Traveller moves 34K units this week, pushing overall sales to 992K. That’s followed by Joey + Rory’s Hymns, with 32K units sold and 138K overall. Old Dominion’s Meat and Candy ascends to No. 3 with 10K sold, following the release of their music video for “Snapback.” To date, the album is up to 80K units.

Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (9K) and Thomas Rhett’s Tangled Up (7K) complete the Top 5. Chuck Wicks’ Turning Point enters at No. 12 with 3.7K. It’s his first new album since his 2008 debut.

Morris’ “My Church” remains at No. 1 on the country digital tracks chart with 37K this week and 216.5K overall. Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” rises to No. 2 with 31K units and 344K overall. Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” also gets a boost, climbing to No. 3 with 30K sold, and 153K overall. Rhett’s “Die a Happy Man” (28K) and Brett Eldredge’s “Drunk on Your Love” (25K) round out the Top 5.

Alternative band The 1975 enters at No. 1 on the overall sales chart, marking their first chart-topping project there. Tapping out at nearly 75 minutes in length, the project’s full-title is I Like It When You Sleep, for You Are So Beautiful Yet So Unaware of It. The set marks 108K units this week (98K album only). Meanwhile, Macklemore & Ryan Lewis debuts at No. 4 with This Unruly Mess I’ve Made with 61K units (51K album only) and Anthrax debuts at No. 9 with For All Kings with 34K units (33.5K album only).

The No. 1 digital track overall is Kelly Clarkson’s “Piece By Piece,” rocketing to No. 1 after her emotional performance on American Idol.

Info provided by Nielsen Soundscan.

LifeNotes: Joey Martin Feek Passes

March 4, 2016/by Robert K Oermann

Award-winning country vocalist Joey Martin Feek has died of cancer at age 40.

She passed away in her hometown of Alexandria, Indiana, on Friday afternoon, March 4, surrounded by her praying family.

Joey Martin was born in Alexandria on Sept. 9, 1975. Her first performance occurred when she was six years old in elementary school. She sang Dolly Parton’s “Coat of Many Colors,” a song that predicted the strong emotionalism and commitment to country that would characterize her career.

She became an accomplished equestrian and often incorporated cowgirl imagery into her songs. Martin moved to Nashville in 1998. She was signed to Sony and recorded with producers Paul Worley and Billy Crain. But this record was never released.

She married established Nashville songwriter Rory Lee Feek in 2002. Her solo CD debut appeared in 2005 on Feek’s Giantslayer label. It was titled Strong Enough to Cry.

The couple settled in an 1870s farmhouse in Pottsville, TN, near Columbia. On days off, Joey Martin Feek worked with her sister-in-law at their rural café, Marcy Jo’s Mealhouse.

Joey + Rory became a duo in 2008 when they competed on the CMT program Can You Duet and finished third. Joey sang lead in the duo.

Signed by Vanguard/Sugar Hill, Joey + Rory released their debut duo CD, The Life of a Song, in 2008. Album Number Two appeared in 2010. A Farmhouse Christmas was issued in 2011. His and Hers became their fourth Sugar Hill collection in 2012.

Joey + Rory charted with the singles “Cheater, Cheater” (2008) and “That’s Important to Me” (2011). They have 10 music videos.

In 2009 and 2010, the team was nominated as Duo of the Year by both the ACM and the CMA. They won the award at the ACMs in 2010. At the 2011 Inspirational Country Music Awards, Joey + Rory also won Duo of the Year.

In addition to making records, they made their mark as broadcasters. The Joey + Rory Show aired on Friday evenings on RFD-TV in 2012-2014. They also co-hosted “The Joey + Rory Radio Show” on WSM 650 AM.

Inspired: Songs of Faith and Family was issued by the Gaither Music imprint in 2013. Made to Last, released the same year, was on their independent Farmhouse label.

Cracker Barrel distributed Joey + Rory’s 2014 CD Country Classics. The team’s current CD, also a Cracker Barrel outing, is Hymns That Are Important to Us.

Joey Martin Feek had daughter Indiana in February 2014. The baby has Down Syndrome. Rory Feek also has two daughters from an earlier relationship.

In June 2014, Joey revealed that she had been diagnosed with cervical cancer. She underwent surgery and chemotherapy treatments, but the cancer returned vigorously in June 2015. In October, she elected to cease treatments and spend time with her family in Indiana. She was under the care of her sister, a nurse.

Joey + Rory were nominated for a 2015 Grammy Award, and she vowed to live until the Feb. 15, 2016 ceremony.

Joey Martin Feek is survived by husband Rory Feek, daughter Indiana Boon Feek, stepdaughters Hiedi Caroline and Sarah Hope Feek, parents Jack and June Martin and sisters Julie Snyder and Jessie May.

Ray Stevens To Relocate Business Office, Open Nashville Music Venue

March 4, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

A rendering of Cabaray. Photo: Moments By Moser

Ray Stevens announced today plans to relocate his Ray Stevens Music offices–a longstanding feature at the corner of Grand Avenue and 17th Avenue on Music Row–into a new music venue the singer-songwriter is opening in West Nashville, according to The Tennessean.

A groundbreaking was held for new 27,000-square-foot music venue, which will be called CabaRay and located at 5724 River Road, just off Charlotte Pike in Nashville.

The building will include a 700-seat room for live performances, a dining area, bar area, ticket offices and a gift shop. The portion of the building which will house Ray Stevens Music’s business operations, will include a recording studio and video production area.

Stevens moved to Nashville in 1962 and landed pop hits like “Guitarzan,” “The Streak,” and the Grammy-winning “Everything Is Beautiful.” He won another Grammy for his 1975 country hit, “Misty.” He joined the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1980. From 1991 to 1993, Stevens operated a performance theatre in Branson, Missouri.

Ray Stevens Ground Breaking 3.4.16(C) Moments By Moser Photography #NashvilleEvents, #NashvilleEventPhotographer

Breaking ground on CabaRay. Photo: Moments By Moser

Ray Stevens during the groundbreaking ceremony for CabaRay. Photo: Moments By Moser

Industry Ink: City National Bank, Warner Music Nashville, SoundExchange

March 4, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

City National Bank Promotes Three

Pictured (L-R): Lindsay Stewart, Aaron Sweet, and Jamie Lay

Three staffers have been promoted within City National Bank in the Nashville office. Lindsay Stewart is promoted to Senior Account Manager, Aaron Sweet to Assistant Vice President and Jamie Lay to Vice President. They all joined City National during its first year on Music Row in 2011.

Lay is Vice President and Senior Account Manager at the Nashville office for City National Bank. Originally from Daphne, Alabama, Lay has lived in Nashville since 1998 and has 13 years of experience working in both business management and banking with the music industry. She has been with City National Bank since March of 2011 and works with Diane Pearson on day-to-day client banking needs. She enjoys hiking, skiing, cooking and spending time with her fiancé, Kels Fitzpatrick and dog Stella.

Stewart is Assistant Vice President and Senior Account Manager at City National Bank’s Nashville Entertainment office. Originally from Germantown, Tennessee, Stewart has been in Nashville for the past 19 years and is an avid music fan. She has been with City National since November 2011 and oversees day-to-day client banking and financial needs. Prior to City National, Stewart was with US Trust/Bank of America. In her spare time, she enjoys spending time with her two boys ages 3 and 10.

Sweet is Assistant Vice President and Assistant Operations Manager of the Nashville Entertainment Office for City National Bank. Originally from Hart County, Kentucky, Sweet has been in Nashville for the past 6 years. He has been with City National since July 2011 and oversees the branch operations. Sweet has been in the banking industry for over 13 years while in Kentucky and Tennessee. During his downtime he enjoys the Nashville music scene.

Warner Music Nashville Adds Sr. Director, Sponsorships & Activations

Marieke Bianchi

Warner Music Nashville has welcomed a new Sr. Director, Sponsorships & Activations, Marieke Bianchi. Bianchi previously worked at Hunter PR in New York, where she promoted brands including Gallo Wines, Kraft Foods and Tabasco, among others. She can be reached by email at Marieke.Bianchi@wmg.com. She will report directly to Ben Kline, VP of Revenue.

SoundExchange Adds A2IM CEO To Board Of Directors

Richard James Burgess

SoundExchange has appointed Richard James Burgess, chief executive officer of A2IM (the American Association of Independent Music) to its Board of Directors. Burgess brings experience as a businessman, artist manager, musician and producer to the SoundExchange board.

“I am thrilled to welcome Richard to the SoundExchange Board of Directors. His vast background and knowledge of the independent music community make him a strong ally for indie labels in the marketplace and on Capitol Hill. He is an asset to our organization, and his credentials in the independent music community distinguish him as true indie leader,” SoundExchange President and Chief Executive Officer Michael Huppe said.

“It is a great privilege to join the SoundExchange board during this incredible period of change in the music industry. The independent music sector is on the rise, and now more than ever independent artists and labels can reach and engage music fans worldwide through thousands of digital music services. SoundExchange is an exciting bright spot in the industry, and incredibly important to our community. I am excited to work with such an outstanding group of individuals who are committed advocates for recording artists and rights owners. Together, we have the potential to truly shape the future of music,” said Burgess.

Burgess will fill the position previously held by Molly Neuman. The SoundExchange Board of Directors is comprised of 18 individuals, split evenly between artist representatives and label representatives, serving virtually all aspects of the recorded music industry.

In Photos: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brothers Osborne At The Ryman

March 4, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Tedeschi Trucks Band. Photo: Chad Crawford, chadcrawfordphotography.com

Tedeschi Trucks Band. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Tedeschi Trucks Band headlined the first of three consecutive nights at the Ryman Auditorium on Thursday (March 3), with surprise guests Steve Cropper and Jack Pearson. Brothers Osborne opened the show.

Tedeschi Trucks Band. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Fronted by Susan Tedeschi Trucks and Derek Trucks, the 12-piece band released the acclaimed album Let Me Get By on Jan. 29 via Concord Music Group. The project has spent multiple weeks atop the Americana airplay chart, including this week’s chart.

Susan Tedeschi Trucks. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Derek Trucks. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Friday and Saturday’s shows at the Ryman are both sold out. Junior Brown will open Friday night, while TTB will play two sets on Saturday. The group won a 2011 Grammy for Best Blues Album with Revelator.

Tedeschi Trucks Band. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Brothers Osborne offered a batch of songs from their new album, Pawn Shop, released in January via EMI Records Nashville.

Brothers Osborne. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Comprised of brothers John and T.J. Osborne, the duo brought down the house with their rendition of “Loving Me Back.” Their new single is “21 Summer,” which T.J. explained is one of the oldest songs in their songwriting catalog.

Brothers Osborne. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Brothers Osborne notched a No. 1 hit on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart in October with “Stay a Little Longer.” The track also received a Grammy nomination for Best Country Duo/Group Performance.

Brothers Osborne. Photo: chadcrawfordphotography.com

Dixie Chicks To Reissue Four Albums On Vinyl

March 4, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Ahead of their upcoming DCX MMXVI tour that launches in April, the Dixie Chicks will reissue four of their classic studio albums via Columbia/Legacy on high resolution 150-gram 12″ vinyl, set for release April 15.

The albums include Wide Open Spaces (1998), Fly (1999), Home (2002), and Taking The Long Way (2006). The vinyl reissues can be pre-ordered at amazon.com.

Opening April 16 in Antwerp, Belgium and finishing Oct. 10 at the Hollywood Bowl in Los Angeles, DCX MMXVI marks the first time in a decade that Dixie Chicks have toured the United States as headliners. (Their last major stateside concert tour was with The Eagles in 2010, while their 2013-2014 Long Time Gone Tour dates were exclusive to Canada and Europe).

Collectively, these four Dixie Chicks albums have sold more than 30 million copies. Of the four titles, only Home has been previously available on vinyl.

Dixie Chicks first came together as a bluegrass quartet in Texas in 1989, later becoming a trio in 1995 when founding members (and sisters) Emily Robison (banjo/dobro) and Martie Maguire (fiddle/mandolin) were joined by Natalie Maines as the group’s new lead vocalist and guitarist. The first and only female group to have achieved Diamond Award status, Dixie Chicks have done it twice, with Wide Open Spaces and Fly.

Their tour is scheduled to stop in Nashville on Aug. 17 at Bridgestone Arena.

Bobby Karl Works Dierks Bentley’s Exhibit Preview At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

March 4, 2016/by Bobby Karl

BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 522

Pictured are (L-R): UMG Nashville's Mike Dungan, Jake, Dierks Bentley, Cassidy Black, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Red Light Management's Mary Hilliard Harrington, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum's Mick Buck. Photo: Donn Jones

Pictured (L-R): UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, Jake, Dierks Bentley, Cassidy Black, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Red Light Management’s Mary Hilliard Harrington, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Mick Buck. Photo: Donn Jones

“Many of the people in this room have known Dierks for years,” said Kyle Young at the Thursday evening (March 3) party celebrating the opening of Dierks Bentley‘s “Every Mile a Memory” exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame.

Some 20 years ago, Bobby Karl was bellied up to the bar at 3rd & Lindsley when a curly-headed youngster walked up and said, “I want to meet you. My name is Dierks Bentley. I am going to be a recording artist. I hope you’ll remember me.”

“Well, I’ve never met anyone named Dierks before,” I said, “so I promise I’ll always remember you.” And I did.

In 2001, Bentley issued an indie album on Big White Music called Don’t Leave Me in Love, which I duly noted. After signing with Capitol two years later, he moved into my neighborhood and began stopping over to play his new music. So I was one of the many, many attendees who have been so happy to watch him become the star that he is.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley speaks with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Peter Cooper. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Other veteran Dierks pals in the crowd included Pat Rolfe, Brett Beavers, Mike Ward, Jessi Alexander & Jon Randall Stewart (who are also former neighbors), David Conrad, Luke Wooten and, of course, Jake, the star’s dog and video costar. Not to mention wife Cassidy Black, who has been his sweetie since junior high.

“I’m a country music singer; I’m a country music fan; I’m a country music student,” said Bentley during the cocktail party to celebrate this latest feather in his cap. “I love this music. I never really looked at country music as a path to stardom. I’ve been really lucky. It’s been a great ride. I’m really honored to be here, and I’m going to do my best to keep representing the genre.”

To that end, he’ll be co-hosting this spring’s ACM Awards from Las Vegas. That’s a long way from where he started in Music City.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

“We are exactly one mile from a place that gave Dierks some of his early musical memories, The Station Inn,” Young recalled. “Dierks walked into The Station Inn 20 years ago and heard some of the finest bluegrass musicians. He found a community. They cheered him forward, backed him up and pushed him on. It’s been a long trip, but not one that he took alone.”

Along for this part of the journey were Tom Lord, Mike Sirls, Nina Miller, Hunter Kelly, Kathryn Richardson, Peter Cooper, Teresa George, Bob Paxman, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Michael McCall and Chris Horsnell.

After the cocktails and speeches, we toured the display. “Every Mile a Memory” features awards, costumes, posters, manuscripts and more. We’re as fond of it as we are of him.

Dierks Bentley at the debut of Dierks Bentley: Every Mile a Memory. Photo: Donn Jones.

Dierks Bentley CMHOF Exhibit. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Dierks Bentley (with dog Jake) speaks to Peter Cooper at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Road To Roo Kicks Off Round One

March 4, 2016/by Craig_Shelburne

Pictured (L-R): Lightning 100’s Brittney Farrow, MillerCoors’ Kim Juodaitis, songwriter Carla Cappa, Det Distributing Company’s Elise McCracken, AC Entertainment’s Neeley Rice and BMI’s Mark Mason. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

BMI and Nashville radio station Lightning 100 kicked off the first round of Road to Roo, sponsored by MillerCoors, at Acme Feed and Seed on Thursday (March 3). With more than 250 submissions that were narrowed down to 16 bands, the first group of 8 performed for a packed house of fans, who cast ballots for the bands they think should advance further and get another chance to play at Bonnaroo. Jess Nolan, Roots of a Rebellion, OJR, and Heavy Sole all made the first cut.

Self-described “acid cowboy” rocker OJR tears through his set at Acme for the first round of Road to Roo. His performance secured him a spot in round two. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Reggae group Roots of a Rebellion plays their original tunes for an enthusiastic crowd at Road to Roo, landing a slot in the next round of the competition. Photo: Jake Giles Netter

Kane Brown To Offer Major Label Debut EP ‘Chapter 1’ In March

March 4, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

Kane Brown will offer five new songs on his major label debut EP, Chapter 1, set for release March 18.

The collection includes the RCA Nashville artist’s debut radio single and viral fan favorite “Used To Love You Sober,” which boasts over 200,000 downloads and 2.2 million streams to date. With four out of five tracks co-penned by Brown, Chapter 1 previews the full-length album expected from the Georgia native later this year.

“I’m so excited to release Chapter 1–my fans have been so patient and supportive as I’ve worked on this project!” said Brown. “From the writer’s room to the studio to playing these songs night after night on tour, it’s been an incredible experience. I’m grateful to my fans and can’t wait for what’s to come in the future but right now let’s start with Chapter 1!”

In May, Brown teams up with Florida Georgia Line, Cole Swindell and The Cadillac Three for the 56-date Dig Your Roots Tour with stops in Philadelphia, Chicago, Denver and Nashville. He hits the road next weekend for a run of sold-out shows in Champaign, Illinois; Minneapolis, Minnesota; and Peoria, Illinois.

Chapter 1 Track Listing:
1. “Wide Open” (Kane Brown/Corey Crowder/Justin Lantz)
2. “Used To Love You Sober” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney)
3. “Last Minute Late Night” (Ben Caver/Corey Crowder/Matthew McGinn)
4. “Excuses” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney)
5. “There Goes My Everything” (Kane Brown/Josh Hoge/Matthew McVaney/Chris Young)

RIAA Announces Gold & Platinum Awards For January/February

March 4, 2016/by Jessica Nicholson

The Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) has released its list of gold and platinum earners to kick off 2016, and several country artists have some newly minted heavy metal to add to their accolades.

Digital Multi-Platinum Single
Jason Aldean,”She’s Country” (3x)
Jason Aldean, “Burnin’ It Down” (2x)
Florida Georgia Line, “Stay” (2x)
Little Big Town, “Girl Crush” (2x)

Digital Platinum Single
Jason Aldean, “Hicktown”
Rodney Atkins, “If You’re Going Through Hell”
Lee Brice, “I Drive Your Truck”
Florida Georgia Line, “Sippin’ On Fire”
Tim McGraw, “Southern Girl”
Tim McGraw, “Felt Good On My Lips”
Thomas Rhett, “Die A Happy Man”
Blake Shelton, “Sangria”
Cole Swindell, “Hope You Get Lonely Tonight”
Chris Young, “I’m Comin’ Over”

Digital Gold Single
Randy Houser, “Goodnight Kiss”
Maddie & Tae, “Fly”
Tim McGraw, “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools”
Tim McGraw, “She’s My Kind Of Rain”
Tim McGraw, “Just To See You Smile”
Montgomery Gentry, “Where I Come From”
Cole Swindell, “Let Me See Ya Girl”
Hank Williams, Jr., “Family Tradition”
Hank Williams, Jr., “Country Boy Can Survive”

Standard Multi-Platinum Album
Sam Hunt, Montevallo (2x)

Standard Platinum Album
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Sam Hunt, Montevallo
Miranda Lambert, Platinum
Chris Stapleton, Traveller
Carrie Underwood, Greatest Hits: Decade #1

Standard Gold Album
Luke Bryan, Kill The Lights
Kelly Clarkson, Piece By Piece
Brett Eldredge, Bring You Back
Chris Stapleton, Traveller

Weekly Register: Chris Stapleton, Maren Morris Stay Atop Charts

LifeNotes: Joey Martin Feek Passes

Ray Stevens To Relocate Business Office, Open Nashville Music Venue

Industry Ink: City National Bank, Warner Music Nashville, SoundExchange

City National Bank Promotes Three

Warner Music Nashville Adds Sr. Director, Sponsorships & Activations

SoundExchange Adds A2IM CEO To Board Of Directors

In Photos: Tedeschi Trucks Band, Brothers Osborne At The Ryman

Dixie Chicks To Reissue Four Albums On Vinyl

Bobby Karl Works Dierks Bentley’s Exhibit Preview At Country Music Hall Of Fame And Museum

Road To Roo Kicks Off Round One

Kane Brown To Offer Major Label Debut EP ‘Chapter 1’ In March

RIAA Announces Gold & Platinum Awards For January/February

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