Country Stars Reveal Film Faves on Fandango Web Series

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fandango-logoBrad Paisley, Scotty McCreery, Maddie & Tae, and Old Dominion talk movies in Fandango Movieclips’ new country edition of its “I Love Movies” video series. The series celebrates the memories of movie-going and explores how films influence and touch people’s lives.

Paisley’s choice is the Jimmy Stewart holiday classic It’s A Wonderful Life. “There is a similarity between Country songs and the movies, maybe more so than any other art form,” said Paisley about the power of films. “Country songs, when done in a story form, are the closest thing to a Hollywood script you’ll find.”

McCreery found parallels between his favorite film Miracle, about the U.S. Olympic men’s hockey team victory over the Soviet Union, and his own life story unfolding. “If you could read my mind when Ryan Seacrest said the winner of American Idol is Scotty McCreery, you could almost hear those lines ‘Do you believe in miracles?’ It was incredible for me out of nowhere, small town USA, to be getting up there and doing that in front of all those people.”

The 2008 horror thriller, The Strangers, left a lasting impression on Maddie & Tae, while Old Dominion’s members were so influenced by their favorite, Back To The Future, that it inspired their new video for “Break Up With Him.”

The episodes were filmed at the CMA Music Festival this summer and are available for viewing on Fandango Movieclips on YouTube and Fandango.com.

Industry Ink: Jerrod Niemann, Mickey Jack Cones, Renegade Radio, Songwriters For Second Harvest

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Niemann’s “Blue Bandana”

Jerrod Niemann’s “Blue Bandana” was the most-added song at country radio this week, with a career high of 83 first-week stations added on Billboard and Country Aircheck. The Sony staff bandana-ed up in tribute and gathered with Niemann to celebrate the feat at the label.

Pictured: (L-R): FRONT – Arista Nashville Regional Promotion Managers Lauren Thomas and Rusty Sherrill; Jenny Shearin, Promotion Specialist, Arista Nashville; CENTER – Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Christy Garbinski, Promotion Representative, Sony Music Nashville; R.G. Jones, Director, Promotion/Strategy & Analysis; and, BACK – Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Nieman; Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; and, John Sigler, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville

Pictured: (L-R): Front– Arista Nashville Regional Promotion Managers Lauren Thomas and Rusty Sherrill; Jenny Shearin, Promotion Specialist, Arista Nashville; Center – Andy Elliott, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville; Lesly Tyson, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Christy Garbinski, Promotion Representative, Sony Music Nashville; R.G. Jones, Director, Promotion/Strategy & Analysis; and, Back – Steve Hodges, EVP, Promotion & Artist Development, Sony Music Nashville; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Jerrod Nieman; Ken Robold, EVP & COO, Sony Music Nashville; and, John Sigler, Director, National Promotion, Arista Nashville

Cones Wedding in Mexico

Producer Mickey Jack Cones (Joe Nichols. Trace Adkins, Dustin Lynch) married Shannon Danielle Harvey July 25 on the Mexican island of Isla Mujeres where they are also honeymooning. The guests of the ocean front wedding included 24 of their immediate family members from Texas and Alabama, and friends.

Micky Jack Cones

Shannon Danielle Harvey and Micky Jack Cones

renegade radioLynn Goes Renegade

Robby Lynn has joined Renegade Radio Nashville as host of the morning show from 8-12 noon Monday-Fridays. Lynn will continue his Sunday’s Kind Of Country show, which he has hosted for the past 20 years, from Music City, and will also host a special show on Tuesdays, Hometown Check-In, where calls will be made back to his hometown of Vidor, Texas to check out what is happening in and around the city. He will also host a writer’s rounds show where he will interview a new songwriter each week.

unnamed-11Tomato Love

Local songwriters will take to the stage to help the hungry at “For The Love Of Tomatoes,” a food drive for the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee Aug. 10. Leah Turner, SaraBeth, Jordyn Stoddard, Sandra Lynn, Colby Dee, Sasha McVeigh, Lindsey Highlander, April Kry, and Mary Sarah will perform at the benefit at Dan McGuinness Irish Pub at 6 p.m., and canned goods will be accepted at the door for admission. All proceeds will go directly to Second Harvest.

DisClaimer: Americana Take Us In Many Directions This Week

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Cover_hi_resOur Americana friends take us in many directions this week.

Enduringly great Robert Earl Keen is on a bluegrass trip. Songwriters Richard Fagan and Jack Tempchin are on the comeback trail. Up-and-comers Della Mae and Statesboro Revue continue their marches to roots-music stardom. And we’ll follow the always dependable Darrell Scott and Kasey Chambers wherever they lead.

The sales success of Jason Isbell is making headlines. But it’s his music that earns him the Disc of the Day.

The DisCovery Award goes to Amy Helm. She has a stellar pedigree and the talent to fulfill it.

JACK TEMPCHIN/Room to Run
Writer: Jack Tempchin/Carey Ott; Producer: Joel Piper; Publisher: Night River/Long Story Short, ASCAP; Blue Elan (track) (www.jacktempchin.com)
—Tempchin initially made his mark by penning “Already Gone” and “Peaceful Easy Feeling” for The Eagles. He also struck paydirt with Johnny Rivers’ hit version of “Swayin’ to the Music (Slow Dancin’)” in 1977. But he has sporadically made solo albums, too, including a fondly remembered 1978 effort for Arista. This is the title tune of an EP that’s a foretaste of his full-length CD comeback next month. His honest, open, earnest tenor voice breathes life into this nostalgic ode to his father’s guidance. Gentle, echoey instrumental support adds extra heart and warmth.

AMY HELM/Rescue Me
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; eOne (track) (www.amyhelm.com)
—She is the daughter of the late Levon Helm, a prominent participant in his Midnight Rambles and a member of the roots band Ollabelle. Now Amy Helm steps out with her first solo CD, Didn’t It Rain. This groovy, rhythm-happy, blue-eyed soul track has become an NPR favorite. Rolling, rollicking piano by Little Feat’s Bill Payne sure doesn’t hurt it. Also check out her version of Sam Cooke’s “Good News.” This gal has what it takes.

amy helm album 2015

JASON ISBELL/Something More Than Free
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Songs of Emchant, BMI; Southeastern/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.jasonisbell.com)
—His brilliant last album, Southeastern, triumphed at the Americana Music Awards. Isbell returns this year with an equally arresting song cycle. Its title tune is the world-weary lament of a persevering working man. His plaintive, near-rasp delivery demands that you hang on every line of this and every other song he sings. The man is a Nashville treasure.

RICHARD FAGAN/Redemption
Writer: R. Fagan; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RF (track) 
—Best known as the writer of the John Michael Montgomery’s “Be My Baby Tonight,” “Sold” and “I Miss You a Little,” Fagan has a new collection of 11 originals. The title tune is a gospel-flavored shout that references his hair-raising, hard-living past, including killing his best friend. Elsewhere on the set, his gifts for innovative production touches, startling lyrics and instantly catchy melodies shine brightly.

KASEY CHAMBERS & BERNARD FANNING/Bittersweet
Writer: Kasey Chambers/Bernard Fanning; Producer: Nick DiDia; Publisher: Essence/Mushroom, no performance rights listed; Sugar Hill (track) (www.kaseychambers.com)
—The title tune of this Aussie singer-songwriter’s new CD is a wistful duet ballad that burns with romantic regret. She can still break your heart with every vocal note.

ROBERT EARL KEEN/1952 Vincent Black Lightning
Writer: Richard Thompson; Producer: Lloyd Maines; Publisher: Beeswing, no performance rights listed; Dualtone (track) (www.robertearlkeen.com)
—The widely beloved troubadour has built a career on his gripping songwriting. Keen has long been a bluegrass fan, and he sets aside his own catalog on his Happy Prisoner: The Bluegrass Sessions CD to sing the songs of Flatt & Scruggs, Bill Monroe, The Stanley Brothers, A.P. Carter, Jimmie Rodgers and more. His take on this Richard Thompson tune has a dark urgency. As always, his voice is packed with personality. Only this time, it is backed by hot pickers, including Sara Watkins of Nickel Creek on fiddle. Vocal guests include Lyle Lovett, Natalie Maines and Peter Rowan. I remain an enormous fan.

DELLA MAE/Boston Town
Writer: Celia Woodsmith; Producer: Jacquire King; Publisher: Squawkbox, ASCAP; Rounder (track) (www.dellamae.com)
—This all-female Nashville ensemble scored a Grammy nomination with its prior Rounder CD. The follow-up is less bluegrassy, leaning toward an earthier, thumpy folkie vibe. It leads off with this rolling, earnest, ramblin’-gal ode. Other highlights include a cover of the Stones’ “No Expectations.” Della Mae’s accomplished picking and singing grab your ears throughout. If you aren’t already, get hip to this band.

LOWELL LEVINGER/Get Together
Writer: Dino Valenti; Producer: Ethan Turner & Lowell Levinger; Publisher: none listed; Grandpa Raccoon (track) (www.lowelllevinger.com)
—Levinger is better known as “Banana,” one of the original members of The Youngbloods. His solo CD revives that band’s favorites—”Sugar Babe,” “Darkness Darkness,” “Grizzly Bear” and the like. The title tune is The Youngbloods’ all-time hippie love-one-another classic, slowed to a shambling, affectionate shuffle. His bandmate Jesse Colin Young joins him on vocal harmony. Off in the audio distance are Maria Muldaur, David Grisman, Peter Rowan and other “Grand Chorus” friends. Smile on your brother, indeed.

STATESBORO REVUE/Undone
Writer: S. Mann/G. Quist; Producer: Scott Davis, Gordy Qust & The Statesboro Revue; Publisher: Hot Foot/Victrolacaster, ASCAP/SESAC; Vision/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.statesbororevue.com)
—This Texas ensemble took the roots-music world by storm with its debut collection two years ago. The follow-up is the appropriately titled Jukebox Revival. This lead single is a funky, rocking, soulful, swampy ode to working-class America. The album drops on Aug. 7. Get on board now.

DARRELL SCOTT/Lone Pine
Writer: Ben Bullington; Producer: Darrell Scott; Publisher: Wind Whipped, ASCAP; Full Light (track) (www.darrellscott.com)
—A formidable songwriter himself, Scott devotes his new CD to the works of the late tunesmith Bud Bullington. It is a spare recording, just an extraordinary singer accompanying himself with nimble fingers on guitar, piano, banjo, steel or bass, depending on the song. Here, he moans the bluesy, haunting lyric while his banjo notes drop around him. There is no one in this city I’d rather have sitting next to me with an instrument, singing lyrics this marvelous in my ear. A stunning recording.

Johnny Slate Dies at Age 77

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Johnny Slate.

Johnny Slate.

John Thomas Slate had a multifaceted music career in Nashville, making his mark as a songwriter, publisher, producer and manager for more than 40 years.

He passed away on Friday, July 24 at age 77, following a battle with cancer.

As a songwriter, Johnny Slate was known for such BMI award-winning songs as “Better Love Next Time” (Dr. Hook, 1979) and “Blaze of Glory” (Kenny Rogers, 1982), plus the Razzy Bailey hits “Friends” (1981), “I Keep Coming Back” (1981), “Loving Up a Storm” (1980) and “Tonight She’s Gonna Love Me (Like There Was No Tomorrow)” (1979).

He also cowrote the Joe Diffie hit “Next Thing Smokin’” (1992), The Younger Brothers’ “Nothing But the Radio On” (1982), Joe Sun’s “Shotgun Rider” (1980) and Eddy Arnold’s “Don’t Look Now (But We Just Fell in Love)” (1981).

The Razzy Bailey singles “What Time Do You Have to Be Back to Heaven” (1978), “I Ain’t Got No Business Doing Business Today” (1979) and “Everytime You Cross My Mind (You Break My Heart)” (1982) were also cowritten by Johnny Slate.

His songs were recorded by Johnny Cash, Ringo Starr, George Jones, Delbert McClinton, Tammy Wynette, Tom Jones, John Denver, Sammy Davis Jr., Exile, Loretta Lynn, Millie Jackson, Roger Miller and Charlie Rich, among others.

Slate was born in Clarksville, Tenn. After coming to Nashville, he wrote for Pamper, Green Grass, House of Gold and several other publishers before forming his own Out of Slate Music.

He was the professional manager at Tree International. He opened the Warner Bros. publishing office and served as its director. He and songwriter Larry Henley formed the Windchime and Sandstorm publishing companies, responsible for the 1978 Player pop hit “This Time I’m in it for Love.”

He created and became president of Affiliated Publishers Inc. (API) with Danny Morrison and Tony Harley. The company’s writers included Drew Womack, Joe Diffie, Kerry Kurt Phillips, Steve Pippin, Sonny LeMaire, Ken Spooner, Jerry Laseter and Wyatt Easterling. The company’s copyrights included Tim McGraw’s “I Like It, I Love It” (1995) and Diffie’s “Pickup Man” (1994).

As a producer, he created albums for Henley, Diffie, Sons of the Desert, Ron Williams and Fallenrock, among others.

As a manager, he opened a company called IMAGE Mgmt. He and his partners there managed Diffie, Tim McGraw, Ty Herndon, Sons of the Desert and several independent-label artists.

Johnny Slate was also an author. With his cowriter and cousin Danny Morrison, he published Song Writing From the Inside Out with Applewood Books.

He is survived by children Stacey, Stephen, Stephanie, Jenny and David, by 11 grandchildren, one great-grandchild and by sister Dorothy Holeman.

A memorial service for Johnny Slate will be held at 4:00 p.m. on Monday, August 3 at Hendersonville First United Methodist Church. The family will receive friends from 2:00 p.m. until the time of the service and immediately following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to MusiCares.

BMI Plans Stage At St. Louis LouFest

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A group of eight bands and singer-songwriters will hit the BMI sponsored stage at the 2015 LouFest. Running Saturday, Sept. 12, and Sunday, Sept. 13, in Forest Park, St. Louis, festival headliners include Hozier, Ludacris and The Avett Brothers.

Now in its third year, the BMI stage will kick off the festival at 1 p.m. each day, setting the pace with top-notch burgeoning acts. Performers range from the seven-piece funky jam band KOA to Nashville’s synth-pop group COIN to Texas soul band the Suffers to the dark and bluesy All Them Witches. Rounding out the lineup are The Black Cadillacs, Brave Baby, Earl Burrows, The Suffers, and Walking Shapes.

In addition to LouFest, BMI also sponsors stages at other C3 Presents’ music festivals Lollapalooza and Austin City Limits Music Festival, offering prime showcasing opportunities to BMI songwriters.

bmi stage at loufest

Industry Pics: Miranda Lambert, Brett Jones, Brandon Green

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Brett Jones Signs Brandon Green

Songwriter and publisher Brett Jones (“If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away,” “Crazy Town,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll”) has signed artist/writer Brandon Green to an exclusive publishing agreement with Jones’ Crazytown Productions.

Green, a Mississippi native, has built up a substantial following touring the Gulf Coast. He has already achieved notoriety by becoming the runner-up on Season 2 of CMT’s Can You Duet, and by being selected by Keith Urban as the winner of Guitar Center’s “Your Next Record with Keith Urban.” Following the Guitar Center competition, Green recorded songs with legendary producer Dann Huff and secured an opening spot on Urban’s 2011 tour.

[First row: Green. Second row left to right: Noah McPike (Almon & McPike), Brett Jones, and Bradley Collins (BMI).]

Seated: Brandon Green. Standing (L-R): Noah McPike (Almon & McPike), Brett Jones, and Bradley Collins (BMI)

Miranda Lambert Rocks 3rd and Lindsley

At Nashville venue 3rd and Lindsley on July 28, reigning CMA and ACM Female Vocalist winner Miranda Lambert headlined a very special, unplugged version of her Roadside Bars and Pink Guitars Tour. Proceeds were used to establish the Miranda Lambert Women Creators Fund, a scholarship for outstanding women students at Belmont University’s Mike Curb College of Entertainment and Music Business.

Pictured (l-r) with Lambert: Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges; EVP & COO Ken Robold; and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman.

Pictured with Lambert (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges; EVP & COO Ken Robold; and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman

‘Great Minds Drink Alike’ With Rick Monroe And ‘MusicRow’

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IMG_5828MRG Record’s Rick Monroe paid a visit to MusicRow to share a few songs and stories on Tuesday, July 28. He performed current single, “Great Minds Drink Alike,” which is currently moving up the MusicRow chart. He also sang “Ease On Down” and an acoustic cover of Halestorm’s “Here’s To Us.”

He is the first artist to share their MusicRow performance via Periscope.

He has toured all over the world and opened for Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Eli Young, Josh Thompson, Pat Green, The Charlie Daniels Band, Dwight Yoakam, Montgomery Gentry, and more.

He will play at 75th Annual Sturgis Motorcycle Rally in Sturgis, SD from July 31 to August 8.

Monroe is also the official brand ambassador, emcee, and opener for the Jagermeister Country Tour for the seventh year in a row. This time, he will hit the road with Lee Brice starting September 11.

Monroe’s other endorsement deals include a new agreement with McPherson Guitars.

His last single, “Fire’s Out” reached No. 34 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart.

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MusicRow staff with Monroe and band member.

Craig Morgan, Darryl Worley Plan Charity Events

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Craig Morgan Hosts 5K in August

Craig MorganCraig Morgan is hosting his second annual Billy’s Place 5K on Aug. 22 at Montgomery Bell State Park in Dickson, TN.

Registration for the benefit run is $30 in advance and $35 for walkup on day of race, and tickets for children seven and under are free. Spirit tickets for supporters who would rather cheer from the sidelines are available as well. Everyone registered by Aug. 1 receives an official race T-shirt.

Runners and walkers can sign up for the event at www.eventbrite.com. Proceeds from the run support the foster children under care in Dickson County and throughout Middle Tennessee through the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation.

Darryl Worley Gathers Friends for TN River Run Events

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Darryl Worley

Darryl Worley’s Annual Tennessee River Run events will span July through October this year leading up to the main concert event Oct. 3 in downtown Savannah, TN featuring Worley, Wade Hayes, Tracy Lawrence, and Lorrie Morgan.

On July 28, Worley will host the Darryl Worley and Friends Songwriters Event featuring Mark Collie, Daryle Singletary, and Jim Moose Brown along with Worley at the Bumpus Harley Davidson in Jackson, TN. A boat poker run is also slated for Aug. 15 at Pickwick Landing State Park, and a golf tournament, bass tournament, and 5K run are also all on tap leading up to the main Savannah events in October. Worley will also perform with Mark Narmore, Walt Aldridge, Wynn Varble, and Jim Moose Brown on the lawn of Savannah Mayor Bob Shutt’s historic home Oct. 2.

The Darryl Worley Foundation serves nonprofits, including St. Jude, the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and the Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center. This year the foundation will help Hardin County Middle School implement The Leader in Me, a curriculum that encourages leadership skills in all students. The Foundation is currently working with area agencies to plan a wellness center to support drug and alcohol addicts and their families.

Farm Aid Celebrates 30 Years With Chicago Festival in September

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Farm AidFarm Aid will celebrate its 30th birthday this year at the FirstMerit Bank Pavilion at Northerly Island in downtown Chicago Sept. 19. Farm Aid 30 will feature performances by Farm Aid board members Willie Nelson, John Mellencamp, Neil Young, and Dave Matthews with Tim Reynolds along with Imagine Dragons, Jack Johnson, Kacey Musgraves, Mavis Staples, Old Crow Medicine Show, Holly Williams, Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real, Insects vs Robots and Blackwood Quartet.

On the website IfOnly.com, Farm Aid will offer once-in-a-lifetime experiences, from meeting Willie Nelson on his legendary tour bus to joining Farm Aid board artists for a concert kickoff event.

The official Farm Aid 30 mobile app will be available for iPhone and Android in mid-August.

To mark its 30th anniversary and honor the hard work of farmers, Farm Aid launched the #Road2FarmAid, a virtual campaign inviting people to share actions they are taking to support family farmers and grow the Good Food Movement. People can participate at road2.farmaid.org and enter to win Farm Aid 30 tickets. Tickets will go on sale Aug. 3 at LiveNation.com, the venue box office and by phone at 1-800-745-3000.

McGeary Named UMG Director of Brand Partnerships

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Maranda McGeary

Maranda McGeary

Maranda McGeary has joined Universal Music Group Nashville as Director of Brand Partnerships. McGeary comes to UMG after stints as Head of Music & Brand Relations at Revolution Pictures, Field Marketing Manager at MillerCoors, and also spearheading her own marketing and design agency working with clients like Coca-Cola, Adobe, Verizon Wireless and Toyota.

In her new role, McGeary will help facilitate artist and brand partnerships for the entire UMG Nashville roster.

“As we continue to build compelling artist/brand integrations, I couldn’t be more excited to add Maranda to our team” shares Brad Turcotte, VP, Marketing. “Maranda possesses not only the passion but the valuable skill-set that makes us stronger to further extend our brand relationships.”

“I’m excited to join the high-caliber team and incredible artists at Universal Music Group Nashville,” says McGeary. “This opportunity combines my brand-marketing experience with my passion for music and I look forward to building meaningful campaigns for our artists to further connect with their fans.”

McGeary is a Summa Cum Laude from Boston University with a degree in graphic design.