Meghan Trainor Among Grammy Block Party Performers
Meghan Trainor
Pop singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, the songstress behind hits including “All About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin’,” is one of the artists that will perform for the Grammy Block Party in Nashville on Tuesday, May 12. Also on the bill are duo John & Jacob, and Janice Gaines.
Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero of the Nashville Symphony will serve as host of this year’s event, which begins at 4 p.m. CT.
The Grammy Block Party is open only to Recording Academy members and their guests.
The event will be held at Nashville’s Cumberland Park, located at 592 S. First Street in Nashville, between the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Vets Memorial Bridge. The Grammy Block Party was previously held at Owen Bradley Park, and has moved locations due to tree canopy growth at Owen Bradley Park obstructing the view of the stage.
Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Industry Signings: Plowboy Records, Webster PR, Clearview Artist Management
Plowboy Records Adds To Roster
SESAC-affiliated group Blackfoot Gypsies has signed with Plowboy Records. The rock group, consisting of musicians Zack Murphy, Matthew Paige, Dylan Whitlow and Ollie “Dogg” Horton, gathered at SESAC with record label executives to visit and commemorate the new partnership.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Blackfoot Gypsy members Zach Murphy and Matthew Paige, Plowboy Records executive Shannon Pollard, Blackfoot Gypsy members “Ollie Dogg” Horton and Dylan Whitlow & SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Bev Moser.
Two Join Webster Public Relations Artist Roster
Webster Public Relations has signed on to provide public relations services for Rex Allen, Jr., and Don Williams.
Allen is the son of singing cowboy Rex Allen – known for his movies and hit records such as “Don’t Go Near The Indians.” Allen, Jr. first hit the Billboard singles chart in 1973 with the story song “The Great Mail Robbery.” Other singles included “Two Less Lonely People,” “No, No, No (I’d Rather Be Free),” and “Lonely Street.” He also paired with Margo Smith for the memorable collaboration “Cup O’ Tea” in 1981. Allen also composed the alternate state anthem of Arizona, simply titled after the state. A one-time cast member of TNN’s The Statler Brothers Show, Allen also co-hosted the spinoff, entitled Yesteryear. He also served as narrator of the Jim Carrey film Me, Myself, and Irene, continuing another Allen family tradition as his father served the same role on many Walt Disney films.
Williams’ warm and easy baritone earned him the nickname “The Gentle Giant.” A Texas native, Williams first tasted success as a member of The Pozo- Seco Singers in the mid 1960s, with such singles as “Time.” The singer moved to Nashville in the early 1970s, signing with Cowboy Jack Clement’s JMI Records. His first hit for the label was 1973’s “The Shelter of Your Eyes.” His 1980 version of Bob McDill’s “I Believe In You” became one of his many standards. Two of his albums have been certified Gold, and one Platinum. The 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee has successfully built fan bases in England, Australia and New Zealand. Williams just announced plans for his most extensive tour in years, with dates on the books through November.
Covington Signs with Clearview Artist Management
Country artist Bucky Covington has aligned with Clearview Artist Management, spearheaded by Steve Schweidel and Sean Carpenter.
“The business of artist management has changed. As the entertainment industry itself enters a new era of figuring out how to monetize art, Clearview Artist Management is designed to harken back to a time when personal involvement was the keystone to success,” says CVA founder Schweidel. “Clearview is proof that nothing beats direct attention.”
“We are very excited and honored to be working with Bucky,” Carpenter adds. “He is personable, genuine and one of the best artists in the business.”
Clearview Artist Management’s roster also includes Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, James Otto, Elizabeth Lyons and champion bull rider Ty Murray.
Pictured (L-R): Steve Schweidel (CVA), Bucky Covington, Sean Carpenter (CVA). Photo: Clearview Artist Management
Alan Jackson Preps Silver Anniversary Album, Nashville Show
Country superstar Alan Jackson will release his first studio album in three years, to be titled Angels and Alcohol.
Keith Stegall produced all 10 tracks (full list below) of the EMI Records Nashville album, available Friday, July 17. Angels and Alcohol is currently available for preorder.
Jackson has released a total of 15 studio albums, his latest coming 25 years after his debut, Here In The Real World. In celebration of the silver anniversary, Jackson has been on the road for his Keepin’ It Country Tour since last summer with special guests Jon Pardi and Brandy Clark. The star will make a special stop in Nashville to conclude the NRA convention downtown with special guest Jeff Foxworthy and Pardi this weekend (April 11) at the Bridgestone Arena.
Jackson’s exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country, has been extended by popular demand through June 21, 2015.
Angels and Alcohol Track Listing:
1) “You Can Always Come Home” (Alan Jackson)
2) “You Never Know” (Jackson)
3) “Angels and Alcohol” (Jackson)
4) “Gone Before You Met Me” (Michael White, Michael Heeney)
5) “The One You’re Waiting On” (Adam Wright, Shannon Wright)
6) “Jim and Jack and Hank” (Jackson)
7) “I Leave A Light On” (Jackson)
8) “Flaws” (Jackson)
9) “When God Paints” (Troy Jones, Greg Becker)
10) “Mexico, Tequila and Me” (Jackson)
MusicRowLife: Taylor Swift Reveals Mother Andrea Swift Has Cancer
Taylor Swift
For the most part throughout her career, Taylor Swift has kept fans in the know about her life outside of music through social media, with a steady stream of updates about her travels, family life, her cats, and her friends, both famous and non-famous.
Swift shared sad news with fans today (April 9) via a note on Tumblr: Her mother, Andrea Swift, is battling cancer.
“This is something my family and I thought you should know about now,” said the singer-songwriter. She said she hopes sharing her story will encourage fans whose parents might be facing a similar battle.
The full note can be read below.
“Hey guys,
I’m writing to you with an update I wish I wasn’t giving you, but it’s important and I’m used to sharing important events in my life with you. Usually when things happen to me, I process them and then write music about how I feel, and you hear it much later. This is something my family and I thought you should know about now.
For Christmas this year, I asked my mom that one of her gifts to me be her going to the doctor to get screened for any health issues, just to ease some worries of mine. She agreed, and went in to get checked. There were no red flags and she felt perfectly fine, but she did it just to get me and my brother off her case about it.
The results came in, and I’m saddened to tell you that my mom has been diagnosed with cancer. I’d like to keep the details of her condition and treatment plans private, but she wanted you to know.
She wanted you to know because your parents may be too busy juggling everything they’ve got going on to go to the doctor, and maybe you reminding them to go get checked for cancer could possibly lead to an early diagnosis and an easier battle… Or peace of mind in knowing that they’re healthy and there’s nothing to worry about. She wanted you to know why she may not be at as many shows this tour. She’s got an important battle to fight.
Thank you for caring about my family so much that she would want me to share this information with you.
I hope and pray that you never get news like this.
Love you.
Taylor”
Mason Dixon Added As Director At Tailight
Mason Dixon
Tailight has announced the addition of Mason Dixon to its roster of video directors.
Dixon began his career as a musician before following his passion of filmmaking. He has collaborated with country stars Blake Shelton, Rascal Flatts, and Jake Owen, as well as rock groups Matchbox 20 and Framing Hanley. Self-taught and utilizing his musical background, Mason has become an award-winning music video director.
For booking, contact Chandra LaPlume at Chandra@tailight.tv.
Dixon was previously with TackleBox Films.
VIP Ticket: Tortuga Music Fest Preps For 85k
AJ Niland. Photo: Chad Riley.
This weekend (April 11-12), Ft. Lauderdale, Fla., will host Rock The Ocean’s Tortuga Music Festival. The country music event will double in size for its third year, reaching its maximum attendance record of 85,000 over the course of the weekend, according to AJ Niland, co-founder and chairman of HUKA, the entertainment company behind the festival.
HUKA came in as the creative visionary to curate talent and develop the event alongside Dot Records’ GM Chris Stacey, who is also founder of the non-profit conservation organization, Rock the Ocean—a stakeholder in the event.
“The conservation aspect of Tortuga was conceived by [Chris’] passion,” said Niland via phone from the festival site in Florida. “Chris and his team execute the programming for the Conservation Village [exhibitions throughout the weekend] and distribution of conservation funds.”
Last year $100,000 was raised for conservation efforts.
This year VIP ($799) and Super VIP ($1,299) attendees will be treated to the largest menu of luxuries available. For 2015, those include a swimming pool, art displays, and furniture, and stadium suite-style cabanas overlooking the main stage. Full commercial waterslides will also be available.
The artist catering tent will feature a glass wall looking out on the beach stocked with jet skis available for use. Artists enjoying those amenities this year include Kenny Chesney, Zac Brown Band, Jake Owen, The Band Perry, Little Big Town, Trace Adkins, Josh Turner, David Nail, The Mavericks, Colt Ford, Chase Rice, Sam Hunt, Frankie Ballard, Will Hoge, Chase Bryant, The Cadillac Three, Old Dominion, Maddie & Tae, Brooke Eden, Dylan Scott and Drake White.
“Even though Tortuga is a country music festival, we also tapped acts outside the country genre that we feel complement the lineup,” said Niland. Those acts include Nikki Lane, Doobie Brothers, Judah The Lion, Sublime with Rome, Dirty Guv’nahs and The Big Fire.
Niland continued to discuss the origins of his company, the festival’s environmental impact, and what the future may hold in the Q&A below.
On improving operations year after year:
Niland: We’re constantly making tweaks to improve the operation. We make a pretty big investment into year-one. As an organization, we generally don’t start very organically. We tend to launch projects with very large talent and very expensive site builds. This year we’re adding the pool.
The lessons we’ve learned is from feedback from artists and fans or internal. We’ve got festivals in their sixth year, and we don’t ever stop tweaking. The first couple years of a festival, cash is tight. You’re planning for a loss to hopefully rapidly grow attendance. The goal is to become profitable between years 3-5. In those times you can start to spend more, but until you’ve reached a point that you’re sold out, it’s difficult to call your site set. Until you reach the maturity of the festival, your goal is to make tweaks to accommodate more sales.
Background and HUKA:
I’m the co-founder of HUKA, chairman of the company and the Chief Experience Officer. HUKA started in 2004 and is based in New Orleans, La. Our first major festival was the Hangout Festival in 2010. My job is to run the direction of the company as a whole. We do an average of four major festivals a year in addition to regional concert promotion for all genres, mostly club and theater level. We have a full-time staff of 30, and a myriad of part timers. Our core festival staff travels to manage security and specific projects. At each site, we’ll have upwards of 1,000-1,500 hourly laborers during the events.
On last minute concert site preparations:
We’re pretty far along from a week ago. The site is pretty much deconstructed from a public beach/city park to a concert venue. Steel and scaffolding is moving around—a lot of heavy lifting. We’re moving light posts, signage for parking lots. Stages are going up.
On planning a festival:
It starts about 12 months out. We’re already on next year—booking talent. It starts with stage layout. Then we build out to cover event needs and cool features. We’ve been known for quite some time for having pretty crazy amenities that go above and beyond other festivals. Hangout Fest was the first time we implemented features with VIP and elevated the GA experience. We have full commercial water slides and zip lines at various events. Then we place bathrooms, concessions, bars, etc. At the end we have the design site. The next step is programing the stages. Marketing is all done in-house. Then it comes to implementing. We’ll arrive anywhere from three weeks to three months to do land work if needed.
On hiring outside consultants:
The very first year we bring in safety and traffic engineers from experienced firms. Those engineers are part of the initial design with production management (sound, stage lighting, stage labor), site management (fences, porta-potties, trash cans). The safety liaison is over security and medical. There’s also a festival relations staff for handling our own festival staff lodging, travel, etc. in addition to artist hospitality.
On environmental challenges:
For any site, we make sure we leave it as we found it. Tortuga (Spanish word for a turtle) is even more challenging because this area happens to be a turtle habitat. Tortuga is a benefit for ocean awareness and turtles are protected species. We go the extra mile to make sure nothing on site endangers their habitat, working very closely with local wildlife authorities as well as universities and research institutes. For example, structures and fences are built in such a way to accommodate any turtle who has come ashore—we’ve got a whole emergency plan built around those scenarios. It is still early in the season for turtle nesting, but we have a team who searches the shoreline through the night before giving us the all-clear each morning.
On future plans:
The idea was to grow this to multiple sites for the same cause. The priority right now is to make sure Tortuga succeeds. Once we feel comfortable at Tortuga’s maturity, we’ll look forward to other events. In a lot of respects, we’re going into this year with a new sense of sight. This year is when we can really take our notes and tweak for the future because we can’t go any larger than we are now.
CMT Debuts ‘Next Women of Country’ Tour With Jana Kramer, Kelsea Ballerini
(L-R): Jana Kramer and Kelsea Ballerini will be on the CMT “Next Women of Country” tour.
CMT today (April 9) announced it’s leaving the guys at home and hitting the road this spring for its inaugural CMT “Next Women of Country” Tour headlined by Jana Kramer, with rising singer/songwriter Kelsea Ballerini. The network’s first-ever ladies-only tour will make 10 stops across the country.
The tour is the latest extension of CMT’s “Next Women” campaign, which launched in 2013 as a way to give more attention and airplay to emerging female country artists across all screens. Among the “Next Women” alumnae are Kacey Musgraves, Brandy Clark, Cassadee Pope and Ashley Monroe. CMT also has a long history of launching artists on the road, having recently capped year 13 of its CMT On Tour, most recently headlined by Kip Moore.
“The ‘Next Women of Country’ campaign seamlessly connects music fans with the rising generation of female country artists,” said Leslie Fram, Sr. VP of Music Strategy for CMT. “With the tour, we’re now able to create zero-distancing between fan and artist and deliver an amazing night of discovery.”
The tour plays May 12 in Nashville at 3rd and Lindsley, with Ballerini, but not Kramer, and special guests from CMT “Next Women of Country.”
Both Kramer and Ballerini are rapidly climbing at country radio with their respective current singles, “I Got The Boy” and “Love Me Like You Mean It.” In its first week out, Kramer’s single “I Got The Boy” from her forthcoming sophomore album was the most-added female at country radio. Ballerini co-wrote her debut single, “Love Me Like You Mean It” and this week it broke the Top 20.
“My first summer in Nashville, I was 15 and didn’t have a driver’s license yet,” said Ballerini. “So I spent it at home, writing songs and watching music videos on CMT. That was a way I knew I could learn and feel like I was growing. Since then it’s always been a dream of mine to have a music video on CMT. To now have that and for me to be part of the CMT ‘Next Women of Country’ Tour is a huge honor.”
“I am beyond excited to be a part of the first ‘Next Women of Country’ tour,” Kramer noted. “I’m a big advocate for us girls sticking together and encouraging each other. I can’t wait to see everyone on the road!”
CMT “Next Women of Country” Tour:
• April 30, 2015 – Grand Rapids, MI (The Intersection)
• May 1, 2015 – Cincinnati, OH (Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill)
• May 7, 2015 – Cleveland, OH (House of Blues)
• May 8, 2015 – Chicago, IL (Joe’s Sports Bar)
• May 10, 2015 – St. Louis, MO (The Pageant)
• May 12, 2015 – Nashville, TN (3rd and Lindsley)**
• May 14, 2015 – Orlando, FL (Toby Keith’s I Love This Bar & Grill)
• May 15, 2015 – Fort Walton Beach, FL (The Swamp)
• May 17, 2015 – Charlotte, NC (The Fillmore Charlotte)
• May 28, 2015 – Myrtle Beach, SC (House of Blues)
**Kelsea Ballerini only, featuring special guests from CMT Next Women of Country.
Tickets go on sale Friday, April 10 at participating venues.
UMPG Nashville Renews Publishing Deal with Sam Ellis
(Pictured, Back Row): Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP, Creative; Travis Gordon, UMPG Creative Director; Missy Wilson, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; and Ron Stuve, UMPG VP A&R. (Front Row): Kent Earls, EVP/GM, UMPG; and Sam Ellis.
UMPG Nashville Executive VP/General Manager Kent Earls announced that the publishing company has extended its exclusive publishing agreement with songwriter Sam Ellis. Ellis co-wrote four tracks on UMPG Nashville Hunter Hayes‘ recent album Storyline, including “You Think You Know Somebody,” “When Did You Stop Loving Me,” “Secret Love,” and “Love Too Much.”
Ellis has also landed a song on The Band Perry‘s upcoming album.
“Over the past several years, we’ve been fortunate to have a front row seat to watch Sam’s songwriting and production skills blossom. Sam’s potential is limitless and UMPG is looking forward to watching Sam’s unique talent continue to grow,” Earls said.
“I’m extremely proud to call UMPG home. It’s a dream come true to be able to create music in a building with such a dedicated and tireless staff. I’m continually educated and humbled by the world class roster of writers I have the privilege of sharing ideas with every day,” Ellis added.
Ellis, a Hespeler, Ontario native, began performing in church. His first television placement as a songwriter came on YTV’s Surf Shack, when he was 10 years old. His songs have been featured on CBC’s Heartland, Disney Channel’s The Latest Buzz, as well as CMT’s Unstable, ER Vets, and Pick A Puppy.
DISClaimer: Americana Packs Musical Firepower
Liz Longley
The Americana genre is bringing out its big guns this spring.
Such core artists as Steve Earle, former spouse Allison Moorer, the duo of Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell, the late Jack Clement and such stalwarts as the McCrarys and Mike Henderson are all bringing forth new albums.
Singer-songwriter-guitarist Liz Longley has evidently released three prior CDs, but her Sugar Hill debut is the first I’ve heard. This week’s DisCovery Award winner is booked at City Winery on April 22. Let a word to the wise be sufficient.
The Disc of the Day prize goes to the divinely gifted McCrary Sisters. Their record is out now, and as soon as May 12 rolls around, I urge you to also buy the latest by Emmylou Harris & Rodney Crowell.
EMMYLOU HARRIS & RODNEY CROWELL/The Traveling Kind
Writers: none listed; Producer: Joe Henry; Publishers: none listed; Nonesuch (track)
-Their new CD drops on May 12, but is available digitally now. Its title tune and lead-off track finds their iconic voices harmonizing flawlessly throughout a wistful, loping, gently swaying ode to wandering spirits. As if their singing and the beautifully poetic song weren’t enough, the acoustic track ripples like a breeze-kissed pond.
SUGARCANE JANE/Home Nights
Writers: Crawford/Cason; Producer: Buzz Cason; Publishers: Dirt Roads End/Buzz Cason, BMI/ASCAP; ArenA (track)
-This haunting, minor-key gem gleams with sonic polish. It can be found on Dirt Road’s End, the debut CD by Sugarcane Jane. Nashvillians with good taste and long memories will recall this duo’s Anthony Crawford as a solo artist and as the ultimate sideman for folks like Neil Young, Steve Winwood, Dwight Yoakam, Steve Forbert, Rosanne Cash, Vince Gill and more. After leaving Music City, he settled on Alabama’s Gulf Coast with the other half of Sugarcane Jane, his wife Savana Lee.
STEVE EARLE & THE DUKES/You’re The Best Lover That I Ever Had
Writer: Steve Earle; Producer: R.S. Field; Publishers: Exile on Jones Street, ASCAP; New West (track)
-Earle’s new Terraplane CD is a blues collection. On this low-key moaner, he sings in a brushy, husky, soft drawl that ranks among his most expressive performances in years. The whole collection is essential listening.
AMY SPEACE/Better Than This
Writers: Amy Speace/Kate Kim; Producer: Neilson Hubbard; Publishers: Amy Speace/Katherine Kim, ASCAP/BMI; Windbone (track)
-Baltimore-bred Speace is a Nashvillian who purposefully recorded her new That Kind of Girl in three days, live with such stellar Americana sidemen as Will Kimbrough, Dan Mitchell, Garrison Starr and producer Hubbard. She wished to capture the emotional immediacy of its song cycle about a failed romance and its aftermath. Here, she offers herself hope in a rushed, breathy vocal that seems to be a chin-up message to a bruised heart.
THE FAIRFIELD FOUR/Rock My Soul
Writers: traditional; Producers: The Fairfield Four/Lee Olsen; Publishers: public domain; Fairfield Four
-Established in 1925, this a cappella Nashville institution’s current lineup is Levert Allison, Larrice Byrd, Bobbye Sherrill and Joe Thompson. Without an instrument in sight, they stir up a mighty, rhythmic, urgent sound on the lead track of their Still Rockin’ My Soul CD. With a legacy that includes a 1997 Grammy Award and a high-profile appearance in the 2001 movie O Brother Where Art Thou, the “new” Fairfield Four carries the name forward in triumph with this disc. Lee Ann Womack drops by to sing soulfully with the fellows on “Children Go Where I Send Thee.” Buy and believe.
LIZ LONGLEY/Outta My Head
Writer: Liz Longley; Producer: Gus Berry; Publishers: Luckelizz/Welk; ASCAP; Sugar Hill (track)
-I think I’m in love. As she spooled out this wafting, pulsing saga of romantic regret, I got completely lost in its delicious melody and her hooky chorus. Her supporting instrumentalists include such Nashville A-listers as Tom Bukovac, Michael Rhodes, J.T. Corenflos and John Hobbs. This lady has it all — tense vocal finesse, songwriting chops, dynamite production. Also check out “Bad Habit” and “Memphis.” Along with this track, they’re available as downloads on iTunes. I guarantee you’ll be as smitten as I am.
COWBOY JACK CLEMENT/I’ve Got A Thing About Trains
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; I.R.S. (track)
-Recorded just before his death in 2013, For Once and For All finds Clement in surprisingly robust form singing versions of his songwriting classics “Miller’s Cave,” “Just a Girl I Used to Know,” “I Know One” (my favorite), “Just Between You and Me,” “Let the Chips Fall” and the like. The collection leads off with this baleful bit of nostalgia from the legendary Hall of Famer.
The McCrary Sisters
THE McCRARY SISTERS/By The Mark
Writers: Gillian Welch/David Rawlings; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publishers: Cracklin/Irving/Say Uncle/Buddy Miller, BMI; MCC/Thirty Tigers (track)
-If these gals can’t give you goosebumps, you must be clinically dead. Harmonizing as only siblings can, the four McCrarys are arguably — individually and collectively — the greatest soul singers in Music City. Their new Let’s Go collection finds them simply and sympathetically produced by Americana star Buddy Miller. Choosing listening tracks among these 16 gems is a fruitless enterprise, since each one captivates. Just play ‘em all.
THE MIKE HENDERSON BAND/I Wanta Know Why
Writer: Mike Henderson; Producer: Kevin McKendree; Publishers: none listed, BMI; EllerSoul (track)
-He’s in the running as World’s Coolest Human, since Henderson used to play ace bluegrass music in The SteelDrivers while still holding down his Monday-night residency at The Bluebird Cafe as our favorite blues rocker. It is in this latter guise that he has recorded the simmering slab of sound If You Think It’s Hot Here. The comeback collection leads off with this scorcher and doesn’t let up from then on. By the time you hit the halfway point, your ears are sweating. In addition to a clutch of new Henderson originals, the band covers Robert Johnson, Sonny Boy Williamson, Muddy Waters and other bluesmen. We’re so lucky to have this group in our community.