Leah Turner To Release Debut EP May 6

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leah turner ep111Newcomer Columbia Nashville artist Leah Turner will release her five-song, self-titled EP on May 6. Turner co-penned every song on the project, including her new single, “Pull Me Back.”
The California native’s career took a leap forward when she happened to meet singer-songwriter Kenny Loggins during a college class; Loggins encouraged Turner to pursue her musical dreams in Los Angeles. There, she worked with David Foster and other industry execs, but Turner says her heart has always been in Country music. “Roots run deep, you know? My roots were in Country music, so I prayed about it and felt I needed to move to Nashville,” Turner told MusicRow during a recent visit. Once in Music City, Turner began lining up co-writing sessions, and eventually met Sony Music Nashville’s Jim Catino. “I played him a worktape, and he said he wanted to sign me to a deal. I was so excited; I couldn’t believe it,” says Turner. “That was a year ago.”
Turner will soon hit the road with Arista Nashville artist Brad Paisley‘s summer tour and celebrate the release of her upcoming EP.

 Leah Turner EP track listing:
“Take the Keys” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
“Pull Me Back” (Leah Turner/Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins)
“Bless My Heart” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“Beat Up Bronco” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure/Hillary Lindsey)
“My Finger” (Leah Turner/Cary Barlowe/Jesse Frasure)
Starting today, fans can pre-order the EP Leah Turner.

Artist Pics (4/2/14)

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Dierks Bentley performed at Nashville’s Station Inn Tuesday night (April 1) with a host of industry friends.

Dierks Bentley performs at Nashville's Station Inn

Dierks Bentley performs at Nashville’s Station Inn. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Dierks Station Inn 4.1.14 Moments By Moser 3311

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser


Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser

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Tuesday night (April 1), during an exclusive listening event for her latest album Everlasting at Nashville’s BMI office, Martina McBride was presented with a custom “Nancy” comic strip by illustrator Guy Gilchrist.

Photo (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations; Martina McBride; Guy Gilchrist, "Nancy" Comic IllustratorPhoto Credit: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, BMI VP Writer/Publisher Relations; Martina McBride; Guy Gilchrist, “Nancy” Comic Illustrator. Photo: Steve Lowry

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After his performance at iHeartRadio Country Festival in Austin, RCA Nashville artist Dee Jay Silver is gearing up for the Saturday launch of his weekly syndicated radio show, The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver.

Pictured (l-r): Silver and “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver” OM Keith Kaufman. Photo credit: Ivor Karabatkovic

Pictured (L-R): Silver and “The Country Club with Dee Jay Silver” OM Keith Kaufman. Photo credit: Ivor Karabatkovic

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On Wednesday (April 2), singer-songwriter-guitarist Frankie Ballard performed his recent chart-topping single “Helluva Life” on NBC’s Today Show.

Pictured (L-R): Kathi Lee Gifford (co-host of NBC's TODAY Show), Frankie Ballard, Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC's TODAY Show). Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity

Pictured (L-R): Kathi Lee Gifford (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show), Frankie Ballard, Hoda Kotb (co-host of NBC’s TODAY Show). Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity

Industry Ink (4/2/14)

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acm-awards-logo111featuredThe Academy of Country Music has added performers to Sunday evening’s Academy of Country Music Awards show, including Dierks Bentley with Sheryl Crow, Lee Brice, Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker, and Rascal Flatts. Presenters for the evening will include Thea Andrews, Guy Fieri, LL COOL J, Jewel, Olivia Munn, Nancy O’Dell, Chris O’Donnell, Clay Walker and Trisha Yearwood.
The Academy of Country Music awards will be co-hosted by Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton and broadcast from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas Sunday, April 6, 2014 at 8:00 PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.

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SESAC has signed Sharon Koltick, lead singer and bassist of the Nashville rock band Kink Ador. Koltick stopped by the organization’s offices to visit with SESAC’s Dennis Lord and manager Bennett Davidson from Bluewater Music.

Pictured (L-R): SESAC's Dennis Lord, Koltick, and Bluewater Music's Bennett Davidson. Photo: Peyton Hoge

Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Dennis Lord, Koltick, and Bluewater Music’s Bennett Davidson. Photo: Peyton Hoge.

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bluebird logo1On Sunday, May 4, the Morrison Hotel Gallery will celebrate a new series of music photography at the Bluebird Cafe, with a day of music stories told by music photographer Henry Diltz and Peter Blachley. The gallery will cover the walls of the Bluebird Cafe and will represent more than 80 music photographers. A spotlight show featuring Blachley and Diltz begins at 6 p.m. on May 4. Tickets can be purchased at ticketsnashville.com.

Singer-songwriter Holly Williams will join the celebration by offering prints of these photos for purchase through her clothing boutique, H. Audrey, located across the street from The Bluebird Cafe. These archival printed, signed (or estate signed) editions and framed photographs will be exhibited through Sept. 21, 2014.
Morrison Hotel Gallery (MHG) was founded in 2001 by former record company executive Blachley, retail music industry professional Richard Horowitz, and photographer Diltz. In 2012, author, director and photographer Timothy White joined the team, launching an additional West Coast Gallery at The Sunset Marquis Hotel in West Hollywood.

Warner/Chappell Music Appoints A&R Manager

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Travis Carter

Travis Carter


Warner/Chappell Music (WCM), the global publishing arm of Warner Music Group Corp., has appointed Travis Carter to the role of A&R Manager. Carter will report to Ben Vaughn, Exec. VP, Warner/Chappell Nashville.

In this position, Carter will provide A&R resources and creative support across the publisher’s roster and catalog, and assist in the discovery of new talent and development of existing songwriters.
Carter, a former touring musician, previously held roles at publishing companies Love Monkey Music and Tom-Leis Music, as well as at Sony Music, where he worked as an A&R Consultant.

McBride Samples 'Everlasting' for Nashville Industry

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Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Martina McBride, Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Steve Lowry

Pictured (L-R): Jody Williams, Martina McBride, Robert K. Oermann. Photo: Steve Lowry


An intimate group of industry professionals gathered in BMI’s first floor hall for part two of a Q&A and listening for Martina McBride‘s forthcoming Everlasting release. Yesterday’s (April 1) program gathered an industry-focused audience, similar to McBride’s Two Old Hippies preview in January for press.
Host, Jody Williams, introduced Robert K. Oermann who again interviewed the songbird to shed light on the creation and inspiration of her first independent release, in partnership with Kobalt Label Services. “I’ve had two record company experiences in Nashville, both have been fantastic,” said McBride of the challenge of producing and marketing her own master recordings. “RCA and Republic Nashville provided me a base to build a model for Everlasting.”
Recorded after whittling standards for seven months with New York A&R executive Monica Lynch, Everlasting took form under the care of producer Don Was. The project was tracked and mixed by McBride’s husband John at their Blackbird studios in Nashville. “It’s easy working with John,” said McBride of the collaboration. “We are so used to it — he wants what I want.” Similar to McBride’s classic Country album, Timeless, the A-list studio provided the vintage gear played by a sparse collaboration of musicians, including Memphis Boys member and Elvis session man Reggie Young, who makes an appearance on “Suspicious Minds.” Two duets are included on the collection, Sam Cooke‘s “Bring It On Home To Me” (featuring Gavin DeGraw), as well as Etta James and Sugar Pie DeSanto‘s “In The Basement” (featuring Kelly Clarkson).
On release day (April 8) McBride will practically be everywhere, performing “Suspicious Minds” on the Today Show, on GAC, performing a free show in the Big Apple at the Hard Rock, not to mention appearing on VH-1, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly. Six tracks are available today, in addition to a vinyl pre-order.

CMT Launches News & Docs Division, Preps Documentaries

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Pictured from L-R: Charles Kelley (Lady Antebellum); Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom president and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott (Lady Antebellum); Dave Haywood (Lady Antebellum); Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo Credit: Getty Images for CMT

Pictured (L-R): Charles Kelley; Jeff Lucas, Viacom Media Networks Head of sales, music & entertainment, advertising sales & marketing; Philippe Dauman, Viacom Pres. and CEO; Brian Phillips; Jayson Dinsmore, CMT EVP, development; Hillary Scott; Dave Haywood; Tom Dooley, Viacom COO; Van Toffler, Viacom Media Networks & Logo Group president. Photo: Getty Images for CMT


CMT will launch its News & Docs division with a full slate of documentaries and projects from producers including Ridley Scott, Morgan Spurlock and many others. Jayson Dinsmore, Exec. VP of CMT Programming and Development, made the announcement at the network’s upfront presentation at TimesCenter in Manhattan, which included a three-song set from Lady Antebellum.
“We’re fulfilling our promise to create a CMT News & Docs division with a slate of bold and compelling stories that reflect big personalities and monumental events that helped define America, our music and our spirit,” said Dinsmore. “We’ve partnered with some of the most respected and visionary filmmakers working today, all charged with producing unique documentaries through an authentic and distinctive lens.”
The forthcoming documentaries include Promiseland, from executive producer Ridley Scott. The four-hour miniseries Promiseland will highlight an often unsung American hero, the American farmer.
They Called Us Outlaws, an eight-hour documentary from Eric Geadelmann and Mark Johnson, will focus on the happenings in Nashville and Austin in the late 1960s and early 1970s, when artists including Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Jessi Colter and others were breaking the rules and making music their own way.
Freedom from Morgan Spurlock explores the meaning of freedom in America.
Meanwhile, Urban Legend: When A Nation When Country from John Dorsey and Andrew Stephan (producers of ESPN’s Pony Excess) examines the Country music scene in the 1980s.
Additionally, there is Johnny Cash—American Rebel, as well as episodes of the returning CMT series Inside Fame, which will spotlight Florida Georgia Line and Hunter Hayes. No air dates have been set for the documentaries or Inside Fame series.
 

MusicRow Realty Update

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gibsonLocal investor Gary McDaniel plans to purchase the 3.5 acre, two building property housing Gibson Brands (formerly Gibson Guitar Corp.), according to the Nashville Post. The property includes 309 and 311 Plus Park Blvd.

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rymanSpeculation has surfaced that Ryman Hospitality Properties is planning to move its headquarters downtown, as the company’s owners plan to purchase the 300 Broadway building (6,000 sq. ft.), housing its Opry souvenir shop, according to The Tennessean.

“In the long term, we’ll evaluate whether to lease it to a third-party or use it for our own purposes,” said Ryman Hospitality’s spokesman Brian Abrahamson. “The street level space is home to our Opry Originals retail shop, and the building purchase secures this location as an important Opry retail outlet for the long term.”
While Ryman Hospitality looks downtown, space is available in its current headquarters, where the company only uses 32k of 80k available sq. ft. OakPoint Advisors’ John Keller is helping Ryman find tenants for the open space.

Weekly Register: Cash, Niemann

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Albums

registerwklyWith the end of 2014’s first quarter, overall album sales are down one percent from last week, while Country album sales are up five percent week over week, thanks to debuts from Johnny Cash and Jerrod Niemann. Cash’s Out Among the Stars (Legacy Recordings) debuts at No. 1 (No. 3 overall), with 54k units sold, while Niemann’s High Noon (Sea Gayle Records-Arista Nashville) debuts at No. 3 (No. 18 overall), selling 14k units. Niemann recently performed for fans south of the border as part of his High Noon Adventure. Another noteworthy debut is Sarah Davidson’s self-titled album (Suretone Records), debuting at No. 30 with 1.8k units sold.
Frozen: Original Motion Picture Soundtrack by Various Artists continues as the top overall album, selling 161k units this week (1.7 million RTD.). Shakira’s self-titled album is the top overall debut, appearing at No. 2 with 35k units sold.
YTD, Country album sales are down 15.1 percent, while overall album sales are down 16.6 percent. If we analyze the TEA index (Track Equivalent Albums), where 10 tracks equal one album, we see that overall album sales are down 15.2 percent (versus 16.6 percent). The same week last year, Justin Timberlake’s The 20/20 Experience persisted as the No. 1 overall album, selling 318k units, while Blake Shelton’s Based On A True Story debuted as the top Country album, with 199k units sold.

Tracks

Updated-WeeklyRegister040214Florida Georgia Line feat. Luke Bryan’s “This Is How We Roll” is the top Country track (No. 10 overall), selling 77k units this week (692k RTD). Pharrell Williams’ “Happy” endures as the top overall track, selling 320k units this week (3.7 million RTD). The top overall debut is Sam Smith’s “Stay With Me,” debuting at No. 34 with 37k units sold.
YTD, overall track sales are down 12.5 percent, while Country track sales are down 17.2 percent. The same week last year, Pink’s “Just Give Me A Reason” was the top overall track, selling 286k units, while Darius Rucker’s “Wagon Wheel” was the top Country track, selling 93k units.
Next week’s numbers will receive a boost from the upcoming ACM Awards, and include the following debuts: Dan+Shay’s Where It All Began, Josh Thompson’s Turn It Up,  The Infamous Stringdusters’ Let It Go and Charlie Daniels’ Off The Grid—Doin’ It Dylan.

Kacey Musgraves, Katy Perry To Team For 'CMT Crossroads'

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Kacey Musgraves will perform at the Grammys on

Kacey Musgraves


2014 keeps getting brighter for Kacey Musgraves. The “Keep It To Yourself” singer will team with pop star Katy Perry for an episode of CMT Crossroads, MusicRow has confirmed.
The episode will be taped in Los Angeles this month, and is set to air on CMT on June 13 at 10 p.m. ET, followed by airings on Viacom networks VH1, MTV, and Palladia at later dates.
Musgraves joined Perry’s We Can Survive concert at the Hollywood Bowl in October 2013, and earned a position as one of several opening acts on Perry’s Prismatic Tour, which will launch June 22 in Raleigh, N.C.
Earlier this year, Musgraves picked up two Grammy honors, including Best Country Song (“Merry Go Round”) and Best Country Album (Same Trailer, Different Park).
Musgraves is also MusicRow‘s 2013 Breakthrough Artist of the Year and Breakthrough Songwriter of the Year.

DISClaimer: The Dueling Divas

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carlene carter111It’s Dueling Divas Day!
Unquestionably the two best records in this stack of platters belong to Martina McBride and Carlene Carter. Ironically, both are produced by Don Was and both are due for release next Tuesday, April 8.
Carter’s comeback finds her touching home with her family’s distinguished musical roots. It earns her a Disc of the Day prize. Honorable Mention nods go to Ray Price and the Brian Lavender Band, as well as the divine Martina.
I have no earthly idea who Cody Jinks is. His single doesn’t contain any clues. But he is still the DisCovery Award winner today.
BRIAN LAVENDER BAND/Good Ole Country Boy
Writer: Joe Vulpis; Producer: Steve Pope; Publisher: none listed; Lavender (track)
-The song is strictly generic, but his cool, raspy vocal and the kickin’ band elevate it well beyond what it deserves. There’s a cool, processed-vocal interlude that perks it up, too. Very listenable.
LONESTAR/Just The Rain
Writers: Richie McDonald/Jeremy Bussey; Producer: Lonestar; Publisher: NuState/Buzzcutt; BMI/SESAC; 4Star (track)
-It’s a power ballad of emotional loss. Richie’s vocal is, as usual, a thing of wonder. The song could use a chorus melody with more hooks.
ALLISON VELTZ/Bright Side
Writers: Allison Veltz/Jess Cates/Dan Muckala; Producers: Mark Bright & Dan Muckala; Publishers: Sony ATV Cross Keys/My Good Girl/EMI April/Very High/Wintergone/Kobalt, ASCAP; Blaster
-The poppy production is crunchy and catchy. Her youthful-sounding singing voice needs some seasoning and experience.
GARTH BROOKS/Tonight The Bottle Let Me Down
Writer: Merle Haggard; Producer: Mark Miller; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree; BMI; BBR (track)
–Working Man’s Poet is a tribute to the titanic Merle Haggard that includes contributions from Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Dierks Bentley, Toby Keith, Joe Nichols, Jake Owen and more. Garth drops by to offer a steel-soaked two-step rendition of this classic honky-tonk tune. Country, country, country.
RICK DROIT & SARA HICKMAN/Wild Mustangs
Writers: none listed; Producer: Rick Droit; Publisher: none listed; MoonGarden
-Perplexing. It has a certain throwback, hippie vibe with its quasi-poetic lyrics. The track is kinda bouncy. Their voices are ultra-white and bland-ish. But it is oddly listenable.
CARLENE CARTER/Me and the Wildwood Rose
Writers: Carlene Carter; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: none listed; Rounder (track)
– Carlene’s Carter Girl CD features seven Carter Family classics, modernized, plus tunes from Helen, June and Maybelle. Her own songwriting contribution is this lilting piece of nostalgia for her lost girlhood and her sister who died too young. The album, which is lovely, drops next week. Be there or be square.
CODY JINKS/Alone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Codyjinks
-He definitely has vocal “presence.” This resonant, baritone performance arrives backed by equally ringing steel and electric-guitar riffs. The lonesome song is pretty cool, too. Who is this guy?
everlasting11RAY PRICE/Beauty Lies in the Eyes
Writers: Rich Grissom/Jon P. Gray; Producer: Fred Foster; Publishers: Life’s a Pitch/Pitch Pitch/It’s a Matter of Music, ASCAP/BMI; AmeriMonte (track)
-How many of us get to leave this world doing what we love the most? Ray Price knew he was dying when he came back to Nashville to record his final album. This lovely ballad leads off a collection that showcases one of the music world’s most iconic and legendary voices. Vince Gill provides the harmony singing, but it’s Ray who tugs at your heartstrings all the way. Essential.
JEFF MADDOX/Running
Writers: Jeff Maddox; Producer: Robert Metzgar; Publishers: Bobby & Billy/Sony-ATV, BMI; Platinum (CDX)
-This guy has definitely listened to his fair share of Haggard and Jennings. The peppy, hillbilly track keeps him on his toes, pushing him forward even though he doesn’t have a rockin’ bone in his body.
MARTINA MCBRIDE/Suspicious Minds
Writers: Mark James; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Sony-ATV, BMI; Vinyl (track)
-The mark of a great interpreter is the ability to own a song, even a familiar one. McBride’s Everlasting CD showcases this peerless stylist reviving hits from the ‘60s and ‘70s, making you hear them afresh. Tackling this Elvis classic, she brings out the essentially “female” nature of the lyric, what with its references to crying and male jealousy. The honking baritone sax is the perfect underscore. The album drops next Tuesday, when you can catch her and her blue-eyed soul band performing this on the Today show. Actually, she’ll be pretty much inescapable next week, since she’s also appearing on VH-1, GAC, Arsenio Hall and on the cover of Country Weekly.