Bobby Karl Works The 47th Annual CMA Awards

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BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 442
 

george strait cma win

George Strait wins Entertainer of the Year. Photo: Alan Mayor

This is a very good week to be George Strait.

The 6,000 voters of the Country Music Association have spoken, and on Wednesday night (Nov. 6), they proclaimed Strait their Entertainer of the Year. On Monday (Nov. 4), he won ASCAP’s Founders Award, and on Tuesday (Nov. 5), he was in the spotlight for BMI’s salute to his chief songwriter, Dean Dillon.
“What? Never in a million years. Wow,” Strait blurted when his name was announced at the CMA Awards. “This blows me away. I cannot believe this. I’m just blown away to even be nominated again. Thank you so much. This means the world to me.
“Obviously, I didn’t prepare anything to say,” he added backstage. “I’m looking forward to my last year [on the road] next year.”
The only other person to win Entertainer of the Year after being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame is the late Eddy Arnold. At age 61, Strait is the oldest person ever to win Entertainer.
Blake Shelton and Miranda Lambert repeated as Male and Female vocalists, both for the fourth time. Little Big Town scored its second consecutive Group of the Year win. Mac McAnally won his sixth Instrumentalist CMA prize.
But the show also held a few surprises. The CMA voters showed real class in voting for Kacey Musgraves as Best New Artist over the more successful Florida Georgia Line.
“This first year for me has been just indescribable,” said Musgraves. “My grandma is in the audience tonight. She was my first booking agent. I feel so grateful.”
Another artistic, classy choice was “I Drive Your Truck” as Song of the Year over the commercial blockbuster “Cruise.” That selection was marred by a breach of award-show etiquette. Singer Lee Brice commandeered the mic even though he is not the song’s author. Then songwriter Jimmy Yeary took over. There was no time left for his co-writers Connie Harrington and Jessi Alexander to speak.
On the other hand, the classiest acceptance speech was Lambert’s. She was the only winner to recognize and praise her fellow Female Vocalist nominees. That’s probably a reflection of how aware country’s women are of their precarious status.
As expected, Florida Georgia Line won Duo and Single of the Year. Shelton (and producer Scott Hendricks) took home Album of the Year. The third double winner was “Highway Don’t Care,” which won Video and Musical Event awards for Tim McGraw, Taylor Swift and Keith Urban, plus video director Shane Drake.
Swift was also given the CMA Pinnacle Award. After being serenaded by Lennon & Maisy’s winsome “You Belong with Me,” she accepted her honor from presenters Urban, Strait, McGraw, Brad Paisley, Faith Hill and Rascal Flatts. All of them took her on the road as an opening act when she was a teenager.
“I didn’t know this was going to be all this,” said Swift to her mentors. “You guys all got up here and did this. I love you. You’ve made me feel so special.” Backstage, she and Hill both shed happy tears when Strait was announced as the night’s big winner.
The show had a number of musical high points. Lady Antebellum was rousing with the instantly catchy “Compass.” Florida Georgia Line was drawling and thumping on “Round Here.” One of the night’s best vocals was Shelton’s on “Mine Would Be You.” The Zac Brown Band teamed up with the furiously drumming Dave Grohl for their ultra cool, multi-layered “Dance Among the Living.” Little Big Town was audio-lovely and harmonically flawless on “Sober.”
Urban and Lambert teamed up for “We Were Us.” They had admirable energy and passion, but seemed somewhat vocally muffled. Hunter Hayes and Jason Mraz also had shaky audio on “Everybody’s Got Somebody But Me.”
A standing ovation greeted Swift after her acoustic performance of “Red” with Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Eric Darken and Edgar Meyer. Other standing ovations went to Eric Church’s moody, rocking, pyro-accented “Outsiders” and to Strait and Alan Jackson for their “He Stopped Loving Her Today” salute to the late George Jones.
Mugraves was adorable on the super witty “Follow Your Arrow,” which also received a huge ovation. The telecast bleeped out the word “joint” in her song, but left in “crack,” “hell” and “damned.” Go figure.

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Taylor Swift. Photo: Alan Mayor

Also acquitting themselves admirably were The Band Perry (“Don’t Let Me Be Lonely”), Jason Aldean (“Night Train”), McGraw (“Southern Girl”) and Luke Bryan (“Drink a Beer”). Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker and Rascal Flatts saluted new Hall of Fame member Kenny Rogers. Fellow inductee Bobby Bare was recognized in the audience. Rucker closed the show with “Wagon Wheel.”

Bryan was the hardest working man in show business on Wednesday. He was up at the crack of dawn to sing for host Robin Roberts on Good Morning America and was still game to open the CMA Awards with “That’s My Kind of Night.” He said he tried to nap in between, but couldn’t. Throngs of happy fans cheered him on, downtown in front of the Bridgestone Arena, during his a.m. romp. The GMA telecast is also where the “Highway Don’t Care” award wins for Musical Event of the Year and Video of the Year were announced.
Also prior to the telecast, the CMA’s international awards were given to Jeff Walker, the BBC’s Bob Harris and Swift (for the second time). Thompson Square hosted pre-telecast honors for Musician of the Year and radio winners.
Speaking of the latter, why do we waste network television time by showing and announcing the radio winners? Terrestrial radio is only one of the delivery systems for music. Why not recognize cable TV, print journalists, the internet’s many platforms and/or satellite radio during the telecast?
The CMA Awards Show was co-hosted by Carrie Underwood and Brad Paisley, who also performed. These two become more amusing each time they host. Their opening bit included ditties about musical feuds, Obamacare and twerking, aided by Kellie Pickler and the Duck Dynasty Robertson family.
Later in the show, Paisley presented Underwood with an oversized foam-fangs “finger” that fans wave for the Nashville Predators ice hockey team. “Go Preds!” said Underwood as she waved it (she is married to the team’s Mike Fisher). “I don’t think Miley done it that way,” Paisley cracked.

Pictured (L-R): "I Drive Your Truck" songwriters Jessi Alexander, Jimmy Yeary and Connie Harrington.

Pictured (L-R): “I Drive Your Truck” songwriters Jessi Alexander, Jimmy Yeary and Connie Harrington. Photo: Alan Mayor.


As you might expect, the audience was packed with stars. Craig Morgan, Kix Brooks, Tracy Lawrence, Easton Corbin, Jerrod Niemann, The Eli Young Band, Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Scotty McCreery, Kristian Bush (who has his first solo single, “Love Or Money”), Brantley Gilbert, Ketch Secor of Old Crow Medicine Show, Jake Owen, Charlie Worsham, Laura Bell Bundy, Clay Walker, Jana Kramer, Sheryl Crow, Cassadee Pope, David Nail, Kelly Clarkson and Chris Stapleton were in the house.
So were the Nashville TV show stars Connie Britton, Chip Esten, Kimberly Williams-Paisley, Sam Palladio, Aubrey Peeples and Chaley Rose, not to mention Lennon & Maisy Stella. Industry mavens mingling included Ken Levitan, Ron Cox, Frank Bumstead, Neil Orne, Dawn Davenport, Vanessa Parker-Davis, Allen Brown, Wes Vause, Suzanne Alexander, Storme Warren, Nan Kelley, Allison DeMarcus, Scott Stem, Brett Wolcott, Scott & Sandi Spika Borchetta, Joey Moi, Nancy Jones, John Grady, John Esposito and John Dwyer.
For a full list of winners, visit the MusicRow winners list.
Kacey Musgraves

Kacey Musgraves

2013 CMA Awards Winners [Full List]

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Florida Georgia Line and producer Joey Moi.

Florida Georgia Line and producer Joey Moi. Photo: Alan Mayor.


MusicRow offers a list of the winners of the 47th Annual Country Music Association Awards. A full recap of the evening is available on MusicRow.com.

Winners include:
Entertainer of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Blake Shelton
WINNER: George Strait
Taylor Swift
Male Vocalist of the Year
Jason Aldean
Luke Bryan
Eric Church
WINNER: Blake Shelton
Keith Urban
Female Vocalist of the Year
Kelly Clarkson
WINNER: Miranda Lambert
Kacey Musgraves
Taylor Swift
Carrie Underwood
Vocal Group of the Year
The Band Perry
Zac Brown Band
Lady Antebellum
WINNER: Little Big Town
Eli Young Band
Vocal Duo of the Year
Big & Rich
WINNER: Florida Georgia Line
Love and Theft
Sugarland
The Civil Wars
Thompson Square
New Artist Of The Year
Lee Brice
Brett Eldredge
Florida Georgia Line
Kip Moore
WINNER: Kacey Musgraves
Album of the Year
WINNER: Blake Shelton, “Based on a True Story”
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Taylor Swift, “Red”
Kacey Musgraves, “Same Trailer Different Park”
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Single of the Year
WINNER: Florida Georgia Line, “Cruise”
Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart”
Kacey Musgraves, “Merry Go ‘Round”
Darius Rucker, “Wagon Wheel”
Song of the Year — award goes to songwriter(s)
WINNER: “I Drive Your Truck” – Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary
“Mama’s Broken Heart” – Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, and Kacey Musgraves
“Merry Go ‘Round” – Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally
“Pontoon” – Natalie Hemby, Luke Laird, and Barry Dean
“Wagon Wheel” – Bob Dylan and Ketch Secor
Musical Event of the Year
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Florida Georgia Line Feat. Nelly, “Cruise”
Kelly Clarkson Feat. Vince Gill, “Don’t Rush”
WINNER: Tim McGraw With Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Jason Aldean With Luke Bryan and Eric Church, “The Only Way I Know”
Music Video of the Year
Carrie Underwood, “Blown Away”
Blake Shelton Feat. Pistol Annies, “Boys ‘Round Here”
Lady Antebellum, “Downtown”
WINNER: Tim McGraw with Taylor Swift & Keith Urban, “Highway Don’t Care”
Miranda Lambert, “Mama’s Broken Heart
Little Big Town, “Tornado”
Musician of the Year
Brent Mason
Dann Huff
WINNER: Mac McAnally
Paul Franklin
Sam Bush
Pinnacle Award
Taylor Swift
Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
Kenny Rogers
 
Check here for CMA Broadcast Award Winners, which were presented earlier in September.

Brantley Gilbert Previews Upcoming Album in Nashville

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gilbert album preview

Brantley Gilbert Preview Party


Ahead of the 47th Annual CMA Awards tonight (Nov. 6), Big Machine Label Group invited members of the music industry to preview tracks from Brantley Gilbert‘s upcoming The Valory Music Co. project. The BMLG offices were appropriately decked in 1930s theme, reflecting Gilbert’s music video, while guests dined on roasted autumn vegetables, baked spaghetti pie, and braised beef ribs.
“He’s upped himself vocally in the studio. He’s got such a powerful voice,” praised BMLG CEO Scott Borchetta, who was clearly in a great mood after receiving news that BMLG artists had already won two CMA trophies ahead of tonight’s (Nov. 6) awards.
“If he sleeps, he’s like Batman,” Gilbert said jokingly of Borchetta. “He sleeps upside down with his cell phone right next to him to answer it. Seriously, though, anytime I call, he answers.” Gilbert also noted that fans can expect an even harder edge from his new music.
The preview began with the bass-thumping Country-rock of “Bottoms Up,” Gilbert’s upcoming single, to be released Dec. 16. A video clip for the song featured a similar 1930s feel; the car from the video was brought to the preview party. “We shot the video to have a 1930s time period feel and I’m dressed like Al Capone,” said Gilbert. “I had gorgeous women helping me and they were my accomplices. That’s unrealistic, though. I ran around a long time ago, and the people that helped me out had fewer teeth,” he quipped. At least one thing is realistic in the video: the policeman featured in the clip. “He’s part of the police from my hometown and really did chase me down a few times,” said Gilbert.
While the album heavily incorporates hard rock sounds, it is also a highly personal for Gilbert, who also previewed the emotional ballad “I’m Gone,” co-written with Wendell Mobley. “Every record needs a good breakup song,” says Gilbert, who alluded that the song is about his breakup with Jana Kramer. “Some of you might put two and two together,” says Gilbert. “Before a certain relationship started, we wrote this song. After the relationship ended, I went back and tweaked a few words to make it more relevant. When my last relationship ended, I walked out the door and right into the studio,” said Gilbert. “I get there and this was the song we were recording. That was some interesting [stuff].” The timing made for a breakup-fueled, raw emotional vocal.
He also played “17 Again,” a song Borchetta said sounds like a future radio single. “We’ve all got memories of the first person you kissed, the first person you made out with, the first person you can just talk on the phone with for hours,” said Gilbert. “When you get into relationships and you are talking on the phone for hours and you are a grown man, it makes you feel like a teenager again.”
With a release date pending, Gilbert’s upcoming project will be his second for The Valory Music Co., following 2010’s Halfway To Heaven, which included the singles “Country Must Be Country Wide,” “Kick It In The Sticks,” “You Don’t Know Her Like I Do,” and “More Than Miles,” among others.
A full track listing for the album can be viewed here.

Dean Dillon Named BMI Icon At 61st Annual Awards

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Jody Williams; Sony Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Danny Strick, and Martin Bandier; BMI Icon Dean Dillon; Songwriter of the Year Rodney Clawson; Song of the Year Honorees Troy Verges and Hunter Hayes; and BMI’s Michael O’Neill. (Photo by John Russell)

Dean Dillon reached Icon status last night as BMI honored the longtime hitmaker with its prestigious Icon award during its 61st annual awards ceremony in Nashville. Dillon is one of a handful of songwriters who have achieved this lofty status, and Luke Bryan, Lee Ann Womack, Kenny Chesney, and George Strait were all on hand to recognize Dillon’s talent and pay homage to the singer/songwriter during the evening.

Strait, who’s recorded a whopping 54 Dillon-penned tunes over the course of his own iconic career, performed three of those hits for the crowd: “The Chair,” “Marina Del Rey,” and “Here For A Good Time.” Bryan performed Strait’s Dillon-penned classic “Unwound,” Womack performed “An Empty Glass,” and Chesney offered up the classic “Holed Up In Some Honky Tonk” in tribute to the legendary writer.
Other honorees during the evening included Hunter Hayes and Troy Verges, whose song “Wanted” took home Song of the Year honors, Rodney Clawson, who was named Songwriter of the Year, and Sony ATV Publishing, who received the nod for Publisher of the Year.

Brad Paisley, Little Big Town Victims of Children's Cancer Hoax

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Brad Paisley


Brad Paisley and wife Kimberly Williams Paisley were victims of a hoax by a scam artist pretending that her daughter was dying of cancer, according to abcnews.com.
Hope Jackson was arrested and jailed in Douglas, Wyo. for a felony charge of theft of services after having Paisley sing “Amazing Grace” over the phone to her fictitious dying child. The woman was allegedly using photographs taken from various websites to commit this and other scams on unsuspecting victims for the past 4 or 5 years. Her lies included stories with children’s drawings, photos, and an elaborate tale of her little girl’s illness of neuroblastoma. Instead of asking for money, the woman apparently simply craved attention from celebrities and other caring people.

“She used fraud to get him to sing,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley told Nightline. “That was the crime that was committed.”

“I think that’s sicker,” Brad Paisley added. “I would have welcomed the thought that this was something as simple as a woman scheming.”

Jackson had also approached Wipeout host John Henson with her story, which is how the fraud eventually came to light when he became suspicious and alerted Nightline execs to the story. The woman had also fooled Little Big Town, Mandisa, Kate Gosselin, Natalie Grant, and others with her story of a gravely ill child. The Paisleys spoke out to Nightline about the hoax but also expressed concern that this not deter celebrities from helping others in need in the future.
“That’s a huge part of why I do what I do is so that I can use my influence for good and to help,” Kimberly Williams-Paisley said. “And if there is someone that I can help, I will help.”

Bryan Named Headliner For 2014 Boots and Hearts Festival

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Luke Bryan

Luke Bryan


Republic Live, organizers of the Boots and Hearts Music Festival, has revealed that Luke Bryan is confirmed to headline at Boots and Hearts next summer. Bryan joins previously announced Boots and Hearts headliner, Blake Shelton, at the Canadian Tire Motorsport Park in Bowmanville, Ontario. The festival will take place July 31 – Aug. 3, 2014.
“Luke Bryan is on an absolute tear right now with the second highest album sales of 2013 in any genre behind Justin Timberlake, and being our fans most desired artist to see in our exit polls. It’s a huge honour to have him want to be a part of Boots and Hearts this summer,” said Shannon McNevan, Executive Director, Republic Live. “As reigning ACM Entertainer of the Year, we know his live performance is going to be one country fans are not going to want to miss. It’s going to be another amazing party this summer with Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan locked in for 2014, and a boatload of great artists still to come.”

CMA Acknowledges International Achievements At Media Reception

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Taylor Swift (L) receives the International Artist Award for 2013 from President Elect of the CMA Board of Directors Frank Bumstead (R).
Photo Credit: Christian Bottorff/CMA


International and local industry professionals were on hand last night (Tuesday, Nov. 5) at the Country Music Hall of Fame for the CMA’s International Media Reception where the 2013 CMA International Awards were presented. Taylor Swift received the International Artist Award for the second time during the reception, an award she first received in 2009 that is presented for outstanding achievement by a U.S.-based artist who contributes to the awareness and development of Country Music outside the U.S.
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Pictured (L-R): President Elect of the CMA Board of Directors Frank Bumstead, Jo Walker-Meador, and Jeff Walker.


Bob Harris received the CMA International Country Broadcaster Award for outstanding achievement by radio broadcasters outside the United States who have made important contributions for the development of Country Music in their country.
Jeff Walker was also acknowledged during the evening’s festivities with the Jo Walker-Meador Award for outstanding achievement by an individual or company in advocating and supporting country’s marketing development in territories outside the U.S.

Weekly Register: The Robertsons, Thomas Rhett and Toby Keith

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Wkly-RegisterAs the anticipation of the 47th annual CMA Awards tonight rises, albums sales across the board are up this week with several debuts. A&E’s first family The Robertsons debut at No. 1 this week (No. 4 overall), with Duck The Halls: A Robertson Family Christmas (Universal Music Group Nashville) selling 69k units. The Duck Dynasty stars sang alongside several big artists on their debut album, including Alison Krauss, Luke Bryan and George Strait. Thomas Rhett’s It Goes Like This (Valory Music Co.) debuts at No. 2 (No. 6 overall), selling 36k units. Toby Keith’s Drinks After Work (Show Dog-Universal Music) debuts at No.3 (No. 7 overall) selling 35k units. The singer’s daughter Krystal Keith recently visited MusicRow’s offices to perform songs from her upcoming album. Other noteworthy debuts include Trace Adkins’ The King’s Gift at No. 20, selling 3.6k units, and Julie Robert‘s Good Wine & Bad Decisions at No. 39 with 1.9k units sold.
kelly_clarkson_wrapped_in_redThe top overall album this week is Arcade Fire’s Reflektor, selling 139k units in its first week. Meanwhile, Kelly Clarkson‘s Wrapped In Red enjoys early holiday success, landing at No. 3 overall with an impressive 70k units sold.
YTD, album sales are down 7 percent, while Country album sales are down 7.9 percent. Next week’s numbers should reflect a boost in sales from tonight’s CMA Awards, airing live from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on ABC at 7 p.m. CST. Stay tuned next week as we dig into the numbers.
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Bryan’s “That’s My Kind of Night” is the top Country track this week (No. 20 overall), selling another 51k unites (1.1 million RTD). Bryan will perform his latest single “Drink A Beer” at the CMA Awards tonight. The top Country debut this week is Rhett’s “Get Me Some of That,” coming in at No. 6 (No. 42 overall) with 30k units sold.

The top overall track is Eminem feat. Rihanna’s “The Monster,” selling 352k units in its debut week. YTD, overall tracks are down 4.1 percent, while Country tracks are up 1.4 percent, yet down from last week’s 2.2 percent.
Country debuts are light next week, with various artists appearing on the release of the Civil War album Divided & United, including Loretta Lynn, Old Crow Medicine Show, Lee Ann Womack, Vince Gill and more.

Barns Named New Nielsen CEO

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nielsenDwight M. “Mitch” Barns has been named Nielsen’s new CEO beginning Jan. 1. A 16-year veteran of the company who has 28 years in marketing, Barns will succeed David L. Calhoun in the position, as Calhoun becomes Executive Chairman of Nielsen’s Board of Directors. The current Chairman of the Board, James M. Kilts, will step down as Chairman but remain on the Board as a member.
“Nielsen is successfully implementing its global strategy, and the time is right to name the next leader to take the company to its next phase of growth,” said Calhoun. “Mitch’s strong track record at the helm of a number of key Nielsen business units around the world –- combined with his vision and commitment to our strategic plan – puts the company on solid footing for continued global expansion and value creation,” he added. “I will continue to remain invested in Mitch’s success in my new role.”
“I am honored by this opportunity to serve Nielsen as its Chief Executive Officer, and I am thankful for the Board’s vote of confidence,” said Barns of the new appointment. “Throughout my 16 years at this company, I’ve been privileged to work side-by-side with talented leaders and associates in Nielsen businesses across the world. I look forward to continuing our work together to anticipate client needs with ongoing innovation and expand our footprint in developing markets, while consistently delivering growth and enhancing shareholder value.”

DISClaimer: It's Country Music Week

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george strait1

George Strait


It’s Country Music Week: Take naps in the daytime and schmooze all night with your music-biz pals.
Appropriately for this season, our Disc of the Day belongs to an undisputed country-music king. That would be George Strait.
Also appropriate is the fact that our DisCovery Award winners made their debut at one of the awards banquets. That would be John & Jacob.
AMY ROSE/Sunshine
Writers: Christopher Alan Young/Phil O’Donnell/Tim James; Producers: Marty Beecroft, Glenn Coulson, Amy Rose; Publisher: none listed; Wild Rose (track)
-This slow, sad ballad of loss is ultra melodic. The production is solid. But the best thing about it is her wonderfully expressive, powerfully range-y and sublimely countrified vocal delivery. This gal has the goods.
SAMMY KERSHAW/Can’t Put My Finger On It
Writers: Tony Mullins/Blair Daly; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Songs of Windswept Pacific/Bless the Bikini/Southside Independent/Almo/Mullintone, BMI; Big Hit (track)
-Sammy’s new CD features re-recordings of his biggest hits, plus a smattering of new tunes. This swampy, funky ditty is one of them. Swerving fiddle work, stuttering guitar and catchy burbled audio effects underscore his light-hearted vocal delivery. Very enjoyable.
ALEX MEIXNER/Three Ring Circus
Writers: Alex Meixner/Ed Klancnik; Producer: Alex Meixner; Producer: none listed, BMI; Meixner (track)
-This hippie-haired guy and his two bandmates opened the Brave Combo polka fest at 3rd & Lindsley last week, and you’ve never heard three people make so much joyous noise. This is the title tune to a 23-tune CD that showcases his musicianship on accordion, trumpet, bass, keyboards and flugelhorn, as well as good-humored vocals. Many of the songs are self-composed. This is proof positive that polka is being reinvented by the next generation.
GEORGE STRAIT/I Got A Car
Writers: Keith Gattis/Tom Douglas; Producers: Tony Brown/George Strait; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Pioneer Town/Tomdouglasmusic, BMI; MCA Nashville
-I have loved this ever since I first heard it on George’s current Love Is Everything collection. He can’t offer his girl much more than the car he’s driving. But that’s enough to start a saga of lasting romance. You’ll fall in love with this lyric, and the rolling, irresistible tempo will take you home.
CHARLIE MAJOR/Friday Nights and You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; MDM (ERG)
-Canadian superstar Major takes a thumping working-man tune out for a spin. His conversational vocal isn’t exactly powerful, but it certainly sells this effectively, particularly with the production’s emphasis on percussion and some shouting background folks. Very catchy.
JERROD NIEMANN/Drink To That All Night
Writers: Derek George/Lance Miller/Brad Warren/Brett Warren; Producers: Jimmie Lee Sloas and Jerrod Niemann; Publishers: WB/Funky Friar/Songs of Style Sonic/Melvin’s Bullets/Melvin’s Pistol/EMI Blackwood/Sagequinnjude/Farmlove, ASCAP/SESAC/BMI; Sea Gayle/Arista
-This man continues to make some of the most imaginative sounding country music of our day. On this party rocker, he mixes straightforward chorus singing with processed vocals on the verses and a densely produced, layered electro track. I remain a fan, and my hat’s off for audio innovation.
John&Jacob

John&Jacob


JOHN & JACOB/Be My Girl
Writers: John Davidson/Jacob Bryant/Derrick Southerland; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Major Bob/Castle Bound/Derrick Southerland, ASCAP/SESAC; Major Bob (track)
-These guys sang their co-written hit “Done” at the SESAC banquet, and Mike Doyle introduced us. Their five-song EP kicks off with this sunny, bopping, Everly-esque duet. It has already been featured on the Nashville TV series and picked up airplay in their hometown of Birmingham and elsewhere. Crunchy, infectious and unstoppable, this little thing is a programmer’s delight. Get on board now: This is an act to watch.
BUSH HAWG/More Than Corn
Writers: Shaun Ames/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producer: Michael Knox; Publishers: Music of Cal IV/WB/Melissa’s Money/Get a Load of This Music/EMI Blackwood/Beattyville/Great Day at This Music, BMI/ASCAP; RCA
-It’s something loud and rocking about living rural, raising hell, acting religious and being patriotic. Ho hum.
LILLY OF THE WEST/My Window Faces South
Writers: Bob Wills; Producer: Lilly of the West; Publisher: none listed; Musicauter (track)
-Lead singer and fiddler Lilly Drumeva is visiting Nashville and studying country music. She aims to write the first Bulgarian-language book about the genre. Back home, she hosts her nation’s only country radio show and fronts this hot-picking band. This western-swing track appears on the group’s ninth CD, Swings and Heartaches. She got the thrill of her life when she got up to sing it on stage with The Time Jumpers late last month. By the way, in addition to seven country classics (Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, Johnny Cash, etc.), the album includes “Malka Moma si se Bogu Moli” and “Brala Moma Ruzha Cvete,” which are traditional Bulgarian songs given acoustic-country arrangements.
BILL ANDERSON & WILLIE NELSON/Bubba Garcia’s
Writers: Bill Anderson/Buddy Cannon/Jamey Johnson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; TWI (track)
–Life!, the new CD by living legend Anderson, drops digitally a week from today. Whispering Bill’s guests on the collection include Dailey & Vincent, Vince Gill, Joey + Rory, John Anderson and Willie Nelson. The last named merrily duets on this lively, Mexicali-flavored ditty about a guy who’s half redneck and half hispanic and his “barbecue cantina & moonshine margarita” roadhouse. One of its TVs shows NASCAR races and the other one shows bull fights.