2013 MusicRow Award Winners

/by

Jimmy Yeary (L) and Jessi Alexander perform Song of the Year "I Drive Your Truck," which they wrote with Connie Harrington.

Jimmy Yeary (L) and Jessi Alexander perform Song of the Year “I Drive Your Truck,” which they wrote with Connie Harrington.


Kacey Musgraves accepts Breakthrough Artist of the Year.

Kacey Musgraves accepts Breakthrough Artist of the Year.


Photos by Isabel Ross
MusicRow Magazine presented its 25th annual subscriber-voted MusicRow Awards on June 25 during a ceremony hosted by ASCAP at the organization’s Nashville offices. The awards event, led by MusicRow Publisher and Owner Sherod Robertson, recognized the 2013 Breakthrough Artist, Breakthrough Songwriter, Song of the Year and Producer of the Year. Additionally, Top Ten Album All-Star Musician Awards were presented to session players who performed on the most top ten albums during the eligibility period.
25th Annual MusicRow Award Winners
Breakthrough Songwriter—Kacey Musgraves (co-writer of “Merry Go ‘Round,” “Mama’s Broken Heart”)
Producer of the Year—Dann Huff (Hunter Hayes, The Band Perry, Brantley Gilbert, Rascal Flatts, Kelly Clarkson)
Breakthrough Artist—Kacey Musgraves
Song of the Year (tie)—“I Drive Your Truck,” by Jessi Alexander, Connie Harrington, and Jimmy Yeary (published by Vistaville Music/Happy Tears Music/EMI Blackwood/Watch This Girl Publishing/Great Day At This Time Music/Beattyville Music)
—“Merry Go ‘Round,” by Kacey Musgraves, Josh Osborne, and Shane McAnally (published by 351 Music/Warner Tamerlane Publishing/Crazy Water Music/Little Blue Egg/Universal Music Corporation/Want A Fresh One)

Top 10 Album All-Star Musician Awards
Vocals—Wes Hightower
Keys—Charles Judge
Guitar—Ilya Toshinsky
Steel—(tie) Dan Dugmore and Paul Franklin
Bass—Jimmie Lee Sloas
Fiddle—(tie) Jonathan Yudkin, Larry Franklin, and Stuart Duncan
Drums—(tie) Greg Morrow and Shannon Forrest
Engineer—Justin NiebankAn in-depth look at the award recipients can be found in MusicRow’s June/July 2013 print edition, available now.MRAwardsLogo In addition, the magazine features an exclusive interview with music video director Shaun Silva, owner of Tacklebox Films and Forward, revealing his desire to push the envelope as he and his team expand into new territories. The issue also offers a one-on-one conversation with fashion icon Manuel, who discusses his career and how at age 75, he is launching a new line to help his students showcase their own designs.
Single copies of the awards issue are available for purchase at musicrow.com for $10, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost. The MusicRow Awards are one of three annual events hosted by MusicRow. Others include Rising Women on the Row and the CountryBreakout Awards.
Dann Huff is honored as Producer of the Year by (L-R): MusicRow's Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates and Eric Parker

Dann Huff is honored as Producer of the Year by (L-R): MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson, Sarah Skates and Eric Parker

Signings and Hirings

/by

• Still Working Music has signed songwriter Ryan Lafferty. Lafferty, a West Virginia native, moved to Nashville in the summer of 2012; he is currently recording with producer Jeff Stevens. “I am so excited to be working with Ryan,” says Chief Creative Officer Tommy Lee James. “He is not only an amazing singer but a great asset to our writing team over here at Still Working.”

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee, Senior Creative Director BMG Chrysalis; Alex Orbison, President Still Working Music; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director Still Working Music; Ryan Lafferty ;Kos Weaver, EVP BMG Chrysalis; Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer Still Working Music; Scott Safford, Lafferty's lawyer, Safford-Motley.

Pictured (L-R): Daniel Lee, Senior Creative Director, BMG Chrysalis; Alex Orbison, President, Still Working Music; Kendall Lettow, Creative Director, Still Working Music; Ryan Lafferty; Kos Weaver, EVP, BMG Chrysalis; Tommy Lee James, Chief Creative Officer, Still Working Music; Scott Safford, Lafferty’s attorney, Safford-Motley.

 

brandon perdue

Brandon Perdue


• Catch This Music LLC (CTM) has hired in-house audio engineer Brandon Perdue. Perdue, a 2006 Belmont University graduate, spent three years as a production coordinator and assistant engineer for producer Blake Chancey. He also worked at Chancey’s RPM Music Group, managing the publishing catalog and serving as an in-house engineer.
Since 2010, Perdue has also produced and engineering independently, recording and developing acts. “Brandon has a terrific track record, and Catch This Music is very excited to be welcoming him on as an in-house audio engineer,” says CEO Eddie Robba. “We know his contributions to the team will be essential to future CTM projects.”
farewell drifters 2013 photo•Folk-rock quartet Farewell Drifters has signed to Compass Records. The group is currently preparing their album Tomorrow Forever for a fall 2013 release.
“We are super pumped about this new record and felt that it really deserved the added energy of a label behind it. That is why we are so excited to partner with Compass, one of the premier independent roots labels,” says lead singer and guitarist Zach Bevill. “Together, we have a vision for where this record could go and how to take it there. It’s a great time to be a part of this band!”
 

Little Jimmy Dickens To Begin Short-Term Radiation Treatments

/by

jimmy dickens photo 2013

Little Jimmy Dickens performs on the Grand Ole Opry.


Grand Ole Opry icon Jimmy Dickens, 92, is set to begin three weeks of short-term radiation treatments for a pre-cancerous condition on his vocal cords next week. The Opry member’s doctors expect him to make a full recovery.
“I can’t begin to express my sincere gratitude for the thoughts and prayers that are being sent my way,” Dickens said. “My family and I appreciate the support, and I can’t wait to return home to the stage of the Grand Ole Opry in one of my favorite rhinestone suits someday soon.”
The entertainer has been unable to perform on the Grand Ole Opry stage for most of this year. His most recent scheduled Opry appearance was on Dec. 22, 2012, and he also made a surprise appearance on the Opry stage on April 12.
Dickens became a Grand Ole Opry member in 1948 and was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1983. Among his hit songs are “Take An Old Cold Tater (And Wait),” “Country Boy,” “Out Behind The Barn” and “May The Bird Of Paradise Fly Up Your Nose.”
Cards and well wishes can be sent to the address below:
Jimmy Dickens
c/o Grand Ole Opry House
2804 Opryland Drive
Nashville, TN 37214

Former MTV Networks CEO McGrath Joins Sony Music

/by

judy mcgrath 2013

Judy McGrath


Judy McGrath, former MTV Networks CEO, has joined Sony Music to create an entertainment production division inside the music major label. According to the New York Post, the venture has been named Astronauts Wanted: No Experience Necessary. The unit will focus on developing content aimed at young viewers, reaching across all platforms, including television and the internet. McGrath says the content will go beyond music.
Beginning in 2004, McGrath was responsible for the cable lineup for MTV, Comedy Central and Nickelodeon. She is credited with introducing reality television fare to the network, including popular programs Real World and Jersey Shore. McGrath departed MTV Networks in May 2011.
McGrath has worked at Sony Music’s headquarters for the past several months, but did not sign a formal contract until this past weekend.

Eagles Catalog Becomes Available On Subscription Music Services

/by
The Eagles

The Eagles


As of Tuesday (June 25), the Eagles catalog will be available to subscription music services including Spotify, Rhapsody, Rdio and Deezer. Nine Eagles titles available for streaming include Their Greatest Hits 1971-1975, Eagles Greatest Hits Volume 2, Hotel California and The Long Run.
The release of the catalog to subscription services comes after the group’s catalog appeared, then disappeared from Rdio in May 2013.
The Eagles were part of a small number of prominent artists still holding out from subscription services, including The Beatles, Led Zepplin, AC/DC and Garth Brooks (who signed an exclusive retail agreement with Walmart in 2005).

Dan Hodges Music Signs Deal with Songwriter Jonathan Cain

/by

Songwriter Jonathan Cain has inked a catalog representation agreement with Dan Hodges Music, LLC. Cain is best-known as a keyboardist and long-time member of the band Journey. Cain has been awarded two BMI Songwriting awards (for “Open Arms” and  “Who’s Crying Now”), as well as “The Diamond Award” (commemorating sales of more than 10 million).
Cain’s songs have been recorded by Michael Bolton, Sammy Hagar, Kenny Rogers, Heart, Gregg Allman, Conway Twitty, The Oak Ridge Boys, Colin Raye, Lorrie Morgan and Mariah Carey.
“We were introduced to Jonathan’s attorney and administrator, Jerry Butler, by our shared S. African sub-publisher, Geoff Paynter, on the last night of MIDEM earlier this year in Cannes,” says Dan Hodges. “Jerry put the deal together and we so appreciate the opportunity to work with both Jonathan and his daughter, Madison Cain, as she pursues music with both a God-given talent and the support of her dad. It will be exciting to see what we can accomplish for everyone involved in this camp. Jonathan is a class act and his enthusiasm is endless.”
Dan Hodges Music can be reached at 615-401-7399.

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Cain and Dan Hodges working on demos at Cain's Addiction Sound Studios located in Berry Hill, Nashville.

Pictured (L-R): Jonathan Cain and Dan Hodges working on demos at Cain’s Addiction Sound Studios located in Berry Hill, Nashville.

Festival News: Delta Country Jam, Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival

/by

songwriters festivalSinger-songwriters will fill East Tennessee with music as part of the Smoky Mountains Songwriters Festival  on Aug. 15-18 in Gatlinburg, Tenn. This year’s lineup will include songwriters Bill Labounty (“Rock My World,” Brooks and Dunn), Kim Williams (“Ain‘t Goin’ Down Till The Sun Comes Up,” Garth Brooks), Bobby Tomberlin (“One More Day,” Diamond Rio), Mark Nesler (“Just To See You Smile,” Tim McGraw), Chris Wallin (“Don’t Blink,” Kenny Chesney), Marty Dodson (“We Must Be Doing Something Right,” Billy Currington) and Clay Mills (“Beautiful Mess,” by Diamond Rio).
This year’s festival will also feature the SMSWF 2013 Band Playoff at 3 Jimmy’s, where the top 20 bands will compete and finalists for the Songwriters Competition will perform Aug. 17 at the Edgewater Hotel. Songwriter workshop sessions will also be offered during the festival. For more information, visit smswf.com.

• • •

delta country jam11The First Annual Delta Country Jam, held in Tunica, Miss. on Oct. 4-5, has added Billy Currington, Kellie Pickler, Randy Houser and others to the star-packed line-up. They will join previously announced headliner Tim McGraw, plus Brantley Gilbert, Jerrod Niemann, Thompson Square and Josh Thompson. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased through Ticketmaster.
 

48th Annual ACM Awards Engage Millions Of Fans

/by

acmDuring the 48th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards week in Las Vegas, ACM artists, events, sponsors and digital and media platforms reached 160,000 Vegas fans and millions of viewers. The ACM Awards (held April 7) and ACM Presents: Tim McGraw’s Superstar Summer Night (which aired May 19) were viewed by approximately 23 million fans combined.
“We had our highest ratings in 15 years, and one of the best moments in the history of our show with the Dick Clark tribute performance, featuring George Strait and Garth Brooks,” said Academy of Country Music CEO Bob Romeo. “Two of the most accomplished performers in country honoring one of the Academy’s ‘founding fathers.’ Dick was one of the early hosts of the show, and a driving force in our organization for so many years. It’s this kind of special moment that helped us captivate the audience and demonstrated the level that we were striving for this year.”
The ACM Awards featured performances by Jason Aldean, Brooks, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Kelly Clarkson, McGraw, Taylor Swift, Carrie Underwood, Keith Urban and more. According to SocialGuide, the awards had fans Tweeting 6,200 times per minute.

[Updated] Artist News: Hot Chelle Rae Gets Bieber Fever

/by

Hot Chelle Rae

Hot Chelle Rae


• Hot Chelle Rae, the pop/rock band comprised of several Nashville natives, is on the road with Justin Bieber this summer. The mega-star’s Believe outing will feature HCR and Mike Posner on dates that started last weekend and continue through July 20 in Boston. Following that leg, the tour heads north for a run through Canada with openers HCR and Cody Simpson in late July and early August.
• Carrie Underwood has been added to the lineup for the Oklahoma Twister Relief Concert on July 6. Due to a previously scheduled show at the Grand Ole Opry, the Oklahoma native’s performance will be aired via satellite from the Grand Ole Opry House in Nashville to the Gaylord Family-Oklahoma Memorial Stadium in Norman, Okla.
• Eli Young Band has another reason to celebrate. Their single “Crazy Girl” has been certified RIAA Double Platinum for more than two million copies sold. “Crazy Girl” was previously named the Academy of Country Music’s Song of the Year.
• Christian artist Matthew West will play at the Grand Ole Opry on Wednesday (June 26). This will be West’s third time on the Grand Ole Opry stage and he will appear alongside Opry members Bill Anderson, Larry Gatlin and Ricky Skaggs, as well as Keith Anderson, Sunny Sweeney, Aaron Tippin and newcomer Sara Haze.
• The new Kanye West album Yeezus includes a sample of Brenda Lee’s song “Sweet Nothin’s.” The clip is used in West’s song “Bound 2,” the last track on the album.
•  Kenny Chesney’s stadium concert at Pittsburgh’s Heinz Field on Saturday (June 22) was pretty rowdy, according numerous local news reports. Among the 50,000 concertgoers, there were more than 70 arrests, mostly due to disorderly conduct, public intoxication and aggravated assault. Additionally, 43 minors were cited for underage drinking and about 200 people were treated for medical needs or transported to medical facilities. The event received rave reviews anyway.

Industry Ink (6-25-13)

/by

spalding entertainment photo 2013Artist Manager Camy McArdle has left Spalding Entertainment after 15 years with the company. McArdle can be reached at 615-300-6768 or here.

• • •

The 40th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational 2013 recently presented $73,000 to the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. Since 1973, the Annual Music City Tennis Invitational has raised over $1.5 million for Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt from MCTI tournament player registrations, corporate sponsors, donors and songwriter showcases.

MCTI 2013 check presentation111

• • •

The Florida Restaurant and Lodging Association held their summer board meeting recently in Boca Raton, Fla. During the meeting, the state’s top restaurateurs and hoteliers were treated to a performance by BMI Nashville songwriter Danny Myrick. Myrick played a number of his popular songs including the Jason Aldean hit “She’s Country” and his Top 10 song “International Harvester” recorded by Craig Morgan.

Pictured (from l-to-r): Hilton Fort Lauderdale Managing Director Kevin Speidel, Wyndham-Tampa Bay GM Pam Avery, BMI’s Dan Spears, Incoming FRLA Chairman and Ritz Carlton-Amelia Island GM Jim McManemon, Danny Myrick, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover and Tradewinds Island Resorts President Keith Overton.

Pictured (L-R): Hilton Fort Lauderdale Managing Director Kevin Speidel, Wyndham-Tampa Bay GM Pam Avery, BMI’s Dan Spears, Incoming FRLA Chairman and Ritz Carlton-Amelia Island GM Jim McManemon, Danny Myrick, FRLA President & CEO Carol Dover and Tradewinds Island Resorts President Keith Overton.

• • •

Black River‘s Director of National Promotion, Bill Lubitz, married Amy Lewis on Saturday (June 22). They were wed at the Las Vegas JW Marriott.

MrandMrsLubitz111

Bill and Amy Lubitz. Photo Credit: J. Anne Photography