Primetime 'Nashville': Take These Chains From My Heart

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nashvillebromance

The friendly bromance between Gunnar and Will hit a snag when the cowboy made an uninvited pass at his neighbor.


Take These Chains From My Heart Season 1 | Episode 118 | Aired 05/01/2013
Nashville returned with the first of four new episodes last night (May 1), leading up to the season finale on May 22. ABC has yet to renew the show for next season, but the network will reveal its upcoming primetime schedule on Tuesday, May 14. Last night’s episode placed third in the 10 p.m. ET hour, coming in behind CBS and NBC with about 5.3 million viewers, according to Zap2It. The site predicts renewal.
At the beginning of the episode Rayna and producer Liam started a fling and planned a romantic getaway to St. Lucia, but by the end of the show, she ditched the trip and wound up in Deacon’s arms. Onstage at her Nashville concert Rayna and Liam sang “Postcard from Mexico,” which was new to the show, though according to the script was a song written years ago by Rayna and Deacon. It was actually penned by John Hadley and David Olney. Watching in the audience, Deacon couldn’t bear to see her sing it with another man, so his girlfriend ditched him and he confessed his feelings to Rayna.

It was an eventful episode for Deacon, who quit his gig as Juliette’s band leader, but will finish the current leg of the tour. Juliette wasn’t bothered (she called him “replaceable”) because she had plenty of other drama to deal with. Her boyfriend Dante “helped” her find a new home to purchase, through his “friend” a real estate agent. But they scammed her out of about $500,000 and high-tailed it out of town. He also framed Juliette’s mom Jolene by placing prescription drugs in her bag, almost landing her back in rehab until Juliette discovered the truth. To Juliette, it was just further proof that no one can be trusted. With a name like Dante, what did she expect?
In Scarlett-land, she finally met Rayna and scored Gunnar a second audition for Rayna’s imprint on Edgehill Republic. (Scarlett is the label’s first signee.) Gunnar was less than enthusiastic about the opportunity. However, he started to come into his own as a performer during open mic night at Tootsie’s, where was approached by manager Jack Nelson. He debuted a rockin’ new sound with “Gun for a Mouth” (written by David Poe). His stage-swagger tips came from pal/neighbor Will. The singing cowboy, who seemed like such a ladies’ man when he’s working the bar, made an unwelcome drunken pass at Gunnar, potentially ending their friendly bromance.
Are we supposed to believe that any modern-day twentysomething hangs clothes on the line to dry?

Are we supposed to believe that any modern-day twentysomething hangs clothes on the line to dry?


The scenes with Rayna and father Lamar display some of the show’s best acting. Last night, amid a spread of aged newspaper clippings, he confessed how closely he had followed her career, even though sometimes he disagreed with it. He wasn’t so kind to other daughter Tandy, who has long been his right-hand business associate. Tandy tried to one-up Daddy by telling deputy mayor Coleman that Lamar will soon be taking a lesser role in the family company. She also pointed Coleman toward a career-crippiling secret in Teddy’s past. Mayor Teddy kicked girlfriend Peggy to the curb after he found out she leaked news of his divorce to the tabloids, and that she had been in cahoots with Lamar.
• • • •
Big Machine Records/Universal Music Canada will release the second installment of The Music of Nashville (Season I, Volume 2) on May 7. The first installment has sold over 2 million tracks in the U.S. The project features new music from Lennon and Maisy Stella (Maddie & Daphne Conrad), Connie Britton (Rayna Jaymes), Hayden Panettiere (Juliette Barnes), Charles Esten (Deacon Claybourne), Jonathan Jackson (Avery Barkley), Clare Bowen (Scarlett O’Connor) and Sam Palladio (Gunnar Scott). Also contributing are producers T Bone Burnett, Buddy Miller, Gabriel Witcher, Garth Fundis, Frank Liddell, Dan Auerbach and Ross Copperman. Big Machine Records is promoting Lennon and Maisy’s “Ho Hey” to country radio.

Performers Set for CMA Fest Riverfront Stage

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Eric Paslay making the video to announcement all of the 2013 Riverfront performers. Photo: Christian Bottorff.

Eric Paslay making the video to announce the 2013 Riverfront performers. Photo: Christian Bottorff.


The Chevrolet Riverfront Stage will host nearly 50 artists during the 2013 CMA Music Festival, June 6-9, in downtown Nashville.
Riverfront stage performances kickoff on Thursday, June 6 at 10:00 a.m. with Sara Evans.
Additional hit-makers performing at the free concerts running over four days include Keith Anderson, Greg Bates, Blackberry Smoke, Craig Campbell, Mark Chesnutt, Brett Eldredge, Rachel Farley, Tyler Farr, Colt Ford, Gloriana, The Grascals, Steve Holy, Casey James, Kristen Kelly, Aaron Lewis, Lonestar, Love and Theft, Dustin Lynch, Jo Dee Messina, Ronnie Milsap, Craig Morgan, David Nail, Joe Nichols, Jerrod Niemann, Paslay, Maggie Rose, Corey Smith, Tate Stevens, Sunny Sweeney, Phil Vassar, Chuck Wicks, Gretchen Wilson, and Darryl Worley.
“We strive each year to book an entertaining mix of classic performers, traditional favorites, and up-and-comers to keep the concert experience at Riverfront fresh and exciting for our fans,” said Steve Moore, CMA Chief Executive Officer.
Watch Eric Paslay sing the May 1 performer announcement here.
Debut performances on the Riverfront Stage this year including Bates, Blackberry Smoke, Farley, Farr, Kelly, Lewis, Milsap, Paslay, Rose, and Stevens.
Admittance to the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage is free, but four-day ticket holders have an exclusive 45-minute, early-entrance window before the gates open to the general public.

Key West Songwriters Festival Kicks Off

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BMI kicked off the 18th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival in sunny Florida on Wednesday, May 1 with a concert featuring Gary Clark, Jr. at the Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier. Pictured are (l-r): BMI’s Mark Mason; manager Blayne Tucker; Gary Clark, Jr.; Key West Mayor Craig Cates; and Key West Songwriters Festival founder Charlie Bauer. Photo by Nick Doll

BMI kicked off the 18th Annual Key West Songwriters Festival in sunny Florida on Wednesday, May 1 with a concert featuring Gary Clark, Jr. at the Ocean Key Resort’s Sunset Pier. Pictured (l-r): BMI’s Mark Mason; manager Blayne Tucker; Gary Clark, Jr.; Key West Mayor Craig Cates; and Key West Songwriters Festival founder Charlie Bauer. Photo by Nick Doll


The Key West Songwriters Festival opened yesterday (May 1) and will run through May 5. BMI and the Smokin’ Tuna Saloon are presenting the 18th annual event. Set to perform at the 50-odd shows are hitmakers Jeffrey Steele, Paul Overstreet, Bob DiPiero, Lori McKenna, Bobby Pinson, Chuck Cannon, Keith Stegall, Liz Rose, Paul Jenkins, James Slater, Doug Johnson, Even Stevens, Steve Cropper, World Famous Headliners (Pat McLaughlin, Shawn Camp and Al Anderson), Robert Earl Keen, Guthrie Trapp, and many more.
A free street concert on Saturday, May 4, will be a highlight of the festival with a full-band and a Key West-style party featuring Sony artists Bush Hawg, Joanna Smith and Tate Stevens.
Proceeds benefit SHARE Military Initiative at Shepherd Center, a comprehensive rehabilitation program for service members with traumatic brain injury and PTSD.

AIMP Names Administrative Director

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Pictured: Denise Nichols (Primacy Firm), Walter Campbell (Big Garage Music), Heather Cook (Cook’n Up Music), Jewel Coburn (Ten Ten Music) and Kevin Lamb (peermusic)

AIMP Nashville leaders pictured (L-R): Denise Nichols (Primacy Firm), Walter Campbell (Big Garage Music), Heather Cook (Cook’n Up Music), Jewel Coburn (Ten Ten Music) and Kevin Lamb (peermusic)

The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville Chapter has announced the addition of Heather Cook as Administrative Director. Cook has over 10 years corporate experience, is the owner of Cook’n Up Music and has been assisting AIMP as a volunteer during the past year. Cook replaces Jill Napier, who recently stepped down to accept a full-time position. Napier helped establish the Nashville Chapter of AIMP.

“Heather has been involved with the Nashville Chapter as a dedicated volunteer for over the past year. Not only does she have a good feel for how we operate, but also her enthusiasm is contagious! I know I speak for the full board when I say we are pleased to have her as our new AD, and are looking forward to working with her,” says Kevin Lamb, VP, peermusic Nashville; and President, AIMP Nashville Chapter.

AIMP Nashville’s mission is to present quarterly educational and networking events for independent publishers and the Nashville music community. AIMP is a non-profit organization with chapters in Los Angeles, New York and Nashville.

Decosimo Adds Rich Lockwood

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Rich Lockwood

Rich Lockwood


Decosimo has added Rich Lockwood, CPA, as an assurance principal in its Nashville office. Lockwood comes to the firm with more than 20 years of accounting, auditing and advisory experience serving public and private company clients in numerous industries including construction, government, healthcare, financial services, higher education and not-for-profit.
Lockwood is active with the Nashville Entrepreneur Center and Jumpstart Foundry’s mentor program for startup businesses.
Decosimo’s Nashville office has added two new principals within the last six months, with Lockwood and Larry Felts joining principals Ken Lowery, Ronald Williams, Mike Vaden and Jennifer Lane. Decosimo has nine locations in Tennessee, Georgia, Alabama, Ohio and the Cayman Islands.

Del Bryant To Retire From BMI, Relocate To Nashville

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del bryantDel Bryant will retire in June 2014 and will relocate from New York to Nashville. He worked at BMI for 42 years and will continue as a consultant for the company.
“I’ve been privileged to lead this company I love, one of the world’s greatest music companies,” Bryant said via a statement. “I began my career with BMI in 1972 and after four decades with the company and 10 years as CEO, I’m excited to be moving back to my hometown of Nashville where my family and I will build a farm on beautiful land purchased by my folks with money earned from their BMI catalog. I look forward to working with the board during the transition period, and to supporting the company as a consultant after retiring as CEO.”
Bryant is the son of the late Boudleaux and Felice Bryant, Nashville songwriters who wrote “Bye Bye Love,” “All I Have To Do Is Dream,” “Wake Up Little Susie,” “Rocky Top,” the state song of Tennessee and other hits.
The board of directors has formed a committee to choose Bryant’s successor.
Bryant’s letter to BMI staff is included below:
————————–
My Dear Colleagues,
Milestones and dreams have formed a decision that I want to share with you. Earlier this year I requested the board renew my contract only through June of 2014, when I will step down as President and CEO. June 2014 will mark 42 years of service to BMI with 10 years as President and CEO. In 2014 I will be 65 and my son Tad will be 10.
In the last couple of years, Carolyn and I have realized that Tad is much more of a country kid than city kid. We have created something that we call the “farm dream” which means a house with a lot of land for animals and gardens. In order to make this dream a reality we will be moving to my hometown, Nashville, in the summer of 2014. We will be building a farm on beautiful property purchased by my folks with money earned from their BMI catalog. It is a tract upon which my father always hoped to build and live. The idea of going home, melding my dad’s dream with ours, being with other branches of my family and dear friends, playing with Tad, having great school options, tinkering with projects, and relaxing is very exciting.
In a little over a year I’ll focus on how blessed I feel to have forged such a rewarding career helping songwriters and publishers. I will highlight the incredible accomplishments of this team. We’ll reminisce about time together. Again, that’s over a year away. In the meantime, I have a lot to do and I remain intensely committed to the work at hand at the company I love.
The board’s esteem for my career contributions is evident in their excitement for me and support. I stand ready to lend my insight and history as they embark on the same process as when I succeeded Frances Preston. I’m certain that the board’s wisdom and experience will result in a leadership team that will be great for the company, the communities we serve, and the industry. I will work tirelessly to help prepare my successor and will, along with the board, keep you abreast of the search and transition. I will also remain engaged as a consultant. Thereafter, as I’ve always been, an ambassador for BMI.
Thank you in advance for your well wishes and for keeping your priorities right where they are and where they need to be: on business as usual and hard work.
Del

Industry Ink (5-1-13)

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Libby Esposito, mother of John Esposito, President & CEO of Warner Music Nashville, passed away on Wednesday, May 1, at the age of 93. MusicRow offers its condolences to John Esposito and his family.

jeff allen

Jeff Allen

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Jeff Allen has signed with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and will participate in its ongoing “Nashville Guitars and Bars” artist development initiative.

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Reunion Records announces the signing of California-based worship leader, songwriter and blogger Tim Timmons. His debut album titled Cast My Cares releases June 4.
Erika

Erika Cole

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Singer/songwriter Erika Cole has signed a management deal with Capri Nashville, the company founded by entertainment attorney Christian Barker. Cole is a graduate of the Berklee College of Music.

ASCAP Celebrates Amy Grant's 'How Mercy Looks From Here'

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Pictured (L to R): Vince Gill, Jeremy Bose, Ben Glover, Amy Grant, Luke Laird, Molly Reed, Marshall Altman, Eric Paslay and Keb Mo (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Amy Grant)

Pictured (L to R): Vince Gill, Jeremy Bose, Ben Glover, Amy Grant, Luke Laird, Molly Reed, Marshall Altman, Eric Paslay and Keb Mo (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Amy Grant).


Yesterday (April 30), ASCAP and Capitol Christian Music Group celebrated the upcoming May 14 release of Amy Grant‘s first album in 10 years, How Mercy Looks From Here. Many of the songs on the project are harvested from a challenging decade for the singer. In late April 2011, Grant’s mother, Gloria Dean Napier Grant, died at age 80. Grant has spent much time caring for her father, Dr. Burton Grant, who has suffered from dementia for the past four years. An appropriate essence of living in the moment, and appreciating life’s joys as well as its heartaches, permeates tracks including “Greet The Day,” “Our Time Is Now” (featuring Carole King), and “Golden.”
The album was produced by Marshall Altman (Natasha Bedingfield, Matt Nathanson, Kate Voegele, Matt Duke, Audrey Assad and Marc Broussard), and Grant says the experience was one that stretched her creatively. “We took the songs that I had written, that we thought were the best ones and Marshall put them through this grueling process of tearing them apart, making me fight for every chorus, every line, which was the best creative experience I could have had. It was a great lesson in just pushing against another creative mind.”
The project features plenty of high-profile collaborations, including Will Hoge (“Shovel In Hand”), Vince Gill (who lent his vocals and guitar work to “Better Not To Know,” “How Mercy Looks From Here,” “Deep As It Is Wide” and “Shovel In Hand”) and James Taylor. Taylor is featured on the album’s first single, “Don’t Try So Hard.”
“I’m a big James Taylor fan,” says Grant. “I’ve stood in many meet and greet lines backstage to say hello to him.” They first collaborated professionally in 1987. “I showed up with a 9-week-old fussy baby boy and I was exhausted,” Grant recalls. “[Taylor] looked at me and said, ‘Hand me that child.’ So really, when somebody helps you with your children…” she says with a laugh, “…and then he came to Nashville when Minnie Pearl and I did a benefit for the American Cancer Society. He came and did that and we slowly forged that friendship.”
Sheryl Crow and Eric Paslay trade verses and harmonies with Grant on the Paslay-penned “Deep As It Is Wide.” “Eric and I passed in the studio many days because we were working with the same producer and I was nearing the end of the record and I kept thinking about the song,” says Grant. “We called Sheryl Crow and she happened to be home and said, ‘Send me the song.’ There was such an amazing spontaneity to it. It was one invitation at a time. Everything just fell in order; it was really beautiful.”
The group met at Crow’s home outside of Nashville to sort out verses and harmony lines. “Marshall, Sheryl, Eric and I sat in her living room with a guitar and divided the song up and just sang it. Rather than try to get a road map in the studio, we just thought, ‘How would we sing it if we were just having a conversation?’ I love how it turned out. It feels like three people having this conversation about something that is bigger than they can comprehend.”
It is not certain if the Grant-Paslay-Crow collaboration is a possible radio single, but Grant knows she will be touring and bringing the new material to her audience. “I don’t know what plans are for radio,” says Grant. “It makes sense because of some of the people singing that it might open up a different market besides just the faith-based radio stations, but I’ve never stopped touring. I don’t tour like I did decades ago, so I’m just slowly adding the new songs in.”
Pictured (L to R): LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP), Amy Grant, Michael Martin (ASCAP) and Peter York (President, Capitol Christian Music Group Label Group). (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Amy Grant)

Pictured (L to R): LeAnn Phelan (ASCAP), Amy Grant, Michael Martin (ASCAP) and Peter York (President, Capitol Christian Music Group Label Group). (Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images for Amy Grant)

Weekly Register: Fighting For Dashboard Control

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tateSirius XM Radio recently reported its first quarter profits increased 15% and revenue grew 12% to $897.4 million. Perhaps the best news from the satellite radio provider was an increase in net subscribers of 452,890 from a year ago, giving the company a total of 24.4 million paying customers.
According to a WSJ article, the bullish growth has been driven by used-car buyers who, due to special dealer arrangements, are being offered free trials. Data shows that over 50 million cars in the U.S. are equipped with satellite radios, while only half that number are paying subscribers.
SiriusXM’s good news was tempered by increasing competition from Internet radio offerings such as Pandora and interactive music channels like Spotify. In response to those and other online competitors, Sirius has created its own Internet offerings (extra $3.50 per month) that give listeners the ability to custom design their own channels.
Content providers will soon be immersed in a major slugfest for control of the all-powerful automobile dashboard. This writer, and many observers, now believe that Internet will drive distribution for the new dashboard interface. That means that all parties—terrestrial radio, satellite radio and Internet radio must establish or maintain a strong online presence. (Satellite radio will eventually reap a giant bonus with this strategy if, instead of costly replacement rocket launches, they simply use the Internet for distribution when its lofty sputniks burn out.)
weeklygrid4-28-13Sirius is especially well positioned for the upcoming battle with five times more paying subscribers than all the other players combined, although its road ahead may require flexibility if indeed it does transition to Internet distribution and face competitive pricing challenges.
The Nitty Grid-y
Seems like only yesterday the Nashville record community was arguing about Warner Music’s unorthodox Blake Shelton sixpak strategy. Would it devalue the music? Did it make the artist seem less important without a full size album? But more importantly, did Shelton’s increased six-pak visibility lead to getting the Voice judgeship which has played a major role in his exploding profile? With Shelton at No. 1 again this week and over 420k albums sold in five weeks, maybe we should send WMGN strategists Peter Strickland and John Esposito a little note saying, “Job well done, guys.”
weeklygrid4-21-13RCA’s Tate Stevens debuted this week in the No. 4 spot with sales of almost 17k (22.2% digital). Last week’s Casey Donahew Band debut tumbled 72% from No. 7 to No. 26.
Expect a frenzy of register ringing over the next four weeks as we see offerings from Kenny Chesney, Lady Antebellum, Pistol Annies, George Strait, Trace Adkins and Darius Rucker.
Overall, the week’s tepid country performance caused the YTD gain to slip in half from .9% last week to only .4% gain for the year. All genre music is faring much worse however, down 5.3% YTD.
The sad passing of Mr. George Jones was reflected in an outpouring of love on this week’s country digital tracks chart. “He Stopped Loving Her Today” entered at No. 15 with over 34k downloads followed by “Who’s Gonna Fill Their Shoes” (11k), “White Lightning” (7.6k), “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” (6k), “Finally Friday” (5k), “Choices” (5k) and ”The Grand Tour” (5k). RIP George Jones.
All genre track sales are down 2% YTD, but country track sales are up 7%.
Look for Kenny Chesney launch results next week…

Bud Light Music First Concert Coming To Nashville

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bud light• • Bud Light announced today (May 1) it will present one concert in each of the 50 states on Thursday, Aug. 1, including a concert in Nashville. The “50/50/1” event is the culmination of the new “Bud Light Music First” program. Live Nation is curating the line up which includes Kendrick Lamar, Sublime with Rome, Alex Clare, The Flaming Lips, Drive-By Truckers, The Gaslight Anthem, The Airborne Toxic Event, The Hold Steady, Corey Smith, and more. The Bud Light Music First app offers prizes including UMG music downloads. Fans can livestream the concerts via MySpace. The Nashville venue has not been announced.
• • Brett James, Jason Sellers, Natalie Hemby, Wendell Mobley, Neil Thrasher and special guests will perform at Songs for Sound to raise money for children who need cochlear implants. The concert is May 23, 8 p.m., at the Grand Ole Opry House. Tickets are $29 here.
• • Bob Dylan’s Americanarama Festival of Music tour will visit Nashville on Sunday, June 30 at The Lawn at Riverfront Park. On the schedule are Dylan and his Band, WILCO, My Morning Jacket, and Bob Weir. Details here.