Songwriters Join Inaugural South Dakota Festival

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Deadwood, SD, will host a wagon train of over 20 songwriters for the inaugural Wild West Songwriters Festival October 11-14.

Songwriters and artists participating include Wayne Kirkpatrick, Jaren Johnston, Steven Dale Jones, Brandy Clark, Tyler Hilton, Bonnie Baker, Danny Myrick, Shane McAnally, Cary Barlowe, Josh Osborne, Carl Bell (of Fuel), Emerson Hart (of Tonic), Marc Beeson, Billy Burnette, Andrew McMahon, and Catilyn Smith.

The Festival will be held day and night at Deadwood’s historic establishments, including The Deadwood Mountain Grand, Saloon #10, The Bullock Hotel, and The Deadwood Loading Dock.

The weekend-long festival will host Nightcap Socials, Happy Hours, and other events for Weekend Pass Holders, available for $75. Single-Day tickets are available for $25-35. For more information, click here.

Artist Growth Launches Concert Series

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Nashville-based artist platform Artist Growth has announced the first of its Celebrate the City series to be held Friday, September 28. The monthly event will bring touring and emerging artists together at Nashville’s War Memorial Auditorium.

The September showcase will feature performances by Reptar, Rubblebucket, and Cherub. Tickets are $15, and go on sale Friday, August 17 at www.tpac.org.

Launched in early 2012 by musician/entrepreneurs Matt Urmy and Jonathan Sexton, Artist Growth offers cloud-based business management tools for artists. Joe Galante, Dr. Harry Jacobson, Mark Montgomery, and Moontoast’s Joe Glaser are also investors in the company.

Bentley to Play CMA Songwriters Series in NYC

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The CMA Songwriters Series will return to New York City’s Joe’s Pub on Thursday, September 13, and singer/songwriter Dierks Bentley will headline the evening’s 6:30 and 9 pm songwriter rounds.

“The CMA Songwriter series is a really cool gig,” said Bentley. “Joe’s Pub is so intimate and the audience is a huge part of those shows because they’re so close. It’s like everybody in the room is in on a secret or something. You’ve got four guys with guitars, telling stories and drinking whiskey…anything can happen!”

Joining Bentley for the performances will be songwriters Jim Beavers (Dierks’ “5-1-5-0,” Josh Turner’s “Why Don’t We Just Dance”), Jaren Johnston (Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly,” Sara Evans’ “Anywhere”), and series host Bob DiPiero.

Tickets are $35 and $40. Visit www.joespub.com for more info.

Bentley also recently announced the release of his Country & Cold Cans EP, available Aug. 21, which features his new single “Tip It On Back.” Bentley will kick off college football season with the Country & Cold Cans: Back to College Tour, which includes performances by Jaren Johnston’s band The Cadillac Black. Dates here.

Swift To Host Live Webcast

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Taylor Swift

Taylor Swift will host a live webcast on YouTube Monday, August 13 at 7 p.m. ET. The superstar artist will speak directly to fans and answer questions in real time. The webcast will also include a Google + Hangout with fans around the world.

“I want to share some news with you, some really cool news,” said Swift in a video announcement of the webcast.

The webcast will air live on www.youtube.com/TaylorSwift.

Vegas Bets on McGraw and Hill

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When Vegas bets on you, odds are in your favor to win big. Faith Hill and Tim McGraw like those odds, just like any sane superstar artists with some business savvy should.

Billed as “The biggest musical event in Venetian history,” McGraw and Hill’s famed Soul2Soul show will begin its limited engagement run at the Venetian Theatre on Dec 7 and go 10 weekends through April 2013.

“It’s thrilling for us to be a part of this extraordinary experience,” commented Hill at a town hall style press conference in the 1815-seat theater where the production will be staged. “We are creating a show that is going to be remarkable for our fans… and for us as well.” The theater and the hotel are currently undergoing renovations to accommodate the state of the art show.

Flanked by writer David Wild and Venetian COO and President John Caparella, the country couple answered questions from the national music media about the show, their marriage and Vegas. Caparella, by the way, is a former Gaylord Entertainment executive.

One stipulation for the couple’s participation was that The Venetian allow them to work around their daughters’ school schedules. They have no plans to relocate to Las Vegas full-time.

“We’re parachuting in and out too,” quipped Hill.

Ticket prices start at $95.50 and are already on sale to Venetian Grazie members, Clear Channel subscribers, and Tim and Faith fan club members. The general public gets to purchase them beginning at 10 am Monday, August 13.

But exactly what the show will entail remains unclear. McGraw noted it would feature “a lot of us together. We’re doing some things you can’t do with a different show in a different place every night.” Hill joked that she would be singing all of her hits, and McGraw would do about half of his.

McGraw made an even more intriguing comment by saying, “The chances of us not being onstage together, other than a song or two, are very slim.” The couple has collaborated on hits “Let’s Make Love,” “It’s Your Love,” “I Need You,” and “Like We Never Loved At All” but most of each artist’s hits have been solo endeavors.

“This is us together,” said McGraw. “That’s what this whole show is about.”

McGraw didn’t elaborate whether they would be helping one another on solo material or trying out new collaborative material. Though fans have long hoped for a Hill-McGraw duets album, it does not appear to be in the works for this set of performances. Hill has reportedly finished recording her long-awaited new studio album, and McGraw is in the process of recording his first collection as a Big Machine artist.

Soul2Soul will be the third country show to hit the Vegas strip, following Garth Brooks’ ongoing residency at the Wynn and Shania Twain’s upcoming residency at Caesars Palace. McGraw stressed their show was, “not trying to counterbalance anything Garth is doing.” The pair and Caparella left it open-ended as to whether they might consider extending the performances past April.

“We will certainly give fans what they want,” explained Hill, “but this gives us the opportunity to be creative together like we never have before.”

Which will, undoubtedly, be a necessity. At less than 2000 seats, the opulent Venetian Theatre is a much more intimate venue than the stadiums and arenas both artists are used to playing. It’s also likely a different audience than the rowdy stadium crowd, which will call for some adjustments in presentation.

The Venetian, by the way, was an incredibly gracious host. Media visitors from Nashville and beyond were wined and dined in true Vegas style, including an extravagant dinner at the hotel’s Tao Asian Bistro, and a delicious lunch reception following the press conference. The building also offers oodles of high-end shopping, modeled on the winding streets and canals of Venice. The well-appointed, comfortable guest suites made for a relaxing retreat away from the excitement of the gaming rooms downstairs. A complimentary tray of chocolates (including a chocolate gondola and a marbled chocolate column) was sent to the visitors’ rooms upon arrival, which this writer quickly devoured in its entirety.

After all, what happens in Vegas is supposed to stay there.

SESAC Selling $300 Million Bond

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SESAC is preparing a $300 million bond sale as reported by The Wall Street Journal.

The bond offering is being marketed to both institutional investors and high net worth individuals and is backed by the revenues it receives that broadcast their music. The bonds are only available to “qualified institutional buyers,” or those who have $100 million or more of investable assets.

Based in Nashville, SESAC has the exclusive rights to the public broadcast or performance of such legendary artists as Bob Dylan and Neil Diamond.

This is the fourth time SESAC has issued bonds with proceeds going toward paying dividends to shareholders and being used to refinance existing debt among others.

Goldman Sachs is representing the bond offering. Click here for the full article.

T.J. Martell Foundation Announces 37th Annual Gala and Honorees

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The T.J. Martell Foundation will hold its 37th Annual Honors Gala on Tues., October 23 at the Cipriani in New York City.

This year, the foundation will present the Humanitarian of the Year Award to Russell Simmons, the American music business magnate and producer. The Lifetime Music Industry Award will be presented to producer, Randy Jackson. The Spirit of Excellence Award to Del Bryant, President/CEO of BMI and the T.J. Martell Spirit of Life Award to Edward Walson, producer of film and television with Sunrider Productions, Service Electric Cable TV and Regis and Friends TV.

Regis Philbin will present the award to Walson and entertainment attorney, Joel Katz will present the award for Bryant. Other presenters and performers will be announced over the next few weeks along with red carpet attendees.

The evening includes a red carpet, cocktail reception, dinner, awards presentation, musical performances and silent auction to raise funds for cancer and AIDS research.

Tickets and tables are available for purchase on the TJ Martell Foundation website, or by calling (646) 841-1394.

Industry Ink: Signings (8/08/12)

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(L-R): Kent Wolfenbarger, Heather Cook; CEO Cook'n Up Music, Simone Simonton (songwriter), Tyler Middleton, and Ryan Beuschel: ASCAP Creative Manager

Cook’n Up Music Publishing signed a worldwide publishing and administrative agreement with songwriter, Simone Simonton. Simonton’s songwriting successes include Sugarland cuts “Baby Girl,” “Down in Mississippi,” “Speed of Life” and “Fly Away.” Simonton’s talent as a drummer/percussionist has also earned her album credits on Indigo Girls/Rites of Passage, Rarities, Retrospective: The Best of the Indigo Girls, Live: Back on the Bus, Y’all from the Indigo Girls.

CEO, Heather Cook says, “We’re excited to have Simone on the team! She brings an edge with her experience of five years as the drummer and primary songwriter for South 70 (Red Light Management), opening for Miranda Lambert, Gretchen Wilson, Chris Young, Styx and others.”

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The Orchard recently announced the signing of the quartet Lonestar. Celebrating its 20th anniversary, the band is uniting once again with their original lead vocalist, Richie McDonald, on their upcoming album release.

“Lonestar and The Orchard’s relationship reflects the synergy that is the new model for what bands are doing now and in the future,” says Lonestar’s manager, Corey Wagner. “The band is able to pick all of its partners—management, agent, distribution, promotion—to properly promote and share their new music and intense touring plans.”

“Twenty years ago, when I put this little band together to play in some bars and make a little money, I dreamed it pretty good but I never dreamed it quite this good,” says keyboard player and songwriter Dean Sams.

Lonestar is set to release its new album this fall through The Orchard. The first single “The Countdown” is currently available. Check their website www.lonestarnow.com for band updates.

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L–R: BLA’s Matt McGuire and Zinnia Martinez; RJ Stillwell; The Devious Angels’ Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves; and BLA’s Kevin Neal, Jake Kennedy, David Kiswiney.

Buddy Lee Attractions (BLA) has announced the addition of duo The Devious Angels to its roster. The duo, consisting of Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves, have been in the studio working on its debut album with producers Chad Jeffers and RJ Stillwell; Stillwell also manages the act.

“We are very excited about the opportunity to represent The Devious Angels and to be part of their team,” shared Kevin Neal, President of BLA. “Their songwriting and live performance is undeniable.”

The Devious Angels will perform on Tuesday, August 7 beginning at 7 p.m. at Mercy Lounge as part of The Billy Block Show. For more information, please visit www.thedeviousangels.com and www.buddyleeattractions.com.

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The Bobby Roberts Company recently signed John Anderson for exclusive booking representation.

Curb Records Celebrates 50 Years

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Curb Records is currently celebrating its 50th anniversary, making it longest operating record label with the same ownership. To mark the occasion, Curb is featuring 50 albums over its 50 year history on iTunes.

At the beginning of the 21st century Curb Records became the first independent label to earn Billboard’s Country Music Label of the year, supporting the careers of Tim McGraw, LeAnn Rimes, Jo Dee Messina, Hank Williams Jr., Wynonna, Lyle Lovett, Clay Walker, Trick Pony, and Rodney Atkins. 

Over its 50 years, accolades include:
     432 #1 Records (323 singles, 109 albums)
     1,514 Top Ten Records (1,102 singles, 412 albums)
     4,518 Charted Records (3,231 singles, 1,287 albums)

Success extends to the contemporary Christian genre, for which Curb serves as Chairman and Partner in Word Records, and has become instrumental in the careers of Natalie Grant, Selah, Plumb, MIKESCHAIR, Michael English, and Nicol Sponberg.

“We’ve been successful in large part to our employees, our artist roster, radio and a huge passion for music that inspires people across the globe,” said Curb. “We are forever up to the challenges of the next half century and look forward to expanding upon our success.”

Curb founded Sidewalk Records in 1963 while attending college, with success from the Stone Poneys (featuring Linda Ronstadt), the Arrows (featuring Davie Allan), and the Electric Flag (featuring Buddy Miles and Mike Bloomfield). In 69, Curb merged with MGM Records and became the President of MGM and Verve Records, producing, writing and managing the companies. He grew its Nashville-based artist roster to include Kenny Rogers and the First Edition, Hank Williams Jr., Don Gibson, Mel Tillis, Ray Stevens, and Eddy Arnold.

During the same period, Curb received Billboard’s Overall Producer of the Year Award, and acquired a BMI Award for writing Hank Jr’s first No. 1 single, “All For The Love Of Sunshine,” and another for composing “Burning Bridges,” theme song to Clint Eastwood’s motion picture, Kelly’s Heroes.

Curb established his Nashville office during the 80s, signing the emerging Lyle Lovett, The Judds, Don & Phil Everly, Sawyer Brown, Chris Hillman’s Desert Rose Band, Jeffrey Steele’s band Boy Howdy, The Bellamy Brothers, Ronnie McDowell, Hal Ketchum and The Righteous Brothers.

Curb’s publishing interests earned both a Grammy and Academy Award for his co-published title, “You Light Up My Life.” Curb has scored more than 100 ASCAP, BMI and SESAC award winning songs including Garth Brooks‘ “More Than A Memory,” the first record in Billboard history to debut at No. 1. Curb also published and released Lee Brice’s record-breaking “Love Like Crazy” and recently co-published “Crazy Girl” by The Eli Young Band.

In 2012, the label has released Brice’s Hard 2 Love album including platinum lead single, “A Woman Like You,” attained Rodney Atkins’ 7th No. 1 with “Take a Back Road,” and released Tim McGraw’s Emotional Traffic.

New projects still ahead in the coming year include new releases from Rimes, Andy Gibson, Wynonna, Plumb, Rachel Holder, Michael English and more.

Also in 2012, Curb revitalized Sidewalk Records, which is releasing new music from Heidi Newfield, Clay Walker, Morgan Frazier, Dylan Scott, and a duet featuring Tyler Dean and Ashley Gearing.

Mike Curb recently received a star on both the Music City Walk of Fame and the historic Hollywood Walk of Fame.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/08/12)

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Photo: Russ Harrington

What’s that sound?

Oh yes, I remember. It’s called country music. And I don’t mean the overly polished kind that Music Row usually serves us. I mean the Real Deal.

Teea Goans, Herrick, Gold City, Moot Davis, Derek Hoke and Justin Trevino are all back to warm my hillbilly heart with ringing reminders of what old-school country can mean. My enthusiastic encouragement goes out to all of these folks for doing their jobs so well. Again. I’ve praised them all before in this column, and I am happy to do so once more.

It’s awfully hard to argue with the star power of Mary Chapin Carpenter with James Taylor. Especially when the song is as strong as “Soul Companion.” Give that baby a Disc of the Day prize.

I’m sorry to report that no one stepped forward from the ranks of the unknown to claim a DisCovery Award this week. But hope springs eternal. There’s always the next stack of platters….

MOOT DAVIS/Man About Town
Writer: Moot Davis; Producer: Kenny Vaughan; Publisher: Highway Kind, ASCAP; Highway Kind (track) (www.mootdavis.com)
—If you’re a lover of traditional country music and don’t know about Music City’s Moot Davis, you need to get up to speed. The title tune of his newest CD is a moaning barroom ballad that hits right in the gut. His trembling tenor recalls the greatness of Gary Stewart, and his album’s cast includes such luminaries as Harry Stinson, Elizabeth Cook and Chris Scruggs. I caught Moot at the CMA Music Fest a few seasons back, and he blew me away. Get on board.

THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS/Chains
Writer: MaryBeth Zamer/Mike T. Lewis; Producer: Mike T. Lewis; Publisher: All Olive/Inside Edge, ASCAP; Inside Edge (track) (www.twangtownparmours.com)
—Led by singer-songwriters Zamer and Lewis, this acoustic group’s new collection is titled The Promise of Friday Night. This tragic, folkie, saga/ballad is one of its compelling centerpieces. Zamer’s clear soprano lead vocals might be too pure sounding for country programmers, but those of you on the Americana airwaves might take to it just fine.

CHUCK HANCOCK/On a Personal Note
Writer: Chuck Hancock; Producer: Bill Bleckley, Mike Schrimpf & Chuck Hancock; Publisher: Chuck Hancock, BMI; CH (track) (www.chuckhancock.com)
—This is the title track to a collection by a country baritone who sings with real Ray Price-style resonance. Its melody is charming, and the lyric catches the ear since it is written as an email to a lover.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER & JAMES TAYLOR/Soul Companion
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Matt Rollings & Mary Chapin Carpenter; Publisher: Why Walk, ASCAP; Zoe (track) (www.marychapincarpenter.com)
—Chapin’s new Ashes & Roses is as lustrous a set of songs as she has ever issued. Its lead-off single conveys warm yearning for lasting love in its rolling, mid-tempo groove. The two singers are quite striking together, since James’s familiar tenor and Chapin’s soulful alto are coincidentally in exactly the same range and key. Super listening.

DEREK HOKE/Lonely Street
Writer: Derek Hoke; Producer: Dexter Green; Publisher: Slow Hoke, BMI; Electric Western/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.derekhoke.com)
—Mark your calendars. Derek Hoke’s Waiting All Night album release party is at The Groove in East Nashville on Sunday, August 26, at 2:00 in the afternoon. “Free food and beer while it lasts!” reads the invitation. The record will be available in both CD and vinyl formats. That retro touch is appropriate, since this lead-off ballad is a sadly wistful, country-crooner delight. Elsewhere on the set, he bops with garage-band elan, tackles country-rock with fiddle finesse, moans the blues and two-steps like a pro. I have a feeling that his Groove show is going to be a joy.

JENNA JENTRY/Good As Gold
Writer: Jenna Jentry/Kevin DeClue; Producer: Kevin DeClue & Jenna Jentry; Publisher: Jenna Jentry/Kevin DeClue, BMI; JJ (track) (www.jennajentry.com)
—The title tune to Jentry’s CD is a frothy rocker with a well-produced, double-time backing track. Her singing voice is too vanilla to match its energy.

TEEA GOANS & JAMIE DAILEY/That’s Just Me
Writer: Jerry Salley/Lisa Shaffer; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Universal/Brentwood Benson/Lasso the Moon/KLMS, SESAC/ASCAP; Crosswind (track) (www,teeagoans.com)
—This lady’s debut CD made me an instant fan back in 2010. Her sophomore set confirms her complete mastery of country vocal interpreting. She and Jamie sway through this two-step title tune like a perfectly matched honky-tonk prince and princess. Also check out her stunning solo reading of Larry Gatlin’s “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today.” This, my friends, is Country Music, and I am completely in love.

JUSTIN TREVINO/Two of the Usual
Writer: Fred Carter Jr.; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Heart of Texas (track) (325-597-1895)
—This neo-traditionalist has been making exemplary CDs in Texas for several seasons. His latest is a steel-soaked gem that kicks off with this slow-shuffle title tune. His love flaunts her cheating in front of him in this classic-sounding lament. Amber Digby’s harmony vocal on the chorus is a piercing plus.

GOLD CITY/Peter, James and John
Writer: Dianne Wilkinson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Christian Taylor/Daywind/EverGreen, BMI; New Haven (track) (www.newhavenrecords.com)
—New Haven Records has a nifty compilation of this year’s Southern-gospel winners from the Singing News fan awards. This is meat-and-potatoes, old-school stuff, people. In addition to tracks by The Perrys, The Kingsmen, The McKameys and other all-day-sing favorites, the label’s own Gold City is represented by this soul-stirring, harmony-saturated toe tapper. Clap along and shout, “Hallelujah!”

HERRICK/Do You Love Me
Writer: Kerry Herrick/Donna Herrick; Producer: Herrick & Michael Bonagura; Publisher: Herrick KDK, BMI; BreakAway (track) (www.herricklive.com)
—I have praised this foursome effusively in the past. Lead singer Donna Herrick penetrates this percolating track with passion, while her own mandolin sets the throbbing pace of the production. This has drive, dynamism and drama. Play it.