DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/27/12)

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There are days when I just want to clear my head, and bluegrass is just the ticket whenever one of those days comes along.

This stack of current bluegrass CDs includes offerings from three of the genre’s most enduring and brilliant groups — Special Consensus, the Lonesome River Band and Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver. The last named won my heart as the Disc of the Day. I caught Quicksilver’s set during Fan Fair was blown away (again) by just how stunning the band is in performance.

The Punch Brothers play what they call “Plunk Rock,” which is to say acoustic music with an attitude. Fresh from performing at Bonnaroo comes the group’s Noam Pikelny with a dandy new CD. This is his first appearance in this column, so that makes him a DisCovery Award winner.

NOAM PIKELNY/Jim Thompson’s Horse
Writer: Noam Pikelny; Producer: Gabe Witcher; Publisher: Noam Tunes/Camel Vision, BMI; Compass (track) (www.noampikelny.com)
—The second album by Punch Brothers banjo man Pikelny is packed with stellar support — Jerry Douglas, Tim O’Brien, Stuart Duncan, Steve Martin, Chris Thile, Bryan Sutton…you get the idea. If you go to his website, you can get this track from it as a free download. It’s an ear-tickling, four-minute instrumental romp with a heartbeat bass line, courtesy of the always-great Mark Schatz. The CD’s title is Beat the Devil and Carry a Rail. Heartily recommended.

LARRY STEPHENSON/What Really Matters
Writer: Harley Allen/John Wiggins; Producer: Ben Surratt & Larry Stephenson; Publisher: Coburn/Notewrite/Fiddle Stock, BMI; Compass (track) (www.larrystephensonband.com)
—The band isn’t particularly flashy, but this hillbilly tenor soars with sincerity on the CD’s title tune. He didn’t write it, but the lyrics are all about the birth of a daughter, which is exactly what happened to him in real life.

CARRIE HASSLER/Catch My Breath
Writer: Bobby K. Boyd; Producer: Steve Gulley; Publisher: Bobby Boyd, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.carriehassler.com)
—This sounds like a classic country track from the ‘60s, right down to the “answering” fiddle, steel and electric guitar. I’m in. The rest of her The Distance CD is straight-ahead bluegrass, by the way.

DOYLE LAWSON & QUICKSILVER/Sing Me a Song About Jesus
Writer: Corey Hensley/Michael Rogers/Doyle Lawson; Producer: Doyle Lawson; Publisher: WDLQ/Morgan Racing/Top O’Holston, ASCAP/BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.doylelawson.com)
—Co-writers Hensley, Rogers and Lawson are also the awesome harmony vocalists on this toe tapping title tune of the newest Quicksilver CD. Nobody, but nobody, does bluegrass gospel better than this breath-taking ensemble. I remain an enormous fan.

BOBBY OSBORNE & THE ROCKY TOP X-PRESS/I’m Going Back to the Mountain
Writer: Jake Landers; Producer: Glen Duncan, Bobby Osborne & Bobby Osborne Jr.; Publisher: Rocky Top, BMI; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.bobbyosborne.com)
—Osborne’s piercing, incredible tenor can still cut the mustard. At age 80, he sings with the vigor of someone literally half that age. His group’s new collection is titled New Bluegrass & Old Favorites.

CAROLINA CHOCOLATE DROPS/Country Girl
Writer: Rhiannon Giddons/Lalenja Harrington/Adam Matta; Producer: Buddy Miller; Publisher: Bring It Forward/Lucky Guitar, ASCAP; Nonesuch (track) ()
—Nominated as Duo/Group of the Year by the Americana Music Association, this African American string band continues is superior music-making ways on its new Leaving Eden collection. On this rhythmic track, the North Carolinians tell the tale of a musician who’s seen the world but still loves family and home the most. The 15-song collection is available on vinyl, by the way.

SPECIAL CONSENSUS/Monroe
Writer: Craig Market; Producer: Alison Brown; Publisher: Drop D/Missing Link, BMI; Compass (track) (www.compassrecords.com)
—Year in year out, Special C just keeps rolling along. I believe the group is now in its fourth decade of making music. But this hearty, cleverly written, salute to bluegrass music’s founding father sounds like it comes from a band that was born yesterday. It’s on the group’s current Scratch Gravel Road CD. Also check out the cool bluegrass reworking of Don Gibson’s “Sea of Heartbreak.”

LONESOME RIVER BAND/Close the Door Lightly When You Go
Writer: E. Anderson; Producer: Lonesome River Band; Publisher: EMI U Catalog, no performance rights listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.lonesomeriverband.com)
—The Lonesome River Band is celebrating its 30th anniversary with a collection titled Chronology: Volume One. It includes this lively, zippy, tightly arranged update of Eric Anderson’s folk classic, which is currently rising fast on the Bluegrass Unlimited popularity chart. Deservedly so: It’s a listening delight.

THE BOXCARS/Ol’ Lonesome Won’t Leave Me Alone
Writer: Tim Stafford/Robert G. Starnes; Producer: The Boxcars; Publisher: Daniel House/It Says What It Says, BMI; Mountain Home (track) (www.theboxcars.com)
—The Boxcars play like the seasoned and accomplished vets its members are, so the instrumental work is flawless and dazzling. However, the group lacks charisma in the vocal department.

AUDIE BLAYLOCK & REDLINE/I’m Going Back to Old Kentucky
Writer: Bill Monroe; Producer: Audie Blaylock; Publisher: Unichappell, no performance rights listed; Rural Rhythm (track) (www.audieblaylock.com)
—Bluegrass music is always looking backwards, but never more so than in this 100th anniversary of Bill Monroe’s birth. It seems like there’s a tribute album of one sort or another in the mail every month. Blaylock’s takes the approach of avoiding many of the obvious songs in favor of some of the master’s lesser known tunes. This lickety split take on a 1947 classic plays like greased lightning. Guests on the CD include Del McCoury, Carl Jackson, Ronnie McCoury, Lou Reid and Bobby Osborne.

Country Stars Set For Crocketsville Charity Concert

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The 2012 Crockettsville Charity Concert & Trail Ride will feature performances by event founders Chad Warrix and David Tolliver, along with Montgomery Gentry, James Otto and Christian Kane. The fifth annual fundraiser is set for Sept. 8-9 on Abner Farm in Crockettsville, KY.

GAC Headline Country’s Storme Warren will emcee and additional performers will be announced soon.

Alongside the music, the Monster Energy Motocross Team will showcase its skills on FMX ramps, and UFC champion Rich Franklin will make an appearance.

The concert and motocross event will be held Sat., Sept. 8, followed by the 42-mile ATV trail ride on Sun., Sept. 9.

Since launching the event, Warrix and Tolliver, formerly known as Halfway to Hazard, have helped raise almost $500,000 for the Buckhorn Children and Family Services Charity in their hometown.

Tickets will be available on-site for $10 per person or $25 per carload. Details at www.crockettsville.com.

Rounder Records Signs The Time Jumpers

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Rounder Records has announced the signing of Western swing/country group The Time Jumpers, with plans for a studio album in the works.

Formed in 1998 by a group of Nashville’s recording studio elite, the band began as a jam session for the musicians to blow off steam and play their favorite songs. Soon they were offered a Monday night residency at the Station Inn. The band continues to play every week, but recently relocated to 3rd and Lindsley to accommodate larger crowds.

The group current lineup of 11 singers and musicians includes “Ranger” Doug Green of Riders in the Sky, Paul Franklin, Jeff Taylor, Kenny Sears, Andy Reiss, Dennis Crouch, Dawn Sears, Joe Spivey, Vince Gill, Larry Franklin and Billy Thomas.

Founding member and vocalist/fiddler Sears remarked, “We are so excited to be signing with Rounder Records.  We have all been fans of this label for a long time. The fact that they are excited about our project makes us twice as excited: lots of excitement!”

In 2007, The Time Jumpers recorded a live album titled Jumpin’ Time that was nominated for two Grammy awards. The group is managed by Fitzgerald Hartley and its Rounder Records debut album is expected September 11.

Jay DeMarcus To Host Weekly iHeartRadio Show

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Jay DeMarcus

Jay DeMarcus, bassist and background vocalist Rascal Flatts, is launching his own radio program on Big Machine Radio’s Clear Channel iHeartRadio station.

The Jay DeMarcus Show: Live From Flatts Shack will premiere June 28 at 4 pm CT with appearances by Minnesota Vikings defensive end Jared Allen and songwriter James Slater. DeMarcus’ wife, CMT correspondent Allison DeMarcus, will join the 60-minute show each week to deliver entertainment reports.

“I’ve been trying to get Jay in front of a microphone for some time now,” notes Clay Hunnicutt, Clear Channel SVP/Programming. “His natural ability to hold court—and tell compelling stories in the process—makes him the perfect fit for a format such as this.”

iHeartRadio is Clear Channel’s customizable digital listening service, with free access to more than 1,000 live broadcast and digital-only radio stations from 150 cities, plus user-created Custom Stations inspired by favorite artists and songs.

Click here for access to Big Machine Radio.

Rascal Flatts just launched Farmers Insurance Presents Changed Tour, summer tour with Little Big Town, Eli Young Band and Edens Edge.

Pickler Teams With ConAgra and Feeding America

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Kellie Pickler has joined the fight against child hunger in the United States by serving as the national spokesporson for ConAgra Foods Foundation Hunger-Free Summer program.

A joint effort between ConAgra and Feeding America, the program will help provide children with access to nutritious meals. Pickler started the program’s third year by visiting Nashville’s Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee today (6/26) where she volunteered and unveil a downloadable activity booklet that offers ways of donating meals to Feeding America while educating on the issue of hunger. Booklets can be found at www.facebook.com/ConAgraFoods and for each one downloaded between today and Sept. 3, the ConAgra Foods Foundation will donate the equivalent of one meal to Feeding America, for up to 500,000 meals this summer. The foundation will also donate a meal for every Facebook share.

“At some point, all of us have encountered hungry children in our own community, but I was shocked to learn that millions of kids may go hungry during the summer,” said Pickler. “That is why I am honored to be working with the ConAgra Foods Foundation and Feeding America to raise awareness of this problem and show there’s help through programs like Hunger-Free Summer.”

The goal of the Hunger-Free Summer program is to help participating food banks to serve an additional million meals through community programs. Twenty-three food banks in 15 states have received grants from Feeding America, thanks to $5 million from the ConAgra Foods Foundation.

CMA And IEBA Partner To Present CMA SRO Awards

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The 2012 CMA SRO Awards will be presented during a special dinner that will mark the close of the 42nd Annual IEBA Conference. The IEBA Industry Awards and IEBA Hall of Fame honors will also be presented at the Tues., Oct. 9 event in the ballroom of the Sheraton Downtown Nashville. Reserved seating is required, for details visit ieba.org.

The IEBA Conference runs Oct. 7-9 in Nashville.

The SRO (Standing Room Only) Awards were created by the CMA Board of Directors in 1990 to honor outstanding professional achievement within the touring industry. The honors haven’t been presented since 2007. Finalists for 2012 were announced in May and voting is complete for the 14 categories. Winners will be revealed in September. Ballots were tabulated by accounting firm Deloitte & Touche.

Voting information for the separate IEBA Awards will be sent to IEBA members in July.

“Culminating the IEBA Conference with the presentation of the return of the CMA SRO Awards makes perfect sense,” said CMA Chief Executive Officer Steve Moore. “IEBA supports the touring industry and the CMA SRO Awards recognize the best in the business as determined by our CMA members in the ‘live’ community.”

“The IEBA Conference is all about the live performance,” said IEBA Executive Director Tiffany Davis. “IEBA is honored to be sharing this evening with CMA to present the SRO Awards in conjunction with the IEBA Awards and Hall of Fame Induction.”

Industry Ink (6/26/12)

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The Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) Nashville chapter hosted a standing room only event called “Music In Advertising” at Cabana on June 11. The panel   focused on music trends and projects the guest music supervisors are currently working.

(L-R): Kevin Lamb (Executive Director); Dianna Maher (Co-Executive Director); Craig Currier (peermusic); Amy Rosen (Grey NY); Karen Macmillian (Nettwerk Music Group); John Melillo (Melillo Music); Sarah Gavigan (Sarah Gavigan Music); Randy Wachtler (PMA). Photo: Alan Mayor

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Donica Christensen's missing banjo.

Sugar Hill Records Director of Artist & Media Development Donica Christensen reports that several  instruments from her personal collection were taken when her home was burglarized Friday, June 22.

Among the missing instruments are a 1982 Gibson 5-string banjo with no serial number, built by Bill Sullivan. The neck has a hearts and flowers inlay, and a Steve Huber tone ring. Also missing is a very old (early-to-mid 1800s) fiddle, an Antonius and Hieronymous Amati copy. The bow is a Pernambuco, silver mounted round stick. Additionally, the burglars took a bright blue left handed guitar of unspecified brand. If you have any information, contact Donica at 540-339-7701.

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Belmont University recently announced the members of its Pipeline Project for 2012, a group of students who will participate in the school’s music industry think tank. The group is dedicated to illuminating problems in the industry and exploring possible solutions.

(L-R): Ryan McAdoo, Sarita Stewart (faculty advisor), Theo Halls, Kelsie Saison, Phil Haddad, Erik Coveney, Rachel Glidden, Kendall Durkee, Matt Maher

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The Hot Seat, which is led by VP Jason Turner and specializes in radio marketing, satellite TV tours, and online video content, has moved offices. The company’s new location is at 33 Music Sq. W., Suite 100B. Turner’s new phone number is 615-690-7000 and his email is [email protected].

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(L-R): Jay Orr, CMHOF vice-president of museum programs, Niles and Mick Buck, CMHOF curatorial director.

Veteran publicist Susan Niles and her siblings recently donated a variety of primitive instruments from the 1920s to the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Among the donations were a musical pitchfork, a musical saw, and musical glasses that were all played by their father Darwin Niles Sr. in a Vaudeville act in New York City. Sheet music from the same era was also donated.

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Young Entertainment Professionals (YEP) is hosting YEP Night at the Basement tomorrow (6/27) starting at 6 pm. The event features performances from Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, Josh Osborne, Brian Keane, Chase Foster, Forest Whitehead, Matthew McGinn, Jordan Dean, and Steph Jones.

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Epiphone Guitar recently signed on as the exclusive guitar sponsor of the Bluebird Cafe’s 30th Anniversary Celebration, which kicked off during CMA Music Festival. During the official party, Bluebird founder Amy Kurland and GM Erika Wollam Nichols presented Epiphone guitars to Jay Patten and Toni Sehulster, leaders of the band that has played at every Bluebird birthday and Christmas show.

(L-R): Bluebird Café GM Erika Wollam Nichols; Jay Patten, holding his Limited Edition 50th Anniversary "1961" Casino TD guitar; Bluebird Café founder Amy Kurland; and Toni Sehulster with her Jack Casady Signature Bass. Photo: Glenda Paradee

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PLA Media has added country singer/songwriter Jordan Anderson to its publicity roster. Anderson’s debut single “Key To My Heart” is beginning to reach listeners. She joins fellow PLA clients Lynn Anderson, Justin Moore, William Lee Golden, and Jessica Frech.

The Farm to Live Stream Performance Today

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The Farm will live stream a live performance and Q & A with the band members from Warner Music Nashville’s headquarters today (6/26) at 5 PM CST.

The Farm is comprised of Nick Hoffman (vocals, fiddle), Damien Horne (vocals, keyboard, guitar) and Krista Marie (vocals, guitar). The trio’s self-titled album will be released on July 17 via All In Records/Elektra Nashville. The eleven song debut, co–produced by Hoffman and hit songwriter Danny Myrick, features the band’s first single “Home Sweet Home,” which is currently climbing the charts. The cgroup also recently made its TV debut performing at the CMT Awards and will be performing across the country through the summer. Live dates can be seen at thefarmmusic.com.

Open Casting Call For Nashville Women

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MusicRowLogAn open casting call is being held for successful and powerful women for a new Nashville-based docu-series from the producers of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills and The Real Housewives of Orange County.

The new series, reportedly in development for a major cable network, seeks applications from single or married women with outstanding personalities who frequent the Nashville social scene. Entrepreneurs, power couples, CEOs, wives of music executives and pro athletes are encouraged to apply. Referrals are welcomed.

For consideration, email to apply and include name, recent photos, contact information and a brief bio.

Photo Spread: Jana Kramer, Gwen Sebastian, Craig Wayne Boyd

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ACM Lifting Lives Music Camp was in session last week in Nashville. The residential camp has the dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome and other developmental disabilities while providing music enrichment through performance and education. On Thursday, Jana Kramer dropped by the Vanderbilt campus for a cookout with the campers. On Friday, the week wrapped with a performance at the Grand Ole Opry where the campers joined Big & Rich to sing “We’re Having a Party,” which the students wrote with Brett Eldredge and David Lee Murphy. The camp is a partnership between ACM Lifting Lives and Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities.

Pictured at the cookout (L-R): Greg Hill, McGhee Entertainment; Jana Kramer; Erick Long, ACM Senior Vice President, Operations and Events; Adam Michael, Director of Development for Vanderbilt Kennedy Center.

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Flying Island artist and former The Voice contestant Gwen Sebastian performed for a gathering of industry executives and Country Radio Broadcasters board members at The Renaissance Hotel recently. Sebastian appeared in conjunction with the annual CRB board and CRS agenda committee meetings. CRS 2013 will be held Feb. 27 – March 1, 2013.

Pictured (L-R): Nancy Tunick, Flying Island; Tim Roberts, WYCD-FM; Shelia Shipley Biddy,Flying Island; CRB Executive Director Bill Mayne; Gwen Sebastian; John Shomby, WGH-FM; and CRB President Mike Culotta, WQYK-FM.

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Big Ride Entertainment artist Craig Wayne Boyd visited the West Virginia University Children’s Hospital in Morgantown, WV. He performed an acoustic show in the facility’s activity center and spent two hours going room to room. Boyd was particularly touched by a one-year-old patient with cystic fibrosis. Earlier this year, Boyd lost his friend and guitarist Levi Sims to the disease. The artist is a passionate supporter of the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. Boyd is currently touring and visiting radio stations in support of his debut single “I Ain’t No Quitter.” This summer will be full of more big debuts for the artist, including the release of his first album and the birth of his first child.