Corb Lund to Release New Album

Canadian rancher and Americana songwriter Corb Lund recently announced his new album Cabin Fever, out August 14 on New West Records.

Mixing witty observations with imagery from cowboy life and elsewhere, Cabin Fever places Lund in the company of songwriters like Hayes Carll, James McMurtry, and Dave Alvin. He cites his time in the punk/metal band The Smalls as an influence on his writing. Lund says, “Chaos and irreverence informs the way I write. I’m also drawn to harmony and chord choices that are outside the norms of country.”

Written in his cabin in Alberta, New York City, Austin, and Las Vegas, Cabin Fever offers a portrait of a survivalist preparing for the apocalypse (“Gettin’ Down On The Mountain”); a tale of a rural man losing a woman to the allure of New York City life (“September”); an ode to his vintage BMW motorcycles (“Mein Deutsches Motorrad”); and much more. Carll guests on “Bible On The Dash.”

A Juno Award winner who has multiple Canadian Gold Records to his name, he has shared bills with The Who, Emmylou Harris and Robert Plant, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, James Taylor, and Joni Mitchell. He has also won the Canadian Country Music Awards Roots Artist of the Year seven times running.

Cabin Fever track listing:

1. Gettin’ Down On The Mountain
2. Dig Gravedigger Dig
3. Bible On The Dash
4. September
5. Mein Deutsches Motorrad
6. Cows Around
7. (You Ain’t A Cowboy) If You Ain’t Been Bucked Off
8. Drink It Like You Mean It
9. Priceless Antique Pistol Shoots Startled Owner
10. The Gothest Girl I Can
11. One Left In The Chamber
12. Pour ‘Em Kinda Strong

Pardi Like There’s No Tomorrow

Rising Capitol Nashville star Jon Pardi is proclaiming it “The Year of the Pardi.” The party-loving artist who is busy promoting debut single “Missin’ You Crazy” is planning his biggest bash yet. He’ll take over Joe’s Bar in Chicago on Dec. 21, 2012 to mark the day the Mayan calendar predicted would be the end of time.

“Joe’s Bar is one of my favorite clubs to play and if the world really is going to end, I can’t think of a better place to spend what might be our last night on earth,” says Pardi, who announced the concert last night (6/13) during a performance at Losers in Nashville. “But if we survive, we’ll party like there’s no tomorrow, all night long!”

He also has a new website at jonpardi.com, and a webisode series called “My Name Is Jon: The Year Of The Pardi,” which showcases his wacky adventures.

Little Big Town’s Ride For a Cure Raises $55,000

(L-R): Jimi Westbrook, Kimberly Schlapman, Mike Wolfe, Karen Fairchild, Phillip Sweet. Photo: Randi Radcliff

Little Big Town’s 6th Annual Ride For a Cure took place over the weekend on Sunday, June 10 in Franklin and Columbia, TN. Due to inclement weather, the motorcycle ride portion of the event was cancelled but the jam sessions at Mickey Roo’s and the Harley Davidson Columbia Superstore went on as planned.

The event raised over $55,000 for the T. J. Martell Foundation and its mission of finding cures for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS. Since its inception, the popular event has raised more than $310,000 for the cause.

One of the most sought-after auction items from the event was an autographed Epiphone Guitar signed by Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, and Edens Edge. The winning bid went to none other than Mike Wolfe, co-host of The History Channel’s American Pickers.

CMA Research Study Reveals Listening Behavior

The Country Music Association announced the results from its recent Music Listening Study this week.

Highlights of the findings reveal 87% of country music fans are listening to country radio stations as much or more than a year ago with 18-24 year olds being twice as likely to listen to more Country Music than the previous year. Loyalty is a top influencer, as evidenced by 75% of listeners reporting they have listened to the same station for years.

While AM/FM car radio remains the top source, 74% of fans are also listening to music online via a desktop or laptop computer, ranking it 2nd, and preferring Pandora over Spotify at a ratio of nearly 2 to 1.

Country Music listeners use both terrestrial and online radio radio outlets as their primary source for new artist and song discovery followed by music video channels.

Regarding future purchases, nearly 30% of respondents plan to purchase more Country Music by means of digital tracks, digital CDs, and physical CDs in the next 12 months.

The survey was conducted online with a random sample of 1,109 respondents aged 18+ from the CMA Insider Fan Panel, a group of more than 13,000 Country Music fans. Respondents were queried on their favorite methods to purchase and listen to music and discover new artists and songs, as well as their loyalty to the genre.

CMA’s research reports are a benefit of CMA membership and complete findings of this and previous studies are available on CMA’s members-only website.

Two Promoted at Black River Entertainment

Bill Lubitz, Brian Rhoades

Black River Entertainment VP Promotion Rick Baumgartner has announced the immediate promotions of promotion staffers Bill Lubitz and Brian Rhoades.

Most recently Dir./West Coast Promotions for BRE, Lubitz will now take on the role of Dir./National Promotion. He will also be relocating to Nashville from Las Vegas for the gig. Congratulate him here.

Rhoades has been promoted to Sr. Director of Promotion & Strategy. He joined the label  a year ago and has been serving as Dir./Northeast Promotions. Reach him here.

“I’m thrilled to announce these promotions within our department,” says Baumgartner. “Bill and Brian joined our team last year and their impact to the growing success of our label has been tremendous. Both Bill and Brian will be valuable assets as we continue to build Black River Entertainment.”

Incognito Bandito at 3rd and Lindsley

Who is this Incognito Bandito guy anyway?

Mystery band Incognito Bandito is set for a special performance Tues., June 19 at 3rd and Lindsley. The concert is a benefit for Jan Grantt, the wife of in-demand bassist and Incognito Bandito member Kevin “Swine” Grantt.

Also on the line up are Carl Jackson, Craig Morgan, Ashton Shepherd, Josh Thompson, Trent Willmon and Darryl Worley.

Doors open at 6 p.m. and the show starts at 8 p.m. Tickets are $25.

Grantt has performed with Toby Keith, Garth Brooks, James Taylor, Waylon Jennings and others. Jan was diagnosed with ovarian cancer and will be in New York for at least 12 weeks undergoing treatment. Her treatment is a huge medical expense and Jan does not have medical insurance.

Donations can be sent to:
The Jan Grantt Fund
635 John Wright Road
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122

Arrangements Set For Legendary Music Exec. Frances Preston

Frances Preston in 2007. Photo: Richard Patire

Visitation for family, friends and colleagues will be held Sun., June 17, from 5 to 9 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame, where Mrs. Preston will lie in repose in the Rotunda.

A private funeral will take place at First Lutheran Church, with a private graveside service and burial to follow at Nashville’s Landmark Spring Hill Cemetery.
 Spring Hill Funeral Home & Cemetery (5110 Gallatin Road, 615-865-1101) is handling the arrangements.

Active pallbearers will be Tom Annastas, Devoran Atwood, Fred Cannon, Dennis DiTraglia, Buckland Farnor, Dr. David Hansen, Bobby Kelley, Stan Moress, Roger Sovine and Harry Warner. Honorary pallbearers are Phil Graham, Mike O’Neill, Alison Smith, Faye Smith and Jody Williams.

Memorial contributions may be made to the T. J. Martell Foundation (15 Music Sq. W., 
Nashville, TN 37203, 615-256-2002); or the Frances Williams Preston Laboratories at the Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center (2301 Vanderbilt Place, c/o Gifts Processing PMB 407727, Nashville, TN 37240-7727, 615-936-0233).

• • • • •

Legendary music executive Frances Williams Preston died June 13, at 4 a.m. She passed peacefully at home from congestive heart failure. She was 83.

Preston served as President and CEO of BMI from 1986 until 2004. She founded the company’s Nashville office, initially working from her parent’s home as a young woman. That led to a six-decade career with the performing rights organization, where she headed Nashville operations and later served as president of the company headquartered in New York. Preston retired from BMI in 2004 and returned to Nashville full time in 2007.

Del Bryant, BMI’s current President & CEO, says, “Frances Williams Preston was a force of nature. She was smart, beautiful, tenacious, and generous. She put BMI on the culture map and shaped the careers of many—especially mine. Though we mourn the loss of a great leader and friend, she lives on through a legacy that is literally set in stone. The BMI Nashville building and her wing at Vanderbilt Hospital and are two monuments that were erected by her and stand in tribute to her passion and drive for those she loved. God speed, dear friend.”

She was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1992, and later became a member of the Gospel Music Hall of Fame and the Broadcasting & Cable Hall of Fame.

Born in Nashville on August 27, 1928, Frances Williams began her career as a receptionist at WSM, Nashville’s iconic radio station. She rose quickly through the station’s ranks, eventually hosting her own fashion show on air.

According to a recent article by Kay West in the Nashville City Paper, Preston was in college studying to become a teacher when she took a summer job with National Life Insurance, owner of WSM and the Grand Ole Opry. She went on to become the radio station’s receptionist. Through that role she met Bob Burton, Senior VP of BMI in New York, during his frequent business trips to Nashville, and he tapped her in 1958 to open the organization’s Southern regional office.

By 1964 she had elevated to Vice President. BMI’s vital base of operations in Nashville helped pave the way for the city’s future as the world’s most important center for professional songwriting. In 1985, she rose to Senior Vice President, Performing Rights, and was named President and CEO the following year.

According to Jody Williams, BMI, VP Writer/Publisher Relations, Nashville, “Frances Preston helped shape the music business ecosystem through her profound respect for songwriters and mentorship of several generations of executives. She is without a doubt the single most important figure responsible for making Nashville ‘Music City.'”

She was the first female executive on Nashville’s fledgling Music Row, joining BMI shortly before her friend, Jo Walker-Meador, was named to lead the Country Music Association. Preston became the first woman to serve as board chairman of the CMA. She was reportedly the first female corporate executive in Tennessee. She continued paving the way for women throughout her life. Preston was the first non-performing woman invited to join New York’s prestigious Friar’s Club, and in 1993 she became the first woman appointed to its board of directors.

Preston was a driven and devoted advocate for songwriters and their rights. Kris Kristofferson dubbed her the “songwriter’s guardian angel.”
 She was a powerful force in Washington, D.C., where she testified on the behalf of songwriters and played an instrumental role in several key initiatives, including the Copyright Amendments Act of 1992, which extended copyright protection to older compositions. She was also a leading supporter of the decision to extend the copyright term to life of the composer plus 70 years.

Preston served as a member of the Panama Canal Study Committee as well as on the commission for the White House Record Library during the administration of President Jimmy Carter. In 1995 and 1996, she was a member of Vice President Al Gore’s National Information Infrastructure Advisory Council.

She was a devoted community servant, working as president of the board of directors of the T. J. Martell Foundation for Leukemia, Cancer and AIDS Research. The Frances Williams Preston Research Laboratories at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center is named in her honor.

In 1998, she received a National Trustees Award from the Recording Academy (the highest Grammy prize for a non-performer), MIDEM’s Person of the Year accolade in 1999 (the highest international award accorded to a music industry executive), the National Association of Broadcasters’ Education Foundation Guardian Award in 2005, Leadership Music’s Dale Franklin Award in 2007, and the Nashville Songwriter Foundation’s Mentor Award in 2010. Last year, the Library of American Broadcasting Association named her to its elite Giants of Broadcasting honoree ranks, and BMI rechristened the BMI Country Song of the Year the BMI Frances W. Preston Award.

“We’ve lost our beloved Frances Preston,” said Dolly Parton. “She was the heart of BMI, not only for me but for every BMI writer. She was a great leader and a great friend to us all. Frances, you were very loved and you will be truly missed.”

Survivors include three sons William Kirk Preston, David J. Preston and wife Emily, and Donald L. Preston, all of Nashville; six grandchildren, Taylor Preston, Lindsey Preston, Jake Preston, Matthew Preston, Stuart Preston, and Frannie Daughrity and husband Brent; and great-granddaughter, Preston Rose Daughrity.

Preston signing Dolly Parton to BMI in the late 1960s. (seated) Porter Wagoner and Dolly Parton. Standing Bill Earl Owens, and Preston. Photo: BMI.com

Kramer to Host Glitter and Glam Fashion Show

Agape Animal Rescue will hold its 4th annual Glitter and Glam fashion show and fundraiser on July 8 at the Loews Vanderbilt Hotel.

The red carpet event, hosted by singer/actress Jana Kramer, will run from 5-8 PM with a fashion show and more than $20,000 worth items hitting the live and silent auction block. Complimentary wine and hors d’oeuvres will be available with admission of $60. Kramer will be wearing designs by Glitter and Glam’s 2012 celebrity fashion designer Manuel.

A supporter of animal rescue, Kramer owns a Puggle named Sophie.

“Last year, I rescued a Boxer-Shepherd named Willie, who I fostered until I found him the perfect new family,” said Kramer. “I had this amazing feeling helping him find a loving home. That’s why I’m excited to work with Agape Animal Rescue, knowing how many animals they help find loving homes.”

Event attire is cocktail dress and tickets are available. All proceeds benefit Agape Animal Rescue. For more information, visit www.glitterandglam.org.

Kramer’s self-titled debut album, produced by Scott Hendricks, was released by Elektra/Warner Music Nashville on June 5 and debuted at No. 5 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums Chart.

MusicRowPics: Bucky Covington Artist Visit

Bucky Covington stopped by MusicRow headquarters last week (6/6), before greeting fans for the next several days at CMA Music Festival. He played his current single, “I Wanna Be That Feeling,” along with “Drinking Side of Country” and “Hold a Woman.” His upcoming sophomore album is expected to be released sometime in fall on eOne Music Group. The North Carolina native placed eighth during Season 5 of American Idol, and released his self-titled debut album on Lyric Street Records in 2007.

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Nick Lowe Tribute to Benefit TN Flood Victims

A diverse collection of 13 artists, including several Nashville-based performers, is paying tribute to the career of singer/songwriter Nick Lowe on Lowe Country: The Songs of Nick Lowe, due out September 18 on the Austin-based Fiesta Red Records.

Among the artists re-interpreting songs from Lowe’s 40-plus year career are Hayes Carll, Robert Ellis, Lori McKenna, Chatham County Line, Griffin House, Amanda Shires and Erin Enderlin. Full track listing is included below. Proceeds from album sales will benefit victims of the 2010 Nashville floods and the 2011 Texas wild fires through the Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee and the Austin Community Foundation.

Check out Robert Ellis performing “All Men Are Liars” here.

Lowe Country Track Listing:
Lately I’ve Let Things Slide – Caitlin Rose
Don’t Lose Your Grip On Love – The Parson Red Heads
All Men Are Liars – Robert Ellis
I Love The Sound Of Breaking Glass – Amanda Shires
Marie Provost – JEFF the Brotherhood
I’m Gonna Start Living Again If It Kills Me – Hayes Carll
Lover Don’t Go – Erin Enderlin
When I Write The Book – The Unsinkable Boxer
You Make Me – Colin Gilmore
Heart Of The City – Chatham County Line
What’s Shakin’ On The Hill – Lori McKenna
Crackin’ Up – Griffin House
Where Is My Everything – Ron Sexsmith