Photo: “All Your Life” No. 1 Party

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The great tradition of musical family was the theme of the day, when BMI toasted the team behind The Band Perry’s No. 1 song “All Your Life” on Monday, Feb. 27. The song was co-written by Clara Henningsen with her father Brian, and was performed by one of the top family groups in country music. Clara and Brian Henningsen were also saluted—along with Clara’s brother Aaron—for co-writing TBP’s hit “You Lie.” Additionally, The Band Perry celebrated its self-titled Republic Nashville debut album reaching platinum status.

“Brian and Clara wrote a great song and we are so happy that they pitched it to us!” says Kimberly Perry. “We get such a great reaction from it live and the fact that it stayed in the #1 position for two consecutive weeks proves what a well-crafted song it is.”

BMI Assistant VP, Writer/Publisher Relations Clay Bradley presented the band and writers with silver cups for the achievement. BMLG President/CEO Scott Borchetta and Republic Nashville President Jimmy Harnen then presented TBP with a Platinum plaque for their self-titled album.

(L-R): (back row) BMI’s Clay Bradley, Republic Nashville’s Jimmy Harnen, Rainbow Skyline Music’s Paul Worley, EMI Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Big Machine Label Group’s Scott Borchetta, producer Nathan Chapman, and Cactus Moser Music’s Cactus Moser; (front row) The Band Perry’s Neil, Reid, and Kimberly Perry; and co-writers Clara Henningsen and Brian Henningsen. Photo: Rick Diamond

Rachel Platten’s Modest Production Packs Arena Wallop

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Rachel Platten

with Bess Rogers and Craig Meyers
The National Underground, Nashville, Feb. 25, 2012

If you have already visited The National Underground in Nashville’s downtown Broadway music district, then you know it’s a friendly, but sparse listening room with great burgers and reasonably priced drinks, but short on atmosphere. TNU relies on its performers to provide that missing ambience. From a bar stool perspective, it means you’d be well advised to pick and choose the nights you drop in. Fortunately, in the world of social media you can arrange an online audition at your leisure, so making informed choices is easier than ever.

Rachel Platten

New York-based Rachel Platten and friends rewarded the small, but wise crowd of decision makers that gathered to hear her pop/piano/beatbox stylings on Feb. 25. Amply supported with Craig Meyers’ punchy percussion and Bess Rogers on background vocals and acoustic guitar, Ms. Platten’s radiance made the modest production feel like a full-blown arena show. Currently on a national club tour, the singer/songwriter has mostly eluded mainstream media, but her work continues to attract widening circles of attention.

Actually this developing artist has already had quite a bit of success. Signed to EMI Music, her song “Work Of Art” was recently chosen as the theme song for new ABC series Jane By Design. Her music has been used for products like Dixie Paper Plates, Downy, Jeep and Barbie commercials. She’s sung the National Anthem at Fenway Park in Boston and Gillette Stadium, and her song “1000 Ships,” in rotation on Hot AC radio, worked its way to Top 20 status.

Platten’s voice, which The Boston Globe described as, “Breathtaking and brilliant” is equally at home reading a folksinger’s phrase with crystalline quality or an R&B crunch that moves her closer to the streets. Her pop songs deal with romance, risk and whimsy, sliding from the philosophical, (“Nothing Ever Happens”) to the seductive (“You Don’t Have To Go”).

Hopefully, Rachel Platten will grace Music City again soon. You might want to sign up on her web site to make sure you don’t miss her when she does.

Bentley Wraps Canadian Trek, Heads Home To US

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Dierks Bentley wrapped the Canadian leg of his 2012 Country & Cold Cans Tour Friday (2/23) night in Winnipeg, Manitoba. The eight city venture north of the border was the first official trek in support of Bentley’s sixth studio album Home.

The title track and current single “Home” is resonating with fans in the U.S. and Canada, as it climbs to the No. 1 spot on Canada’s Mediabase Country Chart this week. “Dierks may have had America in mind with ‘Home,’ but the fact it went to No. 1 in Canada shows that the song has universal appeal,” said EMI Music Canada’s Ron Harwood. “We are all proud of where we are from. We’ve all faced tough times recently. We all know that things can be better again. It is a song that reflects on our own past and gives hope for a bright future, regardless of where you call ‘home.’”

Shortly after crossing the border on his return to the U.S., Bentley’s tour bus “Old Goldie” marked its one millionth mile. “Goldie has been my home on the road since I put out my very first single,” said Bentley. “A lot of memories have been made traveling across the country in Goldie, and I’ve been able to see every city and town three or four times. If you look at my guitar or my boots or my truck, you know that I love old things. I hope she makes it another million!”

Bentley played the San Antonio Rodeo over the weekend. Next his tour heads to Australia, followed by a 20-city U.S. spring run.

Nashville’s DWP Live Projects Success at Super Bowl Halftime

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Madonna on the Super Bowl Halftime stage

Although the halftime show at the 2012 Bridgestone Super Bowl lasted only 12 minutes, months of planning and testing by Nashville production company DWP Live went into the spectacle.

Set designer Bruce Rodgers of Tribe engaged Orlando based LMG, a video, audio and lighting technology provider, to develop lightweight LED for the main stage. In turn, LMG partnered with Danny Whetstone’s DWP Live, for field projection in front of the stage.

In preparation for the Super Bowl, DWP Live staffers traveled to LMG’s headquarters in December 2011 to test eight crane rigs, which were each used to hold a bundle of four projectors in the air, shooting downwards 150 feet onto the field surface. A total of 32 Barco FLM HD20 projectors were used to cover the 11,000 square foot projection area.

Actual setup time for the halftime show happened in a strict 12 minute time frame. The LED team and over 500 volunteers rolled out and assembled the stage on the field, comprised of 796 lightweight FLED tiles, constructed into fourteen customized LED carts. The result turned the stage and field projection area into everything from Vogue magazine covers to reverberating speakers.

More than 114 million Americans watched as Madonna performed songs with guests LMFAO, Cee Lo Green, M.I.A. and Nicki Minaj, around the displays. After the performance, breakdown and removal of the stage and projection area from the field was completed in less than seven minutes.

DWP Live was founded in 2007 as a single source solution for production services, AV design, and equipment rental. Since the company’s founding, it has experienced rapid growth and become a key partner for trade shows, corporate events, concerts and permanent facilities around the world.

The Band Perry’s Sold Out Show at the Ryman

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The Band Perry makes its headlining Ryman Auditorium debut February 20, 2012 – the first act to perform on the Ryman’s new stage. Front Row: The Band Perry's Reid, Kimberly, and Neil Perry. Back Row: Jimmy Harnen, Republic Nashville President; Erik Peterson, TBP Artist Management; Bob Doyle, TBP Manager; Rob Beckham, William Morris Agency; Sally Williams, Ryman Auditorium; Dana Burwell, Producer; Steve Buchanan, Gaylord Entertainment; and Scott Borchetta, Big Machine Records CEO.

The Band Perry played to a full house at the Ryman Auditorium on Feb. 20 in downtown Nashville, TN. When tickets went on sale last fall, the show sold out in a staggering twenty minutes, a first for the Republic Nashville breakout trio. Kimberly, Reid and Neil Perry were also the first artists to perform on the recently renovated stage at the legendary venue.

“We are so excited to have performed our first headlining show in Nashville at the Ryman Auditorium! Country music’s ‘Mother Church’ was in need of some loving attention, so a brand new stage has just been added,” says Kimberly. “We had the honor of being the very first act to perform on it. The evening was even better than we imagined.”

Natalie Hemby opened for the 2012 ACM Vocal Group of the Year contenders. Hemby, who wrote Miranda Lambert’s “Baggage Claim” and “White Liar,” told the audience when The Band Perry offered her the opening slot, she was so excited that she screamed. She performed several songs including the hits she wrote for Lambert, as well as a lullaby that she recently penned for her daughter.

Afterwards, accompanied by a full band, The Band Perry shared a few new songs as well as their Gold-certified No. 1 single, “All Your Life;” their Triple-Platinum, No. 1 smash, “If I Die Young” and the Gold-certified “You Lie” from their Platinum Republic Nashville debut album. Their set included a backdrop made up of three LCD screens, which showed various animations and music video clips during the performances.

Not only did the Feb. 20 show in Music City sell out in a matter of minutes for The Band Perry, their show Feb. 18 at Billy Bob’s Texas in Ft. Worth, also sold out in advance. With more than 16,000 in attendance, the sibling trio also performed to a packed venue at the San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo on Feb. 15.

The Band Perry heads back out on the road this week with Brad Paisley’s Virtual Reality Tour 2012. Upcoming stops include:

2/23       Madison, WI – Alliant Energy Center
2/24       Moline, IL – iWireless Center
2/25       Springfield, MO – JQH Arena

Lineup Announced For Charley Foundation’s Ringside Event

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Nashville-based organization The Charley Foundation will host its 8th Annual “Ringside: A Fight For Kids” on Friday, March 2. The black-tie event, emceed by Storme Warren, takes place at Liberty Hall in The Factory at Franklin. Average Joes president Tom Baldrica will serve as the ring announcer.

“Ringside” will offer gourmet dining, live music, celebrity guests, and a live auction to start off the evening. The main event is four bouts of professional boxing, sanctioned by the Tennessee Athletic Commission.

Musical performers include 80s pop hitmaker Tiffany, plus country artists James Otto, Bridgette Tatum, and Ira Dean. Additional performers include songwriters Chas Sanford (John Waite’s “Missing You”); Blair Daily (Uncle Kracker’s “Smile”); Danny Orton (Rascal Flatts’ “Stand”); and Marabeth Poole (Julianne Hough’s “Dreaming Under The Same Moon”).

All money raised will provide assistance to disabled and underprivileged children served by medical, recreational, and care groups in the Nashville area. NFL Alumni Tennessee Chapter will be a beneficiary, and expected NFL guests include Eddie George, Neil O’Donnell, Brad Hopkins, Kevin Dyson, Kelly Holcomb, and Al Smith.

“This year’s amazing lineup of talent will play a significant role in assisting the Charley Foundation help make a positive and lasting impact on the lives of local children, their families, and their communities,” said Carolyn Miller, Charley Foundation founder and chairman. “I am forever grateful for their unfailing support.”

Bluebird Cafe To Host Weekend Benefit Shows

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The Bluebird Cafe is hosting benefit shows this weekend for Vanderbilt Children’s Hospital and the John Jarrard Foundation.

On Friday, March 2 organizers of the Music City Tennis Invitational, which benefits the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, will host a fundraiser at the venue. The 9:30 p.m. show will feature Heidi Newfield, Leslie Satcher, Marv Green, and Kendell Marvel.

This weekend’s event leads up to the 39th Annual Music City Tennis Invitational, set for April 21-22 at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University. Details at www.musiccitytennis.com or by calling (615) 322-7733.

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On Saturday, March 3, at 6:30 p.m. the fourth annual John Jarrard Foundation Night at the Bluebird will feature Richard Leigh, John Driskell Hopkins, James Dean Hicks and Joanna Cotten.

The foundation started in memory of songwriter John Jarrard has raised over $1,000,000 since its inception to benefit charities including The Boys and Girls Clubs, Good News Clinics, and Good News at Noon. www.johnjarrardfoundation.com

Reservations are suggested for both events at www.bluebirdcafe.com or by phone at (615) 383-1461.

KREK’s Dusty Edwards Passes

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MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends of KREK/Bristow, OK MD Dusty Edwards, who passed away Friday (Feb. 24) in Tulsa. He was 49.

Known as Ron Schmidt to his family and friends, Edwards was born in Fort Cobb, Oklahoma and went on to serve in the United States Air Force after finishing high school. He joined KREK in 1992, where he worked for 20 years, including time as MD and on-air talent. Basketball was also a passion of his, and he served as the voice for Bristow Pirate basketball games.

Edwards had been diagnosed with Non-Hodgkins Lymphoma in early February, and began chemotherapy treatment. Last week, he suffered a heart attack that left him in a coma. After a period with no change, he was taken off life support and passed away shortly after. He had taken leave from KREK in December 2011 prior to his diagnosis.

He is survived by his father Ronald Sr., mother Gladys, brother Donald (aka “Shorty”), sister Gidget, daughter Tascha, granddaughter Makayla, and two nieces and a nephew. His first grandson is also on the way. He was preceded in death by his brother David.

Funeral services have been scheduled for Thursday, March 1, at 11 am at the Freeland Center in Bristow, with interment to follow at Tecumseh Cemetery in Tecumseh, Oklahoma.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked memorial contributions be made to assist with medical bills, through a fund set up in his name. Contributions can be sent to Dusty Edwards Benefit Fund, c/o Community Bank, PO Box 1010, Bristow, OK 74010.

For correspondence, contact Gidget Miller, 15606 E. Tecumseh, Norman, OK, 73026.

Nashville Parties With Aldean, Bryan, and Alaina

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A sold-out crowd surrounded the stage in the Bridgestone Arena Friday night for the My Kinda Party Tour with Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan and Lauren Alaina. The show proudly delivered a hybrid of both the energy of a fully produced Garth Brooks show and pitch-perfect vocals allowing fans the opportunity to let their hair down and satisfy a critic’s pick.

The set list was undeniably country, and rightly so, with all three acts hailing from the state of Georgia. They played to that niche all evening with songs about “Georgia Peaches,” “Drinkin’ Beer and Wastin’ Bullets” and a “Big Green Tractor.”

Alaina skipped onstage wearing a shimmery metallic sundress to perform songs from her post-American Idol release Wildflower. She reflected on her first Idol audition happening in the Bridgestone, “my dream started in this building.”

Though Aldean’s name was on the concert marquee that night, Bryan too easily captivated the arena. The audience shone as brightly the LED stage risers that flashed L-U-K-E as he displayed the hits that put him on the stage. Although he fist-pumped a guitar when he walked onstage, Bryan spent a majority of his set showcasing his charismatic personality. He ran up and down the ramps showing off his tight jeans with enthusiasm for an admiring crowd.

He slowed the tempo only a few times, one to cover Adele’s “Someone Like You” behind a piano, exhibiting a rare and tantalizing falsetto. “In a city of the world’s greatest musicians, I am playing the piano? I suck at the piano!” he said in playful self-deprecation. It was no stretch of the imagination to understand why Bryan’s Spring Break event is so enjoyable, the audience was left burning-hot for Aldean.

Headliner Aldean’s high-octane energy continued the party through his set, which was apparently a night of firsts, “This is the first show we’ve done with fans behind us, and our first full show in Nashville, and it sold out.”

Aldean shared his stage set-up with the two opening acts, but when he appeared beds of intelligent lights aligned to resemble crops planted in a row—perfect for his farm referencing songs “Amarillo Sky” and “Flyover States.”

After a few of his hits on the main stage, Aldean was quickly escorted to an acoustic stage in the back of the arena where was joined by Bryan to duet on Shenandoah’s “Sunday in the South,” Tracy Lawrence’s “Time Marches On,” and Alabama’s “Love in the First Degree.” The pair also played Bryan’s “We Rode in Trucks,” requested by Aldean who said, “this is one of my favorite songs Luke doesn’t play in his set anymore.” The intro to “Don’t You Wanna Stay” brought deafening cheers when Kelly Clarkson surprised the audience for the spot usually covered on tour by Alaina.

The last rows of the balcony danced just as hard as the audience up front, all fueled by the electricity from the stage—everyone came to party. It left us amazed at the effects of electricity.

CRS 2012 Attendance Shows Growth

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Country Radio Seminar 2012 showed an increase in attendance for the fourth consecutive year, rising 9.6 percent higher than last year’s totals.

A total of 2,904 registrants attended the gathering of country radio and music professionals held Feb. 22-24 in Nashville, including 2,190 full registrants (attendees, exhibitors, panelists and sponsors) and 714 participant registrants. Participants are attend individual CRS events or purchase single day seminar passes only. Total CRS attendance in 2011 was 2,649, up from 2,181 attendees in 2010.

“With attendance jumping nearly 10 percent this year, daily superstar performances, improved on-site conveniences and more event sponsors than ever before, CRS 2012 was a great success,” says CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. “This is the fourth straight year we’ve enjoyed growth in our attendance numbers, and it really goes to show how the Country radio industry is not only remaining relevant, but thriving in today’s media saturated marketplace.”

CRS 2013 is scheduled for Feb. 27-March 1, 2013 at the Nashville Convention Center