CRS After-Hours: Photo ReCap

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L-R: Phil Vassar, Rodeowave Entertainment's Lori Hartigan and KUPL OM Scott Mahalick.

Nashville’s Past Perfect restaurant was packed Wednesday night (2/22) with Country Radio Seminar revelers at the Rodeowave/Blaster event headlined and hosted by Phil Vassar. Vassar’s latest single, “Don’t Miss Your Life,” drew the same tremendous reaction live as it has been receiving from radio programmers and listeners.

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Jana Kramer receiving a plaque containing a polaroid of her and every program director she meet along her promo tour. (L-R: Scott Hendricks, Peter Strickland, Jana Kramer, Chris Stacey, Chris Palmer, Chad Schultz.)

Warner Music Nashville kicked off CRS on Wednesday night (2/22) with their annual “Warner Wednesday” party at Nashville’s aVenue. The label’s roster rocked out to 80’s songs as part of this year’s party theme “Attack of the 80’s.”

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L-R: Tenacity National Promotion Directors Gary Greenberg and Anne Sarosdy, Darryl Worley, Tenacity label president Mike Kraski, Bill Gentry, Tenacity Senior VP of Promotion David Haley and National Promotion Director Jeff Davis.

The Ryman Room was overflowing with CRS attendees Wednesday night (2/22) when Tenacity Records threw its first CRS bash. Keeping it all about the music, Tenacity artists Bill Gentry and Darryl Worley performed their new music and kept the party going well into the night.

RIAA’s Gold and Platinum Country January Highlights

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January was a good to several country music artists.

American Idol champ Scotty McCreery took home his first Platinum award for debut Clear As Day (Mercury Nashville, 2011), while Toby Keith and Jerrod Niemann were presented their first ever Platinum download certifications for “Red Solo Cup” (Show Dog – Universal Music) and “Lover, Lover” (Sea Gayle Records).

Taylor Swift’s new year was one full of precious metals. The RIAA awarded Swift her 21st Gold download cert for new single “Ours,” a 4x multi-Platinum for popular ballad “You Belong With Me,” plus a 4x multi-Platinum album award for her 2010 album Speak Now (Big Machine Records) selling more than four million copies.

Additionally, Luke Bryan and Blake Shelton each earned their second career Platinum download awards for their respective songs “Do I” and “God Gave Me You.”

Complete lists of all album, single, mastertone and video awards can also be accessed at www.riaa.com.

Sony Boat Show Combines New Artists and Seasoned Pros

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(L-R): Kix Brooks, Carrie Underwood, Kristen Kelly, Sara Evans, Jake Owen. Photo: Alan Poizner

Sony Music Nashville’s General Jackson Show & Dinner cruise is a time-honored tradition of Country Radio Seminar, and the 26th installment on Thursday night (Feb. 23) presented the label’s diverse roster from newcomers to seasoned pros. Storme Warren, Sara Evans, and Kellie Pickler served as hosts between performances.

Jake Owen kicked off the evening, performing his current single “Alone With You,” and adding the PG-13 concert ending “I can’t be your booty call.” He also delivered a thundering version of his No. 1 hit “Barefoot Blue Jean Night.”

New faces performing included Tyler Farr (on “Hot Mess” and “Hello Goodbye”), a soulful Kristen Kelly (on “You Love To Make Me Cry” and “Ex-Old Man”), and Casey James (on “Let’s Don’t Call It A Night” and “Crying On a Suitcase”). Love and Theft, now a duo, came out to play “Angel Eyes” and their previous hit “Runaway,” with guitarist Josh Leo tossing in some sweet Knopfler-esque guitar solos for the extended jam. Josh Thompson stepped up for “I’m Comin’ Around,” and “Way Out Here.” Kix Brooks had his coming out as a solo artist with “Let’s Do This Thing,” and his debut single “New To This Town.”

A satellite acoustic stage (right in front of our table!) was reserved for acoustic performances from Pickler and Evans. Pickler played “Stop Cheating On Me” and “100 Proof” from her new album 100 Proof, and Evans played her classic “Suds In The Bucket” as well as “Anywhere.”

Pickler was a delight as host, expertly cracking wise with Warren and Evans. While waiting for headliner Carrie Underwood’s band to set up, she told a bawdy story about an ex who was obsessed with Sara Evans, prompting her to dye her hair much darker with disastrous results. Underwood joked, “I think we all learned why they asked me and not Kellie Pickler to host the CMA Awards.”

Underwood played her hit “Undo It,” as well as “Someday When I Stop Loving You,” before debuting her new single “Good Girl” which was emailed to programmers while we sat on the boat. The festivities wrapped up with an ensemble rendition of Young Rascals song “Good Lovin’” that featured Underwood, Evans, Kelly, Owen, and Brooks.

Industry Updates (2/24/12)

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Unsigned Only Music Competition

The newly launched Unsigned Only Music Competition is setting out to find talent. The competition’s judging panel includes Kenny Rogers, Kelly Clarkson, Cyndi Lauper, Craig Morgan, Angie Stone, 3 Doors Down, Jeremy Camp and Aaron Shust and more.

Mentors include Monte Lipman (President of Universal Republic); Pete Ganbarg (Executive Vice President/Head of A&R, Atlantic Records); David Wolter (Senior VP of A&R, RCA Records); Kim Stephens (President, Forward Entertainment and A&R/Capitol Music Group); Trevor Jerideau (VP of A&R, RCA Records); and Pete Giberga (Head of A&R, Razor & Tie Records) and more.

Entries are being accepted until March 5; must be original music except for the Vocal Performance category. Unsigned Only was created by The founders of International Songwriting Competition, Jim Morgan and Candace Avery. For more details click here.

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ASCAP Honors George Strait at UMG’s CRS Lunch

(L-R) Marc Driskill, George Strait Photo: Peyton Hoge

Vice President and General Manager of ASCAP Nashville, Marc Driskill presented George Strait with a guitar and plaque commemorating the superstar’s first No. 1 hit as a songwriter for “Here For A Good Time” during the UMG luncheon show at CRS this Wed (Feb. 22).

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CMA’s Complementary “Year of Radio” Memberships

The CMA is expanding its current 6,400 members this year by awarding year-long complimentary organizational memberships to all 2,033 country radio stations in the U.S. (valued at $200 each). In addition, PD’s and GM’s from each station will receive individual memberships (valued at $100 each).

CMA will send membership kits to stations this week including details of membership for medical insurance, telecommunications discounts, research and the ability to vote for the CMA Awards. Any current CMA radio member will be given an additional year of membership in the organization.

“Country radio professionals are among our best ambassadors and it is important for CMA to recognize their outstanding contributions to the Country Music format and make the vast resources of CMA available to support their efforts,” said CEO Steve Moore.

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Carter Twins Form Kingston; Make Nashville Debut

Kingston

Josh and Zach Carter, previously of the Carter Twins, debuted their new duo project called Kingston with a six-song set at 12th & Porter this week during CRS, inviting both fans and industry alike.

The new country duo performed several brand new tracks, including their new single “Dear Someone,” which will have a music video debuting within the next few weeks.

A copy of the duo’s EP was handed to the audience as they left.

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Flying Island at CRS

(L-R) Back: Coy Taylor (artist), Bonita Allen (FIE promo), Shooter Jennings (artist), Bucky Covington (artist), Gwen Sebastian (artist), Ty Herndon (artist) and Nancy Eckert, (FIE head). Middle: Jill Tomalty (FIE promo), Amber Hayes (artist), Levi Riggs (artist), Shelia Shipley (FIE promo). Kneeling: Brian Fee (FIE promo), Louis Newman (FIE head)

Flying Island Entertainment welcomed CRS attendees and their artists to Nashville on Feb. 21 at Rippy’s downtown with a karaoke contest.

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Anchor Down Signing

(L-R) Dan Hodges (Dan Hodges Music), Roger Springer and Anthony Corder (GM, Anchor Down)

Anchor Down Entertainment Welcomes Roger Springer to the roster, co-writer of releases by Mark Chesnutt (“I Might Even Quit Lovin’ You,” “It’s a Little Too Late,” “Let It Rain,” “Thank God for Believers”), Sammy Kershaw (“Matches”) and Love and Theft (“Dancing in Circles”).

 

Guitarist/Producer Billy Strange Dies

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Billy Strange, a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville, has died at age 81.

Equally notable as a top studio guitarist, record producer, songwriter and music arranger, Strange was born in 1930 and raised in Long Beach, CA. He was performing with his parents by age fourteen. He initially worked as a country guitarist, backing Spade Cooley, Roy Rogers, The Sons of the Pioneers, Speedy West and Jimmy Bryant in the 1950s. He also served a stint in Count Basie’s band.

He rose to become a top session guitarist in L.A., a member of the ensemble known as “The Wrecking Crew.” As such, he backed everyone from The Beach Boys to Frank Sinatra and Elvis Presley. Records by The Everly Brothers, Nat King Cole, Randy Newman, Willie Nelson, Dean Martin, Rick Nelson, Jan & Dean, Love, Johnny Cash, The Hondells, Doris Day, Wanda Jackson, Wayne Newton, The Ventures, Pat Boone and many more contain his guitar stylings.

Strange’s distinctive, inventive arrangements include Nancy Sinatra’s “These Boots Are Made for Walking,” Cher’s “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down)” and the Nancy and Frank Sinatra duet “Somethin’ Stupid.”

Recording for GNP Crescendo, Billy Strange issued a dozen instrumental albums in the 1960s. He was also a member of the pop band The Avalanches.

As a songwriter, Strange co-wrote “A Little Less Conversation,” “Charro,” “Clean Up Your Own Back Yard” and “Memories” for Elvis Presley, “Limbo Rock” for Chubby Checker and a number of instrumentals for Speedy West, Jimmy Bryant and Herb Alpert.

Billy Strange moved to Nashville in the 1970s. He initially ran Sinatra’s publishing company’s office in Music City. In the 1980s, record executive Jimmy Bowen hired him to produce a series of country comeback albums on Dot Records for Jeanne Pruett, George Hamilton IV, Justin Tubb, Helen Cornelius and other veteran stars.

Billy Strange was induced into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007. He is also a member of the Rockabilly Hall of Fame. He died in Nashville on Wednesday, February 22. He is survived by his wife, singer Jeanne Black, as well as two children. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.

Lady Antebellum Expands Easily Into Headliner Status

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The set featured three video screens, a long ramp out into the crowd, and an oval, raised in the back with an "inner circle" crowd area.

Lady Antebellum

February 22, 2012, Municipal Auditorium, Nashville, TN

Photos: IzzyNashville.com

Hillary, Charles and Dave, working the crowd.

Backstage
“Coming up out of the lift at the start of the show, is my favorite part,” said Lady A’s Charles Kelley during an exclusive MusicRow interview with the trio before their Nashville show. “The energy is so outrageous, so addictive. I always take out one of my ear monitors to hear the crowd.”

During my last meeting with Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood about eight months ago, there were a lot of career questions on their minds. A new album was queued up for launch, they were focused on conceiving their first headline tour, and basking in the glow from recent multiple Grammy wins, but quietly wondering if there would be more.

No matter what yardstick you use, things have measured up smartly. The first two singles from Own The Night went No. 1 (“Just A Kiss” “We Owned The Night”), the new album is Platinum+, just won a Grammy and the International tour has already enjoyed nine consecutive sold out dates. “Yeah, we have to stop worrying so much,” laughed Charles when I remarked that the fans had answered all three questions in glowing terms.

“We feel blessed to have had so many dreams come true,” Hillary reflected. “But being able to fill an arena takes the cake in a lot of ways. It’s happened so fast. People ask us in interviews, ‘When is the moment where you feel like you’ve made it?’ For me, this is it.”

“Yes, we were working through all this stuff in the Fall,” Dave added. “But now we’ve hit a stride. I never thought we’d be able to fill those entire arenas with 10-14,000 people. Onstage is a different energy as opposed to the studio. It’s unlike anything we’ve ever felt before including Award show performances, etc. When people spend their hard-earned money to come out and are singing along it makes us feel so fortunate.”

The enticing aroma of steaks sizzling on a grill suddenly entered our space. Everyone kind of noticed it at once. “Yeah, it’s the same catering service that Martina McBride used when we were on our very first tour,” Dave said proudly. “Ever since then we knew we had to get them.”

Haywood, standing on a piano, leans into his Telecaster on "Just A Kiss."

“So what would you tell other Nashville artists, that aren’t yet headlining, about this experience?” I asked.

“Try to soak up the whole journey,” offered Charles. “There’s times I miss having one of those ‘can’t wait till it happens’ moments. Because after it does happen, it’s bittersweet. There is something about the innocence of being new and starting to hit those milestones. There were times when we were so involved we didn’t realize what an amazing journey we were going through.”

“And document,” said Hillary. “We’ve done that from the very beginning. It ends up being this beautiful video diary you might like to look back on and show your kids someday. It doesn’t matter what speed your career is at, you don’t process it fully while it is happening.”

While Lady A’s career has been moving in high gear, so has the changes in their personal lives. Hillary Scott was recently married and Dave Haywood is now engaged. “We’ve actually been going through this for several years,” says Dave. “Charles has been married a while and Hillary and Chris were dating all last year. We all put our personal lives first.”

“Our definition of putting our personal lives first looks a lot different than someone who has a normal 9-5 where they drive home and sleep in their own bed every night,” smiles Hillary, whose new husband Chris is currently playing drums on the tour. “But we’re thankful that at this time in our career we have the means to make it comfortable for everyone. When Charles and Cassie got married a few years ago we were all in one bus—12 of us—and she would have to fly in and out of cities because there was no room.”

The Show
Suddenly it was showtime. The three video screens showed each Lady A member primping and doing last minute “get-readys” in their dressing rooms. Moments before the lights dimmed and the videos began, they pumped the crowd with a “Shake It 2 Make It” dance teaser offering 2 tickets to the inner circle for the best dancers. The crowd rose to the occasion as the hot dance tracks played and video cameras put the action up on the screens.

But now it was all about the trio, their fans and specially invited radio programmers who were in town for the Country Radio Seminar. As Charles had predicted, the roar of the crowd was loud as the band rose up through center stage and launched into, “We Owned The Night.”

The show included a healthy offering of new songs and previous favorites. It’s incredible to realize the number of hits this band has amassed in the relatively short time they have been together. The night’s biggest challenge was the venue itself, the Municipal Auditorium. Its large round dome shape makes contouring the sound an engineer’s nightmare.

A special highlight was the stripped down acoustic interlude where the band members and musicians walked out the long ramp into the crowd and played around a mic. It was also a moment when Lady A invited supporting acts Darius Rucker and Thompson Square to jam. But there were more surprises to come. Luke Bryan pleased an excited crowd by singing “Do I.” (Hillary sang on Bryan’s record; Charles and Dave were co-writers on the song). Next, Sara Evans made a surprise appearance to sing “Stronger,” which Hillary Scott co-wrote.

The show moved back onto the main stage and gained momentum. Later, when the crowd called them out for a final encore, Lady A performed its signature song, “Need You Now.”

What makes this trio musically indelible? Well, certainly it is the instantly recognizable vocal blend of Charles and Hillary. Yes, it’s also the material they sing, much of which they write together. And yes, Dave Haywood’s musical contributions add depth and character. But maybe, above all else, it is the sensitive way the trio carries itself onstage, like three strands woven into a single tapestry. They care about each other and their fans. And it shows—all night long.

Backstage before the concert, (L-R) Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, writer David Ross and Charles Kelley. Photo: Adam Boatman

Thompson Square Singer Loses Family Member [Updated]

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[Updated]

MusicRow offers its condolences to Thompson Square’s Keifer and Shawna Thompson, following the death of Shawna’s father last night (Feb. 23).

The band sent this statement through their publicist earlier today:

“It is with a heavy heart that we inform you that Shawna Thompson’s father George Michael “Mickey” Mcllwain passed away yesterday evening in Alabama after a valiant battle with cancer.  Shawna and her family were by his side when he passed. We ask that you please keep both Shawna and Keifer as well as Shawna’s family in your thoughts and prayers during this incredibly difficult time.”

Due to the loss, Thompson Square have elected to withdraw from the CRS 2012 New Faces show scheduled for tonight (Feb. 24).

Visitation will be held tomorrow evening (Feb. 25) at Lathan Funeral Home in Chatom, AL with graveside service to follow on Sunday, Feb. 26.

 

Craig Morgan Release Week Includes Hometown Show

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Craig Morgan is gearing up for the Feb. 28 release of his sixth studio album This Ole Boy. The singer and TV host re-teamed with longtime creative partner Phil O’Donnell to co-produce the set. The title track and lead single is climbing the radio charts.

Morgan will kick-off release week with a live Facebook chat with CMT on Monday. That night he continues the celebration with a hometown concert in Dickson, Tenn. at 8 p.m. at The Renaissance Center where he will sign copies of the album and play an acoustic set. Fans can stream Morgan’s performance via StageIt.

He’s also set for numerous upcoming appearances throughout the southeast, and will travel to Manhattan for a series of national TV appearances including Fox News Channel’s Hannity (3/1), and Fox & Friends (3/2).

Craig Morgan visited Dickson Middle School recently to donate fifteen Dean acoustic guitars to the music program. He also talked with an eighth grade class about music and they wrote a song together.

 

Female Country Pioneer Bertha Garcia Passes

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Old-time fiddler and singer Bertha Woodruff Garcia died on Monday, Feb. 20, in Nashville at age 93.

Born Bertha Amburgey in Neon, Kentucky in 1918, she formed a musical trio with her sisters, guitarist Irene (1921-2004) and banjo/mandolin player Opal (1925-1995). Billed as The Sunshine Sisters, they began working on radio in Lexington, KY on WLAP in 1938. In 1940, they became members of Lily May Ledford’s Coon Creek Girls at the Renfro Valley Barn Dance.

Moving to WSB in Atlanta, they were dubbed “Mattie, Marthie and Minnie” by the station. Opal was Mattie. Irene was Marthie. Bertha was Minnie. They subsequently became known as The Hoot Owl Holler Girls in Atlanta.

As Mattie, Marthie and Minnie they were signed by King Records in 1951-52. They recorded for Capitol Records in 1952-53 as The Amber Sisters. Bertha/Minnie wrote their biggest hit for Capitol, “You Can’t Live With ‘Em and You Can’t Live Without ‘Em.”

All three sisters formed duo acts with their husbands. Irene/Marthie became half of James & Martha Carson. She subsequently became a solo gospel star. Opal/Mattie married Salty Holmes and performed on the Opry as Salty Holmes & Mattie O’Neil. She later became a solo recording artist and highly successful Nashville songwriter as “Jean Chapel.” Bertha/Minnie married the late Charles “Ducky” Woodruff and they, too, became a country duo.

Bertha retired from music to raise her three children and have a 30-year career with the Tennessee Department of Revenue.

She is survived by her second husband, Robert Garcia, by son Charles Michael Woodruff and daughters Shirley Ferry and Sandra Smith, by five stepchildren and by a number of grandchildren, step grandchildren and great grandchildren. She is also survived by brother Glenn Amburgey of Cincinnati. Surviving brother Lloyd Amburgey is the Nashville country entertainer Don Chapel and her niece is singer Donna Chapel.

Her funeral is this evening, 4-7 p.m., at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.

 

CountryBreakout No. 1 Song

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Non-consecutive week No. 1 songs are a rarity on the CountryBreakout Chart. Typically a single will rise to the top and hang out for a couple weeks, before being scaled back into recurrent airplay.

So here’s our rare exception for the next few months. Keith Urban’s “You Gonna Fly” has returned to the No. 1 position after a couple weeks at No. 2 while labelmate Dierks Bentley’s “Home” was in charge. “You Gonna Fly” was penned by Jaren Johnston, Preston Brust, and Chris Lucas. Brust and Lucas you should recognize from their other job fronting the LoCash Cowboys, and this is the first No. 1 single for either of them.

Urban will also be tackling a new challenge in 2012, as he joins the Australian version of The Voice as a judge. His All For the Hall benefit for the Country Music Hall of Fame will come to the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville with guests Alabama, Alison Krauss & Union Station, The Band Perry, Blue Sky Riders, Diamond Rio, Exile, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pistol Annies, Rascal Flatts, and Thompson Square.