Artist Snapshots (2/14/12)

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On February 3, many members of the Grand Ole Opry paid tribute to the Ryman Auditorium’s long-lasting stage for the final time before its replacement. Among those present for the occasion were Whisperin’ Bill Anderson and the Oak Ridge Boys, who sang the first-ever live rendition of their collaboration “Gone Away.” The song was produced by Buddy Cannon, and Anderson co-wrote it with Steve Ripley, Tim DuBois, and John Wooley.

(L-R): Oak Ridge Boys Joe Bonsall, Duane Allen, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban with Bill Anderson.

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MCA Nashville’s Josh Turner recently filmed the music video for his new song “Time Is Love,” the ninth video release of his career. The single is the first off his upcoming album Punching Bag.

On the set of the “Time Is Love” video shoot are (L-R): Ted Greene (Modern Management), Peter Zavadil (Director), Renee Behrman-Greiman (Modern Management), Josh Turner, Chandra Pereira (Exec. Producer), Fount Lynch (UMG Nashville). Photo: Stephen Shepherd.

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Big Machine Records’ trio Edens Edge (Hannah Blaylock, Dean Berner, and Cherrill Green) were recently invited to become honorary Friends and Family of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The group’s debut single “Amen” was recently a Top 20 hit and they have toured with Brad Paisley, Reba, and Lady Antebellum. Their debut album is expected later in 2012.

(L to R) back: Jay Orr (Vice President, Programs), Sharon Burns (Vice President, Sales and Marketing), Kyle Young (Museum Director), Pamela Johnson (Vice President, Development),Virginia Davis (B.A.D Management), Whitney Cheshier (B.A.D Management) and Nikki Burns (Big Machine Label Group); front: Edens Edge Members Cherrill Green, Hannah Blaylock, and Dean Berner

Beloved Publicist Jayne Rogovin Passes

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Jayne and her horse Diva. Photo: Gina Binkley

Veteran Nashville publicist Jayne Rogovin passed away last night (2/13) from incurable breast cancer.

For eight years she ran her successful Jayne Gang PR, with most recent clients including The Americana Music Association, Sunset Grill, Cabana Restaurant, Midtown Cafe and Manuel Exclusive Clothier. A devoted publicist, she was working even in recent weeks, as her condition worsened. Friends say the decline in her health was sudden.

Proof of her courageous spirit and drive, she proclaimed in a recent interview, “I’m living, not battling.”

Best friend Kay West helped Rogovin keep on living, acting as a point person for others who wanted to help. “I met Jayne when Steve West asked her to direct the first Nashville Music Awards aka The NAMMIES 17 years ago and I wrote the script,” recalls West. “We have been dear friends since. Jayne was fearless, adventurous, insatiably curious, always learning, generous, devoted to her friends and clients and a damned fine horsewoman and dancer. She lit up a room and touched countless lives. I will miss her terribly.”

Longtime friend Kay Clary agrees, “Jayne was bursting with life and seriously had the widest circle of close friends of anyone I’ve ever known! She had an hilariously quick wit, the tenderest of hearts, and sharpest of minds. Yes, she did impassioned work as a PR and marketing exec, but she’ll be remembered most by so many as a vibrant and true friend.”

Rogovin’s more than twenty-year career included time as Pecos Films Director/Producer, as well as work in media, marketing and creative services.

The New York native graduated from the University of Florida and went into broadcast journalism. Later, after a two-month stint with a TV crew covering the Branch Davidian standoff in Waco, Texas, she decided a career change was in order. She eventually landed in Nashville, and became a much-loved, hard-working member of the music community. She was passionate about horses, and indulged her caring nature with gardening, and her feisty side with salsa dancing.

Friends rallied around Rogovin during her illness, organizing the Kick the Crap Outta Cancer benefit in her honor. Held April 5, 2011 at Cabana, the event attracted performers including Raul Malo, Jim Lauderdale, Steve Cropper, and Foster & Lloyd, and raised about $30,000.

She was as devoted to the community as it was to her, working with charitable causes including UPAW (United Partnership for Animal Welfare), and Billy’s Wish Foundation, which helps children with cancer.

Ronna Rubin saw her friend as an inspiration. She says, “In good health and in bad, Jayne inspired me. I will always remember Jayne’s passion; her passion for life, for her friends, for our creative community. Those artists, songwriters and singers lucky enough to have had her as their cheerleader were gifted with a rare combination of vision and devotion.”

In recent months Rogovin continued her longtime work with the Americana Music Association, including at its September Festival and Conference. She was one of the most devoted and earliest supporters of the organization and the genre it represents. According to her blog, she also enjoyed traveling to see family in the months before her passing.

Read more about Rogovin’s history here and her recent interview here.

Arrangements have not been announced.

Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly shared this moving letter today.

Dear Jaynie,

Your friendship was unconditional. Your love was unconditional. Your professionalism unsurpassed. I am so grateful for the gifts you shared.

You never once let me down. You not being here today is unimaginable and I am figuring out how to deal with this… It’s tough. Happened too fast.

I have no doubt you would have already pulled into my driveway by now to listen and comfort me, and to advise me on how to deal with this situation. You would likely be telling me that I have to grieve, and then you would, at the right time, tell me I needed to stand up, pull it together and leave the house. You’d tell me I needed a statement. It’s making me laugh and cry.

How lucky we all have been to be your friend. You gave us such confidence. Your belief in greatness and kindness in all of us is one I cherish.

I love you and miss you so much Jayne Rogovin. Happy Valentine’s Day sweetheart.

Friends rallied aroud Jayne Rogovin at the Kick The Crap Outta Cancer benefit. (L-R): Steve Cropper, Jonell Mosser, Jayne Rogovin, Harry Stinson and Beth Hooker. Photo: Alan Mayor

Tracy Lawrence To Host CRS Benefit

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Tracy Lawrence is set to headline the “Tracy Lawrence & Friends” benefit to support Operation Troop Aid on Wed. Feb., 22 at Nashville’s Cadillac Ranch during CRS. The event, which begins at 6 pm, is free and open to the public.

The performance lineup includes Lexi James, Kaleb Hensley & II Smokin’ Barrels, Stephen Cochran, Cody McCarver and additional surprise guests.

The benefit celebrates Operation Troop Aid’s fifth year promoting entertainment initiatives raising funding to send care packages to deployed US Troops.

Mark Woods, a 21-year military veteran, founded Troop Aid after being inspired by Garth Brooks’ 9/11 concert live from the USS Enterprise, where he was stationed at the time.

New Upward Management Signing

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Nashville’s Upward Management has signed 19-year-old Julia Sheer for management representation, where her career will be guided by Liesl Menning Haynie and Jason Greene.

Sheer first began getting noticed two years ago after posting YouTube videos of herself performing covers of Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Bruno Mars and others. Her videos have accumulated over 42 million views, including more than three million views of “You Will Never Be,” an original song she co-wrote. She is currently working on songs for her debut album with several Nashville songwriters.

In addition to Sheer, the Upward Management roster also includes multi-platinum artist Clay Walker and newcomer Sarah Marince.

Mel Tillis Honored At White House Yesterday

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President Obama bestows the National Medal of Arts on Mel Tillis. Photo: UPI/Kevin Dietsch

Mel Tillis was honored with the National Medal of Arts yesterday during a ceremony at the White House. President Obama presented this year’s awards to Tillis, actor Al Pacino, and several others.

First Lady Michelle Obama was also on hand for the event in the East Room.

Tillis, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, said, “I’ve had a blessed career, and that has been acknowledged in many ways over the years. I was pleasantly surprised when I got the call because I didn’t know there were anymore awards left to win. I’m very thankful and what an honor!”

The National Medal of Arts is the highest award given to artists and arts patrons by the United States Government. It recognizes outstanding contributions to the excellence, growth, support and availability of the arts in the United States. Past recipients include George Jones, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, and Bob Dylan.

Tillis has recorded more than 60 albums and scored 35 Top Ten singles during his career. He was named the CMA Entertainer of the Year, and is a member of the Grand Ole Opry. Among the other artists who have recorded his songs are Kenny Rogers (“Ruby, Don’t You Take Your Love To Town”), George Strait (“Thoughts of a Fool”), and Ricky Skaggs (“Honey, Open That Door”). BMI named Tillis Songwriter of the Decade for two decades.

Rider Joins RPM Management

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Former Stoney Creek Records GM/VP April Rider has joined the staff RPM Management as VP of Artist Development, it was announced today by RPM President Scott Siman.

“I am so excited to be working with April,” said Siman. “She did an amazing job launching Thompson Square and she has developed into one of the top executives in our industry. She had a lot of companies seeking her out and I’m honored she chose RPM.”

Siman and Rider previously worked together on promotion efforts for Tim McGraw during Rider’s decade-long tenure with Curb Records, where she ended as VP of Promotion. Rider’s promotion experience also includes time with Skip Stevens Promotions and Decca Records.

Rider is already on the job, and she can be congratulated here.

Industry Ink Monday

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• Kenny Rogers is suing former label home Capitol Records for unpaid digital royalties, reports The Tennessean. He filed suit in federal court and is represented by King and Ballow, which successfully led Eminem’s similar suit. The suits hinge on whether or not digital song transactions are licenses or sales.

• Leadership Music is seeking an Executive Director. Click here to download the job description.

• Warner Music Nashville is seeking a Regional Promotion Manager for the WMN promotion team. The position will work directly with the WMN roster which includes The Dirt Drifters, Hunter Hayes, the JaneDear girls and Blake Shelton. Resumes can be sent to [email protected].

• SunTrust Mortgage has named Ellen May to its President’s Team, one of the highest honors the company bestows upon its loan officers. May has been a fixture at the bank’s Music Row branch for over a decade, catering to the specialized needs of the music community.

• Condolences to Trisha Walker-Cunningham on the passing of her father Major Terry Walker. She was at his bedside in England when he died. In lieu of flowers, the longtime music promoter and booker asks for donations to hospice facilities that rely on charitable contributions.

Wade Bowen Plays Nashville’s Exit-In

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Wade Bowen’s current single “Saturday Night” (Sea Gayle/BNA) bears the refrain “So why does everybody love Saturday night/Stale smell of beer and the smoke in your eyes/I keep sittin’ and drinkin’ and thinkin’ ‘bout a sad good-bye/So tell me why is everybody so in love with Saturday night?” It’s an inversion of the usual party-hearty weekend theme found in popular country songs, set to a jangling, uptempo track. It works really well because, let’s face it, the weekend sucks when you’re alone and brokenhearted.

That marriage of darker subject matter to gritty, driving country rock is a particular strength of Bowen’s, and he was in fine form when he played Nashville’s Exit-In last Thursday (Feb. 9) with Charlie Worsham and Striking Matches. Backed by his usual six-piece band, the beloved Texas artist debuted songs from his upcoming BNA Records album and spirited versions of his older material.

The set kicked off with “God Bless This Town,” a bitter take on the gossip and narrow-mindedness that plagues small town dwellers. He originally recorded the song in 2006, but has re-recorded it for the new album. Other new songs included “All That’s Left,” “Say Anything,” and the rocking “Patch of Bad Weather.”

Years of playing hundreds of dates have given Bowen a commanding stage presence, and he’s built a great chemistry with his band. As a unit, they excel in building the suspense for each new song.

Failed relationships were a popular topic in the evening’s selections, and they range from the haunted memory ballad “Ghost In This Town,” to the done-me-wrong kiss off “Nobody’s Fool,” and breakup aftermath tale “You Had Me At My Best.” He even touched on the casualties of alcoholism in “Daddy And The Devil.” Pretty grim stuff, but the crowd loved it.

Fans were also treated to a special appearance by Dave Loggins, whose “Please Come To Boston” is a staple of Bowen’s live sets. Loggins joined the band onstage for a verse and chorus of the song before turning the stage back over.

Bowen closed out his main set with the cathartic and triumphant “Resurrection,” which ought to feel familiar to anyone who’s ever endured a bad breakup. “We’ve all been there,” he said. “If you haven’t, you’re not living like you should.”

For his encore, he played an acoustic “Before These Walls Were Blue” accompanied by vocalist Jessica Murray. He closed out the evening with one more poison-arrow anthem called “Beat Me Down,” accompanied by the song’s co-writer Sean McConnell and a pack of rowdy music lovers pumping their fists in time.

Being bummed out never felt so good.

NRA Takes Aim With Country Compilation

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The National Rile Association has assembled some of country music’s favorite male stars for a new compilation release, This Is NRA Country, Vol. 1. Featured artists include Charlie Daniels, Trace Adkins, Justin Moore and others. The album is currently available for purchase here.

The organization has cozied up to Nashville lately through its This is NRA Country campaign, which launched in Sept. 2011. So far, Moore, Lee Brice, Trace Adkins, and Craig Morgan have all been featured as This is NRA Country Artists of the Month.

Tracklist:
1. Justin Moore “This is NRA Country
2. Hank Williams Jr. “A Country Boy Can Survive”
3. Montgomery Gentry “My Town”
4. Rodney Atkins “Cleaning This Gun”
5. Trace Adkins “More Of Us”
6. Craig Morgan “I’m Country”
7. Charlie Daniels “In America”
8. Josh Thompson “Way Out Here”
9. John Rich “Shutting Detroit Down”
10. Lee Brice “She Ain’t Right”
11. Rhett Akins & Dallas Davidson “Opening Day”

Berry Named Manager Regional Promotion For RCA

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David “Bubba” Berry has been hired as Manager Regional Promotion for RCA Records. The position will be based out of Dallas and report directly to Vice President of National Promotion for RCA Nashville, Keith Gale, who made the announcement today (Feb. 13).

A 20-year promotion veteran, Berry previously worked as Manager Regional Promotion for BNA Records from 2006 until his exit in August 2011. Most recently, he served as Midwest Regional Promotion & Marketing Director for Show Dog-Universal.

“We are very fortunate to be able to add a person to the RCA team with Bubba’s experience, passion, and creativity,” Gale said of Berry. “It is a real luxury, and we are excited to welcome him back to The RCA Records Label.”