Tuesday Photos

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Museum Honors Fontana

The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum recently (10/22) honored drummer D.J. Fontana in its quarterly Nashville Cats: A Celebration of Music City Musicians series. Throughout the program, which included rare recordings and videos, Fontana discussed his time as the staff drummer for the Louisiana Hayride before he joined Elvis Presley and the Blue Moon Boys. Fontana played on over 400 Presley recordings including “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hound Dog” and “Heartbreak Hotel.” Fontana also recorded with Waylon Jennings, Paul McCartney, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride, Keith Richards and Ringo Starr. (L-R): Fontana, Jerry Chesnut, Country Music Hall of Fame member Gordon Stoker, David Briggs, Scotty Moore and program host Bill Lloyd.

Photo: Donn Jones

She’s Country Tour Launches

The She’s Country Tour featuring Heidi Newfield with Bridgette Tatum and special guests kicked off with an industry launch party at 12th & Porter in Nashville. The first phase of the all-girl tour, sponsored by Pendleton Whisky, begins next week in Little Rock, AR and runs through December. (L-R): Tatum; Carolyn Miller, 343 Agency; Newfield; and Mike Snider, co-head Paradigm Nashville.

Photo: Randi Radcliff

Neal McCoy Visits MusicRow

Blaster Records artist Neal McCoy stopped by the MusicRow offices last Wednesday (10/19) to preview his latest single, “A-OK,” from his twelfth career album, XII, which is set for a first quarter 2012 release. (L-R): MR’s Christie King, Caitlin Rantala and Sherod Robertson; McCoy; and MR’s Michelle Stephens and Jon Freeman.

Lambert Readies Album Launch

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For Miranda Lambert fans, the two year wait since her last solo outing is almost over. The feisty CMA Female Vocalist of the Year will take the wraps off her new collection Four The Record Nov. 1. The new 14-track set includes the self-penned Lambert songs “Safe,” and “Dear Diamond,” two songs that paint a portrait of both sides of the relationship spectrum. She covers the Gillian Welch & David Rawlings song “Look At Miss Ohio,” and the album closes with the ethereal “Oklahoma Sky,” written for Miranda by singer-songwriter friend Allison Moorer.

Before the official release, five tracks from the album will be “leaked” beginning Oct. 24 and a new track will premiere each day. Fans can click HERE to find info about how to listen to the music. After listening to each song there will be a QR code to unlock and collect an exclusive Miranda Lambert badge. Those collecting all five badges will be eligible to enter for a flyaway trip to meet Miranda and see her in concert.

Lambert’s launch week will kick off with a performance of “Baggage Claim” on The Today Show. On Wednesday, Nov. 2, she will appear on Live With Regis & Kelly where she will be interviewed and also perform the song. Miranda will also appear on the cover of the current issues of Billboard Magazine and Ladies Home Journal.

A Limited Deluxe Edition version of the album that includes a bonus song and a DVD featuring Miranda sharing stories behind each song will also be released.

Miranda will perform on the 45th Annual CMA Awards on Wed., Nov. 9. She is nominated in the Female Vocalist and Musical Event categories. Last August the newly married Texas-born singer songwriter released a unique album with trio Pistol Annies. Titled Hell on Wheels, the disc was only available in digital format and sold almost 42,000 units.

 

Songwriters Share Insight

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(L-R): John Oates, Matraca Berg, Jim Lauderdale, Angel Snow

Songwriters John Oates, Matraca Berg, Jim Lauderdale and Angel Snow teamed for a panel discussion about their craft at the recent Americana Music Conference, sharing stories about influences, mentors, co-writing and more.

Lauderdale’s humor kept the session rollicking along, minus a minor interruption from his ringing cell phone. “Hold on, it’s Lady Gaga,” he laughed.

With hits by George Strait and the Dixie Chicks, Lauderdale explained that developing songwriting talent is a gradual process. He also shared how some of his best songs are ones that veer a little off the beaten path. “When I think a song sounds like a hit for a particular artist, those don’t get cut,” he noted. “And it’s the other, more unique ones, that get recorded.”

Berg agreed, “The songs I was afraid to play for my publisher Pat Higdon were always the ones he liked the most.”

All four panelists are active artists, and many of them have used the money from their mainstream cuts to help fund their artist careers.

Snow’s first big break came from three recent tracks released by Alison Krauss and Union Station. Panel moderator John Allen of Bug Music noted Krauss’s love of serendipitously finding previously unknown writers such as Snow. The rising writer also discussed her mentor and frequent co-writer Viktor Krauss.

Panelists agreed on the virtues of co-writing. Having another talent in the room is a good sounding board for ideas, can help complete a song, and aid in the editing process. Oates shared that some of his biggest hits have been written with women because they bring a new perspective to the song. Trust and putting egos aside is key to successful co-writing. Panelists likened it to a dance; trying not to step on toes or control the session. And if a writing appointment isn’t going smoothly, Allen noted that it is important to “know when to take your marbles and go home.”

Berg told the story about her most recently successful co-write, “You And Tequila,” written with Deana Carter and currently nominated for CMA Song of the Year. In 2002 Berg was at a memorial service for renowned songwriter Harlan Howard, who had given the younger tunesmith her first shot of tequila. Howard’s children continued the tradition, giving Berg so many tequila shots that night that she still hadn’t fully recovered two days later when Carter showed up to write, resulting in the lyric “You and tequila make me crazy.”

The writers discussed their influences and the importance of publishers in their careers. Philadelphia-bred Oates grew up on the city’s R&B scene. Younger artist Snow joked that she grew up on Jim Lauderdale and Hall and Oates.

Oates was originally hired along with Daryl Hall as a songwriting team at Cameo Records, a Philly label that acted as a local incarnation of New York City’s famed Brill building. With numerous smashes to his credit, Oates explained that writing a hit is no easy task, because on some level it must tap into society’s collective subconscious.

Berg penned her first No. 1 with mentor Bobby Braddock at age 18. She also cited early influence Red Lane, who often made up nursery rhymes for her as a child. Berg elaborated on how Higdon has relentlessly fostered her career over the years. “[The publisher-writer relationship] is a very personal and fragile thing. Pat let me find my own way. He was there with advice, or to critique if I wanted, but was hands off and didn’t force me to write with the latest hit songwriter. He never told me to write for the market.”

From their experiences, these song experts agree that unique, honest writing will continue to win.

For more on Matraca Berg, check out the recent Publisher Special issue of MusicRow magazine, which includes her essay “My Journey to the Core of Country Music.”

Urban Plans Hall Benefit [updated]

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[New on-sale date] Keith Urban and an all-star lineup of his friends will descend upon Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena Wednesday, January 18 for his third “We’re All For The Hall” concert benefiting the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Tickets go on sale Nov. 4, Dec. 2 and are priced from $25-35.

In addition to performances from CMA Entertainer of the Year nominee Urban, the show will feature guest performances by Vince Gill, Rascal Flatts, Alison Krauss and Union Station, Little Big Town, and the Oak Ridge Boys. More artists are expected to be announced later.

“The support that this event has received over the past couple of years, I think, really speaks to the commitment to and the importance of preserving the past and protecting the future of country music,” says Urban. “We’ll have some great bands performing—part of our ‘All Together Now’ theme for the night—an especially fitting concept that we hope will capture the spirit of the evening.”

The “All For The Hall” initiative addresses the museum’s long-term financial needs, providing a safety net for its work.

“The first two ‘We’re All for the Hall’ concerts have been landmarks for this institution,” says Museum Director Kyle Young. “They have been the most successful fundraisers in the museum’s history, together raising roughly $1 million. And they have not only set a new standard for fundraising and event coordination, but also brought together an entire community and helped us to see what can be done by individuals when there is a collective passion for a cause.

“It is beyond gratifying” continues Young, “when the artists we love and chronicle, artists like Vince and Keith, offer us their leadership and financial support. Keith Urban grew up in a home where country music was cherished. He knows the music’s history and its heroes. He is one of country music’s greatest champions and he is one of this museum’s heroes.”

Terrestrial Radio Reacts To Growing Online Audience

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Arbitron has released new data showing that the online radio audience has doubled every five years since 2001 to 57 million in 2011. However, September figures show the traditional audience grew slightly this past year to 241.4 million. According to a recent article in the New York Post, “a number of private-equity players are making bets that radio is ripe for transformation, thanks to the growth of mobile and huge interest in digital music platforms.”

However, lest anyone unplug their terrestrial radio, Arbitron also says that 81% of listeners still use am/fm and only 11% listen to online only. “The total terrestrial market is $16 billion and streaming is around $500 million,” says Arbitron’s Paul Krasinski. “It’s a budding industry starting to grow.”

Despite the fact that a huge gap exists between the well established terrestrial industry and newer online entities, there is lots of activity on all sides. For example, Clear Channel’s iHeart Radio app recently relaunched. It offers access online to almost all of the company’s hundreds of stations, plus includes interactive features that resemble some of the other players in the online space such as Pandora.

“Consumers require more control, and the challenge is that traditional radio doesn’t provide it,” says Slacker CEO Jim Caddy. “Look at TV and time-shifting — all those things are now reinventing radio. You can ask it to play what you want.”

 

Aldean, Gaga To Perform At Grammy Noms Concert

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Jason Aldean and Lady Gaga are the first performers announced for The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! — Countdown To Music’s Biggest Night on Nov. 30. Nominations in several categories for the 54th Annual Grammy Awards, set for Feb. 12, will be revealed live during the broadcast.

The one hour special, hosted as usual by LL Cool J, takes place at the Nokia Theatre in Los Angeles and will be broadcast live Nov. 30 on CBS at 9 pm CT. Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.

The concert event is the fourth time select nominations for the annual Grammy Awards will be announced live on primetime television. Tickets for the Nominations concert go on sale Friday, October 28 at 12 Noon CT here.

Ramblin’ Music Launches in Nashville

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Weston Burt

Ramblin’ Music, home to Ramblin’ Records and Young Guns Publishing, has opened in Nashville. Atlanta-based founders Gene and Donna Brooks, have tapped producer and songwriter Cliff Downs as President of the company. Singer/songwriter Weston Burt has been signed as the label’s flagship artist.

Ramblin’ Music has also enlisted Teddi Bonadies’ Teebo Consulting for radio promotion and marketing.

Downs is producing Burt’s debut single and album, due in early 2012. The Ft. Payne, Alabama native formed a band at Auburn University and sold 5,000-plus copies of his debut EP while playing upwards of 100 shows each year. He has opened for Justin Moore, Corey Smith, and David Nail. Upon graduating from Auburn in August of this year, Burt moved to Nashville and has been opening for Bucky Covington, Lonestar and performing solo dates.

Downs has written and produced songs for artists such as Wynonna Judd, B.J. Thomas, Paul Rodgers of Bad Company, Glenn Campbell, Michael McDonald, Olivia Newton-John, David Pack of Ambrosia, and jazz great Richard Elliot.

The company is located in Nashville at 1105 16th Ave S, Suite A. E-mail [email protected].

Sony/ATV Adds Creative Manager

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Ed Williams

Ed Williams has joined Sony/ATV Music Publishing Nashville as Creative Manager.

In the new post he will be responsible for marketing the vast Sony/ATV catalog, as well as signing and developing new writer/artists.

Williams was most recently Director of Creative Services at Bug
Music Nashville. His career also includes time at Crossfire 3 Music.

Contact Williams at his new gig at (615) 726-8300 or [email protected].

Music City Walk of Fame Names New Class

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Music City Walk of Fame, presented by founding sponsor Gibson Guitar, will induct superstar artists Kix Brooks and Alan Jackson, clothing designer Manuel, Gospel singer and national television host Dr. Bobby Jones, Queen of Gospel Music Dottie Rambo, guitar innovator Les Paul and late newsman Dan Miller. The induction of this class will bring the total number of stars along the Walk of Fame to 58.

The honorees will be recognized with the unveiling of commemorative sidewalk markers on Sunday, Nov. 6, at 12:00 p.m. in Walk of Fame Park in downtown Nashville. Sponsored by GAC, the ceremony is free and open to the public.

The program’s newest partner, Durango, sponsors two stars annually and has added a charitable component to the program. Many of the past inductees have autographed and decorated a pair of Durango boots, which will be auctioned online during December at visitmusiccity.com. All proceeds will benefit the Music City Inc. Foundation to sustain and grow the Walk of Fame event.

Nominations were open to the public and were accepted in the categories of Artist, Musician, Songwriter, and Producer/Music Industry Executive. Application forms were reviewed by the Music City Walk of Fame anonymous selection committee.

Jesse Atwell Joins Triple 8 Management

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George Couri, owner of Triple 8 Management, announced today (10/24) that Jesse Atwell has joined the firm as VP of Digital Marketing and Tour Marketing. In his new position, Atwell will lead digital and tour marketing efforts for Triple 8 clients Jack Ingram, Eli Young Band, Kevin Fowler and Joe Nichols.

Atwell makes the move to Triple 8 from his previous post at Sony Music Nashville, where he served as Digital Marketing Manager for Arista and RCA, working with Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young and Jake Owen.

Atwell’s hiring brings the Triple 8 team to eight employees, including the recent additions of Jenn Poppe and Karen McGuire.

“Jesse’s experience working on key digital and online campaigns for major country artists is something we are excited to bring to our growing team,” said Couri.

He can be reached at [email protected].