Glen Campbell Diagnosed With Alzheimer's

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Glen Campbell has been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, People Magazine is reporting. The 75-year-old country singer revealed his condition in an interview that appears in Friday’s (6/24) issue.
Campbell and his wife Kim have come forward to talk about his disease because he is making plans for a series of farewell shows and felt his fans should be aware.

“Glen is still an awesome guitar player and singer,” Kim told People. “But if he flubs a lyric or gets confused on stage, I wouldn’t want people to think, ‘What’s the matter with him? Is he drunk?'”

According to the Los Angeles Times, Campbell is also recording an album called Ghost On The Canvas that is due out August 30. He is recording with Julian Raymond, who produced his acclaimed 2008 album Meet Glen Campbell. This collection will reportedly feature songs by Paul Westerberg (The Replacements), Jakob Dylan (The Wallflowers), Teddy Thompson and Robert Pollard (Guided By Voices), in addition to original material. Guests on the album will include Chris Isaak, Dick Dale, Billy Corgan, Brian Setzer, Rick Nielsen (Cheap Trick) and the Dandy Warhols.
Campbell’s storied career has lasted over 50 years, beginning as a session player in Los Angeles on recordings by Phil Spector and the Beach Boys, to his successful solo recordings like “By The Time I Get To Phoenix” and “Rhinestone Cowboy,” and hosting The Glen Campbell Goodtime Hour on CBS. He also ventured into acting, appearing with John Wayne in the 1969 version of True Grit.

Rhett Akins Re-Ups With EMI

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(L-R): EMI's Tom Luteran, BMI's Jody Williams, EMI's Laura Wright, Rhett's son Thomas Rhett Akins, Rhett Akins, BMI's Leslie Roberts, EMI's Ben Vaughn, BMI's Clay Bradley, daughter Kasey Lee Akins, EMI's Josh Van Valkenburg, BMI's Beth Laird, EMI's Missy Wilson and BMI's Mark Mason


Riding high with a string of hits and two rising singles, songwriter Rhett Akins has extended his relationship with EMI Music Publishing. Under terms of the new co-publishing deal, EMI Music will continue to represent Akins’ future work and catalogue of songs which includes the No. 1s “All About Tonight” (performed by Blake Shelton), “Gimme That Girl” (Joe Nichols) and “All Over Me” (Josh Turner).
Akins, who first joined EMI six years ago, is a co-writer on the latest singles from Shelton (“Honey Bee”) and Rodney Atkins (“Take A Back Road”). “I want to thank my EMI family, co-writers, and music partners for giving me the opportunity to create music and live my dream,” he said.
EMI Music Publishing Nashville Executive Vice President Ben Vaughn added, “Rhett Akins is a guy that you love being in business with and working with everyday. He loves what he does and it shows. Our entire EMI Nashville family are proud to share in his on going success and proud to call ourselves ‘Rhettnecks.’”
Since moving to Nashville more than 15 years ago, Akins has had hits as a recording artist with “That Ain’t My Truck” and “She Said Yes.” He was named one of Billboard‘s top five country songwriters in 2010, and his songs have collectively sold more than 2.5 million digital downloads.
His other hits as a writer include “Farmer’s Daughter” (Rodney Atkins), “Put A Girl In It” (Brooks & Dunn) and “The Shape I’m In” (Joe Nichols).
EMI Music Publishing’s current Nashville hit-making writers include Dallas Davidson, Alan Jackson, Chris Young, Kelley Lovelace, and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott.

Memorial Service For Steve Popovich

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Steve Popovich. Photo Credit: Anastasia Pantsios


A memorial service for late record executive Steve Popovich will be held from 6 – 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 30 at United Methodist Fellowship Church (2511 Highway 99, Murfreesboro, TN). A reception will follow at the Church from 7 – 9 p.m. In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to the Stephen C. Popovich Memorial Fund, U.S. Bank, 2504 Old Fort Parkway, Murfreesboro, TN 37128. All funds donated will benefit the various charities that Steve has contributed to throughout his life.
Popovich died at his home in Murfreesboro on June 8 at age 68. Born July 6, 1942 in Nemacolin, PA, his career included time at Columbia Records, and his own Cleveland International Records. He worked with Bruce Springsteen, Michael Jackson, Boston, Johnny Cash, David Allan Coe and polka king Frank Yankovic. He was part of the landmark success of Meat Loaf’s Bat Out of Hell album. His big personality helped him work his way into the fabric of Music City while at the helm of PolyGram Records Nashville in the late 1980s, working with Kris Kristofferson, The Statler Brothers, Tom T. Hall, Kathy Mattea, Lynn Anderson, Tom Jones, Johnny Paycheck and others. See the complete obituary here.
He is survived by son Steve Popovich Jr., daughter Pamela Popovich, sister Barb Lemmo, and grandchildren Tanner and Stephen Popovich.
Funeral services were held June 13 at St. John of the Cross in Euclid, Ohio. Interment followed at Western Reserve Memorial Gardens in Chesterland.
Condolences may be sent to the family via email: [email protected].

Songwriter Signings

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Angel Snow Inks With Bug Music
Bug Music recently signed songwriter Angel Snow. She has three cuts on the deluxe edition of Alison Krauss and Union Station‘s new album, Paper Airplanes. Snow is also set to open for the band during their two-night stand at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium, Aug. 26-27. In between dates on her current headlining tour and recording a new album, Snow has been busy co-writing.

(L-R): Bug Music VP John Allen, songwriter Angel Snow, attorney Tyler Middleton


 
Ten Ten Welcomes Scott Stepakoff
Ten Ten Music Group has signed up and coming songwriter Scott Stepakoff. He is a co-writer on the debut single from MCA artist Kip Moore, “Mary Was The Marrying Kind.” Stepakoff penned the track with Moore and Dan Couch.

(L-R): Ten Ten co-Pres. Jewel Coburn, songwriter Scott Stepakoff, Creative Director Daniel Lee, and co-Pres. Barry Coburn

Tenacity Records Promo Team Revealed

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Tenacity Records’ Bill Gentry performed almost a dozen shows at Wild Bill's/Nashville during CMA Music Fest. The Atlanta-based club took over the historic Acme Building in downtown Nashville and offered indie artists a place to showcase. (L-R): Haley, Gentry, Kraski, Gary Greenberg


Tenacity Records has launched in Nashville with Tenacity Management chief Mike Kraski as President. Promotion vets David Haley and Gary Greenburg have been named as the new label’s Sr. VP Promotion and Director, respectively.
The Tenacity Records team will be working Bill Gentry’s upcoming single “This Letter,” which will be released shortly. Gentry’s debut CD Baptized In Temptation, produced by Chad Carlson, will be available later in 2011.
The announcement reunites Kraski with Haley and Greenberg, who all previously worked together at Equity Records. Additional promotion staff members will be added soon.
“I view David and Gary as the ‘Promotion Department Dream Team,’” says Kraski. “I have worked with each of them for many years, and the respect I have for them, their integrity and work ethic is immense. And to be able to put them together to work on behalf of such a talented performer as Bill Gentry is truly the icing on the indie label cake.”
Haley’s new email is [email protected] and Greenberg’s is [email protected].

Morning Updates

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Jolene Mercer Dakil Service Tonight
A celebration of life for former music industry publicist Jolene Mercer Dakil will be held tonight, Wed., June 22 at 6:30 p.m. at the Berry Hill office of Luna Chica Records International, 2826 Dogwood Place, Nashville TN 37204. All who knew and loved Jolene are invited to attend.
Dakil passed away after an extended illness with liver disease on Sat., May 28, 2011. She had worked with such notable artists as Garth Brooks, Chris LeDoux, Neal McCoy, Asleep at the Wheel, Charlie Pride, Ricky Lynn Gregg, Brady Seals, Little Texas, and Delbert McClinton.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests that memorial donations be made to the no-kill animal shelter Happy Tales Humane, 230 Franklin Road, Suite 1303, Franklin, TN 37064.
MacPherson to Exit Chrysalis
In the latest news from BMG Chrysalis, Kenny MacPherson will soon exit his national level post as President and Senior Executive. This is according to a report on HitsDailyDouble.com, which notes MacPherson will remain in place during the transition. Read more about BMG Chrysalis here.
Bluebird/RIAA Announce Partnership
The Bluebird Cafe announced a new partnership with the RIAA and its Nashville member labels earlier this week. RIAA CEO Mitch Bainwol said his organization will support the Bluebird as an incubator of rising and developing talent through its Open Mic Nights, Sunday Writers’ Nights, and weekly early-show rounds. Erika Wollam Nichols serves as the famed venue’s COO.
The Bluebird Café’s 2011 BirdSongs Series continues on Tues., June 28 at 9PM with a special evening featuring singer/songwriter Toby Keith, and longtime collaborators Bobby Pinson and Scotty Emerick.
The BirdSongs Series was created last year to help pay off the debt accrued through NSAI’s purchase of the legendary club. Admission is $75 for regular seats and $150.00 for gold circle seats. Reservations at www.bluebirdcafe.com.

RIAA, Bluebird Cafe announce partnership. (L-R): Adam James, Steve Bogard, Dave Berg, Blair Bodine, Barbara Cloyd, Mitch Bainwol and Erika Wollam Nichols.

MusicRow Awards Honor The Band Perry, Paul Worley

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Photos: Alan Mayor

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Breakthrough Artist: The Band Perry
Breakthrough Songwriter: Kimberly Perry
Song of the Year: “If I Die Young,” published by Pearlfeather, Rio Bravo
Producer of the Year: Paul Worley
Marketing Achievement: (tie) Capitol Records Nashville for Luke Bryan’s Doin’ My Thing, and Big Machine Records for Taylor Swift’s Speak Now
Top Ten Album All-Stars: Jimmie Lee Sloas – Bass; Shannon Forrest – Drums; Justin Niebank – Engineer; Jonathan Yudkin – Fiddle; Ilya Toshinsky – Guitar; Tony Harrell – Keyboard; Paul Franklin – Steel; Wes Hightower – Vocals

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The 23rd Annual MusicRow Awards were held last night (6/21) at ASCAP’s Nashville office. The Band Perry and Kimberly Perry were the evening’s big winners, earning reader-voted plaques for Breakthrough Artist as a trio, and Kimberly was honored as writer of Song of the Year (“If I Die Young”) and Breakthrough Songwriter. It was the first time in Awards history that the same act had taken all three accolades.

(L-R): Bob Doyle & Associate's Kates Snyder, Neil Perry, Republic Nashville Pres. Jimmy Harnen, Reid Perry, Kimberly Perry, MR's David Ross, Jesse Frasure, and manager/publisher Bob Doyle.


ASCAP VP/Managing Exec Tim DuBois called the capacity crowd to order and introduced MusicRow Publisher David Ross who thanked the performing rights organization for hosting this year’s ceremony and welcomed the crowd. “The roles of performing rights and trade magazines seem quite different,” noted Ross. “But we have a lot in common, we both support the songwriters, publishers and musicians who are such an integral part of Nashville’s success.”
MusicRow News Editor Sarah Skates and Chart Director Jon Freeman handled the presentation of the Top Ten Album All-Star Awards and presented plaques to the winners in eight different instrumental and vocal categories. “These guys bring their formidable talents to the stage and studio day in and day out,” acknowledged Freeman. The Top 10 Awards began in 1989 and were compiled by John Lomax and the late Otto Kittsinger. They remain the only musician awards based upon actual album appearances, and not just overall popularity.

(L-R): MR's Jon Freeman and Sarah Skates, with musicians Shannon Forrest, Tony Harrell, Jonathan Yudkin, Jimmie Lee Sloas, Wes Hightower and Ilya Toshinsky.


After the Musician Awards presentation and remarks, a group of the players took the stage for an impromptu musician jam which included Jonathan Yudkin on fiddle, Jimmie Lee Sloas on bass, Ilya Toshinsky on banjo and Tony Harrell on accordion. The crowd loved it, and hopefully it can become an Awards tradition going forward.

Musician honorees show why they are studio heroes. (L-R): Tony Harrell, Ilya Toshinsky, Jimmie Lee Sloas and Jonathan Yudkin.


MusicRow President/Owner Sherod Robertson took the podium next for a surprise 30-year plaque presentation to MusicRow founder David M. Ross who was touched by the accolade. “I’m more accustomed to giving awards, than receiving them,” said Ross. “But there are so many people to thank. My wife Susana who helped start it all with me, and really, every one of you in this room for supporting what we do. So many people have made great contributions over our thirty year run.”

MusicRow staffers salute David Ross for 30 successful years. (L-R): Christie King, Sarah Skates, Jon Freeman, David Ross, Eric Parker, Susana Ross, Sherod Robertson and Michelle Ross Stephens.


Producer of the Year Paul Worley was the next award recipient. He quipped to the crowd, “I’ve been trying to win one of these for 30 years.” Worley’s career includes working with artists such as Martina McBride, Dixie Chicks, Lady Antebellum and The Band Perry.
This year’s Marketing honor was a tie between Big Machine’s Taylor Swift Speak Now project, and Capitol Nashville’s Luke Bryan Doin’ My Thing album. For a detailed description of these plans check out the just released June/July print issue of MusicRow.

(L-R): Producer of the Year Paul Worley and David Ross. Marketing Achievement winners—Big Machine's Andrew Kautz; David Ross and Capitol's Cindy Mabe.


Making a last-minute appearance were big winners, The Band Perry. Happily, the trio unleashed a memorable acoustic performance of the MusicRow 2011 Song of the Year, “If I Die Young.” “Every time we get a plaque like this,” said Kimberly earnestly, “it increases our feeling of responsibility to do our very best.” It proved a fitting crescendo to the event.

Breakthrough Artist winners The Band Perry perform Song of the Year "If I Die Young."


Enjoying the jovial atmosphere and ASCAP’s hospitality were industry notables Pat Higdon, Troy Tomlinson, Ben Vaughn, Dale Turner, Kevin Herring, Jay Frank, Marc Driskill, Suzanne Lee, Mike Sistad, Barry Coburn, Jody Williams, Bradley Collins, Kay Clary, Susana Ross, Dave Pomeroy, Jayne Rogovin, Jeff Walker, Tom Luteran, Renee Grant-Williams, Glenn Middleworth, Karen Oertley, Sarah Cates, Holly Bell, Christy Watkins, Mandy Gallagher, Karl Braun, Diane Pearson, Hal Oven, up and coming family group the Henningsens, and Patrick Thomas, former contestant on The Voice.

DISClaimer Single Reviews (6/22/11)

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Let’s hear it for the little people.
Our three contenders for this edition’s DisCovery Award can all be found on independent labels. Jason Cassidy sounds totally authentic on “Honky Tonk Heaven.” LiveWire has a stirring backwoods rocker with “Tater Fed.” I have reviewed the Oz trio The McClymonts once before, but a change of producers has led to an entirely new and improved sound for this group. Give those gals and their “Wrapped Up Good” single the nod.
The Disc of the Day goes to the combo of Rascal Flatts with New Zealand born and Britain-created pop warbler Natasha Bedingfield. Their “Easy” is an easy choice.
Returning to indie artists for a moment: Can I get a witness for Keith Bryant? Here is a guy who has been toiling in the indie trenches since at least 2001, and who has shown awesomely consistent taste in finding great songs and performing them with immense country soul. The fact that this man is not a regular fixture on the charts is an enormous injustice.
THE McCLYMONTS/Wrapped Up Good
Writer: Brooke McClymont/Samantha McClymont/Mollie McClymont/Nathan Chapman; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: EMI/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; BSM ([email protected])
—Attractively minor key, with cool dobro backing and a punchy rhythmic thump. The trio’s vocal arrangements are quite imaginative, alternating between straightforward harmonizing and Greek-chorus “answering” passages. Smartly bopping, maddeningly catchy and insanely listenable.
BRAD PAISLEY & CARRIE UNDERWOOD/Remind Me
Writer: Brad Paisley/Chris DuBois/Kelley Lovelace; Producer: Frank Rogers; Publisher: none listed; Arista (track)
—They recall how passionate they used to be with one another and yearn for the return of romance. Both Brad and Carrie sing splendidly on this slightly over-produced, busy-sounding ballad.
LACY GREEN/For The Summertime
Writer: Heather Lynn Morgan/David Thomson; Producer: Ronnie Bowman; Publisher: Sony-ATV Tree/Sony-ATV Tunes, no performance rights listed; Swangate (www.lacygreen.com)
—As sweet as cotton candy, and just about as nourishing. Pleasant and lilting, if ultimately lightweight.
KEITH URBAN/Long Hot Summer
Writer: Richard Marx/Keith Urban; Producer: Dann Huff & Keith Urban; Publisher: Richard Marx/Mary Rose/Songs of Universal, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—Warmly romantic. Back to his rollicking, upbeat, relentlessly rhythmic style following the lovely side road that the marvelous “Without You” was.
JASON CASSIDY/Honky Tonk Heaven
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; A-Blake (www.jasoncassidymusic.com)
—Darkly bluesy, with superlative, grassy vocal harmonies. Talk about a bolt out of the blue, I have no idea who sent this to me, but for a total unknown it is a jaw-dropping performance. According to his website, he is a Texan, and this is his second single.
RASCAL FLATTS & NATASHA BEDINGFIELD/Easy
Writer: Katrina Elam/Mike Mobley; Producer: Dan Huff, Brian Kennedy & Rascal Flatts; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Kreative/Final Final Songs of Elevation/Wapakonetta, BMI/ASCAP; Big Machine (track)
—Brit pop gal Natasha holds her own amid the crashing-guitars production and Gary’s powerhouse singing. It may be titled “Easy,” but the thundering sound of this is anything but. Unmistakably hit bound.
LIVEWIRE/Tater Fed
Writer: Andy Eutsler; Producer: Bart Pursley, Bobby DeGonia & Justin Woods; Publisher: Bellhouse, BMI; LiveWire (615-319-1863)
—He grows up on homegrown vegetables. The other kids called him “husky.” To the accompaniment of shuddering electric guitar and pounding drums, he becomes a man who is afraid of no one. Tough sounding.
DONNA ULISSE/Hand Me Down Home
Writer: Donna Ulisse/Rick Stanley; Producer: Keith Sewell; Publisher: Uncle Hadley/Pop ‘N Paw, ASCAP; Hadley Music Group (track) (www.donnaulisse.com)
—Former country starlet Ulisse continues on her bluegrass odyssey with a new CD titled An Easy Climb. This gentle, acoustic ode to country living has the stellar backing of folks like Scott Vestal, Viktor Krauss and, especially, fiddler and mandolinist Andy Leftwich. The picking is dazzling and the sentiments are genuine.
CJAYE LEROSE/The Porch
Writer: CJaye LeRose/Dwight A. Baker; Producer: Dwight A. Baker; Publisher: Tattooed Pinkies/Matchbox Studios/Sony-ATV, BMI; Tattooed Pinkies Entertainment (track) (www.cjayelerose.com)
—What are you, 12? Is that really your grown-up singing voice?
KEITH BRYANT/Can’t Tell Somebody Who To Love
Writer: Wendell Mobley/Mike Mobley/Shane Minor; Producer: Chris Utley; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Shane Minor/Universal/Warner-Tamerlane/Boatwright Baby, BMI; Jordash (www.jordashrecords.com)
—This guy is a stand-up country singer, and I’ve always liked him. This time around, he has a dandy tale of a strict daddy who tries to stand in the way of True Love. So the kids sneak around behind papa’s back to that stretch of road, “Where the moon is willing, and the river don’t mind.” The song soars like an eagle, and so does its vocalist. Absolutely and definitely a winner.

WRVU Saga Continues

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The controversial sale and flip of Vanderbilt University’s WRVU – 91.1 is the subject of this week’s cover story in the Nashville Scene.
For those not in the know, on June 7 WRVU officially stopped broadcasting the eclectic stew of rock, blues, bluegrass, funk, hip-hop, electro and everything else that had made it such a staple for music lovers city-wide. Long owned and maintained by the university’s Vanderbilt Student Communications (VSC), WRVU was sold for $3.35 million to Nashville Public Radio, the parent company of Nashville’s WPLN 90.3. A press release printed on the Scene’s website states that the reasoning behind the sale was to create an endowment for “ensuring VSC’s ability to service the information and cultural needs of the Vanderbilt student population.”
The station’s new call letters are WFCL and it is currently broadcasting an all classical format.
None of this happened overnight. For months a group of VU alumni, students, and passionate supporters called WRVU Friends & Family campaigned with social media, email and fundraising for WRVU to remain on air. According to an article on the Scene’s website, this battle isn’t completely over just yet. The Nashville Public Radio board of directors held a public meeting this morning (6/21) and numerous protestors showed up to support the preservation of WRVU. Nothing appears to have changed after the meeting, but Nashville Public Radio board members at least seem to be open to communication.
Following the sale, WRVU will begin broadcasting on WPLN’s HD3 in fall 2011 as well as online streaming. Naturally, there are passionate arguments both optimistic about and vehemently opposed to the change.
The optimistic view says that listening habits for WRVU’s target demographic have shifted more to online outlets, and the terrestrial FM signal is a leftover of an industry struggling to stay alive. Additionally, VU students will have internship opportunities with the new station group.
But there’s also a compelling argument to be made for keeping the station on terrestrial airwaves. WRVU’s wildly diverse programming stood in stark contrast to a heavily consulted, tight playlisted radio climate. Volunteer DJs–some students, mostly outsiders–played their favorite tunes, from classic hits to spectacularly obscure, and anyone with a radio in Metro Davidson County could hear it.
A couple of questions remain in the wake of WRVU’s disappearance from the airwaves. Firstly, will the adoption of HD Radio and its related hardware take off in the coming months/years, or is it already done? And secondly, which radio outlet will step up to fill WRVU’s shoes in Nashville?

iPhone Software Could Curtail Concert Taping

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Apple has filed a patent for software that would stop iPhone users from taping concerts. The London Times first discovered the patent document, and the Daily Mail thoroughly examined it in this report.
According to the Mail, holding up the iPhone at a live music event would trigger infra-red sensors in the venue which would shut-off the camera function. Calls, texts and other features would still be operational on the phone.
Rights holders have long complained about the release of unlicensed audio and video recordings. This software is supposed to curtail that kind of copyright infringement.
There is no indication that Apple has immediate plans to implement the software, or that it is even out of development.