Artist News

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ACM Welcomes Steel Magnolia • Ty Herndon Fights ALS • Little Jimmy Dickens at The Palm • Adam Brand Aids Flood Relief



ACM Welcomes Steel Magnolia

The Academy of Country Music welcomed Big Machine recording artists and ACM Top New Duo and Group nominee Steel Magnolia to the office when they were in Los Angeles this week. The duo sang their current hit “Last Night Again” and others from their recently released CD Steel Magnolia, which debuted at No. 3. (L-R): Meghan Linsey and Joshua Scott Jones. Photo: Michel Bourquard


Ty Herndon Raises Awareness in Fight Against ALS

FUNL Music’s Ty Herndon and former NFL running back Kevin Turner were in Nashville Monday and Tuesday (1-24/25) to raise awareness about the Kevin Turner Foundation and its efforts to fight ALS. Their visit included stops at GAC for a segment of “On The Streets” with Suzanne Alexander and an interview with WSMV Sports Director Rudy Kalis, to air Jan. 30 on the station’s “Inside Sports” program. Turner was diagnosed with ALS in May 2010 and formed the Kevin Turner Foundation to raise awareness about the connection between repetitive head trauma and ALS. Herndon’s song, “Journey On,” was selected as the foundation’s signature song. For more information visit www.KevinTurnerFoundation.org or www.TyHerndon.com. (L-R): Herndon, Alexander and Turner.


Little Jimmy Dickens Immortalized at The Palm

Country Music Hall of Fame member Little Jimmy Dickens has become the latest member of The Palm family. At The Palm, the dining room walls are a panorama of caricatures of local regulars, businessmen, politicians and celebrities. Dickens was presented with The Palm’s signature caricature on Wednesday, January 17 just prior to his 90th birthday celebration. (L-R): Palm GM Jonathan Scott, Dickens and Palm Mgr. Rae Krenn.

Adam Brand Gives the Shirt Off His Back for Flood Relief

Arista Nashville’s Adam Brand has been headlining his Coming Home Tour in his native Australia, but with the tour coinciding with devastating flooding in his homeland, Adam is taking advantage of the tour to raise funds for flood relief by literally giving the shirt off his back. Each night of the tour, Adam is auctioning the shirt he’s wearing.

T.J. Martell Announces New Board

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The Southern Region Division of the T.J. Martell Foundation introduced its new board members during the Board of Directors meeting on January 6.
Joining the board are Charlie Brusco, Alliance Artists – Artist Management; Gil Cunningham, Neste Marketing; Holly Hawkins, Community Volunteer; Deana Ivey, Nashville Visitors and Convention Bureau; Brock Jones, Powers Management Group; Ben Jumper, Sound Check; Alan Kates, Bigger Picture Group; Joe Rando, Heath Island Enterprises; Mike Snider, Paradigm Talent Agency; Erv Woolsey, Erv Woolsey Company; and Jim Yerger, music industry executive.
Officers Derek Crownover, Crownover/Blevins will remain as President; Tom Annastas, BMI, will remain as Vice President; Karen Clark, Pinnacle Bank will remain as Treasurer; and Rick Murray, Premiere Radio Networks will remain as Secretary.
www.tjmartellfoundation.org

Shelton Extends "All About Tonight" Tour

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Blake Shelton may have an important co-hosting gig with Reba coming up at the 46th Annual Academy of Country Music Awards April 3, but he’s certainly not going to sit around and worry about it. In fact, the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year is making use of the time by extending his first ever headlining tour into 2011, which will run up to and after the ACM Awards.
The 2011 All About Tonight Tour will resume on Friday, January 28 in LaCrosse, WI, with opening guests including Easton Corbin, Steel Magnolia, The Band Perry and Chris Young (check schedule for guest lineup). Full dates for the 20 city tour are included below.
“I’m excited to get back out there and perform for my fans,” says Shelton. “They made last year the best year of my life and I hope to make each night of this tour one of the most memorable nights of their lives. I’m hoping this tour will prepare me for co-hosting the ACM awards with the queen of country music, Reba. There’s no better practice as my fans are always great at keeping me on my toes.”
2011 All About Tonight Tour Dates:
Date — City, State
1/28 — LaCrosse, WI
1/29 — Bemidji, MN
2/3 — Jonesboro, AR
2/5 — Cape Girardeau, MO
2/8 — Tulare, CA
2/17 — San Antonio, TX
2/18 — Winnie, TX
2/19 — Waco, TX
2/25 — Brookings, SD
2/26 — Duluth, MN
3/11 — Fayetteville, NC
3/12 — Augusta, GA
3/16 — Austin, TX
3/17 — Highland Heights, KY
3/18 — Corbin, KY
3/19 — Huntington, WV
3/26 — Orlando FL
4/9 — Auburn, AL
4/16 — Valdosta, GA
5/7 — Catoosa, OK

Living In The Sales Moment

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Wouldn’t it be nice? If you could just enjoy the present without worrying about the future? And, as a life recipe there may be merit in that approach. However, for Nielsen SoundScan number jockeys, we can’t help but peer around the corner, (even if it is piled high with snow) to see what lies ahead. Today, country music album sales are a healthy 10.6% ahead of last year. (So, if all you want to know is today’s good news, stop reading and switch to another article.)
OK. You’re still reading so I assume you want to be prepared for next week’s SoundScan reality check. Here goes… Lady Antebellum released Need You Now during the week ending 1-31-10 and opened with an exuberant 481,000 units. This year there are no releases planned that will balance that number (Joe Nichols Greatest Hits is scheduled for 1/25), so assuming next week we sell just a little more than this week, your scribe calculates that country’s YTD album sales balance will take a 21 point dive ending up at about -11.5%. A number which will worsen week by week until new product steps up to balance the 2010 Lady A sales.
Of interest this week is the iTunes-only debut of an Eric Church Caldwell County EP, digital-only which spurred almost 7,000 units. The 4-song package was selling today (1/26) for $3.99. Sunny Sweeney also released a self-titled digital-only EP that sold 1.6k. Amazon priced Sweeney’s 5-track set today at $4.52; while iTunes asked $4.95.
The highest selling country current digital albums were Taylor Swift Speak Now (7.5k), the above mentioned Mr. Church and Jason Aldean’s My Kinda Party (5.6k). The highest selling digital album of the week was a debut from the Decemberists King Is Dead which moved over 60k units.
Saucy Singles
The country digital tracks top 100 list continues to churn over one million units per week. This week 1.25 million of those files found new homes traveling from the cloud to new hard drives and solid state media. Taylor Swift-“Back To December”, Jason Aldean-“Don’t You Wanna Stay”, Kenny Chesney-“Somewhere With You”, Stoney Creek’s Thompson Square-“Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not” and the Band Perry-“If I Die Young” held the first five positions. Big Machine/Republic Nashville own spots one and five, Broken Bow Records/Stoney Creek owns two and four, and each pair of artists is responsible for about 100k downloads.

Hall of Fame Receives NEA Grant

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The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum has received a $35,000 grant from the National Endowment for the Arts, which will allow the Museum to expand its Words & Music program.
“The Museum has offered its Words & Music program, which allows students to express themselves creatively and to learn the craft of lyric writing, for more than thirty years now,” said Director of Education and Public Programming Justine Gregory. “Up until now, students have had to visit the Museum to participate in the program. This generous grant from the NEA, however, will allow us to take Words & Music directly into Metro Nashville Public School classrooms. We will also continue to offer our traditional Words & Music program here at the museum, meaning that thousands of additional students will be able to participate in the program each year.”
All participating music and classroom teachers will be trained to use the Museum’s curriculum and will teach the material, which includes lyric-writing exercises, to their classes over a four-week period. Lyrics crafted by the students will then be given to one of the Museum’s volunteer songwriters, who will set selected lyrics to music. Finally, the songwriter will visit the classroom to talk with students about the melody-writing process and the craft of songwriting, and to perform selected student compositions.
David Bogart has been named Words & Music Outreach Coordinator and will oversee the new program. Interested Metro Nashville Public School music and classroom teachers of fourth grade level students should contact Bogart at (615) 480-3971 or [email protected].

Beavers & Warrens Top Charts

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BMI hosted a luncheon to honor the team behind Tim McGraw’s latest No. 1 hit “Felt Good on My Lips” Thursday, January 20 in Nashville. This is the first time brothers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers and Brett Warren and Brad Warren have topped charts together. Their collaboration became the 23rd chart-topper for McGraw.

(L-R) back: Brett Warren, Jim Beavers, Tim McGraw, Brett Beavers and Brad Warren. Front: Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Curb Records’ Mike Rogers, BMI’s Jody Williams, Chrysalis' Abbe Nameche, and Chrysalis Music Nashville’s Dale Bobo. Photo by Rick Diamond

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/26/11)

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The lesson in today’s stack of platters is that there is life after major labels.
Elizabeth Cook, Jeff Bates, Josh Gracin and Jason D. Williams are all here to tell us they’re still standing tall. So is singer-songwriter extraordinaire Lori McKenna, who wins the Disc of the Day with a stunning album that dropped just yesterday.
Give a DisCovery Award to Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. That lesson is, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
SARAH DARLING/Something To Do With Your Hands
Writer: Sarah Darling/Jason Deere; Producer: Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Want a Fresh One/Sarah Darling/Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Big Bad Deere, ASCAP/BMI; Black River (track) (www.sarahdarling.com)
—The tune is somewhat simplistic and sing-songy, but the production is so crunchy, crisp and captivating that you hardly notice it. A winner.
JASON D. WILLIAMS/You Look Like I Could Use A Drink
Writer: Jason D. Williams/Todd Snider/Dan Baird/Keith Christopher; Producer: Todd Snider; Publisher: This Name Doesn’t Make Any Sense/Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs/Bug/Where’s the Check/Bag Daddio, BMI; Rockabilly (track) (www.rockinjasondwilliams.com)
—It has been six years since this piano-pumping wild man and Jerry Lee Lewis disciple has issued a new CD. Fear not, his Killer Instincts collection finds his powers undimmed. This baby rawks. Recorded in Music City, the cast includes not only producer Snider, but Bobby Bare Jr., Jim Hoke, Amy LaVere, Dan Baird and Kenny Lovelace, among others.
JENNY & ASHLEY/Indescribable
Writer: Ashley Cooke/Jonathan George/Anthony Mazza; Producer: Darran Smith; Publisher: none listed; Lofton Creek
—Youthful, bopping and pop-ish, with more than a nod toward the Taylor Swift audience.
JEFF BATES/One Day Closer
Writer: Patrick Jason Matthews/Jeff Bates; Producer: Jimmy Nichols & Jeff Bates; Publisher: Steel Wheels/Matthews Millions/Big Loud Bucks/Melrose Nashville/Landa, BMI; Black River (track)
—Jeff’s disc reentry is a six-song EP with a gospel theme. Its title tune is a stirring, soulful ballad wherein he looks forward to the day when the Lord will resolve all his unanswered questions here on earth. Wisely mixed with his gripping voice and the involving lyric right up front.
CARTER’S CHORD/A Little Less Comfortable
Writer: Phillip White/Emily Robertson/Joanna Robertson; Producer: Toby Keith & Mark Wright; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Jorjax/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie/Emily Robertson, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—The verses throb with yearning, and the thing truly comes alive when the trio harmonies kick in on the choruses. The shuddering, twanging, echoey guitar passages are cool, too.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Four Letter Word
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, John Avila & Tato Melgar; Publisher: none listed; POTR (track) (www.promiseofthereal.com)
—Lukas is Willie’s son, and the two are touring together this year. In this romping, lead-off track to his debut CD, Lukas sings in a tenor twang while the band gallops along behind him. He won’t be tied down, because, “forever is a four-letter word.” Highly enjoyable. Also check out the chiming ballad “The Sound of Your Memory” and the electrified, political, Willie-penned “Peaceful Solution.”
ELIZABETH COOK/All The Time
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Agent Love, SESAC; 31 Tigers (track) (www.elizabeth-cook.com)
—Elizabeth’s Welder CD came out last summer, but somehow got lost in my ever-expanding pile of things-to-be-reviewed. New producer Was, plus her Nashville instrumental buddies, have finally come up with a sound that perfectly captures her hillbilly-yet-hip personna. This lively lead-off track sort of fuses Appalachia with India, if you can imagine that. This whole record is a masterpiece, from “Heroin Addict Sister” to “Mama’s Funeral” to “El Camino” to “Yes to Booty.” If you haven’t bought this yet, do so at once.
RECKLESS KELLY/I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel
Writer: Pinto Bennett; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Famous Motel Cowboy, BMI; RK (972-800-0004)
—The song is a dandy. The mix is muddy.
STAR DeAZLAN/A Man Who Can Dance
Writer: James Slater/Tim Nichols; Producer: Doug Johnson; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Green Ivy/Bug, BMI; Curb
—Pert and perky, with just a splash of Latina spice.
JOSH GRACIN/Only When It Rains
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joe/Full Scope (track) (www.joshgracin.com)
—Josh has a five-song sampler that includes this atmospheric, drama-packed anthem of lost love. The choruses give him plenty of room to show off his range. How did Lonestar let this one get away?
LORI McKENNA/Buy This Town
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Barry Dean; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; LM (track) (www/lorimckenna.com)
—This brilliant song crafter is self-releasing her newest collection. I was immediately drawn to this stately, poetic, yearning ballad of need and longing. Half the songwriters in this city surely wish they could come up with something as shining as this polished little gem. The title tune, “Lorraine” paints motherhood with a series of vivid, scintillating everyday details. “The Luxury of Knowing” will floor anyone who has ever been in a difficult relationship. Everywhere you turn, there’s a touch of genius here. I am completely in love with this record.

Songwriter Signings

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UMPG Nashville signs Ray Scott • Pete Best signs with Dan Hodges Music

UMPG Nashville signs Ray Scott

Universal Music Publishing recently signed singer/songwriter Ray Scott to its roster. Scott wrote or co-wrote every song on his latest project, Ray-ality, produced by Dave Brainard.

(L-R) back: UMPG Nashville Creative Mgr. Dave Pacula, Sr. VP Creative Kent Earls, and Creative Mgr. Freeman Wizer. Front: UMPG Nashville VP A&R/Special Projects Ron Stuve, Pres. Pat Higdon, Ray Scott and Sr. Creative Dir. Cyndi Forman

Pete Best Signs with Dan Hodges Music

Singer/songwriter Pete Best has signed a publishing agreement with Dan Hodges Music, LLC.

(L-R): Perry Howard, BMI Dir. Writer/Publisher Relations; Pete Best; and Dan Hodges, Owner/GM Dan Hodges Music, LLC

Writers Nights

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BMI & KUPL present Kix Brooks & Friends • Singles Only offer “A Night of Hits”

BMI & KUPL Partner to Present “Songwriters Night with Kix Brooks & Friends”

BMI joined KUPL-FM in Portland, Oregon, to present a special “Songwriters Night with Kix Brooks and Friends” at Alpha Broadcasting’s Bing Lounge on January 20. In addition to Brooks, BMI songwriters Bob DiPiero and Big Al Anderson gave KUPL listeners and clients an inside look into the art of songwriting.

(L-R): BMI’s Dan Spears, Bob DiPiero, Big Al Anderson, KUPL PD Scott Mahalick, Alpha Broadcasting Chairman/CEO Larry Wilson and Kix Brooks.

Singles Only Presents “A Night of Hits”

Singles Only, a new pitch group consisting of pluggers from seven successful independent publishers, held its first “A Night of Hits” show featuring performances of the writers’ best uncut material. The quarterly event took place at the Listening Room on January 19. The group’s roster includes multiple Grammy and CMA award winners who have amassed over 100 No. 1 hits, including hitmakers Bob DiPiero, Hillary Lindsey, Brett James, Liz Rose, Bobby Pinson, Jim Collins, Dave Berg, Tia Sillers, busbee, Neil Thrasher, Chris Lindsey, Victoria Shaw, Robert Ellis Orrall, Peter McCann, Jonathan Singleton, Jon Mabe, and Kent Agee, as well as up-and-comers Angaleena Presley, Brandon Kinney, Bruce Wallace, Caitlyn Smith, Casey Kessel, Dean Alexander, Emily Shackelton, Eric Paslay, Kip Moore, Lonnie Lee Fowler, Lisa McCallum, Sarah Buxton and Steven Lee Olsen.

(L-R): Natalie Harker, Cal IV Ent.; Denny Carr, Roots Three Music; Penny Everhard, Love Monkey Music/Tom-Leis Music; Daniel Lee, Ten Ten Music Group; Taylor Lindsey, BMG Rights Mgmt.; Scott Ponce, Liz Rose Music; and Shane Barrett, Shane Barrett Music.

First Music From Dunn's Solo Debut

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Ronnie Dunn is releasing his first post-Brooks & Dunn single. “Bleed Red,” is the lead track from his upcoming solo debut album for Sony Music Nashville.
Produced by Dunn, and penned by Tommy Lee James and Andrew Dorff, “Bleed Red” is a ballad that Dunn says, “knocked me out from the first listen. I genuinely felt the spirit of the lyrics in my gut. It’s a really big song, and it needed to be sung.”
Beginning today, fans can preview a snippet of “Bleed Red” at www.RonnieDunn.com. The full song will be available to country radio on Jan. 30, the same day that fans will be able to hear the full version of on Dunn’s site. It will hit digital outlets Feb. 8.
Dunn’s debut solo album is set for release later this year.