Lady A Plays For Musicians On Call

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Musicians On Call (MOC), a nonprofit organization that brings live music to the bedsides of patients in healthcare facilities, announced a special performance by renowned trio Lady Antebellum at City Winery in New York on October 13, 2010. The show, which will benefit MOC, is part of the organization’s Month of Music initiative, a series of fundraising events in New York and Nashville during the month of October. An exclusive V.I.P event with red carpet appearances by artists and celebrities who support MOC, the show promises to be a very special evening for Lady Antebellum fans. Individual tickets start at $150 and go up to $1000 which includes front row seats and a meet and greet with the artists. Tickets can be purchased at www.musiciansoncall.org.

MOC has partnered with many renowned artists for its annual fundraising events—James Taylor, Seal, and John Mayer have all been featured acts in the past. This year, as the organization launches its Month of Music initiative for the first time, MOC is particularly excited to be working with such a critically-acclaimed group as Lady Antebellum.

“MOC prides itself on working with the most talented and relevant artists in the music industry and Lady Antebellum certainly fits the bill,” said MOC’s Executive Director, Dr. Leslie Faerstein. “We’re also extremely impressed by their thoughtfulness and generosity.  They are really going above and beyond to make the evening unforgettable for their fans.”

Salamon Named CEO of Savannah Music Group

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Ed Salamon and Chairman Jeff Cohen. (PRNewsFoto/Savannah Music Group)

Ed Salamon has been named chief executive officer of Savannah Music Group, effective Oct. 1. Salamon approached SMG President Dave Gibson after Savannah took the unprecedented step among music publishing companies and record labels of opposing mandatory Performance Rights fee legislation. Since both believe that proposed legislation could reduce the amount of music played on radio and be especially damaging to small independent companies like SMG, the veteran broadcast executive offered his help. Having known Salamon from his days as namesake of the Gibson-Miller Band and pleased to find a like-minded executive with a broad background in the music industry, Gibson introduced Salamon to Savannah Music Group Chairman Jeff Cohen.

“Ed is one of the most dynamic and well-connected people in the music industry,” says Cohen in making the appointment. “He has a great track record in the entertainment industry and with start ups, and we are pleased to have him lead Savannah Music Group.”

Salamon is former President-Programming of Westwood One Radio Network and a co-founder and partner with Dick Clark in the United Stations Radio Network. Most recently he served as Executive Director for Country Radio Broadcasters, Inc., the non-profit organization that presents the Country Radio Seminar (CRS).

Mandy Barnett Brings Holidays To Cracker Barrell

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The newest CD in Cracker Barrel Old Country Store’s music program is Winter Wonderland, a holiday album from Mandy Barnett. In addition to the title track, holiday standards such as “Jingle Bell Rock,” “A Holly Jolly Christmas,” “Marshmallow World,” “I’ll Be Home For Christmas” and “White Christmas” are all included in the holiday collection.

In recapturing a golden era for holiday music, Barnett was aided by a cast of musical veterans including Harold Bradley, Lloyd Green, Louis Nunley, Gene Chrisman and Tony Migliore. Guitarist Bradley and back-up singer Nunley actually appeared on the original versions of several of these songs, including “Jingle Bell Rock.” The album is available only at Cracker Barrel.

“I wanted this album to be a classic and to remind people of the simpler times they had when they were children,” said Barnett. “It was important to record these songs in an authentic fashion so people would connect with them emotionally.”

Barnett is best known for portraying country music legend Patsy Cline in the stage show Always…Patsy Cline at the Ryman Auditorium. Her performances were sold out nightly and received impressive reviews across the country. Barnett went on to record various albums, including one with legendary producer Owen Bradley. She is an active performer nationally and internationally, and is a frequent guest on the Grand Ole Opry.

“Mandy has a strong, resonant voice that warms your heart as soon as you hear it,” says Cracker Barrel’s Vice President of Marketing Peter Keiser. “Cracker Barrel is very pleased to provide this high quality, pleasing CD for our guests’ holiday entertainment and gift-giving.”

Music Rising Supports Gulf Coast Culture

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Music Rising, an award-winning initiative co-founded in 2005 by U2’s the Edge, producer Bob Ezrin and Gibson Guitar Chairman and CEO Henry Juszkiewicz, has announced a $1 million program in partnership with Tulane University to develop a college curriculum that will provide a permanent, comprehensive and definitive study of the musical heritage of New Orleans and the Gulf Coast region. The Music Rising program is administered by the Gibson Foundation.

Music Rising has worked closely with Nick Spitzer, professor of anthropology and American studies and creator of Tulane’s public radio program American Routes, in creating the connection with Tulane. The curriculum for the program on music and culture of the Gulf Coast will be implemented at Tulane and available to other universities through web and print materials. In addition to drawing from field, studio and live interviews, programs and performances of the American Routes Collection, the curriculum will draw upon the resources of the William Ransom Hogan Archive of New Orleans Jazz as well as the Maxwell Music Library, the Louisiana Collection, the Southern Institute and the New Orleans Gulf South Center, all housed at Tulane.

“I wouldn’t be where I am today without the unique musical heritage that is New Orleans,” said U2’s the Edge. “So much has come from that part of America. From the birth of jazz, the roots of Rock ‘n’ Roll and R&B, to the traditional celebrations in the streets, New Orleans has provided all of us with great musical traditions. This new curriculum, which I am personally very proud of, will help preserve this history and educate for many years to come.”

“Our goal has always been to preserve the musical culture of New Orleans and the Central Gulf. We started by replacing instruments that were lost in the hurricanes of 2005,” said Bob Ezrin. “And now we are thrilled to be working with the wonderful folks at Tulane University to develop a course of study that will allow people from the region and all over the world to study and understand that culture and the music that creates it.”

The Music Rising curriculum at Tulane will preserve the great musical heritage of the Gulf Coast region and eventually be adapted to educational levels ranging from elementary through high school. Preserving the music of the region has always been the driving force behind the many initiatives Music Rising has supported since its inception in 2005 after the devastating hurricanes of Katrina and Rita. It is critical to the organization that the various styles of music which have borrowed from earlier traditions be understood and taught to future generations. Building the Music Rising curriculum will also serve as a catalyst to develop a comprehensive system of archives that will preserve a vast amount of Gulf Coast based cultural history.

“Tulane University is the perfect partner for this venture,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chairman and CEO of Gibson Guitar. “From their Music and Humanities departments, which are world renowned, to Nick Spitzer’s American Routes and the amazing archives that they have built over the decades. Now, all of these departments and disciplines will be engaged in a historical collaboration in creating this amazing course of study. We are very proud that Gibson Foundation could play such an integral role.”

Loretta Lynn’s 50th Anniversary Celebration

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Country music legend Loretta Lynn will celebrate her 50th year making music with a special invitation-only event to be held this Friday (9/24) at the Loretta Lynn Ranch in Hurricane Mills, Tenn.

Held on-site at Lynn’s 18,000 square foot Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum and billed as A Tribute to an American Icon, the evening’s activities include a catered reception, media Q&A session and a performance by Lynn’s sister, Crystal Gayle, following the official unveiling of Gayle’s new display inside the museum. Event invitations were extended to select industry, media and artists, as well as Lynn’s family and closest friends.

The media Q&A session begins at 5:30 PM/CT, with the reception following at 6:00 PM. Lynn will appear at the reception to briefly address the event’s attendees and mingle with other artists, industry and media. Gayle’s performance is at 9:00 PM and is open to the public.

Lynn’s A Tribute to an American Icon 50th anniversary celebration coincides with the superstar’s final performance of the year at her Hurricane Mills ranch and home, to be held Saturday, Sept. 25. The concert is open to the public and is one of the special attractions available during the weekend events for Lynn’s fans and the general public.

Lynn’s much-anticipated tribute album, Coal Miner’s Daughter: A Tribute to Loretta Lynn, will be released on Columbia Records on Nov. 9, 2010. The project, which features special guests Sheryl Crow, Steve Earle, Faith Hill, Alan Jackson, Kid Rock, Miranda Lambert, Martina McBride, Allison Moorer, Paramore, Reba, Carrie Underwood, The White Stripes, Lucinda Williams, Gretchen Wilson and Lee Ann Womack, features an updated version of her classic track, “Coal Miner’s Daughter.”  The single, performed by Lynn with Lambert and Crow, shipped to Country radio on Sept. 14 and is available for digital download purchase on Sept. 28.

The Loretta Lynn Ranch and Coal Miner’s Daughter Museum is located at 44 Hurricane Mills Road, Hurricane Mills, TN, 37978. Call (931) 296-7700 or visit www.LorettaLynn.com for tickets and more information.

Worley’s Tennessee River Run A Big Success

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Darryl Worley’s ninth annual Tennessee River Run took place this past weekend (9/16 through  9/18). Once again, the singer/songwriter put together an all-star cast to participate in the three-day festival. Worley performed with a stellar lineup including hit songwriters Wynn Varble, Jim “Moose” Brown and Phil O’ Donnell, and artists including The Marshall Tucker Band, Danny Gokey, Joe Diffie and Lee Brice.

Proceeds benefited the Darryl Worley Foundation, which has provided more than a million dollars to help numerous charitable organizations and thousands of people in need throughout his community. The foundation is also funding the new Darryl Worley Cancer Treatment Center that’s presently being built in Savannah, TN as part of the Hardin Medical Center.

(l-r): Danny Gokey, Joe Diffie, Darryl Worley and Lee Brice.

DISClaimer Pop/Rock Single Reviews (9/20/10)

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It’s high time we checked up on Nashville’s ever-expanding pop/rock community.

There’s a little big of everything to sample, from the hard rock of November to the singer-songwriter vibe of Alyssa Bonagura, from the over-the-top personality of Joanna Cotten to the introspective-and-hooky Dave Barnes, from the soul sisters of Kentucky Thunder to the new-wavey Jeff the Brotherhood.

The Disc of the Day unquestionably belongs to the pounding, mighty American Bang. I’m giving a DisCovery Award to the marvelously melodic Brooke Waggoner.

BROOKE WAGGONER/Go Easy Little Doves, I’ll Be Fine
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Swoon Moon/Brooke Waggoner, BMI; BW (track) (www.brookewaggoner.com)
—Last year’s winner of the Next Big Nashville Emerging Artist award at the Nashville Music Awards has a stunning pop collection full of gorgeous string arrangements and sweeping sonic landscapes. On the CD’s title ballad, she layers her soprano vocals and wafts airily amid piano and violin washes. Invite this woman into your life.

AMERICAN BANG/Wild And Young
Writer: Jaren Johnston/Neil Mason/James Michael; Producer: Bob Rock; Publisher: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Silent Cue/Music of Combustion/Bug/Songs of Windswept Pacific/Little Big Guy/Warner-Tamerlane, ASCAP/BMI; Reprise (track) (www.americanbang.com)
—I am addicted to this album. American Bang is aiming to join Paramore, Jack White and Kings of Leon as Nashville-based, major-label rock stars. This ultra-catchy, rocking new single has a pile-driving Springsteeny vibe, but with more youthful vocals. Buy American Bang at once. I guarantee you will dig ‘em.

JEFF THE BROTHERHOOD/Heavy Days
Writer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Producer: Jeff the Brotherhood; Publisher: Jeff the Brotherhood, ASCAP; Infinity Cat (track)
—Jeff the Brotherhood is comprised of Robert Ellis Orrall’s sons Jake and Jamin Orrall. This title tune to their CD begins with bees buzzing over a steady Jamin beat and then romps into a jittery, new-wavey party piece. Quirky and loads of fun.

NOVEMBER/Sugarfree
Writer: Michael Dale; Producer: The One and Onlys; Publisher: none listed; 55BC (track) (www.novembernow.com)
—The title tune to this Nashville rock band’s CD is a mighty slab of sound. If you like it loud and proud and in your face, November is the act for you. This is aggressively hard rocking, screaming-guitars stuff.

JOANNA COTTEN/Sexy Rich
Writer: Joanna Cotten/Angie Russell/Daryl Burgess; Producer: Joanna Cotten; Publisher: none listed; JC (track) (www.joannacotten.com)
—Joanna made a marvelous CD for Warners country division, but it never came out. So she turned around and made a pop album for herself. This bopping track bubbles with personality and effervescent attitude. The lyric is all about our celeb/tabloid world. You will smile while you tap your toes.

KENTUCKY THUNDER/Paper Thin
Writer: J. Hiatt; Producer: Kentucky Thunder; Publisher: Universal, BMI; KT (track) (www.kentuckythundergirls.com)
—For the past 14 years, these four sizzling soul sisters from the Blue Grass State have been burning down Nashville nightclubs. Now, finally, Etta Britt, Vicki Carrico, Sheila Lawrence and Jonell Mosser have recorded a CD. It documents one of their rafter raising performances at 3rd & Lindsley last April and is titled, fittingly, ‘Bout Damn Time. The four come blazing out of the starting gate with this rocking Hiatt number. Other extra hot slabs of soul include Mosser’s “One Thing I Know” and Britt’s “Baton Rouge.” Their a cappella, set-closing quartet harmony vocal on Stephen Foster’s “My Old Kentucky Home” will leave you with your jaw ajar.

ALYSSA BONAGURA/Leaving This Heartache For A Song
Writer: Alyssa Bonagura; Producer: Alyssa Bonagura; Publisher: Alright Love, ASCAP; AB (track) (www.myspace.com/alyssabonaguramusic)
—Alyssa is the daughter of Kathie Baillie and Michael Bonagura of Baillie & The Boys fame. So you know she’s got singing in her genes. Here’s the rest of it. She got a scholarship to Paul McCartney’s music school in Liverpool. When she played her original songs there, she was told she was already too good to be a songwriting major, so why didn’t she study audio engineering instead? And that’s how she came to create her The English Diaries CD, on which she plays, sings and produces everything. I am particularly taken with this acoustic ballad on it. The thing sounds exactly like a hit.

DAVE BARNES /God Gave Me You
Writer: Dave Barnes; Producer: Ed Cash & Dave Barnes; Publisher: No Gang/Razor & Tie, ASCAP; Razor & Tie (track) (www.davebarnes.com)
—I remain a fan. This single from Dave’s What We Want, What We Get collection manages to be both crunchy and twinkling at the same time. The buzzing guitars in the choruses are cool, too. The brilliant dynamics in this record’s production prove beyond any doubt whatsoever that Nashville is so much more than country music.

BMG Rights Adds Evergreen

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Joel Katz

In a deal reportedly valued at $80 million, KKR-backed BMG Rights Management has gone shopping, gobbling Evergreen Copyright Acquisitions, its fourth company this year.

Earlier this year BMG Rights snagged Cherry Lane Music, Adage IV and Stage Three music.

Richard Perna

According to reports in the New York Post, Evergreen was founded in 2006 and owns rights to over 65,000 songs. It’s run by co-founder and co-CEO David Schulhof. Additional senior management includes Co-Chief Executive Richard Perna; co-founder and music lawyer Joel Katz; and Chief Financial Officer John Lipman, a principal, of Lehman Brothers Merchant Banking which provided the firm’s founding investment.

Schulhof and Perna, Co-CEOs of Evergreen, stated: “We are proud of the company we have built and thank all of the great songwriters and artists we’ve had the opportunity to work with.  We wish to thank Trilantic Capital Partners for their unwavering support as we built Evergreen into the well-established global music publisher it is today. Most of all, we would like to thank all of  our exceptional employees, without whom we could not have built this great company. We wish BMG continued success. We are very honored that they have selected Evergreen to join their growing family.”

Controlling Evergreen shareholder, Trilantic Capital Partners becomes a BMG co-investor under the deal, reports NYP.

Billboard reports, BMG Rights recently received equity injections of over $260 million for acquisitions from shareholders KKR investments and Bertelsmann.

Bone Collector CD Melds Hunting and Country

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Michael Waddell

Noted outdoorsman Michael Waddell (Bone Collector) has joined forces with country songwriters Rhett Akins (“Gimme That Girl,” “All About Tonight”) and Dallas Davidson (“Honky Tonk Badonkadonk,” “Start a Band”). The resulting collaboration, a “hunting album” entitled, Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector: The Brotherhood Album featuring Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson comes out on Reprise Records on September 28. Produced by Akins, Davidson and Brian Kolb, Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector: The Brotherhood Album featuring Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson is squarely aimed at the hunting crowd.

The project evolved out of Waddell, Akins and Davidson’s love for hunting and the outdoors. The three began performing cuts from the album at Waddell’s Brotherhood Jam, a fan club concert which follows a day of hunting. The album is a collection of hunting and outdoor related tunes with some of the songs layered with humorous lyrics. From the playfully

Rhett Akins

titled “Weapons of Bass Destruction” to the stripped down balladry of “Granddaddy’s Gun,” the album combines catchy melodies and country twang.

Michael Waddell is the host of Realtree Road Trips and co-host of the popular Outdoors Channel hunting show, Bone Collector. The success of Bone Collector has been due in part to Waddell’s reputation as one of the most successful hunters and outdoorsmen in the industry. 

Singer/songwriter Akins’ first album, A Thousand Memories, released in 1995 on Decca Records  and spawned his first No. 1 single, “That Ain’t My Truck.” More recently, Akins has had cuts and singles with Brooks & Dunn, Rodney Atkins, Luke Bryan, Montgomery Gentry, Blake Shelton and many more. He currently has five singles on the charts: “Farmer’s Daughter” recorded by Rodney Atkins, “Chicken & Biscuits” by Colt Ford, “Gimme That

Dallas Davidson

Girl” by Joe Nichols, “All About Tonight” by Blake Shelton and “All Over Me” by Josh Turner.

Davidson is an award-winning songwriter whose No. 1 songs include “Rain is a Good Thing,” “That’s How Country Boys Roll” “Gimmie That Girl,” “All About Tonight” and “Start A Band.” He also has two No. 2 hits with Trace Adkins’ “Honky Tonk Badonkadonk” and Brooks & Dunn’s “Put A Girl In It.”

Track listing for Michael Waddell’s Bone Collector: The Brotherhood Album Featuring Rhett Akins and Dallas Davidson:

1. My Baby Looks Good In Camouflage (Rhett Akins/Bobby Pinson)
2. Weapons Of Bass Destruction (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Luke Bryan)
3. Yella Acorns (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson)
4. Granddaddy’s Gun (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson/Bobby Pinson)
5. Buck Fever (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson)
6. Hawgs (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson)
7. Duck Blind (Dallas Davidson)
8. Keepers (Bob Dipiero/Rivers Rutherford)
9. Hung Up (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson)
10. Openin’ Day (Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson)

Katie Armiger is a “Nice Girl” in GAC Sweepstakes

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Up-and-coming country artist Katie Armiger teamed up with GACTV.com to celebrate the release of her upcoming album, Confessions of a Nice Girl. On August 31st, GAC kicked off the contest, giving a lucky fan the opportunity to win a trip for two to Nashville to attend Armiger’s album release party on September 29th. Kelly Johnson of Columbus, Ohio was chosen as the winner from over 6,000 entries.

Confessions will be released on October 5th. Fans can pre-order an autographed version of the album now at www.katiearmiger.com and can preview all tracks from the forthcoming album. Confessions includes Armiger’s latest single, “Leaving Home,” currently in the Top 40 on the Billboard Indicator Chart and the Top 20 on GAC.