Letter To The Editor Re: Urban At PC Awards

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Some members of the music community are riled up over Keith Urban’s acceptance speech for Favorite Male Artist at last night’s (1/6) People’s Choice Awards. On stage at the Nokia Theatre LA Live he thanked fans and said the most important thing to him is that people hear his music, even if they download it illegally.

Here’s one reader’s thoughts in an open letter to Music Row:

On Wednesday night (1/6), on the People’s Choice Awards, Keith Urban won the award for Favorite Male Artist. In his acceptance speech, he stated, “I don’t even care if you download it (my music) illegally, give it to your friends, I really don’t care.”

I think it is appalling for one our biggest and brightest stars to openly encourage people to break the law by downloading music illegally.

Urban and wife, Nicole Kidman, likely have millions of dollars. And, he probably won’t miss the royalties when people steal his music. However, I wonder what his label, Capitol Records Nashville, has to say about his statement? And what about his co-writers and other songwriters on Music Row whose talents he depends on to continue with his hugely successful career? Can they afford to work for free?

While other artists such as Madonna, Elton John, Eminem, Sheryl Crow, Jay Z, Lenny Kravitz and other superstars from all genres are speaking out for the rights of songwriters, Keith Urban, in one short statement, sent out a strong message to potentially millions of young listeners around the world – that music is free for the stealing. He “really don’t care.”

I manage and promote songwriters and their record labels who offer free legal downloads of their songs in major publications and on the web in efforts to help promote their careers. But that is their choice. They have given their permission.

Our community of songwriters – and the world music industry at large – have been devastated by the proliferation of illegal downloading and file-sharing. The last thing that we need is for one of our most popular artists to promote the practice.

I think Keith Urban should rethink his position and apologize for his statements – or start giving away tickets to his shows.

Music is owned by the creators – and they should get paid for it. It is not free. We all depend on it for our living.

Clif Doyal
Owner, Clif Doyal Agency, LLC
CDA Promotions-Nashville

Paisley Tour Opens Tonight With Lambert, Moore

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brad-paisley-ar10Reigning CMA and ACM Male Vocalist Brad Paisley will launch the final leg of his American Saturday Night Tour this weekend with shows in San Antonio, Oklahoma City and Wichita. Special guests for the 20 dates will be Miranda Lambert and Justin Moore.

miranda_lambert_13568On Saturday night (1/9), the Paisley show will open the new Intrust Bank Arena in Wichita in front of a sold-out crowd.

In the past 12 months Paisley’s tour has played to more than 1.2 million fans in over 75 markets, garnering 52 sold-out shows. The lucky one millionth ticket holder was given a 2009 Chevy Silverado by Paisley in Jacksonville, FL. Dierks Bentley and Jimmy Wayne joined him on the first leg of the outing.

justin moorePaisley’s current single, “American Saturday Night,” is No. 13 and climbing on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart and climbing. He is nominated for two Grammys at the upcoming awards on Jan. 31.

Steve Seskin Plans Songwriting Seminar

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Steve Seskin

Steve Seskin

The 6th annual Steve Seskin Songwriting Seminar will be held January 22 – 24, 2010 in Nashville, with hit writers Allen Shamblin and Gretchen Peters set to participate. There will be two days of lectures, workshops and discussions. Friday night Jan. 22 includes a Steve Seskin concert at Edgehill Studios Cafe. Workshops will follow on Saturday and Sunday at the Bluebird Café, the location of the Saturday night concert to benefit Alive Hospice featuring Steve, Chuck Jones, Jesse Terry and Jamie Floyd.

Seskin’s cuts include “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” recorded by Tim McGraw, and “Don’t Laugh at Me,” winner of NSAI Song of the Year and MusicRow Magazine Song of the Year, recorded by Mark Wills. Among his other hits are songs by Neal McCoy, John Michael Montgomery, Ricochet, Colin Raye, and Kenny Chesney.

For more information on the songwriting seminar which costs $345, check out Seskin’s website or contact Claudia Young at csyoung@comcast.net or 615-309-9449.

Noted Arranger Sheldon Kurland Passes

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Sheldon Kurland, known throughout the Nashville music community as a session musician and as the leader of The Sheldon Kurland Strings, died Wednesday, Jan. 6 at age 81.

He can be heard on such hits as “Last Cheater’s Waltz” by T. G. Sheppard, “Rose Colored Glasses” by John Conlee, “Everything is Beautiful” by Ray Stevens, “When I Dream” and “Half the Way” by Crystal Gayle, “Happy Birthday Darlin’” and “I May Never Get to Heaven” by Conway Twitty, “I Wish I Was 18 Again” by George Burns, “Fancy Free” by The Oak Ridge Boys, “Dreaming My Dreams” by Waylon Jennings and “I Wouldn’t Have Missed it for the World” by Ronnie Milsap.

He worked on recording sessions for virtually every country star in Nashville. Clients included Loretta Lynn, Kris Kristofferson, Dottie West, The Browns, Hank Locklin, Eddy Arnold, Reba McEntire, Michael Johnson, Willie Nelson, Ed Bruce, Bobby Bare, Con Hunley, Johnny Cash, Dolly Parton, Jack Clement, Hank Snow and many more.

Kurland’s contributions extend to the pop-music world, as well. He is on Jimmy Buffett’s Changes in Attitudes Changes in Latitudes LP, England Dan & John Ford Coley’s “Nights Are Forever” and Bob Dylan’s Self Portrait, as well as recordings by Donovan, James Galway and Amy Grant. He not only appeared on Comes a Time by Neil Young, he also toured with the rock superstar.

The New York native was classically trained at Julliard. He came to Nashville in 1964 to teach at Peabody College, but was soon playing sessions. He formed The Sheldon Kurland Strings in the 1970s and was featured on The Johnny Cash Show in 1969-71 and again in 1976, sometimes wearing a jacket with “Julliard” spelled out on the back in rhinestones.

Two of his children have become prominent in Nashville entertainment. Daughter Amy Kurland founded The Bluebird Café. Son Peter Kurland runs the Darkhorse Theater. Funeral arrangements have not yet been announced. Check back with MusicRow for updates.

Underwood On CBS Sitcom; Evans at Davis-Kidd

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Carrie_07_075Carrie Underwood will appear on CBS’ How I Met Your Mother in a special one-off guest star role, set to tape later this month. Underwood will play a new character, Tiffany, an enigmatic pharmaceutical sales rep and love interest for Ted (played by Josh Radnor), in an episode scheduled to air in March. How I Met Your Mother airs on CBS Television, Mondays, 7:00-7:30 PM/CT.
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full_75761Sara Evans will appear at David-Kidd Booksellers in Green Hills on January 11 to promote her new book, The Sweet By and By. At the book signing, Evans will perform a few songs and take questions from the audience.

Other book promotion events include an appearance on ABC’s The View on Jan. 13 and more booksignings. Her inspirational fiction novel is written with best-selling author Rachel Hauck, known for titles like Diva NashVegas and Love Starts with Elle.

Clay Walker Concert To Fight MS; Artist Benefits

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clay walker

Clay Walker

Clay Walker is playing a Feb. 23 benefit concert at the Wildhorse Saloon to raise money and awareness for multiple sclerosis research. Chords of Hope: The Clay Walker MS Benefit Concert is presented by 98 WSIX and produced by Walker’s charity, Band Against MS (BAMS). Tickets start at $10 and will be available starting Saturday (1/9) through the Wildhorse Saloon. All proceeds will go toward multiple sclerosis research at Vanderbilt University Medical Center.

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BLEVE Records President Mickey Milam donated 1,000 copies of the CD My First Ride to be sold to raise money for the families of four fallen police officers in Washington state. The CDs sold-out within days, raising $15,000. The multi artist-compilation features Ronnie Milsap, George Strait, Vince Gill, John Michael Montgomery, James Otto, The Bacon Brothers, and others.

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Gilda’s Club Nashville, a support community for those touched by cancer, kicks off its annual 16-week training program for the Country Music Half Marathon on Saturday (1/9). Bryan White is the Honorary Chairperson. Proceeds benefit the charity. For more information contact Deb Sandvik at 615-329-1124 or deb@gildasclubnashville.org.
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Dolly

MJ2 and Dolly Parton

Las Vegas based country act MJ2 has recruited Dolly Parton, Wayne Newton, Heidi Newfield, Larry Gatlin, Cowboy Troy and more to sing on their debut single “You Can’t Say Love Enough.” Proceeds from the song, out on SweetSong Nashville Records, go to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation.

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Singer-songwriter Skip Ewing has joined forces with Béla Fleck and Dave Koz on the single “Julianaʼs Smile” to benefit Juliana Wetmore, a girl with Treacher Collins Syndrome. Available on iTunes.

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Pictured l-r: Dustin Finch, BBBSMT CEO Lowell Perry Jr, Brandon Finch

Pictured l-r: Dustin Finch, BBBSMT CEO Lowell Perry Jr, Brandon Finch

The Brothers Finch participated in the Big Brothers, Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee (BBBSMT) fundraiser at the Franklin Wine Festival which raised more than $95,000. The Brothers Finch, currently working on their debut album, have appeared on CMT’s “Music City Madness 2” and “Can You Duet?”

Swift, Urban, Underwood Win PCAs

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Keith Urban

Keith Urban won overall Favorite Male Artist and Taylor Swift was voted overall Favorite Female Artist at last night’s (1/6) People’s Choice Awards. Carrie Underwood took home Favorite Country Artist at the show at the Nokia Theatre LA Live. This marks the sixth People’s Choice honor of Underwood’s career.

tsThe show is fan-voted and a record breaking 60 million online votes were cast this year to determine the winners.

Other Nashville related wins include Miley Cyrus taking home Favorite Breakout Movie Actress and Paramore being named Favorite Rock Band. Katherine Heigl, wife of UMG artist Josh Kelly, was voted Favorite TV Drama Actress.

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photo: Kevin Winter/Getty Images for PCA

Vampire movie Twilight was the evening’s top trophy-getter, with it or its stars winning Favorite Movie, Favorite Franchise, Favorite On-Screen Team, and Favorite Breakout Movie Actor (Taylor Lautner).

Other winners included Sandra Bullock, Johnny Depp, Lady Gaga, The Big Bang Theory, and House. See the whole list.

Ole Signs Chris Wallin

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(L-R): ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard, Chris Wallin, and ole’s Shane Barrett

(L-R): ole Chief Creative Officer Gilles Godard, Chris Wallin, and ole’s Shane Barrett

Ole has acquired the catalogue of hit songwriter Chris Wallin and entered a worldwide co-publishing deal with him. Among the No. 1s he has written or co-written are Toby Keith’s “Love Me If You Can,” Kenny Chesney’s “Don’t Blink,” and Montgomery Gentry’s “Something To Be Proud Of.” He brings these and over 100 more songs including hits “I’m Tryin’” (Trace Adkins) and “Speed” (Montgomery Gentry) to ole.

The White Pine, Tennessee native says he was drawn to ole’s international reach—it has offices in Toronto, Nashville and Los Angeles—and development commitment to its writers when deciding to sign with them. He says, “It’s clear that ole is a company that doesn’t stay in the box.”

He moved to Nashville in the 1980s and soon landed his first songwriting deal, garnering cuts by artists such as Lorrie Morgan, Keith Anderson, Anthony Smith, Trace Adkins, Jeffrey Steele, Confederate Railroad, Neal McCoy, Brad Paisley and Diamond Rio. Wallin is also an active advocate for songwriter’s rights and often works with NSAI to protect intellectual property rights.

Church Headlining, Thompson In Tow

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Eric Church

Eric Church is preparing to set out on his headlining Jagermeister Country Tour. The outing, in support of his Capitol sophomore release Carolina, starts Feb. 9 in Baltimore and continues for about 30 dates through the end of March. His current single “Hell On The Heart” is at No. 15 and rising on MusicRow’s Country Breakout Chart.

Josh Thompson

Josh Thompson

Joining Church on the road will be Columbia Nashville newcomer Josh Thompson who is heading out in his trusty van nicknamed “Van-A-White.” His debut single, “Beer on the Table,” is rising up the Country Breakout chart and currently at No. 27. His debut album Way Out Here hits outlets Feb. 23.

Before Thompson heads out with Church, he is set for Nashville Lifestyles’ “Music in the City” party on Jan. 19 at the Tin Roof, also featuring Love and Theft, Josh Kelley, Jessie James, and Steel Magnolia.

ZBB Get Grammy Slot; Gloriana To “Ellen”; More Artist Updates

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Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band

Zac Brown Band has been added to the performance line-up of the Jan. 31 Grammy Awards, airing on CBS. Dave Matthews Band, Green Day, Lady Gaga and P!nk have also been added to performance schedule, joining previously announced performers and fellow nominees Taylor Swift, Lady Antebellum, Beyoncé, the Black Eyed Peas and Maxwell...

Gloriana will play their latest single “How Far Do You Wanna Go?” on Ellen, Wed., Jan. 13 (check local listings)…

Speaking of Ellen, she joins the panel of judges on American Idol when its ninth season starts Tues., Jan. 12 on FOX…

Kellie Pickler, Jamey Johnson and Randy Houser are getting ready to go on a USO Tour, it will be Pickler’s third time visiting the troops. She is also in the January issue of Shape Magazine…

On Sat., Jan. 9, Darryl Worley will perform “God Bless America” during the pre-game ceremony for the 10th Annual U.S. Army All-American Bowl at the Alamodome in San Antonio, TX…

The new album Dailey & Vincent Sing The Statler Brothers will be available exclusively at Cracker Barrel Old Country Store® on Feb. 1.