DISClaimer: Smithfield, Brett Young Offer Soulful, Emotional New Tracks

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Perhaps it is the upcoming CRS convention.

This week, a bevy of country stars-in-the-making are issuing new sounds, hoping to catch radio’s ears. They include Devin Dawson, Luke Combs, Lance Carpenter & Krystal Keith, Brett Young and Walker McGuire, with a dandy little bonus track from Ryan Kinder thrown into the mix.

Brett Young emerges from the pack with the Disc of the Day.

The new duo Smithfield wins our DisCovery Award today in DisClaimer.

SMITHFIELD/Hey Whiskey
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; In2une (ERG)
– She can’t hold her lover while he’s in the clutches of alcohol. The lyric is dynamite. The delivery is piercing and emotional. The production is solid. Play it.

WALKER MCGUIRE/Lost
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Wheelhouse (ERG)
– I like his innocent-sounding Southern accent, and it suits this story of a country boy who gets lost in love. Swirling and endearing.

BRETT YOUNG/Mercy
Writers: Brett Young/Sean McConnell; Producers: Dann Huff; Publishers: Super Big/Caliville/Big Machine/Warner-Tamerlane/Little Beluga, ASCAP/BMI; BMLG (TRACK)
– A stately slab of heartache. The ballad is soulfully sung, and the piano-dominated arrangement punctuates every emotional wound. Highly recommended.

JASON ALDEAN/You Make It Easy
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; BBR
– It’s a power ballad with fairly generic romantic cliches and the obligatory rock guitar solo.

DEVIN DAWSON/All On Me
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
– A pop-flavored come-on with a percolating track and jaunty vocal delivery. Easy on the ears.

KRYSTAL KEITH & LANCE CARPENTER
Writers: none listed; Producers: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Show Dog
– Very exciting. An “escape” road song with perfect harmonies and lotsa rhythmic drive. Newcomer Carpenter delivers the goods, vocally, while Krystal solidifies her promise.

RYAN KINDER/Fortunate Son
Writer: John Fogerty; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– It’s such a great song. Kinder slows it and strips down the instrumentation to throw the spotlight on its extraordinary lyric. Bluesy, groovy, stark, soulful and meaningful.

HUNTER HAYES/This Girl
Writers: Jordan Schmidt/Andy Albert/Jessie Jo Dillon; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Atlantic (download)
– The rapid-fire lyric is quite well written. Hayes, as usual, gives it plenty of oomph in his vocal-and-guitar delivery. Radio ready, for sure.

SARA EVANS/All The Love You Left Me
Writers: Hillary Lindsey/Gordon Sampson/Ben West; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Born To Fly
– Somebody pushed down too hard on the “echo chamber” button.

LOCASH Receives BMI Million-Air Award

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BMI’s David Preston poses with LOCASH and their Million-Air awards. Photo: Steve Lowry

LOCASH‘s Chris Lucas and Preston Brust were recently presented Million-Air certificates for accumulating over two million broadcast performances of their hit song “I Love This Life” by BMI’s Jody Williams and David Preston.

The BMI Million-Air Award is given to songwriters, composers, and publishers whose songs accumulate more than one million U.S. broadcast performances. 

IBMA Awards Over $11,000 In Grants For 2018

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The IBMA Foundation has awarded $11,600 in grants to nine recipients that help support bluegrass music-related educational, literary, artistic and historic preservation activities, including the Nashville School of Traditional Country Music. The Foundation grant will help the school cover the costs for lessons and instrument rental for eight students, for one semester.

“We’re proud to announce the largest amount of annual grants in the history of the Foundation, to the highest number of annual recipients,” said IBMA Foundation board chair, Peter D’Addario. “Our recent merger with the International Bluegrass Music Association has been very positive, and we’re very grateful for the support from our donors this year.”

Foundation Grant Recipients for 2018:

  • Black Swamp Arts Council, Tri State Youth Bluegrass Initiative (Archbold, Ohio)
  • Bluegrass Ambassadors with the Hanna Miners, Silver Sound Foundation (Carbon County, Wyoming)
  • Coda Mountain Academy Summer Music Festival (Fayetteville, West Virginia)
  • Fairbanks Summer Arts Festival (Fairbanks, Alaska)
  • Grey Fox Educational Fund, Grey Fox Bluegrass Academy for Kids (Oak Hill, New York)
  • Makers Guild of Maine, Vacationland Bluegrass Camp (Searsport, Maine)
  • Nashville School of Traditional Country Music (Nashville, Tennessee)
  • San Diego Folk Heritage, Julian Family Fiddle Camp (San Diego, California)
  • The Crooked Road: Virginia’s Heritage Music Trail, Professional Development Seminar for Musicians (Abingdon, Virginia)

 

MusicRow’s 7th Annual Rising Women On The Row

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MusicRow will once again honor some of Nashville’s top female music executives who are making an impact in the Nashville music community, during MusicRow’s 7th annual Rising Women On The Row event, March 27 at the Omni Nashville Hotel.

The 2018 honorees have been announced as Faithe Dillman (Founder/CEO, Marbaloo); Leslie DiPiero (General Manager, Tree Vibez Music); Becky Gardenhire (Partner, WME); Lynn Oliver-Cline (President/Founder, River House Artists); Annie Ortmeier (VP, Marketing-Digital Accounts, Universal Music Group Nashville); Janet Weir (President/42 Entertainment; Manager, Red Light Management). Nominations are closed.

A four-speaker panel will include Tracy Gershon(Co-founder of Change The Conversation, Manager, Consultant), Mary Hilliard Harrington (Manager, Red Light Management), Rose Palermo (Attorney), and Ann Powers (NPR Music Critic and Correspondent).Special performer Abby Anderson will deliver a two-song performance.

Tickets Are Sold Out For The 8:30 a.m. Breakfast Event

Although tickets will not be sold at the door, to get on a wait list for individual tickets or supporting sponsorship tables, email eparker@musicrow.com.

For ticket holders, final arrival details will be emailed to the ticket purchaser the week of March 19.

– – –

Supporting Sponsorship Table Includes:

  1. Table (10 seats) with premium location
  2. Logo included on full page honoree congratulatory ad in MusicRow‘s InCharge (April/May)
  3. Logo included in event program
  4. Logo included on MusicRow.com banner ad
  5. Company name included in MusicRow.com coverage

Previous Rising Women On The Row honorees include:

2017: Tatum Allsep, Kerri Edwards, Virginia Davis, Kella Farris, Laura Hutfless, Juli Newton-Griffith
2016: Abbey Adams, Amanda Cates, Cris Lacy, Leslie Roberts, Risha Rodgers
2015: Kele Currier, Tiffany Dunn, Dawn Gates, Jensen Sussman, Lou Taylor
2014: Julie Boos, Caryl Healey, Ebie McFarland, Alicia Pruitt, Kelly Rich
2013: Cyndi Forman, Cindy Hunt, Beth Laird, Cindy Mabe, Brandi Simms
2012: Shannan Hatch, Mary Hilliard Harrington, Heather McBee, Denise Stevens, Carla Wallace

Nashville Bids Tuneful Adieu To Mel Tillis

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Steve Gatlin, Pam Tillis and Rudy Gatlin perform at the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by R. Diamond/Getty Images

The life of singer, songwriter, humorist, actor, author, bandleader and business mogul Mel Tillis was celebrated in a music-filled show on Wednesday morning, Jan 31.

The Country Music Hall of Fame, Grand Ole Opry and Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member died last Nov. 19 at age 85. His memorial celebration included film clips and several people who spoke in tribute to the country-music great.

“His creations resonate with all of us,” said Country Music Hall of Fame CEO Kyle Young. “Mel Tillis showed us how to connect who we are with who we ought to be. He died an accomplished man. He lives as an example of what we might be.”

“He changed the course of my life,” said songwriter, producer and former Tillis band member Buddy Cannon. “Anything I have in my career, I can trace to that.”

Opry CEO Steve Buchanan said that Tillis was, “a one-of-a-kind great guy, a true character.”

Street Corner Symphony (L-R: Kaleb Jones, Jeremy Lister, Kurt Zimmerman, Armand Hutton and Jonathan Lister) join Alison Krauss. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

Country Music Hall of Fame member Ralph Emery related the superstar’s accomplishments and recalled humorous incidents.
But it was the music of Mel Tillis that remained the celebration’s focus. Backed by the legendary Statesiders band, a bevy of talents took the stage to sing songs that Tillis either wrote or popularized.

Tillis’s outstanding band kicked things off with “I Ain’t Never.” Ira Dean did “I’m Tired.” Branson entertainer Splinter Middleton performed a rhythmic “Ruby Don’t Take Your Love to Town.”

Host Emery interspersed his introductions with anecdotes. Pastor Kevin Shorey led the audience in prayer.

Steve & Rudy Gatlin offered “Come On and Sing” with Pam Tillis standing in for an ailing Larry Gatlin. Carrie April Tillis drew the day’s first standing ovation for her lovely rendition of “The Violet and the Rose,” featuring harmonies by The Stutterettes, Tammy Carter and Tonya Wainscott. American Idol alumnus Kree Harrison belted the ballad “Emotions,” penned by Tillis for Brenda Lee.

Ray Stevens performs at the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

“My daddy was a blessed man,” said Sonny Tillis (Mel Tillis Jr.). “How many people their whole lives get to do what they love to do?” He sang the shuffles “Heart Over Mind and “Burning Memories,” drawing a second standing ovation.

Collin Raye phrased excellently on “Send Me Down to Tucson.” Daryle Singletary gave a hard-country spin to “New Patches.” Lorrie Morgan offered the Tillis pop cha-cha “Strange,” originally recorded by Patsy Cline. Ray Stevens delivered a swinging “Coca-Cola Cowboy.” Ricky Skaggs had the audience wailing with him on the rollicking “Honey (Open That Door).”

Jamey Johnson delivered a bluesy, languid version of “I Believe in You,” and drew a standing ovation. So did Alison Krauss when she teamed up with the five-man a cappella group Street Corner Symphony on “Stick With Me Baby.”

“It’s been a long morning, but I have loved every second of this,” said Pam Tillis. She singled out The Statesiders for their superb musicianship throughout. The group is perhaps the last of country’s big bands. Mel Tillis always carried triple fiddles, two pianos, triple guitars and a full compliment of accompanying instruments and singers.

Jamey Johnson performs during the Mel Tillis Memorial at Ryman Auditorium on January 31, 2018 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Rick Diamond/Getty Images

“It’s revered as the Standard,” remarked Jimmy Garstrung, who has played piano with the group for 35 years. “I don’t know that you’ll ever see the likes of it again. But what a band. What a band. Many of us were here for decades, and you won’t see that again either.”

“Daddy always closed every show with this,” Pam commented before beginning “Detroit City.” Brother Sonny did the recitation, and Tanya Tucker joined the day’s other performers, as well as a singing, standing audience for the song’s finale.

The two-hour show was staged at the Ryman Auditorium, Nashville’s traditional venue for farewells to its kings and queens. It was aired live on WSM radio.

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry Admits Extramarital Affair

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Nashville Mayor Megan Barry

Nashville Mayor Megan Barry has released the following statement, confirming an extramarital affair with Sergeant Rob Forrest, head of Barry’s security detail. It was confirmed earlier today that Forrest has abruptly retired as of today (Jan. 31). Forrest was a 31-year veteran of the Nashville Metro Police Department.

A press conference is scheduled for tonight (Jan. 31) at 7 p.m.

Barry’s statement reads:

“Today, I have acknowledged publicly that I have engaged in an extramarital affair with the former head of my security detail.

“I accept full responsibility for the pain I have caused my family and his. I am so sorry to my husband Bruce, who has stood by me in my darkest moments and remains committed to our marriage, just as I am committed to repairing the damage I have done.

“I also must apologize to the people of Nashville who elected me to serve as your mayor. I knew my actions could cause damage to my office and the ones I loved, but I did it anyway. I must hold myself to the highest standard of which the voters deserve to expect. Please know that I’m disappointed in myself but also understand that I’m a human and that I made a mistake.

“In 2015, I was elected to serve as Mayor of Nashville on a platform that included building more affordable housing, improving public education, and promoting better transportation options. We have made progress on these fronts – but there is more to be done. While I regret any distractions that will be caused by my actions, I remain firmly committed to working hard to serve the people of Nashville now and into the future.

“God will forgive me, but the people of Nashville don’t have to. In the weeks and months to come, I will work hard to earn your forgiveness and earn back your trust.”

 

Dan + Shay Celebrate Chart Successes With Double No. 1 Party

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Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Chris DeStefano, Paul DiGiovanni, Kevin Bard, Adam Hambrick and Dan + Shay

On Tuesday (Jan. 30), Dan + Shay celebrated their two singles, “From The Ground Up” and “How Not To” that went to No. 1 on the country radio charts. “From The Ground Up” was written by Shay Mooney, Dan Smyers, and Chris DeStefano, and is DeStefano’s 14th No. 1. “How Not To” was written by Kevin Bard, Paul DiGiovanni, and Adam Hambrick and marks their No. 1 debut. Both singles were produced by Scott Hendricks.

ASCAP’s Beth Brinker gave the opening remarks to a crowded lobby of friends and family. “We are celebrating today two amazing songs, songwriters, and an amazing duo that continues to know how to write and cut songs that keeps them on the top of the charts,” said Brinker. “Since ‘From The Ground Up’ was written and hit No. 1, these guys have gone on to really build it from the ground up. They have went on to get married and have babies. This is a lot more special now then it would have been when it first hit the top of the charts.”

“’From The Ground Up’ is a special song,” said Smyers. “I was on my way home from my grandfather’s funeral and we went to cut a vocal on another song. We got to talking about our grandparents who were married for 65 years. Thank you [DeStefano] for helping bring that one out of us. It takes on a whole new meaning now with my wife and being married.”

DeStefano remarked, “Thank you Dan + Shay for letting me be in the room with you that day and taking this journey together. It was a special day of writing. We were digging deep right from the get-go. The song wrote itself, but it was from a real genuine and personal place.”

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Bradley Collins, Chris DeStefano and Dan + Shay, Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito and Warner/Chappell’s BJ Hill

Brinker honored Bard, DiGiovanni and Hambrick on their first No. 1, gifting them with an ASCAP Yeti cooler. BMI’s Bradley Collins gave a nod to Hendricks for his 68th and 69th No. 1 songs, and Mooney’s third No. 1. BJ Hill and Warner Chappell made a donation to Pencils of Promise.

“From The Ground Up” hit No. 1 in August 2016 and “How Not To” in June 2017. Both songs have a combined 215 million streams and 2.8 billion radio impressions.

“We almost didn’t write ‘How Not To,'” DiGiovanni said. “It was the last write of the year, but we did. We wrote the song in about 2 hours and it was the best feeling ever. These are some of my best friends right here.”

Bard, a Los Angeles-based writer added, “It is surreal to be up here. Every call I got I was, ‘Are you sure you have the right number?’”

Sony/ATV’s Troy Tomlinson honored the songwriters with plaques. Jeremy Stover from Red Creative congratulated Hambrick and Dan + Shay, while John Ozier from ole awarded them iPads. Kent Earls of UMPG also offered trophies while Brandi Simms of the Country Music Association, offered No. 1 medallions for the country radio success.

“I got to go on the bus and watch [Dan + Shay] do what they do for a day,” Hambrick said. “It blew me away. You were ones that set a trajectory in our careers and were the first to believe in something we did. I write songs because my mom has written songs for as long as I can remember. I thought when you sing, that’s what you do, write songs. This is the only job I think I can do in the world worthwhile.”

Pictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Tom Luteran, Red Creative Group’s Jeremy Stover, Adam Hambrick, Warner Music Nashville’s John Esposito, Kevin Bard, Dan + Shay, Paul DiGiovanni, Universal’s Kent Earls and Ole’s John Ozier

Smyers commented “Rohan [Kohli] was not quite working at Warner Brothers Nashville yet, but I send him an email saying, ‘We need something to beat that last song.’ He sends us  ‘How Not To,’ formerly ‘Not To.’ I had no clue who wrote it, but I sent it to Shay and Scott. After one verse and one chorus Scott said it was a smash and we need to cut that song.”

In addition to honoring their No. 1s, John Esposito of Warner Music Nashville surprised Dan + Shay with a RIAA Gold record for their album, Where It All Began.

Esposito recalled having the duo, formerly named Ragtop Red, in to his office, where locked the door and said, “You are not leaving until you are Warner Brothers artists.” What was scheduled to be a one-hour meeting turned to three and a half hours. “Nobody was getting Dan + Shay,” said Esposito. “You guys make me so proud and this ride has just started.”

“We came to this town and have been to a lot of No. 1 parties,” said Mooney. “We have had a couple ourselves, but I am still blown away every time we get to stand on this stage. I want to thank God for country music. I can’t believe we get to do this for a living. This community is a family and country music is a family.”

Brinker closed the event with thanks to the teams, songwriters, friends and family, and First Tennessee Bank for their support.

Loeb & Loeb Adds Josh Brackin As Senior Counsel

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Josh Brackin

Josh Brackin has joined law firm Loeb & Loeb’s Nashville office as Senior Counsel, bringing more than 15 years of experience in various segments of the music and new media industries.

Brackin will handle a variety of transactional entertainment matters with a focus on music, copyright, digital and new media rights, administration and licensing of intellectual property rights and corporate organization. He represents recording artists, record labels, distributors, songwriters, music publishers, managers, producers, mixers and other media-related entities.

Brackin joins Loeb & Loeb from Greenberg Traurig where he practiced in the firm’s Atlanta office. Previously, he served in business affairs roles at Bug Music, BMG Chrysalis and Evergreen Copyrights.

John T. Frankenheimer, chair of Loeb & Loeb’s Music Industry Practice commented, “Our team in Nashville is well situated to handle almost any legal or business matter that arises in the music industry. Josh will be a terrific asset to that practice, as well as an integral part of our national entertainment offering.”

“We’re excited to bring Josh on board to help clients navigate the legal issues associated with the music industry,” added Loeb & Loeb’s Nashville Office Manager of Administration Tiffany Dunn, a partner in the firm’s nationally recognized Entertainment Department. “His diverse, business-oriented experience further strengthens our ability to serve our music clients as well as the array of creative, tech-based and other entrepreneurial companies that have entered the Nashville market.”

Loeb & Loeb’s Nashville office was founded nearly 25 years ago and, since then, the firm has counseled many of the most revered institutions and individuals in Nashville entertainment, contributing to Loeb’s recent recognition as the 2017 “Music Law Firm of the Year” by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.

“Loeb is the go to firm in all segments of music, entertainment and digital media and I’m thrilled to be joining this esteemed group,” said Brackin. “Nashville is continuing to experience incredible growth and it’s an exciting time to return to this dynamic market, working with a firm that has deep roots in music city and an impressive national platform.”

Brackin holds a Bachelor of Science degree in Recording Industry Management from Middle Tennessee State University and he earned his J.D. from The John Marshall Law School in Chicago

Sugarland, Brett Young Set For Big Machine Label Group CRS Luncheon

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The Big Machine Label Group luncheon on Wednesday, Feb. 7 during Country Radio Seminar 2018 will feature a lineup of performances from Sugarland, Brett Young, Drake White, Trent Harmon, Josh Phillips, and Tyler Rich.

“This has become such an important showcase for the Big Machine Label Group and our partners at country radio,” shared BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta. “We will bring you the best of our best and there will always be a couple of great surprises… See you there!”

The event will be held in the Broadway Ballroom (CRS Performance Hall) at Omni Nashville, beginning at noon.

The $699 final registration rate for Country Radio Seminar 2018 is available at countryradioseminar.com. Single-day passes are also being made available. Single-day passes are $200 per pass.

Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy Promotes Four

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Flood, Bumstead, McCready, & McCarthy has announced the promotion of four team members: Jake Dougher to account manager, and Marissa Bond, Tyler Simmons and Katlyn Spalding to senior account assistants.

“Jake, Marissa, Tyler and Katlyn are exceptional team members with a lot of talent and a deep understanding of the music industry,” said Duane Clark, owner of FBMM. “Besides the accomplishments of our clients, our greatest joy is to see our employees developing and advancing within our ranks. We value hard work and are thrilled to recognize the efforts of these FBMM team members who go above and beyond for our clients.”

Jake Dougher came to FBMM in October 2012. His previous work experience includes being a financial representative at Northwestern Mutual Financial Network, where he earned his life and health insurance license. He also worked as an account manager at Huntington T. Block Insurance Agency, Inc., in Washington, D.C., where he obtained his property and casualty insurance license. He received his bachelor’s degree in art history from Sewanee in 2008.

Marissa Bond joined the FBMM team in November 2013. Prior to her work at FBMM, she was an executive assistant at Artist & Repertoire, LLC. Bond is a member of the Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA), Troubadour Society, American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers (ASCAP), and the Davidson County Notary. In 2001, she received a Bachelor of Science degree in business administration with an emphasis in accounting from the University of Tennessee.

Tyler Simmons joined FBMM in June 2015. Prior to his work at FBMM, Simmons worked as a booking intern at The PressHouse and a business development intern at Gilda’s Club Nashville. He received his Bachelor of Business Administration degree with an emphasis in the music industry in 2015, after earning a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from the University of Maryland in 2012.

Katlyn Spalding came to FBMM in May 2016. Prior to joining the company, she worked as an assistant finance director for Little English, LLC. She received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting and a Bachelor of Arts degree in finance from the University of Kentucky Gatton College of Business and Economics.