Bassist Bob Babbitt Passes

/by

Babbitt performs on "American Idol."

Renowned bass player Bob Babbitt died yesterday, July 16, in Nashville. His session work can be heard on countless classic recordings, including many as a member of revered group the Funk Brothers. He was 74 and had been battling brain cancer.

He was born Robert Kreinar in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, and went on to become a member of the Motown Records studio band the Funk Brothers from 1966-1972. During this time Babbitt’s bass licks contributed to seminal hits “My Girl,” “I Heard It Through the Grapevine,” “Papa Was A Rollin’ Stone,” and “Ain’t No Mountain High Enough.”

During his career Babbitt played on over 100 million recordings, including the landmark songs “Signed, Sealed, Delivered I’m Yours” by Stevie Wonder, “Mercy Mercy Me” and “Inner City Blues” by Marvin Gaye, and “Midnight Train to Georgia” by Gladys Knight and the Pips.

Babbitt moved to Nashville in the mid 80s and continued working here and elsewhere.

When The Funk Brothers were inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in 2007, Musicians Hall Pres. Joe Chambers stated, “The records that Bob played on have not only become hit records; they have become their own genre. Much like the music of the A Team became known as the Nashville Sound, the music of the Funk Brothers became the sound of Motown. There are very few musicians whose music has impacted so many generations with no signs of slowing down. Bob Babbitt and the Funk Brothers have done just that.”

Babbitt was honored with a star on the Music City Walk of Fame on June 5, 2012.

Actor and Singer Andy Griffith Dies

/by

Andy Griffith and Marty Stuart collaborating in 2003. Photo: Alan Mayor

Beloved television actor and singer Andy Griffith passed away earlier today (7/3) at his home in Dare County, NC. He was 86. The news was confirmed to North Carolina’s WITN News by Griffith’s friend, UNC President Bill Friday.

Known for his down-to-earth leading roles in The Andy Griffith Show (1960-1968) and Matlock (1986-1995), Griffith became a symbol of small town America as Sheriff Andy Taylor. Also a talented vocalist and musician, Griffith recorded several country and gospel albums throughout his lengthy career. In 2005, Griffith was awarded the Presidential Medal of Freedom by President George W. Bush.

Andrew Samuel Griffith was born in Mount Airy, North Carolina, and attended the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC). Griffith was originally studying to be a preacher, but changed his major to music. Following graduation, he taught high school English before launching his entertainment career.

His first forays into entertainment were comedic monologues, including “What it Was, Was Football” which charted in 1954. He landed a role in the teleplay No Time For Sergeants in 1955, and made his film debut as a darker, less wholesome character in A Face in the Crowd (1957).

The Andy Griffith Show began airing on CBS in 1960, when the Sheriff Andy Taylor character was spun off from Make Room For Daddy. The highly successful show set in fictionalized Mayberry, NC, ran eight years, earning multiple Emmy Awards for the comedic performances of Griffith’s co-star Don Knotts. Griffith later found success in 1986 with the legal drama Matlock, in which he starred as a country lawyer with a knack for winning his cases.

In addition to his humorous monologues, Griffith also recorded an album of country and gospel songs while The Andy Griffith Show was in production, which included a version of the show’s iconic theme song “The Fishin’ Hole.” He later recorded several albums of hymns for Sparrow Records, including the successful 1996 release I Love To Tell the Story: 25 Timeless Hymns which won a Grammy Award for Best Southern Gospel Album. In 2003, Griffith recorded The Christmas Guest with producer Marty Stuart. In 2008, he appeared in Brad Paisley’s video for “Waitin’ On a Woman.”

Turner Classic Movies will pay tribute to Griffith’s career by showing four of his films on July 18. Starting at 7 pm CT, TCM will show A Face In The Crowd, No Time For Sargeants, Hearts of the West, and Onionhead.

Songwriter and Painter Susanna Clark Passes Away

/by

Susanna Clark with Guy Clark (L) and Townes Van Zandt (R) at Van Zandt's house in 1989. Photo: Alan Mayor

MusicRow sends its condolences to family and friends of songwriter and painter Susanna Clark, who passed away in her sleep at home earlier this week after a lengthy illness. She was 73.

Long an important part of Nashville’s creative community, Susanna Clark’s songs have been recorded by her husband Guy Clark, Emmylou Harris, Miranda Lambert, Jerry Jeff Walker, and many others. Her song “Come From the Heart” (co-written with Richard Leigh) was a hit for Kathy Mattea in 1989.

A native of Atlanta, Texas, she met Guy Clark in Oklahoma in 1969 and the couple relocated to Nashville in 1971. They were married on songwriter Mickey Newbury’s houseboat in 1972 and befriended songwriters like Townes Van Zandt and Rodney Crowell.

Clark was also a former art teacher whose paintings were used for the covers of Willie Nelson’s Stardust, Guy Clark’s Old No. 1 and Emmylou Harris’ Quarter Moon in a Ten Cent Town. A line from “Easy From Now On,” a song Clark co-wrote with Carlene Carter, formed Harris’ album title and inspired the cover painting.

A spokesperson for the family says that there will be no funeral service, in accordance with Susanna’s wishes.

Journalist Chris Neal Passes

/by

MusicRow sends its condolences to friends and family of music journalist Chris Neal, who passed away at his Nashville home on Sun., June 17. He was 40 years old.

A veteran journalist, Neal was serving as a Senior Editor for M Music & Musicians magazine and was part of the team that launched the publication in January 2010. He previously spent 10 years with Country Weekly, and freelanced for a variety of publications such as Village Voice, Salon.com, Nashville Scene, Performing Songwriter, American Photographer and many others. Over his 12 years in Nashville he interviewed hundreds of artists that hailed from every musical genre.

He is survived by his wife, Katie Dodd Neal.

Visitation will be held Thurs., June 21, 4 – 8 pm at Hibbett & Hailey Funeral Home (429 Donelson Pike). Funeral services will be held Fri., June 22 at 10 am.

In lieu of flowers the family requests donations to the Humane Society.

Laying A Legend To Rest

/by

Frances Williams Preston departed the community she nurtured with the same grace and class she displayed when she was living in it.

The Music Row icon, Country Music Hall of Fame member and legendary BMI executive was fondly remembered at a visitation Sunday (6/17) at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Rotunda and eulogized Monday at funeral services conducted at First Lutheran Church in downtown Nashville. She died of congestive heart failure at age 83 on Wednesday morning, June 13.

The Rev. Becca Stevens, who co-officiated at the funeral with the Rev. Brian Hooper, likened the passing of Frances Preston to the falling of a mighty oak tree. Stevens is married to BMI songwriter Marcus Hummon, and she recalled the many occasions when Preston treated them so warmly at BMI banquets. She told the attendees how blessed they had been to have known such greatness.

“On the eighth day of Creation, God created music,” said Stevens. “Frances carried music to the farthest corners of the world.”

Vince Gill reflected that Preston was powerful, but that she wielded her power with grace and kindness. He sang “Go Rest High on That Mountain” in honor of his fellow Country Music Hall of Fame member.

Soprano Terri Richter provided some of the funeral service’s most memorable music. She sang “Ave Maria,” “O Divine Redeemer” and an a cappella “The Lord’s Prayer” and led the congregational singing of “Amazing Grace.”

Deanna Loveland performed harp instrumentals as mourners entered the sanctuary. Organist Mark Beall played “O God Be Merciful to Me” and “A Mighty Fortress” as Preludes to the service.

The church was decorated with massive white floral arrangements. The church bulletin’s cover was a reproduction of an abstract oil painting by the deceased’s late brother Doug Williams, also depicting a flower arrangement.

More than 300 Music Row dignitaries attended, including Preston’s fellow Hall of Fame members Emmylou Harris, Jo Walker Meador, Brenda Lee and Harold Bradley. The mourners also included Gary Morris, Steve Cropper, Oak Ridge Boys Duane Allen and William Lee Golden, Michael Bolton, Amy Grant, Ray Stevens, Deborah Allen, Norro Wilson, Roger Murrah, Layng Martine, Dennis Morgan, Paul Kennerley, David Conrad, Tony Brown, David & Carolyn Corlew, Roy Wunsch & Mary Ann McCready, Jim Halsey, Kyle Young, Joe Galante, Troy Tomlinson, Jim Free, Dick Gary, Bob & Laura Heatherly, Ansel Davis, Bill Denny and many of the deceased’s BMI colleagues.

At Sunday’s visitation, BMI songwriters including Paul Overstreet, Lee Clayton, Marshall Chapman, Hugh Prestwood and Jon Tiven reflected alongside Jim Foglesong, Dane Bryant, Evelyn Shriver, Sen. Doug Henry, John & Delores Seigenthaler, Rose Drake, Susan Nadler, Mark Wright and John Esposito. Frances Williams Preston is only the second person to have laid in repose in the Rotunda. Eddy Arnold was the first, in 2008.

As visitors entered the Hall of Fame’s lobby on Sunday, they were greeted by large floral tributes sent by Willie Nelson, Blake Shelton & Miranda Lambert, the Country Music Association, Vince Gill & Amy Grant, the Nashville Songwriters Association and more. Singer-songwriter Joe South sent a lavender satin pillow surrounded by lavender roses. Its inscription read simply and eloquently, “She saw the light.”

Frances Williams Preston was laid to rest with a graveside ceremony at Spring Hill Cemetery on Monday afternoon.

CMA Music Festival By The Numbers

/by

Luke Bryan performs at LP Field on Sat., June 9 during the 2012 CMA Music Festival. Bryan and Kimberly Perry will host "CMA Music Festival: Country's Night to Rock" airing Mon., Sept. 17 on ABC. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA

$6.1 million festival proceeds donated to music education over the years
1.4 million fans in CMA’s aggregate digital audience
1.25 million consumer engagements including product sampling, sales leads and brand impressions
71,000 total daily attendance
31,000 tweets sent to the Jumbotrons at LP Field
22,500 texts sent to the Jumbotrons at LP Field
25,000 fans at the free concerts at the Riverfront both Friday and Saturday
20,000 cheering spectators at the kick-off parade
17,000 number of times the CMA Awards & Music Fest App was downloaded for the festival
10,000 hours worked by volunteers
882 attendees treated by medical workers
730 credentialed journalists, photographers, and videographers
460 volunteers
450 artists performances
250 artists and celebrities appearing at Fan Fair Hall
230 domestic and international media outlets represented
200 hours of concert
94 percent of attendees who are extremely satisfied and plan to attend next year
71 percent of attendees who are college educated
50 brand sponsors
50 number of states represented by attendees
40 radio stations represented by broadcaster attendees
38.5 average age of attendees
38 acts at the Nightly Concerts at LP Field
24 number of countries represented
14 ambulance transports
4 number of times the CMA Music Festival has won IEBA Festival of the Year

Jack Lameier Passes

/by

Respected radio promotion veteran Jack Lameier died this morning (5/31). He was 69 and had been battling cancer.

His career spanned 40 years at CBS/Sony, ending as Sr. VP of Promotion in 2001. Following that, he went on to launch his own company, Jack’s Place Consulting, and adopted the title Proprietor.

An active member of the industry, he served on the ACM Board of Directors and earned the organization’s Mae Boren Axton Award, which is given in recognition of years of dedication and service by an outstanding individual to the ACM. He also served on the ACM Lifting Lives Board of Directors, which oversees the organization’s charitable initiatives.

Lameier was on the Country Radio Broadcasters Board of Directors and received the CRB President’s Award for significant contributions to the marketing, production, growth and development of Country Radio Seminar and the CRB.

Outside the office, Lameier was an avid golfer and Civil War buff who enjoyed collecting artifacts and participating in reenactments.

He is survived by wife Connie—the couple was nearing their 50th wedding anniversary—son Brandon, daughter Lynne and several grandchildren.

Visitation will take place Sunday, June 3rd in the Parish Hall at Holy Family Catholic Church on Crockett Road in Brentwood, TN. Additional visitation will take place 9 – 11 am, Monday, June 4th at Holy Family Catholic Church. Mass will take place at 11 am, followed by a reception luncheon at the church.

Folk Music Legend Doc Watson Passes

/by

Highly influential guitarist, singer, and songwriter Doc Watson passed away yesterday (5/29) at Wake Forest Baptist Medical Center in Winston-Salem, NC, following colon surgery. He was 89.

Born Arthel Lane Watson in Deep Gap, NC, he was bestowed with the nickname “Doc” during a live broadcast when the announcer said he should have an easy nickname and an audience member shouted out “Call him Doc!” The name stuck with him the rest of his life.

Watson was blind since before he was one year old, and attended North Carolina’s school for the visually impaired in Raleigh. When he was 13, he taught himself how to play “When The Roses Bloom in Dixieland” on a borrowed guitar, and his father bought him a $12 Stella as reward.

In 1947, he married Rosa Lee Carlton, daughter of fiddler Gaither Carlton, and they had two children Eddy Merle and Nancy Ellen. Watson’s first paying gigs were with a local rockabilly/swing band, but he became a full-time professional with the folk/traditional music revival of the 1960s. His self-titled solo debut appeared in 1964, and he was represented until his passing by Folklore Productions.

Watson and his son Merle began touring together in the late 1960s, with Merle playing guitar and banjo in addition to serving as driver. During this time the pair began to reach a worldwide audience, helped by collaborations with Flatt & Scruggs, Chet Atkins and the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band. Merle passed away in 1985 after an accident on the family farm, but his legacy has been carried on with the annual MerleFest music festival in Wilkesboro, NC.

Over the course of his career, Watson recorded more than 50 albums and won eight Grammy Awards, including a Lifetime Achievement Grammy. He was also a recipient of the National Medal of Arts, and a National Heritage Fellowship. In 2011, a life-size statue of Watson was unveiled in Boone, NC on the spot where he used to play for tips. At his request, the statue’s inscription reads “Just One of the People.”

His unique and innovative style of guitar picking influenced scores of guitarists who followed, and his repertoire of American music was vast. President Bill Clinton said, in awarding Watson the National Medal of Arts, “There may not be a serious, committed Baby Boomer alive who didn’t at some point in his or her youth try to spend a few minutes at least trying to learn to pick a guitar like Doc Watson.”

He is survived by his wife Rosa Lee, daughter Nancy Ellen, grandchildren Richard Watson and Karen Watson Norris, several great-grandchildren, and brother David Watson.

Private funeral arrangements are pending.

Lifenotes

/by

MusicRow extends condolences to Dale Turner on the death of his mother, and Suzanne Gordon on the passing of her father.

Atrell B. Thornell Turner, mother of radio and promotion vet Dale Turner, passed away May 21, 2012. She was 86 and lived in Lake City, Arkansas. The funeral will be at 2 p.m. on Sat., May 26 at the Emerson Memorial Chapel in nearby Jonesboro, Ark. Burial will follow at Monette Cemetery. Visitation will be Friday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Emerson Funeral Home in Jonesboro. www.emersonfuneralhome.com

• • • •

James Richard Cox, father of GAC VP/Programming Suzanne Gordon, passed away May 22, 2012 in Oklahoma at the age of 83. A well-known educator and jazz musician and composer, Cox toured and performed with many musical greats including Ella Fitzgerald, Mel Torme, Buddy Rich, Pete Fountain and Henry Mancini. The famly will receive friends Thurs., May 24 from 5-7 p.m. at Freeman Harris Funeral Home in Tulsa and a memorial service will be held Friday, May 25 at 11 a.m. at Carbondale Assembly of God Church. www.freemanharris.com

Doug Dillard Passes Away

/by

Photo: Alan Mayor

Banjo player Doug Dillard passed away yesterday (5/16) at a Nashville, TN emergency room. He was 75 years old.

Dillard was born in Salem, MO in 1937. Signed to Elektra Records in the early 1960’s, Dillard and his band (The Dillards) appeared multiple times on The Andy Griffith Show as fictional family band the “Darlings.”

After that, Dillard joined the Byrds on the group’s European Tour, eventually partnering with former Byrds member Gene Clark to perform as the duo Dillard & Clark.

He was inducted into the IBMA Hall of Fame in 2009.

Funeral arrangements have yet to be announced.