Services Set For Noted Promoter Bob Burwell

Bob Burwell

A memorial service has been scheduled on Saturday (Aug. 27) for longtime country-music entrepreneur Bob Burwell.

Burwell died in Albany, New York on Aug. 13 at age 71. He managed, promoted or booked such artists as Kenny Rogers, Lee Roy Parnell, Steve Vai, The Oak Ridge Boys and Michael Martin Murphey. He co-created the Warner Western label and developed such major cowboy-music events as West/Fest.

Following college in New York State, Bob Burwell went to work at the Jim Halsey Company in Tulsa. He worked with Don Williams, Roy Clark, the Oaks and others there, which led him to relocate to Nashville.

On Music Row, he worked at DreamCatcher Management and Vector Management. He promoted million-selling tours by Rogers and shepherded Murphey and a generation of western-music artists, encompassing cowboy (Don Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin), Native American (Bill Miller) and African-American (Herb Jeffries) western-music stylists.

Burwell’s annual West/Fest concerts took place in New Mexico, Texas, California and Colorado. They were succeeded by festivals that showcased this music, as well as arts, crafts, poetry and more. These took place at Copper Mountain, Colorado.

In addition to the above mentioned, the Warner Western 1992-98 label roster included Red Steagall, Waddie Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Ranger Doug, Bill & Bonnie Hearne, Rex Allen Jr., Robert Mirabal, Michael Martin Murphey, Tim Ryan and Joni Harms.

Bob Burwell is survived by wife Dana, daughter Carly, brother Mike and sister Sue Lundquist, plus many nephews, nieces and cousins. Services will be held at 10 AM at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Kemnore, 576 Delaware Rd. in Buffalo. Internment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Silver Creek, New York.

In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MusiCares.

Dylan Scott Celebrates Release Of Sophomore Album, Sends Viral New Single To Country Radio

Dylan Scott

Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott released his sophomore LP, Livin’ My Best Life, earlier this month. The long-awaited project was the top country album debut upon its release, earning 10K in total first-week consumption (3.2 album only/8.5 million song streams), according to Luminate data.

Scott celebrated its release with an album release party and show for friends and industry insiders at Luke’s 32 Bridge in Nashville. The day of the party, he was also celebrating topping the charts with the Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson and Ashley Gorley-penned “New Truck,” which appears on the album.

“Man, waking up to ‘New Truck’ being number one at country radio today is a pretty amazing feeling,” he shared when the track hit the top of the charts. “It lets us know the fans are pumped about what we’ve got going on and pushes me to keep working even harder to continue to raise the bar.”

In addition to one hit song on the track list for Livin’ My Best Life, the 16-song project also includes his Platinum-certified “Nobody” and his brand new single “Can’t Have Mine,” which has exploded on social media.

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Livin’ My Best Life is the full-length follow-up to Scott’s Nothing To Do Town EP. Produced by Will Weatherly, Matt Alderman, Jim Ed Norman, Curt Gibbs and Mark Holman, the LP features songs from hit songwriters such as Gorley, Hardy and Dallas Davidson, as well as eight co-written by Scott.

Scott will take his new music on the road this fall when he embarks on the “Amen To That Tour.” The trek, which begins Sept. 28, will see Scott headline shows across the country with stops in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and more. Singer-songwriters Erin Kinsey and Lily Rose are slated to provide direct support in select cities.

Industry Ink: Luke Combs, The Smitty Corporate Band Challenge, Banner Music

Luke Combs’ Hometown Performance To Stream Tonight On Apple Music

Luke Combs’ hometown performance in Charlotte, North Carolina will be available to stream tonight (Aug. 24) on Apple Music as part of Apple Music Live.

The decorated entertainer will perform songs from his new album, Growin’ Up, as well as fan-favorites such as “Beautiful Crazy,” “Hurricane,” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” The show kicks off at 9 p.m. CT on Apple Music.

Combs has broken all-time country music records on Apple Music with two of his albums and one EP breaking the record for biggest country album of all time by first day streams upon release. He also holds the record for the biggest country song of all time on Apple Music by first-day streams worldwide with “Forever After All.” His recent single “The Kind of Love We Make” recently became his third hit to reach the top 10 of the Global Daily Top 100.

 

Concord Wins Second Annual Smitty Corporate Band Challenge

Pictured (L-R): Flight of the Concord, The Recording Academy’s Susan Stewart, emcee and WOS Board President, WME’s Becky Gardenhire, Sony Music Nashville artist Tenille Townes, AEG’s Adam Weiser. Photo: Anna Arata

Concord Music Nashville’s Flight of the Concord band took first place in the second annual Smitty Corporate Band Challenge, taking home a cash prize and trophy.

The event benefitted Nashville’s W.O. Smith music school and raised $35,000 for the school. Since 1984, W.O. Smith has offered 50-cent music lessons and an instrument of their choice to Nashville’s underserved children, ages 7-18.

 

Banner Music Partners With Brooke McBride For Banner Believers Project

Brooke McBride and Banner Music staff

Banner Believers, a program that releases songs from artists who write with Banner Music’s staff songwriters, has released “Bury The Pain” from North Carolina native Brooke McBride.

McBride previously signed a single song publishing deal with Banner Music for “Heartbreak Hall of Fame” in 2019. The new single is McBride’s first release since her latest EP, Coming Clean. She has opened for acts such as Walker Hayes, Uncle Kracker, Sammy Kershaw, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Tippin, and more.

“Brooke McBride is an awesome talent and a beautiful person, no wonder fans love her wherever she goes,” says Daniel Kleindienst, Banner’s co-founder and co-writer on the new single.

McBride says, “I’m honored to be working with Banner Music on my single ‘Bury The Pain’ as a Banner Believer. Daniel Kleindienst is one of my favorite people to write with, and when I told him I had an idea for a murder ballad, he jumped on it. This song is different than anything I’ve ever put out, and I’m so excited to have the support from Banner Music.”

‘American Idol’ Finalists Noah Thompson & HunterGirl Announce Co-Headlining Tour

Reigning American Idol winner Noah Thompson and runner-up HunterGirl are embarking on a new co-headlining tour this fall, kicking off Oct. 27.

The eight-date trek will make stops in Kansas City, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Lexington and more through Dec. 2. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Aug. 26), and are available for purchase on each of their sites here and here.

Thompson released his debut song “One Day Tonight” during his time on Idol, which immediately shot to No. 1 on iTunes All Genres and country charts, and is still averaging nearly one million streams per week. He is preparing to release new music later this year, writing songs with some of the most sought-after writers in Nashville, and recording with producer Jimmy Robbins.

HunterGirl’s original song, “Red Bird,” skyrocketed to No. 1 on iTunes All-Genre and country charts. With family members who have served in the military, HunterGirl holds a deep admiration for our country’s armed forces and works with many veteran organizations, where she uses music therapy to transform veterans’ stories into songs.

“I can’t believe a year ago, I was working construction, and now I’m announcing a tour with one of my closest friends, HunterGirl,” says Thompson. “HunterGirl and I met on Idol and became really close. We’ve stayed friends, and now we get to get out there on the road together. One of my favorite things to do is get up on stage and sing. I am literally living in my dream world.”

“This past year has been one of the most incredible years of my life,” says HunterGirl. “It is going to be so much fun being on tour with one of my good friends, Noah Thompson. I am excited to be on the road with my band and have the chance to play new music that will be coming out soon.”

Amy Ray’s ‘If It All Goes South’ Slated For September

Amy Ray. Photo: Sandlin Gaither

Amy Ray is releasing her tenth solo project, If It All Goes South, on Sept. 16 through her own Daemon Records.

If It All Goes South encompasses everything from gospel to punkabilly to folk, and was completed over a span of nine days. Recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium and mainly produced by frequent collaborator Brian Speiser, the album includes guest appearances by Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, Phil Cook, and I’m With Her, to name a few.

“Every day we had a new challenge—we’d have a string section in one room, the band in the main room, the backup singers somewhere else, and we had to figure how to make it all happen live,” says Ray, who also had the album mixed to tape by sound engineer/mixer Bobby Tis. “But even though the parameters were much stricter, I think it really added to the character of the record. You had to either love what you’d done, or commit to doing it all over again.”

The Amy Ray Band will kick off the release with upcoming shows in Asheville, Atlanta, and a local date at the Franklin Theater on Sept. 23, with more shows to be announced.

SOURCE Hall Of Fame Inducts Seven ‘Women Behind The Music’

Pictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Jeannie Seely, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Music industry members gathered at the at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday night (Aug. 23) to celebrate seven deserving women who were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame.

The awards ceremony marked SOURCE’s nineteenth year inducting the “women behind the music” into its esteemed hall of fame. Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, the sold-out event was hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely.

This year’s honorees included Margie Hunt, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Norma Jean Owen, Betty Sanders, and Ima Withers.

Brenda put it best when she said, “These wonderful ladies have given to our world of music their lives. Anybody in this industry knows that it’s not just an eight hour job. You don’t just go to work and put your time in and come home. It’s 24/7 all the time. It’s a love affair that is like no other and these ladies have loved and been loved. We are glad to salute them tonight.”

Pictured (L-R): SOURCE Hosts Jeannie Seely & Brenda Lee with WSM’s Margie McGahey. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

Each of the seven women honored spoke about their hard work, good times and, mostly, the people who supported them as they worked long hours to further their careers.

Margie Hunt was first to be inducted. She spent time working for Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter, as well as at CBS Records, Sony Music and Hunt Music Services. Marty Stuart sent in a video message to honor her.

“Congratulations on this wonderful honor that you so deserve,” the Country Music Hall of Famer said. “I remember you so well from back in the CBS days. The thing that stands out to me about you was you had a heart for music and the people who made it.”

“It is a profound honor to be recognized by my sisters and peers who embody what SOURCE is all about,” Hunt said. “Ladies, always remember, men work hard…women work miracles.”

Ruby Aleene Jackson was the next honoree to take the stage. Her career stops include time at Monument Records, Showbud Guitars, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Conway Twitty Enterprises, Tree International and Cowboy Jack Clement Productions.

She was inducted by Brenda Lee, who had this to say via video message: “You are deserving of this. You have been a wonderful person in our industry. Always giving, always sweet, always accommodating.”

“My family allowed me to work many long hours that it took to be a successful woman in the music industry,” Aleene said. “To quote Cowboy Jack Clement, ‘We are in the fun business. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing your job.'”

Former ASCAP executive Suzanne Lee was up next. She was honored with a message from ASCAP President Paul Williams.

“Suzanne, you’re one of the hardest working women on Music Row,” he said. “For years you’ve devoted your heart and soul to helping songwriters do what they do best.”

“I’m truly honored to be here tonight,” Lee said. “In 1981, I arrived on Music Row as a wide-eyed rookie and a couple of months ago, I retired as a seasoned professional. Being inducted in the 2022 SOURCE Hall of Fame is the perfect ending to a wonderful and rewarding to career.”

The next inductee to be honored was Dottie Oelhafen. She spent her career working for The Erv Woolsey Company, helping to guide the career of George Strait. The King himself sent her a video message.

“I can’t think of a more deserving person, Dot,” he said. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, for my family and for all these years we could always count on you.”

“There is no college degree that would have taught me all the things I learned from Erv and Connie Woolsey,” she said. “I’m forever grateful to you both for taking a chance on me.”

Norma Jean Owen was next to be inducted. Her career was spent at CBS Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records and The Entertainment Group. She was inducted by Marie Osmond.

“I wish that I could be there with you. Know that I send my love,” she said.

“I thought the world of [the musicians] and everyone that I worked with at the studio and in the music business in general. They were a great group of people and I made so many friends,” Owen said. “I wouldn’t take anything for the time I spent working in the music business.”

Pictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography

The next inductee to be honored was Betty Sanders. Her career impacted The Pride Music Group, Blake Mevis, The Hyland Company, and Chuck Flood & Associates/Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. She received a special video message from Don Schlitz.

The regarded songwriter said, “I wanted to do something special for you tonight, and I was at a loss of what to do. Then it hit me that I could say ‘I love you’ in a way that you and I will understand.” He then told a joke and sang her a bit of “Forever And Ever, Amen.”

“Music is the magic that connects, empowers and uplifts us. It is there for us when we need a helping hand or to celebrate this human adventure,” Sanders said. “This career has been a wild and wonderful ride. I couldn’t have asked for or dreamed of a better life than the one I’ve lived and experienced so far.”

The last inductee to be honored was Ima Withers. Her career stops include time Chips Moman and Don Crews American Recording Studios, Warner Brothers, RCA Records, Merit Music, and BMI.

John Conlee sent in a video message to induct Ima. “She is so deserving. I am so happy for her,” he said.

“Due to the people I met, the relationships I built, and the joy I encountered, I discovered life on a scale I never knew existed had I not been on this career path,” Withers said. “Thank you for the induction and thank you to my friends and family for being here tonight.”

“Thank you for helping us recognize the accomplishments and achievements of seven unbelievable women,” Jeannie said in closing.

The 2022 SOURCE Awards were supported by sponsors such as Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, City National Bank, The Messina Group, ASCAP, Live Nation, Major Bob, Average Joes Entertainment, IEBA, Music Health Alliance, FBMM , BMI, Erv Woolsey, KBFM, MAMBA, LLC, Global Songwriters Connection, Pinnacle and Studio Bank.

Next year’s induction dinner will celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the SOURCE Awards. It will take place on Aug. 29.

Big Machine Records’ Jeff Davis Announces Retirement In December

Jeff Davis

Jeff Davis, Big Machine Records Director of Southeast Promotion and Marketing, has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.

Davis has spent 48 years working with artists such as Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Anita Baker, Elton John, Wynonna, Shakira, and others. Throughout his time working for the Big Machine imprint, Davis played a major role in many chart-topping songs and has been alongside many artists during career milestones.

“Jeff and I go back to our MCA days in the ‘90s.  He was a shining star with the Pop promotion team and started to hint around about working in the country format,” says Big Machine Label Group Founder, President, and CEO Scott Borchetta. “Fortunately for us, he wasn’t kidding. When Jeff joined we were at the beginning of an incredible growth spurt for the label. His experience, wisdom and relationships were incredibly valuable and he became, and remained, such an integral part of the team. Thank you Jeff Davis–you will be missed!”

“Jeff is, first and foremost, a great man, friend, husband, and father. Second, he is a legendary and unmatched radio and records promotion leader,” adds Big Machine Records’ GM Clay Hunnicutt. “We are both happy and sad. Happy that Jeff is going out on such a high note and will enjoy the fruits of his labor with Sue and his family, but sad we won’t get to be together every day in the Big Machine family.”

Kris Lamb, SVP of Promotion and Digital for Big Machine Records, shares: “Jeff Davis is an incredibly special human and working alongside him for over a decade at Big Machine has been a privilege. He’s a promo legend who has taught this team so much and his day-to-day, super-serving nature will be missed by everyone in all departments. I’m excited for Jeff and his family as they embark on this new journey in 2023 and equally excited to celebrate Jeff and his incredible career with our artists and friends at radio for the rest of this year.”

“I could not have asked for a better place to finish out my career in Radio and Records,” explains Davis. “Thank you, Scott Borchetta. These last 14 years at The Machine have been amazing. Watching the label grow into what has become one of the best in the world. I am proud to have represented our artists and this company. To [the rest of the team]… you guys are all amazing people. I wish you all continued success. To everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, you are the best at what you do. Always will be. To my radio friends, you are not done with me as your friend. I’ll continue to check in on you from time to time, and you will always have my number.”

Carlee Ann Vaughn, Wife Of Warner Chappell’s Ben Vaughn, Passes Away

Carlee Ann Vaughn

Warner Chappell Nashville President & CEO Ben Vaughn is mourning the loss of his wife, Carlee Ann Vaughn. Carlee passed away on Tuesday (Aug. 23) following a 15-year battle with brain cancer. She was 45.

Carlee was born in Birmingham, Alabama and raised in Culpeper, Virginia. She moved to Nashville in 1994 to attend Belmont University, where she met her husband Ben. The two got engaged on the University’s campus and married on May 30, 1998.

Carlee supported Ben’s successful career as a longtime music executive in Nashville, including time at EMI Music Publishing and now at Warner Chappell. According to those that know her, Carlee’s greatest calling in life was being a mother to her three children: Ruby Elisabeth, age 19, Griffin Charles, age 17, and Ezekiel Earl, age 12. When the children were younger, she wrote and sang each of them a lullaby. They always assumed it was a classic children’s song, but later found out that their mother had written it for them.

Carlee Ann Vaughn loved music, spending time with her two boys, and baking with her daughter.

In lieu of flowers, the family has asked that gifts be made to the Carlee Vaughn Brain Tumor Research fund in hopes that others can be helped in their journey. To make a memorial, please send a check made payable to Vanderbilt University Medical Center to:

Vanderbilt University Medical Center Development
P. O. Box 290369
525 Royal Parkway
Nashville, TN 37229

Please include a note with the check or indicate on the memo line that the gift is made in memory of Carlee Vaughn.

Gifts can also be made online at vanderbilthealth.org/giving. Please select the checkbox next to “Dedicate my donation in honor or in memory of someone.”

Miranda Lambert Joins Morgan Wallen As Headliner For Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam 2023

Miranda Lambert joins previously announced superstar Morgan Wallen as a headliner of the 11th Annual Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam, running June 1-4 in Panama City Beach.

The Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam is the largest music event in the southeast, and in 2021 added an extra day of festivities to commemorate the festival’s 10-year anniversary. The fourth day was such a hit, the additional day is now a permanent part of the schedule. Tickets for next year’s festival are currently available at GulfCoastJam.com.

“Miranda headlined one of our very first Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam festivals, and we’ve been working like crazy to get her back ever since,” shares Executive Producer Rendy Lovelady. “She is an entertainer who leaves it all on the stage every time she performs, and we’re excited to add her to our amazing 2023 lineup.”

“Sky Boxes, Side Stage and Super VIP are already sold out for 2023, and we’ve only announced two-of-our-four headliners,” adds Pepsi Gulf Coast Jam COO Mark Sheldon. “We’re encouraging Jammers to purchase passes and book accommodations soon, because this is going to be an incredible weekend of music!”

New ‘Bakersfield Gold’ Compilation Album Celebrates Buck Owens’ Biggest Hits

Buck Owens was one of the best-selling artists of the 1960s, accumulating numerous top 10 hits and 19 No. 1s. To celebrate Owens’ career, Omnivore Recordings has compiled many of these hit songs on Bakersfield Gold: Top 10 Hits 1959–1974. A collection of 46 tracks, the record will be available as a double-CD, triple-LP, and digital release beginning Sept. 9.

Featuring new liner notes from Grammy-nominee and author of Buck ‘Em: The Autobiography Of Buck Owens, Randy Poe, this is the first collection to compile Owens’ top 10 hits on vinyl, with a limited edition gold vinyl version for independent retail.

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Omnivore will also offer original, sealed Japanese Buck Owens CDs, including copies of the Buck Owens Original Collection released in Japan in 1991. These CDs include 10 early titles: I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail, Buck Owens Sings Harlan Howard, You’re For Me, Buck Owens Sings Tommy Collins, I Don’t Care, Under Your Spell Again, On The Bandstand, Together Again / My Heart Skips A Beat, and Before You Go / No One But You.

For more information or to pre-order Bakersfield Gold: Top 10 Hits 1959–1974, click here.

2-CD / 3-LP / Digital Track List:
Disc 1:
Under Your Spell Again
Above And Beyond
Excuse Me (I Think I’ve Got A Heartache)
Foolin’ Around
Loose Talk – Buck Owens & Rose Maddox
Mental Cruelty – Buck Owens & Rose Maddox
Under The Influence Of Love
Kickin’ Our Hearts Around
You’re For Me
Act Naturally
Love’s Gonna Live Here
My Heart Skips A Beat
Together Again
I Don’t Care (Just As Long As You Love Me)
I’ve Got A Tiger By The Tail
Before You Go
Only You (Can Break My Heart)
Gonna Have Love
Buckaroo
Waitin’ In Your Welfare Line
Think Of Me
Open Up Your Heart
Where Does The Good Times Go
Sam’s Place

Disc 2:
Your Tender Loving Care
It Takes People Like You (To Make People Like Me)
How Long Will My Baby Be Gone
Sweet Rosie Jones
Let The World Keep On A Turnin’ – Buck Owens & Buddy Alan
I’ve Got You On My Mind Again
Who’s Gonna Mow Your Grass
Johnny B. Goode
Tall Dark Stranger
Big In Vegas
The Kansas City Song
The Great White Horse – Buck Owens & Susan Raye
I Wouldn’t Live In New York City (If They Gave Me The Whole Dang Town)
Bridge Over Troubled Water
Ruby (Are You Mad)
Rollin’ In My Sweet Baby’s Arms
I’ll Still Be Waiting For You
Made In Japan
Big Game Hunter
On The Cover Of The Music City News
(It’s A) Monsters’ Holiday
Great Expectations