Pictured: Dolly Parton with her Uncle Bill Owens (left). Photo: Courtesy Dolly Parton
Bill Owens, best known as the man who launched Dolly Parton’s career, died at age 85 on Wednesday (April 7).
He wrote more than 800 songs, including the country standard “Put If Off Until Tomorrow,” which he co-wrote with Dolly, his niece. Owens was an entertainer, an environmentalist and a bon vivant.
Born in 1935, he was the younger brother of Dolly’s mother, Avie Lee Owens Parton. He began performing in the 1950s in East Tennessee, initially billed as “Little Billy Earl with the Spit Curl.”
Noting that niece Dolly showed an interest in music, he began teaching the 8-year-old to play guitar and took her to his small-town gigs. They sang together at supermarket openings, rallies, fairs, talent contests and other local events.
When she was 10 years old in 1956, he took her to Knoxville to appear on the local radio show of supermarket entrepreneur Cas Walker. She became a regular on it. The Cas Walker Farm & Home Hour soon became a TV series and was Dolly’s first big break in show business.
In 1959, Dolly Parton recorded “Puppy Love” for the Louisiana label Goldband Records as her disc debut. She and Bill co-wrote the song, and “Little Billy Earl” recorded for the label, as well.
Uncle Bill Owens also began ferrying her back-and-forth between East Tennessee and Nashville. Using “Puppy love” as an entrée, he sought song-publishing and record-company opportunities for them both. He finagled an appearance for the youngster on the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1962, they co-wrote “It’s Sure Gonna Hurt,” which became a Dolly Parton single on Mercury Records. This was a result of Owens landing them a contract with Tree Publishing. Back home in East Tennessee, he formed a small band to be fronted by the two of them and arranged bookings at regional clubs and little honky tonks.
While Dolly finished high school, Uncle Bill Owens moved to Nashville and was hired as a touring guitarist by Carl & Pearl Butler and other stars. When she moved to Music City to board with him, they landed songwriting contracts at Combine Music, as well as a recording contract for Dolly with Monument, the company’s record-label affiliate. Dolly and Bill co-wrote several of her Monument recordings.
They also co-wrote songs for Kitty Wells (“More Love Than Sense”), Skeeter Davis (“Fuel to the Flame”), Bill Phillips (“The Company You Keep,” “I Only Regret”) and other artists. Phillips recorded their “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” which became a major hit in 1966 and earned Dolly and Bill a BMI Award.
Bill Owens and Dolly Parton formed Owepar Music to publish their songs in 1967. This was the commencement of Dolly owning her compositions, the foundation of her business empire.
They continued to write together after Dolly joined Porter Wagoner’s show and moved to RCA Records in 1967. Bill Owens contributed a half dozen songs that became Porter-and-Dolly duets.
Usually billed as Billy Earl Owens, he recorded for a number of independent labels in the 1970s and 1980s. His songs were recorded by Tammy Wynette, Bob Beckham, Red Sovine, Al Ferrier, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, The Kendalls, Porter Wagoner, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Johnny Dollar and other artists.
In addition to Dolly, Bill Owens was a mentor and producer for many other young acts. For Circle B Records, he produced Ralph Loveday, Jim Wyrick, Larry Cooke, Don Handy, Johnny Ringo and Tom Hackney, as well as his brother Henry, billed as “John Henry III.”
When Dollywood opened in 1986, he and Henry both became musical headliners at the park. He also starred at his own venues nearby. Bill Owens was noted for his ebullience, good humor, charm and enthusiasm as an entertainer.
He planted approximately 70,000 of the trees at Dollywood. In later years, he became passionate about reintroducing chestnut trees to Appalachia. Bill Owens planted thousands of saplings resistant to the blight which had nearly wiped out the chestnut.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Dolly Parton wrote a eulogy for her mentor, which is published below.
I’ve lost my beloved Uncle Bill Owens. I knew my heart would break when he passed, and it did. I’ll start this eulogy by saying I wouldn’t be here if he hadn’t been there. He was there… there in my young years to encourage me to keep playing my guitar, to keep writing my songs, to keep practicing my singing. And he was there to help build my confidence standing on stage where he was always standing behind me or close beside me with his big ol’ red Gretsch guitar.
He was there to take me around to all of the local shows, got me my first job on the “Cas Walker Show.” He took me back-&-forth to Nashville through the years, walked up-&-down the streets with me, knocking on doors to get me signed up to labels or publishing companies.
It’s really hard to say or to know for sure what all you owe somebody for your success. But I can tell you for sure that I owe Uncle Billy an awful lot.
Uncle Bill was so many things. He loved the music, loved to play, loved his guitar and loved to write and sing. He wrote great songs, at least 800 of them through the years. We wrote several songs together, the biggest one being “Put It Off Until Tomorrow.” We won our first big award on that one back in 1966. It was the BMI Song of the Year.
He wrote songs that were recorded by Loretta Lynn, Porter Wagoner, Ricky Skaggs, Kris Kristofferson and many others. He also traveled the road with many big artists playing his guitar, including playing on stage with me in my early years in Nashville.
Uncle Bill worked at Dollywood from the time we opened in the family show for many years. He was funny, friendly and generous. He always had a kind word for everybody and gave good advice to young people starting in the business. He joined forces with Dollywood, The American Chestnut Foundation, University of Tennessee at Chattanooga and The American Eagle Foundation to bring back the endangered chestnut tree to the Great Smoky Mountain area. That was his passion. He also championed the cause of protecting the natural environment at Dollywood in 1986. During that time, he took it upon himself, with his wife Sandy, to plant 70,000 trees on the Park property.
I bet a lot of our own relatives don’t even know all of the great things that Uncle Bill did behind the scenes through his life. But the greatest thing he ever did for me was to help me see my dreams come true and for that I will be forever grateful. I’m sure that Uncle Bill’s friends, fans, his wife Sandy, his kids, grandkids and great-grandkids will join me when I say that we will always love you.
Rest in peace, Uncle Bill.
Sony Music Nashville Promotes Margaret Tomlin To VP, A&R
/by LB CantrellMargaret Tomlin. Photo: Angelina Oliva
Sony Music Nashville has announced the promotion of Margaret Tomlin to Vice President, A&R, Sony Music Nashville. Tomlin will report directly to Senior Vice President, A&R, Taylor Lindsey.
Tomlin has been with the label for six years, and previously held the positions of Representative, Manager and Director for the label group’s A&R Department. She has been directly involved with development of artists such as Tenille Townes, Adam Doleac, Andrew Jannakos, Kameron Marlowe, Willie Jones, Miranda Lambert, Kane Brown and Chris Young, among others.
She graduated from Syracuse University’s Bandier Program and moved to Nashville in 2013. Her first job in the music industry was Catalog Assistant at BMG Nashville.
“Margaret has been an important pillar of our department since she started in 2015. She’s been instrumental in the development and breaking of so many artists at Sony Music Nashville. Her song sensibilities and passion for artists have been integral contributions to our success. There is no one more deserving of her new stripes,” Lindsey says.
Tomlin adds, “Since joining Sony Music Nashville, I have been inspired by our extraordinary roster of artists and our innovative, collaborative team. I have immense gratitude for Jim Catino and Taylor Lindsey for their leadership, guidance, and confidence. I am thrilled to take on this new role and continue to work alongside our incredible A&R department.”
Congratulate Tomlin at margaret.tomlin@sonymusic.com.
Industry Ink: Country Music Hall Of Fame, Margo Price, Hannah Klotz
/by Lorie HollabaughCountry Music Hall of Fame And Museum Promotes Two
Celene Aubry, Dana Romanello
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum has promoted Celene Aubry to director of Hatch Show Print and Dana Romanello to associate director of museum sales.
As director of Hatch Show Print, Aubry manages the shop while working directly alongside Hatch Show Print’s printer-designers to create and produce letterpress posters and other design work for clients. She is also responsible for collaborating with museums to leverage the historic print shop’s assets to share its mission through exhibitions, events and educational programming. In her nearly 10 years with Hatch Show Print, Aubry has played a key role in guiding the shop’s educational mission in which students and adult learners alike become familiar with letterpress printing and the shop’s 140-year history. Aubry holds a bachelor’s degree from Bryn Mawr College.
Romanello has been named associate director of museum sales. She oversees sales strategies, outreach and entertainment programming for contracted visitation and is responsible for product and experience development for domestic tourism across all museum properties. Romanello joined the museum in 2014 and has a bachelor’s degree in communications from Marshall University and a Student Travel Professional certification from Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis.
Margo Price Joins Willie On Farm Aid Board Of Directors
Margo Price. Photo: Danielle Holbert
Margo Price has become the first female artist elected to the Farm Aid Board of Directors. Through a unanimous vote, both Price and Annie Nelson join board members Willie Nelson, Neil Young, John Mellencamp, Dave Matthews and six industry professionals in a commitment to further the organization’s efforts to build a vibrant, family farm-centered system of agriculture in America. Price is the second artist to ever be added to Farm Aid’s Board of Directors, following Matthews’ appointment in 2001. Since performing at her first Farm Aid concert in 2016, Price has not missed a year of the festival, and her dedication to Farm Aid’s mission stretches back even further. In addition to hosting the annual Farm Aid Festival, she will work closely to help the organization rally against corporate consolidation, deploy funds and resources to strengthen farm families facing ongoing challenges, and nurture a cultural movement that values the people who bring good food to our tables.
“It is always a thrill to perform alongside my heroes on the Farm Aid stage, and it is one of the greatest honors of my life to become a member of the Farm Aid board,” said Price. “It’s been a dream of mine to help family farmers and communities across America ever since my family lost their farm in the fall of 1984—a year before the first Farm Aid concert. I hope to use my voice to shine light on the issues of climate change, our health and the health of our soil and water, and, most importantly, food justice.”
Hannah Klotz Joins Copperline Team
Hannah Klotz
Hannah Klotz has joined the global distribution company Copperline as Project Manager. In her new role, she will liaison with distribution partner, The Orchard and is responsible for overseeing and coordinating strategy, creative services, marketing, digital advertising, social media management, and more across a diverse group of independent labels and artists. The Texas native’s career began at DigSin under the late Jay Frank. She joined Oswald Entertainment Group and rose to day-to-day manager for Big & Rich. She was on OEG’s management team for the Woods Amphitheater at Fontanel and was most recently Booking and Entertainment Manager for John Rich’s Redneck Riviera on Broadway.
AmericanaFest 2021 Passes On Sale Now
/by Steven BoeroPasses for AmericanaFest 2021 are on sale now. As previously announced, the conference, held by the Americana Music Association, is returning on September 22-25, 2021 after having to cancel in 2020 due to the pandemic.
The conference will be held all week at the Westin Nashville. The three nights of music discovery showcases start on Thursday September 23 in addition to many daytime special events hosted by friends and supporters of AmericanaFest throughout the week.
The Americana Music Association’s critically acclaimed Americana Honors & Awards ceremony will once again serve as the hallmark event of the week on Wednesday, September 22 at the Ryman Auditorium.
“We’re beyond elated to once again be able to celebrate with our incredible community in Music City,” says Jed Hilly, executive director of the Americana Music Association. “As we prioritize having a safe and positive event for everyone involved, we’re looking forward to bringing back exciting music discovery, industry insight and plenty of networking opportunities that our attendees have come to enjoy over the last two decades.”
Photo: Nathan Zucker
Artists interested in showcasing at this year’s festival can apply now through April 30. The first programming announcement for this year’s festival will be revealed later in the summer.
At this time, in accordance with current Metro Nashville and recommended CDC guidelines, the event’s organizers are releasing a limited amount of passes for sale to help ensure the safety and wellbeing of attendees. In addition to local and national safety guidelines, they will also be following each respective venue’s COVID-19 safety protocol for the week of AmericanaFest. The AMA will continue to monitor the situation as the event date approaches.
Conference/Festival Passes and Festival Passes are on sale now. Tickets for the awards ceremony will be on sale at a later date. The Conference/Festival Pass is currently priced at $349 and $249 for Americana Music Association members. Fans who are just interested in the nighttime showcases and select special events, can purchase a Festival Pass instead, currently priced at $175. These pass rates expire after June 28.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Logan Mize, Chrissy Metz, Canaan Smith, Chevel Shepherd
/by Robert K OermannLogan Mize. Photo: John Shearer
Today belongs to country’s newcomers and baby acts.
First timers to DisClaimer include John PayCheck, Sydney Mack and our DisCovery Award winner, Timmy Brown.
One of our up-and-comers goes home with the Disc of the Day prize. That’s the endearing Logan Mize with his coming-of-age tune “Practice Swing.”
JACKSON MICHELSON / “Tip Jar”
Writers: Jackson Michelson/Patrick Mencel/Justin Morgan; Producer: Jeff Pardo; Label: MCC/Curb
— If the tunes keep playing, maybe he’ll get over her. The sound here is a funky kinda pop with barroom country sentiments. Fresh and innovative.
CHRISSY METZ / “Girl Go”
Writers: Chrissy Metz/Dan Fernandez/Faren Rachels/Lainey Wilson; Producer: Jimmy Robbins/Derek Wells; Label: EMI Records Nashville
— The This Is Us star comes up to bat again, this time with a punchy, feisty, female-empowerment country rocker. Strong and catchy. Give her your spins.
TIMMY BROWN / “If You Were Here”
Writers: Timmy Brown/Joshua Gleave; Producer: Josh Gleave; Label: Independent
— This guy is a big favorite in New England, voted Male Artist of the Year in that region for five years straight. This resonant, nicely shaded production finds his hearty, charismatic baritone musing on the loss of a loving father. I think he has the goods.
CHEVEL SHEPHERD / “Good Boy”
Writers: Kellys Collins/Bill Luther; Producer: Todd Tidwell; Label: Country Sweetheart
— The soprano delivery of this 2018 winner of NBC-TV’s The Voice struck me as a little piercing at first, but youthful sincerity and heart carry the day. The lyric pleads for her Mama to love and understand her boyfriend. This teen delivers like a pro here. Keep your ears on her.
CANAAN SMITH / “Sweet Virgina”
Writers: Canaan Smith/Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard/Corey Crowder; Producer: Canaan Smith/Brian Kelley/Tyler Hubbard; Label: Round Here Records
— Laid back and mellow, with a wistful lyric about the gal he leaves behind back home. Sweetly relaxing.
TERRI CLARK / “The Highway”
Writers: Holly Williams; Producer: Terri Clark; Label: Baretrack/Orchard
— Ya gotta love this. It’s about how much a musician misses the road, misses the shows, misses the people and misses her life. And it has hooks to spare.
LOGAN MIZE “Practice Swing”
Writers: Randy Montana/Blake Chaffin; Producer: Daniel Agee; Label: Big Yellow Dog
— Holy moly, what a song. It’s a chesty, anthemic thumper about what it feels like to be reckless and 17 and trying your wings. Its truth hits you like a ton of bricks. I’ve always dug this guy, and never more so than now. A gem of a single.
BROTHERS OSBORNE / “I’m Not for Everyone”
Writers: John Osborne/TJ Osborne/Luke Dick/Natalie Hemby; Producer: Jay Joyce; Label: EMI Records Nashville
— I love these guys. This drawling, lightly humorous outing is packed with cool images in its misfit message. As usual, the production, vocal oomph, guitar hooks and audio charisma are unmistakable. Play, play, play it.
SYDNEY MACK / “Pretty Boy”
Writers: Sydney Mack/Wade Kirby/Shane Minor; Producer: none listed; Label: Sydy Wall Music
— She has an attractive, throaty alto that caresses the ear quite attractively. Her well-crafted song is a cautionary message to a ladies man. A crystal-clear production supports her perfectly. Recommended.
JOHN PAYCHECK / “Lone Stars”
Writers: John PayCheck/Scott Gabbey; Producer: Bill Mcdermott; Label: HorseBite
— His father was one of the greatest honky-tonk singers of ‘em all. This PayCheck faces an impossible comparison. Of course, he’s not nearly as soulful as his pop. But he gets points for trying with this frisky toe tapper.
Kane Brown To Headline NBA Arenas On New 35-City Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughKane Brown announced he is launching his headlining Blessed & Free Tour on October 1, which will visit 35 cities including all 29 NBA basketball arenas. He made the announcement from the American Airlines Center in Dallas during one of his surprise promotional stops in the upcoming tour markets.
Kicking off in Sacramento, Brown’s Blessed & Free Tour will visit the NBA basketball arenas throughout 2021 and 2022, making him the first country artist in history to headline every NBA basketball arena in a single tour. A life-long basketball fan and former 4-sport high-school athlete, Brown first hinted at the tour during the 2020 NBA All-Star game in Chicago, where he played in the NBA celebrity All-Star game. The country star is set to visit milestone venues from coast-to-coast, including Brown’s first headlining dates at New York City’s Madison Square Garden and Brooklyn’s Barclays Center.
Brown will also return to play the STAPLES Center in L.A. on the tour, and is among only a handful of country artists in the arena’s 20-year history to sell out the venue. In addition to the NBA arenas, Blessed & Free will make stops in Nampa, State College, Louisville, Pittsburgh, and Seattle before wrapping in Las Vegas. Jordan Davis will join Brown as support for all 2021 tour dates, with Chase Rice joining the tour in 2022. Restless Road, who Brown signed to his label, 1021 Entertainment, will open all shows throughout the full tour.
Registration for the pre-sale begins today at 10 a.m. CT at kanebrownlive.com. Tickets for Blessed & Free will go on-sale to the general public Friday, April 16th, at 10 a.m. local time at kanebrownmusic.com. A limited number of VIP Packages will be available that include an amazing selection of tickets, early-access to the General Admission Pit, limited edition merchandise and much more.
Blessed & Free Tour Dates:
Oct. 1 — Sacramento, Calif. – Golden 1 Center
Oct. 2 — Los Angeles, Calif. – Staples Center
Oct. 8 — Nampa, Idaho – Ford Idaho Center
Oct. 9 — Salt Lake City, Utah – Vivint Arena
Oct. 10 — Denver, Colo. – Ball Arena
Oct. 14 — Oklahoma City, Okla. – Chesapeake Energy Arena
Oct. 15 — Houston, Texas – Toyota Center
Oct. 16 — San Antonio, Texas – AT&T Center
Oct. 17 — Dallas, Texas – American Airlines
Oct. 22 — New Orleans, La. – Smoothie King Center
Oct. 23 — Memphis, Tenn. – FedEx Forum
Oct. 24 — Atlanta, Ga. – State Farm Arena
Nov. 4 — Washington D.C. – Capital One Arena
Nov. 5 — Brooklyn, N.Y. – Barclays Center
Nov. 6 — State College, Pa. – Bryce Jordan Center
Nov. 19 — Toronto, Ont. Canada – Scotiabank Arena
Nov. 20 — Detroit, Mich. – Little Caesars Arena
Nov. 21 — Cleveland, Ohio – Rocket Mortgage Fieldhouse
Dec. 2 — Miami, Fla. – American Airlines Arena
Dec. 3 — Orlando, Fla. – Amway Center
Dec. 4 — Charlotte, N.C. – Spectrum Center
Jan. 6 — Indianapolis, Ind. – Bankers Life Fieldhouse
Jan. 7 — Louisville, Ky. – KFC Yum! Center
Jan. 8 — Pittsburgh, Pa. – PPG Paints Arena
Jan. 13 — Philadelphia, Pa. – Wells Fargo Center
Jan. 14 — Boston, Mass. – TD Garden
Jan. 15 — New York, N.Y. – Madison Square Garden
Jan. 20 — Milwaukee, Wisc. – Fiserv Forum
Jan. 21 — Minneapolis, Minn. – Target Center
Jan. 22 — Chicago, Ill. – United Center
Jan 27 — Portland, Ore. – Moda Center
Jan. 28 — Seattle, Wash. – Climate Pledge Arena
Jan. 30 — San Francisco, Calif. – Chase Center
Feb. 3 — Phoenix, Ariz. – Phoenix Suns Arena
Feb. 4 — Las Vegas, Nev. – T-Mobile Arena
CMA Presents Industry Honors To Joe Galante, Kyle Young, Others During Board Meeting
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R) Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization Chief Executive Officer, with Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer, after being presented the J. William Denny Award during CMA’s Board of Directors meeting
The Country Music Association presented industry honors yesterday (April 7) during their Board of Directors meeting. Country Aircheck Chief Executive Officer and host of Country Countdown USA Lon Helton presented Joe Galante, Galante Entertainment Organization Chief Executive Officer, with the J. William Denny Award.
The J. William Denny Award was created in recognition and appreciation of a lifetime of dedication, distinguished service, and meritorious contributions to the CMA Board of Directors. It is named after longtime board member J. William Denny, who has served on the CMA Board since 1961.
Galante has been a member of the CMA Board of Directors since 1978 and the CMA Foundation Board of Directors since 2011. He served as CMA Board President in 1983 and CMA Board Chairman in 1986, as well as CMA Foundation Board Chairman in 2014, 2016, 2017, 2018 and 2020. Galante began his career in the music business with RCA Records in New York in 1971 as a manager of financial analysis. Soon after, he moved to Nashville and climbed the ranks to become the youngest man to lead a major Nashville label when he took over as head of RCA Nashville in 1981. In 1990, he was named president of RCA Records in New York, returning to Nashville four years later as chairman of RCA Label Group/Nashville. Throughout his four decade career, Galante helped launch the careers of Alabama, Clint Black, Kenny Chesney, Sara Evans, Lonestar, Dave Matthews, Martina McBride, K.T. Oslin, Kellie Pickler, SWV, The Judds, Carrie Underwood, Keith Whitley, Wu-Tang Clan, Chris Young and many more. Galante currently works as a consultant in the music business.
“Thank you to everyone on the Board,” said Galante. “Being part of this organization has been so enriching for me on a personal level in terms of friendships, knowledge and contribution, giving back to the town that gave me so much.”
During the meeting Kix Brooks also presented Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer Kyle Young with the Irving Waugh Award of Excellence.
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Chief Executive Officer Kyle Young. Photo: Courtesy of Kyle Young
The Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is presented to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry. It is the intention that these ideas and actions are ongoing and have a proven historical impact on country music.
In his 45 years with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum, Young has simultaneously maintained and furthered the integrity and tradition of one of Nashville’s most iconic cultural institutions by directing and overseeing all operations and activities of the organization, including museum, library, research, publications and teaching programs, all museum programming, advertising, marketing and finances. He has served in more key capacities than anyone ever employed by the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. A not-for-profit, nationally accredited museum, the organization operates Historic RCA Studio B, Hatch Show Print, CMF Records, the Frist Library & Archive, and CMF Press. Young has served on the CMA Board of Directors since 2003.
“All I can say is that I’m humbled by this,” says Young. “Never in my wildest dreams did I think something like this would happen, so I really appreciate it.”
Additionally, Girlilla Marketing Chief Executive Officer and CMA Foundation Board Vice Chair Jennie Smythe, presented CMA Foundation Artist Ambassador mementos to country artists and CMA Board members Jimmie Allen, Lindsay Ell and Ashley McBryde. The three were honored for their continued support and involvement in the CMA Foundation’s mission to ensure all students have access to quality music education programs. Each artist was selected as a participant in the program and engaged in a variety of virtual activities, using their unique musical experience to share the organization’s awareness and advocacy efforts in support of music educators, students and parents.
Carrie Underwood’s Easter Live Stream Raises Over $112,000 For Save The Children
/by Lydia FarthingCarrie Underwood
This past weekend, on Easter Sunday, Carrie Underwood brought her new album, My Savior, to life with “My Savior: Live From The Ryman,” a virtual live concert performance from the historic Ryman Auditorium. Underwood performed the gospel hymns she grew up singing for this special global concert event which live streamed exclusively on her official Facebook page and raised over $112,000 for Save the Children.
“On a day normally reserved for church congregations and family, Facebook brought Carrie Underwood and her My Savior album directly into people’s homes worldwide in real time to celebrate Easter in an unprecedented way, allowing for both celebration and a direct giving campaign to benefit children in need all over the world,” says UMG Nashville President Cindy Mabe. “The results were humbling and powerful and speak to Carrie’s one of a kind ability to connect, shine and uplift audiences around the world.”
Carrie Underwood, Cece Winans
Nearly 2.5 million fans all over the world viewed the full show and millions more viewed exclusive performance clips during the 48-hour window for the free event. Some of these exclusive clips included special appearances by gospel superstar CeCe Winans, who performed “Great Is Thy Faithfulness” with Underwood, as well as singer-songwriter Bear Rinehart, frontman of the rock band, NEEDTOBREATHE, who joined Underwood on “Nothing But The Blood Of Jesus.” Southern gospel and harmonica legend Buddy Greene and 10-time CMA Musician of the Year Mac McAnally, both of whom played on My Savior, also appeared with Underwood. Select performance videos from the event can be viewed on Underwood’s My Savior playlist.
My Savior debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard Country and Christian Charts, as well as No. 4 on the Billboard 200 chart this week with 72,644 SPS units. Additionally, the album is No. 1 on Billboard’s Top Albums, Top Country Albums, Top Christian Albums and is the No. 1 Current Digital Album.
Donations were accepted throughout the streaming event and for 48 hours after to benefit Save the Children, which works in over 100 countries to ensure that children grow up healthy, educated, and safe. To date, Save the Children has supported 30 million people affected by coronavirus around the world, including nearly 12 million children, making sure they have enough to eat, can access healthcare, can continue their education, and are protected from violence. Since March 2020, Save the Children has delivered nearly 21 million meals to kids in need across the U.S.
ASCAP’s Belmont University Songwriter Showcase Returns Virtually
/by Lydia FarthingPictured (L-R, Top to Bottom): Madie Renner, Scott Borel, Grace Elizondo, Matt Mulhare, SJ McDonald, Lila Bowden, Olivia Webb, Shir Czopp, Emma Martin (Producer)
On Thursday, March 25, ASCAP’s Belmont University Songwriter Showcase was held virtually and featured eight finalists selected from 60 Belmont University student demo submissions.
The following week, showcase standouts Madie Renner and Scott Borel were named the showcase winners. Other finalists included Lila Bowden, Shir Czopp, Grace Elizondo, SJ McDonald, Matt Mulhare, and Olivia Webb.
In addition to hit songwriters J.T. Harding and Jason Grantt, the industry judging panel for the showcase also included Beth Brinker of ASCAP, as well as Dale Bobo, Mya Hansen, and Dane Schmidt and Anna Weisband of Sony Music Publishing, who provided mentorship, feedback and encouragement.
Presented by ASCAP and Sony Music Publishing, the two live showcases which hosted viewers from across the globe were broadcast online for only the second time since its debut nearly a decade ago. The evening was produced and hosted by students Emma Martin, Brooke Shuster and Jenna Najera, who serve on the Showcase Council under the guidance of Fallon Nell, coordinator of Live Events & Showcase Series at Mike Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business.
Kendell Marvel Signs With Concord Music Publishing
/by Lorie HollabaughKendell Marvel
Kendell Marvel has signed a new worldwide publishing agreement with Concord Music Publishing.
A Southern Illinois native, Marvel began playing shows in bars at 10, and eventually moved to Nashville to pursue a career in songwriting. Shortly after arriving in Music City he penned Gary Allan’s first Top 5 hit “Right Where I Need to Be” and went on to have cuts by Chris Stapleton, Blake Shelton, Brothers Osborne, Jake Owen, George Strait, Jamey Johnson, Lee Ann Womack, Aaron Watson, and more. His monthly Kendell Marvel’s Honky Tonk Experience shows at Nashville’s Exit/In became a hot ticket in town, where he played a mix of originals and classics and was joined by notable guests including Cody Jinks, Brothers Osborne, Alison Krauss, Foo Fighters, Randy Houser and Ashley McBryde.
In 2017, Marvel released his debut solo album, Lowdown & Lonesome and in October 2019, followed up with his second album Solid Gold Sounds, which he wrote and recorded in a matter of days and was co-produced by Dan Auerbach of The Black Keys and David R. Ferguson. Marvel and Auerbach co-wrote nine of the album’s 10 songs that reflect on his life as an accomplished songwriter, singer, father and husband. Additional collaborators include John Anderson, “Big” Al Anderson, Ronnie Bowman, Pat McLaughlin, Paul Overstreet and Bobby Wood.
“As a songwriter and as an artist, Kendell represents the very core of country music. His way of writing about life’s raw truths, heartache and pain, life, love, and having a good dang time, is what it’s all about,” says SVP A&R at Concord Music Publishing in Nashville, Brad Kennard. “After admiring his work for years, I’m thrilled that we get the chance to work with him.”
“I’m fired up to be joining the diverse roster of writers and artists that make up the Concord family. I’ve known Brad Kennard for the better part of 15 years and look forward to working with him and his crew,” says Marvel.
Marvel just announced he will hit the road this summer with fellow country singer-songwriter Brent Cobb for the Country Music For Grown Folks Tour.
Dolly’s Mentor Bill Owens Passes
/by Robert K OermannPictured: Dolly Parton with her Uncle Bill Owens (left). Photo: Courtesy Dolly Parton
Bill Owens, best known as the man who launched Dolly Parton’s career, died at age 85 on Wednesday (April 7).
He wrote more than 800 songs, including the country standard “Put If Off Until Tomorrow,” which he co-wrote with Dolly, his niece. Owens was an entertainer, an environmentalist and a bon vivant.
Born in 1935, he was the younger brother of Dolly’s mother, Avie Lee Owens Parton. He began performing in the 1950s in East Tennessee, initially billed as “Little Billy Earl with the Spit Curl.”
Noting that niece Dolly showed an interest in music, he began teaching the 8-year-old to play guitar and took her to his small-town gigs. They sang together at supermarket openings, rallies, fairs, talent contests and other local events.
When she was 10 years old in 1956, he took her to Knoxville to appear on the local radio show of supermarket entrepreneur Cas Walker. She became a regular on it. The Cas Walker Farm & Home Hour soon became a TV series and was Dolly’s first big break in show business.
In 1959, Dolly Parton recorded “Puppy Love” for the Louisiana label Goldband Records as her disc debut. She and Bill co-wrote the song, and “Little Billy Earl” recorded for the label, as well.
Uncle Bill Owens also began ferrying her back-and-forth between East Tennessee and Nashville. Using “Puppy love” as an entrée, he sought song-publishing and record-company opportunities for them both. He finagled an appearance for the youngster on the Grand Ole Opry.
In 1962, they co-wrote “It’s Sure Gonna Hurt,” which became a Dolly Parton single on Mercury Records. This was a result of Owens landing them a contract with Tree Publishing. Back home in East Tennessee, he formed a small band to be fronted by the two of them and arranged bookings at regional clubs and little honky tonks.
While Dolly finished high school, Uncle Bill Owens moved to Nashville and was hired as a touring guitarist by Carl & Pearl Butler and other stars. When she moved to Music City to board with him, they landed songwriting contracts at Combine Music, as well as a recording contract for Dolly with Monument, the company’s record-label affiliate. Dolly and Bill co-wrote several of her Monument recordings.
They also co-wrote songs for Kitty Wells (“More Love Than Sense”), Skeeter Davis (“Fuel to the Flame”), Bill Phillips (“The Company You Keep,” “I Only Regret”) and other artists. Phillips recorded their “Put It Off Until Tomorrow,” which became a major hit in 1966 and earned Dolly and Bill a BMI Award.
Bill Owens and Dolly Parton formed Owepar Music to publish their songs in 1967. This was the commencement of Dolly owning her compositions, the foundation of her business empire.
They continued to write together after Dolly joined Porter Wagoner’s show and moved to RCA Records in 1967. Bill Owens contributed a half dozen songs that became Porter-and-Dolly duets.
Usually billed as Billy Earl Owens, he recorded for a number of independent labels in the 1970s and 1980s. His songs were recorded by Tammy Wynette, Bob Beckham, Red Sovine, Al Ferrier, Kris Kristofferson, Loretta Lynn, The Kendalls, Porter Wagoner, Jeannie Seely, Ricky Skaggs, Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson, Johnny Dollar and other artists.
In addition to Dolly, Bill Owens was a mentor and producer for many other young acts. For Circle B Records, he produced Ralph Loveday, Jim Wyrick, Larry Cooke, Don Handy, Johnny Ringo and Tom Hackney, as well as his brother Henry, billed as “John Henry III.”
When Dollywood opened in 1986, he and Henry both became musical headliners at the park. He also starred at his own venues nearby. Bill Owens was noted for his ebullience, good humor, charm and enthusiasm as an entertainer.
He planted approximately 70,000 of the trees at Dollywood. In later years, he became passionate about reintroducing chestnut trees to Appalachia. Bill Owens planted thousands of saplings resistant to the blight which had nearly wiped out the chestnut.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Dolly Parton wrote a eulogy for her mentor, which is published below.