Phil Thomas
Country songwriter Phil Thomas, a presence on the Music Row scene for three decades, died Saturday (Jan. 5) at age 74.
Thomas’s songs were recorded by such superstars as Country Music Hall of Fame members George Strait, Alabama, Randy Travis and Barbara Mandrell.
He is perhaps best known for the 1978 “signature” songs he wrote for Johnny Paycheck, “Colorado Kool-Aid” and “Me and the I.R.S.” The former was a chart hit and the flip side of the five-million-selling “Take This Job and Shove It.” The latter was a top-40 hit that reflected its singer’s personal life.
Phil Thomas’ co-written “Drinkin’ My Way Back Home” was a top-10 hit for Gene Watson in 1984. His charted titles also included singles by Mel McDaniel (1987’s “Now You’re Talkin’”) and Tari Hensley (1985’s “Hard Baby to Rock”).
Raised in Memphis, the Army veteran was a starting quarterback at Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. Although scouted by the NFL’s Washington Redskins, he became a high-school football coach.
A natural storyteller, he was encouraged to become a songwriter by his first wife, Jan Scaife, and her family. Music City publisher Bill Hall signed him as a staff songwriter in 1978. Thomas remained with Hall’s descendent Welk companies through 2001.
Among those who charted with his songs were Mandrell (1989’s “Mirror, Mirror”), Paul Proctor (1988’s “Tied to the Wheel of a Runaway Heart”), McDaniel (1984’s “Most of All I Remember You”), Shylo (1977’s “Drinkin’ My Way Back Home”) and Susi Beatty (1989’s “Hard Baby to Rock”).
Montgomery Gentry (“Blackjack Fletcher”), Strait (“Baby Your Baby”), Paycheck (“Billy Bardo”), Alabama (“Fireworks”), Travis (“My Heart Cracked,” “Anything”) and John Conlee (“Walking Behind the Star,” “The Shade”) included his songs on their top-selling albums.
Phil Thomas’s daughter Kori Plunkett has hosted the radio show “Plunkett’s Playhouse” on WMLR in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The veteran songwriter’s home was in nearby Linden.
Daughter Brandi Warden is the wife of musician Monte Warden in Austin, Texas. His band The Wagoneers scaled the country charts in 1988-89 and remains an Austin favorite. Monte Warden also performs in the Austin jazz group The Dangerous Few, which will issue its debut CD this year.
Father-in-law Phil Thomas was regarded as an ace rhythm guitarist as well as an entertaining raconteur. His Nashville songwriting collaborators included Ronny Scaife, Mark Collie, Bobby Barker, Don Scaife, Bobby Neal and David Luttrell.
“He was a character, a patriot, a cowboy philosopher, a playful prankster,” writes Brandi. “He left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He was a rock-solid friend.”
In addition to his daughters, Phil Thomas is survived by wife Hunny, stepson Tony Pruitt and grandchildren Van, Sam and Brooks Warden.
At his request, a private graveside service was held at the family’s cemetery in Perry County, Tennessee, “in the spring when the buttercups are up,” writes Brandi.
Justin Timberlake Resumes Man Of The Woods Tour Following Vocal Rest Break
/by Lorie HollabaughJustin Timberlake is officially on the mend vocally and has returned to his Man of the Woods Tour, performing for a sold-out crowd at Washington, D.C.’s Capital One Arena on Jan. 4. The performance was his first since postponing a few of his 2018 concert dates due to a vocal cord injury.
A day before the performance, Timberlake took to Instagram to personally address fans from soundcheck at the Capital One Arena in D.C. “First of all, Happy New Year. Hope everybody had a good holiday,” said the Grammy-winning musician. “Second of all, D.C. we here. We’re back! Can’t wait. Excited! Ya’ll ready?”
Timberlake will continue the tour through the Spring, with dates in Atlanta, Denver, New Orleans, Phoenix, Philadelphia and more through April 13.
Man Of The Woods Tour Dates:
06-January Raleigh, NC PNC Arena
08-January Charlotte, NC Spectrum Center
10-January Atlanta, GA State Farm Arena (formerly Philips Arena).
12-January Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
15-January New Orleans, LA Smoothie King Center
17-January Little Rock, AK Verizon Arena
19-January San Antonio, TX AT&T Center
22-January Houston, TX Toyota Center
24-January Dallas, TX American Airlines Center
26-January Oklahoma City, OK Chesapeake Energy Arena
*28-January Denver, CO Pepsi Center (rescheduled from Jan. 29/19)
*31-January New York, NY Madison Square Garden (rescheduled from Oct.24/18)
4-February Winnipeg, MB Bell MTS Place
*6-February Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (rescheduled from Nov. 4/18)
*7-February Edmonton, AB Rogers Place (rescheduled from Nov. 5/18)
*10-February Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome (rescheduled from Nov. 12/18)
*11-February Tacoma, WA Tacoma Dome (rescheduled from Nov. 13/18)
*14-February Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena (rescheduled from Nov. 8/18)
*15-February Vancouver, BC Rogers Arena (rescheduled from Nov. 9/18)
*18-February Portland, OR MODA Center (rescheduled from Nov. 16/18)
21-February San Diego, CA Pechanga Arena (formerly Valley View Casino Center)
*22-February Anaheim, CA Honda Center (rescheduled from Nov. 20/18)
*24-February Sacramento, CA Golden1 Center (rescheduled from Nov. 18/18)
05-March Phoenix, AZ Talking Stick Resort Arena (rescheduled from Nov. 29/18)
08-March Las Vegas, NV T-Mobile Arena (rescheduled from Dec. 1/18)
10-March Los Angeles, CA STAPLES Center (rescheduled from Nov. 27/18)
13-March Fresno, Save Mart Center (rescheduled from Dec. 3/18)
15-March Oakland, CA Oracle Arena (rescheduled from Dec. 5/18)
21-March Kansas City, MO Sprint Center (rescheduled from 12/10/18)
23-March Omaha, NB CHI Health Center (rescheduled from 12/8/19)
25-March Detroit, MI Little Caesars Arena
28-March St. Louis, MO Enterprise Center (rescheduled from 12/13/18)
31-March Columbus, OH Nationwide Arena
02-April Indianapolis, IN Bankers Life Fieldhouse (rescheduled from 12/14/18)
04-April Grand Rapids, MI Van Andel Arena
06-April Buffalo, NY KeyBank Center (*rescheduled originally from 10/28/18 & 12/19/18)
09-April Philadelphia, PA Wells Fargo Center (rescheduled from 12/17/18)
12-April Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena (rescheduled from 12/21/18)
13-April Uncasville, CT Mohegan Sun Arena (rescheduled from 12/22/18)
*Tickets for the previously scheduled performances honored at the applicable rescheduled dates.
Songwriting Mainstay Phil Thomas Passes
/by Robert K OermannPhil Thomas
Country songwriter Phil Thomas, a presence on the Music Row scene for three decades, died Saturday (Jan. 5) at age 74.
Thomas’s songs were recorded by such superstars as Country Music Hall of Fame members George Strait, Alabama, Randy Travis and Barbara Mandrell.
He is perhaps best known for the 1978 “signature” songs he wrote for Johnny Paycheck, “Colorado Kool-Aid” and “Me and the I.R.S.” The former was a chart hit and the flip side of the five-million-selling “Take This Job and Shove It.” The latter was a top-40 hit that reflected its singer’s personal life.
Phil Thomas’ co-written “Drinkin’ My Way Back Home” was a top-10 hit for Gene Watson in 1984. His charted titles also included singles by Mel McDaniel (1987’s “Now You’re Talkin’”) and Tari Hensley (1985’s “Hard Baby to Rock”).
Raised in Memphis, the Army veteran was a starting quarterback at Oklahoma State and Mississippi State. Although scouted by the NFL’s Washington Redskins, he became a high-school football coach.
A natural storyteller, he was encouraged to become a songwriter by his first wife, Jan Scaife, and her family. Music City publisher Bill Hall signed him as a staff songwriter in 1978. Thomas remained with Hall’s descendent Welk companies through 2001.
Among those who charted with his songs were Mandrell (1989’s “Mirror, Mirror”), Paul Proctor (1988’s “Tied to the Wheel of a Runaway Heart”), McDaniel (1984’s “Most of All I Remember You”), Shylo (1977’s “Drinkin’ My Way Back Home”) and Susi Beatty (1989’s “Hard Baby to Rock”).
Montgomery Gentry (“Blackjack Fletcher”), Strait (“Baby Your Baby”), Paycheck (“Billy Bardo”), Alabama (“Fireworks”), Travis (“My Heart Cracked,” “Anything”) and John Conlee (“Walking Behind the Star,” “The Shade”) included his songs on their top-selling albums.
Phil Thomas’s daughter Kori Plunkett has hosted the radio show “Plunkett’s Playhouse” on WMLR in Hohenwald, Tennessee. The veteran songwriter’s home was in nearby Linden.
Daughter Brandi Warden is the wife of musician Monte Warden in Austin, Texas. His band The Wagoneers scaled the country charts in 1988-89 and remains an Austin favorite. Monte Warden also performs in the Austin jazz group The Dangerous Few, which will issue its debut CD this year.
Father-in-law Phil Thomas was regarded as an ace rhythm guitarist as well as an entertaining raconteur. His Nashville songwriting collaborators included Ronny Scaife, Mark Collie, Bobby Barker, Don Scaife, Bobby Neal and David Luttrell.
“He was a character, a patriot, a cowboy philosopher, a playful prankster,” writes Brandi. “He left an indelible mark on everyone who knew him. He was a rock-solid friend.”
In addition to his daughters, Phil Thomas is survived by wife Hunny, stepson Tony Pruitt and grandchildren Van, Sam and Brooks Warden.
At his request, a private graveside service was held at the family’s cemetery in Perry County, Tennessee, “in the spring when the buttercups are up,” writes Brandi.
NPR Study Sees Smart Speaker Increase In US
/by Eric T. ParkerA study conducted between Dec. 26-30, 2018 by NPR and Edison Research has found the voice-activated smart speaker market continues to increase in the U.S.
53M people A18+ in the U.S. (21 percent of the population) now owns at least one smart speaker, and the total number of devices in homes has increased 78 percent year-over-year. According to the nationally-representative telephone survey of 1,000+ persons 18+, the average smart speaker household now features 2.3 devices, up from an average 1.7 devices per household at this time last year.
The new data, from a recurring 2017 study The Smart Audio Report, was presented Monday (Jan. 7) during the CTA Research Summit at CES.
Other key findings from The Smart Audio Report Winter 2018 ownership survey include:
“The growth in ownership, particularly the increase in devices per household, really speaks to the tremendous utility of voice assistant technology,” said Tom Webster, Sr. VP at Edison Research. “While these devices initially served as audio appliances, they are now becoming integrated into the fabric of everyday life for tens of millions of Americans.”
CMA Announces Three Hires
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Emily Arvanitis (Photo: Pamela Hothorn/CMA); Megan Sykes (Photo: Pamela Hothorn/CMA); Michelle Kirk (Photo: Courtesy of Michelle Kirk)
The Country Music Association (CMA) has announced three new hires, including two new positions within CMA’s Strategic Partnerships department. Emily Arvanitis joins CMA as Live Events Coordinator, Michelle Kirk joins as Director, Integrated Marketing, and Megan Sykes joins as Director, Sales Development & Strategy.
Arvanitis returns to CMA, having interned with the organization’s Live Events team from 2016 to 2017. While interning with CMA, she provided ticket, credential and talent support during several live events including The 50th Annual CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas, and CMA Fest. Most recently, Arvanitis held the position of Executive Assistant at Sandbox Entertainment, acting as the point of contact between the company’s leadership and internal and external clients in addition to developing and administering office systems and procedures. In her new role with CMA, Arvanitis will provide support to the department in all elements of production, logistics and administrative functions, in addition to assisting with the coordination and execution of all CMA events. Arvanitis reports to Chris Crawford, CMA Senior Director, Live Events. Reach her at earvanitis@cmaworld.com.
Kirk returns to CMA in the newly created role of Director, Integrated Marketing, previously working with CMA’s Strategic Partnerships team from 2012 to 2015. Most recently, Kirk held the position of Brand Partnerships Agent at WME, pitching clients for partnership opportunities including television commercials, branded digital content, social media promotions, public relations campaigns, licensing products and experiences, and elevating tour sponsorships. In her new role with CMA, Kirk will be responsible for developing strategies for and managing relationships with key marketing and digital partners as well as other strategic partners including the ABC Television Network relationship. Kirk will also develop and implement strategic, year-round integrated marketing campaigns with marketing and digital partners that support CMA Fest, CMA Awards, CMA Country Christmas, CMA Songwriters Series, the CMA Foundation, as well as additional special events and initiatives. Kirk reports to Emily Evans, CMA Senior Director, Strategic Partnerships. Reach her at mkirk@cmaworld.com.
Sykes joins CMA in a second newly created role of Director, Sales Development & Strategy. Prior to CMA, Sykes held the position of Agent, Music Brand Partnerships at Creative Artists Agency (CAA), where her duties included executing talent and brand programs for clients, with experience in managing multi-level programs involving on-site activation, exclusive content, print/radio/TV advertisements, digital media, song licensing, retail promotions, sweepstakes and award show integrations. In her new role, Sykes will generate new long-term corporate alliances and sponsorships, in addition to growing existing relationships for CMA’s flagship events (CMA Fest, CMA Awards and CMA Country Christmas) as well as the CMA Foundation. She will be responsible for the creation and implementation of business development planning, including implementing advanced account management tactics to increase the scope of value of corporate partnerships for CMA and the industry at large. Sykes also reports to Evans. Reach her at msykes@cmaworld.com.
Weekly Register: Dan + Shay Holds Top Two Country Streaming Song Positions
/by Jessica NicholsonDan+Shay. Photo: Patrick Tracy
Dan + Shay holds the top two slots on this week’s Country On-Demand Streaming Songs chart, according to Nielsen Soundscan. The duo’s “Speechless” is at No. 1 with 9 million streams (176 million to date), followed by “Tequila” at No. 2 with 8.2 million streams (355 million to date). Mitchell Tenpenny‘s “Drunk Me” is at No. 3 with 8.1 million (156 million to date), followed by Luke Combs‘ “She Got The Best Of Me” with 7.8 million (177 million to date) and Kane Brown‘s “Heaven” at No. 5 with 7.4 million (505m to date).
Dan + Shay also holds the top two spots on the Country Digital Song Sales chart, with “Speechless” moving 17K followed by “Tequila” with 11K. Luke Combs takes the No. 3 and No. 4 spots respectively, with “She Got The Best Of Me” (8.4K) followed by “Beautiful Crazy” (8K). Jake Owen‘s “Down to the Honkytonk” is at No. 5 with 6.9K.
Dan + Shay’s “Speechless” also tops this week’s Digital Core Genre/Country sales chart with 10K (206K to date), followed by Kelsea Ballerini‘s “Miss Me More” at No. 2, with 7K. Combs’ “She Got The Best Of Me” is at No. 3 with 6.8K. Jimmie Allen‘s “Best Shot” is at No. 4 with 5.4K, and Dan + Shay’s “Tequila” is at No. 5 with 5.2K.
Combs is at the pinnacle of this week’s Country Albums sales chart, with This One’s For You moving 26K, followed by Dan + Shay’s self-titled effort at No. 2 with 21K. Kane Brown’s Experiment is at No. 3 with 14K, followed by Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 4 with 12K. Thomas Rhett‘s Life Changes rounds out the Top 5 with 12K.
ASCAP Announces Sundance Festival Music Cafe Lineup
/by Lorie HollabaughBeginning at 2 p.m. each day, the Café will feature a mix of artists including Beulahbelle, Stephen Bishop, Claudia Brant, Dounia, The Dumes,Everlast, Flor de Toloache, Herizen, iDKHOW (I Dont Know How But They Found Me), Leland, Patrick Martin, MILCK, Shim Moore, Neff-U & Priscilla Renea, Judith Owen, Park88, JP Saxe, Warbly Jets and NewSong Competitionwinner Mel Bryant & the Mercy Makers. A special ACM & Bluebird Cafe Songwriters Series on Jan. 30 and 31 will feature Womack and Carter as well as Anderson and Jacob Davis. Also on Wednesday, Jan. 30, the Café will present a dedicated performance of music from Sundance Film Festival selection Abe by Seu Jorge and Jaques Morelenbaum.
“For 21 years, we have partnered with our friends at the Sundance Film Festival to bring the Sundance ASCAP Music Café to Park City and shine a spotlight on the magic of music in film,” said Loretta Muñoz, ASCAP Assistant Vice President, Membership. “The wonder of the Café is that for eight straight days, our artists and audiences get to experience one-of-a-kind performances – and there are always a few surprises. We cannot wait for what we know will be another stunning run. Join us and discover the artist that could be your next obsession!”
The Sundance ASCAP Music Café takes place at 751 Main Street, Park City, Utah, and is open to all festival credential holders.
Music City Management Adds Centricity Music’s Jason Gray To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic City Management’s Josh Petersen and artist Jason Gray
Nashville-based Music City Management has added Centricity Music recording artist and songwriter Jason Gray to its artist roster. Gray has earned two No. 1 hits, including “Nothing Is Wasted,” which held the No. 1 spot at radio for nine weeks, as well as “With Every Act of Love,” which hit Top 10 on the Christian Airplay Chart, in addition to five Top 5 singles.
“Jason is one of the most talented and smart songwriters I have ever met,” shares Josh Petersen, Music City Management’s owner and president. “I couldn’t be more excited for our new journey together and look forward to helping him tell share his stories and deliver his songs to new audiences.”
Opening its doors in 2012, Music City Management also represents Marc Martel, whose voice was most recently featured in 2018’s 20th Century Fox Queen biographical film, Bohemian Rhapsody, which just won a Golden Globe for Best Motion Picture-Drama.
Gray was heard this past holiday season on Martel’s version of “O Come All Ye Faithful,” which was the highest-charting new Christmas radio single release, reaching No. 8 on the Billboard National Airplay chart for their last chart of 2018. Gray also headlined his annual Christmas tour, “Christmas Is Coming,” and was joined by Curb | Word artist Stars Go Dim.
King Calaway Signs With BMG/BBR Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughKing Calaway. Photo Credit: Alex Ferrari
BMG/BBR Music Group has signed the band King Calaway to its roster. The group’s self-titled debut EP will be released Jan. 25 via BBR’s Stoney Creek Records imprint.
Members Caleb Miller, Chris Deaton, Simon Dumas, Jordan Harvey, Chad Michael Jervis, and Austin Luther each made their own way to Nashville chasing their dreams from across the globe, hailing from towns in the American Midwest and the Atlantic seaboard to the small coastal country of Gibraltar and the Central Belt of Scotland. They came together as King Calaway in early 2018, and offer a fresh new take on country with a sound reminiscent of the Eagles. The band is guided by a co-production team that includes Robert Deaton and Ross Copperman.
“King Calaway is that rare combination of incredible individual talent combined with amazing group chemistry,” says Jon Loba, EVP/BBR Music Group. “Their skill as musicians, vocalists and entertainers, along with Robert Deaton and Ross Copperman’s creative vision has very quickly fueled the passions and excitement of not only those of us in the BBR Music Group but also BMG and Bertelsmann globally. We can’t wait to introduce them to partners and audiences around the world!”
“The six musicians who make up King Calaway are a fresh take on contemporary country music,” adds Robert Deaton. “These young men hail from all corners of the globe, but when put together on a stage, they are one and magic happens.”
“The six of us are beyond excited to be working with the great teams at BMG and BBR. They’ve already dedicated so much time and effort into this project, and we’re incredibly grateful,” noted King Calaway’s Chad Michael Jervis. “We’re ready for the world to hear all the songs we’ve worked so hard on.”
Already firmly laying roots in Nashville, King Calaway will make its debut on the Grand Ole Opry stage on March 1. The band is booked by United Talent Agency and managed by 24 Entertainment.
Industry Ink: Big Machine/John Varvatos Records, Big Loud Records, Rose Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonBig Machine/John Varvatos Records Names National Director, Promotion
Allison Smith
Big Machine/John Varvatos Records has named Allison Smith as National Director, Promotion. The label is spearheaded by Big Machine Label Group President, CEO and Founder Scott Borchetta and fashion mogul John Varvatos. Launched in 2017, Big Machine/John Varvatos Records was formed to help discover and develop new rock talent. In its inaugural year the label catapulted California-based band Badflower to the top of the rock charts with their smash single “Ghost.”
Based in Chicago, Smith previously spent 13 years at Virgin/Capitol Records as a Midwest Regional Director of Promotion. She also held stints at Lava Records and London-Sire.
Big Loud Records Adds Promotion Coordinator
Brittani Koster
Big Loud Records has added Brittani Koster as Promotion Coordinator. She will report to Big Loud Records VP, Promotion Stacy Blythe and can be reached at brittani@bigloud.com. Koster moves into the role vacated by Maggie Abrams, who has exited for a soon-to-be-announced new opportunity.
Koster previously worked as Promotions and Label Coordinator for Rebel Engine Entertainment, and holds a degree from University of Nebraska-Lincoln.
Rose Music Group Names Cyd Blanchard As Associate Booking Agent, Domestic Tours/Festivals
Cyd Blanchard
Nashville-based talent management, booking and promotion agency Rose Music Group has named Cyd Blanchard as Associate Booking Agent for Domestic Tours/Festivals. Blanchard is the longtime talent buyer for The 5 Spot’s Sunday Night Soul music series and owner of Ciann Photography.
Maria Ivey Launches IVPR In Nashville
/by Lorie HollabaughIVPR currently represents clients Sam Bush, The Del McCoury Band, The Travelin’ McCourys, MerleFest, DelFest, High Sierra Music Festival, Radney Foster, The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Kelsey Waldon, Doom Flamingo, Rising Appalachia, LUTHI, Blue Rose Music (Tim Bluhm, Jackie Greene, among many others), and more.
Ivey can be contacted at maria@ivpr.co.