When Steven Lee Olsen’s major label album wasn’t released, it was the beginning of what he calls the “best, saddest story ever.” But the unexpected ending was triumphant, when his idol Keith Urban turned Olsen’s song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” into a massive hit.
Co-written by Olsen, Hillary Lindsey and Clint Lagerberg, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” was voted Song of the Year at the recent MusicRow Awards.
Here’s what Olsen had to say about the win. Read more in the new issue of MusicRow magazine or subscribe today.
– – –
MusicRow: You’ve said that Keith Urban is the reason you moved to Nashville. When did you finally get to meet him?
Steven Lee Olsen: I met Keith after “Blue…” was already a single on the radio. One day he asked to write with Ross Copperman and myself. I was pretty nervous but he was the most graceful, talented dude I’ve ever met. Everything you want your idol to be. We went to lunch and he drove us around—I think we were in a Rolls-Royce—showing us where he used to live, where he came from nothing, and he became a real human to me. And then we ate at The Smiling Elephant where he’d been going for 10 years. It showed me to stick it out and gave me a second wind [as an artist and writer].
Whatever Keith does, he does from the heart. He needs to feel the song, feel the lyrics. It was cool to see that up-close. Since then we’ve become good friends.
It was bittersweet to let “Blue…” go, but there’s no one in the world that could’ve done what Keith did. He gave it listeners and it was the most successful song of his career. It blows my mind that I was able to be a small part of it. I even got to sing “Blue…” with him at the No. 1 party.
A hit like this has been a long time in the making for you.
It came to us from the heavens and changed my life completely. I’ve been in Nashville 11 years.
This year has been absolutely insane. It took me to the Grammys and I was able to take my mom. And also to the ACMs too and now the MusicRow Awards. It’s been a whirlwind. I don’t know how I’m going to top this year. As a writer, I feel gratification because it is an uphill battle to get these wins. You really need to let it soak in and drive you to the next one. And the next one for me is going to be as an artist.
What’s next for your artist career?
“Blue…” represents the direction I was going as an artist—a classic r&b throwback sound.
After the Columbia deal fell apart, we didn’t get to keep the record. That’s okay because I’m writing much better songs that fit me as an artist and my voice—where I want to sit in country music.
I’m building the right team of people and dabbling with producers and trying to find the right fit.
I’m writing as much as I can. You’ll love a song that you write, and you listen to it a 100 times and say, “This is definitely going on the record.” Then you keep writing and you beat that. And then you have 20 songs that you absolutely love, but you feel like you are still growing and evolving into the artist that you are going to be. I’m really excited and I’ve never had more fun writing for a project—ever.
You want to make sure that when you actually do release something, that it’s true to you and you can stand behind it and say, “This is absolutely the best I have.”
Jake Owen Hometown Field Dedicated By Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kevin Harvick
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Cal Ripken, Jr., Jake Owen, Kevin Harvick and his son. Photo credit: Rob Smith Photography/Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation recently dedicated a youth baseball field in Vero Beach, Florida to Jake Owen. The new facility will provide youth from the singer’s hometown with a clean, safe place to learn, play and grow.
On hand for the ribbon cutting were Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., and NASCAR star Kevin Harvick.
“I have great memories of playing baseball as a kid with my twin brother, Jarrod,” said Owen. “Growing up in Vero Beach, I never imagined that one day there would be a baseball field here with my name on it. I’m thankful for music being the creative outlet that got me to where I am today and what brought us all together. I’m also very grateful to my good friends Cal Ripken, Jr., Kevin Harvick and Mark Butler [of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation] for dedicating this baseball field to me. I hope there will be many incredible memories made on this field and that the kids who play here will believe that anything is possible with the support of their community.”
The synthetic turf baseball field includes a digital scoreboard, dugouts, backstop and bleachers. The park will be gifted to and maintained by the Indian River Sports Complex, with whom the Ripken Foundation and Harvick Foundation will work closely with to create and implement character education programming and clinics.
Non-Stop Music On Tap For Nashville’s July 4th, with Headliner Chris Young
/by Lorie HollabaughThe annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper Cherry is set up in a new layout this year, with the Nashville Symphony performing at Ascend Amphitheater. The new configuration will spread attendees over a larger area, allowing concertgoers to congregate closer to the Broadway Stage at Fifth and Broadway, while those attending for the fireworks show can find spots around Riverfront Park, The Green at Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. The pyrotechnics are synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The free, family-friendly event will include a Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park from noon to 4 p.m.
The celebration marks the third consecutive year Nashville will host the largest fireworks show in the country, featuring more than 35,000 pounds of explosives, and 150 miles of wire, with over 275,000 people expected to attend.
Those not wanting to hassle with parking downtown can use Lyft, the official ridesharing partner of Let Freedom Sing! 2017. Up to 1,000 users can enter code BUDAMERICA in the Lyft app under ‘Promos’ to claim a free ride home (up to $10), courtesy of Budweiser and Ajax Turner. Rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are located at Korean Veterans Boulevard from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue and Deaderick Street from 3rd Avenue to 6th Avenue.
Backpacks, luggage and coolers are not permitted this year as a safety measure, but there will be reasonably priced hot dogs and bottles of water available.
Big Machine To Sponsor Brickyard 400 Starring Brantley Gilbert
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’m very excited today to officially announce that Big Machine and Brantley Gilbert are joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2017 Brickyard 400 NASCAR race!” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Racing has always been part of Big Machine’s DNA, and we’re thrilled to partner with the world’s most iconic racing brands.”
The Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 23, will feature all of the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, and will also mark the final IMS start of popular NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is retiring after this season.
The 24th annual Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 race weekend features plenty of attractions and entertainment this year, including 400 Fest, a new, two-night concert at IMS, scheduled for July 21-22. The event features six superstars performing over two nights, with Major Lazer headlining July 21 and The Chainsmokers headlining July 22. The annual IMS Hauler Parade returns this year as well, featuring a special “NASCAR Fan Fest” that will bring the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to Speedway’s Main Street for an evening of fun activities July 21.
Exclusive: Steven Lee Olsen Talks Keith Urban, Career Moves
/by Sarah SkatesWhen Steven Lee Olsen’s major label album wasn’t released, it was the beginning of what he calls the “best, saddest story ever.” But the unexpected ending was triumphant, when his idol Keith Urban turned Olsen’s song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” into a massive hit.
Co-written by Olsen, Hillary Lindsey and Clint Lagerberg, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” was voted Song of the Year at the recent MusicRow Awards.
Here’s what Olsen had to say about the win. Read more in the new issue of MusicRow magazine or subscribe today.
– – –
MusicRow: You’ve said that Keith Urban is the reason you moved to Nashville. When did you finally get to meet him?
Steven Lee Olsen: I met Keith after “Blue…” was already a single on the radio. One day he asked to write with Ross Copperman and myself. I was pretty nervous but he was the most graceful, talented dude I’ve ever met. Everything you want your idol to be. We went to lunch and he drove us around—I think we were in a Rolls-Royce—showing us where he used to live, where he came from nothing, and he became a real human to me. And then we ate at The Smiling Elephant where he’d been going for 10 years. It showed me to stick it out and gave me a second wind [as an artist and writer].
Whatever Keith does, he does from the heart. He needs to feel the song, feel the lyrics. It was cool to see that up-close. Since then we’ve become good friends.
It was bittersweet to let “Blue…” go, but there’s no one in the world that could’ve done what Keith did. He gave it listeners and it was the most successful song of his career. It blows my mind that I was able to be a small part of it. I even got to sing “Blue…” with him at the No. 1 party.
A hit like this has been a long time in the making for you.
It came to us from the heavens and changed my life completely. I’ve been in Nashville 11 years.
This year has been absolutely insane. It took me to the Grammys and I was able to take my mom. And also to the ACMs too and now the MusicRow Awards. It’s been a whirlwind. I don’t know how I’m going to top this year. As a writer, I feel gratification because it is an uphill battle to get these wins. You really need to let it soak in and drive you to the next one. And the next one for me is going to be as an artist.
What’s next for your artist career?
“Blue…” represents the direction I was going as an artist—a classic r&b throwback sound.
After the Columbia deal fell apart, we didn’t get to keep the record. That’s okay because I’m writing much better songs that fit me as an artist and my voice—where I want to sit in country music.
I’m building the right team of people and dabbling with producers and trying to find the right fit.
I’m writing as much as I can. You’ll love a song that you write, and you listen to it a 100 times and say, “This is definitely going on the record.” Then you keep writing and you beat that. And then you have 20 songs that you absolutely love, but you feel like you are still growing and evolving into the artist that you are going to be. I’m really excited and I’ve never had more fun writing for a project—ever.
You want to make sure that when you actually do release something, that it’s true to you and you can stand behind it and say, “This is absolutely the best I have.”
Curb Records Signs Little Feather To Roster, Debuts Single
/by Lorie HollabaughThe acoustic-driven band is fronted by Sharpe, a coal miner’s daughter from Pikeville, Kentucky, who has lent her harmonies to acts as diverse as Holly Williams and Michael Bolton. Sharpe penned a song titled “Float Along, Little Feather,” and upon careful listening she knew she was onto a sound she wanted to explore deeper. She and her husband, Aaron Spraggs (drums), approached Dylan Rowe (bass player), Sam Brooker (rhythm guitar and harmony), Shannon Campbell (guitar, mandolin, banjo, harmony and Glen Campbell’s son), and Pat Boyer (guitar and slide), and Little Feather was born.
The band has already made waves on social media with their innovative “Drive-Thru Concert” series on Facebook and YouTube. They literally pile into a van, order a meal, and then pick and sing their way to the drive-thru window causing impromptu reactions by employees who can’t help but start dancing and singing along with them. The videos have already amassed nearly two million views and have received a Silver Telly Award in the Music Video category at the 38th Annual Telly Awards honoring the best in film and video.
“Words can’t express how happy my band and I are to share our music with the world,” says Sharpe. “The music has been incubating for awhile now, but Little Feather is getting ready to fly!”
Parmalee Returns With New Album July 21
/by Lorie HollabaughFeaturing summer-ready heartland tracks like “American Nights,” “Back In The Game,” and “Like a Photograph,” lead singer Matt Thomas co-wrote nine of the album’s twelve tracks. The project also includes cuts by busbee, Hillary Lindsey, and Ross Copperman, Craig Wiseman, Tom Douglas, Jim Beavers, and the late Andrew Dorff among many others.
Parmalee is also featured as producer on seven tracks, with additional producers varying from Tommy Cecil, Brock Berryhill, NV, Jody Stevens, David Fanning/Ben Stennis, Sal Oliveri and Lindsay Rimes.
The band is slated to perform “Sunday Morning” on FOX & Friends All-American Summer Concert Series on Friday, July 28.
27861 Track Listing
1)Sunday Morning
2) American Nights
3) Heartbreaker
4) Like A Photograph
5) Back in the Game
6) Mimosas
7) Hotdamalama
8) A Guy Meets A Girl
9) Savannah
10) Drink It Off
11) Barrel Of A Shot Glass
12) Roots
Reba, Lee Ann Womack, Brandy Clark Team For Alzheimer’s Foundation Benefit At City Winery
/by Eric T. ParkerOther country music artists will appear as special guests for the 7 p.m. event, which is put on in honor of Jewel Austin, late grandmother of Warner Nashville’s Shane Tarlton.
Tables are available for $2,000, and individual tickets begin at $50. Visit alzfdn.org for more information or call 866-232-8484.
Greylan James Joins Dreamlined Entertainment Roster
/by Lorie Hollabaugh(L-R:) Dreamlined’s Jason Campbell, Greylan James, Dreamlined’s Keith Stegall)
Greylan James has signed a publishing deal with Dreamlined Entertainment. James joins Dreamlined’s roster of writers that includes Keith Stegall, Kevin Mac, Jen Ketner and Brian Maher.
A native of Knoxville, TN, James began his music career playing guitar at age 10, and by 13 was playing live, opening for acts like Kenny Chesney, The Band Perry and the Eli Young Band. James appeared on Season 4 of NBC’s “The Voice,” and was ranked in Guitar Center’s Brotherhood of The Guitar Top 20 Guitar Players under 21. He moved to Nashville in 2014 to pursue a career in songwriting and production.
“Greylan is at home with our staff of writers. His talents bring out the best within our team,” says Dreamlined owner Keith Stegall.
MusicRowPics: Newcomer Camille Rae Offers Vocal Firepower With “I Need Me”
/by Jessica Nicholson“My car is my house right now,” she jokes.
Rae stopped by the MusicRow office to perform tracks from her current album, Come Find Me. The singer-songwriter wrote or co-wrote seven of the album’s 15 tracks. The album also features the work of writers including Lindsay Ell, Jaida Dreyer, Chad Jeffers, Jason Eustice and Brian White. Her years of vocal training shine in her controlled, commanding alto on tracks like “Bitter” and “Come Find Me.”
Each time she takes the stage, Rae says she feels how audiences have quickly taken to the strength and vulnerability in the song.
“One time, I was singing this and a woman ran out crying. She came back and said after hearing the song, that she knew what she needed to do in her life. Music and art has a way of doing more than you can imagine.”
Bill Anderson Inks Contract Extension With Sony ATV
/by Lorie HollabaughL-R: Terry Wakefield, Sr. VP Creative, Sony/ATV; Bill Anderson; Troy Tomlinson, President/CEO, Sony/ATV; Lee Willard, Straight 8 Entertainment
Country Music Hall Of Famer Bill Anderson has renewed his contract with Sony/ATV Music Publishing for the twelfth consecutive year, continuing his decade-long partnership with the publisher.
The six-time Songwriter of the Year winner first signed with Tree international, now owned by Sony, back in 1958. Since then, Anderson has created chart-topping hits like “Whiskey Lullaby,” (Brad Paisley/Alison Krauss), “A Lot Of Things Different,” (Kenny Chesney), “Give It Away,” (George Strait), and “Country,” (Mo Pitney) among others.
“I love being part of the Sony-ATV family. I have copyrights there dating as far back as 1958, and hope to put lots more there before I’m through. I’m glad they’re going to let me hang around for another year,” said Anderson.
Anderson continues to land cuts on albums and most recently teamed with Brad Paisley to co-write “Dying To See Her” for Paisley’s Love And War album which was released in April. He also released his official autobiography, Whisperin’ Bill Anderson: An Unprecedented Life in Country Music this year, and continues to tour and perform regularly at The Grand Ole Opry as a 55-year Opry member.