BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 558
There are listening parties all the time on Music Row, but there is only one Chris Stapleton.
Which explains the big turnout at RCA Studio A on Wednesday evening (April 5). The singer-songwriter-guitarist with the brawny, searing, blue-eyed-soul vocal delivery presided over a throng of well wishers as he previewed tunes that will be on From “A” Room, Volume 1, which drops on May 5.
“This is a few more people than we had last time,” Stapleton drawled dryly. He held a listening party in the same spot exactly two years ago when he introduced Traveller.
MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson recalled that at the Traveller party, everyone had to be quiet while Stapleton recorded the album’s final track, live in the studio during the festivities. Of course, Stapleton nailed it in one take. Since then, he and the collection have collected truckloads of awards and encyclopedias of praise.
“Thank y’all for coming: It’s free tacos-and-beer night at RCA,” the downhome star continued. “We camped out here for a couple of months and recorded a few things.
“You’re probably thinking, ‘Shut up and play some music.’”
So he did. We heard again the pounding rocker “The Second One to Know,” which he had introduced on Sunday’s ACM telecast. The room was completely hushed during his devastating, anguished ballad “Either Way,” recorded with only his acoustic-guitar accompaniment.
Another highlight was Stapleton’s mournful, slow treatment of the Willie Nelson 1983 hit “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning.” The album opener, “Broken Halos,” was smoldering and soulful.
The set ranged from the outlaw stomper “Them Stems” to the deep blues grooves of “Death Row” and “I Was Wrong,” from the honky-tonk wailer “Up to No Good Livin’” to the moody meditation “Without Your Love.”
In addition to the new CD’s title and nine-song set list, the “big reveal” was that Stapleton has actually recorded two new albums.
“There is going to be a second one in December,” he announced. Presumably, this will be titled From “A” Room, Volume 2.
The lucky listening-party attendees included Craig Wiseman, Shawn Camp, Mike Henderson, Steve Buchanan, Debbie Carroll, Mark Hartley, Ben Vaughn, Morgane Hayes Stapleton, Jed Hilly, Sally Williams, Jay Williams, Cindy Mabe and Cindy Watts.
Mingling media mavens included Shanna Strassberg, Barry Mazor, Hunter Kelly, Lisa Konicki, Tom Roland, Ken Tucker, Phyllis Stark, R.J. Curtis, John Marks, Charlie Cook and Chuck Aly. Adding their wits to the lively proceedings were Dan Rogers, Gina Keltner, Mike Sistad, Leslie Fram and Tom Lord.
The presence(s) of Rogers, Keltner, Williams and Buchanan made me wonder if this guy is being prepped for Opry membership.
Attendee Bart Herbison reported that the NSAI is involved in two documentaries about songwriter issues. One is being produced by Marcus Hummon. One is in the works by Butch Spyridon.
As Stapleton indicated, this was, indeed, free tacos-and-beer night. We had our choice of soft tacos filled with chicken, cheese or veggies. The make-your-own nachos table held spiced ground beef, melted cheese and sauces to load onto your corn chips. The bar specialties were Mexican beers and tequilas.
One unexpected delight was the fact that producer Dave Cobb has collected cool historic photos taken of artists in Studio A and is displaying them in his office there. I told him about one I have of B.B. King posing with me in Studio A, many years ago.
Chris Stapleton To Release Two Albums In 2017, Reveals Track List For Volume 1
/by Lorie HollabaughStapleton’s new project takes its name from Nashville’s historic RCA Studio A, where it was recorded during the winter of 2016-17. Once again produced by Dave Cobb, Volume 1 features eight originals as well as a rendition of the Willie Nelson classic “Last Thing I Needed, First Thing This Morning.” Other songs include the tune Stapleton just premiered on the ACM telecast, “Second One To Know,” as well as the album’s first single, “Either Way.” Among the writers who contribute songs to the new project are Mike Henderson, Casey Beathard, Craig Wiseman, Shawn Camp, and more.
The new album, which is available now for preorder digitally and in bundles, features Stapleton on vocals and guitar, Cobb on acoustic guitar, Morgane Stapleton on harmony vocals, J.T. Cure on bass, Derek Mixon on drums, Mickey Raphael on harmonica, Robby Turner on pedal steel, and Mike Webb on keys.
From A Room: Volume 1, will be followed by a second collection of songs from Stapleton, From A Room: Volume 2, which will be released later this year.
Stapleton will no doubt be performing the new material on his All American Road Show tour, which runs through November and features Brothers Osborne, Lucie Silvas, Anderson East, Brent Cobb, Margo Price and Marty Stuart as special guests. Seven new dates were recently added to the tour, which go on sale at LiveNation.com this Friday, April 7.
From A Room: Volume 1 Tracklist:
Bobby Karl Works The Room: A Preview Of Chris Stapleton’s New Album
/by Bobby KarlChapter 558
There are listening parties all the time on Music Row, but there is only one Chris Stapleton.
Which explains the big turnout at RCA Studio A on Wednesday evening (April 5). The singer-songwriter-guitarist with the brawny, searing, blue-eyed-soul vocal delivery presided over a throng of well wishers as he previewed tunes that will be on From “A” Room, Volume 1, which drops on May 5.
“This is a few more people than we had last time,” Stapleton drawled dryly. He held a listening party in the same spot exactly two years ago when he introduced Traveller.
MusicRow’s Sherod Robertson recalled that at the Traveller party, everyone had to be quiet while Stapleton recorded the album’s final track, live in the studio during the festivities. Of course, Stapleton nailed it in one take. Since then, he and the collection have collected truckloads of awards and encyclopedias of praise.
“Thank y’all for coming: It’s free tacos-and-beer night at RCA,” the downhome star continued. “We camped out here for a couple of months and recorded a few things.
“You’re probably thinking, ‘Shut up and play some music.’”
So he did. We heard again the pounding rocker “The Second One to Know,” which he had introduced on Sunday’s ACM telecast. The room was completely hushed during his devastating, anguished ballad “Either Way,” recorded with only his acoustic-guitar accompaniment.
Another highlight was Stapleton’s mournful, slow treatment of the Willie Nelson 1983 hit “Last Thing I Needed First Thing This Morning.” The album opener, “Broken Halos,” was smoldering and soulful.
The set ranged from the outlaw stomper “Them Stems” to the deep blues grooves of “Death Row” and “I Was Wrong,” from the honky-tonk wailer “Up to No Good Livin’” to the moody meditation “Without Your Love.”
In addition to the new CD’s title and nine-song set list, the “big reveal” was that Stapleton has actually recorded two new albums.
“There is going to be a second one in December,” he announced. Presumably, this will be titled From “A” Room, Volume 2.
The lucky listening-party attendees included Craig Wiseman, Shawn Camp, Mike Henderson, Steve Buchanan, Debbie Carroll, Mark Hartley, Ben Vaughn, Morgane Hayes Stapleton, Jed Hilly, Sally Williams, Jay Williams, Cindy Mabe and Cindy Watts.
Mingling media mavens included Shanna Strassberg, Barry Mazor, Hunter Kelly, Lisa Konicki, Tom Roland, Ken Tucker, Phyllis Stark, R.J. Curtis, John Marks, Charlie Cook and Chuck Aly. Adding their wits to the lively proceedings were Dan Rogers, Gina Keltner, Mike Sistad, Leslie Fram and Tom Lord.
The presence(s) of Rogers, Keltner, Williams and Buchanan made me wonder if this guy is being prepped for Opry membership.
Attendee Bart Herbison reported that the NSAI is involved in two documentaries about songwriter issues. One is being produced by Marcus Hummon. One is in the works by Butch Spyridon.
As Stapleton indicated, this was, indeed, free tacos-and-beer night. We had our choice of soft tacos filled with chicken, cheese or veggies. The make-your-own nachos table held spiced ground beef, melted cheese and sauces to load onto your corn chips. The bar specialties were Mexican beers and tequilas.
One unexpected delight was the fact that producer Dave Cobb has collected cool historic photos taken of artists in Studio A and is displaying them in his office there. I told him about one I have of B.B. King posing with me in Studio A, many years ago.
MusicRowPics: Jacob Davis Brings Soulful Swagger To Debut Single
/by Jessica NicholsonShreveport, Louisiana native Jacob Davis fell in love with the Baton Rouge culture and music while studying environmental science and geology at LSU, and he’s bringing that soulful swagger into his debut album for Black River Entertainment.
“I’m obviously putting that degree to good use,” he quipped. “I had always played music and grew up with all different styles. The culture, the music, it’s infectious.”
Though Davis had taken up guitar at age 15 and performed during college, he didn’t take the direct route to Nashville. Instead he took a job working on an oil rig, for a Texas-based oil company.
“I knew about two weeks in that I’d made a mistake,” Davis recalls.
The gig was lucrative, and his parents requested he stick with it for a year, reasoning that if he still wanted to quit after a year, he could leave and go to Nashville.
“A year to the day, I quit. I moved to Nashville six years ago.”
Davis began co-writing, eventually finding his way into writing rooms or on the road with songwriters and artists including Forest Glen Whitehead and Kelsea Ballerini.
“She’s such a star but she had a lot of my old demos and she liked my songs and voice. She’s just a music fan in general. I started opening shows for her,” recalled Davis. One of those opening gigs at Joe’s Bar in Chicago earned the interest of former Black River General Manager Greg McCarn and current Sr. VP, Radio Promotion Mike Wilson.
“I had 20 minutes to open and I didn’t play a single cover,” said Davis. “They asked why, and I said, ‘I only have 20 minutes. I don’t have time to play somebody else’s songs.’”
In 2016, Davis signed a publishing deal with Black River Publishing. One month later, he was signed as an artist to Black River Entertainment.
His debut single, “What I Wanna Be” was written with Forest Glen Whitehead and Adam Hambrick.
“It’s about a guy who is telling someone that he’s crazy about what he wants to be,” said Davis. “There’s a line in the song that goes, ‘Put some pancakes on your plate.’ It’s probably one of my favorite lines I’ve ever written, because you remember it.”
During his visit to MusicRow, Davis also performed acoustic versions of tracks “Back Me Up” and “James Brown,” a signature song that he infuses with horns, backup singers, and a soulful New Orleans style on his upcoming album.
“It’s been a dream to make this record. We took some risks with production, like a falsetto part that I had never done before, or a rapid-fire lyric in the chorus I had never done before.”
Davis’ ultimate goal is to make music that is not only memorable, but enduring.
“In country music, the genre is already broad and continues to broaden. When you’ve got everybody from Sam Hunt to William Michael Morgan, there is a lot of space there that can get filled up. A lot of new acts coming out, so if you are a newcomer, you better come with something different, because it’s easy to get lost. And when you look back at the songs you remember from certain eras, it’s always the music that was different for the time. That’s what I want to do.”
Jacob Davis with MusicRow staffers.
Erik Belz Signs With Spirit/Fluid
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured L-R (front row): Frank Rogers, Erik Belz, Daniel Novick (Savur Threadgold LLP).
Pictured L-R (back row): Brian Bradford (Sr. Director of Administration, Spirit Music Nashville), Daniel Hill (President, Spirit Music Nashville), and AJ Burton (Vice President, Fluid Music Revolution).
Spirit/Fluid, the Nashville-based joint venture between Spirit Music Group and Frank Rogers’ Fluid Music Revolution has signed songwriter/producer Erik Belz to an exclusive publishing deal.
“We are thrilled to have Erik Belz join the Fluid Music Revolution team,” said Rogers. “Erik brings a unique perspective to writing and producing and I can’t wait for the Nashville and the rest of the world to hear his talents!”
“Erik’s ability to write various genres really intrigued Frank and I. Not only do we think Erik will be a threat in the Nashville market, we also believe that with the help of Spirit Music’s worldwide reach, Erik’s future will be just fine,” said VP, Fluid Music Revolution AJ Burton.
“I am beyond thrilled to be working with Frank, AJ, Eric [Hurt] and everyone else at Fluid/Spirit. They have been very supportive of my musical vision from the very beginning and I can’t wait to see what we all do together. Nashville is an amazing city and I’m looking forward to spending more time working there!” said Belz.
Belz is a songwriter and producer born in Memphis, Tennessee and raised in Los Angeles, California. His songs have been cut by artists such as Pitbull, Austin Mahone, Lia Marie Johnson, Metro Station and Jez Dior to name a few. In 2015, Erik produced and co-wrote Lia Marie Johnson’s single “Moment like you,” which peaked at #2 on the iTunes dance chart. Erik’s music has appeared in such shows such as CSI and Scorpion. Belz has been working professionally as a freelance producer since graduating from the Thornton School of Music at the University of Southern California in 2010.
Rogers is a multi-platinum producer and songwriter who has won Billboard’s Hot Country Producer of the Year award five times. He’s also co-written several country hits, including four Hot Country Songs No. 1’s (“I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” by Brad Paisley, “Alright” and “This” by Darius Rucker and “Backroad Song” by Granger Smith).
Industry Pics: Universal Music Group, Carrie Underwood, Jason Aldean, Kane Brown, Z100
/by Jessica NicholsonUMG, Carrie Underwood Celebrate New Worldwide Recording Agreement
Universal Music Group and Carrie Underwood celebrated their new worldwide recording agreement with a special toast during the Academy of Country Music Awards weekend in Las Vegas.
Pictured (L-R): The HQ’s Ann Edelblute, Universal Music Group Chairman and CEO Sir Lucian Grainge, Carrie Underwood, Universal Music Group Nashville President Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan. Photo: Jordan Strauss
Jason Aldean, Kane Brown Take Vegas
Kane Brown and Jason Aldean had plenty to celebrate during the Academy of Country Music Awards in Las Vegas. Aldean was named Entertainer of the Year for a second year. Brown was nominated for New Male Vocalist of the Year. The two artists will tour together this summer as part of Aldean’s They Don’t Know Tour, which launches in April.
Pictured (L-R): Kane Brown; Teri Watson, Sr. Director of Radio & Entertainment, St. Jude; Jason Aldean
MusicRow Panel Station Z100 Celebrates St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital Radiothon
New Country, Z100 is celebrating its 8th consecutive record-breaking year for fundraising for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. This year’s Country Cares Radiothon, held March 30-31, netted $293,567.12 for St. Jude. That includes a record-breaking 5,626,512 pennies in the Quest for a Million Pennies and $32,825 from the on-air auctions in March. “LoCash Unplugged for St. Jude” also raised a record $32,000 in November.
In Z100’s 23-year partnership with St. Jude, fundraising contributions have totaled $3,445,624.93.
Pictured (L-R): Dave McKenzie, Josh Gass, Tracy McSherry-McKown, Shawna Matthews, Ryan Patrick, Kent Zimmer
Cumulus Media-Nashville Names Lori Tournay Liggett As General Sales Manager
/by Jessica NicholsonLori Liggett
Cumulus Media-Nashville has promoted Lori Tournay Liggett to General Sales Manager of its music stations including country stations WKDF and WSM-FM, in addition to WQQK.
Liggett has more than 27 years’ experience in radio promotions, sales and management. She joined Cumulus Nashville in 2015 as General Sales Manager for WQQK. Prior to that, she was with CBS Detroit, where she was General Sales Manager for AMP (Top 40). Liggett also held positions with Crain’s Detroit Business and CBS Radio-Detroit’s WDZH (Smooth Jazz) and WWJ-AM (News Radio).
Allison Warren, Vice President/Market Manager for Cumulus Media-Nashville said, “We have been fortunate to have Lori leading WQQK and have seen first-hand her ability to strategically lead a sales team, and find creative and compelling solutions for advertising partners. Lori is an innovative, well-respected sales manager with a proven track record of nurturing sales talent and driving growth. She has a keen understanding of both local and ad agency business and I’m thrilled to have her leading our Music stations WSM-FM, WKDF and WQQK.”
Liggett said, “I am honored to lead the WQQK, WSM-FM and WKDF sales team. Broadcast and digital media is constantly evolving, and Cumulus Nashville puts local client solutions, employee development and our communities at the forefront of everything we do. I look forward to continuing these efforts.”
Cumulus’ radio properties in Nashville include: WWTN, WQQK, WKDF, WSM-FM, WGFX, and Titans Radio Network.
Shannon McNally Teams With Rodney Crowell On New CD ‘Black Irish’
/by Lorie HollabaughRecorded in Nashville, the album includes the leadoff track “You Made Me Feel For You,” penned by Crowell, and was born out of a need McNally had to pull herself up out of a particularly blue time in her life when she was dealing with a divorce and her mother’s terminal illness.
“I had no vim or vigor in me for a couple of years,” she admits. “But Rodney and I started this really wonderful thing of just lobbing song titles back and forth. And I just sat at a table and learned about a dozen tunes, my favorite covers, anything to spark a fire in this really dark turn.”
2 “I Ain’t Gonna Stand for It”
3 “Banshee Moan”
4 “I Went to the Well”
5 “Roll Away the Stone”
6 “Black Haired Boy”
7 “Low Rider”
8 “Isn’t That Love?”
9 “Stuff You Gotta Watch”
10 “Prayer in Open D”
11 “It Makes No Difference”
12 “Let’s Go Home”
Elyse McKenna Joins THIEL Audio Products
/by Lorie HollabaughElyse McKenna has been named Director, Strategic Partnerships at THIEL Audio Products LLC. The audio and entertainment solutions provider known for its American-made speakers, high-performance multi-room wireless systems, and the AURORA Nashville Studio, is expanding its Nashville presence with the appointment of McKenna.
A music business start-up specialist, McKenna comes to THIEL with a 14-year background as a business development catalyst at Crowdsurge, Songkick and Applauze. In her new role, she will expand corporate partnership opportunities for THIEL’s product offerings in addition to AURORA Nashville’s live weekly series and production services. McKenna joins the 14-person office headquartered in Music City, working with the team to expand the company’s legacy brand.
“As the company prepares for explosive growth and we are ready to expand the reach of our brand,” said THIEL CEO, Tom Malatesta,“I cannot think of a better person to lead the evangelization of our THIEL Audio and Aurora Nashville brands than Elyse.”
“I’m honored to lead strategic partnerships for a company with a foundation and legacy as extensive as THIEL,” said McKenna. “It will be exciting to create innovative and forward-thinking partnerships that are mutually beneficial for the brand while serving the needs and goals of the industry and our partners as well.”
McKenna can be reached at emckenna@thielaudio.com and 615-507-8100.
Country Music Hall of Fame Names New Class
/by Jessica NicholsonAlan Jackson was named Modern Era Artist.
Jackson said, “For me to say I’m honored sounds like the standard old response, but for a man who loves Country Music there is no higher honor. This is the mountain top!”
Jerry Reed was named as the Veterans Era Artist.
“Thank you, CMA and Country Music Hall Of Fame, for recognizing all the years of love, dedication, and hard work that daddy put into his craft. He loved Country Music and would be so deeply humbled and appreciative if he was here. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts,” said Reed’s daughters, Seidina Hubbard and Lottie Zavala.
Don Schlitz was named Songwriter.
“I live in the parentheses; I’m just a small part of a wonderful process of making music. This is overwhelming and humbling,” said Schlitz.
The songwriter category is awarded every third year in rotation with the “Recording and/or Touring Musician Active Prior to 1980” and “Non-Performer” categories.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Vince Gill hosted today’s announcement.
The Class of 2017 marks the 57th group of Country Music legends to be inducted into the prestigious Country Music Hall of Fame, which was created in 1961 by the Country Music Association to recognize noteworthy individuals for their outstanding contributions to the format with country music’s highest honor.
Formal induction ceremonies for Reed, Jackson, and Schlitz will take place at the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum in the CMA Theater later this year. Since 2007, the Museum’s Medallion Ceremony, an annual reunion of the Hall of Fame membership, has served as the official rite of induction for new members.
“These three storytellers have added much to our lives, and to the story of Country Music,” said Kyle Young, CEO of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “They stand as models of undeniable eloquence and empathy. Over many decades, they have brought laughter, joy, and tears to millions. The Hall of Fame Rotunda will be grander for the presence of Alan Jackson, Jerry Reed, and Don Schlitz.”
Max Lousada Elevated To CEO/Recorded Music For Warner Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughMax Lousada
Max Lousada has been named CEO, Recorded Music for Warner Music Group (WMG), effective October 1. Lousada is currently Chairman & CEO of Warner Music UK (WMUK), home to a host of British superstars including Ed Sheeran, Coldplay, Muse, Gorillaz, Rita Ora, Iron Maiden, Pink Floyd, Kate Bush and more.
With the promotion, Lousada will oversee all of WMG’s global recorded music operations, including Atlantic, Warner Bros., Parlophone, Warner Music Nashville, Global Catalog/Rhino and Warner Classics, as well as WMG’s international recorded music affiliates and WMG’s Artist & Label Services divisions, WEA and ADA. Reporting to WMG CEO Steve Cooper, Lousada will divide his time between London and New York and will continue to lead Warner Music UK alongside his new worldwide responsibilities.
Lousada began his career by founding his own distribution company, In A Silent Way. In 2000, he became the European Managing Director for New York-based hip-hop label Rawkus Records, where he worked with artists such as Mos Def, Black Star, Talib Kweli and Pharoahe Monch. In 2002, he joined Mushroom Records as Head of A&R, signing dance act Zero 7 and overseeing releases from acts such as Muse, Ash, Garbage and DJ Paul Oakenfold. Following Warner Music UK’s acquisition of Mushroom Records in 2003, Lousada became Head of A&R at Atlantic UK, rising to President then Chairman in 2009. During his decade at Atlantic, he built a roster of artists including Sheeran, Paolo Nutini, James Blunt, Rudimental, Plan B, Marina and the Diamonds, Lykke Li, Damien Rice and Birdy.
Since 2013, Lousada has expanded Warner Music UK’s repertoire to serve a broader range of artists, playing an instrumental role in the integration of Parlophone into WMUK, as well as reviving the East West Records imprint and launching dance music imprints within each of the UK’s front line labels. In addition, he has strengthened the company’s creative capabilities with the launch of The Firepit, a video content division, innovation lab and state-of-the-art recording studio.
“With WMG breaking more superstars and leading the industry’s transition to streaming, this is the perfect time to appoint a proven leader to turbocharge the success of our Recorded Music division,” said Cooper. “Max’s wide-ranging achievements make him the natural choice. Since taking over the helm of Warner Music UK, he has continued to build his reputation for identifying and developing world-class artistic and executive talent. At the same time, he’s transformed our UK operation, with an inspired vision of a truly progressive music company in the 21st century. He’s the consummate music man, always exploring what we can do differently to benefit our artists, their fans, our people and our partners. I’m looking forward to working with Max as he leads our outstanding Recorded Music management team.”
“I came to Warner because it’s always been such a fantastic melting pot of independent spirits uniting to champion artists that change culture and make music that matters,” said Lousada. “Fourteen years later, that ethos is as strong as ever, so I’m delighted to have the opportunity to build on those foundations with my extremely gifted partners around the world. Together, we’ll continue to create an environment where talent has the support and the freedom to flourish, where we empower our artists and our people to be true pioneers, and where we inspire audiences to be as excited about music as we are. I would like to thank Len and Steve for their tremendous support.”