The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees.
In alphabetic order, the inductees include: Lou Bradley, Garth Brooks & The G-Men, Don Felder, Mark Miller, Jerry Reed, Allen Reynolds, Ron “Snake” Reynolds, Sigma Sound Studio Rhythm Section, Ricky Skaggs and Joe Tarsia.
The Induction Ceremony and Concert will be held on Wednesday Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, home to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster on Sept. 12.
2016 INDUCTEES
Garth Brooks is certified by the RIAA as the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history with over 137 million albums. The G-Men are a group of musicians who have played with Brooks on all of his studio albums. This show will be a rare opportunity to see the G-Men play with Brooks live in concert. Members include Bruce Bouton (steel guitar), Mark Casstevens (rhythm guitar), Mike Chapman (posthumously, bass), Rob Hajacos (fiddle), Chris Leuzinger (lead guitar), Milton Sledge (drums), and Bobby Wood (keyboards).
Jerry Reed, known throughout country music as “the Guitar Man” after his 1967 hit single of the same name, gained recognition not only for a successful solo career, but also as an actor and ace session player. After leaving school, he auditioned for Bill Lowery, founder of Lowery Publishing Co. and Southern Track Studios in Atlanta, Ga., who encouraged him to write more songs and booked him for a tour opening for Ernest Tubb. He died in 2008.
Sigma Sound Studio Rhythm Section (The Sound of Philadelphia) is a group of session musicians created a genre of soul music with funk influences, often with sweeping strings and piercing horns, which sets the unique sound of Philadelphia apart. Members include Ronnie Baker (posthumously, guitar), Tommy Bell (keyboards), Charles Collins (drums), Bobby Eli (guitar), Dennis Harris (guitar), Norman Harris (posthumously, guitar), Vince Montana (posthumously, vibes), TJ Tindall (posthumously, guitar), Larry Washington (posthumously, congas), Jimmy Williams (bass), and Earl Young, the drummer who was credited as the inventor of the disco style of rock drumming.
Ricky Skaggs entered the world of professional music when he was invited to join the band of bluegrass patriarch Ralph Stanley. He moved into country music in the 1970s, first as a member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band and later as an individual recording artist on his own.
ENGINEERING AWARD
Lou Bradley began his engineering career working for WPFA radio in Pensacola, Florida, where he built his own recording studio. From there, he moved to Atlanta and worked for Bill Lowery Music Co., where he engineered hits such as “Cherry Hill Park” by Billy Joe Royal and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” by The Tams.
Mark Miller, a highly successful Nashville engineer, has engineered “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses” and “Walk The Way The Wind Blows” for Kathy Mattea, as well as “Small Town Saturday Night” and “Past The Point Of Rescue” for Hal Ketchum.
Ron “Snake” Reynolds has engineered more than 600 Billboard Top 40 hits. He started at Nugget Records owned by Fred Carter, Jr. in Goodlettesville, Tennessee, where he signed an artist development and songwriting contract. In 1972, he started working as a staff engineer with Columbia Records Studios in Nashville.
Joe Tarsia has engineered an amazing number of classic pop music songs, earning him over 150 gold and platinum record awards. His credits include albums such as A Brand New Me by Dusty Springfield, To Know You Is To Love You by B.B. King, and Life Is A Song Worth Singing by Teddy Pendergrass.
PRODUCER AWARD
Allen Reynolds has produced many hits such as “Talking In Your Sleep” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle, “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses” by Kathy Mattea, not to mention Garth Brooks’ iconic records “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance.” Reynolds also wrote the hit single “Five O’Clock World” for the rock band The Vogues in 1965.
ICONIC RIFF AWARD
Don Felder is renowned as a lead guitarist formerly of the Eagles. He is the 2016 Iconic Riff Award recipient for creating the incredible guitar intro and solo in “Hotel California,” which has been referred to as one of the best guitar solos of all time. Before moving to Los Angeles, Felder taught guitar in Gainesville, Florida, where one of his students was Tom Petty.
Jacob Powell Signs Publishing Deal With ole
/by Craig_Shelburne(L-R): Noah McPike, Almon & McPike, PLLC; Ben Strain, Creative Director, ole; Leslie Roberts, Executive Director, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI; Singer/Songwriter Jacob Powell; John Ozier, VP Creative, ole; Shellien Kinsey, Creative Admin Manager, ole; Mike Whelan, Sr. Creative Director, ole; Emily Mueller, Creative Manager, ole.
Jacob Powell has signed an exclusive deal with ole, granting the rights management company exclusive publishing rights. The agreement also includes exclusive administration of Powell’s YouTube channel, and the exclusive option to fund future master recordings with the objective to upstream him to a major record label.
As a part of this deal, Powell delivers 45 pre-existing songs that were not assigned to another publisher. Many of the songs were co-written with ole songwriters such as Jeremy Stover, April Geesbreght, Phil O’Donnell and Adam Hambrick.
Powell launched his musical journey in Lawrenceburg, Tennessee, a small town south of Nashville, where he grew up listening to the Allman Brothers, George Jones, and George Strait. In 2015, he played over 100 dates and is well on his way to do the same in 2016 – playing with Florida-Georgia Line, Dustin Lynch, The Cadillac Three, David Nail and many more.
As a songwriter, Powell has earned the respect of hit writers such as Casey Beathard, Michael Heeney, Jaren Johnston, and Jeremy Stover, which has helped him secured cuts from artists like Chase Rice, Jordan Rager and Jon Wolfe, as well as cuts he co-wrote for his own record.
“I’m really looking forward to working with and being a part of the ole family,” says Powell, “I feel like I’m in the right place and can’t wait to get new music out and hit the road again. We are going to do great things together!”
“We are incredibly proud to add Jacob Powell to the ole roster,” says John Ozier, Vice President, Creative of ole. “Jacob is a great songwriter and an impactful artist. Together, we are going to accomplish amazing things.”
Chris Young Announces ‘It Must Be Christmas’ Album
/by Craig_ShelburneChris Young will release his first-ever Christmas album, It Must Be Christmas, on Oct. 14 on RCA Records Nashville.
The project is a mix of original songs and classic holiday tunes. Corey Crowder and Young co-produced the album, which will be his sixth album for the label.
“This is something I’ve wanted to do for a really long time,” said Young. “Christmas is one of my favorite times of year and it was hard to narrow down the list of songs for this record. I’m excited to share my own versions of many of the standards I sang as a kid every year at Christmas, plus I had the opportunity to write a couple of original songs to celebrate the season.”
Artist Updates: Blake Shelton, Kelsea Ballerini, Meghan Linsey
/by Craig_ShelburneBlake Shelton Receives Gold Plaque
Pictured (L-R): Scott Hendricks, Producer/EVP A&R, Warner Music Nashville; Peter Strickland, COO, Warner Music Nashville; Blake Shelton; Narvel Blackstock, Starstruck Management; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville; Brandon Blackstock, Starstruck Management
Blake Shelton accepted a gold plaque for his newest album, If I’m Honest, during a visit to Nashville last week. He was congratulated by his Warner Music Nashville label team and Starstruck Management executives. The album is the only country album released this year to reach gold status. Its singles include “Came Here to Forget” and “She’s Got a Way With Words.”
Kelsea Ballerini Sells Out Two Shows, Adds Tour Date
Kelsea Ballerini
Kelsea Ballerini has sold out her Nov. 11 concert in her hometown of Knoxville, Tennessee, for her first headlining tour. She also sold out a show in Minneapolis scheduled for Nov. 19.
Due to rerouting, Ballerini has been able to add a date at Joe’s Live in Rosemont, Illinois on Nov. 17. Two dates in Texas have also been moved from October. She will now perform in Dallas on Dec. 13 and Houston on Dec. 14. She is currently on tour with Rascal Flatts.
Meghan Linsey Will Report On The Voice
Meghan Linsey. Photo:
Meghan Linsey will be a weekly correspondent on WSMV-TV’s new show, Today in Nashville, starting on Sept. 13. Linsey will be a guest each Tuesday morning to discuss the previous night’s episode of The Voice; Linsey appeared on the show in 2015.
Linsey will return to Today in Nashville each week through Dec. 13 to share her expert opinion with hosts Kelly Sutton and Carole Sullivan.
“I am beyond excited to be joining Today in Nashville as their The Voice correspondent for the next 15 weeks!” says Linsey. “As a veteran, I obviously love the show and many will find out I also love to talk, so I feel this is such a natural fit. I’m looking forward to watching this new season and weighing in every week!”
R.E.M.’s Mike Mills Confirmed For WHO KNEW Event In October
/by Craig_ShelburneR.E.M. bassist Mike Mills will mark the 25th anniversary of the band’s album Out of Time with a WHO KNEW Celebrates event on Oct. 7 at City Winery in Nashville. Tickets go on sale Thursday (Sept. 8) at 3 p.m.
Mills will be interviewed by music journalist Craig Havighurst. The evening will also feature Nashville band The Long Players as they perform Out of Time and some of R.E.M.’s greatest hits with several special guests. The event will be produced by WHO KNEW creator Tom Truitt.
“I’ve been a fan of WHO KNEW from the start. I spoke at the very first one and have watched the series evolve in a very exciting way. So when Tom Truitt approached me with the idea for this particular event it felt like a natural fit. What better way to celebrate the 25th anniversary of R.E.M.’s memorable album Out of Time. The timing for this couldn’t have been better,” said Bertis Downs, attorney for R.E.M.
Tickets are $25 to $100 with proceeds to benefit Notes for Notes, a non-profit organization that designs, equips, and staffs after-school recording studios inside Boys & Girls Clubs offering youth the opportunity to explore, create, and record music for free. Premier tickets include a Meet & Greet with Mills, an event poster signed by Mills, and the opportunity to submit questions for the interview.
A limited number of VIP tables are on sale now and available for purchase at $1000 for 12 seats. All VIP table purchases are a tax deductible charitable contribution to support Notes for Notes.
Kacey Musgraves Preps First Christmas Album
/by Jessica NicholsonMercury Nashville’s Kacey Musgraves will release her first Christmas album, A Very Kacey Christmas, featuring Leon Bridges, Willie Nelson and The Quebe Sisters, on Oct. 28.
Produced by Musgraves, Misa Arriaga and Kyle Ryan, the album features four original co-writes, as well as covers of eight holiday favorites (full track list below).
“Working on my first Christmas album has been one of the most enriching musical experiences I’ve ever had and I can’t wait for everyone to hear it,” said Musgraves. “I really wanted to create a whimsical throwback holiday record, one that evokes feelings of nostalgia and simpler times. I think that the fine musicians and brains that were a part of this project have helped me create a body of music that can be added to people’s classic collections. There can be a touch of sad feelings and memories during the holiday season for a lot of people so I knew when I went in to write I wanted to include all the emotions this time of year can bring out.”
A Very Kacey Christmas was inspired by Bing Crosby, the Andrew Sisters, Nat King Cole and the classic sounds of the ‘40s, ‘50s and ‘60s, part Western swing, classic pop, hazy Hawaiian moments and child-like fun, according to Musgraves, “all coming to a nostalgic and melancholy end.”
A Very Kacey Christmas Track Listing:
LOCASH Collects Another MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coin
/by Craig_ShelburneMusicRow owner/publisher with LOCASH. Photo: Molly Hannula
LOCASH dropped by MusicRow to pick up their MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins for “I Know Somebody” on Wednesday morning (Sept.7) That single topped the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart on Aug. 25.
Written by Rhett Akins, Ross Copperman and Jeremy Stover, the single comes from LOCASH’s Reviver Records project, The Fighter. The duo’s Preston Brust and Chris Lucas earned their first coin with “I Love This Life” in December 2015.
Since 2014, every artist and songwriter to earn a No. 1 single on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart receives a coin.
LOCASH will resume touring with a show in Philadelphia on Thursday (Sept. 8).
LOCASH with MusicRow staffers.
Artist Updates: Cam, Dolly Parton, Kix Brooks, Jason Aldean, Olivia Lane
/by Jessica NicholsonCam Chats With Dolly Parton For Cracker Barrel Front Porch Series
Dolly Parton chats with Cam as part of Cracker Barrel’s Front Porch series.
In the latest installment of Cracker Barrel’s Front Porch series, country legend Dolly Parton chats with rising star Cam. The two singer-songwriters discuss songwriting, Parton’s Imagination Library, Parton’s legacy, and discover that they share a love of the color yellow.
“Yellow roses are her thing, she loves yellow! It can be her color forever,” the California native laughs. “It was insane! It’s crazy to meet someone that’s such a legend, for so many years, and so smart.”
The two also play a game of “Dolly or Not Dolly,” as they try to guess whether a witty one-liner belongs to the “I Will Always Love You’ songstress or to someone else.
Watch the chat below.
Kix Brooks Greets Fans During Cookbook Signing At Country Music Hall of Fame
Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Colette Huff, Donna Britt, Kix Brooks. Photo: Beth Gywnn
Kix Brooks signed copies of his new cookbook, Cookin’ It With Kix: The Art of Celebrating and The Fun of Outdoor Cooking at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville, Tennessee over Labor Day weekend. The book, released Aug. 30, was written with long-time radio producer and friend Donna Britt; it contains 100 recipes alongside personal stories.
Jason Aldean Surprises Fan To Celebrate Album Launch
Jason Aldean with fan Brittany Marcum
To celebrate the release of Jason Aldean‘s upcoming album They Don’t Know on Sept. 9, Aldean surprised Brittany Marcum at her doorstep unannounced. He offered the die-hard fan the first copy of They Don’t Know (Broken Bow Records), a pair of Justin Boots, Resistol hats and a round trip with accommodations for two to next weekend’s 2016 Six String Circus tour stop at Boston’s Fenway Park where she’ll get to see behind the scenes of one of music’s biggest tours as a “Roadie For A Day.”
See Aldean surprise Marcum below.
Olivia Lane Performs During New York Mets Game
Olivia Lane performs during New York Mets game. Photo: New York Mets
Olivia Lane performed “God Bless America” during the seventh-inning stretch of the New York Mets game on Sunday (Sept. 4). The singer-songwriter will soon play Maxwell’s in Hoboken, New Jersey.
Round Hill Records To Release Debut From The Loving Mary Band
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Loving Mary Band
Country rock sextet The Loving Mary Band will release its debut full-length album Little Bit Of Love on Oct. 28 via Round Hill Records/Sony/Red.
Formed in Nashville, The Loving Mary Band was hand-picked by Aerosmith lead singer and BMLG solo artist Steven Tyler to play as his backing band on his current North American tour.
The band includes four singer-songwriter-producers and two musicians. Lead vocalist/guitarist Marti Frederiksen has written and produced hits songs for Aerosmith, Ozzy Osbourne, Carrie Underwood and more. He also sang all vocal parts in the mythical band Stillwater from the movie, Almost Famous. Lead vocalist/harmonica player Suzie McNeil is best known from the TV show, Rock Star: INXS, and has had a successful career in her native Canada. Lead vocalist/bassist Rebecca Lynn Howard previously recorded for Decca Records, MCA Nashville, Arista Nashville, and Show Dog Nashville. Her highest-charting song, “Forgive,” reached No. 12 on the country charts in 2002.
Mandolinist/banjo player Elisha Hoffman co-wrote “Give In To Me” from the motion picture Country Strong. Rounding out The Loving Mary Band are drummer Sarah Tomek, who has played with such artists as Jon Bon Jovi, and guitarist Andrew Mactaggart.
Round Hill Records SVP/GM Mark Brown said, “Rarely have I had the opportunity to work with a group as exceptionally talented as The Loving Mary Band. Individually, each is a great vocalist, songwriter and musician. Together, they become the best band I know. The great harmonies, superior songwriting, skilled instrumentation, and brilliant orchestration delivered at the highest level make them a remarkable group. It is a real privilege to work with them.”
Americana Honors & Awards Show Confirms Performers, Presenters
/by Craig_ShelburneEmmylou Harris, Alison Krauss and George Strait will perform at the Americana Music Association’s annual Honors & Awards Show on Sept. 21 at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. Shawn Colvin, Jason Isbell, The Lumineers, Bonnie Raitt, Nathaniel Rateliff & the Night Sweats and Bob Weir are also confirmed to perform.
Other artists scheduled to take the stage during the ceremony include: Billy Bragg, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Jim Lauderdale, Milk Carton Kids, Buddy Miller, Parker Millsap, John Moreland, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Margo Price, and Lucinda Williams.
Presenters include Jack Ingram, Timothy B. Schmit, Taylor Goldsmith (of Dawes), Wynonna Judd, Indigo Girls’ Amy Ray and Emily Saliers, Bruce Hornsby and Joe Henry, with more presenters to be announced soon.
A live video stream of the ceremony will be broadcast via NPR.org and the state-of-the-art NPR Music app for smartphones, tablets and set-top boxes. The video stream is part of a partnership with NPR. Austin City Limits will offer performance highlights from the show for a special broadcast to air November 19 on PBS.
Musicians Hall of Fame Announces 2016 Inductees
/by Craig_ShelburneThe Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum has announced the 2016 Hall of Fame Inductees.
In alphabetic order, the inductees include: Lou Bradley, Garth Brooks & The G-Men, Don Felder, Mark Miller, Jerry Reed, Allen Reynolds, Ron “Snake” Reynolds, Sigma Sound Studio Rhythm Section, Ricky Skaggs and Joe Tarsia.
The Induction Ceremony and Concert will be held on Wednesday Oct. 26, at 7 p.m. at the Historic Nashville Municipal Auditorium, home to the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum.
Tickets will be available through Ticketmaster on Sept. 12.
2016 INDUCTEES
Garth Brooks is certified by the RIAA as the top-selling solo artist in U.S. history with over 137 million albums. The G-Men are a group of musicians who have played with Brooks on all of his studio albums. This show will be a rare opportunity to see the G-Men play with Brooks live in concert. Members include Bruce Bouton (steel guitar), Mark Casstevens (rhythm guitar), Mike Chapman (posthumously, bass), Rob Hajacos (fiddle), Chris Leuzinger (lead guitar), Milton Sledge (drums), and Bobby Wood (keyboards).
Jerry Reed, known throughout country music as “the Guitar Man” after his 1967 hit single of the same name, gained recognition not only for a successful solo career, but also as an actor and ace session player. After leaving school, he auditioned for Bill Lowery, founder of Lowery Publishing Co. and Southern Track Studios in Atlanta, Ga., who encouraged him to write more songs and booked him for a tour opening for Ernest Tubb. He died in 2008.
Sigma Sound Studio Rhythm Section (The Sound of Philadelphia) is a group of session musicians created a genre of soul music with funk influences, often with sweeping strings and piercing horns, which sets the unique sound of Philadelphia apart. Members include Ronnie Baker (posthumously, guitar), Tommy Bell (keyboards), Charles Collins (drums), Bobby Eli (guitar), Dennis Harris (guitar), Norman Harris (posthumously, guitar), Vince Montana (posthumously, vibes), TJ Tindall (posthumously, guitar), Larry Washington (posthumously, congas), Jimmy Williams (bass), and Earl Young, the drummer who was credited as the inventor of the disco style of rock drumming.
Ricky Skaggs entered the world of professional music when he was invited to join the band of bluegrass patriarch Ralph Stanley. He moved into country music in the 1970s, first as a member of Emmylou Harris’ Hot Band and later as an individual recording artist on his own.
ENGINEERING AWARD
Lou Bradley began his engineering career working for WPFA radio in Pensacola, Florida, where he built his own recording studio. From there, he moved to Atlanta and worked for Bill Lowery Music Co., where he engineered hits such as “Cherry Hill Park” by Billy Joe Royal and “Be Young, Be Foolish, Be Happy” by The Tams.
Mark Miller, a highly successful Nashville engineer, has engineered “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses” and “Walk The Way The Wind Blows” for Kathy Mattea, as well as “Small Town Saturday Night” and “Past The Point Of Rescue” for Hal Ketchum.
Ron “Snake” Reynolds has engineered more than 600 Billboard Top 40 hits. He started at Nugget Records owned by Fred Carter, Jr. in Goodlettesville, Tennessee, where he signed an artist development and songwriting contract. In 1972, he started working as a staff engineer with Columbia Records Studios in Nashville.
Joe Tarsia has engineered an amazing number of classic pop music songs, earning him over 150 gold and platinum record awards. His credits include albums such as A Brand New Me by Dusty Springfield, To Know You Is To Love You by B.B. King, and Life Is A Song Worth Singing by Teddy Pendergrass.
PRODUCER AWARD
Allen Reynolds has produced many hits such as “Talking In Your Sleep” and “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue” by Crystal Gayle, “18 Wheels And A Dozen Roses” by Kathy Mattea, not to mention Garth Brooks’ iconic records “Friends in Low Places” and “The Dance.” Reynolds also wrote the hit single “Five O’Clock World” for the rock band The Vogues in 1965.
ICONIC RIFF AWARD
Don Felder is renowned as a lead guitarist formerly of the Eagles. He is the 2016 Iconic Riff Award recipient for creating the incredible guitar intro and solo in “Hotel California,” which has been referred to as one of the best guitar solos of all time. Before moving to Los Angeles, Felder taught guitar in Gainesville, Florida, where one of his students was Tom Petty.