Disc of the Day winner Eric Church. Photo: John Peets
Competence is not greatness.
Half of what we have here is competent work by journeymen Music Row songwriters who made businesslike appointments to “create.” From them come bland, radio-wallpaper songs put together by committee. Many of them will be hits, but probably none of them will be remembered 10 or even five years from now.
The other half of these discs have songs that stick in your brain long after their final notes have sounded. They are Josh Turner’s “Lay Low,” Eric Church’s “Talladega,” Bernie Nelson’s “Lonelyville” and Angaleena Presley’s “American Middle Class,” plus a new contribution to country’s drinking-song tradition from Cole Swindell.
It is from this talent pool that we draw this week’s award winners.
Eric Church has the Disc of the Day. And
Angaleena Presley wins the DisCovery Award.
COLE SWINDELL/Ain’t Worth The Whiskey
Writers: Cole Swindell/Adam Sanders/Josh Martin; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Year of the Dog/Josh Martin, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Warner Bros.
-A new classic drinking song is born. Bottoms up.
BERNIE NELSON/Lonelyville
Writers: Bernie Nelson/Steve Hemp; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Dumpster Diver/Hemptones, ASCAP; If I Know Blue
-Sung with immense heart, produced to punchy perfection and written like a mini masterpiece. He implores her to accompany him in escaping “Lonelyville,” where they put “rust on your dreams and dust on your heart.” If this isn’t a smash for him, somebody else ought to record it pronto. The next Springsteen, perhaps?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Freestyle
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Shane McAnally; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/30A Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Universal/Smack Ink, ASCAP/SESAC; Capitol (CDX)
-Not as melodic as we have come to expect from these folks. Instead, there’s a lot of lyric babbling and choppy rhythm. Disappointing, if energetic.
SARA EVANS/Put My Heart Down
Writers: Nathan Chapman/Andrew Dorff/Elizabeth Huett; Producers: Mark Bright/Sara Evans; Publishers: none listed, BMI; RCA (CDX)
-Feminine and brightly listenable. Her best in quite some time.
DisCovery Award winner Angaleena Presley
-It is somewhat wordy, but Currington’s effortlessly smooth, warmly personal and highly accomplished vocal draws you in and sells it. Solid and hit bound.
DAVID SHELBY/Podunk
Writers: Ozier/Haselden/Hayes; Producers: Teddy Gentry/Charles English; Publishers: Tazmaraz, BMI; Highway South
-It’s a new song, but it has so many cliches you’ll think you’ve heard it before.
GLORIANA/Trouble
Writers: Rachel Reinert/Mike Gossin/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/GFY/MG1984/Songs By Red Room/EMI April/Jon Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Emblem/Warner
-There already is a Little Big Town. And they’re a lot better than this.
ANGALEENA PRESLEY/American Middle Class
Writers: Angaleena Presley; Producers: Angaleena Presley/Jordan Powell; Publishers: Ten Ten, ASCAP; Slate Creek (track)
-“Holler Annie” from The Pistol Annies has her own CD at last. Its title tune is a thumping, slapping, snappy salute to the poor and hard-working folks who are the backbone of this country. You tell ‘em, lady.
ERIC CHURCH/Talladega
Writers: Eric Church/Luke Laird; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; EMI (track)
-From the first moment I heard the
Outsiders CD, this was my pick to click as a single. You can practically touch its nostalgia for lost youth, boyhood friendships and faded innocence. I’ve always been in the congregation of this Church.
JOSH TURNER/Lay Low
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA (ERG)
-This is a wonderfully addictive single, and I totally applaud its sentiment. He yearns to go someplace out of cellphone range, celebrate nature and rediscover his beloved. Listen to this man and his seductive song. Then go unplug yourself, for a change.
Citi, Live Nation And Yahoo Introduce New Interview Series
/by Troy_StephensonCiti is offering behind the scenes backstage access available anywhere, anytime and segments of the interview will be exclusively available on www.citiprivatepass.com for 48 hours before it posts on Yahoo.
“Our customers love the access that we offer across live music and entertainment, and withBackstage with Citi we are able to pull back the curtain even further putting our cardmembers in the room with artists when they sit for a comprehensive interview with one of the nation’s top interviewers and on one of the most popular media platforms,” said Jennifer Breithaupt, Citi’s SVP of Entertainment Marketing.
Yahoo News global anchor Katie Couric will interview a select number of artists who will be showcased as part of the series, giving Citi card members and music fans a glimpse behind the scenes with in-depth, compelling, interviews with some of the biggest names in music.
Web Series On Yahoo Music Kicks off with Conversation with Lady Antebellum on Friday, Oct. 24.
“Katie is so good about digging in and really asking about the stories that inspire the music – from the studio to the stage,” said Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott. “We always love chatting with her and think it’s a fun way to complement the concert experience for the fans!”
Aristo International Report Highlights Country's Global Impact
/by Sarah SkatesClick to download the full report.
The AristoMedia Group has released its Aristo International Report for fall 2014, highlighting Country music happenings around the globe. The company has been issuing this quarterly review since 2008.
Highlights in the new fall issue include:
• Country superstars set for the C2C (Country 2 Country) Festival in Europe
• Recap and photos of the Canadian Country Music Association Awards and CCMA Week, which took place in September. Among the events was AristoMedia owner Jeff Walker receiving a lifetime achievement award.
• The Sounds Australia event at the Americana Music Festival
• Digital Country radio stations, and a new Country video show
• Q and A with Australian music executive Milly Petriella and Aussie news briefs
• Remembrance of George Hamilton IV, highlights of the Gstaad festival, Gord Bamford receives CMA Global Country Artist Award and more
Nashville-based Video Creator Acquires Cable TV Ad Sales Organization
/by Eric T. ParkerBluwave’s company services to clients in 22 advertising markets in the Southeast and includes one of the nation’s largest cable TV ad sales organizations.
As part of the deal, Bluwave’s founder Jim Dalton will join StudioNow as an advisor and key shareholder. Charlie Bolton will continue as Vice President and General Manager of Bluwave.
“We are thrilled to welcome Bluewave’s team to the StudioNow family,” said David Mason, StudioNow CEO. “Bluwave has mastered the art of creating quality content at scale. They will provide a huge boost to StudioNow’s ability to offer our market-leading solutions to Fortune 500 companies, brands, agencies and SMB’s.”
“By combining with StudioNow, Bluwave will have more resources to meet the needs of our clients in our region and across the country,” said Dalton. “We gain access to StudioNow’s industry-leading video production platform and 8,000 creative professionals, including directors, producers, animators, voice actors, editors, cinematographers, photographers, writers and other creative resources.”
Founded in 2007, StudioNow was purchased by AOL in 2010 for $36.5 million. The company – which maintains offices in New York and San Francisco for the business of creating over 50,000 high-quality, low-cost videos – has since been aligned with Nashville-based Claritas Capital after a 2013 strategic position, in which funding was provided to help expand the business.
StudioNow has created videos for ClearChannel, IBM, AT&T/YellowPages, Toyota, Verizon, Coca-Cola, Bank of America, Simon & Schuster, Random House, FedEx, Twitter, CBS, Disney and Sports Illustrated.
Industry Investors Support Project Music Accelerator
/by Sarah SkatesThe seed investment group founders for the accelerator are: Creative Artists Agency, Vector Management, Ryman Hospitality Properties, Universal Music Group, Spalding Entertainment, DevDigital, Red Light Management and Galante Entertainment.
Program mentors include Joe Galante, Michael Burcham, Heather McBee, Mark Montgomery, Ed Hardy, Matt Urmy, Damon Whiteside, Jeremy Holley and Sarah Trahern.
Details and application here.
Thomas Rhett, Luke Laird Perform for Preston Taylor Ministries Benefit
/by Jessica NicholsonThomas Rhett, Steve Moakler, Luke Laird, Barry Dean, Natalie Hemby, and Maggie Chapman performed to a packed house at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley last night (Oct. 21) to benefit Preston Taylor Ministries. The night also featured a performance by the kids of Preston Taylor Ministries.
Creative Nation writers Laird, Dean, and Hemby sailed through familiar hits including “Day Drinking” (Little Big Town), “Automatic” (Miranda Lambert), and “Give Me Back My Hometown” (Eric Church). Special guest Rhett performed an unreleased song, “The Day You Stop Lookin’ Back,” as well as his chart-topper “Get Me Some of That.” Meanwhile, Moakler offered his rendition of “Riser,” the title track from Dierks Bentley latest album.
The writers ended the show with Little Big Town’s signature tune, “Pontoon.” All proceeds from the event went to Preston Taylor Ministries, which was founded in 1998 to confront problems present in the Preston Taylor public housing area, including drug use, gang involvement, poor school performance, illiteracy, and crime. Preston Taylor Ministries offers avenues for life-changing relationships. For more information, visit prestontaylorministries.org.
Pictured (L-R): Jeff Skaggs (CN), Kelsey Granda (CN), Derek Wells, Steve Moakler, Natalie Hemby, Barry Dean, Maggie Chapman, Fred Eltringham, Chan Sheppard (PTM), Eli Beaird, Beth Laird (CN), Luke Laird, Martha Ray Willis (PTM)
Bob Seger To Join Jason Aldean For New 'CMT Crossroads'
/by Troy_StephensonSeger, who just released his first studio CD in eight years, Ride Out, notched the classic hits “Against The Wind,“ “Turn The Page,” “Night Moves,” “Hollywood Nights,” “Rock And Roll Never Forgets,” “Mainstreet,” and more.
Two-time ACM “Male Vocalist Of The Year” Aldean recently released his sixth studio album, Old Boots, New Dirt. The album’s lead single, “Burnin’ It Down” earned platinum certification in only nine weeks, making it the fastest selling single of 2014. He is currently headlining his monumental 2014 Burn It Down Tour, which saw him play five stadium dates in addition to sold out shows in the country’s biggest amphitheaters and arenas.
CMT Crossroads: Bob Seger and Jason Aldean will premiere on Friday, November 28 at 10:00 p.m. ET/PT on CMT.
Academy of Country Music Elects Board of Directors for 2014-2015
/by Jessica NicholsonIn addition, Tim DuBois (Artist Management Partners) has taken the new Officer position of Sergeant-at-Arms, as selected by current ACM officers.
Newly elected members of the Board of Directors include:
Lee Brice
Buddy Cannon, Cannon Productions
Charlie Cook, Cumulus Nashville
George Couri, Triple 8 Management
Tom Forrest, taillight
Brad Garrett, Police Productions
Jerry Hufford, Buck Owens’ Enterprises
Bob Kingsley, Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40
Mike Kraski, Tenacity Management
Frank Liddell, Carnival Music
Kathy Armistead Olen, Atticus Brand Partners
Cindy Mabe, Universal Music Group Nashville
Ebie McFarland, Essential Broadcast Media
Lee Thomas Miller
Curt Motley, PARADIGM Agency
Brian O’Connell, LiveNation
Troy Volhoffer, Premier Global Partners
Chairman Darin Murphy, President Paul Barnabee and Vice President Ken Tucker have appointed 13 Director-at-Large positions. Each director serves staggered two-year terms, with half the board membership changing each year.
Newly appointed members of the Board of Directors include:
Ross Copperman
Benson Curb, Curb Records
Dallas Davidson
John Dickey, Cumulus Media
Chris Farren, Combustion Music
Leslie Fram, CMT
Jay Frank, DigSin
Jimmy Harnen, BMLG
Mary Hilliard Harrington, The GREENROOM
Laura Hutfless, CAA
Clay Hunnicutt, Clear Channel
Kurt Johnson, Townsquare Media
Marion Kraft, Shopkeeper Management
Jon Loba, BBR Music Group
Dan Mason, CBS Radio
Shawn McSpadden, Red Light Management
Greg Oswald, WME
Kimberly Schlapman
ole Expands Deal With Singer-Songwriter Haley Reinhart
/by Jessica NicholsonIndependent rights management company ole has expanded its deal with singer-songwriter Haley Reinhart. The deal previously resulted in sync placements on Lifetime Television, ABC’s Rookie Blue, feature film Step Up Revolution, and others.
Under the new agreement, ole will gain worldwide co-publishing rights to Reinhart’s existing catalog and future compositions. ole will also provide support for the recording of Reinhart’s new EP.
Pictured (L-R): Jennifer Essiembre (ole Creative Manager), David Weitzman (ole VP Business
Development), Haley Reinhart, Leo V. Williams IV (ole GM Creative LA).
SoundExchange Influencers Series Returns To The Bluebird Cafe
/by Troy_StephensonDavid Pack is the co-founder and lead singer of Ambrosia, as well as a GRAMMY Award-winning producer who has worked with everyone from Bono to Michael McDonald. Joining Pack on stage will be GRAMMY-nominated and platinum-selling country star Jamie O’Neal, along with recent ABC Rising Star contestant Sarah Darling. Jimmy Nichols has crafted music for Reba McEntire and Faith Hill and will make a guest appearance.
The SoundExchange Influencers Series seeks to bring music legends and up-and-comers together to highlight each generation’s impact on the next. The series will also bring to light some of the issues facing legacy artists, namely, fair pay and recognition for all sound recordings across all mediums and all eras of music.
“SoundExchange is thrilled to be hosting such a special event. All music— past, present, and future—has an effect on what comes after it,” said SoundExchange President and CEO Michael Huppe. “The SoundExchange Influencers Series recognizes the impact that legacy artists have had on the music of today, as well as the lasting impression they’ll have on musicians to come. This is our opportunity to hear stories from and honor those recording artists who have truly paved the way for future generations.”
DISClaimer: Songs That Last
/by Robert K OermannDisc of the Day winner Eric Church. Photo: John Peets
Competence is not greatness.
Half of what we have here is competent work by journeymen Music Row songwriters who made businesslike appointments to “create.” From them come bland, radio-wallpaper songs put together by committee. Many of them will be hits, but probably none of them will be remembered 10 or even five years from now.
The other half of these discs have songs that stick in your brain long after their final notes have sounded. They are Josh Turner’s “Lay Low,” Eric Church’s “Talladega,” Bernie Nelson’s “Lonelyville” and Angaleena Presley’s “American Middle Class,” plus a new contribution to country’s drinking-song tradition from Cole Swindell.
It is from this talent pool that we draw this week’s award winners. Eric Church has the Disc of the Day. And Angaleena Presley wins the DisCovery Award.
COLE SWINDELL/Ain’t Worth The Whiskey
Writers: Cole Swindell/Adam Sanders/Josh Martin; Producer: Michael Carter; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Year of the Dog/Josh Martin, BMI/ASCAP/SESAC; Warner Bros.
-A new classic drinking song is born. Bottoms up.
BERNIE NELSON/Lonelyville
Writers: Bernie Nelson/Steve Hemp; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Dumpster Diver/Hemptones, ASCAP; If I Know Blue
-Sung with immense heart, produced to punchy perfection and written like a mini masterpiece. He implores her to accompany him in escaping “Lonelyville,” where they put “rust on your dreams and dust on your heart.” If this isn’t a smash for him, somebody else ought to record it pronto. The next Springsteen, perhaps?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Freestyle
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Shane McAnally; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/30A Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Universal/Smack Ink, ASCAP/SESAC; Capitol (CDX)
-Not as melodic as we have come to expect from these folks. Instead, there’s a lot of lyric babbling and choppy rhythm. Disappointing, if energetic.
SARA EVANS/Put My Heart Down
Writers: Nathan Chapman/Andrew Dorff/Elizabeth Huett; Producers: Mark Bright/Sara Evans; Publishers: none listed, BMI; RCA (CDX)
-Feminine and brightly listenable. Her best in quite some time.
DisCovery Award winner Angaleena Presley
BILLY CURRINGTON/Don’t It
Writers: Jaren Johnston/Ashley Gorley/Ross Copperman; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Sony-ATV Harmony/Texa Rae/Highly Combustible/Sadler’s Favorite/WB/EMI Blackwood/Songs By the Red Room, ASCAP/BMI; Mercury (CDX)
-It is somewhat wordy, but Currington’s effortlessly smooth, warmly personal and highly accomplished vocal draws you in and sells it. Solid and hit bound.
DAVID SHELBY/Podunk
Writers: Ozier/Haselden/Hayes; Producers: Teddy Gentry/Charles English; Publishers: Tazmaraz, BMI; Highway South
-It’s a new song, but it has so many cliches you’ll think you’ve heard it before.
GLORIANA/Trouble
Writers: Rachel Reinert/Mike Gossin/Ross Copperman/Jon Nite; Producer: Matt Serletic; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/GFY/MG1984/Songs By Red Room/EMI April/Jon Nite, BMI/ASCAP; Emblem/Warner
-There already is a Little Big Town. And they’re a lot better than this.
ANGALEENA PRESLEY/American Middle Class
Writers: Angaleena Presley; Producers: Angaleena Presley/Jordan Powell; Publishers: Ten Ten, ASCAP; Slate Creek (track)
-“Holler Annie” from The Pistol Annies has her own CD at last. Its title tune is a thumping, slapping, snappy salute to the poor and hard-working folks who are the backbone of this country. You tell ‘em, lady.
ERIC CHURCH/Talladega
Writers: Eric Church/Luke Laird; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Longer and Louder/Songs of Universal/Creative Nation/Twangin and Slangin, BMI; EMI (track)
-From the first moment I heard the Outsiders CD, this was my pick to click as a single. You can practically touch its nostalgia for lost youth, boyhood friendships and faded innocence. I’ve always been in the congregation of this Church.
JOSH TURNER/Lay Low
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; MCA (ERG)
-This is a wonderfully addictive single, and I totally applaud its sentiment. He yearns to go someplace out of cellphone range, celebrate nature and rediscover his beloved. Listen to this man and his seductive song. Then go unplug yourself, for a change.