With the CMA Music Fest right around the corner, it’s no surprise that this week’s stack of country releases is packed with star power.
Despite the presence of so many marquee names, there are really only two selections here that make headlines. One of them belongs to the enduringly fine Tim McGraw, with a vocal assist from his better half, Faith Hill. The other is more of a surprise, a maybe-smash charmer from left field by up-and-comer Jana Kramer. These two share the Disc of the Day award.
There’s only one newcomer here, so by default, Sarah Davidson takes home a DisCovery Award.
SARAH DAVIDSON/Drink You Up
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producer: Brian Kolb/Dino Paredes; Publisher: none listed; Suretone
-Since she was on the Private Lives of Nashville Wives reality TV show, I was prepared to loathe this. But the mid-tempo outing is actually pretty well done. Catchy and romantic.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Testing The Water
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-Funk rhythm, wah-wah guitar and spoken-word passages are not things we generally associate with these two. So this definitely perks up the ears. A nice and nifty change of pace.
Sarah Davidson
-Rippling acoustic guitars set the stage, then Tim comes in with a beautifully nuanced delivery of this lovely paean to passing pastoral pleasures. Faith’s harmony vocals on the choruses shadow him note for note. A gorgeous little single.
ZAC BROWN BAND/All Alright
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Southern Ground
-Stately and majestic. It’s a heartache song, but the heavenly chorale harmonies make it sound almost celebratory. Blue-eyed soul is the overall vibe here. Still in this fan club.
BREELAN ANGEL/Double Standards
Writers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green; Producer: Ray Barnette; Publishers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green, BMI; MisBhavin’
-Her pert, girlish voice hardly sounds old enough to drink, fight and cuss, never mind complain about double standards for women that tell them not to. Still, it sounds sprightly and is well written.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Small Town Throwdown
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Indiana Angel/WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
-Featuring vocal contributions from Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, this rocker is otherwise a routine bro-country thang. You know the drill: keg of beer, babes in cutoffs, tailgates, party in the country, blah blah blah.
Jana Kramer
-This superbly written single has “hit” engraved on it. In fact, this could be her career record. Beautifully constructed, perfectly produced and sung with intense, sunny believability.
KEITH URBAN/Somewhere In My Car
Writers: J.T. Harding/Keith Urban; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Publishers: SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of Universal/Mary Rose, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-It’s a pulse-quickening, toe-tapping, upbeat sound. But all of his singles sorta sound the same, don’t they?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Bartender
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/3OA Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-She wants to get lost in the booze and the noise and the lights so she can get over him. But don’t get any ideas, boys, ‘cause this is a night to dance with the gal pals. Rousing, if not quite up to the standards of their greatest works.
J.T. Hodges/Already High
Writers: J.T. Hodges/Kevin Griffin; Producer: Kevin Griffin; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Adeline 29/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie, BMI; Show Dog-Universal
-Cool and thumping, with plenty of beats and boom. He name-drops brands of drinks and smokes to get to the point: He doesn’t need any outside stimulation, because he’s already stoned on love. Very, very listenable. I remain a big fan.
Swindell Celebrates "Chillin' It" Reaching No. 1
/by Troy_Stephenson(back row, L-R): Kevin Herring (VP National Promotion, WMN), Terry Wakefield (Sr. VP Creative, Sony ATV Music Publishing), and Clay Bradley (Asst. VP, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI Nashville); (front row, L-R): John Esposito (President & CEO, WMN), Cole Swindell, co-writer Shane Minor, and producer Jody Stevens.
WMN Artist Cole Swindell’s “Chillin’ It” is one of those rare debut songs that reaches No. 1 for a new artist. As this accomplishment doesn’t happen very often, many industry well-wishers showed up to Swindell’s No. 1 party on Tuesday (May 27) to show their support.
As a crowd gathered on the rooftop of the BMI Nashville building, several familiar faces were seen in attendance. The Warren Brothers, Florida Georgia Line’s Brian Kelley and Luke Bryan joined the party and Bryan even took the microphone to offer congratulations. Swindell’s first job in the industry was selling Bryan’s merchandise at his shows just to get his break in Nashville. That led to a publishing deal, and then to several of his songs being cut and some taken to No. 1, including Florida Georgia Line’s “This Is How We Roll.”
“Chillin’ It” was Swindell’s first chart-topper as an artist. Swindell told the crowd of industry members, “I always wondered what I’d say if I ever got up here. It’s all about showing up and doing the work. And always surrounding myself with talented people.”
Swindell’s co-writer Shane Minor was honored during the party, and commended as being one who always takes pride in helping new songwriters. Minor is a 15 year BMI writer and has had his songs reach No. 1 seven times.
Producer Jody Stevens was also recognized for his efforts in taking a rough cut of the song and making it sound like a hit song. This marks Stevens’ first No. 1 as a producer.
Warner Bros. Nashville President John Esposito spoke of Swindell’s “depth as a songwriter” and said confidently that he will be around for many years. Esposito also credited his promo staff for their work.
Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation to St Jude Children’s Research Hospital on behalf of the songwriters. The party also saw Swindell’s manager Kerri Edwards, BMI’s Terry Wakefield, and Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton share stories and present plaques to the “Chillin’ It” team
“Chillin’ It” first went to No. 1 on MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Chart on Jan. 9, 2014, marking MusicRow’s first No. 1 of the year.
Weekly Register: Brantley Gilbert Rides To No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesGilbert’s tally marks the year’s second biggest Country debut, following Eric Church’s The Outsiders, which moved 288k its first week out.
Outside the Country realm, Coldplay scored the year’s top debut overall, spooking fans into picking up 383k copies of Ghost Stories.
Last week’s major debuts by The Black Keys and Rascal Flatts mark two weeks in a row of much needed sales momentum. Week-to-week sales are up 5% for all genres and up 23% Country. The Keys’ Turn Blue turned in 164k units, and Flatts fast forwarded with 61k of Rewind.
BMLG has the Top 3 Country albums this week: Gilbert (211k), Flatts (22k), and Florida Georgia Line (17k). Rounding out the Top 5 are two of People Country’s newly anointed “Sexiest Men” Luke Bryan (16k) and Hunter Hayers (9k)
“Good Girl” Gone Bad: Carrie Underwood.
Tracking Tracks
Miranda Lambert’s duet with Carrie Underwood, “Somethin’ Bad,” is turning out pretty good. It sold 107k tracks, skidding into the No. 1 slot on the Country tracks chart. Lambert thanked her Sony labelmate this week by sending her a motorcycle. Lambert’s much-anticipated Platinum album drops June 3.
It’s happy hour for Lady A, who debuted with 50k units of “Bartender,” the lead single from their fifth album.
The Voice contestant Jake Worthington also made a splash on the Country tracks chart with three new singles from the show.
Pettit To Launch WMN's "Team WEA"
/by Jessica NicholsonJordan Pettit
Warner Music Nashville (WMN) has announced the promotion of Jordan Pettit to Vice President, Radio Promotion. In this new role, Pettit will oversee WMN’s new and additional radio promotion division, “Team WEA”—one of WMN’s three radio promotion teams—leading efforts on behalf of artists across WMG’s country divisions, including Atlantic, Elektra, and Warner Bros. Pettit previously served as National Director Radio Promotion. Pettit will report to Kevin Herring, Sr. VP and Head of Promotion, who will oversee the entire three-team promotion structure.
In making the announcement, Esposito said, “Jordan is a force of nature. He is a bright and creative executive and I’m thrilled to have him leading our new promotion team to great heights. He has exceptional knowledge of the promotion space and the practical experience needed to successfully work and break artists. Jordan is ready to rock it!”
Herring added, “Jordan is beyond deserving of this opportunity. The choice was obvious considering what a passionate, competitive, and thorough promotion executive he is. I look forward to working with him in his newly expanded role.”
Pettit said, “I am humbled and excited for this opportunity to bring amazing new talent to this incredible format. Country Music has been my inspiration since I was just a boy, and I am very grateful to launch the newly created ‘Team WEA’ with my Warner family – working side by side with my great friends Chris Palmer & Kristen Williams – under the experienced leadership of Kevin Herring.”
Pettit and his team will work to amplify WMN’s presence in the promotion space, and further work singles further into airplay cycles.
WMN’s previously existing radio promotion teams—each specializing in their designated rosters of artists—will continue to be supervised by Vice Presidents of Promotion, Kristen Williams and Chris Palmer. Both also report to Herring.
Clark, McAnally & Osborne To Perform for Susan G. Komen
/by Troy_StephensonThe event will be held at an elegant private residence in the Green Hills area. The in-the-round concert will spotlight the top hits written by all three performers for themselves and/or many of today’s top country artists. Tickets can be purchased by visiting come-over-for-komen.chirrpy.com.
Complimentary valet parking will be offered as well as a cocktail reception, catering by Zoës Kitchen and a silent auction. Proceeds from the event will benefit Komen Greater Nashville. Additional sponsors include Affiliated Creditors, Inc., Atmosphere 360 Studio, Delta Airlines, First Tennesse Bank, The Gray Umbrella, Nothing Bundt Cakes, OnPoint Organizing, PMC Parking, Regions Bank, Sea Gayle Music and Stage Farm Agent, and Ed Underwood.
Little Big Town Returns To Host 'CMA Music Festival: Country's Night To Rock'
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town. Photo: Kristin Barlowe
Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will return for a second year to host ABC’s CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock, which is set to air Tuesday, Aug. 5 at 8 p.m. ET.
“We could not be more excited to be coming back as hosts for CMA Music Fest,” Little Big Town’s Phillip Sweet says. “Last year was incredible and we can’t wait to be back in LP Field surrounded by 50,000 screaming fans!”
The show will be executive-produced by Robert Deaton.
Additionally, the CMA Music Festival has added Sara Evans, Travis Tritt and Charlie Daniels Band to the sold-out nightly concerts at LP Field.
DISClaimer: Enduring Stars and Charming Newcomers
/by Robert K OermannDespite the presence of so many marquee names, there are really only two selections here that make headlines. One of them belongs to the enduringly fine Tim McGraw, with a vocal assist from his better half, Faith Hill. The other is more of a surprise, a maybe-smash charmer from left field by up-and-comer Jana Kramer. These two share the Disc of the Day award.
There’s only one newcomer here, so by default, Sarah Davidson takes home a DisCovery Award.
SARAH DAVIDSON/Drink You Up
Writers: Caitlyn Smith/Gordie Sampson/Steve McEwan; Producer: Brian Kolb/Dino Paredes; Publisher: none listed; Suretone
-Since she was on the Private Lives of Nashville Wives reality TV show, I was prepared to loathe this. But the mid-tempo outing is actually pretty well done. Catchy and romantic.
THOMPSON SQUARE/Testing The Water
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Broken Bow (ERG)
-Funk rhythm, wah-wah guitar and spoken-word passages are not things we generally associate with these two. So this definitely perks up the ears. A nice and nifty change of pace.
Sarah Davidson
TIM McGRAW & FAITH HILL/Meanwhile Back at Mama’s
Writers: Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, Jeffrey Steele; Producer: Tim McGraw and Byron Gallimore; Publishers: none listed; Big Machine (ERG)
-Rippling acoustic guitars set the stage, then Tim comes in with a beautifully nuanced delivery of this lovely paean to passing pastoral pleasures. Faith’s harmony vocals on the choruses shadow him note for note. A gorgeous little single.
ZAC BROWN BAND/All Alright
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Southern Ground
-Stately and majestic. It’s a heartache song, but the heavenly chorale harmonies make it sound almost celebratory. Blue-eyed soul is the overall vibe here. Still in this fan club.
BREELAN ANGEL/Double Standards
Writers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green; Producer: Ray Barnette; Publishers: Breelan Angel/Lacy Green, BMI; MisBhavin’
-Her pert, girlish voice hardly sounds old enough to drink, fight and cuss, never mind complain about double standards for women that tell them not to. Still, it sounds sprightly and is well written.
BRANTLEY GILBERT/Small Town Throwdown
Writers: Brantley Gilbert/Ben Hayslip/Rhett Akins/Dallas Davidson; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/Indiana Angel/WB/Get a Load of This/EMI Blackwood, BMI/ASCAP; Valory Music
-Featuring vocal contributions from Justin Moore and Thomas Rhett, this rocker is otherwise a routine bro-country thang. You know the drill: keg of beer, babes in cutoffs, tailgates, party in the country, blah blah blah.
Jana Kramer
JANA KRAMER/Love
Writers: Catt Gravitt/Jimmy Robbins; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Ink Pen Mama/Tunes of R and T Direct/Extraordinary Alien, SESAC/ASCAP; Elektra
-This superbly written single has “hit” engraved on it. In fact, this could be her career record. Beautifully constructed, perfectly produced and sung with intense, sunny believability.
KEITH URBAN/Somewhere In My Car
Writers: J.T. Harding/Keith Urban; Producers: Dann Huff/Keith Urban; Publishers: SONGS/Mighty Seven/Songs of SMP/Heavy Metal Disco/Songs of Universal/Mary Rose, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-It’s a pulse-quickening, toe-tapping, upbeat sound. But all of his singles sorta sound the same, don’t they?
LADY ANTEBELLUM/Bartender
Writers: Dave Haywood/Charles Kelley/Hillary Scott/Rodney Clawson; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Lady Antebellum; Publishers: Beards and Bullets/3OA Getaway/Hobbs Hill/Kobalt/Big Red Toe/Big Loud Bucks, ASCAP/BMI; Capitol (CDX)
-She wants to get lost in the booze and the noise and the lights so she can get over him. But don’t get any ideas, boys, ‘cause this is a night to dance with the gal pals. Rousing, if not quite up to the standards of their greatest works.
J.T. Hodges/Already High
Writers: J.T. Hodges/Kevin Griffin; Producer: Kevin Griffin; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Adeline 29/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie, BMI; Show Dog-Universal
-Cool and thumping, with plenty of beats and boom. He name-drops brands of drinks and smokes to get to the point: He doesn’t need any outside stimulation, because he’s already stoned on love. Very, very listenable. I remain a big fan.
Slate Creek Records Signs Angaleena Presley
/by Jessica NicholsonAngaleena Presley
Singer, songwriter Angaleena Presley is set to release her first full-length solo album on Slate Creek Records later this year. The Beauty, Ky. native is also known for her role in the trio Pistol Annies, alongside Miranda Lambert and Ashley Monroe.
In addition to co-writing songs on Pistol Annies’ two projects, Annie Up and Hell on Heels, Presley also co-wrote Lambert’s 2011 single, “Fastest Girl in Town” and Ashton Shepherd‘s “Look It Up,” among other songs.
“Part of what I loved about Garth Fundis and Jim Burnett at Slate Creek is that they understood where I wanted to go creatively,” Presley says. “Producing this album was important to me because of its content – I’ve lived every word of it and knew exactly how I wanted it to sound.”
“We could not be happier about Angaleena joining our Slate Creek team and giving us the opportunity to release her remarkable solo debut,” Slate Creek’s President & Creative Director Garth Fundis comments. “From the first listen, we knew we wanted to be a part of this and can hardly wait for others to hear what she has created. Angaleena is both poet and artist in the truest sense of those words.”
Slate Creek Records is also home to singer, songwriter and entertainer Brandy Clark. An album title, release date and track listing for Presley’s debut project on the label are forthcoming.
16th Annual SunTrust Hot Dog Day Slated for June 5
/by Jessica NicholsonThe free event, which will be held from 11:30 a.m.-2 p.m., will feature entertainment provided by Big Yellow Dog Music.
SunTrust Music Row is located at 1026 17th Ave. S.
Artist Photos (5/27/14)
/by Jessica NicholsonBrantley Gilbert completed his “Athens to Arlington” journey on Monday, May 26. Gilbert traveled nearly 3,000 miles on a six-day motorcycle ride last week in support of the launch of his studio album Just As I Am. The ride departed Athens, Ga., on May 21 and stopped in 11 cities. Along the way, Gilbert honored members of the armed forces, concluding at Arlington National Cemetery just outside of Washington, D.C.
Brantley Gilbert concludes his journey on Memorial Day (May 26) at Arlington National Cemetery near Washington, DC. Joined by Folds of Honor scholarship recipient Sarah White, Brantley had the honor of laying a wreath on the sacred Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Photo: The Valory Music Co.
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BMI recently highlighted several promising indie artists at the 2014 Hangout Music Festival in Gulf Shores, Ala. For all three days of the festival, the BMI stage featured acts from all genres including: Empires, Bronze Radio Return, Wild Cub, Desert Noises, Shakey Graves, The Lonely Biscuits, Wild Belle, Dugas, Ethan Tucker, The Wans, and Alabama’s own St. Paul & the Broken Bones.
Nashville’s The Lonely Biscuits join BMI’s Mark Mason backstage at the 2014 Hangout Music Festival.
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Chelsea Bain performed at the Charlotte Motor Speedway this weekend, and hung out with several drivers qualifying for this weekend’s Coca Cola 600 NASCAR Spring Cup Race.
Chelsea Bain and Jeff Gordon.
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Joshua Scott Jones visited with Elaina Doré Smith and Shawn Parr at Nash Nights Live while making the media rounds in support of his new album, The Healing, which releases June 3.
Pictured (L-R): Joshua Scott Jones, Elaina Doré Smith & Shawn Parr from Nash Nights Live
CMT Awards Announce More Performers
/by Troy_StephensonPreviously announced entertainers during the awards show include Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Eric Church, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan, and Miranda Lambert. This year on the Nationwide Insurance Stage, performances will include songs from Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dan + Shay, Danielle Bradbery, David Nail, Thomas Rhett and Tyler Farr.
The CMT Music Awards are decided by fans via voting at CMT.com and on mobile devices at CMT Mobile now through June 1 to determine the winners. Lambert is this year’s leading nominee with six nominations. Bryan and Florida Georgia Line follow with five nominations each. Taylor Swift and Urban are tied with four each, while Hayes and Shelton each pulled in three nominations.