Kip Moore
Today, good things come in threes. Amid a sea of mediocrity, three discs stand tall as potential winners. They belong to
Steve Wariner, Chase Rice and the winner of our
Disc of the Day, the esteemed
Kip Moore. There are three newcomers who show promise, too. They are
Ronnie Fauss, bluegrassers
Feller & Hill and our
DisCovery Award winner,
Anthony Orio.
MIKE BECK/Work Together
Writer: Wilbert Harrison; Producer: Mike Beck; Publisher: EMI; BMI; MB (track)
-This 1959 Wilbert Harrison r&b classic has been revived by Canned Heat, John Mayall and Bryan Ferry, among others. Beck takes it out for a country spin, sticking closely to Canned Heat’s arrangement. I think he might be attracted to it because its ultra simple melody doesn’t demand much vocal ability, so his barely-there singing voice can handle it.
STEVE WARINER/It Ain’t All Bad
Writers: Steve Wariner/Allen Shamblin; Producer: Steve Wariner; Publishers: Built On Rock/Steve Wariner, ASCAP/BMI; Selectone (track)
-This guitar man is still toiling away in his Brentwood home studio. Like a mad scientist, he keeps coming up with cool new sounds on his six string. What’s more, the title tune to his new collection has nifty, timely lyrics about our hard times, as well as a kick-butt beat. Wonderful in the extreme.
RONNIE FAUSS/I Don’t See You
Writer: Ronnie Fauss; Producers: Sigurdur Birkis/ Ronnie Fauss; Publisher: MOL Jr.; BMI; Normaltown (track)
-Somewhere Gram Parsons is smiling. This is as close to classic California country rock as I’ve heard in years.
KIP MOORE/Young Love
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Westin Davis; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/Roll Through Music/Songs From the Couch/Magic Mustang/Reefer Road/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; MCA Nashville
-It has a moody elegance that attracts like an audio magnet. He recalls a boyhood romance like it was a fevered dream. Get caught up in it.
TYLER HAMMOND BAND/Little Bit Crazy
Writers: Tyler Hammond/Thomas Archer; Producer: Chris Jones; Publisher: Molly’s Music, no performance rights listed; Jackleg (CDX)
-The singing and the song are okay. The production could use a little more clarity and precision.
JORDAN ANDERSON/Please Don’t
Writers: Jordan Anderson/Caleb Maitland; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: Mary’s Poppin/Maitland; BMI; GTR (CDX)
-She’s falling and fearing a heartbreak. A well written tempo tune.
FELLER & HILL/The Government Blues
Writers: Dixie Hall/Tom T. Hall; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Blue Circle
-This topical bluegrass ditty takes a wry look at the ongoing, quasi recession. “Lord have mercy, got the government blues/You can read the paper through the holes in my shoes.” “I heard a rumor we were starting a war/I guess that’s all the government’s for.”
HUB REYNOLDS, JR./Hell I’m Just Me
Writer: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; Producer: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; Publisher: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; BMI; HRJ
-He’s aiming for an “outlaw” vibe. His singing and songwriting are up to snuff, although his production lacks some finesse. For a “homemade” outing, it ain’t half bad.
ANTHONY ORIO/Freight Train
Writers: Anthony Orio/Christopher Griffifths; Producers: Christopher Griffiths/Kelly Schoenfeld/Anthony Orio; Publisher: none listed; AO (track)
-This guy and his Goodfellers band regularly rock Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway (yes, they’ll be there on New Year’s Eve). They’ve won
The Tennessean’s poll as “Best Local Band” two years in a row. I don’t know about that, but they certainly kick up some dust on their CD
Between Home & The Bright Lights. This rocker leads off the collection fiercely. Orio wrote or co-wrote all but one of the 13 tunes.
CHASE RICE/Ready Set Roll
Writers: Rhett Akins/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/EMI April/Sugar Glider/Sony-ATV Countryside/Dack Janiels, BMI/ASCAP; CR (track)
-This is the title tune to Rice’s album. It’s a guitar-stuttering country rocker that beckons a gal to embark on a night to remember. It’s also addictive as all get out.
'CMT Artists of the Year' Earns High Ratings Marks
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, Seated): Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line), Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan; (Front): Ron White
CMT Artists of the Year made its first-ever live telecast from Nashville’s Music City Center on Dec. 3, and posted the highest ratings in the show’s four-year history. According to early numbers from Nielsen, ratings were up 81 percent over last year among persons 18-49. CMT.com also saw its streams rise 277 percent from 2012.
White hosting, CMT Artists of the Year celebrated the achievements of Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Hunter Hayes and Tim McGraw in 90-minute live special which included special appearances and performances.
[Updated]: Office Tower, Entertainment Venue Confirmed for Nashville Convention Center Site
/by Jessica NicholsonA rendering of the redeveloped space at the site of the old Nashville Convention Center.
Nashville’s downtown convention center site will soon be redeveloped. A proposal from Cushman & Wakefield/Cornerstone, and a team led by Pat Emery, has been accepted by Metro, and will require the demolition of the existing convention center, to then be replaced by a tower boasting between 480,000 and 840,000-square-feet of office space. The new building will also include underground parking and entertainment complexes. A plaza-like setting along Fifth Avenue will provide a new showcase for the Ryman Auditorium. The projected cost for the new tower and plaza is $230 million.
“This plan maximizes this prime location in the heart of our downtown tourism and entertainment district by bringing in more places to shop, eat, visit and work,” said Mayor Karl Dean. “The retail component and office tower will round out what we know could make our downtown an even more vibrant destination. There is growing demand for high quality office space, and we also know that conventioneers, visitors and local residents want to do more shopping while they’re downtown.”
The project has a commitment to meet or exceed 20 percent minority or disadvantaged business throughout development and construction. The building will feature a 50,000-square-foot National Museum of African American Music and a 69,000-square-foot conference center. Two levels will feature up to 244,000 square feet of retail, entertainment, dining and activity space. The entire development is projected to top of 1.2 million square feet.
Emery-led Cushman & Wakefield/Cornerstone will oversee marketing and leasing of the office space portion of the building, while other team members include engineering company Gresham Smith and Partners, general contractor Skanska, PR firm Hall Strategies and landscape architecture company Hawkins Partners.
Construction is estimated to begin in 2017, with an opening tentatively slated for 2019.
A rendering of the redeveloped space at the site of the old Nashville Convention Center.
Danielle Bradbery The New Face of Skechers
/by Jessica Nicholson“Danielle [Bradbery] is a breakout star and we’re thrilled to have SKECHERS at the starting gate of her incredible career,” began Michael Greenberg, President of Skechers. “With a Top 20 hit under her belt, she’s clearly talented and definitely one to watch. We see the same massive potential in Danielle as we did in Carrie Underwood when we signed her several years ago, and we are excited to be a part of Danielle’s career from the start.”
“This has been an incredible year—I never thought I would have a record deal so quickly and appear in campaigns for Skechers,” said Bradbery. “BOBS shoes have helped so many children in need with their donation program and I love the fact that it really is a simple way for anyone to give back. There is so much need out there and it’s wonderful to be part of such a positive movement that impacts people’s lives.”
No. 1 Party: Billy Currington's "Hey Girl"
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R, Back row): Combustion’s Chris Van Belkom, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, ASCAP’s LeAnn Phelan, producer Dann Huff, Combustion’s Chris Farren, Warner/Chappell’s Steve Markland and UMG’s Mike Dungan. Pictured (L-R, Front row): Songwriters Rhett Akins and Ashley Gorley, Billy Currington and songwriter Chris DeStefano. Photo by Ed Rode.
ASCAP, BMI and the Country Music Association celebrated the creative team behind ASCAP songwriter-artist Billy Currington‘s eighth No. 1 song, “Hey Girl,” during a celebration at the CMA offices on Tuesday, Dec. 3. ASCAP songwriters Ashley Gorley and Chris DeStefano celebrated their 12th and 3rd chart-toppers, respectively, while BMI songwriter Rhett Akins was honored for his 14th. Combustion Music’s Chris Farren, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg and Warner/Chappell’s Steve Markland, as well as UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan, were among those in attendance to honor the songwriters. Avenue Bank made a donation to the Boys and Girls Club of Tennessee on behalf of all the song’s writers.
The CMA office’s main hallway was already decked for the holidays, adding to the party’s festive atmosphere.
Producer Dann Huff was feted for earning his 37th chart-topper as a producer. “The understatement is how great this demo was. It was nearly a record handed to us,” said Huff. Huff first worked with Currington on Lionel Richie’s Tuskegee album. “I don’t know how you got that voice, but the first time we stepped into the studio, it was electric,” he told Currington.
Dungan thanked the entire label radio promotions staff, and commented on Currington’s vocal talents. “I always knew Billy was a great singer,” said Dungan,”but until I worked with him, I didn’t realize what an incredible vocal stylist he is.”
Akins recalled first meeting Currington several years ago in Nashville. “He was new to town and had this jacked up pickup truck. He kept asking me for advice about things–‘Should I hire an agent? Should I get a manager?’ The only advice I have now for him is to keep cutting my songs,” Akins quipped.
Kenny and Dolly Get Personal In Great American Country Special
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly and Kenny
Kenny Rogers and Dolly Parton share the secrets to their chemistry and their 30-year friendship in a new GAC special, Kenny & Dolly: An Intimate Conversation, set to air Monday, Dec. 9. at 9 p.m. ET.
The two chat about their instant rapport while recording their first song, “Islands In The Stream,” together three decades ago, and how their relationship has endured through 30 years of changes. Their new duet, “You Can’t Make Old Friends,” seems tailor-made for their friendship, and Parton says the song instantly struck a chord with her the first time she heard it. “When I heard the demo I cried because I thought so much about us and so much of many of my other dear friends.”
“To bring viewers a truly unique and remarkable chat between these amazing artists is incredible in and of itself,” said Suzanne Gordon, vice president of programming for Great American Country. “What makes this even more personal is that it isn’t moderated. You have these performers who transcend genre and category, who are larger-than-life figures in American pop culture, just sitting together and having a conversation. It’s really special.”
In a humorous moment during the taping, Parton reveals the secret to their long friendship and enduring relationship. ““It’s like with my husband; we’re not together that much so it works.”
Beats Music To Launch Streaming Service In January
/by Lorie HollabaughThe project is backed by some heavyweights in the music industry, including Beats Electronics founders Jimmy Iovine and Dr. Dre, along with Chief Creative Officer Trent Reznor.
The Santa Monica-based music service will face stiff competition from Rhapsody, Spotify, Slacker, Muve Music, Rdio, and other offerings.
Weekly Register: Where Do We Stand?
/by Michael_SmithBrooks’ Blame It All On My Roots (Pearl Records Inc.) is the top Country debut and the top Country album this week (No. 3 overall), selling 163k units. The legendary singer recently announced plans to perform full band shows in Vegas.
Meanwhile, Danielle Bradbery’s self-titled album (Big Machine) debuts at No. 5 (No. 19 overall), selling 41k units. Unstoppable boy band One Direction earns the top overall album this week, with Midnight Memories debuting at No. 1, selling 546k units, which is 6k more than their previous album sold.
Florida Georgia Line’s “This Is How We Roll” is the top Country debut and the top Country track this week (No. 21 overall), selling 52k units. Another noteworthy Country debut is Jamie Lynn Spears’ “How Could I Want More” at No. 8 (No. 42 overall), with 28k units sold. Considering her sister Britney’s pop success, time will tell if Spears garners success in Country. FGL and Luke Bryan hold all Top 5 tracks this week.
Pop stars Pitbull and Ke$hsa take the top overall track this week, with their hit “Timber” selling 237k units (943k RTD). YTD, overall tracks are down 4.4 percent, while Country tracks are up .7 percent.
Where Do We Stand?
YTD, overall album sales are down 7.9 percent, while Country album sales are down 10.2 percent with only four weeks left in the year. Several factors have contributed to a decline in sales, one of the biggest being that last year included releases from highly successful artists, like Taylor Swift’s Red, which sold more than one million units in its debut week. We need to sell approximately 2.6 million Country albums each week, over the next four weeks, to break even with sales from last year. Looks like we need the magic of Santa to get that accomplished. Do you believe?
With the holidays upon us, we’ll be watching sales rise as consumers purchase music to place in a stocking or under the Christmas tree. Sales should also expect a boost from several upcoming televised events featuring Country artists, including The Sound of Music Live! (Dec. 5), The Grammy Nominations Concert Live! – Countdown to Music’s Biggest Night (Dec. 6) and Kelly Clarkson’s Cautionary Christmas Music Tale (Dec. 11).
Next week’s release sales numbers will include Jake Owen’s Days of Gold, Deana Carter’s Southern Way Of Life and The Sound of Music — Music From the NBC Television Event featuring the vocals of Underwood, Stephen Moyer, Christian Borle and more. As the year wraps up, other noteworthy debuts will include Krystal Keith’s Whiskey & Lace, Parmalee’s Feels Like Carolina and Zac Brown Band’s The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1, produced by Dave Grohl of the Foo Fighters.
CMT Crowns New Artists Of The Year At Exclusive Bash
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, Seated): Jason Aldean, Tim McGraw, Brian Kelley (Florida Georgia Line), Tyler Hubbard (Florida Georgia Line), Hunter Hayes, Luke Bryan; (Front): Ron White
CMT paid tribute to some of the biggest acts of 2013 Tuesday night (Dec. 3) during its star-studded CMT Artists of the Year special. Each of the honorees was touted by industry members and peers through speeches and performances, and the wattage was high in the celeb-heavy Music City Center room for the 90-minute program.
First honoree Tim McGraw received his award from Dwight Yoakam. McGraw thanked wife Faith Hill and their three daughters, who were on hand for the special evening. He also acknowledged the younger generation of artists who he said inspire him in his own career. Lady Antebellum then took the stage to perform McGraw’s hit “Highway Don’t Care,” with surprise guest Peter Frampton joining on guitar.
Honoree Florida Georgia Line hit the stage with their performance of “Stay,” and then were presented their award by one of their idols, Alabama. The duo thanked radio, their peers for accepting them in Country music, and their fans for their loyalty and support.
Four-time CMT Artist Of The Year recipient Jason Aldean was saluted by Cassadee Pope and Travis Tritt, who came together to sing Aldean’s hit “Night Train.” Aldean received his award from Nashville star Hayden Panettiere and talked of the respect he holds for his fellow honorees and musicians in the room.
The youngest honoree of the evening, Hunter Hayes, took the stage next alongside special guest Pat Monahan from Train. The two performed a mashup of Hayes’ “I Want Crazy” and Train’s “Hey, Soul Sister.” Hayes was given his award by Frampton, telling the crowd how happy it makes him to be able to share his successes with those around him.
Two-time honoree Luke Bryan was the evening’s final recipient, receiving his award from close buddy Dierks Bentley. Bryan expressed gratitude to everyone who has helped him along the way, and swore he never intended to get so much attention for his rump-shaking. Bryan joined Lionel Richie to close out the evening on Richie’s hit songs “Oh No” and the crowd-favorite “All Night Long.”
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DISClaimer: Good Things Come In Threes
/by Robert K OermannKip Moore
Today, good things come in threes. Amid a sea of mediocrity, three discs stand tall as potential winners. They belong to Steve Wariner, Chase Rice and the winner of our Disc of the Day, the esteemed Kip Moore. There are three newcomers who show promise, too. They are Ronnie Fauss, bluegrassers Feller & Hill and our DisCovery Award winner, Anthony Orio.
MIKE BECK/Work Together
Writer: Wilbert Harrison; Producer: Mike Beck; Publisher: EMI; BMI; MB (track)
-This 1959 Wilbert Harrison r&b classic has been revived by Canned Heat, John Mayall and Bryan Ferry, among others. Beck takes it out for a country spin, sticking closely to Canned Heat’s arrangement. I think he might be attracted to it because its ultra simple melody doesn’t demand much vocal ability, so his barely-there singing voice can handle it.
STEVE WARINER/It Ain’t All Bad
Writers: Steve Wariner/Allen Shamblin; Producer: Steve Wariner; Publishers: Built On Rock/Steve Wariner, ASCAP/BMI; Selectone (track)
-This guitar man is still toiling away in his Brentwood home studio. Like a mad scientist, he keeps coming up with cool new sounds on his six string. What’s more, the title tune to his new collection has nifty, timely lyrics about our hard times, as well as a kick-butt beat. Wonderful in the extreme.
RONNIE FAUSS/I Don’t See You
Writer: Ronnie Fauss; Producers: Sigurdur Birkis/ Ronnie Fauss; Publisher: MOL Jr.; BMI; Normaltown (track)
-Somewhere Gram Parsons is smiling. This is as close to classic California country rock as I’ve heard in years.
KIP MOORE/Young Love
Writers: Kip Moore/Dan Couch/Westin Davis; Producer: Brett James; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/Roll Through Music/Songs From the Couch/Magic Mustang/Reefer Road/Big Loud Bucks, BMI; MCA Nashville
-It has a moody elegance that attracts like an audio magnet. He recalls a boyhood romance like it was a fevered dream. Get caught up in it.
TYLER HAMMOND BAND/Little Bit Crazy
Writers: Tyler Hammond/Thomas Archer; Producer: Chris Jones; Publisher: Molly’s Music, no performance rights listed; Jackleg (CDX)
-The singing and the song are okay. The production could use a little more clarity and precision.
JORDAN ANDERSON/Please Don’t
Writers: Jordan Anderson/Caleb Maitland; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: Mary’s Poppin/Maitland; BMI; GTR (CDX)
-She’s falling and fearing a heartbreak. A well written tempo tune.
FELLER & HILL/The Government Blues
Writers: Dixie Hall/Tom T. Hall; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BMI; Blue Circle
-This topical bluegrass ditty takes a wry look at the ongoing, quasi recession. “Lord have mercy, got the government blues/You can read the paper through the holes in my shoes.” “I heard a rumor we were starting a war/I guess that’s all the government’s for.”
HUB REYNOLDS, JR./Hell I’m Just Me
Writer: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; Producer: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; Publisher: Hub Reynolds, Jr.; BMI; HRJ
-He’s aiming for an “outlaw” vibe. His singing and songwriting are up to snuff, although his production lacks some finesse. For a “homemade” outing, it ain’t half bad.
Writers: Anthony Orio/Christopher Griffifths; Producers: Christopher Griffiths/Kelly Schoenfeld/Anthony Orio; Publisher: none listed; AO (track)
-This guy and his Goodfellers band regularly rock Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge on Lower Broadway (yes, they’ll be there on New Year’s Eve). They’ve won The Tennessean’s poll as “Best Local Band” two years in a row. I don’t know about that, but they certainly kick up some dust on their CD Between Home & The Bright Lights. This rocker leads off the collection fiercely. Orio wrote or co-wrote all but one of the 13 tunes.
CHASE RICE/Ready Set Roll
Writers: Rhett Akins/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris DeStefano; Publishers: EMI Blackwood/Rhettneck/EMI April/Sugar Glider/Sony-ATV Countryside/Dack Janiels, BMI/ASCAP; CR (track)
-This is the title tune to Rice’s album. It’s a guitar-stuttering country rocker that beckons a gal to embark on a night to remember. It’s also addictive as all get out.
Industry Ink (12/4/13)
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured-Top Row (L-R): Trevor Rosen, Laura Veltz, Matt Ramsey, Jonathan Singleton, and ASCAP’s Alison Toczylowski. Bottom Row (L-R): WMBA’s Chelsea Kempchinsky, Becky McIntosh, Trina Lloyd-Weidner, U.S. Marine Cpl. Johnson, and WMBA’s Raeanna Mowl and Becky Lynn Street
The Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA), in conjunction with ASCAP, hosted its annual Tunes for Tots toy drive and benefit show on Monday, Dec. 2 at Dan McGuinness in Nashville with hit songwriters Jonathan Singleton, Trevor Rosen, Matt Ramsey, and Laura Veltz. More than 50 toys and over $500 in donations were collected for the Toys for Tots Foundation.
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Gaines holds a Bachelor of Music in Music Business from New York University and a law degree from St. John’s University School of Law in Queens, New York. He is admitted to practice law in both New York and Tennessee.
Amy Bowen (known professionally as Lizza Connor) claims she composed a tune titled “Remind Me” in 2008, and then took part in a 14-week “Country Music Songwriting Workshop,” which included advisors John Kelley Lovelace and Chris DuBois. The suit claims that her song was critiqued and she was told the song would be suitable as a duet. Approximately three years ago, Paisley, Lovelace and DuBois wrote another song, also titled “Remind Me,” which was ultimately recorded by Paisley and Underwood.
According to Judge Aleta Trauger, “Bowen has plausibly shown that, taken in combination, the lyrics and associated melodies, intonations, and usage could be sufficiently original to constitute protectable material.”