Pictured (L-R): Steve Cropper, Billy Cox, Duane Eddy and Joe Chambers announce the 2014 inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Mayor.
After a three-year absence,
The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum will induct its newest members at the 10,000-seat arena of Nashville’s Historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. Twelve new inductees were announced earlier today (Monday, Nov. 4).
The inductees for 2014 include:
Barbara Mandrell-The first artist to win the CMA Entertainer Of The Year for two consecutive years and has won multiple awards from the CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, Grammys, People’s Choice Awards and a Dove Award. Her variety show,
Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, on NBC drew millions of viewers weekly. Along with being a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, her repertoire of instruments include: saxophone, banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin, and bass, in addition to the accordion and the pedal steel guitar
Peter Frampton-Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. At 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for British band The Herd. At 18, he co-founded one of the first super groups, seminal rock act Humble Pie. His fifth solo album,
Frampton Comes Alive! is one of the top selling live records of all time.
Ben Keith (posthumously)
–Known primarily for his work as a pedal steel guitarist with Neil Young, Keith was a fixture of the Nashville country music community in the 1950s and 1960s. He later worked with numerous successful rock, country and pop artists as both a producer and a multi-instrumentalist sideman for over four decades. The very first song Ben recorded as a Nashville session player was Patsy Cline’s timeless standard “I Fall To Pieces.”
Velma Smith-A self-taught musician, Smith learned to sing and play guitar at an early age. Velma was the first female to perform a solo on the NBC Network portion of the Grand Ole Opry. Velma was also the first female rhythm guitar player to play on records, recorded in Nashville. Some of the artists Velma recorded with during her musical career were Eddy Arnold, Hank Locklin, Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Willie Nelson, Charlie Rich and Don Gibson.
Randy Bachman-A legendary figure in the rock and roll world through his talents as a guitarist with The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive, Randy is equally known for being a songwriter, session musician and producer. He has earned over 110 gold and platinum awards around the world for performing and producing. His songs have been recorded by numerous other artists and placed in dozens of television, movie and commercial soundtracks. His melodic guitar riffs have provided a veritable soundtrack of the last 40+ years of popular music.
Corki Casey O’Dell-In Phoenix, Ariz., in the mid-’50s, a small group of musicians were making groundbreaking recordings that would help to define the sound of Rock and Roll. Corki Casey O’Dell was the lone woman musician in this group. In 1956, she played rhythm guitar on Sanford Clark’s “The Fool,” a Top Ten hit record. In 1957 and ‘58, she played rhythm guitar on Duane Eddy’s “Moovin’ ‘n Groovin’” and “Ramrod.” She played on most of Eddy’s recordings in Phoenix, including “Peter Gunn,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road,” and his signature tune, “Rebel Rouser,” which would be featured years later in the film
Forrest Gump. Corki’s rhythm guitar playing on so many pioneering hit records earned her the title of The First Rock and Roll Sidechick.
Jimmy Capps-As one of Country Music’s finest guitar players, Jimmy Capps is a ‘master of smoothness’. He is known in the studio for his ability to move flawlessly from ‘electric to acoustic’ with a polished and refined touch that he brings to every recording or performance he is part of. Some of the classics’ that Jimmy has played on are “Stand By Your Man,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and “The Gambler.” Jimmy can also be seen performing on the Opry stage as a staff musician, which he has done since the 1960’s.
Will Lee-Best known for his work as the bass guitarist on the CBS television program
Late Show with David Letterman as part of the CBS Orchestra. As a studio musician, Lee has played on more than 1700 albums, working with artists as diverse as Carly Simon, Barry Manilow, Mariah Carey, and Dave Matthews. Will is also a founding member of the world famous Beatles tribute band, The Fab Faux.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (posthumously)
& Double Trouble-With Stevie on guitar, Chris Layton on drums, Tommy Shannon on bass guitar and Reese Wynans on keyboards, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble are credited with igniting the Blues Revival in the 80’s with sold out concerts and gold records. They played together from 1978 until Stevie’s death in a helicopter crash after a concert August 27, 1990. Since then, Chris, Tommy, and Reese have continued playing in other bands as well as session musicians for other artists.
Buddy Guy-Guy is a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Known for his showmanship on stage, he would play his guitar with drumsticks or stroll into the audience while playing solos.
–
2014 Iconic Riff Award: Roy Orbison (posthumously) “Pretty Woman”-Grammy winner Roy Orbison’s induction as a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are well documented, but not as well known, is that as a guitarist, Roy created one of the most covered and iconic guitar riffs of all time, “Pretty Woman”. Roy is the first recipient of this award.
Non-Performing Award: Mike Curb-Mike Curb started out writing music for TV and film before creating his first record label in 1963. Later, he merged his company with MGM and became president of MGM Records and Verve Records. In the 70s, Curb wrote for and produced Roy Orbison, the Osmond Family, Lou Rawls, and Sammy Davis, Jr. In 1994, the former Lieutenant Governor of California moved to Nashville and formed Curb Records with country recording artists including Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams, Jr. Rodney Atkins, and Tim McGraw. Along with running Curb Records, Mike is also a civic leader and benefactor for many organizations including higher learning institutions that have helped ensure the entertainment industry will survive in perpetuity.
Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum Reveals Inductees for 2014
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Steve Cropper, Billy Cox, Duane Eddy and Joe Chambers announce the 2014 inductees into the Musicians Hall of Fame. Photo: Alan Mayor.
After a three-year absence, The Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum will induct its newest members at the 10,000-seat arena of Nashville’s Historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday, Jan. 28, 2014. Twelve new inductees were announced earlier today (Monday, Nov. 4).
The inductees for 2014 include:
Barbara Mandrell-The first artist to win the CMA Entertainer Of The Year for two consecutive years and has won multiple awards from the CMA, ACM, American Music Awards, Grammys, People’s Choice Awards and a Dove Award. Her variety show, Barbara Mandrell and the Mandrell Sisters, on NBC drew millions of viewers weekly. Along with being a member of the Steel Guitar Hall of Fame, her repertoire of instruments include: saxophone, banjo, guitar, dobro, mandolin, and bass, in addition to the accordion and the pedal steel guitar
Peter Frampton-Grammy Award winner Peter Frampton remains one of the most celebrated artists and guitarists in rock history. At 16, he was lead singer and guitarist for British band The Herd. At 18, he co-founded one of the first super groups, seminal rock act Humble Pie. His fifth solo album, Frampton Comes Alive! is one of the top selling live records of all time.
Ben Keith (posthumously)–Known primarily for his work as a pedal steel guitarist with Neil Young, Keith was a fixture of the Nashville country music community in the 1950s and 1960s. He later worked with numerous successful rock, country and pop artists as both a producer and a multi-instrumentalist sideman for over four decades. The very first song Ben recorded as a Nashville session player was Patsy Cline’s timeless standard “I Fall To Pieces.”
Velma Smith-A self-taught musician, Smith learned to sing and play guitar at an early age. Velma was the first female to perform a solo on the NBC Network portion of the Grand Ole Opry. Velma was also the first female rhythm guitar player to play on records, recorded in Nashville. Some of the artists Velma recorded with during her musical career were Eddy Arnold, Hank Locklin, Jim Reeves, Skeeter Davis, Roy Orbison, Waylon Jennings, Chet Atkins, Jerry Reed, Willie Nelson, Charlie Rich and Don Gibson.
Randy Bachman-A legendary figure in the rock and roll world through his talents as a guitarist with The Guess Who and Bachman Turner Overdrive, Randy is equally known for being a songwriter, session musician and producer. He has earned over 110 gold and platinum awards around the world for performing and producing. His songs have been recorded by numerous other artists and placed in dozens of television, movie and commercial soundtracks. His melodic guitar riffs have provided a veritable soundtrack of the last 40+ years of popular music.
Corki Casey O’Dell-In Phoenix, Ariz., in the mid-’50s, a small group of musicians were making groundbreaking recordings that would help to define the sound of Rock and Roll. Corki Casey O’Dell was the lone woman musician in this group. In 1956, she played rhythm guitar on Sanford Clark’s “The Fool,” a Top Ten hit record. In 1957 and ‘58, she played rhythm guitar on Duane Eddy’s “Moovin’ ‘n Groovin’” and “Ramrod.” She played on most of Eddy’s recordings in Phoenix, including “Peter Gunn,” “Forty Miles of Bad Road,” and his signature tune, “Rebel Rouser,” which would be featured years later in the film Forrest Gump. Corki’s rhythm guitar playing on so many pioneering hit records earned her the title of The First Rock and Roll Sidechick.
Jimmy Capps-As one of Country Music’s finest guitar players, Jimmy Capps is a ‘master of smoothness’. He is known in the studio for his ability to move flawlessly from ‘electric to acoustic’ with a polished and refined touch that he brings to every recording or performance he is part of. Some of the classics’ that Jimmy has played on are “Stand By Your Man,” “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” and “The Gambler.” Jimmy can also be seen performing on the Opry stage as a staff musician, which he has done since the 1960’s.
Will Lee-Best known for his work as the bass guitarist on the CBS television program Late Show with David Letterman as part of the CBS Orchestra. As a studio musician, Lee has played on more than 1700 albums, working with artists as diverse as Carly Simon, Barry Manilow, Mariah Carey, and Dave Matthews. Will is also a founding member of the world famous Beatles tribute band, The Fab Faux.
Stevie Ray Vaughan (posthumously) & Double Trouble-With Stevie on guitar, Chris Layton on drums, Tommy Shannon on bass guitar and Reese Wynans on keyboards, Stevie Ray Vaughan & Double Trouble are credited with igniting the Blues Revival in the 80’s with sold out concerts and gold records. They played together from 1978 until Stevie’s death in a helicopter crash after a concert August 27, 1990. Since then, Chris, Tommy, and Reese have continued playing in other bands as well as session musicians for other artists.
Buddy Guy-Guy is a pioneer of the Chicago blues sound and has served as an influence to some of the most notable musicians of his generation, including Eric Clapton, Jimmy Page, Jimi Hendrix and Stevie Ray Vaughan. Known for his showmanship on stage, he would play his guitar with drumsticks or stroll into the audience while playing solos.
–
2014 Iconic Riff Award: Roy Orbison (posthumously) “Pretty Woman”-Grammy winner Roy Orbison’s induction as a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame are well documented, but not as well known, is that as a guitarist, Roy created one of the most covered and iconic guitar riffs of all time, “Pretty Woman”. Roy is the first recipient of this award.
Non-Performing Award: Mike Curb-Mike Curb started out writing music for TV and film before creating his first record label in 1963. Later, he merged his company with MGM and became president of MGM Records and Verve Records. In the 70s, Curb wrote for and produced Roy Orbison, the Osmond Family, Lou Rawls, and Sammy Davis, Jr. In 1994, the former Lieutenant Governor of California moved to Nashville and formed Curb Records with country recording artists including Wynonna Judd, LeAnn Rimes, Hank Williams, Jr. Rodney Atkins, and Tim McGraw. Along with running Curb Records, Mike is also a civic leader and benefactor for many organizations including higher learning institutions that have helped ensure the entertainment industry will survive in perpetuity.
Bobby Karl Works The SESAC Banquet
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 439
Pictured (L-R): Sesac’s Pat Collins, Keifer Thompson and Sesac’s Tim Fink and Shannan Hatch. Photo: Ed Rode
Sunday night was a big one for Keifer Thompson.
At this year’s SESAC banquet (Nov. 3), he carted off the organization’s Country Songwriter of the Year award, performed the delightfully sprightly “Everything I Shouldn’t Be Thinking About” as half of Thompson Square and won an award for co-writing “If I Didn’t Have You.” Plus, Magic Mustang, which represents him, was named Country Publisher of the Year.
“This is too much, y’all,” said the grateful singer-songwriter. “There must be a mistake, but we’ll work it out later….This is really, really one of the highlights of my life. Thank you, country music.”
The Country Song of the Year was “Cruise,” co-penned by SESAC-affiliated tunesmith Jesse Rice. This country-pop smash sung by Florida Georgia Line was at No. 1 longer than any other country hit during this past year.
Other top honorees included Jerry Salley, celebrating his 35th anniversary with SESAC, plus “All Kinds of Kinds” co-writers Don Henry and Phillip Coleman, who drew a spontaneous standing ovation. This shows you how widely beloved they are, as well as how good their song is. Catt Gravitt was a triple winner for “Whiskey,” “Alone With You” and “Why Ya Wanna,” and Lady Antebellum’s Hillary Scott was a double winner for co-writing “Dancin’ Away With My Heart” and “Goodbye Town.”
Jon Stone picked up a SESAC award for “A Woman Like You,” as did Monty Powell for “For You.” Kim Tribble won for “Let There Be Cowgirls.” John Davidson & Jacob Bryant were honored for “Done.” John & Jacob, as they are billed as performers, also sang their award winner.
SESAC remains the only performance rights organization that gives out awards for songwriting success in the Americana field. Among those at the banquet who collected Americana statuettes from presenter Dennis Lord were Tammy Rogers, Lynn Langham, Cary Barlowe, Chris Coleman, Robby Hecht and Thomm Jutz. Winners who weren’t present included Mumford & Sons, Bob Dylan, Corb Lund, Hays Carll, The Avett Brothers and Jim Lauderdale.
The awards banquet, which kicked off Country Music Week, pulled off the tricky vibe of being elegantly refined yet warmly relaxed. It was staged at the stunning new Country Music Hall of Fame Event Hall.
“This is quite a place,” said SESAC’s Pat Collins in welcoming the guests. “We all want to be invited back here again.”
“I can’t think of a more appropriate location for our banquet,” added Tim Fink. He presented most of the country awards with assistance from Shannon Hatch and John Mullins.
Gary Burr & Georgia Middleman, Linda Davis & Lang Scott, Rick & Janis Carnes, The Roys, Paul Overstreet, Iodine, Craig Campbell and Webb Wilder were among the headliners mingling. Kathy Mattea and Jon Vezner both added glamor to the eve, he in a vintage wool Scottish three-piece suit and she in a blue velvet evening coat.
Velvet was definitely a couture theme of the gala. Erika Wollam-Nichols was in a vintage black velvet evening dress with a pearl necklace. Victoria Shaw wore a black velvet coat embellished by gold embroidery. Fats Kaplan had Kristi Rose on his arm, she in a black velvet Chinese jacket with a red silk lining, with the added pizzazz of evening gloves.
Carla Wallace chose a white crocheted floor-length coat. Laura Heatherly sported a slim-cut black pants suit. Anna Wilson had on a figure-hugging white sheath with blue filigrees on its flanks.
The Grascals’ Jamie Johnson reported that the band has the new American Pickers TV theme song. Dan Hays bore tidings that an ultra rare concert by K.T. Oslin at his Franklin Theatre on Nov. 15 has been sold out for weeks.
Working the room were Bob Doyle, Mike Doyle, Ken Paulson, Dave Paulson, Billy Block, Bill Mayne, Kent Earls, Ken Robold, Troy Tomlinson, Gilles Godard, Scott Siman, David & Susana Ross and Susan Stewart.
The banquet not only looked fabulous in its new venue. It tasted it, too. The first course was slivers of golden beets topped with baby arugula and boursin cheese in a lemon-oregano vinaigrette. The main course was cognac beef au jus, plus macadamia-nut encrusted trout filet with a tequila-rosemary white sauce. Roasted fingerling potatoes, small scoops of spaghetti squash and grilled asparagus bunches tied with carrot strips rounded out the presentation. Dessert was zinfandel-poached pears with vanilla icing.
The 500 schmoozing fabulons included Frank Liddell, Pat Higdon, Pat McMakin, Sarah Trahern, Gary Overton, Ben Vaughn, Bart Herbison, Bo Thomas, Rep. Marsha Blackburn, Lori Badgett, Rod Essig, Ree Guyer Buchanan, Randall Himes, Drew Alexander, Alan Kates, Woody Bomar, Charlie Monk, Phyllis Stark, Diane Blagman, Paul Barnabee, Jed Hilly, Holly Bell, Karen Clark and Sam Tate.
“We are honored to be part of your lives and careers,” said Dennis Lord. I feel exactly the same way about this precious songwriting community.
Zarling Named BMLG's SVP/Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Zarling
Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) President/CEO Scott Borchetta has upped John Zarling to SVP/Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy. Zarling, who has been with the label since it’s launch in 2005, will lead a rebranded team with focus on strategic partnerships and promotion strategy across BMLG’s Big Machine Records, The Valory Music Co. and Republic Nashville imprints.
“John Zarling and I will mark ten years together in 2014. There’s no earthly way that the Big Machine Label Group would be what it is today without his undying support, belief, friendship, vision, creativity…I literally could go on and on. JZ is simply one of the brightest execs in the business and one of my favorite people on the planet. I couldn’t imagine doing what I do every day without him. And I hope I never have to! Great job and congratulations!!!” said Borchetta.
“I am honored and excited to be given the ability to be creative in exploring new business opportunities,” notes Zarling. “I stand with an incredible team of individuals whose passion and drive are infectious. Scott has brought so many great artists and executives together here at this company…I can’t wait to see what new roads we will be able to go down in the years ahead.”
Zarling will lead the Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy department team, which includes National Director/Promotion Strategy Mandy McCormack, Director/Partnership Marketing Jackie Campbell and Coordinator/Partnership Marketing & Promotion Strategy Christine Drexel.
Prior to BMLG, where he was most recently the VP/Promotion & Media Strategy, Zarling spent six years at UMG Nashville in various roles. Originally joining Mercury Records in September 1999 as Mailroom Supervisor, he entered the Mercury radio promotion department in 2001 and was elevated to Manager, Charts & Syndication for the MCA, Mercury & DreamWorks imprints in 2004. A graduate of Belmont University’s Curb College of Entertainment & Music Business, Zarling also enjoyed stints at Decca Records, MusicRow and The Press Network in the late 1990s. Throughout his career, Zarling has been an integral part of 46 #1 hit songs and Billboard reinforced Zarling’s impact on the industry by placing him among the Top 40 Under 40 executives in 2012.
LifeNotes: Betsy Smittle
/by Lorie HollabaughBetsy Smittle and Garth Brooks
Garth Brooks‘ half sister, Betsy Smittle, passed away Saturday (Nov. 2) in Oklahoma, according to news9.com. She was 60. The bass player performed with her little brother during the early years of his career and released a solo album of her own entitled Rough Around The Edges.
She also sang backing vocals for fellow Oklahoma singer Gus Hardin on her I’m Dancing As Fast As I Can album and was a member of her band during her career.
Ninde Funeral Home is handling funeral arrangements, which are pending.
Mark Your Calendar – November 2013
/by Eric T. ParkerNovember 4
Tyler Farr/Whiskey In My Water/Columbia Nashville
Luke Bryan/Drink A Beer/Capitol
George Strait/I Got A Car/MCA Nashville
November 11
Chase Rice/Ready Set Roll/Dack Janiels-RPME
November 18
Bush Hawg/More Than Corn/RCA Nashville
Toby Keith/Shut Up and Hold On/Show Dog-Universal
November 5
Various/Divided & United/ATO
November 11
Lady Antebellum/Golden Deluxe/UMG
Kellie Pickler/The Woman I Am/Black River Entertainment
Sammy Kershaw/Big Hits: Volume 1/Red Distribution
Mandy Barnett/I Can’t Stop Loving You: The Songs of Don Gibson/Rounder-Cracker Barrel
November 12
Bill Anderson/Life/Red River Records (Digital release) March 4, 2014 is the in-store release
November 15
Chris Weaver Band/American Dreamer
November 19
Danielle Bradbery/Danielle Bradbery/BMLG
Cody Canada/Some Old, Some New, Maybe A Cover Or Two
November 25
Florida Georgia Line/Here’s To The Good Times: This Is How We Roll/BMLG
November 4
November 5
November 6
47th Annual CMA Awards on ABC (8:00-11:00 PM/ET)
November 12
November 13-14
10th Annual Billboard Touring Conference and Awards at the Roosevelt Hotel in NYC
November 14
Musicians On Call’s six years anniversary concert at Nashville’s Hard Rock Cafe
November 17-18
Ricky Skaggs hosts two evenings at the CMHoF for Artist-in-Residence in the Hall’s CMA Theater
November 21
Last day to donate to MusicRow/Leadership Music’s food drive to benefit Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee
November 22
George Jones Tribute Concert at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena
November 24
AMA Awards broadcast live from the NOKIA Theatre L.A. live 8:00-11:00 p.m. ET/PT on ABC
November 26
St. Jude’s No Shave November ‘after’ photo to be scheduled
November 29
Garth Brooks, Live From Las Vegas from the Encore Theater at the Wynn Las Vegas, at 9:00 PM ET (delayed PT) on CBS
Darius Rucker Announces 15-City 'True Believers' Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughDarius Rucker
Darius Rucker is kicking off the New Year in a big way, by hitting the road on his 2014 True Believers Tour. The tour will launch Jan. 29 in Champaign, Ill. and hit 15 cities through March 9, including a stop in Rucker’s hometown of Charleston, S.C. He’ll be joined by the Eli Young Band and David Nail for the dates, and has teamed up with Tickets-for-Charity and CMT One Country to offer premium seats that will benefit the USO and Pattison’s Academy. The premium seats will be available at ticketsforcharity.com.
“As an entertainer, there’s nothing like seeing the fans react to your music. I’ve been blessed to have country radio take six of our songs to No. 1, so we thought it was the perfect time to take the True Believers Tour on the road,” shares Rucker. “It’s going to be an awesome show with some great entertainers as both Eli Young Band and David Nail deliver live.”
For more information and to purchase tickets, visit DariusRucker.com.
True Believers Tour stops:
Jan. 29 | Champaign, Ill. | Assembly
Jan. 30 | Ft. Wayne, Ind. | Memorial Coliseum
Jan. 31 | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Convocation Center
Feb. 13 | Hershey, Pa. | Giant Center
Feb. 14 | Albany, N.Y. | Times Union
Feb. 15 | Verona, N.Y. | Stone Event Center
Feb. 20 | Charleston, S.C. | Coliseum
Feb. 21 | Columbia, S.C. | Colonial Life Arena
Feb. 22 | Asheville, N.C. | US Cellular Center*
Feb. 27 | Erie, Pa. | Insurance Arena
Feb. 28 | Youngstown, Ohio | Coveli Center
March 1 | Roanoke, VA. | Civic Center
March 7 | Enid, Okla. | Convention Hall
March 8 | Salina, Kan. | Bicentennial Center*
March 9 | Loveland, Colo. | Budweiser Events Center
*Eli Young Band will not be performing on these dates
BMI To Celebrate 75th Anniversary
/by Michael_Smith“BMI has substantially helped shape modern American music, and I’m honored to have been chosen to produce this special anniversary book,” said Guccione. “We will chart the awesome narrative of the past 75 years musically and culturally, roughly a third of this nation’s entire lifespan. In that time, American music evolved and flowered gloriously, and has perpetually accelerated in terms of excitement and innovation.”
The book, which uses media from BMI archives to chronicle the story of American music, will be presented at BMI’s National Association of Broadcasters dinner in April of 2014. BMI was organized in 1939 and originally managed through the NAB. Additional audio, audiovisual, printed material and programming will be produced throughout the year, including archival and current video footage on BMI TV, which will be released virally and on bmi.com.
BMI President Del Bryant commented on the company’s anniversary, saying, “BMI’s songwriters, composers and music publishers have often been credited as the spark that ignited the explosion of American music over the past 75 years. We are thrilled to begin marking this milestone anniversary with a spectacular book that captures the explosion of popular music in America, while highlighting BMI’s enduring mission: to serve our songwriters, composers and music publishers, so that they can keep creating the music that will define and inspire the next 75 years.”
BMI CEO Mike O’Neill added, “We are fortunate to have had a long history representing the world’s preeminent musical talent. Now is the perfect opportunity to showcase their incredible stories and contributions through the lens of the BMI narrative. We look forward to celebrating this anniversary throughout 2014 with a multitude of initiatives that salute BMI’s history and the diverse history of those we represent.”
Taylor Swift To Be Honored With CMA's Pinnacle Award
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift is already a winner at the upcoming Country Music Association awards. On Wednesday, Nov. 6, the organization will present Swift with the Pinnacle Award, an honor given to an artist who has achieved worldwide success in the field of Country music through concert performances and record sales levels. The artist will have also attained the highest degree of recognition within music worldwide. Additionally, the artist’s talent and presence will have a long-term positive impact on the appreciation of Country music for years to come.
“I can’t think of a better opportunity than ‘Country Music’s Biggest Night™’ to present an award of this magnitude to an artist of this caliber,” said CMA President of the Board Ed Hardy. “I’ve known Taylor since she was 16. She came to my office with her Mom to play her music and I was amazed. Taylor’s outstanding career epitomizes the definition of the Pinnacle Award.”
Garth Brooks is the sole additional performer to win the award, which was created in 2005. Swift is a top nominee at Wednesday’s awards, which airs live at 8 p.m. Eastern on ABC from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville, Tenn. She’s earned six nominations along with Kacey Musgraves; Swift is going for a third win of top honor Entertainer of the Year.
Swift will perform a special version of her song “Red” on the awards show with Alison Krauss, Vince Gill, Sam Bush, Edgar Meyer and Eric Darken.
Martina McBride's 'Joy of Christmas Tour' Launches In November
/by Jessica NicholsonMartina McBride
Martina McBride rings in the holiday season with her delightfully eclectic Joy of Christmas Tour, a variety-show extravaganza which includes performances of holiday favorites, signature hits and much more. Kicking off on Nov. 29, the 12-date run will feature Martina, and her 12-piece band (including a string section), performing the season’s best-loved music from classics like “I’ll Be Home for Christmas” and “O Come All Ye Faithful” to modern standards like “Run, Run Rudolph” as well as some of Martina’s own, non-holiday hits.
“This tour is something I look forward to all year,” added Martina. “It’s definitely a show for the whole family and we love performing it. It helps get me in the Christmas spirit each year and I know if does that for the audience too.”
At each event, a distinguished member of the community will take the stage to read “How the Grinch Stole Christmas” as Martina sings “You’re a Mean One, Mr. Grinch.” Special guests last year included former Chicago Bears linebacker Brian Urlacher, Green Bay Packer Jordy Nelson, Pittsburgh Steeler Brett Keisel, TV personality Storme Warren and hockey great Jim Dowd. The tour will also invite ballerinas from local studios and schools to dance at each concert, and feature a spontaneous Q&A where Martina joins the crowd to answer questions in what she calls her “favorite part of the show.”
In early 2014, Martina will release a new album that showcases her incomparable voice and interpretive skills on a soulful set of iconic songs.
Martina McBride “Joy of Christmas Tour” 2013
Nov. 29 – Huntington, WV Big Sandy Superstore Arena
Nov. 30 – Louisville, KY The Louisville Palace
Dec. 4 – Nashville, TN Ryman Auditorium
Dec. 6 – Minneapolis, MN State Theatre
Dec. 7 – La Crosse, WI La Crosse Center
Dec. 8 – Sioux City, IA Orpheum Theatre
Dec. 11 – Knoxville, TN Tennessee Theatre
Dec. 12 – Muncie, IN Emens Auditorium
Dec. 13 – St. Louis, MO Fox Theatre
Dec. 19 – Green Bay, WI Resch Center
Dec. 20 – Bloomington, IL US Cellular Coliseum
Dec. 21 – Chicago (Rosemont), IL Rosemont Theatre
Sony Music Nashville Adds To Artist Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (seated, L-R): Zach Swon, Colton Swon. Pictured (standing, L-R): Sony Music Nashville’s A&R VP Jim Catino, A&R Director Taylor Lindsey, and Chairman & CEO Gary Overton; Arista Nashville Promotion VP Lesly Tyson; and Hill Entertainment Group’s Greg Hill. Photo Credit: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville has signed The Voice Season 4 finalists The Swon Brothers to its Arista Nashville roster. Zach and Colton Swon – the brother duo from Oklahoma whose signature sibling harmony earned them a spot on The Voice’s Team Blake – are currently writing and securing songs for their major label debut album, with a first single due in the spring of 2014.
“Signing with Arista is literally our dream coming true,” says Colton Swon. “My brother and I have been chasing this goal for 15 years now. Being a part of The Voice was an unbelievable experience; there isn’t another show like it. Our mentor and friend Blake Shelton gave us the direction and advice we needed to keep this dream alive. We feel blessed beyond measure for the chance to continue to connect with people through our music. Arista is the home we were looking for and we have a great team of people helping us on this journey!”
Zach Swon offers, “We are so excited to get into the studio to make new music for our fans. It’s amazing and humbling for us to have so many fans supporting us now and asking us when we are going to have a record out. We are looking forward to our new relationship with Sony and making some history together.”