It’s Americana Music Week in Nashville. During the past few months, DisClaimer has shone its spotlight on such 2013 Americana awards contenders as Rodney Crowell & Emmylou Harris, Buddy Miller & Jim Lauderdale, and Kelly Willis & Bruce Robison. Today, let’s look at a few other prominent folks this genre boasts as its own. The DisCovery Award this week goes to The Lone Bellow. They’re Georgia natives who are Brooklyn-based and members of the Nashville chapter of the Recording Academy. They are also spectacularly listenable. The Disc of the Day prize is a little more difficult to pin down. All of these writer-artists are so deserving. Guy, Kim, Will and Iris are all familiar names to anyone who follows Nashville music. I love them all immensely, but am tossing the honor to one of our city’s newer residents, Jason Isbell.
THE LONE BELLOW/You Never Need Nobody
Writers: Zach Williams/Sam Ashworth; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publishers: Zachary Ray Williams/Patron and Profit/ASCAP/BMI; Descendant (track)
-This trio’s Americana fest showcase is at The Mercy Lounge Wednesday night (Sept.18). If you missed The Lone Bellow at the Grammy Block Party earlier this year, go and become a believer. The calling cards here are wondrous harmony singing, superbly soulful songwriting by member Zach Williams and instantly catchy melodies. Unreservedly recommended. This track is from their eponymous titled debut album. Buy it.
SARAH JAROSZ/ 1,000 Things
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gary Paczosa and Sarah Jarosz; Publisher: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Sarah’s Build Me Up From Bones CD and her fall tour both launch next week. This moody track from it finds the singer-songwriter swooning among strings and gentle percussion. Dreamy.
THE CIVIL WARS/The One That Got Away
Writers: Joy Williams/John Paul White/Charlie Peacock; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publishers: Here’s To Me/Sony-ATV/Shiny Happy/BMG Rights Management/Patron and Profit/BMI; Columbia (track)
-These two — Joy Williams and John Paul White — have made almost as many headlines with their on-again, off-again musical partnership as they have for their actual music. Somehow, they’ve pulled together a second collection. It kicks off with this minor-key, mid-tempo lament about being trapped and lost in a feverish, unwanted, addictive romance. Compelling and captivating.
KIM RICHEY/Angels Share
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
-Kim’s Americana convention show is Friday at 8:00 p.m. at The Rutledge. This achingly slow ballad appears on her current Thorn In My Heart collection. She mourns a lost love under a lonely moon while drowning her sorrow. Produced with languid, eloquent, perfect clarity, this is a brilliant showcase for her lustrous voice. On tracks such as “Come On,” you’ll find Kim in her soaring, ultra-melodic, country-rock mode. This gal should be crowned an Americana Queen.
The Lone Bellow
-Will’s new CD is titled
Never Give In. It comes out next month, but is available for pre-orders now at a discounted price. Meanwhile, he has a video available of its stirring first single, “Strong.” It’s about a salt-of-the-earth guy who’d give you the shirt off his back and who’ll love one woman all his life. I understand that it has been tapped as the 2014 theme song of the Chevy Silverado truck campaign, so get ready to hear it a bunch. Raspy voiced Will has been a rocker and a swamper who now seems to be morphing into a blue-collar country boy. In any guise, he’s a soul man.
LINDA ORTEGA/Tin Star
Writers: L. Ortega; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Last Gang (track)
-Her album doesn’t drop until Oct. 8, but its title tune is already streaming. Its an echoey ballad that’s for every unknown, back-alley singer who dreams of making it big someday. “I wrote this song for those who are like me/Lost in the shining stars of Nashville, Tennessee,” she sings with winning sadness. I remain a fan.
JASON ISBELL/Flying Over Water
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Songs of Emchant/Fame, BMI; Southeastern
-Jason’s new
Southeastern CD has been showcased on NPR, featured on
CBS This Morning, performed on
Conan and praised in many other media outlets. This urgent ode to love and distance has a rocking, electric track, but elsewhere on the collection he is more in a folk mode with simpler accompaniment. Either way, he’s one helluva poetic communicator. Troubadour triumphant.
CAITLIN ROSE/Only A Clown
Writers: G. Louris/C. Rose; Producers: Jordan Lehning, Caitlin Rose and Skylar Wilson; Publishers: Pearl Tower/Absinthe/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; ATO (track)
-This snappy country-rocker puts a solid backbeat behind her fragile-rose soprano vocal. It’s one of the many delights to be found on her second album,
The Stand-In. The collection is somewhat more fully produced than her debut. Caitlin is the daughter of top Music Row tunesmith Liz Rose. In a just universe, she would be a huge mainstream country success like her mom. As it is, we’ll accept her and cherish her as one of our city’s most literate and lilting alt-country artists.
GUY CLARK/My Favorite Picture of You
Writers: Guy Clark/Gordy Sampson; Producers: Guy Clark, Chris Latham and Shawn Camp; Publishers: EMI April/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
-The tender title tune of this master song craftsman’s current CD is about his wife Susanna, who died last year. No one, but no one, can tell a story in song like this man can. His rumpled, well-worn vocal delivery is just as affecting as his extraordinary lyric. Last week, Guy was presented with an ACM Poet’s Award. In 2004, he was named to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Americana Music Association gave him a Lifetime Achievement honor in 2005. This collection, his first in four years, presents 11 new reasons why he deserves these and whatever other accolades we can bring him.
IRIS DEMENT/Go On Ahead and Go Home
Writer: Iris Dement; Producers: Bo Ramsey, Richard Bennett and Iris Dement; Publisher: Songs of Iris, ASCAP; Flariella (track)
-Backed by organ, guitar and rippling piano, this gospel anthem welcomes the “homecoming” that belongs to the faithful when they pass on. As usual, she sings with ringing, homespun authority. Produced in Music City, the entire
Sing the Delta album will restore your faith in the power of country music. Much of it is informed by meditations on our mortality, but death has never sounded more inspirational.
NMPA Celebrates Writers During Bluebird Showcase
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Terry Wakefield, songwriter Tom Douglas, NMPA president and CEO David Israelite. Photo: NMPA/Bev Moser
The National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) held a songwriters showcase Monday (Sept. 16) night at the Bluebird Café in Nashville where songwriters Tom Douglas, Wendell Mobley, Shane McAnally and Marti Frederiksen performed. Plaques were given during the event to McAnally recognizing his platinum songs “Downtown,” “Better Dig Two,” “Mama’s Broken Heart,” and “Alone With You,” as well as his gold single “Merry Go Round.” Mobley was given a plaque for his gold single, “How Country Feels,” while Douglas received multi-platinum awards for his singles “I Run To You” and “The House That Built Me.” Frederiksen received a platinum plaque for “Undo It,” and a gold plaque for “Mama’s Song” during the evening’s festivities.
Pictured (L-R): Songwriters Tom Douglas, Wendell Mobley, Shane McAnally, and Marti Frederiksen perform during NMPA’s Songwriter Showcase held at Nashville’s Bluebird Café
Photo: NMPA/Bev Moser
Publisher Notes: Warner/Chappell, ole, Dan Hodges Music
/by Jessica NicholsonWarner/Chappell Nashville has completed a worldwide co-publishing agreement with country music songwriter Danny Orton. Orton’s credits include cuts by Rascal Flatts, Chicago, and Tim McGraw. He also co-wrote the new single for Dan+Shay, “19 You & Me.”
Pictured, Back row: Ben Vaughn (Warner/Chappell), Rohan Kohli (Ozone Entertainment), Matt Michels (Warner/Chappell). Front row: BJ Hill (Warner/Chappell), Danny Orton, Blain Rhodes (Warner/Chappell).
• • •
ole has signed a worldwide publishing deal with artist/songwriter Josh Dorr; the agreement also includes Dorr’s catalog of more than 150 copyrights. “I’m very excited to be part of a team that believes in me and my music and can help take me to the next level as a songwriter,” states Dorr. “I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to make that journey with. I’m glad to be part of team ole!”
Dorr had his first ole cut with singer/songwriter Casey James. A Wyoming native, Dorr grew up playing football and turned to music and songwriting in his late teens. In 2010, he moved to Nashville and began writing with several top songwriters. With ole writer Bruce Wallace and ole legacy writer Kaci Bolls, Dorr penned “Down Goes The Cowboy,” which placed in the Top 3 in the International Songwriting Competition. Dorr also co-wrote the theme song for the television series Open Season (Pursuit Channel) and had the song “I’d Look Good On You” featured in the USA Network’s Necessary Roughness.
Pictured (L-R): Gilles Godard (ole VP, Corporate Affairs and Development); Ben Strain (ole Creative Director, Nashville); John Ozier (ole GM, Nashville Creative); ole writer Josh Dorr; Kelly Donley (Safford & Motley) and Scott Safford (Safford & Motley).
• • •
Nickie Lancaster has joined Dan Hodges Music as Creative Director. She is a graduate of University of Tennessee in Knoxville and comes from a sports management background, having served in positions with YMCA, Williamson County Parks and Recreation, D1 Sports, ESPN, Nashville Predators and Knoxville Ice Bears. Lancaster can be reached at nickie@danhodgesmusic.com.
Old Crow Medicine Show Inducted Into Grand Ole Opry
/by Michael_SmithPictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment Group, Old Crow Medicine Show – Gill Landry, Kevin Hayes, Cory Younts, Critter Fuqua, Chance McCoy, Ketch Secor, Morgan Jahnig and Pete Fisher,Vice-President and general manager Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo
Tuesday evening (Sept. 17) Opry members Dierks Bentley and Marty Stuart inducted Old Crow Medicine Show into the Grand Ole Opry. Years ago, some of the band’s first performances in Nashville took place on the Opry’s sidewalks. In honor of those early days, the band performed for fans waiting outside the Opry last night, playing songs like “Brave Boys” and “Hesitation Blues.”
On the venue’s stage, Opry VP and General Manager Pete Fisher joined Bentley and Stuart to present the band with its Opry member award. “Congratulations, Old Crow, on being a part of the coolest club there is,” said Bentley, while Stuart added, “You offer a whole new energy and love for country music in the 21st century.”
Old Crow Member Ketch Secor, who was recently feted for his first No. 1 song, spoke on behalf of the group, saying, “We’re standing out here on the most beloved broadcast anywhere on earth. I think we made it big on radio! … We the Old Crows are just so proud to be entrusted to carry on the traditions of the Grand Ole Opry’s good-natured riot.”
After performing “Wagon Wheel,” the band invited fellow members Bentley, Stuart, Connie Smith and Del McCoury to join them for “Will The Circle Be Unbroken” and “I Saw The Light.”
“Old Crow has over the years become a favorite of Opry audiences and everyone backstage, as well,” said Fisher. “It’s fun for so many of us that in many ways Old Crow looks and sounds a lot like some of the great early Opry bands like Roy Acuff and his Smoky Mountain Boys—bands which helped propel the Opry to national prominence. Tonight represents a great full circle, and as the great Jimmy Dickens says, ‘The circle can’t be broken.’”
Old Crow Medicine Show adding their name plaque to the Opry Member Gallery. Photo: Chris Hollo
Following the induction, the band added a plaque bearing its name to the Opry Member Gallery backstage at the Opry House.
Old Crow Medicine Show will perform concerts on Dec. 30 and Dec. 31 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium. Tickets will go on sale Sept. 27 at 10 a.m.
Songwriter Dean Dillon To Be Honored As BMI Icon
/by Jessica NicholsonDean Dillon
Broadcast Music, Inc.® will celebrate the songwriting career of Dean Dillon by naming him a BMI Icon at the Company’s 61st annual BMI Country Awards. The invitation-only event will be held on Tuesday, Nov. 5, at BMI’s Music Row offices in Nashville, to honor the songwriters and publishers of the most-performed country songs of the previous year.
The BMI Icon award is given to “songwriters who have had a unique and indelible influence on generations of music makers.” An all-star musical tribute will pay homage to Dillon, who joins a list of past honorees that includes Tom T. Hall, Kris Kristofferson, Willie Nelson, Hank Williams, Jr., Merle Haggard, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn and others.
“Since signing with BMI, Dean has risen through the ranks to become one of the most prolific and consistent hit makers in the country format. He was inspired by and wrote with songwriting greats including Hank Cochran and Harlan Howard, and has now himself become a mentor to many in our industry,” said BMI’s President Del Bryant. “Dean Dillon exemplifies a true icon of his craft and has become a vital link between the master songwriters of the past and the up and comers of today. We at BMI could not be more proud to celebrate his accomplishments,” Bryant added.
From hitchhiking to Nashville with little more than a guitar and a notebook of songs in 1973 to a stint playing Hank Williams in the Country Music Show at Opryland and a variety of recording and publishing deals, Dillon’s career has followed anything but a linear path. The one constant, though, was the remarkable quality of his songwriting.
While charting eight of his songs as a recording artist, with “I’m Into the Bottle (To Get You Out of My Mind)” breaking into the Top 30, Dillon contributed some of country’s most revered works writing for other artists. His first No. 1 hit was “Lying Here in Love With You,” recorded by Jim Ed Brown and Helen Cornelius and co-written with Gary Harrison. He continued through the late 1970s, writing for major players such as George Jones, notably penning “Tennessee Whiskey.” The 1980s saw many hits for George Strait including his first Top 10 hit, “Unwound,” followed by many No. 1 hits such as “The Chair,” “Nobody in His Right Mind Would Have Left Her” and “Ocean Front Property.”
His most recent hits have included George Strait’s “Here for a Good Time” and “Livin’ For the Night” as well as “It’s a Little Too Late” performed by Toby Keith and “I’m Alive” by Kenny Chesney and Dave Matthews. An industry veteran of 40 years, Dillon continues to write to this day and has even stepped back into the world of recording again, this time a duet with longtime friend Strait titled “West Texas Town.”
Dillon’s career boasts 26 songs that exceed one million performances and a combined total of 31 BMI Country and Pop awards. George Strait alone has recorded 54 of his songs. In 2002, Dillon was inducted into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame and in 2011, he was nominated for a Grammy Award for Country Song of the Year for George Strait’s “Breath You Take.”
Weekly Register: Sheryl Crow, Keith Urban
/by Sherod RobertsonKeith Urban’s Fuse from Capitol Records Nashville debuted strongly this week on the top of the Country chart (and No. 1 overall) with 98k albums sold. The No. 2 position went to Luke Bryan’s Crash My Party selling another 53k, his 4th week (900k RTD), followed by Warner Bros. Sheryl Crow‘s debut Country album, Feels Like Home, at No. 3 (No. 7 overall) selling 36k in its first week.
Florida Georgia Line’s Here’s To The Good Times sold another 19k units (1.1M RTD) while Blake Shelton‘s Based On A True Story sold 11k (887 RRD). Also debuting this week is George Jones’ Amazing Grace selling 2k.
The top Country track this week (No. 11 overall) is Bryan’s “That’s My Kind Of Night” selling 99k (607k RTD). Urban and Miranda Lambert‘s duet single, “We Were Us,” sells 32k in its first week out, sitting at No. 8 (No. 40 overall).
Next week releases will include Billy Currington‘s We Are Tonight, who is featured on the current issue of MusicRow Magazine, Chris Young‘s A.M., and Justin Moore‘s Off The Beaten Path.
650 AM WSM General Manager Tom English Resigns
/by Jessica NicholsonTom English
650 AM WSM General Manager Tom English has resigned. English’s last day with the historic radio station will be Friday, Sept. 27. He has accepted a currently undisclosed opportunity outside of radio.
“This past 18 months has been some of the best of my career,” English said in a statement. “As I’ve said before, Steve Buchanan basically handed me the keys to this priceless Classic, said ‘Don’t wreck it’ and let me drive. I cannot thank him enough for that support and trust. And I cannot thank this amazing team enough for their hard work, patience and the education they have afforded me. No team with whom I have ever worked has more passion and dedication toward a radio station.”
English was appointed General Manager of 650 AM WSM in 2012. He has served in numerous capacities during his 30-year career in broadcasting. Previously, English served as VP/Market Manager for Clear Channel Radio in Nashville (including WSIX). He was with the station for eight years, and was named Clear Channel Innovation Award-winner in 2005 and 2006. He also served as chairman of the Tennessee Association of Broadcasters in 2008.
Applications are being accepted for the General Manager position at 650 AM WSM at rymanhp.com.
Kobalt Label Services Adds Quinn
/by Jessica NicholsonDiarmuid Quinn
Kobalt Label Services (KLS) has named Diarmuid Quinn as President of Kobalt Label Services – North America, according to Richard Sanders, Chairman of Kobalt Label Services and President of Kobalt Music Group.
Reporting to Sanders, Quinn’s role will include leading and staffing up Kobalt’s growing label services operations in the U.S., signing artists for global release campaigns, as well as developing North America marketing campaigns for international KLS clients.
“Kobalt is changing the music industry, and Diarmuid Quinn is the right person to help us execute our vision,” said Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO of Kobalt Music Group.
Most recently, Quinn was Chief Executive of management/marketing company TourDForce Productions, which worked with Martina McBride, Richard Marx, the Beach Boys, Mark Knopfler and others. Previously, Quinn served as COO of Warner Bros. Records/President of Reprise Records until a company restructuring in 2010. Quinn also co-produced the documentary Tom Petty and the Heartbreakers: Runnin’ Down A Dream.
Court Ruling Grants Pandora Summary Judgement
/by Eric T. ParkerEMI was the first to begin withdrawing its catalog in April 2012, followed by the remaining Sony/ATV copyrights in January when it successfully negotiated a 25 percent higher royalty rate. Universal Music Publishing Group and BMG withdrew respective digital rights from ASCAP in July, while Kobalt was scheduled to do so in October. Warner/Chappell had postponed withdrawing until 2014.
The motion for summary judgment, reported since last November, sought an interpretation of the consent decree under which ASCAP is subject by the government. Pandora asked the court to determine if selective withdrawals of so-called “new media” rights by ASCAP-member publishers violated the PRO’s consent decree. ASCAP’s prevailing royalty rate under its consent decree was reported by Billboard‘s Aug. 10 print magazine to be 1.85 percent of licensee revenue.
In a statement from ASCAP CEO John Lofrumento said: “ASCAP’s more than 470,000 songwriter, composer and music publisher members make their living creating the music without which Pandora would have no business. The Court’s decision to grant summary judgment on this matter has no impact on our fundamental position in this case that songwriters deserve fair pay for their hard work, an issue that the Court has not yet decided. ASCAP looks forward to the December 4th trial, where ASCAP will demonstrate the true value of songwriters’ and composers’ performance rights, a value that Pandora’s music streaming competitors have recognized by negotiating rather than litigating with creators of music.”
“Pandora continues to firmly believe that musicians must be fairly compensated for their work,” said Chris Harrison, Pandora’s Assistant General Counsel. “We are committed to a responsible, sustainable and equitable royalty structure that benefits and grows the entire industry and does not discriminate against new technologies.”
Pandora recently appointed Brian McAndrews to succeed Joe Kennedy as CEO, President and Chairman.
Grammy Nominations Concert Set For Dec. 6
/by Lorie HollabaughLast year’s special, which was held for the first time ever in Nashville at downtown’s Bridgestone Arena, helped garner huge ratings for the Grammy Awards and the second-largest viewing audience for the broadcast since 1993. The telecast also doubled its social media from the prior year, generating 24.8 million comments.
Details regarding ticket sales, presenters and performers for the Grammy Nominations Concert Live will be announced in the coming weeks. The 56th Annual Grammy Awards will be held live from STAPLES Center in Los Angeles on Sunday, Jan. 26, 2014.
DisClaimer: Americana In The Spotlight
/by Robert K OermannTHE LONE BELLOW/You Never Need Nobody
Writers: Zach Williams/Sam Ashworth; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publishers: Zachary Ray Williams/Patron and Profit/ASCAP/BMI; Descendant (track)
-This trio’s Americana fest showcase is at The Mercy Lounge Wednesday night (Sept.18). If you missed The Lone Bellow at the Grammy Block Party earlier this year, go and become a believer. The calling cards here are wondrous harmony singing, superbly soulful songwriting by member Zach Williams and instantly catchy melodies. Unreservedly recommended. This track is from their eponymous titled debut album. Buy it.
SARAH JAROSZ/ 1,000 Things
Writers: none listed; Producers: Gary Paczosa and Sarah Jarosz; Publisher: none listed; Sugar Hill (track)
-Sarah’s Build Me Up From Bones CD and her fall tour both launch next week. This moody track from it finds the singer-songwriter swooning among strings and gentle percussion. Dreamy.
THE CIVIL WARS/The One That Got Away
Writers: Joy Williams/John Paul White/Charlie Peacock; Producer: Charlie Peacock; Publishers: Here’s To Me/Sony-ATV/Shiny Happy/BMG Rights Management/Patron and Profit/BMI; Columbia (track)
-These two — Joy Williams and John Paul White — have made almost as many headlines with their on-again, off-again musical partnership as they have for their actual music. Somehow, they’ve pulled together a second collection. It kicks off with this minor-key, mid-tempo lament about being trapped and lost in a feverish, unwanted, addictive romance. Compelling and captivating.
KIM RICHEY/Angels Share
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
-Kim’s Americana convention show is Friday at 8:00 p.m. at The Rutledge. This achingly slow ballad appears on her current Thorn In My Heart collection. She mourns a lost love under a lonely moon while drowning her sorrow. Produced with languid, eloquent, perfect clarity, this is a brilliant showcase for her lustrous voice. On tracks such as “Come On,” you’ll find Kim in her soaring, ultra-melodic, country-rock mode. This gal should be crowned an Americana Queen.
The Lone Bellow
WILL HOGE/Strong
Writers: Will Hoge/Ashley Gorley/Zach Crowell; Producer: Will Hoge; Publishers: External Combustion Music/Songs of Southside Independent Music/Out of the Taperoom Music/Who Wants to Buy My Publishing/2013 BMG Platinum Songs/ Will Hoge Music; BMI/ASCAP; Cumberland Recordings (track)
-Will’s new CD is titled Never Give In. It comes out next month, but is available for pre-orders now at a discounted price. Meanwhile, he has a video available of its stirring first single, “Strong.” It’s about a salt-of-the-earth guy who’d give you the shirt off his back and who’ll love one woman all his life. I understand that it has been tapped as the 2014 theme song of the Chevy Silverado truck campaign, so get ready to hear it a bunch. Raspy voiced Will has been a rocker and a swamper who now seems to be morphing into a blue-collar country boy. In any guise, he’s a soul man.
LINDA ORTEGA/Tin Star
Writers: L. Ortega; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: none listed; Last Gang (track)
-Her album doesn’t drop until Oct. 8, but its title tune is already streaming. Its an echoey ballad that’s for every unknown, back-alley singer who dreams of making it big someday. “I wrote this song for those who are like me/Lost in the shining stars of Nashville, Tennessee,” she sings with winning sadness. I remain a fan.
JASON ISBELL/Flying Over Water
Writer: Jason Isbell; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publisher: Songs of Emchant/Fame, BMI; Southeastern
-Jason’s new Southeastern CD has been showcased on NPR, featured on CBS This Morning, performed on Conan and praised in many other media outlets. This urgent ode to love and distance has a rocking, electric track, but elsewhere on the collection he is more in a folk mode with simpler accompaniment. Either way, he’s one helluva poetic communicator. Troubadour triumphant.
CAITLIN ROSE/Only A Clown
Writers: G. Louris/C. Rose; Producers: Jordan Lehning, Caitlin Rose and Skylar Wilson; Publishers: Pearl Tower/Absinthe/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; ATO (track)
-This snappy country-rocker puts a solid backbeat behind her fragile-rose soprano vocal. It’s one of the many delights to be found on her second album, The Stand-In. The collection is somewhat more fully produced than her debut. Caitlin is the daughter of top Music Row tunesmith Liz Rose. In a just universe, she would be a huge mainstream country success like her mom. As it is, we’ll accept her and cherish her as one of our city’s most literate and lilting alt-country artists.
GUY CLARK/My Favorite Picture of You
Writers: Guy Clark/Gordy Sampson; Producers: Guy Clark, Chris Latham and Shawn Camp; Publishers: EMI April/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Dualtone (track)
-The tender title tune of this master song craftsman’s current CD is about his wife Susanna, who died last year. No one, but no one, can tell a story in song like this man can. His rumpled, well-worn vocal delivery is just as affecting as his extraordinary lyric. Last week, Guy was presented with an ACM Poet’s Award. In 2004, he was named to the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame. The Americana Music Association gave him a Lifetime Achievement honor in 2005. This collection, his first in four years, presents 11 new reasons why he deserves these and whatever other accolades we can bring him.
IRIS DEMENT/Go On Ahead and Go Home
Writer: Iris Dement; Producers: Bo Ramsey, Richard Bennett and Iris Dement; Publisher: Songs of Iris, ASCAP; Flariella (track)
-Backed by organ, guitar and rippling piano, this gospel anthem welcomes the “homecoming” that belongs to the faithful when they pass on. As usual, she sings with ringing, homespun authority. Produced in Music City, the entire Sing the Delta album will restore your faith in the power of country music. Much of it is informed by meditations on our mortality, but death has never sounded more inspirational.