DISClaimer Single Reviews (8/08/12)

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Photo: Russ Harrington

What’s that sound?

Oh yes, I remember. It’s called country music. And I don’t mean the overly polished kind that Music Row usually serves us. I mean the Real Deal.

Teea Goans, Herrick, Gold City, Moot Davis, Derek Hoke and Justin Trevino are all back to warm my hillbilly heart with ringing reminders of what old-school country can mean. My enthusiastic encouragement goes out to all of these folks for doing their jobs so well. Again. I’ve praised them all before in this column, and I am happy to do so once more.

It’s awfully hard to argue with the star power of Mary Chapin Carpenter with James Taylor. Especially when the song is as strong as “Soul Companion.” Give that baby a Disc of the Day prize.

I’m sorry to report that no one stepped forward from the ranks of the unknown to claim a DisCovery Award this week. But hope springs eternal. There’s always the next stack of platters….

MOOT DAVIS/Man About Town
Writer: Moot Davis; Producer: Kenny Vaughan; Publisher: Highway Kind, ASCAP; Highway Kind (track) (www.mootdavis.com)
—If you’re a lover of traditional country music and don’t know about Music City’s Moot Davis, you need to get up to speed. The title tune of his newest CD is a moaning barroom ballad that hits right in the gut. His trembling tenor recalls the greatness of Gary Stewart, and his album’s cast includes such luminaries as Harry Stinson, Elizabeth Cook and Chris Scruggs. I caught Moot at the CMA Music Fest a few seasons back, and he blew me away. Get on board.

THE TWANGTOWN PARAMOURS/Chains
Writer: MaryBeth Zamer/Mike T. Lewis; Producer: Mike T. Lewis; Publisher: All Olive/Inside Edge, ASCAP; Inside Edge (track) (www.twangtownparmours.com)
—Led by singer-songwriters Zamer and Lewis, this acoustic group’s new collection is titled The Promise of Friday Night. This tragic, folkie, saga/ballad is one of its compelling centerpieces. Zamer’s clear soprano lead vocals might be too pure sounding for country programmers, but those of you on the Americana airwaves might take to it just fine.

CHUCK HANCOCK/On a Personal Note
Writer: Chuck Hancock; Producer: Bill Bleckley, Mike Schrimpf & Chuck Hancock; Publisher: Chuck Hancock, BMI; CH (track) (www.chuckhancock.com)
—This is the title track to a collection by a country baritone who sings with real Ray Price-style resonance. Its melody is charming, and the lyric catches the ear since it is written as an email to a lover.

MARY CHAPIN CARPENTER & JAMES TAYLOR/Soul Companion
Writer: Mary Chapin Carpenter; Producer: Matt Rollings & Mary Chapin Carpenter; Publisher: Why Walk, ASCAP; Zoe (track) (www.marychapincarpenter.com)
—Chapin’s new Ashes & Roses is as lustrous a set of songs as she has ever issued. Its lead-off single conveys warm yearning for lasting love in its rolling, mid-tempo groove. The two singers are quite striking together, since James’s familiar tenor and Chapin’s soulful alto are coincidentally in exactly the same range and key. Super listening.

DEREK HOKE/Lonely Street
Writer: Derek Hoke; Producer: Dexter Green; Publisher: Slow Hoke, BMI; Electric Western/Thirty Tigers (track) (www.derekhoke.com)
—Mark your calendars. Derek Hoke’s Waiting All Night album release party is at The Groove in East Nashville on Sunday, August 26, at 2:00 in the afternoon. “Free food and beer while it lasts!” reads the invitation. The record will be available in both CD and vinyl formats. That retro touch is appropriate, since this lead-off ballad is a sadly wistful, country-crooner delight. Elsewhere on the set, he bops with garage-band elan, tackles country-rock with fiddle finesse, moans the blues and two-steps like a pro. I have a feeling that his Groove show is going to be a joy.

JENNA JENTRY/Good As Gold
Writer: Jenna Jentry/Kevin DeClue; Producer: Kevin DeClue & Jenna Jentry; Publisher: Jenna Jentry/Kevin DeClue, BMI; JJ (track) (www.jennajentry.com)
—The title tune to Jentry’s CD is a frothy rocker with a well-produced, double-time backing track. Her singing voice is too vanilla to match its energy.

TEEA GOANS & JAMIE DAILEY/That’s Just Me
Writer: Jerry Salley/Lisa Shaffer; Producer: Terry Choate; Publisher: Universal/Brentwood Benson/Lasso the Moon/KLMS, SESAC/ASCAP; Crosswind (track) (www,teeagoans.com)
—This lady’s debut CD made me an instant fan back in 2010. Her sophomore set confirms her complete mastery of country vocal interpreting. She and Jamie sway through this two-step title tune like a perfectly matched honky-tonk prince and princess. Also check out her stunning solo reading of Larry Gatlin’s “I’ve Done Enough Dying Today.” This, my friends, is Country Music, and I am completely in love.

JUSTIN TREVINO/Two of the Usual
Writer: Fred Carter Jr.; Producer: Justin Trevino; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Heart of Texas (track) (325-597-1895)
—This neo-traditionalist has been making exemplary CDs in Texas for several seasons. His latest is a steel-soaked gem that kicks off with this slow-shuffle title tune. His love flaunts her cheating in front of him in this classic-sounding lament. Amber Digby’s harmony vocal on the chorus is a piercing plus.

GOLD CITY/Peter, James and John
Writer: Dianne Wilkinson; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Christian Taylor/Daywind/EverGreen, BMI; New Haven (track) (www.newhavenrecords.com)
—New Haven Records has a nifty compilation of this year’s Southern-gospel winners from the Singing News fan awards. This is meat-and-potatoes, old-school stuff, people. In addition to tracks by The Perrys, The Kingsmen, The McKameys and other all-day-sing favorites, the label’s own Gold City is represented by this soul-stirring, harmony-saturated toe tapper. Clap along and shout, “Hallelujah!”

HERRICK/Do You Love Me
Writer: Kerry Herrick/Donna Herrick; Producer: Herrick & Michael Bonagura; Publisher: Herrick KDK, BMI; BreakAway (track) (www.herricklive.com)
—I have praised this foursome effusively in the past. Lead singer Donna Herrick penetrates this percolating track with passion, while her own mandolin sets the throbbing pace of the production. This has drive, dynamism and drama. Play it.

Artist News (8/7/12)

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Kenny Chesney’s current single “Come Over” has topped the Country Singles Charts in only 11 weeks. “Come Over” is Chesney’’s 24th career #1 single and was certified Gold last week for digital sales in excess of 500,000.

“Come Over” is the second single from Chesney’s Welcome To The Fishbowl album, which has already yielded the Top 10 single, “Feel Like A Rock Star,” featuring Tim McGraw. Chesney and McGraw have been sharing the stage this summer on the Brothers of the Sun Tour. Next week, the tour makes its way to the Big Easy with a play at the Superdome and then travels to Houston for a Saturday show at Reliant Stadium.

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Coming off the heels of his 10th No. 1 hit as a songwriter and artist, Dierks Bentley’s new single “Tip It On Back” is now available at country radio. “Tip It On Back,” written by Ross Copperman, Tully Kennedy and Jon Nite, chases three consecutive No. one hits off Bentley’s sixth studio album Home. Fans can download a special edit of “Tip It On Back” on iTunes as part of Bentley’s upcoming Country & Cold Cans EP out Aug. 21.

Alongside the release of Bentley’s Country & Cold Cans EP, Bentley will kick off tailgating season at three SEC campuses this month, with stops scheduled at The University of Georgia (8/20), The University of South Carolina (8/21) and Ole Miss (8/22). For more information on the new music and for a full list of upcoming tour dates, visit www.dierks.com.

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Jason Aldean took the stage as stadium headliner Sunday night (8/5) to a sold-out crowd when the 2012 My Kinda Party Tour, presented by State Farm, stopped at Crew Stadium in Columbus, OH. The crowd of over 27,000 people was the largest in the venue’s history.

State Farm has signed on as the presenting tour sponsor for the remainder of the year. Aldean has sold out every tour date so far this year, setting attendance records at most venues. The tour tallies 1.9 million tickets sold to date, and it continues on this weekend with stops in Jacksonville, Tampa and West Palm. For a full list of appearances and upcoming tour dates, visit www.jasonaldean.com.

Colt Ford Releases 4th Studio Album

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Colt Ford’s fourth studio album Declaration of Independence hits stores nationwide today, Aug. 7. The 15-track release features collaborations with Jason Aldean, Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men, Kix Brooks, Montgomery Gentry, Jake Owen, Darius Rucker and more.

Released on Average Joes Entertainment, Declaration of Independence is produced by Shannon Houchins and Dann Huff. Of the 15 tracks, Ford wrote or co-wrote 14 of them.

“This album is very real and honest and by far the best record I’ve ever made,” Ford says.  “The last two records—I stand up and cheer for them—but I tried to make a lot of people happy on the last two records and I took the edge off of it. On this record I put the edge back on there.”

Declaration of Independence Track Listing:
1. “Answer To No One” feat. JJ Lawhorn
2. “Drivin’ Around Song” feat. Jason Aldean
3. “All In” feat. Kix Brooks
4. “Ain’t Out Of The Woods Yet” feat. Montgomery Gentry
5. “Back” with Jake Owen
6. “Dancin’ While Intoxicated (DWI)” feat. LoCash Cowboys and Redneck Social Club
7. “It’s All” feat. Jeffrey Steele
9. “Hugh Damn Right” feat. Laura Bell Bundy
10. “Room At The Bar” feat. Corey Smith
11. “All Of My Tomorrows” feat. Russell Dickerson
12. “Happy In Hell” feat. Wanya Morris of Boyz II Men
13. “50/50”
14. “Way Too Early” feat. Darius Rucker
15. “Angels & Demons” feat. Lamar Williams Jr.

To purchase Declaration of Independence online, click here.

SoundExchange and BandPage To Deliver Unclaimed Royalties

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Non-profit distributor of digital performance royalties, SoundExchange will partner with BandPage, an online tool for musicians, to deliver more than $2 million in unclaimed digital performance royalties.

Bandpage musicians with unclaimed performance royalties will be notified directly by the company via email if registered with the royalty distributor.

“This initiative with BandPage allows us to reach all types of musicians and is part of our ongoing effort to spread the news about these royalties to all that have earned them,” said SoundExchange President Michael Huppe.

Earlier this year, the two companies hosted an educational webinar as part of an ongoing series informing and educating artists, labels and services of digital music.

SoundExchange has paid out $1 billion in royalties to recording artists and labels for statutory royalties collected from satellite radio, internet radio, cable TV music channels and other streaming services granted by the Copyright Royalty Board as the only U.S. entity to collect and distribute these royalties.

Pat Higdon To Relaunch Patrick Joseph Music

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Pat Higdon

Music publishing veteran Pat Higdon announced plans to re-launched his Patrick Joseph Music today (8/7).

Originally founded as a joint venture with Warner/Chappell Music in ’89, Higdon will join forces with New York, Los Angeles and London-based SONGS Music Publishing, founded in 2004.

The venture will dedicate itself to writer services, acquisition of new writers, and exploiting catalogs and songs from Matraca Berg, Tim Mensy, Troy Verges, Gary Harrison, Carolyn Dawn Johnson and Brett James.

“I’m excited about getting back to the creative end of the business which I enjoy the most,” said Higdon.

“Pat is widely recognized as one of Nashville’s most successful music publishers, and he has an incredible, illustrious history as an independent publisher and entrepreneur,” said SONGS Founder/CEO and NMPA Board Member, Matt Pincus. “It’s a pleasure and honor to be in business with Pat, re-launching the great Patrick Joseph Music as a destination for writers in Nashville.”

Founded in 2004, SONGS publishes and administers for Mighty Seven Songs (Crush Management) and Mom and Pop Music Publishing (Q Prime Management), JT Harding (co-writer “Somewhere with You” and “Alone With You”) and Sleigh Bells. SONGS maintains a writer roster including Diplo (Usher, No Doubt, Justin Bieber, MIA, Major Lazer), Brian Lee (Lady Gaga, Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen), Matt Thiessen (Relient K, Katy Perry, Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen), Q-Tip, and publishes titles including “Good Time” (Owl City & Carly Rae Jepsen), “Climax” (Usher), and a portion of the Pharrell Williams catalog.

Higdon has spent time with Nashville’s Woodland Sound, Cedarwood Publishing, MCA Music, rising to become MCA’s Vice President of Nashville operations. He served as Senior Director of Creative Services at Warner/Chappell Music, with whom he founded Patrick Joseph Music as a joint venture. A similar relationship was established in 1992 with Los Angeles-based Windswept Pacific Entertainment before spending the past 12 years at UMPG.

Watkins and Hatch Show Print Celebrate Rolling Stones 50th Anniversary

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Watkins College of Art, Design & Film will present Paint It Black, a Rolling Stones tribute commemorating 50-years of music through original letterpress posters in partnership with Hatch Show Print.

Using a variety of wooden type and wooden image blocks from the Hatch collection, 11 Graphic Design juniors and seniors created hand-set, oversized posters for the one-day summer workshop organized by Associate Professor Steve Wilkison. Titles influencing the works included “Paint It Black,” “Wild Horses” and “Dead Flowers.”

The free show, which runs August 10–26 in the Brownlee O. Currey, Jr. Gallery, includes an open-to-the-public reception Thurs., August 23, from 5-7 pm.

Currey Gallery hours are Monday through Friday, 9 am-8 pm; Saturday, 10 am-4 pm; and Sunday, 2-4 pm. For more information, click here.

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill Bring “Soul2Soul” to The Venetian

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Tim McGraw and Faith Hill perform at the Rod Laver Arena on March 20, 2012, in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo: Martin Philbey)

Tim McGraw and Faith Hill announced today (8/7) at an exclusive press conference they will bring their Soul2Soul to The Venetian this winter.

Being billed as “the biggest musical event in the history of The Venetian,” the limited engagement opens on Dec. 7 and covers 10 weekends through April 2013. A ticket pre-sale will begin tomorrow and tickets for the general public will go on sale Monday, Aug. 13.

Soul2Soul at The Venetian will mark the first time in six years that McGraw and Hill have performed together in the United States. Soul2Soul will feature an all-new production with innovative lighting and set design technologies that were synonymous with the Soul2Soul concerts. The Venetian Theater will also be modified to accommodate this new production.

“We are creating a show that will be completely different from what we’ve done before – and might ever do again,” said Tim McGraw and Faith Hill. “In arenas and stadiums, you’re always faced with the challenge of finding ways to make people feel closer to the action, no matter where they might be sitting. Now everyone will be close, so it opens up all kinds of creative possibilities and we’re looking forward to exploring those so that we can really give our fans something truly special.”

“It’s not every day that Las Vegas welcomes such stellar star power to the Strip,” said John Caparella, president and chief operating officer of The Venetian, The Palazzo & Sands Expo. “Tim McGraw and Faith Hill are country music’s first couple and we are proud to have such extraordinary talent. When they hit our stage in December it will surely be the hottest ticket in town.” Caparella’s connection to Nashville include his prior stint as Chief Operating Officer of Gaylord Entertainment Company until he left the company in 2009.

Notable duets between the two include “Let’s Make Love,” “It’s Your Love,” and “I Need You.” Collectively, they’ve sold 70 million albums, won eight Grammy Awards, 14 Country Music Association Awards, 14 American Music Awards, seven People’s Choice Awards and 26 Academy of Country Music Awards.

The couple’s first Soul2Soul Tour in 2000 visited 65 North American cities, grossed nearly $50 million and was witnessed by close to 950,000 people. Joining forces again in 2006 for the Soul2Soul II Tour, the superstar couple played 74 shows in 56 cities, selling 1.1 million tickets. The tour was rebranded the following year as Soul2Soul 2007 when the couple hosted opening acts including Taylor Swift, and grossed some additional $52 million. Combined, the 2006-07 tours grossed $141 million and supported almost 150 crew, 22 trucks, and 14 busses.

McGraw and Hill took to Australia this past March for a 6-show run before McGraw headed out on a summer headlining tour with Kenny Chesney, which has surpassed sales of 1-million tickets. Hill performed during CMA Fest in Nashville, which will be aired as part of ABC’s CMAMusic Festival: Country’s Night to Rock, September 17.

This residency joins Shania Twain’s upcoming stay at the Caesars Palace Coliseum and Garth Brooks’ current residency at the Wynn’s Encore Theatre.

Members of The Venetian’s loyalty program, Grazie, as well as Tim McGraw and Faith Hill’s official fan communities and Clear Channel subscribers will be able to purchase advance tickets through the pre-sale starting tomorrow, Wednesday, Aug. 8 at 10 a.m. Tickets go on sale to the general public on Monday, Aug. 13 at 10 a.m. Performances are scheduled for 8 and 10:30 p.m. on Dec. 7, 8; 14, 15; Jan. 18, 19, 25, 26, 2013; Feb. 1, 2, 15, 16, 22, 23, March 1,2; April 12, 13, 26 and 27.

Ticket prices are $95.50, $175.50 and $255.50 and $295.50 inclusive of tax. A limited number of VIP Packages – including preferred seating in the first two rows, a complimentary pre-fixe dinner at a select resort restaurant, two complimentary drinks at the show, a merchandise credit and more – will be available for $1,000, inclusive of tax. Performance dates and times are subject to change. Tickets are available for purchase at any Venetian | Palazzo Box Office, online at venetian.com or by phone at 702-414-9000.

For more information on Grazie and to become a member, please call Grazie Services at 702-414-1500 or click here.

Click here to watch the full press conference.

Music Video Roundup: Rascal Flatts, Bucky Covington and More

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Rascal Flatts featured their new music video for “Come Wake Me Up,” with a behind-the-scenes special that launched August 6 at CMT.com. The full video will make its world premiere Friday, August 10 on CMT at 6 a.m. ET, and run at the top of every hour during music hours.

Filmed in Nashville, the video includes a cameo by Joe Don Rooney’s wife, Tiffany Fallon. Two-time female street freestyle world champion Dena Sodano steps in Fallon’s role as the motorcycle stunt driver. “Come Wake Me Up” was directed by Shaun Silva.

To preview the making of the video, click here.

Photo: Justin Nolan Key/Big Machine Records

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Bucky Covington and Shooter Jennings have teamed up with Maxim.com for the world-premiere of their music video, “Drinking Side Of Country.” The neo-outlaw action clip, which depicts Covington and Jennings stirring up trouble in a tiny town, can now be viewed here.

Directed by Blake Judd, the raucous music video was shot in Greensburg, KY in the midst of a record-setting heat wave in the region. Friends Kellie Pickler, X Games medalist Kenny Bartram and TNA Impact Knockout wrestler Mickie James make cameo appearances as they help Covington and Jennings evade the law and celebrate over a cold beer. “Drinking Side Of Country,” written by Covington and twin brother Rocky along with Ducky Medlock, can be found on Covington’s forthcoming sophomore album Good Guys, set to release September 11.

Bucky Covington and Shooter Jennings

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Heidi Newfield recently released the music video for “Why’d You Have To Be So Good.” Directed by Eric Welch, the video features Newfield in two settings: one totally black and one totally white. “There’s a constant struggle between hope and fear within all of us. This video allows the viewer to watch that internal struggle play out.” To view the video, click here.

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The first in a series of fan generated music videos for Mary Chapin Carpenter’s new song, “Soul Companion,” premiered August 1 on YouTube. Featuring a duet with James Taylor, “Soul Companion” is the first single from Carpenter’s Zoë/Rounder Records album, Ashes and Roses. The video features images that were sent in by fans. The remaining videos will premiere throughout the next few weeks. Click here to view the video. In celebration of the album, Carpenter is currently in the midst of a North American headlining tour, including dates at Wolf Trap and Ravinia as well as an appearance at Lincoln Center’s 2012 White Light Festival.

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Corey Wagar

Corey Wagar recently released the official music video for “Take Ya Back.” The video brings viewers a glimpse into Wagar’s life at a young age. Filmed in the heart of Music City, Corey relives the moments she cherished most growing up, listening to her father’s old records and her own personal favorite country classics. Penned by Wagar and songwriters Beau Fuller and Cece DuBois, “Take Ya Back” has been receiving rave reviews since its radio release in June. It immediately charted at No. 71 on the MusicRow Country Breakout chart. To view the video, click here.

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Southern California country crooner Nick 13 has premiered a serene new music video for “Carry My Body Down” from his debut self-titled album. To view the video, click here.

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Up and coming country rockers, Whiskey Myers, recently released the music video for the song, “Anna Marie.” Directed by Matt Bizer of Robot Fondue, the 1940’s-esque video follows the tale of five moonshine-drinking outlaws on the hunt for money and trouble. Little do they know, they’ll meet their match with the equally dangerous Anna Marie, played by Natalie Wilemon. To view the video, click here.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

The Marshall Tucker Band’s Stuart Swanlund Passes

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Photo: Barry Sigman

Marshall Tucker Band family is mourning the loss of longtime band member and guitarist Stuart Swanlund who passed away in his sleep at his Chicago home last Saturday (8/4). Swanlund was 54.

Swanlund was the longest standing member of the band since 1985 when he started playing slide guitar for the group.

“Our thoughts and prayers are with Stuart’s family and those who knew him,” said founding member Doug Gray. “We have lost a great friend.”

Puerto Rican born, Swanlund was raised in Spartanburg, SC, where he was influenced by Gray, who rehearsed in his neighborhood.

When not touring with The Marshall Tucker Band, Swanlund performed in Chicago with local band, the Tone Generators.

Swanlund is survived by his son, William “Billy” Swanlund, his lifelong partner Stacey Schmaren, three grandchildren and sister, Suzanne Spencer.

Funeral services for Swanlund will be held this Saturday, August 11 at 11:00 am at the Good Shepherd Memorial Park in Boiling Springs, SC.

Gibson to Pay $350,000 Fine in Illegal Wood Case

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Nashville-based Gibson Guitar Corp. agreed to pay a $350,000 penalty to resolve criminal charges brought by the US Government and the Department of Justice for illegally importing ebony wood from Madagascar and rosewood and ebony from India.

The agreement defers prosecution under the Lacey Act by requiring Gibson to pay a penalty amount of $300,000 in addition to a community service payment of $50,000 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation, which promotes efforts surrounding protected tree species used in the musical instrument industry.

Gibson will implement a compliance program regarding controls and procedures in addition to withdrawing claim to the wood seized for the investigation, total invoice value of $261,844.

“As a result of this investigation and criminal enforcement agreement, Gibson has acknowledged that it failed to act on information that the Madagascar ebony it was purchasing may have violated laws intended to limit overharvesting and conserve valuable wood species from Madagascar, a country which has been severely impacted by deforestation,” said Assistant Attorney General Moreno.

“We felt compelled to settle as the costs of proving our case at trial would have cost millions of dollars and taken a very long time to resolve,” said Gibson CEO, Henry Juszkiewicz. “This allows us to get back to the business of making guitars.”

Juszkiewicz spoke of the prosecution in his July 19 Wall Street Journal piece, which he says cost his company $2-3 million in products and productivity. He called the Government’s actions an “overreach” and a “job killer.”

This case was investigated in part by the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Middle District of Tennessee.