Kitty Wells
Kitty Wells, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee best known for the classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” died peacefully at her Nashville home today, July 16, 2012. She passed away from complications of a stroke.
The last year had been hard on Wells. Her husband, country singer Johnnie Wright died Sept. 27, 2011 at age 97 following a lengthy illness. He was part of the duo Johnnie & Jack and a lifelong booster of his wife’s career.
Between 1952 and 1966, Wells ruled the country popularity charts with a string of hits that defined female country music of that era. She introduced such standards as “Release Me,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Makin’ Believe” and, unforgettably, the iconic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”
She was Nashville’s first female country superstar. Kitty Wells influenced a generation of stylists, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Jan Howard, Norma Jean, Pam Tillis, Connie Smith and Patty Loveless.
Born Muriel Ellen Deason on August 30, 1919, Kitty Wells was a Nashville native. Her father was a guitarist, her uncle was a fiddler and her mother a gospel singer. She grew up hearing folk songs in her Nashville living room, learned guitar chords from a neighbor, sang hymns in church and listened to broadcasts of country music on The Grand Ole Opry.
She left school at age 15 and went to work at the Washington Manufacturing Company, ironing new shirts for nine dollars a week. She formed a duo with her cousin Bessie Choate. As The Deason Sisters, they had their own, 15-minute, morning radio show on WSIX in 1936.
Cabinet maker Johnnie Wright (1914-2011) had a sister who lived next door to the Deasons. She told him about her musical neighbor, and soon Kitty and Johnnie were swapping songs. They married in 1937. He formed the Johnnie & Jack duo with Jack Anglin, and she dutifully followed the team as they moved from radio station to radio station throughout the south.
They landed at KWKH and The Louisiana Hayride after World War II, and this is when she began singing again, using her new stage name, Kitty Wells. She also worked as a KWKH disc jockey billed as “Rag Doll,” because she sold quilting supplies on her show. She recorded some gospel tunes for RCA in 1949-50, but these were not successful.
In 1952, Johnnie & Jack’s hit “Poison Love” brought them to the Opry cast. She’d pretty much decided to retire from music in Nashville when she was persuaded to record an “answer” song to the Hank Thompson hit “The Wild Side of Life.” By the fall of 1952, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was a sensation. It was considered controversial at the time because it spoke up for wronged women.
Kitty Wells followed the blockbuster with a string of hits sung from a female point of view: “Paying For That Back Street Affair” (1953), “Cheatin’s a Sin” (1954), “There’s Poison in Your Heart” (1955), “Searching” (1956), “Repenting” (1957), “Jealousy” (1958), “Your Wild Life’s Gonna Get You Down” (1959), “Heartbreak U.S.A.” (1961), “Will Your Lawyer Talk to God” (1962) and more. She sang memorable duets with fellow superstars Red Foley, Roy Acuff and Webb Pierce, as well as her husband.
Johnnie Wright was by her side throughout it all. He helped choose the songs that defined her image. They formed a family touring show with children Ruby, Carol Sue and Bobby. Beginning in 1968, they starred in their own nationally syndicated television show. One of Nashville’s best country chefs, she published a series of down-home cookbooks. The family opened a career museum in Madison in 1983.
During her career, Kitty Wells placed 81 titles on the country popularity charts and had 35 top-10 hits. These accomplishments made her one of the biggest female country stars in history.
Kitty Wells was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976 and won a Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music in 1986. In 1989, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Honky Tonk Angels Medley,” recorded with Loretta Lynn, k.d. lang and Brenda Lee. She was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1991. Even into the 1990s, Johnnie and Kitty performed more than 150 shows a year. They retired from the road after a performance on New Year’s Eve, 2000.
The lonely wail of the voice of Kitty Wells endures as the embodiment of post-war female country music. She wept for the honky-tonk angels and downtrodden housewives. As a vocalist, her tight-lipped intensity, keening emotionalism and pent-up fervor created a spine-tingling body of work that more than earned her the title The Queen of Country Music.
Memorial services will be at the Hendersonville Church of Christ. Visitation will be Thu., July 19, 2 – 8 p.m., and the funeral will be Fri., July 20 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, Tenn. by way of the Kitty Wells/Johnnie Wright Scholarship Fund.
k.d. Lang, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee perform at the 1988 CMA Awards. Photo: Alan Mayor
Florida Georgia Line Signs to Republic Nashville/BMLG
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Front Row–Big Machine Label Group Pres./CEO Scott Borchetta, FGL’s Brian Kelley and Tyler Hubbard, Republic Nashville Pres./BMLG EVP Jimmy Harnen; Back Row – BMLG GM Andrew Kautz, Big Loud Mountain Partner/Florida Georgia Line Manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk, Big Loud Mountain/Florida Georgia Line Manager Seth England, Big Loud Mountain Partner Craig Wiseman, BMLG VP A&R Allison Jones, and Big Loud Mountain Partner/Florida Georgia Line Producer Joey Moi. Photo: Ivan Clow
Earlier today (7/16), Florida Georgia Line inked its first major record deal with Republic Nashville/BMLG.
Monroe, Georgia’s Tyler Hubbard and Ormond Beach, Florida’s Brian Kelley recently released a digital EP, It’z Just What We Do on Big Loud Mountain, a partnership between Craig Wiseman, Joey Moi, and Kevin “Chief” Zaruk. The debut single, “Cruise,” has sold over 100,000 downloads to date. Republic Nashville will amp up promotion efforts for the title.
“Florida Georgia Line has built a gigantic army of loyal fans, one by one all across the USA and Canada! Their talent, energy and work ethic are second to none,” said Republic Nashville President and Big Machine Label Group EVP Jimmy Harnen.
The duo will maintain existing commitments on Jake Owen’s and Brantley Gilbert’s tours, and recently appeared on the Country Throwdown Tour.
Kitty Wells, The Queen of Country Music, Passes
/by Robert K OermannKitty Wells
Kitty Wells, the Country Music Hall of Fame inductee best known for the classic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels,” died peacefully at her Nashville home today, July 16, 2012. She passed away from complications of a stroke.
The last year had been hard on Wells. Her husband, country singer Johnnie Wright died Sept. 27, 2011 at age 97 following a lengthy illness. He was part of the duo Johnnie & Jack and a lifelong booster of his wife’s career.
Between 1952 and 1966, Wells ruled the country popularity charts with a string of hits that defined female country music of that era. She introduced such standards as “Release Me,” “I Can’t Stop Loving You,” “Makin’ Believe” and, unforgettably, the iconic “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels.”
She was Nashville’s first female country superstar. Kitty Wells influenced a generation of stylists, including Loretta Lynn, Dolly Parton, Emmylou Harris, Jan Howard, Norma Jean, Pam Tillis, Connie Smith and Patty Loveless.
Born Muriel Ellen Deason on August 30, 1919, Kitty Wells was a Nashville native. Her father was a guitarist, her uncle was a fiddler and her mother a gospel singer. She grew up hearing folk songs in her Nashville living room, learned guitar chords from a neighbor, sang hymns in church and listened to broadcasts of country music on The Grand Ole Opry.
She left school at age 15 and went to work at the Washington Manufacturing Company, ironing new shirts for nine dollars a week. She formed a duo with her cousin Bessie Choate. As The Deason Sisters, they had their own, 15-minute, morning radio show on WSIX in 1936.
Cabinet maker Johnnie Wright (1914-2011) had a sister who lived next door to the Deasons. She told him about her musical neighbor, and soon Kitty and Johnnie were swapping songs. They married in 1937. He formed the Johnnie & Jack duo with Jack Anglin, and she dutifully followed the team as they moved from radio station to radio station throughout the south.
They landed at KWKH and The Louisiana Hayride after World War II, and this is when she began singing again, using her new stage name, Kitty Wells. She also worked as a KWKH disc jockey billed as “Rag Doll,” because she sold quilting supplies on her show. She recorded some gospel tunes for RCA in 1949-50, but these were not successful.
In 1952, Johnnie & Jack’s hit “Poison Love” brought them to the Opry cast. She’d pretty much decided to retire from music in Nashville when she was persuaded to record an “answer” song to the Hank Thompson hit “The Wild Side of Life.” By the fall of 1952, “It Wasn’t God Who Made Honky Tonk Angels” was a sensation. It was considered controversial at the time because it spoke up for wronged women.
Kitty Wells followed the blockbuster with a string of hits sung from a female point of view: “Paying For That Back Street Affair” (1953), “Cheatin’s a Sin” (1954), “There’s Poison in Your Heart” (1955), “Searching” (1956), “Repenting” (1957), “Jealousy” (1958), “Your Wild Life’s Gonna Get You Down” (1959), “Heartbreak U.S.A.” (1961), “Will Your Lawyer Talk to God” (1962) and more. She sang memorable duets with fellow superstars Red Foley, Roy Acuff and Webb Pierce, as well as her husband.
Johnnie Wright was by her side throughout it all. He helped choose the songs that defined her image. They formed a family touring show with children Ruby, Carol Sue and Bobby. Beginning in 1968, they starred in their own nationally syndicated television show. One of Nashville’s best country chefs, she published a series of down-home cookbooks. The family opened a career museum in Madison in 1983.
During her career, Kitty Wells placed 81 titles on the country popularity charts and had 35 top-10 hits. These accomplishments made her one of the biggest female country stars in history.
Kitty Wells was elected to the Country Music Hall of Fame in 1976 and won a Pioneer Award from the Academy of Country Music in 1986. In 1989, she was nominated for a Grammy Award for “Honky Tonk Angels Medley,” recorded with Loretta Lynn, k.d. lang and Brenda Lee. She was presented with a Lifetime Achievement Grammy in 1991. Even into the 1990s, Johnnie and Kitty performed more than 150 shows a year. They retired from the road after a performance on New Year’s Eve, 2000.
The lonely wail of the voice of Kitty Wells endures as the embodiment of post-war female country music. She wept for the honky-tonk angels and downtrodden housewives. As a vocalist, her tight-lipped intensity, keening emotionalism and pent-up fervor created a spine-tingling body of work that more than earned her the title The Queen of Country Music.
Memorial services will be at the Hendersonville Church of Christ. Visitation will be Thu., July 19, 2 – 8 p.m., and the funeral will be Fri., July 20 at 1 p.m.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to Goodpasture Christian School in Madison, Tenn. by way of the Kitty Wells/Johnnie Wright Scholarship Fund.
k.d. Lang, Kitty Wells, Loretta Lynn and Brenda Lee perform at the 1988 CMA Awards. Photo: Alan Mayor
Industry Ink Monday (7/16)
/by Sarah SkatesThe July installment of ASCAP’s popular showcase series at The Bluebird Cafe featured veteran Nashville hitmaker and ASCAP Award-winning songwriter Bob Regan, rising songstress Sarah Sadler, and up-and-coming artist-writers Drennan. Pictured (L-R): ASCAP's Mike Sistad, Sarah Sadler, Bob Regan, Olivia Drennan, Johnny Drennan and ASCAP's Alison Toczylowski. Photo: Julie Meirick
• Charlie Peacock, the producer behind Grammy-winning group The Civil Wars, is preparing for the Oct. 2 release of his own album. No Man’s Land marks his ninth solo outing, and his first vocal recording in twelve years. Peacock recorded it at his home studio, The Art House, a restored hundred-year-old church in Nashville.
• Songwriter/artist Patrick Davis is releasing his own versions of some of his biggest cuts, including songs recorded by Lady Antebellum, Casey James, Pat Green, Darius Rucker, Jason Michael Carroll and Josh Kelley. The Cuts – Volume One will be available on iTunes and www.PatrickDavisMusic.com on Friday, July 20. Davis has been a staff writer at EMI Nashville since 2005. In the past decade he has secured nearly 40 cuts by other artists.
• The Law Office of Wayne Halper has relocated to 33 Music Sq. W., Ste. 108B, Nashville, TN 37203. The telephone, fax and e-mail contact info remain the same. Contact Halper at (615) 429-8500 or lawofficeofwaynehalper@comcast.net.
• The application deadline for the ASCAP Plus Awards program has been extended to Sept. 1, 2012. For more information visit www.ascap.com/ascapplus.
• Stephanie Silverman has been promoted to executive director of the Belcourt Theatre after five years with the non-profit.
• IMMERSE, the Gospel Music Association’s Music Training Experience, will be held July 22-25 at Rocketown in Nashville.
On Saturday (7/14), the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum presented Chet Atkins: Friends and Flame Keepers. The concert highlighted the relationships created and nurtured around Atkins’ music, as well as the artists who are carrying on and expanding Atkins’ guitar style. The program also served as the finale for the Atkins exhibit, which closed July 15. Also, the Museum is currently offering students and young professionals a $10 membership discount. Pictured (L-R): (back row) Director of Education and Public Programs Ali Tonn, Meagan Taylor Anderson, Joe Robinson, John Knowles, Muriel Anderson, Thom Bresh, (front row) Ben Hall, Guy Van Duser and Brooks Robertson. Photo: Larry McCormack
CRS Launches Battle of the Bands
/by Eric T. ParkerThe friendly competition will pit bands against each other in an effort to raise the most money for the CRS Scholarship Fund and The Country Radio Hall of Fame. To participate, all bands must be comprised of members of Nashville’s country music record label community.
“This fun-filled event is going to be a great excuse to watch our friends and colleagues let their inner Rock Star explode on stage,” said CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne.
This will be a private, industry-only event. Contact the CRS offices at (615) 327-4487 for more information or to submit your band for consideration.
For information on CRS 2013 click here.
BBR Management Hires Stephen Linn
/by Eric T. ParkerStephen Linn
The Broken Bow Music Group has announced the appointment of industry veteran Stephen Linn as Sr. VP of BBR Management. Effectively immediately, Linn will represent country rock foursome Parmalee.
“Stephen is one of the brightest minds in the business with the work ethic to match,” said Jon Loba, SVP of Broken Bow Music Group. “He is the perfect compliment to Shawn Pennington, who has done such an amazing job with Thompson Square, to help continue the growth and development of BBR Management.”
In addition to Parmalee and Thompson Square, BBR Management also oversees the career of Kristy Lee Cook.
Linn most recently served as Sr. Director of Music Programming and Promotion for CMT where he developed music content, integrated promotions and new music initiatives. Linn also developed the network’s growing social media program which currently reaches more than 2 million people.
Prior to CMT, Linn worked as a television reporter and author. His marketing and media work has been recognized with multiple awards including W3, TELLY and ADDY wins.
Linn can be reached at stephen@bbrmgmt.com and 615-306-9407.
John Ettinger Expands Company
/by Caitlin RantalaJohn Ettinger
John Ettinger, who opened his Ettinger Talent Associates in 2010, is expanding and renaming the company The Talent Associates (TTA).
TTA launches with management clients Emerson Drive and Matt Gary, and consulting client Momentum Label Group. Momentum is led by Jimmy Murphy and noted artist Jamie O’Neal, and is home to flagship artist Rachele Lynae.
A TTA publishing entity begins operation immediately.
Through TTA, Ettinger continues his partnership with Chris Allums in label services company Quarterback Records.
TTA has several new Associates. Bradley Banning moves over from his coordinator position at Quarterback to become an Associate at TTA. He is joined by fellow Associates Chris Allums, singer and artist development head Brad Mates, broadcast executive and attorney Jessica Gottesman, and producer, songwriter, and guitarist Danick Dupelle. Mates and Dupelle are members of Emerson Drive.
“We’re putting together a terrific group of ‘Associates,’ and we plan to be very active from all angles, including production and publishing,” said Ettinger, who’s best known for his 20 years as a label executive and successful work with Sugarland, Shania Twain, Toby Keith, Bon Jovi, Love & Theft, and Billy Currington. “There is plenty of confusion among artists as big companies contract and close, and as radio continues to tighten and new marketing options arise. We offer one stop for ideas and acumen, from almost every angle required.”
Artist News: Darius Rucker, Lady A Cover “Wagon Wheel”
/by Sarah SkatesThe Bellamy Brothers were recently named honorary Texas Rangers and presented with plaques, badges, and pins.
• Darius Rucker tapped Capitol labelmates Lady Antebellum to duet on a cover of Old Crow Medicine Show’s famed hit “Wagon Wheel” for his next album.
• Dierks Bentley’s version of the Weeds theme song “Little Boxes” will open an episode of the Showtime series later this season. Bentley is a fan of the show, now in its final season, and over the years the theme has been recorded by Elvis Costello, Death Cab for Cutie, Ben Folds, Steve Martin, the Shins and the Decemberists. To preview Bentley’s version click here.
• Amy Grant and Vince Gill will perform their annual Christmas at the Ryman shows on Wed., Dec. 19 and Thurs., Dec. 20. Tickets start at $39.50.
• Two concerts performed by Hank Williams were recorded in the months before his death and will be released for the first time as Hank Williams: The Lost Concerts Limited Collector’s Edition on Oct. 2 by Time Life. Included are 19 tracks, Williams’ conversations with the audience, and a 1951 radio interview.
• Steel Magnolia will join the Pittsburgh Symphony Orchestra at Heinz Hall for the North American debut of Sir Paul McCartney’s “Nova,” written in honor of this late wife. The show will benefit children’s cardiac research.
Mockingbird Sun opened for Huey Lewis and The News in Omaha, NE recently at the pre-Independence Day celebration with attendance of 70,000. Mockingbird Sun is on the "We've Never Heard Of You Either" tour, which included recent shows with Eli Young Band, Martina McBride and Eric Church. The band’s single “That Girl Tonight” is climbing the Texas Music Chart. Photo: Mockingbird Sun's Brett Taylor, Adam Gardner, Truck Roley, Huey Lewis, Charlie Berry, and Barret Holloway.
Sony Promotes John Johnson
/by Sarah SkatesJohn Johnson. Photo: Alan Poizner
John Johnson has been promoted to Associate Dir., A&R, Sony Music Nashville, it was announced today (7/16) by VP A&R Jim Catino and Sr. Dir. Lisa Ramsey-Perkins.
“John has been with the company for 14 years, and is a tremendous asset to the A&R department, and the company,” shares Catino and Ramsey-Perkins. “John has built great relationships with all the artists, producers and managers that we work with, and is extremely helpful with getting all the tools we need for approval on our records.”
Johnson was most recently Manager, A&R. The Louisiana native holds a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from Belmont University in Nashville.
Aldean Debuts Lead Single From Upcoming Album
/by Eric T. ParkerThe single about a carefree summer night spent driving down country roads with a summer love and a six-pack, was written by Dylan Altman, Rodney Clawson and Jim McCormick.
“I tried to find the best songs that I could and also ones that fit what I do in my live show,” said Aldean of the forthcoming album. “There’s a little bit of everything, including some more traditional country stuff and some songs that might raise a few eyebrows.”
Aldean’s new album, due out this fall, is the follow up to the double Platinum My Kinda Party, which spawned five consecutive No. 1s and won CMA and Billboard Album of the Year. His tour, which runs through October, has sold out every date so far this year, including its first stadium show in Columbus, OH.
Aldean celebrated over the weekend when tickets to his upcoming tour stops in Indianapolis, IN (9/15) sold over 24,000 tickets in two minutes and over 20,000 tickets in St. Louis (9/14) in just four minutes.
To preview the new single, click here.
Snapshots: Luke Bryan, Kellie Pickler
/by MichelleLuke Bryan performed his platinum hits “Drunk On You” and “Country Girl (Shake It For Me)” in New York City’s Central Park Friday (7/13) as part of Good Morning America’s “Summer Concert Series.” “We had a blast playing for all the fans who came to the park this morning and for the ones watching at home too!” exclaimed Bryan. “Our Good Morning America friends treated us well.”
(L-R): Lara Spencer, Luke Bryan, Josh Elliott, Amy Robach, and Sam Champion. Photo: Michael Monaco
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After recently returning from her fifth USO Tour in Kuwait and Afghanistan, Kellie Pickler performed “God Bless America” at the MLB 2012 All-Star Game in Kansas City, MO on July 10. Pickler’s rendition of the patriotic tune aired live on FOX during the seventh inning stretch. To view the full performance, click here. That evening Pickler tweeted, “The last time I sang ‘God Bless America’ was in Afghanistan on Memorial Day for our military. Excited and proud to sing it at the All-Star Game.”
Kellie Picker. Photo: Rob Vesely