Chapter 373—Pt. 2
The Possum Turns 80
Onward. The festivities continued on Tuesday (9/13) with a downtown party to salute the 80th birthday of George Jones. We began at Rippy’s on Broadway in an upstairs dining room packed with reporters, photographers and videographers. The Possum patiently posed and did interviews, one by one.
“You never know when you’re going to pass away or what’s going to happen,” he said philosophically. When I asked him if he had a birthday message for his fans, he added, “I hope everybody lives to be 80 and more.”
Eddy Raven, Jason Michael Carroll, The McClymonts, Richard Young of The Kentucky Headhunters, Whitey Shafer, Ken Mellons, Billy Yates, Guy Penrod, Guy Gilchrist (who draws/authors the Nancy cartoon and writes country songs), Keith Bilbrey, Jimmy Carter, Randy Matthews of The Nashville Music Guide, Doak Turner, Rob Simbeck, Beth Gwinn and more well wishers crowded around the legend.
“You have been much on my mind this week,” I told attendee Travis Tritt. “And you, mine,” he replied. You see, we were together at his house in rural Georgia on 9/11/01. I was there with a CMT crew when the world stopped turning.
The vittles were – what else? – barbecue and fried chicken, plus raw veggies, tortilla chips and (huh?) chocolate cupcakes. Meanwhile, hundreds of fans jammed the main dining room, eager for a glimpse or a snapshot of George.
The birthday celebration continued at the Ryman during the Tuesday night Opry (9/13). It featured Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack and Jamey Johnson. But we had other fish to fry.
The Opry cheers George Jones' 8oth. (L-R): Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Eric Lee Beddingfield, George Jones, Joe Diffie, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban
Leadership Music Alumni Reunion
Actually, there wasn’t a fish in sight at the Noah Liff Opera Center (9/13). Truth to tell, the schmoozing was so intense at the Leadership Music Annual Alumni Reunion there that I never got near the food table.
Everyone from Chuck Aly to Rolf Zwiep attended. Forgive me for this blur of bold type, but the massive crowd included such notable LM grads as Bill Lloyd, Bill Ivey, Billy Lynn, Peter McCann, Peter Collins, Tom Collins, Tom English, Dave Pomeroy, David Bennett, David Corlew, Ed Theis, Ed Salamon, Eddie DeGarmo, Charles Dorris, John Dorris, John Lomax III, John Beiter, Jonathan Yudkin, Jimmy Gilmer, Jim Photoglo, J. Fred Knobloch (in golf togs), Fred Vail and such other two-syllable stars as Ralph Peer, Ron Cox and Jay Frank.
The triple monikered Ree Guyer Buchanan, Melanie Smith Howard, Denise Stiff Sheehan, Hank Adam Locklin and Brenna Davenport-Leigh mingled with Tamara Saviano, Stacy Widelitz, Sheri Warnke, Deb Varallo, Garth Fundis, Kathleen O’Brien and Kira Florita (who was on her home turf since she’s now the opera’s development director). Bobby Rymer, Bo Thomas, Dale Bobo, Butch Baker, Sherrill Blackmon, Gene Kennedy and Caroline Davis worked the room, too. We congratulated the folks wearing red ribbons, since they represented this year’s LM class.
Meanwhile, Fabulous Superlative Kenny Vaughan was showcasing his new solo CD at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop (9/13). And The Dirt Drifters were celebrating theirs at 3rd & Lindsley (9/13). Are the plates still spinning?
NATD Honors
On Wednesday afternoon (9/14) The Recording Academy held a reception at its office to kick-off its Grammy U program. Singer-songwriter Dave Barnes was the attraction there.
That evening (9/14) at the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown the inaugural NATD Honors banquet was staged. The gala’s genial host Colt Ford described himself as “the best lookin’ 300-pound country singer in the whole wide world.”
Rod Essig called honoree Mayor Karl Dean, “The Music Mayor,” citing such initiatives as Musicians Corner in Centennial Park, the Live on the Green concert series, the Music City Convention Center, the expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Music City Music Council, Nashville Rising, the National Folk Festival and the fact that Dean is the first mayor to go through Leadership Music. Coming up: a new Nashville amphitheater and the announcement at the Ryman on Friday of a major music-education program in the Nashville school system.
“The music industry is No. 1, because it is the one industry that brings to the city, every day, creative people,” said Dean, “and that is what makes great cities great.”
“One of the things we could do is play more Colt Ford on the radio,” suggested Ford.
The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) staged its first College of Knowledge program at Murray State in Kentucky this year. On hand were the school’s Sarah Clark and $2,500 NATD scholarship recipient Hannah Rodgers, now an intern on Music Row at The Bazel Group.
Steve Lassiter spoke of honoree Jim Gosnell’s commitment to Nashville. Thanks to his support, the APA office here has expanded from 6 to 17 staffers, from 10 to 40 clients and quadrupled its business. Danny Robinson recalled his 30-year history with Gosnell.
Comedian Lewis Black’s remarks are mostly unprintable. “I’m in this business 40 years and I have NEVER heard somebody call themselves a ‘talent director,’” he barked. “This fake organization! You’re all hired extras!” he added in his trademark, sputtering, on-the-verge-of-a-heart-attack delivery style.
“Now I have a glimpse of what my funeral is going to look like,” said Gosnell. “I accept this on behalf of everyone at APA.”
Pete Weber saluted Barry Trotz. The Nashville Predators honcho becomes the first in the NHL to coach the first 1,000 games in a team’s history. He also led the Preds to the second round of the playoffs last season.
“I’m very blessed that you would honor me to be part of your community,” Trotz said.
Mike Campbell told a funny Tony Conway story involving TNN, the Illinois State Fair, Ricky Van Shelton, a lucky belt and a wayward helicopter. Joe Guercio presented Conway with the Col. Tom Parker Award.
“This award is special to me because I knew Col. Parker, and we were buddies,” said Conway.
Greg Fowler said, “25 years with Alabama was, and still is, the greatest time of my life.” The group’s award was for, “four decades of musical success and timeless philanthropy.”
In accepting, Randy Owen told us that he is a cancer survivor. “We are going on the road for 15 or 20 shows next year, so come see us,” said Jeff Cook. “I’m not too good at looking back,” added Teddy Gentry. “We’re looking forward, so send us some songs.”
The capacity crowd included Kevin Neal, Neal Spielberg, Jeff & Terri Walker, Crystal Gayle & Bill Gatsimos, Moore & Moore, Bernard Porter, Preshus Tomes, Rod Harris, Robert Frye and Fletcher Foster, plus such NATD board members as president Steve Tolman and Bonnie Sugarman, Jeff DeBusk, Josh DeBusk, Ed Bazel, Randi Perkins, Mike Smardak and Philip Lyon.
You wouldn’t think it would take three hours to hand out five awards, but it did. One consolation was the tasty menu. Glen Leven Salad, followed by beef tenderloin au poivre demi glace with buttermilk potato puree, roasted broccolini and garlic comfit with fresh fruit tart or coconut dessert cake prepared to perfection by the elegant, on-site restaurant The Capitol Grille. Don’t be too impressed: There was a card on the table with helpful foodie lingo on it.
BMI and HFA Named In InformationWeek 500
/by Freeman“BMI is proud to be included among such innovative and distinguished organizations,” said James King, Senior Vice President of Business Operations and Technology for BMI. “To be selected for the InformationWeek 500, especially to No. 74, is truly an honor and a recognition of our commitment to innovatively and efficiently use technology to better serve the performing rights of the songwriters, composers and music publishers BMI represents. Our information services platform is a critical component in the work we do on behalf of our members.”
“HFA remains committed to meeting the challenges of a constantly changing digital landscape,” said Lou Trebino, HFA’s SVP & CIO. “Technology is fundamental to HFA’s DNA, our constant innovation has enabled us to not only remain relevant, but to remain a fundamental and integral force in an industry where speed, transparency and accuracy ensure customer success.”
The Listening Room Cafe Hosts Benefit Show
/by Caitlin RantalaCraig Campbell
Country artists Randy Houser, Craig Campbell, Ashley Gearing and Brice Long are hoping for a full house at The Listening Room Café on Wednesday, Sept. 28.
The show, hosted by Suzanne Alexander of GAC, benefits the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society and cancer research. Throughout the night, a silent auction will also be held. All proceeds from the concert and auction will be donated to the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society. Doors open at 6:30. For more information and to purchase tickets, please click here.
Free Bill Monroe Tribute Opens Bluegrass Week
/by Eric T. ParkerThe concert will be hosted by the non-profit Foundation for Bluegrass Music on the grounds of the Ryman Auditorium Tuesday (9/27) from noon until 2pm as part of the week-long (9/26–10/2) bluegrass conference.
Additionally, The Del McCoury Band will be digitally releasing their Bill Monroe tribute album, Old Memories: The Songs Of Bill Monroe on the day of the concert (9/27).
Monroe is widely known as the “Father of Bluegrass Music” when, in December 1945 in Nashville, a unique combination of Bill Monroe & his Blue Grass Boys debuted with Earl Scruggs on banjo and his three-finger style of playing electrified the audience of the Grand Ole Opry at the Ryman Auditorium. The new style of music they performed would be so widely emulated by other groups that it would become known as “bluegrass” music, in respect to the band’s name. A Tennessee state historical marker is placed in 2006 at the northwest corner of the Ryman to celebrate this event.
Music Execs Join TN Film, Entertainment & Music Commission
/by Sarah SkatesMike Curb, founder of Curb Records (Chairman of the TFEMC board)
Jay Frank, most recently Sr. VP of Music Strategy for CMT, and author of FutureHit.DNA
Rod Essig, agent CAA
Rivers Rutherford, hit songwriter/producer
Craig Brewer, Memphis-based director/screenwriter (Hustle and Flow, Footloose)
David Porter, Grammy winning songwriter from Memphis (“Soul Man”)
Bruce Shine, mediator and arbitrator
Carey Nelson Burch, TV agent for My Own Shingle
Susan Packard, Co-Founder of HGTV
“This distinguished group of industry professionals brings broad experience and unique perspectives to the board and will help us continue to grow Tennessee’s entertainment industry,” Haslam said. “I’m excited to welcome them, and I appreciate their commitment and willingness to serve as we attempt to expand on the incredible industry talent and infrastructure already in place.”
Ending their time on the board are Scott Borchetta, Ken Levitan, Lynsey McDonald, James Alexander and Dean Deyo.
Paisley Pens Book, Reba Returns To TV
/by Sarah SkatesGive The Gift of Music Campaign Relaunches
/by Sarah SkatesTaylor Swift and Chris Young are among the artists who offered new videos about their most memorable music gifts. The videos launched exclusively in a special “Countdown to CMA” section of the givethegiftofmusic.info website, which also includes previous video contributions from Little Big Town, Rascal Flatts, Martina McBride, Blake Shelton, Kelly Clarkson and Darius Rucker.
The “Give the Gift of Music Campaign” is also holding a contest asking fans to share how a particular 2011 CMA Awards nominee’s music (song, lyrics, performance, etc.) has inspired them. The grand prize winner receives two tickets to attend the CMA Awards and $1,000.
Chris Young – Gifting Memory from NARM on Vimeo.
Mayor Dean Unveils Music Makes Us Education Initiative
/by FreemanDean unveiled his new approach today (9/15) at a press conference at the Ryman Auditorium, surrounded by industry insiders including Atlantic artist Hunter Hayes.
The new initiative, Music Makes Us: The Nashville Music Education Project, will overhaul the Metro Nashville Public Schools’ music program to include a contemporary curriculum with new technologies that more accurately reflect the diversity of popular music.
Hunter Hayes and Nancy Shapiro, Vice President, Member Services and Regional Management for The Recording Academy, at the Ryman Auditorium for the ‘Music Makes Us’ press conference. Photo: Betsy McHugh
Expected to be added to the curriculum in area middle and high schools are classes in songwriting and composition, rock band and hip-hop performance, and technology-based production such as DJ/Remixing and recording. Traditional music curriculum in band, orchestra and choir will also be enhanced.
“Through Music Makes Us, Music City will become the standard bearer of what music education can be and should be in public education,” Dean said. “Our innovative curriculum will draw in students that may have felt left out in the past. Beginning at a young age, Metro students will be exposed to a wide array of musical styles and influences.”
Metro Schools will now have an Office of Music Education with a full-time director and staff. The current school year will be an organizational period, with private donations, to hire the director and a program coordinator. An audit of the school district’s facilities and equipment will also be conducted.
“Whereas traditional PreK-12 music education programs rely heavily on orchestras, marching bands, and choirs, students in Nashville will start enjoying new outlets for their creativity as soon as the 2012 school year,” said Dr. Jesse Register, director of Metro Nashville Public Schools. “Music Makes Us will promote strong music literacy, appreciation and creativity and will enhance academic learning in other subjects.”
Music Makes Us was formulated over the last two years through the education committee of the Music City Music Council, formerly the Nashville Music Council, in collaboration with the Mayor’s Office and Metro School. Education committee chair Nancy Shapiro helped lead the program’s development.
Bobby Karl Works The Room
/by Bobby KarlChapter 373—Pt. 2
The Possum Turns 80
Onward. The festivities continued on Tuesday (9/13) with a downtown party to salute the 80th birthday of George Jones. We began at Rippy’s on Broadway in an upstairs dining room packed with reporters, photographers and videographers. The Possum patiently posed and did interviews, one by one.
“You never know when you’re going to pass away or what’s going to happen,” he said philosophically. When I asked him if he had a birthday message for his fans, he added, “I hope everybody lives to be 80 and more.”
Eddy Raven, Jason Michael Carroll, The McClymonts, Richard Young of The Kentucky Headhunters, Whitey Shafer, Ken Mellons, Billy Yates, Guy Penrod, Guy Gilchrist (who draws/authors the Nancy cartoon and writes country songs), Keith Bilbrey, Jimmy Carter, Randy Matthews of The Nashville Music Guide, Doak Turner, Rob Simbeck, Beth Gwinn and more well wishers crowded around the legend.
“You have been much on my mind this week,” I told attendee Travis Tritt. “And you, mine,” he replied. You see, we were together at his house in rural Georgia on 9/11/01. I was there with a CMT crew when the world stopped turning.
The vittles were – what else? – barbecue and fried chicken, plus raw veggies, tortilla chips and (huh?) chocolate cupcakes. Meanwhile, hundreds of fans jammed the main dining room, eager for a glimpse or a snapshot of George.
The birthday celebration continued at the Ryman during the Tuesday night Opry (9/13). It featured Alan Jackson, Joe Diffie, The Oak Ridge Boys, Lee Ann Womack and Jamey Johnson. But we had other fish to fry.
The Opry cheers George Jones' 8oth. (L-R): Duane Allen, Joe Bonsall, Eric Lee Beddingfield, George Jones, Joe Diffie, William Lee Golden, and Richard Sterban
Leadership Music Alumni Reunion
Actually, there wasn’t a fish in sight at the Noah Liff Opera Center (9/13). Truth to tell, the schmoozing was so intense at the Leadership Music Annual Alumni Reunion there that I never got near the food table.
Everyone from Chuck Aly to Rolf Zwiep attended. Forgive me for this blur of bold type, but the massive crowd included such notable LM grads as Bill Lloyd, Bill Ivey, Billy Lynn, Peter McCann, Peter Collins, Tom Collins, Tom English, Dave Pomeroy, David Bennett, David Corlew, Ed Theis, Ed Salamon, Eddie DeGarmo, Charles Dorris, John Dorris, John Lomax III, John Beiter, Jonathan Yudkin, Jimmy Gilmer, Jim Photoglo, J. Fred Knobloch (in golf togs), Fred Vail and such other two-syllable stars as Ralph Peer, Ron Cox and Jay Frank.
The triple monikered Ree Guyer Buchanan, Melanie Smith Howard, Denise Stiff Sheehan, Hank Adam Locklin and Brenna Davenport-Leigh mingled with Tamara Saviano, Stacy Widelitz, Sheri Warnke, Deb Varallo, Garth Fundis, Kathleen O’Brien and Kira Florita (who was on her home turf since she’s now the opera’s development director). Bobby Rymer, Bo Thomas, Dale Bobo, Butch Baker, Sherrill Blackmon, Gene Kennedy and Caroline Davis worked the room, too. We congratulated the folks wearing red ribbons, since they represented this year’s LM class.
Meanwhile, Fabulous Superlative Kenny Vaughan was showcasing his new solo CD at the Ernest Tubb Record Shop (9/13). And The Dirt Drifters were celebrating theirs at 3rd & Lindsley (9/13). Are the plates still spinning?
NATD Honors
On Wednesday afternoon (9/14) The Recording Academy held a reception at its office to kick-off its Grammy U program. Singer-songwriter Dave Barnes was the attraction there.
That evening (9/14) at the historic Hermitage Hotel downtown the inaugural NATD Honors banquet was staged. The gala’s genial host Colt Ford described himself as “the best lookin’ 300-pound country singer in the whole wide world.”
Rod Essig called honoree Mayor Karl Dean, “The Music Mayor,” citing such initiatives as Musicians Corner in Centennial Park, the Live on the Green concert series, the Music City Convention Center, the expansion of the Country Music Hall of Fame, the Music City Music Council, Nashville Rising, the National Folk Festival and the fact that Dean is the first mayor to go through Leadership Music. Coming up: a new Nashville amphitheater and the announcement at the Ryman on Friday of a major music-education program in the Nashville school system.
“The music industry is No. 1, because it is the one industry that brings to the city, every day, creative people,” said Dean, “and that is what makes great cities great.”
“One of the things we could do is play more Colt Ford on the radio,” suggested Ford.
The Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) staged its first College of Knowledge program at Murray State in Kentucky this year. On hand were the school’s Sarah Clark and $2,500 NATD scholarship recipient Hannah Rodgers, now an intern on Music Row at The Bazel Group.
Steve Lassiter spoke of honoree Jim Gosnell’s commitment to Nashville. Thanks to his support, the APA office here has expanded from 6 to 17 staffers, from 10 to 40 clients and quadrupled its business. Danny Robinson recalled his 30-year history with Gosnell.
Comedian Lewis Black’s remarks are mostly unprintable. “I’m in this business 40 years and I have NEVER heard somebody call themselves a ‘talent director,’” he barked. “This fake organization! You’re all hired extras!” he added in his trademark, sputtering, on-the-verge-of-a-heart-attack delivery style.
“Now I have a glimpse of what my funeral is going to look like,” said Gosnell. “I accept this on behalf of everyone at APA.”
Pete Weber saluted Barry Trotz. The Nashville Predators honcho becomes the first in the NHL to coach the first 1,000 games in a team’s history. He also led the Preds to the second round of the playoffs last season.
“I’m very blessed that you would honor me to be part of your community,” Trotz said.
Mike Campbell told a funny Tony Conway story involving TNN, the Illinois State Fair, Ricky Van Shelton, a lucky belt and a wayward helicopter. Joe Guercio presented Conway with the Col. Tom Parker Award.
“This award is special to me because I knew Col. Parker, and we were buddies,” said Conway.
Greg Fowler said, “25 years with Alabama was, and still is, the greatest time of my life.” The group’s award was for, “four decades of musical success and timeless philanthropy.”
In accepting, Randy Owen told us that he is a cancer survivor. “We are going on the road for 15 or 20 shows next year, so come see us,” said Jeff Cook. “I’m not too good at looking back,” added Teddy Gentry. “We’re looking forward, so send us some songs.”
The capacity crowd included Kevin Neal, Neal Spielberg, Jeff & Terri Walker, Crystal Gayle & Bill Gatsimos, Moore & Moore, Bernard Porter, Preshus Tomes, Rod Harris, Robert Frye and Fletcher Foster, plus such NATD board members as president Steve Tolman and Bonnie Sugarman, Jeff DeBusk, Josh DeBusk, Ed Bazel, Randi Perkins, Mike Smardak and Philip Lyon.
You wouldn’t think it would take three hours to hand out five awards, but it did. One consolation was the tasty menu. Glen Leven Salad, followed by beef tenderloin au poivre demi glace with buttermilk potato puree, roasted broccolini and garlic comfit with fresh fruit tart or coconut dessert cake prepared to perfection by the elegant, on-site restaurant The Capitol Grille. Don’t be too impressed: There was a card on the table with helpful foodie lingo on it.
People Country Features Lady A And Matraca Berg
/by Caitlin RantalaLady A, who just released their third album, Own the Night, opened up their Nashville-area homes to People Country for an exclusive look.
First time homeowners Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood were thoughtful before taking up occupancy. Scott consulted both her family and her fianceé, drummer Chris Tyrrell, before purchasing her 3,400-sq- ft. bungalow. “It’s my sanctuary, where I come and feel safe and calm and relaxed,” she says. Members Kelley and Haywood invested in slightly smaller spaces. “It’s not too big, so it’s manageable and perfect for us,” Kelley says about his 2,700-sq- ft. colonial. Meanwhile, Haywood’s 900-sq.-ft. urban loft features a windowless bedroom “so when I get off the bus, I can grab a few more hours of sleep in the middle of the day if I need to,” he says.
The trio purchased their homes following the success of CMA Single of the Year “Need You Now.”
• • • • •
No stranger to CMA Awards, Matraca Berg is enjoying the success of her song “You & Tequila.” The song, now a hit recorded by Kenny Chesney and Grace Potter, was written by Berg years earlier and has earned her a CMA Song of the Year Nomination.
Berg is humble about her recognition. “You don’t think about those things,” says the 2009 Songwriter Hall of Fame inductee. “Growing up around Music Row, that can’t be the reason you do it…I just try to catch moments in a jar, get them right, hope it makes the people singing and hearing the song feel it, too.”
Berg has also written songs sung by Trisha Yearwood, Patty Loveless, Reba McEntire, Martina McBride, Dusty Springfield and Linda Ronstadt. Her songs also appear on the Nitty Gritty Dirt Band’s Grammy-winning Will The Circle Be Unbroken, Vol 3.
Berg originally recorded “You & Tequila” on her Dreaming Fields album. The original recording is available here for download courtesy of People Country.
CountryBreakout No. 1 Song
/by FreemanWhile I can’t attest to that feeling, George Strait undoubtedly can. Powered by oodles of good vibes, Strait’s “Here For A Good Time” seizes the CountryBreakout Chart’s No. 1 spot for its first week at the top. The song pits a bopping two-step beat against optimistic lyrics which extol the virtues of living for the moment. Resistance is futile, and besides, is there a better way to cast off one’s worries than with a generous combination of sun and moonshine?
The title track from “King” George’s new album, “Here For A Good Time” was written by Strait with his son Bubba and frequent collaborator Dean Dillon and marks the 89th single of his 30 year career. Here For A Good Time the album, which Strait co-produced with long-time friend Tony Brown, was released Sept. 6 and debuted at No. 1 on Billboard’s Country Albums Chart with first week sales totaling over 91k.
“I still enjoy it—I still love it,” says Strait of his 30 years in music. “As long as I love it and enjoy it and am having fun, then I’m gonna keep doing it. I’m motivated by what I’ve always been motivated by—trying to make the best records that I can make and doing the best shows that I can do. Whenever that doesn’t motivate me anymore, then I’ll have to quit. It’s still a lot of fun for me now.”
Keep those good times rolling, George.