James Stroud
has announced the launch of R&J Records with partner
Rick Carter of Gulport, MS. The same executive team from Stroudavarious Records will run the new imprint. According to a press release, the announcement follows a series of negotiations marking the end of Stroud’s relationship with Stroudavarious and all related entities including Country Crossing and BamaJam Records.
As a result, previous Stroudavarious artists
Aaron Lewis,
LoCash Cowboys,
Margaret Durante,
Andy Gibson,
Rob Lane and
Alexa Carter will immediately move to the R&J Records roster with their current projects. Lewis and Durante currently have active radio singles, while LoCash Cowboys and Gibson are both preparing for the release of their new singles.
Tim McFadden
With the launch of R&J, Stroud and label Pres.
Bill Catino have hired industry veteran
Tim McFadden to take over the label’s national promotion duties.
“Tim is a true record veteran in every sense,” says Stroud. “His experience has run the gamut from promotion to A&R to management and beyond. He was my Head of Promotion at Giant Records and I am thrilled to be working with him again. His work ethic and professionalism is consistent with everyone on this team.”
“Tim has maintained his strong relationships with key programmers and consultants over the years,” adds Catino. “That will be a tremendous asset in building this promotion team to the expectations that James and I envisioned when we first formed the label. Tim will play an integral role in the future success at R&J.”
Staff emails will now be firstname@randjrecords.com. The office is currently located at 29 Music Sq. E., but will be moving to a new location over the summer.
(For a recent article about Stroud and Aaron Lewis click
here)
Aristo Summer Show Lineup Revealed
/by FreemanThe show starts at 3 pm CT and will feature 15 minute original sets from a diverse group of performers including Deborah Allen, Lacey Green, Adam Gregory, Amber Hayes, Ty Herndon, Rachel Holder, DJ Miller and Margaret Phillips. The event will take place immediately following the AristoMedia Global Show, and Adam Gregory will also serve as host. The show is open to the public.
The Aristo Summer Show caps off a trio of Aristo-sponsored events during CMA Music Fest week that include the CMA Global Artist Party on Monday, June 6 at The Stage and the AristoMedia Global Show on June 7.
Hot Nights at the Hall This Summer
/by Sarah SkatesThe Jimmy Church Band will kick off Hot Nights At the Hall.
The Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum is debuting a summer concert series exclusively for its members: Hot Nights at the Hall, which will take place monthly, will feature live music, food, autograph signings and exclusive access to the Museum and Museum Store.
The series kicks off Friday, June 17 when the Jimmy Church Band headlines a reunion of r&b performers, many of whom were featured in the Museum’s acclaimed 2004-2005 exhibition Night Train to Nashville.
Rounding out the line up are Stealing Angels on July 8, and Carter’s Chord on August 5. The events will run 6–9 p.m., with concerts beginning at 7 p.m.
“Our members are a vital part of our Museum family, and their contributions directly support our mission,” said Museum Director Kyle Young. “We created Hot Nights at the Hall as a way to say ‘thank you’ to them; we’re excited to offer them a chance to hear some great music, meet the performers, and enjoy our exhibits after hours.”
Sponsored by UBS, admission to Hot Nights at the Hall is free to all Museum members. Membership at the Museum begins at $40. A membership may be purchased at the event, or by phone at (615) 416-2075. Details at www.CountryMusicHallofFame.org/HotNights.
DISClaimer Single Reviews (5/18/11)
/by Robert K OermannThe McClymonts, Keenie Word, Justin Haigh, J.T. Hodges and Jesse Keith Whitley are the names in the first category. In photo finish, Justin Haigh edges out Hodges for the DisCovery Award.
Billy Currington, Thompson Square, Jerrod Niemann and The LoCash Cowboys comprise the second category. My money is on the always entertaining Jerrod Niemann. He has the Disc of the Day.
The Hall of Famer is Charley Pride, who deserves a better song.
JUSTIN HAIGH/All My Best Friends Are Behind Bars
Writer: J. Haigh; Producer: Lew Curatolo; Publisher: Apache, ASCAP; Apache Ranch (track) (www.justinhaigh.com)
—He has a really cool voice, full of drawled resonance and honky-tonk authority. The drinking song is as cool as its title implies, and the band is country, country, country. An absolute winner.
JERROD NIEMANN/One More Drinkin’ Song
Writer: Jerrod Niemann/Richie Brown; Producer: Jerrod Niemann & Dave Brainard; Publisher: New Songs of Sea Gayle/Ozworth/Words & Music, BMI; Arista/Sea Gayle (track)
—The boy is on a roll. This time out, he’s rolling through a swaying, lilting, beach-vibe tune that has its tongue firmly in cheek. Care to sing along? I think so.
J.T. HODGES/Hunt You Down
Writer: J.T. Hodges/Mark Collie/Rivers Rutherford; Producer: Mark Wright, Don Cook & Mark Collie; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Adeline 29/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie/Collie Dawg/Alex Bridge/Memphianna, BMI/ASCAP; Show Dog Universal
—I love the bubbling, bobbing production. This fizzy little outing is about a casual sexual hook up that has a dozen built-in smiles. Jaunty and irresistible.
BILLY CURRINGTON/Love Done Gone
Writer: Shawn Camp/Marv Green; Producer: Carson Chamberlain & Billy Currington; Publisher: International Dog/Big Yellow Dog/Scamporee/Warner-Tamerlane, BMI; Mercury (CDX)
—I’m not crazy about brass in country music, but this single’s melody is so incredibly catchy that you could arrange it with any instrumentation in the world and still have a winner. Billy, as usual, sings with warmth and sincerity.
LOCASH COWBOYS/You Got Me
Writer: Chris Lucas/Preston Brust/Eric Halbig; Producer: Jeffrey Steele; Publisher: Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Sony-ATV Tree/Vibrating String/Cherry Heart, ASCAP/BMI; Stroudavarious (www.locashcowboys.com)
—Sunshiny bright, with a totally positive, happy lyric and a breezily rocking tempo. Very summertimey. These guys seem to go from strength to strength with each release.
THOMPSON SQUARE/I Got You
Writer: Shawna Thompson/Keifer Thompson/Jason Sellers/Paul Jenkins; Producer: New Voice Entertainment; Publisher: This Is Hit/Fibber & Molly/Big Loud Bucks/Magic Mustang/Mack 2/Sony-ATV Cross Keys/Becky’s Boy/Sony-ATV Tree, ASCAP/BMI; Stoney Creek (CDX) (615-320-1372)
—The LoCash Cowboys are rocking to “You Got Me.” Thompson Square is rocking to “I Got You.” Equally well, I might add. Take your pick.
JESSE KEITH WHITLEY/Kentucky Thunder
Writer: Sonny Lemaire/Sam Tate/Annie Tate; Producer: James Stroud; Publisher: none listed, BMI/SESAC; Octabrook (CDX) (615-426-1786)
—The title refers to moonshine whiskey, as well as to fire-and-brimstone preaching and wild country singing. Appropriately, the performance is laced with snarling guitar work and minor-key “outlaw” menace. This well-written song is the debut single from the son of Lorrie Morgan and the late Keith Whitley.
THE McCLYMONTS/Wrapped Up Good
Writer: Brooke McClymont/Samantha McClymont/Mollie McClymont/Nathan Chapman; Producer: Nathan Chapman; Publisher: EMI/Sony-ATV, no performance rights listed; UMA/Fontana (CDX) (615-269-7071)
—Creamy harmonies and a slick production are the calling cards here. A smooth-tasting audio beverage.
CHARLEY PRIDE/America The Great
Writer: Larry Mercey/Edward Allen Gowens; Producer: Charley Pride; Publisher: Larry Mercey, SOCAN/BMI; Music City (CDX) (www.charleypride.com)
—“Are we losing family values/Did we push God aside?” this asks. The big concerns are that the 10 Commandments aren’t in the courthouses and “The Lord’s Prayer” isn’t in the classrooms. In other words, Buddhists need not apply.
KEENIE WORD/The New Girl
Writer: Billy Aerts/Caroline Deloache; Producer: Billy Aerts; Publisher: Stormey, BMI; KW (track) (www.keenieword.com)
—The title tune to this youngster’s five-song EP is plaintive and youthful sounding. Well written. It’s kind of surprising that no songwriter before now has addressed this universally felt experience of a kid moving to a new place.
Airwaving And Radio Hobnobbing
/by adminSkyville Record’s all female trio Stealing Angels joined KKBQ/Houston radio talents for some doughnuts, airplay and fun. The trio’s single “Paper Heart” is currently No. 64 on the MusicRow Country Breakout list (and climbing).
(L-R) Caroline Cutbirth, Johnny Chiang (KKBQ/Houston), Tayla Lynn, Christi Brooks (KKBQ/Houston) and Jennifer Wayne.
• • •
(L-R) WTHI’s newly inducted Hall of Famer Barry Kent and Kelly Parkes.
Edge/Lofton Creek artist Kelly Parkes visited WTHI in Terre Haute, Indiana to meet with with newly inducted hall of Fame deejay Barry Kent.
Parkes performed four songs live on the morning show and later signed two autographed guitars for an upcoming charity event. Her new song, No. 72 on the Country Breakoout Chart, “Girl With A Fishing Rod,” is catching on heading into the summer months.
• • •
Gloriana is currently on the road in support of their forthcoming second studio album on Emblem Music Group/ Warner Bros. Records. The foursome, who recently released the first single from their upcoming album “Wanna Take You Home” to all digital retailers and radio, are currently performing shows across the country. Gloriana has several headlining shows this summer as well as opening slots for Toby Keith, Alan Jackson, and Leann Rimes lined up. Find up to date tour information at www.Gloriana.com.
Gloriana sped out to visit KATC’s newly arrived PD, industry veteran Jim Murphy. (L-R) Gloriana’s Tom Gossin and Rachel Reinert, Jim Murphy, plus Gloriana’s Cheyenne Kimball and Mike Gossin.
Swift Graces InStyle
/by adminOn finding love:
“There are no rules when it comes to love. I just try to let love surprise me because you never know who you’re going to fall in love with. You never know who’s going to come into your life—and for me, when I picture the person I want to end up with, I don’t think about what their career is, or what they look like. I picture the feeling I get when I’m with them.”
On having her own home:
“First I fell in love with baking, then I fell in love with cooking, and then I got my own place—and I was doing it for my friends all the time.”
On her biggest fear:
“I’m most scared by the thought of prolonged, perpetual unhappiness, and of unfulfillment. I have this really high priority on happiness and finding something to be happy about. It’s not that I live in a delusional fantasy where I’m just smiling every day. I definitely feel pain, but there is also this need to be grateful for what I’ve been given.”
On the future:
“I have this really high priority on happiness and finding something to be happy about.”
Stroud Launches R&J Records, Hires McFadden
/by FreemanJames Stroud
James Stroud has announced the launch of R&J Records with partner Rick Carter of Gulport, MS. The same executive team from Stroudavarious Records will run the new imprint. According to a press release, the announcement follows a series of negotiations marking the end of Stroud’s relationship with Stroudavarious and all related entities including Country Crossing and BamaJam Records.
As a result, previous Stroudavarious artists Aaron Lewis, LoCash Cowboys, Margaret Durante, Andy Gibson, Rob Lane and Alexa Carter will immediately move to the R&J Records roster with their current projects. Lewis and Durante currently have active radio singles, while LoCash Cowboys and Gibson are both preparing for the release of their new singles.
Tim McFadden
With the launch of R&J, Stroud and label Pres. Bill Catino have hired industry veteran Tim McFadden to take over the label’s national promotion duties.
“Tim is a true record veteran in every sense,” says Stroud. “His experience has run the gamut from promotion to A&R to management and beyond. He was my Head of Promotion at Giant Records and I am thrilled to be working with him again. His work ethic and professionalism is consistent with everyone on this team.”
“Tim has maintained his strong relationships with key programmers and consultants over the years,” adds Catino. “That will be a tremendous asset in building this promotion team to the expectations that James and I envisioned when we first formed the label. Tim will play an integral role in the future success at R&J.”
Staff emails will now be firstname@randjrecords.com. The office is currently located at 29 Music Sq. E., but will be moving to a new location over the summer.
(For a recent article about Stroud and Aaron Lewis click here)
Alabama Unites Fellow Stars For "Bama Rising"
/by Sarah SkatesAlabama’s Randy Owen, speaking on behalf of the group, says, “My hope is that this will bring happiness and help to my fellow citizens in Alabama. I believe it’s extremely important that we do this benefit, and I want everyone in the state to feel like they are part of it. I hope we all can pull together to help get through the worst natural disaster I’ve ever seen in Alabama. I appreciate my friends in country music, everyone that’s been involved, and anyone that’s helped in any way.”
The Bama Rising Fund has been established at the Community Foundation of Greater Birmingham to support long-term recovery statewide in the wake of the April 2011 tornadoes that devastated Alabama.
Tickets will go on sale to the general public this Friday, May 20, at 11:00AM CST at www.ticketmaster.com. Ticket prices will range from $25 to $150. VIP packages will also be available. Visit www.bamarising.org for more details. Bama Rising is presented by Red Mountain Entertainment and AEG Live/The Messina Group. Corporate sponsors include Verizon, Bravado, Zeekee Interactive, Bill Young Productions, Tour Design and Ticketmaster.
For information on becoming a corporate sponsor to support relief efforts, contact Jay Wilson at Red Mountain Entertainment – 205.585.2531 or jay@redmountainentertainment.com.
Curb Records Sues Tim McGraw
/by Sarah SkatesUnder the agreement the album should have been recorded “no earlier than 12 months and no later than 18 months” following the delivery of the previous album. His previous release, Southern Voice, hit streets in 2009.
Billboard reports that the suit seeks undisclosed damages, a sixth “option period” record, and “injunctive relief” preventing him from entering another recording contract.
This is the official statement from McGraw’s spokesperson:
More here.
Zarling Promoted To VP
/by Freeman“John Zarling is my visionary soul brother,” says BMLG President & CEO Scott Borchetta. “He has literally been with me from the very first minute of the label and never veered from the plan or the commitment, even when all odds were against us. He deserves all the credit he gets and more. Congrats, my friend!”
In this expanded role, Zarling will continue to direct national promotion campaigns for the label group’s artists, which will now include Republic Nashville. BMLG National Dir. Radio Marketing Mandy McCormack will continue to report to Zarling.
“It has been an unforgettable opportunity for me to witness the birth of the Big Machine Label Group,” says Zarling. “It is overwhelming when I look back on the early days of the label and see how far things have come in such a short period of time. I feel so fortunate to have been part of this amazing team since day 1 and look forward to the next phase of the journey.”
Prior to joining the Big Machine team in 2005, Zarling spent six years with UMG Nashville, where he was eventually elevated to Manager, Charts & Syndication for MCA, Mercury and DreamWorks.
Congratulate him Here, or leave a comment below.
AIMP Sets Sights On Music City
/by adminRichard Feldman
“One of the AIMP’s long-term goals is to establish a Nashville chapter that would operate alongside chapters in Los Angeles and New York,” said AIMP President Feldman. “With recent encouragement from local publishers here in Nashville, it is time to make this a reality. We believe that the music community here will find value and benefits in the organization’s panels, networking, and advocacy initiatives.”
The free panel, hosted by ASCAP, BMI and SESAC will take place in Nashville on June 14 at the Embassy Suites Vanderbilt from 6-8 p.m. Speaking on the fine art of music supervision, current trends, tips on placing songs in film and TV, and opportunities specifically for Nashville-based talent will be artist Jace Everett, Primary Wave GM Michelle Belcher, plus music supervisors Gary Calamar, Andrea von Foerster and Tony von Pervieux.