Beavers & Warrens Top Charts

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BMI hosted a luncheon to honor the team behind Tim McGraw’s latest No. 1 hit “Felt Good on My Lips” Thursday, January 20 in Nashville. This is the first time brothers Jim Beavers and Brett Beavers and Brett Warren and Brad Warren have topped charts together. Their collaboration became the 23rd chart-topper for McGraw.

(L-R) back: Brett Warren, Jim Beavers, Tim McGraw, Brett Beavers and Brad Warren. Front: Sony/ATV Music Publishing’s Troy Tomlinson, Curb Records’ Mike Rogers, BMI’s Jody Williams, Chrysalis' Abbe Nameche, and Chrysalis Music Nashville’s Dale Bobo. Photo by Rick Diamond

DISClaimer Single Reviews (1/26/11)

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The lesson in today’s stack of platters is that there is life after major labels.
Elizabeth Cook, Jeff Bates, Josh Gracin and Jason D. Williams are all here to tell us they’re still standing tall. So is singer-songwriter extraordinaire Lori McKenna, who wins the Disc of the Day with a stunning album that dropped just yesterday.
Give a DisCovery Award to Lukas Nelson & Promise of the Real. That lesson is, the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree.
SARAH DARLING/Something To Do With Your Hands
Writer: Sarah Darling/Jason Deere; Producer: Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: Want a Fresh One/Sarah Darling/Songwriters of Platinum Pen/Big Bad Deere, ASCAP/BMI; Black River (track) (www.sarahdarling.com)
—The tune is somewhat simplistic and sing-songy, but the production is so crunchy, crisp and captivating that you hardly notice it. A winner.
JASON D. WILLIAMS/You Look Like I Could Use A Drink
Writer: Jason D. Williams/Todd Snider/Dan Baird/Keith Christopher; Producer: Todd Snider; Publisher: This Name Doesn’t Make Any Sense/Nobody’s Collecting on These Songs/Bug/Where’s the Check/Bag Daddio, BMI; Rockabilly (track) (www.rockinjasondwilliams.com)
—It has been six years since this piano-pumping wild man and Jerry Lee Lewis disciple has issued a new CD. Fear not, his Killer Instincts collection finds his powers undimmed. This baby rawks. Recorded in Music City, the cast includes not only producer Snider, but Bobby Bare Jr., Jim Hoke, Amy LaVere, Dan Baird and Kenny Lovelace, among others.
JENNY & ASHLEY/Indescribable
Writer: Ashley Cooke/Jonathan George/Anthony Mazza; Producer: Darran Smith; Publisher: none listed; Lofton Creek
—Youthful, bopping and pop-ish, with more than a nod toward the Taylor Swift audience.
JEFF BATES/One Day Closer
Writer: Patrick Jason Matthews/Jeff Bates; Producer: Jimmy Nichols & Jeff Bates; Publisher: Steel Wheels/Matthews Millions/Big Loud Bucks/Melrose Nashville/Landa, BMI; Black River (track)
—Jeff’s disc reentry is a six-song EP with a gospel theme. Its title tune is a stirring, soulful ballad wherein he looks forward to the day when the Lord will resolve all his unanswered questions here on earth. Wisely mixed with his gripping voice and the involving lyric right up front.
CARTER’S CHORD/A Little Less Comfortable
Writer: Phillip White/Emily Robertson/Joanna Robertson; Producer: Toby Keith & Mark Wright; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Jorjax/Sing Station/Boomer Sooie/Emily Robertson, BMI; Show Dog Universal
—The verses throb with yearning, and the thing truly comes alive when the trio harmonies kick in on the choruses. The shuddering, twanging, echoey guitar passages are cool, too.
LUKAS NELSON & PROMISE OF THE REAL/Four Letter Word
Writer: Lukas Nelson; Producer: Lukas Nelson, Anthony LoGerfo, John Avila & Tato Melgar; Publisher: none listed; POTR (track) (www.promiseofthereal.com)
—Lukas is Willie’s son, and the two are touring together this year. In this romping, lead-off track to his debut CD, Lukas sings in a tenor twang while the band gallops along behind him. He won’t be tied down, because, “forever is a four-letter word.” Highly enjoyable. Also check out the chiming ballad “The Sound of Your Memory” and the electrified, political, Willie-penned “Peaceful Solution.”
ELIZABETH COOK/All The Time
Writer: Elizabeth Cook; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Agent Love, SESAC; 31 Tigers (track) (www.elizabeth-cook.com)
—Elizabeth’s Welder CD came out last summer, but somehow got lost in my ever-expanding pile of things-to-be-reviewed. New producer Was, plus her Nashville instrumental buddies, have finally come up with a sound that perfectly captures her hillbilly-yet-hip personna. This lively lead-off track sort of fuses Appalachia with India, if you can imagine that. This whole record is a masterpiece, from “Heroin Addict Sister” to “Mama’s Funeral” to “El Camino” to “Yes to Booty.” If you haven’t bought this yet, do so at once.
RECKLESS KELLY/I Hold The Bottle, You Hold The Wheel
Writer: Pinto Bennett; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Famous Motel Cowboy, BMI; RK (972-800-0004)
—The song is a dandy. The mix is muddy.
STAR DeAZLAN/A Man Who Can Dance
Writer: James Slater/Tim Nichols; Producer: Doug Johnson; Publisher: Warner-Tamerlane/Green Ivy/Bug, BMI; Curb
—Pert and perky, with just a splash of Latina spice.
JOSH GRACIN/Only When It Rains
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Average Joe/Full Scope (track) (www.joshgracin.com)
—Josh has a five-song sampler that includes this atmospheric, drama-packed anthem of lost love. The choruses give him plenty of room to show off his range. How did Lonestar let this one get away?
LORI McKENNA/Buy This Town
Writer: Lori McKenna; Producer: Barry Dean; Publisher: Universal, no performance rights listed; LM (track) (www/lorimckenna.com)
—This brilliant song crafter is self-releasing her newest collection. I was immediately drawn to this stately, poetic, yearning ballad of need and longing. Half the songwriters in this city surely wish they could come up with something as shining as this polished little gem. The title tune, “Lorraine” paints motherhood with a series of vivid, scintillating everyday details. “The Luxury of Knowing” will floor anyone who has ever been in a difficult relationship. Everywhere you turn, there’s a touch of genius here. I am completely in love with this record.

Songwriter Signings

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UMPG Nashville signs Ray Scott • Pete Best signs with Dan Hodges Music

UMPG Nashville signs Ray Scott

Universal Music Publishing recently signed singer/songwriter Ray Scott to its roster. Scott wrote or co-wrote every song on his latest project, Ray-ality, produced by Dave Brainard.

(L-R) back: UMPG Nashville Creative Mgr. Dave Pacula, Sr. VP Creative Kent Earls, and Creative Mgr. Freeman Wizer. Front: UMPG Nashville VP A&R/Special Projects Ron Stuve, Pres. Pat Higdon, Ray Scott and Sr. Creative Dir. Cyndi Forman

Pete Best Signs with Dan Hodges Music

Singer/songwriter Pete Best has signed a publishing agreement with Dan Hodges Music, LLC.

(L-R): Perry Howard, BMI Dir. Writer/Publisher Relations; Pete Best; and Dan Hodges, Owner/GM Dan Hodges Music, LLC

Writers Nights

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BMI & KUPL present Kix Brooks & Friends • Singles Only offer “A Night of Hits”

BMI & KUPL Partner to Present “Songwriters Night with Kix Brooks & Friends”

BMI joined KUPL-FM in Portland, Oregon, to present a special “Songwriters Night with Kix Brooks and Friends” at Alpha Broadcasting’s Bing Lounge on January 20. In addition to Brooks, BMI songwriters Bob DiPiero and Big Al Anderson gave KUPL listeners and clients an inside look into the art of songwriting.

(L-R): BMI’s Dan Spears, Bob DiPiero, Big Al Anderson, KUPL PD Scott Mahalick, Alpha Broadcasting Chairman/CEO Larry Wilson and Kix Brooks.

Singles Only Presents “A Night of Hits”

Singles Only, a new pitch group consisting of pluggers from seven successful independent publishers, held its first “A Night of Hits” show featuring performances of the writers’ best uncut material. The quarterly event took place at the Listening Room on January 19. The group’s roster includes multiple Grammy and CMA award winners who have amassed over 100 No. 1 hits, including hitmakers Bob DiPiero, Hillary Lindsey, Brett James, Liz Rose, Bobby Pinson, Jim Collins, Dave Berg, Tia Sillers, busbee, Neil Thrasher, Chris Lindsey, Victoria Shaw, Robert Ellis Orrall, Peter McCann, Jonathan Singleton, Jon Mabe, and Kent Agee, as well as up-and-comers Angaleena Presley, Brandon Kinney, Bruce Wallace, Caitlyn Smith, Casey Kessel, Dean Alexander, Emily Shackelton, Eric Paslay, Kip Moore, Lonnie Lee Fowler, Lisa McCallum, Sarah Buxton and Steven Lee Olsen.

(L-R): Natalie Harker, Cal IV Ent.; Denny Carr, Roots Three Music; Penny Everhard, Love Monkey Music/Tom-Leis Music; Daniel Lee, Ten Ten Music Group; Taylor Lindsey, BMG Rights Mgmt.; Scott Ponce, Liz Rose Music; and Shane Barrett, Shane Barrett Music.

First Music From Dunn's Solo Debut

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Ronnie Dunn is releasing his first post-Brooks & Dunn single. “Bleed Red,” is the lead track from his upcoming solo debut album for Sony Music Nashville.
Produced by Dunn, and penned by Tommy Lee James and Andrew Dorff, “Bleed Red” is a ballad that Dunn says, “knocked me out from the first listen. I genuinely felt the spirit of the lyrics in my gut. It’s a really big song, and it needed to be sung.”
Beginning today, fans can preview a snippet of “Bleed Red” at www.RonnieDunn.com. The full song will be available to country radio on Jan. 30, the same day that fans will be able to hear the full version of on Dunn’s site. It will hit digital outlets Feb. 8.
Dunn’s debut solo album is set for release later this year.

Sony Music Unlimited Sets Sights On U.S.

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Sony has rallied support among the major labels—Warner Bros., Universal and EMI—to form a streaming music service that the partners hope will challenge Apple’s iTunes (now passed the 10 billion downloads mark) and give their artists an additional platform from which to be heard. Dubbed Music Unlimited Powered by Qriocity (sounds like- curiosity) the service opened last December in the U.K and Ireland and this past weekend (1/22) in France, Germany and Spain. It is expected to open for U.S. consumers first quarter 2011.
Music Unlimited is available on Sony’s Playstation 3 game console, Blu-ray Disc player, Bravia televisions, personal computers, and will be on smartphones using Google Inc.’s Android operating systems. The new online cloud-based offering contains over six million songs and gives its major label partners more control over business model and revenue, without having to interact with additional entities.
Users are required to pay for song access choosing either basic plan for 3.99 euros per month or the premium plan which costs 9.99 euros /month. Unlike iTunes which allows users to enjoy their song files offline, Music Unlimited users must be connected for the files to stream. The Sony site also has no plans to offer free content or ad supported only content. “Free doesn’t make any money,” said Thomas Hesse, head of digital operations and corporate strategy Sony Music Entertainment.
Analysis: The corpses from a number of streaming and download services lie strewn about the digital highway such as LaLa, the original Napster and many more. Others, like Spotify, have been rumored to reach the U.S. but not yet arrived. However, Sony’s size and its installed hardware user base gives Music Unlimited added market clout—the company expects to have about 350 million devices in the marketplace over the next few years. However, it appears that users have to be connected to listen to the songs they have purchased. In the future that should not be a problem as wireless connectivity seeps further into our world’s infrastructure. However, at this time, there are many areas even inside major cities nicknamed “dead zones” where the signal is not robust, and this may slow adoption of a streaming only model.

Song From "Country Strong" Earns Oscar Nod

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This morning’s (1/25) Academy Award nominations included the song “Coming Home,” from the Country Strong soundtrack. Nominated for Best Original Song are songwriters Tom Douglas, Troy Verges, and Hillary Lindsey. Bob DiPiero also has a writing credit on the song, but only three songwriters are allowed to be nominated. (read why)
“Coming Home” was performed by Gwyneth Paltrow for the original motion picture soundtrack and feature film.
Released by RCA Nashville, the Country Strong soundtrack is currently one of the nation’s best-selling albums, perched at No. 2 on Billboard’s Top Country Albums chart last week and at No. 6 on the all-genre Billboard 200.
The 83rd Academy Awards will air Sunday, February 27, on ABC.

Artist News

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Ty Stone


Ty Stone on Kid Rock tour • Billy Currington on Leno • The Band Perry team with Purina • Randy Montana’s free single • Brantley Gilbert new single • Ride/Capstone launch Glen Templeton • Clay Walker plays Pebble Beach • Gatlins on Craig Ferguson • Lorrie Morgan climbs Pink Ladders
>>Atlantic Records newcomer Ty Stone was discovered by future label mate Kid Rock, who has now invited the fellow Detroit native on his upcoming Born Free tour. Stone’s debut country single, “American Style,” off his forthcoming album (executive produced by Kid Rock) is out now. The tour stops Feb. 18 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
>>Billy Currington will celebrate his tenth Top 10 hit, “Let Me Down Easy,” with a performance on The Tonight Show With Jay Leno this Thurs., Jan. 27. Currington will also join Kenny Chesney’s 2011 Goin’ Coastal’ Tour.
>>The Band Perry and their four dogs are the face of the new Purina® Dog Chow® campaign. The siblings will perform on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno on Jan. 28 and will appear on Ellen on Jan. 31.
>>The iTunes “Single of the Week” is Randy Montana’s “1,000 Faces.” Free download through next Tuesday.

Brantley Gilbert


>>Average Joe’s artist Brantley Gilbert’s has released new single, “Them Boys.” It’s the third single from his sophomore album, Halfway to Heaven. Gilbert also co-wrote Jason Aldean’s current hit, “My Kind of Party.”
>>Ride Records and Nashville-based Capstone Music Group have aligned to launch Glen Templeton. His debut single, “I Could Be the One,” will impact country radio in March. He is signed with Buddy Lee Attractions for booking.
>>In February Clay Walker will return to the 2011 AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am along with professional golfers and celebrities including Ray Romano, George Lopez, Don Cheadle, and Josh Duhamel. This is Walker’s 14th consecutive year playing in the event which has raised over $85 million for charity.
>>Larry Gatlin and the Gatlin Brothers will be on the CBS Late, Late Show with Craig Ferguson Friday, Jan. 28 performing “Black Gold,” the latest single from their new album, Pilgrimage (Curb Records).
>>Lorrie Morgan is featured in the current newsletter of women’s career website, Pink Ladders. She offers career advice to other women and acknowledges the people who have been a part of her success, including legend Tammy Wynette.

Dierks Lets Fans In On Recording Process

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Dierks Bentley will be heading to Asheville, NC next week with producer Jon Randall Stewart and recording engineer Gary Paczosa to record his sixth Capitol Nashville studio album. The entire recording experience from the studio will be viewable online through a live video feed 24 hours a day beginning Jan. 30 on www.dierks.com.
“I’ve been writing and re-writing and tweaking songs for the past four months to get ready for the studio,” says Bentley. “I usually come home from the road and go right into the studio, so I’ve never put this much time into prepping and doing pre-production on songs. I learned from my experience recording Ridge that getting out of Nashville and away from the business side of things can be really inspiring. I’ve got the best musicians in the world, and we’re going to go hunker down for a few weeks and live and breathe this record. I thought it would be cool to let the fans be part of the whole experience, so we’re going to let them watch as it all goes down.”
Bentley plans to release a new single to radio this spring, followed by his upcoming album. Bentley is also planning a complete relaunch of www.dierks.com in March.

Josh Kelley Sets Release Date

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Josh Kelley at WMAD-Madison (l-r) Steph Peters, morning host John, Josh Kelley, morning host Tammy, and MCA Nashville midwest regional Donna Jo Passuntino


>>Josh Kelley’s country debut will be released March 22 on MCA Nashville. The lead single and title track “Georgia Clay” is at radio now. He and brother Charles Kelley wrote the song about their youth, with help from Josh’s producer, Clint Lagerberg. Among other tracks on the album will be “Raining Whiskey” (“It’s hard staying dry when it’s raining whiskey), “Naleigh Moon” about his daughter with actress Katherine Heigl, and “Baby Blue Eyes,” which he co-wrote with Lee Brice.
>>A Thompson Square EP is available exclusively on the Verizon Wireless Media Store and V CAST Music. The three-song release features songs from the duo’s self-titled Stoney Creek Records’ debut, due out Feb. 8. Included are lead single “Are You Gonna Kiss Me Or Not,” “I Got You” and “As Bad As It Gets.”
>>In anticipation of their self-titled debut coming Feb. 1, Warner Bros. Records duo the JaneDear girls (Susie Brown and Danelle Leverett) are offering a sneak peak of full-length songs on their Facebook page.
>>Steve Earle is set to release I’ll Never Get Out Of This World Alive April 26 via New West Records. The 11-track set was produced by T Bone Burnett.