Pictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Jeannie Seely, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Music industry members gathered at the at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday night (Aug. 23) to celebrate seven deserving women who were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame.
The awards ceremony marked SOURCE’s nineteenth year inducting the “women behind the music” into its esteemed hall of fame. Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, the sold-out event was hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely.
This year’s honorees included Margie Hunt, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Norma Jean Owen, Betty Sanders, and Ima Withers.
Brenda put it best when she said, “These wonderful ladies have given to our world of music their lives. Anybody in this industry knows that it’s not just an eight hour job. You don’t just go to work and put your time in and come home. It’s 24/7 all the time. It’s a love affair that is like no other and these ladies have loved and been loved. We are glad to salute them tonight.”
Pictured (L-R): SOURCE Hosts Jeannie Seely & Brenda Lee with WSM’s Margie McGahey. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Each of the seven women honored spoke about their hard work, good times and, mostly, the people who supported them as they worked long hours to further their careers.
Margie Hunt was first to be inducted. She spent time working for Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter, as well as at CBS Records, Sony Music and Hunt Music Services. Marty Stuart sent in a video message to honor her.
“Congratulations on this wonderful honor that you so deserve,” the Country Music Hall of Famer said. “I remember you so well from back in the CBS days. The thing that stands out to me about you was you had a heart for music and the people who made it.”
“It is a profound honor to be recognized by my sisters and peers who embody what SOURCE is all about,” Hunt said. “Ladies, always remember, men work hard…women work miracles.”
Ruby Aleene Jackson was the next honoree to take the stage. Her career stops include time at Monument Records, Showbud Guitars, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Conway Twitty Enterprises, Tree International and Cowboy Jack Clement Productions.
She was inducted by Brenda Lee, who had this to say via video message: “You are deserving of this. You have been a wonderful person in our industry. Always giving, always sweet, always accommodating.”
“My family allowed me to work many long hours that it took to be a successful woman in the music industry,” Aleene said. “To quote Cowboy Jack Clement, ‘We are in the fun business. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing your job.'”
Former ASCAP executive Suzanne Lee was up next. She was honored with a message from ASCAP President Paul Williams.
“Suzanne, you’re one of the hardest working women on Music Row,” he said. “For years you’ve devoted your heart and soul to helping songwriters do what they do best.”
“I’m truly honored to be here tonight,” Lee said. “In 1981, I arrived on Music Row as a wide-eyed rookie and a couple of months ago, I retired as a seasoned professional. Being inducted in the 2022 SOURCE Hall of Fame is the perfect ending to a wonderful and rewarding to career.”
The next inductee to be honored was Dottie Oelhafen. She spent her career working for The Erv Woolsey Company, helping to guide the career of George Strait. The King himself sent her a video message.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person, Dot,” he said. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, for my family and for all these years we could always count on you.”
“There is no college degree that would have taught me all the things I learned from Erv and Connie Woolsey,” she said. “I’m forever grateful to you both for taking a chance on me.”
Norma Jean Owen was next to be inducted. Her career was spent at CBS Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records and The Entertainment Group. She was inducted by Marie Osmond.
“I wish that I could be there with you. Know that I send my love,” she said.
“I thought the world of [the musicians] and everyone that I worked with at the studio and in the music business in general. They were a great group of people and I made so many friends,” Owen said. “I wouldn’t take anything for the time I spent working in the music business.”
Pictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The next inductee to be honored was Betty Sanders. Her career impacted The Pride Music Group, Blake Mevis, The Hyland Company, and Chuck Flood & Associates/Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. She received a special video message from Don Schlitz.
The regarded songwriter said, “I wanted to do something special for you tonight, and I was at a loss of what to do. Then it hit me that I could say ‘I love you’ in a way that you and I will understand.” He then told a joke and sang her a bit of “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
“Music is the magic that connects, empowers and uplifts us. It is there for us when we need a helping hand or to celebrate this human adventure,” Sanders said. “This career has been a wild and wonderful ride. I couldn’t have asked for or dreamed of a better life than the one I’ve lived and experienced so far.”
The last inductee to be honored was Ima Withers. Her career stops include time Chips Moman and Don Crews American Recording Studios, Warner Brothers, RCA Records, Merit Music, and BMI.
John Conlee sent in a video message to induct Ima. “She is so deserving. I am so happy for her,” he said.
“Due to the people I met, the relationships I built, and the joy I encountered, I discovered life on a scale I never knew existed had I not been on this career path,” Withers said. “Thank you for the induction and thank you to my friends and family for being here tonight.”
“Thank you for helping us recognize the accomplishments and achievements of seven unbelievable women,” Jeannie said in closing.
The 2022 SOURCE Awards were supported by sponsors such as Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, City National Bank, The Messina Group, ASCAP, Live Nation, Major Bob, Average Joes Entertainment, IEBA, Music Health Alliance, FBMM , BMI, Erv Woolsey, KBFM, MAMBA, LLC, Global Songwriters Connection, Pinnacle and Studio Bank.
Next year’s induction dinner will celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the SOURCE Awards. It will take place on Aug. 29.
Rita Wilson Teams With Willie Nelson, Keith Urban, More On New ’70s-Inspired Project
/by Lorie HollabaughRita Wilson. Photo: Harper Smith
Rita Wilson has joined forces with a myriad of guests, including Willie Nelson, Tim McGraw, Jackson Browne, Keith Urban, Vince Gill, and more on her new album, Rita Wilson Now & Forever: Duets.
Due out Sept. 27, Duets was co-produced by Wilson and Matt Rollings and features a collection of songs from the ’70s. Each track has been newly arranged as a duet to showcase Wilson’s vocals alongside a variety of noted male singers spanning genres including pop, country and rock. Other guests on the project include Smokey Robinson, Elvis Costello, Leslie Odom Jr, Josh Groban, and Jimmie Allen.
“I wanted to honor where I came from with songs from the 70s,” Wilson says. “It was really about showing enormous appreciation for the songwriting of that period—how these songs are still relevant even though they’re fifty years old. This album is really a continuation of sharing who I am musically, and what it is that I want to say.”
The first single to be unveiled from the album was Fleetwood Mac’s classic “Songbird” with Josh Groban. Other selections include Willie Nelson on a version of Paul Simon’s “Slip Slidin’ Away,” Smokey Robinson on a rendition of Roberta Flack and Donny Hathaway’s “Where is the Love,” a blistering vocal from Elvis Costello on Bruce Springsteen’s “Fire,” and “Massachusetts” by Leslie Odom, Jr.
The album also includes interpretations of the Van Morrison track “Crazy Love” with Keith Urban, the moving ballad “If” with Tim McGraw, the Jackson 5’s “I’ll Be There” with Jimmie Allen, and Badfinger’s “Without You” with Vince Gill. Wilson and Jackson Browne team on The Everly Brothers classic, “Let It Be Me.”
“Crazy Love” with Keith Urban
“Where Is The Love?” with Smokey Robinson
“Slip Slidin’ Away” with Willie Nelson
“Let It Be Me” with Jackson Browne
“Massachusetts” with Leslie Odom Jr.
“Fire” with Elvis Costello
“If” with Tim McGraw
“I’ll Be There” with Jimmie Allen
“Without You” with Vince Gill
“Songbird” with Josh Groban
Music Row Commends Parmalee And Songwriters At ‘Take My Name’ No. 1 Party
/by Liza AndersonPictured (L-R, back row): BBRMG’s Jon Loba, Round Hill’s Mike Whelan, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston, Reservoir’s John Ozier, Tape Room’s Blain Rhodes and BMI’s Josh Tomlinson. (L-R, middle row): Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas. (L-R, front row): ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley, and BMI songwriters Ben Johnson and producer David Fanning. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI.
Tuesday afternoon (Aug. 23), industry members came together at BMI to celebrate Parmalee‘s hit “Take My Name.”
The atmosphere inside felt as warm and sunny as it did outside in the summer heat as everyone gathered around the black high table-tops sprinkled throughout the room. BMI’s Josh Tomlinson stepped on stage to host and called the Stoney Creek recording group and the songwriters up to join him.
Tomlinson began by congratulating BMI writers Ben Johnson, David Fanning, and band member Matt Thomas. “I have a feeling this song is probably the soundtrack to a lot of couples’ memories around the world,” he said. The BMI Director of Creative then introduced ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, who welcomed ASCAP CEO Beth Matthews and praised songwriter and Tape Room Music owner Ashley Gorley for his success “at a level never seen before.” Sistad added, “Ashley, we’re proud you’re part of the ASCAP family. Thank you so much for being a part of us and congratulations on another No. 1.”
The wedding song written on a snow day marks Gorley’s 62nd No. 1 hit and his first No. 1 with Sony Music Publishing. The 8-time ASCAP songwriter of the year and 4-time Billboard country songwriter of year will be recognized as Songwriter of the Decade by NSAI in the weeks to come. Toward the end of the event, Fanning reiterated his co-writer’s talent by sharing the voice recording Gorley sent him while the snow was falling in which he shares the idea for the song and sings a portion of the chorus.
Next up was Blain Rhodes from Tape Room Music. Beer in hand, he marveled at how “this band and [BBR] are putting out smash after smash.” Rhodes brought to everyone’s attention that Johnson is not even 30 and has already accomplished so much in his career, noting his seven country No. 1s; awards for BMI, ASCAP, and SESAC’s Song of Year; and his Grammy nomination for Rock Song of the Year. The Track45 band member is also a producer and has worked with artists such as Kylie Morgan and Hunter Phelps.
Pictured (L-R, back row): MusicRow‘s Sherod Robertson; Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Barry Knox, Matt Thomas and Scott Thomas; MusicRow‘s LB Cantrell; (L-R, front row): ASCAP songwriter Ashley Gorley, and BMI songwriters Ben Johnson and producer David Fanning. Photo: Steve Lowry for BMI.
Sony Music Publishing’s Rusty Gaston was on deck to speak next. “This is an exciting time for country music and a crazy exciting time for the band Parmalee,” Gaston said. “What I love most about the music business, and getting to work with songwriters in general, is the fact that we get to have a front row seat to watch dreamers go to work and then watch those dreams come to life. We are all getting to watch Matt Thomas’ dream come true right now.”
Gaston noted that, like many artists, Parmalee’s journey has not been an easy one, “but Matt and the guys in his band never lost heart.” He praised BBR’s Jon Loba and JoJamie Hahr for their success and also gave shout outs to Sony Music Publishing’s Tom Luteran, 33 Creative’s Tina Crawford, and Fanning for having the band’s back since the beginning.
“This is the first No. 1 party I’ve had to speak at, and I can’t believe I have to follow Rusty Gaston,” joked Lindsay Will of Round Hill Music. She sung her praises to the songwriters, noting that in lieu of a plaque, Round Hill Music would be making a donation to the My Life Speaks foundation of behalf of Gorley.
Reservoir’s John Ozier declared that “everything about the song was perfect.” Ozier congratulated Fanning on his first No. 1 as a songwriter and reminded everyone that he also co-wrote and produced Parmalee’s first single “Musta Had a Good Time” in 2012. He also acknowledged Crawford and the risk she took on the band, as well as Reservoir’s VP of Creative Greg Gallo and the significant role he played in bringing Fanning to Reservoir.
Jim Landers from Pinnacle Bank reminisced on celebrating the group’s hit “Carolina” in 2014 and congratulated them on their achievement. Landers announced that in place of plaque, Pinnacle Bank made a donation to St. Jude’s Children’s Research Hospital.
Loba stepped up next to talk about the band’s future. “If these guys are not nominated for Group of Year at the CMAs and ACMs, it will be criminal,”stated the label president.
Gorley followed and thanked his co-writers, his publishers, and ASCAP. He also thanked God, his family, and the crowd for coming out. Gorley commented on the fact that “Take My Name” had remained in the top echelons of the chart nine weeks after hitting No. 1. “Thank you Stoney Creek. Everybody has echoed it but they have been up here a lot lately because they work like crazy. They believe in these songs and they push them,” he said.
A long-awaited moment for the artist/producer/songwriter, Johnson hopped on stage to share his excitement for his first No. 1 party and to applaud his co-writers, the Tape Room Music team, and BMG.
“I’m pretty sure every single publisher in all of Nashville told me ‘no’ at one point, and then Ashley told me ‘yes’ and changed my life,” he shared. “It is so special that not only is this with Tape Room, but it’s with BMG, who believed in me, my music, and [Track45] two years ago. We are signed to Stoney Creek as well, so just another reason I’m glad this is my first No. 1 party.” He concluded by thanking his wife Lauren—who is “more important to [him] than any No. 1 [he has] ever had”—his sisters who were unable to attend, and everyone involved in the project.
Finally, an emotional Thomas took the mic. The band leader said, “So many people in here have been with us since day one, and it’s awesome to stand on this stage right here 10 years later.” Thomas acknowledged his family’s presence in the audience and went on to thank everyone that has accompanied Parmalee on their journey to success.
“We’ve been a band for a very long time and we’re all brothers,” added band member Barry Knox. He took time to recognize all of Thomas’s hard work and made known how much the band appreciates him and his efforts.
Co-writer, Parmalee manager, and producer Fanning recapped how the hit came to be, sharing that the group agreed that the song was “the coolest way to ask, ‘will you marry me?'” He told the crowd how proud he is to work with everyone at Stoney Creek, and brought it home by emphasizing Loba’s view on the CMA and ACM nomination. “Voting is come up!” he said with grin.
Craig Morgan Announces Book Tour For Upcoming ‘God, Family, Country’ Memoir
/by Lorie HollabaughCraig Morgan. Photo: Nate Griffin
Craig Morgan is heading out on a six-city national book tour next month in celebration of his new memoir, God, Family, Country. Morgan will visit bookstores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Dallas, LA and Ft. Campbell, with a Nashville appearance at Barnes & Noble in Brentwood on Sept. 29.
Releasing Sept. 27, God, Family, Country, which Morgan co-wrote with Jim DeFelice, details Morgan’s journey from his childhood in Tennessee to his years as a military operative and his country stardom with 25 Billboard charting hits. Fans will learn never-before-heard stories from the singer-songwriter from his time as an undercover agent fighting sex traffickers in Thailand, his paratrooper training in the Army, his adventures competing in the survival TV series Beyond the Edge, and more.
In honor of his album of the same name, Morgan will also launch his headlining “God, Family, Country Tour 2022” this fall, playing 11 dates in October and November. An expanded God, Family, Country (Deluxe Edition) album, featuring four new tunes including his newest single “How You Make A Man,” will release Nov. 11 on Broken Bow Records.
Services Set For Noted Promoter Bob Burwell
/by Robert K OermannBob Burwell
A memorial service has been scheduled on Saturday (Aug. 27) for longtime country-music entrepreneur Bob Burwell.
Burwell died in Albany, New York on Aug. 13 at age 71. He managed, promoted or booked such artists as Kenny Rogers, Lee Roy Parnell, Steve Vai, The Oak Ridge Boys and Michael Martin Murphey. He co-created the Warner Western label and developed such major cowboy-music events as West/Fest.
Following college in New York State, Bob Burwell went to work at the Jim Halsey Company in Tulsa. He worked with Don Williams, Roy Clark, the Oaks and others there, which led him to relocate to Nashville.
On Music Row, he worked at DreamCatcher Management and Vector Management. He promoted million-selling tours by Rogers and shepherded Murphey and a generation of western-music artists, encompassing cowboy (Don Edwards, Sons of the San Joaquin), Native American (Bill Miller) and African-American (Herb Jeffries) western-music stylists.
Burwell’s annual West/Fest concerts took place in New Mexico, Texas, California and Colorado. They were succeeded by festivals that showcased this music, as well as arts, crafts, poetry and more. These took place at Copper Mountain, Colorado.
In addition to the above mentioned, the Warner Western 1992-98 label roster included Red Steagall, Waddie Mitchell, Emmylou Harris, Ranger Doug, Bill & Bonnie Hearne, Rex Allen Jr., Robert Mirabal, Michael Martin Murphey, Tim Ryan and Joni Harms.
Bob Burwell is survived by wife Dana, daughter Carly, brother Mike and sister Sue Lundquist, plus many nephews, nieces and cousins. Services will be held at 10 AM at St. Mark’s Lutheran Church Kemnore, 576 Delaware Rd. in Buffalo. Internment will follow at Glenwood Cemetery in Silver Creek, New York.
In lieu of flowers, the family requests donations to MusiCares.
Dylan Scott Celebrates Release Of Sophomore Album, Sends Viral New Single To Country Radio
/by LB CantrellDylan Scott
Curb Records recording artist Dylan Scott released his sophomore LP, Livin’ My Best Life, earlier this month. The long-awaited project was the top country album debut upon its release, earning 10K in total first-week consumption (3.2 album only/8.5 million song streams), according to Luminate data.
Scott celebrated its release with an album release party and show for friends and industry insiders at Luke’s 32 Bridge in Nashville. The day of the party, he was also celebrating topping the charts with the Michael Hardy, Hunter Phelps, Ben Johnson and Ashley Gorley-penned “New Truck,” which appears on the album.
“Man, waking up to ‘New Truck’ being number one at country radio today is a pretty amazing feeling,” he shared when the track hit the top of the charts. “It lets us know the fans are pumped about what we’ve got going on and pushes me to keep working even harder to continue to raise the bar.”
In addition to one hit song on the track list for Livin’ My Best Life, the 16-song project also includes his Platinum-certified “Nobody” and his brand new single “Can’t Have Mine,” which has exploded on social media.
Livin’ My Best Life is the full-length follow-up to Scott’s Nothing To Do Town EP. Produced by Will Weatherly, Matt Alderman, Jim Ed Norman, Curt Gibbs and Mark Holman, the LP features songs from hit songwriters such as Gorley, Hardy and Dallas Davidson, as well as eight co-written by Scott.
Scott will take his new music on the road this fall when he embarks on the “Amen To That Tour.” The trek, which begins Sept. 28, will see Scott headline shows across the country with stops in Los Angeles, Phoenix, Pittsburgh and more. Singer-songwriters Erin Kinsey and Lily Rose are slated to provide direct support in select cities.
Industry Ink: Luke Combs, The Smitty Corporate Band Challenge, Banner Music
/by Lydia FarthingLuke Combs’ Hometown Performance To Stream Tonight On Apple Music
Luke Combs’ hometown performance in Charlotte, North Carolina will be available to stream tonight (Aug. 24) on Apple Music as part of Apple Music Live.
The decorated entertainer will perform songs from his new album, Growin’ Up, as well as fan-favorites such as “Beautiful Crazy,” “Hurricane,” and “Beer Never Broke My Heart.” The show kicks off at 9 p.m. CT on Apple Music.
Combs has broken all-time country music records on Apple Music with two of his albums and one EP breaking the record for biggest country album of all time by first day streams upon release. He also holds the record for the biggest country song of all time on Apple Music by first-day streams worldwide with “Forever After All.” His recent single “The Kind of Love We Make” recently became his third hit to reach the top 10 of the Global Daily Top 100.
Concord Wins Second Annual Smitty Corporate Band Challenge
Pictured (L-R): Flight of the Concord, The Recording Academy’s Susan Stewart, emcee and WOS Board President, WME’s Becky Gardenhire, Sony Music Nashville artist Tenille Townes, AEG’s Adam Weiser. Photo: Anna Arata
Concord Music Nashville’s Flight of the Concord band took first place in the second annual Smitty Corporate Band Challenge, taking home a cash prize and trophy.
The event benefitted Nashville’s W.O. Smith music school and raised $35,000 for the school. Since 1984, W.O. Smith has offered 50-cent music lessons and an instrument of their choice to Nashville’s underserved children, ages 7-18.
Banner Music Partners With Brooke McBride For Banner Believers Project
Brooke McBride and Banner Music staff
Banner Believers, a program that releases songs from artists who write with Banner Music’s staff songwriters, has released “Bury The Pain” from North Carolina native Brooke McBride.
McBride previously signed a single song publishing deal with Banner Music for “Heartbreak Hall of Fame” in 2019. The new single is McBride’s first release since her latest EP, Coming Clean. She has opened for acts such as Walker Hayes, Uncle Kracker, Sammy Kershaw, Tracy Lawrence, Aaron Tippin, and more.
“Brooke McBride is an awesome talent and a beautiful person, no wonder fans love her wherever she goes,” says Daniel Kleindienst, Banner’s co-founder and co-writer on the new single.
McBride says, “I’m honored to be working with Banner Music on my single ‘Bury The Pain’ as a Banner Believer. Daniel Kleindienst is one of my favorite people to write with, and when I told him I had an idea for a murder ballad, he jumped on it. This song is different than anything I’ve ever put out, and I’m so excited to have the support from Banner Music.”
‘American Idol’ Finalists Noah Thompson & HunterGirl Announce Co-Headlining Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughReigning American Idol winner Noah Thompson and runner-up HunterGirl are embarking on a new co-headlining tour this fall, kicking off Oct. 27.
The eight-date trek will make stops in Kansas City, Cincinnati, Indianapolis, Lexington and more through Dec. 2. Tickets go on sale this Friday (Aug. 26), and are available for purchase on each of their sites here and here.
Thompson released his debut song “One Day Tonight” during his time on Idol, which immediately shot to No. 1 on iTunes All Genres and country charts, and is still averaging nearly one million streams per week. He is preparing to release new music later this year, writing songs with some of the most sought-after writers in Nashville, and recording with producer Jimmy Robbins.
HunterGirl’s original song, “Red Bird,” skyrocketed to No. 1 on iTunes All-Genre and country charts. With family members who have served in the military, HunterGirl holds a deep admiration for our country’s armed forces and works with many veteran organizations, where she uses music therapy to transform veterans’ stories into songs.
“I can’t believe a year ago, I was working construction, and now I’m announcing a tour with one of my closest friends, HunterGirl,” says Thompson. “HunterGirl and I met on Idol and became really close. We’ve stayed friends, and now we get to get out there on the road together. One of my favorite things to do is get up on stage and sing. I am literally living in my dream world.”
“This past year has been one of the most incredible years of my life,” says HunterGirl. “It is going to be so much fun being on tour with one of my good friends, Noah Thompson. I am excited to be on the road with my band and have the chance to play new music that will be coming out soon.”
Amy Ray’s ‘If It All Goes South’ Slated For September
/by Lorie HollabaughAmy Ray. Photo: Sandlin Gaither
Amy Ray is releasing her tenth solo project, If It All Goes South, on Sept. 16 through her own Daemon Records.
If It All Goes South encompasses everything from gospel to punkabilly to folk, and was completed over a span of nine days. Recorded at Nashville’s Sound Emporium and mainly produced by frequent collaborator Brian Speiser, the album includes guest appearances by Brandi Carlile, Allison Russell, The Highwomen’s Natalie Hemby, Phil Cook, and I’m With Her, to name a few.
The Amy Ray Band will kick off the release with upcoming shows in Asheville, Atlanta, and a local date at the Franklin Theater on Sept. 23, with more shows to be announced.
SOURCE Hall Of Fame Inducts Seven ‘Women Behind The Music’
/by LB CantrellPictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Jeannie Seely, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers, Brenda Lee. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Music industry members gathered at the at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville’s historic Municipal Auditorium on Tuesday night (Aug. 23) to celebrate seven deserving women who were inducted into the SOURCE Hall of Fame.
The awards ceremony marked SOURCE’s nineteenth year inducting the “women behind the music” into its esteemed hall of fame. Presented by Springer Mountain Farms, the sold-out event was hosted by Country Music Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee and Grand Ole Opry star Jeannie Seely.
This year’s honorees included Margie Hunt, Ruby Aleene Jackson, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Norma Jean Owen, Betty Sanders, and Ima Withers.
Brenda put it best when she said, “These wonderful ladies have given to our world of music their lives. Anybody in this industry knows that it’s not just an eight hour job. You don’t just go to work and put your time in and come home. It’s 24/7 all the time. It’s a love affair that is like no other and these ladies have loved and been loved. We are glad to salute them tonight.”
Pictured (L-R): SOURCE Hosts Jeannie Seely & Brenda Lee with WSM’s Margie McGahey. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Each of the seven women honored spoke about their hard work, good times and, mostly, the people who supported them as they worked long hours to further their careers.
Margie Hunt was first to be inducted. She spent time working for Waylon Jennings and Jessie Colter, as well as at CBS Records, Sony Music and Hunt Music Services. Marty Stuart sent in a video message to honor her.
“Congratulations on this wonderful honor that you so deserve,” the Country Music Hall of Famer said. “I remember you so well from back in the CBS days. The thing that stands out to me about you was you had a heart for music and the people who made it.”
“It is a profound honor to be recognized by my sisters and peers who embody what SOURCE is all about,” Hunt said. “Ladies, always remember, men work hard…women work miracles.”
Ruby Aleene Jackson was the next honoree to take the stage. Her career stops include time at Monument Records, Showbud Guitars, Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum, Conway Twitty Enterprises, Tree International and Cowboy Jack Clement Productions.
She was inducted by Brenda Lee, who had this to say via video message: “You are deserving of this. You have been a wonderful person in our industry. Always giving, always sweet, always accommodating.”
“My family allowed me to work many long hours that it took to be a successful woman in the music industry,” Aleene said. “To quote Cowboy Jack Clement, ‘We are in the fun business. If you’re not having fun, you’re not doing your job.'”
Former ASCAP executive Suzanne Lee was up next. She was honored with a message from ASCAP President Paul Williams.
“Suzanne, you’re one of the hardest working women on Music Row,” he said. “For years you’ve devoted your heart and soul to helping songwriters do what they do best.”
“I’m truly honored to be here tonight,” Lee said. “In 1981, I arrived on Music Row as a wide-eyed rookie and a couple of months ago, I retired as a seasoned professional. Being inducted in the 2022 SOURCE Hall of Fame is the perfect ending to a wonderful and rewarding to career.”
The next inductee to be honored was Dottie Oelhafen. She spent her career working for The Erv Woolsey Company, helping to guide the career of George Strait. The King himself sent her a video message.
“I can’t think of a more deserving person, Dot,” he said. “I want to thank you for all you’ve done for me, for my family and for all these years we could always count on you.”
“There is no college degree that would have taught me all the things I learned from Erv and Connie Woolsey,” she said. “I’m forever grateful to you both for taking a chance on me.”
Norma Jean Owen was next to be inducted. Her career was spent at CBS Records, Columbia Records, Capitol Records and The Entertainment Group. She was inducted by Marie Osmond.
“I wish that I could be there with you. Know that I send my love,” she said.
“I thought the world of [the musicians] and everyone that I worked with at the studio and in the music business in general. They were a great group of people and I made so many friends,” Owen said. “I wouldn’t take anything for the time I spent working in the music business.”
Pictured (L-R, back row): Betty Sanders, Suzanne Lee, Dottie Oelhafen, Margie Hunt; (L-R, front row): Ruby Aleene Jackson, Norma Jean Owen, Ima Withers. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The next inductee to be honored was Betty Sanders. Her career impacted The Pride Music Group, Blake Mevis, The Hyland Company, and Chuck Flood & Associates/Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy, Inc. She received a special video message from Don Schlitz.
The regarded songwriter said, “I wanted to do something special for you tonight, and I was at a loss of what to do. Then it hit me that I could say ‘I love you’ in a way that you and I will understand.” He then told a joke and sang her a bit of “Forever And Ever, Amen.”
“Music is the magic that connects, empowers and uplifts us. It is there for us when we need a helping hand or to celebrate this human adventure,” Sanders said. “This career has been a wild and wonderful ride. I couldn’t have asked for or dreamed of a better life than the one I’ve lived and experienced so far.”
The last inductee to be honored was Ima Withers. Her career stops include time Chips Moman and Don Crews American Recording Studios, Warner Brothers, RCA Records, Merit Music, and BMI.
John Conlee sent in a video message to induct Ima. “She is so deserving. I am so happy for her,” he said.
“Due to the people I met, the relationships I built, and the joy I encountered, I discovered life on a scale I never knew existed had I not been on this career path,” Withers said. “Thank you for the induction and thank you to my friends and family for being here tonight.”
“Thank you for helping us recognize the accomplishments and achievements of seven unbelievable women,” Jeannie said in closing.
The 2022 SOURCE Awards were supported by sponsors such as Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum, City National Bank, The Messina Group, ASCAP, Live Nation, Major Bob, Average Joes Entertainment, IEBA, Music Health Alliance, FBMM , BMI, Erv Woolsey, KBFM, MAMBA, LLC, Global Songwriters Connection, Pinnacle and Studio Bank.
Next year’s induction dinner will celebrated the twentieth anniversary of the SOURCE Awards. It will take place on Aug. 29.
Big Machine Records’ Jeff Davis Announces Retirement In December
/by Lorie HollabaughJeff Davis
Jeff Davis, Big Machine Records Director of Southeast Promotion and Marketing, has announced plans to retire at the end of the year.
Davis has spent 48 years working with artists such as Celine Dion, Taylor Swift, Tim McGraw, Anita Baker, Elton John, Wynonna, Shakira, and others. Throughout his time working for the Big Machine imprint, Davis played a major role in many chart-topping songs and has been alongside many artists during career milestones.
“Jeff and I go back to our MCA days in the ‘90s. He was a shining star with the Pop promotion team and started to hint around about working in the country format,” says Big Machine Label Group Founder, President, and CEO Scott Borchetta. “Fortunately for us, he wasn’t kidding. When Jeff joined we were at the beginning of an incredible growth spurt for the label. His experience, wisdom and relationships were incredibly valuable and he became, and remained, such an integral part of the team. Thank you Jeff Davis–you will be missed!”
“Jeff is, first and foremost, a great man, friend, husband, and father. Second, he is a legendary and unmatched radio and records promotion leader,” adds Big Machine Records’ GM Clay Hunnicutt. “We are both happy and sad. Happy that Jeff is going out on such a high note and will enjoy the fruits of his labor with Sue and his family, but sad we won’t get to be together every day in the Big Machine family.”
Kris Lamb, SVP of Promotion and Digital for Big Machine Records, shares: “Jeff Davis is an incredibly special human and working alongside him for over a decade at Big Machine has been a privilege. He’s a promo legend who has taught this team so much and his day-to-day, super-serving nature will be missed by everyone in all departments. I’m excited for Jeff and his family as they embark on this new journey in 2023 and equally excited to celebrate Jeff and his incredible career with our artists and friends at radio for the rest of this year.”
“I could not have asked for a better place to finish out my career in Radio and Records,” explains Davis. “Thank you, Scott Borchetta. These last 14 years at The Machine have been amazing. Watching the label grow into what has become one of the best in the world. I am proud to have represented our artists and this company. To [the rest of the team]… you guys are all amazing people. I wish you all continued success. To everyone at the Big Machine Label Group, you are the best at what you do. Always will be. To my radio friends, you are not done with me as your friend. I’ll continue to check in on you from time to time, and you will always have my number.”