Gene Kennedy, who was best known as the man behind the durable Door Knob Records, has died at age 87.
According to journalist John Lomax III, Kennedy was battling pneumonia when he contracted COVID-19. The producer, songwriter, recording artist, publisher and record-label executive passed away on Thursday, April 1.
Kennedy’s Door Knob Records is believed to be Nashville’s longest-lived independent label. During the company’s 1976-2015 existence, it recorded more than 100 country artists, including such charting acts as Wayne Kemp, Bobby G. Rice, Gary Goodnight, Big Al Downing, Tom Carlile, Jerry Wallace, Bonnie Nelson, Perry LaPointe, Jeris Ross and Sonny Wright. Door Knob reportedly placed more than 140 titles on various country popularity charts.
Among the more prominent Door Knob artists was Loretta Lynn’s sister and longtime backup vocalist Peggy Sue, who had 13 charted singles on the label in 1977-80. Gene Kennedy, himself, recorded for Door Knob, both as a solo and as the duet partner of Karen Jeglum. She became his wife and business partner in 1982.
Gene Kennedy was a native of Florence, South Carolina who began his career by playing in a band while serving in the Air Force in 1956. WLAC Nashville disc jockey Hoss Allen became his manager in 1960 and placed him with Chicago’s Old Town Records as a pop artist. Kennedy toured on package shows with Connie Francis, Ace Cannon, Roy Orbison and other teen favorites.
Back in Nashville, Allen and Kennedy formed Music City’s first independent promotion company. This brought Kennedy to the attention of Acuff-Rose Publishing. Wesley Rose hired him to promote discs issued on Hickory Records, the label affiliated with Acuff-Rose.
In 1965, the company’s big pop act The Newbeats recorded Kennedy’s co-written song “Mean Woolly Willie.” Gene Kennedy also recorded for Hickory in those days.
After becoming head of national promotion for Hickory, Kennedy was hired by Owen Bradley to assume the same position at Decca Records. There, he promoted the releases of such stars as Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Jeanne Pruett, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Crystal Gayle, Cal Smith and Ernest Tubb.
In 1974, country star Bobby Lewis charted with Kennedy’s song “Lady Lover.” Lewis also recorded the songwriter’s “Your Love,” as did Jerry Wallace.
Following brief stints at the 4-Star and Ace of Hearts labels, Gene Kennedy formed his own record-promotion company in 1975. His first client was Loretta Lynn, who was then introducing “The Pill,” “When the Tingle Becomes a Chill” and “Somebody Somewhere.”
Gene Kennedy created Door Knob Records in 1976, and he produced most of its artists. Based in Mount Juliet, his company also encompassed three song-publishing firms, record promotion and artist management.
In addition to its own products, Door Knob distributed such imprints as Gold Spin, Horse Shoe, Silver Star, Tug Boat, Swanee and Tapestry. Among the artists on Tapestry was ‘60s pop star Bobby Vinton. Future Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson was on Swanee.
After founding Door Knob, Kennedy continued to contribute as a songwriter. The label’s Big Al Downing, Peggy Sue and Mark Brine recorded his co-written songs. Other notables on the roster included Rusty “Koko the Clown” Adams, Kent Westberry, Bo Harrison, Buford Pusser, Don Sepulveda, Billy Wilcox and Tim Tesch.
Door Knob hosted its own autograph booth at the annual Fan Fair celebrations throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It began to wind down around 2010 and filed for a reorganization bankruptcy in 2011.
Gene Kennedy was a founder and lifetime member of R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers). The organization honored him with its Business award in 2006 and its Media award in 2014.
He was selected for the second annual Leadership Music group and graduated from the program in the class of 1991.
Gene Kennedy is survived by his wife, Karen. Also surviving are his children: Daryl Jean Chansuthus of Jackson, TN; Debra Gail Kennedy, Cathy Denise Velasquez, Victoria Kennedy, all of Nashville; and Kenneth Kennedy of LaVista, NE; plus a sister, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
The visitation for Gene Kennedy will be at noon today (April 5) at Hermitage United Methodist Church (205 Belinda Dr., Hermitage, TN 37076). The funeral service will begin at 2 PM.
Joe Nichols Signs With Quartz Hill Records
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R, top row): BSB Management’s Shawn Pennington; Quartz Hill Records’ April Rider and Paul Brown; (L-R, bottom row:) Quartz Hill Records’ Jason Sellers, Joe Nichols, Benny Brown
Joe Nichols has signed a label deal with Quartz Hill Records. Nichols will release his brand new single, “Home Run,” on April 23. The anthem about reconnection and rebirth was written by award-winning songwriters Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson and Ross Copperman.
The move reunites Nichols with veteran label head Benny Brown, with whom he enjoyed two multi-week No. 1 songs, “Yeah” and “Sunny and 75,” from his album Crickets, that was released in 2013 on Red Bow Records.
A staunch country traditionalist, Nichols has six No. 1 hits and eight Top 10 singles to his credit including the chart-toppers “Brokenheartsville,” “Tequila Makes Her Clothes Fall Off” and “Gimme That Girl,” and Top 10 hits “The Impossible,” “If Nobody Believed In You,” “What’s A Guy Gotta Do,” and more. Nichols has been honored with the ACM’s Top New Male Vocalist award, the CMT Breakthrough Video of the Year award, and CMA’s Horizon Award. He’s earned multiple RIAA Platinum and Gold certifications and appeared on national shows ranging from the ACM Presents: Superstar Duets on CBS to The Tonight Show, Jimmy Kimmel Live, The View, Entertainment Tonight and Austin City Limits.
Nichols is currently in the studio recording his full-length debut project for Quartz Hill, reuniting with producers Mickey Jack Cones and Derek George, who helmed his album Crickets. Cones also produced Nichols’ follow-up album, Never Gets Old.
“Joe has one of the purest and most timeless voices in country music. He’s an incredible artist whose songs come from the heart. I couldn’t be more excited to reunite with Joe and welcome him to the Quartz Hill Records family,” says Brown.
“I’m so excited to be a part of the Quartz Hill Records family. Benny Brown has always been an amazing person to me and my family and I can’t wait to make many memories and hits with the whole Quartz Hill team!” says Nichols.
Nichols is booked by WME and managed by Brown Sellers Brown (BSB) Management.
Elvie Shane To Release Debut EP ‘County Roads’ On April 23
/by Lydia FarthingElvie Shane. Photo: Jason Myers
BBR Music Group/Wheelhouse Records artist Elvie Shane will release his debut EP, County Roads, on April 23. Shane also surprised fans with the release of the title track for this six-song project.
So far, with only one other release, the world has gotten to know Shane’s tender side through his debut single, “My Boy”. However, in County Roads Shane hopes to reveal the full spectrum of his music and personality.
“The response to ‘My Boy’ has been incredible and I’m glad y’all got to see my sweet side but I want y’all to get to know all of me— from the roughest edges to the smoothest surfaces and this EP tells folks where I came from, what made me who I am and why I am the way I am,” says Shane “I’m a product of small town America and County Roads is the raw, honest truth about my life.”
“My Boy” is a heartfelt ballad that describes Shane’s unconditional love for his stepson and was the catalyst for his career as an artist. After a video of the song went viral in 2018, Shane landed a publishing deal and eventually a record deal with BBR Music Group/BMG Nashville. He was named to MusicRow‘s Next Big Thing Artists Class of 2021. Now, after its official release last year, “My Boy” has garnered over 26 million streams in the U.S. alone and has become an anthem of love to blended and unconventional families everywhere.
With the release of “County Roads,” Shane has begun to unleash his wild spirit. The rollicking ode to his upbringing was selected as the title track due to its embodiment of Shane’s energy and sound through country storytelling and elements from some of his biggest influences—Steve Earle, John Fogerty, and Roger Miller. To honor his roots in the song and in real life, Shane enlisted the choir from his high school to contribute backing vocals on the song and also filmed the visualizer in his home state of Kentucky.
Shane co-wrote every song on the new EP, which was produced by Oscar Charles.
County Roads Track List:
1. County Roads – Elvie Shane, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles,
2. Keep On Strummin’ – Elvie Shane, Dan Couch, Oscar Charles, Clinton Payton
3. Sundays In The South – Elvie Shane, Derrick Southerland, Albert E. Brumley
4. My Boy – Elvie Shane, Russell Sutton, Nick Columbia, Lee Starr
5. Sundress – Elvie Shane, Doug Johnson, Adam Wood
6. My Mississippi – Elvie Shane, Jakob Miller
Jason Aldean To Play Two Live Shows In May From Bonnaroo Farm
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean will be back on the live music scene for this first time in over a year next month with Jason Aldean Live, two nights of full-production concerts at The Bonnaroo Farm in Manchester, Tennessee on May 14 -15.
A limited number of fans will be able to attend the shows in socially distanced four-person pods, starting at $99 a pod. Tickets go on sale to the general public this Friday (April 9) at 10 a.m. CT on JasonAldean.com and BonnarooFarm.com, and a dollar from each ticket will go to benefit the Bonnaroo Works Fund. Fans are encouraged to bring chairs or blankets to create their own comfortable space within their pod at the show, and concessions and merchandise will be available on-site through mobile ordering. Masks will be required for all attendees when moving around the venue, but may be removed while inside their own reserved seating area.
“You could’ve asked me to play a gas station at this point and I would say yes,” says Aldean. “So being able to set up the full show with all the band guys plugged in is going to make for a really good time. We’re going to turn it up—there’s nobody out there to bother—and make up for some lost time for sure.”
Tonight (April 5), fans can watch Aldean mentor and perform with two top 24 contestants on ABC’s American Idol for their All-Star Duets episode.
Music Health Alliance Ups Four, Adds Suzanne Berg And Suzanne Spooner-Faulk
/by Lydia FarthingClockwise: Suzanne Berg, Erin Lancaster, Nikki Black, Suzanne Spooner-Faulk, Bonita Allen, Jackie Proffit
Music Health Alliance (MHA) has announced the promotion of four team members who have worked to support the physical and mental health needs of America’s music community over the last year.
Bonita Allen has been promoted to senior director of Group Health & Advocacy.
Nikki Black has been promoted to senior director of Advocacy, Insurance, & Policy.
Erin Lancaster has been promoted to manager of Client & Advocate Support.
Jackie Proffit has been promoted to manager of Advocacy & Insurance.
The newly elevated staff, along with Founder and CEO Tatum Allsep, COO and Certified Senior Advisor Shelia Shipley Biddy, Sr. Director of Advocacy & Insurance Taylor McLeod, and Project Manager Colleen Hoagland, will continue to assist over 15,000 music industry professionals with their healthcare needs, ranging from assistance with medical bills or physical and mental health guidance that includes finding doctors or prescription medicine, finding financial grants while recovering from a serious health issue, affordable health insurance, or answers to Medicare questions.
In addition to these promotions, MHA has also added Suzanne Berg and Suzanne Spooner-Faulk to their all female, 10-person team.
Having previously worked in marketing and promotions at Elektra Records, Verve Records, and iHeart Media, Berg joins as manager of Advocacy & Insurance. Meanwhile, with an extensive background in music and theater, including stops at Tom-Leis music publishing, rpm management, CDX, and the Tennessee Arts Commission, Spooner-Faulk has come on board as financial administrator and executive assistant to Shipley Biddy.
“I am proud to see how our team has responded during this pandemic that has shaken our musical foundation,” says Shipley Biddy. “As the health needs of our industry increase, so does the need for personnel who can address those issues. Suzanne Berg and Suzanne Spooner-Faulk both have unique skills and the attitude needed to support their particular responsibilities at MHA. Spooner-Faulk’s attention to detail and organizational skills strengthen our admin department. Berg’s caring heart and outgoing personality and music industry experience provide the perfect foundation for a new advocate. They are a perfect fit for our MHA family.”
Berg and Spooner-Faulk can be reached at SBerg@musichealthalliance.com and Suzanne@MusicHealthAlliance.com, respectively.
Country Indie Entrepreneur Gene Kennedy Passes
/by Robert K OermannGene Kennedy, who was best known as the man behind the durable Door Knob Records, has died at age 87.
According to journalist John Lomax III, Kennedy was battling pneumonia when he contracted COVID-19. The producer, songwriter, recording artist, publisher and record-label executive passed away on Thursday, April 1.
Kennedy’s Door Knob Records is believed to be Nashville’s longest-lived independent label. During the company’s 1976-2015 existence, it recorded more than 100 country artists, including such charting acts as Wayne Kemp, Bobby G. Rice, Gary Goodnight, Big Al Downing, Tom Carlile, Jerry Wallace, Bonnie Nelson, Perry LaPointe, Jeris Ross and Sonny Wright. Door Knob reportedly placed more than 140 titles on various country popularity charts.
Among the more prominent Door Knob artists was Loretta Lynn’s sister and longtime backup vocalist Peggy Sue, who had 13 charted singles on the label in 1977-80. Gene Kennedy, himself, recorded for Door Knob, both as a solo and as the duet partner of Karen Jeglum. She became his wife and business partner in 1982.
Gene Kennedy was a native of Florence, South Carolina who began his career by playing in a band while serving in the Air Force in 1956. WLAC Nashville disc jockey Hoss Allen became his manager in 1960 and placed him with Chicago’s Old Town Records as a pop artist. Kennedy toured on package shows with Connie Francis, Ace Cannon, Roy Orbison and other teen favorites.
Back in Nashville, Allen and Kennedy formed Music City’s first independent promotion company. This brought Kennedy to the attention of Acuff-Rose Publishing. Wesley Rose hired him to promote discs issued on Hickory Records, the label affiliated with Acuff-Rose.
In 1965, the company’s big pop act The Newbeats recorded Kennedy’s co-written song “Mean Woolly Willie.” Gene Kennedy also recorded for Hickory in those days.
After becoming head of national promotion for Hickory, Kennedy was hired by Owen Bradley to assume the same position at Decca Records. There, he promoted the releases of such stars as Jack Greene, Jeannie Seely, Bill Anderson, Jeanne Pruett, Conway Twitty, Loretta Lynn, Brenda Lee, Crystal Gayle, Cal Smith and Ernest Tubb.
In 1974, country star Bobby Lewis charted with Kennedy’s song “Lady Lover.” Lewis also recorded the songwriter’s “Your Love,” as did Jerry Wallace.
Following brief stints at the 4-Star and Ace of Hearts labels, Gene Kennedy formed his own record-promotion company in 1975. His first client was Loretta Lynn, who was then introducing “The Pill,” “When the Tingle Becomes a Chill” and “Somebody Somewhere.”
Gene Kennedy created Door Knob Records in 1976, and he produced most of its artists. Based in Mount Juliet, his company also encompassed three song-publishing firms, record promotion and artist management.
In addition to its own products, Door Knob distributed such imprints as Gold Spin, Horse Shoe, Silver Star, Tug Boat, Swanee and Tapestry. Among the artists on Tapestry was ‘60s pop star Bobby Vinton. Future Country Music Hall of Fame member Bill Anderson was on Swanee.
After founding Door Knob, Kennedy continued to contribute as a songwriter. The label’s Big Al Downing, Peggy Sue and Mark Brine recorded his co-written songs. Other notables on the roster included Rusty “Koko the Clown” Adams, Kent Westberry, Bo Harrison, Buford Pusser, Don Sepulveda, Billy Wilcox and Tim Tesch.
Door Knob hosted its own autograph booth at the annual Fan Fair celebrations throughout the 1980s and 1990s. It began to wind down around 2010 and filed for a reorganization bankruptcy in 2011.
Gene Kennedy was a founder and lifetime member of R.O.P.E. (Reunion of Professional Entertainers). The organization honored him with its Business award in 2006 and its Media award in 2014.
He was selected for the second annual Leadership Music group and graduated from the program in the class of 1991.
Gene Kennedy is survived by his wife, Karen. Also surviving are his children: Daryl Jean Chansuthus of Jackson, TN; Debra Gail Kennedy, Cathy Denise Velasquez, Victoria Kennedy, all of Nashville; and Kenneth Kennedy of LaVista, NE; plus a sister, seven grandchildren and six great grandchildren.
The visitation for Gene Kennedy will be at noon today (April 5) at Hermitage United Methodist Church (205 Belinda Dr., Hermitage, TN 37076). The funeral service will begin at 2 PM.
Performers Announced For 56th ‘ACM Awards’
/by LB CantrellThe full lineup for the 56th Academy Of Country Music Awards has been revealed.
The performers on the lineup include Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Lee Brice, Brothers Osborne, Kane Brown, Luke Bryan, Kenny Chesney, Eric Church, Luke Combs, Dan + Shay, Mickey Guyton, Ryan Hurd, Jack Ingram, Alan Jackson, Elle King, Miranda Lambert, Little Big Town, Ashley McBryde, Maren Morris, Carly Pearce, Jon Randall, Thomas Rhett, Blake Shelton, Chris Stapleton, The War and Treaty, Keith Urban, Carrie Underwood, CeCe Winans, and Chris Young.
Over 25 artists will perform more than 30 songs from the Grand Ole Opry House, the Ryman Auditorium and The Bluebird Cafe, airing live on Sunday, April 18 (8:00-11:00 PM, live ET/delayed PT) on the CBS Television Network and the show will be available to stream live and on demand on Paramount+.
As previously announced, 15-time ACM Award winner Keith Urban and New Female Artist of the Year nominee Mickey Guyton will host the show.
Key West Songwriters Festival Reveals Initial Artist Lineup
/by Sarah SkatesFestival goers have come to know that KWSWF traditionally boasts over 200 distinctive songwriters across 38 stages at an array of Key West, Florida’s most popular beaches, boats, bars, resorts and historic theatres. In an effort to prepare for social distancing and sanitation protocols, this year’s festival has been condensed with reduced capacities and transitioned to mostly outdoor performances. Festival organizers are focused on bringing back the music and putting the songwriters in intimate venues to create a special experience unique to previous years.
The full initial line-up includes Lee Brice, Brandy Clark, Lori McKenna, Robert Randolph, Chuck Cannon, Bob DiPiero, Dean Dillon, Steve Cropper, Liz Rose, Jeffrey Steele, Bobby Pinson, Scotty Emerick, Adam Craig, Clint Daniels, Luke Laird, Ben Burgess, Shane Minor, Erik Dylan, Ronnie Bowman, Trent Tomlinson, Shy Carter, Barry Dean, Tyler Reeve, Ashland Craft, Rob Snyder, Channing Wilson, Lewis Brice, Emily Shackelton, Anthony Smith, Katie Pruitt, and Rebecca Lynn Howard.
While most of the KWSWF shows will be free to enter, there will be a number of performances that will require advance ticket purchase (with an option for VIP packages).
Canaan Smith Returns With Sophomore Album ‘High Country Sound’
/by Lydia FarthingAfter nearly six years in the making, country singer-songwriter Canaan Smith released his highly anticipated album, High Country Sound on Friday (4/2).
This sophomore album is an evolution of Smith’s sound which was originally showcased on his 2015 debut album Bronco. Tapping into the rougher fringes of country music, High Country Sounds mixes earthy sounds with an adventurous, hardscrabble sweetness.
While being credited as a producer on all 12 tracks, the Round Here Records artist solely produced eight of these while co-producing the remaining four with help from Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley of Florida Georgia Line. Alongside well-known Nashville songwriters Jim Beavers, Corey Crowder, David Garcia, Jared Mullins, and Josh Miller, Smith also co-wrote every song on the project.
“It just feels really rewarding to not only make music I’m proud of, but also do it in the way I’ve always wanted,” Smith says. “I wrote every single one of these songs from the heart, and I couldn’t be more thankful that I get to put myself out there like this. When it’s all said and done, this album is special to me because it brings me home.”
Celebrating the new release Smith went live on the Visit Gatlinburg Facebook page last night from Gatlinburg, Tenn., where he played the entire album from the heart of the Great Smoky Mountains. A playback of the performance is available here.
High Country Sound Track List:
1. Grounded
2. Mason Jars & Fireflies
3. Colder Than You
4. High Country
5. Catch Me If You Can (featuring Brent Cobb)
6. Cabin In The Woods
7. American Dream
8. Sweet Virginia
9. Still
10. Like I Ain’t Missing You
11. Highway Blues
12. Losin’ Sleep Over A Girl
Parmalee And Blanco Brown Add Bryce Vine To Pop Remix Of ‘Just The Way’
/by Lorie HollabaughParmalee is dropping a new pop version of their smash hit with Blanco Brown, “Just the Way” Friday (4/2) featuring pop/hip-hop maverick, Bryce Vine. Co-produced by Andrew Goldstein and David Fanning, the new mix will go to pop radio on April 12.
The original version of the upbeat, celebratory tune recently claimed the No. 1 spot on the Billboard and Mediabase country charts in the U.S. and Canada. Produced by David Fanning, it was released in 2019 and became an early streaming success before going to radio. It has since amassed more than 160 million on-demand streams in the U.S. alone (with millions more overseas), and the track has been used more than 200,000 times in videos on TikTok.
The feel-good hit celebrating the beauty of being one’s authentic self was written by Nolan Sipe, Kevin Bard, and Parmalee’s Matt Thomas. The band asked longtime friend, Blanco Brown to be a part of the song, not only for his positivity but to help highlight the song’s message about embracing differences. The addition of Bryce Vine, best known for his multi-platinum hit, “Drew Barrymore,” echoes that sentiment and adds an exciting new layer to the mix.
“‘Just the Way’ going No. 1 at Country radio and connecting on so many other platforms is amazing—and doing it with a friend like Blanco, even more so,” said Thomas. “Bryce adds another element to the song, giving it a whole new feel—we’re thrilled to have him on it.”
Vine said, “I was psyched to get the call to jump on this already amazing song with Parmalee and Blanco Brown. I’ve always loved dipping into different genres and styles, so this gave me a great excuse to put my cowboy hat on.”
Chart Action: Shenandoah Impacts Country Radio
/by Alex ParryShenandoah‘s latest single with Blake Shelton, “Then A Girl Walks In,” impacts the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart this week. Written by Adam Sanders, Lance Miller, Brad Warren and Brett Warren, the single debuts at No. 67 with 15 new adds and a spin gain of +186. “Then A Girl Walks In” appears on Shenandoah’s album Every Road, which also features collaborations with Luke Bryan, Ashley McBryde, Dierks Bentley, Lady A, Zac Brown Band, Carly Pearce, Cody Johnson and Brad Paisley.
Frontman Marty Raybon shares, “Blake Shelton is truly a big piece of this new record. His vocals are as solid as a slab of concrete.”
Co-founding member Mike McGuire adds, “We knew Blake must be a Shenandoah fan when he picked one of our songs for the past four seasons in a row on The Voice for his artists to sing, but we never dreamed we’d have the opportunity to actually do a duet with him personally. What a blessing!”
In support of the new single, Shenandoah is bringing The Every Road Tour to venues in select markets with strict, safe social distancing measures. The group will perform hits from their timeless catalog of No. 1 hits like “Church on Cumberland Road,” “Sunday in the South” and “Two Dozen Roses” as well as new material from Every Road. For tickets and more information, click here.