As we begin 2021, we look at a landscape of rubble.
Music is a healing force, so let the healing begin. You can’t go wrong with Dolly, especially when she’s singing with Barry Gibb. Hailey Whitters is here with a good-time collaboration with LBT. Both the legendary John Fogerty and newcomer Mitchell Tenpenny are offering especially poignant songs for our troubled time.
But the Disc of the Day, and perhaps one of the most important country-music songs of our era, is “Undivided” by Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard. Be ready to blast this to listeners everywhere when it drops next week.
Our DisCovery Award goes to Helene Cronin, yet another example of how women are making some of our best music.
TRUNDLED / “High Water”
Writers: Ellen Braun/Joe Shea; Publishers: Trundled, SOCAN/ASCAP; Producer: D. Ledwell; Label: Indie Pool
– Echoey and dreamy. The gentle, atmospheric ballad wafts and caresses as singer-songwriter Ellen Braun delivers in a soft, comforting soprano. This is the title tune of a set of 10 Canadian gems by an ace band that has all the Americana bases covered.
MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Bucket List”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Chris DeStefano/Laura Veltz; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jordan M. Schmidt; Label: Riser House/Columbia
– A lovely sentiment. It’s about living life to the fullest while we’re here, and he sings it with tender sincerity. The production ebbs and swells as he loses himself in the song. Well worth your spins.
JOHN FOGERTY / “Weeping in the Promised Land”
Writers: John Fogerty; Publishers: none listed; Producer: John Fogerty/Julie Fogerty; Label: BMG
– This Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer has touched the pulse of the nation so many times in his career. Now he takes us to church with this stirring anthem that offers a balm for these troubled times of pandemic and social injustice. Say, “Amen.”
JON PARDI / “Tequila Little Time”
Writers: Jon Pardi/Rhett Akins/Luke Laird; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Cowboy and Gus/Happy Song Factory/Ritten By Rhettro/Warner-Tamerlane/Sony-ATV Story/We Are Creative Nation/Suzanne James, BMI/GMR; Producer: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Capitol Nashville
– It seems like I reviewed this a couple of years ago, but here it comes again. I still think it’s utterly charming. The Mariachi horns, squeezebox and rhythms create a romantic beach vibe that goes down easy.
CARVIN WALLS / “Hippie”
Writers: Kelly Carvin Walls, Drew Green, Kyle Coulahan, Quinn Loggins; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Ryan Rossebo; Label: Carvin Walls
– A hillbilly boy falls in love with a hippie in this lively bopper. Troy Walls takes the lead with partner Kelly Carvin ad-libbing, harmonizing and adding sprightly energy. This will take you back to summertime.
BARRY GIBB & DOLLY PARTON / “Words”
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Capitol
– The legendary Bee Gees genius teams up with Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Jason Isbell, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Brandi Carlile, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sheryl Crow, Olivia Newton John and more on his Nashville-recorded Greenfields CD (which drops tomorrow, Jan. 8). This gorgeous, timeless 1968 ballad finds full expression as Dolly trills the lead and Barry offers pinpoint harmony plus a taste of his inimitable, quavering solo voice on a brief lead vocal at the close. Two awesome talents at work.
PAUL BOGART / “I’m Just Sayin’”
Writers: Trent Willmon/Jenee Fleenor/Buddy Owens; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: 117 Music
– It’s a likeable string of pick-up lines with a jaunty country production. Warm and welcoming. The album is titled Won’t Have Far to Go. In addition to six Bogart originals, it features cool covers of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” This cowboy has the Strait goods.
TIM McGRAW & TYLER HUBBARD / “Undivided”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Chris Loocke; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/ Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Label: BMLG
– It is wonderfully catchy. More important, it’s a call for unity….and, boy, do we need that now. “We’ve been hateful long enough,” they sing, adding that it’s time for love and brotherhood. Well done, men.
HELENE CRONIN / “Riding the Gray Line”
Writers: Helene Cronin/Davis Corley; Publishers: Smoke and Honeysuckle/Brower Avenue, SESAC/ASCAP; Producer: Matt King; Label: HC (track)
– I was captivated by her resonant alto from the first notes. The vivid word portrait of a long-distance bus ride is underpinned by deep, heartbeat bass and a sighing steel. A supremely lustrous ballad experience, and a new troubadour to keep your ears on.
HAILEY WHITTERS & LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Fillin’ My Cup”
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Nicolle Galyon/Hillary Lindsey; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Hailey Whitters/Jake Gear; Label: Pigasus/Big Loud/Songs & Daughters
– Are you hip to Hailey Whitters yet? If not, get with the program, because this is a Class A singer-songwriter. On this sprightly outing, she’s going for the gold with LBT harmonizing lustily along for the romping ride. Ridiculously hooky and packed solid with good-time vibes.
KENT BLAZY & STEVE WARINER / “Scotty Moore”
Writers: Kent Blazy/Steve Wariner; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Chris Utley; Label: KB (track)
– It’s an Elvis tribute song embellished with Scotty Moore-style guitar licks. Blazy does the singing, but every instrumental sound you hear on the record was recorded by Wariner. A toe tapper, for sure.
Grammy Winning Singer-Songwriter Jamie O’Hara Passes
/by Robert K OermannJamie O’Hara
Grammy Award winning singer-songwriter Jamie O’Hara has died at age 70. He courageously battled cancer and sadly succumbed on Jan. 7, with his wife, Lola White O’Hara, by his side.
O’Hara won the Grammy Award for Best Country Song for “Grandpa (Tell Me ‘Bout the Good Old Days),” a 1986 hit for The Judds. He was also noted as half of the performing and recording duo The O’Kanes alongside Kieran Kane. The O’Kanes had six consecutive top 10 hits in 1986-88, all of which were co-written by O’Hara and Kane.
James Paul O’Hara was born and raised in Toledo, Ohio. He was an all-American high-school football star who was offered a tryout by the Detroit Tigers right out of high school, which he turned down to play football at Indiana University. A knee injury ended his football career. During his recovery, he took up the guitar and started writing songs.
Despite family and friends’ disapproval, he moved to Nashville at age 26. Within a year, he was signed as a staff songwriter by the industry giant Sony-ATV (then called Tree International Publishing).
He initially tasted success as a songwriter in 1980-87 with cuts by John Conlee, T.G. Sheppard, Conway Twitty, Johnny Lee, Michael Johnson and other stars of the era. In 1981, Ronnie McDowell scored back-to-back smash hits with O’Hara’s “Wandering Eyes” and “Older Women.” The 1986 Judds hit “Grandpa (Tell Me Bout the Good Old Days) earned Grammys for the duo’s performance as well as for O’Hara’s songwriting.
Jamie O’Hara next formed The O’Kanes with fellow songwriter Kieran Kane. The duo debuted on the charts with the 1986 top 10 hit “Oh Darlin.'” The O’Kanes scored a No. 1 hit in 1987 with “Can’t Stop My Heart From Loving You.” This was followed by the 1987-88 top 10 successes “Daddies Need to Grow Up Too,” “Just Lovin’ You,” “One True Love” and “Blue Love.”
The duo issued three LPs – The OKanes (1987), Tired of Runnin’ (1988) and Imagine That (1990) – before amicably parting ways.
Don Williams had scored a top 10 hit in 1988 with O’Hara’s co-written “Desperately,” and Tammy Wynette succeeded with “Talkin’ To Myself Again” in 1987. So O’Hara returned to writing for others. Trisha Yearwood, The Chicks, Randy Travis, Emmylou Harris, Mark Collie and Michael Martin Murphey were among those who recorded his songs in the early 1990s. Tanya Tucker popularized his farm-crisis song, “Bidding America Goodbye.”
The songwriter returned to recording with the 1994 solo CD Rise Above It. His second solo CD was 2001’s Beautiful Obsession, and in 2012 he followed it with Dream Hymns. The first of these contained his notable Vietnam War elegy “50,000 Names.”
O’Hara’s songwriting success continued with “You’ve Got to Talk to Me,” a major hit for Lee Ann Womack in 1997. George Jones (2000’s “The Cold Hard Truth”) and Wynonna (1997’s “When Love Starts Talkin’”) also maintained O’Hara’s songwriting prominence.
Linda Ronstadt, Dolly Parton and Emmylou Harris included his “When We’re Gone Long Gone” on their 1999 Trio II collection. In 2001, Gary Allan had a No. 1 hit with “Man To Man,” and he also recorded several other O’Hara compositions.
Tim McGraw, Sara Evans, Joey & Rory, The Oak Ridge Boys, Pam Tillis and Josh Turner were among those who have recorded O’Hara songs in recent years. He also has a number of bluegrass-music successes.
During his songwriting career, Jamie O’Hara provided songs to dozens of stars. The list includes Janie Fricke, Mel McDaniel, Brady Seals, Shelby Lynne, Mandy Barnett, Kathy Mattea, Larry Stewart, Dave & Sugar, Tom Wopat and Stacy Dean Campbell, among many others.
There are no plans for a public memorial at this time. In lieu of flowers, donations are being accepted in Jamie O’Hara’s name to Bonaparte’s Retreat, Doctors Without Borders, MusiCares, and SmileTrain.
MusicRow’s LB Cantrell Promoted To Director Of Content
/by Sherod RobertsonMusicRow‘s Director of Content LB Cantrell.
MusicRow magazine’s LB Cantrell has been promoted to Director of Content.
In this newly created position, Cantrell will oversee all MusicRow and MusicRow-related content, including managing the editorial team.
MusicRow Publisher Sherod Robertson says, “LB has quickly become an integral part of the MusicRow team. Her ability to manage administrative and project-based processes, while also understanding the editorial needs that serve our industry members, is a valued asset for the continued growth and success of our publication. This promotion is well-deserved.”
She will continue to manage the MusicRow social media accounts, head up specific, large-scale projects for the company, and assist in day-to-day operations. Cantrell also manages all MusicRow memberships, and facilitates the company’s annual events, including the MusicRow Awards, CountryBreakout Awards and Rising Women on the Row.
Cantrell joined MusicRow full-time in January of 2019, after interning and working part time for the company. She is from Blairsville, Georgia and graduated from the Recording Industry Management program at Middle Tennessee State University.
She can be reached at LBcantrell@musicrow.com.
Jordan Davis Ranks No. 1 On ‘MusicRow’ CountryBreakout Radio Chart
/by Alex ParryJordan Davis moves two positions, climbing to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Radio Chart this week with his single “Almost Maybes.” The single appears on Davis’ self-title EP and was written by Davis, Hillary Lindsey, and Jesse Frasure.
Davis sat down with MusicRow to discuss “Almost Maybes” and his latest project. “It’s just looking back at past relationships and not just taking the negatives from them, since they didn’t work out,” Davis says. “For me it led to me findin’ my wife, and now we have a six month-old daughter. But looking back on those relationships and not thinking about them in a bad light, just realizing that I learned a lot about myself. With the good and the bad, I’m a better person because of it.” To read the full interview, click here.
Click here or above to view the latest edition of The MusicRow Weekly.
Aaron Watson Reflects On Strength Of The ‘American Soul’ On Latest Project
/by Lorie HollabaughAaron Watson‘s latest album, American Soul, is out today (Jan. 8) and available now on all platforms.
The 10 track full-length album, produced by Watson with Phil O’Donnell, includes the current single, “Silverado Saturday Night,” along with the first single off the album, “Whisper My Name,” which pays tribute to the start of Watson’s career and has racked up over 2.5 million total streams to date. The project also includes tracks like “Long Live Cowboys,” “Dog Tags,” and “Touchdown Town,” songs that pay tribute to the lifestyle and strength of the American soul.
Watson’s last album, Red Bandana, opened at No. 2 on Billboard‘s Country Sales chart and was penned solely by Watson to commemorate his 20-year anniversary as an artist.
American Soul Track Listing:
1. Silverado Saturday Night (Aaron Watson, Monty Criswell, Phil O’Donnell)
2. Boots (Aaron Watson, Anthony Enriquez)
3. Whisper My Name (Aaron Watson, Phil O’Donnell)
4. Best Friend (Aaron Watson)
5. Long Live Cowboys (Aaron Watson)
6. Stay (Aaron Watson, Monty Criswell)
7. American Soul (Aaron Watson, Phil, O’Donnell)
8. Out Of My Misery (Aaron Watson, Phil O’Donnell)
9. Touchdown Town (Aaron Watson)
10. Dog Tags (Aaron Watson, Monty Criswell)
Sony Music Nashville Promotes Olivia Laster to Director, Marketing
/by LB CantrellOlivia Laster. Photo: Matthew Berinato
Sony Music Nashville Senior Vice President of Marketing, Jennifer Way, announced today (Jan. 8) the appointment of Olivia Laster to Director, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville. Reporting directly to Way, Laster begins her new role immediately.
As Director of Marketing, Laster will oversee the strategy, development, and execution of targeted marketing campaigns and consumption growth for her portion of the Sony Music Nashville roster of artists.
“Olivia’s marketing skills have been an incredible asset to our team for years. She’s always gone above and beyond to bridge the gap between our marketing and promotion teams—consistently finding innovative ways to use her marketing mind to create unique opportunities for our artists and their music. This is a natural transition for Olivia and I can’t wait to watch her evolve in her new role,” says Way.
“I’m so thankful to Jen Way for this incredible opportunity and to Steve Hodges for allowing me to grow and giving me the tools to learn an immense amount within my previous role at Sony Music Nashville. Marketing has always been a great passion of mine. It is a true honor to be able to work alongside the talented and dedicated artists and teams inside and outside the company. I am humbled to be a part of a team that constantly challenges one to be their best, strives to be forward-thinking and encourages one another along the way. Sony Music Nashville is a leading force in the music industry and I am thrilled to be able to play a role in capitalizing on the momentum thus far and cultivating innovative ways to deliver music to the market,” says Laster.
Prior to accepting this position, Laster held the title Associate Director, Promotion and Artist Development at Sony Music Nashville. Within this role, she strategically integrated national and local radio initiatives into marketing, brand partnerships, digital, and media campaigns for the entire SMN roster. Experiences varied from launching the first tour-diary podcast series with iHeartMedia for Old Dominion’s self-titled album release to ideating and implementing artist virtual events across various national radio chain’s digital and terrestrial multi-genre platforms to adapt to the COVID-19 pandemic industry shift.
In 2015, Laster graduated from Tennessee State University with a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration with a concentration in Marketing. From 2015-2018, she worked with SMN’s Media, Marketing and Arista Nashville Promotion teams.
Laster can be reached at olivia.laster@sonymusic.com.
Artist Action: McBride & The Ride, Collin Raye, Lilly Winwood
/by Haley CrowThe Entire Collection Of McBride & The Ride’s Catalog Now Available on Spotify
’90s country artists McBride & The Ride’s catalog is now available for the first time in its entirety on Spotify. Albums include Amarillo Sky, Hurry Sundown and Sacred Ground featuring the bands hits, “Sacred Ground,” “Love on the Loose,” “Heart on the Run,” “Going Out of My Mind” and more. McBride & The Ride got their start with the help of Tony Brown, who signed the group to MCA in 1989. Now, 18 years later, the original McBride & The Ride are back together and making plans to hit the road in 2021. Tour dates will be announced soon.
The band’s Terry McBride released his first-ever full-length solo effort last fall, Rebels & Angels. The project was produced by acclaimed producer and songwriter, Luke Laird, and released by Creative Nation / TMc Records.
Collin Raye Returns to The Grand Ole Opry Stage Friday
Collin Raye will return to the Grand Ole Opry to celebrate the release of his brand-new album, SCARS (BFD / Audium Nashville) on Friday, Jan. 8 (7:00 p.m. / CT). SCARS is the first album Raye has released in more than a decade that boasts all-new material.
“I’m very excited to be on the Opry again and to perform my new song, ‘Scars,’ on the Opry stage,” says Raye. “It’s a song written by my brother, Scotty, and though he wrote it well over a decade ago, I feel it has a timely significance for people now who have suffered through the last year and been scarred by it, struggling to find a way forward. I hope the song blesses people, and I can’t wait to sing it on the Opry.”
Lilly Winwood Set To Release Debut Album Time Well Spent Jan. 29
East Nashville-based Americana artist, Lilly Winwood, is set to release her debut album Time Well Spent on Jan. 29. The daughter of classic rock legend Steve Winwood, Lilly’s songwriting allows listeners a glimpse into her personal experiences as she goes through finding love, making mistakes, waiting for karma to catch up and discovering her true self. Time Well Spent was produced by Alex Munoz and Allen Thompson and can be pre-saved here. Winwood released her current single off the album, “Few More Records,” in late 2020. In late December, the music video entered into rotation on CMT’s CMT Edge.
“I’m excited to share with you what I’ve been working on for nearly a decade. These songs are very dear to my heart and hopefully I’ve created something that listeners can relate to and get their toes tapping along the way,” says Winwood.
January 2021 Installment Of CRS360 Announced
/by Haley CrowThe webinar will feature CRS 2021 Agenda Vice-Chair and KNCI/Sacramento PD, Joey Tack, as moderator, along with panelists Jake Kaplan (97.1 AMP in LA, Channel Q, and FireLane), Chadd Pierce (Pierce Voice), and Matt Warren (Gorilla Sound).
“We’ve assembled some of today’s most innovative and in-demand imaging producers and voiceover talents for a roundtable discussion on their approach to writing, voicing, and producing imaging,” says Tack.
CRS invites radio PDs, Imaging, and Production Directors to submit station promo and imaging examples to be highlighted and discussed among the panel of experts during this session. Submit one piece of audio per station no later than close of business on Tuesday, Jan. 12.
To register for “Imaging Workshop: A CRS Virtual Experience Prequel,” click here. Only a limited number of slots are available and are based on a first-come, first-served basis.
The last installment of CRS360, held in October, revealed “Everything You Need To Know About CRS ’21,” including the focus of this year’s CRS Research project. This year’s much-anticipated, annual CRS Research project will concentrate on how country listening behaviors have changed during the COVID-19 pandemic and what the “new normal” for the country music industry means. The episode is now available for playback along with other previous CRS360 webinars here. To register for CRS 2021: The Virtual Experience, please visit CountryRadioSeminar.com.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Tim McGraw, Tyler Hubbard, Dolly Parton, Barry Gibb, Mitchell Tenpenny, More
/by Robert K OermannAs we begin 2021, we look at a landscape of rubble.
Music is a healing force, so let the healing begin. You can’t go wrong with Dolly, especially when she’s singing with Barry Gibb. Hailey Whitters is here with a good-time collaboration with LBT. Both the legendary John Fogerty and newcomer Mitchell Tenpenny are offering especially poignant songs for our troubled time.
But the Disc of the Day, and perhaps one of the most important country-music songs of our era, is “Undivided” by Tim McGraw & Tyler Hubbard. Be ready to blast this to listeners everywhere when it drops next week.
Our DisCovery Award goes to Helene Cronin, yet another example of how women are making some of our best music.
TRUNDLED / “High Water”
Writers: Ellen Braun/Joe Shea; Publishers: Trundled, SOCAN/ASCAP; Producer: D. Ledwell; Label: Indie Pool
– Echoey and dreamy. The gentle, atmospheric ballad wafts and caresses as singer-songwriter Ellen Braun delivers in a soft, comforting soprano. This is the title tune of a set of 10 Canadian gems by an ace band that has all the Americana bases covered.
MITCHELL TENPENNY / “Bucket List”
Writers: Mitchell Tenpenny/Chris DeStefano/Laura Veltz; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Jordan M. Schmidt; Label: Riser House/Columbia
– A lovely sentiment. It’s about living life to the fullest while we’re here, and he sings it with tender sincerity. The production ebbs and swells as he loses himself in the song. Well worth your spins.
JOHN FOGERTY / “Weeping in the Promised Land”
Writers: John Fogerty; Publishers: none listed; Producer: John Fogerty/Julie Fogerty; Label: BMG
– This Rock n’ Roll Hall of Famer has touched the pulse of the nation so many times in his career. Now he takes us to church with this stirring anthem that offers a balm for these troubled times of pandemic and social injustice. Say, “Amen.”
JON PARDI / “Tequila Little Time”
Writers: Jon Pardi/Rhett Akins/Luke Laird; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Cowboy and Gus/Happy Song Factory/Ritten By Rhettro/Warner-Tamerlane/Sony-ATV Story/We Are Creative Nation/Suzanne James, BMI/GMR; Producer: Jon Pardi/Bart Butler/Ryan Gore; Label: Capitol Nashville
– It seems like I reviewed this a couple of years ago, but here it comes again. I still think it’s utterly charming. The Mariachi horns, squeezebox and rhythms create a romantic beach vibe that goes down easy.
CARVIN WALLS / “Hippie”
Writers: Kelly Carvin Walls, Drew Green, Kyle Coulahan, Quinn Loggins; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Ryan Rossebo; Label: Carvin Walls
– A hillbilly boy falls in love with a hippie in this lively bopper. Troy Walls takes the lead with partner Kelly Carvin ad-libbing, harmonizing and adding sprightly energy. This will take you back to summertime.
BARRY GIBB & DOLLY PARTON / “Words”
Writers: Barry Gibb/Maurice Gibb/Robin Gibb; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Dave Cobb; Label: Capitol
– The legendary Bee Gees genius teams up with Alison Krauss, Little Big Town, Jason Isbell, Keith Urban, Miranda Lambert, Brandi Carlile, Gillian Welch & David Rawlings, Sheryl Crow, Olivia Newton John and more on his Nashville-recorded Greenfields CD (which drops tomorrow, Jan. 8). This gorgeous, timeless 1968 ballad finds full expression as Dolly trills the lead and Barry offers pinpoint harmony plus a taste of his inimitable, quavering solo voice on a brief lead vocal at the close. Two awesome talents at work.
PAUL BOGART / “I’m Just Sayin’”
Writers: Trent Willmon/Jenee Fleenor/Buddy Owens; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Trent Willmon; Label: 117 Music
– It’s a likeable string of pick-up lines with a jaunty country production. Warm and welcoming. The album is titled Won’t Have Far to Go. In addition to six Bogart originals, it features cool covers of Bill Withers’ “Ain’t No Sunshine” and U2’s “I Still Haven’t Found What I’m Looking For.” This cowboy has the Strait goods.
TIM McGRAW & TYLER HUBBARD / “Undivided”
Writers: Tyler Hubbard/Chris Loocke; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Corey Crowder/Tyler Hubbard/ Tim McGraw/Byron Gallimore; Label: BMLG
– It is wonderfully catchy. More important, it’s a call for unity….and, boy, do we need that now. “We’ve been hateful long enough,” they sing, adding that it’s time for love and brotherhood. Well done, men.
HELENE CRONIN / “Riding the Gray Line”
Writers: Helene Cronin/Davis Corley; Publishers: Smoke and Honeysuckle/Brower Avenue, SESAC/ASCAP; Producer: Matt King; Label: HC (track)
– I was captivated by her resonant alto from the first notes. The vivid word portrait of a long-distance bus ride is underpinned by deep, heartbeat bass and a sighing steel. A supremely lustrous ballad experience, and a new troubadour to keep your ears on.
HAILEY WHITTERS & LITTLE BIG TOWN / “Fillin’ My Cup”
Writers: Hailey Whitters/Nicolle Galyon/Hillary Lindsey; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Hailey Whitters/Jake Gear; Label: Pigasus/Big Loud/Songs & Daughters
– Are you hip to Hailey Whitters yet? If not, get with the program, because this is a Class A singer-songwriter. On this sprightly outing, she’s going for the gold with LBT harmonizing lustily along for the romping ride. Ridiculously hooky and packed solid with good-time vibes.
KENT BLAZY & STEVE WARINER / “Scotty Moore”
Writers: Kent Blazy/Steve Wariner; Publishers: none listed; Producer: Chris Utley; Label: KB (track)
– It’s an Elvis tribute song embellished with Scotty Moore-style guitar licks. Blazy does the singing, but every instrumental sound you hear on the record was recorded by Wariner. A toe tapper, for sure.
Reminder: 56th ACM Awards Submission Period Closes Tomorrow
/by LB CantrellSubmissions for the 56th ACM Awards will close tomorrow (Jan. 8), at 5 p.m. PT / 7 p.m. CT.
This year’s eligibility period is Jan 1, 2020-Dec 31, 2020. Main Awards are voted on by all membership categories, and the Radio Awards are voted on by the membership categorized in the Radio category. There will not be 2021 Industry Award recipients as eligibility requirements were unable to be met due to the live entertainment shutdown caused by the pandemic.
The 56th Academy of Country Music Awards will broadcast live on Sunday, April 18, 2021 at 8:00 p.m. ET/delayed PT on CBS. Click here to submit for select ACM Awards categories.
Submissions are being taken online until the deadline for the following categories:
Main Awards:
New Female Artist of the Year
New Male Artist of the Year
New Duo or Group of the Year
Album of the Year
Single of the Year
Music Event of the Year
Video of the Year
Radio Awards:
On-Air Personality of the Year
National On-Air Personality of the Year
Radio Station of the Year
Primary Wave Music Publishing Acquires Catalog Of Dan Wilson
/by Lorie HollabaughDan Wilson
Primary Wave Music Publishing has acquired the catalog of acclaimed songwriter and producer Dan Wilson.
Wilson co-wrote wrote Dierks Bentley’s No. 1, “Home,” as well as six songs on The Chicks multiple-Grammy-winning album Taking the Long Way, including “Not Ready to Make Nice,” which earned him a Grammy for Song of the Year in 2007. Wilson has had songs recorded by Chris Stapleton, Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, P!nk, and more.
The deal with Primary Wave includes some of Wilson’s biggest hits including Adele’s “One and Only,” “Don’t You Remember” and her smash single “Someone Like You,” which was a Top 10 hit around the world, reaching No. 1 in the U.S., U.K., Ireland, Australia, and New Zealand, and “Not Ready to Make Nice.” Wilson’s producer credit on Adele’s 21 also earned him a Grammy for Album of the Year. The acquisition also encompasses songs by Swift, Bentley, Stapleton, P!nk, John Legend, Josh Groban, Leon Bridges, and many others, as well as his material for his band, Semisonic, most known for their hit “Closing Time,” which spent 13 weeks at No. 1 on the Modern Rock chart in 1998.
A native of St. Louis Park, Minnesota, Wilson attended Harvard University studying visual arts and while there began collaborating with his brother in several bands. In 1987, he joined the band Trip Shakespeare and released three albums. After taking a break from the band in 1992, he continued collaborating with his brother and formed Semisonic. The band would go on to release three full-length albums, one EP, and this year returned with the EP You’re Not Alone, their first new music in 20 years. The 1998 release of Feeling Strangely Fine brought international acclaim powered by Wilson’s song, “Closing Time” and the follow up singles, “Singing in My Sleep” and “Secret Smile,” and went Platinum, with “Closing Time” receiving a Grammy nomination for Best Rock Song. Wilson also released three solo albums, Free Life, Love Without Fear, and Re-Covered. In 2018, he began releasing new music.
“The musical art that Dan has created as a songwriter is undeniable,” says Justin Shukat, president of Primary Wave Music Publishing. He goes on, “His work has been enjoyed by fans around the world through both the lens of his own band, Semisonic, as well as through the voices of the countless artists he’s collaborated with and written for. We are honored and thrilled to have him join Primary Wave.”