Belmont University professor William “Bill” Pursell was known for his Music Row session work, his pop instrumental hits and his classical works as a pianist/composer.
He passed away at age 94 last Thursday, Sept. 3. Pursell’s death was due to COVID-19-related pneumonia, according to the Associated Press.
Pursell was raised in Tulare, California, in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley. He began playing piano at age 3 and was trained to be a concert pianist. At age 15, he was sent to Berkeley to continue his music studies.
After high-school graduation, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Pursell’s education was interrupted by World War II, during which he was the arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band.
In 1949, he began attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While earning his B.A. and M.A., he studied under renowned classical composer Howard Hanson.
He toured as a jazz and R&B musician until Eddy Arnold suggested he move to Nashville in 1960. In the studios of Music Row, Pursell soon emerged as a key sideman in the new country style known as The Nashville Sound.
He played keyboards on records by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, Joan Baez, Marty Robbins, Dan Fogelberg, Johnny Paycheck and more. During this period, he also began teaching music history and theory at Vanderbilt University.
Bill Pursell’s easy-listening piano performance of “Our Winter Love” became a pop hit in 1963. It was followed by “Loved” and “Stranger.” All three tunes appeared on his debut LP for Columbia Records. It was followed by two other Columbia collections, 1964’s Chasing a Dream and 1965’s A Remembered Love. He next recorded Bill Pursell at the Piano: The “In” Sound of Country and Western Music for Spar Records in Nashville.
During this period, Bill Pursell increasingly emphasized his classical training. He became a regular soloist with The Nashville Symphony. He composed piano sonatas, overtures, symphonies, preludes, concertos, tone poems and operas.
He also composed theme music for Six Flags Over Georgia, Cypress Gardens and Circus World, as well as ad jingles and incidental music for films and television productions. His work as an arranger led to Grammy Award nominations in 1974 and 1978.
Pursell reemerged on disc with the 1976 pop LP Bill Pursell and The Nashville Sweat Band. It spawned a British disco hit titled “Now.”
He joined the faculty of Belmont University’s new music school in 1980. Among his students over the years to come were Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood. Belmont premiered his opera, Crooked River City, in 2016. He retired the following year at age 91.
The University Press of Mississippi published Crooked River City: The Musical Life of Nashville’s William Pursell in 2018. Written by Terry Wait Klefstad, it profiled one of Nashville’s most eclectic musical personalities.
Bill Pursell is survived by his daughter, Laura Pursell, son Bill Pursell and stepdaughters Ellen Spicer and Margaret Pursell. He was preceded in death by daughter Sharon Pursell in 2012 and wife Julie Pursell in 2018. Donations to the William Whitney Pursell Scholarship in Composition can be made to the Belmont University School of Music.
Miranda Lambert’s MuttNation Nonprofit Creates COVID-19 Fund To Aid Music Community
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto: Jamie Wright
Miranda Lambert is lending a hand to members of the music industry who are currently struggling with unexpected pet bills through her nonprofit, MuttNation. MuttNation is partnering with the Waggle Foundation to form the MuttNation Fund to help music community members impacted by COVID-19 with their pets’ medical bills.
“It really hit home when my backup singer and close friend Gwen’s shelter dog, Earl, became extremely ill in early March, just as the pandemic was taking hold and our tour had to stop,” Lambert said via a statement. “After taking him to several vets, she was told Earl had a rare liver disorder. Then there were multiple hospital stays, relapses, more hospital stays…Earl is doing great now, but he’ll require ongoing treatment for the rest of his life. It was such an unexpected major expense at an already tough time. So, it got me thinking that there must be a lot more people whose careers in the music industry have been on pause due to lack of live performance opportunities, and who are struggling with their pets’ vet bills. Because music and mutts are my two passions, I knew I had to do something and thought that starting this fund would help both the music community that’s been so supportive of me, and their pets.”
Application for the MuttNation Fund is open to anyone who is a member of the broader music community who has a dog or a cat with medical needs and has been impacted by COVID-19. Music community members include musicians, singers, songwriters, engineers, producers, management, music venue staff and other music industry employees. Applications for support are available at wagglefoundation.org/
MuttNation is jumpstarting the Fund with a generous matching grant donation, and the MuttNation Fund at Waggle will be supported and sustained through online donations by caring people who are moved to help after reading the stories about the pet in need on the MuttNation Fund page. 100% of the donations received are sent directly to the pet’s attending veterinarian. If more than enough funds are raised for any one pet, the extra funds rollover into the MuttNation Fund to keep helping more dogs and cats.
For those who are not working members of the music community, Waggle can offer aid too. Applications are available at waggle.org.
Nashville Film Festival Announces Creators Conference, Music Program Lineups
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Creators Conference connects attendees with their peers to discover the latest industry trends, expand skills and network and allows attendees to gain valuable insights from top industry execs and veterans from all over the country. The conference’s two-day program includes panels focused on four tracks: filmmaking, music for film, writing for film and culture & social causes.
“The 2020 NashFilm Creators Conference includes panelists and content focused on many of the most important and timely topics across film, music, gaming and television,” said Creators Conference Producer, Kalyna Kutny. “This year’s lineup offers valuable insights for all attendees who are eager to connect and learn from the industry’s brightest minds. They can expect to leave with practical takeaways that can be immediately applied to advance their passions and careers.”
This year’s Music Program will also provide educational music supervisor panels, one-on-one mentorships and VIP events with topics ranging from “Diversity Matters: Music Licensing and the Black Experience” to case studies in sync for video game trailers, marketing & games, film & TV and more. Each night will culminate with an artist showcase presented in partnership with Acme Radio Live.
All panels are free to VIP badge holders and $12 per session for general admission. More information about the NashFilm Creators Conference can be found at nashvillefilmfestival.org/creators-conference-2020/. The NashFilm Music Program will take place virtually on Thursday, Oct. 1-2. Virtual Music Badges can be purchased for $65 or $12 per session for individual panels. More information about the NashFilm Music Program can be found at nashvillefilmfestival.org/music-program-2020/.
Music Row Piano Great William Pursell Dies At 94
/by Robert K OermannBelmont University professor William “Bill” Pursell was known for his Music Row session work, his pop instrumental hits and his classical works as a pianist/composer.
He passed away at age 94 last Thursday, Sept. 3. Pursell’s death was due to COVID-19-related pneumonia, according to the Associated Press.
Pursell was raised in Tulare, California, in the agricultural San Joaquin Valley. He began playing piano at age 3 and was trained to be a concert pianist. At age 15, he was sent to Berkeley to continue his music studies.
After high-school graduation, he was awarded a scholarship to study at the Peabody Conservatory of Music in Baltimore. Pursell’s education was interrupted by World War II, during which he was the arranger for the U.S. Air Force Band.
In 1949, he began attending the Eastman School of Music in Rochester, New York. While earning his B.A. and M.A., he studied under renowned classical composer Howard Hanson.
He toured as a jazz and R&B musician until Eddy Arnold suggested he move to Nashville in 1960. In the studios of Music Row, Pursell soon emerged as a key sideman in the new country style known as The Nashville Sound.
He played keyboards on records by Johnny Cash, Patsy Cline, Jim Reeves, Bob Dylan, Willie Nelson, Chet Atkins, Joan Baez, Marty Robbins, Dan Fogelberg, Johnny Paycheck and more. During this period, he also began teaching music history and theory at Vanderbilt University.
Bill Pursell’s easy-listening piano performance of “Our Winter Love” became a pop hit in 1963. It was followed by “Loved” and “Stranger.” All three tunes appeared on his debut LP for Columbia Records. It was followed by two other Columbia collections, 1964’s Chasing a Dream and 1965’s A Remembered Love. He next recorded Bill Pursell at the Piano: The “In” Sound of Country and Western Music for Spar Records in Nashville.
During this period, Bill Pursell increasingly emphasized his classical training. He became a regular soloist with The Nashville Symphony. He composed piano sonatas, overtures, symphonies, preludes, concertos, tone poems and operas.
He also composed theme music for Six Flags Over Georgia, Cypress Gardens and Circus World, as well as ad jingles and incidental music for films and television productions. His work as an arranger led to Grammy Award nominations in 1974 and 1978.
Pursell reemerged on disc with the 1976 pop LP Bill Pursell and The Nashville Sweat Band. It spawned a British disco hit titled “Now.”
He joined the faculty of Belmont University’s new music school in 1980. Among his students over the years to come were Brad Paisley and Trisha Yearwood. Belmont premiered his opera, Crooked River City, in 2016. He retired the following year at age 91.
The University Press of Mississippi published Crooked River City: The Musical Life of Nashville’s William Pursell in 2018. Written by Terry Wait Klefstad, it profiled one of Nashville’s most eclectic musical personalities.
Bill Pursell is survived by his daughter, Laura Pursell, son Bill Pursell and stepdaughters Ellen Spicer and Margaret Pursell. He was preceded in death by daughter Sharon Pursell in 2012 and wife Julie Pursell in 2018. Donations to the William Whitney Pursell Scholarship in Composition can be made to the Belmont University School of Music.
Country Winners Announced In 2020 Unsigned Only Music Competition
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Being that we are based in Nashville, we had the privilege of hearing so many talented country artists. Our Grand Prize winner two years ago was an artist who has since topped the charts and is nominated for two CMA Awards,” said Unsigned Only founders Candace Avery and Jim Morgan. “So, now we are wondering…which of this year’s country winners will follow in Ingrid Andress’ shoes? It is always a thrill to discover new talent and watch them succeed.”
Established in 2012, Unsigned Only has become known as the leading music competition honoring international artists who are not signed to a major label. Since Unsigned Only’s inception in 2012, five Grand Prize winners have been signed to record labels. Winners were selected by a judging panel comprised of high-profile industry experts and renowned recording artists including: Darryl Worley; Charli XCX; Aimee Mann; Sanctus Real; O.A.R.; Robert Smith (The Cure); David Benoit; Janiva Magness; Tyler Williams (The Head And The Heart); NLE Choppa; Piso 21; Rhett Walker; The Devil Makes Three; and many more.
Ryman Auditorium To Double In-Venue Audience Capacity To 250 Attendees
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Courtesy Ryman Auditorium
Ryman Auditorium’s first-ever livestream concert series, “Live at the Ryman,” will double its current in-venue audience capacity, from 125 to 250 patrons, beginning Friday, Sept. 11, with multi-platinum selling singer-songwriter, Brett Young, as part of a Nashville Public Health Department strategic pilot program.
Last Friday, the Ryman welcomed back 125 in-person guests with Scotty McCreery. Nashville Public Health Department personnel will be on hand to observe, inspect and ensure compliance throughout the event as part of a pilot program designed to provide a safe return to indoor live music events.
The Ryman will strictly comply with operating plans developed in partnership with the Nashville Public Health Department and Vanderbilt Health that include socially distanced seating, mandatory masks for all guests and staff, as well as enhanced cleaning practices.
In-venue tickets for Young begin at $89, which include an exclusive Hatch Show Print poster and in-person access to the artist Q&A prior to the show. Livestream ticket prices begin at $10 with VIP upgrades available for $40 (livestream ticket and virtual artist Q&A), $75 (livestream ticket, Hatch Show Print poster, series t-shirt and hat) and $95 (livestream ticket, virtual artist Q&A, autographed Hatch Show Print poster and series t-shirt). All merchandise is available for purchase in advance online to commemorate the landmark series.
Warner Chappell Music Nashville, Tape Room Music Sign Taylor Phillips
/by Jessica Nicholson(L-R): Will Overton (WCM), Kelly Bolton (TR), Ashley Gorley (TR), Taylor Phillips, Ben Vaughn (WCM), Blain Rhodes (TR)
Warner Chappell Music Nashville and Tape Room Music have signed a global publishing deal with Taylor Phillips. The North Carolina native began working in Nashville in 2013. He has since landed three No. 1 hits, including “Homesick” and “Good as You” by Kane Brown, as well as “Hurricane” by Luke Combs.
Hipgnosis Acquires Big Deal Music Group
/by Lorie HollabaughHipgnosis Songs Fund Limited, the UK investment company, has acquired Big Deal Music Group. Big Deal Music will be rebranded to Hipgnosis Songs Group effective immediately.
Kenny MacPherson will act as CEO of Hipgnosis Songs Group and will report directly to Hipgnosis Songs’ Founder, and CEO of the Investment Adviser, Merck Mercuriadis. MacPherson is joined by Co-Presidents Casey Robison and Jamie Cerreta and Executive Vice President Dave Ayers (New York) as well as Senior Vice President Pete Robinson (Nashville), all of whom have signed new five-year contracts.
“Over the last two years it has been my privilege to assemble and work with a world class team of individuals of the highest calibre,” said Mercuriadis, Founder of Hipgnosis Songs Fund Limited and The Family (Music) Limited. “With this acquisition, and following the appointment of Ted Cockle and Amy Thomson earlier this week, the scale and quality of people working with me to drive shareholder returns reaches new heights and sets our company on the path for the next chapter of its growth. This is a best in class team and we now have the resource to be on top of every song’s destiny all day every day and I’m delighted to welcome Kenny, Casey, Jamie, Dave, Pete and the other 30-plus new team members into the Hipgnosis Family.”
Founded in 2012 by MacPherson, Cerreta and Ayers, Big Deal Music Group has offices in Los Angeles, New York, and Nashville. Big Deal Music’s roster includes Teddy Geiger, Julian Bunetta, John Ryan, Joe London, Kamasi Washington, Sharon Van Etten, Sylvan Esso, Jake Sinclair, Dan Wilson, St Vincent and My Morning Jacket. The company has created and acquired a catalogue of over 4,400 songs, written by over 160 songwriters, and features songs achieving five Grammy Awards, 126 NMPA, BMI and ASCAP awards, and 27 Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA) certifications. Among the catalog songs are Shawn Mendes’ “Stitches,” ‘Treat You Better’ and “Mercy,” Thomas Rhett’s “Die A Happy Man,” Panic! At The Disco’s “High Hopes,” One Direction’s “Story of My Life,” and more than 30 other songs performed by the group; as well as Niall Horan’s “Slow Hands.”
Big Deal Music Group, significantly, also has a U.S. administration function through its Words & Music Brand which will be part of the rebranding as Hipgnosis Songs Group, effective immediately. In addition to in-house administration for Big Deal Music’s catalogue, Words & Music is also responsible for U.S. administration for several significant third party catalogues including Beggars Music, Mushroom Music Publishing, Gary Numan, Notable Music, Native Tongue, Goo Goo Dolls, Hootie & The Blowfish and Underworld.
“Collectively my partners and I have spent our careers identifying and nurturing some of the most iconic songwriters in contemporary music and creating value for our investors,” said Kenny MacPherson. “Over the last eight years at Big Deal Music my partners and I built a meaningful cultural legacy by assembling an incredible group of artists and label partners and world class songwriters. We look forward to bringing those creators and their enormous talent with us as we join Merck and his team at Hipgnosis. What Hipgnosis has assembled in such a short Mme is truly remarkable – a catalogue of over 13,000 compositions from some of the most important creators in the history of music. My team and I look forward to bringing all of our experience to bear to unlock more value in these catalogues and continue to build on the amazing work that Merck and his team have already done at Hipgnosis.”
Nashville Music Business Hangout, The Palm, Facing Eviction
/by LB CantrellThe Palm, a popular hangout among the music business community, is facing eviction from Hilton Nashville Downtown, reports the Nashville Post. The steakhouse is currently situated across the street from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena’s main entrance, where it has been since it opened in 2000.
The Palm closed down in March, due to COVID-19 mandates. Though the Palm reopened at half capacity in May, the Hilton Nashville Downtown remained closed through June. In July 2020, the restaurant sued the Hilton Nashville Downtown, arguing that it should not be required to pay full rent during the COVID-19 pandemic, especially during the period of time that the hotel itself was closed.
“Hilton has asked Davidson County courts to evict The Palm, citing $114,922.87 in damages. Those charges come after the Palm says it paid nearly $25,000 in rent for the more-than-8,000-square-foot space in March,” the Nashville Post writes.
The eviction proceeding is set to be heard before the Davidson County General Sessions Court in September.
Steve Scheinthal, executive vice president and general counsel for Landry’s [who owns all the Palm’s locations], offered the following statement to the Nashville Post: “The Palm is happy to be open and serving Nashville. Our priority has, and will continue to be, putting our employees back to work in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic. Although the Hilton believes it is owed rent during the two months that it closed its own doors, we have offered to pay all of the rent that they believe to be owed in order to put this matter behind us and keep our dedicated employees working.”
Industry Ink: Scotty McCreery, Nashville Public Radio, Joe Bonsall
/by Lorie HollabaughScotty McCreery Receives Golden Recognition For “In Between”
Pictured: Scotty McCreery receives a RIAA certified Gold single for “In Between” from Triple 8 Management’s Scott Stem onstage at Ryman Auditorium on September 04, 2020 in Nashville, Tennessee. (Photo by John Shearer/Getty Images for Scotty McCreery)
Scotty McCreery performed in the Live At The Ryman series to a sold-out, limited in-venue audience and via livestream at the Ryman Auditorium on Sept. 4, and prior to taking the stage that evening, he was surprised with a plaque commemorating the RIAA-Gold Certification of his No. 1 “In Between.” Last week, the North Carolina native announced the first taste of new music from a forthcoming album with upcoming single “You Time,” set for release Sept. 23, and debuted the tune on the historic Ryman stage.
“It was a fun surprise to receive a gold plaque for ‘In Between’ during ‘HLN’s Morning Express,’” said McCreery. “The fans are the reason why the song was certified gold, so I wanted to share the moment with them again on my livestream Q&A moderated by my friend Bill Cody.”
Nashville Public Radio Names Jason Moon Wilkins As Program Director For New Music Station
Jason Moon Wilkins. Photo: Rachel Iacovone / WPLN News
Nashville Public Radio has named Jason Moon Wilkins as the Program Director of its new music discovery radio station which launches later this fall on 91.1 FM. Wilkins has been host of All Things Considered on 90.3 FM WPLN News. He has also earned honors from the Associated Press. Most recently, he produced and hosted the special program A Radio Wake for John Prine, which was carried by numerous stations nationwide and became the most-streamed feature on WPLN News. Wilkins has also worked as a touring musician, music director, manager, music journalist, and helped launch or consult with numerous events and festivals including Next BIG Nashville, which served as a mini-SXSW for the city for several years and grew into a platform for everything from hip-hop to roots rock.
‘Name That Country Tune’ Set To Tape September 10
A pilot for a new country trivia game show, “Name That Country Tune,” will be taped in Nashville on Sept. 10 at Studio 615 in Nashville. The fast-paced, family-friendly, charity-driven game show is set in a living room rather than the traditional stage podium design, and will feature three recording artist contestants raising money for their favorite charity. The show host is Joe Bonsall of The Oak Ridge Boys, and contestants on the first show include Lee Greenwood, Linda Davis, and T. Graham Brown.
“We are pleased that 100% of the funds raised will go directly to the charities selected by the celebrities,” said Executive Producer, Nelson Tucker. “Our number one goal is to raise significant funds for the charities. All advertising monies and donations from viewers go directly to the charities. This is our way of giving back in a significant way.”
Steve Baker Celebrates 20th Anniversary Of Visual Image Marketing
/by Lorie HollabaughSteve Baker. Photo: Brittany Baker
Steve Baker’s company Visual Image Marketing is marking a major milestone this year, celebrating its 20th year of providing music video promotion and marketing services to independent country and Americana artists.
Baker’s business strategies have helped Dolly Parton, The Bellamy Brothers, Larry Stewart, Gene Watson, Kevin Costner & Modern West, T. Graham Brown, Don Williams, The Grascals, Southern Halo, Soul Circus Cowboys, and numerous other acts meet success in a hyper-competitive market. VIM’s client roster has included artists from around the globe like Tina Tara (Austria/UK), Binky (UK), McPeake (Northern Ireland), Australia’s Tornadoes (Australia), Chris Lindberg (Sweden), and others.
“I always try to deliver more than I promise,” Baker says. “And I always keep in mind the fact that my clients depend on me to help build their exposure wherever possible.”