Jimmy Capps. Photo courtesy Marushka Media
[Update]: A visitation and a Celebration of Life service have been set for late guitarist Jimmy Capps.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 8 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home (5110 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN 37216). A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, June 9 at 1 p.m. at the Grand Ole Opry House (2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214).
[Original post: Wednesday, June 3, 2020]
Jimmy Capps, the genial, white-haired and goateed guitarist who is one of Nashville’s most beloved pickers, died Tuesday, June 2, at age 81.
Best known as the long-time lead guitar player in the Grand Ole Opry staff band, Capps also performed on a breathtaking number of country music standards. He can be heard on “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “The Gambler,” “Stand By Your Man,” “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” “Elvira” and “Amarillo By Morning,” among many other familiar megahits.
He is a member of The Musicians Hall of Fame. Capps was saluted in 2012 by the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Nashville Cats” series profiling recording-session greats.
Born in 1939 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Capps began playing guitar at age 12. By age 16, he was performing on local radio and TV shows. He was just 19 when he successfully auditioned to join The Louvin Brothers band in 1958. He debuted on the Opry by performing “The Knoxville Girl” with the duo later that year. He also recorded with the Louvin Brothers on such hits as “How’s the World Treating You” (1961).
Following military service and a stint in Ferlin Husky’s band, Capps launched his recording-studio career on Music Row. At his peak, Capps was playing on more than 500 recording sessions a year. Although usually cited for his tasteful acoustic-guitar work, Capps was also a skilled electric guitarist. He is considered to be one of Nashville’s finest and most prolific session guitarists in history, alongside Grady Martin, Ray Edenton, Chet Atkins, Hank Garland and Harold Bradley.
Jimmy Capps joined the Grand Ole Opry staff band in 1967. During the following five decades, he performed on more Opry shows than anyone in history.
The Opry occurs on weekends so during the week, Capps collaborated in the studio with the biggest stars of Nashville music. Even a year-by-year sampling of his work illustrates the breadth of his accomplishments – Mickey Newbury (1970), Freddie Hart (“Easy Lovin’” 1971), J.J. Cale (1972), Dolly Parton (“My Tennessee Mountain Home” 1973), Waylon Jennings (1974), the soundtrack of the movie Nashville (1975), Moe Bandy (1976), Ronnie Milsap (“It Was Almost Like a Song” 1977), Johnny Cash (1978), Ernest Tubb (1979), Amy Grant (1980).
That’s just one decade. His session work became even more intense during the 1980s. During that era, Capps could be heard on records by John Denver, George Strait, Tom Jones, Reba McEntire, K.D. Lang, The Whites, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Wayne Newton, B.J. Thomas, Barbara Mandrell, Vern Gosdin, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Keith Whitley, Lacy J. Dalton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, David Allan Coe, Charlie Rich, Dottie West and a jaw-dropping number of others.
At the annual NARAS Super Picker Awards in the 1970s and 1980s, Jimmy Capps was repeatedly honored as “Most Valuable Acoustic Player.” He also rose to become the Opry’s bandleader. Capps performed in the “house band” for the CMA Awards telecasts for more than 20 years.
He was known as “the master of smoothness” for the way he made intricate picking appear effortless. As such, he was a Nashville guitar institution by the 1990s. That is when Capps recorded with The Statler Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Watson, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, The Florida Boys, Loretta Lynn, John Conlee, Ed Bruce, Ray Charles, Hank Locklin, Riders in the Sky and T. Graham Brown, as well as dozens of newcomers of the day.
In addition to the many listed above, his guitar can be heard on the records of such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Roy Clark, Jean Shepard, Eddy Arnold, Porter Wagoner, Ray Price, Charley Pride, Faron Young, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Charlie McCoy and Dottie West.
A new generation of country fans has been charmed by Jimmy Capps in recent years thanks to his regular appearances on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner. That’s where he was billed as “The Sheriff.”
Fellow topnotch musicians Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner have all praised Capps as an influence.
Capps was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2014. The State of Tennessee honored him as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2015. He published his autobiography, The Man in Back, in 2018. At that time, the rehearsal space backstage in the Opry House was named The Jimmy Capps Music Room.
Capps is survived by his wife Michele and three sons.
Watershed Festival Rescheduled For 2021
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Watershed Music and Camping Festival has been rescheduled for next year due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The new dates for the festival are July 30 – Aug 1, 2021 at The Gorge Amphitheatre in George, Washington.
With the health and safety of fans, employees, artists and the community of the upmost importance, the three-day festival will return with headliners Dierks Bentley, Tim McGraw and Thomas Rhett next year. Other artists on the bill include Tenille Arts, Kelsea Ballerini, Blanco Brown, Billy Currington, Travis Denning, Russell Dickerson, Lindsay Ell, Morgan Evans, Gone West Ft. Colbie Caillat, HARDY, Randy Houser, Ashley McBryde and Jon Pardi.
All passes already purchased for 2020 will be honored in 2021, and full refunds will also be available, with the refund window lasting until June 28. Full ticketing and lineup details for the rescheduled dates are available at watershedfest.com.
All Them Witches Return With New Project, ‘Nothing As The Ideal,’ In September
/by Lorie HollabaughAll Them Witches Photo By Joe Charlton
All Them Witches is releasing a new album, Nothing as the Ideal, on Sept. 4 via New West Records.
The eight-song set was recorded at Abbey Road Studios in the legendary Studio Two and was produced by the band and Mikey Allred. The new album is the group’s most experimental work to date, and is also their first full-length album as a trio. The project follows up All Them Witches’ acclaimed 2018 ATW LP and last year’s standalone single “1X1.” The first track from the album is “Saturnine & Iron Jaw.”
Nothing as the Ideal will be available digitally, on CD, and as a standard black vinyl. A limited clear vinyl version will be available at indie retailers, and an opaque green vinyl edition will be available via their U.S. webstore while a green, olive, and peach tri-color vinyl edition will be available on their European webstore with both U.S. & Euro versions limited to 500 copies apiece. A deluxe picture disc vinyl edition with reversed cover artwork and a 24×36 poster limited to 750 copies will also be available.
NATD Hosting Virtual Webinar On State Of Nashville’s Tourism, Entertainment Industries
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Nashville Association of Talent Directors will host Banding Together, a virtual webinar that will focus on the state of entertainment and tourism industries in Nashville. The meeting will be held Wednesday, June 10, and will feature MusicCare’s Debbie Carroll and the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp’s Butch Spyridon (an honoree at the 2019 NATD Honors Gala).
Those wanting to attend virtually can RSVP here, and attendees will be encouraged to contribute to MusicCare’s COVID-19 Relief Fund. The event is being held to both educate attendees and foster community between colleagues who haven’t had a chance to gather at any events for the duration of the Coronavirus pandemic thus far.
Marshall Altman, Audrey Assad, Jason McGerr Form New Trio The Overstory
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Audrey Assad, Marshall Altman, Jason McGerr
Three music veterans have teamed to form one of Nashville’s newest bands. Producer and multi-instrumentalist Marshall Altman, Death Cab for Cutie drummer Jason McGerr, and vocalist Audrey Assad have formed trio The Overstory, and release their first track, “Perfect Sense,” today (June 5).
“The songs have come from real places, without fear, and are filtered through each of our experiences as musicians, writers, partners, and parents trying to balance life,” says McGerr, whose previous collaborations with Altman include Matt Nathanson’s platinum-selling, career-defining album Some Mad Hope. “It goes without saying that it’s a paramount time to be documenting one’s emotional output with people you love and respect.”
The group’s three members wrote and recorded half of the album in a single week at Altman’s Berry Hill studio, and finished the work early in 2020.
“As a band, we’re determined to make music we believe in, and write songs that reflect the truth of our experiences,” says Altman, who produced Assad’s first two critically-lauded albums, The House You’re Building and Heart. “I am so grateful to pursue that end with these two people.”
Assad agrees, adding, “Making music with Jason and Marshall is a dream come true for a tired artist. In my previous lane, I got so used to pulling punches — I forgot what I was even trying to say in the first place. We tell the truth. And it feels like breathing pure oxygen.”
Altman has produced for artists including Amy Grant, Frankie Ballard, Eric Paslay, Natasha Bedingfield, and more. McGerr has been with Death Cab for Cutie since 2003; in that time, the band has released five albums and was nominated for eight Grammys. As a solo artist, Assad has released six full-length albums.
The Overstory will release a full-length, self-produced album later this year.
Weekly Radio Report (6/5/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
[Update]: Celebration Of Life Service Set For Jimmy Capps
/by Robert K OermannJimmy Capps. Photo courtesy Marushka Media
[Update]: A visitation and a Celebration of Life service have been set for late guitarist Jimmy Capps.
Visitation will be held Monday, June 8 from 4 p.m. until 8 p.m. at Spring Hill Funeral Home (5110 Gallatin Pike S, Nashville, TN 37216). A Celebration of Life Service will be held Tuesday, June 9 at 1 p.m. at the Grand Ole Opry House (2804 Opryland Drive, Nashville, TN 37214).
[Original post: Wednesday, June 3, 2020]
Jimmy Capps, the genial, white-haired and goateed guitarist who is one of Nashville’s most beloved pickers, died Tuesday, June 2, at age 81.
Best known as the long-time lead guitar player in the Grand Ole Opry staff band, Capps also performed on a breathtaking number of country music standards. He can be heard on “He Stopped Loving Her Today,” “The Gambler,” “Stand By Your Man,” “I Was Country When Country Wasn’t Cool,” “Elvira” and “Amarillo By Morning,” among many other familiar megahits.
He is a member of The Musicians Hall of Fame. Capps was saluted in 2012 by the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Nashville Cats” series profiling recording-session greats.
Born in 1939 in Fayetteville, North Carolina, Capps began playing guitar at age 12. By age 16, he was performing on local radio and TV shows. He was just 19 when he successfully auditioned to join The Louvin Brothers band in 1958. He debuted on the Opry by performing “The Knoxville Girl” with the duo later that year. He also recorded with the Louvin Brothers on such hits as “How’s the World Treating You” (1961).
Following military service and a stint in Ferlin Husky’s band, Capps launched his recording-studio career on Music Row. At his peak, Capps was playing on more than 500 recording sessions a year. Although usually cited for his tasteful acoustic-guitar work, Capps was also a skilled electric guitarist. He is considered to be one of Nashville’s finest and most prolific session guitarists in history, alongside Grady Martin, Ray Edenton, Chet Atkins, Hank Garland and Harold Bradley.
Jimmy Capps joined the Grand Ole Opry staff band in 1967. During the following five decades, he performed on more Opry shows than anyone in history.
The Opry occurs on weekends so during the week, Capps collaborated in the studio with the biggest stars of Nashville music. Even a year-by-year sampling of his work illustrates the breadth of his accomplishments – Mickey Newbury (1970), Freddie Hart (“Easy Lovin’” 1971), J.J. Cale (1972), Dolly Parton (“My Tennessee Mountain Home” 1973), Waylon Jennings (1974), the soundtrack of the movie Nashville (1975), Moe Bandy (1976), Ronnie Milsap (“It Was Almost Like a Song” 1977), Johnny Cash (1978), Ernest Tubb (1979), Amy Grant (1980).
That’s just one decade. His session work became even more intense during the 1980s. During that era, Capps could be heard on records by John Denver, George Strait, Tom Jones, Reba McEntire, K.D. Lang, The Whites, Alan Jackson, George Jones, Wayne Newton, B.J. Thomas, Barbara Mandrell, Vern Gosdin, Dean Martin, Andy Williams, Keith Whitley, Lacy J. Dalton, The Oak Ridge Boys, Kenny Rogers, David Allan Coe, Charlie Rich, Dottie West and a jaw-dropping number of others.
At the annual NARAS Super Picker Awards in the 1970s and 1980s, Jimmy Capps was repeatedly honored as “Most Valuable Acoustic Player.” He also rose to become the Opry’s bandleader. Capps performed in the “house band” for the CMA Awards telecasts for more than 20 years.
He was known as “the master of smoothness” for the way he made intricate picking appear effortless. As such, he was a Nashville guitar institution by the 1990s. That is when Capps recorded with The Statler Brothers, Lorrie Morgan, Gene Watson, Connie Smith, Conway Twitty, The Florida Boys, Loretta Lynn, John Conlee, Ed Bruce, Ray Charles, Hank Locklin, Riders in the Sky and T. Graham Brown, as well as dozens of newcomers of the day.
In addition to the many listed above, his guitar can be heard on the records of such Country Music Hall of Fame members as Roy Clark, Jean Shepard, Eddy Arnold, Porter Wagoner, Ray Price, Charley Pride, Faron Young, Don Gibson, Bill Anderson, Charlie McCoy and Dottie West.
A new generation of country fans has been charmed by Jimmy Capps in recent years thanks to his regular appearances on RFD-TV’s Larry’s Country Diner. That’s where he was billed as “The Sheriff.”
Fellow topnotch musicians Vince Gill, Brad Paisley, Charlie Daniels, Ricky Skaggs and Steve Wariner have all praised Capps as an influence.
Capps was inducted into the North Carolina Music Hall of Fame in 2014. The State of Tennessee honored him as a Goodwill Ambassador in 2015. He published his autobiography, The Man in Back, in 2018. At that time, the rehearsal space backstage in the Opry House was named The Jimmy Capps Music Room.
Capps is survived by his wife Michele and three sons.
Industry Ink: Eric Kilby, Mike Jay, Fiona Prine, Nancy Tunick
/by Jessica NicholsonMusic Veterans Eric Kilby, Mike Jay Launch Podcast
Jay is an artist manager and co-owns Proper Management, while Kilby oversees tour operations for Compassion LIVE.
Fiona Prine Rebukes Lawmakers For Refusing To Further Discussions On Absentee Voting During Pandemic
Fiona Whelan Prine has launched a petition urging Tennessee Governor Lee and Tennessee legislature to give all voters the option to vote by absentee ballot during the pandemic.
“All we’re asking for is an opportunity to apply for an absentee ballot based on the fear of contracting COVID-19 at the polls this November—the same opportunity that 45 other states have already granted their citizens. Without a vaccine, this deadly virus is not contained, and Tennesseans should not have to fear for their lives simply to exercise their constitutional right to vote,” Prine said in a statement.
Nancy Tunick, GrassRoots Promotion Launch VIP Fan Platform
Nancy Tunick and GrassRoots Promotion have announced the launch of FanTheJam, a unique, interactive VIP fan platform that lets users subscribe to an artist’s “jam” to receive exclusive digital content and special offers each month. FanTheJam gives artists the flexibility to tailor the content to their audience and create a previously untapped revenue stream.
Tunick says, “We are excited about creating a way for artists to further monetize their careers while developing an even deeper relationship with their fans. It is a modern take on fan club experiences of the past. Fans want a connection beyond social media that makes them feel special and FanTheJam provides that opportunity.”
FanTheJam’s business model is simple. The artist provides the content and markets to their fan base. FanTheJam does the rest, with no up-front fees, by building the artist’s profile, loading the content, and notifying subscribers of new assets as they are available. FanTheJam also provides creative content and marketing best practices support, and handles credit card processing and fees, with 80% of the gross proceeds going to the artist.
DISClaimer Single Reviews: Dolly Parton, Vince Gill, Kane Brown, Mickey Guyton
/by Robert K OermannWhen times are hard, you can always count on Nashville’s music makers to get you through them.
Dolly Parton, Steven Curtis Chapman and Chase Rice are addressing the ongoing pandemic this week. No matter how much they try to “open” the economy, be aware that the number of diagnosed cases continues to rise.
Meanwhile, Kane Brown and Mickey Guyton are two of several artists who are addressing the Black Lives Matter issue that is in the forefront of our national discussion this week. No matter how you slice it, injustice is intolerable.
Lonestar and Vince Gill have taken on the issue of grief in our military families. The media doesn’t dwell on it, but we are still losing lives among our armed forces overseas.
In recognition of his worthy effort, Kane Brown earns the Disc of the Day award.
I am happy to report that we have a very promising new artist-writer in our midst today. She’s Brit Taylor, our DisCovery Award winner.
SEAFORTH/Everything Falls for You
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Very pretty. It’s a plaintive, pop-ish ballad with a lovelorn lyric and a boy-band vocal delivery. This Aussie duo seems to specialize in this kind of thing.
DOLLY PARTON/When Life Is Good Again
Writers: Dolly Parton/Kent Wells; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Dolly
– Dolly’s song for the pandemic leans on her spirituality and indomitably optimistic outlook. A gospel choir adds emotional weight. It’s a lump-in-throat performance from a legendary lady who always seems to shine the light of love.
BRIT TAYLOR/Wakin’ Up Ain’t Easy
Writers: Brit Taylor/Dave Brainard; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publisher: none listed; BT
– She has a liquid alto singing voice, with bright, “teardrop” accents. The heartache ballad has a languid, echoey atmosphere that is enchanting. I’m smitten. Send more.
STEVEN CURTIS CHAPMAN, BRAD PAISLEY, LAUREN ALAINA, TASHA COBBS LEONARD/Together (We’ll Get Through This)
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; SCC
-Gospel great Chapman expresses strength, solidarity, perseverance and optimism in his all-star coronavirus song. Proceeds benefit the thousands of unemployed musicians that this disease has created. Chin up, folks, this too shall pass away.
TUCKER BEATHARD/Can’t Stay Here
Writers: Tucker Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Will Lamb/Joe Whelan; Producer: Tucker Beathard/Ryan Tyndell/Jordan Rager; Publisher: none listed; Warner Music Nashville
– It’s a painful breakup, but he’s owning it by kicking her out because of all the anguish she has caused. The rolling tempo is cool and his vocal manages to combine power and vulnerability really well. I’ve been in this guy’s corner all along, and he never disappoints.
CHASE RICE/Belong
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; BBR
– “We don’t know where we’re going/But we’re going there together.” It’s a Big Statement Anthem with homemade pandemic footage in its video. Hooky and uplifting.
CAM/Redwood Tree
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Anders Mouridsen; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Publisher: none listed; RCA
– Thumpy and catchy. The rhythm track is a toe-tapping joy, and as usual her vocal performance is a pristine paradise. The lyric about aging and time is terrific, too. A superb single.
LONESTAR, VINCE GILL & FRIENDS/Love Lives On
Writers: Bonnie Carroll/Richie McDonald/Frank J. Myers/Jimmy Nichols; Producer: Frank Myers/Jimmy Nichols; Publisher: none listed; Roots & American Music Society (track)
– Co-writer Carroll is the widow of a fallen soldier, and this stirring song is therapy for survivors everywhere. In addition to the signature voices of Richie and Vince, the background singers include a bluezillion Nashville names. Among them are Lee Roy Parnell, Deborah Allen, Rob Crosby, T.G. Sheppard, Kelly Lang, Ashley Cleveland and Wood Newton.
KANE BROWN/Worldwide Beautiful
Writers: Kane Brown/Shy Carter/Ryan Hurd/Jordan Schmidt; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Kane Brown/BMG Platinum/Worldwide EMG/You Want How Much of What/hurdjamz/Sony-ATV Accent, BMI; RCA
– It has a lot of audio textures, from hip-hop to chorale. The anti-racist message is a simple one, we are all One. Well spoken, son. We need this song right now.
MICKEY GUYTON/Black Like Me
Writers: Mickey Guyton/Nathan Chapman/Emma Davidson-Dillon/Fraser Churchill; Producers: Nathan Chapman/Forest Whitehead; Publisher: none listed; Universal
– This heartbreaking piano ballad is a powerfully sung anthem about racial inequality. “If you think we live in the Land of the Free/You should try to be black like me.” Mickey issued this at midnight on BlackOutTuesday (June 2). She concludes the impactful lyric with a stanza of black pride. My hat is off to her. Imagine being terrified of taking a walk outside because you might get shot, simply because of the color of your skin. Then accept the fact that this happens in our country, over and over and over again.
Kane Brown Encourages Unity And Love On New Track "Worldwide Beautiful"
/by Lorie HollabaughKane Brown. Photo: Matthew Berinato
In the midst of all of the chaos, anger, pain, and loss currently happening in the country and the world, Kane Brown has released a new song, “Worldwide Beautiful,” that touches on current events and offers up a message of hope and unity.
“I’m releasing this song early that I’ve been holding onto for a year,” Brown said on Instagram. “I’m hoping it will bring us together during this time and proceeds are being funded to the boys and girls club ❤️ I love you guys”
Penned by Brown with Shy Carter, Ryan Hurd and Jordan Schmidt, the song is out now and will benefit the Boys and Girls Club of America to help support millions of young kids growing up and advocate for justice and equality for their futures.
It’s kinda hard to fight with each other
Laying down in the ground, six under
At every show I see my people
They ain’t the same but they’re all equal
One love, one God, one familyYou’re missing every color
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautifulThank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God
Oh, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God
Coast to coast, city to city
Reach out your hands if you’re with me
Still got some work but we still got a dream
Every shade, every heart come together and sing
Oh, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank God, thank GodYou’re missing every color
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautifulOne love, one God, one family (One family, y’all, c’mon)
One love, one God, one family (Worldwide beautiful)
One love, one God, one family (Worldwide beautiful)
One Love, one God, one family (Sing it with me)You’re missing every color
If you’re only seeing black and white
Tell me how you’re gonna change your mind
If your heart’s unmovable
We ain’t that different from each other
From one to another, I look around
And see worldwide beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful, so beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful
Look around and see worldwide beautiful
Sturgill Simpson To Livestream Concert From Ryman Auditorium
/by Jessica NicholsonSturgill Simpson. Photo: Courtesy: Full Coverage Communications
Sturgill Simpson will hold an hour-long livestream concert at the Ryman Auditorium on Friday (June 5), beginning at 7 p.m. CT, to be broadcast via nugs.tv., as well as on Simpson’s YouTube channel and on Twitch.
Joining Simpson for the Ryman show are fiddle player Stuart Duncan, bassist Mike Bub, Sierra Hull on mandolin, Scott Vestal on banjo, Mark Howard on guitar and Miles Miller on percussion.
The show will serve as a thank you to his fans who helped raise more than $250,000 for MusiCares’ COVID-19 Relief, Equity Alliance Nashville Tornado Relief and the Special Forces Foundation.
An exclusive show poster and “Thirsty Sturg” T-shirt will also be sold at sturgillsimpson.com to help raise more funds for the charities.