Gary McSpadden
Singer/songwriter Gary McSpadden, whose music career includes time performing as part of vocal groups including The Statesmen Quartet, Oak Ridge Boys, Imperials, Bill Gaither Trio and Gaither Vocal Band, died April 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 77.
The son of Boyd and Helen McSpadden, he grew up in Lubbock, Texas. In the early 1960s, McSpadden filled in for singer Jake Hess while Hess was on medical leave from gospel group The Statesmen Quartet. McSpadden later joined The Oak Ridge Quartet, around the time the group changed its name to The Oak Ridge Boys; McSpadden recorded three albums with the group.
During the mid-1960s, after Hess left The Statesmen, McSpadden joined Hess as part of his new group, The Imperials, and recorded a dozen albums with the group.
In 1977, McSpadden replaced Danny Gaither as part of The Bill Gaither Trio; by 1981, he was among the first members of The Gaither Vocal Band. McSpadden released his debut solo album in 1965 and went on to release 20 solo projects during his career.
As a songwriter, McSpadden penned songs including “Jesus Lord To Me,” “Hallelujah Praise The Lamb” and “No Other Name But Jesus.” He produced television series such as the Jubilee series, which was filmed in Branson, Missouri. He also produced and appeared in several music concerts in Branson in the 1990s and 2000s.
McSpadden and his wife Carol led Faith & Wisdom Church in Branson, Missouri. Carol wrote the following message on the church’s Facebook page:
As most of you know Gary and I have been in Tulsa at the Cancer Treatment Center of America. Gary has been battling cancer along with other complications over the last several weeks. This has been a quick and difficult journey we have been on. We knew this week that God had a plan and his healing would be here on earth or in heaven. As of 8:40 AM Pastor passed peacefully surrounded by his family into the arms of God.
2 Timothy 4:7 says I have fought a good fight I have finished my course and I have kept the faith. Pastor Gary fought hard, finished the race and was an unbelievable man of faith. I would like to thank all the Faith and Wisdom church family and all the many friends who have prayed with us during this time. Due to extenuating circumstances with Covid 19 we are working on plans for a celebration of life at a later date. We will be communicating those plans as they develop.
Love you and thank you
Carol
BMG Signs Australian Duo The Wolfe Brothers To Global Label Deal
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Wolfe Brothers
BMG has signed Australian duo The Wolfe Brothers to a global recording deal. In the United States, they join the BBR Music Group family via BMG, joining the Nashville label’s roster that includes Jason Aldean, Chase Rice, Granger Smith, Jimmie Allen, Runaway June and Blanco Brown.
Brothers Nick and Tom Wolfe have released the new single “No Brakes,” which follows the duo’s 12 consecutive No. 1 radio singles in Australia as well as their four Australian Country Music Album Chart toppers. The Wolfe Brothers won Group of the Year at the Country Music Association Awards of Australia in 2015, 2016, and 2019.
“This represents the last few years of our journey,” Tom Wolfe says of the new single.
“It’s been quite a long time since there’s been an Australian country act who’s been a huge, huge crossover,” adds Nick.
Jon Loba, EVP BBR Music Group said, “We are thrilled to welcome one of Australia’s truly great artists to the BBR Music Group family; The Wolfe Brothers. Nick and Tom write world-class songs and are incredible live performers. The minute our staff heard their first track ‘No Brakes’ they were in and wanted to be involved. We look forward to partnering with our amazing BMG Australia team to bring their music to the US!”
The Wolfe Brothers said of the signing, “We are absolutely thrilled to be joining the BBR Music Group/BMG family for the next phase of our career. To be joining a roster that includes Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch and Lindsay Ell is truly a dream come true for us and with the help of the dynamic and creative teams in the BMG offices around the world we are looking forward to taking our music and our live show internationally. We feel we are creating the best work of our career at present and look forward to the road ahead. We can’t wait to see where this journey takes us.”
Taylor Swift Cancels 2020 Shows
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Swift
Taylor Swift has canceled her concerts for 2020, including her LoverFest East and West shows that had been slated for Inglewood, California on July 25-26 and Foxborough, Massachusetts on July 31-Aug. 1, as well as two July 18-19 shows in Brazil.
According to a statement she posted to social media on April 17, tickets for her United States and Brazil shows will be honored for new shows dates which will take place some time next year. Refunds will also be available beginning May 1, according to Ticketmaster standards.
Swift’s statement says: “Fighting COVID-19 is an unprecedented challenge for our global community and the safety and wellbeing of fans should always be the top priority. Health organizations and governments around the world have strongly discouraged large public gatherings for an undetermined period of time. With many events throughout the world already cancelled, and upon direction from health officials in an effort to keep fans safe and help prevent the spread of COVID-19, sadly the decision has been made to cancel all Taylor Swift live appearances and performances this year. The U.S. and Brazil shows will be rescheduled to take place in 2021, with dates to be announced later this year.”
Though there will be no live events or festival shows for Swift in the near future, she has signed on to take part in the upcoming One World: Together At Home livestream event set to air on JOOX Music on April 19. Led by Lady Gaga, the concert will also include performances from Keith Urban, Alicia Keys, Celine Dion, Elton John, Jennifer Lopez, Kacey Musgraves, Lady Antebellum, Maren Morris and more.
Premier Global Production Keeps Trucks On The Road Delivering Essential Supplies
/by Jessica NicholsonNashville-based Premier Global Production, which supplies staging and lighting equipment for clients including Metallica, Chris Stapleton, Tim McGraw, Jake Owen, Lee Brice, Austin City Limits and several country music festivals, is keeping its trucking fleet on the road, even as the live event industry has come to a standstill.
Instead of hauling staging and lighting equipment, the company’s 18-wheelers and drivers are working for common haul companies to move supplies to critically-impacted areas of the United States.
“We are putting our resources to work for America to help our country get through this pandemic,” says Premier Global Production’s President and CEO Troy Vollhoffer. “We are doing our part to keep the U.S. population fed while we all wait out this unprecedented health crisis.”
“We have put part of our fleet to work with Koch Logistics delivering groceries from distribution centers to Walmarts and other grocery stores in Alabama and Michigan,” says PGP Operations Manager Patrick Gail. “We have put the remaining trucks to work moving goods designated as emergency loads for vendors such as Target and Amazon. Those trucks have been moving goods to distribution centers in the Midwest and Northeast.”
“This great country will get back on its feet again,” Vollhoffer says, “sooner rather than later.”
Willie Nelson To Host ‘Luck Presents: Come And Toke It’ Livestream Variety Show
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson. Photo: Danny Clinch
Luck Productions is presenting “Come And Toke It,” a new variety show hosted by the unofficial patron saint of weed himself, Willie Nelson, who will be joined by artists, chefs, comedians, and cannabis experts during the four hour-plus live-streamed show on April 20 at 4:20 CT.
The fourth installment of Luck’s ongoing live programming, the variety show will include performances by various musical guests, cooking and cocktail demos, and weed-centric moments, and will benefit Willie’s Last Prisoner Project.
Luck and Willie’s Reserve are also joining forces to launch the #comeandtokeit #passleft challenge, which is perhaps the world’s only chance to knock smoking with Willie Nelson off their bucket list. Luck will be asking fans to post a video of themselves passing whatever toking material of their choice to the left with the hashtags #ComeandTokeIt #PassLeft, and one lucky participant will be randomly selected to talk to Willie himself, live on air, to pass left and wish him an early birthday “in person” during the broadcast.
“Come and toke it with me on 4/20 at 4:20,” said Nelson. “There will be music and good times. And, it’s for a good cause.”
Memphis Music Ambassador Knox Phillips Dies
/by Robert K OermannMemphis Music Hall of Fame member Knox Phillips died Wednesday (April 15) at age 74 after battling cancer for many years.
He was a studio owner, engineer and producer who was a tireless booster of Memphis music. Knox also organized the diverse music makers in his hometown and was a co-founder of the city’s chapter of The Recording Academy in 1973.
The son of legendary Sun Records founder Sam Phillips (1923-2003), Knox grew up in the shadow of that future Rock n Roll Hall of Fame and Country Music Hall of Fame member. But Knox Phillips began carving his own niche into the Memphis music scene as a youngster by recording such local pop/rock groups as Randy & The Radiants and The Gentrys.
He took over the family’s recording studio and subsequently engineered records by such artists as Willie Nelson (Shotgun Willie, Phases & Stages), Jerry Jeff Walker (“Mr. Bojangles”), The Amazing Rhythm Aces (“Third Rate Romance,” “The End Is Not In Sight”), Phineas Newborn, Jackie DeShannon, Jim Post, Alex Chilton, Panther Burns and more.
Knox Phillips co-produced John Prine’s 1979 Memphis LP Pink Cadillac as well as many recordings by Jerry Lee Lewis. The latter were released in 2014 as Jerry Lee Lewis: The Knox Phillips Sessions.
He always worked to enhance his father’s legacy and reputation, providing invaluable assistance to author Peter Guralnick’s biography Sam Phillips: The Man Who Invented Rock ‘n’ Roll (2014). Knox also helped organize the Country Music Hall of Fame’s exhibit “Flying Saucers Rock & Roll: The Cosmic Genius of Sam Phillips” (2015-16).
Knox Phillips is survived by his wife Diane Duncan Phillips, brother Jerry Phillips and nieces Hailey Phillips and Roxanne Phillips Tays. Funeral arrangements have not been disclosed.
Dylan Marlowe Signs With Play It Again Music
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Cade Price, VP of A&R, Dylan Marlowe, Dallas Davidson, Owner/CEO
Dylan Marlowe has signed a publishing and artist development deal with Play It Again Music.
“I’m extremely excited to announce that Dylan Marlowe is joining the Play It Again team,” said Play It Again owner/CEO Dallas Davidson. “Dylan caught my attention two years ago when he was at PIA writing with Trea Landon. I was really digging on the songs he was writing and then absolutely fell in love with his voice. I think Dylan is a mega-star and look forward to being a part of this Georgia boy’s career.”
“I’m super excited to be joining the Play It Again team, they have treated me like nothing but family so far and I can’t wait to see what the future holds,” said Marlowe. “I’ve looked up to Dallas for a long time so to be able to write for him is a dream come true.”
Davidson, an award-winning songwriter with 25 No. 1 hits and more than 250 cuts to his credit, launched Play It Again Music in 2015.
Weekly Radio Report (4/17/20)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow’s weekly CountryBreakout Radio Report.
Runaway June’s Jennifer Wayne Diagnosed With COVID-19
/by Jessica NicholsonJennifer Wayne
Jennifer Wayne, part of BBR Music Group trio Runaway June, revealed that she has been diagnosed with COVID-19. Wayne shared the news with her fans through an Instagram post on April 15.
She also shared how she has been fighting the COVID-19 virus, and said she plans to donate plasma to help others.
Wayne’s statement is below:
Jennifer Wayne, along with her Runaway June cohorts Hannah Mulholland and Naomi Cooke released the project Blue Roses last year and earned a Top 5 country radio single with “Buy My Own Drinks.” They also opened for Carrie Underwood’s Cry Pretty Tour 360.
Skyline Artists Agency Acquires Strategic Touring
/by Jessica NicholsonMike Kaiz
The Skyline Artists Agency has acquired Strategic Touring as part of an ongoing expansion of its contemporary artist division led by Mark Lourie, who has been promoted to VP of Contemporary.
Strategic Touring founder Mike Kaiz will join Skyline as an agent, bringing with him a roster that includes Henhouse Prowlers, Upstate, Armchair Boogie, Kind Country, and Jeremy Garrett. He and Skyline Nashville agent, James Leslie, have also signed two-time Grammy nominee Frank Solivan & Dirty Kitchen.
Kaiz founded Chicago-based Strategic Touring in 2018 after a stint at Portland, Oregon’s Blue Sun Entertainment agency.
“Mike has excellent musical taste and the work ethic required to develop new artists, particularly in these challenging times,” said Lourie.
“I’m proud to join a team with Skyline’s passion and experience,” added Kaiz.
Kaiz joins Skyline’s emerging and contemporary artists division which includes argonaut & wasp, Darlingside, Freddy Jones Band, Gangstagrass, Mystic Bowie’s Talking Dreads, We Banjo 3, Zoe Keating and more.
“At a time when many others are retrenching, we are growing our team and doubling down on our commitment to developing and serving artists,” said Skyline Artists Agency President Bruce Houghton.
Since the first of the year, Skyline has also expanded its Arts division with the promotion of Andrea Sabata to VP of Performing Arts and addition of agent Ben Rossman, and grew its Nashville presence adding Laura Schneider as head of Artist Relations and Sean Quinn as Tour Coordinator.
Singer-Songwriter Gary McSpadden Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonGary McSpadden
Singer/songwriter Gary McSpadden, whose music career includes time performing as part of vocal groups including The Statesmen Quartet, Oak Ridge Boys, Imperials, Bill Gaither Trio and Gaither Vocal Band, died April 15 in Tulsa, Oklahoma, following a battle with pancreatic cancer. He was 77.
The son of Boyd and Helen McSpadden, he grew up in Lubbock, Texas. In the early 1960s, McSpadden filled in for singer Jake Hess while Hess was on medical leave from gospel group The Statesmen Quartet. McSpadden later joined The Oak Ridge Quartet, around the time the group changed its name to The Oak Ridge Boys; McSpadden recorded three albums with the group.
During the mid-1960s, after Hess left The Statesmen, McSpadden joined Hess as part of his new group, The Imperials, and recorded a dozen albums with the group.
In 1977, McSpadden replaced Danny Gaither as part of The Bill Gaither Trio; by 1981, he was among the first members of The Gaither Vocal Band. McSpadden released his debut solo album in 1965 and went on to release 20 solo projects during his career.
As a songwriter, McSpadden penned songs including “Jesus Lord To Me,” “Hallelujah Praise The Lamb” and “No Other Name But Jesus.” He produced television series such as the Jubilee series, which was filmed in Branson, Missouri. He also produced and appeared in several music concerts in Branson in the 1990s and 2000s.
McSpadden and his wife Carol led Faith & Wisdom Church in Branson, Missouri. Carol wrote the following message on the church’s Facebook page:
Carol