DISClaimer: New Music From Doug Seegers, Liz Moriondo

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Doug Seegers.

Spring has sprung.

We have a number of seasonal sounding platters this week. Southern Halo and Lewis Brice are specifically addressing the upcoming summer fun, while Jesse Labelle, Juliet Simmons Dinallo and Sara Simmons all have airy tracks that suit the weather as well.

The Disc of the Day goes to Doug Seegers. He’s the former Nashville street singer who has become a big deal in Europe. I’d lend him your ears if I were you.

Our DisCovery Award this week goes to Liz Moriondo. She hails from the Missouri Ozarks and is evidently a big favorite on outdoorsy TV shows and on the NASCAR circuit.

KOLT BARBER/Cowboy
Writer: Kolt Barber; Producer: Kolt Barber; Publisher: Buck & Spur, BMI; Barbed Wire
– Macho baritone vocal, rebel attitude, rocking electric guitars. Crisply produced and thoroughly listenable. Not my cup of tea, but whatever floats your boat.

SOUTHERN HALO/Sunshine
Writers: Natalia Elizabeth Morris/Stephen B. Liles/Eric Gunderson; Producer: Catt Gravitt; Publishers: Halo Baby/Original Hooligan/Gunderson, BMI/ASCAP
– Here comes summer. The Morris sisters have a song for the season with this tuneful, harmony-kissed sparkler.

CHUCK MEAD/Big Bear In The Sky
Writer: Charles Mead; Producer: Matt Ross Spang; Publisher: Pagan Idol, BMI; Plowboy (track)
– A retro-rockabilly, echo-chamber, deep-twang fest. Mead was a founder of BR5-49 as well as the musical director of the Million Dollar Quartet musical. Today, he’s a roots-music gem who’s a regular Opry visitor. This is drawn from his highly recommended CD Close to Home, which drops next month.

SARA SIMMONS/Oh I Need You
Writers: Sara Simmons; Producer: none listed; Publisher: Mollydogrecords, ASCAP; SS
– Scampering and sprightly, with rippling banjo backing. Her hillbilly soprano floats above the peppy track nicely. The lyric isn’t much, but the overall energy sells it nonetheless.

DOUG SEEGERS/Demon Seed
Writers: Doug Seegers; Producer: Joe Henry; Publisher: none listed; BMG
– Kinda haunting, minor key and very, very cool. His penetrating vocal wail rolls in a dramatic, echoey, electro-shuddering band arrangement that sounds like the undertow of doom. A thrilling listening experience.

LIZ MORIONDO/You Made Me
Writers: Liz Moriondo/Steve Mitchell/Chris Drizen; Producer: Johnny Dibb; Publisher: Bud Diesel/Grin Like a Dog/Boston Born, BMI/SOCAN/SESAC; Gone Fishin
– Her range-y vocal is so super expressive that your ears are glued to the speakers. The well-written song is a paean to a loving mom. Just in time for Mother’s Day, it couldn’t be a more timely addition to your playlist. Spin it now.

LEWIS BRICE/Summertime Vibes
Writers: Lewis Brice/Nick Norman/Ben Simonetti; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Pump House
– It sounds exactly like a beach party, with a thumpy, rump-shaking rhythm track as well as a catchy, sunny, sing-along tune. Irresistibly fun and smiley.

JULIET SIMMONS DINALLO/Tennessee
Writers: Juliet Simmons Dinallo; Producers: Michael Dinallo/Ducky Carlisle; Publishers: Crooked Road, BMI; Audium (track)
– Bright and pert and sort of “innocent” sounding. The song is too wordy and takes too long to get to the hook.

JESSE LABELLE/Call Me Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: Lindsay Rimes; Publisher: none listed; Just Listen
– Splendidly breezy country-pop, with an attractive come-on lyric. Lilting and lovely. Jesse isn’t kidding about that title. He really does want you to call him up at 615-823-8779.

LONNIE SPIKER/Behind The Clown
Writer: Lonnie Spiker; Producer: Curt Ryle; Publisher: Den N Dust, ASCAP; Megalith (track)
– He is as country as can be. But he just doesn’t sing all that well. Pitchy is the word.

Evan Paul Joins Taste Of Country Nights

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Evan Paul

Following the announcement that Sam Alex has exited Townsquare Media’s Taste of Country Nights, it has been announced that Evan Paul will join Taste of Country Nights as host, effective May 13.

Paul previously served as Beasley Rhythmic AC morning host at WMGC in Detroit. His career also includes time at KUPL in Portland, WNKS in Charlotte and WKQI in Detroit.

“Evan is a truly great talent, a host who will bring his style of fun and passion for country artists to an already successful night show,” notes Townsquare Sr. VP, Programming Kurt Johnson.

Evan Paul Joins Taste Of Country Nights

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Evan Paul

Following the announcement that Sam Alex has exited Townsquare Media’s Taste of Country Nights, it has been announced that Evan Paul will join Taste of Country Nights as host, effective May 13.

Paul previously served as Beasley Rhythmic AC morning host at WMGC in Detroit. His career also includes time at KUPL in Portland, WNKS in Charlotte and WKQI in Detroit.

“Evan is a truly great talent, a host who will bring his style of fun and passion for country artists to an already successful night show,” notes Townsquare Sr. VP, Programming Kurt Johnson.

Create Music Group Launches App To Document Songwriter Contribution Splits

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Create Music Group has launched a free mobile app that aims to eliminate songwriting disputes between writers, producers and artists.
The app, SPLITS, allows songwriters to easily create a split agreement—a document music publishers use to clarify individual contributions to a song—from a smartphone. Writers can utilize the app to create a new split agreement document by adding collaborators and setting up each writer’s contribution percentage. The app will send a notice to the writer’s collaborators, along with a snippet of the song. Once all collaborators have clicked “agree” to the entered contribution percentage, the agreement is sent to the writers’ publishers, with an email to each collaborator.
“In the three years that we’ve been working with songwriters and artists, we’ve had to deal with thousands of tracks where the songwriting credits were either incomplete or where there were disputes which ultimately resulted in less royalties for everyone involved,” said Create Music Group co-founder Alexandre Williams who came up with the idea for SPLITS. “We’re introducing SPLITS to the creative community as an easy, non confrontational way for creatives to agree upon songwriting contributions at the time of creation, all with just a few clicks right from the screen they spend the most time on everyday—their phones.”
Among the writers using Splits include PttThaKid, C4, Young Chop, Chase the Money, C Note, Sonny Digital, Chop Squad DJ and Roccstar.
Create Music Group entered the full-service distribution business in 2016 with the acquisition of the independent distributor Label Engine. Create Music Group’s distribution claims to pay out revenue within 48 hours of receiving it from retail accounts. The company launched a full-service music publishing division last fall, counting rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine among their first signings.

Create Music Group Launches App To Document Songwriter Contribution Splits

/by

Create Music Group has launched a free mobile app that aims to eliminate songwriting disputes between writers, producers and artists.
The app, SPLITS, allows songwriters to easily create a split agreement—a document music publishers use to clarify individual contributions to a song—from a smartphone. Writers can utilize the app to create a new split agreement document by adding collaborators and setting up each writer’s contribution percentage. The app will send a notice to the writer’s collaborators, along with a snippet of the song. Once all collaborators have clicked “agree” to the entered contribution percentage, the agreement is sent to the writers’ publishers, with an email to each collaborator.
“In the three years that we’ve been working with songwriters and artists, we’ve had to deal with thousands of tracks where the songwriting credits were either incomplete or where there were disputes which ultimately resulted in less royalties for everyone involved,” said Create Music Group co-founder Alexandre Williams who came up with the idea for SPLITS. “We’re introducing SPLITS to the creative community as an easy, non confrontational way for creatives to agree upon songwriting contributions at the time of creation, all with just a few clicks right from the screen they spend the most time on everyday—their phones.”
Among the writers using Splits include PttThaKid, C4, Young Chop, Chase the Money, C Note, Sonny Digital, Chop Squad DJ and Roccstar.
Create Music Group entered the full-service distribution business in 2016 with the acquisition of the independent distributor Label Engine. Create Music Group’s distribution claims to pay out revenue within 48 hours of receiving it from retail accounts. The company launched a full-service music publishing division last fall, counting rapper Tekashi 6ix9ine among their first signings.

Americana Music Association to Stream Awards Nominations Reveal On Facebook Live

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The Americana Music Association will announce its 2019 Americana Honors & Awards nominees on Facebook Live on Tuesday, May 14. Americana Award-winning and Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids will reveal this year’s nominations live from the private rehearsals of “Mavis & Friends: Celebrating 80 Years of Mavis Staples” at the Ryman Auditorium.

Following the announcement, the association’s membership will then vote online and the winners will be crowned at the 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards, taking place Sept. 11 at the Ryman during AMERICANAFEST week.

Viewers and press can tune in to the livestream on Tuesday, May 14 at 3 p.m. CDT at Facebook.com/AmericanaMusicAssociation.

Americana Music Association to Stream Awards Nominations Reveal On Facebook Live

/by

The Americana Music Association will announce its 2019 Americana Honors & Awards nominees on Facebook Live on Tuesday, May 14. Americana Award-winning and Grammy-nominated duo The Milk Carton Kids will reveal this year’s nominations live from the private rehearsals of “Mavis & Friends: Celebrating 80 Years of Mavis Staples” at the Ryman Auditorium.

Following the announcement, the association’s membership will then vote online and the winners will be crowned at the 18th annual Americana Honors & Awards, taking place Sept. 11 at the Ryman during AMERICANAFEST week.

Viewers and press can tune in to the livestream on Tuesday, May 14 at 3 p.m. CDT at Facebook.com/AmericanaMusicAssociation.

Radio, Television Personality Sam Alex Exits Taste Of Country Nights

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Sam Alex

Radio and television personality Sam Alex has exited his role as host of Townsquare Media’s syndicated radio show Taste of Country Nights. Alex has been in the role for the past five years. He will continue to handle interviews and covering red carpets for Celebrity Page TV.

Alex, a Chicago native, has previously worked at WMZQ in Washington, D.C., as well as WRRM in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his time with Taste of Country Nights, Alex was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s National On-Air Personality of the Year honor. Taste of Country Nights also grew to broadcast to over 100 affiliates during his time with the program.

“Thank you to Kurt Johnson and everyone at Townsquare Media for five incredible years. I’m also eternally grateful for the loyal sponsors and over 30 individual station owners who chose to carry the show.” Alex said.

Alex can be reached at samalexradio@yahoo.com and at samalexradio.com.

Radio, Television Personality Sam Alex Exits Taste Of Country Nights

/by

Sam Alex

Radio and television personality Sam Alex has exited his role as host of Townsquare Media’s syndicated radio show Taste of Country Nights. Alex has been in the role for the past five years. He will continue to handle interviews and covering red carpets for Celebrity Page TV.

Alex, a Chicago native, has previously worked at WMZQ in Washington, D.C., as well as WRRM in Cincinnati, Ohio. During his time with Taste of Country Nights, Alex was nominated for the Academy of Country Music’s National On-Air Personality of the Year honor. Taste of Country Nights also grew to broadcast to over 100 affiliates during his time with the program.

“Thank you to Kurt Johnson and everyone at Townsquare Media for five incredible years. I’m also eternally grateful for the loyal sponsors and over 30 individual station owners who chose to carry the show.” Alex said.

Alex can be reached at samalexradio@yahoo.com and at samalexradio.com.

Tributes Abound At 6th Annual GMA Honors & Hall Of Fame Ceremony

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Pictured (L-R): Gene Krcelic, Don Finto, Shane Quick, Gary Gentry, Roy Morgan, Dottie Leonard Miller, Jay DeMarcus, Yvette Boyd, Joe Don Rooney, LaDonna Boyd, Gary LeVox, Tramaine Hawkins, Don Moen, Janet Paschal, John Huie and GMA President & Executive Director Jackie Patillo Photo: Jamie Gilliam

The Gospel Music Association held its 6th Annual Honors and Hall of Fame Ceremony last night (May 8) at Lipscomb University in Nashville. Legendary CCM artist Don Moen, President and CEO of New Day Christian Distributors Dottie Leonard Miller, southern gospel artist Janet Paschal and Grammy award-winning gospel singer Tramaine Hawkins were inducted into the GMA Gospel Music Hall of Fame during the evening’s festivities. 

The event also honored individuals and organizations that have had an impact on society. This year’s honorees included Don Finto for Caleb Company, R. H. Boyd Family Endowment Fund, Premier Foundation and country group Rascal Flatts.

Upon receiving their award, Rascal Flatts member Jay DeMarcus said, “The people in this room, some I have known for decades, have the responsibility to pass the good news and the hope forward of Jesus Christ in a world that so desperately needs it today. It is overwhelming. I love these guys so much. We have been in the trenches for nearly 20 years now. To watch some of the things on the screen we have done, it is very emotional. We just wanted a song on the radio. I have to give the glory back to God tonight, for giving us the incredible platform we have had to do some of these incredible things.”

There were plenty of heartfelt tributes and memorable performances throughout the evening by Christian and Gospel all-stars and special guests, including Governor Bill Lee, Dr. Bobby Jones, Gloria Gaither, Joel Smallbone, Jonathan McReynolds, Kelontae Gavin, Paul Baloche, TaRanda Greene, The Martins and many more.

Pictured (L-R): Joe Don Rooney, Maria Lee, Governor Bill Lee, Jay DeMarcus, Gary LeVox, Allison DeMarcus, Tara LeVox, and Jason Crabb at the GMA Honors and Hall of Fame Ceremony in Nashville, Tenn. on May 8, 2019. Photo: Aaron Crisler

Tramaine Hawkins performs at the GMA Honors and Hall of Fame Ceremony in Nashville. Photo: Jamie Gilliam