DISClaimer: Runaway June Offers A Runaway Hit

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Country’s guys and gals are going head to head this week.

Kelly Willis and Cassadee Pope are duking it out with Chase Rice and the Wild Feathers, not to mention darkhorse contender R.J. Comer (who is checking in with his second stunning album in a row). In this contest, we listeners are the winners.

The ladies snare the Disc of the Day prize, thanks to the splendidly catchy release by Runaway June.

The men have the DisCovery Award winner, an interesting new singer-songwriter named Justin Fabus.

JUSTIN FABUS/Remedy
Writers: J. Fabus; Producers: Matt Very, Austin Ostiguy, Justin Fabus; Publishers: none listed; JF (track)
-His voice is a fizzy, ear-catching tenor and the CD title track has a nice, r&b feel. Unfortunately, the tempo is tediously sluggish. There are better single choices on this collection.

CHASE RICE/Eyes On You
Writers: Ashley Gorley/Chase Rice/Chris DeStefano; Producer: Chris Destafano & Jacquire King; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Jack Daniels/EMI April/CDS Words and Music/WB/Combustion Engine/Sadie’s Favorite, BMI/ASCAP; BBR/Jack Daniels
– Nicely romantic. Wherever they go, whatever they do, he only has eyes for her. I like the way his vocal is mixed with so much intimacy and presence. The title is repeated about 30 times too often for my taste, but it’s still a nifty little record.

THE BAND STEELE/Sit Awhile
Writers: Bo Steele/Ben Rubino; Producers: Rob Burrell/Stacy Savola; Publishers: FRMG/Kadence Faith/B Rubino, BMI; Fire River
– This has a richly masculine sound. It’s about reflecting and meditating and letting grief take its time. It’s a good thing the vocals are so strong, because the production isn’t much.

KELLY WILLIS/Don’t Step Away
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Premium/Thirty Tigers
– Love it! The r&b backbeat, steady throb and sensuous groove push alla my buttons. As always, her Texas-country vocal phrasing, slightly saucy tone and gentle confidence are utterly charming.

SARAH LAWTON/Sticks and Stones
Writers: none listed; Producer: Kenny Zaridar; Publishers: none listed; SL
– This has plenty of sass and attitude. But the song does nothing for me, and there’s not much about the irritating production that I would characterize as “country.”

CASSADEE POPE/One More Red Light
Writers: Cassadee Pope/Kelly Archer/Emily Shackelton; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; CP
– Punchy and propulsive. Loaded with energy and drive.

BAILEY JAMES/Kiss Me Goodbye
Writers: Bailey James Koehler/Jeannie McQuinn/Shelby Lee Lowe; Producer: Jeffrey Teague; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI, BJ
– She sings with moxie. The song is too wordy. The arrangement just lays there.

WILD FEATHERS/Stand By You
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: none listed; Warner Bros.
– I love this Nashville band. I liked ‘em when they were rockers, and I think it’s very cool that they’ve shifted gears into country. This thing has more hooks than a tuna boat. If the track doesn’t make you want to get up and bop around the room, you need a rhythm injection. Ridiculously catchy.

R.J. Comer/One Last Kiss
Writers: R.J. Comer; Producer: Shawn Byrne; Publishers: Pack of Three, SESAC; Growling Moon
– The title tune of Comer’s new CD is a doomsday dirge of despair. But it was so compelling that I couldn’t turn away. Death has seldom sounded more fascinating. Recommended, especially at midnight.

RUNAWAY JUNE/Buy My Own Drinks
Writers: Hannah Mulholland, Jennifer Wayne, Naomi Cooke, Hillary Lindsey, Josh Kear; Producer: Dann Huff; Publishers: 2018 BMG Platinum Songs (BMI) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Silver Songs (SESAC) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BMG Gold Songs (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Rezonate Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, BIRB Music (ASCAP) admin by BMG Rights Management (US), LLC, Champagne Whiskey Pub (ASCAP) admin by Downtown DLJ Songs, Downtown DLJ Songs (ASCAP). All rights reserved. Used by permission.; BBR/Wheelhouse
-Feisty and frisky. She’s got a busted heart, but she’s going out to the neon lights to party all by herself. The rollicking tempo, triple harmonies and deliciously crunchy production are all just fabulous. Make this a smash.

 

Gibson Brands Moves Towards Emerging From Chapter 11 With Disclosure Statement Approval

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Gibson Brands has announced that the U.S. Bankruptcy Court for the District of Delaware in Wilmington has approved the company’s disclosure statement. The approval is a key step in the company’s process for emerging from chapter 11 and allows it to begin soliciting votes on a reorganization plan and to seek an order confirming the plan. The plan received the support of the Creditors’ Committee, which recommended that all general unsecured creditors vote in favor of it.

The plan materials and ballots are expected to be mailed during the week of Aug. 6, 2018. The deadline for returning completed ballots will be September 14. A hearing to confirm the plan is scheduled to begin on September 27.

“We are extremely pleased by the Court’s approval of our Disclosure Statement, which is a key step toward the Company’s successful emergence from Chapter 11,” said Henry Juszkiewicz, Chief Executive Officer of Gibson Brands. “Our employees have worked very hard to help us stay on track to emerge from Chapter 11 as planned, and we are grateful for the continuing support from our creditors, partners, and vendors.”

JUST IN: Music Industry Journalist Robert K. Oermann To Be Honored At Music Row Storytellers Event

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Robert K. Oermann

Benefiting Nashville-based non-profit Music Health Alliance, Music Row Storytellers will feature music industry historian and journalist, Robert K. Oermann on Monday, October 29 at the Wellspire Center (907 Gleaves St., Nashville, TN 37203). Valet parking will be provided.

A 6:00 p.m. cocktail reception will be followed by a 6:30 p.m. program honoring Oermann. The evening will be filled with laughs and stories from Robert K. and surprise guests who’ve been part of his career.

Tickets are available for purchase here for $75.00 (fees included).

Music Row is lined with stories, but few people have witnessed as many – and have as many to tell – as Robert K. Oermann. Since arriving in Nashville 40 years ago, “Bobby Karl” has documented, chronicled and helped tell countless tales of the people, places and events that give Music City its moniker. He’s a natural and deserved choice as this year’s Music Row Storytellers honoree.

Music Row Storytellers is an event designed to honor people who stand the test of time in telling the stories that make the music industry so fascinating – the journalists, interviewers, reporters, show hosts and others who’ve lived, breathed and witnessed these moments alongside the music-and decision-makers of Music Row.

Robert K. Oermann’s love of music can be traced back to his Pittsburgh childhood, when he clerked in his grandmother’s record store. He moved to Nashville in 1978 for a job with the Country Music Hall of Fame Museum.

His freelance writing put his byline into such publications as Billboard, The Hollywood Reporter, Esquire, TV Guide and – in the early 1980s – the pages of an emerging newspaper called USA Today (as its first country-music reporter and critic). A dozen years with the daily Tennessean made him a Music City staple, as he evolved to become the community’s go-to journalistic source, critic, commentator and tastemaker. His entertaining singles reviews – an anchor of MusicRow magazine since its inception in 1981 – have made him a music-industry must-read.

As the author of eight books, the host of the hit podcast Children of Song and a creative force in film and TV documentaries, he has chronicled America’s musical culture for decades, sometimes in collaboration with his wife, Mary A. Bufwack. Liner notes, artist bios and interviews created by Robert K. have breathed life into the careers of innumerable artists, musicians, songwriters and producers. He has served and continues to lend his expertise and perspective to numerous organizations – The Recording Academy, the CMA, the Nashville Public Library, Leadership Music and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame among them. He is also a spokesman for Music City as a convention speaker, a mentor to students and a frequently televised commentator.

Simply put, Robert K. Oermann is a Music Row “Storyteller.”

Industry Ink: CRS Registration, SOURCE Nominations, ACM

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Registration To Open Soon For 50th Anniversary Country Radio Seminar

Registration for the 50th Anniversary year of Country Radio Seminar (CRS 2019), will begin on Aug. 15 at 10 a.m. CT, with an early bird rate of $499 that will only be available on the opening day. The price will increase to $549 the very next day, Aug. 16. Registrations will be available for purchase at countryradioseminar.com.

Additionally, CRS host hotel, Omni Nashville, will be accepting reservations starting Aug. 15 at the $264 single rate.

 

SOURCE Accepting Membership Nominations

SOURCE is now accepting membership nominations, through Aug. 31. Membership is limited to female executives and professionals working in the music and entertainment industries. Membership is based on specific criteria determined by the SOURCE Board of Directors. Eligibility criteria includes (but is not limited to): Minimum five years experience at an executive level in the music industry; decision-making power and level of authority within applicant’s organization; stature in community; level of expertise or professional credentials.

Female executives can be nominated by visiting SOURCE.

 

Rachel Wammack Visits ACM

Pictured (L-R): Pete Fisher, ACM CEO; Rachel Wammack; Liz Cost, Sony Music Nashville

The Academy of Country Music welcomed RCA Records Nashville recording artist Rachel Wammack to the office while she was in Los Angeles recently. While at the Academy, Wammack performed her current rising single, “Damage,” and songs from her self-titled EP, Rachel Wammack.

 

Jaden Michaels Inks Publishing Deal With Sea Gayle Music

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Pictured (L-R): Brendan Rich (UTA); Lance Roberts (UTA); Nick Barnes (UTA); Marc Driskill (Sea Gayle Music); Robert Filhart (ASCAP); Jaden Michaels (artist); Christina Wiltshire (Sea Gayle Music); Brandon Gregg (Sea Gayle Music); JD Groover (Sea Gayle Music); Sara Schoch (UTA); Alec Vidmar (UTA); Bryan Vastano (UTA); David Nathan (Manager, DD Endeavors)

Singer-songwriter Jaden Michaels, sister of fellow artist-writer Julia Michaels, has signed a publishing deal with Sea Gayle Music. Jaden is finalizing details for new singles that will be released in the next year.

“I am so excited to be apart of Sea Gayle, I knew the second I met with Marc Driskill and the team that it was more than just a publishing deal for me, it was a home,” Michaels says. “I feel like the luckiest girl in the world right now!”

Sea Gayle Music Publishing’s VP/GM Marc Driskill adds, “When we first met Jaden and heard her music, we instantly fell in love. We are thrilled to be part of her incredible team and extremely excited about the impact she and her music are going to make!”

Jeffrey East Aligns With CAA

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PIctured (L-R): Jeffrey East, Elisa Vazzana, Brian Hill, CAA’s Channing Mitzell.

Singer-songwriter Jeffrey East has signed with CAA for touring representation. East, a peermusic writer, has also penned songs recorded by Rascal Flatts, Rainey Qualley, Point of Grace, and more. He recently released the single “Still Crazy.”

SMACKSongs Signs Belmont University Graduate Emily Falvey

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Pictured (L-R): BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Kobalt’s Mark Abramowitz, SMACK’s Shane McAnally, Emily Falvey, Josh Osborne, Robin Palmer and Lee Krabel. Photo: Rachel Deeb

Nashville-based music publishing company, SMACKSongs, has signed songwriter Emily Falvey to an exclusive worldwide publishing deal. Falvey joins a roster of writers, producers, and artists, all led by Shane McAnally and Josh Osborne.

Falvey is a recent graduate of Belmont University, who earned a BA in Songwriting and a BBA in Music Business. During her time at Belmont, Falvey interned at SMACKSongs, as well as at other companies in the music industry.

“I can think of no greater honor than signing my first publishing deal with SMACKSongs, and to be able to join this extraordinary family of writers and industry leaders,” shares Falvey. “I am especially grateful to Robin Palmer and Lee Krabel at SMACK for believing in me, Mark Abramowitz and the entire Kobalt team, Leslie Roberts and MaryAnn Keen at BMI, Matt Cottingham at Ritholz Levy Fields, the Songwriting department at Belmont University, Emily Weisband, Josh Osborne and Shane McAnally for their mentorship and vision. I am excited to be a part of the changing landscape of Nashville and to be able to make music every day!”

“Over the last year we have absolutely loved getting to know Emily as our intern and resident cheerleader for SMACK,” said McAnally. “Her positive energy and budding talent caught our attention early, and we’re so excited to have her as our newest writer at SMACK. We look forward to her bright future ahead.”

Vince Gill Announces Solo Dates For Fall

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Vince Gill has announced a new slate of tour dates throughout the Fall in addition to his stint with the Eagles on their 2018 tour. He has toured with the legendary group throughout the year and they will wrap the tour in Cleveland on October 20 following two shows October 9 & 10 at New York’s Madison Square Garden.

Along with his top-notch band which includes Glenn Worf, bass; Billy Thomas, drums/vocals; John Jarvis, keyboards; Jeff White, guitar/vocals; Tom Bukovac, guitar; Jedd Hughes, guitar/vocals; Wendy Moten, vocals; and Paul Franklin, steel, Gill will be performing 28 shows through November.

On the tour Gill will play some interesting venues, including the historic Surf Ballroom, the location of Buddy Holly’s famous last gig, as well as the Oklahoma City Civic Center Music Hall, his hometown venue where he was famously booed off the stage while performing as part of the bluegrass band Mountain Smoke and opening for rock band KISS.

In addition to his own dates, he’ll also join wife Amy Grant on stage in Nashville for their annual Christmas at the Ryman show, a long-standing Christmas tradition, which finds the couple playing 12 nights throughout November and December.

TOUR DATES:
8/2 Detroit Lakes, MN/WE Fest                               
8/3 Bayfield, WI/Big Top Chautauqua                    
8/4 Clear Lake, IA/Surf Ballroom                      
8/5 Madison, WI/The Orpheum Theater                       
8/6 Grand Rapids, MI/Meijer Gardens Amphitheater                  
8/10 Roanoke, VA/Berglund Performing Arts Ceter                                                       
8/11 Selbyille, DE/The Freeman Stage                         
8/12 Richmond, VA/Carpenter Theatre                       
8/13 Kettering, OH/Fraze Pavilion                                                    
8/16 Tulsa, OK/Paradise Cove                          
8/18 Oklahoma City, OK/Civic Center Music Hall                                                        
8/19 Salina, KS/Stiefel Theatre for the Performing Arts
9/26 Greenville, SC/Peace Center for the Performing Arts                          
9/27 Cary, NC/Koka Booth Amphitheatre                                                
9/28 Bloomsburg, PA/Bloomsburg Fair                          
9/29 Ashland, KY/Paramount Arts Center                                                      
11/3 Atlanta, GA/Fox Theatre                       
11/4 Mobile, AL/Saenger Theatre                                                     
11/7 Charlotte, NC/Ovens Auditorium                                                  
11/8 North Charleston, SC/North Charleston Performing Arts Center                        
11/9 Pompano Beach, FL/Pompano Beach Amphitheater                  
11/10 Orlando, FL/Dr. Phillips Center-Walt Disney Theater                                                     
11/11 St. Augustine, FL/The Saint Augustine Amphitheatre                  
11/12 Clearwater, FL/Ruth Eckerd Hall                          
11/15 Birmingham, AL/The Alabama Theatre                       
11/16 St. Louis, MO/Peabody Opera House                         
11/17 Indianapolis, IN/Murat Theatre at Old National Centre                        
11/18 Danville, KY/Norton Center for the Arts

All Them Witches Returns With Fifth Studio Project In September

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All Them Witches have announced they will release their fifth studio album ATW on Sept. 28 on New West Records. The Nashville rockers shared the organ-drenched, album opener “FISHBELLY 86 ONIONS” today, and fans can pre-order the album here.

The new album was recorded in a cabin in Kingston Springs, Tennessee, with guitarist Ben McLeod at the helm and was self-produced by the band, who added keyboardist/percussionist Jonathan Draper into the fold along with McLeod, bassist/vocalist Charles Michael Parks, Jr., and drummer/graphic artist Robby Staebler. 

Additionally the band has announced a headlining tour which kicks off at the Desert Daze Music Festival in Perris, California, on Oct. 12-14 and runs through Nov. 24. Tickets for the new tour go on sale Friday.

All Them Witches Tour Dates:
10/12/2018:- 10/14/2018: Perris  CA @ Desert Daze Festival
10/14/2018: Sacramento, CA @ Monster Energy Aftershock
10/31/2018: Birmingham, AL @ Saturn
11/01/2018: New Orleans, LA @ One Eyed Jacks
11/02/2018: Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall: Upstairs
11/03/2018: Austin, TX @ Antone’s
11/04/2018: Dallas, TX @ Club Dada
11/07/2018: Phoenix, AZ @ The Rebel Lounge
11/08/2018: Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar
11/09/2018: Los Angeles, CA @ Echoplex
11/10/2018: San Diego, CA @ The Casbah
11/13/2018: San Francisco, CA @ The Independent
11/15/2018: Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom
11/16/2018: Seattle, WA @ Freakout Festival
11/17/2018: Vancouver, BC @ Rickshaw Theatre
11/19/2018: Boise, ID @ Neurolux
11/20/2018: Salt Lake City, UT @ The State Room
11/21/2018: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater
11/23/2018: Kansas City, MO @ The Riot Room
11/24/2018: St. Louis, MO @ Blueberry Hill Duck Room

Bobby Bare Teams With WSM For New Podcast

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Jamey Johnson and Bobby Bare.

After 60 years in the music industry, Bobby Bare continues seeking new channels for his creativity–including delving into the popular realm of podcasts. His new podcast, Bobby Bare and Friends, launches Wednesday (Aug. 1) on wsmonline.com and on podcast networks. The podcast is produced by 650 AM WSM in association with 117 Entertainment.

The debut episode features a conversation with Jamey Johnson, and future episodes will include Jessi Colter, Billy Joe Shaver, Bill Anderson, Trace Adkins, Ray Stevens, Delbert McClinton, and Joe Ely.

New episodes will be released twice per month, to air on Route 650 (650 AM WSM’s Americana-centric digital streaming station), beginning at 3 p.m. CT on release days.

Bare, a member of both the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Grand Ole Opry, has notched more than 50 hits, and hosted his own television show in the 1980s, which was also titled Bobby Bare And Friends.

“Bobby Bare and Friends” Upcoming Guests:
Aug. 1 – Jamey Johnson
Aug. 15 – Trace Adkins
Aug. 29 – Outlaw Episode: Jessi Colter and Billy Joe Shaver
Sept. 12 – Outlaw Episode: Delbert McClinton and Joe Ely
Sept. 26 – Ray Stevens
Oct. 10 – Bill Anderson