The Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame has revealed its 12 nominees, in two categories.
In the Songwriter/Artist category are Ronnie Dunn, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Eddy Raven.
In the Songwriter category are Skip Ewing, Byron Hill, Ed Hill, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Kerry Kurt Phillips, Bob Regan, Jim Rushing and Steve Seskin.
Inductees will be announced in August.
Ewing has penned 11 No. 1 singles and has earned CMA Triple Play Awards and been named BMI Writer of the Year. He has had more than 250 album cuts, with hits including “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), “Something That We Do” (Clint Black), and “I Believe” (Diamond Rio).
Since moving to Nashville and signing his first publishing deal in 1978, Hill’s songs have generated more than 700 recordings, and have been released on ninety-one industry certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles. His song include “Fool Hearted Memory” (George Strait), “Pickin’ Up Strangers” (Johnny Lee), “Politics, Religion, And Her” (Sammy Kershaw), “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), “Born Country” (Alabama), “High-Tech Redneck” (George Jones), “Alright Already” (Larry Stewart), “If I Was A Drinkin’ Man” (Neal McCoy), “Size Matters” (Joe Nichols), “Nights” (Ed Bruce), “The Strong One” (Mila Mason), and “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous” (Tracy Byrd), among others.
Hill has penned hits including “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (Tracy Lawrence), “Just Fishin'” (Trace Adkins), “Georgia Rain” (Trisha Yearwood), “It Matters To Me” (Faith Hill), “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” (Reba McEntire), “Be My Baby Tonight” (John Michael Montgomery), “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” (George Strait), “Whatever You Say” (Martina McBride) and more. He also co-wrote “Most People Are Good,” recorded by Luke Bryan and earning a MusicRow Award for 2018 Song of the Year.
Kirkpatrick is known for his writing credits on Eric Clapton’s “Change The World,” Little Big Town’s “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home,” Garth Brooks’ “Wrapped Up In You,” as well as numerous cuts for Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and numerous CCM artists.
Phillips is known for the hits “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” and “Where The Tall Grass Grows” (George Jones), “Is It Cold In Here,” “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox,” “In My Own Backyard,” and “Pickup Man” (all recorded by Joe Diffie), “Down on The Farm” and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It” (both recorded by Tim McGraw), “Almost Home” (Craig Morgan), “It’s All The Same To Me” (Billy Ray Cyrus), “She Let Herself Go” (George Strait) and more.
Regan moved to Nashville in 1985 and has had more than 200 songs recorded, including “Dig Two Graves” (Randy Travis), “Busy Man” (Billy Ray Cyrus), “Your Everything” (Keith Urban) “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” (Trisha Yearwood), “Everytime I Cry” (Terri Clark), “Steam” (Ty Herndon) and more.
Rushing is known for hits including “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association” (Garth Brooks), “Cheap Whiskey” (Martina McBride), “Feelin’ Good About Feelin’ Bad” (Patty Loveless), among others.
Seskin penned songs including “I Think About You” (Collin Raye), “Don’t Laugh At Me” (Mark Wills), three John Michael Montgomery hits including “Life’s A Dance,” “No Man’s Land,” and “If You’ve Got Love,” as well as Tim McGraw’s “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” Kenny Chesney’s “All I Need To Know,” Waylon Jennings’ “Wrong” and Alabama’s “She Can,” among others.
Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame Nominees Announced
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Nashville Songwriters Hall Of Fame has revealed its 12 nominees, in two categories.
In the Songwriter/Artist category are Ronnie Dunn, Toby Keith, Brad Paisley and Eddy Raven.
In the Songwriter category are Skip Ewing, Byron Hill, Ed Hill, Wayne Kirkpatrick, Kerry Kurt Phillips, Bob Regan, Jim Rushing and Steve Seskin.
Inductees will be announced in August.
Ewing has penned 11 No. 1 singles and has earned CMA Triple Play Awards and been named BMI Writer of the Year. He has had more than 250 album cuts, with hits including “You Had Me From Hello” (Kenny Chesney), “Love, Me” (Collin Raye), “Something That We Do” (Clint Black), and “I Believe” (Diamond Rio).
Since moving to Nashville and signing his first publishing deal in 1978, Hill’s songs have generated more than 700 recordings, and have been released on ninety-one industry certified Gold and Platinum albums and singles. His song include “Fool Hearted Memory” (George Strait), “Pickin’ Up Strangers” (Johnny Lee), “Politics, Religion, And Her” (Sammy Kershaw), “Nothing On But The Radio” (Gary Allan), “Born Country” (Alabama), “High-Tech Redneck” (George Jones), “Alright Already” (Larry Stewart), “If I Was A Drinkin’ Man” (Neal McCoy), “Size Matters” (Joe Nichols), “Nights” (Ed Bruce), “The Strong One” (Mila Mason), and “Lifestyles Of The Not So Rich And Famous” (Tracy Byrd), among others.
Hill has penned hits including “Find Out Who Your Friends Are” (Tracy Lawrence), “Just Fishin'” (Trace Adkins), “Georgia Rain” (Trisha Yearwood), “It Matters To Me” (Faith Hill), “The Heart Is A Lonely Hunter” (Reba McEntire), “Be My Baby Tonight” (John Michael Montgomery), “How ‘Bout Them Cowgirls” (George Strait), “Whatever You Say” (Martina McBride) and more. He also co-wrote “Most People Are Good,” recorded by Luke Bryan and earning a MusicRow Award for 2018 Song of the Year.
Kirkpatrick is known for his writing credits on Eric Clapton’s “Change The World,” Little Big Town’s “Boondocks” and “Bring It On Home,” Garth Brooks’ “Wrapped Up In You,” as well as numerous cuts for Amy Grant, Michael W. Smith, and numerous CCM artists.
Phillips is known for the hits “I Don’t Need Your Rockin’ Chair” and “Where The Tall Grass Grows” (George Jones), “Is It Cold In Here,” “Prop Me Up Beside The Jukebox,” “In My Own Backyard,” and “Pickup Man” (all recorded by Joe Diffie), “Down on The Farm” and “Maybe We Should Just Sleep On It” (both recorded by Tim McGraw), “Almost Home” (Craig Morgan), “It’s All The Same To Me” (Billy Ray Cyrus), “She Let Herself Go” (George Strait) and more.
Regan moved to Nashville in 1985 and has had more than 200 songs recorded, including “Dig Two Graves” (Randy Travis), “Busy Man” (Billy Ray Cyrus), “Your Everything” (Keith Urban) “Thinkin’ ‘Bout You” (Trisha Yearwood), “Everytime I Cry” (Terri Clark), “Steam” (Ty Herndon) and more.
Rushing is known for hits including “American Honky-Tonk Bar Association” (Garth Brooks), “Cheap Whiskey” (Martina McBride), “Feelin’ Good About Feelin’ Bad” (Patty Loveless), among others.
Seskin penned songs including “I Think About You” (Collin Raye), “Don’t Laugh At Me” (Mark Wills), three John Michael Montgomery hits including “Life’s A Dance,” “No Man’s Land,” and “If You’ve Got Love,” as well as Tim McGraw’s “Grown Men Don’t Cry,” Kenny Chesney’s “All I Need To Know,” Waylon Jennings’ “Wrong” and Alabama’s “She Can,” among others.
Blackberry Smoke To Release ‘The Southern Ground Sessions’ EP In October
/by Haley CrowOf the EP, lead singer Charlie Starr comments, “It felt really cool to come back to Southern Ground Studios and play music with some good friends. It was like stripping it down and playing in the living room.”
In advance of the release, “Run Away From It All” is premiering today (July 19). You can stream/share the new single here and watch the song’s video here.
Blackberry Smoke, which includes Starr (vocals, guitar), Richard Turner (bass, vocals), Brit Turner (drums), Paul Jackson (guitar, vocals), and Brandon Still (keyboards), will continue to tour throughout 2018, including two shows at New York’s Irving Plaza on Sep. 7 and 8 as well as their newly announced “Brothers and Sisters Holiday Homecoming Show” at Atlanta’s The Tabernacle on Nov. 23. In addition to the North American dates, the band will also perform several shows this fall as part of the U.K./European leg of the “Find A Light” tour.
THE SOUTHERN GROUND SESSIONS TRACK LIST:
1. Run Away From It All
2. Medicate My Mind
3. Let Me Down Easy (feat. Amanda Shires)
4. Best Seat In The House
5. You Got Lucky (feat. Amanda Shires)
6. Mother Mountain (feat. Oliver Wood)
Willie Nelson Pays Homage To Frank Sinatra On New Album ‘My Way’
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson is paying tribute to Ol’ Blue Eyes himself, Frank Sinatra, with a new album of standards and classics made famous by Sinatra, My Way. The new studio project, (his 12th for Legacy Recordings) will be released on Sept. 14, and will be available on CD, vinyl, and digital formats as well as part of exclusive merch bundles on Willie’s web store.
In addition, the first single from the album, Willie’s take on the classic “Summer Wind” was also released today (July 19) featuring a new video on VEVO. The project is Nelson’s second new studio album this year, following the release of his critically-acclaimed Last Man Standing in April.
The collection features Nelson swinging his way through some of the most beloved classics in the Great American Songbook backed by lush string and horn arrangements, and was produced by Buddy Cannon and Matt Rollings. Among the gems are Nelson’s take on “Fly Me To The Moon,” “It Was A Very Good Year,” “Young At Heart,” and a duet with Norah Jones on “What Is This Thing Called Love.”
Nelson and Sinatra were close friends, musical colleagues and mutual admirers of each other’s work throughout Sinatra’s lifetime. In the 1980s, Sinatra opened for Willie at Golden Nugget in Las Vegas and the two of them appeared together in a public service announcement for NASA’s Space Foundation.
Lauren Alaina, Kassi Ashton, Cam, Ashley McBryde Among ACM Honors Performers
/by Jessica NicholsonArtists confirmed to perform include Lauren Alaina, Kassi Ashton, Cam, Deana Carter, Morgan Evans, Dustin Lynch, Ashley McBryde, Old Crow Medicine Show, Jon Pardi and songwriters Dallas Davidson and Ben Hayslip. Presenters include Jordan Davis, Lindsay Ell, Lori McKenna and Storme Warren.
ACM Honors will take place on Wednesday, Aug. 22, 2018 at the historic Ryman Auditorium in Nashville and will be co-hosted by Alaina and Pardi. Tickets are available to the public at Ticketmaster.com.
As previously announced, Special Award recipients to be celebrated at the 12th Annual ACM Honors include Dierks Bentley (ACM Merle Haggard Spirit Award), Matraca Berg (ACM Poet’s Award), Sam Hunt (ACM Gene Weed Milestone Award), Alan Jackson (ACM Cliffie Stone Icon Award), Darius Rucker (ACM Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Mickey & Chris Christensen and Eddie Miller (ACM Mae Boren Axton Service Award, all awarded posthumously), Rob Potts (ACM Jim Reeves International Award, awarded posthumously), and Norro Wilson (ACM Poet’s Award, awarded posthumously). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards, along with Songwriter of the Year Award winner, Rhett Akins.
Mandy Barnett Returns In September With ‘Strange Conversation’
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“We went to Muscle Shoals to make the record,” Barnett says. “Which was a big thing, because that environment, all the music that happened there, just seeps in. I was working with all new players, and we were going deeper into some things I’ve always touched on, but never really explored.”
Among the tracks on the new album are her take on Neil Sedaka’s “My World Keeps Slipping Away,” which was pitched directly to her by the songwriting legend himself, a McCrary Sisters-embellished version of Andre Williams’ “Put a Chain On It,” which offers a soul-gospel turn, and a carny Western take duet on Sonny & Cher’s “A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done,” which features John Hiatt.
Barnett finds herself reaching new ground vocally on the new collection, which is saying something for the artist who’s been recording since she was a teen. “I’ve come to a place were I didn’t want to be as polished and as lush as before. I’ve always felt like a rebel, because I never did all the flavor-of-the-month stuff, but you can get stuck in that, too. This time, I discovered facets about me I didn’t know. I heard shadings, nuances to bring out. I can still belt, but you know, you don’t have to hit a high C every time.”
Strange Conversation Track Listing:
“More Lovin’”
“It’s All Right (You’re Just in Love)”
“Dream Too Real to Hold”
“Strange Conversation”
“A Cowboy’s Work Is Never Done” (featuring John Hiatt)
“Puttin’ on the Dog”
“All Night”
“My World Keeps Slipping Away”
“The Fool”
“Put a Chain on It”
DISClaimer: Top Tracks Go To David Nail, Radney Foster, Ry Bradley
/by Robert K OermannDespite the presence of titans Eric Church and Blake Shelton, both of whom have dandy new efforts, I’m tossing bouquets at David Nail and Radney Foster.
David has always moved me with his mighty voice. His new sound is splendid.
And leave it to country music and to Radney to show decency, love, caring and true Christian charity to people who have been treated as sub-humans by our government. “Godspeed,” indeed.
These two share this week’s Disc of the Day award.
The DisCovery Award honoree is Southern California country rocker Ry Bradley.
RY BRADLEY/Hard Not To Feel
Writers: Ry Bradley/Justin Busch; Producer: Justin Busch; Publishers: Grade One View, ASCAP/BMI; Grade One View
– Pretty dang cool. It has a throbbing, irresistible rhythm and double-time delivery of its verse lyrics. His voice ranges from a gritty growl to a shouted tenor, which gives the disc loads of dynamics. Toss in a sizzling electric guitar solo and an electronic effect or two and you’ve got a mini audio sensation.
CAM/Road To Happiness
Writers: Cam/Tyler Johnson/Hillary Lindsey; Producer: Tyler Johnson; Publishers: none listed; RCA
– This is quite a switch from that barn-burner “Diane,” which I adored. It’s a low-key, philosophical ballad with an acoustic-guitar accompaniment. Very pretty, but I’m fearful of its chances at radio. In a word, disappointing.
CODY JINKS/Must Be The Whiskey
Writers: Cody Jinks/Josh Morningstar; Producer: Joshua Thompson/Arthur Penhallow Jr.; Publishers: Late August/Sad Smiles, BMI; Rounder
– This bearded Texas baritone is a real-deal country singer. This steel-soaked barroom toe tapper mines familiar boozy country ore. Spare and ear catching. His second Rounder single is more languid, a ballad titled “Somewhere Between I Love You and I’m Leavin.’” Play this one instead.
ERIC CHURCH/Desperate Man
Writers: Eric Church/Ray Wylie Hubbard; Producer: Jay Joyce; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Londer and Louder/Snake Farm/BMG Rights, BMI/SESAC; EMI
– Urgent sounding. A nervous, choppy rhythm track sets the mood. Church comes in shouting like a latter-day Mick Jagger while the production builds in volume and intensity. Rocking and roaring. Co-writer Ray Wylie Hubbard is featured in the tune’s “vinyl-heist” video, which also offers beaucoups footage of Church without sunglasses (!).
BUCKY COVINGTON/I Probably Won’t
Writer: Bucky Covington; Producer: Bucky Covington; Publisher: none listed; Barefootin’
– A wistful heartache ballad that unfortunately reveals a rather thin singing voice.
DAVID NAIL & THE WELL RAVENS/Heavy
Writers: none listed; Producer: Jason Hall; Publisher: none listed; One Five Sound
– This man was born to sing. In his latest incarnation, he’s surrounded by a gripping, taut, echoey band. But that soulful, searing voice remains the gripping centerpiece of the sound as he pleads fiercely for a lover to stay. Charisma on the hoof.
KATHY MATTEA/I Can’t Stand Up Alone
Writers: Martha Carson; Producer: Tim O’Brien; Publishers: none listed; Captain
– Mattea’s comeback is a dip into gospel waters. The production is acoustic and minimal, which throws the spotlight on her performance and on the classic song. Rootsy and listenable.
BLAKE SHELTON/Turnin’ Me On
Writers: Blake Shelton/Jessi Alexander/Josh Osborne; Producer: Scott Hendricks; Publishers: Sony-ATV Tree/Thankful For This/Damn Country/WB/Anderson Fork in the Road/Smackville/Smack Songs/Kobalt, BMI/ASCAP; Warner Bros.
-Kinda steamy and a little swampy. It’s a swirling, fevered dream of desire.
KAREN WALDRUP/Justified
Writers: Brian Kolb/Karen Waldrup; Producer: Garth Fundis; Publisher: none listed; The Fuel Music
– It says here that she is a viral sensation thanks to her online videos of “I Hope You Dance,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and her vivacious originals. Her new album’s soul-rock title tune showcases a potent, wailing, penetrating vocalist with moxie and fire. It’s about how getting on stage and making music gives her life meaning and reason. Be prepared to be energized.
RADNEY FOSTER/Godspeed (Dulces Suenos)
Writer: Radney Foster; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; RF
– This brought me to tears. Radney’s bi-lingual musical prayer for the children at the border is gorgeous, heartbreaking and intensely moving. It’s a rewrite of his 1998 lullaby to his son, and the proceeds go the charity RAICES Texas. Lift this man up for his decency, heart, soul and compassion.
Wanda Jackson, Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely Set For ‘Woman Walk The Line’ Hall Of Fame Panels
/by Lorie HollabaughModerated by editor Holly Gleason, the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame panel will feature several of the book’s contributors including Jackson, Aubrie Sellers, former CREEM editor Deborah Sprague, and Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Director of Artist Relations Shelby Morrison reading and discussing a woman’s place in country music. The day of celebration will conclude appropriately with music, culminating in a performance by the legendary rockabilly queen herself.
Along with appearing on the panel, Jackson is busy working on brand new music. Fellow female Rock n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Joan Jett is producing the as-yet-unnamed project, which is currently anticipated for a 2019 release. After decades of recording covers, Jackson hit the writing room for this project, co-writing with many Nashville songwriters including Angaleena Presley of the Pistol Annies. “Ex’s and Oh’s” singer Elle King also contributed a song to the new project.
On August 4, Woman Walk The Line: How The Women of Country Music Changed Our Live will also serve as the focal point for a final panel in conjunction with the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Loretta Lynn: Blue Kentucky Girl exhibition. Brenda Lee, Jeannie Seely, Gleason, and Aubrie Sellers will discuss Lynn’s impact, as well as the power of women’s voices in contemporary life across country music. Book signings will follow each event.
Edison Research: 18 Percent Of Americans Own A Smart Speaker
/by Jessica NicholsonThe age group with the largest percentage of ownership includes people 45-54, which make up 24 percent of smart speaker ownership. People ages 55+ made up 22 percent of users, followed by ages 35-44 (21 percent), ages 25-34 (18 percent) and ages 18-24 (15 percent).
Women made up 54 percent of overall smart speaker owners in the study, with men at 46 percent.
First adopters have been defined as those who have owned a smart speaker for a year or more. Early mainstream users have been defined as those who have owned a smart speaker for less than a year. 74 percent of users fell into the early mainstream category, while 26 percent of users were defined as first adopters.
Of early mainstream users, 89 percent reported that they have used their smart speaker to play music in the past week; 90 percent of first adopters reported the same. 47 percent of early mainstream users have used a smart speaker to listen to AM/FM radio in the past week, as had 41 percent of first adopters.
When divided by day part, the study found that overall, users were most likely to listen to AM/FM radio on a smart speaker between the hours of 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. Listening to AM/FM radio via a smart speaker ranked as the second-highest indexed activity for that day part.
Meanwhile, 45 percent of early mainstream users report that time spent listening to AM/FM radio via a smart speaker has replaced time they spent with traditional AM/FM radio; 40 percent of first adopters reported the same.
New Spotify Feature Eases Submission Process For Playlist Consideration
/by Lorie HollabaughSpotify is introducing a beta feature as part of Spotify for Artists and Spotify Analytics designed to make it easier for artists and labels to share unreleased music with its worldwide team of editors to enable them to create better playlists.
Artists or their team members can log into the Spotify for Artists account or to Spotify Analytics and select one unreleased song for playlist consideration to submit to the team. Editors will be searching through submissions based on the information to find unreleased music to consider for their playlists.
No one can pay to be added to one of Spotify’s editorial playlists, and editors select tracks with listeners in mind and make their decisions using data about what’s resonating most with their community of listeners.
Because this is a beta feature, it will continue to evolve based on feedback from artists, labels, managers and partners. More than 75,000 artists are featured on editorial playlists each week, and another 150,000 on Discover Weekly on Spotify.
Carrie Underwood And Jason Aldean Drummers Help Deliver Sampling Product
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Yellow Hammer owner Justin Miller and Nashville Sampling Co. cofounder and drummer Garrett Goodwin in Yellow Hammer’s PhantomFocus™ MixRoom™
Nashville Sampling Co. (NSC) co-owners, Justin Miller and Carrie Underwood drummer Garrett Goodwin have revealed “the next-level drum plugin,” offering a library of drum samples for country, rock and metal production.
Miller and Goodwin invited in-demand session and live drummer for Jason Aldean, Rich Redmond, to help kick off their product line. Redmond’s vast collection of drum samples were all recorded in Nashville, featuring super-deep sampled, DW Kits and ten snares, captured through 23 microphones and an SSL-G Desk. Redmond is featured in a NSC promo video below.
“The PhantomFocus System played a critical role in the creation of our sample libraries,” stated Miller. “Being able to hear a balanced 20Hz – 20kHz frequency response with PFS holographic stereo imaging allowed me to make confident decisions when it came to mixing and editing the samples.”
“They’re just way more deeply sampled,” continues Miller of the distinguishing factors that makes NSC’s samples stand out. “Other companies’ samples are around 5Gb of audio; however, our Rich Redmond library for instance is around 50Gb of uncompressed audio – that’s ten times deeper. Like some other libraries, we have three room-mic pairs to capture the audio, but ours have an additional two overhead pairs to blend as well as three close mics on each drum. NSC offers more dynamic layers and more round robins (alternate hits at the same velocity), rendering more articulations to choose from.”
Nashville Sampling Co. was founded in 2015 by Miller and Goodwin to help producers gain access to core mixing and processing tools behind the sounds heard on today’s top charts. From Goodwin’s Black kit to Redmond’s Modern Country Drums, the producer will find a vast amount of application from a small, yet tightly organized set of virtual instruments.