Veteran singer-songwriter Richard Dobson has died at age 75 in Switzerland.
Dobson was among the Texas natives who transformed Nashville’s creative community in the 1970s. He was part of a group of song poets that also included Townes Van Zandt, Guy & Susanna Clark, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Newbury and Steve Earle. All of them were migrants to Music City from the Lone Star State.
He has been making records since 1977. Most of his 20+ albums were recorded in Music City.
Richard Dobson’s “Baby Ride Easy” was popularized by Carlene Carter & Dave Edmunds. It has also been recorded by Johnny Cash & June Carter, Del Reeves & Billie Jo Spears, The Carter Family and Penny Jo Pullus, among others.
The songwriter’s “Old Friends” served as the title tune to Guy Clark’s 1988 LP, and Clark also recorded Dobson’s “Forever For Always For Certain.”
Nanci Griffith recorded Dobson’s “Ballad of Robin Winter-Smith” on her 1984 LP Once In a Very Blue Moon. She dubbed him “The Hemingway of Country Music.”
David Allan Coe, Jubal Lee Young, Rick Dinsmore and others recorded his “Piece of Wood and Steel.” Dinsmore recently released an entire album of Richard Dobson songs.
Dobson and his fellow Texas troubadours were profiled in the acclaimed 1981 documentary film Heartworn Highways. He sings “Forever For Always For Certain” in the movie.
Richard Dobson originally moved to Nashville in 1971 and became part of the group of tunesmiths who congregated at Bishop’s Pub, located where the Tin Angel restaurant is today. He hosted the weekly songwriter showcases there.
Struggling for money, he returned to his native Texas to work on oil rigs and shrimp boats in the mid-1970s. The money he earned financed his first album, In Texas Last December. Dobson’s longest tenure on the Nashville songwriting scene occurred in 1985-1994.
His rough-hewn performing style, gritty image and poetic songwriting attracted a following in Europe, particularly in Germany. He moved overseas to write and perform and settled in Switzerland in 1999 with his Swiss-bred wife Edith.
In addition to his songwriting, Richard Dobson was noted as a prolific prose stylist. He issued colorful newsletters for decades. These were variously titled “Poor Richard’s Newsletter,” “Don Ricardo’s Life & Times” and, most recently, “Pleasures of the High Rhine: A Texas Singer in Exile.”
He also wrote two novels, The Gulf Coast Boys and Seasons and Companions.
Richard Dobson died on Saturday, Dec. 16, at a hospital in Switzerland. He had advanced prostate cancer. A private funeral will be held in Switzerland for family and friends.
The songwriter’s eulogy can be found in the lyrics of “A Song for Richard Mock” on his Save the World album: “Time is like water, it slips through your hands and nobody gets out alive.”
Lucky Bird Media Firm Launches
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“Lucky Bird Media is, mainly, a music publicity company,” says co-founder Daniel Zephyr Cooper. “But more than that, it’s a collection of people who love, care about, and cherish music and culture and the importance and impact it has on all of our lives.”
Toronto native Cooper, based in Minneapolis, has led national campaigns for artists like Courtney Marie Andrews, Sera Cahoone, Rev. Sekou, Joshua James, Billy Strings and many others. Hubbard, a licensed attorney based in Nashville, has been involved in the journalism side of the music industry since 2013 and runs music blogs East of 8th and Mother Church Pew. This year, she conducted release campaigns for alt-country rocker Becky Warren, Pokey LaFarge sideman /country traditionalist Ryan Koenig, and others.
Lucky Bird Media is launching with a roster of artists including Haley Heynderickx, Will Stewart, Mariel Buckley, Lilly Winwood, Becky Warren, and more.
Cooper can be reached at daniel@luckybirdmedia.com, while Hubbard can be reached at susan@luckybirdmedia.com.
CMT Announces New Listen Up Class Of 2018
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 18 up and coming artists, signed and unsigned, will be spotlighted across all platforms in the coming year including on CMT and CMT Music, the “CMT Hot 20 Countdown”, on “CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan”, on CMT.com, and on the CMT socials.
“Listen Up taps into CMT’s influence and platforms to guide fans to talented emerging artists that might not yet be on their radars,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy and Talent, CMT. “This lineup represents the diversity within country music – from traditional to modern country, mixed with a little bit of soul. We look forward to sharing their passion and great music with our audience all year long.”
Since 2011, CMT’s Listen Up franchise has helped launch the careers of budding superstars including Brett Eldredge, Cole Swindell, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Kacey Musgraves, Kelsea Ballerini, Maren Morris, and RaeLynn. Last year’s class alone included breakout stars Carly Pearce, Luke Combs and Midland.
NSAI Names New Director Of Development
/by Jessica NicholsonKasey Cleckler
Kasey Cleckler has joined the NSAI team as Director of Development. She brings with her over 14 years of experience in varied facets of the music industry – artist management, publicity, public relations and independent record label experience. Most recently, she spent nine years working in business management handling day-to-day business, contract negotiations, and multi-million dollar touring ventures for internationally-renowned pop and country artists and songwriters.
Cleckler graduated from Middle Tennessee State University with a Bachelor of Science in Recording Industry Management. She is a MusiCares Ambassador and enthusiastic Make A Wish volunteer.
“I’m so excited about joining the team at NSAI. The work NSAI does on behalf of our songwriting community is something I am so proud to be involved with,” Cleckler said.
She can be reached at kasey@nashvillesongwriters.com.
Sara Evans And CMT Next Women Of Country Hit The Road In February
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“We are thrilled to announce our 4th Annual ‘Next Women of Country’ Tour and partner with the amazing Sara Evans,” said Leslie Fram, SVP of Music Strategy & Talent, CMT. “This tour was created to give emerging female artists a stage to play on and this year we are proud to welcome RaeLynn and Kalie Shorr.”
“I absolutely love that CMT champions female artists with the Next Women of Country Tour and am so honored to be headlining it in 2018,” said Evans. “I can’t wait to hit the road with RaeLynn and Kalie. They are both incredible singers, songwriters, and overall artists and we’re going to have a blast!”
Tickets and VIP packages go on sale beginning Friday, December 22 at 10am (local time). Tickets can be purchased at SaraEvans.com and NextWomenTour.CMT.com.
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Tops The Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Bryan. Photo: Eric Ryan Anderson
Luke Bryan‘s What Make You Country debuts at No. 1 on both Nielsen Soundscan’s country albums rankings and the overall Top 200 albums rankings, with 108K (99K album only). Chris Stapleton‘s From ‘A’ Room, Vol. 2 lands at No. 2 on the country albums rankings, with 47K, followed by Garth Brooks‘ Anthology at No. 3 with 35K, and Chris Stapleton‘s From ‘A’ Room, Vol. 1 at No. 4 with 19K.
Walker Hayes’ boom. debuts at No. 5 with 16K this week.
On the country digital songs chart, Bebe Rexha (ft. Florida Georgia Line) is at No. 1 with 25K. Red Marlow‘s rendition of Vince Gill’s “Go Rest High On That Mountain” is at No. 2 with 14K, followed by Thomas Rhett‘s new single “Marry Me” at No. 3 with 12K. LANCO‘s “Greatest Love Story” is at No. 4 with 12K, followed by Walker Hayes’ “You Broke Up With Me” at No. 5 with 10K.
Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.
Scotty McCreery Chronicles Life Changes On New Project, Due Out In March
/by Lorie HollabaughAutographed copies of Seasons Change bundled with exclusive merch will be available for pre-order at ScottyMcCreery.com beginning Wednesday, December 20. The official online pre-order, including iTunes and Amazon, will begin on January 12.
“In the last five years, I have grown from a teenager to a man, moved out on my own, lost my grandfather, proposed to the love of my life, and learned more about myself than I could have imagined,” said McCreery. “This all shows up in the 11 songs on Seasons Change, and I cannot wait to share this music with my fans after such a long time between releases. For the first time, I wrote all the songs on my album. It’s kind of my journal of the last few years: the ups and the downs. Whenever I think things are not going well, I’ve learned to just wait it out because the seasons change. If you want to know who I am and where I’m at right now, listen to this album. I feel like I’m having a conversation with everyone that listens. It’s that personal.”
Seasons Change Track Listing:
1. “Seasons Change” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil)
2. “Wherever You Are” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Dan Isbell)
3. “Boys From Back Home” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Jason Gantt)
4. “Five More Minutes” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Monty Criswell)
5. “In Between” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Jessi Alexander/Jonathan Singleton)
6. “This Is It” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Aaron Eshuis)
7. “Wrong Again” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/Phillip White)
8. “Move It On Out” (Scotty McCreery/Dan Isbell/Aaron Eshuis)
9. “Barefootin’” (Scotty McCreery/Frank Rogers/David Lee Murphy
10. “Still” (Scotty McCreery/Aaron Eshuis)
11. “Home In My Mind” (Scotty McCreery/James McNair/Tommy Cecil)
Centricity Music Signs Caitie Hurst To Recording, Publishing Deals
/by Jessica NicholsonCaitie Hurst pictured with Centricity General Manager Steve Ford, VP Publishing Chad Segura, Senior VP of A&R John Mays, CEO Caren Seidle, and Director of A&R Matt Ewald
Franklin, Tennessee-based label and publisher Centricity Music has inked recording and publishing deals with newcomer Caitie Hurst.
The Hendersonville, Tennessee native got her start singing worship music at her church, Long Hollow Baptist and later attended Liberty University.
“It didn’t take long to discover not only Caitie’s incredible talent, but a heart and attitude rare to find in our work,” said Centricity Sr. VP, A&R John Mays. “We’re thrilled to support her and her music.”
Hurst is working on new music for her upcoming debut project, set to release next year.
Centricity Music is home to artists including Lauren Daigle, Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, For All Seasons, Jordan Feliz, and more.
Caitie Hurst signs her label deal with Centricity Music.
Steven Curtis Chapman Reveals SCC Solo Dates For 2018
/by Jessica Nicholson“We thought we knew what to expect musically until he blew away our expectations,” states Rick Stevens, Lighthouse Radio. “But what really made the night special was how transparent and accommodating he was. We felt more like friends than fans.”
A promoter of one the shows earlier this fall also shared, “He gave us glimpses of both the successes and the challenges that he and his family have gone through. We got to hear right from his heart.”
Tickets are available now by visiting StevenCurtisChapman.com.
SCC SOLO 2018 TOUR DATES:
Feb. 3 – Dallas, TX
Feb. 17 – Muscle Shoals, AL
Feb. 22 – Cleveland, OH
Feb. 23 – Pittsburgh, PA
Feb. 24 – Shipshewana, IN
Feb. 25 – Ashland, KY
March 8 – Gainesville, FL
March 9 – Chattanooga, TN
March 10 – Atlanta, GA
March 11 – Knoxville, TN
March 16 – Washington DC
March 17 – Baltimore, MD
March 18 – Carlisle, PA
March 23 – Columbus, OH
March 24 – Manheim, PA
March 25 – Williamsport, PA
April 7 – Kernersville, NC
April 8 – Rocky Mount, NC
April 11 – Auburn, ME
April 12 – Springfield, MA
April 13 – Providence, RI
April 14 – Montgomery, NY
April 15 – Bethel, CT
April 26 – Portland, OR
April 27 – Reno, NV
April 29 – Sacramento, CA
10th Annual T.J. Martell Foundation Honors Gala To Salute Five Community Leaders
/by Lorie HollabaughThe 10th Annual T.J. Martell Nashville Honors Gala is chaired by Danielle Bouharoun, along with Honorary Co-Chairs Sondra and Doug Cruickshanks. The event has netted more than $3 million since its inception in 2009.
Table sponsorships and tickets are available by contacting (615) 256-2002 or emailing tmoffat@tjmartell.org. More information can be found at tjmartell.org.
International Troubadour Richard Dobson Passes
/by Robert K OermannDobson was among the Texas natives who transformed Nashville’s creative community in the 1970s. He was part of a group of song poets that also included Townes Van Zandt, Guy & Susanna Clark, Rodney Crowell, Mickey Newbury and Steve Earle. All of them were migrants to Music City from the Lone Star State.
He has been making records since 1977. Most of his 20+ albums were recorded in Music City.
Richard Dobson’s “Baby Ride Easy” was popularized by Carlene Carter & Dave Edmunds. It has also been recorded by Johnny Cash & June Carter, Del Reeves & Billie Jo Spears, The Carter Family and Penny Jo Pullus, among others.
The songwriter’s “Old Friends” served as the title tune to Guy Clark’s 1988 LP, and Clark also recorded Dobson’s “Forever For Always For Certain.”
Nanci Griffith recorded Dobson’s “Ballad of Robin Winter-Smith” on her 1984 LP Once In a Very Blue Moon. She dubbed him “The Hemingway of Country Music.”
David Allan Coe, Jubal Lee Young, Rick Dinsmore and others recorded his “Piece of Wood and Steel.” Dinsmore recently released an entire album of Richard Dobson songs.
Dobson and his fellow Texas troubadours were profiled in the acclaimed 1981 documentary film Heartworn Highways. He sings “Forever For Always For Certain” in the movie.
Richard Dobson originally moved to Nashville in 1971 and became part of the group of tunesmiths who congregated at Bishop’s Pub, located where the Tin Angel restaurant is today. He hosted the weekly songwriter showcases there.
Struggling for money, he returned to his native Texas to work on oil rigs and shrimp boats in the mid-1970s. The money he earned financed his first album, In Texas Last December. Dobson’s longest tenure on the Nashville songwriting scene occurred in 1985-1994.
His rough-hewn performing style, gritty image and poetic songwriting attracted a following in Europe, particularly in Germany. He moved overseas to write and perform and settled in Switzerland in 1999 with his Swiss-bred wife Edith.
In addition to his songwriting, Richard Dobson was noted as a prolific prose stylist. He issued colorful newsletters for decades. These were variously titled “Poor Richard’s Newsletter,” “Don Ricardo’s Life & Times” and, most recently, “Pleasures of the High Rhine: A Texas Singer in Exile.”
He also wrote two novels, The Gulf Coast Boys and Seasons and Companions.
Richard Dobson died on Saturday, Dec. 16, at a hospital in Switzerland. He had advanced prostate cancer. A private funeral will be held in Switzerland for family and friends.
The songwriter’s eulogy can be found in the lyrics of “A Song for Richard Mock” on his Save the World album: “Time is like water, it slips through your hands and nobody gets out alive.”