Publisher of the year Warner Chappell Music onstage with SESAC executives during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC. [Click to enlarge]
Chapter 577
Country Music Week is more than awards ceremonies – it’s a time to reconnect with your peers and pals.
“I see people here that I haven’t seen in months,” said MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson as he surveyed the throng during the cocktail reception preceding the SESAC Awards on Sunday evening (Nov. 5).
“That’s the whole point,” I replied.
“I haven’t seen you in ages, where’ve you been?” said Rob Beckham when he greeted me. “Am I just not going to the right parties?” I told him with some guilt that I still have not come to see his new WME offices.
“We are WAY overdue for a dinner party,” said Erika Wollam Nichols. It’s true. We made a pact then and there to get together as soon as awards season and Thanksgiving are behind us. One happy coincidence was that we were assigned the same table at the SESAC banquet.
The gala was staged at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s event space. Justin Ebach won Country Songwriter of the Year. Cary Barlowe picked up a Country Song of the Year honor for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” Billy Currington was on hand to serenade us with it.
Ben Vaughn and his Warner/Chappell Music team members gathered on stage to accept SESAC’s Country Publisher of the Year award. Special accolades were also presented to Lady Antebellum, to Kenny Rogers and to peermusic’s Michael Knox.
Old Crow Medicine Show perform onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
The ceremony began with a bang. Old Crow Medicine Show took the stage unannounced and launched into “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” complete with bass drum and accordion. “It’s the 2017 SESAC Awards in Nashville, Tennessee!” shouted lead singer Ketch Secor at the finale.
“We are so proud that Bob Dylan is a member of the SESAC family,” explained SESAC VP Shannan Hatch, adding that Old Crow’s remake of Blonde on Blonde celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dylan recording that historic double LP in Music City.
She added that landmark anniversaries are also being celebrated by the Ryman Auditorium, the Bluebird Café, the NSAI and our host facility, The Country Music Hall of Fame.
The awards presentations kicked off with honors going to Victoria Shaw and the late Kim Williams for writing “Baby Let’s Lay Down and Dance” (recorded by Garth Brooks). Seth Mosley won for “Make You Mine” (High Valley). Craig Campbell won for “Outskirts of Heaven,” which he also recorded and published.
With hurricanes, wild fires, mass shootings and terrorist attacks, this has been a rough year, Shannan stated. But, “in the midst of these catastrophes, we can find hope,” she added. The inaugural SESAC Humanitarian Award was presented to LadyAID, the charity established by Lady Antebellum.
Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum arrives at the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC.
“This is truly an honor,” said the group’s Hillary Scott. “We are just so thankful for the platform that we have. This is just all really emotional,” she added, while briefly choking up. “Sorry: Maybe it’s because I’m bringing two little girls into the world,” said the pregnant-with-twins star.
“There are so many ways we can love each other better. There’s a lot more work to do. Incredibly awful things are happening every day. Let’s just keep doing more [good].”
Next up receiving songwriting awards were Jaron Boyer for “They Don’t Know” (Jason Aldean) and big winner Barlowe for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” (Currington). This was also the segment of the show that saluted peermusic.
By now, it was nearing 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m., if Daylight Savings Time hadn’t ended the night before). We were starving. Mercifully, at this point the show took a dinner break.
Salad was baby artisan leaves with a white balsamic vinaigrette, plus roasted butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and goat cheese crumbles. Filet of beef with a burgundy wine sauce, honey pecan smoked arctic chard filet, truffled mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and green beans were served as the entrée. A chocolate covered peanut-butter tart topped with whipped cream was the delectable dessert.
Singer Craig Campbell performs onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
Next, Jim Lauderdale hosted the Americana portion of the ceremony. He won for his two 2017 albums, This Changes Everything and London Southern. The other honored Americana albums were Willie Nelson’s God’s Problem Child, which featured contributions by Sam Hunter and an absent Jamey Johnson, and the Band of Heathens disc Duende.
Lee Brice appeared to sing “20 Years Ago,” magnificently. Dustin Lynch offered “The Gambler.” Craig Campbell sang the dickens out of “Lady.” Kim Carnes and Andy Childs did “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer.” All were paying tribute to SESAC Legacy Award recipient Kenny Rogers. The award was presented by Hillary Scott and her mom, Linda Davis, who tours as a singer with Rogers.
“I am so excited about being here, because you guys are truly my heroes,” Kenny said to the songwriting multitude. “I think my gift is this ability to spot great songs. I realize how lucky I was to get those songs. I thank each and every one of you.”
Justin Ebach’s “Sleep Without You” (Brett Young), Steve Bogard’s “Seein’ Red” (Dustin Lynch), Matt McGinn’s “What If’s” (Kane Brown & Lauren Alaina), Caroline Hobby and Runaway June lead singer Naomi Cooke’s “Lipstick” (Runaway June), Brice Long’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor” (Jon Pardi) and Matthew Bronleewe and Jaron Boyer’s “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell) rounded out the song honorees.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of this community,” said Ebach when he was named SESAC Country Songwriter of the Year. “I have never found better friendships in my entire life.”
Chairman and CEO of SESAC John Josephson, SESAC Songwriter of the Year Justin Ebach, Senior Vice President of Creative Operations for SESAC Sam Kling, and Vice President of Creative Services for SESAC Shannan Hatch pose for a photo onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
His collaborations with Brett Young are Ebach’s first hit country songs. He thanked his Word Country publishers for giving him a chance.
“I’m so grateful to this town and all those people who opened doors for me. I love you,” he said.
Daniel Miller, Daniel Hill, Doug Johnson, Doug Howard, Mark Ford, Mark Brown, John Ozier, John Allen, John Marks, Jon Pardi, David Wykoff, David Ross, Ron Stuve, Ron Cox, Jim Zumwalt, Jimmy Carter, Pat Higdon, Pat McMakin, Patrick Clifford, Thom Jutz, Tom Roland, Tom Luteran, Michael Baum, Michelle Goble, Peyton Hoge and Josh Hoge worked the cocktail party.
As we entered the banquet room, we were greeted by massive cloth drum shades over golden glowing, art-deco light bulbs. The stage was decorated with swaths of silver-blue drapery. Silver brocade tablecloths bore centerpieces of clustered white roses and lilies.
Fabulons Becky Harris, Webb Wilder, Jerry Salley, Peter Cooper, Susan Stewart, Christy Walker-Watkins, Debbie Linn, Woody Bomar, Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Dale Bobo, Bob Doyle, Gilles Godard, Charley Stefl, Chris Oglesby, B.J. Hill, Nick Di Fruscia, Tracy Gershon and Terry Hemmings took it all in.
Billy Currington and Cary Barlowe accept an award for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC [Click to enlarge]
Scooter Braun to Receive Humanitarian Award, Give Keynote at Music Biz 2018
/by Sarah SkatesScooter Braun
Scooter Braun will receive the Music Business Association’s (Music Biz) prestigious Harry Chapin Memorial Humanitarian Award at the Music Biz 2018 conference on May 17, 2018 at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Braun will be honored at the conference’s Awards Luncheon, sponsored by BuzzAngle Music, for his outstanding charitable efforts, and will participate in a keynote interview focusing on his philanthropic mission.
Braun is manager for Justin Bieber, Kanye West, Ariana Grande, Usher, Karlie Kloss, Tori Kelly, Carly Rae Jepsen, The Black Eyed Peas, and Martin Garrix.
In 2017, Braun organized the One Love Manchester benefit concert following a terrorist attack at Manchester Arena during an Ariana Grande concert. The event raised over $22 million. Three months later, he organized Hand in Hand: A Benefit for Hurricane Relief telethon which raised more than $62 million.
Currently, he serves as Chair of the Advisory Board of Pencils of Promise, a non-profit organization that has built more than 400 schools in developing countries in Asia, Africa and Latin America. He is also on the board of Fuck Cancer, an organization co-founded by his wife, Yael Braun.
Music Biz will be held May 14-17, 2018 in Nashville, and will also feature the presentation of the Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement to Cary Sherman, CEO of the RIAA.
For more information, visit www.musicbiz2018.com.
Big Loud Records Signs Jake Owen
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Greg Fowler (Jake Owen Tour Manager), Good Company Entertainment’s Jon Andolina (Management), Red Light’s Tom Becci, Good Company Entertainment’s Keith Gale (Management), Big Loud Records’ President Clay Hunnicutt, Jake Owen, Greenberg Traurig’s Jess Rosen, Big Loud Partners Seth England, Craig Wiseman and Joey Moi Not Pictured: Big Loud Partner Kevin “Chief” Zaruk
Big Loud Records has signed Jake Owen, who comes on board the label today (Nov. 6). With this move, Owen is reunited with one of the founders of the Big Loud organization Joey Moi, who produced Owen’s breakthrough album, Barefoot Blue Jean Night, which garnered four consecutive No. 1 hits.
“I couldn’t be more excited to start this new chapter in my career with Big Loud,” Owen says. “The passion for success that everyone has in the building is contagious. Combining what I already do with Big Loud’s expertise is exciting, and I am eager to get to work with Joey Moi again. We had great success in the past and I’m looking forward to what the future holds for all of us.”
“This is an unbelievable moment for all of us as true fans of Jake Owen,” label President Clay Hunnicutt says. “When we created Big Loud over two years ago, this is exactly the type of ‘home’ we wanted to create for someone like Jake, who is a unique and unparalleled entertainer and person, and who has a clear vision of who he is as an artist.”
As a platinum-selling hitmaker, Owen is a welcomed addition to the Big Loud Records roster whose team has already launched the careers of newcomers Chris Lane, Morgan Wallen, and Jillian Jacqueline.
Owen, a native Floridian, recently joined Florida Governor Rick Scott to help in relief efforts for Hurricane Irma victims in his home state with a campaign he launched called “Bring Back the Sunshine.” Also, he will unite with Jimmy Buffett, Kenny Chesney, and Toby Keith to perform at a Hurricane Benefit Concert, taking place on November 19, at Donald L. Tucker Civic Center on the campus of Owen’s alma mater, Florida State University, in Tallahassee, FL. Proceeds will help communities in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the islands affected by hurricanes in 2017.
AIMP To Celebrate 40th Anniversary with Events in Nashville, New York, and Los Angeles
/by Sarah SkatesThe Association of Independent Music Publishers (AIMP) will celebrate its 40th anniversary this year with events at all three of its local chapters: Los Angeles, Nashville, and New York.
Nashville’s party will be held Wednesday, Nov. 15 at The Sutler Saloon. It will celebrate the chapter’s accomplishments over the past year, which include hosting the second annual AIMP Nashville Awards, the third annual AIMP Songwriter Series, its third “Inside Scoop from Music Sups” event, and presentations from SoundExchange, Pandora, the Academy of Country Music, and more.
Founded in Los Angeles in 1977 by a group of local music publishers, the AIMP has spent the past 40 years educating and informing rights holders on hot-button issues and trends affecting the music publishing industry. Michael Eames of PEN Music Group, Inc. serves as AIMP President.
“Nashville is a city built on the backs of songwriters and music publishers, so an organization like the AIMP is absolutely essential to the way we do business here,” said AIMP Nashville Chapter Executive Director John Ozier of ole. “We’re excited to continue shining a light on Music City’s best writers as we work to educate them and all rights holders on the ins and outs of music publishing.”
Those who wish to attend the Nashville event must RSVP to nainfo@aimp.org.
The New York event will be held Dec. 4 at The Princeton Club, and feature the presentation of 2017 New York Chapter Indie Awards to Representative Jerrold Nadler and Downtown Music Publishing CEO Justin Kalifowitz.
Los Angeles’ event will be held Dec. 7 at Candela La Brea and will feature the 2017 Indie Publisher of the Year award presentation to Kenny MacPherson’s Big Deal Music Group and the 2017 Special Individual Award presentation to NMPA President & CEO David Israelite.
Bobby Karl Works The 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards
/by Bobby KarlPublisher of the year Warner Chappell Music onstage with SESAC executives during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC. [Click to enlarge]
Chapter 577
Country Music Week is more than awards ceremonies – it’s a time to reconnect with your peers and pals.
“I see people here that I haven’t seen in months,” said MusicRow Magazine owner/publisher Sherod Robertson as he surveyed the throng during the cocktail reception preceding the SESAC Awards on Sunday evening (Nov. 5).
“That’s the whole point,” I replied.
“I haven’t seen you in ages, where’ve you been?” said Rob Beckham when he greeted me. “Am I just not going to the right parties?” I told him with some guilt that I still have not come to see his new WME offices.
“We are WAY overdue for a dinner party,” said Erika Wollam Nichols. It’s true. We made a pact then and there to get together as soon as awards season and Thanksgiving are behind us. One happy coincidence was that we were assigned the same table at the SESAC banquet.
The gala was staged at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s event space. Justin Ebach won Country Songwriter of the Year. Cary Barlowe picked up a Country Song of the Year honor for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To.” Billy Currington was on hand to serenade us with it.
Ben Vaughn and his Warner/Chappell Music team members gathered on stage to accept SESAC’s Country Publisher of the Year award. Special accolades were also presented to Lady Antebellum, to Kenny Rogers and to peermusic’s Michael Knox.
Old Crow Medicine Show perform onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo by Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
The ceremony began with a bang. Old Crow Medicine Show took the stage unannounced and launched into “Rainy Day Women #12 & 35,” complete with bass drum and accordion. “It’s the 2017 SESAC Awards in Nashville, Tennessee!” shouted lead singer Ketch Secor at the finale.
“We are so proud that Bob Dylan is a member of the SESAC family,” explained SESAC VP Shannan Hatch, adding that Old Crow’s remake of Blonde on Blonde celebrates the 50th anniversary of Dylan recording that historic double LP in Music City.
She added that landmark anniversaries are also being celebrated by the Ryman Auditorium, the Bluebird Café, the NSAI and our host facility, The Country Music Hall of Fame.
The awards presentations kicked off with honors going to Victoria Shaw and the late Kim Williams for writing “Baby Let’s Lay Down and Dance” (recorded by Garth Brooks). Seth Mosley won for “Make You Mine” (High Valley). Craig Campbell won for “Outskirts of Heaven,” which he also recorded and published.
With hurricanes, wild fires, mass shootings and terrorist attacks, this has been a rough year, Shannan stated. But, “in the midst of these catastrophes, we can find hope,” she added. The inaugural SESAC Humanitarian Award was presented to LadyAID, the charity established by Lady Antebellum.
Hillary Scott of Lady Antebellum arrives at the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Michael Loccisano/Getty Images for SESAC.
“This is truly an honor,” said the group’s Hillary Scott. “We are just so thankful for the platform that we have. This is just all really emotional,” she added, while briefly choking up. “Sorry: Maybe it’s because I’m bringing two little girls into the world,” said the pregnant-with-twins star.
“There are so many ways we can love each other better. There’s a lot more work to do. Incredibly awful things are happening every day. Let’s just keep doing more [good].”
Next up receiving songwriting awards were Jaron Boyer for “They Don’t Know” (Jason Aldean) and big winner Barlowe for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” (Currington). This was also the segment of the show that saluted peermusic.
By now, it was nearing 9:00 p.m. (10:00 p.m., if Daylight Savings Time hadn’t ended the night before). We were starving. Mercifully, at this point the show took a dinner break.
Salad was baby artisan leaves with a white balsamic vinaigrette, plus roasted butternut squash, pumpkin seeds, cranberries and goat cheese crumbles. Filet of beef with a burgundy wine sauce, honey pecan smoked arctic chard filet, truffled mashed potatoes, roasted carrots and green beans were served as the entrée. A chocolate covered peanut-butter tart topped with whipped cream was the delectable dessert.
Singer Craig Campbell performs onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
Next, Jim Lauderdale hosted the Americana portion of the ceremony. He won for his two 2017 albums, This Changes Everything and London Southern. The other honored Americana albums were Willie Nelson’s God’s Problem Child, which featured contributions by Sam Hunter and an absent Jamey Johnson, and the Band of Heathens disc Duende.
Lee Brice appeared to sing “20 Years Ago,” magnificently. Dustin Lynch offered “The Gambler.” Craig Campbell sang the dickens out of “Lady.” Kim Carnes and Andy Childs did “Don’t Fall in Love with a Dreamer.” All were paying tribute to SESAC Legacy Award recipient Kenny Rogers. The award was presented by Hillary Scott and her mom, Linda Davis, who tours as a singer with Rogers.
“I am so excited about being here, because you guys are truly my heroes,” Kenny said to the songwriting multitude. “I think my gift is this ability to spot great songs. I realize how lucky I was to get those songs. I thank each and every one of you.”
Justin Ebach’s “Sleep Without You” (Brett Young), Steve Bogard’s “Seein’ Red” (Dustin Lynch), Matt McGinn’s “What If’s” (Kane Brown & Lauren Alaina), Caroline Hobby and Runaway June lead singer Naomi Cooke’s “Lipstick” (Runaway June), Brice Long’s “Heartache on the Dance Floor” (Jon Pardi) and Matthew Bronleewe and Jaron Boyer’s “Flatliner” (Cole Swindell) rounded out the song honorees.
“I’m so grateful to be a part of this community,” said Ebach when he was named SESAC Country Songwriter of the Year. “I have never found better friendships in my entire life.”
Chairman and CEO of SESAC John Josephson, SESAC Songwriter of the Year Justin Ebach, Senior Vice President of Creative Operations for SESAC Sam Kling, and Vice President of Creative Services for SESAC Shannan Hatch pose for a photo onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC
His collaborations with Brett Young are Ebach’s first hit country songs. He thanked his Word Country publishers for giving him a chance.
“I’m so grateful to this town and all those people who opened doors for me. I love you,” he said.
Daniel Miller, Daniel Hill, Doug Johnson, Doug Howard, Mark Ford, Mark Brown, John Ozier, John Allen, John Marks, Jon Pardi, David Wykoff, David Ross, Ron Stuve, Ron Cox, Jim Zumwalt, Jimmy Carter, Pat Higdon, Pat McMakin, Patrick Clifford, Thom Jutz, Tom Roland, Tom Luteran, Michael Baum, Michelle Goble, Peyton Hoge and Josh Hoge worked the cocktail party.
As we entered the banquet room, we were greeted by massive cloth drum shades over golden glowing, art-deco light bulbs. The stage was decorated with swaths of silver-blue drapery. Silver brocade tablecloths bore centerpieces of clustered white roses and lilies.
Fabulons Becky Harris, Webb Wilder, Jerry Salley, Peter Cooper, Susan Stewart, Christy Walker-Watkins, Debbie Linn, Woody Bomar, Dwight Wiles & Diana Johnson, Dale Bobo, Bob Doyle, Gilles Godard, Charley Stefl, Chris Oglesby, B.J. Hill, Nick Di Fruscia, Tracy Gershon and Terry Hemmings took it all in.
Billy Currington and Cary Barlowe accept an award for “It Don’t Hurt Like It Used To” onstage during the 2017 SESAC Nashville Music Awards on November 5, 2017 in Nashville, Tennessee. Photo: Jason Davis/Getty Images for SESAC [Click to enlarge]
RCA Studio A To Celebrate Renovation With Lighting Ceremony
/by Sarah SkatesRCA Studio A during the 1960s. Photo: Facebook
New signs outside RCA Studio A will be illuminated during a celebration Tuesday, Nov. 7 at 5:30 p.m. This event marks the completion of a nearly three-year renovation project which restored the historic studio to its 1960s-era glory. The new vintage-style signs feature RCA’s famous dog, Nipper, with his Victrola phonograph, which adorned the façade of Studio A until the record label retired the logo in 1968.
Mayor Megan Barry will join proprietors of Studio A, Chuck Mead of BR549, and the Music Row community/public at the event outside the studio at 30 Music Sq. W., Nashville, TN 37206.
In 2014, philanthropists Mike Curb, Chuck Elcan and Aubrey Preston purchased Studio A to save it from the wrecking ball. The following year, it was listed on the National Register of Historic Places. Today Grammy Award-winning producer Dave Cobb is the producer-in-residence.
Studio A’s clients have included country legends Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, Dolly Parton, Charley Pride and George Strait.
Brad Paisley, Carrie Underwood Greet Country Radio Ahead Of CMA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Rob Mills, ABC Entertainment Senior Vice President, Alternative Series, Specials & Late-Night Programming; Ann Edelblute, The HQ Owner/Manager; Bill Simmons, The Fitzgerald Hartley Company Partner and CMA Board President; Brad Paisley; Carrie Underwood; Sally Williams, Opry Entertainment Senior Vice President of Programming and Artist Relations and CMA Board Chairman; Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; and Damon Whiteside, CMA Chief Marketing Officer. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
As part of celebrating their 10th year hosting the CMA Awards, Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood returned to the CMA Awards radio remotes press conference Sunday (Nov. 5) to visit with their country radio friends. SiriusXM’s Storme Warren hosted the evening, reflecting on highlights of Paisley and Underwood’s decade of hosting the CMA Awards as the two answered questions from radio personalities from around the globe.
The 51st Annual CMA Awards airs live on the ABC Television Network Wednesday, Nov. 8 at 8/7c.
CMA Awards co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood (center) with participants of the CMA Awards radio remotes Sunday at Music City Center in Nashville. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA. [Click photo to enlarge]
Gorley’s Tape Room Music Taps Blain Rhodes
/by Sarah SkatesBlain Rhodes
Blain Rhodes has joined Tape Room Music as Vice President and General Manager, reporting to company Founder and CEO Ashley Gorley.
Rhodes most recently served as Director of A&R at UMG Nashville. While at UMG, Rhodes played an integral part in the signing of artists Tyminski and Travis Denning. He also worked on projects by Luke Bryan, Easton Corbin and others.
Prior to UMG, Rhodes spent four years as Manager of A&R at Warner/Chappell Nashville. During his time with Warner/Chappell, Rhodes placed songs with George Strait, Tim McGraw, Luke Bryan, Jon Pardi, Blake Shelton, Billy Currington, and many more. Rhodes and Gorley already have a successful track record together as publisher and songwriter, with hits including Bryan’s “Crash My Party,” Pardi’s “Dirt On My Boots,” and William Michael Morgan’s new single “Vinyl.”
“I’m thrilled to have Blain join the Tape Room team and serve as VP/GM,” Gorley says. “His passion for great songs, creative instincts, and relationships with artists and songwriters have proven Blain to be one of the best in the business. I’m excited to have him on board for the next chapter of Tape Room Music.”
Tape Room Music was started in 2011 as a venture between Gorley, Warner/Chappell and Combustion Music. Tape Room’s roster includes Zach Crowell, Matt Jenkins, Jerry Flowers, Will Weatherly, Hunter Phelps, and Brad Clawson. Together, Tape Room writers have celebrated 12 No. 1 songs.
Additionally, Gorley was recently named 2017 Songwriter of the Year by both NSAI and NMPA.
Rhodes can we be reached at blain@taperoommusic.com.
Kenny Chesney’s Live Album Enters ‘Billboard’ Top 200 Chart At No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesKenny Chesney’s album Live In No Shoes Nation debuted at the top of the Billboard 200 chart, marking his eighth time in the No. 1 slot on the overall chart. His sales total reaches 219K, with the two-disc set included with every ticket order to next summer’s Trip Around the Sun 2018 stadium shows.
This is Chesney’s 15th time entering at No. 1 on the Top Country Albums chart.
The new collection includes special guests, hits and obscure tracks, recorded in venues ranging from stadiums to local bars.
His tour opens April 21 at Tampa’s Raymond James Stadium.
Live In No Shoes Nation Tracklist
Flora – Bama
Summertime
Big Star (with Taylor Swift)
Boston
When I See This Bar (with Eric Church)
No Shoes, No Shirt, No Problems
Anything But Mine
Down The Road (with Mac McAnally)
Guitars And Tiki Bars
Hemingway’s Whiskey
Everybody Wants To Go To Heaven (with Zac Brown Band)
I’m Alive
Save It for a Rainy Day (with Old Dominion)
Pirate Flag
Somewhere With You
I Go Back
One Step Up
American Kids
You And Tequila (with Grace Potter)
Young
There Goes My Life
Out Last Night
Dust On The Bottle (with David Lee Murphy)
Coastal
Boys Of Fall
Noise
Old Blue Chair
The Joker / Three Little Birds (with Dave Matthews)
Happy On The Hey Now
Bakersfield Country Pioneer Billy Mize Dies
/by Robert K OermannBilly Mize
Billy Mize, a key figure on the California country scene of the 1950s and 1960s, has died at age 88. He died at a nursing home in Pleasanton, Calif. on Nov. 1.
Mize made his mark as a television personality, a steel guitarist, a songwriter, a radio broadcaster and a vocalist. His best-known song is the honky-tonk classic “Who Will Buy the Wine.” Billy Mize won three ACM Awards and was the subject of a documentary film. He was born William Robert Mize on April 29, 1929 in Kansas City, but he was raised in California’s San Joaquin Valley. Inspired by Bob Wills & The Texas Playboys, the young guitarist switched to steel guitar when he was 18.
Mize moved to Bakersfield, formed his own band and worked as a DJ on KPMC radio. He began his television career in 1953 on Cousin Herb Henson’s Trading Post show on KERO-TV. He remained with that program for 13 years. Mize is considered to be one of the pioneers of the Bakersfield music scene.
Meanwhile, he also began appearing on The Hank Penny Show on Los Angeles television in 1955. The handsome, dapper entertainer graduated from there to the famed Town Hall Party program. By the late 1950s, he was appearing on seven weekly L.A. country TV shows, while still commuting to his Bakersfield commitments.
In 1966, he became the host of Gene Autry’s Melody Ranch series on KTLA-TV. He also began filming his own syndicated TV show in Bakersfield. The Academy of Country Music named him its television Personality of the Year in 1965, 1966 and 1967.
As a songwriter, Billy Mize provided Charlie Walker with “Who Will Buy the Wine” in 1960. This was Mize’s biggest hit as a writer. He also wrote the Johnny Sea 1964 hit “My Baby Walks All Over Me.” Others who recorded Billy Mize songs included Dean Martin, Merle Haggard, Jerry Lee Lewis, Red Simpson, Johnny Cash, Ernest Tubb, Bob Luman, Vikki Carr, Waylon Jennings, Porter Wagoner, Jim Ed Brown, Ray Price and Buck Owens.
His younger brother Buddy Mize is also a songwriter, noted for the 1966 Marty Robbins hit “The Shoe Goes on the Other Foot Tonight,” Bonnie Guitar’s 1966 hit “Get Your Lie the Way You Want It” and other tunes. His “Hangin’ On” was a Gosdin Brothers country hit in 1967, a Joe Simon R&B hit in 1968 and a Vern Gosdin/Emmylou Harris collaboration in 1976. Buddy was also a radio personality and record producer.
As a recording artist, big brother Billy Mize first made the country charts with his self-penned “You Can’t Stop Me” in 1966. Recording for Columbia, United Artists, Challenge, Decca, Liberty, Imperial and Zodiac, he made the charts 11 times between then and 1977. He wrote his 1969 top-40 hit “Make It Rain.”
His albums included This Time and Place on Imperial Records in 1969, You’re All Right With Me on United Artists Records in 1971 and Love N Stuff on Zodiac Records in 1976. In later years, he released Billy Mize’s Tribute to Swing (G&M, 1986), A Salute to Swing (Hag, 2006) and Make It Rain (Sharecropper, 2006).
As a steel guitarist, Billy Mize worked on recording sessions for Merle Haggard, Buck Owens, Johnny Bond, Merle Travis, Tommy Duncan and others. He also performed as a member of Haggard’s band The Strangers.
He continued his TV work on the series RFD Hollywood. He eventually formed his own television production company and created TV specials starring Haggard. He and his brother Buddy worked on several TV projects together in the 1980s.
Billy Mize suffered a stroke in 1988 at age 59 and was unable to speak clearly for many years. In 2001, he was honored by the Pioneers of Western Swing organization. He regained his ability to sing and performed at his 80th birthday party in 2009. He was the subject of the critically praised 2014 documentary film Billy Mize and the Bakersfield Sound.
Mize was also the great uncle of rising country artist Logan Mize.
WMBA Accepting Applications
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Women’s Music Business Association (WMBA) is accepting applications for 2018 membership through Dec. 1. Applications can be found at wmbanashville.org/membership.
The WMBA is a 501(c)6 nonprofit membership organization dedicated to fostering opportunities for women within the music industry through education, networking, industry involvement, and community service.