Pictured: April Kry, Dave McElroy
It’s independents’ day.
The major country music record labels all seem to be missing in action this week. That means today’s column gives independent labels a time to shine.
Stepping into the spotlight and center stage is April Kry. This Connecticut-bred Nashvillian has vocal pipes to spare, a solid song and a stupendous production. Oh, and also a Disc of the Day award.
Also, April shares the DisCovery Award with Dave McElroy. He’s evidently been around for a couple of years, but this is his first appearance in DisClaimer.
JEFF LEWIS & NORM CADY/Land of Dreams
Writers: Norm Cady; Producers: Anthony Brown; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Constituting America (CDX)
– Patriotic slogans strung together like beads on a string. It’s like somebody jotted down every sign they saw held up at a Fourth of July parade.
DUSTIN COLLINS/Pieces
Writer: Lincoln Parish; Producers: Dustin Collins/Bill McDermott; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Big Risk (CDX)
– A crunchy country rocker with a definite blue-collar slant. It’s got some cool lines that make it worth a few spins.
APRIL KRY/While We’re Young
Writers: April Kry/Jennifer Pappas/Micah Wilshire/Stephanie Bentley; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Publishers: none listed, BMI; M (CDX)
– I dig this. She sings with powerhouse conviction. The song is as hooky as all get out. The production slaps, bounces and pushes emotional buttons in all the right places. This is as good or better than anything you’ll hear on any major label in the business. Listen and believe. Who are you? Send more.
DOMINGO & ESTEBAN HIRACHETA/Free to Believe
Writers: Domingo Hiracheta/Esteban Hiracheta; Producers: Janine Turner/Brandon Vanderford; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Constituting America (CDX)
-The freedom-of-religion sentiments are admirable. A competent lead singer would have been nice. There’s a good reason this switches into rapping in the middle.
LORI SMITH/Tumblin’ Paradise
Writers: Keith Follese/Tom McHugh; Producers: Larry Butler/Jack G. Kirby; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; 615 (CDX)
– She warbles all around the melody, clinging to pitch for dear life.
GEORGE ALLEN TRUAX/My Hometown
Writers: George Allen Truax; Producers: Zac Maroof/Gene Higgins; Publishers: none listed, BMI; SMG (CDX)
– There already is a Montgomery Gentry. And they sing better than this.
DAVE McELROY/Without You
Writers: Dave McElroy/Michael Flanders/Scott Buchanan/Derik Holtquist; Producer: Michael Flanders; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; DM (CDX)
– His husky, whispery vocal style doesn’t have much range. But there’s something extremely appealing about his almost-spoken delivery. His conversational intimacy makes you want to know him.
JUSTIN DUKES/Warning Sign
Writers: Justin Dukes/Daniel Johnson; Producer: Chris Goff; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/BMI; Duke’s Entertainment (CDX)
– “Love at your own risk.” His youthful tenor sounds properly bruised.
RUSTY RIERSON/Upon This Rock
Writers: Stephen Amos/Rusty Rierson; Producers: Carster Green/Rusty Rierson; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RR (CDX)
– When he gets confused in a romance, he goes to a mountaintop where he can think straighter. Then she heads up there, too. Guess what? They wind up married and happy. Nicely done.
ALAN TURNER/Windows and Mirrors
Writers: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Jon Henderson; Producer: Alan Turner; Publishers: none listed, BMI/SESAC; SMG (CDX)
– Anguish and heartache with glass metaphors. He sings it with fierce force.
John Berry Signs Booking Deal with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency
/by Alex ParryPictured (L-R): Brian Smith (Leadership Artists), John Berry, Bob Kinkead (Kinkead Entertainment Agency), Don Murry Grubbs (Absolute Publicity)
The Kinkead Entertainment Agency has signed John Berry for exclusive live bookings.
“We are looking forward to representing John Berry during this exciting time in his career, with the launch of his Songs & Stories TV show, his infamous Christmas tour and next year’s 25th anniversary celebration,” says Kinkead Entertainment Agency CEO, Bob Kinkead. “John Berry continues to make his mark in the entertainment industry as one of the most talented singers and performers in our business.”
For John Berry live booking inquiries, contact The Kinkead Entertainment Agency at bkinkead@kinkeadentertainmen
Alan Jackson, Chris Stapleton To Perform At Next Week’s ACM Honors In Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerAlan Jackson, Chris Stapleton
The Academy of Country Music (ACM) has announced Alan Jackson and Chris Stapleton will perform at its 11th Annual ACM Honors event, taping Aug. 23 at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium and airing Sept. 15 (9-11 p.m., ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network. It has also just been announced Jason Aldean, Bobby Bones, Ross Copperman, Lady Antebellum and Jimmy Webb will present.
Previously announced performers include Vince Gill, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Hillary Scott, Kelsea Ballerini, Vince Gill, Toby Keith, Little Big Town, Maren Morris, Brad Paisley, Thomas Rhett, Hillary Scott, and George Strait. Clare Bowen, Charles Esten, Cassadee Pope, and Brett Young will participate in special off-camera moments in the ceremony.
The two-hour special is dedicated to celebrating the special honorees and off-camera category winners from the 52nd Academy of Country Music Awards. Those include Ballerini (Gene Weed Milestone Award), Keith (Poet’s Award), Bob Kingsley (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), Reba McEntire (Mae Boren Axton Service Award), Nashville (Tex Ritter Film Award), Dolly Parton (Gary Haber Lifting Lives Award), Shel Silverstein (Poet’s Award, awarded posthumously), Strait (Cliffie Stone Icon Award) and Lori McKenna (Songwriter of the Year). The evening will also honor winners of the Industry and Studio Recording Awards.
Tickets are available for purchase at Ticketmaster.com and the Ryman Auditorium box office for $60 and $100.
Drennan & Associates Launches New Tax Firm On Music Row
/by Lorie Hollabaugh““I genuinely enjoy working with my clients,” said Drennan. “I love getting to work with them, getting to know them and their families, and watching their kids grow up. I have worked with some of my clients for almost 25 years. I’ve watched their kids grow up and have kids of their own. Now, some of those kids are clients, too. I love what I do, and I love helping clients with tax saving strategies when working on their returns or helping with tax, retirement and estate planning, I look forward to continuing to serve my clients and building the business and meeting new clients that I can help.”
Lilly Hiatt Finds Strength And Solace In Isolation On New CD
/by Lorie HollabaughThe daughter of John Hiatt, Lilly lays her soul bare on the new collection, which is streaming now on NPR’s First Listen.
“Love will take you to the darkest places but also the most honest places if you let it,” she admits. “Learning how to love myself is something I’ve always been lousy with, and I spent some time on that. I thought about my sobriety, what that means to me, the struggles I’d had throughout the years, since I was a 27-year-old and hung up my toxic drinking habit. I thought about my mother, who took her own life when I was a baby, not far from my age at 30 years old, and I related to her more than ever. As you can see, there was plenty of time spent on my own. I didn’t talk to that many folks, albeit a few close friends, and leaned into my family. I found power in being by myself. After a while, I had all these songs to play, and wanted to share them. I think we all understood what it’s like to question home, intention, demons, love…I think most people understand that.”
Trinity Lane will be available digitally, on CD, as well as LP and can be pre-ordered now via PledgeMusic. Hiatt will celebrate the album at a Nashville release party at Fond Object on Aug. 25, and will also participate in the WEA/ADA Nashville Record Store Crawl on August 26th with an in-store performance at Grimey’s New & Preloved Music. She will also perform at the 18th annual Americanafest, and has announced additional Fall dates in support of the Old 97’s.
Trinity Lane Track Listing:
1. All Kinds Of People
2. The Night David Bowie Died
3. Trinity Lane
4. Everything I Had
5. I Wanna Go Home
6. Imposter
7. Records
8. Different, I Guess
9. Rotterdam
10. Sucker
11. So Much You Don’t Know
12. See Ya Later
Alan Jackson Signs With WME
/by Jessica NicholsonAlan Jackson has signed with WME for booking representation, MusicRow has confirmed. The UMG Nashville artist was previously with CAA for booking.
Jackson is currently on the road as part of his Honky Tonk Highway Tour, which runs through the fall and features Lee Ann Womack.
Later this year, Jackson will be inducted as part of the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Class of 2017.
Scooter Brown Band Teams With Charlie Daniels For “American Son”
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Scooter Brown Band is releasing a new album, American Son, on Red River/BFD/Sony Orchard on Friday, Sept. 8. The title track of the project features Charlie Daniels, a music icon that Brown has looked up to his entire life and sought advice from often in recent years. Scooter Brown Band is managed by Daniels’ longtime manager David Corlew and booked by APA Nashville.
“This album sets the tone for what fans can expect from us on the road and on their radios. True country and southern rock music, what we were born and raised on,” said lead singer Scooter Brown.
The Nashville-based southern-rock revivalists have been on the road for the past few years, playing 100 plus shows per year and opening for acts like the Charlie Daniels Band, Travis Tritt, and the Marshall Tucker Band.
American Son Track Listing:
1. American Son (feat. Charlie Daniels)
2. This Town
3. Won’t Back Down
4. Never Met a Heart I Wouldn’t Break
5. Pistols and Pearls
6. Broken Arrow
7. Georgia
8. Story of My Life
9. Guitars, Gun and Whiskey
10. Time is Money
11. Rise Up
12. New York City King Size Rosewood Bed
13. Huntsville
Kip Moore And Tony Hawk To Present Music City Skate Jam
/by Lorie HollabaughHawk will demo some of the skating prowess that made him a legend during the event, which will also include a performance by newcomer Jordan Davis, spins by Dee Jay Silver, and a set by Moore. Tickets are on sale now here.
“I think what’s always driven me at my core, throughout my career, was to one day have the capability to make a major impact in inner cities around the country,” said Moore. “I was never a true skater, but always admired the brotherhood of the skating community. Having a chance to team up with a guy like Tony, who’s so respected for all he does, is beyond what I could’ve imagined. I’m super stoked to combine what we do, as we both share similar visions.”
“The Music City Skate Jam is the first event of its kind, bringing skateboarding and country music together,” said Hawk. “I’m excited to show Nashville an unprecedented display of talent, including some of the world’s best skaters and Kip Moore himself.”
DISClaimer: April Kry, Dave McElroy Top Independent Releases
/by Robert K OermannPictured: April Kry, Dave McElroy
It’s independents’ day.
The major country music record labels all seem to be missing in action this week. That means today’s column gives independent labels a time to shine.
Stepping into the spotlight and center stage is April Kry. This Connecticut-bred Nashvillian has vocal pipes to spare, a solid song and a stupendous production. Oh, and also a Disc of the Day award.
Also, April shares the DisCovery Award with Dave McElroy. He’s evidently been around for a couple of years, but this is his first appearance in DisClaimer.
JEFF LEWIS & NORM CADY/Land of Dreams
Writers: Norm Cady; Producers: Anthony Brown; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Constituting America (CDX)
– Patriotic slogans strung together like beads on a string. It’s like somebody jotted down every sign they saw held up at a Fourth of July parade.
DUSTIN COLLINS/Pieces
Writer: Lincoln Parish; Producers: Dustin Collins/Bill McDermott; Publishers: none listed, BMI/ASCAP; Big Risk (CDX)
– A crunchy country rocker with a definite blue-collar slant. It’s got some cool lines that make it worth a few spins.
APRIL KRY/While We’re Young
Writers: April Kry/Jennifer Pappas/Micah Wilshire/Stephanie Bentley; Producer: Micah Wilshire; Publishers: none listed, BMI; M (CDX)
– I dig this. She sings with powerhouse conviction. The song is as hooky as all get out. The production slaps, bounces and pushes emotional buttons in all the right places. This is as good or better than anything you’ll hear on any major label in the business. Listen and believe. Who are you? Send more.
DOMINGO & ESTEBAN HIRACHETA/Free to Believe
Writers: Domingo Hiracheta/Esteban Hiracheta; Producers: Janine Turner/Brandon Vanderford; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; Constituting America (CDX)
-The freedom-of-religion sentiments are admirable. A competent lead singer would have been nice. There’s a good reason this switches into rapping in the middle.
LORI SMITH/Tumblin’ Paradise
Writers: Keith Follese/Tom McHugh; Producers: Larry Butler/Jack G. Kirby; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP; 615 (CDX)
– She warbles all around the melody, clinging to pitch for dear life.
GEORGE ALLEN TRUAX/My Hometown
Writers: George Allen Truax; Producers: Zac Maroof/Gene Higgins; Publishers: none listed, BMI; SMG (CDX)
– There already is a Montgomery Gentry. And they sing better than this.
DAVE McELROY/Without You
Writers: Dave McElroy/Michael Flanders/Scott Buchanan/Derik Holtquist; Producer: Michael Flanders; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/SESAC; DM (CDX)
– His husky, whispery vocal style doesn’t have much range. But there’s something extremely appealing about his almost-spoken delivery. His conversational intimacy makes you want to know him.
JUSTIN DUKES/Warning Sign
Writers: Justin Dukes/Daniel Johnson; Producer: Chris Goff; Publishers: none listed, SESAC/BMI; Duke’s Entertainment (CDX)
– “Love at your own risk.” His youthful tenor sounds properly bruised.
RUSTY RIERSON/Upon This Rock
Writers: Stephen Amos/Rusty Rierson; Producers: Carster Green/Rusty Rierson; Publishers: none listed, ASCAP/BMI; RR (CDX)
– When he gets confused in a romance, he goes to a mountaintop where he can think straighter. Then she heads up there, too. Guess what? They wind up married and happy. Nicely done.
ALAN TURNER/Windows and Mirrors
Writers: Cole Swindell/Lynn Hutton/Jon Henderson; Producer: Alan Turner; Publishers: none listed, BMI/SESAC; SMG (CDX)
– Anguish and heartache with glass metaphors. He sings it with fierce force.
Shania Twain To Play Nearly 50 Dates On New 2018 Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Live Nation tour kicks off May 3 in Tacoma, Washington, and will run through the summer, culminating in Las Vegas on Aug. 4 at MGM Grand Garden Arena.
American Express card members can purchase tickets before the general public beginning Tuesday, Aug. 22 through Thursday, Aug. 24. Tickets will go on sale to the general public on Aug. 25. More pre sale details and ticket information can be found at ticketmaster.com.
NOW will be released on Sept. 29 via Mercury Nashville, and is available in both 12-track standard and 16-track deluxe versions. Fans can pre-order the album and instantly receive “Life’s About to Get Good,” and “Poor Me”, and beginning tomorrow, Aug. 18, pre-orders will also receive Shania’s upcoming brand new single, “Swingin’ With My Eyes Closed,” due out in September. Shania debuted the new tune last night during an appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Autumn House-Tallant To Join Red Light Management
/by Jessica NicholsonAutumn House-Tallant has exited her role as VP, A&R at UMG Nashville, MusicRow has confirmed. Beginning Sept. 5, House-Tallant will join Red Light Management as Creative Advisor and A&R executive for Red Light managers and clients.
“I like to change jobs every 17 years. Kidding aside, my time with Mike Dungan and Universal was nothing short of amazing,” House-Tallant tells MusicRow. “You can’t work with Mike and his team and not love it. We are family. I’m just moving down the road for a new adventure with Coran and his team at Red Light Management and I can’t wait to see where this road takes me.”
House-Tallant joined Capitol Records Nashville in 2000, raising a profound artist roster for the label including signing Eric Church, Luke Bryan, Lady Antebellum, Darius Rucker, Little Big Town, Eric Paslay, Jon Pardi and Keith Urban, and ultimately attaining the role of VP, UMG Nashville.
A Nashville native, she graduated from Arizona State University with a degree in Communications/Broadcasting. After college, she returned to Nashville, where she served as a manager at Starstruck Entertainment and later Maverick Music.
Her email address will be autumn.house@redlightmanagement.com