When Steven Lee Olsen’s major label album wasn’t released, it was the beginning of what he calls the “best, saddest story ever.” But the unexpected ending was triumphant, when his idol Keith Urban turned Olsen’s song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” into a massive hit.
Co-written by Olsen, Hillary Lindsey and Clint Lagerberg, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” was voted Song of the Year at the recent MusicRow Awards.
Here’s what Olsen had to say about the win. Read more in the new issue of MusicRow magazine or subscribe today.
– – –
MusicRow: You’ve said that Keith Urban is the reason you moved to Nashville. When did you finally get to meet him?
Steven Lee Olsen: I met Keith after “Blue…” was already a single on the radio. One day he asked to write with Ross Copperman and myself. I was pretty nervous but he was the most graceful, talented dude I’ve ever met. Everything you want your idol to be. We went to lunch and he drove us around—I think we were in a Rolls-Royce—showing us where he used to live, where he came from nothing, and he became a real human to me. And then we ate at The Smiling Elephant where he’d been going for 10 years. It showed me to stick it out and gave me a second wind [as an artist and writer].
Whatever Keith does, he does from the heart. He needs to feel the song, feel the lyrics. It was cool to see that up-close. Since then we’ve become good friends.
It was bittersweet to let “Blue…” go, but there’s no one in the world that could’ve done what Keith did. He gave it listeners and it was the most successful song of his career. It blows my mind that I was able to be a small part of it. I even got to sing “Blue…” with him at the No. 1 party.
A hit like this has been a long time in the making for you.
It came to us from the heavens and changed my life completely. I’ve been in Nashville 11 years.
This year has been absolutely insane. It took me to the Grammys and I was able to take my mom. And also to the ACMs too and now the MusicRow Awards. It’s been a whirlwind. I don’t know how I’m going to top this year. As a writer, I feel gratification because it is an uphill battle to get these wins. You really need to let it soak in and drive you to the next one. And the next one for me is going to be as an artist.
What’s next for your artist career?
“Blue…” represents the direction I was going as an artist—a classic r&b throwback sound.
After the Columbia deal fell apart, we didn’t get to keep the record. That’s okay because I’m writing much better songs that fit me as an artist and my voice—where I want to sit in country music.
I’m building the right team of people and dabbling with producers and trying to find the right fit.
I’m writing as much as I can. You’ll love a song that you write, and you listen to it a 100 times and say, “This is definitely going on the record.” Then you keep writing and you beat that. And then you have 20 songs that you absolutely love, but you feel like you are still growing and evolving into the artist that you are going to be. I’m really excited and I’ve never had more fun writing for a project—ever.
You want to make sure that when you actually do release something, that it’s true to you and you can stand behind it and say, “This is absolutely the best I have.”
Dylan Scott To Release Deluxe Edition of Selt-Titled Debut
/by Lorie HollabaughScott will celebrate the album release with his first headlining show in New York City at the Gramercy Theatre on August 1. The collection also includes his smash hit “My Girl,” which has already been certified Gold. Scott has already amassed a total of 100 million radio plays on Pandora and surpassed 170 million on-demand streams since the release of his self-titled debut last year.
Track listing for Dylan Scott Deluxe Edition:
1. “My Girl” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr)
2. “Crazy Over Me” (Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman)
3. “Lay It On Me” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr)
4. “Ball Cap” (Dylan Scott, Cassidy Lynn Alexander, Forest Glen Whitehead)
5. “Hooked” (Lindsay Rimes, Seth Ennis, Morgan Evans) *
6. “Sleeping Beauty” (Dylan Scott, Lee Brice, Matt Alderman) *
7. “My Town” (Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, David Fanning)
8. “Beer Buddies” (Dylan Scott, Forest Glen Whitehead)
9. “Passenger Seat” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr, Forest Glen Whitehead)
10. “Can’t Take Her Anywhere” (Dylan Scott, Josh Kerr, Mike Krompass) *
11. “I Lost You” (Matt Alderman, Sarah Davidson, Ty Graham)
12. “Do You Think About Me” (Dylan Scott, Matt Alderman, Tommy Cecil)
13. “Living Room” (Brian Callihan, Matt Rogers, Wynn Varble)
14. “Freak Show” (Matt Alderman, Curt Gibbs, Mike Eli, Jon Jones)
15. “Back” (Josh Osborne, Scott Stepakoff, Jimmy Robbins)
16. “Rules” (Steph Jones, Jeston Cade, Jordan Reynolds)
Submissions Now Open For 2017 ‘MusicRow’ Artist Roster Issue
/by Jessica NicholsonThe deadline for entries is Friday, July 7.
To submit, complete the new submission form and send to directory@musicrow.com.
Advertising: To reserve Artist Roster ad space, email sales@musicrow.com. Rate card information is available here.
Hunter Hayes And Zappos Pair Music With Charity For “Rescue”
/by Sarah SkatesHunter Hayes
Hunter Hayes has released his first new music of 2017, with the soaring and electric guitar-driven track “Rescue.” Additionally, he partnered with Zappos.com to create shoes that give back. “The Rescue Collection” is a limited line that features artwork inspired by the song’s accompanying music video.
All profits from “The Rescue Collection” will be donated to Zappos for Good, the charity team at Zappos.com, and benefit a number of charitable initiatives including the CMA Foundation for music education and Zappos’ annual Pawlidayz pet adoption drive.
The shoes will be available starting December 2017 exclusively on Zappos.com. All shoes will be accompanied by a digital download code for “Rescue” and a personalized lyric sheet from Hayes.
“I’ve always loved what music and charity organizations can do together, and I think the tie in with this song is undeniable,” said Hayes. “We’ve had the opportunity to work with so many awesome charities over the years and I realized that, to me, they are exactly that: rescues. They are places of refuge for so many people who need a friend to help them through something or to be there for them. We’ve seen the power of music in so many ways and I wanted ‘Rescue’ to be a song that we used for good.”
Hunter Hayes Summer Tour Dates
Jul 01 – Provo, UT – Stadium of Fire America’s Freedom Festival
Jul 04 – Houston, TX – Freedom Over Texas
Jul 14 – Choctaw, MS – 68th Annual Choctaw Indian Fair
Jul 15 – Baton Rouge, LA – Dixie Landin’ Summer Concert Series
Jul 25 – Paso Robles, CA – California Mid-State Fair
Jul 27 – Bethlehem, PA – Levitt Pavilion Steelstacks
Jul 28 – Shelbyville, DE – The Freeman Stage at Bayside
Jul 29 – Philadelphia, PA – Citizens Bank Park
Aug 11 – Raleigh, NC – The Ritz
Aug 12 – North Myrtle Beach, SC – House of Blues
Aug 17 – Hampton Beach, NH – Hampton Beach Casino Ballroom
Aug 18 – Jordan, NY – Kegs Canalside Event Center
Aug 19 – Webster, MA – Indian Ranch Amphitheatre
Aug 25 – Toledo, OH – Centennial Terrace
Aug 26 – Chicago, IL – Wrigley Field
Sep 02 – Pomona, CA – Los Angeles County Fair
Sep 03 – Pueblo, CO – Colorado State Fair
Automaker Tesla Reportedly In Talks With Labels For Music Streaming Service
/by Eric T. ParkerAccording to Recode sources, the independent audo manufacturer would bundle the service with its cars, which come equipped with a high-tech dashboard and internet connectivity.
As of January, the growing company had sold over 100,000 cars, according to Peter Kafka and Johana Bhuiyan’s report, and 400,000 preorders have been taken for its Model 3, due to be rolled-out this Friday, July 7.
“We believe it’s important to have an exceptional in-car experience so our customers can listen to the music they want from whatever source they choose,” a Tesla spokesperson told Recode and Forbes, without confirming or denying the report. “Our goal is to simply achieve maximum happiness for our customers.”
Recode goes on to note Tesla already has a deal with Spotify for vehicles sold outside the U.S.
Mark Your Calendar—July 2017
/by Eric T. ParkerSingle Add Dates
The Cadillac Three/Dang If We Didn’t/Big Machine
Kelsea Ballerini/Legends/Black River
Sam Outlaw/Trouble/Six Shooter Records/Thirty Tigers
Brian Milson/I’d Have To Kiss Ya/First Short Road Productions
July 17
Chris Stapleton/Broken Halos/Mercury Nashville
Brett Young/Like I Loved You/BLMG Records
Dan + Shay/Road Trippin’/Warner Music Nashville
Joe Nichols/Never Gets Old/Red Bow Records
Andy Ross/Playing in the Mud/Buck Shot Records
July 24
Michael Ray/Get To You/Warner Music Nashville
Dave McElroy/Without You/Free Flow Records
Kaitie Wade/Don’t Wanna Miss/Burning Ground Entertainment
July 31
Randy Rogers Band/Meet Me Tonight
Industry Events
Nashville’s July 4 celebration, Let Freedom Sing! July 4 in Music City, at Riverfront Park with Chris Young, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Jonny P, and The Sisterhood
July 20
51st Annual CMA Awards first round voting closes at 6:00 p.m. CT
Album Releases
Rhonda Vincent, Daryle Singletary/American Grandstand/Upper Management Music
Charley Pride/Music In My Heart/Music City Records
July 14
Republican Hair/The Prince and The Duke [LP]
Lewis Brice/Lewis Brice [EP]/Pump House Music-Straight 8 Entertainment-Kobalt
Sun Seeker/Biddeford [EP]/Third Man Records
July 17
Mitchell Tenpenny/Linden Ave./Riser House
July 21
Sara Evans/Words/Born To Fly Records
Parmalee/27861/Stoney Creek Records
July 28
Joe Nichols/Never Gets Old/Red Bow Records
Cage The Elephant/Unpeeled/RCA Records
Kid Rock’s Third Annual Fish Fry Set For October
/by Lorie HollabaughThe artist’s previous two Fish Fry events were sellouts, and tickets go on sale this Thursday, June 29th at livenation.com or by phone at (800) 745-3000. Tickets start at $45.00 for general admission lawn seating.
Jake Owen Hometown Field Dedicated By Cal Ripken, Jr. and Kevin Harvick
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): Cal Ripken, Jr., Jake Owen, Kevin Harvick and his son. Photo credit: Rob Smith Photography/Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation
The Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation and Kevin Harvick Foundation recently dedicated a youth baseball field in Vero Beach, Florida to Jake Owen. The new facility will provide youth from the singer’s hometown with a clean, safe place to learn, play and grow.
On hand for the ribbon cutting were Baseball Hall of Famer Cal Ripken, Jr., and NASCAR star Kevin Harvick.
“I have great memories of playing baseball as a kid with my twin brother, Jarrod,” said Owen. “Growing up in Vero Beach, I never imagined that one day there would be a baseball field here with my name on it. I’m thankful for music being the creative outlet that got me to where I am today and what brought us all together. I’m also very grateful to my good friends Cal Ripken, Jr., Kevin Harvick and Mark Butler [of the Cal Ripken, Sr. Foundation] for dedicating this baseball field to me. I hope there will be many incredible memories made on this field and that the kids who play here will believe that anything is possible with the support of their community.”
The synthetic turf baseball field includes a digital scoreboard, dugouts, backstop and bleachers. The park will be gifted to and maintained by the Indian River Sports Complex, with whom the Ripken Foundation and Harvick Foundation will work closely with to create and implement character education programming and clinics.
Non-Stop Music On Tap For Nashville’s July 4th, with Headliner Chris Young
/by Lorie HollabaughThe annual Let Freedom Sing! Music City July 4th presented by Dr Pepper Cherry is set up in a new layout this year, with the Nashville Symphony performing at Ascend Amphitheater. The new configuration will spread attendees over a larger area, allowing concertgoers to congregate closer to the Broadway Stage at Fifth and Broadway, while those attending for the fireworks show can find spots around Riverfront Park, The Green at Riverfront Park and Ascend Amphitheater. The pyrotechnics are synchronized to a live performance by the Nashville Symphony. The free, family-friendly event will include a Family Fun Zone at Music City Walk of Fame Park from noon to 4 p.m.
The celebration marks the third consecutive year Nashville will host the largest fireworks show in the country, featuring more than 35,000 pounds of explosives, and 150 miles of wire, with over 275,000 people expected to attend.
Those not wanting to hassle with parking downtown can use Lyft, the official ridesharing partner of Let Freedom Sing! 2017. Up to 1,000 users can enter code BUDAMERICA in the Lyft app under ‘Promos’ to claim a free ride home (up to $10), courtesy of Budweiser and Ajax Turner. Rideshare pickup and drop-off areas are located at Korean Veterans Boulevard from 5th Avenue to 7th Avenue and Deaderick Street from 3rd Avenue to 6th Avenue.
Backpacks, luggage and coolers are not permitted this year as a safety measure, but there will be reasonably priced hot dogs and bottles of water available.
Big Machine To Sponsor Brickyard 400 Starring Brantley Gilbert
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’m very excited today to officially announce that Big Machine and Brantley Gilbert are joining the Indianapolis Motor Speedway for the 2017 Brickyard 400 NASCAR race!” said Big Machine Label Group President/CEO Scott Borchetta. “Racing has always been part of Big Machine’s DNA, and we’re thrilled to partner with the world’s most iconic racing brands.”
The Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 on Sunday, July 23, will feature all of the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series, and will also mark the final IMS start of popular NASCAR legend Dale Earnhardt Jr., who is retiring after this season.
The 24th annual Brantley Gilbert Big Machine Brickyard 400 race weekend features plenty of attractions and entertainment this year, including 400 Fest, a new, two-night concert at IMS, scheduled for July 21-22. The event features six superstars performing over two nights, with Major Lazer headlining July 21 and The Chainsmokers headlining July 22. The annual IMS Hauler Parade returns this year as well, featuring a special “NASCAR Fan Fest” that will bring the stars of the Monster Energy NASCAR Cup Series to Speedway’s Main Street for an evening of fun activities July 21.
Exclusive: Steven Lee Olsen Talks Keith Urban, Career Moves
/by Sarah SkatesWhen Steven Lee Olsen’s major label album wasn’t released, it was the beginning of what he calls the “best, saddest story ever.” But the unexpected ending was triumphant, when his idol Keith Urban turned Olsen’s song “Blue Ain’t Your Color” into a massive hit.
Co-written by Olsen, Hillary Lindsey and Clint Lagerberg, “Blue Ain’t Your Color” was voted Song of the Year at the recent MusicRow Awards.
Here’s what Olsen had to say about the win. Read more in the new issue of MusicRow magazine or subscribe today.
– – –
MusicRow: You’ve said that Keith Urban is the reason you moved to Nashville. When did you finally get to meet him?
Steven Lee Olsen: I met Keith after “Blue…” was already a single on the radio. One day he asked to write with Ross Copperman and myself. I was pretty nervous but he was the most graceful, talented dude I’ve ever met. Everything you want your idol to be. We went to lunch and he drove us around—I think we were in a Rolls-Royce—showing us where he used to live, where he came from nothing, and he became a real human to me. And then we ate at The Smiling Elephant where he’d been going for 10 years. It showed me to stick it out and gave me a second wind [as an artist and writer].
Whatever Keith does, he does from the heart. He needs to feel the song, feel the lyrics. It was cool to see that up-close. Since then we’ve become good friends.
It was bittersweet to let “Blue…” go, but there’s no one in the world that could’ve done what Keith did. He gave it listeners and it was the most successful song of his career. It blows my mind that I was able to be a small part of it. I even got to sing “Blue…” with him at the No. 1 party.
A hit like this has been a long time in the making for you.
It came to us from the heavens and changed my life completely. I’ve been in Nashville 11 years.
This year has been absolutely insane. It took me to the Grammys and I was able to take my mom. And also to the ACMs too and now the MusicRow Awards. It’s been a whirlwind. I don’t know how I’m going to top this year. As a writer, I feel gratification because it is an uphill battle to get these wins. You really need to let it soak in and drive you to the next one. And the next one for me is going to be as an artist.
What’s next for your artist career?
“Blue…” represents the direction I was going as an artist—a classic r&b throwback sound.
After the Columbia deal fell apart, we didn’t get to keep the record. That’s okay because I’m writing much better songs that fit me as an artist and my voice—where I want to sit in country music.
I’m building the right team of people and dabbling with producers and trying to find the right fit.
I’m writing as much as I can. You’ll love a song that you write, and you listen to it a 100 times and say, “This is definitely going on the record.” Then you keep writing and you beat that. And then you have 20 songs that you absolutely love, but you feel like you are still growing and evolving into the artist that you are going to be. I’m really excited and I’ve never had more fun writing for a project—ever.
You want to make sure that when you actually do release something, that it’s true to you and you can stand behind it and say, “This is absolutely the best I have.”