BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 563
I am almost ashamed to say this, but I have lived in Nashville for more than 30 years and have never been on a Metro bus.
The CMA Music Festival changed that on Thursday (June 8). Fed up with jacked-up Uber prices and obscene downtown parking fees (for spaces that hardly exist), I decided to take public transportation. I hopped on the No. 7 Hillsboro/Green Hills bus at the corner of 21st & Blair, across from the Kroger. Fifteen air-conditioned minutes later, I was at 8th & Broad, two blocks from the Fest action. For less than two bucks.
Anti car-congestion advocate Mayor Megan Barry would be so proud of me. Speaking of Mayor Barry, she began the day by joining Miranda Lambert in her doggie parade Mutt Strut, cheerfully donning one of the charity’s signature pink T-shirts. Miranda’s Mutt Nation Foundation was set up in the Fan Fair exhibit hall with steal-your-heart pups to adopt.
That afternoon on the Chevy Park stage, Luke Pell was rocking the crowd when I arrived. On the lawn were six-foot letters spelling C-H-E-V, blank space, P-A-R-K. On the ground in the blank space was a square with instructions to raise your hands in the shape of the missing “Y” and take a snapshot. Of course the fans did.
On the Bridgestone plaza, tourists were also taking photos of the crushed Smashville car. Predators hockey merch was selling just as well as the CMA stuff, throughout downtown.
Food trucks lined 5th Avenue between the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Music City Center. The weather could not have been more perfect, so hundreds were lunching on the many tables arranged outside the MCC.
Meanwhile, my discovery music of the day turned out to be a punchy, tuneful and spirited set by Adam Sanders on the Chevy Park stage. I don’t know who he is, but he’s gooood.
I headed into Fan Alley, where folks were riding the mechanical shark in the Shark Tank, competing in a corn-hole toss and meeting and greeting ABC-TV stars, in this case The Goldbergs. The Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge stage there presented various acts singing cover tunes.
Over on the Gilden Broadway stage outside the Hard Rock, Smithfield was harmonizing with pep. Tracy Lawrence was doing his “Honky Tonkin’” radio show in the Budweiser Forever Country Park. The fabulously countrified Teea Goans was booked for the Music City Stage. Maren Morris was holding forth in the HGTV Lounge, for which you have to have a special ticket.
Back row, (L-R): Tony Conway, President & CEO, Conway Entertainment Group; Michael Ray; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville. Front row, (L-R): Randy Travis, Mary Davis-Travis
Michael Ray was on stage at Riverfront. “The great thing about the CMA Music Festival is you never know what’s going to happen or who might show up,” he told the crowd. Michael brought out Randy Travis, and a huge ovation erupted.
Michael led the crowd in singing “Forever and Ever Amen” in honor of the Country Music Hall of Famer. Then he took the last chorus and stopped to allow Randy to sing the final, “Amen.” The place went ape. I choked back a tear.
Other Riverfront stage highlights included Kane Brown, Joe Nichols, Old Dominion, LoCash and Chris Janson.
Heading back up Lower Broadway, I spotted Trump and Hillary impersonators posing for selfies with fans. “Hillary” was wearing a prison jumpsuit. “Trump” was not.
Inside the Fan Fair hall in the MCC, Jacob Davis was delivering a jaunty set on the Radio Disney stage. Wade Hayes was booked at the opposite end of the massive hall on the Durango Stage. The Professional Bull Riders were having a panel discussion on the CMA Close-Up Stage.
But the real stars in the hall are the ones who “press the flesh” with the fans. Autographing and posing for souvenir photos were Trace Adkins, Ryan Kinder, Hunter Hayes, Matt Rogers, Cowboy Troy, The Tennessee Werewolves, The Springs, Jerrod Niemann, The Swon Brothers, Luke Powell, Tucker Beathard, Thompkins Square and Kristian Bush.
Be sure and stop by the exhibit hallway wall that says, “What Makes You Smile?” Post-It notes and pens nearby let the fans put up their answers: “The beach,” “My dog,” “My family” and, of course, “Country Music.”
I often like to include a fan-club event in my fest activities. In past years, this has ranged from Chris Young in the Opry House, Pam Tillis at The Bluebird Café, Barbara Mandrell in an Opryland Hotel ballroom and Tim McGraw or Ricky Skaggs in city parks.
Brandy Clark performs at CMA Music Festival. Photo: Brandy Clark/Instagram
This year, I ended my afternoon with Brandy Clark at the Warner Bros. Records office. This is cool, in that the fans get to go inside a label headquarters.
A tent was erected on the patio. The adjacent conference room was set up as a photo-and-autograph line with a snake of velvet ropes. Upon entering, the fan clubbers got water, soda and assorted snacks, plus fans with Brandy’s photo on one side and the slogan, “Warner Music Nashville Is a Fan of Our Fans” on the other side. Free booze was available on the opposite end of the mezzanine in Bic’s “Sip and Shave” room.
“Thank you so much for coming out to see me,” said Brandy to her fans. “I know there’s a lot of things to do, so I appreciate you coming to spend your time with me…..I can’t even say how much your support means to me, to all of us artists. You make our dreams come true.”
She performed a mini set that included “Stripes,” “Love Can Go to Hell,” “I Hope You Have a Daughter” and the sublime “Three Kids No Husband.” One song she sang, “You’re Drunk,” appears on neither of her albums. Dozens held aloft their cell phones to shoot photos and videos.
Brandy introduced lead guitarist and harmony singer Miles Aubrey (apparently already a fan favorite in that they know to bring him donuts) and newer bassist and harmony singer Vanessa McGowan, who hails from New Zealand and evidently recorded a solo CD several years ago. Aubrey, by the way, was once in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys.
For a recap of Thursday evening (June 8)’s nighttime CMA Music Festival shows at Nissan Stadium, click here.
Blake Shelton To Play Surprise CMA Music Fest Pop-Up Show Today
/by Jessica NicholsonTop Nashville artists are keeping fans guessing with pop-up shows during the 2017 CMA Music Fest. Blake Shelton is the latest artist to take part, announcing a pop-up concert for today (Friday, June 9) at 2 p.m. at the Wildhorse Saloon.
Shelton has been around Nashville all week, celebrating his partnership with Smithworks Vodka earlier this week, and headlining the Stars for Second Harvest at the Ryman Auditorium on Tuesday, June 6. He also took part in the CMT Music Awards, held at Nashville’s Music City Center on Wednesday, June 7.
The Cadillac Three Set For Headlining Ryman Show, Release ‘Legacy’ Track Listing
/by Jessica NicholsonThe guys in The Cadillac Three know how to celebrate an album release. The trio will honor the Aug. 25 release of their upcoming BMLG album, Legacy, with a headlining show at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on Aug. 31.
Though trio of Jaren Johnston, Kelby Ray and Neil Mason bring plenty of their own songwriting muscle to the project, they worked with several top writers for the new album, with Lori McKenna contributing both vocals and writing credits to “Love Me Like Liquor.”
Legacy marks the follow up to the trio’s 2016 debut Bury Me In My Boots.
Legacy Track Listing
1. “Cadillacin'” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason)
2. “Tennessee” (Jaren Johnston)
3. “Hank & Jesus” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Angelo Petraglia)
4. “Dang If We Didn’t” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Jonathan Singleton)
5. “Ain’t That Country” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, James Slater)
6. “American Slang” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Lori McKenna)
7. “Take Me to the Bottom” (Jaren Johnston)
8. “Long Hair Don’t Care” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Angelo Petraglia)
9. “Love Me Like Liquor” (featuring Lori McKenna) (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Lori McKenna)
10. “Demolition Man” (Jaren Johnston, Neil Mason, Angelo Petraglia)
11. “Legacy” (Jaren Johnston, Ben Burgess, Laura Veltz)
Nashville Symphony Director To Lead Wroclaw Philharmonic In Poland
/by Lorie Hollabaughphoto by Tony Matula
Nashville Symphony music director Giancarlo Guerrero has been named music director of the Wrocław Philharmonic in Poland, and will begin his tenure there on a part-time basis beginning with the upcoming 2017/18 season. A five-time Grammy winner, Guerrero will continue to serve as the Nashville Symphony’s music director as well, a post he’s held since 2009 and has committed to through the 2024-25 season.
Guerrero will conduct four weeks during his first season in Wroclaw and will then spend eight weeks per season with the orchestra, in addition to touring and recording activities, beginning in 2018.
“Wrocław takes great pride in its orchestra, and the new hall reflects the vibrant community around it, revitalizing the city in a way that is reminiscent of what Schermerhorn Symphony Center helped to do for downtown Nashville when it opened 10 years ago,” Guerrero said. “As with my first encounters with the Nashville Symphony, I felt a connection with the musicians of the Wrocław Philharmonic from the moment I started working with them, when I came to fill a last-minute cancelation in October 2016. My initial impressions of the musicians, the quality of the new hall and this lively city were confirmed when I returned in December.”
Bobby Karl Works The Room: Garth Brooks Surprises At CMA Music Fest’s Star-Studded Thursday Night Show
/by Bobby KarlGarth Brooks surprises the crowd at Nissan Stadium during 2017 CMA Music Festival. Photo: Garth Brooks/Twitter
BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 564
The big surprise at Nissan Stadium during the Thursday CMA Fest debut evening concert (June 8) was the appearance of Garth Brooks.
Even the music-biz attendees in the CMA Hospitality Suite stopped schmoozing in amazement. Garth dashed off a celebratory medley of hits, including “The Thunder Rolls,” “Calling Baton Rouge,” “The Dance” and “Friends in Low Places.” Everyone sang along on the last-named, and Garth left the stage with his arms raised in triumph.
The evening began with Phil Vassar performing The National Anthem, then “American Soul” with the USO Choir and the USCBP. Those initials stand for the U.S. Customs & Border Patrol. Wait. They have their own chorus?!
Emcee Bobby Bones brought on Kenny Rogers, to whom the audience gave lots of love. In truth, Kenny looked frail and infirm. He suffers from hepatitis C and skin cancer and has been recovering from throat surgery, a knee replacement and a rotator-cuff operation. He was seated during most of his performance.
I didn’t hear him tell the fans this, but his tour earlier this year was billed as his farewell. I don’t believe we’ll see him at the Fest again.
The audience sang all of his familiar hits along with him. Kenny brought out Linda Davis to sing with him on “We’ve Got Tonight” and “Blaze of Glory.” He hobbled off on her arm to a big, affectionate ovation.
Pictured (L-R): Matt Signore, COO, WMN; Rob Baker, Longshot Management; Kerri Edwards, KP Entertainment; Swindell, John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, WMN; Eldredge and Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN.
Hosts Lorianne Crook & Charlie Chase introduced Brett Eldredge, who stalked the stage with loads of energy and personality. His oversized, joyous presentation was that of a superstar in the making. Ya gotta love the guy.
Cole Swindell had the unfortunate scheduling of following Garth. He came out with guns blazing. Still, the crowd was waiting for the evening’s headliners, Dierks Bentley, Miranda Lambert and Luke Bryan.
The CMA Suite overlooking the stadium was populated by such fabulons as Dale Bobo, Debbie Linn, Joe Galante, Laura Heatherly, Dennis Banka, Michael Knox, Brandi Simms, Sherod Robertson, Nathan Pyle, JoAnn Berry, Marie Ratzman and Melissa Maynard.
Singer Michael Tyler was talking about his debut single “They Can’t See.” It turns out that he is related to Jimmie Rodgers, the Father of Country Music. Hardcore traditionalist Joe Hott was bearing copies of his debut CD, The Last Thing on My Mind. It features stellar guests such as Jamey Johnson and The Whites.
Gazing out over it all was Jo Walker-Meador, the woman who founded Fan Fair back in 1972, when she was head of the CMA. Now 93 years old, she is as sharp as a tack. She recalled that only 1,000 people signed up for the Fest in its inaugural year, so she “papered the house” with free passes given out to soldiers from nearby Ft. Campbell, KY. “We had to do whatever it took,” she quipped.
Five decades later, a look at a 50,000+ cheering throng must be quite an overwhelming feeling for her. It certainly is for me.
For a recap of 2017 CMA Music Festival’s daytime activities on Thursday (June 8), click here.
Weekly Chart Report (6/9/17)
/by Alex ParryClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: 2017 CMA Music Festival, Day 1
/by Bobby KarlChapter 563
I am almost ashamed to say this, but I have lived in Nashville for more than 30 years and have never been on a Metro bus.
The CMA Music Festival changed that on Thursday (June 8). Fed up with jacked-up Uber prices and obscene downtown parking fees (for spaces that hardly exist), I decided to take public transportation. I hopped on the No. 7 Hillsboro/Green Hills bus at the corner of 21st & Blair, across from the Kroger. Fifteen air-conditioned minutes later, I was at 8th & Broad, two blocks from the Fest action. For less than two bucks.
Anti car-congestion advocate Mayor Megan Barry would be so proud of me. Speaking of Mayor Barry, she began the day by joining Miranda Lambert in her doggie parade Mutt Strut, cheerfully donning one of the charity’s signature pink T-shirts. Miranda’s Mutt Nation Foundation was set up in the Fan Fair exhibit hall with steal-your-heart pups to adopt.
That afternoon on the Chevy Park stage, Luke Pell was rocking the crowd when I arrived. On the lawn were six-foot letters spelling C-H-E-V, blank space, P-A-R-K. On the ground in the blank space was a square with instructions to raise your hands in the shape of the missing “Y” and take a snapshot. Of course the fans did.
On the Bridgestone plaza, tourists were also taking photos of the crushed Smashville car. Predators hockey merch was selling just as well as the CMA stuff, throughout downtown.
Food trucks lined 5th Avenue between the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Music City Center. The weather could not have been more perfect, so hundreds were lunching on the many tables arranged outside the MCC.
Meanwhile, my discovery music of the day turned out to be a punchy, tuneful and spirited set by Adam Sanders on the Chevy Park stage. I don’t know who he is, but he’s gooood.
I headed into Fan Alley, where folks were riding the mechanical shark in the Shark Tank, competing in a corn-hole toss and meeting and greeting ABC-TV stars, in this case The Goldbergs. The Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge stage there presented various acts singing cover tunes.
Over on the Gilden Broadway stage outside the Hard Rock, Smithfield was harmonizing with pep. Tracy Lawrence was doing his “Honky Tonkin’” radio show in the Budweiser Forever Country Park. The fabulously countrified Teea Goans was booked for the Music City Stage. Maren Morris was holding forth in the HGTV Lounge, for which you have to have a special ticket.
Back row, (L-R): Tony Conway, President & CEO, Conway Entertainment Group; Michael Ray; John Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville. Front row, (L-R): Randy Travis, Mary Davis-Travis
Michael Ray was on stage at Riverfront. “The great thing about the CMA Music Festival is you never know what’s going to happen or who might show up,” he told the crowd. Michael brought out Randy Travis, and a huge ovation erupted.
Michael led the crowd in singing “Forever and Ever Amen” in honor of the Country Music Hall of Famer. Then he took the last chorus and stopped to allow Randy to sing the final, “Amen.” The place went ape. I choked back a tear.
Other Riverfront stage highlights included Kane Brown, Joe Nichols, Old Dominion, LoCash and Chris Janson.
Heading back up Lower Broadway, I spotted Trump and Hillary impersonators posing for selfies with fans. “Hillary” was wearing a prison jumpsuit. “Trump” was not.
Inside the Fan Fair hall in the MCC, Jacob Davis was delivering a jaunty set on the Radio Disney stage. Wade Hayes was booked at the opposite end of the massive hall on the Durango Stage. The Professional Bull Riders were having a panel discussion on the CMA Close-Up Stage.
But the real stars in the hall are the ones who “press the flesh” with the fans. Autographing and posing for souvenir photos were Trace Adkins, Ryan Kinder, Hunter Hayes, Matt Rogers, Cowboy Troy, The Tennessee Werewolves, The Springs, Jerrod Niemann, The Swon Brothers, Luke Powell, Tucker Beathard, Thompkins Square and Kristian Bush.
Be sure and stop by the exhibit hallway wall that says, “What Makes You Smile?” Post-It notes and pens nearby let the fans put up their answers: “The beach,” “My dog,” “My family” and, of course, “Country Music.”
I often like to include a fan-club event in my fest activities. In past years, this has ranged from Chris Young in the Opry House, Pam Tillis at The Bluebird Café, Barbara Mandrell in an Opryland Hotel ballroom and Tim McGraw or Ricky Skaggs in city parks.
Brandy Clark performs at CMA Music Festival. Photo: Brandy Clark/Instagram
This year, I ended my afternoon with Brandy Clark at the Warner Bros. Records office. This is cool, in that the fans get to go inside a label headquarters.
A tent was erected on the patio. The adjacent conference room was set up as a photo-and-autograph line with a snake of velvet ropes. Upon entering, the fan clubbers got water, soda and assorted snacks, plus fans with Brandy’s photo on one side and the slogan, “Warner Music Nashville Is a Fan of Our Fans” on the other side. Free booze was available on the opposite end of the mezzanine in Bic’s “Sip and Shave” room.
“Thank you so much for coming out to see me,” said Brandy to her fans. “I know there’s a lot of things to do, so I appreciate you coming to spend your time with me…..I can’t even say how much your support means to me, to all of us artists. You make our dreams come true.”
She performed a mini set that included “Stripes,” “Love Can Go to Hell,” “I Hope You Have a Daughter” and the sublime “Three Kids No Husband.” One song she sang, “You’re Drunk,” appears on neither of her albums. Dozens held aloft their cell phones to shoot photos and videos.
Brandy introduced lead guitarist and harmony singer Miles Aubrey (apparently already a fan favorite in that they know to bring him donuts) and newer bassist and harmony singer Vanessa McGowan, who hails from New Zealand and evidently recorded a solo CD several years ago. Aubrey, by the way, was once in the Broadway production of Jersey Boys.
For a recap of Thursday evening (June 8)’s nighttime CMA Music Festival shows at Nissan Stadium, click here.
Lady Antebellum Celebrates Album Release With CMA Music Fest Pop-Up Performance
/by Lorie HollabaughThe trio will also perform on Saturday’s show (June 10) at Nissan Stadium, before trekking to New York City where they will perform their new single “You Look Good” on Good Morning America Monday morning (June 12) at 8:30 ET on ABC. They will follow that up with a performance and Q&A live from the iHeartRadio Theater NY that evening at 8 p.m. ET. On Tuesday (June 13). The trio will perform the album’s title track on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon. Later in the week on Thursday (June 15), Lady A will sit down with “CBS This Morning” host Gayle King to chat about the making of Heart Break.
Taylor Swift Releases Full Catalog To All Streaming Services
/by Jessica NicholsonThe move celebrates Swift’s certification for moving 100 million song units, from the Recording Industry Association of America and comes on the heels of rumors about the wheels starting to spin on the release of a forthcoming sixth studio album.
“In celebration of 1989 selling over 10 Million Albums Worldwide and the RIAA’s 100 Million Song Certification announcement, Taylor wants to thank her fans by making her entire back catalog available to all streaming services tonight at midnight,” a statement said.
In 2014, Swift famously removed her music from Spotify and only released her work with Apple Music, after a 2015 tussle with the tech giant involving the payment of artist royalties during the trial period at launch.
SiriusXM Invests $480 Million In Pandora
/by Eric T. ParkerWith a loyal quarterly audience of nearly 100 million listeners in the U.S., the capital provided through the SiriusXM investment will allow Pandora to make targeted investments and capitalize on opportunities to build on its position in the streaming radio business.
Under the terms, Liberty Media—a subsidiary of SiriusXM—purchased an aggregate of $480 million in newly issued Series A convertible preferred stock of Pandora. When the transaction closes, three individuals designated by SiriusXM will be named to the Pandora Board of Directors. One of those individuals will serve as Chairman and SiriusXM designated directors will serve as select Board committee representatives. With these appointments, the Pandora Board will be expanded to consist of nine directors.
“The investment from SiriusXM infuses resources to help Pandora continue to grow and innovate,” said Pandora CEO and founder Tim Westergren. “With the strategic review behind us, and a strong balance sheet, we look forward to focusing on business execution and the optimization of our strategy.”
SiriusXM purchased $172.5 million of Series A preferred stock upon execution of the agreement and has agreed to purchase the balance of the Series A preferred stock at a second closing. The Series A preferred stock will represent a stake of 19 percent of Pandora’s currently outstanding common stock and a 16 percent stake on an as-converted basis. The Series A preferred stock is convertible into common stock at a purchase price of $10.50 per share. The conversion price of the Series A preferred stock is approximately a 14.2 percent premium to Pandora’s volume weighted average price for the 20-day period preceding June 9, 2017. The Series A preferred stock will bear a 6 percent cumulative dividend, payable in cash, accretion of the Series A preferred stock or a combination thereof.
Jim Meyer, Chief Executive Officer of SiriusXM, said, “This strategic investment in Pandora represents a unique opportunity for SiriusXM to create value for its stockholders by investing in the leader in the ad-supported digital radio business, a space where SiriusXM does not play today. Pandora’s large user base and its ability to provide listeners with a personalized music experience are tremendous assets. With its strong technology and new product offerings, we believe there are exciting opportunities for Pandora to accelerate its growth and increase value for Pandora and SiriusXM stockholders.”
“Liberty Media has long recognized the strength of the Pandora brand and the opportunities in the ad-supported digital radio market,” said Greg Maffei, Chairman of the SiriusXM Board of Directors and Chief Executive Officer of Liberty Media Corporation. “We are very supportive of SiriusXM’s strategic investment.”
“Pandora’s Board and management team are committed to driving stockholder value and have carefully evaluated alternative strategies as part of the process disclosed on May 8,” said Tim Leiweke, member of Pandora’s Board of Directors. “We are pleased that the conclusion of that process resulted in a major investment by SiriusXM. With this investment, we have the backing of one of the media industry’s most successful investors and significant capital to accelerate growth. Pandora is now poised to advance to the next stage of the company’s lifecycle. Lastly, this transaction ensures that Pandora stockholders get the benefit of additional capital from an important strategic investor who can help enhance stockholder value.”
In connection with the transaction, Pandora agreed with an affiliate of Kohlberg Kravis & Roberts to terminate their Investment Agreement announced on May 8, 2017, and pay KKR a termination fee of $22.5 million.
Pandora is required to redeem the Series A preferred stock on the fifth anniversary of the closing for an amount equal to its liquidation preference plus all accrued and unpaid dividends. Pandora can also redeem the Series A preferred stock at any time after the third anniversary of the closing if the daily volume weighted average price of Pandora’s common stock is greater than or equal to 175 percent of the then applicable conversion price for a period of at least 20 days during a 30 day trading window prior to the notice of redemption.
SiriusXM will be subject to certain standstill restrictions, including, among other things, that it will be restricted from acquiring additional securities of Pandora for 18 months. After that period and for so long as a director designated by it is serving on the Board of Directors, SiriusXM has agreed not to acquire more than 31.5 percent of Pandora’s equity securities without the approval of Pandora’s Board of Directors.
The second closing contemplated by the agreement is subject to customary closing conditions, including antitrust approval, and is expected to close by the fourth quarter. The agreement may be terminated by either party if closing has not occurred by February 1, 2018.
Additional information relating to the SiriusXM investment may be found in the Form 8-K that will be filed by Pandora with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission.
Allen & Company LLC and BofA Merrill Lynch are serving as financial advisors to SiriusXM and Jones Day and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP are serving as its legal counsel. Centerview Partners LLC and Morgan Stanley & Co. LLC are serving as financial advisors to Pandora and Sidley Austin LLP and Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz are acting as legal counsel.
LifeNotes: Songwriter/Producer Norro Wilson Passes
/by Robert K OermannNorro Wilson at the Country Music Hall of Fame’s Poets and Prophets: Salute to Legendary Country Songwriter Norro Wilson on March 5, 2011. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame.
Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame member Norro Wilson died at age 79 on Thursday, June 8.
Wilson was the producer of hit records for Charley Pride, George Jones, Kenny Chesney, Tammy Wynette, Con Hunley and Keith Whitley, among others. He was an executive at several publishing and record companies.
He was also widely loved on Music Row for his twinkling wit, clever imitations and quirky sense of humor. But his most important legacy is the stunning song catalog he leaves behind.
Norro Wilson’s co-written “The Grand Tour” has been a hit three times. George Jones introduced it in 1974. Aaron Neville revived it in 1993. It is currently a hit single and video for Tony Jackson. The song has also been recorded by Sammy Kershaw, Joe Stampley, Dwight Yoakam and Dale Watson, among others.
“A Very Special Love Song,” which was a 1974 Charlie Rich hit, won Wilson a Best Country Song Grammy Award. “A Picture of Me Without You” topped the charts for both George Jones (1972) and Lorrie Morgan (1991).
Wilson also co-wrote such classic songs as “Soul Song” (Joe Stampley 1972), ”The Most Beautiful Girl” (Charlie Rich 1973), “Another Lonely Song” (Tammy Wynette 1973) and “He Loves Me All the Way” (Tammy Wynette 1970).
Wilson was named BMI’s Country Songwriter of the Year in 1973, 1974 and 1975.
Born Norris Denton Wilson in 1938, he was a native of Scottsville, Kentucky who learned piano and sang barbershop harmonies as a youth. He began his music career as the tenor singer in the gospel act The Southlanders Quartet. He migrated to Nashville with the group in 1957.
He continued to sing with the quartet until 1960. Wilson then formed a vocal duo with fellow future Music Row song publisher Don Gant (1942-1967).
As a songwriter, Norro Wilson signed with Acuff-Rose in 1962. He joined Al Gallico Music in 1967, initially working for the company as a song plugger.
But he continued to harbor an ambition to be a recording artist. Wilson recorded for Monument, Smash (the 1969 LP Dedicated to Only You), Mercury (1970’s “Do It to Someone You Love,” his only top-20 country hit), RCA, Capitol and Warner Bros. He also worked as a session backup singer for Faron Young, Ferlin Husky and others.
Meanwhile, Gallico had him pitching its writers’ songs to country recording artists on Music Row. In the late 1960s, Wilson began collaborating with the company’s tunesmiths.
Among his early songwriting successes were “Baby Baby (I Know You’re a Lady)” (David Houston 1969), “I’ll See Him Through” (Tammy Wynette 1969), “Then He Touched Me” (Jean Shepard 1970), “My Man (Understands)” (Tammy Wynette 1972), “Bring It On Home (To Your Woman)” (Joe Stampley 1973), “I Love My Friend” (Charlie Rich 1974) and “The Door” (George Jones 1974). These are in addition to several of the classics listed above.
Warner Bros. Records hired him to work in its A&R department in 1975. He retired his recording career two years later. In 1982, he joined RCA Records, also as an A&R executive.
“Still a Woman” (Margo Smith 1979), “Never Been So Loved” (Charley Pride 1981), “Surround Me With Love” (Charly McClain 1981), “Night Games” (Charley Pride 1983) and “You’ve Got Something on Your Mind” (Mickey Gilley 1985) continued his hit songwriting streak. But Wilson always emphasized that he was merely a collaborator, rather than a songwriting star. Among his frequent songwriting partners were Glenn Sutton (1937-2007), Billy Sherrill (1936-2015), Carmol Taylor (1931-1986), and George Richey (1935-2010).
As his songwriting career waned, Norro Wilson became CEO of the Merit Music publishing company in 1987. He then started Norro Productions in 1990, signing Kershaw as one of his first clients. He and Buddy Cannon began co-producing Jones and Chesney and formed Bud Ro Productions in 1998.
Wilson continually evolved as country music modernized in the 1980s and 1990s. He became a producer for Reba McEntire, Shania Twain, John Anderson, Chely Wright, John Michael Montgomery, Craig Morgan and Sara Evans, among others.
Norro Wilson was elected into the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame in 1996. He joined the Kentucky Music Hall of Fame in 2008. He was saluted by the Country Music Hall of Fame in its “Poets & Prophets” spotlight series in 2011.
The songwriter, producer, publisher, record-label executive and performer had been in ill health for some time, although he did attend last fall’s Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony in the Music City Center.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.