Pictured (L-R): Rodney Crowell, Sonny Curtis, Frank Rogers, Rosanne Cash and Steve Wariner. Photo: Angela Talley.
Iconic singer/songwriters Rosanne Cash, Sonny Curtis, Frank Rogers and Steve Wariner took the stage at City Winery Nashville last night (March 2) to perform the very first and worst songs they have ever written as they divulged the stories and the songs that led to their biggest hits, all to benefit Music Health Alliance.
Pictured (L-R): Peter Cooper, Frank Rogers, Sonny Curtis, Rosanne Cash and Steve Wariner lend their impressive talents to “The First And The Worst” to benefit Music Health Alliance.
Photo: Angela Talley.
Hosted by music historian and musician Peter Cooper, this unique event allowed the audience to peek inside the brilliant minds of hit songwriters long before they had ever written a chart-topper or had songs recorded by superstar artists, all for a worthy cause.
Songwriter Sandy Knox (“Does He Love You?,” “Why Haven’t I Heard From You?”) was the first to take the stage, sharing the inspiration behind “The First And the Worst” before performing her not-so-memorable song “You Can’t Put Your Love In Layaway,” written at the age of 15.
Sonny Curtis. Photo: Angela Talley.
Highlights from the evening included Sonny Curtis performing “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” “I Fought The Law” and The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song, along with his never-before-heard “Clone,” which competed for the worst song of the night.
Rosanne Cash performed her breakout hit, “Seven Year Ache.” In keeping with the night’s theme, Cash shared “This Has Happened Before,” the first song she ever recorded and one she jokingly derided for its overuse of nature metaphors and minor chords. Rodney Crowell, who also serves on the Board of Directors for Music Health Alliance, surprised the audience, joining Cash onstage to sing “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” together for the very first time.
The multi-talented Steve Wariner elicited a collective gasp from the audience and fellow performers after confiding he wrote his iconic “I’m Already Taken” at the ripe old age of 17. He shared his first song, the teenage-angst filled “The Whole World Is Smiling But Me,” and later sang his CMA award-winning song, “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven.”
Pictured (L-R): 2017’s “Crappy” Award winner Frank Rogers with 2015’s recipient Wynn Varble. Photo: Angela Talley.
In a close contest, Frank Rogers, who has produced 18 Gold and Platinum albums to date, received the highly-coveted “Crappy” Award for his off-color “Playing Possum,” as voted by the audience as “The First And The Worst’s” most memorable song of the night. 2015’s “Crappy” Award recipient Wynn Varble was on hand to present the award. Rogers later went on to perform hits “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” and “Alright.”
Rodney Crowell, Sonny Curtis, Peter Cooper, Rosanne Cash, Frank Rogers and Steve Wariner join Music Health Alliance for the 3rd annual “The First And The Worst” at Nashville’s City Winery. Photo credit: Angela Talley. [Click photo to enlarge]
“The night’s memorable events allow our creative community to help heal the music and come together to support the long-term health of our own industry and its members
,” said Music Health Alliance Founder and 2016 Nashville Healthcare Hero,
Tatum Hauck Allsep. “The funds Rosanne, Sonny, Frank and Steve helped raise last night will allow Music Health Alliance to provide free support and services to help heal the music – from access to life-saving medicines, surgeries, treatments and health insurance that is not readily available to the majority of the music industry who are self-employed and part of small businesses.”
SOURCE Hall Of Fame Awards Celebrates 15-Year Anniversary
/by Lorie HollabaughThis year’s inductees will be announced in the coming weeks. Founded by Shelia Shipley Biddy, Judy Harris, and Pat Rolfe, SOURCE is the longest-running organization for females in the music industry in Nashville and is dedicated to fostering relationships and opportunities for members through education, networking, and community service initiatives.
Rosanne Cash, Sonny Curtis, Frank Rogers And Steve Wariner Headline “The First And The Worst”
/by Haley CrowPictured (L-R): Rodney Crowell, Sonny Curtis, Frank Rogers, Rosanne Cash and Steve Wariner. Photo: Angela Talley.
Iconic singer/songwriters Rosanne Cash, Sonny Curtis, Frank Rogers and Steve Wariner took the stage at City Winery Nashville last night (March 2) to perform the very first and worst songs they have ever written as they divulged the stories and the songs that led to their biggest hits, all to benefit Music Health Alliance.
Pictured (L-R): Peter Cooper, Frank Rogers, Sonny Curtis, Rosanne Cash and Steve Wariner lend their impressive talents to “The First And The Worst” to benefit Music Health Alliance.
Photo: Angela Talley.
Hosted by music historian and musician Peter Cooper, this unique event allowed the audience to peek inside the brilliant minds of hit songwriters long before they had ever written a chart-topper or had songs recorded by superstar artists, all for a worthy cause.
Songwriter Sandy Knox (“Does He Love You?,” “Why Haven’t I Heard From You?”) was the first to take the stage, sharing the inspiration behind “The First And the Worst” before performing her not-so-memorable song “You Can’t Put Your Love In Layaway,” written at the age of 15.
Sonny Curtis. Photo: Angela Talley.
Highlights from the evening included Sonny Curtis performing “I’m No Stranger To The Rain,” “I Fought The Law” and The Mary Tyler Moore Show theme song, along with his never-before-heard “Clone,” which competed for the worst song of the night.
Rosanne Cash performed her breakout hit, “Seven Year Ache.” In keeping with the night’s theme, Cash shared “This Has Happened Before,” the first song she ever recorded and one she jokingly derided for its overuse of nature metaphors and minor chords. Rodney Crowell, who also serves on the Board of Directors for Music Health Alliance, surprised the audience, joining Cash onstage to sing “I Don’t Know Why You Don’t Want Me” together for the very first time.
The multi-talented Steve Wariner elicited a collective gasp from the audience and fellow performers after confiding he wrote his iconic “I’m Already Taken” at the ripe old age of 17. He shared his first song, the teenage-angst filled “The Whole World Is Smiling But Me,” and later sang his CMA award-winning song, “Holes In The Floor Of Heaven.”
Pictured (L-R): 2017’s “Crappy” Award winner Frank Rogers with 2015’s recipient Wynn Varble. Photo: Angela Talley.
In a close contest, Frank Rogers, who has produced 18 Gold and Platinum albums to date, received the highly-coveted “Crappy” Award for his off-color “Playing Possum,” as voted by the audience as “The First And The Worst’s” most memorable song of the night. 2015’s “Crappy” Award recipient Wynn Varble was on hand to present the award. Rogers later went on to perform hits “I’m Gonna Miss Her (The Fishin’ Song)” and “Alright.”
Rodney Crowell, Sonny Curtis, Peter Cooper, Rosanne Cash, Frank Rogers and Steve Wariner join Music Health Alliance for the 3rd annual “The First And The Worst” at Nashville’s City Winery. Photo credit: Angela Talley. [Click photo to enlarge]
Luke Bryan Unveils Wax Figure During New York Tour Stop
/by Lorie HollabaughPhoto by Craig Barritt/Getty Images for Madame Tussauds Nashville). [Click photo to enlarge]
Following the unveiling Luke headed to Madison Square Garden to play a sold-out show and later performed on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Weekly Chart Report (3/3/17)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
SXSW: Garth Brooks, BMLG, Amazon’s Steve Boom
/by Jessica NicholsonSouth by Southwest (SXSW) has added a special conversation between Garth Brooks and Amazon Music VP Steve Boom for Friday, March 17. Jigsaw Director of Research and Development Yasmin Green has also been added to the Keynote lineup on Tuesday, March 14.
They join previously announced SXSW Keynotes Lee Daniels (3/12), Jennifer Doudna (3/11), Gareth Edwards (3/13), Adam Grant (3/13), Zane Lowe (3/16), Cory Richards (3/10), Nile Rodgers (3/15), Jessica Shortall (3/12), and Jill Soloway (3/11).
“This diverse, eclectic group of icons, artists, and pioneers represent the spirit of unexpected discovery SXSW has become known for,” said Hugh Forrest, SXSW Chief Programming Officer in a statement. “I’m so excited that the new badge system will empower more of our attendees to discover even more of this great content.”
Additionally, Big Machine Label Group will showcase music from A Thousand Horses, Delta Rae, and Midland on Friday, March 17 in partnership with audio network TuneIn. The show will take place at Easy Tiger Bake Shop & Beer Garden in Austin, beginning at 8:30 p.m.
TuneIn will live stream the Big Machine Label Group Showcase to its users in the U.S. via the TuneIn @ SXSW station. Leading up to the event, fans can listen to Country Roads on TuneIn, a custom curated, human hosted streaming station playing the best in country music.
SXSW runs March 10-19 in Austin, Texas.
Justin Townes Earle Signs To New West Records, Preps New Album
/by Jessica NicholsonJustin Townes Earle has signed to New West Records and is set to return with Kids In The Street on May 26.
The 12-song set was produced by Mike Mogis (Bright Eyes, First Aid Kit) at his ARC Studios, and is the first time in his career that Earle has worked with an outside producer. Kids In The Street marks a decade into Earle’s recording career and follows his albums Single Mothers (2014) and Absent Fathers (2015).
“Life has changed a lot for me in the last few years,” Earle says. “I got married and am getting ready to become a father, and this is the first record that I’ve written since I’ve been married. There’s definitely an uplifting aspect to this record in a lot of ways, because I’m feeling pretty positive.”
He continues, “When I wrote songs in the past, I was looking in on what I was feeling, but this record’s more about looking outward on what’s happening, and writing about subjects like gentrification and inner city strife. This record also has more of a soul influence to it, and it’s got a deeper connection to the blues than anything I’ve done before.”
Kids In The Street marks Earle’s first album to be recorded outside of Nashville, though the album references many of the lower-middle-class Nashville neighborhoods he grew up in, as well as the effects of gentrification on those neighborhoods.
“It’s the first time that I’ve worked outside of my usual umbrella of people to make a record,” Earle explains, adding, “In Nashville, if you have the right connections, it’ll spoil the shit out of you, because you’ve got access to the best musicians in the world and the best studios in the world. If you had told me when I started making records, that I wasn’t gonna make every record in Nashville, I would have told you you were crazy. And if you’d told me that I’d end up making a record in Omaha, I’d tell you you were out of your freaking mind.”
New West Records President John Allen said, “When I first met a young Justin Townes Earle, it was evident then he was intent on following his own artistic path. As his publisher, I saw his songwriting evolve to a literary depth and swagger that maintained that unique vision. New West is very proud to release Justin’s next album of his best work yet.”
Promotions, Hirings At Centricity Music
/by Jessica NicholsonJohn Mays has been promoted to Sr. VP, A&R.
“There would be no Centricity, as we currently know it, without John Mays,” says Centricity General Manager Steve Ford. “He has been the heart of the label since day one,” explained Ford. “He is the one who challenged me to join the Centricity team. I am so excited to recognize his contribution and the expertise he brings to Centricity Music.”
John Stokes has been named Senior Director of Sales and Marketing.
“To have a guy like John Stokes join our team is such a privilege,” Ford said. “He brings years of relationships and experience to our team. His leadership skills will be a great asset.”
Meanwhile, Kory Henkel has joined the radio department as Manager of National Promotion.
Henkel’s responsibilities as National Promotional Manager involves working with major radio stations in the Southeast. Centricity Senior Director of National Promotion, Kris Love, said the department moved up their hiring timeline to ensure Henkel could join the team.
“Kory has a gift where everyone that meets him just likes him immediately,” Love added. “Even more importantly, he has a heart to serve and love radio people in any way he can. With Kory coming on board, it only allows our partnership with Christian radio to grow deeper and wider.”
Centricity’s artist roster includes Aaron Shust, Andrew Peterson, Carrollton, Grayson|Reed, Jared Anderson, Jason Gray, JJ Weeks Band, Jonny Diaz, Jordan Feliz, Lauren Daigle and Unspoken.
Mark Your Calendar—March 2017
/by Eric T. ParkerIndustry Events
ACM third round voting closes
March 10-19
SXSW
March 28-April 1
Tin Pan South
Single Add Dates
LANco/Greatest Love Story/Arista Nashville
Sarah Dunn Band/Figure It Out/Reznam Records
Swon Brothers/Don’t Call Me/TSB Records
Big & Rich/California/New Revolution-B$R
Rick Monroe/This Side Of You/MRG
Kali Rose/Jesus On The Jukebox/Rosebud Records-Stanley Music Group
Cort Carpenter/Wrong Kind of Right/Spin Doctors Promotions
Aubrie Sellers/Liar Liar/Warner Bros-WEA
March 13
Trace Adkins/Watered Down/Wheelhouse Records
Danny Worsnop/Anyone But Me/Earache Records
Brooke Woods/God Bless The World/Brooktastic Productions-Stanley Music Group
March 20
Amy Jack/Bounce Back/Amy Jack Music
March 27
Jacob Davis/What I Wanna Be/Black River Entertainment
Coffey Anderson/Budlight Blue/Patriot Road Records
Robbie Robinson/This Is The Life/GIM Records
Album Release Dates
Moonshine Bandits/Baptized In Bourbon/Backroad Records
Seth Ennis/Mabelle [EP]/Arista
Donovan Woods/They Are Going Away [digital EP]
Kalie Shorr/Slingshot [EP]
March 10
Josh Turner/Deep South/MCA Nashville
Sunny Sweeney/Trophy/Thirty Tigers
Various/Nashville Soundtrack Season 5 – Vol. 1/Big Machine Records
Alyssa Micaela/Cowboys Like That [EP]
Marty Stuart/Way Out West/Superlatone
March 17
Michael Tyler/317/Reviver Records
Steve Moakler/Steel Town
Stephan Hogan/Dangerous Love
Camille Rae/Come Find Me
March 24
Raelynn/Wildhorse/Warner Nashville
Jessi Colter/The Psalms/Legacy Recordings
March 31
Trace Adkins/Something’s Going On/Wheelhouse Records
The Mavericks/Brand New Day/Mono Mundo Recordings-Thirty Tigers
Rodney Crowell/Close Ties/New West Records
Jaci Velasquez/Trust/Integrity Music
Reba McEntire/Sing It Now (Songs of Faith and Hope) [vinyl]/Nash Icon Records-CCM
Deana Carter/Did I Shave My Legs For This? (vinyl)/Capitol Nashville-UME
Brett Young/Brett Young (vinyl)/BMLG Records
Marty Stuart/Way Out West
New Book Explores Life And Career Of Merle Kilgore
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Hank Williams Jr., Mark Rickert and Merle Kilgore
The life and career of Merle Kilgore, who co-wrote Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire,” and managed Hank Williams Jr. for more than two decades, is explored in the new book, These Are My People (WriteLife Publishing).
The book was penned by Kilgore’s grandson, Mark Rickert, and features more than 20 black and white photos. The book is Rickert’s second, following his horror novel, The Tone Poet.
“We had a very close relationship,” Rickert recalls. “I listened to his stories for hours on end, summer after summer. He was a character and his friends were superstars. His was a story I always believed should be told.”
Kilgore died in 2005 at age 70, and his funeral service was held at the Mother Church of Country Music: The Ryman Auditorium.
These Are My People is available now at Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and local bookstores across the country.
Music Biz Entertainment and Technology Law Conference Set For May 15
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Music Business Association’s Entertainment & Technology Law Conference returns to Nashville on May 15, during the Music Biz 2017 convention at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. Event speakers will include U.S. Congressman Marsha Blackburn; industry experts from BMI, DiMA, NSAI, SESAC, and SoundExchange; and top attorneys from Fox Rothschild LLP, Leavens Strand & Glover LLC, Ritholz Levy Sanders Chidekel & Fields LLP, and Wilson Sonsini Goodrich & Rosati.
Conference subjects will tackle a variety of legal topics that have powerful ramifications for artists, songwriters, labels, publishers, and others in the entertainment and tech industries, including evaluating record deals, the impact of the DMCA on digital providers, the effect of President Trump’s policies on the music world, copyright reclamation laws, and a scrutinization of the biggest changes in copyright law over the last year.
A full agenda for the conference can be found here. Admission is included in a full Music Biz 2017 badge purchase, and those wanting to attend the CLE portion of the event only can purchase tickets for $299 at lawconference-