Tommy Allsup
Famed guitarist, record producer and former Nashville session musician Tommy Allsup has died at age 85.
Allsup is known for his work with such artists as Buddy Holly, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Moon Mullican and Asleep at the Wheel. He was also a recording artist.
He first achieved prominence as a 1952 member of the western-swing band led by Johnnie Lee Wills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The bandleader was Bob’s brother and had a big hit in 1950 with “Rag Mop.”
Allsup was playing in a group called The Southernaires based in Lawton, Oklahoma when he was summoned to Clovis, New Mexico to play on some recording sessions in 1958. Among the tunes Allsup played on were “It’s So Easy,” “Love’s Made a Fool of You” and “Heartbeat” by Buddy Holly.
Allsup relocated to Odessa, Texas to open a dancehall called The Silver Saddle. His band there was headed by Moon Mullican, the hillbilly-boogie piano stylist famed for such hits as “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone,” “Sweeter Than the Flowers,” “Cherokee Boogie” and “New Jole Blon.”
Holly came to hear the band on New Year’s Eve. He asked Allsup to accompany him on an upcoming 1959 tour called The Winter Dance Party. Holly had already hired Waylon Jennings to play bass. Allsup recruited drummer Carl Bunch.
At a tour stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Jennings gave his seat on Holly’s chartered plane to The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), who was ill. Allsup lost a coin toss to Ritchie Valens for the last seat on the aircraft. On Feb. 3, 1959, the plane crashed, killing all aboard. This event became known as “The Day the Music Died.”
Later in 1959, Tommy Allsup relocated to Los Angeles. He became a session musician and a record producer. Among the hits he played on was 1965’s “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, as well as several instrumentals by The Ventures.
Allsup became the A&R director for country music at Liberty Records. In this role, he became the producer for the label’s Tex Williams, Willie Nelson, Warren Smith, Billy Mize and Bob Wills.
He produced the 1963 Willie Nelson LP Here’s Willie Nelson. Among the Wills albums he produced was 1960’s Together Again, which reunited the western-swing legend with his Texas Playboys vocalist Tommy Duncan.
Returning to Odessa, Allsup opened his own recording studio. Among the hits recorded there was 1969’s “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans.
Allsup next relocated to Nashville. In the 1970s, he played on records by George Jones, Marty Robbins, Reba McEntire, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young, Wanda Jackson, Lynn Anderson, Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers and other country stars. He produced five albums for Asleep at the Wheel and was the head of the Metromedia Records label.
In 1973, Allsup played bass and produced the final album by Bob Wills, For the Last Time. Following the death of Wills, Allsup and vocalist Leon Rausch fronted The Original Texas Playboys. They kept the Wills western-swing legacy alive for several decades.
Tommy Allsup was also a recording artist. In Music City, he led the recording bands The Nashville Surveys and The Tennessee Saxes. His albums included Twistin’ the Country Classics (1962), Tommy Allsup Plays the Buddy Holly Songbook (1965), The Hits of Charley Pride (1969), Tommy Allsup & The Tennessee Saxes Play the Hits of Tammy Wynette (1971), Country Guitars (1994), Tommy Allsup’s Gospel Guitar (2000), True Love Ways (2001) and Precious Guitar (with Billy Grammer, 2010).
Allsup is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. His son, Austin Allsup, competed on the 2016 edition of the hit TV program The Voice.
Tommy Allsup passed away in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Jessi Colter Preps New Album, ‘The Psalms,’ For March Release
/by Jessica NicholsonColter, who offered piano and vocals for the album, collaborated with Lenny Kaye on electric and acoustic guitar. Kaye also co-authored Waylon: An Autobiography, which was published in 2012. The book chronicled the life of Colter’s late husband and creative partner, Waylon Jennings.
The core tracks for The Psalms were recorded nearly a decade ago during two separate two-day sessions in 2007 and 2008, at Dubway studios in Manhattan.
“One morning in 1995, while working with Waylon Jennings on his autobiography in Nashville, I came into the living room to find Jessi Colter at the piano, singing the Psalms,” Kaye recalls in the liner notes for the project. “She would place her fingers on the keys, forming simple chords and expressing melodies as they came to her. There was no forethought, no conception of composition; only the intuitive expression of the spirituality behind these most ancient of sacred poems, the divinity they wellspring within each of us. I listened transfixed while she paged through the Old Testament, choosing each Psalm, finding within them the emotive voice of the Shepherd Boy, the Warrior, ultimately the King that is David. It was one of the most beautiful expressions of belief I had ever witnessed.
“In the early months of 2007 I secured a studio with a good piano. There was no rehearsal. We would select a Psalm. She sat behind the keyboard, gathered herself, and then began to sing. There were one, perhaps two takes of each. Sometimes I accompanied her on guitar. Over the years I decorated them with chosen musicians, careful not to disturb their intimacy or their moment of improvised creation and inspiration.”
“I am thrilled to work with Lenny Kaye and sing King David’s Psalms, the most creative music I’ve ever done,” says Colter, “…and the greatest challenge!!”
Colter is best-known for her collaborations with late husband Jennings, for her 1975 country-pop crossover hit “I’m Not Lisa,” and for her contributions to the platinum-selling Wanted: The Outlaws. A singer and songwriter, Colter has written songs for Dottie West, Nancy Sinatra, Hank Locklin and others, and has released 15 major label albums.
The Psalms will release March 24, 2017 via Legacy Recordings. Colter will also release her autobiography, An Outlaw and a Lady: A Memoir of Music, Life with Waylon, and the Faith That Brought Me Home, April 11.
The Psalms Track Listing:
Black River Christian Adds Two to Executive Team
/by Lorie HollabaughPictured (L-R): Brian Thiele, Jill Tomalty
Black River Christian has appointed two new members to its executive team. Brian Thiele will serve as Vice President, Radio Promotion for the label, while Jill Tomalty joins as Senior Director, Artist Management and Development for Black River Christian’s in-house management company, Thrive Management.
Thiele received his BA degree from James Madison University before moving to Nashville, and previously worked in promotion at MCA Records, Lost Highway Records, Vivaton Records and EMI CMG before rising to Senior Director, National Promotion at Word Entertainment.
“Brian impressed me with his knowledge of Christian music, passion for making a difference, and his desire to lead Black River Christian’s radio promotion into the future,” said Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr. “I can’t wait to see his impact on our company and our roster!”
Tomalty received her BA degree from Western Michigan University and her Master’s from Oakland University. She began her career at RCA Label Group before becoming an independent consultant through her own company, Noteworthy Nashville. She also served as Director/Marketing & Brand Management at both Word Entertainment and Provident Label Group, Director/National Promotion at Flying Island Entertainment, and most recently as VP/Media & Marketing at Grassroots Promotion.
“In life and business, you meet people that you know are meant to play an important role along the journey,” said Kerr. “Jill Tomalty is one of those incredible people. Her wisdom, knowledge of the genre and genuine love for people and music make her the natural fit for Thrive Management. Those who know Jill, have the opportunity to see life lived out to the fullest! Her quality leadership has already had an impact on our company.”
Thiele may be reached at bthiele@blackriverent.com and Tomalty atjtomalty@blackriverent.com. Both can also be reached at 615-780-3070.
Jason Aldean Launches 33-City ‘They Don’t Know’ Tour in April
/by Lorie HollabaughJason Aldean is hitting the road on his They Don’t Know Tour beginning Apr. 27 in Toledo, Ohio, with special guests Chris Young, Kane Brown and Dee Jay Silver. The new tour hits 33 cities including Chicago, Washington D.C., Denver, Philadelphia, and Toronto, and tickets for the first dates will be available beginning Jan. 20 at JasonAldean.com and LiveNation.com. Select markets are also part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket which go on sale Jan. 27 at www.megaticket.com. Live Nation is the official promoter of the tour.
“It only takes a couple weeks off the road before I get that itch, and I’m already feeling it,” said Aldean. “We’re going to spend some time switching the production up to be bigger and louder than anything we’ve ever done. It’ll be cool to have Chris back out with us and Kane is the right guy to get the fans riled up.”
The new tour coincides with the opening of a special exhibit highlighting Aldean’s life and career at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum that will open its doors on May 27.
Weekly Chart Report (1/13/17)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
LifeNotes: Guitarist/Producer Tommy Allsup Passes
/by Robert K OermannTommy Allsup
Famed guitarist, record producer and former Nashville session musician Tommy Allsup has died at age 85.
Allsup is known for his work with such artists as Buddy Holly, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson, Moon Mullican and Asleep at the Wheel. He was also a recording artist.
He first achieved prominence as a 1952 member of the western-swing band led by Johnnie Lee Wills in Tulsa, Oklahoma. The bandleader was Bob’s brother and had a big hit in 1950 with “Rag Mop.”
Allsup was playing in a group called The Southernaires based in Lawton, Oklahoma when he was summoned to Clovis, New Mexico to play on some recording sessions in 1958. Among the tunes Allsup played on were “It’s So Easy,” “Love’s Made a Fool of You” and “Heartbeat” by Buddy Holly.
Allsup relocated to Odessa, Texas to open a dancehall called The Silver Saddle. His band there was headed by Moon Mullican, the hillbilly-boogie piano stylist famed for such hits as “I’ll Sail My Ship Alone,” “Sweeter Than the Flowers,” “Cherokee Boogie” and “New Jole Blon.”
Holly came to hear the band on New Year’s Eve. He asked Allsup to accompany him on an upcoming 1959 tour called The Winter Dance Party. Holly had already hired Waylon Jennings to play bass. Allsup recruited drummer Carl Bunch.
At a tour stop in Clear Lake, Iowa, Jennings gave his seat on Holly’s chartered plane to The Big Bopper (J.P. Richardson), who was ill. Allsup lost a coin toss to Ritchie Valens for the last seat on the aircraft. On Feb. 3, 1959, the plane crashed, killing all aboard. This event became known as “The Day the Music Died.”
Later in 1959, Tommy Allsup relocated to Los Angeles. He became a session musician and a record producer. Among the hits he played on was 1965’s “This Diamond Ring” by Gary Lewis & The Playboys, as well as several instrumentals by The Ventures.
Allsup became the A&R director for country music at Liberty Records. In this role, he became the producer for the label’s Tex Williams, Willie Nelson, Warren Smith, Billy Mize and Bob Wills.
He produced the 1963 Willie Nelson LP Here’s Willie Nelson. Among the Wills albums he produced was 1960’s Together Again, which reunited the western-swing legend with his Texas Playboys vocalist Tommy Duncan.
Returning to Odessa, Allsup opened his own recording studio. Among the hits recorded there was 1969’s “In the Year 2525” by Zager & Evans.
Allsup next relocated to Nashville. In the 1970s, he played on records by George Jones, Marty Robbins, Reba McEntire, Ferlin Husky, Faron Young, Wanda Jackson, Lynn Anderson, Charlie Rich, Kenny Rogers and other country stars. He produced five albums for Asleep at the Wheel and was the head of the Metromedia Records label.
In 1973, Allsup played bass and produced the final album by Bob Wills, For the Last Time. Following the death of Wills, Allsup and vocalist Leon Rausch fronted The Original Texas Playboys. They kept the Wills western-swing legacy alive for several decades.
Tommy Allsup was also a recording artist. In Music City, he led the recording bands The Nashville Surveys and The Tennessee Saxes. His albums included Twistin’ the Country Classics (1962), Tommy Allsup Plays the Buddy Holly Songbook (1965), The Hits of Charley Pride (1969), Tommy Allsup & The Tennessee Saxes Play the Hits of Tammy Wynette (1971), Country Guitars (1994), Tommy Allsup’s Gospel Guitar (2000), True Love Ways (2001) and Precious Guitar (with Billy Grammer, 2010).
Allsup is a member of the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame. His son, Austin Allsup, competed on the 2016 edition of the hit TV program The Voice.
Tommy Allsup passed away in Lubbock, Texas on Wednesday, Jan. 11. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Tim McGraw, Faith Hill To Get CMHoF Exhibit
/by Jessica NicholsonFaith Hill and Tim McGraw
Tim McGraw and Faith Hill will soon be the subjects of an exhibit at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. The exhibit will begin Nov. 17, 2017 and will run through May 13, 2018.
In promotion for the announcement, Hill tweeted an old publicity photo from the couple’s 1996 Spontaneous Combustion Tour. The couple married in October that same year.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is revealing plans for a new artist exhibit each day this week. Earlier exhibit announcements included Jason Aldean, Loretta Lynn, and Shania Twain.
Hill and McGraw are set to launch the Soul 2 Soul Tour 2017 tour on April 7 at Smoothie King Arena in New Orleans. The tour currently runs through October.
Cadillac Three, Jennifer Nettles Are ‘Front And Center’
/by Lorie HollabaughJennifer Nettles, The Cadillac Three
Public television’s Front And Center live music series returns for an all-new season this month with nine new episodes. Rob Thomas, Shawn Mendes, Cheap Trick, Southside Johnny, Steve Vai, Kaleo, Dawes, The Cadillac Three and Jennifer Nettles are all slated to take the stage on the acclaimed show, which is in its seventh season on the network.
The Cadillac Three and Jennifer Nettles appear on the series as part of Front and Center’s ongoing partnership with the Country Music Association and the CMA Songwriter Series. Nettles teams up with Brandy Clark during her performance to sing “Love Can Go to Hell” and is backed by Amos Lee on guitar.
“It feels incredible to bring Front and Center back for a seventh season,” says Executive Producer Don Maggi. “We had the privilege of working with a dynamic group of artists to give fans new insight on the creative process of some of their favorite musicians.”
To get a glimpse of the upcoming season check out the trailer below:
Alison Krauss, Phil Vassar, Wynonna Join Randy Travis Tribute
/by Lorie HollabaughThe all-star tribute to Randy Travis, “1 Night. 1 Place. 1 Time: A Heroes and Friends Tribute to Randy Travis,” keeps adding star power with the addition of six more names to the lineup. Joining the bill for the Feb. 8th concert are Wynonna, Jeff Foxworthy, Alison Krauss, Ben Haggard, Neal McCoy and Phil Vassar. More artists are set to be announced in the coming weeks as well.
Already signed on to pay tribute to Travis’ legacy during the evening are Alabama, Rodney Atkins, Kane Brown, James Dupre, Montgomery Gentry, Chris Janson, Jamey Johnson, Scotty McCreery, Joe Nichols, Michael Ray, Collin Raye, Ricky Skaggs, Kenny Rogers, Michael W. Smith, The Bellamy Brothers, The Randy Travis Band, Ricky Traywick, Travis Tritt, Tanya Tucker, and Josh Turner.
Tickets for the event are on sale now at all Ticketmaster locations and the Bridgestone Arena box office. A portion of the proceeds will go to the Randy Travis Foundation, a non-profit that raises money for stroke research and rehabilitation.
CRS 2017 Adds Director Of Amazon Music As Featured Speaker
/by Jessica NicholsonRyan Redington
Country Radio Seminar 2017 will welcome Director of Amazon Music, Ryan Redington, as a featured speaker. Redington will speak on Friday, Feb. 24, 2017 at 9 a.m. and will discuss the approach Amazon uses through their services and consumer relations.
Throughout his time at Amazon, Redington has overseen the launch of two Amazon Music streaming services—Amazon Music Unlimited in October 2016 and Prime Music in June 2014. Redington also spearheaded Amazon’s exclusive deal with Garth Brooks, to bring the country superstar’s music catalog to streaming for the first time. Redington began his Amazon career working on the video team, before joining music where he worked as a category leader in physical before digital and streaming.
“Ryan will be providing us a very candid, unique look inside the intellectual perspective of one of the country’s most innovative retailers, products, and consumer services,” said Bill Mayne, Executive Director of CRS. “This is an hour at CRS not to miss!”
Registration for Country Radio Seminar 2017 increases to $699 this Friday, Jan. 13. Individuals who have not registered, but are planning to attend, are encouraged to register today at the $599 rate, which is a $100 savings, at countryradioseminar.com.
SOURCE Nashville Names 2017 Board of Directors
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Front row, L-R): Mandy Gallagher (City National Bank), Christy Walker-Watkins (AristoPR/TheAristoMedia Group), Alicia Lanier Jones (Dennis Entertainment); Back row (L-R): Camilla Kleindienst (Banner Music), Susan Woelkers (GW Entertainment), Shelia Shipley Biddy (Music Health Alliance), Gail Childress (Sussman & Associates). Not pictured: Board member Melinda Drennan.
Nashville-based music industry organization SOURCE Nashville recently completed elections for its 2017 Board of Directors.
This year’s Board Officers are Christy Walker-Watkins (AristoPR/The AristoMedia Group), President; Mandy Gallagher (City National Bank), Vice President; Melinda Drennan (Drennan & Associates), Treasurer and Susan Woelkers (GW Entertainment), Secretary.
Additional Board representatives are 2016 SOURCE Board President, Shelia Shipley Biddy (Music Health Alliance), Katherine Spransy Beakes (Universal Music Group), Gail Childress (Sussman & Associates), Camilla Kleindienst (Banner Music), and Alicia Lanier Jones (Dennis Entertainment).
Lainie Allbee (Martin, Allbee & Associates, LLC.), Laurie Hughes (Hughes Kessler), and Lyndie Wenner (MSO PR) continue as long-term directors for the organization. Wendi York (Major Bob Music, Inc.) will serve as an auxiliary Board member.