Hayward Bishop Jr.
Studio musician Hayward Sherman Bishop Jr., age 71, of Old Hickory, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at the Veterans Hospital in Nashville following a year-long illness.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, he graduated Norview High School in 1964, served in the United States Air Force 1965-68, and married Donna Milloway in 1969 (divorced in 1979). After his honorable discharge in 1968, he began working at American Music Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
After moving to Nashville in 1972, he spent the 1970’s and 1980’s building a studio recording resume as a drummer recording with artists including Perry Como, Carl Perkins, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Julie Andrews, Slim Pickens, Jerry Reed, Wilson Pickett, Dianne Warwick, Chet Atkins, Bobby Blue Bland, Earl Scruggs Review, Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, and Bill Medley, with songwriting legends such as Mickey Newberry and Roger Miller, and with groups such as Alabama, The Grass Roots, Nashville Brass, The Box Tops, and members of The Kingston Trio.
He also played drums for TV and movie soundtracks, and commercials. He earned a Grammy in 1983 for the best instrumentation on a record for Alabama’s The Closer You Get album. In the years following, he continued his passion for music by digitally restoring and remastering sound recordings in his studio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hayward Sherman Bishop Sr. and Evelyn Watson Bishop of Norfolk, Virginia. Hayward leaves his daughter, Amy Bishop Kyker; two grandchildren, Julia Kyker and Lauren Kyker; and sister, Arden Gentle.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 at Tulip Grove Baptist Church, located at 563 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, Tennessee, with Pastor Gerald Bontrager officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church.
Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum To Honor Traci Thomas
/by Jessica NicholsonTraci Thomas
The 10th annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum will honor manager and Americana Music Association co-founder Traci Thomas.
As part of Thirty Tigers, Thomas aided Jason Isbell’s career ascent to becoming a recent Grammy winner, earning two trophies in 2015 for Best American Roots Song and Best Americana Album. Thomas also oversaw the rise of soul band St. Paul and the Broken Bones. Her current clients include duo Allison Moorer & Shelby Lynne, as well as John Moreland.
Made possible by the Gibson Foundation, the forum is presented annually to honor a music industry leader who continues the legacy of pioneer Louise Scruggs.
The forum is set for Feb. 15, 2017, beginning at 6:30 p.m. at the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum in Nashville.
The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by emailing rsvp@countrymusichalloffame.org.
Industry Ink: The Country Network, IBMA, Silverado Records
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Network’s Nashville Team Adds Program Director
Kent Bailey
Kent Bailey has joined The Country Network’s Nashville team as Program Director. Bailey’s experience in radio and TV spans over three decades, including stints at CMT International, as well as alongside former associate Cary Rolfe, VP of Programming and Artist Relations for The Country Network.
Bailey assisted Rolfe in programming The Country Network during its original launch in 2012 (and subsequently ZUUS Country, until its sale in late 2015). Bailey reunited with Rolfe and has been working with The Country Network in Nashville as a programming consultant since June, contributing greatly to its initial success. Bailey can be reached at kent@tcncountry.com.
IBMI Adds Member Services Director, Opens Showcase Applications
Amy Beth Hale
Amy Beth Hale has joined the staff of the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) as Member Services Director. Hale was most recently Director of Writer/Publisher Relations at SESAC Nashville, working closely with songwriters and publishers as well as maintaining SESAC’s audio library and overseeing the maintenance of their database. Hale is a member of the Leadership Bluegrass class of 2011. She can be reached at amybeth@ibma.org or 615-256-3222.
Additionally, the IBMA has opened its showcase applications for the 2017 Bluegrass Ramble, which will take place during IBMA’s World of Bluegrass. All emerging bands plus established bands with new music or new personnel are encouraged to apply. The application process runs through Feb. 28. Bands can apply at ibma.org.
Exegan Music Group Promotes Silverado’s Chesling To VP Role
Aaron Chesling
Aaron Chesling has been promoted to VP, A&R at Silverado Records’ parent company, Exegan Music Group. Chesling will continue to oversee A&R at Silverado Records as well as the company’s other properties. Chesling formerly served as Logistics Coordinator for Big Machine Records.
“We have an exciting year planned and are very excited to have Aaron helming a key element of our strategy,” said Exegan Music Group CEO Scott Thomas.
“This past year building up Silverado Records here in Nashville, and working with Scott on some new projects going forward have been an awesome experience. I’m really looking forward to this next chapter,” Chesling said.
Silverado, which launched in 2016, boasts an artist roster that includes Joe Diffie, HISH, Zack Dyer, Ali Morgan and Melissa Mickelson.
Exegan Music Group was formed in 2010 by Scott Thomas and a group of investors. The company owns and manages more than a dozen small record labels and catalogs, including Gateway Records, Poison Tree Records and more.
GhostTunes Prompts Users To Transfer Music By March 3
/by Eric T. ParkerA little over two years since the launch of Garth Brooks‘ GhostTunes, the download store is notifying users to transfer music off the website by March 3, 2017.
In an email to users, GhostTunes is prompting the transfer all purchased music from music libraries to an Amazon Music account, for free. However, the transfer does not include Amazon Music Unlimited, the service Brooks announced an exclusive partnership with in October 2016.
GhostTunes was the first to offer Brooks’ music in digital format for purchase, as well as millions of major label songs from various artists across multiple genres. Randy Bernard led GhostTunes, joining the company with experience at Rural Media Group, Professional Bull Riders Association and INDYCAR.
Amazon Music Unlimited is an on-demand, ad-free music streaming service, including a catalog of tens of millions of songs—including every Brooks album. As fate would have it, the sweet partnership extended to wife, Trisha Yearwood, for an exclusive store for her music and home goods.
Aaron Watson Sets Supporting Tour Dates For Upcoming Album, ‘Vaquero’
/by Jessica NicholsonThe project, out via BIG label Records, features the lead single “Outta Style.” Watson’s previous album, The Underdog, made history by topping the Billboard Top Country albums chart, making Watson the first independent solo make country artist to debut in the top spot.
Watson’s 2017 tour will include a stop at Nashville’s Grand Ole Opry on Feb. 10, as well as appearances at Billy Bob’s, the San Antonio Stock Show and Rodeo, and the Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo. The tour will launch Jan. 20 in Terrell, Texas, before heading abroad for four stops in the United Kingdom and Ireland.
AARON WATSON 2017 TOUR DATES
Jan. 20: Terrell, TX – Silver Saloon
Jan. 25: Glasgow, UK – Oran Mor
Jan. 26: Manchester, UK – Night & Day
Jan. 27: London, UK – The Garage
Jan. 28: Dublin, IR – Whelan’s
Feb. 3: Wichita Falls, TX – Denim & Diamonds
Feb. 4: Stillwater, OK – Tumbleweed Dancehall
Feb. 10: Nashville, TN – Grand Ole Opry
Feb. 17: Salt Lake City, UT – Western Hunting and Conservation Expo
Feb. 18: Waco, TX – Extraco Event Center
Feb. 25: San Antonio, TX – San Antonio Stock Show & Rodeo
March 4: Sonora, TX – JL Bar Ranch & Resort
March 7: Houston, TX – Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo
March 9: New York, NY – Marlin Room at Webster Hall
March 18: Grant, OK – Choctaw Event Center
March 23: Little Rock, AR – Revolution Music Room
March 24: Bossier City, LA – The Stage at Silver Star Smokehouse
March 25: Fort Worth, TX – Billy Bob’s Texas
March 30: Bakersfield, CA – Buck Owens’ Crystal Palace
March 31: San Bernardino, CA – The Brandin’ Iron
April 5: West Hollywood, CA – The Troubadour
April 6: San Diego, CA – Moonshine Flats
April 7: Florence, AZ – Country Thunder
April 13: St Louis, MO – Delmar Hall
April 14: Springfield, MO – Shrine Mosque
April 15: Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom
April 27: Baton Rouge, LA – Varsity Theatre
April 28: Corpus Christi, TX – American Bank Center
May 12: Tampa, FL – Dallas Bull
June 24: Manhattan, KS – Country Stampede
Aug. 3: Prairie du Chien, WI – Country On The River
George Strait, Brad Paisley to Perform at T.J. Martell Nashville Honors Gala
/by Lorie HollabaughGeorge Strait and Brad Paisley will both perform at the T.J. Martell Foundation’s 9th Annual Nashville Honors Gala at the Omni Hotel on Monday, Feb. 27.
The awards pay tribute to outstanding community leaders, and each honoree is celebrated with a musical performance and presentation. 2017 Gala honorees include Janet Miller (Spirit of Nashville Award), Dr. Joseph Smith (Medical Research Advancement Award), Scott Hamilton (Humanitarian Award), Rod Essig (Frances Preston Outstanding Music Industry Achievement Award), and Louis Messina -(Tony Martell Lifetime Entertainment Achievement Award).
The event has raised more than $4 million for leukemia, cancer and AIDS research since its inception in 2009.
LifeNotes: Songwriter Greg Trooper Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonGreg Trooper
Songwriter Greg Trooper died Jan. 15, 2017, two days after his 61st birthday.
Trooper, a New Jersey native, has had songs recorded by artists including Vince Gill, Steve Earle, Billy Bragg, Robert Earl Keen, Maura O’Connell, Lucy Kaplansky, Tom Russell and Walt and Tina Wilkins. On previous albums he has had harmony vocals provided by Emmylou Harris and Rosanne Cash.
The songwriter first garnered the attention of Steve Earle, who recorded Trooper’s “Little Sister” and later Gill, who recorded “We Won’t Dance” on his 1989 debut project for MCA Nashville When I Call Your Name.
Trooper recently released his 13th album, Live At The Rock Room, a recording of a live performance from January 2015 in Austin, Texas. It features Texas musicians Jack Saunders on upright bass and Chip Dolan on keyboards and accordion.
Academy Of Country Music Awards Set For April 2, 2017
/by Sherod RobertsonThis will mark the first time the show will broadcast from T-Mobile Arena. Details about the awards show, The Week Vegas Goes Country®, including information on the ACM Party for a Cause® events, activities, and official ACM after parties, is forthcoming. For event updates, ticket on-sale dates and hotel information, visit www.acmcountry.com.
Professional members of the ACM can purchase tickets beginning at 10 a.m. PT Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 by visiting acmcountry.com.
ACM A-List members can purchase tickets in a special pre-sale beginning at 10 a.m. PT Tuesday, Jan. 24, 2017 by visiting axs.com. The pre-sale code will be emailed to all A-List members prior to the on-sale date.
Tickets will go on-sale to the general public at 10 a.m. PT Thursday, Jan. 26, 2017 at axs.com.
The Academy also announced earlier this month that Pete Fisher was selected as the Academy of Country Music’s new Chief Executive Officer, effective Monday, January 30, 2017. Fisher most recently served as the Vice President and General Manager of the Grand Ole Opry® in Nashville, TN, and also served the ACM as an active and engaged Board member for 14 years.
Media credential applications to cover the Awards in Las Vegas will become available in early February.
Weekly Register: Keith Urban, Chris Stapleton Top Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured: Keith Urban with songwriter Steven Lee Olsen, mix engineer Chris Lord Alge, and producing partner Dann Huff. Photo: Keith Urban/Twitter, Jan. 13, 2017.
Keith Urban tops the country digital tracks chart this week, with “Blue Ain’t Your Color” selling 27K units (719K total to date). On Spotify, the track has notched 25 million streams. Urban also takes the No. 2 spot on the country albums chart this week, with Ripcord.
Elsewhere on the country tracks chart, Chris Stapleton‘s “Tennessee Whiskey” lands at No. 2, notching 26K this week, for 1.010 million sold to date. Sam Hunt‘s “Drinkin’ Too Much,” which the singer-songwriter premiered on New Year’s Eve, debuts in the No. 3 spot with 26K (and 2 million Spotify streams). Little Big Town‘s “Better Man” comes in at No. 4 with 25K, followed by Jon Pardi‘s “Dirt On My Boots” at No. 5 (19K). The top 5 sales tracks this week are all Universal Music Group Nashville artists.
Rascal Flatts‘ “Yours If You Want It” debuts at No. 8 this week with 12K and 1 million Spotify streams.
On the overall digital tracks chart, Ed Sheeran has the No. 1 and No. 2 spots, with two new songs. “Shape of You” is at No. 1 with 231K, while “Castle on the Hill” lands at No. 2, with 165K.
Overall, digital track sales have decreased 25.7 percent year to date, while country digital track sales have declined 24.5 percent.
Chris Stapleton
On the country albums chart, Urban and Stapleton switch spots, with Stapleton’s Traveller taking No. 1 this week, with 12K. That puts the project at 1.792 million in sales to date.
Urban’s Ripcord follows at No. 2 with 6.2K. Miranda Lambert‘s The Weight of These Wings is at No. 3 with 5.3K, followed by Kane Brown‘s self-titled project at No. 4 (3.8K). Jason Aldean‘s They Don’t Know rounds out the Top 5 with 3.6K.
On the overall album sales chart, The Weeknd lands at No. 1 with 63K (14K album only). The soundtrack for La La Land makes a splash on the chart following the Golden Globes ceremony on Jan. 8. The album is at No. 2 with 42K (30K album only).
Overall album sales have declined 19.8 percent YTD, while overall digital album sales have declined 21.9 percent. Country album sales have declined 5.6 percent YTD, while country digital album sales have declined 16.4 percent YTD.
Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.
Thomas Rhett Extends Headlining Tour to Include Canada, Europe
/by Lorie HollabaughThomas Rhett has already extended dates on his upcoming Home Team Tour before it even launches due to high ticket demand, adding 15 markets to the new headlining tour along with a first-time run through Canada and a European leg as well. The inaugural leg of the tour kicks off Feb. 23 in Saginaw, Michigan, and includes two dates at Nashville’s Ascend Amphitheater in April. Select dates will become available as part of Live Nation’s Country Megaticket going on sale Jan. 27 at MegaTicket.com. Kelsea Ballerini, Ryan Hurd, and Russell Dickerson will join Rhett on the new tour.
“It’s unreal that we’re adding dates before we’ve even had a chance to get started,” said Thomas Rhett. “It’d be impossible to pick which part of the tour I’m most excited about, but I can’t wait to get back out there. We’re going to make sure every last person at the show has a good time.”
Additional 2017 HOME TEAM TOUR Cities:
London, UK
Birmingham, UK
Manchester, UK
Glasgow, UK
Belfast, UK
Abbotsford, BC
Dawson Creek, BC
Edmonton, AB
Lethbridge, AB
Regina, SK
Los Angeles, CA
San Diego, CA
Evansville, IN
Louisville, KY
Alpharetta, GA
Washington, DC
Columbia, SC
Pensacola, FL
Biloxi, MS
Columbia, MO
Kansas City, MO
Springfield, MO
Bismarck, ND
St Paul, MN
Omaha, NE
LifeNotes: Studio Musician Hayward Bishop Jr. Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonHayward Bishop Jr.
Studio musician Hayward Sherman Bishop Jr., age 71, of Old Hickory, Tennessee, passed away Wednesday, Jan. 4, 2017 at the Veterans Hospital in Nashville following a year-long illness.
Born and raised in Norfolk, Virginia, he graduated Norview High School in 1964, served in the United States Air Force 1965-68, and married Donna Milloway in 1969 (divorced in 1979). After his honorable discharge in 1968, he began working at American Music Studio in Memphis, Tennessee.
After moving to Nashville in 1972, he spent the 1970’s and 1980’s building a studio recording resume as a drummer recording with artists including Perry Como, Carl Perkins, Brenda Lee, Johnny Cash, Marty Robbins, Julie Andrews, Slim Pickens, Jerry Reed, Wilson Pickett, Dianne Warwick, Chet Atkins, Bobby Blue Bland, Earl Scruggs Review, Ronnie Milsap, Charley Pride, and Bill Medley, with songwriting legends such as Mickey Newberry and Roger Miller, and with groups such as Alabama, The Grass Roots, Nashville Brass, The Box Tops, and members of The Kingston Trio.
He also played drums for TV and movie soundtracks, and commercials. He earned a Grammy in 1983 for the best instrumentation on a record for Alabama’s The Closer You Get album. In the years following, he continued his passion for music by digitally restoring and remastering sound recordings in his studio.
He was preceded in death by his parents, Hayward Sherman Bishop Sr. and Evelyn Watson Bishop of Norfolk, Virginia. Hayward leaves his daughter, Amy Bishop Kyker; two grandchildren, Julia Kyker and Lauren Kyker; and sister, Arden Gentle.
A memorial service will be held at 6:30 p.m., Thursday, Jan. 19, 2017 at Tulip Grove Baptist Church, located at 563 Shute Lane, Old Hickory, Tennessee, with Pastor Gerald Bontrager officiating. The family will receive friends from 5:30 p.m. until the time of service at the church.