UMPG songwriter Andrew Dorff has died, MusicRow has learned. Dorff turned 40 on Dec. 16.
The son of songwriter Stephen “Steve” Dorff, Sr. and brother of actor Stephen Dorff, the Los Angeles native made his way to Nashville in 2003 to pursue songwriting. He went on to sign with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville.
In 2008, he earned a Top 10 hit with Martina McBride’s “Ride.” Since then he went on to deliver more hits, including “Somebody’s Heartbreak” (Hunter Hayes), “Bleed Red” (Ronnie Dunn), and “Missing” (William Michael Morgan).
In July, BMI celebrated Dorff’s hit for Kenny Chesney, “Save It For A Rainy Day,” and honored him with four Million-Air Awards, for one million radio spins each of “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” “Neon Light,” “My Eyes,” and “Save It For A Rainy Day.”
Dorff’s life and career was recently profiled in MusicRow‘s 2016 Publisher Issue.
“I’ve been fortunate the artists that have cut my songs are some of the great artists,” he told MusicRow at the time. “So those songs are going to live on.”
As will his kind spirit and impact on Nashville’s music community.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Several community members expressed their sympathies.
Dorff’s father, Steve Dorff, said via Facebook: “Thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayer. 
❤ There simply are no words for the unbearable heartbreaking loss my family and I are feeling today. May God bless my Son Andrew, the best friend any Father could have. Your light will forever shine in my heart, and in all those who were lucky enough to know you.”
“It is with immeasurable grief that we learn of the passing of our friend Andrew Dorff,” NSAI president Lee Thomas Miller said. “Our songwriting community is small and close and this loss will hurt us all deeply. Andrew was a good man and a good friend. He was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career. Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. May we all hug each other a little tighter this week and remember that life is fragile. Rest in peace Andrew.”
LifeNotes: Songwriter Andrew Dorff Passes
/by Jessica NicholsonThe son of songwriter Stephen “Steve” Dorff, Sr. and brother of actor Stephen Dorff, the Los Angeles native made his way to Nashville in 2003 to pursue songwriting. He went on to sign with Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville.
In 2008, he earned a Top 10 hit with Martina McBride’s “Ride.” Since then he went on to deliver more hits, including “Somebody’s Heartbreak” (Hunter Hayes), “Bleed Red” (Ronnie Dunn), and “Missing” (William Michael Morgan).
In July, BMI celebrated Dorff’s hit for Kenny Chesney, “Save It For A Rainy Day,” and honored him with four Million-Air Awards, for one million radio spins each of “Somebody’s Heartbreak,” “Neon Light,” “My Eyes,” and “Save It For A Rainy Day.”
Dorff’s life and career was recently profiled in MusicRow‘s 2016 Publisher Issue.
“I’ve been fortunate the artists that have cut my songs are some of the great artists,” he told MusicRow at the time. “So those songs are going to live on.”
As will his kind spirit and impact on Nashville’s music community.
Funeral arrangements are pending.
Several community members expressed their sympathies.
Dorff’s father, Steve Dorff, said via Facebook: “Thank you all for the outpouring of love and prayer.
❤ There simply are no words for the unbearable heartbreaking loss my family and I are feeling today. May God bless my Son Andrew, the best friend any Father could have. Your light will forever shine in my heart, and in all those who were lucky enough to know you.”
“It is with immeasurable grief that we learn of the passing of our friend Andrew Dorff,” NSAI president Lee Thomas Miller said. “Our songwriting community is small and close and this loss will hurt us all deeply. Andrew was a good man and a good friend. He was an elite songwriter at the peak of his life and career. Our sincerest prayers go out to his family. May we all hug each other a little tighter this week and remember that life is fragile. Rest in peace Andrew.”
In Pictures: Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Dustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope, Drake White
/by Jessica NicholsonDustin Lynch, Cassadee Pope To Appear On Spike TV’s Lip Synch Battle
Broken Bow Records’ Dustin Lynch will make his debut on Spike TV’s popular musical gameshow Lip Sync Battle Wednesday (Dec. 21) at 8 p.m. squaring off against fellow country star Cassadee Pope.
Hosted by LL Cool J and Chrissy Teigen, Lip Sync Battle pits celebrities in a head-to-head fight to see who can deliver the most outrageous and entertaining lip-synched performance. Lynch and Pope will each take the stage twice as they pretend to sing classic hit songs.
Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood Make GMA Appearance
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood perform on Good Morning America
Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood recently performed a song from their Christmas album on Good Morning America, which airs Friday, Dec. 23 (7 -9 a.m., EST) on ABC.
Country Music Hall of Fame Celebrates Ford Community Day With Artist Performances
Pictured (L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s VP of Development Lisa Purcell, Trent Harmon, Drake White, Danielle Bradbery, Ford Motor Company Fund’s Jim Graham and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ben Hall. Photo: Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum
On Sunday, Dec. 18 the Country Music Hall of Fame® and Museum welcomed thousands of visitors for its eighth annual Ford Community Day. The Museum was free for all visitors, made possible by Ford Motor Company, and included special programming throughout the day. Big Machine Label Group recording artists Danielle Bradbery, Drake White and Trent Harmon headlined the day with a guitar pull in the museum’s CMA Theater, swapping songs and stories for the crowd.
Brad Paisley To Release 11th Studio Album In 2017
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley will release his upcoming 11th studio album, Love and War, in 2017 via Arista Nashville. “Today” is the first single from the album and is already in the Top 15 of the country singles charts.
Love and War is co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten.
Paisley recently announced the upcoming live concert CD/DVD release Life Amplified World Tour: Live at WVU, on Friday, Dec. 23. PBS will air the concert as an hour-long show, titled Brad Paisley – Landmarks Live In Concert: A Great Performances Special, on Friday, Jan. 27 at 9 p.m. ET.
The singer-songwriter will continue his successful Life Amplified World Tour with new dates added in February 2017. The tour will make stops in eastern Canada and the northeast U.S. with special guests Chase Bryant and Lindsay Ell.
ASCAP And Nielsen Partner For Strategic Data Agreement
/by Eric T. ParkerCoupled with ASCAP’s membership and copyright data, this partnership will allow ASCAP to provide its members with transparency as ASCAP brings together the verified recording information with its authoritative data on the underlying works. In addition, this data link of unique identifiers creates the potential for more efficient performance matching and reporting.
ASCAP also intends to utilize a wide range of Nielsen measurement tools and insights to create innovative reporting capabilities and services that will be developed by ASCAP’s recently formed Digital Product & Data Team. These offerings will be made available to ASCAP members through ASCAP’s re-launched Member Access portal.
“ASCAP has been pursuing a strategy of remaining flexible and nimble by pursuing partnerships with best-in-class service providers” said ASCAP’s CEO, Elizabeth Matthews. “As the market-leader in consumer, music and audio measurement, Nielsen’s data will bring additional frequency and breadth to ASCAP’s reporting, enabling ASCAP’s members to have a 360-degree view of the performance landscape for their music, while enabling faster and more accurate reporting and tracking across all platforms. This deal also sets the stage for us to provide our members with new business intelligence tools with predictive analytics components.”
“Nielsen is excited to work with ASCAP to provide its songwriter and publisher members with more efficient and effective business tools,” said Nielsen Entertainment’s President, Howard Appelbaum. “This agreement brings together two world-class organizations that excel at using data to increase transparency within the music sector, including music creators.”
Brad Paisley Helps Madame Tussauds Unveil Little Jimmy Dickens Wax Figure
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley poses with Little Jimmy Dickens wax figure backstage. Photo: By Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry.
Wax attraction Madame Tussauds will open its newest location in Nashville this spring, but it is already honoring one of Nashville’s own.
Brad Paisley joined to pay tribute to Grand Ole Opry legend Little Jimmy Dickens during Saturday evening’s (Dec. 17) Opry at the Ryman show, via the unveiling of the late singer’s wax figure to the sold-out crowd. Paisley also performed Dickens’ hit “Out Behind The Barn.”
The life-like figure, which portrays Jimmy from the 1960’s, is adorned with one of Dickens’ signature rhinestone-studded suits designed by his original tailors, a “JD” ring, cowboy boots and cowboy hat. His figure’s friendly, relaxed expression was decided upon by his wife. His figure will be perched on a stool, playing a personalized guitar in a broadcast setting within the attraction.
“I’m floored at the likeness,” said Paisley. “Jimmy gave the Opry the personality it deserved. He was the kindest to new artists of anybody. He was never judgmental and he was always extremely supportive. He was a man who loved everyone and I’m honored to sing one of his songs (“Out Behind the Barn”).”
Brad Paisley poses with Little Jimmy Dickens wax figure backstage. Photo: By Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry.
Little Jimmy Dickens is famous for his humorous novelty country songs and his small 4-foot-11-inch stature. He is credited for introducing rhinestone-studded outfits to live country music performances. Dickens is member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and was inducted into the Grand Ole Opry more than 60 years ago. Dickens was the oldest living member of the Opry before his death in early 2015.
Additional figures hitting the stage at Madame Tussauds Nashville include Carrie Underwood, Stevie Wonder, Taylor Swift, Beyoncé, Minnie Pearl and Johnny Cash. More artists will be added to the bill within the coming weeks.
Guests can save $5 off the regular price by purchasing early bird tickets to the attraction. The tickets can be redeemed anytime following the grand opening until the end of 2017. Purchasing early bird tickets will provide guests with the opportunity to be one of the first to experience the attraction. These limited-time-only tickets are $19 for adults and $14 for children ages 3-12. Prices will return to regular attraction price following the grand opening. Ages two and under are free.
Weekly Register: Garth Brooks, Sundance Head Reign On Country Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks continues his reign on this week’s country albums chart, taking the top two spots. The 10-disc Ultimate Collection (Target Exclusive) ranks at No. 1 with sales of 37K. Christmas Together with Trisha Yearwood is at No. 2, with 25K.
Miranda Lambert‘s The Weight Of These Wings perches at No. 3, with 21K, while Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller lands at No. 4, with 20K. Brett Eldredge‘s holiday collection, Glow, rounds out the Top 5 with 16K.
Sundance Head, Photo: NBC.com
This week’s country tracks chart tells a similar story to the country albums chart, with The Voice Season 11 winner Sundance Head taking the top two spots, with “Darlin’ Don’t Go” at No. 1 (60K), and “At Last” at No. 2 (44K). He also picks up the No. 4 spot with his rendition of “Treat Her Right” with Blake Shelton (26K). Fellow The Voice contestant Josh Gallagher‘s “Pick Any Small Town” lands at No. 3 with 31K, while Keith Urban’s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” rounds out the Top 5 with 25K.
On the overall tracks chart, ZAYN and Taylor Swift have the No. 1 song and debut, with “I Don’t Wanna Live Forever” from the 50 Shades Darker soundtrack, moving 188K.
Overall track sales have declined 24.6 percent year to date, while country track sales have declined 22.7 percent year to date.
Information provided by Nielsen Soundscan.
The Recording Academy To Honor Charley Pride, Jimmie Rodgers
/by Sarah SkatesCharley Pride
Charley Pride and Jimmie Rodgers are among this year’s recipients of The Recording Academy’s Lifetime Achievement Awards.
Three-time Grammy winner Pride is considered the first African-American star in country music, thanks to hits including “All I Have To Offer You (Is Me),” “(I’m So) Afraid of Losing You Again,” “Is Anybody Goin’ to San Antone” and “Kiss an Angel Good Mornin.'”
The late Jimmie Rodgers is widely regarded as the Father of Country Music. He was discovered in 1927, at the famed Bristol Sessions, by another of this year’s Recording Academy honorees: Ralph Peer.
Peer will receive a Trustees Award, which celebrates areas other than performance. Peer recorded the first blues record, and first country records, by Rodgers and the original Carter family.
Other Lifetime Achievement Awards will go to gospel singer Shirley Caesar, jazz innovator Ahmad Jamal, the High Priestess of Soul Nina Simone, Sly Stone of Sly & The Family Stone, and influential rock band the Velvet Underground.
Additional Trustees Awards will go to Philadelphia Soul songwriter/producer Thom Bell; and legendary executive Mo Ostin, who shepherded the careers of Eric Clapton, Paul Simon, Prince, and Neil Young.
Alan Dower Blumlein will receive the Technical Grammy Award posthumously. With 128 patents, his most noteworthy invention was the stereo in 1931.
These honors comprise the The Recording Academy’s 2017 Special Merit Awards.
Jimmie Rodgers
Willie Nelson & Family To Perform Nashville WAR Memorial Show
/by Eric T. ParkerWillie Nelson
Willie Nelson & Family has been scheduled at Nashville’s intimate War Memorial Auditorium on Jan. 7 by Outback Concerts of Tennessee Inc.
The date marks the first time Nelson has played the War Memorial Auditorium since October 20, 1974. Tickets will be available starting Wed., Dec. 21 at 10 a.m. at wmarocks.com, 615-782-4030 or the Tennessee Performing Arts Box Office.
Kobalt Music Publishing To Administer Elvis’ Catalog
/by Jessica NicholsonElvis Presley. Photo: elvispresley.com
Kobalt Music Publishing has inked an administrative agreement with Authentic Brands Group (ABG) and Elvis Presley Enterprises, LLC. Effective January 1, 2017, Kobalt will administer and provide publishing services for a vast majority of the Elvis Presley catalog of more than 1,000 songs, including classics such as “All Shook Up,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “A Little Less Conversation,” “Return to Sender,” “Can’t Help Falling in Love,” and many others.
Music from the catalog was most recently featured in films Bad Santa 2, Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles: Out of the Shadows and Joy. “Love Me Tender” is the soundtrack for Ralph Lauren’s current fragrance campaign.
“We are thrilled to partner with Kobalt to ensure that Elvis’ legacy as the King of Rock and Roll lives on forever,” said Jamie Salter, Chairman and CEO of ABG.
Willard Ahdritz, Founder and CEO of Kobalt, said of the agreement, “This is an absolutely momentous deal. We are happy to be working with Authentic Brands Group and are humbled by the great job they do. Elvis’ music will continue to influence future generations and we are honored to be a part of that.”
Laurent Hubert, President, Platform and Investments, at Kobalt stated, “We are thrilled to represent such an iconic artist and a catalog of such timeless songs. There is not a more groundbreaking artist that fits so well with Kobalt’s innovative approach to the music business.”
Spin Doctors Music Group Adds Two
/by Jessica NicholsonJessilynn Kidd
The Spin Doctors Music Group has hired Jessilynn Kidd as Director Of National Promotion, beginning Monday, Jan. 9. She is a graduate of MTSU’s Recording Industry Music Management program and has been working in radio syndication for the past 18 months. She can be reached at jessilynn@spindoctorsnashville.com.
Angela Marpoe
Also joining as Promotions Coordinator and Management assistant is Angela Marpoe, a 2016 Graduate of Millersville University in Lancaster, Pennsylvania. Marpoe has previously worked in radio, as well as public relations and booking. She will begin her new role on Monday, Jan. 9. Marpoe can be reached at angie@spindoctorsnashville.com.
SDMG Executive VP and COO Kristin Johnson says, “We are excited to have Jessilynn and Angie join us soon. 2017 will be a big year for our company and we are excited about what the future holds and the great skills they bring to us.