Leon Russell
Original post, published on Nov. 14, 2016 at 8:58 a.m.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell passed away on Sunday (Nov. 13) at his Nashville-area home.
Russell, 74, was recovering from heart-bypass surgery he underwent in July. His wife Jan Bridges reported yesterday that he died in his sleep.
The legendary singer, songwriter and pianist is best known for such pop hits as “Tight Rope,” “Lady Blue” and “Back to the Island.” But he also had country success with records made as “Hank Wilson.” And he won many kudos for his collaborations with Willie Nelson, New Grass Revival and Elton John, among others.
Born Claude Russell Bridges in 1942, Leon Russell was a native of Lawton, Oklahoma who began playing piano at age 3. Lying about his age, he played at dances and nightclubs in Texas and Oklahoma in 1956-57. Still a teenager, he moved to Los Angeles in 1959 to seek a career as a professional musician.
By the early 1960s, his abilities on piano, trumpet, guitar, bass and other instruments had made him a sought-after session musician. He backed The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, Rita Coolidge, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, The Monkees, The Ventures and more.
Russell played on The Byrds hit “Mr. Tambourine Man,” on Herb Alpert’s instrumental “A Taste of Honey” and “California Girls” by The Beach Boys and “Surf City” by Jan & Dean. Russell played on all of the hits recorded by Gary Lewis & The Playboys and also co-wrote the group’s hits “Everybody Loves a Clown” (1965) and “(You Don’t Have to) Paint Me a Picture” (1966).
He was in the house band for the 1964 rock movie The T.A.M.I. Show. He was a member of The Shindogs, the backing musicians in the network pop TV series Shindig.
After a number of unsuccessful solo records, Russell teamed up with musician Mark Benno to form The Asylum Choir in the late 1960s. He also performed on the records, concerts and TV appearances of Delaney & Bonnie.
Pictured (L-R): Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, and Charlie Monk. Photo: Courtesy Charlie Monk
Through Delaney & Bonnie, Russell became acquainted with Joe Cocker. He was soon leading Cocker’s band and recording sessions. In addition, he provided the singer with the 1969 hit “Delta Lady.” Russell’s reputation was also enhanced by his organization of Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, album and documentary film.
Striking out on his own again, Leon Russell released his first solo album in 1970. Titled Leon Russell, it contained his ballad “A Song for You.” More than 100 other artists have since recorded this song. The LP also contained Russell’s “Hummingbird,” which became a 1970 hit for B.B. King.
Russell took part in 1971’s all-star Concert for Bangladesh in New York’s Madison Square Garden. This event co-starred George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Ravi Shankar and Ringo Starr alongside Russell. Its resulting recording won the Grammy Award as Album of the Year.
In 1971, The Carpenters scored a huge pop hit with “Superstar.” The song was co-written by Russell with Bonnie Bramlett.
Russell earned his first solo Gold record for his 1971 LP Leon Russell and The Shelter People. His second came for the 1972 LP Carney, which contained his hit “Tight Rope.” His tour with this music led Billboard to name him the world’s top concert attraction of 1973. Appropriately, he earned his third consecutive Gold record for 1973’s Leon Live.
He changed direction that year with the release of his country debut, Hank Wilson’s Back. Its tracks “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “A Six Pack to Go” both made the country charts. He shifted gears again with the 1974 collection Stop All That Jazz.
Russell returned to the pop hit parade with his 1975 hit “Lady Blue” and its 1976 follow-ups “Back to the Island” and “Rainbow in Your Eyes.” He wrote all three singles. His 1975 LP Will o’ the Wisp earned him his fourth Gold Record. The Best of Leon Russell (1976) was his fifth.
George Benson earned a Record of the Year Grammy Award for singing Russell’s song “This Masquerade” in 1976. But Russell’s own new recordings — 1976’s The Wedding Album (with then-wife Mary McCreary), 1977s Make Love to the Music (with McCreary) and 1978’s Americana — received comparatively little attention.
His reputation as a live performer remained high, however. With his mane of white hair, ringmaster top hat, tent-revival intensity and dramatic flare, he was a charismatic stage presence. He was dubbed “The Master of Space and Time” and attracted a fanatical following dubbed Leon Lifers.
In 1978-79, he toured with Willie Nelson. These concerts were widely praised and highly successful. A 1979 double LP titled One for the Road documented them, yielded the No. 1 country smash duet “Heartbreak Hotel” and became his sixth Gold Record.
Leon Russell married the former Janet Lee Constantine in 1979. They relocated to Nashville shortly afterward.
He embarked on a second series of acclaimed concerts in 1980-81. These were in collaboration with New Grass Revival and were also preserved on vinyl.
Leon Russell issued a steady stream of solo albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including three more as “Hank Wilson.” In 1993, Ray Charles won an r&b Grammy for his rendition of Russell’s “A Song for You.” Russell, himself, won a country instrumental Grammy in 2001 for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” from the CD Earl Scruggs and Friends.
He enjoyed a huge career revival in 2010, thanks to The Union, a duet CD with longtime admirer Elton John. The album was produced by T Bone Burnett and led to a joint tour by the piano-playing greats.
Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. This was also the year he was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Russell’s solo comeback CD appeared in 2014. It was titled Life Journey. In 2015 came the release of A Poem Is a Naked Person, a documentary film about him that been shot by Les Blank in 1973-75, but never before released.
Leon Russell was honored by the Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) last Wednesday. This was for his lifetime of achievements as a live performer and top showman. At the time of his death, he was planning to return to the road in January.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children — Blue, Teddy Jack, Tina Rose, Sugaree, Honey and Coco.
Funeral services were open to the public and conducted on Friday, Nov. 18 at Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, beginning at 1 p.m. CT. Visitation was private.
Disney Music Publishing Signs Chris Lindsey
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sarah Beth Gerlecz, DMG Nashville; Ciara Shortridge, DMG Nashville; Chris Lindsey; Beth Brinker, ASCAP; Patrick Clifford, DMG Nashville; Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC
Chris Lindsey, a songwriter and producer responsible for hits such as Lonestar’s “Amazed” and Martina McBride’s “This One’s For the Girls,” has inked an exclusive worldwide agreement with Disney Music Publishing.
Other artists who have recorded Lindsey’s songs include Taylor Swift, Blake Shelton, Lee Brice, The Civil Wars, Adam Lambert, Carrie Underwood, Kenny Chesney, Kellie Pickler, Keith Urban, Tim McGraw, Faith Hill, Sara Evans, and more.
Disney’s VP Music Publishing and A&R Patrick Clifford says, “It is with great pride and grand enthusiasm that we welcome Chris Lindsey to Disney Music Publishing and the Disney Music Group. Chris, as a producer and writer, has a great pedigree in this town and beyond, and we believe he is about to experience a great new chapter in his creative career.”
Lindsey says, “I am so excited to be writing for Disney Music Publishing! It is so great to experience such a warm and welcoming atmosphere. I feel so fortunate to be working with such a talented and passionate team and I honestly feel like the sky is the limit!”
Industry Ink: Americana Music Association, Hot Schatz PR, Plowboy Records, Music City Media
/by Jessica NicholsonCity Of Nashville Honors Americana Music Association
Pictured (L-R): Cliff O’Sullivan (Pres. AMA Board of Directors), Kenneth Pattengale (Milk Carton Kids), Rodney Crowell, Jed Hilly (Exec. Dir. Americana Music Association), Mary Gauthier, Councilwoman Nancy VanReece, Whitney Holmes (Americana Music Association), Sarah Comardelle (Americana Music Association), Michele Rhoades (Americana Music Association), Jim Lauderdale, Tim Fink (Americana Board/SESAC), Councilman Jeff Syracuse, Danna Strong (Americana Music Association) and Councilwoman Mina Johnson. Photo: Councilmember Kathleen Murphy
Americana Music Association was honored on Tuesday evening (Nov. 15) by Nashville’s Metro Council with a special resolution drafted and proposed by Councilwoman Nancy VanReece, Councilwoman Mina Johnson and Councilman Jeff Syracuse. Resolution No. RS2016-410 recognizes the significant cultural contributions and tourism impact of the Americana Music Association, its volunteer Board of Directors, and Executive Director Jed Hilly.
On hand to witness the special presentation were volunteer board members, members of the Americana Music Association staff and artists including Kenneth Pattengale of the Milk Carton Kids, Rodney Crowell, Mary Gauthier and Jim Lauderdale.
“Americana is the heart and soul of Nashville, and we are truly honored to be recognized by the Metro Council and especially appreciate Councilwoman Nancy VanReece for her commitment to the artists in our community,” said Hilly following the presentation.
Hot Schatz PR Signs American Soul Singer-Songwriter/Producer Brian Owens
Brian Owens
Media and artist development firm Hot Schatz PR has signed American Soul singer-songwriter and producer Brian Owens to its roster.
Plowboy Records Inks Distribution Agreement With Select-O-Hits
Pictured (L-R): Shannon Pollard, Plowboy Records; Johnny Phillips, Select-O-Hits
Plowboy Records has inked a distribution agreement for its recording catalog with Select-O-Hits. Plowboy Records was formed by Eddy Arnold’s grandson, Shannon Pollard and Select-O-Hits is the distribution arm of the Phillips family (Sun Records) in Memphis. The Plowboy Catalog includes titles from the Kentucky Headhunters, Blackfoot Gypsies, Bobby Bare Sr. and Paul Burch.
Music City Media Moves Offices
CBS Radio Reportedly Moving 200 Jobs To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonCBS Radio could soon be moving 200 jobs to Nashville, according to Nashville Business Journal.
On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Tennessee state official Jamari Brown said an unidentified company, named “Project A,” is set to move 200 jobs to Nashville, marking a $5 million investment. Those jobs would pay an average annual salary of $48,000 and would be located downtown. CBS Radio is headquartered in New York City.
Brown also told Metro’s Industrial Development Board on Tuesday that the state has offered $1 million in taxpayer incentives for the deal.
The move would follow the recent announcement that Warner Music Group might add up to 500 jobs in four years to Music City, as it will station its national finance team in Nashville.
CBS Radio’s 117 stations are present in 26 markets, with a reach of more than 65 million people per week in 2015.
Rare Country Reveals Nominees For Fan Voted Inaugural Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerThe online awards will honor the year’s best in country music, as determined solely by fans. Voting will be open for four weeks at rarecountryawards.com, with winners to be announced on Thursday, Dec. 15.
The award consist of eight categories of five nominees in each. Additionally, Rare Country’s Humanitarian of the Year will be announced in the coming weeks.
Rare Country leader Laurissa Phillips announced the inaugural awards during an interview with MusicRow. A 2016 ceremony is not planned.
2016 Rare Country Award Nominees:
Rare Country Female Artist of the Year
Carrie Underwood
Kellie Pickler
Kelly Clarkson
Miranda Lambert
Reba McEntire
Rare Country Male Artist of the Year
Blake Shelton
Tim McGraw
George Strait
Kid Rock
Luke Bryan
Rare Country Duo/Group of the Year
Florida Georgia Line
Joey + Rory
Lady Antebellum
Little Big Town
Rascal Flatts
Rare Country Grand Ole Opry Moment of the Year
Carrie Underwood performs “Heartbeat” with a brand new look
Cole Swindell sings “You Should Be Here” as a tribute to his father
RaeLynn sings “Love Triangle,” an ode to children of divorce
Scotty McCreery sings “Five More Minutes” as a tribute to his grandfather
Toby Keith performs a rousing medley of Merle Haggard’s greatest hits
Rare Country New Artist of the Year
Cam
Kane Brown
Kelsea Ballerini
Maren Morris
Sam Hunt
Rare Country Tour of the Year
Carrie Underwood – “The Storyteller Tour – Stories in the Round” – Special Guests: Easton Corbin, The Swon Brothers
Garth Brooks – “The Garth Brooks World Tour with Trisha Yearwood” – Special Guest: Trisha Yearwood
Jason Aldean – “Six String Circus” Tour – Special Guests: Thomas Rhett, A Thousand Horses
Kenny Chesney – “Spread the Love 2016 Tour” – Special Guests: Miranda Lambert, Sam Hunt, Old Dominion
Luke Bryan – “Kill the Lights” Tour – Special Guests: Little Big Town, Dustin Lynch
Rare Country Story of the Year
The love story of Joey + Rory
The hot GRAMMY duet featuring Carrie Underwood and Sam Hunt
CMA’s 50th Anniversary’s “Forever Country” video and song
Blake Shelton’s post-divorce comeback song “Came Here to Forget”
The irreplaceable loss of country music legend Merle Haggard
Rare Country Fan Moment of the Year
Garth Brooks sings Happy Birthday for a grieving mother (Ottawa, Canada)
Keith Urban plays guitar onstage alongside one of his most talented fans (Gilford, NH)
Miranda Lambert gets emotional over soldier’s sign (Hartford, CT)
Rascal Flatts gives a young fan the chance of a lifetime (Dallas, TX)
Kenny Chesney tracks down one special fan (Virginia Beach, VA)
LifeNotes: Rock Legend Leon Russell Dies In Nashville
/by Robert K OermannLeon Russell
Original post, published on Nov. 14, 2016 at 8:58 a.m.
Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Leon Russell passed away on Sunday (Nov. 13) at his Nashville-area home.
Russell, 74, was recovering from heart-bypass surgery he underwent in July. His wife Jan Bridges reported yesterday that he died in his sleep.
The legendary singer, songwriter and pianist is best known for such pop hits as “Tight Rope,” “Lady Blue” and “Back to the Island.” But he also had country success with records made as “Hank Wilson.” And he won many kudos for his collaborations with Willie Nelson, New Grass Revival and Elton John, among others.
Born Claude Russell Bridges in 1942, Leon Russell was a native of Lawton, Oklahoma who began playing piano at age 3. Lying about his age, he played at dances and nightclubs in Texas and Oklahoma in 1956-57. Still a teenager, he moved to Los Angeles in 1959 to seek a career as a professional musician.
By the early 1960s, his abilities on piano, trumpet, guitar, bass and other instruments had made him a sought-after session musician. He backed The Ronettes, The Righteous Brothers, Ike & Tina Turner, Paul Revere & The Raiders, Frank Sinatra, Glen Campbell, Rita Coolidge, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, Sam Cooke, The Monkees, The Ventures and more.
Russell played on The Byrds hit “Mr. Tambourine Man,” on Herb Alpert’s instrumental “A Taste of Honey” and “California Girls” by The Beach Boys and “Surf City” by Jan & Dean. Russell played on all of the hits recorded by Gary Lewis & The Playboys and also co-wrote the group’s hits “Everybody Loves a Clown” (1965) and “(You Don’t Have to) Paint Me a Picture” (1966).
He was in the house band for the 1964 rock movie The T.A.M.I. Show. He was a member of The Shindogs, the backing musicians in the network pop TV series Shindig.
After a number of unsuccessful solo records, Russell teamed up with musician Mark Benno to form The Asylum Choir in the late 1960s. He also performed on the records, concerts and TV appearances of Delaney & Bonnie.
Pictured (L-R): Leon Russell, Willie Nelson, and Charlie Monk. Photo: Courtesy Charlie Monk
Through Delaney & Bonnie, Russell became acquainted with Joe Cocker. He was soon leading Cocker’s band and recording sessions. In addition, he provided the singer with the 1969 hit “Delta Lady.” Russell’s reputation was also enhanced by his organization of Cocker’s Mad Dogs & Englishmen tour, album and documentary film.
Striking out on his own again, Leon Russell released his first solo album in 1970. Titled Leon Russell, it contained his ballad “A Song for You.” More than 100 other artists have since recorded this song. The LP also contained Russell’s “Hummingbird,” which became a 1970 hit for B.B. King.
Russell took part in 1971’s all-star Concert for Bangladesh in New York’s Madison Square Garden. This event co-starred George Harrison, Bob Dylan, Eric Clapton, Badfinger, Billy Preston, Ravi Shankar and Ringo Starr alongside Russell. Its resulting recording won the Grammy Award as Album of the Year.
In 1971, The Carpenters scored a huge pop hit with “Superstar.” The song was co-written by Russell with Bonnie Bramlett.
Russell earned his first solo Gold record for his 1971 LP Leon Russell and The Shelter People. His second came for the 1972 LP Carney, which contained his hit “Tight Rope.” His tour with this music led Billboard to name him the world’s top concert attraction of 1973. Appropriately, he earned his third consecutive Gold record for 1973’s Leon Live.
He changed direction that year with the release of his country debut, Hank Wilson’s Back. Its tracks “Roll in My Sweet Baby’s Arms” and “A Six Pack to Go” both made the country charts. He shifted gears again with the 1974 collection Stop All That Jazz.
Russell returned to the pop hit parade with his 1975 hit “Lady Blue” and its 1976 follow-ups “Back to the Island” and “Rainbow in Your Eyes.” He wrote all three singles. His 1975 LP Will o’ the Wisp earned him his fourth Gold Record. The Best of Leon Russell (1976) was his fifth.
George Benson earned a Record of the Year Grammy Award for singing Russell’s song “This Masquerade” in 1976. But Russell’s own new recordings — 1976’s The Wedding Album (with then-wife Mary McCreary), 1977s Make Love to the Music (with McCreary) and 1978’s Americana — received comparatively little attention.
His reputation as a live performer remained high, however. With his mane of white hair, ringmaster top hat, tent-revival intensity and dramatic flare, he was a charismatic stage presence. He was dubbed “The Master of Space and Time” and attracted a fanatical following dubbed Leon Lifers.
In 1978-79, he toured with Willie Nelson. These concerts were widely praised and highly successful. A 1979 double LP titled One for the Road documented them, yielded the No. 1 country smash duet “Heartbreak Hotel” and became his sixth Gold Record.
Leon Russell married the former Janet Lee Constantine in 1979. They relocated to Nashville shortly afterward.
He embarked on a second series of acclaimed concerts in 1980-81. These were in collaboration with New Grass Revival and were also preserved on vinyl.
Leon Russell issued a steady stream of solo albums in the 1980s and 1990s, including three more as “Hank Wilson.” In 1993, Ray Charles won an r&b Grammy for his rendition of Russell’s “A Song for You.” Russell, himself, won a country instrumental Grammy in 2001 for “Foggy Mountain Breakdown” from the CD Earl Scruggs and Friends.
He enjoyed a huge career revival in 2010, thanks to The Union, a duet CD with longtime admirer Elton John. The album was produced by T Bone Burnett and led to a joint tour by the piano-playing greats.
Leon Russell was inducted into the Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame in 2011. This was also the year he was voted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Russell’s solo comeback CD appeared in 2014. It was titled Life Journey. In 2015 came the release of A Poem Is a Naked Person, a documentary film about him that been shot by Les Blank in 1973-75, but never before released.
Leon Russell was honored by the Nashville Association of Talent Directors (NATD) last Wednesday. This was for his lifetime of achievements as a live performer and top showman. At the time of his death, he was planning to return to the road in January.
In addition to his wife, he is survived by six children — Blue, Teddy Jack, Tina Rose, Sugaree, Honey and Coco.
Funeral services were open to the public and conducted on Friday, Nov. 18 at Victory Baptist Church in Mt. Juliet, Tennessee, beginning at 1 p.m. CT. Visitation was private.
Music Biz To Honor UMG Nashville’s Mike Dungan
/by Jessica NicholsonMike Dungan
During the 2017 convention, the Music Business Association (Music Biz) will present its Presidential Award for Outstanding Executive Achievement to Mike Dungan, Chairman and CEO of Universal Music Group Nashville.
The presentation will take place Wednesday, May 17, 2017, during the Music Biz 2017 convention’s Awards Breakfast at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel in Nashville. The Breakfast will be sponsored for the second consecutive year by the CMA.
“Mike’s journey in the music business spans more than four decades,” said James Donio, President of Music Biz. “He has grown to be such an integral industry player, building Capitol Nashville into a major force before developing UMG Nashville into the dominant country powerhouse it is today. Mike unquestionably represents the exceptional vision, leadership and commitment that perfectly exemplifies our Presidential Award recipients.”
Dungan follows an esteemed list of previous honorees, which includes: John Esposito, Dick Clark, Walter Yetnikoff, Ahmet and Nesuhi Ertegun, Jim Urie, Ted Cohen, Clive Davis, Don Cornelius, Casey Kasem, Sylvia Rhone, John Marmaduke, Bob Higgins, Paul Smith, Scott Borchetta, Akio Morito, Eric Paulson, Henry Droz, and Russ Solomon as well as organizations including the CMA, The Recording Academy (NARAS), and the Recording Industry Association of America (RIAA).
“I’m honored to be selected for the Music Biz Presidential Award, and to be counted among those who have been recognized with this award in the past, many of whom are my personal heroes,” said Dungan. “I have always strived to spread the word about the music that I love, and music that I feel will affect people’s lives. Continuing this on such a grand scale with the spectacular roster we have here at UMG Nashville has been the most rewarding experience of my career. Now, to be recognized in this way by Music Biz is truly humbling.”
Dungan has worked in the music business since he was 16 years old. In 1979, he began his label career as a Pop Promotion Rep for RCA, working in the Cincinnati, Detroit, and Minneapolis markets. In 1987, he took a sales position with RCA and Arista Records parent company, BMG. Two years later, Arista Records hired him as its Director of Marketing for the Midwest. In 1990, Dungan moved to the newly-formed Arista Nashville label to head up Sales and Marketing, later rising to the post of Sr. VP and GM. In 2000, Dungan was named President of EMI Music’s Capitol Records Nashville.
In May of 2012, Dungan moved to the Universal Music Group as Chairman and CEO. Shortly after, Universal purchased EMI, reuniting Dungan with his old roster at Capitol. Now, he oversees UMG Nashville and its four label imprints – Capitol Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, Mercury Nashville, and MCA Nashville – which are home to 35 major artists, including Luke Bryan, Keith Urban, Sam Hunt, Chris Stapleton, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Dierks Bentley, George Strait, Eric Church, Kacey Musgraves, Darius Rucker, Alan Jackson, Shania Twain, Gary Allan, and Vince Gill.
Crystal Gayle Invited To Join Grand Ole Opry
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood invites Crystal Gayle to join the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
After making her Grand Ole Opry debut nearly 50 years ago, Crystal Gayle will soon join officially join as the country music institution’s newest member. She was invited to join on Tuesday evening (Nov. 15) by Opry member Carrie Underwood.
Underwood surprised Gayle by joining her onstage at the Ryman Auditorium as Gayle performed her classic, “Don’t It Make My Brown Eyes Blue,” before extending the invitation.
“You are an inspiration to so many of us. You are important to country music, and you are important to the Opry, which is why I was asked tonight to ask you if you would like to join our Opry family officially,” Underwood said.
Of course, Gayle said yes. Accepting her friend’s invitation with a hug, Gayle said, “I have always felt like I was a member of the family and this is just so special.”
Pictured (L-R): Steve Buchanan, President, Opry Entertainment, Bill Gatzimos, Crystal Gayle, Carrie Underwood, Pete Fisher, VP/GM Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo for the Grand Ole Opry
“For more than half of the Opry’s 91 years, Crystal Gayle has been lending her signature vocals to Opry shows and connecting with Opry audiences as well as with everyone backstage,” said Opry Vice President and General Manager Pete Fisher. “She is family, and we are very excited that she’ll become an official Opry member early next year.”
Gayle will be officially inducted by her sister, Opry legend Loretta Lynn, during the Opry’s Jan. 21 show, which is also slated to be held at the Ryman Auditorium. Gayle made her first Opry appearance on the Ryman auditorium at age 16, when she sang the classic, “Ribbon of Darkness.”
Kane Brown’s Team Talks Unstoppable Journey During Album Preview Party
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP & COO Ken Robold; SVP Promotion RCA Nashville Keith Gale; Sony Music Nashville Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman; Kane Brown; Martha Earls, EFG Management; EVP Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges; Noah McPike, Almon Law; and EVP/GM Universal Music Publishing Group Kent Earls.
In the past nearly two years, Kane Brown’s career has shifted swiftly into full-throttle. He has transitioned from viral sensation based on the strength of YouTube cover videos, which have garnered millions of views, to one of country music’s most promising newcomers. In June Brown previewed the original track “Ain’t No Stopping Us Now,” on Facebook, where the clip earned 11.1 million views. He’s gone from recording performances in his bedroom to opening for Florida Georgia Line’s Dig Your Roots Tour, and is now on his own headlining Ain’t No Stopping Us Now Tour, presented by Monster Energy Outbreak.
Signed to RCA Nashville/Zone 4, Brown welcomed Nashville’s music industry to preview tracks from his upcoming full-length, self-titled album, which releases Dec. 2.
The evening was a mixture of album previews as well live performances, including a cover of Randy Travis’ “Three Wooden Crosses.” Highlighted songs included “Granddaddy’s Chair,” “Cold Spot,” “Hometown.”
Flanked by musicians and songwriters onstage, Brown’s muscular voice belies his humble, even shy offstage persona. Brown penned seven of the 11 tracks on the project, assembled into perhaps one of the most personal albums to come out of Nashville recently.
“It’s been a team effort and fun to work with the Earls’ as we have been on this project,” said Sony Music Nashville Chairman/CEO Randy Goodman, referring to Brown’s manager Martha Earls and Universal Music Publishing Group Nashville’s Kent Earls, who also represents Brown.
“I had the pleasure of meeting Kane about a year and a half ago,” recalled Kent Earls. “He would come by when he was in town and he would play me the newest thing that he wrote. In about a two-day period he brought ‘Used To Love You Sober’ and ‘Love You Hate You.’ It was like, ‘Wow, this guy is starting to figure it out.’ When you are a publisher, what you look for in writers and artists is that moment when they turn that corner. He was starting to write with the right guys that he connected with on an emotional level. We were so excited, we all got together after that and realized that all this stuff is happening [quickly] for this guy [and thought we’re] going to have a limited amount of time to write. Who are the right people who understand his depth, his uniqueness? We came up with a list. And all these people are on this record. And what Kane brought into the room and into those co-writes were his story.”
Pictured (L-R): Jimmie Deeghan, Kane Brown; and Alex Anthony.
Goodman recalls the suggestion that Brown write with Tom Douglas, a notion supported by fellow Sony Music Nashville VP, A&R Jim Catino. The pairing produced “Cold Spot,” which the duo penned with Douglas’ “The House That Built Me” co-writer Allen Shamblin.
“Tom and Allen thank you for that song and coming into Kane’s life and bringing out of him that obviously very vulnerable side,” Goodman offered to the two hit makers.
“If y’all knew how I grew up, I didn’t get a lot of chances, so for y’all to give me a chance means the world to me,” Brown told the audience.
To that end, the Brown-penned “Learning” is one of the album’s most personal tracks, written alongside Shy Carter and Sam Ellis. The transparent track showcases a strength built through his turbulent childhood, and resolve to forgive and move forward.
“I told [them] how I was raised,” Brown recalled of the writing session. “I went through child abuse, and I didn’t have a lot of money, so I lived in a car with my mom for a while. I went through racism, bullying. Once we got to high school and middle school, I had a lot of friends that started experimenting with drugs and guns. Some of my best friends OD’d or were shot and killed–not even on purpose. I had one friend that was cleaning his gun and it went off and shot his girlfriend that was in the room asleep. So we just wrote this song and came out with this title at the end. Just where I’m at today, I realize I can be a role model for a lot of kids and that’s what I want to do.”
Goodman recalled how producer Dann Huff originally signed on to produce only two tracks on the project but after hearing “Learning,” he cleared his schedule to be more involved. Brown recently posted a preview clip of “Learning,” which pulled in more than 1 million views in less than an hour.
A further stamp of approval for Brown’s artistry came from the superstar artists whose writing credits were featured on the album. Florida Georgia Line’s Tyler Hubbard and Brian Kelley co-wrote “Hometown,” while Chris Young co-wrote the track “Comeback,” along with Mark Fuhrer, Josh Hoge, and Matthew McVaney.
Young was in the audience to support Brown at the album preview. “He is my idol out of everybody,” said Brown. “I’m his biggest fan and for him to even want to get into a room to write with me means the world to me.”
Montgomery Gentry Returns To Average Joes Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Eddie Montgomery; Shannon Houchins, AJE/CEO; Doug Kaye, AJE Sr. VP, Sales/Bus. Affairs; Troy Gentry
Montgomery Gentry has reunited with Average Joes Entertainment, it was announced by Average Joes’ CEO/President, Shannon Houchins. The award-winning duo is set to deliver new music next year.
First signed to Average Joes Entertainment in 2011, the duo’s Rebels on the Run album for the label yielded Montgomery Gentry’s second career gold-certified single, “Where I Come From.” It was followed by the EP, Friends and Family.
“We look forward to regrouping with Eddie and Troy and making some great new music together,” said Houchins. “Everyone on our team is really excited about working with the guys again.”
Eddie Montgomery and Troy Gentry added, “We are beyond thrilled and feel like we are going back home to be back with Average Joes. Those folks are some of the hardest working people in the business and we can’t wait to get new music out to the fans next year!”
Joe Galante Awarded CMA Foundation Chairman’s Momento Honor
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer; Destini Thompson, W.O. Smith Music School Student; Joe Galante, CMA Foundation Chairman; Tiffany Kerns, CMA Senior Manager of Community Outreach; Jonah Rabinowitz, W.O. Smith Music School Executive Director. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Joe Galante, Chairman of the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, was honored Monday night with the CMA Foundation Chairman’s Memento during a dinner for the CMA Board of Directors at the new CMA corporate offices on Music Row.
“Joe is a passionate advocate for the advancement of quality music education and CMA’s support of sustainable music education programs across the country,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “He has made a personal commitment to not only chair the Foundation Board, but visit programs and meet with music education leaders to create and implement best practices for the grants we provide on behalf of our artist community.”
“This truly has been an honor for me to work with the Foundation Board, [CMA Senior Manager of Community Outreach] Tiffany Kerns, and Sarah to provide music education across the country benefiting over one million students, and there are so many more that are deserving of our attention and time. We will continue to champion these impactful programs and work towards helping even more students gain access.” said Galante.
Galante was presented the CMA Foundation Chairman’s Memento by Destini Thompson, 17, a student at the W.O. Smith Music School in Nashville. The school provides low-cost, after-school music instruction to deserving students and is a beneficiary of the CMA Foundation. During a performance by Thompson and other students from the school, Galante presented Executive Director Jonah Rabinowitz with their 2017 grant of $100,000, which brings the CMA Foundation’s total support for W.O. Smith Music School to $325,000.
Galante is a founding member of the CMA Foundation Board of Directors, which was created in 2011 by CMA to have oversight of CMA’s charitable giving. Galante served as Vice Chair (2011-2013) and was previously chairman in 2014.
Joe Galante began his career in the music business with RCA Records in New York in 1971 as Manager of Financial Analysis. He arrived in Nashville three years later as Manager of Administration. During the next several years he held jobs as Vice President of Promotion and Vice President of Marketing and Operations. Galante’s rise saw him become the youngest man to lead a major Nashville label when he took over as head of RCA Nashville in 1981. In 1990, he was named President of RCA Records in New York, returning to Nashville four years later as Chairman of RCA Label Group/Nashville, encompassing the RCA and BNA labels and adding the Arista Nashville imprint in 2000. In 2002 he also added Provident label group, the leader in Christian music. Four years later, welcoming Columbia Nashville as its fourth imprint, the label group became Sony BMG Nashville, adopting the Sony Music Nashville name in 2009.
In April of 2010, after 40 years within the same label family, Galante announced his decision to step down from his post as Chairman of Sony Music Nashville. Currently he is a board member of Pinnacle, Entrepreneur Center, Artist Growth LLC, Fishbowl Spirits, and CMA. He is an advisor to Flo and mentor in residence at the Entrepreneur Center.