Troy Cartwright
Songwriters and artists take a bow in this week’s DISClaimer reviews, with offerings from Rich Price, Jordan Rager, Hoyt Hughes, Bobby Tomberlin, Justin Peters, and more.
RICH PRICE/There’s A Table
Writers: Richard Price; Producer: Tom Pick, Harrison Tyner; Publishers: HTI, ASCAP; Adonda (track)
– It has a pleasant “retro” quality with a gut-string guitar, an aging-cowboy lead vocal and The Jordanaires harmonizing softly in the background. But the song has a simplistic, nursery-rhyme melody that drags the whole thing down.
JORDAN RAGER/Now That I Know Your Name
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Jason Gantt/Chris Janson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/Real Big Red/Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Red Bandana/Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Big Red Deal, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
– He tries every hillbilly pickup line in the book. But a rube is a rube.
TROY CARTWRIGHT/Busted
Writers: none listed; Producers: Rob Baird/Brian Douglas Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Foolish Kings/Hard Luck (track)
– This former DisCovery Award winner continues to show enormous promise on his new single. His charismatic singing voice is loaded with heart, and you can’t beat the perfectly-mixed production. Having a broken heart has seldom sounded better. Somebody make this kid a star.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly, BMI; Warner Bros.
– Morgan shot out of the gate with a super hit, “I Met a Girl.” Now he’s out to show that it was no fluke. This lilting toe tapper has a jaunty mood as it extolls the virtues of dropping out of the rat race. Easy going, tuneful, solidly sung and immediately charming.
THE STRAY BIRDS/Third Day In A Row
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
– Nicely done. The lead singer has just the right touch of drawl. The band is tight. The harmonies are engaging. The rolling rhythm is as relaxing as a hammock.
BOBBY TOMBERLIN/The Grand Ole Opry
Writers: J. P. Williams/Bobby Tomberlin; Producer: Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; Curb Publishing
– Singer-songwriter Tomberlin has a dandy version of the Diamond Rio hit he wrote, “One More Day,” on his new Out of Road CD. But what is arguably the most striking song on the collection is this tale whose central character is a legendary radio show, singing in the first person. Vince Gill and Bill Anderson are guest vocalists. Elsewhere on the CD are such other guests as Mo Pitney, Sylvia, Bobby Bare and Linda Davis. Throughout this collection, Tomberlin stakes his claim as a major, major recording artist, as well as a superior songsmith.
BOBBY MARQUEZ/She’s Not From Texas
Writers: Karen Staley/Anita Cochran; Producers: Gerald Smith/Bobby Marquez; Publisher: none listed; Grande Star
– I have always liked this guy for his devoted commitment to Lonestar State sounds. This western swinger is as refreshing as a springtime prairie breeze.
HOYT HUGHES/Let It Rain
Writers: Hoyt Hughes/Ray Barnette; Producer: Kevin Savigar; Publishers: none listed; Cowboy (track)
– The airy production leaves plenty of space for him to gently phrase his saga of heartbreak and renewed love, but then steps to the forefront in mid song with an extended guitar workout. Ear catching.
WENDY JAGER/Run
Writers: Emma Kincaid; Producer: Jack Gale; Publishers: Speegra Music London, no performance rights listed; Playback (CDX)
– Our lone female of the day should have kept her bags packed and traveled on by. Her vocal performance is woefully flat.
JUSTIN PETERS/Then I’ll Be Over You
Writers: Ben Peters; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: Shelby Singleton, BMI; Platinum Planet
– A few weeks ago, I mentioned the trend of the children of country songwriters becoming artists (Thomas Rhett, Levi Hummon, Hillary Scott, Tucker Beathard, Ashley Campbell, Ryan Follese, Aubrie Sellers). Add another name to that list. The late Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Ben Peters has a son who handles a lushly produced heartache ballad like a seasoned pro. A terrific performance of a classic sounding song.
Artist Updates: George Strait, Phil Vassar, Charles Esten, Wynonna, Crystal Gayle, Ellie Holcomb
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Strait Returns To Gruene Hall In Texas
Photo: Erika Goldring for MCA Nashville
Returning to where it all began, George Strait performed at New Braunfels’ Gruene Hall Wednesday night (Nov. 16), turning in a nearly two-hour set in celebration of Strait Out of the Box: Part 2, available Friday, Nov. 18 exclusively at Walmart and Walmart.com.
Flanked by his Ace In The Hole band, Strait performed hits including “Here For A Good Time,” as well as two of the previously unreleased tracks from Strait Out of the Box: Part 2, “Kicked Outta Country” and “You Gotta Go Through Hell.”
Music City Beer Co. Launches
Top (L-R): Phil Vassar, Charles Esten, Shawn Lacy. Bottom: Jeff Smith. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Charles Esten and Phil Vassar were on hand to help launch Music City Beer Co., and its flagship beer, Music City Light. Beginning Nov. 21, Music City Light can be found in honky tonks, bars and restaurants including Tootsies, Honky Tonk Central, The Stage, Legends, Wildhorse Saloon, Tin Roof, Loser’s, Winner’s, Doc Hollidays and more.
Music City Beer Co. plans to partner with the Nashville music community in the form of a monthly artist and songwriter endorsement program. Phil Vassar serves as the inaugural MCL artist, which coincides with his upcoming album release, American Soul. Music City Light will feature commemorative American Soul six-packs available to consumers for a limited time. Music City Beer will also be releasing videos to promote the city while highlighting music from some of Nashville’s greats. The first songs featured include “American Soul” (Phil Vassar & Tom Douglas), “Day Drinking” (Shawn Lacy), and “I Love You Beer” (Charles Esten).
Crystal Gayle, Wynonna & The Big Noise To Help Launch Country Music Hall of Fame’s Holiday Festivities
Crystal Gayle, who will become the newest member of the Grand Ole Opry in January 2017, will kick off the Country Music Hall of Fame’s holiday festivities on Friday, Nov. 25, beginning at 4 p.m. Gayle will perform a mix of hits and holiday classics before the lighting of a 30-foot Christmas tree in the museum’s Mike Curb Conservatory. Following the performance and tree lighting, Gayle will sign copies of her CDs for purchase in the Museum store.
Wynonna & The Big Noise will perform in the museum’s CMA Theater on Wednesday, Dec. 14 at 7 p.m. The performance will include a mix of Wynonna’s hits and holiday favorites. Tickets for the show begin at $55. To purchase tickets, visit countrymusichalloffame.org/
Ellie Holcomb To Release Sophomore Project
The 2014 GMA Dove Award winning New Artist of the Year Ellie Holcomb will release her sophomore album, Red Sea Road, on Jan. 27, 2017.
This project follows her debut As Sure As The Sun, which hit No. 1 its first week on the iTunes’ Christian and Amazon Christian charts. The debut radio single, “The Broken Beautiful” hit in the Top 10 at AC Indicator. Holcomb’s debut radio single from Red Sea Road is the track “Find You Here,” which has a deeply personal story and inspiration.
She will perform at Nashville’s City Winery on Feb. 2.
Thirty Tigers Signs Ned LeDoux
/by Jessica NicholsonNed LeDoux, son of country artist Chris LeDoux, has signed with Thirty Tigers to release his EP Forever A Cowboy on Dec. 2.
“I’ve been working around country music for a long time, long enough to have seen Chris LeDoux and understand how much he meant to the rodeo community,” said David Macias, President, Thirty Tigers. “He was them and became one of the most important chroniclers of that life through his music and artwork. Sometimes when a child of the truly great decides to follow in the footsteps of the parent, we hold our breath and hope for the best, but in Ned, we find something exciting, something informed by the tradition that he came from, but also very much his own. I should have known when I found out that he was working with Mac McAnally that it would be terrific, and it is. We are excited to welcome Ned into the Thirty Tigers family. I hope (and think) that this will be a long and fruitful relationship.”
Forever a Cowboy, produced by award-winning Mac McAnally, includes “We Ain’t Got It All,” the first new Chris LeDoux co-write in over two decades.
Ned took the song idea from a stack of his father’s papers that included unfinished song ideas and lyrics. He travelled to Nashville and began working with McAnally, where they fashioned one of the ideas into “We Ain’t Got It All.”
Forever a Cowboy Track Listing:
1) “We Ain’t Got It All” (Ned LeDoux, Chris LeDoux, Mac McAnally)
2) “Brother Highway” (Ned LeDoux, Mark Sissel)
3) “Forever a Cowboy” (Ned LeDoux, Chris LeDoux, Mac McAnally)
4) “Johnson County War” (Chris LeDoux)
5) “The Hawk” (Ned LeDoux)
Music City Pickers LIVE! To Host Bryan White, Lee Roy Parnell
/by Sarah SkatesDecember 1, 2016, 6 – 7:30 PM: Danielle Peck, Jimmy Nichols, Rory Bourke, and Greg Friia
December 1, 2016 8:30 – 10 PM: Paul Jefferson, Sonny Lemaire, and Porter Howell
December 8, 2016 6 – 7:30 PM: Tommy Sims, Tim Miner, and Andrea Pearson
December 8, 2016 8:30 – 10 PM: Bryan White
December 15, 2016 6 – 7:30 PM: Richie McDonald
December 15, 2016 8:30 – 10 PM: Lee Roy Parnell, Greg Barnhill and David Bradley
Tickets are on sale now at musiccitypickerslive.com. Space is limited and tickets for each show are $15 for general admission or $25 for VIP–front row experience.
Remains Of Johnny Cash’s Hendersonville Home For Sale
/by Jessica NicholsonJohnny Cash
The lakefront property in Hendersonville, Tennessee, where Johnny Cash and wife June Carter Cash resided for more than three decades is on the market, according to the Wall Street Journal.
The property was home to the Cash family from 1968 until their deaths in 2003. Their home was destroyed by fire in 2007, leaving only the stone foundation and a few walls. The 4 1/2 acre property now houses a one-bedroom apartment that was created in an outbuilding where Cash and Carter used to store costumes. According to listing agent Stan Peacock of Crye-Leike Realtors, a swimming pool, tennis court, garage and guard house escaped the fire, as well as a stone walkway leading to a covered boat dock.
Seller James Gresham has not specified an asking price for the property, and says prefers to sell to a buyer who will preserve the legacy of Johnny Cash and June Carter Cash. “In my mind it would be some person [who] is a huge Johnny Cash fan,” he told the Wall Street Journal.
Gresham bought the estate for $2 million in 2014 from Barry Gibb, of the pop group the Bee Gees, and his wife, Linda. The Gibbs were in the process of restoring it when the fire broke out.
The full listing is available at realtracs.com.
Photos courtesy Shorefire Media
Image of Johnny Cash carved into a tree on the Cash property.
DISClaimer: Songwriters’ Round
/by Robert K OermannTroy Cartwright
Songwriters and artists take a bow in this week’s DISClaimer reviews, with offerings from Rich Price, Jordan Rager, Hoyt Hughes, Bobby Tomberlin, Justin Peters, and more.
RICH PRICE/There’s A Table
Writers: Richard Price; Producer: Tom Pick, Harrison Tyner; Publishers: HTI, ASCAP; Adonda (track)
– It has a pleasant “retro” quality with a gut-string guitar, an aging-cowboy lead vocal and The Jordanaires harmonizing softly in the background. But the song has a simplistic, nursery-rhyme melody that drags the whole thing down.
JORDAN RAGER/Now That I Know Your Name
Writers: Jeremy Stover/Jason Gantt/Chris Janson; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publishers: Ole Red Cape/Real Big Red/Sony-ATV Tree/Songs of Red Bandana/Red Vinyl/Words & Music/Big Red Deal, ASCAP/BMI; Broken Bow (track)
– He tries every hillbilly pickup line in the book. But a rube is a rube.
TROY CARTWRIGHT/Busted
Writers: none listed; Producers: Rob Baird/Brian Douglas Phillips; Publishers: none listed; Foolish Kings/Hard Luck (track)
– This former DisCovery Award winner continues to show enormous promise on his new single. His charismatic singing voice is loaded with heart, and you can’t beat the perfectly-mixed production. Having a broken heart has seldom sounded better. Somebody make this kid a star.
WILLIAM MICHAEL MORGAN/Missing
Writers: Rhett Akins/Marv Green; Producer: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Producers: Jimmy Ritchey/Scott Hendricks; Publishers:EMI Blackwood/Warner-Tamerlane/The Good The Bad The Ugly, BMI; Warner Bros.
– Morgan shot out of the gate with a super hit, “I Met a Girl.” Now he’s out to show that it was no fluke. This lilting toe tapper has a jaunty mood as it extolls the virtues of dropping out of the rat race. Easy going, tuneful, solidly sung and immediately charming.
THE STRAY BIRDS/Third Day In A Row
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; Yep Roc (track)
– Nicely done. The lead singer has just the right touch of drawl. The band is tight. The harmonies are engaging. The rolling rhythm is as relaxing as a hammock.
BOBBY TOMBERLIN/The Grand Ole Opry
Writers: J. P. Williams/Bobby Tomberlin; Producer: Bobby Tomberlin; Publishers: none listed; Curb Publishing
– Singer-songwriter Tomberlin has a dandy version of the Diamond Rio hit he wrote, “One More Day,” on his new Out of Road CD. But what is arguably the most striking song on the collection is this tale whose central character is a legendary radio show, singing in the first person. Vince Gill and Bill Anderson are guest vocalists. Elsewhere on the CD are such other guests as Mo Pitney, Sylvia, Bobby Bare and Linda Davis. Throughout this collection, Tomberlin stakes his claim as a major, major recording artist, as well as a superior songsmith.
BOBBY MARQUEZ/She’s Not From Texas
Writers: Karen Staley/Anita Cochran; Producers: Gerald Smith/Bobby Marquez; Publisher: none listed; Grande Star
– I have always liked this guy for his devoted commitment to Lonestar State sounds. This western swinger is as refreshing as a springtime prairie breeze.
HOYT HUGHES/Let It Rain
Writers: Hoyt Hughes/Ray Barnette; Producer: Kevin Savigar; Publishers: none listed; Cowboy (track)
– The airy production leaves plenty of space for him to gently phrase his saga of heartbreak and renewed love, but then steps to the forefront in mid song with an extended guitar workout. Ear catching.
WENDY JAGER/Run
Writers: Emma Kincaid; Producer: Jack Gale; Publishers: Speegra Music London, no performance rights listed; Playback (CDX)
– Our lone female of the day should have kept her bags packed and traveled on by. Her vocal performance is woefully flat.
JUSTIN PETERS/Then I’ll Be Over You
Writers: Ben Peters; Producer: Justin Peters; Publishers: Shelby Singleton, BMI; Platinum Planet
– A few weeks ago, I mentioned the trend of the children of country songwriters becoming artists (Thomas Rhett, Levi Hummon, Hillary Scott, Tucker Beathard, Ashley Campbell, Ryan Follese, Aubrie Sellers). Add another name to that list. The late Nashville Songwriters Hall of Famer Ben Peters has a son who handles a lushly produced heartache ballad like a seasoned pro. A terrific performance of a classic sounding song.
Warner/Chappell Nashville Promotes Travis Carter
/by Sarah SkatesTravis Carter
Warner/Chappell Nashville has promoted Travis Carter to A&R Director, Country/Pop & Rock.
In his new role, Carter will expand his A&R duties to include scouting the growing pop and rock scenes in Nashville, and will serve as Warner/Chappell Nashville’s direct liaison with the company’s A&R counterparts in Los Angeles and New York. He will continue to provide A&R resources across the publisher’s roster and catalog. Previously, he served as A&R Manager. Prior to Warner/Chappell, Carter was a touring musician. He has also worked at Love Monkey Music, Tom-Leis Music, and Sony Music.
Additionally Alison Junker has been promoted to A&R Coordinator. She will pitch Warner/Chappell songwriters’ material and help find new opportunities to develop their careers. She began her career as an A&R intern at Warner Music Group, and later became an A&R Assistant at Warner/Chappell Nashville, a role she held for nearly three years.
Alison Junker
George Strait Returns To Vegas For Special Limited Engagement
/by Eric T. ParkerGeorge Strait. Photo: Erika Goldring
Just hours before George Strait‘s album release show at Texas’ Gruene Hall for his Strait Out of the Box: Part 2 three-disc collection (due Nov. 18 exclusively at Walmart) on Wednesday, Nov. 16, the superstar announced four additional weekends at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena in 2017.
Billed as 2 Nights of Number 1’s, the limited 2017 engagement is an extension of his current, sold-out run, but will showcase live performances of every one of Strait’s 60 No. 1 hits plus fan favorites over each two-show weekends (full dates below).
Country star Cam will join as support.
Tickets for the recently announced dates will go on sale Friday, Dec. 2 at 10 a.m. PT via StraitToVegas.com. CID Entertainment will offer VIP experiences and travel packages, including a private exhibit showcasing the life and career of Strait.
Upcoming dates for 2 Nights of Number 1’s at Las Vegas’ T-Mobile Arena:
Friday, April 7, 2017
Saturday, April 8, 2017
Friday, July 28, 2017
Saturday, July 29, 2017
Friday, Sept. 1, 2017
Saturday, Sept. 2, 2017
Friday, Dec. 8, 2017
Saturday, Dec. 9, 2017
Songwriter Mentor Williams Passes
/by Sarah SkatesPaul Williams and Mentor Williams
Mentor Williams, songwriter of the Dobie Gray song, “Drift Away,” died Wednesday (Nov. 16) in Taos, New Mexico.
The 1973 classic was revived by Uncle Kracker in 2003 and became a major hit for the second time. “Drift Away” has been covered by artists including Roy Orbison, Rod Stewart, Waylon Jennings, Garth Brooks Ray Charles, Michael Bolton, Bruce Springsteen, a country version by Narvel Felts and a gospel version by Lynn Anderson.
A longtime songwriter and producer, Williams’ other credits include Alabama’s “When We Make Love,” Eddy Raven’s “She’s Gonna Win Your Heart,” and Randy Travis and George Jones’ “A Few Ole Country Boys.”
Through the years, the award-winning songwriter worked in Los Angeles, Nashville and London at Apple Studios. His film music work ranged from The Muppet Movie to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
Williams is the brother of ASCAP President Paul Williams. He resided in Taos with Lynn Anderson until her death in 2015.
In Pictures: CMA, BMI, YEP, The Shotgun Seat
/by Jessica NicholsonCMA Recognizes John Esposito, Sally Williams
CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern (center) presents incoming 2017 CMA Chairman Sally Williams and outgoing CMA Chairman John Esposito with the crystal globe and gavel during a Board dinner Monday at CMA’s new Music Row headquarters. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
In recognition of their tireless volunteer services to the CMA Board of Directors, outgoing CMA Chairman John Esposito, President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville, and current President and incoming 2017 Chairman Sally Williams, General Manager of the Ryman Auditorium, were presented the crystal gavel and globe respectively.
The presentation was made by CMA Chief Executive Officer Sarah Trahern at a Board dinner Monday night at CMA’s new corporate offices.
BMI, Young Entertainment Professionals Host Quarterly Showcase
Pictured (L-R): Jason Mizelle, artist; Bradley Collins, BMI; Kevin Mac, artist, MaryAnn Keen, YEP/BMI; Amelia Varni, YEP/Universal Music Publishing; Andrew Cohen, YEP/Suit Music; Jackie Lee, Broken Bow recording artist; Leslie Roberts, BMI; Perry Howard, BMI.
Photo: Patrick M. Aprea
Broken Bow recording artist Jackie Lee, Jason Mizelle, and Kevin Mac were among those highlighted during last night’s (Nov. 15) quarterly BMI/YEP showcase at Exit/In.
The Shotgun Seat Launches New Series “The Hang”
Pictured (L-R): Jake Gear, Sea Gayle; Sam Sanders, The Shotgun Seat; Annie Dineen, The Shotgun Seat; CJ Solar; Hailey Whitters; Nick Gibbens; Scott Holmes, The Shotgun Seat; Joe Clarkson, Taylor Strategy
The Shotgun Seat kicked off its new series “The Hang” last Thursday (Nov. 10), featuring CJ Solar. Solar and a group of friends and collaborators, streaming live from the George Dickel Distillery, chatted about everything from movies to bizarre Craigslist encounters. The Baton Rouge native played songs including “Tall Boy” and “Just Another Day In The Country” as well as his Justin Moore cut, “Between You And Me.”
The event is the first in a series hosted by The Shotgun Seat and streamed live from the George Dickel Distillery in Tullahoma, Tennessee.
Steve Buchanan Honored With CMA Irving Waugh Award Of Excellence
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): CMA Board President Sally Williams, Steve Buchanan, and CMA Board Chairman John Esposito. Photo: Christian Bottorff / CMA
Steve Buchanan, the President of Opry Entertainment and Executive Producer of Nashville, was presented CMA’s Irving Waugh Award of Excellence today (Nov. 16) during the CMA Board of Directors’ quarterly meetings in Nashville.
The Irving Waugh Award of Excellence is awarded to an individual who is the originator and caretaker of demonstrated ideas and actions that have dramatically broadened and improved country music’s influence on a national or international level for the benefit of the industry as a whole.
“Steve is very deserving of this prestigious honor,” said John Esposito, Chairman of the CMA Board of Directors and President and CEO of Warner Music Nashville. “His development, oversight, and creative vision for the television series ‘Nashville’ has contributed to the global identity of this city, and unprecedented, primetime attention for Country Music.”
“Irving Waugh was an exceptional businessman and visionary. I am humbled and honored to receive this Award bearing his name,” Buchanan said. “My inspiration has always been fueled by my love of Country Music and my deeply-rooted passion for the Opry, the Ryman, our artists, and the extraordinary City of Nashville.”
Viewers in more than 80 countries and more than 200 TV territories throughout the world tune in each week to Nashville, the drama based in Music City and depicting country music artist characters. The show has produced 5,126 first-run hours of programming globally. After four domestic seasons on the ABC Television Network, the series is set to air its fifth season on CMT and Hulu.
Additionally, the series has offered the industry’s songwriting community opportunities for their work to be showcased weekly on network television and for subsequent inclusion in 10 soundtracks featuring music from the series. The series has launched three domestic Nashville in Concert tours as well as a 2016 inaugural international tour of the U.K. and Ireland.
Buchanan has spent more than 30 years with Opry Entertainment, where he oversees brands including Grand Ole Opry, Ryman Auditorium, 650 AM WSM, and more. He began as the Opry’s first Marketing Manager, and Executor of the Opry’s first-ever advertising budget. In the years since taking the reins of all the brands under the Opry Entertainment umbrella, Buchanan oversaw the 1994 renovation and reopening of the historic Ryman Auditorium, to the launch of the satellite radio and internet broadcast of the Grand Ole Opry.
Past recipients of the CMA honor include Vince Gill (2014), Walter Miller (2009), Johnny Cash (2003), Jo Walker-Meador (1991), Frances Preston (1987), and the award’s namesake Irving Waugh (1983).