William Michael Morgan Sings For Indiana Pacers Game

William Michael Morgan. Photo: Courtesy Indiana Pacers

William Michael Morgan performed the National Anthem at the Indiana Pacers game Saturday (Nov. 5) on the way to a tour stop at Indianapolis’s 8 Seconds Saloon. The 23-year-old Vicksburg, Mississippi, native will tour through the end of the year before kicking off 2017 with Lee Brice and Justin Moore on the American Made Tour.

Country Music Hall of Fame Honors Alabama

Pictured (L-R): Conway Entertainment’s Tony Conway; Alabama’s Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry; Conway Entertainment’s Brandon Mauldin, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael Gray and Abi Tapia. Photo: Rick Diamond, Getty Images

Alabama’s Randy Owen, Jeff Cook, and Teddy Gentry shared some stories from their legendary career with Country Music Hall of Fame Museum Editor Michael Gray last weekend during a special program at the Hall of Fame’s CMA Theater.  

The event included stories from the band’s career and a brief performance by the trio, whose Alabama:Song of the South exhibition runs through June of 2017.

 

Caitlyn Smith Makes Grand Ole Opry Debut

Pictured (L-R): Paul Moak, Caitlyn Smith, Connie Smith and Rollie Gaalswyk Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry

Caitlyn Smith made her Grand Ole Opry debut to a full house at the Ryman Auditorium last Saturday (Nov. 5).  It was a bucket list moment for the singer, who had dreamed of playing the stage since she first began her musical career as a young teen. Smith was recently inducted into the 2016 class of CMT’s Next Women of Country, and her songwriting credits include Hot AC No. 1 “Like I’m Gonna Lose You” (Meghan Trainor and John Legend) and the Platinum song, “Wasting All These Tears” (Cassadee Pope).

The Third Annual Leadership Music Virtual Food Drive for Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee begins today, Nov. 7. Open through Nov. 21, this year’s goal is to reach $11,000.

To donate, click on your class and start shopping, or donate a certain amount. Friends and family can donate via the “Friends of Leadership Music” tab at the bottom of the class list.

“We are so excited to again have Leadership Music supporting our mission by participating in their 3rd annual Virtual Food Drive. This drive continues to set the bar as one of our top virtual fundraisers year after year,” says Jaynee Day, Leadership Music Class of ’12, current board member and President/CEO of Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. “Second Harvest can provide four meals with every dollar donated.”

This year marks the fourth year of involvement with Second Harvest of Middle Tennessee. Over 177,000 meals have been delivered from a grand total of nearly $40,000 and more than 1,000 pounds of food.

Pictured (L-R): Joseph Hudak, Jon Freeman

Joseph Hudak has been promoted to lead the Rolling Stone Country office in Nashville, retaining his current title of Senior Editor. Jon Freeman has been named Staff editor, and will report to Hudak.

Hudak has been Senior Editor at Rolling Stone Country since the site’s launch in 2014. Prior to this, he was Managing Editor at Country Weekly Magazine since 2012, the same year he moved to Nashville. Previously, he spent 12 years at TV Guide Magazine, exiting as senior editor in May 2012. Hudak is a 1996 graduate of King’s College in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania and a Native of Dallas, Pennsylvania. Hudak most recently was awarded the 2016 CMA Award for Media Achievement.

Before being named Staff Editor, Freeman served as a freelance writer and editor for Rolling Stone Country for the last year, as well as other outlets including RollingStone.com, NPR, Nashville Scene and Vinyl Me Please. Previously, Freeman worked at Country Weekly magazine in various roles, including deputy editor and managing editor in 2014. Prior to that, he was managing editor at local trade publication, MusicRow, where he spent seven years. Freeman graduated in 2002 from Auburn University and is an Arab, Alabama native.

“With a remarkable ability to find the social and human thread in country music, and an extensive knowledge of Nashville’s unique music business and charting systems, Jon is the perfect addition to Rolling Stone Country. I’m excited to work with him in providing insightful and educated features and criticism to fans of country music and Americana,” said Hudak.

Holly Dunn

-Article courtesy of Craig Shelburne

In November 1986, Holly Dunn earned a breakthrough hit with “Daddy’s Hands,” a self-written story song that touched country fans of every generation. The nostalgic ballad led to recognition from ACM, BMI, CMA and the Grand Ole Opry, and she soon became a staple at country radio and TNN.

Dunn faded from prominence in the early 1990s, and in time, she left Nashville to pursue a career as a visual artist. Now based in New Mexico, Dunn graciously chatted with MusicRow about the 30^th anniversary of “Daddy’s Hands.”

MusicRow: It’s been 30 years since “Daddy’s Hands” hit the charts, and I’d say it’s now a classic. What are some of the best memories you have from that time in your career?

Holly Dunn: This was my fourth single and I badly needed a hit! No one at the record label (MTM) was all that enthusiastic about “Daddy’s Hands” as my next single, but I had been touring a little bit, and had been surprised by the emotional reaction people were having when we played that song. Folks were coming up to me after my shows with tears in their eyes asking where they could get a copy.

It didn’t take a genius to know that something special was happening. I think I had to do a little bit of convincing to get the label to release it, but thank goodness they did! No one, however, could have anticipated the incredible success it would have, and continues to have, all these years later. It still just amazes me!

Co-writing is the norm in Nashville now, but you wrote “Daddy’s Hands” alone. That is something to be proud of. Did that song help the industry see you as a songwriter as well as an artist?

Well it certainly helped ME believe that I was a bona fide songwriter, even though I had been writing for several years already. I’m also very grateful that because of it, I was nominated for more than 11 awards in 1987, including two Grammy Award nominations specifically for “Daddy’s Hands,” as well as winning the ACM New Female Vocalist Award and the CMA Horizon Award that year. I also was named BMI Songwriter of the Year in 1988 and “Daddy’s Hands” was a big part of that. Of all the awards I have won or been nominated for, my BMI songwriting awards still mean the most to me.

What was the songwriting community like in Nashville in the 1980s?
I’m so glad I was a songwriter and a recording artist back then, because it was a kinder, gentler business. Really, more like a big family. For me it really was family because I got to co-write often with my brother, multi-platinum songsmith Chris (Waters) Dunn, and so many other incredible future Hall of Fame writers.

I just remember learning a lot, laughing a lot, and eating a lot of sushi lunches. 1980s rural America would be shocked at how many great country songs came together over a sushi lunch! It was just a magical time that I doubt will ever be captured again. Truthfully, I was always happiest when I was sitting in a room with my guitar, a co-writer and what we thought was a killer idea!

Over the last few years in Nashville, hit singles from female artists have become increasingly rare. And it seems like there were many more female artists in the 1980s. Do you remember any conversations or concerns about a lack of female artists during that time?
I think this has been a topic of discussion since a woman first made a recording! The ‘80s were no different. In my day, the reasoning went something like this: Since female consumers have always tended to drive record sales, male artists will ALWAYS have the edge no matter how many female artists have record deals. Sad but true, I’m afraid.

What led to your decision to move away from Nashville, and where do you live now?
By the late 1990s, radio wasn’t interested in anything I had to give them, and without a current single it gets harder and harder to keep a career going. I made several attempts to reinvent myself—as a radio DJ and TV host, etc., but nothing takes the place of a current hit record in terms of excitement and opportunities. I just remember standing backstage at the Opry one night watching one of the great legends perform and thinking to myself, “Do I really want to still be here singing my ‘latest hit’ from 40 years ago? Or do I just want to say a prayer of thanks for all I’ve had, and leave?”

I chose the latter and have never been sorry. I got to spend the last days of my mother’s life caring for her, and I’ve owned art galleries in Texas and New Mexico, and have had incredible adventures I never would have had otherwise. I currently live a bit south of Santa Fe, in a house on the side of a mountain with a forever view. I’m very content.

Why is painting so satisfying for you?
My mother was a wonderful and successful oil painter, so I grew up loving both music and art. I carried a sketch pad with me on the road, but it wasn’t until about 15 years ago that I began to seriously work at making art. It satisfies my need to create and it is a challenge I never tire of. Living where I do, I never run out of inspiration. I truly love it and am thankful that I’ve been able to sell pretty much everything I’ve ever painted.

What is your day-to-day routine now? And what lies ahead for you?
Well, that’s a loaded question! Since February 2016, I’ve been dealing with a rare form of ovarian cancer. That was a fork in the road I never saw coming. I’m still making and selling my artwork, but my biggest daily focus is on my health, and frankly, trying to stay alive. I’m hanging tough and keeping a positive attitude and a grateful heart. None of us really know what lies ahead for us no matter how many plans we make.

This may sound weird, but while I hate having it, this disease has taught me so much about what is really important in life, and how truly valuable it is to live in the present. So much of my music career was spent worrying about the next song, the next hit, the next show, the next…whatever. Now I just wake up every day feeling so incredibly blessed that I can look at this amazingly beautiful world, feel the sunshine on my face and the love of my family, friends and countless others out there who are praying for me. They don’t give awards for that. Life is its own gift.

CMA Hosts Special Songwriter Series Show During CMA Week

Pictured (L-R): CMA Board member David Ross, Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Brad Warren of the Warren Brothers, Don Schlitz, CMA Board member Stacey Schlitz and Brett Warren of the Warren Brothers.

Gary Burr, Georgia Middleman, Don Schlitz, and Brad and Brett Warren shared the stories behind their hit songs to cap off festivities surrounding The 50^th Annual CMA Awards Thursday (Nov. 3) during a special performance at the CMA Theater. The CMA Songwriters Series is in its 12th season, and has presented over 90 shows in 15 cities since 2005.

Bobby Bones Receives Partners In Music Award

Pictured (L-R): ASCAP VP Nashville Michael Martin and Creative Director Robert Filhart, Bobby Bones, ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews and President Paul Williams.

ASCAP presented its Partners in Music Award to Bobby Bones at the 54th Annual ASCAP Country Music Awards on Monday (Oct. 31) at the Ryman Auditorium. The Partners in Music Award recognizes an ASCAP licensee who has shown exceptional dedication in presenting ASCAP members’ music to the public.

ASCAP Creative Director Robert Filhart presented the award to Bones for his unwavering support of emerging and established ASCAP songwriters and artists on his nationally-syndicated radio program, The Bobby Bones Show.

Kirt Webster Receives British Country Music Award

Pictured (L-R): Lynda Malia, Executive Producer, CM&T; Lee Williams, President, BCMA; Dolly Parton; Kirt Webster, President, Webster Public Relations; Danny Nozell, CEO, CTK Management

Kirt Webster was honored by the British Country Music Awards with the International Services To Industry Award for his contributions to country music as the President of Webster Public Relations. Webster client Dolly Parton and Lee Williams, President of the British Country Music Association, presented Webster with the award in Nashville.

Other past recipients of the award include Big Machine Records president Scott Borchetta, the late Jeff Walker, and Country Music Association Director of International Relations Bobbi Boyce.

Jason Davis Joins First Company Management

First Company Management has added Jason Davis as Artist Manager/Partner. Davis brings nearly two decades of leadership to FCM and is the founder and president of One One 7 Entertainment and partner and co-founder of Los Angeles-based Radar Label Group. Through the course of his career, Davis has worked with such iconic acts as Boyz ll Men, P. Diddy, Alabama, and Dolly Parton.