BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 542
Pictured (L-R): Wayne Halper, John Mason, Jimmy Bowen and Bianca Mason. Photo: Beth Gwinn
The former staffers of the Capitol Records office of the 1990s gathered to celebrate their boss on Thursday (Oct. 6) at Cabana restaurant in Hillsboro Village.
The party was titled “Capitol Nashville During the Jimmy Bowen Years (1989-1995).” It was a nostalgic look back at what many of the attendees viewed as the most rewarding experience of their careers.
“It was the best of times; it was the frickin’ BEST of times,” said event host Wayne Halper.
“My life here was the best time of my life,” said honoree Bowen about Nashville. While on Music Row, he also headed the offices of Elektra/Asylum, Warner Bros., Universal and MCA. He is credited with upgrading Nashville recording by leading the transition to digital, moving to the CD format, boosting country recording budgets, transferring Nashville labels’ finance operations out of L.A. and New York, empowering artists and mentoring a generation of prominent Nashville music-business figures.
Deana Carter with Jimmy Bowen. Photo: Beth Gwinn
Music City Music Council executive director Justine Avila read a proclamation from the Mayor’s Office declaring Oct. 7, 2016 as “Jimmy Bowen Day” in recognition of the honoree producing 67 No. 1 singles, 20 gold albums and 12 platinum albums, plus being responsible for 250 million in record sales.
“Do you believe that stuff she just said?” commented Bowen. “I’m TIRED. You don’t know what you’re accumulating in your life as you go through it.”
Several former employees took the podium to praise him. “Capitol Nashville was the gold standard where artists wanted to be signed and where music professionals wanted to work,” said Halper.
“He got the most and best out of people,” testified Bill Catino. “He taught us to intimidate in a loving and peaceful manner. It was, ‘Believe in the music,’ and that’s how we went at it.”
“I worked with a lot of labels before Bowen, and, believe me, he’s The Man,” said Sam Cerami.
Jimmy Bowen and Bob Bullock. Photo: Beth Gwinn
“His leadership style was one that inspired you to give 120 percent,” added Sherri Halford. “He started promoting women to executive positions in the ‘80s at a time when it was just not done.”
Several artists were there, including Kim Carnes, Mandy Barnett, Curtis Wright (who has a new bluegrass CD), Paulette Carlson, Pinmonkey’s Michael Reynolds (who now works at BMI), Keith Stegall, Eddy Raven and Deana Carter.
“Nobody did as much to influence me as Jimmy Bowen,” said Raven. “He made recording the tiara-and-champagne event that it should be,” added Carter. “Bowen, you never age: You’re like Dick Clark,” she quipped. “Dick Clark is DEAD,” fired back Bowen.
Industry mavens working the room included John Allen, John Lomax III, John Mason, Mark Brown, Terri Brown, Dave Ellingson, Dave Shofner, David & Carolyn Corlew, Jimmy Rector and Jim Beavers, who has co-written nine No. 1 country hits since his Capitol days.
Rob Herndon has also graduated into another career. He is now a successful visual artist. He presented Bowen with a vivid, red & white painting of an abstract guitar.
The room was awash in schmoozing fabulons – Herky Williams, Cindy Wilson, Garry Shierra, Charlie Lico, Hugh Bennett, Stan Moress, Katharine Richardson, Jay Jenson, Lon Helton, Donna Duarte (go Steelers!), Scott Siman, Barry Yarborough, Susan Collier, Aubrey Harwell, event queen Abbe Nameche (go Steelers! go Pirates!), Beth Gwinn, Bob Doyle, Joanna Carter, Janie West, Ronnie Cummings and Betsy Morley.
Photo: Beth Gwinn
The wait staff circulated with trays of chilled beef sandwiches, veggie spring rolls, chicken sliders, red-and-yellow beet cubes on rosemary skewers (how did they do that?), biscuits and other delights.
The honoree, now a cancer survivor living in Phoenix, waxed nostalgic. He recalled producing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in L.A. and realizing that the rock world would soon swamp that kind of music. His label suggested a meeting with The Grateful Dead.
“It was at the Beverly Hills Hotel,” recalled Bowen. ”We were in a cabana by the pool on a beautiful sunny day. I looked over, and they had a joint the size of a cigar. I’d never smoked dope in my life — I fixed that later — and after I smoked it, I said, ‘Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.’ I went to Nashville.
“When I came here, the major labels didn’t care about Nashville.” He said he encouraged artists to pick and/or write the songs they recorded, suggesting that other Music Row producers hadn’t. This rather overlooks Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, Marty Robbins, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, The Statler Brothers, Hank Williams, Don Gibson, Mel Tillis, Donna Fargo and many other acts who were self-determined before him. But, whatever…
“I can’t tell you how crazy it is to be here tonight, but I’m so glad I came,” he said of the tribute.
I teased him about wearing his old trademark Greek fisherman’s cap to the event. “I haven’t had it on since 1995,” he replied. “I wore it because I thought they won’t know who I am without it.”
Pictured (L-R): Aubrey Harwell, Jimmy Bowen, Wayne Halper. Photo: Beth Gwinn
First Round of Performers Named For 50th Annual CMA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Country Music Association has revealed the first round of performers for the 50th annual CMA Awards, exclusively to redbookmag.com.
Co-hosts Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood are both among the performers slated for that evening. In addition to co-hosting and performing, Underwood has earned her first Entertainer of the Year nomination this year. She also has nods in the Album of the Year (for Storyteller), Musical Event of the Year (for “The Fighter” with Keith Urban) and Female Vocalist of the Year categories.
Fellow award nominees Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Maren Morris and Keith Urban are also slated to perform. More performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Bentley is nominated for Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Black), Music Video of the Year (for “Somewhere on a Beach”), and Musical Event of the Year (for “Different For Girls,” featuring Elle King).
Church is nominated for Album of the Year (for Mr. Misunderstood), Single of the Year and Song of the Year (both for “Record Year”), Male Vocalist of the Year, and Music Video of the Year (for “Record Year”).
Morris earned her first nominations, including Female Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Hero), Single of the Year and Song of the Year (for “My Church”), and New Artist of the Year.
Urban is nominated for Entertainer of the Year, Male Vocalist of the Year, Album of the Year (for Ripcord), and Musical Event of the Year (“The Fighter”).
The show will be broadcast live from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville on Wednesday, Nov. 2 at 8 p.m. on ABC.
Weekly Register: Jason Aldean, Kenny Chesney Return To No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonJason Aldean
On this week’s country albums charts, Jason Aldean returns to the top spot (and No. 19 overall) with They Don’t Know selling 15K this week (200K RTD). Aldean’s album is No. 19 among all genres.
Two debuts make the Top 5 this week. John Prine debuted at No. 2 with For Better, Or Worse selling 15K. Warner Bros.‘ William Michael Morgan debuted at No. 5 with Vinyl selling 6.5K. The Nitty Gritty Dirt Band debuted at No. 11 with Circlin’ Back-Celebrating 50 Years selling 3.3K.
Following Aldean and Prine is Florida Georgia Line‘s Dig Your Roots at No. 3 (11K), Chris Stapleton‘s Traveller at No. 4 (9.6K) in the Top 5.
Overall, album sales have declined 14.5 percent, while overall digital albums sales declined 19.3 percent. Country album sales are down 8.3 percent while country digital album sales have diminished 13 percent.
Kenny Chesney (featuring Pink) returns to the top spot on the country tracks rankings this week, with “Setting The World On Fire” selling 35K (382K RTD).
Following at No. 2 is Keith Urban‘s “Blue Ain’t Your Color” (33K), Artists of Then, Now and Forever, with “Forever Country” at No. 3 (31K), Florida Georgia Line (ft. Tim McGraw)’s “May We All” at No. 4 with 20.5K, and Miranda Lambert‘s “Vice” at No. 5 with 18K.
Thomas Rhett makes this week’s top country track debut, with “Star Of The Show” at No. 7 with 16K sold.
Overall digital track sales have declined 24.6 percent year to date, while country tracks have declined 22.7 percent.
Information courtesy of Nielsen Soundscan.
UMPG Nashville Signs Caylee Hammack
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Ron Stuve, UMPG Nashville VP Creative; Kent Earls, UMPG Nashville Executive VP/General Manager; Cyndi Forman, UMPG VP of Creative; Caylee Hammack; Travis Gordon, UMPG Sr. Creative Director; T.D. Ruth, attorney; Missy Roberts, UMPG Nashville Sr. Creative Director; and ASCAP’s Robert Filhart.
Universal Music Publishing Group (UMPG) Nashville has signed an exclusive, global publishing deal with ASCAP songwriter Caylee Hammack.
“When Cyndi Forman and Travis Gordon introduced me to Caylee and her music, I knew we had to sign her right away. She’s the ultimate dual threat… an incredible lyricist and a phenomenal vocalist. We can’t wait for Music Row to discover her special talent,” said Kent Earls, UMPG Nashville Executive VP/General Manager.
“I am humbled and happy to find a home for my music. Thank you to Universal, especially Cyndi and Travis, for taking me on and welcoming me into the family. I cannot wait to see what all we can do together,” said Hammack.
At 19 Hammack moved to Nashville from Ellaville, Georgia, and became a part of ASCAP’s GPS Program, which led her to winning the ASCAP Foundation’s Sammy Cahn award. The award is given each year to a promising and aspiring lyricist recommended by ASCAP Creative Service Executives and selected by a distinguished group of songwriters, based on the quality of the lyrics submitted. Past recipients include John Mayer, Lori McKenna and Katie Herzig.
Bobby Karl Works The Room: “Capitol Nashville During The Jimmy Bowen Years” Party
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 542
Pictured (L-R): Wayne Halper, John Mason, Jimmy Bowen and Bianca Mason. Photo: Beth Gwinn
The former staffers of the Capitol Records office of the 1990s gathered to celebrate their boss on Thursday (Oct. 6) at Cabana restaurant in Hillsboro Village.
The party was titled “Capitol Nashville During the Jimmy Bowen Years (1989-1995).” It was a nostalgic look back at what many of the attendees viewed as the most rewarding experience of their careers.
“It was the best of times; it was the frickin’ BEST of times,” said event host Wayne Halper.
“My life here was the best time of my life,” said honoree Bowen about Nashville. While on Music Row, he also headed the offices of Elektra/Asylum, Warner Bros., Universal and MCA. He is credited with upgrading Nashville recording by leading the transition to digital, moving to the CD format, boosting country recording budgets, transferring Nashville labels’ finance operations out of L.A. and New York, empowering artists and mentoring a generation of prominent Nashville music-business figures.
Deana Carter with Jimmy Bowen. Photo: Beth Gwinn
Music City Music Council executive director Justine Avila read a proclamation from the Mayor’s Office declaring Oct. 7, 2016 as “Jimmy Bowen Day” in recognition of the honoree producing 67 No. 1 singles, 20 gold albums and 12 platinum albums, plus being responsible for 250 million in record sales.
“Do you believe that stuff she just said?” commented Bowen. “I’m TIRED. You don’t know what you’re accumulating in your life as you go through it.”
Several former employees took the podium to praise him. “Capitol Nashville was the gold standard where artists wanted to be signed and where music professionals wanted to work,” said Halper.
“He got the most and best out of people,” testified Bill Catino. “He taught us to intimidate in a loving and peaceful manner. It was, ‘Believe in the music,’ and that’s how we went at it.”
“I worked with a lot of labels before Bowen, and, believe me, he’s The Man,” said Sam Cerami.
Jimmy Bowen and Bob Bullock. Photo: Beth Gwinn
“His leadership style was one that inspired you to give 120 percent,” added Sherri Halford. “He started promoting women to executive positions in the ‘80s at a time when it was just not done.”
Several artists were there, including Kim Carnes, Mandy Barnett, Curtis Wright (who has a new bluegrass CD), Paulette Carlson, Pinmonkey’s Michael Reynolds (who now works at BMI), Keith Stegall, Eddy Raven and Deana Carter.
“Nobody did as much to influence me as Jimmy Bowen,” said Raven. “He made recording the tiara-and-champagne event that it should be,” added Carter. “Bowen, you never age: You’re like Dick Clark,” she quipped. “Dick Clark is DEAD,” fired back Bowen.
Industry mavens working the room included John Allen, John Lomax III, John Mason, Mark Brown, Terri Brown, Dave Ellingson, Dave Shofner, David & Carolyn Corlew, Jimmy Rector and Jim Beavers, who has co-written nine No. 1 country hits since his Capitol days.
Rob Herndon has also graduated into another career. He is now a successful visual artist. He presented Bowen with a vivid, red & white painting of an abstract guitar.
The room was awash in schmoozing fabulons – Herky Williams, Cindy Wilson, Garry Shierra, Charlie Lico, Hugh Bennett, Stan Moress, Katharine Richardson, Jay Jenson, Lon Helton, Donna Duarte (go Steelers!), Scott Siman, Barry Yarborough, Susan Collier, Aubrey Harwell, event queen Abbe Nameche (go Steelers! go Pirates!), Beth Gwinn, Bob Doyle, Joanna Carter, Janie West, Ronnie Cummings and Betsy Morley.
Photo: Beth Gwinn
The wait staff circulated with trays of chilled beef sandwiches, veggie spring rolls, chicken sliders, red-and-yellow beet cubes on rosemary skewers (how did they do that?), biscuits and other delights.
The honoree, now a cancer survivor living in Phoenix, waxed nostalgic. He recalled producing Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin in L.A. and realizing that the rock world would soon swamp that kind of music. His label suggested a meeting with The Grateful Dead.
“It was at the Beverly Hills Hotel,” recalled Bowen. ”We were in a cabana by the pool on a beautiful sunny day. I looked over, and they had a joint the size of a cigar. I’d never smoked dope in my life — I fixed that later — and after I smoked it, I said, ‘Excuse me, I have to go to the bathroom.’ I went to Nashville.
“When I came here, the major labels didn’t care about Nashville.” He said he encouraged artists to pick and/or write the songs they recorded, suggesting that other Music Row producers hadn’t. This rather overlooks Bill Anderson, Roger Miller, Marty Robbins, Dolly Parton, Loretta Lynn, Tom T. Hall, The Statler Brothers, Hank Williams, Don Gibson, Mel Tillis, Donna Fargo and many other acts who were self-determined before him. But, whatever…
“I can’t tell you how crazy it is to be here tonight, but I’m so glad I came,” he said of the tribute.
I teased him about wearing his old trademark Greek fisherman’s cap to the event. “I haven’t had it on since 1995,” he replied. “I wore it because I thought they won’t know who I am without it.”
Pictured (L-R): Aubrey Harwell, Jimmy Bowen, Wayne Halper. Photo: Beth Gwinn
Artist Updates: Brad Paisley, William Michael Morgan, Aaron Tippin, Chris Tomlin
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley Releases Emotional Video For “Today”
Brad Paisley has released his latest single, “Today,” to country radio. The video has already been viewed more than 8.3 million times.
Co-produced by Paisley and Luke Wooten, the love song was co-written by Brad Paisley, Chris DuBois and Ashley Gorley. “Today” will be featured on the his forthcoming studio album, his 11th release on Arista Nashville.
William Michael Morgan Performs For Southwest Airlines’ Live at 35
William Michael Morgan
William Michael Morgan recently offered a surprise performance as part of Southwest Airlines’ Live at 35 program, playing his No. 1 hit “I Met A Girl” and the title track Vinyl for a full flight in route to Nashville. The passengers also received copies of Morgan’s just-released debut album Vinyl, photos, and tickets to see him featured on the Grand Ole Opry’s “Opry Country Classics” show.
The 23-year-old Vicksburg, Mississippi singer-songwriter will join Lee Brice and Justin Moore on the American Made Tour in 2017.
Aaron Tippin Documentary Wins Telly Award
Pictured (L-R): Assistant Film Director & Editor Dave Molesworth, Aaron Tippin, Director Glenn Sweitzer
Aaron Tippin‘s video documentary about his career in music, Aaron Tippin – 25 Years, won a Telly Award at the 37th Annual Telly Awards. With over 13,000 entries from all 50 states and numerous countries, the win is a big accolade for Tippin and film director Glenn Sweitzer of Nashville-based film company Fresh Films.
“I have had the honor of working with Aaron for the past 10 years, and helping tell his story was a true honor,” says Sweitzer. “There’s never a boring moment in the life of Aaron and Thea Tippin.”
Tippin adds, “I was so honored to find out we’d won a Telly Award for our documentary. It’s always great to work with Glenn Sweitzer. He’s such a talent.”
The full documentary can be seen on vimeo.com.
Chris Tomlin Celebrates Children’s Book With Nashville Launch Event
Chris Tomlin and Pat Barrett read Good Good Father during a Nashville launch event.
CCM artist Chris Tomlin was on hand earlier this week for the launch event of his new children’s book, Good Good Father, at Barnes & Noble in Nashville. Tomlin and co-author Pat Barrett read the book aloud to families attending the event.
The duo also performed the single that inspired the book, Tomlin’s No. 1 hit “Good Good Father.”
“What defines you the most is that you’re a son of God and you’re a daughter of God, and you’re loved by a perfect father,” Tomlin shared with attendees. “That’s what Pat and I want for our own kids to know and for your kids as well.”
On Oct. 21, Tomlin will release his 11th studio album Never Lose Sight. Good Good Father is available for purchase at Barnes & Noble, Amazon and more.
Miranda Lambert Plans Double Album
/by Jessica NicholsonIt has been two years since Miranda Lambert released 2014’s Platinum, and it seems she has plenty of songwriting material stored up.
Her upcoming project, The Weight Of These Wings, will be a double album, including 24 tracks. Each “disc” has a specific title, with disc 1 dubbed “The Nerve,” and disc 2, “The Heart.”
The project includes Lambert’s current single, “Vice.”
The Weight Of These Wings releases Nov. 18 on RCA Records Nashville.
Glen Campbell Tribute At Basement East Will Benefit Alzheimer’s Association
/by Craig_ShelburneGlen Campbell
More than a dozen Nashville musicians will pay tribute to Glen Campbell at the Basement East on Wednesday (Oct. 12) at 8 p.m.
P
erformers include JD Souther, Chuck Mead, Cordovas, Grimey & Friends (including Bryan Owings, Mark Miller, Jesse Isley, Michael Webb, and Trisha Brantley), Luke Preston, Fairground Saints, Will Kimbrough, Charlie Whitten, Kate Kelly, Ethan Samuel Brown, Forest Fire Gospel Choir, WAGES (formerly Friends of Lola), and special guests.
Artists will perform Glen Campbell classics such as “Southern Nights” and “Rhinestone Cowboy” in addition to music that he recorded as part of the famed studio players known as The Wrecking Crew.
The event is intended to bring awareness to the profound impact Campbell’s music and life story has had in helping convey the true difficulties that Alzheimer’s disease can inflict on those diagnosed, as well as their family and loved ones.
Tickets are $8 in advance atn $10 at the door. Proceeds will benefit the Alzheimer’s Association.
Garth Brooks Surprises CMA Broadcast Award Winners
/by Jessica NicholsonGarth Brooks surprised radio executives on Friday (Oct. 7) with news that they are this year’s CMA Broadcast Awards winners.
“Radio plays an integral role in our format,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “These winners are advocates for country music in their markets and we are honored to be able to recognize their accomplishments and valued contributions to our industry.”
The winners of the 2016 CMA Broadcast Awards are:
2016 CMA Broadcast Personality of the Year Winners
National – “Country Countdown USA” (Lon Helton) – Westwood One
Major Market – “Chris Carr & Company” (Chris Carr, Jeff “Maverick” Bolen, and Kia Becht) – KEEY, Minneapolis-St. Paul, Minn.
Large Market – “The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – “The Gator & StyckMan Program” (Gator Harrison, Greg “StyckMan” Owens, and “Cowboy” Kyle Croft) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – “The Eddie Foxx Show” (Eddie Foxx and Sharon Green) – WKSF, Asheville, N.C.
2016 CMA Radio Station of the Year Winners
Major Market – KKBQ – Houston-Galveston, Texas
Large Market – WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market – WUSY – Chattanooga, Tenn.
Small Market – KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
Austin Marshall Joins Starstruck Entertainment
/by Craig_ShelburneAustin Marshall
Austin Marshall has joined Starstruck Entertainment in the role of manager and director of artist development. His colleagues include Starstruck Management Group’s Narvel Blackstock, Brandon Blackstock and Kelli Haywood.
Marshall, who formerly served as executive vice president of Play It Again Publishing, will focus on signing and cultivating new talent for the management team including songwriters for Starstruck Writers Group at the music entertainment agency.
“As we continue expanding artist development at Starstruck, I am very proud to have Austin Marshall join us as a manager and director of artist development,” said Starstruck Entertainment founder Narvel Blackstock. “Austin’s experience in artist development, touring and music publishing will be a great asset to all the artists currently at Starstruck and to new talent we will be developing.”
“The industry has neglected the process of developing emerging artists. They’re not developing artists, they’re developing singles. At Starstruck, that’s not the case,” said Marshall. “We are working with individuals who are passionate about their craft, committed to making music for their developing fan base and determined to put it all on the line as an entertainer. I am thrilled to be in an environment where we can give those artists, new and established, every opportunity to realize our shared vision.”
Exclusive: Dale Dodson Digs Deep Into Sony/ATV Catalog
/by Craig_ShelburneDale Dodson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
After nearly 25 years at Sony/ATV, Dale Dodson jokes that he’s seen the carpet change three times. Of course, the name on the building has been adjusted quite a few times too, yet Dodson has remained a cornerstone for the publishing company.
A West Virginia native, Dodson worked as a disc jockey before moving to Nashville in 1987. He was hired at the publishing company in 1992 at the request of Donna Hilley, who went on to become president and CEO of Sony/ATV. A knowledgeable country music fan, Dodson was initially assigned to sift through the catalogs of legendary songwriters like Harlan Howard, Hank Cochran, Buck Owens, Red Lane and Curly Putman.
His mission was to find overlooked songs that still sounded like they could get cut, and then try to make it happen by recording a fresh demo. Along the way he befriended these writers and can rattle off anecdotes faster than most industry newcomers can drop names.
He can talk about how Red Lane and Max T. Barnes used to write songs over the phone, sometimes fleshing out verses or choruses provided by Merle Haggard, or that Hank Cochran preferred to write really late at night at home in Goodlettsville while Harlan Howard would show up on Music Row in the mornings and then go have drinks at lunch.
Dale Dodson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
“I love the past, and I love all these guys,” he says, gesturing toward the vintage album covers pasted on the wall. “I’ve got all their records and I’ve got all their boxed sets. I could listen to that stuff forever. But the thing is, I want my phone to ring.”
In the mid 2000s, Dodson — who is a songwriter himself — started working with hot contemporary writers but has since gone back to focusing on the catalog. This time, though, he’s looking for material only two to five years behind the modern day. Along with his employment at Sony/ATV, he’s also a consultant for Carnival Music.
Dodson explains that he spends most of his daily commute listening to catalog. When he finds a hidden gem, he plays it at different times of day to see if it holds up.
Asked what exactly he’s listening for, Dodson answers, “I listen to two different things. I listen for something that tells me something – that makes me either laugh or cry or say, ‘Oooh, what a lyric!’ Then I listen for radio. So when I listen, I’m listening from a different angle. That’s why it takes me some time. With all these catalogs, and all these songs, I want to give everyone the respect as a songwriter.”
Dale Dodson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
The deep dive has served a number of artists well, including Martina McBride, when “A Broken Wing” was pulled out of the vault. George Strait recorded “The Seashores of Old Mexico” after Dodson gave it a second wind. He’s secured cuts with Brooks & Dunn, Luke Bryan, Billy Currington, Alan Jackson, Jamey Johnson, Scotty McCreery, Reba McEntire, Jo Dee Messina and Lee Ann Womack as well.
Dodson also sets up writing dates for Carnival songwriters like Scooter Carusoe, Troy Jones or Marla Cannon-Goodman with outside artists and someone who does tracking (commonly known as a track guy). Often he tries to connect at least one person from Carnival and Sony/ATV to make the co-write click. And when it comes to pitching, Dodson says he can go in a couple of directions.
“If you were a producer, or in A&R, or an artist, you’d come in and sit down and I would play you songs. Or I could come to your office and play you three or four. Or we’ll have group meetings where a producer will bring [a Sony/ATV group] in and we’ll go around the room and play a song,” he says. “A company like this is huge and you’ve got to get as much opportunity as possible. But that being said, the best way to do it is to come in with one song at a time. I like that!”
Using that singular tactic, he’s launched an email blast every week called The Dodson Files, where he pitches precisely one song to a select number of people in the industry—or as he refers to them, “the ones who make the town spin.” Although it’s a low-key approach, he’s landed a few cuts. He says he learned the one-off trick from Cochran, who taught Dodson to pay attention to the emotion in the room and react on it.
Dale Dodson. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Along with a keen ear for lyrics and melodies, the underrated skills of watching and learning from the masters has served him well. When Dodson arrived in the 1990s, it was understood that you needed to know about country music history before getting into the music business. Today, that quality isn’t as common.
“I wish that there was a little bit more respect,” he says. “Because when I came here, these people we’re talking about—Willie Nelson and Conway Twitty, greats like Billy Sherrill and Chet Atkins, the Bradley family, the Dennys, Fred Foster, Bob Montgomery, Paul Worley, Tony Brown—they were giants. And when you were around them, that’s how you treated them. If you were in the room, you shut up and hope that nothing stupid rolls out of your mouth and learn and watch.”
Naturally, as anyone who’s spent decades in the music industry can attest, the pace has the potential to wear you down. Nonetheless, Dodson says he wants to reach his 40-year milestone at Sony/ATV and continue working with Carnival. He answers quickly when he’s asked about the reward of working in such a temperamental business.
“I love great songs!” he says. “It’s the beginning. If you don’t have a great song, you don’t have an artist. And songwriters! I love writing songs. It’s my outlet but I consider it my second job. Songplugging is my first job because I love songs and I love the deal and I love this game of getting in here and getting songs recorded. And I love, most of all, making songwriters happy.”