Kacey Jones
[Update]: A celebration of life has been set for singer-songwriter Kacey Jones, who died Sept. 1 at 66 years old.
The celebration will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Douglas Corner in Nashville. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the service running from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
[Original post, Sept. 1, 4:31 p.m. CT]:
Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Jones passed away on Thursday (Sept. 1). She was 66 years old.
She is best-known for her comedic songs as a member of Ethel & The Shameless Hussies, as well as on a series of humorous solo CDs. Born Gayle Zeller, Kacey Jones was raised in Gilroy, California. Early in her career, she recorded for an independent label in San Francisco.
She co-wrote the 1985 Mickey Gilley top-10 hit “I’m the One Mama Warned You About.” During that same year, David Allan Coe recorded her song “Cold Turkey.”
She moved to Nashville in 1986. Jones initially hoped to be recorded as a serious singer-songwriter. But then she formed Ethel & The Shameless Hussies with Becki Fogle (“Bunny O’Hare”) and Valerie Hunt (“Blanche Hickey”). Her character in the group was called “Ethel Beaverton.”
The act took its name from the Ray Stevens lyric in “The Streak.” Ethel & The Shameless Hussies signed with MCA Records and issued its debut album, Born to Burn, in 1988. They made the charts with the singles “One Nite Stan” (1988) and “It’s Just the Whiskey Talkin’” (1989). “Ethel’s” turns in the spotlight with the group included “Last Night I Really Laid Down the Law,” “Smokin’ in Bed” and “Up Against Your Love.”
The group was nominated as Comedy Act of the Year at the Music City News Awards. The trio remained together for four years.
Later in the 1990s, Jones embarked on a solo career. Her initial solo CD was 1997’s Men Are Some of My Favorite People on Curb Records. It yielded two music videos, “1-900-Bubba” and “(I Hate Your Lousy, Rotten, Stinkin’ Guts) But I’m Not Bitter.”
She eventually appeared several times on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion and in the pages of People and USA Today. Her songs have also been heard on film soundtracks, such as the Beau Bridges cult favorite Sordid Lives. Among the artists who have recorded her songs are Cledus T. Judd, Richard Fagan, Ray Stevens and Marshall Chapman.
Jones was also a record producer. She saluted Texas singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman by producing the multi-artist CD Pearls in the Snow. Featuring Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam and others, this album hit No. 1 on the Americana charts in 1999.
As an entrepreneur, she formed her own IGO Records label and the publishing companies Zamalama Music (BMI) and Mamalama Music (ASCAP). She signed country traditionalist Leland Martin to IGO, and he charted with “If I Had Long Legs (Like Alan Jackson)” (2002) and “Hey Love, No Fair” (2003).
Her own record making career continued with Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay or Dead (2000), Never Wear Panties to a Party (2001) and The Sweet Potato Queens’ Big-Ass Box of Music (2003). Her 2000 duet with Delbert McClinton, “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly,” was a big hit in Europe. In 2001, Jones became a regular on the nationally-syndicated ABC morning radio show, “Charlie & Darcy.”
She was dubbed “The Royal Minstrel to the Sweet Potato Queens’ Court.” This was a network of fans of Mississippi author Jill Connor Browne’s series of Sothern-belle “Sweet Potato Queen” books. Their anthem was Jones’s “Be Particular.”
Kacey Jones is remembered for such clever lyrics as “Christmas In Rehab,” “Whatever Happened to Kenny Rogers’ Face,” “Show Up Naked—Bring Beer,” “I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly,” “Dressin’ Up for the Pizza Man,” “I Can Always Get Skinny But You’ll Never Be Tall,” “Put the Seat Back Down” and “I Miss My Man (But My Aim’s Gettin’ Better).”
She flipped back to her serious side with 2006’s Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury. The album garnered widespread critical praise.
Nipples to the Wind (2007), Kaceyoke (2008) and Donald Trump’s Hair (2009) returned her to light-hearted fare. Her most recent album was 2014’s Amen for Old Friends, which combined both comedic and serious tunes.
In recent years, she had doing a series of “in the round” shows with fellow tunesmiths Becky Hobbs and Benita Hill. They were billed as “A Cowgirl, a Diva and a Shameless Hussy.” The three also wrote together. Her other songwriting/performing trio was Phillybilly, alongside Richard Fagan and Joe Collins.
In 2014, Kacey Jones was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Instead of chemo, radiation and surgery, she opted for alternative, holistic therapies. She launched a GoFundMe account to pay for these. Despite chronic pain, she was well enough in 2015 to compete on TV’s America’s Got Talent.
In February, the songwriting community staged a benefit show for her at Douglas Corner Café. Among those booked were Rafe Van Hoy, Alan Rhody, Kent Blazy, Roger Cook, Wood Newton and Jonmark Stone. In light of the current presidential campaign, she reissued “Donald Trump’s Hair” last spring. Kacey Jones entered hospice care in August.
Industry Ink: BMI, Blue Tile Music, Skyline Artists Agency
/by Craig_ShelburneBMI Presents Larry Gatlin With “Million-Air” Awards
Pictured (L-R): Larry Gatlin, BMI’s Perry Howard. Photo: Moments By Moser
Larry Gatlin accepted two BMI Million-Air Awards during his sold-out concert at the Franklin Theater in downtown Franklin on Saturday (Oct. 8). The honor is given to songwriters, composers and publishers whose songs accumulate over one million U.S. broadcast performances.
BMI’s Perry Howard presented the awards to Gatlin for writing “Houston (Means I’m One Day Closer to You)” and “Broken Lady,” both of which were hits for Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers. Both singles have surpassed two million radio spins, taking them to the next level of the Million-Air Award. Gatlin has previously received Million-Air Awards for “All The Gold in California,” “I Just Wish You Were Someone I Love” and “The Lady Takes the Cowboy Everytime.”
Blue Tile Music Aligns With New Duo, Towne
Pictured (L-R): Sunni Ray, Harmon Music Management; Allen Bargfrede, Blue Tile Media; Jon Decious and Steevie Steeves of Towne; Derek Crownover, Dickinson Wright; Rusty Harmon and Lexi Dawson of Harmon Music Management
Country pop-rock duo Towne has signed a publishing and artist development deal with creative investment firm Blue Tile Music. As a division of Blue Tile Media Partners, Blue Tile Music empowers artists through creative funding mechanisms and hands-on assistance, helping them launch and sustain their careers.
The signing follows the release of Towne’s debut EP, Games We Play. The duo consists of Steevie Steeves and Jon Decious. They initially crossed paths at Skip Ewing‘s Horse and Writer Seminar in Wyoming where they immediately connected musically. They are managed by Rusty Harmon at Harmon Music Management.
Skyline Music Rebrands As Skyline Artists Agency
After more than 25 years as Skyline Music, the boutique booking agency is rebranding as Skyline Artists Agency. The company’s roster of 60 artists includes Roger McGuinn, Poco, Atlanta Rhythm Section, The Lovin’ Spoonful, The Smithereens, The Motels, Zoe Keating, Darlingside and MarchFourth.
“We have always existed to serve a select group of artists,” said Skyline Founder and President Bruce Houghton. “But in the digital age, doing that effectively means going beyond just booking a date. Our name change to Skyline Artists Agency reflects that important shift, as well as our ongoing work beyond music and in music tech.”
The company also publishes music tech/music industry website Hypebot.com.
Hurricane Matthew Affects Farm Tour, Beach Town Music Festival
/by Craig_ShelburneLuke Bryan’s Farm Tour date in Gaston, South Carolina, has been canceled due to Hurricane Matthew evacuation orders. Bryan was scheduled to perform at Culler Farms in Gaston (near Columbia) on Wednesday (Oct. 5).
Evacuation orders begin Wednesday for coastal areas of South Carolina; those orders impacted the traffic routes to the farm. The tour will resume Thursday in Greenback, Tennesseee, southwest of Knoxville.
In addition, the 2016 Beach Town Music Festival, set to be held Oct. 7-8 in Vero Beach, Florida, has been postponed due to Florida Governor Rick Scott declaring a state of emergency for all of Florida’s 67 counties.
Jake Owen (whose hometown is Vero Beach), David Nail, Clare Dunn and other country artists were part of the lineup, as well as rock artists like Bret Michaels, Gin Blossoms and Edwin McCain. The postponed dates will be announced at a later date.
Shania Twain Named CMT’s Artist Of A Lifetime
/by Craig_ShelburneShania Twain
Shania Twain will receive the Artist of a Lifetime award at this year’s CMT Artists of the Year event. The 90-minute special will be taped at the Schermerhorn Symphony Center in Nashville and air on Oct. 20 at 9 p.m. ET.
This year’s CMT Artists of the year are Carrie Underwood, Chris Stapleton, Florida Georgia Line, Luke Bryan and Thomas Rhett. These artists collectively dominated the last 12 months ruling CMT’s platforms and country radio, scoring chart-topping album and singles, and selling out arenas around the country.
Additionally, CMT will honor rising star Kelsea Ballerini with the second annual Artists of the Year “Breakout” Award. Additional performers, presenters, and special guests will be announced at a later date.
With more than 75 million albums sold worldwide and U.S. sales topping 34.5 million, Twain remains the top-selling female country artist of all time. Her 1997 release Come On Over has sold more than 15.65 million copies making it the No. 1 top-selling country album, the No. 1 top-selling album (all genre) by a female, and the No. 2 best-selling album overall in Soundscan history.
Dolly Parton Will Accept CMA’s Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award
/by Craig_ShelburneDolly Parton will be the 2016 recipient of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award. The honor will be presented during The 50th Annual CMA Awards, airing Wednesday, Nov. 2 (8 p.m./ET) on the ABC Television Network live from Nashville.
The announcement was made Monday during Parton’s appearance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live.
“Dolly epitomizes the very definition of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “She is a trailblazer who continues to enchant and captivate fans around the world, from her latest No. 1 album, to her sold-out tour, and numerous television projects. She is a treasure and deserving of this industry acclaim for her undeniable contributions to the success of country music, today.”
The Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award is for an iconic artist who has attained the highest degree of recognition in country music. The award was established to recognize an artist who has achieved both national and international prominence and stature through concert performances, humanitarian efforts, philanthropy, record sales, and public representation at the highest level. The artist receiving this award has positively impacted and contributed to the growth of the genre throughout a course of years that have proven to have an unprecedented historical impact on fans and industry alike.
Previous recipients of the Willie Nelson Lifetime Achievement Award include Willie Nelson (2012), Kenny Rogers (2013), and Johnny Cash (2015).
Parton has received 44 CMA Awards nominations and has won nine times including Entertainer (1978) and Female Vocalist of the Year (1975, 1976). In 1996, she and Vince Gill won Musical Event of the Year for “I Will Always Love You,” which is heavily featured in CMA’s hugely popular “Forever Country” single and music video project celebrating the 50th Anniversary of the CMA Awards
Country Artists Cover CMA Award-Winning Songs In Video Series
/by Jessica Nicholson50th Awards logo
Numerous country artists are taking part in the CMA Awards’ golden anniversary by recording CMA Award-winning songs and sharing them on YouTube for their fans.
The 45 artists participating in this retrospective include former CMA Awards nominees and winners John Berry, T. Graham Brown, Deana Carter, Mark Chesnutt, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Billy Ray Cyrus, Carolyn Dawn Johnson, Jo Dee Messina, John Michael Montgomery, Lorrie Morgan, Eric Paslay, Collin Raye, Shenandoah, Ricky Skaggs, Josh Turner, Steve Wariner, Amanda and Tyler Wilkinson, Mark Wills, and Lee Ann Womack; in addition to rising artists including Lauren Alaina, Kane Brown, Dustin Lynch, Jon Pardi, Michael Ray, Scotty McCreery and Drake White.
The covers are featured at forevercountry50.com, with at least one new song being added each day through Wednesday, Nov. 2, when the 50th annual CMA Awards air live on ABC Television Network.
“This is a great opportunity for the fans to experience and discover the rich heritage of the format by hearing these classic songs performed by contemporary and legendary artists,” said Damon Whiteside, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships.
Among the covers included in the project are Song of the Year winners “There Goes My Everything,” which was the first Song of the Year in 1967; “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” Song of the Year in 1970; “Always on My Mind,” Song of the Year in 1982; “When I Call Your Name,” Song of the Year in 1991; and “I Hope You Dance,” which won Song of the Year in 2000.
The project is an extension of “Forever Country,” which features 30 former CMA Award-winning acts performing three country standards: John Denver’s “Take Me Home, Country Roads,” Willie Nelson’s “On the Road Again,” and Dolly Parton’s “I Will Always Love You.”
Grand Ole Opry Plans Free Music For 91st Birthday This Weekend
/by Eric T. ParkerCrystal Gayle, Mo Pitney. Photo: Chris Hollo
The Grand Ole Opry is set to celebrate its 91st birthday this weekend, Oct. 7-8, with music from Crystal Gayle and Mo Pitney. In addition, three Opry shows will feature artists such as Lee Brice, Joe Diffie, Ashley Monroe, Chuck Wicks, Bryan White, Brad Paisley, Secret Sisters, Connie Smith and Ricky Skaggs.
On Saturday, Gayle’s concert will begin at 3 p.m and Pitney’s set starts at 5 p.m. Backstage tours, food, and free music in the Opry Plaza kick off Friday at 5 p.m. Others appearing on the free stage throughout the weekend are Carson Peters and Iron Mountain, Janelle Arthur, Levon, Ben & Sara, and Carly Pearce.
Artists confirmed for Friday night’s Opry show include Brice, Diffie, Wicks, White, Monroe and Skaggs. Both sets on Saturday will feature Paisley, Pitney and the Secret Sisters.
See a full schedule at opry.com.
BMI Songwriters Perform At Island Hopper Songwriters Fest
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Cat Country 107.1 Program Director Mike Tyler, Maren Morris, BMI’s Dan Spears, Cat Country 107.1 Midday Personality Amy Lynn, prior to Morris’ set at the Pink Shell Resort in Fort Myers, Florida. Photo: Courtesy of BMI
More than 70 BMI songwriters traveled to Southwest Florida to participate in the 3rd annual Island Hopper Songwriters Fest, a joint venture between BMI, iHeart Media and the Visitors and Convention Bureau of Lee County. The 10-day festival began on Captiva Island on Sept. 23 and wrapped up Oct. 2 in Fort Myers Beach, with headlining performances from Parmalee and Maren Morris.
Twenty-four BMI-licensed venues hosted 138 performances on the beaches of Captiva and Fort Myers.
Pictured (L-R): BMI songwriter Tim James, BMI’s Dan Spears, Parmalee’s Josh McSwain, Parmalee’s Barry Knox, Cat Country 107.1 Program Director Mike Tyler, Cat Country 107.1 Midday Personality Amy Lynn, Parmalee’s Matt Thomas, BMI songwriter Danny Myrick, Parmalee’s Scott Thomas, prior to Parmalee’s set at Florida Repertory Theater in Fort Myers, Florida. Photo: Courtesy of BMI
3 Ring Circus Music Re-Ups Davis Naish
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): 3 Ring Circus Music Director of A&R/Artist Management Casey Le’Vasseur, 3 Ring Circus Music GM Darrell Franklin, Davis Naish, 3 Ring Circus Music President Jeffrey Steele. Photo: Colin M Lewis – Stella Cadente ENT
3 Ring Circus Music has re-signed songwriter Davis Naish to an exclusive publishing agreement.
The Nashville native has been part of the 3 Ring family for two years. He is the son of contemporary Christian producer Phil Naish. He began writing songs at the age of 16, influenced by writer Richard Marx and composer/arranger Rob Mathes.
“Davis brings such a rich knowledge of composition, thought, and instincts to everything he writes. Pure passion, seriousness, and fun!” said Jeffrey Steele, President, 3 Ring Circus.
“I’m very excited to be re-signing Davis,” said Darrell Franklin, GM of 3 Ring Circus. “He is a great fit for us and I feel like he’s just beginning to come into his own. With an old soul, a nonstop work ethic and tremendous respect for the craft of songwriting, Davis is one of the most talented young songwriters I’ve had the pleasure to work with.”
LifeNotes: Comic Singer-Songwriter Kacey Jones Passes
/by Robert K OermannKacey Jones
[Update]: A celebration of life has been set for singer-songwriter Kacey Jones, who died Sept. 1 at 66 years old.
The celebration will be held Wednesday, Oct. 5 at Douglas Corner in Nashville. Doors will open at 6 p.m., with the service running from 7 p.m.-9:30 p.m.
[Original post, Sept. 1, 4:31 p.m. CT]:
Nashville singer-songwriter Kacey Jones passed away on Thursday (Sept. 1). She was 66 years old.
She is best-known for her comedic songs as a member of Ethel & The Shameless Hussies, as well as on a series of humorous solo CDs. Born Gayle Zeller, Kacey Jones was raised in Gilroy, California. Early in her career, she recorded for an independent label in San Francisco.
She co-wrote the 1985 Mickey Gilley top-10 hit “I’m the One Mama Warned You About.” During that same year, David Allan Coe recorded her song “Cold Turkey.”
She moved to Nashville in 1986. Jones initially hoped to be recorded as a serious singer-songwriter. But then she formed Ethel & The Shameless Hussies with Becki Fogle (“Bunny O’Hare”) and Valerie Hunt (“Blanche Hickey”). Her character in the group was called “Ethel Beaverton.”
The act took its name from the Ray Stevens lyric in “The Streak.” Ethel & The Shameless Hussies signed with MCA Records and issued its debut album, Born to Burn, in 1988. They made the charts with the singles “One Nite Stan” (1988) and “It’s Just the Whiskey Talkin’” (1989). “Ethel’s” turns in the spotlight with the group included “Last Night I Really Laid Down the Law,” “Smokin’ in Bed” and “Up Against Your Love.”
The group was nominated as Comedy Act of the Year at the Music City News Awards. The trio remained together for four years.
Later in the 1990s, Jones embarked on a solo career. Her initial solo CD was 1997’s Men Are Some of My Favorite People on Curb Records. It yielded two music videos, “1-900-Bubba” and “(I Hate Your Lousy, Rotten, Stinkin’ Guts) But I’m Not Bitter.”
She eventually appeared several times on NPR’s A Prairie Home Companion and in the pages of People and USA Today. Her songs have also been heard on film soundtracks, such as the Beau Bridges cult favorite Sordid Lives. Among the artists who have recorded her songs are Cledus T. Judd, Richard Fagan, Ray Stevens and Marshall Chapman.
Jones was also a record producer. She saluted Texas singer-songwriter Kinky Friedman by producing the multi-artist CD Pearls in the Snow. Featuring Willie Nelson, Asleep at the Wheel, Lyle Lovett, Dwight Yoakam and others, this album hit No. 1 on the Americana charts in 1999.
As an entrepreneur, she formed her own IGO Records label and the publishing companies Zamalama Music (BMI) and Mamalama Music (ASCAP). She signed country traditionalist Leland Martin to IGO, and he charted with “If I Had Long Legs (Like Alan Jackson)” (2002) and “Hey Love, No Fair” (2003).
Her own record making career continued with Every Man I Love Is Either Married, Gay or Dead (2000), Never Wear Panties to a Party (2001) and The Sweet Potato Queens’ Big-Ass Box of Music (2003). Her 2000 duet with Delbert McClinton, “You’re the Reason Our Kids Are Ugly,” was a big hit in Europe. In 2001, Jones became a regular on the nationally-syndicated ABC morning radio show, “Charlie & Darcy.”
She was dubbed “The Royal Minstrel to the Sweet Potato Queens’ Court.” This was a network of fans of Mississippi author Jill Connor Browne’s series of Sothern-belle “Sweet Potato Queen” books. Their anthem was Jones’s “Be Particular.”
Kacey Jones is remembered for such clever lyrics as “Christmas In Rehab,” “Whatever Happened to Kenny Rogers’ Face,” “Show Up Naked—Bring Beer,” “I Wanna Be Up Front Like Dolly,” “Dressin’ Up for the Pizza Man,” “I Can Always Get Skinny But You’ll Never Be Tall,” “Put the Seat Back Down” and “I Miss My Man (But My Aim’s Gettin’ Better).”
She flipped back to her serious side with 2006’s Kacey Jones Sings Mickey Newbury. The album garnered widespread critical praise.
Nipples to the Wind (2007), Kaceyoke (2008) and Donald Trump’s Hair (2009) returned her to light-hearted fare. Her most recent album was 2014’s Amen for Old Friends, which combined both comedic and serious tunes.
In recent years, she had doing a series of “in the round” shows with fellow tunesmiths Becky Hobbs and Benita Hill. They were billed as “A Cowgirl, a Diva and a Shameless Hussy.” The three also wrote together. Her other songwriting/performing trio was Phillybilly, alongside Richard Fagan and Joe Collins.
In 2014, Kacey Jones was diagnosed with Stage 3 colorectal cancer. Instead of chemo, radiation and surgery, she opted for alternative, holistic therapies. She launched a GoFundMe account to pay for these. Despite chronic pain, she was well enough in 2015 to compete on TV’s America’s Got Talent.
In February, the songwriting community staged a benefit show for her at Douglas Corner Café. Among those booked were Rafe Van Hoy, Alan Rhody, Kent Blazy, Roger Cook, Wood Newton and Jonmark Stone. In light of the current presidential campaign, she reissued “Donald Trump’s Hair” last spring. Kacey Jones entered hospice care in August.
Emily Ann Roberts Signs With SESAC
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): SESAC’s Shannan Hatch and Roberts. Photo: Peyton Hoge
Emily Ann Roberts has signed with SESAC for representation. Roberts was a contestant on NBC’s The Voice last year and chosen by superstar Blake Shelton for his team. During the competition, Roberts performed renditions of “In The Garden,” “Blame It On Your Heart” and “Why Not Me.” Roberts stopped by SESAC’s new Music Row headquarters to visit and celebrate the new partnership.