This is the week of the Americana music convention in Nashville.
And make no mistake, Nashville is the headquarters of this burgeoning musical movement. As if to underscore that fact, most of the discs reviewed today are by Nashville area residents. In fact, with the exceptions of John McEuen and Shovels & Rope, all of them are.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Music Row tunesmith Sean McConnell. It turns out that he sings as well as he writes. Catch him Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter.
The DisCovery Award is a tie this week. Zach Schmidt is on his second album (I think the first might have been digital only), yet this is my first exposure to him. Check him out tomorrow at Acme Feed & Seed. Jared Hard, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. But he definitely has the goods.
All three of these guys are singer-songwriters. All three of them have superlative voices. All are talented song craftsman. And all of them will please you immensely.
JARED HARD/10,000 Hydrogen Bombs
Writers: Jared Hard; Producer: Jeff Anderson; Publisher: none listed; JH (track)
– This is the title tune of a six-song EP by this Nashville singer-songwriter. It’s a folkie, strummy, sparsely accompanied, acoustic ballad about how hard love can hit ya. The slight echo on his vocal brings out its tenor resonance and poignant expressiveness. Utterly charming. Elsewhere on the set, he’s accompanied by a dandy, rootsy band featuring fiddle and organ. Throughout, his vocals are cooler than cool, and his songs are consistently splendid. This is a real find.
SHOVELS & ROPE/I Know
Writers: Michael Trent/Cary Ann Hearst; Producer: Michael Trent; Publisher: Famous Nightclub/Noberta Jean, BMI; New West (track)
-The new CD, Little Seeds, officially drops on Oct. 7, but this South Carolina duo did its release party at The Basement on Tuesday afternoon, presumably to capitalize on this being Americana Music Week. Shovels & Rope are previous Americana winners for Song of the Year (”Birmingham” in 2012) and Emerging Artist of the Year. This track is available for an advance listen on the duo’s website. As on prior records, their voices are right in your face and the production hits hard. An instant hit.
STEPHEN SIMMONS/West
Writers: Stephen Simmons; Producers: Eric Fritsch & Stephen Simmons; Publishers: Shiny Geode, SESAC; Locke Creek
-This Nashville veteran kicked off Americana Week with a show at Family Wash on Monday (Sept. 19). It celebrated his 10th CD, A World Without. Simmons was a rocker for years in Music City. His evolution to Americana suits his songwriting style, which is conversational and plain spoken, particularly on this track. It muses about cultural heritage, romance, family history and wanderlust, all in a warm, dusky voice that sidles up next to you like a long-lost friend.
SEAN McCONNELL/Holy Days
Writer: Sean McConnell; Producers: Ian Fitchuk/Jason Lehning; Publisher: Warner-Tamberlane/Little Beluga, BMI; Rounder (track)
– Sean salutes Americana Week with a hometown performance on Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter. His self-titled debut CD for Rounder kicks off with this punchy slab of nostalgia for a lost lover. It has more hooks than a tuna boat, which figures, since he’s a total songwriting pro with cuts by Tim, Brad, Martina, Brothers Osborne, Rascal Flatts, David Nail, Buddy Miller, Meatloaf and more. He sells it as a singer, too. This rocks in all the right ways.
JOHN McEUEN/Excitable Boy
Writers: Warren Zevon/Leroy Marinell; Producers: John McEuen/David Chesky; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Tiny Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Chesky (track)
– This Nitty Gritty Dirt Bander surrounded himself with folks like David Bromberg, John Cowan, Steve Martin, John Carter Cash and David Amram. They recorded live in a Brooklyn church building and came out with a collection so rootsy that even Warren Zevon comes across as a hillbilly songwriter. McEuen’s CD release party for Made In Brooklyn will be next Tuesday, Sept. 27, at BMI at 5:00 pm.
ZACH SCHMIDT/Company Man
Writer: Zach Schmidt; Producers: James Maple/Zach Schmidt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC; ZS (track)
– Zach’s Americana Fest showcase is Friday (9/23) at Acme Feed & Seed downtown. He is a Pittsburgher transplanted to Music City, and his blue-collar roots show in this shuffling, steel-soaked ode to hard work that gets you nowhere. Twang with meaning.
BOB DELEVANTE/Kite On The Wind
Writers: Bob Delevante; Producers: Bob Delevante/Dave Coleman; Publishers: A Days Pay, SESAC; Relay (track)
– With his brother in The Delevantes, this guy initially made his mark in Music City via a series of stellar pop/rock albums. Now 20 years into his Nashville sojourn, he continues to bring rock urgency to rootsy Americana efforts such as his new Valley of Days collection. At least that’s what I hear on this opening track.
THE CANTRELLS/Goodbye Cool World
Writers: Emily Cantrell; Producers: Al & Emily Cantrell; Publishers: Sombrero Moon, BMI; Sombrero (track)
– Al and Emily Cantrell have been making entrancing sounds together for decades. Their latest is Weather Reports, and this track is definitely about weather, since it directly addresses the disaster of climate change. As always, Emily is a vocalist of uncommon ability. In the case of this track, she’s a slinky jazz chanteuse. Also as always, Al’s fiddle and mandolin work are exemplary. The rest of the folksy acoustic band is just as dandy. Jim Hoke, Barry & Holly Tashian, Mark Schatz and Al Goll, take a bow.
THE COAL MEN/The Singer (In Louisville)
Writer: Dave Coleman; Producer: Dave Coleman; Publisher: Four Minor, SESAC; Vaskaleedez (track)
– Their latest is titled Pushed to the Side. This track from it is kinda snarky, with a decided rocking edge and a dash of wry humor. In the lyric, the crowd isn’t treating the performer well, in between asking for “Fire and Rain” and closing down the bar. I have loved everything this outfit has ever recorded. Dave Coleman, incidentally, is the MVP in this column, since he’s also performing on the discs of Delevante and Simmons.
TATTLETALE SAINTS/Big City Women
Writer: Cy Winstanley; Producer: Josh Kaler; Publisher: none listed; Old Oak (track)
– These folks are New Zealanders now based in Nashville. Their new, self-titled, CD features this romping, innocent-sounding toe tapper about being ignored by sophisticated ladies. There are spices of twang and rockabilly behind the boyish, sweet lead vocal. Also worth a listen is the gently wistful ballad “Little Richard Is Alive and Well in Nashville, TN.”
Brooke Eden Releases EP On RED BOW Records
/by Craig_ShelburneBrooke Eden issued a four-song EP, Welcome to the Weekend, on Friday (Sept. 23) on RED BOW Records.
Eden co-wrote all the songs, collaborating with songwriters Chris DeStefano, Brett James, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure, Ingrid Andress, Will Weatherly and Justin Wilson. Jacob Durrett and Nick Brophy produced the project.
Eden’s lead single, “Diamonds,” has been featured in the TLC series, Close to Home.
Welcome to the Weekend Track List
1. “Diamonds” (Brooke Eden, Chris DeStefano, Brett James)
2. “Act Like You Don’t” (Brooke Eden, Cary Barlowe, Jesse Frasure)
3. “Silence Speaks” (Brooke Eden, Ingrid Andress, Will Weatherly)
4. “Sunday Mornin’” (Brooke Eden, Justin Wilson)
Rascal Flatts Announce Christmas Album, ‘The Greatest Gift Of All’
/by Craig_ShelburneRascal Flatts will release The Greatest Gift of All, their first-ever Christmas album, on Oct. 21 on Big Machine Records. The collection was produced by the band and features 10 holiday favorites.
Contemporary seasonal songs on the album include renditions of Stevie Wonder’s “Someday at Christmas” and 4Him’s “A Strange Way to Save the World.” The trio’s version of “Silent Night” begins with vocals from their children.
“It probably seems crazy that we waited this long to release a Christmas record,” says band member Jay DeMarcus. “We just wanted to do it right! There are certain songs I think most everyone wants to hear during Christmas, and we wanted to put our own special spin on those songs, while adding in a couple of our personal favorites. We had a blast making this album, and being in the producer’s chair ourselves, makes it extra fun and challenging for us.”
The Greatest Gift of All Track List:
1. “Joy To The World”
2. “O Holy Night”
3. “Deck The Halls”
4. “A Strange Way To Save The World”
5. “Go Tell It On The Mountain”
6. “Let It Snow”
7. “Silent Night”
8. “Someday At Christmas”
9. “The First Noel”
10. “Hark! The Herald Angels Sing”
Numerous Nashville Landmarks Will Hit Milestones In 2017
/by Craig_ShelburnePhoto provided by Nashville Convention and Visitors Corp
Many of Nashville’s most iconic music establishments will mark major anniversaries in 2017. In response, the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp has compiled a list noting the beginnings of some of the city’s most popular and historic music venues, museums and festivals.
“The convergence of this many significant anniversaries among our music offerings is an incredible opportunity for this city,” said Butch Spyridon, President and CEO of the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp. “Together they showcase the depth and breadth of Music City. Music City is not a slogan or a logo, it is our DNA and we are proud and honored to tell the world the individual stories behind these milestones.”
Nashville music institutions with significant 2017 anniversaries include:
Ryman Auditorium – 125th
Nashville Symphony – 70th season
Historic RCA Studio B – 60th
CMA Awards – 50th (November 2, 2016)
Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum – 50th
Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) – 50th
The Bluebird Cafe – 35th
Tin Pan South Songwriters Festival – 25th
Music City Walk of Fame – 10th
Schermerhorn Symphony Center – 10th
NSAI, Songwriters Discuss Copyright Reform On Capitol Hill
/by Jessica NicholsonMarcus Hummon, Congressman Darrell Issa, Lacy Green and Bart Herbison
The Nashville Songwriters Association International (NSAI) was on Capitol Hill for three days of meetings this week on Copyright reform and 100 percent music licensing just before Congress adjourns.
Jimmy Robbins, Lacy Green, and Marcus Hummon perform an acoustic session.
Songwriters Lacy Green, Marcus Hummon and Jimmy Robbins accompanied NSAI’s Bart Herbison, Jennifer Turnbow and Morgan Brown for multiple meetings.
Marcus Hummon, Lacy Green, House Judiciary Chairman Bob Goodlatte, Jimmy Robbins.
Industry Ink: ACM Lifting Lives, PLA Media, Silverado Records, BBR Music Group
/by Jessica NicholsonACM Lifting Lives Teams With Montgomery Gentry
Participating clubs have agreed to donate a portion of each ticket sold to ACM Lifting Lives, and the money raised will go to help fund organizations that are improving lives through the power of music.
Stoney’s Rockin’ Country in Las Vegas will host Montgomery Gentry for this club benefit show on November 4.
PLA Media Adds Silverado Records To Roster
“We’re really excited to be working with Pam and her amazing team at PLA Media,” says Silverado Records founder and CEO Scott Thomas. “They’re a great fit for us for a number of reasons, some of them being experience, longevity, and their overall awesomeness. We look forward to working closely with the PLA team to get the word out about Silverado Records and our growing roster of artists.”
BBR Music Group Adds Executive Assistant
Jennifer Coen
BBR Music Group has hired new Executive Assistant Jennifer Coen. Coen will report to BBR Music Group EVP Jon Loba, General Manager Rick Shedd, and Sr. VP Promotion Carson James.
Most recently working in Sales at Cumulus Nashville, Coen also served as a Sales rep for Entercom Radio/ WDAF in Kansas City. Coen holds a degree in Marketing from Wichita State University. Coen can be reached at JenniferCoen@bbrmusicgroup.com or at 615-610-2105
Coen fills the position previously held by Brittany Farrar who departs BBR Music Group to partner with Shed Fitness, a full service boutique fitness studio in Nashville’s Gulch neighborhood with a projected opening of Nov. 1. For pre-sales and more information, visit: shedgroupfitness.com
“We are going to miss Brittany greatly, but she has been given an amazing opportunity to pursue her passion in fitness and we couldn’t be happier for her. She leaves some incredibly big shoes to fill, but we are so excited about Jennifer joining the BBR Music Group family. Her background in radio along with a degree in marketing and endearing personality should serve her well in her new role,” says Loba.
Opry, Southwest Airlines Resume ‘Circle In The City’ In New York
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured (L-R) RaeLynn, William Michael Morgan. Photo: Chris Hollo/Grand Ole Opry
The Grand Ole Opry and Southwest Airlines in partnership with Warner Music Nashville are returning to New York City for two free acoustic performances at the Southwest Porch at Bryant Park.
The Circle in the City fall series is set to feature two acts who have become Opry fan favorites, William Michael Morgan on Oct. 3 and RaeLynn on Oct. 4, with both shows at 6 p.m.
Morgan and RaeLynn will travel to Manhattan with the Opry’s signature microphone stand and will continue the 90th anniversary year tradition of throwing down a replica of the famed circle of wood from center stage at the Opry House, a la an “Opry Circle Throwdown.” Fans can watch each of the shows live on the Opry’s Facebook page.
NASH-FM 94.7 will host each event and will offer VIP seating to listener winners. Additional seating is open to the public and will be based on a first-come first-served basis. Other guests will be invited to be a part of each performance in the park outside the perimeter of the Southwest Porch.
Morgan will return to Nashville to perform on the stage of the Ryman Auditorium on Oct. 6 for Opry Country Classics. He will celebrate the release of his debut album Vinyl on Oct. 30.
CTM Writer’s INK Hires Chris Poole As Creative Manager
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Poole
Chris Poole, co-founder of Paravel Management, has joined CTM Writer’s INK as Creative Manager and will also continue managing artists under the CTM umbrella.
A native of Thomasville, Georgia, Poole served as co-founder/artist manager at Paravel Management where he worked with Seth Ennis (Sony Nashville), Hank Murphy (Sony/Provident), and digital artist Alec Bailey. In addition to his role as an artist manager, he has assisted Universal Nashville and Borman Entertainment with digital marketing campaigns involving social media influencers and country artists.
“We are thrilled to have Chris join our team,” said CTM President/CEO Eddie Robba. “Chris demonstrates drive and passion for both writers and artists, which reflects our vision for CTM. I’m confident that Chris will continue to have success in his new position here with us.”
“I’m excited for this new opportunity at CTM/Writer’s Ink,” said Poole. “I’m so thankful for the faith that Eddie Robba and the rest of the CTM team have demonstrated in asking me to be a part of a very bright future at Catch This Music / CTM Writer’s INK.”
Warner Music Nashville Shuffles Leadership, Adds Streaming Digital Departments
/by Eric T. ParkerConcurrently, the announcement appoints Matt Signore—now President of WEA, Warner Music Group’s global artist and label services division—as WMN Chief Operating Officer in January 2017.
As part of the reorganization, the label group has announced the creation of a Radio & Streaming team, led by Kristen Williams in a newly appointed Sr. VP role. Additionally, Lisa Ray will oversee a newly expanded digital department as VP Brand Management.
“Our commitment to artist development means we never stop improving our approach and developing our team. We want to help our artists create change, not merely embrace it,” said John ‘Espo’ Esposito, Chairman & CEO, Warner Music Nashville. “These moves anticipate the lasting importance of radio and the ongoing ascent of streaming, while acknowledging there’s no need for a separate ‘digital’ team anymore, as technology is core to everything we do for our artists. We are positioning ourselves for new opportunities as the lines between marketing and commerce, as well as radio and streaming, continue to blur.”
Both Williams and Ray will report to Peter Strickland, Chief Marketing Officer, Warner Music Nashville.
“Kristen Williams’ deep devotion to artists and her broad knowledge of the business make her the perfect choice to spearhead this newly created department,” said Strickland. “Lisa Ray’s expertise in developing artists from the ground up is the essence of Brand Management and she will be a great leader for this expanded team. I also congratulate Chris Palmer and Chad Schultz on their promotions, and welcome Ashlee McDonald, Brooke Hardesty and Jeremy Gold as the latest additions to the best marketing team in the business.”
Ray’s digital team includes Ashlee McDonald as Sr. Director of Brand Management, Brooke Hardesty as Director of Interactive Marketing, and Jeremy Gold joins as Manager of Interactive Marketing. The team will be able to move faster, experiment more, and program innovative artist campaigns.
Under Williams’ Radio & Streaming team, Chris Palmer has been promoted to VP, Radio & Streaming, to lead national directors and managers. Chad Schultz is promoted to VP of Original Content in that department, which will build artists’ careers by working with partners across radio, interactive radio, ad-supported streaming and subscription streaming. The team will also develop and place original content from WMN’s roster of artists, such as exclusive interviews, back-stage access and live footage.
Williams said, “Radio will always be an incredibly important part of discovering new music. But just as radio continues to evolve and develop streaming initiatives that further their business, we need to continue to evolve too. It’s a very exciting time for Warner Music Nashville and I’m honored that Espo and Peter have given me the opportunity to lead this insanely talented team and artist roster into the future.”
Also announced, Ben Kline, VP, Revenue, will report to Signore.
Dolly Parton’s ‘Christmas Of Many Colors’ Coming To DVD On Dec. 20
/by Craig_ShelburneDolly Parton. Photo: NBC Publicity
The upcoming holiday film Dolly Parton’s Christmas of Many Colors – Circle of Love will be released on DVD on Dec. 20 on Warner Bros. Home Entertainment.
That follows the Nov. 30 broadcast premiere on NBC. Parton will make a special appearance in the film as “The Painted Lady.” She also introduces the film and serves as the narrator.
The film is executive produced by Parton, Sam Haskell and Pamela K. Long. Written by Long, the film was directed by Stephen Herek.
The DVD will contain deleted scenes and three new featurettes including behind-the-scenes interviews. Jennifer Nettles, Ricky Schroder and Alyvia Alyn Lind reprise their roles from 2015’s Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, which aired on NBC.
More than 16 million viewers tuned into Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors, making it the most-watched film, excluding live musicals, on broadcast networks since 2009.
DISClaimer: Honoring The Heart Of Americana
/by Robert K OermannThis is the week of the Americana music convention in Nashville.
And make no mistake, Nashville is the headquarters of this burgeoning musical movement. As if to underscore that fact, most of the discs reviewed today are by Nashville area residents. In fact, with the exceptions of John McEuen and Shovels & Rope, all of them are.
The Disc of the Day award goes to Music Row tunesmith Sean McConnell. It turns out that he sings as well as he writes. Catch him Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter.
The DisCovery Award is a tie this week. Zach Schmidt is on his second album (I think the first might have been digital only), yet this is my first exposure to him. Check him out tomorrow at Acme Feed & Seed. Jared Hard, on the other hand, is a complete unknown. But he definitely has the goods.
All three of these guys are singer-songwriters. All three of them have superlative voices. All are talented song craftsman. And all of them will please you immensely.
JARED HARD/10,000 Hydrogen Bombs
Writers: Jared Hard; Producer: Jeff Anderson; Publisher: none listed; JH (track)
– This is the title tune of a six-song EP by this Nashville singer-songwriter. It’s a folkie, strummy, sparsely accompanied, acoustic ballad about how hard love can hit ya. The slight echo on his vocal brings out its tenor resonance and poignant expressiveness. Utterly charming. Elsewhere on the set, he’s accompanied by a dandy, rootsy band featuring fiddle and organ. Throughout, his vocals are cooler than cool, and his songs are consistently splendid. This is a real find.
SHOVELS & ROPE/I Know
Writers: Michael Trent/Cary Ann Hearst; Producer: Michael Trent; Publisher: Famous Nightclub/Noberta Jean, BMI; New West (track)
-The new CD, Little Seeds, officially drops on Oct. 7, but this South Carolina duo did its release party at The Basement on Tuesday afternoon, presumably to capitalize on this being Americana Music Week. Shovels & Rope are previous Americana winners for Song of the Year (”Birmingham” in 2012) and Emerging Artist of the Year. This track is available for an advance listen on the duo’s website. As on prior records, their voices are right in your face and the production hits hard. An instant hit.
STEPHEN SIMMONS/West
Writers: Stephen Simmons; Producers: Eric Fritsch & Stephen Simmons; Publishers: Shiny Geode, SESAC; Locke Creek
-This Nashville veteran kicked off Americana Week with a show at Family Wash on Monday (Sept. 19). It celebrated his 10th CD, A World Without. Simmons was a rocker for years in Music City. His evolution to Americana suits his songwriting style, which is conversational and plain spoken, particularly on this track. It muses about cultural heritage, romance, family history and wanderlust, all in a warm, dusky voice that sidles up next to you like a long-lost friend.
SEAN McCONNELL/Holy Days
Writer: Sean McConnell; Producers: Ian Fitchuk/Jason Lehning; Publisher: Warner-Tamberlane/Little Beluga, BMI; Rounder (track)
– Sean salutes Americana Week with a hometown performance on Thursday night (Sept. 22) at 12th & Porter. His self-titled debut CD for Rounder kicks off with this punchy slab of nostalgia for a lost lover. It has more hooks than a tuna boat, which figures, since he’s a total songwriting pro with cuts by Tim, Brad, Martina, Brothers Osborne, Rascal Flatts, David Nail, Buddy Miller, Meatloaf and more. He sells it as a singer, too. This rocks in all the right ways.
JOHN McEUEN/Excitable Boy
Writers: Warren Zevon/Leroy Marinell; Producers: John McEuen/David Chesky; Publishers: Songs of Universal/Tiny Tunes, BMI/ASCAP; Chesky (track)
– This Nitty Gritty Dirt Bander surrounded himself with folks like David Bromberg, John Cowan, Steve Martin, John Carter Cash and David Amram. They recorded live in a Brooklyn church building and came out with a collection so rootsy that even Warren Zevon comes across as a hillbilly songwriter. McEuen’s CD release party for Made In Brooklyn will be next Tuesday, Sept. 27, at BMI at 5:00 pm.
ZACH SCHMIDT/Company Man
Writer: Zach Schmidt; Producers: James Maple/Zach Schmidt; Publishers: none listed, SESAC; ZS (track)
– Zach’s Americana Fest showcase is Friday (9/23) at Acme Feed & Seed downtown. He is a Pittsburgher transplanted to Music City, and his blue-collar roots show in this shuffling, steel-soaked ode to hard work that gets you nowhere. Twang with meaning.
BOB DELEVANTE/Kite On The Wind
Writers: Bob Delevante; Producers: Bob Delevante/Dave Coleman; Publishers: A Days Pay, SESAC; Relay (track)
– With his brother in The Delevantes, this guy initially made his mark in Music City via a series of stellar pop/rock albums. Now 20 years into his Nashville sojourn, he continues to bring rock urgency to rootsy Americana efforts such as his new Valley of Days collection. At least that’s what I hear on this opening track.
THE CANTRELLS/Goodbye Cool World
Writers: Emily Cantrell; Producers: Al & Emily Cantrell; Publishers: Sombrero Moon, BMI; Sombrero (track)
– Al and Emily Cantrell have been making entrancing sounds together for decades. Their latest is Weather Reports, and this track is definitely about weather, since it directly addresses the disaster of climate change. As always, Emily is a vocalist of uncommon ability. In the case of this track, she’s a slinky jazz chanteuse. Also as always, Al’s fiddle and mandolin work are exemplary. The rest of the folksy acoustic band is just as dandy. Jim Hoke, Barry & Holly Tashian, Mark Schatz and Al Goll, take a bow.
THE COAL MEN/The Singer (In Louisville)
Writer: Dave Coleman; Producer: Dave Coleman; Publisher: Four Minor, SESAC; Vaskaleedez (track)
– Their latest is titled Pushed to the Side. This track from it is kinda snarky, with a decided rocking edge and a dash of wry humor. In the lyric, the crowd isn’t treating the performer well, in between asking for “Fire and Rain” and closing down the bar. I have loved everything this outfit has ever recorded. Dave Coleman, incidentally, is the MVP in this column, since he’s also performing on the discs of Delevante and Simmons.
TATTLETALE SAINTS/Big City Women
Writer: Cy Winstanley; Producer: Josh Kaler; Publisher: none listed; Old Oak (track)
– These folks are New Zealanders now based in Nashville. Their new, self-titled, CD features this romping, innocent-sounding toe tapper about being ignored by sophisticated ladies. There are spices of twang and rockabilly behind the boyish, sweet lead vocal. Also worth a listen is the gently wistful ballad “Little Richard Is Alive and Well in Nashville, TN.”