Scotty Moore. Photo: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Scotty Moore, regarded as the founding guitarist of rock ‘n’ roll, died on Tuesday at age 84.
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was best known as the guitar player during Elvis Presley’s rise to fame in the 1950s. Moore was also a longtime Nashville recording studio engineer.
Born in Gadsden, Tennessee, Winfield Scott Moore III began playing guitar before he reached his teens. He initially modeled himself on country/jazz stylist Chet Atkins.
After service in the U.S. Navy 1948-1952, Scotty Moore formed The Starlite Wranglers in Memphis. Sun Records owner/producer teamed the group’s Moore and Wranglers bassist Bill Black (1926-1965) with his new signee Presley. Billed as The Blue Moon Boys, Moore and Black backed Presley on his breakthrough record “That’s All Right Mama” in 1954.
Moore also served as Presley’s first manager. Later augmented by drummer D.J. Fontana, The Blue Moon Boys backed the superstar on his earliest tours, TV appearances and films.
The distinctive guitar licks of Scotty Moore can be heard on such early Elvis Presley hits as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Mystery Train,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hard Headed Woman,” “Baby Let’s Play House,” “Too Much” and “Milk Cow Blues Boogie.” In 1957-60, Moore appeared in the Presley movies Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, King Creole and G.I. Blues.
When Presley was drafted into the Army in 1958, Moore began working at Fernwood Records in Memphis. There, he produced the hit “Tragedy” for Thomas Wayne. Moore next became the production manager at Sun Records. After Presley resumed civilian life, Moore played on such RCA hits as “Good Luck Charm,” “Such a Night,” “Surrender,” “I Feel So Bad,” “Rock-a-Hula Baby,” “Devil in Disguise” and “Bossa Nova Baby.”
In 1964, Scotty Moore released his first solo LP, The Guitar That Changed the World. In 1968, he joined Elvis Presley on the famed “comeback” NBC television special.
By then, Moore had relocated to Nashville. In 1964, he formed his Music City Recorders studio on 19th Ave. S. and launched Belle Meade Records. The studio is where he engineered the Ringo Starr LP Beaucoups of Blues.
He sold the studio in 1973 and began working as a freelance engineer, often at Monument Records. In 1976, he opened a tape-duplication business in the Monument building, which he bought. Over the years, he also continued to record as a guitarist. Among the artists he backed on disc were Sonny Burgess, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dale Hawkins, Alvin Lee, Mother Earth, Billy Swan, Ann-Margret, Charlie Rich, Ronnie McDowell and The Tractors. He produced records for Frank Frost, Tracy Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Steve Ripley and others.
Scotty Moore engineered many TV shows for Opryland Productions in the 1980s. The stars he worked with included Dolly Parton, Carol Burnett, Bob Hope, Perry Como, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, Ann-Margret and Jerry Lee Lewis. He also worked on several albums by Carl Perkins.
During the 1990s, he participated in several Elvis Presley tribute events, concerts, tours and TV specials. One of the most notable was the 1997 all-star CD All the King’s Men. Also in 1997, Scotty Moore was inducted into the Guitar Center’s Rockwalk in Hollywood, alongside Chet Atkins, James Burton, Duane Eddy and Hank Garland.
In 1999, Gibson Guitars unveiled its Scotty Moore model. The company gave him its Lifetime Achievement award in 2002.
Rock greats such as Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Bruce Springsteen have all cited Scotty Moore as an inspiration. Following his 2000 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Moore continued to perform and tour. He worked with Ronnie McDowell, Lee Rocker and The Mike Eldred Trio, among others.
He was named a Memphis Music Hero by that city’s chapter of The Recording Academy in 2004. In 2007, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. He also announced his retirement from performing in that year.
He died at home in Nashville on Tuesday, June 28. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
Brad Paisley Starts Fundraiser For West Virginia Flood Damages
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Paisley. Photo: Facebook Live
Brad Paisley is requesting donations totaling $1 million to help those in his home state of West Virginia who have been affected by flooding. On June 23, floods killed more than 10 people and damaged numerous homes and businesses. Three counties in the state have been declared federal disaster areas, and 44 of the 55 counties have been declared in a state of emergency.
On Wednesday afternoon (June 29) Paisley announced the launch of a GoFundMe account to benefit flood victims in West Virginia. Paisley made the announcement live via a Facebook video. He performed an acoustic rendition of “Country Roads.”
Paisley himself made an initial donation of $100,000.
“Now that the waters are receding it’s time to pitch in and help in any way we can. One of the best ways I have found that hopefully will raise the largest amount of money the quickest and get it to the people in need the fastest is through GoFundMe. I have set a goal of $1 million—this is doable and only a small portion of what is needed. Join me as we help West Virginians together,” said Paisley.
The GoFundMe account will be distributed by West Virginia Flood Relief 2016 – The Brad Paisley Foundation at WESBANCO Trust Department in Wheeling, West Virginia. To donate, visit gofundme.com.
Big Machine Music Signs Emily Landis
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Back row, L-R): Big Machine Music’s Alex Heddle, BMI’s Leslie Roberts, Big Machine Music’s Tali Canterbury, Loeb & Loeb’s Brittany Schafer. (Front row): Big Machine Music’s Mike Molinar and Emily Landis
Big Machine Music, the publishing arm of Big Machine Label Group, has signed Emily Landis to an exclusive songwriting agreement. The Belmont University graduate studied songwriting while in college, and co-wrote four of the eight original songs she performed during Belmont University’s Showcase series for the country music genre.
Landis joins a roster that includes Jonathan Singleton (who has written songs recorded by Tim McGraw, Tyler Farr), Laura Veltz (Maren Morris, Cassadee Pope), Josh Thompson (Jason Aldean, Brad Paisley), and Fancy Hagood (Christina Aguilera, Ariana Grande).
“My team and I were immediately impressed with Emily’s dedication to the craft and her song sense. She will fit perfectly into our family of genuinely talented songwriters,” said Mike Molinar, General Manager of Big Machine Music.
“It is an absolute honor to call myself a part of the Big Machine Music family,” shared Landis. “Between Mike, Tali and Alex, I’ll be working with some of the most driven individuals in town. I’m so grateful for the chance they’re taking on me.”
Landis resides in Nashville.
Pilgrimage Festival Announces Daily Lineup, Single-Day Tickets
/by Craig_ShelburneDaily lineups have been confirmed by the Pilgrimage Music & Cultural Festival, which will be held Sept. 24-25 in Franklin, Tennessee.
Single-day tickets are $69 plus $16.96 in fees and taxes, according to the festival website. Two-day VIP passes are $599 plus $86.90 in fees and taxes. Parking passes are $30 plus $5.86 in fees and taxes. The festival will be staged at The Park at Harlinsdale.
On Saturday, Sept. 24, the roster includes: Beck, Grace Potter, Violent Femmes, CAKE, Shakey Graves, Kaleo, The Struts, Wild Belle, The Strumbrellas, LunchMoney Lewis, Jonny P, and Electric Western Dance Party.
Jason Isbell
On Sunday, Sept. 25, the roster includes: Daryl Hall and John Oates, Jason Isbell, Kacey Musgraves, The Arcs, City and Colour, Better Than Ezra, Margo Price, Anderson East, Brothers Osborne, Preservation Hall Jazz Band, The Suffers, Blind Pilot, Son Little, Langhorne Slim & The Law, JD & The Straight Shot, Big Sam’s Funky Nation, and The Settles Connection.
The family-friendly festival also announced that the Little Pilgrim’s Family Stage will feature performances by Ralph’s World, The Happy Racers, Tom Mason and the Blue Buccaneers, Mr. Steve, Jazzy Ash & The Leaping Lizards, Casey Campbell and more.
The Little Pilgrim’s area will also have interactive activities that will include: a painting wall; drum circles; a hip hop rhyming workshop; breakdancing demonstrations and workshop; a musical petting zoo with musicians from the bands demonstrating their instruments and special cameos by main stage acts.
Kids under 10 get in free when accompanied by an adult general admission ticket.
The Kimbro’s Pickin’ Parlor stage features local artists. This year the lineup includes The Blackfoot Gypsies, Daphne & The Mystery Machines, Anthony Adams & The Nite Owls, Colin Elmore, Emma Hern, Grace Askew, and The Roosevelts.
A portion of each ticket sale will benefit the City of Franklin and Franklin Parks. In addition, a portion of ticket sales will also benefit MusiCares, a nonprofit organization that was established by The Recording Academy to provide a wide range of emergency financial assistance and addiction recovery resources to members of the music community.
ACM Lifting Lives Music Campers Share Enthusiasm, Creativity With Country Artists
/by Jessica NicholsonA number of country artists including Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Montgomery Gentry, RaeLynn, Eric Paslay, Maddie & Tae and Maren Morris offered campers a musical experience to remember during ACM Lifting Lives’ 2016 Music Camp in Nashville.
Campers from across the country joined in karaoke with Montgomery Gentry at Winners Bar, attended a meet-and-greet with Maddie & Tae at the Wildhorse Saloon, and co-wrote the song “Happy Together” with Eric Paslay and songwriter/producer Ross Copperman. In addition, they spent time at Nashville’s Ocean Way studio with Carrie Underwood, heard Maren Morris at the Bluebird Cafe, and chatted with RaeLynn at Seacrest Studio in Nashville. The week wrapped with Rascal Flatts performing alongside the campers at the Grand Ole Opry, while the campers performed “Happy Together.”
“Just to see how much fun they are having, and how proud they are of themselves for creating a song…they are just a ray of sunshine,” said Underwood. “It’s really amazing just to see them all come together and work together and write an adorable song.”
“Just to see these kids and how energized they are, to get up here and sing and their passion for music, there’s nothing like it,” said Troy Gentry of Montgomery Gentry.
“This is the first time I’ve done karaoke, so talk about nervous, I was real nervous. Of course, they get up and do it like pros,” added Eddie Montgomery.
“It’s important to me to give back in this way because I just know how shy of a kid I was,” said Morris. “Music helped me so much to break through those barriers, those communication barriers. It’s always been therapeutic for me.”
“They remind me that there is a bigger reason for what I do,” said Copperman. “Music really does touch people.”
The week-long residential program is open to campers nationwide, talented in music, with Williams syndrome. The Camp has a dual purpose of studying Williams syndrome while providing music enrichment through performance and education. ACM Lifting Lives funds the costs of the Camp, enabling the Vanderbilt Kennedy Center for Excellence in Developmental Disabilities to advance its mission of improving the lives of individuals with Williams syndrome and their families through research, training and service.
RaeLynn Teams With Novo Nordisk For Diabetes Education
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Warner Music Nashville
Warner Music Nashville artist RaeLynn and entertainer Ben Vereen have joined diabetes care organization Novo Nordisk’s Patient Ambassador Education Program.
The program allows influential individuals to share their stories, and to encourage and inform others affected by diabetes.
RaeLynn was diagnosed with type 1 diabetes at age 12. Vereen was diagnosed with type 2 diabetes in 2007. Both will take part in community and educational events around the country on behalf of Novo Nordisk.
“I am so excited to partner with Novo Nordisk to show others that successful diabetes management can be integrated into daily life,” said RaeLynn. “I plan to use my role as a diabetes patient ambassador to teach people with diabetes that it shouldn’t hinder them from following their dreams. I am living proof that this can happen.”
“I am proud to work with Novo Nordisk to help empower others living with diabetes and let them know that diabetes does not have to hold you back,” said Vereen. “As an entertainer, motivational speaker and an activist, I want to raise awareness of diabetes and encourage others to support one another.”
“Novo Nordisk is dedicated to providing resources and support through the Patient Ambassador Education Program, as we believe patients and their experiences are at the center of all we do,” said Camille Lee, Senior Vice President, Diabetes Marketing, Novo Nordisk Inc. “We are thrilled that RaeLynn and Ben have joined our Patient Ambassador team and look forward to seeing the impact they will make on the diabetes community.”
Cassadee Pope Begins L.A. Radio Show, Prepares For ‘A Capitol Fourth’
/by Craig_ShelburneCassadee Pope
Cassadee Pope will serve as a guest host on Los Angeles country station KKGO for the summer, weekdays from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. The announcement coincides with her latest single and music video, “Summer,” as well as the EP of the same name.
During her shifts, she will provide commentary about her own songs and favorites from other artists.
“I used to live in LA and listened to KKGO every day so it’s pretty cool to join them on-air this summer,” Pope said. “I have a lot of songs already cued up in my mind, and I hope the fans will like hearing some of my playlists!”
“Cassadee Pope is an extraordinary artist and we are thrilled to work with her as she brings exclusive content to our listeners during the month of July,” states KKGO Station Manager Michael Levine.
Pope will also take part in the live broadcast of A Capitol Fourth from the U.S. Capitol in Washington, D.C., on July 4. The show will air from 8-9:30 p.m. ET on PBS, the American Forces Network and across NPR member stations nationwide.
LifeNotes: Famed Rock ‘N’ Roll Guitarist Scotty Moore Passes
/by Robert K OermannScotty Moore. Photo: Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
Scotty Moore, regarded as the founding guitarist of rock ‘n’ roll, died on Tuesday at age 84.
A member of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, he was best known as the guitar player during Elvis Presley’s rise to fame in the 1950s. Moore was also a longtime Nashville recording studio engineer.
Born in Gadsden, Tennessee, Winfield Scott Moore III began playing guitar before he reached his teens. He initially modeled himself on country/jazz stylist Chet Atkins.
After service in the U.S. Navy 1948-1952, Scotty Moore formed The Starlite Wranglers in Memphis. Sun Records owner/producer teamed the group’s Moore and Wranglers bassist Bill Black (1926-1965) with his new signee Presley. Billed as The Blue Moon Boys, Moore and Black backed Presley on his breakthrough record “That’s All Right Mama” in 1954.
Moore also served as Presley’s first manager. Later augmented by drummer D.J. Fontana, The Blue Moon Boys backed the superstar on his earliest tours, TV appearances and films.
The distinctive guitar licks of Scotty Moore can be heard on such early Elvis Presley hits as “Heartbreak Hotel,” “Mystery Train,” “Blue Suede Shoes,” “Hound Dog,” “Good Rockin’ Tonight,” “Jailhouse Rock,” “Hard Headed Woman,” “Baby Let’s Play House,” “Too Much” and “Milk Cow Blues Boogie.” In 1957-60, Moore appeared in the Presley movies Loving You, Jailhouse Rock, King Creole and G.I. Blues.
When Presley was drafted into the Army in 1958, Moore began working at Fernwood Records in Memphis. There, he produced the hit “Tragedy” for Thomas Wayne. Moore next became the production manager at Sun Records. After Presley resumed civilian life, Moore played on such RCA hits as “Good Luck Charm,” “Such a Night,” “Surrender,” “I Feel So Bad,” “Rock-a-Hula Baby,” “Devil in Disguise” and “Bossa Nova Baby.”
By then, Moore had relocated to Nashville. In 1964, he formed his Music City Recorders studio on 19th Ave. S. and launched Belle Meade Records. The studio is where he engineered the Ringo Starr LP Beaucoups of Blues.
He sold the studio in 1973 and began working as a freelance engineer, often at Monument Records. In 1976, he opened a tape-duplication business in the Monument building, which he bought. Over the years, he also continued to record as a guitarist. Among the artists he backed on disc were Sonny Burgess, Jerry Lee Lewis, Dale Hawkins, Alvin Lee, Mother Earth, Billy Swan, Ann-Margret, Charlie Rich, Ronnie McDowell and The Tractors. He produced records for Frank Frost, Tracy Nelson, Jerry Lee Lewis, Steve Ripley and others.
Scotty Moore engineered many TV shows for Opryland Productions in the 1980s. The stars he worked with included Dolly Parton, Carol Burnett, Bob Hope, Perry Como, Minnie Pearl, Johnny Cash, Ann-Margret and Jerry Lee Lewis. He also worked on several albums by Carl Perkins.
During the 1990s, he participated in several Elvis Presley tribute events, concerts, tours and TV specials. One of the most notable was the 1997 all-star CD All the King’s Men. Also in 1997, Scotty Moore was inducted into the Guitar Center’s Rockwalk in Hollywood, alongside Chet Atkins, James Burton, Duane Eddy and Hank Garland.
In 1999, Gibson Guitars unveiled its Scotty Moore model. The company gave him its Lifetime Achievement award in 2002.
Rock greats such as Keith Richards, Eric Clapton, George Harrison, Jeff Beck, Jimmy Page and Bruce Springsteen have all cited Scotty Moore as an inspiration. Following his 2000 Rock and Roll Hall of Fame induction, Moore continued to perform and tour. He worked with Ronnie McDowell, Lee Rocker and The Mike Eldred Trio, among others.
He was named a Memphis Music Hero by that city’s chapter of The Recording Academy in 2004. In 2007, he was inducted into the Musicians Hall of Fame in Nashville. He also announced his retirement from performing in that year.
He died at home in Nashville on Tuesday, June 28. No funeral arrangements have been announced.
Lit Will Debut Nashville-Influenced Music On Tootsie’s Rooftop
/by Craig_ShelburneBMI and Lex Music Group will present new music from the band Lit at Tootsie’s Rooftop on July 6. The free show is open to the public. It also marks the beginning of a 30-city North American summer tour.
As Sony/ATV Nashville songwriters, the band has been immersing themselves in the country music genre. Their rock hits include “My Own Worst Enemy” and “Miserable.” They joined Dustin Lynch to perform “My Own Worst Enemy” at Stagecoach Festival earlier this year.
Vince Gill’s ‘Down To My Last Bad Habit’ To Be Released On Vinyl
/by Jessica NicholsonMCA Nashville artist Vince Gill is celebrating his 25th year as a member of the Grand Ole Opry with the release of a limited edition vinyl version of his newest album, Down To My Last Bad Habit. The project features collaborations with Little Big Town, Cam, and Chris Botti.
The limited edition product features a new cover designed by Hatch Show Print, the legendary printer of show business posters that is now part of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
Inducted into the Grand Ole Opry on Aug. 10, 1991, Vince is also a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame and the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame, as well as a 20-time Grammy winner. He will be the featured performer at the Grand Ole Opry on Aug. 13.
Fans can pre-order autographed copies of the Down To My Last Bad Habit package—which includes a T-Shirt illustrated with a photo of one of Vince’s favorite guitars—by visiting vincegill.com. Orders will arrive on or around July 15. After that date, only the album will be available at retail that carries vinyl.
Exclusive: Executive Producer Ken Ehrlich Talks ABC’s ‘Greatest Hits’
/by Jessica Nicholson‘Greatest Hits’ co-hosts Kelsea Ballerini and Aresenio Hall. Photo courtesy ABC.
Kelsea Ballerini, Lee Ann Womack, and Little Big Town are among the country artists taking part in ABC’s upcoming music series Greatest Hits. Each episode of the six-episode series will highlight a five-year period in music, ranging from the 1980s-2000s. The first episode debuts Thursday (June 30) at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.
The show is the brainchild of ABC execs and Ken Ehrlich, who also serves as executive producer for the annual Grammy awards.
Ballerini, the hitmaker behind “Love Me Like You Mean It,” “Dibs,” and her latest, “Peter Pan,” will co-host the show alongside veteran TV show host Arsenio Hall, known for his days hosting The Arsenio Hall Show. That series ran from 1989 through 1994 and welcomed a variety of artists, including Mariah Carey and Boyz II Men.
“I had never worked with her before, though obviously I was aware of her. She is terrific and a hard worker. Man, she comes across great,” Ehrlich tells MusicRow of working with Ballerini.
In addition to Ballerini, fellow country artists Little Big Town and Lee Ann Womack will also appear in various episodes. Womack and Rachel Platten will mix Womack’s signature “I Hope You Dance” with Platten’s “Stand By You.” Meanwhile, Little Big Town will make two appearances on two different shows.
Ken Ehrlich
“They love Alicia Keys, so they did ‘Fallin’,’ and they do a great version of ‘Wonderwall’ by Oasis,” Ehrlich notes.
While the show’s content covers three decades of hits, the time frame for putting the show together was exceedingly brief. Ehrlich and his team taped performances from 40 artists in less than 20 days. Even with the country star power provided by Little Big Town, Ballerini, and Womack, the brief window for filming nixed the opportunity for more country artists to be involved. Ehrlich hopes for more country artists to appear if Greatest Hits returns for a second installment.
“We did reach out and there were three or four other country acts we wanted on the show, but it was about availability,” Ehrlich says. “We had to do the whole show in basically two-and-a-half weeks and I just couldn’t get them. We had talked about Zac Brown and Brad Paisley and Keith Urban. There were several acts we would have loved to have on the show. They were unavailable, though they’ve all said when it comes around again, they would love to do it.”
The series’ June 30 premiere episode will feature chart-topping songs from 1980-1985, with performances by Pitbull, REO Speedwagon, Ray Parker, Jr., Jason Derulo, Kenny Loggins, Kim Carnes, Rick Springfield and Kool & The Gang. Ehrlich estimates each taping took place before approximately 800 audience members.
“I doubt there was anyone over age 30 in most of the audiences, and they knew the words to every song,” Ehrlich says. “We’ve taken a number of acts who have had great hits in those years and asked them to do those songs, but we’ve surrounded them with a much more contemporary look—sets and lighting. In essence, you are being reintroduced to a lot of music you grew up with, but you are looking at it in a new house.
“You can be 18 years old or 40 years old, and still relate to Boyz II Men or En Vogue, or for that matter, to the current acts we worked with like Miguel or Jason Derulo. This show covers it all.”
Greatest Hits will premiere Thursday, June 30 at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.