Rising singer-songwriter Alyssa Micaela keeps adding to her musical résumé. The Odessa, Texas, native has signed publishing agreements with Liz Rose Music and Warner/Chappell. Her current single, “Getaway Car,” has garnered 3 million streams on Spotify. She has been named CMT’s New Artist Spotlight for the month of June, and she is already in talks with a few record labels.

Like many rising artists, Micaela’s “big break” came via a friend of a friend, who introduced Micaela to Nashville attorney Linda Edell Howard. Howard, in turn, introduced her to hit songwriter Liz Rose seven years ago, when Micaela was 16. At the time Rose was well-known to teenage girls as the co-writer of many of Taylor Swift’s early songs.

“Liz told me, ‘I get hit up by tons of young female songwriters every day, but I wanted to meet you.’” said Micaela. “So throughout high school I would make trips over here to write with her. That’s part of the reason I moved here. She’s my mentor. I call her my fairy godmother, because she’s making all my career dreams come true.”

During a visit to MusicRow, Micaela offered performances of three tracks from her upcoming project.

She performed the up-tempo romantic kiss-off “Truck Bed,” penned by The Love Junkies (Rose, Hillary Lindsey, Lori McKenna). A tribute to her hard-working grandfather, “Cowboys Like That,” was written by Micaeala, Rose and Emily Shackleton.

“I was close with my grandpa growing up, and he’s a big part of my musical journey,” said Micaela. “He’s why I sing country music and he was always my biggest fan, so I always wanted a song for him.”

During the visit, she also discussed her devotion to Willie Nelson’s music. Micaela shared that she recently got the chance to open a concert for the legendary entertainer. When Nelson wrote an encouraging note to the rising singer after the show, Micaela got his signature tattooed on her wrist.

She finished the trio of songs with her current single, “Getaway Car,” a song that tells of a young, ambitious dreamer planning her escape from her small town roots, where “everyone is barefoot and pregnant.” She co-wrote the track four years ago with Jesse Walker and Derrick Southerland. “Getaway Car” was produced by Keith Follese and Liz Rose.

“The story is absolutely true,” said Micaela. “Most of it, anyway.”

 

 

MusicRow sends its condolences to the Schmidt family. Savannah Schmidt, 21, daughter of Joey and Jessie Schmidt and sister of Olivia Schmidt, passed away unexpectedly on the morning of Thursday, May 19.

Visitation will be at Long Hollow Baptist Church (3031 Long Hollow Pike, Hendersonville, TN) from 4-8 p.m. on Sunday, May 22, and from 9-11 a.m. on Monday, May 23 with the funeral service beginning at 11 a.m.

In honor of Savannah, the service will be a “Pink Out.” Wear your best pink.

Joey Schmidt is currently keyboard player for Alan Jackson and Josh Turner. Jessie Schmidt is President/CEO of Schmidt Relations.

Information on donations to be sent shortly.

 

Webster Public Relations’ President/CEO Kirt Webster hosted a Client Appreciation Dinner on Wednesday (May 18) at his home to enjoy fellowship and camaraderie before the 2016 touring season kicks off. Among those attending were Kenny Rogers, The Oak Ridge Boys’ Richard Sterban, William Lee Golden, and Duane Allen, Jimmy Fortune, Lorrie Morgan, and more.

Artists not pictured above, but in attendance, included members of Exile, Bill Anderson, Crystal Gayle, Gene Watson, Rhonda Vincent, Rex Allen Jr., John Conlee, CJ Solar, Larry Black of Larry’s Country Diner, Joey Canyon of the Joey Canyon Show, Gus Arrendale of Springer Mountain Farms.

Also attending were industry leaders including CMA’s Sarah Trahern, Maverick’s Clarence Spalding, CDB’s David Corlew, Jim Halsey, Tony Conway, CTK Mgmt’s Danny Nozell, Steve Schweidel, APA’s Steve Lassiter and Bonnie Sugarman, Judy Seale, Jackie Monaghan, WME’s Mark Roeder, NATD’s Steve Tolman, Hallmark’s John Dorris, and Reviver’s David Ross.

MCA Nashville recording artist David Nail released a surprise five-song EP Friday (May 20) on Spotify and YouTube, titled Uncovered. The release is in advance of his newly-announced fourth studio album, Fighter, expected July 15.

The EP features four cover songs that influenced Nail personally and musically, from Elvis Presley, The Weeknd, Phil Collins and Adele (full track list below). Additionally, the surprise release includes an acoustic remake of “Looking For a Good Time,” originally from Nail’s debut album.

The radio single from the forthcoming full-length project, “Night’s on Fire,” was penned by Jonathan Singleton and Deric Ruttan. The single continues to climb the Billboard country airplay chart. Track listing, pre-order information and album artwork from that full-length project are still forthcoming.

“As I looked ahead to begin the process of recording my fourth studio album for MCA Nashville, I looked back at everything I have been through as an artist, as a man, as a husband and now as a new Dad,” said Nail.

“I realized that music is one thing I lean on consistently to get me through or remind me how lucky I am to be doing what I love,” he added. “I am really blessed to be at this place in life with my wife and now our two children and the one consistent thread through it ALL has been music. Music has been so important in my walk to ‘here.’ I am really excited to be able to share some of the music, outside of my own, that has meant something to me.”

He continued, ‘Some of these songs have been with me for years and some obviously are brand new discoveries that have had an impact on me for various reasons. This is just a small taste of some of the music that has challenged me, music that I enjoy performing, listening to, or that I have related to in some capacity along the way in my journey to Fighter.”

Nail has dates booked on the road through October on his official website.

Uncovered Track Listing:
1) Elvis Presley, “In the Ghetto” – “’In The Ghetto’ is the song that kind of began the conversation of starting this project. It was the first cover song that I really tried to make my own. I have never liked listening to myself sing, but I’ve enjoyed this one. It gives me chills.”

2) The Weeknd, “Can’t Feel My Face” – “We had to do something off the wall for this project, thus our attempt at this huge pop hit. It was the most fun we had recording, and certainly the most laid-back of any of the Uncovered songs.”

3) Phil Collins, “In The Air Tonight” – “I’ve heard rumors over the years at the story behind ‘In the Air Tonight,’ and it’s a song that has stood the test of time for sure. It was probably the most difficult song from a performance standpoint. We really wanted the lyric to stand out, and for the story to be our number one priority. It’s a very haunting track.”

4) Adele, “Send My Love (To Your New Lover)” – “I believe Adele is the finest vocalist I’ve ever heard, which makes any cover extremely difficult. The first listen to this song when the album was released blew me away, and when it came time to begin this Uncovered series, it was my definite first choice.”

5) “Looking For A Good Time” (acoustic remake)– “A member of my team found this song for the first record, and it’s been one of my favorites I’ve ever recorded. When we opened for Lady Antebellum on their first headlining tour, we started a show with a version very similar to this one. It’s a fantastic lyric, and I believe the broken down/slower version really puts you inside the story.”

SOURCE has revealed the six female executives who will enter the organization’s Hall of Fame this year.

The 2016 SOURCE Hall of Fame inductees are: Alison Booth, MTM Music Group, RCA Records, Sony Music Nashville; Tammy Brown, Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music, olé Songs; Diane Cash, WLAC Radio, MCA Records, John Conlee Enterprises; Nancy Jones, George Jones Management, George Jones Museum; Callie Khouri, Creator/Executive Producer ABC’s Nashville; and Gail Pollock (posthumously), Monument Studios, We Make Tapes.

The 2016 SOURCE Awards will be held at the Musicians Hall of Fame and Museum at the Historic Municipal Auditorium on August 23. The event will be sponsored by Springer Mountain Farms.

Founded in 1991, SOURCE is a nonprofit organization supporting women executives and professionals who work in all facets of the Nashville music industry. In 2003, the annual SOURCE Awards were established to pay respect to and honor the women who helped develop and build upon the foundation of the music industry in Nashville. SOURCE also pays tribute to women who presently make major contributions with their work in the industry.