James King. Photo: Julie Lillard King
James King, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass artist signed to Rounder Records, died Thursday afternoon (May 19), according to a spokesperson from the label. He was 57 years old.
Affectionately known as “The Bluegrass Storyteller,” King was well-known in the bluegrass community for starting to cry (along with the audience) when he sang sad songs. His 2013 album, Three Chords and the Truth, was nominated for a Grammy for best bluegrass album. The project gave a bluegrass arrangement to weepers like “Chiseled in Stone” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
King was also a recovering alcoholic who suffered complications from a prolonged battle with cirrhosis of the liver. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, including his longtime girlfriend, Becky Rhodes; his brothers Andy and Jason, and sister-in-law Leticia; his aunts Debbie Moxley and Nadine Isley; and friends Junior and Susan Sisk, Dudley and Sally Connell, Harry and Louise Rhodes, and Charlie Snelling.
Born in Martinsville, Virginia on September 9, 1958, and raised in Carroll County, King grew up immersed in bluegrass. Both his father and his uncle were professional bluegrass musicians, and during his formative years, King was surrounded by music.
Following a stint in the Marine Corps, King decided to follow family tradition, and launched his musical career. He was signed to Rounder Records in 1992, where he released a series of critically acclaimed and award-winning albums, including his last recording for the label, Three Chords and the Truth.
Among his many achievements, King was a 12-time Bluegrass Music Award Winner, and in 1997, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) voted the James King Band the Emerging Artist of the Year.
In 2014, King was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Alison Krauss sent along the following remarks, which were read at the ceremony: “Nine years ago, my father and I heard a man singing in a jam session between two campers in Maryland when it was pitch black outside. Our jaws hung open, and then we had to search the festival site to retrieve the top of my head. The voice we heard was magnificent. It was so powerful, emotive, haunting, and one of a kind. It was you, singing ‘Cry, Cry, Darlin.’ We had the opportunity to speak with you, and found your spirit and generosity shared the same qualities. I’m so happy you are receiving this award. How proud the state of Virginia must be to be able to claim you as their own, and to give this award to someone whose voice has taken so many of us back to another time when life had such a beautiful, simple dream attached to it. Congratulations James King. FANTASTIC!!!”
Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin signed King in 1992, and produced a number of his recordings for the label. Irwin reflects, “James had an uncanny ability to wring the emotion out of every song he sang, and he was one of the most intuitive singers in all of bluegrass. He sang from and to the heart, and had the rare gift of being able to make audiences feel, no matter what it was he was singing about. He was a born storyteller, and loved to tell stories before, during, and after songs.” He continues, “His love of singing and entertaining came through in everything he did, and those qualities made him one of the most popular and beloved artists on the bluegrass circuit. James’ big voice was only matched by his outsize personality. He was my friend, and I will miss him.”
King was predeceased by his daughter Shelby Ann, who died in 2012. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.
Bobby Young Elevated To VP Promotion, Capitol Records Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonBobby Young
Universal Music Group Nashville has named Bobby Young as Vice President, Promotion for Capitol Records Nashville. As the label’s director of Southeast regional promotion for the last five years, Young has worked with Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Jon Pardi, Darius Rucker and Keith Urban.
Prior to joining Capitol Records Nashville in 2011, Young’s promotion career included time at Republic Nashville, Big Machine Records, Jeff McClusky & Associates and Mercury Records Nashville, as well as his own indie promotion company Young-Olsen and Associates.
Royce Risser, Sr. Vice President of Promotion for UMG Nashville, said, “I cannot express how excited I am to have Bobby Young take the helm of Capitol Nashville promotion. Bobby has an amazing history and track record of success and is hands down the best person to lead the Capitol Nashville team to even greater heights. He has shown over and over again, with great instinct and great relationships that leadership runs through his veins. His attention to detail, work ethic, and decisiveness are only matched by his desire to win. And win he does.”
Young said, “Being a member of the Capitol Nashville No. 1 team for the last five years has been a highlight of my career! It’s been a blessing to work with the most creative, talented and hardest working roster of artists in the business! I’m honored by the faith and trust that Mike Dungan and Royce Risser are placing in me and fully accept the future challenge of maintaining Capitol Nashville’s unequal fair share in the marketplace. I’m ready to embrace the opportunity and continue working with this amazing promotion staff in my new role.”
Universal Music Group Nashville consists of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. The combined rosters include Alan Jackson, Billy Currington, Brandon Lay, Brothers Osborne, Canaan Smith, Chris Stapleton, Clare Dunn, Darius Rucker, David Nail, Dierks Bentley, Easton Corbin, Eric Church, Eric Paslay, Gary Allan, George Strait, Haley Georgia, Jon Pardi, Jordan Davis, Josh Turner, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, Kelleigh Bannen, Kip Moore, Lady Antebellum, Lauren Alaina, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, Mickey Guyton, Sam Hunt, Scotty McCreery, Shania Twain, Sugarland, The Band Perry and Vince Gill.
Artist Pics: Kenny Chesney, Garth Brooks, Brad Paisley, Mo Pitney
/by Jessica NicholsonKenny Chesney Launches No Shoes Radio On SiriusXM With Club Show
Kenny Chesney performs a private concert to celebrate the launch of No Shoes Radio on SiriusXM at The Stone Pony on May 12 in Asbury Park, New Jersey. Photo: Mike Coppola/Getty Images for SiriusXM
Kenny Chesney launched his No Shoes Radio on SiriusXM this week with a performance at The Stone Pony in Asbury Park, New Jersey. The Blue Chair Records/Columbia Nashville artist’s eclectic set list included covers of Willie Nelson’s “Whiskey River” to Harmoni Kelley’s rendition of AC/DC’s “Whole Lotta Rosie,” as well as Chesney’s own songs including “Save It For a Rainy Day” and “When I See This Bar.”
Garth Brooks Visits With Cumulus Media During Yankee Stadium Press Conference
Pictured (L-R): Mike McVay and Garth Brooks
Pearl/RCA Nashville artist Garth Brooks met with Cumulus Media’s Sr. VP, Content and Programming Mike McVay during Brooks’ press conference at Yankee Stadium on May 17. There, Garth announced his return to New York City with the first country concert at Yankee Stadium. The show marks Brooks’ first concert in New York City since his 1997 concert in Central Park.
Brad Paisley Promotes New Radio Single On Big D & Bubba Show
Pictured (L-R): Producer Patrick Thomas, Big D, Brad Paisley and Bubba.
Arista Nashville artist Brad Paisley visited the Big D & Bubba Show to promote his new single, “Without a Fight,” which features pop singer Demi Lovato.
Mo Pitney Visits Academy Of Country Music
Mo Pitney. Photo: Michel Bourquard/Courtesy of the Academy of Country Music
The Academy of Country Music welcomed Curb Records artist Mo Pitney to the office while he was in Los Angeles. While at the Academy, Pitney performed a variety of some of his favorite songs and also previewed songs from his upcoming album.
See video of his performance below.
2016 MusicRow Awards: Song Of The Year
/by Craig_ShelburneMusicRow’s Song of the Year honors Nashville writers and publishers on the craft of songwriting, not necessarily chart performance.
Finalists for the 2016 MusicRow Awards, Nashville’s longest-running music industry trade publication honors, were revealed earlier this week.
SONG OF THE YEAR NOMINEES:
Publishing information included inside nominee announcement.
“Burning House”
Cam shared a devastating dream with her co-writers Tyler Johnson and Jeff Bhasker, leading them to write “Burning House.” The ballad established Cam’s career at country radio, earned a Grammy nomination and achieved platinum status.
“Buy Me a Boat”
Chris Janson sailed to stardom after “Buy Me a Boat” caught the attention of country radio, CMT and millions of fans. Co-written with Chris DuBois, the tune has more hooks than a tackle box and became one of the summer’s biggest hits.
“Humble and Kind”
Lori McKenna wrote “Humble and Kind” as a letter to her children, but its wise message reached Tim McGraw too. With his own daughters growing up and leaving home, his perspective and believability resonated with listeners of every age.
“Peter Pan”
Even before it was a single, Kelsea Ballerini says she saw “Peter Pan” connect with girls at her shows. Written with Forest Glen Whitehead and Jesse Lee, the song shows the heartache that comes from loving someone who won’t let a relationship mature.
“Record Year”
When the breakup is final, you turn to vinyl. That’s the theme of Eric Church’s “Record Year,” where he drops the needle on heroes like Willie Nelson and Stevie Wonder. Co-written with Jeff Hyde, the song shows the healing power of music.
The MusicRow Awards are often a key predictor for select CMA Awards categories. For example, Song of the Year honors at both ceremonies went to “Girl Crush” (2015), “I Drive Your Truck” (2013), “If I Die Young” (2011), “The House That Built Me” (2010) and “In Color” (2009).
The MusicRow Awards will be presented at a private ceremony at BMI on Wednesday, June 29. Winners are determined solely by MusicRow subscribers. See the final nominees.
Voting closes on Tuesday, May 24 at 5 p.m. If you do not have a subscription, you may subscribe to receive your ballot.
Black River Entertainment Promotes Emily Hungate To VP
/by Jessica NicholsonEmily Hungate. Photo: Courtesy of Black River Entertainment
Black River Entertainment’s Emily Hungate has been promoted to Vice President, Business Operations for the entertainment company. She was previously Senior Director, Finance and Business Affairs.
“Emily’s hard work and commitment to Black River continues to help us become the company we are striving to be,” said BRE’s CEO Gordon Kerr. “I’m proud to highlight her accomplishments and announce this promotion to Vice President of Business Operations.”
A graduate of the University of Miami with a Masters Degree in Music Business and Entertainment Industries, Hungate joined Black River Entertainment in 2010.
“My work with Black River has been the most meaningful of my career,” said Hungate. “I am grateful to Gordon for both his leadership and guidance as my position within the company grows. I look forward to continuing to work with the entire Black River team as we pursue and achieve our collective goals.”
Expanding her role in the music industry as well as within Black River, Hungate is currently serving on the 2016 Service Committee for SOURCE. Continuing to have an active role in financial and business affairs for all of Black River Entertainment’s entities, her duties also include licensing and royalty administration.
Hungate continues to report to Kerr and can be reached at 615-780-3084 or emily@blackriverent.com.
Belmont Student Katie Pruitt Earns BMI Foundation Scholarship
/by Craig_ShelburnePictured: (L-R): BMI Foundation’s Clay Bradley, scholarship winner Katie Pruitt, BMI’s Camellia Petty and Gary Cannizzo. Photo: Steve Lowry
The BMI Foundation awarded a $5,000 scholarship this week to Katie Pruitt, a Belmont student.
“First of all, I want to thank my parents,” Pruitt said from the podium. “When I was a little girl I put on productions in my garage and they even supported me then, even though it was crazy. I want to thank my friends because they’re awesome and honest and cool and always have my back.”
She continued, “I want to thank the professors at Belmont that are always so supportive and just take the time to talk to you, and take the time answer questions, and take the time to listen to your music, and give you honest feedback. It’s just a safe place. I’m happy I ended up there. It’s definitely where I belonged. I also want to thank BMI for supporting new music and giving people a chance to find themselves through a song because it’s so important.”
Before playing the award-winning song, “Ordinary,” she added, “A couple of years ago I was at school in Athens, Georgia, at a little community college down there, and I was just doing the freshman thing, going to bars and drinking and didn’t know who I was and didn’t really know what I wanted to do. So I wrote this song in the midst of all that.”
The BMI Foundation routinely awards scholarships, grants and commission to songwriters around the country, but this award marks the first given to someone in the Nashville songwriting community.
Pruitt was voted the unanimous winner by a panel of top songwriters, including BMI songwriters Kacey Musgraves, Rodney Clawson and Mark Brown. The foundation celebrated with a reception in the BMI Nashville office on Monday (May 15).
Weekly Chart Report (5/20/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Heather Davis Joins NASH FM 103.3 As Host Of Middays
/by Jessica NicholsonHeather Davis
Cumulus Media has announced radio personality Heather Davis as the new host of middays for WKDF/NASH FM 103.3 in Nashville.
Davis joins NASH FM 103.3 from Curtis Media’s Country-formatted WQDR-FM in Raleigh, North Carolina. Prior to that, she hosted mornings on Country station WGNA-FM in Albany, New York, and hosted middays for Townsquare Media’s Country 106.5 WYRK in Buffalo, New York. Davis is a graduate of North Carolina State University.
Charlie Cook, Operations Manager, Cumulus Media-Nashville and Vice President, Country, for Cumulus Media said, “The minute I heard Heather’s audio I knew that she was the sound we need on WKDF. I love her varied on-air experience and she is a social media monster, which is so important today. We are looking forward to Heather joining radio’s best company in one of America’s best cities.”
Davis added, “I am so incredibly excited to be joining the NASH 103.3 team. It’s a dream come true to be living and working in the home of country music. I can’t wait to experience my first CMA Music Fest and all that Nashville has to offer.”
Davis replaces longtime WKDF radio personality Becca Walls, who recently resigned from the position earlier this month.
Jake Owen Releases Track Listing, Cover Art For ‘American Love’
/by Jessica NicholsonJake Owen‘s latest RCA Nashville project, American Love, will showcase the writing talent of several of Nashville’s top tunesmiths when it is released on July 29. The project includes the work of writers including Jaren Johnston, Luke Laird, Shane McAnally, Ross Copperman, Nathan Chapman, Andrew Dorff, Ashley Gorley, Dallas Davidson, Matt Dragstrem, Paul Reter, Brent Stenzel, and more.
In addition to contributing songs, Chris Stapleton and Hillary Lindsey also provided background vocals on the project.
“This record has been very enlightening because I found myself through the songs. I got back to basics with American Love,” Owen says of the project. “This is me, this is what I want to say and this is what I want people to remember me for.”
Producers/songwriters Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman co-produced eight of the tracks (one of those with Luke Laird). For the first time in his career, Owen is a co-producer on three tracks with Lukas Bracewell.
“Over the past few years I’ve experienced the unexpected,” he says. “My dad received a cancer diagnosis and I, unfortunately, went through a divorce. People probably thought I would record songs that reflected those difficult times, but I found myself gravitating to songs that had more of a positive vibe and actually made me feel better by singing them. Music truly does seem to help the healing process. I can’t wait for people to hear these new tunes. We just added a horn section to my band out on the road and the energy I feel on stage with these guys takes it to another level.”
American Love follows Owen’s 2013 project Days of Gold, which included hits “Beachin,” and “What We Ain’t Got.”
American Love Track Listing:
1. “American Love”
Jaren Johnston/Luke Laird
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
2. “After Midnight”
Rodney Dale Clawson/Matt Dragstrem/Shane McAnally
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
3. “Where I Am”
Ross Copperman/Hillary Lindsey/Shane McAnally
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
4. “Everybody Dies Young”
Ross Copperman/Shane McAnally/Josh Osborne/Scott Stepakoff
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
5. “VW Van”
Paul Reter/Brent Stenzel
Produced by Lukas Bracewell and Jake Owen
6. “Good Company”
Matt Alderman/Tommy Cecil/Jared Mullins
Produced by Lukas Bracewell and Jake Owen
7. “LAX”
Nathan Chapman/Andrew Dorff/Jake Owen
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
8. “If He Ain’t Gonna Love You”
Luke Laird/Shane McAnally/Chris Stapleton
Produced by Shane McAnally and Luke Laird and Ross Copperman
9. “When You Love Someone”
Blair Daly/Hillary Lindsey/Sean McConnell
Produced by Lukas Bracewell and Jake Owen
10. “You Ain’t Going Nowhere”
Ross Copperman/Dallas Davidson/Ashley Gorley
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
11. American Country Love Song
Ross Copperman/Ashley Gorley/Jaren Johnston
Produced by Shane McAnally and Ross Copperman
Chris Janson To Launch 100+ City Buy Me A Boat Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonChris Janson performs at Nashville’s All For The Hall event in 2016. Photo: Moments By Moser Photography
Chris Janson will bring his Buy Me A Boat Tour to more than 100 cities throughout the summer.
Approximately half of the tour dates were announced on Thursday (May 19), including dates in Maryland, Kentucky, California, Missouri, Washington, Michigan, Mississippi, and more.
The remaining tour dates will be announced separately throughout the summer, according to a Warner Music Nashville representative.
“I’m extremely excited about the Buy Me a Boat Tour this summer,” Janson said. “Performing is one of my favorite things to do. I love to be on stage and thrive on the energy from the crowd. With more than 100 dates on the tour this summer, it’s going to be in full swing. I’m looking forward to it!”
Janson is nominated for Breakthrough Artist and “Buy Me a Boat” is nominated for Song of the Year at the upcoming 28th annual MusicRow awards.
For a full list of announced dates, visit chrisjanson.com.
LifeNotes: “The Bluegrass Storyteller” James King Passes
/by Craig_ShelburneJames King. Photo: Julie Lillard King
James King, a Grammy-nominated bluegrass artist signed to Rounder Records, died Thursday afternoon (May 19), according to a spokesperson from the label. He was 57 years old.
Affectionately known as “The Bluegrass Storyteller,” King was well-known in the bluegrass community for starting to cry (along with the audience) when he sang sad songs. His 2013 album, Three Chords and the Truth, was nominated for a Grammy for best bluegrass album. The project gave a bluegrass arrangement to weepers like “Chiseled in Stone” and “He Stopped Loving Her Today.”
King was also a recovering alcoholic who suffered complications from a prolonged battle with cirrhosis of the liver. He died peacefully, surrounded by family and close friends, including his longtime girlfriend, Becky Rhodes; his brothers Andy and Jason, and sister-in-law Leticia; his aunts Debbie Moxley and Nadine Isley; and friends Junior and Susan Sisk, Dudley and Sally Connell, Harry and Louise Rhodes, and Charlie Snelling.
Born in Martinsville, Virginia on September 9, 1958, and raised in Carroll County, King grew up immersed in bluegrass. Both his father and his uncle were professional bluegrass musicians, and during his formative years, King was surrounded by music.
Following a stint in the Marine Corps, King decided to follow family tradition, and launched his musical career. He was signed to Rounder Records in 1992, where he released a series of critically acclaimed and award-winning albums, including his last recording for the label, Three Chords and the Truth.
Among his many achievements, King was a 12-time Bluegrass Music Award Winner, and in 1997, the International Bluegrass Music Association (IBMA) voted the James King Band the Emerging Artist of the Year.
In 2014, King was inducted into the Virginia Country Music Hall of Fame. Alison Krauss sent along the following remarks, which were read at the ceremony: “Nine years ago, my father and I heard a man singing in a jam session between two campers in Maryland when it was pitch black outside. Our jaws hung open, and then we had to search the festival site to retrieve the top of my head. The voice we heard was magnificent. It was so powerful, emotive, haunting, and one of a kind. It was you, singing ‘Cry, Cry, Darlin.’ We had the opportunity to speak with you, and found your spirit and generosity shared the same qualities. I’m so happy you are receiving this award. How proud the state of Virginia must be to be able to claim you as their own, and to give this award to someone whose voice has taken so many of us back to another time when life had such a beautiful, simple dream attached to it. Congratulations James King. FANTASTIC!!!”
Rounder Records co-founder Ken Irwin signed King in 1992, and produced a number of his recordings for the label. Irwin reflects, “James had an uncanny ability to wring the emotion out of every song he sang, and he was one of the most intuitive singers in all of bluegrass. He sang from and to the heart, and had the rare gift of being able to make audiences feel, no matter what it was he was singing about. He was a born storyteller, and loved to tell stories before, during, and after songs.” He continues, “His love of singing and entertaining came through in everything he did, and those qualities made him one of the most popular and beloved artists on the bluegrass circuit. James’ big voice was only matched by his outsize personality. He was my friend, and I will miss him.”
King was predeceased by his daughter Shelby Ann, who died in 2012. Funeral arrangements will be announced shortly.