Tribute Concert To Be Held For John D. Loudermilk
Songwriter John D. Loudermilk will be honored with a tribute concert to be held Thursday, March 24 at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee.
Among those on the performance bill are Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Bobby Braddock, Tommy Emmanuel, Lee Roy Parnell, John McFee (Doobie Brothers), John Jorgenson, Herb Pedersen, John Cowan, and Cory Chisel. The lineup is subject to change.
The event is sponsored by BMI, Sony Music Nashville, and The Franklin Theatre. Tickets can be obtained here.
Among Loudermilk’s hit songs are “A Rose and a Baby Ruth” (George Hamilton IV), “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” (The Casinos/Eddy Arnold), “Ebony Eyes” (The Everly Brothers), and the country and pop standard “Tobacco Road.” “Indian Reservation,” was a pop chart-topper for Paul Revere & the Raiders in 1971. “Indian Outlaw,” a 1994 hit for Tim McGraw, quotes the chorus of “Indian Reservation,” giving Loudermilk partial credit for yet another hit. Loudermilk is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee (1976).
Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood Make Appearances On Jazz, Christian Charts
Pictured (L-R): Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood
Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin, Willie Nelson‘s latest full-length album for Legacy Recordings, has debuted at No. 1 on both the Top Current Jazz chart and the Top Traditional Jazz chart. The only Willie Nelson albums to have previously scaled the Jazz charts have been Two Men With The Blues (No. 1, Top Jazz Albums, 2008; No. 1, Jazz Albums, 2009) and Here We Go Again: Celebrating The Genius of Ray Charles (No. 2, Jazz Albums, 2011; No. 2, Jazz Albums, 2012). Each of those records was a collaboration with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Meanwhile, Trisha Yearwood has made her first appearance on a Billboard Christian chart, with “Broken” debuting at No. 48 on the Hot Christian Songs chart for March 19. “Broken” is a remake of Lifehouse’s 2008 hit, and appears on the soundtrack for The Passion. Yearwood will portray Mary, mother of Jesus, in FOX’s March 20 live musical.
MSO PR Promotes Mike Gowen to Publicist
Mike Gowen
Mike Gowen has been promoted to the role of publicist at MSO PR (the Mitch Schneider Organization). Gowen began at MSO in 2012 as Executive Assistant to Schneider, before moving into an Associate Publicist role in 2014. Prior to his work with MSO PR, Gowen worked as an assistant to jazz artist Stanley Clarke.
Over the past three years, Gowen has been involved in the media campaigns for various artists in multiple genres including BabyMetal, The Black Crowes, Black Sabbath, Billy Idol, Brian Setzer, Dada Life, Dave Stewart, Dream Theater, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Michael Carroll, John Fogerty, Savoy, The Smashing Pumpkins, Stereophonics, Wynonna & The Big Noise and others.
MSO PR is based in Los Angeles, and has an office in Nashville.
Gowen can be reached at mgowen@msopr.com.
Love And Theft Sign To Curb Records
/by Jessica Nicholson“We’re extremely excited and proud to have Love and Theft joining the Curb Records family,” says Jim Ed Norman, CEO of The Curb Group. “The chance to work with great artistry is first and foremost a privilege, but getting to add the incredible management team at Vector and long time friend and award winning Producer Josh Leo, is uncommonly rewarding. 1-2-3-GO!”
Taylor Childress, Vice President of The Curb Group adds, “This is AWESOME! We couldn’t be more fired up to welcome Stephen and Eric to the Curb family. They are true artists in every sense of the word and we can’t wait to get to work with them and their team on taking their artistry to even greater heights.”
The duo’s single, “Whiskey On My Breath,” the title track from their third album, is at radio now, and was co-produced by Liles, Gunderson, and Josh Leo. The track was released independently on their own label, Hate & Purchase Music, before Love and Theft signed with Curb.
“We realized we had a chance to give fans a record that best represented us as artists when we decided to release the new album independently,” says Gunderson. “By signing with Curb, who are an independent company themselves, we have an amazing opportunity to work with them while keeping our integrity as artists.”
“We are honored to be signed to Curb Records,” Barker Liles adds. “Mike Curb and Jim Ed Norman are both legends who share our passion for music and independence, so to be a part of a team who understands and believes in who we are and the music we are making is inspiring.”
The duo’s previous hit songs include “Dancing In Circles,” “Runnin’ Out Of Air,” “If You Ever Get Lonely,” and “Night That You’ll Never Forget.”
Industry Ink: John D. Loudermilk, Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood, MSO PR
/by Jessica NicholsonTribute Concert To Be Held For John D. Loudermilk
Songwriter John D. Loudermilk will be honored with a tribute concert to be held Thursday, March 24 at the Franklin Theatre in Franklin, Tennessee.
Among those on the performance bill are Emmylou Harris, Rodney Crowell, Bobby Braddock, Tommy Emmanuel, Lee Roy Parnell, John McFee (Doobie Brothers), John Jorgenson, Herb Pedersen, John Cowan, and Cory Chisel. The lineup is subject to change.
The event is sponsored by BMI, Sony Music Nashville, and The Franklin Theatre. Tickets can be obtained here.
Among Loudermilk’s hit songs are “A Rose and a Baby Ruth” (George Hamilton IV), “Then You Can Tell Me Goodbye” (The Casinos/Eddy Arnold), “Ebony Eyes” (The Everly Brothers), and the country and pop standard “Tobacco Road.” “Indian Reservation,” was a pop chart-topper for Paul Revere & the Raiders in 1971. “Indian Outlaw,” a 1994 hit for Tim McGraw, quotes the chorus of “Indian Reservation,” giving Loudermilk partial credit for yet another hit. Loudermilk is a Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame inductee (1976).
Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood Make Appearances On Jazz, Christian Charts
Pictured (L-R): Willie Nelson, Trisha Yearwood
Summertime: Willie Nelson Sings Gershwin, Willie Nelson‘s latest full-length album for Legacy Recordings, has debuted at No. 1 on both the Top Current Jazz chart and the Top Traditional Jazz chart. The only Willie Nelson albums to have previously scaled the Jazz charts have been Two Men With The Blues (No. 1, Top Jazz Albums, 2008; No. 1, Jazz Albums, 2009) and Here We Go Again: Celebrating The Genius of Ray Charles (No. 2, Jazz Albums, 2011; No. 2, Jazz Albums, 2012). Each of those records was a collaboration with jazz trumpeter Wynton Marsalis.
Meanwhile, Trisha Yearwood has made her first appearance on a Billboard Christian chart, with “Broken” debuting at No. 48 on the Hot Christian Songs chart for March 19. “Broken” is a remake of Lifehouse’s 2008 hit, and appears on the soundtrack for The Passion. Yearwood will portray Mary, mother of Jesus, in FOX’s March 20 live musical.
MSO PR Promotes Mike Gowen to Publicist
Mike Gowen
Mike Gowen has been promoted to the role of publicist at MSO PR (the Mitch Schneider Organization). Gowen began at MSO in 2012 as Executive Assistant to Schneider, before moving into an Associate Publicist role in 2014. Prior to his work with MSO PR, Gowen worked as an assistant to jazz artist Stanley Clarke.
Over the past three years, Gowen has been involved in the media campaigns for various artists in multiple genres including BabyMetal, The Black Crowes, Black Sabbath, Billy Idol, Brian Setzer, Dada Life, Dave Stewart, Dream Theater, Dwight Yoakam, Jason Michael Carroll, John Fogerty, Savoy, The Smashing Pumpkins, Stereophonics, Wynonna & The Big Noise and others.
MSO PR is based in Los Angeles, and has an office in Nashville.
Gowen can be reached at mgowen@msopr.com.
CMA Songwriters Series Kicks Off C2C Festival In London
/by Jessica NicholsonThe CMA Songwriters Series traveled to the U.K. Thursday night (March 10) for a show at London’s indigo at The O2 to kick off the 2016 C2C (Country 2 Country) Festival. Charles Esten, Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Ashley Monroe, and Charlie Worsham took the stage to share the stories behind their hit songs.
The series made its European debut in 2012 with shows in London, Dublin, and Belfast, returning the following year with shows taking place in Ireland, London, and Paris. Since 2014, the CMA Songwriters Series has returned annually to London as part of C2C, featuring an outstanding line-up of country music’s biggest stars.
Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Ashley Monroe, Charlie Worsham, Charles Esten, and Lori McKenna. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA
Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Ashley Monroe, and Charlie Worsham. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA
Charles Esten. Photo: Anthony D’Angio/CMA
Century-Old Music Row Property Purchased For $1.3 Million
/by Jessica Nicholson45 Music Sq. W. Photo: Google Maps
Attorneys Brian Manookian and Brian Cummings have purchased a century-old Music Row property for $1.3 million, MusicRow has confirmed. According to property tax records, the two-story building, located at 45 Music Square W., was constructed in 1905.
The property was purchased from Whitehardt Properties, LLC. Manookian and Cummings plan to relocate their law firm, Cummings Manookian PLC, into the building from its current location at 102 Woodmont Blvd.
“We are absolutely preserving and renovating the building,” Manookian tells MusicRow. “We plan on being great stewards of the building, and we are looking forward to moving into the neighborhood.”
Manookian says the same company that renovated the flooring and stage of the Ryman Auditorium will restore the building’s 100+ year old floors and original wood pieces.
Franklin Synergy Bank Names Ellen May To Sr. VP Role
/by Jessica NicholsonEllen May
Franklin Synergy Bank has appointed Ellen May as Senior Vice President, Private Banker-Sports, Music, and Entertainment. She will be based in the bank’s Brentwood location.
May has more than 30 years of financial services experience. Prior to joining Franklin Synergy Bank, May served as Vice President-Senior Relationship Manager, Music and Entertainment Division at Avenue Bank in Nashville. She also served as Vice President at SunTrust Bank in Nashville.
“We are delighted to welcome Ellen to our bank,” commented Franklin Synergy Chairman/CEO Richard Herrington. “The music, sports and entertainment industries in Nashville are booming; Ellen’s understanding of these industries makes her an extraordinarily valuable addition to our team.”
May is the recipient of the Diamond Award of Excellence from the Nashville Mortgage Banker’s Association.
She is also a member of the County Music Association, Academy of Country Music, and the Recording Academy.
Lorrie Morgan To Release ‘A Picture Of Me- Greatest Hits & More’
/by Troy_StephensonFollowing the Feb. 12 release of Lorrie Morgan’s first studio album in five years, Letting Go… Slow, she will celebrate the March 18 drop of a brand new compilation album, A Picture Of Me – Greatest Hits & More. The new project is a product of Goldenlane Records, (a division of Cleopatra Records), a label that’s recently released new albums by the Oak Ridge Boys, Collin Raye, Little Texas and TG Sheppard, amongst others.
“Letting Go… Slow is all new music about where I am right now and what all I’ve been through and was forced to learn about all along this crazy journey called life, and A Picture Of Me – Greatest Hits & More is a representation of how far I’ve come,” Morgan said. “This compilation album is, truly, a picture of me – my biggest hits and those songs that have hit me the hardest or inspired me the most over the years. I am very proud of them both.”
A Picture Of Me – Greatest Hits & More Track Listing
1.) “Watch Me”
2.) “Something In Red”
3.) “Don’t Worry Baby”
4.) “Good As I Was To You”
5.) “‘Til I Can Make It On My Own”
6.) “Five Minutes”
7.) “Except For Monday”
8.) “A Picture Of Me (Without You)”
9.) “Loving You Could Never Be Better”
10.) “What Part Of No”
11.) “Here Comes My Baby”
12.) “Take Me To Your World”
13.) “Wherever You Are Tonight”
14.) “I Went Crazy For Awhile”
15.) “Mirror, Mirror”
16.) “Hopelessly Yours”
Randy Houser Celebrates Fourth No. 1 At ‘Fired Up’ Album Release Party
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Nick Hartley, Fitzgerald-Hartley; Greg Oswald, WME; Stoney Creek’s Chris Loss, Rick Shedd, Benny Brown; Randy Houser; Stoney Creek’s Carson James and Jon Loba. Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images courtesy of BBR
“Fired Up,” the title to Randy Houser’s latest album, was the theme of the evening last night (March 10) at Nashville’s The Anchor Fellowship church. The event space hosted VIP guests for a preview of the Mississippi native’s sophomore Stoney Creek Records release, which hits retail today (March 11).
SiriusXM’s Buzz Brainard beamed Houser’s album preview performance to radio listeners while attendees enjoyed Mississippi Mule cocktails from commemorative copper mugs inscribed with the album title. Hattie B’s hot chicken fired up taste buds and a trio of soulful backup singers also ignited the title track, among select titles.
At times the acoustic set of new and memorable tunes featured Houser, solo—with just his guitar and booming vibrato. The co-written CMA Song of the Year-nominated “Like A Cowboy” may be the best example of that vocal power, which Broken Bow Music Group Exec. VP Jon Loba boasted, “If he doesn’t get him a Male Vocalist of the Year nomination at some point, it’s criminal.”
Loba went on to surprise the singer with a plaque recognizing Houser’s five singles with Benny Brown’s label group. Four of those have gone to No. 1, including this week’s airplay No. 1 “We Went,” in addition to two certified platinum singles and two gold singles.
“I’ve been in Nashville for 15 years and I think this is my fourth record deal,” Houser recalled from the stage. He thanked songwriters (many writers on his current album were in attendance) and advocated for their talent not to be taken for granted.
A songwriter himself, Houser contributed just five co-writes to his new Derek George-produced project. That left 12 slots on the deluxe album for outside songs. Broken Bow and its artist’s specialty is selecting those premier titles, which they did from the likes of Trevor Rosen, The Peach Pickers, Tony Martin, Craig Wiseman, Ashley Gorley, The Warren Brothers, and rival, reigning Male vocalist of the Year, Chris Stapleton, who also offered BGVs on Houser’s album.
Yes, “Song Number 7″ is actually track seven and it is the follow-up single, which shipped today with a reported impact date of March 28.
And in case you missed the faux headlines, Houser’s mad dash to yesterday’s event was caught on police dash cam.
Houser will continue to perform select dates before joining Dierks Bentley for the 2016 Somewhere On A Beach Tour in May.
The Road To Roo Preliminary Round Winners Announced
/by Molly_HannulaThe Road to Bonnaroo competition, presented by BMI and hosted by Lightning 100, has announced the next four bands that have made it through the preliminary round and are moving on to the city semi-finals. Kid Freud, Omega Swan, Daphne & the Mystery Machines and The Cold Stares have all made it through, joining OJR, Jess Nolan, Roots of a Rebellion and the Heavy Soles in the next round.
The semi-finals will take place at the historic Exit/In venue on March 16 and the new East Nashville staple, the Basement East, on March 22. Four of the following bands will then continue on to the city finals showcase, March 31 at 3rd & Lindsley at 8 p.m. The final band will advance to the Tennessee state finals, to be held at Mercy Lounge April 4 at 9 p.m.
The grand prize is a performance slot at this year’s Bonnaroo, to be held in Manchester, Tennessee, on June 9-12.
Securing a spot in the next round, Omega Swan rocks the stage at the Road to Roo competition. Photo: Anna Webber
Rocker Kid Freud bring their Brit-rock sound to the stage at Acme Feed and Seed, pulling in a win and advancing to the next round of Road to Roo. Photo: Anna Webber
Americana rockers Daphne & the Mystery Machine captivate the crowd at Acme Feed and Seed, advancing to the next round of Road to Roo. Photo: Anna Webber
Artist Pics: Diana Upton-Hill, Southern Halo, Casey Weston
/by Jessica NicholsonDiana Upton-Hill recently visited the MusicRow office to perform a trio of songs, including her current single, “Southern Gentlemen.” Upton-Hill is signed to Third Floor Records, and recorded the project Do Love Well with songwriter/producer Bryan White.
Diana Upton-Hill. Photo: Molly Hannula
Sibling trio Southern Halo visited MusicRow staff to perform their latest single “Little White Dress.” The Mississippi-born trio recorded their first EP with Alabama’s Jeff Cook.
Southern Halo. Photo: Molly Hannula
The Voice finalist Casey Weston dropped by MusicRow to perform songs from her album Young Heart, including “No Strings Attached.” Weston, a Florida native, moved to Nashville in 2011.
Casey Weston. Photo: Molly Hannula
Weekly Chart Report (3/11/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.