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.
Eric Church To Ticket Scalpers: ‘You Will Not Win. I Will.’
/by Sarah SkatesEric Church. Photo: Jill Trunell
Eric Church is known for waging war against ticket scalpers head-on. His latest battle ensued when Church and his team discovered that 2,700 tickets were purchased by known scalpers for the singer’s upcoming two-night stand (Aug. 9-10) at Red Rocks Amphitheater in Morrison, Colorado. Church’s team immediately cancelled the tickets.
“I do want to add a quick word about the scalpers,” said Church. “I have never seen more relentless, nefarious and frankly disgusting efforts to defraud the fans and the general public. Six words for you thugs: You Will Not Win. I Will.”
Fielding Logan of Church’s management company Q Prime South has long spearheaded the singer’s war on scalpers.
Church’s 2015 album Mr. Misunderstood was a surprise release, and it was delivered to 80,000 fan club members free of charge before it went on sale. He is rising up the country charts with “Record Year,” the album’s second single.
Church heads into this year’s ACM Awards with six nominations, including Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album, Video, Vocal Event and Song of the Year. He will perform during the show when it airs live from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas on Apr. 6 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
Maren Morris Sets Album Release Date, Reveals Tracklist
/by Sarah SkatesColumbia Nashville singer/songwriter Maren Morris is set to release Hero, her first major label full-length album on June 3. Morris co-wrote every track and shared production duties with songwriter/producer busbee. They co-wrote her debut single “My Church” which made country radio history by setting the record for the most first-week station adds with 107. The previous record for a debut single was 99.
The title Hero is inspired by Morris’ song “I Wish I Was.” She says, “‘I Wish I Was’ is the most autobiographical song on this record and I admittedly was not the hero in that story, but I am the hero in mine. I’ve come such a long way from who I was in Texas, who I am as a writer, who I am as a woman today. I think the message of this record is self acceptance and awareness, and that to me is heroic.”
Morris returns to her home state of Texas this week for the annual SXSW Music Conference and Festival in Austin, performing at The Spotify House on Wednesday (March 16) and YouTube Music at Coppertank on Thursday (March 17).
In addition to her own headlining dates, Morris will kick off her album release week with the first stop on the Keith Urban RipCORD World Tour 2016 on June 3 in Kansas City. She will be on the tour through summer and fall.
Hero track listing:
1. Sugar (Maren Morris/Brett Tyler/Laura Veltz)
2. Rich (Maren Morris/Jessie Jo Dillon/Laura Veltz)
3. My Church (Maren Morris/busbee)
4. I Could Use a Love Song (Maren Morris/Jimmy Robbins/Laura Veltz)
5. 80’s Mercedes (Maren Morris/busbee)
6. Drunk Girls Don’t Cry (Maren Morris/Barry Dean/Luke Laird)
7. How It’s Done (Maren Morris/busbee/Natalie Hemby)
8. Just Another Thing (Maren Morris/Matt Dragstrem/Shane McAnally)
9. I Wish I Was (Maren Morris/Natalie Hemby/Ryan Hurd)
10. Second Wind (Maren Morris/Chris DeStefano/Shane McAnally)
11. Once (Maren Morris/busbee)
Weekly Register: Blake Shelton, Joey + Rory Top Country Sales Charts
/by Jessica NicholsonOn the digital country tracks chart, Blake Shelton’s latest single, “Here To Forget” takes the top spot this week (and lands at No. 10 overall) with 53k sold. Following Shelton at No. 2 on the digital country tracks rankings is Maren Morris, whose “My Church” has a loyal following with 36k sold. Jake Owen’s “American Country Love Song” is at No. 3 with (35k), followed by Tim McGraw’s “Humble and Kind” at No. 4 (33k), and Cole Swindell’s “You Should Be Here” at No. 5 (30k).
On the overall digital tracks rankings, Lukas Graham’s “7 Years” is No. 1, with 121k sold. The top debut this week is from Meghan Trainor. “No” lands at No. 2 on the overall digital singles rankings, with 113k sold.
Overall digital tracks sales are down 26.1 percent, with country tracks sales down 22.1 percent.
On a bright note, Cam’s “Burning House” digital single has sold more than 1 million.
Following the death of Joey+Rory’s Joey Martin Feek on March 4, the duo’s latest album Hymns, has taken the top spot on the Country album rankings, with 44k sold. The project is at No. 10 on the all-genre album rankings.
They are followed on the country albums chart this week by Chris Stapleton’s Traveller at 31k, Granger Smith’s Remington with 24k, Loretta Lynn’s Full Circle (20k) and Sam Hunt’s Montevallo (7.5k).
Kendrick Lamar’s Untitled Unmastered debuted at No. 1 on the overall rankings this week, with 178k (142k album only). The project marks Lamar’s second chart-topping project in less than a year, after To Pimp A Butterfly. Untitled Unmastered was a surprise album drop, and released to digital retailers and streaming services on March 4. The physical version of Untitled Unmastered (explicit version) released March 11. An edited version will release March 18.
Year to date, country album sales are down 4.2 percent, with country digital album sales down 12.8 percent. Overall album sales are down 16.4 percent, while overall digital album sales are down 23.5 percent.
Alan Jackson To Release DVD ‘Keepin’ It Country-Live At Red Rocks’
/by Jessica NicholsonKeepin’ It Country-Live At Red Rocks features performances of 26 of Jackson’s classics including “Gone Country,” “Good Time,” “Small Town Southern Man,” “Chattahoochee,” “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning),” “Remember When,” “Where I Come From,” “It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere,” “Mercury Blues,” as well as tracks from Jackson’s 2015 album Angels And Alcohol.
Keepin’ It Country – Live At Red Rocks is available for presale at alanjackson.com
Track Listing For Keepin’ It Country-Live At Red Rocks:
1. Gone Country
2. I Don’t Even Know Your Name
3. Livin’ On Love
4. Good Time
5. Small Town Southern Man
6. The Blues Man
7. Who’s Cheatin’ Who
8. Little Bitty
9. Country Boy
10. Drive (For Daddy Gene)
11. Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)
12. Don’t Rock The Jukebox
13. Here In The Real World
14. Wanted
15. Chasin’ That Neon Rainbow
16. It Must Be Love
17. Song For The Life
18. Pop A Top
19. Angels and Alcohol
20. You Never Know
21. As She’s Walking Away
22. Remember When
23. It’s Five O’Clock Somewhere
24. Chattahoochee
25. Where I Come From
26. Mercury Blues
Thomas Rhett Plays C2C, Maps European Run
/by Sarah SkatesThomas Rhett wows fans during performance at the C2C Festival in Europe. Photo: Hunter Ney
Thomas Rhett has revealed his first-ever headlining European tour dates, following a recent C2C MainStage performance in Europe. The shows will kick off Nov. 9 in Belfast, Northern Ireland and will continue with stops in the UK, Ireland, Belgium, Netherlands and Norway.
“I’ve had a lot of artist buddies play Europe and come back talking about how great the crowds are,” said Thomas Rhett. “After getting my first taste this week, I definitely get what they’re saying now. I’m pumped we’re going to have a chance to come back this fall. Hopefully we’ll get to see a few familiar faces from this weekend and meet some new fans too.”
Thomas Rhett is nominated for three ACM Awards at the upcoming ceremony, including Album of the Year for Tangled Up.
He is also set for sold-out headlining dates and direct support for Jason Aldean’s We Were Here 2016 Tour.
European Tour
11/9 Belfast, Northern Ireland @ Mandela Hall
11/10 Dublin, Ireland @ Vicar Street
11/12 London, UK @ O2 Shepherd’s Bush Empire
11/13 Manchester, UK @ O2 Ritz
11/14 Glasgow, UK @ O2 ABC
11/16 Antwerp, Belgium @ Trix
11/17 Amsterdam, Netherlands @ Melkweg
11/19 Oslo, Norway @ Sentrum Scene
11/20 Bergen, Norway @ USF Verftet
Select presale tickets, as well as on-sale for first dates, launch on Wednesday, March 16 at www.thomasrhett.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.