Pictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Chris DeStafano, BMI songwriter Carrie Underwood, ASCAP songwriter Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring
Carrie Underwood celebrated “Smoke Break,” her 22nd No. 1 song (12th as a songwriter) with an ASCAP and BMI-hosted soiree at Nashville restaurant The Sutler.
The song was co-written by Underwood (BMI), Hillary Lindsey (ASCAP) and Chris DeStefano (ASCAP). This is a back-to-back No. 1 for the writing trio, who also penned Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns.”
Among those honoring the tune were ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, CMA’s Brandi Simms, CRB’s Bill Mayne, and Underwood’s manager Ann Edelblute (The HQ). Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation to Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation.
“Smoke Break,” and the rest of the Storyteller project, was one of the first to be worked to radio under new Sony Music Nashville head Randy Goodman.
Goodman recalled the urgency and weight given to the project. “The third day I was at Sony, I get a call [from Ann Edelblute]. She said, as only Ann can do, ‘Do you know we have an album scheduled on October 23?’ And it was about July 15 at the time, which in record launch time is tomorrow. An hour later, I walked up the street [to Ann’s office], we sat down an immediately began listening to what became the Storyteller album. And it was both exciting and terrifying at the same time, because I’m new to this job, this is a new team, and we are going to launch if not specifically the most important record of the year for us, and it’s Carrie Underwood and all eyes are going to be on us and we wanted to do a great job. So it was one of those things that broke us all in in a quick and effective way.”
Pictured- (L-R): Back Row: Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams and Arista Nashville’s Randy Goodman. Front Row: Chris DeStefano, Carrie Underwood, and Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring
Goodman also took the time to emphasize Underwood’s songwriting talent. “One thing I always say, is that it’s great that she’s had 22 No. 1 singles, and great that she sold what she sold, and that’s important, but what I always try to say about Carrie is that this is her 12th No. 1 single that she’s actively been involved with as a writer. She’s such a phenomenal singer and she represents our format so well. She’s truly one of the treasures of country music, and while I’m talking about her being a great singer, if you haven’t cast your ACM votes yet, we covet those votes. At the same time, she’s also an incredible songwriter. I always want to bring that up, because I think that’s one of those things that goes under the radar because her ability as a vocalist and her ability as an entertainer, I think that’s where people gravitate to. I think all too often your songwriting ability is not recognized.”
DeStefano thanked his publisher, as well as Sony Music Nashville’s team, and his two co-writers. “I want to start by thanking my dear friend Hillary. She is one of the best songwriters ever. You are truly an inspiration. You are a dear friend, but I’m still intimidated to be in the room with you. She pushes me, and that’s a great feeling. Carrie, thank you so much, you are the best and an inspiration. It’s an honor to know you and call you a friend. You and Ann are an amazing team. Thank you for Ann for all you do.”
Lindsey was also quick to thank her co-writers, and recalled how the song was written. “Thank you to the beautiful sunny day we had that day, or we never would have walked outside. We wanted a break, and I remember sitting around her little fountain in her place in Leiper’s Fork. We were chillin’ and taking a break, and then Chris grabbed an acoustic, and we were like, ‘You know, let’s depart from that other song we were writing and jam on something new.’ So thank you God for the sunshine.”
Underwood summed up the event. “Hillary, I’ve known you for 10 or 11 years now, and it’s a pleasure and an honor, and I don’t know of anyone that I’ve written with consistently like I have with you, and we always come up with something awesome. Any time I hear your voice on a demo I get, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Hillary! Turn it up.’ It’s amazing and I look forward to many more. Chris, I haven’t known you as long but I feel like we’ve done a lot of writing together. This team is just so easy to be around, and even if we don’t come up with a No. 1 smash, I had fun. It’s nice to write with people that no matter what, you had a nice day. You are just killing it all over the place, so I look forward to seeing whatever else you are going to do here in Nashville. We’re glad to have you.”
She continued, “Ann and my HQ family, we’ve been together a long time too, and none of this would have happened without you, so thank you Ann and Allie and Jess and Lauren. I have the best team around me ever. To my Arista family, my amazing promo team. I’m thankful that there are so many people who are willing to believe in what we do and to push that and work that, and make sure people hear it. Thank you BMI and Jody, you have always been so good to me, and to ASCAP for hosting this party. All of our spouses and family members, thank you so much for supporting us and allowing us to do what we do, and watching the kids while we go and write. We couldn’t do it without you guys. I’m blessed and thankful. I’m happy to be celebrating another No. 1. It never gets old.”
Nashville Takes A “Smoke Break” To Celebrate Carrie Underwood’s 22nd No. 1
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): ASCAP songwriter Chris DeStafano, BMI songwriter Carrie Underwood, ASCAP songwriter Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring
Carrie Underwood celebrated “Smoke Break,” her 22nd No. 1 song (12th as a songwriter) with an ASCAP and BMI-hosted soiree at Nashville restaurant The Sutler.
The song was co-written by Underwood (BMI), Hillary Lindsey (ASCAP) and Chris DeStefano (ASCAP). This is a back-to-back No. 1 for the writing trio, who also penned Underwood’s “Little Toy Guns.”
Among those honoring the tune were ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, Sony/ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, CMA’s Brandi Simms, CRB’s Bill Mayne, and Underwood’s manager Ann Edelblute (The HQ). Ron Cox of Avenue Bank announced a donation to Underwood’s C.A.T.S. Foundation.
“Smoke Break,” and the rest of the Storyteller project, was one of the first to be worked to radio under new Sony Music Nashville head Randy Goodman.
Goodman recalled the urgency and weight given to the project. “The third day I was at Sony, I get a call [from Ann Edelblute]. She said, as only Ann can do, ‘Do you know we have an album scheduled on October 23?’ And it was about July 15 at the time, which in record launch time is tomorrow. An hour later, I walked up the street [to Ann’s office], we sat down an immediately began listening to what became the Storyteller album. And it was both exciting and terrifying at the same time, because I’m new to this job, this is a new team, and we are going to launch if not specifically the most important record of the year for us, and it’s Carrie Underwood and all eyes are going to be on us and we wanted to do a great job. So it was one of those things that broke us all in in a quick and effective way.”
Pictured- (L-R): Back Row: Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg, BMG’s Chris Oglesby, ASCAP’s Michael Martin, BMI’s Bradley Collins, ASCAP’s Beth Brinker, BMI’s Jody Williams and Arista Nashville’s Randy Goodman. Front Row: Chris DeStefano, Carrie Underwood, and Hillary Lindsey. Photo: Erika Goldring
Goodman also took the time to emphasize Underwood’s songwriting talent. “One thing I always say, is that it’s great that she’s had 22 No. 1 singles, and great that she sold what she sold, and that’s important, but what I always try to say about Carrie is that this is her 12th No. 1 single that she’s actively been involved with as a writer. She’s such a phenomenal singer and she represents our format so well. She’s truly one of the treasures of country music, and while I’m talking about her being a great singer, if you haven’t cast your ACM votes yet, we covet those votes. At the same time, she’s also an incredible songwriter. I always want to bring that up, because I think that’s one of those things that goes under the radar because her ability as a vocalist and her ability as an entertainer, I think that’s where people gravitate to. I think all too often your songwriting ability is not recognized.”
DeStefano thanked his publisher, as well as Sony Music Nashville’s team, and his two co-writers. “I want to start by thanking my dear friend Hillary. She is one of the best songwriters ever. You are truly an inspiration. You are a dear friend, but I’m still intimidated to be in the room with you. She pushes me, and that’s a great feeling. Carrie, thank you so much, you are the best and an inspiration. It’s an honor to know you and call you a friend. You and Ann are an amazing team. Thank you for Ann for all you do.”
Lindsey was also quick to thank her co-writers, and recalled how the song was written. “Thank you to the beautiful sunny day we had that day, or we never would have walked outside. We wanted a break, and I remember sitting around her little fountain in her place in Leiper’s Fork. We were chillin’ and taking a break, and then Chris grabbed an acoustic, and we were like, ‘You know, let’s depart from that other song we were writing and jam on something new.’ So thank you God for the sunshine.”
Underwood summed up the event. “Hillary, I’ve known you for 10 or 11 years now, and it’s a pleasure and an honor, and I don’t know of anyone that I’ve written with consistently like I have with you, and we always come up with something awesome. Any time I hear your voice on a demo I get, I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, it’s Hillary! Turn it up.’ It’s amazing and I look forward to many more. Chris, I haven’t known you as long but I feel like we’ve done a lot of writing together. This team is just so easy to be around, and even if we don’t come up with a No. 1 smash, I had fun. It’s nice to write with people that no matter what, you had a nice day. You are just killing it all over the place, so I look forward to seeing whatever else you are going to do here in Nashville. We’re glad to have you.”
She continued, “Ann and my HQ family, we’ve been together a long time too, and none of this would have happened without you, so thank you Ann and Allie and Jess and Lauren. I have the best team around me ever. To my Arista family, my amazing promo team. I’m thankful that there are so many people who are willing to believe in what we do and to push that and work that, and make sure people hear it. Thank you BMI and Jody, you have always been so good to me, and to ASCAP for hosting this party. All of our spouses and family members, thank you so much for supporting us and allowing us to do what we do, and watching the kids while we go and write. We couldn’t do it without you guys. I’m blessed and thankful. I’m happy to be celebrating another No. 1. It never gets old.”
Brothers Osborne Celebrate First No. 1 Single
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): (front) ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Smack Ink’s Robin Palmer, co-writer/artist TJ Osborne, co-writer/artist John Osborne, King Pen Music’s Kelly King, (back row) Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan, co-writer Shane McAnally, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn.
Nashville’s music industry braved cold and rain Tuesday (March 1) to celebrate Brothers Osborne’s chart-topping tune “Stay A Little Longer,” with an ASCAP-hosted shindig at South.
The energy in the room was palpable, as “Stay A Little Longer” marks the first No. 1 as writers and artists for Brothers Osborne members TJ and John Osborne. The tune is the 15th No. 1 song for co-writer Shane McAnally. Producer Jay Joyce was not in attendance.
Among those offering glowing congratulations were ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, King Pen Music’s Kelly King (who received numerous thanks of her own during the shindig), Warner/Chappell Music Publishing’s Ben Vaughn, Universal Music Group’s Mike Dungan, Universal Music Publishing’s Kent Earls, Smack Ink’s Robin Palmer, Country Aircheck’s Lon Helton, CRB’s Holly Lane, and CMA’s Brandi Simms.
“I talk a lot about the love affair we have for our artists,” said Dungan. “There is nothing more gratifying to someone who works at a label than having a project that you deem personally to be great and that you feel moves the needle and affects the culture and I can’t tell you have wonderful and perfect it is when greatness and art intersect with commerce and it results in a No. 1 record, and I couldn’t be happier about it.”
Dungan also honored John and TJ, as well as McAnally, with what is lovingly called the “Impaler Award.”
“There is a waiver to fill out later because they are dangerous,” quipped Dungan. “Shane McAnally, 14 out of your 15 [No. 1 songs] are from us? We’ve made a lot of money together, buddy.” To Brothers Osborne, he added, “You guys are still ridiculously unrecouped, but we are getting there.”
“TJ, your voice I really do think is going to go down in history as one of the greats,” said McAnally. “They are both incredible singers, and their harmonies sound amazing, but I really do think the tone and texture and sounds you guys get together this is really historical and I’m really honored that I got to be a part of this first No. 1 of many.”
“I said this before but a lot of people talk about how much work it takes and sometimes it is a bit unnerving but to always look at everyone around you, and literally no one is ever dropping the ball and working their [butts] off,” said TJ.
TJ Osborne also offered thanks to Sistad. “Mike Sistad was one of the first people to put us on a show, when no one gave a s— about us. It was a show at the Bluebird. Also, when no one was willing to lend us any more money, Sistad stepped up with ASCAP and gave us a loan that literally saved us from totally collapsing, which we might have done anyway. He just gave us a little more drinking money, so thank you.
“It’s cool to have all this stuff handed out tonight,” he continued. “We wanted to hand out some gifts ourselves. We didn’t realize it would take so long to get a royalty check,” he quipped, to the laughter of the audience.
John Osborne also thanked lawyer Chip Petree. “We forgot to put him in our liner notes, so I want to thank him first.”
“It’s all about the people,” Osborne summarized. “You look at a song, it’s Brothers Osborne, but it wasn’t just Brothers Osborne. I cannot be more grateful. It’s hard work and a little bit of luck. I think if it all ended right now, I’d feel like the luckiest person in the world. I genuinely do. Not so much for the accolades and No. 1s, but Nashville is full of the greatest people on earth. That’s why people keep moving here, because it’s seriously great. The fact that we get to celebrate a huge milestone in our lives with people that we genuinely love, that’s the greatest thing to me. I can’t thank you all enough and I can’t wait to do this again.”
Pictured (L-R): TJ Osborne, Shane McAnally, John Osborne. Photo: Frederick Breedon for ASCAP.
Sandbox Entertainment Adds Chappel McCollister To Oversee Sponsorships, Licensing
/by Jessica NicholsonChappel McCollister
Sandbox Entertainment has added Chappel McCollister to its management team in a newly created role. He will oversee sponsorships, licensing, and endorsements for all artists on the Sandbox roster.
McCollister joins Sandbox after serving as the Director of Tour Partnerships at G7 Entertainment Marketing for the past six years.
“I am thrilled to have Chappel join our team. He is a star in his area of expertise,” said Sandbox President/CEO Jason Owen. “His knowledge, experience, and energy will be instrumental in the growth of Sandbox.”
Chappel can be reached at chappel@sandboxmgmt.com or 615-915-5454.
Curb Records Acquires Warner Music Group’s Stake In Word Entertainment
/by Jessica NicholsonSince 2002, Word Entertainment has been owned 80 percent by WMG and 20 percent by Curb. Under the terms of the transaction, Curb will purchase WMG’s share in Word’s recorded music, distribution, publishing, film, and live events divisions, as well as Word’s building in Nashville. Word’s printed music division remains jointly owned by WMG and Curb.
Rod Riley, President and CEO of Word, will continue to run Word Entertainment. WMG will continue to distribute Word releases to the general market, and Word will continue to distribute WMG releases to the Christian market. Word’s publishing catalog will continue to be administered by Warner/Chappell.
Curb Chairman and Word Chairman Mike Curb said, “We are proud to continue our relationship with the Warner Music Group that started 50 years ago when my own musical group was signed by Warner Reprise and later signed by Word Records when it was still located in Waco, Texas and operated by its original founder Jarrell McCracken. We’ve had a long, successful relationship with Espo and Paul Robinson and more recently with Stephen Cooper, Cameron Strang, Matt Signore, Jeremy Sirota and Tom Marcotullio. For almost 15 years, I’ve had the opportunity to serve as Chairman of Word Entertainment as well as being a minority shareholder in the company. During that time I’ve had a chance to work with great leaders such as Jim Van Hook and that led to the merger of Word with Fervent Records, which was the label that was started by Rod and Susan Riley and it turned out to be the most important moment for the future of Word. Rod Riley had led the transformation of Word into this century by developing some of the greatest contemporary Christian artists of our time. We look forward to working with Rod for the future leadership as we bring together Word Entertainment, Fervent Records and Curb Records, which have all had a long history in contemporary Christian music.”
“It has been an honor for me to be part of the Word and Warner families for the past decade,” said Word Entertainment President & CEO Rod Riley, “and so I am excited that our companies will be continuing to work closely together. I am grateful to Espo for his support and collaboration as we worked to continue to transform Word both creatively and commercially. Mike Curb has simultaneously served as a wise and thoughtful mentor to me for more than a decade, and I am thrilled that Word and Curb will continue on our journey to take Christian music to new heights. Our mission remains constant – to continually serve our artists and songwriters while we forge new ground as one of the preeminent faith-based entertainment companies.”
“Mike Curb is a legend in our business, with over five decades of discovering outstanding talent and making great music,” said Warner Music Nashville President & CEO John Esposito. “Since Curb and WMG became partners in the ownership of Word 14 years ago, we have been at the forefront of the Christian Music movement. Rod is a tremendously talented, motivating leader, and I join him in saying how excited we are that we will remain partners. This move is a great opportunity for Word’s artists, songwriters, and employees, and the ongoing combination of our amazing teams ensures that Word’s future is very bright.”
Founded in 1951, Word Entertainment has grown into an artist services company active in recorded music, publishing, film, live events, and church resources. Word’s roster of popular and influential artists and songwriters includes for KING & COUNTRY, the duo who won two Grammy awards in 2015, and Francesca Battistelli, who won Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song at this year’s Grammys.
ACM Awards Add Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church, Sam Hunt
/by Craig_ShelburneFour more performers have been confirmed for the ACM Awards, to be held April 3 at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas. The show will air on CBS.
ACM nominees Kelsea Ballerini, Dierks Bentley, Eric Church and Sam Hunt will join previously announced performers Cam, Kenny Chesney, Florida Georgia Line, Carrie Underwood, and Keith Urban.
Church is nominated for five ACM awards this year: Entertainer, Male Vocalist, Album (Mr. Misunderstood), Music Video (“Mr. Misunderstood”) and Vocal Event (“Raise ‘Em Up” with Urban).
Ballerini is on the ballot for Female Vocalist and New Female Vocalist. In addition to co-hosting for the first time, Bentley is up for Male Vocalist and Music Video (“Riser”). Hunt will compete for Album (Montevallo) and Single (“Take Your Time”).
President Obama, Michelle Obama Named SXSW Keynote Speakers
/by Craig_ShelburnePresident Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama
President Barack Obama will appear as part of a Keynote Conversation at South by Southwest (SXSW) Interactive on March 11 in Austin, Texas. First Lady Michelle Obama will be the opening Keynote at SXSW Music on March 16.
This marks the first time in the 30-year history of SXSW that a sitting President and the First Lady have participated in the event, which is known for showcasing the most innovative ideas and creative talent of our time.
President Obama will sit down with Editor in Chief of The Texas Tribune Evan Smith for a conversation about civic engagement in the 21st Century before an audience of creators, early adopters and entrepreneurs who are defining the future of our connected lives.
The President will call on the audience to apply their ideas and talents to make technology work for us—especially when it comes to tackling big challenges like increasing participation in the political process and fighting climate change. In the lead-up to the event, The Texas Tribune will also source questions for the discussion from its online audience.
First Lady Michelle Obama comes to SXSW Music to discuss the Let Girls Learn initiative, which aims to break barriers for the 62 million girls around the world who are not in school today, more than half of whom are adolescent.
The SXSW Music Conference brings the global music industry together and offers the perfect platform to celebrate Women’s History Month, as the First Lady provides her call to action to support girls’ education.
“I can’t imagine a better way to celebrate our event’s 30th year than to welcome both the President and First Lady to SXSW,” said SXSW co-founder Roland Swenson. “As each new generation comes up at SXSW they look for ways they can be of service, and it’s important to reflect and support that message. President and Mrs. Obama’s visit here will inspire attendees to that purpose.”
President Obama’s appearance is open to all SXSW Interactive, Gold, and Platinum registrants.
First Lady Michelle Obama’s event is open to all SXSW Music, Film, Gold, and Platinum registrants.
Chip Taylor Among Songwriters Hall Of Fame Inductees For 2016
/by Jessica NicholsonChip Taylor. Photo: Davey Wilson.
Chip Taylor is among those who will be inducted into the Songwriters Hall of Fame in 2016.
Taylor’s best-known compositions are “Wild Thing” and “Angel of the Morning.”
His songs have also been recorded by Waylon Jennings (“Sweet Dream Woman”), Bobby Bare (“Just A Little Bit Later Down The Line”), Linda Ronstadt and The Hollies (“I Can’t Let Go”), The Brown Family (“Springtime”) and more. His 1973 country/rock album spawned many covers such as “Son Of A Rotten Gambler” (Emmylou Harris), “Clean Your Own Tables” (Johnny Cash) and “The Real Thing” (George Strait).
Taylor will join fellow inductees Elvis Costello, Marvin Gaye (posthumously), Tom Petty, Nile Rodgers and Bernard Edwards (posthumously).
“The 2016 roster of Songwriters Hall of Fame inductees is a beautiful mosaic of the best of late 20th Century popular music. With creators of Rock & Roll, Soul/R&B, Country and Funk/ Dance represented, we are looking forward to an unforgettable and extremely exciting event and evening at the Marriott Marquis on June 9th,” said Co-Chairs Kenneth Gamble and Leon Huff. “With the exception of two, all of the 2016 inductees are alive and continue to be as vitally creative as ever. This year’s Induction and Awards Dinner will mark our first year as Chairmen at the SHOF helm and we could not be more excited about the quality and diversity of the songs and songwriters that will be honored.”
The Songwriters Hall of Fame’s 47th annual Induction and Awards Dinner will be held Thursday, June 9 in New York City. Established in 1969, the Songwriters Hall of Fame (SHOF) honors musical pioneers, while the organization’s outreach to the music community supports the next generation of troubadours.
Additional special award honorees will be announced soon.
Industry Ink: Leadership Music, SOLID, CMA, Shining Isle Productions
/by Jessica NicholsonLeadership Music To Host The Learning Network Panel
Rachel Skaggs (Vanderbilt) will moderate.
Walk-ups are welcome. Tickets are $10 per person via The Learning Network or at the door.
SOLID Partners with CMA EDU
Pictured (L-R): George Briner, Valory Music Co.; Brad Belanger, Homestead / Red Light Management; Basak Kizilisik, Morris Higham, SOLID President; Doug Phillips, Universal Music Group; Tim Gray, Grayscale Entertainment Marketing, SOLID University Outreach Chair; Rachel Cunningham, The Collective, SOLID Secretary and panel moderator; Peter Hartung, L3 Entertainment.
SOLID has partnered with CMA EDU to launch SOLID Speak. The first event was held Tuesday, Feb. 23, and discussed the relationship between artist management and record labels. The event hosted more than 140 local students and SOLID members in CMA’s atrium.
Andrew Peterson, J. Chris Wall Launch Shining Isle Productions
Pictured (L-R): Andrew Peterson, J. Chris Wall.
Singer-songwriter Andrew Peterson and producer J. Chris Wall (VeggieTales) have launched Shining Isle Productions to develop film and television projects. The first effort will be an animated short film based on Peterson’s Wingfeather Saga book series. A kickstarter campaign launched March 1 to create the project.
“When the series was complete, the idea of bringing this story to the screen wouldn’t leave me alone. If whatever truth or beauty or goodness is in these books could translate to a wider audience through animation, then I wanted to find a way. I’ve known Chris for years, and there’s no doubt in my mind that he’s the man for the job,” says Peterson. “Not only does he know the nuts and bolts of animation, but he and his family know and love the Wingfeather Saga. There’s no one else I’d rather partner with for Shining Isle Productions. I can’t wait to see this story come to life on the screen.”
For more information, visit andrew-peterson.com or kickstarter.com.
Dierks Bentley, Kacey Musgraves Join Mack, Jack & McConaughey Gala
/by Craig_ShelburneMack, Jack & McConaughey (MJ&M), the joint fundraising effort of ESPN analyst/football coach Mack Brown, musician Jack Ingram and actor Matthew McConaughey, have confirmed Dierks Bentley and Kacey Musgraves to headline its gala night on April 14 at the Moody Theater in Austin, Texas.
Tickets will be available to the public on Friday, March 4 at acl-live.com.
This spring marks the fourth year of the MJ&M event. Every year thousands of guests enjoy two full days of events all benefitting charities working to empower kids through health, wellness and education programming.
On April 15, MJ&M will continue with a golf tournament at Spanish Oaks Golf Club. Simultaneously, MJ&M will host a fashion show and luncheon featuring Veronica Beard chaired by international supermodel Camila Alves McConaughey. The wraps up with the Jack Ingram & Friends concert presented by H-E-B at ACL Live featuring Eric Church, Jamey Johnson and more.
Funds raised at MJ&M 2016 will support CureDuchenne, Dell Children’s Medical Center of Central Texas, HeartGift, just keep livin foundation and The Rise School of Austin.
Don Williams Announces Retirement After Six-Decade Career
/by Jessica NicholsonDon Williams, a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, is retiring after six decades in the music industry.
“It’s time to hang my hat up and enjoy some quiet time at home. I’m so thankful for my fans, my friends and my family for their everlasting love and support,” Williams said.
Williams first gained musical attention as a member of the pop folk trio The Pozo Seco Singers, which had six pop chart hits in 1966-67. Between 1974 and 1991, Williams had at least one major hit every year, including such country standards to be as “Good Ole Boys Like Me,” “Till the Rivers All Run Dry,” “It Must Be Love,” “I’m Just a Country Boy,” and “I Believe in You.” He also had a hit duet with Emmylou Harris on Townes Van Zandt’s “If I Needed You.” Other hits included “Tulsa Time,” “Back in My Younger Days,” “You’re My Best Friend,” “Come Early Morning,” “Lord, I Hope This Day is Good,” “Some Broken Hearts Never Mend” and many more.
Williams was the CMA Male Vocalist of the Year in 1978 and “Tulsa Time” was the ACM Record of the Year for 1979. In 2010, Williams received country music’s highest honor with his induction into the Country Music Hall of Fame.