Tim McGraw with BMLG CEO and founder Scott Borchetta during CRS. Photo: AristoPR
In 1994, Tim McGraw was an enthusiastic newcomer with a slot on Country Radio Seminar’s coveted New Faces of Country Music show, on the strength of the Top 10 single, “Indian Outlaw.” Eager to win over country radio, McGraw performed the novelty song, then introduced to radio the heart-tugging ballad, “Don’t Take The Girl.”
“I knew I wanted ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ to be the second single, but it took me a while to get my head around doing ‘Indian Outlaw’ and ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ back to back. I almost didn’t do it, and at the last minute I decided to do it. It was just electric for me,” recalled McGraw.
Other artists on the bill that year at the New Faces of Country Music Show included Doug Supernaw, Clay Walker, Joy Lynn White, Lari White, Brother Phelps, Toby Keith, Gibson Miller Band, McGraw, and fellow newcomer Faith Hill.
“I think that night was probably the most important night in my career,” said McGraw. “That night set everything off for me.”
Now, more than 20 years later, the country superstar spoke about his enduring country career to the radio industry on Wednesday (Feb. 9), during an event at this year’s Country Radio Seminar. The interview was moderated by CW Scripps Co.’s Beverlee Branningan and All Access’s R.J. Curtis.
McGraw told the audience that trying to best his previous efforts each time he enters the studio, and crafting solid music are secrets to long-term success: “I feel a responsibility to make music that I’m proud of. You can’t think about what radio wants to hear and what your fans want to hear. If you start doing that, it might last for a little while, but sooner or later, that strategy isn’t going to work for you. If you don’t go in and try to please yourself as an artist and create stuff that you feel like you are beating yourself the last time you were in, if you don’t go in with that attitude, your strategy is flawed.”
The panel launched with a showing of the music video for McGraw’s current single, “Humble and Kind,” written by Lori McKenna, who penned “Girl Crush” for Little Big Town, “I Want Crazy” for Hunter Hayes, and “Fireflies” and “Stealing Kisses” for Faith Hill.
“Being a dad and having daughters—one just went off to college, and another goes off to college next year and my youngest daughter is starting high school—so you sort of look at the world at a different way than you would look at it without having kids, certainly kids who are going out on their own,” McGraw said of what drew him to the song. “So the song is a song that needed to be heard. I wasn’t sure if I was the one that was going to be able to say it, but luckily we found a way to make a record that spoke to the song.”
The video for the inspirational song features images from Oprah Winfrey’s Believe series. She endorsed the song via a tweet to her followers, which helped spur online views for “Humble and Kind” to more than 5 million views in less than 24 hours.
McGraw also briefly spoke about power of social media in a music career—and his reservations about using the online medium. “When it’s fun and interesting and I feel like I have something to say, then that’s the time to say something. For the most part, I don’t want to do it every day. I just don’t think it means as much if you do. I’m old school. I was telling [BMLG President and CEO] Scott Borchetta earlier, I’m an analog guy in a digital world. I don’t quite get it but I understand how important it is and that I need to do more of it. I’m told constantly…I don’t know that I’m ever going to be a social media animal.
“I can tell you I don’t have Twitter on my phone, because my wife won’t let me. There’s probably a good reason for that. When I have something to say, I send it to somebody and they do it.”
With success comes more opportunity, and McGraw has been wisely cautious about adding other creative outlets to his career.
“When you have some success people come at you asking you to do things. But after ‘Indian Outlaw,’ there were movie roles and TV roles and I didn’t want to do it. I had this notion in my head, that had I done something early on in my career, and just wasn’t very good at it, it could really hurt my career. So I wanted to make sure my music career was really pretty comfortable before taking a chance.”
Enter Ricky Schroder, who convinced McGraw to try acting in a small independent film, Black Cloud.
“I’m glad I did, because he taught me a lot. It was the first time I had ever been on a movie set and I got to do it away from the big studio glaring lights, and just learning in a small independent movie setting. I think had I not done that, I wouldn’t have been prepared for [the next role in] Friday Night Lights.”
McGraw may have felt more prepared for a movie role after Black Cloud, but convincing casting directors for Friday Night Lights to give him a shot at the role of alcoholic father Charles Billingsley was a greater challenge.
“They had already started casting when I read the script. I fell in love with the script. I called to try to get a reading for it. I tracked down [director] Pete Berg and he wasn’t going to let me read [for the part]. He didn’t know who I was, which turned out to be a good thing. So I flew down to Texas and went to his office and read and got the part. He called later and said I got the part. He said had he known who I was, he wouldn’t have given me the part,” McGraw said, laughing.
McGraw is still highly selective of movie roles, adding that he only has about two or three months every couple of years to dedicate to a movie project. “You are trying to make decisions. Sometimes you make good decisions and sometimes you make bad decisions. But you hope the scale at least tips in a good direction more times than not.”
Curtis praised McGraw’s commitment to fitness, while McGraw was quick to point out that the commitment has come only in recent years.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve always been in shape…have you seen Four Christmases?” replied McGraw.
For the singer, bettering his physical well-being became a catalyst for making changes in all areas of his life.
“I reached a point in my life…I drank too much for a while, my kids were getting older. You start thinking about mortality a little bit; you think about getting older, what’s your life going to be like? Career-wise, I thought I was at a point in my career where it was time to either give up and not try to be the best you can be, or to move forward and be the best that you can be. I felt a crossroads in my life on all fronts. I want to be healthier, I want to be around for my kids, I want to be a better husband, a better father, I want to take care of myself mentally and physically and I want to get the most out of my career.”
In 2011, McGraw was in a legal battle with Curb Records to get out of his previous recording contract. McGraw did not mention the legal battle specifically during his talk at the Country Radio Seminar, instead only hinting at what he called a career “roadblock” and “obstacle.” He said the challenging time became a catalyst for him to begin making changes.
“I wanted to control something, because I felt like it was getting out of control and all the things I had worked hard for, I couldn’t control. The first thing that I could grab and could control was my physical well being. That put me in a better mental state and a better competitive state and put me in a better position to really want to try and really work hard. It was like hitting the dominoes.
“I just feel responsible for making good music,” he said. “I don’t want to let myself down musically.”
Those changes poured into his professional and creative life as well. McGraw signed with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group in 2012. Since then, he has hit another career stride with a string of hits, including “Highway Don’t Care” (featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban), as well as “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.” “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” is nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards on Monday, Feb. 15.
Artist Updates: Toby Keith, Craig Morgan, Jennifer Nettles, Brett Young
/by Craig_ShelburneToby Keith Will Honor Military At PGA Tour Concert
Toby Keith
Toby Keith will perform during the PGA Tour’s Military Appreciation Day on May 10 in Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida. Speakers at the Military Appreciation ceremony will be General Mark Welsh, Chief of Staff, United States Air Force and member of the Joint Chiefs of Staff; PGA Tour Commissioner Tim Finchem; and a Tour player to be announced
“I’m extremely excited to honor the men and women who serve our county by performing at The Players Championship,” said Keith, who has performed more than 200 USO shows and entertained more than 250,000 men and women in uniform and their families. In April 2014, Keith was honored with the Spirit of the USO Award. “I have always been a proud supporter of the U.S. Military and can’t wait to rock the stage for our troops and their fans.”
Craig Morgan, Kidde Promote Fire Safety
Craig Morgan poses with first responders for new Kidde campaign.
Kidde Fire Safety has teamed up with Craig Morgan, Firehouse, the International Association of Fire Chiefs (IAFC), the National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and National Fallen Firefighters Foundation to launch Step Up and Stand Out, a national campaign to increase awareness of the need for volunteer firefighters.
“As a former first responder, I want to continue to do what I can to help keep families safe,” said Morgan. “That means making sure our volunteer fire departments have the support they need. This program is a great way to show volunteer firefighters how important they are to us and their communities.”
At select stops along Morgan’s 2016 tour, he will meet with local volunteer fire departments, and donate Kidde 10-year sealed battery smoke alarms. Also, members of IAFC will hold open houses at various fire departments along the route.
Jennifer Nettles Teams With Designer Gary Graham
Jennifer Nettles poses for fashion designer Gary Graham’s Fall 2016 collection.
Jennifer Nettles is featured in the fall collection of one of her favorite fashion designers, Gary Graham. Vogue unveiled the new campaign online on Thursday (Feb. 11), profiling Nettles in four distinct looks from the collection.
“I met Gary the old-fashioned way: I bought so many of his pieces over the years that, one day when he heard I was in the store, he had to come and meet the obsessed woman paying the rent on the place! That, and his company president had been a fan of my music over the years. She introduced me to Gary, and I invited him to come see my performance in Chicago. He did. And the rest is history. When his camp reached out with an opportunity to be a part of celebrating his F/W 2016 collection, I immediately said yes!”
The photo shoot required Nettles to let the clothes do the talking. “The shoot for this collection’s look book was so special for me. I love the emotion and theatre of Gary’s work. His artistry, in that same dark, dramatic manner, was evident in the set and in the team he chose to shoot this feature; each member an artist in his/her own field. The hardest part for me as a performer was to be intentionally invisible enough that the clothes were the focus rather than the character in them. Muting my body language was a challenge too. This was a look book and not an editorial so there isn’t a lot of movement involved. Something new for me! And, anyone who knows me, knows I love new experiences and getting out of my comfort zone. And I loved getting to be ‘The Shepherdess!’”
Brett Young Releases Debut EP
Brett Young, who is signed to Republic Nashville as an artist and Big Machine Music as a songwriter, released his debut, self-titled EP on Friday (Feb. 12). He co-wrote all six songs on the EP.
The project was produced by Dann Huff and features his lead single, “Sleep Without You.” A Southern California native, Young previewed the new music earlier this week at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) in Nashville.
“This week has been beyond what I ever imagined,” Young said. “I am so thankful that country radio has been so receptive to my music, and I look forward to getting on the road to play for more of you very soon.”
CRS Photo Round-Up II: Sam Hunt, Kane Brown, CMHoF, Dustin Lynch, Granger Smith
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): UMGN Sr. VP A&R Brian Wright, UMG’s Mike Harris, UMGN Chairman & CEO Mike Dungan, Sam Hunt, Homestead/Red Light Management’s Brad Belanger, UMGN President Cindy Mabe, UMGN VP A&R Stephanie Wright. Photo: Joseph Llanes
Before Sam Hunt‘s Tuesday (Feb. 9) Country Radio Seminar (CRS) evening show at the Ryman Auditorium, the MCA Nashville star was presented with a plaque commemorating his RIAA double platinum album Montevallo. Tracks from Hunt’s album have sold more than 6 million individual downloads and accumulated nearly 600 million streams making the project the No. 1 most-streamed country album of 2015.
Hunt earned his first Grammy nominations for Best Country Album and in the all-genre Best New Artist categories. He will perform on the CBS broadcast, Monday, Feb. 15 at 8/7 CT.
Pictured (L-R): KXLY Spokane APD Tim Cotter, Brown, WWKA Orlando PD Drew Bland, and Tony and Kris in the Morning’s Kris Rochester.
RCA Nashville newcomer Kane Brown shared some signature Nashville hot chicken with CRS 2016 guests this week.
Pictured (L-R): CRS Board President Charlie Morgan, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales Sharon Brawner, and CRS Executive Director Bill Mayne. Photo: Kelli Dirks, CK Photo
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum (CMHoF) invited CRS attendees and executives to a meet-and-greet reception in its rotunda. Guests were welcomed by Sharon Brawner, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, and enjoyed an open bar and catering prepared by the museum’s culinary team.
Pictured (L-R): Dustin Lynch with Lia Knight.
Broken Bow Recording artist Dustin Lynch stopped by Lia Knight‘s interview booth to talk about touring with Luke Bryan on her Westwood One-syndicated The Lia Show.
Granger Smith (front with hat) with Wheelhouse Records and CRS attendees.
Wheelhouse Records staff celebrated Granger Smith‘s “Backroad Song” with CRS attendees this week in Nashville. This week the title lands at No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
Weekly Chart Report (2/12/16)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
At CRS, Tim McGraw Discusses Acting, Twitter, and “The Most Important Night In My Career”
/by Jessica NicholsonTim McGraw with BMLG CEO and founder Scott Borchetta during CRS. Photo: AristoPR
In 1994, Tim McGraw was an enthusiastic newcomer with a slot on Country Radio Seminar’s coveted New Faces of Country Music show, on the strength of the Top 10 single, “Indian Outlaw.” Eager to win over country radio, McGraw performed the novelty song, then introduced to radio the heart-tugging ballad, “Don’t Take The Girl.”
“I knew I wanted ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ to be the second single, but it took me a while to get my head around doing ‘Indian Outlaw’ and ‘Don’t Take The Girl’ back to back. I almost didn’t do it, and at the last minute I decided to do it. It was just electric for me,” recalled McGraw.
Other artists on the bill that year at the New Faces of Country Music Show included Doug Supernaw, Clay Walker, Joy Lynn White, Lari White, Brother Phelps, Toby Keith, Gibson Miller Band, McGraw, and fellow newcomer Faith Hill.
“I think that night was probably the most important night in my career,” said McGraw. “That night set everything off for me.”
Now, more than 20 years later, the country superstar spoke about his enduring country career to the radio industry on Wednesday (Feb. 9), during an event at this year’s Country Radio Seminar. The interview was moderated by CW Scripps Co.’s Beverlee Branningan and All Access’s R.J. Curtis.
McGraw told the audience that trying to best his previous efforts each time he enters the studio, and crafting solid music are secrets to long-term success: “I feel a responsibility to make music that I’m proud of. You can’t think about what radio wants to hear and what your fans want to hear. If you start doing that, it might last for a little while, but sooner or later, that strategy isn’t going to work for you. If you don’t go in and try to please yourself as an artist and create stuff that you feel like you are beating yourself the last time you were in, if you don’t go in with that attitude, your strategy is flawed.”
The panel launched with a showing of the music video for McGraw’s current single, “Humble and Kind,” written by Lori McKenna, who penned “Girl Crush” for Little Big Town, “I Want Crazy” for Hunter Hayes, and “Fireflies” and “Stealing Kisses” for Faith Hill.
“Being a dad and having daughters—one just went off to college, and another goes off to college next year and my youngest daughter is starting high school—so you sort of look at the world at a different way than you would look at it without having kids, certainly kids who are going out on their own,” McGraw said of what drew him to the song. “So the song is a song that needed to be heard. I wasn’t sure if I was the one that was going to be able to say it, but luckily we found a way to make a record that spoke to the song.”
The video for the inspirational song features images from Oprah Winfrey’s Believe series. She endorsed the song via a tweet to her followers, which helped spur online views for “Humble and Kind” to more than 5 million views in less than 24 hours.
“I can tell you I don’t have Twitter on my phone, because my wife won’t let me. There’s probably a good reason for that. When I have something to say, I send it to somebody and they do it.”
With success comes more opportunity, and McGraw has been wisely cautious about adding other creative outlets to his career.
“When you have some success people come at you asking you to do things. But after ‘Indian Outlaw,’ there were movie roles and TV roles and I didn’t want to do it. I had this notion in my head, that had I done something early on in my career, and just wasn’t very good at it, it could really hurt my career. So I wanted to make sure my music career was really pretty comfortable before taking a chance.”
Enter Ricky Schroder, who convinced McGraw to try acting in a small independent film, Black Cloud.
“I’m glad I did, because he taught me a lot. It was the first time I had ever been on a movie set and I got to do it away from the big studio glaring lights, and just learning in a small independent movie setting. I think had I not done that, I wouldn’t have been prepared for [the next role in] Friday Night Lights.”
McGraw may have felt more prepared for a movie role after Black Cloud, but convincing casting directors for Friday Night Lights to give him a shot at the role of alcoholic father Charles Billingsley was a greater challenge.
“They had already started casting when I read the script. I fell in love with the script. I called to try to get a reading for it. I tracked down [director] Pete Berg and he wasn’t going to let me read [for the part]. He didn’t know who I was, which turned out to be a good thing. So I flew down to Texas and went to his office and read and got the part. He called later and said I got the part. He said had he known who I was, he wouldn’t have given me the part,” McGraw said, laughing.
McGraw is still highly selective of movie roles, adding that he only has about two or three months every couple of years to dedicate to a movie project. “You are trying to make decisions. Sometimes you make good decisions and sometimes you make bad decisions. But you hope the scale at least tips in a good direction more times than not.”
Curtis praised McGraw’s commitment to fitness, while McGraw was quick to point out that the commitment has come only in recent years.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve always been in shape…have you seen Four Christmases?” replied McGraw.
For the singer, bettering his physical well-being became a catalyst for making changes in all areas of his life.
“I reached a point in my life…I drank too much for a while, my kids were getting older. You start thinking about mortality a little bit; you think about getting older, what’s your life going to be like? Career-wise, I thought I was at a point in my career where it was time to either give up and not try to be the best you can be, or to move forward and be the best that you can be. I felt a crossroads in my life on all fronts. I want to be healthier, I want to be around for my kids, I want to be a better husband, a better father, I want to take care of myself mentally and physically and I want to get the most out of my career.”
In 2011, McGraw was in a legal battle with Curb Records to get out of his previous recording contract. McGraw did not mention the legal battle specifically during his talk at the Country Radio Seminar, instead only hinting at what he called a career “roadblock” and “obstacle.” He said the challenging time became a catalyst for him to begin making changes.
“I wanted to control something, because I felt like it was getting out of control and all the things I had worked hard for, I couldn’t control. The first thing that I could grab and could control was my physical well being. That put me in a better mental state and a better competitive state and put me in a better position to really want to try and really work hard. It was like hitting the dominoes.
“I just feel responsible for making good music,” he said. “I don’t want to let myself down musically.”
Those changes poured into his professional and creative life as well. McGraw signed with Scott Borchetta’s Big Machine Label Group in 2012. Since then, he has hit another career stride with a string of hits, including “Highway Don’t Care” (featuring Taylor Swift and Keith Urban), as well as “Meanwhile Back at Mama’s.” “Diamond Rings and Old Barstools” is nominated for Best Country Song at the Grammy Awards on Monday, Feb. 15.
CRS Photo Round-Up: Frankie Ballard, Macy Martin, Justin Flom, Shane Owens, Leslie Cours Mather
/by Eric T. ParkerCountry Radio Seminar (CRS) 2016 attendees schmoozed and mingled during the annual event, which wrapped last night (Feb. 10) at the Omni Nashville Hotel. Catch up with some photos of the stars below, including Frankie Ballard, Macy Martin, Justin Flom, Shane Owens and Leslie Cours Mather.
Pictured (L-R): Frankie Ballard, Anna Cage (Regional Promotion Manager), Chris Palmer (VP Promotion), Wendy Lynn (WYRK/Buffalo) and Dean Sarago (WYRK/Buffalo).
MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson (L) with Macy Martin.
Magician Justin Flom (L) with iHeart Country Brand Coordinator Gator Harrison.
AmeriMonte Records artist Shane Owens (L) visits with MD/PD “Dr.” Dave Young from KDKD/Clinton, MO.
LionEyes artist Leslie Cours Mather (R) poses with Mark Gregston, host of
Parenting Today’s Teens, after recording liners during CRS 2016.
Australia’s CMC Rocks QLD Country Festival Sells Out
/by Craig_ShelburneThe 2016 CMC Rocks QLD Country Music Festival has become the first Australian country music festival in history to sell out. The event will take place March 11-13 in Queensland, Australia.
Jason Aldean will be headlining the festival. Other confirmed performers include Florida Georgia Line, Lee Brice, Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, Chase Rice, The Cadillac Three, Drake White and the Big Fire, and many others.
Jason Aldean
“I’ve heard Australians know how to have a good time,” said Aldean. “I have been looking forward to heading down under, but to hear it’s sold out already without ever playing Australia is really cool. We’re going to be sure those fans are talking about our show until the next time we make it over!”
“We started this festival nine years ago with a real belief that if we could deliver an exciting format and world’s best festival standards and practices, Australian and indeed, country fans from across the world, would come out and support the event,” says festival promoter Rob Potts.
“We’re thrilled to announce that for the first time in the festival’s history, CMC Rocks has completely sold out. We couldn’t have achieved this incredible milestone without the support and loyalty of passionate country music lovers from across Australia and New Zealand and thank them for their on-going support,” says promoter Matthew Lazarus Hall of Chugg Entertainment.
From the first incarnation of the festival in 2008, CMC Rocks has grown and evolved to become the key event on the Australian country music calendar. Attracting the biggest global names in country music over the last nine years and now one of Australia’s most recognized annual music events, audience numbers have kept growing year after year.
Foxtel’s 6th Annual CMC Music Awards, a viewer-voted country music awards show, will be held at QPAC Brisbane on March 10. The awards will feature performances by Aldean, Florida Georgia Line, Ballerini, and Australian artist Adam Harvey. It is hosted by CMC Rocks ambassador and Australian country superstar Morgan Evans.
Ticketing Platform Eventbrite Acquires Queue
/by Craig_ShelburneEventbrite, the world’s largest self-service ticketing and registration platform, has acquired Queue through an asset purchase agreement.
Queue, the industry-leading platform that helps streamline the workflow for venues and promoters with planning and collaboration tools, complements Eventbrite’s ticketing and entry management capabilities, and together will provide an even more comprehensive solution for venues. The company plans to integrate Queue’s product offering into both its web platform and mobile box office solution, Eventbrite Neon, this year.
Eventbrite, which has processed tens of millions of tickets to music events, continues to further its footprint in the venue and festival spaces. The company currently tickets marquee venues including Ace of Spades, Slim’s, Great American Music Hall, Santos Party House and Blue Note’s Subrosa in addition to popular festivals, including Governors Ball, BottleRock and WayHome Music Festival.
“Queue builds on Eventbrite’s commitment to deliver the most innovative event solutions to our broad range of customers,” said Randy Befumo, Vice President of Strategy at Eventbrite. “Queue has built a suite of industry-leading products, designed specifically with the complex needs of venues in mind. We are thrilled to welcome their talented team to the Eventbrite family and believe their expertise in music will substantially enhance our ability to deliver for customers.”
“Joining Eventbrite enables us to focus on our primary mission of providing great promoter tools that help organizers run their events more efficiently, and now we can do it at scale,” said Greg Patterson, CEO and Co-Founder of Queue. “Queue shares Eventbrite’s passion for live experiences and a maniacal focus on providing customers with innovative products and data-driven insights that improve their business.”
The integration of Queue and growing roster of music customers underscores the company’s traction over the past decade. Founded with the mission to democratize the ticketing industry, Eventbrite has processed over $5 billion in gross ticket sales for customers around the globe. In 2015 alone, Eventbrite supported millions of events in 180 countries, and processed over 100 million tickets.
Exclusive: Carrie Underwood, Arista Promo Team Tell Their Story
/by Jessica NicholsonCountry superstar Carrie Underwood, along with the Arista Nashville team, pulled out all the promotional stops last fall to launch her fifth studio album, Storyteller. That extra effort had a happy ending when Storyteller was certified gold by the RIAA in just six weeks.
MusicRow sat down with Underwood and members of the Arista Nashville promotion team—including VP, Promotion Lesly Simon, National Promotion Director Andy Elliott, and Regional Promotion Manager Lauren Thomas—to discuss the strategy behind the radio release of “Smoke Break,” as well as the role country radio has played in her career thus far.
For the full interview, pick up MusicRow’s CountryBreakout Awards issue, or receive your copy when you subscribe to MusicRow.
MR: How did you introduce Storyteller’s first single, “Smoke Break” to radio?
Simon: Especially on a first single, we are strategic and aware of every single thing that we do. It goes out to everybody at the exact same time. Nobody gets it beforehand because it is so in demand and she is so in demand on a first single. You have to make sure everything is perfectly fair across the board. On “Smoke Break,” especially, we had a week that we wanted to get out and play it for as many people as possible.
So we gave the whole team these iPod Shuffles—we actually pulled those out from the old days. We had that song only on the iPod Shuffle and we went to as many stations as we could get to. Some of us were in three or four cities in a day. We would go and spend 15-20 minutes with a station and play the song. The point was to get their commitment because we wanted to have a really, really big add day and it all paid off.
Elliott: It was really fun; it was like we were all on an undercover mission.
MR: With the setup for Storyteller, it feels like you approached it with extra intensity, from the marketing to the radio push. Talk about the setup, both from a promotional perspective and from the artist’s perspective.
Simon: Ann [Edelblute, Underwood’s manager] and Carrie had us come over to Ann’s office, and there were about six or seven of us. Carrie talked about the songs and played them for us and all of us in the room that day were like, “Wow, this is really something special.” That was about six weeks before we launched “Smoke Break.”
It’s a mix of creativity from every single department. Carrie was awesome and worked with us every step along the way, and Ann worked with us. Carrie has an incredibly rabid and active fan base and they were so hungry to have this music. What kicked it off was this surprise announcement. When she teased that the announcement was coming, we then had all the radio stations get on board and they teased that the announcement was coming. That was all done at 4 p.m. on a Thursday afternoon. Radio was on board. She made the announcement on-air and on Facebook at the same time. It was a great way to have appointment listening for their listeners. From there it kind of just took off.
Underwood: Each album has its own time in the music industry that it lives in. I do things a little bit differently. I wait just a little bit longer between albums, just because I want them to be the best they can possibly be and then go out on the road and live in one album space. And then I’ll take a minute, and remember what it’s like to be a real person, staying in one place, and being married and just kind of live a life for a second and then start writing again. So I feel like every album has been a little different.
Thomas: That speaks to you [Underwood] as an artist. The country fan base is based on faith and family and that’s exactly who you are. That’s why country radio has continued to be incredibly supportive.
Elliott: When a piece of music [like Storyteller] gets turned in that is at that level, everybody has to rise to that level to give it what it deserves. I think every department at Sony dug in and came up with super creative things. Obviously the results speak for themselves.
MR: Carrie, how would you describe your working relationship with the Arista promo team?
Underwood: I’ve known this one [Lesly] for a long time. I know everyone is part of the team and is going to do their job well. We have an openness to communicate and give our thoughts and opinions and feelings on things. We have a level of trust that has gotten stronger over the years.
MR: Your career is multi-faceted now, with hosting the CMA Awards and releasing a fitness apparel line. How important is country radio at this stage of your career?
Underwood: You can’t have all the other stuff without radio. They play an undeniable role. You can make all the albums you want to make and all the music you want, but if nobody hears it, does it matter? They play such a huge part in everything—my entire career, not just in music.
MR: Carrie’s career at radio has been consistent and steady, from “Jesus, Take The Wheel” to now. Why do you think you have maintained such a high level of interest at country radio from the very beginning?
Underwood: I always try to have something going on, even between albums. I’ve been lucky enough to be part of other people’s albums. It’s always nice to have some music and be lucky enough for people to still be interested 10 years later.
Simon: Since the very beginning, she takes each album and does a tour and there is a whole time frame that goes around that album, and she allows it to breathe. Then she goes and has a normal life and then creates a new project. Instead of churning out another album, there are phases and stages and steps you go through. You grow as an artist and grow as a person. We never had that place where we get a new album and think, ‘Oh God, that sounds just like the last one.’ It’s always fresh and new and we can’t wait to get it out there.
Artist Updates: Lauren Alaina, Cam, Maggie Rose, Southern Halo
/by Craig_ShelburneLauren Alaina Returning To American Idol
Lauren Alaina
Lauren Alaina will serve as a mentor to a pair of contestants on American Idol on Thursday (Feb. 11). She placed second in the 10th season of the competition in 2011.
“I’m so honored American Idol asked me to mentor,” Alaina said. “It’s really special to be able to go back to the show that taught me the ins and outs of the music business and be able to share what I’ve learned with the new contestants. I love that I get to give back to the show that gave me so many opportunities and tools to set up my career.”
Signed to Mercury Nashville/Interscope Records, Alaina co-wrote all five songs on her recent self-titled EP, including “Next Boyfriend” and “History.” She will open shows for Alan Jackson this year.
Her Top 40 country singles include “Like My Mother Does,” “Georgia Peaches,” and “Eighteen Inches,” all from her 2011 album, Wildflower.
Cam Will Present At Grammy Awards
In addition, Cam will be featured on the Feb. 12 edition of CBS This Morning and appears on the cover of the new issue of Pollstar, a touring publication. Her single, “Mayday,” will go for adds at country radio on Monday.
Cam is currently on tour through February 27 with headliner Brad Paisley. Beginning May 12, she’ll hit the road as a special guest on Dierks Bentley’s Somewhere on a Beach Tour.
Maggie Rose Sings At 12th & Porter Reopening
Maggie Rose at 12th & Porter
Maggie Rose headlined Nashville’s newly-reopened 12th & Porter on Tuesday (Feb. 9), performing to a full house. She is signed to Dallas Davidson’s Play It Again Publishing. The Morrison Brothers and Trea Landon were also on the bill. Rose will perform on the Grand Ole Opry on Saturday.
Southern Halo Will Sing at Mississippi Night at Grammy Museum
The event will be held at the Grammy Museum in Los Angeles on Thursday (Feb. 11).
Southern Halo, who hail from Cleveland, Mississippi, are a modern country-rock band with sisters Natalia Morris on guitar and lead vocals, Christina on drums and vocals, and Hannah on bass guitar and vocals.
The video for their new single, “Little White Dress” has appeared on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart and been played on Great American Country, The Heartland Network and ZUUS Country.
DISClaimer: Vince Gill, Dan+Shay, Tara Thompson Offer Noteworthy New Tracks
/by Robert K OermannThis is a week when new sounds are presented.
One of the biggest agenda items during Country Radio Seminar is to get the visiting radio moguls interested in the format’s new and upcoming artists. Appropriately, in this edition of DisClaimer more than half the platters come from first timers to the column.
They are Sam Riggs, 8 Ball Aitken, Sierra Black, Reagan Boggs, Troy Johnson and the winner of our DisCovery Award, Valory Music’s Tara Thompson.
Things are less clearcut when it comes to the Disc of the Day award. I’m torn between the dreamy romance of Dan + Shay’s “From the Ground Up” and the exciting “Take Me Down” collaboration between Vince Gill & Little Big Town. Give ‘em both a prize.
SIERRA BLACK/Heart On Ice
Writers: none listed; Producer: Michael Omartian/Tom Hemby; Publishers: none listed; O.M.G.
– A country lyric, a rock attitude and a singer with fire. Energetic.
DAN+SHAY/From The Ground Up
Writers: Dan Smyers/Shay Mooney/Chris DeStefano; Producers: Dan Smyers/Scott Hendricks; Publishers: WB/Beats and Banjos/Warner Tamerlane/Shay Mooney/EMI April/CDS Words and Music, ASCAP/BMI; Warner Bros.
– A little swoon of a disc. It’s an ultra romantic waltz about love that lasts forever. The harmonies are twin-like, the track is glossy and the strings sigh just perfectly.
TROY JOHNSON/Stop Following Me
Writers: Greg Hudik/Dillon Dixon; Producer: Greg Hudik; Publisher: none listed, BMI
– He’s a picker on the road with a memory of a woman that he can’t escape. The song is a little wordy, but he sings it so forcefully that you’re sold.
HIGH VALLEY/Make You Mine
Writers: Seth Mosley/Brad Rempel/Benjamin Stennis; Producers: Sam Mosley/Mike X. O’Connor; Publishers: Ceentricity/Kickin’ Pub/Songs of Kicking Bird/Songs of Windswept Pacific, BMI; Atlantic
– The rhythm track seems kinda “nervous,” until they swing into the first chorus. Then the twitchiness turns into a hurricane wind. From that point on, this rocks solidly all the way to the finale.
REAGAN BOGGS/Empty Glasses
Writers: Reagan Boggs; Producer: Dave Coleman; Publisher: Reagan Boggs, BMI; Reckless Bess
– This loping, rolling tune is the title track of this singer-songwriter’s CD. Sung with admirable clarity and produced with plenty of open space for her to shine in. Promising.
VINCE GILL & LITTLE BIG TOWN/Take Me Down
Writers: Vince Gill/Richard Marx/Jillian Jacqueline; Producers: Vince Gill/Justin Niebank; Publishers: Vinny Mae/Songs of Kobalt/Richard Marx/Kobalt Songs/Downtown DLJ/Archer and Arrow, BMI/ASCAP; MCA Nashville
– Heart quickening. Vince begins singing over a steady, driving beat. Then on the chorus, the Little Big Town voices take it straight into vintage Fleetwood Mac territory. Then they oooh as Vince takes a stellar guitar solo. The voices return to swirl around each other like smoke rings into the dazzling fade.
ABBI WALKER/Too Good A Woman
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; AW
– I have liked this woman’s work in the past. But this ballad is too slow and draggy.
Tara Thompson
TARA THOMPSON/Someone To Take Your Place
Writers: Tara Thompson/Alex Kline/Leslie Satcher; Producer: Alex Kline; Publishers: Big Music Machine/Songs of Spoons Tunes/Songs of Starstruck/Vision Board/Airplanes for Stars/Sony-ATV Tree/Leslie Satcher, BMI/SESAC; Valory Music
– Fabulous lyrics. She’s on the prowl in her new Payless high heels, Chanel No. 5 perfume and hot make-up to get over their breakup. She purrs and spits delightfully and the track shudders and rawks. A blast.
SAM RIGGS/The Lucky Ones
Writers: Sam Riggs/Chad Camp; Producers: Erik Herbst/Sam Riggs; Publishers: none listed, BMI; Thirty Tigers/Deep Creek (track)
– Nicely done. It’s a nostalgic look back at his youth with chiming electric guitars all around him. Hang on for the finale, when the University of North Texas Drum Line comes stomping in.
8 BALL AITKEN/She’s Going To Mexico, I’m Going To Jail
Writers: 8 Ball Aitken; Producer: Michael Flanders; Publisher: none listed; Indie Extreme
– 8 Ball is a guitar slinger who lives in Austin, records in Nashville and is a native of Australia. This rollicking story song has already been a No. 1 country hit in Oz. Over
an outlaw beat, he bellows the yarn about a guy who gets roped by a redneck girlfriend into robbing a convenience store with a stolen car. She gets away and pins the evidence on him. Big party music.