We’ll be up to our necks in country music in the weeks to come, what with CRS and all, so now seems like a good time to remind ourselves what a vibrant and thriving pop/rock scene we have as well.
So thriving, in fact, that I’m playing catch-up. Most of these records came out last year. But I’m just getting around to the riches of Mikky Ekko, Ingrid Michaelson, Brooke Waggoner and The Dead Weather. The Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor singles are new, but their parent CDs are also last year’s.
Speaking of The Dead Weather, it strikes me that Music City just might be the new capital of mainstream, guitar-based rock. With most of the pop world fixated on hip-hop or EDM sounds, Nashville is home to The Black Keys/The Arcs, Jack White/The Dead Weather, Kings of Leon, Paramore, Clear Plastic Masks, Parachute, Cage the Elephant, The Features and The Wild Feathers. Rock bands all.
And speaking of Taylor Swift, she proves once again why she’s the princess of pop by earning a Disc of the Day prize with “Out of the Woods.”
As for Mikky Ekko (a.k.a. John Stephen Sudduth), he’d be the DisCovery Award winner if he hadn’t been Grammy-nominated before he had his own CD. So the honor goes instead to the also gifted Anderson East.
CAGE THE ELEPHANT/Mess Around
Writers: Cage The Elephant; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: Sony/ATV; BMI; RCA (track)
-Thumping and raucous. Kinda garage-y and lotsa fun. This captures how frothing and energetic these guys are on stage. After the band moved from Bowling Green to Nashville, it switched producers. Black Keys honcho Auerbach gave them a sound more raw and less polished, but the Elephants are still very, very tuneful.
THE DEAD WEATHER/I Feel Love
Writers: Fertita/Mosshart; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Sleeping Disorder/Kobalt/Domino, BMI; Third Man (track)
– Ferociously rocking. Frontwoman Alison Mosshart has a natural vocal wail that sounds born to be in this band. Lead guitarist Dean Fertita grinds away on a repeated riff that bores into the brain.
MIKKY EKKO/Smile
Writers: Mikky Ekko/Jim Eliot/Greg Kurstin/Dennis Herring; Producers: Elof Lolv & Mikky Ekko; Publishers: Good Kings/Sony-ATV/Jim Eliot/Kurstin/EMI April/Sakana, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; RCA (track)
– This native Nashvillian first attracted my attention when he sang “Stay,” a Grammy-nominated 2012 duet with Rihanna. His debut solo CD, Time, is highlighted by this airy, echoey, celestial-sounding ditty. His sky-high pop tenor delivery aches in a lyric that says things are lousy, so you might as well smile in your misery. Highly listenable. Heartily recommended.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Out of the Woods
Writers: Taylor Swift/Jack Antonoff; Producers: Jack Antonoff/Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Taylor Swift/Ducky Donath, BMI; Big Machine (track)
– Finally. My favorite melody on the 1989 album is now its sixth single. Swift closed concerts with this all last year, and I’ve always believed that it belongs on pop radio. The dark, rumbling rhythm contrasts with its bright, high vocals brilliantly. Get up and shake your money maker.
THE ARCS/Fools Gold
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Producers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Publishers: Hour Box/Wixen/EMI Blackwood/DANCECONTESTWINNER/Secretly Canadian, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-This is Dan Auerbach’s side project away from The Black Keys. Like his other group, this one has more than a little blues-rock in its DNA. There is lots of fizzy, fuzzy guitar scuzz here and a dark, haunted vibe that veers almost into psychedelia. The CD is aptly titled Yours Dreamily.
MEGHAN TRAINOR & JOHN LEGEND/Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Writers: Meghan Trainor/Justin Weaver/Caitlin Smith; Producers: Chris Gelbuda/Meghan Trainor; Publishers: Year of the Dog/WB/Music of the Corn/Cornman, ASCAP; Epic (track)
– Artists who launch their careers with a novelty song like “All About That Bass” often turn out to be one-hit wonders. Trainor scored a surprising second time with the just-as-catchy “Lips Are Movin.’” This time out, she slows it down and harmonizes in a soul groove with John Legend. Deliciously hooky.
INGRID MICHAELSON/Time Machine
Writers: Ingrid Michaelson/Busbee/Trent Dabbs/Barry Dean; Producer: Jacquire King; Publishers: Breakable Girls/BMG Platinum/Hello I Love You/Jam Writers Group/BMG Rights Management/Ready Set/Incognito Street, ASCAP/BMI; Cabin 224 (track)
– This indie pop favorite came to Music City to record her fifth album, Lights Out. The lady writes terrifically melodic songs and sings them with blue-eyed soul phrasing. This single/video is a stomper that wishes she could go back in time and warn herself about what a jerk he’ll turn out to be. Michaelson’s albums are always events worth buying, and this is her best one yet. She co-stars in a streamed concert with Cyndi Lauper and Kelsea Ballerini this evening (Thursday) on Skyville Live. It should be quite a show.
STEVE FORBERT/Compromise
Writer: Steve Forbert; Producer: Steve Forbert; Publisher: Songs of Heathercom; SESAC; Rock Ridge (track)
-It has been awhile since we’ve heard from this esteemed singer-songwriter. The title tune of his current album has a chiming, delicate track backing his characteristic soulfully strangulated, slightly hoarse vocal. His harmonica solo is a dandy too. The band features such notables as Kami Lyle, Joey Spampinato and Anthony Crawford.
ANDERSON EAST/Devil In Me
Writers: Anderson East/Mark Stephen Jones/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Farmland/Mark Stephen Jones/One Tooth, BMI; Elektra (track)
– East is in the gossip columns as Miranda Lambert’s new squeeze. They ought to be writing about his smoldering, soul-drenched, gospel-inflected vocal talent. This track from his Delilah debut CD proceeds at a stately pace and is embellished by soul-sister harmonies and bright brass blasts. This man is the real deal.
BROOKE WAGGONER/Ovenbird
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Brooke Waggoner, BMI; Swoon Moon
-I have long been in this Nashville charmer’s corner. Her current CD is called Sweven and features this wooshy, electronica soundscape wherein she warbles like a wraith wandering through soft mist. Dreamy. Hypnotic.
LifeNotes: Singer, Label Founder Curtis Potter Dies
/by Robert K OermannCurtis Potter. Photo: curtispottercountry.com
Curtis Potter, noted in Texas country music circles as a “singer’s singer,” has died at age 75.
Best known as the longtime frontman of Hank Thompson’s acclaimed Brazos Valley Boys, Potter passed away in Abilene, Texas, on Saturday, Jan. 23. He had congestive heart failure, complicated by pneumonia.
The Brazos Valley Boys won Billboard’s Touring Band of the Year award 14 times. Potter, a bass player and vocalist, joined the group in 1959 and remained with it for the next 13 years.
He also had an extensive résumé as a solo artist and record maker.
Born in 1940, Potter was given his own radio and TV show in Abilene on KRBC at age 16. As a youngster, he also performed in the road shows of Slim Willet and Bill Fox.
He began his recording career on Dot Records with 1969’s “You Comb Her Hair.” In 1973, Capitol Records issued Potter’s “Walkin’ Talkin’ Breathin’ Case of Sorrow.” This was followed by his Texas Dance Hall LP recorded with fellow Lone Star State singers Darrell McCall and Ray Sanders.
Potter was signed to Hillside Records in 1978. This resulted in his only two charted singles, 1979’s “Fraulein” and 1980’s duet with McCall, “San Antonio Medley.” He also recorded two albums for Hillside.
In 1984, Potter helped to form Step One Records in Nashville. This became country music’s largest independent label, releasing discs by Gene Watson, Ray Price, Kitty Wells, Hank Thompson and Clinton Gregory, as well as Potter.
He and Willie Nelson recorded the Six Hours at the Pedernales album for Step One in 1995. It yielded the video favorite “Turn Me Loose and Let Me Swing.”
In 2005, Potter signed with Heart of Texas Records. He recorded five solo albums for the company, including his tribute to Ray Price, Songs of the Cherokee Cowboy. Its title tune was another duet with Nelson. He also has two trio albums on Heart of Texas, recorded with Tony Booth and Darrell McCall. He is a member of the Texas Country Music Hall of Fame and the Western Swing Hall of Fame.
Potter had heart surgery in 2006, but resumed performing in dance halls, honky-tonks and concert halls. He last performed in Brady, Texas, on New Year’s Eve.
His funeral service and burial took place on Tuesday, Jan. 26. Curtis Potter is survived by his wife Pat, sons James and Shane, daughters Sharlotte and Rozlyn, eight grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
The family requests memorial contributions to the Heart of Texas Country Music Museum, 1701 South Bridge St., Brady, Texas 76825.
Triple 8 Management Adds Two Staffers For Tour Marketing
/by Craig_ShelburneTriple 8 Management has hired Brooke Meris as Director of Radio Tour Marketing and Renee Schapiro as Director of Tour Marketing.
Brooke Meris
Now with 30 staffers, the company represents Eli Young Band, Chase Rice, Joe Nichols, The Cadillac Three, and Josh Abbott Band, among others.
To join Triple 8 in the newly-created role, Meris departs her post as Sony Record’s Manager of Regional Promotion for Columbia Nashville. She will be directing all radio efforts for the roster that pertain to radio’s involvement in live shows, as well as supporting Triple 8’s Director of Radio Promotion Karen McGuire in all radio promotion efforts.
Renee Schapiro
Schapiro is joining Triple 8 from the independent concert promoter I.M.P. Inc., where she served as the Director of Promotions and Advertising. Over the last eight years, she oversaw all marketing efforts for I.M.P.’s venues ranging from the 9:30 Club to the 17,500-capacity Merriweather Post Pavilion.
In her new role, Schapiro will be one of two tour marketing team leaders for Triple 8’s roster. She succeeds Haley Elander who, along with Whitney Scott, now serves on the newly-developed Lifestyle Marketing Team, which is part of the larger 10-person marketing department within Triple 8. Elander and Scott initiate city-specific marketing efforts to uncover new partners in each town to expose artists’ music and shows and to build fan bases.
DISClaimer: Taylor Swift, Anderson East Offer Superb New Singles
/by Robert K OermannWe’ll be up to our necks in country music in the weeks to come, what with CRS and all, so now seems like a good time to remind ourselves what a vibrant and thriving pop/rock scene we have as well.
So thriving, in fact, that I’m playing catch-up. Most of these records came out last year. But I’m just getting around to the riches of Mikky Ekko, Ingrid Michaelson, Brooke Waggoner and The Dead Weather. The Taylor Swift and Meghan Trainor singles are new, but their parent CDs are also last year’s.
Speaking of The Dead Weather, it strikes me that Music City just might be the new capital of mainstream, guitar-based rock. With most of the pop world fixated on hip-hop or EDM sounds, Nashville is home to The Black Keys/The Arcs, Jack White/The Dead Weather, Kings of Leon, Paramore, Clear Plastic Masks, Parachute, Cage the Elephant, The Features and The Wild Feathers. Rock bands all.
And speaking of Taylor Swift, she proves once again why she’s the princess of pop by earning a Disc of the Day prize with “Out of the Woods.”
As for Mikky Ekko (a.k.a. John Stephen Sudduth), he’d be the DisCovery Award winner if he hadn’t been Grammy-nominated before he had his own CD. So the honor goes instead to the also gifted Anderson East.
CAGE THE ELEPHANT/Mess Around
Writers: Cage The Elephant; Producer: Dan Auerbach; Publisher: Sony/ATV; BMI; RCA (track)
-Thumping and raucous. Kinda garage-y and lotsa fun. This captures how frothing and energetic these guys are on stage. After the band moved from Bowling Green to Nashville, it switched producers. Black Keys honcho Auerbach gave them a sound more raw and less polished, but the Elephants are still very, very tuneful.
THE DEAD WEATHER/I Feel Love
Writers: Fertita/Mosshart; Producer: Jack White III; Publisher: Sleeping Disorder/Kobalt/Domino, BMI; Third Man (track)
– Ferociously rocking. Frontwoman Alison Mosshart has a natural vocal wail that sounds born to be in this band. Lead guitarist Dean Fertita grinds away on a repeated riff that bores into the brain.
MIKKY EKKO/Smile
Writers: Mikky Ekko/Jim Eliot/Greg Kurstin/Dennis Herring; Producers: Elof Lolv & Mikky Ekko; Publishers: Good Kings/Sony-ATV/Jim Eliot/Kurstin/EMI April/Sakana, BMI/PRS/ASCAP; RCA (track)
– This native Nashvillian first attracted my attention when he sang “Stay,” a Grammy-nominated 2012 duet with Rihanna. His debut solo CD, Time, is highlighted by this airy, echoey, celestial-sounding ditty. His sky-high pop tenor delivery aches in a lyric that says things are lousy, so you might as well smile in your misery. Highly listenable. Heartily recommended.
TAYLOR SWIFT/Out of the Woods
Writers: Taylor Swift/Jack Antonoff; Producers: Jack Antonoff/Taylor Swift; Publishers: Sony/ATV Tree/Taylor Swift/Ducky Donath, BMI; Big Machine (track)
– Finally. My favorite melody on the 1989 album is now its sixth single. Swift closed concerts with this all last year, and I’ve always believed that it belongs on pop radio. The dark, rumbling rhythm contrasts with its bright, high vocals brilliantly. Get up and shake your money maker.
THE ARCS/Fools Gold
Writers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Producers: Dan Auerbach/Leon Michels/Richard Swift; Publishers: Hour Box/Wixen/EMI Blackwood/DANCECONTESTWINNER/Secretly Canadian, BMI/ASCAP; Columbia (track)
-This is Dan Auerbach’s side project away from The Black Keys. Like his other group, this one has more than a little blues-rock in its DNA. There is lots of fizzy, fuzzy guitar scuzz here and a dark, haunted vibe that veers almost into psychedelia. The CD is aptly titled Yours Dreamily.
MEGHAN TRAINOR & JOHN LEGEND/Like I’m Gonna Lose You
Writers: Meghan Trainor/Justin Weaver/Caitlin Smith; Producers: Chris Gelbuda/Meghan Trainor; Publishers: Year of the Dog/WB/Music of the Corn/Cornman, ASCAP; Epic (track)
– Artists who launch their careers with a novelty song like “All About That Bass” often turn out to be one-hit wonders. Trainor scored a surprising second time with the just-as-catchy “Lips Are Movin.’” This time out, she slows it down and harmonizes in a soul groove with John Legend. Deliciously hooky.
INGRID MICHAELSON/Time Machine
Writers: Ingrid Michaelson/Busbee/Trent Dabbs/Barry Dean; Producer: Jacquire King; Publishers: Breakable Girls/BMG Platinum/Hello I Love You/Jam Writers Group/BMG Rights Management/Ready Set/Incognito Street, ASCAP/BMI; Cabin 224 (track)
– This indie pop favorite came to Music City to record her fifth album, Lights Out. The lady writes terrifically melodic songs and sings them with blue-eyed soul phrasing. This single/video is a stomper that wishes she could go back in time and warn herself about what a jerk he’ll turn out to be. Michaelson’s albums are always events worth buying, and this is her best one yet. She co-stars in a streamed concert with Cyndi Lauper and Kelsea Ballerini this evening (Thursday) on Skyville Live. It should be quite a show.
STEVE FORBERT/Compromise
Writer: Steve Forbert; Producer: Steve Forbert; Publisher: Songs of Heathercom; SESAC; Rock Ridge (track)
-It has been awhile since we’ve heard from this esteemed singer-songwriter. The title tune of his current album has a chiming, delicate track backing his characteristic soulfully strangulated, slightly hoarse vocal. His harmonica solo is a dandy too. The band features such notables as Kami Lyle, Joey Spampinato and Anthony Crawford.
ANDERSON EAST/Devil In Me
Writers: Anderson East/Mark Stephen Jones/Aaron Raitiere; Producer: Dave Cobb; Publishers: Farmland/Mark Stephen Jones/One Tooth, BMI; Elektra (track)
– East is in the gossip columns as Miranda Lambert’s new squeeze. They ought to be writing about his smoldering, soul-drenched, gospel-inflected vocal talent. This track from his Delilah debut CD proceeds at a stately pace and is embellished by soul-sister harmonies and bright brass blasts. This man is the real deal.
BROOKE WAGGONER/Ovenbird
Writer: Brooke Waggoner; Producer: Brooke Waggoner; Publisher: Brooke Waggoner, BMI; Swoon Moon
-I have long been in this Nashville charmer’s corner. Her current CD is called Sweven and features this wooshy, electronica soundscape wherein she warbles like a wraith wandering through soft mist. Dreamy. Hypnotic.
CRS Confirms Topics, Panelists For Programmers Boot Camp Series
/by Craig_ShelburneThe topics and panelists for three Programmers Boot Camp discussions at Country Radio Seminar (CRS) have been finalized.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part l: Imaging Secrets Revealed” will feature four of the top imaging copywriters in the business. Rich Witt (Vanilla Gorilla), Cowboy Kyle (WUSY Chattanooga), Jason Garte (The Mix Group) and Jeff Berlin (Greater Media Boston) will discuss how to effectively image a radio station on a budget. Bob Richards (Emmis Communications) will lead the Q&A discussion. Additionally, the panelists will examine how to write better copy, the best ways to get local listener testimonials to make your imaging shine, and how to effectively communicate with your voice talent to get the best read. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 2 p.m.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part ll: Get Prepped” will feature Big D and Bubba (Silverfish Media), Jeff Andrews (Sheet Happens) and Steve Harmon (Bit Board and iHeartMedia’s Paul and Young Ron), and will be led by RJ Curtis (All Access). The session will provide insight on how to give staff the tools they need to gather relevant content to produce a great on-air product and how to engage an audience on a budget. Panelists will also provide lists of useful websites where “free” content can be gathered and companies who specialize in prep services. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 3 p.m.
“Programmers Boot Camp Series Part lll: Mastering the Music” will offer industry professionals with years of experience in competitive market battles: Lance Houston (PD of the Bull in Boston), Bill Jones (Bill Jones Media Consulting), and B-Dub (KUPL/Alpha). The session will be led by Beverlee Brannigan (The E.W. Scripps Company) and will explain how to effectively schedule music coding and set up rules to free up time in a busy day. The panel is scheduled for Tuesday, Feb. 9 at 4 p.m.
Boot camp panels will take in Cumberland Rooms #1 and #2, located on Level 3 in Omni Nashville.
Industry Ink: InDo Nashville, Missing Piece Group, C2 Media Relations
/by Jessica NicholsonAlex Torrez Joins InDo Nashville Advisory Board
Pictured (L-R): Alex Torrez, Kate Richardson, and John Richardson.
Music consulting, artist development and publishing company Torrez Music Group has located its headquarters in the InDo Nashville building at 632 Fogg Street. Run by music entrepreneur Alex Torrez, the firm focuses on the representation of songwriters, artists, and other publishing affiliations to secure the correct placement of their music. InDo Nashville founders John and Kate Richardson have invited Torrez to join the co-working entrepreneurial space’s advisory board.
As a board member, Torrez will assist in promoting InDo’s songwriter memberships. Songwriters can join for unlimited access to the company’s three songwriting rooms. There are three levels of membership: Unlimited for $200/year, month-to-month for $30/month, and single 3-hour sessions for $20.
“We are very excited to have Torrez Music Group operating out of InDo Nashville. Alex Torrez brings a wealth of experience and the positive energy that fuels the community at InDo,” says Kate Richardson, InDo Nashville co-owner and partner in Richlyn Marketing.
“I’m thrilled and honored to be asked to be a part of this amazing facility and work along side John and Kate Richardson. I’m looking forward to what 2016 brings!” adds Torrez.
Marketing/PR Company Missing Piece Group Opens Nashville Office
Missing Piece Group, a New Jersey-based PR, marketing, and management company, has opened a new office in Nashville. The Music City outpost will be led by General Manager Brady Brock. Brock previously worked for 10 years at Gold Village Entertainment, and brings clients Blitzen Trapper and White Zombie to the Missing Piece Group roster. Missing Piece Group’s roster also includes Colony House, Ryan Culwell, Andrew Combs, Great American Canyon Band, and Chris Collingwood.
“Missing Piece Group has been looking to expand its presence in Nashville for a while now; we manage three acts based there and have a large and constantly number of PR and marketing clients in town,” says Missing Piece Group CEO Michael Krumper. “Brady is the perfect addition to our team, he’s an incredibly well respected PR guy and manager and a total music geek, which is a job requirement here at Missing Piece Group. I’m proud to have him represent us in Music City, and thrilled that he’s added his management clients Blitzen Trapper and White Zombie to our already strong roster of acts.”
Additionally, Joe Sivick has been promoted to the role of VP, Publicity.
Missing Piece Group was founded by Krumper in 2008 and celebrated its seventh anniversary in December. The company has engaged in publicity and marketing campaigns for clients such as Amazon Music, Melissa Etheridge, Halsey, Hill Country BBQ, Jon Langford, Tom Jones, Ashley Monroe, Rosanne Cash, Sean Watkins, Sloan, Ben Watt, Yanni and more.
Brock can be reached at brady@missingpiecegroup.com.
C2 Media Relations Adds To Roster
Ayla Brown
Recording artist Ayla Brown has been added to the C2 Media Relations roster, joining Lonestar, Curb Records Ashley Gearing, Lucy Angel, Trick Pony and more. Brown made her debut in 2006 as a finalist on American Idol. Most recently, she has performed on NFL’s Monday Night Football and the GOP debate on CNN.
Writer’s Den Music Group Signs Drew Kennedy To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (Bottom row, L-R): Scott Gunter, Durango Artist Management; Drew Kennedy; Sarah Feldman, Writer’s Den Music Group. (Top row, L-R): Austen Adams, Dickinson Wright PLLC; Bobby Rymer, Partner, Writer’s Den Music Group; John Rolfe, Rolfe Entertainment Law
Writer’s Den Music Group has added to its roster, signing singer-songwriter Drew Kennedy to a worldwide publishing agreement.
Creative Director Sarah Feldman says, “Over time we meet with lots of talented writers, but when someone stands out like Drew did it’s hard not to notice, and I’m grateful we have the opportunity to work together.”
“I am so thrilled to be joining the Writer’s Den family. I knew fairly quickly that I had found two kindred musical spirits in Sarah and Bobby. Finding people who believe in you as both a writer and a person is an invaluable asset in a business that can be as trying as it is rewarding, and I couldn’t be more excited,” says Kennedy. Although he is a Pennsylvania native, Kennedy lives just outside of Austin, Texas, and makes regular trips to Nashville.
Kennedy joins fellow Writer’s Den songwriters Melissa Fuller, Robert Earl Keen, Don Schlitz, and Thom Schuyler. The company also represents the catalogs of Bonnie Bishop, Ben Cooper, Tami Hinesh, Trent Jeffcoat, Jerry Salley, and Adam Wright.
ACM Party For A Cause Adds To Three-Day Vegas Festival Lineup
/by Eric T. ParkerThe event will include multiple stages, ongoing country music performances, interactive games, a country marketplace, and more. The festival will lead up to the 51st ACM Awards at the MGM Grand Garden Arena on Sunday, April 3, at 8 p.m. live ET/delayed PT on CBS.
Carrie Underwood will headline a special ACM Women of Country Night to kick off the festival on April 1. The all-female lineup of performers will include Kelsea Ballerini, Cam, McBride, Kellie Pickler and Maddie & Tae on the Main Stage as well as performances by Lauren Alaina, Kelleigh Bannen, Clark and Jana Kramer on the Party Stage.
Dierks Bentley will headline the festival on Saturday, April 2, and will be joined on the Main Stage by Frankie Ballard, Lee Brice, Chris Janson, Dustin Lynch, Chris Stapleton and Chris Young. Earlier performances on the Party Stage will feature A Thousand Horses, Chase Bryant, Chris Lane, and Jackson Michelson .
On Sunday, April 3, Kenny Chesney will close out the festival with a full set that will take place simultaneously with the ACM Awards. Earlier in the evening, Eldredge, Sam Hunt, Kip Moore, Old Dominion and Rice will perform on the Main Stage, while Lindsay Ell, Morris and Granger Smith will perform on the Party Stage.
For the first time ever, exclusive rehearsal and backstage footage from the ACM Awards at the MGM Grand will be on display for festival goers. This footage will offer fans a behind-the-scenes experience previously offered by the ACM Fan Jam, which will not be taking place this year.
Three-day festival passes are available with proceeds benefiting the Academy’s charitable arm, ACM Lifting Lives. Over $400,000 has been donated to various military organizations in just three years.
CMA Names Meryl Johnson As Director Of Digital Strategy
/by Craig_ShelburneMeryl Johnson
The Country Music Association (CMA) has hired Meryl Johnson as the Director of Digital Strategy effective immediately.
Johnson will develop and manage CMA’s digital presence, which includes the Association’s website, mobile platforms, digital partnerships, video distribution, database development, and digital advertising initiatives for CMA TV properties and live events.
“The digital landscape has made a significant impact on how we reach our key audiences,” said Damon Whiteside, CMA Senior Vice President of Marketing and Strategic Partnerships. “Meryl has a proven track record for creating successful digital campaigns and partnerships across radio, film, and television. Having someone on our team with her unique experience in entertainment is key as we leverage new and existing digital platforms and strategies for heightening the awareness of country music.”
With more than a decade of experience in entertainment media, Johnson comes to CMA from Warner Bros. Pictures where she was Director of Digital Marketing. She managed the marketing budgets and teams in developing programs for all aspects of Warner Bros. Pictures theatrical digital marketing campaigns’ paid media, social media, creative, mobile/tablet apps, CRM programs, digital public relations, promotions, and experiential events for a film slate totaling $1.5 billion domestic box office.
Prior to working with Warner Bros., Johnson’s previous affiliations include Focus Features, NBC Universal, Clear Channel Broadcasting, and Cumulus Broadcasting.
Johnson is a Nashville native and a graduate of Tennessee State University.
Eric Paslay Previews Sophomore Album At Sold-Out Nashville Show
/by Eric T. ParkerEric Paslay. Photo: Annelise Blackwood
EMI Records Nashville artist Eric Paslay is upping his game as he ramps up for his sophomore album release, expected later this year. On Tuesday night (Jan. 26), he showcased his new moves, previewed new titles and toured through hits with a few friends at a sold-out Marathon Music Works show in Nashville.
“It’s so fun getting to play new songs for all the friendly faces I see tonight,” Paslay said from the stage to the crowd, which included previous tour mate Chris Young and duet partner Amy Grant. “Thank y’all for letting us be dreamers,” he continued before playing his song Eli Young Band took to No. 1 (“Even If It Breaks Your Heart”).
Jake Owen was welcomed to the stage for a surprise performance of “Barefoot Blue Jean Night,” another No. 1 Paslay wrote. Owen was introduced as the first artist to record a song of Paslay’s.
Jake Owen, Eric Paslay. Photo: Annelise Blackwood
Later in the evening Paslay performed a new title, “Taking My Heartbeat Higher,” with Karen Fairchild of Little Big Town. His current tour mate and Arista Nashville/RCA Records artist Cam was originally slated to perform before a sickness kept her from surprising the audience.
Karen Fairchild, Eric Paslay. Photo: Annelise Blackwood
Perhaps the most welcoming surprise was Paslay’s charisma. Although artists before him have made a name just standing and singing, the 32-year-old performer took another direction on stage. Certain titles were delivered even without a guitar to hide behind, showcasing his ease on stage, seemingly as natural as his vocals and songwriting chops.
The Nashville venue offered muddy sound quality, which was overlooked by precise lighting to accentuate the set. Paslay’s carefree nature even found him throwing on sunglasses for his latest single “High Class,” covering The Rolling Stones’ “Satisfaction,” and showcasing his harmonica skills on a new title “Backstage Pass.”
The Grammy-nominated artist (for his appearance on Charles Kelley’s “The Driver”) continued to sample new tunes including “Angels In This Town” who are looking out for love, “All My Lovin,'” a romantic romp, and “Dressed in Black,” a lyrical dance combining Cadillacs, Johnny Cash and wedding dresses.
Paslay will be touring the country through the spring with Brad Paisley and Cam.
Mickey Guyton, Tristan. Photo: @mickeyguyton
Tyler Farr Placed On Vocal Rest Following Surgery
/by Jessica NicholsonTyler Farr
Columbia Nashville artist Tyler Farr has been placed on complete vocal rest, following a microlaryngeal surgery to remove a vocal polyp from his vocal cords. Farr was given a good report from the Vanderbilt Voice Clinic post-surgery. In order to maximize healing, Farr has cancelled all concert dates for the next few months.
Farr first noticed vocal issues, which were identified during a severe case of bronchitis, while on tour with Jason Aldean this past summer.
“This is the last thing I would’ve ever expected,” says the operatically-trained Farr. “I sing hard, and I give it everything I have every night, but I really believed I was putting my training to work. After a No. 1 song, an awesome tour with Jason and getting engaged, this is not how I thought I was going to be winding up 2015.”
Farr was set to tour with Curb artist Lee Brice in early 2016 as part of Brice’s Life Off My Years trek. With Farr healing from vocal surgery, Brice has tapped Maddie & Tae, Clare Dunn, and Jerrod Niemann to join the tour.
“I know what it takes to get out there and really deliver,” Farr continues. “I hate cancelling shows, especially the upcoming tour with my buddy Lee Brice, but I never want to give the fans less than everything… And I know the sooner I let my body heal, the sooner I can get back out there – and the fewer problems I will have in the long run. To me, it’s never about the next few days, but doing the right thing overall, and now I’m under doctor’s orders.”