BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 520
Row 1: UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, UMG Nashville SVP Promotion Royce Risser, EMI’s Ron Bradley and Luke Bryan. Row 2: Capitol’s Shane Allen, EMI’s John Trapane, Capitol’s Brent Jones, MCA’s Michelle Tyrrell, MCA’s Katie Dean, Capitol’s Diane Lockner, EMI’s Mike Krinik, EMI’s Jamie Graves, Mercury’s Jill Brunett, UMG Nashville’s Sarah Beth Watson, Capitol’s Jeremy Guenther and EMI’s Jimmy Rector. Row 3: Capitol’s Bobby Young, MCA’s Donna Jo Passuntino, MCA’s Anna Johnson, UMG Nashville’s David Friedman, Mercury’s Summer Harlow, MCA’s Julianna Vaughn, Lauren Alaina, UMG Nashville’s Chris Schuler and Mercury’s Damon Moberly. Row 4: Eric Paslay, UMG Nashville’s Donna Hughes, MCA’s Miranda McDonald, Capitol’s Ashley Laws, EMI’s Trudie Daniell, Mercury’s Charlie Dean and Canaan Smith. Row 5: Jon Pardi, Capitol’s Paige Elliott, Mercury’s Nick Kaper, UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill, Mercury’s Sally Green and EMI’s Chris Fabiani. Photo: Peyton Hoge
The best annual concert in Nashville doesn’t sell tickets to the general public.
For the past seven years, that show has been the UMG Luncheon at the Ryman during the Country Radio Seminar convention. The label presents almost its entire roster of superstars. Each performs one number. The songs are stripped down to their country essences since most of the performances are acoustic or have minimal accompaniment. This makes the music at this show all the more powerful.
The 2016 version of the concert was staged in the midst of Tuesday’s snow storm (Feb. 9). As we filed in, one young man was enthusiastically taking selfies with snowflakes. “Don’t mind me; I’m from Florida!” he laughed. He’d never seen snow before.
We picked up our boxed lunches in the lobby, then headed for our pews. As usual, I grabbed a choice one in the balcony, which is where you want to sit in the Ryman.
“Welcome to Episode Seven of UMG at The Ryman, the best musical venue in the United States,” greeted label promo senior v.p. Royce Risser. “Thank you for braving the snow.”
“Happy Snow Day,” said Karen Fairchild of the kick-off act Little Big Town. “We’ve had an incredible year, thanks to you guys,” she added to the assembled radio programmers and execs. “We were thinking about y’all when we wrote this one.” The quartet then warmed the crowd with its flawless harmonies on the nostalgic “From the Beginning.”
Host Royce gave most of his artists nicknames as he introduced them. Canaan Smith, for instance, was “My Sweet Baby Angel.” “I don’t know if I like being called a sweet baby angel by a big grizzly man like Royce Risser,” Canaan responded. He sang the lilting, romantic “Stuck.” As he exited, Canaan shouted, “Thank you for my Number One this year, boys and girls,” referring to “Love You Like That.”
“All we ask is to show your love with airplay,” quipped Royce. He then dubbed Kacey Musgraves, “The Rhinestone Cowgirl.” She delivered the wistful, instantly catchy “Late to the Party” with aplomb. It’s on her Pageant Material CD/LP.
Next, Darius Rucker drew the day’s first standing ovation with the deeply emotional, heart-in-throat delivery of the ballad “I Sang.” People screamed and cheered wildly. “Wow,” said Royce.
Long, tall Jon Pardi was nicknamed Jon “The Bear” Pardi. He was effortlessly charming in delivering the fastest rising single of his career to date, the sublimely countryfied “Head Over Boots.”
Royce called Charles Kelley “Man Antebellum” and told us that the singer-songwriter is two weeks away from being a first-time father. Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay joined Charles to sing their Grammy-nominated anthem “The Driver.” Performed with only acoustic guitars, this song sounded even more potent than its produced and released version. The audience sang its finale with gusto.
David Nail was dubbed David “Big Daddy” Nail, since he is the recent father of twins. “Get moving, radio: You know it’s a hit,” Royce admonished the crowd before David nailed (sorry, I couldn’t help it) his smoldering, intense ballad “Fighter.”
Royce called Dierks Bentley, “the pilot of perfection, the aviator of awesome,” which amused the star immensely. Dierks did his current single, the drawling, sassy “Somewhere on a Beach.”
Kip Moore was dubbed “Our Resident Surf Rat” by Royce. “There’s only one place that makes me nervous,” Kip told the audience. “And that is this place, in front of y’all. I know a lot of you guys. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much.” Kip gave “Running for You,” a fiery, passionate, electrifying delivery. You’ll find it on Kip’s current Wild Ones collection.
“I call him flat-out sexy,” said Royce introducing Eric Paslay. The lanky singer-songwriter performed the upbeat “High Class” with wiggly, rubber-legged dance moves, which brought squeals and screeches from the ladies.
Nobody in history had won Male, Album and New Artist prizes at the CMA Awards until Chris Stapleton did so last fall. His wailing, hair-raising tenor filled the entire auditorium with its stark power as he stood with just an acoustic guitar and delivered “Either Way” (previously recorded by Lee Ann Womack, but not by him). Chris was rewarded with a loud standing ovation.
Poor 21-year-old youngster Lauren Alaina had to follow that. She shared, “My mom married my dad’s best friend. I grew up calling him Uncle Sam. Now he’s my stepdad. My dad married a 28-year-old and she’s super hot. So, go Dad.” Her song, “Doing Fine” is written with autobiographical lyrics referencing those events and set to a bopping beat.
Royce dubbed Eric Church, “Still the Chief.” The charismatic Eric went solo with his acoustic guitar to tear into his soulful ballad “Record Year.” It appears on his “surprise” album, Mr. Misunderstood, which not even his record label knew about last year.
Vince Gill was introduced as “this industry’s greatest ambassador.” He was awarded a standing ovation before he ever opened his mouth. He talked about his collaboration with Little Big Town on his new single “Take Me Down.” “We’re thinking of calling ourselves LBTVG. That could bring us an interesting new audience,” he joked. Alas, the group had to catch a plane and couldn’t perform with him.
“The label now calls me the AARP guy,” Vince continued. “I made my first record when I was a 17-year-old kid. Local radio played it, and it instilled something in me — hope.
“I have a new record coming, just like all of these knuckleheads. I ain’t quittin.’” He chose the Down to My Last Bad Habit album’s closing track, a slow country weeper in tribute to the late George Jones, “Sad One Comin’ On.” And his eloquence singing it brought him a second standing ovation.
“That’s my hero, right there,” said Royce.
Luke Bryan was next. The superstar sat at the piano to play and sing a lovely, lovely love song called “To the Moon and Back.” It appears on his current Kill the Lights album.
On Monday (Feb. 8), Keith Urban was announced as this year’s Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian honoree. “It’s always amazing to play the Ryman,” said Keith as he took the stage. “It’s my favorite venue in all the world. It’s like playing inside of an acoustic guitar. I feel very, very blessed.” With just his own guitar accompaniment, he performed the rippling, sweetly melodic “Break On Me,” superbly.
At this exact time and on this exact show last year, Keith introduced “John Deere, John Cougar, John 3:16,” which went on to great glory. He strapped on his electric guitar to close the UMG concert with it, engaging the audience to sing along with abandon.
Leaving this great cornucopia of music with smiles on their faces were Jimmy Rector, Aaron Hartley, Joanna Carter, Sarah Skates, Brian Collins, David Freedman, Brandi Simms, Tom Lord, Troy Stephenson, Shane Allen and more than 2,000 other lucky souls.
Industry Events: ASCAP, Ordinary Hero, Who Knew, YEP
/by Eric T. ParkerASCAP To Host New Writers Showcase
Pictured (L-R): Tim Kelly, Peachy Pyron, Robert Counts, Blake Bollinger, Drew Green.
ASCAP will host a writers showcase as part of its We Create Music series at The Basement on Wednesday, Feb. 17, at 5 p.m. The 21+ event will feature Drew Green, Blake Bollinger, Robert Counts, Peachy Pyron and Tim Kelly. The event is free to attend.
Hit Songwriters Benefit for Ordinary Hero
Tom Douglas, James Slater, Brice Long and Derek George will join for a benefit on Thursday, Feb. 11, at The Listening Room Cafe for the organization Ordinary Hero.
Tickets are $12 online and $14 at the door. Event begins at 6 p.m.
Founded by Kelly Putty, Ordinary Hero is an advocacy organization that partners with impoverished communities, advocates for the vulnerable, and empowers ordinary people to change the life of a child.
Who Knew Event To Feature Women Who Rock
CMT’s Leslie Fram, Rounder Records’ Tracy Gershon, Flood, Bumstead, McCready & McCarthy’s Julie Boos, WrenSong Music Publishing’s Ree Guyer Buchanan, Adams and Reese’s Linda Edell Howard, FLO.CO’s Sloane Scott, Accelerator Program’s Heather McBee, and MAC Presents’ Marcie Allen will appear among a panel during the Who Knew event on March 10 at 3rd & Lindsley.
Beth Raebeck Hall and The Usual Suspects will kick off the after party, followed by Jill and Kate and a special appearance by Dori. Tickets are $10 and available now.
YEP To Host 80s Night
Jennifer Nettles, Justin Moore Make An Impression At BMLG’s CRS Showcase
/by Craig_ShelburneJennifer Nettles. Photo: Sara Kauss
On the final day of Country Radio Seminar (CRS), Jennifer Nettles and Justin Moore anchored the Big Machine Label Group (BMLG) luncheon at the Omni Nashville Hotel, bringing some older hits and new material to the Wednesday (Feb. 10) event.
New artists Tucker Beathard, Tara Thompson, and Drake White all made special appearances, following opening remarks from BMLG President and CEO Scott Borchetta and Nashville actor Charles Esten (“Deacon”).
Nettles is back on the scene following a solo project on another label, a short-term stint in Chicago on Broadway, and a star turn in the television movie, Dolly Parton’s Coat Of Many Colors. While her soaring new ballad, “Unlove You,” is climbing the country chart, she is out headlining CMT’s Next Women of Country Tour.
On stage at CRS, she wore a black leather jacket over a stylish patterned dress, which accentuated her tough girl/thoughtful woman personality. She unveiled two new songs with a lot of spunk: “Playing With Fire” and “Drunk in Heels.” Both are expected to be on her first BMLG project due later this year.
Then she slowed things down for “Unlove You,” a country-influenced ballad that allows her to open up her commanding vocals and wail. Encouraging the audience to take a trip back in time, she submitted fun versions of Sugarland staples “Baby Girl” and “Something More,” smiling all the while before saying farewell.
Drake White. Photo: Sara Kauss
Her set was preceded by White’s pair of acoustic songs, performed with two other musicians. A scruffy Alabama native who has a blues tinge to his baritone, White is working on his bow on the Dot Records imprint. To preview the project, he offered the sultry “Makin’ Me Look Good Again” and the single, “Livin’ the Dream.”
Moore earned the sole standing ovation of the afternoon, thanks to an emotional rendering of 2011’s “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away.” His set was a strong reminder of his natural charisma and enviable track record at country radio. Although he’s working on a new album, the first four songs he performed were familiar: “Point at You,” “’Til My Last Day,” “If Heaven Wasn’t So Far Away” and “Small Town USA.”
Justin Moore. Photo: Sara Kauss
Moore said he has taken time away from releasing singles to focus on making sure he was sending the best possible songs to radio. That hiatus officially ended when he shipped “You Look Like I Need a Drink” to country stations in late 2015. The catchy tune elicited laughter and knowing looks from the crowd, who had just finished dining on a spread of beef, salmon, fried chicken, roasted vegetables, dinner rolls and tossed salad.
Citing a previous engagement—baking cupcakes for his daughter’s 6th birthday the following day—Moore once again effusively thanked the programmers in the room for allowing him to have a career in country music.
Pictured (L-R): Tara Thompson, Drake White, Scott Borchetta, Jennifer Nettles, Tucker Beathard. Photo: Sara Kauss
Emerging from behind a black curtain, Beathard was almost shy on stage. That’s a surprise because so many of his family members have found a spotlight in various fields, from football to music. Although he’s relatively green at age 21, Beathard is able to pull off a solo performance on the strength of songs like “Rock On,” a memorable first single with a lyrical twist that feels comfortable in country music. His second tune, “20-10 Tennessee,” is a metaphorical slice-of-life song that indicates his upcoming album will be an interesting and intriguing one.
Tara Thompson. Photo: Sara Kauss
Opener, Thompson—or “Tara Damn Thompson” when she’s introducing herself—is currently on the road with Nettles’ CMT-sponsored tour, so she’s had some experience warming up crowds. With redneck imagery and a Jerry Springer reference, “Vows” is a romp down the wedding aisle. As for Thompson’s sole love song, it’s called “Jail.” Her take-charge debut single, “Someone To Take Your Place,” wrapped her set.
Exclusive: Kelsea Ballerini Talks Touring, Country Radio and Making Honest Music
/by Sarah SkatesKelsea Ballerini is a double winner in this year’s MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards, claiming the categories of Female Artist of the Year and Breakout Artist of the Year. She topped the MusicRow chart twice in 2015, first with “Love Me Like You Mean It,” in June, followed by “Dibs” in December. Calling from her porch during some rare downtime, she chatted with MusicRow shortly after learning about her wins.
Read more about the MusicRow CountryBreakout Award winners in the new issue of MusicRow.
MusicRow: You toured with some of country’s biggest stars last year. What did you learn from them on the road?
Ballerini: A really cool thing about last year is that I didn’t do a full tour from top to bottom. I did pieces of a lot of different size tours with a lot of different artists. With Lady Antebellum I got to see how arena shows are put together and all the behind-the-scenes of that. I played my first arena with them. I opened for Keith Urban at a couple of festivals and got to see how the festival world worked, and how the audience responds to different things. Then I did a lot of club dates too. It was cool to do the whole spectrum of shows and learn how to navigate each one.
MR: You are headed to Australia in March. Tell me about that.
Ballerini: I’m touring and doing a lot of stuff with the awards show there. I didn’t realize that Australia has a huge country music market and huge fan base. I think we are about to release my album over there too. It’s a new thing for me and I’m excited.
MR: What was your goal when you were making the album?
Ballerini: I wrote songs and tried to make a record that was as “me” as I could make it. I didn’t try to water it down to fit anything, and I just tried to make the best record I could. I think that by not trying to fit it into any frame or box, it allowed it to be honest and truthful and maybe different. It was really cool to see fans and radio embrace it like they did.
MR: What do you hope the next single will be?
Ballerini: “Peter Pan”—it is my favorite song on my album. When we recorded the album and talked about the singles, I said, “We have to get this song out there.” It’s one that I relate to, and am proud of lyrically. In my live shows a lot of girls gravitate toward it, which has been a really fun thing to watch. I’m so proud of that song.
MR: What does country radio mean to you?
Ballerini: I started as a fan and that is still the core of who I am as an artist. Radio is a huge way to discover music. That’s how I discovered songs that I added to my iPod, and found out about concert tickets that I would go buy—because I heard it on the radio. For me, that was the importance of it, and in country music specifically, it’s a relationship. Way before I got to be an artist I was told that country radio and country artists have an important relationship, because when they believe in you, they’ll champion you and really support you and give you a voice. As an artist that’s all you can really ask for.
CRS Showcases Songwriters At CRS Bob Kingsley’s Acoustic Alley, BMLG Happy Hour
/by Jessica NicholsonLegendary radio personality Bob Kingsley welcomed a dozen of Nashville’s top songwriters, including Rhett Akins, Brandy Clark, Rodney Clawson, Ross Copperman, Andrew Dorff, Josh Kear, Shane McAnally, Heather Morgan, Tim Nichols, Josh Osborne, Jonathan Singleton, and Jimmy Yeary, for the annual CRS Acoustic Alley.
The event was co-sponsored by Bob Kingsley’s Country Top 40 and SunTrust Bank, with additional support from ASCAP Nashville, who provided attendees with a complimentary first drink of the evening.
Pictured (L-R): Josh Osborne, Josh Kear, Heather Morgan, and Shane McAnally
Pictured (L-R): Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne, Josh Kear and Heather Morgan.
Meanwhile, Big Machine Label Group’s Republic Nashville imprint highlighted songs from Cassadee Pope and Brett Young during a happy hour at The Palm in downtown Nashville.
Young, a California native and Big Machine Music writer, previewed several songs from upcoming debut “Sleep Without You.” Pope performed her Platinum-certified song “Wasting All These Tears,” as well as “I Am Invincible.” Fellow singer/songwriter Chris Young surprised the audience by performing an acoustic version of their duet “Think Of You” with Pope. The song, co-written by Chris Young, is featured on his album I’m Comin’ Over.
Pictured (L-R): Cassadee Pope welcomes surprise guest Chris Young to duet on “Think Of You.”
Brett Young debuts at CRS with “Sleep Without You.”
Artist Updates: Wade Hayes, High Valley, John Michael Montgomery, Dolly Parton
/by Eric T. ParkerWade Hayes Franklin Benefit Adds Lambert, Wariner, Brooks
Wade Hayes will be joined by Miranda Lambert, Steve Wariner and Kix Brooks for “COUNTRY HITS BACK,” a concert supporting research at Vanderbilt-Ingram Cancer Center. Hayes, a colon cancer survivor, will host the event at the historic Franklin Theatre at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, March 2, 2016. For tickets ranging from $68–90, visit FranklinTheater.com.
High Valley Celebrates Canadian Sales Benchmark at CRS
High Valley with label, management teams.
Brother duo High Valley was presented with its first gold single for the sale of 40,000 units in Canada for the single “County Line.” Open Road Recordings’ Ron Kitchener and Paul Shaver, presented the honor at CRS on Feb. 9 on behalf of his label, which released the record in Canada in 2014. At the end of this record cycle, High Valley will sign in Canadian markets to Warner, whose Atlantic Records/WMN currently reps U.S. markets.
John Michael Montgomery Signs with Webster PR
John Michael Montgomery.
Webster Public Relations will now represent John Michael Montgomery. Montgomery’s career spans 15 No. 1 hits and multi-platinum sales with songs like “Life’s A Dance,” “I Love The Way You Love Me,” “Be My Baby Tonight,” “I Swear,” “I Can Love You Like That,” “Sold (The Grundy County Auction Incident).” The Kentucky native signed with Atlantic Records in 1991. Montgomery has released a total of nine studio albums in his career. He is now managed by John Dorris at The Hallmark Direction Company and booked by United Talent Agency.
Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors film on DVD with Bonuses
Warner Bros. Home Entertainment will release Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors film on DVD for the first time on May 3, 2016. The disc will contain an alternate version of the movie, a featurette, deleted scenes and additional heartwarming extras.
Initially broadcast in December 2015 on NBC to a total of 15.9 million total viewers (Live+7), Dolly Parton’s Coat of Many Colors stars Jennifer Nettles, among others in a family-oriented, faith-based story based on living legend Dolly Parton‘s remarkable upbringing in rural Tennessee. The DVD is priced at $19.98.
Vince Gill Set For Free Concert In Nashville On Feb. 12
/by Jessica NicholsonVince Gill, recipient of 20 Grammy awards, is set to perform a free concert on Friday, Feb. 12 at the special Vince Gill pop up store, located inside the Ernest Tubb Record Shop on Nashville’s Lower Broadway. The concert will begin at 6 p.m.
The performance is in celebration of his new studio album Down To My Last Bad Habit, which also releases Feb. 12. The performance will feature Gill’s renditions of several tracks from the project.
Gill is in town for what he dubbed his “33rd CRS seminar,” and recently performed as part of UMG Nashville’s Team UMG at the Ryman event.
CRS In Pictures: Mo Pitney, Denny Strickland, Kane Brown, Richey Promotions, Makenna & Brock, SaraBeth
/by Jessica NicholsonMo Pitney Visits With MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson at CRS
Curb artist Mo Pitney visited with MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson during the “Indiepalooza” showcase at Country Radio Seminar at the Omni Nashville Hotel. The showcase featured artists from Curb Records, Black River Entertainment, and Broken Bow Label Group.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson and Mo Pitney
Denny Strickland Visits With Thunder 102 At CRS
Pictured (L-R): Denny Strickland, Thunder 102’s Michelle Semerano and Paul Ciliberto at CRS.
Kane Brown Visits With WPOR’s Mark Jennings
RCA Records Nashville’s Kane Brown poses with WPOR’s PD Mark Jennings during CRS 2016.
Pictured (L-R): Mark Jennings (Mark Jennings, WPOR Program Direcotor), Kane Brown
Label Reps Brave The Nashville Snow For CRS
Neither rain nor snow was going to keep label reps from networking and visiting with radio at CRS 2016. Some huddled together during this morning’s snowfall outside the Ryman Auditorium, including Curb West Coast Promotion rep Lori Hartigan, Julie Carlson McCleave, KXLY’s Tim Cotter, KUBL’s Aaron Rosen, and Big Loud Records Midwest Promotion rep Roger Fregoso.
Pictured (L-R): Curb West Coast Promotion Lori Hartigan, (Rosen girlfriend) Julie Carlson McCleave, KXLY/Spokane APD Tim Cotter, KUBL/Salt Lake City Aaron Rosen, and Big Loud Records Midwest promotion Roger Fregoso.
Richey Promotions, Todd Chrisley Meet at CRS
Diane Richey and Beth Robinson of Richey Promotions celebrated CRS with TV personality Todd Chrisley, host of Indiepalooza.
Pictured (L-R): Diane Richey, Beth Robinson, Todd Chrisley
Makenna & Brock With KIX 96 WXFL at CRS
SoundByte Records duo Makenna & Brock got to hang out with Fletch Brown from KIX 96 WXFL/Muscle Shoals, AL at CRS
Pictured: Makenna & Brock with WXFL’s Fletch Brown.
SaraBeth Talks With Thunder 102 At CRS
Circle S Records artist SaraBeth interviews with Michelle Semerano and Paul Ciliberto of Thunder 102. She discussed her new song “Runnin’ Outta Lipstick,” while making the rounds at CRS 2016.
SaraBeth with Michelle Semerano and Paul Ciliberto at Thunder 102.
Toby Keith, Martina McBride And More Added To Kris Kristofferson Tribute Concert In Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonKris Kristofferson. Photo: Marina Chavez
A new round of country artists has been added to the all-star lineup for The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson on Wednesday, March 16, at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena.
Jack Ingram, Toby Keith, Martina McBride, Jennifer Nettles, Hank Williams Jr., and Lee Ann Womack have been added to the roster, joining previously-announced performers Dierks Bentley, Ryan Bingham, Rosanne Cash, Eric Church, Emmylou Harris, Jamey Johnson, Lady Antebellum, Willie Nelson, Darius Rucker, Trisha Yearwood and Kristofferson.
Kristofferson will perform with several artists throughout the evening, and additional performers will soon be announced.
Country Music Hall of Fame member Kristofferson is known for his legendary songs including “Sunday Mornin’ Comin’ Down,” “Help Me Make It Through The Night,” “Me and Bobby McGee” and “Lovin’ Her Was Easier,” among others. Music is just one part of Kristofferson’s array of talents; throughout his life, he has also been a Golden Gloves boxer, Army Ranger, All-American athlete, helicopter pilot, social activist, movie star, and humanitarian.
A new block of tickets in all price ranges, starting at $75, are on sale at ticketmaster.com, by phone at 800-745-3000, at all Ticketmaster locations and at the Bridgestone Arena box office. Citi is the official credit card of The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson concert.
Keith Wortman is creator and executive producer of the show. Grammy Award-winner Don Was will serve as music director and will lead an all-star band backing the performers.
The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson will be filmed and recorded for multi-platform distribution throughout traditional media (worldwide broadcast, music and digital).
Exclusive: Wheeler Walker Jr. Swears (A Lot) That He’s Country
/by Craig_ShelburneWheeler Walker Jr. Photo: Robyn Von Swank
Wheeler Walker Jr. is the latest country artist to put out a record produced by Dave Cobb. Wait, you haven’t heard of him? Not even his single, which can be abbreviated to “FYB”? (If you need to know what the F-word and the B-word are, you probably wouldn’t be interested in buying his upcoming album, Redneck S—.)
Bantering in the conference room at Nashville’s indie-minded music company Thirty Tigers, which is releasing the album on Friday (Feb. 12), Walker is often “on.” You’d expect this from a comedian who used to have a show on Comedy Central. This was in 2013, when he was better-known as the sketch comedy artist Ben Hoffman. With a bushy, graying beard and mirrored sunglasses, not to mention a Kentucky drawl, his transition into the character of long-suffering country singer Wheeler Walker Jr. isn’t exactly exhausting.
Within the first 60 seconds of meeting, he’s calling foul (to put it lightly) on Steven Tyler’s Skittles commercial during the Super Bowl. Modern mainstream country acts get skewered right and left. And as the interview is wrapping up 40 minutes later, he’s insisting that I should pass along his phone number to Reba McEntire so they can go on a date.
But when the topic turns to his love of country music, his sincerity rises above the swearing. Presumably speaking as Hoffman, he carries on about the Louvin Brothers and effortlessly traces back his own favorite artists to towering figures like Buck Owens and Gram Parsons. And while his lyrics as Wheeler Walker Jr. are undoubtedly profane, and every song title is essentially unrepeatable, that doesn’t mean he doesn’t take the heritage of the music seriously.
So, how bad was the breakup?
“I will say it’s a combination of about 75 women who have dumped my ass, and I would say every single one of them did the right thing,” he admits, “because it’s hard to tell now, but I’m a piece of work.”
Hoffman explains that he met Cobb, who is up for two Grammys on Sunday, through Sturgill Simpson. When Cobb agreed to collaborate, he and Hoffman hunkered down and recorded Redneck S— over the course of one week. He says the days they dedicated to overdubs were mostly spent drinking and going to the record store.
About halfway through the interview, Walker turns the tables and asks, “Are you offended by this music?” It isn’t a trick question. He really wants to know. When I reply that I find the whole thing to be amusing, since everybody’s getting made fun of, Hoffman relaxes the act a little bit.
“The only thing that bothers me–and I’ve seen some of it–is that a couple of people have said, ‘You’re making fun of country. You’re making fun of rednecks.’ I’m from Kentucky. All my family lives here. After I’m leaving here, I’m having dinner with my aunt and uncle. That is zero percent of what I’m doing. I know people won’t believe me, but I don’t think you can make a record like this without loving real traditional country music. To me this is what country music sounds like.”
He’s quick to cite Jason Isbell, Ashley Monroe, Aubrie Sellers, Chris Stapleton and Lucinda Williams among his current favorite artists. Later on, he correctly observes that his musical heroes like Waylon Jennings, Willie Nelson, George Jones and Johnny Cash all had a sharp sense of humor that pervaded their catalogs. Of course, on their records, they didn’t resort to the F-word (or the B-word, or the S-Word, or the… well, you get the idea.)
“I have a theory on music in general. I love theories. One theory is that no one’s going to buy my album. And another of my theories is that the best artists have the best sense of humor,” he says. “The Beatles starred in comedy films. A Waylon record ain’t comedy, but there’s a wink in there that you can see.”
Thanks to significant airplay on satellite radio, and some attention at rock radio, iTunes pre-orders for Redneck S— are over a thousand units. (The project premiered early on a website that is NSFW. As a clue, it was billed as a “Premature Release.”) As the interview winds down, Walker moans that he had to spend his life savings to restock merchandise for his ever-larger fan base. Literally. After complaints of not having enough XXL and XXXL shirts, he had some more printed. And what can’t be printed, at least here, is what the T-shirts have written on them.
Asked if he’s ever worried about going too far, he dryly answers, “Uhh, little late for that. I don’t give a f—, as long as I know what my intentions are. I didn’t want to offend any certain group of people because that’s just not who I am. You can’t make a record like this and worry about stepping over the line.”
Bobby Karl Works Team UMG At The Ryman
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 520
Row 1: UMG Nashville Chairman and CEO Mike Dungan, Kacey Musgraves, Keith Urban, UMG Nashville SVP Promotion Royce Risser, EMI’s Ron Bradley and Luke Bryan. Row 2: Capitol’s Shane Allen, EMI’s John Trapane, Capitol’s Brent Jones, MCA’s Michelle Tyrrell, MCA’s Katie Dean, Capitol’s Diane Lockner, EMI’s Mike Krinik, EMI’s Jamie Graves, Mercury’s Jill Brunett, UMG Nashville’s Sarah Beth Watson, Capitol’s Jeremy Guenther and EMI’s Jimmy Rector. Row 3: Capitol’s Bobby Young, MCA’s Donna Jo Passuntino, MCA’s Anna Johnson, UMG Nashville’s David Friedman, Mercury’s Summer Harlow, MCA’s Julianna Vaughn, Lauren Alaina, UMG Nashville’s Chris Schuler and Mercury’s Damon Moberly. Row 4: Eric Paslay, UMG Nashville’s Donna Hughes, MCA’s Miranda McDonald, Capitol’s Ashley Laws, EMI’s Trudie Daniell, Mercury’s Charlie Dean and Canaan Smith. Row 5: Jon Pardi, Capitol’s Paige Elliott, Mercury’s Nick Kaper, UMG Nashville’s Mike Harris, Chris Stapleton, Vince Gill, Mercury’s Sally Green and EMI’s Chris Fabiani. Photo: Peyton Hoge
The best annual concert in Nashville doesn’t sell tickets to the general public.
For the past seven years, that show has been the UMG Luncheon at the Ryman during the Country Radio Seminar convention. The label presents almost its entire roster of superstars. Each performs one number. The songs are stripped down to their country essences since most of the performances are acoustic or have minimal accompaniment. This makes the music at this show all the more powerful.
The 2016 version of the concert was staged in the midst of Tuesday’s snow storm (Feb. 9). As we filed in, one young man was enthusiastically taking selfies with snowflakes. “Don’t mind me; I’m from Florida!” he laughed. He’d never seen snow before.
We picked up our boxed lunches in the lobby, then headed for our pews. As usual, I grabbed a choice one in the balcony, which is where you want to sit in the Ryman.
“Welcome to Episode Seven of UMG at The Ryman, the best musical venue in the United States,” greeted label promo senior v.p. Royce Risser. “Thank you for braving the snow.”
“Happy Snow Day,” said Karen Fairchild of the kick-off act Little Big Town. “We’ve had an incredible year, thanks to you guys,” she added to the assembled radio programmers and execs. “We were thinking about y’all when we wrote this one.” The quartet then warmed the crowd with its flawless harmonies on the nostalgic “From the Beginning.”
Host Royce gave most of his artists nicknames as he introduced them. Canaan Smith, for instance, was “My Sweet Baby Angel.” “I don’t know if I like being called a sweet baby angel by a big grizzly man like Royce Risser,” Canaan responded. He sang the lilting, romantic “Stuck.” As he exited, Canaan shouted, “Thank you for my Number One this year, boys and girls,” referring to “Love You Like That.”
“All we ask is to show your love with airplay,” quipped Royce. He then dubbed Kacey Musgraves, “The Rhinestone Cowgirl.” She delivered the wistful, instantly catchy “Late to the Party” with aplomb. It’s on her Pageant Material CD/LP.
Next, Darius Rucker drew the day’s first standing ovation with the deeply emotional, heart-in-throat delivery of the ballad “I Sang.” People screamed and cheered wildly. “Wow,” said Royce.
Long, tall Jon Pardi was nicknamed Jon “The Bear” Pardi. He was effortlessly charming in delivering the fastest rising single of his career to date, the sublimely countryfied “Head Over Boots.”
Royce called Charles Kelley “Man Antebellum” and told us that the singer-songwriter is two weeks away from being a first-time father. Dierks Bentley and Eric Paslay joined Charles to sing their Grammy-nominated anthem “The Driver.” Performed with only acoustic guitars, this song sounded even more potent than its produced and released version. The audience sang its finale with gusto.
David Nail was dubbed David “Big Daddy” Nail, since he is the recent father of twins. “Get moving, radio: You know it’s a hit,” Royce admonished the crowd before David nailed (sorry, I couldn’t help it) his smoldering, intense ballad “Fighter.”
Royce called Dierks Bentley, “the pilot of perfection, the aviator of awesome,” which amused the star immensely. Dierks did his current single, the drawling, sassy “Somewhere on a Beach.”
Kip Moore was dubbed “Our Resident Surf Rat” by Royce. “There’s only one place that makes me nervous,” Kip told the audience. “And that is this place, in front of y’all. I know a lot of you guys. From the bottom of my heart, thank you so, so much.” Kip gave “Running for You,” a fiery, passionate, electrifying delivery. You’ll find it on Kip’s current Wild Ones collection.
“I call him flat-out sexy,” said Royce introducing Eric Paslay. The lanky singer-songwriter performed the upbeat “High Class” with wiggly, rubber-legged dance moves, which brought squeals and screeches from the ladies.
Nobody in history had won Male, Album and New Artist prizes at the CMA Awards until Chris Stapleton did so last fall. His wailing, hair-raising tenor filled the entire auditorium with its stark power as he stood with just an acoustic guitar and delivered “Either Way” (previously recorded by Lee Ann Womack, but not by him). Chris was rewarded with a loud standing ovation.
Poor 21-year-old youngster Lauren Alaina had to follow that. She shared, “My mom married my dad’s best friend. I grew up calling him Uncle Sam. Now he’s my stepdad. My dad married a 28-year-old and she’s super hot. So, go Dad.” Her song, “Doing Fine” is written with autobiographical lyrics referencing those events and set to a bopping beat.
Royce dubbed Eric Church, “Still the Chief.” The charismatic Eric went solo with his acoustic guitar to tear into his soulful ballad “Record Year.” It appears on his “surprise” album, Mr. Misunderstood, which not even his record label knew about last year.
Vince Gill was introduced as “this industry’s greatest ambassador.” He was awarded a standing ovation before he ever opened his mouth. He talked about his collaboration with Little Big Town on his new single “Take Me Down.” “We’re thinking of calling ourselves LBTVG. That could bring us an interesting new audience,” he joked. Alas, the group had to catch a plane and couldn’t perform with him.
“The label now calls me the AARP guy,” Vince continued. “I made my first record when I was a 17-year-old kid. Local radio played it, and it instilled something in me — hope.
“I have a new record coming, just like all of these knuckleheads. I ain’t quittin.’” He chose the Down to My Last Bad Habit album’s closing track, a slow country weeper in tribute to the late George Jones, “Sad One Comin’ On.” And his eloquence singing it brought him a second standing ovation.
“That’s my hero, right there,” said Royce.
Luke Bryan was next. The superstar sat at the piano to play and sing a lovely, lovely love song called “To the Moon and Back.” It appears on his current Kill the Lights album.
On Monday (Feb. 8), Keith Urban was announced as this year’s Country Radio Broadcasters Artist Humanitarian honoree. “It’s always amazing to play the Ryman,” said Keith as he took the stage. “It’s my favorite venue in all the world. It’s like playing inside of an acoustic guitar. I feel very, very blessed.” With just his own guitar accompaniment, he performed the rippling, sweetly melodic “Break On Me,” superbly.
At this exact time and on this exact show last year, Keith introduced “John Deere, John Cougar, John 3:16,” which went on to great glory. He strapped on his electric guitar to close the UMG concert with it, engaging the audience to sing along with abandon.
Leaving this great cornucopia of music with smiles on their faces were Jimmy Rector, Aaron Hartley, Joanna Carter, Sarah Skates, Brian Collins, David Freedman, Brandi Simms, Tom Lord, Troy Stephenson, Shane Allen and more than 2,000 other lucky souls.