Chuck Wicks
It’s high time we did some tidying up around here.
Several of these indie acts have been in the to-be-listened-to pile of platters for weeks. They’re usually pushed aside by major-label artists, but today they’re in the spotlight.
The Disc of the Day belongs to Chuck Wicks.
But the real news du jour is in the DisCovery Award department. We have three winners — a female, a male and a group. The female DisCovery is power voiced Jessie G. Our male winner is jaunty Tim Elliott. The group DisCovery is the sister act Southern Halo. Congratulations, one and all.
Southern Halo
DIANA UPTON HILL/Southern Gentlemen
Writers: Georgia Thomas Edgeworth/Robin Grant; Producer: Bryan White: Publishers: Moonlight Through the Pines/Saved By the Belle, ASCAP/BMI; Third Floor
– The drums are slamming in this rocked-out mix. Indeed, she’s almost drowned out by them. Her pert soprano checks off the states of Dixie in the choruses. Which is cute.
CHUCK WICKS/She’s Gone
Writers: Chuck Wicks/Brett Tyler/Jeffery East; Producers: Chuck Wicks/Andy Dodd; Publishers: none listed; Blaster (track)
– I like the open, quiet spaces in the production. They allow his voice to crack in all the right places and draw your attention to the spare, lonely lyric. The rising intensity in the sound is cool, too. Recommended.
WILL CARTER/I Don’t Know Why
Writers: Will Carter/Jude Dyllan; Producer: Jude Dyllan; Publishers: Will Carter/Jude Dyllan, BMI; WC
– He sings well. The song does nothing for me.
SMITH & WESLEY/Sweet Life
Writers: Scott Smith; Producer: Shane Hill; Publishers: Dream Walkin’, ASCAP; Garage Door
– Twin-guitar Southern rock with bro-country lyrics. It conspicuously lacks a melody.
Tim Elliott
CLARE DUNN/Tuxedo
Writers: Clare Dunn/Ben West/Brett James; Producers: Clare Dunn/Ben West; Publishers: BMG Gold/Leer Jet 87/BMG Platinum/For the Kids Platinum/Legitimate Effort/WB/Songs of Brett, BMI/ASCAP; MCA (CDX)
– Country quasi-rap in the verses. Big-voice choruses. The echo on her alto puts her right in your face. Inventive songwriting and innovative production touches.
TIM ELLIOTT/Boom
Writers: Tim Elliott/Bob Moffatt/Clint Moffatt/Chris Womack; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: Boggs River/Chase the Music/Reynsong, ASCAP/BMI; BRE (CDX)
– Very clever. He counts down the numbers until the lovin’ starts. The production burbles along at a percolating pace, and his voice has a youthful innocence. Endearing.
KELLEY SALLEE SNEAD/Always A Stranger
Writers: Snead/Frederick/Sallee Snead; Producers: Doak Snead/Tony Garber; Publisher: Doak Snead, BMI; KSS (track)
– Veteran songwriter Doak Snead’s wife has a form of Parkinson’s that has taken away her ability to sing. He and co-producer Tony Garber have compiled the best of her song demos, fully produced masters, work tapes and home recordings to make the album Roses & Tumbleweeds: A Retrospective. She is a fine vocalist, equally at home on ballads and uptempo fare. The CD is available on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon.
SOUTHERN HALO/Little White Dress
Writers: Natalie Morris/Cat Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producers: Cat Cravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: Southern Halo/Razor and Tie/Ink Pen Mama, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– This is a trio of singing sisters who harmonize like angels. The song is as catchy as all get out, with a solid backbeat, cool guitars and a wedding-day chorus to die for. Super listening.
Jessie G
JESSIE G/Drop A Line
Writers: Jessie Goergen/Joshua Withenshaw/Davis Branch; Producers: Gretchen Wilson/Jessie G; Publishers: Straight Off the Boat/Home Is a Time Not a Place, ASCAP/BMI; JG (track)
– Gretchen Wilson is behind the board for this minor-key, bluesy stomper. The singer has firepower to spare. A left-field winner.
RODEO GYPSY/Southern Proof
Writers: Bridgette Powell/Dustin Sciaraffo/Jonathan Robinson; Producer: Sam Tate; Publishers: Tuf Monkey, BMI/ASCAP; BAM (track)
– Rodeo Gypsy is a trio comprised of Bridgette Powell, Dustin Sciaraffo and Becca Cummins. Their debut outing is an acoustic ditty with stark bongo-dobro-guitar-bass accompaniment. The harmonies are dandy. The lyric is of the Dixie-proud variety. It might not be the most commercial thing I’ve ever heard, but it certainly is pleasant listening.
MusicRowLife: Holly Williams Welcomes Second Child
/by Jessica NicholsonPhoto: Twitter/Holly Williams
Holly Williams welcomed her second child, a daughter, with husband Chris Coleman on Tuesday, March 8.
Lillie Mae Louise Coleman weighed 6 lbs., 15 oz., and measured 20 inches long, and joins 17-month-old big sister Stella June.
Williams, a granddaughter of Hank Williams and the daughter of Hank Williams, Jr., also owns Nashville stores White’s Mercantile and H. Audrey. Williams and Coleman wed in 2009.
Industry Ink: Americana Music Association, Music City Tennis Invitational, Webster PR
/by Jessica NicholsonAmericana Music Association Earns Second Emmy Award
Pictured (clockwise from bottom left): Edie Lynn Hoback, Michelle Aquilato, Martin Fischer, and Jed Hilly. Photo: Sarah Como
High Five Entertainment, Executive Producer Martin Fischer, Executive Producer and Americana Music Association Executive Director Jed Hilly, and producers Michelle Aquilato and Edie Lynn Hoback recently won an Emmy® in the Entertainment category for their production of the 2014 Americana Honors & Awards at the 30th MidSouth Emmy® Awards. This marks their second Emmy award.
The Americana Honors & Awards program is the marquee event of the Americana Festival & Conference, which is put on by the Americana Music Association, a professional not-for-profit trade organization whose mission is to advocate for the authentic voice of American roots music around the world. Held at the Ryman Auditorium, there were 23 musical performances during the Americana Honors & Awards, which included Jackson Browne, Loretta Lynn, Jason Isbell, Taj Mahal, and rock royalty Robert Plant. Ten awards were handed out.
Music City Tennis Invitational 2016 Registration Open
Registration is open for the 43rd annual Music City Tennis Invitational 2016 presented by Jackson National Life Insurance Company, which will take place Saturday, April 23 and Sunday, April 24 at the Brownlee O. Currey Jr. Tennis Center at Vanderbilt University.
MCTI seeks tennis players of all levels who want to have fun, play tennis and raise money for children with developmental disabilities and their families. MCTI is the only fundraiser for the Center for Child Development at Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and provides funding for the center’s services not covered by medical insurance.
Participants can register online at vanderbilt.
The Music City Tennis Invitational is the longest-running music-related charity tennis tournament in the country. MCTI was established in 1973 by music publisher Wesley Rose of Acuff Rose Music, Helen Farmer of the American Cancer Society, and leaders in the music industry and business community. To date, MCTI has donated more than $1.5 million to the Center for Child Development.
Johnny Lee Signs With Webster PR
Johnny Lee. Photo: David Bailey
Johnny Lee, known for his chart-topper “Lookin’ For Love,” has joined Webster Public Relations for publicity representation. Lee, a Texas Hall of Fame member, is gearing up to release You Ain’t Never Been To Texas, his first studio album in 10 years.
Rounder Records Signs Jack Ingram
/by Jessica NicholsonJack Ingram
Singer-songwriter Jack Ingram has signed with Rounder Records.
Ingram recently recorded his debut project for the label, titled Midnight Motel. The album marks Ingram’s eighth studio project, and his first since 2009’s Big Drums & High Hopes. Midnight Motel will release in June, and was produced by Jon Randall.
Rounder Label Group COO Cliff O’Sullivan says, “Jack Ingram speaks from his heart, whether on a stage or in the studio. Midnight Motel is a return to the kind of raw songs and performances that made Jack fans from the early days of his career in Ft. Worth and all over Texas before becoming a nationally known artist in the past decade. We’re thrilled to have him join the Rounder Label Group family.”
Ingram will preview material from Midnight Motel at the South By Southwest Festival in Austin, Texas, next week. He has a handful of appearances in Nashville over the coming months, including a live taping of the tribute show The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson on March 16 at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena, and a writers round slot at Nashville’s Tin Pan South on April 6 at The Listening Room. Ingram will also headline a show at Nashville’s City Winery on March 28.
Grand Ole Opry-Themed Restaurant Coming To New York
/by Jessica NicholsonGrand Ole Opry stage. Photo: opry.com
The Big Apple will soon have a new country music-themed restaurant and live music space in New York City’s Times Square. Ryman Hospitality, which owns and operates the Grand Ole Opry, has plans to open the restaurant and music venue, with a design based on the famous Grand Ole Opry.
The multi-level space will offer a street-level shop featuring Nashville’s premier brands, two distinct entertainment spaces with a restaurant/bar and performance space and a showcase club for ticketed performances and special series. Live performances will be a key part of the overall experience, and video screens throughout will provide a backdrop with performances from the legendary Grand Ole Opry stage. On the menu will be Southern-inspired fare.
Colin Reed, chairman and chief executive officer of Ryman Hospitality Properties, said, “There’s no doubt that Nashville and the Grand Ole Opry are the homes of country music, but the genre’s incredible growth and mainstream appeal means that there are now lovers of country music all over the world. This venue will bring to Times Square and its nearly 40 million annual global visitors a rich country music heritage and an opportunity to experience the unique county music lifestyle.”
Reed continued, “This is also a significant step for our business. We have been saying for some time that we were exploring ways to leverage the incredible power and value of the Opry brand, and this represents just the first stage in our efforts to bring this strategy to fruition.”
“We are excited to launch this new endeavor in New York City and introduce the Opry experience to other parts of the country and the world,” said Steve Buchanan, president of Opry Entertainment Group. “By exposing an increasing number of people to the rich music and truly American cultural tradition of the Opry, we hope to drive even more visitors to Nashville.”
Additional details about the venue and the timeline for construction will be announced at a later date.
Sandbox Entertainment Adds John R. Cash Revocable Trust To Roster
/by Molly_HannulaSandbox Entertainment has added the John R. Cash Revocable Trust to its management/marketing roster in a partnership that will focus on strategic oversight and further brand development across all platforms for the legendary Cash name and its legacy.
“Johnny Cash has stood as one of the most enduring names in the entertainment business and we could not be more excited that Sandbox has been given an essential role in preserving and furthering the legacy of one of the most iconic artists of all time,” said Sandbox Entertainment President/CEO Jason Owen.
“Sandbox’s team understands how to keep Johnny Cash relevant and inspiring to his growing fan base. Cash’s artistic, poetic and prophetic legacy will thrive in Sandbox’s capable hands,” said Cathy Sullivan, Cash Trustee.
“My dad trusted Lou Robin to play an important role in the protection and promotion of the Cash brand, and I believe Dad would be gratified by Lou’s recommendation to turn that role over to Sandbox. Since my father’s passing in 2003, we have strove to maintain the same standard of business and morals as while he was alive. Josh and Jason pay careful attention to our needs and bring exciting new opportunities to assure the Cash legacy will endure and flourish,” added John Carter Cash.
“I’ve been working closely with the amazing Lou Robin for the past year to ensure we properly reflect the Cash history as we grow future fans,” said Sandbox’s Josh Matas.
Matas, via an existing business development arrangement, previously had been consulting on marketing and business initiatives for the Trust and will serve as manager moving forward.
Jennifer Nettles To Release BMLG Project May 13
/by Molly_HannulaJennifer Nettles will release her second solo studio album Playing With Fire on May 13 via Big Machine Records.
“I am so proud of this record,” expressed Nettles. “I can’t wait to share it with my fans and hear their reactions. It is a ton of sass and emotion and fun.”
Produced by Dann Huff (Keith Urban, Taylor Swift, Steven Tyler), the album was recorded in Nashville. The singer/songwriter collaborated with Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Jessie Jo Dillon and Lori McKenna on each of the album’s 11 tracks.
Nettles premiered the album’s lead single “Unlove You” last fall on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon.
Playing With Fire comes on the heels of a busy year’s end which saw Nettles embark on her headline Playing With Fire Tour, which hit 20+ cities with openers Brandy Clark and Ryan Kinder.
Nettles currently rules the road on the 30+ date CMT 2016 Next Women Of Country Tour across the US and Canada alongside Brandy Clark, Lindsay Ell and Tara Thompson. She will partner with Big Machine Records labelmate and legendary rockers Cheap Trick on the March 24 episode of CMT Crossroads and join the star-studded lineup for The Life & Songs of Kris Kristofferson on March 16.
Little Extra Music Signs Rob Snyder
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (back row, L-R): Karl Braun, attorney; Joe Scaife, Partner, Little Extra Music; Robert Filhart, ASCAP. (front row, L-R): Denise Nichols, attorney; Rob Snyder; Lisa Ramsey-Perkins, Partner, Little Extra Music.
Little Extra Music president Lisa Ramsey Perkins has announced the signing of Rob Snyder to a worldwide publishing agreement. The West Chester, Pennsylvania native is prepping his first album to be released later this year.
“I first met Rob Snyder through ASCAP’s GPS program and was immediately drawn to his voice and his presence,” said Ramsey Perkins. He has such an authentic sound; he’s a true country singer with a little soulful rock influence. I watched him grow through this mentoring program at ASCAP, and his songwriting just blew me away. I couldn’t wait to sign him to Little Extra Music.”
Snyder moved to Nashville in 2012. A year later, he launched the weekly “Revival 615” music series at the original Tin Roof venue in Nashville. With the moniker “Hank and Jesus are Watching,” “Revival” showcases some of country music’s most talented songwriters and musicians.
“When I began with meeting with Lisa, I was drawn to her honesty and work ethic,” said Snyder. “From before sun up (5 a.m. emails!) to well after sundown, Lisa is a worker. She tells it like it is and makes you want to be a better writer and more importantly, a better person. I’m very proud to be a member of the Little Extra Music team and fired up about the future!”
Dave Barnes To Play Ryman Auditorium, Release Ninth Studio Album
/by Troy_StephensonDave Barnes
Singer-songwriter Dave Barnes will release his ninth studio album Carry On, San Vicente on Friday, March 18. In support of the release, Barnes has announced a national tour that will begin on April 2 in Dallas, Texas. His stops will also include Austin, Charlotte, Denver, Washington D.C., and New York City, as well as a performance at Nashville’s Ryman Auditorium on July 23.
Barnes has written/co-written songs for artists including Hunter Hayes (“Young & In Love”), Tim McGraw (“Mary & Joseph”), Billy Currington (“Until You”), Terri Clark (“Don’t Start”), Ben Rector (“You and Me”), Kelly Clarkson, Marc Broussard, Matt Wertz, The Josh Abbott Band, Danielle Bradbery and Andrew Ripp. His songs have been featured in movies (Employee of the Month, My Super Ex-Girlfriend) and TV (ABC’s Brothers and Sisters, WB’s Summerland, CW’s Life Unexpected, Disney’s Suite Life On Deck, and Showtime’s Dexter, which also featured part of the music video).
DISClaimer: Chuck Wicks, Jessie G, Tim Elliott, Southern Halo Take Indie Spotlight
/by Robert K OermannChuck Wicks
It’s high time we did some tidying up around here.
Several of these indie acts have been in the to-be-listened-to pile of platters for weeks. They’re usually pushed aside by major-label artists, but today they’re in the spotlight.
The Disc of the Day belongs to Chuck Wicks.
But the real news du jour is in the DisCovery Award department. We have three winners — a female, a male and a group. The female DisCovery is power voiced Jessie G. Our male winner is jaunty Tim Elliott. The group DisCovery is the sister act Southern Halo. Congratulations, one and all.
Southern Halo
DIANA UPTON HILL/Southern Gentlemen
Writers: Georgia Thomas Edgeworth/Robin Grant; Producer: Bryan White: Publishers: Moonlight Through the Pines/Saved By the Belle, ASCAP/BMI; Third Floor
– The drums are slamming in this rocked-out mix. Indeed, she’s almost drowned out by them. Her pert soprano checks off the states of Dixie in the choruses. Which is cute.
CHUCK WICKS/She’s Gone
Writers: Chuck Wicks/Brett Tyler/Jeffery East; Producers: Chuck Wicks/Andy Dodd; Publishers: none listed; Blaster (track)
– I like the open, quiet spaces in the production. They allow his voice to crack in all the right places and draw your attention to the spare, lonely lyric. The rising intensity in the sound is cool, too. Recommended.
WILL CARTER/I Don’t Know Why
Writers: Will Carter/Jude Dyllan; Producer: Jude Dyllan; Publishers: Will Carter/Jude Dyllan, BMI; WC
– He sings well. The song does nothing for me.
SMITH & WESLEY/Sweet Life
Writers: Scott Smith; Producer: Shane Hill; Publishers: Dream Walkin’, ASCAP; Garage Door
– Twin-guitar Southern rock with bro-country lyrics. It conspicuously lacks a melody.
Tim Elliott
CLARE DUNN/Tuxedo
Writers: Clare Dunn/Ben West/Brett James; Producers: Clare Dunn/Ben West; Publishers: BMG Gold/Leer Jet 87/BMG Platinum/For the Kids Platinum/Legitimate Effort/WB/Songs of Brett, BMI/ASCAP; MCA (CDX)
– Country quasi-rap in the verses. Big-voice choruses. The echo on her alto puts her right in your face. Inventive songwriting and innovative production touches.
TIM ELLIOTT/Boom
Writers: Tim Elliott/Bob Moffatt/Clint Moffatt/Chris Womack; Producer: Kent Wells; Publishers: Boggs River/Chase the Music/Reynsong, ASCAP/BMI; BRE (CDX)
– Very clever. He counts down the numbers until the lovin’ starts. The production burbles along at a percolating pace, and his voice has a youthful innocence. Endearing.
KELLEY SALLEE SNEAD/Always A Stranger
Writers: Snead/Frederick/Sallee Snead; Producers: Doak Snead/Tony Garber; Publisher: Doak Snead, BMI; KSS (track)
– Veteran songwriter Doak Snead’s wife has a form of Parkinson’s that has taken away her ability to sing. He and co-producer Tony Garber have compiled the best of her song demos, fully produced masters, work tapes and home recordings to make the album Roses & Tumbleweeds: A Retrospective. She is a fine vocalist, equally at home on ballads and uptempo fare. The CD is available on iTunes, CDBaby and Amazon.
SOUTHERN HALO/Little White Dress
Writers: Natalie Morris/Cat Gravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Producers: Cat Cravitt/Gerald O’Brien; Publishers: Southern Halo/Razor and Tie/Ink Pen Mama, BMI/SESAC; Southern Halo
– This is a trio of singing sisters who harmonize like angels. The song is as catchy as all get out, with a solid backbeat, cool guitars and a wedding-day chorus to die for. Super listening.
Jessie G
JESSIE G/Drop A Line
Writers: Jessie Goergen/Joshua Withenshaw/Davis Branch; Producers: Gretchen Wilson/Jessie G; Publishers: Straight Off the Boat/Home Is a Time Not a Place, ASCAP/BMI; JG (track)
– Gretchen Wilson is behind the board for this minor-key, bluesy stomper. The singer has firepower to spare. A left-field winner.
RODEO GYPSY/Southern Proof
Writers: Bridgette Powell/Dustin Sciaraffo/Jonathan Robinson; Producer: Sam Tate; Publishers: Tuf Monkey, BMI/ASCAP; BAM (track)
– Rodeo Gypsy is a trio comprised of Bridgette Powell, Dustin Sciaraffo and Becca Cummins. Their debut outing is an acoustic ditty with stark bongo-dobro-guitar-bass accompaniment. The harmonies are dandy. The lyric is of the Dixie-proud variety. It might not be the most commercial thing I’ve ever heard, but it certainly is pleasant listening.
Nashville-Based Silverado Records Signs Nick Smith To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonNick Smith
Nashville-based independent label Silverado Records has signed its first artist, Nick Smith. Smith, originally from Enville, Tennessee, has been playing at local venues and building a solid fan base since 2010.
“Nick has an exciting and authentic sound, which we’re really looking forward to sharing with country music lovers,” said Silverado Records CEO Scott Thomas. “Nick is the real deal, from the country and small town America, but with big ideas and a killer work ethic. Nick was the rock-solid kind of artist we wanted to kick Silverado Records off with, and we can’t wait to get him out there to the fans.”
“We couldn’t be more excited to announce our signing of Nick, Silverado’s first!” said Silverado Records A&R Director Aaron Chesling. “His passion for this genre drives him to write and record songs that not only conveys who he is but what matters and what he truly believes in. There’s an authenticity about Nick you can’t shake once you’ve met him, and that kind of connection is what we’re working to create with country music fans.”
Smith added, “Silverado has given me a great opportunity to fulfill a lifelong dream. I couldn’t be more excited to represent country music with the team at Silverado. Let’s do this!”
Silverado Records was founded in late 2015 by Las Vegas-based Exegan Music Group, and is distributed digitally by The Orchard.