Tommy Overstreet
Singer, songwriter and former Music Row executive Tommy Overstreet passed away on Nov. 2 at his home in Hillsboro, Oregon.
He performed his final show two years ago, and his health deteriorated thereafter. He began home hospice care about a month ago and died from complications relating to emphysema at age 78.
Overstreet enjoyed a run of success on the Billboard country charts during the 1970s. His Top 10 hits included “Gwen (Congratulations)” (1971), “I Don’t Know You (Anymore)” (1971), “Ann (Don’t Go Runnin’)” (1972), “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love” (1972), “Send Me No Roses” (1973), “I’ll Never Break These Chains” (1973), “(Jeannie Marie) You Were a Lady” (1974), “If I Miss You Again Tonight” (1974), “I’m a Believer” (1975), “That’s When My Woman Begins” (1975) and “Don’t Go City Girl On Me” (1977). He was a frequent guest on the national TV show Hee Haw.
Born in Oklahoma City in 1937, Tommy Overstreet was the cousin of 1920s pop superstar Gene Austin, whose million-sellers included “My Blue Heaven,” “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue,” “Ramona” “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “Tonight You Belong to Me.” Overstreet always cited Austin as a major influence.
He rose to singing prominence as a teenager in Texas. Overstreet appeared regularly on Houston television in the early 1960s on a show called Kitchen Canteen. He also appeared in a Houston musical titled Hit the Road.
Overstreet attended the University of Texas in Abilene, studying radio and TV production. He appeared on local radio and television stations there as “Tommy Dean From Abilene.” During summer months, he toured with cousin Gene Austin, learning to be a show-business professional.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Overstreet moved to Los Angeles to write songs and record pop music. Returning to Texas, he worked with Slim Willet, of “Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes” fame, then formed his own band in the mid 1960s.
Overstreet came to Nashville in 1967. He became the manager of the Dot Records office that year. His hits for the label led to popularity overseas, as well as in the U.S. During his hit-making days, he did more than 30 international tours. The International Rodeo Association named him its Entertainer of the Year in 1979, 1980 and 1982.
When Dot merged with ABC in 1974, Overstreet left as an executive but remained as an artist for the company. He moved to Elektra Records in 1979. He subsequently recorded for the AMI, Gervasi, Silver Dollar and Madacy labels.
With his band The Nashville Express, the star logged more than a million miles on his tour bus, driving it himself during his early years. Overstreet moved to Branson, Missouri in 1985. He opened a restaurant and became a headliner in the tourism mecca.
Between 1969 and 1986, Overstreet placed 34 singles on the Billboard charts. In addition to the hits listed above, notable recorded performances included “If Love Was a Bottle of Wine” (1977), “Yes Ma’am” (1978), “Fadin’ In, Fadin’ Out” (1978), “This Time I’m In It For the Love” (1977), “What More Could a Man Need” (1979) and a cover of the Gary Puckett pop hit “Young Girl” (1976).
Overstreet was noted for his mellow baritone, good looks, distinctive white hair, snappy attire and optimistic personality. He recorded more than 25 albums, authored a memoir and co-wrote a children’s book. His songs were recorded by Tony Booth, Pat Boone, Tequila Sunrise and Tommy Cash, among others.
Tommy Overstreet moved to Hillsboro, Oregon in 2001 to be near his wife’s parents.
He is survived by wife Diane and daughters Ariel, Amber and Lisa. His son and road manager, Thomas, died in an accident in 1986.
A memorial service will take place on Sun., Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Nashville School Among Semifinalists for Grammy Recognition, Funding
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Grammy Signature Schools program was started in 1998, and recognizes top U.S. public high schools that make an outstanding commitment to music education. In mid-March 2016, the foundation will announce the finalists for the Grammy Signature Schools program.
Each of the Grammy Signature Schools finalists will receive a custom award and monetary gift ranging from $1000 to $6000 benefit their music programs. The top programs are designated as Gold recipients, while the best program of the Gold recipients is named as the National Grammy Signature School. For economically underserved schools, the Grammy Foundation has also established the Enterprise Award, recognizing the efforts these schools have made in music education.
The Grammy Signature Schools program has been created through the support of Converse, Ford Motor Company Fund, Hot Topic Foundation, Journeys, Les Paul Foundation and RBC Foundation USA.
The Grammy Foundation has also established the Grammy Signature Schools Community Award, an extension of the Grammy Signature Schools program. Through a partnership with Converse, the Hot Topic Foundation, Journeys, Les Paul Foundation, Brookfield Properties and the RBC Foundation USA, the Grammy Foundation identifies deserving public high school music programs to receive the award and a $2,000 grant. To date, 500 awards totaling approximately $1 million in grants have been distributed to high school music programs.
“From our perspective, many public high schools across the country provide top notch music education programs for their students—often working with very limited financial means,” said Neil Portnow, President/CEO of The Recording Academy and the Grammy Foundation. “Our Grammy Signature Schools program steps in to augment those resources with cash grants, and to celebrate the excellence of these programs and the beneficial and lasting effects of a music curriculum in the lives of young people. We are especially excited to celebrate a landmark in our Grammy Signature Schools Community Award program, which has awarded its 500th grant since the initiative began in 2010.”
For a full list of semifinalist schools, visit grammyintheschools.com.
Industry Ink: Fusion Music, ole, Rounder Label Group, Integrity Music
/by Jessica NicholsonDaniel Miller
Fusion Music Gets New Address
Fusion Music’s staff has moved into the Red Light Management office. The new address for Fusion Music is 1101 McGavock Street, Ste. 300, Nashville, TN 37203. Fusion Music’s Daniel Miller has updated his phone number to (615) 279-3784. Email address remains the same.
ole Acquires Anthem Entertainment Group, Launches Label Services
The deal adds to ole’s earlier acquisitions of Core Music Publishing (Rush) and Mark Cain (Max Webster), and comprises of all the legacy audio and A/V recordings of Rush and other Anthem artists, including the chart-topping new release Secrets by Ian Thornley, Steven Page’s upcoming solo album, and the upcoming live album and concert film from the Rush R40 Tour. Andy Curran, longtime A&R director at Anthem, joins ole as General Manager Label Services/A&R, together with Tyler Tasson as Manager, Label Services.
Rounder Label Group Adds Project & Partnership Marketing Manager
Brad Chelstrom
Brad Chelstrom has joined the Rounder Label Group as Project & Partnership Marketing Manager. Chelstrom joins the company from Universal Music Group Distribution where he held several positions throughout his 16-year tenure there including his most recent role as Director of Partnership Marketing.
Previously, Chelstrom supervised UMGD’s label artist development field staff and prior to that headed UMGD’s College & Lifestyle Marketing Department. He gained early music business experience as an Artist Development Field Rep himself and started his career as a UMGD College Rep while attending McNally Smith College of Music in Minneapolis.
Cliff O’Sullivan, Rounder Label Group COO says, “We’re delighted to have Brad join the Rounder Label Group marketing team. He brings a wealth of experience in distribution marketing and partnerships to the company.”
Integrity Music Signs Seth & Nirva
Nirva is a backing vocalist in TobyMac’s Diverse City Band, while Seth has served as a backing vocalist for Kirk Franklin, Chris Tomlin, and others.
CMHoF Displays Gary Allan Items
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (front L-R): Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Ali Tonn, Carolyn Tate. (Back L-R): John Lytle, Lytle Management Group; Gary Allan; and Kyle Young, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum.
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is currently displaying platinum-selling recording artist Gary Allan‘s 1948 Gibson J200 acoustic guitar, three of his leather-bound songbooks, and his favorite John Lennon edition Mont Blanc writing pen. Allan’s items can be seen on display in the Taylor Swift Education Center.
“Some kids may think they need a computer or instruments to get started,” Allan said to the Associated Press. “I want kids out there to know that all you really need to write a song is a pen, a piece of paper and a little creativity. Songwriting is a great outlet. It can be a wonderful form of creative expression, it can be therapeutic and it’s fun!”
Allan’s songbooks on display contains his No. 1 “Every Storm (Runs Out Of Rain),” handwritten pieces including framed handwritten lyrics to Allan’s favorite song he has written, “Puttin’ Memories Away.”
“Music education sits at the core of our mission at the Museum,” said Ali Tonn, the Museum’s Director of Education and Public Programming. “We host hundreds of education programs in our Taylor Swift Education Center each year, and songwriting is at the heart of our flagship program Words & Music. We’re thrilled to be able to feature artifacts Gary Allan used to craft so many of his hits and hope that this installation will inspire and encourage young, budding songwriters.”
LifeNotes: Country Singer Tommy Overstreet Passes
/by Robert K OermannTommy Overstreet
Singer, songwriter and former Music Row executive Tommy Overstreet passed away on Nov. 2 at his home in Hillsboro, Oregon.
He performed his final show two years ago, and his health deteriorated thereafter. He began home hospice care about a month ago and died from complications relating to emphysema at age 78.
Overstreet enjoyed a run of success on the Billboard country charts during the 1970s. His Top 10 hits included “Gwen (Congratulations)” (1971), “I Don’t Know You (Anymore)” (1971), “Ann (Don’t Go Runnin’)” (1972), “Heaven Is My Woman’s Love” (1972), “Send Me No Roses” (1973), “I’ll Never Break These Chains” (1973), “(Jeannie Marie) You Were a Lady” (1974), “If I Miss You Again Tonight” (1974), “I’m a Believer” (1975), “That’s When My Woman Begins” (1975) and “Don’t Go City Girl On Me” (1977). He was a frequent guest on the national TV show Hee Haw.
Born in Oklahoma City in 1937, Tommy Overstreet was the cousin of 1920s pop superstar Gene Austin, whose million-sellers included “My Blue Heaven,” “Five Foot Two, Eyes of Blue,” “Ramona” “Bye, Bye Blackbird” and “Tonight You Belong to Me.” Overstreet always cited Austin as a major influence.
He rose to singing prominence as a teenager in Texas. Overstreet appeared regularly on Houston television in the early 1960s on a show called Kitchen Canteen. He also appeared in a Houston musical titled Hit the Road.
Overstreet attended the University of Texas in Abilene, studying radio and TV production. He appeared on local radio and television stations there as “Tommy Dean From Abilene.” During summer months, he toured with cousin Gene Austin, learning to be a show-business professional.
After serving in the U.S. Army, Overstreet moved to Los Angeles to write songs and record pop music. Returning to Texas, he worked with Slim Willet, of “Don’t Let the Stars Get In Your Eyes” fame, then formed his own band in the mid 1960s.
Overstreet came to Nashville in 1967. He became the manager of the Dot Records office that year. His hits for the label led to popularity overseas, as well as in the U.S. During his hit-making days, he did more than 30 international tours. The International Rodeo Association named him its Entertainer of the Year in 1979, 1980 and 1982.
When Dot merged with ABC in 1974, Overstreet left as an executive but remained as an artist for the company. He moved to Elektra Records in 1979. He subsequently recorded for the AMI, Gervasi, Silver Dollar and Madacy labels.
With his band The Nashville Express, the star logged more than a million miles on his tour bus, driving it himself during his early years. Overstreet moved to Branson, Missouri in 1985. He opened a restaurant and became a headliner in the tourism mecca.
Between 1969 and 1986, Overstreet placed 34 singles on the Billboard charts. In addition to the hits listed above, notable recorded performances included “If Love Was a Bottle of Wine” (1977), “Yes Ma’am” (1978), “Fadin’ In, Fadin’ Out” (1978), “This Time I’m In It For the Love” (1977), “What More Could a Man Need” (1979) and a cover of the Gary Puckett pop hit “Young Girl” (1976).
Overstreet was noted for his mellow baritone, good looks, distinctive white hair, snappy attire and optimistic personality. He recorded more than 25 albums, authored a memoir and co-wrote a children’s book. His songs were recorded by Tony Booth, Pat Boone, Tequila Sunrise and Tommy Cash, among others.
Tommy Overstreet moved to Hillsboro, Oregon in 2001 to be near his wife’s parents.
He is survived by wife Diane and daughters Ariel, Amber and Lisa. His son and road manager, Thomas, died in an accident in 1986.
A memorial service will take place on Sun., Nov. 22, at 3 p.m. at Evergreen Christian Center in Hillsboro, Oregon.
Artist Updates: The Band Perry, Wynonna; Sam Hunt, Grammy Amplifier; We Fest; Dallas Smith
/by Eric T. ParkerNapa Festival Features The Band Perry, Wynonna & The Big Noise
The Band Perry. Photo: PHOCO/Live In The Vineyard
The Band Perry surprised VIP guests at the 16th music/food/wine festival Live In The Vineyard in Napa, Calif., on Saturday, Nov. 7 with a performance at Phifer Pavitt Wine where they previewed new music from their upcoming album. In addition, Wynonna & The Big Noise kicked off the festival on Friday, Nov. 6, at Farmstead at Long Meadow Ranch. The band’s self-titled debut is set for release Feb. 12 on Curb Records.
Wynonna performs with The Big Noise. Photo: Steve Jennings
Grammy Amplifier Program Includes Sam Hunt As Curator
Hyundai and The Recording Academy have announced the fourth annual Grammy Amplifier Program is now accepting submissions through Dec. 16 from artists seeking to further their musical careers.
Three 2016 winners will be selected by Amplifier curators: Sam Hunt, Big Sean, and Lzzy Hale. Entrants’ friends, family and fans can listen and “amplify” tracks to generate plays and social media points through on Dec. 16 in hopes of making the 25 most “amplified” artists. Those semifinalists will continue gathering “amplifications” through Jan. 4 when the t0p 10 will be flown to Los Angeles to participate in a Music Business Immersion Day to educate them on social media promotion, copyrights, and publishing, among other topics. The final three winners will be selected by the curators and announced during Grammy Week in February, each to receive one of three prize packages: a studio recording session with a Grammy-winning producer; an opening slot for a noted artist and/or a series of festival shows; or the filming of a music video with a celebrated director.
WE Fest’s Minnesota Festival Adds Lee Brice, More Artists
WE Fest 2016 tickets are available with three-day general admission tickets starting at $139; reserve tickets start at $140; and VIP tickets start at $700. Camping options and more info is available at wefest.com, 800-493-3378.
Dallas Smith Debuts Video with Guns N’ Roses Director
Blaster Records/Big Loud Mountain recording artist Dallas Smith premiered his “Kids With Cars” music video yesterday (Nov. 10) with a 24-hour exclusive on CMT. The project was directed by filmmaker Nigel Dick (Guns N’ Roses’ “Sweet Child O’ Mine,” “Welcome To The Jungle”; Britney Spears’ “Baby One More Time”).
“Kids With Cars” is the title and lead single from Smith’s EP. On the road, Smith will head out for two weeks on the road with dates on his own and with Keith Anderson and Eli Young Band.
Pat Collins Named Vice Chairman, SESAC
/by Jessica NicholsonPat Collins
Pat Collins has been named Vice Chairman of SESAC effective April 1, 2016, MusicRow has learned exclusively. Collins, who currently serves as President and CEO of SESAC Performing Rights, will now begin to transition to his new role as a Senior Advisor to the Company and Vice Chairman. John Josephson, Chairman and CEO of SESAC, made the announcement.
“My 20+ years with SESAC have been enormously rewarding,” said Collins. “Having added Rumblefish and the Harry Fox Agency to our portfolio, SESAC is well positioned to deliver services across multiple rights categories and to bring unprecedented efficiencies to the licensing, collection and distribution processes for music royalties. I look forward to this phase of my professional and personal plan unfolding and am most grateful and appreciative to my colleagues at SESAC for including me in their amazing story of success.”
Executive Vice President Kelli Turner’s responsibilities will be expanded to include oversight of Licensing and Royalty Distribution and Research Services in addition to Finance, Corporate Development, Human Resources and Information Technology. Executive Vice President Dennis Lord’s responsibilities will be expanded to include Creative as well as Business Affairs. In addition, Christos Badavas, currently Associate General Counsel at HFA, will be moving to a corporate role at SESAC as Senior Vice President and Associate General Counsel. Turner, Lord and Badavas will report directly to Josephson, as will SESAC’s Rumblefish business unit, SESAC International and the Company’s Corporate Relations department.
“I am excited that Pat is taking on this new leadership position at SESAC,” Josephson said. “Pat’s ongoing role as Vice Chairman and Senior Advisor will allow him to contribute his many years of senior management experience and expansive knowledge of music licensing to inform and direct corporate goals and strategies for SESAC’s continued benefit.”
During Collins’ tenure as President and CEO, the company has signed the catalogs of a number of the biggest names in music, including Mariah Carey, Green Day, Zac Brown, Nikki Sixx, Robert Johnson, Charli XCX, George Clinton and Kesha and others.
In 2009, Collins was honored with the 2009 Sage Award during the Nashville Area Chamber of Commerce and Young Professionals Third Annual Nashville Emerging Leader Awards. The award is given to a top Nashville leader who has made an impact on the city’s young professional demographic. Collins is a past president of Nashville’s Leadership Music as well as a former member of the Leadership Music Board, Country Music Association Board, and YMCA Board. He is involved with numerous music business management initiatives and legislative matters regarding intellectual property. Collins is a graduate of the prestigious Leadership Nashville program.
CMT Artists Of The Year Honorees Announced
/by Troy_StephensonCMT announced today the top country artists that will be honored during the 6th annual “CMT Artists of the Year” special that will premiere live on CMT from Nashville’s Schermerhorn Symphony Center, on Wednesday, December 2 at 8 p.m. ET/PT.
This year’s list includes Blake Shelton, Florida Georgia Line, Little Big Town, Luke Bryan, and Sam Hunt.
Florida Georgia Line and Luke Bryan are returning for another year of being honored while Shelton, Hunt, and Little Big Town are receiving the honor for the first time.
The 90-minute special will feature live performances, tributes, and toasts from stars of music, film, and television. It is executive produced by Switched On Entertainment’s John Hamlin. Jayson Dinsmore and Margaret Comeaux serve as executive producers for CMT.
[Updated]: LifeNotes: Charlie Dick, Patsy Cline’s Widower, Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonVisitation will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 11 from 4 p.m. – 7:30 p.m., at Anderson & Garrett Funeral Home, and again on Thursday, Nov. 12 from 10 a.m. until the time of service at 11 o’clock, at First Baptist Church Joelton.
Additional visitation and services are being planned in his hometown of Winchester, VA., and those arrangements will be handled by Jones Funeral Home.
In lieu of flowers, donations can be made to R.O.P.E.
[Original, Nov. 9, 2015 at 11:13 a.m.]:
Charlie Dick, widower of country legend Patsy Cline, died Sunday, Nov. 8. He was 81.
The two wed in 1957, and were together until Cline’s death in an airplane crash in 1963. After Cline’s death, Dick worked at labels including Starday Records and MCA Records throughout the 1960s and 1970s. He was often involved in handling reissues and compilations of Cline’s music.
HBO Pictures produced Sweet Dreams in 1985, with Jessica Lange in the role of Patsy Cline and Ed Harris in the role of Charlie Dick. Charlie Dick disagreed with how the couple’s marriage was portrayed in Sweet Dreams, and began a campaign to set the record straight. He partnered with Hallway Productions to produce a pair of documentaries on Cline’s life: The Real Patsy Cline and Remembering Patsy. He became more involved with Hallway Productions during the 1990s, helping create similar documentaries about Willie Nelson and Ernest Tubb. In 1997, he aided in the release of Patsy Cline: Live at the Cimarron Ballroom, recorded at a concert from July 1961 in Tulsa, Okla.
Most recently, Dick helped approve the deal for a partnership between the Estate of Patsy Cline and Hologram USA to develop a hologram of Patsy Cline, using HUSA’s technology. The Patsy Cline hologram will be the center of a full concert experience, set to launch in 2016.
ASCAP’s Online Database Now Includes Licensable Share Information
/by Jessica NicholsonThe updates will support ASCAP’s request to the U.S. Department of Justice for its members to have more flexibility in their ability to withdraw certain digital rights from the ASCAP repertory by providing a more complete and transparent picture of the intellectual property rights represented by ASCAP.
“Songwriters and composers depend upon ASCAP to support themselves and their families. If public performance rights societies are going to survive and thrive in a global music economy driven by data, then we must be willing to be fully transparent regarding what shares of songs we are licensing,” said ASCAP CEO Elizabeth Matthews. “ASCAP is willing to lead the fight for greater transparency in this sector to support fair market value payments to our songwriter and publisher members and we urge other stakeholders to follow suit. “
Bryan White To Headline Journey Beyond The Music
/by Jessica NicholsonBryan White
Singer-songwriter Bryan White is slated to headline Journey Beyond The Music, a benefit concert for Possibilities, Inc. The performance will take place at The Listening Room Cafe in Nashville on Nov. 18.
White garnered six No.1 singles, two platinum records, and two gold records. He also teamed with Shania Twain for the hit “From This Moment On.”
White’s last chart-topper came in 1997. After more than a decade of disappearing from the music industry and now empowered with a newfound emotional freedom he discovered during his time at Onsite, White returns with a brand new story to tell.
When asked how his life has changed during his break from the industry, White says, “I found my true identity, not only as an artist and a songwriter, but as a human being. I realize now that life is an incredible gift and it’s meant to be lived on purpose and outwardly. Music is a gift and a great vehicle but it’s really about what happens beyond the music for me. What kind of legacy did I leave as a husband, as a father, and a friend?”
Possibilities Inc. is a Nashville-based non-profit that provides funding to aid healing for individuals, couples, and families that struggle from the effects of trauma, abuse, stress, mental health and relationship issues. Possibilities Inc. works with another Nashville-based company, Onsite, to provide scholarships to participants.
Tickets for Journey Beyond the Music are available at onsiteworkshops.com/live.