Carrie Underwood Sets Media Appearances For ‘Storyteller’ Release

Carrie Underwood Storyteller

Carrie Underwood is set to release her fifth studio album, Storyteller, tomorrow, Oct. 23. She will make multiple appearances in New York and Los Angeles before heading back to Nashville to co-host The 49th Annual CMA Awards on ABC with Brad Paisley on November 4.

Tomorrow, Underwood will headline a special outdoor performance on NBC’s Today, as part of their Citi Concert Series. On Tuesday, Oct. 27 she will chat and perform on The Ellen DeGeneres Show as well as make a guest chat appearance and an outdoor concert performance on ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live!

On Monday, November 2 Carrie will appear and perform as part of the pre-CMA Awards special, Countdown to the CMA Awards: Country’s Greatest Crossover Hits with Robin Roberts, on ABC. That same evening Carrie will make a special appearance on The Late, Late Show with James Corden on CBS. On Nov. 5, Carrie will appear on Lifetime’s Emmy-nominated Project Runway. She will join Emmy Award winners Heidi Klum and Tim Gunn along with Nina Garcia and Zac Posen as a guest judge for the season finale.

In addition to the Oct. 23 digital and CD release of Storyteller, a limited-edition version of the album will be released on 150-gram vinyl on Dec. 4. The vinyl edition will also include special etched artwork featuring Carrie’s name and the album name on one side of the two-LP set.

Storyteller was produced by Jay Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell with six of its 13 songs co-written by Carrie, including the first single, “Smoke Break.”

DISClaimer: Brett Eldredge, Backroad Anthem Offer Captivating New Music

brett-eldredge-drunk-on-your-love-single-cover-300x300Veterans and newcomers are in the mix this week, in equal portions.

Representing the first category are Jack Scott, T.G. Sheppard, George Jones and the enduringly awesome Don Henley.

New to the column are Mike & The Moonpies, AJ Kross, Alexandra Demetree and Backroad Anthem, all of whom show much promise. Backroad Anthem, a country band from Fayetteville, Arkansas, wins the DisCovery Award.

The Disc of the Day belongs to the red-hot Brett Eldredge.

BRETT ELDREDGE/Drunk on Your Love
Writers: Brett Eldredge/Ross Copperman; Producers: Copperman/Eldredge; Publishers: Sony-ATV Countryside/Paris Not France/EMI Blackwood/Ross Copperman, BMI; Atlantic
-I like the stacked vocal harmonies on the choruses very much. This instantly catchy thing is headed straight to the top. Take it to the bank.

ALEXANDRA DEMETREE/Outta My Head
Writers: Mark Oakley/Cherie Oakley; Producer: Bobby Huff; Publisher: MCRadio, ASCAP; SSM
-Nice work all around. The production is punchy and propulsive. The song is extremely well written. She sings like a bird in the sunshine. The key change in the bridge is super ear catching.

T.G. SHEPPARD & GEORGE JONES/It’s A Man Thing
Writers: Frank Solesby/Kelly Lang; Producer: Denny Diante; Publisher: Kelly Lang, BMI; Goldenlane (track)
-T.G.’s new CD is titled Legendary Friends & Country Duets. On it, the veteran hit maker teams up with Jerry Lee, the Oaks, Merle, Willie, Delbert, Crystal Gayle, Ricky Skaggs, Lorrie Morgan, B.J. Thomas, Mickey Gilley and even the late Conway Twitty and, here, George Jones. The departed Possum sounds surprisingly good with T.G. on this light hearted, charming ditty. Twangy, uptempo fun.

Backroad Anthem

Backroad Anthem

BACKROAD ANTHEM/Torn
Writers: Thomas Archer/Jay Brunswick/Josh Bryant/Tommy Cecil/Toby Freeman/Jody Stevens/Craig Strickland; Producers: Jody Stevens/Tommy Cecil; Publishers: HoriPro, BMG, Swat, Sony/ATV; BA (track)
-Very modern and electronic sounding. The track throbs with energy, and youthful voices ring on the ultra tuneful song. Imaginative, listenable, professional and extremely commercial. Somebody sign these guys.

MIKE & THE MOONPIES/Smoke ‘Em If You Got ‘Em
Writers: Mike Harmeler; Producers: Michael Kingcaid/Mike Harmeler; Publishers: none listed; BMI; MM (track)
-Breezy-easy, smooth country rock from the Lone Star State. Open-highway music, if a bit on the bland side.

DON HENLEY/Words Can Break Your Heart
Writers: Don Henley/Stan Lynch/Steuert Smith; Producers: Don Henley/Stan Lynch; Publishers: Wisteria/Warner-Tamerlane/Matanzas/Ratshoes/Granite, GMR/ASCAP; Capitol (track)
-The production is superbly pristine, with a heartbeat rhythm, sighing steel, chiming guitar work and echoey open spaces. The song sounds like a country classic. Henley’s vocal is, as always, a thing of perfect wonder. Goddess Trisha Yearwood shadows him in angelic harmony. You will not find a better recording on the market today than this legend’s Cass County. Buy it.

AJ KROSS/People Gonna Talk
Writers: none listed; Producers: Steffon Hmulack & Eric Torrez; Publishers: none listed; AJK
-He has a warm, inviting singing voice. The song is a solid, sturdy construction. The production builds beautifully around his performance. I like this a lot. Who is this guy?

JACK SCOTT/Tennessee Saturday Night
Writer: Billy Hughes; Producer: Olli Haavisto; Publisher: Unichappell, BMI; Blulight (track)
-You music nerds out there are going to be thrilled when I tell you that the great Jack Scott is back with his first new album in 50 years. Canada’s finest classic rock-and-roll stylist immortalized “My True Love,” “Burning Bridges,” “Leroy,” “The Way I Walk,” “Goodbye Baby,” “What In the World’s Come Over You” and more in 1958-61. Still touring on the rockabilly circuit, he went to Finland to record his Way to Survive comeback CD, which mainly consists of country chestnuts. He kicks it off with a snappy, rockabilly reworking of this 1948 Red Foley oldie. For a 79 year-old guy, he sounds pretty good.

BREELAN ANGEL/Nothing Cuts Like A Diamond
Writers: Julia Carlson/Courtney Dashe/Sarah Allison Turner; Producer: Trent Wilmon; Publishers: Red Vinyl/No Bull About It/Dixie Stars/True Bearing, BMI/ASCAP; MisBehavin’ (track)
-She tries to give the ballad a plaintive, heartbroken delivery. I was unmoved. There was something rather mannered and mechanical about it.

THE MAVERICKS/Pardon Me
Writers: Raul Malo/Alan Miller; Producers: Raul Malo/Niko Bolas; Publishers: Big Machine/Raul Malo/Miller’s Tale, BMI/ASCAP; Valory (track)
-This time out, the Mavs executive an echoey ballad of romantic anguish. Deep twang guitar and searing tenor vocals give it a glowing, simmering heat.

Industry Ink: SOURCE, Touring Career Workshop, Carrie Underwood and CMT

SOURCE Supports Second Harvest Food Bank

Members of SOURCE–an organization of women executives in Nashville’s music industry–spent Thursday evening, Oct. 15, preparing food boxes at Second Harvest Food Bank in Nashville to be distributed to those in need. The two-hour project resulted in 1,800 meals.

Pictured (L-R): Stacee McRea, and SOURCE Members Kari Barnhart, Karen Clark, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Denise Nichols, Leann Bennett, and Liz Morin.

Pictured (L-R): Stacee McRea, and SOURCE Members Kari Barnhart, Karen Clark, Erika Wollam-Nichols, Denise Nichols, Leann Bennett, and Liz Morin.

 

Registration Open For Touring Career Workshop

Screen Shot 2015-10-21 at 3.33.30 PMThis year’s Touring Career Workshop will take place on Nov. 11 at Soundcheck Nashville at 6 p.m. and registration is open now. The 2015 event will feature panels by touring industry heavyweights Pete Healey (production manager and co-designer for Luke Bryan’s “That’s My Kinda Night” tour), Mark Miles (promoter rep for Miranda Lambert), Carolyn Snell (tour manager for Reba), Sooner Routhier (production designer for Motley Crue, KISS, and Justin Moore) and more. Topics will include setting up a business, touring and health insurance options, social media and touring, and legal protection. To register, visit touringcareerworkshop.com

“Our lineup of sessions and speakers this year is probably the strongest that we have ever had,” says TCW co-founder Chris Lisle. “We are super excited at the content of this year’s program.”

Every year, the Touring Career Workshop benefits a local non-profit and this year TCW is partnering with Make-A-Wish® Middle Tennessee. TCW will be collecting donations and recruiting wish granters at this year’s event.

“The people that attend our workshop are known for their giving spirit, and we can think of no better non-profit to partner with that Make-A-Wish,” adds Lisle. “We very much look forward to partnering with them this year.”
 

Carrie Underwood Will Guest Host CMT Hot 20 Countdown

Cody Alan recently chatted with Carrie Underwood on location during her CMT Instant Jam show in Atlanta. Kicking off on Saturday (Oct. 24), Underwood will guest host CMT Hot 20 Countdown and the network will air encore performances of CMT Crossroads: Steven Tyler & Carrie Underwood and CMT Instant Jam. She will also be featured on CMT Radio platforms including CMT After MidNite with Cody Alan, CMT Radio Live with Cody Alan and CMT All Access. Underwood’s new album, Storyteller, will be released on Friday.

Pictured (L-R): Cody Alan, Carrie Underwood

Pictured (L-R): Cody Alan, Carrie Underwood

LANco Signs With Arista Nashville

 Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP/COO Ken Robold, A&R Director Taylor Lindsey, and A&R VP Jim Catino; LANco; and Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman; Hill Entertainment Group President Greg Hill; and Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Marketing Paul Barnabee. Photo: Darrin Dickerson


Pictured (L-R): Sony Music Nashville EVP/COO Ken Robold, A&R Director Taylor Lindsey, and A&R VP Jim Catino; LANco; and Sony Music Nashville EVP, Promotion & Artist Development Steve Hodges and Chairman & CEO Randy Goodman; Hill Entertainment Group President Greg Hill; and Sony Music Nashville Sr. VP Marketing Paul Barnabee.
Photo: Darrin Dickerson

Sony Music Nashville has signed five-person band LANco to the label group’s Arista Nashville imprint. The band was formerly known as Lancaster & Company, and includes members Brandon Lancaster, Tripp Howell, Eric Steedly, Jared Hampton, and Chandler Baldwin.

The band recently released an EP on Spotify, featuring the tracks “Trouble Maker,” “We Do,” “American Love Story,” and “High.”

The band has been working with Jay Joyce (Neon Cross), known for his work with Eric Church, Little Big Town, Cage the Elephant, Carrie Underwood and more.

Watch the band’s introduction video below.

YouTube video

YouTube To Launch Membership Service Oct. 28

youtubeYouTube will launch its membership service, YouTube Red, on Oct. 28. The service offers users video access without advertisements across all of YouTube, and also allows users to save videos to watch offline via phone or tablet, as well as the ability to play videos in the background.

The service will be available for $9.99 per month. YouTube Red works with Google Play Music, allowing users to subscribe to one and automatically get access to the other.

Additionally, YouTube will launch member-only access to new shows and movies, via YouTube Originals. A list of Originals content is available on YouTube’s official blog.

The content will be available on multiple devices and apps, including a new YouTube Music App that will be available soon.

Beginning Oct. 28, U.S. viewers can try YouTube Red free via a one-month trial.

YouTube video

Apple Music Retains 60 Percent of Trial Users

apple-music

Apple has retained 60 percent of trial users for its Apple Music streaming service, according to the tech giant’s leader Tim Cook, who spoke at the tech conference WSJDLive in California this Tuesday (October 20).

The streaming music service, which was introduced at the end of June, now has 15 million users with 6.5 million paying subscribers ($10 a month for individuals or $15 a month for families). Free trial periods began to expire at the end of September.

Spotify, a direct competitor to Apple Music, has 20 million subscribers included in its 75 million actively using the service.

AppleElectricCarAlso at the Wall Street Journal conference, Cook addressed rumors about Apple forging ahead to develop its own car. Currently, CarPlay integrates iOS music and Siri into certain car manufacturers but Cook expressed more interest in software than hardware. “We’ll see what [Apple does] in the future…When I look at the automobile, what I see is that software becomes an increasingly important part of the car of the future. You see that autonomous driving becomes much more important.”

Dixie Hall To Be Honored During CMHoF Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum

Dixie Hall

Dixie Hall

Dixie Hall will be honored during the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s ninth annual Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum, slated for Wednesday, Nov. 18, at 6:30 p.m.

The event will take place in the CMHoF’s Ford Theater.

Hall, who died on Jan. 16, 2015, was a songwriter, record label owner, publisher, and music journalist. An IBMA Distinguished Achievement Award honoree, Hall is the most-recorded female songwriter in bluegrass history. Additionally, she was creative partner to her husband of 46 years, Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall. Dixie also spearheaded the “Daughters of Bluegrass” projects, which highlighted the contributions of female performers and songwriters to the bluegrass genre.

The Louise Scruggs Memorial Forum will include interviews with colleagues, and live performances of songs penned by Hall. Those in attendance will include Sierra Hull, Rita Forrester (granddaughter of A.P. and Sara Carter), Carl Jackson, Chris Jones, Heather Berry-Mabe, and more.

Previous honorees are Denise Stiff, Liz Thiels, Mary Martin, Bonnie Garner, Sarah Trahern, Nancy Shapiro, Kay Clary, and Jo Walker-Meador.

The program is free and open to the public, but reservations are requested. Reservations can be made by emailing eventrsvp@countrymusichalloffame.org or by calling 615-416-2040. For more information about the event, visit countrymusichalloffame.org.

Chairman/CEO of UMG International Max Hole Steps Down

Max Hole. Photo: UMG

Max Hole. Photo: UMG

Universal Music Group (UMG) has announced Max Hole will be stepping down from his role as Chairman and Chief Executive of Universal Music Group International (UMGI), effective immediately. Following the departure, the company’s regional heads (for those regions outside the U.S.) will report directly to UMG Chairman and CEO, Lucian Grainge.

The resignation is a result of contracting encephalitis in January. He has suffered some memory loss and while he is making progress towards a recovery, a full resumption of his responsibilities is not possible at this time. Continuing involvement is being discussed at this time.

In making the announcement, Hole said, “I have loved working at Universal, the best record company in the world. Lucian is an extraordinary person, both an exceptional creative and business executive for whom I have great affection. We have known each other for a very, very long time and I’m so glad we remain friends. I love so many of my colleagues around the world that there are too many to name, but I’d like to mention my close friends Boyd Muir, Richard Constant, David Joseph, Frank Briegmann, Pascal Nègre, George Ash, Jesus Lopez and Andrew Kronfeld. Finally, there are our incredible artists, some I have been close to and some I have watched and loved from a distance. I wish our artists and Universal a hugely successful future.”

Grainge said, “Max Hole is one of the most talented and accomplished executives to have ever worked in the music business, with an undying passion for music. He has been one of our industry’s most effective champions, opening new markets and creating opportunities for artists and fans everywhere. Max’s contributions to Universal will be forever a part of the fabric of this company and our industry, and he leaves with our deepest gratitude and respect.”

Hole joined UMGI in 1998 as Senior Vice President, Marketing and A&R. In 2004, he was promoted to Executive Vice President and subsequently added responsibility for Digital, Strategic Marketing and Commercial Affairs, as well as Asia Pacific and Nordic/Central/Eastern Europe. He was appointed COO of UMGI in 2010 and in 2013 was appointed Chairman and CEO of UMGI.

Artist Updates: Craig Morgan, Reba, Restless Heart, Charlie Daniels, Gatlin Brothers

Pictured (L-R) Aly Beaird (Director of Creative Services, Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation), Kris Blount (Child Advocacy Center), Craig Morgan

Pictured (L-R) Aly Beaird (Director of Creative Services, Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation), Kris Blount (Child Advocacy Center), Craig Morgan

Craig Morgan Supports His Hometown

Craig Morgan hosted his ninth annual charity event over the weekend, with proceeds benefiting the Dickson County Craig Morgan Foundation. The festivities kicked off Saturday (Oct. 17) with a golf tournament at Greystone Golf Course, with Halfway to Hazard’s David Tolliver and former Buffalo Bills defensive end Chris Kelsay hitting the green with Morgan.

Singers Casi Joy, Janelle Arthur, Adam Sanders and Halfway to Hazard played the family-friendly festival before Morgan played a 70-minute full-band set for the crowd at Dickson’s War Memorial Lawn. During his set, Craig recognized the Child Advocacy Center’s Kris Blount with a $5,000 donation to support their work, serving at risk, abused and neglected children and their families.

 

Reba Delivers on NBC’s Best Night Ever

Reba on Best Night Ever With Neil Patrick Harris

Reba on Best Night Ever With Neil Patrick Harris

Reba appeared as the guest announcer on Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris last night (Oct. 20) on NBC.

She provided commentary through the show and introduced segments featuring actors Jesse Tyler Ferguson and Jane Krakowksi.

She also sang a few lines of Taylor Swift’s “I Knew You Were Trouble” in a choreographed saloon brawl. 

 

 

Restless Heart Enters Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame

Restless Heart's Greg Jennings speaks on behalf of the band as Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart and Dave Innis look on

Restless Heart’s Greg Jennings speaks on behalf of the band as Paul Gregg, Larry Stewart and Dave Innis look on

Restless Heart was formally inducted into the Oklahoma Music Hall of Fame in Muskogee on Oct. 16.  They personally accepted the honor and performed at the event. This year’s inductees also included Tim DuBois, who wrote hits like “The Bluest Eyes in Texas” and helped put the band together, and Scott Hendricks, who produced the band’s music in the 1980s. Restless Heart’s Paul Gregg, Dave Innis and Greg Jennings are all Oklahoma natives.

“One of the coolest things that has ever happened to the band… especially for Greg, Dave and I,” says Paul Gregg.  “Very happy, very proud and very humble all around.”

 

Charlie Daniels Turns Birthday Bash Into Military Benefit

Charlie Daniels

Charlie Daniels is selling tickets to his 79th birthday bash, with proceeds benefiting The Journey Home Project.

Daniels co-founded the non-profit organization to assist veterans and their families in meeting their financial, educational and healthcare needs as they make their integration back into civilian life.

Chris Young and newcomer Ryan Weaver are scheduled to perform at the event.

To purchase tickets, contact Paige Dixon at (615) 742-3193 or pdixon@thepalm.com

 

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers Prepare Gospel Album

Larry Gatlin & The Gatlin Brothers will celebrate their 60 years of singing together with a new album, The Gospel According to Gatlin.

Scheduled for a Nov. 6 release on Curb Records, it’s the trio’s first new album in seven years. The 11-song set, which was produced by the Gatlins, includes new gospel songs written or co-written by Larry Gatlin. Guests include Charlie Daniels and Gaither Vocal Band.

In addition, Larry Gatlin and Billy Dean co-wrote the album’s closing track, “An American With a Remington.”

Artist Pics: Luke Bryan, Chris Janson, Cam, The Black Lillies, SoundHarvest

Farm Tour Party

Chris Janson and Dallas Davidson joined Luke Bryan during his Farm Tour stop in Knoxville, Tenn. Janson brought along his son, Jesse.

Pictured (L-R): Chris' son, Jesse, Chris Janson, Luke Bryan, and Dallas Davidson.

Pictured (L-R): Jesse Janson, Chris Janson, Luke Bryan, and Dallas Davidson.

 

Cam Plays a “House” Party in the  Backyard

Arista Nashville’s Cam brought her “Burning House” and other songs to a lucky winner’s backyard recently for WMIL / FM 106.1 Milwaukee’s YourFest Promotion.

Pictured (L-R):  Arista Nashville’s Andy Elliott, Macey Wolfe (daughter of Kerry), Cam, and WMIL PD Kerry Wolfe.

Pictured (L-R): Arista Nashville’s Andy Elliott, Macey Wolfe (daughter of Kerry), Cam, and WMIL PD Kerry Wolfe.

 

The Black Lillies Celebrate Nashville Show

The Black Lillies performed at Nashville’s 3rd & Lindsley on Sunday, Oct. 18. Among those attending were Americana Music Association’s Jed Hilly, Lightning 100’s Ana Lee, and Attack Monkey Productions’ Chyna R. Brackeen.

Pictured (L-R): Jed Hilly, Exec. Dir. of Americana Music Association; Bowman Townsend and Trisha Gene Brady, The Black Lillies; Ana Lee, Lightning 100; Cruz Contreras, Jonathan Keeney, Mike Seal and Sam Quinn, The Black Lillies; Chyna R. Brackeen, President of Attack Monkey Productions. Photo: Shore Fire Media 

Pictured (L-R): Jed Hilly, Exec. Dir. of Americana Music Association; Bowman Townsend and Trisha Gene Brady, The Black Lillies; Ana Lee, Lightning 100; Cruz Contreras, Jonathan Keeney, Mike Seal and Sam Quinn, The Black Lillies; Chyna R. Brackeen, President of Attack Monkey Productions. Photo: Shore Fire Media

 

SoundHarvest Comes To Nashville

SoundHarvest Music Festival brought several artists to Music City’s Centennial Park on Sat., Oct. 17. The Flaming Lips closed out the 12-hour festival with streamers, balloons and more during their show.

Other performers included The Weeks, Goodbye June, Benjamin Booker, and more.

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. Photo: Getty Images.

Wayne Coyne of The Flaming Lips. Photo: Getty Images.