Mississippi native and Berklee College of Music graduate Charlie Worsham has been in the studio, prepping for his sophomore album for Warner Bros. Records.
MusicRow caught up with the triple-threat singer, songwriter and guitarist to discuss digital music, international touring, and other topics.
To read more, pick up your Publisher Issue print magazine available for purchase online for $30, and included with yearly subscriptions.
On songwriting with Ryan Tyndell:
I feel as if he and I are just now hitting our stride. If it’s your best friend, you don’t necessarily have that pressure to finish a song that day, because its not going to be six months before you can get back in a room together.
I think it is a really tough time to be a staff writer in Nashville. Obviously there’s not a lot of money, unless you get the single. Therefore, there is a lot of pressure on every staff writer’s back to deliver a single and that’s not an easy set of marching orders.
On Writing For His Debut Album, 2013’s Rubberband:
I’m so proud of that first record and the songs on it. That record was written and recorded over time, which was a completely different experience than the one I’m in the middle of now, partly because we made about half of the [first] record before I had record deal with Warner Bros.
There were two separate sessions at Omni and we cut four or five songs in each of those sessions. Then we plugged acoustics into amps and we put strange mic ideas around the sound, and we tinkered with it a lot. I got a record deal and the budget became easier to work with. We had three days at RCA Studio A and we were a little bit drunk with opportunity, I guess.
All of this happened over the course of a few years, so my life was a bit of a roller coaster then, just in terms of learning about record label marketing and promotion. It was a lot to take in at once.
On Spotify:
I know Spotify is a hot topic, but I am a fan of Spotify. I pay for premium and would gladly pay more. I think that’s where it’s going and where I hope it goes. I had Napster for a couple of years. People love music and they are going to go where they can find music. It is not about whether they are having to pay for it or not, so much as what makes the most sense for a music fan. If I remember correctly with Napster you could make your own playlist and burn CDs. Then iTunes came along and it was the perfect platform in that time and place and I miss the old iTunes. Sorry, Apple, I do.
I think at the end of the day, we want our music. I’ve read as much as I can on it. I do think Spotify is trying. I don’t think they completely grasp the difficult situation songwriters and publishers are in and they need to. I look to NSAI and other organizations who do great work for us and our future. It’s this great experiment we’re all in right now and for me, I have three playlists I’m updating all the time.
When they listen to my playlists of those 20 songs, it’s a chance for me to be one cog in the tastemaker gatekeeper wheel. And that’s where I think we are going. And I challenge my fellow artists, and anyone who has an audience, to look at Spotify and their presence on it as a chance to be a gatekeeper and tastemaker of tomorrow. You can totally fight for music you love by giving it a push. And that’s an Instagram thing, a Spotify thing, it’s calling your buddy … it’s my soapbox right now. If we lead with the music, the rest will fall into place. Leave it to the lawyers and politicians. We are never going to compete with the lobbyists on the other side who have armies of lawyers and money, but we have the music and they don’t.
On His Upcoming Acoustic Tour of the UK in November:
I’ve been working on running my acoustic through a small amplifier with a loop pedal, and last night I tried the same approach with an electric — I’ve opened Pandora’s box. It’s a great way to break down songs I’m in the middle of writing or change up the dynamic of older songs. I’m very excited to try that on a stage on the other side of the ocean.
My mom was a teacher, and she felt that travel equals education. I’ve been to England half a dozen times and spent a summer at Cambridge University. It’s an inspiring place. It’s also where I had Indian food for the first time, and I ordered it 5 hot. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Charlie Worsham
Brad Paisley Adds Winter Dates To ‘Crushin’ It’ World Tour
/by Troy_StephensonBrad Paisley
Brad Paisley has announced his 2016 winter leg of his Crushin’ It World Tour, which kicks off Jan. 21 in Jonesboro, Ark. The tour will continue across the United States and Canada through March 2016. Special guests will be EMI’s Eric Paslay and Arista’s Cam.
2016 Crushin’ It World Tour dates are as follows:
Jan. 21-ASU Convocation Center-Jonesboro, AR
Jan. 22-Show Me Center-Cape Girardeau, MO
Jan. 23-Corbin Arena-Corbin, KY
Jan. 29-Cross Insurance Center-Bangor, ME
Jan. 30-The Oncenter War Memorial Arena-Syracuse, NY
Jan. 31-Mohegan Sun Arena-Uncasville, CT
Feb. 4-LaCrosse Center-LaCrosse, WI
Feb. 5-Coliseum at Alliant Energy Center-Madison, WI
Feb. 11-Matthew Knight Arena-Eugene, OR
Feb. 12-Spokane Arena-Spokane, WA
Feb. 13-Tacoma Dome-Tacoma, WA
Feb. 14-Rogers Arena-Vancouver, BC
Feb. 18-Scotiabank Saddledome-Calgary, AB
Feb. 19-Rexall Place-Edmonton, AB
Feb. 20-Brandt Center-Regina, SK
Feb. 26-John Q Hammons Arena-Springfield, MO
Feb. 27-BOK Center-Tulsa, OK
March 10-Huntington Center-Toledo, OH*
March 11-Dow Event Center-Saginaw, MI*
March 12-US Cellular Coliseum-Bloomington, IL*
*Cam is not on these dates
More dates to be added, check www.bradpaisley.com for more information.
The Writer’s Room: Charlie Worsham
/by Sarah SkatesMusicRow caught up with the triple-threat singer, songwriter and guitarist to discuss digital music, international touring, and other topics.
To read more, pick up your Publisher Issue print magazine available for purchase online for $30, and included with yearly subscriptions.
On songwriting with Ryan Tyndell:
I feel as if he and I are just now hitting our stride. If it’s your best friend, you don’t necessarily have that pressure to finish a song that day, because its not going to be six months before you can get back in a room together.
I think it is a really tough time to be a staff writer in Nashville. Obviously there’s not a lot of money, unless you get the single. Therefore, there is a lot of pressure on every staff writer’s back to deliver a single and that’s not an easy set of marching orders.
On Writing For His Debut Album, 2013’s Rubberband:
I’m so proud of that first record and the songs on it. That record was written and recorded over time, which was a completely different experience than the one I’m in the middle of now, partly because we made about half of the [first] record before I had record deal with Warner Bros.
There were two separate sessions at Omni and we cut four or five songs in each of those sessions. Then we plugged acoustics into amps and we put strange mic ideas around the sound, and we tinkered with it a lot. I got a record deal and the budget became easier to work with. We had three days at RCA Studio A and we were a little bit drunk with opportunity, I guess.
All of this happened over the course of a few years, so my life was a bit of a roller coaster then, just in terms of learning about record label marketing and promotion. It was a lot to take in at once.
On Spotify:
I know Spotify is a hot topic, but I am a fan of Spotify. I pay for premium and would gladly pay more. I think that’s where it’s going and where I hope it goes. I had Napster for a couple of years. People love music and they are going to go where they can find music. It is not about whether they are having to pay for it or not, so much as what makes the most sense for a music fan. If I remember correctly with Napster you could make your own playlist and burn CDs. Then iTunes came along and it was the perfect platform in that time and place and I miss the old iTunes. Sorry, Apple, I do.
I think at the end of the day, we want our music. I’ve read as much as I can on it. I do think Spotify is trying. I don’t think they completely grasp the difficult situation songwriters and publishers are in and they need to. I look to NSAI and other organizations who do great work for us and our future. It’s this great experiment we’re all in right now and for me, I have three playlists I’m updating all the time.
When they listen to my playlists of those 20 songs, it’s a chance for me to be one cog in the tastemaker gatekeeper wheel. And that’s where I think we are going. And I challenge my fellow artists, and anyone who has an audience, to look at Spotify and their presence on it as a chance to be a gatekeeper and tastemaker of tomorrow. You can totally fight for music you love by giving it a push. And that’s an Instagram thing, a Spotify thing, it’s calling your buddy … it’s my soapbox right now. If we lead with the music, the rest will fall into place. Leave it to the lawyers and politicians. We are never going to compete with the lobbyists on the other side who have armies of lawyers and money, but we have the music and they don’t.
On His Upcoming Acoustic Tour of the UK in November:
I’ve been working on running my acoustic through a small amplifier with a loop pedal, and last night I tried the same approach with an electric — I’ve opened Pandora’s box. It’s a great way to break down songs I’m in the middle of writing or change up the dynamic of older songs. I’m very excited to try that on a stage on the other side of the ocean.
My mom was a teacher, and she felt that travel equals education. I’ve been to England half a dozen times and spent a summer at Cambridge University. It’s an inspiring place. It’s also where I had Indian food for the first time, and I ordered it 5 hot. I learned that lesson the hard way.
Charlie Worsham
No Shave November for St. Jude Preps with Josh Turner
/by Eric T. ParkerNo Shave November is back! The fifth annual fundraiser for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital will kick off with a Day 1 photo, set to take place Monday, Nov 2 at the CMA Building 9:15am. This year’s Chairman of the Beard is Josh Turner.
Cap the shaggy month off at a yet-to-be-decided Nashville location for the Beard Bash with awards, Tues., Dec 1.
Registration and donation portals for the November project are available at NSN4SJK.com. Donations raised through November will help St. Jude continue to find cures and save children with cancer and other life-threatening diseases.
To date, a total of $540,000 has been raised from No Shave November for the organization.
Warner/Chappell Production Music Names VP, Business Development
/by Jessica NicholsonDavid MacMahon Mount
David MacMahon Mount has joined Warner/Chappell Production Music as VP, Business Development. He will be responsible for the management and growth of the company’s U.S. business.
Mount previously worked at APM Music, with experience in the production music industry, business development, broadcast programming, emerging markets and sales leadership across several industries. Mount is also a musician and songwriter.
Warner/Chappell Production Music President & CEO Randy Wachtler said, “David’s proven track record both inside and outside the production music industry will be a valuable asset to the team and to our current and future clients. We are thrilled to have him on board and are excited to further develop our success within the North American market.”
“I couldn’t be more excited to be representing such an iconic company in the music industry. In a rapidly evolving and competitive marketplace, Warner/Chappell Production Music is consistently producing the best high quality music available, a critical need for all clients and productions. Coupled with a full service approach and dedication to our clients, Warner/Chappell Production Music will continue to be the go-to music library in the industry,” added Mount.
ABC News Special Will Cover Country’s Crossover Hits
/by Craig_ShelburneRobin Roberts
Fifteen of the most popular country crossover songs will be the subject of a new ABC special that will air Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. ET. The one-hour special is titled Countdown to the CMA Awards: Country’s Greatest Crossover Hits With Robin Roberts.
Brett Eldredge, Lady Antebellum, Brad Paisley, Darius Rucker and Carrie Underwood will be performing their versions of the classic songs on the show. In addition, the special includes appearances by Jason Aldean, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Florida Georgia Line, Lee Greenwood, Randy Houser, Sam Hunt, Rascal Flatts, Thomas Rhett, The Band Perry, Steven Tyler, Keith Urban, and Chris Young.
According to ABC press materials:
In addition, ABC’s Jimmy Kimmel Live will build up to the CMA Awards with performances from Kelsea Ballerini, Brett Eldredge, Kip Moore, Thomas Rhett, Carrie Underwood, Chris Young and more. From Oct. 31–Nov. 1, ABC Radio will also feature a two-hour special hosted by Roberts featuring an in-depth look at this year’s CMA Awards nominees and songs.
The CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Nov. 4 on ABC.
Warner/Chappell Brings Global A&R Conference To Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), Nicolle Galyon (W/C Songwriter), Lee Miller (W/C Songwriter), Liz Rose (W/C Songwriter), Cameron Strang (Chairman, W/C and Chairman & CEO, Warner Bros. Records), Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Tim Nichols (W/C Songwriter), Jody Williams (VP, Writer/Publisher Relations, BMI Nashville)
Warner/Chappell welcomed several of its top executives from around the world to Nashville this month for the publishing company’s global A&R conference. Warner/Chappell CEO Jon Platt chose Nashville for the inaugural event because of the Nashville office’s recent chart success, as well as the city’s deep-rooted support for the songwriting community.
“Nashville was the perfect location to gather our very talented colleagues from around the globe and collaborate in real time, and Ben Vaughn and the Warner/Chappell Nashville team were excellent hosts. The conference allowed us to share ideas, learn from one another, and spawn some potential collaborations—across different genres and coming from different parts of the world—that might have otherwise not have happened. Everyone brought their ‘A’ game and we’re a stronger unit for it,” said Platt.
Pictured (L-R): Warner/Chappell Songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Lee Miller, Liz Rose, Tim Nichols.
In addition to meetings, the event featured a BMI-sponsored evening at the Country Music Hall of Fame — which included a museum tour, cocktails, dinner and a writers round featuring Warner/Chappell songwriters Nicolle Galyon, Lee Miller, Liz Rose, and Tim Nichols—as well as an ASCAP-sponsored dinner at Prima Restaurant.
Pictured (L-R): Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music)
“The Nashville music community is proving time and again to be a global ‘Music City’ and it was a real honor for Jon Platt to have the Global A&R Conference in Nashville,” said Ben Vaughn, EVP of Warner/Chappell Nashville. “Warner/Chappell has best-in-class A&R and it was a productive and enriching experience to grow relationships with peers that truly appreciate our extremely talented songwriters.”
Pictured (L-R): Derek George (W/C Songwriter), Clark Miller (EVP, Operations, North America, Warner/Chappell Music), Michael Martin (VP, ASCAP), Ben Vaughn (EVP, Warner/Chappell Nashville), Brandon Lay (W/C Songwriter), Ashley Gorley (W/C Songwriter), Cale Dodds (W/C Songwriter), Jon Platt (CEO, Warner/Chappell Music), Seth Ennis (W/C Songwriter), John Titta (EVP, Creative Services, ASCAP), Brett James (W/C Songwriter), Marc Emert-Hutner (VP, ASCAP)
LifeNotes: Producer/Guitarist John Jennings Passes
/by Robert K OermannJohn Jennings. Photo: Clark Thomas
Producer, guitarist and recording artist John Jennings, best known for his work with Mary Chapin Carpenter, died on Saturday, Oct. 17 at age 62. A native of the Washington, D.C. area, Jennings was diagnosed with metastatic kidney cancer in March 2014. He wrote a song about his health struggle at the time titled “I Believe Love Will Save My Life.”
As a young musician in the D.C. clubs, Jennings was introduced to the then-unknown Mary Chapin Carpenter by The Starland Vocal Band’s Bill Danoff (the writer of its hit “Afternoon Delight” and co-writer of “Take Me Home Country Roads”).
Jennings and Carpenter began performing shows together. They recorded an album to sell at their shows in 1986. It was picked up by Columbia Records in Nashville and released as Hometown Girl in 1987.
He co-produced all of Carpenter’s subsequent Nashville efforts, including nearly a dozen Top 10 country hits. These records garnered five CMA Awards and five Grammy Awards. Jennings and Carpenter co-wrote her singles “Never Had It So Good” (1989) and “Going Out Tonight” (1991).
John Jennings has also produced albums for Janis Ian, John Gorka, Robin & Linda Williams, Bill Morrissey, The Rankin Family and Beausoleil. He lived in Nashville for several years, beginning in 1993. As a guitarist, he has played on albums by The Indigo Girls, Iris DeMent, Kathy Mattea, Cheryl Wheeler, George Jones, Joe Diffie, Ricky Skaggs, Darol Anger and Tony Rice. In addition, he has recorded the solo albums Buddy (1997), I Belong to You (1998), More Noise From Nowhere (2001), Four (2005), It’s All Good (2007) and Everybody Sing in 2010.
Born in Luray, Va., in 1953, John Jennings was a self-taught guitarist who began forming bands when he was in the sixth grade. At high school in Falls Church, Va., he played in a number of teen rock bands. Following his graduation in 1973, he played in folk, rock and pop groups. He also did some ad-jingle writing. He was an early member of the hard-rock group Pentagram.
As a result of his success with Mary Chapin Carpenter, he won more than 20 Wammie Awards (Washington Area Music Association). In 1998, he was elected president of the D.C. chapter of The Recording Academy.
Because of his illness, he withdrew from touring with Carpenter last year.
Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
BMI Foundation Announces Nashville Songwriting Scholarship Details
/by Troy_StephensonThe BMI Foundation has established a Nashville Songwriting Scholarship. It will be an annual competition open to emerging country music songwriters nationwide who will compete for a $5,000 scholarship.
BMI Foundation Board Member and Nashville music industry executive, Clay Bradley, serves as Director of the competition.
Entrants must be current students of a U.S. college or university and between the ages of 17 and 24. Entries are open to the following genres: Americana, blues, bluegrass, contemporary Christian, country, folk, and roots. All lyrics and music must be original. Online applications opened Oct. 1, 2015 and must be submitted no later than Feb. 15, 2016. For more information, visit bmifoundation.org/nashville.
The program has been generously funded by Broadcast Music, Inc. (BMI) in celebration of its 75th anniversary.
CMA Awards Add Jason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt, Blake Shelton
/by Craig_ShelburneJason Aldean, Luke Bryan, Sam Hunt and Blake Shelton are the latest artists to join the performance lineup at the CMA Awards.
Aldean is nominated in the Album of the Year category for Old Boots, New Dirt, produced by Michael Knox. Bryan will compete for Entertainer of the Year (an award he claimed in 2014) and Male Vocalist of the Year.
In addition, Hunt is nominated for Best New Artist, as well as Single and Song of the Year for “Take Your Time.” Shelton is on the ballot for Male Vocalist , while “Lonely Tonight,” his collaboration with Ashley Monroe, is up for the Vocal Event trophy.
Previously announced performers include Kelsea Ballerini, Miranda Lambert, Maddie & Tae, Kacey Musgraves, Brad Paisley, and Carrie Underwood, as well as one-of-a kind collaborations from Eric Church with Hank Williams, Jr.; Thomas Rhett with Fall Out Boy; and Keith Urban with John Mellencamp.
Hosted by Paisley and Underwood, the CMA Awards will air live from Nashville on Nov. 4.
KP Entertainment’s Kerri Edwards Expands Staff
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Ethan Helms, Jacoby Knott, and Cait Murphy.
Kerri Edwards, President of KP Entertainment (KPE), announced a staff promotion and new hires today for her management firm that handles the careers of Luke Bryan, Cole Swindell, Kelleigh Bannen, CB30, Jon Langston, and Chancie Neal.
Jacoby Knott has been promoted from Executive Assistant to Kerri Edwards to Digital Marketing Manager. Jacoby will oversee all digital responsibilities for the KPE roster, including social media, account programs and new online endeavors. The Paris, Tenn., native graduated summa cum laude from MTSU. She can be reached at jacoby@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO
Ethan Helms has been hired as Tour Digital Coordinator and will be responsible for capturing digital content for all the artists managed by KPE. Ethan will also be a liaison with sponsors on Bryan’s headline tours. Helms is originally from Belzoni, Miss., and graduated from Belmont University. Prior to joining KPE, Ethan was a regional radio promoter for Cold River Records. Ethan can be reached at Ethan@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO
Cait Murphy has been hired as the new Executive Assistant to Kerri Edwards after an internship with the management company. She is originally from Philadelphia, Pa., and graduated from Belmont University. Murphy can be reached at Cait@KPENTERTAINMENT.CO
The company also operates a publishing arm of Peanut Creek Music, a joint venture with Sony/ATV, as well as a partnership with Kobalt Music Publishing representing songwriter Mike Mobley.
Additionally, KP Entertainment has partnered with Fly Hi Productions and operates the management of Luke Bryan’s “Farm Tour.”