BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 511
Pictured (L-R): Lesly Simon, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Jim Catino, VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville; Ann Edelblute, Carrie Underwood’s manager (The HQ); Ken Robold, Executive VP/Chief Operating Officer; Carrie Underwood; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Paul Barnabee, Senior VP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; and, Steve Hodges, Executive VP, Promotion & Artist Development.
Photo: Chris Hollo
One of the Grand Ole Opry’s greatest voices previewed new music this week, and Music Row’s party people were there to celebrate.
Superstar Carrie Underwood was in the spotlight on Wednesday (Oct. 14). Sony hosted a wonderfully imaginative party to introduce her album at The Standard downtown. The restaurant is located in the city center’s last standing Victorian mansion.
The building’s historic rooms were decorated to reflect the CD’s songs. Storyteller is the collection’s title, and its marketing slogan is, “Her Voice Carries the Story.” “Carries,” get it?
The first “theme” room was for the song “Dirty Laundry.” It was decorated with clotheslines. The bar there was serving, of course, dirty martinis. The song’s co-writer, Ashley Gorley, was there to greet you. So were Steve Buchanan, Kay West, Nancy Shapiro, Pete Fisher, Scott McDaniel and Jody Williams.
The second room was “Church Bells.” Rose petals covered the floor, and a wedding gown was on display. The bar served, naturally, champagne. Co-writer Zach Crowell hovered. So did Jon Freeman and Shannon McCombs.
Next, we wandered into “Heartbeat.” This room was decorated with heart symbols. Ben Carver and Sara Haze were in there, even though they co-wrote “Relapse,” a different song on the record.
Carrie Underwood celebrates with a fun photo in the “Renegade Runaway” room, with her mother and aunt during Underwood’s album release party. Photo: Carrie Underwood/Facebook
The “Renegade Runaway” room was an Old West barroom serving whiskey. It had a photo booth where you could pose for a souvenir snapshot as a “Wanted” mini-poster. Co-writer Hillary Lindsey was lingering nearby. I complimented her and Liz Rose for their outstanding performance at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony.
Onward we went, into the “Smoke Break” room. This one had closed French doors, since it was a cigar lounge with brandy varieties for libations. Also, a big video screen showed Carrie’s rocking video of the song. Co-writer Chris DeStefano was puffing away.
At the rear of the building was the “Grand Ballroom.” Screens in this elegant space showed slides of the remaining eight songs on the CD, with writer credits.
This was the schmooze headquarters. Fabulons in the cast of thousands – okay, hundreds – included Brett James, Leslie Fram, Lisa Konicki, Chuck Dauphin, Allen Brown, Pat Higdon, Carla Wallace, Bill Catino, Kos Weaver, Chris Oglesby, Paul Barnabee, Cindy Watts and the enduringly endearing Mark Bright.
Host Randy Goodman informed us that the laminates around our necks had “iDitty” download codes that contain the whole Storyteller album. The only thing is, “You have to wear this constantly between now and Oct. 23,” for this to work, Randy joked.
“You know all the stats,” he said. “She’s such a phenomenal artist.
“Thank you guys so much for coming out this evening,” Carrie said to the throng. She looked amazingly slim in her fetching, lace-embellished black cocktail dress. “They did such a great job of putting this party together.” Amen to that.
“I’m so excited to see what we do with this ‘era’ of music…I’m so glad that I get to do what I love.”
The Standard’s hors d’oeuvres included salmon and roasted capers with cream cheese, pimento cheese, bacon plus tomato bits and other delicacies on toast points. The wait staff seemed way under-manned for the size of the crowd.
Guest Deborah Evans Price came bearing news. Her book, Country Faith Christmas, comes out on Monday. “It’s not War and Peace,” she blushed. No, but it is a big-time brand. Cracker Barrel is stocking it, plus its companion CD, as well as, get this, a jewelry line. She was wearing its charm bracelet. The book contains stars’ holiday kiddie photos, memories and recipes.
Storyteller releases Oct. 23. Parties Are Us. Onward to the next.
The dandy party was put on by Legacy-PR and Events.
Artist Updates: Kelsea Ballerini, Reba, Kacey Musgraves, Tootsie’s Nash Bash
/by Jessica NicholsonKelsea Ballerini Added To ‘Rock The Room Tour’ Nashville Show
Kelsea Ballerini has been added to the Nashville show of the Rock The Room Tour. The Nashville set will also feature performances from Reba, Martina McBride, and Kelly Clarkson.
The tour will launch at Nashville’s City Winery. The nearly sold-out show will honor Musicians On Call supporter Shane Tarleton (WMN’s VP and Creative Director) with a “Golden Ukelele” for the Leadership in Music Award. The event will also honor Musicians On Call volunteer recipients Harlan Pease with the Volunteer Musician Award, and Sandra Morgan with the Volunteer Guide Award.
For more information and tickets, visit musiciansoncall.org/RTRT.
Reba To Appear As Guest Announcer For ‘Best Time Ever With Neil Patrick Harris’
Reba McEntire performing in Together in Vegas. Photo: Caesars Palace.
Reba will serve as a guest announcer for the sixth episode of Best Time Ever with Neil Patrick Harris, set for Tuesday, Oct. 20 at 8 p.m. ET on NBC. Reba will appear throughout the hour from the guest announcer booth, providing commentary and previews of what is to come during the show.
The show will also feature “Cheerleader” singer OMI, as well as Jesse Tyler Ferguson.
Kacey Musgraves’ Lucchese Boot Line To Debut Nov. 1
Kacey Musgraves will officially debut her Kacey for Lucchese boot collection on Nov. 1, when the collection hits stores. Kacey for Lucchese features four styles. Golden Arrow, for example, is constructed of marbled white leather, with metallic accents and Musgraves’ signature golden arrow on the side seam.
“This boot is majorly influenced from a 1950s pair that are my absolute favorite…I probably wear them at every show,” said Kacey. “Also the symbol that has brought me so many reasons to celebrate – the arrow.”
For more, visit lucchese.com.
Additionally, Musgraves will help flip the switch for Opry Goes Pink at the Grand Ole Opry on Tuesday, Oct. 27. The show, which will also feature Terri Clark and Montgomery Gentry, supports Women Rock for the Cure, in the fight against breast cancer. For tickets, visit opry.com.
Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge To Celebrate 55th Anniversary NASH Bash
The party, which will be located between 4th and 5th Avenue, will feature music from Randy Houser, Terri Clark, LOCASH, Chase Bryant, Michael Ray, Trick Pony, Confederate Railroad, Amanda Watkins, John Stone, Scott Collier, Anthony Orio, and more.
Jon Nite Discusses Risks in the Writing Room
/by Eric T. ParkerNite is the recipient of three MusicRow No. 1 Challenge Coins for writing “Strip It Down” (Luke Bryan), “Smoke” (A Thousand Horses), and “Beachin'” (Jake Owen). His significant success continued over the years with “Glass” (Thompson Square), “Tip It On Back” (Dierks Bentley), and “Whatever She’s Got” (David Nail).
The Sony/ATV songwriter gave insight into the Nashville songwriter community, citing Cam’s Sony Nashville breakthrough–“Burning House” (Jeff Bhasker/Tyler Johnson/Cam)–as unique because usually fewer risks are taken when writing music for radio. That song, he says, gives writers hope.
“’Burning House’ is a breath of fresh air,” noted Nite. “To see something on the radio that’s not worried about what anyone thinks is really motivating.”
As the conversation turned to digital music, Nite said, “Songwriters know streaming music is either going to save us or doom us. Most songwriters are optimistic, I am too. Someone will figure out how to compensate people for music.
“I’m thankful that [Nashville songwriters] Lee Thomas Miller and Nicolle Galyon are talking face-to-face to congressmen to plead our case because I’m not a talker. But it can’t hurt for those songwriters who go to Washington to show the power a hit song can have to change someone’s life, or to lay out the family budget compared to streaming compensation. I’m optimistic, but there needs to be about 1,000 percent difference to compensate for the loss of income from downloads.
“It’s funny when you talk to the songwriters who have been around for multiple decades, because they always refer to the ‘90s income boom. They say that 80 percent of the songwriters that would have been in a job are not in a job now. I’m the lucky one to get up and do it but it does feel like there is only a small community who are doing super well—I imagine probably 15 top songwriters and 200 professional writers.
“With such few songwriters, there is a decrease in songs like ‘Burning House.’ You can get in this self-perpetuating cycle where the sound of a hit is everywhere if songwriters think they can’t pay their bills or may get dropped unless they produce something that sounds like a radio hit. ‘Burning House’ is a backlash from the economics where you need to have a radio-sounding song.
“But even if we’re writing them, they still may not be pitched as a single. Even still, the songs that provide for your family are the ones that make it to terrestrial radio—radio listeners decide. All I know is there are lesser risks in the writing room, even less that are cut, not to mention singled.”
To read more, pick up your Publisher Issue print magazine available or purchase online for $30, and are included with yearly subscriptions at no additional cost.
Jason Aldean Announces We Were Here 2016 Tour
/by Craig_ShelburneJason Aldean will launch his We Were Here 2016 Tour on Jan. 15. Tickets for select shows on the 24-city run with special guests Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses go on sale on Friday, Oct. 23.
The tour title comes from the title of his latest single, “Gonna Know We Were Here.” The music video premiered today exclusively on Yahoo.
“This song pretty much sums up how I feel like me and my fans live our lives,” said Aldean. “That same excitement is what we feel out there on the road every night, which made it a great name for next year’s tour. It was pretty cool that we could bring that vibe to the music video too by shooting it back in Macon with a ton of people from my hometown. Getting back there and on that high school football field really reminded me of that rush of just living life without any regrets.”
Jason Aldean: We Were Here 2016 Tour Dates:
Jan. 14: Moline, Ill.
Jan. 15: Evansville, Ind.
Jan. 16-17: Bloomington, Ill.
Jan. 21: Des Moines, Iowa
Jan. 22: Omaha, Neb.
Jan. 23: Springfield, Mo.
Jan. 28: Grand Forks, N.D.
Jan. 29: Bismarck, N.D.
Jan. 30: Sioux Falls, S.D.
Feb. 4 : Southaven, Miss.
Feb. 5 Oklahoma City, Okla.
Feb. 6: Columbia, Mo.
Feb. 18: Roanoke, Va.
Feb. 19: Charlottesville, Va.
Feb. 20: Fayetteville, N.C.
Feb. 25: Manchester, N.H.
Feb. 26: State College, Pa.
Feb. 27: Atlantic City, N.J.
March 8: Melbourne, Australia*
March 9 : Sydney, Australia*
March 12: Willowbank, Australia*
April 28 : Portland, Maine
April 29 : Uncasville, Conn.
April 30 : Uncasville, Conn.
May 5: Erie, Pa
May 6: Allentown, Pa
*Australian dates do not include Thomas Rhett and A Thousand Horses
Bobby Karl Works Carrie Underwood’s ‘Storyteller’ Album Release Party
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 511
Pictured (L-R): Lesly Simon, VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville; Jim Catino, VP, A&R, Sony Music Nashville; Ann Edelblute, Carrie Underwood’s manager (The HQ); Ken Robold, Executive VP/Chief Operating Officer; Carrie Underwood; Randy Goodman, Chairman & CEO, Sony Music Nashville; Paul Barnabee, Senior VP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; and, Steve Hodges, Executive VP, Promotion & Artist Development.
Photo: Chris Hollo
One of the Grand Ole Opry’s greatest voices previewed new music this week, and Music Row’s party people were there to celebrate.
Superstar Carrie Underwood was in the spotlight on Wednesday (Oct. 14). Sony hosted a wonderfully imaginative party to introduce her album at The Standard downtown. The restaurant is located in the city center’s last standing Victorian mansion.
The building’s historic rooms were decorated to reflect the CD’s songs. Storyteller is the collection’s title, and its marketing slogan is, “Her Voice Carries the Story.” “Carries,” get it?
The first “theme” room was for the song “Dirty Laundry.” It was decorated with clotheslines. The bar there was serving, of course, dirty martinis. The song’s co-writer, Ashley Gorley, was there to greet you. So were Steve Buchanan, Kay West, Nancy Shapiro, Pete Fisher, Scott McDaniel and Jody Williams.
The second room was “Church Bells.” Rose petals covered the floor, and a wedding gown was on display. The bar served, naturally, champagne. Co-writer Zach Crowell hovered. So did Jon Freeman and Shannon McCombs.
Next, we wandered into “Heartbeat.” This room was decorated with heart symbols. Ben Carver and Sara Haze were in there, even though they co-wrote “Relapse,” a different song on the record.
Carrie Underwood celebrates with a fun photo in the “Renegade Runaway” room, with her mother and aunt during Underwood’s album release party. Photo: Carrie Underwood/Facebook
The “Renegade Runaway” room was an Old West barroom serving whiskey. It had a photo booth where you could pose for a souvenir snapshot as a “Wanted” mini-poster. Co-writer Hillary Lindsey was lingering nearby. I complimented her and Liz Rose for their outstanding performance at the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame ceremony.
Onward we went, into the “Smoke Break” room. This one had closed French doors, since it was a cigar lounge with brandy varieties for libations. Also, a big video screen showed Carrie’s rocking video of the song. Co-writer Chris DeStefano was puffing away.
At the rear of the building was the “Grand Ballroom.” Screens in this elegant space showed slides of the remaining eight songs on the CD, with writer credits.
This was the schmooze headquarters. Fabulons in the cast of thousands – okay, hundreds – included Brett James, Leslie Fram, Lisa Konicki, Chuck Dauphin, Allen Brown, Pat Higdon, Carla Wallace, Bill Catino, Kos Weaver, Chris Oglesby, Paul Barnabee, Cindy Watts and the enduringly endearing Mark Bright.
Host Randy Goodman informed us that the laminates around our necks had “iDitty” download codes that contain the whole Storyteller album. The only thing is, “You have to wear this constantly between now and Oct. 23,” for this to work, Randy joked.
“You know all the stats,” he said. “She’s such a phenomenal artist.
“Thank you guys so much for coming out this evening,” Carrie said to the throng. She looked amazingly slim in her fetching, lace-embellished black cocktail dress. “They did such a great job of putting this party together.” Amen to that.
“I’m so excited to see what we do with this ‘era’ of music…I’m so glad that I get to do what I love.”
The Standard’s hors d’oeuvres included salmon and roasted capers with cream cheese, pimento cheese, bacon plus tomato bits and other delicacies on toast points. The wait staff seemed way under-manned for the size of the crowd.
Guest Deborah Evans Price came bearing news. Her book, Country Faith Christmas, comes out on Monday. “It’s not War and Peace,” she blushed. No, but it is a big-time brand. Cracker Barrel is stocking it, plus its companion CD, as well as, get this, a jewelry line. She was wearing its charm bracelet. The book contains stars’ holiday kiddie photos, memories and recipes.
Storyteller releases Oct. 23. Parties Are Us. Onward to the next.
The dandy party was put on by Legacy-PR and Events.
Chris Janson To Join Blake Shelton Tour in 2016
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Blake Shelton, Chris Janson
Warner Bros. Records/Warner Music Nashville artist Chris Janson will join his WMN labelmate Blake Shelton on stage next year for the majority of Shelton’s 2016 Tour, Presented By Gildan. The tour kicks off Feb. 8 in Cincinnati, Ohio.
“I couldn’t be more stoked to get on tour with my label mate Blake Shelton,” said Janson. “‘Boys Round Here’ is one of my favorite songs! I know we’re going to have a blast on the road and it’s always exciting to play for the hometown crowd in Nashville. This has definitely been a big year for me and I’m excited to see what’s next in 2016!”
Janson’s “Buy Me A Boat” topped the music charts last month and is the title track for his forthcoming debut album. Featuring 11 songs, all co-written by Janson, the album will be available Oct. 30 and also includes his new single, “Power Of Positive Drinkin’.”
On Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. CT, the March 4, 2016 Nashville, TN show will go on sale via Ticketmaster. Ticket prices for the tour range from $29.75 – $69.75.
MusicRowPics: Dianna Corcoran
/by Jessica NicholsonDianna Corcoran visits MusicRow.
In Australia, country singer-songwriter Dianna Corcoran is a household name, having earned two Golden Guitar Awards, including one for Female Artist of the Year, from the Australian Country Music Awards. She has earned 10 No. 1 songs and released five No. 1 music videos in Australia.
Now, Corcoran has set her sights on success in country music’s bedrock of Nashville. Corcoran relocated to Music City in 2011, and signed with Krian/Universal.
During a visit to the MusicRow offices, she performed an three-song acoustic set. Her songs stem from Corcoran’s resilient, optimistic outlook, including her acoustic set starter, “Thank You For Cheating On Me.” The song earned her an Australian Independent Country Music Awards – Single of the Year honor in 2010. “I have a cheating ex-boyfriend to thank for that one,” she quipped.
She also offered the realistic tune, “Therapy,” where she checks off various forms of help, from drugs to Pilates. “This could be about any town,” she mused.
The singer-songwriter’s pluck and grit isn’t just song inspiration, it’s something she lives day-to-day. Corcoran is currently on a radio tour, often making the drive between stations and shows on her own by traveling via microcar and camping a tent. “When you come to the States on an O1 Visa [for individuals with extraordinary ability or achievement], you can do music, but can’t get paid through other means,” she explained. “So you have to save before you come. Others can work in a bar or something part-time to make extra, but we can’t, not until you get a green card.” Corcoran said that, ironically, now that she has her green card, she is on the road too often to nail down any time-honored, stationary musician side gigs.
“I’m smart about it,” Corcoran commented of her travels. “I’ve always been an outdoors person, and sometimes I’ll stay in a budget hotel.”
She ended her acoustic performance with the pitch-perfect purity of “Not Ready To Lose.”
The singer-songwriter will celebrate her first American release, aptly titled In America, on Jan. 29, 2016.
Dianna Corcoran with MusicRow staffers.
Weekly Chart Report (10/16/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report.
Cole Swindell’s Second Down Home Sessions EP Due Nov. 6
/by Craig_ShelburneCole Swindell will release his second Down Home Sessions EP on Nov. 6. It follows the original Down Home Sessions EP as well as his self-titled, full-length debut album, both released in 2014 by Warner Bros. / Warner Music Nashville.
Swindell will begin his five-week fall tour at the PlayStation Theatre in New York City on Nov. 11. His special guest on the tour is Adam Sanders, who co-wrote Swindell’s “Ain’t Worth the Whiskey.” Swindell’s latest hit single is “Let Me See Ya Girl.”
In related news, Swindell has partnered with JCPenney, Southern Living magazine and nonprofit Operation Finally Home to film an original video series called Building Hope. The series documents the stories of five veterans as they settle into new, mortgage-free homes in their Southern communities. The episode featuring Swindell will debut on Nov. 2.
Keith Urban’s New Single, “Break on Me,” Will Be Released Monday
/by Craig_ShelburneKeith Urban performs with Nashville School of the Arts students Kelly Holmes (left) and Emily Davis (right) on the CMA Close Up stage at AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X during CMA Music Festival. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Keith Urban will release a midtempo ballad titled “Break on Me” as his new single on Monday (Oct. 19). The song will be featured on Urban’s upcoming album, although that project’s title and release date have not been announced.
“Break On Me” was written by Ross Copperman and Jon Nite and co-produced by Nathan Chapman and Urban.
On Sunday, Urban completed the judging rounds for the final season of American Idol. He also wrapped his summer tour with a sold-out concert in Honolulu, Hawaii, on Oct. 7, marking his first appearance at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center.
As previously reported, Urban will perform with John Mellencamp on the CMA Awards on Nov. 4. Mellencamp is referenced in Urban’s latest hit single, “John Deere, John Cougar, John 3:16.”
Signage: Absolute Publicity, Big Machine Music, Gotee Records, Hippie Chick Twang
/by Jessica NicholsonDarryl Worley Inks Deal For Public Relations Representation
Darryl Worley has signed on with Absolute Publicity for exclusive PR representation.
“We are stoked to now call the great Darryl Worley a client!” says Absolute Publicity president, Don Murry Grubbs. “Darryl’s body of work speaks for itself. Absolute is thrilled to welcome him to the family!”
Darryl Worley and Absolute Publicity’s Don Murry Grubbs.
Big Machine Music Extends Publishing Deal with Jonathan Singleton
Jonathan Singleton
Big Machine Music has extended songwriter Jonathan Singleton‘s exclusive publishing agreement, which began in 2013.
“Anyone that knows Jonathan and his music also knows what a rare and incredibly talented person he is. It has been an amazing start together and we are just getting warmed up. We are honored to be his publisher and to extend this relationship,” said Mike Molinar, Vice President/General Manager, Big Machine Music.
In the past year, Singleton added to his five previous country chart-toppers with Tim McGraw’s “Diamond Rings and Old Bar Stools” and Tyler Farr’s “A Guy Walks Into A Bar.” He also co-wrote David Nail’s “Nights On Fire” and the Canadian country hit No. 1 single, “Airwaves,” performed by Brett Kissell.
Gotee Records Adds Hollyn To Roster
Hollyn
Gotee Records announces Hollyn as the newest addition to their roster family. Her self-titled debut EP releases tomorrow (Oct. 16) at all digital outlets.
The six-song EP features her debut single, “Alone (feat. TRU),” which was written by Hollyn, Toby McKeehan, producer Bryan Fowler and TRU. Hollyn co-wrote five of the six tracks on her debut EP.
“Every few years it’s my honor to discover a new artist to walk alongside helping them write songs and begin their journey into artistry. I love this music, and I love sharing this talent with people coming to my shows,” explains multi-platinum recording artist and Gotee CEO TobyMac.
She is currently on TobyMac’s “This Is Not A Test” Tour with Britt Nicole and Colton Dixon.
Hippie Chick Twang Signs Jake Neumar
Hippie Chick Twang’s Kim McLean and Devon O’Day have signed Jake Neumar to an exclusive songwriting deal for their new company, and the first stop on the new writer’s journey was NSAI, where he became a member. Neumar shared an impromptu acoustic mini-concert for the staff and toured the facility.
Pictured (L-R): Devon O’Day, Kim McLean, Bart Herbison, Jake Neumar, Mysti Meese, and Courtney Allen.