It must be that time of the year.
The fourth-quarter releases are dropping regularly, and country’s big stars are vying for our attention. This week, alone, we have Toby Keith, George Strait, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack and Dustin Lynch, plus Eric Paslay and Chris Janson on hand to solidify their newly minted successes.
Kip, Lee Ann and Chris all have superb singles, but the Disc of the Day goes to the once and future king, George Strait.
Moonlight Social is back and sounding even better than ever. Another new duo, Dave & Whitney take home the DisCovery Award.
DUSTIN LYNCH/Mind Reader
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Brett Beavers/Luke Wooten/Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers:EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Rhettro Music (BMI) admin by EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., WB Music Corp., Tar Cam Knox Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp., Thankful for This Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp.; Broken Bow (track)
-The track seems needlessly “busy,” with a little too much going on. But the song and performance are solid.
GEORGE STRAIT/Cold Beer Conversation
Writers: Al Anderson/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producers: Chuck Ainlay/George Strait; Publishers:International Dog/Bucked Up/WB/Tar Can Knox/Thankful For This/EMI Blackwood/Great Day At This/Beatyville, BMI/ASCAP; MCA (track)
-Totally classy, mellow and full of gentle grace. The groove is magical. His voice is so relaxed and warm, leaning toward you like an old friend. This is a country-music masterpiece.
Dave and Whitney
DAVE & WHITNEY/Alibi
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Sarah Buxton/Jamie Moore; Producer: Dan Frizsell; Publisher: none listed; 45 (track)
-This is a feisty, frolicsome new duo hailing from rural Indiana. She has a saucy, foxy vocal delivery. He harmonizes and provides the lead electric guitar. Elsewhere on the EP, he handles some of the lead singing.
LEE ANN WOMACK/Chance Are
Writers: Hayes Carll; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Highway 87/BMG Chrysalis, SESAC; Sugar Hill (track)
-She pours soul all over this yearning ballad. Paul Franklin’s steel guitar sighs in poetic sympathy. Awesome listening.
MOONLIGHT SOCIAL/Rub A Little Dirt On It
Writers: Jeremy Burchard/Jennica Scott/Jo-Leah Tibury; Producers: Kelly Schoenfeld/Jeremy Burchard; Publishers: none listed; MS
-These two Texans can sure-nuff sing. This funky little thang is produced to provide plenty of space for their flawless harmonizing. I have liked this Jeremy-and-Jennica team in the past. This new single makes me positive that they deserve stardom. Somebody sign these folks up for the Big Time.
TOBY KEITH/Rum Is The Reason
Writers: Toby Keith/Scotty Emerick; Producers: Toby Keith/Mac McAnally; Publishers: Tokeco Tunes/Florida Room/BPJ, BMI; Show Dog (track)
-The mighty Toby takes a page from the Buffett Caribbean playbook and adds steel drums to this rollicking, feel-good track. “Take it home, Coral Reefers,” chuckles the singer.
ASHLEY CAMPBELL/Remembering
Writers: Ashley Campbell/Kai Welch; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: WB/Chateau Banjo/Nettles and Bones, ASCAP; Dot
-Glen Campbell’s daughter marries a sad, wistful lyric to a strikingly lilting, uplifting melody. The breezy production overlays her refrain, “Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering.” Recommended.
KIP MOORE/Running For You
Writers: Kip Moore/Troy Verges/Blair Daly; Producer: Brett James/Kip Moore; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/Roll Through/BMG/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin’ Grids, BMI; MCA (track)
-Loaded with raspy fire and urgency. She’s leaving, but he loves her so much that he’ll be there in a heartbeat if she ever needs help. Blue-collar heartache with pounding passion. I dig this guy the most.
ERIC PASLAY/High Class
Writers: Eric Paslay/Corey Crowder/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Jesse Frasure/Marshall Altman; Publisher: WB/Five Foot Sixteen/Songs From the Rose Hotel/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
-They might be a couple of rednecks, but just for tonight they’re living the upper-crust life. The track stutters relentlessly and he stays at the top of his vocal range all the way through. It kinda wears you out.
CHRIS JANSON/Power of Positive Drinkin’
Writers: Chris Janson/Mark Irwin/Chris DuBois; Producers: Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Chris Janson; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Buckkilla/Words & Music/House of Sea Gayle/Clearbox Rights/Green Vinyl, BMI/ASCAP; WB (CDX)
– Everything’s going wrong, so he’s headed for the neon lights to chug a bunch of beers in a row, until life looks a little more rosy. Joyously rhythmic and a merry lyric delight. Chalk up Big Hit #2 for this boy.
High Valley Inks Deal With Atlantic Records/Warner Music Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Jason Turner, Keller Turner Ruth Andrews & Ghanem PLLC; Nick Meinema, United Talent Agency; Cris Lacy, VP A&R, Warner Music Nashville; Scott Hendricks, EVP A&R, WMN; Bryan Coleman, Union Entertainment Group, INC. Front Row, (L-R): Curtis Rempel & Brad Rempel of High Valley & WMN President & CEO John Esposito
Country duo High Valley has signed a recording contract with Atlantic Records/WMN. Brothers Brad and Curtis Rempel have been writing and performing country music their whole life. Growing up in Northern Alberta Canada, they moved to Nashville in 2010.
“In that first moment I heard the music, I was blown away,” said WMN President & CEO John Esposito. “I told the guys I could not sleep at night until they were signed with us and we needed them! Their talent, passion and hard work is inspiring and High Valley is a wonderful addition to the Warner Music Nashville family.”
“The energy and passion we feel from all the staff at Warner Music Nashville is beyond amazing,” said Brad. “My brother Curtis and I are thrilled to be working with Espo and his talented team!”
High Valley was one of the featured performers at MusicRow‘s CountryBreakout Awards in 2013.
Industry Ink: Carrie Underwood, Big & Rich, Natalie Hemby
/by Craig_ShelburneCarrie Underwood Launches Album on NBC
Carrie Underwood will sing on NBC’s Today on Oct. 23, the day she releases her new album, Storyteller. Her lead single from the project is “Smoke Break.” RollingStone.com and RollingStoneCountry.com premiered the lyric video earlier this week. Storyteller is produced by Jay Joyce, Mark Bright, and Zach Crowell.
Photo: Courtesy Morris Artist Management
Big & Rich Join Bass Pro Shops, NRA Country for Memphis Festival
Big & Rich will perform a free show at the Bass Pro Shops at the Pyramid in downtown Memphis, Tennessee, on Oct. 24. The concert is co-presented by NRA Country and part of the World’s Hunting & Waterfowl Festival, taking place Oct. 16-25. Other performers confirmed for the festival are Mo Pitney (Oct. 20) and Tim Dugger (Oct. 21), as well as Liz Moriodo and Matt Stillwell (Oct. 22).
Natalie Hemby
Natalie Hemby Will Sing at Gala for The Raining Season
Songwriter Natalie Hemby will perform at the inaugural TRS Gala, on behalf of The Raining Season, a non-profit foundation aiding those recovering from a brutal civil war in Sierra Leone West Africa. The gala event will take place at Marathon Music Works in Nashville on Nov. 7. Individual tickets are $75. Hemby’s songwriting credits include seven songs on Miranda Lambert’s 2014 album, Platinum.
Grammy Museum Mississippi Reveals Grand Opening Dates
Built and operated by the Cleveland Music Foundation — a non-profit organization developed in 2011 — in association with the Grammy Museum at L.A. LIVE and The Recording Academy, the 27,000-square-foot Grammy Museum Mississippi will be housed on the campus of Delta State University, home of the Delta Music Institute, the state’s sole accredited music industry studies program.
Blake Shelton Announces Nashville Stop On Upcoming Tour
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton plays LP. Photo: CMA
Blake Shelton will make a tour stop at Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena on March 4, 2016, as part of his upcoming Blake Shelton presented by Gildan Tour.
The tour currently includes 11 stops, launching Feb. 18, 2016 in Cincinnati’s U.S. Bank Arena.
Tickets for Shelton’s Nashville tour stop go on sale Saturday, Oct. 17 at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketmaster. A Blake Shelton BS’er Fan Club pre-sale will begin Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. CT.
“Man, I’m just so excited about 2016,” says the CMA’s reigning five-time Male Vocalist of the Year. “We’ve got a new album coming and I can’t wait to get back out on the road and play some new music for my fans. As an artist, my favorite thing to do is go on the road and play shows. I’ve missed it, and it’s gonna be like old times. So y’all get ready to party, ‘cause Blake Shelton is comin to see ya’!”
Ticket prices for the tour range from $29.75 – 69.75. All other on sales will be announced soon.
Blake Shelton presented by Gildan Tour stops:
2/18/2016 Cincinnati, OH U.S. Bank Arena
2/19/2016 Louisville, KY KFC Yum! Center
2/20/2016 Detroit, MI The Palace of Auburn Hills
2/25/2016 Lincoln, NE Pinnacle Bank Arena
2/26/2016 Kansas City, MO Sprint Center
2/27/2016 St. Louis, MO Scottrade Center
3/3/2016 Memphis, TN FedEx Forum
3/4/2016 Nashville, TN Bridgestone Arena
3/17/2016 Buffalo, NY First Niagara Center
3/18/2016 Wilkes-Barre, PA Mohegan Sun Arena at Casey Plaza
3/19/2016 Pittsburgh, PA CONSOL Energy Center
Roger Fregoso Joins Big Loud Records For Midwest Promotions
/by Troy_StephensonRoger Fregoso
Big Loud Records has announced Roger Fregoso as the label’s Midwest Region Director of Promotion.
Fregoso completes the newly formed promotion team made up of David Clapper, Southeast Region; Nikki Jimenez, Northeast Region; and Dave Kirth, West Coast Region, all led by National Director of Promotion Stacy Blythe and label president Clay Hunnicutt.
“Roger is the right guy at the right time to complete our Big Loud Records promotion squad,” says Hunnicutt. “His training, background and passion for his artists is already well known, and we have no doubt he’ll bring that same level of engagement to the label. Now we’re fully loaded and off to the races!”
Fregoso most recently worked at Curb Records, where he handled special promotion projects following the label’s absorption of sister imprint Sidewalk Records. Fregoso began his three-year stint with the Curb family as the West Coast regional for the start-up Sidewalk Records in 2012.
“With the two C’s in hand – chocolate and Chris Lane music – I cannot wait to hit the road and reconnect with my radio friends throughout the Midwest! I’m very thankful to Clay [Hunnicutt] and Stacy [Blythe] for choosing me and I’m thrilled to be a part of this fantastic promotion family,” shares Fregoso.
Big Loud Records is the newly-launched label founded by manager Seth England, producer Joey Moi, songwriter Craig Wiseman, manager Kevin “Chief” Zaruk and radio veteran Hunnicutt.
Fregoso will report directly to Hunnicutt and can be reached by email at roger@bigloudrecords.com or via phone at 760-532-8521.
Big Yellow Dog Brings The Funk
/by Sarah SkatesLauren Funk has joined Big Yellow Dog Music as Creative Manager.
She is a Belmont graduate who interned at the publishing company for two semesters before making the transition into a full-time member of the creative department.
Carla Wallace, co-owner, says, “I knew Lauren had to be a part of our BYD team when I found out her last name was Funk. Lauren has a real love for great music and a talented ear for hits. We are excited to have her join our creative team. We can now officially say that we got the Funk!”
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild To Premiere Fashion Line
/by Eric T. ParkerKaren Fairchild
Little Big Town’s Karen Fairchild will premiere a fashion collection with the digital commerce company EVINE Live (evine.com), on Oct. 27 at 8:00 p.m. ET.
Designed by Fairchild herself, the line will be named Fair Child. Details and embellishments will be featured throughout the jackets, tops and bottoms, dresses, and statement pieces featuring studs, embroidery, and sequins.
“Fair Child is a blend of everything I love,” said Fairchild. “It’s a collection of rich textures, details and embellishments in iconic pieces that are easy to wear, glamorous and affordable. These versatile pieces are made to be worn together through mixing, matching and layering.”
“We’re always looking to offer our customers product and personalities reflective of what’s hot and, in the world of country music, there are very few artists who are as relevant today as Karen Fairchild,” said Russell Nuce, EVINE Live’s Chief Strategy Officer. “Karen has worked closely with our team from the beginning, directing almost every aspect of the collection’s design. We’re excited to add Fair Child to our growing proprietary fashion business.”
Viewers are invited to tune in to EVINE Live via cable and satellite, mobile apps and live streaming online at www.evine.com. EVINE Live airs on DIRECTV Channels 73 and 316, DISH Network channels 134 and 228 and the nation’s top cable providers.
For more information visit evine.com/fairchild.
Watch Fairchild discuss the new line below.
Scotty McCreery To Release Biography in 2016
/by Jessica NicholsonScotty McCreery. Photo: Eric Adkins
Scotty McCreery is set to release his first book, titled Go Big or Go Home: The Journey Toward The Dream, on May 3, 2016.
The book, to be published by Zondervan, chronicles McCreery’s story from small town dreamer to becoming American Idol’s season 10 winner (at age 17), to his current status as a chart-topping country music entertainer.
The book will be available for pre-orders beginning Nov. 15.
“God gave me a voice and America gave me a chance,” says McCreery. “This book is about those two things, and about the amazing journey that began the moment I decided to say two words about this show I knew and loved. ‘Why not?’”
After his American Idol win, McCreery released his break-out album, Clear As Day, which was the best-selling solo album released by a country artist in 2011. The Mercury Nashville / 19 / Interscope recording artist also became the youngest man in history to have his first album debut atop the all-genre Billboard Top 200 Albums chart. McCreery has sold more than 2.5 million albums and received both Platinum and Gold album certifications.
McCreery earned the Academy of Country Music Award for New Artist of the Year in 2011; CMT Music Award for Breakthrough Video of the Year (for “The Trouble With Girls”) in 2012; and two American Country Awards: New Artist of the Year in 2011 and Breakthrough Artist of the Year in 2013.
His new studio album is slated to release in 2016, and his latest single, “Southern Belle,” is at country radio now.
LifeNotes: Boy Howdy Co-Founder, Drummer Hugh Wright Passes
/by Robert K OermannHe died of natural causes at his home in Great Falls, Montana, on Friday, Sept. 25.
A native of Des Moines, he studied percussion at the University of Iowa and graduated with a Bachelor of Music degree in 1975. Wright was the drum major of the school’s marching band.
He moved to Los Angeles and became a studio musician for a number of nationally known artists, including blues legend John Lee Hooker. He was named the California Music Association’s Drummer of the Year in 1992.
He next became a founding member of Boy Howdy, fronted by singer-songwriter Jeffrey Steele. Signed to Curb Records, the group scored four Top 40 country hits in 1993-94, including “A Cowboy’s Born With a Broken Heart” and the Top 10 successes “She’d Give Anything” and “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like That Anymore.”
Wright moved to Great Falls in 1995 and continued his music career by performing in a number of regional rock, pop, blues and country bands.
A memorial service is planned in Montana. For more information contact Rod’s Music at 406-771-1314.
Hugh Wright (L) was the drummer in Boy Howdy. Photo submitted by Jeffrey Steele.
The Valory Music Co. Adds Bradford Hollingsworth For NE Promotion
/by Troy_StephensonBradford Hollingsworth
The Valory Music Co. announced today (Oct. 8) that Bradford Hollingsworth has been named Director of Northeast Promotion & Marketing for the Big Machine Label Group imprint. Effective this week, Hollingsworth will begin promoting the label’s artists including Brantley Gilbert, Thomas Rhett, Justin Moore, RaeLynn, The Mavericks and Eli Young Band.
“We’re all excited to have Bradford join us at The Valory Music Co.,” said SVP Promotion George Briner. “He comes to us with a vast background of experience including serving in our country’s military, working with the Detroit Pistons and Nashville Predators, as well as Country Radio Broadcasters and the Nashville Chamber of Commerce.”
“I could not be more pumped to join Big Machine Label Group and The Valory Music Co. at a time when Valory is on fire. The leadership, staff and roster at BMLG is unparalleled and I look forward to being on this already successful team.”
Hollingsworth fills a role vacated by Shari Roth in August.
DISClaimer: George Strait Delivers With “Cold Beer Conversation”
/by Robert K OermannIt must be that time of the year.
The fourth-quarter releases are dropping regularly, and country’s big stars are vying for our attention. This week, alone, we have Toby Keith, George Strait, Kip Moore, Lee Ann Womack and Dustin Lynch, plus Eric Paslay and Chris Janson on hand to solidify their newly minted successes.
Kip, Lee Ann and Chris all have superb singles, but the Disc of the Day goes to the once and future king, George Strait.
Moonlight Social is back and sounding even better than ever. Another new duo, Dave & Whitney take home the DisCovery Award.
DUSTIN LYNCH/Mind Reader
Writers: Rhett Akins/Ben Hayslip; Producer: Brett Beavers/Luke Wooten/Mickey Jack Cones; Publishers:EMI Blackwood Music, Inc. (BMI), Rhettro Music (BMI) admin by EMI Blackwood Music, Inc., WB Music Corp., Tar Cam Knox Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp., Thankful for This Music (ASCAP) admin by WB Music Corp.; Broken Bow (track)
-The track seems needlessly “busy,” with a little too much going on. But the song and performance are solid.
GEORGE STRAIT/Cold Beer Conversation
Writers: Al Anderson/Ben Hayslip/Jimmy Yeary; Producers: Chuck Ainlay/George Strait; Publishers:International Dog/Bucked Up/WB/Tar Can Knox/Thankful For This/EMI Blackwood/Great Day At This/Beatyville, BMI/ASCAP; MCA (track)
-Totally classy, mellow and full of gentle grace. The groove is magical. His voice is so relaxed and warm, leaning toward you like an old friend. This is a country-music masterpiece.
Dave and Whitney
DAVE & WHITNEY/Alibi
Writers: Rodney Clawson/Sarah Buxton/Jamie Moore; Producer: Dan Frizsell; Publisher: none listed; 45 (track)
-This is a feisty, frolicsome new duo hailing from rural Indiana. She has a saucy, foxy vocal delivery. He harmonizes and provides the lead electric guitar. Elsewhere on the EP, he handles some of the lead singing.
LEE ANN WOMACK/Chance Are
Writers: Hayes Carll; Producers: Frank Liddell/Chuck Ainlay/Glenn Worf; Publishers: Highway 87/BMG Chrysalis, SESAC; Sugar Hill (track)
-She pours soul all over this yearning ballad. Paul Franklin’s steel guitar sighs in poetic sympathy. Awesome listening.
MOONLIGHT SOCIAL/Rub A Little Dirt On It
Writers: Jeremy Burchard/Jennica Scott/Jo-Leah Tibury; Producers: Kelly Schoenfeld/Jeremy Burchard; Publishers: none listed; MS
-These two Texans can sure-nuff sing. This funky little thang is produced to provide plenty of space for their flawless harmonizing. I have liked this Jeremy-and-Jennica team in the past. This new single makes me positive that they deserve stardom. Somebody sign these folks up for the Big Time.
TOBY KEITH/Rum Is The Reason
Writers: Toby Keith/Scotty Emerick; Producers: Toby Keith/Mac McAnally; Publishers: Tokeco Tunes/Florida Room/BPJ, BMI; Show Dog (track)
-The mighty Toby takes a page from the Buffett Caribbean playbook and adds steel drums to this rollicking, feel-good track. “Take it home, Coral Reefers,” chuckles the singer.
ASHLEY CAMPBELL/Remembering
Writers: Ashley Campbell/Kai Welch; Producer: Julian Raymond; Publishers: WB/Chateau Banjo/Nettles and Bones, ASCAP; Dot
-Glen Campbell’s daughter marries a sad, wistful lyric to a strikingly lilting, uplifting melody. The breezy production overlays her refrain, “Daddy don’t you worry, I’ll do the remembering.” Recommended.
KIP MOORE/Running For You
Writers: Kip Moore/Troy Verges/Blair Daly; Producer: Brett James/Kip Moore; Publishers: Music of Stage Three/Songs of Cornman/Roll Through/BMG/Songs of Universal/Songs From the Engine Room/Southside Independent/Internal Combustion/Kickin’ Grids, BMI; MCA (track)
-Loaded with raspy fire and urgency. She’s leaving, but he loves her so much that he’ll be there in a heartbeat if she ever needs help. Blue-collar heartache with pounding passion. I dig this guy the most.
ERIC PASLAY/High Class
Writers: Eric Paslay/Corey Crowder/Jesse Frasure; Producer: Jesse Frasure/Marshall Altman; Publisher: WB/Five Foot Sixteen/Songs From the Rose Hotel/Rio Bravo/Telemitry, ASCAP/BMI; EMI (CDX)
-They might be a couple of rednecks, but just for tonight they’re living the upper-crust life. The track stutters relentlessly and he stays at the top of his vocal range all the way through. It kinda wears you out.
CHRIS JANSON/Power of Positive Drinkin’
Writers: Chris Janson/Mark Irwin/Chris DuBois; Producers: Brent Anderson/Chris DuBois/Chris Janson; Publishers: Red Vinyl/Buckkilla/Words & Music/House of Sea Gayle/Clearbox Rights/Green Vinyl, BMI/ASCAP; WB (CDX)
– Everything’s going wrong, so he’s headed for the neon lights to chug a bunch of beers in a row, until life looks a little more rosy. Joyously rhythmic and a merry lyric delight. Chalk up Big Hit #2 for this boy.