Richard Williams
Pianist-singer Richard Williams, who co-founded Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band, has died at age 75 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Williams was a high-school student in Music City when he formed The Casuals with singer-songwriter Buzz Cason in 1956. Nashville’s pioneering rock group toured for many years with Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee.
Born in Nashville in 1939, Richard Williams was raised by his grandparents and graduated from East High. He formed The Richard Williams Trio in 1955. When Cason joined the group, the name was changed to The Casuals and the repertoire shifted to rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll.
The group’s debut performance was at Lebanon High School in March 1956. Its high-energy stage act made it a popular attraction at Vanderbilt frat parties, local TV teen shows, skating rinks, drive-in movie theaters and high-school dances.
Williams and Cason co-wrote “My Love Song for You,” which became a regional hit for The Casuals in 1957 on Dot Records. It put the group on the road with such early rockers as Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Eddie Cochran as well as country stars such as Mel Tillis, Minnie Pearl and Kitty Wells.
In 1958, The Casuals were hired to join Brenda Lee’s road show. The largest selling female recording artist of the 1960s, Lee sang both rockabilly tunes and torchy ballads. The Casuals backed her in both styles and hit the road with her and such other teen stars as Fabian, Duane Eddy, Fats Domino, Roy Orbison, The Big Bopper, Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen, Bobby Darin and Chubby Checker.
They starred at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater at a legendary 1960 Christmas extravaganza with The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Coasters, Dion, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Bo Diddley, Neil Sedaka, Freddy Cannon and Bobby Vee.
Richard Williams and Buzz Cason joined Hugh Jarrett to form a studio-only vocal trio called The Statues, who made the charts with “Blue Velvet” in 1960 on Liberty Records. But they continued to be Casuals members as well.
In 1961 at Alan Freed’s Spectacular at The Hollywood Bowl, they headlined with The Ventures, B.B. King, Gene McDaniels, The Fleetwoods, Etta James and more. Cason left the group in 1962 and eventually became a successful Nashville producer, songwriter, publisher and recording artist. Williams assumed leadership of The Casuals. As Brenda Lee graduated from teen stardom to headlining supper clubs and Las Vegas showrooms, the band evolved with her.
The Casuals continued to record, as well, notably “Mustang 2+2” in 1964 on Sound Stage 7 Records and several songs for the Monument label in 1966. They also toured as a top “show band” when not on the road with Brenda Lee.
When Richard Williams departed the group in 1975, the Casuals name was retired. He subsequently moved to Ft. Lauderdale and became one of that city’s most popular solo nightclub entertainers.
Richard Williams died on Sept. 8. He is survived by his wife Vanessa, daughter Angela McCoy of Louisville, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren of Louisville and by aunt Jean Carroll of Madison, TN.
There will be a celebration of Richard Williams’ life on Sunday, Oct. 11 at Chef’s Market in Goodlettsville, TN, 4-7 p.m.
Music City Food + Wine Super Sizes Third Year
/by Eric T. ParkerFood + Wine finale with Michael McDonald, Sam Moore, Jewel, Kings of Leon and many more.
In its third year, the Music City Food + Wine Festival has grown to sizable proportions. Hosted by Kings of Leon, Vector Management’s Ken Levitan and Andy Mendelsohn, chef Jonathan Waxman, and C3 Presents, of which Live Nation recently acquired a controlling stake.
Evening music churned out a few songs from each performer in the theme of soul and R&B songs. Although attendees ran through every wine bottle on the Walk of Fame Park premises before the music started, additional spirit offerings included Patron tequila, Titos vodka, Hendrick’s Gin, and Wild Turkey whiskey.
Backing band, The Long Players, cranked out tunes for Kings of Leon with Ruby Amanfu (“Private Number”) before the songstress stepped out with “It’s Your Thing.” A cloud blew through for only about five minutes, leaving behind some sprinkles to which America’s Got Talent finalist Emily West joked her performance of “I Can’t Stand The Rain,” was a most appropriate selection. Additional performers included Tom Morello, Robert Randolph (“Land of 1000 Dances”), Jamie N Commons (“How Can You Mend A Broken Heart”), Hamilton Leithauser (“Walking The Dog”), Anthony Hamilton (“When A Man Loves A Woman”), Jewel (“I Can’t Get Next To You”), Jesse Baylon (“Let’s Stay Together”), Madisen Ward & The Mama Bear (“Sittin’ On The Dock Of The Bay,” “You’ve Really Got A Hold On Me”), Andy Hull (“Georgia On My Mind”), Parker Gispert spontaneously joined by chef Carla Hall (“Hold On I’m Comin’”), Michelle Branch (“I Just Want To Make Love To You”), and Michael McDonald joined by Sam Moore for (“Mr. Pitiful,” “When Something Is Wrong With My Baby”). The whole cast joined for “Soul Man” to close the night by 11 p.m.
Moving this year to the Bicentennial Park lawn, the daytime events consisted mostly of local vendors providing noshes alongside alcohol offerings. Vintners, distilleries, distributors and breweries filled glasses from 11 a.m. – 4 p.m. Sizable crowds were had on Saturday, enjoying DJ Mel who pumped tunes from a center podium. For the first time in the festival’s three year run, the afternoon session turned into a daytime dance party albeit cut short by the time restraint.
Saturday and Sunday’s Grand Taste at Nashville’s Bicentennial Lawn.
Event sponsor Infiniti and Uber offered complementary rides from the festival’s three events in 2015-model SUVs.
Lunch highlights included: Martins BBQ, Watermark Restaurant, Bajo Sexto Taco, Capitol Grille, City House, Porter Road Butcher, Sinema, Lockeland Table
Dinner highlights included: Aaron Sanchez’ Smoked Tuna Tostada, Andrew Zimmern’s Canteen Dog
Drink highlights included: Silver Oak Cellars, Champagne Taittinger, Santa Christina Winery
Chefs Tim Love (R), Aaron Sanchez (C) and Jonathan Waxman (L).
Andrew Zimmern’s BBQ near Martin’s BBQ daytime setup.
Chef Carla Hall spontaneously joins Parker Gispert’s cover of “Hold On I’m Comin’”
[Updated]: Blake Shelton To Perform Free Nashville Concert at WMN’s “Pickin’ On The Patio”
/by Jessica NicholsonBlake Shelton
[Update]: Additional logistics information has been announced for Blake Shelton‘s upcoming Pickin’ On The Patio performance. Gates will open at 4:30 p.m. for the concert. Additionally, Music Square East will be closed between Roy Acuff Place and Music Circle N from 3 p.m. until 8 p.m.
[Original post]: Blake Shelton will hold a free concert in Nashville next week, when he performs Wednesday, Sept. 23 as part of Warner Music Nashville’s “Pickin’ On The Patio” series. The concert will begin at 5:30 p.m. at the roundabout in front of Warner Music Nashville on 16th Ave. S.
Fans will have access to a beer garden – “The Voice” star’s favorite kind of garden – and food trucks. Shelton will also be selling commemorative T-shirts with proceeds going to WMN’s For The Linds Fund, dedicated to wiping out cancer in the memory of former Chicago-based Regional Promotion Manager Lindsay Walleman, who passed away of sarcoma at 28.
Bud Light and Aramark are sponsoring the event. Organizers suggest fans take taxis, Uber and Lyft rides to the concert due to congestion, parking and traffic alterations.
Shelton made the announcement in a series of Twitter posts earlier today.
The entertainer will release a greatest hits album Reloaded: 20 #1 Hits on Oct. 23. His first greatest hits album, Loaded: The Best of Blake Shelton, released in 2010. Shelton will return to the big red chair on NBC’s The Voice on Sept. 21.
House Judiciary Committee To Host Copyright Roundtable Discussion in Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonHouse Judiciary Committee Chairman Bob Goodlatte (R-Va.) and Ranking Member John Conyers (D-Mich.) will take part in the House Judiciary Committee’s listening tour, as part of the Committee’s comprehensive copyright review. The House Judiciary Committee will launch the copyright review listening tour with a roundtable discussion in Nashville on Tuesday, Sept. 22 at Belmont University. The roundtable is expected to include a wide range of professionals from the music industry.
Chairman Goodlatte and Ranking Member Conyers issued the following statement on the upcoming copyright review listening tour.
“America’s copyright industries – movies, television programming, music, books, video games and computer software – and technology sector are vitally important to our national economy. The House Judiciary Committee’s copyright review is focused on determining whether our copyright laws are still working in the digital age to reward creativity and innovation in order to ensure these crucial industries can thrive.
“In the coming weeks the House Judiciary Committee will conduct several roundtable discussions to hear directly from the creators and innovators about the challenges they face in their creative field and what changes are needed to ensure U.S. copyright law keeps pace with technological advances.”
Carrie Underwood, Cam Performances To Be Streamed Live From Apple Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Cam and Carrie Underwood
Carrie Underwood and Cam are set for performances today (Sept. 21) in London as part of the Apple Music Festival. Underwood’s headlining slot marks the first time a country performer has headlined the festival.
Both performances will be streamed live this afternoon, with Cam’s 20-minute set beginning at 1:20 p.m. CT. Underwood’s headlining, 70-minute set will begin at 3 p.m. CT.
To watch each performance, visit applemusic.com/festival
Weekly Register: Brett Eldredge Debuts at No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesBrett Eldredge performed his current single “Lose My Mind” last week on Good Morning America. Pictured (L-R): George Stephanopoulos, 2016 Miss America Betty Cantrell, Brett Eldredge, Amy Robach, Lara Spencer, Ginger Zee.
Brett Eldredge sings his way to the No. 1 country album spot this week, debuting with sales of 51K (44K album only). His sophomore album, Illinois, lands at No. 3 on the overall chart. Eldredge celebrated the Warner Music Nashville release with an album preview event recently at Ocean Way studios in Nashville.
Rounding out the top 5 country albums are: Luke Bryan (27K), Sam Hunt (9K), Zac Brown Band (6.6K) and Eric Church (5.4K)
Bryan and Hunt also have tracks in the country top 5: Bryan’s “Strip It Down” is at No. 1 with 42K TW, and Hunt’s “House Party” is at No. 5 with 26K.
Compared to 2014, the number of downloads being sold by the top country track is down significantly. During the same week last year, Jason Aldean was moving 78K of “Burnin’ It Down.”
In 2015, Cam is the one on fire. Her “Burning House” sold 33K this week, landing at No. 2 country, followed by Chris Janson “Buy Me A Boat” (28K) and Keith Urban “John Cougar, John Deere…” (27K).
Toby Keith’s “Rum Is The Reason” is the top country debut track, coming in at No. 24 with 8.4K downloads.
On the overall charts, The Weeknd has the top album with 99K total activity (48K album only), and Justin Bieber has the top track, selling 128K of “What Do You Mean?”
YTD Albums
Overall -4%
Overall digital -.3%
Country -3.2%
Country digital +4.2%
YTD Tracks
Overall -10.5%
Country -16%
Womack Woos Americana Crowd in Nashville
/by Eric T. ParkerLee Ann Womack performs during the 2015 Americana Music Fest. Photo: Eric Parker
Lee Ann Womack whisked to the stage of Nashville’s 3rd and Lindsley on Friday night (Sept. 18) as part of the Americana Music Festival.
Sandwiched between Los Angeles cowboy Sam Outlaw and Michigan honky tonker Whitey Morgan, Womack drew a standing-room-only crowd for a set of signature tunes. The Sugar Hill Records star has been promoting her Americana-leaning album The Way I’m Livin’ since its release last year, including stops overseas.
Her slimmed touring band of four delivered her “Never Again, Again,” “Ashes By Now,” and “Does My Ring Burn Your Finger” with Womack even picking up a guitar of her own at times. With the absence of a steel guitar, triple fiddles were a welcomed flair during her cover of George Jones’ “You’re Still On My Mind,” and then for her own “I May Hate Myself In The Morning.”
“How country do you like it? Or should I say, ‘How country can you take it?’” Womack provoked the lively crowd, noticing a woman tearing up in the front. “She’s crying! Well, my job is done…Aren’t I a sick person? I love to make people cry. I love crying, too.”
With the ability to record the art she finds compelling, Womack proves she is in her element. She briefly mentioned she always envied the Buddy Miller[s] of the Americana world, where she hoped to fit in one day. For her, that day is now, with the new material she performed including “Chances Are,” “Send It On Down,” and her latest album’s title track “The Way I’m Livin’.”
After a rendition of her 2008 MCA Nashville track, “The Bees,” Womack left the stage as dignified as she arrived. The audience got a taste for more traditional material with Jim Lauderdale, who was also on the night’s bill.
Vince Gill And Lyle Lovett To Reunite For 2016 Tour
/by Troy_StephensonVince Gill
Lyle Lovett
After a series of successful concerts earlier this year, Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett will reunite for a 13-city tour that will take place in February and March of 2016.
Each show will be a series of intimate solo and duo performances, during which the artists will serve as their own accompanists.
“For a night like this, there is no plan,” Gill said. “I know Lyle won’t have a plan, and I won’t either. What he plays will inspire me, and probably vice-versa. It’ll be like playing ping-pong. Whatever song he chooses to sing will inspire the next song that comes out of me.”
“I enjoy shows that are not planned out,” Lovett adds. “This will be two songwriters in the round. It’s informal, so there will be lots of ad-libbing. It will be like little snapshots of our experiences.”
Dates and locations for Vince Gill and Lyle Lovett:
Feb. 17 — Montgomery, AL — Montgomery Performing Arts Centre
Feb. 18 — Huntsville, AL — Von Braun Center Concert Hall
Feb. 19 — Birmingham, AL — Alabama Theatre
Feb. 20 — Atlanta, GA — Cobb Energy Performing Arts Centre
Feb. 21 — Asheville, NC — Thomas Wolfe Auditorium
Feb. 23 — Daytona Beach, FL — Peabody Auditorium
Feb. 24 — Clearwater, FL — Ruth Eckerd Hall
Feb. 25 — Jacksonville, FL — Florida Theatre
Feb. 26 — Sarasota, FL — Van Wezel Performing Arts Hall
Feb. 27 — Key West, FL — Tennessee Williams Theatre
Feb. 28 — Melbourne, FL — King Center for the Performing Arts
Feb. 29 — Fort Myers, FL — Barbara B Mann Performing Arts Hall
March 1 — Coral Springs, FL — Coral Springs Center for the Arts
LifeNotes: Local Rock ‘n’ Roll Pioneer Richard Williams Passes
/by Robert K OermannRichard Williams
Pianist-singer Richard Williams, who co-founded Nashville’s first rock ‘n’ roll band, has died at age 75 in Ft. Lauderdale, FL.
Williams was a high-school student in Music City when he formed The Casuals with singer-songwriter Buzz Cason in 1956. Nashville’s pioneering rock group toured for many years with Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Brenda Lee.
Born in Nashville in 1939, Richard Williams was raised by his grandparents and graduated from East High. He formed The Richard Williams Trio in 1955. When Cason joined the group, the name was changed to The Casuals and the repertoire shifted to rockabilly and rock ‘n’ roll.
The group’s debut performance was at Lebanon High School in March 1956. Its high-energy stage act made it a popular attraction at Vanderbilt frat parties, local TV teen shows, skating rinks, drive-in movie theaters and high-school dances.
Williams and Cason co-wrote “My Love Song for You,” which became a regional hit for The Casuals in 1957 on Dot Records. It put the group on the road with such early rockers as Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Eddie Cochran as well as country stars such as Mel Tillis, Minnie Pearl and Kitty Wells.
In 1958, The Casuals were hired to join Brenda Lee’s road show. The largest selling female recording artist of the 1960s, Lee sang both rockabilly tunes and torchy ballads. The Casuals backed her in both styles and hit the road with her and such other teen stars as Fabian, Duane Eddy, Fats Domino, Roy Orbison, The Big Bopper, Buddy Knox, Jimmy Bowen, Bobby Darin and Chubby Checker.
They starred at The Brooklyn Paramount Theater at a legendary 1960 Christmas extravaganza with The Drifters, The Shirelles, The Coasters, Dion, Little Anthony & The Imperials, Bo Diddley, Neil Sedaka, Freddy Cannon and Bobby Vee.
Richard Williams and Buzz Cason joined Hugh Jarrett to form a studio-only vocal trio called The Statues, who made the charts with “Blue Velvet” in 1960 on Liberty Records. But they continued to be Casuals members as well.
In 1961 at Alan Freed’s Spectacular at The Hollywood Bowl, they headlined with The Ventures, B.B. King, Gene McDaniels, The Fleetwoods, Etta James and more. Cason left the group in 1962 and eventually became a successful Nashville producer, songwriter, publisher and recording artist. Williams assumed leadership of The Casuals. As Brenda Lee graduated from teen stardom to headlining supper clubs and Las Vegas showrooms, the band evolved with her.
The Casuals continued to record, as well, notably “Mustang 2+2” in 1964 on Sound Stage 7 Records and several songs for the Monument label in 1966. They also toured as a top “show band” when not on the road with Brenda Lee.
When Richard Williams departed the group in 1975, the Casuals name was retired. He subsequently moved to Ft. Lauderdale and became one of that city’s most popular solo nightclub entertainers.
Richard Williams died on Sept. 8. He is survived by his wife Vanessa, daughter Angela McCoy of Louisville, four grandchildren and six great-grandchildren of Louisville and by aunt Jean Carroll of Madison, TN.
There will be a celebration of Richard Williams’ life on Sunday, Oct. 11 at Chef’s Market in Goodlettsville, TN, 4-7 p.m.
Alabama Releases First Album In 14 Years Today
/by Sarah SkatesBMG is promoting the album with a sign spinner in front of its 16th Ave. offices today, drive by before 6 p.m. and honk if you love Alabama!
Alabama released their first studio album in fourteen years today (Sept. 18). The band is in New York City to celebrate the release of Southern Drawl and will perform tonight at The Beacon Theater.
After taking a break from recording and touring for over a decade, the band was refreshed and ready to record again. “We are excited about this. We really put our hearts into it,” said lead singer Randy Owen.
Album standouts include “Wasn’t Through Lovin’ You Yet,” “American Farmer,” the rowdy “Hillbilly Wins The Lotto Money,” the heart-warming “I Wanna Be There,” and “Come Find Me,” featuring vocals by Alison Krauss.
The band recently received the Career Achievement Award at the ACM Honors at the historic Ryman Auditorium.
In all, the band has won 178 awards including Grammy® Awards, CMA Awards, ACM Awards and Billboard Awards. They’ve sold over 73 million albums and raised over $250 million for charity.
BMI Photos: Loufest Music Festival
/by Jessica NicholsonEight BMI bands from areas as far as South Carolina, Texas, New York and Tennessee brought high energy and hit songs to the BMI sponsored stage at Loufest music festival, held Sept. 12 and 13 in St. Louis. Now in its third year, the festival highlights up-and-coming acts including BMI bands COIN, KOA and the Suffers, as well as top-notch global hit-makers, such as BMI singer-songwriters Hozier, Nico & Vinz and Ludacris.
Out of New York, BMI band Walking Shapes closes the BMI stage at Loufest. The group synth-rock band boogied with the crowd, playing tracks off Taka Come On, their most recent album.
The incredible Dallas-based The Suffers showed St. Louis their soul-funk sound. The BMI band got the crowd moving, roaring through songs off their yet-to-be-released debut.
Opening up day two of the BMI stage at Loufest, BMI indie-rock band Earl Burrows tears through songs on their recent debut No Love for the Drowning.
Nashville’s BMI band COIN provides a synth-pop soundtrack to the sunset at the BMI stage at Loufest. The group’s debut self-titled release is out now.
Members of Nashville-based BMI band COIN pose with BMI’s Mark Mason before their set on the BMI stage at Loufest.
Charleston, S.C.’s Brave Baby performs to a full crowd at the BMI stage at Loufest. The band highlighted their energetic rock n’ roll songs off their latest release Electric Friends.
KOA: Nashville-based BMI band KOA bring their signature laid-back jams to the BMI stage at Loufest. They definitely added festival goers to the Koalition, their dedicated group of supporters.