Big D and Bubba Show
After helping Steven Tyler announce the nominees for the 2015 CMA Awards earlier this morning, Kelsea Ballerini teamed with ABC Radio to announce the 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Radio Personality and Station of the Year. The nominees were surprised when the two-time CMA Awards finalist called under the guise of talking about the morning’s nominations.
“Radio has played such an important part in this amazing year that I jumped at the opportunity to call the stations to tell them they were nominated for a CMA Broadcast Award,” said Ballerini. “It has been an amazing day and I was really happy to share it with people who have contributed so much to my career.”
National Radio Personality of the Year nominees included “The Big D and Bubba Show,” “The Crook and Chase Countdown,” and “The Lia Show.”
The CMA Broadcast Award winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at “The 49th Annual CMA Awards,” which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Lia Knight
Crook and Chase
CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
National
“The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, and Patrick Thomas) – Compass Media Networks
“The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) – Westwood One
Major Market
“Barrel Boy @ Night” (Eric Gruneisen) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Ben and Matt in the Morning” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt and Meg in the Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico) – KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas
Large Market
“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Karen, Scott & Radar” (Karen Dalessandro, Scott Dolphin, and Tony “Radar” Hess) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
“Mornings with Dave O’Brien” (Dave O’Brien) – WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“Randy and Jamie” (Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
Medium Market
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Roger Todd, Melissa Moran and Dale Sellers) – WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
“Andy & Allison and The Morning Crew” (Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, and Jimmy Holt) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
“DJ Walker In The Morning” (Dennis Walker and Jim Wells) – KATM, Stockton, Calif.
“Maverick & Lulu” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne Kyrsz) – WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) – WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.
Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“Bobby and Steve Show” (Bobby Cook and Steve Schwetman) – WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.
“The Dex & Mo Show” (Bill “Dex” Poindexter and Melissa “Mo” Turner) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ken and Daniel” (Ken Hicks and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
Major Market
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WPOC – Baltimore, Md.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
Large Market
WCOL – Columbus, Ohio
WLHK – Indianapolis, Ind.
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WQIK – Jacksonville, Fla.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market
CKRY – Calgary, Alta.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WCTQ – Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
WHKO – Dayton, OH
WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
Small Market
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WGSQ – Cookeville, Tenn.
WHWY – Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, Fla
Sony Music Nashville Signs Singer-Songwriter Maren Morris
/by Jessica NicholsonMaren Morris with Sony staff. Photo: Alan Poizner
Sony Music Nashville has signed singer/songwriter Maren Morris, who joins the label group’s Columbia Nashville imprint. The Texas native has quickly established herself in Nashville’s music community with songwriting and vocal stylings that reflect her country, folk and pop influences.
Maren Morris
Currently on Spotify, songs from her self-titled EP have garnered from than 2.5 million streams in little over a month, with three songs hitting Spotify’s US and Global “Viral 50” chart.
A winner of the 2012 New Music Seminar’s “Artist on the Verge” award, her songwriting cuts include Tim McGraw’s “Last Turn Home” on Sundown Heaven Town and Kelly Clarkson’s “Second Wind.” Morris’s music has garnered international attention leading to tours in England, France and much of the U.S.
She has appeared with such artists as Pat Green, Gary Allan, Marty Stuart, Radney Foster, Bob Schneider, Monte Montgomery and Eli Young Band and will be hitting the road next on select dates with Sam Hunt and Little Big Town.
For more information, follow Maren Morris on Facebook and Twitter.
BMI Revenue Crosses $1 Billion Mark
/by Sarah SkatesBMI operates on a non-profit-making basis and returns approximately 87 percent of all revenue to the musical creators and copyright owners it represents.
BMI’s digital revenue exceeded $100 million, up 65 percent over last year, with earnings from Amazon, Apple, Netflix, Pandora, Spotify, YouTube, and many others. According to BMI, it is the first U.S. PRO to reach the $100 million digital revenue milestone.
BMI processed more than 500 billion digital performances, a 25 percent increase from last year. More than 1.2 million unique musical works were identified across the various digital services.
In total, the organization processed nearly 600 billion performances.
Revenue from all media licensing, including radio, television and cable and satellite entertainment, also saw record levels at $484 million.
Additionally, general licensing revenue, including license fees from bars, hotels, fitness facilities and restaurants, achieved a record high of $137 million.
International revenues came in at a strong $292 million, but were down 5 percent in USD from last year.
“These are phenomenal results for BMI and underscore the value we bring to our community of songwriters, composers and publishers,” said Mike O’Neill, President and CEO, BMI. “They’re even more impressive when you consider the negative impact to our international revenues brought on by the strengthening dollar,” he added. “We will continue to work hard on behalf of the more than 700,000 affiliates we have the privilege to represent, not only to make sure they can continue to earn a living doing what they love, but also through our ongoing efforts with Congress and the U.S. Department of Justice to rewrite the rules so they make sense for today’s digital world.”
Now in its 75th year, BMI represents the public performance rights in more than 10.5 million musical works created and owned by more than 700,000 songwriters, composers, and music publishers.
Carrie Underwood Reveals “Chapters” In New Album, ‘Storyteller’
/by Jessica NicholsonStoryteller Album cover. Photo: Randee St Nicholas
Carrie Underwood has revealed the “chapters” that make up her new album, Storyteller, which will release Oct. 23.
Storyteller, Underwood’s fifth studio album, was produced by Underwood’s longtime producer Mark Bright, as well as Jay Joyce and Zach Crowell. Underwood co-wrote six of the project’s 13 songs, including her first single from the project, “Smoke Break.”
The singer-songwriter collaborated with a group of writers that have heavily contributed to her past hits, including Hillary Lindsey, Chris DeStefano, Ashley Gorley, David Hodges and Brett James. Works from Jason White, Blair Daly, Kathleen Higgins, Derrick Adam Southerland, Sara Haze, Lori McKenna, and Liz Rose are also included on the album.
Track Listing for Storyteller
Tracks 1, 2, 5-8 produced by Jay Joyce
Tracks 3, 10-13 produced by Mark Bright
Tracks 4, 9 produced by Zach Crowell
Musicians On Call Nashville Benefit To Feature Reba, Martina, Kelly
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicians On Call (MOC) is kicking off a first-of-its-kind, four city Rock The Room Tour including stops in Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and Washington DC.
The Nashville date will take place 7 p.m. on Oct. 21 at City Winery, with an exclusive event featuring performances by Martina McBride and Kelly Clarkson and a special appearance by Reba, alongwith other surprise guests.
The event will honor long time MOC supporter Shane Tarleton (Warner Music Nashville’s Vice President & Creative Director) with a “Golden Ukelele” for the Leadership in Music Award. The Nashville event will also honor MOC Volunteer Recipients Harlan Pease with the Volunteer Musician Award and Sandra Morgan with the Volunteer Guide Award.
The tour will raise awareness of the impact music has on healing, honor leaders in entertainment and philanthropy, and raise funds for MOC in order to continue making a difference in the lives of patients through its unique “bedside tours” in hospitals. The lineups for each remaining city where the Rock The Room Tour will be held will be announced soon.
Sponsorships are available from $15,000-$75,000; advertisements are available from $2,500-$7,500; and tickets (including bundles and meet and greets) range from $200-$2,000.
For more information, visit musiciansoncall.org.
The 16th Annual Miller Harris Memorial Golf Tournament To Tee Off In Nashville
/by Troy_StephensonThe 16th Annual Miller Harris Memorial Golf Tournament will be played Monday, Sept. 14 at Temple Hills Country Club in Nashville.
The tournament benefits the Miller Harris Foundation, a non-profit organization that supports the Miller Harris Asthma Camp For Kids, in partnership with the Monroe Carrell, Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt and the Joe C. Davis YMCA Outdoor Center. The Miller Harris Asthma Camp hosts kids age 6-13 with asthma, whose health makes regular summer camp too difficult.
The tournament’s format is a four-person, best ball scramble and is open to the public. The cost per player is $200. Team sponsorships are available for $1,000, $2,500 and $5,000. Shotgun start is at 10 a.m. Food and beverages are served throughout the day and the evening finishes with a cocktail dinner and awards party. All golfers will receive a gift bag with a memento of the tournament. Players will be eligible for huge prizes including an automobile from Beaman Toyota and $10,000 in cash.
Information on the tournament and the foundation can be found at www.millerharrisfoundation.org.
The Miller Harris Foundation was founded in 2002 by family and friends of Harris following his death from a sudden asthma attack. Harris is the son of Nashville publishing veteran Judy Harris.
DISClaimer: Pop Goes The Country
/by Robert K OermannZac Brown Band
Judging by the sounds reviewed today, the country genre has officially gone completely pop.
Not one of these tracks could be described as “country” in any conventional sense of the term. One of them is white rap. Two of them are folk. The rest are all written and produced as Nashville pop. Which is evidently what “country music” is these days.
There are two young ladies named Emily in the mix. Emily Vance and Emily Haines are sharing the DisCovery Award.
The Disc of the Day goes to the always-listenable Zac Brown Band.
SUSAN HARTMAN/My Instinct
Writers: Susan Hartman; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: Pink Scarf, ASCAP; Pink Scarf (track)
-Rollicking and rocking and highly involving, but perhaps a little too arty in production and song construction for country music. Pitch her pop.
Writers: Maren Morris/Jon Nite/Jimmy Robbins; Producers: Kenny Greenberg & Chad Cromwell; Publishers: International Dog/Words & Music/EMI April/Jon Mark Nite/Extraordinary Alien/Universal, BMI/ASCAP; Curb (CDX)
-It’s a kiss-off, but a mighty sweet and sunny sounding one. The full-bodied production and her soaring vocal are both exactly right. Recommended.
ANDY GRAMMER & ELI YOUNG BAND/Honey I’m Good
Writers: Andy Grammer/Nolan Sipe; Producer: Mike Daly; Publishers: Ladder Soul Music / S-Curve Songs (BMI), Sony/ATV / Nolan W. Sipe Music (ASCAP); S-Curve/Valory
-Bouncy and poppy. Packed with hand claps, electronic burbles, woo-hoo backing vocals, banjo and stuttering rhythms.
EMERSON DRIVE/Til The Summer’s Gone
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; TTA (ERG)
-Poor timing. This breezy, catchy, sing-along, summer-sounding song is coming out about three months too late.
THE LACS & JOSH THOMPSON/Tonight On Repeat
Writers: C. Sharpe, B. King, B. Berryhill, E. Coffman, B. Hill, J. Benson; Producers: Brock Berryhill & Evan Coffman; Publishers: Average ZJS Music Publishing (BMI), Don’t Be A Gypsy (BMI), Distinctive Third (BMI), Brothers By Fate (BMI), Joseph Benson (BMI); Average Joes
-I hate country rap.
ZAC BROWN BAND/Beautiful Drug
Writers: Zac Brown/Niko Moon; Producer: In The Arena; Publishers: Day for the Dead/Southern Ground, SESAC; No Reserve/Republic (track)
-Propulsive, driving and relentless. Hang on for the second chorus when the harmonies, rhythm, electronics and atmosphere all kick in with full force. What a rush.
SIBLING RIVALRY/Home
Writers: Butaud/Butaud/Cotten/Johnson; Producers: Shane Stevens & Neeki Bey; Publishers: none listed; SR (track)
-Singer Olivia Butaud with her acoustic guitarist older brother Mitchell Butaud on harmony vocals have a tender, touching tune about the lonely death of a homeless man. Very folkie.
Writers: Janine LeClair/Michael Howard/Josh Thompson; Producer: Dean Scallan; Publishers: none listed; BMI; SSM (track)
-She has a vibrato that is quite ear catching in this bluesy, minor-key little outing. Intriguing.
EMILY VANCE/Serendipity
Writers: Carolina Baldridge/Emily Vance; Producers: Zac Odom/Kenneth Mount; EV (CDX)
-Very feminine and frothy. It has a giddy, girlish quality that makes you smile.
VINCE MATTHEWS & JIM CASEY/Melva’s Wine
Writers: Vince Matthews; Producers: Shel Silverstein, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson & Jack Clement; Publishers: Universal, BMI; Delmore Recording Society (track)
-Co-producer Johnny Cash called this “the greatest contemporary American folk song I ever heard.” I don’t know if I’d go that far, but it is a nice, acoustic, sing-song-y, simple ditty. It can be found on a song cycle called The Kingston Springs Suite. It was recorded in 1972 and performed as an “opera” once in 1978, but never released until now. These are folk songs and recitations about small-town people and small-town life. Colorful songwriter Vince Matthews died in 2003 at age 63, leaving behind such gems as “Love in the Hot Afternoon” (Gene Watson), “This Is My Year for Mexico” (Crystal Gayle), “The Toast of ‘45” (Sammi Smith) and cuts by Cash, Waylon, Hank Jr., Charley Pride, Webb Pierce and Gordon Lightfoot, plus this collection. His co-writer Jim Casey saved the tapes of this conceptual curiosity.
Musical Chairs: Arista Nashville, Blaster Records
/by Jessica NicholsonLuke Jensen
Luke Jensen has been named to the position of Manager, Regional Promotion for Arista Nashville. Based in Nashville, Jensen will report to VP, Promotion, Arista Nashville Lesly Simon and begin his new role Monday, Sept. 14. Jensen exits his post at Blaster Records, where he was Regional Manager of Promotion. The 19-year radio veteran’s previous career stops include Program Director at KVOO (Tulsa), and stints at KBEQ (Kansas City, Mo.) and WSOC (Charlotte, N.C.).
In welcoming Jensen, Simon remarks, “Luke is an admired colleague and friend whose experience and passion make him the perfect addition to our team. We are thrilled to welcome him to Arista Nashville.”
• • •
Bart Allmand
Blaster Records Sr. Vice President Of Promotion Bob Reeves announced today the appointment of Bart Allmand to the label’s promotion team as Regional Director. Allmand will start at the label Monday, Sept. 14 and will cover the Southeast Region.
The move reunites Allmand and Reeves, who last worked together at Monument Records. Allmand was most recently VP, Record Promotion for Big Loud Mountain.
Allmand can be reached at (615) 476-2726 or bart@blasterrecords.com.
Blaster Records was founded in 2007 and is distributed by RED Distribution.
Raleigh’s IBMA Perfomers and Presenters Unfold
/by Eric T. ParkerAll five Entertainer of the Year nominees will perform, including Balsam Range, The Del McCoury Band, Hot Rize, The Earls of Leicester, and The Gibson Brothers (who will also host).
Presenters will include brothers Ronnie and Rob McCoury, sisters Charli and Kelsey Robertson (Flatt Lonesome), and husband and wife Kenny and Amanda Smith, as well as Sam Bush, Woody Platt, Shawn Camp, Jerry Douglas and Sierra Hull.
Additional performers and presenters will be announced in the coming weeks. A complete list of nominees, this year’s Hall of Fame inductees, the recipients of the Distinguished Achievement Award, and tickets to the events can be found at ibma.org.
Held at Raleigh, N.C.’s Duke Energy Center for the Performing Arts (Memorial Auditorium) on Thursday, Oct. 1 at 7:30 p.m. ET, the awards show is the centerpiece of a five-day World of Bluegrass event (Bluegrass Ramble, business conference, Wide Open Bluegrass).
The IBMA Awards Show will be broadcast live on Sirius XM Satellite Radio (Bluegrass Junction), and syndicated to more than 300 U.S. markets and 14 foreign networks.
CMA Reveals 2015 Broadcast Awards Finalists
/by Jessica NicholsonBig D and Bubba Show
After helping Steven Tyler announce the nominees for the 2015 CMA Awards earlier this morning, Kelsea Ballerini teamed with ABC Radio to announce the 2015 CMA Broadcast Awards finalists for Radio Personality and Station of the Year. The nominees were surprised when the two-time CMA Awards finalist called under the guise of talking about the morning’s nominations.
“Radio has played such an important part in this amazing year that I jumped at the opportunity to call the stations to tell them they were nominated for a CMA Broadcast Award,” said Ballerini. “It has been an amazing day and I was really happy to share it with people who have contributed so much to my career.”
National Radio Personality of the Year nominees included “The Big D and Bubba Show,” “The Crook and Chase Countdown,” and “The Lia Show.”
The CMA Broadcast Award winners will be notified in mid-October and will be acknowledged at “The 49th Annual CMA Awards,” which will be held Wednesday, Nov. 4 (8:00-11:00 PM/ET) and broadcast live by the ABC Television Network from the Bridgestone Arena in Nashville.
Lia Knight
Crook and Chase
CMA BROADCAST PERSONALITY OF THE YEAR:
National
“The Big D and Bubba Show” (Derek Haskins, Sean Powell, and Patrick Thomas) – Compass Media Networks
“The Crook and Chase Countdown” (Lorianne Crook and Charlie Chase) – iHeartMedia
“The Lia Show” (Lia Knight) – Westwood One
Major Market
“Barrel Boy @ Night” (Eric Gruneisen) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“Ben and Matt in the Morning” (Ben Campbell and Matt McAllister) – KNIX, Phoenix, Ariz.
“The Michael J Show” (Michael J. Stuehler) – WPOC, Baltimore, Md.
“Paul Schadt and Meg in the Morning Show” (Paul Schadt, Meg Butterly, and Geof Knight) – WKKT, Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
“The Q Morning Zoo” (Tim Tuttle, Kevin Kline, and Erica Rico) – KKBQ, Houston-Galveston, Texas
Large Market
“The Big Dave Show” (David Chandler, Chelsie Shinkle, and Jason Statt) – WUBE, Cincinnati, Ohio
“Karen, Scott & Radar” (Karen Dalessandro, Scott Dolphin, and Tony “Radar” Hess) – WMIL, Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
“Mornings with Dave O’Brien” (Dave O’Brien) – WLHK, Indianapolis, Ind.
“Q Morning Crew” (Mike Wheless, Marty Young, and Janie Carothers) – WQDR, Raleigh-Durham, N.C.
“Randy and Jamie” (Randy Carroll and Jamie Martin) – KAJA, San Antonio, Texas
Medium Market
“The 97 Country Breakfast Club” (Roger Todd, Melissa Moran and Dale Sellers) – WPCV, Lakeland-Winter Haven, Fla.
“Andy & Allison and The Morning Crew” (Andy Ritchie, Alison Mencer, and Jimmy Holt) – WIVK, Knoxville, Tenn.
“DJ Walker In The Morning” (Dennis Walker and Jim Wells) – KATM, Stockton, Calif.
“Maverick & Lulu” (Maverick Johnson and Luanne Kyrsz) – WCTQ, Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
“Tom and Becky” (Tom Owens and Becky Palmer) – WBBS, Syracuse, N.Y.
Small Market
“Barrett, Fox & Berry” (Bill Barrett, Tim Fox, and Tracy Berry) – KKNU, Eugene-Springfield, Ore.
“Bobby and Steve Show” (Bobby Cook and Steve Schwetman) – WKYQ, Paducah, Ky.
“The Dex & Mo Show” (Bill “Dex” Poindexter and Melissa “Mo” Turner) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Ken and Daniel” (Ken Hicks and Daniel Wyatt) – WUSY, Chattanooga, Tenn.
“Scotty & Cara in the Morning” (Scotty Cox and Cara Denis) – KCLR, Columbia, Mo.
CMA RADIO STATION OF THE YEAR
Major Market
KNIX – Phoenix, Ariz.
WKKT – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
WKLB – Boston, Mass.
WPOC – Baltimore, Md.
WSOC – Charlotte-Gastonia, N.C./Rock Hill, S.C.
Large Market
WCOL – Columbus, Ohio
WLHK – Indianapolis, Ind.
WMIL – Milwaukee-Racine, Wis.
WQIK – Jacksonville, Fla.
WUBE – Cincinnati, Ohio
Medium Market
CKRY – Calgary, Alta.
KUZZ – Bakersfield, Calif.
WBBS – Syracuse, N.Y.
WCTQ – Sarasota-Bradenton, Fla.
WHKO – Dayton, OH
WIVK – Knoxville, Tenn.
Small Market
KCLR – Columbia, Mo.
KFDI – Wichita, Kan.
KTTS – Springfield, Mo.
WGSQ – Cookeville, Tenn.
WHWY – Ft. Walton Beach/Destin, Fla
LifeNotes: Canadian Country Star Hal Willis Passes
/by Robert K OermannHal Willis at the 2010 Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame induction. Photo: Grant Martin Photography/Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame
Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame member Hal Willis died in Nashville on Friday, Sept. 4, at age 82.
Willis scored his biggest U.S. hit with “The Lumberjack,” which reached No. 5 on the charts in 1964. He charted again on the Billboard country chart with “Doggin’ in the U.S. Male” in 1966.
Born Leonard Gauthier in Rouyn, Quebec, he formed a duet with his wife Ginger in the 1950s. Hal & Ginger Willis toured with fellow Canadian Hank Snow on a package with Elvis Presley in 1956. The couple moved to Nashville in the early 1960s.
Hal and Ginger Willis. Photo: Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame.
As songwriters, Hal & Ginger Willis had cuts by George Jones, Kitty Wells, Jim Reeves, Ernest Tubb, Bobby Helms, Charlie Walker, Rosie Flores, Hot Rize and The Wilburn Brothers, among others. Flatt & Scruggs scored a 1962 hit with the couple’s song “Just Ain’t.” Patsy Cline recorded their song “Walkin’ Dream.” They also co-wrote both of the Hal Willis hits.
Ginger Willis passed away in 2003. Hal & Ginger Willis were inducted into the Canadian Country Music Hall of Fame in 2010.