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
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.
In Pictures: Cam, William Michael Morgan, Green River Ordinance
/by Jessica NicholsonCam and Koozies at Y’allapalooza
With Koozies in hand, KBEQ Kansas City PD Mike Kennedy recently shared a smile with Arista Nashville’s Cam at the station’s 20th Y’allapalooza.
Pictured (L-R): Mike Kennedy and Cam
William Michael Morgan Makes Opry Debut
William Michael Morgan took to the stage on Saturday, Sept. 5 for his eagerly awaited Grand Ole Opry debut. Celebrating with a full house, including almost 50 family members and hometown friends, Morgan performed a cover of Keith Whitley’s classic hit, “I Never Go Around Mirrors,” followed by his first Warner Music Nashville single, “I Met a Girl.” He is currently on a radio tour promoting the first track from his yet to be announced debut album, which first appeared as a SiriusXM “Highway Find” earlier this summer.
Pictured (L-R): Mike Taliaferro (Manager, Carter & Co.), Joe Carter (Manager, Carter & Co.), Lisa Ray (VP Brand Management, WMN), Cris Lacy (VP A&R, WMN), William Michael Morgan, Pete Fisher (VP and GM, Grand Ole Opry), Peter Strickland (GM & EVP, WMN) and Scott Hendricks (EVP A&R, WMN).
Green River Ordinance Performs at Grand Ole Opry
Members of Green River Ordinance gathered with friends backstage at the Grand Ole Opry Saturday, Sept. 5, before performing two songs to a sold-out crowd.
In anticipation of a forthcoming album (TBA), the band will tour major markets — Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, D.C., Atlanta, Nashville — this Fall on its ‘Fifteen’ tour, which kicks off this Thursday, Sept. 10, at The Mint in Los Angeles. For a full list of dates, visit greenriverordinance.com.
Pictured (L-R): Manuel Cuevas, Owner of Manuel American Designs; Jamey Ice, Green River Ordinance Guitars/Banjo/Mandolin; John Marks, SiriusXM Sr. Director of Country Programming; Josh Jenkins, Green River Ordinance Lead Vocals/Acoustic Guitar; Pete Fisher, Grand Ole Opry Vice President/General Manager; Colleen Marks, wife of SiriusXM’s John Marks; Denton Hunker, Green River Ordinance Drums/Percussion
Photo: Bill McClintic
Tennessee State Route 96 in Franklin To Be Renamed ‘George Jones Memorial Highway’
/by Jessica NicholsonGeorge Jones
Soon a portion of Tennessee State Route 96 will be renamed for country legend George Jones. A section of the highway that runs through 10 counties from Dickson to Granville will be renamed ‘George Jones Memorial Highway.’
Williamson County Mayor Rogers Anderson is set to announce the renaming on Sept. 10 at 11 a.m. Anderson will also announce George Jones Day to commemorate the Grammy award-winning singer, whose career spanned 59 years. Jones died in 2013 at the age of 81.
Earlier this year, the George Jones Museum opened in downtown Nashville. The museum offers visitors an intimate look at Jones’ life and career, complete with gold and platinum music plaques, career memorabilia, a theater which shows videos of historic Jones performances, a restaurant, an event space, a gift shop, and a 75-foot rooftop bar overlooking the Cumberland River.
Sony/ATV’s Martin Bandier: 100 Percent Licensing Could Be Detrimental
/by Sarah SkatesMartin Bandier
For the first time, Sony/ATV Music Publishing Chairman and CEO Martin Bandier is publicly discussing the Department of Justice’s ongoing review of the ASCAP and BMI consent decrees.
He sent this letter to Sony/ATV’s Nashville songwriters to emphasize the importance of the National Music Publishers Association (NMPA) Town Hall meeting being held in Nashville today (Sept. 9). The event is to inform and update songwriters about issues currently being considered in Washington.
[Updated]: Old Dominion Sets Full-Length Release, Reveals Cover Art
/by Eric T. ParkerSeasoned songwriters turned major label breakout band, Old Dominion, have revealed the cover art via social media for a forthcoming RCA Nashville collective release. Titled Meat and Candy, the full length project will hit shelves Nov. 6.
The band’s lead single, “Break Up With Him,” was produced by Shane McAnally and gained early support from SiriusXM before the quintet signed with Sony Nashville in February 2015. The group joined Kenny Chesney for a run of 18 stadium dates on his The Big Revival Tour, as part of over 130 dates scheduled for the year.
The five-member group consists of Matthew Ramsey, Trevor Rosen, Whit Sellers, Geoff Sprung and Brad Tursi. A previously released five-song EP included additional tracks “Shut Me Up,” “Nowhere Fast,” Beer Can in a Truck Bed,” and “Wrong Turns.”
A weekly online video series will post every Wednesday through September in promotion of the project.
Meat and Candy track listing:
1. Snapback (Matthew Ramsey/Trevor Rosen/Brad Tursi)
2. Half Empty (Ramsey/Rosen/Matt Jenkins)
3. Wrong Turns (Ramsey/Rosen/Jenkins)
4. Said Nobody (Ramsey/Rosen/Tursi)
5. Crazy Beautiful Sexy (Ramsey/Josh Osborne/Ross Copperman)
6. Nowhere Fast (Ramsey/Rosen/Jenkins)
7. Beer Can in a Truck Bed (Ramsey/Rosen/Jenkins)
8. Break Up with Him (Ramsey/Rosen/Tursi/Geoff Sprung/Whit Sellers)
9. Song for Another Time (Ramsey/Rosen/Tursi/Jenkins)
10. Til It’s Over (Ramsey/McAnally/Jimmy Robbins)
11. We Got It Right (Ramsey/McAnally/Copperman)
Daphne Willis Signs Co-Publishing Agreement with Sony/ATV and Whizbang, Inc.
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R, front row): Whizbang’s Jennifer Wolczyk and Jim Scherer, Daphne Willis, and Sony/ATV’s Mark Abramowitz and Hannah Williams; (L-R, back row) Sony/ATV’s Ed Williams, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe and Leavens, Strand & Glover, LLC’s Hillel Frankel.
ASCAP songwriter Daphne Willis has signed a co-publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing and Nashville-based Whizbang, Inc.
“I am beyond excited to join the Sony/ATV and Whizbang teams,” says Willis. “I couldn’t be more thankful to have had support from ASCAP, specifically their GPS Program, which put me in the right direction. Ready to kick some ass!”
Sony/ATV Manager of A&R/Creative, Mark Abramowitz added, “We are excited to play a role in developing Daphne’s career as both an artist and songwriter. Daphne is a great writer capable of impacting both the pop and country markets.”
Born in San Antonio to a classically trained vocalist and audio engineer, Willis began performing at open mic nights around Chicago while a student at DePaul University. She eventually started a band and began playing around 200 shows a year across the United States. She released her first full-length album, What To Say, in 2010 and her second album, Because I Can, in 2011. She currently resides in Nashville.
Industry Ink: Johnstone Entertainment, Susan Nadler, Edgehill Village
/by Jessica NicholsonTaylor Hicks Joins Johnstone Entertainment
Pictured (L-R): Taylor Hicks and Cole Johnstone
American Idol winner Taylor Hicks has joined Johnstone Entertainment for management. Hicks will be represented by Cole Johnstone.
Nashville-based Johnstone Entertainment was launched earlier this year and currently manages The Farm and Annie Bosko. Prior to forming Johnstone Entertainment, Johnstone managed acts including Randy Owen, Gretchen Wilson and Big & Rich, alongside Marc Oswald and Dale Morris.
Johnstone can be reached at cole@johnstoneent.com.
Susan Nadler Releases Children’s Book
Nadler served as a publicist for Tammy Wynette, The Highwaymen and Clint Black, before teaming with Evelyn Shriver to lead Asylum Records from 1998-2001. That year, Nadler and Shriver started Bandit Records and later released Jones’ Grammy-winning album Cold Hard Truth. She currently works as a talent manager for the TV show Soundstage.
The book is available at amazon.com.
Women’s Jeans Company Coming To Edgehill Village
Beija-Flor Jeans will open a shop at 1201 Villa Place, below the local offices of LiveNation.