Owens “Boomer” Castleman. Photo: Family of Owens “Boomer” Castleman
Singer-songwriter Boomer Castleman died of cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at age 70.
Best known as the co-writer of several songs with Michael Martin Murphey, Castleman also made his mark as a producer, guitar innovator and record-label entrepreneur.
He was born Owens Boomer Castleman in Los Angeles in 1945, but was raised in Texas. His musical career began in high school. His first collaborator was the then-unknown John Denver, with whom he toured on the folk circuit. In Los Angeles, he formed a band called The Survivors with future Monkees star Michael Nesmith.
After The Monkees became a sensation in 1966, Castleman teamed up with Murphey as the folk-pop duo The Lewis & Clarke Expedition and signed with The Monkees’ label, Colgems Records. The Lewis & Clarke Expedition charted briefly with their co-written “I Feel Good (I Feel Bad)” in 1967.
The Monkees recorded the duo’s “(What Am I Doin’) Hangin’ Round” and featured it on three of their TV show’s episodes in 1967-68. Castleman and Murphey co-starred in their own TV pilot titled The Kowboys in 1969, but a series was not put into production.
Castleman became widely known in instrumental circles for inventing the Palm Pedal in 1968. This device allows guitar players to emulate steel-guitar sounds. It is now marketed as the Bigsby Palm Pedal.
After their breakup as a singing duo, Boomer Castleman and Michael Martin Murphey continued to collaborate as writers. They co-wrote several of the songs on Murphey’s 1972 LP Geronimo’s Cadillac, including “Boy From the Country,” “You Can Only Say So Much” and “Blood Brothers.”
Their “Ft. Worth, I Love You” became a regional hit in its namesake city and inspired t-shirts, hats and coffee mugs bearing its title. “Texas Morning” and “West Texas Highway” both also became favorites in the Lone Star State. Their songs have been recorded by such Texas artists as Lyle Lovett, B.W. Stevenson, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Rusty Weir.
In 1975, Boomer Castleman scored a mid-sized pop hit with his self-composed “Judy Mae.” Two years later, he co-produced the Meri Wilson novelty hit “Telephone Man,” and cowrote most of the songs on her subsequent album.
He relocated to Nashville in the 1970s. As a guitarist, he has backed Tammy Wynette, David Alan Coe, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, George Hamilton IV, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Dave Dudley, Big Al Downing, Johnny Rodriguez and Tom Jones, either on stage or in recording sessions. He also recorded as a studio backup vocalist.
As a record producer, Boomer Castleman worked with Ronnie Prophet, Mike Alan Ward, Bobby David, Kim Morrison, Rodney Lay and others. Also in Music City, he formed BNA Records and recorded a 1981 revival of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” for the imprint in 1981. Alan Jackson topped the charts with the song in 1994. Castleman sold BNA to BMG/RCA in 1993.
Other labels he headed included Legend, DeltaDisc and Amria. His other Nashville solo singles included “Holes in His Hands” and ”Personal Notes.” Personable and outgoing, he continued to perform and tour as an artist even after his cancer diagnosis. He was particularly popular as an entertainer in Texas.
Boomer Castleman is survived by daughters Anne Marie Castleman Middleton and Breck Castleman, by two granddaughters, four sisters and brother and his loyal friend Lois Hess.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Grand Ole RV Resort, 708 N. Main St., Goodlettsville, Tenn. Memorial donations can be made to: Gift Processing Vanderbilt University, PMB 407727, Nashville, TN 37240-7727 or to the charity of your choice in the name of Owens Boomer Castleman.
Miranda Lambert To Be Honored At Symphony Ball
/by Sarah SkatesMiranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year 2014. Photo: Rick Diamond/ Getty Images for CMT
Miranda Lambert will be the recipient of the 2015 Harmony Award, presented each year by the Nashville Symphony to an individual who best exemplifies the harmonious spirit of Nashville’s musical community.
Lambert will be honored at the 31st annual Symphony Ball on Saturday, December 12, 2015, at Schermerhorn Symphony Center, where she will also perform with the Grammy Award-winning orchestra.
The 2015 Symphony Ball patron party will be hosted by Mr. and Mrs. T.K. Kimbrell on Tuesday, December 8, 2015.
“I have always felt that music is universal no matter what genre, and being recognized by the Nashville Symphony as a Harmony Award recipient is an honor,” said Lambert. “And the icing on the cake is I get to perform a few of my songs with the Symphony orchestra, which is such a rare and out-of-this-world musical opportunity. I look forward to an amazing night and a heartfelt thank you.”
“Miranda Lambert’s numerous contributions to the Nashville community, including her recent establishment of a scholarship program for women at Belmont University, illustrate her commitment to Music City and demonstrate exactly why she is such a worthy addition to the list of previous Harmony Award winners,” said Mrs. Charles (Laura) Niewold and Mrs. Frederic (Sarah) Reisner, co-chairs of the 2015 Symphony Ball fundraiser. “An immense talent who is also passionate about making Nashville a better place, Miranda embodies everything that this award represents, and we are forever grateful to her for how much she has given back to this city we all love so much.”
The Symphony Ball is Nashville’s premier winter social event. Since its inception in 1985, the ball has raised more than $7 million for the Symphony.
Past recipients of the Nashville Symphony’s Harmony Award include Faith Hill and Tim McGraw, Brad Paisley, Amy Grant, LeAnn Rimes, Michael W. Smith, Mike & Linda Curb, Lyle Lovett, Trisha Yearwood, Dolly Parton, Steve Winwood, Vince Gill, Wynonna and Naomi Judd, Chet Atkins, Martina McBride, Rascal Flatts, Carrie Underwood, Taylor Swift, Marty Stuart and Keith Urban.
The Nashville Symphony has earned 15 Grammy nominations and seven Grammy Awards. It has more than 140 performances annually.
MusicRowPics: Macy Martin
/by Jessica NicholsonMacy Martin performs for MusicRow staff.
For most high school students, senior year is a flurry of SATs, classes, college applications and planning, and extracurricular activities. Rising artist Macy Martin had a few extra activities on her schedule—including recording sessions, songwriting sessions, tour dates, radio station visits, and running her charitable organization, Macy’s Toy Box.
Martin, who comes from a family of doctors and lawyers, fell in love with music at an early age, and recorded her first album in Texas at the age of 13.
Martin recently visited MusicRow‘s office to perform a trio of songs from her latest 12-track project, Find My Melody. Music industry veteran Kent Wells (Dolly Parton) produced and co-wrote several tracks. During the visit, Martin performed her flirty current single, “Baby What Ya Doin’,” as well as the pop-country ballad “Beginning of the End” and “Headway.”
Macy’s Toy Box, which Martin founded when she was nine years old, collects new and gently used toys for underprivileged children. The organization has collected thousands of toys for children since its inception, and also works to assist Bridge Ministries in Nashville.
Martin will continue to balance school with her recording career, with plans to move to Nashville and attend Belmont University.
Macy Martin with MusicRow staffers.
Shania Will Continue Rocking This Country—And The Rest of the World
/by Sarah SkatesThe extended tour, with 75 shows on the itinerary, will end in October in her home country of Canada. She told Leach she will also head overseas: “Then Europe and maybe add on Asia, Australia and New Zealand. I have to take it phase by phase. But the ideal scenario is to come back to Las Vegas. I’d like to return to Las Vegas and do another couple of years in a residency.”
Her two-year run at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas ended in December. She said, “We could return to Las Vegas next fall, 2016 or early 2017. I would be very happy to be back in Las Vegas.”
The Rock This Country tour, which visited Nashville this summer, has 15 trucks, 100 traveling crew members, plus another 200 crew members at each stop, according to the newspaper.
She said she also plans to finish a new album this fall.
Currently, Twain is taking a break at home in the Bahamas, where her son has started a new school year, before the tour resumes in mid-September.
Opry Films Concert Documentary
/by Eric T. ParkerBrad Paisley on Aug. 31 at the Opry filming. Photo: Opry
The Grand Ole Opry is reportedly planning a documentary concert film, tentatively set to hit movie screens in December.
Titled American Saturday Night: Live From the Grand Ole Opry, the project will include footage from a Monday, Aug. 31 lineup, featuring Darius Rucker, Brad Paisley, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry and Brett Eldredge.
Performances and backstage footage will allow moviegoers a rare seat at the show and its performers.
Official comments were not immediately available.
Cingle Records Celebrates Launch Party, Rainey Qualley Opry Debut
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Rainey Qualley and the Grand Ole Opry’s Pete Fisher. Photo: Chris Hollo.
Cingle Records’ flagship artist Rainey Qualley welcomed Nashville’s music industry to celebrate as she made her Grand Ole Opry debut on Friday night (Aug. 28).
Qualley performed her radio single, “Me And Johnny Cash,” and “Never Mine,” both from her debut EP Turn Down The Lights.
“What a surreal and humbling experience,” said Qualley. “It’s completely overwhelming and I’m still trying to take it all in,” she said from her dressing room at the Grand Ole Opry, aptly named “Into The Circle” for artists making their Opry debut.
Prior to her performance, Cingle Records hosted a label launch party in Studio A of the Grand Ole Opry House.
Rainey Qualley performs at the Grand Ole Opry. Photo: Chris Hollo.
Pictured (L-R): Rainey Qualley and MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.
Pictured (L-R): Russ Zavitson (President/Cingle Records); Rainey Qualley, and John Shackleford (CEO/Cingle Records). Photo: Bev Moser, Moments By Moser.
LifeNotes: Singer-songwriter Owens “Boomer” Castleman Dies
/by Robert K OermannOwens “Boomer” Castleman. Photo: Family of Owens “Boomer” Castleman
Singer-songwriter Boomer Castleman died of cancer on Tuesday, Sept. 1, at age 70.
Best known as the co-writer of several songs with Michael Martin Murphey, Castleman also made his mark as a producer, guitar innovator and record-label entrepreneur.
He was born Owens Boomer Castleman in Los Angeles in 1945, but was raised in Texas. His musical career began in high school. His first collaborator was the then-unknown John Denver, with whom he toured on the folk circuit. In Los Angeles, he formed a band called The Survivors with future Monkees star Michael Nesmith.
After The Monkees became a sensation in 1966, Castleman teamed up with Murphey as the folk-pop duo The Lewis & Clarke Expedition and signed with The Monkees’ label, Colgems Records. The Lewis & Clarke Expedition charted briefly with their co-written “I Feel Good (I Feel Bad)” in 1967.
The Monkees recorded the duo’s “(What Am I Doin’) Hangin’ Round” and featured it on three of their TV show’s episodes in 1967-68. Castleman and Murphey co-starred in their own TV pilot titled The Kowboys in 1969, but a series was not put into production.
Castleman became widely known in instrumental circles for inventing the Palm Pedal in 1968. This device allows guitar players to emulate steel-guitar sounds. It is now marketed as the Bigsby Palm Pedal.
After their breakup as a singing duo, Boomer Castleman and Michael Martin Murphey continued to collaborate as writers. They co-wrote several of the songs on Murphey’s 1972 LP Geronimo’s Cadillac, including “Boy From the Country,” “You Can Only Say So Much” and “Blood Brothers.”
Their “Ft. Worth, I Love You” became a regional hit in its namesake city and inspired t-shirts, hats and coffee mugs bearing its title. “Texas Morning” and “West Texas Highway” both also became favorites in the Lone Star State. Their songs have been recorded by such Texas artists as Lyle Lovett, B.W. Stevenson, Ray Wylie Hubbard and Rusty Weir.
He relocated to Nashville in the 1970s. As a guitarist, he has backed Tammy Wynette, David Alan Coe, Linda Ronstadt, Kenny Rogers, George Jones, Johnny Paycheck, George Hamilton IV, Roy Clark, Mel Tillis, Dave Dudley, Big Al Downing, Johnny Rodriguez and Tom Jones, either on stage or in recording sessions. He also recorded as a studio backup vocalist.
As a record producer, Boomer Castleman worked with Ronnie Prophet, Mike Alan Ward, Bobby David, Kim Morrison, Rodney Lay and others. Also in Music City, he formed BNA Records and recorded a 1981 revival of Eddie Cochran’s “Summertime Blues” for the imprint in 1981. Alan Jackson topped the charts with the song in 1994. Castleman sold BNA to BMG/RCA in 1993.
Other labels he headed included Legend, DeltaDisc and Amria. His other Nashville solo singles included “Holes in His Hands” and ”Personal Notes.” Personable and outgoing, he continued to perform and tour as an artist even after his cancer diagnosis. He was particularly popular as an entertainer in Texas.
Boomer Castleman is survived by daughters Anne Marie Castleman Middleton and Breck Castleman, by two granddaughters, four sisters and brother and his loyal friend Lois Hess.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, Sept. 4 at 5 p.m. at the Grand Ole RV Resort, 708 N. Main St., Goodlettsville, Tenn. Memorial donations can be made to: Gift Processing Vanderbilt University, PMB 407727, Nashville, TN 37240-7727 or to the charity of your choice in the name of Owens Boomer Castleman.
In Pictures: CAM, MOONSHINE, Kix Brooks, Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch
/by Kelsey_GradyKendra Scott Donates To Lifting Lives
Designer, CEO and philanthropist Kendra Scott made a $10,000 donation to ACM® Lifting Lives® on the ACM Honors™ red carpet in Nashville, TN, presenting the check with country artist CAM to Lori Badgett, President of ACM Lifting Lives.
“I’m excited to partner with a young, fresh and talented artist like Cam who shares the Kendra Scott values of family, fashion, and philanthropy.” said Scott.
Pictured (L-R): Cam; Kendra Scott, Founder of Kendra Scott; Lori Badgett, ACM Lifting Lives President
MOONSHINE: That Hee Haw Musical
MOONSHINE: That Hee Haw Musical, a new musical comedy with music and lyrics by award-winning songwriters Brandy Clark and Shane McAnally, and a book by Robert Horn, began previews last night (Sept. 2) at the Dallas Theater Center. Opening night is set for Sept. 18. The show runs through Oct. 11.
Pictured (from top left): Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, Gary Griffin, Robert Horn. Photo: Sergio Garcia.
Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital Celebrates Construction Kickoff
The Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt held a celebration recently to mark the launch for construction of the hospital’s latest expansion, which will add four floors of new space atop the hospital’s existing structure.
Entertainer Kix Brooks, who is also a member of the Children’s Hospital Board, served as master of ceremonies for the construction kickoff festivities, which focused on “building stories of hope and healing.”
Pictured (L-R): Kathryn Carell Brown, Bobby Rolfe, Steve Hostetter, Kix Brooks, Clarence Spalding.
Jason Aldean Honors Alabama
Three-time and reigning ACM “Male Vocalist of the Year” Jason Aldean was on hand to honor Career Achievement Award recipients Alabama with a medley of “Love in the First Degree,” “Tennessee River” and “The Closer You Get” at the 9th Annual ACM Honors.
Pictured (L-R): RAC Clark and Jason Aldean
Dustin Lynch On The TODAY Show
Broken Bow Records’ Dustin Lynch made his debut on NBC’s TODAY show yesterday (Sept/ 2), performing his hit single “Hell Of A Night.” Lynch also joined hosts Al Roker, Natalie Morales, Tamron Hall and Willie Geist to show them how to rock his trademark cowboy hat and talk about his first-ever headlining Hell Of A Night Tour, which kicks off this fall.
Pictured (L to R): TODAY’s hosts Tamron Hall, Willie Geist, Natalie Morales, Al Roker and Dustin Lynch. Photo: Sweet Talk Publicity
UMG Mid-Year Figures Reveal Streams Finally Offset Sales Declines
/by Eric T. ParkerHighlights include UMG revenue up 3.4 percent (accounting for exchange rates and internal restatements, +15.4 percent on an actual basis), compared to the first half of 2014. Recorded music revenues reportedly grew by 3.6 percent. Growth in subscription and streaming revenues (+34 percent) have finally offset the decline in both digital download (-5 percent) and physical sales. Apple Music numbers were not reflected.
Music publishing revenues grew 2.7 percent (accounting for exchange rates and internal restatements), also driven by increasing subscription and streaming revenues.
Just for its second quarter, UMG had $1.35 billion in revenue and $139 million in earnings. For its six month mark, UMG totaled $2.57 billion in revenue, $255 million in earnings.
Artists cited to fuel the recorded music boon were Taylor Swift (for whom UMG distributes BMLG), Sam Smith, the Fifty Shades of Grey soundtrack and new releases from Drake, Maroon 5 and Mumford & Sons. Merchandising and other revenues were up 3.2 percent (accounting for exchange rates) due to to greater touring activity.
This news comes after beginning the 2015 calendar with a restructuring that also now finds Chairman/CEO Lucian Grainge leading the music division through at least 2020, in addition to Nashville-based Jay Frank leading global streaming for the company.
Streamsound Records’ Karen Tallier Vying For “Queen of the Vines” Title
/by Troy_StephensonStreamsound Records’ Karen Tallier has “thrown her tiara in the ring” to raise money to earn her title as “Queen of the Vines” for this year’s Franklin Wine Festival held Oct. 16 at The Factory in Franklin, Tenn., in support of the children of Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee.
Members of the 2015 Royal Court conduct personal fundraising campaigns on behalf of the children’s charity. All donations are tallied on site at the final event on Oct. 16. The man with the highest fundraising total is crowned King, and the woman bringing in the most donations is proclaimed Queen. The money raised allows Big Brothers Big Sisters to start something positive in the lives of children by recruiting and training volunteers who want to mentor kids.
To support Tallier on her fundraising quest, you can back her by participating in events, or by donating to her fundraising page by visiting www.tinyurl.com/KarenforQueen
Join the Royal Court hopefuls and other supporters at the Royal Court Announcement Party on Thursday, Sept. 3 at Up, a Rooftop Lounge (in the Gulch at 901 Division Street). When you purchase your tickets online or at the door, be sure to enter Karen Tallier’s name as the candidate you are supporting.
Pick up tickets to The Dillard’s in Cool Springs Galleria’s Back to School fashion show and private sale — another Franklin Wine Festival “King & Queen” fundraising effort — on Sunday, Sept. 20. (And pick Tallier as the royal court member you are supporting.) http://tinyurl.com/oop7hhv Or go to the Franklin Wine Festival on Friday, Oct. 16 and again, chose Tallier as your candidate to back. Visit here: www.FranklinWineFestival.com
Karen Tallier
MusicRowPics: The Band Perry Talks Their Brand of Modern Country
/by Sarah SkatesThe Band Perry with MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson.
Members of The Band Perry say they have learned to “work smarter, not necessarily harder” during the making of their upcoming album. “This third album is the only time we’ve taken time off the road to actually be in the studio,” Kimberly Perry told MusicRow on Tuesday (Sept. 1) during a visit to the publication’s offices.
The sibling trio has been performing together for more than 16 years and has barely slowed down since the release of their debut album five years ago.
Elaborating on the upcoming project, Reid Perry said, “Recording this third album we weren’t really thinking about genres as much as honesty, and being true to who The Band Perry is, and being excellent at whatever we produced. We weren’t necessarily chasing a particular sound, other than what The Band Perry normally does, which is three-part harmony, a narrative in a song, Neil’s mandolin, and acoustic guitar. But we did incorporate a lot of modern sounds as well, like bigger drum beats.”
“Country music is very interesting and has changed a lot in the past five years,” said Kimberly. “Our genre is steeped in tradition. You’ve got everything from the tradition of the Opry, to the tradition that it is a narrative genre. Sometimes it’s about mandolin and banjo, sometimes it’s about family three-part harmony. So for us, that’s our brand of modern country.
“This umbrella of country seems to be more widespread than ever before. I think it’s a really cool day when there’s not a creative glass ceiling for country artists, because I don’t like the idea of having to shed your country skin just to be able explore something else creatively. I love to be able to be a country artist but still grow. Songs and creativity are organisms and they’re ever growing and ever changing. That’s why we went back to home plate to put out ‘Gentle On My Mind’ to radio and honor the tradition, but then we put out [new single] ‘Live Forever’ after that, with more of a modern spin.”
Reid agreed, “With The Band Perry, people expect us to do the unexpected.”
MusicRow staff with The Band Perry pictured (L-R): Kelsey Grady, Eric Parker, Neil Perry, Sarah Skates, Sherod Robertson, Kimberly Perry, Jessica Nicholson, Reid Perry, Robert Oermann, Troy Stephenson