BOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 500
Pictured (L-R): Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges, Tim McGraw and Marv Green.
Bobby Karl does not usually work No. 1 parties, but he made an exception on Saturday night (8/15).
There were several reasons for this. First of all, this party was for the enduringly great Tim McGraw. Second of all, the invitation came with tickets for his Bridgestone Arena concert. Third, “Shotgun Rider” was the title of his tour and a No. 1 smash for four weeks.
“Do you know how hard it is to get four weeks at No. 1?!” Scott Borchetta asked the crowd. “It takes all of us for this to happen.” That meant the assembled publishers, songwriters, musicians, radio friends and media mavens, not to mention Jack Purcell and his amazing Big Machime promo squad.
This is the equally amazing Tim McGraw’s 36th No. 1 hit. He has sold 40 million records so far.
“Every time I get to show up at one of these things, I’m always humbled,” said the superstar. “I’ve been doing this for a long, long time, and I hope to be doing it for a long time more.”
By any measure, this has been an especially noteworthy year for McGraw. He began it by singing “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” for Glen Campbell at the Oscars. He was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people (only one of two recording stars on the list). He is set to have The Shack as his next movie, co-starring with Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer and Graham Greene. He has given away 120 homes to returning veterans.
Tim McGraw (center) celebrates “Shotgun Rider” with songwriters and industry members.
“His concerts, as we will witness tonight, are legendary,” added BMI’s Jody Williams. “Tim McGraw sets the bar for what is cool,” testified the delightfully enthusiastic cheerleader Rusty Gaston. “He is a writer’s best friend,” commented Kos Weaver. “Tim McGraw cuts the best and the widest variety of songs….and he does it better than anybody in our generation.”
In this instance, the lucky songwriters were Marv Green, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey, all of whom took the mic to express their gratitude. “Shotgun Rider” is Green’s seventh No. 1 single, Verges’s eighth and Lindsay’s 13th. She had another chart-toppiing phenom this year with “Girl Crush,” by the way.
The event was staged in the cavernous rehearsal hall of the Bridgestone. The backstage stage was bathed in glowing lights and atmospheric smoke. Faux food trucks were set up serving street tacos, grilled-cheese mini sandwiches and popsickles. There was a photo booth and a lip-sync video challenge in McGraw’s jeep. An army of wait staff circulated constantly. Lounging couches and cocktail tables were scattered throughout the space. It was all quite nice.
“I’ve been to a lot of No. 1 parties, and I’ve never been to one this nice in my life,” said Williams.
Tim McGraw welcomes Chris Janson to perform Janson’s hit “Buy Me A Boat.”
Craig Wiseman, Craig Hayes & Pam Brown Hayes, Mark Collie, Mark Brown, Mike Sistad, Michael Martin, Rod Essig, Rob Simbeck, Bob Paxman, Ben Vaughn, B.J. Hill, Kent Earls and Byron Gallimore worked the room like pros.
So did such celebrants as Pete Fisher, Storme Warren, Steve Bogard, Scott Siman, Charlie Cook, Lance Miller, Gillie Crowder, Lon Helton, The Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman, Barry Coburn, Brian Mansfield, Karen Tallier, Phyllis Stark, Rusty Jones, John Zarling, Will Byrd, Jimmy Carter, Todd Cassetty, Cindy Watts and Jeff Gregg.
There’s a No. 1 party in Nashville every week. But this one was something special, for a very special star. After all, Tim McGraw first made the charts in 1992, scored his first No. 1 hit in 1994 and has placed about 80 titles on the charts to date. They don’t make many with that kind of staying power.
Except maybe the party boy, himself. As you might have noticed, this is the 500th BKWTR column. The best party? I like to think that it is still to come.
Tim McGraw performs with daughter Gracie.
Bobby Karl Works Tim McGraw’s “Shotgun Rider” Celebration
/by Bobby KarlBOBBY KARL WORKS THE ROOM
Chapter 500
Pictured (L-R): Hillary Lindsey, Troy Verges, Tim McGraw and Marv Green.
Bobby Karl does not usually work No. 1 parties, but he made an exception on Saturday night (8/15).
There were several reasons for this. First of all, this party was for the enduringly great Tim McGraw. Second of all, the invitation came with tickets for his Bridgestone Arena concert. Third, “Shotgun Rider” was the title of his tour and a No. 1 smash for four weeks.
“Do you know how hard it is to get four weeks at No. 1?!” Scott Borchetta asked the crowd. “It takes all of us for this to happen.” That meant the assembled publishers, songwriters, musicians, radio friends and media mavens, not to mention Jack Purcell and his amazing Big Machime promo squad.
This is the equally amazing Tim McGraw’s 36th No. 1 hit. He has sold 40 million records so far.
“Every time I get to show up at one of these things, I’m always humbled,” said the superstar. “I’ve been doing this for a long, long time, and I hope to be doing it for a long time more.”
By any measure, this has been an especially noteworthy year for McGraw. He began it by singing “I’m Not Gonna Miss You” for Glen Campbell at the Oscars. He was named one of Time magazine’s 100 most influential people (only one of two recording stars on the list). He is set to have The Shack as his next movie, co-starring with Sam Worthington, Octavia Spencer and Graham Greene. He has given away 120 homes to returning veterans.
Tim McGraw (center) celebrates “Shotgun Rider” with songwriters and industry members.
“His concerts, as we will witness tonight, are legendary,” added BMI’s Jody Williams. “Tim McGraw sets the bar for what is cool,” testified the delightfully enthusiastic cheerleader Rusty Gaston. “He is a writer’s best friend,” commented Kos Weaver. “Tim McGraw cuts the best and the widest variety of songs….and he does it better than anybody in our generation.”
In this instance, the lucky songwriters were Marv Green, Troy Verges and Hillary Lindsey, all of whom took the mic to express their gratitude. “Shotgun Rider” is Green’s seventh No. 1 single, Verges’s eighth and Lindsay’s 13th. She had another chart-toppiing phenom this year with “Girl Crush,” by the way.
The event was staged in the cavernous rehearsal hall of the Bridgestone. The backstage stage was bathed in glowing lights and atmospheric smoke. Faux food trucks were set up serving street tacos, grilled-cheese mini sandwiches and popsickles. There was a photo booth and a lip-sync video challenge in McGraw’s jeep. An army of wait staff circulated constantly. Lounging couches and cocktail tables were scattered throughout the space. It was all quite nice.
“I’ve been to a lot of No. 1 parties, and I’ve never been to one this nice in my life,” said Williams.
Tim McGraw welcomes Chris Janson to perform Janson’s hit “Buy Me A Boat.”
Craig Wiseman, Craig Hayes & Pam Brown Hayes, Mark Collie, Mark Brown, Mike Sistad, Michael Martin, Rod Essig, Rob Simbeck, Bob Paxman, Ben Vaughn, B.J. Hill, Kent Earls and Byron Gallimore worked the room like pros.
So did such celebrants as Pete Fisher, Storme Warren, Steve Bogard, Scott Siman, Charlie Cook, Lance Miller, Gillie Crowder, Lon Helton, The Community Foundation’s Ellen Lehman, Barry Coburn, Brian Mansfield, Karen Tallier, Phyllis Stark, Rusty Jones, John Zarling, Will Byrd, Jimmy Carter, Todd Cassetty, Cindy Watts and Jeff Gregg.
There’s a No. 1 party in Nashville every week. But this one was something special, for a very special star. After all, Tim McGraw first made the charts in 1992, scored his first No. 1 hit in 1994 and has placed about 80 titles on the charts to date. They don’t make many with that kind of staying power.
Except maybe the party boy, himself. As you might have noticed, this is the 500th BKWTR column. The best party? I like to think that it is still to come.
Tim McGraw performs with daughter Gracie.
Sony/ATV Music Publishing Adds Jeffrey James To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): Sony/ATV’s Mark Abramowitz, Marcus & Colvin LLP’s Farrah Usmani, Jeffrey James, ASCAP’s Evyn Mustoe and Marcus & Colvin LLP’s Kent Marcus.
ASCAP songwriter-artist Jeffrey James has signed an exclusive publishing agreement with Sony/ATV Music Publishing. The deal marks Sony/ATV Manager – A&R/Creative Mark Abramowitz‘s first signing since relocating to the Nashville office from New York City earlier this year.
“I am excited and honored to be a part of the Sony/ATV family, and I am looking forward to working with Mark and the entire Sony/ATV team as a songwriter and an artist,” said James.
ASCAP Associate Creative Director Evyn Mustoe has been working with James for the past several years. James was recently featured on ASCAP’s stage at the Forecastle Festival in Louisville, as well as at ASCAP’s monthly showcase, the “We Create Music” Series, and ASCAP’s quarterly rock showcase, “Almost Famous,” both held at Nashville venue The Basement.
Dierks Bentley’s “Miles & Music For Kids” To Celebrate 10 Years with All-Star Lineup
/by Kelsey_GradyTo date, Bentley has raised more than $3 million dollars for Children’s Miracle Network hospitals across the country.
“When I think about all the artists and riders and fans who have come out to support this event over the years, I get a little emotional…there is just no way for me to possibly say thank you enough,” shares Bentley. “We started out at the fairgrounds and then moved out to the Loveless Café and then it grew so big we took it to Riverfront Park. And now we’ve got the new Ascend Amphitheater locked down for this year. We are going to do everything possible to make No. 10 the best yet!”
Dierks Bentley fan club members will have first access to presale tickets this Tuesday (8/18) at 10 a.m. CT through www.ticketmaster.com. Citi card members will have access to presale tickets beginning Wednesday (8/19) at 10 a.m. CT. General public tickets are available this Friday (8/21) at 10 a.m. CT, with individual concert tickets starting at $30, and special VIP rider and concert packages also available. All proceeds from the event will benefit Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt, a Children’s Miracle Network Hospital. For more ticket info, visit www.dierks.com.
LifeNotes: Influential Producer Bob Johnston Dies
/by Robert K OermannBob Johnston (L) in 2006 when BMI signed singer/songwriter Harper Simon (son of BMI Icon Paul Simon) and Bijou Phillips (daughter of the Mamas & the Papas’ John Phillips) laid tracks for a country music collaboration produced by Johnston. Pictured (L-R): Bob Johnston, Harper Simon, Bijou Philips and BMI’s Shelby Kennedy. Photo: BMI.
Bob Johnston, the producer who made Nashville a destination for recording by visiting pop stars, passed away on Friday, Aug. 14 at age 83.
He is celebrated in the current Country Music Hall of Fame & Museum exhibit “Dylan, Cash and the Nashville Cats.” Johnston famously brought Bob Dylan to Music City to record such cornerstone albums as Blonde on Blonde (1966), John Wesley Harding (1967), Nashville Skyline (1969) and Self Portrait (1970).
These records are widely viewed as opening the way for many other non-country artists to come to Nashville. Johnston also brought in Simon & Garfunkel, Leonard Cohen, Moby Grape and others who are celebrated in the exhibit.
He was born Donald William Johnston in Hillsboro, Texas, into a musical family. His mother, Diane, was a songwriter best known for “Miles and Miles of Texas.” Bob Johnston broke into the music business as a songwriter for Elvis Presley movies in the 1960s. He married Joy Byers, who is also a successful songwriter.
He moved into record production at Columbia in New York. Johnston worked on some of Aretha Franklin’s early records for the label and scored his first hit by producing Patti Page’s 1965 comeback single “Hush, Hush Sweet Charlotte.”
Johnston began producing Dylan with 1965’s landmark Highway 61 Revisited. He also produced the hit Simon & Garfunkel LPs Sounds of Silence (1966), Parsley, Sage, Rosemary & Thyme (1966) and Bookends (1968).
He was also successful with country artists. When others at the company resisted the idea, he embraced Johnny Cash’s notion of recording a live album at Folsom Prison, which became a blockbuster hit. Cash and Johnston also worked together on At San Quentin and on such hits as “A Boy Named Sue,” “Folsom Prison Blues” and “Sunday Morning Coming Down” in 1968-72.
Columbia’s Marty Robbins was another successful client. Johnston produced the superstar’s “Tonight Carmen” (1967), “Ribbon of Darkness” (1965), “I Walk Alone” (1968), “My Woman, My Woman, My Wife” (1970) and more.
Johnston also produced such Columbia country acts as Earl Scruggs, Claude King, Doug Kershaw and The Statler Brothers. He eventually became an executive in the label’s Nashville office.
He guided the records of the trio The Pozo Seco Singers, from which graduated country star Don Williams. He produced the 1970s pop hits of future country star Michael Martin Murphey – “Wildfire,” “Geronimo’s Cadillac” and “Carolina in the Pines.”
Johnston’s producing career continued into the 1980s and 1990s. The Byrds, Loudon Wainwright III, Pete Seeger, Tracy Nelson, New Riders of the Purple Sage, Carl Perkins, Shel Silverstein, Dan Hicks, Mike Bloomfield, Joe Ely, Hoyt Axton, Wayne Toups, Jimmy Cliff, Billy Joe Shaver, Lindesfarne, John Mayall and The Waterboys were among the highly diverse artists he worked with over the years.
In 1992, he produced Willie Nelson’s notable The I.R.S. Tapes. In recent years, he has worked with a number of independent, alternative rock and folk artists.
Johnston had been in a Nashville hospice in recent weeks. He is survived by his wife Joy Byers and his son Kevin. Funeral arrangements have not been announced.
Weekly Register: Luke Bryan Killing It At No. 1
/by Sarah SkatesLuke Bryan launched the album with a concert for Citi cardmembers in New York City.
Luke Bryan’s Kill The Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Top 200 with total activity of 345K. Contributing to the total were album sales of 320K, song sales of 195K and streaming activity of 8.5 million.
Kill The Lights was produced by Jeff Stevens and Jody Stevens and contains 13 songs, six of which were co-written by Bryan, including the title track. The lead single from the Capitol Nashville project, “Kick The Dust Up” has already reached No. 1. The track was written by Dallas Davidson, Chris DeStefano and Ashley Gorley and is also the name of Bryan’s 2015 blockbuster tour. He launched the project with a ton of media appearances including a promotion with Target and appearances on GMA and Jimmy Fallon’s show.
On the country album chart, Micheal Ray’s debut for Atlantic entered at No. 4 with sales of 11K, driven by hit single “Kiss You In the Morning.” Scott Hendricks produced the 12-track album.
CCM artist TobyMac (ForeFront Records) had total activity of 38K, debuting at No. 4 on the Top 200. The sixth studio album from the six-time Grammy winner is titled This Is Not A Test.
The No. 2 spot on the Top 200 went to Dr. Dre’s Straight Outta Compton soundtrack, selling 295K (276K album only).
Sales according to Nielsen Soundscan.
Whelan Joins ole As Senior Director, Creative
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Gilles Goddard (Vice President, Corporate Affairs and Development), Emily Mueller (Manager), Shellien Kinsey (Coordinator), Mike Whelan (Senior Director), John Ozier (General Manager), Ben Strain (Director)
ole has announced that Mike Whelan will join the independent rights management company’s Nashville office as Senior Director, Creative. He will report to ole’s GM of Nashville Creative, John Ozier.
“Mike has such an extensive track record of both cultivating writers and placing songs with artists, and he brings a huge amount of knowledge and contacts to ole,” said Ozier. “He understands our unique personal approach and the ‘super service’ that we strive to give our writers and artists, and I’m very pleased to have him on the ole team.”
Whelan joins ole from Sony Music Publishing, where he worked with writers and artists including two-time BMI writer of the year Casey Beathard, Tony Martin, Eric Church, Kenny Chesney, and Luke Bryan.
“ole is such a dynamic company and I’m excited to have the opportunity to work with John and the whole ole Creative team – and of course, all their talented writers,” said Whelan. “I look forward to helping the team continue to build the list of ole hits.”
Spotify Helps Hunter Hayes Map Tour
/by Sarah SkatesThe tour will be a limited run of 21 dates in 21 U.S. cities. Together with Spotify, Hayes will reward his biggest fans in each of the cities with pre-sale access to tickets, and offer the top 21 fans prizes including early entry to the show, meet-and-greet opportunities, signed memorabilia, and more. The fan who streams Hayes’ music the most in each market will also be rewarded with a one-year subscription to Spotify Premium.
Up-and-coming Nashville singer/songwriter Ryan Lafferty will open for Hayes on most dates on the 21 Tour, with chart-topping country artist Kelsea Ballerini joining as a special guest at the Nov. 5 show at Western Kentucky University in Bowling Green.
“I’ve been calling this the year to be brave, because we’ve really been pushing ourselves to try new things, whether it’s how we release new music or how we go on tour,” said Hayes. “Our fans are everything to us, and it’s so incredible we have a way to reward our biggest fans to create even more cool opportunities together.”
“Hunter is laser-focused on building connections with his fans and has completely embraced streaming on Spotify as a core means to that goal,” said Katie Schlosser, Director, Label Relations North America at Spotify. “It’s been incredibly rewarding working so closely with Hunter and his team. This collaboration has helped define our entire release strategy and we continue to explore bold new ways to deepen the relationship between Hunter and his audience.”
His new single “21” has already resulted in nearly 21 million global streams in less than 10 weeks.
Hayes will continue on the Wheels Up Tour with Lady Antebellum and Sam Hunt through the end of summer.
The first round of dates to be announced for the 21 Tour:
Thursday, Oct. 22 – Western Carolina University – Cullowhee, N.C.*
Friday, Oct. 23 – Kent State University – Kent, OH*
Saturday, Oct. 24 – West Point Eisenhower Hall Theater – Highland Falls, N.Y.*
Thursday, Oct. 29 – Purdue University – West Lafayette, Ind.*
Thursday, Nov. 5 – Western Kentucky University – Bowling Green, Ky.**
Saturday, Nov. 14 – University of Oklahoma – Norman, Okla.*
Thursday, Nov. 19 – Wake Forest University – Winston-Salem, N.C.*
* Denotes shows with Ryan Lafferty
** Denotes shows with special guest Kelsea Ballerini
Big Yellow Dog Follows Meghan Trainor Success With Jessie James Decker, Maren Morris
/by Eric T. ParkerDecker released her new single “Lights Down Low” today (Aug. 14) and it went straight to No. 1 on the iTunes Country Song Chart. Written by Decker and Alyssa Bonagura, the song was inspired by Jessie’s husband NY Jet Eric Decker.
Decker is currently recording her upcoming album to be released in 2016. Her last EP Comin’ Home debuted at No. 5 on the Billboard Country chart. She burst onto the music scene with her self-titled debut album in 2009. The album’s first single “Wanted” was certified gold for sales of more than 120,000.
In addition to releasing the new single, Decker has ventured into the fashion world as a first time designer. She launched swimsuit line Jessie James Decker for Amore and Sorvete, and debuted her clothing and accessories line, Kittenish with Kora Rae.
Big Yellow Dog has also released a self-titled 5-song EP from newcomer Maren Morris.
The Texas native teased the Spotify-only release on Twitter just one day before the songs became available.
The release includes “My Church,” the single she released in August written with busbee. Additional Nashville co-writers on the project include Shane McAnally, Luke Laird, and Natalie Hemby (full list below).
The young songwriter has had success with cuts on Tim McGraw‘s Sundown Heaven Town (“Last Turn Home”), the deluxe version of Kelly Clarkson‘s Piece By Piece (“Second Wind”), and Connie Britton/Lennon and Maisy‘s ABC’s Nashville finale song (“Real Life”).
1) My Church (Maren Morris/busbee)
2) 80s Mercedes (Morris/busbee)
3) Drunk Girls Don’t Cry (Morris/Barry Dean/Luke Laird)
4) I Wish I Was (Morris/Natalie Hemby/Ryan Hurd)
5) Company You Keep (Morris/Laird/Shane McAnally)
Among others signed to Big Yellow Dog publishing are Trainor, Josh Kear, Logan Mize, Chris Gelbuda, Abe Stoklasa, Shawn Camp, Daniel Tashian, Adam Sanders and many more.
Carlin Nashville Signs Mark Selby
/by Sarah SkatesPictured (l-r, front row): Carlin Nashville’s Jeff Gordon, Mark Selby and Carlin Nashville’s Katrina Tsang, (back row) ASCAP’s Robert Filhart and Michael Martin.
ASCAP hit songwriter Mark Selby has signed a new publishing agreement with Carlin Nashville.
Selby has written more than 10 top 40 singles and four No. 1 singles.
Among his biggest hits are the Dixie Chicks’ Grammy-winning “There’s Your Trouble” and Kenny Wayne Shepherd’s “Blue On Black,” which was Billboard’s 1999 Rock Track of the Year.
Wynonna, Trisha Yearwood, Lee Roy Parnell & Keb Mo, Jo Dee Messina and many others have recorded songs written by Selby.
MTSU Adds Jingle Writing Course to Curriculum
/by Lorie HollabaughJerry Kimbrough
MTSU recording industry students will learn the tricks to jingle writing thanks to a new course taught by Jerry Kimbrough. Kimbrough is a top exec at Warner-Chappell Production Music, a special division of the Warner Music Group that creates custom music for TV, movies, and commercials, and has penned jingles for huge clients like Coca-Cola, the Cartoon Network and CBS Sports. His guitar skills have kept him in constant demand for more than two decades as a studio and session musician for artists ranging from Ray Stevens to Point of Grace.
“We wanted to give our student songwriters other opportunities for income streams,” explains program director Odie Blackmon. “This course can give somebody a career or put food on the table while they’re waiting for that big No. 1 hit.”