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.
CMT To Explore Cash’s Most Iconic Songs
/by Eric T. ParkerJohnny Cash
Johnny Cash: American Rebel, an original CMT documentary combining original interviews with family and friends, will premiere on the network on the 12th anniversary of Cash’s passing (Saturday, Sept. 12 at 9 p.m. ET/PT).
The film features for the first time Cash’s children: John Carter Cash, Rosanne Cash, along with June Carter’s daughter Carlene Carter. Eric Church, Sheryl Crow, Rodney Crowell, Clive Davis, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, John Mellencamp, Kid Rock, Rick Rubin, Willie Nelson and more will also be featured through interviews paired alongside archival concert footage, photographs and personal artifacts from The Man In Black.
Johnny Cash: American Rebel is built around 12 essential Cash tracks spanning four decades including “Folsom Prison Blues,” “Jackson,” “San Quentin,” “Man In Black,” “Sunday Morning Coming Down,” “Ring of Fire,” “Hurt” and more. Each song illustrates a chapter in his life, as well the story of an ever-changing America from the 1950s to modern day.
Derik Murray and Paul Gertz from Network Entertainment executive produce. Jordan Tappis directs and Derik Murray co-directs. Jayson Dinsmore, Lewis Bogach and John Miller-Monzon executive produce for CMT.
Johnny Cash: American Rebel marks the latest in a series of original documentaries from CMT. The first, Urban Cowboy: The Rise and Fall of Gilley’s has been seen by more than 9 million viewers. Over 5 million viewers tuned in for Morgan Spurlock’s Freedom: The Movie, which premiered last month.
A sneak peek of Johnny Cash: American Rebel, is available here.
Loeb Hires Attorney Mary Lauren Teague
/by Sarah SkatesMary Lauren Teague
Loeb & Loeb LLP has announced that Mary Lauren Teague has joined the firm’s Nashville, Tenn. office as an associate in its nationally-recognized Music Industry Practice.
Teague’s practice focuses on business and intellectual property transactions in the entertainment industry, as well as copyright and trademark applications and licensing. She represents artists, songwriters, publishing companies and record labels in the negotiation of various agreements, including recording contracts and producing, publishing, management, and licensing agreements.
“Mary Lauren brings great promise and is poised to become a great asset to our team and our clients,” said John Frankenheimer, partner and Chair of Loeb & Loeb’s Music Industry Practice. “Nashville is a key component of the firm’s national music practice, and we are pleased to expand our team to ensure that we will continue serving the city’s thriving music and entertainment community at the highest possible level.”
“We are a very tight, very focused group in Nashville,” said Tiffany Dunn, Partner and Office Manager of Administration for the Nashville office. “Mary Lauren’s legal experience and business sense fit right in, and her shared passion for the music industry makes her a natural complement to our team. It’s a pleasure to have her on board.”
An active member of her community, Teague is a recent graduate of the Nashville Young Leaders Council, an organization which fosters volunteer leadership. She serves as Board of Directors Intern for the Arts & Business Council of Greater Nashville, and is a member of the Belmont University College of Law Chapter of the American Inns of Court, and the Copyright Society of the South.
Formerly an associate at Wyatt, Tarrant & Combs, LLP, Teague earned her J.D., magna cum laude, from The University of Tennessee College of Law and a B.A., summa cum laude, from Belmont University, where she majored in Music Business.
Loeb & Loeb’s Nashville office was founded more than 20 years ago as an important anchor for the firm’s nationwide entertainment and music industry practice. The firm was named 2015 “Law Firm of the Year” in Entertainment Law – Music by U.S. News & World Report and Best Lawyers.
Loeb & Loeb has approximately 300 attorneys with offices in Los Angeles, New York, Chicago, Nashville, Washington, DC, and Beijing, as well as an affiliate office in Hong Kong.
Dallas Smith Inks New American Record Deal
/by Troy_StephensonDallas Smith
Canadian country artist Dallas Smith has signed a U.S. record deal with Blaster Records through the label’s recent partnership with Big Loud Mountain.
“Nothing excites us more than being involved with great music and with passionate, committed people,” says Blaster Records’ President Derek Simon. “We loved the music Dallas was making and jumped at the chance to partner with Big Loud Mountain to become his American label. Spend 10 minutes watching one of Dallas’ shows and it’s clear how special of a singer and performer he is. The new music he’s making is so strong and compelling and we couldn’t ask for better partners than Craig, Seth, Chief and Joey.”
“It’s great to collaborate with the team at Blaster. They are equally as passionate as I am,” adds Smith. “I’m excited to continue to build on what we are doing and take it to the next level.”
The first single, “Kids With Cars” will impact radio in September and will be available at digital retailers on Sept. 11. Smith is currently working with producer Joey Moi on his debut American full-length project. Moi also produced Smith’s prior Canadian albums, Jumped Right In and Lifted.
Bobby Karl Celebrates 500th Party Column
/by Bobby Karl• • • • •
For more on Bobby Karl, read MusicRow Publisher Sherod Robertson’s 2012 interview with the man behind the MusicRow myth.
Click to read this exclusive interview from the August 2012 print edition of MusicRow.
Zac Brown Band Gets Knee Deep in NMPA Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonZac Brown Band members Zac Brown, Coy Bowles and John Hopkins were recently honored with awards from the National Music Publishers Association during a Jekyll+Hyde tour stop in Washington National’s Park. NMPA President and CEO David Israelite recognized the band members with multi-platinum awards for their hit songs “Knee Deep” (penned by Brown and Bowles) and “Chicken Fried” (Brown).
Platinum recognition was awarded to “Colder Weather” (Brown, Bowles), and “Toes” (Hopkins, Brown), while the NMPA honored the tunes “Sweet Annie” (Bowles, Brown) and “Whatever It Is” (Brown) with gold awards.
Pictured (L-R): NMPA’s David Israelite and ZBB’s Zac Brown.
Pictured (L-R): NMPA’s David Israelite and ZBB’s John Hopkins.
Artist Updates: Brantley Gilbert, Kip Moore, Chris Young, Laura Bell Bundy, Lucy Angel
/by Jessica NicholsonBrantley Gilbert To Headline Chattanooga Unite: A Tribute On The River
Brantley Gilbert
Brantley Gilbert has been announced as the headlining artist for an upcoming benefit honoring U.S. Marine Gunnery Sgt. Thomas Sullivan, U.S Marine Staff Sgt. David Wyatt, U.S. Marine Sgt. Carson Holmquist, U.S. Marine Lance Corporal Skip Wells and U.S. Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith. Chattanooga Unite: A Tribute on the River will take place Wednesday, Sept. 16.
The free celebration will begin with an Armed Forces Parade at 2 p.m. The parade will travel down Market Street and end at the Tennessee River. Chattanooga native Samuel L. Jackson will serve as emcee, while Brantley will headline with a free concert. Additional guests and details will be announced at a later date. Donations will be encouraged through collection bins located throughout the event. Funds will benefit The National Compassion Fund. For more information, visit: chattanoogaunite.org.
Kip Moore Teases New Album With Multiple Video Launch
Kip Moore
Kip Moore is giving fans an early look at music from his forthcoming sophomore album Wild Ones, via a series of video releases on CMT and Vevo. Beginning today, Moore will release the video for the album’s title track on Vevo. The video for fan-favorite track “Backseat” will premiere tomorrow (Aug. 18) on VEVO and then CMT will premiere “Comeback Kid” (Aug. 19), “Girl of Summer” (Aug. 20) and “Lipstick” (Aug. 21), each day for the rest of the week.
Chris Young Preps For ‘I’m Comin’ Over Tour’ with Sold-Out Shows
Chris Young will launch his “I’m Comin’ Over Tour’ in Savannah, Ga., on Oct. 22, alongside tourmates Eric Paslay and Clare Dunn. Young’s forthcoming project by the same title will release in the fall. Young has been prepping for the tour with a series of sold out shows, including a recent performance at Pacific Amphitheater in Costa Mesa, Calif., before 8,000 fans.
Chris Young performs in Costa Mesa, Calif. Photo: Mason Embry
Laura Bell Bundy Honors “Hearoes” In Song
Actress/singer Laura Bell Bundy performed the National Anthem recently at the Chicago Air and Water Show, to support Songs for Sound Hearoes Tour, which offers free hearing screenings and awareness to air shows across the country.
Pictured (L-R): Laura Bell Bundy, US Army SSG Nick Birkner and Songs for Sound executive director Jaime Vernon.
Trio Lucy Angel Signs with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency
Mother-daughter trio Lucy Angel has inked a deal with The Kinkead Entertainment Agency for exclusive booking representation. The trio recently released the single “Crazy Too” to country radio. The song was written by Shane McAnally, Brandy Clark, and Karyn Rochelle, and produced by Noah Gordon and Bobby Terry.
Pictured (L-R): Paige Zuidema, Bob Kinkead, Kate, Emily and Lindsay Anderton (Lucy Angel) Gregory Scott and Julie Devereux.
Industry Celebrates Carrie Underwood’s Latest No. 1 Hit
/by Sherod Robertson(L-R) (back row): BMG’s Kos Weaver, ASCAP’s Mike Sistad, Arista’s Lesly Tyson, BMI’s Jody Williams, Sony ATV’s Josh Van Valkenburg. (Front row): ASCAP songwriter Hillary Lindsey, BMI singer-songwriter Carrie Underwood and ASCAP songwriter Chris DeStefano.
Industry members gathered at BMI’s Nashville office on Friday (Aug. 14) in celebration of Carrie Underwood’s latest No. 1 hit, “Little Toy Guns.”
Written by Underwood (BMI), Hillary Lindsey (ASCAP) and Chris DeStefano (ASCAP), the song about domestic violence from the perspective of a child was the second single from Underwood’s album, Greatest Hits: Decade #1. The song has been certified gold by the RIAA and won a Teen Choice Award last night (Aug. 16) for Choice Country Song.
Hosted by ASCAP and BMI, the celebration began with a viewing of the chart-topping song’s video followed by a greeting from BMI VP Writer-Publisher Relations Jody Williams. He recapped Underwood’s career path reminding guests of her robust arrival on the country music scene after winning the fourth season of American Idol in 2005. “She became a prominent member of the music industry,” proclaimed Williams calling her voice “always compelling.” Produced by Mark Bright, the song is Underwood ‘s 21st No. 1 hit.
ASCAP’s Senior Creative Director Mike Sistad joined the stage, honoring DeStefano who was celebrating his 11th No. 1 hit and Lindsey who was celebrating her 13th No. 1 song. Fittingly for the celebration, DeStafano’s first No. 1 song was Underwood’s “Good Girl.” Lindsey has also reached the top of the chart with several Underwood cuts, including “Jesus, Take The Wheel.”
BMG Chrysalis Nashville’s EVP Kos Weaver took the mic offering accolades to Lindsey before Sony/ATV’s Senior VP/Nashville A&R Josh Van Valkenburg took his turn highlighting DeStefano’s accomplishments. Rounding out the industry presentations were Avenue Bank’s Ron Cox, CMA’s Brandi Simms and CRB’s Holly Lane.
Lindsey, who is expecting a baby, was quick to thank her family who had traveled from Alabama and Georgia for the celebration. “Thanks for helping me chase my dreams,” Lindsey said before glancing at the other songwriters saying, “I could never ask for a better co-write.” DeStefano added, “The Nashville community–I can’t talk about it enough. It changed my life completely,” before sharing his thanks to all the team behind the song’s success.
Underwood confessed, “I must be the luckiest girl in the world!” Thanking her manager, Ann Edelblute, she also gave gratitude to the songwriters, BMI, Arista Records’ promotion team, producer Mark Bright, and her husband Mike Fisher, who was not in attendance.
There were plenty of thanks to go around. Underwood even took the opportunity to thank the newest addition to her family, baby son Isaiah, saying, “He had nothing to do with this, but I’m going to thank him anyway.”
Country Artists Receive July 2015 RIAA Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerCarrie Underwood also recently celebrated her 28 million mark as the current top country artist on the RIAA’s Digital Single Ranking.
It’s new month-end digital Platinum report includes:
It’s new month-end digital Gold report includes:
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.