Sammy Kershaw
Returning veterans and promising newcomers are this week’s musical recipe here at DisClaimer.
Among the former is Sammy Kershaw, who lands the Disc of the Day prize.
Among the latter are Smith & Wesley, Allie Louise and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone. Her debut CD is titled Abbey. For some odd reason, it does not contain her single. You have to go to her website to find that. Go figure.
Neither newcomers nor veterans are The Cains, Levi Riggs and Brian Collins, all of whom are making their sophomore appearances in this column. Another thing they have in common is that all three of their new singles more than affirm the promises made by their debuts.
McKENNA FAITH/Somethin’ Somethin’
Writer: McKenna Faith/Caleb Sherman/Monique Staffile/Yvette Garcia; Producer: Caleb Sherman & McKenna Faith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Treble (CDX) (www.mckenna-faith.com)
—You mean not one of those four writers could come up with a melody?
ALLIE LOUISE/Perfect Storm
Writer: Allie Louise/Doug Kahan/Kaci Bolls; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: Sixth Beat/Dug That, ASCAP/BMI; Sixth Beat (CDX) (www.allielouiseofficial.com)
—I like the little “break” in her voice, and her songwriting is pretty decent. The production rocks and rumbles. Promising.
LEVI RIGGS/Nothin’ I Don’t Love
Writer: Brett James/Steve Diamond; Producer: Matt McClure; Publisher: Spny-ATV Cross Keys/New Diamonds/BMG Gold/Stage Three/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Windridge (CDX) (www.leviriggs.com)
—The man is a strong, strong singer. The song is a dandy. The track rocks splendidly. This one’s a winner, folks.
BRIAN COLLINS/Shine a Little Love
Writer: Brian Collins/Paige Logan; Producer: Mills Logan, Kenny Greenberg & Brian Collins; Publisher: Blue Light/Molly Jack, SESAC/ASCAP; Blue Light (CDX) (www.briancollins.com)
—At the risk of repeating myself, there already is an established country record maker with this name. He reads this column and knows about you purloining his identity. This new single is hearty and well-meaning, carrying an upbeat message, delivered vibrantly.
BLAIR MATTHEWS/Ride
Writer: Blair Matthews; Producer: Blair Matthews; Publisher: none listed, BMI; StoneyHill (CDX) (www.blairmatthews.com)
—It is a need-for-speed ode to motorcycle riding. He’s no powerhouse as a singer, so the tempo and energy try to compensate.
ABBEY CONE/Love Like Him Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: Rocky Gribble & Curtis Jojnes; Publisher: none listed; AC (track) (www.abbeycone.com)
—Kudos for launching your career with a heartbreak ballad. We need more performers with moxie (and talent) like this. She’s only 16, but there’s nothing juvenile about this vocal performance. Achingly lovely.
LYNN ANDERSON/Drift Away Gospel
Writer: Mentor R. Williams; Producer: Bil VornDick & Bruce Dees; Publisher: Almo/Rockin MW, ASCAP; Center Sound (track) (www.lynnandersonshow.com)
—Veteran Anderson returns with a religious rewriting of this much-loved pop standard. Her delivery is throaty and low, with just the right touch of devotion. The gospel album it appears on, Bridges, features guests such as The Oak Ridge Boys and The Martins, plus a supporting cast of A-list Music Row players.
THE CAINS/Journey’s End
Writer: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devries; Producer: Daniel Agee; Publisher: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devies Watsky/Kobalt, ASCAP; DayStreet (track)
—This attractive sibling trio kicks the tempo up a little to deliver this sparkling, fizzy cocktail of pop optimism. Shiny and bright, with a delightfully layered production.
SAMMY KERSHAW/Grillin’ and Chillin’
Writer: C. Beathard/S. Caruso; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Cleopatra (CDX) (www.sammykershaw.com)
—He’s still one of our finest honky-tonk vocalists. This laid-back ditty sounds exactly like a relaxing summer afternoon. Beautifully under-produced for pleasing audio simplicity. Bonus points for name-checking Dean Dillon.
SMITH & WESLEY/Need Somebody Bad
Writer: Todd Smith/Randy Boudreaux; Producer: Shayne Hill; Publisher: Dream Walkin,’ ASCAP; Garage Door (track) (www.smithandwesley.com)
—Rocking twin guitars, Allman-style. Brother-duet vocals, perfectly matched. What’s not to like?
CMA Music Festival Generates Record $46.8 Million in Spending
/by Sarah SkatesChase Rice performs at the Chevrolet Riverfront Stage on Friday, June 12 during the 2015 CMA Music Festival in downtown Nashville.
The 2015 CMA Music Festival generated a record $46.8 million in direct visitor spending, an increase of $7.5 million over last year according to numbers released by the Nashville Convention & Visitors Corp (NCVC) today (July 9).
“The CMA Music Festival is a big part of our brand as Music City, and the event’s enormous economic impact through direct visitor spending is a great thing for Nashville,” Mayor Karl Dean said. “The CMA Foundation’s contribution of instruments to Metro Schools students further strengthens the festival’s positive impact. I appreciate both the CVC and CMA as incredible partners in bringing more visitors to Nashville and congratulate them for the continued growth and success of CMA Fest.”
This year’s CMA Music Festival sold out seven months in advance prompting a record-setting daily attendance of 87,680 fans—besting 2014 numbers by 9.6 percent, the CMA reported in June. According to the NCVC, the estimated number of room nights for festival attendees was 158,000—up from 150,000 last year—and the average length of stay was 5.2 days.
“As the city’s largest event, CMA Music Fest continues to outperform itself year after year, generating more visitor spending than any other event and providing prime-time national TV exposure for Music City,” said Ken Levitan, chairman of the NCVC board of directors and president of Vector Management. “The CMA’s expansion of the footprint, offering more free music than ever before and extending event days all resulted in record spending, record attendance and record room nights sold. These figures show the CMA’s strategy of keeping the event at an affordable value is important to the overall growth of the event.”
For the first time, the NCVC was able to calculate non-ticket holder direct spending, which represents an additional $13.6 million in direct visitor spending, driving total spending to $60.4 million.
“We worked very hard this year to let local and regional residents know that you don’t need a four-day ticket to enjoy this event,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “There were seven free stages throughout downtown and it’s rewarding to see our attendance increase in those areas. It is especially nice when you consider the positive impact on the city, which has been an outstanding partner.”
In addition, the NCVC’s survey results showed:
83 percent of attendees traveled more than 50 miles
46 percent of attendees were attending for the first time
87 percent indicated they were likely to return next year
55 percent have an annual household income of $75,000 or more
10 percent of visitors were from international markets
The figures are based on the NCVC’s onsite/in-person surveying of 2,219 attendees during the event in June.
Nashville’s Recording Academy Chapter Names 2015-16 Leadership
/by Eric T. ParkerMusicRow’s longtime contributor Robert K. Oermann has been elected Vice-President, and Sony Music Nashville Vice President, Media & Corporate Communications Allen Brown will serve as Secretary.
Trustees include Jeff Balding, Fletcher Foster, Daniel Hill and Chandra LaPlume.
Advisors will be Phil Thornton and Jessica Tomasin.
Governors for the term include:
Lori Badgett
Mark Bright
Joanna Carter
David Corlew
John Esposito
Trey Fanjoy
Tim Fink
Ben Fowler
Leslie Fram
Garth Fundis
Tracy Gershon
Kevin Griffin
Jeff Hanna
Lisa Harless
Terry Hemmings
Brett James
Allison Brown Jones
Julian King
Jim Lauderdale
Frank Liddell
Martina McBride
Scott McDaniel
Daniel Miller
Keb’ Mo’
Erika Wollam Nichols
Tree Paine
Nick Palladino
LeAnn Phelan
Michael Rhodes
Alan D. Valentine
Alan Jackson Makes Slew of Media Appearances Around New Album
/by Lorie HollabaughAlan Jackson is kicking off a major media blitz today (July 9) for his latest album Angels and Alcohol with an appearance on NPR and on NPR’s First Listen, where fans can stream the entire new project before its release July 17. He’ll appear on CBS Sunday Morning in a feature on the news program July 12, perform on the Tonight Show starring Jimmy Fallon July 15, and celebrate the new record on album release day on the TODAY show’s Toyota Summer Concert Series live from Rockefeller Plaza.
Angels and Alcohol is Jackson’s first studio album in three years, and includes seven self-penned songs including the title track and the album’s first single “Jim and Jack and Hank” which hit radio this week. The new CD is Jackson’s 15th studio album, and lands 25 years after his debut album Here In The Real World was released.
The new album was produced by Jackson’s longtime collaborator and friend Keith Stegall.
Fans can go here to get an NPR First Listen of Jackson’s new album Angels and Alcohol.
See the track list here.
Johnny Depp, Richard Branson Creating Series About Fame Studios
/by Lorie HollabaughRick Hall and Clarence Carter in Muscle Shoals, a Magnolia Pictures release. Photo courtesy of Magnolia Pictures.
Companies helmed by Johnny Depp and Richard Branson are backing a new TV series based on the documentary Muscle Shoals, according to Variety.com. Depp’s Infinitum Nihil production company and Branson’s Virgin Produced are working with City Entertainment to create the series based around Rick Hall, the founder of Fame Studios who helped give birth to the Muscle Shoals sound (“I’ll Take You There,” “Brown Sugar,” “When a Man Loves a Woman”).
Variety reports Depp will produce the new series with the original documentary director/producer Greg Camalier; Christi Dembrowski of Infinitum Nihil; Virgin Produced’s Branson, Jason Felts and Justin Berfield; and City Entertainment’s Joshua D. Maurer and Alixandre Witlin.
The Muscle Shoals documentary was released by Magnolia Pictures in 2013, and premiered at the 2013 Sundance Film Festival.
Artist News: Hold My Beer Tour, Lee Ann Womack, Mersi Stone, DRX Showcase
/by Sarah SkatesRogers, Bowen Tour
Randy Rogers and Wade Bowen kick off their 21-date Hold My Beer tour in Omaha, NE today (July 9). The duo—known individually for successful solo careers—released Hold My Beer: Vol. 1 in April. The 10-track album, produced by Lloyd Maines, was born from Rogers and Bowen’s 8-year-running acoustic tour, called Hold My Beer And Watch This.
The duo that historically sells out major Texas markets, will expand to cities including Chicago, Portland, Seattle, San Francisco and West Hollywood’s famed Troubadour, closing with a headlining performance on Sept. 17 during AmericanaFest in Nashville.
(L-R): Wade Bowen and Randy Rogers
Lee Ann Womack On Daytrotter
Lee Ann Womack brings her music to tastemaker site Daytrotter for an intimate acoustic performance including songs from her Grammy-nominated The Way I’m Livin’.
She also recently performed at a tribute concert saluting Waylon Jennings at Austin’s Moody Theater. The event, titled Outlaw: Celebrating the Music of Waylon Jennings, also featured Willie Nelson, Kris Kristofferson, Sturgill Simpson, Kacey Musgraves and Alison Krauss and was recorded for distribution.
Mersi Stone Releases EP
Rising country music duo Mersi Stone recently released their EP, Who I Am, to iTunes. The band is comprised of sisters Kori Jean and Kelsi Olsen, who grew up in Austin, Texas. They have writing credits on all seven cuts on the project.
Kori Jean explains, “Who I Am, is the most honest and raw album that we’ve ever put out. It embodies the fun times in life, and the times where the load seems too heavy to carry. Hopefully the messages will resonate with our fans and listeners.”
DRX July Showcase
The DRX Artist Showcase was held July 7 at 3rd and Lindsley Bar & Grill. Dove award-winning and Grammy-nominated artist Ty Herndon hosted the July showcase, which featured performances by Brian Collins, Carissa Leigh, Sarah Ross, Nick Sturms and Amy Wilcox. The next monthly DRX showcase is scheduled for Aug. 4.
Pictured (L-R): Brian Collins, Amy Wilcox, Nick Sturms, Carissa Leigh, Ty Herndon, Sarah Ross and Digital Rodeo’s John Pyne. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Lambert Cancels Stampede Show Due to Vocal Cord Problems
/by Lorie HollabaughMiranda Lambert performs during CMT Artists of the Year.
Miranda Lambert had to cancel her concert scheduled for tonight (July 9) at the Scotiabank Saddledome Arena in Calgary because of inflammation on her vocal cords, according to the Stampede’s Facebook page.
“I’m so sorry that I can’t be at Stampede this week, but I’ll be back in Calgary just as soon as I can for all of my Stampede fans,” said Lambert.
Ticket holders will receive a free single admission to Stampede Park between July 8-12 with the concert ticket though, and the show is set to be rescheduled at a later date. Ticket holders should retain their ticket for the rescheduled concert, and continue to check the Stampede’s and Ticketmaster’s websites for rescheduling updates.
Willie Nelson to Receive Library of Congress Gershwin Prize
/by Lorie HollabaughWillie Nelson
Willie Nelson will receive a prestigious honor for his contributions to the musical world when he is awarded the Library of Congress Gershwin Prize for Popular Song in November.
The prize honors a living artist’s lifetime achievement in enhancing cultural understanding and entertaining, informing, and inspiring new generations through his or her music, and whose contributions exemplify the standard of excellence associated with George and Ira Gershwin. Former Gershwin Prize recipients include Paul Simon, Stevie Wonder, Paul McCartney, Burt Bacharach, the late Hal David, Carole King and Billy Joel.
“Willie Nelson is a musical explorer, redrawing the boundaries of country music throughout his career,” said Librarian of Congress James Billington. “A master communicator, the sincerity and universally appealing message of his lyrics place him in a category of his own while still remaining grounded in his country-music roots. His achievements as a songwriter and performer are legendary. Like America itself, he has absorbed and assimilated diverse stylistic influences into his stories and songs. He has helped make country music one of the most universally beloved forms of American artistic expression.”
Nelson will receive the prize in Washington, D.C. this November and be celebrated with a series of special events.
DisClaimer: Sammy Kershaw Wins Disc of the Day
/by Robert K OermannSammy Kershaw
Returning veterans and promising newcomers are this week’s musical recipe here at DisClaimer.
Among the former is Sammy Kershaw, who lands the Disc of the Day prize.
Among the latter are Smith & Wesley, Allie Louise and our DisCovery Award winner, Abbey Cone. Her debut CD is titled Abbey. For some odd reason, it does not contain her single. You have to go to her website to find that. Go figure.
Neither newcomers nor veterans are The Cains, Levi Riggs and Brian Collins, all of whom are making their sophomore appearances in this column. Another thing they have in common is that all three of their new singles more than affirm the promises made by their debuts.
McKENNA FAITH/Somethin’ Somethin’
Writer: McKenna Faith/Caleb Sherman/Monique Staffile/Yvette Garcia; Producer: Caleb Sherman & McKenna Faith; Publisher: none listed, ASCAP; Treble (CDX) (www.mckenna-faith.com)
—You mean not one of those four writers could come up with a melody?
ALLIE LOUISE/Perfect Storm
Writer: Allie Louise/Doug Kahan/Kaci Bolls; Producer: Eddie Gore; Publisher: Sixth Beat/Dug That, ASCAP/BMI; Sixth Beat (CDX) (www.allielouiseofficial.com)
—I like the little “break” in her voice, and her songwriting is pretty decent. The production rocks and rumbles. Promising.
LEVI RIGGS/Nothin’ I Don’t Love
Writer: Brett James/Steve Diamond; Producer: Matt McClure; Publisher: Spny-ATV Cross Keys/New Diamonds/BMG Gold/Stage Three/BMG Chrysalis, ASCAP; Windridge (CDX) (www.leviriggs.com)
—The man is a strong, strong singer. The song is a dandy. The track rocks splendidly. This one’s a winner, folks.
BRIAN COLLINS/Shine a Little Love
Writer: Brian Collins/Paige Logan; Producer: Mills Logan, Kenny Greenberg & Brian Collins; Publisher: Blue Light/Molly Jack, SESAC/ASCAP; Blue Light (CDX) (www.briancollins.com)
—At the risk of repeating myself, there already is an established country record maker with this name. He reads this column and knows about you purloining his identity. This new single is hearty and well-meaning, carrying an upbeat message, delivered vibrantly.
BLAIR MATTHEWS/Ride
Writer: Blair Matthews; Producer: Blair Matthews; Publisher: none listed, BMI; StoneyHill (CDX) (www.blairmatthews.com)
—It is a need-for-speed ode to motorcycle riding. He’s no powerhouse as a singer, so the tempo and energy try to compensate.
ABBEY CONE/Love Like Him Again
Writer: none listed; Producer: Rocky Gribble & Curtis Jojnes; Publisher: none listed; AC (track) (www.abbeycone.com)
—Kudos for launching your career with a heartbreak ballad. We need more performers with moxie (and talent) like this. She’s only 16, but there’s nothing juvenile about this vocal performance. Achingly lovely.
Writer: Mentor R. Williams; Producer: Bil VornDick & Bruce Dees; Publisher: Almo/Rockin MW, ASCAP; Center Sound (track) (www.lynnandersonshow.com)
—Veteran Anderson returns with a religious rewriting of this much-loved pop standard. Her delivery is throaty and low, with just the right touch of devotion. The gospel album it appears on, Bridges, features guests such as The Oak Ridge Boys and The Martins, plus a supporting cast of A-list Music Row players.
THE CAINS/Journey’s End
Writer: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devries; Producer: Daniel Agee; Publisher: Taylor Cain/Madison Cain/Becki Devies Watsky/Kobalt, ASCAP; DayStreet (track)
—This attractive sibling trio kicks the tempo up a little to deliver this sparkling, fizzy cocktail of pop optimism. Shiny and bright, with a delightfully layered production.
SAMMY KERSHAW/Grillin’ and Chillin’
Writer: C. Beathard/S. Caruso; Producer: Sammy Kershaw; Publisher: Sony-ATV Acuff-Rose/Carnival, BMI/ASCAP; Cleopatra (CDX) (www.sammykershaw.com)
—He’s still one of our finest honky-tonk vocalists. This laid-back ditty sounds exactly like a relaxing summer afternoon. Beautifully under-produced for pleasing audio simplicity. Bonus points for name-checking Dean Dillon.
SMITH & WESLEY/Need Somebody Bad
Writer: Todd Smith/Randy Boudreaux; Producer: Shayne Hill; Publisher: Dream Walkin,’ ASCAP; Garage Door (track) (www.smithandwesley.com)
—Rocking twin guitars, Allman-style. Brother-duet vocals, perfectly matched. What’s not to like?
BMI to Host Top Film, TV, Ad Execs At ‘Sync THIS’ Event
/by Lorie Hollabaugh“I’m so excited for this opportunity to bring music supervisors together with talented BMI performers,” said Penny Gattis, Associate Director, Writer/Publisher Relations. “We’re not only showing off the top songwriting talent in Nashville, but also the culinary talent, proving why Nashville is a top destination for all things creative.”
On the first night, East Nashville will be featured with a dinner at POP, hosted by house chef Daniel Herget and restaurateur/chef Sarah Gavigan. A performance by The Muddy Magnolias, DeRobert & The Half-Truths, and Tony Joe White will follow at the Basement East, and Keith Gattis and Friends will cap off the night at an after-party showing off Nashville’s top musicians late into the evening.
The second evening will highlight West Nashville with a dinner at Chauhan Ale House, the new Indian fusion restaurant from Chef Maneet Chauhan. Following the meal, music for the evening will be provided by NF, Lees of Memory and Future Unlimited at the High Watt.
Sync THIS! is being presented by BMI, City National Bank, Downtown Music Publishing, Warner Chappell Production Music and Capitol CMG to create new opportunities for sync revenue for local songwriters and music publishers.
Holly Bell Exits City National Bank
/by Sherod RobertsonHolly Bell
Holly Bell, who served as City National Bank’s Sr. VP Southeast Team Manager, Entertainment Division, has exited her position to pursue a new opportunity that has yet to be announced.
Lori Badgett and Diane Pearson will now handle daily management of the Nashville office as team leaders.
Bell joined City National Bank in 2010 where she led the specialized sports and entertainment bankers’ team. She brought two decades of entertainment, sports, and private banking experience to the post.
Bell serves on the board of YEP (Young Entertainment Professionals) and Music City Alliance, and is a Leadership Music alum. She can be reached at hollybell3@icloud.com.