Pat Patrick. Photo: Pat Patrick Facebook
Pat Patrick left his mark on the music business as a studio owner, record producer, jingle writer, song publisher, recording artist and, most famously, as the leader of Nashville’s top party band.
Patrick passed away on Tuesday, June 16. The music he made in The Pat Patrick Band formed the soundtrack for thousands of society functions, weddings, collegiate events and private parties. His various groups bearing his name could entertain doing pop oldies, r&b “beach music,” rock ’n’ roll or big-band swing. Many of the finest session musicians of Music Row performed in his ensembles over the years.
Born Richard Corry Patrick III, he was a Nashville native who graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1965. He formed his first band, Saturns Combo, when he was a teenager and was soon playing gigs at Hillwood Country Club, Belle Meade Country Club, high-school dances and fraternity parties. Around 1968, the group changed its name to The Fabulous Beech Nut Show Band. Next, it was known as The Kracker Jacks Show Band.
After his graduation from Vanderbilt University, he expanded the group several times. During the 1970s, The Pat Patrick Band specialized in cover versions of rock hits. In 1978, the group’s increased size allowed it to graduate to swing music. The Pat Patrick Band recorded a number of albums on its own label.
Meanwhile, Pat Patrick became more and more involved in the business of Music Row. At first, he worked for the independent label Certron Records. He then became the creative director of the recording studio Audio Media. In addition to attracting the top artists in Nashville as clients, the facility became the home of his commercial jingles business.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Patrick produced more than 5,000 jingles for such companies as Holiday Inn, GMC, Chevrolet, Disneyland, Goodyear, Tidy Cat, K-mart and Buick, as well as many local businesses. Several of these earned Addy Awards.
He formed a close relationship with the Disney company. This led to producing and performing on a series of children’s albums, including Mousercize, Rock Around the Mouse and Mickey Mouse Disco. These records have earned him more than 30 million-seller awards.
Audio Media became Cal IV Music. Patrick purchased the Ray Stevens studio on Grand Avenue and renamed it Grand Central Studios in 1983. Here, he began producing such Christian-music stars as First Call, Steve Green, Bruce Carroll and Amy Grant.
He next co-founded the publishing company the Grand Music Group. Among the company’s copyrights were “High Cotton” (Alabama), “1982” (Randy Travis), “What’s Going on in Your World” (George Strait) and “Out of Your Shoes” (Lorrie Morgan).
In recent years, the entrepreneur has been the creative director of Pearl Trax Studios, Patilison Tunes and Pat Patrick Music.
He is survived by Dr. Elizabeth Cato and daughters Mary and Ellie. Visitation will be today, Thursday June 18, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. His memorial service is Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with visitation an hour prior at the church.
Honorary pallbearers will include SAE fraternity brothers, The Pat Patrick Band and the MBA Class of 1965. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kathleen Patrick Hughes Endowed Scholarship of Education at the University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0231.
NMPA Annual Meeting: New Board Elected, Bob Corker Honored
/by Sarah Skates(L-R): David Israelite, Billy Joel and LeAnn Rimes
David Israelite (L) honors Bob Corker
The National Music Publishers’ Association held its annual meeting in New York City at the Marriott Marquis in Times Square yesterday (June 17). During the event, several awards were presented and NMPA President and CEO David Israelite gave his State of the Industry Address.
John LoFrumento was awarded the NMPA Industry Legacy Award. Ralph Peer II was honored with the NMPA Lifetime Service Award. Billy Joel received NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award, and LeAnn Rimes saluted him with a performance of his songs “Lullabye (Goodnight My Angel)” and “She’s Got a Way.” U.S. Senator Bob Corker (R-Tenn.) was honored for his leadership on behalf of music publishers and songwriters.
In addition to awards and performances, the NMPA Board of Directors election results were revealed, with new members including Justin Kalifowitz, CEO of Downtown Music Publishing; Golnar Khosrowshahi, President of Resevoir Media Management and Jody Klein, CEO of ABKCO Music & Records. They join board members already serving, including Nashvillians Bob Doyle and Barry Coburn.
LeAnn Rimes salutes Billy Joel.
NMPA also announced the creation of the NMPA SONGS Foundation (Supporting Our Next Generation of Songwriters), which will kick off this fall with a fundraising golf tournament near Washington, D.C. The Foundation seeks to support aspiring creators with grants to continue their work and support music education. The NMPA SONGS Foundation will be chaired by Israelite, with charter Board members including songwriters Cara DioGuardi, Jewel and Nashvillian Lee Thomas Miller.
Also, the NMPA launched a revamped website at www.nmpa.org.
Indie Labels Aren’t Keen on Apple Music
/by Sarah SkatesBeggars Group yesterday (June 17) released a statement outlining its problems with the upcoming streaming service.
Apple is set to launch with a three-month trial period for users, during which it will not be paying rights holders. This could be particularly detrimental to earning money from new music released during the trial period. The major labels have agreed to this condition, but many indies have not.
In its statement Beggars Group says it sees no reason it “should bear this aspect of Apple’s customer acquisition costs.”
Apple Music will offer $10-a-month subscription streaming.
More from the New York Times.
LifeNotes: King of the Party Pat Patrick Passes
/by Robert K OermannPat Patrick. Photo: Pat Patrick Facebook
Pat Patrick left his mark on the music business as a studio owner, record producer, jingle writer, song publisher, recording artist and, most famously, as the leader of Nashville’s top party band.
Patrick passed away on Tuesday, June 16. The music he made in The Pat Patrick Band formed the soundtrack for thousands of society functions, weddings, collegiate events and private parties. His various groups bearing his name could entertain doing pop oldies, r&b “beach music,” rock ’n’ roll or big-band swing. Many of the finest session musicians of Music Row performed in his ensembles over the years.
Born Richard Corry Patrick III, he was a Nashville native who graduated from Montgomery Bell Academy in 1965. He formed his first band, Saturns Combo, when he was a teenager and was soon playing gigs at Hillwood Country Club, Belle Meade Country Club, high-school dances and fraternity parties. Around 1968, the group changed its name to The Fabulous Beech Nut Show Band. Next, it was known as The Kracker Jacks Show Band.
Meanwhile, Pat Patrick became more and more involved in the business of Music Row. At first, he worked for the independent label Certron Records. He then became the creative director of the recording studio Audio Media. In addition to attracting the top artists in Nashville as clients, the facility became the home of his commercial jingles business.
During the 1970s and 1980s, Patrick produced more than 5,000 jingles for such companies as Holiday Inn, GMC, Chevrolet, Disneyland, Goodyear, Tidy Cat, K-mart and Buick, as well as many local businesses. Several of these earned Addy Awards.
He formed a close relationship with the Disney company. This led to producing and performing on a series of children’s albums, including Mousercize, Rock Around the Mouse and Mickey Mouse Disco. These records have earned him more than 30 million-seller awards.
Audio Media became Cal IV Music. Patrick purchased the Ray Stevens studio on Grand Avenue and renamed it Grand Central Studios in 1983. Here, he began producing such Christian-music stars as First Call, Steve Green, Bruce Carroll and Amy Grant.
He next co-founded the publishing company the Grand Music Group. Among the company’s copyrights were “High Cotton” (Alabama), “1982” (Randy Travis), “What’s Going on in Your World” (George Strait) and “Out of Your Shoes” (Lorrie Morgan).
In recent years, the entrepreneur has been the creative director of Pearl Trax Studios, Patilison Tunes and Pat Patrick Music.
He is survived by Dr. Elizabeth Cato and daughters Mary and Ellie. Visitation will be today, Thursday June 18, from 4:00-7:00 p.m. at Woodlawn Roesch-Patton Funeral Home. His memorial service is Friday at 11:30 a.m. at Westminster Presbyterian Church with visitation an hour prior at the church.
Honorary pallbearers will include SAE fraternity brothers, The Pat Patrick Band and the MBA Class of 1965. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the Kathleen Patrick Hughes Endowed Scholarship of Education at the University of Alabama, Box 870231, Tuscaloosa, AL, 35487-0231.
Dixie Chicks Return to Road for European Tour
/by Lorie HollabaughDixie Chicks
The Dixie Chicks are launching a European tour next year that will hit six venues in Amsterdam, the UK, and Scotland running from April 20-May 4. Ironically the tour will bring the trio back together in London just down the road from Shepherd’s Bush, the site of Maines’ polarizing remarks against former President Bush and the Iraq war 12 years ago.
On their first tour since 2013’s Long Time Gone Tour, the Chicks will play the Amsterdam Heineken Music Hall, Birmingham Barclaycard Arena, Manchester Arena, London The 02, Glasgow The SSE Hydro, and the Dublin 3 Arena.
The band’s last project, Taking The Long Way, was released in 2006, and earned five Grammys, including Album of the Year. They have since released separate projects with Natalie Maines releasing a solo rock effort in 2013 and sisters Emily Robison Strayer and Martie McGuire releasing several CDs as the Court Yard Hounds.
DIXIE CHICKS TOUR DATES
April 20, 2016 – Amsterdam, Netherlands – Heineken Music Hall
April 29, 2016 – Birmingham, United Kingdom – Barclaycard Arena
April 30, 2016 – Manchester, United Kingdom – Arena
May 1, 2016 – London, United Kingdom – The 02
May 3, 2016 – Glasgow, United Kingdom – The SSE Hydro
May 4, 2016 – Dublin, Ireland – 3 Arena
The Cadillac Three’s Debut: A ‘White Lightning’ Experience
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Kelby Ray, Neil Mason and Jaren Johnston
Big Machine’s The Cadillac Three debuted the video for “White Lightning” this week at Nashville’s Adventure Science Center. The video was shot in Nashville and directed by David McClister.
Singer/songwriter and TC3 lead vocalist Jaren Johnston decided to feature his wife, Evyn Johnston, as the leading lady in the video.
In addition to the video debut, radio winners and industry guests were treated to a short set of live music from Johnston and bandmates Kelby Ray and Neil Mason. Taking advantage of being in a science center, they were appropriately accompanied by “a thunderstorm and flashes of lightning.”
To watch the video for “White Lightning,” click here.
Pictured (L-R): Director David McClister, TC3’s Neil Mason, Kelby Ray, Big Machine Label Group President & CEO Scott Borchetta, TC3’s Jaren Johnston, Evyn Johnston, WSIX’s Kimsey Kerr and
Big Machine Records SVP Promotion Jack Purcell
Photo: Seth Hellman
Warner/Chappell Signs Lady Antebellum
/by Kelsey_GradyPicture (L-R): Dave Haywood, Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley
Warner/Chappell Music announced today that it has signed a worldwide publishing agreement with Grammy Award-winning group Lady Antebellum. The deal brings all three hit songwriters, Dave Haywood, Charles Kelley, and Hillary Scott to Warner/Chappell, which will represent the majority of the Lady Antebellum catalog.
The trio has co-written the vast majority of Lady Antebellum’s songs, including “I Run to You,” “Need You Now,” and “Bartender.” Beyond their own material, Haywood and Kelley have co-written songs for a number of notable recording artists, including Luke Bryan’s “Do I,” which landed at No. 1 on the Hot Country Songs chart, as well as Miranda Lambert’s “Love Song” and Hunter Hayes’ “Better Than This.” Kelly also co-wrote Darius Rucker’s No. 1 hit, “Homegrown Honey.” Scott co-wrote Sara Evans’ No. 1, “A Little Bit Stronger.”
Collectively, the members of Lady Antebellum have earned an extraordinary number of accolades, including seven Grammy Awards, seven CMA Awards, four American Music Awards and eight ACM Awards, among many others. They have earned nine No. 1 singles on the Billboard charts and sold more than 11 million albums worldwide.
“The first charted hit written by Dave, Charles, and Hillary was in 2007 and just a few short years later their body of work is impressive on a global scale,” said Ben Vaughn, Executive Vice President, Warner/Chappell Music Nashville. “Their music touches fans all over the world and besides their impressive work as Lady Antebellum they have received numerous songwriting awards including being recognized as NMPA’s Songwriter Icon Award winner this year. The W/C family takes great pride welcoming back these amazing songwriters and people.”
“We’ve worked with Warner/Chappell before and are so happy to have them on our team once again,” said Kelley. “Ben and the entire Nashville group are a talented bunch of publishers, and we’re grateful for the care and attention that they pay to our music.”
NASH TV Coming To Smart TVs, Apple TV, Roku, Chromecast
/by Sarah SkatesQello Concerts will feature NASH TV’s original content across its worldwide OTT streaming platform. It will be available via web access, smart TVs (Samsung, Sony), Apple TV, Android TV, Roku, PlayStation, XBOX, Google Chromecast, and mobile devices (iOS, Android, Windows).
NASH TV features original content based on the country lifestyle including NASH Nights Live, Grits & Hits, America’s Morning Show, and Real Live Performances. Many of this content is recorded at the NASH campus in Nashville.
The growing NASH brand includes dozens of country radio stations, NASH Country Weekly magazine, concerts/events, online and TV content, the NASH Icon joint venture with Big Machine Label Group and the upcoming NASH Next talent competition.
Dolly Parton Plans First Nashville Concert in More Than A Decade
/by Lorie HollabaughDolly Parton
Dolly Parton will perform a benefit concert on July 31 at the Ryman Auditorium. The show will be the first full concert she has headlined in Nashville in 12 years.
Proceeds will go to the Dustin Wells Foundation to benefit the W.O. Smith Music School. Wells was killed in a car accident in 2005 and his family set up a foundation in his memory to help enrich the lives of other youngsters.
Tickets to the Gift Of Music concert, “Dolly Parton: Pure and Simple,” are $55 and $85 and will be available beginning June 20 online at www.ryman.com. A limited selection of VIP packages will also be available at www.dustinwellsgiftofmusic.com.
“The ‘Gift of Music’ is something that runs deep within my kin folks,” says Parton. “I love and cherish The Ryman and I am really excited to perform there to help raise money for the Dustin Wells Foundation. This goes to help many young kids that are part of the W.O. Smith School of Music. Through all of us working together we can make a difference in helping a child feel the magic in making music.”
Previous artists who have performed and donated their time to the Dustin Wells Foundation include Ronnie Dunn, Dierks Bentley, Lady Antebellum, Peter Cetera, Peter Frampton, and many more.
Parton is also scheduled to perform four sold-out shows at Dollywood on Aug. 8 and 9 to benefit her own Imagination Library.
DisClaimer: ‘Riser’ Has Inspiration And Uplift In Every Note
/by Robert K OermannThis was an extremely lackluster listening session. Until I heard a real sound. For me, today, that one record was/is “Riser” by Dierks Bentley. It sounded as good to me, if not better, than it did when I first listened to his album. This is unquestionably the Disc of the Day.
This week’s DisCovery Award goes to a Wisconsin-based country performer named Jerry Schmitt. If his single is any indication of what his songwriting is like, I am more than eager to hear more. It says on his website that his debut album is titled 100 Miles and that it only costs ten bucks. Sounds like a bargain to me.
BRET MICHAELS/Girls on Bars
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Michaels Entertainment Group/Star Farm (ERG)
—What a complete and utter piece of crap. Poison was never exactly a thinking person’s band, but this is beyond stupid.
DisCovery winner Jerry Schmitt
JERRY SCHMITT/With a Bottle and a Can
Writer: Jerry Schmitt; Producer: Jerry Schmitt; Publisher: Jerry Schmitt, BMI; Colt (CDX) (www.thejerryschmittband.com)
—It’s a super, stone-country weeper about a man who is killing himself “with a bottle and a can.” His brilliantly understated performance throws the spotlight on the simple beauty of the songwriting. Extremely well done.
CRAIG CAMPBELL/Tomorrow Tonight
Writer: Craig Campbell, Justin Wilson, Vicky McGehee; Producer: Jeremy Stover; Publisher: Legends of Magic Mustang (SESAC) admin by W.B.M. Music Corp., Skabetti Bowl of Songs (SESAC) admin by W.B.M. Music Corp., Nineteen64 Music (BMI); Red Bow (ERG)
—He soars vocally on this one. Supporting harmony singing and screaming guitars add to the undeniable excitement. Play this.
CHRIS CHITSEY/Superstitious Heart
Writer: Steve Darling/Chris Chitsey; Producer: D. Scott Miller; Publisher: Chris Chitsey, BMI; Premier (CDX) (www.chrischitseymusic.com)
—It barely has a melody, which is just as well since he can barely sing.
RANDY HOUSER/We Went
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; Stoney Creek (ERG)
—Urgent, passionate and uptempo. This guy is a hoss.
JAKE DODDS/Slow
Writer: Jon D’Agostino/A.J. Egstrom/Kylie Rothfield/Chris Sayers; Producer: Peter Young; Publisher: Shore Hits/KRJ/Ajegstrom, BMI/ASCAP; Jake Dodds (CDX) (www.jakedodds.com)
—Ordinary to the point of boredom.
DIERKS BENTLEY/Riser
Writer: Steven Moakler/Travis Meadows; Producer: Ross Copperman; Publisher: Songs of Kobalt/Nan Jan/Songs of Mighty Isis/She and I/It’s Killer, BMI; Capitol Nashville (track)
—The goosebump-raising title tune of Bentley’s current CD is the song I have wanted to be a single all along. Now it is, and I’m a happy camper. This has inspiration and uplift in every note. Copperman’s track is packed with echoey tension and chiming chills.
CURTIS BRALY/Living on Sunshine
Writer: Lauren Taylor Bachofer/Maryland Welch Francis/Brandon M. Maddox; Producer: Kenny Royster; Publisher: Music of Studio Gold/Brandon Maddox, SESAC/BMI; Studio Gold (CDX) (615-432-2895)
—He has a clear tenor voice and a relentlessly upbeat attitude. It’s all a bit too bright and poppy and smiley for my taste.
KENNY CHESNEY/Save It For a Rainy Day
Writer: Andrew Dorff/Matt Ramsey/Brad Tursi; Producer: Buddy Cannon & Kenny Chesney; Publisher: none listed; Columbia/Blue Chair (track)
—The weather’s too nice to have the blues, so he’s going to save his heartbreak for a rainy day. Very catchy.
MARKET JUNCTION/Give It Time
Writer: Matt Parrish/Justin Lofton/Richard Barrow; Producer: Richard Barrow; Publisher: none listed; MJ
—The recording quality isn’t the greatest. Despite the muffled sound, the talent comes through. The group’s harmonies are excellent, the track has energy and the songwriting is top notch.
Little Big Town Tour Halted Due To Jimi Westbrook’s Vocal Cord Surgery
/by Sarah SkatesLittle Big Town backstage at LP Field following their performance at CMA Music Festival last weekend. Photo: Bev Moser
This afternoon, Little Big Town shared news of member Jimi Westbrook’s upcoming surgery on its Facebook page. The band is canceling or rescheduling its concerts through the end of July.
Little Big Town posted: