Jim Ed Brown, a star of the Grand Ole Opry for more than fifty years and a newly elected member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died Thursday, June 11th at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN after battling cancer.
Mr. Brown scored major country hits as a solo artist, as a duet singer, and as a member of The Browns with sisters Maxine and Bonnie. The Browns’ 1959 crossover hit “The Three Bells” topped Billboard’s country chart for ten consecutive weeks, and it spent four weeks atop Billboard’s all-genre singles chart.
“If you listen to The Browns, it’s a very pretty sound,” Mr. Brown said earlier this year, in an interview with Peter Cooper of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “It was sibling harmony, a sound that was very pleasing. I’ve never heard anybody that could come close to that particular sound. It couldn’t be imitated.”
James Edward Brown was born April 1, 1934, in Sparkman, Arkansas. He spent the first decade of his life on a farm, without electricity or running water. On Saturday nights, the family would tune a battery operated radio to WSM-AM (650) and listen to the Grand Ole Opry. As a teenager, Jim Ed would mimic the vocal styles of Opry stars – his Hank Snow impersonation was particularly effective – and in 1952 Maxine entered him into a talent competition at KLRA radio in Little Rock. He didn’t win the contest, but was asked back to appear on the station’s Barnyard Frolic show. Soon, he invited Maxine to sing with him on the Frolic, and their harmonies impressed touring musician Wayne Raney, who championed Jim Ed and Maxine to record labels. In 1954, they signed with Abbott Records and recorded their first Top 10 country hit, the Jim Ed-and Maxine-penned “Looking Back to See.” Bonnie Brown soon joined her siblings, and the duo became a trio.
As The Browns, Jim Ed, Maxine, and Bonnie notched Top Twenty country hits with “Here Today and Gone Tomorrow,” “I Take the Chance,” “Just As Long As You Love Me,” “Money,” “I Heard the Bluebirds Sing,” “Would You Care,” and “Beyond the Shadow.” But in 1959 the trio was pondering retirement. Mr. Brown’s service in the U.S. Army and the sisters’ family lives had distracted musical attentions, and Mr. Brown was running his father’s sawmill. The Browns—who by then were signed to RCA Records—told producer Chet Atkins that they were thinking of quitting the music business, but Atkins asked them to come to Nashville and record again.
“Chet asked if there was anything we wanted to do that we hadn’t recorded,” Mr. Brown said. “We told him about a song called ‘The Three Bells’ that we sang coming from Pine Bluff to Nashville. We recorded it, and after the session Chet said, ‘You kids may think you’re about to retire, but I think you’ve just recorded the biggest song we’ve ever done.’”
Mr. Brown was driving a truck in Arkansas in 1959 when he parked, walked into a drive-in to buy a Coca-Cola, and heard “The Three Bells” playing on the radio. The song resonated with country and pop audiences, impressed and inspired the Beatles, and ensured that Mr. Brown need not spend his life at the sawmill. The Browns joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1963, on the strength of “The Three Bells” and follow-ups including “Scarlet Ribbons (for Her Hair),” “The Old Lamplighter” and “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.” But in 1967, Maxine and Bonnie decided to retire. Mr. Brown stayed in Nashville as a solo artist on RCA, and he recorded his signature solo song in 1967 with “Pop a Top,” a No. 3 country single that was later revived by Alan Jackson on Jackson’s Under the Influence album.
From 1967 through 1974, Mr. Brown also reached the Top Ten of the country charts with singles “Morning,” “Southern Loving,” “Sometime Sunshine” and “It’s That Time of Night.” In 1976, he began recording duets with Helen Cornelius, logging a No. 1 country hit with “I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You.” With Cornelius, Mr. Brown won a CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award and reached country’s Top 10 with “Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye,” “If the World Ran Out of Love Tonight,” “Lying in Love with You,” Fools,” and “Morning Comes Too Early.”
Mr. Brown’s easygoing manner made him an effective host on the Opry and on numerous television programs. He helmed shows including the syndicated Nashville on the Road and The Country Place and The Nashville Network’s You Can Be a Star and Going Our Way. In 2003, he began hosting syndicated radio program, Country Music Greats Radio Show.
In September 2014, Mr. Brown was diagnosed with lung cancer. While he was undergoing treatments, Plowboy Records released In Style Again, Mr. Brown’s first solo effort in 40 years. Fellow Opry stars Vince Gill and Sharon and Cheryl White joined him on the critically acclaimed album. In March 2015, Mr. Brown and The Browns were elected along with Grady Martin and The Oak Ridge Boys as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“Fame is fleeting, hit records change every week, award show winners and nominees change every year, but being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be forever,” Mr. Brown said, in response to receiving country music’s highest honor. The Browns’ official induction will come in October, but CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young visited Mr. Brown in the hospital on June 4 to present him with a medallion commemorating his Hall of Fame membership.
Mr. Brown died at peace with himself and with his place in country music.
“I’ve always loved to sing,” he said. “My grandmother nicknamed me ‘Jaybird,’ because I’d go around singing all the time. I’ve gone through some hard times, but some good times, too. If push comes to shove, I’ll do it again.”
The funeral service for Brown will take place on Monday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The service is open to the public with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at Woodlawn at 660 Thompson Ln. and is also open to the public. Visitation over the weekend is private for family and close friends.
Bobby Karl Works The Don Henley Listening Party
/by Bobby KarlThat’s why a who’s-who was there. Pete Fisher, Peter Cooper, Suzanne Gordon, Susan Stewart, Sarah Skates, John McBride, John Huie, Holly Gleason, Molly Felder of Swan Dive, Rod Essig, Phyllis Stark, Jed Hilly, Michael Rhodes, Bill Mayne, Brian Mansfield, and Kyle Young were listening in bliss.
Alicia Warwick, Tom Roland, Karen Leipzinger, Butch Spyridon, Deborah Evans Price, Gordon Kennedy, Jeff Balding, Regina Stuve, Vernell Hackett, Todd Cassety, Teresa George, Chuck Dauphin and Henley co-writer Stan Lynch also made the guest list.
“We wanted to give everybody a reason to get out of downtown,” said droll host John Grady. “What an honor it is for me to present this music to you….I can’t stop listening to this record.”
He first played the Tift Merritt song “Bramble Rose,” a mandolin waltz featuring Henely, Mick Jagger and Miranda Lambert. The breathtaking, steel-soaked ballad “The Cost of Living” co-stars Henley with Merle Haggard. “Take a Picture of This” has the throb and lush melody of a classic Henley solo outing. The Martina McBride duet “That Old Flame” rocks like a No. 1 stone smash. Trisha Yearwood is the harmony singer on the power ballad “Words Can Break Your Heart.”
The Louvin Brothers chestnut “When I Stop Dreaming” drew loud applause for its arrangement as a duet with Dolly Parton. The shambling, stately, steady “Praying for Rain” has a chorus choir featuring Vince Gill, Alison Krauss, Ashley Monroe and Yearwood. “Train in the Distance” is a rootsy, autbiographical outing with a background vocal by Lucinda Williams.
Beverly Keel did a nice one-on-one with Henley about the project, which is his first solo album in 15 years. “I enjoyed making this record more than any record I’ve made in my career,” he said. “Most of it was done in Nashville.” For more of Henley’s comments, see this afternoon’s article.
The album is called Cass County. It will be released by Capitol on the West Coast, and Grady’s I.R.S. imprint in Nashville will handle its country singles.
It would have been lovely to stay and bask in that atmosphere, but duty called.
Memorial For Former Sound Stage Owner Ron Kerr Set For Saturday
/by Sarah SkatesThe studio hosted landmark recordings by Garth Brooks, Jerry Lee Lewis, Hank Williams Jr., Reba, The Oak Ridge Boys, Waylon Jennings and numerous others. Legendary producer Jimmy Bowen leased the studio from Kerr.
A native of Detroit, Mich., Kerr was an accomplished businessman who worked in real estate and music. He was also an avid sailor, winning the J-24 Class, U.S. Championship twice. Kerr was a trumpeter and gentleman farmer, and a devoted husband, father and grandfather. Friends and family say they will miss his vivacious spirit and love for life.
Kerr was preceded in death by parents Walter and Eleanor Burr Kerr. He is survived by loving wife Gwyneth B. Kerr; daughter Bonnie S. Kerr; sons Ronald S. (Wendy) Kerr, Robert W. (Lisa) Kerr and Donald W. Kerr; grandchildren Peter, Madeline, Amelia, Rowan, Daphne, Brianna and Veronica; and Marion Stahl Kerr of Miami, FL, mother of his children.
The cause of death remains unconfirmed, but according to reports he passed away from injuries sustained in an automobile accident.
A life celebration will be held Saturday, June 13, 2015, 5 to 7 p.m. at Sound Stage Studios (10 Music Cir. S., Nashville, TN 37203).
Today Black River Entertainment owns Sound Stage.
Arrangements by Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Gardens, 3009 Columbia Ave., Franklin, TN 37064.
CMHoF Hosts ‘CMT’s Next Women Of Country’ During CMA Fest
/by Troy_StephensonL-R: RaeLynn, Angaleena Presley, Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young, CMT’s Leslie Fram, Kelsea Ballerini, Danielle Bradbery, and Cam. Photo by Rick Diamond, Getty Images
CMT and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum hosted the CMT Next Women of Country event on Thursday (June 11) in the CMA Theatre during CMA Fest.
The discussion panel and in-the-round performance was led by CMT Sr. Vice President of Music Strategy Leslie Fram and included artists RaeLynn, Angaleena Presley, Kelsea Ballerini, Danielle Bradbery, and Cam. The artists discussed breaking into the business and the challenges currently faced by women in the industry.
Grand Ole Opry Star Jim Ed Brown Passes
/by Sherod RobertsonJim Ed Brown, a star of the Grand Ole Opry for more than fifty years and a newly elected member of the Country Music Hall of Fame, died Thursday, June 11th at Williamson Medical Center in Franklin, TN after battling cancer.
Mr. Brown scored major country hits as a solo artist, as a duet singer, and as a member of The Browns with sisters Maxine and Bonnie. The Browns’ 1959 crossover hit “The Three Bells” topped Billboard’s country chart for ten consecutive weeks, and it spent four weeks atop Billboard’s all-genre singles chart.
“If you listen to The Browns, it’s a very pretty sound,” Mr. Brown said earlier this year, in an interview with Peter Cooper of the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. “It was sibling harmony, a sound that was very pleasing. I’ve never heard anybody that could come close to that particular sound. It couldn’t be imitated.”
James Edward Brown was born April 1, 1934, in Sparkman, Arkansas. He spent the first decade of his life on a farm, without electricity or running water. On Saturday nights, the family would tune a battery operated radio to WSM-AM (650) and listen to the Grand Ole Opry. As a teenager, Jim Ed would mimic the vocal styles of Opry stars – his Hank Snow impersonation was particularly effective – and in 1952 Maxine entered him into a talent competition at KLRA radio in Little Rock. He didn’t win the contest, but was asked back to appear on the station’s Barnyard Frolic show. Soon, he invited Maxine to sing with him on the Frolic, and their harmonies impressed touring musician Wayne Raney, who championed Jim Ed and Maxine to record labels. In 1954, they signed with Abbott Records and recorded their first Top 10 country hit, the Jim Ed-and Maxine-penned “Looking Back to See.” Bonnie Brown soon joined her siblings, and the duo became a trio.
“Chet asked if there was anything we wanted to do that we hadn’t recorded,” Mr. Brown said. “We told him about a song called ‘The Three Bells’ that we sang coming from Pine Bluff to Nashville. We recorded it, and after the session Chet said, ‘You kids may think you’re about to retire, but I think you’ve just recorded the biggest song we’ve ever done.’”
Mr. Brown was driving a truck in Arkansas in 1959 when he parked, walked into a drive-in to buy a Coca-Cola, and heard “The Three Bells” playing on the radio. The song resonated with country and pop audiences, impressed and inspired the Beatles, and ensured that Mr. Brown need not spend his life at the sawmill. The Browns joined the Grand Ole Opry in 1963, on the strength of “The Three Bells” and follow-ups including “Scarlet Ribbons (for Her Hair),” “The Old Lamplighter” and “Send Me the Pillow You Dream On.” But in 1967, Maxine and Bonnie decided to retire. Mr. Brown stayed in Nashville as a solo artist on RCA, and he recorded his signature solo song in 1967 with “Pop a Top,” a No. 3 country single that was later revived by Alan Jackson on Jackson’s Under the Influence album.
From 1967 through 1974, Mr. Brown also reached the Top Ten of the country charts with singles “Morning,” “Southern Loving,” “Sometime Sunshine” and “It’s That Time of Night.” In 1976, he began recording duets with Helen Cornelius, logging a No. 1 country hit with “I Don’t Want to Have to Marry You.” With Cornelius, Mr. Brown won a CMA Vocal Duo of the Year award and reached country’s Top 10 with “Saying Hello, Saying I Love You, Saying Goodbye,” “If the World Ran Out of Love Tonight,” “Lying in Love with You,” Fools,” and “Morning Comes Too Early.”
Mr. Brown’s easygoing manner made him an effective host on the Opry and on numerous television programs. He helmed shows including the syndicated Nashville on the Road and The Country Place and The Nashville Network’s You Can Be a Star and Going Our Way. In 2003, he began hosting syndicated radio program, Country Music Greats Radio Show.
In September 2014, Mr. Brown was diagnosed with lung cancer. While he was undergoing treatments, Plowboy Records released In Style Again, Mr. Brown’s first solo effort in 40 years. Fellow Opry stars Vince Gill and Sharon and Cheryl White joined him on the critically acclaimed album. In March 2015, Mr. Brown and The Browns were elected along with Grady Martin and The Oak Ridge Boys as the newest members of the Country Music Hall of Fame.
“Fame is fleeting, hit records change every week, award show winners and nominees change every year, but being inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame will be forever,” Mr. Brown said, in response to receiving country music’s highest honor. The Browns’ official induction will come in October, but CMA CEO Sarah Trahern, Country Music Hall of Famer Bill Anderson, and Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum CEO Kyle Young visited Mr. Brown in the hospital on June 4 to present him with a medallion commemorating his Hall of Fame membership.
Mr. Brown died at peace with himself and with his place in country music.
“I’ve always loved to sing,” he said. “My grandmother nicknamed me ‘Jaybird,’ because I’d go around singing all the time. I’ve gone through some hard times, but some good times, too. If push comes to shove, I’ll do it again.”
The funeral service for Brown will take place on Monday, June 15 at 10 a.m. at the Ryman Auditorium in Nashville. The service is open to the public with doors opening at 9:30 a.m. Interment will follow immediately at Woodlawn at 660 Thompson Ln. and is also open to the public. Visitation over the weekend is private for family and close friends.
Wireless Ear Buds Offer Personalized Concert Experience
/by Lorie HollabaughThe company launched on Kickstarter earlier this month and surpassed its original goal of $250,000 in less than 48 hours, raising $375,000 in its first week.
The listening system allows the wearer to augment real world sounds and transform any concert or live music event as they wish. The system has been designed to adjust any sounds around you to help optimize listening ability while reducing unwanted noises.
“Support from these music industry leaders helps position the Here Active Listening System to revolutionize live entertainment—especially for concerts and live music,” said Noah Kraft, CEO/Co-Founder of Doppler Labs. “The technology we have created with Here has the potential to make every seat in the house the best seat in the house by allowing every listener to personalize their live audio environment based on their own specific listening preferences.”
Through the Kickstarter campaign, which runs through the beginning of July, consumers can purchase the Here buds and app at a special price of $199 before they are available commercially. Backers can also be a part of developing the Here audio platform and have access to other exclusive Kickstarter rewards.
My Country Nation Returns With New Original Series Episodes
/by Troy_StephensonKelsea Ballerini
My Country Nation recently announced new original episodes that will premiere this month on mycountrynation.com. They include the 4th season of This Week in The Nation starring YouTube sensations Megan & Liz, the return of Simply Sara with Sara Evans, the launch of Uber Country from CMA Music Festival and 46 Hours with Kelsea Ballerini.
Sara Evans
“As we continue to expand the programming on MyCN, we want to ensure fans and viewers are getting a premium experience,” said Thom Oliphant, Co-Founder and Executive Producer for My Country Nation. “We created the My Country Summer initiative to engage more with our fans than ever before. That, combined with exciting original episodes of our favorite shows and continued participation from the biggest names in country music, will make this an unforgettable summer.”
Fans can also search #MyCountrySummer for a chance at winning tickets and backstage passes to summer concerts and music festivals.
Craig Wiseman And Friends’ ‘Stars For Second Harvest’ Raises $140K
/by Troy_StephensonTaking the stage for the songwriters round with Wiseman were Rodney Clawson, Sarah Buxton, Chris Tompkins, and Matt Dragstrem. The night also included performances by Cole Swindell, Dierks Bentley and ABC Nashville’s Chris Carmack, Lennon and Maisy and Charles Esten.
This year, the concert raised more than $140,000. And with a personal contribution from host Craig Wiseman and his friends, the annual event has raised over one million dollars total for the cause.
“All the generous funds raised will go to feed hungry children, seniors and families in Middle Tennessee,” said Nancy Keil-Culbertson, Senior Vice President of External Affairs at Second Harvest. “We are so thankful for our partnerships with Craig Wiseman and O’Charley’s and their commitment to our mission to feed hungry people and solve hunger issues in our community.”
“Through a fun-filled event with the best names in music, we are able to make a real difference in the lives of so many who just hope for a meal,” said Wiseman. “We have incredible support from the artists, from our sponsor O’Charley’s and the amazing fans.”
Charles Esten (L) and Dierks Bentley (R)
Craig Wiseman
Artist Photos: Brad Paisley, Martina McBride, Montgomery Gentry, Jeremy Camp
/by Lorie HollabaughPaisley Crushes Hollywood Bowl
Brad Paisley performed at the Hollywood Bowl last Friday night (June 5) during a stop on his Crushin’ It World Tour. Along with openers Justin Moore and Mickey Guyton, Paisley was joined by special guests comedians Sarah Tiana and Jon Reep. Paisley also performs in Lake Tahoe, Sacramento, and Mountain View, CA this week before returning to Nashville Sunday to close out the CMA Music Festival.
Photo (L-R): Patrick Whitesell, Co-CEO WME; Bill Silva of Andrew Hewitt and Bill Silva Presents; Brad Paisley; manager Bill Simmons; Rob Beckham, Co-Head Nashville WME; Eric Herz, Live Nation. Photo: Ben Enos
Martina McBride Recognized By Covenant House
During the 2015 Night of Broadway Stars in New York, Covenant House presented Martina McBride with the Beacon of Hope Award in recognition of her work with the homeless and trafficked youth. McBride has used her celebrity status to empower fans through Team Martina, a global charity group that works to make the world a better place through the healing power of music. The group has raised over $300,000 through their U.S. initiatives as well as funding a music education program for Covenant House in Guatemala.
Pictured (L-R): Covenant House President Kevin Ryan, Martina McBride and two residents of Covenant House
Montgomery Gentry Visits the ACM
Montgomery Gentry stopped by the Academy of Country Music while they were in L.A. last week promoting new album Folks Like Us. The duo performed the album’s title track and new single, “Folks Like Us,” as well as some of their hits including “Where I Come From” and “Hillbilly Shoes.”
Pictured (L-R): Eddie Montgomery; Bob Romeo, ACM CEO; Troy Gentry. Photo: Michel Bourquard
Jeremy Camp Makes Opry Debut
Christian artist Jeremy Camp performed on the Grand Ole Opry stage for the first time last Tuesday (June 2.)
Jeremy Camp
August Airdate For “Country’s Night To Rock” On ABC; Plus Bloopers Reel
/by Lorie HollabaughLittle Big Town
Reigning CMA Vocal Group of the Year Little Big Town will host the ABC-TV special CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night To Rock for the third time. The band made the announcement at a ribbon-cutting ceremony for CMA Music Festival at the AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X earlier this week. The show, executive-produced by Robert Deaton, will air August 4 at 8 p.m. ET.
“We are honored to host this incredible party for another year,” said LBT’s Jimi Westbrook. “We look forward to this week all year long, and being able to spend all four days with the fans is just incredible. Big thanks to ABC and the CMA for having us back!”
The “Girl Crush” quartet has had plenty of fun hosting the entertainment-packed concert special, and some bloopers from their previous years as hosts can be seen below.
This year marks the eleventh year the show will air on ABC, and the network is slated to air the special through 2021.
Country Singer Randy Howard Killed
/by Robert K OermannHoward was formerly an artist on Warner Bros. Records in Nashville. According to The Tennessean, bounty hunter Jackie Shell went to Howard’s log-cabin home to take him into custody because of a missed court appearance. Tennessee Bureau of Investigation spokesman Josh DeVine stated that Howard opened fire on Shell. The bounty hunter shot back and killed him.
Shell was reportedly trying to detain Randy Howard based on a warrant charging the singer with fourth-offense DUI, possession of drug paraphernalia and a firearm while intoxicated and driving on a revoked license. Randy Howard, 65, was a native of Macon, GA. As a teenager, he appeared as a regular on a local TV show hosted by Buddy Knos. He later became a radio disc jockey and program director.
He first made the country charts in 1983 with his self-written “All-American Redneck.” The song inspired a popular bumper sticker. He returned to the country hit parade in 1988 with a remake of Johnny Cash’s “Ring of Fire.” Howard has recorded seven albums. His self-titled 1988 LP was for the Atlantic label and was produced by Nelson Larkin.
He has shared stages with Hank Wiliams Jr., Waylon Jennings, David Allen Coe, Bobby Bare, Jerry Lee Lewis, Lynyrd Skynyrd and Willie Nelson, among others. Randy Howard was among the performers on Charlie Daniels’ Volunteer Jam XIII in 1987 at Starwood Amphitheater in Nashville.
Jackie Shell was reportedly injured in the gunfight. DeVine said that the TBI is investigating the shooting.