Rock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Don Henley has become the latest superstar to be charmed by the ease of Nashville recording.
“John Sebastian was dead right in 1966 when he wrote [the Lovin’ Spoonful hit] ‘Nashville Cats,’” said Henley on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at a celebration party for his new Cass County album, he added, “I enjoyed making this record more than any record I’ve made in my career..
“Most of it was done in Nashville. I had an amazing team of people working on this record. I certainly plan on recording more here in the future.”
He wrote many of the songs’ lyrics upstairs in the old Jack’s Tracks studio on Music Row. Garth Brooks bought this and has renamed it Allentown in honor of producer/songwriter Allen Reynolds.
During a question-and-answer session with Nashville journalist Beverly Keel, Henley addressed the inevitable question about whether Cass County is his “country” record.
“I don’t really want to put it in a category,” he said. “I’m associated with California, but I was born and raised in Cass County, Texas, and I am a Texan. So this is a natural progression for me. This is my where-I-come-from album.”
Don Henley returned to his home state 21 years ago, moving to Dallas so that his four children could be raised there. He owns his grandmother’s old house and contributes funds to help restore his hometown. Henley was born in Gilmer and raised in Linden, the Cass county seat.
His album includes contributions from such fellow Texas natives as Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Molly Felder and steel guitarist Milo Dearing. One song is an homage to Texas-born Buck Owens.
“There’s a lot of Texas on this record.
“There are Cass counties in nine different states. But my Cass County is in the northeast corner of Texas, near Louisiana and Arkansas. It is a musical and cultural crossroads. Growing up there, I listened to the radio from Shreveport, the KWKH Louisiana Hayride. That was my country-music education.”
He said another influence was WNOE broadcasting r&b music from New Orleans. His first Texas band was a Dixieland-music ensemble.
“It was a good place to grow up,” he said. “I think what’s missing from a lot of records today, they haven’t gone back to school to the early stuff.”
His album includes collaborations with such legends as Dolly Parton, Mick Jagger and Merle Haggard. Other guests include Martina McBride, Ashley Monroe, Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss and Trisha Yearwood.
“I chose people whose work I respect, musically,” Henley commented, “people who can really sing when called upon to sing. I was flattered and flabberghasted when all of them said yes. People that I admire, that’s the kind of people I wanted on this record.
“It’s been 15 years since my last solo album: I believe in quality over quantity,” Henley said with a chuckle. “We started working on this record in 2010. I worked on it in between Eagles tours. The record’s been done for about a year now,” except for mixing and remixing its tracks. Henley co-produced it with his frequent songwriting collaborator Stan Lynch, who rose to fame as the drummer in Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers.
“When you can’t stand to listen to it anymore, that’s when you know it’s done,” Henley quipped.
Cass County will be released by the L.A. division of Capitol Records. Its country marketing will be handled by Nashville’s I.R.S. Records imprint.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what’s going to happen with this record. I have no idea.
“I’m in a pretty good place, right now,” added the 67-year-old icon. “I’m looking forward to whatever comes next…I’m still goofy enough to hope that my best work is ahead of me. I would like to continue to write and record for a long time. I’m going to keep doing this until I get it right.
“It’s not a hobby, it’s a calling.”
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.
CMA Fest Pics: The Henningsens, Scotty McCreery, Gwen Sebastian
/by Lorie HollabaughThe Henningsens Play The Park
The Henningsens performed at the Belk Park Stage during Thursday’s (June 11) round of CMA Music Fest shows. Members of the Sony staff joined the trio for a pic following their show.
Pictured (L-R): Bob Foglia, Manager, Media/Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; Brian, Clara and Aaron Henningsen; Sarah Westbrook, Director, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville; and, Paul Barnabee, Sr. VP, Marketing, Sony Music Nashville
McCreery And Marks On The Highway
Sirius/XM Senior Director of Country Programming John Marks interviewed Scotty McCreery live on Sirius/XM’s “The Highway” before his performance Thursday on the Chevy Riverfront Stage at CMA Fest.
Pictured (L-R): Scotty McCreery, John Marks
Sebastian Gets Crowd Amped For Big Week
Gwen Sebastian kicked off CMA Music Fest week festivities with a performance on the Bud Light Stage.
Gwen Sebastian
CMA Music Education Initiative Taps Keith Urban As Ambassador
/by Sherod Robertson(L-R): Notes for Notes CEO Phil Gilley, Keith Urban, and Linda Friend (Metro Music Specialist at John F. Kennedy Middle School) participate in a music education panel on the CMA Close Up stage at AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X during CMA Music Festival Thursday (June 11) in Nashville. Urban was named the first national ambassador for the CMA Foundation’s “Music Education Matters” campaign. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
CMA and the CMA Foundation unveiled its “Music Education Matters” campaign yesterday (June 11) during CMA Music Fest and announced country artist Keith Urban will be the first national ambassador for the program. The program provides musical instruments and teaching support to programs serving inner-city youth.
Urban is contributing 60 Keith Urban guitars complete with amplifiers, strings, and picks to five Music Education Matters partner programs across the country including programs in Atlanta, Los Angeles, Nashville, New York City, and San Francisco. They will be distributed to five separate in-school and after-school programs including Metro Nashville Public Schools, Notes for Notes, Harmony Project, Little Kids Rock (LKR), and Education Through Music.
“Several of these programs have instruments that were provided by the Foundation, but thanks to Keith’s generosity some of our most ambitious and talented students will have a guitar to take home for practice and improving their skills,” said Ron Samuels, Chairman of the CMA Foundation Board of Directors.
“I am extremely grateful for Keith’s generosity and his commitment to advancing music education,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “I have witnessed the difference an instrument makes in the development of a child. Just imagine if someone hadn’t put a guitar in Keith Urban’s hands.”
Young performers from Metro Nashville Public Schools—one of the recipient programs—participated in the announcement at the AT&T U-verse® Fan Fair X in the Music City Center. Students from JFK Middle School and Antioch High School surprised Urban with a rendition of his hit, “Days Go By” and four, high school guitar students from Nashville School of the Arts joined Urban and his band for a performance of Urban’s new single “John Cougar, John Deere, John 3:16.”
The CMA Foundation receives the bulk of the funding to support these and other programs from CMA Music Festival. To date, CMA and the CMA Foundation have donated more than $11 million to this worthy cause on behalf of the artists who perform at the festival for free.
Keith Urban performs with Nashville School of the Arts students Kelly Holmes (left) and Emily Davis (right) during a special appearance on the CMA Close Up stage at AT&T U-verse Fan Fair X during CMA Music Festival Thursday in Nashville. Photo: Donn Jones/CMA
Don Henley Makes Mark In Music City
/by Robert K OermannRock ‘n’ Roll Hall of Fame member Don Henley has become the latest superstar to be charmed by the ease of Nashville recording.
“John Sebastian was dead right in 1966 when he wrote [the Lovin’ Spoonful hit] ‘Nashville Cats,’” said Henley on Thursday afternoon. Speaking at a celebration party for his new Cass County album, he added, “I enjoyed making this record more than any record I’ve made in my career..
“Most of it was done in Nashville. I had an amazing team of people working on this record. I certainly plan on recording more here in the future.”
He wrote many of the songs’ lyrics upstairs in the old Jack’s Tracks studio on Music Row. Garth Brooks bought this and has renamed it Allentown in honor of producer/songwriter Allen Reynolds.
During a question-and-answer session with Nashville journalist Beverly Keel, Henley addressed the inevitable question about whether Cass County is his “country” record.
“I don’t really want to put it in a category,” he said. “I’m associated with California, but I was born and raised in Cass County, Texas, and I am a Texan. So this is a natural progression for me. This is my where-I-come-from album.”
Don Henley returned to his home state 21 years ago, moving to Dallas so that his four children could be raised there. He owns his grandmother’s old house and contributes funds to help restore his hometown. Henley was born in Gilmer and raised in Linden, the Cass county seat.
His album includes contributions from such fellow Texas natives as Miranda Lambert, Lee Ann Womack, Molly Felder and steel guitarist Milo Dearing. One song is an homage to Texas-born Buck Owens.
“There’s a lot of Texas on this record.
“There are Cass counties in nine different states. But my Cass County is in the northeast corner of Texas, near Louisiana and Arkansas. It is a musical and cultural crossroads. Growing up there, I listened to the radio from Shreveport, the KWKH Louisiana Hayride. That was my country-music education.”
He said another influence was WNOE broadcasting r&b music from New Orleans. His first Texas band was a Dixieland-music ensemble.
“It was a good place to grow up,” he said. “I think what’s missing from a lot of records today, they haven’t gone back to school to the early stuff.”
His album includes collaborations with such legends as Dolly Parton, Mick Jagger and Merle Haggard. Other guests include Martina McBride, Ashley Monroe, Vince Gill, Lucinda Williams, Alison Krauss and Trisha Yearwood.
“I chose people whose work I respect, musically,” Henley commented, “people who can really sing when called upon to sing. I was flattered and flabberghasted when all of them said yes. People that I admire, that’s the kind of people I wanted on this record.
“It’s been 15 years since my last solo album: I believe in quality over quantity,” Henley said with a chuckle. “We started working on this record in 2010. I worked on it in between Eagles tours. The record’s been done for about a year now,” except for mixing and remixing its tracks. Henley co-produced it with his frequent songwriting collaborator Stan Lynch, who rose to fame as the drummer in Tom Petty’s Heartbreakers.
“When you can’t stand to listen to it anymore, that’s when you know it’s done,” Henley quipped.
Cass County will be released by the L.A. division of Capitol Records. Its country marketing will be handled by Nashville’s I.R.S. Records imprint.
“It’s going to be interesting to see what’s going to happen with this record. I have no idea.
“I’m in a pretty good place, right now,” added the 67-year-old icon. “I’m looking forward to whatever comes next…I’m still goofy enough to hope that my best work is ahead of me. I would like to continue to write and record for a long time. I’m going to keep doing this until I get it right.
“It’s not a hobby, it’s a calling.”
Teddi Bonadies Exits Streamsound
/by Sherod RobertsonShe was previously the General Manager of Rodeowave with other prior stops at Universal South, Show Dog-Universal and more than 14 years at Arista. She can be reached here.
Launched in 2012, Streamsound Records is an independent country record label based in Brentwood, Tenn., and distributed by ATO Records. The label is home to artists Jaida Dryer, Austin Webb, Dakota Bradley and Kristian Bush.