Mike Hyland
By Robert K. Oermann & Michael McCall
Longtime Nashville publicist Mike Hyland passed away following a two-year battle with cancer on Thursday, May 28, at his home in Sonoma, CA. He was 65.
He began his career in rock music and was the first publicist for The Allman Brothers. He moved to Nashville in 1979 to head the publicity department of Elektra/Asylum. The following year, he formed Network Ink with Exit/In nightclub co-founder Liz Thiels. This was one of the Nashville music industry’s first and most important independent publicity firms.
In 1984, he formed The Hyland Company. Over the years, his clients included Hank Williams Jr., Asleep at the Wheel, Waylon Jennings, The Burrito Brothers, Keith Whitley, Dale Watson, Riders in the Sky, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Charley Pride, Eddie Rabbitt and Leon Russell.
He also represented such companies as Acuff-Rose Music, Almo/Irving Music, House of Gold Music, MCA Music, Monument Records, The Bluebird Cafe, Country Radio Seminar, the Minnie Pearl Museum, NARAS, WSM-AM/FM, WKDF-FM and WLAC-AM/FM.
In late 1989, Hyland joined Gaylord Entertainment. He did publicity for the 1991 Grand Ole Opry Tour, the 1994 re-opening of The Ryman Auditorium, Opryland’s Nashville on Stage summer concert series and other endeavors.
In 1997, Hyland established Full Court Press with his wife, Phyllis. During the next few years, the company became increasingly involved with the wine industry. It launched the annual Wine Down Main Street Festival in Middle Tennessee. In 2009, the Hylands decided to relocate to the California wine country.
Hyland wrote for Wine Country This Week and The Sonoma Sun, as well as providing public-relations consulting to CornerStone Sonoma, Meadowcroft and Thomas Henry Wines.
Michael Hyland was born on Long Island and raised in upstate New York. As a young man, he began representing such top rock acts as Humble Pie, Dave Mason, Procol Harum, The Rascals, Cat Stevens and Traffic. He also represented the famed concert venue The Fillmore East.
His passion for the music of The Allman Brothers led him to relocate to Macon, GA in the early 1970s. At age 25, he became Vice President of Public Relations for Capricorn Records there. This made him one of the youngest record executives in America. In addition to the Allmans, he worked with the rest of the label’s roster, including Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Bramlett, Delbert McClinton, the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Martin Mull, Sea Level and Livingston Taylor, as well as the solo careers of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts.
Hyland’s succeeding successes in Nashville spanned the 1980s and 1990s.
Mike Hyland is survived by his wife Phyllis Lewis, by sons Glynn and John Hyland of LaGrange, GA, by daughter Amanda Hyland Jones of Dallas, TX and by stepchildren Travis and Laurie Armstrong of Nashville. Funeral arrangements have not been released.
Black River Signs Bobby Bones’ The Raging Idiots
/by Kelsey_GradyPictured (L-R): Celia Froehlig, Greg McCarn, Producer Eddie, Bobby Bones, Doug Johnson, Gordon Kerr.
Black River Entertainment CEO Gordon Kerr and Vice President of Publishing Celia Froehlig announced the signing of The Raging Idiots, comprised of radio personality Bobby Bones and his producer Eddie, to Black River Entertainment.
“Bobby Bones and Producer Eddie are unique comedic individuals,” said Kerr. “The light-hearted songs and comedy bits by The Raging Idiots not only entertain people but, through the charity aspects of their shows, actually help make a difference in people’s lives. We look forward to sharing some laughs and changing some lives together.”
“It’s the best fit. Black River is such a creative place to be,” said Bones. “We did our first charity album here and Black River gave us the studios for free. It was just, ‘Here use the studio, do good and also be funny.’ We still want to do good and we still want to be funny. It started so great, so we figured let’s go along for the ride, together.”
The Raging Idiots have performed nearly 40 charity shows and have raised more than $800,000 all benefitting local animal charities.
Erin Andrews and Brittany Snow To Co-Host CMT Awards
/by Lorie HollabaughErin Andrews and Brittany Snow
The CMT Awards should be right on pitch and in step this year since the star of the Pitch Perfect movies, Brittany Snow, has been tapped to co-host the show along with Dancing With The Stars co-host Erin Andrews. The awards show airs live on CMT from Nashville’s Bridgestone Arena June 10 at 8 p.m. ET.
“As a longtime fan of CMT and the CMT Music Awards, I’m thrilled to join Erin in hosting what’s sure to be one of the most memorable musical nights of the year,” said Snow.
Andrews adds her CMT hosting gig to her other duties as co-host of the mirror ball dancing competition and as a broadcaster for FOX NFL Sunday. “Being a huge fan of country music, the CMT Music Awards are one of my favorite events of the season,” said Andrews. “I cannot wait to be around all the talented artists and bands and look forward to being a part of such a great event.”
Superstar/new mom Carrie Underwood is this year’s top nominee with five nominations, including two in the Video of the Year category. Lady Antebellum and Kenny Chesney each racked up four nods, while Florida Georgia Line and Jason Aldean earned a respective three nominations each. Keith Urban and Luke Bryan were also recognized with two nominations apiece. Fans can vote via CMT.com through June 7 to determine the winners. The six Video of the Year finalists will be announced at the beginning of the live telecast and fans then vote at CMT.com throughout the show to determine the night’s big winner.
Weekly Chart Report (5/29/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
Lifenotes: Publicist Mike Hyland Passes
/by Robert K OermannMike Hyland
By Robert K. Oermann & Michael McCall
Longtime Nashville publicist Mike Hyland passed away following a two-year battle with cancer on Thursday, May 28, at his home in Sonoma, CA. He was 65.
He began his career in rock music and was the first publicist for The Allman Brothers. He moved to Nashville in 1979 to head the publicity department of Elektra/Asylum. The following year, he formed Network Ink with Exit/In nightclub co-founder Liz Thiels. This was one of the Nashville music industry’s first and most important independent publicity firms.
In 1984, he formed The Hyland Company. Over the years, his clients included Hank Williams Jr., Asleep at the Wheel, Waylon Jennings, The Burrito Brothers, Keith Whitley, Dale Watson, Riders in the Sky, Jerry Lee Lewis, The Kentucky HeadHunters, Charley Pride, Eddie Rabbitt and Leon Russell.
He also represented such companies as Acuff-Rose Music, Almo/Irving Music, House of Gold Music, MCA Music, Monument Records, The Bluebird Cafe, Country Radio Seminar, the Minnie Pearl Museum, NARAS, WSM-AM/FM, WKDF-FM and WLAC-AM/FM.
In late 1989, Hyland joined Gaylord Entertainment. He did publicity for the 1991 Grand Ole Opry Tour, the 1994 re-opening of The Ryman Auditorium, Opryland’s Nashville on Stage summer concert series and other endeavors.
In 1997, Hyland established Full Court Press with his wife, Phyllis. During the next few years, the company became increasingly involved with the wine industry. It launched the annual Wine Down Main Street Festival in Middle Tennessee. In 2009, the Hylands decided to relocate to the California wine country.
Hyland wrote for Wine Country This Week and The Sonoma Sun, as well as providing public-relations consulting to CornerStone Sonoma, Meadowcroft and Thomas Henry Wines.
Michael Hyland was born on Long Island and raised in upstate New York. As a young man, he began representing such top rock acts as Humble Pie, Dave Mason, Procol Harum, The Rascals, Cat Stevens and Traffic. He also represented the famed concert venue The Fillmore East.
His passion for the music of The Allman Brothers led him to relocate to Macon, GA in the early 1970s. At age 25, he became Vice President of Public Relations for Capricorn Records there. This made him one of the youngest record executives in America. In addition to the Allmans, he worked with the rest of the label’s roster, including Elvin Bishop, Bonnie Bramlett, Delbert McClinton, the Marshall Tucker Band, Wet Willie, Martin Mull, Sea Level and Livingston Taylor, as well as the solo careers of Gregg Allman and Dickey Betts.
Hyland’s succeeding successes in Nashville spanned the 1980s and 1990s.
Mike Hyland is survived by his wife Phyllis Lewis, by sons Glynn and John Hyland of LaGrange, GA, by daughter Amanda Hyland Jones of Dallas, TX and by stepchildren Travis and Laurie Armstrong of Nashville. Funeral arrangements have not been released.
Industry Ink: NMPA, Hailey Whitters, ‘MusicRow’s’ Jessica Nicholson
/by Sarah SkatesThe National Music Publishers’ Association (NMPA), on behalf of several music publisher members, has filed a copyright infringement lawsuit against “Wolfgang’s Vault,” which disseminates concert videos and audio recordings through websites including ConcertVault.com, Daytrotter.com and MusicVault.com, as well as YouTube. The suit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of New York.
According to the NMPA, much of the sites’ content was never properly licensed. This lawsuit not only intends to stop these entities use of unlicensed works, but also to pay back those whose material has been exploited.
The infringing websites offer tens of thousands of hours of concert footage as on-demand streams, digital downloads, CDs, DVDs and vinyl recordings which generate revenue for Wolfgang’s Vault through subscriptions and advertising. They attract approximately 50,000 visitors per day.
Savannah Celine Nicholson, by Paul Sharp Photography
MusicRow’s Nicholson Welcomes Baby
Congratulations to MusicRow Magazine’s Jessica Nicholson and husband Kirk Nicholson who welcomed their first child, daughter Savannah Celine Nicholson, on Monday, May 18, 2015. She weighed 7 pounds, 3 ounces, and was born at 9:12 p.m.
Hailey Whitters
APA Signs Hailey Whitters
Singer/songwriter Hailey Whitters has signed with APA, it was announced by APA Nashville SVP and Head of Concerts, Steve Lassiter. Whitters has opened for a wide variety of acts over the last few years, including Chris Knight, Randy Houser, Josh Thompson, Jana Kramer, Randy Rogers Band, Granger Smith, and Shenandoah. Most recently, she has been touring all over the U.S., with tour dates through the end of the year as she continues to work on her debut album. Whitters is signed to Carnival Music.
Vince Gill’s Charity Golf Tourney To Tee Up May 31
/by Lorie HollabaughEach of the 26 juniors playing in the Celebrity Junior Am tournament on May 31 will receive a brand new Gibson guitar commemorating their participation in the event. Proceeds from the long-running golf tournament go to the First Tee and Junior Golf Programs in Tennessee.
Josh Kerr Renews Pub Deal At Black River
/by Lorie HollabaughJosh Kerr
Josh Kerr has re-upped with Black River Publishing. Kerr currently has a Top 10 hit on the charts with Kelsea Ballerini’s “Love Me Like You Mean It,” and penned four tunes on Ballerini’s debut CD.
Kerr’s first single at country radio was “Lay It On Me,” recorded by Curb artist Dylan Scott. He also recently celebrated his first No. 1, “Heartbeat” by Jasmine Rae in Australia, and is producing Sarah Ross’ upcoming project on the Average Joes label.
“Josh, at 23 years of age, is fast making a name for himself in the industry,” said Celia Froehlig, Vice President of Black River Publishing. “We are so thrilled to continue working with such a great talent.”
“In the last three years, Black River has really made a name for themselves because of the outstanding people there. The energy continues to grow and change, adding to the air that was already here from Celia and Josh Osborne,” said Kerr. “We all want to come up together and see each other’s successes, which is so exciting. It is such an honor to be a part of this family.”
Photos: Demolition Of Music Row Continues
/by Sherod RobertsonThe Music Row landscape continues its transformation as demolition picks up speed, making way for Forestar Group Inc.’s mixed-use development Music Square Flats. The lot on 17th Ave. on Music Row which was previously home to the SESAC offices, is being cleared for an apartment complex slated for a spring 2017 opening.
The addresses 54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Square West will house the Austin-based developer’s 230-apartment complex, as well as retail space.
Special thanks to Rusty Jones and Victoria Lazarus for assistance with obtaining these photos.
(May 27, 2015) Demolition on 17th Ave. on Music Row (54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Sq. W.).
(May 27, 2015) Demolition on 17th Ave. on Music Row (54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Sq. W.).
(May 27, 2015) Demolition on 17th Ave. on Music Row (54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Sq. W.).
Rendering of the new development by Forestar Development Group/Niles Bolton Associates
Earlier this year, several Music Row bungalows were demolished:
(March 26 – 27, 2015) Demolition on 17th Ave. on Music Row (54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Sq. W.). Photo: Victoria Lazarus
(March 26 – 27, 2015) Demolition on 17th Ave. on Music Row (54, 56, 58, 60, 62 and 64 Music Sq. W.). Photo: Victoria Lazarus
K-LOVE Awards Set For Sunday at Opry House
/by Lorie HollabaughThe show will be hosted by FOX & Friends’ Elisabeth Hasselbeck and actor Kirk Cameron, and recognizes artists, authors and athletes who impact popular culture in a positive and encouraging way for Jesus Christ. For KING & COUNTRY and the Newsboys led this year’s nominations.
The K-LOVE awards are fan-voted, and for every 500,000 votes, the Hands and Feet project will commit to building a family-style home that can accommodate up to eight orphaned or abandoned children in Haiti. Hasselbeck will kick-off the Run for Love 5K on May 30 which also benefits the non-profit as part of the activities during the K-LOVE Ultimate Fan Experience Weekend. For a a full list of events for the 2015 K-LOVE Fan Awards and Ultimate Fan Experience Weekend, presented by Pepsi, click here.
DISClaimer: Audio Delights From Nathan Chapman, Kristian Bush
/by Robert K OermannKristian Bush wins Disc of the Day.
The sounds of summer are upon us.
Logan Brill, Hunter Hayes, Jericho Woods, Emily Minor and Simon Andersson all have new tunes with sunshine built into their grooves. The Hayes and Brill songs were strong enough to compete for Disc of the Day, but were narrowly edged out by “Light Me Up” by Kristian Bush.
The DISCovery Award goes to someone who is already familiar to many of you, thanks to his accomplishments as a producer and songwriter. But now Nathan Chapman is stepping out as an artist with a CD that has audio delights around every corner.
WARD DAVIS/Last Monday in May
Writer: Bob Regan/Don Goodman/six war veterans; Producer: Bob Regan; Publisher: none listed; Operation Song (track) (www.operationsong.org)
—Operation Song is a collection of compositions that Bob Regan and Don Goodman created with war veterans as therapy. Its touching single is a Memorial Day tribute to the fallen from battles throughout history. Essential.
SIMON ANDERSSON/How Did I Get Here
Writer: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; SA Music AB (www.simonandersson.net)
—Andersson is Swedish, but he displays a thorough understanding of country music on this compelling single. The throbbing rhythm and hooky tune are just right, and so is his performance of the lost-in-love lyric.
RAY SCOTT/Ain’t Always Thirsty
Writer: Ray Scott/Mark Stephen Jones; Producer: Dave Brainard; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Rayality/Harlan Howard, BMI; DeciBel (track) (www.rayscott.com)
—I remain a fan of this baritone neo-traditionalist. The first single from his new album stares at a dissipated life with raw honesty and unflinching emotion. A steel-soaked ballad to chill the bones.
JERICHO WOODS/She Don’t Need Me Anymore
Writer: J. Mitcham/K. Daniel/P. Priest/D. Spencer; Producer: Dustin Spencer; Publisher: none listed, BMI; Yellowberri (track) (www.jerichowoodsband.com)
—Clear, liquid country-rock from Kentucky, smoothly played and sung. The dobro lines are particularly ear catching.
Nathan Chapman earns the DISCovery Award.
NATHAN CHAPMAN/Revival
Writer: Nathan Chapman/Tyler Hilton; Producer: Nathan & Stephanie Chapman; Publisher: Songs of Universal/Art in the Pain/Ty Britt, BMI; Pain in the Art (track)
—Best known as the producer of million-selling Taylor Swift records and/or as the co-writer of Darius Rucker’s No. 1 hit “Homegrown Honey” Chapman steps out as an artist with a stunning collection of self-penned gems. Its title tune is a gospel-flavored ode to redemption that’s blessed with an instantly memorable melody as well as a vocal full of heart. This stuff is so strong it could appeal to listeners well beyond country’s borders.
EMILY MINOR/Funky Feel Good
Writer: Minor/Williams; Producer: Scott Trayer; Publisher: none listed; EMM (track) (www.emilyminor.net)
—”Funky” is not a word we ordinarily find in country music. This sunny, smiley, highly polished, white-girl ditty is anything but.
HUNTER HAYES/21
Writer: Dallas Davidson/Kelley Lovelace/Ashley Gorley/Hunter Hayes; Producer: Dann Huff & Hunter Hayes; Publisher: EMI Blackwood/Two Chord Georgia/EMI April/Don’t Have to Be Music/External Combustion/Songs of Southside Independent/WB/Atlas/Ogden Avenue/Songs of Universal, BMI/ASCAP; Atlantic
—When was the last time you heard a great birthday-party song? Well, Hunter has one, and it’s full of bopping energy and upbeat intentions. Dance along.
RISSI PALMER/Sweet, Sweet Lovin’
Writer: Rissi Palmer/Andrew Ramsey/Shannon Sanders; Producer: Andrew Ramsey & Shannon Sanders; Publisher: none listed; Baldilocks (track) (615-782-0078)
—The child’s voice is her daughter Grace. The song has a bluesy tinge that is appealing. There’s something somehow “Southern” sounding about it. The new five-song EP is titled The Back Porch Sessions. Recommended.
KRISTIAN BUSH/Light Me Up
Writer: Kristian Bush/Jesse Rice; Producer: Kristian Bush & Tom Tapley; Publisher: Songs of the Architect/Songs of Artist Revolution/ole, BMI/SESAC; Streamsound (track)
—This fellow continues to delight my ears. The sunny, romantic song is irresistible, and the warmth of his voice is completely enveloping. The icing on the cake is a brilliant production loaded with tiny, perfectly placed touches that shine like little jewels.
LOGAN BRILL/Shuteye
Writer: Ryan Tindell/Bryan Simpson; Producer: Oran Thornton & Matthew Miller; Publisher: none listed; Carnival (track)
—The loose-limbed rhythm track is the real scene stealer here. It rumbles through the song like a drunken pachyderm. Brill’s sexy, sultry vocal performance is dandy, too. By far her most accomplished record to date. Check out the rest of the Shuteye CD’s 10 tunes: I think you’ll be as impressed as I am.