Jon Wolfe performs during a visit to the MusicRow offices.
Miami, Okla., native Jon Wolfe‘s music has flowed through countless dancehalls throughout Texas, and broken into the Top 10 on the Texas charts six times, with the singles “Let A Country Boy Love You,” “That Girl In Texas,” “I Don’t Dance,” “It All Happened In A Honky Tonk,” “The Only Time You Call,” and “What Are You Doin’ Right Now.”
After garnering regional success, Wolfe’s release It All Happened In A Honky Tonk was re-released as a Deluxe Edition by Warner Music Nashville in 2013. The project has sold more than 25,000 units.
Though based in Texas, Wolfe brought his music to Nashville for the making of his most recent project, titled Natural Man (Fool Hearted Productions/Tone Tree Music). The 13-track album was recorded in Nashville’s Westwood Studios and Ronnie’s Place, and features an array of top writers, including Jon Pardi, Deric Ruttan, Pat Alger, Chris Cavanaugh, Casey Beathard, Wyatt Durrette, and more.
Wolfe recently visited MusicRow‘s office for a three-song preview of the project. He offered up “Smile On Mine,” penned by Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, and Rhett Akins, along with “That’s What I’m Talking About,” penned by Tom Shapiro, Jacob Powell, and Michael Carter.
Wolfe lent his songwriting talents to two tracks on the project, including “I’m Doin’ Alright” and “Singin’ Thing.” The latter was the last song he co-wrote with Tim Johnson and James Dean Hicks, before Johnson lost his battle with cancer.
“This is a song about my life, a little bit of Tim’s, all three of us,” he said before the performance. “James and I got together after Tim passed away to finish the song. It’s definitely an emotional song for me.”
For Wolfe, Natural Man is an authentic expression of his musical roots, which are steeped in traditional country soil. “My passion has always been traditional country,” Wolfe says. “Nowadays there is a controversy between those who like pop country and those who like traditional country. I’ve never participated in that, because you have to do what is true to you as an artist. That’s why fans love you. I tell people if I tried to rap, it would be the biggest debacle ever. My passion has always been guys like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Clint Black. I think there is without a doubt a place for that. As the genre continues to evolve, there will always be traditional artists.”
Wolfe worked for more than a year on the project, which he co-produced with Lex Lipsitz and Billy Decker. He maintains that though he is based in Texas, listeners shouldn’t expect a typical “Texas Country” sound. “When you are in Texas, you get thrown into the Texas Country scene. I never put myself in any particular category. I just want to make a great country record,” he says.
Jon Wolfe with MusicRow staff.
MusicRowPics: Jon Wolfe Brings Texas-Sized Success to Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonJon Wolfe performs during a visit to the MusicRow offices.
Miami, Okla., native Jon Wolfe‘s music has flowed through countless dancehalls throughout Texas, and broken into the Top 10 on the Texas charts six times, with the singles “Let A Country Boy Love You,” “That Girl In Texas,” “I Don’t Dance,” “It All Happened In A Honky Tonk,” “The Only Time You Call,” and “What Are You Doin’ Right Now.”
After garnering regional success, Wolfe’s release It All Happened In A Honky Tonk was re-released as a Deluxe Edition by Warner Music Nashville in 2013. The project has sold more than 25,000 units.
Though based in Texas, Wolfe brought his music to Nashville for the making of his most recent project, titled Natural Man (Fool Hearted Productions/Tone Tree Music). The 13-track album was recorded in Nashville’s Westwood Studios and Ronnie’s Place, and features an array of top writers, including Jon Pardi, Deric Ruttan, Pat Alger, Chris Cavanaugh, Casey Beathard, Wyatt Durrette, and more.
Wolfe recently visited MusicRow‘s office for a three-song preview of the project. He offered up “Smile On Mine,” penned by Dallas Davidson, Ben Hayslip, and Rhett Akins, along with “That’s What I’m Talking About,” penned by Tom Shapiro, Jacob Powell, and Michael Carter.
Wolfe lent his songwriting talents to two tracks on the project, including “I’m Doin’ Alright” and “Singin’ Thing.” The latter was the last song he co-wrote with Tim Johnson and James Dean Hicks, before Johnson lost his battle with cancer.
“This is a song about my life, a little bit of Tim’s, all three of us,” he said before the performance. “James and I got together after Tim passed away to finish the song. It’s definitely an emotional song for me.”
For Wolfe, Natural Man is an authentic expression of his musical roots, which are steeped in traditional country soil. “My passion has always been traditional country,” Wolfe says. “Nowadays there is a controversy between those who like pop country and those who like traditional country. I’ve never participated in that, because you have to do what is true to you as an artist. That’s why fans love you. I tell people if I tried to rap, it would be the biggest debacle ever. My passion has always been guys like George Strait, Alan Jackson, and Clint Black. I think there is without a doubt a place for that. As the genre continues to evolve, there will always be traditional artists.”
Wolfe worked for more than a year on the project, which he co-produced with Lex Lipsitz and Billy Decker. He maintains that though he is based in Texas, listeners shouldn’t expect a typical “Texas Country” sound. “When you are in Texas, you get thrown into the Texas Country scene. I never put myself in any particular category. I just want to make a great country record,” he says.
Jon Wolfe with MusicRow staff.
Ahnquist Joins Sea Gayle Music Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonSea Gayle Music has signed Danville, Ky., native and songwriter Smith Ahnquist. Ahnquist moved to Nashville in 2006 to attend Belmont University, and earned his Bachelor’s degree in Music Business in 2009.
Ahnquist said, “I have such a respect for Sea Gayle and their commitment to songwriters. It’s humbling to be a part of such a creatively driven group of people.”
“Smith is such a talented songwriter. From his work ethic to his fresh ideas and instincts, he is a tremendous addition to the Sea Gayle songwriting team,” says Sea Gayle Executive VP/GM, Marc Driskill.
Pictured (L-R) at Paisley’s Ye Olde Potion Room Pub: Jake Gear, Sea Gayle Creative Director; Chris DuBois, Sea Gayle Partner; Brad Paisley, Sea Gayle Partner; Ahnquist, Driskill, Freeman Wizer, Sea Gayle VP Creative; and Brandon Gregg, Sea Gayle Office Manager.
ACM Offers Two-Hour Radio Special Free To Programmers
/by Troy_StephensonThe two-hour radio special, hosted by Donna Hughes, will feature audio clips from past ACM Awards alongside recordings celebrating the ACM Awards’ 50-year history including contemporary hits and timeless classics from NOW That’s What I Call ACM Awards 50 Years.
The radio program is barter-free with up to 14 minutes of local avails per hour. Stations may contact Bob Guerra at radio2222@aol.com for download and cut sheet information.
The 50th Academy of Country Music Awards airs live on CBS next Sunday, April 19.
‘Country: Portraits of an American Sound’ to Make World Premiere at NaFF
/by Eric T. ParkerThe full-length feature film is based on the short film that was a central component of the Country: Portraits of an American Sound exhibition at the Annenberg Photography Space in Los Angeles which attracted nearly 30,000 visitors in 2014.
Produced and directed by Steven Kochones, Country: Portraits of an American Sound explores country music through the lens of photographers who have documented its rise from innocent beginnings to a thriving industry and to a national identity. From the Carter Family to The Band Perry, the film spans over 80 years of county music history.
The film features the work of photographers Les Leverett, Leigh Weiner, Henry Horenstein, Henry Diltz, Raeanne Rubenstein, David McClister and Michael Wilson. The work will also include interviews with exhibit curators, clothier Manuel, and country artists such as Lyle Lovett, Keith Urban, Rosanne Cash, Charley Pride, Roy Clark, Larry Gatlin, Marty Stuart, Brenda Lee, Terri Clark, Holly Williams, Ronnie Milsap, Lorrie Morgan and Kenny Rogers.
“I’m so pleased that our first feature film focuses on some of the best photographers ever to chronicle the genre,” said Wallis Annenberg, Chairman of the Board, President and CEO of the Annenberg Foundation. “Their work has all of the mood, and attitude, and emotional complexity of the greatest country songs. But this movie has allowed us to go far beyond the images themselves, to celebrate the photographers who have helped elevate country, and to tell the stories behind their iconic shots. I couldn’t be prouder of the film, and I’m delighted by its inclusion in this year’s NaFF.”
“We began filming in Music City 18 months ago, and I am excited to return for the world premiere,” said Kochones.
The signature project will additionally be featured in the Gibson Music Films/Music City Feature Competition.
NaFF tickets are currently available to members. Additional music-focused films for the NaFF can be viewed here.
LifeNotes: Grammy-Winning Picker Tut Taylor Passes
/by Robert K OermannTut Taylor. Photo: Chris Murphy
Dobro master Tut Taylor has died in North Carolina at age 91.
The former Nashvillian recorded with John Hartford, Leon Russell, Brother Oswald, Norman Blake, Porter Wagoner and others. He made solo albums for Rounder, World Pacific, Takoma and United Artists. His CD with Jerry Douglas, The Great Dobro Sessions, won a 1995 Grammy Award as Best Bluegrass Album.
Taylor was known as a “musician’s musician.” Legendary in bluegrass circles, he also played mandolin, guitar and banjo.
He was born in Georgia in 1923. Inspired by hearing “Bashful” Brother Oswald in Roy Acuff’s Smokey Mountain Boys band, Taylor began playing Dobro at age 14. Early in his career, he performed in The Folkswingers alongside Glen Campbell and members of The Dillards and The Dixie Gentlemen bands. He moved to Nashville in the late 1960s.
In 1970, Taylor co-founded the GTR instrument shop in Music City. This institution became the still-thriving Gruhn Guitars.
Taylor co-founded the long-running Nashville bluegrass nightclub The Old Time Pickin’ Parlor in 1971. He also ran Tut Taylor’s General Store in Nashville beginning around 1979. He produced records by Mark O’Connor, Jerry Douglas, Norman Blake, Brother Oswald and others.
Tut Taylor died Thursday morning, April 8, at the Wilkes Regional Medical Center in North Carolina. He is survived by four sons, three daughters, 16 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. His visitation is today, April 9, from 7-9 p.m. at Miller Funeral Service in Wilkesboro, N.C.
Brad Kennard Named Razor & Tie Music Publishing VP
/by Jessica NicholsonBrad Kennard
Razor & Tie Music Publishing has announced the addition of Brad Kennard as Vice President Music Publishing/Creative. Kennard will be based at the company’s new Nashville offices located in SoBro.
Sharon Tapper, Razor & Tie Music Publishing Senior Vice President, comments, “Brad brings to Razor & Tie a wealth of expertise and unstoppable energy which makes him a creative force to be reckoned with. We look forward to reaping the benefits of his strong relationships in the Nashville and music communities.”
Kennard joins Razor & Tie Music Publishing from Big Yellow Dog where he was Vice President A&R. There he worked with such artists as Meghan Trainor, as well as multi-Grammy winning Josh Kear, multi-Grammy winner Shawn Camp, “Big” Al Anderson, Logan Mize (Arista), Nikki Williams (Island-Def Jam), producer/writer Paul Ebersold (Three Doors Down/Sister Hazel), Jessie James Decker, Adam Sanders, and others. Prior to Big Yellow Dog, Kennard spent over six years with Grammy-winning producer Byron Gallimore (Tim McGraw, Sugarland, Faith Hill) at Violator Nashville Artist Management and Red Vinyl Music, as well as four years as General Manager for Song Garden Publishing. He also served as Vice President at Full Circle Music Publishing, three years as the Creative Director at Frank Liddell’s Carnival Music Publishing, and nearly seven years at Curb Music Publishing.
Kennard has helped cultivate chart-topping songs such as Rodney Atkins‘ “If You’re Goin’ Through Hell,” Reba McEntire‘s “Somebody,” George Strait‘s Top 10 “Desperately,” and Rascal Flatts’ Top 10 “Unstoppable.” He has facilitated cuts by Tim McGraw, Lady Antebellum, Blake Shelton, Carrie Underwood, Lee Brice, Billy Currington, Tyler Farr, Dustin Lynch, Dierks Bentley, Jason Aldean, Keith Urban, and worked with developing artists Brett Eldredge and Logan Mize.
Kennard is a graduate of the Jack C Massey MBA program at Belmont, with an emphasis in Music Business. He also holds an undergraduate business degree from The University of Tennessee in Knoxville.
Kennard can be congratulated here: bkennard@razorandtie.com.
Marbaloo Marketing Relocates To L&C Tower, Adds Staffers
/by Jessica NicholsonThe move offers Marbaloo nearly 6,000 square feet of space, encompassing the entire 13th floor of the L&C Tower. Marbaloo’s new address is 401 Church Street, Ste. 1300, Nashville, TN 37219.
The greater office space offered by the new location will prove beneficial to Marbaloo Marketing, which recently added two publicity managers and two marketing coordinators to its ranks.
Blakelee Land and Stephanie Gonzalez have joined as publicity managers. Land previously worked at Meredith, Better Homes & Gardens, and Lucky in New York. Gonzalez previously worked at Wolf Kasteler Public Relations in Beverly Hills.
New marketing coordinators at Marbaloo include Jordon Petty, who was previously with Show Dog-Universal, as well as Kelly Dean, who previously worked with New Heartland Group.
Weekly Chart Report (4/10/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
Meghan Trainor Among Grammy Block Party Performers
/by Jessica NicholsonMeghan Trainor
Pop singer-songwriter Meghan Trainor, the songstress behind hits including “All About That Bass” and “Lips Are Movin’,” is one of the artists that will perform for the Grammy Block Party in Nashville on Tuesday, May 12. Also on the bill are duo John & Jacob, and Janice Gaines.
Maestro Giancarlo Guerrero of the Nashville Symphony will serve as host of this year’s event, which begins at 4 p.m. CT.
The Grammy Block Party is open only to Recording Academy members and their guests.
The event will be held at Nashville’s Cumberland Park, located at 592 S. First Street in Nashville, between the Shelby Street Pedestrian Bridge and the Korean War Vets Memorial Bridge. The Grammy Block Party was previously held at Owen Bradley Park, and has moved locations due to tree canopy growth at Owen Bradley Park obstructing the view of the stage.
Additional performers will be announced in the coming weeks.
Industry Signings: Plowboy Records, Webster PR, Clearview Artist Management
/by Jessica NicholsonPlowboy Records Adds To Roster
SESAC-affiliated group Blackfoot Gypsies has signed with Plowboy Records. The rock group, consisting of musicians Zack Murphy, Matthew Paige, Dylan Whitlow and Ollie “Dogg” Horton, gathered at SESAC with record label executives to visit and commemorate the new partnership.
Pictured (L-R): SESAC’s Tim Fink, Blackfoot Gypsy members Zach Murphy and Matthew Paige, Plowboy Records executive Shannon Pollard, Blackfoot Gypsy members “Ollie Dogg” Horton and Dylan Whitlow & SESAC’s John Mullins. Photo: Bev Moser.
Two Join Webster Public Relations Artist Roster
Allen is the son of singing cowboy Rex Allen – known for his movies and hit records such as “Don’t Go Near The Indians.” Allen, Jr. first hit the Billboard singles chart in 1973 with the story song “The Great Mail Robbery.” Other singles included “Two Less Lonely People,” “No, No, No (I’d Rather Be Free),” and “Lonely Street.” He also paired with Margo Smith for the memorable collaboration “Cup O’ Tea” in 1981. Allen also composed the alternate state anthem of Arizona, simply titled after the state. A one-time cast member of TNN’s The Statler Brothers Show, Allen also co-hosted the spinoff, entitled Yesteryear. He also served as narrator of the Jim Carrey film Me, Myself, and Irene, continuing another Allen family tradition as his father served the same role on many Walt Disney films.
Williams’ warm and easy baritone earned him the nickname “The Gentle Giant.” A Texas native, Williams first tasted success as a member of The Pozo- Seco Singers in the mid 1960s, with such singles as “Time.” The singer moved to Nashville in the early 1970s, signing with Cowboy Jack Clement’s JMI Records. His first hit for the label was 1973’s “The Shelter of Your Eyes.” His 1980 version of Bob McDill’s “I Believe In You” became one of his many standards. Two of his albums have been certified Gold, and one Platinum. The 2010 Country Music Hall of Fame inductee has successfully built fan bases in England, Australia and New Zealand. Williams just announced plans for his most extensive tour in years, with dates on the books through November.
Covington Signs with Clearview Artist Management
Country artist Bucky Covington has aligned with Clearview Artist Management, spearheaded by Steve Schweidel and Sean Carpenter.
“The business of artist management has changed. As the entertainment industry itself enters a new era of figuring out how to monetize art, Clearview Artist Management is designed to harken back to a time when personal involvement was the keystone to success,” says CVA founder Schweidel. “Clearview is proof that nothing beats direct attention.”
“We are very excited and honored to be working with Bucky,” Carpenter adds. “He is personable, genuine and one of the best artists in the business.”
Clearview Artist Management’s roster also includes Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, James Otto, Elizabeth Lyons and champion bull rider Ty Murray.
Pictured (L-R): Steve Schweidel (CVA), Bucky Covington, Sean Carpenter (CVA). Photo: Clearview Artist Management