Bobby Emmons
Renowned songwriter and session keyboardist Bobby Emmons died Monday night (Feb. 23) at age 72.
The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis reports that Emmons passed away of undisclosed causes at a Nashville hospital. As a member of The Memphis Boys, he is a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame.
Bobby Emmons is equally well known on Music Row as the co-writer of such BMI award-winning hits as Waylon Jennings’ “Women Do Know How to Carry On” and “The Wurlitzer Prize,” Tanya Tucker’s “Love Me Like You Used To,” George Strait’s “So Much Like My Dad,” B.j. Thomas’s “Help Me Make It to My Rocking Chair” and Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings’ “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love.)”
Born in Corinth, Miss., Bobby Emmons first gained prominence as a member of The Bill Black Combo in Memphis in the late 1950s. His skills on piano and organ made him a key member of the band that formed under producer Chips Moman at American Studios in Memphis in the 1960s.
The studio group also included guitarist Reggie Young, bass players Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leech, pianist Bobby Wood and drummer Gene Chrisman. They were collectively known as The Memphis Boys.
The session musicians backed Dusty Springfield (“Son of a Preacher Man”), Neil Diamond (“Sweet Caroline”), Joe Tex (“I Gotcha”), B.J. Thomas (“Hooked on a Feeling”), Merrilee Rush (“Angel of the Morning”) and Elvis Presley (“Suspicious Minds”), among others. Memphis recordings by The Box Tops, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Womack, Irma Thomas, Herbie Mann, Delbert McClinton, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, John Prine, Petula Clark and dozens more all feature his keyboard playing.
In later years, The Memphis Boys often reunited to perform during Elvis Presley Week activities.
Pictured (L-R, from back): Museum Editor Michael Gray, Gene Chrisman, Bobby Emmons and Weldon Myrick; (front row) Bobby Wood, Chips Moman and Reggie Young
Bobby Emmons found a second career after moving to Nashville. He continued to work as a session musician for Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Larry Gatlin, Johnny Paycheck, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Bare, The Highwaymen, Earl Scruggs, The Oak Ridge Boys and other stars.
He also blossomed as a songwriter in Music City. Among the Nashville artists who have recorded his tunes are Billy Swan, Ray Price, Jimmy Dickens, Ricky Skaggs and Johnny Russell. In addition to the titles listed above, notable Bobby Emmons compositions include “Cowboys Don’t Shoot Straight Like They Used To” (Tammy Wynette), “Staring Each Other Down” (Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson), “Cactus and a Rose” (Gary Stewart), “It’s Midnight, Do You Know Where Your Baby Is” (Sandy Posey), “May I Borrow Some Sugar From You” (Billy Joe Royal, John Wesley Ryles, Waylon Jennings), “Partners After All” (Willie Nelson) and “Say It With Love” (Dan Penn).
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. A memorial service is in the planning stages, according to The Commercial Appeal.
CRS To Relocate to Nashville’s Omni Hotel in 2016
/by Jessica NicholsonOmni Nashville hotel
Country Radio Seminar 2016 will relocate to the Omni Hotel in Nashville, Tenn. Next year’s CRS will be held Sunday, Feb. 7 through Wednesday, Feb. 10, 2016. Registration for the event will begin in mid-July of 2015.
Regarding next year’s move, Country Radio Broadcasters’ President Charlie Morgan says, “CRS and downtown Nashville have both enjoyed enormous growth and energy over the past decade. Now, as the landscape of downtown Nashville continues to evolve, CRS is moving to a space that is arguably the epicenter for Nashville, the new Omni Hotel.”
“This move to the Omni culminates years of planning and work to set the future for a completely new CRS Experience,” says Bill Mayne, Executive Director of the Country Radio Broadcasters and Country Radio Seminar. He adds, “We are very excited about what’s to come!”
CRS 2015 is currently in full swing at its longtime home at the Nashville Convention Center.
Feb. 7, 2016 is also Super Bowl Sunday.
CRB Names Five For Country Radio Hall of Fame
/by Jessica NicholsonThe inductees were revealed today at CRS by surprise guests Garth Brooks and Trisha Yearwood at the Nashville Convention Center.
This year’s inductees include:
Mike Kennedy-KBEQ (Kansas City) PD and morning host
Joel Raab-consultant
Randy Carroll-KAJA (San Antonio) morning host
Karen Dalessandro-WMIL (Milwaukee) morning co-host
Sammy George-former Clear Channel/Chattanooga, Tenn. GM
Nine North Promotes Symone To National Dir., Promotion/Marketing
/by Jessica Nicholson“I am truly honored and grateful for the opportunity and the team environment that I have with Nine North/Turnpike Music,” Symone says. “In the short time I’ve been here, the longevity and success that Nine North/Turnpike Music has with their business model has been refreshing and inspiring.”
“I couldn’t be happier to announce the promotion of Kelly Symone to National at Nine North & Turnpike Music,” says Davis. “Her airplay strategies, work ethic and infectious energy make her the perfect choice to lead the charge in this position. She thinks out of the box, and gets it done!”
After stints in radio in Kansas City and Sacramento – including Music Director at KNTY – she made the move to the music business in 2011 joining Quarterback Records. She has also served as a West Coast Regional Director for both Blaster and HitShop Records before joining Nine North Records last spring.
Nine North Records/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Music Nashville was founded in June 2007 by record company executive Larry Pareigis and has since worked with numerous high profile artists such as Tracy Lawrence, Train, Ashley Monroe, Court Yard Hounds, Joey + Rory, Katie Armiger and has had chart success this year with Joe Bachman, Carissa Leigh, Shane Gamble, Brooklyhn Woods and Jason Cassidy.
Along with Symone and Davis, the in-house team includes Pareigis (President/CEO), Kevin Mason (VP/Operations & GM/Edgehill Music Nashville), Jessica Cohen Banish, Angel Jennings and Susan Mason.
Nine North/Turnpike Music/Edgehill Nashville’s offices are located at 33 Music Square West, Suite 108A, Nashville, Tenn., 37203.
‘MusicRow’ Presents 2015 CountryBreakout Chart Awards
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): MR’s Sarah Skates and Sherod Robertson, Brett James, Rodney Clawson. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
The 2015 CountryBreakout Awards were presented earlier today (Feb. 25) at MusicRow’s Country Radio Meet & Greet at Margaritaville in Nashville. Industry members and CRS attendees gathered to celebrate secondary market radio, and enjoy spectacular performances by Chase Bryant and Austin Webb. Awards are based strictly on spins on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart during 2014.
13th annual CountryBreakout Winners
Male Artist of the Year: Eric Church, 110,393 spins
Female Artist of the Year: Miranda Lambert, 92,257 spins
Group/Duo of the Year: Florida Georgia Line, 103,559 spins
Breakout Artist of the Year: Cole Swindell, 77,006 spins
Independent Artist of the Year: Chris Weaver Band, 41,824 spins
Label of the Year: Capitol Records Nashville, 557,276 spins
CountryBreakout Reporter of the Year: Ryan McCall, WGLR/Platteville, Wis.
Songwriter of the Year [tie]: Rodney Clawson and Brett James
Read all about the award winners in the new print issue of MusicRow, available for free at the Nashville Convention Center during CRS.
Click here for full coverage from Bobby Karl.
Ryan McCall accepts his MusicRow Reporter of the Year honor. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Austin Webb performs at the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
Chase Bryant performs during the 2015 MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Photo: Bev Moser/Moments By Moser
2015 ACM Radio Award Winners
/by Sarah SkatesWinners in radio categories will be invited to receive their awards at a private reception in Arlington, TX on Saturday, April 18, the day prior to the ACM Awards.
Radio award winners will not be televised due to time constraints during the live telecast of the ACM Awards co-hosted by Blake Shelton and Luke Bryan from AT&T Stadium in Arlington on Sunday, April 19 at 8:00PM live ET/delayed PT on the CBS Television Network.
On Air Personality of the Year Winners
National Big D, Bubba, Patrick Thomas – The Big D and Bubba Show
Major Market Lisa Dent & Ramblin’ Ray – WUSN-FM – Chicago, IL
Large Market Big Dave, Chelsie, Stattman – WUBE-FM – Cincinnati, OH
Medium Market Steve & Gina and the Kat 103.7 Morning Show – KXKT-FM – Omaha, NE
Small Market Gator, Styckman, Cowboy Kyle – WUSY-FM – Chattanooga, TN
Radio Station of the Year Winners
Major Market WUSN-FM – Chicago, IL
Large Market WWKA-FM – Orlando, FL
Medium Market WQMX-FM – Akron, OH
Small Market KCLR-FM – Columbia, MO
Weekly Register: Aaron Watson’s ‘Underdog’ Has Plenty of Bite
/by Sarah SkatesIndie artist Aaron Watson isn’t an underdog this week. His latest album, The Underdog, debuted at the top of the country album chart with sales of 26K. The Texas-based singer released his 12th album through his own Big Label Records in conjunction with Thirty Tigers. Hitmaker Keith Stegall helmed production for Watson’s traditional country sound, including new lead single “That Look.” 2014 marked the third year in a row of Watson selling over 100,000 hard tickets. The CAA artist plays over 200 shows a year to between 2,000 and 6,000 fans a night.
There are a few other noteworthy country debuts, including Steve Earle and The Dukes’ Terraplane (New West), selling 11K to fly in at No. 3. BMLG had two new releases this week: The Mavericks’ Mono lands at No. 5 with 8K, and Glen Campbell…I’ll Be Me (documentary soundtrack), debuted with 3K. Campbell’s “I’m Not Gonna Miss You,” from the film, saw a 613 percent surges in downloads (12K this week) thanks to Tim McGraw’s performance on the Oscars, where the tune was nominated for Best Original Song.
Sam Hunt’s “Take Your Time” stays at No. 1 on the country tracks chart, selling 51K.
Imagine Dragons debuts at No. 1 on the Top 200 with Smoke + Mirrors attracting consumption of 195K (172K album sales).
YTD albums
Overall -.3%
Country -11.1%
YTD tracks
Overall -11.7%
Country -18.1%
Reviver Records Signs Lucas Hoge To Artist Roster
/by Troy_StephensonPictured (L-R): Lucas Hoge, Laura Lynn (Manager), David Ross (President and CEO, Reviver Records) and Amanda French Clark (Sr. Publicist, Webster Public Relations). Photo by: Jeremy Westby
Reviver Records announces the addition of rising country newcomer Lucas Hoge to its country roster, which also includes duo LoCash, American country-rock group Blackjack Billy and Mississippi-born singer/songwriter Samantha Landrum.
Following the release of Hoge’s summertime anthem, “Flip Flops,” Reviver will launch his debut radio single, “Power of Garth,” this spring. Reviver Records is distributed by BDG, via SONY RED.
The Nebraska-born Hoge has been awarded “Country Album of The Year” with his debut album, Dirt, at the 16th Annual Los Angeles Music Awards. He was also named Contemporary Christian Singer/Songwriter Of The Year for his song “Get The Door,” at the awards.
Dolly Parton’s Dixie Stampede Undergoes $2.5 Million Renovation
/by Jessica NicholsonOpening weekend after The Dixie Stampede’s $2.5 million renovation.
Dolly Parton‘s popular dinner attraction, the Dixie Stampede, recently underwent a $2.5 million renovation, featuring fresh music, special effects, and interactive lighting with 12.5 million LED lights.
“I want to dazzle our guests in 2015 with a completely new atmosphere,” Parton said of the show’s renovation. The Dixie Stampede, which launched in 1988, is located in Pigeon Forge, Tenn., near other attractions including Parton’s Dollywood theme park and Dollywood Splash Country. The Dixie Stampede also operates an attraction in Branson, Mo.
The Dixie Stampede seats up to 1,100 audience members. The attraction features up to five shows per day.
“We’ve been entertaining guests for 28 years,” the Dixie Stampede’s marketing director Woody Peek told Mashable. “This is the largest reinvestment ever back into the show.”
BMLG’s Scott Borchetta Signs with CAA
/by Jessica NicholsonScott Borchetta
Scott Borchetta, founder and CEO of Big Machine Label Group, has signed with CAA for representation, MusicRow has confirmed. CAA will aid the music exec in creating additional promotional opportunities across various platforms.
Borchetta has become a familiar face during the 14th season of American Idol, helping to mentor contestants during competition. Big Machine/Universal Records has signed on to release the season 14 winner’s album.
He also executive produced the documentary Glen Campbell: I’ll Be Me. BMLG released the movie’s accompanying soundtrack, which included the Oscar-nominated song “I’m Not Gonna Miss You.” BMLG also promoted the soundtracks for ABC’s Nashville.
Borchetta formed Big Machine Label Group in 2005 when it signed flagship artist Taylor Swift. Other artists signed to one of BMLG’s five labels include Tim McGraw, Rascal Flatts, Florida Georgia Line, The Band Perry, Reba, Martina McBride, Justin Moore, Eli Young Band, The Mavericks, Brantley Gilbert, Maddie & Tae, and more.
LifeNotes: Songwriter-Keyboardist Bobby Emmons Passes
/by Robert K OermannBobby Emmons
Renowned songwriter and session keyboardist Bobby Emmons died Monday night (Feb. 23) at age 72.
The Commercial Appeal newspaper in Memphis reports that Emmons passed away of undisclosed causes at a Nashville hospital. As a member of The Memphis Boys, he is a member of the Musicians Hall of Fame.
Bobby Emmons is equally well known on Music Row as the co-writer of such BMI award-winning hits as Waylon Jennings’ “Women Do Know How to Carry On” and “The Wurlitzer Prize,” Tanya Tucker’s “Love Me Like You Used To,” George Strait’s “So Much Like My Dad,” B.j. Thomas’s “Help Me Make It to My Rocking Chair” and Willie Nelson & Waylon Jennings’ “Luckenbach, Texas (Back to the Basics of Love.)”
Born in Corinth, Miss., Bobby Emmons first gained prominence as a member of The Bill Black Combo in Memphis in the late 1950s. His skills on piano and organ made him a key member of the band that formed under producer Chips Moman at American Studios in Memphis in the 1960s.
The studio group also included guitarist Reggie Young, bass players Tommy Cogbill and Mike Leech, pianist Bobby Wood and drummer Gene Chrisman. They were collectively known as The Memphis Boys.
The session musicians backed Dusty Springfield (“Son of a Preacher Man”), Neil Diamond (“Sweet Caroline”), Joe Tex (“I Gotcha”), B.J. Thomas (“Hooked on a Feeling”), Merrilee Rush (“Angel of the Morning”) and Elvis Presley (“Suspicious Minds”), among others. Memphis recordings by The Box Tops, Roy Orbison, Dionne Warwick, Bobby Womack, Irma Thomas, Herbie Mann, Delbert McClinton, Wilson Pickett, Solomon Burke, John Prine, Petula Clark and dozens more all feature his keyboard playing.
In later years, The Memphis Boys often reunited to perform during Elvis Presley Week activities.
Pictured (L-R, from back): Museum Editor Michael Gray, Gene Chrisman, Bobby Emmons and Weldon Myrick; (front row) Bobby Wood, Chips Moman and Reggie Young
Bobby Emmons found a second career after moving to Nashville. He continued to work as a session musician for Garth Brooks, Johnny Cash, Willie Nelson, Waylon Jennings, Larry Gatlin, Johnny Paycheck, Crystal Gayle, Merle Haggard, Kris Kristofferson, Bobby Bare, The Highwaymen, Earl Scruggs, The Oak Ridge Boys and other stars.
He also blossomed as a songwriter in Music City. Among the Nashville artists who have recorded his tunes are Billy Swan, Ray Price, Jimmy Dickens, Ricky Skaggs and Johnny Russell. In addition to the titles listed above, notable Bobby Emmons compositions include “Cowboys Don’t Shoot Straight Like They Used To” (Tammy Wynette), “Staring Each Other Down” (Brenda Lee, Willie Nelson), “Cactus and a Rose” (Gary Stewart), “It’s Midnight, Do You Know Where Your Baby Is” (Sandy Posey), “May I Borrow Some Sugar From You” (Billy Joe Royal, John Wesley Ryles, Waylon Jennings), “Partners After All” (Willie Nelson) and “Say It With Love” (Dan Penn).
Funeral arrangements have not been announced. A memorial service is in the planning stages, according to The Commercial Appeal.