Pictured (L-R): producer Marshall Altman, Will Hoge, GAC’s Celebrity Host Nan Kelley and AMP Management’s Jordan Powell. Photo: Glen Rose
Singer-songwriter Will Hoge’s forthcoming 10th studio album may be titled Small Town Dreams, but it’s obvious his genre-blending brand of music is having a big impact far beyond one-stoplight towns. His breakout single, “Strong,” was the musical backdrop for General Motors’ 2014 Chevy Silverado ad. The song was a bonus track on his recent album Never Give In, which peaked at No. 4 on the Americana Airplay Charts. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” co-written by Hoge and recorded by Eli Young Band, earned Hoge several nominations, including 2013 Grammy Country Song of the Year, 2013 ACM Song of the Year, and 2012 CMA Song of the Year.
Hoge invited media members for the reveal of his new album Small Town Dreams during a preview party in Nashville. Fans anxiously awaiting the album’s release weren’t left out, though, as the event streamed live online.
Backed by a four-piece band, Hoge’s raspy, emotionally-fueled voice was center stage as he sailed through several tracks. Host Nan Kelley peppered Hoge with questions about his album, artistry, and the autobiographical nature of songs “Growing Up Around Here” (an ode to hometown Franklin, Tenn.) and “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” (a salutation to fatherhood).
“I feel like I am better as a writer when it is something I have some experience and knowledge about,” he said of his writing style. “Those songs come really naturally to me, and this batch of songs worked really well together.”
He started the preview with stomping lead single, “Middle of America.” There are also Mellencamp-esque heartland rockers such as “Til I Do It Again,” which the band performed acoustically for the first time. “This mixed my love for Hank Williams and my love for The Clash,” said Hoge.
Hoge co-wrote each of the 11 tracks on the album, alongside writers including Gary Allan, Chris Stapleton, Jessi Alexander, Hillary Lindsey, and others.
Hoge also welcomed the project’s producer Marshall Altman to discuss the recording process. Adding a producer was a slight change of pace for Hoge, who produced his previous three projects on his own. “I wanted to stay true to who I am as an artist, but I also wanted to branch out and use some more pop elements and radio friendly elements that I’m not necessarily as skilled at as a producer,” said Hoge. “But I didn’t want to turn that over to just anybody.”
Hearing two songs on the radio by fellow artists Frankie Ballard and Eric Paslay helped solidify his decision. “Both songs were produced by Marshall Altman,” Hoge said, “but they didn’t sound anything alike. I loved that. I called Marshall at two in the morning while I was driving the bus. The thing I trusted with him is there would never be a discussion of what works for radio, but only about making a great record.”
“Just Up The Road” features more rock-oriented guitar work from one of Hoge’s musical idols, Vince Gill, than country fans might be used to hearing. “I told Vince, ‘I want the 17-year-old Vince Gill that’s not a country star yet,” Hoge says of the recording. “He grabbed a different guitar, and turned up the amp louder than he probably had in a while.”
Small Town Dreams releases April 7 on Cumberland Recordings/Thirty Tigers.
Spirit Music Group Acquires Contemporary Christian Catalog, West Main Music
/by Sherod RobertsonThe West Main song catalog features Christian music songwriters, including Jason Ingram (SESAC’s 2007 Christian Songwriter of the Year award recipient, co-writer of Bebo Norman’s “I Will Lift My Eyes,” Salvador’s “Shine,” Chris Tomlin’s “White Flag,” and member of One Sonic Society); Stuart Garrad (Stu G, Delirious?, and One Sonic Society); and Paul Mabury (One Sonic Society, noted Hillsong United drummer), among others.
“We are pleased to add these leading Christian music songs to the Spirit Music family as we continue to accelerate Spirit’s growth,” said David Renzer, Chairman, Spirit Music Group.
The acquisition is part of Spirit’s expansion plan which included acquisition of Cal IV Entertainment in 2014, giving Spirit Music Group its first official presence in Nashville.
Reba To Release ‘Love Somebody’ April 14
/by Jessica NicholsonArtist and songwriter Sam Hunt co-wrote the album’s title track, along with McAnally and Josh Osborne.
A Target exclusive version will also feature two additional tracks, “Whatever Way It Hurts The Least” (Brandy Clark, Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne), and “More Than Just Her Last Name” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne).
The legendary singer recently announced she has signed on to the Nash Icon Music label, a joint venture between Big Machine Label Group and Cumulus Media.
LOVE SOMEBODY TRACK LISTING
1. “Going Out Like That” (Rhett Akins, Ben Hayslip, Jason Sellers) *
2. “Enough” featuring Jennifer Nettles (Kelly Archer, Aaron Scherz, Emily Shackelton) **
3. “She Got Drunk Last Night” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally) *
4. “Livin’ Ain’t Killed Me Yet” (Tommy Lee James, Laura Veltz) *
5. “That’s When I Knew” (Jim Collins, Ashley Gorley) **
6. “I’ll Go On” (Ella Mae Bowen, Tommy Lee James) **
7. “Until They Don’t Love You” (Shane McAnally, Lori McKenna, Josh Osborne) *
8. “Promise Me Love” (Nicole Fernandez, Jason Miller, Susan Ruth) *
9. “Just Like Them Horses” (Liz Hengber, Tommy Lee James) *
10. “Love Somebody” (Sam Hunt, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne) *
11. “Love Land” (Tom Douglas, Rachel Thibodeau)*
12. “Pray For Peace” (Reba McEntire)***
TARGET EXCLUSIVE TRACKS
13. “Whatever Way It Hurts The Least” (Brandy Clark, Tommy Lee James, Josh Osborne)**
14. “More Than Just Her Last Name” (Brandy Clark, Shane McAnally, Josh Osborne)*
*Produced by Tony Brown and Reba McEntire
**Produced by James Stroud and Reba McEntire
***Produced by Reba McEntire and Doug Sisemore
The Mavericks Host Margarita Party Ahead of Album/Tour Launch
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Paul Deakin (The Mavericks), Mike Molinar (Big Machine Music), Eddie Perez (The Mavericks), George Briner (The Valory Music Co.), Jerry Dale McFadden (The Mavericks), Allison Jones (BMLG) and Raul Malo (The Mavericks).
Last night (Feb. 12), The Valory Music Co.’s legendary band, The Mavericks, hosted a private gathering for music industry fans and friends in advance of their latest CD and international tour. Mono, the 12-track album will be released Tuesday, Feb. 17 in time for the Mondo Mundo Tour, which kicks off Thurs., Feb. 19 at The Wilbur Theater in Boston.
The Grammy-winning band’s invitation was complete with an intimate live preview of select songs and a Patron margarita bar. NPR is now streaming the album in-full.
The Mavericks return to the Grand Ole Opry stage tonight (Feb. 13), where they first announced the new album last November. They will perform the lead track, “All Night Long,” on Late Night With Seth Meyers, airing next Wednesday (Feb. 18) on NBC at 11:35p.m. CT.
For more information, visit themavericksband.com.
The Mavericks jam as they preview tunes from MONO, due out Feb. 17 on The Valory Music Co.
Willie Nelson To Release Memoir ‘It’s A Long Story: My Life’
/by Troy_StephensonNelson has more than six decades in the music industry, released over 100 albums, has been awarded 10 Grammys, was esteemed by the Kennedy Center Honors, and is a member of the Country Music Hall of Fame. He has written some of the most popular songs of all time, including “On the Road Again,” “Angel Flying Too Close to the Ground,” “Crazy,” “Night Life,” and “Funny How Time Slips Away,” and recorded classics like “Blue Eyes Crying in the Rain,” “Bring Me Sunshine,” and “Always on My Mind.”
In the book, Nelson shares stories about Nashville in the 60’s, where he failed to fit the mold of the Nashville sound. He also tells stories of close friends and collaborators Ray Charles, Merle Haggard, Johnny Cash, Kris Kristofferson, Ray Price and Waylon Jennings.
At nearly 82 years old, he still tours the country and headlines music festivals.
Chris Young Presented With ‘MusicRow’ Challenge Coin For No. 1 Song
/by Kelsey_Grady(L-R): MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson, Chris Young, MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson. Photo: Kelsey Grady
Upon release of the single last year, acclaimed music critic Robert K. Oermann said, “Chris turns the charm meter up to 10 on this throbbing roadhouse romance. He also sings his fanny off.”
This is Young’s second MusicRow Challenge Coin, with the first honoring his No. 1 hit, “Who I Am With You.”
Industry Ink: CMA, Johnny Cash Museum, WXNA
/by Jessica NicholsonDoerschuk, Gellott Leave CMA
CMA Close Up editor Bob Doerschuk has left his position with the Country Music Association. He is currently looking for full-time or freelance opportunities. Doerschuk can be reached at 615-545-6461, or at musiccityscribe@gmail.com. CMA Vice President of Corporate Communications Wendy Pearl will be taking over Doerschuk’s duties.
Media Manager Mary Gellott has also exited the company. Gellott’s career includes several years working as a concert promoter in Nashville, prior to her three years with CMA. She can be reached at mmggellott@aol.com.
Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum Adds Some Java
Bongo Java Founder Bob Bernstein & Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller
Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum has teamed with coffee company Bongo Java to add a coffee shop to the museum. Bongo Java will open in late February at The Johnny Cash Museum’s 119 3rd Ave. S. location.
“My family is thrilled to operate our own Bongo Java at The Johnny Cash Museum,” says The Johnny Cash Museum Founder Bill Miller. “We are all coffee aficionados and we are picky about what we drink. After an exhaustive search, we knew that Bongo would be the perfect choice for us. Bongo Java Founder Bob Bernstein has built a top notch, first class operation which produces an amazing product. We are also very pleased to offer coffee and coffee drinks which are both organic and fair trade. I am confident that the hundreds of thousands of Cash fans from around the world who visit us annually will be as excited about this great coffee as we are.”
New Freeform Radio Station Coming To Nashville
A completion date has been slated for no later than June 4, 2016. Plans will place the station’s transmitter in the Germantown neighborhood, with signal to reach most of central Nashville, east Nashville, West End/Belmont, and south to the Berry Hill area. WXNA will also stream formats at wxnafm.org.
The station will feature a freeform radio format similar to the former WRVU-FM Nashville. Freeform radio allows disc jockeys total freedom in the music they play (within FCC regulations), regardless of music genre or commercial interests.
WXNA is wholly owned and operated by WRVU Friends and Family, a nonprofit organization founded in 2010 by former WRVU-FM DJs to oppose the sale of WRVU-FM’s broadcast license. Once the sale was completed, the mission shifted to establishing a new broadcast station. WRVU Friends and Family have no connection to Vanderbilt University. Former WRVU DJs working to bring WXNA to life include Roger Blanton (Delicious Elixir), Ashley Crownover (Set Records to Stun), Randy Fox (Hipbilly Jamboree), Jonathan Grigsby (Set Records to Stun), Heather Lose (Honky Tonk Jukebox), Laura Powers (Needles + Pins), Ron “DJ Ron” Slomowicz (Out of the Closet / Dance) and Pete Wilson (Nashville Jumps).
Coke and Lady A Partner for ‘Freestyle’ Meet-and-Greet
/by Eric T. ParkerSince the band’s latest single is titled “Freestyle,” the promotion provides fans who use Coca-Cola Freestyle–a fountain dispenser that blends specific recipes–a code to enter for the grand prize trip for two to a 2015 Lady A concert of the winner’s choice. Other prizes include Lady A 747 Deluxe CDs, autographed pictures and single downloads.
“Coca Cola Freestyle encourages individuality and customization by offering unprecedented choices,” said Joel Bishop, VP/GM, Coca Cola Freestyle, Coca Cola North America. “In that spirit, we invited Hillary, Charles and Dave of Lady Antebellum to express their personal style and taste by creating their own beverage mixes for their fans to enjoy.”
The trio’s Hillary Scott, Charles Kelley and Dave Haywood each created a personal mix available only with the Freestyle beverage dispenser. Fans can look for the Lady A promo button on over 600 participating machines to choose from the three mixes, including Charles’ Smooth Rollin’ Mix, a sweet blend of Vanilla Coke and Barq’s. Dave’s Rock ‘n’ Bold Mix blends Sprite Vanilla and Seagram’s Ginger Ale. Hillary’s Southern Cherry Mix combines Coke Zero Cherry and Coke Zero Raspberry.
After fans pour their beverage, they will text the code that appears on the screen. From March 23-April 30 fans can also download the Coca-Cola Freestyle app to receive an offer to add all three Lady A mixes to their favorites. When they visit any Coca-Cola Freestyle, they can use the QR code within the app to pour any of the exclusive mixes. Push notifications within the app will allow fans to enter the sweepstakes.
For full details as well as the list of participating retailers, visit coca-colafreestyle.com and cocacola.promo.eprize.com.
Weekly Chart Report (2/13/15)
/by Troy_StephensonClick here or above to access MusicRow‘s weekly CountryBreakout Report
Metro Planning Halts All Music Row Development
/by Jessica Nicholson1208 16th Ave S, Nashville, TN. Map data @2015 Google, Nashville Davidson County.
Plans for a 135-unit apartment building in Nashville’s Music Row area were halted this evening (Thursday, February 12), after the Metro Planning Commission indefinitely deferred a zoning change request.
The vote resulted in the commission recommending halting all rezoning requests in the Music Row area for the next 12 to 18 months.
The commission recommended that the Metro Planning Department complete a study of all of the Music Row area, so redevelopment proposals in the Music Row area can be treated in a uniform fashion.
The zoning change had been requested by Brad Daniel and Gary Belz, in a pitch to redevelop in the 1200 block of 16th Ave. near Edgehill Village.
Historic Nashville, Inc., as well as the Edgehill Village Neighborhood Association, opposed the rezoning request.
Will Hoge Shares ‘Small Town Dreams’ at Nashville Preview
/by Jessica NicholsonPictured (L-R): producer Marshall Altman, Will Hoge, GAC’s Celebrity Host Nan Kelley and AMP Management’s Jordan Powell. Photo: Glen Rose
Singer-songwriter Will Hoge’s forthcoming 10th studio album may be titled Small Town Dreams, but it’s obvious his genre-blending brand of music is having a big impact far beyond one-stoplight towns. His breakout single, “Strong,” was the musical backdrop for General Motors’ 2014 Chevy Silverado ad. The song was a bonus track on his recent album Never Give In, which peaked at No. 4 on the Americana Airplay Charts. “Even If It Breaks Your Heart,” co-written by Hoge and recorded by Eli Young Band, earned Hoge several nominations, including 2013 Grammy Country Song of the Year, 2013 ACM Song of the Year, and 2012 CMA Song of the Year.
Hoge invited media members for the reveal of his new album Small Town Dreams during a preview party in Nashville. Fans anxiously awaiting the album’s release weren’t left out, though, as the event streamed live online.
Backed by a four-piece band, Hoge’s raspy, emotionally-fueled voice was center stage as he sailed through several tracks. Host Nan Kelley peppered Hoge with questions about his album, artistry, and the autobiographical nature of songs “Growing Up Around Here” (an ode to hometown Franklin, Tenn.) and “They Don’t Make ‘Em Like They Used To” (a salutation to fatherhood).
“I feel like I am better as a writer when it is something I have some experience and knowledge about,” he said of his writing style. “Those songs come really naturally to me, and this batch of songs worked really well together.”
He started the preview with stomping lead single, “Middle of America.” There are also Mellencamp-esque heartland rockers such as “Til I Do It Again,” which the band performed acoustically for the first time. “This mixed my love for Hank Williams and my love for The Clash,” said Hoge.
Hoge co-wrote each of the 11 tracks on the album, alongside writers including Gary Allan, Chris Stapleton, Jessi Alexander, Hillary Lindsey, and others.
Hoge also welcomed the project’s producer Marshall Altman to discuss the recording process. Adding a producer was a slight change of pace for Hoge, who produced his previous three projects on his own. “I wanted to stay true to who I am as an artist, but I also wanted to branch out and use some more pop elements and radio friendly elements that I’m not necessarily as skilled at as a producer,” said Hoge. “But I didn’t want to turn that over to just anybody.”
Hearing two songs on the radio by fellow artists Frankie Ballard and Eric Paslay helped solidify his decision. “Both songs were produced by Marshall Altman,” Hoge said, “but they didn’t sound anything alike. I loved that. I called Marshall at two in the morning while I was driving the bus. The thing I trusted with him is there would never be a discussion of what works for radio, but only about making a great record.”
“Just Up The Road” features more rock-oriented guitar work from one of Hoge’s musical idols, Vince Gill, than country fans might be used to hearing. “I told Vince, ‘I want the 17-year-old Vince Gill that’s not a country star yet,” Hoge says of the recording. “He grabbed a different guitar, and turned up the amp louder than he probably had in a while.”
Small Town Dreams releases April 7 on Cumberland Recordings/Thirty Tigers.