Jackie Lee visit
A high school football star-turned-country entertainer, Broken Bow Records artist
Jackie Lee grew up in a home filled with a love of guitars and gridirons. The Maryville, Tenn., native first entered the recording studio at the age of 6, and was produced by family friend
Carson Chamberlain (Keith Whitley, Easton Corbin). Lee grew up developing his powerful voice during performances at church. He tried his hand at multiple instruments, including drums, guitar, and piano. The love of music came naturally; Lee’s father, Jack, had pursued a record deal in the ’90s, and had been produced by Chamberlain.
Equally adept at sports as music, Jackie Lee grew up playing multiple sports, and helped Alcoa High School’s football team take home two state championship rings alongside future Green Bay Packer
Randall Cobb.
Alcoa High School football team win two state championship rings. – See more at: http://www.opry.com/artist/jackie-lee#sthash.iJsExd1y.dpuf
The Maryville, Tenn. native knew his heart was in music, and his decision to pursue a career in entertainment over football is paying off handsomely. His first single, “She Does,” penned by Neil Thrasher and Kelley Lovelace, is making an impact at radio, and is climbing the charts. “They, of course, have written for guys like Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, and that’s the kind of music I listened to growing up,” said Lee.
It’s been said that every song eventually falls into the hands of the right singer, and Lee said he hoped for the chance to record “She Does” since first hearing it. “I was writing at a publishing company here in Nashville,” said Lee. “Across the hall, I heard Kim Wiggins playing the demo for this song, and I just loved it. I went to her and said if the chance ever came up to record that song, I wanted it. She told me another artist had it on hold, so I didn’t think it would happen. Then, a few weeks later, she called me up and told me it was available. When Kenny Chesney didn’t record the song, I was so excited. It’s one of the first songs I recorded for the new project.”
That as-of-yet untitled project will be Lee’s first for Broken Bow Records (home to Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and others), where Lee says he’s found a supportive home for artistic endeavors. “In January 2013 I was sitting with my manager Trey Turner and said I wanted to go somewhere where they believe in me as an artist,” said Lee. “I met with [Broken Bow CEO/founder] Benny Brown in February and we talked for three hours about family, my life and my music. I felt like he really pointed me in the right direction.” Longtime producer Chamberlain is working with Lee on his debut label project.
During a recent visit to MusicRow‘s Nashville office, Lee showcased his formidable, soulful voice with a performance of “She Does,” and previewed two other songs, “First Girl,” and “Tell Me,” from his upcoming project.
Lee also recalled his recent debut performance in the historic wooden circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage—a moment of pride for Lee, both personally, and professionally. He was joined onstage by his father Jack, who played keys during Lee’s performance. “We had lots of friends and family at the performance, so it was wonderful,” said Lee. “I’m loving every minute of this ride.”
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MusicRowPics: Jackie Lee
/by Jessica NicholsonJackie Lee visit
A high school football star-turned-country entertainer, Broken Bow Records artist Jackie Lee grew up in a home filled with a love of guitars and gridirons. The Maryville, Tenn., native first entered the recording studio at the age of 6, and was produced by family friend Carson Chamberlain (Keith Whitley, Easton Corbin). Lee grew up developing his powerful voice during performances at church. He tried his hand at multiple instruments, including drums, guitar, and piano. The love of music came naturally; Lee’s father, Jack, had pursued a record deal in the ’90s, and had been produced by Chamberlain.
Equally adept at sports as music, Jackie Lee grew up playing multiple sports, and helped Alcoa High School’s football team take home two state championship rings alongside future Green Bay Packer Randall Cobb.
The Maryville, Tenn. native knew his heart was in music, and his decision to pursue a career in entertainment over football is paying off handsomely. His first single, “She Does,” penned by Neil Thrasher and Kelley Lovelace, is making an impact at radio, and is climbing the charts. “They, of course, have written for guys like Brad Paisley and Rascal Flatts, and that’s the kind of music I listened to growing up,” said Lee.
It’s been said that every song eventually falls into the hands of the right singer, and Lee said he hoped for the chance to record “She Does” since first hearing it. “I was writing at a publishing company here in Nashville,” said Lee. “Across the hall, I heard Kim Wiggins playing the demo for this song, and I just loved it. I went to her and said if the chance ever came up to record that song, I wanted it. She told me another artist had it on hold, so I didn’t think it would happen. Then, a few weeks later, she called me up and told me it was available. When Kenny Chesney didn’t record the song, I was so excited. It’s one of the first songs I recorded for the new project.”
That as-of-yet untitled project will be Lee’s first for Broken Bow Records (home to Jason Aldean, Dustin Lynch, and others), where Lee says he’s found a supportive home for artistic endeavors. “In January 2013 I was sitting with my manager Trey Turner and said I wanted to go somewhere where they believe in me as an artist,” said Lee. “I met with [Broken Bow CEO/founder] Benny Brown in February and we talked for three hours about family, my life and my music. I felt like he really pointed me in the right direction.” Longtime producer Chamberlain is working with Lee on his debut label project.
During a recent visit to MusicRow‘s Nashville office, Lee showcased his formidable, soulful voice with a performance of “She Does,” and previewed two other songs, “First Girl,” and “Tell Me,” from his upcoming project.
Lee also recalled his recent debut performance in the historic wooden circle on the Grand Ole Opry stage—a moment of pride for Lee, both personally, and professionally. He was joined onstage by his father Jack, who played keys during Lee’s performance. “We had lots of friends and family at the performance, so it was wonderful,” said Lee. “I’m loving every minute of this ride.”
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New Documentary Focuses on Guy Clark
/by Sarah SkatesGuy Clark and friends celebrating his 73rd birthday. Front row: Robert Earl Keen, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Guy Clark and Maude the dog. Back row: Steve Earle, Jerry Jeff Walker, Rodney Crowell, Joe Ely and Terry Allen.
A full-length documentary about songwriter Guy Clark is in the works, thanks to producer/writer/director Tamara Saviano.
Without Getting Killed or Caught: The Life and Music of Guy Clark is being crafted to feel like a feature film, from the opening scene set in 1971 when Guy and soon-to-be wife Susanna Talley pull into Nashville in a Volkswagen bus loaded with everything they own. It was the beginning of a journey that would help shape the outlaw songwriter culture.
The film will include exclusive interviews, and never-before-seen photos from Clark’s private collection. Other segments will be shot next year in Texas. Without Getting Killed or Caught will close with a scene from Clark’s 73rd birthday, an intimate in-the-round of stories and songs featuring Guy and his Texas compadres Terry Allen, Rodney Crowell, Steve Earle, Ramblin’ Jack Elliott, Joe Ely, Robert Earl Keen and Jerry Jeff Walker.
Saviano has spent countless hours over the past five years collaborating with Clark on his definitive biography. She plans to debut the film in 2016 in time for his 75th birthday.
Working with her on the project are co-producer and director of photography Paul Whitfield, associate producers Connie Nelson and Stacy Dean Campbell, art director Wendy Thessen, finance manager Kurt Vitolo and legal counsel John Beiter.
Saviano’s other projects include the Grammy-winning Beautiful Dreamer: The Songs of Stephen Foster and the 2012 Americana Album of the Year, This One’s For Him: A Tribute to Guy Clark, which was also nominated for a Grammy.
Save The Date: MusicRow's 2015 CRS 'Meet & Greet and CountryBreakout Awards'
/by Jessica NicholsonThe invitation-only event will welcome MusicRow subscribed members and radio executives to Margaritaville in downtown Nashville on Wednesday, Feb. 25, 2015, beginning at 1:00 p.m.
The ceremony serves as the unofficial kick-off to Country Radio Seminar, which will attract radio broadcasters from across the country for events Feb. 25-27, 2015.
The afternoon will include the presentation of the MusicRow CountryBreakout Awards. Given annually, these honors recognize artists who earned the most airplay on the MusicRow CountryBreakout Chart during the preceding year. For 13 years, the CountryBreakout Chart has led the market for Country radio’s secondary stations. Additionally, the event will feature performances from some of Country’s music’s most promising rising artists.
“The value of the MusicRow Chart has never been greater,” says MusicRow Publisher/Owner Sherod Robertson. “From Florida Georgia Line to Clare Dunn, secondary radio is often the first place where new music is discovered and we are proud to pay homage to this important segment of our radio industry. Not only does the CountryBreakout Chart give insight to radio’s future trends, but it provides a fluid platform for established artists to expand success and allows new artists to begin their careers and create initial momentum. ”
In-depth profiles of the yet-to-be-announced awards winners will be included in the February/March 2015 edition of MusicRow Magazine, set to debut at the awards ceremony. Copies of the print issue will be available for CRS attendees throughout the Nashville Convention Center, including at kiosks in the coffee lounge and conference areas. MusicRow paid subscribers will receive copies by mail. Magazines are also available for purchase anytime at musicrow.com or the magazine’s 17th Avenue headquarters in Nashville.
Read more about last year’s exciting event:
Bobby Karl Works the 2014 CRS Meet & Greet
MusicRowPics
2014 CountryBreakout Award Winners
Universal Music Group Nashville, Show Dog Nashville Announce Joint Venture Restructuring
/by Jessica NicholsonToby’s first album under the new agreement will be 35 MPH Town, scheduled for release in the spring of 2015.
In making the announcement of the restructure, Universal Music Group Nashville Chairman & CEO, Mike Dungan shares, “All of us at Universal Music Group Nashville are thrilled that Toby has chosen to stay within the Universal family. And family it is, in this arrangement that allows Show Dog Nashville to remain independent, yet be fully integrated into our system and the great team of professionals that make up UMGN.”
Keith added, “I look forward to this new chapter in Show Dog’s history and it will be great to work so closely with the folks at Universal.”
UMG Nashville consists of Capitol Records Nashville, EMI Records Nashville, MCA Nashville and Mercury Nashville. The roster includes: Gary Allan, Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, Eric Church, Easton Corbin, Billy Currington, Vince Gill, Alan Jackson, Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Kip Moore, Kacey Musgraves, Jennifer Nettles, Darius Rucker, George Strait, Josh Turner, Shania Twain and Keith Urban.
Show Dog Nashville was founded in September 2005 by artist Toby Keith in Nashville. In 2015 Show Dog Nashville is celebrating its 10th anniversary. The roster includes Toby Keith, Krystal Keith, Josh Thompson and Native Run.
Ticketfly Launches Ticketfly Pulse
/by Jessica NicholsonTicketfly Pulse can also auto-populate a customizable email with event information and real tickets sold.
This is part of a growing trend in the competitive event ticketing business, as companies continue to determine ways to better serve customers and facilitate the buying and selling of event tickets. Ticketmaster recently acquired ticketing start-up Eventjoy, which provides a mobile tool that gives up-to-date information on an event’s sales status.
Artist Pics: Frankie Ballard, Easton Corbin, Lauren Alaina
/by Kelsey_GradyWMN artist Frankie Ballard surprised the WMN staff Monday afternoon to celebrate his #1 single, “Sunshine & Whiskey.” Frankie had t-shirts made to commemorate the event.
Pictured: Frankie Ballard and WMN staff
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Mercury Nashville Platinum recording artist Easton Corbin and Ram Trucks President and CEO Reid Bigland presented a $1 million check to the National FFA Foundation, on behalf of Ram Trucks, during the first session of the 86th National FFA Convention and Expo, held in Louisville, Ky.
Ram Trucks kicked off the “Year of the Farmer” in February with the debut of their Super Bowl commercial, “Farmer,” which has garnered over 16 million views on YouTube. For every one million views, Ram pledged to donate $100,000, for a maximum donation of $1 million; viewers overwhelmingly supported the two-minute video, reaching 10 million views within days. Corbin – a former FFA member – spent the year traveling the roads of rural America to meet and raise money for the local FFA chapters and young members around the country.
Easton Corbin onstage at the National FFA Convention in Louisville, KY with Ram Trucks President and CEO Reid Bigland.
• • •
Photo: Chris Hollo
Mercury Nashville/19/Interscope Records artist Lauren Alaina returned to the Grand Ole Opry stage Saturday night in her first public performance since undergoing vocal cord surgery in August.
The Georgia native introduced two new songs, “Doing Fine” and “Breathe Again,” to the Opry audience.
[Updated]: Weekly Register: Garth Revs Up "Man Against Machine"
/by Sarah Skates[Updated: Garth Brooks’ Man Against Machine originally reported as 118k in sales during debut week. Sales were adjusted up to 130k due to SoundScan’s reporting revisions of this week’s sales numbers.]
Garth Brooks roped in 130K in debut week sales of his comeback album, Man Against Machine. This puts him at the top of the Country album chart and at No. 4 on the all-genre chart.
Overall, he comes behind Taylor Swift‘s 1989, which hangs at No. 1 for a third week with 312K/ 1.99M RTD. Debuts from the Foo Fighters (190K), and Pink Floyd (170K) landed at No. 2 and 3, respectively.
Making up the Top 5 Country chart is Brooks, followed by George Strait (The Cowboy Rides Away: Live, 30K/ 158K RTD), Jason Aldean (Old Boots, New Dirt, 29K/ 532K RTD), Florida Georgia Line (Anything Goes, 22K/ 347K RTD) and the debut of Zac Brown Band’s Greatest Hits So Far (21K).
Tracking Tracks
Carrie Underwood’s “Something in the Water” swims into the No. 1 spot, selling 57K TW/ 423K RTD. Rounding out the Top 5 is Tim McGraw’s “Shotgun Rider” (39K/ 224K RTD), Aldean’s “Burnin’ It Down” (29K/ 1.2M RTD), Sam Hunt’s “Leave The Night On”(28K/ 786K RTD), and Blake Shelton’s “Neon Light” (24K/ 387K RTD).
The top Country debut is from current The Voice contestant Craig Wayne Boyd. His version of “Some Kind of Wonderful” moved 9.1K.
On the overall chart, Swift reigns with “Blank Space” selling 328K.
Trisha Yearwood’s new album was released this week, so check Weekly Register next week for her numbers.
Overall albums: 209.364M YTD (LY 239.685 M)
Country albums: 26.798M YTD (LY 30.649 M)
Ella Mae Bowen Releases Debut EP
/by Troy_StephensonElla Mae Bowen
New artist Ella Mae Bowen has released her self-titled debut EP on iTunes. The 19-year-old Bowen began writing at seven and nearly 10 years later won first prize for her song “This Is What It Feels Like,” as well as honorable mention for “His Name Was Sam,” from the 2014 International Songwriting Competition – both songs which appear on the EP.
The EP, recorded in Nashville with Chris McHugh and Mark Dobson, features six songs, all co-written by Bowen. She says of the effort, “I’m overjoyed to finally release this new EP! My fans have been so loyal throughout my artistic journey and I cannot thank them enough for giving me the time to put this together.”
The EP features the autobiographical song “His Name Was Sam” about Ella Mae’s late Grandfather who passed when she was just 10.
“He was one of my best friends,” said Ella Mae. “He was one of my greatest influences as both a person and musician. Rachel (Thibodeau) and I got the idea for the song because of an organic conversation that we had about a guitar that my grandfather had left me. It was a special moment for me to be able to put my memories of him to music.”
For more Ella Mae information go to www.ellamaebowen.com and to purchase the EP, click HERE.
TRACK LISTING:
1. Heart Locked Out: (Bowen and Seth Bolt)
2. I’ve Got A Feeling: (Bowen/Melissa Fuller and Rachel Loy)
3. His Name Was Sam: (Bowen and Rachel Thibodeau)
4. This Is What It Feels Like: (Bowen/Mark Irwin and Josh Kear)
5. Keep Tryin’ (Acoustic Version) (Bowen/Brandon Hood and Karen Rochelle
6. I Hate The Way I Love You (Stupid Over You) (Bowen/Bolt/Bear Rinehart, Carmen Keigans Harvey)
Streamsound Records Adds Hughes As Southeast Manager of Promotion
/by Jessica NicholsonRick Hughes
Streamsound Records has named Rick Hughes as Southeast Manager of Promotion. Hughes will take over territory recently covered by Tyler Waugh, who has exited the company. Hughes previously worked in similar roles at Universal South, Epic Records, MCA Nashville, and most recently Show Dog Music.
“We are happy to welcome Rick Hughes to the Streamsound team,” says Streamsound president/CEO Steve Richardson. “We have been building momentum as a label, and with Rick’s extensive knowledge and experience, we will continue to grow to new levels of success.”
“We are all incredibly excited about Rick joining our team,” says Teddi Bonadies, Streamsound’s VP of National Promotion and Strategic Marketing. “Rick’s invaluable radio experience makes him the perfect fit for our team as we move into the new year at Streamsound.”
Congratulate Rick Hughes via email at rick@streamsound.com
Randy Montana Releases New EP
/by Troy_StephensonAs Randy puts it, “Put Me In A Box speaks from a wiser, more mature place.”
Randy Montana is a Sony/ATV writer and has toured with artists including Lady Antebellum, Little Big Town, Sugarland, Taylor Swift, Dustin Lynch, Lee Brice & Tyler Farr. His new EP Put Me In A Box is now available via iTunes.
Put Me In A Box EP Track Listing
1. “Put Me In A Box” Written By R. Montana & E. Dylan
2. “Young In This Town” Written By R. Montana, T. Reeve, & J. Hoge
3. “Practice Swing” Written By R. Montana & B. Chaffin
4. “Train Wreck” Written By R. Montana & C. Wilson
5. “Creepin’ Up On Me” Written By R. Montana & B. Chaffin