Pictured (L-R): Alan Jackson and Kyle Young, director of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Nathan Baugh/courtesy of Alan Jackson
“What you hear tonight will only happen once,” said the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s
Kyle Young, welcoming
Alan Jackson’s sold-out crowd to the 800-seat CMA Theater.
Yesterday evening (Oct. 8) was the first of Jackson’s two-night residency, part of a CMHoF tradition where artists who have contributed a significant body of work to American popular music are given a “blank canvas” for their performance. Previous residency artists such as
Connie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and
Ricky Skaggs have included special guests or embraced a listening room vibe, but Jackson brought his full stage show complete with 8-person band, video wall, and of course, his hits.
Selections from Jackson’s 50 top-10 songs filled his 2.5-hour set. The legend even previewed a new song to a standing ovation. “Angels and Alcohol” is one of 10 songs he is preparing for a 2015 release on EMI Nashville/ACR.
Relying on his wife
Denise in the balcony, Jackson candidly recounted stories of his family, his early days as a demo singer on
Travis Tritt’s “Country Club,” and inspiration behind records that went on to sell nearly 60 million units worldwide. “You know I’m 55, turn 56 next week,” said Jackson when he lost track of a thought on stage. Among numerous titles, he recalled:
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
•
“Gone Country”—I about always kick off my shows with that song.
Bob McDill wrote that song when Country was taking off after ’89.
•
“Home”—”Best I can remember, this is the first song I wrote. It’s a true story,” he recalled of the log home still standing on land given from their parents.
•
“I Don’t Even Know Your Name”—We always call it “Toothless.” Denise’s brother always pitched the title when we would go home at Christmas. I gave him and his son songwriter credit on it.
•
“Wanted” and
“All Over Again”—written in the same day in the rain in Pine Bluff, Ark.
•
“She’s Got The Rhythm (I Got The Blues)”—One of three songs written with
Randy Travis after his then-wife and manager lured Jackson with cornbread to their bus to write. The session also resulted in “Better Class of Losers” and “Forever Together.”
•
“Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”—I didn’t write that, God just sent it down through me. Faith, Hope and Love are just from The Bible.
•
“Good Time”—I got the idea after watching my girls in cheerleading.
The open-to-the-public event included industry executives seated alongside fans who cheered with homemade signs and, during the encore, sought autographs on boots, programs and even a doll. Of course, Jackson obliged as he is known to on his road show.
One noticeable departure from his arena show was candid conversation with the audience. The crowd replied in asking, “How are
you holding up?” Jackson said, “I’m holding up…This is a beautiful little room but it sure does get quiet after y’all stop talking.”
It is a true superstar whose dexterity transcends from an arena to a small venue. Jackson has long treated audiences of all sizes to performances of his masterclass catalog of hits. Although complaining of his ragweed allergy, Jackson was in top performance in a room that reflects vocal honesty. But above all, the truth of his lyric is most mesmerizing and for that, he’s already in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jackson’s second sold out Artist-In-Residence performance with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is slated for the same venue, on Oct. 22.
Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country will be on display upstairs, there, until March 30, 2015.
Jason Aldean On Pace For Huge Debut Week
/by Jessica NicholsonIf Aldean does sell close to 300,000 units, he would have the biggest-selling week of any Country artist in 2014, topping Brantley Gilbert‘s Just As I Am, which sold 211,000 units during its debut week in May, and Eric Church‘s The Outsiders, which sold 288,000 units upon its release in February.
Old Boots, New Dirt could post the second biggest sales week of any genre this year, trailing Coldplay‘s Ghost Stories which sold 383,000 for the week ending May 25, according to Nielsen SoundScan.
Aldean’s previous album, 2012’s Night Train, sold 409,000 units in its first week.
The singer-songwriter held an album release party, hosted by iHeartRadio, at the iHeartRadio Theater Los Angeles this week. The one-hour event was hosted by Ben and Matt from KNIX in Phoenix. Aldean performed several songs, including hits “My Kinda Party” and his latest, “Burnin’ It Down” from his new album.
Jason Aldean’s iHeartRadio Album Release party in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Jason Aldean’s iHeartRadio Album Release party in Los Angeles. Photo: Getty Images for iHeartRadio
Big Deal Music Adds Dan Wilson To Roster
/by Jessica NicholsonDan Wilson
Songwriter Dan Wilson has joined the Big Deal Music roster. Big Deal Music will publish new compositions under its joint venture with BMG Chrysalis US.
Wilson has penned songs including Adele‘s “Someone Like You” and the Dixie Chicks‘ “Not Ready To Make Nice.” He has also worked with artists including Taylor Swift, Dierks Bentley, John Legend, Josh Groban, Nas, Carole King, and others.
Wilson first rose to fame through his work with the band Semisonic, for which he penned songs including “Closing Time,” “Secret Smile” and “Chemistry.”
“Dan is clearly one of my favorite songwriters, and just happens to be one of my favorite people as well,” says Big Deal’s Kenny MacPherson. “It’s great to be able to resume this relationship that’s now lasted nearly 20 years.”
Round Hill Music Adds The Moxies
/by Sarah Skates“I’m so excited to have The Moxies on our roster here in Nashville,” said Director of A&R Kari Smith. “They have everything you could ask for in a band. They’re fresh, energetic and undeniably unique.”
Band members Marco Ciofani (vocals, guitar), Kevin Werfield (drums) and Tyler Adams (bass), list influences ranging from Elvis Presley and Johnny Cash, to Cage the Elephant and Jack White.
The Moxies are managed by Kim Stephens’ Forward Entertainment.
Zac Brown Band Unveils 'Greatest Hits So Far…'
/by Kelsey_GradyZac Brown Band
Southern Ground and Atlantic Records have announced the release of Zac Brown Band’s Greatest Hits So Far…, the band’s first career anthology. The 14-track collection is available now for pre-order on the iTunes Store and arrives everywhere on Nov. 10.
The project collects Zac Brown Band’s momentous run of 11 No. 1 Country singles, including 2x RIAA platinum debut, “Chicken Fried” and chart-topping songs including “As She’s Walking Away (Feat. Alan Jackson),” “Knee Deep (feat. Jimmy Buffett),” and “Goodbye In Her Eyes.”
The band is currently traveling on their “Great American Road Trip Tour.”
Greatest Hits So Far… is currently available for pre-order on iTunes.
iHeartRadio Coming To Android Wear Smartwatches
/by Jessica NicholsonThe digital radio service has teamed with Android Wear smartwatches, beginning Oct. 15. Android Wear users can use the watch as a remote control. Users will still need to plug headphones into their smartphones to listen, though the watch will allow them create new stations via voice search, and give a “thumbs up” or “thumbs down” to new songs.
Google’s Android Wear also runs Google Play.
iHeartRadio marks the first musical partnership for Android Wear. Meanwhile, Pandora is available on Pebble Smartwatches, while Samsung uses its own Milk Music on its Gear smartwatches. Apple is slated to release a smartwatch next year.
Alan's Blank Canvas, Night One at the CMA Theater
/by Eric T. ParkerPictured (L-R): Alan Jackson and Kyle Young, director of Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum. Photo: Nathan Baugh/courtesy of Alan Jackson
“What you hear tonight will only happen once,” said the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Kyle Young, welcoming Alan Jackson’s sold-out crowd to the 800-seat CMA Theater.
Yesterday evening (Oct. 8) was the first of Jackson’s two-night residency, part of a CMHoF tradition where artists who have contributed a significant body of work to American popular music are given a “blank canvas” for their performance. Previous residency artists such as Connie Smith, Kris Kristofferson, Vince Gill and Ricky Skaggs have included special guests or embraced a listening room vibe, but Jackson brought his full stage show complete with 8-person band, video wall, and of course, his hits.
Selections from Jackson’s 50 top-10 songs filled his 2.5-hour set. The legend even previewed a new song to a standing ovation. “Angels and Alcohol” is one of 10 songs he is preparing for a 2015 release on EMI Nashville/ACR.
Relying on his wife Denise in the balcony, Jackson candidly recounted stories of his family, his early days as a demo singer on Travis Tritt’s “Country Club,” and inspiration behind records that went on to sell nearly 60 million units worldwide. “You know I’m 55, turn 56 next week,” said Jackson when he lost track of a thought on stage. Among numerous titles, he recalled:
Photo: Rick Diamond/Getty Images
• “Gone Country”—I about always kick off my shows with that song. Bob McDill wrote that song when Country was taking off after ’89.
• “Home”—”Best I can remember, this is the first song I wrote. It’s a true story,” he recalled of the log home still standing on land given from their parents.
• “I Don’t Even Know Your Name”—We always call it “Toothless.” Denise’s brother always pitched the title when we would go home at Christmas. I gave him and his son songwriter credit on it.
• “Wanted” and “All Over Again”—written in the same day in the rain in Pine Bluff, Ark.
• “She’s Got The Rhythm (I Got The Blues)”—One of three songs written with Randy Travis after his then-wife and manager lured Jackson with cornbread to their bus to write. The session also resulted in “Better Class of Losers” and “Forever Together.”
• “Where Were You (When The World Stopped Turning)”—I didn’t write that, God just sent it down through me. Faith, Hope and Love are just from The Bible.
• “Good Time”—I got the idea after watching my girls in cheerleading.
The open-to-the-public event included industry executives seated alongside fans who cheered with homemade signs and, during the encore, sought autographs on boots, programs and even a doll. Of course, Jackson obliged as he is known to on his road show.
One noticeable departure from his arena show was candid conversation with the audience. The crowd replied in asking, “How are you holding up?” Jackson said, “I’m holding up…This is a beautiful little room but it sure does get quiet after y’all stop talking.”
It is a true superstar whose dexterity transcends from an arena to a small venue. Jackson has long treated audiences of all sizes to performances of his masterclass catalog of hits. Although complaining of his ragweed allergy, Jackson was in top performance in a room that reflects vocal honesty. But above all, the truth of his lyric is most mesmerizing and for that, he’s already in the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Jackson’s second sold out Artist-In-Residence performance with the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum is slated for the same venue, on Oct. 22. Alan Jackson: 25 Years of Keepin’ It Country will be on display upstairs, there, until March 30, 2015.
Industry Ink: The Agency Group, CMHoF, Young Country, Amped, Live Nation, GAC
/by Jessica Nicholson• • • •
The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum‘s Troubadour Society will host the third annual Nightfall at the Hall on Tuesday, Oct. 14 from 7 p.m.-10 p.m. The evening will feature music, complimentary beer, wine and hors doeuvres, as well as after-hours access to the museum’s galleries. RSVPs should be sent by Oct. 10 to kwilliams@countrymusichalloffame.org.
• • • •
Country music video show Young Country will debut on its new home on BlueHighways TV tomorrow (Oct. 9) at 6:30 p.m. CT with special guests The Roys. The Tyler, Texas based show is produced by Jeff Miller, and Ruth Ann Wood serves as Dir. of Marketing and Syndication.
• • • •
Amped is a new independent distribution company under the Alliance umbrella. Big & Rich and Kobalt Music worked with Amped on the duo’s latest release. Among others using the distributor are Compass Records, Lenny Kravitz and Band Of Horses. In a recent week, Amped was working with six releases on Billboard‘s Top 200 chart. Amped is led by Dean Tabaac, with Pip Smith as VP of Sales, Jocelynn Pryor as Dir. of Marketing, and Tony Timpano handling Business and Legal Affairs/General Counsel.
• • • •
• • • •
Rising band Chasin’ Crazy will debut a new series, Chasin’ Crazy, on Great American Country on Saturday, Oct. 11 at 1 p.m. CST. The preview is available on YouTube.
NATD Honors Gala To Include Rob Beckham, Michael W. Smith, Charlie Daniels
/by Jessica NicholsonThe Gala kicks off with a reception at 6:00 PM, followed by dinner and the Awards Ceremony at 7:15 PM. Ticket information may be found at www.ticketfly.com.
The 2014 Honorees were selected by the NATD Board of Directors, led by President Steve Tolman of LogiCom. “These individuals, from a variety of professions, reflect the qualities which make Nashville the exciting, entertainment and vital city that it is today. They lead, not only in their areas of expertise, but in their continuing support of education and scholarship, which is one of NATD’s major goals” Tolman said.
Past honorees include:
2013-Bernie Cahill, Tom Condon, Chaz Corzine, Martina McBride, Kevin Neal, and Bob Romeo
2012- Mike Fisher, Clint Higham, John Huie, George Jones, and Alan Valentine
2011- Alabama, Tony Conway, Mayor Karl Dean, James H. Gosnell Jr., and Barry Trotz
Artist Updates: Montgomery Gentry, Hunter Hayes, Little Big Town
/by Jessica NicholsonMontgomery Gentry
Digital music platform GhostTunes will offer an exclusive bundle from duo Montgomery Gentry, to help raise awareness and money for breast cancer research.
The bundle, which sells for $19.99, includes Montgomery Gentry’s single “Headlights,” and a “Check Your Headlights” t-shirt.
All profits from bundle sales benefit Making Strides Against Breast Cancer, an initiative of the American Cancer Society.
• • •
Hunter Hayes. Photo: Kristin Barlowe
Hunter Hayes has teamed with Fandango to offer fans an opportunity to meet Hunter and attend a concert on his upcoming Tattoo (Your Name) Tour, when they purchase tickets for Relativity Studios’ feature film The Best of Me, which hits theaters nationwide Oct. 17. Hayes’ original composition, “Dream Girl,” is included in the film’s soundtrack, which released Oct. 7 on EMI Nashville.
The “The Best of Me Sweepstakes” will open Tuesday, Oct. 14 at 10 a.m. PST on Fandango, and will close Nov. 4 at 10 a.m. PST.
Hayes’ Tattoo (Your Name) Tour will launch with a solo show at New York City’s Best Buy Theatre on Oct. 28. WMN labelmates Dan+Shay and The Railers will join Hayes on subsequent tour dates.
• • •
Little Big Town had a lot to celebrate when they recently stopped by CMT to catch up with Cody Alan. The group chatted about their highly-anticipated new album, Pain Killer, which hits stores Oct. 21, and their recent invitation to the Grand Ole Opry. The group is set to headline a 15-city tour beginning in November.
Pictured (L-R): Phillip Sweet, Karen Fairchild, Cody Alan, Kimberly Schlapman, and Jimi Westbrook.
Rock Hall Nominees Revealed
/by Sarah Skates“We are pleased to present this group of nominees, as they represent the myriad places where rock and roll converges with blues, electronic, dance, Motown, R&B, funk and other genres,” said Joel Peresman, President and CEO of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame Foundation. “Rock and roll incorporates the styles of so many different kinds of music and that’s what makes this group of nominees – and this art form – so powerful and unique.” The Foundation’s nominating committee selects nominees each year in the Performer category.
Ballots will be sent to an international voting body of more than 700 artists, historians and members of the music industry.
Fans can participate in the induction selection process. Beginning October 9, 2014, and continuing through December 9, 2014, fans can visit www.rockhall.com to cast votes for induction. The top five artists, as selected by the public, will comprise a “fans’ ballot” that will be tallied along with the other ballots to choose the 2015 inductees.
Inductees will be announced in December and the induction ceremony will be held April 18, 2015, in Cleveland, the home of the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame and Museum. Public ticket sale information will be announced at a later date.
Read about the nominees, the induction process or revisit MusicRow critic Bobby Karl’s trip to the 2012 induction ceremony.