Ribbon cutting at The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: Mary Bufwack
Tennessee staked another claim as America’s premier music state with the dedication of
The Tina Turner Museum on Friday, September 26.
“Tennessee is the global music destination of choice,” said
Susan Whitaker at the opening ceremony. She is the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. The new museum is located on the campus of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, TN.
“Brownsville has a connection to the whole world through our homtown girl, Annie Mae Bullock,” said
Mayor Bill Rawls. Tina Turner was raised as Anna Mae Bullock in the rural community of Nutbush, TN, which is 10 miles northwest of Brownsville on Route 19. The road was renamed “Tina Turner Highway” in 2002.
She immortalized her hometown in her self-penned 1973 hit “Nutbush City Limits.” The song’s lyric begins, “A church house, gin house/A schoolhouse, outhouse/On Highway Number 19/The people keep the city clean/They call it Nutbush.”
The church is still there, historic Woodlawn Baptist. So is the “gin house,” Nutbush’s cotton gin. The “schoolhouse” now houses the Tina Turner Museum.
Flagg Grove School, which is now The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
Founded by Turner’s great uncle, it served as an African-American school between 1889 and 1966. The Flagg Grove School was used as a barn by
Joe Stephens until he donated the historic structure to Brownsville in 2012. A rare surviving example of an African-American grade school, the building was relocated to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds and restored. Tina Turner then donated the items for the museum it has become.
“I am with you in spirit,” said the superstar via video from her home in Switzerland. “A very special good morning to you there…I’d like to ask everyone for a round of applause for everyone involved.” Turner cited and thanked many of the people who made her museum a reality, including designer
Stephan Sills. “Have a wonderful day: Ciao!” she added.
Inside The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
“All I can say is, ‘Hallelujah!’” said
Murrell Syler. “The family is very grateful [and] I am most grateful to my cousin, Tina Turner, for her support.” Syler’s and Turner’s fathers were brothers. “I come from good stock,” the 89-year-old Syler stated.
“This is a real blessing to our town, our county, our country,” said
Lollie Beard Mann at the ceremony. She was a classmate of Turner’s at the Flagg Grove School. At the school, “Me and Tina sang ‘Standing in the Need of Prayer,’” Mann added, performing the gospel classic
a cappella.
The Lewis Family Singers sang “God’s Been Good to Me,” which interpolated “Amazing Grace.” Rep.
Craig Fitzhugh read a proclamation from Gov.
Bill Haslam declaring “Tina Turner Day.” Turner was a babysitter for Fitzhugh when he was a child. “There is no finer lady and no finer person,” he commented.
Video congratulations came from
Melissa Etheridge, The Beach Boys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Fred Cash of
The Impressions, Ann Wilson of
Heart and
Robin Roberts of
Good Morning America.
The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
More than 200 crowded the Delta Heritage Center for the museum dedication, including family members, politicians, museum specialists, music performers, Turner’s business associates, news media and her fans. “It’s not just Tennessee,” pointed out
Elle Denneman, the president of the International Tina Turner Fan Club. “Also people from Germany, Sweden and Denmark are here.” Denneman, a professional photographer, had travelled from Holland for the event.
“I’m just blown away by the crowd,” marveled museum executive director
Sonia Outlaw-Clark.
“You’ve welcomed me, an outsider, with open arms,” said Turner’s assistant
Rhonda Graam, who coordinated the artifacts. “I’m so proud to work for her and be a part of this. It’s a highlight of my life. It’s teamwork that brought this project together.”
One member of the team was
Dr. Carroll Van West from the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU. “We’re continuing the magic that began at the Flagg Grove School over 100 years ago,” he testified. Another team member was Nashville’s PLA Media.
Following the ribbon cutting, family members and media representatives were the first to see the museum. It houses flamboyant costumes, historic photos, major awards, movie stills, her high school yearbook, Gold and Platinum records, magazine covers and a model of Britain’s Wembley Stadium, where Tina Turner triumphed in concert, among many other items. A screen shows a continuous loop of a concert video. Behind the artifacts, school memorabilia commemorate the building’s long heritage.
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds also contain the home of Brownsville’s Sleepy John Estes. Photo: Mary Bufwack
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds also contain the home of Brownsville’s
Sleepy John Estes (1899-1977). This “crying” bluesman recorded for Victor, Decca and others between 1929 and 1941. His influential songs include “Someday Baby Blues,” “Drop Down Mama” and “Milk Cow Blues.”
Both Turner and Estes are celebrated in the Center’s main museum, as are such regional music stars as
Carl Perkins (Jackson),
Alex Harvey (Brownsville),
Eddy Arnold (Chester County),
T.G. Sheppard (Humboldt),
Mike Snider (Gleason),
Sonny Boy Williamson (Jackson),
Malcolm Yelvington (Covington),
Yank Rachell (Brownsville),
Carl Mann (Huntingdon),
Denise LaSalle (Jackson) and
Hammie Nixon (Brownsville).
The Center also houses a series of aquarium tanks containing fish native to the Hatchie River, a cotton museum, a collection of Lincoln memorabilia and a photo exhibit about Brownsville’s historic district.
“Mindfield” sculpture in Brownsville, Tenn. Photo: Mary Bufwack
Downtown, the community’s outstanding attraction is “Mindfield.” This is Tennessee’s largest sculpture, a stunning piece of folk art that is a block-long, 10-story-high metal assemblage incorporating a water tower, a fire tower, giant propeller screws, toys and multiple girders. It is the work of
Billy Tripp, and will continue to evolve until his death. Almost everything is painted in battleship gray, his favorite color. Tripp’s eccentric work also contains lyrics, slogans, verses and assorted exhortations.
On Friday afternoon, the Tina Turner Heritage Days weekend continued with a scheduled book-signing for
Katherine Carlson, author of
Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina Turner. Guitarist
Durwood Hayes was booked to entertain that evening.
Saturday’s events included tours of Brownsville, Nutbush, Ripley and nearby Henning, the site of the Alex Haley Museum. At Carver High School that night, the scheduled entertainment included the
W.S. Holland Band, Rayburn Anthony, Carl Mann and vocalist
Samira, who is billed as “Samira’s Totally Tina.” She also attended the museum dedication.
“You have The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, 65 miles down the highway [in Memphis],” observed Turner’s former EMI Records chief
Jim Fifield at the dedication. “You have the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll right here in Brownsville.”
Memphis has attractions devoted to Elvis Presley, as well as the Stax and Sun labels. In Hurricane Mills, near Waverly, is the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch with its museum, mansion and birthplace recreation. Nashville has the Johnny Cash, Country Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame attractions. Sevierville has Dollywood with its Dolly Parton Museum and Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. In Bristol is the newly opened Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Brownsville now has the Tina Turner Museum.
“Just about every city in this state is on board,” said
Cindy Dupree, the director of PR for the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development.
Tina Turner Museum Opens In West Tennessee
/by Robert K OermannRibbon cutting at The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: Mary Bufwack
Tennessee staked another claim as America’s premier music state with the dedication of The Tina Turner Museum on Friday, September 26.
“Tennessee is the global music destination of choice,” said Susan Whitaker at the opening ceremony. She is the commissioner of the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development. The new museum is located on the campus of the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center in Brownsville, TN.
“Brownsville has a connection to the whole world through our homtown girl, Annie Mae Bullock,” said Mayor Bill Rawls. Tina Turner was raised as Anna Mae Bullock in the rural community of Nutbush, TN, which is 10 miles northwest of Brownsville on Route 19. The road was renamed “Tina Turner Highway” in 2002.
She immortalized her hometown in her self-penned 1973 hit “Nutbush City Limits.” The song’s lyric begins, “A church house, gin house/A schoolhouse, outhouse/On Highway Number 19/The people keep the city clean/They call it Nutbush.”
The church is still there, historic Woodlawn Baptist. So is the “gin house,” Nutbush’s cotton gin. The “schoolhouse” now houses the Tina Turner Museum.
Flagg Grove School, which is now The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
Founded by Turner’s great uncle, it served as an African-American school between 1889 and 1966. The Flagg Grove School was used as a barn by Joe Stephens until he donated the historic structure to Brownsville in 2012. A rare surviving example of an African-American grade school, the building was relocated to the West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds and restored. Tina Turner then donated the items for the museum it has become.
“I am with you in spirit,” said the superstar via video from her home in Switzerland. “A very special good morning to you there…I’d like to ask everyone for a round of applause for everyone involved.” Turner cited and thanked many of the people who made her museum a reality, including designer Stephan Sills. “Have a wonderful day: Ciao!” she added.
Inside The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
“All I can say is, ‘Hallelujah!’” said Murrell Syler. “The family is very grateful [and] I am most grateful to my cousin, Tina Turner, for her support.” Syler’s and Turner’s fathers were brothers. “I come from good stock,” the 89-year-old Syler stated.
“This is a real blessing to our town, our county, our country,” said Lollie Beard Mann at the ceremony. She was a classmate of Turner’s at the Flagg Grove School. At the school, “Me and Tina sang ‘Standing in the Need of Prayer,’” Mann added, performing the gospel classic a cappella.
The Lewis Family Singers sang “God’s Been Good to Me,” which interpolated “Amazing Grace.” Rep. Craig Fitzhugh read a proclamation from Gov. Bill Haslam declaring “Tina Turner Day.” Turner was a babysitter for Fitzhugh when he was a child. “There is no finer lady and no finer person,” he commented.
Video congratulations came from Melissa Etheridge, The Beach Boys, The Oak Ridge Boys, Fred Cash of The Impressions, Ann Wilson of Heart and Robin Roberts of Good Morning America.
The Tina Turner Museum. Photo: WTDHC
More than 200 crowded the Delta Heritage Center for the museum dedication, including family members, politicians, museum specialists, music performers, Turner’s business associates, news media and her fans. “It’s not just Tennessee,” pointed out Elle Denneman, the president of the International Tina Turner Fan Club. “Also people from Germany, Sweden and Denmark are here.” Denneman, a professional photographer, had travelled from Holland for the event.
“I’m just blown away by the crowd,” marveled museum executive director Sonia Outlaw-Clark.
“You’ve welcomed me, an outsider, with open arms,” said Turner’s assistant Rhonda Graam, who coordinated the artifacts. “I’m so proud to work for her and be a part of this. It’s a highlight of my life. It’s teamwork that brought this project together.”
One member of the team was Dr. Carroll Van West from the Center for Historic Preservation at MTSU. “We’re continuing the magic that began at the Flagg Grove School over 100 years ago,” he testified. Another team member was Nashville’s PLA Media.
Following the ribbon cutting, family members and media representatives were the first to see the museum. It houses flamboyant costumes, historic photos, major awards, movie stills, her high school yearbook, Gold and Platinum records, magazine covers and a model of Britain’s Wembley Stadium, where Tina Turner triumphed in concert, among many other items. A screen shows a continuous loop of a concert video. Behind the artifacts, school memorabilia commemorate the building’s long heritage.
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds also contain the home of Brownsville’s Sleepy John Estes. Photo: Mary Bufwack
The West Tennessee Delta Heritage Center’s grounds also contain the home of Brownsville’s Sleepy John Estes (1899-1977). This “crying” bluesman recorded for Victor, Decca and others between 1929 and 1941. His influential songs include “Someday Baby Blues,” “Drop Down Mama” and “Milk Cow Blues.”
Both Turner and Estes are celebrated in the Center’s main museum, as are such regional music stars as Carl Perkins (Jackson), Alex Harvey (Brownsville), Eddy Arnold (Chester County), T.G. Sheppard (Humboldt), Mike Snider (Gleason), Sonny Boy Williamson (Jackson), Malcolm Yelvington (Covington), Yank Rachell (Brownsville), Carl Mann (Huntingdon), Denise LaSalle (Jackson) and Hammie Nixon (Brownsville).
The Center also houses a series of aquarium tanks containing fish native to the Hatchie River, a cotton museum, a collection of Lincoln memorabilia and a photo exhibit about Brownsville’s historic district.
“Mindfield” sculpture in Brownsville, Tenn. Photo: Mary Bufwack
Downtown, the community’s outstanding attraction is “Mindfield.” This is Tennessee’s largest sculpture, a stunning piece of folk art that is a block-long, 10-story-high metal assemblage incorporating a water tower, a fire tower, giant propeller screws, toys and multiple girders. It is the work of Billy Tripp, and will continue to evolve until his death. Almost everything is painted in battleship gray, his favorite color. Tripp’s eccentric work also contains lyrics, slogans, verses and assorted exhortations.
On Friday afternoon, the Tina Turner Heritage Days weekend continued with a scheduled book-signing for Katherine Carlson, author of Arrows Across Eons: Becoming Tina Turner. Guitarist Durwood Hayes was booked to entertain that evening.
Saturday’s events included tours of Brownsville, Nutbush, Ripley and nearby Henning, the site of the Alex Haley Museum. At Carver High School that night, the scheduled entertainment included the W.S. Holland Band, Rayburn Anthony, Carl Mann and vocalist Samira, who is billed as “Samira’s Totally Tina.” She also attended the museum dedication.
“You have The King of Rock ‘n’ Roll, 65 miles down the highway [in Memphis],” observed Turner’s former EMI Records chief Jim Fifield at the dedication. “You have the Queen of Rock ‘n’ Roll right here in Brownsville.”
Memphis has attractions devoted to Elvis Presley, as well as the Stax and Sun labels. In Hurricane Mills, near Waverly, is the Loretta Lynn Dude Ranch with its museum, mansion and birthplace recreation. Nashville has the Johnny Cash, Country Music Hall of Fame and Musicians Hall of Fame attractions. Sevierville has Dollywood with its Dolly Parton Museum and Southern Gospel Hall of Fame. In Bristol is the newly opened Birthplace of Country Music Museum. Brownsville now has the Tina Turner Museum.
“Just about every city in this state is on board,” said Cindy Dupree, the director of PR for the Tennessee Department of Tourism Development.
The Band Perry, Ben Folds To Perform at T.J. Martell New York Honors
/by Sarah SkatesThe gala will honor John Paul DeJoria with the Lifetime Humanitarian Award. Marsha Vlasic will receive the Spirit of Music Award, to be presented by artist Regina Spektor. On behalf of Hard Rock International, Hamish Dodds will accept the Spirit of Excellence Award, to be presented by Yoko Ono. Will Botwin will receive the Visionary Leadership Award, and Afo Verde will receive the Lifetime Music Industry Achievement Award.
LifeNotes: Singer Priscilla Mitchell Passes
/by Robert K OermannAccording to Butch Baker of HoriPro, the singer passed away around 2 a.m. on Sept. 24, surrounded by family and friends. Mitchell was the widow of country star Jerry Reed (1937-2008), a member of the Nashville Songwriters Hall of Fame.
Priscilla Mitchell was born in Marietta, GA on Sept. 18, 1941. She was four years old when she made her debut on Marietta’s WFOM radio singing “Pistol Packin’ Mama.” She married Jerry Hubbard in Georgia in 1959. He took the stage name of Jerry Reed, and both pursued careers as singers and songwriters.
Mitchell got a recording contract with Mercury Records in Nashville. In 1965, she and Drusky scored a No. 1 country hit with the “cheating” song “Yes, Mr. Peters.” It was the biggest hit that both vocalists ever had. Other Drusky/Mitchell charting duets included “Slippin’ Around” (1966) and “I’ll Never Tell on You” (1967). They released three albums as a team, Love’s Eternal Triangle, Together Again and We Belong Together.
Her country solo singles for Mercury included 1967’s “He’s Not for Real,” written by Jerry Reed, and 1968’s “Your Old Handy Man,” written by Dolly Parton. Reed also wrote and arranged her uptempo 1968 single “Natch-illy Ain’t No Good.”
Priscilla Mitchell also recorded pop music. Billed as “Sadina,” she released singles such as 1965’s “I Want That Boy” on Mercury’s Smash Records subsidiary. Husband Jerry Reed began having big hits in the late 1960s. In the 1970s, he crossed over to the pop charts and became a movie star. During the same time period, Priscilla Mitchell Hubbard became a highly successful backup vocalist in Nashville recording studios.
Their daughters, Seidina and Lottie also became singers. Seidina was her father’s duet partner on 1977’s “You Know What,” and Lottie performed on one of his TV specials. Priscilla Mitchell appeared in her husband’s 1985 movie What Comes Around and later toured with him as a backing vocalist and keyboard player.
Her funeral service was at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home on Saturday, Sept. 26. Priscilla Ann Hubbard is survived by her daughters Lottie Zavala (Robert) and Seidina Hubbard, by sister Sandra Tomlin, by grandchildren Lainey Stewart and Jerry Rorick, by niece Ryn Sledge and by nephew Raegan Echols. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Willowbrook Hospice, 381 Riverside Dr., Suite 440, Franklin, TN 37064.
Justin Moore To Continue 'Off The Beaten Path Tour' This Fall
/by Jessica Nicholson“Anybody that knows me, knows how important it is for me to meet my fans and give them a show that’s worth the money they paid to come see us,” Moore said. “I couldn’t be more excited to get back out on the road and have Thomas Rhett, Colt and Jordan bring their energy to Off The Beaten Path Tour!”
Off The Beaten Path Tour dates:
Oct. 23—Columbia, Mo.-Mizzou Arena
Oct. 24—Norman, Okla. – Lloyd Noble Center*
Oct. 25—Kearney, Neb. – Viaero Event Center*
Oct. 26— Sioux City, Iowa – Tyson Events Center*
Nov. 14—Ft. Wayne, Ind. – Allen County War Memorial Coliseum**
Nov. 15—Dayton, Ohio – Wright State University’s Nutter Center**
Nov. 16—Bristol, Tenn. – Viking Hall **
Nov. 20—Clovis, N.M. – Curry County Events Center*
Nov. 21—Loveland, Colo. – Budweiser Events Center*
Nov. 22—Billings, Mont. – Rimrock Auto Arena*
Nov. 23—Missoula, Mont. – Adam Center*
*Dates with Thomas Rhett | **Dates with Colt Ford
Inspirational Country Week Plans November Awards
/by Eric T. ParkerICM Week & Awards with Ray Stevens and Megan Alexander.
The Christian Country Music Association’s 20th Annual Inspirational Country Music Faith, Family and Country Week, featuring convention and nightly showcases, will run from Sunday, Nov. 9-12 and conclude with the ICM Awards ceremony at Cornerstone Nashville Church in Madison, Tenn.
The Top 5 finalists for this year’s Inspirational Faith, Family & Country Awards include Vince Gill, Guy Penrod, Lady Antebellum, Scotty McCreery, The Roys and more. Russ Murphy leads the nominations with five nods. Tommy Brandt follows with four nods.
Tickets are available from $15-35. This year’s show will be broadcasted on the NRB Network as well as GEB America.
2014 Inspirational Country Music Awards Top-5 Nominees:
ENTERTAINER OF THE YEAR
Chuck Hancock
Kali Rose
Russ Murphy
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt
FEMALE VOCALIST
Chareé White
Kali Rose
Larissa
Laura Dodd
Mary James
MALE VOCALIST
Chuck Hancock
Guy Penrod
Russ Murphy
Steve Richard
Tommy Brandt
VOCAL DUO or DUO PERFORMANCE
Bruce & Betsy Mullen
John Blackwell & Susie McEntire
Kali Rose & Dennis Agajanian
Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
The Roys
VOCAL GROUP OR BAND
Branded
Jayc Harold Band
Red Roots
Sunday Drive
The Isaacs
The Kristina Craig Band
INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG OF THE YEAR
“I’m A Rock” – Kristina Craig Band
“Pray For Me” – Sweetwater Rain
“Stand Up” – Russ Murphy
“The God Of Another Chance” – Chuck Day
“The Rock On Which I Stand” – Steve Richard & Laura Dodd
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY MALE ARTIST
Alan Jackson
Jeff Bates
Josh Turner
Scotty McCreery
Vince Gill
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY FEMALE ARTIST
Carrie Underwood
Dolly Parton
Martina McBride
Rachel Holder
Sara Evans
MAINSTREAM COUNTRY DUO OR GROUP
Joey + Rory
Lady Antebellum
Oak Ridge Boys
Rascal Flatts
Sweetwater Rain
MAINSTREAM INSPIRATIONAL COUNTRY SONG
“Compass” – Lady Antebellum
“Doin’ It Right” – Rodney Atkins
“I Believe” – George Strait
“I Don’t Dance” – Lee Brice
“Like Jesus Does” – Eric Church
SONGWRITER
Chuck Day
Chuck Hancock
Corey Lee Barker
Greg McDougal
Russ Murphy
MUSIC VIDEO OF THE YEAR
“Compass” – Lady Antebellum; directed by Peter Zavaldil
“Invisible” – Hunter Hayes; directed by Ray Kay
“Keep On Rollin’” – Steve Richard; directed by Flick Wiltshire
“Like Jesus Does” – Eric Church; directed by John Peets
“Love Is Stronger” – Jason Crabb; directed by Roman White
NEW ARTIST OF THE YEAR
Bonita Adele
Isaac Cole
Joe Loftus
Steve Shirey
True Heart
YOUTH IN MUSIC AWARD
Adrienne Haupt
Isaac Cole
McDougal Kids
Mikayla Lynn
Tommy Brandt II
MUSICIAN
Dennis Agajanian
Gordon Mote
Greg McDougal
Jayc Harold
Ricky Skaggs
INSPIRATIONAL COMEDIAN
Aaron Wilburn
Barry McGee
Chonda Pierce
T. Bubba Bechtol
Tim Hawkins
LIVING LEGEND
The Living Legend Recipient has been determined
MUSIC EVANGELIST*
Dennis Agajanian
Greg McDougal
Mary James
Russ Murphy
Tommy Brandt
Wade Hammond
* a tie in this category created six nominees
RADIO STATION/NETWORK
HLE Radio
Inspirational Country Radio Network
KSTV 93.1 FM – Dublin, TX
WGDN FM 103.1 – Gladwin, Michigan
WSM AM 650 – Nashville, TN
RADIO PERSONALITY
Hunter Logan
JR Pitsenbarger
Marty Smith
Rich Miller
Robby Lynn
TELEVISION NETWORK
Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN)
Family Friendly Entertainment Inc.
Hallmark Channel
RFD TV
TCT Network
INSPIRATIONAL BLUEGRASS ARTIST
Doyle Lawson & Quicksilver
Rhonda Vincent
Ricky Skaggs
The Isaacs
The Roys
FAITH, FAMILY & COUNTRY MOVIE
God’s Not Dead – Pure Flix Entertainment
Grace Unplugged – Coram Deo Studios / Birchwood Pictures
Heaven Is For Real – Roth Films / Screen Gems / TriStar Pictures
Moms’ Night Out – TriStar Pictures / Provident Films / Affirm Films
Son of God – Hearst Entertainment / LightWorkers Media
Blake Shelton to Release 'Bringing Back The Sunshine' Sept. 30
/by Troy_Stephenson“There’s something magical about that title, and given what this album is all about, I thought, ‘Bringing Back The Sunshine is like I’m bringing back some country music,’” he says. “Country is sunshine to me.”
With 11 tracks, Shelton returns to those themes that drew him to Nashville as a 17 year-old kid fresh out of high school. “It’s very important to me to push myself and my musical boundaries but it’s also important for me to come back and touch home base every once in a while, to be sure there’s always a firm foot planted in country music.”
The album features two songs with guest vocalists. “Lonely Tonight,” written by Brent Anderson and Ryan Hurd is a stirring duet with Ashley Monroe.
On “Buzzin'” Shelton keeps it in the family with The Voice season two contestant and teammate RaeLynn.
Shifting gears, Shelton says “Sangria” is “one of the sexiest songs” he’s ever cut. “It sounds like something that came from a different time, almost like something Chris Isaak would have had on one of his records at some point.”
“A Good Country Song,” is a slice of nostalgia written by Tommy Lee James, Matt Jenkins,and Jessi Alexander. “Jessi Alexander is a great friend of mine, and she got in touch with me when she heard we were cutting tracks and said she wanted to write something for me. When I heard the lyric, it was almost as if she grew up in the same house I grew up in, from shifting the gears in my dad’s truck to listening to Earl Thomas Conley on a station out of Tulsa. There has never been a more accurate song about me that I have recorded.”
Fans who pre-order the album now will immediately receive “Neon Light,” “Lonely Tonight” featuring Monroe, “Buzzin’” featuring RaeLynn, and “Sangria.”
MusicRow Challenge Coin: Douglas, Johnston, Steele, Nite, Robbins
/by Jessica NicholsonJeffrey Steele, Tom Douglas, Jaren Johnston, and Jon Nite stopped by MusicRow‘s office recently to be honored with MusicRow Challenge Coins, commemorating their No.1 songs on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart.
Over the years, challenge coins have marked significant occasions and commemorated outstanding individuals. Continuing this tradition, MusicRow distributes its No. 1 Challenge Coin to the artists and songwriters who have achieved a No. 1 hit on the CountryBreakout Chart.
Douglas, Johnston and Steele penned “Meanwhile, Back At Mama’s,” recorded by Tim McGraw. The song reached the pinnacle of the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on July 17, 2014. Johnston, Nite and Jimmy Robbins co-wrote Jake Owen‘s recent hit, “Beachin,’ which topped the MusicRow Country BreakoutChart on June 12, 2014.
Pictured (L-R): Jaren Johnston, Jon Nite, Jeffrey Steele and Tom Douglas. Photo: Kelsey Grady
Robbins was awarded two MusicRow Challenge Coins recently for “Beachin,” along with “Slow Me Down,” which was co-written with Heather Morgan and Marv Green, and recorded by Sara Evans. “Slow Me Down” went to No. 1 on the MusicRow CountryBreakout chart on April 24.
Pictured (L-R): MusicRow Chart Director Troy Stephenson, Jimmy Robbins, and MusicRow Owner/Publisher Sherod Robertson. Photo: Kelsey Grady
Swift Preps Corporate Sponsorships Ahead of '1989'
/by Eric T. ParkerSubway will team for a #MeetTaylor campaign through October, providing 31 fans (one for each day of the month) the opportunity to see the superstar on her yet-to-be-announced 2015 concert tour. The grand prize includes airfare for two, hotel, transportation, $500, concert tickets and meet-and-greet passes.
Beginning Oct. 1, fans will be eligible with a purchase of a Swift-branded Diet Coke cup, featuring a code for entry on subway.com, or through the subway Freshbuzz app. The world’s largest restaurant chain will promote the campaign through TV, radio, social media and in-store advertising.
Subway’s Chief Marketing Officer, Tony Pace, told Billboard’s Andrew Hampp, Subway will mention 1989 and its release date in marketing materials, but will not sell physical copies of the album at Subway locations.
As announced yesterday (Sept. 25), Swift will return to Diet Coke for its “Get A Taste” campaign. Target will fulfill the previously announced deluxe album. Keds is also expected to continue aligning with the 24-year old celebrity.
Industry Ink: PLA Media, Dave Baker, Studio Gold Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonDave Baker
Nashville sideman/session guitarist Dave Baker will release his debut album 71 South. The eclectic album was recorded in Nashville with musicians including Rich Redmond (Jason Aldean), Vail Johnson (Keb Mo/Kenny G), and instrumentalist/producer John Painter (Ben Folds/Sevendust).
The two-time Berklee College of Music scholarship winner currently plays guitar for recording artist Kellie Pickler.
Baker is a PRS Guitars artist and has appeared in many Dr Z amplifier videos for Dr Z amps.
• • •
Julie C Myers
PLA Media has added Julie C Myers to its roster. The former Stevie Nicks tribute artist has teamed with producer Dan Hodges to create her own project.
“I’m well known for my tribute to the legendary Stevie Nicks, as ‘Nearly Nicks,’ but this new album is just me, and I’m a bit more country than she is. Being a southern girl, I know I walk the line between country, rock, and blues” says Myers. Drawing from influences as diverse as Billy Preston, Janis Joplin, and Jack Johnson, her album is as rock as country gets. “I am thrilled to be working with Mike and Al at Consortium Artist Management,” says Myers of her management team.
• • •
Curtis Braly
Studio Gold Nashville has signed Texas singer Curtis Braly for recording, distribution and artist development. Braly was recently nominated for Country Male Artist of the Year by the International Music and Entertainment Association (IMEA).
Braly joins Ryan Laird on Studio Gold Nashville’s recording roster. The Brentwood, Tenn.-based Studio Gold Nashville offers traditional music publishing, single-song publishing, artist development and promotional activities.
Carrie Underwood To Release Greatest Hits Project Dec. 9
/by Jessica NicholsonCarrie Underwood announced that she will deliver a Greatest Hits package, titled Greatest Hits: Decade #1, on Dec. 9. The singer revealed the project during an appearance on Friday morning (Sept. 26) during The Today Show. Underwood has notched 18 No.1 songs since her American Idol win in 2005.
She also revealed the first single from the project, “Something In The Water,” which will officially release to radio on Oct. 6. The single will release to digital retailers Monday, Sept. 29. “It’s a joyous, uplifting song about changing your life for the better, and kind of having that ‘a ha’ moment, waking up and your life being different from that moment forward,” Underwood said of the song. “Something In The Water” was co-written by Underwood, Brett James, and Chris DeStefano.
Underwood will perform at the Global Citizen Festival on Saturday (Sept. 27), along with fun., Jay-Z, No Doubt, Sting, and others. The concert will be held on the Great Lawn in New York City’s Central Park.
Watch the announcement below: