Chris Young
I think I’ll make a record and bill myself as Garth Brooks.
That’s kind of what our
DisCovery Award winner is up to. Here’s the story. Nashville’s Brian Collins is an established country singer who has recorded for Mega, ABC/Dot, RCA, Primero and other labels. He made the charts 15 times between 1971 and 1984. He had a top-10 hit in 1974 with his version of “Statue of a Fool,” and his top-25 hit version of “That’s the Way Love Should Be” became an even bigger hit song for Dave & Sugar in 1977.
He also wrote and originated “Hello Texas,” which Jimmy Buffett sang on the multi-million selling soundtrack of
Urban Cowboy. This Brian Collins is a previous ACM nominee for New Male Vocalist of the Year, is known as a Texas “Ambassador of Good Will” and recorded a CD as recently as 2013.
I imagine he’ll be quite surprised to learn that there is a man from Georgia who is launching his country career as, that’s right,
Brian Collins. THAT Brian Collins can keep his DisCovery Award, as long as he agrees to alter his billing. You see, his name is already spoken for in the world of Country music.
There is no controversy about my choice for the
Disc of the Day prize.
Chris Young RULES.
J. MICHAEL HARTER/Holy Cowgirl
Writers: J. Michael Harter/Scott Harter/Earl Bud Lee/Scott Laurent/Bruce Wallace; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Anozira/Caroline Lane/We’re Working/2121/Ole, ASCAP/BMI; GMV/Anozira
-This rocks. The track has a serious bass undertow and a snarling guitar line. This super propulsive single also has a dance remix, which I totally understand. I only wish his white-boy vocal had more grit or passion.
THE SECRET SISTERS/Rattle My Bones
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Tim Hanserorth/Phil Hanserorth; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publishers: Southern Oracle/WB, ASCAP; Cracker
-The album’s title is
Put Your Needle Down, and it grabs you from the first notes of this opening track. It’s a rockabilly romp with “Everly Sisters” harmonies and a chugging, joyous bed of rhythm. Normally consigned to the backwaters of Americana, this duo takes a major step forward by getting Cracker Barrel distribution. So kudos to the Sisters, as well as to the retailer for gaining instant hip cred. As cool a sound as you’ll hear this year.
EILEEN CAREY/Bottle Your Crazy Up
Writers: Eleen Carey; Producer: none listed; Publisher: RolleyCstr, BMI; RoleyCstr
-It’s feisty-female ditty with a bopping arrangement. She isn’t an earth-shattering vocalist by any means, but gets points for energy, effort and good intentions.
CHRIS YOUNG/Lonely Eyes
Writers: Johnny Bulford/Jason Matthews/Laura Veltz; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/3JB/Fresh Baked Cookies, BMI; RCA (track)
-What a dreamboat. He watches her walk into the bar, sit down next to him, give him a look and he’s off and flirting. Chris turns the charm meter up to 10 on this throbbing roadhouse romance. He also sings his fanny off.
JAKE WARD & MELISSA BROOKE/Hit The Road
Writers: Jake Ward; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JW
-He sings well, in a pleading Texas tenor. She shadows him in flawless harmony, then takes a soulful verse on her own. The breezy arrangement and gentle pace contrast nicely with the heartache-to-hope lyric. You waft along with it, but alas it ends too abruptly.
MARTINA McBRIDE/All My Friends
Writers: Charles Scott Boyer, Jr.; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Chappell, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-Rounder’s resident rock legend Gregg Allman is the subject of a multi-artist tribute CD and DVD. The lone country female in the cast is Martina. Maybe that’s why they gave her the title tune, this soulful, bluesy ballad. Recorded live in Atlanta earlier this year, the discs also feature country’s Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Zac Brown, Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church, plus Nashvillians John Hiatt, Jimmy Hall, Keb Mo and Warren Haynes. The whole package sounds like warmth and love.
KELSEA BALLERINI/Love Me Like You Mean It
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Josh Kerr/Lance Carpenter/Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: none listed; Black River (track)
-She has a sweet, pert vocal delivery that’s endearing. Her song bops in all the right places, and the lyric rattles rapidly. Catchy and promising.
JOHN COWAN/Things I Haven’t Done
Writers: none listed; Producer: John McFee; Publishers: none listed; Compass (track)
-His seering, soulful tenor voice defined an era with Newgrass Revival. Then he embarked on a series of always-gripping solo efforts. Cowan sings lead for The Doobie Brothers now, and the band’s John McFee is behind the board for the singer’s
Sixty CD. It leads off with this rhythmic slab of nostalgia and contemplation that rolls along smartly. The album includes guest spots by Leon Russell, Rodney Crowell, Chris Hillman, Bernie Leadon, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Huey Lewis, Bonnie Bramlett, Ray Benson, Jim Messina and more. Plus, Cowan interprets such fantastic classics as “Devil Woman,” “Run for Your Life” and “Miss the Mississippi.” Get in line pronto for its Aug. 26 street date.
BRIAN COLLINS/Never Really Left
Writers: B. Collins/T. Buppert; Producers: Mills Logan/Brian Collins; Publishers: Blue Light, SESAC; Blue Light (track)
-Not to be confused with the Texan Brian Collins who charted 15 times in the 1970s and 1980s, this Georgia boy has a confident, ultra-youthful, splendidly airy, superbly listenable country-rock approach that is just about irresistible. Dynamic and driving. Welcome to the party. Change your name.
OLD DOMINION/Shut Me Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; OD
-Members of this band are noted for writing tunes for Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry (”Chainsaw,” “Better Dig Two”), Keith Urban, Scotty McCreery, Craig Morgan (”Wake Up Lovin’ You”), Jake Owen, Steve Holy, Chris Young (”Neon”) and others. But they have the goods to become stars, themselves. This fizzy, guitar-driven, relentless sizzler deserves to become a massive radio favorite. Sign this band. Now.
Charlie Daniels Named Chairman of The Board for Charity
/by Troy_StephensonCharlie Daniels
Charlie Daniels has been named Chairman of the Board for the Journey Home Project, which exists to assist other not-for-profits in securing funds to help Veterans of The United States Armed Forces.
Daniels hosts an annual fundraising dinner at Nashville’s The Palm restaurant with the proceeds benefiting various military charities. The Charlie Daniels Scholarship for Heroes Fund was started in 2012 along with Journey Home Project co-founder David Corlew. This was part of the Yellow Ribbon Education program to help military heroes receive an education.
The Journey Home Project has been established to bring all of these fundraising efforts under one umbrella.The Journey Home Project has already donated $22,500 to the Task Force Dagger Foundation after raising funds at a private dinner. The next event planned will take place at The Palm restaurant on Tuesday, Sept. 9, where Charlie Daniels will host a benefit for the Journey Home Project.
SkyHouse Luxury High-Rise Apartments Planned For Nashville
/by Jessica NicholsonA rending of the proposed SkyHouse apartment for Nashville.
Nashville will soon be home to Novare Group and Batson-Cook Development Company’s 12th SkyHouse luxury high-rise apartment. SkyHouse is proposed to be located on the corner of Broadway and 17th Ave. in Midtown. The 25-story, 352-unit building would include more than 10,600-square-feet of ground level retail.
If approved, SkyHouse Nashville will feature studio, one, two and three bedroom units with floor-to-ceiling glass. The signature “SkyHouse” is planned to be situated on the 25th floor with a club room, fitness area and outdoor plazas that include a swimming pool, fireplaces, covered outdoor lounges and 360-degree views of the city. The project will also have a bike repair shop and bike storage, a dog walk area and a dog wash area. SkyHouse projects are environmentally sustainable and Energy Star certified.
“SkyHouse Nashville is proposed for a highly attractive area for our target demographic: Gen Y professionals who are looking for live-work-play options in the city,” said Jim Borders, President, Novare Group. “We are excited to be working again with Batson-Cook Development Company to bring SkyHouse to Nashville, one of the preeminent cities in our nation for young, single professionals.”
Novare Group partnered with Tony Giarratana to deliver Viridian on Church Street in 2006, Encore in Sobro in 2008 and the conversion of the historic Bennie Dillion Lofts to condominiums in 2005. In 2004 Batson-Cook Development Company partnered with Warren Commercial Real Estate to develop Parkway Commons in Franklin. The retail center features Target, Kroger and a number of destination restaurants.
CMA Music Festival TV Special Slips In Ratings
/by Jessica NicholsonLittle Big Town
Last night’s (Aug. 5) CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock earned a 1.8 rating among adult viewers age 18-49, down from last year’s 2.0 adults 18-49 rating, according to initial numbers reported by Zap2It.
CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock brought in 7.16 million viewers, down from 8.2 million viewers in 2013. This year’s Country show had competition from NBC’s America’s Got Talent in the 9 p.m. time slot.
The rating was still enough to make ABC the No. 1 network among viewers age 18-49, while NBC won in terms of total viewership. It also marks the special’s second-highest numbers in five years in viewership and among adults 18-49.
Miranda Lambert (L) and Carrie Underwood (R) perform during ‘CMA Music Festival: Country’s Night to Rock.’
Hosted by Little Big Town, the show featured performances from Carrie Underwood and Miranda Lambert, Blake Shelton, The Band Perry, Cole Swindell, Tim McGraw and Faith Hill, Zac Brown Band, Thomas Rhett and more.
Industry Ink: Horton Hears A Hit, Wells Fargo
/by Jessica Nicholsonole was one of many publishers that participated in the recent Horton Hears a Hit Publisher Crawl. The event was attended by artists including Mickey Guyton, Charlie Worsham, Ryan Kinder, Austin Webb, and Cassadee Pope, along with their management and record labels, who visited with publishers and inquired about songs for their upcoming albums. Other publishers taking part included Amylase, Big Machine Music, Little Louder, Liz Rose Music, Sea Gayle, and Wrensong.
Pictured (L-R): Nick Garvin (Artist Manager), Ben Strain (ole, Creative Director), Emily Mueller (ole, Creative Manager), Artist Ryan Kinder, John Ozier (ole, GM Creative Nashville) and Rebekah Gordon (Warner Bros. Records).
• • •
Singer/songwriter Jenny is daughter of Vince Gill (married to Amy Grant) and Janis Gill. Josh is Director of Creative for Sony/ATV.
• • •
SESAC Signs Zac Brown
/by Sherod RobertsonZac Brown
Zac Brown, songwriter and frontman of the three-time GRAMMY® winning and multi-platinum Zac Brown Band, has signed with SESAC for songwriter representation.
“I have a great respect for songwriting. It’s one of the most powerful ways to reach people and to be able to write music, as my career, is one of the greatest gifts I could have asked for,” said Brown. “Great songs accompany our most precious memories, bring us out of darkness, and connect us all. I’m very excited about the ones cooking and our new team at SESAC.”
Brown’s most notable songwriting credits include “Toes,” “Chicken Fried,” “Colder Weather,” “Goodbye In Her Eyes” and “Sweet Annie,” all chart-topping hits for Zac Brown Band.
“Zac’s excellence as a songwriter is well-known, not just in the country music market, but across genres,” says Trevor Gale, Senior Vice President, Writer/Publisher Relations, SESAC. “We are proud to welcome him to the SESAC family.”
Since its major label debut in 2008, Zac Brown Band has released three platinum-selling albums Uncaged (Atlantic/Southern Ground), You Get What You Give (Atlantic/Southern Ground) and The Foundation (Atlantic Records/Home Grown/Big Picture) for combined sales of more than 6 million copies and producing eleven No. 1 hit singles.
The band is currently on their Great American Road Trip tour, which included a two-night stand at Fenway Park without any supporting acts – a feat only accomplished by four other bands (Bruce Springsteen and the E Street Band, Jimmy Buffett & The Coral Reefer Band, The Police and The Rolling Stones).
The band’s latest project, The Grohl Sessions Vol. 1 on Southern Ground, features a 45-minute film by Southern Reel on the making of the album.
Paisley and Underwood To Host CMA Awards
/by Troy_StephensonBrad Paisley (L) and Carrie Underwood (R). Photo: Bob D’Amico/ABC
The 48th Annual CMA Awards will take place on Wednesday, Nov. 5 from The Bridgestone Arena in Nashville and will air live on ABC. For the 7th year in a row, it will be hosted by Brad Paisley and Carrie Underwood.
“Carrie and Brad are unmatched as a hosting team,” said Sarah Trahern, CMA Chief Executive Officer. “They have impeccable comic timing, industry credibility, critical acclaim, and a natural rapport that makes them popular with our live audience and the viewers at home. We are delighted to have them presiding over ‘Country Music’s Biggest Night.’”
Paisley has won 14 CMA Awards since receiving the Horizon Award (now New Artist of the Year) in 2000, including Entertainer of the Year (2010), Male Vocalist (2007, 2008, 2009), and Album (2006 for Time Well Wasted). He won Musical Event of the Year three times and he claimed the Vocal Event of the Year trophy in 2001 for “Too Country” with Bill Anderson, George Jones, and Buck Owens. He has won Music Video of the Year four times and is No. 5 on the list of top CMA Awards winners of all time.
Underwood has received five CMA Awards in her career – three consecutive Female Vocalist of the Year trophies (2006-2008), as well as Single of the Year (2007 for “Before He Cheats”), and the Horizon Award (2006). Her 18 career CMA Awards nominations include three for Album of the Year; three nominations for Music Video of the Year for; and Musical Event of the Year for “I Told You So” featuring Randy Travis (2009). She has been nominated for Female Vocalist of the Year every year since first being nominated in 2006 (2006-2013).
More information on the awards can be found at CMAawards.com.
Creative Nation Preps Maggie Chapman LP Debut
/by Eric T. ParkerChapman wrote or co-wrote every song on the 10-track album (full list below), which includes the ballad, “It Should’ve Been You,” inspired by a true story and available for streaming on Idolator.
“I love to read, especially the classic works of authors like Shakespeare, F. Scott Fitzgerald and Edgar Allan Poe,” explains Chapman. “In literature, a vignette is a short, well-written, descriptive scene, not entirely a full story. Vignette is merely Part One of an infinite collection of stories and songs to come.”
Chapman recently opened up for Tyler Hilton at his sold out shows in Nashville and Atlanta. She released a self-titled EP earlier this year.
Vignette Track Listing:
Weekly Register: Gilbert's 'Just As I Am' Heading For Gold
/by Jessica NicholsonAlso of note is Big Smo, at No. 6, selling 6.5K for a RTD of 61K after nine weeks of release; He has been in the Top 10 in the Country albums rankings all nine weeks.
Top 5 Country Albums
Brantley Gilbert, Just As I Am, 19K TW
Miranda Lambert, Platinum, 12K TW
Luke Bryan, Crash My Party, 12K TW
FGL, Here’s To The Good Times, 9.7K TW
Various Artists, Now Country 7, 7.1K TW
Top 5 Country Tracks
Jason Aldean “Burnin’ It Down” 115K
FGL “Dirt” 83K
Kenny Chesney “American Kids” 73K (506K RTD)
Dierks Bentley “Drunk On a Plane” 56K
Lady A “Bartender” 54K
DISClaimer: What's In A Name?
/by Robert K OermannChris Young
I think I’ll make a record and bill myself as Garth Brooks.
That’s kind of what our DisCovery Award winner is up to. Here’s the story. Nashville’s Brian Collins is an established country singer who has recorded for Mega, ABC/Dot, RCA, Primero and other labels. He made the charts 15 times between 1971 and 1984. He had a top-10 hit in 1974 with his version of “Statue of a Fool,” and his top-25 hit version of “That’s the Way Love Should Be” became an even bigger hit song for Dave & Sugar in 1977.
He also wrote and originated “Hello Texas,” which Jimmy Buffett sang on the multi-million selling soundtrack of Urban Cowboy. This Brian Collins is a previous ACM nominee for New Male Vocalist of the Year, is known as a Texas “Ambassador of Good Will” and recorded a CD as recently as 2013.
I imagine he’ll be quite surprised to learn that there is a man from Georgia who is launching his country career as, that’s right, Brian Collins. THAT Brian Collins can keep his DisCovery Award, as long as he agrees to alter his billing. You see, his name is already spoken for in the world of Country music.
There is no controversy about my choice for the Disc of the Day prize. Chris Young RULES.
J. MICHAEL HARTER/Holy Cowgirl
Writers: J. Michael Harter/Scott Harter/Earl Bud Lee/Scott Laurent/Bruce Wallace; Producer: none listed; Publishers: Anozira/Caroline Lane/We’re Working/2121/Ole, ASCAP/BMI; GMV/Anozira
-This rocks. The track has a serious bass undertow and a snarling guitar line. This super propulsive single also has a dance remix, which I totally understand. I only wish his white-boy vocal had more grit or passion.
THE SECRET SISTERS/Rattle My Bones
Writers: Brandi Carlile/Tim Hanserorth/Phil Hanserorth; Producer: T Bone Burnett; Publishers: Southern Oracle/WB, ASCAP; Cracker
-The album’s title is Put Your Needle Down, and it grabs you from the first notes of this opening track. It’s a rockabilly romp with “Everly Sisters” harmonies and a chugging, joyous bed of rhythm. Normally consigned to the backwaters of Americana, this duo takes a major step forward by getting Cracker Barrel distribution. So kudos to the Sisters, as well as to the retailer for gaining instant hip cred. As cool a sound as you’ll hear this year.
EILEEN CAREY/Bottle Your Crazy Up
Writers: Eleen Carey; Producer: none listed; Publisher: RolleyCstr, BMI; RoleyCstr
-It’s feisty-female ditty with a bopping arrangement. She isn’t an earth-shattering vocalist by any means, but gets points for energy, effort and good intentions.
CHRIS YOUNG/Lonely Eyes
Writers: Johnny Bulford/Jason Matthews/Laura Veltz; Producer: James Stroud; Publishers: Warner-Tamerlane/3JB/Fresh Baked Cookies, BMI; RCA (track)
-What a dreamboat. He watches her walk into the bar, sit down next to him, give him a look and he’s off and flirting. Chris turns the charm meter up to 10 on this throbbing roadhouse romance. He also sings his fanny off.
JAKE WARD & MELISSA BROOKE/Hit The Road
Writers: Jake Ward; Producer: none listed; Publisher: none listed; JW
-He sings well, in a pleading Texas tenor. She shadows him in flawless harmony, then takes a soulful verse on her own. The breezy arrangement and gentle pace contrast nicely with the heartache-to-hope lyric. You waft along with it, but alas it ends too abruptly.
MARTINA McBRIDE/All My Friends
Writers: Charles Scott Boyer, Jr.; Producer: Don Was; Publisher: Chappell, ASCAP; Rounder (track)
-Rounder’s resident rock legend Gregg Allman is the subject of a multi-artist tribute CD and DVD. The lone country female in the cast is Martina. Maybe that’s why they gave her the title tune, this soulful, bluesy ballad. Recorded live in Atlanta earlier this year, the discs also feature country’s Trace Adkins, Vince Gill, Zac Brown, Brantley Gilbert and Eric Church, plus Nashvillians John Hiatt, Jimmy Hall, Keb Mo and Warren Haynes. The whole package sounds like warmth and love.
KELSEA BALLERINI/Love Me Like You Mean It
Writers: Kelsea Ballerini/Josh Kerr/Lance Carpenter/Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: Forest Glen Whitehead; Producer: none listed; Black River (track)
-She has a sweet, pert vocal delivery that’s endearing. Her song bops in all the right places, and the lyric rattles rapidly. Catchy and promising.
JOHN COWAN/Things I Haven’t Done
Writers: none listed; Producer: John McFee; Publishers: none listed; Compass (track)
-His seering, soulful tenor voice defined an era with Newgrass Revival. Then he embarked on a series of always-gripping solo efforts. Cowan sings lead for The Doobie Brothers now, and the band’s John McFee is behind the board for the singer’s Sixty CD. It leads off with this rhythmic slab of nostalgia and contemplation that rolls along smartly. The album includes guest spots by Leon Russell, Rodney Crowell, Chris Hillman, Bernie Leadon, Alison Krauss, Sam Bush, Huey Lewis, Bonnie Bramlett, Ray Benson, Jim Messina and more. Plus, Cowan interprets such fantastic classics as “Devil Woman,” “Run for Your Life” and “Miss the Mississippi.” Get in line pronto for its Aug. 26 street date.
Writers: B. Collins/T. Buppert; Producers: Mills Logan/Brian Collins; Publishers: Blue Light, SESAC; Blue Light (track)
-Not to be confused with the Texan Brian Collins who charted 15 times in the 1970s and 1980s, this Georgia boy has a confident, ultra-youthful, splendidly airy, superbly listenable country-rock approach that is just about irresistible. Dynamic and driving. Welcome to the party. Change your name.
OLD DOMINION/Shut Me Up
Writers: none listed; Producer: none listed; Publishers: none listed; OD
-Members of this band are noted for writing tunes for Dierks Bentley, Luke Bryan, The Band Perry (”Chainsaw,” “Better Dig Two”), Keith Urban, Scotty McCreery, Craig Morgan (”Wake Up Lovin’ You”), Jake Owen, Steve Holy, Chris Young (”Neon”) and others. But they have the goods to become stars, themselves. This fizzy, guitar-driven, relentless sizzler deserves to become a massive radio favorite. Sign this band. Now.
[Updated] Lifenotes: Former Sony Music Nashville VP Tom Banks Dies
/by Jessica NicholsonTom Banks
[Update]:
Visitation for Tom Banks will be held Thursday, Aug. 7 at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home, located at 660 Thompson Lane, Nashville, Tenn. 37204. The visitation will be held from 12:30 p.m.-2:30 p.m.
A funeral service will be held Thursday, Aug. 7 at 2:30 p.m. at Woodlawn-Roesch-Patton Funeral Home.
The family requests that memorial contributions be sent to Grace Place Church, 4316 Central Pike, Hermitage, TN 37076.
• • •
[Original post, Aug. 4, 2014]:
Former Sony Music Nashville Finance VP Tom Banks died Monday (Aug. 4), following a long battle with cancer. The Kentucky native first joined Sony Music Nashville as a Finance Administrator in 1997 and rose through the ranks. He became VP in 2007. Banks stepped down from his VP role in 2010.
Arrangements are currently pending.