1969 BMI Country Awards. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy C. Newman, Ed Cramer, Tom T. Hall, Jimmy Key, and Bob Jennings (Photo by Bill Preston: Property of the BMI Archives)
Veteran country song publisher and talent agency executive Jimmy Key died on Friday, Aug. 1.
His Newkeys Music — a partnership with the late singers Jimmy C. Newman and Dave Dudley — discovered Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall. The company published songs recorded by Bobby Bare, Johnny Wright, Faron Young, Flatt & Scruggs, George Jones and Burl Ives, as well as Newman, Dudley and Hall.
Among Newkeys’ most famous copyrights was Hall’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” a pop and country smash for Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. “I can’t help thinking – if there had been a lot more guys like Key around, more writers and performers might have made it through the rough, crazy years,” an appreciative Tom T. Hall wrote in his autobiography. Key, who published Hall’s songs in 1963-70, also got the songwriter the Mercury Records contract that made him a singing star. Key also arranged for Hall to become a Grand Ole Opry member.
In addition to Hall, the company’s staff songwriters included Kim Morrison, Roy Beham, Ronnie Rogers, Jeff Young, Hillman Hall, Chuck Wells, Jeff Elliott and Mike Morgan.
Key was the president of the publishing company. He also owned Jimmy Key Talent, which booked concerts by Newman, Dudley, Hall, Bare, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Merle Kilgore, Claude King and Shirlee Hunter, among others. Key Talent was the first agency in Nashville to open an office in Las Vegas.
In 1967, he formed Rice Records. Among those who were signed to the label were Billy Grammer, Helen Carter, Al Terry, Linda Manning and Chase Webster.
Born Emmit Martin Key in Cullman Country, Alabama in 1927, Jimmy Key started his career as a member of Big Jim Folsom’s Strawberry Pickers band in his home state. After several years as an entertainer and radio personality, he moved to Nashville.
He learned the live-performance business while working for the J. Hal Smith Artist Bureau. Then he formed his own Jimmy Key Talent agency in 1963.
Jimmy Key worked in the Country music business for more than 50 years. He died at age 87.
He is survived by sons Rick and Jack, daughter Gail Levine, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Nashville Funeral and Cremation handled the arrangements.
Industry Ink: ASCAP Promotes Vote, Liddell at CMHoF, Ketchum Joins Ivy Eleven
/by Sherod RobertsonThe second and final voting ballot schedule for the CMA awards is below.
Second ballot
Fri., Aug. 8—Renewal payments must be received to vote on second and final ballots
Tues., Aug. 12—Second ballot emailed at 10 AM/CT
Fri., Aug. 22—Ballot site closes at 5 PM/CT
Final ballot
Thurs., Oct. 9—Final ballot emailed at 10 AM/CT
Mon., Oct. 27—Ballot site closes at 5 PM/CT
• • •
The Country Music Hall of Fame featured producer Frank Liddell in a Q&A with the museum’s writer-editor Michael McCall on Saturday, Aug. 2. The Q&A was in support of the exhibition Miranda Lambert: Backstage Access. Liddell has produced all five of Lambert’s albums.
As founder of Carnival Music, he has published the first No. 1 hits by songwriters Natalie Hemby, Troy Jones, David Nail, Scooter Carusoe, Bruce Robinson, and others. He has produced albums for Kellie Pickler, Pistol Annies, David Nail, and Liddell’s wife Lee Ann Womack.
Pictured (L-R): The Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Abi Tapia and Kyle Young, Lee Ann Womack, Frank Liddell, and the Country Music Hall of Fame and Museum’s Michael McCall. Photo: Rick Diamond.
• • •
Gina Ketchum
Fashion stylist Gina Ketchum has joined Los Angeles-based talent agency Ivy Eleven. Ketchum has worked as a fashion stylist, makeup artist, hairstylist, and designer.
Her client list has included Darius Rucker, Florida Georgia Line, Eli Young Band, LL Cool J, Def Leppard, Bryan Adams, Joe Nichols, and Kevin Costner.
Jon Pardi Reveals 20-City 'Up All Night Tour'
/by Jessica NicholsonJoining Pardi on the tour is rising singer-songwriter and Capitol Records labelmate Joey Hyde. Hyde’s single, “Get It On,” is currently at Country radio.
UP ALL NIGHT TOUR Dates:
Oct. 10 Lincoln, Neb.
Oct. 11 Omaha, Neb.
Oct. 24 Boston, Mass.
Oct. 25 Portland, Maine
Oct. 26 Uncasville, Conn.
Oct. 30 San Jose, Calif.
Oct. 31 Salt Lake City, Utah
Nov. 12 Overland Park, Kan.
Nov. 13 Columbia, Mo.
Nov. 14 Chicago, Ill.
Dec. 12 Denver, Colo.
Dec. 20 Columbus, Ohio
* Additional dates to be announced in the upcoming weeks
BMI To Submit Public Comments In Response to U.S. DOJ Request
/by Jessica Nicholson“The time has come to modernize the BMI consent decree. We appreciate the U.S. Department of Justice’s solicitation of public comments as part of the modernization process,” said Michael O’Neill, BMI President & CEO. “Our goal is to better serve our affiliates and music users, and the DOJ’s request facilitates an industry-wide open dialogue needed for critical reforms.”
BMI’s submission to the DOJ outlines three important updates to the consent decree:
“Our proposed modifications to the decree will benefit not only our affiliates but the rights marketplace in general,” said Stuart Rosen, BMI Senior Vice President and General Counsel. “While we feel that there are additional important modifications necessary to modernize the decree, the proposals in today’s filing are the most urgent and, we believe, need to be addressed on a faster timetable.”
Sunny Sweeney Gets 'Provoked' On New Release
/by Kelsey_GradySweeney’s dedicated fans helped fund the album via PledgeMusic, an interactive program that allows artists and fans to connect while raising funds for upcoming music projects.
“My fans are everything to me,” says Sweeney. “If your fans’ opinions don’t matter to you, I would assume that you wouldn’t be in this business. That’s why I put a lot of songs on [the album] that I have been doing for a couple of years. If nothing else, I feel completely confident because I know my fans and I know what they want from me.”
A portion of the album’s sales will go to one of Sweeney’s favorite charities – CASA (Court Appointed Special Advocates).
Provoked track listing
1. “You Don’t Know your Husband” (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Mark D. Sanders)
2. “Bad Girl Phase” (Brandy Clark/Jessie Jo Dillion/Shannon Wright)
3. “Second Guessing” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
4. “Carolina on the Line” (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Warren/Brad Warren/Lance Miller)
5. “Find Me” (Sunny Sweeney/Buddy Owens/Jay Clementi)
6. “Can’t Let Go” (Randy Weeks)
7. “Front Row Seats” (Sunny Sweeney/Lance Miller/Brett Warren/Brad Warren)
8. “My Bed” (Sunny Sweeney/Angaleena Presley/Ashley Monroe)
9. “Uninvited” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
10. “Sunday Dress” (Sunny Sweeney/Monty Holmes/Buddy Owens)
11. “Used Cars” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
12. “Backhanded Compliment” (Sunny Sweeney/Natalie Hemby)
13. “Everybody Else Can Kiss My Ass” (Sunny Sweeney/Brett Beavers/Connie Harrington)
LifeNotes: Music Business Vet Jimmy Key Passes
/by Robert K Oermann1969 BMI Country Awards. Pictured (L-R): Jimmy C. Newman, Ed Cramer, Tom T. Hall, Jimmy Key, and Bob Jennings (Photo by Bill Preston: Property of the BMI Archives)
Veteran country song publisher and talent agency executive Jimmy Key died on Friday, Aug. 1.
His Newkeys Music — a partnership with the late singers Jimmy C. Newman and Dave Dudley — discovered Country Music Hall of Fame member Tom T. Hall. The company published songs recorded by Bobby Bare, Johnny Wright, Faron Young, Flatt & Scruggs, George Jones and Burl Ives, as well as Newman, Dudley and Hall.
Among Newkeys’ most famous copyrights was Hall’s “Harper Valley P.T.A.,” a pop and country smash for Jeannie C. Riley in 1968. “I can’t help thinking – if there had been a lot more guys like Key around, more writers and performers might have made it through the rough, crazy years,” an appreciative Tom T. Hall wrote in his autobiography. Key, who published Hall’s songs in 1963-70, also got the songwriter the Mercury Records contract that made him a singing star. Key also arranged for Hall to become a Grand Ole Opry member.
In addition to Hall, the company’s staff songwriters included Kim Morrison, Roy Beham, Ronnie Rogers, Jeff Young, Hillman Hall, Chuck Wells, Jeff Elliott and Mike Morgan.
Key was the president of the publishing company. He also owned Jimmy Key Talent, which booked concerts by Newman, Dudley, Hall, Bare, Porter Wagoner & Dolly Parton, Merle Kilgore, Claude King and Shirlee Hunter, among others. Key Talent was the first agency in Nashville to open an office in Las Vegas.
In 1967, he formed Rice Records. Among those who were signed to the label were Billy Grammer, Helen Carter, Al Terry, Linda Manning and Chase Webster.
Born Emmit Martin Key in Cullman Country, Alabama in 1927, Jimmy Key started his career as a member of Big Jim Folsom’s Strawberry Pickers band in his home state. After several years as an entertainer and radio personality, he moved to Nashville.
He learned the live-performance business while working for the J. Hal Smith Artist Bureau. Then he formed his own Jimmy Key Talent agency in 1963.
Jimmy Key worked in the Country music business for more than 50 years. He died at age 87.
He is survived by sons Rick and Jack, daughter Gail Levine, six grandchildren and nine great-grandchildren. Nashville Funeral and Cremation handled the arrangements.
Pandora Aims Beyond Music For Automobile Appeal
/by Eric T. ParkerReports note that the biggest Internet radio company can be accessed in 33 percent of new cars, compared to 71 percent that Sirius maintains with its content, including Howard Stern and the National Football League.
As competition edges from Spotify, Google and its Android Auto, and Apple and its Car Play, Pandora has seen active users stall to a 7.5 percent growth in the second quarter, compared to a 30 percent rise earlier in the year.
Pandora’s projected automobile growth is estimated at 15 million by 2017. Of course Pandora can technically already be accessed from any smartphone that plugs into cars.
Pandora’s new, 40,000 square foot Park Avenue office space were recently released in photos by Digital Music News.
The Civil Wars' John Paul White and Joy Williams Officially Part Ways
/by Jessica NicholsonJoy Williams comments, “I am saddened and disappointed by the ending of this duo, to say the very least. JP is a tremendous musician, and I will always be grateful for the music we were able to create together.I sincerely hope that ‘You Are My Sunshine’ will be accepted as a token of my gratitude for every single person that has supported our duo throughout the years. I’m so thankful and my heart is full. Looking ahead, I’m excited to share the music that I am writing and recording in the midst of this difficult transition. I’ve loved being back in the studio, and have missed performing live. I look forward to seeing you soon.”
John Paul adds, “I would like to express sincere thanks to all who were a part of the arc of The Civil Wars—from the beginning, to the end, and all points in between. My deep appreciation goes out to all who supported, disseminated, and enjoyed the music. Whatever shape or form the next chapter takes, thanks for being a large part of this one.”
The download of “You Are My Sunshine” can be found at thecivilwars.com.
Johnny Cash Museum To Honor Legends Of Sun Records With New Exhibit
/by Troy_StephensonJohnny Cash
Nashville’s Johnny Cash Museum and Event Space will unveil a new exhibit to honor the Legends of Sun Records on Aug. 15. The exhibit will run for 18 months. Among the items that will be on display are never-before-seen artifacts from Elvis Presley, as well as the first drum kit that was used on the Grand Ole Opry, and the first original pair of Blue Suede Shoes.
Other artists that will be spotlighted in the exhibit include Jerry Lee Lewis, Roy Orbison, Carl Perkins and drummer W.S. Holland.
“Johnny Cash began his musical career at Sun Records,” says museum founder Bill Miller. “Sun was the launch pad for several young men whose music would forever impact the world. Elvis Presley, Carl Perkins, Jerry Lee Lewis and Johnny came from similar backgrounds and humble beginnings. Once they walked through the door at the Memphis Recording Service, their lives would never be the same. We are proud to showcase Johnny’s labelmates from this historic period in rock and roll history.”
The Johny Cash Museum is located at 119 3rd Ave. S. More information found at johnnycashmuseum.com.
Australia Council for the Arts Continues Nashville Residency Grant
/by Jessica NicholsonBen Wright Smith
Australian singer-songwriter Ben Wright Smith is this year’s recipient of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant, which was established last year by the Australian Government and the Australia Council for the Arts. The residency grant allows writers and artists to spend three months in Nashville to be mentored by program facilitator, Australian producer, and Nashville resident Mark Moffatt.
“The Australian government has recognized Nashville as the global music hub and made it the focus of many of their funding initiatives,” said Moffatt, who is also the current Board President of the Americana Music Association. “Ben’s talent, personality and drive made him the perfect candidate for this program.”
Melbourne native Wright Smith, 25, has already had several folk/rock releases. He visited Nashville in 2012, where he performed at the Americana Music Festival. During his three-month Nashville residency, Wright Smith will be introduced to Nashville’s creative and business community to engage in songwriting, recording, showcasing and industry networking.
Previous recipients of the Nashville Songwriter Residency Grant include Travis Caudle and Chris Altmann.
New York Style Diner Set For Nashville's Demonbreun Street
/by Jessica NicholsonRendering of Avenue Diner
Steve Smith, owner of Tootsie’s Orchid Lounge, Honky Tonk Central, and Rippy’s, is bringing some New York City atmosphere to Nashville with the introduction of Avenue Diner. The multi-level eatery is designed after Brooklyn eatery Juniors, and is set to be built on the corner of 3rd Ave. and Demonbreun. The eatery will have a Country music theme. Jonathan Scott, former general manager for Nashville’s The Palm, will serve as Avenue Diner’s general manager.
The other corners of 3rd and Demonbreun house The Pinnacle office tower (which includes The Southern restaurant), Schermerhorn Symphony Center, and Encore condos.
“I have been very fortunate to bring Nashville some of the best known honky-tonks around the country,” says Smith. While Avenue Diner will be Country music-themed, don’t expect actual live music in the venue. “There will be no live entertainment or stages in the diner, making it a place for people to enjoy good conversation with a good meal,” continues Smith.
It is estimated that Avenue Diner will be opened in early 2015.